Episode Sixteen
*written with help from Clearsky*
PO Infirmary
"Quick.. put Turbo on the diagnostic table!" AndrAIa said. Matrix did so, and she brought the infirmary tools over to the unconscious Guardian. She scanned for life signs. "He's fading..."
"I should be out there helping BOB!" Matrix said.
"He told us to help Turbo!! Bob can take care of himself!" AndrAIa replied, raising her voice. "Turbo is barely processing!"
Matrix looked at her, but sighed. She was right, and he knew it.
*** Guardians Meeting Room
Both Daemon and McAfee were badly injured. Their energy was close to depleting. "Well..." Daemon gasped, "It seems.. I have.. met .. my match..." Yellow liquid oozed out of a violent gash in her head.
"As.. have.. I.." McAfee replied. She ignored the pain in her body, and the silver liquid dripping from her wounds.
Daemon did not let up, and attacked McAfee once more.
*** P.O. Corridors
For a moment, the group of fighters froze, then two of the Guardians attacking Mouse and Ray broke off and headed for Bob. Mouse slashed at one as he went by, but a blow on her side from one of the others knocked the breath out of her, forcing her to one knee. Ray tried to catch her and caught a solid blow to the head, knocking him off balance. Bob threw a blast of energy at the two Guardians attacking him, and they ducked, expecting to be blasted. What they got were solid roundhouse punches that knocked them out cold, because Bob didn't have any energy left. Bob blew on his knuckles and grinned at the Guardians looming over Ray and Mouse. They stared at him, a little nervous, then the one standing over Mouse screamed in pain.
Mouse had taken advantage of the infected sprite's distraction and stabbed him with her sword, impaling him on its length. He screamed again and folded over as Mouse pulled her sword free and stood up. Ray swept his leg out and knocked the feet from under the other Guardian, sending him to the floor. Ray jumped on him and took Bob's example, punching the guardian repeatedly with his metal-knuckled gloves. Mouse looked around for the other two Guardians and realized that Hex had finished 'playing' with one and was almost done with the other. The group of sprites quieted as they watched Hex toss aside what used to be a Guardian and turn to them.
"Now.. it is time for me to see Mother!" Hexadecimal said. She quickly headed down the rest of the corridor.
Bob watched her go and shook his head, "She's running right into a fight..." he commented.
"Bob.. where are Matrix and AndrAIa?" Mouse asked.
Bob turned to her, "They're in the infirmary, trying to help Turbo. He's... facing deletion..."
"GOOD!!" Mouse snapped.
"NO! Mouse.. it's NOT good!! He saved my bitmap!!" Bob then explained the events. "We have to help him!"
Mouse sighed, "Ah don't know why… he IS infected after all.. but.. ah won't argue with ya.." and they quickly headed to the infirmary.
*** P.O. Infirmary
"He's lost a lot..." AndrAIa commented. "He's going to need a transfusion..." She looked around, "Cursors!! I wish we had a diagnostic program!! I don't know what to do!"
"Here's the transfusion kit..." Matrix said as he grabbed a box on a nearby table. The doors opened at that moment.
"And here's your volunteer." Bob said as he walked in. He was followed by Ray and Mouse. "Now.. let's see what we can do!"
*** Guardian's Meeting Room
McAfee staggered as Daemon slashed at her with her claws, deepening the cuts on her face. She was bleeding energy from over a dozen wounds, most of them deep enough to delete a normal sprite. Blinded by the energy dripping into her eyes, McAfee didn't see Daemon's next attack until she felt the hands around her throat.
Daemon snarled and tightened her hands as McAfee, still half-blind, started to panic as she found she couldn't breathe. Daemon, also bleeding from multiple wounds, grinned and tried to tighten her grasp on McAfee's throat even more. She found she couldn't, so she forced the Anti-Virus back against the wall, knocking McAfee's head against the hard concrete.
McAfee gasped as Daemon's grip slipped for a moment and the super-virus fell forward, stumbling against her. McAfee slipped her arms up between Daemon's and shoved them apart, breaking Daemon's hold on her.
Gritting her teeth, McAfee concentrated her remaining power and drove her head forward, cracking their two heads together. She released a violent blast of energy with the force of the blow. Daemon screamed, and fell to the ground.
McAfee collapsed from the energy drain, but felt the suffering was worth it as she saw the super-virus writhing on the floor in agony.
Daemon looked up at her, eyes narrowed, breath coming in gasps, "You.. may.. have won.. but.. There will be others. And... you... were almost... deleted .. this time..."
McAfee nodded, breathing heavily as she slowly brought herself to her knees, "When... the time comes... for me to.. be.. awakened.. once more... then... only then... will I worry.. about.. my.. abilities." She coughed violently, and doubled over. She quickly took a deep breath, and regained her composure, "It is time.. to say.. good bye.. Daemon.."
McAfee put her hands on Daemon's temples and a golden glow surrounded the virus. Daemon's screams echoed throughout the Principle Office.
*** Outside the P.O.
A loud, earpiercing screech could be heard outside. It was coming from inside.
Suddenly, the infected Guardians stopped fighting. They stared at the sky... and doubled over in pain, screaming in agony. The web-riders backed away in confusion, as did the volunteers.
As quickly as the screaming had begun, however, it stopped. The infected Guardians fell to the ground, motionless.
*** P.O. Infirmary
Everyone covered their ears, "What in the 'net is THAT?!!?" Mouse shouted over the loud wailing scream.
"Someone has been defeated..." Bob replied as he tried to cover his own ears. He was in the middle of his transfusion to Turbo.
Suddenly, the screaming stopped... and all was silent.
Bob and the others looked around, fearful of the outcome, "So..." Matrix began quietly, breaking the silence, "Who won?"
*** P.O. Corridors
McAfee came out of the Guardians meeting room, and fell to the ground. She was hurt. And hurt badly. Her wings had retreated into her back once again, and she slowly climbed to her hands and knees.
Her wounds trickled the silver liquid, and left small droplets on the floor. Her breathing was laboured and, as she looked at her shaking hands, she realized it would be time to rest once again.
McAfee's body began to shimmer in and out of existence… but she had to hold on. Just a bit longer. Someone needed her.
She slowly got to her feet, leaning on the wall for support... and made her way to the infirmary.
*** P.O. Infirmary
The door opened with a quiet swoosh, and McAfee all but fell into the room.
Ray quickly went to her aid, "Are you all right, lovely lady..?" he asked as he helped her in.
She looked at him, and offered a small smile, "No.. I am not.. but thank you for asking..." She looked towards Turbo. "I must help him..."
Bob stood up, but was still attached to the transfusion kit, "You need help first!!" he said.
McAfee shook her head, "No.. it is too late for me..."
"WHAT?!" Bob replied.
"Please... let me use the last of my energy. Do not try to help me. It is time I rested once again.." She made her way towards Turbo, and stood at the head of the diagnostic table.
The infected Guardian opened his eyes, and looked up at her. "You... won..." he whispered. He could feel that the signs of infection still had not gone away though. "Once infected, always infected..." he thought.
McAfee smiled, "Yes... and now, I shall help you..." She put her hands on his chest, and the ugly wound soon began to close.
AndrAIa looked at the read-outs, "Life signs stabilizing...!" she said.
McAfee stopped for a moment, and closed her eyes - breathing heavily. Turbo felt his strength return. His injury was almost non-existent now.
Bob took off the transfusion band. Turbo was in no more need of it. "McAfee... you need help..." Bob began, seeing how weak she was. McAfee raised a hand to hush him.
She placed her fingers gently on Turbo's temples, "This is the least I can do for you, child..." she whispered raggedly. His body began to glow with a golden light… and slowly the signs of infection began to disappear. She kissed him on the forehead, "Now.. you will be free. I can only do.. so much.. but.. the rest of the infection.. will go away.. in time. You are now.. in full control.. of your body, core, and protocols.."
McAfee stepped away from the diagnostic table, and collapsed.
Turbo quickly jumped off the table, and ran to her, holding her head in his lap. "McAfee.. you're..."
McAfee nodded, and her body once again began to fade, "Yes... it is time. Take care of your friends. Rebuild the Guardians to the glory they once had.."
"But... you can't leave us!!" Turbo began. He could feel tears stinging his eyes.
"I must leave you. I will... help you... once more. The rest.. you can do... for yourself..." McAfee replied.
*** Outside the P.O.
The web-riders, sprites, and binomes, had to cover their eyes from the bright golden glow that suddenly surrounded the unconscious Guardian collective. It spread out to take in the entire system.
"What in blazes?!" Captain Capacitor and Old Man Pearson asked in unison.
Frisket just woofed in reply.
Slowly, the glow began to disperse. The Guardians awoke, and stood up ever so slowly. They looked around in confusion.
Barely a sign of Daemon's infection remained.
*** P.O. Infirmary
"I have... taken most... of the infection away... from the rest of.. the Guardians.. it will all.. disappear.. in time.." McAfee's breath began to shorten.
Turbo shook his head, "But.. that was the last of your energy..!!"
McAfee smiled weakly, "Of course.. I could not.. keep my energy.. not while.. there were... Guardians.. to save..."
Her body was now almost transparent.
"McAfee... thank you.." Bob replied. "Thank you.. for helping us..."
She looked at him, and her eyes grew dim, "It was... my pleasure.. and my mission..."
AndrAIa felt tears slide down her face, "We'll miss you..." she said quietly, and Matrix put an arm around her shoulder.
"Child.. I will always.. be here... even if.. you cannot.. see me..." McAfee replied.
Mouse tried to cover her tears, but Ray could see them. He hugged her tightly, trying to hide his own tears.
"McAfee..." Turbo began.
"Hush now, Turbo. Let me sleep. I am so tired.." her body slowly began to fade away, "Remember.. even if your body may give up.. never.. never... let your core.. give up.." and with that, there was silence. McAfee was no more.
"NOOOOOO!!" Turbo cried, hugging the air where McAfee's body had once been. The room was silent.
Bob closed his eyes, "It's time to go home..."
*** Mainframe
"She's... gone?!!" Dot asked, wide-eyed.
Bob nodded, "She died fighting Daemon. She used the last of her energy to save the Guardian collective.."
"And I missed talking to my mother..." Hexadecimal commented, rather annoyed at the outcome. SHE had wanted to be the one to hurt her mother.. not McAfee!!
Dot sighed, and wiped at a tear, "McAfee will be missed..." she said. Bob nodded.
Suddenly, Mike the TV made an appearance. "Why are you all looking so GLUM?!?! The Mainframe strooooolling players have a show for you!!"
"I don't know if we should..." Bob began.
Mike looked at him, "I won't leave you alone until you do!!!"
That was all the motivation they needed. Everyone quickly rushed to the theater, and took their seats.
***
One more battle fought, and won. How many more would there be? Perhaps numerous. Perhaps none. Perhaps only inner battles. But she knew, as she looked at her friends below, that she would be awoken once again when it was time. A silent soliloquy echoed in her head:
I come from the Net
I scan through systems, peoples, and cities for viruses
My format, Guardian
To mend and defend.
To destroy viruses, and protect the Net.
They say the user lives outside the Net and inputs viruses for pleasure.
No one knows for sure... but I shall be there when they find out! R E B O O T
End of Episode #16
END OF SEASON 4
I hope you all liked it! Thanks for reading!! ^_^
Disclaimer: All ReBoot (tm) characters are property of Mainframe Entertainment.
The character of Paige is property of Joey Cruz
All other new characters are property of ME.. ^_^
The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.