INT. HIGH SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY

EMMA and SOPHIA push TAYLOR to the ground, scattering her books and notes and pens.

EMMA

Take that, you worm.

TAYLOR reaches for her things. SOPHIA pushes them away with her feet, forcing Taylor to crawl.

SOPHIA

Crawl on the ground like the bug you are.

EMMA and SOPHIA laugh and walk away. TAYLOR gets up and fixes her glasses. She gathers her things. A bell rings, and she heads into:

INT. HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY

TAYLOR watches BRIAN as he walks by with his tray of food. He is tall and good looking, with a football captain's patch on his Letterman jacket, and he is WHITE. He brushes past TAYLOR seemingly without noticing and sits next to EMMA, smiling and kissing her on the mouth. TAYLOR sighs.

TAYLOR

Of course. He would never look at plain old me that way.

TAYLOR gets her tray of lunch, sighs at the rows of full tables, and sits by herself.

INT. HEBERT KITCHEN - DAY

DANNY is sitting at the table, drinking a beer and reading the newspaper. TAYLOR walks in, and sighs as she sees her dad sitting there.

DANNY

How was school, sweetie?

TAYLOR

It was fine, Dad. Whatever.

DANNY

Any boys I should know about?

TAYLOR

(exasperated)

Dad!

TAYLOR storms upstairs to her room.

INT. TAYLOR'S ROOM - DAY

TAYLOR turns on the television. A news report is on about a criminal named LUNG.

TAYLOR

Lung, huh? Not the most intimidating villain name.

Sighing, TAYLOR goes to her closet and pulls out a black costume. It is clearly homemade, but fits well as she holds it up to herself. She grips the mask in her hand and studies the ongoing news report.

TAYLOR

I might not look like it, but I actually have superpowers--the power to control bugs, specifically. It might not seem like the greatest power. But I've always wanted to use my abilities to become a superhero. And tonight, that's what I'm going to do.

EXT. CRIMINAL ALLEY - NIGHT

LUNG is surrounded by his gang. They are smoking cigarettes and holding bats, knives, and chains. Suddenly a swarm of bugs descends on them. TAYLOR is suddenly in their midst, wearing her costume and mask. Even though she is a 90 pound girl, she is able to kick and toss them out of her way with practiced ease. Finally they are all laid out and groaning.

TAYLOR

(hands akimbo)

Guess you boys forgot to bring bug spray.

LUNG snarls and charges her. The battle between the giant murderous monstrosity and the skinny teenage girl is close at first, but then LUNG manages to grab her by the UPPER ARM, thus rendering her helpless.

LUNG

I'm going to crush you like a bug!

Just before LUNG can finish her, he is struck from behind by a giant dog. The UNDERSIDERS appear, driving him off with the use of their powers. TAYLOR sees that there are four of them. TATTLETALE is a tall, leggy blonde in a skintight outfit. GRUE is broad and muscular, his face covered with a football helmet serving as a mask. HELLHOUND is a brunette with black leather boots, a skirt, black nails, and makeup that makes her look tough as well as cute. Finally, REGENT is a muscular Latino male who brings an URBAN VIBE to the group.

TATTLETALE

Lucky we managed to save you in time. You were about to be food for worms!

REGENT

Wussup, ese?

Just then ARMSMASTER appears on the scene. He looks like IRON MAN BUT DIFFERENT. The UNDERSIDERS run, but not before TATTLETALE leaves TAYLOR a note inviting her to join their group, with a time and place to meet them.

ARMSMASTER

What happened here?

TAYLOR

I defeated LUNG. With some help.

ARMSMASTER

Impressive. I don't think I've seen you around before. You must be new. How about joining the WARDS? They're a group of teenage superheroes who still have to go to school in secret.

TAYLOR

(Glances at invitation in her hand)

ARMSMASTER

What's that?

TAYLOR

(quickly stowing it away)

Nothing.

ARMSMASTER

So how about it?

TAYLOR

Thanks for the offer, ARMSMASTER. But I don't follow the rules. Not anymore.

ARMSMASTER

You're not thinking of joining them, are you? They're nothing, barely even worms.

TAYLOR

(chuckling to herself)

I've been called a worm. Maybe that's my codename. WORM.

ARMSMASTER

Is that really how you want yourself to be known? As a worm?

TAYLOR

Worms can surprise you. Some of them grow into butterflies.