8-Bit's Inside Story

Chapter 7 (1/2): Defacing

"Tara I'm just saying-" she masterfully slashed through the shimmering cyan brush- "I don't think that makes it legal."

The midnight-clad maiden sauntered out the forest with her nose turned to the sky. She and Bibi had been wandering through the trees with nothing to do. They expected a dynamic battle with drones of clones floating down from the sky and crawling below but alas, The Virus had allowed them relatively easy passage. Though with how dense this foliage was, without the help of RETRO they might have been stuck for hours.

Bibi labored her point, "It just seems... wrong? Even by my standards."

Bull spoke up within her earpiece, "And what standards are those?"

"The same standards that stop me stealing from family friends."

Tara raised a disagreeing finger, "Mhmm mmhm hmhhm mmmhmmhmm?"

Bibi rolled her eyes before pushing aside her pigtail-covered ear, "Sandy, I need a translation." The sovereign savior of sleep stepped up to the mic per request. Tara had her face practically smushed against Bibi's ear so she could repeat the message.

With a little yawn he informed her, "Tara wants to know what about strangers?"

Bibi scoffed, "Oh yeah they're fair game."

A bit of shuffling over the mic clued her into the change in speaker. Rico's robotic drawl chimed in, "I hate to ruin the fun but you should look ahead." The girls refocused on the expanse of land ahead. When Tara's eyes met this new location she almost shed a tear.

Laid out before them was a digital replication of her home. The Bazaar. From the grand gate and guards manning their posts to her pristine chapel glistening in the distance. An array of shops and adobe homes lined the dusty strip. The Virus had retraced it down to the last particle of sand.

Which was concerning as Rico soon elaborated, "This is improbable. How could he recreate The Bazaar when even 8-Bit has never been there?"

They didn't have to ponder this question for long. A stiff breeze flew over them as The Virus's voice rang through the air. "Do-Do you like-like-like-enjoy my work?" At this point the group had already made their way into the familiar space. Tara marveled at how well made the buildings were. She swore he even got the blemishes on the stone walls. "Yes, that's right. The assimilation of your conscious has gone well. I have access to your memories and oh what ju-ju-juicy memories indeed."

To the side, Tara saw two shops that caught her eye. Gene's Lamporium and Sandy's Sanctuary. Oh, how she couldn't wait to return to her allies' arms once more. The Virus was keeping an eye on them from his hidden perch. With poison on his tongue he pushed, "Yes, Tara. They are well made, no? Go ahead, tou-uch them."

Bibi recoiled at his words but Tara saw no reason not to oblige. She reached a hand toward the jade curtains of Sandy's shop. She could see people walking about within the shop's window. But alas she wouldn't be able to join in the merriment. For as soon as her fingers grazed the green surface they instantly shot back from a jolt of electricity.

While Tara rubbed away the pain The Virus cackled from above. "What an idiot. You truly believed you may rest? There is no res-res-relaxation for you." Bibi approached her friend with a comforting shoulder pat. RETRO also joined in comforting her while The Virus continued his monologue. "Why rest when you have a party to attend?"

With that he screeched away with the wind, leaving Bibi in a rapidly souring mood. "Nails on a chalkboard doesn't begin to describe that thing." Once Tara had recovered from the emotional shock The Virus's words truly registered in her mind. "Wait... what party?"