V.I.R.A.L

Zinnia let out a huge groan slouching over tapping her foot impatiently. Even though she only been queuing up for close to an hour to her, it felt like a decade. She just wanted to jump in and save people already; this system was far beyond her. She leaned against the fencing rhythmically bobbing her head before sighing again. "Just how much longer are we going to be slandering around? Why do we have to queue up anyway? Why can't we just start?"

Alton rolled his eyes, shaking his head, taking in the annoyed state he shared with many of the other people trapped in the line. "We've been over this Zinnia. We can't just start being streamers like that. We have to sign up and since the company behind the streamers doesn't want any trigger-happy hero enthusiasts just running to the streets. You go through a psychiatrist test to make sure you are stable."

"Wait… I'm a trigger-happy hero enthusiast. I'm a trigger-happy hero enthusiast! Alton! I am a trigger-happy hero enthusiast! Are they not going to let me become a streamer?! Oh no, oh no. What should I do? If that happens, I just stood in this line for nothing."

"That's what you're most worried about? You'll be fine these tests are straight forward that even an idiot could pass them. Just don't go full righteous hero on them and you'll pass no questions asked."

Zinnia nodded, pumping herself up as she began to motivate herself. "Alright Zinnia you can do this, you don't want to be a superhero. You want to be a greedy scum bag who only cares for fame and fortune like everyone else here… oh, sorry."

"Is it too late to back out of this yet?"

Zinnia jumped up on the fencing, balancing herself as she sat down. "What is this place's problem with superheroes anyway? Isn't the idea of heroes a good thing? You know something to bring hope to all to hear its cry?"

"It's not just V.I.R.A.L Zinnia," Alton grumbled. "The whole world is anti-hero right now. Ever since the sunset incident about 90 years ago, the idea of heroes has been banned."

"Oh right, I think I heard about that?" She contemplated. "Wasn't it that time when three heroes tried saving hostages in a villain takeover, but it went sideways and destroyed the city?"

"Sort of. Three famous heroes who were beloved by the city here were forced into an engagement with an unknown villain. The heroes tried saving hostages being held at the city hall. It as you said went sideways fast the villain set of a chained explosion destroying the entire city. Thousands of people died that day with hundreds more over the coming weeks. It was concluded that the events wouldn't have occurred if the heroes hadn't been causing their mayhem for so long. The idea of superheroes only invites evil to challenge them. So, the idea of superheroes was banned from then on. At least, that's what V.I.R.A.L says anyway."

"And now the streamers are the next generation. Ones to pick up the pieces and learn from our mistakes."

"If you want to put it that way yeah, sure."

"What do you think of Superheroes Alton?"

"Me? Eh, don't have much opinion on them, life is very different from what those old comics led us to believe. The idea of a hero is nice, but it just doesn't work. Like pineapple on pizza."

"Only a villain would do such a thing." Zinnia hissed. "Well, I won't let that stop me. I'm still going to be a superhero. I'll change the world and make them all believe in us again."

"Ambitious, aren't you? Whatever as long as I get paid good money, I don't care how you go about it."

The two, while in mid-conversation, had their attention stolen as a voice was screaming from the line. "Let me through damn it! How dare you call me such foul and unasked for words I'll have you know my sister is already a well-established streamer and won't stand for such crude remarks. Oh, I don't care if I hurt your feelings. Go ahead, cry like the little bitch you are. I'm with them! Bloody hell let me through." From the crowds, a small girl who was no older than twelve or thirteen barged through patting herself down. She gave a little smile adjusting her chestnut brown ponytail. She walked up to Alton, staring up at him in awe. She curled her long-sleeved jumper around, acting all shaky.

Alton glimpsed at her uncomfortably as she stared back with her different coloured eyes, one blue, the other green. "I'm sorry, I saw you in the crowd and just had to meet you… you're him, right? You are Avalanche, right? I could tell by the ice-cold appearance—white hair and blue eyes as light as the moon. There's no doubt you are the streamer Avalanche! I'm a big fan. My sister and I used to watch you all the time. We were sad to see you go. What happened to your partner… um, what was it? Oh right! Unity. What happened to her."

"I'm sorry. But I think you've got the wrong person." Alton choked. "I have no idea of who you are talking about."

The girl gave a strange look tilting her head. "Huh?! You're pulling my leg, aren't you? You are without a doubt him. I'm not asking for an autograph or something I just wanted to say hello."

Alton gritted his teeth, heart racing as he took a long breath talking in an exaggerated tone. "No, I'm serious you have the wrong person."

"Oh, you know what. Looking closer, you look nothing like him." The girl yelled in a fake manner as she laughed to herself. "I'm sorry. I mistook you for someone else."

Zinnia was lost as she kept looking at the two feelings slightly overwhelmed. "Well, of course, he's not this Avalanche dude. Alton is, in fact, Dauntless of team Rhapsody."

"Whoa, hold on when did we decide what my streamer name was?!"

"Ugh, just now? You don't like it? I just thought Dauntless would work for you. As you know you're so cold-hearted, nothing scares you."

"Oh, thanks."

The girl continued to look at the two strangely as she muttered. "You two don't look like much of a team."

"Well, no one was asking for your opinion twerp." Zinnia snapped. She soon realised what she said, looking surprised. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."

"Don't mention it. The names Iris by the way. Streamer name Violet. You might have heard of me."

"If you're signing up to be a streamer, how could we heard of you if you're not a streamer?"

"Silence fool, well, you most definably heard of my sister. She's the streamer, Ruby. Only the most powerful streamer in the world."

"I thought it was Vanguard?" Zinnia questioned.

"Let's not get into the number one streamer here. So, I take it you're signing up to work with your sister?"

Iris nodded boldly striking a cheesy pose crouched on one leg with her two arms out either side making a V shape. "You betcha, together we are going to be unstoppable. Remember the name."

Zinnia tried copying the pose only to stumble back. "Say Iris I love the different eye colour! Is it a fake contact, or is it? Umm Hetro. Hetrolomia?

"Heterochromia." Alton corrected. "The condition which causes different colours in the eyes."

"Yup. I was born with this condition the same with my sister. We see it as our lucky charm. It's always been us against the world. Our father is helping us achieve our dream."

"Well, that's just swell. Really, it is. Don't know what it's got to do with us but good for you."

"I hear you; I hear you. I'm going happy streaming Dauntless."

"Ugh, we need to discuss this name situation."

"Oh, do you not like it? I have other ideas."

"No, no. It will do. Call me whatever you like. I really couldn't give two fucks."

Zinnia, looking happy with herself, jumped down from the fence. Iris had faded into the crowd as she tapped her chin with her index finger. "I liked her. Maybe we could team up with her in the future? Say why did you think she got you mixed up with that other streamer? Avalanche was it?"

"Doesn't matter. Come on, we are almost there. We will have to be judged separately. Don't mess this up. I don't want to be cleaning up your mess."

********

"This is rather unusual." The inspector whispered, adjusting his glasses. "I must ask you, Alton, you came here for the inspection even though on the database you are already accepted and are a fully fletched Streamer. What are you doing here?"

"Well, it's just… I want a fresh start. New streamer name. New account. The full reboot. I have to be judged for that, don't I?"

The inspector looked at the metre on the wall, it was like a thermometer. Still, unlike telling your temperature, it was to check sanity levels. He tapped it with his pen humming. "Your sanity is slightly lower than last time. But it is nothing to worry about. Body temperature is two degrees lower than the normal human, but that is to be expected for someone like you. Still keeping your powers under control?"

Alton hesitated for a moment giving the inspector an alarmed look. He shrugged his shoulders, playing it off. "As well as I can give the circumstances."

"I see. Well, keep it in check. We wouldn't want you turning out like your father. From the looks of it, everything is alright for the go. Full account wipe is acceptable. Although I can't delete your old account as you were in a joint opening with the streamer Unity. Let's see. Umm Sam Belling. Unless she agrees too, we can't do that. So, all we can do at this moment in time is to remove you from the account and give Miss Belling full control. Is that acceptable?" Alton simply nodded as the inspector wrote down the last of the details. "And final checks, you've put in a request for a name change. So, you're going with Dauntless now, right? Not Avalanche? Ok. If you could just accept the terms and conditions and we can change that for you. Now I must ask company policy. Are you sure, once you accept you can't change it back nor can you return to your former account?"

Alton looked at the terms and conditions taunting him on the tablet. He moved his hand over only to retract. He fell silent, hiding his face waving his hand. "Yes, yes, I accept. Just. Do it." Alton watched as his old account was removed, and with it, his heart sunk. He sat in silence once more, only speaking up in a soft, shaky voice. "Is it done?"

The inspector turned around, handing Alton a badge with his new streamer name and proof of identity. "Congratulations, Dauntless. Welcome to the world of V.I.R.A.L. We are the Vanguard, the imagination, the revolution, the almighty and the law. Viral. We look forward to your future with us."

Alton snatched the badge staring at it with doubt in his heart. Any thoughts of turning back more apparent but impossible. He had no other choice now. Wrapping his coat around, he didn't wait around leaving. The inspections were usually that quick with not much to go against the large majority of people effortlessly passing. In Alton's case twice now. He found himself outside the V.I.R.A.L facility, it didn't take him long to see Zinnia. The two stared at each other before he showed her his badge. Zinnia let out a goofy smile she couldn't hold in any longer waving her badge around like a flag. It had her streamer name and proof of identification on it. Alton shook his head rolling his eyes. "You chose your real name as your streamer name? Really?"

"Well yeah. As a superhero, I believe people knowing who I am could bring a sense of trust and hope instead of hiding my true identity behind a mask." Zinnia boasted, holding her hand out. "So, this is it. Team Rhapsody." Alton took a little while but reluctantly took her hand. "We are going to change the world, just you wait Alton!"

Alton didn't put any motion in the handshake, letting Zinnia do the work as he nodded agreeing half-heartedly. "Yeah. We sure are."