Chapter 8 - System Shock
The next day, after managing to pry themselves from their fans, Mario and Link returned to
their worlds to await their princesses. Both of them figured a lot was going to happen in the
next few days, and they wanted to be ready. One man knew for a fact that a lot was going to
happen, and he was on route to Tokyo.
Anthony was nervous, and rightly so. When he first started this trek into the worlds of
Arcadia, he thought it was just going to be to gather information. Now he was in a military
aircraft, finding himself the reason for history, and for bringing several worlds into Mobius's
war.
"What was I thinking?" Anthony thought to himself. "I'm just a computer programmer and video
game expert, why the hell am I doing this? I must have been crazy telling the Major I might be
able to bring the other worlds to help Mobius, Gardenia and Hylas aren't even CLOSE to having
the level of technology Mobius has, and I haven't even seen what this alternate Earth is like.
I got too excited I might see the worlds of my favorite games, and NOW I'm in too deep. These
worlds are even expecting me to be the next Gamemaster! Guess it's too late now to back out.
Arcadia knows me now, and my own military wants me to help. I wonder if I can grab a parachute
and bail before we arrive...?"
"Deep in thought, Mr. Bault?" Major Sharpe asked, interrupting his thoughts.
Anthony nodded, concentrating hard to prevent his thoughts from being telepathically
transmitted. But Major Sharpe didn't need to hear his thoughts to know what was on his mind...
"Afraid?" Sharpe asked.
"No use hiding it now," Anthony thought. He then turned towards Sharpe and said, "Terrified is
more like it. I guess the events of the last few days finally caught up with me. I'm kind of
wishing I hadn't even agreed to get these...abilities to begin with. I should've just waited
until you arrived at let you take over, YOU might have gotten the powers and I could've stayed
clear of all the craziness."
"...and then we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did regarding these portals as you have in
the last few days," stated Sharpe. "We even have a tentative union going on between the
worlds of Gardenia and Hylas, something that will definitely benefit all involved because of
all the knowledge that will be exchanged. You've even begun to master your powers, something
you can, perhaps, teach to others. If I were in your shoes, I'd be proud of my
accomplishments."
"That's all well and good, but what if you're not ready for the responsibility?" asked Anthony.
"I mean...you have a military background with command ability, you're used to the
responsibility. Me? My only responsibilities have been my studies, my job, my finances...I
haven't done something even CLOSE to what I'm having to do now. To be honest, I only did what
I did in the beginning to see the worlds of the video games, nothing more. Let's face it...I'm
no diplomat...or the hero these worlds want me to be! Mario even commented on my looking like
an accountant, and I haven't heard of any accountant heroes yet!"
"Perhaps not...but you have proven yourself to be more than capable when it matters. Whether
it was fighting Koopa at your home or saving Link in the Kokiri Forest (yes, I was informed of
that battle before talking to you now), you seem to shove your fear aside. In many cases,
that's all that's needed to be a hero."
Major Sharpe paused a bit before continuing. "You parents have been notified of what you did,
and they were afraid at first of what you've been through. But, after hearing how you handled
yourself and what has transpired as a result, they couldn't be prouder."
Anthony looked up upon hearing that. "You're not just making that up to make me feel better
are you?"
Major Sharpe produced a phone, one used for overseas communication. "Why don't you ask them
yourself? A neighbor of yours gave me their hotel number where they're staying if you don't
remember."
Anthony took the phone and dialed the number given to him on a small piece of paper attached to
the phone. He heard his mother's voice answer.
"Mom?"
"TONY! The Major told me what's been going on! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just...nervous. Oh forget that, I'm scared out of my wits. I'm currently on route
to Tokyo where the next portal is. It's just...I'm not sure if I can..."
"Tony, stop. I know what you are going to say, and I know you are afraid. But, you've done
some incredible things so far, and you should really be proud of what you did. I also know
you...if you had done nothing at the beginning, you would have brooded on it the rest of your
life, wondering what might have been and why you gave up that opportunity."
Anthony smiled a bit. "Yeah, you're probably right. To be honest, it is really cool being
friends with Mario and Link. GOD, are my friends going to freak! Also, these powers are
incredible...by the way, I TOLD you those episodes I had in the past weren't just deja vu."
"True, but even you weren't sure of that until now. Listen...whatever happens, be brave and
know your father and I are with you all the way."
"Where is Dad?"
"Playing golf with his business partners right now. I'll give him your love. Just bring
Arcadia back together!"
"Alright, will do. Thanks Mom!"
"You're welcome! Love you!"
Anthony hung up the phone, tears starting to form slightly. He wiped them away from under his
glasses and then turned towards the Major.
"Thanks Major. I...really needed that."
"No problem, Mr. Bault. Now just relax and recharge your psionic powers, we should be in Tokyo
shortly."
Anthony did just that, even getting in a short nap before they touched down.
The next day, after managing to pry themselves from their fans, Mario and Link returned to
their worlds to await their princesses. Both of them figured a lot was going to happen in the
next few days, and they wanted to be ready. One man knew for a fact that a lot was going to
happen, and he was on route to Tokyo.
Anthony was nervous, and rightly so. When he first started this trek into the worlds of
Arcadia, he thought it was just going to be to gather information. Now he was in a military
aircraft, finding himself the reason for history, and for bringing several worlds into Mobius's
war.
"What was I thinking?" Anthony thought to himself. "I'm just a computer programmer and video
game expert, why the hell am I doing this? I must have been crazy telling the Major I might be
able to bring the other worlds to help Mobius, Gardenia and Hylas aren't even CLOSE to having
the level of technology Mobius has, and I haven't even seen what this alternate Earth is like.
I got too excited I might see the worlds of my favorite games, and NOW I'm in too deep. These
worlds are even expecting me to be the next Gamemaster! Guess it's too late now to back out.
Arcadia knows me now, and my own military wants me to help. I wonder if I can grab a parachute
and bail before we arrive...?"
"Deep in thought, Mr. Bault?" Major Sharpe asked, interrupting his thoughts.
Anthony nodded, concentrating hard to prevent his thoughts from being telepathically
transmitted. But Major Sharpe didn't need to hear his thoughts to know what was on his mind...
"Afraid?" Sharpe asked.
"No use hiding it now," Anthony thought. He then turned towards Sharpe and said, "Terrified is
more like it. I guess the events of the last few days finally caught up with me. I'm kind of
wishing I hadn't even agreed to get these...abilities to begin with. I should've just waited
until you arrived at let you take over, YOU might have gotten the powers and I could've stayed
clear of all the craziness."
"...and then we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did regarding these portals as you have in
the last few days," stated Sharpe. "We even have a tentative union going on between the
worlds of Gardenia and Hylas, something that will definitely benefit all involved because of
all the knowledge that will be exchanged. You've even begun to master your powers, something
you can, perhaps, teach to others. If I were in your shoes, I'd be proud of my
accomplishments."
"That's all well and good, but what if you're not ready for the responsibility?" asked Anthony.
"I mean...you have a military background with command ability, you're used to the
responsibility. Me? My only responsibilities have been my studies, my job, my finances...I
haven't done something even CLOSE to what I'm having to do now. To be honest, I only did what
I did in the beginning to see the worlds of the video games, nothing more. Let's face it...I'm
no diplomat...or the hero these worlds want me to be! Mario even commented on my looking like
an accountant, and I haven't heard of any accountant heroes yet!"
"Perhaps not...but you have proven yourself to be more than capable when it matters. Whether
it was fighting Koopa at your home or saving Link in the Kokiri Forest (yes, I was informed of
that battle before talking to you now), you seem to shove your fear aside. In many cases,
that's all that's needed to be a hero."
Major Sharpe paused a bit before continuing. "You parents have been notified of what you did,
and they were afraid at first of what you've been through. But, after hearing how you handled
yourself and what has transpired as a result, they couldn't be prouder."
Anthony looked up upon hearing that. "You're not just making that up to make me feel better
are you?"
Major Sharpe produced a phone, one used for overseas communication. "Why don't you ask them
yourself? A neighbor of yours gave me their hotel number where they're staying if you don't
remember."
Anthony took the phone and dialed the number given to him on a small piece of paper attached to
the phone. He heard his mother's voice answer.
"Mom?"
"TONY! The Major told me what's been going on! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just...nervous. Oh forget that, I'm scared out of my wits. I'm currently on route
to Tokyo where the next portal is. It's just...I'm not sure if I can..."
"Tony, stop. I know what you are going to say, and I know you are afraid. But, you've done
some incredible things so far, and you should really be proud of what you did. I also know
you...if you had done nothing at the beginning, you would have brooded on it the rest of your
life, wondering what might have been and why you gave up that opportunity."
Anthony smiled a bit. "Yeah, you're probably right. To be honest, it is really cool being
friends with Mario and Link. GOD, are my friends going to freak! Also, these powers are
incredible...by the way, I TOLD you those episodes I had in the past weren't just deja vu."
"True, but even you weren't sure of that until now. Listen...whatever happens, be brave and
know your father and I are with you all the way."
"Where is Dad?"
"Playing golf with his business partners right now. I'll give him your love. Just bring
Arcadia back together!"
"Alright, will do. Thanks Mom!"
"You're welcome! Love you!"
Anthony hung up the phone, tears starting to form slightly. He wiped them away from under his
glasses and then turned towards the Major.
"Thanks Major. I...really needed that."
"No problem, Mr. Bault. Now just relax and recharge your psionic powers, we should be in Tokyo
shortly."
Anthony did just that, even getting in a short nap before they touched down.