Inez felt a warm tingling go through her entire body. She felt herself being lifted in the air, but she couldn't muster enough effort to open her eyes. She felt as though her soul was floating in the air. After a few, silent minutes, she felt her feet touch the ground again.
Gasping, her eyes flew open, and she whirled around. The first thing she saw was the sight of a beautiful woman.
"Motherboard!" Inez cried. Despite the fact that she had only ever seen Motherboard through a screen, she recognized the ruler of Cyberspace instantly.
Inez ran over and threw her arms around Motherboard, who returned the enthusiastic hug warmly.
Inez looked down at herself and gasped. "I'm back! I'm my own size again! But…Motherboard, where are we?"
"Inez, I cannot return just yet." Motherboard said kindly. "Come with me."
Inez followed Motherboard. The world around them gradually changed from a dull gray to a house. Motherboard opened the door and motioned for Inez to sit down at a dining chair. She pulled out two cups of milk and placed one in front of Inez.
"I've been forced into this lonely world ever since my encryptor chip was removed." Motherboard began sadly. "Very occasionally, a window will open up into Cyberspace. I can't go through, but I can see what is happening. I have watched Hacker destroy all that I stood for. I watched you, Matt, Jackie, and Digit. I watched Slider and Creech. But the worst part that came with the knowledge was that I couldn't do anything for you."
Inez looked down at her cup; tears pricked in her eyes. "Motherboard…"
Motherboard stood up and pulled Inez into a comforting hug. "Do not despair, Inez. Although I watched all of these going-ons with a sinking heart, one thing kept me hoping – that one thing was you. No matter what happened, you always held on to your belief that you would defeat Hacker and save the world one day. Your faith was astounding. You were the reason that I didn't give up; that I kept watching whenever the windows appeared."
Inez wrapped her arms around Motherboard, holding back her tears. "I've missed you so much, Motherboard."
"I've missed you, too." Motherboard whispered. "When you saw that book in the library, I knew that something big was about to happen. You never gave up, and that made me hold on to hope. Now, I must ask you for one last favor."
"Anything." Inez promised instantly.
"Keep hoping. Don't ever lose your faith." Motherboard whispered. She kissed Inez on the forehead, and Inez marveled at the strength and kindness that one action conveyed.
"I won't." Inez whispered. "Not ever."
Motherboard stood up and closed her eyes. Inez did the same, and she felt the same out-of-body experience as before.
When she opened her eyes, she was back in Control Center. Jackie, Digit, and Matt, were surrounded by all of the other rebels, all laughing and crying. All of them were back to their own size.
Hacker was in the corner, also crying.
Inez looked at the screen, and smiled warmly at the radiant woman looking back at her.
Motherboard was back.