Vigilante Files Database: Sport

Chapter 4 - Vigilante

Summer was around the corner, and Matt hadn't seen Damian since the incident as he was out walking the town for his exercise. Because of his diligent work on his legs, he was a week or so ahead of the Physical Trainer's expectations. But Matt still made sure to attend the college's football, basketball and volleyball games. Those were his three favorite to play, and while he normally hated watching a game he couldn't control, he felt differently now that he can't play. In addition, attending all the games helped Matt make new friends. Nick watched as Matt's mental health was healing just as fast as his legs were. Nick couldn't help but smile all the time around Matt, both proud of his brother's progress and because he was on the verge of finishing the serum's second half.
Matt noticed his brother's extra cheery mood too; he thought it was a bit creepy and out-of-character for his usually introverted older brother.
"What's makin' you so happy?" He finally asked one morning. Nick was caught off-guard as he was getting ready to head out back to the chemistry room.
"Just noticing you're doing good, and that makes me feel good." Nick gave half of the reason, but Matt didn't press much further.
"Alright," Matt said. "I'll see you later tonight, I'm going out walking again. I'm almost up to three miles."
Nick showed up as one of the Metalwork students arrived. Nick commissioned the student to make two belts, and it cost a fairly large amount. But Nick was happy that they were finally done. He hurried inside and started putting on the final touches. The magnets he shaped himself were inserted along both of the belts. Finally, after months of work, research and paying people for odds and ends, Nick looked at his completed project. He had two vials of serum and two magnetic belts to enhance them with. Nick knee he was going to present it to Matt tonight to see what he thought.
The excitement was making Nick so giddy that he never noticed Ignis walking in.
"Hey big brain, you almost done with that?" Ignis waved a hand in front of Nick who was clearly lost in thought.
"Oh, yeah. I finally got the belts, but man were they expensive. All the putting all the segments together must have been a difficult process"
He looked back to the final product and drifted off mentally again. Ignis watched as Nick put the belts and serum containers away. "I'll use one for Matt and the other I'll keep for whenever I have time to show it off. Maybe I'll be on Shark Tank one day for these." Nick packed it all up and started walking to his car. "Hey Mr. Ignis, let me know when we can present this to someone high up, I can't wait to show this off!"
"You sure you don't want to just give it to me now? And don't worry, I would credit you." Nick shook his head like that was crazy. "No I'll keep it. Thanks, though." Ignis nodded and waved as Nick left the building.

That night, Nick laid out the serum and belt across Matt's bed, then went and watched TV while he waited. Matt came in much later, sweaty and tired from something. "Hey," Nick mumbled, faking bored so Matt didn't suspect anything. "Hey," Matt said back as he half-limped on his sore legs.
Nick waited but was too antsy so he followed Matt to see his reaction.
"What the..." Matt looked at the stuff on his bed. There was a small glass container and what looked like a segmented metal belt. Nick came up behind him and encouraged Matt to drink the stuff.
"Well what is it?" Matt was confused. The stuff was clear but he didn't trust weird liquids.
"It's science. Drink it."
Matt shrugged and opened the top. He downed it like a shot, waited a few seconds, and then turned to Nick with furrowed brow.
"Now put on the belt, doesn't matter if you need it or not."
Matt complied, and then looked in the mirror. "It's not exactly 'me' y'know? I'm more of a basketball shorts kinda guy."
"Well I need you to wear it all night, then tell me how you feel in the morning." Nick couldn't contain his smile.
"Whoa, you're not putting me on some funky drug, are you? You look high with that goofy smile" Matt put brought his hands up and looked at them, checking for any signs of intoxication.
"No, stupid. I know how you feel about drugs. Just sleep tonight with the belt. Trust me." Matt was surprised to see tears well up in Nick's eyes while he was smiling. Nick expected them even less. He wiped them off with his sleeve and left Matt's room.