Velocity
'Flashback: The Making of a Hero'
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Jason had always been a bit different from his peers. While others were content with video games and social media, he spent his free time sketching elaborate designs for cosplay costumes, transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary creations. His room was filled with fabric swatches, paint, and tools, each corner a testament to his creativity and dedication.
Running was another passion of his. In the stillness of the night, he would lace up his sneakers and hit the pavement, feeling the wind rush past him as he pushed himself to go faster and further. The rhythmic pounding of his feet on the ground served as a form of meditation, allowing him to clear his mind from the stresses of school and life.
On this particular night, Jason decided to take a different route during his late-night jog, drawn to the industrial district where the shadows of the abandoned warehouses loomed. The moonlight cast an eerie glow over the derelict buildings, but something felt off—there was an electric anticipation in the air that made his heart race.
Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light illuminated the sky, followed by a deep rumble that shook the ground beneath him. Jason froze, looking up just in time to see a meteor streaking toward the Earth, its fiery tail trailing behind it. Panic surged through him, but curiosity rooted him in place as he watched the meteor crash into one of the warehouses with a thunderous impact.
The explosion sent debris flying, and the air filled with dust and smoke. As the chaos settled, Jason felt an inexplicable pull, an irresistible urge to investigate. He cautiously approached the warehouse, his pulse quickening with every step. Peering inside, he was met with a sight that took his breath away. In the center of the wreckage, the meteor glowed with a radiant white light, casting flickering shadows across the walls.
Compelled by an unseen force, he stepped closer, the light pulsating like a heartbeat. It was as if the meteor was alive, calling to him, and he felt a strange warmth enveloping him as he neared. The aura emanating from it intensified, wrapping around him like a soft embrace.
Without warning, the glowing energy surged forward, enveloping Jason in a brilliant flash of light. He gasped as the warmth flooded his body, filling him with an exhilarating power. The world around him faded away, and for a brief moment, he felt as though he was connected to everything—the earth, the stars, the very essence of speed itself.
Moments later, the light subsided, and Jason stumbled back, dazed and breathless. He looked down at his hands, which now seemed to pulse with energy, and a feeling of exhilaration surged through him. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming urge to run.
He stepped outside the warehouse, adrenaline coursing through his veins. With a burst of energy, he took off down the street, pushing himself to run faster than he ever thought possible. The world blurred around him as he moved, his heart racing in sync with his newfound speed.
Every step felt lighter, every stride longer. Jason marveled at how effortless it was to move. He sprinted down the deserted streets, weaving around obstacles with agility he had never experienced before. He felt like he could cover miles in mere moments, the wind whipping through his hair and the cool night air invigorating him.
As he rounded a corner, he concentrated on a lamppost in the distance, willing himself to reach it. In an instant, he was there, standing beneath the light, a grin spreading across his face. Jason couldn't help but laugh out loud, the sound echoing in the stillness of the night. The exhilaration of his super speed was intoxicating.
Eager to explore further, he sprinted to the edge of the city. He felt a sense of freedom as he raced along the riverbank, the water shimmering under the moonlight. He leapt over benches and dashed past trees, feeling as if he were flying. The sensation of power coursing through him was unlike anything he had ever felt before.
He discovered he could run up walls and even perform small jumps that sent him soaring through the air for brief moments. The world around him seemed to slow down, giving him the ability to react to everything with lightning speed. With each run, he felt more in control, more attuned to his powers.
After what felt like hours of exhilarating exploration, reality began to set back in. He remembered his family waiting at home and a sense of responsibility washed over him. He couldn't keep this incredible secret to himself, but he also needed time to process everything that had just happened.
Reluctantly, Jason turned back, retracing his steps toward home. As he jogged through the familiar streets, he felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. He had the power to make a difference, to protect his city and those he cared about, but with great power came great responsibility.
Arriving at his front door, Jason paused to catch his breath. He took a deep breath and stepped inside, eager to share the news of his transformation with his mother. But as he closed the door behind him, he knew this secret would be his alone—for now. The weight of his newfound identity hung in the air, and he felt both exhilarated and terrified by the possibilities that lay ahead.
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**Weeks Later**
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The city still lay in ruins, its streets filled with the remnants of what once was. Jason had been working nonstop, using his super speed to clear rubble and deliver supplies. All while concealing his identity behind the costume he'd been working on for years. The time had come to put it to use—not as a hobby, but as a shield to protect the people he cared about.The work was exhausting, but he wasn't alone in the effort.
From the corner of his eye, he occasionally noticed others—people who, like him, seemed to possess extraordinary abilities. He didn't know who they were, but their presence was undeniable.
One figure, whose skin shimmered like metal, lifted entire sections of fallen buildings with ease, working silently and tirelessly. There were also two figures, always together, moving in and out of the chaos. Jason never saw them travel the usual way—one moment they were on one side of the street, the next they appeared across the city in the blink of an eye. Their ability to teleport was as impressive as it was disorienting. It allowed them to help in places Jason couldn't reach quickly enough, moving materials and people across the city in seconds.
But perhaps the most unsettling was the unseen force clearing debris from paths and lifting fallen structures without anyone touching them. Jason couldn't quite put his finger on how it was happening, but it felt as though the objects themselves were moving through the air, guided by an invisible hand.
Jason had no idea who these people were. They didn't talk to anyone, and no one seemed to know their names or where they had come from. They were like ghosts, appearing, helping, and disappearing before anyone had a chance to ask questions.
He stayed in the background too, always moving too fast to be seen clearly, leaving only a blur behind him. It wasn't the time to reveal himself—not yet.
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**One Night**
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From the rooftop, Jason watched the city below. The once-bustling streets were now quiet, filled with the soft glow of streetlights and the sounds of the city rebuilding itself. He wasn't the only one working tirelessly to restore order. The other unknowns, as he'd come to think of them, were scattered across the city, doing their part.
Watching them, Jason couldn't help but feel a connection. They were all here for the same reason—trying to help, trying to rebuild. But they were fragmented, each working separately. What if, instead of working alone, they came together?
It wasn't just about speed anymore. Jason was fast, but he couldn't be everywhere at once. The ones who teleported, the figure made of metal, and whoever was controlling objects with their mind—they had abilities that complemented his own. Together, they could cover more ground, help more people, and maybe even prevent future disasters.
The thought of forming a team took root in his mind. He didn't know who they were, but he knew one thing: they were on the same side. And maybe, just maybe, the city didn't need a lone hero. It needed all of them.
Jason had always been a loner, but the scale of this disaster was bigger than him. It was time to reach out. He didn't know how or when, but he knew this—he couldn't do it alone anymore.
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