The Hacker was furious. It had been nearly two years since the disappearance of the Cybersquad, and he had yet to find them. He had been throwing citizens left and right in jails, planning to toss them into black holes to smoke the Earth brats and Digit out of hiding. He thought that once word had gotten out about the terrible injustice, the righteous kiddies would come straight to their rescue – but no.
"Hackie-poo!" A shrill, irritating voice pierced the air. The Hacker winced as Wicked popped into view, carrying a mountain of dresses.
"That's The Hackie-poo to you, Wicked dear." He corrected gently. Now that there was almost no chance of their defeat (except for those pesky kids), The Hacker and Wicked's relationship had dramatically improved.
"Whatever, darling." Wicked shrugged delicately. "Listen dear, you have to choose the colors for our wedding."
"Wedding?" The Hacker paused. "What?"
Wicked sighed impatiently. "Hackie-poo, Cyberspace needs a strong leader, but what's even more important?"
"Ultimate control?" The Hacker guessed.
"No! Two strong leaders. And if the two strong leaders are connected in some way, no one in all of Cyberspace will be able to resist their control!"
The Hacker had no idea what Wicked was talking about, but her voice was giving him a headache.
"Alright, whatever you say. Why don't you choose the colors?"
"Really?" Wicked gasped.
"In fact, why don't you just take care of the entire wedding? I'll just show up when it's time to say our vows." The Hacker suggested.
Wicked let out a sharp squeal. "You mean, I get to plan the entire event without consulting you?"
"Um...sure." The Hacker hoped he wasn't making a huge hole in his wallet as he agreed. Suddenly, a loud beeping noise began from The Hacker's chair. "Listen, Wicked, we'll discuss this later. I'm heading out to check on Smallsville again. I have a bad feeling about that town..."
Wicked harrumphed. "Honestly, Hackie! Those creeping kids get all your attention, while, I your blushing bride, get close to none! You should just stop searching for them. I'm sure they're probably dead by now."
"I can't rest until I know that's true." The Hacker declared. "If it turns out there's even a slight chance that they're not, I could be defeated. And The Hacker will never be defeated!"
Wicked coughed lightly. Oddly enough, the cough sounded quite a bit like the word "paranoid." The Hacker simply shrugged it off.
"Well, I must be off." He sighed. With a sweep of his magnificent magenta cape (his usual purple one was in the wash), he set out to find and bring down all resistance within his kingdom.
He threw open the doors dramatically and almost ran smack dab into Ledge. The Hacker instantly scowled.
Ledge was like that teenage bum of a son that no one really wanted around, but he was smart enough to secure his position. The Hacker really couldn't get rid of him without also ridding himself of secret plans, rumors, and vague whispers of the Cybersquad.
"Ledge." He sighed. "What can I do for you?"
Ledge grinned smugly. He knew exactly what his role in the grand scheme of things was. He also knew exactly how fast he would be booted out if The Hacker decided he wasn't necessary. And while Cyberspace may have not had a choice accepting The Hacker as their ruler, they most certainly would not be too kind to Ledge.
"Well, Hackie-poo," Ledge began, grinning at The Hacker's wince. "I've found three new safe houses, where my sources say Miss Fileshare, Shari Spotter, and Fluff."
"Excellent." The Hacker grinned evilly. "Taking down their friends will surely force the Earth brats into the spotlight."
"You know, you really should start looking into my idea of going back to places you've already raided." Ledge suggested calmly. "It's kind of stupid that you don't. Anyone who has figured it out by now can wait until you're done at a place and then go live there. They don't even have to worry about you finding them."
The Hacker stopped. "But what if there's no one there, and I'm just wasting time doing that?"
Ledge rolled his eyes. "And if they are there, and you're wasting time looking for new places every day?"
"Fine." The Hacker snapped. "I'll go back to Solaria today after I look at these safe houses and threaten Smallsville again."
"Good." Ledge said approvingly.
"Get out of my way." The Hacker growled.