The robot had arrived from Robot City, courtesy of Mr. Hardy. It had a bronze metallic body, a steam pipe on each shoulder, and a speaker for a mouth. Though it looked ten feet tall when sitting on the floor, it stood at twenty feet.

Doctor Richard stood on a lift, staring at its golden eyes. He observed his callous reflection and swiped the auburn curls on his forehead to the side. "That's better."

He opened the instruction manual in his hands and perused one page at a time. He noted something unusual. "The robot requires a fresh human brain to operate. There is an empty chamber in the head where you put the brain. After setting the brain in the chamber, press the green button, and the four pins will attach to the cerebrum."

Doctor Richard glanced at the robot's open head and saw the square chamber. It had a silver pin in each corner and a green button in front of the chamber.

He kept reading. "After the pins attach to the cerebrum, the robot will activate. It will retain the memories and knowledge of the human, allowing it to function like them. The reason for this is to eliminate the need to teach the robot basic things and get it working in an instant."

Doctor Richard scratched his neck while staring at the drawing of a man placing a brain inside a robot. "Where can I find a fresh brain to aid me in burning Virtue City?"

"Richard!" Michael called from outside.

Doctor Richard grinned. "In here, Father!"

Michael walked into the underground storage facility. He smiled once he saw the robot. "Beautiful. Absolutely, beautiful."

Doctor Richard pulled the lift's lever, and it descended. "The time has come, Father," he said once he got to the floor. "How many men have you gathered?"

"Over a hundred, give or take."

"Excellent." Doctor Richard nodded. "And they'll kill every resident?"

"They are expecting your orders."

Doctor Richard couldn't stop smiling. Everything had aligned as he had hoped, and now he would make Virtue City pay for his mother's death. "There's one more thing I need to inform you, Father."

Michael looked stunned. "What is it?"

"For the robot to function, it requires a human brain."

"That is absurd."

Doctor Richard handed Michael the instruction manual.

"I see," Michael said after reading it. He looked at Doctor Richard and smiled. "I understand, son. I accept."

Doctor Richard's eyes widened. "I wasn't expecting you to agree willingly."

Michael nodded in acknowledgment. "I know. But after the pain I put you and Felicia through, this is the least I can do. I was weak back then and could not prevent Tomas from murdering your mother. Offering my life now, for whatever it is worth, is punishment for my complicity."

Doctor Richard noticed the tears in Michael's eyes. The man he had called his "Father" had accepted death. Doctor Richard didn't know how to feel about it. On the one hand, he was delighted he didn't betray him. On the other, he was broken-hearted about Michael dying.

"I'm glad you adopted me. Calling you 'Father' has been the best thing in my life. I can't comprehend what my life would have been without you, and I am pleased I never found out."

Tears ran down Michael's face. He stroked them off with the back of his hands, but more kept coming. "I am pleased to call you 'Son' as well. As a sterile man, it was hard to accept I wouldn't produce an heir. Then you came along and bettered my life. These last twenty-five years have been wonderful."

Doctor Richard hugged Michael. "I'll miss you, Father."

"Likewise."

Doctor Richard reached inside his back pocket, took out a pocket knife, and slit Michael's throat. Michael took a few steps backward and hit the wall. His hands covered the wound, blood staining them. He slid down the wall and sat on the floor. It didn't take long before he died.

"I have to find something to cut through his skull," Doctor Richard muttered. He looked at Michael with sadness in his eyes. The man he once called Father was no more. "Mother always spoke about Gods and how they welcome us to Heaven after we die." He looked at the ceiling. "Gods, if you're listening, you'll be getting more tenants when the night ends." He turned to the robot. "Don't worry about me. After I die, I'll be having a date with the devils."