Villain and Hero Reunite

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

Villain strides slowly next to the Hero’s force field cage. Hero’s tied up in some sort of holographic bind, arms behind his back, kneeled, head hung, causing his curls to obscure his beaten face.

Villain starts creeping back and forth, “Y’know, you shouldn’t have stood up to me on your own, a newbie mistake.” He glances over his shoulder at Hero looking for a reaction, “It’s embarrassing really, I would’ve imagined they’d prepare you for a basic mech fight, but alas, here you are!” He taunts as a smug grin grows.

Hero looks up at them, glaring, but then they’re immediately stunned.

“Now, tell me,” Villain spins towards him, mentally noting Hero’s reformed expression, “Where did you and your little brigade come from? What brings you here? Why now?”

Hero’s face softens, searching for something in his eyes, “You… “

“Me? Oh, have I really gotten that infamous? – That ad campaign must’ve worked, fantastic news!” He claps cheerily.

“No! I mean, yes it did- but that’s not what I was… You couldn’t happen to be-”

“I couldn’t happen to be what? I’m getting mixed signals over here,” Villain gestures as he rolls his eyes & crosses his arms. “Tell me, is that jingle stuck in their heads or not? It was quite the challenge, you see, I’m not very musically inclined- “

“Vincent Balmyrr?”

Villain’s stomach drops, that’s a name he hasn’t heard in a long time. His face darkens at once and he adopts an intimidating tone. But it’s not like that masks his dumbfounded expression. His hand ghosts over his weapon as he straightens into a daunting stance.

“How do you know that name?” He growls.

“Vincent? Vinnie? Is that you?” the hero says scooting up, mashing his face against the barrier. Villain crouches down to his level & lowers said barrier. Hero nearly face-plants, but he’s caught by a death-grip to the face.

“Who are you?” Hero starts giggling, “What’s your game? Why are you-?” That relentless smile lives on, “Would you quit looking at me like that!”

It’s quite the perplexing image; Hero’s face is scratched, bloodied, and bruised from earlier, but yet they’re beaming through crushed cheeks. He’s the one who should be laughing maniacally right now, not Hero.

“Oh my god, it is you! Remember me from high school?” Hero can barely contain his newly found delight. “Well, actually I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t recognize me. I’ve changed… quite a bit, but hey, so have you!” Hero laughs as he gestures to himself awkwardly with his shoulders. 

“You look great by the way; teal looks fantastic on you.” 

“Excuse me?” The other grabbing his cape to shield his reddened face.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to fluster you- I’m just so…! It’s me! Lakewood! We dated for a couple of years, before the whole disappearing thing?”

Villain is absolutely baffled; Hero’s words aren’t processing in his brain...