Defrost my Heart Part Eighteen: Danger, Danger and More Danger!

Nitro:

Trees towered over us, Infernox shifting uncomfortably. Fussing with his mask, a healthy concern washed over me. Demonico and him were getting close, part of me wanting to protect them both. Crunching through the dried leaves, the mine had to be somewhere around here. Pausing for a break, a few of my injuries were acting up.

“Are Demonico and you dating?” I asked bluntly, panic rounding his eyes. “Chill! I am so happy for the two of you. He deserves happiness.” Ruffling his hair, his hand reached for mine. Ripping it back at the last second, hurt dimmed my eyes. Time would heal his wounds, my own still bleeding as profusely as when they were first made.

“Are you going to tell everyone?” He mumbled under his breath, a sharp heat curling off of him. “Please d-” Cupping his mouth, a string of golden masked men were heading our way. Pushing him into the bushes, a quiet fear haunted his eyes. Fire would be deadly, ice having the potential to melt.

“You count on me to keep your secret!” I chirped cheerfully, his quivering resulting in his suit struggling to control the flames. “Find the stone and send up a flair for me. Distraction will definitely be my job.” Discs of ice formed underneath my boots, my bag hitting his chest. Waving goodbye as I skated in the opposite direction, Demonico flipping into view. Brimstone balls with spikes floated behind him, a huff escaping his lips.

“I see that you found out about our little secret.” He chuckled lightly, his head cocking to the left. “Freeze the mess before it is made.” Winking, the golden masked men skidded into view. Sensing another energy, a golden fist slammed into my back. Striking me in the core, frozen blood shattered inches from my boots. Leaning down real close, small whimpers was all that could tumble from my lips. Wiggling his fingers on the other side of my abdomen, the salt began to heat me up. Snatching me away, my two favorite sidekicks became ants. Sweating profusely, frozen blood became extremely hot. Silent tears stained my cheeks, something having to change with this situation. Too weak to fight back, a rough darkness stole me away.

Groaning awake, ice crept up my arms. Banging on the floor of an ancient looking cryogenic chamber, the level of danger had gone up ten fold. Some sort of medicine had been used to seal my wound shut into a nasty scar, my fingers tracing it. Feeling my bare lips, a shattered mask laid a couple inches away from the tips of my fingers. Trying to ignore the reminder of what it was like in jail, familiar walls taunted me. The facility captured me, a chill running up my spine. Flashes of the tests haunted me, my palms cupping the sides of my head. Screaming into the ceiling, a shard of ice destroyed the door. Struggling to my feet, ice crystals shimmered on my bare feet. Poking my head out, something about this felt like a trap. Crossing into the hall, compassion kept me from swallowing the building in a glacier. Frozen tears broke with each step, getting home to my family becoming my main goal. A certain stone caught my eyes, a sadistic grin dancing across my lips. If he wanted to play dirty, then I would have to hit him with all I had. Digging through the cart, the stone felt heavy in my palm. Crushing it in my palm, an idea came to mind. Forming a couple of dual scythes out of ice, pieces of stone slid into holes with ease. Sucking in a couple of deep breaths, my composure had returned. Flipping the dual scythes over my fingers, no one was going to get in my way. Climbing the stairs, scientists rushed around with what seemed like a normal amount of chaos. Children’s laughter sent chills up my spine, a quiet rage seething to life in my veins. Judging by the pitch in their voices, they had to be about five years old or younger. Shifting plans, a line of children bounced by. Singing like nothing was wrong, truth proving to be darker than their smiles. Mats covered my hair, my mind wondering how much time had passed. Examining my fingernails, the buildup of ice spoke of at least a damn week. Everyone must be so freaking worried about me, the problem needing to be solved at this very moment. Waiting until the hallway emptied itself, a squeak had me wincing. Memories of my brother and I beating each other played out, the very hall taunting me of what once was. Pressing my lips into a thin line, giggles carried me down the hall. Hiding in the shadows, it took all I had to suppress my ice powers.

“Time to inject them with Nitro’s blood.” A scientist’s monotone voice commented coldly, a snarl twitching on my lips. “At least we have the supply. To think that we had her for two weeks.” Frozen tears formed in my eyes, my palm catching them before they hit the floor. Scooting along the wall, the bastards came into view. Smashing the back of their heads with the handles of my scythes, dull thuds confirmed them getting knocked out. Stepping over their bodies, my heart shattered at the children running around with toys. Every breath grew shorter, ice crawling up my one good leg. Slapping my cheeks to rip me out of it, a kick to the ice freed myself. Digging around the space, a row of metal masks,rubber gloves and boots caught my eyes. Tying on a mask, the rubber of the boots and gloves weren’t as nice as what my father ordered. Breathing out to settle my nerves, saving them had to happen. Swiping a key card, a hover over the lock had the door hissing open.

“Hi! Do y’all know me? I am Lady Nitro. Do you want to get some ice cream? They said I could take you guys out.” I chirped cheerfully, my fingers scratching the back of my neck. Bouncing up and down in their matching ivory uniforms, mine being a bigger version of theirs. Offering them my hands, a window catching my eyes. Breaking the window with a ball of ice, gasps exploded from their lips. Creating an ice slide, their hands clapped together. Sliding down one by one, the alarms blared when it came to my turn. Blasting ice to the point of a hundred foot thick wall of ice, the scientists would wake up with a cold. Jumping onto the makeshift exit, a flip off the end entertained the kids.

“Time to hit the road.” I wept softly, my bright tone fooling them. “Does anyone have a place to go?” Shaking their heads, tears welled up in their eyes. Creating a carriage of ice, the small bit of joy relieved my heart a bit. Helping them climb in, the masked guards in head to toe black were trudging our way. Seeing the church a few hundred miles away, a thick layer of ice created a pathway to the church. Hopping onto the side, mixed emotions met the friendly twinkle in my eyes.

“Father Shrew is going to take you guys in. I promise to catch up. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride.” I choked out between wheezes, every footfall away from it feeling plagued by an invisible sludge. Charging at it, a punch sent it gliding away. Raising my heel over my head, immediate contact broke it off behind the carriage. Straightening my back, the building had to go.

“Get back in there, Nitro!” A gruff voice ordered impatiently, my scythes flipping over my fingers. The stone glittering away in the pale orange rays of the sunrise, a defiant grin spreading underneath my mask. Leaning forward, frost drifted off of my skin.

“That’s a hard pass on my part.” I returned sarcastically, my brow cocking. “By the order of the city, you are under arrest or something like that. Then again, you like to screw with kids' lives. Here’s the deal, you are going to clear out that building or I will do it for you. What do you say?” Charging at me, a few kicks had them on the ground. Cocking guns in my direction, tranquilizer bullets shimmered the belly of the gun. Cracking my neck, a roundhouse kick broke their wrists into tiny pieces. Guns clattered to the ground, a couple of the guards attempted to get up. Slamming my heels into their ankles and other wrists, howls of sheer agony became background noise the second I scooped up their flare gun. Aiming it for the sky, anybody close to me knew that was our little code for come get my ass. Sprinting back into the worn metal building, my blood had to be somewhere. Knocking people out with a kick or punch, it all blurred into one. Stumbling around corners, any adrenaline died down enough to reveal the effects of the drug they had been injecting me. Shivering through a withdrawal, nausea wracked my body. Ripping off my mask, frozen vomit tore its way up my throat. Blood glittered in the mess at my feet, a searing burning causing me to double over. Standing up straight, sweat crystals beaded up on my skin. A scientist caught my eyes, his elderly body hobbling towards me. Bringing the handle of my scythe back, his hands rose in the air. A special silver key card rested in his palm, his lips curling into a sinister grin. Fresh blood stained his white doctor’s jacket, foam coating his lips.

“You won’t arrest me, Nitro. I’d much rather die.” He bragged with a cruel grin, his body collapsing in my direction. Swiping the key from him, alarms sounded off in the distance. Stepping over him, no remorse remained in my eyes. Swaying down the hall, a glow informed my next stop. Hovering the card over the keypad, a hiss provided me little relief. Tripping in, my face hit the floor. Horror drained the color from my cheeks, a large tank reminded me of a lava lamp. Granted the lava was my blood, a familiar energy growing raw fear in my soul. A set of brass knuckles had me rolling on my back, spikes cracking the damn concrete floor. Blocking Lord Goldenheart’s next blow with my scythes, ice and steam curled into the air. Swinging a free scythe towards his chest, a wet noise shocked him. Narrowly missing his heart, the damage had been done. Any heat in his body melted the stones in my scythe, a darkness dying his veins. Crashing down next to me, one of my stolen nets stole my attention. Crawling over to it, his metal hand snatched my ankle, Crunching joined the scream exploding from my lips, sheer agony torturing me. Shivering in my spot, Throwing it behind me, the wires clung to his body. Kicking his face, the net sucked in his hand. Metal plates clicked into place, a limpness claiming his muscles.

Pulling myself up into the sitting position, a metal ball rolled to my palms. Throwing it at the tank, glass shards shot into the wall. Silvery blood and water flowed onto the floor, another wave of nausea hitting me. Shivering in my spot, this shit seemed oddly familiar to the crap that they gave me back then. Massaging my forehead, buttons and panels tripling. Curling into a ball on the floor, ground cascaded from my lips.

“Nitro!” Demonico called out, his eyes flitting between the bastard by me and my severely damaged body. “Holy shit! What happened to you? Can I get a medical team!” His orders faded in and out, police officers gasping at the shock of Lord Goldenheart laying by my feet. Exhaustion weighed on my eyelids, a blackness overtaking me.

Grunting as I sat up, special medicine reversed the broken ankle, a fuming Lord Goldenheart cursed under his breath in the next bed. Folding his arms across his chest, that rap sheet had to be a mile long. Adjusting my mask, the fact that he was in a cryogenic room threw me off. Huffing out an impatient fuck off, something had changed about him. Gone was the ferocity, a quiet fear haunting his eyes. Watching him with the greatest level of observance, a couple of middle fingers was all I got.

“Was it worth it to kidnap me?” I inquired gently, my kindness throwing him off. “From what I can see, you don’t want to commit crimes anymore. Work on your anger in jail and I will let you join my team.” Stunned by my offer, a broken but happy smile brightened his features. Scratching the back of my neck, a diluted formula of that red stone liquid pumping through him.

“I gave your sister her son’s badge. So please don’t think that I am a monster. Death followed your sister and I couldn’t find any death on your records.” I continued sweetly, the left side of his lips hanging a bit higher than the other side presenting a couple of golden teeth. “That is the smile I want to see. I look forward to working with you.” His lips parted to speak, guilt eating at him.

“Apologies for all that I have done. Do you think you could make it so I don’t go to jail? Maybe you could put a chip in me or something.” He pleaded honestly, years of trauma showing in his eyes. “President Douchebag will have me killed if I step foot into the jail. Come to think of it, have you checked on her?” A strained what rolled off of my tongue, his protests falling on deaf ears as I changed into my fresh uniform. IVs popped out of my hand on the way out, nurses begging for me to stop. Leaping out of the open window, icy discs carried me to the ground. Skating towards the jail, a bit of withdrawal sent another wave of nausea through me. An icy breeze blew my hair up, the fucking frigidness stinging for the first time in a while. Pushing through the pain, the early morning became night. Skidding to stop in front of the jail, red and blue lights were everywhere. A full body bag was being rolled by me, a simple raise of my hand shutting it down. Unzipping the first few inches, a gray version of Lady Goldheart greeted me. Frozen tears plopped onto the bag, a new level of rage seething to life in my eyes.

“Send her to my tower, please. I need to perform an autopsy.” I requested politely, her villain status not making that a problem. Maneuvering through the swelling crowd, correctional officers guided me to her cell. Nothing seemed out of place, distrust planting its seed. Lifting up her mattress, a corner of her son’s badge captured my attention. Plucking it from the torn corner, oxidized metal spoke of a horrid poison. Dropping the mattress, a thump had a cloud of dust hitting my face. Tearing a corner of the sheet, a quick wrap protected me from it. Checking it over once more, nothing else could be found. Tucking it into my pocket, a couple of guards acted shady. Pinning them to the wall, burns covered the tip of his fingers. Leaving it be, evidence birthed from the autopsy would place where he needed to be. Our eyes met, a tremble coming over his body. Skating back with a pensive expression, too many thoughts raced through my head. Ignoring the buildings, small waves appeased the people who truthfully liked me. Tripping up the church stairs, giggling children greeted me at the door. Father Shrew let me in, his tired smile spoke of a greater burden.

“Food will be given to you to feed the little ones. Sorry for dumping them on your lap.” I wept openly, all of it hitting me at once. “May I pray?” The children tailed me, the newest batch sticking to my side like glue. Well, as much as one could. All the breath left my body at the large worn cross hanging in between two stained glass windows of lambs. Kneeling at the base, my forehead met the threadbare red carpet.

“Lord, I don’t ask for much but give Miss Goldheart company with her son.” I prayed into the fibers tickling my forehead. “You can take what you want from me. I don’t care. Amen.” Rising to my feet with twinkling eyes, giggles and smiles were interrupted by my team coming. Demonico and Infernox smashed into me, Flurry rushing towards me. Demonico backed off, Infernox holding his hand. Emberox and Master Elements came up with the twins, both of them sobbing uncontrollably. Fighting the withdrawal, their happiness made it worth it. Hell, coming home was worth it. Evie shifted uncomfortably next to them, my arms opening up for her. Flurry and her clung to me, her force field protecting her. Resting my chin on her head, her flurry of questions broke my heart. Kissing the top of her head with my mask on, her wet eyes met mine.

“I won’t ever leave you guys again. Somebody will always be with me to make sure I get home. I missed you both with all of my heart.” I assured them in the brightest motherly tone I could muster, the three of us plopping onto the rug. Father Shrew shouted that it was time for bed. Bouncing up to me, a wish goodnight had them dancing off to bed. Emberox sank down behind me, his strong arms pulling me onto his lap. Chastising me, he slid the twins into my arms. Evie and Flurry plopped onto my old man’s lap. Nothing needed to be said, home would always be with him. Too bad, darkness would plague my old man’s day.