A/N: Okay, so here it is...the very, VERY long over-due sequel to "Lost Within the Void". Hope you all enjoy it.
Defying the Darkness
Chapter One
Dot sat with her elbows on her desk, her head resting in her hands. She had just completely run out of tears to cry. It had been almost two cycles since Bob had explained what happened with Matrix, and why he was in the care of the Academy's psychiatric ward, but she still couldn't get past it. Where had she gone wrong? She had tried so hard to raise him right, but when the Web World Wars hit Mainframe, the bits hit the fan. She had tried to put too much responsibility on him, make him grow up too fast...and this was the result.
Without warning, Phong rolled into her office, taking her off-guard.
"My child," He placed one of his long, slender hands on her shoulder. "You are not well; you should go home and rest. The system is at peace for the present...as I'm sure it will be upon your return. Until that time, I can work in your place."
"I just don't understand, Phong," She looked at him with lost eyes. "How could I not see that he needed help?"
"Sometimes those that are closest to the fire are the last to feel the burn."
What could Dot say? She was hurting like she'd hurt when she'd lost her father. She didn't feel like Matrix was ill; she felt like he was gone...like he'd slipped through the cracks and to his deletion.
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"I ought to crack you one, Ray," Mouse growled, stomping out of the Diner as AndrAIa strolled in.
"What's got her so upset?" The GameSprite asked, taking the booth where the Surfr sat.
"I don't know," He sighed, staring out the window. "It's been a two-cycle war...I don't even think we know what we're arguing about anymore." He shrugged his shoulders and gave a brief, forced laugh.
"It's me, isn't it?" AndrAIa replied, following the Surfr's gaze to the outside of the Diner.
"Nah, Love...it's not you. All you did was get the ball rolling," He took a sip from his drink. "She's been bringing up things that I didn't even know were a problem."
"Oh?" She looked at Tracer with open curiosity. "Like what?"
"Well the gem of the second was 'Ray, I want you to stop Surfing; we never see each other anymore'." He shook his head. "What'd she think she was getting when she hooked up with a Web Surfr?" AndrAIa couldn't help but laugh at this. "So how've you been holding up?"
At his query, her smile still remained, but it became forced and artificial.
"I really wish people would stop asking that." AndrAIa had spoken with sincerity. She had put Matrix to the back of her thoughts - it was going to be almost two cycles before he came home, and she couldn't spend her time dwelling on him.
"Oh, sorry..."
"No, no, Ray, it's alright," She slid down a little in her booth. "I know you mean well," She shrugged. "It just gets tiresome after a while."
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"So, Matrix, how're you?" Turbo pushed a mug of Java across the table to the Renegade.
"Pretty good, actually," He took a sip of the hot brew. "But if people keep asking me that like I'm psychologically impaired, I'm going to have to hit someone." He chuckled lightly, taking another sip.
"You feel ready to go home?" The Prime poked at a small droplet of Java that he had spilled on the round café table. "Your program ends in just over a cycle now, you know..."
Matrix' light mood changed to serious in a mere nano.
"I don't know if I'm ready yet...to face them," He crossed his arms. "I know they'll never look at me the same way again..."
"Don't think like that." The Prime Guardian said firmly. "It's not like you're the only sprite that's ever been through something like this. When you fight all your life, it gets hard deal with after a while. I understand it Matrix, and so will they."
"How can you say you understand?" The green sprite spoke sharply, but without anger. "You don't know what it's like to be in my situation," The yellow-haired sprite raised his eyebrows to share a matter-of-fact expression. "...really?" Matrix stared across at him in shock. "You?"
"I haven't been a Prime all my life, if that's what you mean." He grinned at the Cadet. "You think I sit down like this with everyone who comes through the Academy?" Matrix nodded in acknowledgment of his point. "You're not the only one with a back-story, Matrix. Remember that."
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When Dot arrived home, she found her young brother curled up on the floor with Frisket, both asleep and looking positively mournful in their slumber. She hadn't spent much time with them since Matrix left...hadn't really made an effort to make them feel better...and this was the first time it really sunk in that they needed her. Grimacing at her indiscretion, she laid down beside them and whispered:
"Hey, wake up you two," She gently brushed her hand through Enzo's hair. "Wake up..." Both pairs of eyes began to blink groggily, adjusting to the light. "It's the middle of the second...why are you napping? And on the floor of all places..." The female smiled softly at the pair of companions, sitting up as they did. "...let's go for a picnic in Floating Point. Just us three. Hm?" The boy shrugged despondently while Frisket wandered off into another room. "Oh come on," Dot gave him a pat on the shoulder. "It'll be fun; I promise. Maybe I can even convince Bob to come along and get out that guitar of his...give us a private concert."
"No," Enzo muttered, standing and walking off as if he hadn't heard a word.
"Alright..." The responded in difficult agreement. "What about a...a-"
"I said 'No'!" The child roared, stomping away into his room and slamming the door behind him.
Dot shook her head. He was so much like Matrix when he was angry and, like Matrix, he was taking to flaring up at the drop of a hat...it both scared and upset her. Was he on the same path as his brother? Could she stop him before it was too late?
A knock on the door made her thoughts recede, and forced her to compose herself long enough to face whomever waited on the other side.
"Come in."
A bouquet of flowers, held by blue fingers, poked itself into the room, the rest of the sprite appearing a moment later.
"Hi Dot," Pushing the daisywheels into her hand at her side, he kissed her on the cheek and pulled her into a loving hug. "How are you?"
"Been better," She reciprocated automatically, staring up at him adoringly. "You?"
"I got a progress report from Turbo," He replied, rocking her gently from side to side in his arms. Dot immediately snapped to attention.
"And...?"
"Matrix is doing well," Guardian 452 smiled faintly. "He might even be able to come home a few seconds early - apparently he's making leaps and bounds with his treatment."
"That's good..." Dot was resigned in her reply.
"What's wrong?" The blue sprite bent slightly to look her directly in the eyes. "Dot?"
She shrugged her shoulders, letting her head tilt to one side.
"I'm worried about Enzo...I never thought it would happen, but I just don't know what to do to help him..." Clearing her throat, she glanced back in the direction of the boy's room. "Can you talk to him for me?"
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