We’re Not a Happy Family

A few minutes earlier…

After Heisenberg left, Clark turned and flew toward Cyborg's location.

Once he obtained Cyborg's information and address, a single glance confirmed that Cyborg was still at home.

It was just three kilometers from the Kryptonian ship where everyone else was.

Moments later, Clark hovered outside Cyborg's window. His sudden appearance went unnoticed by passersby.

Floating in mid-air, Clark smiled faintly and waved at the cold figure inside the window.

But to his complete surprise, Cyborg, standing in the room, suddenly raised his metallic arm!

In the next instant, a blast of energy shattered the window and slammed into Clark's chest!

Feeling the frost forming on his upper body, Clark froze for a moment, then furrowed his brow deeply.

Was this really the teammate Bruce had chosen?

Such aggression!!!

He clearly saw Cyborg still gathering energy in the building across the street.

Clark sighed softly, then burst into the room Cyborg had destroyed, pinning him to the floor!

But only then did Clark realize things weren't as he'd expected.

Cyborg's body trembled uncontrollably, his face convulsing like someone with epilepsy.

Watching this, Clark took a deep breath.

Perhaps he wasn't the right fit after all. Was someone with such psychological issues suitable to be our teammate?

Bruce is usually so reliable. Why did he choose someone so unreliable?

Thinking this, Clark pinned Cyborg down and said,

"You must know who I am, so try not to feel anxious or afraid. As long as you're innocent, I won't be your enemy, right?"

"No, stay back! I can't control myself—your energy signature is too strong!!!

My body's reacting on its own, wanting to fight back. I'm losing control!!!"

Cyborg on the floor roared, struggling to break free from Clark's grip.

But no matter how he struggled, Clark remained immovable, like a mountain pinning him to the ground!

However, after hearing Cyborg's words, Clark finally understood.

He quickly suppressed his own power, just as he did when hiding his identity at the Daily Planet.

Then he released Cyborg and completely concealed his presence.

Now, he looked no different from an ordinary person.

Though Clark hadn't fully developed his bioforce field, his instincts had always guided it in the direction he desired.

The reason no one could clearly see or photograph his face was due to this instinctive control of the force field.

Just like now, when he truly wished to be an ordinary person, Cyborg no longer sensed any danger from him.

At this, Cyborg silently climbed to his feet.

Looking at Clark's smile, he shook his head in disappointment.

"You're Superman, I know. But I'm not your enemy, not a supervillain, and certainly not your opponent.

If you're here to arrest me, go ahead. Though I've done nothing wrong, I am a monster.

A monster stripped of life, or rather, a life filled with relentless steel!!!"

Cyborg's voice grew louder until he realized he was spitting at Superman, and he struggled to control his anger.

Before him, Clark continued to gaze at Cyborg, a look that made Cyborg instinctively turn away, feeling completely seen through.

And what Clark said next struck a deep wound.

Clark sighed softly,

"I know your story, know how you became what you are now.

But I didn't expect that even after four months, you'd still be living in pain."

"Why shouldn't I be in pain? I've lost everything—my mother, my life, even my heart…"

"But you still have your father!"

"That's not my father—he's a cold-hearted devil. My mother's death was his fault, and he turned me into this monster!"

"Your mother died in a car accident, kid."

"Shut up! I'm not a kid!"

"Then your mother died in a car accident, Victor. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Yeah, you should be sorry. You're Superman, always saving people. But where were you when my mother's car crashed?!"

"Let me think…"

Listening to Cyborg's foolish words, kind-hearted Clark didn't get angry at the young man controlled by pain.

He actually recalled the event!

Moments later, Clark nodded softly.

"On May 14th, three months ago, the Leaning Tower of Pisa collapsed due to a terrorist attack. When your accident happened, I was busy restoring it…"

"Restoring it?!?!?!"

As Clark's words fell, Cyborg fell silent, staring blankly at Clark and shaking his head in helplessness.

"Alright, I was irrational again. I know it's my fault, not yours. I… can't control myself!

So, let's start over. I'm Victor Stone. What brings you here?"

Cyborg avoided the topic of his mother and tried to speak seriously to Clark.

Under his gaze, Clark nodded and said softly,

"Clark Kent, or Kal-El, call me whatever you like.

I'm here in my true identity, not to subdue you. I've read your file—you're passionate, sunny, open-minded, and kind.

So, besides wanting to see this miracle you are, I'm here to…"

"I'm no miracle, I'm a monster, one my father created…!"

Boom!!!

Before Cyborg could finish, Clark pushed him against the wall.

The move left Cyborg stunned into silence.

After another stern lecture, Clark softly told him,

"You need to respect your father, kid!

When you were about to die in that car accident with your mother, your father broke countless rules, deceived countless people, and risked everything to save you.

Even the slightest mistake could've left you alive but gotten him killed by various agencies.

Unless I intervened, he wouldn't have survived that situation!

To save you, he came within an inch of death!"

"So what? He turned me into a monster!"

"No!"

Boom!!!

Clark punched Cyborg in the face, then, as Cyborg reeled, softly told him,

"Your father didn't turn you into a monster—he turned you into me!

Now, you've gone from a star football player I'd never have met to an extraordinary individual even Superman invites personally!"

As the words fell, Clark released Cyborg and stepped aside, head bowed in apology.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have hit you. You have your reasons.

I've lost two fathers, and it's been agonizing. I…"

He paused, then heavily patted Cyborg's shoulder.

"I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone, especially you. You still have a chance to make amends. Be grateful your father's still here…"

"This…"

Listening to Clark, Cyborg climbed to his feet, his expression softening.

Superman was indeed someone he could trust, and as a college-aged kid, he had one trait:

He didn't listen to family, but he listened to outsiders.

He ignored elders, but heeded influential figures.

So, Clark's lecture taught him to stay calm.

In just moments, he calmed down and bowed to Clark.

"Apologies!"

He said.

"I… still struggle to control myself."

"It's fine. I'll teach you to control it."

"You? Teach me? What do you mean…?"

"I want to invite you to join a team, proposed by my great-grandfather, the Sun God.

It's led by me, Batman, and Wonder Woman as the first members.

We call it the Justice League!"

Clark looked at Cyborg and seriously explained Darkseid's threat.

…

…

…

After he finished, Cyborg nodded decisively.

"Whether for justice or personal reasons, I'll join you.

But please understand, I can't control my powers yet. They only bring me pain. I… may not become like you."

"We're just us. Our powers may differ, but our hearts are no different from yours.

Batman witnessed his parents' murder as a child. Wonder Woman has never met her father. My biological father died shortly after I was born, and my adoptive father died right before me to hide my identity.

I stood there, watching him die, unable to save him because our neighbors would've recognized me.

To keep me hidden, he chose death over letting me save him. That's the one thing I can't forgive myself for!"

As the words fell, Clark fell silent for a long while, barely containing his regret, before continuing.

"So, we're not a happy family, are we?"

"Indeed!"

Cyborg nodded, falling silent for a moment.

When he looked up again, a rare glimmer of hope shone in his eyes.

"What did you call that team?"

"The Justice League. Headquarters is in that Kryptonian ship not far from here!"

As he spoke, Clark and Cyborg looked through the broken wall at the ship.

In that instant, Clark's face turned bright red.

…

After a long silence, Cyborg spoke first.

He frowned and asked softly, "Is our teammate always… such a chatterbox?"

"No, it's not us, but a newly recruited member…

We should head back. Hopefully, this new teammate hasn't completely angered my great-grandfather!"

"But the Sun God seems already angry. He's cursing!"

"Don't say that in front of him…"

"OK!"

Cyborg instantly understood.

That guy's temper must be fierce!

He's cursing so harshly…