"Jimmy hurry up" Sheen called down the street to Carl and Jimmy. Carl and Jimmy still kept there same pace as they slowly crept up to Sheen. Sheen was becoming more and more impatient as they slowed down.
"Sheen calm down, the game will be there when we get to the store" Jimmy tried calming Sheen down, but to no avail.
"If they sell out, ill never forgive you" Sheen called out speeding ahead of them. Jimmy just rolled his eyes and Carl took adjusted his contacts.
"Is this game really that good" Carl asked making conversation.
"Obviously if Sheens this worried about it, it must be good. And it doesnt even have ultralord in it" Jimmy explained as Carl gasped about Ultralord. But they heard Sheen call out again.
"Theres a downloadable content package thats included with the early release games that allows your character to wear an ultralord costume, IF YOU WOULD HURRY UP" Sheen yelled stopping again to wait on the boys.
"Too good to be true" Carl said as Jimmy laughed. Sheen glared at them until they caught up again. After another 15 minutes of stop and go, they arrived at the game store. Sheen burst through the door and rushed over to the shelf. He grabbed a copy and victory and held it above his head like a holy object. Jimmy and Carl both laughed as they grabbed there copies and took them to the cashier.
"3 copies of 'World War 3'...That will be $600 dollars please" The cashier said adjusting his glasses. Jimmys jaw dropped.
"$600 dollars" he asked in disbelief. The cashier just sneered and looked at the boys.
"This is the most realistic shooter to come out on the market kid. Its no cheap. Besides you know how this towns social kid status is claimed now" the cashier announced holding out his hand.
"Jimmy you said you'd buy it for us. We helped you test that new invention you patented! PLEAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEE" Sheen dropped to his knees begging. Jimmy rolled his eyes and pulled a credit card from his wallet.
"This better be worth it Sheen" Jimmy growled, watching the cashier run his credit card. The cashier handed Jimmy back the credit card and gave them there games. They left the store and made their way to Jimmys lab. The whole walk home Sheen went on and on about every aspect of the game. Carl occupied hisself with the game manual, while Jimmy began to think.
Life in Retroville had changed a little bit over the past 3 years. Social status in high school was determined not by money or looks now, but by video game status. Not many know the true origin of how it happened. But now where you were at on the Retroville leaderboards, was your social rank. You had to be on there busting your ass to obtain your popularity. That didn't mean much to the boys, but they had to at least keep a normal rank.
World War 3 was the hottest game out right now, the best part was that it came out that morning. That meant the leaderboards could drastically change in the blink of an eye. Jimmy wasn't one to gush for popularity, but being #1 on those leaderboards couldn't hurt. As of last night the Boys Leaderboards #1 player was Nick Dean. But who would've thought he wouldnt be #1. The Girls Leaderboards was, hard to believe, Betty Quinlan. She may be a beauty, but shes deadly on the battlefield.
Jimmy wasn't #1, but he wasn't dead last on the boards. He was a good gamer, he just never shot up to play for #1. Dean was a shark and he'd always gun for #1. Before long they were in Jimmys lab where the newest consoles out layed. It was a virtual reality simulator, known as "E-Vox." It was designed to put you directly into the game, showing that you were a true master at whatever game you were playing.
Sheen was ripping through the plastic on his game like a wild animal. Carl and Jimmy slowly pulled the plastic off of theirs and inserted the game into the console. A small layback chair accompanied the console, along with virtual reality helmets. They boys relaxed down in the chairs and slipped on the helmets.
Minutes later they were inside a, what seemed to be, hotel lobby. Not a small one, but a huge one; which was filled with players awaiting gameplay.
"Jimmy what is this" Sheen scratched his head in confusion.
"Im guessing this is the 'Game Lobby' " Jimmy siad using air quotes, pointing to the cheesy pun being used. The boy genius looked around for a moment until he saw a sign-in desk. He approached it and was welcomed by an african american desk clerk.
"May I help you sir, are you new to the game" she asked politely.
"Yes I am" Jimmy stated. She smiled for a moment then turned around for a moment, then back to facing Jimmy.
"Prepare to be evaluated, please stand by" she announced sweetly. Before the boys could blink they were surrounded by darkness.
"J-J-Jimmy im scared" Carl whispered frightened. Jimmy let out a small laugh.
"Its alright Carl, its just a video game" he said clamly. The darkness kept its luminous presence around them for just a few more seconds before a bright light flashed before the boys. They covered there eyes trying to readjust to the new landscape. When they finally came to, they were in an armory. Weapons, ammo, and other gadgets lined the walls of the small room.
"Please select a primary, secondary, and grenades" the african american woman spoke over the intercom.
"Jimmy this is amazing" Sheen screeched as he searched through the weapons on the wall. Carl carefully walked through the armory looking the weapons up and down. Jimmy on the other hand was an expert in first person shooters. He wasnt saying he was better than Sheen or Carl, he just already had in mind his weapons.
He scanned the walls until he found what he was looking for, the AK-47. Jimmy attached a red dot sight to it and then picked up a 9mm handgun. Sheen decided on the M82 Barret 50 cal and a glock 18. Carl wasn't exactly the violent type when it came to the shooters, so he grabbed an MP5K and a 9mm handgun.
"Now, prepare for battle" the woman announced. The area became darkness again as the game loaded up its surroundings.
Sheen let out a girly squeal in the darkness. Jimmy let out a cough, letting Sheen know they were still there.
"Um...Sorry" Sheen said quietly. Before another word could be said, the bright light flashed. When all was clear, the envrioment had changed to a ruined city. Buildings were in flames, streets were charred, and overturned cars littered the streets. Buildings towered over the boys like giants. The sky was darkened with only spots of orange poking out.
"Jimmy where are we" Carl asked looking around. Jimmy and Sheen continued looking around trying to get there bearings. Thats when they noticed there clothes. The normal, everday clothes that had dressed them earlier were now modern attire of a solider. In there ear was a small tac com. The woman began speaking over it.
"Your current objective: Make your way through the city to the EZ" she announced over the earpiece. Thats when a yellow arrow was shown at the end of the city.
"Lets get going then guys" Jimmy called as he started walkinmg towards the arrow. Sheen anc Carl both filed in behind him as they walked over the blackened street.
"Jimmy dont you think this would be a little more difficult? I mean she did say evaluation" Sheen questioned looking up at the tall buidlings.
"Maybe this is just to see how well we follow instructions. Ya neve know" Jimmy called over his shoulder. Thats when a faint running was heard in a building to there left. The boys stopped in their tracks searching for the noise.
"Maybe your right Sheen...Keep on your toes guys" Jimmy said reading his gun. The boys tiptoed to there locations when something caught Sheens eye. He looked up to see an iraqian man holding an RPG.
"RPG" Sheen screamed ducking into a building. Jimmy and Carl followed suit, running in behind Sheen. Seconds later an explosion happened outside the building, sending rocks and debris flying.
"Scratch my previous statement, You ARE right Sheen" Jimmy yelled over the noise. After the noise cleared, voices could be heard outside the building. Not english, but Iraqian.
"Alright we've got armed forces outside the building. Carl you got the C4" Jimmy asked aiming his weapon towards the door. Carl answered the question by showing Jimmy the detonator to the explosives.
"Plant it on the door, Sheen you head to the second floor and provide sniper cover. Once we use the C4 we'll cover down here and take out what we can. Remember, we use the same safe word as always; Eagle" Jimmy commanded, using his leadership prowess. Sheen and Carl nodded as they began their jobs. Jimmy steadied his breathing and took aim at the door.
Jimmy heard the firing of the sniper rifle above him, then a thud outside the building. Sheen was a marksman for sure, he may not be top of the leaderboards in kills, but he was #1 on the 50 cal boards. Carl finished setting the C4 and took position next to Jimmy. Good ole Carl, he wasn't the greatest threat on the battlefield in kills, but hes one of the best support players around.
Jimmy on the other hand, he was a monster. Well a caged monster. He was a great player but never really tried in the gaming world. The top of the leaderboards was a shark tank, you were always fighting for position, even if you arent playing. Jimmy wasnt exactly thrilled about doing that. He prefered the chill middle, play whenever you want and not have to worry about tournaments, player challenges, or rivalries.