SyphonSyndrome

Syndrome was now giving Harley a tour around his island, Nomanisan in his private jet. They were currently hovering over the island’s gargantuan volcano. “So, what do you think, Harley?” Syndrome asked, observing the young woman while sitting in a white leather seat, his fingers intertwined.


“Lemme get this straight, you live in a hollowed out volcano?” she asked, a deadpan look on her face as she turned to face him.


“Yeah. Pretty cool huh?” he asked, setting his spandex-clad legs rest on the coffee table in front of him, placing his arms behind his head.


“Who do you think you are, Dr. Evil?”


“No, I am better.” Syndrome answered with a smug look on his face.


“No way…and what makes you think that?” she asked, still displaying a deadpan face.


“No time to go into this. I actually, want to show you something I had made just for you.” he said, catching her attention as the jet began moving again.


A beautiful beach soon came into Harley’s vision. White sands, and pristine, sapphire waves moved to and fro, making the sand shift into a soft tan color.


Palm trees dotted the beach, swaying lazily in the sea breeze. What really caught Harley’s attention was the beach house nestled nicely outside a small forest, still in the soft sands.


“You made me a house? Why, you don’t know me that well, man.” she asked, glancing over at Syndrome suspiciously.


“I know you have a bad memory, Harl. But trust me, we go way back you and me. I just remembered you’ve always loved beach houses. So, here you go.” he explained as the jet landed soundlessly and relatively smoothly.


Harley looked away, so Syndrome wouldn’t see her rolling her dark brown eyes. ’I’d remember a guy who looked like that. But, those eyes do look rather familiar.’ she thought to herself as she stepped off the murder black jet.


The house was built in an L shape, a small ramp leading to the front door. Syndrome opened the gate, allowing Harley to enter first. She noted the nice, small garden with a wooden bench not too far from it.


She opened the door and was in the living room, a 52’’ HD TV mounted on the far wall in front of a dark blue sofa. Everything was in different shades of blue and beige.


There was also a small bar in the living room and two large shelves, one holding countless books. The other, a monumental DVD collection.


The kitchen looked like any normal kitchen, table, chairs and appliances nothing too special except a lovely chandelier.


Heading up a small flight of stairs, she figured the bathroom and bedroom were up here.

Harley then checked out the bathroom, there was a normal toilet and sink. The shower was also a combination with a tub but looked rather elegant. And a nicely sized hot tub was tucked away in the corner.


Last was the bedroom. A nice sized bookcase stuffed full of books on Energy, Physics and Schematic Designs, and several other topics she wouldn’t be able to begin to comprehend, was on the wall beside the door.


Two reading chairs sat on either side of a side table that had a small plat on it. Opposite the door was a rather large desk with a state-of-the-art flat-screen computer on its glass surface.

She noticed a wall with a cut out door. Walking up to it, she noticed another mammoth-sized bed, once again shades of blue for the bedding. Two nightstands were on both sides of the bed, a lamp on both, an alarm clock on the left one. And right across the bed was another door.


Opening the door, Harley discovered a large walk-in closet filled with…her clothes?! ‘What the hell?!’ How were all her clothes here?! Stomping out of the closet, she noticed a picture on the right nightstand. The people in it stopped her in her tracks…and thoughts.


Walking over to the tan hued nightstand, she grasped the 8X10 picture in her left hand. It was her when she was about 11, she was wearing a strange costume with a red, glittery mask.


‘I kinda remember this…I used to idolize Elastigirl. She was so strong, a great role model for girls. Smart, and beautiful too.’


But, she couldn’t really place the second person. It was a boy, the same age as Harley. He had blond hair and was wearing a blue mask. ‘Its those eyes again…this boy and Syndrome…their eyes are virtually the same.’


The sound of a certain red-head caused Harley to snap out of her thoughts. “So, what do you think? Nice, huh?” Syndrome asked, his baby blue eyes noticing the picture in her hands. A smile soon flashed across his face. ‘Maybe that will help ring a few bells.’


Syndrome completely intended for his guest to find that picture. Why else leave it out in the open? He knew Harley’s memory capacity wasn’t top notch. It didn’t mean she was an idiot however!


She got good grades in school. She just daydreamed and dazed off a lot. Many things would just slip through her mind rather easily. Which is why he wasn’t losing his temper with her. She wasn’t doing this as a personal attack on him, she just couldn’t help it.


“Its nice but…isn’t all this a tad big for just one person?” she asked, putting the picture frame back on the nightstand.


“Maybe just a bit. I do seem to recall though that you hate being alone. So, I’ll be staying here with you.” Syndrome answered, hands behind his back and a smile still on his face.


“Oh really? And just where will you be sleeping?” she asked flatly, her left foot tapping the carpet, marking her anger slowly ticking.


“I’ll give you one guess, sweetness.” he answered, winking at the woman.


Her anger then snapped, she could literally feel it. “In your dreams!” she hollered, sending her right fist flying…

Syndrome and Harley were now in an ominous looking dining hall. A giant wall of molten lava covered the left wall. Harley, who was finally allowed to change, was glaring at Syndrome.


He grinned through the slight pain that lingered in his left eye, that was now more then likely bruised to hell thanks to his temperamental guest. Thankfully, his mask hid it.


Syndrome also took the time to check Harley out in her new outfit. It might have looked plain but, it hugged her figure nicely. She rummaged through her clothes and picked out a pair of hip-hugger, low-rise blue jeans and a red tank top that showed off a small amount of midriff.


‘In a way, I think she’s changed more then me. Change is very good.’ he couldn’t help but admire the adult version of the girl who was his best friend.


“I’m sure you have quite a few questions, feel free to ask away, Harley.” he said, snapping Harley out of her glare.


“You’re damn right I do! Why am I here? Who are you really? Why the hell are all my clothes in some strange house? And why do you have a picture of me from when I was 11?!” All her questions were barely spaced out.


‘Yep, she’s pissed. I guess I can’t blame her but…it is for her best interest.’ he thought to himself before clearing his throat.


“I told you, I’m Syndrome. I had you’re clothes brought here, was easier then having someone, me for instance buying you a completely new wardrobe. The picture is actually one I’ve had for quite a while now. And, as for why you’re here…I’m saving you.” he explained, managing to bottle his anger for the time being.


“Saving me? From what? Some other stalker weirdo?” she scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. And Syndrome, being ever-observant, noted how this simple action pushed her breasts together.


Dusting that off for now, he recomposed himself. “I guess you could put it that way. Its from that bum…boyfriends of yours.” Just the fact that Harley was with another man made his blood boil.


He loved her. She was the only true friend he had back when he was known as Buddy Pine. So, he was very attached to Harley. Sure he had a few friends from the Mr. Incredible fan club at the time, but they weren’t people he could count on.


Buddy and Harley had met when they were 5, it was at her 5th birthday party and she invited tons of kids, wanting to make new friends. She was new to the city of Municiberg. She was rather outgoing and friendly.


It was a costume party, so Buddy had dressed up in his IncrediBoy costume, it was an early design, so it wasn’t perfect. But, Buddy wasn’t a terribly picky child.


After meeting Harley, who was in her own version of Elastigirl’s costume, the two connected instantly, sharing a love of the amazing Supers. They often collided on who could beat who or who was just plain better.


They went to the same school and had the same class, which was fortunate for them.


“What Brent? What was he planning?” Harley’s question snapped Syndrome out of his pleasant thoughts and he turned his attention on her again.

In her place now, he saw her as he did the last time he saw her. The twelve year old girl soon morphed into a gorgeous woman. ‘Its astounding what a few years can do to a person.’ he thought with a soft smile on his face.


“I didn’t want to have to show you this but…” he trailed off, getting up and walking over to his childhood friend.


When he was by her side, he crouched down to her level and pressed a button on one of his white gauntlets, a hologram of Brent and two of his friends. Syndrome didn’t care for their names.

“So, how’s it goin with the new chick?”


“Yeah, she put out yet?” both friends were hounding Brent for details as they all chugged Miller beers.


“No yet man. Its getting annoying. She just comes home complaining every night. Like I care. I just wanna bang her and go onto the next girl on my list.” Brent growled, taking another sip.


Harley felt her heart drop and shatter into countless pieces. Her eyes never left the hologram. Of course she had some difficulty believing it but…given Brent’s behavior towards her all the time, and how handsy he’d get, it unfortunately made sense to her.


She swallowed a large lump of agony, not able to form words. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she was too stubborn to let them fall.


Syndrome never took his eyes off Harley, even though she was heartbroken, he found her to be beautiful. Switching the recording off, he pondered what to do. She reacted as he planned but, he was unsure of what to do.


“I couldn’t let him do that to you, Harley.” he whispered, taking the stubborn girl into his arms, wanting to help her rebound from the jerk.


“But why…what made you…wanna help me…?” she asked, swallowing her sobs.


“What are friends for?” he received a look of confusion mixed with sadness from Harley and brushed the dark brown strands out of her face, tucking them away behind her right ear.


“That boy in the picture…is me…”