oh man i only got super into gi joe about a year ago and the part of the joe mythology that truly grabbed my interest was Billy's story and tragic life when I read cobra commander's plotline from the comics. I wish I could have been into this earlier to give this fic a fav, it's really well written and I honestly want to know what happens next. If you ever pick this fic back up I would be stoked.

I love all your stories about Billy! Actually I really just love all your stories. You're one of my favorite authors, and definitely my favorite for this fandom. I can't wait to see what you write next!

Really nice depiction of utter panic and of how trauma can blank out everything in someone's mind.

I much prefer Billy's time training as a young teen. Happier by far.

Nice update! I remember discussions online for how to let Billy escape, so it was nice to read the finished product.

I made the oddest blubbering noise upon seeing, "I hope you don’t mind I plugged your Father Dearest story" on Tumblr, and I meAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY.

Poor Billy. Not enough fatherly interaction; not that Cobra Commander is much of a good role model anyways.

I WAS OKAY UNTIL I REACHED THE TORTURE SCENE. OH, BILLY. C'MERE, I'LL GIVE YOU A HUG.

Well, that was dark. Good, but dark. Dark, but good. I love the way you characterize Storm, and loved Billy's child-like innocence (until he saw the torture scenes, anyways). Wonderful writing, as usual. :D

Dear God, Cobra Commander with a kid. *shudders* Well, he seems at least to be a better father (for the moment) than Saddam Hussein was. Although that "last chance" part is kind of worrisome.

"To fix today's broken world. To establish and forever guard a new order, a better way."
The problem with that is you can't force things better.

This is a good story here.

Wow. Is it any wonder Billy forgot about his father with things like this? You really brought home Cobra Commander's warped nature with this.

...I feel oddly bad for thinking this was sweet.

Oh man. That's heartbreaking. But oh-so-cute.

Yes Cobra Commander, it's definitely crucial that a six-year-old knows how to pronounce the word tutor. Father of the year, right there.

Anyway, this is awful creepy, and I'm definitely looking forward to more. The Cobra pajamas in particular are a nice touch. I'm also curious how this will echo the comics - do we get flashbacks to the Commander carting Billy around to motels? Does his mom show up? - but I guess I'm just going to have to be patient.

D'awww, I wanna kidnap Billy and give him chocolate and hugs and keep him for a month or two before dropping him in front of Storm Shadow and sprinting away while screaming, "HE'S YOURS NOW."

Seriously. Billy is just too cute. Love how he didn't know how to pronounce 'tutors,' although I really hate Cobra Commander for punishing him at that young of an age.

"I am the heir to Cobra... I am hope. I am Cobra." That line is creepy, epic, and scary all rolled into one. Poor Billy.

Awesome prompt response. Always looking forward to more Billy stories. :D

Makes me hate old CC more. Brain washing his kid... and without even using the machine. Nice scene.

Nothing like a spot of brainwashing to go to sleep on ... poor Billy.

Question: in the Marvel comics continuity, Cobra Island wasn't created until later, and Billy was already in the Springfield underground by age ten. Are you using a separate continuity, or am I just forgetting something?

I liked this. We see where Cobra Commander's priorities lay regarding his son, including the early indoctrination. We also see young Billy's fear of punishment, which shows us how cruel Cobra Commander was even in his earliest days.