~Chapter Four: The Grand and Evil 'have-a-great-day-at-school' Villain~
Dr Flug really thought about just hiding in the bathroom until all of this was over with. At least he had resources in here? Who was he kidding? Inhaling deeply and slowly, he tried to ignore the numbness taking over his fingers. Looking up to the mirror he stared back at the blank colour of his goggles.
Emerging back into the main room, the doctor was relieved to find 5.0.5 within close distance. The scientist rushed over and sighed visibly. The bear chuckled, aware of Dr Flug's anxiety and offered the young man a warming pat on the back. The scientist then looked over to where a few villains were talking with Demencia was nodding, her arms folded. Despite her more collected stature, there was something manic in her eyes.
Truth be told, he was keen to see what the villains were demanding in exchange for unharmed hostages. That was another thing the scientist would have to deal with. God...his head hurt. As he moved closer, seeming as naturally interested in the discussion as possible, he started overhearing the young woman reading out what must be current issues.
"Longer recreational time with more freedom of activity. Jigsaws just aren't doing it for our restless villain brains. Getting rid of the food booths. If they don't want us to sit together, let us eat in our rooms instead of cages. Also, the PureTech is messing with some of us. It's not healthy to be under this kind of exposure for so long. It's making us sick".
The scientist blinked at that one. Really? He knew it had inhibiting effects on the abilities of villains due to a calculative neurotransmitter found in a small microchip implanted into the base of the neck, but he didn't know it would affect their conditions to the point of illness...or did he? He'd never had time to think about it properly, he'd never worked with the stuff! But thinking about it now, it made sense. It made the villains weaker, of course, it would damage their immune system.
By now, Demencia had nearly finished listing off the various requests. None of which seemed...outrageous.
"Oi, you got any demands?"
Ah, she was talking to him.
"Right...well...maybe..."
Come on! What would any inmate want?
Freedom.
Well other than that...what benefited villains?
Killing heroes?
Oh yeah, that sounded like a great idea. Hey, any heroes volunteer to come and be target practise for the prisoners of Kokytus, the best that will happen to you is death.
Hang on.
Demencia looked ready to ignore the doctor when he piped up suddenly.
"Heroes...the hero to villain population is being thrown out hard because of the decreasing population of real, seriously bad villains..."
"That's what everyone outside wants, idiot", Demencia scoffed. One of the villains still standing nearby also chuckled.
"Well, h-heroes are heroes because they have villains to work against? R-right? I mean, I mean sure you have petty crime and natural disasters but, but you know there's too many over-powered heroes to deal with a few little problems. W-Without villains that can actually give them a challenge, they're going to be out of a j-job. Sure some of them want to retire like Jack Jupiter but heroes...they're similar to you guys. They have a power they need to let out or it gets dangerous and there's only so much you can give out when handling a handbag thief on the streets".
By now 5.0.5, Demencia and two more approaching inmates were listening, enraptured. A small crowd was forming, alhough they kept their distance. Dr Flug yelled at himself internally to stop but he was on a roll. The scientist ignored the bruising pulse of pain in his skull and continued.
"I think we should request for...a controlled release. A villain or a f-few can earn the right to be let out on conditional bail to wreak some havoc, keep the heroes in the public eye and praise. A PureTech device could be implanted in the villain so they could be controlled if things get too heated but if it's done well, with the right pattern and maybe even some v-villain apprentices on the outside to give the villain pool some width and diversity, it could be kept a secret to the public. So there isn't...i-isn't backlash against the wardens here or the authority of K-Kokytus. It would mean villains in here could get the chance to do what they do best, relieve some energy and s-such". Dr Flug finished with a heaving breath and a little jump when he saw the wide, amazed eyes surrounding him.
But his gaze went straight for the number one villain who had appeared among the commotion.
Black Hat felt a little dumbfounded. This new villain was proving to be quite the intriguing little soul. Realistically it was outrageous. How could any authorities guarantee the range of PureTech enough to control and drag back a villain when and if need be? Let alone the risk of being found out about. It's not like these villains would run out and vandalise some alleys. They were responsible for mass destruction and massacre. Lives and belongings would be lost should any of these villains return to the outside. But...Black Hat was impressed. He was also interested in how little Flug stuttered as he delved into his passionate speech. Just who was he? Black Hat had never heard of him before but sometimes the more anonymous threats were the most dangerous. Not that he knew anything about being anonymous. Speaking of, the other villains were getting rather excited about his request. Black Hat felt something coil inside, something vicious.
Dr Flug backed away from the crowd and ended up bumping into Black Hat, spinning around, the doctor seemed flustered with all the attention and potentially by the spirit of his own words. He almost...didn't look happy about it. Maybe he was some underground villain that didn't get kicks off his name being spread around the world like a disease. Either way, he was managing to retain some popularity right now-
"If it, if it wasn't for Black Hat, sir, h-here. I would never have been able to present this negotiation material. Cheers to Black Hat!" he cried, fumbling to hold onto the villain's arm and hold it as high as he could. The villains forgot themselves and fell into the cheering cries for Black Hat. They'd never been this excited before. All the while Black Hat blinked, before grinning wildly at the crowd and raising his arm higher. Slightly tugging Flug into his side and at the small whimper, he looked to the man. His grin faded and he gave Flug a look.
Black Hat decided there and then it wasn't any kind of pitiful envy bubbling within him. He didn't want Flug near these animals anymore. They didn't deserve-
Ah, none of that now.
The doctor made a noise of surprise as he was pulled into the side of the villain and he didn't dare look up. Just kept cheering with the others, god the noise hurt his head. His shoulders hunched upwards. After a few moments, the excitement faded. By the looks of it, Demencia didn't want it to. Any chance to proclaim her undying admiration for Black Hat was a treat for her and she kept cheering. But by now the other villains decided they didn't want to suck up anymore and wandered off slowly, discussing the negotiations. The lizard-like girl ceased eventually with a sigh and 5.0.5 patted her head.
Black Hat slung an arm around the back of Flug's shoulders and drew him away from the main room. The scientist stumbling along. Oh god, had he said the wrong thing? He thought involving Black Hat in the whole thing was a nice touch but now he was having second thoughts. Entering the cell that Dr Flug now understood to actually belong to Black Hat, he was finally let go. The man found solace flattening himself to the wall as the villain moved away.
"...Maybe you should stick with me, hm? You seem smart and you're definitely bolder than most I've encountered in here", he continued and Dr Flug felt his heart thud uncomfortably. Stick with Black Hat? Could his nerves take that?
"Whilst still being obedient I mean", Black Hat purred and the scientist couldn't stop the way his body began to shake a little. He couldn't get any words out of his mouth."Your request was completely out there and most likely impossible but the passion, the creativity. It worked. Plus...", Black Hat took strides toward the scientist and stood before him, grinning.
"You made the right decision to involve me".
Oh, thank god.
"I'm glad you think so".
Silence ensued and the scientist figured it was now or never.
"I wanted, wanted to ask you something", Dr Flug tried and Black Hat seemed to be listening. "Shouldn't we c-confirm that the authorities are a-aware of the situation?"
"Flug, do you honestly think we're being left unattended? They're definitely watching. They just don't know what to do", the villain chuckled darkly and the scientist grimaced beneath his mask.
"They know about the hostages?"
"I feel like you're doubting my organisation", Black Hat paused and turned to the other. Eyebrow raised and upper lip curled to reveal razor teeth.
"Of course not! S-sorry for questioning it. I-I just get nervous".
Black Hat just laughed as they moved to the centre.
"I suppose it's nice having someone to think of everything even if they are a wreck about it", Dr Flug whined when Black Hat snapped his teeth at the other with a low growl, smirking at the reaction from the scientist. "You're going to prove far more useful than before. You're going to assist me in my communications to the outside authorities".
Oh god.
"W-What do you mean?"
Black Hat grinned wider if that were even possible. His acidic, ice green teeth like shards of glass. Moving away, he disappeared into the bathroom. Seconds later he returned with a walkie-talkie in his hand. It looked bizarrely mundane among all that had happened.
"Where did you-"
"Doesn't matter. What does matter is that I have this on the right frequency".
Dr Flug just about caught the device as it was thrown to him. It jumped from hand to hand before he held it carefully. It wasn't all that modern. Dr Flug couldn't quite remember the kind of communication devices they'd been using before he'd got involved in this mess but he doubted it was something as bulky as this. Was the material really so-oh wait no, that was his vision softening the edges of the object in his hand. Wow, things were going really blurry.
Black Hat nearly missed catching the scientist as he fell. Yanking the man up, he shook him slightly. Trying to get a response. He'd dropped the walkie-talkie and was now unconscious. This was very unproductive. Yet Black Hat found himself not quite as angry about it as he could be. Instead, he was curious as to what had made Flug collapse this time? He hadn't given out any kind of sleeping-gas. The villain hooked his arm beneath the legs of the other and picked him up with ease. The PureTech might make him weaker but he was still stronger than most humans. Dr Flug didn't look like he weighed much anything and it was only proven as Black Hat settled him on the bed like a feather among the twigs of a nest. He slumped comfortably into the quilt. Well, the villain assumed he was comfortable. He wasn't commenting otherwise. He wasn't commenting at all. Not that Black Hat would have done anything differently if Flug was taking note of the typically lumpy pillow.
Stepping away from the bed and to the door, the villain slid it open with a bang.
"5.0.5! Get here now!"
A few villains made noises of shock and watched with shock as the big blue bear bumbled over to the cell and was let inside. The door closing behind him. 5.0.5 gasped when he saw Flug and rushed over. Taking the hand of the limp form, he turned to glare at the villain.
"Save it bear, I had nothing to do with this. His skull injury probably re-opened or something. Just check he's alive and make sure he stays alive if he is. He's valuable". Black Hat straightened his shirt with a hiss, "I'm going to talk to our guests. I'll be back soon and when I am, I'd very much prefer it if our new assistant was awake and working on the radio". With that, Black Hat left.
~Day 3~
Dr Flug came to. Was it going to be this groggy every time he woke up? He sure hoped not. Another thing he figured might be a regular occurrence was 5.0.5 looking down on him. The bear looked as anxious as he had the first time he'd met him that morning. Dr Flug figured he knew why. Reaching up into his mask, making sure it didn't slide off. He gently dabbed fingertips against where his head wound was. The scientist was surprised to feel fresh bandages there. Looking to 5.0.5. He went still.
"Did you do this?"
5.0.5 paused then nodded.
"You...t-took my mask off?"
Dr Flug already knew the answer but the bear nodded all the same. After a few moments 5.0.5 pressed a paw against the arm of the scientist and used his other to signal the acting of 'shushing'.
"You'll keep it a secret?", Dr Flug tried after a minute or two of silence and 5.0.5 nodded adamantly. The scientist smiled weakly. Something tugged at his innards in a slither of fear but he knew that 5.0.5 would never purposely hurt him, not after this long.
"You're good at keeping secrets".
Dr Flug was then presented with some toast and a glass of water which he accepted gratefully. Only when he had put his plate down and brushed some crumbs off his front did 5.0.5 present him with the walkie-talkie. He took it once sliding his disguise back on.
"Ah, yeah. I'll get on this right away".
Turning it over and slipping the back off, he inspected the wires, batteries and buttons for a few moments. Pulling the aerial out, he twisted the knobs a little. A crackle came into audio and he slowly adjusted the settings. The static cracking and stopping every now and again. After a few moments of tidying up some wires and turning it off and on again multiple times. The static faded.
"Can you hear me? Over"
"C-n wh-th-st-name, er"
Straightening the aerial, Dr Flug tried again.
"Who am I speaking to? Over"
"This-Abund- Sandoval, who i-this? Over".
Abundis Sandoval! Dr Flug nearly forgot himself in the rush of relief that collapsed over him. Pausing, he didn't turn the button on again. What should he do? Wait for Black Hat? Start discussing the situation? Was this a test?
5.0.5 was watching him warily and after a few more moments of consideration, Dr Flug pressed the button and held it to his mouth again.
"This is coming from within Kokytus, from an inmate. We will be communicating with you soon about some important matters".
"You've got some fuckin-stop it! No! ugh-H-Hello? Hello, who is this? This is De Noia".
"Warden. This is a line from the prison. What's the situation like?"
Dr Flug didn't know what he was more proud of. The lack of stuttering or the sass he was laying on. Really, he shouldn't be proud of either.
"I'd rather be asking you that".
"I will have to get back to you when the one in charge arrives", he finished. His voice losing all edge as he clicked it off and sighed. 5.0.5 cocked his head to one side curiously.
It wasn't like he had to join in on their villainy or anything. He just had to follow this Black Hat around and...sabotage as much as he could. At least he had a CCTV camera still active though he wondered if anyone was even watching. Maybe...
The scientist felt a renewed determination surge through him. He could do this, he just had to keep up and stay by Black Hat's side. Even though the infamous villain freaked him out, he wasn't threatening him so that was a plus. Especially in Kokytus.
Just then the door slid open. It was Black Hat.
"It's working, sir", the scientist told him.
"Ah finally. Good work Flug, I'll let you off the fact you've been out cold for nearly a day".
The scientist blinked. No way.
"Th-thank you, boss. S-Sorry about...collapsing"
"Are you okay now?", for the kind words, the tone was cold as he took the walkie-talkie Dr Flug was offering.
"I'm good now, thanks to 5.0.5 a-and yourself".
The villain looked over the other, his gaze unreadable and he sniffed.
"Good. Time for business. Whilst I continue to accept and embellish negotiations, I figure that some food might be a good idea?"
They entered the cafeteria and some of the villains accompanying (about six in total who had been asked by Black Hat earlier to accompany them, or in more specific words: "I'd like a few people to come with me to the kitchens to collect some food, the others need to stay here and keep an eye on our buddies on the outside. We haven't heard much from them so I'm getting a little antsy") lost it there and then. Grabbing chairs and bars from the counter separating the kitchen and the dining area, they attacked the 'eating booths'. Dr Flug watched in mesmerised horror when Black Hat leaned down and muttered in his ear.
"Never much fun eating in those things, terribly small and there's nothing fun about feeling like a dog in a fucking cage". There was no hiding it now, that was pure venom dripping off his words. Dr Flug just nodded.
"Guess...guess I should just count myself l-lucky I never had to use them", he tried and the villain just made a noise of agitation, looking away and moving toward the door that went through to the kitchen.
"Indeed. Also, start addressing me with more respect Flug".
The scientist raised an eyebrow at this but said nothing.
The kitchen was only small but the storage room that linked from the back was much, much bigger. At least starvation was the least of their worries. Black Hat stood straight, hands behind his back, nodding as he turned his head.
"The food was never terrible at least. That would have pushed us off the edge much sooner", he commented bluntly and Dr Flug couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him. He raised a hand to cover his clothed mouth.
"Like that did you?" Black Hat quipped with a smirk, "anyway, we ought to get you a new look...Flug...can you do me a favour?"
"I...it depends"
"Wrong answer"
"Y-Yes?"
"Yes what"
"Yes...sir?"
"...Hmm...pretty basic, but I'll allow it", Black Hat rolled his shoulders back as though testing the new title with his body, "think of the evilest thing you can, doctor, don't hold back. What makes your skin crawl?".
'You?', Dr Flug almost couldn't stop himself from saying it but he refrained. He exhaled with a puff.
"Hmm...I suppose..."
"Yes?", Black Hat almost seemed excited, turning so he could stand directly in front of the scientist. Dr Flug was actually looking at the ground whilst thinking.
"...a sandwich".
Black Hat's jaw dropped.
"A sandwich is the evilest thing you could think of?!"
"Well statistically speaking s-seven out of te-"
"You know what, it doesn't matter. To each their own. I guess. Though I intend to change your mind rather soon".
Dr Flug didn't like the sound of that so he didn't push it.
"I suppose I should be grateful you chose something do-able"
" Do-able, sir?"
"Yes, you need a better look. Your current facial coverings are basic at best, prison-issued I assume?"
"...No?"
"Oh...well...they've torn up anyway, you need something new and do you not wish to embody the thing you truly find the most evil?"
Well, the scientist certainly hadn't been thinking of anything like that but he supposed it was now or never.
"I-I do, boss".
Black Hat paused, considering it for a moment. Knocking his head to one side and muttering to himself before Dr Flug heard something that sounded like 'better'.
"Then make use of our resources Flug! You've proven to be intelligent so far, let's see how creative you can be!"
"...You want me to use something from here? Sir?"
"Yes! God if I knew it was going to take this long I would have sorted you out myself, you've got five minutes. I'm going to round up the hooligans", he hissed and turned on his heel, almost storming away.
Dr Flug wasted no time. Looking around the large shelves, he opened his arms wide and bent his legs slightly as though anticipating something to jump at him. Of course, nothing did so he started searching. There was an array of boxes and packaging and labels and jars and cans and so much! Eyeing the frozen meat strips for a moment, he decided it definitely wouldn't be good for his skin. But what else? If he tried a cellophane packaging he'd just suffocate himself with all the layers he'd have to use (or else it would be transparent and what would be the point of a mask?!). Grabbing some slightly cloudy plastic tubs, he inspected them. Maybe if he cut them up and softened the edges he could create some kind of helmet? But that would take far too long. The scientist looked up at a clock of some sort, how much time had passed? He could hear the other villains a few aisles away no doubt going mental over the food options. Something twinged in Dr Flug's heart. How long had it been since they got to choose their own meal and eat as much as they wanted?
Why was he getting sentimental over this?!
Half of them had caused death and destruction internationally, the other half had only limited it to a national threat but overall, they were a bunch of no-good, irredeemable, cruel...villains! Bashing the front of his hand against the side of a metal shelving unit. He growled under his peeling cloth. He had to do somethi-
Dr Flug was interrupted by something hitting him on top his head and he made a strangled sound of panic and annoyance. The pain started to throb in his head again. It certainly didn't help his injury from earlier. Had someone thrown something at him? It was really time to start working on that evil back story to scare away the bullies...
Looking down, Dr Flug found himself staring at a packet of brown paper bags flattened together. Peering up he saw some other slumped over on a shelf overhead. Had he knocked them over? Leaning down and picking them up, he tilted his head and squinted.
When Black Hat returned he blinked twice. What was it about this man that left him dumbfounded?
Flug was standing there, twiddling his thumbs, not looking up at the villain thought he knew damn well that Black Hat was standing there expectantly. The scientist was wearing a brown paper bag. His goggles had been fixed into cut out sections so the man could see but other than that there were no embellishments. Black Hat spied the crumpled up hood and cloth to one side on the shelf and despite everything, smiled.
The scientist saw Black Hat's prison pumps come into his downcast view. Looking up slowly, he nearly reeled when he saw the villain grinning at him. His one visible eye wide and bright.
"Simple but effective, and embodying the...sandwich you find so evil...hell, it's even adaptable for other luncheon snacks that strike fear into the hearts of humans...I like it".
Dr Flug; after a few seconds admittedly, found himself unbelievably pissed at the way his own heart did a little skip and a surge of joy trickled through his veins. Who was he to act like a puppy being praised in a situation like this?!
It didn't matter for much longer as some familiar villainous faces peered around the shelves. Demencia and Yolanda opened their mouths in unison at the new look on the doctor before just shrugging. Yolanda disappeared but Demencia came round, skipping and grinning.
"Wow, should we give you a new name Flugzeug? How about the grand and evil 'have a great day at school' villain?" she sneered and burst into laughter. Black Hat rolled his eyes and smacked her around the head with shocking speed. Demencia stopped laughing but hardly seemed in pain. If anything she gasped with delight and clasped her hands together under her chin to gaze up at Black Hat who grunted.
"Demencia, do not be so crude. It's Flugzeug or Flugzeugabsturz"
"What about Flug?"
"Are you Black Hat?"
"...Err...no?"
"Then it's Flugzeug or Flugzeugabsturz", Black Hat straightened the collar of his prison shirt. "Have you finished collecting any potential negotiation material from the other inmates? We won't do anything with it today though. I'm going to give them one more chance to actually initiate communication with us"
"Some of them don't give a shit but the ones who have actually been here for a while had quite the list. 5.0.5 has it, wanna see?"
"I ought to, we need to get communication with the outside going or we're working blind", Black Hat remarked, raising a curled finger beneath his chin in thought.
"Plus I want to know where my hat is..." he muttered, turning out of the aisle. The scientist thought that the villain was already wearing a hat but maybe he was missing something.
Suddenly Dr Flug remembered. As casually as possible, he sidestepped toward the front of the villain. There it was. The tag.
1. Black Hat.
Ah. So the numbers were measurements of threat.
