V.I.R.A.L

Chapter 51: The Cult of Vanguard

The Sunset peak Institute was formed six years ago after the destruction of the similarly named Sunset peak. Five years ago, an unknown anti-human lay waste to an entire town. The town was frozen over in a never-ending ice age. If left unchecked, the attack would have spread to the capital of Rhinefield itself. By orders of the CEOs of V.I.R.A.L, a wall was constructed to stop the frozen wasteland. Due to the incident, more regulations were called on the means of the world, ending threats like the one at Sunset Peak, and thus The Sunset Peak institute was born. A prison designed to withhold the most dangerous and unstable streamers and Anti-humans alike. If not fallen into V.I.R.A.L's law they would be thrown in there with no chance of escape, and it was this prison that held the most infamous streamer of all time, Vanguard. With many questions and no answers in sight, Rhapsody turned their eyes on their former enemy in hopes of some insight into the new threat.

Percy and Zinnia were led into an elevator alongside at least a dozen guards. The moment they had arrived at this prison, they always had at least three guards following them. More were watching from the security cameras scattered everywhere with not a single-blind spot in sight. The elevator began to descend for what felt like forever as the guard turned to the two streamers. "Marcus doesn't get many visitors direct orders from the CEOs themselves. However, an exception was only made for Team Rhapsody the boys upstairs have been trying to be figuring out why."

"The CEOs of V.I.R.A.L allowed us this visit. That is strange."

"I'll say. You won't have long. So, whatever you have to say you better make it quick, oh and just want to say I'm a big fan of what you guys do. Better those freaks like Marcus in here than out on the streets."

The elevator doors opened as a long corridor of cells lit up. The guards stood by as Percy and Zinnia began their march. "Do you think he will answer our questions?" Zinnia asked.

"After what he put us all through. It's the least he can do." Percy barked.

"Is that who I think it is? This is exciting. I've missed our little game Zinnia." A voice called out from one of the cells. Zinnia turned around see Pokiero leaning against her cell with bandages wrapped around her eyes. "I've heard much from the others that you and your band of merry men are doing quite the works out there. Any chance of me joining in on the fun."

Zinnia snarled stepping away. "What's wrong? Starting to feel guilty for your crimes?"

"I was only joking. That monster made sure I never use my powers for the rest of my days. It's not bad here, to be honest. I could get used to it."

"Do you have no remorse for your actions? None at all."

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"I have nothing to be ashamed of. I did nothing wrong. It wasn't my fault those people donated to me. They were lonely people with little worthwhile in their lives. I was just helping them escape from that reality, who are you to take that away?"

"It's pointless arguing with you, Harriet. And for the record Alton is no monster. He has saved many people's lives and brought evil like you in."

"You're right; it is all pointless. Your sense of justice blinds you. You won't listen. When Alton attacked me, I saw it. The real him for that split second. He should be in here."

"Come on Zinnia, don't let scum like her bother you." Percy insisted, pulling her away.

"I was done with her anyway. Not even worth my time."

The two left Pokiero to her self-pity as Vanguard sat in a chair watching them arrive. "You never knew when to take a hint, do you Zinnia? Always blabbering on about a hero's duty and other shit like that." He leaned forward shaking his head as he closed a book. "Out of all the people to visit me, I would have thought it would be Alton. So why are you lot here? Want to prove a point? Do you want to show me just how much more popular you've gotten Percy? You have nothing to prove. You already did all of that when you took me out."

"I have nothing to prove to the likes of you." Percy snapped, walking closer to the cell. "I've woken up from your nightmare."

"So, running around as wannabe heroes are any better? One false dream to another. You truly are pathetic."

Percy held his tongue as he stepped back. "I'm not going to let you get to me."

"Smart. So, you're not entirely without faults. Since none of you clearly came here for chitchat, what do you want?"

"We have questions."

"You are most certainly not here for streaming advice even if you were like I would offer it up to you two. What do you need to know?"

Zinnia gave a little thought as she spoke up. "Do you know anything about P4R4D0X?"

"The urban legend? Can't say I do. Internet horror stories never really interested me. I, of course, heard about it even when I first started streaming. Rodger would know much more than me. He was a fanatic on all those stories."

"Speaking of your partner in crime, any idea where he is?"

"No. Although I have a few ideas, wanna hear them?"

"You would give him up? Just how cold-hearted are you?"

Vanguard shrugged his shoulders, not caring. "It's not like he meant that much to me. At the end of the day, I was just using him for my gain. I couldn't care less what happens to him. He's probably trying to find a way to break me out right now. Even if he somehow managed it, I wouldn't leave. There's nothing out there for me now."

"What about the cult of Vanguard?"

This got his attention as he turned to them with a smug look. "So those bozos are back, huh?"

"You know them?"

"Tch, of course, I do. They literally named themselves after me."

"Who are they?"

"Diehard fans I guess, no it goes a bit further than that I suppose. Truth be told they are lunatics. They see me as some sort of messiah destined to save the world from the coming collapse. They caused a few problems back in the day, but they eventually fizzled out. I almost forgot about them."

"Well, they are back and causing us and other streamers problems."

"I'm not too surprised by that," Vanguard admitted standing up. "With me out of the picture they probably think of you lot as traitors to their cause. If they don't free me or whatever the collapse will without a doubt happen."

"What's this about a collapse?"

Vanguard smirked shrugging his shoulders. "Beats me, I made sure to distance myself from those sorts of fans. Not a good public image. But I believe they marked it to be something like what happened with sunset peak. A second ice age with no real way to stop it."

Zinnia was still looking conflicted as she frowned to herself. "This doesn't help much, was P4R4D0X ever linked to the cult?"

"Never crossed paths no."

"How many members are there?"

"Beats me."

"Where are they hiding?"

"How should I know?"

"How do we beat them?"

Vanguard pressed his head against the bars staring at them with a blank look. "You really don't get it, do you? The cult is after you. They aren't like the other crooks and streamers you put down. They won't stop. They don't care for casualties. They won't show you mercy. You in their eyes, doomed the whole world. You killed their families and loved ones for exposing and taking me down. You are the spawn of the devil in their eyes. They won't ever stop their little witch hunt until you are all dead."

"Or we take them down."

"Tell me, Percy; you know this. How many fans did I have?"

"About two million."

"Two million. Many of those fans were like you, Percy. Blind and foolish. Wouldn't believe shit if it was right in front of them. I could murder their family right before their very eyes, and they wouldn't believe it. How many of those lost souls would turn to the cult in hopes of getting me back?"

"There might just be thousands of members," Percy whispered.

"Indeed. And with each passing day, they only gain more and more members. Not even V.I.R.A.L will be able to ignore it. Do you want my honest advice children? Run. Just run away if you want to live to the end of the week that's your only chance of doing so. You have no chance of winning."

"We beat you. I think I like our chances."

"Funny, you did you not ever think once maybe I let you win?"

"What?"

"Oh, come on Percy, don't tell me you've already forgotten everything about me? I've been doing this gig for fifteen years. I've fought more powerful foes then all of you combined and came out on top. If you honestly thought for a split moment a bunch of amateurs running around playing hero could bring me down, well then you lot are no different to the cult. I could break out of this very cell and kill you both if I wanted to."

"You're lying." Percy barked looking worried.

"Want to bet?" He taunted. The three stood in silence for a short while before Vanguard chuckled to himself lying back down. "I'm joking around. None of you when to loosen up. Enjoy life."

"All that stuff you said true?" Zinnia asked.

"Take it as you will. I'll give you one last piece of advice, though. See it as your prize for taking me down."

"What could you possibly give us that we don't know?"

Vanguard looked up at the ceiling before closing his eyes. "Don't trust Alton. He's hiding many things from you."

"Like the fact he used to be a streamer named Avalanche."

"Take it he didn't tell you that? Tell me, Zinnia. If someone you trust so much can't even tell you the truth himself, can you really trust him? His last time paid the price for doing so. Would be a shame if the same happened to you."

"What do you mean?! Answer me, Damn it!"

"I have nothing left to say to you. Leave me in peace."

Zinnia stepped away as Percy looked just as conflicted. They got some answers to their questions, but now they were unsure if those answers are any better. Percy glared over his shoulder as Vanguard in disgust. "I thought I could keep my cool around him. I hoped coming here today would prove I'm better. Guess I still got a little while to go."