Samtastic, First, I want to say thank you for the compliments that you gave the previous chapter. Secondly, I certainly hope that the story doesn't become boring by any means, but that's why these reviews are so important. If it does start to become boring, I hope someone will speak up and let me know what I can do to make it better. However, I do plan on including a little Super action soon, so I hope that will keep your interest :)

Fifteen

Kyler and Dash enjoyed a simple lunch in a café across the street from the hotel. Dash bought a small cheese pizza, which they both shared. They didn't speak much while they ate, which Dash was fine with. He figured Kyler's mind was overfilling with thoughts of her father, and he didn't want to disturb her thinking. He could only imagine how hard this whole ordeal was on her. She was taking it well, but he was sure she was hurting terribly inside. Instead of making conversation, he enjoyed studying her as he contently ate his meal.

Her eyes were focused on the large lime green cup full of raspberry iced tea in front of her. She seemed to be concentrating on the condensation that was starting to form on the plastic cup, but Dash knew she was just zoning out, lost in her thoughts. Her face was soft and calm. Her bright eyes had a faraway look in them, which made Dash chuckle a bit. Kyler was slowly bringing her slice of pizza to her mouth and taking a tiny bite, as if on autopilot. Dash wondered if she even tasted the food.

When they were finished, they hailed another taxi and were on their way again. Just like the last ride, Kyler quietly stared out the window while Dash and the driver made small talk. Kyler blocked out most of the conversation and just watched the city slide by her window. The pizza she had eaten was sitting heavily in her stomach, making her feel a little nauseous. She noticed that her hands were shaking in her lap, so she started taking deep breaths to try and relax herself. This ride was longer than the previous one, lasting for a little over an hour. Kyler couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief when they finally reached their destination, for she had grown tired and restless from sitting in the vehicle.

Dash gripped Kyler's hand and offered her an encouraging smile before they entered the building in front of them. The two of them made their way up to the front desk, where Dash signed them in. He had to show them his ID and a few special government papers before he and Kyler were escorted beyond the lobby by a young woman named Dr. Nakata. The three of them walked down a long hallway that was lit by extremely bright white lights. Their shoes clacked loudly against the tile flooring and echoed through the hallway.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Mr. Parr?" Dr. Nakata asked when they stopped outside of a room. "He's been pretty well-behaved recently, but we can't promise that he won't lose it at the sight of you."

Dash turned and looked at Kyler. "It's up to you," he said. "I can stay out here if that's what you would prefer."

"No," Kyler said, squeezing his hand tightly and shaking her head. "No, I need you to come with me. I'm not ready to do this on my own."

Dr. Nakata nodded. "Very well. I'll be right out here if you need anything." She unlocked to door and pushed it open, allowing Dash and Kyler to go inside. Kyler walked in timidly, sticking close to Dash, and jumped slightly when the door shut behind them. The room was plain, with white walls, a white ceiling, and white flooring. There was very little furniture, only a bed, nightstand, dresser, and a small wooden chair. Lying on the floor beside the nightstand was a stack of paper. The sheet on top had a strange design on it that Dash didn't understand at all.

"Ah… New visitors…" a smooth voice spoke up. Sitting on the floor, in the middle of the room, was Buddy Pine. His back was facing Dash and Kyler and his eyes were closed. "Do come in and make yourself comfortable."

Dash couldn't help but get chills up his spine at the sight of the man he had known as Syndrome. This man had tried so hard to destroy his family and his home. And, for the longest time, Dash had believed that he was dead. It was so strange, and terrifying, to see him again. However, he kept his composure, knowing Kyler needed him to be strong for her. He led Kyler over to the chair, making her sit down. He chose to stand beside her.

"Aren't you curious?" Buddy asked, still not turning around to face them. "Don't you want to know how I knew you two weren't just another one of my doctors?" Dash wasn't sure whether or not he was supposed to answer, so he stayed silent. Buddy, however, took the silence as them waiting for the answer and continued. "I could tell by your footsteps. Isn't that amazing? I've learned to tell people apart by their footsteps. I can tell when it's my doctor, or the hospital examiner, or strangers, like you two." He chuckled. "It's fascinating what a person can teach himself to do when he had absolutely nothing to do." Buddy stood up and stretched his arms over his head, letting out a sigh as he did so. "But I am curious as to why you are here. I don't get guests. So why…" He turned around and as soon as his eyes met Kyler's, he stopped in the middle of his sentence.

Kyler could feel herself shaking as her father slowly began walking towards her. She hated to admit that she was scared of what her father would do to her, but she knew that Dash would never let anything happen to her. That's why he was there, after all. He was there to protect her.

"You… You're truly marvelous…" Buddy whispered once he was standing right in front of Kyler, staring at her. "God… The similarities… The point of your chin. Your thin frame." He reached out and stroked Kyler's blonde hair. "The softness of your hair. Would you smile for me, dear?" Kyler attempted a small smile, dropping it when Buddy nodded his head. "Oh yes… Even your smile, though I can tell it's forced… Even your footsteps resemble hers…It's all just like her." He grinned and took a step back from Kyler. "I can guarantee that no one else would ever notice such intricate details. Those little things that you inherited from your mother."

Kyler's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to know who she was. She hadn't seen him for fifteen years! And, even when she did get to see him as a child, she didn't see him very often. He had always been so busy with his work that he didn't have much spare time to spend with his daughter. "How…"

"How could I not know who you are?" Buddy interrupted her. "You look exactly like me, after all." He chuckled. "But I would also never forget the face of my own daughter. I'm a terrible man, but I'm not that damn terrible. It's been too long, Kyler..."

Tears pooled in Kyler's bright eyes and she found herself speechless. What could she possibly say to this man? She hadn't seen him for fifteen years. She had ruined the greatest relationship she'd ever had to avenge him, only to find out that he had been the bad guy all along. Her mother, the only other family member she had, committed suicide because of him. But, at the same time, he was her father… He was the man who told her stories at night before she fell asleep. The man who had provided so much for her and her mother. He wasn't completely evil, that she was sure of, but that didn't make up for what he had done to hurt so many people in the past. Kyler couldn't sort through these mixed feelings, so all she did was stare at her father with misty eyes.

Buddy looked up at Dash and his mouth twisted into an amused smirk. "Don't think for a second that I don't recognize you either. You're Mr. Incredible's boy. What was your name…? Dashiell, right?" He chuckled. "Of all the places in the world you could visit, why in the hell would you choose to come here and see me?" He raised his eyebrows at the blonde man and placed his left hand on Kyler's shoulder. "But, of course, I know that answer to that question as well. It's written all over your face. You're here because of Kyler… How precious…" He tightened his grip on Kyler's shoulder, making her let out a small whimper of pain. Dash moved to help her, but Buddy held up his hand to him. "Don't move," he hissed. "Trust me, you'll regret it if you do."

"What could you possibly do?" Dash snapped. "You're in a damn mental facility! It's not like you have possession of any weapons. You're defenseless against me."

"You dare doubt me?" Buddy jeered. "Could it be that you forgot how resourceful I really am? Don't ever test my abilities. It might get you, or someone else, killed." He pulled back the sleeve on his left hand to reveal a knife, which was strapped to his arm. He grinned wickedly at Dash and Kyler gasped.

Dash's eyes widened. He couldn't imagine how Buddy managed to obtain the knife while under the watch of the facility, but that wasn't his main concern at the moment. He had to protect Kyler. "You wouldn't kill your own daughter, would you?" Dash asked.

"Want to find out?" Buddy replied, his eyes glinting and his smirk broadening. He removed the knife from the leather straps and swiftly held the blade against Kyler's neck.

I'm really interested in what you have to say and what you think will happen. Also, suggestions are always welcome! Please, tell me what you think! The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update. Thanks for reading!

Mew Painappuru