Episodes 1 and 2: Dependency Day
Takes place on July 4-8, 2010.
Short version
Paul wakes up in space near Earth 16 wearing an orange power ring, with no idea how he got there, but makes a deal to obey Wonder Woman for a year (resulting in his membership on the Young Justice team) in exchange for ownership of Alan Scott's personal lantern.
Longer version
The author's self-insert wakes up in space near Earth 16, having no clue what is going on, and finds he's being kept alive by an orange Power Ring. After initially panicking and creating several constructs unintentionally (including resculpting his body to match his idealised self-image), he examines Earth and confirms that he's indeed in a parallel universe, then starts taking steps to ensure his future. Without a personal lantern to recharge the ring, he gathers a large quantity of gold and platinum from an asteroid, buys a set of clothes from the first shop he finds, then visits retired Green Lantern Alan Scott, offering to buy his lantern.
Alan is willing to help a new superhero find his feet, but concerned about the danger he poses, especially with an avarice-based power source. He contacts his old colleague Wonder Woman, and they strike a deal by having Orange Lantern agree to swear a magically binding oath to Gaia, promising to remain in the solar system and obey Wonder Woman for a year.
The journey to Gaia's temple to swear the oath is also informative for them. Wonder Woman sees him bring about a diplomatic resolution to a hostage situation involving a tourist ship and a group of harpies. Orange Lantern tries out capabilities like detecting her invisible plane (he can see it, but all in orange) and extending the ring's translation effect to other people. They both discover that he is highly sensitive to ambient magic, when Gaia's temple puts him in a state of childlike wonder and exuberance.
After making the oath, the SI is able to use the ring to convert Alan's personal lantern from green to orange. With his source of power assured, he sets out to practise using the ring effectively and safely, starting by selecting Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a philosophical model to guide his desires and avoid becoming obsessed with short-term wants. He also starts training to use a regular handgun and commissions a set of body armour, in case he needs backup options. Two days later, Wonder Woman brings him to Mount Justice, where he is assigned to the newly forming Young Justice team.
The Renegade sections have him being confrontational with Wonder Woman, Lantern Jordan, and Kid Flash.
The equivalent canon episode is named Independence Day. This begins a theme of subverting canon titles, as well as possibly referencing the SI's dependence on his ring to survive, then on Alan Scott's lantern to recharge it.
- Bland-Name Product:
- Instead of Wikipedia, Earth 16 has Encarta Populi.
- Earth 16's video sharing website is called VidULike.com.
- Boxing Lessons for Superman: Paul buys a gun and takes lessons in using it.Paul: Just as a backup in case I have to fight something ring proof or if I run out of power in a combat zone.
- Exact Words: Orange Lantern words his oath carefully to include not willingly leaving the solar system. He reasons something like mind control or being forced could happen.
- Failed a Spot Check: Orange Lantern is curious about the clothes shop he visits, and takes a look around while waiting for a manager to help him, but doesn't catch on to what's happening until months later.Shifty staff member, on phone: Ah, Mitch, could you, er, could you come down here fer a minute?
Paul: Ooh, is that a shotgun? I didn't realize they made them that short.
Staff member: Yeah, no, that’s fine, but you need to get down here man.
Paul: Is that icing sugar? - Greed: Paul has to focus on avarice in order to make the ring work well.Paul: I want it as much as, uh, somewhere between my-life-depends-on-this and I've-been-looking-forward-to-this-all-week.
Ring: Multiple variables decrease accuracy. Best estimate suggests high probability chance of success. - Harping on About Harpies: On their way to Themyscira, they find harpies taking hostages. Some negotiations are enough to settle things since they are intelligent.
- Heroic Vow: Orange Lantern makes one to Gaea, with dire consequences if he breaks it.
- Intoxication Ensues: Orange Lantern gets drunk off the ambient magic of the Temple of Gaea.
- My Grandma Can Do Better Than You: The owner of the West Side pistol and rifle range is not impressed with Paul's initial efforts to learn marksmanship.Paul (internally): Better this time? Oh? Well, your ten year old probably has more experience than me.
- The Unpronounceable: A variation. The SI is unable to say or even think his real name, forcing Alan and Diana to just refer to him as Orange Lantern.
