Syndrome smiled as Specter confirmed that the target was destroyed. Mrs. Incredible was crushed. Harlan and the kids were gone. "Ah, you'll get over it," Syndrome said to her. "I seem to recall you prefer to 'work alone.'"
In a sudden burst of rage, Mrs. Incredible lunged at Syndrome. Specter pushed Syndrome away, but Mrs. Incredible managed to grab him in a tight chokehold instead.
"Release me. Now!" Mrs. Incredible demanded as a guard turned up the control panel, suspending Specter and Mrs. Incredible in the chamber.
"Or what?" said Syndrome with narrowed eyes.
"I'll crush him," Mrs. Incredible said, holding on to Specter tightly.
"Sounds a little dark for you." Syndrome laughed. "Go ahead."
Specter's eyes widened.
"It'll be easy," Mrs. Incredible said.
"Then show me," Syndrome said smugly.
Mrs. Incredible hesitated, gritting her teeth, then let Specter go. She couldn't do this. Syndrome laughed as Specter collapsed to the ground.
"I knew you couldn't do it. Even when you have nothing to lose, you're weak. I've outgrown you," she said in disgust, and walked out.
Meanwhile, far out over the ocean, the smoke from the missile's explosion began to disperse. Then an orange-red ball emerged from the blast and began to unfurl. It was Harlan back in action as Elastiguy. Ash and V were plummeting fast beneath him. Elastiguy quickly stretched himself into a human parachute as he grabbed both his children in midair, breaking their fall as they splashed into the water below.
Ash and V broke the water's surface, sputtering and splashing.
"Dad!"
"Everybody calm down," Harlan told them as they struggled to stay afloat. "We're not going to panic!"
But on the ocean, Ash and V couldn't help it. Panic began to overtake them.
"We're dead! Oh, we're dead!" Ash cried, treading water. "We survived, but we're dead!"
"Stop it!" shouted Harlan. "We are not going to die! Now, both of you will get a grip or so help me I'll ground you for a month! Do you understand?"
Ash and V looked at their dad, wide-eyed. Then both nodded at the same time.
"Those were short-range missiles," Harlan told them as they bobbed in the water. "Land based. That way is our best bet." He pointed at the missile trails.
"You want to go toward the people that tried to kill us?" asked Ash.
"If it means land… yes."
"Do you expect us to swim there?" asked Vincent.
"I expect you to trust me," Harlan told them.
Ash and V watched, amazed, as their father stretched his body into the shape of a boat. They both climbed on board. Harlan had Ash put her legs over the side and kick them at Super speed. The Parr family boat was moving toward the island of Nomanisan.
It was sunset when they reached the beach. "What a little trooper," Harlan said as he reached over to hug Ash. She was exhausted. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Dad." Ash smiled wearily.
Cold and wet, Harlan and the kids found a cave in the volcanic rock and built a fire to warm themselves as the sun went down.
"I think your mother is in trouble," Harlan told Ash and V as they huddled around the fire. "I'm going to go look for her. That means you're in charge until I get back, Vincent."
"What?" asked Ash.
"You heard him," V said.
Harlan reached into the battered duffel bag.
"Put these on," he said, handing them their black masks. "Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it. And if anything goes wrong, use your powers."
"But you said never to use – " began Vincent.
"I know what I said!" Harlan snapped. Then he sighed. "Remember the bad guys on those shows you used to watch on Saturday mornings?"
The kids nodded.
"Well, these guys are not like those guys. They will kill you. Do not give them that chance. V, I'm counting on you."
Harlan turned to Ash. "Be strong," he told her. "If anything goes wrong, I want you to run as fast as you can."
"As fast as I can?" Ash asked, making sure.
"As fast as you can," Harlan told her. "Stay hidden. Keep each other safe. I'll be back by morning."
Harlan gave them both a hug and turned to leave. V ran after him.
"Dad… what happened on the plane…," V said, averting his eyes in shame. He knew his force field could have helped if he had just been confident enough to try. "I – couldn't – I'm – I didn't – I'm so sorry."
Harlan hushed him.
"It wasn't fair for me to suddenly ask so much of you. But things are different now. And doubt is a luxury we can't afford anymore."
Then Harlan smiled. "You have more power than you realize. And don't worry. If the time comes, you'll know what to do. It's in your blood."
At the same time that Ash and V were watching Harlan disappear into the dark jungle, Specter was outside Mrs. Incredible's cell door, talking to Syndrome.
"She's not weak," Specter said.
"What?" snapped Syndrome.
Specter held her gaze. "Valuing life is not a weakness," he said sternly.
"Hey, if you're talking about what happened – " Syndrome began as she waved a hand toward Mrs. Incredible's cell.
Specter snapped. "Disregarding it is not strength," he said accusingly.
"I called her bluff." Syndrome shrugged. "I knew that she really wouldn't – "
But Specter was already walking away. "Next time you gamble," he said coldly, "bet your own life."
