//------------------------------// // Virus Busting // Story: There's Nopony I'd Rather Be Than Me // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// It took time to finish the alterations to Rush's program and code so he could use the code fragment to track down other bits and bytes that possessed the same coding signature. They knew they'd need to gather quite a bit before they'd be able to accurately trace the hacker back to his home system. Then came the time to decide who would go. Since Stan had closed the arcade and was keeping it closed until everything was resolved, they could take anyone. Eventually, it was decided that the team would be small with heavy hitters. A large group would draw too much attention to the amount of data flowing through the net. Even a single sprite read as an unusually large data packet when moving on their own. Rush had to come along to lead the way, as did Wily, since he was the only one who knew enough about the net to handle things once they got to the other end. Ralph insisted on going along, as did Nightmare. Felix wanted to go along as well, but it was eventually decided he had to stay behind to help stabilize Moony. "Things will be...different on the net," Wily explained. "I've managed to design some gear that will help us maneuver on the net, and handle everything we'll encounter. However, it's untested." "Where'd you get the idea for these things?" Felix asked curiously. Wily grinned as he passed out the data-suits. "Peeking at the security cameras," Wily replied. "Lauren had her GBA with her one day, and was playing a...rather interesting game. Everything it presented seemed designed for us." He glanced out of the computer. "By any chance, Stan, did you get that game for her?" Stan rubbed the back of his head. "Nope, not me. Total coincidence that." Wily chuckled. "Well, it's still helpful." "Dad!" Zero called out, coming forward. "I'll go too. If you're worried about anything you'll have to come across on the internet, you'll need an extra fighter. Besides..." He swallowed convulsively. "If worse comes to worse, I'm just one of many fighters in my game. If someone has to throw themselves on the virus bomb..." His voice fell silent. Wily stared at Zero for a time. "...alright," he said at last, handing him a data-gear. As Zero took it, he pulled the reploid into a hug. "But don't be reckless, son." "Alright," Ralph said as the pair stopped hugging. "It's time to wreck it." He slammed his clenched fist into his palm. "Rush, lead the way." Rush barked, sniffing the air as he leapt through the internet connection, Ralph, Nightmare, Zero, and Wily following behind him. Once on the net, they saw various paths going here and there, back and forth, interconnecting all the various computers, websites, and everything else under the sun. Also following the path were data packs, emails, downloads, and the occasional viral program. "If we run into any virus programs," Wily began, "let me guide you in how to fight on the Net. It won't be exactly the same as in the games." Nods greeted him, and they all began to follow Rush's nose as he headed out and around the various paths. Before long, his nose led him right to the first group of viruses. "Alright everyone," Wily called out. "Get ready to fight. Your normal combat methods will be somewhat limited on the net...but I have a few things here that might help there." "I'm gonna wreck it!" Ralph roared, punching the first virus dead on, knocking it back and doing a good amount of damage. The virus beside it leapt to the attack. "Ralph! Catch!" Wily hurled what looked like a computer chip at him. Reaching up, Ralph caught it in his right hand, where the data-gear had been focused. A massive mettaur shield appeared over his right arm, deflecting the virus' attack. "What the?" "Battle chips?" Zero asked, raising an eyebrow. "Really, Dad?" "What?" Wily asked. "You saw the game, too?" He threw Zero one. Catching it, Zero hurled the large bomb it contained, destroying the remaining viruses. "Hope you brought enough," he replied, shaking his head. Wily merely smirked. "I have enough." Rush barked, sniffing around the destroyed viruses until he revealed another code fragment that bore the same scent as the one he'd been equipped with. Wily quickly installed it, and they followed the new trail. It took a great deal of time to find enough code fragments to get a more accurate read on where the hacker's base of operations was. At long last, Wily needed only one more fragment to finish the map to the source. "We're almost there," Wily grunted. "But we're taking too long!" Ralph grunted. "What if we don't make it in time?" "Don't worry," Wily promised. "Rush has a homing function. We'll make it back to the arcade much faster than it took us to get here. We'll make it in time." Rush began barking, pointing. A massive virus beast could be seen, eating away at a defunct website. The beast was shaped like a misshapen wooden horse. Ralph swallowed as he stared at it. "Is...is that where the last code bit is?" he asked. "Yes," Wily replied, seeing a spot of the beast's code glowing blue to his goggles. He pointed to the spot. "There." "Do we have enough battle chips to take it apart?" Nightmare asked. Wily checked his reserves. He had two healing battle chips, one shotgun, and one attack boosting chip left. "...no..." Zero grabbed the goggles, putting them on his head. "We just need the glowing part, right?" "Yes," Wily replied, "but-" Without waiting for further words, Zero leapt towards the beast. It rounded on him, snapping him out of the air in its jaws. "Zero!" Wily screamed, lunging forward, only to be held back by Nightmare. The massive beast let out a roar, then began to jerk and writhe. A green energy beam cut it open from the inside, and Zero crawled halfway out. "Catch!" he shouted, hurling a code fragment to the others. Ralph managed to catch it before it fell off the paths. "Zero, get out of there!" Zero smiled softly. "Save Moony, Ralph. ...save your little girl..." The writhing mass inside the beast dragged Zero back inside as it slowly fell off the paths into the ethereal abyss of the net. "ZERO!" Wily screamed in pain, dashing to the edge of the path and reaching after him. Ralph stared in shocked silence at the gap that had swallowed his friend, and now swallowed Wily's tears. Rush howled in grief. Nightmare stepped forward, placing his non-mutated armored hand on Wily's shoulder. "He gave his life for Moony, and all of us," he growled deep in his throat. "We must not let it go to waste. We must make haste." Nodding, Wily turned to Rush. Taking the code fragment, he added it to the map data, getting the completed route to the hacker's home base. "Let's go..." After a time, they came to a rather heavy firewall protection. "What's this?" Ralph asked. "It's the entry point," Wily explained. He examined it for a time, then began to cackle. "Well, what do you know? Our hacker lives in a Smart House." His laughter became mad, maniacal. "And that is good?" Nightmare asked. "It means every device in the house can be manipulated via the net!" Wily cakcled. "By us!" His grin became even wider. "We're bad guys, right? Let's show this bastard what that means! He hurt Moony! He cost me my son!" He pointed to the barrier. "Ralph...wreck it!" Pulling back his fist, Ralph let fly, shattering the barrier.