Note: Still, even after all this time, nothing from Cyberchase belongs to me. Oh, well…at least I still have Ivy!
I know it's taken forever and a day, but here it is; Chapter 13! Ta-duh! Sorry it took so long. Been kinda busy. I'll try to update sooner on the next one!
Well, what're ya waiting for! Get to reading, already!
My One and Only: A Cyberspace Story
By LaurenShort-DisneyFan
Chapter 13: Motherboard Knows Best …
Digit gives Ivy's hand another tight squeeze, watching her intently as she sleeps, hoping to see a difference in her breathing or for the small chance she'll wake up. He had a sneaking feeling he would be let down again.
"Come on, Kid," he mumbles, glancing over at the machinery next to her bedside uneasily, the respirator being his least favorite as it pumps air into the child's lungs, no longer having the strength to breath on her own. "Don't give up on us."
The purple bird shakes his head. Ivy's condition had gotten considerably worse over the past few hours, and more critical by the minute. Doctor Marbles had managed to develop a short-term solution using the majority of the electro-root left over from their attempts at curing Motherboard in the past. But, as they'd predicted, it did little to stabilize her.
How it was that Ivy had gone from a smiling and curious little girl full of energy, to barely breathing and nearly comatose, was baffling. It only perturbed him further at the thought of Hacker being her only hope for survival. Considering his past dealings with the selfish borg, he knew the chances of him being willing to help someone other than himself weren't very high. They were basically non existent.
Digit blinks, noticing something out of the corner of his eye. He gives the sleeping Ivy another glance before reaching a wing out to her side, slightly pulling back the blanket to get a better look at something familiar; the stack of papers and crayons he'd scrounged up for her some time ago, back before she'd slipped unconscious. Curious, he retrieves them from their hiding place at her side, looking them over one at a time.
The first one brings a small smile to his beak, instantly recognizing his misshapen likeness inside of what he could only assume was the cyber coupe, and others resembling the Cyber Squad standing outside of it. He flips to the next one, having to hold back a snort of laughter at her depiction of Doctor Marbles, his head indeed a large light bulb, illuminated for one reason or another, a big grin on his oddly shaped face. He moves onto the final one, taken a bit by surprise this time as he stares down at the final drawing. He eyes her for a moment before studying the image in his wings.
It was of Buzz, Delete, herself and what he guessed was The Wicked Witch, all of them holding hands and smiling. One unfinished figure stood out the most, obviously The Hacker on the side opposite to Wicked, grasping Ivy's other hand tightly. She'd managed to draw his top half, probably becoming too weak to continue the rest. It was odd seeing a genuine grin on his face, even if it was only in crayon.
Digit frowns the longer he stares at it. Something wasn't right here. Normally when I child's drawings appear highly unlikely to anyone else, it was straight from their imagination. But after seeing Ivy's portrayal of himself and the others, she obviously preferred to color things how she saw them; pretty much exactly how everyone else did. There was only one figure in all her pictures that just didn't look right.
The thought of The Hacker smiling and being happy made his head hurt. It was too unreal. He couldn't recall a time when his former boss had ever acted in such a way. Not since before he'd turned against Motherboard. But that was a long time ago…
He studies Ivy's sleeping form curiously. If he were to take a guess, it would be that Hacker's feelings toward her weren't what they'd originally thought. According to Ivy's simple little drawing, it looked as if he genuinely cared for her. Like a father cared. His eye's are now back on the picture, thinking…
"Digit. This is Doctor Marbles, are you still with our patient? Digit?
Digit's thoughts are interrupted by a voice illustrating from the intercom just on the other side of the room's open door. He throws another glance at Ivy before rushing out to answer the call, jamming his wing down on the receiver button. "Yeah I'm here, Doc. What's up?"
"Good. How is she? Any improvement so far?"
Digit sighs. "Sorry, Doc. Nothin'. She's hangin' in there but, well…" He trails off, instead coming out with, "Hey, Doc? I know there's an issue with the whole needing Hacker's help and all, but, uh…" He looks down at Ivy's family portrait. "There's, something I think you need to see."
"No point in worrying about that anymore, old friend."
Digit cocks a brow at his dark tone. "But, there may be more goin' on with Hacker and this kid than we thought…call me crazy, but…I think there's a possibility that he might actually care about her. A-And if that's true, then maybe he'd be willing to help," he states earnestly, yet again receiving the same negative response.
"It's a bit late to be going with that theory now. And, it also appears that my opinion no longer matters to our Cybersquad."
Digit frowns. "Doc, what er-"
"I suggest you make yourself useful for once and tell me how Ivy is really doing, you sorry excuse of a cyber-turkey!"
The breath catches in his throat at the faint shout in the background. That wasn't Marbles.
"I'm sorry, but I simply can not allow this!" Doctor Marbles shakes his head, arms brought up as a defiant road block. "I just can't!"
The moment they'd returned to Control Central, Matt, Jackie and Inez knew that Marbles wouldn't exactly be thrilled about their decision to disregard their original plans, choosing to go after Hacker instead. Over the years they'd gotten to know the good doctor all too well, most of all his unbound hatred for the cyborg currently trying to force his way past him.
They thought it would make it easier to not call ahead and alert anyone of his presence on the site. Obviously, they were wrong.
"Stop wasting my time!" Hacker argues, attempting to get past him and into the main control room. "And Ivy's. She doesn't have enough to survive your ridiculous paranoia towards me."
Marbles glares. "This is precisely why I was against enlisting your help. You have never given me or anyone else a reason to allow you access to anything in Control Central. Why on Earth these three thought to do so is beyond me-"
"Oh, for crying out loud," Hacker projects, then jabbing a green finger down at his creator. "Believe it or not, Bubble Brain, I could care less how you and Motherboard are currently running things around here. There's actually something more important going on than your childish little grudge against me-"
"My childish grudge?" His eyes go wide at the accusation, finally dropping his arms, making a fist and shaking it at him. "You were the one who went ballistic all those years ago, spouting off nonsense about how Cyberspace was becoming more of a democracy than anything, and that an underdeveloped ape could do a better job at running things!"
"Homo-sapien, you twit," Hacker corrects slowly. "I said a simple minded bunch of homo-sapiens could develop a better government than you ever could! Stop twisting my words, you we're always trying to phrase everything to fit your own vocabulary!"
"Well, considering you're the one that keeps trying to take on the job, I suppose you'd be perfect for it then, wouldn't you?"
"Over compensating simpleton!"
"Stubborn fatheaded dolt!"
"FILAMENTS FOR BRAINS!"
"SHOVEL CHIN!"
A shrill whistle fills the room, catching the two off guard. They turn their attention to the three teens on their left, receiving blank stares, though Matt nods in a particular direction. Hacker goes silent at sighting an extremely disgruntled Wicked Witch, her thumb and four finger brought up to her mouth. Doctor Marbles does the same, still just as perturbed.
Wicked lowers her hand, placing both of them sternly on her hips. "Gentlemen," she states with forced calm. "As touching as it is to see you two catch up on all the good times, there're more important things going on around here."
The two disagreeing men stare at her a moment before meeting the other's hateful glare, teeth bared and fists clenched, prepared to either receive a blow or deliver one.
"Doc, please," Jackie says, going to stand next to him. "He's Ivy's only hope. They're just here to help.'
Matt and Inez both nod. "Nothing else." "We swear."
Hacker feels pressure on his arm. He looks over to see Wicked grasping onto it gently, her somber gaze similar to the one she'd given him back on The Grim Wreaker after his argument with the Earth girl, Jackie. Already aware of its meaning, he heaves a sigh, attempting to swallow his pride for the second time that day. This one was going to be a little more difficult.
Regrettably, he locks eyes with the one person truly responsible for the mental and physical anguish he's had to endure since choosing to go against Motherboard. Mainly physical, taking away the power source that could've prevented him from having to worry about recharging himself all these years. If it hadn't been for Doctor Marbles' decision to strip him of that energy, he would've had the strength to conquer Cyberspace long ago unopposed.
But despite the hatred dwelling within his circuits, an upsetting fact comes to mind; if Marbles hadn't removed his primary source of power, he would've never gotten so desperate as to begin construction on a device meant to create a suitable beneficiary, whose sole purpose would be to carry on his legacy as scourge of the cybernetic world. Had it not been for his creator, a man he'd resented and despised his entire young and now adult life, Hacker would never have gained the one thing more important to him than his desire to obtain world domination. The only person he was willing to give up everything for, if it meant she'd be happy, and safe.
Everything.
Hacker could feel his anger dissolve at this thought, but only slightly, as he finally comes out with, "this isn't about you and I, Marbles. For once, I honestly could care less about you or Motherboard. There's only one thing on this miserable site of yours that I'm here for." He nods past him. "All I want is the girl…that's it. Once I have her back, I'll leave. And you can get back to whatever the hell it is you do around here, anymore."
Marbles' resentment, on the other hand, hadn't faltered in the least. He crosses his arms defiantly. "Just what makes you think I'm willing to hand over that poor girl to you? I stand by what I said before; you've given us absolutely no reason to trust a single thing you say or do! From what she's uploaded to us, you hadn't intended for her to be created. That you didn't want her from the very beginning! She was quite clear on that."
"She isn't safe here, Marbles!" Hacker almost pleads. "There's nothing you can do. I'm the only one that can help her!"
"A black hole is a safer place for her to be than with you, Hacker!" He responds harshly. "From what Ivy's told us about your little experiment, she was probably destined to be thrown into one by you eventually, anyway!"
The cyborg's eyes widen, caught completely off guard. His earlier thoughts on Marbles' contribution to Ivy's creation are pushed from his mind, now struggling to keep his anger in check. "How, dare you assume I would even consider something so…so-"
"Heartless?" He'd finished. "Hard to believe you find that accusation surprising."
"That girl is my own flesh and blood!" Hacker shouts. He jerks his arm out of Wicked's tightening grasp, towering over the smaller blue man. "I would never do anything to hurt her!" He brings up a shaking fist. "If you ever openly charge me of such a horrible act again, I'll-"
"Hacker, this isn't helping!" Wicked hissed, placing herself between the two. "You can't let what problems the two of you have be responsible for what happens to Ivy!" She's only able push his larger frame back two steps before turning to face the source of his anger. "Doctor Marbles, please! We can't afford to waste anymore time."
"We know you guys have a serious beef, and all," Matt adds, taking a page from Wicked's book and moving in front of Marbles. "But this is the worst possible time to be acting on it!"
"Seriously," Jackie says, placing a hand on the doctor's shoulder. "Can't this wait until after Ivy is in the clear?"
Still seething, Doctor Marbles is about to come out with yet another possible insult when an aggressive voice calls out to the group. Though this one's commanding tone has a much greater effect, making them all jump.
"EVERYONE! Please! Calm down!"
Heads snap in the direction of the booming voice. There, further into the depths of Control Central, was the vast open space that housed the large monitor displaying the ruler of Cyberspace; Motherboard. Her normally positive image was replaced by something similar to what an agitated parent would express towards a group of squabbling children. Matt, Jackie, and Inez know the look all too well, suddenly reminded of their own mothers back in their world.
"This," she projects. "Stops, now!" Her disapproving gaze stays fixed on her trusted associate. "Doctor Marbles!"
"Y-Yes, Motherboard?" he asks shakily, unable to catch himself before he stands at attention.
"I am~astounded by your behavior!" Motherboard lectures, ignoring the usual static cutting through her reception. "A child's life is on the line, and all you can think to do is criticize the one person truly capable of doing anything about it! You should be~ashamed!"
Marbles blinks, as if playing over the last few minutes in the his mind. He shakes his head, suddenly repulsed at himself. "Why, I…I'm not sure what came over me." He looks down at the floor, not wanting to meet Hacker's hateful stare. "I…I didn't realize-"
"It doesn't matter now," Motherboard interrupts. "What does matter, is that poor girl getting the help she desperately needs! This occasion alone~Hacker will be granted access to anything he requires in the medical bay. As well as your full cooperation…Do I make myself clear?"
Marbles' eye twitches slightly at this. He throws a hardened glance over at his former assistant, receiving one in return. He fights to hold back a groan, instead giving a solemn nod. "Of course, Motherboard. I understand."
"I thought as much. Now then, please escort Miss Wicked and the others to the room Ivy is being treated. Hacker?" she announces sternly, receiving a look of surprise from the cyborg in question. "I'd like a brief word with you…alone."
Doctor Marbles immediately protests against the request, but receives yet another expression severe enough to stop him in mid sentence. He nods in understanding before reluctantly leading the group of teens the rest of the way down the metallic hallway. Wicked goes to follow, but Hacker grabs her by the wrist.
"Here," he says. His tone urgent, yet placid as he gives her one of the devices he'd made in his laboratory. "Take this." He gently folds her fingers around the combination of glass and metal, not letting go of her hand just yet. "Do you remember what to do?" When she nods once, he does the same. "Good. And don't worry; it will only hurt for a moment, after that you'll feel weakened. It'll be temporary."
She nods again. "Yes, I remember-"
"B-But only remove enough of your own to fill the syringe up to the line. See, I've marked it so that way you don't give too much by mistake."
"Hacker."
"If you can't do it alone, wait for me. Just, not too long. I'm not sure how much more time, she…um, that she has, and I…I-"
"Hacker."
"Huh?" He brings his head up, meeting the softened gaze of someone much more put together than himself at the moment. At seeing her small grin, he suddenly realizes the level of panic he was experiencing, as well as the slight tremor in his hands. Wicked must have noticed, taking them both in hers. She hugs them reassuringly.
"It'll be alright." Her tone is surprisingly confident, bringing him some peace of mind. "Relax…and stay calm…for Ivy." She rests a hand on his cheek. "Remember; do what you can."
Hacker was attempting to fight back the sting behind his eyes. The last thing he needed was to break down sobbing in the heart of his worst enemy's base of operations. He'd never shed a tear in his life. He wasn't about to start now. No matter how much was at stake. He reaches a hand up to rest on her smaller one, giving it a squeeze of understanding. Though what she says next, feels like a stab in the heart;
"Everything will turn out fine," she states, reaching up to give him a light kiss on the cheek. When she pulls away, it was hard to miss the sight of her glazed eyes, smile close to faltering. "You…and her, will be just fine…you'll see." She then turns away from him, walking briskly to catch up to the rest of the group.
He watches her go, his conscience now filled with guilt. He may have told The Wicked Witch about the possibility of him not surviving the transfusion that was needed, therefore giving her reason to help. The truth being that her contribution may not be entirely necessary. It was more of a precaution than anything. What he'd failed to mention was that, according to his most recent calculations, a simple donation from himself alone wouldn't be enough. In order for it to make a difference, a much greater sacrifice was needed. One that he feared would do much more than just leave him in a weakened state.
If Wicked knew the true consequences of what he was about to do…there was no telling how she would react.
"Hacker?"
Hacker is brought back to the present by a projected, yet soft voice traveling out from the large room. He throws another glance in the direction Ivy was supposedly in before making his way over to the enormous monitor that housed the image of the most beloved and respected being in Cyberspace. He keeps a distance of at least six feet between himself and her main control consol, ignoring the knot forming in his stomach.
"This will only take a moment," Motherboard reassures him. "I believe there's~something you and I need to discuss."
The green cyborg looks up at her questioningly. "What? Why would I need-"
"Despite the virus affecting my circuitry, I still see many things in Cyberspace, Hacker. You, are most~definitely one of them."
Hacker blinks, not sure how to respond. Thankfully, she elaborates further. Her voice almost comforting.
"You may not know this…but I still have eyes on The Northern Frontier. With good reason." Her gaze flashes stern for a moment. "Your actions throughout the years have been nothing short of…well," she pauses. "I suppose the proper term would be~uncivilized."
Hacker couldn't disagree with this. After all, he wasn't known as The Scourge of Cyberspace for nothing. If anyone could state such a claim, it was Motherboard.
"Your behavior has been most insufferable. Not only for myself, but the entire population of the cybernetic world. Obviously, the one most offended by your betrayal, is Doctor Marbles. Although his actions a moment ago were unacceptable~they are understandable.
Again, he couldn't argue. On both counts.
"And, he is technically right; I have no reason to trust you. Even now, when things are most dire. Especially for yourself…and, apparently, The Wicked Witch."
Despite his current angst, Hacker can feel his face flush. He could only image how their behavior appeared to anyone who just happened to be observing them. Small gestures, such as a kiss on the cheek, had to look rather bizarre from someone else's point of view.
"But," she states. "Despite what you've done in the past, there's something~different about you now…Something's changed…and I've seen it."
Hacker swallows a lump in his throat. He was afraid something like this would happen, never liking when his reputation was questioned. Even if he hated being known for such a thing at the moment. "I'm, sure I don't know what you mean," he responds, crossing his arms, though he's not confident she buys into his forced demeanor as The Bad Guy. "If anything, I've had more than enough time to plan new and deceitful ways to conquer your, pathetic version of Cyberspace. Why else would I have laid low for so long-"
"True," she nods, giving The Hacker a warm smile. Something she hasn't done for a very long time. "But you haven't."
He doesn't come back with anything, unsure of what sort of explanation to go with. What she says next makes his jaw drop, only adding to the strange conversation;
"I have watched you," she says again. "As well as your Ivy. At first, I wasn't sure what to make of it~whether or not this girl was another elaborate scheme in the works was inconclusive." Motherboard shakes her digital head, seeing his eyes widen at this. "I had not shared this with anyone, especially Digit or Doctor Marbles."
"Wuh-You knew?" Hacker stammers, arms dropping to his sides. "But, she was created, more than a month ago! If you knew then, why didn't you-"
"-send the Earthlings to investigate sooner?" she finishes the question for him. "There was no need. No threat was detected; the girl is innocent~and clearly no longer a part of your plans…Her arrival seemed to force you to put your plans of being King of Cyberspace on hold.
"I tried to avoid the subject of your absence for as long as possible, but Doctor Marbles had grown too suspicious, insisting that something be done. Ivy's existence would have become know eventually~though I was attempting to keep your secret for as long as possible…until you were ready for the world to know. Or for her to have the chance to learn more about herself from her own father, rather than someone that despises you." She observes his expression for a moment before adding, "it's amazing what a parent will do for their child." She gives him a wink. "Isn't that right, Hacker?"
Hacker's brow furrows, his mind having difficulty wrapping around this. "I, don't understand. Why? If you knew what I was up to from the beginning, why not do something about it?" He takes a step forward, gesturing. "You said so yourself that I've been nothing but trouble." He realized he wasn't exactly helping his villainous persona by speaking out like this, but it didn't matter. This little bit of news was just too much. "You have every reason in the world to be wary of anything I do, no matter how harmless it may appear!"
He paces from side to side, struggling with what to say next. "Of all the times to turn a blind eye, why now? What makes this plan any different from-"
"You love her," came her response, causing him to stop. "She is your daughter, and you~her father…I had no right to interfere with that."
He turns to face her again, thrown off by this, only listening as she begins to unexpectedly defend him, breaking down the confusion and heartache he's endured the past month into one simple explanation. Amazingly making things much clearer than he ever could.
"You had intended on creating a son, meant to carry on your name~and join you in your goals of conquest. When the unthinkable happened; you were left with a small child to care for~having no idea the effect a little girl would have on you…of all people. Everyone would expect you to do just as Doctor Marbles had assumed; dispose of her. But you didn't…because you couldn't. Ivy means much more to you than just another scheme, or plan~she is special. She cares for you, despite who you are."
Seeing his gaze cast downward at this, she adds, "I know you don't entirely blame her for being frightened of you after finding out the truth. Frankly, neither do I. But Hacker~you must understand; she needs time coming to terms with this…Even then, I feel she will still accept you." She shakes her head. "You assume too much to think she will hate you forever…she is only a child, after all." She grins again. "Though, she is your child."
Hacker brings his head up. "What do you mean by that?"
"Is it not obvious?" Motherboard answers, still smiling. "I will admit that~you have surprised me, these past few weeks. I never expected such a drastic change from you, after all this time. Your intensions have always been clear. But now…" She becomes serious, her expression a mixture of sullen and confused. "Now something is different…you, don't want this life for her. That much is clear."
Hacker holds his tongue. Her words hurt, but they were the truth; Ivy didn't deserve to be like him. Even when she became old enough to make her own decisions, he would never allow it, and the fact that he'd already made up his mind on this was surprising! After all, wasn't that the whole point of all this? The main reason for Ivy even being born? If not, then what was her purpose?
But even if he chose to let her go, to lead her own life, where would she go? Where could the offspring of the most hated borg in Cyberspace possibly belong? The poor girl's fate was inevitable; she would always be an outcast…and he would always be to blame.
Hacker's brooding is interrupted when Motherboard asks the unimaginable;
"If this is the case, I have to wonder…is it the life you yourself still wish to lead~if it means losing her?" She pauses, watching his wide-eyed reaction. "Would you be willing to give it all up…if only for the girl?"
Hacker can only stare.
"You're not as strong as you used to be, Hacker," she adds, still very serious. "Not without your original energy core…If you choose to go through with what you have planned~while in your current state…you will not survive." She eyes his now stoned reaction closely, giving a slight nod. "You know this."
"I won't let her die," Hacker finally finds his voice, though it's not as firm as he'd like it to be. "Not because of me. And if I have to give my own life, then so be it!" He turns to leave the room, taking long quick strides, fighting the urge to move into a sprint. "I'm sorry, but I've wasted too much time here. I can't be bothered with this now…Ivy needs me."
"Of course." She nods behind his back, watching him go with careful consideration. He turns the corner, now out of earshot as she whispers; "If only you knew how much."
With the room now empty, the all-knowing Motherboard goes into sleep mode…she had a great decision to make, having finally heard what she needed to hear.
To Be Continued…
O_o
Hmm. Wonder what will happen next? Too bad you'll have to wait until next time, huh?
I already KNOW what will happen! Muahahahahaha!
…I think.
Anywayz, stay tuned! More to come soon!