Armageddon Syndrome

Authors Note: My first attempt at an Incredibles fanfic, which like my previous work, will get a look at what makes the villains tick. Our old pal Syndrome has returned, having used the Zero Point energy to form a protective force field, saving him from the rotor blades. And now he's back, he's got big plans, now that the Supers have returned.

Disclaimer: Pixar owns the Incredibles and all related characters. I own Hellfire and the other Exterminators.

Chapter 1

Back from the dead

Syndrome really had to smile. Anyone who couldn't read his mind, would be wondering why he was smiling. He had lost his henchman, his island, his money and his lieutenant. He had been beaten, and nearly killed. It was only through judicious use of his Zero Point energy that he survived the lethal blades. But, he still smiled. And that was because one thought was occupying his mind. They were back. The supers, who had for so long been hidden, had returned. And many of them would have families, like Mr Incredible. Children. And that meant there was suddenly a rich untapped vein of power. Oh he could barely stomach supers, true, but then…he only had to keep them around long enough. Smiling he found his thoughts turning to Suicide Squad, and how in the comic the villains would all have devices that could blow them up, if they stepped out of line.

"Life imitates art" Syndrome mused to himself, as he pressed the button, opening his pent house suite. He had luckily been able to hide the majority of his money in Swiss bank accounts, and remained one of the wealthiest men on the planet. Now he merely had to speak with an old friend, and all would be ready. And that old friend was currently draped over his leather sofa. She had knee length red hair, and a long flowing black cape, and a black, skin tight body suit underneath. Her gloves had long claw like extensions, and there was an H insignia on her suit, in the same silver as Syndromes S. Her name was Hellfire, and at the moment, she looked less than pleased.

"I hate being kept waiting you know" Hellfire said, digging huge scratches into the sofa with her gloves.

"Hey, c'mon, I was kind of busy. I mean, being blown into itty bitty pieces kind of takes a lot out of you" Syndrome said, sitting in a high back chair. Hellfire merely arched an eyebrow, before standing up.

"Bomb Voyage is in. He jumped at the chance to get back on the game. And Baron Von Ruthless is in as well, although how his ego and yours will possibly get on, I don't know" Hellfire said.

"Good. Well, that's the two heavy hitters from the old guard in, but what about the Exterminators? They ready to rumble?" Syndrome asked.

"Of course. You'll get to meet them when the new base is arranged. So, what next?" Hellfire asked.

"I need to make a small withdrawal. Then we go meet our new legion of doom" Syndrome said.

"You love those references don't you?" Hellfire said, grinning.

"Good for the soul, Hellfire. Though, I guess that's kind of wasted on you isn't it?" Syndrome said laughing. Hellfire just smiled, as she walked away, before vanishing in a burst of flame.

"Well. She knows how to make an exit" Syndrome said, before lifting up on his jet boots. He smiled as he looked down at all the hundreds of people, running about beneath him.

"Bang. You're dead" he said, smiling as he flew off.

Two hundred miles away, Hellfire had arrived in a large cavernous building, akin to an opera house, and surveyed her surroundings. Sat in chairs and sofas and in ones case, the floor, were the Exterminators. First there was Night-shadow, a lanky young man, with raven black hair, dressed in a completely black suit, with a pair of shades over his eyes, and a black flaming glow around his hands. Next to him was Invisigoth, a blonde woman with her hair in a pony tail, with round "Dr Eggman" style sunglasses, and black eyeliner around her eyes. She was dressed head to toe in black leather, and held two modified pistols in her hands. Next to Invisigoth, was a woman of about twenty called Kitty, with cat ears on her head, an ankh symbol on her forehead, and cat whiskers beneath her nose. She had a black sleeveless dress on, and had long fingerless black silk gloves. Sitting cross legged on the floor was a twelve year old girl, who a casual observer would have picked out as being the odd one out. Her name was Marla, and despite her innocent appearance, she had the highest kill rate of any of them, and her eyes were coloured an eerie blue. Sitting in an ornately carved chair was Danse Macabre, a man dressed entirely in black, with a hood covering his head, and a skull mask covering his face. An ebony cloak flowed out from behind him, and his eyes glittered a blood red behind the mask.

"The word is go, ladies and gentlemen. Syndrome, our fearless leader, has given us the orders. So guess what…it's time for some fun" Hellfire said.

"Remember what I told you before. Violet is mine" Danse Macabre said, his voice sounding like gravel scraping on a chalk board.

"Of course Mac. But remember, Syndrome wants to kill Mr Incredible himself. You will keep your…abilities in check" Hellfire said. Danse Macabre's eyes glowed briefly, before returning to normal.

"Have it your way, Hellfire. You're the boss" Danse Macabre said.

"Good. Now, get the equipment from the safe room. We have an appointment to keep" Hellfire said.

Syndrome slowly descended from the air, towards the storage base. Luckily, he had hidden a few little surprises away from Nomanisan Island, the most impressive of which was contained in this hidden bunker. Entering the code, he smiled as the doors hissed open, to reveal the contents. It was a gleaming suit of armour, coloured black, with a silver S insignia in the centre. The suit had two thick gauntlets, and two raised sections that fit on either sides of the head, and an enhanced version of the rocket shoes he normally wore.

"Freaking beautiful" Syndrome said, as the armour hissed open and he stepped into it. It closed around him, sealing up, as a series of display screens appeared before his eyes. He felt like Warren, after getting the power boost in the season finale. Transformed from human weakness, to godlike power. Glorious.

"Activate the communicator" Syndrome said, addressing the suit systems.

"Complying" a voice said, and Syndrome nodded, already thinking about his grand plans, and his planned acquisition of a new lieutenant. Oh yes, didn't he mention that? He had plans to recruit a new second in command, a new right hand woman. And he thought he knew exactly how to do it and ensure total loyalty, while retaining a fiery spark of independence.

"Syndrome, it's done. The Exterminators are ready for our plan to begin, and we have the coordinates for our new headquarters" Hellfire said over the communication system.

"Perfect. It's all falling into place" Syndrome said, before launching into the air.

In the underground base of the Exterminators, Danse Macabre was busy. He was moving with an eerie grace, through the winding passages, towards a thick metal door, beside which was a coded key pad. He entered a series of numbers and letters into it, and it hissed open, revealing something that none of his allies could even imagine.

"It has begun. I am part of there group, and am even now preparing to begin my own machinations" Danse Macabre said.

And they know nothing?

"Correct. I am sure the girl will be in our possession soon. And when she is, we will be ready to proceed with the second phase" Danse Macabre replied.

We have heard these promises before. We wonder if they will once more prove to be empty ones.

"I give you my word. Soon now, you will have the girl" Danse Macabre said.

We hope so, Macabre. Remember what happened to those who did not succeed. All my frozen failures…

Danse Macabre nodded slowly, touching his face mask gingerly.

"I remember. I shall not fail you. And the others shall die" Danse Macabre said.

We hope so, my dear boy. Otherwise, things could become…painful.

Then nothing but silence, as heavy as that in a tomb.

Hellfire smiled as she saw the two approaching her. Both were easily recognisable, from there colourful costumes. Bomb Voyage had mime face paint on, and wore a black and white striped shirt, with a beret on his head, and two criss crossing strings of explosives over his chest. Baron Von Ruthless on the other hand wore a grey military style uniform, with a metal helmet covering his head, and a cape flowing away from him.

"Bonjour, mademoiselle. Eet is so good to meet Syndromes esteemed colleague" Bomb Voyage said, in his heavy French accent.

"Ja, dot is some jet you haff there. So, where is zis Syndrome?" Baron Von Ruthless said.

"Syndrome is…taking care of business. He'll be joining us shortly I assure you. In the meantime, we have work to do" Hellfire said. She smiled as the two headed into the complex. She was counting on the old guard to keep the Exterminators more… unscrupulous members in check. Particularly Danse Macabre, who had some, frankly disturbing, obsessions, to say nothing of his creepy lifestyle, and secretive nature.

"Something else to talk to Syndrome about" Hellfire said, mentally reminding herself of Syndromes new plan to acquire a lieutenant.

Syndrome regarded the dilapidated old opera house, as he strode through it in his new armour. After only a quick glance, he was already happy that he was moving to a new headquarters soon. He saw Hellfire waiting for him, regarding his new armour.

"Nice battle suit 'Lex'" Hellfire said. Syndrome grinned at the reference.

"So the others are here? Good. Well, opinions?" Syndrome asked.

"Kitty is a complete Nymphomaniac, Marla is a sullen psychopath, Invisigoth has a highly paranoid attitude and suicidal tendencies, Night-shadow has a particularly disturbing eating habit, and Danse Macabre…he has unusual preferences to say the least. He's also secretive and is definitely hiding something from us. He's a loose cannon, there's no way to tell which way he's gonna jump when it comes down" Hellfire said, unable to prevent a smile crossing her face over the Angel line she had paraphrased.

"Nice. Well hey, it's not like they have to be normal. They just need to get the job done. And speaking of jobs is the VR equipment ready for my future lieutenant?" Syndrome asked.

"Yes, but I still think the plan is too unstable to work" Hellfire replied.

"It's my best chance of getting a new lieutenant. Get the advancement equipment ready as well…then we get the party started" Syndrome said.

To be continued…

Well, that's chapter one done. In the next chapter, Syndrome is going to set up shop in his new base, and Danse Macabre is going to begin his own machinations.