The Incredibles
All's Fair in Love and Glory
Chapter Fifteen: A Clean Slate
When Mirage and Syndrome got up the next morning, she lifted her shirt to show him her new belly bump.
"Today's the halfway point," she said softly.
Syndrome looked dazed, and reach out to gingerly stroke it – his child. Mirage smiled and kissed his forehead as he leaned over.
"We'd better get going," he said, sitting up. "Are you sure you want to come?"
"Of course."
"I'm going to get the guards and Bocci. Think you can prepare the jet?"
Mirage raised an eyebrow.
"I'm pregnant, not paralyzed."
"Okay," Syndrome said, dressing quickly and heading off.
As he left, Mirage got out of their bed, still in sock. She would never have believed some small pills would so completely change her life. Well, she thought, looking proudly at her bump, except for perhaps the lack of some…
"Mr. and Mrs. Incredible!" she cried into the phone a moment later. "We're coming down there, but something wonderful had happened!"
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When the strange jet landed at the airport, everyone seemed to scatter. People had grown fearful of mysterious flying things since the Omnidroid attack four months ago.
Syndrome helped Mirage out, and the guards went to take Bocci to police. In the meantime, Syndrome had to try to evade the same police, who were now looking for him, long enough to fix things with the Incredibles. His hit man was still out looking for Bob, he was sure. He lowered a compartment of his jet and a sports car pulled out.
"My own model of the Incredibile," he grinned, climbing in.
He started the car and he and Mirage sped off towards the Incredibles' house, praying they would get there in time.
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"I can't believe it," Bob said, running a hand through his thinning hair.
"Maybe it's not true," Helen suggested.
"Mirage said he was coming to apologize. She wouldn't lie to us – she's on our side."
"We don't know that for sure."
"Well, let's hope she is, 'cause we ain't real prepared otherwise," Lucius quipped.
"Someone's coming!" Violet gasped.
"All right," Bob said, "nobody move until he does."
"It's not Syndrome!"
The door burst open. It was Nic.
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"Hold on. I've gotta make a stop."
"What?" Mirage cried. "That kid could be attacking them right now!"
"I know!" Syndrome said tightly. "But this is something I have to do."
He whipped the car to a stop in front of a church, grabbed Mirage, and sprinted in.
"PASTOR!" he yelled. "I'm the guy who called you last night! We need this done now!"
A very surprised older man came out onto the stage.
"Get this started, please," Syndrome stated, more calmly.
"Okay,"
the pastor said, assuming the position.
Mirage looked at
Syndrome, shocked, as the vows were recited.
"Mirage, do you take Syndrome to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
She paused. "No. But I will take him, as Buddy Pine."
"Deal," 'Buddy' grinned.
"Then, I do!"
A moment later, they were back in the car, still kissing.
"Well, whaddya think?"
"Not exactly my dream wedding, but the groom was pretty sweet."
Buddy smiled. "I promise, I'll you a real ring. But I'm not sure what will happen after this. The police know I'm alive, and I killed people. I deserve to be – and probably will – be in jail for life. Or worse."
"Don't talk like that," Mirage scolded. "You have a wife to take care of now."
"Yes, dear."
"You're well trained," she joked, just to make herself feel better. "Now, let's GO!"
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"My name is Nic, but the world will now know me as Sonic Blast," the boy announced. "I was sent here by a man named Syndrome. You will all remain perfectly still, and you will forget—"
His mind control was interrupted by his being pummeled by a sprinting Dash.
"Don't touch them!" he screeched, flying out of his room and into the teen, full force.
Then Syndrome ran in.
"Everyone, keep your eyes closed!" he commanded. "That's how he controls you." He turned to Nic. "Don't hurt them. I made a mistake asking you to. You'll still get your money, or whatever it is you wanted."
"All I wanted," Nic yelled, "was to be somebody! To use my powers – get fame." He looked over. "And, you made me use Violet!"
Syndrome looked ashamed.
"That period of my life is over now."
"Not in mine!" Nic cried. "You can't tell me what to do!"
Bob spoke to Lucius out of the corner of his mouth. "He's monologueing…"
Suddenly Lucius' hand shot out and a burst of ice came forth. Nic froze in place in the icy case, his mouth open and his eyebrows forced downward.
Lucius grinned at his triumph. "That, son, is why you don't monologue."
"Get Rick Dicker down here," Helen murmured. "We need to erase his memory. A kid with powers like that can do some real damage."
Violet looked at her knowingly. "Or some real good."
Syndrome twiddled his thumbs.
"Look, I… I don't even know what to say," he said softly.
Mirage came behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. "We'd better go. The police are going to be here any minute."
He patted her hand.
"Let them come. I deserve whatever they'll give me."
Violet and Dash looked at each other.
Soon, Rick Dicker was there, not with the police, but with the NSA men.
"We'll erase Nic's memory of his conversations with Syndrome and get him to work with us. We can always use another Super on our side. And, you know, Mirage, that includes you."
"I don't think so," Mirage replied gently. "I have… other things to take care of."
Rick inclined his head and turned to Syndrome.
"As for you…" He shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid the politicians will have to figure it out. I'd rather not get them involved. I wish there was a way we could handle this quietly."
"Wait," Bob interrupted. "I have a solution that'll be good for everyone."
Syndrome looked at him.
"Why are you trying to help me? I killed all of your friends and almost did the same to your family." He paused, looked down, and repeated, "Why are you helping me?"
"Because," Bob said slowly, "this is my fault."
Helen and the kids glanced at their husband and father in confusion.
"I turned his help away when he was younger," he sighed. "But… I need it now. All of us in the NSA do. The inventions I ignored before obviously have great use. That is… if you'll teach us how they work." He looked at Rick Dicker. "With weapons like his, the United States won't face a threat from anybody. We can take down villains like they were pansies. Given, Syndrome will be watched by NSA workers who track him and his progress."
Dicker gave a characteristic slow blink. "That sounds all right, I suppose. What do you think, Syndrome?"
Syndrome squeezed Mirage's hand.
"In truth, Mr. I., all along I've just been a jealous child. I want to start over. It would be an honor to help you."
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Four Months Later
"Mr. Buddy Pine. Good to see you."
Bob shook his new co-workers hand. They had been discussing Buddy's new inventions, greeting guests at the party, and checking on the Super Lab out back where inventions, suits, and Supers could work, be tested, and do what they did best.
"I just wanted to thank you again for convincing Mr. Dicker to do this," Buddy said, looking around at the house he now owned, next door to the Parrs'.
"Well, the hefty donation you gave the NSA after selling your island and taking in Nic didn't hurt," Bob chuckled.
"So, how does it feel, Pine?" Lucius asked, clapping the young man on the back. "Soon you'll be a daddy."
"I could say the same to you," Buddy replied, glancing at the guests at Mirage and Honey's joint baby shower. "To be honest, it's kind of scary. But I have everything I've ever wanted. I can invent things at whim. Nic is being trained to use his powers for good. And I have a gorgeous wife, and baby on the way."
"Aren't you sweet," Mirage cooed, embracing him from behind.
"Bob, I'm going to go check on Jack-Jack. Edna's working with him down at the Lab, and I thought I just heard something explode," Helen said, passing by. "Oh, Mirage, you're just glowing."
"And due to pop any day," Honey teased, giving her new friend and fellow mother-to-be a side hug. "It's gonna be so exciting to raise our kids together."
"Nice party, huh?" Violet said, taking Tony's hand and leading him through the rows of people to get to the backyard. The Pines' backyard was totally gorgeous, complete with a pool, patio and landscape setup reminiscent of Nomanisan.
"It's beautiful," Tony commented, leaning in close to Violet. "Just like you."
He kissed her.
Nearby, Dash made a face. "They're so weird," he snapped. "Always being all mushy."
Carissa eyed him. "You don't like kissing, huh?"
Dash nodded, warily.
"Too bad!" Carissa chirped, planting one on him.
As night fell, the partygoers prepared to head home, all full and content. Buddy's mom was still trying to lead a congo line as the cars, one by one, pulled away from the giant house.
Bob Parr had thought his job as a super hero had long ended. But, as it turned out, for all of the people there that night, the adventure was only beginning… and it was going to be INCREDIBLE.
