Two.
“Sometimes giving up part of yourself is what you need to find your next adventure.” 

― WALKING DOWN THE STAIRS HEARING ALL THE RACKET. I noticed the ring was gone from my finger which was strange. It was there a few days ago, but looking downstairs heading down I could notice the damage in the Whitmore-Dugan’s kitchen. As I look to see Courtney on the ground, and another girl standing there. Looking at her I could see her with the lantern and the ring….and it was working for her. How?

When the lights were turned on I could notice all the damage that was done. It destroyed their island, and a few doors in their house. Courtney was already in so much trouble, but who could blame her after everything that happened last year. Looking at the girl she looked at the staff moving back as we all looked at the two standing in the doorway as Kyra stood next to me. 

“I’m very sorry for the damage.” The girl told Pat and Barbara as I moved into the kitchen with Mike and Kyra. “I had no intention of fighting anyone coming here. Things got out of hand.” She continued as Pat looked into the kitchen to see more of the damage. 

“Looks like it.” He spoke back to the girl. 

“Look what you did, Court.” Barbara said which was true, but I also do believe that Courtney didn’t do it herself. But this isn’t my conversation to be a part of. I just want to know who this girl is. 

“Me?” Courtney asked, “She broke into the house Pat. And trying to steal the Green Lantern.” 

“I wasn’t stealing anything, this belonged to my father.” The girl mentioned as my eyes widened. Alan Scott had a daughter? And he didn’t tell me. The ring was never meant to be mine was it. 

“Your father?” Pat asked, looking at her as I looked at her with Kyra, as the girl mentioned the name of her father. 

“His name was Alan Scott.” She mentioned as my eyes widened again. She must be his daughter, she...she deserves the legacy, the chance to be like her father. To be able to have the lantern, and the ring if she is the true daughter of him. Kyra even looked at her weirdly enough, since she knew who Alan Scott was. 

“Yeah. It’s the Green Lantern.” I mentioned, looking at her as she looked at me. 

“His ring led me here.” She mentioned as she came closer to Pat, Kyra, and I as she looked at all three of us. “My name is Jennie, who are you guys?” She asked as I looked at her. 

“I’m Pat Dugan.” Pat told her as her eyes lit up. 

“You’re Stripsey. You’re a legend.” She mentioned making everyone shocked except Kyra since she could care either way sometimes. But I think deep down she knew what her father was. “You built the Star Rocket Racer, and adopted the daughter of the legendary Hawkman and Hawkgirl. You're a mechanical genius.” 

Looking at her I smiled, she was very polite and kind. She reminded me of parts of myself, some better than others. But she was truly something herself. 

When she asked Courtney about being Starman’s daughter, she also asked her about being Pat’s as Courtney corrected her. She looked at Kyra. 

“You’re her...You’re the legendary daughter of Hawkman and Hawkgirl. I have heard stories about your adventures in the 1800s.” She told Kyra as I could see the smile on Kyra. “And you? You had my father’s ring.” She mentioned as I looked at her. 

“I’m Skylar Tyler.” I told her as we both looked at each other as she looked at me. 

“You’re Hourman’s daughter. Your parents were a crime fighting duo.” She mentioned as I looked at her. 

“My mother wasn’t a vigilante.” I told her as she looked at me like I was wrong. 

“Yet I have heard many things about your mother’s grace and love for humanity.” Jennie mentioned as I smiled. 

“Then maybe I didn’t know her as well.” I told her as Kyra came next to me. 

“Can you show me how to use the ring Mr.Dugan? Skylar?” She asked him and me before noticing Max getting down and petting him. 

A couple minutes later everyone headed back upstairs, as Courtney had to sleep on the couch. When walking upstairs I knock on Courtney’s door, knowing that Jennie might still be up. When she opened the door I looked at her. 

“I’m sorry to intrude, I just didn’t know if you needed someone to talk to.” I told her as she smiled, and let me in. “I’m sorry for stealing your dad’s ring from you.” I told her as she looked at me. 

“You didn’t steal it...it worked for you. But thank you for letting me keep it.” She told me as I nodded.

“I get what family means, and I get nothing. Except my brother, and enough food for lunch and dinner.” I told her as she looked at me, as I could just see that she was missing something. That something was bugging her. “Do you mind me asking, Did you lose someone?” 

“You don’t have to…” I told her as she interrupted me. 

“I lost my brother during my time in the orphanage.” She told me as I looked at her. 

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t imagine losing my brother to the system. I can just imagine it being hard only having yourself out of all your family.” I told her as she looked at me. “I may not know you that well but, if you need anything, just come find me Jennie.” I spoke up as she nodded. 

“Good night sleep well.” I told her before walking out and closing the door hearing her say goodnight. 

What is my life going to be without the ring? 

I know the team has got my back. They are my family, but without the ring, I can’t create the thing I need with my powers. I just have myself and I don’t have any powers. Or I haven’t figured them out yet to say the least. 

― WAKING UP I COULD SMELL THE GOOD SMELL OF PANCAKES, AND SKYLAR’S SNORING. Looking over the bed I could see Skylar on the small air mattress which didn’t even bother her. I remember sitting on her bed, her mattress was made of rock like material, and yet she still was able to sleep on it. Quickly I looked over to see the clock, 6:15, great I only got three hours of worthwhile sleep. 

The whiff of Pancake’s let the snoring girl wake up as she gasped. I looked over laughing feeling the small smile and glare she had given me before turning to me. As I couldn’t stop laughing at the way that all happened. 

“Morning, Sunshine. Seems like you enjoyed the mattress.” I told her as she shook her head. 

“Stop lying. You know I don’t have a good mattress, this one is better than most mattresses my uncle let me have when I was younger.” She told me as I looked at her as she threw her pillow at me. “And besides you have never felt Rick’s mattress it’s even worse.” 

“I always wondered why you never just moved in?” I asked her. 

“First, partially I am. I live here half of the time, I live at King Manor part of the time, and sometimes just go home and stay with Rick part of the time to get a change of clothes and more of my stuff from my drunken uncle.” She told me as I nodded. Not long after did the smell of pancakes get me to want to stop making fun of her this early in the morning. 

“You smell the pancakes too? Right?” I asked her as she nodded. 

“They don’t smell like Pat’s.” Skylar mentioned as I nodded. 

“Yeah, these one’s smell new.” I told her as I got up and went to my closet picking out an outfit before grabbing one for Skylar. It was a bright yellow tank top, and a pair of jeans. Handing it to her I quickly take my clothes and let her head to the bathroom. 

A few minutes later, we both head downstairs, as the smell of pancakes gets stronger as it is in the kitchen. Walking by I could notice that Courtney is cold and not comfortable. I quickly grab the couch’s blanket from the floor, and place it back on her. I felt bad for her, since these last couple days...for even month’s she’s been stressing over a town that doesn’t need saving, that needs both Stargirl, but also Courtney Whitmore to be herself. 

Walking into the kitchen I noticed Jennie standing there with the grillet making pancakes that somehow smelled still better than Pat’s. “How do these smell so much better than Pat’s?” Skylar asked as she looked at Jennie who put some on her plate. “Thank you.” She said heading to the table as I heard more footsteps down the stairs. 

“Hey dad, mom.” I spoke up as they nodded and Jennie smiled as Mike came down the stairs. Jennie handed me a plate as I smiled and nodded at her heading over to the table to join Skylar sitting next to her. 

Not long after did my father bring syrup as I needed more and Jennie finished up making Pancakes. Hearing Court’s name I looked to the doorway as she started asking questions and I smiled. 

“I thought Pat’s were unbeatable, but we sure got a contender here.” Barbara spoke up as I laughed knowing it was true. My father does make some mean pancakes, but these ones had something different to it. 

“Pat’s are very beatable.” Mike stated as I nodded. 

“Agreed, Skylar even can sometimes make better pancakes.” I noted as Mike pointed his fork at me with agreement. 

“This is like a restaurant.” Pat told us as I nodded, where did this girl ever learn to make killer pancakes. Like these aren’t your average, mmmm...pancakes. No these are just yes….i will eat twenty pancakes even after I’m full. 

“I’m glad you liked it. I used to cook for everyone in the group home I grew up in.” Jennie spoke up with enthusiasm laced in her voice, smiling brightly in the sun. “We had pancake breakfast every Sunday.” 

“Wow, that sounds like fun.” Barbara mentioned that it does sound more fun than having to learn how to pick the right berries in the forest back in the 1800s, when you didn’t want to get shot by the other side. But those were the days. 

“So you fixed the table?”Courtney asked Pat as we all knew it wasn’t her. I remember hearing someone downstairs earlier, but my rush of wanting some decent sleep got to me before I could help Jennie. 

“I’m not hungry.” Courtney said telling Jennie it was alright to sit in her seat, but not this again Courtney. Not long after Courtney talked about going with Pat in Jennie did Barbara step in going to school. 

“Summer School.” Mike pointed out as I placed his hand down. Shaking my head I looked back at Courtney who didn’t like it one bit. But maybe she could use Summer School to reflect on being Courtney Whitmore, and it’s not like I couldn’t help her pass History if she truly needed help. 

― GETTING OUT OF THE CAR I LOOKED AHEAD OF MYSELF AT BLUE VALLEY HIGH. I truly didn’t know why Madelyn wanted me to come to Summer School, because I had passed all my classes at the end of my Junior Year, and I passed them with mostly A’s and one B. But that doesn’t explain why when moving into town I had to come to Summer school for a stupid history class. I get she doesn’t want me to be alone but I just don’t know many people at this school, it’s different than Miami. Different from being on the beaches hanging out with my friends. 

Before getting into the class I was assigned to I ran into someone with bright ginger hair. “Oh my gosh I’m sorry.” Her voice rang through as she had flowers in her hair, looking shocked. She was quickly grabbing the stuff she dropped. I stared more at her outfit seeing it was a baby blue color as it reflected on one of her rings that fell with the books she was carrying. She quickly put the books in her bags. 

“I haven’t seen you at Blue Valley High before, are you new?” She asked me as I nodded. “Well I’m Briar.” Briar spoke out looking at me as she was much shorter as I had to look down to see her. 

“I’m Meghan….Adams.” I spoke up as she smiled. 

“Well Meghan, welcome to Blue Valley High.” She spoke out in a peppy voice, “I’m guessing your parents signed you up for Summer School.” She stated as I looked back at her. 

“My older sister...my parents passed a long time ago. You?” I asked her trying to avoid answering the whole question, or pity that everyone gives. And then the judgement on my height being taller than most of the girls in my class. 

“My older sister too. You're not the only one with parents who passed away.” She told me as we continued to walk down the hallways. 

Finally getting into the room, I noticed a blonde girl, and a dark haired girl sitting in the middle of the room, as they looked at me and I shook my hair. Sitting down in the back I noticed Briar sat next to me. Not long after, the teacher entered the room. 

“Good Morning, Blue Valley High.” His voice rang through the history room. “I am Mr.Desisinger, for anyone who hasn’t taken my art class,...which is everyone.” He spoke up as I leaned back in my chair a bit. 

“Since it’s summer, you can call me Paul.” He speaks up, “Okay, who have we got here?” 

“Meghan Adams?” He called out. 

“Here.” I spoke out. 

“Isaac Bowin?” He asked as a kid from the front whispered here. 

“What was that?” Mr.Deisinger asked him. 

“Here!” he yelled, pounding a hand on his desk.

“Josh Carillo.” He continued as people continued to say here. 

The two girls who stared at me when walking in were talking about some sort of green llama, some sort of girl that they were talking about. 

Later on in the list the teacher stopped, “So no Rick Harris?” He mentioned, “I don’t see Rick.” He mentioned. I wonder who Rick is. And why it was such a bad thing that he wasn’t here. 

We continued to sit until class finally finished and I would be done for this first day of summer school, since my sister is a Dr. now at this Blue Valley hospital. Blue Valley is an interesting town. Like there is something it’s hiding. 

My phone rang as it was J.D., as I knew I should have answered that I should have checked in with her. But I don’t have the time. I would have to call her later. Once Briar sat down we both started to eat as I watched the Whitmore girl who was acting strange. But I shouldn’t worry too much, people have their quirks. 

― RICK AND I CONTINUED WAITING TO SEE IF GRUNDY WOULD APPEAR HERE IN BLUE VALLEY. Looking past the river I couldn’t notice anything else, but the water running down the valley. The ringing of Rick’s cell phone is what brought me back into thinking about anything else but the memories, and all the pain in my head. The ringing since stabbing my father. The flashes of lights. 

“Hey.” He spoke up as I could hear the soft voice of his sister on the other side of the phone. 

“I’ve been trying to contact you and Maya all morning.” She told him, as he put it on speaker phone. “I would ask where you are, but you need to get over here.” She continued. 

“What’s up?” He asked as I came closer to him. 

“There’s a new superhero in town.” She spoke up as my eyes widened. A new superhero...who? How? Since when? 

“What?” He asked his sister as she laughed.

I grabbed his hand, as I pulled him up the hill as we both rushed to get back to the mustang, as I looked back to see if Grundy came and to check on Rick who was also hurrying. But we heard footsteps and stopped. I looked back and then we finally got in the mustang as I let go of Rick’s hand. 

Later on in the afternoon, Courtney, and Yolanda joined the rest of the team as Jennie has been showing off what she can do with her powers, with the ring. She is the daughter of yet another JSA member, one who has lost almost everything. Which I can relate to, losing your brother, your family. Growing up trying to figure out who you are. But she is so kind. She is so beautiful. 

But something seemed off as I looked at Courtney seeing that her face was off when looking at Jennie, like she had some problem with Jennie. Most likely suspecting her, but if I was her...I would suspect the Becca girl from yesterday. She seemed suspicious in her own ways. 

“You must be Yolanda, Right?” Jennie asked Yolanda as I could see her go uncomfortable, “Or I can call you Wildcat?” She asked her. 

“Everyone here has told me about you.” She mentioned, “You’ve got the heart of a fighter. So inspiring.” She mentioned, “I bet Ted Grant would feel the same too.” She continued as Yolanda smiled.

“I’m Jennie.” She finally introduced herself to Yolanda. 

“Yolanda is fine.” Yolanda said as the two were both laughing softly. I smiled at how Yolanda for a moment could be so happy, she deserved it. 

As I looked at Courtney I knew an argument was coming, and I wasn’t in the mood for it. Listening in I could hear Courtney go off about Jennie. I shook my head, seeing the look on everyone’s faces. And the disappointment from Kyra’s face to Courtney. 

“Courtney...Kyra both of you up here to talk tonight.” Pat told his daughters as Kyra walked up first as she looked me in the eye shaking her head. 

Instead of following the others, I stayed there. Quickly a flash of light and memories appeared. ‘Eck’, grabbing my head I went down for a moment seeing the flashes of stabbing my father was deciding to appear. But this time it flashed into my brother and me stabbing him. 

“Henry.” I yelled as everything disappeared and Rick was next to me worried, and Yolanda was looking at me concerned herself.

“I’m Fine.” I stated. “I’m fine.” I continued knowing that line was a lie. That everything I said was a lie, I wasn’t alright. But I couldn’t show it, I’m the daughter of one of the most feared ISA members...I was raised not to show all emotions or to show that I wasn’t alright. I need to be alright, I don’t need anyone else to worry about me. Because if they do...they just leave me. It’s only a matter of time. 

Once Courtney apologized to Pat, he received a call, and by the look on his face I could tell that something was wrong. Someone was here. As he didn’t fully know, he was going to check it out. She quickly came down the stairs. 

“Mr.Dugan, I'll go with you. If this person is meant for trouble, or has any problem I’m your best bet of figuring them out.” I told him as he nodded, and Rick looked at me. “I’ll be fine Rick.” I told him squeezing his hand before following Pat down the street to the Diner. 

Entering the Diner I could see Pat doing his business. I talked to one of the waitresses about ordering take-out for about an hour. At the same time she went back to talk to the chef as I had to pick it up in about an hour. I focused. I must focus. Taking a breath my mind settled. 

Using my powers, I quickly try to take a glance in this man’s mind. Richard Swift...is his name. But who is this Richard man. Going further down for a moment, I saw a flash of a moment where I saw my father in front of me, like he could see me, and he was next to a man who was in the shadows. Not long after was I thrown. Bending down I felt the pain in my head getting worse and the red swirls were surrounding me.

“No...No...No.” I whispered trying to calm down. “I have to stay calm, I am in control. I’m just a telepath. I only just want to be a telepath.” I tell myself as I wake up seeing Pat look at me and then at the door as I quickly write a note on the copy of my receipt. 

“Are you ok…?” Pat asked me as I nodded. 

“That man, he’s a part of it. Isn’t he?” I asked him as he nodded. 

“I think he was...or is. But I suspect him.” Pat answered as we saw a green glow, as it must have been the lantern. The lantern over reacted. 

“I can try to crush it.” I hear Rick say from afar. 

When we got there it was lighting up so much. I looked around to see nobody there. Going over to Rick I wanted to grab it, but I knew he wasn’t going to agree to it. As Pat tried to calm Jennie down. 

“Jennie is the lantern.” Courtney stated as Skylar agreed. 

“Yeah Jennie is harvesting the power, she could absorb it before it explodes.” Skylar explained as I looked at her. 

“You need to leave. If this doesn’t work, it…” Jennie started, “Go!” She continued as I shook my head as Rick grabbed my hand. 

“Courtney’s right Jennie, we won’t leave. I can try to make a field to protect us from the blast.” I explained looking at them. As Jennie was starting to make it work as Skylar smiled until it boomed and I used the scarlet wisps the one’s I couldn’t control to try to block it. But it was starting to get too powerful and uncontrollable as it started trying to attack Jennie. I pulled it back on me as everyone was blasted back. 

“Ahhhh.” I yelled before getting blasted back from both my powers, and Jennie's blast landing on the ground when the flashes started again, and not long after did I black out seeing Rick one last time. 

“Maya.” I heard a voice, the deep voice of Rick, as I could feel him. A Green light blinded my eyes as I opened them, seeing him holding me up. “Are you ok? Really ok?” He asked me as I shook my head. 

“I couldn’t control it.” I started seeing Jennie, not like she can. She can control it now. But I almost could have killed her if I didn’t put it on myself. “I can’t control it yet...I thought...I thought I could.” I looked over to see his concerned face as he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. 

“We’ll figure it out. Where is the JSA.” He said as the other’s nodded, and Jennie was smiling, as I looked up, not a smile on my face yet. 

After a few minutes Jennie landed, and after getting asked I joined Rick as Skylar would have Pat take her home after going to the Pit shop getting her bag. “How would you like dinner?” I asked him, seeing him smile. 

“Yeah, I’d like that.” He told me as we smiled walking away back to the diner. Who knows how this would go at the end of the day. 

― KNOCKING ON THE DOOR MADE ME QUESTION WHO WOULD BE OUT HERE. My uncle would have just come through one of the side doors, and Rick would have just come in, and I know how his footsteps sound. Looking out the window, I noticed a woman who was looking down at a small case in her hands. Opening the door, I’m just hoping that this woman isn’t here for what most people are here for...my brother getting in trouble, or my uncle being his usual self. I looked at her as she looked up seeing my face, she quickly smiled and she handed me a small card saying her name, and her training. It was a business card of some sort. Her name was…

“Sorry to intrude on you Ms.Tyler? I’m Jessica Cruz.” The woman spoke up as I looked at her. She knew my name...but Jessica Cruz didn’t sound familiar. She didn’t sound like someone from Blue Valley. “I moved into the old worn farm across the field from your uncle’s house, where the old German family lived.” She spoke up as I looked at her. 

“Skylar...You can call me Skylar.” I told her as she nodded. “What are you doing here?” I asked as she looked at me. 

“I wanted to come meet my neighbors in Blue Valley.” She told me as I could see partially through her lie, but at the same time it wasn’t a lie. Turning away to close the door in front of her, she spoke back up. 

“Wait, I might have something that will pique your interest.” She told me as I looked back at her as she opened the small box showing a lantern ring. But it was different from the one that I used to have, the one that Alan Scott had. But how is she a Green Lantern? 

“Who are you?” I asked her wondering what I could use to defend myself that is around me other than kicking her straight in the face and making a run to closing the door and calling the team. 

“I’m a Green Lantern, part of the Green Lantern corps.” She told me at first I didn’t know if I should believe her. “They have been wondering when you are going to have the opportunity to finally join us at the corps. As a Green Lantern.” She told me. The corps? What was the corps?

“The Corps?” I asked her as she smiled. 

“The Green Lantern Corps. Are the intergalactic police force, we watch over multiple planets in the multiverse and in the galaxy. We are the protectors, we help people.” She told me as I looked at her. 

“But I don’t have a ring, I don’t have any special superpowers, I’m just Skylar Tyler.” I told her as she laughed and shook her head. 

“Ms...Skylar, you can be so much more than what you say right now. I’m not here to pressure you. But the Guardians of The Universe are impressed with you.” She spoke up as I shook my head. “You are more than you know, if you ever have any questions, or need help you can always come over. I’m not going to murder you or anything. But I make killer steaks, and mashed potatoes.” She spoke up. 

“I hope you will sometime be willing to. Keep the card.” She told me before getting up and started walking back to her black car as she moved out of the driveway, and I could notice the Yellow Mustang pulling up. I saw Rick who was questioning who the woman was. 

Keeping the door open I waited until I saw Rick get out. He came over to me. 

“Who was that?” He asked me. 

“Just a new neighbor Rick. Nothing to worry about.” I told him not wanting to explain what was going on in my mind. 

Being a Green Lantern again. As much as I would love to, who knows how this Corps works. Joining them is one thing, but I’m a JSA member. Joining something else would take my life away from me, having friends, having family, and living it. But the rush of being a part of the JSA, and being a lantern a Green Lantern once again.