Chapter Text
Black Hat was ignoring him.
Dare he say avoiding him.
Flug couldn’t believe it when the prospect first came to him after arriving from a visit to Cecilia. Well, Miss Heed.
Anyway, once he had stepped back into the manor, he got right back to work. To keep his mind busy, he worked on finalizing the finishing touches on the latest invention that Black Hat was expecting to have finished by tomorrow. Fortunately for him, ever since the events with Miss Heed, Flug spent more time working on said invention without so much as a break. He skipped lunch for the first two days of the week, all to stay fully focused on getting the invention done despite being an entire two days earlier than the deadline.
That is, until 5.0.5 ended up urging him with those damn doe-eyes— how could Flug refuse at that point?! Dementia was also by his son’s side as well, which was a surprise in of itself. Although Flug can’t help but feel even more guilty when he eventually realized Dementia was worried for him. Visibly.
They ate lunch together after that, and he had to admit, the comfortable atmosphere as they sat by the table and conversed with one another as they ate was nice.
Heading back to work, Flug felt calmer as he did so. He didn’t stress about the deadline. He didn’t think about how he could possibly once again receive Black Hat’s approval and praise despite its rarity, or also otherwise, get scolded torturously for failing to meet his expectations.
No, none of that.
Instead, Flug kept to himself and enjoyed his craft. Tinkering with the gadget without rush.
It was a nice change of pace after all the stress he had went through.
That was when the thought clicked again.
Where was Black Hat?
The eldritch demon was unpredictable but he always personally checked on Flug and his progress on the inventions he was working on at least once. To remind (threaten) him that if he so much as slack off or somehow fucked up, consequences far beyond his comprehension would set upon him.
It was practical, and Flug became a fraction to none of making mistakes to his inventions ever since.
Other than that, there was not a peep from the many business telephones. Or a request to go to the office for a mission for that matter. It’s been radio silent ever since and although Flug was thankful for the long break, he couldn’t help but be unsettled.
What was going on?
Currently, it was the fifth day, evening approaching judging by the clock on the table.
A knock, signaling it was 5.0.5.
Flug sighed, putting down his tools and stretching his back on his seat, which produced a satisfying pop.
Dinner time.
The next morning, Flug fixed up the lab by setting up the camera equipment in advance, for tomorrow that is.
It was a day before the deadline, the invention was done, beta tested, and ready for utilization and sale. After doing the usual morning routine, no one could blame Flug as he anxiously waited for Black Hat to just appear into his own lab to check on the invention.
For what felt like the first time since working under the Black Hat himself, Flug internally wished for Black Hat to appear into his lab. Which was all the more shocking as it was concerning, considering he usually feared when it came to it, expecting an inevitable threat.
Lunch arrived, and Flug just about had enough.
“Have any of you seen Black Hat lately?”
To his shock, the two nodded in response.
“Yeah. I actually saw my lord pass by the halls earlier this morning.” Demencia responded, recalling the memory with a dreamy sigh, “He smelled like blood, death, and danger, hee-hee!”
Demencia’s cheery response aside, Flug felt the words hit him like a brick.
“How early?”
“Just after I got dressed,” Demencia answered before promptly shoving a handful of cereal into her mouth, chewing with ease.
How? Plus, Flug always woke up early to get through the usual morning routines— though household chores would be more fitting—around the manor.
Anyway, the prospect didn’t seem to be just a far-off guess anymore.
He turned to his son, “Fives, what about you?”
“Baw!” 5.0.5 then went on and happily explained to him with a gesture of his paws about how he did the usual routine of dusting off the paintings, the furniture, and vacuuming the floors of the hallways. While doing so, from a far distance, Black Hat could be seen usually striding by silently before completely disappearing into his office.
Flug thought that that was likely after having finished his morning newspaper reading. But still.
The prospect was not far off, but he still wasn’t so sure either. It’s unlike Black Hat at all to even ignore, or more accurately, avoid him. The eldritch horror always more often than not took enjoyment at giving him a hard time, seeing him suffer and jump at his presence. That was the usual.
It was absurd.
“If you wanted to see him, you could just go to his office yourself,” she shrugged casually, rolling her eyes at him like it should have been obvious to him from the very beginning.
And, it was. But he had a very good reason not to, in his defense!
“I’m not just going to barge into his office! Unless it’s a scheduled deadline of the invention, a client, or an explicit request for my presence, I’m not really permitted to enter his office.”
“Then just go tell him by the deadline. Easy as that,” Demencia turned to him, and she had a small smile on her face instead of the usual feral grin. Her eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. “At least you have more time to catch a break than usual. I thought you’d be more relaxed, doc.”
“Aroo…” 5.0.5 agreed, expression heavy with sadness and concern.
“I am! It’s just…” Flug stared into his own empty bowl, thinking of a way to respond, “it’s weird. Not just Lord Black Hat, but everything! It’s like the whole world stopped.” Then he paused, and answered, “Ever since that incident with Miss Heed, there’s been zero calls or emails from any clients on my end.”
And he did expect for Black Hat to take notice of this occurrence as well and maybe start shouting bloody murder to him over the complete lack of business and sales. But judging from Demencia and 5.0.5’s recollection these past few days as well as Flug’s lack of, it seemed as if Black Hat was aware and just didn’t seem to have a problem with it.
At first, Demencia grimaced at the mention of the superheroine. That woman still had hell to pay for using Flug like that. Though it did work in their favor in the end, Demencia had every right to be pissed at her for what she did, even if Flug somehow didn’t.
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t gotten a mission these past few days either,” Demencia voiced out, looking down at the box of cereal thoughtfully. Usually she’d receive some request for a quick assassination attempt, at least thrice a week. But it’s a Thursday, and there’s been none of that.
“Yeah. Really weird.” Flug couldn’t help the nervous thing gathering in his throat before he swallowed it down. Really, really, really weird.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Flug’s mind. “Fives, turn on the TV.” Maybe their answers for this strange week could appear there. There was no doubt Miss Heed’s mind control had affected everyone all around.
Just as instructed, 5.0.5 went and powered on the TV that hung the wall with a tap of the remote. Immediately, a news segment greeted them.
“—reporting to you live in Atreno City. It has been a week after the events of the ex-heroine Miss Heed’s detainment to P.E.A.C.E. Now we bring you to the aftermath of this week’s happenings. Recently, crime rates have gone up significantly—“ A graph was presented, with the days this month to compare and measure how big the rates were.
Demencia arched her eyebrows at that. By her side, 5.0.5 let out an audible and confused noise. Meanwhile, Flug was stunned from where he sat. Crime rates have gone up significantly? Something definitely wasn’t adding up.
If the crime rates were going that ridiculously high, why weren’t there people who contacted the organization? Surely there would be a few villains who’d ask for some weaponry or even equipment to commit said crimes.
“—heroes are being dispatched and doing the best they can to fight against it. We wish them the best in bringing these villains to justice.” Flug rolled his eyes the same time Demencia blew a raspberry at the T.V. “We would also like to inform everyone again about the presence of Dr. Kenning Flugslys, also known as the arch-nemesis of Goldheart. The evil scientist that was once declared missing by escaping from a mysterious aircraft nine years ago after being thwarted by our beloved hero, Goldheart, now revealed to be the mad scientist infamously known as Dr. Flug. Currently, he wore a paper bag and goggles on his head as a new way to hide his identity. Please beware—“
“WHAT!?”
Flug shot up from his seat. He gripped the sides of his paper bag in panic. The news segment switching off to talk about the the latest report and progress of some hero about getting rid of villainy the past week.
They figured out his full government name and secret identity now! Great! He should have known sooner. Oh he could have at least erased any digital footage of him using his secret mecha suit. Maybe then he wouldn’t have gotten caught so carelessly like that!
He had thought of it when he first used it, but he supposed the aftermath of the events took a toll on him, and he forgot. Stupid.
All the more reason he was the most wanted man in the country! At the very least as Dr. Flug, he was completely obscure and simply a mystery aside from the fact his only occupation was that he was working under the Black Hat Organization, but now—
He gulped nervously. Now that Goldheart knows he exists, he’ll track him down. And if what Cecilia said was true about him taking down villainy for good, well, they have to be prepared.
“I didn’t know he was your arch-nemesis, doc,” Demencia grinned her feral grin, sounding ecstatic at the new information. She gave her a playful nudge of her elbow, “Guess that explains your whole beef with him.”
“Of course he’s my arch-nemesis.” Flug thought that was obvious. After all, he was always ranting openly of his mockery and disdain on the superhero. “What? You think I just hate on a specific hero just for the sake of it?”
“Yeah!” Demencia answered with utmost confidence, “Aren’t you a nerd? Isn’t it like, a thing that you hate jocks?”
“Ugh.” Yeah, he wasn’t going to bother with that anymore.
“Bwar?” The bear tilted his head at him, concern remaining to be visible on his face.
“I don’t know, Fives,” Flug sat back in his seat, slumping down at it as if all the energy had completely drained from his body. Because what else was there to do? It was too late now and it’s not like he could actually do something about it.
He could think positive, however. Like, for one, he was already wanted in the first place, what’s another target on his back if Goldheart still couldn’t locate him?
…But on the other hand…
Flug gloved fingers started to fidget, anxiety getting the best of him.
Black Hat might not be so pleased to hear this.
The deadline arrived, and Flug made sure to prepare himself for a scheduled meet with his boss. The invention stood in the middle of his lab in perfect display, ready for utilization and advertising. Camera equipment set to a perfect spot since yesterday. Now all that was left to do is meet with his boss.
He had been waiting anxiously, but at the same time, he was determined to get some answers as to why the business had been running to a slow stop as of recently.
And also, most importantly, the likeliness of his boss, the Black Hat, ignoring him.
He faced the door, and with a careful hand, knocked a specific pattern that let his boss know it was him. (Although, Flug was also positively sure Black Hat could already detect him without knocking behind the door, but Flug was adamant to keep a sense of normalcy into the routine, though small in this horrific workplace.)
No response but Flug didn’t need one.
Running on autopilot, he opened the door—
Only to be met with no one sitting on the office chair.
…What?
Flug shook his head, wading away the negative thoughts.
If anything, Black Hat could easily just be playing a trick on him, like usual. A very horrific, and not so funny to him but very much hilarious to Black Hat himself, trick. He could might as well be hiding in the shadows, waiting for a perfect moment to strike and jumpscare him until he screams at the top of his lungs and faints.
Swallowing down the nervous lump in his throat, Flug spoke into the empty room, “Sir? Lord Black Hat, sir…?” His voice was a quiet whisper, afraid that if he raised his voice, Black Hat would come out of the floor to reprimand him and torture him for raising his voice at such a sacred place.
Nothing.
He hoped this was a new joke, otherwise Flug was at a loss of Black Hat actually avoiding him.
“Black Hat?” He called out, much louder, his normal voice.
Nothing.
“Black Hat!” He was yelling now, his voice raised in panic and desperation. “Jefecito! Please come out!”
He came here to have Black Hat use the latest invention just as the eldritch instructed the deadline should be, where the hell was he?
Where is Black Hat?
There was a high chance he could just have gone for an evil trip outside too, but Flug doubted it. Black Hat never once missed a deadline, it was impossible! Otherwise, this was the first time, but Flug knew for a fact his boss wouldn’t dare do such a thing without leaving an announcement to postpone the meeting until much later.
“W-well, if you can hear me at least, sir, which I know you do due to your amazing omnipresence,” Flug evened out his voice, reminded of his boss’ ability. “The invention’s ready as per your request, sir! So, just—let me know when to test it!” He forced out some enthusiasm in his tone.
Silence answered him, but Flug ignored it, continuing, “I’ll just be in the lab if you need anything! Getting back to work right away, sir!” He saluted eagerly, before moving almost too frantically to the door, his mind frazzled as he struggled to open the doorknob for a brief moment before swiftly opening it and closing the door behind him.
Flug stood in the hallway.
He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, his shoulders slumping down like weights finally lifted.
There was still an entire day ahead of him until midnight. No need to panic, Flug.
He couldn’t help but reassure himself, and while his mind continued to think about what this could possibly mean, Flug forced himself to move towards his lab, his legs working on autopilot to take him there while his head tilted down to the carpeted floor, completely lost in thought.
After having finished dinner, everyone had already headed back into their quarters to sleep.
Flug wasn’t so lucky. He sat at the edge of the bed, fiddling with a small miniature plane model as he ran his mind to do the works.
There was zero work left. Chores? Done. Invention assignments? Done! Paperwork and emails? Done—
Midnight struck on his digital clock, just as Flug had been waiting for.
And yet, silence met him.
No sign of Black Hat.
Flug sighed, covering his goggles as he closed his eyes shut.
Something was very wrong.
Usually, this would be the perfect time for Black Hat to exit his office and go back to bed. Still, he didn’t bother to see Flug.
If by any chance Black Hat isn’t present by tomorrow either, Flug just might have to pull out one of his inventions that he had been strictly forbidden to use ever since his employment.
Safe to assume he didn’t get any sleep after this.
“Whatcha got there, doc?” Demencia asked while they waited for their breakfast.
“A tracking device,” Flug responded without looking up from his trusty personal tablet. It displayed a large map.
“What does it do?” Demencia let out a delighted noise as 5.0.5 arrived at her side and brought down her very tall pile of waffles.
“Why, I’m so glad you asked. This thing here helps me access the security cameras anywhere.”
“Never seen you using that before,” Demencia commented, before shoving a mouthful of waffles in her mouth.
“Yeah, well, I’m not really supposed to have access to this, like, at all. I have one only for my labs but outside?” Flug shook his head, recalling the threat of the memory, “Lord Black Hat is the only one who’s allowed to have one, as per his request.”
“And you’re going against him?!” For the first time?? Demencia looked at him in shock, like he was crazy for doing something Lord Black Hat strictly told him not to do. Then she grinned, her eyes sparkled as she yelled out, “Sick! I didn’t know you were that cool!”
“I’ve always been cool!” Demencia gave him a doubtful look at that.
“Nah! Usually you’d be shaking in your boots at the thought of even disobeying our lord, Black Hat!”
“Well, this is different!” Flug shot back, “I haven’t seen Black Hat at all yesterday! Actually, this entire week! It’s like he’s pretending as if I don’t exist!”
“Seriously? Still?” Demencia glanced at 5.0.5, who shrugged with a worried look. “5.0.5 saw him leaving the manor earlier this morning.” Then clasping her hands together, she swooned, “probably up to some evil stuff!”
“He went outside?” His grimace must have shown through his paper bag and goggles, because now Demencia and 5.0.5 were giving him equal looks of surprise. “Ugh. He didn’t even bother to visit the lab! The deadline was yesterday and he was the one who completely forgot about it.”
“He wasn’t in his office?”
“No!” Flug yelled, now slumping down on the table, pushing aside his tablet and now cold plate breakfast to the side, folding to cover his face with his arms. “I even tried shouting, but he still didn’t come out.”
He was actually going to go insane. God, he hated not being informed. He hated not knowing things.
And he never thought he’d miss Black Hat this much.
“Yeesh, maybe Hatty's really is ignoring you,” Demencia frowned deeply, cringing for her dear friend. “You know, now that I think about it, I haven’t heard my lord speaking at all.”
“What do you mean?” Flug lifted his head from his arms, enough to reveal his eyes behind his goggles. He sounded pitiful. Like he was legitimately trying not to cry. In other circumstances, Demencia would have probably laughed, but, yeah this is too serious to even laugh about.
5.0.5 and her shared a look, seeming to have made a silent agreement with one another as they nodded. They both turned their heads back to face Flug.
“We mean that we do see him pass by sometimes in the morning, like usual, but we never really hear him say anything…?” Demencia frowned slightly, before a confident grin replaced it. “Like, you know me. I always hear my dear Black Hat’s hot voice from far away, even if we’re cities apart~” Flug rolled his eyes at her antics. “But like, I just, never hear his voice. Even if I’m hiding in the events, I’ve never heard a peep from him lately.”
“Bawr, Awraboo.” 5.0.5 added, which translates to ‘He hasn’t even tortured me at all lately,’ which also translates to, ‘He ignores me even when I see him around or pass by.’
They table was silent for a moment. But eventually, Flug came to a simple conclusion.
“Holy shit.” He straightened from his seat, processing the new information brought to the table, “He’s ignoring all of us,” a pause, then much irritated, “but moreso me.”
“Roo?” 5.0.5 pointed his paw at the tablet, guessing.
“Precisely! I’m using this to track down Black Hat!” Flug responded back, now much more confident as he picked up the tablet. ”I’ve already done a few tweaks to upgrade it but I’m not so sure if it can locate Lord Black Hat without a tracker.” However, Flug let himself be confident because this was the very same device that managed to capture the whereabouts of Black Hat through science and a mix of supernatural readings before he worked under him, which, after a flight accident, led him right to his home.
5.0.5 pushed the plate of waffles in his line of sight.
“Thank you, sweet pea.” Flug gave his son an apologetic look as he took a bite. It had gone cold but, “It’s delicious as always.” 5.0.5 smiled at that.
A beep resounded, and immediately, Flug snapped his attention to the tablet. Demencia leaned in to see as well, and 5.0.5 followed after.
On the screen, Flug read out,
“Marín City.”