Hero Factory Oneshots

I love you

"That's another one out. I'm going to check if there's any more!" Stormer coughed violently as he inhaled the smoke. As soon as the last person jumped out of the window, he immediately shut it and ran deeper into the burning complex.
The fire had started in the basement and travelled up through the gas pipes, before eventually erupting and setting everything into an inferno blaze. Too many civilians at once needed the saved, the Hero Factory had to step in while the firefighters kept the flames at bay from spreading. Neighboring buildings have all been evacuated and the area cleared for a rescue cushion.
"Preston, it's too dangerous! The building is going to collapse soon! You need to get out of there!" His wife yelled through communications. "I'm not leaving until I've checked every room and rubble pile! There could be a lone person or a child or whatever for all I-I-I -e-ever for all I know!" He coughed as he stumbled through the hall and ran into the room that wasn't fully a blaze yet, so his system could cool off just a little bit. "Shit, my c-c-c-circuits are ove-r-r-r heating.." A sudden, distant scream made him snap his head up and turn around. He was about to run when Bulk came online. "Screaming person was with me, we just jumped out. It's fine Alpha-Leader! I just got the last one out! Checked and double checked each room in half your time, you can come out!" "Right, thank you Bulk, I'm-"
The floor suddenly cracked and Stormer froze. He looked down and could see the flames below him through the crack under his foot. Cursing, he got down on all fours and then laid on the floor to distribute his weight. "Team, I'm going to need some help getting o-o-o-out. The f-f-floor is giving away beneath me and I cannot move without risking falling to my death, or being burnt alive." "Dad, can't you freeze the flooring?" That was Ella, his daughter. "Can't do that honey, the floor is too weak. Any sort of extra weight can cause it to collapse. I can't stop the fire either, as it isn't a solid material. Smoke will only turn into snow, which is more weight again." Elliot, Ella's twin, chimed in, but not directed at his father: "Surge, you think you can get dad out of there?" "Kind of in a bad position right now kid, wall and staircase collapsed on me and Rocka and a rebar got jammed into my core, I ain't getting out any time soon. What about Bulk? He's fine, right?" "The room is too small, he won't fit in with the three pairs of wings he has. Evo?" "I can't summon water if there's barely any moisture in the air, sir." "What about Nex? He can use gravity." Stringer: "I'm taking him back to he factory, sir. Vital circuits got cut when a pipe exploded behind him and metal jammed into his head and neck." Stormer cursed under his breath. Of course the medic gets hurt, who would have thought... Who else is there?.. Purge ran away just a few days prior, Furno's heat tolerance limit was crossed and his system started failing so he had to be taken out of the building (ironic that Stormer handles more heat as the ice hero), Rocka's communication got cut after he was buried under rubble with Surge, Von Ness-

"I'm just one floor below Stormer, I'll get him!"
"Ness, you know your powers are weaker than Nex, y-"
"Have some faith in him, Bulk."
"Sorry sir.."

Storme stayed put as he watched the fire inch closer and listening to the crackling of furniture breaking apart. He could hear footsteps nearing, but also louder snaps of wood, and as soon as he saw Von Ness, he yelled: "STOP! Don't move!"

The Hero froze just by the door, covered in ashes and black burn marks on his armor. He stared at Stormer, then looked at the new cracks on the floor. Any more and it could cause a collapse. Von Ness got down and put a hand towards the team-leader. „Grab my hand! I'll pull you out!" Stormer tried to crawl closer, but not even an inch later he stopped again. „I can't! It's too dangerous! Can't you use your powers?" Ness' expression grew anxious. He doesn't have good control over them and they both knew it. „I-I don't think that's a good idea..." „Just give it a try, what's the worst that can happen?" „Increasing gravity and killing you, that's the worst! Stormer, I can't do it, I never practiced using them." Von Ness got moved one step closer, one hand on the doorframe for support. „Please, you just have to be quick!" The ice hero looked down on the ground, the ever-growing flames below through the cracks and took a breath. He pushed himself up and ran towards Von Ness.

The floor gave in and his foot fell through. He quickly stumbled back, ending up further away from his redeemed team-mate than he started. He laid low again and shook his head. „Go save yourself, Alexander..." Von Ness' breath hitched. „No.. no Preston, come on! You can't give up now!" Stormer shook his head and his mask went up. „It's impossible, the wood is too weak to support my weight, I'll fall soon." „Don't say that, just freeze the floor and run over here!"

He laughed weakly and lifted up his multifunctional ice tool, pulling the trigger.

Nothing.

„Too hot."

The ice hero was rendered useless, surrounded by blazing fire. Von Ness stared at him, his outstretched hand shaking slightly. „Please..." Stormer smiled a little at him. „I've lived long enough anyways, Ness-" „I am NOT leaving you behind! Not again... I-I promised that to myself." „I know, and I'm sorry..."

He pushed himself up and one floorboard was at risk of giving away. He froze again. „Y'know... I never truly got over you..." „What do you mean?"

Stormer looked up and smiled. „I love you, I always did."

A dresser in the corner fell under its own weight. The chain reaction caused the floor to collapse and Stormer vanished in the flames below.

Surge pulled Rocka out of the building and he and Breez stabilized his condition. He yanked the rebar out of his chest and as it slowly healed, he asked: „Anyone heard of Ness or Stormer?" "Stormer's communication got cut off, but I haven't checked on Von Ness." Breez answered, carrying Rocka over to the other injured people. Bulk hit the side of his head. "My headset is jammed. Everyone, open your communications, someone's got to be able to reach one of them."
Ella was the first to get a connection.
"Uncle Ness, w-"

All conscious heroes slapped their hands over their hearing sensors, as a piercing scream of pain overrode their auditory sense.

"HE'S GONE! I LOST HIM!"