[center [h3 Distraught]]
[pic http://pm1.narvii.com/6243/2fe4824f54b634c7f526880efce5e94cb5aaa9d8_00.jpg]
[center [b There was much Alfred wanted to say to Tauriel. He wanted to apologize for showing her his family drama. His flirting and laid-back mannerisms hadn't helped him much either but... She had still talked to him all the same. If a woman hadn't flirted back with him by this point they had simply written him off as a brute or a fool not much different from his mother really. The only two that were an exception to that rule were Melissa and Maximum. Even his father had lectured him much on the way he had held himself.]]
[center [b Alfred was lost in thought until he was addressed by.. Adrastos? Who in the hell..? What in the hell...? Maximum had appeared crushed. The people who had moved aside began to bow to the divine beast while Alfred lay dumbfounded. Maximum's pain and confusion quickly turned to a look of discontent.]]
[center [+brown A-Are you talking to me lizard? It's Alfred but you're talking to the wrong guy. The dragon nerd is on the stage. He's the one who studied for years not me.]]
[center [b It was at that moment his mother came rushing down she had come to face the dragon. Offering a graceful bow she introduced herself.]]
[center [+teal Divine lord, allow me to help. I am the wife of the late dragon priest. Henrietta Chevalier the Chevaliers have been loyal to the dragons for many generations. I believe a mistake must have been made in the ritual. Maximum my son is the one with the spark and he has trained every day since that spark surfaced.]]
[center [b She bowed her head in reverence but the child of earth seemed not impressed by her grandiose speech. Maximum had turned to Nala to question her instead.]]
[center [+green Where is my child of aqua? I do not understand.]]
[center [+red ... I am sorry child but you wield a spark you were never meant to have. Therefore nothing could have come from it. Those who find our power are the ones who do not covet it. As to prevent ambition from consuming the soul. Tauriel had never wished for the powers of fire and Alfred himself has never once come to seek us out.]]
[center [+green I know! I understand! Because.. The dragon slayers hunted you're kind in order to gain power. But... How I loved your stories. How I've spent my life adoring you believing in you're existence even when you've left. Believing in it all before my spark ever came to be. My faith and my hope I've..]]
[center [+red I am sorry child if you truly claim to understand us. Please show understanding in this choice we have made.]]
[center [b The shaman had taken the chance to make her leave in a gust of smoke. Nala had huffed rather loudly at the shaman's "magics" showing great disdain. Alfred had stuttered lost in a tempest of emotion in a sea of thought. His heart twisted in a typhoon of emotion.]]
[center [+brown N-No...]]
[center [+green What then huh? I wasn't worthy? Because what? Alfred's bigger? Stronger? Everyone liked him more... Every kid in school. The merchants the bars... The teachers despite the fact I worked harder. It wasn't until I had a spark... I finally stepped out of his shadow. He was so good at everything!! So now what..? He gets to have this too huh? Alfred can't do this! He couldn't even beat me in a simple race so how come?]]
[center [b The usually cool-headed Maximum was panting heavily with tears in his eyes.]]
[center [+brown Max I-]]
[center [+green No! I'm going to prove it here and now! I'm not in your shadow! I'm not weaker than you! I may have been born sickly... But I'm not that little boy anymore I assure you.]]
[center [b Maximum had taken a breath as a swirl of water formed around his hand creating an aquatic blade. Charging forward he slashed at Alfred. The large man had reached for his own sword clashing just in time. The water boiled as it spilled on Alfred's face burning him.]]
[center [+brown Max! What the hell this isn't like you!! Cool off and think for a second!! Do you think I wanted this? Really?!]]
[center [+green Stop it! Agh!! Stop it! Stop it!!]
[center [b Maximum had started swinging at the air as the water and surrounded and consumed his body holding him up. Alfred panicked reaching a hand out in the air. The water had dropped Maximum but his presence.. Seemed off. Maximum took a deep breath as he gushed out a small pool of water. Alfred barely avoided the attack turning his neck as the water boiled on the ground. Kicking Maximum underneath his legs knocking him over. His powers were refined even more so for only being a spark but his sword stance was inexperienced and Alfred could tell Maximum was still a novice in this sense. Holding his sword at Maximum he told his brother calmly.]]
[center [+brown Stop! Maximum I don't want to hurt you just calm down.]]
[center [+blue Hurt me? You still talk like I haven't surpassed you long ago... Brother.]]
[center [+brown Damn it! Max what's going on?!]]
[center [b Maximum's water sword had turned into a whip grabbing at Alfred's ankle. Maximum raised his hand sending Alfred flying into a stall. Alfred groaned lightly in the stall slowly getting back up.]]
[center [+brown I'm going to have to apologize to Yao for that huh... Jeez I just got out of debt]]
[center [b Maximum seemed even more upset by Alfred's laid-back attitude. Shooting his whip forward at Alfred. The whip began to cut around Alfred's arm but as Max pulled at the whip Alfred wrapped it more around his own arm to gain leverage despite the pain. Giving Maximum a deadpan look he yanked the whip with tremendous force pulling Maximum in. With his spare arm, Alfred landed a solid haymaker right into Maximum's nose. Dazing the boy Alfred pulled back only to put his back into a second punch using the weight of his muscle and his coat to boot. With Maximum dazed his punch was able to make a weighted and calculated stance a technique Alfred had learned on his travels. It had sent Maximum back a few feet! Not very far but for a man who couldn't use a spark it was impressive. Maximum had used water under his feet to catch himself but Alfred began sprinting the moment Maximum left his range. He went for a follow-up headbutt only for water to block the strike. Alfred went for a punch and then a quick knee only for every strike to be blocked.]]
[center [+green You still won't use that oversized hunk of metal huh?]]
[center [b All the water Max had just used defensively he focused to quickly gather around his scrawny arm. Forming a massive water gauntlet he punched into Alfred's abdomen sending him flying this time into a stall even further back. Henrietta had gasped and Nala snorted with disappointment ready to intervene had it gotten too serious]]
[center [+teal A-Alfred!]]
[center [b Her mother cried out in shock, silence filled the air as Alfred came out of the wood and wreckage with a few scratches and a head wound bleeding slightly. The air was knocked out of him so he took a moment but smiled all the same before looking up.]]
[center [+brown Thank bro, I owe you. It's nice to hear mom still cares about the problem child heh... I'm sorry mom I really am.]]
[center [b His voice went from laid back to a dead serious stone. Drawing his massive blade he held the hilt firmly with his eyes close. Taking a deep meditative-like breath he began to shake. "I can't beat power.. Real power like that. The only way I drove that dragon out was with traps.. Hit and run tactics and a lot of dumb luck. I take out bandits, not Riders. No... Al, you can't doubt yourself your big bro needs you to knock some sense into him. His dreams have been shattered you left him with father and mother expectations all by himself. Of course, it all came crashing down. You weren't there for him."]]
[center [+purple Stop it! Both of you!! Just stop!!!]]
[center [b The boys used to always listen when Melissa came in but... Maximum wasn't listening to reality. In his eyes... He let everyone down mother... And father. Alfred was angry.. That they had put so much on his shoulders. To him, if he wasn't a rider he was a failure, not even a person. It wasn't just Maximum's dream but his gilded prison hidden in a life of luxury and praise Maximum suffered in silence. Melissa was crying.]]
[center [+green Max! You'll kill him! Stop!!! This isn't you!!!]]
[center [b "I can't.. I can't give up if I die here, mom.. Melissa will.. And I know when Max returns to his sense he'd regret it. What would become of him? No, he had to win he had no choice." Water began to flow all around Maximum his eyes white in pain as his spark went out of control.]]
[center [+brown What the hell...? Great... His spark is going haywire!]]
[center [b Nala stood up ready to put Maximum down but Alfred raised his hand.]]
[center [+brown Move a single inch and I'll.. End my own life. You won't be able to stop him without killing him I know it. You'd rather lose a precious "Rider?" If either one of you moves I'm ending it. Got that?!]]
[center [b Nala raised her eyes rather surprised as she stood in front of Tauriel. If the battle endangered her Rider in any way she would step in. Even if it meant it put Alfred in danger and even if it caused the child of earth to attack her in turn.]]
[center [b Tendrils of water approached Alfred he had clumsily parried each blow with his blade. The water grazed off his sword slashing over his shoulder. The tendrils almost hit the crowd but it was at that moment Earth had surrounded the two brothers. Adrasto had used earth to protect the bystanders. Alfred looked confused but he reluctantly gave the dragon a nod of appreciation.]]
[center [pic https://static.zerochan.net/Alfred.Vint.Svent.600.1218202.jpg]]
[center [b He dashed forward cutting downward first to cleave through a gush of water. The water broke into two parts coming for his head. Ducking down he reached into his coat to throw up a small fuse. A bright light went off. It was a flash bomb, Maximum recoiled slightly as Alfred kept rushing forward. The water slashed in arcs toward Alfred. Jumping over the first Arc his stroke came from the left with one hand knocking a mid-air blast aside. It wore on his muscle knocking back such force. Planting his feet on the ground he kept running.]]
[center [+brown I just... Have to reach you!]]
[center [b Maximum bellowed several blades of water hurled at Alfred. He was able to knock three away with one swing for a fourth to hit his shoulder. Turning around he let some blades sink into his coat only grazing his skin. He took a small rock and threw it at Maximum only for one blade to be shot back to destroy the rock. Alfred was so close now only a few steps only for the rest of the blades to come in. Spinning in a seemingly wild circle of slashes Alfred pushed forward. Though the attack seemed it lacked control Alfred was trying his best to control each strike with his unwieldy blade. Three blades had gotten through scraping his shoulders severely but he managed to strike several back with his barrage of two-handed swings. Before Maximum could recall the blades Alfred through the sword at Maximum! Maximum seemed shocked even in his berserk-like state. The blades came back to block the massive blade but its weight was so much more than one could have ever expected! Splashing the water apart but the blade had lost its momentum. The water was simple puddles now Maximum on instinct without even meaning to began to form them into blades again.]]
[center [+brown Too late!]]
[center [b Alfred had already closed the distance his right arm behind his back his eyes facing Maximum's. Whatever happened... Maximum had completely lost control.]]
[center [+brown I'm here.. You're brothers here to smash your prison!]]
[center [b His arm flew through the wind the water had managed to form back up cutting Alfred around his coat and shoulders. Alfred hadn't flinched as he barely managed to cock his head the water cutting just past his neck. His arm managed to avoid each watery slash while maintaining its momentum. His front foot was firmly planted. His arm came crashing down with the full weight of his coat and muscle. Blasting through the thinly veiled last-second makeshift barrier. The downward arc had blown Maximum away Alfred's knuckles were busted open from the force of the blow. Maximum had crashed into the ground still but still breathing heavily. All of the water had come to a standstill.]]
[center [+purple I always heard our emotions could affect their sparks.. And that in turn the sparks could affect the Riders but Maximum always seemed so calm. So in control.... I-I don't understand...]]
[center [b Melissa ran to his side tending to his wounds. His mother had retrieved first aid to help treat her son.]]
[center [+brown So.. That could be me or Tauriel if we lose it huh? I-I still think this was a mistake. I-I'm not..]]
[center [+purple Alfred! Shut it! You are!! I.. I know you are look!!]]
[center [b She took something out of her coat and threw it at him. Alfred quickly caught it in his hands opening the palm of his hand. Only to see... A stone glowing brown.]]
[center [+brown You took this? But our tradition..]]
[center [+purple I noticed it.. Earlier in the cave, I knew but I didn't think Max's dragon wouldn't... He will be fine. I will be fine... This whole time I thought he was happy. He was okay... I didn't see the burden this put on him. I have to help... Help guide him.]]
[center [+brown M-Mel... I'm so sorry. Mother I.. I ruined everything again I-]]
[center [+teal Hush! Alfred, listen for a moment if you can. I.. Cannot claim to understand how this came to be. I can however admit that I have forgotten who guides us. I forget myself, whom I was meant to guide. My own flesh and blood, I've pushed you away. I've put all of our remaining hopes on Maximum because.. I had already failed you. I should have swallowed that foolish Chevalier pride and simply apologized. Go, go with them. The two of you are the last riders and the last hope we have of proving humanity isn't beyond saving.]]
[center [+brown Saving? Mom I don't understand is there something about the igniting I don't know about? I mean I get it's important but... Am I missing something here?]]
[center [+teal I... Alfred, I'm sorry I've kept much from you dear son. I tried to protect you.]]
[center [+brown Protect me! Seriously! I can't... You and father told me I.. I...]]
[center [+teal I know, but we thought maybe since you lacked a spark we could spare you from this life. From the dangers of being a Rider. When neither one of you surfaced a spark I was... Relieved. It meant the Slayers wouldn't find you.]]
[center [+brown Slayers?]]
[center [+brown Dragon Slayers love.]]
[center [+purple What?! We were taught the order was disbanded long ago! They had no more dragons to hunt for power!!]]
[center [+teal That... Was a lie they've been hiding... Waiting for an opportunity.]]
[center [b She looked at the ground with a mix of emotions swirling in her expression. Fear, regret, shame but Alfred instead found himself tearing up.]]
[center [+brown Mom... You pushed me away cause of that? Cause you were afraid I'd be hurt? You know how much it hurt to... To think I lost you all?]]
[center [b The mother went into her pockets handing him a stone. It appeared to be draconian in nature.]]
[center [+teal In here is your father's will, I didn't understand why he told me to give this to you. Without a spark how could one activate the stone? Well, now maybe I understand.]]
[center [+brown Father knew...?]]
[center [+teal I know not my child, when you hone your powers you will find those answers. I cannot tell you any more I am sorry, let that be you're motivation love.]]
[center [+brown I-I.. That's not fair! I..]]
[center [+teal I love you, Alfred, you must leave with Tauriel you must start your pilgrimages. Your dragons will guide you, you will learn to use your spark. Together you can stand against the Order.]]
[center [b Alfred sighed deeply as he knelt over Maximum patting his brother's head.]]
[center [+brown I gotta go... Big bro next time I see you... I will make things right I promise. Tell me... Mother won't, Max, be targeted?]]
[center [+teal He might have been.. But lacking a dragon to call his own I doubt they will waste time on us. I'm sure even in this crowd somewhere they have a spy they will certainly alert the Order of you're and Tauriel's ascension. Though even that isn't their main goal, they spend most of their resources looking for dragons and the new homeland since the migration.]]
[center [b Alfred stood up, walking over to his mother he wrapped her up in a tight hug squishing her close.]]
[center [+brown For you... For Max and for my old man I'll do this.]]
[center [b She had teared up lightly grazing one of her hands over his back. She had sniffled as Alfred held her.]]
[center [+brown I love you mom... I'm sorry for losing it like that.]]
[center [b She shook her head softly as she held onto him. Alfred had slowly let go of his mother ruffling her hair with a light chuckle.]]
[center [+brown You cannot cry here mother you must show Chevalier elegance and pride!]]
[center [b He stuck his tongue out as she chuckled lightly through the tears. The village had cheered on for Alfred as he began to leave the village. Drawing his blade from the ground he placed it upon his back looking to Tauriel.]]
[center [+brown Well guess you're stuck with me a little longer huh gorgeous? Ready to knock some heads?]]
[center [+red My lady's pilgrimage isn't simply to "knock some heads" how dare thee address her in such a manner.]]
[center [+brown Oh touchy huh? Here I figured dragons were full of calm wisdom guess that isn't true! Hey! Sir scaly! Where first on my lizard pilgrimage?]]
[center [b He looked to his earthly dragon awaiting his first destination. He was going to smash anything in his path no matter what it was. He was going to find some answers.]]