Chapter 41 – 1,000 Viruses

Darkness's Hideout…

Darkness walks around in his dark filled hideout. His boots hit the floor echoing through the floor. Darkness touches the side of his face which he got burned when the light hit him back at the Hotel Josh caused to turn on.

"Little brat…"

Darkness walks ahead. As he does, a giant computer screen lights up showing power sources of North America. Darkness stares hard at it. He looks at the East part of the country and sees the light sources really bright there. Darkness looks really hard at the light sources as the darkness behind him begins to engulf him.

Josh's Apartment…

Everyone's doing their own thing. Vanellope's drawing while Elizabeth supervises. Suddenly Josh flies up frantically dropping his staff hurrying to the couch. Elizabeth and Vanellope turn as they see Josh rushing over to the TV.

"Hey Josh." Vanellope says

"Hey Josh. Back so…', Josh zips right past, 'soon?"

Elizabeth and Vnallope watch as Josh flies over the couch and in front of Calhoun and Felix.

"Josh?" Elizabeth asks standing up

"Hey Josh were watching TV here." Calhoun says

"Excuse me Josh, do you mind…" Felix begins to say

Josh waves his hands.

"E.D.I.! E.D.I.! Get out here now!"

The TV screen goes away and E.D.I. appears on screen.

"Yes Josh?"

"E.D.I., scan my body right now."

"Is there something particular that I'm looking for?"

"Just scan my body right now! Do it!"

"Very well. Scanning…"

Josh stands still as E.D.I. scans his body. Felix and Calhoun move out of the way and everyone watches why Josh is frantically getting scanned by E.D.I. E.D.I. finishes up the scan.

"Scan complete."

"Well…what did you find?" Josh asks nervously

"I have found something abnormal in your genetic code."

E.D.I. displays images of Josh's DNA with black tar, like the kind he was throwing up is glued itself to his DNA.

"What…is that E.D.I.?" Josh asks nervously

"Unknown. But I took a look closer, there seems to be a code written in them that's repeating the same word over and over again."

"What's the word E.D.I.?" Josh asks

"The word is 'invisible'."

Josh just blinks for a second slowly looking down. Everyone just looks at one another wondering what's going on. Then all of a sudden Josh starts laughing. Josh puts his hands on his face and falls backwards on the couch. Calhoun and Felix, who are on each side of Josh look at each other and back at him.

"Uh…Josh?"

Josh puts his hands down, still smiling and laugh.

"I really hate my life."

"Josh." Calhoun says plain and simple

Josh sighs and stands up.

"I'm invisible." Josh says walking to the contour

Everyone looks at one another wondering what Josh is talking about.

"You're… 'Invisible' Josh?" Elizabeth asks

Josh stops at the contouring, leaning against it with his head down.

"At the Arcade…I went to see Tommy…"

"Tommy? Who's Tommy?" Vanellope asks

"A kid who knows me from the Arcade. A fan you could say. I told him I'd meet him at the Arcade like yesterday. I was going to show him what I could do…show him what's happening…as I arrived there…he was talking and looking for me as if I wasn't even there…"

"Maybe he missed you?" Ralph suggests

Josh turns his head and looks at Ralph hard.

"He walked, right, THROUGH, me."

Everyone flinches. Josh looks back down.

"I reached out for him and my hand went right THROUGH him."

"But why?" Elizabeth asks

"Darkness did something to me when you guys left me alone last night."

"I knew we shouldn't have left you alone! Josh!" Elizabeth yells

"I knew Darkness was hiding I had to do something to get him to run into him."

Plague suddenly swooshes in.

"Nice plan', everyone looks seeing Plague at the table reading a magazine, 'Kind of stupid but I would have done the same thing."

Josh bites his lip staring at Plague who's not paying attention to him.

"So…your invisible huh?', Plague turns her head and stares right at Josh with a casual face, 'Well I see you just find. A little boy walked right through you? And your hand right through him? You sure?"

Josh backs up and walks carefully over to Plague. Elizabeth pulls Vanellope out of the way as everyone watches Josh approach Plague. Plague just sits there with her feet up as Josh approaches her. Josh stops dead right in front of Plague. Plague looks up. Josh looks down. Suddenly Josh lifts his hand and Plague sees his fingers high up in the air. Josh throws his hand down and flicks Plague's head.

"OW!" Plague yells rubbing her forehead

"Hmmm. I can touch you. And yet all of YOU can see me."

Plague smirks.

"I wonder why that is."

Josh shrugs.

"Well, since you're the one who's always telling me I should go out more. And I'm always the one saying I can't risk being seen. So let's see what I'm saying is true so I can say, 'HA! Told you so'.', looks at everyone, 'So how about it 'gang'? Does anyone want to see me get caught?"

Complete silence. Josh claps his hands.

"Let's go!" Josh says marching his way to the elevator

Everyone looks at Josh like he's crazy. Plague just smiles throwing her feet down and throwing the magazine on the table.

"Oh this I have to see."

Plague joins Josh…and soon, so does everyone else.

Out on the Streets…

Josh peeks around a corner from an alleyway and watches several people walk by going on about their day. Behind Josh, Plague, Elizabeth, Vanellope, Felix, Calhoun and Ralph watch waiting to see Josh get passed through. Josh wants to do it but he's a bit nervous about the whole thing.

"Okay…Okay…just…walk on the street."

"Take your time, we got all DAY." Plague says

Josh makes a face and takes a deep breath.

"Okay."

Josh shrugs and walks out onto the sidewalk from the alleyway. He spins around and looks back at everyone.

"See? Nothing?"

"Give it time. I want to hear sirens." Plague says

"Plague, that's not funny."

Plague nods.

"It is kind of funny."

"Shhh!" Vanellope says

Elizabeth and Plague look down at Vanellope. Josh looks at a crowd of people coming and he avoids them purposely. Almost like he's dancing. Plague sees.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Well I don't…', slides back, 'Want to purposely…', slides forward, 'have someone walk through me Plague. It feels weird."

"Well I see no cops around or hear any sirens. Goes to show you can sure as hell make up a story. Invisible my ass."

"It's true! I wasn't making up a stor…"

Just as Josh speaks, a man walks right through him and everyone flinches.

"Whoa!" Ralph yells

"OH my." Felix says covering his mouth

Josh breathes heavily feeling the people walking through him now. He stands perfectly still as more and more people walk through him.

"So you were saying Plague?"

Plague looks funny at Josh and walks out. She stands right next to him and people walk around Plague but not around Josh, just right through him. Josh clears his throat and Plague rolls her eyes seeing a man walking towards her.

"Excuse me! Excuse me, sir! Sir!"

The man stops right by Plague.

"What?"

Plague grabs Josh and pulls him closer.

"Do you see this guy?"

"What guy?"

Josh blinks and looks funny at Plague. Plague almost loses it.

"This GUY. The guy standing right next to me. You might know him. He's been on TV. Most wanted channels…"

The Man looks but doesn't see anyone.

"Are you okay Miss?"

Plague flips out.

"THIS GUY! DO YOU SEE HIM OR NOT!?"

The Man looks and just walks away. Plague just throws her head up and Josh just sighs.

"Now that were all on the same page, can we discuss this in private?"

Josh gets out of Plague's grasp and Plague continues.

"Ma'am! Hey! Excuse me!"

Everyone walks away and Plague continues to stand there.

Josh's Apartment…

Calhoun walks back and forth. Josh just sits down in the middle of the couch while Elizabeth and Plague sit on each side of him. Vanellope sits on the table in front of him. Ralph just sits in the chair staring at Josh. Felix just spins his hammer around.

"Maybe I can fix it."

"Don't touch me with your magic hammer Felix. If you couldn't fix Elizabeth's voice, remember that?', Felix slides his hammer in his holster, 'If you couldn't fix Elizabeth's voice, I don't see how you can possible make me visible again Felix."

"You never know."

"I know Felix. Hammer down." Josh says pointing down

Felix sighs with a disappointed look on his face. Josh rubs his face and looks at his hands. Calhoun blinks keeping her hand under her chin, finally pointing at Josh.

"If no one can you see, how come we can?" Calhoun asks

Everyone looks at Calhoun. Josh blinks realizing that. Plague looks at Josh.

"She's right." Plague says

Elizabeth looks at Josh as well.

"Right. We can see you clearly." Elizabeth states

"Unfortunately." Plague comments

Josh cracks a smile rolling his eyes.

"Ha….anyway, why?"

"What exactly did Darkness do to you?" Ralph asks

Josh sighs thinking remember what happened.

"Let's see…he picked me up off the ground. Started choking me so I can open my mouth. Then before I understood what was going on, Darkness was making me swallow something that made me throw up…many times." Josh explains rubbing his stomach

"What was it?" Vanellope asks

"Black. That's all I remember."

"But getting back to the main question, why can we see you like everyone else?" Calhoun asks

Josh thinks for a second crossing his arms.

"Your all not like everyone else.', everyone looks back at Josh, he shrugs diverting his eyes around, 'No offense guys. Your video game characters remember. You weren't born, you were created."

Elizabeth clears her throat and Josh looks. She looks at Josh funny and he rolls his eyes.

"The truth hurts but my point is getting across. Why else can everyone here see me?"

"Not by…" Plague begins to say

Josh stands up.

"Shut up Plague.', Plague looks up at Josh as he looks at E.D.I., 'E.D.I., can you pick anything else up from the scan?"

"It's hard to say, but the 'Invisible' word is written in many code layers."

"Wait, code?" Josh asks

"Yes.', E.D.I. shows the black tar on Josh's DNA and zooms in closer of the tar, 'Zoomed in a 1000 times over normal, I am picking up codes off the tar."

"If this is a code like you say E.D.I. can it be broken?"

"It's hard to say, possible but…"

"Finally some good news!" Josh yells standing up

The three around Josh look up as Josh gets super excited about hearing there codes.

"Why are you so suddenly happy?" Plague asks

Josh turns and looks down at Plague.

"Plague, I know ALL there is about codes. They can be created or deleted."

"And that helps you how?" Elizabeth asks

Josh turns and looks down at Elizabeth.

"If this 'tar' thing has codes on them, then that means I can break the code. All I got to do is figure out how to break it."

"Ha!" Plague yells laughing

Josh narrows his eyes and turns at Plague.

"What's so funny?"

"How are you going to 'break' the code in you?"

Josh shrugs.

"I don't know. That's what I got to figure out."

"What are you going to do? Where are you going to start?" Elizabeth asks

Josh turns back around at Elizabeth.

"If people can't see me than I can do whatever I want around them without worrying about being seen." Josh explains

"Isn't that the idea of being invisible?" Plague asks with a grin

Josh sighs hard through his nose keeping his cool, literally.

"Yes Plague.', takes a deep breath, 'Darkness made me swallow a code that has turned me invisible…now all I have to do is break the code."

"Wait, wait, you want to be seen?" Vanellope asks

Josh looks down at Vanellope.

"Of course Vanellope. I can't stay like this."

"But isn't this better?" Vanellope asks

"Better?" Josh asks

"Well, yeah, I don't know…not being able to be seen. Sounds easier and probably make your life easier." Vanellope explains

Josh thinks for a moment almost looking like he's nodding agreeing, but shakes his head.

"No. No Vanellope. I can't stay invisible like this. This is just another push back being done by Cyrus himself."

"Push back?" Calhoun asks

"Yeah, in any video game when the main character gets closer to the objective…"

"Josh, is not a video game." Elizabeth says with a certain look on her face

Josh turns his head around and peers down at Elizabeth.

"Well I'm sorry Elizabeth, I'm working off what I know. This whole thing is revolving around a games plot. And as I was saying, the main character is getting closer to his objective and now he gets pushed back from getting closer to his objective."

"In which case, you being invisible?" Ralph asks almost suggesting

Josh snaps his thumb.

"Right on Ralph. Now, excuse me. I have to go break a code within me."

Josh flies over his couch and walks to the elevator. Everyone watches Josh about to leave. Plague stands up.

"Wait, where are you going?"

Josh spins around walking backwards towards the elevator.

"I'm going out Plague. I don't have to worry about cops or people. But as long as I'm out I'm going to figure out if I can break this code at the same time."

"There's no point at all to this." Plague states

"You sure?"

"Uh…yeah?"

"That's funny Plague because the other night, you were nagging about me not going out as much. I figured you'd be happy that I'm doing this. Good day everyone. See you all later."

"Wait, what are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Felix asks

Josh stops right before the elevator and turns around.

"I don't know Felix. Try living. All of you once in your so called 'lives'."

Josh walks on the elevator and throws down the elevator door. He heads down and goes out into the world. Back with everyone else, they all stand around wondering what Josh's comment meant.

"Try living? What's that supposed to mean?" Calhoun asks

"Haven't we been doing that? Fighting Cyrus and stuff." Ralph states

Elizabeth sits forward fixing her skirt.

"That's not what Josh meant.', everyone looks at Elizabeth, 'He means, try to 'live' more like him."

"Like him?" Vanellope asks

Elizabeth looks directly at Vanellope.

"A human."

Everyone looks at one another seeing Josh's point now. Plague just scuffs and walks away.

Random Street…

Later…

Josh peeks around the corner and sees people walking around going on about their day. He takes a deep breath and walks out, as Josh does, he carefully moves around people trying not to get walked through. Josh spins his staff around trying to attract people's attention but nothing's working. He walks up to a lamppost and leans against it. Josh thinks rubbing his chin.

I can't be seen. When I walk no one still sees me. If I walk by someone there just going to walk right through me. What can I do to get someone's attention?

Josh spins his staff around and accidentally hits it along the lamppost.

"Whoops."

The current runs up and explodes the light above making the glass part fall off and smash into the street.

"Ah geez." Josh says rubbing his face

Some people see the broken glass and make a scene. Josh turns around and sees the people staring at the broken glass studying the lamppost he's leaning against. He narrows his eyes and looks back at the broken glass.

They can see what I did. But I just accidentally sent up a bolt of electricity it was an accident…but…if they can see what I do, then that means…

Josh looks at his hand then down at his staff. He looks at all the people walking around and slowly puts his staff on the ground. Josh blinks and taps his staff on the ground creating a slick of ice all over the ground. And suddenly people start slipping and bumping into each other. Josh just starts to laugh lifting up his staff.

"Ha, ha…whoops! Watch where you step.', Josh shakes his head, 'What's the point, no one can hear me anyway."

Josh starts walking down the street with his staff over his shoulder. As Josh walks, people walk right through him without his caring. Josh just starts humming to himself. He walks out into the middle of the street, avoiding from getting hit by a car. Josh looks both ways spinning his staff around.

"And today's weather', slams down staff, 'Slippery roads!"

A wave of slick ice shoots out from Josh's staff on each side of each road. Cars honk and slide feeling the slippery ice just appearing out of nowhere. Some cars bump into each other without causing serious accidents. People get out of their vehicles and inspect the mysterious ice that's now on the ground. Josh just looks around slowly smiling.

Maybe being invisible isn't such a bad thing after all…but still, I have to figure out how to break this code.

Josh throws his staff on his back. He kneels down a bit and flies out of there in a flash.

The Factory…

Josh's Apartment…

Night…

Josh flies up the shaft and lands in his Apartment. He looks around and sees a single light on by the table. Josh walks ahead and sets down his staff. He looks around and looks at his Bedroom door. Josh walks to it and peeks through the small crack as he opens it. Inside Josh's Room, Elizabeth sleeps soundly on his bed. Josh slowly closes the door leaving it open just a bit. He walks to the table and sits down. Elizabeth slowly starts to wake up blinking, she looks around and doesn't see Josh on his side of the bed. She looks up and sees light coming through the creek of the door. Elizabeth gets up and slowly walks to the door.

Back in the Apartment, Josh sits at the far end of the kitchen table. Just sitting down staring at his hand like he can't see it. But in fact, he can see it. So why can't others from what he did today. Elizabeth just peeks through the crack of the door just watching Josh stare directly at his hand, flipping and turning it around.

The Following Day…

Josh flies through the air at high speeds. Behind him, his ice abilities follow behind. Josh flies directly over the flow of traffic and to the nearby sidewalk. As Josh flies over the people on the sidewalk, a winter blast of cold air and ice gather up around the people. The people feel the chill and cold ice appearing under their feet. Josh flies and lands on a lamp post sitting up top watching the people fumble below.

"And todays weather…early winter…ha, ha!" Josh yells flying away

That night…

Josh's Apartment…

Josh flies up the shaft and walks to the table. He sighs sitting down relaxing. Josh cracks his knuckles sliding his staff down on the table. He rubs his face and just looks hard thinking.

Again no one saw me today. No matter what I did. No one saw me. The only thing they did see was the ice and cold I made appear around them. They saw THAT. But not me doing it.

Josh sighs looking down. Back in Josh's Room, Elizabeth looks through the crack and sees Josh in somewhat of a down face. Elizabeth opens the doors quietly and walks out. As she walks out, she stops several feet away from Josh. Josh takes his hand off his face and looks up seeing Elizabeth in front of him.

"Hello." Elizabeth says

"Hey." Josh says sighing

"Just get back?"

Josh nods.

"Yep. Did I wake you?" Josh asks not looking

"No. I've been awake for a while."

"Sorry."

"It's just that when I look over at the spot where a certain guy is supposed to be…I find it empty."

Josh nods.

"Ahh…I ran into your 'guy' friend…he told me to tell you that he's not feeling sleepy at all tonight." Josh says finally peering up at Elizabeth

Elizabeth plays dumb and finally walks to Josh.

"I see."

Josh just watches as Elizabeth comes over and sits close to him on his leg.

"Something bothering you Josh?"

Josh shrugs.

"Oh nothing much. The world hates me. The guy who made the world hate me is still out there. And I'm invisible to the people. Nothing much at all."

"Josh…"

Josh shuts his eyes and sighs.

"I'm sorry. Sorry. A lot of things are bothering me Elizabeth. My two main problems right now are Darkness and Cyrus but the personal problem I have at the moment is this invisible code thing that's in me."

"What have you been doing all day Josh?"

Josh recalls the events in his head.

"I was…trying to break the code."

"How were you trying to break it?"

Josh drifts his head off to the side.

"Oh you know…making an early winter come."

Elizabeth blinks and finally understand.

"Oh…oh! Josh! You didn't…"

Josh shrugs.

"No one saw me so it's all good."

"But still…"

"No matter what I did. People were in a shock and awe and not pointing the finger at me."

"So…you're waving my ice powers you got from me…"

"I like to think their mine now."

Elizabeth looks hard at Josh and Josh sees.

"Shutting up now."

Elizabeth nods with a smirk on her face.

"You're like a child in a candy store just running around hoping to get enough attention for someone to see you."

"I like that example but for me it's more like 'a child in an arcade'. But candy store is fine."

Elizabeth rolls her eyes.

"What are you hoping to gain Josh?"

Josh shuts his eyes thinking.

"I'm hoping…since no one can see me, I figured if I 'cause' enough playful acts around them, the code in me might break and someone…might even see me."

"That's what you truly believe?"

"I know all about codes Elizabeth. They can break with the right command."

"So, you spread your powers out around people, people will start seeing you?"

"Yes." Josh says snapping his thumb

"Well as long as the non-people can see you what do you got to lose right?"

Josh's face just looks lost as he looks up at Elizabeth narrowing his eyes.

"Non-people'? Whose the 'non-people' Elizabeth?"

"Oh well, there's six of them to be exact."

Josh blinks and shuts his eyes sighing slowly.

"Elizabeth…"

"You did it again."

"I'm sorry."

"We're trying Josh. We're trying our hardest."

"That you all are."

"But for you to say something like 'try living'. That hurts."

Josh sighs.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth."

"You sure?"

Josh blinks and looks up at Elizabeth giving him a certain look. He blinks again and nods.

"Yes."

Elizabeth sees the seriousness on Josh's face.

"Okay then." Elizabeth says

The two take in a moment. They both breathe through their noses and Josh finally breaks up the quietness.

"It's ironic you know?"

"What's ironic?"

"I'm invisible. I don't have to worry about being seen by anyone, but I want to get rid of it. Ironic huh?"

Elizabeth thinks for a moment about the irony.

"Huh…"

"Yeah."

"So do you want to be seen?"

Josh thinks for a moment.

"It's not about wanting to be seen Elizabeth', thinks for a second, Elizabeth waits, sighs, 'I haven't realized this until now…since I've turned invisible. I just want the people to start believing that I had nothing to do with making their children sick.', Elizabeth sees the look on Josh's face, 'Just having someone believe me right now…that's all I could possible ask for."

"Believed in?"

Josh nods.

"Yeah. Believed in Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth just stares down at Josh and sees the worried look on his face.

Following Day…

Elizabeth walks out of the Rooms of the doorway and sees everyone doing their own thing. She walks to the contour and sees Vanellope bored.

"Hungry Vanellope?"

Vanellope, with her hands on her face, bored out of her mind just shrugs.

"Huh…"

Elizabeth just smiles and walks to the fridge.

"I'll make you some breakfast."

Elizabeth opens the fridge and looks back. She doesn't see Josh.

"So where's Josh?"

Vanellope shrugs.

"I don't know. I woke up and he wasn't here."

"Again?" Elizabeth says taking out some ingredients

Elizabeth walks to the contour where Vanellope is and sets down the ingredients. She looks to the side and sees Calhoun.

"Calhoun, do you know where Josh went?"

Calhoun turns from the chair she's sitting in and gets up. She walks over to Vanellope and Elizabeth at the contour.

"I managed to spot him before he jumped down the shaft." Calhoun explains leaning against the contour

"Did he say where he was going?"

"Not exactly where he was going. Just doing something."

"What?"

"Believing believed."

Elizabeth narrows her eyes and realizes what Calhoun means.

Near a nice neighborhood…

Tommy walks down the street reading a strategy guide for a game, Thief.

"Uh-huh…oooh! That's where it is."

Suddenly a gust of wind flies behind Tommy and his book flies out of his hands.

"Hey, whoa!"

Tommy's strategy guide flies down the street and Tommy goes after it. Suddenly Josh lands in front of the book and looks down.

"What do we have here?', Josh asks kneeling down, realizing what it is, 'A strategy guide?"

Tommy picks it up and Josh looks.

"Come on Tommy. What's the fun in it if you know how to beat the game? Come on!"

Tommy looks ahead and runs. Josh watches and flies ahead following Tommy to his home. But as Josh flies in the air following Tommy to his home, his friends Frank and Chris run up to him.

"Hey guys." Tommy says

"Hey Tommy, we're going to Frank's house to play some Call of Duty. Want to join?" Chris explains

"Sure. Let me first grab something from my house."

"Hey guys, is it be or is it hot in June?"

"It's you." Chris answers

"Look, I'm not kidding. It's hot."

"It's like 90 out." Tommy states

"That's hot!"

Josh smiles funny hearing the boys talk.

"To hot for you huh?"

Josh spins around and flies really fast past the three. As Josh does this, a cold wind blast comes hitting behind the three and they slowly start to shiver.

"There it happens again!" Tommy yells holding his guide hard

"Whoa! I can almost see my breath!" Chris yells

"Now that's what I'm talking about! This feels a lot better!"

Josh lands on the side of the three as they continue to walk away. He bows down.

"Why, your welcome."

Josh flies up and follows Tommy to his house.

Tommy's House…

Tommy enters his house from the backyard. Frank and Chris talk about certain characters from video games as Tommy looks around the yard for his bike.

"Who do you think would win in a bare knuckle fight, Commander Shepherd or Nathan Drake?" Frank asks

"Commander Shepherd of course. He's got that omni-blade.', Chris demonstrates Commander Shepherd's blade throwing his arm down, 'I mean, Nathan Drake's good at fighting but you can't beat that."

Josh lands on the railing of Tommy's desk walking back and forth hearing the conversation.

"Nathan Drake vs. Commander Shepherd. You think Commander Shepherd would win? You'd be surprised little guy." Josh says walking back and forth

Tommy finds his bike and spins it around walking it to his friends.

"Commander Shepherd is cool. Espeically with his omni-blade, but Nathan Drake is more…slicker then Shepherd is. Shepherd's tough but Nathan's cool."

Josh claps.

"That's more like it Tommy. I'll tell good old Nathan you said that the next time I see him."

Suddenly Tommy's Mom, Anne and his little sister Ellie come walking outside. Anne sees Tommy walking away with his friends.

"Tommy, where are you going?"

"I'm going to Frank's house Mom. I'll be back in a few hours."

"Only two hours today Tommy. I need you back home."

"What? Why?"

"I need you to watch your baby sister."

"Mom, your second born old enough to take care of herself."

"Tommy! Don't call your sister 'Second Born'."

"Well she is!"

Ellie runs ahead but trips over the garden hose. She hits her arm hard and starts crying. Anne walks ahead and picks her up.

"See what I mean?"

Tommy sighs hard.

"All right. Fine. At least I can continue online off my console."

"Oh by the way, be careful who you come into contact with."

Tommy stops and so do Frank and Chris.

"Huh? What for?"

"That horrible virus is spreading around."

Josh flies by and lands between Anne and Tommy.

"Here we go…" Josh says throwing his staff on his shoulders

"I don't want you catching that horrible virus and ending up in the hospital like all those other kids. Especially from that Litwak."

Josh flinches and looks funny at Anne.

"Excuse me? That 'Litwak'?"

Tommy sighs shaking his head.

"Okay, okay, Mom. Can I go now?"

"Call me when you get there."

"Fine!"

Josh shakes his head and follows Tommy out. He watches as the three cross the street. Josh looks down at his hand and smiles funny. He clenches his fist as he forms a snowball in his hand blowing on it to make it more…snowy.

"From that Litwak huh? How about I spread my own kind of virus', looks ahead and sees Tommy across the street, 'All work and no fun? I'll change that, hey TOMMY!"

Josh throws the snowball and it goes flying. It flies and hits the back of Tommy and Chris and Frank look.

"Whoa!" Tommy yells

"You okay Tommy?" Frank asks

Tommy rubs his back and feels the snow.

"What the…snow?"

"Is that snow?" Chris asks

"But it's the middle of June." Frank states

Suddenly two more snowballs hit Frank and Chris and Tommy starts laughing. The two boys look around wondering who threw that.

"Who threw that!?" Frank yells

"Who's making snowballs in June anyway?" Chris asks

Josh flies by creating a snowy trail.

"Well it ain't Santa Claus kids."

Tommy sees the snow appearing around them.

"Hey guys look!"

Frank and Chris look and see the snow. Tommy bends down and picks up the snow feeling it that…it's actually snow.

"It's snow. It's actually snow!"

"What is going on?" Frank asks looking around

Josh sighs sliding by.

"Just go with it guys." Josh says flying up

Suddenly three more snowballs get thrown and hit the three. The three look around wondering who's throwing them. As Tommy looks, he spots Brain, Kevin, Mark and Lilly checking out the snow in the small field with them.

"It was you!" Tommy says

Brian, Kevin, Mark and Lilly look and see snowballs being thrown at them as well.

"Hey! What are you doing!?" Lilly shouts

"The same thing you were doing to us!" Tommy yells throwing another snowball

The four scatter and everyone, not knowing why there's snow on the ground, just go with it having a huge snowball fight. Josh looks down and flies it creating small snowballs.

"All right! We got a game! Ammo scattered around kids! Let's do this!" Josh says flying up in the air

Josh flies up on a power pole and watches the fight. Tommy teams up with Chris and Frank. The other four, Brian, Mark, Kevin and Lilly team up. Josh sees and sees the uneven teams.

"Hey you call this a fair match! I'm on Tommy's team!" Josh says flying down

Josh lands near Tommy as he starts to form a snowball.

"Here, let me help you with that."

Josh gets closer as Tommy smashes more snow into the ball. He blows on it and it becomes super chilled.

"Whoa!"

Tommy feels the snowball and lobs it at Lilly.

"Think fast Lilly!"

Lilly spins around and the snowball plops right into her face.

"Oh! NICE!"

Lilly wipes the snow off her face and Josh just watches.

"Nice hit Tommy."

"TOMMY!" Lilly screams

"What can I say, I make a pretty good snowball. In June!" Tommy yells laughing

Lilly gets her own snowball ready and goes after Tommy. Josh just watches laughing.

"She's going to get you Tommy!" Josh screams

Tommy looks back and sees Lilly about to throw the snowball. Lilly throws the snowball and Josh sees.

"Duck!"

Josh points his staff at Tommy creating slick ice under his feet. Tommy slips on the ice and the snowball misses him.

"Whoa!" Tommy yells

The snowball flies past the snow filled area and hits Butch, a tough looking, chubby boy who turns around growling. Everyone sees who it is. They all look scared seeing Butch.

"Whoops." Lilly says

"Butch…" Kevin says

"Is…" Mark says

"Mad…" Brian says

Brian walks on the snow picking and packing up a large snowball. Josh just leans against his staff crossing his feet.

"Now who do we have here?"

Butch growls and screams ready to throw his giant snowball. The kids back up and suddenly, a snowball impales itself right into Butch's face. Butch just stands perfectly still rubbing the snowball off his face. The kids look at one another wondering who threw that snowball.

"Who threw that?" Tommy asks

"I didn't." Brian says

"I swear I didn't." Chris says

Josh just stands behind the group catching and tossing up a snowball. Butch looks at them all again, yelling ready to throw his giant snowball. But once again Josh throws another snowball and it just smashes right up against Butch's face. Butch drops his snowball and wipes his face from the snow. The kids look nervous as Butch just blinks. But suddenly, Butch starts laughing. The kids look at one another seeing Butch laughing, not growling. Josh just laughs as Butch picks up his snowball laughing holding it over his head chasing everyone. Josh just watches shaking his head.

"Now that's more like it."

The kids stay together as a group running away from Butch. Tommy slides and picks up his bike. Butch sees Tommy alone and goes after him. Tommy quickly pedals sliding all over the place. Josh sees and flies behind him.

"Whoa! It's slippery!" Tommy yells

Josh grabs the handle bars and makes Tommy ride where he flies.

"Hang on Tommy!"

"WHOA!" Tommy screams

The kids see Tommy riding into the street with a trail of snow just forming right in front of him.

"Tommy! Look out!" Lilly yells

"That's the street!" Frank yells

"AHHHHH!" Tommy screams at the top of his lungs

"All right here we go!"

Josh holds the handle bars of Tommy's bike making him fly down the street creating slick slippery ice in front of him. Tommy sees this and tries to ride off but his handle bars are just staying perfectly still. Cars honk as Tommy flies down the street on the ice. Tommy yells as Josh looks back.

"Don't worry Tommy I got you! Just hang on! We're going for a ride!"

Josh lets go of the handle bars making Tommy ride on his own free will. But Josh makes Tommy stay on the ice he's creating right in front of Tommy making him go where he goes. Josh flies alongside Tommy as Tommy just follows the ice forming in front of him. There's a T intersection of ahead and Tommy sees.

"HEY!"

"GOING LEFT!"

Josh makes the ice turn left and Tommy goes up a slick ice trail over oncoming cars. Josh creates a gap in the ice and a small hill. Tommy sees and holds on.

"Let's fly Tommy!"

Tommy flies up the hill and flies across the gap. Josh watches as Tommy flies over the massive gap. He points his staff ahead creating more ice flying alongside Tommy. Josh flies alongside Tommy making him go back to the field where the snowball fight was. Tommy hits the brakes sliding in front of everyone. The kids clap and Tommy just jumps around from the thrilling ride.

"Did you guys see that?! Did you see what just happened!?"

Josh flies and slides on a power poles wires watching Tommy jumping up and down from the excitement. He spins around on the wires and jumps down landing behind him.

"Come on that had to do something. Tommy!"

Tommy turns around and points.

"Hey!" Tommy says happily

"Yes!" Josh says with a smile on his face

Tommy runs with his bike on his side at Josh. Josh kneels down but once again, Tommy runs right through Josh like he wasn't even there. Josh sighs slowly looking down as Tommy's friends walk through him too.

"I can't believe it…"

Josh stands back up and follows the gang.

That Night…

At Tommy's House…

Tommy's Room…

Josh walks up to Tommy's window and looks through it. He watches as Tommy explains his day to his sister Ellie.

"And then, this snow out of nowhere just appeared right out in front of me! It was making me go where it was going! I was flying around, swooping in the air getting major air!', Ellie just opens her mouth hearing the story, 'Today was probably the most strangest, but awesome day of my life! And it's only June!"

Josh just chuckles hearing the story from outside the window. Suddenly Anne enters and sees Tommy still up with Ellie.

"Okay Mr. Gamer, it's time for bed. You too young lady."

Anne picks up Ellie and Tommy slides under the cover. Josh watches as Anne walks out of Tommy's room flipping off the light switch. He sees Tommy getting comfortable finally falling sleep. Josh looks around Tommy's room and sees his collection of video games and consoles. He nods from being impressed. Josh turns around and flies in the air heading home.

Josh's Apartment…

Living Room…

Josh flies up the shaft and lands in his main Apartment. He rubs the back of his head walking further in the Apartment. Josh looks up and sees Elizabeth there, sitting on a chair at the table waiting for him. Elizabeth just looks at him, very tired like she's been waiting for him all night.

"Josh?" Elizabeth asks trying to get up

"Elizabeth?"

Josh walks quickly to Elizabeth. Elizabeth is so tired she almost faints. But Josh catches her just in time. Elizabeth blinks trying to wake up.

"Oh…." Elizabeth says rubbing her forehead

"Have you been waiting all night?"

"Just a few hours."

Josh throws his head back holding Elizabeth carefully.

"Okay, come on. Let's go to bed."

"Mmm." Elizabeth says putting her head down into Josh's chest

Josh helps Elizabeth to his room. He places her down on his bed and the two go to sleep.

Following Morning…

Josh walks out of his room shutting the door. He walks out into his Apartment, seeing Felix and Ralph eating breakfast.

"Felix. Ralph." Josh says walking by

(Same time)

"Josh."

Josh passes Calhoun who's watching TV.

"Calhoun."

Calhoun doesn't turn around.

"Josh."

Josh walks up behind Vanellope and pats her head.

"Morning little Rush."

"Rush? I don't get it."

Josh slides by and sits next to Vanellope.

"You know, like Sugar Rush. Your game."

"Oh. I still don't get it."

Josh sighs calmly and shakes his head.

"I'll explain that later."

Elizabeth turns around and slides a cup of coffee to Josh.

"Morning Josh." Elizabeth says with a small smile on her face

Josh takes the cup and winks back.

"Morning Elizabeth."

As Josh takes a sip, Plague swooshes in slapping Josh's back.

"HEY EVERYBODY!"

Josh spits out the coffee and Elizabeth ducks from the spit. Vanellope flinches nearing falling off her seat. Josh coughs spinning around looking hard at Plague.

"Plague!"

"Morning sunshine! Did I shock you?" Plague asks with a funny smile on her face

Josh narrows his eyes hard and tries to keep his cool.

"Don't. EVER. Do. That again."

"Or what?" Plague asks with a silly grin on her face

Josh looks at Plague hard seeing her smile on her face.

"What? Got nothing to say?" Plague asks

Josh grinds his teeth sliding his teeth side to side. He shakes his head turning back around. Plague nods.

"Yeah, I thought so."

Josh shakes his head with an annoying look on his face.

"And you always have something to say."

Plague looks back blinking.

"Huh? What was that?"

Josh turns and stares at Plague.

"Use that sword of yours to clean out your ears. It might help. But hey last time I checked you don't listen well either so what's the point?"

"Is that sarcasm?"

Josh nods.

"Oh you bet your firey ass its sarcasm."

Plague just smirks.

"Nice to see that side of you. You should show it more often."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh excuse, I'm sorry. I'm a little confused on who I'm talking to. Josh or…or…what the hell was his name? It had the letter B in it."

"Oh I got another name for you and it starts with B also."

Plague looks serious at Josh. Elizabeth steps closer worried about the certain argument that's going to happen between Plague and Josh. Vanellope just watches like this is a new form of entertainment. Felix and Ralph start to notice and Calhoun just ignores all of it.

"You call me that, it will be the last thing you ever say."

"Hmmm…don't tempt me Plague."

"Tell me something Josh, were you always a nerd, or just a video game nerd."

"A nerd? Really? I, am, NOT, a nerd."

"Says so from the guy who has more video games on his shelf that LITERALLY covers the entire wall."

"I'm surprised you can count that high. Besides, I consider myself a gamer. Big difference."

"Gamer, nerd. To me it's all the same. The same as all you wimps out there who hold a simple controller in your hand and think controlling a person is fun."

"If I was controlling you I would run you right into the wall."

"Is that sarcasm?"

"Nope. Just the simple borderline truth."

Plague nods.

"Okay. Since were being truthful here, let me get something off my chest."

Josh looks down at Plague's 'chest' and looks back up.

"Not that much obviously."

Elizabeth grins covering her mouth looking away. Plague's eye twitches and she shakes her head.

"You, are a rotten, know-it-all punk. Who thinks that life is hard to live in the real world."

"It is hard."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, really?"

"Give me one example how it is hard."

"Sure. Wait right here."

Josh walks around Vanellope and around the contour. Everyone watches as Josh opens drawers and pulls out the money from the concert.

"This right here is the biggest example of them all."

Plague looks like she's lost.

"What the hell Josh?"

"Here, let me explain why to you four. Hey! All of you, LOOK!', Calhoun, Ralph, Felix and Vanellope look at Josh, 'Without this, what I'm holding, without it, no kid in this world could ever play your games.', the four look at each other realizing that, 'You ever think of that Plague. I mean, Cyrus the Virus used to be an arcade game where if you lost, it would smack your hand for losing. What kind of game is that? But now I see that when you did lose, you'd get infected with Cyrus's virus."

"What can I say, my dad's a sneak."

"More like a big di…" Josh tries to say

"Josh!" Elizabeth says pointing

Josh rolls his eyes and clears his throat.

"So is that good enough for you Plague?"

Plague blinks and starts laughing. Josh narrows his eyes and everyone looks at Plague who's laughing hysterically. He leans forward putting the money away.

"Did I miss the joke?"

Plague wipes her eyes.

"Is that your only reason? Money?"

Josh nods.

"Yeah, according to this world. MONEY, is what makes the world go around." Josh says spinning his fingers around walking around the contour

Josh walks back up to Plague. Plague crosses her arms and looking hard at Josh.

"Since your being honest, I might as well be too then."

"Oh, wait, wait, there's something else I need to get off my chest."

"Oh really?" Plague asks grinning

Josh shrugs.

"Well unlike you Plague, you have more of a manly chest then I do."

"Is that sarcasm?"

Josh snaps his fingers.

"Yes! YES it is you moron!', Plague narrows her eyes hard, looks at everyone, 'Now let me tell you a story of my own ladies and gentlemen of video game characters. A couple weeks ago, I was enjoying my nice and quiet peaceful life of game development. I was getting straight A's, finishing the work before they were even due. But then I decided to go back to my Father's Arcade. I mean, I haven't been there in two years from my recent success of discovering that video game characters are more alive than anyone thought. So when I get there, I find out my Dad's got a new game, because business is slow. And it turns out, the video game and its main villain are NUTS!', Josh yells swinging his arms around, Plague backs up and Josh looks at everyone else, 'And the main villain, Cyrus, decides to put all the blame on me making me look like the bad guy to this world. Also blaming me why all the children are sick because of ME. Now that's not a good reputation to have since your WANTED by every law enforcement known to main!', Ralph and Felix flinch hearing Josh's yelling, 'And now I have the daughter my greatest enemy giving me a hard time about not doing anything because at the very moment, I'm invisible to anyone who's human! Thanks to Darkness!', Josh spins around and points at Plague, 'So, excuse me Plague, you arrogant psycho, at the very moment, SARCASM! Is the only thing I have left now! Sarcasm!', turns around and looks at everyone, 'And a room full of you video game characters!"

Plague starts clapping and Josh turns around breathlessly.

"YES! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Plague says walking to Josh with a big smile on her face

Josh narrows his eyes.

"What?" Josh asks with a confused look on his face

Plague stops right in front of Josh.

"Now that's the kind of attitude that will stop Darkness."

Josh rolls his eyes and throws his head back walking away. Plague watches reaching for something in her pocket.

"Oh and by the way I have a gift for you Josh."

Josh keeps walking away.

"NO, thank you."

Plague shrugs looking at a disc.

"Okay. Hmmm, Cyrus the Virus…what game system would this fit in."

Josh flinches and slowly turns around. As he does, everyone looks at Plague holding a disc game of Cyrus the Virus that would into a console. Josh walks closer trying to take it out of Plague's hand.

"What the hell is that?"

As Josh goes to grab it, Plague swooshes and Josh looks around. She reappears near the couch looking very closely at the disc.

"Wow! Look at this thing. I don't know what it is but it sure feels like my Father's work."

Josh looks and so does everyone else. He rolls his eyes and walks to Plague.

"Plague. Give me that."

As Josh gets closer Plague swooshes again out of there. Josh clenches his fist looking up. Plague swooshes back and reappears alongside Ralph.

"Hey Ralphy can you take a look at this."

Josh spins around and Ralph looks. Ralph looks at Josh and he nods.

"Ralph. Grab her."

Ralph quickly grabs hold of Plague and she squirms.

"Oh! Hey! Let me go!"

Josh walks over and puts his hands to his sides.

"Disc. Now."

Plague scuffs and drops the disc. Josh catches it and looks at it walking to the TV.

"Okay Ralph. Let her go."

Ralph opens his hands and drops Plague. Plague fixes herself and looks up disgusted at Ralph.

"Don't. EVER. Do that again."

Ralph wiggles his fingers and Plague swooshes away. Josh stares at the disc and Calhoun finally gets up.

"What is that Josh?"

Josh turns it over almost gulping.

"It's…a game."

Vanellope jumps off the stool and hops up on the couch staring at the game disc in his hands.

"What kind of game Josh."

"It's Cyrus the Virus."

Everyone flinches hearing that.

"No. That's impossible. Cyrus the Virus is just an arcade game." Calhoun explains

Josh shows the game to Calhoun.

"I'm holding a disc version in my hands Calhoun. Look!"

Calhoun takes the game out of Josh's hand and stares at it. The name of the game is written in orange all around the disc. Calhoun hands the game back to Josh and he examines it.

"What does it mean Josh?" Vanellope asks

Josh looks at Vanellope and back at the game. He flaps it in front of him and walks to E.D.I.

"Only one way to find out."

Josh walks over and slides the disc and connects his hard drive into E.D.I.

"E.D.I., read this and tell me what you get out of it."

Josh goes back and sits down. Everyone comes closer to see what this disc holds. E.D.I. starts reading the game and suddenly…

"Oh no."

"What? What is it E.D.I.?"

"Josh. Please remove this right away. Now!"

"What? What is it E.D.I.?" Josh says standing up

"Josh remove this disc right now!"

Josh frantically moves over and quickly removes the disc out of the hard drive. He stares at it and everyone waits to see what's about to happen. Josh breathes heavily and looks up at E.D.I. almost fizzing in and out.

"E.D.I.? E.D.I. talk to me. What just happened?"

It takes a moment for E.D.I. to put things together. Josh waits patiently and E.D.I. finally responds.

"I apologize for the scene. But that game had to be removed quickly from my input."

"So…this is a game?"

"Yes. But I picked up large amounts of Cyrus's virus within the game. I felt it spreading out into anything around."

Josh slowly looks at the game and figures this must be a new way Cyrus is spreading his virus about.

"You picked up Cyrus's virus from this E.D.I.?"

"Yes. It was spreading very quickly. You're lucky you got it out in time."

Josh turns around and looks at Plague.

"Plague, where exactly did you get this?"

Plague steps forward with her arms crossed.

"So…you want to know?"

Josh nods with a look on his face.

"Yes Plague. Can we skip this part please?"

Plague sees the look on Josh's face. She rolls her eyes and turns fully at Josh.

"I was out…looking around. When I spotted this little kid with it."

"A kid? Just walking with it?"

"Yeah…snatched it out of his hands before he even realized it was missing."

"Plague." Elizabeth says shaking her head

"Hey, hey! Back to the main subject."

"But still Plague…"

"Let it go Elizabeth.', Elizabeth looks funny at Josh and he looks back at Plague, 'Did you see where the kid bought it?"

"From some store down the street."

"Store?"

"Yeah, that's what it looked like."

Josh blinks thinking about this 'store'. He turns around and everyone watches him. Felix hops on the table.

"Josh?"

Josh stands in front of the table in front of the TV.

"E.D.I., check purchase orders from the store and cross check it with this game."

"Yes Josh."

E.D.I. starts checking. Josh crosses his arms and looks down at the disc in hand. He looks at the words of the game and narrows his eyes. Suddenly E.D.I. finds something.

"I have found something."

Everyone gets closer.

"What did you find E.D.I.?" Josh asks

"You were right Josh."

"On what?"

"The store recently came into purchases of Cyrus the Virus video games."

Everyone looks shocked spreading their eyes. Josh blinks and gulps.

"How many?"

"100 copies."

Josh throws his face down.

"Oh no…" Josh says rubbing his face

"I also cross referenced the order, it's not just there', everyone quickly looks back at E.D.I, 'According to orders and a contest, 1,000 of Cyrus the Virus was shipped out."

Josh just stands there with a complete shock look on his face. Mouth hanging open and just in an 'aw' like everyone else.

"1…1000…copies?"

"Yes."

"A thousand viruses?" Elizabeth asks covering her mouth with one hand

Josh reaches out like he's about to fall down. He slowly falls down putting his head down on the table.

"This…is not…happening." Josh whispers

"Is…this bad?" Ralph asks

Josh blinks almost like he's choking. Everyone looks up at Ralph and Josh keeps his head down.

"YES. Ralph, this is 'bad'. This is very bad." Josh says lifting his head up

"Oh. That bad huh?"

Plague walks over to Ralph and he looks down.

"Come here."

"Huh?"

"I said 'come here'." Plague says waving her hand down

Ralph blinks and bends down. Plague grabs Ralph by the ear and he struggles.

"Ralph. If you think Cyrus is bad, if he can spread his virus to fricken game consoles to all these 'winners'. He can spread his virus faster than you can count to ten!"

Plague forcefully lets go of Ralph and he rubs his ear. Elizabeth and Calhoun look as Ralph rubs his ear.

"Okay, okay. I see."

Plague rolls her eyes.

"Good to know we're on the same page brick for brains."

"Huh?" Rlaph asks

Plague just scuffs.

"Forget it."

Elizabeth turns back and sees Josh somewhat distraught. With his face buried in his hands.

"Josh? You okay?"

Elizabeth pats the back of Josh and he takes his hands off his face.

"Darkness or the virus…what to choose?"

Josh stands up and walks to the TV. He stares at it and looks back at everyone waiting for a response.

End of Chapter 41…

Preview of Chapter 42…

Darkness or the virus? What to choose? Josh can go after both but only one problem at a time. Or perhaps he'll run into both? With Darkness and Cyrus's plan continuing, the children will start to feel what Darkness truly wants, fear. Next time on Wreck-It Ralph: Cyrus the Virus, Chapter 42 – Fear Is Not An Option