Mother Alternate

Finality Chapter Three: Rebellion in the Presence of Change

…

“I like this place…”

“…very much.”

A little girl stood just under the doorway, ogling the boxes and misplaced pieces of furniture as if she was in a toy store. She was clutching a small locket to her chest, silently asking it to protect her and anchor her to the blissful reality she was in now.

Dreamily she turned to another girl standing beside her, a bit older and bigger than she was. The older girl was admiring the new environment, just like her, and seemed just as pleased. For a moment they looked at each other and smiled.

Just then two figures emerged from behind and called out to them, pulling them out of their dreamy trances and whizzing them back to the real world. The girls turned to the two figures and smiled.

“Girls…do you like this place?” one of them asked. The two girls nodded emphatically. There was no way of communicating just how much they liked this new place.

“Good…I’m glad…”

…

Dual Proghauser raised her sword and brought it down hard on Julian’s shield. The latter managed to block the blow head on, then swat the sword to the side and throw a punch. Proghauser sidestepped the attack, and the two fighters retreated. Not a second passed, though, before they lunged at each other again, engaging each other in a violent dance.

Julian placed his shield in front of him and charged at Proghauser while holding his arm with his other hand for stability. Proghauser nimbly dodged the charge by jumping over Julian and doing a forward flip with her saber extended, causing Julian to tumble forward and roll on the ground in defense. He regained his balance just in time to block a couple of agile thrusts by parrying them. He blocked a third thrust head-on, and threads of psychic energy began arching around the two warriors as the two psychic weapons made contact. Julian took advantage of Proghauser’s position and advanced; his shield was grinding forcefully against her blade and sending out sparks in every direction. Another punch was thrown, but Proghauser was ready and caught Julian’s fist in her palm. She then freed her weapon and tried to execute a downwards slash at Julian, but he grabbed her wrist and held it there. They remained there, locked, for what seemed like an eternity.

…

Lisa picked up a misplaced tool for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She had made it into a pastime, and would often spend hours following her father around the house, picking things up and giving them back. It made her feel useful.

“Again? Oh, my…I’m getting careless!”

Another tool lost, another tool recuperated, another chance for Lisa to shine. She happily handed the artifact to her father and giggled, making a joke about how silly he was for leaving things behind. He didn’t seem amused…as a matter of fact, he seemed happier to see the tool than to see Lisa…

The locket slipped from her grip and tumbled noisily to the floor, eliciting a gasp from Lisa.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

The locket came within two steps of being stepped on. Her father didn’t even notice what had happened, and he certainly wasn’t going to notice if he crushed it. Lisa gasped again, dread and panic bubbling up inside of her as the locket came ever closer to being destroyed. Not knowing what else to do, she screamed.

…

“You’re only fooling yourself!” Julian broke free of Proghauser’s grip and used his free hand to launch a beam of PSI energy at Proghauser. She in turn raised her sword and held it vertically, with one hand on either end. The beam stopped dead when it met her blade, generating a blinding flash of light. With a swift swing of the sword the beam was deflected harmlessly to the side.

“I am no fool!” Proghauser raised her sword into the air, gripping it with both hands, brought it down hard, launching a crescent-shaped shockwave at her opponent. Julian held up his shield and blocked the blow, but was pushed back a few inches by its force. By the time he lowered his shield Proghauser was already on him with a jumping slash. Julian parried the blow to his left, then spun counterclockwise and sent a kick to Proghauser’s head with his heel. Proghauser used her free hand to block the blow and grab his ankle, immobilizing him. Using her strength she then threw Julian backwards.

“I am no fool.” She repeated darkly.

…

“Lisa! Andrea! Come down, dinner is ready!”

The two girls bounded down the stairs enthusiastically as they raced each other to the dinner table, blocking each other’s paths with their arms and giggling giddily all the while. Eventually Lisa reached the table first, and she plopped herself down on her chair, nearly falling over in the other direction in the process. Andrea arrived a few seconds later, and the two relaxed, their energy spent and their wiles satisfied. Once the food was ready they began to eat.

Lisa had her hair done into pigtails and she would occasionally stop eating to flick them back and forth with her finger. Andrea, on the other hand, had her hair short like a boy’s, and she would run her hand over her head in thought as she ate. Their mother ate silently; she was obviously thinking of something else.

“I’m sorry…your father called earlier this afternoon…he will not be able to come home tonight…”

Andrea shook her head and comforted her mother. It was okay, she said, father had to work hard to make sure he could give them everything they wanted. They would be able to see their father another day.

Lisa didn’t say anything. She stared down into her plate melancholically and sighed. This always happened. Every time this happened Lisa would feel something inside her…an emptiness of sorts…she couldn’t hate him, no…she loved him more than anything. But why did he have to stay away so much?

Just as that thought materialized in her head her glass toppled over by itself, as if by magic. The girls’ eyes widened with horror as the contents spilled all over the table and dripped onto the floor. Quickly Lisa’s mother rose to get something to clean the mess, apparently oblivious to the cause of the accident.

This wasn’t the first time Lisa had made things happen with her mind…she couldn’t explain how or why she could do it, she just…could. The only person who knew about it was her sister; she didn’t dare tell anyone, not even her parents…her father would just use her as some experiment, like he did everything else.

Lisa looked to Andrea, who gave her a reassuring smile and told her not to worry. With time, she said, everyone would know, and it would be alright…

…

Julian regained his balance in mid-air and spun around, righting himself while still in motion. He sent another beam while still airborne, hoping to hit Proghauser from behind. She wasn’t that foolish, though, and did a cartwheel flip to the side seconds before the beam connected. The two combatants hadn’t hit the ground for two seconds before they launched themselves into the air, ready for an aerial duel.

Proghauser tried to hit Julian with a horizontal slash from left to right. Julian responded by blocking the blade and repelling it, leaving Proghauser wide open for an attack. He spun in mid-air and tried to kick Proghauser in the head again, but she leaned her head back and Julian’s attack barely missed. Julian then tried to rush her with his shield again, but Proghauser deflected him with her sword. While his back was turned she turned and tried to send a shockwave at him, but Julian managed to turn around and fire off a beam of his own. The two attacks met and a blinding light blanketed the entire area.

…

“Happy Birthday!”

“…how do you feel?”

It was a cake. A large, white, simply decorated cake with ten candles to celebrate Lisa’s 10^th birthday.

Lisa inhaled deeply and blew out the candles. As she did so she prayed to herself that her wish would come true, that it wouldn’t be just a dream anymore…

Everyone clapped excitedly and began shuffling around the room now that the most important part of the celebration was complete. Guests began handing presents to Lisa’s mother for safekeeping, while the children ran to the living room and initiated a game of hide-and-seek. Lisa was almost about to join them when her mother placed her large hand on Lisa’s shoulder and called out; her tone dripped with sorrow.

“Lisa…your father would like to talk to you…”

Lisa turned and looked up to find her father squatting in front of her, his mouth curled into a wide smile, tinting his bulbous cheeks a rosy pink. His pince-nez glasses were reflecting some of the light into Lisa’s face.

She stepped up to her father and grabbed his cheeks with her tiny hands, a habit she had formed when she was a child. Silently her father’s smile grew thinner until it was no more, and he took her into his large, burly arms. She already knew what he was going to say…of course, she’d heard it too many times before. Her hands dropped from his cheeks and went to his round belly, which she hugged as if it were a type of lifesaver.

“I’m sorry Lisa…I have to go…I’m so sorry…”

…

The two figures landed nimbly on the rocky surface with their backs to each other, several meters apart. Dual Proghauser landed on her two feet, hardly worse for wear. Julian, however, stumbled clumsily and had to place one hand on the ground to keep from falling. The cloth over his left shoulder was torn, as was his skin; Proghauser had managed to scrape his shoulder.

Off to the side, Julian’s companions grew worried—Peel gasped when she saw Julian’s wound, while Joshua and Vee curled up their fists and began growling menacingly at Proghauser. They didn’t interfere, though…they knew this wasn’t their fight.

“I see you’re not as invincible as I thought you were.” Taunted Proghauser, eyes full of malice. “You’re just as mortal as the rest of us.”

Quietly and slowly Julian stood, still facing away from Proghauser. Without turning he dropped his shield arm and clutched at his left shoulder. “…so are you.” He stated simply.

Proghauser didn’t understand the meaning of Julian’s words until she felt a stinging pain on her cheek, just below her right eye. Cautiously she lifted her hand and felt her cheek, then withdrew it to find her fingertips covered in blood. Her eyes grew and her jaw dropped as a million images swam through her head.

…

Dual Proghauser and her three companions took their seats on a round table near the stage of the Ellay Live Show. They were almost regulars at this place now, and were known well enough to be left alone, lest they turn on whosoever dared disturb them.

“Man, I got no clue why they still ain’t remodeled this dump.” Rapper Flamestart slipped off his sunglasses and hooked them on his belt while he scanned the place with his blood-red eyes. “I mean, most ‘a this stuff’s older’n me!”

Volt Punker grabbed the collar of Flamestart’s purple basketball jersey and tugged it, eliciting a surprised cry from the latter. “Be quiet.” Growled Punker as he lifted Flamestart up to his eye level. “The show’s gonna start, so shut yer trap an’ listen, got it?”

“All right, all right! Just lemme go!” Flamestart was plopped back down in his chair, where he straitened himself out, muttering curses under his breath. “..damn foo’s crazy…”

Earth Bluesman ordered his usual cocktail and, upon receiving it, began stirring the concoction with his plastic drink stirrer, his gaze firm, yet distant. “I so enjoy our excursions to this place,” he commented, apparently only to hear himself speak. “It is quite relaxing…”

Dual Proghauser wasn’t really paying attention to her companions, and was instead fidgeting with her locket. She didn’t really care for her associates, actually; she was just there to listen to the music…and remember.

“Whatcha got there?”

Quick as lightning Proghauser closed her hand around the locket and hid it from Volt Punker’s view. “It is none of your business,” she replied nastily, then hastily tucked the trinket in her vest pocket.

Punker scoffed. “I was just asking…” he said with a slight tinge of annoyance. Proghauser shook her head and looked away, either because Punker’s face disgusted him or because she didn’t want to see the guilt written on his countenance. “It is…nothing for you to worry about.” She said. Punker quickly accepted those words and turned back to his bantering match with Rapper Flamestart.

The ice cubes in Earth Bluesman’s drink made a clinking sound as he picked up his glass and began sipping from it. A small smile was on his face. “It is funny, child…”

Proghauser glared at him. “I do not comprehend.” She said warily.

Bluesman chuckled, his glass inches from his mouth. “It is funny…just now, you almost sounded…human…”

“…human…”

…

Julian’s knees buckled under the immense pressure of Proghauser’s sword as it bore down on his shield. He tried to move out of the way, to dodge, but he was pinned there. Slowly he began losing his footing and was forced into a kneeling position as Proghauser gripped her sword with both hands and jammed her blade down.

“I will kill you…I will end your life…” Proghauser repeated those words over and over, like some sort of mantra. Her vision was being clouded with rage, and her lucidity was slowly escaping her.

Julian began looking to the sides frantically, trying to find a possible way out of this power struggle, which he knew would end with him on the losing side. He couldn’t knock her off balance…he was too busy defending to try and dodge to the side…right now the only thing left to do was…

“Why’d you do it?”

Stalling. It worked before, Julian began hoping against hope that it would work now.

Proghauser spoke, but didn’t relax her grip, even for a second. “You…filthy humans…so selfish…you only care for yourselves…” she stammered between breaths. “He…never loved me…all he loved was himself…his own glory…”

“That’s not true.” Julian spat back, almost immediately. “He…they…loved you…”

“Lies!” Proghauser’s advance gained a sudden surge of strength, and Julian almost succumbed to the force of Proghauser’s sword. “He brought everything down on himself! All of it!” As she said those words, Julian felt her retreat somewhat…

There. She was losing it. Julian pushed with shield arm while he braced himself with the other, and managed to get his opponent off of him, buying him some breathing space and some time. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he placed his hand over his wounded shoulder and began to concentrate. “LifeUp.” He chanted, and then moaned slightly as the psychic energy coursed through his shoulder and closed his wound.

“They loved you…” Julian said, almost soothingly. “They still do…”

Proghauser was a few feet away from him, her hands to her sides, her shoulders slumped. A look of utter shock was on her face, as if she was remembering something long forgotten…or perhaps feeling something that wasn’t there before.

…

“I want you to come out of there, Lisa…I mean it!”

Andrea leaned against the door to Lisa’s room, her ear to the wooden entryway. She was pounding on the door with one hand while she held the other near her face, as if trying to somehow push through the door. “I’m not joking!”

Lisa didn’t want to come out at all. This was the fourth time her father had let her down…she knew he meant well, that he was only working to make his family happy…but this was the last straw. “I’m not coming out. Leave me alone.”

“I’m not going anywhere until you come out,” retorted Andrea in German. “I’m worried about you!”

No answer.

Andrea leaned her back on the door and thumped her blocky shoulders against it, running her hand through her short hair. This was the second time Lisa did this, and already it was difficult to get her out. If only she could understand…

“He said he was sorry he had to miss your birthday again.” Andrea began, not caring whether Lisa heard her. “He’ll make it up to you. He’s missed my birthday several times too, but I know he doesn’t mean to hurt any of us.”

“That’s not true,” came a faint reply from the other side of the door. “If he loves us, why is he always working? Why won’t he spend time with us?”

Andrea sighed and crossed her arms. “You know why. He’s working on his invention…once the World Device is completed he’ll…come back…” As an afterthought, Andrea added, “And I know he’ll want to hear about your powers…”

Lisa didn’t reply. Andrea slowly slid to the floor, where she sat there hugging her knees. It was useless…

On the other side of the door Lisa was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. It was true…her father was always working on that invention…always with those people.

“Those people…that’s it…”

…

…

“From now on, you are no longer who you once were…”

The girl rose from her previous kneeling position and flexed her arms, which were now coursing with power…power granted to her by the ethereal being known only as Diva. She felt oddly calm, calmer than she imagined she would. She didn’t even feel any pain…as a matter of fact, she didn’t feel anything at all.

“Now you must choose a name for yourself…”

A name…yes, she would need a new one. Her old one brought with it a great burden, one of weakness and sadness. She never wanted to hear that name again. That was her other identity, the one she would leave behind. In a sense, it was her other self…her old self.

Dual…yes, that was it. That was the perfect name. Dual…Proghauser.

The three others who were with Diva smiled evilly as another joined their ranks. Volt Punker sniggered while Rapper Flamestart looked her over. Earth Bluesman merely hid his face under his hat.

“Now…what is it that you desire of me?” Dual Proghauser asked humbly. “What is my first task?”

Volt Punker stepped forward. “We’re gonna get rid o’ that quack and his family, that’s what.” He said menacingly. “We don’t need’em anymore.”

Get rid of her family…

Dual Proghauser tried to protest. “I do not think that is necessary.” She said. “They will do us no harm.”

Rapper Flamestart clenched his fists. “You tryin’ to say you’re not down with dat?”

“No! I just…”

There was a pause as she regained her resolve. Her hand went to her vest pocket and began toying with her locket, which was the only thing that linked her to her previous life. No, now there was no turning back…this was the path she had chosen.

“I’ll take care of the old man.” She stated simply. “You can take the girl. We’ll leave the mother alive…as a warning.”

Earth Bluesman nodded his head and raised his cane. “Very well. We shall do as you say.” He said. “It is, after all, your family…”

Proghauser nearly faltered, but strengthened herself at the last moment and turned away from her new companions. Her gaze became icy as she walked away, fists curled into balls. This was the only solution…the only way…soon it would all be over.

She kicked the door to the house wide open and walked in, her eyes devoid of any emotion. Pure resolve was the only thing readable in her face, and it was the only thing her father saw when she stormed into his room, her fist raised in the air. She saw the expression of pure terror on his face, but she didn’t care. She was no longer Lisa Schneider. She was Dual Proghauser, and now she was turning on her own…

Her own…

…

“Father…”

Tears began flowing freely from Dual Proghauser’s eyes, and she could only watch, dejected, as they splashed onto the floor. She suddenly felt the pain of her previous life rush up to her, overwhelming her. The wave of emotion drowned out everything else, and she could only stand there, helpless, as a forgotten flame within her was rekindled. And it burned. Oh God, did it burn.

Peel saw this from afar and quickly called out to Julian. “Now! She’s freaking out!”

Julian nodded, and the Gleyd Aswer detached itself from his arm. Quickly he set it in front of himself with a wave of his hand and sent a wave of PSI energy through it, giving it only one simple command…to attack.

“PK Aswer…Gleyd Form!”

Proghauser sword was shattered into a million tiny fragments as Julian’s attack connected, knocking her off her feet and onto the floor. Everything broke into slow motion as she fell. After what seemed like an eternity Dual Proghauser was on the floor.

Julian quickly ran up to her prone figure and kneeled beside her. Was she alive? Was she alright? “Lisa…” Julian whispered to her.

No response.

“Lisa? Can you hear me?”

Proghauser’s eyes snapped open, and she let out an ungodly scream as she bolted up and clenched her fists. “That…is…not…my…NAME!!”

There was a huge explosion as she expelled everything she had in one rage-filled blast, once again dazzling everything around her. Julian jumped back and crossed his arms in front of his body, mentally calling the Aswer to place itself in front of him and take the brunt of the blast. It was so powerful, however, that Julian was nearly blown clear off his feet, and he didn’t notice that, after defending its master from harm, the central circle of the Aswer cracked ever so slightly…

Peel, Joshua, and Vee ran up to Julian to see if he was alright—Peel tended to Julian’s shoulder while Vee and Joshua looked to Proghauser, who had collapsed again, and was now unconscious.

“Are you okay? You look really beat up, you know?” Peel ran her fingers gingerly over Julian’s shoulder, causing him to wince slightly. “I think you need to patch that up.” She said worriedly.

Julian waved Peel off. “I’m fine.” He said. “It’s just a scratch.” He then jerked his head to the side, indicating Proghauser. “It’s her I’m not so sure about…”

Joshua lifted Proghauser’s limp form into the air using PSI, and held her face down, slightly above him. “She’s still alive.” He commented. “Although she won’t be regaining consciousness for a while, I think.

Peel detached herself from Julian and ambled over to the floating figure. “What do you think we should do with her?”

Joshua lowered his eyes for a moment as he thought. After some meditation, he spoke: “Quite frankly, I think we should take her with us.”

Vee agreed completely with the idea. “The kid’s right. She’s pretty beat up, and she just spent all her energy. We can’t just leave her here, right?”

When Julian voiced his approval, Vee plucked the girl out of thin air and hoisted her over her right shoulder. As she did so, she noticed a small object fall out of Proghauser’s vest pocket and onto the floor. “Y eso? What is that?” she asked absently.

Joshua picked the object up and looked it over. “It appears to be a locket.” He said. Upon further inspection Joshua noticed that it had a small button on the side. He pressed it and the locket opened with a faint click. Inside was a faded picture of the Schneider family, obviously taken many years ago as the parents were still young and plump, while the girls were still infants.

Joshua closed the locket and looked up to Vee, his eyes full of sadness. “She never really let go, did she?” he asked. His adoptive sister shook her head. “No.” was the only thing she could reply.

The sun was setting now, and the figures of the four EarthBound ones became dark silhouettes against the orange backdrop of the sky. They didn’t say a word…there wasn’t much to say. They just let the sun’s last rays fall on them, coating them with red and orange.

The battle was over. Julian had won.