Chapter 160: I Am Thou, Thou Art I Part 1 (1/2)
Alice sat on a suitcase waiting at a bus stop. She zipped up her coat, rubbing her hands, waiting in the early morning. She kept dozing off only to turn hearing her name being yelled. Iris appeared around the corner panting. ”Alice… Alice, what are you doing?”
”I don't want to be a streamer anymore. So, I'm running away.”
”Running away? Don't be ridiculous, where would you go?”
”I don't know. Anywhere as long as it's away from Hans.”
Iris sat down next to Alice peaking into her suitcase only to find sweets, teddy bears and a few pairs of clothes. ”I don't think you'll survive with that stuff sissy.”
”Then run away with me. We do not need father.”
”Alice… You know we can't do that. Our daddy needs us. He's so lonely without mum. He may be tough, but he loves us.”
Alice began fidgeting frowning. ”I don't understand. We can't go to school, make friends, play together. All he does is force us to train and train. I can't take it anymore.”
Iris thought long and hard for a while before smiling. ”Well, we're here, now aren't we? I don't see our dad so how about we go and play in the arcades. I found some quarters on the way here.”
Alice nodded enthusiastically. ”Yes, yes, yes!”
Iris took Alice's hand, leaving the suitcase as the two sisters scrambled for the arcade just around the corner. They were completely overwhelmed by the sights and sounds never once stepping foot in one in their lives. To them, it was like visiting another world. They didn't waste any time running ahead, messing around on as many machines as possible. From kart racing to shooters, to wack-a-moles the two girls did it all until they were on their final quarter. Iris was panting exhausted as she held the last coin, like her life depended on it. ”The last one already? I wanted this to go on forever…”
”Same here. One last game. You pick Alice. Pick the best one.”
Alice turned, having her eyes on one in particular. She pointed to the dance rhythm arcade machine eager. ”That one, I want that one.” Iris nodded, heading over only for the arcade to explode in a pit of darkness. The two began coughing as Alice crawled over to Iris. Finding her sister, Alice looked up in horror shaking. ”A- A villain…” A man in a prisoner outfit and chains emerged caped in smoke holding bags of money. ”I… I should stop him… Follow my training. Protect Iris.”
Alice tried summoning a portal but was too frightened, messing up. The villain turned to her smirking. ”Trying to play hero, are you? How cute. Here let me help you!”
The villain aimed his arm at Alice only for it to freeze entirely. He flinched, jumping back as a phoenix made of fire soared through crashing into the villain knocking him back and through the wall. He screamed, pouring back in striking only for a girl with short red hair and an eyepiece mask to swoop in blocking his attack as the phoenix flew around her body. She turned to the twins smiling. ”Quickly. I'll hold the villain off. Run!”
Alice took her sister's hand running as a battle of wonder and chaos happened behind them. Dashing out of the smoke, the girl was thrown out, crashing into a lamppost falling to the ground. The villain towered over the girls cackling. ”If I'm going to escape from this, I'll need hostages!”
Alice blocked her sister from harm only being able to watch. Inches from being grabbed, the three were knocked back as a figure masked in a cold mist crashed to the ground. Alice watched in awe as the boy dressed in a snow-white hiker's coat matched with a scarf which merged into a small cape stood. The scarf covered his mouth as he stood over the villain trail of snow crumbling from his fingertips. The villain glared on concerned. He snapped, attacking only for the boy to parry the attack holding his freezing him. He threw the man over his shoulder as the ice shattered, causing significant damage. Pulling his fist back a whirlwind of snow crept around before making contact with the villain taking him down for good. He stood up, flicking his hand away, saluting to the camera before turning away fist in the air.
”What the hell was that?” The girl muttered limping over, trying not to laugh.
”O- Oh. I was just thinking of a cool heroic pose to make after winning a battle? Was the salute too much, Sam?”
Sam scoffed, waving her hand around. ”For most yeah, came off as extremely cringy. But hey it suits you mister Avalanche.”
”Hey, what's that meant to mean?!”
Sam patted him on the back, shaking her head. ”I'm just fucking with you, Alton. Stop looking too deep into things… But seriously next time can you not be such a lousy shot…”
”Sorry. I'm still getting used to using my powers properly. But seriously did we have to come all the way out to Rhinefield? What's wrong with Sunset Peak?”
”The big game Alton, the big game.” Sam boldly claimed stopping to see the twins. ”Oh, you're still here?”
Alice stared blankly at the two before losing her mind. ”That was totally wicked! The way you blasted that villain back! When all hope seemed lost, you came in and whoosh! Whip! Bam! The pose everything! Wow, just wow!”
Sam nudged Alton grinning. ”Look at that Alt. You've got your number one fan.”
Alton rolled his eyes kneeling. ”You two, alright? No one hurt?”
Both shook their head. ”All thanks to you mister. Thank you.” Iris admitted.
”Just doing our job. You're both safe now. Well, umm… Stay safe, good luck.”
”Good luck? That's the best you've got?” Sam cackled as the two were walking off with the villain in hand. ”You are so hopeless.”
”Well, excuse me for being a total newbie at the whole hero work. What did you want me to say with great power comes great responsibility?”