Defrost my heart Part Three: Grounded for an Icy Night

Lady Nitro:

Half of the agency waited around me, all of us gauging the situation at the hijacked airport. The other superheroes shot me looks of disgust, the skirt of my superhero costume hiding my bump. Deserving that hatred, a dim sense of annoyance mixed with it rather poorly. Staring ahead, my brow cocked at the shattered windows. The distinct pattern had horror rounding my eyes, the other superheroes powering up. 

“Cut your powers!” I shouted a bit too late, mirrors groaning into the place of the windows. Knocking Emberox to the concrete, a slam of my palm had a wall of ice cracking into place upon the release of their powers. Thickening the wall of ice, the heroes shot me several odd expressions. Shards of glass glittered over their heads, another wave of my hand creating a dome. Frozen blood shattered at my feet, all eyes falling on me as the shards shattered upon impact. How the hell could you be so stupid to charge in!

“We are going against Lord Glass. His ability to summon mirrors is deadly within seconds.” I informed them briskly, ice particles traveling up my cheeks. “I need you to help the hostages while I deal with him.” A couple of them parted their lips in protest, the corners of my lips twitching. Please listen to me this one time.

“He was my training partner at the facilities!” I admitted with a low growl in my throat, the death glares softening to something of a weak understanding. “Have I ever let you guys down?” Shifting around in their spots, a couple of them fussed with their colorful suits. Opening a tunnel into the airport, not one complaint met my ears with every footfall away. Waiting until they got into the airport, a snap of my fingers had a dome of ice groan into place over the airport. Kicking the dome over our head, ice shards sparkled like snow. Scanning the large concrete space, a glint of light had me skating towards the parking garage. Emberox darted next to me, his uniform fluttering in the icy gust of my powers. Offering me his hand, steam curled the moment I pushed off of his palm. Flipping through the air, an ice circle caught my boots. Skating closer, his flames melted the ice below me. A blast of glass shards seemed to be heading my way, Emberox motioning for me to jump higher, flames crackling to life in his palm. 

“Heatwave!” He commanded boldly, a stomp upon my disc of ice shot me higher into the air. A wave of navy flames crashed over the parking garage, the mirrors coming up. Flipping upside down, a kick sent a wall of ice crashing down in front of him. Flipping through the air, an angled kick smashed one of his mirrors. Skidding into his trap, wooden backs of mirrors greeted me. Running my fingers along them, thick ice claimed their form. Pausing in front of the door, a pair of mirrored eyes met the twinkling in my eyes. No part of me wanted to hurt him but he had hijacked an entire airport. Raising his hand over my head, glass shards floated behind him. Cocking his head back, his old self had returned. 

“I am glad you took the bait, Nitro. Say goodbye to your lover!” He gloated with a maniacal grin as if it was an act, his suit dripping with his own blood. “It appears that I met my limit. Don’t tell Pyro what I did. All those years of kindness won’t go unrewarded, my dear friend. You have five minutes before he gets to him. Go! Self-reflect!” Tears welled up in my eyes, his mirrors turning on him. All of our good times flashed in my mind, his smile growing brighter by the day while being by my side. The blast of energy shot me out of the garage, the whole plan was to say good-bye to me. One final mirrored eye met mine, his hand waving one last time. Violent sobs wracked my body, a loud no bursting from my lips. Every part of my heart shattered, Emberox’s strong arms catching me. Sensing my brother’s energy, his concerned expression met my endless waterfall of frozen tears. Jumping out of his arms, a kick sent him flying out of the way. Swinging my fist at full speed, Pyro’s cheek met the full brunt of my force. Rolling onto a pile of mud, my steady fingers untied my mask. The metal clanged to my feet, my blue lips twisting into a sadistic grin. 

“How dare you force my friend to die!” I roared thunderously, a blast of ice freezing everything in its path. “You fucking bastard!” Another wave froze him in his spot, his eyebrow twitching in disbelief. Peeling off my gloves, the rubber material bounced to a slow stop. Panicking in his trap, a steady stream of curse words flooded from his lips. Emberox pleaded for me to stop, my fury burning stronger. Scratching at my face, the ice crystals grew larger with every passing seconds of anxiety.

“Fuck you! Fuck you!” I wept dejectedly, my tears shattering upon impact while my hands began to tremble. “I ought to kill you right here but I won’t. I can’t abandon you like you did to me! All you had to do was follow my fucking path. We didn’t have to become villains!” Rolling his eyes as his flames melted his trap, a disgruntled shit tumbled from his lips. Water soaked his body, the heat from his flames drying him off in a second. 

“Aren’t the heroes just as cruel? How do they look at you, my dear sister?” He taunted me with a snarky smirk, shame dimming my eyes. “They’re scared of you. The reasons exist. You could freeze everyone in seconds. Kind of dangerous, don’t you think?” A fit of sadistic laughter burst from his lips, his flames burning hotter. 

“Be that as it may, I swore to protect the people of this city.” I returned with a tired smile, disbelief showing in his grin. “People aren’t bad. So what if I am misunderstood! Love can exist for me in this shitty world. If I can have it, you can.” Huffing while preparing his attack, a sharp whistle had him flipping off a van in the distance. Pulling up with a squeaky halt, a pair of hands yanked him in. Peeling off, a bruised up Emberox came up to me with my gloves and mask.  Flashing him a numb stare, his trembling hands tugged on the gloves. Tying the mask back on, the other heroes ran up to us. Snapping back to reality with their congratulations, the moment felt more bitter than anything. The parking garage cracked and groaned ominously, the structure giving out. A single mirrored ball rolled to my boots, the others shooting curious glances. Rolling it around in my palm, a soft smile hid underneath my mask. As hard as his loss was, this gift brought a bit of solace back into my heart. A throat clearing had me dreading who was standing in front of me, Mayor Stalemate’s cold gaze met my defiant eyes. Her stern chocolate brown bun bounced up and down with every rant, her green eyes narrowing into thin slits. I had a good half a foot on her, her damn expensive suit hugging her petite body. Raising my hand in the air, disgust contorted my features. 

“Which one do you want? Do you want safe citizens or villains running things?” I hissed hotly, a gasp of disbelief tumbling from her lips. “I am sorry about the damage but it was unavoidable.” Her back stiffened, her wedding ring glinting as she poked my chest aggressively. Seconds from opening her mouth, Emberox slapped her hand away. Stepping in between us, her poor assistant begged for her to let it go. Shoving Emberox out of the way, her super strength had me pinned to a piece of concrete. 

“Why must you mouth off!” She barked heatedly, the concrete crumbling underneath my back. “You killed people and yet you get to be among the top ten!” Jamming my knee into her stomach, she stumbled back. Cupping her stomach, secrets lay hidden on her tongue. Wondering what connections she had, her hand gripped my ankle. Yanking me to the concrete, her suit tore off of her body to reveal a familiar white coat. Digging my fingers into the rising level of ice, desperate kicks had her sliding towards a long drop off. Popping to my feet, a couple of clumsy flips had me close enough to grab her hand. Crushing my hand in hers, my bones creaked in protest. How did one of those bastards get voted into the office? Banging my free fist on the ice, a spike shot her into the air. Catching her by the throat, a toss over my head had ice shards sparkling in the air. Digging my heel into her chest, a whistle had officers rushing over. Horror rounded my eyes at her wicked grin, her hands curling around my ankle. Giving all she had left, any attempt to move would prove futile. Cocking her head to the left, frozen eyes slid down the ice the moment a crack had me falling onto her chest. Nausea wracked my body, the sight of an ivory tip among a swirling frost not helping. Cocking her head, a heated blade spun in her palm. 

“You should have killed me when you had the chance.” She growled hungrily, the blade sinking into chest. Frozen blood bounced off of her face, my hand cupping the wound. Everything doubled, a kick sending me up into the air. Thick ice coated the blade, the metal crumbling to pieces. Leaving an open wound, her grin grew wider. Popping to her feet, another van whisked her away. Curling into a ball, strong arms caught me. Emberox pleas faded in and out, a rough slumber stealing me away.

Sucking in a deep breath, machines beeping around me had me panicking. Every breath grew shorter, the walls of my special hospital room greeted me. Emberox buried me in a bear hug, my breath returning to normal. A heavy cast seemed to have devoured my ankle, the rubber squeaking with every stiff movement. Noticing the long line of stitches lining my chest, a second heartbeat throwing me off. Another panic attack began, pride mixing with terror at how close I came to losing my child today. A marker squeaking had me calming down in an instant, Evie waving at me from the end of the bed. Hugging my cast before getting back to work doodling away, a soft smile hid underneath my mask. How could they attempt to hurt such a sweet child?

“Next time allow me to defend you.” Emberox chastised me in a hushed tone, Evie humming to herself in her thick winter gear. “Luck was on your side with her piss poor aim. What the hell were you thinking?” Too ashamed to apologize, my shaking hand slid down to my exposed bump. Rubbing it while ignoring his whispers of impatience, a chill ran up my spine at Master Elements making his way inside. Ordering everyone out, no one had to be told twice. The flames dancing with vines had me shrinking back, his thick winter coat floating up. Marching up to me, his fingers drummed on his snow pants. 

“What the fuck were you thinking? You don’t start a fight with the mayor and continue to fight her out of spite! You are so lucky your ankle is broken because I have enough rage boiling within me to do worse than that!” He roared thunderously, frozen tears cascading from my eyes uncontrollably, the memory of the scientists screaming at me taking me to a dark place. Their voices clashed violently with his, my breathing shortening once more. Getting torn between the primal fear and inability to dig myself out, his expression softened. The bed groaned the moment he plopped down, his gloved hands cupping mine. 

“Sorry for raising my tone but I think of you as a daughter.” He admitted with a tired smile, a sad smile hiding underneath my mask. “Be careful. As for now, you will be on medical leave for a couple of weeks until your body heals. I can’t wait to meet this little one.” Rubbing my bump, the sensation had my breathing turning into violent sobs. The look in his eyes told me that he wanted to hug me, my heart shattering at what would happen. Unable to take the pain anymore, he cleared his throat as he rose to his feet. Turning to leave, my fingers snatched his wrist.  

“Thank you for caring!” I wept dejectedly, his gentle smile returning. “I’d hug you if I could.” Mouthing the words I know, a tender blush rose to my cheeks. Evie and Emberox bore odd expressions, the other heroes from today coming in with gift bags. Madame Spider shoved her way to the front, her eight ruby eyes falling on me. Eight bags of hot peppers hung off of her eight jet black arms, her onyx silky hair poking out of her dark winter gear. Glancing around the room, they nodded in some sort of agreement. 

“After today, we realized how weak we are alone. The way you took control today showed us who should become the captain of us.” She choked out awkwardly, shame dimming the other’s eyes. “We thought you were antisocial because you were above us. Welcome to the group, Captain Lady Nitro.” Too stunned to speak, my actions were my usual way of doing things. Everyone deserves to be saved, eager eyes shifting over to me. 

“I suppose.” I returned anxiously, their features brightening visibly. “Give me a minute to get it right. Please don’t think I am above you. The tendency to avoid you was to protect you from my dangerous powers. Sorry for making you think that.” Setting the gifts down one by one, everyone asking if I was okay had fresh tears welling up in my eyes. When did they start to care? Leaving one by one, Madame Spider lingered in the door with a hesitant smile. 

“You have always been my hero!” She gushed while clasping her hands together, my exhausted eyes meeting hers. “You carved the way for us odd looking superheroes. Before the others would glare at us and call us villains. Just like that, you came along in your mask and potentially deadly powers to prove them wrong. Thank you for making us visible. Get well soon! Come along, Miss Evie. We need to make her dinner and all that.” Popping to her feet, Evie shouted out that she loved me as she left. Emberox laid his head on my bump, steam curling into the air. 

“Look at you melting down your walls, Captain.” He teased playfully, his fingers tracing the smooth skin. “Keep this up and you will have a proper life with your family.” Yawning groggily, slumber stole him away. Peeling off my gloves, my fingers played with his hair. Maybe opening up wouldn’t be so bad, the warmth of potential friends causing me to take off my mask to expose my lips. Sucking in a long breath of air, moments like these deserved to be cherished. Leaning over to pick up a bag of peppers, my steadying hands opened the bag. Plucking one from the top, a couple of chews had my favorite snack heating up my mouth enough to taste the complex flavors. Munching away, the lack of meals and morning sickness left me hungry every other freaking hour. Twisting the bag back up, the sheer heat of the peppers kept the plastic from freezing. Setting it on the side table, the boredom of laying around had me tugging on my gloves. Tying my mask around my mouth, sheer exhaustion had Emberox snoring through me ripping off the machines. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, my cast thudded against the floor. Snatching the crutches off of the wall, the hiss and squeak announced my exit from the room. Making my way down the hall, the special sweater dress made for me fell to my knees. Evie noticed me, her grin growing nice and wide. Smashing into her force field around my legs, her warmth was what I needed. 

“Those peppers were nice but I was thinking that we could get ice cream.” I suggested with a big smile, her head nodding. “How was your day?” Jumping while spinning around, the skirt of her ivory summer dress floated up. Leaning forward while sticking out her tongue, one could assume that was a yes. Walking next to me, concern flickered in and out of her eyes with every footfall towards the dining hall. Noticing the other heroes, several waves urged me to join them. Tugging on my sleeve, her puppy dog eyes were hard to deny. Pushing tables together to make a long dining room table, I plopped onto the chair at the head of the table. Evie sat as close as she could to me, her humming getting drowned out in the others chatting pleasantly among each other. Madame Spider grinned ear to ear the moment she took the seat next to me, her hands crossing on the table. Gushing about my rescues, a gentle smile curled on my lips underneath my mask. Evie joined in with her, the chatter becoming a replay of everything I had done. Basking in the warmth of my new friend, the flames of hope crackled to life. May life keep going in this direction.