Taylor's time trapped in the locker was pure torture. She did not lose her mind, however. It was the worst day of her life and that meant one thing and one thing only. A Trigger Event. Those that knew of them also knew they granted powers and made someone with a certain propensity into a Cape.

A strong presence touched Taylor's mind. Greetings, Miss Hebert.

Who is this? Taylor thought back.

It matters not, for we shall never meet. The presence said and Taylor could almost hear the smile. My name is Ganthet and I am here to make you an offer.

Taylor was immediately suspicious.

The presence in her mind chuckled. Fear not, Miss Hebert. I merely interrupted the process that would have given you powers. If you wish, I shall withdraw and allow the process to complete.

Do you know what I would have received? Taylor couldn't help but ask.

Let me check your dimensional coordinates. The presence said and seemed to fade away almost completely.

Taylor was a bit surprised by that and didn't think of anything except remaining patient.

Thank you for waiting. Ganthet said when the presence returned. It seems you were chosen to receive a power scaling ability called Queen Administrator. In the initial stages, you could control insects within a hundred feet. Since your situation is so dire, one of the worst triggers so far in fact, you were to get a secondary upgrade power for mental capacity and to expand your range to a city block.

Taylor was shocked by that. Wh-what? I was... I could...

Control the bugs crawling on you, yes. The presence said. In time, if certain factors were met, the power could be expanded to include shellfish and other lower life forms.

That... that sucks. Taylor thought.

Ganthet chuckled. At first, yes. However, your brain is quite talented and you would use the power with ingenuity and would make it work for you effectively.

Th-thank you. Taylor thought, embarrassed.

That is why I decided to interfere. Your talent would be wasted during the initial stages that would take months to develop. However, what I am offering could be used immediately.

Taylor's suspicion lessened slightly. How?

Let me explain and all will become clear. Ganthet said and Taylor mentally nodded in agreement.

*

Sophia, Emma, and Madison had gathered near the locker after first class and made disparaging comments about Taylor. Of the other students in the hallway, only a few thought they were being especially mean and also thought it was better that it was Taylor and not them.

Suddenly, the locker started to have a green glow around the edges. The people in the hallway took a collective step back, as if they had practised it, and Sophia's eyes widened at the sight. She almost choked when a green glowing hand formed in front of the locker and its surprisingly nimble fingers entered the combination to unlock it.

Everyone stared as the locker slowly opened with a creaking sound and a costumed figure stepped out. She was 5 foot 9 and she wore a skin-tight uniform that highlighted her perfectly. It was mostly green on top with grey accents on the sides and the rest was greyish black. Her face was mostly covered in a green mask and her hair was slicked back into a ponytail.

“Hebert!” Sophia gasped.

“Cape Law Code violation: Publicly revealing the civilian identity of a cape while in costume.” Taylor said and a light beam shot out from the green ring on her right hand and bright green cuffs formed around Sophia's wrists.

“What? Fuck you! Everyone can see you!” Sophia spat.

“No one else is stupid enough to break the law like you.” Taylor said and her glowing green eyes turned and looked at everyone in the hallway. “Are you?”

“No.” Most of them said and the two people recording it didn't say anything. A green light from the same ring hit their phones and blanked them.

“Hey! You can't do that!” One girl exclaimed and looked furious.

“They aren't destroyed. I reset them to factory settings.” Taylor said.

The girl closed her mouth when her phone rebooted and she saw that she still had her contacts.

Taylor turned back to Sophia. “Come along quietly, Miss Hess. We have an appointment with the local PRT to get to.”

Sophia fumed. She wanted to change to shadow and escape, except she would out herself as a cape. She could see a very thin tendril of energy from her cuffs that went to Taylor's ring. Maybe if she ran and broke it somehow? Was line of sight needed or was the tendril permanent? As soon as she was out of sight of everyone in the hallway, she would make a break for it.

“You're not taking her anywhere, Taylor!” Emma almost growled. “You're not a cop and you can't arrest anyone!”

“My name in costume is Green Lantern.” Taylor said and another set of green handcuffs appeared on Emma's wrists. “That's two blatant violations of the law. Shall we go for a third?” She asked and looked at Madison.

The girl looked afraid and shook her head several times.

Taylor smiled and motioned for Sophia and Emma to start walking. Both girls exchanged knowing looks and started walking side by side. The crowd parted for them and no one saw the green hand close the locker and lock it again before it faded away. It also went unnoticed that all of that filth was gone from the locker.

Almost as soon as the two girls in front of Taylor had gone around the corner, they started to run. Taylor pulled on their tethers and both girls grunted and came to a stop, then Sophia changed into shadow form and slipped out of the thin cuffs.

“You're free! Go! GO!” Emma encouraged her and the shadow moved off.

“This changes things.” Taylor said and formed a green barrier that appeared around the shadow. It started to move through the barrier and then a hollow scream came from the shadow and it fell backwards and changed back into Sophia.

“What did you do?!?” Emma almost screeched.

“I made her container non-permeable for a split second. That apparently hurt her.” Taylor said and picked up a partially stunned Sophia in a green sphere. “You already knew who she was.”

Emma didn't say anything and just glared at her.

“I hope you both like seeing the inside of a jail cell, because you're going to be spending a lot of time in one.” Taylor said and pushed Emma into Sophia's containment bubble, which surprised both trapped girls. “Using cape powers for torture and attempted murder is going to look really good on your criminal records.”

“You can't do this!” Emma shouted and tried to punch the barrier, only for it to bend like taffy instead of being solid. “What... what is this stuff?”

Taylor didn't answer her and walked to the school's office. She poked her head in and smiled at the surprised secretary. “I'm delivering a couple of criminals to the PRT for several crimes.”

“All... all right?” The secretary said back and looked really confused.

“Cape Code section 246. Maintaining secret identities.” Taylor told her and she jerked in her chair. “Ah, so you know, too. That explains so much.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” The secretary lied, badly.

Taylor sent a beam of light along the floor and under the desk to touch the computer. It took her very advanced ring a few seconds to copy everything. She set it all to read-only and protected, so nothing could be deleted from the original. Another beam went into the principal's office and did the same thing to her computer and cell phone.

“We could be an hour or all afternoon.” Taylor warned the woman and closed the door.

“You'll never get away with this.” Sophia said and her own efforts to break the bubble holding her and Emma were fruitless.

“That's where you're wrong.” Taylor said and didn't tell them that her ring had already copied everything from their cell phones. Those connections let her enter their home computers and she was copying everything on them, too. That would take a lot longer, because she had to use a cell phone signal and wasn't physically touching them.

There were a few people in the next hallway and they didn't comment and just stared at the big green bubble with two teenagers in it. Taylor almost laughed at their apathy, because not one single person tried to claim she was kidnapping two students. It was a new experience for her to have such deference from everyone, just because she was wearing a cape costume.

Once they were outside, Emma started laughing under her breath. “What are you going to do now, Taylor? Walk all the way across town with a giant green bubble? There's no way you're getting us onto a bus!”

Taylor was very tempted to prove her wrong and squeeze them onto a bus, then decided to shock the hell out of them instead. “Who needs public transportation?” She asked and floated up into the air.

Both Emma and Sophia gasped as the bubble was lifted up as well and they almost panicked when Taylor flew off faster than Glory Girl and dragged the bubble behind her. They were at the PRT building barely a minute later and came in for a landing in front of the main doors. The security guards looked shocked and their hands twitched to their guns.

“Relax, gentlemen. My name is Green Lantern and I'm a member of a Galactic Police Force.” Taylor told them and they actually did relax.

Sophia cursed up a storm from the bubble floating behind her and Emma looked afraid.

“I haven't completed all of my certifications yet, though. I did apprehend two criminals after an attempted murder using cape powers and brought them right here instead of trying to deal with it myself.”

Both guards looked pleased with that explanation and one of them used his radio and reported in.

“Miss Militia will be right out to escort you in.” The officer on the right said.

“Thank you.” Taylor said and moved off to the side and waited patiently.

Miss Militia came out with several officers and her eyes widened at what she saw.

“It's real.” Taylor said and reached over to rap her knuckles on the solid bubble with the sound of glass. “Is there a conference room or an interrogation room we can go to? I want to get this investigation going as soon as possible.”

Miss Militia nodded and had the officers hold the double doors open for Taylor and the bubble to pass through.

“Thank you, gentlemen.” Taylor said and nodded at them as she entered behind Miss Militia with the green bubble floating behind them. She followed her to the elevator and the older woman gave the large round bubble a kind of fearful look as she pushed the button. “A sphere is the most basic protective barrier and uses the least amount of energy.”

The bubble shrank and forced Emma and Sophia together to stand side by side and became a vertical rectangle.

“Handy.” Miss Militia said and the elevator doors opened.

“You have no idea.” Taylor said with a warm smile.

Miss Militia couldn't help but smile back, even if the new cape couldn't see it behind the concealing bandana over the lower half of her face. She waved her to enter first and Taylor did and put Sophia and Emma at the very back of the elevator car. The two officers entered and Miss Militia entered last.

“How long have you been a cape, Green Lantern?” Miss Militia asked.

Taylor pretended to look at her wrist as if there was a watch there. “Not counting the hour of torture I spent inside a locker full of biological waste and bugs that these two shoved me into, about 25 minutes.”

Miss Militia sucked in a sharp breath and the two officers stiffened.

“I already had my crying session from despair about no one bothering to rescue me, despite a good portion of the school knowing I was trapped in there.” Taylor said and the look of shock was easy to see on Miss Militia's face. “It's all right, Miss Militia. I know you would have saved me if you had known something was going on.”

Miss Militia gave her a quick nod and glared at the girls still trapped in the green barrier. She made an odd sound and stared at Sophia in recognition, which made Sophia start to curse. “QUIET!” She ordered and Sophia snapped her mouth shut with a loud clack.

The elevator stopped and Miss Militia walked with a purpose as she led the way to a large conference room. She pointed to a spot for Sophia and Emma to be placed and Taylor used the ring to put them there. The two officers stayed by the door and took up guard positions on either side.

Miss Militia waved for Taylor to sit at the side of the table and she sat on the other side, as if they were equals. Taylor's warm smile was back on her face and Miss Militia smiled back. Neither of them knew why they seemed to click together so quickly and neither of them questioned it.

The door opened and Emily Piggot, a plump and slightly overweight woman, walked in with Armsmaster behind her. Taylor had to fight to repress her excitement at seeing his armored form. The man turned on a monitor that was mounted on the wall and the image of a redheaded woman appeared there. Even without an official introduction, Taylor knew this was the famous tinker named Dragon.

Emily sat at the head of the table and glared at Taylor. “Green Lantern, I'm Director Piggot. I've received several panicked calls from the principal of Winslow High School about someone kidnapping two important students from school grounds.”

Taylor didn't rise to the bait meant to anger her. She had tons of practice with that, thanks to the trio of bullies. “Obviously, Miss Blackwell was mistaken, like always. Before I left the property, I informed the secretary in the office that I was bringing two criminals to the PRT and we might be gone for the rest of the day.”

“What criminals? I only see two scared teenagers.” Emily prodded and indicated the trapped students.

“They're scared because Sophia can't use her shadow powers to escape through my barrier.” Taylor said and everyone in the room made startled sounds. “They are definitely criminals, since they attempted to murder me and I gained my powers.”

This time, only Emily, Armsmaster, and Dragon reacted with surprise.

“I didn't know she was Shadow Stalker until I captured her and she outed herself to me when she tried to escape my lawful and humane confinement.” Taylor said and saw Miss Militia's raised eyebrow. “I only used handcuffs on them at first. As soon as she was out of sight of the people in the hallway, she ran like a coward.”

“Fuck you, Hebert!” Sophia exclaimed.

“That's two counts of outing a cape in public while they are in costume.” Taylor said and Miss Militia slapped a hand over her face and Armsmaster's normally stoic face looked like stone. “Before you all ask, I exited the locker in full costume and with my face covered.”

Emily made a growling sound and her glare didn't lessen. “What do you want?”

“Like I told the guards out front, I haven't passed all of my certifications and I couldn't officially arrest them or legally read them their rights. So, I detained them and brought them here to the proper authorities to be dealt with.”

Miss Militia looked very pleased with that statement.

“Their charges are so numerous that it's going to take hours to list them all. As soon as I realized that Sophia was a cape, her charges went from bullying and terrorism to attempted murder and felony theft while using cape powers.” Taylor said.

The three women gasped, even Dragon on the monitor, and the men looked angry.

“I thought the trio were breaking into my locker by breaking and bypassing my multiple locks, only now I know that it was Sophia using her powers to rob me and ruin my things, including an irreplaceable and priceless family heirloom.”

“Fuck!” Miss Militia spat and she took several deep breaths as she visibly relaxed. “I apologize for my outburst, everyone.”

Taylor gave her that same warm smile as before. “Thank you for caring, Miss Militia.”

Miss Militia blushed slightly and nodded.

“Do you have any evidence of that?” Dragon asked.

“I do. Does anyone have a laptop or...” Taylor started to ask and Armsmaster handed her a kind of tablet. “That should do.” She said and a tight beam of light came from her ring and connected to one of the ports. She downloaded everything onto the thing and also made a backup of everything on the device, including the programming and schematics.

“You can transfer data that fast?” Dragon asked, clearly shocked.

“It's light speed.” Taylor said and handed the thing back to Armsmaster. “It's still limited by wireless signals if it can't connect directly.”

Dragon nodded and everyone watched as Armsmaster hooked the thing up to the display. Dragon's face was squeezed down into a small window and the information started to scroll up the screen.

“Oh, my god.” Dragon whispered as she accessed the data personally.

“What is it?” Emily asked.

“This is... months of... vile acts, cover-ups, denials of guilt and responsibility, and countless threats against the new cape.” Dragon said. “It also shows that Sophia's handler is in it up to her neck and never reported anything, even this latest incident is covered under a report of a school prank.”

“You can access her computer records?” Emily asked, surprised.

“Chief Director's Override.” Dragon said and started to show the handler's files. “Any evidence found that can harm the PRT takes priority and all searches are covered under an active and open search warrant.”

Emily reluctantly nodded at the prudence, even if her own privacy wouldn't be protected by its existence. Her eyes saw the blatant corruption and she sighed. “Dammit, someone go and arrest the idiot.”

“Director? She's right there.” One of the officers said and pointed at Sophia.

Both Taylor and Miss Militia let out soft giggling laughs.

“I meant her handler.” Emily said, even though her lips quirked into a brief smile. She definitely agreed that Sophia was an idiot.

“Yes, ma'am.” He said and saluted, then left to do the job.

“Read them both their rights and get them into an interrogation room.” Emily said to the other officer and motioned to Sophia and Emma. “Green Lantern, you can release them.”

Taylor gave her a glance and then looked at Armsmaster. “You wouldn't happen to have anything to stop Miss Hess from fleeing out through the quite porous walls, do you?”

Armsmaster let a small smile appear on his face and he pulled out a pair of tinkertech cuffs.

“Excellent. Your reputation for always being prepared is deserved.” Taylor said and stood. “Shall we?”

Armsmaster nodded and they walked around the table. To everyone's surprise, the armored man easily put his hands and the cuffs through the barrier that looked solid and he cuffed an equally surprised Sophia.

The barrier faded away and Emma gave everyone a searching look before she sighed and held her hands out to the officer. He came over and cuffed her with normal handcuffs before he read both Sophia and Emma their rights, placed them under arrest, and led them from the room.

“That was some great investigative work, Green Lantern.” Miss Militia said.

“It only worked because I had inside information that there was a cover-up and it gave me probable cause. If it wasn't for the law accepting eventual discovery of that same evidence with a search warrant, since it would all come out if a proper and full investigation happened, I wouldn't have legally been allowed to copy the data. By the way, I locked the school's computers and the personal computers of Miss Hess and Miss Barnes into read only mode and the files can't be deleted to cover anything up.”

That really brought pleased smiles onto Emily's, Miss Militia's, and Dragon's faces. Armsmaster just nodded. He knew following proper procedure was essential for maximum efficiency.

Miss Militia gave Taylor an almost greedy look. “Green Lantern, considering your age and lack of experience as a cape, would you mind sitting through a sales pitch for joining the Wards?”

Taylor gave her a searching look back. “That depends. Will you make Director Piggot and Armsmaster sit through it as well...”

Emily made a snort sound and Armsmaster looked like he sucked on something sour.

“...or should we retire to a break room for some coffee and a more relaxed atmosphere?” Taylor said with a growing smile on her face.

Miss Militia barely held in her laugh and looked highly amused. “Talking over coffee sounds much better. We don't need to waste any more of the Director's or the Head of the Local Protectorate's time.”

Both Emily and Armsmaster nodded at that.

“Then if they would excuse us, we can get to that briefing.” Taylor said and looked at Emily.

“You're dismissed.” Emily said and Taylor and Miss Militia stood. “Miss Militia, you are relived of duties for the rest of the day. I suggest a tour of the facilities here and at the Rig might help convince a potential new member of the benefits of joining.”

“Of course. Thank you, Director Piggot.” Miss Militia said and motioned towards the door as she started walking. Taylor kept pace with her and they left the conference room talking about some of the activities the Wards did.

When the door shut, Emily hit several buttons under the table. “Observations?”

“She's been completely truthful.” Armsmaster said. “I detected no lies.”

“She also seemed quite sincere and very respectful of the law.” Dragon said. “I agree with Miss Militia. For a fresh trigger to remain so calm and level headed to conduct an investigation into her own attempted murder within minutes of the event, speaks highly of her disposition.”

“Recommendations?” Emily asked.

“Full recruitment, full pay and benefits, the college and retirement funds, and perhaps an agreement to look over her ring during her power testing trials.” Armsmaster said right away.

“Noticed that, did you?” Dragon asked with a smile.

“My scanners only picked up a spectrum of light. I couldn't detect any data transference, physical forces, or anything else.” Armsmaster said. “If it's tinkertech, there's not much we could do to replicate it. It could give us ideas, however.”

“Dragon? What are your thoughts?” Emily asked. “You are the resident tinker of tinkers.”

Dragon looked thoughtful. “I have to admit that having the capability of light speed data transfers is incredibly intoxicating.”

Armsmaster nodded, because if they could incorporate it into their tech, it would increase their personal capabilities a hundredfold. At least.

Emily sat there for a moment and then nodded. “All right. I want you to pull out all the stops. Dragon, send a discreet message to Miss Militia and let her know. Full bore. We want Green Lantern onboard as soon as possible.”

“Right away, director.” Dragon said. “Armsmaster, I'll catch you in your lab later.”

“Dragon.” Armsmaster said and nodded.

Emily gave Armsmaster a pointed look. “If Green Lantern approaches you for anything, do not refuse or confront her. Do not antagonize her, even if she's irritating and asks you for an autograph.”

Armsmaster winced slightly. “You noticed that, too.”

“I believe she is a fan, so she should know your personality. As long as you don't overdo it, she shouldn't bother you too much.” Emily said. “Also, she seems taken with Miss Militia. If you include her in any meetings you have with or near the Wards and their area, it should mitigate a lot of your discomfort.”

Armsmaster nodded. “I'll do my best to not cause any more strife than necessary.” He said and then stiffened. “I need to message the Wards and have them warn Clockblocker to back off.”

Emily almost growled at the name of their resident comedian-in-training. “Have him skip coming in for his console shift today. If there is anyone in this place that would immediately turn off a new Ward from joining, it's him.”

“Agreed. I'll assign Gallant instead.” Armsmaster said and disconnected the tablet. “I'll send a copy of the data to your personal computer.”

“Over a secured data channel.” Emily ordered.

“Yes, director. As soon as possible.” Armsmaster said and left the conference room.

Emily sat there in the silence and thought about the mess that Shadow Stalker had dropped her and the entire PRT into. It would take a lot of work to not let this blow up as a public relations nightmare and she hoped that by throwing Sophia Hess under the proverbial bus would satisfy the new cape. Having a genuine flying cape on the payroll would give them a huge boost in both exposure and popularity.

She stood and slowly walked out of the room with her mind whirling over what the cape was really capable of. If it was all based out of the ring like they thought, then would she lose her powers if it was removed or broken? Would someone else gain her powers if they wore it instead?

Emily shivered at that thought. If anyone could become a cape by wearing a ring on their finger, then this world was going to hell, because nothing could save it if that was true.

*

Sophia sat in her tinkertech cell that night and cursed up a storm. She had been caught and the evidence of her breaking her probation was enormous, and they had records of her off the books patrols, thanks to her own phone records and talks with Emma. She laid on her back and looked up at the ceiling of the dark room. If she didn't escape soon, she would be going to cape prison, and it was all Hebert's fault.

A bright yellow glow appeared above her head and she stared at it.

What the fuck is that? Sophia thought as the glow faded and a yellow ring floated there.

Sophia Hess. You have the capability to instill great fear. A deep voice said in her head.

Fucking right I do! Sophia said and reached up for it.

Welcome to the Sinestro Corps. The deep voice said with satisfaction.

*

Emma laid on her bed in a much different cell and had similar thoughts. She hated that Taylor became a powerful cape. She had been envious of Sophia for two years because she was a cape, too. Being her friend was great; but, if she had powers... her thoughts stopped right there, because she didn't have anything.

A bright orange light appeared above her head and she looked up to see an orange ring floating there.

Emma Barnes, you are full of envy and desire. Everyone else has everything and you have nothing. A raspy voice said.

That's right! They have fame, and money, and looks, and powers! They have everything and I have nothing! I want it! I WANT IT! Emma shouted in her head.

Then take it. Take it all. The voice said as she grasped the ring. Welcome to the Corps of One, Agent Orange.

*

Lung laid in his bed and felt irritated at the newest whore's snoring. He wasn't sure why it bothered him a lot more than usual, then his eyes widened as a red glow appeared above his head.

Kenta Watanabe, you are capable of great rage. A very angry voice said.

I am not called the Great Rage Dragon for no reason. Lung scoffed at the thing.

Heh. Then accept this gift from the Master of Rage. Let the world see what Rage can do. The voice said angrily.

What makes you think I need your toy to do that? Lung asked it.

Instead of being insulted, the angry voice laughed. With that toy, you no longer need to fight to ramp up and transform.

Lung immediately grabbed it and put it on his finger. He felt rage fill him and he roared as his body grew and he became a man-sized dragon. He didn't lose his mind like he usually did and stayed at that height instead of going to his full size. He also knew he could if he wanted to and the power of unlimited rage fuelled him.

Welcome to the Red Lantern Corps.

*

Greg Veder laid in his bed and he cried. He had seen what those girls did to Taylor and he wanted to help. He had tried to approach the locker and the jocks dragged him away and beat him up on Emma's orders. By the time he returned, the locker was empty and Taylor was gone. He had failed and he felt so guilty and shamed because of it. Not even the teachers did anything to help and that made him feel even worse.

A soft blue glow appeared over his head. Greg Veder, you are capable of great hope.

Wh-what? No, I... no. I'm not worthy. Any time I try to help, I get beaten worse than ever. This last time was the worst. Greg's thoughts stopped as the blue glow covered him and all of his bruises and pains faded away. He stared at the ring that formed and he reached for it with reverence.

Welcome to the Blue Lantern Corps.

*

Rachel Lindt, aka Hellhound, or her chosen cape name of Bitch, was cuddled on her bed with her three dogs. She loved dogs more than life itself and she would do anything for them. She spent all of her money on feeding them and any dogs she rescued from abusive owners. A pink glow appeared above her head and she stared at the soft glow.

Rachel Lindt, you are capable of great love.

“My name's Bitch.” Rachel said out loud.

The pink glow faded away to reveal a pink ring. Welcome to the Star Sapphires, Bitch. Go forth and save all those that you love. Liberate them and make them yours.

“Okay.” Rachel said and put the ring on.

*

A small black glow appeared over a grave in Brockton Bay cemetery. A beam of pure darkness carved away the dirt and the glow faded to reveal a black ring. It floated down into the grave and slipped onto the finger bone of the right hand. A black glow filled the grave and the body there reconstituted and filled out the decayed clothing.

A familiar looking woman slowly floated up out of the grave and landed on the ground. Her hand formed into a fist and the black ring glowed. Her clothing changed into a uniform that was identical to a Green Lantern's, except it was black and grey instead of green and grey.

Welcome to the Black Lantern Corps, Annette Hebert. Show the living why they should never forget the dead.

Annette's eyes glowed with a malevolent light as her ring tore open the graves on either side of her and several zombies crawled out to stand behind her. “Danny, Taylor, Alan, Zoey. How could you have forgotten about me?” She asked as her ring kept working and more zombies joined her. “I will make you remember me. We all will.”