Chapter Text
Robert Robertson the 3rd is a hero.
He doesn’t mean metaphorically either. He’s got the superhero suit and the mecha to prove it.
Just like the truly unfortunate name, the hero part of Robert is three generations standing. It’s something that’s been ingrained into Robert’s blood since he took his first measly breath in the waking world.
Robert also suspects, just like the two Robertsons before him, that being a hero will cost him his last breath.
However, he is getting too far ahead of himself.
It happens after his shift at SDN.
It was honestly a normal day. Well, as normal as it could get when you are a dispatcher for a team of reformed villains. There weren’t any failed calls, there was a minimum amount of bloodshed, and only like two HR violations.
So, actually, today was a great day. Which was why what happened next caught Robert off guard.
It’s late at night when Robert finally leaves the SDN building. Everyone has left hours ago. Some went to the bar, and some just went home. Robert had to stay back and finish some paperwork, so he turned down all of the invites he received. Chase had also left hours ago, taking Beef with him.
“Now I know your fucking ass won’t be leaving until later,” Chase had grunted. “As punishment, I am taking custody of my boy. You ain’t fucking seeing him until tomorrow.”
The older hero was not wrong, per se, but something in Robert drooped when he witnessed the kidnapping of his dog. It also pushed him harder to finish his paperwork.
In fact, it pushed him so hard that it’s now midnight, way past the original time Robert was supposed to go home. At least his paperwork is done now, and he won’t need to be working overtime tomorrow as well. However, it’s times like this that Robert regrets not owning a car. The walk isn’t bad, though; it was just a little bit chillier than usual.
Crows’ call echoes across the barren streets, and there is some hissing of a cat a bit down the road. Not a single person was out right now, except for a teen who was standing by one of the bus stops. Robert tries to remember if this line of bus stops by his apartment– It may be safer to head home that way.
Robert walks over to the bus stop to look at the line map. When he sets foot in the cover, he can see the teen tense beside him. Makes sense, Robert is a stranger, an adult stranger at that, and it’s late at night. He is sure to place himself a bit further away from them while reading the map. As he studies the map, he analyzes the kid next to him.
Robert can’t tell how old they are, and it’s too dark to notice any identifiable features. In their arms is a bag full of food from one of the local restaurants, and a bag filled with junk food.
It reminds Robert that he needs to go shopping this weekend.
Suddenly, the junk food bag splits open, items spilling everywhere. The teen starts to curse.
“Stupid cheap bags.” They lean down and start picking up their items. “Who the hell uses paper bags to package cold drinks?”
Robert laughs at the mutters. “You good, kid?”
The kid jumps, before glancing over at Robert. “No, thank you, sir. It’s only- Shit.”
Some of the canned drinks start rolling into the street. Luckily, the kid is smart and looks both ways before stepping onto the street. Robert walks over to the rest of their food. He places his backpack down and digs through it. Robert pulls out some of the baggies he uses for Beef.
“Sorry, I know you said no help, but…” Robert trails off as he starts picking up the snack items lying across the floor.
The teen sighs. “Yeah, I get it.” They start to pick up their cans. “Thanks for the help-”
A thick layer of fog suddenly blocks Robert’s vision of the ground.
Every hair on Robert’s body stands on end.
“Kid,” Robert says firmly. “Get over here.”
The fog starts to get thicker. Robert can vaguely see them stand up.
“Huh?” They ask.
Robert takes a step forward. “Could you please-”
The sound of hooves clopping fills the air. Both the teen and Robert tense and stare in the direction of the noise.
The fog is making it hard to see anything. The buildings, the street lights, and even the street signs all blur into the night. However, Robert can definitely see the rapidly approaching horse and carriage break out of the dense fog. Robert can’t see any coachman guiding the carriage. There was no one guiding it.
It’s definitely going to hit the kid.
Robert drops the food without a second thought and jumps towards the kid. He is not careful when pushing the kid out of the way, putting all of his strength into the motion. The kid turns toward him as they are falling, a shocked look painted on their face.
Robert makes it in time to push the kid out of the way of the incoming horse and carriage.
Robert, however, is not quick enough to get out of the way of the horse.
Robert barely feels the impact when he blacks out.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Robert feels like he is swimming in mud, but something sharper fills his nose. Ink?
“Ah… my dear esteemed benefactor…”
All of his senses are muted, and his limbs feel heavy.
“My proud, beautiful flower of evil.”
Is he standing up? Is he upside down? He can’t tell.
“You are truly the fairest one of all.”
Is Robert alive? Is he dead? Something in between? He can’t seem to figure it out.
“O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat…”
Robert opens his eyes. Or maybe they were open this entire time? It’s so dark.
“Reveal unto me the visage I seek…”
A light shines in the corner of Robert’s eye. A mirror floats in the distance.
“You, whose image the Dark Mirror did beckon forth…”
Robert makes his way over to it. Is he floating, walking, or running? It’s still so unclear.
“If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.”
A hand shines in the mirror. It slowly turns into another hand. Different hands appear and fade away in the mirror. Some wore gloves, others wore none. Each hand is a different size. Hands of an actor and of an heir. A tyrant, a retainer, a general, a teacher, and a prince. A patissier, a farmer, a hunter, a delinquent, and a servant.
Robert sticks his hand into the mirror.
“As flame reduces even the stars to ash.”
His hand feels dangerously hot.
“As ice seals away even time itself.”
His arm feels dangerously cold.
“As great trees swallow even the sky.”
A lovely breeze embraces Robert’s entire body.
“Fear not the power of darkness.”
Something- Someone holds onto Robert’s hand. Gentle and delicate. Sharp and Dangerous.
“Now— demonstrate your power.”
The hand grips tighter, and Robert does the same. It never hurts.
“To me. To them. To yourself.”
More hands grip onto Robert’s hand. When they run out of room, they start trailing up. Some grab his wrist, others his arm.
“The hour grows long, and time is scarce.”
Robert’s body feels heavy again.
“Keep steady your grip, no matter what may come…”
The hands start to drag him further into the mirror. He doesn’t- he can’t resist.
“Now grab my hand…
“And don’t let go.” A voice whispers into Robert’s ear.
Robert gasps awake–
–And immediately hits his head against a wall.
‘Welcome to the Villains’ World, Mecha Man.’