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They catch him when he's out on a morning run by himself. He's in his head, thinking about the training the team is supposed to go through so it's an embarrassingly short scuffle before he's subdued. He fights the whole way even after they shackle his arms and legs, manages to kick two into a tree as several others lift him up. Maybe he should yell for help, but he's Sky, he doesn't yell for help.
By the time they get him to Grumm's ship, he's starting to think maybe that was a stupid decision, especially after they snap a collar around his neck. That goes doubly so when one of the Orangeheads pushes a button on a remote and electricity sizzles through his blood, makes all his muscles seize, and brings his thoughts to a halt for one blistering second. The next time he's aware of himself again they're dragging him through the ship by the chain attached to his shackled ankles.
He flicks his gaze around, taking in the creepy, rib-like structure of the the ship and the very skin-like walls as if the whole thing is some horrific living being. There's fog swirling like someone left on a smoke machine at a party, but the air smells absolutely foul and the floor has a weird kind of flex with every step the kybots take.
Then they pass through some kind of door that opens with a fleshy, squelch and they're pulling him to his knees, yanking his head up to meet the malevolent gaze of the Emperor Grumm. He's seen video of the being, but that's nothing compared to the sheer daunting, overwhelming wicked aura Grumm exudes. Sure the horns are somewhat intimidating, along with the bone armor that rattles with every little movement, but it's the presence that presses down on him from every direction that really triggers Sky's fight or flight instinct.
"Ah, SPD Blue, nice of you to make yourself such an easy target," the alien intones, voice a low growl of threat and danger. "Now you have the honor of basking in my presence."
"Honor isn't what I'd call it," Sky immediately shoots back.
He's expecting retaliation, another electric shock maybe, what he doesn't see coming is the Emperor himself flying off his throne to backhand him so hard he sees stars for a second. The power behind that strike could have easily broken his neck if he were just a normal human. He can taste the copper of blood in his mouth, feel it dribbling down his chin.
"You will speak only when spoken to!"
And Sky. Well.
"You could have told me that first."
Now the electricity comes, burning paths of agony, making his muscles seize again. He can't stop himself from tip forward and they don't catch him. His face smacks the weird, leathery floor with a crack that rings through his head. All he can do is jerk helplessly for the few seconds the torment lasts.
"YOU WILL BE SILENT!"
Rough metallic hands drag him back to his knees and a bone armored finger curls under his chin, making him raise his head to once again look at the Emperor. The alien has leaned down from his throne, is nearly eye to eye, and well, that's an opportunity Sky isn't going to let go to waste. He grins all bloody lips and teeth and then spits directly Grumm's face.
The alien emperor roars with the kind of fury that vibrates the whole ship, his wicked presence absolutely crushes down. At the same time the krybots pounce Sky and he has just a moment to feel some bit of triumph before it disappears under the weight of too many punches and kicks.
