City of Shadows

Recovery

(Brianna's POV)

The crisp night air rushes by me as I take the scenic route back to the SIRA. Sure, taking a lap around the entire city will add a couple more seconds to my return time, but I need time to relax after my argument with Blaze. As my feet pound against concrete, not a single cloud drifts through the night sky. On a night like tonight, if I were to run outside the city limits, I might be able to see the stars. But I'd better not press my luck by taking another detour, I'm already running late.

Except for the bustling city center, everything everywhere else in the city is silent. Even in the neighborhoods with the higher crime rates, everything is quiet. Deep down, I know that the city is still in shock from losing Butterflygirl, but I can't help but savor this picturesque night. There's something special about Silver City on nights like these. With the skyscrapers lit up like Christmas trees, and the way the light breeze carries in fresh air to the city, there's nothing else like it.

When I finally return to the SIRA, I'm worried that I will get in trouble for my argument with Blaze. However, I find myself instantly thrust into a different brand of chaos.

"Star, you're needed in the infirmary." a frazzled looking SIRA agent tells me as I stride through the front doors. Without asking questions, I race to the infirmary.

A fourth of a second later, I find Alesea pacing the halls of the infirmary.

"What's wrong?" I ask, causing Alesea to jump at my sudden appearance.

"You can't just appear out of nowhere Star! You have to give people some kind of warning." Alesea scolds, before anxiously adding, "The victims of the virus have started waking up. The doctors have started giving physicals to see what damage the virus did. Your friend Jasmine Riddle was the first to wake up. You may want to go talk to her."

"Ok, I'll do that." I tell her before racing to go change into some regular clothes.

What would Aurelia have done at a time like this? She'd probably do something smart like aide the doctors, or ask to see test results on the virus victims. I'm definitely not like Aurelia, but maybe I can be there for emotional support.

Two seconds later, I find myself standing in front of the door to Jasmine's room. Aurelia would have been suspicious. In fact, I'm suspicious. A highly unstable, coma inducing virus is released on the city, only for the victims to just wake up after a couple days. It doesn't add up.

I knock on the door before entering. Jasmine is sitting on her bed, and blankly staring at a spot on the wall. There is a small smile twitching on her lips, and her dark brown eyes are as wide as saucers.

"Jaz, are you okay?" I ask, worried about the mental state of my friend.

"Everything is fine, great actually." Jasmine mutters while turning to look at me. "The doctors want to run more tests, they think the virus activated something in my genetics." Jasmine makes eye contact with me, "Brianna, I think I might have powers now?"

I inhale sharply. Powers? Is she serious? Could a virus do such a thing?

"Why do you think that?" I ask.

"Look at the wall there," Jasmine instructs while pointing to where she had been staring. "Watch closely."

I follow her instructions and look at the wall. At first, nothing happens. Then the wall begins to crack. The cracks spider web across the walls of the room, and pieces of the wall crumble away to expose the light of day.

"It isn't real!" Jasmine explains. "It's like I'm daydreaming, but the dream is real. I can create illusions now!"

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask her. "Don't most people with powers keep it a secret?"

"You're my friend Brianna, I trust you. Sharing secrets is what friends do." Jasmine tells me happily.

"So illusions, do you know the extent of what you can do yet?" I question her while channeling my inner Aurelia.

"No, not yet." Jasmine says sadly. Then as if a lightbulb went off in her mind, Jasmine's entire face lights up, "Do you know what this means?"

"What?" I reply, while Jasmine eagerly bounces up and down on her bed.

"This is my origin story!" Jasmine exclaims before breaking into a fangirl squeal. "This is just like in the comics. A freak accident, gives mysterious powers. Brianna I could become a Superhero!"

"That's amazing!" I tell her.

"I don't have a code name, and I'll need a super suit." Jasmine muses happily. "Brianna you could be my partner! Like Felicity Smoak or Cisco Ramon! Oh, and I'll have to find Star and Blaze. I don't know how to get in contact with them, but I'll find a way! Oh I'm so excited! I love comic books and now I get to live one! It's a fangirl's dream!"

Whatever I tell Jasmine next, I'll have to do so carefully. Sure Jasmine is my friend, but I don't think I'm ready to tell her that I'm Star yet. I definitely want to help her though.

However, if the virus is giving people powers, then this could be a good thing and a bad thing. It will be good since without Butterflygirl and Blaze, I have to recruit a new team. On the other hand, that means the city will be filled with tons of new supers. Supers that could turn out either good or bad. I bet that's why they released the virus. The Meta Alliance is probably already out there recruiting new villains for their ranks.

If the Meta Alliance is going to be recruiting new people, then I'll have to recruit my own team of new supers. A sort of 'Team Star'. Ok, I'm definitely going to have to come up with a better name than that, but you get the picture. That means that Jasmine Riddle is going to become the first official member of 'Team Star'.

"Jasmine," I tell her, "If you want to become a Superhero, then you're in the right place. I can help you."

***

Wow, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I doubt anyone saw that coming. This book is about to get good.

QOTC-

What do you think of Jasmine?

Who's excited for 'Team Star'?

Any name suggestions for the virus?

Who's excited to see Jasmine as a superhero?

What kind of new heroes would you like to see?

Until next chapter -AureilliaSkyland