V.I.R.A.L

"Do we really have to do this? I'm not sure we are entirely made for streaming."

"I'm afraid you don't have much of choice… If you want to say relevant, you need to expand."

"If Miss Harmony isn't happy with the circumstances than neither am I. We are a band producing music. What is wrong with that?"

"I understand your uncertainty, but this is the way to save the band. The age of streamers is huge. You could easily make twice as much as before if your worried about crime-fighting you won't have to worry about that, you would have a fanbase already there for you. You can still stick to your music."

"Harmony, I think we should go for it. Together no one can topple us, but like always we do this as a team. It's your decision."

"You promise no one will get hurt. The band is like family to me, if this puts them in harm's way we're out."

"I can promise you, no matter what your safety is guaranteed."

****

Harmony was left to her thoughts as she was navigating the small number of points she racked up. She was doing her utmost best to avoid conflicts gathering up points along the way, she had this would be the way in winning the game with little chance of winning through battles. Alone she felt weak and vulnerable without much chance of victory if a fight came around. With the few small ocean areas scouted, she began aiming her sight towards the floating ship in hopes of untold treasure. Getting ready to move on she stopped dead in her tracks coming face to face with Diego the number ten streamer. Her face dropped as he seemly pleasantly surprised by their meeting. "Out of all the streamers I would bump into what chance would it be you Harmony?" She stepped back as he smirked. "I have no intention of fighting you, don't see the point it would just be a waste of time."

"That has yet to be seen."

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"Alright, how about this?" Diego suggests stepping away, holding his hands up. "Is that better?"

Harmony saw a piece of rope nearby as she nodded towards it. "Tie your hands up too."

Diego glanced at the rope scoffing shrugging his shoulders with a smug look. "Sure, why not. If this makes you feel safe." Doing so, he tied his hands together, bobbing his head left and right. "Happy?"

"For now."

"You really don't trust me, I can ensure you, Harmony I don't have much reason to fight, I'm not here to win merely to watch the show as a reactor my audience is also fine with such feats. Besides you aren't one of the streamers I'm eager to fight."

Harmony lowered her guard ever so slightly as she nodded. "I take it you are after Team Rhapsody?"

"I wouldn't go that far… Majority of them are second rate streamers. Although Dauntless is something to keep an eye out on. But truth be told I have my eyes more set on Alice than anyone else. See it as an experiment of some kind. Listen… I'm sorry about what happened to your band. Although the footage was taken down, it got leaked everywhere. Horrible way to go."

Harmony lowered her head nodding. "Thank you. I'm trying to make up for my mistakes."

"You can't go blaming yourself for what happened."

"But I can, I was the one who dragged them all into the world of streamers. We aren't crime-fighting heroes, we're just artists who love making music. We were out of our comfort zone here, but those CEOs insisted we should take part in the raid. It would boost the numbers they so claimed."

Diego sighed, shaking his head. "That's business for you. How's the big man doing? Tempo recovering alright?"

Harmony tried keeping a brave face but struggled cracking as her voice cracked. "No… He can't move paralysed from the waist down; he hasn't woken up since the incident. It's heartbreaking. I truly feel alone…"

"So that's why you've gone beyond anything expected of you and signed up. You hope to get that wish so he can recover. A noble effort I must concur, majority of these scum simply would wish for money, power or fame. It's a real shame. You didn't even bring your streaming drone with you, you're that serious. You know what you're up against right? Surely you know you have no chance in winning."

Harmony agreed feeling pathetic for that. "I'm no fighter. I'm someone who supports in the wings. My abilities aren't for confrontations."

"Perhaps, although I'm sure you can work around such problems." He boldly laughed, pulling his card out. "Here if you're planning on winning with those points you're going to need all the points you can get. I guess sharing doesn't hurt."

Harmony watched as she gained hundreds of points in a matter of seconds. She was left shocked, holding out her card. "Are you sure?"

"Please, like I said I have no intention of winning meaning I have no use for such silly points. Just don't go getting eliminated now. Tempo is counting on you." He claimed waving her off still tied up. "Say, I do have one last question. Notice anyone who shouldn't be here?"

Harmony looked confused, scratching her head. "What is that meant to mean?"

"Sorry, that was silly to ask. Don't worry about it. See you around popstar."

Harmony looked down at her card, feeling a little at ease. Thanks to Diego, she had gathered quite the number of points, but she knew it wasn't enough to win. Setting her eyes on the next area, she was suddenly halted being blasted to the ground, unable to move. Lying on the floor she already hated herself for being so stupid to fall for such a futile trick, she let her guard down too quickly and was now paying the price for such terms. "Damn it, this is a dirty trick Diego. Why would you give me your points if you were just going to jump me?! You're a damn dirty streamer."

"Sorry, Crimson Dawn can't get to the phone right now, please leave a message after the inevitable chaos."

Harmony froze up choking on her own words as she was paralysed with fear hearing the voice whisper in her ears. The robotic sliver which matched a snake echoed in her ear as she whimpered. "It can't be… What are you doing here?!"

"I was merely sightseeing on my road trip around this wonderful island. Seeing you, I knew I just had to make a quick detour. Did you miss me, Har-mo-ny?" Harmony managed to pull herself free, jumping up as her eyes met with the villain she had been terrified of since their first encounter. The very same one who killed the closest thing she called to family. The Demon Mask. "Speechless, are we? I don't blame you one bit. I too would be shivering in my boots if faced against myself. I wonder how the others are? Giving away my presence so quickly would be frustrating."

"Wh- Who are you after?"

The Demon Mask tapped her chin, shaking her head. "Ah, ah, ah. A girl is allowed her secrets, you know. But look at you, cowering in fear. Just the sight of me is eating away at you. Oh, how this brings me joy, I might even be a little turned on…"

"You killed my friends! Left Tempo in a coma! How can you be so calm by that?!"

The Demon Mask shrugged her shoulders, moving her hips left and right. "Tell me, do you feel bad when you step on an ant? How about when you flush a spider down the drain?"

Harmony snapped jumping in the air kicking the villain. The Demon Mask spun out of the way imitating a ballerina with a perfect point as she bowed. "I'll make you pay for what you did! Melody and Vivace won't die in vain!"

"Big words coming from someone like you. Look around little girl, there's no one to save you this time. No streamers to hide behind. Team Rhapsody isn't going to save you. You are all alone, and you will die alone." Harmony screamed running towards her swinging her hands around without much thought as she was blinded by rage and loss. Stepping back, the Syndicate member held her hand out as Harmony was stopped in her tracks unable to move. She felt her body shudder and move on its own as she was lifted in the air copying the dance moves of the Demon Mask who twirled in the air. I'm getting better at this. Perhaps I should pursue a career in dance? Although maybe not. I do enjoy causing chaos all too much, I suppose. What was I say again? Oh, yes." Harmony was torn to the ground slamming against the floor gagging as she let out a silent scream before being thrown back once more.

The Demon Mask began wiping her hands, stretching her neck. "Rule one of dance, always stretch before a performance. That is the most important step to remember that. Rule two always remember to smile." She mocked, making a smiling motion with her hands. "Oh, Harmony. Harmony. Harmony. Harmony. What to do? What to do with you? Should I kill you? Leave you in the same state as Tempo or maybe?" She kneeled down, pulling her closer before there were heads were pressed against each other. "You should suffer with me?"

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The Demon Mask stepped away as Harmony began coughing. "Suffering? What the hell do you know about suffering?!"

"More than you know." She whispered, turning away, taking off her mask, taking a deep breath. "The dance of life and death goes on and on, never a clear start with no end in sight we always watch from the middle onlooking through the looking glass."

Harmony pulled herself, upholding her stomach as small music notes began popping up around her. "I've had just about enough of your shit. You're done toying with others."

"Can't you see I was in the middle of a monologue? I was just about to tell you my oh so tragic backstory! Figures. You streamers can't sit still for more than five minutes without posting cringe and dead bodies… You talk the talk little missy, but let's see if you can walk the walk."

Harmony gripped onto a small neckless as she whispered to herself before striking a pose readying for battle. "Tempo, Melody, Vivace. Please, lend me your strength!"