In it, the altered Icarus is surrounded by images representing various web worlds. They're hundreds of them. A female voice breaks the silence.
"Uploading updated user list. Five hundred thirty four thousand and seventy eight links registered. Connecting?"
The images surrounding Icarus quickly multiply and almost fill the virtual system space. The voice continues.
"Administrator access on all web pages. Uploading Tickle executable file. Program also sent to file sharing websites. Sending messages to all connected users with link and description."
Images around Icarus change fast and get hit by thin lines coming out his body. An abstract, colorful spectacle fills the whole place.
"Executable file Tickle distribution complete. We now have five plus million active, full copies. Transfer complete. Error? Error?"
The system begins reporting damages caused by a modification program called Rage. Gray turns to Electra as the thousands of screens surrounding Icarus hastily set off, moving down to the structure's root. Emergency log out procedure begins.
"I've been expecting this? Electra; man of the year for two thousand and six is the ordinary people and specifically the Internet users. The magazine even had a small mirror on its cover for the web users to see their faces in it. The internet user is responsible for building, maintaining and enriching the web worlds that surround us. Information, images, sounds, thoughts and opinions; the web user is and ever will be the biggest force on the net. Chocolate Fighters Group can, in a relatively short time, destroy every file we've uploaded. But if internet users download, copy, store and share Icarus file again and again, they'll keep it 'alive' for a long time to come. We pin our hopes to them now... "
Gray turns and looks at Icarus.
"He slowly comes together. You should get out of here, as soon as possible."
Icarus finally logs out and regains his virtual form. He looks exhausted.
"I owe you a proper farewell. Good luck!"
Gray disappears like a cloud of smoke hit by strong wind.
"Thank you?"
Electra doesn't even turn to see the mysterious artificial intelligence depart. Her eyes and mind are set on Icarus. She runs to him and helps him stand up. The web world or system they're in begins to collapse and breaks into pieces.
"We have to get out of here Icarus! Now!"
"Yep! You could call it funny? sounds like a joke to be honest! Ha! I'm dizzy?"
"Put yourself together mister! What are you talking about?"
"The system we're in will soon be history. There is no way it'll allow me to log-in again. We can't move to another web world. There is no exit? unless?"
"Unless what?"
"That's what sounded like a joke? at least a while ago. We can only go back? Back to the top of the CFG headquarters. Where we won't be able to log out you know? We're done."
"All I know is that we can't stay here. You also promised me you'll take care? I mean? What else can we do?"
"Back it is?"
Electra and Icarus suddenly appear at the CFG terrace. Right before being spotted Icarus opens fire. An MK unit gets hit by his bullets but everyone realizes they're back. He scans the area for Dr. Menos but definitely doesn't like what he sees. His nemesis is disfigured and nearly three times bigger than before. He is massive. It's a bizarre spectacle; Icarus can see tree branches coming out of his back and shoulders while mechanical, broken parts are all over his body.
"Oh God?"
Phoenix shows up.
"Glad to have you guys back. I'm afraid I only got bad news for you."
Icarus tries to affect time, but his failed attempt only confirms his fears. The web world time is already synchronized to an external clock. Dr. Menos, a deformed giant runs towards them with vigorous strides. Icarus squeezes both his hands until two dry metallic clanks are heard. Dr Menos sweeps away an MK unit as he runs. It beaks into pieces and the metallic fragments immediately stick onto the man's body; they too become a part of his repulsive form. Icarus also changes. His shoulders spread out and the muscles in his arms pump up abruptly. His legs, arms and torso quickly lengthen and strengthen. He is now black and looks pretty forceful but he's still half the size of his raging enemy.
Electra looks dazed and scared; she takes a few steps back. She turns and looks at Phoenix right above their heads. Dr. Menos comes closer; he grabs an apple and a cypress tree with his strong hands. He breaks the apple tree and its pot on his back and hastily absorbs it, and throws the cypress tree straight to Icarus. Icarus moves fast; he forms the gun with his fingers and fires two explosive shots. One of them hits the flying tree and destroys it before reaching him and the other hits Dr. Menos at his shoulder. A large piece of his disfigured body breaks and he grunts of pain but keeps running at the same pace.
Electra stands still, looking abashed. She tries to figure out a way she could help but she fails to come with an idea. She worries a lot. Icarus bends his knees and coils his mechanical body while Dr. Menos performs a running leap towards him with his fists ready to strike. Right before getting hit by his enemy, Icarus tries a vertical spring jump with his fist rolled up. It's a massive blow; several bits and pieces from Dr. Menos belly and chest break and get cut off and his attack is stopped. After recovering from the hit he casts a furious look at his opponent, and a revolting smile is painted on his face. He grabs Icarus with a swift move and throws him several meters away. Icarus lands on the side of a pot that hosts a big plane tree, breaks the thick glass and feels the warm soil on his virtual body. Electra is hopeless; she turns and looks at Phoenix once again.
"Do something!"
"What can?? I?"
Dr. Menos closes in again and throws his enemy away with ease. Icarus is badly hurt; he can feel the piercing pain in his real body far away from the CFG terrace. He lifts his hand, forms the virtual gun and fires an exploding shot that hits Dr. Menos leg.
"Son of a bitch!"
He is hurt but doesn't waste a second. He grabs an MK unit that stands close to him, breaks it and sticks it on his dilapidated leg. Electra realizes this will definitely end up badly. She fears for Icarus life; his powers are failing him, he's hurt and he is facing an almost indestructible enemy. She stands alone and desperate; she feels weak and guilty. She continually repeats Icarus name and begins to nervously rub her arms. The sky above CFG headquarters gets dark as heavy dark clouds suddenly appear. Dr. Menos approaches Icarus who can barely stand on his feet and grabs him with his deformed hands.
"Little punk? I don't know what you've done and to be honest; I don't care anymore. All this will probably cost me my life, but you know? I don't care anymore. You know what makes me happy now? I know that you'll leave your last breath alone and helpless connected to a god damn machine!"
Small pieces from the disfigured body of Dr. Menos swiftly travel through his hands and stick to Icarus robotic avatar.
"You've been a worthy opponent; no doubt about it, but your little adventure ends here. Now?"
Electra can't stand this anymore; she breaks out.
"Icarus!!! Nooo!"
She trembles, falls on her knees and breaks in tears. A heavy rain falls from the sky and strong, furious wind blows from every direction. A pink glow surrounds her and quickly forms a luminous, growing sphere. Hundreds of dark shadows revolve around Electra and within the sphere's ever growing limits. The glowing ball destroys everything it touches, instantly. Dr. Menos appears to be too absorbed in enjoying his enemy's slow death. He doesn't feel the rain, the wind and the devastating force that slowly closes in. An officer's voice reaches his ears.
"Dr. Menos. An unidentified data destroying phenomenon is in progress. It doesn't look like a virus and we can't do something to address it. In a few seconds we will allow exits from the web world. Evacuate the Chocolate Fighters Group headquarters as soon as possible."
Icarus hears the report and sees Electra's shadows destroying the web world right above his enemy's shoulder. He exerts himself to the outmost, grabs
Dr. Menos shoulders and hits his head with his metallic forehead. He then puts his fingers together and shoots a burst of bullets at his enemy's belly. Dr. Menos throws him a few meters away. He's got to act fast.
"Phoenix! New object, cube. Size; four meters. You know the object's position... That's what you get when you're making money out of people's pain, doctor?"
A gray cube surrounds Dr.Menos as Electra's shadow sphere closes in. The deformed man realizes he's trapped and furiously hits the cube's sides. Icarus wants to be sure.
"Phoenix; clone selected object. Number of clones; one hundred."
Dr. Menos breaks the cube but finds out he's surrounded by a new one. In a few seconds both Dr. Menos and his prison are devoured by Electra's shadows. Icarus takes a few steps back and looks at Electra in agony. He tries to think of a way to help her but his thoughts are interrupted by a man's voice.
"We've succeeded Icarus. Your file is all over the net. It's been downloaded, stored and send more than twelve million times now. Seems to work too; I think it's time for you to get the hell out of there."
"I didn't come here just to distribute Tickle, Gray. I came for Electra too; I'm not leaving this place without her."
"In a few minutes the entire CFG web world will be history... What are you waiting for?"
"I'm waiting for a miracle."
Sphere approaches him; soon he'll also get hit by its devastating force. Suddenly a baby's strong laugh fills the air; although he's too weak to even stand on his feet, a smile appears on his face.
"Project Tickle?"
The CFG terrace changes in a few seconds. The sky turns blue again, the glass dome disappears and a vivid rainbow unfolds over their heads. The floor is covered with long green grass and thousands of daisies grow in hurry and dance in the gentle breeze. A few dozen bees appear and immediately get to work. Some suck nectar from flowers with satisfaction, while others carry small wooden buckets filled with nature's juices. Their buzzing is much different than normal, it sounds melodic and somehow funny.
Electra understands the change around her and stops her mourning to see what happens. The sphere around her becomes blurry and a courageous bee flies inside. It stands in front of her face and looks at her eyes with a curious funny face. Icarus doesn't lose time; he jumps into the fading sphere and puts his arms around Electra. She looks surprised and tired and tries to control her uneven breathing.
"You're the kind of girl who makes a total mess when she's upset or worried. I have to be extremely careful with you, Electra?"
"Yep?"
A big smile appears on her face. She looks tired.
"Is this over? We did it?"
"I think so? Actually all I can think now is that I'm happy we're both fine. We did our best and to be honest I don't care about the results. Tickle is definitely not the cure; being happy isn't easy. You got to fill your world with the things you love and bring you joy. And I'm talking about the real world? Meeting you is the highlight of this adventure for me?"
"Wait. Let's do this right. Phoenix! Disconnect!"
THE END
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