3.08

Looking through the window, Claw could see a man in a white lab coat standing in a small clearing that had formed in the crowd of customers.

Next to him were two robots, one stood about knee height and looked like an oversized battery. The other one floated around the man’s head, it looked like a fan.

“They’re getting stranger and stranger these days.” Claw took a few steps back and jumped at the window, causing the glass to explode with fury.

“Ah, it’s not who I was hoping. Still, it’ll be good testing.” Before Claw could react the two robots charged at him.

Claw rolled to the side, dodging the flying fan just before it hit his head. He stopped on his knees and extended his metal arm out to grab the battery shaped robot.

As soon as his arm connected with the robot, a surge of electricity raced along his arm. The pain was intense. When the surge stopped, Claw was able to retract his arm.

The flying fan circled around and flew at him from behind. He braced for impact and held up his metal arm. The blades of the fan clashed with his metal arm. Sparks flew and the robot flew away.

“Well done, my creations. You’re doing well. Now, try and hurt him again.” Inventor Pete called out. Most of the customers had made their way out of the window Claw had shattered, but some stayed on, curious to see what would happen.

“What do you want?” Claw asked. He rolled to the side, dodging both robots.

“I’m testing my inventions. You see, the battery and the fan are two of the greatest inventions, I wish they were things I could’ve invented myself. But I’ve at least made improvements.”

“You don’t want money or something?”

“No, no. Why would I rob a hardware store if that’s what I wanted? No, I’m testing the limits of my robots. I have my sights set on Mite and his friends. I was disappointed when he didn’t show up. But you’ll have to do.” Inventor Pete clapped as he watched his two robots perform in front of him.

“Sorry to disappoint.” Claw pulled out his ice gun and shot it at the battery robot. It was encased in ice within moments. “Now, just to sort you out.” Claw spun around just as the fan robot sung past his head. Three pieces of hair were severed from his head.

Claw spun around and watched as the fan launched itself against the ice, shattering it.

“Oh great.” The battery robot exploded forth, electricity dancing around its body.

Electricity burst forth, and Claw tried to dodge but the fan robot flew by him at the same time, he was trapped.

Claw felt the electricity surge all around him. It flashed brightly as he stood still, immense pain shooting through his body.

It was only a few short seconds, but to Claw it felt like a lifetime. The electricity stopped and Claw fell to his knees.

“I’m getting too old for this.” The fan swooped in and embedded itself in his chest, at the base of the metal arm. The fan robot pulled away in an explosion of blood as Claw fell to the floor.

“Well, that was easier than I thought it would be. You two did such an amazing job. I’m so proud of you.”

“Hey, this ain’t over yet.” Inventor Pete whirled around and locked eyes with a lady that appeared to be made of living brick.

“You’re going to stop me, are you?”

“Yep.”

“Go forth my pretties. Take this hero down.” The two robots rushed at Brickla. Brickla braced herself.

The fan robot arced in from the left. Brickla put her hand out and caught it by the blade. She flung it at the battery and the two robots crashed along the ground.

“Hm. You’ve just given me valuable data. I’ve found flaws in my designs.” Inventor Pete laughed to himself.

“I’m taking you down.” Brickla took a few steps toward Inventor Pete before the battery robot shot electricity forth at her.

The electricity engulfed her, but she felt nothing. Brickla continued to walk toward the tiny robot.

As she approached the robot, it stopped firing the electricity. She punched down on its head, crumpling it into the floor. Acid oozed from its body.

The fan robot caught her by surprise, flying at her from behind. As its blade struck her skin, it tried to fly back. Brickla spun and caught it just in time.

The robot pulled away as best it could, but Brickla folded each of the blades and pulled the robot in two.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Brickla asked. She straightened her leather jacket as she approached Inventor Pete.

“No, it isn’t.” Inventor Pete pressed a button on his watch.

Brickla stood still for a moment, waiting for something to happen.

A mattress on small legs jumped out of one of the aisles to grab Brickla. Brickla punched it square in the middle.

The mattress flew straight into Inventor Pete, sending them sprawling across the cement floor.

The robot immediately powered down and Inventor Pete was stuck underneath his own invention, his nose bleeding.

“Dead or alive, you’re coming with me,” Brickla said as she stood over him.

“Okay, I believe you. I surrender.” Brickla punched his face, and he was knocked out as the back of his head hit the floor.

***

“Did you see they’ve made trading cards for Toastar, Woolpack and Rampage? They’re even doing reprints of Copter.” Silas was sitting at his computer in his room in The Fortress.

Hunter had been worried about the lack of contact from his friend and had taken it upon himself to visit.

“Really? Have they got any of us?”

“Yeah, but only one. Jimena. Sorry, Quagmire.”

“Just the one?”

“Yeah, I’m thinking of contacting them. Make sure they know about the rest of us.”

Hunter’s communicator buzzed and Hunter was greeted by Michael’s face.

“What’s up Michael?”

“I’ve just heard from Brickla. Claw tried to stop an attack by Inventor Pete and was wounded pretty badly. She said Inventor Pete wants to come after you, but thankfully he’s locked up now.”

“Ok, no worries Michael.”

“Just be careful.” Michael ended the call.

“No way.” Silas blurted out.

“What?”

“There’s calls to get more information about Inventor Pete. They want to make a card on him.”