Chapter 17: Going Back

"Who's a robot?" Black Flame's voice echoed, thick with amusement, his tone as teasing as the smirk that was no doubt hidden behind his imposing helmet.

Max and Leo froze in place, their eyes wide as saucers as the realization sank in. He had heard them. The color drained from Max's face as he shot a panicked glance at his brother.

"R-robot? What robot?" Max stammered, forcing a nervous laugh as he frantically pointed at Leo. "Leo, did you hear anything about robots?"

'You traitorous, good-for-nothing idiot!' Leo raged internally, glaring daggers at his older brother.

"N-no," Leo stammered, feeling his pulse quicken. "I didn't hear anything about robots, Flame. You must've misheard." His voice cracked slightly, betraying his anxiety.

"Oh?" Black Flame tilted his head, voice still dripping with amusement. "So, you mean to tell me I've got a terrible hearing, huh?"

"N-no, i-it's j-just—"

Black Flame burst out laughing, his deep chuckle reverberating through the space around them.

 "Hahahahaha! Relax! I was messing with you two!" His laughter was genuine, rumbling out from his chest as he wiped imaginary tears from his visor. "Hahaha! You should've seen your faces!"

Both brothers let out a collective sigh of relief, their tension easing, though Leo shot another dirty look at Max.

'Phew, we're lucky he didn't take offense,' Leo thought, still shaken.

Max, on the other hand, was grinning. 'No doubts now—only a human could express emotions like that. Plus, he's surprisingly easy to get along with,' Max mused, feeling more at ease with Black Flame than he had before.

Black Flame's laughter finally subsided as he took a deep breath and straightened. "Alright, enough fun. Let's get going."

"Agreed," Leo said, still recovering. "But, uh… how are we getting back?"

Black Flame raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean… how are we going back?" Leo clarified. "We don't have any of your fancy tech to help us fly, Flame."

"Ah." Black Flame crossed his arms, his mechanical fingers clinking softly as they tapped against his armor. "You're right. You don't."

Max nodded. "So… are we taking a boat while you guide us?"

"Fools." Black Flame chuckled, shaking his head. "Do you think I'd suggest flying if it wasn't possible in the first place?"

Leo blinked in confusion. "Then how do you—"

"Just bring your little sister and the dog from the cave," Black Flame interrupted, already turning toward the clearing. "It's faster to show than explain."

Max and Leo exchanged bewildered glances, but Max just shrugged. "Alright, we'll be right back."

They hurried into the cave, their footsteps echoing faintly off the stone walls.

***

Inside the cave, the soft glow from the sunlight barely reached the small xave where Lily and their dog, Tommy, were resting.

"Lily, Tommy, come on. We're leaving," Max said softly, crouching down to gently ruffle his little sister's hair.

"Leaving? To where brother?" Lily asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"We're going with Flame to his home, Lily," Max explained, his tone gentle.

Before Lily could respond, a deafening 

BANG! 

Reverberated through the cave, the sound so sudden and powerful it made the walls vibrate.

"WHAT THE—?!" Max shouted, covering his ears as the noise rattled his brain. His vision blurred for a moment from the intensity.

"Agh! Damn it!" Leo cursed, doing the same. "That was LOUD!"

"My ears!" Lily cried, tears welling up in her eyes as she winced in pain.

"Aooo!" Tommy whimpered, ducking between Max's legs for safety.

Once the ringing in their ears subsided, they stood still, collecting themselves.

"Leo! Stay here with Lily and Tommy! I'll go check it out!" Max said urgently, already moving toward the entrance.

"But, Max! It's too dangerous!" Leo protested, grabbing his brother's arm.

"I don't care!" Max shot back, shaking Leo off. "Flame might be in danger."

"Then I'm coming with you!" Leo insisted.

"No. Someone has to stay and protect Lily and Tommy. You stay." Max's tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Leo clenched his jaw in frustration. "Fine…" he muttered, defeated. His brother's determination was unshakable when it came to protecting others.

Just as Max was about to run outside, Black Flame's booming voice cut through the tension. "You guys! How long are you going to keep me waiting?! Get out here, NOW!"

Max froze, relief flooding through him. "That voice… it's Flame! He's fine!" he said, a wide grin spreading across his face.

Leo sighed in relief too. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go!"

"Right," Max said, turning back toward Lily. "Come on, Lily. Hop on my back."

***

Outside, the brothers emerged to a bizarre sight.

"What the…?" Max muttered, his eyes widening in disbelief.

A massive tree, easily three meters long, lay beside Black Flame. The branches had been stripped away, leaving a smooth trunk.

"Flame, why do you have that tree?" Leo asked cautiously. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Wait… don't tell me…"

Black Flame smirked beneath his helmet. "You've figured it out. Hop on."

Leo stared at the log, slack-jawed. "B-but, is it safe?"

Black Flame glanced at him, his amusement clear. "What part of me carrying you on a tree isn't safe?"

Max blinked. "Uh… all of it?"

"Hahahaha!" Black Flame's laugh echoed again, his powerful frame shaking slightly. "You worry too much. Trust me."

Max hesitated for a moment, but the grin on Flame's face—or what he imagined was a grin, after all, he was wearing a helmet—helped ease his nerves. "Alright, if you say so." He turned to Lily. "Lily, hold on to me tight, okay?"

"Why, brother?" Lily asked innocently.

"Well…" Max tried to find a way to explain it without scaring her. "Because we're going to be flying, and it gets windy up there."

Lily's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?! We're going to fly?!"

Max smiled. "Yeah, but you have to hold on tight. Don't let go, okay?"

"Okay!" she said eagerly, hugging his shoulders with surprising strength.

Leo and their dog, now on the log, were less enthusiastic. "I got Tommy—uh, I mean Rhoades. But man, this is insane," Leo muttered.

"Are you all ready?" Black Flame asked, his voice more serious now.

Max nodded. "Yeah. We're good."

With a grunt of effort, Black Flame lifted the massive tree, effortlessly balancing it on his shoulders like it weighed nothing. The sheer display of strength left the brothers awestruck.

'Faraday, activate Rocket Boots,' Black Flame commanded silently.

[Understood.]

A fiery surge exploded from the soles of his boots, flames propelling him and the log skyward.

WHOOSH!

"WOOOAH!! THIS IS AWESOME!" Max yelled, the wind whipping his hair as they soared into the sky.

"WOW! WE'RE FLYING!" Lily's gleeful shouts echoed, her face beaming with joy.

"AAOOOO!" Even Rhoades howled in excitement, his fur rippling in the wind.

Meanwhile, Leo's face had gone pale, his knuckles white from gripping the log. "AAAAHHH! MOMMY!!" he shrieked, terrified at the sight of the clouds far, far below them. They were 20,000 feet above the ground.

Black Flame, hearing Leo's cries, sighed. "I'm going slow, but at this rate, it'll take forever to reach the base…"

"AAAAAHHH!!!" Leo's terrified scream echoed louder.

Black Flame said to himself. "Never mind. I'll take my time."