Chapter 246: She Must Overcome Her Guilt Part 2 (2/2)
”No. Not, to begin with, it was all going to plan. Well, until I understood how Riley felt, I got myself caught in the same spell as her. When you've had the taste of a better life, one where everything just seems perfect. How the hell can you go back to the old life just like that? Riley knew that and tried destroying the family… That idiot.”
”Why did she do that for?”
”I can't really say for sure.”
Percy walked up to the past, Scarlett staring at her with a smug look. ”I know, she loved you, Scarlett. Loved you till the very end; she saw the life you gained, and although it pained her dearly, she wanted you to be happy. Why did you think she attacked the Syndicate family? Not as an act of revenge, quite the opposite it was to save you.”
”That's enough… I don't want to see anymore. Leave me at once phantom, I don't care what the echoes of the past have to say.”
”Very well, but know this, Scarlett. This was the catalyst. The first ripple that caused you all the pain and guilt you feel today. One simple choice changed your fate and the destiny of those around you forever.” Percy taunted. ”If the past cannot make you see your way, then perhaps a horrid future can.”
****
Fireworks crackle and burst to life, lightning up the damaged city. A celebration was set into motion, and all those were letting it all out. From the top of an old clocktower overlooking the CEOs' headquarters, Scarlett and Alton stood standing off. Scarlett with a destroyed look of hate and pain, losing all sense of who she was and Alton a calm and collective look with nothing to match. He showed no pity or remorse for this former ally as both were at a standoff. ”There's no point even asking you this anymore. You're nothing but a mad dog who fell apart the moment her destiny caved in on itself.”
Scarlett never took her gaze away from Alton as she bit her lip until it bled. ”You lecture me, yet we are two peas in a pod. What makes you so different and special to me?! I've been fighting this fight my whole life! You only stepped in when it affected you; you're nothing but a hypocrite with no right to stand there all tall and mighty! You took everything from me!”
Alton looked around the city, shaking his head. ”You did that yourself. You had everything you needed right here, but you threw that away. Riley understood, and that's why I spared her. She's free from her chains while you took that key and threw it away, tightened the grip they had on you and never looked back!”
”Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up! Don't you dare mention that name to me! I never had a fucking sister! She betrayed me, just like you did!”
Alton held his hand out like a blade made from ice slowly withered into his hand. ”Then there is nothing left to say to you, Syndicate.” Scarlett turned her hand as two swords appeared floating around her. Both stared on, waiting for the other to strike. Alton raised his ice blade above his head, ready as Scarlett held hers behind her. As the second wave of fireworks was set off, the explosion was the bell for them. Both slashed past each other, the sound of swords clashing negated by the fireworks. Each stood where the other once did, but only one fell. Scarlett looked down, seeing an open wound as she fell to her knees, collapsing. Alton didn't show any mercy as he swiped his blade around, holding it above Scarlett. ”You brought this on yourself, old friend…”
Scarlett watched Alton cut her future self-down without hesitation. Looking away, she gritted her teeth, mumbling. ”Damn it… That bastard, always looking down on me. This isn't how it will go. I'll change my fate and kill him with my own two hands.”
”Wrong.” Percy taunted, arms folded. ”Your pain has blinded you. You hold so much hate for him because of your own failures. Not for your family but for the team you once called home. The guilt consumed you; if you choose to walk down this path, the ending will always be the same. Your death by the hands of Alton Brantley.”
”So what?! You expect me to just change like that! Forgive Alton for everything he put me through and rejoin Team Rhapsody like nothing happened?! Never! I'll never fall that low.”
”I expect you to forgive yourself,” Percy ordered, making Scarlett flinch. ”Take it as you want. I only show you the future you're running to. I can only show you the fate of your pain-filled existence. The fate where you defy that is up to you.”
Percy destroyed the predicted future as they were brought back to the manor. About to leave, Scarlett spoke up, angered. ”Why did you show me this? What good does a stage of grief get from tormenting me?”
”It wasn't meant to torment you. Out of everyone who wronged me in the past, you weren't one of them. But for the brief time, we knew each other, Scarlett, I could just tell you were hurting. Behind all of that fake persona you had going on, I could see the pain in your eyes. Unnecessary pain is the worst kind. The old Percy is long dead, but… He would have wanted you to be happy.”
The stage of pain vanished as Scarlett stared blankly. Leaving her home, she stood in the middle of the road drowning in her sorrows, staring at her hands. Clenching them tightly, she threw it aside. ”I won't allow that future to control me… I'll tear it all down and make my own future. With or without Team Rhapsody. Friend or foe Alton Brantley, I'll leave you to decide that one.”