Taryn: Hey, I'm new at writing ReBoot fan fiction! I've written three Yu-Gi=Oh fics and have been attempting to get a good idea for a ReBoot one. And voila! I got one! Though I warn you, it is kinda sick and twisted.

Disclaimer: Yada yada yada. I don't own ReBoot so don't sue me.

Warning: there is some swearing, and mature subject matter. (Implied scenes with sexual content.) If this may in any way offend you do not flame me. Flames will be used to roast Britney Spears, Barney and Tea from Yu-Gi-Oh. Plus my friend Faye will hunt you down and kill you if you flame.

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Without You

The question:

What would happen if AndrAIa had never com out of the game? How would (V)atrix be different? How would everyone be different?

The answer:

Enzo became even more distant to his friends and family after AndrAIa won the game, saving everyone. He grew angrier yet quieter. And he was always trying to figure out how her plan had gone wrong and she was unable to join him in the real world. When the web creature came he was still upgraded by Bob to a guardian level one. After Bob was shot into the web things happened in much the same fashion but Enzo was still stuck on trying to figure out a way that he could have brought AndrAIa out of the games. When Mouse was reconfiguring her icon so that she could go into the games to help the young guardian, that's when Enzo figured it out. And surely enough, after that Enzo, Mouse and Frisket lost that same game against Zatan. All three of them went into game sprite mode and left with the game. After a time Enzo became repeatedly more violent and was slowly transforming into (V)atrix. Then, one day, in a game Mouse sacrificed herself to save (V)atrix. Tat pushed him over the edge, and this is where we start our story…

I shifted slightly on the bed. It had been a rough day, in a strange system I didn't remember the name. I never remembered the name. They all seemed the same now, one system no different from the other. Certain things did happen sometimes that make me remember, but most of the time I don't and the thing is, I really don't care. I do remember when that had happened. It was so much easier though to not care. To just leave things. Never being obligated to do anything, to stay with anyone.

The girl next to me shifted, moved closer. Annabel, that was her name. She had been good. But no different from any of the others. Just another girl for another system. They didn't much matter very much any more anyways. None of them mattered. There had only ever been one that did, and that had been a long time ago.

"How ya doing lover?" Annabel asked

"I'm taking a shower" I said, and got up

"Then I'll come with"

"No"

It seemed insensitive but I did it anyways. This is how I always was. I got up and left Annabel on the bed. She looked annoyed but didn't say anything. She hadn't said much either last night. We'd just come in and done it. No questions just an agreement. I wondered how she would react if I told her that I wanted to move on, go somewhere else. See what the games had in store.

The cold water was a warm welcome. I let the water wash away all the sweat and whatever. I ran my hands through my black hair. It was short and kind of all over the place. I had tried many different things with it but had been unsatisfied with everything. And had just kind of let it grow however. It sort of looked like how I had worn it as a child… That was so long ago now. It almost seemed like it had been somebody else's life, not mine.

I had changed a lot since then. One of the most dramatic changes being physically. I was much taller now. And much stronger. I have various piercings and tattoos in various places. Whatever caught my fancy. The girls all seemed to enjoy them too. I had changed in many other ways too. I was not a nice person. And I was the furthest thing from innocent.

I finished and then went back into the other room to dress. Annabel was there, fully dressed. And Frisket lay on the ground lazily watching us.

"Fuck Matrix. Why are you being such a jerk?"

"It's the way I am Annabel. Just leave me alone."

"It seems that's all you want. And your dog's hungry. He keeps growling at me."

"He's not hungry. He just doesn't like it here. And he doesn't like you much either for that matter" I couldn't lie to the girl, I owed her that much.

"Were you always like this? So sadistic and cruel?"

"Not always. As a kid I was the perfect friend. Sweet to the point of being sickening"

"What Changed?"

"I got screwed over by the net. Lost everything I valued." I was starting to get annoyed with this chit chat. I had to get out of this system. The next game that came along, I was gone. Frisket would be happy. He hated it here. He was the only thing that I had left. Him and the hope that I would one day find a way home or find Bob.

"You're gonna leave after the next game aren't you?"

"I am"

"Finnish and get out. And leave the key you have on the kitchen table. Not that I have to worry bout you coming back"

"I'll see you then"

"No, you won't" With that she left. You hear the door slam and then there is silence.

She'll hate me for a cycle or two then she'll get over it. Not that I'll be here though. I'm never here after I say I'm leaving. I wonder how many of them actually wish they could have another shot. I took one of them with me once. Into other systems. Into the games with me. She couldn't handle it. She couldn't stand the fighting all the time. Living like viruses she said. I thought that she had been the one. But she left, found someone else. She said they were more caring. Better for her. I don't care anymore. I realize now that that relationship was never meant to be.

Some days I think and wonder if it could have worked out. But that's only for a moment. Then I sit and think, what it would have been like if AndrAIa had made it out. And I wonder if I'll ever see either of them again. And then I curse myself for thinking these things because they're in the past. And you can't change the past. Not ever.

It was time to move on again.

Since I was always moving around I didn't have any belongings except for what I could carry. Not that anything was too valuable other than my companion.

"Come on Frisket, let's move on"

He nodded and we both headed out the door. And I even remembered to put the key on the table.

"Lets see what we can find in the next system"

And immediately after that a game fell and we both entered and left the system. I never did remember the name. Not that it mattered.

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Taryn: This is just a taste. I promise that the next chapter will be longer! But tell me what you liked/didn't like. But no flames. I already got one for another fic, and I really hate that person now. Flaming shows a total lack of maturity on the flamer's part…

(V)atrix: Oh, just get the author's note over with!

Taryn: yeesh, impatient much?

(V)atrix: And why'd you have to make me look like such a jerk?

Taryn: because you are! Now stop annoying me! Just R&R please wonderful people! I'll give you a cookie!