Cody could never have been happier. Everywhere he went, the game controller was able to make his life easier in one way or another. From schoolwork to life at home, it was great.
One day while Cody was walking down the hallway of his school, Andrew, Zack and Mack blocked his way again. "Are these guys askin' for humiliation?!" he thought, before putting his hand behind him and preparing to take out the game controller just in case.
"Looks like fresh meat in back in town, boys."
"Hahaha!"
"Don't you guys ever get tired of being scolded by teachers, school staff and the principal?"
"We don't care, it's payback time for getting Ms. Maddison's eyes on us!"
"Try it, I dare ya'll. I double dare ya'll!"
The bullies were surprised by what Cody said, but they didn't let that stop them. "Get him!" Andrew shouted, before Zack and Mack started running towards Cody. "You guys asked for it!" Cody said, before taking out the game controller. He then used its Master System to access its Man Catcher Mode.
CHAKK-CHAKK!
This surprised the bullies. They now knew that Cody had some sort of "doohickey" with him, but they didn't know that it could turn into anything else besides all of the weapons and battle equipment mentioned. But after hearing about those you'd think they'd start to fear Cody instead of continuing to go after him. But these bullies have a brain no bigger than a walnut. -At least when it came to these kinds of things.
Zack was able to get closer to Cody first, but Cody grabbed him with his weapon. Then, he threw him towards Mack sending both of them flying into the lockers.
BAM!
"Agh!"
"Oomph!"
"Who's next?!" said Cody with a wicked smirk making his weapon open and close repeatedly. "RAAH!" Andrew shouted as he tried to charge at and punch him. Unfortunately, the man catcher was long enough to grab him without him getting close to Cody. Cody then swung him around, before throwing him into an open locker.
"AAH!"
THUD!
"Oomph!"
Once Andrew was inside the locker, Cody quickly closed and locked it. "Hey! Let me out!" yelled Andrew as he banged on the doors, "Let's see how YOU like it. All those times you shoved me in one of these things... now you'll feel how I felt all those times ago." said Cody before laughing. Zack then got back up, before trying to charge at him again. However, he was grabbed by the end of Cody's man catcher. Cody then pinned him to a wall using it, before looking at him in the eye and said "You wanna try that again?!". Zack whimpered a bit and shook his head no, Mack tried to help but became scared when he saw Zack's face. Cody then let Zack go, before he ran with Mack. "Yeah! Go and run! And never bother me again!" shouted Cody, before he reverted the game controller back into its normal form. Then, he continued walking to his class.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"H-Hey! S-Someone lend me a hand here? Anyone? Hello?"
DING! DONG! DING! DONG!
Soon, it was lunch break. Cody sat on the swings so that he would be alone. The other students gave him a wide berth of space, because they didn't want to be grabbed by the man catcher next. Just then, someone familiar sat next to Cody.
"Hello, Cody."
"Wh-Wha-?! Maddie?!"
"I've heard about what happened awhile ago, and I don't like it."
"Think whatever you want, I ain't listenin' to you if you're gonna say that I shouldn't have done that to the bullies. They deserved that for all the times they got away with one. I never managed to get revenge for some of the things they did because I'm trying my best to be "good". But the more these bullies test my patience the more I'm tempted to go full-on apeshit at them."
"Cody, you can't unleash your true strength on a couple of petty little bullies!"
"It's not "petty", they've been torturing me with their bullying ever since the first day of school. So now they get to feel how I felt all those times. It's only fair, isn't it? I experienced the pain they gave me all those times, now the tables have turned."
"Cody, you can't go full-on crazy at those guys! They're just ordinary people!"
"Oh who cares?! What I did to them is over anyway. Besides, I warned them that if we ever crossed paths again I would obliterate them. Of course that would be unavoidable during class and stuff so I'll be willing to tolerate that. But otherwise, they better keep their distance."
"Y-You're not actually planning to obliterate them, are you?"
"I didn't mean it literally, but I will give them a beating if that happens."
Maddie was worried about Cody, he was letting the power get to his head. Then, she asked "All this violent behavior... you sure there's no issue behind it?". This made Cody's eyes widen. Then, he turned to her and snapped "You don't know shit!". "Aha, so there is." replied Maddie, "No, there isn't. I just really hate people like those motherfuckers." Cody replied back. But then, Maddie stood up and said "If you ever need to talk... you can always come to me.". This surprised Cody, how did she have a clue in what caused his bad behavior sometimes?! She couldn't possibly know anything, she didn't even talk to him that much. Unless...
"No, no it can't be! M-Maybe someone told her?! L-Like Professor Mark or Professor Meena? B-But she dosen't even hang out with prof Mark that much. And she mainly only goes to prof Meena for tutoring..." he thought. He began to wonder at how Maddie had some clues on why he was acting this way towards everything in general. But he decided to brush it off as a lucky guess. A few minutes later, lunch break was over and Cody had to come back to the classroom for the next class. He would then have to endure the rest of the time at school.
After school, Cody decided to head home. While he was walking, Maddie caught up to him. "Oh great, what does she want now?!" he grumbled. Just then, Maddie stopped next to Cody before saying "Just remember what I told you.". Just then, her right eye flickered yellow for a second before she left. Cody was surprised, "N-No... i-it can't be... C-Could she..." he thought, but then he brushed the thought off before continuing to head home.
Once Cody got home, he laid in his bed. He thought to himself deeply. Then, he remembered some events from the past that happened to him.
5 Years Ago...
"WAAH! WAAH!"
Cody's best friend named Hayley had just died, he was crying uncontrollably. She was his only best friend in the world. She motivated him to become a better person. He wasn't always a nice person, and she was able to help him become so. But when she died, all the hope and positivity had been drained from him. Now, he's a walking, talking negative energy sponge. And the worst part? It was Black Jack who killed Hayley, though he didn't fully know who he was at the time being still a little six-year old and all.
Present Day...
Today, Cody thought even deeper as he continued to lay on his bed. Hayley used to have the ability to make her eyes flicker yellow, and Maddie could do the same. He wondered if...
"M-Maybe she's just a relative or something. Probably a sister or cousin. I know that it won't be the same if I ask her to be my friend. But I gotta try..." Cody thought, he was thinking that maybe Maddie would be able to fill the void that Hayley had left behind. He knew that Maddie didn't really like him anymore since he was rude to her some of the time. But he had to try, he thought that making friends with her would bring the same feelings that Hayley did when he was younger. He also thought it would get him out of this depressive state that he was forced to hide most of the time.
The next day...
The next day, when Cody went to school he tried to find Maddie. However, soon he found out that she was absent. "H-Huh?! Wh-Why?!" Cody asked one of the teachers, "She said she was sick or something. Fever I think." the teacher replied. "Alright, thanks." Cody replied back, before he continued on with his day at school. He wanted to see Maddie, but he had to get through school first. He couldn't skip or he'd be in big trouble in both the school and at home. So he decided to just wait the time out.
Once school was over, Cody started heading home. Just then, he saw a familiar face not too far from where he was. He squinted his eyes to get a better look at who the person was. However, when he did the person was already gone. "Huh, that's weird..." he thought, before he continued to walk towards his home. What he didn't realize was that someone was in fact watching him from afar. -It was Maddie! She was spying on him! "This is not going to end well..." she thought, before disappearing and leaving a slight trail of electricity.
Once Cody got back home, he wondered if Maddie was going to show up to school tomorrow. He knew that Maddie most probably wouldn't want to be that close to him now, but he thought he had to try. So he slept his worries off in hopes that Maddie would come to school tomorrow.
The next day...
The next day, Cody woke up earlier than usual. He did all his usual preparations before he would head to school. "You're up early." said Hazel, a bit confused by Cody's sudden change in waking behavior. "Well, my body decided to make me randomly get up early. I figured since it won't let me go back to sleep, I better just do all the shit I need to do before school in time for once." Cody replied, "Your sleeping schedule is out of whack." Hazel sighed, before she and Cody went down the stairs for breakfast.
As usual, breakfast was pancakes, butter, maple syrup and orange juice. After breakfast, Hazel and Cody both went to their schools.
Once Cody got to school, everyone who saw him backed away. Including teachers, school staff and even the principal. They all knew that he had had enough with how he was treated by the bullies, they didn't want to anger him even further. But those things weren't on Cody's mind right now, he wanted to look for Maddie. It took a while, but eventually he found her. "Hey Maddie!" shouted Cody, "Huh?" Maddie replied as she looked back. "Maddie, I need to talk to you." Cody whispered, before taking her somewhere where almost no people would find them. "Woah!" said Maddie as she was dragged along.
When Cody took her to another spot, Maddie asked "O-Okay, wh-what did you want to talk to me about?". Just then, Cody asked "Maddie, I need to tell you something. But can you keep it a secret? I don't want anyone knowing about this.". "Alright." Maddie responded. "Oh, great." Cody said in relief, then he asked "When you told me to remember what you said I saw one of your eyes flicker yellow. A-Are you related to Hayley? A childhood friend of mine?".
Maddie knew he would ask this question eventually. She secretly smirked, before replying "And what if I am?" a bit coyly. "Y-You are, aren't you?" Cody asked on further. With what she said, Maddie couldn't deny her relations with Hayley. So she said "Yes. I am.".
Cody was relieved. But then, Maddie added "I know what you're going ask next, Cody. You're going to ask if we can be friends so you can fill the void left by Hayley. Well, let me tell you mister. It won't be easy. If you want me to be your friend, you'll have to change your ways.". Suddenly, Cody's eyes widened. Then, he added "I-It's you! You're Hayley! Reincarnated or something?!". "Clever boy, looks like Hazel's rubbing off on you." Maddie replied.
Cody couldn't believe it. There she was, his best friend in another body. He then tried to hug her. However, she stopped him from doing so and said "Y'know... after looking back on the time we've spent together... there was something I noticed.". "What?" Cody asked, "You weren't being nice because you wanted to be, you were nice because of me." Maddie continued. "Well, wasn't that a good thing?" Cody replied, "Not in the long run, no. If you want to be friends again, you'll have to change. For real this time." Maddie answered back before putting on a somber face and leaving. Cody felt dejected, but he had to admit that Maddie (formerly Hayley) was right. He was only nice back then because of her. Then, an awful thought entered his mind. What if he was a sociopath? What if that was the reason he couldn't behave in a way that was acceptable to society? -Because he was a sociopath? Then, he wondered if Black Jack was a sociopath as well. Most probably. With that, Cody spent the rest of the school day depressed. He wasn't his usual cocky and naughty self now.
When Cody got home, he went to the living room. There, Hazel and Professor Mark were waiting for him. "Hey Cody." said Hazel, "Hey." Cody replied weakly. Then, Professor Mark asked "Cody, you seem upset. What's wrong?". "Guys, can I talk to the both of you about something?" Cody asked back. "Oh w-well... -sure." answered Hazel, before tapping the living room couch offering Cody to sit with her and her dad. Cody then sat between them, before he started to ask his question.
"Professor Mark, I have a very important question to ask you. Was there ever a time when I was diagnosed as a sociopath? Like early childhood or something?"
Hazel and Professor Mark gasped, how could Cody have had a clue of what happened in his childhood. Then, Professor Mark asked "Wh-Where did you get that idea?!". "I've got some more shocking news." Cody added, "What?" Hazel asked nervously. "You guys know Hayley? My childhood friend?" Cody went on, "Uh-huh, what about her?" Hazel asked even more nervously. "-She's alive." Cody abruptly added.
"-WHAT?!"
"-WHAT?!"
"I know it may seem crazy that she would be alive all this time. But now, I have found an answer. Yes, she's alive. She's reincarnated into Maddie Maddison."
Professor Mark and Hazel were shocked. Hayley died a long time ago, and what reason would the Creator above have to reincarnate her as a different person. It's not like she had a special role in this world. -Did she...?
"After I talked to Maddie, she said she remembers everything that happened between us when she was still Hayley. However, she didn't want to be friends with me anymore. I think me being so rude to her back then made her want to think that way. But she also said something else."
"And what's that?"
"That I wasn't being nice genuinely back then when I was a little kid. I only became "nice" because of her. And you know what, she's right."
Hazel and Professor looked at each other nervously, they didn't expect Cody to realize this. Then, Cody added "I thought that maybe I am a sociopath, and that my biological father Black Jack is too.". Hazel and Professor Mark sighed. Then, Professor Mark leaned over before saying "Cody, your past and conditions should not define you. However, you are excused for your actions because you have an unknown brain condition.". "Oh. So all this time I wouldn't be able to control myself that much in the first place?!" Cody replied, he looked like he was about to cry. Then, Professor Mark added "And Black Jack had the same condition in his brain as well, you inherited that.".
"I... I think I'm gonna go to my room..." Cody said weakly, "Yeah... Yeah it's probably for the best." replied Professor Mark. Cody then walked to his room with his head hung low.
Cody thought about everything that Hazel, Professor Mark and Maddie said. If what they said were true then... he would have a hard time being nice in general. A brain condition?! As if his life couldn't get any worse. Just then
CRASH!
Someone crashed through his window! "Hahahaha!" that someone laughed. -It was Black Jack! He had come back for Cody again! "-You!" said Cody angrily, before he quickly grabbed his game controller from his drawer and tried stabbing him in the head with it. Unfortunately, his strike was blocked with the NES controller's Sword Mode.
KLANG!
"Hahahaha! I know that you know the truth now, Cody."
"Yeah?! So what?! You demon!"
"You and I are much more alike than you think."
"I'll never be like you! I may be bad sometimes, but I'll never be a monster like you!"
"Won't you? You've dealt with aggressors with brute force that was more than necessary. And I seem to recall one instance where you almost killed your bullies out of rage."
"Wh-What?! H-How did you know?!"
"I have my ways of obtaining information. But my point is... -is that you and I are much more alike than you think. Accept your destiny, Cody! Think about it, why bother being nice to everyone when you can just use your power to get everything want? Like say... -freedom?"
Black Jack started trying to tempt Cody to turn evil. This would be easier than he thought, as Cody had been planning to use the game controller to get whatever he wanted even if it means harming others for a long time.
"You don't like being bossed around by Hazel and Professor Mark, do you?"
"N-No... -I-I don't."
"I'm the same as you, Cody. I don't like being withheld from what I want."
"Wh-What am I supposed to do then?"
"Accept your destiny! There is no other choice! Sooner or later, you'll have to accept it anyway. Because soon, you'll get tired of being "nice" and start leaning more towards what you want."
Cody felt that Black Jack was right, he didn't like being told what to do by Professor Mark and Hazel. In fact, now that he thought about it he didn't need a Maddie. -Or a Hayley. In fact, all he needed was power. But first, there was something he'd like to do.
CHAKK!
"Agh!"
"Maybe you're right. Maybe all I ever wanted... -was power and freedom. Ahahaha!"
Cody stabbed Black Jack in the head, killing him. Then, he took the NES controller and all of his other property. After that, he assumed his identity and left. Soon, Hazel and Professor Mark burst in his room.
"Cody? Everything okay i- -AAH!"
"AAH!"
While Hazel and Professor Mark looked around, they saw the now naked body of Black Jack on the floor. Cody had taken his clothes with him and took his identity. They looked around, before finding a letter. Professor Mark cautiously approached and read it.
"Dear Hazel and Prof Mark, I'm sorry that it has come to this. Black Jack has taught me a very valuable lesson. Sometimes it's best if you just look out for yourself rather than care for anybody else. Sometimes it's best to get what you want by doing whatever it takes. Even if it means hurting someone. I'm sorry it has come to this, but I cannot take being restrained anymore. I hated being the "hero", always having to sacrifice something just to accomplish my goal. Now, it's my turn to control my life. The both of you are free to try and stop me, but I doubt you two will come out of it alive. So don't. Love, Cody."
"No, no, no! This must be some sort of trick! Get up, Black Jack! We know this is some sort of trick!" shouted Hazel as he kicked his body, but Black Jack didn't move. "B-Black Jack?" Hazel said nervously as he kicked his body again. Only this time, lighter. Nothing. Still nothing. He didn't move. He didn't talk, and he didn't breathe either. He was gone. Could it be that...
Hazel and Professor Mark looked at each other nervously. Then, they both rushed straight to the garage. They took out their vehicles, before trying to go after Cody. If it was true that he became evil, then they had to stop him fast before he does something so bad it affects the town.
Meanwhile, Cody was destroying everything in sight with his "new" weapon. It was just his controller, the NES controller and the Atari CX40 combined into one. Together, they were powerful and strong enough to bring a town to its knees. The people tried begging Cody to stop, his bullies even said they'd leave him alone. But he obviously wouldn't forgive his bullies. Instead, he killed them.
Once Hazel and Professor Mark entered the scene, they were shocked! Cody had wreaked so much havoc around town! And now, there was fire everywhere! "-CODY!" shouted Hazel. Cody noticed Hazel in the corner of his eye, before saying "Ah, welcome. Both of your timings couldn't be more perfect.". He was becoming more and more like his father.
"CODY, YOU NEED TO STOP THIS NOW! THIS IS TWISTED!" Hazel yelled even further, "This is the worst stunt you've ever pulled! Come back here before you-" Professor Mark tried adding. But before he could finish what he was saying, Cody used his new controller to fire a huge black blast at him and Hazel.
BOOM!
"AAH!"
"AAH!"
Hazel and Professor Mark fell. Cody then laughed in a way that Hazel and Professor Mark were all too familiar with. -It was Black Jack's laugh!
"Ahahahaha!"
"Oh no..." Hazel said nervously. Then, Professor Mark tried firing at Cody. Unfortunately, Cody activated his controller's Shield Mode and blocked the laser. "You think mere laser guns will stop me?! -Think again!" Cody added, before switching his controller into Rifle Mode and firing at him and Hazel.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
"AAH!"
"AAH!"
Hazel and Professor Mark started running for their lives. Then, Cody swooped down before pinning Hazel to the ground.
FWOOSH!
THUMP!
"Oomph! H-Hey! L-Let me go!"
"You know what Hazel? You've always been a pain in the ass. But now... I'm going to get rid of you and that stupid Professor Mark now! I hated it when I couldn't do whatever I wanted back then. But now... I'll be able to do so much more than that! And the both of you won't be able to stop me!"
"You've gone insane, Cody!"
"Ahahahahaha!"
"-NO!"
Cody activated his controller's Sword Mode, before preparing to stab Hazel in the head. Hazel froze in fear as she saw Cody's psychotic and bloodlusted face, then
PEW! PEW! PEW!
"Argh!"
"-LEAVE HER ALONE!"
Someone had fired lasers at Cody. -It was Professor Meena! She had arrived just in time to save Hazel and Professor Mark, "-GO! -NOW!" she shouted to the both of them. Which they did. "The both of you aren't going anywhere." Cody said creepily, before he activated one of his controller's new modes. Bazooka Mode. He made it automatically load a missile, before he aimed it at Hazel and Professor Mark.
BOOM!
"AAH!"
"HAZEL!"
The missiles exploded near them! Hazel had ended up falling down and hurting her knee, but thankfully nothing too serious happened. However, that would change if she and Professor Mark didn't get out of the scene fast enough. Cody then fired more missiles, making them try to escape even more.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
PEW! PEW! PEW!
"Argh! Why you little-"
BOOM!
"AAH!"
Cody continued trying to fire missiles at Hazel and Professor Mark, but Meena kept on firing lasers at him. He became angry and fired at her next, making her fall as well. Luckily, she managed to get out of the way before she did. "Agh..." Meena groaned as she held her ankle. "Ahahahaha! Now, all of you will feel my pain!" roared Cody, before firing more missiles everywhere.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Buildings were destroyed, people were killed and more fire formed around the area. "Welcome to Hell, everybody! Hahahaha!" laughed Cody as he watched everything burn. Then
"-STOP THIS! -NOW!"
Someone shouted. Cody then turned around to see who did. When he did, he saw a big muscular man with black hair and eyes, a blue shirt with a white stripe and number 10 on it and a weird blue gauntlet-like device. This is Ben Tennyson from Cody's dimension. There are Bens from other dimensions, but that's a topic for another day and perhaps another story.
FLASH!
"XLR8!"
Ben transformed into XLR8, before he dashed towards Cody. He knocked him out, sending him to the ground. "Oomph!" said Cody as he fell. Just then, Ben rushed up to him and was about to stab his face with his claw when
"-PLEASE DON'T!"
Professor Meena got in front of him. She knew why Cody was acting this way. -Or at least she had a clue. "Please, don't!" she begged, looking back at Cody. Ben then switched back into his human form, before saying "Fine, but we have a warrant to arrest him.". "We?" Professor Meena asked confused. Then, something else happened. Whirring could be heard in the sky. As soon as she looked up, she saw blue ships descend onto the ground. It was the plumbers. They were affiliated with Ben and his family. As soon as their ships descended down, they all went out. They saw Cody unconscious on the ground. Then, they took him to Mt. Rushmore.
Mt. Rushmore had been converted into a plumber base after a battle between this Ben and a group called the "Forever Knights". It was destroyed in the battle. When it was repaired, it was converted into a plumber base. There, Cody was arrested. His clothes were replaced by prison clothes and his equipment including the controllers he had were confiscated.
Some time later...
"You shouldn't have trained him. Now, he's become just like his father."
"W-We're sorry Mr. Tennyson. W-We never thought he'd do something like this!"
"If you want to make this right, then you, Hazel and Professor Mark better fix the damage all of you indirectly caused. After all, you guys were the ones who taught him how to fight and use those things."
"O-Of course. It won't happen again, we promise."
"It better not. Because he could've destroyed the entire town with those things!"
"We're sorry..."
Professor Meena was talking to Ben, Ben had warned her, Professor Mark and Hazel that training Cody would lead up to this. Given Cody's personality, Ben was right. Professor Meena then looked down, before walking away. She was going to help clear the mess and fix the damage at the battle site along with Professor Mark and Hazel.
Meanwhile, Cody was placed in a cell. "This is miserable." he groaned as he tried banging on its door. But he knew he wouldn't be able to get out. I bet he wished he'd never took Black Jack's advice. Although it's too late now.
And with that, Cody remained in his cell for a long, long time.