The characters aren't legally mine blah blah, except the ones which I have added.

Note; How ya like so far? This story is based mostly on intrigue and mystery. I was hoping to bring out more emotional and deeper sides of characters because there is a black and white to everyone. This is the chapter when everything is revealed and new secrets appear. Everyone is twisted with this person one way or another. Enter a world spun of spiders and its trapped flies.

Chapter 3: The Shadow and Ghosts Come


The past and memories are the most valuable things in Paradigm City. I would sometimes wish that we would stop lingering in the past that is only a shadow and create a new one with what we know now. These new people who have came from the past, they are the shadows that darken our eyes and our thoughts. What twisted scheme do they plot? I suppose you can move forward if you don't know what's behind you, but I now realize that the fact that I tried to without looking back, let it crept up on me. Some people try to hide from the past like Maurisky and in his cabin, in which he avoids the world all together. Living in his regret won't make it better, but the past just found him. Angel who seeks out the past with a passion, that the past will answer the question who she is. Aren't you who you are even without knowing that past? There are people like Micheal Seebach who calls himself Schwarzwald, whom was driven out of his mind when he found out too much. What made Schwarzwald lose his mind? Do I really want to find out what he knew. Your past can be beautiful or ugly and it seems to never die but only thrive inside you, then to rise like ghosts when the shadows are casted over you. All I can do is be there to confront it.

-Roger Smith-

_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_


Roger pulled in front of the Paradigm City Hall where resided the Head of the Paradigm group Alexander Rosewater. Roger took the elevator up to the highest floor listed on the buttons and came to the large, clean, and unwelcoming waiting room. He stepped out of the elevator and to his right there was a long, high, black marble desk that came to his chest, and a stern looking woman stood behind it her mouth in a grim line and her flintestone steel eye's regarded him disdainfully as if she knew he didn't belong there. Roger smiled and nodded at her.

"Excuse me sir, did you want to make an appointment with Mr. Rosewater?" She asked

"I already have an appointment I need to see Patrcia Lovejoy." Roger said casually.

The woman raised her eyebrows, "Your name sir?"

"Roger Smith," Roger leaned on the desk.

"I'm sorry sir I don't see anyone scheduled with Mr. Rosewater that is named Roger Smith." She looked at him very coldly now.

"Really, Let me talk to Patricia she is the one who scheduled it."

Never taking her eyes of him she lifted the phone and dialed a number."Hello Patricia, Could you please get over here there is a man named Roger Smith here, and he says you scheduled the appointment with him." She hung up the phone,
"She'll be down in a minute."

Angel (Patricia) came through the double doors across from them, and her eyes lit up immediately when they landed upon Roger. She quickly walked over and threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly. Roger was caught off gaurd and he laughed in suprise.

"Roger its so good to see your doing OK." She said joyfully.

"Yeah I guess, I was fine yesterday when you saw me last."

"What are you doing here, you shouldn't be here." She said suddenly pushing away.

"Angel I need help. I need to meet Alex or at lest give me some information on anything you know about some mansion 60 miles from Paradigm City."

Angel paled and shook her head violently. "I can't give you that kind of information, now please leave."

"I came here for your help why don't you tell me something?" Roger pleaded.

Angel pushed him into the elevator, "I'm extremely busy I'll call you later."

"Angel, Dorothy's gone please help me find her?" The elevators shut though and Roger was standing there stunned. Angel stood on the other side looking the same.

"Dorothy." She said. Angel pushed the elevator button so the door opened back up. She stepped inside, pushing the button for the door to close, she then pulled something tucked in the back of your skirt. A long silver gun gleamed so that Roger thought it winked at him. She handed to him and he tried to give it back.

"I told you I don't shoot people." Roger shook his head.

"Who said anything about shooting people." Angel said dead serious.

_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_

Dorothy entered the room tentatively and scanned it over with her eyes. The wooden floor was shiny from being polished and the room was quite lavished. There was an eerie light from the fireplace that casted dancing shadows all over the room. There was a sofa in front of the fireplace and Dorothy didn't see anyone. She appraoched the fireplace and caught a glimpse of a woman elegantly sprawled on the coach.

The lady sat up and Dorothy felt a bit envious of her beauty. She had long ebony black hair that cascaded to her waist and she seemed even more curvy than Angel. She was more sophisticated than Angel by far, and the way she lifted her head made her looked regal. Her blue eyes seemed to hold much knowledge in them as if she were old. Her features, they were very familiar to Dorothy, and it made her feel at ease.

"Are you Marie?" Dorothy asked.

"Yes, the one and only."

"You made me?"

Marie smiled, "Most of you. I worked very hard to keep you alive."

"Alive? Are you referring to the person I was created after?"

"No, I'm referring to the person you are." Marie gestured for Dorothy to sit down next to her. Dorothy did so without hesitating. Strangely she felt like she was with someone special. "I met you 40 years ago when I worked with your father. We were a young team researching Bio-engineering and Technology. Some of us you have heard of already, there was Sven Maurisky, he knew a lot on kinds of energy, he now lives in Electric city as some recluse hermit. There was Dr. Amadeus who specialized in sound frequencies and waves, he later became attached to his music and created an android son. Viktor Grant who specialized in bio-genetic engineering, and I know you know his son and predossesor Eugene Grant. Eugene was a genius, but like most geniuses he was insane. Gordan Rosewater who is mysterious and cynical, he gave us a very hard time when it came to dealing with everything. He was in charge of Artificial Intelligance chips, memory blocks, etc. Then there was me, I was in technical engineering which was hard to achieve being a woman. Your father was really Timothy Waynerught whom you thought was your grandfather. Miguel was his son who was about as old as me, and you were only the tender age of 18.

"Your father was the one who funded us through everything and he brought us together in the same lab. I met you the first day on the job and I liked you right away. The spoiled rich girl who loved music, and cute boys. We were on the verge of creating a perfect andriod and that was when Dario came into place. Gosh you drooled when ever he walked in the room. He was a test subject and he is a cyborg. After we ran many painful procedures on him he was the only one that came out alive. I know it sounds morbid. Many of us could hardly stand the guilt, but your father's aspirations made us go on.

"We created Dario's new body as an android and Viktor cloned him and genetically imprinted traits to adapt growing around its metal skeleton. As you know, the brain is the most important function in the human body we had to run a very careful and important surgery to remove his brain and enhance it to be more adaptable to his new body before placing his brain into his new body. It was a success despite our many failures in the past."

"Dario lived through all that, and he wanted to do it?" Dorothy asked.

"Not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth and the main reason he did it was so he could support his family with the money we gave him. He came through and as we were rejoicing something horrible happened. You were in critical condition from a serious accidant and Timothy was stricken he came to us. He told us to begin construction on cybor-genetic body like Dario. It had took so long to complete the stages with Dario's creation and we didn't have that much time. We created an android instead. The first one was defected so were worked tediously day n' night to make another andriod. Just in case we made a second andriod as a back up system. She was connected with you as you were with Dorothy One, the Duece. She was made with a special freqeuncy that would connect her with you. She was to know were you were and what you were doing at all times."

"Why?"

"I'm not really sure I think it was just because we could."

Dorothy sat there not sure what she could do, she felt so frustrated.

"You weren't programmed to feel emotions but you do, so your soul must be earthbound with your new shell."

"Why have you stayed young?"

"I was second next to Dario," she winked, "I was the only one who became so because being the only beautiful girl around a bunch of nerds has its advantages."

Dorothy sat there not sure she what she was supposed to do. She just watched the fire and Marie stroked her hair affectionately.

"I am almost complete with your cybor-genetic body." Marie took Dorothy's hands, "You must be so lost having so much emotions, but you can't really express yourself without your music. Let me give it back. Let me make you almost human again and you can be a real girl."

"Is Pinnochio my relative or something?"

Marie laughed, "I always loved your sarcasm. What do you say?"

Dorothy turned to face Marie, "I want to do this, but what happened to Paradigm."

Marie looked to the fire, and licked her lips, "I don't know."

_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_

Roger didn't know many people in Electric City except for Sven Maurisky. Roger headed for the old Hermit's house because Maurisky was a mysterious fellow who Roger was convinced knew more than he acted, in fact he felt that way about more people now. He also would have to visit Gordon Rosewater although the man gave him serious chills up his spine. He pulled up to the edge of the hill Maurisky lived at and stopped Griffin 2.

A large tree layed in the way on the road so Roger stepped out of the car. His instincts told him something wasn't right so he pulled out the gun Angel gave him and carefully stalked up the hill. It was quiet and as Roger reached the edge of the trees where he could see Maurisky's house. Two men stood in front on the lawn talking and Roger immediately recognized them as Beck's men. Is Maurisky affilliated with them? Roger wondered.

At that moment a loud boom slammed through the side of Maurisky's cabin. The two men were sent flying into the trees. Roger watched a young man with dark blonde hair landed in front of the the blown house as if he had fallen from the air. He had one black stone earring in one of his ears and he stood in a posture as if he were ready to attack. His legs were bent and he was halfway crouched down so that he could sprint at any second.

Roger watched as a figure walked from the smoke out of the hole of the cabin were the wall had been. Maurisky stood there with the a huge and strange looking gun slung over his shoulder. He looked very grim and tired but his eyes were fiery and determined. He approached the young man who seemed to tense up as he approached.

"I refuse to be a part of that sick plot anymore! Now get out of here before I dissintigrate you!" Maurisky cried.

"You are a fool, old man." said Dario, "Your weapon is powerful but is heavy and clunky, it takes to long to shoot and you can hardly stand on your feet. Give in now and spare yourself the exhertion that will result you nothing."

"Damn you! I refuse to give in, I gave in to Marie then but that woman loves no one!"

"Your going to pay for that remark!" Dario snarled.

The young man charged but Maurisky began to pull the trigger already. Roger saw the huge flaw in the weapon right away. It was some kind energy manipulator that charged up just before it shot. It took too long to charge and the young man began to zig-zag at an amazing speed. Maurisky grunted in frustration as he tried to land on the target, but Roger knew and he knew Maurisky knew. that he didn't stand a chance.

Dario was just in front of Maurisky when the huge weapon went off. The electricity that had been building brightly at its tip shot like a ray. Roger covered his eyes because the glare was blinding. When he looked back up and saw that the ray had left a 2 feet wide and 10 foot long dent in the ground that still made a sizzling sound and had smoke rising from it. There was no trace of the young man anywhere. Maurisky was on the ground practically back inside the house, from the recoil of the huge gun and he struggled to his feet. He didn't see no sign as to where Dario went and began to laugh.

"What's so funny, I hate to be left out of a good laugh." Maursky turned around and looked upward to see the Dario standing on the what was left of the roof with a smug smile and his arms crossed. "I can play all day if your up to it old man."

Maurisky looked distraught and turned to try to run. The young man leaped high and flipped in the air and landed in front of him. Roger knew the man was in the need for some desperate help. He ran from his hiding place and pulled out his gun and took aim. As he ran out the young man had grabbed Maurisky by the throat and and made him pass out. Roger knew better than to say something before shooting and pulled the trigger.

Dario's sensors felt Roger's presence and he began to move as soon as Roger pulled the trigger. He felt the and heard the wind whistling past his ear as he just managed to pull his head out of the way. Dario turned and looked at a very shocked Roger and grinned.

"I was wondering when you would finally make an appearance. You were sneaky, your aim was close, but all you managed to due is really get on my nerves, Roger!"

Roger opened his mouth to say something but Dario ran towards him so Roger pulled the trigger a second time. Dario dodged the bullet so easily that Roger thought to himself; Damn, this is gonna suck. He really hated it when he was right. Dario slammed a fist into is chin and Roger flew backwards into the ground skidding a couple of feet before stopping. He looked at Dario who stood over him with a weird look on his face.

"Why Roger, don't look so surprised." He knelt closer to Roger face to study him closer, "Your OK, I was taking it easy on you. I hate it when people force me to take more violent actions. Speaking of people where are those lackey bums I'm in charge of." He scanned the area then shrugged, "Figures, oh well. I'm not going to kill you, Roger."

"Why not?" Roger asked while sitting up rubbing his chin.

"I can only say that I have a curious feeling about you, and my instincts are usually right." Dario grabbed the gun from Roger's hand and bent the barrel and handed it back to him. "Don't play with these toys you might make me angry next time."

"What are you going to do with Maurisky?"

"Don't worry about the old man he just has a past that wants to be reborn again. He'll be fine."

"You seem fairly decent, why would you be hainging a bunch of stupid punks that work for Beck?" Roger persisted.

"A very unfortunate necessity, but if they weren't idiots they wouldn't be so easy to order around." Dario replied sarcastically.

Roger stood up and came threateningly close to Dario. Dario looked at him very annoyed, but seemed to figure what was to come next.

"Your D aren't you? Tell me were Dorothy is she is a very important.... asset... to my household." Roger said unsurely.

Dario sneered, "She was nothing but an asset to you was she? She is our dear Dorothy and was always. She is a part of our family and you were just her employer. Forget Dorothy because she will be more than willing to forget you!"

"Who are you to say that?!" Roger shouted.

Dario lifted Maurisky over his shoulder easily and faced Roger. "Your going to find out before you die, which will be soon. I don't like killing people but I do what I have to for the better. Your an interesting one Roger I know our swords are going to clash again, though mine is bigger."

Dario quickly turned and lept into the air through the branches of the trees so that Roger lost him. Roger stood there his fists and jaw clentched as he watched Dario disappear.

"Dear Dorothy," he said softly.

_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_

"Patricia," Alex Rosewater said softly, "security tells me that you had a guest earlier today."

"Really?" Angel said innocently.

"Don't play those games with me. I love you, I really do but your going over your head."

"Yeah, well your head is up your ass." she retorted

Alex slammed his fist upon his desk startling her, "Enough, your in serious trouble because of this ridiculous infatuation with Roger Smith. You haven't succesfully completed one task this month. Marie Rowen will have your head when she finds out. The lady is beautiful and gentle at times but she has another side to her that is beyond frightening, and it cannot be reckoned with."

"I'm not afraid of that woman," Angel smirked, "she thinks she's so smart but she still doesn't know the truth about who Roger Smith is."

"She is heading over to our father as we speak, perhaps to kill him."

"Why should I give a damn about that foolish tomato growing has been."

"Well, he's your father, that 'could' be a good reason."

"That doesn't mean anything! If he were there for me I wouldn't have these scars on my body!" Angel slammed her fist on Alex's desk difiantly.

"You don't even know where they came from. Do you ever think you don't remember the past for a reason? What if he was protecting you, but you are just to narrow minded to think of that. We know a lot, yet what good has it brought us so far? You'll end up hurting yourself."

"Whatever, I don't have time to listen to your self righteousness. You can save it for Ms. Rowen because she is righteous as you are, but you both are to narrow minded to see your wrong!" Angel stauntered from the room without looking back.

_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_

Roger drove the Griffin 2 top speed back to Paradigm City his foot floored. A screen above the gear shift flashed and an image of Norman appeared. Roger regarded the small screen with a dirty look.

"What is it Norman can't you see I'm in a rush!"

"I have some infromation of the utmost importance sir. I recieved a call from Angel telling me to inform you to head to the tomato farm. She says you might be able to find Dorothy there."

Roger jerked his head toward the screen with a extremely alarmed look on his face. "Gordon Rosewater?" he asked.

"I don't know sir." Norman flickered back off the screen.

"Damn." Roger muttered. He was beginning to get really tired of this running back and forth but he had to find Dororthy. Before he could close his eyes he needed to see Dorothy.

_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_BIG_O_

Marie stepped out of her long sleek limo and brushed a strand of hair from her face. Beck stepped out behind her and smiled at her. She rolled her eyes at him and glanced to the field of tomatoes in the distance and bite her lip when she saw children in the distance running through them at play. She looked at the building that was a old dairy market store that Gordon now used as his quarters and business.

"Those tomatoes actually look good Ms. Rowen should I have some picked for you?" Beck asked as charmingly as he could muster.

"Grab a bucket and start picking them yourself." she ordered. Beck sneered and angrily stalked off as she moved away.

She could see Gordon rocking in his chair in front of the building, and approached him. He noticed her and stopped rocking and silently waited as she stopped a foot from him. They both just stared at eachother a moment. Both studying the other carefully.

"Still young and beautiful I see." Gordon Rosewater softly muttered.

"Time took a toll on you, I bet you fart dust now." Marie coldly stated.

Gordon sighed, "Your still as cold as you are beautiful."

"That is not true!" she defensively shouted. "I have a heart too. Just because you had highter morals than everyone else and felt the guiltiest doesn't make your hands even cleaner! What about the children? What of them? What right did you have making them your personal records of the past!?" She yelled on the brim of tears, but quickly regained her composure.

"Yes," Gordon sighed again, "I agree. Why are you here to kill me?"

"Of course not. I'm here to gloat because I have won! Dorothy has willingly come to my side and I'm going to complete her rebirth."

"Why are you so bent on continuing all of the pain we caused in the first place? Can't you see? You are finished there is no more, your just consumed with passion that you can't stop now."

"When there is rebirth, there is pain. It is part of the process. Your hopes to bring out the truth has failed without your children!"

Gordon laughed, "You haven't yet destroyed Roger Smith."

"Dario will finish the task soon." Marie snapped.

"You still don't realize importance of Roger do you?"

"He is as worthless as the others you molded."

"Doesn't that black hair and soft delicate features remind you of someone? He looks a lot like his mother except for those flashing blue eyes."

"What the hell are you babblng about old man." Marie felt her heart pound and herself tremble. It dawned on her and she violently wagged her head back and forth while tears began to pour from her eyes. "No, it can't be he died, he's dead! DEAD!"

Gordon smiled, "No my dear Marie, he's very alive. Your son is very alive, I was the one who set up the whole scheme. I had the nurses tell you he died and you were so crushed you just pretended like you never had a child. Did you think Dario could replace him? I saw how you suddenly began to baby him. Roger was one of my most favored and skilled pupils. He must have got the brains from you right?"

Marie's mouth was agape in terror and she clutched at her jaw like she was going to tear it off. She crumpled to her knees and screamed, but it wasn't an ordinary scream. Waves of amplitude traveled through her mouth. The soundwaves crushed Gordon so his eardrums exploded and he his heart collapsed as his was pushed backward over his rocking chair. The children nearby began crying and holding their ears. Marie stopped and she didn't looked so elegant anymore. Her hair became wild and her sleek nylons were ripped and dirty as she struggled back to her feet. Beck came running behind her frantically.

"What the hell was that? Do you know Roger is just starting to pull into the farm!"

Marie had her mouth covered and her the suffering and torment in her eyes were shown for the whole world. "I didn't mean it." she said hoarsely.

"Oh my God." Beck stammered as his eyes caught sight of Gordon.

"God? I need him talk to him again. What if Gordon was right?"

Roger's Griffin pulled beside her limo and she turned around painfully and watched him step out of his car. What could she say to her ghost?

TO BE CONTINUED

By Lia Flowers; Lia_Flowers@Hotmail.com