"And you lose again!"
"Darn it!" Jack stormed, throwing the controller of his game down. "This game is rigged, I swear!"
"It's Goo Zombies, of course it's rigged!" Stryker laughed. "It's called getting powerups and not running in a circle when you're surrounded."
Jack just scowled and sank lower on the couch. He and Stryker had been playing for at least two hours and so far Jack had only beaten Stryker once because the game glitched and switched them during a zombie hoard. He had to shake his head; while he wasn't the greatest at the game, he'd expected to win at least once on his own.
"You obviously have mastered the Goo Zombie arts," Jack retorted. "Anything else interesting you feel like sharing? You know, before I find out later."
"Heh, well…" Stryker started, setting the controller on the table and scratching his head. "My uncle and I...are more alike than you'd think…"
"You're both rich?" Jack asked.
"Er...no…"
"You both like to smash things?"
"Yes, but no…"
"You both snore when you sleep!"
"Okay, don't want to know how you know!" Stryker laughed. "How about you ask a question and I'll just answer."
"Okay," Jack said.
He tapped his chin thoughtfully as Stryker crossed his legs and waited. After a moment Jack snapped his fingers and pointed at him.
"What's your real name?" he asked. "'Cause while verbs as names is a common theme in your family, I doubt yours is on a birth certificate.
"Oh boy," Stryker sighed. "Shoulda seen this coming. It's...urg, it's Sebastian."
Jack stared at him, waiting for the grimace to turn into the "Ha! I got you!" look. It didn't.
He snorted.
"S-Se*snort*," he stammered, trying to keep his composure. "Seba*ahem* Sebastia*cough*."
"You're hiding your amusement well," Stryker retorted as Jack's eyes started to water.
"Not amused!" Jack squeaked, covering his mouth. "What *snicker* wh-what's so amusing about Seba*snort!*-"
He lost it and fell off the couch, laughing so hard he had to grab his sides. Stryker shook his head in slight disbelief. He'd never met someone brave (or stupid) enough to laugh at him. It was amusing in its own way, and he found himself laughing as well as Jack rolled around on the floor.
"You really enjoy my name don't you?" he asked once Jack started calming down.
Jack nodded wearily, letting a few snickers out here and there.
"What's so entertaining about it?" Stryker asked, smirking mischieviously. "It's just Sebastian."
Jack bust out laughing and fell back down, just like Stryker had expected him to. He shook his head and chuckled.
"I don't see what's funny about this situation."
"...Whoa…" Stryker marvelled uneasily as Jack wished once more that he was a turtle. "My uncle is on your tv screen…"
Jack whimpered as Chase Young glared at them from the monitor. Stryker grimaced and sank lower on the couch, knowing he was in big trouble now.
"Stryker," Chase growled. "When I said 'grounded', that means you were to stay put."
"Ye-ah," Stryker said, rolling his eyes. "And I've always been known to do as I'm told."
"I don't need your sarcasm, Sebastian," Chase scolded (Jack quickly covered a snort at Stryker's real name). "Now come home...or I'll come get you."
"How about we do neither and call it a day?" Stryker icily suggested as he grabbed the tv remote. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm with a friend."
"Sebastian Chaos Young don't you dare-"
His connection was severed, leaving only static. Chase let out a frustrated roar and smacked the screen.
"Temper temper!" Wuya teased, in her human form as she sauntered up to him. "What did our computer do to you?"
"I've no patience for your tauntings, wench," Chase growled, storming away from the monitor.
"Maybe you should just let those two have their play date," Wuya suggested, grabbing hold of his arm. "From what you've told me, Stryker doesn't make friends easily and we all know how Jack is. Perhaps they'll be friends."
"Something tells me Jack isn't the best option for a friend," Chase said, rolling his eyes. "And besides, Stryker has more important things to do than have 'play dates'."
"But friends are important!"
"Really? How so?"
"Well, look at you! You have no friends and you haven't even come close to ruling the world."
Chase snarled at her.
"Now see?" Wuya asked. "With a temper like that no one will want to come near you."
"That's what is supposed to happen!" Chase shouted. "We're Heylin! We don't want friends, we want to rule the world!"
"Oh please!" Wuya cried, throwing up her hands. "The moment we think like that is the moment we become like Jack!"
Chase opened his mouth to disagree, then closed it thoughtfully.
"Next thing you know we'll be flying around with junky robots declaring we're evil geniuses!" she continued.
Chase sighed, seeing her point. Wuya chuckled and rested her head on his arm.
"Let the boy have some friends, Chase," she advised. "It might just keep him sane."
She sashayed off and Chase shook his head, wondering if he was really desperate enough to take the witch's advice.
Sure I am, he thought as he headed to his room. I'd have to be, if I'm really leaving my nephew with Jack!