Chapter Text
Shroud is dead and everything is worse now.
The goal he strived for his whole career as Mecha man, his life really, had been catching the man that murdered his father. The man that had haunted Robert since he was sixteen, influencing each decision he made, each path he took, his days, hours, minutes. But when the moment came, when Robert had the the result of over a decade of work as a hero in front of him, he couldn’t do it. The noble choice. The legacy three generations of Robertssons had worked for. The legacy his grandfather and father had died for. Instead, all the traces of the hero Robert was supposed to be left him as an overwhelming rage seized him, his hands reaching for Shroud's throat and squeezing tight as he stared down at the man. Shroud. Uncle Eli. His mind flooded with memories of Eli at family barbecues, Eli teaching Robert about engineering, Eli consoling him after fights with his father.
When Robert regained control of his body the same man laid under him, eyes rolled back and cold to the touch. He doesn’t remember much after that. Vague memories of aimless wandering, pats on the back and a half assed attempt at helping with the cleanup. Everything carried on as the Robert from before laid dead alongside his favorite uncle. Months passed, the world around him seemingly going back to normal and Robert’s offence being forgotten. Robert had murdered a man in broad daylight and everything was fine.
Looking out at the Torrance night skyline Robert felt a numbness that had become all too familiar in the last few months. With the suit being fixed he had taken on hero work again as Mecha-Man, alternating shifts of dispatching and hero field work. Although as time passed, Robert found himself going out more and more nights, searching for any kind of refuge from the suffocating emptiness of his apartment. He just needed to get re-acquainted with being Mecha-Man again, get back in the headspace. Ever since everything with the Red Ring the suit had felt more like a costume than anything. It’s not like he was getting much sleep anyways, most nights he just stared at the barren ceiling. And there wasn’t really anything that coffee couldn't fix at the end of the day, even though the SDN coffee left a lot to be desired.
As he scanned the streets below him Robert noted a group of four hooded men waiting in an alley, clearly waiting for someone on the adjacent street. Robert started circling the site and saw the men gearing up for an attack, pointing at some passerby walking down the street, seemingly their intended target. He decided to land a bit further in the alley, making sure to stay hidden as he analyzed the men before him. Most of them were armed with knives and other close range weapons, none of it a match for the protective steel shell of his Mech.
Robert got out of the mech.
Before the men had a chance to notice him, he lunged at the closest one, using the element of surprise to quickly knock him out cold. The rest of the men turned, alarmed at the sound of the attack and readied themselves for a fight. Robert needed to finish this fast before they had a chance to overwhelm him. Robert leapt to the nearing attackers, landing a punch on the large man that was closest. The man stumbled back as his companions continued advancing on Robert. One of the men, brandishing a knife, came running at Robert as he slashed wildly in his direction. Robert jumped aside, using the man's momentum against him as he got close and grabbed him from behind. Robert felt a stinging pain as the man slashed at his forearm. Before the man could do any more damage, Robert managed to dislocate his shoulder, making him drop the knife and fall down to his knees while screaming in pain. At this point the large man had recovered from the shock of the punch and was running for Robert, arms out and clearly intending to tackle him to the ground. Robert stalled, a second later flying through the air as the man grabbed him. Landing on the hard cement Robert felt his back protest, a familiar shooting pain traveling through his limbs. The man straddled Robert and pulled his arm back to ready a punch. Robert used the moment of instability to buck up, pushing the man off him before grabbing his head and slamming it into the ground. He quickly jumped up to his feet, ready to face the final attacker. Before Robert had any time to start an attack, the man dropped his weapon, eyes wide in fear and ran towards the street.
That’s a shame.
Robert stretched his body, feeling the dismayed pull of his back as he checked for injuries. That’s a problem for later. His arm was bleeding, but it was only a shallow cut, something that Robert could tend to on his own.
As he made his way to the streets he noticed the crowd that had formed on the street, phones pointed in his direction as they cheered and clapped. Shit.
Stepping out onto the street, Robert looked around to identify the victim to make sure they weren’t injured during the fight. Oh.
“Mecha-Man! How relieved am I to see you! Glad to know there are still some heroes to rely on in this town!”
The man in front of him was named J. Waggoner, a sleazy corrupt local politician campaigning just about every bad policy possible, promising a future free of “undesirables” in the city. Not to mention the investigations of fraud, tax evasion as well as several sexual assault allegations.
“Thank you for the show of support! It’s about time a true hero stepped up for what’s right . It’s good to know the people of Torrance can rely on Mecha-Man’s judgement!”
Waggoner put on his widest smile, clearly angling himself toward the onlookers' cameras. He raised his arm and gave Robert a pat on the shoulder, making the interaction seem much more amicable than it was.
Wanting to spend as little time in the man’s vicinity as possible, Robert gave him a tight smile as he gave him a nod and tried to leave.
“Don’t leave already! I would love to have a longer chat with a legacy hero like you. Fighting for the glory of the good old days”
“Sadly there’s more hero work to get to” Robert said as he flagged down the incoming police to apprehend the attackers. Before anyone had time to corner him for further conversation he quickly made his way back to the mech and got in, engaged his thrusters and flew away from the scene.
A true hero.
A true fucking hero.
Not only a murderer but now also a symbol for the greatness of “the good old days”
What a fucking joke.
-:- -:- -:-
Robert was pulled into consciousness by his alarm, the sound attacking his ears as he opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. He had gotten a solid three hours of sleep in after returning from his patrol, a mostly quiet night but busy enough to keep his hands and thoughts occupied. Robert got up, felt the prominent protest from his back and made his way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. As he entered the room he was exposed to his reflection in the harsh bathroom light.
The fresh cuts of yesterday's patrol stood out most, raised pink flesh on his arm that he had hastily patched up as he got home, and bruises painting parts of his torso. The overall vision though was not much better. Robert had never considered himself particularly handsome, he was a very average guy in most aspects but even he could see that he had taken a turn for the worse. He had gotten thinner in the months following Shroud. His hair had gotten longer and his eyebags darker, giving him an altogether ghostly look.
Robert turned away from the mirror as he got ready, putting on his uniform and brushing his teeth. Making his way into the kitchen he made a quick scan of the space. The lone couch gifted by Mandy, an assortment of different lamps and a dog bed in the corner that had cost substantially more than Robert’s own mattress. As he pulled up his phone while making his morning coffee his screen lit up with several news articles, the headlines becoming more extravagant with each feature.
MECHA MAN SPOTTED IN DOWN TOWN TORRANCE
MECHA MAN SAVES LOCAL POLITICIAN FROM ASSASINATION ATTEMPT - CAUGHT ON VIDEO
MECHA-MAN A SUPPORTER OF J. WAGGONER? INTERVIEW WITH WAGONNER AND WITNESSES
CITY DIVIDED ON MECHA-MAN’S POLITICAL INTERFERENCE - HAS THE CITIES GOLDEN BOY GONE TOO FAR?
Robert stared at the headlines, scrolling through article after article detailing the events of last night.
”… WHAT WAS IT LIKE WATCHING MECHA-MAN SAVE WAGGONER?”
-”Well me and my family have always been supporters of the Mecha-Man legacy, but I feel like he’s been sort of off recently. First he disappeared for like a year, like hello? Then there was that whole red ring thing which, sure I guess he saved us from but isn’t it kind of suspicious that that all happened right as he returned? And now with all of this political stuff I don’t know. Maybe the suit was passed on to the wrong person”
-” I never liked the guy so I wasn’t really surprised. He always seemed like kind of an asshole. Remember when he beat up that reporter? The guy is crazy or something I swear…”
-”When Mecha-Man saved me I knew that justice had been brought. For such a legacy hero to show his support is just fantastic. Like him I wish to create a legacy that lasts and will be felt by the people of Torrance for years to come. Mecha-Man and I clearly share a dream for a better future…”
Robert stared at the bright screen in his hand. The words had started to jumble, vision blurring as he was dragged into the turmoil of his head.
Panicked eyes looked up at him. Hands clutching Robert’s arms, pulling, pushing and scratching as the man desperately tried to gain some leverage.
Robert felt his throat tense up, the ghost of hands squeezing his wind pipe. His breathing became shallow as panic started seeping in.
It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real.
He was pulled out of it by the machine signal telling him the coffee was done, steam rising from his only porcelain cup. Robert let out a shaky breath.
This is a problem for later.
He downed his coffee, made his way to the front door and got ready to leave. All he needed to do was show up and do the job. Simple. Everything was going to be fine.
-:- -:- -:-
As Robert neared his desk he did a quick scan of the room. Chase had the day off today and had taken Beef yesterday to watch him, undoubtedly spoiling Beef rotten with treats and toys. Still, Robert missed their presence as he hung his jacket on his chair and sat down. Suddenly, he was assaulted by a loud screech.
”Damn Robbo I didn't know you were a Waggoner supporter! What do they call you? Wagonners? Wagoneers?”
Robert turned around and stared down the suit-clad man-bat in front of him.
”Sonar, you know full well that all of that is just media being media. Now go clock in before I write you up for being late”
”Yeah whatever dude. If you want to make some… “guesses” on the upcoming election then hit me up”
Sonar turned around and walked away, leaving Robert to start setting up his desk. Before he got far though, he was interrupted again, this time by a gentle hand placed on his shoulder. Robert turned around to see Mandy behind him, giving him a bright smile.
”Robert! Good thing I caught you before you started. Come see me on your lunch break okay? I need to talk to you”
Shit.
He liked Mandy. He really did. She’s the only reason he had a life to return to at all after his initial crash in the suit. She had been so kind, so graceful and generous. She was beautiful too. But Robert could feel how she looked at him. The sympathy. The pity. All coming from a good place of course, but it made Robert feel… defective. Like something to fix. Like every action of his was being evaluated, inevitably leading to disappointment.
”Of course, I’ll see you later Mandy”
Mandy gave him a quick smile as she turned and made her way to her office, leaving Robert to boot up his computer and put on his headphones”
”Good morning team”
A flood of good mornings reached Robert’s ears.
”Robbo!” “Heya Robert” Sonar and Malevola exclaimed in tandem.
“Hello Robert.” “Mornin’ lad” By comparison, Coupé and Punch-Up sounded much more composed.
“Morning Robbo” “Morning Robert” Prism and Visi said at the same time, voices blending into each other.
“Morning BitchBob” Flambae taunted.
“M-Morning!” Waterboy stuttered, a little behind the others.
“Nice. I see we’re already off to a good start”
“Seems like you started early Roberto, saw you all over the news” Prism teased.
“Yeah who knew you had it in you lad? A politician and all”
“Okay okay get it all out now” Robert braced for their worst.
“M-Mecha Man? M-more like Mecha-Ban all w-welfare”
The group let started laughing and cheering, Robert couldn't help but grin.
“About time Puddleboy grew some balls” Visi teased
”Lets get started yeah? This day is already feeling too long” Robert started taking calls, sending out his surprisingly agreeable team.
The morning was busy, but thankfully low stress, quite a few crowd management jobs during different protests and political gatherings. As they were nearing the election there would no doubt be more of these jobs, to Robert’s displeasure.
Thankfully everything went smoothly. Robert even had extra time to finish some hacking jobs and get another cup of coffee in between. Suddenly he realized it was lunch time which meant it was also time for him to sit through a “talk” with Mandy. Robert sighed, took off his headphones and started making his way to her office.
Before he had the chance to knock, Mandy opened the door and ushered him in.
”Robert! Thank you for coming. Let’s make this quick so you’ll have time for lunch before the next shift”
Oh yeah, lunch. Another cup of coffee would have to do.
”Yeah, no worries. What did you want to talk about?”
Mandy paused and looked at him.
”I think we both know what this is about”
"Yeah, okay look. I didn’t intend to make some grand statement about the election or anything. I saw someone that was about to be attacked and saved them. I know SDN doesn’t like to get involved in politics and you’re upset that this reflects on them but-”
”What? No Robert I don’t mean the politics stuff” she waved her hand in a dismissive manner.
”You saw someone in danger and saved them like any true hero should. Don’t worry about that”
Hands around a pale throat, pushing down with all the force he could muster. How soft it was. So fragile. He could feel the muscles give, caving as he put all his weight on it. Everything around Robert had disappeared. All that existed were hands and a pale throat.
”-Of course the whole political debacle is unfortunate but that’s just the media grasping for straws. Neither I or SDN blame you for that”
Robert snapped back into the present, hands clenched on the pastel chairs' soft armrests.
”What I wanted to talk about was the fact that you were out at all”
”Oh. Okay”
“Going solo at night after working a fulltime job here? I’m worried for you Robert. This wasn’t the first time was it?”
”No. But really Mandy you don’t have to worry, I’ve worked solo for over a decade. It’s nothing I can’t handle”
”But Robert, when are you sleeping? If you dispatch during the day, and do solo work on nights when do you have time to rest?”
”Really Mandy it’s fine. I’m not taking on any more than I can handle. I want to get back out on the field is all”
”I understand that, I’m just scared that you’re pushing yourself too hard. I’m talking to you as a friend, not your boss. Are you taking care of yourself? You seem…drained ”
”I’ll be fine. Really”
”Okay Robert” Mandy sighed
”Would you just… promise me you’ll slow down when it gets too much? And I’m always here if you want to talk about it” Mandy looked at Robert with pleading eyes.
”Yes, thank you Mandy. I appreciate it, really”
Robert gave her a practiced smile as he stood up and left the room, making his way to the break room.
As he reached the break room he found several of the Z-team members there, eating their food and chatting away.
”Bobby my man! Any more thoughts on what we talked about earlier?” Sonar slid up next to Robert, placing an arm across his shoulders.
Robert gave Sonar a flat look.
”No Sonar, I do not wish to engage in political betting with you”
”Sure man. Just hit me up when you change your mind” sonar said as he lifted… something and dropped it into his mouth, chewing with a content face.
Robert made his way to the coffee machine, put on a pot and looked through the vending machine delicacies while he waited. He felt eyes on him.
”No lunch again Bob-Bob?”
Robert felt the air behind him rise by a few degrees, announcing Flambae's presence loud and clear.
”Didn’t have the time to fix anything. I’ll just eat a bigger dinner when I get home”
”Yeah sure. I’ll believe your twink ass when I see it”
Robert turned around to see Flambae give him an evaluating look, one eyebrow raised as he stared him down.
”Yeah yeah. Focus on your own lunch before your break is over. I do not want to deal with hangry you over comms”
Flambae scoffed.
”I do not get hangry bitch” flambae muttered as he promptly turned away and started walking to join Prism at her table.
The coffee machine beeped, letting Robert distract himself with preparing his cup before he gave up on finding anything to eat and left the room.
Can’t people just mind their business?
Returning to his desk, Robert sat down and leaned back in his chair. His back objected to the motion making him seize up slightly in response. He could feel the telltale signs of a flare up approaching, the tingling feeling in his arms as his back started screaming. He quickly put down his cup of coffee on the desk and sat up as straight as possible, trying to find the least painful position. Frustration flooded Robert as he reached out for his headset.
Worthless fucking excuse of a body. Why can’t things just work like they’re supposed to. He just needed to get through the afternoon. That was all. Then he could have this bodily breakdown or whatever this was in peace.
With a stiff back and a pinched brow, Robert booted up his computer and activated his headset.
“Okay team. Let’s make this afternoon shift as smooth as possible so we can go home early, yeah?”
Robert tried his best to sound normal, but even he could notice the strain in his voice.
“Damn, what crawled up your ass Bob-Bob?” Flambae sneered.
Robert let out a sigh.
“It sure as hell wasn' t you, despite all your desperate staring” Visi joked, making the group snicker.
“In your fuckin’ dreams bitch. I don’t stare and I’m not fuckin’ desperate. Like I would want that flat ass anyway”
Before it could escalate any further, Robert decided to intervene.
“Guys. Please. Let’s clear the lines and do our jobs”
“Right on Lad”
“Copy”
“Sure Robbo”
-:- -:- -:-
The afternoon went on much like the morning, except for the gnawing pain spreading through his body, making his head pound and hands start to tremble. Still, Robert managed to get through the shift even if he felt like collapsing at the end. As the team returned from their last respective missions, Robert let out a sigh and booted down the computer.
Fuck. This is bad.
Standing up might become an issue. Moving in general might be an issue.
God, to have teleportation powers.
He decided to stay put for the time being, doing some paperwork to keep himself looking busy while he waited for the rest of the office to file out. The fewer people that witnessed what was sure to be a humiliating hobble down to the exit the better.
After finishing most of the incident reports, luckily they had become fewer as time went on, the floor had emptied out enough. Robert shuffled away the papers and braced to stand. Before he had the chance to make the leap, his senses filled with the increase of warmth around him and the gentle scent of smoke and sandalwood. Thankful he hadn't been interrupted after his precarious stand up attempt, Robert turned around and looked up at Flambae, or Chad, now that the shift was over.
“Hello Flambae”
“Don’t “Hello Flambae” me bitch” Flambae mocked.
“Okay then let’s try again. What the hell do you want, Chad?”
“This is the problem! You’ve been acting bitchy all day Bob-Bob. Did Mandy dump your flat ass over lunch or something?”
“Look Chad, right now is really not the time. If I offended you somehow I really didn’t mean to. I just really need to get home right now so let’s do this later okay?”
Chad’s brows furrowed, seemingly confused at the lack of push back from the dispatcher.
“Damn, why the hurry? You actually heading out on a date with her or something?” Chad said as he folded his arms and took a step back, making Robert notice how close he had been in the first place.
“No. As I’ve told you and the team multiple times Mandy and I are just friends, and as I said earlier today I’m just tired” Robert gritted out.
A beat passed.
“Okay? Then why are you just sitting there? Head home.”
Robert looked up at Chad, debating what to do next. Should he be honest and risk being ridiculed for his “weak ass normie body” for the rest of time or just try and stand up and hope, no PRAY, that he doesn't make an absolute fool of himself.
“Yeah… I was just about to”
Fake it til’ you make it or whatever.
Robert braced himself, placing both his hands square on the desk and pushing up with all of his might. Okay. So far so good. He let out a breath as he slowly turned around, moving a hand to the back of his chair for support.
Chad looked at him with a questioning look.
“You good?”
Robert clenched his teeth.
“Yes. I’ll be going now.”
Robert grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and started taking slow, painful steps towards the exit. Chad followed him, the confused look not leaving his face.
“What are you doing? Why aren’t you going to the flight exit?”
“I uh… I took the car today”
“Surprised you have the balls for that considering what happened with Phenomaman last time”
Robert continued pushing, feeling how each step dragged him down more and more. He stumbled slightly, almost eating shit in the middle of the lobby but managed to recover at the last second. He could feel it everywhere by now. It jolted down to his fingers, his feet, even breathing was painful.
“Yeah… I uh…” Chad trailed off, never finishing whatever he was about to say.
Finally reaching the exit, Robert was on the brink of crying out with each step. He took a deep breath of the outside air, hoping it would ease his pain. Instead it only made his vision blur.
“See you tomorrow then” Robert said as he kept taking labored steps toward the street. Would he even be able to make it home? Worst case he could rest on the street for a while, he didn't have to hurry home to Beef anyway.
Surprisingly, Chad had continued following him.
“Shouldn’t you go to the parking lot?”
“Right” Chad faltered for a step. “I actually parked it further down the street. Keep it out of Phenomamans sight or whatever”
Robert kept pushing to the street, wishing that he could just be left alone. As he reached it he did a quick scan, not finding the Firebird anywhere in the vicinity.
“Seems your luck with cars hasn’t improved, looks like it got stolen” Robert looked back at Chad as he made the remark.
Before he had any chance to see Flambae’s reaction, his neck seized at the sudden turn. His back spasmed and pain bled through him, making every nerve ending light up with pain. He let out a pained breath as his vision started fading, knees buckling as gravity won the fight Robert had so desperately tried to endure.
“Shit- Robert!” Chad exclaimed, alarm in his voice.
Robert’s world turned black.