Chapter 126: Choices (1/2)

Everyone had been, for the most part, silent for a short while now—the droning of the winter's wind raging through. With the battle over it was only a matter of time before V.I.R.A.L showed up to get them out. Alton sat on the floor, staring at the crown, no one wanted to be the first one to speak up about the harsh reality. Only one person could have their wish granted. Alton stood up, taking a breather as an icy particle left his mouth. He held his arms close, trying to keep warm. He walked over to the crown, losing patience only for Harmony to stop him, staring blankly towards him. ”What are you doing?”

Alton pushed her arm away, ignoring her. ”What does it look like? I'm having my wish granted.”

”Who gave you permission?”

”Oh, I'm sorry, should I ask for your blessing. The way I see it, I deserve this. I was the one who took down Eyes Over Reality. I'll take you all down if I have to. I have to get my wish.” He argued refusing to give up as Zinnia also stepped up. ”What are you doing?”

”You aren't the only person who wants their wish, Alton.”

Giving off a smirk, he stepped back. ”Oh yeah? Tell me what is that wish, huh? Because whatever it is, it is nowhere near as important as mine.” They all remained silent as Alton nodded satisfied. ”As I thought. Scarlett, you said you'd help me out till the very end. Get these two away from me.”

Scarlett sighed stretching. ”Look, Alton. I honestly love you. I seriously do, but the situation has changed. I'll be requiring that wish now.”

Alton felt his eye twitch as he shook his head. ”Typical… Just how important can any of your wishes be anyway?! What the hell is so important you've got to take my one chance at making things right?! Huh? Tell me you fuckers!”

”Same could be said for you Dauntless.” Harmony claimed.

”He wishes he was never born. That's what he wants. For his father to never find him. This is the oh so special wish Alton wants. To give it all up.” Scarlett snaps, rubbing her eyes. ”What a selfish simple-minded prick.”

”Is that true?” Zinnia whispered.

Alton stared down, biting his lip, making it bleed. ”Who cares? I get my wish, and none of you will remember this anyway. Sunset Peak wouldn't have fallen. Percy will still be alive. You wouldn't be enslaved to Bargaining, and… Sam would be fine. Why can't I have that? A happy ending where everything is fine?! I'm just some monster who causes pain and loss everywhere he goes—these powers of mine, this curse. I don't want it. The pain it has caused, it is better off forgotten and lost to time.”

”Bullshit,” Scarlett whispers before screaming. ”Bullshit! How is that a happy ending? You wouldn't exist. Team Rhapsody wouldn't either. I would be trapped in my hell hole never being able to break free. Zinnia would behind bars for attacking the Montagues. Percy would be a blind servant to Vanguard. Gale would be still stream sniping with no way out of his hate-filled life. Emil would have nowhere to go abused and make a mockery of the Montagues. A world without you is too hard Alton. Without you, there would be nothing. Who would stop Vanguard? Paradox? Eyes Over Reality? You claim the world would be better off, but I frame differently. Think of all the lives you've touched. The people you've saved. Where would that world be without Alton Brantley.”

Alton now had his back to everyone as he had both of his hands scrunched up. ”You don't understand. This isn't just better for you but for me too. I can't go back in time and change those mistakes. I never will, and I know I am only going to repeat them. Just let me have this.”

”Everyone has regrets in the past. That's why it's called the past. But we can learn from our mistakes and grow as people no? Whatever happened, you can make up for them.”

Alton turned around, wiping his teary face laughing. ”That's the thing, Scarlett. My future is already set in stone for disaster. It has been the moment I was brought into this world. The moment my father found me… I don't expect you to ever understand. No one can.”

”Scarlett… Let him have it.” Zinnia whispered.

Scarlett turned to Zinnia devastated. ”What?! ZinZin! You can't be serious?! If Alton does, this everything will change. We will have never met him. Team Rhapsody wouldn't exist. Think about this!”

”What is there to think about? If Alton seriously wants this, who am I to stop him?”

”I can't believe this… Out of all the people here, I thought you would understand. You're meant to be a hero!”

Zinnia glanced over at Alton sighing. ”Even as a hero. Some people just can't be saved…”

Scarlett fell to her knees, losing the argument as even Harmony had subsided backing down. Alton turned to the crown, ready to take it. Before so, he took a deep breath feeling overwhelmed. ”Thank you all… Words can't describe how much you've changed my life. This year has been something else. No matter what happens, I won't forget any of you… Maybe expect you, Harmony… I don't really know you.” Alton kneeled down, reaching for crown. He held it for a short moment before it faded. His eyes widen as EOR was howling with laughter on the floor coughing. ”What have you done? What have you done?!”