In a very dark cave, there were some people in black cloaks. They were chanting some weird words while a red star was drawn on the floor. After they chanted, black smoke and ash rose from the star before...
FWOOSH!
Flames rose from the star as well, before revealing a familiar scary face. "Oh master Black Jack, you have returned!" one of the people said, "Yes. I have. Thank you for bringing me back, my loyal servants. I promise all of you will reap the rewards after I take revenge on Cody and his family. Hahahahaha!" Black Jack replied.
Meanwhile, Cody was back in civilization. However, everywhere he went people looked at him with either fear or disgust. "What's he doing here?!" he heard one of them say. Another one hid their children behind her when she saw him. Cody was headed for one place. Professor Mark's lab. It also doubled as a house, the laboratory equipment were hidden in another room. With that, he headed there. It used to be his home. And it would be the only place that would accept him.
When Cody got to the lab, he knocked on the door. When it opened, Professor Mark was standing there. Hazel and Professor Meena were behind him. "C-Cody?!" Professor Mark asked in shock. "Hi." Cody replied awkwardly. Professor Mark then gave Cody a big hug, and so did Hazel and Professor Meena. Cody couldn't help but shed a single tear when they all did that. He had gotten better at hiding his emotions, but he was willing to let this slip through a bit. It had been a long, long time since he felt liked and let alone loved by anyone.
"Oh Cody, we've missed you so much!" said Professor Meena, "I'm sorry..." Cody replied weakly. He felt like he wasn't worthy of coming back into the lab, but he couldn't stay outside anymore. It was getting harder and harder to live out there, especially when there were people looking for him and planning to kill him. For the first time in forever, he felt like he was home. The last time he felt that way was in the African savannah, and that was because it was a place where he couldn't hurt anyone much. The only times he hurt anyone or anything there was whenever he had to hunt for himself or when he had to fend off attackers. Now that he was back in civilization, he wouldn't have to worry about those kinds of things much anymore. However, he would have to worry about everyone looking for him.
After Professor Mark, Professor Meena and Hazel hugged Cody, they let go of him. Then, they all sat on the living room's couch. Cody looked around the place he used to call home all the time as a little child, it hadn't changed much. There were new pieces of furniture in some parts of the lab. But that was it.
"So Cody, how have things been going for you?" asked Hazel while pouring him some soda, "Not too great. There's people looking for me wanting to kill me." Cody replied. "So we've heard." said Professor Meena, "Well, you'll always be welcome in this house." added Hazel. "Thanks." Cody replied weakly, before looking around once more. He took in the fact that he was in the house that he used to live in all the time as a young child, it brought back so many memories. Though they weren't fond for him at the time, they were now.
"Wh-What happened while I was gone?" Cody asked, "Well... everything's pretty much the same here. Aside from that, Hazel got to do big things in Cerebellum Academy. And I guess that's that." Professor Mark answered. "Oh." was all Cody could respond to that, "-A-Are the things in my room still there? If it's even still my room." Cody asked on. "We left it the way you did, except for the windows and Black Jack's dead body. We took care of those." replied Hazel. Cody then went up to check on his old room. When he got in, he saw that it was the same as before, save for the now fixed windows and Black Jack's body gone from it. He then laid on the bed, thinking about everything that led up to this. "We'll leave you alone for now, Cody." added Hazel, before she, Professor Mark and Professor Meena left. She then closed Cody's door.
"What have I done..." Cody thought to himself, before allowing himself to fall asleep. It would help take his mind off of everything that happened, even if only for a little bit. However, what he didn't realize was that he was being watched.
"Soon, I shall have you back in my grasp."
FWOOSH!
-It was Black Jack! He was spying on Cody right now! However, he couldn't do anything about him yet. The last time he went inside the lab, Professor Mark and Hazel fended him away with the help of an exorcist. He didn't want that to happen again, so he stayed away from the lab for now.
The next day...
Cody woke up to the sun's rays hitting his face. It was so bright it woke him up. He stretched his arms, before looking out his window. "Might as well come down for breakfast..." he thought, before doing just that.
When he came down, he saw that breakfast was the same as always. Pancakes, butter, maple syrup and orange juice. This brought back some memories as well. He sat on one of the chairs before starting to eat.
After eating breakfast, Cody went back to his room. Then, his phone made a notification sound. He opened it to see who messaged him. An unknown number. He opened the message. It said "Meet me at Timberline.". That was weird, why would anyone message him to go to Timberline? Oh well, he could defend himself if the person on the other line was up to no good. He still had his blaster from before. He went downstairs to tell everyone else what he was going to do.
"Professor Mark, Professor Meena, Hazel, I need to do something."
"A-Alright. And what's that?"
"Someone's asking me to meet them at Timberline. Don't worry, if that guy's an attacker I will fend him off. But if he or she's a normal person then it's cool. I'll be back after all this is over."
"Alright."
Cody then went out the front door, before walking all the way towards Timberline. When he got there, he looked around. "Alright. That person got me here. Where is he or she now?" he said to himself. Just then
"Hi, Cody. It's been a while."
"M-Maddie?!"
Cody was surprised. The person on the other line was Maddie. She had grown taller. Well, that would naturally happen since it's been years. "H-Hey Maddie. How's it hangin'?" Cody asked awkwardly. "I'm good, what about you?" Maddie asked back. "I'm doin' alright. At least right now..." Cody answered just as awkwardly. Then, Maddie added "Glad ya could stop by here. I wanted to talk to you after so long.". "Well, it's nice that you're still willing to talk to me. Well... after everything I've done..." Cody continued, "Forget about them, I see that you've changed." Maddie said back. Then, she added "So, wanna hang out like old times? If you could even call those times "hanging out".". "Sure." said Cody, "Great! So, where to? Your call." Maddie continued. "Well, I don't have much money on me right now so how about Puni Mart?" Cody suggested, "Sounds nice." Maddie agreed. Then, the two walked to Puni Mart together.
When the two got to Puni Mart, they walked inside. It was just like 7-11. There were foods everywhere, but there also some other items as well. "So, whaddya want? I got $58 on me right now." asked Cody.
Meanwhile, while Cody and Maddie were talking inside Puni Mart a certain bear and deer walked in. "AAH!" Maddie screamed as she saw them. But Cody recognized them. "Boog? Elliot?" he said, "Huh? Who are you?" Elliot asked not recognizing Cody at first. Then, Boog said "Oh, wait! It's Cody! That kid who got that Shaw arrested six years ago!". "Wait, THAT kid?!" Elliot said in shock, "Yep. Hi." Cody replied back to him awkwardly. "Hey Cody! It's been a while! Good to see you again buddy!" added Boog as he, Elliot and Cody all gave each other fistbumps. "Why are you talking and fistbumping with those animals?!" Maddie asked shocked, "Maddie, these are Boog and Elliot!" Cody said as he introduced his animal friends to her. "H-How can you understand them?!" Maddie added with even more shock, "I got this translator." Cody answered as he pulled it out of his pocket to show her. "O-Oh." was all Maddie said.
"Hey guys, come here for some Nummy Bars?" asked Cody, he knew Boog and Elliot's favorite treat. Nummy Bars are a brand of chocolate bars that was sold in stores like Puni Mart. "Whoa, what the fuck?!" said the cashier as he saw Boog and Elliot. "Hey, can I get these Nummy Bars?" asked Cody as he held up several pieces of them.
Some time later...
Cody and Maddie walked out of the store with meat buns, Boog and Elliot walked out with the Nummy Bars. "Woohoo!" Boog and Elliot shouted as they ate them. After walking out of Puni Mart, Cody and Maddie spent some more time together still eating the meat buns.
A few minutes later...
Boog and Elliot were already gone, and it was just Cody and Maddie now. They continued to chat with each other.
"So... yeah. Story of my life. Haha..."
"Well, I'm just glad you're feeling better now Cody."
"Listen, about back then... I-"
"I know you're sorry. And I accept your apology."
"Oh, w-well... thanks."
Cody had shared all of his life experiences without Maddie to Maddie, many of them were just straight-up depressing. Then, Cody apologized for the way he treated Maddie back then when they were young. Maddie interupted him mid-apology and told him that she accepted it. Cody was relieved to know this.
"Y'know what Maddie, I'm just glad to be your friend again. Even if it's you in another body."
Maddie smiled after Cody said that. Then, they continued walking together into the setting sun.
Meanwhile...
"Rrgh... I don't give a damn if huntin's illegal now. I'll kill 'em all! Then, I'll add them to my growin' collection of animal mounts. Hahaha!"
It was Shaw! He was back! And he was looking for Boog and Elliot. Armed with his new gun Lorraine 2.0, he was ready to kill them if he saw them. Just then
"Aha! There they are! Perfect! It's that momma's bear, and the one that got away. Hehehe."
Shaw aimed Lorraine 2.0 at Boog and Elliot, but then
"-HEY!"
PEW!
"Agh! Wh-What?!"
Lorraine 2.0 was knocked off of his hand by a laser blast! -It was Cody, he had come back from the opposite direction with Maddie. "Haven't you got the memo, buddy?! Hunting's illegal now! So go back to the woods where you live in and stay there!" shouted Cody. Shaw squinted his eyes at him, before recognizing him and saying "You... You're that kid who destroyed my truck's wheel six years ago!". "That's right! So unless you wanna get arrested again, I suggest going back the way you came!" Cody added before aiming his blaster at him. However...
BANG!
FWOOSH!
SNAP!
Shaw tried to fire at Cody, only for the bullet to be swatted away by a whip-like weapon. It was a piece of wire attached to a handle with its insides exposed on the other end. And it belonged to Maddie. And it turns out, she had two of them! "Whoa, thanks. Wh-What's that?" said Cody, "Wire Whips. Had these since I was still young, I just didn't tell you." replied Maddie before swinging them around to intimidate Shaw. However, Shaw was crazy and decided to try firing again.
BANG! BANG!
SNAP! SNAP!
Maddie deflected the bullets with her whips. Then, Cody shouted "Charge!" before running towards Shaw with his blaster. Maddie then did the same with her whips. "-RUN BOOOG!" shouted Elliot from afar. He and Boog started running as soon as they heard gunshots.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
"YAAH! HEEYAH!"
SNAP! SNAP!
Maddie kept on deflecting the bullets with her whips. Then, Cody managed to place a good shot on Shaw's foot. "Ow!" yelled Shaw as he fell on the ground and accidentally drop his gun. Then, Maddie tied him up with one of her Wire Whips before using it to pull him close to her and Cody. Shaw laughed nervously, before Cody stepped on his head and said "You're goin' behind bars again motherfucker!".
A few minutes later...
And Shaw did. He was arrested and placed in prison again. "Some people just never learn." said Cody while laughing, "Oh, look who's talking." Maddie joked. "Hey." Cody replied, before Maddie laughed a bit more and added "Oh come on, I was only joking. Besides, I know you've changed.". Cody then smiled, before Maddie saw him and smiled back. The two then walked away into the now actually setting sun together.
A few hours later...
"Y'know Cody, I had a lot of fun today. Even if we almost got shot by a crazy illegal hunter."
"Don't worry, he's been taken care of now so you have nothing to worry about. But yeah, sorry about that. Wasn't expecting HIM to show up."
"It's okay. Besides, everything went well."
"Yeah..."
"Well, this is where we part ways. Goodbye Cody."
"Bye Maddie."
Cody and Maddie then parted ways on the street. A few minutes later, Cody finally got back home.
CLICK!
"Hello Cody, so how was your date with your old friend?"
"H-How did you guys know that? I-I didn't tell you all where I was going besides Timberland nor did I tell who I was going with."
"Hazel saw you two while the both of you were out. Seems like you both had a fun time at the mart down the trails."
"Wh-What?! Hazel, what the fuck?!"
Hazel then laughed for a bit, before saying "Sorry, but I had to make sure that you weren't planning on doing something fishy.". "A-Are you saying that you don't trust me despite everything I said?!" Cody asked in shock, "No. But I just had to make sure. What you did six years ago left a pretty big impact here." Hazel replied. "I... I guess you're right." added Cody, before going up to his room.
That night, Cody couldn't stop thinking about Maddie. He had interest in her. Especially since she was a reincarnation of Hayley. But would she accept it if he made a confession? He'd have to find out tomorrow, because he figured he'd let her sleep. Then, he started to let himself fall asleep.
The next day...
Cody ended up waking up early. He then got down and went to the kitchen for breakfast. "Ah, good morning Cody." said Hazel, "Hey..." Cody replied sleepily before sitting down on one of the chairs. He then started lazily eating his breakfast. After breakfast, Cody decided to head out. He wanted to meet up with someone near the woods of Timberline.
When Cody got there, he saw the person who he wanted to see. Maddie. He approached her, before saying "Hey Maddie.". "Oh, hi!" Maddie replied sweetly. Then, Cody added "Listen, Imma be straightforward with you. I like you. Will you please accept what's basically my love confession?". Maddie was a bit surprised, but not too surprised. She knew that this would happen eventually. But she wasn't complaining either. "Yes." she answered smiling sweetly. "O-Oh. W-Well..." Cody could only reply blushing. "Well, got any plans for the two of us?~" Maddie asked, "Well... I was thinking we could go to Puni Mart again and get something more expensive this time. I managed to find some loose money under my old school backpack, and I managed to scrape up much of it." replied Cody. "Puni Mart again? I was thinking that maybe you'd take to at least some sort of restaurant.~" Maddie added, "My family is gonna spy on and bother us if they find out or see us." Cody answered back. "Okay.~ Okay.~ Let's go.~" Maddie continued.
Cody and Maddie held hands, before going to Puni Mart again. There, they got a large and expensive rice meal which they shared together. They even fed each other in between eating. Overall, it was a good date. And by the time night rolled around, they were both happy and blushing as they held hands with each other again.
"Hey Cody, can we meet each other again tomorrow? I'll get so lonely without you.~"
"Sure. But next time, let me suggest places that my family dosen't know."
"Sure thing.~"
After Cody and Maddie chatted with each other, they saw that they finally had to part ways again. "Well, this is where we part ways again. Welp, you have a good night Maddie. I'll be seein' ya real soon.~" said Cody, "Good night!~ Sweet dreams.~" Maddie replied sweetly before waving and walking one way. Cody then waved back and walked the other way.
"Well, he's all grown up now." said a voice from afar. It was Elliot. He and Boog just saw Cody and Maddie together. "Elliot!" Boog whispered loudly to him, "Oh, sorry." Elliot replied before he and Boog went off.
Cody and Maddie didn't realize that someone had been watching them from earlier. "Just you wait, Cody. I'll destroy the one you love once again! And I will crush you like I'll crush your heart. Hahahaha!" that someone said, before disappearing. It was Black Jack! He was planning on taking revenge by killing Maddie. And very soon, he would do it.
A few days later...
Cody and Maddie were an official couple now. They almost always texted with and met up with each other. At first, they managed to keep it a secret as long as possible. But soon, Cody's family found out. It didn't really matter, because they accepted Cody's decision. Just then, Professor Mark wanted to talk to Cody.
"Cody, sit down."
"Alright. What is it?"
"We know that you've been back in the superhero business. So we've decided to return something to you. These."
"Wh-What?! -Th-The controllers?!"
"We've had this for a while now. I hope you don't mind that we used it alongside our own equipment."
"No."
"Well, you can have it back."
"Th-Thanks."
Cody had gotten all three of the controllers back. He looked at them. They were now combined into one. This would greatly help him in his return to the superhero business. He then kept it. Suddenly, a notification sound went off on his phone. He opened it, and when he did he saw a message from Maddie. It was about a date they were supposed to have today. "Welp, I gotta go. Maddie." Cody said as he got up, "Alright. See you." replied Hazel. Cody then picked some good clothes, before heading out. He went out in a car called the Lamborghini Egoista, he was able to buy it with the money he got from tracking down and defeating criminals. And he was lucky too because it was sold as a one-off creation. He went inside it, before driving off.
VROOM!
When Cody got to Maddie, he drifted a bit in front of her. Then, he opened his car's sliding door. "Hop in." said Cody, before pressing a button. He had modified his car. The one-seater then extended its interior and became a two-seater. Maddie was a bit surprised, then she laughed a bit and went in. Cody then closed the door, before driving off. However, he and Maddie were unaware that someone was watching them.
"Soon... hahahahaha!"
That night...
Cody was able to take Maddie out on a proper date this time, with going to a restaurant and everything. "I had fun tonight, thank you.~" Maddie said, "Yeah, no problem." Cody replied blushing and smiling. However, while they were having a good time chatting with each other...
"Having fun, aren't we Cody?"
A voice spoke behind them. They both recognized that voice. Maddie froze in fear, and Cody looked back and shouted "-YOU!". When he did, he got a big surprise.
"Ahahahaha!"
"Wh-What?!"
"I-Is that..."
"Surpriiise! Ahahahaha! You never thought you'd see me again, did you Cody and Maddie? Or should I say... -Hayley? Ahahaha!"
"Back off! Not this time!"
"Or what? You don't have the power to defeat me! Even with all three of the controllers on your side, it still won't be enough to defeat me. Because I am no longer a mere mortal."
"I don't care! I'll get rid of you once and for all!"
"And how exactly are you planning to do that?"
"This."
Cody activated the Master System. It gave the controllers the ability to control even more things. He then started pressing some buttons.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"Argh!"
Cody was able to attack Black Jack without physically touching him, it was probably for the best since he was an evil spirit now. He then continued to press more buttons.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
"Argh!"
Black Jack shook his head after being attacked, before he started spewing fire at both Cody and Maddie.
FWOOSH!
"AAH!"
"AAH!"
"Hahahaha! Thank you, Lucifer!"
"Y-You've dealt with the devil now?!"
"I live in the underworld now. Of course I would! Ahahaha!"
"Rrgh!"
Cody then started to press the buttons faster, attacking Black Jack even more. "Maddie, stay back! Your Wire Whips can't do much of anything! He's a spirit! Better yet, run!" Cody shouted, Maddie then started running. "Rrgh! I'll destroy her!" roared Black Jack, before trying to spew fire at Maddie. "Oh no you don't!" shouted Cody, before using the controller to splash water at Black Jack.
SPLASH!
"ARGH!"
Black Jack smoked a bit, the water nearly put his presence out. He could just reappear again, but he'd prefer not to get splashed. So he disappeared. "Hey, where'd he go?!" said Cody, before preparing for whatever he might try and looking around. Just then
FWOOSH!
FWOOSH!
"AAH!"
CHAKK-CHAKK!
Black Jack reappeared at the back of him, before spewing fire again. Luckily, Cody reacted just in time and activated the controller's Shield Mode blocking the flames. "You can't keep this up forever!" Black Jack roared again, "Oh, I know. So here!" replied Cody before using the controller to splash water on him again. This time, he managed to do it.
SPLASH!
"ARGH!"
Black Jack was put out. Then, Cody began to run after Maddie. Black Jack then reappeared, before chasing after him. "Maddie! Maddie!" shouted Cody as he kept running after her, "There's no escape! I'll have both of you in the underworld with me!" roared Black Jack as he continued to give chase. Cody started panicking and running even faster. Eventually, he was able to see Maddie. "Go! Run!" he shouted, Maddie then did so faster and disappeared between some bushes. Cody then stopped, before saying "It's just you and me now, Black Jack!". "Sounds good to me!" Black Jack replied, before trying to spew fire at him once more. Cody jumped, before activating another mode of the controller. Fire Extinguisher Mode. He pulled the pin, before spraying it towards Black Jack. Black Jack ended up coughing, before he was put out again.
HISSSSSS!
"Take that, you motherfucker!" yelled Cody, before converting his weapon into its Rifle Mode and running again. Black Jack reappeared once more, before trying to spew fire at him. But he was gone. "RRAGH!" Black Jack roared, before disappearing again.
Cody ran as fast as he could, he darted between the bushes that Maddie had went through. Then, he tried finding her. "Maddie! Maddie! Where are you?!" he shouted as he continued to run. He could hear flames in the distance, Black Jack wasn't far behind.
Eventually, Cody found Maddie. "Quick! Let's get outta here before he finds us!" he said. Then, he took Maddie with him. Cody and Maddie managed to run near Cody's home, but that was as far as they could get before...
FWOOSH!
"Ahahaha!"
"Oh no!"
"Back off Black Jack! I'll destroy you!"
"Hahahahaha! You don't have the power to truly destroy me!"
"Cody, what's going on?!"
"Hazel! Look out!"
"AAH!"
FWOOSH!
Hazel saw what was going on, she was with Professor Mark and Professor Meena. Black Jack then tried spewing fire at her, which she avoided by ducking. "Wh-What?!" Professor Meena said in shock as she saw whose face was in the flames. "Surpriiise! Hahahaha! You three never thought you'd see me again did you? I'm back! And I'm a hundred times more powerful now!" Black Jack laughed.
"Y'know Black Jack, your timing couldn't be more perfect. We have a new device that we wanted to test out, and you'd be a perfect guinea pig for it." joked Hazel, "Oh yeah? What's that?" Black Jack asked mockingly. "This." replied Hazel, before she took out a weird gun-like device. "Hey, th-that's just like-" Cody began saying, but before he could finish Hazel said "Yep. The Null Void Projector." and fired it in the direction of Black Jack.
FLASH!
"AAAHHH!"
Hazel's "Null Void Projector" created a portal that led to a dimension called the "Null Void". Black Jack tried to stop himself from being sucked in, but he couldn't do so. He had no hands, and the force of the portal sucking him in was too strong. "NOOO!" yelled Black Jack, before he was completely sucked into the Null Void. Then, the portal closed. "You guys okay?" Hazel asked afterwards, "Yeah, we're fine. Thanks." Cody replied, Hazel then gave a thumbs-up in response.
A few minutes later...
Cody and Maddie had already said goodbye to each other, and Cody was already laying in his bed. He thought about how he was now back in the superhero business. Then, he looked at his new controller. It was amazing, three controllers merged into one. "With enough practice, fighting will be a piece of cake from now on." Cody said to himself before keeping it back into his drawer. Then, he turned off his room's light and went to sleep. While he did, he couldn't stop thinking about Maddie. He started to feel just like the old days when "Hayley" was still there and he was perfectly happy. He could never ask for a better feeling, life would be easier from now on. -Or would it? Find out next time in The Game of Life.