By god did I struggle with this. I don't fully know why. At first it was just me procrastinating because Christmas presents, but then everything started going wrong.

You know what? Screw it. If you want all the details go look up on Spacebattles in the informational threadmark. I just want to get this over with.

Chapter 4

The First Son

It had been an odd occurrence, having Blues active so early. It made me think something went wrong, or maybe some ghost possessed his chassis. But once I properly woke up and ate breakfast (which was surprisingly good considering it's his first time cooking) I started to remember that I had passed out before I unplugged his solar core.

Naturally, after finishing up my daily routine, I had to run diagnostics on Blues just to be safe.

"You know, now that I'm getting a good look around, this is too small to be a proper lab." Blues said.

"Yes, yes, I hear enough of that from a certain Metall already. I'm not loaded with money." I grumbled. "And please refrain from moving too much during diagnostics. If the wires fall out it could cause more problems for the system."

Blues did as I asked but quickly gained a smirk. "Best hope I don't sneeze huh?"

I scoffed. "Your a robot Blues, you don't have allergies."

"You could have programmed some in for all I know. You did give my a sense of touch after all."

I sighed. "That was necessary Blues. Considering some of the work I do, you could end up burning your synthetic skin off. And I won't know when I'll have the resources to make a replacement batch." I started before giving him a look.

"Or would you have preferred having some warning sign flashing in your eyes? Because that would just get in the way."

"...Fair enough." Blues replied, losing his smirk.

I winced a bit. I suppose my worry had gotten the better of me. The thought of Blues getting blindsided by some villain because of bad design on my part may have gotten under my skin.

A faint beep from the computer drew my attention back to it.

"Alright, diagnostics are done and all systems are green! You can unhook yourself now blues." I said with a chirp in my voice.

"Finally." Blues started, removing the various wires hooked into his body. "You know I already had a chat with that certain Metall, right?"

Well that puts things into perspective now doesn't it? And here I wanted to ease him into the whole thing.

"Also doc, I can check my own systems." He says, mirth returning to his face. "How exactly would you explain me being battle ready at a moments notice?"

"...Um... In case the gardener goes crazy?" I weakly replied. "Also you technically need to put the armor on before you can be battle ready." I muttered.

"Is there a garden?"

"Not yet." I started. "I have a few ideas that require some plants but otherwise-"

"Where would we even put a garden?" Blues asked.

"Uh, somewhere here?"

Admittedly I didn't really think the whole spacing thing through, but I'm sure I can figure something out.

"You sure about that?" Blues asked, skeptically.

I took a look around at my cluttered mess of a lab. Papers and wires as far as I could see, with numerous devices in varying degrees of disrepair, or just flat out incomplete.

I turn back to Blues. "I'll make it work."

I imagine Blues was rolling his eyes behind his hair. "So what even are half of these things supposed to do?" He asked, walking over to one of the benches.

I could practically feel my eyes light up at the thought of showing off some of my gadgets.

"Well, to start with we have this." I say pointing to a particular device. "My Chronos Reactor! Still incomplete admittedly. But once it's finished, I will be able to detect fluctuations in the timestream!" I say, practically grand standing.

"For you see, this universe plays very loosely with the laws of time travel. So I figured it best to create an early warning system in order t-"

"Doc."

"Yes Blues?"

"It's a blender."

I blink before turning back to look over my device. Yeah, it was made from a gutted blender. In fact several of my creations were made from disassembling household appliances. Hell, looking over at the three working devices in my lab, two of them were made from office printers. Only the teleporter is the closest sci-fi thing in here next to Blues, and it's basically just a pad with computers hooked to it.

Part of me really hopes he doesn't become like number one. Those hopes are immediately dashed when I notice the smirk on his face.

"W-well Blues, that's rather a sudden judgement. I mean just because it looks like that doesn't mean it actually is a-"

The sudden sound of my device going off made me jump. I quickly turn and find my infamous Metall, Number one, holding an orange. And what I can only assume is orange juice inside the device.

He gave me a deadpanned look before tossing the other orange inside and turning the device on.

I don't know whether to feel upset at this, or amazed that the blender even still works.

I then let out a nervous chuckle.

"Well, you have to work with what you got. Ya know?" I sheepishly smile.

"Sure, but that doesn't make me feel any better. How will I know I'm even well put together?"

I sighed. "That's why we have to test your systems." I say before giving him a look. "And maybe have a little faith in me."

I get up from my chair and walk over to a corner of the room where the teleporter sits.

"Now lets test out your teleporter system." I say, starting up the console.

"Okay, what do I do?" Blues asked starting to walk over.

"Stand still for one. I'm just going to have you moved to the pad in front."

Blues complies, as I begin the startup sequence.

"Alright, beginning teleport in 3, 2, 1..."

With a weird "bwip" sound, Blues disappeared and reappeared right in front of me. And from the looks of it in one piece too.

"So, anything different?" I asked.

Blues gave me a look. "Aside from that weird sense of being displaced? No."

I nod. "Well then, only things left to test are your combat systems."

"And how are we going to test that?"

"I... Have no idea."

Admittedly, I didn't think that far ahead. With Heroes and Villains running around pretty much everywhere, there's very little secretive places to make a target range.

And even if I did have a place I would need to make it underground, sound proof, fill the walls with lead to make is x-ray proof, sensor jammers. And all this on top of what's already on my plate.

So much to do, so little time.

"Met, Metmet. Metete, met."

I turned and gave number one a confused look.

"Mehhht. Metetete, met!"

"T-that-" I begin to stutter, before slamming my head onto the desk.

"That is so simple and obvious! Why didn't I think of that?!"

Who needs a secret firing range when you could just go outside and make a few test dummies from sticks? Or better yet, just teleport in supplies to make the targets.

"Alright Number one, stay here and prep the teleporter! Blues and I will be heading out to a 'proper' test location."

"Mehhht!" Number one stopped me, handing me my cellphone. "Metmet. Metete!"

I blinked. "Mikhail called? When?" I ask glancing at my phone.

Wait, twenty-seven texts and five missed calls?

I glance up from my phone to find Number one giving me a look.

It took a bit to get in touch with Mikhail, so I decided to multitask. Grabbing a few tools and spare scrape that I had left over, tossing them into the back of my truck and putting a tarp over them, for safety reasons. All while constantly calling Mikhail.

By the time I was on the road, he finally answered.

"Hey, Mikhail. Something wrong? I got your messages."

Well, messages would be putting it nicely. The texts were mostly him ranting about poor design choices. Something I've grown accustomed to dealing with during college, rare as they might be. And it was VERY rare for Mikhail to get this upset about designs.

As for the voice mail, it was mostly just him checking up on me.

Mikhail let out a scoff. "I suppose I'm fine, although honestly, these fools don't seem to know the meaning of worker safety."

"Yeah, I glossed over your texts. Something about cycling the excess power back into the core?"

That is way more then a safety hazard. Depending on what kind of power they run, it could lead to a simple malfunction, or a catastrophe.

I heard Mikhail sigh. "I suppose it doesn't matter now. Before I left they were apparently going to scrap the prototype anyway."

"Left?" I asked.

Again Mikhail scoffed. "I've made numerous complaints about the design specs. Apparently that's considered 'disturbing coworkers' and I was threatened with being fired."

The hell is wrong with these people?

"So instead of simply taking that, you left?" I asked.

"At this point, I have enough money to fund my own lab. Leaving was the best choice anyway." Mikhail said, going into a conspiratory tone. "I did a little digging before I left and apparently Lex Corp. has been investing into the project."

"Luthor." I ground out. "That explains the sudden threats of being fired."

"No, the opposite in fact. I know you told me you don't have a 'high' opinion of Luthor." Putting it very lightly there Mikhail.

"But I don't see him as the type to cut corners only to toss the current project and start from scratch. Especially if someone on hand knows how to improve the design."

He's right. Going back on what I remember, Luthor is incredibly intelligent. If he did know someone on staff, whether or not they work for his company or not, knew of ways to improve functionality of his "products", Luthor would listen first. And if the idea was solid he'd give them the O.K. to begin the changes.

Although, I also remember questioning how almost all of Luthors projects are even half as effective as they are. Every bit of DC media shows Lex Corp. as a very large company, so it should theoretically be next to impossible for Luthor to keep track of most of his projects. Specifically, if someone under his employ decided to lie about progress to avoid getting heat from the man in charge.

Well, if someone of Mikhail's caliber managed to slip through his fingers, I guess that old question of mine got an answer.

"Probably a miscommunication in management. Though if you ask me, you dodged a bullet on that one."

"Maybe, but I suppose you would say that." Mikhail said with a chuckle. "Anyway, is there a reason why you didn't answer my calls? Or where you in another one of your 'design' phases?"

Oh don't start with that. I thought.

"No, actually. I've been making a breakthrough." I say, not bothering to hold back the pride in my voice.

"Oh, that's very comforting Albert. How many times have you said that before?"

I grumbled at that.

"Oh come on Al, you know I'm just worried. You tend to get too absorbed into one of your projects, and end up a mess."

Well, he's not wrong. According to Number One, I got delirious halfway through the week due to lack of sleep and food. Eh, one more reason to make an assistant I guess.

Speaking of the annoying Met, I need to make his new name official when I get back.

"Don't worry Mikhail, I learned from past mistakes."

"Again, how many times have I heard that before." He started before chuckling. "Well, whatever. As long as your fine."

Gee, thanks mom. I think, rolling my eyes.

Once the call ended I noted the scenery turning from suburbs to countryside.

"Hey Doc." Blues started. "What was all that about?"

I give Blues a brief aside glance. "Oh just an old colleague, checking up on me. Apparently Lex Luthor is up to his old tricks."

"And? I only got a brief summary earlier, is this something I should know?" Blues asked.

I contemplate it briefly before mentally shrugging. Blues would have to learn about all this sooner or later, and there is still a ways to go before we get to our training site.

Although I'm going to avoid talking about my school days. I get enough moments of embarrassment from the peanut gallery, the last thing I need is for Blues to join in.

Luthor brought up a screen showing a warehouse.

"Here we are. These are the coordinates to the warehouse, holding my latest prototype weapon, and is notably understaffed. In exchange, I want you to leave. Right. Now!" He ground out.

"An intriguing design Luthor. But ultimately meaningless. As it is not what I had requested." Came the Mechanical tone of Brainiac.

"I'm well aware." Luthor growled.

"Then you will give me what I have requested."

"I can read between the lines Brainiac. You don't want a place to lay low, otherwise you would have run off into space with your tail between your legs!" Luthor shouted.

"You want a base. A staging area. And you expect me to give it to you?!"

Before Brainiac could get a word in Luthor continued.

"The last time we 'partnered up' You betrayed me!"

"And you me Luthor. Or have you forgotten your pitiful virus?"

If Luthor had hair, this would be the part where he starts tearing it our in frustration.

"Your lucky I didn't call security the moment I saw you!"

"And what, pray tell, would that have done?" Brainiac said, rhetorically. "Your pitiful earth weapons are useless against me."

"True, But I'm sure the commotion would have attracted Superman. Then what, Hmm?"

Brainiac stood still for a moment, this was going nowhere. It wouldn't be impossible for him to simply eliminate Luthor before he can even alert security. But from what past experience has shown him Luthor has managed to escape before, albeit barely. And the risk of Kal El appearing escalates.

"Perhaps a proper exchange is required."

A tempting idea. One Luthor has had plenty of experience with. The last time they made any sort of exchange Brainiac used the weakness of any device or blueprint he "Lent" to him. He wasn't in the mood to humor him.

But...

"Perhaps we should." Luthor started. "I am in need of a new power source. Small, yet can generate large amounts of energy."

Luthor saw the design notes Morgan sent. They did indeed manage to cut the size of the generator down. However, the energy output was below the threshold he was aiming for.

This is something he could pass up, but the reward outweighed the risk.

"I may have something you could use." Brainiac started. "Now your offer?"

Luthor walked over to the computer, and brought up a map.

"Safehouse thirty-four. A little ways away from the city, but should be serviceable. I don't care what exactly you do, just as long as you leave me alone."

"This will suffice." Brainiac said. His finger then plugged into the computer. "These blueprints should provide what you need Luthor."

Luthor looked over his newly acquired generator blueprints with a grin.

Meanwhile Brainiac glanced at the schematics Luthor had shown him.

Perhaps I could use a new exoskeleton. Brianiac thought.

I started to step back away from the makeshift target.

"Okay, ready Blues?" I said, the mask already filtering my voice.

"Doc, is the disguise really needed? We drove here without it, so what's the point of putting it on now?"

"Blues, you should know by now if I can I WILL take every precaution necessary."

Once we had arrived I wasted no time getting my disguise on, clearing out my truck of anything that could be used to identify me, changed the license plate, and even used my patent pending bio-scanner to detect any humanoids in the vicinity.

Okay maybe it was excessive. Hell, I never really tested my scanner until now. But it seemed to work fine, only having detected me.

By the time I was done Blues was already suited up in his "Armor", And was currently leaning against a tree, waiting impatiently.

If you could even call it armor. The only parts of his whole getup that are heavily armored are the gauntlets, boots and helmet. Well maybe it still counts. After all, the rest of it was made up of a special type of material I had made to mitigate any damage done. I wouldn't outright say it's bulletproof, the spandex looking cloth can indeed take the punishment, but it's still thin and I imagine getting shot will still hurt.

Or maybe not. The actual armor parts probably don't count either. With the sole exception being the helmet, the armor is supposed to physically connect with Blues' body. Essentially becoming a part of him.

Speaking of which, I noticed Blues messing with his new armor.

"Say Doc, what exactly is this made of?" Blues asked, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Well, you remember when I mentioned ceratanium?"

"Is that what it's made of?"

"Ha, ha, No. At least, not quite." I started. "You see, while I did manage to stockpile enough ceratanium to make armor, It unfortunately is too bulky. Not to mention heavy, even the Metalls had a difficult time lifting the stuff."

"So to mitigate that issue I tried to 'shave' them down, for lack of a better term, into more manageable plates, and even weave some them into the cloth. Sadly, I haven't really perfected the process, so it's not as durable as the genuine stuff. Especially the cloth parts."

Blues gave a glance at his armor before doing a few experimental stretches.

"Well, as long as it doesn't hinder my movement." He said before going back to the truck.

"What about this shield?"

I gave a sardonic smile. "Oh, it actually is made of ceratanium."

Blues immediately struggles in picking up the shield, before finally getting a proper grip. He lifts it a few times to test the weight.

"Wow, you weren't kidding about the weight."

I chuckled lightly. "I told you. Anyway, go and set it out there with the targets. We'll test it after we test your weapon."

Blues gave me a look. "I thought you already tested the shield? You know, after you sprayed it with that deflector gel?"

"Deflector gel..." I say, tasting the name. "That's not a bad name! I got to write that down!" I pull out my phone and immediately begin writing.

"Doc..." Blues groaned.

"Hmm? Oh! Right, yes I did test it. But that was with regular bullets. I still have other tests to run, Like against plasma bolts." I said.

Blues sighed. "And if it doesn't work? I'm gonna be out a shield then."

"Oh, I'll make you a new one if it gets destroyed. Don't be a baby."

"With what materials? Also I was technically born today so..."

"Blues... Stop." I said. Blues just smirked.

"Right, Lets begin testing your Proto-Buster."

"'Proto-Buster'?"

"That's the name I'm going with for your weapon, a Buster, and it's technically a prototype."

"You really are bad with names."

I scowled. "Just fire when ready."

Blues acknowledged, taking aim at the first target. A second later, a very none threatening "Bweep" sound came out alongside a bolt of plasma. The bolt sailed through the air striking the target.

And set it on fire.

I didn't waste time, grabbing the fire extinguisher from the back of the truck and putting out the fire.

As I look at the remains of melted metal and burnt twigs, I sighed. I begin to think this may not have been as solid an idea as I hoped.

"Well," Blues started. "At least it works."

Again I sighed. "I'll start making a new target. For now, test out your shield."

I got to work as soon as Blues turned and regarded his shield. Grabbing various twigs and some rope, making a sort of scarecrow shape out of them. Once it was deemed stable and sturdy I would hang a metal plate over the "chest" area.

Somewhere midway, I heard the telltale sound of Blues firing again. It was followed shortly by a strangely metallic "plink" noise.

"Doc!" Blues cried out.

I turn my head to regard Blues, only to see a plasma bolt flying my way.

I yelped before jumping back, the bolt barely missing me and striking my half made target.

Blues came rushing over. "Are you okay?!"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." I mutter, looking at the burning twigs before shifting my gaze over to the shield. "At least the shield works."

"How about we call it a day Doc?" Blues suggests.

"No, no we can't. We still need to test out the charge function." I start. "Although maybe we should back the truck up before we test it on the shield."

The last thing I want is for my only vehicle to explode on me.

As I made my way over to the truck, my phone went of. I pull it out and notice a new message. A quick read through and my face forms into an annoyed scowl.

"Something wrong?" Blues asked.

"There's a super fight happening." I groaned out, going back into the truck.

"Shouldn't we do something then?"

I sighed. "Well first of all, it's not near the house. So I don't really need to get involved. Not that I really want to."

"But-"

"Secondly," I start, cutting Blues off. "We still haven't fully tested your combat systems or armor." I said, sounding like an awfully lot like a father scolding his kid.

I immediately push that thought down.

"And third, Superman can handle this himself."

I close the door and put the keys in the ignition.

"Doc..."

I look towards Blues.

"I get it. You're worried. But if I don't do this, then when will I be ready?"

I grimace and glance to the side.

"Besides, just because the fight isn't putting our home in danger doesn't mean it'll stay that way. This is what I was made for." I look back. I noticed he had taken off his helmet, and for the first time since his activation, I saw his eyes.

I could almost swear there was a strange spark to them.

"Let me do this." Blues said with untold amounts of determination.

I felt my mind race. I know this is what I made him for, to be a protector. But that fear in the back of my mind kept arguing with my dream.

Can I really live with myself if he gets destroyed?

That feeling of anxiety was strong. Almost crippling even.

This is what he was made for. I can't deny him the chance to prove himself.

Proving himself means nothing if he's dead! I should just remove the combat systems, keep him as an assistant. Deal with the bastards in my way by myself!

Really? What if he doesn't want them removed? Go against his will? And I'm not in any condition to fight! It's why I made him in the first place!

I let out a long sigh and slumped into my seat.

"I feel like I'm going to regret this," I say, pulling out my phone. "but alright."

Blues smiles, and puts on his helmet. "Thanks Doc, you won't regret it."

"That remains to be seen." I muttered, texting my Metalls.

"Just think of it as a field test." Blues snarked.

I let out a grunt as I righted myself in the seat. "Okay, you'll be teleporting close to where the fight is at." I say taking one last look at Blues. "Be careful Blues."

He gave me a thumbs up just before he disappeared in a beam of red light.

It didn't take long for Blues to end up in downtown Metropolis, right up on someone's roof. Although he had to shake off that weird feeling of static the teleporting seemed to give his body.

After that he took a quick glance around. Signs of a battle were everywhere.

A brief jog across rooftops and Blues noticed a green glow coming from an alley. taking a look down showed two figures.

One teenage girl with blonde hair, a cape and a very clear "S" symbol on the front. Supergirl. Who seemed to have bits of something green and glowing on various parts of her.

Kryptonite. Blues thought.

The other figure, was more of a mystery to Blues. It looked more like a mech then a villain. A bulky looking purple body made of metal, The most notable piece was the large green rock shown in the chest area.

Even though he just started, Blues figured he should call the doctor to at least know who he's up against.

"Hey Doc, you know any robots and/or cyborgs that use kryptonite?"

A brief moment of silence, but eventually he got a response.

"Off the top of my head? Metallo. I think he's commonly a cyborg with a kryptonite heart." There was a pause. "Technically, he may not be a threat to you. Assuming it is him, and he doesn't have any real weapons added to him."

Blues nodded. "Right. I'll play it by ear then."

Suddenly a thought struck Blues, and he smirked.

Well, if I'm playing the hero I may as well make an entrance.

And then Blues began to whistle.

Admittedly I like how this chapter came out. my only issue is with the Luthor and Brainiac segment. I blame myself for setting it up in a previous chapter. I don't know. A part of me wants to remove it and make it a separate interlude, but that would be way to short an interlude if I did.

There's also the fact that I can't remember if there was a point in one of the continuities where Luthor and Brainiac teamed up repeatedly, or at the very least dealt with each other constantly.

And at some point I imagined them in a sort of Megatron and Starscream relationship, before saying screw it, the segment stays.

Although if this is anything to go by I dread writing with every other DC character.