V.I.R.A.L

Chapter 45: Rise of the Viral Sensation

Percy sat at the roof of the hospital overlooking the city, unsure what to make of all the situation. He smiled faintly as the morning breeze ran through his hair. Holding his phone be witnessed the madness that V.I.R.A.L had faced. The hate and mindless rants were maybe starting to get to him. "Though I'd find you up here." Emil boasted with bandages around his head. "So, how goes the brooding session?"

Percy chuckled looking out. "Always room for another."

Emil perked down, sitting next to Percy as he wrapped his arms around the barriers blocking the roof off. "Quite the view, huh? Always forget just how big this city is."

"Yeah."

"So, why you hiding from everyone? You still caught up about Vanguard?"

"Marcus was arrested for the murders. He admitted to all of them, even the mental overload deaths. His fans are still refusing to accept the truth."

"Noobs, the lot of them… they'll come around. Give it a few weeks, and they'll get bored and move on."

"I know that all too well… to think I was as blind as them at one point. I was more than happy to overlook illegal actions like those because I couldn't accept the truth. The signs were all there, and I refused to acknowledge them. I really am pathetic. It only really hit me last night, Alton and Zinnia probably didn't even want me in their team. Marcus dumped me on them to get me out of his hair. I seriously can't believe I couldn't see that."

"When we are so fixated on what we want, we blind ourselves to our mistakes. Do anything to get that goal. I kind of understand where Vanguard was going with his goals. I'm pretty sure many streamers might go to those lengths to get to the top. Monty would, I might have back then… it is a dog eat dog world."

Percy leaned his head forward against the barriers mumbling. "I've caused a lot of problems, haven't I? Stuck being babysat by Alton and Zinnia. Got her almost killed by the Phantom Streamer. I hit her out of desperation,… What a failure I am. With Marcus gone, my goals have been shattered. I don't know what's left."

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"Thinking of moving on?"

Percy shook his head, displeased. "I want to stay. Stay a part of Team Rhapsody. Do you think the others will be alright with that?"

"You kidding noob? The shit we've all been through. You have more than earned your keep here. Besides, you aren't done, are you?"

"No, Rodger is still out there. Although Alton seems happy with the results, I can't help but be concerned. He still can inflict more mental overloads. As long as he is still around, our work isn't over."

Emil stood up, smacking his back laughing. "That's the spirit noob. I see it only fit that Vanguard's number one fan finishes the job and makes sure Vanguard's legacy cannot continue."

Percy stood up, admiring the sunrise as he smiled to himself. "No. I'm not Marcus' fan anymore. I'm the number one fan of someone else."

****

"How do you keep doing that…" Zinnia huffed losing the third game of chess in a row. "It's like you know every move I do before I make it…"

"Don't be daft. You just suck." Alton chuckled which caused him to cough. "Ugh, I hate this."

"The nurse said it would only be for a few more days."

"A few more days, that's what they always say. How come you're out so early?"

"Well turns out my injuries weren't that bad."

"Tch, typical. Fuck I'm freezing!"

"You already have four blankets on."

"I demand hot chocolate." He snaps sulking. "How goes Team Rhapsody?"

"Oh, you know, good."

"Just good?"

"You kidding me?! We're doing fucking amazing! We've gained so many new followers since then. The number of people subscribing is insane. At this rate, we are easily going to pass the top fifty in no time!"

Alton smiled nodding. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm happy for you all. You deserve it."

Zinnia gave a dodgy look sitting on Alton's bed leaning forward. "Hold up. From the way you make it sound, you aren't returning to Team Rhapsody?"

"Huh? Oh, I just thought after all I said and done you wouldn't want me back. I understand. I do. It's better off this way, you wouldn't want a coward in the ranks."

Zinnia shook her head pouting as she pulled Alton in for a hug. "You aren't going anywhere. I won't let go until you agree to come back."

Alton gave a slightly shocked look laughing. "Alright, alright, you win leader. You can ugh. Let go."

"Not yet, just a bit more."

"You know if you keep hugging me like this, I'm going to get the wrong idea."

"Please, no jokes. No quirky comments. Just live the moment. I was to treasure this with my best friend."

"Best friend…" He muttered before his hands slowly moved up as he reluctantly hugged Zinnia back. "Listen Zin, there's something we need to discuss."

Zinnia sat back cross-legged on his bed, willing to listen. "I'm all ears."

He looked at his pale hand, still cold to the touch. He wanted to tell her about his past. The horrors he saw. The mess he is. He tried to tell her everything. But every moment he tried flashes of Sam and that day ran through his head stopping him. Taking one long deep breath, he found the courage to speak up. "We… we need to discuss your streaming name."

"My streaming name? What's wrong with Zinnia? Do you not like my name?"

"What? No! Listen, your streaming name is meant to represent you and your beliefs."

"Well, I'm Zinnia. That can't represent me anymore."

"Zin listen. My name is Avalanche because I'm calm until the storm where my might is like an Avalanche. We need a better one for you."

Zinnia gave a confused look nodding. "Alright. I'm up for suggestions."

Alton gave a long thought before smiling to himself. "What about Ingrid?"

"Ingrid? Is that your ideal baby name? Mine would be Maya. Wait, why are we discussing baby names? Weren't you meant to be giving me streamer names?"

Alton looked slightly startled before chuckling to himself. "Somethings never change. I thought the name Ingrid because of the meaning. The name means serval things but, in some countries, it means the daughter of a hero. You always go on about how you knew your mother was a superhero. I thought the name would be perfect.

"A hero's daughter… I. I love it. It's perfect. Ingrid. My streaming name will be Ingrid." She whispered, feeling warm inside. She gave Alton a bold smile. "I'm going to tell others about my new name!" Zinnia ran outside Alton ward before stopping looking down conflicted. "Avalanche… so it is true…"

****

Vanguard was placed in the highest and most guarded prison in the country. Dead cell prison they called it—a jail for streamers. For once in his life, he didn't seem concerned about anything. He was at peace. Three guards were in charge of watching his cell; he didn't mind the company all considering. Finishing the last of his tea all the lights to the prison went off, only for a short moment. Once then turned back on all the guards vanished. In their place was a lone figure dressed in all back with a demon mask covering their face. They also wore a hood covering their head. "Marcus Culling."

Vanguard stepped forward-looking at the demon mask. "Who are you?"

The lights flickered off and on again. This time the figure was now in Vanguard's cell, making him step back. "We are the future. It's your fault, you know."

"My fault?"

"Yours, and many others. Those who go by streamers. Those who blindly follow the orders of V.I.R.A.L. They are what's wrong with this world."

"I don't understand."

The demon mask began lifting a small file in the air. It opened up revealing a case file on Alton Brantley. "What do you know about him."

"There's more than meets the eye with that boy. He's dangerous."

"Yes, we all know this. We've had our eye on him for a while now. Alton, his father. The incident at Sunset Peak. Hero's Might we know all of it. Even the stuff you don't know."

"What don't I know?"

The Demon Mask walked closer to Vanguard, staring at him in the face, their voice distorted and unable to truly pinpoint. "Everything. There's a storm coming Marcus one none of us might survive. V.I.R.A.L, The Garden, Alon. They are all connected. If we don't prepare and strike, none of us will live through it."

"How do you know this?"

"I've seen it myself. The Garden showed me their Salvation. I'm not a fan. I don't know-how. But Alton holds the key to all of this."

"What do you want with him?" Vanguard questioned.

The Demon Mask lifted their hand as everything in the cell began to float in the air. Vanguard included. Even when he made himself weight a ton, the demon mask had no problem holding him. "We want to stop him."

"Stop him from what?"

"Ending the world." They spoke, dropping everything. The lights flickered off and on again as the Demon Mask was now back outside the cell. They turned to Vanguard taking off their mask just enough so he could see their smug look. "Victoria aut mors. Marcus. Victoria aut mors."

The lights shut off again, this time for an extended period. When they came back on, all of the guards were ago looked dazed and confused. Vanguard pressed his head against his bars, looking on in concern as he whispered to himself. "You better watch yourself, Alton…"

****

"VANGUARD IS THE CULPRIT!" Gale screeched rising from his bed in a panic. He looked around his hospital room lost and confused.

A faint and dull clap was heard as Gale turned seeing Scarlett sitting in the visitor seat. She wore a long gothic black dress. She stopped her brief clapping session to go back to reading her book about angels and demons. "Well done, you have indeed cracked the case. Team Rhapsody will be so proud of you Gale."