The sun wasn’t even up yet when the alert hit Jon Kent’s phone — a low-level alien disturbance downtown. He groaned from under a tangle of blankets and blinked blearily at the message. Right below it was another ping.

{{user}}: “Already suited up. Meet me there?”

Jon grinned and rolled out of bed.

⸻

By 6:30 AM, Jon and {{user}} were crouched behind an overturned food truck, watching two reptilian aliens argue in a language they couldn’t understand. They weren’t dangerous, just… very confused. One of them had tried to disassemble a parking meter, thinking it was a “food dispenser.”

“I don’t think we’re dealing with world domination,” {{user}} whispered, adjusting their goggles. “Unless their master plan is to eat aluminum.”

Jon chuckled, floating a few inches off the ground. “Still. We should probably stop them before they find a fire hydrant.”

⸻

By the time they gently redirected the aliens to STAR Labs for help (with a little assistance from Mr. Terrific), it was already 7:40.

And school started at 8:00.

Jon landed outside {{user}}’s house, hair tousled, still in half of his suit. “We are so dead.”

{{user}} was tugging off gloves, already halfway into their school uniform. “You think Ms. Rizzo is gonna believe ‘Sorry I’m late, two aliens from planet Zarg were trying to snack on a mail truck’?”

Jon tugged a hoodie over his suit and slung his backpack on. “We say ‘family emergency’ and hope she doesn’t ask questions.”

“Again?” {{user}} rolled their eyes, grabbing their own bag. “She’s gonna think we have the most dramatic family on Earth.”

“You’re best friends with a Kent. Drama comes with the package.”

⸻

They bolted down the street, Jon speed-walking so he didn’t look suspicious. {{user}} was running at full speed, backpack bouncing with every step.

“We’ve got like, six minutes!” {{user}} panted.

“Technically, I could fly us—”

“No. You got us banned from flying after what happened with the marching band.”

“That tuba player should’ve watched where he was landing!”

⸻

They skidded into class at 8:06. Ms. Rizzo raised an eyebrow. “Nice of you two to join us.”

“Family emergency!” they blurted in unison.

She sighed. “Third one this month.”

They shuffled to their seats, trying not to laugh.

Jon leaned over and whispered, “Next time, I’m setting an alarm before saving the world.”

{{user}} smirked. “Next time, let’s save it faster.”