Now I keep thinking a scenario with the Dragon Guy from the Red Ring (who I've been calling Dagon in my head), in the snake hybrid!Robert AU, during The Assault to the SND. He can probably smell where Robert went and sees ThumbStick going in that same direction, so he instictually follows. If he is more of a western dragon then he's gonna feel pretty territorial over the pretty snake, even if his human brain is telling him it was just a hook up. So he follows, and when he sees Robert trying to ambush the peeing villain his instics fully kick in.
Everything after is a blur. He remembers listening Visi and Robert discussing over pulling the downed villain's pant up (ew), going around the SND hunting down for more Red Ring because Robert asked him to (those damn eyes and voice) and by the time the dust fully settles and it looks like he's going to get arrested, the Z Team starts to say he is with them. And Robert is more than happy to support the claim? Guess he's a Phoenix now?? Yay???
Oddly enough, I don't feel, in case of a polycule, he would pose a problem. Because western dragons? Are greedy, and like to hoard. It's only that instead of gold or anything like that, Dagon takes a look at this motley band of ex-villains, all pining for the same man as he is, and his lizard brain goes "More mates? MORE MATES!"
Idk if this is something, but just feel in my bone that bro saw those doe eyes fog with pleasure once (1) and he was done for.
Also consider that with Robert's larger form in this AU, he actually can't hide from ThumbStick as easily as in canon. Things get messy (in more ways than one) when the killer decides to pee later, and take out "random SDN blue collar" now.
Dragon Guy (love the name hc Dagon btw) intervenes, much to Robert and Visi's surprise.
Turns out the lure of "possible date with cute snake guy" (and maybe more if Robert and him did hookup in between Ep 5 & 6) is stronger than the dragon's loyalty to the Red Ring. Plus he figures after the Z-Team beat the crap out of the Red Ring forces, that it's a sinking ship anyway.
Toxic and Armstrong seeing the Dragon Guy/Dagon/Long/Ryuu getting a pardon cus he flipped on the Red Ring for a twink. (Perhaps multiple if Waterboy is involved)
Dragon Guy: "Don't care. He's cute as hell."
Toxic: "Boo, you whore."
Bonus if Shroud is still alive. He is pissed at the disloyalty, but at the same time can respect the instinctual need to protect one's mate. Also its nice to see Robert expressing his more repitilian side for once.
The Z-Team are a little confused at first why this seemingly random ex-Red Ring guy swapped sides, but Sonar and Coupe quickly ID him as "Robbo's bf from the Sardine bathroom". Scandalous teasing ensues.
Flambae, impressed: "What went on in that bathroom? I've never recieved head good enough to change loyalties!" XD
Dragon Guy turns out to be a sweetheart under all those tattoos and spikes.
Lizards can be surprising romantic creatures. Males will suspend from branches/cielings of enclosures to act as hammocks for their mate. And in the case of certain skinks, will mate for life.
Combine that with the belief of western dragons acting a bit like birds; gifts, nest building, food sharing etc, and you've got an ex-villain with some rizz.
(I am suddenly reminded of those Dragon Bros comics.)
The addition of more mates is no issue. Lots of species of snakes/lizards keep to tight poly groups.
Plus, there's no harm in seeing how Dragon Guy handles Flambae. ;) (combine this with the popular au idea of Flambae being a dragon, and thkngs gets spicy)