Stood facing each other for the first time in 22 years, Nine and Robbie stared at each other, one watching the other very closely. Personal experience had taught him never to drop his guard in front of a Rotten. The scar on his chin, hidden beneath his beard, a physical reminder of that lesson. Despite the illusion of youth, the son had proven himself to be every bit as devious as his father.

Now Robbie had grown up. He was a far cry from small boy that had transformed into the gangly, pin-striped teenager he'd watched flitting in and out of his father's shadow. There was no doubt in his mind that he had continued his father's legacy and resumed his life's work. Part of him hoped, regardless of any ill-feeling that the son wouldn't meet the same end as his father.

"I heard about the accident," Nine said, turning his eyes again to the hole in the wall, "It sounded awful."

Robbie took a step back as he looked away, a long buried memory stinging him. With a shake of his head he responded with bitter sarcasm, "I wouldn't say there's anything remotely pleasant about being shot head first through a solid brick wall." Forcing himself to look at the hole, a morbid memorial of his father's actions, he continued, "He couldn't have miscalculated his trajectory out of the cannon any worse than he did. At least he remembered his helmet for what little difference it made."

"I wanted to come back when I heard what happened."

Robbie looked back to Nine, eyes narrowed, tone suspicious, "To gloat?"

Nine's eyes met Robbie's, "To help. You were only fifteen when he died, it's no age to be left without a parent. I wanted to see what I could do for you."

"Then why didn't you?" Robbie couldn't hide the spark of anger Nine's words provoked. He didn't want to talk about this anymore, he didn't need to know the hero's failed intention to support him when he was alone in the world.

Taking Robbie's anger in his stride and holding his gaze, Nine levelled with him, "Because my father died too."

Nine's gravity gave Robbie pause and he simply stared at the hero for a few moments. He was sure that somewhere in the realms of the beyond his father was celebrating news of the death of the great Sportacus Eight. But in his heart there was no celebration for Robbie, as he stared at the hero he felt a pang of something else.

"There is another reason I was not able to come," Nine continued, "My wife was about to have our youngest child. My daughter, Lilijana. You may be familiar with her by another name, Lily."

Robbie became distinctly aware of the depth to which Nine's eyes were penetrating him. Picking up on every subtle movement of his face, waiting to analyse any further words he spoke and seek out hidden meanings. He was sure the briefest glint of recognition of Lily's name had immediately been picked up on by the hero. His wits as sharp as they ever were.

Knowing he'd have to play this one very closely, Robbie offered, "Whether or not you've already discussed this with Sportasm-" Quickly catching himself at the instant darkening of Nine's eyes, Robbie corrected, "-cus, I'll tell you the same thing I told him. I saw your daughter leaving town through my periscope. That's all. I haven't seen her otherwise."

About to question the villain further, Nine found himself interrupted by the arrival of Sportacus.

"Dad, is everything ok?" Sportacus asked, looking from his father to Robbie and back again.

Nine nodded, "Yes, myself and Robbie were reminiscing about his father. He was telling me about Biff's accident. We'd just gotten to speaking about your sister."

Robbie didn't miss the look that flashed across the younger Sportacus' face, or the tone of Nine's voice that had sparked it. He held his amusement close while quantifying his chances of Sportacus' interruption serving as a window of escape. It seemed to be serving just that purpose as Nine drew Sportacus away.

Slowly he took a step away, doing so without notice. One cautious step became two more.

Painfully aware of his father's displeasure, Sportacus tried to explain. "You've been gone a while, Bessie's been waiting to serve dessert. I said I'd check on you, when I came out the door to see where you were and saw you out here with-"

"I can handle Robbie Rotten," Nine insisted with annoyance, cutting his son off. Looking back towards the Mayor's house and nodding in that direction, Nine stated more calmly, "Tell Bessie to start serving the desserts. I'll only be a moment more with Robbie."

Sportacus nodded and did as he was asked.

Meanwhile the aforementioned villain had taken advantage of the situation and was considering going from odd steps away to a full on scuttle when the sound of Nine's voice calling his name halted him. He stopped dead as he turned to see the hero's eyes fixed on him in much the same way a hawk locks onto its prey.

He watched the hero's eyes drift from his to a space just above his left shoulder as if noticing something. He daren't look lest Lily had surfaced to unleash her twisted plan. Instead he continued to look at the hero, his piercing eyes narrowed in thought.

"Robbie," Nine spoke slowly, his eyes still fixed on that spot, "Is your periscope broken?"

"My periscope?" Robbie questioned, finally feeling safe enough to look round and seeing his periscope watching them, "No..." he gulped, "I must have left it like that when I came up here. I'd better go and sort it out."

Nine didn't attempt to stop the villain as he retreated at speed. Instead he took a step towards the periscope, watching it as it moved slightly, as if adjusting itself, following his movement.

Turning and walking away, a cloying feeling in the pit of his stomach, he headed for the Mayor's.

Robbie was lying and he knew it.