The Future Refused To Change...

Prologue

"So, here we are. The end of your journey is at hand.

"Gotta admit, it was pretty fun while it lasted. You had a good run, man. And I'm sorry that I have to do this. You could've done so much more with your days. We both could. Hell, I could've_ should've made some better decisions with so many people. I have no excuse, and I don't want one either. I'm not any better than you."

She paused, taking a small moment to breathe. "The sins on my conscience, the blood on my hands, the people I failed to save. I'm not better than you, I'm worse. But I'm still a hero to some people and I don't know why. I failed and failed and failed again, but I'm somehow the good guy." She spat the last words like venom.

"It's not your fault if you couldn't save them." The man spoke simply with the solemnity of death itself.

The girl scoffed, shaking her head. "If only it was so simple. Honestly, I pray that was the case. No, I didn't take those chances and I failed at my duty because of it."

The man drummed his fingers on the handle of his walking cane which he held in front of him, (did he even need it?) humming thoughtfully as if he understood her words completely.

The girl sighed heavily. She just wanted to get this over with. So maybe, just maybe, the death of so many innocents would not have been in vain. Then the spilled blood won't have been for nothing.

"You know that I don't have a choice, right? I have to do this."

The man's shoulders sagged. "I know. Do what you must."

The girl frowned. "And I'm sure you also know that this is the only option for peace."

A small chuckle. "I know that too."

"Look, you are a great man. You fought bravely and your tactics were genius." Not only that, they were dangerous and cocky and always seeming like a gamble but always had such annoyingly perfect results. But he didn't need to know that. (He probably already did. In fact, she was sure that his over-confidence and blunt arrogance was his entire tactic to mess with his enemies, and admittedly, her.)

He stood a little straighter at the compliment (which seemed impossible, given his already-perfect posture.)

Now, she would never admit this, but the man seemed innocent at first glance. A flawless facade, not different from the one she put up often. She didn't want to kill him, but she had no other option. Besides, she'd come too far to give up now.

She reached for her lacy pink parasol umbrella that she kept strapped on her back.

He chuckled fondly. "Very well." He raised his cane in front of him like a rapier. "But don't expect me to go easy on you." He spoke as if he was talking to an age-old friend.

"Wouldn't have it any other way," she utters as she pressed a button on her shoulder pad, releasing the parasol from the mechanical straps on her back, a feral smile on her face and murder in her eyes.