More of the Same
You might be surprised to learn that Norm spends much of his time around the science team, at least when he's not following his father around or attempting to become a real boy that is. While Norm isn't exactly the brightest AI out there he still found the laboratories and workshops comfortable, reminding him of when Dr Doofenshmirtz first made him. Many of the scientists and interns have learned to pay him no mind, sometimes even confusing him for any of the other Normbots that can be found throughout the building, Norm had learned the ins and outs of several of the different research labs, and had at least a vague idea on what they were working on.
It was a surprise to him then, when he entered a lab that used to belong to LOVEMUFFIN and found a blue haired man working on a device Norm's processor simply couldn't make any sense of. As Norm attempted to make any sense of the device the scientist working on it noticed Norm's presence and approached the robot.
"Hóla, nobody said anything about a Normbot coming to my lab today, I've been busy with the coven." He said before he realized something. "You don't look like one of the normal Normbots."
"Hi there, I'm Norm. Created by my father Dr. Doofenshmirtz and serving as the basis for the Normbots." Norm said in his eternally chipper voice. "I was wondering what exactly is that device you're working on?"
"Well Señor Norm, you can call me Gomez, mostly because that's my name. I had some free time so I decided to work on-" The newly identified Gomez stopped himself as he processed Norm's words. "Did you say father?"
"Yes," Norm started to say. "Although father has yet to-"
"Oh this is great!" Gomez interrupted the robot and practically began to dance on the spot from excitement. "If you're the boss's kid then that means that the boss is interested in my little project! Come, let me show you what I've been working on!"
Norm followed the strange man and was soon presented with a small device hooked up to a small piece of scrap metal. Gomez began to mess about with those buttons and switches mad scientists always put on their inventions to look cool and began to explain.
"This gizmo of mine is based on those old stories about a Philosopher's Stone and using alchemy to change something from one material to another." He explained as the device began to power up. "Back in Nuevo Nizza there was a Divino trapped in a slab of metal I couldn't figure out how to free and thought,
'why don't I just make it into something easier to crack open?'"
With that the device finished powering up and created a bright flash of light, when it died down the crap metal had been completely changed into a piece of stone. Gomez cautiously approached and touched the stone, seeming to think it could explode at any moment. When the stone did not in fact explode Gomez began to celebrate his success as Norm watched in confusion.
"Congratulations on your success Gomez," Norm said, his confusion not showing in his voice. "But how exactly does it work? It seems more like the magic Janna and that annoying staff use."
"Well it is magic, sort of." Gomez began to explain. "You figure out a thing or two on how to combine science and magic when working with Divinos after all."
Norm didn't get it, but decided to simply accept what he saw without questioning it further and began to think about some of the potential uses for the device.
"Could your invention be used to change metal into something other than stone?"
"Well I don't see why it couldn't." Gomez said, placing his hand on his chin as he thought. "It would take some work to modif-"
"What about flesh?"
"What?" Gomez was shocked at the suggestion, especially in such a happy voice. "Flesh?"
"Could your device change metal into flesh?" Norm repeated the question. "And turn me into a real boy?"
"Why would you want that?" Gomez asked the robot. "Do you have any idea how many ways that could go wrong?"
"But if you could then I could become a real boy." Norm repeated. "And then my father will love me!"
The second statement gave Gomez pause, giving Norm the opportunity to continue talking about how much he wants to be a real boy and earn his father's love. He didn't even notice when Gomez started to tear up and muttered something about
Papa. Around the time Norm had gotten around to something about kickball and a platypus, Gomez's demeanor had changed completely and he was already beginning to modify his invention.
"Are you sure this will work?" Norm asked as he was hooked up. "This does not seem safe."
"Oh don't worry about it, it'll be fine!" Gomez said as he began to mess with switches. "Probably."
Gomez's invention had undergone extensive modification, now standing taller than Norm himself and pumping significantly more power throughout. It whirred to life as arcs of electricity began to fly off and into the floor around it and Norm. One part of it broke off as pressure mounted, landing next to Norm as he looked down at it.
"If you say so!" Norm said as he leaned back into his bindings. "I can't wait to be a real boy!"
Gomez continued to work as the device finished its startup sequence, grinning wildly to himself as he did so. The boss was going to be so impressed with him when he heard about this! Gomez was so distracted he failed to notice the red light on the side started going off until it was too late.
"Oh that's not good." Gomez said to himself before running for cover. "It's going to blow!"
Norm didn't hear him over the sound of the alarms and so continued to sit there as the device built up too much power. More and more parts broke off and several screens on the device that measured power began to burst entirely. Before long the magi-tech device had enough and exploded in Norm's face, leaving him charred but otherwise unharmed in his seat once the smoke cleared.
"I have no idea what went wrong." Gomez told the robot as he approached. "I'm so sorry Señor Norm, maybe next time… Actually there might be a Divino that could help, let me check my notes!"
Needless to say…
Norm did not become a real boy.
