The Secret Life of Star Sapphire! (Flashback!)
If there was one thing that Carol Ferris loved, one thing that freed up her mind and let her release her stress, it was flying. Something about it made her feel more connected to the world and to herself, even though she was physically more detached from it. If only I could fly on my own, she mused to herself. She often wondered how it felt for heroes like Superman and Captain Marvel, heroes who could take to the skies on their own. Granted, there's been a few times where Green Lantern's held me in his arms and flown and that's been.... Carol swooned. God, he's gorgeous. She set her mouth in a thin line though. Green Lantern might have been hot, but there was also Hal Jordan to contend with. Hal Jordan, her pilot, who Carol was quickly falling for, no matter how hard she tried not to. It's hard not to, though. He's a priggish jerk, but there's something about him that's just so annoyingly charming...
She mused over Green Lantern and Hal Jordan for awhile, lost in thought. She was lost enough to still be able to concentrate on her flying, but not much else. She snapped out of her reverie when she felt her plane being forced down, though. It wasn't because of her steering, nor was it because of the weather conditions. In fact, Carol couldn't tell why her plane was being forced down. Keeping her calm - Carol Ferris was not going to panic in this sort of situation. She was a stronger, smarter woman than that. Really.
The last thing that Carol remembered before she blacked out was touching down on a soft patch of ground.
***
"That was clumsy of us! We managed the landing badly! If we've harmed her --"
"No -- she'll be all right in a few moments!"
The whispering voices slowly brought Carol back to consciousness. Where am I? What's going on? she wondered as her eyes fluttered open. The first thing she noticed was that she wasn't in her plane anymore. She was outside of it, laying on...a bed? And then, she noticed the source of the voices. Amazons?
"Do not fear!" exclaimed one of the voices - a tall, statuesque redhead. "All will be explained, your highness!"
What? "Wh-what did you call me --!?"
"Your highness!" exclaimed the same woman.
"You are our queen!" exclaimed the other.
Yep. I'm having a dream. A horrible, weird dream. I probably have a concussion. Dammit, I hope someone finds me.
"We are here on your world under an invisibility screen! We come from the planet Zamaron, which, in our language, means land of lovely women! We came here to find you!" And then they proceeded to fill Carol in about their history, how they were, essentially, a planet of intergalactic, immortal warrior women - Much like the Amazons, Carol mused - and how they had one queen who was always a mortal - a mortal with long, black hair and bright, sparkling blue eyes. Like me, Carol mused as they telepathically showed Carol an image of their former queen.
"An exact resemblence!" One of the Zamarons exclaimed. "No doubt of it! Your Highness, we must leave at once to return to Zamaron where you will be crowned -- Queen Star Sapphire!"
"You mean -- leave the Earth?!" What about Hal Jordan?! What about Green Lantern!? Don't I get a king?! "But I can't do that!" She exclaimed, then explaining her reasons for doing so.
"Then it is because of a man-creature that you do not wish to come with us?"
"You admit that you admire this creature?"
"I'm in love with him!" Carol exclaimed without thinking. "And he's not a creature -- his name is," Hal Jordan, "Green Lantern!"
One of the Zamarons haughtily turned to her and said, "As our future queen, you must be made to realize, Highness, how far superior even the lowest Zamaron is to any man -- no matter who he be! Since it is clear to us now that you will never accept our offer to be our leader while you remain...as you say...in love, we have a proposal..." The red-headed Zamaron smiled brightly at Carol. "We are aware that this Green Lantern is a hero of considerable prowess on your world! We will show you what a weakling he really is! Better yet, you will prove it to yourself!"
"I will prove?!"
The Zamaron nodded and a powerful, alien machine glimmered to being in front of them. The Zamaron sat down and explained to Carol that she was now going to recieve one of the Queen's hunting costumes and to remain still. Within moments, Carol Ferris, suddenly feeling regal and powerful - was wearing a violet and white costume with a mask. A power star sapphire gem glittered on the tiara she wore. Carol smiled. She felt...she felt amazing. And she felt...
Carol blinked as she eased herself into the air...on her own. "It's amazing! I can soar through the air like a bird!"
"Of course! It is one of the powers which your royal gem gives you! Now for the test! You shall go into the city where you will encounter Green Lantern! Due to incidents we have arranged, he will seek to take you into custody! But you must defy him! Thwart his efforts to imprison you! In this manner, you will learn how puny are the powers of this Green Lantern -- compared to what we can give you! But there is no causse for further delay...all is in readiness!"
And so Carol, somehow mysteriously compelled to seek out Green Lantern, compelled to act as the Zamarons bid her to act - set out to win out over the man she was so quickly falling in love with.