Chapter 39: Full Metal Brawl

After helping his father with the Rogue's weapons, Victor returned to his room, sitting down on his bed. His eyes fell on his school yearbook, which he picked up and held in his hand. He opened it, delicately flipping the pages to the sports. He stopped on the football page, where it showed him holding the championship trophy over his head. There were several inscriptions around the photo, calling him "Victory" and wishing him luck in the future.

"Man… this stuff feels like a lifetime ago… if only the guys could see me now."

Just then, Cyborg received an alert over his JL comms. He patched in, hearing Director Faraday's voice on the comms.

"We have a code red! The DEO has been attacked!"

Instantly, Cyborg opened a Boom Tube and leapt through.

At the DEO, Cyborg arrived to see both Flash and J'onn arriving. Faraday met them at the door, looking shaken.

"What happened?" Cyborg asked, joining up with the others.

"Dr. Miller's lab was attacked," Faraday answered.

Hearing that, J'onn instantly phased inside. The others followed the old fashioned way, finding the lab surrounded by guards and completely trashed. Joe was standing off to the side, still holding a trembling Kari.

"Kari, are you alright?" J'onn asked.

She didn't respond. Joe carefully handed her over to the martian, still shaking himself. When Flash laid eyes on Joe, panic overtook him.

"What happened?" Flash asked.

"The man in yellow," Joe answered.

"What?! He was here?!"

"He stole your mother's case file. He threatened Iris."

Flash's fist clenched at the mention of Iris' name.

"He's not gonna hurt her, Joe. He's not gonna hurt anyone else."

"He was so fast..." Kari whispered. "Like a blur… We could barely see him… He could have killed us..."

"It's alright, Kari," J'onn reassured, holding her closer and gently petting her head. "You're safe."

"All the same, I'd rather her be placed under DEO protection," Faraday insisted. "The same with the West family."

"With all due respect, Director Faraday," J'onn spoke up. "I do not know if your agents will be able to withstand this, 'man in yellow'."

"He may be right," Joe agreed. "If this thing's as fast as the Flash, you'd just be setting up agents to get killed."

"All the same, I'm not about to just stand by and let innocents be threatened," Faraday replied. "Besides, some defense is better than none at all."

"Then focus on the West Family," Kari insisted. "The man in yellow threatened them, not me."

"You're a priority, too," Faraday responded.

"I'll stay with her," J'onn volunteered. "I'll keep her safe. You have my word."

"Alright," Faraday allowed. "In the meantime, I'll see that a protective detail is put on the West Family. Discreetly, of course."

"I'll stay with Iris," Flash added. "I'm not letting this thing hurt anyone else I care about."

"I know you won't," Joe acknowledged.

"What about me?" Cyborg asked. "Anything I can do?"

"Not right now, no," Faraday told him. "We'll handle the in house investigation and clean up."

"Right…" Cyborg replied. "Well, let me know if anything comes up. I'll just… head back to S.T.A.R. Labs."

"Tell the others I'll be a bit busy," Flash requested. "I need to make sure everyone's okay."

"Sure," Cyborg replied, walking out.

Cyborg's Boom Tube had opened just outside of Central City, him wanting to walk the rest of the way back for a bit of fresh air. As he walked, he happened across Central City High, which seemed to be in the midst of a game.

"Hey, I didn't know there was a game today. Wonder who's playing?"

Cyborg used his cybernetic eye to zoom in to take a closer look. They seemed to be in the middle of a big game. Pulling his hood over his head and stuffing his hands in his hoodie pocket, he approached the fence, watching the game.

"The Hub City Hawks, huh?" Victor remarked. "Wondered how good those guys are."

He began scanning the players, his robotic mind already noting their strategies and the physical stats of the individual players right before his eye.

"Whoa… digital play by play."

On the field, one kid managed to catch a high flying ball and began running for the endzone. Cyborg checked his feed, going wide-eyed when he read the name: Jefferson Jackson.

"Jax?"

As Jax made it to the endzone, he threw the ball to the ground in excitement as the crowds began cheering. His teammates grabbed him, hoisting him onto their shoulders as the crowds began chanting "Jax" over and over again. Victor couldn't help but smirk as he leaned on the fence.

"Hard to believe that used to be me. The guys would probably break their backs if they tried to hoist me up now."

Victor started walking off, unaware that his presence didn't go unnoticed by Jax.

"Was that… no way…"

Later, Victor was looking at the trophy case inside, sighing at the menagerie of awards. As he looked at them, someone approached him from behind.

"Victor Stone. Thought I saw you out there."

Victor turned and saw Jax walking up to him.

"Jax. Hey man."

"Hey. where the heck have you been?"

"That… is a very long story."

"I got time. Promised my mom I'd wait for her before heading over to the celebration party at Big Belly Burger."

"Well… I guess the best way to start..." Victor removed his hoodie, "is with this."

Jax stepped back in surprise.

"You're… you're that Cyborg guy. The one in the Justice League!"

"Shh," Victor shushed. "Keep your voice down. But yeah, I am."

"Aw man… this is amazing. How did this happen?"

Well… it happened a few months back."

Meanwhile at Iris' apartment, the DEO had just finished setting up a surveillance detail outside as Barry came in to check on Iris. The second she saw him, they hugged.

"Is my dad ok?" She asked.

"He's fine, don't worry," Barry reassured.

"I still can't believe he's back. After all these years, why now?"

"I don't know. But I promise you, he's not taking anyone else from me, I promise."

The two shared a tender kiss, not wanting to let go for even a second.

"I hope you don't mind, but I volunteered to stay with you," Barry told her. "Keep you safe."

"Not at all."

"I can sleep on the couch, if that will-"

Iris cut him off with a kiss.

"My couch sucks," she told him. "You're not sleeping there."

"Oh…" Barry let out in surprise. "If you're sure."

"More than."

Barry smiled as the two kissed again.

"And that's the long and short of it," Victor concluded.

"Wow," Jax remarked. "That's… one hell of a story, man. At least that explains why you suddenly dropped out. We were all worried sick about you. There were even rumors you'd up and died."

"Came pretty close, but no. I'm still kicking."

"Better than ever I bet. You could probably drop-kick a tank now."

"Maybe. Never thought to try."

"Maybe you should. So, what brings you back to the old stomping ground? Thinking of coming back to school?"

"No, I just… I don't know why I stopped by to be honest."

"Everything alright? You seem… I dunno, lost?"

"Heh, I guess I am. I guess I've been feeling… conflicted I guess."

"How so?"

"Well, I've come to accept this new part of me, but… I don't know, I guess I still miss this. That make any sense?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, you can accept change and still miss how things used to be. It's only natural. Hell, I still miss National City, but Central City's been my home since I was ten. Don't feel bad, man."

Cyborg smiled a bit.

"Thanks. That actually helps a lot."

"Don't mention it. Say if you want, you can come to Big Belly Burger with us. I know the team will be stoked to see you."

"I wouldn't want to usurp your big night. I never got mine after the championship, and I'd hate to-"

"Dude, chill. Just come, okay?"

Victor paused for a moment, honestly considering the offer.

"You know, I think I will."

"Cool. Come on man."

The two walked off, heading for Big Belly Burger.

J'onn carried Kari into her apartment, phasing them both through the door. Since his first visit weeks ago, he'd become a regular visitor, and it showed with how neat her apartment was. He carried her over to her bed, laying her down as gently as he could.

"Thanks for bringing me here," she said softly. "It'll take time for my chair to be repaired."

"It is no trouble, I assure you," J'onn replied. "I will keep you safe."

"You don't have to stay if you don't want to. You've already done so much for me."

"I do want to. I'd hate to think what might happen if that thing returned."

Kari just nodded.

"I'm sorry there's not an extra bed or something. I'll see if I can get something for you so you're not sleeping on my couch this whole time."

"I will be happy with whatever arrangements you can provide."

Kari smiled, reaching out and taking his hand.

"What did I do to deserve a friend like you?"

"Being a worthwhile friend to me."

He sat there, holding her hand until she drifted off to sleep.

At Big Belly Burger, Victor's arrival elicited several cheers, as well as several manly hugs from the football team.

"Great to see you again, Victory!"

"Where the hell have you been?!"

"Busy," Vic replied. "Adapting to everything, and saving the world."

"Damn. Still, it's good to see you man. Wish you could have been there for nationals."

"Hey, I'm sure you guys had it handled, if tonight's game was anything to go by," Vic insisted.

"Yo man, you still need to eat? We can grab you a burger if you want."

"Thanks. And for the record, I do still eat, and a lot more than I used to. I could probably clean out an entire buffet by myself."

That got everyone laughing and joking around. As they did, they heard a shout coming from the checkout counter.

"What the hell?! I asked for no pickles and extra mustard! What the hell are these?!"

The entire team turned to see a large, muscled man standing in front of the counter, swinging two mustard covered pickles in the face of a terrified fast food worker.

"I'm sorry sir," the cashier replied. "We'll get you a new burger."

"Why the hell would I want a new burger when you couldn't even get the first one right?!"

The guy tossed the food aside before slamming his fists down, denting the counter. Something in Victor's head clicked on and a scan began on the guy. Immediately, he got a bio-scan on screen, which listed the man as a Meta.

"Shit..." Victor let out.

"Everything good, man?" Jax asked.

"No," Victor replied. "You guys need to get out, and take as many people as you can. This guy's a Meta, and a clearly unstable one."

"Be careful. And kick his ass."

The team split up, ushering patrons out the door. Luckily, most of them could tell this situation was about to go south and listened. Meanwhile, the guy was now screaming for a manager, declaring everyone in the establishment to be idiots and worthless.

"Hey, buddy!" Victor called out, tapping the man on the shoulder. "I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

"Back off, pal!" the man replied, shoving him aside.

Victor was caught off guard by the strength behind the push, but didn't let it phase him.

"Sorry, 'pal', but I won't." He grabbed the man by the shoulder. "Now leave, before I make you leave."

Suddenly, the man's arm turned into metal before it socked Victor across the face, causing him to crash into a table. Victor shook his head in pain as he sat up, his metallic eye staticy as he tried to stand up. The man then grabbed him by his hoodie, lifting him up.

"What was that about making me leave?" the man sneered.

"Oh… you need me to say it louder?" Victor remarked, forming his hand into his cannon and blasting the man with it.

The man went skidding across the tile, tearing up several of them. There was now a big burn in his shirt, and his torso was completely metal.

"So, we done here?" Victor asked, "I mean come on man, mistakes happen."

The metal traveled all the way across the man's body until he was basically a metal golem.

"Clearly," the man snorted. "Your face is a mistake."

"Now that's uncalled for. We can't all have such rugged good looks."

With that, the man just barrelled at Victor, tackling him through a wall and into the kitchen. The two grappled with one another, Victor's strength on par with the man's.

"You're tough," Victor admitted. "I think this is the first time someone's actually been as strong as me."

"Oh yeah?"

The man then punched Victor as hard as he could in the fleshy part of his face. Victor cried out in pain before another punch got him under the chin. Victor went flying into a fry cooker as the man snarled.

"Stay down if you know what's good for you, freak."

"Good for you? In Big Belly Burger? You've got to be joking."

The man stomped down on Victor's chest, the metal of his chest bending. Warning lights went off across Victor's eyescreen.

"You say something, punk?"

"Yeah… you've got something on your face."

Victor then punched the man across the face, getting up and looking at the dent on his chest.

"Aw man," Vic let out, "That's gonna take forever to buff out."

"Then this is gonna be a lot worse," the man remarked, socking Victor repeatedly.

After several punches, Victor got an opening and returned the barrage in kind. The man grabbed Victor's fist and threw him through the fry cooker, destroying it and leaving the cyborg dazed.

"Alright, now I'm pissed!"

Cyborg activated his cannon again, blasting the metal man clean out of the building. He then jumped after him, growling angrily.

"You have got to stop, man! Just because you've got these powers doesn't give you the right to just go off on anyone you feel like!"

"I have every right! With these powers, I can get whatever I want! Take whatever I want!"

"That's not how this works!" Victor exclaimed. "Might doesn't make right!"

"You wanna bet, robo pal?!"

"Bring it on, scrap-for-brains!"

The two instantly charged at each other, clashing hard.

Meanwhile, Joe was in his apartment, drinking a beer to try and steady his nerves. His service weapon was right next to him, along with his cell phone for just in case. Suddenly, his phone started going off, making him jump. Fearing the worst, he opened it.

"Iris?"

"Uh..." Eddie's voice came through the phone. "No… You okay Joe?"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry, Eddie, what's up?"

"Somethings going down at the Big Belly Burger. They say two metal men are fighting. I think one of them may be Cyborg."

"On my way."

Back at the Big Belly Burger, CCPD had barricaded the area, trying to keep people out of the way of the fight. The two metal men continued duking it out, both landing some solid hits on the other. The man was starting to become winded and Victor was sporting several dents and gouges. More than a few red lights had sprung up on his console, warning him of damage to his systems. One massive hit from the man knocked Cyborg across the street, sending him right through a bus stop and into a stop sign.

"Just keep it up, man," Victor told him, pulling himself free of the stop sign. "You are gonna get one hell of a destruction of property charge."

The metal man just yelled before running at him, prompting Cyborg to pull out the stop sign and smack him across the face as he ran up.

"Red means stop!" he shouted, smacking him again.

The metal man flew into the hood of a car, denting it intensely. He climbed off of it and grabbed hold of the car door, tearing it off and throwing it at Cyborg. Cyborg brought his arms up as a shield, but still went skidding several feet. After finally coming to a stop, Cyborg looked around, trying to think of a plan.

"C'mon Vic, think. How do you stop this guy?"

He looked around for any possible ideas to bring the metal man down. As he did, a few police officers moved into try and take him down.

"Attention, this is the CCPD! Cyborg, vacate the area! Unidentified meta! Surrender, or we will open fire!"

"Fat chance, cops!" the metal man called out.

"You were warned. Open fire!"

Cyborg hit the deck, allowing the officers to open fire on the metal man. The bullets did little against his metal skin except bounce off him. The metal man laughed, then grabbed a manhole cover, throwing it like a discus. Cyborg instantly ran towards the cops and tackled them to the ground, causing the manhole to hit a telephone pole and knock it to the ground.

"You guys ok?" Cyborg asked.

"Yeah, we're good," one of the officers answered.

"How about you?" another asked. "You're not looking good."

"Had worse. Just need a plan to…"

Cyborg suddenly went silent, seeing some downed power lines strewn on the street.

"Bingo," He remarked, moving in close. "Hey, tough guy! That the best you got?! I know boomerangs that hit harder than you!"

"Shut up! I'll pound you into scrap metal you damn machine!"

"Don't make me laugh! You couldn't hit the broadside of a barn!"

"Your face says differently, freak!"

"Then bring it!"

The metal man then charged at Cyborg, who crouched down, deftly scooping up the wires. When the metal man got close, Cyborg jammed the wires into his sides. Electricity flowed through him, his metal skin making his entire body go up. Cyborg took the chance to sock him on the jaw, finally knocking him to the ground.

"Do yourself a favor, man," Cyborg panted. "Stay down."

At that moment, the crowds watching the fight erupted into cheering, much to Cyborg's surprise. He looked up to see everyone chanting, clapping, and shouting. Everyone from the cops to the patrons to his old team were all calling his name. Cyborg raised a hand in acknowledgement, seeing that his sweats had been shredded during the fight.

"Oh well," He responded dismissively. "Could do worse for a path in life."

Cyborg then got an error message on his screen, warning him of an imminent shutdown for rest and repairs. Letting out a small curse, he turned to the cops he'd saved.

"Hey, can you do me a favor? I'm about to shut down and I need you to deliver me to S.T.A.R. Labs please."

"I'll handle it," Joe offered, stepping over and getting an arm under Victor. "Just try to get in my car before you pass out."

"Thanks…"

Cyborg barely managed to pull himself inside the car before passing out.

Sometime later, Victor's eyes flashed on, finding himself back in S.T.A.R. Labs. He was laid out on a repair table, his father making some final corrections. To his surprise, the football team was there was well, Jax taking note of when he came to.

"Yo guys, Vic's awake."

"Hey man," Vic greeted as the team approached. "Everyone alright?"

"We're good, Vic," Jax assured him. "Girder's in jail now."

"Girder?" Vic questioned.

"Mr. Ramone's idea," Silas explained..

"Figures."

"You were amazing out there, Victor," Silas commended. "Absolutely amazing."

"The fight's all over youtube, man," another player declared. "Everyone saw it. They're calling you a real hero."

"Neat," Victor replied. "Nice to be appreciated."

Silas just smiled, placing a hand on Victor's shoulder.

"Get some rest, son. You've earned it."

Victor smiled before closing his eyes and getting some much needed rest.

At Iris' apartment, she and Barry were snuggled up together on the couch, watching some TV. they were only half paying attention to what was on, mostly just enjoying each other's company. Barry gently played with Iris' hair as she leaned on his chest, nodding off slightly. Barry just held Iris close, planting a kiss on Iris' head.

"I won't let anyone hurt you Iris," Barry spoke. "I promise…"

Kari was fast asleep, her fingers still entangled in J'onn's. He carefully removed her glasses, then pulled her covers over her. He then gently caressed her head, giving her a warm smile.

"I will protect you, Kari," he swore. "Just as you protected me."