Chaotic Culture (A Chaotic Reboot). Prologue: Welcome to Chaotic.

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A teenage boy with black hair, slightly tan skin and light blue eyes, wearing a grey t-shirt with a white target symbol on it, a black long-sleeved shirt underneath, blue jeans, and grey trainers was lying on his bed. Just listening to one of his playlists. This teen is Tom Majors, a typical teen in high school, who was relaxing after today. It wasn't stressful or anything, it was something Tom liked doing after his chores and homework were done.

Just as the next song was about to play, Tom got a notification on his phone for a video chat. He paused the music to see who was trying to call him. Seeing that it was his best friend, he tapped on the 'Accept Call' button. As soon as Tom saw his redheaded friend, he said, "Hey, Kaz. What's up?"

Kaz was a teenage boy with spiky firey orange hair with golden streaks and brown eyes, wearing round, pink-tinted glasses, a green t-shirt over which he wore an open sleeveless pale olive vest, dark green, slightly baggy cargo pants and brown dress shoes with lighter brown parts. Kaz smiled at his friend when he said over the video call, "Hey Tom, did you enter that code into your Scanner?"

Tom shook his head as he sat up when he said, "I haven't. I'm just chilling in my room right now." He glanced at his blue Chaotic Scanner on the nightstand. Next to that was his alarm clock that read 20:00 and a blue reading lamp.

Kaz's eyes widened before he almost frantically told his friend, "Tom! You need to put that code in before midnight! It won't work afterwards!"

Tom was a little taken aback by his friend's sudden outburst but resigned himself to doing what the other wanted. He did wonder what the code really unlocked as he checked his email while staying on the call. As soon as he found the code he picked up his Chaotic Scanner when he told Kaz, "Okay, I'm putting the code in now." Tom glanced between his email and his Scanner, making sure that he was inputting the code correctly. As he was about to press the 'Enter' button on the screen, the ravenette told his friend, who was still on the video chat, "And the code has been inputted in my Scanner." He then looked at his friend when he asked, "So what's supposed to happen?"

Kaz's eyes gleamed happily when he said excitedly, "Hit the enter button! I'm already in so I'll meet you when you port in!"

Tom raised a confused brow before he pressed the 'Enter' button on his Chaotic Scanner. He wasn't sure what would happen, but whatever it was it was making his best friend excited so it had to be good... Right?

Tom glanced at his Scanner's screen, which suddenly turned black. Then letters in the Chaotic text appeared in black with red outlines that read "Welcome to Chaotic!" Tom raised a brow before the text disappeared and was replaced with "Currently in Chaotic... Chaotic Deck is Currently Locked... Please Wait Until the User Code Returns..."

Tom had a perplexed look on his face as he re-read the text yet again. 'What the hell?' was all the ravenette could think at the moment.

}I{ Meanwhile }I{

There was a flash of light and the next thing Tom knew, he was in this... This... This... Huge Place! The teen was so confused. He was in his room one second and then here the next.

Where the hell was he?!

"Hey, Tom," Kaz said, suddenly materialising near the floor pad near where the ravenette was.

Tom practically jumped out of his skin before he realised that it was his friend. "Kaz!" The ravenette exclaimed in shock as he practically lept towards the redhead, his arms stretched out and placed his hands on the other's shoulders. In almost a panic, Tom nearly shouted, "Where are we?! How did we get here?!" He frantically looked around to figure out where this place was.

Kaz smiled as he calmed his buddy down. Once that was done, the redhead happily said as he opened his arms, "Welcome to Chaotic, Tom!"

Now that the ravenette was calmer and took in what was said, Tom took another look around, taking in what he was seeing. He slowly turned his attention to Kaz when he asked in a somewhat still shocked expression, "So... It's all real? Everything you said about..."

Kaz was grinning when he said, "Yup! And that's not the only thing about Chaotic that's real." He let out a small squeak of excitement before he said, "Oh, Tom! I can't wait to show you everything Chaotic has to offer!"

Tom ran a hand through his hair, trying to wrap his head around all this... Information.

It was real! It was all real! Chaotic was Real!

"I need to sit down," Tom said with a hand on his head, feeling a little dizzy.

Kaz smoothly guided his buddy to a free table and sat him down. Tom accepted the seat as he ran a hand through his hair. Kaz pulled another chair close to his buddy as he placed a hand on the other's shoulder. The redhead was smiling but he understood that all this was a lot to take in. After a minute or so, Kaz asked his buddy, "Are you good now?"

Tom gave a shakey nod when he said, "Yeah, yeah, I'm good. I just... Just can't believe that... That Chaotic is real." He looked around when he got out, "Hang on..." Tom's attention was on Kaz when he asked, "If Chaotic is real, then... Does that mean that the Creatures from the game are real too? Those stories you've told me about the Underworld are true?"

Kaz gave his friend a wide grin before he said, "They sure are! Not here in Chaotic, but in Perim!" He couldn't contain his excitement when he told Tom, "I can't wait until you get your Perim Privileges!"

Tom blinked in confusion when he asked, "Perim Privileges? You mean we can go to Perim too?"

Kaz frantically nodded with that smile on his face when he said, "Yup! But you gotta pass a few tests to get it and then renew the Perim Privileges every two months."

"That makes sense," Tom got out as he placed a hand on his chin.

That was when the sounds of heavy mechanical footsteps were heard coming towards the pair of friends. The two turned to see something that Tom had never seen before in his life. A towering dark silver android with bright blue cybernetic eyes, a broad chest with the letters AVRI stamped on the upper left side, lean yet strong-looking arms that were neatly tucked behind its back, long and muscular legs that peeked out from a knee-length platinum-coloured sarong skirt, the android's feet were designed with travelling over rough surfaces in mind and were made for that, and had a humanoid face.

Tom wasn't sure what he was looking at while Kaz seemed like this was an everyday thing. The android stopped in front of the two when it scanned their faces. The android's mouth opened and spoke in a mechanical voice, mouth moving naturally, "Greetings and welcome to Chaotic, MajorTom. I am here to inform you that before you can participate in any of the Schedule Chaotic Matches, you have to complete the BattleDrome Tutorial."

Tom blinked in confusion when he parroted, "BattleDrome Tutorial?"

Kaz thickly explained, "The BattleDromes are where the Chaotic matches are held. And Players who get their codes need to go through a tutorial to learn how matches are done here."

Tom was confused. Why do Players need to go through a tutorial when they already know how to the game that got them here in the first place?

Kaz noticed the look on his best friend's face. The redhead smiled when he said, "Chaotic Matches are done very differently here."

Tom raised a brow when he asked "Differently enough to have a Tutorial?"

Kaz nodded before an idea came to his mind. He looked at the android when he asked, "Admin, would it be possible for me to assist MajorTom with his Tutorial?"

Tom blinked before he stared at the android when it stated, "Close friends of New Players can assist in their Tutorial. However, to do that, you will need to purchase an Assist Ticket for 10000 Chaotic Coins."

Kaz cringed at the number before he got out, "Yikes! That is pricey, but it's not every day one can be a part of another's tutorial."

"What are Chaotic Coins?" Tom asked cluelessly. He wished there was a 'Welcome to Chaotic Pamphlet' or something along that line. Too much information was piling up on Tom in too short of a timeframe.

Kaz waved a hand when he explained, "It's the currency for Chaotic. You earn them by battling in the BattleDromes and completing Scan Quests. You can use them to get food and drinks in the Port Court, completing Special Scan Quest that can net you a nice sum of Chaotic Coins, and you can convert them to the currency of Perim if you want."

Tom held up his hands in a 'hold on there' motion when he got out, "Hang on! Did you say 'Convert'? As in... We can use the same money as they do in Perim?" The ravenette had the weirdest combination of giddiness and confusion.

Kaz gave his buddy a playful wink as he tatted him with his right index finger and said, "One thing at a time, Tom." He held up that same index finger when he added seriously, "But first, you need to go through your BattleDrome Tutorial. That's the most important thing you need to do."

Tom nearly leapt out of his skin when the android stated, "KidChaor is correct. To access all Chaotic has to offer, you must complete the BattleDrome Tutorial." The ravenette nearly forgot about that thing.

But that also made Tom realise that he didn't know what this android thing was about. So he looked at Kaz, silently asking his question. The redhead noticed and replied, "They are called Admins. They keep Chaotic in order." He thumbed the android, Admin, when he added, "You can ask any Admin any Chaotic-related questions. They won't help with strategies but they can help with card recommendation if needed."

The Admin then added, "We also assist the Code Masters and the Battle Kiosks."

Tom blinked his widened eyes at this. He then rubbed his face with his hands when he said, "Can... You wait a moment for all this to sink in? I don't think I can focus on the Tutorial with all this information bouncing around in my brain..."

Kaz nodded before he waved his hand to get the attention of a server bot.

}{ About 15 Minutes Later }{

After a nice snack, a cold drink (soda), and a little adjustment time, Tom was ready to do his BattleDrome Tutorial. Whatever it was. Kaz signalled an Admid to come over. Funny enough, it was the same one that came to them earlier. AVRI was on clear display on the Admin's upper left chest.

Soon, the Admin led the two teens through the Beta Drome. Tom couldn't help but stare at all the monitors showing creatures battling each other, somewhat trying to watch all of them at once. Kaz couldn't help chuckling at his friend's antics.

A few minutes later they arrived at one of the Beta Drome's BattleDromes.

The Admin moved their right hand to a counsel next to the entrance when they stated, "When you enter any of the BattleDromes for a Chaotic Match, please hold your Scanner to this. It not only does it keeps track of who is battling in which of the BattleDromes, but it also ensures that the matches aren't accidentally interrupted. However, in your case, MajorTom, it will ensure privacy in your tutorial until you have completed it."

Tom looked between the Admin and his best friend when he asked, "But, Kaz can join me on my tutorial, right?"

The Admin nodded when they stated, "If you are willing to allow it and KidChaor pays the 10000 Chaotic Coins for the Assist Ticket."

Kaz let out a breath when he said, "Luckily, I managed to stockpile a little over 10000 Chaotic Coins." He looked at the ravenette when he explained, "My last BattleDrome win earned me a nice sum that got me over the 10000 mark. I might have to hold off on the Special Scan Quests for a while until I can earn enough to unlock them again, but it'll be worth it to be in on your tutorial." Kaz's attention was on the Admin when he asked, "I can buy the Assist Ticket directly from the BattleDrome, right?"

The Admin nodded when they stated, "Correct, but allow MajorTom to log into the Drome so it is registered that he is Starting his Tutorial."

With that, Tom held his Scanner up to the panel of the drone. It seeped twice before it made a ding, and the screen on the panel lit up when the words 'Welcome to Your Chaotic BattleDrome Tutorial, MajorTom' appeared in clear red lettering on a black background. Tom couldn't help but smile at this.

Kaz then placed his Scanner up to the panel. It beeped twice again before a new series of words appeared that read "MajorTom, Do You want KidChaor to Assist You in Your Tutorial?' There were the words 'Yes' and 'No' right below. Tom read the words and pressed the 'Yes'. The screen then read 'Approved. KidChaor, Please Purchase Your Assist Ticket.'

Kaz held his Scanner up to the panel again to confirm the Chaotic Coin payment for the Assist Ticket. Both teens were expecting something to indicate that the exchange was approved, so they were surprised when they saw that the payment was declined. Kaz was confused by this, so he quickly checked to see why the exchange was denied. To the redhead's shock, the screen on the panel flashed 'Insufficient Funds'.

"What?! How is that possible? I know I have more than needed!" Kaz exclaimed in shock before he went to his Scanner to check his Chaotic Coin Balance. Sure enough, the redhead's Chaotic Coin balance read '10177 Chaotic Coins'. Kaz showed his current balance to Tom when he vocalised, "See, I have enough."

Tom then looked at the panel on the BattleDome when he asked, "If that's the case, why did it say you didn't have enough?"

Kaz had a thought before he looked at his Scanner screen before he tapped on the available balance. He clicked his tongue in annoyance when he got out sourly, "Oh, you've got to be! How?"

Tom looked over his buddy's shoulder to read the screen and was confused by what he was seeing. According to the red Scanner, 9877 Chaotic Coins were readily available while 300 Chaotic Coins were pending due to the Chaotic Match that the coins were won from was being reviewed for allegations of cheating.

Tom couldn't help but stare at the allegation part when he asked the redhead, "Uh, Kaz... What happened during that match?"

Kaz growled when he stated, "Nothing but me beating my opponent!" He looked at his buddy when he added in an aggravated tone, "And you know that I don't cheat!"

The Admin then added, seemingly adding more information to the conversation, "According to your past Chaotic Matches, KidChaor, you have indeed never cheated. I and the other Admin fail to understand why 63.59 % of the Overworld Players report allegations of cheating after losing to you. They always end in your favour and waste time that could've been better used on more important matters."

Kaz clicked his tongue when he got out in annoyance, "They don't want to admit that they lost to an Underworld Player and are sore about it." He let out a low growl when he added, "And when a Chaotic Match is being reviewed the Chaotic Coins given out for that is suspended until a verdict is made by either the Admin or Code Masters. The reviews for allegations of cheating take longer because everyone wants to be sure about their verdict."

Tom couldn't help but say, "Okay, I can understand that from a gaming perspective but shouldn't the reviewer alert the Players to this so they can be aware of it and that their Chaotic Coins gained from the match are on hold?"

The Admin replied to the question by saying, "We used to do that, however, roughly 73.49% of the Players who have indeed cheated use the advance notice to eliminate any potential evidence of their cheating. It obviously didn't work, but their actions have caused a lot of unwanted issues that had to be dealt with in both Chaotic and Perim. Therefore, we no longer give out alerts to Match Reviews unless it is concluded that the accusation is proven true." The Admin looked at the redhead when they stated, "But given that you have had this unneeded issue and all the prior accusations have been deemed false, You should have your winnings available soon. KidChaor."

Kaz let out a sigh when he said, "True, but not soon enough since now Tom has to do his tutorial today since he already logged in a reserve at this dome..."

Tom looked dejected as he looked at the Admin when he asked, "Is there any way to delay my Tutorial until Kaz gets his points, Admin Avery?"

The Admin seemed confused when they asked the ravenette, "Admin Avery? Are you referring to me?"

Tom nodded as he pointed at the AVRI printed on the Admin's upper left chest and explained, "This is your name, right? AVRI can be pronounced like Avery or do you pronounce it differently?"

The Admin tilted their head to the side when they explained, "We Admins don't... Have names the way you are implying." They traced the glyphs on their chest when they added, "These are identifying markers to differentiate the Admin models. As you can see, I am model AVRI."

Tom looked uncomfortable when he asked, "Oh... Um... Is it okay to call you Admin Avery?" He didn't seem comfortable with... Not using the name of someone who had one, even if it wasn't a person.

The Admin returned their head back to its original position when they replied, "It is not an issue nor is it a problem. As long as you use the title Admin, it is fine if you 'use a name' when referring to us." They then stated, "And to answer your original inquiry. Unfortunately, you cannot once you have logged into one of the Dromes."

Kaz glanced at his buddy when he said in a crestfallen tone, "Sorry Tom, but... It looks like you're going to do your Tutorial by yourself..." He let out a sad sigh before he added, "I really wanted to show you the ropes..." The redhead's shoulders slumped when he said softly, "And to see your reaction to Chaotic..."

Tom placed a hand on his buddy's shoulder. He might not have understood this whole thing, but he knew it meant a lot to Kaz.

That was when the redhead's Scanner made a beeping sound. Kaz lit up when he said as he pulled the device up to see the screen, "Oh! Did the match review settle?"

Tom looked over his buddy's shoulder to see the screen. Both the ravenette and redhead stared at the mail on the Scanner in confusion. Tom couldn't help but ask, "Um... Is that... Allowed?"

Kaz nodded in shock when he replied, "Uh, yeah, you can... Players can send others 'Gifts' if they want... It... It doesn't happen often because a lot of them don't know that this feature exists..." He quickly re-read the email with the 'Gift' of one Assist Ticket, which could now be used at any time.

Tom read the email that was attached to the 'Gift'.

"Hey, KidChaor, figured you would have more use for this ticket than I would. Hope you and your friend have a good time. Sincerely, N3S5, Kind of a Random Act."

Tom couldn't help but ask, "Uh, Kaz... Who is this N3S5?"

The redhead shrugged when he replied, "I don't know other than being a Player in Chaotic..." Kaz was confused when he said, "But that is one expensive 'Gift' to give to a stranger..."

Tom thought he saw something pink in his peripheral vision. Looked in that direction just in time to see someone wearing a vibrant pink sweater walking away. All Tom was able to see the back of the sweater and saw a pair of chibi sheep, one black and one white. The ravenette was a little too focused on that bright sweater that he failed to notice any other characteristic of the person.

Admin Avery interrupted the two's thoughts when they stated, "I believe this act of generosity will be beneficial to you, correct MajorTom, KidChaor?"

The Admin did have a point…

Tom patted Kaz on the shoulder when he asked, "Well, guess that means you get to watch me ace my Tutorial after all."

Kaz smiled when he replied, "Totally! And I get to see your reaction!"

Tom was still confused about that, but he'll find out soon enough. "Any hints to what that means?" The ravenette asked as he walked to the doors to the Battle Drom.

Kaz held his Scanner up to the panel of the BattleDrome. Unlike last time, the screen asked if the Player wanted to use their Assist Ticket, to which the redhead pressed the 'Yes' icon. With that, Kaz was clear to join MajorTom on his Tutorial. As the redhead walked over to his buddy when he said with a smirk, "Oh, don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."

The door to the BattleDrome opened, welcoming the two friends into its chambers.

Admin Avery bowed when they stated coolly, "I wish you luck on your Tutorial, MajorTom."

Tom thanked the Admin before he and Kaz walked into the BattleDrome. Into the first step in the world of Chaotic.

~}I{~

To be continued.

~}I{~