Elwood Tenkaichi: An Arthur Story

Chapter 30: Revelation, Desperation!

"An impressive display, ladies!" Tingley called out as she defied gravity, rising above the stands to approach the battlefield. "But ultimately fruitless."

The kids looked on in shock, defenses raised.

"W-What's going on?" Jenna muttered.

"Oh, it's quite simple, Miss Morgan," Tingley chuckled, landing on the battered earth. "I devised this tournament in an effort to weed out Elwood's strongest young fighter. I'm not as young as I used to be, you see," she smiled, scanning their faces.

"What's that got to do with Molly?" Binky barked. "What'd you do to her?"

Tingley sighed as she looked Binky over with distaste.

"As I said, Mr. Barnes: I'm not getting any younger. Gathering you all here has allowed me to observe you, to gauge who among you shall be a suitable host body."

"H-host body?" Jenna blurted.

"That's right, child. Miss MacDonald here seemed the perfect candidate: strong and disciplined--practically brimming with raw power. A fine vessel to replace these old rags, wouldn't you say?" she asked, winking at Molly.

"Did you enjoy the little power boost I gave you?" Tingley continued, taunting Molly, who was shaking with anger. "I know I did. You should consider it an honor, you know. It's an opportunity few have had the pleasure--"

"Enough!" Fern asserted.

Tingley cocked an eyebrow as her chin shot up. She lowered it slowly as her grin returned.

"Ah, the wild card...Tell me, Miss Walters, how ever did you manage to get this far? Mere days ago, you were a nobody."

"My friends have given me all the help I've needed--the same friends you've put in danger with your sick scheme. You're going to have to answer for everything you've done."

Tingley's puzzled face soon softened into a smile.

"And how do you plan to manage that?" she said plainly.

"Fern," Molly warned. "Move."

Everyone turned to see that Molly had her arms stretched forward as she channeled her ki into her open hands. The ground vibrated as she charged it. Her intent was clear.

"Molly..." Marina muttered.

"No more talking," Molly declared through gritted teeth. "I'm gonna wipe you off the face of the earth. No one else'll ever suffer what you did to me."

Tingley's grin faded.

"Molly," Fern thought aloud. "The amount of power you're putting into that--"

"I said: move."

The scarlet orb pulsing before Molly's palms expanded.

The others backed away nervously as strong gusts of energy radiated from Molly in rhythmic gales of wind, dust, and static electricity. But Fern stood her ground between her and Tingley.

"Molly, this attack will destroy half the stadium. There are still people here--you're talking about taking innocent lives!"

"It...it doesn't matter anymore--I'm already a monster," she uttered as tears rolled down from behind her bangs.

"You're not--"

"I NEARLY KILLED YOU! THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ME IN AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, AND I CAME THIS CLOSE TO KILLING YOU!"

Fern was taken aback, but soon stood fast.

"But you didn't, Molly. You beat her--you freed yourself!"

"I'll never live this down! People will never forget what happened here. I thought I could change--I thought I could be a good person and start over. But after today...the damage has already been done..."

"Would you listen to yourself?! You have changed! You are a good person! This isn't your way anymore! You proved you're stronger by resisting her power. You're the strongest person I've ever met, Molly--and I'm not just talking about fighting strength. Are you going to throw all that away?"

Molly's heart threatened to explode from her chest as she relived the torture of losing control of her own body--her mind thrashed with the violent memory of pummeling Fern. The bubble swelled even more.

"Molly!" Fern pleaded.

"HOW CAN YOU DEFEND HER--"

"I'm not. I'm defending you. I won't let you cross this line."

"S-she's lost it again," Prunella muttered, shielding her face from the billowing dust as the others could only do the same.

With a steely gaze, Fern stared defiantly at her best friend.

"What would James think?" she dared, her eyes unflinching.

The words fazed Molly, whose impending attack shrunk until it disappeared into thin air. She relaxed, slumping her shoulders as she hung her head. Everyone relaxed.

"You're right, Fern..." she admitted, looking up. "I'm not that way anym--"

A hand erupted through Molly's chest. Its long, painted nails glistened in the sunlight.

The knifed hand slunk back out, causing Molly to jolt before dropping to her knees, then finally to the ground. Tingley was standing behind her.