Chapter 33: Ill Make A Streamer Out of You Yet (2/2)
”Vanguard, can you tell us about your personal life. Is there a special lady in your life? There have been pictures appearing on the web of you and a man. Care to explain.”
”Yeah, I'm going to have to pass on that one.”
”The public would like to know!”
Vanguard eyed down security as they escorted the reporter out. He slouched over, returning to his dull look. ”Anyone else fancy asking mundane and fucking pointless questions like that can leave. No? Good. Moving on.”
A young girl stood up, raising her hand wearing Vanguard merchandise. ”Mister Vanguard sir! Please a moment of your time. Head of the Vanguard fan club.”
”Oh, yes, I recognise you. Anna, yes?”
”Agartha. Big fan! I was hoping to clear up the rumours that you were retiring.”
”Retiring? I'm not even thirty yet… I can ensure you as long as fans like you keep supporting me, I'll keep going no matter what.”
”Umm, can I also have you sign my shirt?” Vanguard ushered her over as he signed her shirt. Agartha chocked on her breath, starstruck looking at her shirt. She began twirling her long black hair around high on adrenaline. ”I'm never taking this off! The fan club is going to go wild!”
Agartha fled off the stage as Vanguard leaned over whispering in Alton's ear. ”Those die-hard fans are like a cult. Best just to give them what they want otherwise it could spell bad news. Angsty teens with superpowers are not one to mess with.”
”Do we have any questions for Alton?”
”Avalanche right here.”
”My name is Dauntless.”
”Avalanche.”
”No… Dauntless.”
”It says here Avalanche.”
”You're mistaken.”
”Just ask him the question.” Vanguard barked sipping his drink.
”Right, I've been doing some digging and well, your old team. Hero's Might they all just vanished one day. I think the world would like to know what happened?”
Alton froze coughing. He sipped his drink looking around. ”Are there any other questions?”
”Avalanche! The world deserves to know. The fans too. What happened to Destiny Parker, Marco Judgement and Sam Belling.”
Alton began to panic as the room roared into an eruption. He couldn't think properly as he started breathing heavily. ”I just, please. Anymore…”
Vanguard took the mic, yelling. ”That will do it for today. Everyone out.” Everyone began leaving quickly pushed out by security as he looked down on Alton having a panic attack. ”You alright?”
”I'm I'm fine.”
”Sorry about that. Should have known at least one prick would bring that up. All considering it wasn't a total disaster.”
”How do you do this? Have such a good poker face against those, those savages! How can you cope?”
”Who said I was? You'll get used to it Alton. It's the only way to survive. They don't care about us. Only the content those lot out there are nothing more than monsters looking for their next meal. Don't worry about it, you'll make a fine streamer. You'll have your name on every magazine and promotion deal. You'll be a star, and it will all be worth it in the end.”
”That's what I'm worried about.”
****
”Avalanche! The world deserves to know. The fans too. What happened to Destiny Parker, Marco Judgement and Sam Belling.”
”What are you watching their Miss Dawn?”
The young girl smiled sitting back in the car seat, amused. ”Mother, do you recall the conversation we had about that hip streaming team?”
”Team Rhapsody, yeah? What about them? You aren't still fixated over them, Scarlett?”
Scarlett giggled watching the meltdown with such fun. ”How quickly the simple mass collapses in on itself over streamers. I must concur it is all barbaric but entertaining none the less.”
”That kid, the leader Alton. You still sure it's him.”
Scarlett pulled out a deck of tarot cards drawing through them. She picked one out, holding it up with a gleeful look. ”Oh my, it seems fate is not kind to my new friend—the tower card. A great catastrophe will consume him. How truly wonderful. Although I must admit, I cannot speak for the matter in opposing the outcome.”
”So, it's settled? Team Rhapsody is in your sight.”
”Don't make it sound so barbaric mother. I simply find them amusing. Everything about them intrigues me. I must learn more.”
”As you wish, we'll get in contact with V.I.R.A.L and make you an account.”
”I must detest mother. I ask that you allow me to handle this manner. I would certainly like to meet them on my terms. I require no help from the family.”
”If you're confident fine. We'll leave this in your hand Scarlett. Have you decided on a streaming name?”
Scarlett fumbles through the deck, pulling out the death tarot card indicating the symbolisation of change. She smiled softly nodding. ”Why yes, I have, I went for an old favourite of mine. If I am to become a superhero, then this name will be quite fitting. Mistress Justice.”