Author's Note: Yeah, this is still going on. I do still enjoy this, and I haven't had internet for 7 days so I had to find some way to keep myself busy. Writing this chapter staved off boredom. Still, feedback is really encouraged, though I'm not sure anyone still reads this anymore.

Chapter 7

"You've been burning up for days, trying to gather all the figures in the clay, you know they can't all be saved, leave the weak ones find a modicum of shame!" –Ludo

"What I don't understand is how that dumb bug set up a cage like that, all catered to yours and mine weakness, Chippy."

Because 2.0 was not the one to set it up, denizens of the Dark Internet are following him now, as you recall he's rather…persuasive. If the Chip was startled or didn't like Freakazoid's nickname for it, it didn't comment.

Freakazoid snorted and replied "Yeah so am I but I'm not a dick about it."

"That's called charismatic, Freakazoid." The thin boy beside him said with a soft voice.

"Chariswhat now?"

Dexter chuckled softly as Freakazoid cocked his head like a puppy. "Charismatic. Come on, you know that word, Freak. You've the dictionary…well, all around us." He smiled, holding his thin arms out to gesture to the brightly thrumming digital world they were in currently. They weren't so much in a 'place' of the internet, because it didn't HAVE places. They were just 'in' the massive digital world; able to go anywhere in the real world they wanted—provided the place had internet access, of course.

"Oh, oh yeah right! Right, totally…"

Dexter blinked. "Is something the matter Freak?" The crazed hero looked rather distracted all of a sudden, glancing off into the bright white horizon like that. Dexter was the first to pick it up because, well, he was Dexter. Dexter didn't put much stock in religions but he supposed some higher power had made him for the hero, he'd born so that one day Dexter Douglas could house the erratic but well-meaning superhero Freakazoid. That made sense, didn't it? Dexter wasn't any important because of Freak, so…

"Freak?" He couldn't help but question softly again, fretting over his tall heroic friend.

"Hm? Oh, no. Nothing…"

Though Dexter looked rather worried at that tone of the hero's voice, he decided not to press it. No one could ever force Freakazoid to do anything—and anyway Dexter learned long ago you caught more flies with sugar than with vinegar. Besides, Dexter knew Freakazoid trusted him—at least he hoped he did. He certainly trusted Freak enough to come to him with his problems, so wouldn't Freak do the same? All he could do was hope so, ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his head that told him he was missing something, and continue looking for an accessible point into the Dark Internet's sectors.

With nothing to do now but walk and look, (he didn't seem to require food or sleep, he'd just noticed, was he like Freak and the Chip then or was it simply because he was in the internet?) the thin nerd traversed carefully down the brightly lit panel Chip had lead them too. Every once in a while they came across a moving sidewalk, and some of them they took to another wide stretch of internet highway. They reminded him of the ones from The Jetsons, especially since the internet looked as big as space like this. When he was on one he didn't have to look where he was going, so instead Dexter let his curiosity get the better of him and he gazed round at the immense world, trying to commit it all to memory.

He also couldn't stop asking questions; which was answered by Freakazoid, who seemed to think this was adorable, and sometimes by the Pinnacle Chip, who like usual, didn't seem to think much of any emotion at all.

"That's Facebook, Dexxy."

"Wha—it is!?"

"Well, some of it. Look, there's Farmville." Dex looked to where the gloved finger was pointing, and blinked in astonishment at the sheer size and colors.

"What are those little lights?"

"IP Addresses, there's currently 36, 456 people using the game." Freak answered in a split second, like he was reading the numbers off a book page before him.

"…wow."

"Actually, that's pretty low user count for that game. Course, it is like, two am." Dexter stared at him, and Freak shrugged. "Time's kind of relative here Dex. But don't worry buddy, we're still going by our time zone. It's just been couple hours from when we entered…" Even though they entered at around four pm, and Dexter himself didn't see how 10 hours was a 'couple of them.' Then again this was Freak, how much logic did he really have, let alone use? This is the same guy who thought chocolate cake and lemonade went amazing together.

"Oh, well, that's a relief…" I guess.

It was then the Chip spoke up, sticking a long gray arm out, Freak halting and Dex accidentally colliding with it. It was like walking into steel, or Freak's arm, even.

Warning. Trojan. Said the Chip in its low steady voice.

"A t-trojan?" Dexter rubbed his shoulder where he'd connected, and looked ahead of them, but all he saw was a massive creature, vaguely resembling a horse. It stamped its angry red hooves and seemed to be simply chasing after some small darting black things; they were too far away for Dexter to tell what they were.

"…Oh. Wow. The internet's a bit…uhm literal, isn't it?" As Dexter watched the one story tall horse like virus slam its weight around, hunting a little black swarm of…something. He still couldn't make out the mass, but it reminded him of flies or some type of bug.

"Like it?" Freak grinned at the literal comment, "That was my idea!"

Before Dexter could ask what Freak possibly meant when he said that, the thing was whirling around and screeching. Dex winced, covering his ears and watching the circuits on the body pulse with energy as it raced after what now looked like a swarm of…tiny bugs?

"What's it chasing?"

"Bytes. Like those things from Tron? There's a lot of levels and all shapes and sizes, but that's the smallest. And the, well, weakest."

Hence the hive mentality. Though it doesn't seem to be doing that one any particular good. The Chip commented as a little bug was singled from the buzzing chaos and was checked into a panel by the trojan's shoulder.

"W-why is the virus going after them?"

"Bored, probably. Neither are very high level." Freak shrugged, as if they were watching the nature planet and a toad was going after a fly. Dexter still looked horrified though as he watched the scene unfold.

"…w-what will it do if it catches it?" Freak and Chip both blinked, as if they hadn't considered this, or that Dexter cared at all.

It was at this point the little bug, now closer and still unable to rejoin its friends, which was leaving it behind, was cornered and tried ducking behind the Trojan. It darted bravely, despite wavering in the air and the Trojan merely screeched and promptly struck a hoof out, kicking the bug into a wall. Its head tossed, angry glowing white eyes sizzling as it swung around, stamping and snorting.

"…ouch….that has to—Dexter? Dexter!"

Freak may have been fast but Dexter had surprised them all, but maybe not as much as himself, by throwing himself into a sprint toward the two. The ting bug fell from hoof crater in the panel and was heading for the ground by the time the thin boy made it, skidding to a halt with his arms out.

Almost… "Oomph! Ah…y-you okay little guy?" Dexter whispered without thinking. He wrapped his arms round the bug, it wasn't very heavy but it had a solid, metallic feeling and it actually beeped quietly when he ducked over it, a closer and angrier snort meeting his ears.

Oh…nutbunnies.

He whirled around, spine pressed against the wall as the Trojan, having overcome its surprise, reared up and extended a hoof meant to simply crush them both. Dexter stared in horror, in the shadow of the beast and closed his eyes. His brain was in overdrive, he was thinking so hard he wasn't thinking, so he yelled the first two words that presented themselves, years of habit hammered into him that these two words could (and had) save his life.

"F-Freak out!"

It of course, didn't work. But it had a different effect this time, a streak of lightning answered his call and suddenly Freakazoid was holding the hoof above his head, his back to Dexter. Freak didn't even take a step back when the Trojan whinnied and put more weight down, intending to simply crush whatever was stopping it from getting the bug. The geek timidly opened an eye and watched as Freak's shoulders tensed, and he twisted on one boot. The Trojan, for a split second, had the expression of almost dumb fear and worry, as if it only just recognized what trouble it was in now, before it was tossed like a sack of flour down and driven into the floor by Freak's powerful wrench.

"An' stay down!" Freak commanded, dusting imaginary dirt off his hands with a few claps. He nodded in satisfaction when the Trojan's body frizted, twitched feebly. Then he rounded on Dexter.

"…ah…" Who had the decency to look sheepish at least. His thin arms tightened protectively round the tiny trilobite-like nanobyte though, which seemed content to stay right where it was.

"…you okay Dexxy?"

"Mhm, t-thank you Freak…s-sorry…" Dexter ducked his head.

"Hey…forget about it Dex. I know you." And was Freak's smile almost...proud? It was certainly fond enough, and he stepped over, ruffling Dexter's hair before he helped the little geek up. Feeling empowered by this action, and the familiarly of it all, Dexter got up meekly, clutching the bug. It churred softly and when Dexter looked down at the noise he saw the bug had perfectly circular LED eyes under a visor like screen, which was black, causing the green optics to glow. It seemed to stare at Dexter, and Dexter stared back until the Chip walked over.

…you are a unique individual Dexter Douglas. No one other than Freakazoid would have risked their life to save one of these things, and even that would only happen if you asked the Freakazoid too. The Chip was pointing out Dexter should have asked Freak to help it, instead of going in himself but…well, he hadn't thought of that! He…hadn't thought of much of anything to be honest, thinking only of the poor bugs safety, and wondering why its own swarm hadn't tried to help it…its family and friends. Dexter of all people knew what it was like to be…alone.

"Erhm, oh well, thank you…I just, I couldn't let…I don't like bullies." He finished rather lamely, unable to meet either of the two powerful beings eyes, hugging the bug to his chest. It churred again and wiggled a bit, LED eyes flicking off like a sort of blink as it regarded Dexter some more.

"Huh? Oh, sorry…you probably want to uh, go home…back with your friends…" Thankful for something to do that didn't involve the looks Freak and the Chip were giving him, he set the bug down and straightened up, waiting for it to open its back to use its little lady bug like wings and take off. He wasn't prepared for what happened next.

Nothing.

It stood there on its four thin legs and simply watched Dexter, whirring faintly like a computer tower.

"..I-is he okay?" Dexter asked worriedly, finally looking at Freak in askance and confusion. Who merely shrugged.

"Dunno. Checks out alright to me. C'mon Dexxy, it'll head on its way. Or its family'll come and pick it up, yeah? Come on buddy." Freak coaxed, mentally reminding Dexter of their mission and the importance of it. Dexter's shoulders tensed and nodded, only then walking after Freak and the Chip, headed for the highway they were on. He'd forgotten about 2.0 for a moment, but now Dex felt worried all over again.

There was a soft tk tk tk noise behind them, and when they all stopped the noise did too. Chip, Freakazoid and Dexter in the back all turned as one, looking down at the tiny nanobug looking up at Dexter just behind the boys shoes. It barely came up to his thigh, rather the size of a small dog. When it saw Dexter looking at it, its white eyes went green and it gave a jumbled warble. It sounded rather cheerful, Dexter noted.

"….aw. He likes you Dexxy." Freak grinned widely, watching the tiny geek scramble toward him, and then the nanobug scuttle after Dexter with a beeping call.

"Ah, w-why, I didn't…" Dexter blushed and stopped, blinking when the nanobug stopped as well, looking up at him expectantly. It blinked back at him, utterly featureless except for its big green glowing eyes.

It does seem to have taken a…partiality to you, Dexter. Most likely because you saved it. They tend to be attracted to strength and are followers, rather than leaders. The Chip added when it chased after Dexter again, ignoring Freak and the Chip entirely as it followed after the boy like a puppy.

"Ah, b-but I'm not…I'm not s-strong you've got the wrong person! Oh, careful!" It tripped in its haste and Dexter immediately leaned down and scooped it up like he was picking up Chubbykins. The action seemed entirely unconscious, because Dexter himself seemed surprised by it, but now that the nanobug was back in Dexter's arms it trilled cheerfully and pressed up against Dexter's shirt, legs folding into itself and eyes turning off as it settled. Well...he couldn't very well put it down now, he mused a bit gloomily to himself. Leaving it right now when it was asleep would just be mean. Dexter sighed and walked back over to his friends.

"Dexxy, you're a mom." Freak gushed. Thin little shoulders rose defensively, though Dex made no move to drop the bug.

"Oh b-be quiet you." He muttered as he passed the hero to fall in line behind Chip. "Let's go."

Freakazoid chuckled and tagged after Dexter. Not unlike the nanobug had been doing, though only the Chip noticed these parallels, and like usual, didn't say anything. Just observed.

F!

"Freakazoid? Are you sure you're alright?"

"…yeah, course, why?"

"…you're panting. I, I didn't think you could pant." Dexter finally admitted, dropping back to fall in line with the suddenly sluggish hero. They'd been walking for what felt like forever, but in reality were only a couple hours. The nanobug had woken up some time ago, and after some thinking had scrambled onto Dexter's shoulder, where it now remained as he fretted over the sagging hero.

"O-oh even your hair is drooping, Freak what's wrong?" It was a question as much as it was a desperate plea, concern for the hero's safety swelling up in him.

"Ah…guessing dumb old 2.0's trying to make a statement or something. Good."

"How, how is that good!?" The geek gasped.

"M-means we're getting close. He's trying to convince me otherwise. S'not gonna happen." But Freakazoid grinned, and even hunched over with slightly shaking knees it was still a dangerous smile, one Dexter recognized.

The nanobug chattered and clutched to its perch on Dexter, freeing his hands so he could gently but firmly grip Freak and provide what support he could, mentally and physically.

The reaction was astounding. Freak's blue skin, which had looked vaguely gray by now, brightened up. His hair shifted and the lightning bolts seemed to glow, electricity coursing through him as he perked up in general. His wild grin finally fit his heroic tall posture.

"Aw yeah! M'fine now Dex, thanks!" Freak laughed, but Dexter blinked in confusion, and then stared down at his ordinary thin, weak little hands. Huh.

"...that was just because I touched you…? I thought we had to be, well together…"

You are the charger for the users that have been altered by Pinnacle Chips, Dexter. Rumbled the Chip, watching them both. Your presence alone affects them. However it works both ways, when you are using your powers, you can be a much easier target. Well didn't that sound like a warning. Suddenly Freak didn't look so sure of himself, in fact he was looking around warily. The nanobug tried to mimic him but nearly tumbled from Dex's shoulders for its efforts. Dexter meanwhile, just stared at the Chip.

"R-right, I knew that," he'd forgotten, "But it's just—wait, users?" Dexter's eyes widened. "You mean I could help Roddy and—" Dex looked slightly scared. He stopped short before he got to the name Gutierrez and snuck a glance at Freak's stony expression. The hero arched an eyebrow, his mask lifted a bit.

"…I'm kind of glad Gutierrez didn't know that." Dex finally whispered.

"Kind of?" Freak quipped, but it didn't seem to be aimed at Dexter.

Dexter knawed on his lip nervously and petted the nanobug which had made it to the top of his head. It trilled contently and Dexter tried to find some comfort in it.

It didn't really work. Not when he felt like they were being watched all of a sudden.

I can find them…and they can find me. This is not good. Dexter hugged the nanobug tighter to his chest and walked closer to Freakazoid.

F!

2.0 was a bastard.

He'd moved up from weenie a while ago, though Freak couldn't remember when exactly. He had other things on his mind besides dates, and if he really wanted to all it took was a quick search through his memory files. But he wasn't going to do that right now.

He needed to be sharp. He needed to feel more confident than he was currently feeling, and he blamed that on the fact his mind was his own and he couldn't really feel Dexter's brain around him as much as he usually did. He expected this feeling, like a fence being moved outward 100 ft.

He had more room. He had too much room.

The internet was too big, to open. Too much room for error.

404 or otherwise.

Sure he was confident on the outside, and he knew what would happen if he didn't give Dexxy his best heroic smile, the one that on a good day made girls blush and men puff out their chests and nod in badass acknowledgement. And to be honest he was a bit confident, now that they were on level playing field and 2.0 didn't have anything to hold over his head—he didn't right?

…so what if that glitch was a part of him at one point, so had the Dogpile search engine, it wasn't like that server had come to bit him in the ass. Then again, Freak realized with a careful glance at the thin geek walking beside him, Freakazoid didn't have something that Freak 2.0 wanted. It was the other way around, maybe.

And if he and that bastard were…similar…and held the same…drives then…

2.0 didn't just want Dexter, it needed it, possibly craved him even more because it didn't have him. Freakazoid swallowed, something he didn't have to do but wanted to because it meant he was more nervous than he had been before three seconds ago.

Dexter didn't notice, his human looked lost in thought himself, petting the nanobug he'd saved with boney fingers. Despite it all, Freak couldn't help but smile. With all this weighing down and Dexter was still kind as ever. This kindness was what Freakazoid strived to be as much as he could, showing Dexter he could made him proud, could give them a life the admittedly timid little guy was too shy to get for himself. But in time, Freak knew he could get Dexter to see just how great he really was, see that Freakazoid had the best human ever.

And one who needed his protection, right now. Freakazoid, alone with his thoughts buzzing around him, because like this Dexter was close but not as close as he should be, let the himself think, not for the first time,

Nothing good ever comes from being flawed.