V.I.R.A.L

"Do you feel proud of yourself? Does this help you sleep at night? Maybe the blood on your hands will wash away easier doing this? I'll be the first to tell you I don't regret a single thing. Not even in the slightest, not with a passing thought. My mind is undoubtingly clear; what I did was for the good of everyone. Not just for me but for you. The bloodshed, the lives stolen, all of that was for you, my dearly beloved Alice." Alton whispered, pressing his head against the bars. "I won't do anything to go against your choices so, how about we put this aside, and you let me out?"

Alice stood a distance away from Alton, never looking more conflicted. The thought was crazy. She knew that too. This was her closest friend Alton, the one who saved her from her father's brainwashing and gave her a new home. He was the one who would always be there for her. However, he was also the one who killed Gemini and Jinx. Went behind their backs and stole the Stage of Pain and if Bargaining didn't turn up Depression as well. She wasn't going to let that cloud her mind; she knew herself she couldn't trust Bargaining, but everything he said about Alton was so far confirmed.

"I won't do that. Not until Alton comes back."

Alton raised an eyebrow acting confused. "What do you mean? I am Alton Brantley; do you honestly believe I'm still Ten? So you destroyed him in the pocket world. Or was that what you were hoping to hear?"

Alice's heart skipped a beat as chills ran down her back, acknowledging the situation. "So, my fears were true. Alton Brantley never came back. You were just toying with us."

"Correct. It was fun playing the fool, I must admit. You see, when you foiled my plan, everything took a backseat. Alton simply gave up, and I was left in control, so when Adam turned up, I was given a choice. I could have stopped him and saved Zinnia, but where's the fun in that? You were all so caught up in the moment none of you even bat an eye to my goal. I was never going to convince so many quickly to attack the Garden, but if I put a face to their goal. Save Zinnia Trost from certain doom well. They would all come running for their favourite superhero. It was the perfect plan to act out my true objective. Steal as many Stages as possible. It's rather unfortunate I only manage to snag one but…. Nevertheless, two Stages is better than one."

Alice lowered her head, sighing. "After all that we've been through. Everything we lost I thought we was finally given a break but…. That was never the case. It seems Iris died for nothing."

"Not true. Believe me, I understand your loss. I witnessed the deaths of many, but it won't be like that for long. You can help me, Alice, help me gather the Stages. Together we can harness Salvation's Calling and change the world. It can only be you."

"Me?"

Alton nodded with a gentle smile. "It's always has been, right? It only makes sense to be you. From the moment we met, we've saved each other countless times and have had each other's backs for years. Both of us are a member of Fairy-Tale. We're compatible; it was obvious against Iris. We were made for each other…. Alice, I love you."

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Alice's heart began to flutter as she was taken back in shock. "You what?"

"You heard right, Alice. It's always been you. We can make things right hand in hand. You feel the same, right?"

"I mean…. There's always been something there. I just never knew how to say it…." Alice whispered, slowly walking towards Alton's cell. "I suppose I should say it." Then, staring Alton dead in the eyes, she pushed him back out of anger. "I'm not so gullible to fall for those lies. I know Alton doesn't feel that way about me…. There's someone else."

Falling onto the floor, Alton smirked, staring at Alice. "Yes, I suppose there is. You can't run from this forever, Alice. Either you let me gather the Stages, or you kill me. The choice is yours."

"Or there's the third choice. I bring Alton back and stop the Garden." Alice whispered, leaving the cell. Then, turning to the two Syndicate guards, she took a deep breath, shaken up. "Don't let Zinnia Trost in…. Nothing that man says can be trusted."

****

Lucas found himself standing at the root of the destroyed Titan feeling empty. He still hadn't come to the full realization of what happened. Eren and Richard were dead. His best friend and the man he considered his father both gone. Staring down at the ground, he was in a state of denial, unable to believe the truth. He refused to believe Alton killed them, the boy he grew up with, and promised to escape the Garden and free everyone.

But this was the truth of the reality, and Lucas was still grieving.

"You're in denial right now, aren't you?" The Woman echoed, standing behind Lucas throwing him off. "That's only natural. You still have much to learn."

"I'm sorry. I'll leave."

The woman put her hand out, shaking her head. "Lucas, right? I've heard a few things about you from Eren. He would talk highly of you and the other cadets. If his Stage wasn't stolen, it would have most likely been passed down to you. But alas, here we are. Losing both Acceptance and Anger and now Pain. Not to mention Adam has fled with Depression in which he will most likely take for himself like he did denial. But, of course, you already knew that."

"You knew?"

"Lucas, the Garden knows everything. We were already well aware that Adam was a member of Fairy-Tale and was cooing Alton into their ranks. We also knew about his plan to steal the Stages. Unfortunately, he likes to believe he's one step ahead when in reality we simply let him be."

"If you knew all this time, why didn't you stop him?"

"I suppose you can say. We were curious if he could continue the Logic of the One, but we were mistaken. He only cares for his sister and peace. The idea of peace doesn't sit well with the Garden. We always need those who oppose us for the Logic of the One to continue. I will personally deal with him myself and take back those Stages he doesn't deserve."

"What about Alton?"

The woman looked down on Lucas with a blank look. "What about him?"

"He killed your brother. Stole Pain, and killed hundreds of innocent people. Why should he be allowed to live?"

Spinning her umbrella around, she smiled, holding her hand out as purple petals flew through her hand. "Alton is our Salvation. His undying will to carry out his goal is perfect for our Logic. Even those who lost the memory they shared will live on through him. He is our perfect wager which never fails."

"What do you mean by that?"

Still smiling, she closed her eyes, smirking. "You need not worry yourself about the small details. You wish to get revenge for your friends? For Eren and everyone else who died, am I right?"

Lucas was left silent, giving it some thought. He wasn't sure if that was the case, but it was all he had left. "I do."

"Good. Then I shall leave Alton Brantley and his allies to you, Lucas. I'm curious to see the result." She whispered, holding out a purple bud. "You know what this is, don't you?"

"That's. That's a Stage of Grief."

"Not just any Stage. This is the Stage of Hope, a project created by my dog Mortem to battle us. She saw this as the final Stage after acceptance. I believe such a Stage is perfect for you, no?"

Staring at the Stage, Lucas licked his lips, about to take it before stopping. "Why? Why me? You said you didn't want to kill Alton. So why send me to possibly kill him."

"Now, I never said I didn't want to kill him. There should always be someone to stand in his way. The Logic of the One dictates that. Either he kills you and carries on that legacy, or you kill him and take the mantel. I'm curious to see who would win. The hero of the Garden or the Butcher of Fairy-Tale. So, tell me, will you take it?"

"I…. I don't know."

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"There is nothing to know. The Stage of Hope hasn't had a host before. It calls to you and you alone, Lucas. It was made for you; I hear you wish to free your people and escape this world. You're wishful of that. Where there is chaos and death, there is hope. Hope for the future one where you can live free. No one can give that to you. Only you can take it. So take the Stage of Hope and act out your revenge against the monster Alton Brantley. For Richard and Eren. For everyone."

Reaching out for the bud, Lucas stared at it in awe as a bright light consumed him. "I'd do anything to be free from these chains. I'll see the sky and take our home back for everyone who failed before me."

"Good. Welcome to the family, my Hope."

****

Lucas emerged from the portal of the destroyed Titan, covering his eyes from the glaring sun. His hand dropped as the yellow in his eyes glowed. He wore a long scarf around his neck which covered his mouth. Pulling back on his gloves, he took one long look at the sky. The tremendous endless blue sky, the one he had been dreaming of for his whole life. The look, however, made him empty as tears trickled down his neck. The colour not bringing on hope or joy but dread and trauma, reminding him of the sharp blue Alton used to kill everyone. Refusing to look at the treasured goal, he wiped his eyes, muttering. "I promise you all, Alton will pay for what he did. I'm hopeful he will."