He knew the rules of his probation. It was repeated to him every single time the feds and the NSA came to check on him, unannounced, every few weeks or so-
No illegal activity. All inventions must be approved by NSA. No infiltrating NSA database. No contact with previous associates.
Stay at least 200 meters away from any member of The Incredibles.
But, this was Buddy Pine. No - This was Syndrome. Since when did he ever follow rules? Ever since his controversial release from prison, he had broken every single rule that his probation had set for him. He hadn't been caught, of course. He was much, much smarter than that. However, there was one rule that he dared not break. No, he had to wait for the opportune moment for such a thing.
Besides, he was always one for surprises. What better way to break the most important rule of his probation then doing it completely nonchalant?
A light covering of snow lay on the concrete sidewalk of Metroville city. Horns blared against the congested traffic, pedestrains arms filled with shopping bags, tourists taking photographs of every single building they saw. This sort of commotion happened every December, like in most cities around the world. Of course, there was always the chance of some craze super villain blowing up the skyline in this particular town - which just drew in more visitors. That wouldn't happen tonight, however. Not on his watch. No, Buddy would commit a crime that would go completely undetected - except to the person he was just so delighted to run into.
It was almost too easy. Learning each and every one of the identities of the Incredibles was like researching for a generic school project. Sure, tracking them down was a bit more difficult, the NSA having put firewall after firewall to try to protect them - but Syndrome easily managed. He knew their names. Their schools. Where they worked. The area of the city they often frequented. If there was anything to know about the little, precious Parr family - Syndrome knew. And what made it all the more enjoyable was that the NSA was absolutely clueless.
Buddy couldn't help but smile to himself in his own pride, leaning up against the wall that rested in downtown Metroville. It was an area he didn't normally frequent, but he picked this particular place for a reason. Tourists were abundant, and alibies were a plenty. And he knew that, any moment, the particular someone he was waiting for would be walking down that very same sidewalk.
"Mr. Pine! Mr. Pine!" voices sang as he peaked up, cigarette smoldering within his fingers. Cameras began to flash, pieces of paper and pens waving in his face as a group of teenagers jumped with glee before him. It was still a common occurrence for him to have some fan or papparazzi approach him during the day, but it became more abundant during the holidays, tourists always excited to meet the "villain turned good".
"Afternoon," Buddy proudly spoke, placing his cigarette between his lips as he reached forward, signing everything that was thrown at him. "How's Metroville treating you, enjoying the sights?"
Keeping up with small talk with his group of starstruck fans, Buddy kept a sideways glance at those who walked pace, keeping an eye out for the one face he hadn't seen in so long...
His hand suddenly twitched as his eyes gazed upon her. She looked exactly the same- without a mask, of course. And while he wanted nothing more than to reach out and throw her into the brick wall that he leaned against, he simply waited for her to make eye contact -
And he gave Helen Parr his signature Buddy Pine smile.