V.I.R.A.L

Before V.I.R.A.L took the country of Victoria by storm, life was very different. After a devastating war 400 years ago the legendary heroes of old all but vanished, leaving in their wake chaos and tyranny. Two families ruled the country with an iron fist. The Dawn family and The Syndicate family. Both were all-powerful and manipulated and controlled the masses. This all changed when V.I.R.A.L was formed. The seven CEOs took down both families and took control of the country, bringing peace and security. This peace would last a while; however, rumours have begun to stir that the families are growing their numbers. A dark shadow casts itself over the capital of Victoria, which can only result in one goal. The destruction of V.I.R.A.L.

Scarlett stared blankly into the mirror as her personal maid was taking her measurements for the dress she was forced to wear. An elegant long black dress with a small red rose on her side. She had no real opinion on the look, choosing not to saying anything. Her maid tied up her hair into a bun as she stood back. "You look beautiful Miss Dawn."

Scarlett didn't respond to the compliment choosing to change the conversation instead entirely. "Have my friends arrived?"

"Is that what you are calling them now? You have been with them for three weeks, and now you are casting them as your friends?"

"Have they?"

"Indeed, they have Miss Dawn; they arrived twenty minutes ago. I had them wait in the dining room for your arrival."

"Thank you, Clara." She replied, turning away from the mirror, looking at the dress from behind. "Anything else?"

"Your father has requested your presence for a family meeting. It also seems he wants the boy and girl from your new team there."

"Alton and Zinnia? For what reason might I ask?"

"He did not say. But for the whole family to be there, it has to be important."

Scarlett gave a small nod as her maid left her be. Looking back in the mirror, she snarled at her appearance, pulling her hair down, staring at herself for a little while longer she took her handbag and stormed out the room. Walking down the stairs, she heard Zinnia loudly admiring the house. "Alton, did you see that giant lion statue by the entrance?! I've never seen anything like it!"

"How could I miss it? You won't shut up about it…"

"I still can't believe Scarlett lives here. I knew she said her family was rich but holy Moley."

"It sure gives the Montagues a run for their money." Emil chuckles overlooking serval large portraits of the former chairman to the Dawn family. "Well don't all these peeps look swell. The current head of the family is Jack Dawn. Bit of a basic name, yeah?"

Alton looked up at the portrait of a man with black hair and red eyes. He had a large scar over his face. "This is probably Scarlett's father."

"I can see it," Gale whispered. "They both share that same terrifying scowl."

"Now, now. Be nice. We are guests here, remember." Percy informed, sitting neatly on the sofa. "But it makes you wonder what is taking Scarlett so long?!"

"So much for respect and being nice…"

Scarlett entered the room, getting everyone's attention. "I humbly apologise for the wait. I hope you all feel welcome here."

"Wow, Scarlett you look amazing in that dress." Zinnia gloated.

Scarlett smiled bowing. "Your kind words are appreciated Zinnia. While we wait for more information from V.I.R.A.L, you are more than welcome to stay here. Clara here will show you to your rooms."

"Sweet, don't think I'll ever get the chance to live the high life again," Percy spoke out loud this was met with Zinnia hitting him. "Ow, what was that for?!" 

"Before you all settle in, I must make a request. Alton and Zinnia, you have been summoned to a family meeting."

Alton gave a confused look. "Us? Why does your family want to meet us for?"

"I haven't the faintest idea. But it should be in your greatest interest to accept very few people are given an audience with the Dawn family."

Zinnia also looked weary, but she grabbed Alton's arm nodding. "We shall accept the invitation."

"Splendid. The maids shall take you upstairs to change into something more. Appropriate." She ordered bowing before escorting Zinnia off. As they walked through the vase corridors, she saw Zinnia in awe by the building. "The Dawn family has had this building for generations spanning more than two hundred years. It is a great honour to be bestowed such a key part of our history."

Zinnia giggled looking at all the paintings. "I feel like a princess with my very own castle. I'm so jealous you get to live here Scarlett."

"Come now; there is nothing to be jealous of, in my eyes I'd much rather prefer to live in the orphanage you stay at."

Zinnia snorted, holding back her laughter. "No you don't silly." She was taken into a large room as Scarlett stood at the entrance bowing. "I shall leave her in your hands. Zinnia, my maids shall pick out a dress for you. Do not take too long, please."

Scarlett left Zinnia to her own as she wandered back down the corridor only to stop seeing Alton talking to her mother. She left as Scarlett marched over to him. "Oh, Scarlett. I was just talking to your mother. You two look so alike it really threw me off."

"What did she talk to you about?"

"Nothing much. She was just saying hello." Alton shrugged off. He adjusted his collar smirking. "I haven't worn a suit in quite a while. What do you think?"

Scarlett turned away, speaking in a dull tone. "It will do."

"Huh, I honestly half expected for you to tease me and such."

"There will be no such banter today. The concept of this family meeting going well is all that is on my mind. It is essential you leave a good impression on my father—you alongside Zinnia. Therefore, when we enter, you only speak when spoken too. Allow me to muster up the conversation. Do you understand?"

"Your father sounds strict."

"Strict is the last thing you have to worry about."

"I've meant to ask for a while now. The Dawn family. Did they use to be a criminal organisation before V.I.R.A.L yeah? Like the mafia? Are they still in that business?"

"The truth of the matter is none of that is any of your business. My family is a respectable one who has only done well for the people of Victoria. Any sort of mishaps you have heard of in the past doesn't apply to us now."

"Right, sorry."

"Whatever. Not like I give two shits." Scarlett snarled, biting her lip. "What is taking Zinnia so long?"

"Hey, it's going to be alright. We'll be on our best behaviour."

Zinnia appeared walking down the corridor in a pink flowery skater dress. She hurried down spinning around. "Well, what do you think?"

Scarlett placed her hand on her chin, admiring the dress chuckling softly. "I must say you do look rather lovely in that dress Zinnia. It suits you."

"Oh, so she gets a compliment?"

Scarlett sighed. "If you are so hungry for compliments Alton, I shall humour your request later. You can put on a little fashion show for me if you'd like."

"No thank you…"

Zinnia tittered as she stared at Alton. "You look like a secret agent Alton. Shaken not stirred, I assume."

"I guess I'll own that. It's the closest compliment I'm going to get from anyone."

"Come, they shall be waiting," Scarlett demanded leading the way. Alton remained silent for the walk while Zinnia was too fixated admiring her dress. "Zinnia might I ask have you ever owned a dress?"

"No, I never have the sort of money to afford one."

"As I thought, well I think we will be more than happy to allow you to keep that one."

"For real?! Thanks, so much, Scarlett!"

"Please do not mention it. As long as you keep quiet and merely do as I say, I shall allow such gifts." She whispers, staring at the door. "Please, do not do anything rash." Scarlett pushed the double doors open into a large meeting room. Leather seats were lined up on both ends with one at the end. Each one apart from four were occupied. Scarlett's mother sat at the end as each seat was filled with men in suits. At the end was the head of the Dawn family and the same man in the portrait Alton had seen. His scowl and attire made Alton feel uneasy as a shiver ran down his spine. Scarlett bowed glancing at the two as they also bowed. "I am sorry for the late arrival. I have brought the two acting leaders of Team Rhapsody at your request father."

"Sit." He ordered as the three of them took a seat with Alton and Zinnia sitting next to each other and Scarlett facing Alton. "Before we begin this official meeting, I must thank everyone for being here on such short notice. I only call such family meetings when it is urgent. And in such matters, it is important to note the outsider of Alton Brantley and Zinnia are rare."

Scarlett stood bowing again. "Father if I might ask, for what reason have you called my friends here today?"

"Bah, I am disappointed you are not aware of the reason. I thought highly of you, Scarlett. But I shall get right to the point. From my inside sources, I believe the worse. The Syndicate family has returned."

"Impossible!" One of the men yelled. "We disposed of them decades ago when V.I.R.A.L came into power."

"While it is shocking, to say the least, it is not entirely without possibility. Serval incidents of groups have been sighted all wearing demon masks."

"Demon masks?" Alton whispered.

Scarlett gave him a dodgy look as her father turned to him. "Alton. Do you have something to tell us?"

Alton gulped standing up. "Umm, well. I can't confirm anything, but when we took down the Phantom Streamer before he could get to prison, his escort was attacked. He exploded, leaving little trace but I recall hearing eyewitnesses mentioning something about seeing individuals wearing demon masks attacking the convoy."

"I see. This is more than enough proof than we need. This is a clear insight that the Syndicate family is rising from the ashes once more." He spoke, leaning back in his chair. "For thirty years, I have governed this family into the respectable power we are seen as today. Our crime-filled past cast aside. I will not allow this family to be torn apart by such vermin. Therefore, I have called you all here today with a proposition. My daughter has spoken highly of your team Alton and Zinnia. It is actually the first time a streamer has caught the eye of the Dawn family. If we are to see a bright tomorrow, we will need your aid. So, we request such. Will you two join our family and aid us in the destruction of the Syndicate family?"

Scarlett jolted from her seat in shock. "What?! Father, you cannot be serious?!"

"As I am."

"Sir, this is absurd. The Dawn Family is built on a foundation of blood and family. Accepting outside support is downright insulting."

Scarlett's mother stood up, getting everyone's attention. She gave a soft smile. "Although I condemn our past actions, there was always one rule, we Dawn stuck by which I believe still holds merit to this day: victory or death. If we do not band together with allies like Team Rhapsody Syndicate shall win. We do not ask you to give us an answer right away. We understand you are troubled with Streaming business and the troubled attacks from the Cult of Vanguard. However, an alliance with our family will benefit us both ways."

"I refuse!" Scarlett barked. "I will not allow you to drag my friends into such a petty dispute which has nothing to do with them."

Her father leaned forward smirking. "I see no reason to drag this meeting out any longer. You are all dismissed." The family began to depart as Scarlett stormed off in a pit of rage. As Alton was about to leave, he was called over. "Alton, might I have a quick word."

Alton choked on his breath, turning towards the man. He walked over. "Yes, sir?"

"Please, just call me Jack. My daughter talked very highly of you. It takes a lot for a member of the Dawn family to take a shining to an outsider."

"Thank you, sir."

He chuckled patting Alton on the shoulder. "I've meant to ask you. Your father wouldn't happen to be Ragnar Brantley, would it?"

Alton's whole persona changed as he stepped back, giving him a severe look. "How do you know that man?"

"Worry not I am not here to fight. I heard what happened to him. I am sorry for the trauma caused. However, back in the day, your father was a great asset to me in taking down the Syndicate family. It was because of him I am where I am today. Although I cannot repay that gratitude today, I am more than happy to repay his son instead. I've heard about the debt you and Zinnia have built up. Consider that debt gone."

"No, I cannot accept."

"It is not a problem seriously."

"I'm sorry for not being over thrilled. The last person to offer to pay off my debts was trying to kill me."

"I see, yes, Vanguard was something I must admit. We had our eye on him. It was my daughter who insisted on passing the information we had onto your team. Suppose you cannot accept the money that is fine. We shall aid your trouble against the Cult of Vanguard instead."

"What do you mean?"

"Worry not, just know our aid is there. You can leave now. Oh, and one last thing Alton. Take care of my daughter. She's important to me. More than you could ever know."

Alton left feeling agitated. He was unsure of how to feel. His mind was lost to the thought that his father once aided the Dawn family. Perhaps he could gather more information on his father, he thought. His train of thought was broken as Gale walked past, making a finger gun gesture at him. "Looking like a real gentleman Alton."

Alton snickered, shaking his head at the first real compliment. "Thanks, Gale. I needed that…"