Subject Zero: CONFIDENTIAL (Short Stories)

SMILE: All Eyes Are on You (6)

June 5, 1981
World's Edge
The Mirror World

Third Person's POV
A crowd of Marshes, Araneidans, Shades, and Puppets were waiting in an open field by the edge of the world. Miyo was with them, as well as the Prince before Liam, Lake. They seemed to be waiting.

An Araneidan sighs. "What's taking so long?!"

     "Yeah, I'm getting sick of waiting!" a Puppet agreed, getting impatient.

Lake looks at Miyo. "He better show up! I didn't bring all these people for nothing."

Miyo tells him, "Don't worry." He turns to the crowd. "Remember, everyone...! When he gets here, make sure not to activate your gifts! We'll talk first! Fight only if we have to!"

People were whispering in the crowd.

     "Jeez, shut up already!"

     "Why do we have to listen to him?"

     "Does he even know what he's talking about?"

Then, when he turned around, he saw Liam standing right behind him, trying to hide his anger. Ares was standing next to him, feeling guilty.

Ares overheard Miyo asking Lake to bring all these people to stand up against Liam. Lake didn't agree at first, and Miyo knew the only way to get him to agree was to say he was never actually Liam's friend, that he was lying to Liam the whole time. It wasn't true, but Ares thought it was. Even though Liam was not being a good friend at the time, she still wanted him to know, so she told him.

     "He's gathering people behind your back as we speak...!"

Miyo stepped back, but was still in front of the crowd. Ares stepped back from everyone entirely, feeling nervous already.

Liam glared at Miyo. "Miyo? What the hell is this?"

Miyo tells him, "Liam, I called you here because I wanted to show you... This is a fraction of the people who have been mistreated under your leadership. We've all had enough of your abuse! You're hurting too many people! It's time for you to stop!"

For a moment, Liam stayed quiet. But he sighed and said, "...You really went and did it, huh?" His fists clenched by his sides. "You backstabbing asshole! You actually rallied people behind my back?!"

Miyo couldn't believe it. Even when confronted by a horde of people who hated him... People who were all victims of his violence and bullying... He is still completely oblivious to the pain he had caused us. Not even a shred of remorse. "...Liam..." He shouts, "You idiot! Why can't you just understand?!"

     "Oh, shut the fuck up! You're the idiot! You're all fucking idiots!" He yells at the crowd, "Banding against me won't do anything! You will never take me down."

A Shade activated his abilities. "I knew it! Talking won't do shit with this kid!"

Then a Marsh activated her abilities. "He's not gonna listen! He never has!"

     "Whatever, we have numbers! Just beat his ass!"

Miyo's eyes widened for a moment. "Wait, no! He's provoking you guys on purpose! It's part of his strategy! Don't fall for it-!"

The entire crowd raced towards Liam.

     "Who cares?! He can't beat all of us!"

     "Get him!!"

     "Everyone, stop!" This isn't what Miyo wanted to happen. No...!!

They severely underestimated him. The moment they activated their abilities, it was over. He was too strong for any of them to stop.

And just like before... All Miyo could do was stand and watch, as he demolished everyone. Miyo's plan had failed. There was no bringing him back.

When everyone was on the ground, dead, Miyo fell to his knees.

Liam walked up to him and asks, "Miyo... Why did you turn everyone against me?"

Miyo stayed quiet, still in disbelief.

Liam grabbed Miyo by his hair.

     "AGH-!"

     "ANSWER ME!" Liam shouted at him.

Replying to his question, Miyo yells, "You turned them against yourself! Have you seen yourself?!"

Liam froze. Then Miyo shoves him away, making Liam let go of him. Miyo hit him in the face, making Liam stumble a bit before looking back at someone who he thought was his friend.

     "Take a look at what you've become!" Tears streamed down Miyo's face. "You're always looking for reasons to hurt others! You're not even trying to find Alexandria anymore! You don't care about anyone but yourself! You're a tyrant and a hypocrite!"

Liam felt betrayed. "You-!"

     "You don't deserve any of the power you have now! I never should have helped you! I wish I never met you!"

     "Shut up!"

     "MAKE ME!" Miyo screamed at him. "GO AHEAD AND BEAT ME UP LIKE YOU DID WITH EVERYONE ELSE!"

Liam grabbed Miyo by the collar of his shirt. "I said... Shut the fuck up!"

With tears rolling down his face, Miyo says, "...Monster."

Liam punched him in the face, knocking him out. He couldn't believe what he had just done. What he had just heard. What he had just been told.

He turns around, only to see Ares standing by one of the trees, holding a small mirror. Joplin was on the other side of the mirror.

Liam asks her, "Deity? Why are you still here?"

Ares looks in the mirror.

     "Hey!" Liam yelled, knowing what she might be doing. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Joplin, on the other side of the mirror, asks Ares, "Ares? You look more distressed than normal. You need something?"

Terrified of what Liam might do, Ares still tells Joplin, "...Y-Yes, I'd like to report an incident. There's a rampaging Prince."

She hears Liam say, "Don't you dare turn on me, too!"

Joplin sighed in the mirror. "Where are you?"

Ares says, "In an open field, by the World's Edge... Very close to Araneidan Headquarters!" She sees Liam darting towards her. "PLEASE HURRY-!"

{ End of Part VI }

"Now come out with your hands up, we've got you surrounded."