Present Day
Downtown Sector – 3:17 PM
The city was in chaos.
Flames painted the skyline. Sirens screamed. Buildings trembled under the weight of collapsing steel. Civilians fled in waves, their cries swallowed by the thunder of villainy.
And charging toward it were the HOPE Operatives.
Leo Foster led the charge.
Golden sparks danced from his fingertips, his glowing cape fluttering behind like a banner of light.
Behind him:
Jade "Ladybug" Williams, eyes sharp, bugs swarming her shoulders like living armor.
Sefe "Ladyfire", grinning, a trail of fire licking her sneakers.
Jeasus, flickering with glitch-light, code symbols drifting across his lenses.
James Conrad and Harry Freeman—veterans of countless battles, calm and ready.
As they turned the final corner—
The destruction came into view.
A scorched crater split the road. Storefronts collapsed. Police drones hovered helplessly, sparks flying from their sides.
