The way we are
Disclaimer: I don't own Zevo-3
Prologue
In a dank lair a boy leaned over rows of green powder on an old stone table and snorted deeply. It was risky being here, but he now knew it was worth every cent. The drugs drove the pain away. He hadn't felt this good in months.
"Like the goods?" Dr. Stankfoot asked walking up into the room, "I know I was to wait til afterwards. But there's something we need to discuss?"
"I paid you your money?"
"Dear, dear Matt. That's your name right?" Stankfoot walked up to him. "I take the liberty of removing hair samples from my customers. Compare the DNA to other samples I've collected."
Matt froze, if that was true it meant only one thing. "How long have you known?"
"Eight days," Stankfoot said, "you see, my two week wait has a purpose, let's me weed out all the rats before giving out my services," he explained, "now the question is, how long have you known you've been dying?"
Matt gasped. He hadn't expected Stankfoot to ask him that. He thought the super villain would've wailed on him. Or at least have Blacktop do it. After all he, his sister and Jason had been a thorn in his side as Kewl Breeze, Elastika and Z-Strap.
"I secretly sent blood sample to New Eden scientists," Matt started, "I labeled the sample as one from an unknown man who'd disappeared. They tested it and I snuck into the building to read the results," he said, "it said that the Zevo compound has been contaminated by an outside agent and it was reacting in a way the other compound would and it's not supposed to be inside the human body," he said with a cracked voice, "the liquid nitrogen that I hit when I got changed has made me sick, I can't tolerate the sun well but my human half can't take the cold that's needed to keep me well enough."
You'd have to be Kewl Breeze all the time, leave your family."
"I can't, y parents don't know," Matt revealed, "and when I tried a crudely made cure, it didn't work."
Every gift has a curse," Stankfoot said, "but I can fix your problem, with a little stipulation," he added.
"I won't become one of your lackeys," Matt immediately refused.
Stankfoot laughed.
"You and I are both geniuses, most likely the smartest of our 'social circles,'" Stankfoot pointed out, "I think we both know how to think outside the box," he said with a maniacal grin.
Matt frowned; he knew Stankfoot was as bright as he was evil. And that meant he could want anything in exchange for a cure.
"What the cure?"
"It's more a regimen than a cure," Stankfoot said, "but once I tell you, the deal's done."
"What's the condition then?" Matt asked.
"Stop being a super hero."
Matt sunk to the floor. Kewl Breeze had become his life. Despite the almost crippling pains and cramps he'd been experiencing since becoming ill. He'd continued superhero work whenever he could. Now he'd have to choose between saving the world and staying alive.
"No, I can't,"" Matt turned Stankfoot down, "all this started tanks to me, I infected my friends and freed you," he said, "I helped bring all these freaks beyond Stankville by releasing the Zevo-3 compound," he stated, "it's my responsibility to correct all this, I can't just quit."
Stankfoot chuckled. He knew the kid would take the 'honourable' route. But how long could the boy last? Matt/Kewl Breeze would need him sooner or later and he could wait.
"Fine but know this," Stankfoot accepted the rejection, "the drug you're taking will only save your human half from pain, not death. Plus your mutated half has it's own problems."
"What, I'm just ill because my body is reacting badly to the zevo-3 mixed with nitrogen oxide and my mutated half needs more cold than I can provide," Matt countered.
Stankfoot shook his head. "But you'll realize soon enough. You are after all, a genius."
Matt growled suddenly then covered his mouth.
Where did that sudden rise in aggression come from? Matt thought.
"Oh yes, the drugs you're taking cause a sudden rise in temper," Stankfoot added, "don't get yourself too riled up for the next twenty-four hours. It should wear off by then."
"Anything else?" Matt asked obviously not pleased.
"Oh don't be a spoil sport," Stankfoot teased, "you can still come for the drugs anytime you need them, just come alone," he said all teasing gone "or I'll cut you off!" he shouted .
"Ok," Matt said fearfully.
What have I got myself into? Matt wondered.
