This will be my first Young Justice fanfiction since my old account that I most definitely left behind but still miss very dearly. I loved Young Justice ever since it came out in 2010 and was so heartbroken when they cancelled it six years ago. Now I'm glad it's back, and I can't wait for more episodes to come!

However, this will be a completely different story disconnected from YJ: O. But this story will still take place two years after YJ: I, so please be cautious before you comment.

The story will take a lot of elements from The Winter Soldier and other materials, so if you don't like it, don't feel obligated to read any further after this chapter. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice. All rights belong to Warner Bros. Animation Studios.

…

Chapter 1: Duty Calls

…

Washington D.C.

April 4, 05:55 EDT

Two years later…

Early morning. The skies were navy blue, with pinkish orange as the sun was beginning to rise. The first trickles of morning light reflected on the Washington Monument, casting shadows over the city. As the people of Washington D.C. awoke from their slumber, Jefferson Pierce made his way through the desolate streets. Besides the footsteps of this early-riser, silence enveloped the political centre of the United States of America.

As Jeff passed Independence Avenue, he pounded by the Capitol Building, which gleamed with the first bits of sunlight. He made his way past the Lincoln Memorial, where the statue of Abraham Lincoln watched over the city. But he didn't stop to notice the beauty of the solitude that morning in D.C. or the famed sights that could quickly fill up a tourist's day.

As the morning grew, Jeff reached the reflecting pool on the mall, an outdoor area that usually bustled with people but that remained empty in the early morning. The only other person was a solitary runner who moved so fast he appeared almost like a spectre or a wild animal running to catch its prey. Jeff watched in awe as the figure came at him.

"On your left!" the runner called out as he zipped past. Jeff felt determined to catch up with this guy. Sometimes his competitiveness always came out in most days, usually wanting to beat others on the road. But this time it wasn't about beating another person's time; this was about trying to go toe-to-toe with a Kryptonian hybrid.

But the runner passed him again, "On your left!"

This time Jeff responded, "Uh huh. On my left, got it."

He passed him again. And again. It felt as if Zatanna was present somewhere, making loops just to intimidate him and make this hybrid look superior. Jeff was becoming more and more determined to catch up.

And sure enough, as the Kryptonian hybrid passed him again, and Jeff was feeling agitated, "No! Don't say it. Don't even think about saying...!"

He called out, "On your left!"

"COME ON!" Jeff had enough. He picked up his speed, his feet pounding against the pavement, running as fast as he could, panting and pushing himself harder and faster until finally he was forced to stop for breath. His lungs had burned out and were desperate for oxygen. Sweat dripped down his face. Sucking in the air and trying to bring his heart rate down, he sat in the grass, depleted of all energy he had for the morning.

"Need a medic, Jeff?"

An exhausted retired Black Lightning looked up at the boy who would remain the same age physically. Taking in a deep breath, he replied, "I need a set of some of those Kryptonian lungs of yours."

Jeff's shirt was drenched in sweat, "Conner, how the hell did you run 30 miles in 10 minutes without cheating?"

"Got a late start," the Boy of Steel replied.

"Really? What happens when you are on time? You get home before you leave?"

Conner smiled, "What brings you here to D.C.?"

"I live here now. Just teaching physics down at the WIS," Jeff explained, "I'm done with the superhero business after an incident in Rann a few days ago. Decided I want to get away from it all."

(a/n: WIS stands for Washington International School)

"Trust me, I know exactly what you mean", Conner nodded, "And I heard about Rann, I know you didn't mean to do it."

"Thanks," Jeff responded sadly, "So you're retired as well?"

"From the league? Yeah," Conner said without any regret, remembering how he announced his retirement from the Team. It wasn't pretty since she didn't take it lightly, "Especially since I heard Batman and some Leaguers resigned as well?"

Jeff nodded. But he didn't want to talk about this, "So what do you do?"

"Doing undercover stuff… with Nightwing," he said quietly.

"You still doing those gigs?" Jeff seemed surprised.

Conner laughed, "Got nothing else to do y'know."

"So how's that going for you?"

It took Conner some time to think, "Well, it's not so bad. I usually have missions about four times a week, and I get to spend some time with my Ma and Pa back in Smallville. So it's working pretty well so far."

Then Conner's cell phone chirped. He looked at the message: METAHUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTSPOT DETECTED. SEARCH AND RESCUE. BTW meet at the curb :3

"Alright, Jeff, duty calls," he shook Jeff's hand, "Thanks for the run. That is if you wanna call it that?"

"Oh, that's how it is?" Jeff replied jokingly.

Conner grinned, "Oh, that's how it is."

"Okay," He laughed. But he didn't want the encounter to end and said, "By the way, if you ever want to drop by Washington International, and make me look cooler in front of some of the female teachers, let me know."

"You're 30 years old, Jeff. I think you can handle yourself," Conner said with a smile, "But I'll keep that in mind."

Suddenly, a sports car pulled up, and an attractive young woman about Conner's age with blonde hair and sunglasses popped her head out the driver's side window. The woman stepped out of the sleek sports car and smiled, taking off her sunglasses. Artemis Crock, Jeff knew her too. She asked the men, "Hey guys. Do either of you know where the Smithsonian lost, and found is? I'm looking for a child."

Conner chuckled as he walked towards the car, "That's hilarious."

Artemis looked at Jeff, smiling and acknowledging him with a casual "Hey."

"Hi," he replied, waving back, "Going on a mission?"

"Yup," Conner said as he got into the car with Artemis, "You can't run everywhere, Jeff."

"No you can't," Jeff saluted them both.

Then they drove off, leaving a small cloud of dust behind them. Business as usual.

…

So that's the first chapter done. I hope you all enjoyed it. I know its very derivative to Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But hey… it's fanfiction.

See you all soon!