Cyberspace; The Ultimus Collection

Chapter 25, A Taste of Freedom

A chill ran down each and every spine in that forest. The air grew tenser and tenser with each passing second. Every moment was filled with dread, with fear. A power, one like none other before, charged the very atmosphere around them. A quaking feeling, a trembling sensation could be felt by all, but not one person could determine if it came from their legs or the ground beneath their feet. Every breath stung the lungs of those who took it, but it was unclear if the pain came from the pollutants in the air or the anxiety in their nerves. Everyone stood still, as still as the earth, shuttering with anticipation. Every heartbeat synced up with each other and could be heard and felt by all. Thump, thump, thump. The mechanical pump that supplies the vital nectar for their lives, was it truly their fountain of eternal youth? Or was it their soon to be means to an end? The dust began to settle. There in the crater stood the red menace, claws and talons planted firmly in the stone. Bit by bit, everyone could see more of the Leech. First his legs, then his devilish smile, and then his hostage. The air cleared, and there, for all the world to see, was Leech, basking in glory as he wrapped his tail tightly around Uraraka's throat. He had her lifted off the ground, trying to choke out every last breath. He chuckled to himself as Uraraka tried to kick and free herself. 

"Let her go!" Her classmate Midoriya demanded, taking a step closer, ready to fight. Leech wagged his finger back and forth.

"Uh-uh-uh. Take another step and this whole field is gonna start looking more like a slaughterhouse."  Everyone reluctantly held back, but still ready to pounce at any moment. "Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls, and that technicolor rainbow in between, I bet you are all wondering what the hell is going on. What is happening, what can we do, and most importantly what on god's green earth is that thing. I know I've been asked that last one a few too many times. But not to worry, because I am here to explain everything! As some of you have already been told, I am Leech. A specially engineered virus with the capabilities of harnessing the powers of whatever I feed upon. One with such latent destructive power that my creator, in a moment of sheer fear and panic, turned me from one of many, to the one and only..." 

"Creator? Wanna give us a hint on just who that might be?" Derick pondered.

"Details that shall be withheld until a later time. After all, if I tell you, you'd just go on out and ruin my plans." 

"Plans? What plans?" 

"You see after being neglected and isolated for so long, I've grown a bit of an appetite. One that I'm not sure your usual cuisine could satisfy. And on top of that, my purpose in life was to achieve a form far greater than the handsome stallion you see before you. Ah yes, a form that would transform me into the most perfect of beings! Unfortunately for you, a lot of bodies are going to need to hit the floor in order for that to happen." Derick scoffed.

"We come from a lineage of heroes, all destined to wield the powers of a god. Hell, I alone brought an entire war to a screeching halt. I think we'll be perfectly suited to take care of a monster like you!" 

"You know I get slightest idea that you still don't know what you're dealing with." Leech began to laugh. Cackling to the skies at the thought of such naivety. He sighed and wiped a tear from his eye. "How's about a demonstration!" Leech bared his fangs and sunk them deep into Uraraka's arm. She screamed out in agony as Leech drew upon her flesh and blood for sustenance and power.

"URARAKA!" Midoriya yelled, forgetting all peril and rushing forward.

"Midoriya wait! Come back!" His classmates called out. But it was too late. Midoriya was practically ready to kill the monster in front of him. He was seeing red, but it was unclear if it was rage, blood, or the Leech's own scaley skin. Leech released the girl and focused on the boy before him. 

"Didn't I warn you kid? I told you to stay back!" Leech raised his leg, twisted his body, and kicked Midoriya square in the chest. The force halted the highschooler's attack and started to send him flying back to where he once stood before. And in that moment, that singular instant of contact, the band of heroes swore they could all hear the shattering of bones, and of dreams. "I'm done with this." Leech casually tossed Uraraka aside, and both students hit the ground with a thud, bodies and spirits beaten and broken. The class of 1-A divided themselves and quickly rushed to the sides of their two friends. 

"Uraraka is in critical condition!"

"Midoriya isn't responding guys!" Leech stretched his body and cracked his joints.

"And now, the pièce de résistance..." Leech began to channel the strength and power within him, trying to master and make use of the newfound abilities he bestowed upon himself. He relaxed his body and slowly but surely, he began to rise into the air. "And we have liftoff baby! Look at that! A zero-gravity ability, harnessed and manipulated into the miracle power of flight! Suck it physics! Suck it biology!" He gloated. Derick turned to Daniel. 

"Alright Daniel, time to whip out that awesome strength of yours!" He urged.

"Ummm, about that... I kinda maybe sorta don't know... how." Daniel sheepishly explained.

"You're kidding..."  

"So what I'm hearing is that no one is going to stop me, is that right?" The two looked up to see Leech hovering above them in the air, arm extended, light shimmering in his palm. "Whatever. It's your funeral." Suddenly the light grew bigger and brighter, so bright that it blinded everyone below. They all clutched their eyes in pain, trying to regain their sight. "I'm gonna go enjoy the best all you can eat buffet, au revoir hors d'oeuvres!" With that final mockery, Leech flew off into unknown territories. Slowly but surely the group regained their eyesight, now able to fully see the atrocities unleashed upon the world. 

"Catelin! Go after him!" Derick barked angerly. 

"Me?! Why am I the one going?! I can't do anything against that!"

"Then bring some buddies with you! I don't care who." Derick looked back at Daniel. "Daniel and I have got some training to do."