AM I SUPERMAN?

Barry panicked as Cisco's voice crackled through the communicator. "He's in Iris's coffee shop. What does he want?"

Kaius walked towards the door and shrugged, a hint of nonchalance in her voice. "You said he used to humiliate you in front of Iris, right? Isn't it obvious? He likes her too. He's just showing off."

Barry's anger surged, burning hot in his chest. Without another word, he vanished in a streak of lightning, rushing to the main control room. In less than a second, he changed into his uniform and sped off toward Jitters, the coffee shop where Iris worked.

"Barry, your bones still need thirty more minutes to heal completely! Tony Woodward isn't Kaius—he'll break you again!" Cisco's warning rang in Barry's ear through the communicator.

But Barry couldn't listen. His mind was solely focused on Iris.

"Relax, Cisco. I'll back him up," Kaius replied, grabbing a communicator as he followed him.

At Jitters, Tony Woodward, also known as Girder, was harassing Iris. After professing his feelings and being flatly rejected, Tony's frustration boiled over. He turned aggressive, grabbing Iris by the arm. When concerned customers attempted to intervene, they froze in fear as Tony's skin turned to solid metal, his body gleaming ominously. Someone quickly called the police.

"Iris, I've seen your blog posts about the Flash. That guy couldn't last a round with me! He's nothing but a weakling. You should be writing about me!" Tony bellowed, dragging Iris toward his car.

He shoved her into the passenger seat, locking the doors before slipping into the driver's seat. As he started the engine, Iris, panicking, tried to reason with him. "Tony, listen to me. Let me go now, and I won't press charges. The police are already looking for you. Surrender before this gets worse!"

Tony sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Surrender? Iris, don't you see? I'm invincible! With my steel skin and strength, I'm untouchable! Not even Superman or the Avenger can stop me!"

Iris stared at him in disbelief. "Superman? The Avenger? Are you insane?" she spat, masking her fear with sarcasm. She knew Tony wasn't the brightest bulb in the box, but this level of delusion was astonishing.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminated the street, and Iris felt a rush of air. Before she could process what was happening, she found herself cradled in the arms of Central City's scarlet speedster.

"The Flash! I knew you'd come for me!" Iris exclaimed, her eyes glimmering with gratitude and admiration. She had no idea that her rescuer was Barry Allen, her boyfriend. To her, he was a hero shrouded in mystery.

Barry gently set her down on the sidewalk. Masking his voice with a modulated tone, he instructed, "Iris, get to safety. Leave the rest to me."

"But be careful!" she urged, taking a few cautious steps back. "Tony's skin turns to metal. He's dangerous."

Meanwhile, Tony realized Iris was gone. Slamming on the brakes, he spun the car around, spotting the Flash standing in the distance. Fury twisted his features.

"You again!" Tony roared. "Didn't I already crush you earlier? This time, I'll break every bone in your body!"

Tony charged forward, his fist glowing with metallic sheen, swinging with the force of a cannonball. But Barry was ready. He'd spent the afternoon studying Tony's moves, and now, he was mentally prepared.

"You're so weak compared to him!" Barry taunted as he sped behind Tony Woodward, the self-proclaimed Metal Man. Tony's forward-leaning stance left him exposed, and Barry didn't waste the opportunity—he planted a precise kick to Tony's backside.

Tony felt the force before he could react. His body was propelled forward, and he landed face-first on the pavement, sprawled awkwardly. The crowd of bystanders erupted in laughter, some taking out their phones to capture the humiliating moment.

Tony pushed himself up from the ground, his metallic skin glinting under the streetlights. Embarrassed and enraged, he growled, his fists clenching as he turned to face the Flash. "I'll break every bone in your body!" he snarled, charging at Barry like a raging bull.

Barry stood his ground, calm and collected. Compared to the lethal threats he had faced, like Reverse-Flash or Captain Cold, Tony was little more than a nuisance. With his experience and agility honed by countless battles, Barry effortlessly evaded Tony's wild attacks, dodging every swing with precision.

Tony's frustration mounted with each missed punch. The crowd's laughter stung his pride even more. "Damn it!" he roared, his voice echoing through the street. "I'm going to crush you!"

Barry darted around him, landing quick, precise kicks to Tony's legs and torso, each strike throwing him off balance. "Tony," Barry said, stopping just out of reach, "you're outmatched. Surrender now. You don't stand a chance."

"Surrender?!" Tony spat, his voice dripping with defiance. "Don't act so high and mighty!" His gaze flicked to the crowd, and his anger found a new target. He lunged and grabbed a young woman who had been recording the scene on her phone. She let out a terrified scream as his iron grip locked around her arm.

"Help! I—I was just passing by!" she stammered, struggling to break free. But Tony's grip was unyielding, like a vice.

"Flash, if you don't want this woman to get hurt, don't move a muscle!" Tony shouted, dragging the hostage closer to him.

Barry froze, his eyes narrowing. "Let her go, Tony. This isn't the way."

Tony sneered. "Oh, you're such a goody-two-shoes. Who cares about some random girl? You're the only one dumb enough to put her life above your own!"

He stepped closer to Barry, his free hand forming a massive, gleaming fist. "Now, stay still while I take care of you!" With a roar, Tony swung his fist with all his might, aiming to crush Barry's face.

Iris, watching from a distance, covered her eyes. "No..." she whispered, unable to watch what she thought would be a devastating blow.

But as Tony's fist closed in, it stopped suddenly, mid-swing, as if frozen in place. The crowd gasped. Tony struggled to push his fist forward, but it wouldn't budge.

"What the—?!" Tony turned his head, and his eyes widened in shock. Behind him stood another figure—a tall man with dark hair and a calm, commanding presence. His hand was firmly gripping Tony's steel arm, holding it effortlessly in place.

"Who the hell are you?!" Tony demanded, struggling to break free.

The man smiled faintly. "Someone who doesn't like bullies." With a flick of his wrist, he yanked Tony backward, causing the villain to release his hostage. In the same motion, Barry sped forward, catching the girl and whisking her to safety.

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