~Chapter Ten: Picking up Pills~
Dr Flug couldn't stop trembling. He'd been like it ever since Black Hat brought him back from the storage room. Oh god. Just thinking about the storage room made his heart stutter. His eyes felt damp behind the goggles as heat surged over his cheeks. Dr Flug did feel fear toward the consequences Aurum and Solstød would no doubt face, but he couldn't help confessing their names. Black Hat probably recalled the first time they'd 'met' and how he'd driven the scientist into such a state of submission simply by whispering into his ear.
The villain had done it again to him 15 minutes ago! Falling back against the bed he slung an arm over his face, blocking his vision. What were his plans again? Everything was so jumbled in his mind. Sitting up, he looked to the hood that had fallen off his lap and now rested on the sheets beside him. Find Demencia first; he told himself, figure out feelings later. He still couldn't believe he'd lost another day. He was running out of time. The plan was supposed to commence tomorrow.
He found 5.0.5 before he found Demencia which wasn't much surprise. Dr Flug also couldn't say he was shocked when the bear glanced left and right anxiously before he made gestures of intending to follow the scientist.
As they walked, Dr Flug kept his eyes trained on the bear. He didn't want to risk drawing any more attention from anyone else because 5.0.5 had also mimed that Black Hat had dealt (or was dealing) with who could only be Aurum and Solstød.
"I d-didn't want them to get attacked or anything! But... Black Hat insisted", he sighed. Hands moving animatedly as though he wanted to do something about the matter physically. The bear just watched him silently as the scientist continued to mutter how he hoped the other inmates weren't too badly hurt. Finally, they came to the entrance to another corridor where a couple of prisoners sat, noticeably, Madame Cobra.
The woman folded her arms at their approach.
"What did you do to set Black Hat off?", She questioned. Voice lowered a little.
Dr Flug said nothing, just rubbed his arm awkwardly, coughing for a moment.
"Is...Demencia here?"
"She is", Madame replied.
"I have something for her."
"I can see that."
5.0.5 made a sudden grunting noise as though he was becoming impatient and Madame sighed before nodding and turning around.
Dr Flug looked to the bear as though he could understand any explanation 5.0.5 could offer him. But of course, there was only a momentary silence before Demencia appeared. Madame Cobra was nowhere to be seen.
"What Flug?"
"Well...err...I know it's not very villainous of me but...I just wanted to apologise. You know. You really l-look up to Black Hat, and I was kind of r-rude so...if it's any consolation. I've spoken to h-him, and I also found this-", Dr Flug barely had time to finish his stammered apology as he presented the hood and Demencia let out an excited cry. Snatching it from the scientist, she grinned. Shoving it on her head, she tucked her ponytail through the back and rearranged her fringe, her tongue sticking out slightly the whole time.
Once complete, Dr Flug blinked at the side of the green material lizard with a row of teeth and bug eyes. A serpentine tongue in a pink zig-zag shape dangled out against the side of Demencia's head, and the young villain evidently couldn't be more pleased.
Her happy expression only fell when she straightened up and faced Dr Flug with more sincerity.
"That was very non-villainous of you", she commented rather dryly, and Dr Flug could only shrug.
"But that means I'm still far more villainous than you, and that's what Black Hat wants, so I don't really see you as much of a threat. He'll always prefer me. This is good news for you".
Dr Flug couldn't bring himself to start any kind of argument even if he wanted to. Instead, he just offered a weak smile and a nod.
5.0.5 offered him a pat on the back as he headed back to the cell. The blue bear was evidently proud of the scientist's actions, and Dr Flug chuckled. Here he thought he'd have to play the big bad to be accepted. But so long as everyone in here thought he was a villain, he could act how he wanted really.
The walkie-talkie was beeping as they both walked into the room. Dr Flug answered it immediately and silently ushered 5.0.5 outside of the cell.
"Hello? This is Flug."
"Doctor, we're lucky you seem always to be the one to answer our calls."
"I've convinced them to let me handle communications warden De Noia", he explained, letting out a quietly nervous chuckle.
"Look, Dr Zaheed has insisted we move the...infiltration to tonight instead of tomorrow morning".
Dr Flug felt his stomach drop.
"What time?"
"19:00".
"The plans are going as they were before, just tonight instead of tomorrow?"
"Affirmative. I assume this isn't going to be a problem?"
"No! No, not at all".
Dr Flug looked to the door in fear that someone could walk through anytime soon. Of course, no one did.
"Right...well, good luck Dr Flug. I hope to see you very soon".
"Same here, warden. Thanks".
His words were hollow as he clicked the communication device off and let it fall on the bed he sat on. The scientist's body felt numb, and his fingers tingled uncomfortably. What was he supposed to do?!
Resting his head in his hands, he closed his eyes tightly and forced himself to think . Logically, he should just find some excuse to get into the holding cell, lock it from the inside and then wait until the external forces came to rescue him and the heroes. But just thinking about going through with such a plan made his innards twist. He felt another headache coming on. God, he wished there were pills in this godforsaken cell.
Dr Flug sat up, looking blankly ahead of him. Maybe there were?
He'd nearly had a heart attack opening the cell door. The individual he almost collided didn't seem all that startled.
"Sorry, I'm looking for Black Hat...is...is he in there?", The inmate asked, peering around Dr Flug. The scientist just sighed, shaking his head.
"He's not here...I haven't seen him for a little bit".
"You're Flugzeug right?"
Perhaps if Dr Flug had met this prisoner earlier, he'd be more shocked by the three eyes blinking up at him. But considering he'd seen an enormous alien, a dragon hybrid, a two headed inmate and...well, Black Hat. He wasn't all that thrown off by the person before him, even with their ultramarine blue skin and their two horns nestled in light green hair.
"Yeah", the scientist reluctantly admitted. Shrugging, he took a moment to glance over the name-tag.
Number 30, Hoag.
He hadn't encountered anyone higher than a 30 yet. But Dr Flug wasn't about to drop his guard. This was Kokytus, even the status of 30 wasn't something to be messed with.
"Ah, pleased to meet you! I am Hoag. If Black Hat isn't here I won't bother you further".
"H-hold up, do you know where I could get some medicine?" Dr Flug found himself asking before even running through the words in his head.
"Are you ill?"
"Not really, I've got a throbbing headache is all and could really d-do with some painkillers".
"Well Rena could help you, I mean, she can't do much with her ability due to the PureTech but-"
"Ah, maybe not. I prefer to self-medicate. Isn't there a...storage room or anything?"
Hoag paused, tilting his head to the side momentarily before nodding.
"Yeah, there is. But it isn't easy to get to".
"What do you mean? Is there some other trap I need to be worried about?" Dr Flug was starting to think that a couple of pills wouldn't be worth this mess.
"Trap? What is this?"
As though he'd emerged from thin air itself, Black Hat was standing beside the two, and the scientist was jealous of the fact Hoag didn't jump out of his skin.
"Flugzeug needs some medicine, but you know that 207 controls that part of the prison, even more so now that she can get her hands on the stuff", number 30 explained flawlessly and Black Hat scoffed.
"No one controls anything in here but me". The villain then turned to the scientist. Just from the gaze of his one visible eye, Dr Flug was reminded of the very thing giving him a headache. The plan tonight. On that reminder, he also looked to the large clock across the room.
17:33, to be precise.
"Are you feeling well Flug?"
"A headache, sir".
"I'm sure some painkillers can be arranged".
"Th-thank you", the scientist all but sighed with relief, and Black Hat's eye narrowed.
"You know where the storage is, Hoag?"
"Yes Tio, but surely if you're in charge you would-"
"Don't test me, and don't call me Tio".
"Right. If you'd follow me!", Hoag continued. Seemingly unfazed by the harsh tone from Black Hat.
Tio ?
"Boss", Dr Flug spoke up as they followed the other inmate across the prison, a few feet behind. Black Hat grunted, indicating he was listening.
"Is this your nephew?"
"On your earthly basis, I suppose you would maybe consider him a very, very distant relative of mine", the number one villain rolled his shoulders back, grimacing as though the very concept of family was sickening.
"Right...", Dr Flug was still reeling from the thought that Black Hat had siblings or any relatives.
"How about you Flug? Have you any family?"
The scientist was surprised that the villain would even bring up a topic such as family.
"Well, of course, I have a biological m-mother and father out there somewhere, but I don't know them. Or whether I have a-any other family members, boss".
"I see, why is that?"
"It's complicated, sir".
"I'm sure that my superior mind could keep up".
Dr Flug; despite everything, chuckled.
The scientist never did end up telling Black Hat about the 'complications' and instead turned his attention to the door they were approaching. Dr Flug recognised the girl standing in front of it from earlier when the PureTech gun had worked on Germaine. This inmate, 207, tried to use her powers only to find they couldn't work.
I wonder what she can do , Dr Flug briefly thought.
Scare the living daylights out of him because a thought as they approached her and the door she guarded. 207 had a cutting glint to her gaze. Her arms were folded across her chest, and when she spoke, her voice retained a strong accent from somewhere in the southern states of America.
"You need something from me?"
"We need something from the medical storage", Black Hat explained, adjusting his cufflinks.
"What do you want?"
"Painkillers", Dr Flug replied, and 207 looked him up and down. No doubt taking in the blood stained clothes and the way his hands shook ever so slightly.
"I can't just go letting anyone in to pick up pills. You got payment?"
"Why would you need money in prison?" Hoag piped up from behind the two. Black Hat rolled his eyes.
"We still have bank accounts outside, and some of us have people to look after", 207 sighed, her eyes softened momentarily.
"I'm not sure why you've convinced yourself that you have any control over this area of the prison?", Black Hat stepped forward.
"I need to have control of something or else I get antsy, plus my expertise in this department is unmatched quite frankly".
"Who in Kokytus doesn't want control of something?" Hoag remarked. The scientist very nearly raised his hand. 207 growled at Hoag.
"Point is, this is under my jurisdiction. You're going to have to pay up or give me something valuable to enter".
Black Hat stood about two feet away yet leaned across so he could whisper into the ear of the inmate. Dr Flug shook off the voice in his head telling him that he was jealous of that. 207 paused as soon as Black Hat moved away and only looked up in awe at him, nodding and opening the door for the villain to enter. Black Hat beckoned Hoag and Dr Flug to his side.
"What did you do sir?", the scientist asked when they had stepped into the storage room and the door had been closed behind them.
"I told her that by allowing me access anytime yet maintaining control of the medical room, she would be working for me. Everyone has interest in working for me so of course, we got in", Black Hat hissed into his ear, and Dr Flug shrugged.
"I don't see what the big deal is, working for you, boss", he replied cheekily, and Black Hat paused before a grin appeared on his face.
"Why didn't you just...attack her?" Dr Flug continued as he looked up at the various tall shelves filled with medicine and equipment. It was a well-lit room, there were a few doors further down, but by the looks of it, they were locked. Probably accessed from the outside.
"Didn't feel like it. At the end of the day, I'm not working with minions in here. They're villains, and they can handle themselves, especially with everyone's power being on the same level. Most of the time it's of more benefit to me and much quicker to deal with them...quietly".
"I see".
"You have any minions, Flug?"
"N-no, I worked alone. You know, if you want something d-done right, do it yourself and all that".
"But some things are so much easier to complete if someone else is doing the dirty work", Black Hat countered, and Dr Flug shrugged.
"I never reached your level of villain elite, sir, I wouldn't know anything about having decent assistants".
"Disagreement disguised as flattery. I'm impressed, Flug".
The scientist flushed. No matter how many times a small compliment would be given to him by the number one villain, it always made him feel excited.
It didn't take long for him to find the painkillers he wanted. The doctor hesitated over taking a couple or taking the entire tub. He went with the latter. God knows his head needed it. Black Hat watched him curiously. Once Dr Flug turned to him and nodded, the villain spoke up.
"Wait here, Flug".
"But didn't we only come in here to get my painkillers, sir?" the scientist tried, raising the little bottle as though to remind the villain. Black Hat rolled his eyes.
"It is in my interest to gather some things from in here as a matter of fact. Don't flatter yourself into thinking I would do something just for you". Black Hat claimed. Though Dr Flug could see the smile on his face.
"I understand, sir".
With that Black Hat whisked around the corner, leaving Hoag and Dr Flug to sit up on a large, box freezer. They sat in a somewhat uncomfortable silence for a moment or so.
"This is probably filled with blood transplants", Hoag finally announced and Dr Flug nearly choked.
"I mean, probably", he managed. Spluttering out laughter. They continued to chuckle with one another before relaxing again. Momentarily hearing Black Hat a few aisles away.
"So...err...your Tio, hm? You spent much time with Black Hat?"
"No, not really. But when I do I remember how proud I am that I'm basically the closest person to him I know", he clasped his hands together and looked up at the overhead lights with his bright teal eyes, he quickly glanced to Dr Flug, "well, you know by blood", he added.
Dr Flug tried to pretend that he didn't know what Hoag meant but the flare of a blush beneath his bag was his physical confirmation that he knew damn well what prisoner 30 meant. He wasn't going to deny it either.
"So you're also responsible for earthly domination on more than one occasion?"
"Oh no. I'm in here because they see me as a threat because of my relation to Black Hat," Hoag asked, twiddling his thumbs a little and Dr Flug's eyebrows raised when he saw how the ochre freckles dotted over the cheeks and nose of the other began to glow softly.
"But I've never actually done anything. I only ever thought about it".
"Thought about what, conquering the planet?", Dr Flug giggled.
"Domination of the local galaxy".
Dr Flug felt momentary whiplash at that one.
"Right, and here I thought escaping from a few prisons was impressive".
"Yeah and your mind control."
"My...what?"
"Oh you know, the trick you manage to pull off on Tio, I'm surprised you can do it with the PureTech levels in here-", Hoag started to whisper.
"W-wait a minute, what do you mean trick? I can't do anything like that".
"But then why is he acting so...mellow?"
"I don't know?" the scientist offered, also lowering his voice. Just in case. Hoag raised an eyebrow.
"Oh come on, he's only like it around you. That's probably why you're being beaten up so much. No offence".
"Because I've apparently s-succeeded in making the number one villain calm?"
Hoag nodded eagerly, and Dr Flug could barely comprehend what he was hearing. But at the same time he couldn't shake off that voice nudging him in the back of his mind telling him that Black Hat had acted differently around him, he was rational and collected and never threatened the scientist. Dr Flug had seen the blood on the gloves of the villain, not to mention the times he'd attacked No Brain and Jack Jupiter. It wasn't like Black Hat wasn't capable of violence.
"I have information he needs. I'm no threat nor competition to him. I haven't got mind control. I'm just...lucky, I guess". Dr Flug muttered, more to himself than to Hoag.
"I wish I were that lucky", Hoag sighed dreamily, "You know, I think that's another reason he likes you. You don't fawn over him like the others. I mean sure you don't stand up to him but being by his side is hardly the most important thing to you. I can sense it".
Dr Flug once again was faced with the thoughts tumbling in his head telling him, oh maybe, he did want to be by the side of the number one villain for whatever reason. Protection? An advantage when helping those on the outside? The fact that Black Hat himself seemed intent on the scientist following him around?
Again, as though on cue, Black Hat appeared around the aisle corner.
"Hoag, I cannot find this damn medication. I demand that you find it for me, immediately".
Hoag didn't seem bothered at being interrupted. If anything he seemed thrilled by the concept of assisting the villain and jumped up.
"What do you need?"
"Feller is low on morphine".
Black Hat and Dr Flug watched him disappear into the shelving units. Then they looked to one another, slowly and with a degree of hesitation that left butterflies in the stomach of the scientist. Dr Flug cursed his bodily reactions to foolish emotions and looked away, down at the tub of painkillers in his hand.
"Flug".
"B-Boss", he managed. Still not looking up though he was quite aware that the villain was standing right before him.
"I'm well mindful of the fact that you have an excellent intelligence for security and general organisation. I have also recently come to the knowledge that you do not know anything about your family".
Dr Flug didn't have any idea where this was going.
"Your combat skills are limited, to say the least, and you are intent on keeping your facial identity hidden".
"So...have you come to some kind of conclusion, sir?"
"Not particularly".
There were a few moments of silence and for a second Dr Flug started wondering whether this was Black Hat's silently prompted way of making a list of traits he knew about the number one villain. Before he could even open his mouth to try, Black Hat spoke up again.
"How long have you been a villain, Flug?"
"N-not long, sir. Maybe three years, give or take?"
Oh god, was this finally the 'villain' test he'd been waiting for. He was only glad he hadn't told anyone else much in the way of a fake-back story so he wouldn't have to fit into any kind of alibi.
"Where do you work primarily?", Black Hat continued.
"Like...which country?"
"Yes"
"America? I guess. I travelled to Europe a few years back".
"Your name is European. German to be precise".
"Y-Yes, it means...plane crash".
"I know. So why did you pick that name?"
"Pick, sir?"
"You expect me to believe that is your full, legal name?"
"No, no of course not. I chose it because my f-first completed act as a villain involved crashing a plane. I liked how the word sounded on everyone's lips. There was so much panic and fear. It resounded with me. So I stuck with it, even in the states".
At this point, the scientist had lifted his head to look to the villain.
Black Hat blinked. Was it Dr Flug's imagination or did he look surprised? He didn't question it. The scientist was already treading on thin ice with this whole pretence of him being a villain anyway. But some part of him wanted Black Hat to look impressed.
"What did you do before you were a villain then?" Black Hat asked, leaning against the wall next to Dr Flug.
"Sir...I think we should get back to the main room. Or at least to the cell to discuss the cuffs on Jupiter-"
"I sure hope you're not straying from the former conversation Flug". Black Hat's voice was soft, dangerous.
"I just don't w-want to talk about it, boss".
"I don't much care what you do and don't want to do. What did you do before you were a villain Flug?"
Black Hat moved away from the wall and stood upright, seeming taller than before.
"Or would you rather talk about something else Flug?", He leaned over, hands clasped behind his back. Dr Flug couldn't move.
"Like what, sir?"
"I think you know what".
Oh god, was this some kind of test? Black Hat couldn't know about him. The scientist would have definitely been attacked by now if that were the case. Black Hat would definitely think, no, he would know that Dr Flug must be working for those on the outside. All the little questions would fall into place, and the scientist would be lynched. Not only that but he hardly doubted Black Hat had the sensitivity to approach Dr Flug about it like this. It must be a trick. He must just want to get any kind of information out of him by using this method.
Dr Flug had seen it in NPEM. Convince a convict that you know what they've done and sooner or later they'll spill the information because they think it's too late. The officers at NPEM found out all kinds of things like this. Sometimes information they didn't even suspect.
"I honestly don't, sir. I'm sorry".
Black Hat stilled. His one eye narrowing and his upper lip curled.
"Fair enough, Flug".
Black Hat moved away and didn't look to the scientist again as he walked away. It left a bad taste in Dr Flug's mouth, but he stayed put, gripping his tub of pills tightly.
"You could have found that morphine", he whispered to himself.
This time it was the scientist who caught the arm of 5.0.5 instead of the other way around. The bear made a noise of pleasant surprise and of course followed Dr Flug to one side of the main prison room. A few inmates looked over at them but didn't react.
"5.0.5, does Black Hat know about me?"
The bear tilted his head to one side as though wondering what the scientist meant.
"That I'm-", Dr Flug lowered his voice, "not a villain?".
5.0.5 paused. That's all the doctor needed.
"5.0.5 how did he find out?", Dr Flug tried desperately to keep his nerves in check.
The blue bear shook his head, waving his arms dismissively.
"You didn't tell him?"
5.0.5 shook his head, splayed out his paws toward Dr Flug, it took the scientist a few moments.
"Does Black Hat know?"
5.0.5 shook his head.
"Are you being honest with me?"
The bear nodded. Dr Flug paused.
"Then do you know why he's acting strangely around me and asking me lots of p-personal questions?"
The bear shrugged, his eyes filled with concern and yet for some reason, Dr Flug wasn't interested in seeing this kindness.
"Right. Thanks 5.0.5. I'm going back to the cell...I'm going to w-work on the PureTech gun", he muttered. Turning away and leaving the other with a sluggish wave that the bear sheepishly returned. Dr Flug looked up to the clock.
18:12
Dr Flug looked down at the gun in his hands. There were a series of numerical inscriptions on the side.
'.20'
Just looking at them made his head hurt, and he groaned. It didn't seem all the important right now. Turning it over, his eyes took in the mechanisms, and his brain lazily labelled what they were, but there was no real information going in.
Another groan, he shook his head. Usually focusing on any kind of project could remove him from the worst life dealt him. But with the impending 19:00 ever emerging and the looming threat that Black Hat did indeed know who he was was a bit too much to ignore. Speaking of things that were difficult to ignore, there was now an almighty noise coming from outside of the cell door. Part of Dr Flug didn't want to get up and inspect, but on the other hand, with things becoming so heated, he couldn't afford to miss out on anything important. Even if it was just some prison riot.
Tucking the ray gun under the pillow on the bed, he headed for the door. Opening it slightly, he felt his heart thud uncomfortably at what he heard.
"Flugzeug! Get the fuck out of there now! You can't hide in there forever!"
Well, he didn't have any choice now. Opening the door steadily, he was faced with a crowd of about six people. He immediately recognised Gorgon; who happened to be the one snarling for his attention. She was being restrained by Corc and an inmate he hadn't seen before. Standing nearby were some other unknown prisoners, probably there out of boredom for the drama.
"Ah, so he finally shows his face".
"To be honest you've only been yelling for him for about a minute", an inmate called. She continued grinning at her own snarky comment even as the inmate next to her shot her a scolding look. They looked a little bit similar, related perhaps?
"So fucking what, the fact he's even hiding in there makes me sick!"
Ah, back to Gorgon. No time for observations now. All of a sudden Corc's efforts to restrain the woman failed, and she surged forward, grabbing Dr Flug by the front of his shirt and started dragging him somewhere. There was a burst of gasps, namely from the closest onlookers and those same people followed as the scientist stumbled after the livid villain (again, not like he had much choice).
Dr Flug could feel a slow panic rising in his gut like cold water trickling in his veins. But it wasn't out of fear of the feral villain before him; no, on the contrary, it was the building nerves derived from the realisation that he wasn't scared.
Which freaked him out.
Corc rushed alongside them, his dark green eyes filled with concern. The same kind of concern Dr Flug had seen in the eyes of 5.0.5 earlier. The scientist decided he didn't like it.
"Gorgon come on, you know what happened to-", Corc started.
"I know damn fucking well what happened to Solstød and Aurum. I'm just wondering if Flugzeug here knows the extent".
Dr Flug didn't actually happen to know the full extent. He'd only assumed the worst from the blood on Black Hat's knuckles. He wasn't about to admit aloud that he actually thought they might be dead. Then again, that would be a bit much. Dr Flug wondered if the lack of fear he was experiencing was done to some kind of shock he might be going through subconsciously.
They turned up at one of the cells, the door was closed. An inmate stood in front of it, her eyes widened when she saw the approaching group. The ebony of her sclera was made all the more shocking when in contrast with the yellow pupils; a mere slit. These bizarre eyes were narrowed as she spoke.
"Gorgon I don't think-"
"This is a good idea? No one does, Feller. I suggest you stay out of it".
"I have better things to do than attending to inmates foolish enough to cross Black Hat. If you do anything to him-", she gestured to Dr Flug, "I won't repair your body when Black Hat is finished with it".
The scientist meanwhile had taken this intervention as a chance to look over this inmate, Rena Feller, number 29. He'd heard her name quite a few times now.
Her skin was like the way the light hits water under the ice. A light, almost lavender shade. Her hair was a pearly white and slung into a low ponytail.
Gorgon said nothing to this, she only growled. With that, she yanked Dr Flug forward toward the cell. Rena stepped out of the way fluidly. The scientist didn't bother looking to her for any kind of sympathy and was instead very distracted by sight before him. Aurum and Solstød all but crawled away from him as he stood in the doorway.
"I fixed them up as much as I could but I don't fancy facing the wrath of Black Hat should he find his punishment was soon dismissed. So some of their injuries have remained", Rena spoke from outside.
The room itself was dimly lit making the light streaming in from the outside all the harsher even though the shadows of peering inmates started filling up the glow against the ground. Dr Flug felt an unbearable frustration just looking at the villains before him. They sat up against the wall on the far side, a few metres away from one another. They looked bad. Black eyes and broken noses, split lips and stitches in their skulls. The bloodstains on their clothes nearly rivalled those on Dr Flug's attire. Bruises were already blooming like mould spores against their wrists and throats. Solstød was noticeably the more damaged out of them both. He even had clumps of bright blonde hair missing from his scalp. Dr Flug found the sensitivity within him to grimace.
"Why did you help them in the first place?" Dr Flug heard from the same inmate who made the snarky comment earlier.
"Profit and practise. Can't have my abilities getting rusty even if they're at their minimum power" was the reply but all these questions and answers were becoming white noise for the scientist.
"Just because you like to kiss the shoes of Black Hat doesn't mean you should fucking turn him on people! Do you have any idea what he can do?!" Gorgon screamed, swinging her arm out to point to Aurum and Solstød. They both seemed ashamed and anxious. Dr Flug didn't say anything, he just let her continue.
"Nothing they did warranted you ratting them out! I don't know Black Hat prefers you quiet, brainy types when there's real muscle around here he can use, but he does so don't abuse your power".
"You can't be serious".
Dr Flug was asking himself that after the question left his mouth and the silence suddenly fell upon the area like a fog.
"Last time I checked, you were villains. Not schoolmates. I didn't turn Black Hat on anyone, he acted on his own accord when he found out what happened. If you can't fight back against anyone in here, at the very least, don't provoke number one. You knew damn well Black Hat needed me; as he still needs me, and you went ahead with your primitive belief that violence will get in his good graces".
Dr Flug didn't even realise that saliva had built up around his gritted teeth, his fists were clenched and shaking by his sides. Gorgon seemed too shocked to respond.
"And abuse my power? I'm sorry, but I don't take improvement suggestions from fucking hypocrites. You used Greenland to restrain me and then proceeded to beat me up. You actively put yourself in a position of superiority with the singular aim to attack a weaker individual. But then again, I'm not surprised, and I wasn't surprised then. You're villains for god's sake. I'm disappointed you even think this is...in fact what? What did you believe that this would do? Make me see the errors in my ways even though I had nothing to do with any of this in the first place? Well sorry to disappoint you. All I've realised is that I was a fool for even fearing any of you for one second. You want Black Hat that bad? Step up your game you cowards".
Now muttering had begun behind him. The three villains before him stunned into silence, and Dr Flug was grateful they couldn't bite back because he had a lot more to say. Lifting a hand to wipe away some of the drool that had made its way down his chin. He looked to each of them individually before turning on his heel and heading for the door. Rena and the others stepped out of the way.
Someone caught him by the back of his shirt. It was Aurum. Up and now pulling the scientist back into the cell. Dr Flug was spun to meet a well-aimed punch to his
throat. A vulgar retch was torn from him at the pain, and he stumbled back only for a moment before turning to the side and raising a leg to kick Aurum in his obviously injured shoulder (if the bandages and bloodstains were to go by). Aurum howled. The scientist wasted no time in steadying himself before rushing forward to tackle the other to the ground. Gorgon hissed, but it soon became apparent that someone was restraining her. Dr Flug didn't care, if she wanted to come after him as well, so be it. Might as well start marking down just how many prisoners in here had an envy problem with him. Locking Aurum's arms behind him as he lay belly-down on the floor, he cried out. Dr Flug pushed the joint up hard for one more moment before letting go to stand up.
This time it was Gorgon who had once again made her way out of her captivity and went for him. A swift punched to his jaw, followed by nails raking down his arms before; like a wild animal, she pinned him against the wall. Gorgon sunk her teeth into his forearm.
Dr Flug gasped, trying to pull away but struggling. Splaying a hand against the face of the prisoner, he pushed against her head forcefully. But she never let go. Not until of course someone took her legs out from under her, and she collapsed. Dr Flug was grateful but at the same time woozy from the unbearable pain of the teeth dragging through his flesh as she fell. It was Demencia. She had Gorgon by her hair and swung the New Zealand villain away from the scientist.
"Black Hat said no fighting!", The new arrival hissed. She stepped over to Dr Flug to stand next to him.
"No wonder you all crave Black Hat so badly! You're nothing on your own. None of you has the spine to stand up and carve out some of the earth for yourselves! The only reason I'm by his side is that he wants me to be. I never asked for this!". The scientist could taste the blood lacing his gums as he licked his teeth, heaving. Demencia blinked at his outburst but grinned soon after all the same. Dr Flug didn't care. He just wanted out of here. This time he stormed from the cell and made it out and away, leaving behind a stunned crowd.
For once Black Hat was easy to find, he stood out like a sore thumb in the middle of the main prison room as the scientist approached him. The villain was conversing with Brevity who scurried away the moment Dr Flug appeared. Black Hat turned at this. The number one barely glanced over his recent injuries, bleeding profusely. Dr Flug felt his heartbeat rise into his ears at an alarming rate. This wasn't a good sign.
"Nice speech in there Flug", he commented dryly.
"You were there, sir?"
"I was there long enough, yes."
"You didn't help me, sir."
"We're villains, aren't we Flug? I thought you could take care of yourself".
"Evidently, I couldn't". Flug felt his temper rise again. Why had everything gone so horribly wrong in the past twenty minutes? Black Hat didn't look remotely fazed by the state of Dr Flug. Usually, he'd be forcing names out of him by now.
"Looks like you could take a page from your own book then, hmm? I'd suggest you stop coming to me for assistance if the villains here should stand up for themselves, as you put it".
"You made me tell you their names. I never asked for anyone's help, boss". He spat out the last word like it was poison on his tongue. The number one villain didn't seem bothered, he just picked invisible specks of dust from his shoulder.
"You never refused it", came the quick answer, the tone just as dull and cutting as it was before.
Dr Flug stood dumbfounded for a moment before he found enough reason within him to speak calmly.
"Sir, what is this about?"
"I don't like people not answering my questions, Flug", he sighed. Looking up and over the doctor. The scientist immediately thought about the situation with him not even being a villain but he wasn't going to bring it up. There was too much at stake. Silence ensued, with every second passing, dread buried itself into Dr Flug until finally, Black Hat spoke again.
"Regarding your speech, I think you'll find that I don't need you anymore, Flug".
The scientist felt his body tense before relaxing. The nerves curdling in his the base of his throat, threatening to materialise as sick. His spine felt uncomfortably hot and his eyes burned with tears immediately, almost frighteningly fast.
"Even the gun?", he tried. Like some last pathetic attempt to grasp at anything and Black Hat only sneered.
"You think I don't know others who could assist me with that?"
"You're going to get rid of me after all we've done because I can't figure out your little questioning game?!" the doctor exclaimed.
"Consider this the kindest way I can remove a traitor from my midst. You should be grateful you still have your tongue after talking to me like that".
Traitor? Did Black Hat think even if he was a villain, that he was still working on the outside or something?
"People shouldn't be thankful for being allowed to walk away unmutilated".
"You ought to be", Black Hat snapped.
Dr Flug spun and walked away, he couldn't stay there any longer. He couldn't tell if the number one villain was watching him go but he didn't care.
His tear blurred vision only just caught the time on the clock as he disappeared into Black Hat's cell to grab the gun and head back to his own, accidental room. Dr Flug wasn't going to let Black Hat use anyone else to work on the weapon he had found.
18:45.
What did it matter, at 19:00 he was going to join the heroes in the holding cell. He wasn't going to save anyone else but Jupiter, Solaria and himself from Kokytus.
A/N: This was a very long chapter because a lot of it is filler and I wanted to give you guys something juicy to read instead of just "Flug's trip to the medical room". Hope you enjoyed!
Fantastic OC's in this chapter:
(SpaceBoi164): 30: Hoag. Name: Careful, prudent person. Nationality: Unknown
-LAW09