Chapter 150: The Nightmare Before Christmas Part 6 (1/2)
The ground around began to crack and crumble. The snow picking up to an unnatural level as everything was chaotic. Being launched to the ground, Alton's fall was saved by Scarlett as she dropped him to the ground taking turns at Riley. Not even able to get close, Scarlett was blasted back by the hurricane protecting Riley. In turn, she also sent down flaming debris, destroying the area furthermore.
Alton created an icy slide to catch Scarlett and bring her down to safety. ”Think you can do something like that?”
”I… I don't know. This isn't like anything I've seen before. I had no idea she had gotten this strong.” Scarlett muttered in almost defeat. ”Any bright ideas, leader?”
”At this moment? No, not practically. But we will need to work together.”
”Teamwork makes the dream work, I suppose. Ideas?”
”How powerful is your throw?”
”Depends on what I'm throwing?”
Alton shook his hands, freezing both before touching his ankles, freezing though, too. ”How about me?”
Flinching slightly. ”You've got to be kidding me, that's… Jesus Christ. We're doing this!” Alton held his arms together, freezing them solid to use as a shield. Scarlett marked the area anticipating the velocity to throw him. ”I might be a little off, but it will do.”
”How much is a little?”
”Ah, well. Good luck…”
Lifted from the ground, Alton was pulled back like a spring as Scarlett charged the throw. Pulling her arm back with a large amount of force, she released it as Alton was sent at high speeds towards the storm. As his ice froze over, it shattered, entering the storm. This didn't prepare Alton for the sheer force he would have to endure as he stood on serval floating platforms. ”Riley Syndicate!”
This caught her attention as her eyes flickered at the sight of him. ”Alton” The storm died down slightly as she lowered herself to his level, staring blankly at him through the mask. ”You came back…”
Still confused, Alton decided to play along with hopes she would give in. ”Yeah. I'm back. I'm sorry for not realizing it sooner.”
Riley's heart skipped a beat as the mask hiding her face faded away. ”You remembered? I… knew you would. When I heard Vanguard was to kill you, I refused to let you go. Did I do good? I saved your life!”
”Yes, yes. That was you. All you. I never got to really thank you for that.”
Riley giggled, moving her hair out of her face. ”Well, our time was cut short… But I loved every moment of it. Sitting under the stars talking about our past. You carry me on your back. The warmth was soothing. To think we almost died from those Moss things.”
”Yes. The time we saved Gales… Wait… What?” Alton muttered, staring blankly. ”How do you know about that?”
”I was there? Remember? Zinnia's birthday party. The train you were attacked by Paradox… You don't remember. You're lying to me.”
The storm began picking up as Alton stepped back, dazed. ”I don't understand.”
”It's her! She's stealing you from me! This is all her doing manipulating you all from the start! Take my hand, Alton. Take my hand and learn the truth.”
Alton fell to one knee, feeling sick to the stomach. He shook his head in disbelief. ”Liar… You're lying!” He retaliated, stuck in a dazed fate striking Riley with an icicle. Stabbing into her shoulder, she screamed, pushing him out of her bubble. As Alton fell, the area was unstable, with parts of his ice morphing with the shield. Alton's eyes locked with Riley's, who was in tears, traumatized by Alton's actions.
As Alton fell from the storm, he flipped back, landing on the ground dizzy. He began tumbling around in an almost drunk like state. He was caught by Scarlett, who was shouting things he couldn't make out. ”Alton! Speak to me. Alton. Are you alright?”
”What happened?”
”You fell. Riley?”
”Riley…” Alton whispered, standing up, almost falling over again. He pointed to the storm panting. ”I know how to stop her.”
”How?”
”Through me.”
”What?”
”Just seeing me was breaking her mentally. She can't handle much more she is more or less at her limit. We blast her with everything we've got, and then I get into the head for the final attack. It will finish it.”
”That's absurd. I cannot do it.”
”Can I trust you, Scarlett?”
”What? What does tha-.”
”Can I trust you?!” He yelled.
She remained silent, nodding. ”Yes. Swear on my life.”
”Then that's all I need.” He whispers, activating his Garden form partiality. ”I'm not going to hold anything back. I will put down Syndicate for what they did to you, Scarlett. Whatever misses you will make sure doesn't. Got it.”
Scarlett snapped from her trance, biting her lip. ”I've got your back.”
Holding both hands facing down, Alton summoned dozens of icicles and chunks of ice. He flung each one into the storm with some propelling back. Scarlett took it into her doing to make sure each attack Alton sent landed. The storm was bombarded with ice attacks, which only allowed it to increase in intensity. Soon enough, the storm began to grow unstable as Riley couldn't withstand all the attacks. That was all Alton needed as he turned to Scarlett. ”I'll make it quick.”
Scarlett watched conflicted as Alton propelled himself into the eye of the dying storm. He saw Riley at the moment, pushing aside any uncertainly and putting all his trust in his ally. Sheaving a sword made of pure ice glittering in the moonlight. Going in for the kill, Riley broke down at the last moment knocking Alton back with a barrage of strikes. As he fell back, Scarlett appeared, taking the helm making Riley flinch. ”Goodbye, sister.” Before she could counter, Scarlett blew the storm apart with one colossal explosion.