Legends of Firestorm #2

[spiritofvengeance]

Legends of Firestorm #2
Heart of Winter

Written By: Joel Sawyer
Edited By: Mike Bowen

A meeting in a secluded office; two figures size each other up.

“Report,” the grey haired woman commands.

Nervously, the other man replies, “I’m afraid our agent didn’t achieve his objective.”

“He failed? That’s unlike him. His future-tech usually does the job.”

“He didn’t exactly fail. Someone else got there first. A meta.”

The woman sighs deeply. “We were monitoring them. The only ones fast enough to intervene are Flash or Superman, and we know where Superman is. Did Green Lantern return from space?”

“This one is unknown, a new meta. He calls himself Firestorm. Even on the internet, there are no mentions of him before this morning, so we do not know what he is capable of. Either way, the reactor remains stable.”

“So our agent’s machines couldn’t get in without being seen. We’ve tried so hard to stay out of the attention of these superhumans. Monitor the situation, and tell Morrow to stand by with his toys.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Firestorm streaks across the early New York skyline, grinning with the sheer joy that flying brings. He is now in a costume of bright red and yellow, the sign of an atom emblazoned across his chest.

Firestorm is a being comprised of two individuals: Ronald Raymond, a seventeen year old student in control of Firestorm’s physical actions, and physicist Martin Stein, a passive presence in the mind of the hero.

Stein says, Ronald, are you certain you want us dressed this way? It seems very loud.

Firestorm, speaking aloud, “Our powers are loud, Professor. If I’m wearing a costume, I might as well make it memorable.”

I still say a costume is unnecessary. A simple uniform is more appropriate.

“Where’s the fun in that? I grew up watching He-Man, Thundercats, and Spider-Man on TV, and hearing stories about the Justice Society. Heroes are back, Professor, and I have a chance to be one of them!”

Stein replies, I wish I shared your enthusiasm, Ronald. I’m concerned about our joint existence. I do appreciate flying me back to the plant.

“We left your car when we blew out of there last night. Least I can do, and I’ll make it to school on time.”

Firestorm flies in low and lands one block away from the Hudson Nuclear Facility. With a moments concentration and a flash of light, Ronnie and the Professor stand next to each other.

Stein says amazed, “We’re here. It’s hard to believe the things you told me last night, but we made it here in 22 minutes!”

“No sweat, Professor. I really need to go. See you soon.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Hudson Nuclear Facility.

Only a few police and emergency personnel remain, but clean-up crews and a hazardous materials team are arriving. Martin Stein walks into the compound, and Mr. Claire sees him from near the front door.

“Stein!” Claire runs to him. “Where did you go? We couldn’t find you or Dr. Frost.”

“I was rescued by a man named Firestorm, apparently. I was unconscious at the time, but I was told what happened when I woke up.”

Claire tell him, “Yes, this Firestorm is all over the news, but no one knows about him. Did he save Dr. Frost as well?”

“I don’t think so, and that concerns me a bit. How bad is it?”

“Actually, there doesn’t seem to be much damage. The reactor remained stable, very little radiation escaped, and most of the building’s structure seems to be intact. We haven’t been able to do a thorough analysis, however. They won’t let us in until the Hazardous materials team gives us the OK. Martin, I must tell you. Dr. Black was pulled out and taken to the hospital last night.”

“Danton? He wouldn’t resort to sabotage, would he? Anyway, we must check the Thermafrost, first. That’s the last place I saw Crystal.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Ron Raymond is in class, and Cliff Carmicheal happens to share World History with him. Their teacher, John Ravenhair, is speaking about the Spanish Inquisition (quite unexpectedly), but Ron is daydreaming just a bit, reviewing the events of the last 24 hours. The classroom opens and Principal Hapgood enters, speaking with Mr. Ravenhair for a moment. Mr. Ravenhair calls for Ron to come outside the classroom, and a police officer can be seen just outside the door.

“Well, Raymond has a date with the police,” Carmicheal cracked. “Guess you really are a degenerate!”

Ron snarls, but Mr. Ravenhair interjects, “That’s enough, Clifford. You don’t know the circumstances.”

Ronnie exits the class and the policeman steps forward. “You are Ronald Raymond?”

He nods, and the officer continues, “You are not under arrest, Ron, but we would appreciate if you come to the station to answer a few questions about the Hudson Nuclear Facility.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Mid-day, and clouds had rolled in over New York. The hazard teams declare the site safe, and the facility staff re-entered what had been a war zone the previous night. With the power out in half of the complex, some security doors must be pried open. Finally, the small group of men reach the Thermafrost unit, finding the door into the device itself frozen over with a foot thickness of extremely dense ice.
Martin peers through the door’s window, into the machine.

An EMT asks, “Do you see anything?”

“It’s dark, and this ice is cloudy,” Martin replies, “Good Lord, I think someone is in there.” Dizzy, Martin stumbles a bit and wheezes, “She couldn’t have survived those temperatures.”

The EMT looked at the facility staffers. “We’re bringing in some blowtorches, axes, and sledgehammers. We should have the door open in a short time, then we’ll need you to identify the remains.”

“Remains,” Stein barked, “She was a friend of mine!”

“You check the offices for damage, Martin. You look like you can barely stand. I’ll make the identification.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Ed Raymond looked a lot like his son, but a bit stockier, carrying a little extra weight. His hair was the same color brown, but not as shiny as Ron’s. He appeared young for being in his forties, but distinguished in his black slacks, matching tie, and slate grey dress shirt. He smiled slightly as an officer brought Ron out to him.

“Here he is, Mr. Raymond,” the officer states, “He was very cooperative.”

“Much obliged,” the elder Raymond responds.

The duo walks silently out of the station onto the breezy street. Ed speaks first, “Ron, I want to say that I’m proud of you. Very, very proud.”

Ron stares at his dad in surprise. “I joined a guy to vandalize private property,” Ron muttered. “How can you be proud?”

“The camera in the control room was destroyed, but the recording equipment is in another part of the complex. It survived, and shows you standing up to those killers once you realized what they were doing. I’ve seen the clip.”

“Well...’

“Plus, your testimony will nail Earhart. I know I could yell at you, say you were an idiot for being there in the first place. You faced death and stood against it to protect someone you didn’t even know. Most people wouldn’t do that.”

Ron smiled warmly, unable to say anything for several long moments. Then, he asks, “You’re a newsman, Dad. Did anyone else survive.”

“Most of the staff got out, and there are a few who are unaccounted for. The security guard who let you in survived, but he is greatly wounded. A man who was part of the project, Danton Black, was found alive, and the woman with you last night was also discovered. None of them have awakened, yet.”

“So the only one who escaped is Flambeau.”

“Correct, and Flambeau is the name of a professional arsonist and bomber. Always gets away, and never leaves much evidence.”

”I bet he always leaves an Eddie Earhart to take the fall.”

Ed nods and says, “Ron, I have to get back to the office. Don’t worry about dinner tonight. I’ll bring home India Palace.”

Ron walked away with a surprisingly warm feeling about the day.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

“We’ve broken through,” the firefighter called as the door to the Thermafrost finally moved.

Several of the men stepped forward, and three of them heaved as the door slowly opened.
Grimly, a paramedic starts, “Let’s see what we...”

Freezing air and shards of ice explode from inside the unit, the door ripping off its hinges and coming an inch from taking a workman’s head with it. The blast knocked them off their feet, and as he rose, an icy voice spoke.

“Did you men all come to see me,” Crystal Frost asks sweetly. “How romantic.”

They can scarcely believe their eyes. Crystal’s entire form is encrusted with ice, giving her a glassy appearance. Her long coat now looked like a short gown, and what almost appeared like strings of pearls decorated her hair. Her eyes, now milky white and without pupils, take in the horrified expressions of the six men. She turns to the nearest, the firefighter.

“You were the one who rescued me, weren’t you,” she sighed. “How sweet. I’ll reward you with a kiss.”

Wrapping her arms around the stunned man, she kisses him full and hard. Only for a second do shards of blistering pain erupt on his lips, but her lips warm up, and he begins to enjoy the kiss. He realizes just before dying that she is drawing the heat from his own body.
She looks up while dropping the frozen carcass to the floor. She smiles, and the remaining men turn to run.

She screams, “Freeze!” A thin layer of ice covers the floor in seconds. Left accelerating but suddenly without purchase, each of the men fall. Mr. Claire’s chin slams down on the floor, his vision blurs as tears fill his eyes. He sits up, only to find Frost leaning toward him.

“Does it hurt, Claire? Let me kiss it and make it better.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Scant minutes later, Martin strides toward the Thermafrost and sees his breath in the air. The chill brings goosebumps, and the edge of the ice sheet leaves him scrambling for balance. First he sees the EMT frozen to the floor, then he sees Crystal looking at herself in an icy mirror.

“What in heaven’s name happened here,” he moans.

“Martin, is that you?” she responds, turning from her reflection.

“Crystal,” he nearly shouts, and he tries to move forward, but again nearly falls when he reaches the slick. She moves to him effortlessly, her expression of mock delight.

“I don’t think I’m Crystal anymore,” she says sadly. “I don’t think I’m even human anymore. Call me Killer Frost!”

“You...you killed those men,” Stein whispers.

“Its funny,” she states and steps closer. “In school, men called me the Ice Maiden.” She comes even closer. “Look at me, now.”

“Are you listening to me?”

“I know we can’t be together now, Martin, but may I have just one kiss to remember you by?”

Martin Stein ran.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Ronnie Raymond stood behind his new home watching the clouds creep across the sky. Its been a great day, he thinks, despite the biting chill that stole over his skin. The air isn’t cold, he realized.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Stein ran for his life, and Killer Frost strode purposefully behind, calling to him.

“You never laughed at me, Martin. I know that. But I need your warmth, my love. I’m so cold, and you don’t really need it, do you?”

Stein sees the stairway door to the left and bolts to it. Even as he slams the door open, ice forms beneath his moving feet. Suddenly feeling like Superman, Martin flew out over the steps, watching the landing come shooting towards him.

I’m going to die, he thinks.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

“No, you’re not,” Ronnie says as he triggers the change from his backyard across the city.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Stein yells in Robbie’s ear, "Ronald, lower density, now!"

Firestorm reduced his atomic density to zero and fell through the floor of the landing and letting the velocity take him down three levels.

”What’s the word, Prof?”


I must rethink my stance on crime fighting, Ronald. A colleague of mine has been transformed into an ice creature, and I don’t know if
police could stop her. She’s killed several already, and she wants to kill me.

“Fire and Ice, Prof. You know who’s gonna win.”

Firestorm flies upward and outward, using Stein’s familiarity with the complex to come up behind Frost. The Ice Maiden stood staring perplexed down the stairwell Stein had fallen. As Firestorm enters the hall, she glances toward him.

Frost, curious, “Your hair is on fire. Who are you?”

“Firestorm, the Nuclear Man. You won’t find him. I’ve put Stein where you can’t reach him.”

Rage flared on her face suddenly as she screamed, “Then I’ll kill you, and find Martin later!”

Waves of the coldest wind Ron had ever felt rammed into him. Wet, sticky snow splatted against him, stinging his skin with each impact.

This is not going well, Ronald.

“Let me try something,” Ron muttered as his internal temperature jumped a dozen degrees.
His hand before him, he began to melt the snow before it reached him. Frost changed tactics, trying to encase Firestorm in a block of ice, but he again lowered his density and slipped from the prison.

“Good idea,” Firestorm shouts, and changing the molecules of the wall next to her and the air around her, he creates his own trap.
Smiling in victory, Firestorm’s clever retort is cut short as his cell detonates, and icicles fly in all directions. He barely melts those that come near him.

“Let me switch gears,” Firestorm tells himself. Picking up one of the icicles and changing it into a bouquet of (artificial) flowers, he lands next to Frost.

“Hey, I don’t even know why we’re fighting. You’ve never done anything to me. Why don’t we just talk about this? You are very pretty.”

Killer Frost stood and stared at him for a moment, her face unreadable. Slowly, she took the flowers away from him.

“No one’s ever given me flowers,” she whispers.

She backhanded him, her fist hard as a rock. He slid back a dozen feet on the ice, then rose up into the air.

“You are just like all the other men! You think I would bat my eyes, stare into your handsome face, and walk away to jail for you? I’ve killed six men. I can’t just stop now.”

“Fine,” Firestorm says. “Let’s turn up the heat.”

Firestorm fired a blast of pure nuclear heat, nailing Frost square in the chest. She screamed in agony, but so did he as ribbons of searing pain shot up his arms and into his brain. He fell to the floor and nearly divided, but Ron felt it happening and held on, keeping he and Martin combined through force of will. Sadly, Frost recovered more quickly.

“You don’t have to beg, Firestorm,” she cooed. “I’ll give you a kiss.”

Frost propped him up with unnatural strength and kissed him. A moment later, the flame on his head flickered, and his flesh began to pale.

Ronald, do something! Stein silently shouted.

Ice formed on Firestorm’s feet.

Ronald, please.

So cold, Ron thought back.

The fire went out.

“My, you were a hot, young man,” Frost sighs, standing up. “Now to find Martin.” Killer Frost strode away, leaving Firestorm frozen in a kneeling position, covered in an icy sheath.

Ronald, Stein repeats weakly.

To be continued...

[Glippernip]