Each of Professor Titanium's footsteps seemed to echo endlessly in his ears as he made his way down the halls of the laboratory. His feet felt like lead as his shoes clicked against the floor, causing a slight sweat to break out on his face. Adjusting the lab coat, Titanium could feel the two syringes shifting around underneath the fabric.
He glanced into the main holding area as he passed, seeing that Subject #002 and Subject #003's tanks deserted. The room was not abandoned though; Titanium could see a group of scientists surrounding Subject #001's tank, which had been fogged up by the low temperatures inside. Deciding to take a closer look, Titanium slipped nearby, choosing to stay near the back of the group. He could still see Subject #001's body through the frosted glass, watching as the floating body slowly came to a stop as the liquid inside gradually froze. The closest scientists were taking pictures of the complex ice crystals forming on the surface of the glass, slowly spreading in mind-numbing patterns.
"The subject's body temperature has gone down to -15° Celsius!" A woman exclaimed while she studied a small portable device.
"Jesus Christ!" A young man responded when he poked his head in to see.
An elder scientist closer to the tank spoke up, "Blood freezes at approximately -2° to -3° Celsius. The glass is both tempered and is about two inches thick. Absolute zero is registered at -273.15° Celsius. If I'm correct, since the subject hasn't died of extreme hypothermia from his blood freezing his vitals solid, the crystals we see here developing on the glass will eventually cause a hand of sorts that will literally push the glass out of its frame over time. If the tank goes absolute zero before then, the glass will burst in a scatter formation, and the ice inside will produce a slow cloud that will literally freeze anything it touches."
"So it's a death trap?" The young man who had looked at the device asked.
"If we do not fix the heat control, yes; but what of the subject's vital status?" The old scientist asked.
"His heart rate has stopped completely after his blood froze, but there's still minor brain activity." The woman studying the device reported.
Titanium made his way over and watched the device from over the woman's shoulder. He could see that Subject #001's heart rate had gone completely still but the human diagram on-screen showed the head lit up in shades of blue. If he was right, Subject #001 was still alive but just restrained by his own abilities.
"How long until the tank goes absolute zero?" Another scientist asked.
"If the device is right, the tank will implode in approximately half an hour. I doubt that we can fix the heat control in time, so we will have to terminate the subject with Doctor Lockhart's permission." The elder scientist clarified. There was a worried murmur between the scientists as Titanium gazed at the frozen tank.
A sudden voice crackled through the loudspeaker, "Attention, it is now seven o'clock and the scheduled lockdown is now active. Please retire to your quarters until the curfew ends at seven AM tomorrow morning. All personnel must have the required identification badge in order to move about the facility."
Titanium took one last glance at the tank before quickly heading out to the operating room. He peeked into the window to see a small collection of scientists observing both Subject #002 and Subject #003 lying atop tables within the room, oxygen masks strapped to their face. He grimaced as he saw Dr. Steiner approach while putting on latex gloves, eagerly awaiting Dr. Lockhart's command. Swallowing deeply, Titanium walked in slowly, feeling the syringes grow heavily as he passed the two boys.
Taking his place, Titanium heard Dr. Lockhart whisper in his ear, "In a mere matter of minutes, we will have completed out project and our two prophets will rise."
"When should I inject them with the formula?" Titanium asked.
Lockhart considered this for a moment, "After Steiner finishes his lobotomy transfusion, you may do it before the anesthetics wear off."
"What will you do when they awaken?" Titanium questioned.
Lockhart shrugged, "Apparently the team of our psychologists has prepared a room that will assist the boys in adapting to their new lifestyle."
"I see. Well, I guess Subject #001 is now considered failed?" Titanium probed.
A sneer built up on Lockhart's face, "This is not the time, Professor." Titanium chose to stay quiet as he watched Dr. Steiner finish his preparations.
"I am ready, Doctor Lockhart." Steiner announced, holding up a bone saw and scalpel over Subject #003. There was no long, important speech this time from Lockhart, just a simple nod of the head to commence an event of unspeakable events.
Then, Professor Titanium had to witness a gory, disturbing, and traumatizing surgery as the insane Dr. Steiner cut into Subject #003's head and began to probe around. After twenty minutes, Steiner had moved on to Subject #001, injecting a liquid through spinal tap. When Steiner had finished, Titanium watched as Subject #001 twitched from the injection. He felt so sorry for the two boys, but he could do nothing or else compromise the plan. Finally, Dr. Lockhart nodded to the two forms of the boys, signaling it was time.
Titanium walked precariously up to Subject #003, a boy with shoulder-length black hair and a rather calm expression, going against the fact that his head had just been opened. As Titanium pulled out the first syringe, his hand was stopped by Steiner.
"What do you think you are doing?" He asked.
"Let him continue." Lockhart commanded. Growling with disgust, Steiner let go of Titanium's hand. With absolute focus, Titanium injected the liquid into the boy's neck. After a moment of pause, Titanium noticed that the boy didn't react in anyway. Breaking into a sweat, Titanium move onto Subject #002. He noticed the form of Subject #002 shaking slightly as he approached, he brushed aside the boy's orange hair as he leaned in.
Just as he pressed the syringe into the boy's neck, he could hear a rattling noise from behind. Looking back, Titanium looked on in surprise as Subject #003's body jolted a few times before laying still.
"What the hell?" Steiner asked, approaching the now unmoving body of Subject #003. As he reached the operating table with a squad of medics in tow, Titanium watched as Subject #003's eyes shot open, their emerald gaze watching in surprise as the group of surgeons surrounded him. The boy jumped in fear when the medics began to touch him, securing him tightly onto the table.
"Make sure he doesn't move!" Steiner instructed, watching as the boy pulled on his bonds.
Then, everything changed.
The restraints suddenly disappeared as the green-eyed boy leapt up, his hands glowing with energy as he cut down the surgeons like butter. Steiner raised his bone saw to stop him, only to have his throat slit and body knocked over by the boy as he stood.
Titanium gulped as the boy locked eyes with him. Fearing for his life, titanium began to slowly edge away before suddenly being knocked down by a heavy object. Gasping in pain, Titanium felt where the force had hit him and discovered it was a bullet as he looked up to see Lockhart holding a snub-nosed revolver with its barrel smoking.
"You traitorous bastard!" Lockhart roared as he approached, "I knew you were up to something!" He then noticed the green-eyed boy approaching slowly, a blank expression on his face.
"Damn it!" Lockhart shouted, putting himself between the orange-haired boy, who was jerking violently from the mixture, and the green-eyed boy.
"I'll get you for this, Titanium! You know I will!" Lockhart called as suddenly, a burst of fire exploded from the operating table as the orange-haired boy rose from it, howling like a beast. Slowly turning, the boy's red eyes locked onto the remaining scientists in the room. He growled and began walking towards them as they pounded on the locked door. The green-eyed boy walked into Titanium's field of view, staring at him intently.
Now, Titanium didn't care if he died, so he called out, "Just kill me already!" The boy seemed to tilt his head before walking away, as if ignoring Titanium's presence.
With that, Titanium watched his two creations rise and wreak havoc on the scientists as his vision blurred into darkness.