Al's Waiter's note: This is my first attempt at fanfic, so bear with me. I've always wondered what happened to Matrix and AndrAIa during the time that we never see. Other people probably have written about this same topic, but this is how I see it. This fic is Hanako Breithaupt approved.
Summary: Enzo and AndrAIa have just
left Mainframe after losing the game. After several hours, they finally
get out and find themselves in the System of Power Grid.
written and reedited (spring '00) by Al's Waiter
(takes place between the episodes 'Game Over' and 'Icons')
Part 4
The three sprites flew silently to the centre of the city. Enzo's stomach tighten around the undigested meal. He had felt fine ten nanos ago, but the closer they got to the Principal Office, the more nervous he became. Was he doing the right thing? What would Bob think?
They walked into the examining room and were greeted by Surge and the head doctor, Medic.
The greeting was warm but solemn. The small group walked quietly to the back room towards a small, round table. On the table were the instruments for the operation, including a shiny, gold sphere. Everyone crowded around the table as Surge picked up the gold ball and presented it to Enzo; who took it gingerly from the binomes' hand and carefully looked at the object.
At first glance, there wasn't much to it. The artificial eye just seemed to be a polished golden sphere. It wasn't heavy either. Turning the innocent looking ball in his palm, Enzo found an interesting marking etched into the clean, cool surface. The marking was in the shape of a stylized 'M'. What was really odd was that there was an identical marking on the other side of the eye, only this one had several other small lines surrounding the 'M'.
"That's the targeting scanner," Surge explained. "It has a direct link to the gun."
Enzo smiled to himself. His gaze returned to the artificial eye. It didn't seem so innocent any longer - rather, it ws a welcome aide to help see AndrAIa and Frisket safely through the games, the web to find Bob and hopefully, back to Mainframe. M? "What does that M stand for?" Enzo asked.
Surge smirked "Mercenary. It was designed for a mercenary but it works for anyone." he chuckled.
"Mercenary," Enzo's voice was quiet and thoughtful as he looked again at the prototype. Enzo grinned at the thought.
Rom behind him laughed softly. "It could stand for Matrix. In fact, I think it was designed for Enzo more than anyone else. Enzo needs an eye; a prototype eye is created. Enzo's last name is Matrix; the prototype has an 'M' molded into it. Maybe you should go by the name 'Matrix' now."
"Hey. That's right Rom." AndrAIa exclaimed excitedly. "That's pixelatious!"
Enzo's smile disappeared as he handed the sphere back to Surge.
AndrAIa put her hand on Enzo's shoulder. "Are you sure about this, Enzo?"
"I think so. We have no way to defend ourselves in the Net; Glitch is broken, Dot and Mouse aren't here to help us. We're going to be on our own for the most part. Except for the occasional friend." He said as he glanced up at Rom, who smiled calmly. "Plus, Bob's out there in the Web and I have a promise to keep to Dot. He needs our help to get back." Enzo decided, "Let's do it!"
AndrAIa smiled, took the starfish out of her hair and held it in her hand for Enzo. "Here, take this. I'm probably not allowed to be in the operating room with you but you can hold this and think of me. You can also know that I'm thinking of you at the same time."
Enzo too it and held it tightly in both hands. "I will, thanks."
Medic stepped forward. "Are you ready, young sprite?"
Enzo nodded, "Yes sir. I'm ready."
"Follow me, please." the head doctor replied softly as he began walking toward a side room off the operating room.
The two sprites and Surge watched Enzo, following Medic, walk into the room and the electronic door shut behind them. Frisket lay on the floor and refused to be moved.
Rom took AndrAIa gently by her shoulders and guided her to the exit. "He'll be okay AndrAIa. He's in good hands."
The game sprite wiped an unseen tear from her cheek. "I know Rom, I know. I just..." AndrAIa's voice wavered with emotion. "I just care for him so much. I know he is well taken care of, but I can't help but worry." As the doors shut behind them, AndrAIa let out a deep sigh.
Rom knelt down on one knee and gave AndrAIa a warm hug. "He's going to be fine. No need to worry." As Rom let go, he got an idea. "Hey, I know," his voice was soft as he spoke. "Why don't we go do a little shopping for you and Enzo to get your mind off matters? Both Enzo and yourself need new clothes, right? Let's do that now and have some fun."
AndrAIa's face slowly grew a smile and she nodded. "Ok. That sounds like a good idea." Then both sprites walked out of the Principal Office towards the market.
*~*~*
AndrAIa's eye's sparkled with delight as her gaze jumped from shop to shop. She and Rom strolled down the pedestrian only street. Binomes stopped what they were doing and stared at their Guardian who was accompanied by a young female Sprite. AndrAIa didn't notice; she was too preoccupied with the Market Place. Suddenly, AndrAIa's eyes widened in excitement. She grabbed Rom's arm and pulled him to the left, into a tiny shop.
The small shop was a jewellery, filled with every accessory imaginable. AndrAIa looked in the glass cases at the beautiful gems. Then she saw something that made her heart leap into her throat. There, right in front of her was a sliver, gem plated sand dollar necklace and Sprite hair piece, that was also a sand dollar, to go with it. She hadn't seen a sand dollar since 'Lost Treasure of Atlantis'. It was obviously for special occasions and for AndrAIa, it brought back both good and bad memories upon seeing it. "Oh Rom..." she whispered. "I've never seen anything like this before. It's much more than pixelatious. It's magnificent!"
Rom walked up beside her. "That is beautiful.... It would look great on you." AndrAIa blushed.
The binome behind the counter cleared his throat to get the Sprites' attention. "May I be of assistance in any way?" he asked in a deep English tone.
"Oh...?" AndrAIa looked up, slightly startled and backed away from the display case. "No, sorry. I was just looking."
"Then I am afraid," said the binome "that you will have to leave if you are not purchasing an item. I am sorry."
AndrAIa's face fell as she looked at Rom, and headed for the output. Rom shook his head disapprovingly at the binome and followed the young female sprite.
"How could he be so mean, Guardian?" AndrAIa asked after they had walked in silence for several nanos. "I just don't understand."
"Neither do I, AndrAIa." Rom sighed. "Some people are just like that, and they're everywhere you go." They continued to walk down the street, when Rom saw a wardrobe up-grade shop. "Hey AndrAIa, why don't we go in here. They might have something that you would like."
The clothing shop was larger than the previous one, and had a more friendly atmosphere. A very cheerful binome female greeted them.
"Why, hello Guardian. What can I do for you today?"
"Hello Stitch. I don't need anything for myself today. I'm here to help my young friend," he said gesturing to AndrAIa, who was already looking at many tiny screens displaying varieties of outfits.
Stitches, was a slightly plump, cheerful binome with sparkling green eyes and large hoop earrings. Her short, red hair was curled neatly and stayed tight to her cubed head. She smiled kindly at AndrAIa and walked towards her.
As the binome approached, AndrAIa turned around to face it. The clothing store owner studied AndrAIa's appearance and features very closely and walked all the way around her, drinking in every detail. "Crouch down, my dear." she instructed. "Don't worry, I won't byte." she winked.
AndrAIa did as she was told and the studying continued. Stitches put her hands under AndrAIa's chin and gently began turning her head.
"My dear," the binome said as she let go. "You are very beautiful. "AndrAIa blushed and smiled shyly.
"Now, let's see..." the woman began thinking out loud. "...Orange skin, aqua eyes and hair..." Stitches began typing the observations into a tiny organizer. "...Looks very nice in blues and greens..." then she looked up. "Tell me, my dear, what style of clothing would you like to purchase? Loose fitting?"
AndrAIa considered this for a nano, then shook her head. "No thank you. I would like to stay with the type of clothing I'm wearing now, please." Then her eyes fell upon her crossbow on her left arm. Considering the possible dangers that she and Enzo might face on the Net, her weapon didn't seem to be enough protection any longer. What was she going to do about that?
"Miss," AndrAIa began. "Would it be possible to get an upgrade of a larger weapon than this?" she asked as she lifted her left arm slightly.
"But, why would you want one, Hun? Power Grid is a very safe system; you don't need a weapon at all."
AndrAIa shook her head. "I'm not sure that Enzo and I are going to stay in Power Grid for longer than we have to. We have to find Mainframe."
"Well, Darling. I'll see what I can find that might suit you." Stitches looked back at the organizer and began pressing more buttons. The binome smiled pleasantly when she finally came to a product that pleased her. "You'll like this. I guarantee it, but I'm not going to tell you what it is yet. It's going to be my surprise," and she typed it in. "Okay, now we wait a few nanos for the organizer to give us several options to choose from." She said as she laid it down on the counter.
"Oh!" Rom snapped his fingers. "Enzo! He's another young sprite that needs new clothes, Stitch. I almost forgot."
AndrAIa looked up at Rom and remembered one of the reasons why they were shopping; to get her mind off of Enzo's operation. She lowered her head in silence.
"He's a young sprite, about the same age as AndrAIa," Rom said, describing Enzo for Stitches. "Green skin, um..." he replied as he looked around the room looking for the colour of Enzo's face, and upon seeing a uniform of a word processor binome that was close to the colour, he pointed at it. "Like that. Dark green hair, purple eyes.... Oh!" Rom stopped and looked at AndrAIa. Several tears had begun to trickle down her face as she stood motionless in the middle of the store. Her shoulder length hair hid some of her face, but not enough to hide her emotions. "Oh AndrAIa, I'm sorry." He said apologetically.
AndrAIa shook her head. "No, it's all right. You didn't mean it." She said as she wiped the tears from her face. "I'm just so worried and I wish I knew he was ok." She sniffed and quietly walked to the back of the shop and looked at other outfit screens.
Stitches looked at Rom. "What was that about?"
Rom sighed, "The sprite that I was describing to you is in surgery at the moment. He lost his eye in a game and is testing out a prototype for Surge. Also, right now, AndrAIa and Enzo are lost in the Net, and they have no idea where their home is and how to get there if they did.
"Oh the poor young dears." Stitches sympathetically glanced at the teary AndrAIa. "I do hope that they make it back home." Then Rom continued to describe Enzo to her, for a new set of clothes.
*~*~*
AndrAIa stood near the back of the shop and wiped the few tears that had been rolling down her cheeks. Why was she crying? She knew deep down that Enzo was all right and this was the best for him. She sat down on a small stool and looked down at her shoes. Enzo's been really down lately and being really hard on himself. Maybe this will help him get back to his old cheerful self.
Someone calling her name snapped AndrAIa back the reality. She looked towards the voice and saw Stitches gesturing to her ot return to the front of the shop. AndrAIa stood up and joined her near the cash counter. Stitches handed her the organizer that had just finished analysing the given information and now displayed four different pictures of AndrAIa wearing different outfits.
Everyone of them AndrAIa liked; the colours were her favourite and the styles were very nice. The first one, was close fitting and it was also made of the same scale like pattern that she was currently wearing. The top was a tank top cut short at the bottom of the ribcage. The shorts were the exact same design that she was currently wore; spandex type that stopped right above the knee. The shoes were also the same as well, just a few sizes larger. Around the model's upper arm was a bracelet of sorts that didn't close; just spiralled around twice then stopped. AndrAIa really liked that feature.
The other outfits were basically the same except for various sleeve length, pant leg length and a variety of shoe and boot styles.
As she looked at the four pictures, she found that she liked certain things from each selection. "Is it possible to choose different items from each picture?" She inquired to the binome, who was waiting for the final verdict on her decision.
"Why of course, dearie" Stitches giggled as she walked around to see AndrAIa's wardrobe changes.
"Ok, I like the cut off tank top and the long pants," she said as she pointed to each item. Stitches nodded and listened to the young sprite. After AndrAIa was finished, the woman binome too the organizer from her and put all of the choices onto one model to show the sprite what it would look like.
When the game sprite saw the final product, her face light up and she clapped her hands together in delight. "I love it!"
Stitches nodded knowingly and put her hand out. "You like it? Is this what you would like?"
"Oh, yes please!" AndrAIa gasped happily.
"Ok my dear, I'll need your icon for just a nano."
The smile disappeared from the young sprite face as she protectively covered her triangular icon. "What for?"
"Don't worry, Sweetie. I just have to download the clothing onto it and I'll give it right back. That's all."
AndrAIa looked down at her icon, knowing how important it was to her very existence. The slightest tamper with her PID and she could be in real danger; it could even result in her complete deletion. She took off her icon carefully and gingerly handed it to the binome. The woman took the small triangle and looked at it.
"Oh, the outfit organizer can only takes circular icons."
"Of course. I forgot." AndrAIa apologized as she reached out and clicked once on her icon. Immediately, her icon changed into the black and white rebooting one.
Stitches mouth dropped open in surprise as she stared at the round icon. She quickly shook her head and placed the tiny object into it's spot on the organizer. The circle glowed with a pale white light for a nano-second, then faded away without any indication that there had been any exchange of information. The binome separated the icon from the organizer and handed it back to the owner. AndrAIa thanked Stitches, relieved to get it back in her possession. She put it back on her belt and waited. Nothing happened.
"What do I do now?" the young sprite asked.
"Why Sweetheart? Haven't you done this before?" the elderly binome inquired slightly concerned. Surely a sprite her age would know what to do for a clothing up-grade.
"No, ma'am, I haven't" AndrAIa said plainly.
Rom walked back toward the young shopper. He had been slowly walking around the store, waiting for AndrAIa to finish. "Just double click on your icon."
AndrAIa looked up. "That's it? I don't have to say anything?"
"Nothing what-so-ever." Rom smiled. "Just double click your icon and the up-grade takes care of itself."
AndrAIa glanced down at her icon. Everything was so different to her; life in the games was so easy. AndrAIa didn't think that she'd ever get used to it all.
She double clicked her icon, and after she did, her clothes were transformed from the outfit that she had received in the game where she originated, to the new clothes that she had just picked out.
The cropped off tank top fit wonderfully and her new miniature boots didn't hurt her feet and she also had a new pink starfish in her hair; courtesy of Stitches. She smiled, pleased with the result of her choices. Then she noticed something on her hip, attached to her belt.
It seemed to be a small, white rod with coral blue spots. It was sturdy and built from a strong, metallic material. AndrAIa looked at it curiously. She unsheathed it and held it in her hand. It was a little heavy, but nothing she couldn't manage. She applied some pressure and the rod expanded to a length about one and a half times her own height. It did so with great speed and made a metallic swishing sound. Her hand gripped halfway between the ends. The end of the rod had split into three ornate blades. It was a beautifully crafted trident but despite its elegance it was a very powerful and deadly weapon. She squeezed the handle deliberately again. The trident retracted back to the redline state. She placed it back on her belt and joyfully hugged the kindly old binome.
"I'm glad you like it dear. Now for your friend. Do you think that you would the clothes for him?" Stitches asked quietly, as to not upset AndrAIa again.
"I guess so." AndrAIa nodded. "I think I can do that."
"Ok, dear. Let's begin."
*~*~*
AndrAIa walked into Enzo's hospital room where he had been transported to recover and recuperate from his operation. She walked quietly to his bedside as to not to wake her friend, who was sleeping peacefully. Pulling a chair over, she sat down quietly and watched Enzo's silent breathing. The right side of Enzo's head was bandaged snug to his head and he wore a white T-shirt and shorts that hospital staff had given him.
AndrAIa leaned over and gently touched Enzo's cheek. She was relieved that he was safe and well. She sat back and relaxed in the back of the chair.
It had been a long day and she was getting tired. She was about to close her eyes, when she glanced at Enzo's hands. He was tightly holding on to something, even in his sleep. She leaned forward again to see what it was, when she realized that it was her old star fish that she had given to him. He had held on to it during the entire operation. AndrAIa's eyes slowly filled up with joyful tears. She sniffed as she looked again at Enzo's face.
"I love you, Enzo Matrix." she whispered to the sleeping sprite.
Enzo's left eye fluttered slightly and opened. He looked around then turned to face AndrAIa. He smiled weakly and spoke in a husky whisper. "I love you too, AndrAIa."
AndrAIa reached out, took hold of Enzo's hand that was on his chest and squeezed. Enzo, weak as he was squeezed as tightly as he could back to his young friend. "You should get some rest, Enzo. You need your strength." AndrAIa spoke quietly.
Enzo nodded. "You also look like you've had a long day. You need to sleep too."
AndrAIa smiled sweetly and laid her head to rest on Enzo's chest, while he closed his eye, and soon both of them were sound asleep.
*~*~*
Two cycles later, AndrAIa was playing with Frisket in the public park near Rom's apartment. She threw the small ball and watched as the red and yellow dog chase after it. She sat down on a park bench slowly to take a short rest just as Frisket came running back with the ball in his mouth. She removed the ball from his mouth and scratched the top of his head.
"In a nano, boy. I just have to sit for a while."
Frisket nodded, wagged his tail and sat down patiently on the green grass next to the bench.
AndrAIa rolled the small rubber ball in her hand as she sat quietly.
Enzo's eye was healing very well, after the operation and had been learning all of the different functions of the prototype from Medic. The gun that the prototype was networked was as long as Enzo's thigh and very light in weight.
Enzo's favourite function of the prototype of electronic eye, was the targeting and locking onto objects, only to shoot them and cause them to explode into thousands of pieces with the gun that it was networked to. He wasn't perfect at it but he was getting better; he was actually hitting his chosen targets at the CPU enforcers training centre.
Also, AndrAIa was taking lessons onto how to work to use her new trident. She was surprised at how many different uses it had, but being a game sprite, she learned very quickly.
Rom hadn't been able to take Enzo to get his wardrobe upgrade during the past two cycles, because the Guardian had been too busy mending tears and keeping the city save for it's inhabitants. Enzo had just continued to wear the white clothing that the hospital had temporarily given him. Rom was finally taking him today to get his clothing upgrade that AndrAIa had picked out. She hoped that Enzo liked what she chose for him. They should be back soon.
She put her hands on her knees and stood up. "Ready Frisket?" she asked her speechless companion. Frisket looked at her and stood up excitedly. AndrAIa took the rubber ball in her hand and threw it as far as she could. The large dog ran quickly after it.
I wonder how Enzo and Rom are doing? she thought as Frisket returned with the ball for the hundredth time.
*~*~*
Enzo placed Glitch on the counter of the waredrobe upgrade shop and watched Rom use Desktop to cut Enzo's Guardian sliver wrist guards in half. Rom said that they soon wouldn't fit Enzo's wrists, but they were critical protection for a defender of a system; Guardian or not. As Rom finished cutting, the wrist guards came off like a cast. Enzo picked one up and looked at it. It wasn't too heavy and it was very smooth on the inside. He handed them to Stitches, who walked to the back of the room to resize two halves and melt the other two for him. He picked up his icon, placed it back on his chest and double clicked.
Enzo looked down at his new clothes. The black shirt he wore had short sleeves and conformed to the shape of his torso and upper arms. His pants were a dark navy colour and they disappeared into his black, shin high boots that laced up to the very top. His hands were now contained in a pair of tight leather gloves that had their fingers removed to protect his palms from slight damage. Enzo smiled pleasantly. Then he saw something that he didn't understand. The tops of shoulders on the T-shirt were the guardian patented epaulettes and on his knees were 'the ever popular' knee-pads of a official Guardian. Enzo looked at them curiously.
"Why do I have these?" he asked, indicating the soft yellow padding.
Rom smiled. "Because you still have the Guardian code within your PID, whether you like it or not. You still have the need to 'mend and defend' systems and all the people in it. Once you've received the guardian badge of office, you can't get rid of it."
Enzo nodded. "So, I'm stuck with the code. That's fine by me."
Stitches came back with two halves of wrist guard and handed them to Rom. "Turn you arms so that your palms are facing down." he instructed to Enzo. The green sprite did as he was told and Rom placed a partial guard on each arm, then tied them on firmly to his forearms. "It's not too tight?" he asked.
Enzo shook his head no, then asked what they were doing with the other halves.
"We're melting them down to make a belt for you. As you can see, Glitch can't sit on your arm any longer with the leather straps, so were going to make you a special belt just for Glitch. Keytools can only sit on a certain metal called 'tiranium', so, we can't just use any metal." Rom explained. "By the way," he added. "AndrAIa picked out your clothes. I think she did a great job."
Enzo looked down at his clothes again. "AndrAIa got these?"
Rom nodded. "Just for you."
Enzo didn't speak for a nano. Rom put his hand onto Enzo's shoulder. "You like her, don't you?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye. Enzo blushed slightly and nodded. "I've got an idea." Rom said knowingly. "After we finish your belt, I'm going to take you somewhere."
*~*~*
Enzo and Rom were walking back to the Guardians' apartment, when Enzo heard Frisket bark to his left. He turned and saw AndrAIa playing catch with his four legged companion.
Rom looked as well, then nudged Enzo's arm. "Go on."
Enzo looked back at the older Guardian with a look of gratitude on his face . "Rom, you're the best!" he said softly and began walking towards AndrAIa.
As Enzo approached, AndrAIa looked up and smiled. Enzo smiled shyly as he walked closer.
"Do you like your clothes, Enzo? I picked them out for you." AndrAIa greeted him.
"Yeah. I really like them. Thank you." Enzo's voice was soft as he pulled a small, black velvet box from his new belt made of a chain and held it out for AndrAIa to take. She picked up the box and slowly opened it. When she saw what was inside, she gasped.
Inside was the sand dollar necklace and hair piece that she had seen in the jewellers when she and Rom had gone shopping. Tears slowly began to fill her eyes as she looked up at Enzo, who smiled shyly in return.
"Thank you." she whispered and she reached over and hugged his neck, while Enzo hugged her waist.
When AndrAIa opened her eyes, she saw Rom standing in the distance and it made her smile. She knew that Enzo couldn't have afforded the necklace but it was really from both of the male sprites that she had grown to care about.
The two young sprites let go of each other and looked at Frisket, who was just standing beside them, wagging his tail. Enzo helped put on the new necklace and AndrAIa put her new starfish on the right side of her head and placed the sand dollar on the left.
"You look beautiful, AndrAIa." Enzo said, holding both of her hands in his own. Their faces moved closer together when...
"Warning... Incoming game... Warning... Incoming game..."
From where Enzo and AndrAIa were standing, both could hear Rom's shout of frustration as the cube began to descend on the park area. They both laughed, because they knew that the User of this system would input a game every minute on schedule and Rom was getting tired of that.
Rom ran up to them just a nano before the cube landed on the green grass.
The trio of sprites looked around them. They were in a darkly lit, moist hall made with large brown blocks. Down the hallway was a door with large bars perpendicular to the floor. Down the other way, the tunnel ended ended abruptly with a large opening to a body of water that was muddy and with a slight odour.
"Glitch: Game stats." The keytool clicked and transformed into the tiny viewing screen.
Rom waited patiently while Enzo read the stats aloud. "Ok, guys. We're on the second last level of a game called 'Tremor'. The User has to make it through this level to get to the Boss and finish the game."
"Ok, lets see what we get to work with." Rom reached up to his icon.
"ReBoot!" all three sprites shouted simultaneously.
All three sprites were transformed from their coloured clothes to bland brown, clothes and accessories. Each were wearing dark brown commando boots, camo pants and light tan tanktops. Each had different types of ammunition strapped to belts or bandoliers. Enzo and Rom's hair was cut military style and dark brown, nearly black. AndrAIa's was cut short as well and tied back with a small black wire.
After looking at each other, the three sprites looked down at themselves.
AndrAIa was now strapped to a very large rocket launcher that was almost the size of the entire trunk of her body. The shells for the rocket were the size of her upper arm and very heavy.
Rom held in his left hand a giant chain saw that was the length of his arm and on his belt was a small pistol that would hold a maximum of 8 shells at a time.
Enzo didn't receive any weapon, which was fine with him. He was content to use his own gun.
The three sprites, plus one black Doberman walked toward the barred door in search of the User, while Rom began telling Enzo the few functions that Glitch could still perform.
*~*~*
Shots rang out as the active shells bounced off the walls of the maze of hallways and corridors. The sprites hid just out of reach of the Users' speeding shells and fired back around the corners when they could. Rom and AndrAIa were on one side of the doorway, Enzo and Frisket were on the other.
Frisket just stood beside his master, ready to defend him when it was necessary.
"This is useless!" Enzo shouted over the racket. "We can't do this forever. The User has one more life left after this and we're eventually going to run out of ammo."
Just then, the User began to take a suicide run towards them, shooting with all It's might. One of the shots just missed AndrAIa's rocket launcher and landed too close for comfort for the small group.
When Enzo saw AndrAIa's hair get slightly singed by the explosion, something inside him burned with rage. He stepped out into the hallway where the User was charging him is a desperate act to win.
"Enzo! No!" Rom shouted after him.
Enzo's prototype eye rotated until the 'M' that was carved out was visible, turned right side up and glowed red as it targeted the User. The gun shook in Enzo's hand as he fire a shot at the User. The User staggered then disappeared, returning to the beginning of the level to start over.
AndrAIa's jaws dropped in amazement.
Rom's shocked expression turned into a pleased smile. "Nice shot Enzo! I don't think even I could have done that."
Enzo let out a long breath and walked towards AndrAIa. "Are you all right?" he asked softly.
AndrAIa nodded. "I'm fine Enzo. You were terrific. Bob would be so proud of you." She said and she stood and kissed him on the cheek, then she pulled away and had a stern look pasted on her face. "But you almost got yourself deleted! Promise me you'll never do that again." She scolded with a small glint in her eye that meant that she was joking more than being serious.
Off in the distance, Rom heard the gun fire from the User and it was getting closer with every moment. "We have to get a move on." He motioned the younger sprites to follow him.
Enzo and AndrAIa walked a little ways behind Rom as he checked all of the corners for the game sprites.
Enzo looked at AndrAIa. About a cycle ago, they had decided to leave with the next game that arrived. They hadn't told Rom about this yet. But this was not a very charming game to stay too long in and they both were having second thoughts about it. There was always a chance that they would get stuck in the game and never be able to get out.
"Enzo," AndrAIa whispered quietly. "We have to chance it. This even might take us to Mainframe. If it does and we miss it, we might never find our way back."
Enzo considered it for a nano then nodded. "You're right. This might be our only shot. We have to tell Rom. Rom," he called. The older sprite turned around. "AndrAIa and I have decided to leave with this game. We really appreciate all that you've done for us the past two cycles and we wish that we could repay you some..."
"No need to Enzo. I enjoyed doing it. Besides, any friend of Bob's is a friend of mine." He smiled. "Oh, but there is one thing that you can do for me."
Enzo's left eye brightened. "What? Just name it."
"Find Bob. Get him out of the Web and find Mainframe. That's what I want you to do for me. Oh, and one more thing," he said as he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the small read me file on Games that he had bought at the 'Fastie Mart' store. "I think you need thins more than I do for now."
Enzo took it from Rom and hugged him. "You're Alphanumeric, Rom. We'll never forget you."
"I certainly hope not. Now change your icons and let's finish off this User, ok?"
Both AndrAIa and Enzo nodded sadly and clicked their icons once. Enzo bent over and did the same to Frisket's. All three icons morphed into the triangular icons of an Artificial Intelligent game sprites.
Down the hall, they could hear the heavy breathing of the User. Enzo held Frisket back, even though he knew that Frisket would just start up again with a new game; he didn't want to see him being shot twice in his life time.
AndrAIa tapped Rom on the shoulder. "Before we leave with the game, I'd like to say good-bye..."
"Why say good-bye? I'm sure will see each other again. Never think that we won't." Rom grinned. "Ok, on the count of three well hit the User with all we've got. Ready?"
With two nods, Rom started counting "One... two... three!" and three sprites jumped from behind the wall where they had been hiding and began pelting the User with death blows from their weapons.
When the User was almost finished Rom turned quickly and shook Enzo's hand. "Good luck, AndrAIa, Frisket and Enzo Matrix. I hope you find your home."
Enzo shook back. "Thank you Rom. I hope to find you again some day."
"I bet you will." Turning to AndrAIa, Rom added. "AndrAIa, the User is all yours."
She looked sadly at Rom, said goodbye with her eyes, then at the User as a cruel smile spread across her face. "Game over, User!" She raised her rocket launcher and fired her last shell right into the Users gun barrel. The barrel exploded and left no trace of gun or User.
AndrAIa and Enzo quickly waved their last goodbye and held each others hands.
"...Game Over..."
Rom watched the game cube with his new friends, who had downloaded into it, leave. "I hope you find Bob..." He smiled, "and say 'Hi!' for me." Then he remembered something. Crashes! I forgot to tell Enzo about game time. Oh well. As he turned to go back to his apartment to have a good sleep, a red portal opened behind him and a small, slim female figure jumped out. Rom whirled around to face the interloper of system, "State your name and function!" he demanded.
The trespasser was a tall female with black, smooth skin and bright green eyes, which seemed to pulsate with every heartbeat. Her hair was a very deep magenta and her clothing was a tight navy suit with a green trim that match her eyes. Rom had to admit, she was very beautiful.
A cruel smile spread across the woman's face, showing small, white sharp teeth and she extended her pure white nails. "My name is Daemon. My function... Super Virus... to infect everything and everyone... and that includes you!" As she finished speaking, she leaped over Rom to distract him, and she placed her hands on his icon, as if to demonstrate her function to infect.
Rom screamed in pain as he felt the viral influence begin to flow into his programming. He was in so much pain that he dropped to his knees. His body seemed to cease functioning, because he couldn't move to fight off the virus and perhaps save at lease something of himself. In vain, he fell to the ground, writhing in agony.
Finally, after a several nanos, Daemon left go of Rom and stood back to admired her work. "Now," she replied with a satisfied smile on her face. "Where is Guardian 452? He was right here a few nanos ago."
Rom looked up at the virus, "Guardian 452 is not here! He never was!" he spat.
The smile disappeared from the virus' face. "What do you mean he's not here?!" Daemon sounded peeved. "Of course he's here! My censors detected him!"
"Well, your censors are wrong, virus! He was never here and you will never find him!" The veins in Rom's temples pulsated green at the same rate at Daemon's was as he tried to keep his head clear. His programming was slowly changing to meet the desire of the Super Virus' design.
Daemon smiled again and stared at the sky with a dreamy look. "Oh, I'll find him, my little Guardian follower. I've already taken over three quarters of the Super Computer and it won't be too long before all of the Guardians in every system will be following me." She let out a little laugh as if she remembered a joke she had heard a long time ago and still found it funny.
Rom looked at the sky at the very spot where the last game cube had disappeared. Rom's head was spinning. Now Enzo, I really wish you luck, not only for your self but for you to save the entire Net. You'll need it. You have to find Bob. You have to save... Mainframe. You have to... save the... Net. You... have to... save... me... then everything around Rom went black.
Note to readers: I've been thinking of writing a sequel
to this fic that takes place either right after this story or a
season IV fic. If you have any ideas that you think might be helpful, please
e-mail them to me at alswaiter@home.com.