V.I.R.A.L

No Streamer has quite shaken the world like Marcus Culling. He was the face of V.I.R.A.L for more than fifteen years of sparking inspiration and copycats. While some found small fame, Marcus would accumulate numbers people could only dream of. He would forever be on the front page of V.I.R.A.L with a generation of fans watching his crime-fighting streams and videos. This, however, wouldn't last forever. Let us dive into the untold story of the world's most famous Streamer as we discover the origin of Vanguard.

When Marcus was just ten years old, he was informed that he was diagnosed with Congenital insensitivity to pain. A condition that suppresses the chance of feeling any kind of problem. Being informed of something so tragic would affect any person poorly, but someone of his age would hit hard. His mother wasn't of much help either. She cushioned and protected him out of fear of his condition. This would steal his childhood from his as he was pulled from schools changing to being homeschooled. This sort of motherly protection would only continue throughout the year as he wasn't allowed to step outside being confined to the house apart from the rare doctor's appointment. Being cut off from the world he not only was out of touch with everything, but he eventually lost the few friends he may have had left. With little way out Marcus discovered V.I.R.A.L. He signed up pretending to be thirteen. He began watching out of this world anti-humans stream their crime-fighting sessions.

V.I.R.A.L was the only source Marcus got from the outside world. Because of this, his whole life would surround V.I.R.A.L. When he wasn't taking part in his studies, he would consume the world of streamers all day and night. He knew nothing else apart from crime-fighting and streaming, which would warp his point of view into nothing else but that. Feeling like that was the only thing worthwhile on February 15th Marcus Culling created his streaming account. With no test back then he was accepted with no questions asked. On that day, Vanguard was born.

In the first few months, his viewership was low. Marcus wasn't bothered finding something he could enjoy. His streams would only venture of showing off his powers from the safety of his room. With nowhere else to go, he was forced to use the little resources he had. His abilities would quickly gain some attention as the assumed super strength was something flashy and fun to watch. And although the actual powers he harnessed were unknown with only real speculation. With this mainstream power, he quickly found himself a small yet loyal fanbase especially people around his age. On the Height of his eleventh birthday, his whole world would change when one of the most massive streamers on the platform would take notice of Marcus, offering him a contract with him.

From fourteen Marcus was now the poster child of V.I.R.A.L, he was one of the most popular streamers. He had surpassed his mentor with no sign of his reservice coming. With the high numbers and income, the fame got to his head, raising his ego. However, his fans loved it as he showed no signs of stopping. He began ignoring his mother's plea to stop all until her death when he turned seventeen with no one to look after him. He began to forget his health and personal problems dealing with his grief and lack of family with constant 24-hour streams and stable daily videos. Although nicknamed the number one streamer for years. He didn't gain this feat officially become the number one streamer from just after turning eighteen being the youngest streamer to achieve that goal in history. Although he would accomplish this goal, it wouldn't be all sunshine and lollipops as this would only cause problems.

Although the number one streamer problems had already occurred for Vanguard. He hadn't changed his type of streaming since he began. After seven years of streaming, his kind of streams was seen as outdated for a more favourable vlog and group type streaming. He would hold onto his number one reign with desperation until he turned twenty when a streamer going by Drought began drawing crazy numbers of streamers. So much Vanguard's place at number one was put at risk. Falling into a state of panic he felt like his whole world was crashing down and he was done for. He had it in his mindset that all he had was being numbered one. It consumed him into a state of depression as Drought's number one reign was unenviable. That was until a particular set of events changed everything on the eve of a joint stream with the two.

Marcus crushed his phone, seeing the attention he was losing. He promised himself it wouldn't get to him, but it was hard now more than ever. This was the first joint stream one he was forced to take part in due to his desperation. He wasn't fond of this acceptance. But he took this in hopes of gaining attention for his first joint stream. He was losing his mind having dozens of thoughts run through his mind until he was put to rest. "Am I late? Apologies Vanguard, this is an honour being able to work with you."

"Drought. Thank you for taking this opportunity to work with me."

Drought sat down on the wall setting up his stream as he was trying to fix his streaming drone. "I'm glad we got this chance to work together. I've been watching you for years now. Having this chance, it's great as I needed to ask you a question."

"Question? What've you got?"

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"How did you manage to keep up with the masses? This found popularity threw me off like nothing. At this rate, I'm going to be number one. I could use some advice on how you kept it going for three years?"

"Number one?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything by it. You must hear the constant rumours and chat shows stating that I will become number one by the end of tomorrow. I was just hoping for some advice from the number one you know."

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"I get it…" Vanguard whispered as Drought turned around. His body began to slump down as his feet crushed down to the ground each step, he took cracked and broke the pavement. His mind was blank with nothing else running through apart from one thing. Be number one. Be number one. He began raising his hand, which weighted a truck behind him and at that moment, he went through the moment that would change his life. He struck Drought with a single blow knocking him to the ground. This was met with another hit. And another. And another. And another. On the final killing blow, Vanguard stepped back looking at his crime. He thought he might have felt guilty. Regret. He wasn't sure it was the heat of the moment, making him lost and confused. But in the end. After killing someone, he felt absolutely nothing like always. Drought's phone went off. Vanguard glared at the notification seeing the one thing he feared the most. Lack had taken the number one spot. Vanguard wasn't afraid anymore. He thought he should have felt happy. Happy he wasn't so caught up with being the perfect streamer. But instead like always. He felt empty.

With nothing else left, he disposed of the body throwing it over the wall of Rhinefield and into no man's land where it shall never be found. This event sparked the endless murders Vanguard would take to keep number one. He had no reason to keep the act up but with no childhood. No friends. No family. He found that streaming is all he can do. If he loses that he'll feel lost and defeated. All he can remember is the promise his mother made to him when he was young.

"You're, you're just an extraordinary boy. The doctor just didn't understand. You have an incredible gift. One where you will make a difference. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Two days past until he was back on top. The story of Drought's disappearance slivered away into the past. People forgot. People stopped caring. Vanguard knew this would happen to him, too if he was no more vast number one. He had to keep this persona up. His fans close as this was the way he would change the world. He has a special gift, and he was going to use it to be remembered. No matter what. No matter who he had to go through to get it.

This, however, would prove to be the start of his downfall. The cases would gain attention enough that people would soon notice. With no choices left, he had back now against the wall with the world learning of the truth. The battle against Team Rhapsody would change his life all over again as it did when he murdered Drought. This story will dive into the end of the streamer. His fall from grace as his mental state deteriorate as he tries to control the world and stop anyone who could come close to taking over. A Streamer who groomed as a child to be something he couldn't keep up. This is the story of the fall of the king of V.I.R.A.L.