Chapter 144: Home Alone (1/2)
Riley stood, staring at the dozens of streams she had saved and printed out. Photos of Team Rhapsody were spread across the room which only sent her more into a frenzy. She rested her head against the wall whispering. ”Why?” The door to her quarters exploded as a Syndicate member was thrown onto the table, smashing it to pieces. Riley didn't look as she smiled. ”My dear sweet sister, it's about time you visit. How are you.”
”Cut the shit Riley, you know why I'm here.”
Riley turned around, staring idly at her sister as the three council members suddenly appeared around Scarlett. ”Give us the order Mistress Chaos. We will deal with this traitor.”
”Stand down. I want to hear my sister out.” She insisted. ”If you've come here for your Christmas present, I left it at home.”
”I want you to call off the attack on the ball.”
”Oh, having second thoughts now? Do you finally realise you cannot win?”
Scarlett pushed the council away, staring her sister down. ”Just how delusional are you?”
”On the contrary Scarlett, it is you who is delusional. Might I need to remind you why I'm doing this? No, we both know, I've been reaching out for this dream since I was a child.”
”A dream forced down on you.”
”And it was any different for you? How long must we act like enemies for, this is all so boring! Come, let us change the world together.” Riley demanded.
Scarlett looked down on her sister with pity. ”I used to care so much about you. During our experiments to gain these powers, I would always go beyond what was expected to save you the pain. I don't regret that.”
”Aww, I'm touched, so you do still care about me? If that is the case, why did you have to go and betray me for? You left me for dead and gave me this scar. Took away the future with them. Why? Was it out of jealously? No, you are not that pathetic… Oh, I get it now. Ha! Could it be you wanted to be the Regina yourself? You sure love crushing other people's dreams.”
”May I need to remind you what you're up against sister. Not only will you be facing off against me someone who is far more powerful than you but you. But also a Child of the Garden, the rest of Team Rhapsody including the daughter of a legendary hero. The Montagues, Iris Hawthorne, the girl who defeated Vanguard and not to even mention Harmony and her band. We outmatch you in everything. Hell, I'm pretty sure Alton could take you all on himself.”
Riley nodded with her eyes closed, agreeing. ”When you put it like that all the more reason to win. The odds have always been stacked against me, dear sweet sister. I have the pressure of the world on my shoulders. Fear not though, know that I will win and save you from the chains of V.I.R.A.L.”
”The only chains I see are on you.”
Riley held her arms up, mimicking a puppet. ”I've got no strings to hold me. To make me fret or make me frown. I had strings, but now I'm free. There are no strings on me.”
”You really don't understand, do you?”
”No Scarlett Syndicate!” Riley screeched, throwing her chair across the room. ”It is you who doesn't understand! You do not understand what must be done. I've thrown away everything for this, so I'm giving you one last chance.” She held her hand out, looking desperate. ”Please, join me. We can overthrow our family and stop the CEOs from destroying Victoria. Join me. And Team Rhapsody will be safe, and you can be with your dear sweet Alton.” Scarlett stared at her sister with little care. Her face dropped to a dull look as Riley's request was answered. ”So be it. Just remember I tried.”
”Like it was going to go any other way.”
Riley scoffed nodding. ”I suppose you are not wrong there. But nonetheless, I really held out hope that we could be sisters again. I remember sneaking out to the ball with you so many years ago. I think it was the first and last time I ever saw you smile. What I'd do to see that again… Can you do it? Can you kill me?”
”I'm not sure.”
Riley eyed her sister down, looked troubled. ”You didn't… You, Alton, offered to do it for you, didn't he? Why would you let him do that?”
”Riley… I-.”
”Enough! I've heard enough! You have foiled in my plans long enough. I should have done this a long time ago. Council kill her.”
Scarlett stepped back as the three council members turned to the streamer. Before Scarlett could react, she was sent back out the way she came as Riley took her leave. The council stood by as Scarlett rolled around, ready to fight back. ”The Syndicate Council. Another rundown set of failures who follow Riley's every command.”
”We aren't as obedient as we may seem.” One member whispered. ”Scarlett Syndicate, we were there when you were apart of the family. We watched over you are were more than aware of your eventual betrayal.”
”Then why didn't you stop me?”
”Because we thought it would be fun. This family is dated and a fossil. Riley is changing that. However, even we know how far she has gone off the rails.”
The final council member threw their mask away, it was an older girl with no hair and purple eyes. She had a flower tattoo on her cheek. She taunted Scarlett. ”We don't intend on killing you but let's see what you've learned since leaving our care, Dawn.”
Two of the three swarmed her right off the bat, joining together to hold her back. Scarlett didn't put up much of a fight as she raised her arms, throwing them off, gripping both with her psychic torment. Pinning them both to the wall, she slammed her arms down as both crashed to the floor. Scarlett turned her gaze to the girl as she teleported behind, sending a quick explosion. The high Syndicate member blasted it away, punching Scarlett in the chest. The force rippled through as a psychic blow flew her back. Stopping her fall, Scarlett flew in the air hovering over the foe. She watched on noticing her aura wasn't coming from the usual point. All Syndicate members would have their psychic Ki coming from their mind, this one was radiating from her fists. ”Who are you?”