The Burned Man is frozen in the same position he was shot at during the last Vendetta. He’s seen in front of the Odyssey Pool, seemingly awaiting his meeting with DOOM.
“I hoped I would never return to this pool.”
Maxwell’s inner thoughts are being transmitted to the viewer as if he’s speaking.
“It turned me into something that couldn’t differ between friend and foe. It changed me into something that, if the scientist had his way, would’ve rampaged throughout all of Arcadia doing his bidding.”
A single tear rolls down his face.
“It made me an evil man. One that sought company with those that want to destroy everything Arcadia stands for in the name of short sighted vengeance against an unknown criminal. One that almost killed his own son under the false pretense that he started the fire that burned down my home and killed my wife.”
The tear proceeds to fall into the pool, where it boils into steam upon contact.
“The pool transformed me into a monster. I gave in to my anger and targeted everyone that dared stand in my way. In the process, I lost focus on what was truly important; justice for my family.”
Beat.
“In a way, it made me into someone just like you, DOOM. Once I dove into that pool, I turned into a bitter, angry, and disgusting monster that desired to make everyone suffer for his shortsighted desires.”
The Survivor’s eyes dart around the Observatory, making sure his foe isn’t around.
“You already were a piece of shit before being thrown into the pool. You’ve experimented on me and tried to kill my son for interfering with your research. You might’ve forgotten that, but I sure as fuck didn’t.”
“It wasn’t until you hit the water that the evil harbored within you multiplied tenfold. You turned me, my son, and Foley into lackeys to help you rule the world. When James and I regained our free will and escaped from your grip, you attacked us and acted like we were the villains. That kind of gaslighting might work on someone as weak minded as the puppet master, but not us.”
Another pause.
“Now you’re trying to throw me into the pool once again, hoping that I’ll revert to a mindless monster that looks to you for guidance. If you think I’m going to dive into those waters willingly, then it must’ve turned you into a bigger lunatic than I thought.”
“I’m not the monster you think I am. I might’ve burned down your lab, but I did so under the belief that I was delivering justice to a man that not only committed several atrocities, but was protecting the person that burned down my home and turned my wife to ash.”
“I would rather die than become that thing again. I would rather burn your lab down twice over than give you the satisfaction of controlling me. The only difference is that I’m making sure that the monster burns along with it this time.”
We fade to black.