Player vs Player: Ultimate Video Game Mayhem

NextGen VR

Suddenly what sounded like heavy footsteps appeared, moving all around them. Ryan struggled to see in the dark, only managing to spot a vague shadow moving very fast.

"I won't keep you too long, I think you all have much more pressing matters to attend to." the voice continued, "I just wanted to be sure you were all paying attention."

With that, the monitor flickered off again. The footsteps continued, Ryan tracking the sound but unable to make out what it was coming from.

It was something fast, and big, and moving closer to them.

The lights came back on, one by one. The last to power up were the stage lights, followed quickly by screaming.

Ryan stepped back, the source of the sounds now exposed.

"Holy shit..."

The Nargacuga stood center stage, letting out a piercing screech as the lights hit it.

The observing crowds instantly fled the scene, everyone on stage back pedaling in a combination awe and fear.

Calvin ducked back to the exit, sprinting down the hallway.

The beast scanned the room, hissing and stepping forward. Logan panicked and ran, attracting Its attention.

The Nargacuga hissed loudly and darted forward. Logan leapt off the stage, but the beast caught him within seconds.

A slash of Its claw knocked him to the ground, then it grabbed him in Its jaws. Mr Valence saw an opening and took it, running for the side exit.

Mark grabbed a chair from the circle and jumped from the stage, bringing the chair down on the beast's head.

It growled in surprise, dropping Logan and snapping Its head around to face the attacker.

"I think I just made it worse..." Mark mumbled quietly, backing up slowly.

The Nargacuga jabbed him in the chest with Its wing, sending him sliding backwards across the room. Gunfire rang out, bullets tearing into the beast with little effect.

Two security guards had appeared, weapons drawn. The Nargacuga hissed in annoyance, lunging a terrifying distance at the guards.

One was stabbed in the gut by razor sharp talons, the other tore into by Its ravenous jaws. Sean and TJ went to check on Logan, who was thankfully still breathing.

"You alright?" Ryan asked to Mark as he helped him stand.

"Spectacular..." Mark replied, holding his sore chest.

"Someone has to have called 911 by now. Can you get Logan outside and wait for the ambulance?" Ryan requested, "Get yourself checked out too."

"Yeah, I got him." Mark answered seriously, taking Logan from Sean and starting toward the side exits.

The Nargacuga leapt up directly to the second floor railing, screeching and scanning the crowds of panicking onlookers.

TJ looked back to the Spectrum Unit, confirming the white light was still there.

"Guys, over here!" he called out.

"What's going on with this thing?" Sean questioned as they approached the glowing machine.

"This has to be where It came from." TJ reasoned.

"I would say that's crazy, but we have a 900 pound turkey-dragon rampaging around upstairs." Ryan responded.

"You think if we shut it down, that thing might just... vanish or something?" Sean asked.

"At the very least, it'll stop more from coming out." TJ pointed out.

Sean nodded in agreement, rushing over the the control panel of the machine. None of the buttons or levers did anything.

Ryan investigated the back of the machine, locating a small device that looked out of place, "I think I found your problem." he spoke up.

"That has to be it, I've never seen anything like it before." Sean observed.

Out of nowhere the device exploded, as TJ landed a stomp-kick.

"Problem solved." he quipped.

A sudden screech caught their attention. They turned to find the Nargacuga had returned the their floor, now stalking towards them.

It hissed, fresh blood dripping from Its jaws. The VR Unit started rattling, a high pitched whining erupting from the machine.

The beast lunged forwards as a bright light flashed.

Silence. The light faded, the beast was gone. The building was silent, except for panicked chattering from upstairs.

Calvin returned to the stage to investigate the sudden silence, jumping down and searching the room. The VR Unit stood still, nothing and no one anywhere near it.

Ryan, TJ and Sean were missing.