V.I.R.A.L

The crazed Paparazzi was already flooding the group of streamers before they could leave the car. Alton eyed down the crowd feeling anxious with a sinking feeling in his stomach. Vanguard leaned over, stopping Alton opening the door. "Just wait a moment. We need to have a chat first."

Alton turned back, confused. "Shouldn't we keep the audience waiting?"

"Don't matter, we'll show up when we show up. We need to discuss you first."

"Me? I don't quite understand."

"Well just look at you kid, you're shaking before you've ever seen any of them. You're nervous."

"Nervous! Give me a break. I don't get nervous over such trivial things like this…"

"Oh, really?" Vanguard questioned pushing the door open, Alton panicked pulling it shut. "Actions speak louder than words. You're petrified. If that's the case, why become a streamer in the first place if you can't handle the heat?"

"Well, it's like you said. Streaming is all I got. If I want to make money, I need this. I don't care about the fame, the fans. I'd rather not have that. Getting too big, being noticed will just cause problems."

Vanguard sighed, shaking his head. "Alright enough of this doom and gloom attitude you've got going on. If you want to make the big bucks, you need fans. You need good viewership. Acting depressed and scared of your past ain't gonna work."

"It works just fine for you, though."

"I'm big enough where I can do what I want, and people will still watch me. You get to a state where no matter how much bad you do, the undying fanbase will not care. Once you get there, then you can do the whole brooding phase. Even big streamers like me have to entertain the crowd. Just do what they ask, and they'll love you. You have the powers to back it up, so don't worry."

"Alright, I think I can do that."

Alton was about to open the door once more only for Vanguard to hold his arm. "Are you sure?" Alton nodded as he moved his hand away. "Knock them dead then kid. I'll try and not steal too much of your thunder."

Alton stepped out of the car as he was blinded by the bombardment of lights from cameras. He stopped holding his hand over his face. Vanguard stepped out, patting him on the shoulder. Taking one deep breath, Alton began walking down the red carpet as people started screaming and shouting. "What do I do?" He whispered.

"Just give a smile or two and answer a question when need be."

"Vanguard! Vanguard over here!" A reporter yelled. Turning to him, he nodded as the reporter held his microphone closer. "Is this anyone of your infamous marketing campaigns to raise an upcoming streamer to your level?"

"Alton Brantley here is a remarkable Anti-Human with a breath-taking power. It would almost be a crime."

"Mister Vanguard over here, Harry Newman Daily World. With the rise in the number of viewers of your streams, I must ask how do you keep the viewers so high after 15 years?"

"Just like how I always do, adapt to the times and give the viewers what they want. Badass crime-fighting. Always have and always will."

"Vanguard! Right here, with the V.I.R.A.L League coming up are you confident you can win as easily as the others with upcoming streamers like Ruby and Eyes Over Reality coming up?"

"While those others streamers are very cool and popular with the buzz over Ruby going nuts, I must admit I'm not worried at all. I've won it every year, and I don't plan on losing it this year."

"Mister Brantley!"

Alton stopped slightly taken back. He turned, seeing a reporter calling his name. He gave a confused look pointing to himself. "You mean me?"

"Yes, right here Alton, here with V.I.R.A.L News. Tell us were your old team supportive of your departure to make it big by yourself? Did you open the account with a girl called Zinnia yes? Is she here tonight to support you?"

"Ugh?"

"Oh, what are your thoughts on the urban legend any streamer who works under Vanguard suddenly disappears without a trace?"

"What?"

Vanguard stepped in, pulling Alton away. "Those are just mindless stories spread across the internet like CreepyPasta. Nothing said is true." Alton walked away, startled by the comments. "Don't listen to those sorts of people. You'll always going to get those reporters who will take words out of context and want any sort of dirt from you. Clickbait titles and fake news gets them the views. Don't give them anything. Pisses them off good."

"Yeah…" 

"Hey, look at me. You didn't do too bad back there. Might just be hope for you after all." He jokes lighting a cigarette. "The press conference won't be hard. Just answers questions that you think you can answer. You can pass anyone's that makes you feel uncomfortable or are inappropriate, alright?"

"OK."

"Good, luckily for you I'll be doing most of the questions. Just pay attention and work off me, yeah?"

"Ok."

Vanguard took one large puff of his smoke, dropping it on the floor and crushing it. Glancing at his phone, he nodded, opening the door as the press conference room was packed. "Take it one step at a time." The two streamers headed to the table, ready for the never-ending questions. Vanguard raised his hand nodding. "Thank you all for coming, before we start today, I must make this clear. We are here to discuss the newest member of the team. Any other questions will be refused, thank you."

"First question here, how did you come across Alton here? He hasn't exactly got much traction with his old team?"

"I'm pretty sure everyone saw the stream takedown of Pokiero. I still hear whispers of that here and there. Seeing how he effortlessly took down multiple enemies, it stuck with me. Why let someone's talents like that got to waste?"

"But Alton's track record hasn't been the greatest, Team Rhapsody couldn't even reach one thousand followers, and just recently he was banned. How can we ensure his new career path is one to watch out for?" 

"Look, I take strong streamers in whose powers might match mine not just because they are strong but because they have potential. Alton has that potential to be a great streamer. Of course, not as much as me, otherwise I'd have to dispose of him." Everyone laughed at the comment as Vanguard chuckled. "Alright next question."

"Hello, Vanguard, this is the seventh group of streamers you have taken in now. The others were quite popular in their prime. Tell us what makes Alton different from the others?"

"I mean, that's an obvious answer. Every streamer brings something different to the table. I don't know the whole idea of stream takedowns sounded pretty cool. Maybe he'll stick to that."

"Is that an indication you too will go into taking down corrupt streamers?"

"Now, now let's not get ahead of ourselves. Taking down streamers isn't my thing. Let's leave that to the professionals."

"Vanguard, can you tell us about your personal life. Is there a special lady in your life? There have been pictures appearing on the web of you and a man. Care to explain."

"Yeah, I'm going to have to pass on that one."

"The public would like to know!"

Vanguard eyed down security as they escorted the reporter out. He slouched over, returning to his dull look. "Anyone else fancy asking mundane and fucking pointless questions like that can leave. No? Good. Moving on."

A young girl stood up, raising her hand wearing Vanguard merchandise. "Mister Vanguard sir! Please a moment of your time. Head of the Vanguard fan club."

"Oh, yes, I recognise you. Anna, yes?"

"Agartha. Big fan! I was hoping to clear up the rumours that you were retiring."

"Retiring? I'm not even thirty yet… I can ensure you as long as fans like you keep supporting me, I'll keep going no matter what."

"Umm, can I also have you sign my shirt?" Vanguard ushered her over as he signed her shirt. Agartha chocked on her breath, starstruck looking at her shirt. She began twirling her long black hair around high on adrenaline. "I'm never taking this off! The fan club is going to go wild!"

Agartha fled off the stage as Vanguard leaned over whispering in Alton's ear. "Those die-hard fans are like a cult. Best just to give them what they want otherwise it could spell bad news. Angsty teens with superpowers are not one to mess with."

"Do we have any questions for Alton?"

"Avalanche right here."

"My name is Dauntless."

"Avalanche."

"No… Dauntless."

"It says here Avalanche."

"You're mistaken."

"Just ask him the question." Vanguard barked sipping his drink.

"Right, I've been doing some digging and well, your old team. Hero's Might they all just vanished one day. I think the world would like to know what happened?"

Alton froze coughing. He sipped his drink looking around. "Are there any other questions?"

"Avalanche! The world deserves to know. The fans too. What happened to Destiny Parker, Marco Judgement and Sam Belling."

Alton began to panic as the room roared into an eruption. He couldn't think properly as he started breathing heavily. "I just, please. Anymore…"

Vanguard took the mic, yelling. "That will do it for today. Everyone out." Everyone began leaving quickly pushed out by security as he looked down on Alton having a panic attack. "You alright?"

"I'm I'm fine."

"Sorry about that. Should have known at least one prick would bring that up. All considering it wasn't a total disaster."

"How do you do this? Have such a good poker face against those, those savages! How can you cope?"

"Who said I was? You'll get used to it Alton. It's the only way to survive. They don't care about us. Only the content those lot out there are nothing more than monsters looking for their next meal. Don't worry about it, you'll make a fine streamer. You'll have your name on every magazine and promotion deal. You'll be a star, and it will all be worth it in the end."

"That's what I'm worried about."

****

"Avalanche! The world deserves to know. The fans too. What happened to Destiny Parker, Marco Judgement and Sam Belling."

"What are you watching their Miss Dawn?"

The young girl smiled sitting back in the car seat, amused. "Mother, do you recall the conversation we had about that hip streaming team?"

"Team Rhapsody, yeah? What about them? You aren't still fixated over them, Scarlett?"

Scarlett giggled watching the meltdown with such fun. "How quickly the simple mass collapses in on itself over streamers. I must concur it is all barbaric but entertaining none the less."

"That kid, the leader Alton. You still sure it's him."

Scarlett pulled out a deck of tarot cards drawing through them. She picked one out, holding it up with a gleeful look. "Oh my, it seems fate is not kind to my new friend—the tower card. A great catastrophe will consume him. How truly wonderful. Although I must admit, I cannot speak for the matter in opposing the outcome."

"So, it's settled? Team Rhapsody is in your sight."

"Don't make it sound so barbaric mother. I simply find them amusing. Everything about them intrigues me. I must learn more."

"As you wish, we'll get in contact with V.I.R.A.L and make you an account."

"I must detest mother. I ask that you allow me to handle this manner. I would certainly like to meet them on my terms. I require no help from the family."

"If you're confident fine. We'll leave this in your hand Scarlett. Have you decided on a streaming name?"

Scarlett fumbles through the deck, pulling out the death tarot card indicating the symbolisation of change. She smiled softly nodding. "Why yes, I have, I went for an old favourite of mine. If I am to become a superhero, then this name will be quite fitting. Mistress Justice."