DC: Zoom

The room was tense, the weight of the crisis pressing down like a storm about to break.

"Mr. President, we've received a response from the staff at S.T.A.R. Labs."

The President leaned forward, his jaw tight. "Oh? Then can they explain to me why the hell humans all over the world are suddenly developing powers?"

The advisor swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. According to them, their machine set off a chain reaction—one they couldn't contain."

He hesitated before continuing, his voice lower now. "The particle accelerator was on the verge of collapse. To prevent a catastrophe, they had no choice but to vent its energy skyward. The blast tore through the atmosphere, a massive wave of energy swept across the globe. And now…" He exhaled. "People are changing."

Before the President could respond, the doors burst open, and more men in dark suits rushed in.

"Mr. President."

His patience was already razor-thin. "What is it?" he snapped.

One of the men hesitated, his face pale. "It's… Gotham, sir. It's fallen."

A heavy silence filled the room. The President's expression darkened, his face reddening. "What the hell do you mean, 'fallen'?"

"The police have lost control. The city is in chaos—people with powers are ripping it apart. They were forced out."

The President's fists clenched. His rage boiled over as he slammed his hand against the desk. "Get in contact with S.T.A.R. Labs—tell them to fix this. Now!"

His gaze snapped to another man. "And you—call in the troops. I won't let these hooligans think they can do whatever the hell they want."

For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock. Then, slowly, he exhaled, forcing himself to steady.

"Sir… what are you going to do?"

His expression hardened, his voice like steel. "I'm getting Congress to pass new regulations."

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Jason was enjoying a pleasant conversation with Kara as they reached their classroom when, without warning, Mrs. Kane stepped out of her room.

"Students, you must go home," she announced firmly.

Jason and Kara exchanged confused glances. "What's going on?" Jason muttered.

Mrs. Kane's face was serious. "The President has declared a national emergency across the country. Everyone is being urged to stay cautious and follow his instructions closely."

Without another word, they both hurried out of the school, exchanging a brief nod before Kara turned and went in the opposite direction. Jason pulled out his phone, his eyes scanning the message from his mom: Pick up your sister from school.

With no ride of his own, he tightened his jacket against the chill and started jogging toward the school.

The streets were eerily quiet. He passed empty storefronts and silent houses, only a few cars creeping by, their headlights cutting through the stillness. Jason slowed his pace, a strange feeling gnawing at him. It was almost as if the world had stopped, but he shook the thought away and kept moving. Maybe it was just the emergency causing everyone to stay inside.

Jason reached his sister's middle school and crossed to the other side of the road. He spotted Charlotte waving at him, but then, as if from nowhere, a fast-moving vehicle came speeding toward her.

A jolt of panic shot through him. "Charlotte!" he shouted, his voice sharp with fear.

In that instant, time seemed to stretch, the world around him slowing to a crawl. Then a surge of power within him, electricity crackling through his body as he moved faster than he ever had before. With a burst of speed, he reached his sister in a heartbeat, yanking her out of harm's way. As the cars blurred past, time snapped back to its normal pace, leaving Jason breathless, his heart still racing.

"Jason!" his sister cried, her voice shaky with the terror of almost facing death. She threw her arms around him, holding on tightly.

Jason, still in shock, quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts. He gently patted her head, trying to calm himself.

Turning back toward the road, he spotted the car in the distance, barely visible now, speeding away without stopping.

"Asshole," Jason gritted out, his fists clenching as the car disappeared into the distance. The anger burned through him, but he quickly turned to his sister.

"Come on, let's go home," he said, his voice softer now, trying to reassure her.

Charlotte gave a small nod, still shaken but okay. Slowly, they both stood up and began walking home, the weight of the moment heavy between them.

Soon, they arrived home, and Charlotte turned to Jason with a curious look. "Jason, how did you even move that fast? You were all the way on the other side!"

Jason hesitated, unsure how to explain what had just happened. He shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Adrenaline," he said, hoping she'd buy it.

Charlotte crossed her arms, puffing out her cheeks. "I'm not stupid, you know."

Jason shrugged, helpless. "I don't know." But whatever it was... it saved you.

Her eyes lit up, and a grin spread across her face. "Maybe you've got powers!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the backyard.

"Now try it again!" she called, stepping back to a safe distance.

Jason froze. "What? No, I can't. I don't know how!"

"C'mon brother at least try" she said her arms behind her back 

Jason let out a heavy sigh, his eyes closing as the memory flooded back—the car speeding toward his sister, the fear in her eyes, and the moment before impact. The anger surged within him, directed at the driver, at the danger threatening her.

Suddenly, his body hummed with an unfamiliar energy. A rush of orange electricity crackled through his veins, the power vibrating through every inch of him. His whole body trembled as if the force inside him was too much to contain.

Then, everything was still. The vibration faded. When Jason opened his eyes, he felt it—the surge of power that lingered, burning beneath his skin.