Daemon's Legacy

by GuardianEnzo

Timetable: Just after the conclusion of Sins of the Father. The hands of fate reach into Mainframe from the unlikeliest of places, as a new kind of game cube comes to town - and even Bob is unprepared for the challenges inside...

1. Beginnings

DAEMONS'S LEGACY PROLOGUE

The office was a mess – crumpled paper was scattered across the carpeting, articles of clothing (dirty) obscured the few pieces of furniture in the large room.  The shades were drawn, leaving the entire space shrouded in darkness.  The only illumination was an eerie whitish glow from a large computer screen atop the simple desk in the corner.

A figure was hunched on a chair in front of the screen, fingers busily tapping away at the keyboard in front of him.  Thin, pale arms and legs protruded from the dingy T-shirt and shorts that served as his only clothing, their pallor magnified even further by the sickly light.

With a start, the figure jumped up and spun as a door opened, illuminating the dim space somewhat.  A man was silhouetted in the doorway, squinting.  "O'Brien?"

"Get out of here!" the figure in front of the computer hissed.  "Didn't I tell you to knock before you came in here, Mackenzie?"

"Why do you always work in the dark?  You're so freakin' creepy!" the young man called Mackenzie scowled.  He strolled over to the desk and reached his hand out.  "Can I have a sip?"

"Get you own Jolt, Skeezix." O'Brien snapped, knocking the other's hand away.  "I don't know where you've been."

"You really are a mutant, you know that?" Mackenzie laughed, scratching his scraggly beard.  "We're supposed to be the design team, remember?  But you're too good to work with anyone else, aren't-"

"Just get out of here." The younger man sighed.  Standing up revealed him as astonishingly thin.  "I've made more money for this company in a year than the rest of you could in a hundred.  I've got work to do-"

"What're you working on, Chris?"  Mackenzie tried to peer over the thin youth's shoulder.  "That 'Daemon's Legacy' thing again?"

"None of your business."

"No one's going to buy it, y'know.  It's all atmosphere - there's no action!  You're such a friggin' brilliant programmer, Man – why do you waste your time with this shit?"

"Just leave me alone, Doug." O'Brien sighed, a note of pleading in his voice.  He could feel his inspiration ebbing with every second he wasted talking with Mackenzie.  Vile and stupid as he was, Doug Mackenzie was actually one of the least distasteful designers at Cascade Online – but that wasn't saying much.

The older man frowned.  "C'mon Man – we're going out for pizza and a couple beers.  You haven't left this rat hole-"

"No!" Chris O'Brien snapped.  "I mean… Thanks, but I'm in the middle of some serious code…"

"Don't worry Kid – they never ID at this place." Doug grinned.  "We'll get you some brew, loosen you up-"

"No, Man!  I've got to keep goin' on this before I lose it.  You wouldn't understand…"

"You're one weird dude, Chris." Mackenzie sighed.  "What's the rush?  It's just a game – so what if you miss the rollout date by a few days-"

"Sorry, Doug." The boy frowned, sliding back into his chair.  "Gotta keep goin' on this before I lose it.  You wouldn't understand."

"All right, I can take a hint."  The bearded man strode towards the door, shaking his head.  "Try to eat something sometime, wouldya Kid?  Even a boy genius like you can't program when he's dead."

"Yeah, thanks Man.  Close the door behind you, all right?"

Mackenzie complied and laughed disgustedly.  "Back into the crypt…"

PART  I

It might have been a pristine scene, once – gently rolling dales stretching across the landscape, swaying seas of tall grasses broken only by small copses of trees scattered at wide intervals, a small church nestled in the brow of a hill.  A stream trickling leisurely across the countryside in a broadly curving arc.  Cows or sheep might have grazed there, unhurriedly nibbling on the long grass as the sun made it's way across the azure sky.

At the moment, however, it was a fair approximation of hell.  Whatever vegetation had once thrived there was gone – burned and scraped away, leaving a broken mass of dirt and mud that seemed almost alive, writhing and squirming.  A closer look would reveal, however, that it wasn't the land itself that was alive – rather it was the men who inhabited it that lived, if only barely.  Scores, perhaps hundreds, crawled through the muck on their hands and knees, pausing only to lob grenades or fire their carbines into the mist that seemed to perpetually shroud the land.

The sound of airplanes could be heard rising above the crack of gunfire, far above the heads of the men on the ground, the planes themselves invisible in the thick overcast.  Armored vehicles rolled across the battlefield, sometimes over the very bodies of the soldiers themselves.  The ebb and flow of battle had clearly turned, one of the armies inexorably being driven backwards.  Their men and vehicles had resorted to a desperate holding action, forming a kind of living shield in front of their enemies.

Enzo tried not to think too much about the carnage around him as he maneuvered his tank through the mass of bodies and impact craters towards enemy lines.  "Only a game!" he whispered to himself, squinting as he studied the landscape ahead.  The boy shuddered as he felt a crunching impact underneath the tank treads.

"There it is – the command center!" the youngster shouted, feeling adrenaline course through his body.  The outline of the ramshackle building was clearly visible through the mists ahead.  It was so close!  The boy felt as though he could almost reach out and touch it…

Enzo halted his forward progress, the sound of his heart racing in his chest seeming as loud as the explosions rocking the battlefield outside the tank.  He knew his orders – he was supposed to wait for the others at the rendezvous point.  But the goal was so close he could taste it – he could end the game in a few nanos!  Enzo didn't like this game – it was scary and depressing, not much fun at all.  And he could end it…

"I'm going in!" the boy heard himself shout into his radio, and the tank lurched forward, towards the command center.

"Go to the rendezvous, Enzo – we'll meet you there!" Bob's voice crackled back at him.

"I can take it out!" Enzo protested, inching the tank forward, grimacing as a blast from it's heavy gun pulverized a knot of defenders across the battlefield.  "There's only a few soldiers here, Bob!  I can do it!"

"Wait for your backup, Cadet!" Bob replied, barely audible through the static and the sound of the boy's own heartbeat in his ears.  The Guardian's voice crackled and was lost, leaving Enzo alone with his thoughts.

"Bob?" the youngster shouted hesitantly.  "Bob?  I'm going in!"  The tank rolled relentlessly forward, scattering the retreating army's defenders in its wake.   The low-slung command center and victory drew ever larger in the boy's sights.  It was easy!  "Just a few more nanos…" he murmured.

Then, in a flash, something changed – he felt a thump, and the vehicle was no longer moving.  The tank's engine whined and complained loudly, but the armored vehicle was mired firmly in place.  Desperately the boy tried to reverse, but was stymied in that direction as well.

"Bob!" Enzo shouted into his radio.  "I'm stuck!  I don't get it…"  The Guardian's voice hissed back at him, nearly lost in static, his words unintelligible.  "Bob!  What do I do?"

To his horror, Enzo saw an enemy tank lumber out of the mist towards him.  His eyes locked onto the sight, his body frozen.  Finally, after what seemed like a second but was probably just a few nanos, he realized Bob was shouting at him.

"Can you hear me Enzo?  Get out of there!  It's the tank traps – your ride is finished.  Get out now!"  The youngster heard the words, but somehow couldn't pass the message along to his legs.  He sat mired in place, staring numbly as the approaching tank swiveled and aimed its heavy gun in his direction.

A shadow flashed across the battlefield, revealing itself as a burly figure in fatigues.  The soldier leapt atop the approaching tank, reached for his belt and tossed something inside.  He dove off the tank, narrowly avoiding the huge vehicle's treads, and rolled clear.  After a few nanos there was a deafening explosion and the tank halted, black smoke pouring from its porthole.

Inside his own tank Enzo watched, open-mouthed.  After a few nanos he heard a banging from over his head and, panic surging, desperately fumbled at his belt, feeling for his revolver. The tank's porthole opened, revealing a scowling, bearded face staring down at him.  "Don't shoot me, OK Sprout?"

"M-Matrix!" Enzo gasped. 

"You OK?" the big sprite breathed.

"Yeah – I guess…" the boy nodded numbly.  "I mean- I thought…"

"Grab my hand!" the bearded sprite said gruffly.  The youngster reached his arm out and Matrix grabbed his wrist, lifting him clear and onto the roof of the tank.  "Couple more nanos and you were toast."  He flung the boy over his shoulder and leapt to the ground, setting the boy down gently.

"I know!" Enzo moaned.  "I thought I could take out the command center – it was so close!  I-"

"No time for that now." The big sprite frowned.  He surveyed the surrounding landscape, grabbed the boy by the hand once again and dragged him to an impact crater, sunk his own height below the ground.

"Crash!  I thought I had it.  What happened?"

"They don't just leave these things undefended, you know.  Didn't you see the tank traps?  The trenches?"

"No." the boy whispered.  "I just saw the command center.  It was so close…"

"There's Bob!" Matrix hissed, grinning.  He hoisted Enzo up and the boy peered over the edge of the crater.  "He's got the howitzer – curtains for Mr. User!  Sit tight – I'm gonna give him some backup and we'll be out of here in a nano."

"But-"

"No time to argue, Sprout!" the big sprite growled.  "That's an order.  Just lay low and play dead if you have to."

"Yes Sir." Enzo sighed.  Matrix disappeared over the edge of the pit, leaving the boy hunkered down at its base.  The youngster frowned and lay back, closing his eyes and banging his hands on his helmet.  "Basic!  You're so deleted basic!"

After a seeming eternity of boredom liberally tinged with fear, the distant explosions echoing across the battlefield were joined by a louder report which shook the ground under Enzo's body.  There was a nano of bright light, then disorientation.

"GAME OVER"

"Aw, don't feel so bad Sprout.  You were being aggressive – trying to take it to the User.  That's good."

"Don't call me that." Enzo sighed, not slowing down.  "I screwed up as usual – I let you guys down."

Matrix zipped along behind his younger brother, keeping pace but not eclipsing the boy.  "Don't take it so hard.  You can't change what's already happened – you just have to learn from it, that's all."

"Yeah yeah, I know.  Just leave me alone, OK?"

"Where you going?" the bearded sprite scowled.  "Wait up!"

"I just wanna be alone, all right?  I'm really sorry, Matrix. I almost got us all nullified…"

"C'mon Kid – that's not true." Matrix frowned.  "You all right?"

"I'm fine!  I think I can make it back to the diner without deleting myself.  I'll just see you later."

"Whatever."  Matrix stopped and hovered, watching Enzo's small form disappear as it headed towards Baudway.  Bob, who had been lingering discreetly out of earshot, caught up to the big sprite after a nano.

"Any luck?" the Guardian asked, arms crossed.

"He'll be all right." Matrix muttered.  "He didn't really wanna talk to me, either.  I should have been beating him over the head for what he did, but I just didn't have the heart to do it."

"Sometimes I wonder if he's really too young for this." Bob sighed.

Matrix winced as if he'd been struck.  "Don't ever let Enzo hear you say that, Bob.  It'd delete him."

The Guardian smiled ruefully.  "Well, I suppose we're committed to this now, whatever happens.  He'll learn.  I just wish I knew what to say to him…"

"Me too."

"Table for one, Monsieur?"

"So there you are." Dot frowned.  "What happened?  Enzo stormed through here like Hexadecimal was right behind him!"

"I know how he feels." Bob sighed, joining her at the bar.

"What's wrong?  Enzo wasn't very talkative."

"No big file.  He didn't have his greatest game, that's all.  Guess he's a little upset about it."

"Is he all right?" Dot hissed, priorities - as ever - in order.

"He's fine.  He got a little cocky and made a mistake, that's all.  And now he's embarrassed about it.  Could I get an energy shake, Cecil?"

"That's too bad." The Command.com sighed.  "But he's all right?  He wasn't in any danger?"

"No." Bob smiled ruefully.  "Matrix and I had it covered."

"Matrix was in the game too?  Perfect – I'm sure that made Enzo feel even worse."

"He's a little sprite – he's gonna make mistakes." Bob said.  "No big file.  But he takes it pretty hard.  I'll try talking to him again…"

"No." Dot interrupted, grabbing the Guardian's arm as he started to rise from his chair.

"But Dot-"

"Just let him be alone for a little while." The green-haired sprite smiled.  "He doesn't want you to see him right now.  Trust me."

"If you say so." Bob said dubiously.

"Trust me."

"Basic."  The voice was muffled by the pillow, but the word was unmistakable.  For Enzo there was a certain comfort in lying face down on his docking bay, his senses dulled, the world shut out.  He didn't know how long he'd been lying there, but it felt good.

After a time he heard the door open, and felt Dot's footsteps – as familiar to him by feel as anything he could sense with his eyes or ears – patter into the room.  He felt the bed sag and spring back under him.

Dot sat staring at her brother for a few microseconds, a sad smile on her lips.  Finally, she smartly slapped him on the bitmap.  "Hey, You."

"Go away." The youngster mumbled, not moving.

"You shouldn't wear your boots on the bed." The Command.Com said softly.  The boy didn't respond.  Dot chuckled softly and shook her head.  After a few nanos she swung her feet up onto the docking bay and leaned back with a sigh.  She rested a hand on the youngster's shoulder and squeezed gently.

Enzo didn't move, half-hoping she'd go away and half-hoping she wouldn't.  The only sensations breaching his cocoon were the sounds of his own slow breathing and the light touch of his sister's hand on his shoulder.

"Poor baby." He heard her say softly after a seeming eternity of silence.

"Don't make fun of me." The boy mumbled into his pillow.

"I'm not." Dot sighed.  Enzo felt her smoothing his hair gently.  "Frustrating, isn't it?  Making mistakes.  I've made enough to know."

"No you haven't." the boy grumbled, turning onto his cheek and opening his eyes.  "You're perfect.  Bob too.  It drives me offline sometimes…"

His sister barked a laugh.  "Perfect?  That's a good one, Little Brother!  If I had a credit for every time I've screwed up I'd own half of Mainframe!"

"I thought you did." The boy muttered.

Dot ignored him.  "It never gets any easier, either.  The doubts, blaming yourself.  Feeling guilty."  She looked down at Enzo's face, frowning.  After a nano she released his shoulder and opened her arms.  "Come here, you."

Her brother stared at her for a moment, then silently slid over and rested his head on her shoulder, eyes closed.  He heard her chuckle softly as she embraced him, roughly tousled his hair.  "I'm not a little baby, you know.  I don't need you to feel sorry for me…"

"I know you don't." Dot smiled.  "I just know how frustrated you are.  I've been there, you know."

"I really messed up in that game today, Dot." The boy sighed, not opening his eyes.  "I was totally low-density."

"Wanna talk about it?" she asked gently.

The youngster took a deep breath and scowled.  "I didn't do what Bob said.  I tried to win the game myself and I almost ruined it!  I can't believe how basic I was…"

"So you tried a little too hard – it's understandable…"

"That's not all." The boy moaned.  "I froze, too.  I could've ruined everything…"

"I'm sure Bob had it under control, Enzo."

"Maybe." He whispered.  "But… Cursors!  Why do I do stuff like that?  How come I don't learn anything?  I must be basic!"

"You're not basic." His sister smiled.  "You're still pretty young, you know.  I know you don't want to hear it, but it takes a lot of time to become a Guardian.  It's just like everything else.  There aren't any shortcuts in life – just hard work."

"Everyone keeps saying that to me!" the boy grumbled.  "I just wish I wouldn't screw up so much.  I try so hard!"

"Maybe too hard!" Dot laughed softly.  "Let me tell you something, my little Guardian – if you think you're ever going to stop making mistakes, you really are basic.  You'll never be perfect no matter how hard you try.  It's impossible."

"Really?  That's kinda depressing…"

"It doesn't have to be – it can be kind of liberating if you think about it.  You don't have to put all that pressure on yourself, see?  That's life, Enzo.  Bob isn't going to stop believing in you just because you mess up every once in a while.  He doesn't care about the mistakes very much – what he cares about is how you respond to them."

"Really?" Enzo whispered, opening his eyes and looking up at her.  "Do you really think that's true?"

"I know it is.  This is a chance for you to show him how tough you are - and how quickly you learn stuff, too.  You just need to show him that you're more determined than ever to get it right.  You can do that, can't you?"

"I guess." The boy nodded dubiously.  "Really?"

"Don't worry about the mistakes, Little Brother." Dot smiled.  "You can't get away from them, and they'll drive you offline every time they happen.  The important thing is to be with people who'll stick with you no matter what you do."

"Yeah." The boy nodded.  "Like Bob, you think?"

"Sure.  Like me, too.  No matter what you do I'll always be there, Little Brother.  Just try and stop me!"

"I know." The boy grinned.  "How come, Dot?  I sure mess up a lot…"

"I can't help it." His sister giggled.  "I've raised you almost since you were a baby, Enzo.  Almost since you first started talking.  And I haven't been able to shut you up since…"

"Dot!" Enzo laughed, in spite of himself.

"Yep." She smiled, smoothing his hair gently.  She darted a hand under his chin quickly.  "Gotcha!"

"Stop!" Enzo howled, grabbing at her arm.  "You know I hate that!"

"Sure you do!" Dot nodded.  "So – you ready to go out there and face the net again, Guardian?"

"Yeah." The boy sighed, kissing his sister on the cheek.  "Thanks, Dot.  You're awesome."

"When you're right, you're right!" she laughed.

"Why is it, Cecil?" Bob grumbled, sipping his energy shake.  "Why's everything so deleted complicated?  Used to be all I had to worry about was winning games – plain DOS all the way."

"Indeed, Sir." The dedicated served replied, doing a poor job of feigning interest.

"Not like now." The Guardian sighed.  "Those were the good old seconds, all right.  Now I'm thinking about the consequences of everything I do instead of just doing it.  It's almost like I'm turning into-"

"BOB!" 

The Guardian turned, managing to catch a glimpse of blue and green for a fraction of a nano before what felt like an ABC crashed into his chest, sending him tumbling to the floor and knocking the breath from his lungs.

"Dude!  I'm totally sorry about what happened in the game today, Bob!  I promise I'll do better – you'll see!  I'm learning a lot – you're the best teacher, Bob!  You're alphanumeric!  The next time I'm gonna do exactly what you say, I swear!  I'm gonna work really hard and I'm gonna study too and-"

"Enzo!" Dot interrupted, grinning.

"Yes?"

"If you're through, maybe Bob would like to get off the floor and finish his energy shake?"

"Oh!  Sure." The youngster smiled sheepishly, standing up and holding his hand out to the silver-haired sprite.  "Sorry, Bob!"

"That's OK." The Guardian chuckled, collapsing onto his chair with a theatrical groan.  "I wasn't using that rib anyways…"

"Now that we're all online again… Enzo, will you run to Flampert's and get three boxes of straws, please?  We're out." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a credit bar.

"Sure, Dot." The boy nodded.  "Can we talk about the game later, Bob?  Please?"

"Sure, Enzo." Bob grinned.  The boy grabbed the credit from his sister and darted out of the diner.  Dot sat next to Bob at the bar, chuckling.  "How did you do it?" he sighed.

"Do what?"

"You know what." The Guardian grumbled.  "I tried talking to him from the nano we left the game and he wouldn't even look at me!"

"I know my brother, that's all." Dot smiled.

"What did you say to him?"

"Oh Bob…" Dot sighed.  "It's hard to explain.  It's just…  Sometimes he needs his big sister, that's all."

"What do you mean?" the silver-haired sprite frowned.

Dot grabbed his hand.  "You know - he spends all cycle trying to be a man – trying to act like a grown-up whenever you're around.  And Matrix.  And AndrAIa.  Definitely AndrAIa…"

"And?"

"He's only one-zero, Bob.  Sometimes he still needs to be a little boy for a while.  And I'm the only one he'll let see the little boy."

Bob smiled and shook his head ruefully.  "You're an amazing sprite, Dot Matrix.  You know that?"

"Not really..."

"It's almost like you're two totally different sprites, you know?  One for the whole net and everyone in it, and one just for Enzo.  Him too, for that matter.  It's amazing…"

"I don't know…" the green-haired woman frowned.  "I never really processed over it.  Maybe. We've never had anyone else for a long time, Bob – not since my parents died.  Enzo was my whole life, and I was his.  I guess it isn't all that surprising when you think about it."

"Everything about you surprises me." Bob grinned, kissing her on the nose.  "And you and Enzo – it's amazing, whether you'll admit it or not."

"I know my brother, that's all…"

Enzo scowled as he watched the small vidscreen on his organizer, brow furrowed in concentration.  Periodically, the boy would wince or groan as events unfolded on the screen in front of him.  "There!  There it is, Nullhead!" he whispered urgently, jabbing his finger at the display.  "Basic!  Basic…"

He looked up as the door of his bedroom creaked open and Bob poked his head in.  "Hey Kiddo.  You all right?"

"Yeah, thanks." The youngster smiled weakly.

"Wanna talk?"

"Please." Enzo nodded.

 Bob grinned and slipped into the room, sitting on the edge of the boy's bed.  "What're you watching?  Sounded like you were really getting into it!"

The boy blushed slightly.  "Just looking at the playback from that cursored game.  Trying to figure out where I screwed up…"

"Don't beat yourself up over it." Bob sighed, slapping him on the shoulder lightly.

"I know.  It's cool – honest.  I just wanna get better, that's all.  I'm tired of slowing you down all the time-"

"You don't slow me down." Bob smiled.  "You're just inexperienced, that's all.  Can't help that.  I think it's good for me, actually – having to take a step back and look at the game like someone who's never seen it.  Keeps me sharp."

"Maybe." Enzo nodded dubiously.  "But I'm gonna learn fast, Bob – you'll see!  I'm gonna listen to everything you tell me.  And I'm not just sayin' that either!"

"I know, Tiger!" the Guardian chuckled.  "I like your spirit."

"Really?"

"Really.  And I'm glad you're feeling better about it – you can't delete yourself every time you make a mistake.  But I want to be sure you understand – when I tell you to do something in a game, it's 'cause I have a good reason.  Get it?"

"Got it." The green-haired boy sighed.

"Like today – I know you wanted to finish the User off yourself, but I told you to rendezvous with Matrix and me for a reason.  It was dangerous to try to assault the User's stronghold yourself – but I guess you found that out."

"I guess." Enzo nodded ruefully.

"There's no way you could have known about those tank traps, Enzo. It's not your fault - you've never played the game before.  But that's the point, see?  It's my job – Matrix' too, for that matter – to teach you what we learned surviving these games the first time we played them.  There's no academy to teach you.  But we can't do it if you start freelancing and trying to win games by yourself."

"I know.  I'm sorry." Enzo moaned, the words echoing oddly familiar in his mind.  "I just really wanna win, that's all – I know I shouldn't do stuff even when I'm doing it sometimes, but it's like I can't stop myself!  That sounds basic…"

"Not really." The silver-haired sprite chuckled.  "I used to be one-zero myself, believe it or not!"

"I know Matrix was." Enzo grinned.  "It musta been really hard for him to have to learn all this on his own, with no one to teach him-"

"I guess it was." Bob said softly, looking away from the boy.

"Oh!  I'm sorry Bob!  I… I didn't mean-"

"I know." The Guardian smiled, wrapping an arm around the youngster's shoulder.  "But now I get my second chance – and you're it, Tiger!  So don't screw it up for both our sakes, OK?"

"OK.  Promise."

"Cool.  So – jetball or circuit racing after school tomorrow?"

"Um – actually Bob…" Enzo began hesitantly.  "I was wondering if maybe instead of playing we could train?  You know – strength exercises and working out and stuff like that.  I really wanna try to get stronger."

The Guardian raised an eyebrow in surprise.  "No jetball?  Really?  Is this Enzo I'm talking to?"

"Really." The green-haired boy nodded earnestly.  "Can we, Bob?  Please?"

"Sure." Bob chuckled.  "Just don't expect miracles – you're not due for another upgrade for almost an hour.  These things take time, y'know."

"I've heard that somewhere before." Enzo scowled.

"Night." Bob laughed, standing and reaching for the door.  "Sleep tight."

"Bob?"

"Yeah Enzo?"

The boy frowned thoughtfully.  "I didn't like that game today.  Not just 'cause I botched it I mean – I didn't like the game.  It was – I dunno… Depressing."

"Yeah, I guess maybe it was."

"All those people getting toasted and everything.  And it was so real." The boy shuddered.  "I know they're only game sprites an' everything…  But Andri's a game sprite too.  Why would the User wanna play a game like that?"

"I dunno, Pal." Bob said.  "All I know is if you play enough games, you're going to see stuff that you don't like.  Bad stuff.  Part of our job is to do what we have to do no matter how much we hate it."

"Our job?" Enzo said softly.  "Our job… Yeah, I guess so.  Thanks, Bob."

"Welcome.  See you next cycle."

The smell of data was heavy in the air as a light wind blew in off of the sea.  It was hot, in spite of the breeze.  Two figures were setting a crisp pace as they moved along the seawall.  Matrix wiped the sweat of his brow without breaking stride and looked back over his shoulder.  The small figure behind him was even smaller than the last time he'd looked.

The bearded sprite quickened his step and matched pace with the blue-suited sprite jogging briskly a few paces in front of him.  "Think we oughtta slow up, Bob?"  The Guardian turned and Matrix nodded back over his shoulder.  "Little legs."

Bob squinted and frowned, then smiled slightly.  "Naw.  Let's give him something to shoot for."

"If he can still see us." Matrix panted.

"Let him push himself a little - it's good for him.  We won't let him fall too far behind.  C'mon, let's head for the lighthouse – we'll wait for him there."

Enzo felt his throat burning as he labored along, barely keeping his brother and Bob in sight as he ran, the sound of the data waves crashing dimly audible in his pounding ears.  His uniform was soaked through with perspiration, and his legs felt like they were about to fall off.

Gritting his teeth and ignoring the fire in his chest the boy straggled on, blinking sweat from his eyes.  He dimly wished that Bob would slow down and come back for him, and he felt a little sting of hurt – but that only made him more desperate to keep moving, show the Guardian and his big brother he didn't need any special favors.  But delete it, they didn't seem to be getting any closer, no matter how hard he ran!

"He's getting even with me for jumping on him all those times!" the boy panted, wincing from a stitch in his side.  He closed his eyes for a long nano, fighting back the urge to stop and collapse on the soft, sweet grass.  Or jump in the data sea – it was probably nice and cool…

When he opened his stinging eyes the pair of sprites in front of him seemed, miraculously, a little larger.  Enzo thought it was a mirage for a nano, but after a few more agonizing footfalls it was clear that Bob and Matrix were stationary at last, standing on the lawn of the old lighthouse.

The boy felt their eyes on him as he labored on, head down, determined not to slow to a walk until he was on top of the pair of sprites.  After what seemed like seconds the hard pavement of the seawall path gave way to soft green grass and Enzo looked up to see Matrix and Bob peering down at him, the bearded sprite fighting down a grin.

 The boy staggered to a halt, hands on his knees.  "Hey, Guys." He panted, fighting for breath.  "I…made…it…"

"Good." Bob smiled.  "Now drop and give me ten, Cadet."

"What?" Matrix exclaimed.

"You heard me Enzo." The Guardian said calmly, ignoring the bearded sprite.  "Ten push-ups.  Let's see what you're made of.  We've only been running for fifteen microseconds!"

"Sure…Bob…" Enzo gasped, gritting his teeth.  He lowered himself to his knees, then onto his stomach, relishing the cool softness of the grass under him.  It felt so good to lie there, so good…

"Today, Cadet?" Bob said impatiently, winking at Matrix.  The big sprite snorted and shook his head.

With a groan, Enzo coiled his arms under him and pushed, raising himself off the ground.  After a nano he fell back with a thud.

"That would be one." Bob said dryly.  Enzo narrowed his eyes at him and pushed himself off again, groaning.  "Two.  C'mon – it's easy."  The Guardian dropped to the ground and fired off ten brisk push-ups as Enzo watched, wide-eyed.

The youngster managed two more push-ups, arms like jelly, before he fell back to the turf, panting.  Try as he might, he just couldn't make his arms work.  After a final halfhearted attempt he rolled onto his stomach and stared into the blue sky.  Matrix frowned.  "Bob-"

"Four."  Bob sighed.  "That's not too bad I guess - for a little sprite."

"Nnng!" Enzo growled in frustration, furious at his pathetic little body for letting him down.  He felt like screaming or crying, he wasn't sure which – but he didn't figure he could muster the breath for either anyway.  The boy rolled onto his side and met Matrix' glance, the bearded sprite staring sympathetically down at him.

"Well, that's that then." Bob said with a conclusive clap of the hands.  "I guess we should head back-"

"No!" Enzo snarled, eyes still locked on Matrix.  With a grunt he pushed himself onto his belly again and gathered his arms under him, ignoring the protests of his muscles.  "Five!" he shouted, pushing himself off the ground and gritting his teeth.   In rapid succession he repeated the process five more times, pausing only to count off breathlessly.  Each push-up seemed to cover a little less ground than the previous and the final one was really more of a convulsion than anything else, but for Enzo it was close enough.  "Ten!" he gasped, collapsing to the soft ground one final time.

"Good boy." Bob nodded approvingly. 

Enzo knew he should stand up, but somehow his body just didn't seem to be getting the message.  He lay on the ground for a nano, gathering his resolve, and felt a hand clasp his wrist.  He looked up to see Matrix, who nodded brusquely and effortlessly lifted him to his feet.  "Good work." The big sprite grunted.

"Thanks." Enzo said with a tired smile.

"All right Ladies – we've had our rest.  Let's get a move on.  Next break is at Floating Point." Bob grinned, breaking into a jog.  "Pick your feet up."

"Crash!" Enzo panted, watching the Guardian's receding back, hands on his knees. 

Matrix' hand was still on his wrist.  "You make it all right?" the big sprite asked with a small grin.

"Yeah, I'm cool." Enzo sighed.

"Come on you two!" Bob called over his shoulder.  "Last one to the park buys the quantum shakes!"

"Come on, Little Brother." Matrix chuckled, half-supporting Enzo's weight as they broke into a slow trot.  "You'll look back on this fondly some minute."

"If I live that long!" the boy groaned.

"What in the world did you do to Enzo?"

"What do you mean?" Bob smiled as Dot slid onto the couch next to him.

"He went right to bed without me even having to nag him.  And not only that – he actually went to sleep!  I don't think he played a single game on his organizer."

"He had a good workout." The silver-haired sprite chuckled.  "Matrix and I ran him pretty hard.  Well… I ran him pretty hard – I think Enzo felt sorry for him most of the time."

"How'd he hold up?"

"He did fine.  He'll be a little sore tomorrow but it's good for him."

Dot kissed his cheek lightly.  "I think you're starting to figure out my little brother, Handsome."

"How so?"

"Well – after last cycle he wanted a chance to prove himself and you gave it to him, didn't you?"

"It didn't take a genius." Bob shrugged.  "He told me he wanted to train today, so that's what he did."

"He didn't just want to train." Dot grinned mischievously.  "He wanted you to test him, even if he didn't know it.  You could have taken it easy on him but that would have made him feel worse.  And you knew that, didn't you?"

"Lucky guess."

"I'll bet." Dot scowled.  "And asking Matrix along, so Enzo could prove himself to his brother too – also a lucky guess?"

"I was just trying to help." Bob smiled.

"Uh huh."  The Command.com shook her head and leaned over against Bob, wrapping her arms around him.  "I'm so glad you're here with us, Bob – Enzo needed someone to look up to."

"He looks up to you!" Bob protested.

"Maybe." She smiled wistfully.  "But Enzo's not like me, Bob – not really.  He shouldn't try to be."

"What do you mean?"

Dot was silent for a moment.  "Enzo's not much like me, Bob.  He's just like Mom, really.  He feels everything deep inside.  He likes to have fun, go on adventures and just take whatever happens.  Remind you of anyone?"

"I can't imagine." Bob grinned, stroking her dark green hair softly.

"Well, Mom was just like that too." Dot sighed.  "Enzo's so much like her.  He feels everything, he hurts so easily. And he doesn't like to think too far ahead.  Not like me at all, really."

"What are you like?"

"Like my father." She continued softly.  "Live to work, that was Dad.  Put the whole system on his back and carry it with him wherever he went.  And make a few credits to boot, if the time was there.  Everything organized, to a file.  Just like someone you know…"

"Maybe a little." Bob chuckled.

"To a file…" Dot whispered.  "Not much time for things like the family.  Never let his emotions get in the way of his judgement."

"That's not like you at all." Bob frowned.

"Oh no?" the green-haired sprite laughed, a little bitterly.  "If you say so.  You didn't know me when my parents were alive, Bob."

"You're the same sprite, Love."

"My codes, maybe.  But not everything.  When you have a little boy to take care of and you're just about a little girl yourself … And the little boy's just started walking, and talking, and now his mom and dad are gone and he doesn't understand why…  You've got to change a little, I think."

Bob kissed her softly atop the head.  "That sounds like it was pretty rough, Dot.  I'm sorry..."

"It was rougher for Enzo." She sighed.  "Thank the User I had Enzo, Bob.  I think I would've gone offline after my parents died, I was so mad.  Bitter – that's the word.  But there was Enzo, and I had to be there for him.  And I couldn't be angry and depressed all the time – he needed me to be strong.  He was hurting so much, Bob – he feels everything deep inside.  He needed me to feel things like he did."

"I guess you were more like your Mom than you thought - all along." Bob smiled.

"Maybe I was." She sighed.  "But Enzo's still a different sprite than I am.  He'd never have been happy trying to be like me.  I'm so glad you're here for him, Bob."

"Me too." The silver-haired sprite agreed.  "This is where I'm supposed to be, I think."

"Me too." Dot nodded up at him.  She lifted her head and kissed him gently on the lips.  "C'mon – let's go to bed."

"Lead the way." The Guardian smiled, deleting the light.

"You wanted to see me, Ms. Robinson?"

"Ah yes, Chris.  Come in, sit down." The well-dressed, carefully coifed woman in her mid forties smiled, standing behind her desk and gesturing to the fat armchair opposite.  She looked for all the world as if she'd just thrown her outfit on at the last minute, yet everything melded together perfectly, somehow.

"Thanks." Christopher O'Brien nodded, trying to smile.  His face, unused to the action, produced something like a grimace.  Though the office was lit rather subtly the young man still squinted.  He squirmed uncomfortably in the soft leather chair, feeling distinctly out of place.

"How are you?" Janice Robinson smiled warmly.  "We hardly ever get the chance to talk – I haven't seen you in a development meeting in weeks."

"Er – sorry about that." The boy mumbled.  "I've been busy, I'm eye deep in some really heavy code-"

"Yeah, so I hear." His employer replied.  "You're working on your new game project?"

"'Daemon's Legacy', yeah." Chris nodded.

"Right.  Chris, you know everyone at Cascade Online values your services greatly-"

"Am I fired?" the youth squeaked.  "You can't!  I know I've been-"

"Of course you're not fired!" Ms. Robinson chuckled.  "You've been a great resource for this company over the last couple of years, Christopher.  'Mystic' is the top selling RP game in the history of the industry.  But then I suppose you knew that."

"Whatever."

"Yes…" the woman frowned.  "Well – we're all very proud of what you've accomplished, Christopher.  Especially for such a young man.  But my brother and I are a little worried, Chris.  About you."

"Worried?"

"You seem to be working awfully hard, Chris.  I've heard you've even been sleeping in your office-"

"No!" the boy exclaimed.  "I mean… Yeah, I stay there sometimes.  But I don't sleep, I work!  When I get on a roll I don't like to stop-"

"That's hardly the point." The woman interrupted gently.  She sat back with a sigh.  "How old were you when you joined us, Christopher?"

"Fifteen." The pale youth ventured defensively.

"Of course – fifteen.  We're just a little worried that you don't have enough experience to prioritize things, Chris.  It doesn't do any of us any good if you work yourself sick, does it?  I mean, well… Look at you!"

"What do you mean?"

"You look like you haven't eaten in weeks, Chris.  And haven't seen the sun in even longer, if I'm guessing right.  And to be honest… I wonder when you last changed your clothes…"

"I'm sorry." The youth mumbled.  "I'm just working really hard, that's all…"

"I know you are.  And we appreciate it, believe me.  But maybe it would be best if you took some time off – you know, to relax.  Maybe move back in with your parents for a while-"

"No!  I can't!  I can't stop working on the game, Ms. Robinson.  The rollout date is in three weeks!"

"There's no rush, Chris.  The world won't come to an end if we miss a rollout date, will it?  I-"

"No!" O'Brien said resolutely, shaking his head. 

"At least think about it, will you?  You don't look at all well." The dark-haired woman sighed.

"OK, I'll think about it.  But I'm gonna have the game finished on time, Ma'am.  Period."

"Yes, well – that's another thing." She frowned.  "No one here doubts your genius, Christopher.  Everything you've worked on has been a huge success.  But this new game – it's very… strange.  Well – what you've let anyone see of it anyway.  There doesn't seem to be very much action, does there?"

"Wait'll it's finished, Ms. Robinson.  It'll be great, I promise!" the boy said desperately.

"Don't be insulted!  Like I said, no one here is doubting you.  It's just that my brother and I are a little - confused – by what you're trying to do with this one.  We-"

"Please, Ma'am – trust me!" O'Brien pleaded.  "I know what I'm doing, I promise!  This is the next wave in home gaming – virtual reality!  Wasn't I right about 'Mystic'?  'Daemon's Legacy' has to be released exactly as it is.  It has to!"

"Chris-"

"Ms. Robinson – you know how much money I've made for the company.  Haven't I earned a little creative license?  I think I know what gamers like!  Please?"

The elegant woman sighed deeply and drummed her fingers on the mahogany desk in front of her.  She'd met some strange ones in this business, but Chris O'Brien topped the list.  It was like her brother had told her when they first started the company – the better the programmer, the stranger the quirks.  And how right he was…

"Do you like this blouse, Enzo?"

The youngster fidgeted, eyes darting around the sprawling department store.  "Yeah.  It's cool."

"You didn't even look at it!" Dot laughed.

"Sorry." Enzo mumbled, casting a disinterested look at his sister at last.  "It's real nice."

"Don't bowl me over with your enthusiasm." Dot sighed, rebooting out of the black and gold garment.  She grabbed the boy by the hand.  "Come on – we need to look at some wardrobe upgrades for you.  Now - where is the boys' department…"

"Dot, no!" Enzo whined, digging his heels in.  "I don't want to!  My cadet uniform's fine, I don't need a wardrobe upgrade!"

"It looks like you sleep in it!" Dot laughed.

"I do." The boy mumbled.

The Command.com dragged her protesting brother behind her.  "Your uniform is fine, Enzo, but you need other clothes sometimes too.  What if we go somewhere nice for dinner?  You're not zero-one anymore – you can't wear sneakers and jeans all the time."

"Aw, Dot!"

"Just hush up." She sighed.  Enzo hung his head meekly and followed behind her, muttering.  After a nano he lifted his head and gasped.  He grabbed the edge of a display case and dug in his heels again.  "Dot – look!"

"What is it now, Enzo?"

"Check out that poster, Dude!  'Surge Protectors' – they're like the most alphanumeric band in Mainframe!"

"Very nice." Dot said dryly.

"I wish I could get that." Enzo pouted.  "I never buy anything…"

"It's a scandal…  Don't let the authorities find out or they might remove you from my custody."

"Dot!  I'm serious.  I never have any credits.  You don't even give me an allowance!"

"You shouldn't expect people to just give you credits, Enzo.  You have to work for them!"

"I do work!" Enzo protested.  "I help out around the diner all the time, don't I?  And I help Bob in all the games.  But I never get any credits!"

"Poor Enzo." Dot smiled.  "Bob isn't even getting paid, you know – not since the Academy went offline."

"I know." Enzo sighed.  "But I work pretty hard around the diner an' stuff, right?  Can't you start giving me an allowance?"

His sister pursed her lips thoughtfully.  "Maybe, Enzo.  You might have a point.  I'll think about it."

"Can I have some credits now?  Please?"

"Enzo!  I said I'd think about it.  Now come on – you've stalled long enough.  Let's look at some clothes for you."

"Crash!" the youngster pouted.  He followed his sister in silence for several nanos until they reached the boys' department.

A bespectacled service binome sidled up to the pair.  "May I help you, Madam?" he smiled obsequiously.

"Yes, I'm looking for a wardrobe upgrade for my brother here." Dot smiled, grabbing Enzo firmly by the hand.

"Certainly, Madam." The little binome groveled.  "Here at The Baudway we have a full line of children's fashions for any occasion."  He turned to Enzo.  "And what would Master be interested in today?"

"He needs a suit – something formal." Dot said firmly.

"Dot!"

"And something for around the diner, something that he can play in.  Those purple slacks over there are nice…"

"I hafta go the bathroom!" Enzo said urgently.

Dot ignored him.  "He'll try those on.  And maybe some shirts – something with a collar, I think."

Enzo groaned.  "Doootttttt – I toldya I have to go to the bath-room!" he hissed, pulling at her hand.

"Now?" Dot sighed, exasperated. 

"I'm gonna explode!" the boy moaned.

"All right." She frowned, releasing his hand.  "But you come right back here, understand?  We're not done.  Enzo?  Enzo!"

"So which one?"

"I really don't care." Matrix sighed.  "Why won't you believe me?"

"I think I like the blue ones." AndrAIa said, holding up a pair of dishes judiciously.  "I think they'll go with the wallpaper.  So which ones do you like?"

"Cursors!" Matrix growled.  "I feel like my head's gonna explode any nano…"

"What's your problem, Sparky?" the game sprite laughed.

"You know how much I hate this, Andri!  What difference does it make which ones we get?  They're just gonna be covered with food anyways."

"So that'd be the blue ones then." The girl grinned.  "Now we need to look at flatware.  Come on, Lover."

"Delete me now!" the bearded sprite groaned, trudging along behind her.  "Where's a game cube when you need one?"  AndrAIa immersed herself in spoons as he stood behind her, muttering to himself.

"Psst!"  Matrix looked around, frowning.  A small face peered back at him from between two shelves.  "C'mere!"

The big sprite slipped away from AndrAIa and into the next aisle.  "How'd you get away from Dot?"

"Told her I had to pee!" Enzo grinned.  "C'mon – let's go get an ice cream."

"She'll be pretty mad!" Matrix sighed, shaking his head.

"Aw, she had me looking at clothes!  I had to escape – it was self-defense!  Come on, let's go."

"I really shouldn't." the big sprite frowned dubiously.

"Matrix?  Where are you?  I need you to help me pick out the forks!  Matrix!"

"Yes I should." He groaned.  He poked his head around the corner.  "I'm sure whatever you pick'll be just perfect, Andri.  I'll catch up with you later."

"What?" she scowled.  "You're just gonna complain about whatever I buy later, Sparky!  Where are you going?"

"Uh… I gotta use the bathroom.  I'll be back in a nano."  He turned and winked at Enzo.  "Nothing like the classics…"

"Well… all right.  But come straight back.  And don't forget we're meeting Dot and  Enzo in the furniture department later.  Matrix?  Matrix?"

"I really hate shopping." Matrix sighed, slipping into a booth opposite Enzo.

"Me too." The boy agreed.  "I dunno why Dot has to drag me around with her – she's just gonna buy whatever she likes anyway.  Even if it's for me."

"Welcome to the Baudway Café." The bored looking dedicated server sighed.  "May I take your order?"

"Two applet sundaes, I guess.  OK, Kid?"

"Sure." Enzo grinned.  The server whirred away.  "Uh - you'll have to pay for mine, Enzo.  I haven't got any credits…"

"No big file." Matrix chuckled.  "I'm drawing a salary from the city now – I can afford a little ice cream."

"So how do you like being security chief an' everything?"

"It's kinda cool, actually." The bearded sprite smiled.  "I never realized it was such a big job – between protecting the archives and the P.O. and the core energy and everything else… How Dot managed to run all that and be the Command.com too is beyond me."

"Not to mention running the diner."

"Not to mention taking care of me.  Er, you I mean.  Whatever.  That's a full time job just by itself!"

"Thanks a lot!" Enzo grumbled as the server plunked their sundaes on the table wordlessly.  "I don't think there's anything Dot can't do."

"You might be right, Kid." Matrix chuckled.  "Except take you on a shopping trip, looks like."

"Doesn't look like AndrAIa's any better at that, does it?" the green-haired boy asked pointedly.

"Don't get me started, Enzo.  I never saw this side of her when we were out there in the games.  Who knew?  I just try to stay out of her way as much as possible..."

"She sure is awesome!" Enzo smiled moonily.  "I bet you were glad she was with you, huh?"

"Don't think I'd have survived without her." The big sprite sighed.

Enzo slurped his ice cream thoughtfully.  "How'd you do it, Enzo?  I mean – you were all by yourself!  No Bob, no Dot – I can't even imagine it.  It must've been really scary!"

"You always manage to work the conversation around to that, don't you Sprout?"

"Don't call me that!  I can't help it – I wanna know what it was like.  You don't have to tell me if you don't want to-"

"Enzo…  there's not that much to tell.  We just kind of - survived, I guess.  It's what people do, you know?  I thought a lot about Mainframe – y'know, all the stuff I missed and I wanted to see again."

"But how did you  - you know…  Keep going?  Didn't you ever just get sick of it and wanna give up?"

"Only every five nanos or so." Matrix chuckled.  "But as long as I had Andri I was OK, I guess.  She never let me give up.  And I knew I had a big sister waiting for me, and she thought I was deleted.  And Bob was out there, too – I promised Dot I'd bring him home."

"And you did." Enzo smiled.

"With a lot of help, Enzo.  I got lucky. But I guess that's OK, too.  I always was pretty lucky.  I always had Dot to take care of me, and I had Bob for a best friend, and I had AndrAIa and Frisket with me when I was lost.  And when I came home I had all of them."

"It must've felt alphanumeric to come home.  I can't even imagine it!  After being gone all that time…"

"It was pretty amazing." Matrix grinned.  "Of course, we still had a little cleaning up to do, but that's OK too.  And you know what the coolest part was?  The bonus level?"

"What?"

"You, Pal!" the bearded sprite grinned.

"Me?!"

"Sure!  Having Bob and Dot and Andri around was awesome, but I never expected to have a kid brother.  With no parents it always seemed pretty unlikely, huh?  It was totally unexpected."

"I thought you didn't like surprises?" the boy grinned mischievously.

"Well – some are all right, I guess." Matrix chuckled.

"Um – thanks!  You're a pretty cool big brother too."

"Why, thank you Sir!"

"And you were really happy about it right from the first nano – right?"

"Well..." the big sprite laughed.  "I admit it took me a few cycles to get used to the idea.  But you wore me down.  Wore me out, more like it…"

"Very funny!" Enzo sighed.  He slurped down the last of his sundae.  "Y'know, I get scared, sometimes – thinkin' about you and AndrAIa, and what happened.  About what I'd do if it happened to me, and I didn't have Andri with me…"

"You'd do fine.  And it's not gonna happen anyways."

"I guess." The boy replied dubiously.  "I know you worry about me, though.  Bob an' Dot, too."

"Maybe a little." Matrix smiled.  "But that's natural, don't you think?"

"Why do you think he did it, Enzo?  Made me a cadet?"

The bearded sprite squirmed in his chair for a nano.  "I dunno, Kid.  I guess he thought you were ready, right?"

"It's weird, though!" Enzo frowned.  "I mean – why now?  Why do you think-"

"Look." Matrix interrupted.  "The bottom line is, it was Bob and Dot's call.  Obviously they saw how much better you were doing in the games – how much you were learning.  They figured you deserved to be a Guardian, so they made you a Guardian.  Seems pretty plain DOS to me."

"Really?"  A sheepish grin played at the corners of the boy's mouth.  "But – what about that stuff you said before, about me bein' too young and all-"

"Hey – I had my doubts!  I was against it, sure – but I guess you showed Bob so much improvement that he didn't have any choice.  And he was right, Enzo – you're doin' great.  I'm proud of you."

"Thanks!" the youngster grinned.  "Thanks.  I…  I guess you're right – he just decided I was ready is all.  So I'll just have to make sure I don't let him down, right?"

"Right first try." The big sprite nodded.

"Cool." Enzo sighed happily.  He swirled the straw in his empty glass.  "I bet Dot's gonna start lookin' for me pretty soon…"

"Wouldn't wanna be in your boots, Sprout.  She's gonna quit-file you big time…"

"Isn't AndrAIa gonna be looking for you?"

"Don't remind me." Matrix scowled.  "Furniture!  That could take all cycle!"

"Um…  Matrix, you think you could loan me a couple of credits?  I'm a little short."

"I know – but what does that have to do with money?"

"Well, ha ha!  Can I have a couple of credits?"

"What for?" the bearded sprite frowned.

Enzo fidgeted, kicking his feet under the table.  "No biggie – I just wanted to buy something, that's all. And Dot won't give me any money unless I work for it.  Which I do, by the way!  Only I never get paid."

"I dunno – Dot probably wouldn't like it, Enzo.  I hate to go behind her back-"

"Please, Matrix?  C'mon – you're my big brother!"

"You little…" Matrix sighed.  "All right, Smart Guy.  How much do you need?"

"Just like, ten credits – that's all." Enzo smiled.  "Thanks a giga, Enzo – you're the coolest!"

"Ten?  Why so much?"

"I just wanna buy somethin'…  Thanks a giga!"

"No big file." Matrix handed Enzo a credit bar.  "But don't tell Dot, OK?"

"I promise." The boy grinned, standing.  "See you in a nano, Big Brother."

"What're you going to buy?" Matrix frowned.

"Nothing special.  I'll see you later, OK?"

"Enzo!  Meet us over by furniture, OK?  Dot's gonna start getting worried pretty soon."

"No prob!" the boy shouted, darting out of the café.  "Thanks Matrix – you're pixelacious!"

"Got to stop feeding him sugar..."