(I'm sorry Readers, I know I said next Monday but the thing is I hate doing things by the weekly, you know? It takes a week for the next chapter to come out then you forget what was about the last chapter. I wanted to see if I wanted to do it, but no. I can't, it just seems pointless. So, instead, new chapters will be out every couple of days. Of some sorts. So enjoy.)
Chapter 12 – A Hero and the Plague
Josh stands and leans up against the window looking out it. He thinks about what he learned from what Cyrus has done and continues to look out it. Josh wipes his forehead and feels the stickiness of the Root Beer that exploded on him. He narrows his eyes and looks out the window again.
"Josh?" Vanellope asks
Josh turns around and puts on a smile on his face.
"What's up Vanellope?"
"Are you okay?" Ralph asks
Josh nods and just keeps the smile on his face.
"I'm fine guys, I'm fine. I just need to...process what we all, I just learned', sighs slowly, 'This isn't no game anymore."
Calhoun brushes her hair back.
"You just realize that?" Calhoun asks
Josh shakes his head and looks at Calhoun.
"I've realized a lot of things Calhoun…', Josh walks past everyone, 'Some of them still don't make sense to me." Josh says walking to the bathroom
Everyone watches Josh leave the room. Calhoun looks at everyone and follows.
"Wait here everyone."
Calhoun goes after Josh. Back with Josh, inside the bathroom...Josh turns on the sink and watches the water shoot out of it. He gulps and slowly puts his finger through it and feels a slight shock. Josh's face changes to a blank stare to a hard look.
"Mm!"
Josh pulls his finger back as small electricity shoots around his finger. He absorbs it back in his body and looks at his reflection.
"Damn it…"
Josh turns off the sink and turns around. As he turns, Calhoun is there at the door leaning against the frame.
"Calhoun."
"You okay?"
Josh scuffs and shakes his head.
"I said I'm fine. Really."
Josh steps forward and Calhoun doesn't let him leave. He sees what Calhoun is trying to do and looks around.
"Calhoun…"
"You need to talk about this."
"Talk about what Calhoun?', Josh asks looking back at her face, 'Cyrus is going to turn my entire world into the game world…what is there to talk about?"
"I know it's only been a few days since we've been here…"
"You realize that too huh?"
Calhoun looks funny at Josh and she shakes her head not looking to get into a talking contest with him.
"All I'm saying is Josh, what you did inside Game Central Station when Beta was out', Josh gulps remembering the events that took place, 'What you did, you saved our world in the process. Almost losing yourself in the process."
"What are you getting at Calhoun?"
Calhoun gulps and stops leaning against the doorframe.
"Will help anyway we can to help you stop Cyrus from turning your world into his." Calhoun explains walking away
Josh stands there for a moment and thinks about what Calhoun said to him. He lifts his hand up and the light in the bathroom goes out. Josh goes to his room and rests for the night.
Later that night…
As Josh sleeps through the night, he has strange dreams appearing in his head. He sees himself in the game world of Cyrus the Virus. Josh looks around and walks ahead. As he does, Josh looks up ahead and sees Cyrus walking away in the distance. Josh looks serious and chases after him. As Josh goes to him, it feels as if Josh is running fast, but really he's running slowly. Cyrus moves quicker and Josh notices him snapping his thumb.
Josh stops and sees Cyrus's husks appearing all around him. He pulls out his staff and gets ready to fight. Each husk screeches and runs at Josh. Josh fights and deflects the attacks of the husks. He swipes his staff down at them and they fall apart into a million pieces. Josh finishes off the last one and looks at Cyrus and sees he's stopped.
Josh chases after him. As Josh gets closer to Cyrus, it's a mirror mirage as Josh runs right through him. Josh looks back and wonders what just happened, and then all of a sudden, hears someone laughing. He looks around wondering who's laughing, and in the distance, spots a husk just standing around. Josh pulls out his staff and runs towards the figure. As Josh gets closer and closer to the figure, Josh's legs start to show a red aura around them. And finally, Josh stops.
Josh struggles to move as he looks down at what's stopping him. Josh sees the red aura and tries to break free of it with his staff, but nothing proves useful against it. Josh continues to struggle and looks back at the figure up ahead. The figure raises its head showing off the red aura around Josh's legs. Josh just watches and looks closer at the figure, the person from behind looks like their infected with Cyrus's virus, but looks different from it. Instead of orange, it's red. And just before Josh can see the face of the person as they turn, Josh finally wakes up.
Following morning…
Josh gasps softly and looks around his room.
"Ah…', Josh breathes slowly and looks down at his legs, 'That was so frickin weird."
Josh throws his legs off the bed and just stares at them. He feels his legs to see if he's got the feeling back in them and he does. Josh sighs in relief to the idea that it was only a dream and couldn't possibly be real.
"It was only a dream, only a dream Josh."
Josh gets up and heads into the Living Room.
Josh's Apartment…
Josh walks into the main room and sees everyone up.
"Morning."
Everyone turns and sees Josh is up.
"Hey Josh." Vanellope says walking towards him
"Morning Josh." Felix says fixing his hat
Josh walks into the Kitchen and Vanellope sits up on the stool looking at Josh.
"I'm hungry Josh."
Josh looks around.
"Let's see what I have…', looks around fridge and spots the milk, 'Want some cereal?"
"What kind you got?"
Josh looks around the cupboards and finds Lucky Charms.
"How about some Lucky Charms?
Josh pours the milk and cereal in a bowl and slides it to Vanellope.
"Want some sugar?"
Vanellope looks at Josh with a dumb look on her face.
"Do I love racing?"
Josh shakes his head with a smile and puts some sugar in. He puts half a table spoon in and puts it away.
"More." Vanellope orders
Josh looks and does. He pours just a little more and puts it away.
"More." Vanellope asks
Josh narrows his eyes and pours some more, but instead of using a spoon he just pours the sugar right out of the bag.
"More. More, more, more, more, more, more, more."
Josh sighs and literally pours the whole thing in there. Vanellope smiles happily seeing the cereal is just covered in sugar. She grabs the spoon and starts eating.
"It's perfect."
"If you're trying to get a sugar rush going, you'll get it."
"I hope so. I've been feeling kind of…different lately."
Josh throws the bag of sugar away in the garbage and narrows his eyes.
"Different? Different how?"
Vanellope swallows the food and looks around for the answer.
"I don't know, I've been feeling like I'm different. Like something inside me is different."
Josh leans forward on the counter and puts his hands to his face.
"You feeling sick or something?"
Vanellope shakes her head.
"Sick? What's that?"
Josh blinks and continues to look at Vanellope.
"Well it's probably nothing Vanellope. Just eat your cereal."
Vanellope smiles happily and digs in.
"Don't have to tell me twice."
Josh walks away and at his work station. He finds Felix there staring at a broken computer monitor.
"Can I help you with something Felix?"
Felix turns around and tips his hat off to Josh.
"No sir, but can I help you with anything? Like this?"
Josh sees the broken monitor and narrows his eyes.
"That's fine Felix, this one doesn't need fixing."
"You sure? I'm think I'm getting better control of my hammer in this world. A few short whacks and, presto! Good as new."
Josh smiles.
"I know Felix how your hammer works, but you really want to fix this monitor?"
"Wouldn't you want it fixed?"
"Yeah, but I just haven't had the time to do so."
"How did it get broken like this?"
Josh thinks for a moment and remembers how it happened. When he first was experimenting of sending himself into the hard drive, he forgot to unplug it from the monitor. So when he was in the hard drive viewed from the monitor, it cracked because it couldn't hold the screen resolution Josh was in. Josh gulps and leans on the work table.
"Let's just say I had more going then the monitor could hold."
Felix blinks not understanding what Josh meant by that. Josh sighs and picks up the monitor, and sets it up straight.
"Knock yourself out Felix."
"Thank you!" Felix says spinning around his hammer
Josh walks away and hops over the couch. He sees the TV is off and looks at his hand. Josh stares at his finger and points it at the TV, a little twitch of electricity shoots out of Josh's finger and the TV just turns on. He looks over and sees Calhoun cleaning her gun, sitting down on the chair to the left of him. Josh looks back and sees Ralph looking at a wall of photographs near the elevator in the back of the Apartment. Josh looks back at the TV and flicks his hand causing the TV to change channels.
As everything sits quiet in the Apartment, Vanellope eats, Felix fixes, Ralph just stares at photographs and Calhoun cleans her gun. Josh just casually watches TV and snaps his thumbs to change the channel. As Josh just surfs the channel's, E.D.I. kindly interrupts Josh's channel surfing and shows up on TV.
"Josh. I have found something on the news that might peak your interest."
Josh sighs and drops his hand.
"Should I avoid from saying 'record'?"
"It will save 3.5 seconds of time to convince you to just watch what I found."
Josh nods and waves his hand.
"Yeah, yeah just show me."
Calhoun takes notice and looks up at the TV as well. E.D.I. forces the channels to change and brings up a news station showing a hostage situation happening on a subway train.
"A hostage situation? Why'd you want to show me this E.D.I.?"
"Look at who the hostage takers are…"
Josh examines the screen closer. Different camera angles pan on from different news stations. The camera zooms on the train and the news footage shows Cyrus's husks as the hostage takers.
"Husks!" Josh yells jumping up
Everyone hears that and Ralph, Felix and Vanellope rush to the Living Room area. They all watch as the news and the newsman explains the situation.
"At 10:34 this morning, a subway train was hijacked by unknown assailants. These…men appear to be some form of group or gang. Police are having difficult time dealing with these takers and proving no use for the situation."
"Just say there useless. It's easier." Josh states
"Why would they take hostages?" Calhoun asks
"Cyrus is up to something. He knows if anyone comes near his husks they'll get infected too."
More camera footage shows that some of the husks have weapons and are firing back at the police. Josh just watches seeing the police are completely useless against the husks. He looks closer and realizes that the trains on a set of tracks which are electrified.
"E.D.I., find the tracks that the train is set on."
"On it."
"Also find me the nearest spot where those tracks are."
"Okay Josh."
Josh turns around and walks away. He picks up his staff and coat and puts that on. Ralph, Felix, Vanellope and Calhoun look at Josh leaving.
"Where are you going?" Ralph asks
Josh looks back.
"Those cops have no chance in defeating Cyrus's husks. I can't let those people get caught up in the cross fire."
"Wait, you're going there?" Calhoun asks
"Yeah Calhoun. I can't let those people die the same fate of turning into a husk. I'm the only one who can stop them."
"You can't go Josh!" Vanellope yells
Josh looks at Vanellope walking towards him.
"I have to Vanellope."
"But, but…everyone's looking for you."
"I know."
"What if they take you back in again?"
"I'll make sure I don't."
"Josh if you fight the law things will only get worse for you." Calhoun explains
"I know that Calhoun, but I can't risk any more lives if they get infected and get controlled by Cyrus. These are my people; I'm not letting them end up like more husks!"
Josh turns around and boards the elevator. Ralph, Felix, Vanellope and Calhoun look at each other and board the elevator as well. Just as Josh is about to shut the door to the elevator, Ralph stops him and Josh notices. Josh watches as his friend's board the elevator and all Josh does is smile. He hits the switch to the ground floor and the five go down.
At the Subway Platform…
Cyrus's husks shoot from on top of the train and through the windows of the cars. The people inside glue themselves to the floor and avoid gun fire. Cyrus's husks just laugh as they get shot at and nothing happens to them. On the ground where the police are, the officers shoot back and see that when they shoot the husks, nothing happens to them. They need Josh as soon as possible.
Back with Josh and them…
Josh and them walk down a street near a fence indicating train tracks are nearby. He's on his phone listening to E.D.I. talking to him.
"Okay I'm here E.D.I. I don't see any train tracks."
"Look to your left."
Josh turns and sees them.
"Oh…duh."
Josh hangs up the phone and looks at the fence. He turns his head and looks up at Ralph.
"Ralph?', Ralph looks down at Josh, 'May you do the honors?"
Ralph looks at the fence and knows what Josh wants him to do. Ralph smirks and cracks his knuckles. Everyone stands back and Ralph literally digs his hands in between the fence and rips a hole out for everyone.
"Everyone." Ralph says waving his hand
Everyone goes through and follows Josh down to the tracks. As they get close to the tracks, Josh has a sudden attack feeling the current of the tracks that are giving off.
This…this feels weird…I can sense the current coming off the tracks. It's strong…feels like I'm high or something…feels good.
Josh goes closer to the tracks. Calhoun looks to the side and sees a warning sign saying Danger: High Voltage Stay Off Tracks.
"Josh!"
Josh stops an inch away from the tracks and looks back.
"What?"
Calhoun points at the warning sign and everyone sees. Josh sees the sign and smiles.
"What? That's for normal people. Remember what I can do?', Josh lifts his hand and demonstrates the current in his body, 'Everything should be okay."
"Says so from the guy who uses the word 'should'." Calhoun says crossing her arms
Josh rolls his eyes and kneels down next to the track. Everyone watches and Vanellope gets a little nervous.
"Careful Josh. Please."
Josh looks back and winks at Vanellope. He looks back at the track and looks at his hand. Josh slowly goes to touch the track, and as he does, the current from the track is so strong, it zips up and around Josh's body making him glow.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Josh screams
Everyone flinches and freaks out. Vanellope screams and Calhoun pushes everyone back. Josh continues to scream for another second and the glowing stops. Josh lets go of the track, turns around slowly and smiles at his friends. They see it was all just a joke. Calhoun gets pissed.
"That wasn't funny!"
Vanellope laughs.
"That was great!"
Calhoun looks funny at Vanellope. Josh stands up and steps over the tracks.
"As I said, everything should be okay. Let's try this again."
Everyone watches as Josh steps his feet on the tracks and suddenly the current shoots up and around Josh. Josh absorbs the energy and floats up on the track a bit. He takes notice of this.
"Whoa! I'm flying guys! Look!"
Josh moves his body forward and backwards seeing he can control the current like as if he was a train. He sees what he can do and looks at his friends.
"You know what I have to do."
Calhoun nods and so does everyone else.
"You might want to step back."
Everyone moves back and Josh gets ready to shoot off. The four climb back up the hill to the street level and Josh, shoots off down the track looking like a flash. They watch and Vanellope cheers.
"Whoo-hoo! Go JOSH!"
Josh flies down the track as the current from him and the tracks boosts his abilities. He moves down the track heading right where the subway car is to help save the day.
Subway Train…
The husks keep messing around with the police showing them they can't fight and they are still winning. Several passengers, women cry wondering if they are going to die or not. One officer on the ground has a sniper rifle; he takes aim through the scope and fires at a husk on top of the train. It hits the husk hard, but just waves it off like nothing happened. The officers are at a last resort. Through the husks eyes, Cyrus watches from an unknown place.
"Ah, this is so boring. Don't these fools know they can't hurt my puppets?"
Back on the train, a husk on the roof fires down at a squad car ripping it to shreds. The police scatter seeing they are getting creamed. Cyrus laughs and just watches. A news camera team on the ground just watch in horror seeing the police are making no effort to stop this. One of the news reporters spot something bright flying down the track.
"What the hell is that? Get that! MOVE THE CAMERA OVER THERE!" Reporter yells
The cameraman moves the camera to the bright light that's flying down the track. The cops look and see it too.
"What the hell is that!?" Cop asks
"It's going right at the train!" Cop yells
The officers don't know if they should aim at it or just wait it out. Back with the light, Josh sees the train right ahead and throws out his staff from his back.
"Here goes nothing!"
Josh jumps up and the electricity shoots him straight up. Everyone on the ground flinches seeing a lightning bolt explode right in front of them. The flash goes away and everyone looks. The husks gain their eyesight back and the first one to see something only sees Josh's staff tearing its head off from the rest of its body.
"AH!"
The husk breaks up into a million pieces. The cops watch below seeing Josh tear apart the husks like their nothing to him.
"Should we…be shooting?" Cop asks
"At what?" Other Cop asks
Josh runs down the train and attacks another husk. Down below in the train, the husks hear the fight above. Right before the last husk is erased, Cyrus takes notice that it's Josh who's destroying his husks.
"Josh? I thought you were in jail. Not surprised you broke out. Let's make things interesting shall we?"
Cyrus orders one of the husks to grab the train conductor and instructs him to move the train.
"Move this thing." Cyrus orders
The Train Conductor shakes his head inside the room he operates the train from.
"No way!"
"Move it now! Or people die!"
The Train Conductor hesitates and moves the throttle back to move the train. Up on top, Josh digs his staff into a husk slamming him into the roof. The husk breaks up into a million pieces and Josh turns around.
"Let's go down."
The train jumps and Josh loses his balance.
"WHOA!"
Josh tries to keep his balance as the train moves. The officer with the sniper rifle looks through the scope and sees whose killing the husks. The officer sees its Josh Litwak and jumps.
"It's Josh Litwak!', the other officers take notice, 'He's on the train! Move!" The Officer orders
The officers quickly get in their vehicles and follow the train along the tracks. Back with the train, the Conductor is ordered by Cyrus's husks to go faster. The Conductor moves the throttle back more and makes the train go even faster. Back up top, Josh clings to the roof and holds on tight. The wind pushes him all the way back to the last car and finally Josh digs his staff into the roof and keeps his position.
"Son of a! Why's it moving!?"
In the cars below, several husks gather together and Cyrus realizes Josh is right above them. Cyrus smiles and makes the husks point their weapons up. Josh moves to the side and suddenly gets shot at through the roof.
"WHOA! OH SHIT! SERIOUSLY!?"
The husks continue to fire and laugh at the same time. The passengers cover themselves and hide in fear. One husk walks to the open door of the train and climbs up. Josh looks to his left and sees a husk's head coming up. He looks serious and grabs his staff. As the husk gets up and sees Josh. Josh pushes hard into the husks head and throws him off the side of the train.
"HERE'S YOUR STOP!"
The husk smashes up hard against a wall and breaks into a million pieces. The other husks wonder what just happened. Josh on the other hand, he sticks his staff right above the doors of the train, jumps up, spins around and lands right in the train. The husks jump and Cyrus flinches.
"JOSH!"
Josh smiles.
"Cyrus!"
Josh attacks the husks before they can draw their weapons. The passengers cover themselves and watch as Josh defeats the husks in the train car. One husk pushes Josh and almost of it. Josh and the husk fight as Josh keeps his staff right between them.
"You're not going to win Josh. These people are afraid of you. Why save them?" Cyrus asks through his husk
Josh looks serious and looks behind the husk at the other doors of the train. He diverts his eyes back at the husk and shoots a bolt at the doors making them open. The people see and Josh yells.
"AHHHH!"
Josh pushes the husk out sticking it with his staff. He taps the doors and they shut. Josh walks to the other set of doors and closes them. He looks around and at the other end of the car; the last husk puts a child in front of him and Josh sees.
"Oh Josh!"
Josh looks serious and puts his hands up. The husk keeps the little girl in front of him, knowing that Josh will hit the girl instead of him.
"Drop your cane. Now."
Josh narrows his eyes and gets annoyed.
"A staff. It's a frickin staff."
"Do it now, or she'll join the others."
"Okay, okay!"
"Please don't hurt my girl!" Mother yells
"SHUT UP!"
The Mother gets back down on the ground. Josh looks around the car and sees metal handling around for people to grab onto if they have to stand. Josh looks and sees a metal pole right behind the husk.
"Now open the door…and jump out."
Josh narrows his eyes and shakes his head.
"No."
"No? Why not!?"
Josh smirks and touches the pole right next to him.
"Because of this!"
The current from Josh's body sours through the train causing it to shock anyone who's near it. The lights flicker and the husk near the pole gets hit and breaks up into a million pieces. The little girl runs to her Mother and the two embrace. Josh picks up his staff and moves past everyone.
"Move, get out of the way!"
The passengers recognize Josh is the terrorist they've all seen on TV. As Josh goes to the next train car, the passengers yell knowing who he is.
"Your that terrorist!" Man yells
"Why are you doing this to us?!" Woman yells
"You're the monster who did all of this!" Man yells
"Just leave us alone!" Woman yells
Josh stops and turns around. He looks at all the people yelling at him and he touches his face. The passengers continue to yell and Josh touches the lights in the car.
"Quiet~!"
The lights flicker and the passengers get scared. They all look slowly at Josh and see the current jumping out of his body. Josh calms down and holds his staff firmly.
"Think about this very carefully, all of you! If I'm responsible for this why am I going out of my way to save all of you?', everyone looks at each other thinking about that thought, 'Why would I be out here risking my life to save all of you?"
Suddenly the Mother starts crying and everyone takes notice. Josh looks and sees the Mother holding her daughter. He walks to her and kneels down.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know! She just fainted!"
Josh looks at the girl's body and focuses. He looks inside her and sees the virus is in her.
"She's infected."
The Mother looks all confused and scared.
"Infected?! Infected by what? That same virus that's going around?!"
"Yes."
"Oh my God! She's going to be like the rest! What am I going to do!?"
Then Josh remembers what Hero did to him when he was infected. He placed his hands on him…and he was cured. Maybe he can do the same to her.
"Let me see her."
"What?! Don't touch her!"
The Mother backs off and Josh remains calm. The Mother cries and holds her child. Josh calmly walks to her and the Mother sees.
"I can cure her. If you want me to."
The Mother blinks hearing that Josh, the 'Terrorist' can cure her daughter. She looks down at her child and sees she's really sick, her eyes glow showing that she's infected. The Mother slowly hands Josh her child and he takes her.
"All right now…let's see if I can even do this."
Everyone watches. Josh slowly places his right hand over her chest and little bits of electricity shoot out of his hand to the little girl. Everyone watches and notices the lights in the car start to flicker out of control. The light between Josh's hand and the girl's body light up and everyone looks away. Then suddenly, it's gone. The Mother and everyone look back and Josh holds his hand tightly.
"I…I did it."
Josh stares at his hand and opens it up. He blows air into his hand as ash just flies up and disappears into the air. The Mother looks back at Josh as he hands the child back to her Mother. The Mother checks out her daughter and sees her eyes slowly going back to the color they were; she opens her eyes showing she's all better.
"Mommy!"
"Sweety."
The two embrace and Josh slowly smiles. He turns around and heads to the front of the train. As Josh reaches the door, the passengers start clapping for him. Josh stops and doesn't look back. He just hears the passengers clapping for him, now seeing he's not the terrorist they thought he was. Josh opens the door and moves to the next car. As Josh goes through each car, he takes down each of Cyrus's husks. He bashes them, throws them up against the walls of the car, he even shoots out a lightning bolt to erase them off the train.
"Ladies and gentlemen move to the back end of the train! GO! NOW!"
The passengers of the cars ahead of the train move to the back. Cyrus knows Josh is moving to the head of the train to stop it. He makes one of the husks force the train conductor to stand in front of his three final husks he's got. Josh makes it to the lead car and sees the train conductor and the last of the three husks onboard.
"You should've jumped."
"You should have left these people alone."
Each husk speaks and the train conductor just shakes nervously.
"These people Josh…they need me. They feel free when I infect them with the virus."
"Free? Are you kidding me? You take away their life force. There noting but zombies when your virus is all the way through them."
"These people have no idea what's coming next for them."
"Oh I know what's coming next for them Cyrus. And it's not happening. Not here. Not in this world."
"Will see about that."
Josh spins around his staff and throws it up. Cyrus's husks watch and Josh throws both his hands at the husks and hits all three of them. They break apart and the Conductor sighs in relief.
"Oh! Oh thank God."
Josh runs to him.
"Help me stop the train!"
The Conductor looks at Josh and recognizes him.
"Hey! You're the!"
Josh rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, later, help me stop the train!"
Josh walks to the compartment and the Conductor just watches.
"Where you touched?"
"Huh?"
"Were you scratched by the husks?"
"No, no! Why?"
"Because that's how you become just like them.', the Conductor wipes the sweat off his head, looks at controls, 'How do you stop this thing?"
The Conductor goes into the compartment and Josh just watches.
"Hang on this will be a hard stop."
Josh braces himself and the Conductor hits the emergency brake. But as he does, nothing happens.
"What the?"
"What's wrong?"
"The brakes aren't working!"
Josh rolls his eyes.
"Seriously?"
The Conductor tries the throttles but they won't budge.
"Nothing's working!"
"Let me try."
The Conductor moves to the side and Josh places his hand over the controls. Powerful blasts of electricity shoot out of Josh's hand and the Conductor jumps.
"WHOA! HEY!"
Smoke starts to shoot out of the controls and suddenly, BOOM. The Conductor and Josh cough and Josh sees the disaster he just made.
"Whoops."
Josh fried the circuits so much that the whole system blew up. The Conductor looks at Josh.
"Nice going!"
"That's my bad. What else can we do?"
"Uhhh…"
"Think!"
"We can unstrap the cars from the engine!"
"Sounds like a plan."
Josh and the Conductor run out of the lead car and into the previous car. The two stand between each car and the Conductor tries to separate them. Josh just watches and sees nothing happening.
"Why aren't the cars separating?"
"This only works when the trains not moving! The pressure point is at its max."
Josh looks at his staff and pushes the Conductor to the side.
"Brace yourself!"
"Not again!"
Josh throws his staff down hard between the two trains and powerful bolts of electricity shoot out. The Conductor jumps back seeing the strong bolts of electricity shooting out of Josh. Josh grunts and groans as he tries to rip apart the piece that's connecting the two trains together. The power and heat from the bolts hits the piece connecting the train so hard it begins to melt. Josh sees and jumps back onto the previous car. The two cars are held together by a hair. It finally snaps and the lead car speeds on ahead. Josh and the Conductor watch as the train ahead speeds away. Josh looks down and sees that there going a little fast even though the lead car is gone.
"Aren't we going a bit too fast?"
"Will slow down eventually."
"Eventually? Hell no! Tell everyone to brace themselves!"
"Hey! What are you!?"
Josh jumps up and swings on top of the roof of the train. The Conductor spins around and orders everyone to brace themselves.
"Everybody hold onto something!"
Everyone in the cars hold onto something. Up top on the train, Josh sticks his staff to his back and sees the station up ahead. Josh clenches his fists hard and 'connects' himself to the lead car. The electricity from his body shoots down and warps itself around the wheels of the car. Josh focuses hard and squeezes on them to slow them down. They screech hard and everyone on board falls forward from the sudden stop. Josh grinds his teeth and slowly starts to bleed from his nose a little from the force within him.
The energy inside Josh is slowly draining, so he's basically almost running on empty. The cars slow up and Josh sees the train entering the station. He lets go and gasps for air. Josh falls as the train finally comes to a complete stop. The passengers inside slowly stand up and see they arrived at the station, in one piece and alive. They celebrate as Josh jumps off the roof and onto the platform below. Josh waves his hand at the trains doors and shoots out a bolt to open them. The passengers get out and continue to celebrate. Josh looks back at all them celebrating.
Never thought I'd make it this far…especially with this many people in the cross fire…look at them…all happy…like everything is over…everything's not over. Not yet…
Josh turns around and walks away. Some of the passengers notice and run to Josh. Josh gets surrounded by the passengers as they thank him personally for saving their lives.
What-What the hell is this? Yesterday these people saw me nothing else as the 'Terrorist' on TV. Now they treat me like their savior…
The passengers pat Josh on the back and some shake his hands.
Okay I'll admit…this is pretty nice even for the short time that it's going to last…to actually feel like…like…a real hero. It feels great.
Josh watches as the passengers ascend the stairs and reach the street level. He follows them down. As Josh reaches the street level, he looks down the street and sees the police coming. Josh looks around for a place to run, but as Josh looks around, he spots a strange figure standing at the entrance of an alleyway with a hood over their face hiding who they are. Josh narrows his eyes wondering who it is; suddenly the figure starts to glow a bit red. He flinches to this and runs to the figure as the police arrive. The figure sees Josh running at them and runs down the alleyway away from Josh. Josh makes it to the front entrance of the alleyway and sees the figure run down the alley.
"HEY!"
Josh chases after the figure. The figure runs around the corner of the alleyway and Josh comes up to it as well. As he crosses it, he stops looking down the far extension of the alleyway.
"What the?" Josh says breathlessly
Josh sees the figure just…disappeared. The alleyway is long and there's no way the figure could have ran it. Josh looks back and forth and throws up his hands.
"Would someone tell me what the HELL just happened?"
Up on fire escapes above Josh, the figure reappears and takes off the hoody. The figure drops the hoody on Josh and he jumps.
"Hey!', Josh pulls off the hoody and stares at it, he recognizes it from the figure, 'This is…"
All of a sudden, it starts to get really hot.
"Is it…getting hot all of a sudden?"
Whoosh noises are heard and Josh looks up. As Josh looks up at the numerous fire escapes behind the building, the whooshing sounds keep getting louder. Josh grabs his staff and charges it up.
"Okay…this is…different."
The figure appears behind Josh and flies at him.
"Hey!"
"Huh?"
Josh turns around and gets tackled by the figure.
"AH!"
The figure throws Josh far down the alleyway. Josh struggles as this person over powers him. He looks up and sees a dark hand glowing bright red in a fist about to be thrown down at him. Josh's staff isn't in his hand any longer, so Josh clenches his fist, gets a charge going and throws it up at the same time as the figure throws her hand down at the same time. The two stop, and Josh looks up at the figure seeing it's…a girl.
"Your…You're a girl?!"
The girl sees its Josh and jumps back.
"The Terrorist!"
Josh bends his head up and quickly gets up.
"I'm not a terrorist alright!? You go that!?" Josh yells getting more charged up
The girl shakes her hands.
"Hey, hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, I don't want to fight Josh."
"Yeah that's right, you don't want to fight me…', realizes, 'How do you know my name?"
"Who doesn't know your name Josh Litwak."
Josh shakes his head and rubs it.
"You got me there."
"But don't worry though; I'm a fan of yours."
Josh narrows his eyes.
"A fan?"
Josh examines the girl and she takes notice.
She looks…familiar…that glow…I've…I've seen it before. My dream…
Josh narrows his eyes.
"Have we met before?"
The Girl shakes her head smiling.
"Nah, I would remember you though. And you definitely would remember me. The names Plague."
Josh gulps.
"Plague?"
This girl has really dark tan skin; her hair is very dark with tiny highlights of red. Even her eyes are red. This girl looks like she's been through hell and back. Josh also notices strange markings around her body as if the virus was in her but…was removed violently. He diverts his eyes to Plague's legs and she notices.
"Hey, hey…', snaps thumbs and Josh shakes his head, 'Eyes up here Shocky."
Josh sort of smiles and walks to Plague.
"Okay…Plague. You seem to know me. But I don't know you."
Plague smiles.
"That's right. I have more info then you do. You want to know something really cool?"
Josh crosses his arms and looks serious.
"That depends. How'd you get those scars on your body?"
Plague looks down and guides her finger around her scars.
"You like these? Like what you see?', Josh rolls his eyes and Plague notices no attraction, 'I got these when I was infected."
That catches Josh's eyes.
"Infected?"
"You know what I mean. Cyrus's virus."
Josh gulps.
"You know Cyrus?"
"Of course."
"How? How do you know him?" Josh asks eagerly
Plague laughs from enjoyment.
"Promise you won't laugh."
Josh shakes his head narrowing his eyes.
"I'm his daughter."
Josh's eyes just widen. He remembers what Tommy told him about the games plot that one time in the Arcade. Cyrus has a daughter.
"Your…Your Cyrus's daughter?"
Plague shrugs.
"In the flesh sort of speak. I have his genes, but not his eyes."
Josh is just lost for words.
"How are you not like the husks? If you were infected, how were you cured?"
"I'm not cured."
"But you just said you were infected."
"I never said that. You did', Josh just blinks with a lost look on his face, 'I'm still infected."
Josh steps back.
"What?" Josh asks shockingly
"Some people turn into those…creatures Cyrus makes. His…puppets. But some people…if you're lucky…you don't turn into his puppet. You turn… into something else."
"So…what are you?"
Plague smiles.
"Tell you what Josh…you want to know my fairy tale…meet me in an hour', points behind Josh, 'In that park. Right by that fountain."
Josh turns around and sees what Plague is looking at. He looks back at Plague.
"Why?"
Plague looks around.
"I don't feel like talking now…being here…it's different…I'm still getting used to it."
"Why should I leave you alone and believe that you'll meet me in an hour?"
"You don't. So trust me…"
Plague walks past Josh and he forcefully grabs her. Josh and Plague look into each other's eyes.
"Let me tell you something about my current situation Plague', Plague just listens tilting her head, 'Everyone out there is looking for me, what your Dad has done to me, I will not stop until I shove my staff down his throat and watch a lightning bolt explode from within him, you hear me?"
"Uh-huh…" Plague says looking like she doesn't care
"So don't, even think about screwing with me."
Plague smiles and disappears. Josh flinches and looks around.
"Plague!"
Plague appears on top of one of the fire escapes above Josh.
"Come alone', Josh looks up sees Plague up high, 'And don't screw with me either', Josh narrows his eyes, 'Men who screw with me, they have a lot more to fear then what my father does."
Josh smirks and Plague just…disappears. He shakes his head and looks around.
"Okay Plague…you can disappear and reappear in different places at once…if you ever meet Vanellope…do not do that in front of her…"
Josh walks ahead and heads home.
Josh's Apartment…
All is quiet in Josh's Apartment. The four wait for Josh's return. Vanellope looks a bit worried. The sound of the elevator rolls and everyone looks at it. The elevator comes to the floor and Josh lifts it up. Everyone looks and sees Josh made it back.
"Josh!" Vanellope yells
Josh watches Vanellope run to him.
"Hey."
Josh picks Vanellope up and hugs her.
"You made it!"
"Told you."
Josh sets her down and the other three walk up to him.
"So, was it worth it?" Calhoun asks
Josh tilts his head and looks funny at Calhoun.
"Absolutely."
Josh looks past everyone and looks at E.D.I.
"E.D.I., find a news station about the aftermath of the train."
"Yes Josh."
E.D.I. searches through the channels finding a station about the train. She finds it and it shows different interviews of the passengers talking about how Josh saved all of them. They just watch as Josh shakes his head with a smirk on his face walking to the TV.
"They're very thankful." Calhoun says crossing her arms
"Goes to show, when you do good, you receive wonderful rewards." Felix states
Josh nods and opens the fridge. He grabs a Root Beer and continues to face at the refrigerator.
"So…I just met Cyrus's daughter…Plague is her name."
Everyone turns at Josh and he finally turns around.
"What?" Calhoun asks
"Cyrus has a daughter?" Ralph asks
Josh leans against the counter and everyone huddles around it as well.
"Is she just like Cyrus?" Vanellope asks
Josh shrugs.
"I don't know. She jumped me in an alleyway, starting talking and told me she'd meet me in an hour at the park nearby."
"Are you going?" Felix asks
Josh shakes his head.
"She doesn't seem to be anything like her father…she's infected. She told me. Also told me some people can change and not become like Cyrus's husks."
"And she happens to be one of those people?" Calhoun asks
Josh nods and takes a sip of his Root Beer.
"Apparently."
"What are you going to do? Meet her?" Ralph asks
Josh looks up at Ralph and looks at everyone else.
"She's an unknown variable; I'm not going to lie. She can either be a friend or foe."
"Wait, you just can't go to her and assume she'll join our fight." Calhoun states
"I know Calhoun. I know. But it's worth a shot."
"I'll go with you then." Calhoun says grabbing her gun
"No. You stay here', Calhoun pauses, looks at Ralph, 'I want you to come with me on this one Ralph."
"Sure. Why me?"
"In case anything happens, she might be intimidated by you. I mean, look at you."
Ralph looks down at himself and Josh finishes his Root Beer.
"Let's go Ralph."
Josh and Ralph walk to the elevator. He slides down the door and waves goodbye to everyone.
"Will be back in over an hour."
"Be careful out there guys." Felix says
"That's no problem Felix." Ralph says
Josh nods and Vanellope waves goodbye. Josh waves back and smirks. He and Ralph go down and go meet this Plague chick.
Hour later, at the Park…
Josh and Ralph arrive at the Park where Plague wanted to meet him. They look around and don't see her.
"I don't see anyone." Ralph says looking around
"Me neither, keep an eye out Ralph."
As Josh and Ralph keep an eye out, suddenly, WHOOSH! Plague appears with her arms crossed looking at the two.
"I told you to come alone', Josh and Ralph turn and see Plague, 'Hard at remembering?"
Josh narrows his eyes.
"My remembering is fine; I just thought I have some backup in case this meeting goes south."
Plague looks up at Ralph in an odd way.
"You brought more then back up, you brought the whole subdivision."
Ralph gets a little annoyed and cracks his neck. Josh steps in front of him.
"The best idea now Plague is not to piss off the seven foot one, 643 pound man standing before you."
Plague sighs and shakes her head.
"Fine, whatever. I didn't ask you to come here to fight. Believe it or not Josh; I'm on your side."
"My side? You're the daughter of the man who's ruining my life last time I checked."
"And last time I checked, I possess the same kind of powers as my father, so I'm a good person to have on your team."
Josh rubs his eyes and looks back at Plague.
"And what do you get out of all of this?"
Plague smiles funny and slides near the fountain.
"I get to watch daddy suffer as we destroy his plans."
"You know what he's planning?"
"Of course, he did it once already. Have you seen it?"
Josh sighs.
"Yeah, I have.', Josh turns and looks up at Ralph, 'Ralph? Can you play nice?"
Plague diverts her eyes up at Ralph and he looks down at Plague.
"I can be good when the time calls for it."
Josh nods and looks back at Plague.
"So Plague…what exactly can you do?"
Plague smirks and looks at the fountain. Josh and Ralph watch as Plague washes her hand in the water and it slowly turns read. Josh watches as the water on Plague's hand gets absorbed and turns into a lookalike of Cyrus's virus.
"Cyrus has his virus, I…have my own."
Josh nods.
"I see. And what about heat?"
Plague laughs and suddenly spurts of fire come out.
"I like it hot and heavy, you know?"
Josh shakes his head. Suddenly police sirens are heard. The three hear it.
"What the hell is that?" Plague asks
Josh looks back and in the distance, spots armored vehicles with the logo S.W.A.T. on the front of it.
"Oh crap! Police! Run for it!"
The three run away as the vehicles surround the park to capture Josh.
"How did they find us?!" Ralph shouts
"Probably picked me up on a traffic camera or something, I don't know!"
"Quit talking and run!" Plague orders
Up on the rooftops where the three are running at across the street from the park, snipers take position and look through their scopes. They take aim and fire. Josh avoids from getting shot at.
"Go, go, go!"
The three exit the park as several cars crash into each other. Josh slides across the hood while Plague hops over the other. Ralph just charges and pushes both of them out of his way. The three run down an alleyway and the S.W.A.T. teams take position covering both entrances to the alleyway. The three run around the corner and see the other end of the alleyway blocked off. They slide and stop.
"We're trapped!" Ralph yells
"We can take care of these fools!" Plague yells
Josh looks and sees Plague ready to fight. Her arms glow and fire shoots out. Josh quickly runs to her and stops her.
"No! No fighting! I don't need S.W.A.T. teams barbecued and have something else blamed on me!"
"And what do you suggest?"
Josh looks around and sees a set of double doors. He points at it.
"There! In there!"
The three run to it and find it chained and locked.
"Locked! Ralph?"
"Got it."
Ralph charges at the door breaking them off. Plague sees and nods with an impressed look.
"Not bad."
Ralph waves his hand.
"Lady first."
The three run inside as the S.W.A.T. teams make it to the scene. They surround the building. Back inside, Josh, Ralph and Plague run into the store and see the S.W.A.T. team set up outside.
"Close the windows!"
Ralph and Plague run to the windows and shut them. Josh goes to the door and locks it. Suddenly the S.W.A.T. team outside turn on their lasers and aim inside the store. Josh looks down at his coat and sees the red dots on him. He looks back and ducks.
"Duck!"
The three jump to the floor and automatic fire is shot upon them. Josh crawls and sees the lasers above him.
"Seriously!? Lasers?!"
"You know how to pick your enemies!" Plague yells crawling on the floor
"I didn't pick them! There ordered to kill me!"
"By who?" Plague asks
"By the guy who ruined my life!"
"Oh."
"To hell with this! To the ROOF!" Josh orders
The three run around into the back and climb up the stairs. The S.W.A.T. team barrages down the door and goes after the three. As the three climb the stairs, the S.W.A.T. team finds them and fires. Josh spins around and throws a soft shock at all them. They get electrocuted but enough to stun them and make them fall on the ground. Plague sees what Josh just did and continues to climb.
"Oh! So you can attack them, but I can't, is that it?"
"I didn't kill them! I stunned them! Move!"
Ralph barges down the rooftop doors and Josh and Plague make it out. Ralph looks around and rips off the air conditioner of the building and places it in front of the door. The three catch their breath and look around.
"Now what?" Plague asks
Sirens are heard from down below. Plague walks to the edge of the roof and looks down.
"Yep, these guys have the place surrounded." Plague says spitting down
"Well, this just got worse." Josh says brushing his hair back
Suddenly a helicopter swings by and everyone looks up.
"Josh Litwak! The building is surrounded! Give yourself up and no one has to get hurt." Pilot of the helicopter says
Josh shakes his head.
"That's what they always say." Josh states
Plague gets annoyed and walks past Josh.
"This is possibly a good time to show you exactly what I can do.', Josh looks down at Plague and sees her smiling funny in a way at the helicopter, 'Enjoy the show." Plague says with a smile
Josh shakes his head.
"Plague!"
Plague whooshes away leaving some of her red aura behind. Josh and Ralph look around wondering where she went.
"Plague!" Josh yells
"Where'd she go?" Ralph asks
"I wish I knew Ralph."
In the helicopter, the Pilot hovers around and keeps eye contact with Josh. Behind him, Plague appears and approaches the Pilot from behind with a funny look on her face.
"Ha, ha…excuse me…', Plague asks as the Pilot turns around, sees Plague and almost jumps out of his seat but Plague touches his shoulder infecting him with her virus, 'Mind if we go for a little ride?"
The Pilot gets under Plague's control and steers the helicopter away. Josh and Ralph watch as the helicopter flies away from them and to the S.W.A.T. team below.
"What the hell is she doing?" Josh asks
Plague watches as she makes the Pilot fly straight into the S.W.A.T. team members below. Her red aura sticks around the Pilot as his eyes glow bright red. Plague sees she's getting close as the S.W.A.T. team members below scatter. She swooshes out of there and the Pilot wakes up.
"Huh?', sees where he's at, 'WHOA!"
The Pilot swerves to avoid a collision but it's too late. The helicopter crashes hard into the vehicles below. Josh watches as the helicopter slides down the street and finally stops. He shakes his head seeing the Pilot crawling his way out. Plague swooshes right back to the two boys and Josh sees.
"AH! BABY! See that! Pretty sweet huh?"
Josh shakes his head and walks away.
"Ralph, let's go."
Ralph walks away with Josh and Plague sees.
"Wha? Are you mad at me?', Plague quickly catches up and runs in front of the two, 'Aw, don't be like that. I just saved your butt. You owe me."
"You could've killed those men."
"They got some bruises, but they'll live to fight another day."
"You're too dangerous Plague."
Plague throws up her arms and smiles.
"Daughter of that psycho…some genes do run in the family…', Josh narrows his eyes, 'You need me. You know you do…just think about it…"
Josh slowly sighs and rubs his eyes. Plague nods.
"I'll see you soon."
Josh takes his hand off his face and sees Plague swoosh out of there. Ralph crosses his arms and looks down at Josh.
"So…', Josh turns around and looks up, 'What now?"
Josh shakes his head and looks ahead.
"Right now Ralph. Home."
Josh walks ahead and Ralph follows. The two men go home.
End of Chapter 12…
Preview of Chapter 13…
Given the circumstance of what Plague is and who she is, if she's telling the truth then maybe she can be an assist to Josh. But he can't trust her yet, not after what he witnessed of her abilities. As E.D.I. analyzes more of David's data, she uncovers there's someone else out there that wants to fight Cyrus. But there's a catch, Cyrus has that person locked up. Locked up? Why? Josh assumes this person might be a threat to Cyrus, or perhaps scare him, or there's a reason why Cyrus locked this person up. Next time on Wreck-It Ralph: Cyrus the Virus, Chapter 13 – The Tower