Author's Note: I know I took way too long to update! I'm sorry! It was because my laptop is in for repairs so I had to retype the entire third chapter which was hard to do with all the homework I've had. I hope it was worth the wait! I thank everyone who gave the amazing reveiws! I plan to update more often now that things have smoothed out. So, Please read and tell me what you think! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Cyberchase. However, the creation of the name Shovat and the character of San Flash are of my creation. Also, just to be safe I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or Naruto as there are slight references to them in this chapter.
TRIVIA QUESTION! In the reviews I posted a Trivia Question! Check it out and try to answer it please!
10/7/2011: The Birth Year has been changed. It's not going to harm the storyline though.
JUNE 1, 2012: OMG I Can't believe that I never noticed that HALF THE CHAPTER WAS MISSING. I am so sorry. I hope the correction makes things make more sense. I apologize with all my heart that I have not notice this until now. Sorry. I hope you enjoy the FULL chapter.
Chapter 3
Revelations
The kids, Slider, and Digit gasped as the swirl of light and color enveloped Dr. Marbles. Ada looked as if she had seen this before and she had. Although she knew what was happening and knew what the outcome would be, Ada was still a bit awestruck at the transformation taking place before her. The question of 'what's happening to him?' raced through the others' heads, but they were shocked speechless. Finally, the swirl faded and what it revealed was something that the Earthlies had never seen before.
The colorful swirl faded away and it revealed a new Dr. Marbles. The man was not a cyborg at all, in fact, he appeared human. Two things that had remained the same besides his clothes were his brown eyes and red glasses. The light bulb was gone, as was the mustache. His old blue hair had been replaced with ink black hair tinged with a hint of dark blue. Marbles' skin was light ivory, not light violet. He had a strong build with slightly broad shoulders, and although muscular, he wasn't buff. He was now a bit taller than before (Ada knew that he was 5 foot 8 and a half), and his voice was almost the same but a little deeper and less squeaky. This man is the real Dr. Marbles.
To Marbles it felt good to be in his own skin again. This was new to Jackie, Matt, and Inez, but Ada, Digit, and Slider had seen him in his real form before. Although it felt good Marbles had a lot to do before he could really relax. He had a lot of explaining to do. He could see the numerous questions in the kids' eyes. Marbles understood that what he just did really shook them and he knew that he would be curious too if he were in the same situation. He stopped the flow of questions before it began.
"I know you must have many questions, but I ask that you wait to ask them until later," begged Marbles.
"Why should we?" asked Matt who, like his friends, was unsure of what was happening.
"You should because I'm getting us out of here and taking back Control Central. Or at least part of it anyway."
When Matt didn't respond Marbles began the manual override process. Along the west wall Dr. Marbles revealed a keyboard and screen secretly hidden among the panels on the wall. Marbles took out his wallet from his back pocket and from his wallet he removed a keycard with his picture on the left side. On the right side his name, some dates, and some kind of data were listed. The back of the keycard was only marked by a magnetic strip paralleled by a short numeric code. After removing the keycard Marbles swiped it through a keycard reader then put the card back in his pocket. Upon typing in a password, a message appeared. The message read: 'Begin Override Process?' Marbles replied by clicking 'Yes'.
On the monitor a window popped up showing what looked like a blank personal data sheet. Then a smaller bubble popped up that read: 'Authorization Process Initiating'. A computerized voice took the place of the words on the screen. The metallic voice stated "Authorization Process Beginning." Marbles stifled a sigh as he knew that this process would bring more unwanted attention to him as well as another round of revelations. The computer began to ask the questions that would prove that he was authorized to override the system manually. With a quick glance back at his friends and noticing the wide eyed stares of the children, Marbles turned back to face the screen beginning the process.
"Full Name," requested the computer, but it sounded more like a command.
"Marbles Sherman Shovat," answered Dr. Marbles.
"Date of Birth?"
"August the 27th, 1982."
"Wait a sec," Interrupted Matt. "How old are you, exactly?"
"I'm -," something clicked inside the Marbles' head. "Wait, wait just a minute! How old do you people think I am?" Asked Marbles in an exasperated tone as Ada tried to stifle a laugh. "I want numbers from all three of you!"
"I was thinking about 53, maybe 60" answered Matt.
"I estimated you to be about 45 years old," said Inez.
"I thought you were around 39," said Jackie.
"I told you that this was bound to happen eventually, Marbles, my love," Ada says, unable to stop giggling.
"For the love of God! You kids thought I was an old man!" Dr. Marbles exclaims, exasperated. "I'm twenty-five years old!"
"It is obvious that you are younger than we thought now that you are in your real form, but before it was really hard to tell. Also, by how mature you acted and how much you know it made you seem a lot older," explains Inez.
"I see, thank you for the input Inez. I'll be sure to think about what you said later. Oh, and Matt? Sixty years old? That's so freaking funny," Marbles said sarcastically while rolling his eyes. A smile played at his face, showing that no harm had been done.
Turning back to the computer, the Authorization Process started back from where it left off.
"Age," it demanded with no emotion.
"Twenty seven," Marbles replied as his twenty-eighth birthday had not yet rolled around but was approaching fast.
"Country from where you were born?"
"I am from the country of Aldenmor."
"Height?"
"Five feet, eight and a half inches tall."
"Current weight to the nearest whole pound?"
"One hundred and twenty nine pounds," Marbles answered, very happy that he took the time to step on the scale this morning because he had forgotten all about that question.
"Eye color," the voice continued in an emotionless tone.
"Brown," Marbles answered, becoming bored with the question and answer session.
"Blood type?"
"AB."
"Animal Spirit?"
"Bobcat."
"Bending Style?"
"Waterbending."
"Affiliation(s)?"
"The Village Hidden in the Leaves."
"Current Rank?"
"Chunin."
The question-answer session finally drew to a close. It was a good thing too, because it was very late and the fatigue was showing in all of them. Especially on the children. Soon Slider, Digit, and the kids could sleep in one of the numerous guest rooms. Now the final question was asked of him by the computer. The request was for the override input code. Marbles entered the code into the computer. With the input of the numbers 3-5-3-7-1-3, the moment finally arrived. A message in green letters appeared. It read: Authorization Approved. Please initiate override with hand scan once the scan icon appears. The scan icon appeared just moments later. Now it was time to make a breakout plan. Marbles turned to face the others.
"I'm about to start the override process. That will allow me to shut Hacker out of the system but once I do he will come after us. That's why once he is shut out we will need to get to a safe spot as soon as possible. When the override is complete and Hacker is shut out, the door to the cell will unlock. Then once the door is unlocked we must hurry to Housing Area 2. That's where my quarters are located. Housing Area 2 is the largest residential sector here at Control Central so there is plenty of room for all of us," Marbles explained. "From there I can begin to start a diagnostic on Motherboard's system so we can find where she went."
"How long will we have to get there Dr. Marbles?" Slider asked. "It's late and because of that we're all tired. That will have an effect on how fast we can move and get there."
"I estimate that we will have about seven minutes to get there. Luckily it should only take us about five to get there. I also know that we're all tired. Once we get there I will put up a security shield to keep Hacker or any of his goons out. Then you can get some much needed rest in the guest rooms.
"And in the morning we can think up a plan," Ada added, ready to get out of that cell. Marbles grinned and blushed slightly.
"I love it when you finish my train of thought," Marbles told her, dumbstruck by love.
"Ahem," Slider coughed, trying to break up the mushy love scene taking place before him.
"Oh, yes, where was I?" Marbles stuttered, even more embarrassed than he was before. "Oh yeah, I was just about to initiate the override program. As soon as the screen turns green the door will unlock in exactly fifteen seconds. Once the door is unlocked we will need to go left down the hallway and up three flights of stairs to the fourth floor. Then we take the right corridor followed by a left turn, then a right turn that ends at the sector door."
"That's quite a trip," says Inez worried that she might get lost.
"Don't worry, Inez. Ada and Digit both know the way to the complex, so incase I need to stay back for what ever reason, you guys won't have to find it on your own."
"Alright, then let's do this!" exclaimed Matt. The others nodded in agreement.
"Let's get outta here, Doc," Digit added.
Marbles nodded and placed his right hand on the scanner. The light on the screen turned green, and the clock began to count down. He told the others to get ready. The seconds ticked by slowly, but the adrenaline sped through their bodies.
15…14…13…12…10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…0
A series of clicks, snaps, and grinding gears filled the groups' ears. The final locked unlocked and the entire room started to change. Along the tops of the walls a royal blue streak formed with what appeared to be a royal insignia of some sort. The streak was framed by gold. The door opened and they ran for the stairs.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~ Control Room, Control Central ~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
After his speech, Hacker went back to the Control Room very smug over his victory. Motherboard was gone and her helpers couldn't do a thing about it! Hacker personally thought that bringing the Princess of Parallelograms into the mess was brilliant. The look on Marbles' face was the piece de resistance. Hacker entered the main area, where the giant screen was once aglow with Motherboard's face shone as a beacon of hope. Now the screen showed endless pictures of Hacker.
Only two people were left in the Control Room when Hacker left to deliver his "surprise". They were his henchbots, Buzz and Delete. However, when he returned there were more than two robots in the room.
"Hackie-poo!" crooned the Wicked Witch.
"Wicked! You are NOT supposed to be here," Hacker said, annoyed.
"I brought you news reporters to spread the news of you becoming the new ruler of Cyberspace."
Hacker looked behind Wicked and noticed two reporters, Erica Ram and San Flash. He liked the idea of more publicity as much as he loved the title of King of Chaos.
"So, Hacker, how did you get rid of Motherboard?" asked Erica.
"Yes, and where are those helpers of hers, including the Earth children." continued San, without giving Hacker time to answer Erica's question.
"That's THE Hacker to you. I cannot reveal my secrets, but I will tell you that it was my amazing genius that allowed me to defeat Motherboard once and for all! Her helpers…"
"Boss!" yelled Buzz. "They're…" he started. Then the main screen that was showing the picture slideshow of Hacker went completely blank and dark; absolutely lifeless.
"They're what? You useless dunce buckets!"
"They're escapin' Boss," finished Delete as the monitor he was watching showed a quick glimpse of our heroes escaping before it too went dark.
"What? After them you two! They cannot escape our grasp!"
Buzz and Delete quickly got up from their positions at the monitoring station. However, in their haste they fell on top of each other trying to get out the door. This left Hacker no other choice. He ran out of the room after his escaped prisoners.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~ West Stairwell ~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
The team had made it to the stair well and up the first two flights of stairs to the third floor. It had taken them about four and a half minutes to get to the base of the third and final flight of stairs.
"It's not much farther now, we can do this!" Marbles encourages the others.
*****SLAM!*****
"What was that?" asked Digit.
"It sounded like the door to the first stairwell," answered Ada.
The team could now hear footsteps beginning to come up the stairs.
"YOU WON'T ESCAPE FROM ME, MARBLES!"
"Hacker!" Every member of the team gasped the name at the same time.
"We gotta run now!" Slider said and the entire team started to sprint up the stairs.
Stair after stair after stair they ran. They ran as fast as they could yet Hacker kept gaining on them. As the door to the fourth floor appeared, Hacker was almost ten steps behind. All seven burst through the door leading into the fourth floor and mustered all of their willpower to sprint down the right corridor. By now Hacker was only a few feet behind our heroes.
They turned left and ran into a slippery wet spot thanks to a leaky water pipe overhead. Everyone in the group kept their balance except for Inez. She slipped and fell down which let Hacker get dangerously close to her. While the others continued to run for the sector door, Marbles dashed inhumanly fast, grabbed Inez up and pushed her towards the others. He stayed behind and using his waterbending skills, put his hands above his head and quickly brought them down bringing the water with them. As the water splashed to the floor Marbles made it freeze into a thin layer on the floor that would hopefully keep Hacker at bay long enough for them to get to safety.
Ada and the kids had made it into the housing sector but Dr. Marbles was nowhere to be seen. His plan had worked temporarily, but now Hacker was back on his tail.
"You will never win, Marbles!" Hacker yelled.
"Yes I will!"
With that Marbles ran the last few yards and to the door of the housing sector. Ada saw him coming and relief flooded through her. He entered the door and slammed it shut behind him. Ada locked it while the others held it shut as Hacker was banging at the door. Revealing another keypad Marbles raised the security shield and the team was safe albeit extremely exhausted.
Marbles smiled and wrapped his arms around Ada while the others gave each others high-fives. Following the high-fives came a bought of yawning.
"Alright, I believe it's high time all of us got some sleep," Said Marbles, stating the obvious. "Let's all get to bed. Each one of you will have your own room."
"I'll show them where the guest rooms are, love," Ada said. "I want you to check the rest of the doors and windows and make sure that they are secure."
"I'll get right on that." With that, Marbles walked away to check the doors and windows.
Ada put each one of the kids in their own room and showed them how to get pajamas out of the Clothing Selection Device. Marbles had made sure that everything was secure and rejoined Ada. They had all gathered together to say their goodnights when Jackie asked Ada where she was staying.
"With Marbles in his suite of course," Ada had answered with a giggle as she grabbed Marbles hand.
They all said their goodnights and went into their rooms. It had been a very long day. Each and every one of them cherished the thought of a nice, long, good night's sleep. It didn't take very long for anyone to fall asleep because they knew they still had a lot to do once they got up the next day.