Chapter 160: I Am Thou, Thou Art I Part 1 (2/2)
”Sounds better than Good luck. You make it sound like they've got to fend for themselves against the forces of evil.”
”Stop mocking me, Sam!”
Alice stared on silent as Iris took a deep breath. ”Thank God for that… Who knows what would have happened if they didn't show up… Alice? It's alright. You protected me from the bad guy. It doesn't matter if your powers didn't come through.”
”Iris…”
”Yeah?”
Alice turned to her with a gleeful look of inspiration and excitement. ”I really want to be a streamer. A streamer like those two! Our heroes.”
****
Zinnia swirled around the test tubes dodging beams of light as the lab was being blown away from the tremendous power Alice was unleashing. Zipping behind Zinnia charged a blast of electricity only for a portal to open beside blasting her back with more of the unmatched power. The moment Zinnia hit the wall, Alice swooped in swinging her scythe around. Zinnia parried with her katana kicking Alice away, summoning a bolt of electricity.
Alice slashed her scythe down, creating the portal which sent the attack straight back. Zinnia slid under spinning around, stabbing her sword forward. Alice jumps onto the sword leaping over Zinnia, turning to attack. Blossom pushed her hand forward as roots burst from all corners stopping Alice's onslaught. But just as quickly as they were summoned, Alice cut down each one like it was nothing.
Zinnia took multiple deep breaths rubbing the blood from her forehead. ”Alice, I know your still in there! Snap out of it, Hans has you under his spell. Fight it! Don't let him be your puppet.”
Alice giggled in a demonic laugh cranking her head around. ”Why would I stop? Aren't you having fun? Let's play more!”
Zinnia is jolted back as Alice spins her scythe around behind her, cutting everything apart in her location. Toying with Zinnia, she throws the Scythe away into a portal as three open around Zinnia. The scythe rams through each one forcing Zinnia to be quick on her toes blocking each unrelenting strike. Getting a small window to counter strike a powerful lightning strike extinguished from her blade striking Alice. However, inches from hitting her, the attack vanished into thin air like it never happened. Zinnia was taken back by this force without options as the final ray of light blasted her through the roof and back out in front the titan. Blossom wasn't too far behind jumping between attacks avoiding more with her roots. The two streamers stood at the helm of the Garden as Alice slowly began ascending the stairs smiling. Her other allies had vanished their fates unknown, leaving the two girls at the mercy of Salvation. That's what they were expecting. Gunfire rained down on Alice each bullet vanishing into nothing as Jinx rolled over, clocking two pistols forward. ”You guys are always the first to find trouble, aren't you?”
”Should we blame you for that Hollie?” Diego whispered, cracking his knuckles. ”I was afraid this might happen…”
”Jinx, Diego? You survived the attack?”
”You kidding me? If we died from a helicopter crash, what sort of streamers are, we?!”
Diego glanced into the future, looking conflicted. ”This isn't good. I don't see much room for victory here. We aren't just going up against the number two streamer here but a Child of the Garden. One far outmatching Alton Brantley in combat.”
”The odds are always stacked against us. This is no different. No, this is personal. Alice has been there to aid us when needed. She's as much of Team Rhapsody than any one of the others. I refuse to lose when she needs saving.”
”I've got your back,” Blossom said.
Alice counted how many playmates she now had giggling. ”What fun! What fun. This is enough to make my brother jealous.”
”Alice, please!”
”Enough!” Alice barked. ”I don't want to hear any more about Alice. Eve is out to play now, no one is going to stop her now! Not the Phantom or Geostruction. Not my futile brother or the other stages of grief. Now play with me!”
”This fight isn't going to be easy for you.” Bargaining muttered standing alongside Zinnia.
”You! I was wondering when your ugly head would show itself.”
”Amusing. This isn't just any Child of the Garden. That is Salvation, even at a much weaker state, she is no match for you. Fortunate for you, I cannot have you die here. Allow me to readjust our contract. Allow me control of your body, and I can stop her.”
”You control me?! Are you crazy? Like hell, I would let a stage of grief control me.”
”It will only be temporary. Trust me, this means more to me than ever.”
Zinnia bit her lip, losing faith in herself once more. ”Fine… You want my body? It's yours. Takedown Alice, but don't kill her!”
Bargaining grinned. ”The contract is sealed. Worry not my fair Zinnia. No one shall die today.” Alice jumped into the air, striking. Bargaining now in full control held the sword up with both hands on either end blocking the attack. Alice looked startled, staring blankly at Zinnia. Bargaining grinned looking up. ”Always up to mischief aren't you little sister?”
Alice jumped back smiling, holding her Scythe behind her. ”You just never know when to quit. Always ruining my fun big brother.”
”What can I say? I have a knack for these sorts of things. You've had fun messing around but now… The real game begins.”