Creature In The Lighting Booth

Member of the Z-Team: *Fighting a villain*

Waterboy: *Barges in, soaking wet (more than usual) and covered in seaweed*

Waterboy: “You thought you could drown me in the lake so you could eat me later?”

Waterboy: “Well, guess what, punk, I’m a fish!”

Waterboy: “WITH LEGS!”

Flambae is dispatched to handle a villain who is attacking a mall. While they’re apprehended, as a last ditch effort to escape, the villain unleashes a spell that will make Flambae fall in love with whoever he sees first.

Unfortunately (or not), that person ends up being Waterboy, who was the first person to arrive on the scene to help clean up.

After learning how the spell works, the team is confused when Flambae’s behavior towards Waterboy doesn’t really change. He’s still the same bullying asshole he always is. So, the team just thinks it didn’t work.

However, what the villain didn’t tell them is that over time, the feelings build up and, eventually, everything comes out.

After a successful week of dispatching, the entire Z-Team go out for drinks. They’re just shooting the breeze, talking about the week and other things, and eventually, the topic of family comes up.

This leads to everyone telling stories about their families. Flambae talks about his sister and niece, Waterboy tells stories about his grandma and her many cats, and even Prism has a few stories to tell about her family in Michigan.

Eventually, someone asks Robert about his dad. What was he like?

“I mean, come on. Your dad was Mecha Man, before you. That must be awesome.”

Robert finished his drink before answering.

“I don’t know…”

The team is shocked. What does he mean? ‘I don’t know’?

“I mean, he was never around. Always too busy with hero stuff.”

As Robert talks more about his dad, the smiles on the team’s faces all fade away. Robert talked about the times his dad would leave him at random arcades or theme parks, telling him not to come out until he ran out of money. Or how he would be left with Chase or some other member of the Brave Brigade. Or even when he was left alone for whole days sometimes.

“Hell, he wasn’t even there for my 12th birthday. Can you believe that? Can’t even be there for your own son’s birthday…” He trailed off, the alcohol taking effect.

The team is dumbfounded. How could Mecha Man, one of the greatest heroes of a majority of their childhoods, be so neglectful of his own son? His own flesh and blood?

“And the worst thing is, after everything, I still loved him.” Robert threw his hands up. “I mean, look at me. I went broke, wasted so much time and energy hunting down the man who killed him. And for what? He’s in jail, and I’m here…”

Some members of the team saw red. They all knew that they would absolutely do anything for family (at least, those who had family left). And they were all a bunch of villains. To hear that a hero was that way…

Everyone’s opinion of Mecha Man Astral changed that night. Robert was such a good man. How could his dad be such a jerk?

Eventually, all the alcohol the team had consumed caught up to them, and they all called it quits for the night. They all decided to have an impromptu sleepover at Robert’s apartment. Robert’s too drunk to protest, so he just lets it happen.

As they all prepare to sleep, they all make a silent promise to each other.

1. That if Robert’s dad ever gets resurrected, they are going to beat the shit out of him.

Like, no matter what type of photo you’re taking, no matter what time of day, the lighting: Waterboy just looks good in any photo.

And trust me, the team has tried to take an unflattering photo. They’ve tried horrible lighting, weird angles, catching him by surprise, but to no avail. He always looks good.