Once they left the room, Flug said, "I hope you're happy with yourself."
"Why are you mad at me?" Melanie asked.
"What do you think? Your manipulation!" Flug replied.
"I was not trying to be manipulative," argued Melanie. "Sadie and I just wanted 505 to be happy."
"Yeah, right. This is all your fault," Flug said. "You made 505 think I was trying to control him instead of protecting him. Now, he's mad at me and it's all your fault!"
"It's not my fault that he has a problem with how you're treating him," said Melanie. "What exactly happened in your fight? It must have been bad if he doesn't want to talk to you."
"That is none of your business," Flug retorted as he opened the elevator.
"Are you sure about that?" asked Melanie as she walked in with Flug. "You said the fight was my fault. Maybe I can make it better."
Flug sighed. Melanie had a point. It couldn't hurt.
"It started out as me scolding 505 for letting you guys out," Flug explained. "Then 505 snatched his phone back and asked me if you were right about me caring about Black Hat's happiness more than his own. I tried to explain why but he turned this into an argument about why we have to serve Black Hat in the first place if he's mean to us and makes us do bad things, like not allowing 505 to talk."
"Makes sense," Melanie noted.
"Our conversation escalated into an argument," continued Flug. "I said some stupid things and tried to take his phone back. We fought. We wrestled over the phone. Then 505 said that you were right about me and that I want to turn everyone evil like Black Hat said and that he didn't like me anymore. So now, that's where we're at. I hope you're happy. You took one of my biggest sources of happiness from me. I hope you're happy."
"Dang, that's horrible," said Melanie.
"I thought you'd be happy," Flug said confusedly.
"I wanted you two to think about who you were following and why you let Black Hat make you do bad things," said Melanie. "I wanted 505 to think about how you were treating him and start thinking for himself. I didn't want you two to start hating each other."
"Well, what did you expect would happen?" Flug asked incredulously.
"That you would realize Black Hat was wrong and let go of how controlling you have to be so that you and 505 can be truly happy?" said Melanie.
"You really thought that was going to happen?" asked Flug.
"I was hoping it would," Melanie argued.
The elevator dinged and opened, allowing the two to walk out.
"If it were up to me, 505 would be talking to his heart's content, but it's not," said Flug sadly.
"But 505 can't die," Melanie said. "And if you're worried about Black Hat hurting him, can't you just do it when he's not around?"
"505 could still get hurt," Flug argued. "But why are you concerned about me? I thought you'd be happy that one of my own is against me."
"Well, I didn't want you to be lonely," Melanie said. "Yeah, you're an unbelievably bad person who needs to repent, but even you don't deserve to be friendless and alone. Most villains don't."
Flug stood there silently, surprised at what he just heard.
"Well, I still think that Black Hat is a sublime villain, and it's an honor and a privilege to work under him," Flug said. "However, 505 is a problem to him and I have to do what I can to keep him safe."
"But there has to be something I can do to help," asked Melanie.
"I don't know," Flug said.
"Well then, what can you do to help?" asked Melanie.
Flug paused for a second, lost in thought.
"I don't know," said Flug. "I'm not good at these things, Melanie. I don't know how to be. 505 is the first real friend I have had. I never had any friends before him. That's the one other thing we have in common."
"How about you apologize for what you said?" asked Melanie. "I know that would help. I mean I'm sure you said things you regret, right?"
"Yes," Flug said, nodding solemnly.
"Then that's where you should start," said Melanie. "I think you should also consider compromising."
"And what kind of compromising would we be talking about here?" asked Flug with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe you could let 505 use his phone to talk to you, but only when Black Hat isn't around?" suggested Melanie.
Flug paused for a second to consider it, but he still wasn't sure.
"I'd like that, but I'm still scared about what Black Hat will do if he catches 505 using the app," admitted Flug.
"Doesn't Black Hat always hurt 505 anyways?" asked Melanie. "It doesn't matter what 505 does. Black Hat always finds a reason to hurt him. If he gets caught, 505 will just regenerate himself with his superpowers. So, why not?"
Flug paused. He hated to admit it, but Melanie was right. 505 would be hurt either way. He might as well try to be happy.
"I guess we can give it a shot," said Flug.
"Really?" Melanie asked excitedly with her eyes filled with hope.
"Yes, but I…doubt that 505 will want to talk to me," said Flug sadly. "So, why don't you go tell him the good news yourself?"
"I can, but you're his dad, Flug," said Melanie. "I'm sure he'd like to hear it from you too even if he doesn't like you right now."
"You really think so?" Flug asked, his eyes were soft and pleading for reassurance.
"Yeah, of course," Melanie reassured. "I mean, it's how I would feel. I'm upset at my parents right now for making me stay here with Black Hat all summer, but if they came here, told me they were sorry, said they would help me pack up, and told Black Hat they were taking me and Sadie home then and there, I would be over the moon."
Flug looked at Melanie and, in spite of himself, felt compassion for her loneliness, for her abandonment, and for the hope she still clung on to. In the same thought, he realized how much she had in common with 505.
Flug sighed deeply and said, "Okay, I'll apologize to 505. But would you like to come with me? I mean, in case he doesn't want to talk to me?"
"Si," Melanie said in Spanish. "Let's go."
Melanie eagerly headed to the elevator while Flug nervously followed behind her.
Soon enough, the pair reached the lab and headed to where Sadie's cell was.
As the door opened, Flug gulped in fear.
The room was dark and quiet. Sadie was asleep. But no one knew whether 505 was.
Flug looked at Melanie for support and she said, "Go on. You can do it."
Flug took a deep breath and asked, "505, are you awake?"
The sudden rustling of blankets and pillows let him know he was.
"505, don't worry," mentioned Melanie. "Flug's here to apologize."
505 immediately perked up and stuck his head above Sadie sleeping in her bed.
Flug stepped forward and said, "Listen, buddy. I'm sorry for what I said. I'm sorry for all the threats I made, all the insults I said, and for not letting you speak. I have been so scared of what Black Hat might do to you that I didn't care about whether you were happy. After talking to Melanie, I think it's better if you get to speak, but only when we're sure Black Hat's not around. Is that okay?"
505 peaked his head a bit over the bed and nodded.
"You've been growing and changing and making new friends, and it's been hard to accept," said Flug. "But I want you to know I still love you. Do you still love me?"
A moment of silence passed.
"It's okay if you don't want to answer," Flug said softly.
Melanie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was it defeat? Some darn humility for once?
"Come on, Melanie," said Flug. "We should give 505 some time to rest."
Flug started heading out of the room, feeling dejected and depressed. He walked towards the door, too lost in his own thoughts to notice that Melanie was following behind him. He was mentally letting the clouds of sadness and regret cloud over him when…
"WAIT," 505 typed, stopping Flug in his tracks and breaking his mental storm. "Do you really mean it? Can I talk with my phone?"
With tears of relief flowing through his goggles, Flug turned around and said, "Of course, you can, buddy. We just have to make sure that Demencia and Black Hat never ever see you use it. Is that okay?"
505 nodded feverishly and typed, "Great. Because I really like talking now. I can say more things now, and I want you to be able to hear it, too."
Flug smiled and said, "I want to hear what you say too because I love you, buddy. I like hearing your thoughts. I want to hear more, and I will listen more. I'm sorry for not listening, buddy. I'm sorry for making you feel so ignored. Can you forgive me? Can you love me again?"
Another moment of silence passed while 505 typed his answer.
Thankfully, before Flug could get too nervous, 505 answered, "Yes. I'm sorry I said I didn't like you anymore. I felt sad because I thought you lied when you said you loved me."
Melanie looked between the two to see what Flug would say next.
After taking a deep breath, Flug said, "I'm not always completely honest with you, buddy. Black Hat won't allow me to be. I share a lot with you, but there are some things that I'm forced to hide even from you. However, I have never ever lied about the fact that I love you as my own son. Even if something went wrong in your creation, you are my favorite experiment and you always will be. That will never change."
505 sniffled as he stood up and exited Sadie's cell.
The bear ran over to Flug, reached out his paws, and pulled him into a big, old hug.
Melanie smiled contentedly, quietly took a picture to remember the moment, and then walked over to Sadie's cell to check on her.
Eventually, Flug and 505 ended their hug.
"Alright, Fluffy, let's go to bed," said Flug before calling into the cell. "Melanie, you too."
"What? But can't I sleep in Sadie's cell?" begged Melanie. "Sadie might get scared by herself, and it's not like Black Hat's here."
"I still can't disobey him, Melanie," Flug said apologetically. "You still need to sleep upstairs. I'm sorry. I promise you'll see her in the morning."
"But what about Sadie?" Melanie asked.
"I'll stay with her," 505 typed.
"What?" Flug asked in surprise. "Are you sure, buddy? I thought you were afraid of the dark."
505 typed for a moment and replied, "I am when I'm alone, but I won't be alone. Sadie will be there. I want to be there for her when she wakes up so that she won't feel scared and alone."
Flug smiled under his bag and replied, "Alright, buddy. I'll see you in the morning then, alright?"
505 nodded and headed back to the cell.
"Goodnight, 505," Melanie said, waving as Flug gently placed a hand on her shoulder and led her away.
The pair silently headed out of the lab and headed to the elevator.
After they stepped in and the doors shut, Melanie asked Flug,"You did a great job."
"Thank you," Flug said, giving Melanie a sideways glance. "Thanks for your help."
"You're welcome," Melanie said, pulling the picture up on her phone. "I got a picture of you hugging. It was so sweet!"
"Really?" Flug asked, turning to her completely. "Can I see it?"
"Sure," Melanie said, showing him the photo.
Flug took the phone to get a closer look.
Melanie paused nervously, not realizing the mistake this was. She fidgeted with her hair while Flug looked at the photo.
Thankfully, the scientist's eyes lit up in a smile as he asked, "Do you mind if I send this to myself? I'd like to print this one out."
"Oh, sure," Melanie said, calming down as she realized he had no interest in scouring her phone now.
Melanie stood there as Flug pressed all the necessary buttons.
Soon enough, the elevator opened and Flug and Melanie headed toward her room.
"Here, you go," Flug said, handing her the phone back. "I sent it to myself and put my number in your phone. Now, you can call me or text me whenever you need me."
"Thanks," said Melanie. "Does that mean we're friends now?"
Flug paused and thought as they headed up the stairs to Melanie's room.
"I don't know," Flug said. "I am your teacher."
"But you have my phone number now," said Melanie. "Doesn't that mean we're friends?"
"I suppose that means we have a relationship of some kind," Flug said, reaching the top of the stairs.
"Then that means we're friends," Melanie said, happily flying past him on her scythe to reach her bedroom.
"Maybe," Flug said, walking over to catch up with her. "But for now, you need to go to bed."
Flug pulled out his bottle of sleeping meds and took out a pill.
Melanie landed, got her bottle of water from her bedside table, and obediently took her medicine.
"Get your shower, brush your teeth, and go to sleep," Flug demanded. "The sooner you sleep, the sooner you can return to your friend."
"Whatever you say, buddy," Melanie said, emphasizing the last word. "Goodnight!"
Flug playfully rolled his eyes and replied, "Goodnight."
The scientist then shut the door and headed to his own room. He only paused for a moment to reflect on what Melanie said and what happened before preparing for bed himself.
Friendship? Maybe it was possible.