You awaken in bed the following night, opening your eyes seeing the sun rise over Los Angeles as you wipe the crust from your eyes.

Looking over to see Tora lightly snoring in her bed, you notice she's wearing shorts. Upon closer inspection her bare legs are seen alongside her wide hips. 

Tora soon wakes up with a yawn. Her ice blue eyes center on you.

Tora: Morning. 

Y/N: Morning to you too, Tor.

Tora gets up to walk away from her bed and do the morning routine. You follow suit. Tora grabs her toothbrush and scrapes it against her teeth. She then takes the mouthwash to gargle it before spitting it back out in the sink.

Tora: So what's the plan for today?

Y/N: Beating up crooks, keeping the peace, what else could we do?

Tora: Go to a cafe or something?

Y/N: That sounds good but let's just focus on our job first. 

Tora: Right. 

Minutes later. 

The both of you soon dress up and head out the door to the SDN. However, you split from Tora, floating into the air.

Tora: Where are you going?

Y/N: To see what Robert's up to. With the way I see it, he's getting his mech suit back. 

Tora: After it fell from the sky at that height? I still believe in him fixing up the suit but we'll need a miracle work on our hands.

Y/N: You'd be surprised.

Taking off into the air, you head to Robert's.

As you hover over the street, you see Royd placing parts of the Mecha Man suit in the back of a truck. Robert walks out from the balcony holding a box as he notices you.

Robert: Y/N. Nice to see you.

Y/N: You too.

Royd looks up.

Royd: Ey' buddy!

You only salute Royd as he grabs the leg of the mech to put in the back of a truck. 

Robert: Woah woah woah hey, what are you doing?

Royd: Bruddha, your warranty is already void. 

Robert heads back in his apartment as Royd puts the rest of the leg in the truck. Robert doesn't waste time to get down to the street, walking up to Royd. 

Royd: No worries. I pretty strong.  

Robert: That's not what I'm saying.

You land down on the ground raising your goggles to rest on your forehead. Royd fist bumps you.

Royd: How'd you get dis ting in your apartment anyways? Supah heavy da buggah.  

Robert: I disassembled it and took it in tiny pieces. Which is what I thought you would be doing. 

Royd: And how long dat take you?

Robert: 3 or no, it was 4 days.

Royd: I get 20 minutes.

Royd strolls back you.

Y/N: Robbie, you got the willpower of a trooper.

Robert: Yeah. A trooper of metal and bolts.

Y/N: You know I mess up any and all tech through my nanites, right? Not only can I hack like you can, I could shut the suit down with just a few ports from my fingers.

Robert looks at you.

Robert: What?

Y/N: Buuuut I'll save it for the day we'll have to fight a scary ass homicidal robot.

The two of you laugh. 

Robert: If we do I'll owe you a beer. 

Y/N: Heh. Holding you to it, Robert. 

The two of you follow Royd back into Robert's place. Looking around, it's nearly grey and lifeless apart from a few colorful sticky notes on the fridge.

Robert: You ought to be more gentler with it. It is, you know, my whole fucking life.

You stop walking.

Y/N: Jesus. You really dislike color that much?

Royd: I gotta agree with Genny on this. Evy time I walk in dis place, I get sad. That not happen to you? No one ever tell you that? 

Robert: Um, I've been focused on being Mecha Man. It was kind of a full time thing. 

Royd: Whilst you only got time for buy that bubblegum chair. 

Y/N: Dude, we really got get some posters in here and-

Robert: Don't. It's fine the way it is.

Y/N: If you say so.

Royd walks over to pick up a box.

Royd: This da type of apartment you see when da detective kick da door down ya know? Shine da flashlight? Serial killah type shit. 

Robert: Alright, I get it. Can we focus on- 

Royd: Where da Astral Pulse at?

Robert: Lost it in the blast while I was flying. No clue where it landed. I spent a few weeks after it happened trying to track it down. 

Royd: It powah da whole suit. 

Robert: It's the only piece of the suit my dad didn't have the blueprint for. That gonna be a problem? 

Royd: Not really. We'll figure it out.

The three of you soon make it to SDN, parked on the side loading bay. Robert gets out the truck and steps on the bay.

Robert: How'd you know about the Astral Pulse? 

Y/N: I know it's every bad guy's sought after x-mas present. That's what. Been hearing all about different people wanting their hands on it since I was 5.

Robert: What?

Royd: Bruddah, everyone know about da astral pulse? It actually 2 wicked pieces a tech, huh? First you get da Astral Pulse, dis genius design energy cell, but inside 'em, you get da Stellar Core. 

Robert: I can I help?

Royd: Nah. You good. 

The 3 of you step into the lower parts of SDN. Royd is still carrying a leg while Robert is carrying Beef in a box.

Royd: Wus crazy is, when you mix da control fusion reactions wit da plasma containment? Hoo, brudda, you gotta core one supah crazy energized plasma state. Unreal stuffs. Like you caught one small star an trap em in a bottle. Genius. 

Robert: Guess that sounds pretty fuckin' important. You said we're good?

Royd: Da Astral Pulse supah awesome but uh, we'll be alright. 

You, Royd, and Robert walk into Royd's lab.

Royd: Damn. Maybe we go for lightah metal dis time eh?

Royd sets his box down looking back at Robert. 

Royd: You know, I actually met your dad one time, long ago. First time I come mainland, he wen tryin fo steal stuff from Radio Shack. Den we talk tech stuff fo' like one whole hour. Den he wen take me jail. That's how ended up in the Phoenix Program. 

Robert: Wow. That's... longer than any convo I ever had with him. 

Royd: Bummahs.

Y/N: I'm guessing you crossed paths my parents as well? Their hard work cured illnesses globally. 

Royd: Nah. From wat I know, Mr. & Mrs. Salazar barely went in tah public despite da mass respect they got.

Y/N: Sounds about right, Royd. When I was little they never really wanted to appear TV or any newspaper. Privacy does wonders sometimes.

Royd stands up.

Robert: Guess when you're building Astral Pulses there's not much time for talking to your son.

Royd: Mmm.. not so sure about that. 

Robert: I don't understand.

Royd: You see, there's gearheads. Like Y/N right hea. Then there's science nerds. One kind garage, the other lab, you know? Yo fadda a good gearhead but I just can't see how he make something like da Pulse. He no science nerd. 

Robert: And would know this from just talking to him once?

Royd: Cause I'm both. 

The lab then goes dark with the windows being covered by metal shutters.

Royd: I'm da one gon fix ya suit. 

Another room opens up in front of you to show another inner section with schematics, machines, consoles, panels, and just about everything you'd expect in a high tech facility. 

Royd: (as he's pointing) That one ova der, that your faddah suit. We gonna make this one da Robert suit. 

Royd puts glasses on and types away on a few keys on a table's console. A holographic display of what will be appears. The new suit.

Y/N: Holy...

Robert: This is incredible, Royd. 

Beef is pawing the lower parts of the table only to be lifted up by you and placed on top. 

Royd: I hope you like it, bruddah. 

Y/N: The very moment Robert gets this suit, he'll be back in business. For good this time.

Royd: That's what I'm working towards.

Robert laughs in triumph. 

Robert: Royd, I don't know what to say... thank you. This is unreal. 

Royd: We'll make the Man Mecha again. 

Robert holds his fist out as does you and Royd. The three of you fist bump. 

Soon later, you and Robert walk out of an elevator. Beef is still being carried in the box by Robert. 

Y/N: Who do think I'm beating up this time?

Robert: (as he's looking at his phone) Whoever is showing up on the radar, Y/N.

Golem bumps into Robert making him drop his phone. You catch it with quick reflexes. Handing it back to Robert, he stares at Golem but doesn't say anything. 

Robert: Think he did that on purpose?

Y/N: Considering the fact that the team laughed at you yesterday just for the fuck of it? He most likely did.

As Robert goes over to his cubicle you head to the break room. Prism and Malevola are standing there talking to each other once they hear the sounds of your boots going across the floor they look to you.

Malevola: And here's the rookie.

Y/N: Say the rookie.

Malevola chuckles.

Malevola: Man has jokes. Love it.

Prism: Mind telling how you got your powers? Was it wild ass shit like eating too many screws?

Y/N: Nope. Had cutting edge nanites injected into my body. Immune system didn't like it at first but soon got used to having them coexist with my biology. Prism, hit me.

Prism: The fuck?

Y/N: Come on!

Prism gets up to punch you in the face, knocking out a tooth. Seconds later, the nanites rebuild the tooth molecule by molecule, restoring it fully. Prism and Malevola are surprised.

Prism: DAYUM! Any sucker fighting you today betta run!

Y/N: I'm hoping they don't. Feeling extra punchy today.

Blonde Blazer walks in the room. She bends over to pick the tooth up by wrapping it around in a napkin, and puts it in the trash can. She sighs.

Blonde Blazer: Please refrain from hurting your co-workers on the premises, Prism.

She leaves.

Y/N: (as you whisper) It was worth it.

Malevola: Lemme guess, your bones can't be broken?

Y/N: Not at all. Nanites done hardened them together to the point where even getting hit by a car does nothing to 'em. My skin sure does but as you've just seen, nanites will just put me back together.

Malevola: Huh. That's... kinda hot.

Y/N: Stick around and you'll find out a bit more about me, Malevola.

You get close to Malevola only for Prism to stick her arm in the way.

Prism: Woww, okay Mr. Badass, I'll be sure to see for myself when we're out on the field.

Y/N: You'll get front row seats to the show, Prism.

Prism laughs as she exits the room with Malevola. Courtney appears.

Courtney: You don't have to play coy with me, Y/N. I know you went off to fuck Blonde.

Y/N: I sure did.

Courtney: Ha. Lucky lady. 

Y/N: How'd you know anyway?

Courtney: I saw you. With my own eyes. Carrying Blonde into the air. -_- 

She gets close to you with a grin.

Courtney: So what was she like?

Y/N: Amazing. I'd love to go down and dirty on her again but uh, she is a busy lady most of the day. 

Courtney: Pff. Obviously. Trying to put a ring on that?

Y/N: Wha- no-

Courtney: We've known each other for 5 months before the universe ripped us apart, Y/N. In that time frame I always knew Blondes were your weakness. Like Samus.

Y/N: When it comes to a lady as hot as her I will not confirm or deny any of this.

Courtney laughs as she hits your shoulder with your fist gently. You grin and hit her back just as gently.

Courtney: Anyways, once we're done hanging out around all these pompous ass capes, are you down to hang out after today?

Y/N: You know it. 

Courtney: Good. Us making up for those lost 15 years is a must.

Courtney slaps your ass before she goes invisible. You chuckle.

Y/N: I'll be sure to return the favor, Court.

Courtney: Counting on it.

 Placing your hand against the vending machine, you hack into it. It glows bright blue as 2 snickers bars and 2 Butterfingers drop from the shelves. You grab them and put them into your pocket as you walk out.

Robert gets to his desk placing the box down on top of a short file cabinet. He then notices a wet but nice thank you note left behind by Waterboy. 

Robert: Hey Chase, I need a favor. 

Chase: Favor? It's not enough of a favor gettin' you this job workin with those crazy pieces of- (spots Beef) ohh hey boy! Who this huh? Who's this little guy? 

Robert: His name's Beef and he's the favor. You mind keeping an eye out? I feel bad leaving him at home but I don't want anything happening to him-

Chase is holding Beef.

Chase: Robert, I would literally let everyone here melt in eternal hell, including you, before anything happens to this dog.

You, Tora, and Blonde Blazer appear. Tora only forms one snowflake to float down to Beef, he licks out the ear before Tora scratches behind his ears softly. You tease Beef by poking at his nose. Blonde Blazer rubs his stomach.

Blonde Blazer: Who's this little guy? 

Robert: (with his mouth covered and a strange voice) My name's beef and I'm naked. 

Blonde Blazer: Oh, I refuse to believe that's what he sounds like.

Y/N: I'm on the same boat as you, Blonde.

Tora: As am I. 

Blonde Blazer looks to you and Robert.

Blonde Blazer: Hey. You two got a sec?

Robert: Always. 

Chase and Tora remain with Beef. He licks Tora's face as she laughs.

You and Robert step into Blonde's office. Robert closes the door. 

Y/N: What's up?

Blonde Blazer: About the other day, with Y/N.

Robert: Oh right, how was dinner?

Y/N: Went as well as can be. 

Blonde Blazer: But I'm going to let the elephant in be known off the bat. Phenomaman and I... broke up yesterday as well.  

Robert: Oh shit. Why?

Blonde Blazer: We all have personal lives. And our normal selves without the cape on. He basically saw me just Blonde Blazer. And not who I am. But when Y/N came here, the timing just felt right. I don't know, sometimes you just gotta shake shit up. It may have felt a little wrong for cutting ties with him after knowing him for a while, but maybe it was a long time coming. 

Robert: I don't mean to intrude how things are going between you and Y/N, but are you more... happy?

Blonde Blazer: Happy is understatement. I feel like I can really be myself around him.

You smile. Kissing her.

Blonde Blazer: As for Phenomaman, it is what it is. But that's not the only thing I wanted to talk to you two about. I was thinking about it over the weekend and... we'll have to cut Hunter. Or, you are, rather. 

Robert: Huh? Why? 

Blonde Blazer: Since his legs, arms, and teeth are all made with technology, his mind can't handle it. We got a report that he blacked out and nearly attacked a small team of cops at the pier. I know Hunter means well, but we cannot have our public image ruined this way.

Y/N: I heard of him back when I was under Providence. We tried to take him out. But even he slaughtered squads upon squads of whoever tried to capture him. Can't exactly blame him for going down the path he went.

Blonde Blazer: You sound like you knew him.

Y/N: I did. He was my juvie cellmate since I was 12. He got sick at 15. His arms, legs, and teeth started to rot away outta nowhere. Took us all by surprise. Providence stepped in and gave him two options. To either die on jail or work with Providence. He chose the second option only to go full Casper and drop off the face of the Earth. Once we found him again years later, he turned into a one man merc with more metal on him than flesh.

Blonde Blazer: Oh... well, he is a danger to law enforcement and is in turn, a danger to the people. He has to be let go. 

Robert: I know we have the manpower to beat him back if he does go crazy, but I'm just not sure how it'll play out in the long run. 

Blonde Blazer: The reality is cutting someone towards the bottom of the leaderboards will show everyone here we're serious. 

Y/N: As long as it means nobody underserving doesn't get hurt, I'd say cut him.  

Robert goes silence for a moment.

Robert: I'll let the team know.

Blonde Blazer: Oh, I already did. 

Robert: Then I suppose it be a very... interesting shift. 

Robert leaves the office. 

Y/N: Asides from that, are you down for another night out?

Blonde Blazer: I wish I was. But I'm needed for an overnight operation in San Francisco. I'm sorry, Y/N. 

Y/N: It's fine. Love you.

Blonde Blazer: I love you too.

You also leave the office, closing the door. 

Then going around the corner to see the leaderboard. 

Y/N: Sheesh. We're all at rock bottom. 

Chase walks up, still holding Beef.

Chase: (points at Prism) Eh. She's not bad. Those other 3 downwards ain't shit.

Robert: Did you come over here to tell us that? Cause it's almost exactly the same information the leaderboard gives you. 

Chase: Actually, smart ass, I came over here to tell you that one of your team members are in need of assistance. 

You pat Robert's shoulder and then head out, flying away from SDN on the Sky Slyder. Tora follows you in the air.

Robert goes over to his cubicle to sit at his desk, putting his headset on. Robert shifts through the camera's to find Sonar cuffed to a weight in the gym area. 

Robert: Sonar. You alright? Why are you sending a distress call when you haven't left the building?

Sonar: Could you send a locksmith downstairs?

Robert: (sighs) What happened?

Sonar: Hunter caught me off guard. 

Hunter: Hey, he was going to suck my blood. I saw his eyes glow. I'm not trying to walk around with rabies, dude.

Sonar: But who's fault is it that you accidentally cut yourself on all that metal trying to take out your gun?

Robert: Okay team, I know Blazer mentioned someone is getting cut, but don't let that distract you from doing a good job out there. That's what you'll be judged on. 

Invisigal: What a bunch of bullshit.

Malevola: Sorry, what's bullshit?

Invisigal: This judgy bullshit.

Prism: Yeah. Only god can judge me. 

Robert: Okay, false, I am judging you right now.

Generator: What, are we apart of a fucking high school arts and crafts project with a teacher overseeing us? 

Flambae: We don't need to be judged. We just have to get our jobs done. 

Robert: Uh, also false. Of course I'm being judged with the rest of you. I'm being judged with the rest of you. Are you- do you not know what a job is? The hell is going on with you?

Invisigal: None of us have had real jobs, dude. How is this a shock to you? 

Robert: Alright, fine. Just ignore the pressure and do your jobs. You don't need to be first, you just can't be last.

Ice: That's more like it. 

Sonar: What about me? 

Robert: (stands up) Can someone go downstairs and help batboner? (sits back down)

Chase peeks over from his cubicle. 

Robert: Don't ask.

A hero goes downstairs for Sonar.

Sonar: I'm losing feeling in my hand. And not in a good way.

The said hero appears to clap their hands together, pulling them apart to show bolt cutter. They cut the chain off of Sonar. 

As the Z-Team gets to work, things sure do happen. 

Ice pushes Flambae into a freezer on the street. She waves her hand to block the door with ice.

Flambae: Ah, you bitch.

Ice: I saw you trying to burn me. If anyone's going to help out with this fire it doesn't need to be you. 

Flambae tries to free himself from the freezer, only to get hypothermia and go back to SDN to simmer himself back up. 

Meanwhile, Punch Up punches Golem into water. 

Golem: Dammit. Can't move. Mud. Cement. It don't mix. 

Punch Up: Technically he did it to himself. 

Golem pries himself loose to go back to SDN as well. 

Robert: Uh huh. Guys, you know this is really fucking immature right?

Coupe: It serves them right. You let your guard down, you perish. 

Robert: That's a pretty fucked way to live.

Generator: Uh, hello? You have a guy who had to live out most of his life behind a cell here.

You swiftly dodge a blade that was sent at you. You look over to see Coupe. You form a blaster rifle shooting at her, she dodges the shots. Your missed shots went through a billboard hitting nobody.

Coupe: Then you better watch your back.

Generator: I'll blow you apart before you even a chance to.

Robert: Oh my god... you do realize that sabotaging each other isn't going get you higher on the leaderboard right? Fucking idiots.

Generator: Hey, I got better things to worry about than a dumbass elementary school star chart. 

You and Coupe go separate ways as the rest of the Z-Team continues to help out around Torrance. 

Swooping down, you swap to the Speed Bike to chase after a speeding car that is also being chased by police. 

You get right next to the car and then to the front, the Speed Bike dissolves as you stand firm to stop the speeding car with your enhanced strength, forming the Punk Busters around your feet, you rise into the air with the Smack Hands going around your arms. The robbers scream as they go flying into the air after you tossed them only to crash back down in an alley. The crowd nearby already sees you heading off from the scene on the Sky Slyder. 

However... something else happens.

Prism lured Malevola to a cult that worships her.

Malevola: Ugh... they're trying to touch me with their clammy hands. 

Prism: You know how fuckin' rich can get this? I'm doing you a favor, girl.

Malevola only fights her way out of the cult, tossing the idiots away and all to head back to SDN.

Malevola: Y/N could've busted them all without a sweat.

Generator: I could've. Buuut I was busy stopping a car with my bare hands. 

Malevola: Still hot by the way.

Robert: Guys... let's not flirt over the open channel.

Y/N: No promises, Rob. 

The day progresses with the usual robbery or crime being stopped. 

Yet the hijinks continue. 

Invisigal trapped an exhausted Coupe in an alley with an angry dog, locking the gate and all.

Coupe: I didn't know dogs could be so huge. And menacing.

Ice: They were secondary hunters to us humans in the olden days for a reason. 

Coupe managed to evade the dog by moving slowly, escaping the gate and flying again. 

Invisigal: Are you kidding me...

Coupe: I've evade capture by 7 foreign agencies. I can handle a leaving fucking dog.

It doesn't stop a for a second. 

Golem doxxed Prism who is now being swarmed by fans.

Robert: Oh my god, guys. Guys!

Prism: Oh you dirty motherfucker!

Golem: Anything it takes to get to the top, Prism.

Prism blasts the fans, and runs away from them, doing the flip.

Fan: We love you Prism! Wait, why can't I see?

Fan 2: I can't see either! But that don't stop me from being a fan.

Robert: Jesus. Talk about fanatism. 

As the day passes into the evening, the team keeps screwing each other over, and everytime the ones effected get back up. All while still stopping runaway trains, taking cats down from trees and such. 

During the few final hours of the 1st shift, the police call in for help. 

Police Dispatch: Burglar spotted heading towards the alley on (radio static) street. 

Malevola: I'll handle this. 

Generator: I'll end it first before we get into another fight.

Invisigal: As long as demon lady fucks off we're all good. 

Robert: Guys, what are you doing?

Robert brings up live footage of you and Visi in the alley.

Invisigal: Not getting cut.

You land down.

Generator: Me neither. I know Blonde gave me a chance to be here, but I'm not taking any chances.

Invisigal picks up a chain and wraps it around one of your Smack Hands.

Invisigal: It's like you said; the leaderboard game is to not lose, right?

Robert: Yeah that's not what I said. 

Generator: Oh well, Robbie.

Invisigal takes a hit of her inhaler and crouches down in cover as you hide on the other side. 

Lightningstruck comes running around a corner as Malevola forms a portal in the alley jumping out of it. Lightningstruck passes the lowered chain first. You and Invisigal pull on the chain raising it, making Malevola fall down. She looks up at the two of you with a scowl.

Malevola: Bitches.

Malevola swings her sword, missing Visi as she goes invisible. You leap over her and fly off. She chases you. Lightningstruck gets scanned by Robert.

Robert: So, it seems the perp you're chasing is none other than Lightningstruck. This is the second time you let him get away.

Visi goes visible.

Invisigal: No shit? That's crazy. 

Malevola leaps in to swing at you. You respond by forming the BFS on your right hand, blocking her. Malevola stays on the offense as you're on defense. 

Chase is watching this from his cubicle. 

Chase: I'd normally say cut her but, with the way things are going, I'd cut the whole team. You need a reset, Robbie.

Robert inhales and exhales.

Robert: All Z-Team back to base and in the conference room in 20. 

You grab Invisigal and fly off into the air. 

Courtney: I could've handled her.

Y/N: Sure you would've. 

Minutes later.

The Z-Team returns to SDN, already inside. Sonar is the last to walk in as Robert drinks his coffee. 

Sonar: Anyone else think this is a waste of time?

Hunter: No need to think. It is. 

Robert walks in. Coupe twirls her knife. 

Coupe: Like what are doing here? 

Flambae: What the fuck is the point of this? 

Punch Up: I'd rather be somewhere else.

Malevola walks in through a portal.

Robert: Can everybody take a seat so we ca get started? 

Everyone else continues to talk over one another.

Robert: Hey can I get your attention please? I'd like to get started-

Golem walks in bumping Robert over into a few chairs. Except for Tora, everyone laughs. 

Sonar: Woah. Looks like this motherfucker's got the power flight. Nice. 

Robert grabs a chair and slams it into Golem. This shocks the room.

Robert: I understand you're big, but you need to be considerate of the people around you. Have a seat. 

Golem glares at Robert as the chair just falls back out. 

Golem: I'll sit on the floor.

Robert: Suit yourself. 

Golem does so as Blonde Blazer walks in with Chase.

Blonde Blazer: What's going on?

Robert: Hm? I offered him a seat.

And so, everyone sits down. 

Y/N: So, we getting this party started? 

Flambae: Come on just tell us what all of this shit is about. 

Robert: Alright. As you all know, by the end of today, one of you will be cut from the Z-Team. 

The table is full of groans of irritation.

Malevola: This is bullshit. 

Punch Up: Right? Cut me from a job I didn't want in the first place. 

Prism: Miss Blazer, if you gave us a Dispatcher who knew what they were doin', you wouldn't have to toss anyone out?

Flambae: I mean, we have one guy over here tripping his balls off after modding up his body like a car. 

Hunter: Hey, shut it. It was do or die on my end. I had no other choice. 

Prism: I'm serious.

Robert: Hey Nikki Mirage, I'm standing right here. You can talk to me. 

Prism: I wasn't talking to you bitch, which weak ass superhero you come from? Geek Squad? 

Robert: Doesn't matter where I'm from, Cardi C. What matter is I'm here to figure out who stays and who goes. 

Punch Up: Yeah, chill out Lady Haha. Let the man talk. 

Prism takes a knife from Coupe and dashes across the table to put it to Punch Up's neck. Blonde Blazer leans in, about to get involved. 

Prism: You talkin' shit you hipster motherfucker? Over here looking like Mumford fucked all his sons. 

Punch Up only laughs it off with a grin.

Punch Up: That was funny. See? We're just busting balls.

Prism: Keep talking and you won't have your tiny inbred balls left to bust. 

Coupe takes her knife.

Coupe: Ask next time or there won't be a next time. 

Prism: Don't threaten me you butter knife bitch.

You chuckle, covering your mouth with the side of your fist. 

Robert: Okay, I'll make it quick. Most people would look around this room and see a bunch of villains. Not even in the super kind. Just plain ass,  run of the mill vanilla fuckin' villains. But that's not what I see. Cause lucky for you, I'm not most people. When I look around this room, what I see is pure potential. 

Tora: I figured you were gonna call us let downs for a moment. 

Robert: Unfortunately for you all, it's a curse. Cause there isn't a thing in the universe that goes more wasted than potential. And despite how common it is, no one seems to forget. It's what they whisper when you leave the room. "Oh so and so had so much potential". It follows you around wherever you go. I'm here to help you lift the curse of potential by getting you to fucking do something with it.

Chase looks to Blonde with a small smile, proud of him and her for picking Robert.

Robert: You're all apart of the Phoenix Program. Any of you know what that is? 

Malevola: A city in Arizona. 

Flambae: The sweltering ball sack of America.

Chase: Nah, if Florida's the dick then Louisiana's gotta be the sack-

Robert: The Phoenix, according to legend is a beautiful bird of prey that was so tired of its immortality it  tricked the sun god into dropping a spark on its nest to set it ablaze, burning it to shit. But instead of dying, the Phoenix emerged from ash, reborn. All of you in this room are Phoenixes. And it's obvious what that means. But for you dumb ones, I'll spell it out. The phoenix symbolizes redemption. It's what you're here for. It's what connected everyone in this room.

You look around to see slight smiles.

Robert: To burn up who you were to become who you were meant to be.

Suddenly Courtney appears in a chair.

Y/N: And there's the lady of the hour.

Courtney: (with a smirk on the corner of her lips) Stuff it, Genny. Phoenix is a lame ass roommate listened to. 

Robert: You're late. 

Malevola: I like that band. 

Courtney: You would. What are you talking about? I was here the whole time. I turn invisible genius, remember?

Chase: Bullshit.

Y/N: Hey, lay off of Courtney for one minute will ya? Jesus. 

Robert: Then, Invisigal, you should know we're cutting someone free. And you, Miss Hot Topic Sale, are at the bottom of the board. Have a better 2nd shift.

Robert walks out with Blonde and Chase.

Coupe: Fuck, I need this job. 

Punch Up: What for, Coop? We all know you'll just be working the roulette wheel. 

Coupe: That's a croupier you idiot. 

Punch Up: The fuck's a croupier? 

Coupe: I'm just saying you're a degenerate gambler. 

You stand up.

Y/N: Robert was right you know. We've all done fucked up things in our past. But shouldn't allow ourselves to be tied down to former hardships. Only looking forward.

Courtney smiles. The others walk out as you follow them.

Once the break ends, you're all back out onto the streets again.

Blonde Blazer: Great speech back there, Robert. Alright everyone! You heard the man. Get out there do some stellar dispatching! You got this!

Ice: Ma'am yes ma'am.

The group goes around Torrance and assist the city all until the sun goes down. Only this time, the 2nd shift actually goes well. 

As the group stops for the day, you notice Courtney not around you. You pull out your phone to track her down as you fly after her.

Malevola: Huh. Pretty breathtaking work back there. 

Punch Up: Not too shabby at all. 

Flambae: This shit is weird. It's like we're working... what's the word, as a team?

Hunter: Bingo. 

Flambae: Isn't that a sex thing?

Prism: What typa sex thing would that be?

Flambae: It's not exactly safe for work. I'll text it to you. One sec.

Prism gets the picture message in no time.

Prism: God damn boy, that's some teamwork alright!

Robert notices you and Courtney out of the area.

Robert: Generator, Invisigal, where are you going?

Y/N: To find her.

Robert cycles thru city cameras until she sees Courtney sitting in swings. Courtney however is smoking a cig.

Robert: Are you.. smoking in a playground? The fuck is wrong with you?

Courtney: There you go, one more strike against me. You gotta get rid of someone right? I'm making it easy for you.

You land down.

Y/N: Courtney, you're not getting cut so easily. You have a place here at SDN with us. With me.

Courtney's heart skips a beat upon hearing that before her causal mood pushes it away. 

Robert: No, you're quitting. You're not making it easy for me. You're making it easy for you.

Courtney: You don't get it. Some people are born to heroes. I'm not one of them. I tried. It just wasn't meant to be. 

Y/N: Meant to be? 

Robert: What are you talking about?

Courtney: Blazer? Phenomaman? They have hero powers. Strong, out there for all to see, flying through the sky. Nothing to hide. 

Robert: What's your point?

Courtney: I have fucking villain powers. I can turn invisible and skulk in the shadows. My powers let me steal shit and watch famous people fuck. Being a villain is my fate. It's in the fucking stars.

Y/N: Co- Invisigal, your path isn't predetermined just because of that alone. There's always many more chances for you to sneak up on a crook and clock their shit in before they kill a hostage. Hell, even for you stop villain with a swift kick in their nuts. Anyways, what I'm saying is, the past can't hold you down for good. The future is always ready there for you to advance with it.

Courtney: Where'd you get that? Star Wars?

Y/N: Ha. A girl after my heart. Nah, channeled my inner Jedi on that one. 

Courtney: Which one?

Y/N: My goat Ahsoka Tano herself.

Courtney: Oh. She was always a kickass Jedi. Takes no shit, helluva fighter and all. 

Y/N: Amen.

Robert: What he said. SDN will happily keep you-

Courtney: You've already been a hero, okay? You have no idea what I'm dealing with.

Robert: Ah, get outta here. At least you were born with powers. I don't have shit. So according to your dumbass theory, I should be an accountant. 

Courtney: You aren't far off. 

Robert: Fate. Destiny. Not having powers. Severe seasonal depression. None of these things kept me from being a hero before, and they won't keep me from being a hero again. 

Robert's computer pings burglary in progress. 

Robert: Oh shit. You wanna talk about fate? That Lightningstruck fuck that's been on a spree is 2 blocks away from you. Maybe the 3rd time's the charm. Once I guide you two there, you're free to cuff his ass. 

Y/N: Say no more. 

Courtney thinks about it for a second until she caves in. She nods to you as you form the Speed Bike. Courtney hops on the back as you drive off.

Courtney: What's the deets?

At the jewelry store. 

Lightningstruck punches a guard. His goons walk behind him, destroying other display cases with bats and pipes. 

Lightningstruck: Shut the hell up! 

Lightningstruck blasts a case open and takes a gem.

Goon: You ain't too worry about that Generator loser dropping by and raining on our parade? 

Lightningstruck: No. Load that up.

The sounds of the Speed Bike are heard in the distance. You shift your nanites to the front, casting a ram on the bike. The bike smashes right through the front of the store, sending one of the goons into a wall. You and Visi hop off the bike. Lightningstruck charges up his cannon, but you quickly send out ports from your fingertips to latch onto his cannon and shut it down.

Lightningstruck: What the-

Lightningstruck gets clocked in his face, landing on the ground. The 2nd goon swings his pipe at you. You only from the chainsaw around your arm to slice through the pipe. Shifting back to your normal arm, you grab the goon and headbutt them to knock them out. Visi makes herself seen to walk over to Lightningstruck and place her boot on his stomach.

Invisigal: I'm no hero- fuck, lemme try that again. (she stomps on his neck) Now you see me- wait, uh, what about... lights out, Lightningcuck.

You chuckle.

Y/N: Real smooth.

Visi playfully hits your shoulder.

Robert: That's the one. Would've been better if you said that first. 

Invisigal: Right. Cause lighting. Thunder. Cuck. Struck. Fuck. So close. 

You grab Lightningstruck.

Y/N: Up you go buddy.

Invisigal: Care walk him through with me?

Y/N: Nope. Imma let you get the credit. You deserve the recognition for once. And I, for one, really don't want for you to go nowhere. I lo- care for you too much to let you go again.

Invisigal's eyes look at you with a certain admiration before she laughs.

Invisigal: That's what I like to hear.

She kisses your cheek.

Timeskip.

You walk in front of Invisigal into SDN.

Y/N: Hey guys, guess who Visi caught?

Lightningstruck is held by Visi as he's walked forward. The Z-Team hoot and hollers in celebration clapping for her.

Flambae: Hey Bangle Bitch!

Prism: or bitch boy.

Tora: About time!

Flambae: Hey bangle bitch boy! Eat shit!

Robert and Blonde are looking off to the side seeing the Team chatter excitedly. 

Robert: Why are those assholes not being assholes? 

Blonde Blazer laughs.

Blonde Blazer: Isn't this what you wanted? 

Robert: Yeah but I didn't think it would work. I don't get it. 

Blonde Blazer: So, this one keeps the comm lines one on one.

Blonde Blazer: This one connects to the whole team. 

Blonde Blazer: And this one goes out to the whole branch.

Robert: Fuck. She has a shot anyways.

Punch Up snaps a picture as Lightningstruck is further taken inwards. 

Blonde Blazer: Yeah. You got off light. One Dispatcher broadcast the details of his anti government manifesto. HR nightmare. 

She looks closely at Robert.

Blonde Blazer: All that stuff about fate, did you really mean that? You think she has a shot? It all sounded good but I don't know if you were just saying what you thought she needed to hear.

Robert: I want it to work. Someone like Invisigal turning it around in this program is what this program should be about. If Y/N is rooting for her, I'm on the sidelines doing the same. 

Blonde Blazer: So am I. Glad we're on the same page. 

As Blonde walks away, Robert looks to see the leaderboards. Then at Z-Team laughing it up together. He strolls over into Blonde's office.

Hunter's file and only Hunter's file is on the table. 

Blonde Blazer: It hurts me, but letting Hunter go is the right choice. 

Robert: What? That's not- Invisigal is still at the bottom.

Blonde Blazer: The one in the bullpen? That updates every hour. Invisigal moved up. Catching Lightningstruck was the boost she needed. 

She sighs again looking down at the file for a moment.

Blonde Blazer: I know I'm not supposed to play favorites but even if she was at the bottom, I still wouldn't let you cut her. 

Robert: Then it's a good thing she's not. 

Blonde Blazer: Which only leaves us to cut off Hunter. 

Robert grabs the file.

Robert: Alright. More SDN related civvie injuries will only make things worse. 

Blonde Blazer: I agree. I feel sorry for him given the circumstances he was forced into, but as I said before, it's for the best. I'll get started on the paperwork.

Robert: I'll call him up.

Robert gets up and walks towards the door.

Blonde Blazer: Hey. Robert. 

He looks back.

Robert: Great work today.

He leaves.

Minutes later.

Conference room.

Robert: I'm sure I know why you're here. 

Hunter: Am I getting transferred to a different branch? Like, what's going on here? 

Robert: You... well... due to the mental effects your cybernetics has on your brain, we'll have to cut you loose.

Hunter's eyes widen.

Hunter: You can't do this to me. Are you fucking serious? I WAS FORCED TO HAVE IT! YOU THINK I WANTED THIS?

Hunter punches his cybernetic fist through the table only to break it off but he doesn't care about the pain.

Robert: (covering his eyes with no fear) I'll get HR on this.

Hunter only growls. His eyes twitching.

Hunter: Watch your back, Robert. Next time I see you, Torrance is losing one more dispatcher.

Hunter only kicks the window out from the conference room. Tora, Coupe and Sonar look on in bewilderment. 

Tora: Hunter? Are you okay?

Hunter: DON'T FOLLOW ME.

He only leaves the building, getting on his bike and driving off. 

Robert goes back to his desk and places Hunter's cybernetic hand on the desk.

Chase: (peeks over his cubicle) You accessorizing? 

Robert: Kinda.

Chase: The way I see it, there ain't nothing like having the real thing and not any fake ass metals replacing what you are. But look. I've done some accessorizing myself. 

Robert walks over to see.

Robert: Ha. You're spoiling him.

Chase: Nonsense. What are you talking about?

Robert leans down to pick up Beef.

Robert: You ready to go home, bud?

Chae nudges Robert's shoulder. He follows his view to see Courtney taking a picture with you in front of the leaderboard with your ranks in view. The very moment the two of you notice Chase and Robert, Visi goes invisible and you're already outta sight with your enhanced speed.

Courtney reappears with you.

Chase: I still would've cut you.

Y/N: And I would've vouched for Visi whole send. 

Courtney looks at you and then Robert.

Courtney: Boys, thanks.

Courtney vanishes from sight as you walk away. Robert only smiles to himself.

As you walk, you're grabbed off to the side and kissed by Mandy.

Mandy Get home safe.

Y/N: I always do, Mandy. Love you.

Mandy: I love you too.

Mandy gives you one last kiss.

You walk out of SDN, forming the Speed Bike. Courtney reappears on the back.

Courtney: Oh no you don't. We still gotta catch up. The night's still young.

Y/N: I wouldn't have it any other way, babe.

Courtney chuckles, kissing your cheek.

Courtney: Don't push it. 

She rests her head on your back as she holds you. You only drive off from SDN.