Chapter 54
He knew something was wrong. It wasn't unusual for Daniel to let his temper get the better of him. That much the young man demonstrated quite well upon their first meeting. But there was something different this time. The rage burning in his eyes when he demanded the virus be found immediately worried Vlad. Daniel's focus on finding the virus was - Vlad didn't want to say obsessive, but he feared it was beginning to border on that notion.
Daniel always seemed to have decent control over his powers. At least, from what he saw, Vlad never witnessed him lose control of them. Even when he was very angry with Vlad, Daniel managed to not to let any signs slip, stopping his eyes from flashing bright green with rage. But this time, during his temper, Daniel's eyes flashed dangerously, and Vlad was almost positive that he saw a shift in color from the usual green. That flare of electricity and unrestrained display of strength only added to the break in character from what Vlad knew of the man.
The sound of a whimper drew Vlad away from his ponderings. He lowered his gaze to find Cujo curled up under the desk, hiding in the shadows. His mouth thinned with the certainty that something was definitely wrong here. Cujo had displayed great affection for the young man, after the mishap of Daniel attempting to break into his domain was cleared up, of course. The dog always seemed quite eager to tag along with the man. The fact that he remained behind when Daniel left proved that something was happening to the man, and even the security program was troubled by it.
"Come out here," Vlad instructed in a gentle tone, scooting back and gesturing for the dog to leave his hiding place. Cujo whined but eventually crawled out from under the desk and hopped into the man's lap. "Let me see what you've gathered." Taking the tag on the dog's collar in his hand, Vlad accessed the surveillance feed from the security program.
His expression soured as he reviewed the various screens, detailing the progress of Daniel since Cujo first joined him. There were fluctuations both times he was infected by that Guys in White rogue virus, but the damage was quickly removed both times. Thankfully, Daniel came to him right away after the first incident, though he almost walked away still infected, and the second time he already pretty much mastered the ability to repair his damaged coding. Everything looked fine until Vlad stared at the data from Saturday. A bizarre surge was indicated by what Cujo gathered from Daniel, but it appeared to vanished almost immediately afterward. Then after Saturday, something started to change within the coding, a mutation of sorts slowly corrupting Daniel's digital half. It was so subtle that it was easy to miss if he wasn't looking closely for the change.
For the first time in years, Vlad had that strong urge to kick himself for not seeing that there was something wrong with the man sooner. He was concerned when he went to the man's home and discovered Daniel was sick. In his years before his collapse, Vlad couldn't recall falling ill after the accident that gave him his powers. That could have merely been because he took great care of his body. He never considered any idea that his digital makeup might give him an immunity to human illness, so he never thought to link Daniel's cold with a possible infection to his coding.
His concern came from affection for the man. He tried to deny it when the thought first started to wiggle its way into his mind as that whisper of Daniel being cute echoed inside him. But the man was like his father, somehow managing to worm his way into Vlad's life, yet far more like his mother, Daniel weaseled unexpectedly into his heart. Denial could only go on for so long before Vlad finally had to admit to himself that his care for the man went beyond simply taking Daniel in as a student to teach him about his skills. Asking about Daniel's interests, taking him up to the satellite, wasn't simply to better understand the man and gain his trust. The startling revelation hit him that those actions were because he truly wished to know more about Daniel, wanted to impress him and see that look of awe and wonder when the man got to see the Earth from space.
Shaking his head to rid himself of those thoughts, Vlad sped through the NetZone after taking a page from Daniel and crafting a means of quicker transportation. Time was of the essence right now, and he couldn't waste it on beating himself up for being a fool and straying into emotions that he long since gave up the dream of having someone return. His feelings would hardly matter if Daniel's transformation into - Vlad wasn't entirely sure what that infection did to the man, but whatever happened to Daniel, Vlad doubted the man would return any type of feeling, romantic or otherwise, in that state. He pushed his motorcycle to go faster, keeping his eyes peeled for any signs of destruction wrought by the altered Phantom.
A crackle sounded by his ear, and Vlad reached up and touched it quickly before returning his focus back to driving and making sure he didn't crash into anything. "What?" he demanded in a harsher tone than he meant.
"Oh, I got through," the man said, startled as some hesitancy entered his voice. Vlad recognized it as the man that he left the instructions with after he reached the football field at Casper High. When he saw what was happening to Daniel, he rushed toward the school, deciding that tracking down the Guys in White's virus could wait until Daniel was safe. But it was too late by the time he arrived there, tracking Daniel's location down to the field and arriving moments after the man fled the scene.
Vlad, of course, knew exactly who the man was, having done some background research into Daniel's life. Tucker Foley was Daniel's best friend since they were small children and had a passion for technology. Keeping their secret of being digital beings was of vital importance, especially with Daniel's parents' work in researching viruses and the NetZone and the Guys in White constantly making a mess of things. But saving Daniel right now took precedence over maintaining their secret. Daniel's friends must have some understanding of the severity of what was happening.
"Uh," Tucker continued and swallowed, his gulp coming through over their connection, "we've located Phantom. Er, though I guess he's calling himself EXEcutioner now." Some misery sneaked into his voice. "Anyway, we've got him locked down in a section of the NetZone. Um-"
"South sector," another man said, taking over when Tucker failed to continue, "fourteen Zeta B nine. It looks like it's kind of in a dark spot of the NetZone. Not really much there except this blip of something."
"I was getting to that," Tucker grumbled. "We've got him contained, but, uh, well, that might not hold for long. He's attacking the walls we've put up, and we're working as fast as we can to repair the damage before he can escape, but we're not exactly in the greatest computer lab in the world. The computer's are kind of outdated with all the new models that keep coming out. So if you can get to him soon, that would be great."
"Try to keep the walls up as long as you can," Vlad instructed, steering his motorcycle in the direction of the location they gave him, thankful that it was in a fairly unconstructed section of the NetZone. That meant he wouldn't have to worry too much about evacuating any digital beings in case things turned violent. "I'll be there soon." He shut off the line as the engine revved loudly and the wheels squealed against the ground. The world sped past him in a blur, but it didn't seem to go by fast enough for him. He needed to get to Daniel now.
He saw the walls in the distance, the bright blue of the translucent structure reaching toward what appeared as the sky of the NetZone. When he got closer, Vlad frowned at the gathering of security programs, his red eyes narrowing at one in particular that he recognized among their numbers. The Guys in White already provided enough problems with that rogue virus they allowed to escape and target Daniel. Vlad wasn't going to allow the pathetic organization to get their hands on Daniel. Teeth grinding painfully, he pushed the motorcycle forward toward the programs, who scattered to avoid being run over. He came to a screeching stop right in front of the tall, skeletal like program.
Walker's green eyes narrowed at him as Vlad rose from the motorcycle, allowing it to melt away into nothing. "Go back to where you came from program," the head security program ordered in a crisp, stern voice. "We've got this area in lock down until we've managed to contain the dangerous virus."
"I believe I'm the one that has him contained," Vlad argued, turning his gaze toward the walls. He swallowed back his fears when he saw Daniel, the rage upon his familiar face that looked entirely different with the flaming hair and red eyes. Daniel shouted as he assaulted the wall, slamming large gauntlet covered fists into the blue energy with enough force to crack it. Tucker, and his friend, were doing a fairly good job keeping up with the damage, but it wouldn't be long before Daniel managed to break his way out of this confinement. "I suggest you take your goons and leave before it's too late." He lifted an arm, his red bladed sword appearing at once in his hand as he pressed the blade to the warden's throat.
"Threatening the head of the Guys in White's NetZone security?" Walker snorted, unimpressed with Vlad's show. "I'm sure we have room for a lawbreaker like you in our cells."
"I thought I heard the voice of an idiot out here."
Vlad sneaked a quick glance at the new speaker before focusing back on the program before him. The red eyes of the newcomer were a storm of fury as they glared at Walker. Vlad couldn't recall seeing a program like this one with its pitch black body that was dotted with almost as many stars as the night sky.
"So this is where you've hidden away, Nocturne," Walker said with a cold smirk. "Looks like it's my luck day. I'll snag that nuisance Phantom, two viruses, an odd program," his eyes narrowed at Vlad, "and our escaped pet. I'm sure you'd love to be reunited with your disgusting virus. But," cruelness spread into his expression, "you'll find Vortex to be a much different virus than you remember."
The comment gained an immediate reaction. The purple horned program shot past Vlad, pushing him back as Nocturne rose up to loom over Walker. "It was stupid for you to appear before me again, Walker," he said, the dangerous hint in his voice making even Vlad not want to tangle with him. Something clearly happened between these two in the past. "You'll find," he waved an arm and a fine mist wafted through the air where it passed, "I'm a much different program as well. I haven't simply been sitting idle all this time."
Vlad watched, with some concern, as the black mist touched Walker and the other security programs closest to him. Their eyes dulled, slipping half shut as their bodies relaxed. They appeared to fall into some sort of trance. Vlad questioned how a mere program ended up with a mind controlling ability, but at the moment, he was thankful for it since he wouldn't have to waste time fighting off Walker and his goons now.
"I don't know what's happened to Phantom," Nocturne said, not even looking toward Vlad, "and honestly I don't care about the brat. I've waited far too long to get my revenge on Walker. So this is where I shall take my leave." His body dissolved into a cloud that spread out to touch every single one of the security programs, placing them all under his spell. Their movements were jerky as they turned and marched away from the area.
A small part of the tension melted from his body at their departing forms. When this was all over, Vlad would have to track down that program and offer his thanks for his help in this situation. Though it seemed Nocturne was happy enough to get his revenge at long last. The rumbling crash of noise brought Vlad's attention back to his immediate problem. When he turned around, their red eyes locked with each other, Daniel's glowering darkly at him.
"This cage won't stop me for long," Daniel growled, pressing white gloved hands to the translucent blue of the wall before him like he was testing for a weakness. "And when I break out, I'll finish off all the viruses."
"Daniel, this isn't you." Vlad stepped closer until the wall was the only thing standing between them.
"But," Daniel put a finger to his mouth, looking ponderous for a moment, "isn't it?" He spread his arms wide with a wicked smirk slipping onto his face. "All I've ever done is protect the NetZone from virus attacks. How is tracking them down and destroying them before they can destroy the NetZone that much different?"
Vlad's attention strayed for a moment, catching sight of something behind Daniel. "Because you're not cruel." His eyes remained on Daniel as he circled around the prison, and the man paced him with annoyance in his expression. "You have a temper, so does everyone else. But seeking out viruses that haven't done anything yet? That's not like you at all."
"Why should I wait for them to attack? It's better if I stop them before they get the chance."
Vlad frowned at the logic. Many users would probably be happy if viruses could be stopped before they could attack and cause damage to their computers, corrupt data, steal it away for hackers to utilize. But viruses were living entities that developed their own personalities in much the same way as a human. They couldn't help the way their creators programmed them. Vlad didn't condone their actions, but if they were merely existing within the NetZone, forgotten by their users, that hardly meant they deserved total eradication from the NetZone.
His eyes broke away from the stare down with Daniel as Vlad glanced toward the pair on the ground. He recognized the female virus as the one that attacked at the football game. The flames of her blue hair barely flicked upon her head, like her sorrow doused them. She knelt beside the gruesome body of another virus, too badly damaged for Vlad to even make a guess at whom it could be.
"If you can move, I suggest you get out of here," Vlad warned her.
"Don't go too far," Daniel said, his eyes glowing dangerously as he grinned. "When I get out of here, I'm going to track you down first."
"Just go!" Vlad shouted.
The female virus jolted into action at that order. She grabbed the severed limb before snaking her arms around the body of her fellow virus. Vlad waited until she dragged him off for some distance before turning his gaze back onto Daniel.
"Why are you even bothering with this?" Daniel questioned, his mouth pressing into a tight line as his fingers curled, clawing against the barrier before him. "I always wanted this power, and now I can finally rid the NetZone of viruses. This is going to make my life so much easier."
Vlad frowned as he eyed the man before him, wild red eyes with fierce determination to accomplish his goal. It was like staring into a mirror, a reflection of his younger days when his obsession with Maddie drove to devise a multitude of schemes to kill Jack and win Maddie. They were dark days where living was merely going through the motions while his thoughts circled only around the woman he claimed to love. Though now he knew love wasn't what he felt for her, not the love he sought anyway.
"You're wrong, Daniel." Vlad shook his head, trying to think of some way to reach inside and draw out the real Daniel. "You've been corrupted. This drive you have to destroy viruses is consuming you. But what happens after you've accomplished that goal? It won't satisfy you. You'll still feel that need to destroy. You'll attack programs next. You'll wreck havoc upon the NetZone until everything is destroyed. And when that isn't enough, you'll turn to the real world. You have to stop this now."
Daniel stared for a moment before a laugh bubbled out of him. "Did you think that would work?" His arms wrapped around his waist as he threw back his head and laughed, the sound echoing within the confines of his prison. "It's a cute speech," he dropped his gaze back to Vlad, "but I'm perfectly content with this new power." He drew back a fist then slammed it forward. The crashing sound of the cracking wall filled the air, and Vlad jumped back out of the way as it came down in a rain of sparkling blue. Daniel finally stepped free from the blue cell.
"Daniel, stop for a moment and think about this." Vlad's expression remained neutral as the man abandoned the heavy gauntlets in favor of the scythe he first crafted when deciding on a weapon.
"Think about what exactly?" Daniel shouldered his scythe and tilted his head to one side. "About wasting the last three years in what I thought was a hopeless struggle against viruses? About how I could have had all that time to actually study and get good grades instead of running around fighting them? About how I've always had to ditch out on my friends and miss out on a lot of my life these past three years when I could have had this power before?" He stepped up, leaning his head in so that their faces were inches away. His red eyes stared into Vlad's eyes as his lips stretched wide in a grin. "And you can stop calling me Daniel now. It's EXEcutioner." He chuckled. "You're the one that told me that living in the real world was killing me. Well," he leaned back but still remained uncomfortably close, "now I'm a permanent resident of the NetZone."
When Daniel, he refused to recognize the new name the man chose for himself, turned away, Vlad grabbed hold of his arm to stop him. Daniel swung the scythe at him, but Vlad caught his wrist, stopping him before the blade could cut into him. "Daniel," Vlad growled as they played a game of strength, Daniel still trying to slice him in half with the scythe while Vlad struggled to stop him. "I know what I said before. I know I told you that you were mostly a digital being now. I wrote off my human half a long time ago because of what happened to me."
"And you believe it will happen to me too." Daniel ground his teeth in his continued attempt to cut down the man before him. "So why shouldn't I just give up my human side now?" His eyes narrowed as he abandoned the scythe.
"Because," Vlad erected a shield to block the energy ball fired at him, "you're," he yanked on the arm he still held, dragging Daniel toward him, "still," he ducked when Daniel tried to punch him, "human!" He twisted the man around, holding Daniel's arms crossed over his chest as he held the man close. "You're not just some program. You're something more. You can accomplish things that nothing else on the NetZone can. You don't need this power if it means losing yourself. I know the human side of you is still there, and I know you can overcome this. You did it before when the EMP hit the school. You can do it again now."
Daniel laughed bitterly as he struggled to free himself from Vlad's hold. "Maybe I don't want to overcome this. Did you not think of that? What makes you think my so-called human half will put up the fight?"
"Because I believe in your human half." Vlad squeezed his arms around Daniel as he pressed his forehead to the back of the man's neck. "Because I know your human half is stronger than this. You're not the type to give up like this, Daniel. You're a fighter. You can overcome this. I know you will."
"Why?" There was a broken hint bleeding into harsh, angry tone. "Why do you believe so much in my human side?"
Vlad gritted his teeth, wondering what he had to do to finally get through the man's thick skull. Keeping a tight hold on the man's wrists, Vlad spun Daniel around and caught a hint of green in those furious red eyes. He pulled the man against him and crushed their mouths together before Daniel could work up any protest against the action. Daniel fought him, struggling to pull away, to twist his arms free, but the tension slowly melted from his body, relaxing into the sudden kiss. What possessed him into the desperate act, Vlad couldn't say, but when he pulled back, he was relieved to see the familiar brilliant green eyes staring back at him in a startled expression.
"Vlad," Daniel mumbled, blinking several times. Then suddenly, he gave the man a hard shove, turning away as he grabbed at his head, still with the white flames flickering.
"Daniel," Vlad shouted in alarm, reaching for the man.
"I'm not!" Daniel slapped the hand away. "I can't - Argh!" Daniel collapsed to his knees, clutching at his head as he shouted in pain. Sparks leaped across his body, crackling in the air.
No thoughts raced through his head as Vlad dropped down beside the man, drawing Daniel into a tight embrace, hugging him from behind despite any struggles and ignoring the pain of the electricity zapping at him. Worry gripped him like a hand squeezing around his heart, not understanding what was happening at that moment.
"Vlad, I-" Daniel's voice sounded hoarse from shouting, and he twisted his head around, meeting Vlad's gaze with frightened eyes in a bizarre mixture of red and green. "It's-"
His body jerked in Vlad's arms, and Daniel tried to curl up in a tight ball as a scream ripped from his throat. The horrible sound rocked the area, the loudness making Vlad wince as his eardrums felt close to rupturing at the terrible onslaught. Over that noise, he couldn't hear the sound of the ground cracking, only coming to notice the danger when the ground shifted beneath them.
"Daniel!" Vlad shook the man in a panic. "Get a hold of yourself!" But his voice was drowned out by the massive vocal attack, if it could be called that, that was destroying the area around them. Vlad held on tight to the man, trying to drag him up as he climbed to his feet. But Daniel wouldn't be budged from where he knelt. "Dan-"
The explosion of white blinded him as pain seared every nerve ending in his body. Vlad screamed, or thought he did since he couldn't hear anything beyond a high pitched ringing in his ears. Darkness ate away at the whiteness as that freefalling sensation tugged at his consciousness. Falling? But the only thing below the ground level of the NetZone was-
The under level! Panic woke him from that painful sense of lethargy. Vlad ordered his body to move, forced his energy to materialize as shields beneath him and stop his descent, but his body refused to listen to his orders. Everything felt sluggish, his eyes slipping halfway shut as the dark oblivion drowned that sense of fear coiled tightly in his chest. A gloved hand reaching out to him was the last thing he saw as the ticking of a clock echoed and followed into his sleep.
swagdanny: Woo evil Phantom~ 8D It's always fun when he goes evil for a bit, huh? XD;;
Sammi: 8D Nope. The walls were done by Tucker and Kwan.
DARKLOVEFORFANFICTION123: Thanks~ *.*
midnight: It almost was! O: Yay for being on the edge of your seat! 8D
maltese: Poor Tuck is probably going to be feeling guilty over that for a while.
Just Will: I jump sometimes though. XD;; Like, oh no Danny's in trouble! Now I think I'll do five chapters from other people's perspectives before showing what happened to him. XD;; I was trying to be all mysterious about who it was until Technus finally came out to reveal himself. XD;;; It was kind of odd writing them together since in that one episode, they seemed pretty much just thrown together because Ember, Kitty, and Spectra were complaining about their guys. It seemed a lot like the writers had this idea for Ember and Kitty to combine their attacks for the whole male disappearance act but they went "oh snap, Ember doesn't have a guy to complain about... Let's just throw her together with Skulker. No one will think that's weird or random or anything. Yeah." But they kind of grew on me when I first wrote them interacting in this story. XD;; Haha, yeah. It's like when users release their programs/viruses onto the NetZone, the programs/viruses start to develop their own sense of self.