Erasing the Line
By Dancer of the Moonlit Lake
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"…and so, with a ratio of six votes to one, the Right for Super Humans Amendment goes into the next stage of approval…"

"…the President was quoted in favor of these ultra-humans, also known as 'Supers', in respect that normal law enforcement may not be enough to stop abnormal criminals…"

These quotes, along with many others, had been collected on the wall of Robert Parr's office. It had been three years since Bob--Mr. Incredible--and his family started protecting the city of Metroville. Three long, dry years of political arguments and social debates. In the end, amendments were made and laws were passed to ensure the rights of super-humans. It was widely agreed that those who had the power to stop evil also had the responsibility to do so. They were forbidden to influence the political system, they were forbidden to hinder suicides… Super heroes weren't allowed to do a lot of things, but once their rights were granted, the Supers returned in full force.

But this story begins far from any courthouse, or even the house of Bob Parr. It begins on a remote island teeming with technology, in the private quarters of a very successful woman, where a blonde Super is opening her mail.

Mirage was sitting a large breakfast nook, sipping her coffee when the mail arrived. She thumbed through the various business letters that consumed the pile, and a small blue envelope caught her eye. There was no return address, just her name written on the cover.

"Interesting," Mirage said aloud. "I wonder who it's from…"

Without hesitation, she used a long fingernail to open the envelope. A square business card feel onto her palm, along with a small, round disk the size of a quarter.

"What the…?" Mirage puzzled. She weighed the disk in her palm, confused.

She turned over the card. Two words in familiar handwriting met her eyes.

"Hello, sweetheart."

The disk grew warm in her hand. Then, very suddenly, Mirage wasn't in her breakfast nook at all.
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"We're leaving in five minutes! Dash, make sure your sister's awake!"

The same morning Mirage found the blue envelope, Violet Parr awoke to her mother's voice. She blinked a few times at the wall, then felt a very sharp poke on the back of her head.

"Vi'," her brother, Dash, pestered, "Mom says you gotta get up."

"Go away, insect," Violet said grumpily.

"MOM! VIOLET'S CALLING ME NAMES!" Dash cried, causing the groggy Violet even more annoyance.

"Dash, help Jack-Jack get his shoes on," their mother, Helen Parr, called from the kitchen. "And Vi', make sure you have the permission slip you need for that field trip today!"

The twelve-year old boy left Violet room. The girl climbed out of bed and changed into a violet shirt- her favorite color, after her namesake. She gathered her books and slowly made her way to the car.

Violet's mom and her siblings were already there, waiting. Over all the commotion and normality of their daily lives, Violet could hardly believe they were super heroes. No one could ever guess, simply by looking at her, that hidden in her book-bag was a super-suit and mask.

Well, Violet thought as the car pulled out of the driveway, at least with our super powers, life can never get much worse.
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Once Mirage recovered from the shock of vanishing from the breakfast table, she realized she was standing in her own office. But… How could she be there? She looked at the disk in her hand for answers.

An all-too familiar voice spoke from across the room.

"You like my new invention, Mirage? Teleportation! It makes flying seem obsolete… Well, almost." The person let out a seemingly good-natured laugh.

Mirage looked up and glared at the man seated behind her desk. "Your supposed to be dead!" she yelled, amazement and horror in her tone.

Syndrome, Mr. Incredible's self-proclaimed nemesis, grinned at his former colleague. Mirage gaped at the smiling figure. Syndrome's appearance had changed. In fact, he looked more professional, save the menacing remote he still wore around his wrist and the crazy red hair that grew straight upwards. Gone was his cape and super-suit, replaced with casual clothes. His mask was absent as well, his blue eyes gleaming with pleasure. "Aww, come on, sweetheart. You don't sound happy to see me."

"Of course not!" Mirage shouted, advancing towards the desk, "Last time you were alive," she emphasized the last word by slamming her fist on the hard wood, "You were wanted by the entire nation!"

Syndrome's grin grew wider as he leaned back in his chair. Mirage continued to gape at him, now completely lost for words.

"How…" she began, curiosity overriding her anger, "How DID you survive anyway? Your death was all over the news."

Syndrome lifted his wrist, admiring the remote he donned. "You can't honestly think I'd let that jet propeller tear me into tiny bits? I froze the blades before they could slice me into small, bloody... Well, you get the picture."

"But the explosion-!"

"Edna Mode doesn't call her suits 'indestructible' for nothing, babe. And you're right, I was wanted by the entire American nation. However, I found that other countries are more forgiving when you make large donations. They'll let you hide just about anywhere, so long as you keep the weapons coming. But enough about me. It seems you've doing well, living off my inventions." Syndrome arose from his seat and walked around the massive office that had once been his. "Can't say I love what you've done to the place. There's no more 'S' insignia on the furniture."

Mirage seated herself behind the desk. "This island, its technology, it's all mine now. Mr. Incredible and his family left this location secret, and I've been making my own inventions for three years--for the betterment of mankind, of course."

Syndrome pointed an accusing finger at her. "Yeah, inventing off the blueprints and ideas I left behind!"

Mirage raised a slender eyebrow. She then folded her hands in her lap and sighed. "Enough. What are you doing here?"

"Glad you asked!" Syndrome exclaimed, approaching the desk once more. He reached inside his pocket and held out a holographic sphere. The metal object whirled, then the image of Syndrome's Omnidroid poured forth. "See these schematics? I've realized-"

Mirage interrupted angrily, though she could not hide the hurt in her voice. "This is all you're here for? You want to take over the world?"

"I never wanted to take over the world! I wanted to become a super hero!"

Mirage feigned confusion, "So your Omnidroid only tried to destroy people because…?"

"That robot was not designed to kill, and you know it!" Syndrome yelled. "I wanted people to think it was dangerous, yes, only so I could save them. But then Mr. Incredible had to step in and…" The villain trailed off, then sighed. "I want revenge, babe. That's what I'm here for."

"As if the Incredibles couldn't stop you."

"Listen, it could actually work this time! I've analyzed the battle from three years ago and I know how to avoid my mistakes. Last time I didn't know about Mr. Incredible's family. Also, I foolishly programmed the Omnidroid to protect its existence. I didn't realize it would turn on me as well." Syndrome pocketed his hologram once more. "The only factor in my defeat that I can't figure out is… How did that blasted family get off this island?"

Mirage drew herself up to her full height. "I let them escape. I gave them transportation and your coordinates."

Syndrome's face went slightly pale, his freckles sticking out more than usual. "Y-you… Why?!"

Mirage's eyes narrowed as she glowered at Syndrome's distraught features. "You don't remember a certain gamble? One you took willingly—almost gladly—one that, should you have lost, would have cost my life."

The betrayal left Syndrome's face almost instantly. "Come on, sweetheart. You're still mad about that? I told you I had everything under control-"

"Did you?" Mirage spat, then looked away in disgust. Syndrome sighed, exasperated.

"Hell hath no fury," he murmured, "Like a super-woman scorned."

Mirage's gaze returned to his. "So what if I'm a Super? That doesn't make my life any less valuable, nor does it make me any less human."

Syndrome turned away and pretended to examine a painting. "That's not true. You Super-humans think your better than everyone else. That's why I started inventing in the first place… So I could be a Super, too."

There was along pause of silence. Finally, Mirage opened the bottom desk drawer and pulled out a droid similar to the one Syndrome used to scan rooms. "Remember this?" she asked, but Syndrome did not turn around. "This tests for the genome that only resides in Super-human DNA. This is what you used to find the location of all those Supers you killed. You invented it, but I wonder… Why did you never use it on yourself?"

Syndrome was very, very silent. His shoulders went rigid, and he refused to face Mirage. At last, he answered, "There was never any need."

Mirage grinned. "I mean, how many eight-year olds can create boots that allow him to fly? How many eleven-year olds can make futuristic weapons?"

"Really smart ones, Mirage. Don't go where you're thinking about going."

"How many fifteen-year olds start production on their own private island? He'd have to be, dare I say it, SUPER-intelligent."

"I said, don't go there."

"I just think it would terribly ironic… You spend your entire life trying to rid the world of Supers, only to find out you're one yourself!"

"SHUT UP!"

In a flash of light, Syndrome whirled around and froze Mirage with his remote. Contempt was ridden all over his face. "I told you not to go there." He paused and took a deep breath. Mirage, frozen in her chair, moved her eyes widely, not knowing what to expect. Syndrome ran a hand through his wild hair. "I am out for revenge, sweetheart, and I can do it with or without your help this time." He pulled out a few papers and the blueprint for a new machine, then spread them in front of the frozen Mirage. "Take a look at my plans. Are you with me or not?"

Mirage gasped for breath as Syndrome released his control on her. Hesitantly, she grasped the nearest paper and examined it. The sheet contained a list of names.

"You've found Supers who are actually willing to help you?" she marveled.

Syndrome waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah. They're newbies, but they've got what it takes. I have them going through their paces as we speak, in Metroville."

As Mirage looked through the various papers, she became more and more impressed. Against her better judgement, she inwardly admitted that Syndrome's new plan could work. She felt her pulse quicken with excitement; she hadn't been lying when she told Mr. Incredible that she was attracted to power.

Mirage sighed and closed her eyes. Regardless of her answer, Syndrome would undoubtedly take control of the island once more. What he would do with her if she refused to join him, she could only guess… It would be safer, she decided, to play along.

She opened her eyes and smiled.

"I'm with you."