Chapter 26: The Virus

"You-!"

"Me." The virus's voice crackled with electricity, and he smirked as Amy took a step back. "I've been waiting to meet you face to face, doll. I must say, the wait was worth it – you're even more interesting in person. That energy emanating from your mind…" he seemed to sniff the air, despite the fact that his electric body didn't seem to have a nose. "…Delicious."

Reuben ran in front of Amy. "You're not laying a hand on her, you troublemaking sparkler!" The virus raised an eyebrow – well, it looked like it. It was hard to tell – his entire body was blue electricity with a vaguely human shape and a pair of eyes that were simply yellow shapes on his… head. "You're the one who's been giving us so much trouble!"

"Me?" The virus sounded hurt as he pointed at himself. He had begun circling them, slowly and amiably, like he was taking a stroll in the park. "I was just doing my job. Keep the ship busy while my master downloads all of those silly files, cause distractions-"

"Like the blackout," Reuben grumbled. The virus glared at him.

"Don't interrupt. Cause distractions and the like. Keep you on a wild goose chase. You," he eyed Amy, "were simply too interesting for me to ignore. I detected your power as soon as I was on the ship – you have so much potential with all of that energy. I couldn't help but seek you out through the walls…" he smiled. "And I must say, our little game was fun."

"Game? You electrocuted me and kept me up at night!" Amy protested, stepping out from behind Reuben. "You call that a game?"

"I call that getting your attention. But perhaps my approach was… less than agreeable?" He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

"Less than- you were driving me crazy, and not only that, but you've put the entire ship in danger! You're a danger to everyone here!" She took a step forward. "I am so sick and tired of your crap!"

The virus's shoulder seemed to droop a bit. "How disappointing. I was so hoping that we could be friends, maybe partners in crime." He gave another melodramatic sigh. "But I guess I'll just have to kill you after all. I apologize." He opened his eyes, and his hands crackled as energy collected around his palms. "Let's start with you." He shot a bolt of electricity from his palm, and hit Reuben in the chest. Reuben cringed as energy shot through his body, before finally falling to the ground.

"Reuben!"

"Cheap shot…" Reuben grumbled as he struggled to get up. "Didn't even give me time to think about fighting back…"

"Now you, sweetheart. I'm so terribly sorry, but orders are orders. Kill anybody who interferes." He aimed at Amy, who ducked as the blast shot towards her. It hit a wall, leaving a large black circle where it had hit.

Amy quickly ran as the virus stared at the black circle in surprise, before charging up and shooting at her. She came to a screeching halt just before she ran into the path of the blast, and the virus cursed.

"Hold still, doll, and this won't hurt as much!"

"It's my turn," Amy muttered, looking at the wall-pane that had fallen off from the second blast. Move. It didn't. Move!

"Thank you," The virus responded, "for stopping. Now, if we can just get on with killing you properly, I would greatly appreciate-" CLANG!

The virus was knocked backwards as the metal pane hit him square in the face, sending him tumbling to the floor. Amy smiled a bit. It worked! The virus stood back up, steadying himself by grabbing his knees.

"That was… a good shot…doll…" he muttered, as if he still hadn't quite registered what just happened. "But it's going to take a lot more than that to get rid of me." He aimed at Amy again, and she jumped out of the way as he sent a ball of electricity towards her. "Stop that!"

"Not used to dealing something harder to catch than yourself?" Amy asked as she scrambled to her feet. "Must be frustrating."

"Don't taunt me!" He stood up, and began powering up. "I don't want to hurt you more than I already have to! Just hold still and I will make this as painless as possible!"

"I appreciate the sentiment," Amy said as she knocked him back with the wall panel again, "but I also appreciate living."

The virus got up again, only for Reuben to get him in a headlock. "That's for earlier! Nice work, Amy!"

"Let me go!" Another jolt went through Reuben, who clenched his teeth but refused to break his hold on the virus. The virus tried to pry himself free, but to no avail, and electrocuted Reuben again. "Stop this!"

Amy let out a sigh of relief, but saw that Reuben was starting to weaken. I have to find a way to stop him without getting Reuben killed… wait. If he can't leave this room, then that means… She looked at the computer plugged into the wall. He's just projecting himself from the computer!

Reuben was forced to let go as a third jolt went through him, and the virus dashed towards Amy. "Now, let's get this over with!"

Move! Move! Amy thought. The mouse on the screen failed to do anything. Blitznak! She ran towards it, and fell over as a blast hit her foot. She hit the floor with a grunt as the virus stood over her.

"Now, for the last time, doll… hold still."

Amy looked at him. Move! The virus was shot backwards at the wall, and Amy turned back towards the computer, scrambling up and running towards it. She quickly grabbed the mouse. C'mon… she hit Start.

"Don't you dare!" The virus stood up, and Amy hit SHUT DOWN. "No! No!"

Amy and Reuben watched as the virus dashed toward her, flickering in the air, and barely grasped her wrist before disappearing altogether. Amy slowly unplugged the computer from the wall, and the two looked at each other.

"We… we did it." Amy whispered.

"I guess we did," Reuben said with a smile, and stood up, walking over to Amy and helping her up. "Now let's get out of here."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

Both of them turned upon hearing the click of a gun, and saw Agent Crystal Venom standing in the doorway and aiming a pistol at Reuben's head.