The Fanatics

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑟 : 𝑆𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟.

The telephone rung all of a sudden. Mr A wasn’t expecting a call today. Bedazzled by this odd occurrence, he checked the diary. Was there any enemy left to defeat? There wasn’t. He was right. Then why should this happen? He was swift to act. Quickly he alerted Mr N. Mr N was ecstatic to hear this. A call at this hour? A sudden gush of excitement filled him. Things suddenly felt better now. He felt seen. He felt cared for. “Oh Mr A, you should be happy.”, said Mr N while kissing his forehead in delight, as he ran off to receive the call.

A heavy voice greeted him. It was deep and blunt. Almost as blunt as a baseball bat. “Am I talking to The Fanatics?” Mr N couldn’t stop himself from thinking of a million reasons of why this mysterious person could have called their residence. He could be his greatest fan. Maybe he’s looking for an autograph. Or maybe he just needs to hear his voice before he goes to sleep. The prospects were endless. Every possible situation was simulated already in his mind. All that’s left now was to live this situation. “Yes, as a matter of fact you are. Mr N at this end. May I know to which lovely gentleman am I talking to?”

“Hello Mr N. I am Mr D. I apologise for calling at this odd hour but I was wondering if you are hiring? I have been aimless for too long now. I need a purpose. I need this.” Mr N couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Someone wanted to be a part of The Fanatics. He never gave this a thought. It had always been Mr N and Mr A. Do they need another one? Will they be happier if someone else became a part of their lives? He has always felt a void in himself. Will this Mr D be able to fill it? What if everything goes awry? He had to make a decision. Mr D was waiting on the other end. “I am delighted to see your interest. Please visit our residence in the morning. We’ll work things out.”, Mr N asserted very calmly despite how unsure he was. “Thank you Mr N, I’ll be there first thing in the morning.”, said Mr D as he hung up the call.

Mr N was extremely pumped. There was an excitement. There was an uncertainty. And this felt good. He quickly ran towards Mr A who was still worried about receiving a call at this hour. “Mr A, some Mr D wishes to be a part of our team. I have invited him over tomorrow morning. What do you think?” Mr A was terrified at once. He could not believe Mr. N could make an important decision like this without consulting him. Did five years of partnership mean nothing to Mr N? Did his choice not matter? “How could you Mr N? What makes you think that we need someone else? Are you not happy with me?”, asked Mr A. His voice was shaking. He looked pale. Mr N didn’t want Mr A to be unhappy about this. He thought that The Fanatics can use a new person. Maybe a change would make them stronger. Isn’t strength something to strive for?

“Oh, my dear Mr A. Don’t be terrified. Things should be good. Unknown ventures add such thrill to life. Why live in a never changing world? That’s so boring.” Mr A wasn’t convinced. He was worried that an addition would mean a change in their daily life. What if they are not special anymore? Or worse, what if things go sour with Mr N? Mr N is the only thing that keeps him going. He’s familiar. Familiarity is soothing. He doesn’t want to lose his bond with Mr N which took years to be the way it is now. Mr A still remembers when he first met Mr N. He was fighting the Prejudice monster in the alley. He was almost defeated. Lying on the road with half the life in him. Crying over his incapabilities. He thought he was done for. Then Mr N came. He happened to be passing by the alley. Mr N couldn’t see him being tortured. He offered him his hand. “Don’t worry you sweet boy. Let me help you.”, assured Mr N in the most majestic voice. Mr N’s body lighted up with a mysterious red aura. It was the darkest red Mr A had ever seen. That’s when he realised that he wasn’t the only one born with a superpower. There were others like him. But different in their own way. He was fascinated at once. He knew he was in love.

Mr N concentrated a beam in his hand and launched it on the Prejudice monster. The monster was overloaded with narcissism, such confidence and admiration for himself. He was happy that he had defeated us. At least he thought so. That’s when Mr N snuck behind him and slit his throat so beautifully that the dripping blood felt like nothing but a piece of art. He still remembers the smile on Mr N’s face when he had saved him. It’s been five years since they formed The Fanatics. It had always been the two of them. They’ve defeated countless monsters since then. They are the vigilantes who fight these monsters who trouble the people they don’t understand, who are different from them. Mr A was worried that why Mr N feels the need to bring someone else. Is he not fascinated by him anymore? Or has Mr N forgotten how beautifully Mr A made the Bully monster so anxious with his special attack that he tore his own face with his bare hands? They have been so good together. So powerful.

“Mr N do you not love me anymore? Why can’t it be just the two of us?”, asked Mr A with his eyes so full of tears that they were overflowing. Mr N was taken aback by this. Never in his life had he loved someone more than himself. But then Mr A became a part of his life. He didn’t know that someone else would become so important to him. That his decisions would not be in the best interest of just himself but for them as a team. Never before had he cared for someone other than himself. Could Mr A never see his care? Or has Mr A never seen how happy he has been with him? “No Mr A. How could you possibly think this? I’ll always love you.”, said Mr N as he stroked his hand across Mr A’s face, “Nothing can change this. However, it’s important to be in search for new experiences. Shouldn’t one wish to grow? If we don’t change the milieu, we would just rot and we wouldn’t even realise it.” Mr A realises that Mr N is his weakness and his strength. Somehow he is always able to convince him. Doubts are always there but Mr N just eliminates them so effortlessly that everything makes sense. “But what if this Mr D is just plotting to do something bad to us? We’ll regret this decision then.”, asked Mr A who just wishes for their safety. “Things will be good. It’s about taking a leap of faith if you wish to achieve something greater. Will you take the leap of faith with me, Mr A?” Mr A looked into Mr N’s eyes. Bright blue eyes, as glowing and promising as ever. “Yes, I will.”

The next morning Mr D reached their house, right on time. They made him sit across the table. Mr A had prepared an interview for this mysterious person. He had to make sure that this Mr D stood up to the reputation and beliefs of The Fanatics. Mr A has always been interrogative. He examines and re examines all facets of any situation. “Why did you choose us? Why not do something else?”, asked Mr A with the most skeptical intentions. Mr D leaned forward over the edge of the table, looked at Mr A with the most eerie gaze and answered in the heavy, blunt voice, “I know everything about you guys. I know how you came together. I have read everything in the newspapers. I have followed all your quests. I have always been grateful to The Fanatics. You mean a lot to us.”, Mr D could see the delight in Mr N’s eyes. He continued without a change in his expression, “Lately, I’ve been feeling something growing inside of me. And I think I am just like you. I cannot lead my life the way I used to knowing that there’s a place where I can be at peace, at home.”

Mr N’s eyes expanded. He could not control his emotions and started laughing ecstatically. Mr N remembers how he felt when he saw Mr A. A wounded soul who needed saving. There was it again. Someone who craves what he has to offer. How could he have controlled himself after this? “Mr A, I’m telling you, he’s the perfect addition to the team.”, exclaimed Mr N. Mr A was fascinated too. He could relate with being in search of a home where people could understand you. Where you don’t have to hide anything and just be yourself. “What is it Mr D that’s growing inside of you? Can you show it to us?”, requested Mr A in a very soft voice. “Are you sure you want to see it right now? You won’t like it.”, cautioned Mr D in the same monotonous voice. Mr N was ecstatic. He couldn’t wait for someone so fascinating to express himself. He starts laughing ecstatically again and topples the table over. “Oh yes, bring it on!”, yells Mr N as his body gets surrounded by his narcissistic, red aura. Mr A felt embarrassed by the over-enthusiasm shown by Mr N. He tries to calm Mr N down, but he just wouldn’t listen. He is so stubborn anyway and now he is in the Zen mode. He wouldn’t listen to anyone now. “I apologise for this ordeal Mr D. Allow me to bring things under control first.”, and then Mr A cries, “I told you to calm the fuck down, Mr N.”, as his body gets surrounded with his anxious, white aura.

Mr D stood there watching his heroes all agitated. He felt guilty of triggering it. He didn’t want this. He just wanted a place in their lives. “Guys, let’s not get so worked up. Mr A, it’s no issue. I am here to join The Fanatics. I understand showing my abilities will be a pre requisite.” Mr N and Mr A stood there, with their eyes fixed on Mr D. They didn’t know what to expect yet there was thin sense of fascination. Mr D steps back a bit. “So here it goes.”, Mr D says in his blunt voice but softly this time. He yells, “AAAAAAAAAAAAAA”, as his body slowly gets surrounded in a mystical, ominous, violet aura. Mr A and Mr N could feel the atmosphere getting eerie. It was depressing. Everything felt dull. They could feel the insignificance of their existence. Their state of stupor was broken by the most eerie voice they had ever heard. “This is what I am. I am an abomination. I am dangerous.”, said Mr D in that never seen before state. “Will you accept me?”, he added while staring at them in the most eerie fashion.

Mr N and Mr A were amazed. None of them was expecting this. It felt scary but it felt so irresistible. Mr D made them feel complete. They never knew they needed him until they witnessed this. So powerful, yet so beautiful. So scary, yet so addictive. Mr D needed to be tasted. They needed to become one. Mr A and Mr N approached him slowly. The closer they got to him, the more fascinating he felt. Mr A stroked Mr D’s face. Mr N felt his lips with his hands. How could such a scary creature have such soft lips? Mr N kissed Mr D’s lips. He felt just as good as he imagined. Better, in fact. Mr. A kissed Mr D’s neck from behind. Mr D was in tears. Their aura was becoming one. It was so majestic. Mr D hadn’t felt this good in years. He mumbles softly, “Does this mean that I’m hired?” Mr N looks in his eyes, smiles and says, “You’re family now.”