Literally Out Of This World

crystal-mist

Chapter 10

"I will ask you again. Where is Alice Gehabich?" asked Shun as he stood in an attack stance.

"Bring it on then." said the deputy as she took the stance for attack as well…

The scientists there slowly slipped away out of one of the exits. Truth be told, they were just scared of getting hurt. They did not care for the success or failure of Masquerade's plan, all they cared for was the amazing information that they were able to gather from studying Alice.

"Traitors…" muttered the deputy in rage as she continued battling with Shun.

"For a human you put up quite a fight."

"Is that a compliment?" questioned Shun in midst of all the sword clashing.

She smiled bitterly…"How were you able to cut down our forces so drastically with only just two soldiers."

"Back on Earth, we call that 'efficiency'." ridiculed Shun as the battle stretched on.

Meanwhile; Alice was taken to Masquerade's lair.

She smiled to herself and awaited confrontation with her dear brother. Finally, she could end it all.

The door opened and Alice was half-shoved in.

She noticed a huge leather chair in the middle of the room and sitting on it was Masquerade. He looked at her amused. "So sister, I hope your stay was to your liking." He sniggered.

She did not reply. She just sat down in a couch and waited for him to speak.

"Alice…Why is it that you resist. Why is it that so many people try to protect you? Why is it that people care so much for you?"

"What do you mean?"

Masquerade stood up and walked over to him.

"Ever since you contracted with that disease all mother and father ever cared about you. The whole world revolved around you…no one even spared a thought towards me…"

Alice's eyes widened. Was this the reason? Was 'lack of love' the reason that Masquerade turned against her?

"But…"

"Don't you dare deny it Alice dear…Even after you were revived; mom and Dad treated you more special? They always cared about you more…"

Flashback

A little Alice and Masquerade were playing in the garden.

"You can't catch me…" declared Masquerade as he ran amidst the flowers.

"Oh yes I can." shouted the little orange-haired girl as she pursued her older brother.

Alice tripped over some weed that was sticking out and fell face down on the ground.

She started crying…Her parents rushed to her side… "Are you alright dear?" they asked.

"My throat...it hurt." cried Alice and the Eutonia crystal was flashing a bit.

Alice's father led her inside…

"What were you thinking?" Mrs, Gehabich half shouted to Masquerade.

"But..I…."

"You know that your sister is unwell. Why do you lack common sense?"

End flashback.

"They were always ruthless towards me… I hate you."

Alice's eyes were still wide. "Is that what all this is about Masquerade? You felt neglected so you tried to make me suffer?" she took some steps towards him.

He looked at her severely; studying her every move.

Alice walked towards him and finally took him in a hug… "I am so sorry…It is all entirely my fault that you are like this now, big brother…Please forgive me."

A smirk played on his lips as he pressed a rectangular contraption on her back. He sneered "You are so gullible you know."

And immediately the 'thing' started shocking Alice…

"How could you use emotional blackmail?" she gasped as the pain took over her entire being. She crouched to the ground, trying to suppress the pain.

"You will pay." She wheezed as she took out a remote and subsequently a syringe, she injected herself with it's contents. The pain she felt disappeared..

She then looked straight at Masquerade.

"This is the end for the both of us dear brother…I really wish you wouldn't have turned sour like this." She raised her arm and immediately it turned into two spear, she closed her eyes and concentrated a whole lot to get the spears detached from her body. She then hurled it at her brother, He tried running but it impaled him to the wall behind him. One spear impaling either hand.

As she pressed the remote a hologram with the number fifteen appeared.

'Fifteen seconds.' counted the mechanical self destruct device.

Masquerade looked at her in shock; he did not expect that… His hands were shaking with rage, he tried to get away but the spear was too deeply embedded in his hand he couldn't pull away.

'Fourteen seconds.' It counted.

Right then the door flew open and it revealed Shun standing in the hallway.

'Thirteen.'

"Alice." He gasped in relief.

'Twelve.'

He realized that the self destruct sequence was activated, he ran to her. "Stop it." He commanded.

'Eleven.'

Alice was at ease; she knew that Masquerade couldn't run now. Even if he did he would be in range of the bomb. "I can't." she answered.

'Ten.'

"What are you doing here? You have meaninglessly given away your life." She stated.

'Nine.'

"I don't care. You shouldn't have done this." He answered. Masquerade was still trapped there. Once again, she had defeated her and he would be forced to watch others caring for her. He laughed ironically.

'Eight.'

Shun pulled Alice into his arms. "You idiot...Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?" he breathed into her hair.

'Seven.'

Another figure emerged from the door; it was Masquerade's deputy.

"Run away while you still can." Masquerade instructed. She shook her head from side to side.

"No…not without you."

'Six.'

She proceeded towards him.

"Do you think it is alright to let her pass?" Shun asked Alice.

Alice was holding onto Shun desperately… "She cannot run no matter how she tries…We are all goners."

'Five.'

The deputy had her hands on the spear and was about to yank it out when Masquerade stopped her.

"No don't." he breathed, hopelessness flooding his voice.

'Four.'

"Why do you keep risking your life like this Shun?"

"Because I love you."

Tears fell down her cheeks.

The deputy smiled at Masquerade. "Well, I am going to disappear anyway so why not?" saying that she pressed her lips to her master's.

'Three.'

Masquerade's eyes widened as he felt the softness of her lips upon his. He smiled slightly as he kissed back. His hands hurt but now at least he knew that he was loved…

"I am glad that my brother finally found happiness in spite of everything." said Alice as she laced her fingers in Shun's.

'Two.'

"Why… Why did I condemn you to this fate?" she whispered as more tears stained her cheeks.

"You did not condemn me to anything my dear." He replied gently.

'One.'

"Alice I love you."

"I love you too Shun…"

'Zero.'

There was a big explosion as the test-tubes shattered and fire flooded the place burning all in its way.

Masquerade's deputy was holding him close as they disappeared into the depths of the flames.

Alice opened her eyes… And her brown eyes widened as she saw the green orb that was surrounding Shun and her. Shun still held her firmly. She tugged at his sleeve.

"Look." She instructed. Shun was surprised as well.

"Alice, it is the Eutonia crystal." He said, indicating the crystal that was shining in a very bright green.

After about half an hour the fire subsided a bit. And the shield around them dispersed.

The crystal on Alice's neck began vibrating painfully. She winced a bit.

As she looked at it she was just in time to see a crack ripping through it, in another split second it shattered into dust, leaning sparkles behind it.

The crystal disappeared.

"It's gone." She stated still in shock.

"You are relieved of your responsibility." Shun whispered soothingly.

Tears appeared in her eyes as she allowed herself be led out by Shun.

Once they reached outside Alice sank to her knees on the grass below.

"It is over…Everything has finally come to an end…Thank goodness." She gasped. She shed a few tears for her lolder brother who had perished now.

Shun sat down beside her as he looked at the one he loved joyously. Her hair and eyes were shining like always. He smiled at her. "So what next?"

"I would like to… have a new beginning."

"A new beginning? What do you mean?"

"I wish to go back to Earth."

"Earth?" he replied amusedly, he wasn't expecting that.

"Yes…Do you prefer otherwise?"

"Of course not… I hope I am a part of this 'future' you are planning."

She smiled. "I don't know. You acted so recklessly I do not know whether to leave you out." She joked.

"We will discuss that later then." He said, pulling her close. "Right now, I am in your present and there is no way you can avoid that."

She smiled at that. "I guess." She allowed herself to be pulled into a little kiss…

She smiled blissfully…Shun was definitely going to be a part of her future. She wouldn't leave him out of it for anything in the universe.

The End

So how was it?

First: I would like to answer one question you guys will certainly come across.

"How the hell does such a lot happen in fifteen seconds?" Well the answer is simple actually. The 'seconds' in Neptune is different from that of Earth. Hee hee.

Oh yeah. *laughs*

So thanks to all my reader, reviewers and to all those who favourited this story.

I especially thank you for all the encouraging words you supplied to me. They were so encouraging.

So hope you guys had liked this… and spread the love. ;)

Until next time I wish you all the best.