V.I.R.A.L

If my father ever finds me, I would die. That's what I've been told as long as I could remember, I spend each and every day hiding. Draw no attention no matter what blend in with everyone else and stay a secret. This is the rules I lived by since being alone, and I made sure to live like this for as long as possible working serval part-time jobs to make ends meet. Although I hated this way of life, it kept me alive. That was until I met Zinnia, Gale, everyone else at Team Rhapsody. My life changed, and I was soon thrown into the change of a lifetime. I broke my rules and loved every moment of it. The world saw all of us. Before I knew it, we were one of the most prominent streaming groups ever taking down enemies like Vanguard, Paradox and The Montagues. We seemed unstoppable, but I got too loud. Too popular, it was only a matter of time before he would find me. So, I did the only thing I could do. Die

Eyes over Reality sat in his cell glossing over a magazine. His eyes turned seeing Alton standing idly looking concerned. "If it isn't Alton fucking Brantley. Vanguard is a floor above us. If you're looking for Pokiero if that tickles your fancy, she's a few cells next to me."

"Just how good are your illusions Henry?"

Eyes over Reality turned his head to Alton now intrigued. Slamming his magazine closed he stood up scoffing. "Are you supposed to be here, Brantley?"

"I'm big enough an icon the guards here don't question it. My question."

Glancing over his shoulder EOR hummed to himself. "I take it your team aren't here… Alright, I'll tickle your fancy. How far do you want?"

"To fake a death to make it seem like the person is actually there enough to touch them."

"Well then, that's something high and mighty your asking of me Alton. The illusion is one thing but actually, be there in the moment that's something else. Nearly impossible."

"So, you can't do it?"

"Well, now, I never said that. I simply said it was nearly impossible. Let's say for the record I went along with this little game of yours. Whose death are we faking?"

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"My own."

EOR's eyes widened for a split second as a smile crept over. "Well, now, that changes everything. The infamous Alton Brantley is looking to fake his own death. How grand is this? In front of your allies? Your enemies?"

"Live on stream."

Scoffing at this remark, EOR sat back down. "Now you're asking too much of me. Not even I could do such a task. You should think of something else."

"There is no other way." Alton hissed leaning against the bars. "I'm desperate. Please."

"What was that? Did I just? Yes, I think I did. That was Alton Brantley begging for my help. It truly is Christmas alright. So, let me get the jest of things here. You want to fake your death live on stream for the world to see how would you care to die?"

"I die by the hands of my father. He may have other allies, but he will most likely stream killing me."

"So, you want your father to believe you died."

"No. He won't fall for it. I just want the rest of the world to assume that. So, I'm forgotten."

"You want to fake your death to run away. Sounds right to me. You were always a coward."

"Enough!" Alton barked. "Can you do it or not?!"

EOR stared blankly at Alton before giving off a smug look. "You really are desperate, aren't you? I assume you already have a plan because you're going to need a good fucking plan to get this ball rolling mate."

"Are you aware of the new prison V.I.R.A.L has constructed outside the city?"

"The underwater base. Yeah, I've heard rumours of it."

"There is to be a transfer in two weeks. I've already got permission from the CEOs to helm the escort and wouldn't you know it a brand-new streaming group jumps at the chance also. Villain's Wrath."

"Aren't we jumping to a conclusion? Are you sure this is your father?"

"Certain. My old streaming group was called Hero's Might."

"Cute play on words there. So, what do you intend?"

"I get you on that transfer list—a few other big shots for my team to be pre-occupied while we begin the plan. The convey is destroyed, and you all escape. I come to a stop you, and that's where you blend the illusion. I fight my father's new group and when I'm about to lose you bring in the body double."

"I get it now, a simple bait and switch. So, they will still be fighting you but at the last moment. The important moment you swap, and they kill the double?"

"Indeed. Once the kill goes through, we swap back with the illusioned injuries still in tack, meaning a body would be there."

"It's an interesting plan, but unless you have the best acting skills, wouldn't they figure out your heart is beating?"

Alton pressed himself against the bars eyeing his chest. EOR amuses himself, pressing his hand against it finding little to no heartbeat. "I can freeze my heart for a few short minutes, it will be enough to convince whoever finds me I'm truly dead."

"That might just work. But you have a lot riding on this plan. If anything fails, it all goes sideways."

"That's the only way it can work."

"And what do I get out of this hmm? You're asking a lot of me to do this for you. What do you have to give me?"

"Nothing." Alton boldly states. "But think about it, you would trick the world. Show everyone just how powerful Eyes over Reality truly is. It would be the trick of the century."

EOR laughed, walking around his cell. "You really get me, don't you? No amount of money or freedom would get me on board. But power and fame that's what gets the ball rolling. But one last question remains… Why? I'm pretty sure you and your precious Team Rhapsody could handle one man, even if that wasn't the case if V.I.R.A.L were made aware you could win. Why go through all this effort for?"

"I got too big, too noisy. Made too many enemies. My father, the Garden. V.I.R.A.L. They all want me dead, that's why they hired you, right? It's time for all of that to end. This is the way, time to step back into the crowd and blend in once more."

EOR stroked his chin smirking. "Is there a cue for this? Any code to begin the illusion?"

"A code? How about this. It's a full moon tonight, and I wouldn't want to miss it."

****

"Alright, alright, alright. You got me. No tricks, no illusions. You win."

Alton dropped EOR looking around the area hand twitching. "Any more of your buddies about to show to stop me?"

Eyes over Reality ran his hand over his neck, coughing. "No, no! I had no plan in this."

"Well, that's good to hear. It's a full moon tonight, and I wouldn't want to miss it."

Giving Alton a startled look, he stood himself up, clearing his throat. "We're doing this now?"

Alton didn't respond to the statement confirming his query. "Who ordered you to kill me?"

EOR held his hand to the side, beginning the illusion. At first, it was small merely to mimic's Alton's movements, but soon enough it would take its own form. He gave a slight nod grinning whispering the last part of the sentence. "This again… It's done."

****

"Marvellous! Marvellous! Simply marvellous. You showed those crooked criminals no mercy! You are the Alton Brantley the others boost about so often. Such joy."

Out of breath, Alton stood up straight wiping his bloody lip. "What others?"

"It's one for all and all for the people." A voice whispered in his ear. Alton froze in undeniable terror as his whole body tensed up. "Ha! Look at him, Marco just one small little whisper, and he's falling apart. Hello Alton."

Fate walked past him before hugging him tightly. "Boy, have we missed you? It's been what nearly seven years since you tried killing us? Those were the days."

Marco stood idly by keeping his distance as Alton's lips began trembling. "This isn't possible. This is a trick. I watched you, no know you both died. My father killed you!"

"Still living lies are you, man?" Marco sighed, shaking his head in disapproval. "It may have tricked your new buddies but yourself too? Alton, I'm disappointed. Were six years all it took to get over it?"

"This is your doing." Alton hissed pointing at Valhalla. 

"Me? Alton? How is this me? Get a grip."

Destiny and Marco tailed Alton walking around him. "You must know why we're here, Alton. You should have seen this coming."

"Don't do this. I'm begging you."

"Aww isn't that adorable. He's begging us for his life. I'm touched."

Alton stared furiously at the two. "No… I'm begging you to stop, so I don't have to kill you again."

Destiny stopped moving, looking away, biting her lip nodding. "There he is." Alton was rammed into the truck behind him held down with almighty strength one even he couldn't overcome. "Don't fight it, Alton. You know this was always going to happen. Let nature take its place!"

Pushed further into the truck Alton let out a scream of anger as the truck frozen over entirely. Eyes over Reality watched curiously from the side-lines a comedic smile never leaving his face. The illusion came into play as EOR giggled more. "What wonderful fun this is. What fun… Thank you, Alton. Thank you so much for this…"

****

"Zin… Zin are you there?"

"I'm here… Alton, you can't. You can't leave me. Please fight!"

Zinnia held him up blood staining her streaming outfit as she cradled him tightly. "Zin… Please, whatever you do… Do not go after Villain's Wrath."

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His last words trailed off, and his last breath was stolen. Zinnia died inside seeing her best friend dead. She began shaking him losing all control of emotions as she started screaming in pain hugging Alton close. The rest of Team Rhapsody showed up each frozen in devastation. "Impossible… Alton, he can't be." Emil whispered.

"How. How did this happen?!"

"Alton… No, I… The Alice doesn't believe it."

Scarlett fell to her knees, staring blankly forward. "Don't you dare… Don't you bloody dare!"

Alton watched from the rooftop hiding underneath a cloak. Witnessing his own death was off-putting, to say the least, but it wasn't the first time he had faked his own death. Feeling empty and barren, Alton knew what he paths entitled for him. He had chosen his future, and there was no going back. Holding a torn photo of him and Team Rhapsody, he tore it in half letting it go. "Goodbye Team Rhapsody… Goodbye Alton Brantley."