Hey guys! Here's the seventh chapter, which also is the last chapter of this short story. I'd like to thank those who read it and reviewed. I can tell you I probably won't be writing a sequel, but I will be writing more for Mighty Med soon. I'd already like to thank everyone who followed, favorited, read and reviewed the story for doing those things. For now, here's the last chapter of the Incinerator - but first, let's go to the reviews:
PurpleNicole531: Thanks for reviewing! Kenny has no idea how Machine does it, but she can be extremely persuasive at times. I can't say anything about Mr. Quick's condition, but Horace in this chapter may help you answer that question.
TKDP: What can I say? When Machine sees something she likes, she takes it and the same happened to Kenny. Or is he? Maybe Machine was influencing that coward as well? We'll never know. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. He loved Bianca, but he felt lust for Machine. Love i stronger than lust, anyway. Thanks for reviewing!
EmeraldTulip: Thanks for reviewing! And I really thought about the choice of songs. I spend one hour trying to find the perfect songs for every member of Machine's crew, including Kenny's. You can find his song on my profile.
Enjoy!
-Writer207
My name is Kenny Gordon and I don't know how this ends. I seriously have no idea what'll happen next. But I do know that I didn't come out of my latest fight unchanged. I'm finally free from Machine's influence, which means I can be who I wanted to be, who I was meant to be. There is one thing that didn't change. I'm still human flamethrower – I'm not ready to put them down yet. I'll still be the Incinerator. But who will I be when I have always been what Machine wanted me to be?
My whole body was sore, but I wasn't feeling any pain. As soon as I could feel my body again, it still took me a lot of time to start any brain activity. Once that was functioning well enough, I guess I started to take in more and more. I was laying on my back in a bed. There was a blanket covering me up until my neck and something was separately covering my head. There was almost no sound wherever I was laying, nothing but the occasional beep and other machinery. I didn't smell anything particular, so I guessed that was a good sign. At least the place didn't stink.
When I had gathered enough energy, I forced my eyes open. No, I didn't wake up in a bright white room – though it was a hospital room. The walls were light grayish and when I looked around, I noticed the tech in this hospital room seemed to be quite futuristic. There was a sink in one of the corners – I had no idea why it as just a sink and nothing else. With all these clues, you'd think I had an idea where I was. I hadn't.
Also, my memory was failing me. I remembered everything that happened the past few days, but after Machine started talking to me at the police station… nothing. The harder I tried to remember, the more I had a feeling I would never know why I was in this hospital room and how I got here. Something bad must've happened. That brings me to the point that I had no idea where I was. I had never been here before, so off course I had no idea where I was.
I stayed in bed. I took in every detail of the room, including the several wires on my body going to the machines. I decided to let them be there for now – they were there for a reason and I didn't want to get in trouble with whoever was taking care of me. I was alone and there were no windows. I had to keep myself occupied by thinking and thinking and trying to remember. I didn't say anything out loud, didn't move too much. I had no idea how much energy I had, but I did know I needed to save it for a moment I needed it.
The moment came later than I hoped. I waited hours for someone to come in. It could've been just one hour, but there was no clock in this room. At least it felt like hours. Anyway, when I was getting really bored, someone came into my room. It was a guy I had never seen before. He wore a white lab coat with this place's logo sewed on it. He held a clipboard in one hand, he had opened the door with another. He turned his head in my direction and stared for a few seconds when he realized I was staring back. His hair was combed neatly and a weird beard like Iron Man's (don't know the name, not gonna bother looking it up – just a boring detail anyway. You wanna hear about me, not about some guy's weird beard.).
"You're awake." He stated. I nodded and wanted to say 'yes', but there came no sound. Only then I realized how dry my throat was.
"Can I get something to drink?" I said. I guess the guy must've understand the words 'get' and 'drink', because those were the only ones I could understand when I heard me saying them out loud. The doctor got the hint and got me a glass of water from the sink. He put it to my mouth and I drank it. As soon as the water went into my body, I needed and wanted more and more until I couldn't drink anymore. Unfortunately, the doctor wouldn't let me.
"Easy, easy," he said as he pulled the glass of water away from me. I glared at him for doing that. I tried to talk and found that my voice was still a little hoarse, but at least I could have a proper conversation with the doctor. "So, how are you?" he then asked me.
"Who the heck are you?" I said. It wasn't too loud, but still loud enough for him to hear me. No way I was gonna tell him, a total stranger, how I was feeling. I didn't trust him at all. Must be that weird beard.
"Where are my manners?" the doctor then said, "My name is doctor Horace Diaz. I'm the chief of staff here." Horace Diaz. I didn't know the name. Didn't know the dude either. And I still didn't trust him. I mean, who has that kind of beard? Doesn't it take a lot of effort to shave it in that particular shape? "So, how are you?"
"Could've been better," I then said.
"I want to be honest with you," Horace began, "It is a miracle you are still alive."
"Excuse me?"
"We have always known that Savage's poison works faster on Normos and…" I glared at him, he just sighed in an annoyed manner. "You've been here for nine days, we noticed the flamethrowers." Shit, he knew I was a Normo. That was my first thought. My second thought was: I've been here for nine days?
Then everything came back to me. Machine, Savage, Chameleon. Flamebird and Mr. Quick. The daggers in my leg and shoulder. The pain I've felt, inflicted by both Savage and Machine. The poison Savage had always wanted to use on me. And now, nine days later, I was here, in a hospital. Then I also remembered what Machine had done to me the past five years. I am again reminded of the good-hearted doctor in my room. was it because of Machine that I distrusted him?
"Anyway," Horace continued, "he gave you an overdose. Normally, the heroes spend four to five days in a coma, but we didn't want to give up hope when you didn't wake up. I am so glad to see you alive."
I'm glad to be alive either, even if it took me nine days to recover. I was given a new chance to live. I could leave the crew behind. I could start over. but what would that be?
I'd find that answer someday. There were much easier questions which could be answered by asking what the answer was. "How did I get here?" I asked him with a demanding tone, "Where am I?" Horace smiled at me and gave me the answer I wanted.
"Titanio did not only bring Mr. Quick here, but brought you here, too. And 'here' is one of the most secret departments of the Mighty Med. That means that everyone knows it exists, but few know its exact location. This is for the Normos who get injured in battle." Before my mind registered the entire answer, my brain focused on the first part too much, specifically on Mr. Quick, the evil hero who was brought to this place.
"He brought Mr. Quick here?" I then reacted, "But he's evil! As is Skylar Storm and Tecton and…"
"Calm down, Incinerator," he said to calm me down, as if there was nothing to fear, but there was. What if that guy had powers? He probably had them. That meant that he too could be on the dark side. He continued, "That problem is solved. The evil heroes are the good guys again. The Annihilator is dead." I let the news sink in. The Annihilator is dead? A villain has been killed? It rarely happened that someone like me – I mean, that a villain got himself killed. Same went for heroes. But it happened from time to time. The fans are never happy when it happens, especially if it's a villain as powerful as the Annihilator.
Then I was reminded of two specific words Horace had said earlier: might and med. "Wait a minute, Mighty Med?" I then said. I must've sounded like an idiot for not figuring it out sooner, "The superhero hospital? but I am a villain." Or are you? My mind contradicted me. I was a villain, yes, but will I be in the future? Only time will tell. For now, let's say I'm a guy with flamethrowers who decides to stay neutral.
Horace had a long answer ready, one I didn't want to listen to but wanted to hear. It's confusing, right? Well, that's how I felt about my current allegiance. "Titanio told me you were being attacked when he arrived and you weren't wearing your mask. You also have defended yourself from and fought against villains, which are reasons enough to have you treated here." He gave me the time to process the words. I was seen as a victim here, and not as a villain. Good. Horace soon continued. "The poison's out of your body, but it will still take some hours before you're fine. Once you're fit again, press the button and a doctor will escort you out."
"What?" That was my first and only reaction. I must be annoying the doctor to no end, but he didn't show that I was annoying him. He answered my question patiently.
"Titanio told me you were helping him to find the evil heroes. You found them, so he will keep his end of the deal. You will be a free man." I didn't say anything in response. Horace left in silence, giving me more than enough time to think about it. I had completely forgotten about Titanio's offer. I was so glad I didn't have to go to prison. I didn't have to hunt evil heroes anymore because there were no evil heroes anymore, but I still could do as I pleased.
I began to see the more positive side of it. He was giving me a second change, a shot at redemption. Did he know about the damage Machine inflicted on me these past years? This could be exactly what I needed. I could be a Normo for a while, or never pick up those flamethrowers again. off course it would take a while before I'd be able to put them down, but it would be a big step forward. I could start a life, a real life. Get a job and earn money the right way. Take care of Bianca and stay with her – I wouldn't have a dangerous job that could potentially kill her.
Yet, that was a future I couldn't imagine right now. I'd need time to figure out what it is that I want. Who knew, maybe that's what Machine wanted me to want. I couldn't be sure about anything anymore.
That's enough talk about my future and Machine's influence, back to the room. It took another five hours before I could stand on my legs. I had put on my suit and mask so I'd be ready to walk out of the hospital once the doctor came. I also pressed the button to tell the doctors I was ready to leave. About ten minutes later, this doctor came in.
My heart did a double take. It was a kid, a teenage boy, which made me question why the chief of staff would have hired him, and how he rolled into this in the first place. I recognized the hair, the eyes, the face. He was a lot taller than the last time I've seen him, right before I committed the crime that brought me to this weird universe. I wondered how he earned his white lab coat. He looked a little nervous when he saw me, but he couldn't be more shocked than I was.
"Kaz?" That's the name of one of my younger brothers. The doctor that had just walked in was that brother of mine. He looked up, surprised that I addressed him with his name. He must've heard the surprise in my voice and I wondered if he recognized it.
"You know my name?" Kaz began, "That is… awesome!" I rolled my eyes. That used to be his catchphrase to everything five years ago. Apparently, he still said it sometimes. His reaction made clear that he didn't know about me. And then there was the sudden need to tell him who I was. I haven't seen him in five years and he didn't recognize me. I wanted to talk to one of my family members. I never felt the need to make contact with them – Machine made me think I didn't need them and they didn't want me – and now I had a chance to do so.
"Off course I know your name." I then said. I had to introduce myself carefully. I didn't want to be a bad role model. He ended up in this hospital for a reason and I didn't want him to turn that reason into bad intentions. "What do you know about me?" I then asked. "Don't give too much info, just the big lines."
Kaz seemed to be taken aback by the question, but he answered it anyway. He opened up after figuring out I wasn't dangerous and didn't attempt to kill him at the spot. "You're the Incinerator, started out as a villain duo with Machine, but it eventually grew and you, Machine, Savage and Chameleon formed Machine's crew. You often left, but always came back. You love her, maybe loved her, since you did attack her in the latest issue. I have to admit, you shocked a lot of fans when you shot fire at Machine."
"She deserved it," was my only reaction. "Do you know my name?"
"Your name is Kenny," he said, "At least, they sometimes referred to you by that name. I don't know if it's your real name, though." I sighed. This was the moment. Was I ready? Sure was. But was Kaz?
"It is my name," I said and his eyes widened. This must be the first time someone revealed it was his name. Some people choose to go by fictional names, so when they walk over the street as, for example, Mikey Harper, those who read comic books who meet him won't think about the hero whose alias is Michael Harrison. I know Henry Tidwell doesn't do this. I'll still pay him a visit soon.
"Kaz, listen up. I'm gonna tell you something I've never told anyone before." I could see he was staring at me, waiting for me to reveal a secret that most likely had never been published and mentioned in the comic books: my name.
Then, as I had no idea how to tell my brother, I just pulled my mask off my face. I almost laughed at my brother's reaction. He almost fell to his knees and his mouth dropped open. I looked at him with a forced smile on my face, though the 'fake' part could soon be discarded. It was so funny, the way he now recognized me.
"Kenny!?" He reacted, "My brother's the Incinerator!?" He could barely believe his own words, I guess. The look in his eyes did show some great disbelief. I hated that I had to immediately contradict him.
"Was the Incinerator." I emphasized the first words and I could immediately see the disappointed look in his eyes.
"Was?" was his reaction. I guess he hoped that I was joking, that I would tell him I wasn't really going to stop being the bad guy.
"I'm gonna quit," I said. His jaw dropped again. He was disappointed, shocked, and maybe some others, too. I couldn't blame him, though. He just learned his brother, me, is a part of the world he loved so much, only to then hear that he is going to stop for an unknown reason.
"No," He said, shaking his head, "you can't quit!" In response, I shook my head.
"I'm gonna retire," I replied and looked him in the eye, "that sounds way more positive than quitting, am I right? Anyway, I'm gonna retire." Kaz didn't give up, though. He was just as determined and stubborn as I was, trying to convince me to do otherwise.
"Why do you want to retire?" he shouted it, sounding quite angry. I knew he wasn't. Call it my brother instinct, "You're awesome! How did you even get powers? Why would you ever want to give up a life like that?" Wow, I had played my role so well, even my own brother didn't know about the flamethrowers. I guessed he hadn't come in my room during the nine days I was here.
"Because it was a life I might have never even wanted." I answered his question. I could see that was not the answer he had expected and remained quiet, silently asking me to explain why it could be something I 'might have never wanted'. "You know my career and Machine's quite persuasive. Recently, I discovered she influenced my everything: the way I felt, what I wanted to do, almost everything. Because of her, I'm where I am today. But I'm sure that this is not what I wanted five years ago when we first met. Didn't want to be one of the bad guys." It actually felt good, hearing myself say that out loud. I knew I did not want to continue to be one of the bad guys, I would never go back there. Never out of free will, off course.
"So? If you don't want to be one of the bad guys, be one of the good guys." Kaz made it sound so simple, so easy, while in fact it wasn't. I sighed in annoyance.
"That's the problem! I can't be one of the good guys! I've spent way too much time with her. I guess she changed that part of me permanently. Can't be a good guy, but don't want to be a bad guy either." I sat down on the bed. There was no other option for me, was there? I'd be stuck longing back to the exciting and adventurous life while I would have no idea what to do if I ever returned to that life.
Luckily, Kaz was still here. He may not fully understand the situation, but he still was rather helpful in these kind of situations. As if he faced these kind of problems, like my identity crisis, every day he was here.
"Then why don't you become an anti-hero?" He said as he sat next to me. I didn't look at him, but listened to every word he said. "Those guys do whatever they want to help people and what they do can be compared to the ferocity villains use, but they do it for a good cause, off course. But, if you decide to do that, don't you turn into a Dark Warrior 2.0! One guy like him is already bad to work with."
I nodded. That could be something to be considered. An anti-hero… maybe that's what I could be, but that wasn't for me to decide now. Well, I could decide whenever I want, but I still was afraid she was influencing me, even at that moment. I didn't want to risk it.
"One question: how'd you end up here anyway?" I asked. I wanted, no, needed to know that answer. You all know by now how I ended up in this crazy world, but I had no idea how someone like Kaz could have become a doctor in one of the most prestigious hospitals in the world.
"That's classified." He said. We looked at each other and laughed. We had no idea why we laughed. I did enjoy it, laughing with my brother about something. Maybe we did it because he sounded and looked so serious when he said it, while we both know it isn't classified information and he can't be serious for too long.
"Anyway," he eventually said with a big smile on his face, "it's time for you to go. You coming?"
"Yes, I am," I said and told myself that, whatever would happen, I'd take the time to get to know my brother again, also because he was the only one I could share my most secret and darkest secrets with. "We have a lot of catching up to do," I then said and Kaz nodded. We both stood up and walked to the door.
"Yes, we have," He said "But first: what are you gonna do?" I shook my head, also smiling wide.
"I'll tell you when I know," I replied. I needed some time to think through my decision, to spend time as a civilian, to take the time to build up a relationship and then to decide what I wanted to do. After all, I'm an adult and I am more than capable of making my own choices. Well, I'm a little skeptical about the adult part, but other than that, I guess that latest sentence was through. "So, are you still friends with that Pyne kid?" I asked.
We chatted until we had walked out of the hospital. I learned the room I was in was one hidden behind a cafeteria wall. Kaz explained to me why nobody would ever think of a room behind that wall. I wondered how a hospital, out of all places, could have such disgusting food. He dropped me off at the patients' exit and I continued my way to my lair, though I guess I could start calling it my house no I decided not to be a bad guy anymore. I needed to find a real home. To do that, I had to make money, find a job and do much more. I needed to become a regular Normo.
I reminded myself of the bright near future that would be waiting for me to do what I, and I alone, wanted to do. I greeted the future as an old friend I didn't want to work for in the first place. And who knows, maybe that future included me and Bianca living under the same roof, perhaps even with little kids running around.
My name is Kenny Gordon and I am – or I was – the Incinerator, one of the few Normo villains to have made it. I don't know what my own feelings are and which ones aren't, but I do know which thoughts I have to avoid. Machine almost turned me into a monster, but I could stop her before she made me murder someone. I just blame myself for not noticing it sooner, but that's the past, and I only want to see the future at this moment.
My name is Kenny Gordon and I don't know what I want to be or who I really am. In fact, I still don't know. But there's one thing I know for sure: I'm the Incinerator and things are going to change, for the better or the worse.
The end
