DC: The Shadow Monarch's Chronicles

The cafeteria buzzed with chatter as trays clattered and students flooded in. But one table, right in the center, drew far more attention than most. Surrounding Amazo, who sat calmly with a tray in front of him, were members of Team RWBY and several others, all leaning in with burning curiosity.

"So, like, can you fly?" Ruby asked, eyes wide with fascination.

"Yes," Amazo replied, calmly spooning some mashed potatoes onto his plate.

"Can you breathe underwater?" Weiss chimed in.

"As an android, I have no need for air"

"Can you turn invisible?" Blake added.

"Yes"

"Do you have X-ray vision?" Yang asked, grinning.

"Yes. But I turn it off by default. It would be invasive."

As they peppered him with questions, Amazo answered each one with the same calm, matter-of-fact tone. His motions as he picked at the food were eerily precise, yet oddly... human. He sat and ate with them as if he'd done it all his life.

"Hold on!" Nora, from Team JNPR, shouted, pointing a sausage-laden fork at him. "How come you're eating? I thought you're, like, a machine and all?"

Amazo glanced at her, unbothered. "I evolved to be able to consume food like humans. Not for fuel but for enjoyment. My father encouraged it so I could understand taste, cuisine, and delicacies the way humans do."

Blake's eyes narrowed, thoughtful. "But… why would you do that? I mean, you're an android. Wouldn't you want to stay perfect, to stay above basic needs like hunger?"

Amazo paused, then looked up. His voice softened slightly.

"When I met my father, I had no purpose. I existed, but I didn't know why. He told me that to find a purpose, I had to have feelings, a will, the ability and desire to choose. If I didn't, someone else would decide for me, and I would only follow orders, a tool to be exploited"

The students quieted as Amazo continued, "When I asked how to get emotions, he adopted me. He insisted I eat food, watch shows, play games. He even enrolled me in school with my sister. He wanted me to experience life. I am thankful. Without that, I would have missed out on… so much."

He looked up and smiled, not a practiced, mechanical gesture, but something soft, honest. Real.

The table fell into a reflective silence.

Ruby was the first to speak, her voice soft. "He sounds like a good father."

Amazo nodded. "He might seem strange. He might annoy people. But he's the best father anyone could ask for. He found me and my sister when we were alone… lost. And he gave us everything he could. Through his odd way of living, we found our place in the world."

Yang frowned a little. "Now I feel bad that I wanted to break his face."

Amazo turned to her, still serene. "You can't do that. Father is the most powerful person I know. You won't be able to match him in your lifetime. Attempting to fight him would be… bad for your health."

Yang scoffed, folding her arms. "All it takes is one punch to the face."

Amazo didn't answer. He just resumed eating.

Before anyone could press further, the familiar voice of Glynda Goodwitch rang through the cafeteria. "Mr. Black."

Amazo stood without hesitation and followed her out, tray in hand. The eyes of nearly half the room followed him until he disappeared through the doors.

The moment he was gone, Blake spoke up. "Amazo… is a marvel of creation. I still can't believe someone made that."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Nora tapped her chin with a spoon. "So… just how strong do you think he is?"

The question lingered in the air. No one had an answer.

But they all wanted to know.

___________

The elevator hummed softly as it ascended toward the headmaster's office. Inside, Amazo stood calmly beside Professor Glynda Goodwitch.

When the elevator doors slid open with a ding, they stepped into the grand, clockwork-themed office. The gears ticked in rhythm behind Headmaster Ozpin, who stood near his desk holding his ever-present mug. Standing beside him was General James Ironwood, arms folded and gaze sharp. In one of the room's chairs sat Ashborn, casually sipping coffee like he owned the place.

"Welcome, Amazo," Ozpin greeted, his voice warm but watchful. "I've heard quite a bit about you already."

Ironwood's tone was more direct. "Professor Goodwitch spoke highly of your combat assessment. Quite impressive, to say the least."

Amazo inclined his head. "Thank you, General."

Ironwood nodded back. "I believe your father already informed you. You're to be assigned to an Atlas-affiliated team. Your partner will be Penny Polendina. She's… similar to you, though her functionality is less advanced."

"I understand," Amazo replied without hesitation.

Just then, the elevator chimed again and opened. A blur of bright orange hair and green flashed into the room as a girl stepped out, beaming. She wore a short green jacket, pleated skirt, and boots that clicked as she moved with mechanical precision and boundless energy.

"Penny reporting for duty, General!" she saluted, standing tall.

"At ease, Penny," Ironwood said, a faint smile creeping in. He gestured to Amazo. "This is your new partner, Amazo Black. He is…"

Before he could finish, Penny gasped and stepped closer, eyes wide with wonder. "You're not human!"

Amazo smiled. "That's correct. I am also a synthetic being, an advanced android."

Penny's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands and practically bounced in place. "Oh my gosh! I didn't know there was another one like me! This is so exciting!"

Ashborn chuckled lightly, putting down his coffee. "You two are partners now. No need to linger in this boring old office."

"Permission to exit, General?" Penny asked, already grabbing Amazo's wrist.

Ironwood gave a nod, and before anyone could say another word, Penny had pulled Amazo along in a blur of green and orange. The doors whooshed shut behind them.

The office fell into an awkward silence.

Ashborn leaned back, stretching lazily. "Children grow fast, don't they?"

The trio of seasoned Huntsmen and leaders exchanged glances. There was something in Ashborn's tone that didn't sit right. The way he pushed for this, the way Amazo went along without protest, something about it all felt… like a carefully arranged date.

Ironwood cleared his throat. "Mr. Black. What exactly is your goal here at Beacon? Why did you push for those two to be partnered?"

Ashborn took another sip of his coffee, smirking behind the cup. "To watch my son grow. And to have a little fun on the side."

His gaze turned to them, calm, casual, but with something sharp hidden beneath. "Besides… it's always good to make more friends, don't you think?" He smiled. "I could be yours during my stay here. That could be useful… to all of you."

None of the three answered immediately. But none of them missed the implication either.

___________

The evening sun dipped low behind the mountains, casting long orange streaks across the quiet halls of Beacon Academy. Most students had settled into their dorms or wandered the grounds, enjoying a brief moment of peace. In the academy's upper floor, one room had a father waiting for the return of his son with a freshly made cup of coffee.

Ashborn sat cross-legged on his bed, drinking coffee, his demeanor relaxed but his eyes sharp with anticipation. He had been waiting for something meaningful, his son's return.

The door creaked open, and Amazo stepped inside, his movements smooth as always, betraying none of the exhaustion others might show after a full day. The door closed behind him with a faint click.

Ashborn straightened with a smirk. "So… how was Penny?"

Amazo tilted his head slightly. "I assumed you would have been watching me closely through the shadows."

Ashborn waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, that is intrusive and makes things boring. I prefer to hear it from you. Observation is just noise, but your perspective? That's where the story lives."

Amazo paused, processing that, then slowly nodded. "She is the most energetic person I've ever met. Enthusiastic, bright… unpredictable. She reminded me of grandpa Rex but more confident. And far more energetic."

Ashborn chuckled, clearly amused. "Ah, Uncle Rex. He is a good natured goofball with a sense of responsibility. Good comparison."

He leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So… did you enjoy her company? Was she to your liking? Or should we start prepping for the next world?"

Amazo smiled genuinely. A small, warm expression.

"It was surprisingly fun," Amazo said. "I would like for us to remain here for some time more."

Ashborn grinned like a proud parent watching his child take their first real step into life. "Now, dear son… you're growing to be a man. An android man."

They both shared a quiet moment, neither needing to say more. The days to come is the start of something new for Amazo.