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*snapshots P.O.V.*
I was circling the statue of a small, disturbing, creature of fungal origins. in other words, Bitshrum, net king #2. the bug scanner looked like a shadow on his mushroom cap. Looks like Kizuna actually invented something useful, I thought as i grinned. I hate my smile, it makes me look like i'm about to eat someone. All of a sudden a voice shouted through the cool night air, "GET REKT MOTHER SCRATCHERS!" seconds later, a slightly mexican voice replied venomously, "SHUT YOUR MOUTH RODENT OR ILL STUFF YOU DOWN THE CROC'S THROAT!" I replied quietly, trying hard not to laugh, "I actually prefer cat to raccoon, if you don't mind." My smile was ripped off when Kizuna commented with cold malice, "Snapshot, I suddenly have an urge to punch you." Next thing i knew i was launched backwards as Oblivion hand came out of nowhere and punched me in the face. "Augh," I screamed, "How the hell did you do that!? you were halfway across ;Sanctuary!" Rockoon's voice buzzed on the comlink, loud as a foghorn, "I've been meaning to ask you this, but why do you talk like an aussie when you live in the continental U.S.?" Stiffening, I opened my mouth to reply when Oblivion and Kizuna added, " We've wondered that too, mate." Luckily I got a PM at that exact time, although i made a mental note to shoot Oblivion in the near future. Opening the virtual envelope, i was greeted by one name in the sender box. ZETTO. I hastily read the message's contents. meanwhile Oblivion walked up and read them over my shoulder.
Meet me at the Balance stadium in half an hour. No hacking, the Mods are on high alert after that virus showing up and splats failure at the mansion didn't help either.
-Z
Suddenly another PM popped up but this time sent to all D_ Buggers hackers as well as Oblivion and was sent by Tigerlily.
This is an important PM to all hackers hired by D_ Buggers , Absolutly NO hacks are to be used unless absolutely necessary until the Raven's message has been delivered. Also to a certain member of the team, the package is not to be opened unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
-Tigerlily
Discounting the message from Kizuna, I started towards ;mechcity, when Oblivion popped up and scared the living crap out of me. I still want to know how you punched me, I thought darkly. Instead, I said, "I've got to go meet Zetto." Oblivion completely flipped out. "WHAT?! Zetto wants to meet you?!" another ping interrupted my friend's rant. skimming the message, I said to him in a blank tone, "He wants you to come, too." For a second everything was still. then there was an eruption of light as Oblivion took off using The Skyrocket hack, yelling, "WWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'M ON A ROCKET!" I facepalmed before following. As we soared towards ;Mechcity, I thought about how weird Snapshot's flying animation, as he swam through the air like it was water, swerving left and right. when we landed a voice behind us said casually, "Well it's about time." I smirked as i countered with, ¨that your catchphrase or something?¨ He scowled, and i began wondering how he was before his arm was cut off. that's a project for another day. Zetto just said, "There's a virus in ;Mechcity. Take care of it." With that simply said he logged off. I started stringing my bow when i heard a snigger from behind me. I casually continued, aware that whoever was behind me knew they had me in the blind. or at least they thought they did. i casually drew an arrow and nocked it to my string. i heard a quick intake of breath from the mysterious figure. Big mistake, I thought smiling. Now i knew exactly where he was. In one fluid movement, I spun around, drawing back the arrow and releasing it at the shadowy figure i could barely discern from the stadium seats. they leaped up and landed in the middle of the stadium. i immediately recognized the disproportionate arms, the small head, and the strange antennae sticking out of his back. "You're Neomutant," I accused the virus, what Zetto had called Skin-Changer. A thought struck me and i scanned a photo of the virus into a folder and labeled it "Virus Bestiary." Now, this was going to be fun.
Snapshot and Oblivion were on opposite sides of the pseudo-Neo, and both prepared for a real fight. Snapshot decided to use his sword, a meter long blade and made of true ice. Oblivion's cyber sword was already out and ready to cleave the virtual doppelganger into ribbons. Out of nowhere Oblivion rushed in at the virus using Chaos Ripper. Pseudo-Neo leapt into the air but Snapshot lunged at him, bowling him into the stadium floor. The two of them wrestled on the ground trying to hold the other to strike them down. As soon as Pseudo-Neo was on top Oblivion tackled him. after a brief disengagement, Snapshot began weaving a net of ice around the virus, ducking in and out of range, each time dealing a stinging strike to him. Oblivion joined in, and with an elegance of two mind working in perfect sync, they decimated the virus with repeated slashes and thrusts. Suddenly, out of the blue, the virus released a shockwave of energy, sending the pair flying. Pseudo-Neo was angry now. He fought like 4 players, constantly switching tactics to keep Snapshot and Oblivion on their toes. Finally with a lunge, Snapshot closed the distance and began a dance of death around the virus. He would lunge to dodge a swipe, riposte a punch, slash at an exposed area, and he was completely untouchable. Then a shrill scream rent the air," HERE'S ROCKY!" suddenly the entire scene froze. Snapshot grimly whispers, "Now were all doomed." The real Neomutant's voice came after, "I'm here too." Oblivion yelled, "Thank GOD!" *A Flash of Light!* The Virus stood mutinously in the small cylindrical trap. All in a day's work, Snapshot thought wearily after the debriefing.
I began typing in earnest, each word coming from true experience.
Virus Name: Skin-Changer
Power: Shape shifting
Known Forms: False Oblivion, Pseudo-Neo
Strengths: Camouflage, Character's Strengths
Weakness': Lightning, anti-virus program
Status: Captured
That seemed to be everything for now. "Okay then," I said to myself alone in my dark room, "Time to investigate you, Zetto." I began searching through the games character history, through dozens of old and discarded characters. I whistled when i started seeing the older models, the undeveloped side characters and npcs that Netking Software hadn't been able to implement in time for the launch and abandoned. Finally I saw a model that looked familiar. Two models in fact. "So that's what kizuna looked like before." I copied the Zetto Model to my Desktop and began the long arduous process of making it a proper character model. Why do they only save the original concepts, I thought angrily. With that done I decided I had had enough excitement for one day.
This is the end of Chapter 2 of TOME: The Virus Files
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