One Flesh, Infinite Stars

The Hall of Justice loomed ahead, a gleaming monument of glass and steel perched on the edge of Metropolis. Metro Man soared alongside Superman and Wonder Woman, the wind whipping past his golden hair. He could've outpaced them lapped the planet, grabbed a coffee, and still beaten them there but he kept it casual, matching their speed. No point in showing off too much. Yet.

Superman landed first, boots thudding against the plaza. Diana followed, her sandals silent as she touched down with a warrior's grace. Metro Man dropped last, hitting the ground hard enough to crack the marble tiles into a starburst pattern. He winced. "Gonna owe you guys a renovation budget."

Superman didn't smile. "We'll manage. Follow me."

Inside, the hall buzzed with activity heroes in capes and cowls darted between holographic screens, tracking crises across the globe. Metro Man's entrance drew stares. A green-skinned guy with a cape muttered something to a woman with wings, and a kid in a red suit nearly dropped his pizza. Metro Man waved, flashing his trademark grin. "Hey, folks. New guy in town."

Superman led them to a circular chamber, a massive table at its center etched with a stylized "J." Diana took a seat, gesturing for Metro Man to join her. He plopped down, chair creaking under his bulk, and propped his boots on the table. Superman shot him a look but said nothing.

"Alright, Metro Man," Superman began, folding his arms. "You've got power more than most of us combined. But we don't know you. Where are you from? What's your story?"

Metro Man leaned back, hands behind his head. "Metro City. Different world, different rules. I was the big hero there faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, all that jazz. Got tired of it, retired. Then a black hole decided I wasn't done and spat me out here."

Diana raised an eyebrow. "Retired? You don't strike me as the type to sit idle."

He smirked. "I'm full of surprises, princess. What about you? What's a goddess doing slumming it with mortals?"

Her lips twitched, almost a smile. "I fight for peace. For truth. This world needs warriors."

"Fair enough." He glanced at Superman. "And you, Blue? What's your deal?"

Superman's jaw tightened. "I protect Earth. And I don't trust strangers who drop in and throw monsters into orbit without asking."

Metro Man chuckled. "Touchy. Look, I'm not here to step on toes. Just figuring out where I landed."

Before Superman could reply, an alarm blared. A hologram flickered to life above the table Parasite, back from his stratospheric trip, crashing through downtown Metropolis. His purple bulk pulsed with stolen energy, toppling buildings like dominoes.

"He's tougher than I thought," Metro Man said, standing. "Round two?"

Superman nodded. "Let's go."

Diana grabbed her lasso. "Stay sharp. He adapts."

They hit the streets in a blur. Parasite roared, draining power lines into his gnarled fists. Civilians screamed, fleeing as sparks rained down. Superman charged, slamming into the beast with a sonic boom. Parasite staggered but lashed back, tendrils wrapping around Superman's arms, siphoning his strength.

Metro Man watched, hovering above. "Told you he'd be fine."

Diana shot him a look. "Help him."

"Fine, fine." He blurred forward, grabbing Parasite's tendrils and yanking them free like weeds. Superman stumbled back, catching his breath. Metro Man spun Parasite overhead once, twice then flung him skyward again. This time, he didn't stop there. He rocketed after the monster, overtaking him mid-flight, and drove a fist into his chest.

The impact lit up the sky, a shockwave flattening clouds. Parasite cratered into an empty lot, unconscious before he hit the dirt. Metro Man landed beside him, brushing off his gloves. "Nighty-night."

Superman flew down, fists still clenched. "You didn't need to hit him that hard."

Metro Man shrugged. "He's fine. Probably. Want me to check his pulse?"

Diana landed between them, her presence cutting the tension. "Enough. He's down, and the city's safe. That's what matters."

Superman glared at Metro Man, then softened. "You're strong. Too strong. We need to test your limits."

Metro Man grinned. "You wanna spar, Blue? Bring it."

Diana stepped forward. "I'll oversee it. No destruction."

"Deal," Metro Man said, cracking his knuckles.

They moved to a deserted stretch of coastline outside Metropolis, waves crashing against jagged rocks. Superman squared up, cape billowing. Metro Man bounced on his toes, loose and cocky. Diana stood aside, arms crossed, her gaze flicking between them.

"First to yield," Superman said. "No cheap shots."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Metro Man replied.

Superman struck first, a blur of red and blue, fist aimed at Metro Man's chest. Metro Man caught it with one hand, the impact sending a gust across the beach. "Nice try." He twisted, flipping Superman over his shoulder into the sand.

Superman sprang up, eyes glowing red. Heat vision lanced out, twin beams hotter than the sun. Metro Man sidestepped barely then blurred behind Superman, locking him in a headlock. "Gotcha."

Superman grunted, prying at Metro Man's arm. It didn't budge. He shifted tactics, flying upward, dragging Metro Man with him. They spiraled into the sky, trading blows that echoed like thunder. Metro Man laughed, tanking a punch to the jaw that would've leveled a mountain.

"You're tough," he said, "but I'm tougher."

He broke free, grabbed Superman by the cape, and hurled him downward. Superman caught himself midair, rocketing back with a double-fisted strike. Metro Man blocked it with his forearm, grinning wider. "That all you got?"

Superman growled, then charged full-force. Metro Man met him head-on, their collision shaking the coast. Sand turned to glass, waves stilled, and for a moment, the world held its breath. When the dust cleared, Metro Man stood over Superman, one boot on his chest, both of them panting.

"Yield?" Metro Man asked.

Superman glared, then sighed. "Yield."

Metro Man stepped back, offering a hand. Superman took it, pulling himself up. "You're not human," he said.

"Nope," Metro Man agreed. "Never was."

Diana approached, her expression unreadable. "You're a force of nature. But strength alone doesn't make a hero."

Metro Man met her gaze, his grin softening. "Then teach me, princess. I've got time."

She studied him, eyes sharp. "Perhaps I will."

Back at the Hall, the trio debriefed. Batman emerged from the shadows because of course he did grilling Metro Man with questions about his origins. Metro Man kept it vague, sticking to the black hole story. The League murmured among themselves, wary but intrigued.

As the meeting broke, Diana lingered. "You fought well today," she said. "Reckless, but well."

"Reckless is my middle name," Metro Man quipped. "Actually, it's not. Don't have one. You?"

"Diana is enough," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Rest now. Tomorrow, we'll see what you're truly made of."

He watched her go, her armor glinting in the hall's light. Something stirred in him not just the thrill of a fight, but a pull he couldn't name. Back in Metro City, he'd been untouchable, alone. Here, with her eyes on him, he felt… seen.

The stars outside were unfamiliar, but they shone bright. Metro Man leaned against the window, wondering what this world held and if he'd finally found a challenge worth sticking around for.