Chapter 226: Rise of a Hero Part 5 (1/2)
Crowds of people began running away in fear. The cluster of people faded as a loud explosion rung down the empty streets. One more blast flurried out as a girl in green spandex appeared from the flames floating in the air, holding bags of money howling with laughter. ”Ahh, this shit is just too easy. Like taking candy from a forty-year-old businessman.” Police officers poured onto the streets guns at the ready to strike. She tutted at sight, raising her hand as a small tornado rippled around her fingers. ”They never learn, do they?”
Before the villain had the chance to strike, smoke poured throughout the streets, blocking her view. She looked around weary as a smoke bomb flew in her face knocking her back. Alton landed on a nearby lamppost keeping his balance. ”Has anyone told you stealing is wrong?”
”It is?! Damn now I just feel bad.” She cackled in a mocking tone. ”Buddy, do you have any idea who I am?”
”The Oncoming Storm,” Alton replied, turning to her with his Phantom attire being a half mask and hoodie. Holding a baseball bat over his shoulder, he shook his head, sighing. ”I remember when Zinnia tried making me wear this stupid thing… How the tables have turned.”
”Wait for a second, I know you. You're that know-it-all superhero, the Phantom. This is our first meeting, correct? A pleasure to meet my rival.”
”You're in the wrong profession if you think we are rivals, Oncoming Storm.”
”Sorry, I guess you weren't told I've changed my name. The oncoming storm was a mouthful and a terrible Doctor Who reference. I simply go by Geostruction now.”
”Geostruction… Why does that name ring a bell for?” Alton whispered, looking confused. ”No matter, I've received direct orders from The Blight father to dispose of you.”
”So, he even got to you too, huh? Sorry to hear that. Did he promise you fame and fortune or something? Blackmail you or maybe forced you into this arrangement? Whatever it is, listen, you don't have to go there… Don't let that man ruin your life.”
A smoke bomb grazed Geostruction's face blowing up behind her leaving her with a shocked look. ”Your warning is noted. Truth be told, I don't really care. That man can say whatever he wants; I'm not here to take orders from him. You broke his promise and betrayed him. There's nothing more in this world I hate more than traitors. I no longer care for fame or fortune, nor has he blackmailed me. I'm simply going to kill you because I can.”
”Your no hero then. You're a mere crook!”
Alton remained silent, holding his head in shame… ”Maybe I am… What does it mean to be a hero…? I've been trying to figure that out for a while. No matter, this is what needs to be done of me.” Alton held both hands back as he began cooking up smoke bombs, ready for a fight. Geostruction didn't even bother waiting, dropping the bags of cash flying the opposite way. Alton stopped staring blankly. ”Is she seriously running away?” Crouching down, he propelled himself forward, phasing through buildings using his built-up force to keep up with Geostruction. Alongside her, Alton spun, chucking his bombs at the villain. She leapt over a railing onto the next building avoiding the explosion of smoke collapsing onto the next roof, rolling forward to brace her fall. The moment she landed, she continued to run at high-speed using the wind to push her along. Her head cranked seeing Alton leaping between buildings trying to pin her down. Jumping in the air, she made a roundhouse kick knocking Alton backflipping back propelling herself up with a manmade tornado.
”He really isn't giving up, is he?! What the hell is with this guy…” Geostruction whispered to herself in shock. As Alton came back around, propelling his hands together for a powered-up ball of smoke. ”Not so fast, hero!” Lifting her hand up, a tornado erupted, scooping up all the smoke and devouring Alton's attack instantly. Looking to next blast Alton away, she moved the tornado forward only to flinch, finding him gone. ”What the? Where did he go?!” Alton crashed down to the ground launching ahead. ”Shit, that was just a distraction!”
Throwing a punch, Geostruction was knocked back. Still, she quickly saved herself, flipping around, pushing herself off the roof as it exploded. Looking up, she saw Alton hovering over her, ready to go another round. ”I won't hold back Geostruction. Give it up!”
”I'll happily surrender if you take off that smashing mask of yours and show the world who you really are. You first, darling.”
”Give me a break.” He spat back, not holding back. ”Like any hero would do that.”
”You're absolutely right.” She chuckled, making Alton flinch as a katana spawned from nowhere.
”That can't be… That power.” Shooting past Alton with a bolt of lightning, the positions were reversed with Alton down below, ready to be struck down. ”It's the same as hers.”
Alton couldn't even react in time as she stabbed through him, blasting him to the ground, leaving a trail of destruction behind. Alton lay back, defeated, coughing as Geostruction stood up. ”I win… You never stood a chance.”
Alton vanished into a pile of smoke standing in front of the villain, grumbling. ”That was really a given. I'm still not used to these powers, I suppose… My identity means nothing if it's not me…”
Tossing his mask aside, Geostruction stumbled back in shock. ”No, no, no. Why, why did it have to be you, Kurt? Damn it!”
”Wait, you know who I am…”
Geostruction slouched over, shaking at her very core. ”Damn it all… It's me, Kurt.” She took her mask off, throwing Alton off entirely as his whole world fell apart. The long, vibrant pink hair and neon green eyes. It was no doubt in his mind who it looked to be. ”It's your roommate Hannah…”
”Zin- no Hannah… This can't be, she told me… You're a hero…”