Just for gigs

A public radio station played loudly from Vill-City's media station on a Monday morning. "Hello, Vill-City! It's another brand new day, with no destruction or rampaging in the city. Today is a day for us to do our thing, especially the one thing we're good at... ma' people," said the male radio presenter, John.

"Yeah! That's right, John," said Gemma, the female presenter. "But come to think of it, people have been asking about the latest Iron Cyborg Man. John, what do you think about it? Is it even a person, or is it a machine?"

While the broadcast was on, Peter had already transformed into his Ultra AI and was doing a double-check on the city before going to school. He flew past every street, alley, and train station in Vill-City, as he could still hear the broadcast far away.

"What I'm trying to say, John, is that aliens live among us and they're watching. Just like what happened last week, if not for Iron Cyborg Man who came to our rescue out of nowhere," said Gemma.

"Again, Gemma, I keep telling you, it's not aliens, and Iron Cyborg Man isn't one of them. Vill-City should be grateful we had someone or something coming to our rescue, and it's not a threat to our people," replied John.

"Absolutely right, John! Iron Cyborg Man is a kind gesture from none other than the reputable founding organization of Lyrecius Corp., Mr. Lyrecius," replied Gemma. "He's definitely been kind to the people of Vill-City over the past 35 years."

"He should definitely be the Mayor!" said John and Gemma at once as they laughed.

"Lyrecius Corp. sounds strange. L.C.A," said Peter to himself.

"Would you like me to give you some information about that, Peter McCoy?" asked Ultra AI.

"Nah, not today," replied Peter. "I've got to get to school."

Suddenly, Ultra AI alerted Peter of a robbery in progress at the Vill-City High Bank.

"I just checked that place," replied Peter. "Let's get this over with."

The robbers had already robbed Vill-City High Bank and were about to enter their vehicle to escape when Ultra AI arrived at the scene of the crime.

"It's Iron Cyborg Man!" yelled one of the robbers as they all opened fire at Ultra AI.

"Iron Cyborg Man?" Peter said to himself, not bothered by their gunfire. "That's a weird name for me."

Ultra AI informed Peter that the robbers were about to escape, and he should act instead of contemplating his given name.

"Maybe they don't know me yet," said Peter. "Oh well, I'll just stop them."

He stopped the crime, returned the cash to the bank, handcuffed the criminals to their vehicle, and informed the police of their whereabouts before leaving. He arrived at school just in time for the first lecture, and everything went well. During their free time, he met Debbie as she was entering the ladies' room. He stopped her, took her by the hand, and gave her a smooch. It was romantic.

"I'll see you later, Peter," Debbie replied with a lovely smile.

"Yes!" Peter said with a gesture, but he was stopped by his coach, who wanted to share good news with him about the basketball team.

"You're in, kiddo!" said the coach. "Welcome to the team, captain."

"Holy moly," replied Peter. "Thanks, coach. I'll make you proud."

Everyone went about their activities at school. Peter and Mark hung out together, and Rita was with Debbie and her friends. It was an awesome day for them. The female coach came to the girls and gave them the good news that they had become cheerleaders, with Debbie as their team captain. They were all excited.

"Alright, listen up everyone," said Coach Bridgett. "We've got a lot of work to do if we're going to win the first basketball competition ever for Vill-City Junior High School. Practice starts next week, and congratulations to those who made it onto the team. I'm proud of you all."

"Dismiss," said Coach Bridgett.

After school, Peter would go for a flight in his ultra AI transformation around Vill-City, Vill-City High, and possibly even around the world. He would go higher, above the clouds and into space, with or without his transformation. Life was fun and jolly for him, as not a single crime could escape his sight. However, the world was yet to know him by his heroic name. To some, he was known as the Iron Cyborg Man, but little did he know that this was just the beginning of his heroic adventures in life.

Multiple Man Narrated:

The universe is an endless stream of events. It shapes our destiny in the world we live in, hears our cries, our prayers, and everything there is to know about life. It is God to us, and so we must abide by its laws. The construct of the universe is demanding, and one must know its demands to foresee the future and the outcome of every circumstance.

When the universe gives, it gives to all. It is up to us to find the inner gift that has been bestowed upon us by the universe, and it is what created the multiverse. Every possibility, action, time, and decision has already been predetermined for us all. We are the puppets of the multiverse, and it chooses those who will abide by and forsake the laws of its own creation. It is the father and the mother, and we are the sons and daughters of the universe. It is a blessing and a curse, an endless cycle of reincarnation. Beyond the horizon, there is a world we cannot see, a world that has always been in front of us.

Once time is perceived, it breaks forth the illusion it has created. The journey to our story, the tales of our adventures, makes up every tiny particle of our molecules in construct. What we have now and then was predetermined by the universe. We are stories written within the very heart of the universe, waiting to be told to the next generation in life that is yet to come.

"What will become of Peter McCoy and his newfound powers of the universe? In every reality, there is an opposite attraction to the laws of the universe where our stories unfold differently," Multiple Man narrated.

As Peter was having a joyride, a strange, faded voice called out to him, and he stopped to listen to it. "Peter McCoy!" the voice said.

"Did you hear that?" Peter asked Ultra AI.

"Affirmative, Peter," Ultra AI replied. "Its source is unknown."

"So strange", replied Peter. "I'd better get back home."

Meanwhile, Pytronx had located the source of his creator's work. Feedback was sent to his database from the Super Seven Twenty-Two retrieval file. He monitored the powers of Ultra AI and was impressed that a puny mortal could wield such powers of the Maniverse at his fingertips.

"Long have I waited to see the work of my creator's creation in the hands of a child," said Pytronx to himself from a distant galaxy. "He is adapting to the Xentorium core and its limitless potentials. With such power to conquer the multiverse and all of the Maniverse, this mortal has proven himself a worthy adversary."

Then, Pytronx's general came to inform him that they were ready for the next phase at hand - a transporter to be sent to Earth.

Meanwhile, late at night, Peter was exhausted from the day. He had spoken to Debbie about their dating plans on Saturday after the competition, which she had accepted. Mark came in and bounced on his bed to see Peter lost in thought.

"Is it about Debbie?" asked Mark.

"Nah, bra! We're cool," replied Peter.

"I can't wait for basketball practice next week. All thanks to you, we made the team," said Mark.

"We all did great!" replied Peter. They exchanged pleasantries for the night.

During that same night, some sort of comet entered the Earth's atmosphere and caused a massive explosion that took out half of Vill-City and Vill-City High. It destroyed the McCoy's apartment, leaving only Peter unharmed, who was protected by Ultra AI. Everything and everyone around him was devastated, and he was shocked about it and could do nothing. He looked down in despair when a humanoid figure of great size came walking towards him.

"You failed to protect your world, and your universe is dying," said the humanoid figure, who put a hand on Peter McCoy's shoulder. "It is time."

"It is time!!!... To wake up, Peter," yelled Sophie, who woke him up from sleep. "Or you're gonna be late."

Peter got up from bed hastily, as if he had just had a nightmare. "Are you okay, Peter?" asked Sophie. "Because you're sweating a lot."

"I'm fine!" Peter replied as Sophie showed herself out of his room.

"Nightmares, Peter McCoy?" asked Ultra AI.

"Yeah," replied Peter McCoy. He took a shower, got ready, and went down to join the others.

"You're five minutes late, bro!" said Mark.

"Are you alright, sweetie?" asked Jenna, who kissed Peter on the cheek and offered him some toast. The others were ready to leave for school, and Mason did the usual routine.

At school, they went through the normal curriculum until the students were called to the field for practice for the upcoming competition in three weeks. Coach Bridgette organized the entire event, with the cheerleaders and basketball representatives all set.

"Listen up, today I'm going to make you boys into men and the girls into women!" yelled Coach Bridgette. "There won't be any setbacks or missed practices. This is our stepping stone to victory, to shine, and to let them know that the name Vill-City Junior High School will forever be in their hearts when we crush the competition. Now get to it... Delinquents!"

The basketball teams and cheerleaders were all set, with Peter as the captain of the Vill-City Junior High School basketball team and Debbie Rich as the leader of the cheerleading group. The rehearsals for the cheerleaders and basketball team players went smoothly, which included Tyson, Jerry, and their friends. They played against each other to test their physical fitness, and Coach Bridgette was pleased with their teamwork and how the cheerleaders encouraged them. Most importantly, the coach was impressed with Peter's skills at basketball and his leadership spirit.

During their practice, Peter would sometimes use his abilities to toy with the other team, which made them wonder how it was possible for him to do it without getting caught. After rehearsals were over for the day, they went to their respective changing rooms and lockers to clean up. Everyone enjoyed the practice, and Peter would hang out with Debbie for a while before going home with his friends.

The next day at school was like every other day, filled with more practice, practice, and practice leading up to the coming competition in three weeks' time. Their practice took up two weeks, and the basketball court was already set for the big day. Coach Bridgette showed it to her teams, and she said, "Right here on this court! You're gonna shine and make me proud next week. Make Vill-City Junior High School victorious."

"Teamwork makes the DreamWork team," added Coach Bridgett. "And on that day, you all are gonna level the playing field."

The team chanted together in unity a slogan for their team: "Go Vill-City High!" They embraced one another as they all chanted out loud on their way out, even up to the school gates and on their way home.