Episode I: Cyborg 009

"And so it is with great pride and distinction that I congratulate the class of 2012 on their success in graduating from Washington High School and wish them luck on their future endeavors!"

Those where the words of Principal Antonio Silva as he closed the graduation ceremony for the class of 2012 at Washington High School in Los Angels, California. The students broke out in waves of cheer, graduation caps were tossed in the air in jubilation, students high-fived and cried at the acknowledgement that four years of hard work were finally over. Among those celebrating was Joe Shimamura Marshall, a student of African and Asian ancestry who graduated at the top of his class. Joe was met with congratulations and high esteem from the faculty and his fellow classmates as he made his way outside of the convention center that housed his school's graduation ceremony and to his family waiting outside.

Even after leaving the center he had to move through a sea of beaming and crying parents to get to his own. His father, Lionel, and mother, Asami, were of similar emotion when Joe finally made it into their awaiting arms. Lionel was the first to break the ice when he said:

"Joe I am so proud of you."

Joe smiled and replied, "I couldn't have done this without you guys."

Asami was visibly fighting back tears, but managed to choke out, "I can't believe my baby has graduated high school!".

The trio continued to mill around when Joe's brother, Tyrone, pulled up in a convertible and added onto the celebration:

"Baby bro, come here!"

Instinctively, Joe and Tyrone slapped each other's palms in their traditional "secret" handshake and ended up in a brotherly embrace. Afterward Tyrone said:

"Joe, I'm sorry I couldn't make it in time to see you walk down and get your diploma, damn boss wouldn't let me out early."

"Bro, it's alright, I knew you were watching me in spirit," Joe nonchalantly replied.

Tyrone shook his head, "Naw Joe, I'm gunna make this right. Mom, Dad, I'm taking Joe out to celebrate with a night on the town."

"You two enjoy yourselves," Lionel replied, "Well see you back at the house."

The two brothers high-fived each other and hopped in Tyrone's car, which squealed away as it sped out of the parking lot. As the car drove along a scenic road overlooking the Pacific, Tyone asked:

"I heard you're going off to Japan for college, that true?"

Joe shrugged, "Yeah, but it's not big deal."

Tyrone snorted, "No big deal? Bro, not one man on Dad's side of the family has graduated college, let alone college in Japan."

"Well, Mom had a hand in me getting accepted there."

"Bull, she may have had some contacts, but your grades and accomplishments sealed the deal. Not everyone can be the fastest runner in the state AND pull straight As, especially in those high-level classes. What was it they called you in track and field?"

Joe laughed, "The bionic man."

"You might as well be part robot," Tyrone said with a grin, "You hiding things bro?"

Before Joe could reply, a large black mass dropped from the sky in front of Tyrone's car. Tyrne swerved into the rocky wall to right, sending bits of metal and glass flying. Joe got out of the car and was shocked at what he saw. Before him stood a giant robot, relatively simple in design with a black paint job and a single glowing red eye. The robot stepped towards Joe, causing him to sprint in the opposite direction. However, several black vans blocked his path, forcing him in between the now emerging band of armed men and the robot. He leaned against the railing and remembered the sea below. Both the armed men and robots came closer, the men now started to order Joe to stop. He did the only thing he believed he could do, jump.

Joe climbed over the railing and took a leap of faith. He hit the water at a bad angle and began to black out from the impact. The last thing he remembered was seeing a large mass coming for him, a large mass with a single red eye.

Joe awoke to a bright white light. As his vision re-focused, the singular light fragmented into four smaller lights. He looked around and saw various monitors and machines, indiscernible symbols and readings flashed in and out of existence on them.

"Must be in the hospital," Joe thought, "But what happened? Did I really see a robot? No, that must've just been a hallucination

He tried to get up, but Joe quickly found out he was restrained. At this realization, Joe started to panic and found that the restraints came off easily. Joe wobbled around the room in a haze, knocking over machines and setting off alarms. His focus finally returned to him and Joe found himself wearing a red outfit, a yellow scarf and black boots.

"What am I wearing?" Joe wondered aloud, he proceeded to walk towards the only exit to the room he was in. He pounded the door and was shocked to see it bend back and break as it were flimsy paper. As he staggered out of the room and into a white hallway, he was greeted by three armed guards in in black armor reminiscent of riot gear.

"Stand down cyborg!', one of the guards ordered with his rifle raised at Joe.

"Wait, don't shoot I just don't understand what's going on!", Joe pleaded.

One of the guards fired his rifle and a blue laser accelerated towards Joe. Joe held out his right hand and covered his face with his left arm awaiting the inevitable deathblow. Instead, death didn't come, instead Joe looked back at his attackers and was amazed to see a transparent, yellow shield projected into front of him. This didn't stop the guards from continuing to fire, but his shield held steady. Suddenly, Joe let out a yell and rushed towards his attackers. He concentrated on his shield and somehow managed to make it fill the whole hallway, pushing the guards up onto the shield and carrying them for a few feet. Joe managed to turn off his shield and sent the guards tumbling to the ground.

As the guards lay on the floor, Joe took a left and kept running. Suddenly, he was grabbed and pulled into a dark room. Joe managed to break free from whoever was holding him when he noticed it was a woman. She had a beautiful face with piercing green eyes and could be a model back in LA, she also appeared to be from somewhere in Central or South America. Her round stomach also showed she was pregnant. Joe finally asked:

"Who are you?"

The woman smiled, "My name is Maria, I'm Cyborg 003 and it's nice to meet you Cyborg 009."