Armageddon Syndrome
Authors note: And so, it begins! This is the chapter where Syndrome reveals his newest plan to the lethal and psychotic Exterminators. Plus, you'll learn more about Kitty, Invisigoth and Marla, as they make a deal with Danse Macabre, a deal which could kill millions. Plus, Syndromes lieutenant awakens from the advancement system, more on the Exterminators personality and background and the forces Macabre serves, make contact with the last person you'd expect. And, in answer to Mew Beril's question "whose the girl?" you'll learn more about her this chapter. But specifically, she's someone with a major link to Macabre's past. Disclaimer: Syndrome and all related characters belong to Pixar. Hellfire and the Exterminators belong to me, and cannot be used unless I'm credited in the disclaimer.
Chapter 3
The devil to pay
If Syndrome could pick one person to entrust a difficult and precise task, Danse Macabre would be the absolute last one. But hey, Hellfire said he was the only one who knew how to monitor the advancement systems. What's that you ask? Why couldn't Syndrome do it? Well that was mainly because he hadn't built it, and its inner workings would probably baffle Stephen Hawking. He had designed the VR feeds, but Danse Macabre was the mind behind the speed aging process.
"Only good thing he's done so far" Syndrome said scowling, as he thought of Macabre. It wasn't that he just indiscriminately hated everyone…unless he had good reason to. He could stomach Macabre being a super, because Macabre was one who had turned on the heroes. After all, it wasn't the villains who had snubbed Syndrome when he wanted to be a sidekick. He could even accept Macabre's relationship with Marla. No, what he couldn't stand was the simple fact that Macabre was…creepy. The eerie way he seemed to move without you noticing, and always seemed to be in the last place you expected. The fact that he spent hours in the catacombs, working on god knows what. Or the fact that he occasionally seemed to be talking to his reflection. While Syndrome possessed a certain degree of vanity, and would occasionally admire his costume in the mirror, he never actually spoke to his reflection.
"Of course I don't…I'm sane" Syndrome said, as he looked down at the pod containing his future lieutenant. To think, in less than an hour now, he would have his new right hand woman. Now, to address his new followers, Syndrome thought, striding from the room, with his cape billowing behind him.
Kitty smiled as she watched the flames dance. Convincing Hellfire to install a fireplace in her room had been difficult but worth it. The flames were perfect, a crackling inferno of power and danger. Kitty slowly placed her hand over the flames, and felt the warmth that it generated, before slowly pulling her hand away. It was almost time. And when the time came, the supers were going to burn. Every last one of them. A beeping noise drew her out of her thoughts, as Syndromes voice echoed over the building intercom.
"It's time to start earning your pay, supers! All Exterminators team members to the main control room immediately. It's time for the fun to begin!" Syndrome said over the intercom. Kitty managed to tear herself away from the fire, and headed out the door.
Marla smiled as she looked down at Danse Macabre's sleeping form. He looked so different like this…so at peace. She had considered removing his mask, but decided against it. Macabre clearly wore it for a reason, and Marla didn't want anything to wreck things between her and Macabre. She heard the sound of Syndromes voice over the intercom, and gently roused Macabre.
"Big, tall and ginger wants us in the main room. Looks like we're making our move" Marla said.
"His lieutenant will be ready now. No doubt he wishes to brag about it" Danse Macabre said.
"Hey, Macabre…after this job is done, I was wondering…maybe we could go back to Japan" Marla said.
"Japan? Yes. When the contract is completed…Japan" Macabre said, walking out of the room. It occurred to Marla, to wonder what this contract was, as they didn't have anything like that with Syndrome, but she pushed these concerns aside. After all, if it concerned her, Macabre would have told her what is was.
Syndrome watched as the various Exterminators filed in. Kitty first, dressed in her black sleeveless dress, and long silk black gloves, followed by Danse Macabre and Marla, the latter of who wore a striped top and short black dress. Then Invisigoth, in her heavy eye makeup and "Eggman" shades, followed closely by Night-shadow. At last, Hellfire appeared, and nodded to Syndrome.
"Ladies and gentleman, and I use that phrase in the loosest sense possible, I welcome you. Each one of you was chosen because you are the best there is at what you do. And so, you have been inducted into the greatest team of villains in the history of villainy. Loom to your left, then to your right. The people you see are some of the most evil bastards and bitches in history. But hey, so are you. So am I. That's the whole point. We've chosen to strike back at society, rather than just let it break us. And so, you have been chosen to take part in the most ambitious plan ever attempted. We are going to wipe out the heroes, and summon the villains. They say that if you want something…you take it! Well, I want the world! I am going on a big power trip, and you are all coming with me!" Syndrome said; smiling at the applause it received. He'd never thought himself much good at the villain monologue, but clearly, he was. Maybe it was just a natural talent...
"Now, they say behind every great man is a great woman. All though really, anatomically, the man should be behind the woman, I'll ignore that for now. So, I'd like you to meet the great woman who'll be standing by my side. You will follow her orders as you would mine! Introducing…Shadowkat!" Syndrome said, as a curtain pulled back to reveal his new lieutenant. He had to admit, he was amazed. He had seen a projection of what she would look like on the VR system, but it was nothing compared to the real thing. Shadowkat had raven black hair, which went just below her shoulders, and glittering green eyes. She was thin yet curvaceous, and had blood red lips. Her costume was black, and was a body suit with spiked shoulder and a long, flowing cape that literally encircled her. It covered her back and front, with its 'Il Palazzo' design, giving her the perfect evil empress look. And the body suit that could be glimpsed when she swept her cape was a jet black that added to the overall image nicely.
"This world is…corrupt!" Shadowkat said with a grin, clearly aware of the where the design of her cloak came from.
"These, Supers are nothing but weak willed elitists, fools who were given the powers of the gods, and believe they can tread on those beneath them. We, shall show them true power! True might! So, repeat after me, and say it with pride! Hail Syndrome!" Shadowkat continued.
"Hail Syndrome!" the assembled Exterminators called out, as Syndrome's grin widened into an impossibly large smile. At last…it had begun.
Danse Macabre walked with urgent grace towards the catacombs, pressing several buttons attached to a device on his wrist. He then opened one of the heavy oak doors, and collapsed into an ornate chair. It was all happening to fast. The girl…the girl had to be found. Had to be brought to them. The girl. The child. The child of the blonde man. They…he…it…killed…stopped…before…
Danse Macabre clutched his head in pain, his thoughts strobing like fireworks, exploding inside his mind. He was in hell, screaming soundlessly at the pain and then…
"Macabre? Speak to me!" a voice. Marla. No…not now. Danse Macabre slowly pulled himself to his feet and looked into Marla's beautiful blue eyes. Jut like hers…just like…
"Macabre, are you okay? I know you told me not to follow you, but then I heard screaming" Marla said. So, his scream had not been silent ones after all.
"I suffered a moment of…confusion. I'm fine now Marla. But listen to me, very carefully. Never come down here again. There are things down here…you wouldn't want to meet" Danse Macabre said.
"Alright Macabre. And…Kitty and Invisigoth want to talk to you" Marla said.
"Tell them to wait. And Marla, when we go in…Violet is mine. I must bring her in alive. She is…important" Danse Macabre said. And somewhere in the catacombs, someone bean laughing.
Syndrome stood in front of a huge video screen, currently displaying an image of Mr Incredibles house. It was sickening, seeing him getting to lead his little life, being worshipped by millions.
"Sickening. To think that this hypocrite dares to call himself a hero" Shadowkat said, causing Syndrome to smile. Truly, she was everything he had wanted, everything that Mirage wasn't.
"Hey, save some of that raw hatred for when we face him. And remember what I told you about these supers. There gutless. They lack the spine, to kill there enemies, even if there enemies have them in an unwinnable situation. Even when Incredible thought I'd killed his whole family, he still couldn't kill that stupid turncoat bitch Mirage. That is why we have the advantage over them…we are stronger than they'll ever be" Syndrome said.
"What is our plan? Simple vengeance doesn't seem like you" Shadowkat said.
"Vengeance is just part of it. As for how I plan to beat Incredible…I want to truly humiliate him. Make him suffer like I did. And to do that, I'm going to take away the two things that matter most to him. His family…and his powers" Syndrome said.
"And then? What bout after we've killed Incredible? How can we take over the planet by ourselves?" Shadowkat asked.
"Hey babe…when did I say it would just be us? Let's just say, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve" Syndrome said, as a door swung open, revealing row after row of frosted glass tubes.
Kitty smiled as she and Invisigoth left the catacombs. Macabre had been far more reasonable than she had expected. She had wanted to be allowed into whatever plan he had, and he had agreed. All he had asked in return was that she found some girl for him, and in return he would show her what his plan was, and introduce her to those he worked for. Invisigoth was suspicious, naturally, but ultimately, it was a good deal. Macabre had access to something, some kind of power…and Kitty wanted it. If she had lingered longer, she would have seen Danse Macabre smile. It was beginning. Now, he would at last have the girl in his possession. And it ensured that the dawning of a new age was the beginning of the end of the world.
Authors Notes: Well, next chapter Syndrome launches his attack at the Incredibles, and Violet learns the hard way, exactly what Macabre's plans are.