Defrost my Heart Part Two: The Nightmare Resurfaces!

Emberox:

A younger version of Lady Nitro sulked past me with two masked attendants in those damn sterile ivory scrubs, her eyes meeting mine. Flashing me a tired smile, the rubber guards on her hands shimmered in the bright lights. Hating that I was the one with the second hottest flame in the program, this irritating freak of a boy had been bullying me. If I could be better, I could train next to her.

“What’s up, second flame?” Pyro teased me cruelly, his waves bouncing with every world. Grinning ear to ear, a ball of snow white flames crackled to life in his palm. Seconds from burning my face, a blast of ice knocked him back. Leaping over me, her freed fist pounded his face. Ferocity burned in her eyes, frozen tears shattering up on the floor. My breath hitched, my heart falling for her at that second. Gazing closer upon her, Lady Nitro had to be about ten. Flipping her underneath him, steam curled into the air with every blocked swing. Kicking him into the drop tile ceiling, her strength stunned me. Hanging off of a beam limply, the attendants charged at her. Sprinting down the hall with her hand curled around mine, our matching boots rounded every corner until we skidded onto the roof. Freezing the door shut with a thick wall of ice, a line of frozen ruby shimmered from the corner of her mouth to her chin. Blasts rattled her walls, her eyes twinkling with adventure. So there could be joy in her eyes?

“Do you trust me?” She asked with a breathtaking smile, my head nodding in a dazed expression. Damn, she was cute. Leaping off of the roof, a slide of ice groaned into place underneath us. Skating down with her, steam curled off of her hands. Her smile never left her face, her long hair floating up as we flipped off the end. Landing gracefully in a cemetery, we spun around. Kicking the thin layer of ice, my breath hitched at how beautiful she looked in the sparkling flurry of ice crystals. Staring out at the sea of tombstones, her hands rested on her hips. 

“You should get out of here before they find you. Go to the fire department and ask for Frank.” She urged with a broken smile, her hands scrunching up the hem of her shirt. Chaos erupted behind her, about twenty attendants were rushing our way. A wave of her hand created a wall of ice, frozen tears shattering at her feet. Pushing off the ground, a loud go was the last thing I heard. Sprinting in the other direction, ice and restraints were flying about in the sky. Crashing through the streets, a rundown fire station came into view. Hovering my hand over the door, a middle-aged man with wild ashy gray hair and golden eyes opened the door. Was this Frank?

“Where is Nitro? She was supposed to be with you?” He inquired with a busted expression, my silence giving him his answer. “I hope she makes it out okay. I am Frank, your mentor. Let’s get those flames under control.” His navy firefighter suit rubbed away as he dragged me in, my future beginning. 

Stirring awake, Lady Nitro slumbered next to me. Her bare skin glistened with ice crystals, her small bump causing pride to swell within me. Cuddling with her, my heat melted the crystals. How did I manage to snag the love of my life? Relief washed over me the moment my core cooled down, abrupt knocking interrupting the moment. Evie called out for her, Nitro crashing onto the floor. Popping to her feet, an awkward apology tumbled from her lips. Tugging on one of her casual rubber laced sweater dresses and tights, her shaking hands tugged on her gloves. Tying on her mask while sliding on her rubber boots, she ripped open the door with a big smile. 

“What are you outside my door for?” She chirped cheerfully, her foot tapping incessantly on the other side of the door. Evie bounced up and down on the other side, her anxiety showing in her twitching left eye. Closing the door behind her, a few frozen tears bounced off her mask.  Gathering her composure, her expression was the same as that day. Exhausted and broken,  nothing could describe her pain at that moment. What was holding her back? The kid adored her and she had to notice the cute girl worshiping her every step.

“I am going to get ice cream with her. The day sure would be sweeter if you came.” She pleaded with her palms pressed together, her hands dropping to her side in the most dejected manner. “I don’t know what I am doing.” Putting my hands in the air, she didn’t have to say any more. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I tugged on one of my many fireproof navy button up shirts and dark jeans. Sliding on my fireproof boots, her fingers scrunched up the hem of her sweater dress.  I guess old habits die hard. Untying her mask, steam floated into the air at our lips being so close. Kissing her lips tenderly, the ice particles around her cheek melted for a second. Time stopped, our hearts beating to the same song. Releasing her from my spell, her panicked expression had relaxed enough for her to smile naturally. Tying her mask around her mouth, she blushed harder the moment my lips brushed against her forehead. Opening the door while holding her, Evie jumped up and down in her pretty violet summer dress. Her hand curled around Lady Nitro’s, her sandals barely hitting the ground until we got into the elevator. Chatting nonstop, the poor girl didn’t seem to pick up on Nitro’s numb stare. The door dinging open snapped her back to reality, something seeming off about her. Making our way into the bustling street, it was weird to have a day off so soon. Walking in an awkward silence, Nitro hadn’t discussed what I was to her. Finding the closest ice cream shop, Evie spun in. Dancing up to the counter, Evie kept pointing at the flavors while Nitro waited patiently. A flash of black had her spinning on her heels, a ball of ice floating in her palm. Bouncing it off of her palm, the other patrons gasped the moment she threw it across the room. What had she seen? A slow clap had everyone scrambling out of the shop, a chill running up my spine. Nightmario stepped out of the shadows, his black and white diamond jester mask glinting in the flickering lights. His mixture of a Victorian suit and a jester outfit threw me off, his long coat swaying in his own musty air. Giggles bounced around the space, his finger pointing towards Evie. Wondering when he began working for that blasted agency, a sour taste rested in my mouth.

“Miss Icy has something I need.” He mused playfully, tilting his head back and forth. “Is that a new generation of ice? How about I scare it out of you?” Snapping his fingers, the lights flickered out. Nitro apologized before charging at him, my arm stopping her. Protests flooded from her lips, my hand touching him first. Falling face first into the halls of a prison, my days as a prison guard had me cursing under my breath. So many innocent people were abused by the systems, the victims becoming actual villains as a result. Staring down at my fresh burned scars, the navy uniform’s rough material made my skin itchy. Taunts were shot in my direction, the rowdy prisoners had every breath growing shallower. Why did I work this damn job in the first place? Coming to a stop in front of a cryogenic chamber, a pissed Nitro kicked at her bed. Her silver eyes flitted in my direction, the second year of her imprisonment was the worst. Fresh bruises and cuts covered her skin, her presence being the fault of the fights breaking out. Another guard shoved her tray of obscenely spicy food into my palms, the air grew cooler the moment she approached the door. Keep your cool, she couldn't hurt you behind the secure door. Taking the special tray with a quiet thank you, frozen tears cascaded from her eyes. This was a far cry from the girl who protected me, my heart breaking while craving for her to recognize me. Turning to leave, the light had left her eyes the moment she sank onto her bed. The days blurred into months, the warden choosing to keep her trapped in her cell twenty-four seven. Sorrow sank deeper into her eyes by the day, my final day coming up. Surprise rounded my eyes at her meeting me at the door, steam curling as her trembling hand held mine. Wishing that I could whisk her away, my true fear rested in her surviving such a terrible environment.

“Have a good life for me.” She spoke softly, another guard causing her to shrink back. “Your kindness won’t be forgotten.” Sulking over her tray of food, another bang had me straightening my back. The guard wasn’t a guard but Nightmario, his head tilting back and forth in a jerky manner. Swallowing the lump in my throat, a shiver rattled my body.

“Setting the story is important.” He giggled maniacally, his finger wagging, her cell door swinging open. “I am so happy you fell for my trap.” Her screams echoed in the swirling space, his arms pushing me through. Remembering that Evie was on the outside, we had to solve this now. Shards of glass caught me, horror rounding my eyes at Lord Pyro and Lady Nitro arguing in the bank she was caught in. Ice swirled around her, the rough rubber armor hugged her body. 

“I told you not to rob the bank, damn it! We don't have to do as they say!” She berated him venomously, his sly grin spreading ear to ear. “Why are you smiling?” Sprinting out the back, her fear resulted in ice crawling up the legs. Every breath shortened with the red and blue lights flashing in the distance. The color drained from my face, the current Nitro smashing into my back. Panting from all the running, her gaze averted from the scene. Tugging on my sleeve, sweat froze on her skin. Seeing her in a distraught state had my nerves jolting for a second, her grip getting harder in pure desperation.

“We need to leave! Please!” She begged while tugging harder, Nightmario reinforcing his hold on her. A total ice cocoon encapsulated her, the scene shifting to a five year old version of her. Spitting out a flurry of pleas into my back, her tears soaked my back. The steam curled higher, a series of whimpers echoing in her mask. Glancing around, something had me paralyzed in my spot.

Reading a book, a couple of nice female attendants showed off a couple of needles with malicious grins. Glancing up from her book, horror rounded her eyes. Pages froze into brittle sheets, a shrill shriek bursting from her lips. The blast turned the attendants into ice sculptures, the vibration of the security shattered them to pieces. Raising their tranquilizer guns up, the masked team released a barrage of tranquilizers. Freezing before they got to her, another panicked cry had the twenty of them becoming enveloped in ice. Curling into a ball, ice spread out around her. The shimmering water met our boots, a cocoon forming around her. A cold voice ordered her to stop, the masked mistress of the operation approaching her briskly. Smashing her heel into the cocoon, the young Nitro shivered like an abused animal. How could they treat like fucking freaks? My bad memories haunted me, steam hissing louder behind my back.

“What is wrong with you? Animals like you are a danger to society! Destruction is all you will cause!” She laughed darkly, crouching down to her level in a light rubber business suit. Cupping her chin, protective gloves shone in the flickering light. Lifting her off the floor, her feet dangled limply. Slamming her into the floor, the remaining bodies shattered to pieces. 

“Look at the damage you have done. That is precisely why you must become a villain alongside your brother.” She mused while tapping her chin, a frozen pond of ruby pooling around Nitro. Her fingers scratched at the ice, her whimpers hitting my ears. Pulling herself closer to the ankles of her mistress, her trembling hands curled around her ankles. Yanking her down, the mistress’s head smashed against the ice. Sheer horror mixed with panic, her hands shaking the mistress’ body. 

“Wake up! Wake up!” She pleaded desperately, the evil witch not moving. Alarms blared, the maximum security team picking her up. Dragging her off in a rough manner, her head bowed in shame. The staff was wrong, my eyes narrowing in Nightmario’s direction. Spinning around to face Nitro, her body collapsed into my arms. Snores echoed in my ears, her panic attack resulting in her passing out. Kissing the top of my head, my new goal was to be her light in the darkness. A trip to the doctor’s would be necessary after, my attention shifting back to Nightmario, one glaring hole lying in his trap. The disgust lay with the people taking care of her, the way they treated her would logically lead up to her powers whacking out in such a manner. Laying her on the nearest table, I cracked my muscles. Flames crackled to life around my body, his head cocking the moment my right hook sent him flying onto an ice spike. Sliding down, the nightmare glitched out. His body twitched on a busted pipe, the authorities swooping in to arrest him. Yanking him into a special jet black straight jacket, curse words flowed out from underneath his mask on the way out. Thankful for their swift action, his ass would be off the street for a while. Carrying him into the back of an armored van, the tactical armor was the last thing I saw. Nitro groaned awake next to me, her hand rubbing her bump. Guilt ate at, her expression darkening with every passing second. Refusing to look me in the eyes, Evie popping up from behind the counter forced her to smile brightly. Not now, she had to work through the damn emotions killing her. Waving her hand around, violet energy glowed around broken items around the shop. Maneuvering them back into their proper positions, her powers rewound time to make the repairs. The shop owner showered her with praise, the kind man offering to give her a free cone. Nitro pulled her knees to her chest, her chin resting on her knees. Reminding me of the person in the cell, the years had changed her. Warmth, she needed warmth. Too moody to speak, a false brightness twinkled in her eyes the moment Evie bounced over to her with a cone with some sort of chocolate ice cream. Untying her mask, the metal clanged the moment it hit the table. Wonder illuminated Evie’s features at her blue lips, her fingers curling around the cone. Settling into a false warmth, Evie never looked happier any other time than when she was eating with Nitro. Entertaining her questions, her eyes never met mine. Looking seconds from losing her battle with her tears, she excused herself to get some space. A determined grin danced across Evie’s defiant expression. What was she going to say? 

“You are the best mommy a girl could ask for!” Evie proclaimed with her hands on her hips, the frozen cone hitting the floor. Pure shock rounded her eyes, the words breaking her. Fighting back tears, her trembling hands scooped up her mask. Flashing her genuine smile, her steadying hands tied her mask around her mouth. Hopping off the table, she crouched down to her level. Ruffling her head, Evie snuggled into her palm. My breath hitched at how beautiful she looked at that moment, her gentleness stealing my heart away. Laughing with her, the anxiety melted away from her eyes. Real love twinkled in her eyes, her hands cupping hers. Freezing her melting ice cream, Evie bounced up and down. Evie was going to be instrumental in her getting better, my part would have to hold the majority of the weight.

“I don’t have that much experience in that department but I will try my best.” She promised her sweetly, her hand reaching for mine. Coming over upon her request, my hands held hers. Evie’s eyes flitted to her bump, her defiant grin growing wider. 

“So he is my daddy and you are going to give me a little brother or sister!” She gushed with a series of giggles, scarlet painting Nitro’s cheeks. “Right?” Gazing lovingly in my direction, I could sense her real smile underneath her mask. 

“That’s right! He is your daddy because I love him with all of my heart!” She returned sweetly, my heart skipping a beat. “I mean every word of it. I know you will be the best big sister in the world. Can I count on you?” Nodding her head vigorously, the warmth in this moment was unfamiliar to me. The last time I felt this was working with Frank, Evie spinning off to the nearest table. Untying her mask, her lips pressed against mine passionately. Steam curled around us, the idea of her becoming my wife haunting me like a vengeance. Releasing me from her spell, a deep crimson colored my cheeks. All of my breath left my body at her natural smile, the flames of hope burning bright. Boy, was I a lucky fellow!