Titans: Elemental

Chapter 13: Cybernetics

Vic was currently waiting outside of a classroom, looking over notes he had prepared for talking to the students.

Today was the day he had been planning for with Sarah over the phone. Her job was teaching kids who had disabilities, namely with the loss of limbs. Kids who had to use prosthetics similar to Vic's.

She also worked part-time as a technician, but being a teacher was her primary work.

Vic had put on a bow-tie that was attached via a special magnet.

He was waiting for Sarah to introduce him.

And that's when he heard, "and now kids, we have a special guest today. He's very similar to you kids, having most of his body replaced with cybernetic limbs because of an accident. Allow me to introduce; Victor Stone, or as many of you know him as: Cyborg."

Vic smiled as heard the kids clapping. Vic entered and got a good look at the kids in the class.

A few had prosthetic arms and legs, one or two had robotic eyes, one had two robotic legs, etc.

As the clapping ended, Vic introduced himself.

Vic said, "hello everyone. As Ms. Simms said, my name is Mr. Stone, or Cyborg. As I've heard, most of, if not all of you have cybernetic replacements such as myself, due to accidents or surgeries in the past. Now, does anyone here know about what happened to me?"

The kids shook their heads no.

Vic asked, "would anyone like to?"

Vic forgot about his notes as the kids all said variations of yes.

Vic said, "alright then. A few years ago, I was a star football player at my school. I had a lot of skill. I was even set to go pro. But unfortunately, I went through an accident. One that destroyed nearly my whole body. I had to have most of it replaced. I was lucky enough that my father had great skills in cybernetics, and he was able to rebuild me. The day I became a Cyborg. Now, let me ask you kids, is it our cybernetics that make us similar?"

The kids nodded their heads.

Vic said, "that's only part of it."

The kids grew confused.

Vic said, "it's the stuff underneath that makes us the same. Regardless if you have robotic arms, legs, eyes and such, we're all the same underneath it all. Flesh and blood. Blood and sweat. Underneath my metal chest, there's still a beating heart. Underneath the dome on my head, there's still a brain. That goes for all of you. We're all the same underneath, regardless of physical appearance, intelligence, clothes and such."

Sarah actually had a tear in her eye as she heard Vic speak.

Vic continued with, "and now, your cybernetics. Everyone in this room has them. But none of our cybernetics are the same. Each of them makes us unique. I have super advanced tech for what I do, but you kids have basic prosthetics that help you with various things in your lives. Some call them a curse. Others call them a gift. When I first became the way I am now, I thought it was a curse. But now, I see it as a blessing. These cybernetics allow me to help people. To protect. To defend. They help me, but they don't make me who I am. So when someone tells you that your cybernetics are a curse, you tell them otherwise."

The kids actually cheered as Vic smiled at all of them.

Sarah said, "thank you so much Mr. Stone. Would you like to stay and listen to everyone's stories about their talents with their cybernetics?"

Vic said, "I would love to, Ms. Simms."

And so, Vic spent the rest of that time listening as the kids each went up and explained themselves.

….

Meanwhile….

We see Jack and Raven cuddling on the couch.

Percy was nearby, playing with a ball of yarn as Jack held his girlfriend in his arms.

Raven was dozing off, and Jack couldn't help but smile. To him, she looked the perfect picture of adorable while she slept. Her soft snoring, her peaceful face, her steady breathing, it all made her look so adorable.

Jack smoothed her hair out. And as he did, Raven spoke in her sleep.

Raven said, "mm, that's nice. More snuggles my prince."

Jack had to stop himself from laughing at her words.

….

Back at the school, the class was finishing up.

Vic had heard all of the kids's stories, and was quite touched by all of them.

As the kids made their way to other classes, Vic had followed Sarah to the teacher's break room.

Sarah was making some coffee as she said, "I gotta say, you did well with the kids."

Vic said, "I grew up babysitting kids in my neighborhood a lot. I guess it just comes naturally."

Sarah asked, "have you ever thought about having your own?"

Vic said, "a little. But, I can't really do that, given my condition. My DNA could always be used, but I can't have kids the conventional way."

Sarah said, "oh, Victor, I'm so sorry."

Vic said, "it's alright. I've gotten used to the way my body works now."

Sarah looked solemn for a moment and said, "I know what you mean."

Vic looked at Sarah in confusion.

Sarah said, "the doctors say it's harder for me to get pregnant than most. I'm not entirely incapable of having children, but it's harder for me than most."

Vic said, "oh, Sarah, I'm sorry. I had no idea."

Sarah said, "it's alright Victor. You had no idea. My older brothers and sisters have managed to start their own families. I just hope that, maybe one day, I could have my own."

Vic said, "I'm sure you will Sarah. A lot of guys would be lucky to have you."

Vic and Sarah didn't notice they had begun to stand closer together.

Vic said, "so, um, Sarah?"

Sarah asked, "yeah?"

Vic asked, "would you like to go get coffee some time?"

Sarah said, "heh, we're already drinking coffee."

Vic stuttered, "I-I mean later this week?"

Sarah blushed for a moment before saying, "s-sure. I'd love to."

Vic and Sarah found themselves smiling at one another.

….

Later, back at the Tower, we see each of the Titans relaxing.

Jack and Raven were still on the couch, although Raven was awake and reading next to Jack.

Percy was snuggled into Roses lap as she flipped through the channels.

Dick was fixing himself a snack in the kitchen.

BB was listening to music in his room.

Blackfire was taking a shower while Starfire was cleaning her own room of clutter.

That's when Vic walked into the living room with a smile on his face.

Jack turned and said, "hey buddy, how was your day at that school?"

Vic smiled and said, "just wonderful. We're going to have coffee in a few days."

Rose asked, "oh, you have a date?"

Vic said, "yeah. That teacher, Sarah Simms."

Jack said, "oh yeah, that girl you talked to in the park. She seems like a nice girl."

Vic said, "yeah, she really is."

Right at that moment, the Tower received a call on the screen.

The name read; Dr. Stone.

Vic said, "answer it."

Rose hit the button that answered the call. On the screen was an older man who looked like Vic, albeit not a cyborg.

Dr. Stone said, "hello son."

Vic said, "hey dad. What brings the call?"

Dr. Stone said, "I'm calling to tell you about your friend, Fixit?"

Vic asked, "how's he doing?"

Dr. Stone said, "well, we've been able to build him a new bio-organic body. The body is almost human, but is made of synthetic materials. We built it around his body, connecting the nerves and functions of his organs to it. In a matter of weeks, he'll be used to this new body and will be ready to start his own path."

Vic said, "that sounds great. Thanks for letting us know."

Dr. Stone said, "you're welcome. Have a good night. I'll let you know of anything else regarding Fixit's condition."

Vic said, "right, thank you. Goodbye dad."

Dr. Stone said, "goodbye son."

And with that, the call ended.

Dick said, "I'm glad Fixit is getting help."

Vic said, "same here. He's like me. Underneath all of that metal and wiring, he's still human."

The others nodded as Vic went off to his room.

When Vic entered, his eyes were drawn to the pictures he had set out on the table.

They were of him and his team in various situations.

Him and Dick goofing around.

The time BB tricked him into eating tofu.

Raven and Blackfire chasing him and BB, with the former two covered in feathers from a prank.

Him and Starfire sleeping on the couch in goofy positions.

Rose and him winning a hot dog eating competition.

Him holding Percy on his first day at the tower.

But the last picture drew a sad smile upon his face.

It was of him before the accident. A strapping young man decked out in football gear and holding a large trophy from his latest game. As Vic picked up the picture, he felt the metal upon his face, and sighed.

Vic said, "like she could love a guy like me. She's normal, pretty, skilled with tech. Any guy would be lucky to have her."

Vic put the picture down just as he received a message. He looked at the panel on his arm.

It was from Sarah.

He opened it, and it was a picture of Vic talking to the kids, with Sarah smiling in frame.

It read, "thanks for everything today. Good luck with your hero work. And I hope for that cup of coffee soon. Until then, have a great day/night and stay safe. Sarah."

Vic couldn't help the big smile on his face as he sat down on his computer to look over the tower's systems.

We leave off hearing Vic think, 'but maybe… Maybe I'm the kind of guy she wants…"

….

Reviews:

pokemonking0924: glad you found their jokes so funny.

Canadude2029: yeah, this episode has a certain creep factor to it. And I'm glad the Puppet King didn't show up again. He won't even be in the Brotherhood of Evil in this story, since it makes no sense.

SuperSentai199: glad you enjoyed the chapter.

Bailey Radcliff: thanks so much. I'm glad you're so excited. And talk about Avatar all you want.

….