The past few months have been strange to say the least. Shroud was actually dead, stabbed in the neck by Invisigal, the Red Ring has been silent ever since his death, and Invisigal is nowhere to be found. The Z-Team are being celebrated as actual heroes, which is crazy to say. I can't believe they all actually earned their redemption. Mandy even let me allow Sonar back into the team, which has actually been great. Waterboy is more confident in himself, Phenomaman is oddly happier, and everybody in the Z-Team has grown closer to each other, it's... phenomenal.
As for me, well, I'm juggling two different responsibilities. Three, if we include Beef. I'm Mecha Man again, and it's been nice to actually go out there and make a difference personally, but I'm still Z-Team's dispatcher. I've come to understand that, together, they make a bigger difference than I ever could by just being Mecha Man, and they have.
Okay, actually I lied. Four responsibilities. Beef, dispatching, Mecha Man, and, last but definitely not least, Mandy. Though saying she's a responsibility feels a bit... insulting towards her. She's not a responsibility, she's a privilege, rather, it's a privilege to be dating her. Yeah, I know, Mecha Man and Blonde Blazer are dating, weird, right? I thought the same, but here we are, one month in and things are going great, considering the near-destruction of L.A. and whatnot.
As far as the Z-Team goes, they've really stepped up their game since defeating Shroud and the Red Ring. Flambae is still Flambae, but he's more of a heroic Flambae nowadays, I guess. Coupé and Punch Up are THE dynamic duo of the year, I think they've bagged more supervillains together than the rest of the team combined. I think Sonar's finally forgiven me for giving him that scar and kicking him off the team. Malevola, Golem, and Prism are about the same, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Now, Waterboy, he's improving a lot, confidence, superpowers, just his general outlook on life. I'm actually very proud of him. Hell, I'm proud of the whole team. Oh, right, Phenomaman. Him helping to save the city really brought him out of his depression, or whatever was wrong with him. He's been working with DTLA again ever since.
Now to get to the present day. The very present day. As in right here, right now, Monday, 6:37 AM, inside of Granny's Donuts.
"I hope it's not too early for you," Mandy sat across the table from me, beautiful as ever, "I just thought we could maybe get a small date in before the first shift of the week."
"You know I wake up at like five in the morning everyday to work out, right?" I chuckled, "No, for real though, it's never too early or too late in the day for a date with you."
God, the way she smiles at me, oh, what did I do in a past life to be this blessed. She still blushes like it's our first date, too. Adorable.
"So, I actually wanted to talk to you about something," She began, "It's... Invisigal. There have been reports – sightings – of an individual that matches her description near what seems to be Red Ring."
"Oh, shit... What do you want us to do?"
"Honestly, Robert, I'd like you to lead the Z-Team to her," Mandy said, "As Mecha Man."
I froze. I don't know why. I've been Mecha Man again since the whole Invisigal thing, but I haven't had to deal with her or Red Ring since that night. On the other hand, if Invisigal– Visi... Courtney is running the Red Ring now, then we're going to have to face her. I'm going to have to face her.
"Alright," I said, "When do you want us to start?"
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Dispatch: Aftermath
FanfictionShroud is dead. Killed by Invisigal, who took his mask and disappeared into the night. The Z-Team is finally celebrated as heroes after saving Los Angeles from the Red Ring. Most notably, however, Robert (Mecha Man) and Mandy (Blonde Blazer) have fa...
