Chapter Text
Heavy Iron W restarted his optics, momentarily surprised that he was still online. The last image recorded in his brain module was the explosion unleashed by Tyrant Zero's rage, engulfing everything in flames and rubble. That’s right, that tyrant was absurdly strong, possessing absolute dominance. Even the combined forces of Blue Cop and Blaion were not enough to defeat him. Then, everything went dark, and now Heavy Iron W was here. There were no more gunshots or screams, the silence made him feel as though he had become one with Deus Machina.
The criminal assessed his surroundings. He was currently in what looked like a scrap yard outside the city of Mowtown, the place that had served as his hideout when he first arrived on this planet. But if Heavy Iron W remembered correctly, this place had been renovated after the Metal Cardbots and humans became allies, it shouldn't look as dilapidated as it did now. This raised an indescribable suspicion within him. He checked the timeline displayed on his HUD and was shocked to see that he had returned to the period just a few weeks after he had been sealed.
By some miracle, he had traveled through time while still possessing the powers of a Wild Cardbot. This was problematic, he wouldn't be able to explain himself if he were caught in this new, larger, and (possibly) scarier body. At this stage, the Metal Cardbots still had to hide their presence from humans, making Heavy Iron W’s movements far more restricted than before.
He didn't know why he had been sent back to the past. Preventing Tyrant Zero from coming to Earth seemed unthinkable, especially for someone branded as a traitor to his allies (said by Black Hook) like him. For now, he decided to lie low. After all, the decisive event was still a long way off, rushing wouldn't help. However, staying in the landfill indefinitely was not a viable plan, and he certainly couldn't return to Edo’s workshop. There was already a Heavy Iron existing in this timeline, and he didn't want to imagine the chaos that would ensue if the two of them ever met.
But instinct always overrides reason. In just a short time, Heavy Iron W was startled many times upon realizing he had unconsciously wandered within the vicinity of the Edo Motor’s. Too close and too easy to detect. There was something in Heavy Iron W that compelled him to come here, and he knew exactly what the cause was.
Black Hook.
That damned pirate with the navy blue paint job and his tricorn hat look like no other - a ghost forever lingering in Heavy Iron W's mind. In his timeline, Black Hook was said to have gone offline at the hands of Tyrant Zero while trying to stop the invasion, an event that (in a way) drove Heavy Iron W mad. In that final battle, he had devoted all his firepower to attacking the tyrant. His already brutal nature, combined with the animalistic hysteria of the Beast Virus, made him lose his reason, rushing toward the target like a moth to a flame. He was haunted by the sight of the pirate collapsing before him, optics darkening, that bright blue paint gradually becoming dull and cold. Heavy Iron W could not define his feelings for Black Hook, nor could he accurately explain the relationship between them. They were mortal enemies—everyone knew that. But there was something more, something he couldn't put into words, that made him aimlessly search for that familiar blue. It was a miracle to see Black Hook once again, as always, radiant and outgoing. He then decided, ignore that damn train, Heavy Iron W could not let Black Hook's life slip through his fingers again.
In the days that followed, Heavy Iron W remained near the repair shop, silent and still, observing and protecting (so he claimed) every time Black Hook appeared. He captured every one of the pirate's actions through his optics, including his skirmishes with the "other" Heavy Iron over trivial disputes. He watched their weapons collide and watched the criminal touch his enemy in a suspicious manner. That damn guy (his past self) had harbored such thoughts even then, yet never had the courage to voice them. What a shame. Many times, Heavy Iron W wanted to take the place of that heavy block of iron to stand squarely in front of Black Hook, but he knew it was impossible. Killing and disposing of a giant Cardbot was an arduous task, and he could not provide a reasonable explanation if Black Hook questioned the significant changes in his structure. Thus, Heavy Iron W could only linger like a thief, day after day, watching Black Hook’s every move in tedious silence.
Until one day, an encounter that no one expected suddenly took place. As usual, Heavy Iron W tried to hide his oversized frame, silently observing the Metal Cardbots inside the shop. It was as peaceful as ever. But something was missing, he couldn't see Heavy Iron anywhere. Wasn't that guy always hovering around Black Hook? Then, a deep voice rang out from behind, causing Heavy Iron W to freeze. He slowly turned his head and couldn't help but curse under his breath when he saw the one person he wanted to avoid most standing right in front of him.
"Who the hell are you?"