Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Obviously I love him. He’s my dad,” Brown eyes with flecks of blue narrow when he heard the person he was talking to hum, “What does that hmmm mean? Just say what you wanna say?

The other voice sighs, “Its just, when you add obviously, it feels a little less obvious. So, I’ll ask again, how do you really feel about your father, Robert?” Biting at his lip, Robert thinks on the question while the other went on, “It is as if, maybe its a little more complicated than you feel comfortable admitting. Which is completely understandable.”

“Look, I love my dad, alright. I love my dad. That’s the truth,” Robert sighs closing his eyes, “But I know that he loved being a hero more than me. That he only had me to so the family legacy would continue when he passed on.” he open his eyes, staring at the ceiling above him, focusing on the cracks and that one corner that was always dripping water.

“Loved,”

“That’s what I said,” Robert stated with a hint of annoyance.

“You said love. Your dad is dead, so you don’t love him, you loved him,” Robert shot the man a glare, though the other couldn't see with the blindfold wrapped around his eyes. Though the man grins, even with him bound tightly to the chair, his wrists and ankles tied tightly with rope.

“Just so sensitive,” Robert scoffs before he let out a sigh, “Listen, if I didn’t live him, we wouldn’t be here, right?” he looks up, smiling softly at the quite fat dog that wander over to him.

“We don’t have to get into it,” that made Robert chuckle a bit, and he couldn’t help but grin as the small dog began to lick at his face. “You know the truth on why I’m here. Your papa misses you,” at this, Robert couldn’t help but grimace, “He wants you out of that suit and come home to him. He just wants you safe. How many times had you been burned? How many times have you been cut and stabbed? How many bones have you broken for people who don’t care for you?”

Robert grits his teeth, “If papa had actually cared about me he wouldn’t had killed dad and turn villain!” he snaps before grimacing as the other man chuckles. “I don’t care for him, nor do I love him. I’m hunting him down so I can throw his ass back into jail,”

“And now you your lying to yourself. You still call him papa… that means you still care for him. That you still love him,”

Robert let out a growl, bringing his hand up to push Beef off him before wiping the slobber off his face. He couldn’t help but frown seeing the blood staining the bandages that were wrapped around his hands, “Shit, my nose is bleeding. Thought I was getting emotionally snotty.”

“No… its probably from when I kicked you in the face.”

“Yeah, thanks for reminding me,” Robert pushes himself up, “So here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to hang you off the side of the building,” he nodded towards his balcony, where the thin but cheap curtains were waving in the night air, “and your going to tell me where Shroud is. Or I’m going to drop you off to your death.”

“Come on,” the man complains with a groan but Robert could hear a hunt of fear in his voice, “Thought we were having a breakthrough!”

“Hey we did!” Robert slowly made his way over, bending his knees to stare at the man with narrowed eyes, “Ya know, for being a real piece of shit, you’re pretty easy to talk to. But the only breakthrough I need right now, is the location of Shroud.”

The man frowns, letting the silence fill Robert’s empty apartment. Suddenly though he lets out a snarl, almost spitting in Robert’s face “I’m not telling you shit! Even if you are Shroud’s little prince, you fucking loser!”

Robert had to bite back the urge to groan, “Now this, is a lot how I thought  this would go,” he mumbles before grabbing the back of the chair and begins the process of dragging it towards his balcony. Or at least try to as the man was apparently really heavy, “Shit what do you eat? Rocks?” he grunts feeling his right leg screaming at him. It had been hit really hard recently, by some thug when he had been force to get out of his suit. He knew he should lay off of it, give it some time to heal but his dad’s voice echos in his ear.

“Get up… you can rest when your dead,”

“Hey that’s kinda rude you know!” the goon responded, “Not my fault you hardly eat a thing! Your old man talks about it a lot… how you treat the damn dog better than you treat yourself,” at the mention of Beef, Robert slams the chair into the solid wall that made the railing. The goon grunts before his voices hitches, “Are we outside?”

“Windy up here tonight,” Robert whispers, bringing his head up to feel the wind brush against his face.

“Why are we outside?” the goon asked as Robert stands in front of him.

“No tell where you’ll land,” Robert mocks, grabbing the bottom of the chair’s legs and pushing the guy up, leaning him precariously over the side.

The goon let out a scream, “Fuck! Fuckfuckfuckfuck!” he rambles, his head shaking furiously in denial, “Wait, wait, wait! What the hell are you doing I thought you were a hero!”

“Shroud is my papa, as you so kindly reminded me,” Robert grins, gripping the legs of the chair tightly, “And hey you really should be using your inside voice,” Robert snapped, “I got neighbors and I really don’t need them asking questions,” he lets the goon dangle a bit, before he kept going, “Now tell me where Shroud is,”

The man trembles, gripping the arms of the plastic chair tightly, “Okay okay!” He stammers a bit, fumbling over his words, “Steel mill! The old Llewelyn Steel Works! That’s where Shroud’s hiding okay! Fuck, put me down!”

Robert narrows his eyes, “You sure about that?” He insisted with a growl, “Because if your lying I will hunt you down and make you regret it.”

“I swear it’s the truth! It’s all I know!” The goon swallows nervously before he lets out a big scream, “HELP! HELLLLP-mmmh!” His voice was soon muffled as Robert slaps a hand across his mouth

“Stop screaming, goddamn it!” Robert curses, looking around nervously and sighing in relief when he saw that no one was coming out to check out the commotion. Which didn’t surprise him since this part of Torrence was pretty bad, one of the reasons Robert got such a good deal on this apartment with how broke he was and his history of breaking a lease with how many times he had to quickly move. “Hey, hey I will pull you up if you quiet the fuck down!” He hisses in pain as teeth bit into the flesh of his hand forcing him to release his hold on the goon’s mouth and allowing him to scream loudly once more. With a growl of annoyance, “Sir, if you want something to scream about, I’ll give you something to scream about.”

“Wha-NONONOOOOOOO!” The goon screams as Robert pushes him over the edge. Leaning over, Robert watches with a smug satisfaction as the goon lands in the dumpster, safely on top of his mattress. The goon shakes his head rapidly, throwing off a banana peel, “You piece of shit! I hope Shroud spanks you until you're crying like a little bitch!”

“Well that's a bit disturbing,” Robert remarks, leaning his chin against his hand, “Hey!” He calls out towards the goon, “I ruined a perfectly good mattress to make sure you didn’t die, okay? You're welcome.” Pushing himself off the railing, Robert made his way inside towards his closet. There wasn’t much inside, just his uniform and a picture of him and his dad.

Robert couldn’t help but stare at it. It was when he was eight, his hair cut super short and proudly smiling after being called Robert. He had learn young that the name Robin had never fitted right with him. That the terms, Miss or Little Lady made him scrunch up his nose in disgust. So when he had declared himself a boy and not a girl he had expected a much more… bad reaction from his dad. Because for some reason his dad had always been angry at him, no matter what he did. But no, that day he smiled in joy, scooping Robert under his arms and held him up high, declaring him Robert Robertson the Third… and after getting his hair cut, he finally showed him the Mecha Suit, allowing Robert to sit in his lap, showing what his future would be one day.

Robert also remembers the days after, when his papa asked him quietly is if this is what he wanted. That he was sure he was a boy and not only saying it so he could make his dad happy. When Robert had assured his papa that yes, he was a boy and was happy being a boy then his papa had kneeled down and pulled him into a hug. Telling him that no matter what, papa would always love him.

"Yeah, right," Shaking his head of the memories, Robert pulls his uniform off the hanger and slips it on before grabbing his gloves, pulling them tightly onto his hands. Zipping up the zipper, Robert turns, staring at the soft glowing Astral Pulse. It laid innocently in a bowl that held Robert’s apartment keys and some spare change. Gently picking it up, Robert cradles it in his hand, feeling his palm slowly grow warm as he takes a deep breath, his racing heartbeat slowly calming down. Grabbing his mask, Robert pulls it over his head, his eyes narrowed at the newspaper clipping pinned to his board.

“Lets, do this, Mecha Man,” he whispers, bending down to give Beef a few scratches behind the ear before slipping out of his apartment. Locking behind him, he quietly made his way to the garage. Where the Mecha Suit stood still between to cars, waiting for him. Swallowing, Robert watches as the hatch opens up, allowing Robert to take his seat inside.

He should had known it wouldn’t be easy. He should had known this was far too easy… that it had all been a trap.

Robert grips the controls tightly, grunting as he was punched into the wall by the newly name Toxic. The same goon that he had thrown over his balcony. Bringing his head up, Robert couldn’t help but grimace at one of his screens being cracked, “Shroud’s augments are pretty good when normies like you use them,” Toxic remarks as he flies high above Robert, his dick swaying between his legs, “but when you put them on someone who already has powers,” he kisses his wrist, “fuckin’ chef’s kiss,”

“Yeah… I guess their pretty cool,” Robert remarks, “But you think he would try to make you clothes that wouldn’t melt every time you use your powers. No one wants to see that nasty thing you have between your legs swinging.”

Toxic growls before hurling himself towards Robert, but Mecha Man easily steps to the side, allowing Toxic to slam his fist into the ground. Unfortunately, Robert couldn’t avoid the next few punches Toxic threw at him, but it allowed him to grab Toxic and carrying him up into the air, before kicking him into the ceiling like a soccer ball.

Toxic grunts, but once more tackles into Robert, sending him slamming into the ground. Grabbing Toxic by the ankle, Robert hears the other rapidly curse multiple times as Robert slams him into the concrete floor before throwing him into a set of pipes that burst on impact, steam gushing out rapidly. Toxic leaps out of the cloud, kicking the Mecha in the chest before throwing a punch into the helm. While Robert was trying to regain control, Toxic held out his hands, the acid building up in his palms. Seeing this, Robert quickly activated his thrusters, the blast sending Toxic flying into a wall.

Robert frowns, watching as Toxic flew away instead of going for another attack. Following, he quickly send out multiple blasts towards the other which Toxic quickly avoided before throwing something heavy and metal at him. Turning the blaster into a blade, Robert quickly cuts it in half before it could hit him before he tried to swing it into Toxic. But once again, Toxic evaded the swing and slamming another fist into the mech. But Robert was able to slam another punch into Toxic’s stomach making the other groan.

Suddenly blaster fire was being shoot at the mecha’s back making Robert turn to see a whole bunch of people firing at him. “Ugh, figures,” Robert groans, flying up to swing an arm into a couple of them. Suddenly though a blast of lighting send Robert flying back into a railing, his shield doing nothing to defend him. Another super pops out, sending an x-shaped wave of red energy at him allowing Toxic to attack him from behind. Robert was able to hit him but Toxic got back up immediately grabbing him from behind and somehow lifting the Mecha into the air before letting him go to slam his fists into the chest.

Robert grunts in pain, closing his eyes as he slams into the concrete floor. But years of practice got him up again, only for a villain that seem to be made of pink slime to punch him in the helm. When Robert tried to slam his fist into the guys stomach, the slimer easily covered his hand, trapping it in his goo. Trying to swing him off, Toxic slams into Robert once more, knocking him on his back.

Shaking his head, Robert blinks just as metal was slammed into the mecha, pinning him down, “Come on, come on,” he mutters, cutting the metal into pieces so Robert could get up. Soon more heavy fire was being rained down on him, “I need to get out of here!” Robert thought frantically as he handles Toxic when suddenly he was gang up on the pink slime villain who surrounded him in his slime. It allow Toxic to get back up again and this time to throw a ball of his acid at him.

Robert couldn’t help the gasp of fear escape from his lips before he was crying out in pain as electricity ran through his body. The lights going out scared him even more, even as the mecha slowly started to reboot. Suddenly chains wrapped around his legs, more blaster hitting the metal alongside another ball of acid. Heart racing rapidly, Robert manually put up the shield which thankfully worked. “But it won’t work for long,” Robert mutters to himself, staring at the power level warning him that he was only at 52, “I need more power…”

“Sooo whaddaya got left on them shields, Little Bird?” snapping his head up, Robert glares down at Toxic who grins, “I say 40% but the boss man says your down to 28 and he is not wrong about these things,”

Robert stares, his gaze going towards the man that stood beside Toxic. The man he hadn’t seen face to face in 15 years. No matter how much he hunted down the man when he escaped from prison. Glancing at the screen, Robert grimacing at the fact that once again, Shroud was right. The little power the suit had was lowering even more rapidly.

“Good news for you though, you stop this fussing, get out of the suit and hand yourself and the Astral Pulse over.” Robert was thrown forwards a bit as a rocket slams into the shield, “Come on, it won’t be bad. We got a nice little room all set up for you. Even the best food that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. You sure do need it, even I could tell that you’re just skin and bones!” Robert grits his teeth, a growl ripping from his throat as he looks up to see Shroud just staring at him through the hole that was burned into the suit by acid. Robert couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down his spine, squirming in his seat. The thought of being kidnap by his papa, trapped away like some… something precious. Like something that needed to be safe.

Panting, heart beating rapidly in his chest, Robert swallows, “System check. Calculate the damage per second hitting shields, then tell me how many seconds I need to divert Astral Pulse energy to rocket boosters,”

“12.89 seconds of damage before critical,”

“Oh hey!” Toxic calls out, “Boss man says if you’re plannin’ on diverting puss pow-” he chuckles shaking his head, “sorry, pulse power to the boosters, it won’t work. Come on don’t be stupid. Either way, you can either come out willingly like a good boy or we will blast the suit apart and rip you out screaming and bitching. I’m just the messenger here, Little Bird,” Robert ignores him, typing away at the keyboard, “Your pops says your not calculating that shit stuck to your leg,”

“Fuck it,” Robert slams the Astral Pulse into the suit, allowing the shield to go down. With a growl, he sent the Mecha suit into full throttle, gritting in teeth as it was fired heavily upon by the goons with guns. With a grin even as the ankle was torn off where the chain piece through it, the Mecha flew high in the sky, breaking through the roof of the warehouse.

“ROBERT!” Jumping in shock at the voice that screams at him in fear in it tone, Robert looks down as the suit flew high in the sky, peering through the hole in hull, staring down at the warehouse in confusion, wondering what had Shroud so afraid.

“Warning; Foreign Device Detected”

“What?” Robert whispered as the screen showed up with a device highlighted in red, attach to the back of the suit. Dread filled him just as his back exploded in pain, ripping a scream from his throat. The last thing he remembers before being swallowed by darkness, was a gentle warmth of blue light covering him.

Robert jerks up, crying out in pain as he slips from his green lawn chair and landed harshly on on his stomach onto the floor. Trembling in pain, Robert just lays there taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart. “Come on… get up,” he whispers to himself. Slowly with trembling arms that screamed at him in protest, Robert slowly pushed himself up onto his legs. Swaying a bit, jabbing pain piercing his legs that made him bite his tongue, Robert limped his way towards the bathroom.

Doing his morning routine of washing his face and shaving the bit if beard that had grown, making it into a more neat but still ruggish stubble. Looking through his closet, he frowns at the sight of the suit but shake his head, grabbing a simple black button up shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Grumbling in annoyance when one side slipped off his shoulder, he buttons the shirt all the way. “Stupid coma making me smaller.”

Hearing some snuffing sounds, Robert smiles as Beef waddles up to him. “Hey buddy… I got to get going,” Robert whispers, softly petting Beef’s head, “Its only for today, the next time you get to come with me,” Robert couldn’t help but laugh when Beef slobber all over his hand. With a smile, he took the prescribe meds that he was given from the hospital, burning his throat with his scolding coffee. Grabbing his keys from their bowl, he slips out of his apartment, locking the door behind him,

It didn’t take him long to get the SDN building. Robert had seen it many times, mostly when he was flying about in the Mecha Suit. But Robert had never actually took a step inside before. When he did, he noticed a lot of people about. Taking another breath he quietly told one of the ladies at the desk that Blonde Blazer ask him to come and after a few minutes to get a confirmation he was told to wait for her in the waiting area.

Robert didn’t want to admit it, but he was thankful to sit down, at least a bit. Rubbing his right leg, Robert winced in pain. The doctors had inform him that the leg had all but completely shatter in the crash and that he was lucky enough that he didn’t have to get it remove. But Robert had been warned that his leg would never be the same again. That some days it would just hurt and be hard to walk on. That some days it would just go out on him and he wouldn’t be able to walk on it at all. Honestly, Robert should be wearing a brace and using the cane he had been given… but he didn’t want to be seen as weak.

Robert glances up at the television watching a commercial that promoted SDN, snorting as he watches Phenonmaman’s eyes flicker to side to side slightly, the hero probably reading his lines from something off screen. Robert couldn’t help but laugh under his breath at how… bad it was. This laugh drew in the attention of a man that was clearly younger than him trying to tie on a tie. Robert couldn’t help but smile at that, seeing the bright eye hopeful look the other had. Waterboy was clearly one of the hopeful heroes who wanted to be a hero to help. Robert hopes that he keeps that hope, that he doesn’t get crush by the burden of trying to do good.

He was helping Waterboy with his tie when a very familiar figure walks inside. Robert had to fight the urge to hide behind Waterboy, reminding himself that he was in civvies and not his hero suit as Flambae walks past. Robert remembers, rather vaguely, of Flambae. The man had been an arsonist that had been going around Torrence for three years, burning everything in his rage. The odd thing was that every place the man had burned down was empty, the villain never killed anyone with his flames. Robert remembers landing in front of a burning mall, the police telling him to not worry about it, that everyone had been evacuated. But the sensors of the suit had warned him that someone remained inside and even if he had been there cause of the fires, he didn’t deserve to die like this. So Robert had entered the flames and tried to reason and calm the other but Flambae wouldn’t hear him out and tried to boil him alive in the suit. Which normally wouldn’t had work at all with the mecha being flame proof but the suit had been damaged a bit from another fight. Damage enough that a pipe broke and hot burning steam had slammed into Robert’s side.

It had only been a year since Robert had taken the mantle of Mecha Man… and he didn’t have his high pain tolerance back then. He had been in so much pain that he had swung his blade, only stopping enough to only cut two of Flambae’s fingers instead of his head that he had blindly been originally aiming for. The shock of losing his two fingers… calmed Flambae down but Robert had felt great guilt for it. So he had anonymously paid for all the damages Flambae had done over the years with some of his inheritance. Which of course cut a lot of the money he could had use to keep the suit going, but Robert figure it was for a good cause, he did disfigured the man because he wasn’t thinking straight.

He watches as Flambae walks past them, keeping his mouth close as if to hide the now missing tooth he had after their last encounter at Crypto the other night. Robert couldn’t help but grimace, thinking there could have been a better way he could handle that encounter… maybe he should have apologized and explained… but honestly he was in a self pity mood and was high drunk from accidentally drinking some of Blazer’s drink, which had been just straight alcohol. Robert guess he could thank his blessings that he hadn’t come here with a hangover.

“Oh, I wasn't sure you showed up!” Robert turns his head over to see Blonde Blazer walking over just as he finished Waterboy’s tie. He smiles slightly as Waterboy stood up, stuttering in amazement at the sight of the hero. Blonde Blazer smiles apologetically at the young boy, grabbing Robert by the arm to slowly help him up, never noticing the grimace of pain that grew on Robert's face as his leg throbbed. “Oh, sorry, but I need him for something. Follow me,”

Waving goodbye and muttering a good luck to the kid, Robert follows Blonde Blazer while she turn a raise eyebrow at him, “Hero hopeful,” he shrugs, “the newbies they always have this light in them… at least the ones who join the profession to help others and not for the fame and glory,”

Blonde Blazer nodded her head in agreement, “Oh definitely. It does make it hard to not root for them doesn’t it?”

“And pray they don’t crumble under the pressure,” Robert mutters before he was lead into what appeared to be a conference room, “So what now?” He asked turning towards her as she closed the blinds.

“Take your clothes off,”

Robert stares at her, startled a bit at the order, “Uh, what’s happening right now?”

Blonde Blazer grimaces, “Sorry if that sounded weird. We have a uniform and it’s a good thing you didn’t come in your hero outfit. We don’t want too many people knowing your Mecha Man. A lot of our dispatchers are former, but it’s better if you keep your identity a secret. We had incidents in the past.” She threw him a light blue button up shirt with SDN printed on the corner, “Here.”

Robert frowns, holding it out and Blonde Blazer hums, “I remember you being bigger…” she chuckles as Robert gives her a glare, “Sorry. You are really tiny,”

“Four month coma can do that to someone,” he places the shirt down onto the table, grabbing a hold of the brown pants she threw at him and doing the same. Before he began to unbutton his shirt. He stops, frowning when he realizes that Blonde Blazer hadn’t made a move to leave. 

Blinking, Blond Blazer stares at him before her face grew red, “Sorry. Should I turn around? Turn around… close my eyes?”

“Uh… don’t take this wrong but… can you just give me a minute?” Robert frowns making Blonde Blazer nod her head and she turns around just as Robert slip off his shirt. 

“Right right, sorry!” She exclaims, going towards the door when it opens. Robert’s eyes widen as he snaps his head over his shoulder to stare at the hybrid that now stood at the doorframe. He was tall and covered with fluffy gray fur from head to toe though Robert couldn’t see that as he wore a navy blue suit that went well with the red tie wrapped around his neck and the black dress pants. He was clearly a bat hybrid, with the large ears and two sharp fangs that poke out from his pink snout. Robert… couldn’t help but stare. It was clear that the hybrid was fit, his suit was snug around his chest, the muscles of his arms filling the sleeves. He showed signs of having fought before, a scar going down across one of his eyes, both being pure white that went up and down across Robert’s shirtless form.

At least before he slapped a clawed hand across said eye covering them, “Shit!” His raspy voice was dark and low that for some reason sent a shiver down Robert's spine, “I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to… I heard Blazer was here and I needed to have a word with her…”

“No… no it’s okay,” Robert assured with a smile, for some reason feeling his face burn as he quickly snatches up the SDN shirt and slips it on, “I mean who will expect someone changing in a conference room and not somewhere like a locker room?”

He watches as the Hybrid’s ear twitch… a sudden gasp escaping his lips, “Mecha Man?” He whispers making Robert pale, his eyes wide.

“Sonar, please step inside,” Blonde Blazer stated and with an annoyed sigh, the newly name Sonar did so, closing the door behind him, “How did you know?”

“It’s the voice… and my ears,” Sonar pointed up towards his ears while the other hand was still covering his eyes, “I mean I might have doubts if I see his face but hearing his voice here… yeah… you're definitely Mecha Man aren’t you? I saw your conference a couple of nights ago, nice punch! Kingsley was way out of line.”

“Thanks,” Robert mutters before turning to Blonde Blazer.

“Robert, this is Sonar. He’s part of the Phoenix Program. We take formal super villains, such as himself and rehabilitate them to recenter society to use their powers for…”

“Good hopefully,” Sonar chuckles as he uncovers his eyes, holding out his hand towards Robert which Robert took. Sonar grins, shaking it lightly in a firm but gentle grip, “Or that is at least what Blazer here is hoping. Not many of us believe in it but it’s better than rotting in a cell,”

Blonde Blazer sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, “Sonar, this is Robert. He’s going to be your team’s Dispatcher.”

Sonar perks up at that, grinning, “So your the new idiot that Blazer got to try to reign us in… usually I would join the betting on to see how long you last,” his eyes glance up and down Robert, “But I’m actually hoping you do stick around!” He chuckles before throwing a grin at Blonde Blazer who shot him an annoyed look, “I actually told Mal that I was thinking of quitting this whole thing and told her I wouldn’t really quit if I had a sign like Mecha Man becoming our dispatcher,” he looks over to Robert, “Looks like I’m not quitting,"

“Sonar,” Blonde Blazer warned, her eyes narrow, “Robert’s identity, all of this, that’s staying between us. He’s still Mecha Man but that can’t get out. And if it does, I’ll know who it came from.”

“Geeze,” Sonar whispers, holding his hands up, “I’m not going to spill. I’m no snitch! If Flambae gets word that our new dispatcher is the guy who chop off his fingers, Robbie here will be burn alive to a crisp,” he smirks at Robert which made a warm feel well up in Robert’s stomach, “And we can’t have that, now can we?”

“Yeah, rather not be burn to a crisp,” Robert remarked with a drawl, “And even he or the even the others found out. I’m here to help, its what I do. You and the others being in this...Phoenix Program,” he turns to Blonde Blazer to see if he got the name right. The woman nodded her head with a smile, “its means you all want this chance to turn things around, make something good in your lives and maybe even bring some good into the world. That means, I’ll support you in whatever way possible.”

Sonar blinks at him, pulling his head back. He narrows his eyes at him, as if he didn’t fully believed what Robert was saying, “That a promise?”

Robert looks up at him, gazing at the hybrid with his brown eyes, “It is.”

Sonar hums, “I think I now see why so many like you. As Mecha Man,” he stares down at Robert, before he smirks, “I can’t wait to see how you are as Robert,” he turns to Blonde Blazer who was frowning at Sonar in confusion, “If you’re done threatening about keeping Roberto’s hero name secret I better get back to Mal before she wonders where I am,” he turns on is heel, about to step out before he turns his head over his shoulder, “See you out on the field, Robbie-Boy. Hope your ready for a long shift!”

“Well… that was interesting,” Robert stated as Sonar stepped out of the room, “So… former villain?”

“He’s been part of the program since February,” Blonde Blazer explained, “So he’s been here for five months? We have a weekly ranking list for all the heroes in the company… and while Sonar isn’t on the bottom he still ranks low. In fact all the members of the Phoenix Program rank low,” Blonde Blazer closes the door again, locking it once more, “I’m hoping with you as their dispatcher, it will change things for the better… make improvements that the board will like so that they won’t completely can the program. And while they are a rowdy bunch,” Blonde Blazer’s face softens, “They are trying to do better, they deserve a chance,”

“And I’m guessing the other dispatchers before me didn’t give them that chance,” Robert stated, running his hand through his auburn hair, “Got a lot on my plate it seems,” he smiles before his eyes flicker about, “So don’t take this the wrong way but can you leave now so I can change into these pants?” he holds them.

“Oops!” Blonde Blazer chuckles before nodding her head, “Of course. I’ll let you get on with that. You get dressed and then I have someone else for you to meet.”

Chapter Text

Robert lets out a sigh as he slips out of the bathroom, his eyes wide after meeting Royd. He couldn’t help but look around subconsciously, wondering if there was anyone else here who would easily recognize him as Mecha Man. Fighting back the urge to yawn, he rubs his face, heading towards the record room where Blonde Blazer told him to meet up after his bathroom break.

“Holy shit.” Jumping a bit, Robert takes a step back, wondering if he should slam the door shut as an old man pops his head above the shelves. Robert couldn’t help but think of a black Einstein with his slick-back white afro and large mustache. He was wearing a yellow sweater over what was clearly the same SDN shirt that Robert was wearing and black khakis. “Who’s this freckle faced fuck?” he grins, staring at Robert in disbelief as he climbs down the stairs and wraps his arms around Robert, “How are ya?”

“That’s an aggressive way to great someone,” Robert grunts, perplex by the situation he keeps finding himself in ever since he walked inside SDN.

The man pulls back, “Look at this skinny latte prick,” his eyes look up and down his body, his smile dropping to a frown, “You’re bones, kid. What have you been eating?” Robert pulls back, glancing behind him to see Blonde Blazer behind them, leaning against the door frame, “Seriously kid if I hear you been on some sort of fucking diet after waking up from a coma..”

“Uhmmm… I’m sorry, do I know you?” Robert asked, with narrow eyes.

The old man scoffs, rolling his eyes, “Why are you all tense? What? Its a hug not a handshake?” he shakes his head, as he places his hands on his wrist, “Lighten up.”

“Be that as it may, I’m still confuse..” Robert pointed out which made the older man sigh.

“Oh right, cause I’m old as shit. How about this” he puts himself into a pose that Robert was very familiar with. Having seen more times he could count, “This jog your memory?”

“Track star?” Robert whispered before a smile broke out on his face. Now knowing who the old man was, he couldn’t help but throw himself onto the man, hugging him tightly, “Holy shit,” he laughs, feeling his chest tighten and his eyes burn with tears. He knew that Blonde Blazer told him Track Star recommended him, but Robert never thought he would actually meet his old babysitter/older brother figure.

“Yeah, ya fucker,” Track Star patted him on the bag before he gives him a look that was very familiar, “Why’re you accepting hugs from old men ya don’t know? How many times did I and…” Track Star wince as he pulls away, coughing awkwardly, “How many times did you get the stranger danger talk?”

“More times than I can count,” Robert admits, chuckling under his breath and pushing pass the mention of… him. He grimaces a bit as Track Star wrapped an arm around him, the sudden movement jolting his leg and sending a pulse of pain through his body. Gritting his teeth, he smiles, “You’re looking good. The black Einstein looks good on you. ” Robert grins when he heard Blonde Blazer snort behind him

“Yeah as if,” Track Star slaps his arm, “Its the powers you fucker.” he gestures to his body, “I could move fifty times faster than the average person but I didn’t realize until it was too late that I was aging fifty times faster when I used my powers… nowadays I’m moving slower than frozen piss to keep the old ticker from popping on me,” he looks up at Robert, noticing how silent the other grew. Robert was staring at Chase in horror, remembering all those times when Chase had gone on a twinkie run… or the time he had to pull him out of the way when Robert had accidentally set off the Mecha’s defensive… “Robert don’t you fucking dare!” he slaps the back of Robert’s head forcing a yelp out of him, “You have better not be blaming yourself you here me? If I feel another ounce of pity from you, I will run you over in the parking lot and say it was an accident. And they’ll believe me cause it looks like I’m wearing diapers,” Track Star stares hard at him before giving him another slap on the head.

“This is abuse… abuse!” Robert said, taking a step back. He throws a glare at Blazer who was chuckling more, hiding her smile behind her hand. “You are laughing while I am getting beat up by this old fucker. Some hero you are.”

“Yeah because she knows that I’ll beat her ass too,” Track Star grins, “And hey, they call me Chase around here. So keep it… you know.” Robert nodded his head and Chase, ruffles his head, ”Its been what? Ten, fifteen years now since the last time I saw you?”

“Has it really been that long?” Blazer asked, her blue eyes looking at the both of them in curiosity.

Chase nodded his head, “Yep… kept trying to reach out this little pissant ever since his dad passed but he never answer my calls,” he throws Robert a glare, “Kept ducking me like he owned me money.”

Robert sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, “I… I was in a weird place.” he looks away, but turns his gaze back to Chase when the other put his hand on his shoulder.

“I understand kid, it was tough on all of us. So I can’t imagine what you were going through.” Robert swallows dryly, taking a deep breath. Chase shouldn’t… he should be angry at Robert. Hated him even as Robert wasn’t the only one who lost his parents that day.

Robert swallows, taking a deep breath, “At least you tried… the others never did,”

Chase straighten up at this, eyes wide, “Vitalia? Stinger? Mystic? None of the Brave Brigades tried to…”

“Vitalia only spoke to me once after the funeral,” Robert whispers, “About how Torrence needed a Mecha Man… how I needed to step up…” he trails off seeing the anger shining in Chase’s eyes, “She was right,” he pointed out.

“You were 15 and your whole world came crashing down on you.” Chase growls in anger, “Torrence could had waited for you to become an adult for a new Mecha Man…” he shakes his head in disgust, “When I get my hands on her…” Chase sighs.

Robert smiles, shaking his head, and decided to change the subject, “So I’m guessing this means you’re the one person I can’t complain to about losing my suit.”

“You better not,” Chase shoots him a glare, “I would resurrect then rekill you fuckin’ father in front of you if it meant being able to use my powers again,”

Robert huffs out a laugh while Blazer stares at Chase in disbelief, “Jesus, Chase!” she whispers in disbelief making Robert laugh even more, his shoulders shaking.

“What?” Chase scoffs, slapping his hand against Robert’s stomach, “Obviously, I’d let Robert have one last, “I love you’ before I...before I extinguished the light in his eyes,” he laughs, leaning against Robert.

“That is if dad wouldn’t yell at us before we could do either,” Robert wheezes, “Or at least me. You have an excuse, he would yell at me for allowing the suit to be destroyed,” he smiles when Blazer shot him a look of concern ignoring how Chase pulls back a bit, staring at him before he nodded his head in understanding, “Don’t worry, we are always like this.

Chase nodded his head in agreement, patting Robert on the back “We joke. We laugh. We suppress our trauma. Alright, enough of this feeling shit,” he turns his gaze to Robert, narrowing his eyes, “you’re here to shape these assholes into shape or what?”

“Assholes?” Robert chuckles, watching as Chase strolls over to the shelves, slipping on a pair of glasses. “I’m guessing you mean the team I’m going to be dispatching,”

“Exactly,” Chase mutters in disgust, holding up the floppy disk, “Let’s introduce you to your team of losers,” he grumbles, inserting the file into the computer, before gesturing for Robert to sit down, “Now, if I’m being honest, I thought, and still think, we should canned these tunas months ago.”

Blazer sighs, rolling her eyes at Chase’s comments, “And you might get your wish. Cause of we don’t see improvement soon, the whole program will be scrapped,”

“Cool, no pressure,” Robert mutters as the program loads up before he frowns, “Wait… the whole program? Listen I get it that these guys are a bunch of assholes but the program has been around for years, since like the founding of SDN,” he pointed out, remembering how his dad use to complain about it. “Oh he must be rolling in his grave knowing Chase and I are working here now,” Robert thought before shaking it away.

“The program has never been a fan favorite, especially to the board.” Blazer explained, “Its only been around for as long as it has been because the founder of SDN made it, who use to be an..”

“An ex-villain himself,” Robert mutters, leaning into the chair. It wasn’t the most comfortable chair, but it took pressure off his leg. “Red Heart, right? He had the power to unleash a beam of red energy from his body? If I was taught my history right,” Chase let out a snort at this, “He was one of the people who were picked off the streets when powers started appearing. When he escaped from the labs he started his reign of terror, only stopped when he joined forces his suppose arch nemesis, Sparkplug against a hoard of demons some idiot sorceress summoned. He realized that not everyone was blame for what happen in the labs and decided to turn a new leaf, creating the SDN for not only the people, but to give others like him a second chance.”

“Exactly,” Blonde Blazer smiles, “Which is the only reason why the program is still around. But some on the board wants it shut down since it never really did well and I will admit this batch has been giving them hell.”

“Yikes,” Robert mutters before he clicks on the first profile. He blinks as Sonar’s picture comes up, “How ironic,”

“You already met Sonar,” Chase snaps his head at Blonde Blazer but she ignores him, “Who was a Harvard graduate…”

“Who will never shut the fuck up about being a Harvard graduate, like every other Harvard graduate,” Chase interjects before turning to Robert, “You met him?”

“Accidentally walk into the room I was changing in,” Robert answers, his eyes narrowing as he read the list of general information and his rap sheet.

Hero Name: Sonar

Age: 32

Abilities: Bat Hybrid

Birthplace: San Francisco, CA

Bio: Transforms into giant bat. Highly intelligent. Addicted to a variety of controlled substances.

Crimes: Shadowling, Embezzlement, extortion, drug possession, forgery, fraud, money-laundering, perjury, cyberbullying.

“Wait… he’s a Shadow?” Robert’s eyes widen a fraction, “As in he worked for the Shadow King?” The Shadow King was an unknown figure that ruled the other half of Torrence crime. He was so powerful that even Shroud didn’t make him angry enough for the King to want to deal with him. No one knew who he looked like, no one knew who he was. All anyone knew was that the Shadow King was a hybrid that looked after his own.

Blonde Blazer nodded her head, “Yes. I met up with the Shadow King around January. Didn’t actually got to see his face,” she shrugs her shoulders, “But we made an agreement, since honestly his crimes… well they were more like a revolution,”

Robert nodded his head at that, “Yeah, since the Shadow King appeared, Hybrid discriminating is an all time down low. Kids can go out and play without fear of being picked up from the streets and their voices can actually be heard in abuse cases.” rubbing the back of his neck, Robert couldn’t help but grimace, “He sounds like a good guy when he’s not trying to attack you,”

“You fought the Shadow King?!” Chase exclaims, narrowing his eyes.

Robert sighs, “Once… it was an accident. I was following clues on some Red Ring and found myself in a Black Market of Hybrids at the same time he was doing a raid. One of the smucks there hit him with some sort of spray that made him go feral and I was forced to fight him. Never got a good look at him but I did give him a good swing of my sword before he was pulled away by his group.”

Blonde Blazer’s eyes widen a fraction before she shakes her head, “Huh… that’s actually amazing. No one fights the Shadow King and lives to tell the tale,”

“As I said he was mostly drug out of his mind,” Robert pointed out, “And was more focus on keeping to the shadows than fighting me,” he turns his gaze back to the computer, “So, Sonar is one of his men?”

“Yep. The deal was that in return of informing him of black markets or labs where it has proven that hybrids are being treated less than people, he will give us people that want to be reintroduced into society. Sonar’s just the only one who decided to become an field agent. While working in the Shadows, he orchestrated some of the most effective Silicon Valley investment frauds in the US history. Also…”

“Also, sometimes transforms into a fucking bat monster, like most hybrids are able to do.” Chase added, in his own way. But Robert turns to him eyes wide.

“Wait no shit? That’s actually a thing hybrids can do? I mean pops use to tell me stories…” he trails off and Chase shakes his head in amusement.

“Yes, all hybrids are able to turn into giant monsters. Sonar just has a habit to eat you ass first after emptying out your pension plan.”

“You seem very interested in Sonar?” Blonde Blazer smile mischievously, “What did he charm you with his good looks or something? If you're interested we do allow relationships between our dispatchers and heroes.

Robert could tell she was just teasing him but for some reason felt his face burn. Chase scoffs in utter outrage, looking utterly horrified, “Fuck no he isn’t interested! Robert can and will do so much better than that cocaine snorting rat with wings,” he rolls his eyes before turning to Blonde Blazer, “Kid only interested because he has hybrid in his family.”

“Oh really?” Blazer looked interested at that so after shooting Chase a glare, Robert opens his mouth, revealing his slightly more sharp than normal teeth, “Oh wow, those look really sharp,”

“Makes it easier to bite fingers and ears off of those who I fight,” Robert remarks with a chuckle not noticing how the heroine pale at his words, “I’m still classified as a normie, but Pops wanted me to have some extra oomf when I fight out of the suit so he made sure when I was cooking in the tube that some of the wolf hybrid that we had inherited was a bit stronger than usual.”

“Cooking in the…” Blonde Blazer blinks, "Oh you're a same sex test tube baby!”

“Yep,” Robert nodded his head in confirmation, “And before you ask, yes I do have a belly button,” clicking the next file, Robert’s shoulders slump, “Shit… Flambae is on my team?”

“Yes,” Blonde Blazer shot him a look of concern, “He..”

“Controls the fire and the flame and his skin does not burn,” Robert pinched the bridge of his nose, “Call about ironic..” he mutters, reading the details.

Hero Name: Flambae

Age:36

Abilities: Pyrokinesis, flame invulnerability, pyro-propulsion 

Birthplace: Herat, Afghanistan 

Bio: Anger issues, unsurprising history of arson, designed his own suit.

Crimes: Arson, assault, vandalism 

“Right, you met him in your second year, didn’t you?” Chase mutters and Robert wasn’t surprised at all that he knew that, “That means you know he’s a certifiable dickhead.”

“Unfortunately,” Robert mutters before he quickly click on the next profile, “Invisigal?”

“Our newest member,” Blonde Blazer smiles and Robert noticed her expression softening, “she turned herself in and entered the program on the condition we didn’t ask questions,”

“That’s a little suspicious, no?” Robert remarks as his eyes glance over her file.

Hero Name: Invisigal

Age: 31

Abilities: Invisibility, hand-to-hand-combat

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: Can become invisible at will, but only when holding her breath. Asthmatic, abrasive, afloof

Crimes: larceny, robbery 

“Suspicious, really?” Chase scoffs, glaring at the screen as if the woman staring back from the profile had kicked his dog, “Of a criminal that turns invisible and doesn’t like to answer questions? What tipped you off, Sherlock?”

“Its not just that,” Robert rolls his eyes before he narrows at the black eye that Invisigal had in her mugshot. “she might be running from someone. I mean,” he shrugs his shoulders, “unless she suddenly gain an appreciation for helping her community…”

Chase frowns, crossing his arms over his chest, “Which I doubt.” he then sighs, "But I do see your point. She might have pissed off someone that she can’t hide from and using this program in an attempt to protect herself,”

Blonde Blazer stares at the screen, and Robert saw that she curls her fist tightly, “I had thought it was just the general distrust that villains had and not wanting to be connected to crimes that hadn’t been pinned to her,”

“Still she’s more trouble than she’s worth,” Chase mutters as Robert goes to click on the next profile. “Since she joined, the others had chased off more dispatchers than usual. Four this month alone!”

Hero Name: Coupe

Age: unknown

Ablities: Umbrakinetic, weaponry, umbrakinetic flight, superhuman accuracy

Birthplace: Unknown

Bio: Mysterious, deadly and unapproachable. True kill count like many things about her is unknown.

Crimes: Aggravated assault, extortion, first degree murder, kidnapping, stalking

“Here, we have Coupe, which I recently learned is a French ballet term that means, to cut. Hence the knives,”

“That’s very clever,” Robert commented, a little impress.

Chase though, not so much, “Yeah , but it sounds fucking dump to say so everyone calls her Coop. She was an assassin for the mob before she went independent,” Robert raises his eyebrows at that, before he clicks on the next one. He leans his head back at the picture on the profile, “Punch Up.

“Carnival strong man who made a deal with a sorceress. She gave him the strength of ten me. His muscles grew but… his body shrunk,”

Hero Name: Punch Up

Age 43

Ablities: Picnokinesis, superhuman strength and durability, pain immunity

Birthplace: Galway, Ireland

Bio: Possesses the strength of ten men and half the height of one

Crimes: Battery, parole violation, second degree murder

“He’s got all the charm and brains of a greasy bowling ball,” Chase mutters with disain, though Robert was trying to not snort at the picture that was used for the profile.

Next was to Robert’s surprise, a demon. Or at least half demon if he read her file right. “Malevola. Terrifying. She’s got a magic sword and she creates portals that allow her to teleport,”

“And somehow she’s still late for every fucking meeting,” Chase pointed out much to Blonde Blazer’s displeasure.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure she does that on purpose,”

Hero Name; Malevola

Age: 33

Abilities: Demon physiology, portal creation, life force absorption, wound transfer

Birthplace: Australia 

Bio: possesses a prehensile tail, Sonar's NA Sponsor. Atheist. True crime aficionado.

Crimes: Assault, burglary, extortion, forgery, kidnapping, second degree murder.

Staring at the smiling face of the next member of the Phoenix team made Robert perplexed, “This is Golem. He’s a construct,” Blonde Blazer informs him.

“A construct?”

“Yeah, a bunch of dirt and mud made sentient with magic. I think he’s lonely,”

“I will admit,” Chase grunts, “Out of all of them, the lug is the least trouble. Just needs to realize that he’s big which can and will cause problems,”

Hero Name: Golem

Age: 20

Abilities: Morphological Being, Earth Mimicry, Regenerative Healing

Birthplace: unknown 

Bio: Large mass of clay and dirt. Enjoys poetry and basketball. Difficulty with squeezing through doors.

Crimes: Aiding and abetting, disturbing the peace, vandalism

Clicking on the last profile, Chase spoke first this time, “Prism. Michigan born and raised. Her power is weird. She weaponizes light rays or some shit. A lot of the stuff is a guess,”

“And I’m guessing because she’s dressed as a pop star she is one?” Robert asked, frowning a bit, “She looks kinda familiar…”

Blonde Blazer nodded her head, “She’s actually super talented. You might have heard some of her music.”

Robert nodded snapping his fingers, “Hoes depressed,”

Chase snorted, shaking his head, “Oh course you like that song.”

Hero Name: Prism

Age: 36

Abilities: Photokinesis, Photoionization, Holographic Manipulation

Birthplace: Flint, MI

Bio: 1.3M followers. Music snob. Highly dramatic. Consistently requests a return to "her trailer."

Crimes: Assault, drug possession, DUI, tax evasion

“So this is my team,” Robert stated, turning his head over his shoulder, “The Z-team. They’re all part of the Phoenix Program,”

“You’re own motley crew of dangerous fuck ups,” Chase sighs but Blonde Blazer spoke up.

“We’re not looking for miracles,” she takes a sigh, “but, we’d love one if we could get it,” she turns to Chase, “Can you show him his desk?” She placed a hand down on Robert’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze, before leaving the record room, leaving Chase and Robert alone.

“What’s that arm squeeze about,” Chase remarked as he slips his glasses off, “I thought you were gay as shit,”

“I am,” Robert chuckles, leaning in his chair, “She’s just be friendly. And probably pitying me… I was kinda pathetic when we first met,”

“Oh yeah because you decided to try and fight a bunch of crooks with a broken arm,” Chase glares at him making Robert grimaces, “Yeah she told me about that. Listen… things are different now Robert. And now that you can’t run, I’m going to make sure you actually take care of your fucking pale ass you got it,”

Robert rolls his eyes, slowly pushing him off the chair, grimacing as his leg pulsates with pain, “Aye aye captain.. Now why don’t you lead the way, huh?”

Sonar taps his foot against the floor of the locker room. Rather aggressively he figures since he could see Mal eyeing him in the corner of her gaze. He waves her off taking a deep breath as he makes sure his suit was alright, his red tie neat and presentable.

“Though I feel like anything but presentable,” Sonar thought feeling the tick of wanting.. something a bit stronger. But he shakes that feeling off as he attached the comm to his ear, shoulders tense as he wait for that voice to ring deep in his ear.

“Oh if I could hear that voice do other things than speak….” He thought taking a deep breath, trying to get the image of that scared chest, those brown eyes with flecks of blue out of his head.

Sonar had a problem, more than his little addiction. Some would say it was a much bigger problem than that. Sonar, when he sees something that he likes, that he wants. Will do anything he could to make it his. It happen many times in his life. He wanted his bastard of a stepdad dead after he found out the man was hitting his mother? The guy was dead a week later with no one pointing fingers at Sonar. He wanted to be the first Hybrid to not only be accepted at Harvard but graduated from it? He not only got a fucking scholarship but he did so well that they couldn’t erase his records even if they wanted to.

When he decided he was going to tear down every hybrid trafficking ring after they caught him… after they got him hooked on cocaine to keep him calm and he was only rescued because his mother paid big bucks to a hero to actually do their fucking job…. He did it. He used the money he… earned from his Silicon Valley investments and created the Shadows. A hybrid group who ruled half of Torrence’s crime, mostly focusing on making sure Hybrids were treated better. Treated right. He became known as the Shadow King, a beloved figure to hybrids… and a nightmare to those who went against him.

It still surprised him that Blonde Blazer found him back in February. That she didn’t just arrest him right there and then. But he was quickly informed that while he was a bit more violent than many would like… he did good. And such a deal was made between the Shadows and SDN. The Shadow King will work as a field agent, taking the name Sonar and in return SDN will not only give him information that he needed to do hunts, but keep the knowledge of who the Shadow King truly is. All he had to do was make up for the embezzlement, forgery, fraud…and of course the cocain… but other than that he was free!

But now… Sonar had never felt such a pull. Never has Sonar even felt the primal urge to… take someone. But Robert… it made him feel these things… the urge to snap the smaller man up and take him to his place, to have him in his bed… to wrap him up in his things so he would smell like Sonar. 

“Oh I seen that look before,” ears picking up, Sonar stares up at Mal who gives him a knowing look, “Something has caught your eye,” 

Sonar laughs a bit, leaning against the wall, “Know me too well… but rather sits more like someone than something “

Malevola frowns at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “Listen.. Sonar, you're my best friend. You're my cousin who I love very much. But I draw the line at kidnapping….” She frowns, “Or at least in kidnapping someone that you plan to keep,”

Sonar’s ears pinned to his head and he shot Malevola a glare, “I wouldn’t do that!” He hisses fiercely, making sure none of the other Z-Team members would hear, “I…”

“Hey team,” Sonar’s ears pricked up as Robert’s voice all but sang in his ears. “This is your dispatcher, Robert Robertson. I’m starting my first shi-“

Cackles erupted Robert and even Sonar couldn’t help but join in.

“Tell me that’s not your real fucking name!” Prism wheezes, trying to catch her breath.

Flambae was leaning against the wall, “Your stuttering, bitch? You can’t be shook on your first day, come on.” he rolls his eyes at the others, as if he was in disbelief that this was their dispatcher.

“Robert. Roberts. Robertso. Roberts. Roberto, Bobert,” Sonar grins in amusement, before he turns to the others, “I saw him without his shirt on,”

“Who?” Prism asked, letting off a scoff in disbelief, “Roberto Robertoson,” their laughter was drowning out Robert’s attempts to gain their attention. Sonar couldn’t help but grin, liking how fluster the man sounded.

“Does he have a dad bob?” Invisgal pipes up, appearing beside Sonar suddenly. Sonar couldn’t help but tense, holding back the urge to glare at the other girl. He didn’t mean to not like her… to distrust her but but here not taking any of this seriously was getting on his nerves. “Does he have a lot of bruises because I’m into that,”

And now Sonar had to fight the urge to growl at the thought of Invisgal making moves on Robert. But he swallows it, shaking his head, “No, he’s a twink. Can easily wrap one hand around his waist if I wanted to,” “And I so want to,” Sonar thought before Chase’s voice started yelling in their ears.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP! Let me remind you! That these calls are fucking recorded for training fucking purposes. So keep the fucking line clear before we send your stupid fucking asses back to whatever fucking pulled your stupid fucking asses out of! Aight?”

They all grew silence, none of them really wanted to anger Chase anymore and draw his attention to them. The other was usually the one who dispatches them when they chase off a dispatcher. It was Robert though who broke the silence, “Fucking hell, Chase. I can’t believe I’m saying this but your potty mouth got worse with age.”

“Oh fuck off and get these fuckers to work, you little bitch.”

“Fine, but if I’m a little bitch, you better buy me a Twinkie,” Sonar and Malevola exchange looks at this as Chase scoffs. But Sonar couldn’t help but smile at the mention of twinks. “Yes, we have something in common!” “Alight first call, Flambae this is for you,”

“Collecting a balloon?” Flambae closes his eyes and Sonar could tell that he was trying his hardest to not go stomping off to burn Robert, “Seriously?” he mutters but heads out while Prism snickers under her breath.

Much to Sonar’s joy, he was chosen to go meet fucking Vanderstenk for an important event the certified genius was holding. “Roberto you are spoiling me,”

“No, you just seem the more likely one to not mess this up,”

Sonar opens his mouth but Punch Up beat him to it, “I’ll take Wednesday.”

Coupe slowly follows right after, “Tuesday,”

“I call dibs on Monday,” Malevola brightly claims, making Sonar roll his eyes.

“What are you guys talking about?” Robert asked, his tone telling them all that he was confuse.

Invisigal spoke up, “We’re taking bets on when you’ll quit,” she mocks happily. Possibly enjoying Robert’s suffering. “I’m with Mal, choosing Monday that he pussies out,”

“Friday for me,” Golem rumbles, speaking up for the first time today.

Robert moans in their ears and Sonar stops in his tracks, feeling a shiver going down his spine and blood pooling downward. He quickly scurries into an alley, muting his comm for a bit and slamming a hand against his mouth. “Today’s Friday,” Robert pointed out.

Golem though snorted, “I know,”

Shaking himself, Sonar puts him back on, “Well,” he coughs a bit, trying to find his voice before he spoke up a bit louder, “Well I think he gonna stay. He has this look… the uh… look that he’s too stubborn for his own good,”

“Well, at least one of you are on my side,” Sonar couldn’t help the smile that grew even bigger on his face as he slipped inside the VAND-GO building. He hardly was paying attention to it, but apparently he impress Vanderstank enough. Which made his emotions more wild, forcing him into his MegaBat form. With a screech, he flies himself into the air, “Um… I’m guessing this is the Megabat form I was informed of,”

“Oh he transformed didn’t he,” Mal grimaces, “He use to have a better control on it but…” she trails off and Sonar knew that she didn’t want to out his recovering addiction.

“Its fine, Mal. Bobbo probably already knows since it would be on my profile,” he flies up around a building, making sure to stay out of sight from public eye, “My control over it got fucked up after I was force cocaine by Hybrid smugglers. Whenever I feel high emotions I randomly transform.”

“We’re working on it,” Mal added as she portals herself onto the roof as Sonar landed. She mutes the comm and turns to him, “So...I’m guessing our new dispatcher is the one you have an eye on?”

Sonar whines, scratching his head, “Mal… is it gay to have thoughts of bending a man over his desk and have your way with him?”

Malevola stares at him before pinching the bridge of her nose, “Yes… yes it is.” she then smiles and ruffles his head, making him hiss as he pulls back, “But gods, I think this is super adorable. You had your biawakening,”

“Oh shut up, Mal…” Sonar huffs, turning away and staring at the sky. He can hear Punch-Up and Coupe talking about meeting Mecha Man at Crypto Night the last night, how he easily got Flambae to slip on water and knock his tooth out, much to the flame user’s anger. “I want him,” he growls, pacing back and forth on the roof, “I have never felt this way about something, someone before. I want him by my side, I want him to wake up in my nest every morning, smiling at me… I want to run my claws across his skin, marking him as mine…”

Malevola stares, her yellow eyes narrow at him, “Wow… you are serious about this,” she mumbles, running a hand through her black hair, “Alright this is what you are going to do ok?” she grabs his red tie and pulls him towards her so he was force to look at her, “I’m telling you this now, not only as your second in command but as your cousin and best friend. No stalking and no kidnapping, you will scare him off. Gift him a few things… maybe coffee or twinkies, it sounds like he enjoys those.” she then closes her eyes, letting his red tie slip from her fingers, “And please...please don’t ask Astrid for advice,”

“What?” Sonar smirks, “I mean if her way of wooing you work why can’t it work for me?”

“Because Astrid’s way of courting me was her staring at me, forgetting to blink and leaving dead animals on my bed,” Malevola rolls her eyes, “Damn I love my girl but I know if she tried that with anyone else they would run away screaming,”

Sonar laughs at this before Robert spoke up again, “Flambae, did you start that fire?”

“No,” exchanging looks with each other, recognizing the faux innocent tone in the fire user’s voice

“Really, so you didn’t start the fire that’s burning two blocks away from where you’re standing,”

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know what your talking about. I’m on break, so how could I know?”

“Mal,” Sonar whispers, “If the others chase him off can I stalk him then?” Sonar didn’t think that Robert will be chased off, the guy went around fighting crime in a giant robot suit and was still kicking around after being exploded. But it was a good idea to have backup plans.

Mal though just rolled her eyes and flicked at his ears, “No stalking,” she stated before she opens a portal to deal with a bunch of art thieves alongside Coupe. Sonar sighs, rubbing his clawed hand against his muzzle. He listens to the others talk, Prism muttering in complaints as she was sent towards the Bone Zone while Flambae grumbles when Robert sent Golem towards the fire instead of him like he was hoping for. He couldn’t help but smile when Robert sent him towards Vanderstenk again and he was not only able to talk to his idol to do security detail, but he was also even able to pitch an idea to the man about human meat alternative for hybrids.

Sonar was rolling his shoulders, feeling good about today when another call came in, apparently a place Invisgal knew. “Oh is that Granny’s?” Invisgal spoke up, sounding interested, “I got this.”

“Hold up. Aren’t you banned?” Golem asked and Sonar could feel a pit of dread forming in his stomach.

“Yeah, and I got to get unbanned.” she pointed out as if it was the most obvious answer, “I love looking at the beautiful homes and knowing I’ll never own one.”

Sonar groans, closing his eyes tightly, “This… is going to go so bad,” he thought with a soft growl, “Please father… do not let Robert run off the first day or I will fucking hunt him down!”

Robert clutches the dollar that Chase had gave him as he strolls into the break room. He trails to a stop when he noticed Sonar was there, digging through the fridge. Titling his head, Robert shakes it before heading towards the vending machine. Feeding it the dollar that Chase gave him, he easily chose his favorite treat, a twinkie and bends down to grab it.

Standing up, Robert jumps when a scream rings in his ears, his grip tightening around the sponge cake making it squirt. Looking at his hand in dismay, Robert send a glare at Sonar who stands up, holding a container of what had to be his lunch, “Sorry Roberto,” he smiles sheepishly, sniffing at his container.

“Its fine,” Robert waves him off, pulling out one of his few dollars he had and buys another twinkie. He grabs it too, before Invisgal suddenly appeared in front of him, leaning against the vending machine and making him squish this twinkie as well, “Shit,” he said, gazing down the yellow cake crumbs and sugar filling that now covered both his hands.

“Ok, you so can’t be a superhero,” Invisgal teases, “Because you flinch way too much.”

“If you have people trying to either kidnap you or kill, you be jumpy too,” Robert stated, placing the twinks on the table before grabbing a napkin to wipe his hand. He didn't notice that Sonar set his container down, his white eyes narrow as he watches Invisgal slips into a chair, placing her feet onto the table.

Invisgal snorted in disbelief at this, “As if anyone would want your fucking ass,” her eyes roamed up and down his form, and Robert couldn’t help but lean back with a frown, “Look, I just came to see what you look like and celebrate the mission going well,”

“Going well?” Robert glares at her in disbelief, “You call that going well? You not only disobeyed a direct order. You trashed the place worse than it was when you got there, the suspect got away and you got the client hurt. I don’t think when he called us, he thought he’d be ending the day wanking it leftie cause you turn his other arm into pork rind,”

“Granny would had been fine if Granny didn’t pick up that fucking thing in the first place,” Invisgal snaps back in irritation, rolling her eyes “He’s just some dumbass trying to play here,” she smirks, “Kinda like you. Trying to be the big man, safe in your little chair while we do all the hard work.”

Robert glares at her, “Fact the matter is that shit didn’t need to happen. We could have an outcome where the client doesn’t get fried and we get the perp, if you had just fucking listened to me. The others didn’t have that problem. Sure, they complained about it, made a few groans but they still followed my advice,”

“And here’s some advice from me,” Invisigal snaps, brown eyes narrow at him, “You’re right at home behind that desk because your no hero. You’re just some little normie bitch…”

“THAT’S ENOUGH” Sonar growls, slamming his hand on the table and making both Robert and Invisigal jump. “Get out now, before I go and tell Blazer that her little girl toy is being a little discriminating bitch,” he glares down at Invisgal, lips curled to show sharp fangs.

Sputtering, Invisgal’s face burns red, but she pushes herself out of the chair and turning invisible, stomps out of the break room. Robert blinks, before he slumps forward, rubbing his hand against his face. “That is everyone’s reaction to Invisbitch,” Sonar said making Robert look up at him, “The only one who really likes her is Blazer and Golem,” he pulls out a chair, sitting beside Robert, "You did good for your first day. Honestly I think you impressed the others,”

Robert snorted, “I doubt it,” he pulls apart the wrapper of his smushed twinkies and looking at them with a bit of disappointment, “They all were betting when I leave.” he reminded the Hybrid, “Golem even betted that I quit today,”

“Don’t take it too harshly,” Sonar waves him off, “Its just a fun thing we do and we never have a permanent dispatcher. And I remind you that I bet that you will stay,” he smirks, pulling out a rat and swallowing it whole in one gulp.

“That you did,” Robert mutters before taking a bite of his smushed spongecake, “Though I think you only betted that because you know who I really am,”

Sonar snorted, “Maybe~” he then rubs the back of his neck, “Still...I want to say sorry about that. Walking in on you changing…”

This time it was Robert’s turn to wave off the bat, “Not all your fault. Shouldn’t have been changing in a conference room and just went and fine the locker room.” he shakes his head, feeling his face flush, “Anyway… you needed to talk to Blazer right? Thats why you went in,”

Sonar’s ears prick up and he wince, “Yeah… the dispatcher before you, Rudy? The dude only lasted for two days but he made sure known that he hated hybrids. He program a set of commands in the keyboard that lets out a high pitch whistle that only I can hear,” he brings his arm up, scratching behind his ear, “Hurts like a bitch and the reason why Flambae set his car on fire. I was looking for Blazer to see if they took that function off,”

Robert’s eyes were wide in horror, “Shit.. that’s… that’s just cruel,” he mutters. Beside the sharp teeth, Robert’s own sense of hearing and smell were much better than a normie. And the thought of such a sharp whistle ringing in his ears made them burn, “I know one of the tech guys. I’ll ask him to fix the keyboard and take that little function off immediately,”

Looking up, Robert blinks as he noticed Sonar staring at him with an expression that… Robert didn’t really understand, “You’re really something, you know that Robbob?” he then looks down at his twinkies, “Are you really only going to eat those twinks?”

“Twinks? That is not what they’re called,” Robert laughs,, shaking his head, “And yeah… didn’t really pack a lunch today,” “Or ever…” Robert thought to himself, “I don’t think I have anything in my cabinets except dog food for Beef.”

Sonar pulls his phone out, “Then let me order you something. As thanks for sending me to Vanderstenk twice today,” he then pokes Robert’s side, making him joke, “And you look like you really need it. I was telling the truth that I could easily wrap one hand around your waist,” he snorts as Robert shoot him a glare, “How you feel about McDonald?”

Robert opens his mouth to argue… before he sighs as his stomach gives him a rumble, “I’m fine with it… just no pickles,” he felt his blush go down to his neck when when Sonar gave a light chirp.

“Can do, Bobbo. Can do,”

Chapter Text

Shivering and curling in a ball, Robert pressed his hands against his ears hard. Even though he couldn’t hear the screams and shouts coming from the living room anymore, he didn’t want to risk it if it starts up again. Its been happening a lot more, since the mecha had tried to kill him. But it had been his fault… he was the one who had been an idiot and tried to break the suit… tried to be selfish in wanting to spend time with his…

“Little bird?” head shooting up, Robert sniffles as his papa opens the door. His blue eyes look down on him in concern as he kneels in front of him. He sighs, guilt clear on his face, “You heard… didn’t you?”

“Hard not too…” Robert mutters, rubbing his hand against his eyes, “You guys were really loud… you been fighting more…”

“We’re not fighting,” his papa grimaces before he scoops Robert up and cradle him in his arms. “We’re just… having many disagreements because your dad is too stupid and stubborn to listen to me,”

Robert let out a giggle, “Well that’s dumb papa because you’re the smartest!” he then lets out a giggle when his papa poke at his belly.

“At least you agree with me on that,” his papa mutters before settling him on the bed. Robert looks up as his papa runs his hand through his brown hair, smiling softly, “Like I understand that I’m not an official member of the Brave Brigade but I’m still an important member. I’m the one who helps fix the suit… I’m the one who makes the gear…” Papa sighs, shaking his head but Robert could see anger burning in his papa’s eyes.

“Its ok, Papa,” Robert whispers as he wraps his arms around his papa in a hug, “You be part of the Brave Brigades soon, I promise! Dad and the others are just being stupid because they think they’re trying to keep you safe… at least that how Chase says it,”

Papa snorted at this, and presses his lips against Robert’s head. Robert couldn’t help but relax, pressing close to his papa’s side. He felt safe, warmth and love. “Hey….” Robert looks up at his papa, who was rubbing his back, “We got some time before dinner… you want to do something fun?”

Robert, smiling, wiggles out of his papa’s hold. He makes a grunt when he falls off the bed but scrambles up, running towards the bookshelf. Carefully pulling out a worn and batter looking book he runs back towards the bed. His papa laughs, leaning down to help him back, “This old story again? But I told you it a thousand times!”

“And you’re going to tell me it a thousand times more, right pops?” Robert stated, his brown eyes all but pleading as he grips the book in a gentle but firm grasp, “Please Papa? It’s your family history, our family history and I really like listening to you telling me it!”

His papa smiles, and once more pokes at Robert’s belly, making him squeak, “Oh stop shooting those big old doe eyes at me. You know I can never say no to you.” Robert grins as his dad takes the book from him and he settles beside him.

“In a dimension that’s name been lost to time there was once a kingdom, it was called the Faunas Kingdom and ruled for many generations. But not all things in Faunas was grand, though it’s ruler would say otherwise. They had slaves, people who had no name of their own. People who have been denied their freedom and rights. Whose ownership has been transferred and sold to others as a commodity. One such slave, back then known as Twenty Three, was used as an experiment by her master. Using her blood, he summoned a being who too had no name. An eldritch who had been enabled to come into the world… he gifted the one who allowed this to happen a name. He called her Astral Tempest.”

Robert listen with rapt attention, even though he had heard the story many times. Peering down at the worm pages, he eyes the picture of the what was a wolf hybrid with beautiful white fur with her eyes a gorgeous bright blue. “He also gifted her with knowledge. Teaching her how to read and write, enough to impress her master so much that he started teaching her as well alongside his other students, Fearus and Zaldona.” Turning the page, Robert grins at the sight of the bat hybrid and the woman that stood against his back. With long black hair that fell to her waist, wielding a battle ax.

“Unfortunately, the eldritch wasn’t summon to teach Astral knowledge but to give the king of Faunas a way to live forever,”

“Immortality,” Robert whispers.

“Exactly,” his papa pulls him closer, “The eldritch told him of a way but it was by using terrible magic. A ritual that required the death of millions...in one single night all of Faunas was destroyed, every soul ripped from their body. But the eldritch tricked the king, instead of him gaining the immortality he had seek. Instead half of the souls were given to the eldritch while the other half was being given to Astral… Astral, she realize too late what was happening she knew there was no way to stop it. So to save her friends from this terrible fate, she killed Fearus and Zaldona,”

Robert couldn’t help but whine at this, as he always did at this part of the story. His papa wraps an arm around him and gave him a gentle squeeze, “In the end, both Astral and the eldritch became something more that night. They became gods. Astral the goddess of the moon and victory,”

“And that’s why dad calls himself, Mecha Man Astral!” Robert interrupts, grinning up at his papa, “Because he wants to be victorious in everything!”

Papa laughs, ruffling Robert’s head, “That’s right Little Bird...but the eldritch also became a God… he took the name Cha’ad, and became known as the God of Destruction and Insanity. Astral made a promise that she will put a stop to Cha’ad while Cha’ad made a promise that he will have Astral all to himself. Soon though she was rejoined by Fearus and Zaldona who battle through the gates of hell themselves to become Gods of their own right, though demonic Gods. Fearus became the God of the Night and Hunt while Zaldona became the Goddess of War and Pain. The three fought against Cha’ad over the years until they finally was able to seal him away but not without cost of the destruction of their world and the opening of the rift into ours,”

“Thats why people have powers,” Robert mutters, rubbing his thumb against the page, “Why we have aliens and demons and hybrids now. Because of the desturction of that world… cause something to happen to ours,” he frowns, “What ever happen to the other three gods?”

“No one really knows,” his papa answers truthfully, “Some say that Fearus and Zaldona returned to Hell though their cults, people who worship them,” he explained quickly when Robert shot him a confuse look, “Are still around, fighting against the Cult of Cha’ad. Astral… though she disappeared, vanishing from sight. She blamed herself for what happen, some say that she can still hear the screams of the souls that are held within her body… some say she found love with a mortal..”

“And that’s why grandpa said we’re the children of Astral right? Because grandpa said we’re the descendant of her pup?” Robert let out a yelp when his papa ruffles his hair again.

“I don’t know about that Little Bird… my dad says that but… take it with a grain of salt,” Papa chuckles, “But your dad does say it might be possible. Ever since we met as kids, he always been winning.”

A knocking sound brought Robert’s attention, and he squirms out of his papa’s hold. “Dad! Are you here to…” Robert trails off his eyes widening in horror as he opens the door, revealing his dad standing before him, blood trailing down his face from a bullet hole, “Dad?!” Robert whispers, jumping back as the body falls face forwards in his room.

He lets out a cry when arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly, “Its ok, Little Bird… its ok,” his papa whispered to him, holding him tightly against his chest, “Its ok, I’ll fix this! Everything is going to be better now! No more training, no more going to bed with bruises or broken fingers. “It’s ok, papa is here to protect you. You can trust me you know that Little Bird. I would never harm you, I just want to keep you safe!”

“Let…. Go of me!” Robert cries out as he pulls himself free from papa… no Shroud’s arms and soon finds himself in the mech again, falling out of the sky. But this time he was aware… awake. “No no no…” Robert repeatedly whispers, heart thudding against his chest as he tries to do anything. Anything at all… 

Robert’s eyes shot open, biting his tongue hard to keep the scream that wanted to rip from his throat unleashed. Staring at the ceiling above him, Robert takes deep breaths trying to force his rapidly beating heart to calm down. Swallowing dryly, the trembling his body was doing slowly stops as Robert’s mind realizes that he wasn’t falling from the sky but was laying in the floor, curled close as he could to the broken pieces of the mech. The mech’s arms were wrapped around him, as if Robert was a child.

Face burning, Robert slowly sat up, scrunching up his face as his back flares in pain from the too quick movement. A whine drew Robert’s gaze down and he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Beef who stared up at him before pressing his cold wet nose against his leg. Scooping up the big bone chiuhaha, Robert presses his face against Beef black and white fur. “Good boy, Beef… such a good boy. It’s ok…” he swallows again as he realizes his shoulders were still trembling, “I’m ok… it’s going to be ok,” he assured, whether it was Beef or himself, Robert didn’t think hard on it. “Going to have a fun day today aren’t we? You're coming to work with me and… I get to meet the rest of the team today.”

Meeting the Z-Team face to face has been on Robert’s mind all this weekend. Besides Sonar, he knew that the others would do anything they could to chase him off. But he needed this job and not just because of SDN promising to rebuild the suit. Saturday, Blazer had called and messaged him many files that she said needed to be filled out. It took him hours and looking up online to figure out how to fill them because Robert didn’t want to bother Chase with this nor did he want to be embarrassed himself in asking Blazer. Once he got them all filled out, Blazer had told him that he will now be getting his first paycheck on Friday and was signed up for the insurance that was given to dispatchers who had been former heroes.

Which his doctor had been thankful for when she called him on Sunday and all but bullied Robert to come in for a checkup. Doctor Irena Harrison has been Robert’s doctor since Robert’s first year of being Mecha Man. The woman had caught the then fifteenth year old superhero at a small gas station she had been stopping by on her way home. And she had watched him stumble towards the register in hopes of buying bandages. But unlike many others refused to ignore the blood stain shirt he was wearing. She all but forced him to her house, to clean him up and demanded answers or she would call the police.

Robert feeling exhausted and mind clouded with pain from wounds that hadn’t been cared for correctly told her everything. And Doctor Harrison soon found herself faced with a choice. Either call the cops and have them take Robert into the foster system where he would slip out of their watch in a month or two and become Mecha Man once more… or give him an adult he can trust enough to come to when he’s injured.

So Doctor Harrison became Mecha Man Blue’s official doctor and has been for the last fifteen years. Robert knows that she was actually glad that he could not rebuild the suit and that she was angry that SDN was going to rebuild it for him. But Doctor Harrison would take why she can get, especially now that Robert has insurance.

“You have no excuse now to deny the cane, Robert. Or the forearm crutches like I've been begging you to get for years. Don’t roll your eyes at me young man. This isn’t a new thing, you've been having problems with your legs long before you exploded and fell out of the sky. As your doctor and your friend, I’m advising you to do this. To take this chance and get the help you need. Please Robert… you have the chance to be yourself and not Mecha Man,”

Seeing Irena pleading at him, wore Robert down and he had agreed to get not only the cane but the forearm crutches as well. He was thankful that she didn’t argue with him when he refused the very thought of getting a wheelchair. But Robert knew that when they come in the next few days, he will have to use them… at least sometimes since he could never lie to Irena.

Robert’s head shot up when something huge bangs against his door, shaking it in the frame. Frowning, Robert set Beef down and grabbing a pair of sweats, slips them on and hobbles to the door. Robert had to fight the urge to groan at the sight of the man who stood in front of him. He was large with a few strands of his hair swept to the side in an attempt to cover his bald head. His small eyes narrow up at Robert, “Where is my money, Robertson?!”

Robert sighs, closing his eyes, “I told you Mister Hoskins. I got a job recently and I will be paid on Friday. You get the money I own you first thing when I get home that day,”

Mister Hoskins snorted and stab a large finger in Robert’s chest, “I doubt that. I may met you only a few months ago but I know you. I read your rep,” Robert rolled his eyes at Hoskins trying to make him sound like some sort of criminal. To the landlord he probably was. “You never pay rent on time and you have broken more leases than many people have ever had in a life time,” Robert had to grimace at that, but he kept silent as Hoskins all but ranted at him. Its not like he could say that the reason he constancy broke leases and move was because his pops, who was a major villain, kept finding him and sending his men to kidnap him, “You are damn lucky I pity your flat ass when you came stumbling to my office. Now you better the fuck pay me my money, by this fucking Friday or your on the street!” he spits, making Robert pull his head back in disgust. “And if you try to fight me on it,” Hoskins raises his hand in the air and Robert eyes it warily as it curls into a fist. He knew that Hoskins has threaten and even hit some of his tenants, he done it a couple of times to Robert when he was late on rent. But Robert could not have a bruise on him this time because of Chase. If Chase got one word of this he all but demand that Robert move in with him… and Robert did not want that.

“Hey,” a voice calls out making Hoskins jerk back, “I hope I’m not seeing you threatening to hit my bruddah,”

Robert leans out from his apartment to see Royd standing at the end of the hallway, the big guy’s arms cross over his chest as he glares at Hoskins. “Royd!”

Royd smiles and nodded his head at Robert before frowning at Hoskins, “If you are threatening him, we’re going to have big problems,”

Hoskins stares and Robert could see that he was nervous, with the way he swallowed and squirm in place. “Whatever,” he scoffs before he shoots Robert a glare, “Money by Friday or you’re out, Robertson.” he didn’t wait for Robert to reply, turning on his heel and stomping away.

“Faka,” Royd mutters, eyeing Hoskins in disgust as he walks away, “Does he do that a lot?” he asked, turning to Robert with concern.

Robert waves his hand, “Sometimes? He isn’t afraid to get handsy on people who don’t give him his money. No one reports it because when they rent an apartment here their desperate and they have no other choice,” sighing, rubbing the back of his neck,

“Has he eva hit you?” Royd asked and Robert had to bite his tongue to stop himself from snapping at Royd. He didn’t understand why did it matter? He was Mecha Man, he dealt with worse than having some sleazy landlord smack his face a few times or grip his wrist hard enough to leave a bruise. This was his own fault, if he had been a better son… a better Mecha Man… then he wouldn’t have lost all the money he had and ended up in this situation.

Instead of answering, Robert scoops up Beef who had scuffle over in an escape attempt. “So… why are you here?” he asked as he focus on giving Beef a good ear scratch.

Royd was staring at him in concern before he shakes his head, “Here for da suit, bruddah!” he smiles clapping Robert on the back and almost making him fall over. Stepping inside, Robert could see Royd frown at the sight of how empty the apartment was, “Oh… this is sad. This is the type of apartment you see, when da detective kicks da door in you know? Shine da flashlight. Serial killah shit,”

Robert sighs, rubbing his hand across his face, “Didn’t really have time… I was always on the move so I never found the need to unpack… and most were sold to keep the suit running,” he gestures to the boxes which Royd walk over to, “Only the essentials. Its called minimalism. Its a lifestyle.”

Royd snorted, “Bruddah, it is your life, but its no kind of style.” Nodding his head, Royd rummages through one of the boxes, “Seems like you got everything, huh?”

“I know people think that I immediately did that interview a day after I woke up, but honestly it was two weeks after,” Robert admits as he grabs his one work shirt and brown pants, “My doctor wouldn’t allow me to leave at least for a week though she wanted me to spend longer. The second week was collecting the suit. I was able to find it all… except for the Astral Pulse,”

Royd’s head shot up, “Da Astral Pulse? That powers da whole suit!”

“I know,” Robert groans, “Spent a whole lot of time tracking it down but I heard nothing. And apparently, its the only piece of the suit that… dad never wrote schematics for…” rubbing his arm in concern, Robert turns to Royd, “That isn’t going to be a problem… is it?”

Royd frowns before he shrugs, “Minor. We figure em out,” he stands up, holding the box in his arms, “You get dress while I get the suit and the parts in the truck,”

Robert blinks at this, looking at the clock on the wall, “But we only got an hour until we have to get to work… and it took me four days to dismantle the suit and get it in here…”

Royd laughs, “Take me twenty minutes,”

Elliot sighs, taking in a deep breath, “Took me longer than it should,” he mutters to the empty air, staring down at the file that had been given to him. The file on his son’s stay in Marvel Cross Hospital during his four month coma. He hated that his son had been so injured that he had fell into a coma but he blame Invisbitch for it. She was suppose to place the bomb on the mecha much earlier, allowing it to go off with Robert still chain in place. But she took her idle time, allowing his Little Bird to get free. He had felt horror and anger build up in him, watching as his son fell.

“Thank Astral he survived,” Elliot whispered as he opens up the file. Studying the medical records, Elliot let out a growl on anger rip from his throat. His nails slowly turning into claws that dig deeply in the dark mahogany wood of his desk. The injuries that Elliot had calculated were made much worse thanks to the fall. Robert had to had spinal surgery along side other surgeries to fix broken bones and torn muscles and nerves. Pins had to be place on his arms and legs to fix bad fractures. His hip had to be replace and it had been a very close call that they didn’t have to amputate Robert’s right leg though another injury to it… his poor son. Elliot had only stayed in jail for two years before he finally couldn’t stand hearing any news of Mecha Man Blue, watching as many news reports he could, getting any information he could from his fellow inmates. His Little Bird… in that metal death trap… getting injured in every fight, no one helping him. It had enraged him terribly to learn that none of the other Brave Brigade help Robert. In fact he learn that some spoke out saying its such a shame how Mecha Man Blue was anything but like his father. That if Robbie could see his son, he would be rolling in his grave.

Elliot made them regret their choice of words

“Stupid fucking, bastards. But it’s ok though,” Elliot whispers, gripping the file tightly in his hands, “Its ok now because the suit is all but destroyed. And even if he could rebuild it he would need the Astral Pulse which I know he doesn’t have,” it made Elliot frustrated that even he couldn’t find it. He knew it couldn’t been destroyed in the blast but it...enraged him that someone stole it when it clearly belonged to him. “I’ll find it but first…”

He turns a page, staring at a photo of Robert leaving SDN’s Torrence branch. From what his spies have gather, Blonde Blazer had hired Robert as a dispatcher for some hero team in return for rebuilding the suit. He thought the woman was a true hero, unlike many others who do it just for the fame and money but to learn that she was giving Robert another chance to get back into that damn suit… that Track Star was the one to recommend Robert… it made anger boil in him. He thought he could trust Track Star, that Chase was smarter than this. Robert shouldn’t be anywhere near heroes anymore. He should be resting, eating more. Robert’s damn fat dog ate more than Robert did!

“Sir,” looking up, Elliot watches as Toxic walks in, grinning in victory, “We found her.” he stated and it made Elliot sit up at this, a grin crossing his face though he knew Toxic wouldn’t see it from under his mask.

“Excellent,” he closes the file and stood up from his desk. Strolling over to a tube that stood in the corner of his office. It was covered in frost, hiding away what was sealed inside. Elliot places his hand on it, “Toxic… I want you and a couple of our men to go and pickup Robert. Now that he’s out of the hospital, its time for him to come home,”

Toxic smiles as he rubs his hands together in glee, “Grabbing the little Prince! Oh this is going to be so much fun. I really need to return the favor of him throwing me off the balcony!”

Elliot chuckles, pressing his hand against the glass of the tube a bit harder, “Just make sure you don’t rough him up too much. I rather not have to find another second in command because of you lost control of your anger. It hard to find good help these days.”

“Of course sir,” Toxic leans against the wall, slipping his hands in the pockets of his jeans, “I would never hurt the Prince too badly. Only enough to knock him out so he won’t bite anyone’s fingers off.”

Elliot snorted and pulls his hand away, “Good… now while you do that, I think its time I go visit an old friend of mine,”

“You see there’s gearheads, then there’s science nerds. One kind garage, the other kind lab, you know? Yo faddah a good gearhead but I just can’t see how he makes something like da Pulse. He was no science nerd,” Royd’s words echo in Robert’s head as he walks out of the elevator. He smiles at Beef who was looking around in curiosity, sniffing the air and taking in all the new scents. But then his smile drops as his shoulders slump. Robert knew the truth… the full truth. His pops was the guy in the chair for the Brave Brigades… he was the science guy of the group. It wouldn’t surprise Robert at all if Pops was the one to have made the Astral Pulse.

“But if pops made it… then why doesn’t he just make another one?” Robert thought to himself, “Sure it wouldn’t stop the kidnapping attempts but..” Robert was pulled out of his thoughts as something large bumps into him. Looking up, he frowns as Golem stomps past, muttering a low, "Kobe.”

Watching Golem walk away, Robert looks down at Beef, “You think he did that on purpose?” he whispers but Beef just stares at him with his brown eyes. “Oh you have no thoughts in that head of yours do you,” he couldn’t help but coo, bumping his nose against Beef’s cold wet nose before he laughs as Beef gives him a lick.

Walking to his cubicle he set Beef down, pulling put Beef’s pillow before turning to his really old as fuck computer. Robert frowns though when he spots a piece of paper on the keyboard but couldn’t read the writing due to how soak it was. Setting it in the trash Robert calls out, “Hey Chase, I need a favor,” he bends down, biting back a hiss of pain as he places the pillow underneath his desk.

“Favor? Its not enough of a favor getting’ you this job workin’ with those stupid ass pieces of ohhhh,” Robert couldn’t hold back the grin that grew on his face as he sat up, “Who’s this, huh? Who’s this little guy,”

“His name’s Beef,” Robert chuckles as he uses the edge of his desk to pull himself back up, “the one who kept me sane for the last two years. And he’s the favor,” he watches as Chase came over from his cubicle and scoops the pup up, “I know I should have ask before bringing him but I really didn’t want to leave him alone,” he looks sadly at Beef who was happily sniffing at Chase’s face, obviously looking for any treats, “He gotten separation anxiety with me being gone for four months and I couldn’t… he was whining when I tried to leave the apartment today…”

“Boy,” Chase glares at him, “You better not be fucking blaming yourself for that. You were in a fucking coma!” he whispers harshly before he moves Beef in his arms a bit, cradling him like he was a baby, “And, I would literally let everyone here melt in eternal hell, including you, before anything happens to this dog,”

Robert snorted but looks over as Blazer walks over. She smiles softly at Beef which made Robert relax, seeing that he wasn’t going to be scolded for bringing his dog into the office, “Aww, what’s your name little guy?” she asked as she scratches Beef’s belly earning a very happy yip.

“My name’s Beef and I’m naked,” Robert spoke in a sort of muppet like voice, which earned him a look from Chase. Robert shrugs, knowing that Chase was remembering the many times his pops made that voice during the few times Robert could be a kid and play with the few toys he had.

Blazer laughs, shaking her head in disbelief, “Oh no, I refuse to believe that is what he sounds like,” she looks up at him, “Robert. You got a sec?”

Frowning, Robert exchange a look with Chase who shrugs his shoulders, “Sure. Yeah,” he replys, scratching Beef’s head before following Blazer to her office.

“About the other day, with Phenomaman,” Blazer started, walking over to close her door.

“Uh, yeah,” Robert blinks, remembering meeting SDN’s poster boy at the end of the shift. The man had seen nice, though a little naive in human ways. “How was dinner?”

“Oh, it was awkward.” Robert blinks in confusion at this, “Its why I didn’t want you to come. Phenomaman and I broke up,”

“Over Tokyo Dream Sushi?”

Blazer sighs, rubbing her arm, “Yeah… its just. The timing felt right,” she shrugs her shoulders, “I don’t know, sometimes you just got to shake shit up. It felt a little impulsive, but maybe it was a long time coming… at least that what Visi said,”

“Invisgal?” Robert asked, raising an eyebrow.

“She’s my roommate,” Blazer explains, “It was a compromise that the board agree with in return of her not asking her any questons. When she’s not here working, she under my watch...doesn’t help that she keeps messing with her ankle monitor…” she shakes her head, turning towards her desk, “But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I was thinking about it over the weekend and I’m going to cut someone from the Z-team. Or you are, rather.”

Robert’s head snaps up at this as he sat down, “Are...are you kidding me?” Robert whispered in disbelief and felt a bit of anger rise up in him. “I thought the plan was for me to meet them, see what kind of training they need to help them and now your pulling this?”

“You… think its a bad idea?” Blazer asked confuse, “The board thinks its a good idea. Cutting somone towards the bottom of the leaderboards will show everyone we’re serious.”

“Because they want the program to fail!” Robert pinches the bridge of his nose, “Listen I would understand if the Z-Team was a regular team of superheroes who kept messing around. But they’re not. The Z-Team is team made up of supervillains who are trying to turn their lives around,”

“We been letting them get away with a lot of stuff, Robert,” Blazer pointed out, “As Chase told you, they had chase off more dispatchers faster than we can hire them. The dispatcher before you, his car was set on fire by Flambae.”

“And did you ask Flambae or the others why he did so?” Robert crosses his arms, making Blazer confuse, “Because Sonar told me. Apparently, Rudy? He put in some code that when he presses in the keyboard will let out a silent whistle that only Sonar can hear. I looked in the files and Sonar had to go to medical for bleeding ear that exact same day Flambae set the car on fire. I had to ask Royd to take the coding out so I don’t accidentally press it,”

Blazer blanches at this, “I didn’t know…” she whispers, her blue eyes wide in horror. “I mean…”

“Listen,” Robert sighs, trying to not snap at her, “I’m pretty sure the reason they chase off dispatchers is because the dispatchers don’t actually give them a chance. They expect these people, who use to be villains to be by the rule book and when they didn’t the dispatchers lashes out and then the Z-Team lashes out trying to protect themselves. I’m not saying they don’t need a little tough love but they need to be treated like villains who are being taught to be heroes.”

“I already told them and the board that someone will be cut today,” Blazer’s words made Robert want to growl out, made him want to bite into something and tear it apart, “Oh… your eyes are turning blue!”

Robert sighs, taking in a deep breath to calm himself, “They do that when I’m angry,” he mutters rubbing his face, “So we’re not cutting anyone, I refuse to. And you can tell the board if they fight on my decision about it that I will quit right here on the spot, go out as Mecha Man and tell every news station I can find about how disappointed at how far the Phoenix Program has fallen. I may not be well like as my grandfather and dad but Mecha Man Blue is still a beloved figure and the masses will be enraged.”

Blazer pales at this and holds up her hands, “I… I will tell them this. No one is getting cut there is no need to go to the press about it…” she then smiles softly, “I’m… I’m glad that they have someone looking out for them… someone in their corner,”

“Well I be a bit of a hypocrite if I wasn’t,” Robert said, earning a look of confusion as he sits up. Looking at the clock he sighs, “Great I don’t have time to tell them that no one is getting cut… this is going to be an interesting shift,”

Blazer grimaces, “I am… so sorry,”

Robert sighs and turns towards the door, “Just next time you have something plan for my team, you go over with me first.” he said as he slips out of the office. Running his hand through his hair he sighs in annoyance. Quickly grabbing a cup of coffee he heads back to his desk, stopping in front of the leaderboards, seeing that beside Invisgal, Sonar and Coupe were at the bottom of the board.

“Eh, she ain’t bad,” Chase spoke up as he walked over, pointing at Prism’s name who was above the three on the bottom, “Those three ain’t shit,”

“Did you come over here to tell me that?” Robert snarks, rolling his eyes, “Cause its almost exactly the information a leaderboard gives you,” he smirks.

Chase rolls his eyes, “Actually, smart ass. I came over to tell you that one of your team members is need of assistance,”

Sighing, feeling a headache building, Robert headed over. He frowns at the sight of the distress signal that was blinking on the screen of his computer, “Sonar,” he calls out as he places his headset on, “You alright? Why’re you sending a distress call when you haven’t left the building?”

“Could you… send a locksmith downstairs?”

Rubbing his eyes, Robert sighs, “What happen?”

Sonar let out a groan just as Robert turns on the cameras to the gym, revealing the bat hybrid handcuff to a squat rack, “Coop trick me,”

“How did she do that lad?” Punch Up snorts, “Let me guess, you thought she was going to show you her boobs?”

“No!” Sonar growls pulling at his arm, “I was about to head to the damn showers when she came in saying she wanted to show me something cool. I actually wanted to wash the sweat off my fur before shift and said no when she threw some sort of white powder at me that I didn’t realize was fucking sugar! I freaked out and she used that to handcuff me to the squat rack!”

“Coop… that is not cool!” Mal growls out, cursing in what Robert couldn’t understand but could tell it was in demon tongue. “Listen I am all up for playing pranks and all but throwing something that looks like cocaine to a recovering addict...not cool. You do something like that again and I’ll shove my damn sword up your-”

“Alright that’s enough,” Robert snaps as he stands up, “Coupe, as Mal said, please do not do something like that again. Sonar, I’m on my way down to get you free,”

“Hey!” Flambae calls out, anger in his tone, “What about us? Shift is starting right now!”

“Well maybe this will be a lesson for you all. You try to mess up with one member of the team you mess with everyone,” he pulls off the headsets as the others began to curse at him. “Please anyone out their give me patience,”

“Patience?” Chase snorts, leaning in his chair, “don’t you mean strength?”

“If I had anymore strength I will kill them,” Robert stated, standing up from his chair, “Keep an eye on them so they don’t do anything more stupid while I go free Sonar,”

“I think the only thing they can do is stupid,” Chase snorted as Robert groans.