Cyberchase: Digital Catastrophe!
Starter A/N: Hey everyone. Alisi Thorndyke here and welcome to the sequel to Cyberchase: End Game! The prerequisite for this fic is Cyberchase End Game and that fic must be read before you read this fic. If you read End Game, then you're good. The couples in this fic are the same: Jackie/Slider and Matt/Inez. That's pretty much it. If nothing else, on to the legal stuff and then the fic.
Disclaimer: As I've stated before, I don't own Cyberchase. Thirteen Corp does. Any questions? If so, I got some too lol.
Summary: Sequel to End Game. King Adam is back and is bringing the cyber fight to the real world, where earth is turned into the ultimate digital battle ground! Will the cybersquad be able to defeat him on their territory or will the king reign in the real world?
Chapter 1: Peace at last?
Digit or Digital? Which is it? Both pronunciations have the root word 'Digit' in them, but are just spelled differently. What does the word 'Digit' or 'Digital' really mean? Is it referring to a number in the number line or to the data streams that are consistently flowing through the internet, telephone lines and cyberspace? Or maybe the words can be referring to Motherboard's helpful assistant, Digit LeBoid. Just what is meant by those words? If one had to guess what the words Digit and/or Digital meant, they would most likely refer back to the cybersquad, Hacker, and Digit's most recent adventure in Adam's 'Digital' world: Digital Doom!
Even though trapping the kids in a video game world was originally Hacker's plan, the cybersquad along with Digit and Hacker can say they definitely got the full 'Digital' experience, but one arising event unbenoticed to them will soon give them the entire definition of the phrase: Going Digital.
With the battle of Adam behind them and with the celebration being recently enjoyed at the arcade, the cybersquad have left the arcade and have made tracks to Inez's place were the 4 are currently watching movies. Matt and Inez are hugged up together and Jackie is laying her head on Slider's shoulder as they watch the movie: Lawnmower Man. The scene where Dr. Angelo is persuading Jobe to participate in his virtual reality experiments without telling him what they entail is now playing.
"You know he is just going to make a spectacle out of him." Jackie speaks. "All experimenters do that to people who they think aren't smart."
"That poor guy." Slider says, now pulling Jackie closer to him.
"If I were him, I would say no in an instant." Matt adds in.
Continuing to watch the movie, they now witness Jobe agreeing to participate in the experiment.
"I hope he knows what he's doing." Inez says, gripping Matt's shirt tighter. "That virtual reality experiment could be dangerous."
"Ok, this movie is freaking me out already." Jackie says as she grips Slider's shirt. "Big time."
"I'm with you Jackie." Inez agrees.
"I don't know about you guys, but I think the movie's cool." Matt says. "Virtual reality seems fun."
Now looking to the coffee table in front of them, Inez notices that the popcorn bowl is empty.
"Oh look, we're out of popcorn." Inez quickly speaks up. "I'll go make some more. I could use a hand, Jackie, if you don't mind?"
"Sure Inez." Jackie agrees.
Both girls now detach from their guys with Inez grabbing the popcorn bowl. With the bowl, both girls head to the kitchen.
"I don't know about our girlfriends, but I think virtual reality is really cool." Slider says, now turning to Matt. "I'd like to be able to do things that I normally wouldn't in the real world."
"Here, here." Matt agrees as he high fives Slider. "Virtual reality rocks! You see how much that guy is enjoying it."
The guys now turn back to the movie and notices Jobe enter the computer mainframe.
"Now that is awesome." Slider praises. "I wish I could do that."
"Me too, but I wouldn't use my new found power for revenge." Matt replies.
"I wonder why the girls think this movie is strange." Slider wonders. "Jackie and Inez seem really freaked out by it."
"I have no idea." Matt replies with a shrug. "But if it's one thing that I've known about Jackie for a while and that is she likes romance movies. Now Inez, however, I'm not sure about why she finds this movie weird. She usually loves things like this. If it's a movie about nanotechnology or technology in general, she wants to see it."
"Yep, that sounds like Inez alright." Slider nods in agreement.
"Hey, I know what happened." Matt begins. "Your girlfriend has infected my girlfriend with the mushy romance movie bug."
"If that's the case, I guess we'll have to come up with an anti-dote." Slider lightly laughs. "We wouldn't want two Jackie's walking around now do we?"
Both guys laugh at the joke as they turn back to the movie. In the kitchen, Jackie and Inez are waiting for the one bag of popcorn to come out of the microwave so the other can put in.
"Ok Inez, who picked that movie?" Jackie inquires.
"Matt and of course, Slider agreed with him." Inez simply answers. "He said the description of the movie made the movie sound 'cool' so he went with it."
"I see." Jackie says. "You know, Inez, you surprised me tonight. I thought you loved movies like that. I know I don't, but you do. Why is this one different?"
"I don't know really." Inez replies. "It's just something about virtual reality that freaks me out."
"But what about the virtual reality experiment that Dr. Marbles asked you to be a part of some months back?" Jackie asks, the timer on the microwave now sounding.
"Well that was different." Inez replies removing the popcorn bag from the appliance and emptying it into the bowl. "Virtual reality simulations are different to me and I knew what was going on before I agreed to it unlike the guy in the movie. Plus, Dr. Marbles set up a simulation that I'd enjoy, which I did."
Jackie now turns to the guys and notices they are talking among each other.
"I wish we could have picked another movie to watch, but if the guys like it then I guess we can enjoy it with them." Jackie says with a sigh. "Even if we don't like it ourselves."
"Well, being the good girlfriends we are, that's what we do." Inez replies as she places the second popcorn bag in the microwave. "After all, it was their turn to pick the movie."
"Which means next time, it's our turn to pick the movie." Jackie says, a smile forming. "And I know exactly what that movie is going to be."
"Another romance movie?" Inez asks.
"Yep." Jackie answers. "I know of a good one that Matt and Slider will both enjoy as well as us."
"I can't wait." Inez smiles.
The second bag of popcorn is now finished as Inez removes the bag. Pouring the contents into the bowl, both girls make their way back to living room, taking a seat on the couch next to their guys.
"So, what did we miss?" Jackie asks as Slider puts his arm around her.
"Well, I don't know if you missed anything in the movie, but I know I missed you." Slider replies sweetly.
Smiling at Slider, Jackie gives him a kiss on the cheek.
"So Matt, did anything interesting happen while I was gone?" Inez asks, snuggling up next to Matt.
"Not a thing Nezzie, not a thing." Matt replies.
"You know, I've been wondering." Slider begins. "Now that Adam has been defeated, I wonder if Hacker is going to reformat that game of his, you know, to keep it from being hacked into again."
"That's very interesting Slider." Matt says, keeping his attention on the movie. "I wonder that too."
Northern Frontier
In the wreaker's garage, Hacker is sitting at the main computer as he begins thinking back on being inside of his own video game and joining up with Matt, Digit, and Slider on their quest to put a stop to Adam. The current file he was working on before he went into think mode has become an afterthought.
Flashback
"Hello kiddies." Hacker greets the guys. "Looks like we're going to be teammates."
"Hacker?!" Matt and Slider ask in unison and disbelief.
"In the circuitry." Hacker replies in his usual condescending tone.
"No way Hacker!" Slider immediately protests. "There is no way we are going to team up with you! It's all because of YOU we are in this game!"
"You said it Slider!" Matt agrees. "There is no way we are going to let you be on our team! The minute we turn our backs to you, you're going to try to do away with us!"
"Our girlfriends are prisoners of King Adam and it's all because of you!" Slider continues. "Bottom line is, we are not teaming up with you! You've been trying to do us in for the longest! If we were to team up with you, that'll give you the advantage to knock us off any given time!"
"You might try to make us lose this game on purpose!" Matt continues as well. "Remember, if we make one false move, its game over forever?! Me and Slider will handle things, get to level 12 and save our girlfriends by ourselves! You're on your own!"
Having said their peace to Hacker, Matt and Slider begins walking away.
End Of Flashback
Shaking his head, the thought now clears itself from Hacker's memory. With the thought gone, the cyborg goes back to working on his file.
"I don't know what made me think about that." Hacker says to himself. "That should be the last thing on my mind at a time like this."
Continuing to work on the file, another memory from the past now comes to him.
Flashback
At the sound of Jackie's voice, the guys have turned around to see their girlfriend's standing before them. While the guys are awe struck, Hacker isn't really convinced that the girls are really back in the game.
"This is one of Adam's tricks!" Hacker speaks up. "I'm not convinced you two are really seeing them!"
"It can't be a trick." Slider denies, keeping his eyes locked on Jackie. "My Jackie is back and I couldn't be happier."
"I'm with you Slider." Matt agrees. "My warrior princess has returned."
"You guys might want to really think about this." Hacker tries reasoning with the two. "I know Adam and he wouldn't just let the girls go without having some type of strings attached."
Not hearing what Hacker has said, the guys begin running for their girlfriends with open arms. Now reaching them, the girls disappear with the guys closing their arms, only to wrap them around themselves and hit the icy floor.
"I told you two it was Adam's trick." Hacker sighs. "It's just like earth kids to not listen to reason."
Matt and Slider now get to their feet and begin looking around for their loves.
"Where's Inez?" Matt asks in confusion. "She was just here."
"The same place as Jackie, still with Adam." Slider replies with a sigh. "Hacker was right, it was all a trick and the girls were mere holograms. Adam knew just what to do to get our attention."
"I want my Inez." Matt lightly whines.
"If you want her, you'll have to get past me first." Adam's voice rings out.
Hacker, Matt, and Slider look ahead of them to see Adam in hologram form. Seeing him makes Hacker's temper rapidly rise.
"It was so amusing yet easy to make you two think your precious girlfriends were here." Adam says in a playful tone. "Are you gullible or what?"
"What's the matter Adam? Too scare to face us in person?" Hacker challenges. "Why don't you stop hiding and come out and face us!"
"So we meet again Hacker." Adam greets in a condescending tone. "It's good to know that the Northern Frontier still continues housing things no one wants. It's no wonder Motherboard banished you there."
"Where are our girlfriends Adam?!" Slider demands an answer.
"They are still with me of course." Adam answers calmly. "And speaking of your girlfriends, I'm afraid the rules have changed concerning their getting out of this game. Instead of reaching level 12 and facing me to earn their freedom, I've decided to keep them, especially Jackie and here are the highlights. I have chosen Jackie as my video game mistress while Inez will remain my game prisoner forever. I have chosen Jackie because something about her just says future ruler and not to mention how beautiful she will look when she is crowned as my mistress. As we speak, neither girl has any idea what is in store for them, but they will find out soon enough."
"Stay away from Jackie!" Slider shouts, his anger bursting forward. "If you touch her, you will be buried in this game! That's a promise!"
"That's easier said than done." Adam replies. "Jackie and I have so much in common, which is why I am so drawn to her. After all, we're both future rulers so I guess that might be why. Well, I must be going, wouldn't want to keep my mistress waiting. See you on level 12, that is, if you can make it that far."
With a grin, Adam's hologram now disappears with three large icicles breaking loose from the ceiling above the guys. Hacker spots the icicles coming down towards the guys at a rapid rate. Quickly lunging towards them, he knocks them out of the way just in time as the icicles now stab the ground where the guys were standing.
"Another minute and you two would have been goners." Hacker says as the three now get to their feet.
End Of Flashback
Hacker shakes his head once more, now clearing that memory out of his head. Just thinking about how he helped the kids and Digit out is upsetting him. Why are these memories coming back to him now? What happened in the game is a thing of the past now and that's exactly how it is going to stay! In the past!
"I don't care anything about those earth brats!" Hacker fumes. "They were in the way of what was really important and since it was my game, only I knew how to make it out! Those annoying earth brats!"
Halting what he is working on currently, Hacker's eyes now lands on the incoming mail basket where the file folder 'Take over Cyberspace plans' is sitting. Continuing to eye the folder, Hacker now reaches out to grab it, but immediately withdraws his hand. Having withdrawn from grabbing it, Hacker keeps his eyes on the file.
"Why can't I bring myself to touch that folder?" Hacker asks himself, not understanding his sudden change of mind.
"Because you know what would happen if you did." A voice from Hacker's right speaks to him.
Hearing the voice, Hacker now looks to his right and spots a smaller version of himself dressed as an angel standing on his shoulder. Seeing the angel nearly gives the cyborg a heart attack.
"Who…who are you?" Hacker asks, his voice shaky.
"Why I'm your conscience of course." Angel Hacker speaks. "And I know why you don't want to touch that folder. You just can't go through with it because of what took place in the game, you and the cybersquad joining forces to stop Adam. You were able to put aside your differences with them to focus on what was really important and that was stopping the bad guy and getting out of the game. As much as you don't want to admit it, you do have a soft spot for those kids."
"Oh don't make me sick!" A voice from Hacker's left now speaks.
Turning to his left, Hacker spots a smaller version of himself dressed as a devil standing on his left shoulder.
"I'm assuming you're also my conscience?" Hacker questions to the devil.
"Of course and I'm here to tell you, grab that folder!" Devil Hacker demands. "Just because you helped out those earth brats doesn't mean you can't still go through with your plan of taking over cyberspace. Have you forgotten what's really important? Do you no longer have a spine?"
"Stop trying to corrupt him!" Angel Hacker argues with Devil hacker. "He can't go through with his plans. He has a soft spot for those kids and he needs to help them out more often. Don't listen to him Hacker! He's up to no good!"
"Of course I'm up to no good! I am dressed like this for a reason!" Devil Hacker argues back. "Now you listen to me Hacker, grab that folder, perfect your plans and become the next ruler of cyberspace! It's your destiny!"
"Your destiny is to become the good guy and help out those kids!" Angel Hacker argues, his voice rising. "It's never too late to turn things around Hacker. Listen to me, please!"
"Don't listen to him, listen to me!" Devil Hacker shouts.
"Listen to me!" Angel Hacker fights.
"No me!" Devil Hacker yells.
"NO, ME!" Angel Hacker shouts to the top of his lungs.
"Silence both of you!" Hacker fumes, having had enough of the arguing. "How about this? Why don't the two of you scram while I go back to work on my current file?"
Dusting off his shoulders, both forms of his conscience now disappear as Hacker goes back to work. Not feeling focused on his current assignment any longer and putting his pencil down, Hacker turns back to his mail basket, to the file folder and sighs. Without a second thought, Hacker grabs the folder and looks it over. Giving the folder one more glance over, Hacker sticks it under a pile of books sitting on his desk, immediately making it an afterthought.
With that out of the way, Hacker now picks up his pencil as he goes back to work on his current file.
Control Central
Having had success with the first robot proto-type, Dr. Marbles has created a dozen robot proto-types for his and Motherboard's project. He is currently working on robot 12 with Motherboard watching on.
"Just one more." Dr. Marbles speaks, now tightening the lug nut on the left leg of robot number 12.
With that last round of the wrench, the lug nut is now tight in place.
"Ok, phase one of the project is complete." Dr. Marbles says, now getting to his feet. "Now on to phase two."
"You did a real good job Dr." Motherboard praises.
"Thank you Motherboard." Dr. Marbles replies. "I couldn't have done it with you."
Digit and Widget now enters the equipment room and immediately notices the robots.
"Whoa, look at all those robots!" Widget speaks up. "Is cyberspace under attack?"
"Yeah doc, what's with the robot clones?" Digit asks. "Is Adam back? I knew it! Bad guys never really are defeated at the end of video games!"
"No, no, Adam isn't back and Cyberspace is not in trouble." Dr. Marbles replies, lightly laughing at both cybird's questions. "These robots are a part of me and Motherboard's project: Artificial Digital Intelligence. We are testing data along with these robots to see if data can be used in emergency situations were other modes of emergency may not be available in time or are too slow to respond in time."
"Oh I see." Digit speaks, sighing in relief. "So how's that working out so far doc?"
"So far so good Digit." Dr. Marbles replies. "If all goes well, one of these A.D.I robots will be on every cybersite in all of cyberspace. Of course there are more than 12 cybersites, but you know what I mean."
"Where exactly did you guys come up with the idea for the project doc?" Widget inquires.
"King Adam." Dr. Marbles simply answers. "I know that he was the bad guy, but without him, this idea wouldn't have been possible, let alone Motherboard and I wouldn't have had the inspiration for it. So we do have to give him some thanks."
"Who's King Adam?" Widget asks, now turning to Digit.
"It's a long story little buddy, but at least it's interesting." Digit replies to his smaller half. "Great work on the project doc and Motherboard. I'm going to go tell Widget the story of King Adam."
"Yay, I can't wait to hear it Digit!" Widget says with excitement.
"Ok, it all started in the video game Hacker created." Digit begins as he and Widget begin making their way out of the equipment room.
With that, Dr. Marbles begins looking over the rest of the robots.
Network Cyberspace
In the data circuits of cyberspace, a blue data stream is flowing through a network main frame as an evil laugh begins echoing through the main frame…..
So far so good with your and Motherboard's plan doc, but what network main frame is that blue data stream in and where did that laugh come from? Is Adam back to cause havoc once more in cyberspace? And will Matt and Slider like the romance movie that Jackie picks for them to watch? These questions answered and more in the next chapter of Digital Catastrophe! Next chapter: The kids are called in to view Dr. Marbles and Motherboard's project and a startling discovery is made!
Review Please and Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! :)