V.I.R.A.L

Summer was almost here, that's how Zinnia saw it. Two weeks, within two weeks school, would be over and the long-awaited summer break would begin. Like all students, she too was counting down the days before she was temporarily granted back her freedom. For two whole months, she was free to do whatever she wanted that being, of course, hero work. She knew herself streaming was slow. They still hadn't had the lucky break since Pokiero and the viewings were dwindling as they were seemly forgotten again. Zinnia wasn't going to let that faze her. However, she now more than ever was determined to break out. And summer break was going to be that profound game change.

As the day came to an abrupt end, Zinnia found herself shattered. Her spirits broken and mind blank thanks to the end of year exams. She just wanted to get out and let off some steam. She began piling through her locker, taking a long sigh, knowing the next few days were going to feel even longer. Gale and Alton were both too busy to do any streams over the next few days leaving Zinnia on her own. She had brought the streaming kit in case she felt like doing one. Still, it wasn't the fact she was too nervous about holding a stream on her own, truth be told Zinnia knew all too well there was no way she could run a stream solo. She had little to no experience and wouldn't have a single idea on how to keep an audience engaged for long periods. 

She forced the streaming drone in her school bag, looking for her water bottle as she overheard students. "Did you see that phantom streamer's stream last night? It was brutal."

"I only caught the last ten minutes before it was pulled off the sight again. The admins never seem to be able to ban this guy."

"The way he killed that thug. It was honestly scary. Not a single drop of blood."

"It's all probably fake. Some stupid marketing campaign for a stupid horror movie. You honestly think V.I.R.A.L would just let this sort of stunt continue?"

"Maybe you're right… I'm gonna try and find his stream again tonight. Hopefully, it doesn't get banned too quickly."

Zinnia leaned over nodding to herself. "That's twice I've heard of this guy… maybe I should tell the others, he could be a target." Closing her locker Zinnia's sight was met by Percy standing right in front of her. She jumped back startled. "Jesus, what are you doing sneaking up on me like that?! You could have given me a heart attack."

"What's this about a new target?"

"You were listening to me? It doesn't matter."

Percy shrugged his shoulder, moving his backpack around. "It's what we do? Takedown other streamers. Classy. As long as I improve, I'm game, Vanguard trust me with you guys so I'll go along with it, so, when are we streaming?"

"We're not." Zinnia hissed snapping her head at the fanboy. "Didn't you hear, everyone else is unavailable."

"Oh, yeah. I remember Alton mentioning something about trying to convince his landlord not to kick him out. What about the other dude, Liam?"

"Gale, he's visiting his grandmother's grave."

Percy spun around slowly coming to grips with the situation. "Don't see why we can't just pull off a stream?"

"Look, Percy, I don't feel that comfortable doing a stream by myself, let alone with you. Why don't we just all wait a few days until Alton and Gale are ready."

Percy gave a blank look like he wasn't paying attention to anything said. He smirked playing on his phone. "Don't be crazy. We're good enough you have Vanguard's chosen sidekick on your side. We'll stream big. But if you're feeling unsure, we can always do a Wonder stream."

"A Wonder stream?"

"Yeah, haven't you heard of it? Wonder streams are when you are put with a complete random streamer, and you do a joint stream together. Vanguard uses to do them all the time back in his early days. That's how the former number one streamer found him. We could find someone on our level, or we could get someone huge like the Montagues or Ruby."

"I do not want to work with those crooks." Whispered Zinnia in a pouting manner. "I don't know what if we get a dodgy streamer? I don't want to have to deal with that."

"Don't need to worry. If you aren't happy with the streamer, we can always cancel after. There's no penalty for doing so. See already a match."

Zinnia snapped, grabbing his phone in confusion. "What?! You were already looking? How did you get a hold of our account?"

"Alton added me the other day, is there an issue?"

"No, not at all…" She lied already hating the idea of doing a stream with not only the vanguard fanboy but now also a complete stranger. That was until she saw who she was streaming with. The phantom streamer. Her curiosity got the better of her as she accepted. Maybe it was a pure coincidence, she thought. There could be many streamers with that name, it was a very generic name after all. But if this was the infamous phantom streamer, she's heard so much about, she knew she needed to see if the rumours were true. That wasn't the only reason. However, she wanted to prove too she could take down rouge streamers just as quickly as Alton could. A small waymarker appeared showing them the direction where they needed to go and meet the streamer. She threw her back over her shoulder, readying her stream. "Shall we meet our new friend then?"

****

"Team Rhapsody. Team Rhapsody…" I kept mumbling to myself lost in thought as I had my phone hanging low by my side. The name ticked me off. I knew them. I think? I jumped up on a brick wall kicking my legs as I closed my eyes humming to myself. "What do you think?"

"They cannot be trusted; they will likely seek to destroy you. They are jealous. Jealous of your success." The voice echoed in my head.

I held my head in my hands, clicking my tongue. "Yes, you're right. If I'm going to be the number one streamer, I should eliminate them all." I jumped off the wall as my phone notified me, they were on their way. "Four members on this streaming group. Alton Brantley. What can you tell me about him?"

"He's the most dangerous one out of them all. He's unpredictable. Selfish and reckless. His ability to control any sort of liquids shouldn't be looked down on."

"Alright, he'll be the first one to be taken down. Who's next."

"Percy Misharp. A boy who like you dreams big. He wants to follow in Vanguard's step and do whatever he can to get the acknowledgement he believes he's owed. His cloning capacity could easily turn the tide in his favour."

"Take him out before he creates too many clones, understood. Next?"

"Gale Lampard. The stream sniper. His headlong and unrelenting attitude isn't one to gloss over. You will need to take him down quick; otherwise, he will overwhelm you with sheer force and speed."

"Don't let him land a single hit. End it in a single blow. Anyone else?"

"Last is Zinnia. Although she poses little to no threat in the term of combat. She is the moral support of the group. Boosting their morals with her abilities. She will also be able to suppress my support if she gets her hands on you."

I scratch my head nodding coming up with a plan. "Perhaps I should take her down first. Break their spirit and pick them off one by one… I have a plan; I will need you to keep us away from the public line of sight. Somewhere that needs our attention."

"Very well."

I turned around as I got a good look at my competition. To my surprise there only seemed to be two of them. Perhaps they were already onto me and had the other two waiting for the ambush. From the description, it gave me the girl in the black school uniform with pink pigtails had to be Zinnia, she is the only girl on the group. The other, to me, made sense to be Percy. He looked too young and soft to be Gale and had too much spunk and energy to be Alton. He again was in his school uniform if much messier than Zinnia with his golden blonde hair. I gave a cheeky smile waving the two down. "Yo, I didn't expect to be doing a joint stream with team Rhapsody, guess that's the wonder of the wonder stream. You never know who you're going to get, right? Where's the other two?"

"They are just…"

"They're busy, can't make it." Percy interrupted, causing Zinnia to give him a dodgy look. "What?"

Zinnia turned to me, tapping her foot. "And you're the Phantom Streamer I've heard so much about. Brutally torturing and murdering criminals."

"Hey, if doing my job is a crime, then I'm guilty as charged." I laugh off. "I'm just a normal streamer. No different to you two."

"Sure, you are?"

I turn around glimpsing down at my phone. "Hehe, thank you Phantom_fan333 for the donation. It means the world to me." 

"I've found you the perfect way to dispose of these fake streamers. I'll send it to your hud."

I glimpsed down at my phone—fire in an abandoned warehouse caused by Junkies. I smile waving my phone around. "Are we going to argue, or do you want to save some people? I'm sure your viewers would be dying to watch."

Zinnia glared at her stream which was in the low sixties. She sighed nodding. "What did you have in mind?"

"Burning building. People in need. How does that sound hero?"

"Sounds great! Just like Vanguard!"

Zinnia tried grabbing my arm, which I blocked stepping back. She gave me a severe look untying her pigtails. "If I find anything suspicious about you Phantom, I will take you down."

"Like Pokiero? Funny, because I was going to say the same thing."

****

The warehouse was already falling apart from the undying flames. The three streamers watched from above as the fire was only spreading. The drones began flying around the building, getting the best possible shots. "You sure people are in here?"

"Bunch of Junkies set the place on fire. They could still be trapped in there." The Phantom Streamer claimed. "Probably should save them, I guess. Follow my lead Vanguardian."

The Phantom Streamer jumped from his spot, sliding down the hill phasing into the burning building. Zinnia stood up, taking a deep breath. "Alright Percy, stick to the plan, follow my." Percy stopped listening as he slid down the hill following The Phantom Streamer's lead. "Percy, stop!" 

Percy ripped the door open to the warehouse as fire danced out blinding Zinnia who was running after him. Before she knew it, Percy was already in the building, leaving Zinnia on her own. She yelled at the top of her lungs, making sure the Phantom Streamer heard. "Damn it, Percy get back here!"

Percy crawled under some fallen shelves finding the Phantom Streamer pulling a Junkie away. "Vanguardian! There're more people back there. Quick, I'll keep going get this guy out of here."

Percy nodded, pulling the junkie to safety as Zinnia jumped forward. The Phantom Streamer turned, seeing Zinnia smiling. As he was, the roof began to collapse on him. Zinnia sprung to action letting her heroic means get the better of her. She pushed him out of the way as the roof collapsed on her pinning her down with the flames erupting the longer, they were there. The Phantom Streamer stood over Zinnia as she began struggling to try to break free. "I'm, I'm stuck, give me a hand!"

The Phantom Streamer leaned forward going to help but only pushed her down. He stepped back, holding his face laughing uncontrollably. "You're an idiot, one big stupid idiot!" He continued to step back, shaking his head in disbelief. "I knew I could trick you but this easily holy shit!"

"This isn't funny! Help me!"

"And why would I do that? So, you can take me down like you did Pokiero? Yes, I know what you're up to. You want to take me down. Well, too bad! Because that isn't happening! If only you two weren't so caught up playing a hero, you might have stopped me. That stupid fanboy looking to make such a good impression he'll roll over like a dog and do whatever anyone tells him to do. And you, the one who just can't help but be a hero. You're no streamers. I'm meant for greatness. The world just doesn't know it yet! My salvation is for the taking. Although a shame, your dear leader isn't here to die alongside you. But I'll be sure to pay him a little visit when all is said and done."

"You're a monster!" Zinnia screamed, shaking about as the heat was getting to her.

"Streamers who don't do whatever they can to be famous! Those are the monsters! You've got it so easy; you passed the test. Vanguard took pity on you. And now here you are with a group you call friends living the dream, and yet I'm here unable to do any of that." He stops looking at his phone, cursing under his breath. "Damn it banned again… give me a BREAK!" His head cranked to Zinnia as his anger built into an unbridled explosion of rage. "I'll make you pay! I'll crush each of you under my boot and make sure Team Rhapsody never see another stream again. Only I can stay standing!" Zinnia kept pulling away, hoping to break free as the Phantom Streamer moved towards her. He scrunched his grip as his hand fazed through Zinnia's chest, going straight for her heart. She let out a scream as no one was coming to help her. "Die!"