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Note: I'm going to warn you now. This is a very long story, so make sure you drink plenty of energy shakes. It starts out kind of slow, but believe me you'll enjoy it. Oh, Bob no longer has the web degration on his face and neck. Phong gave him something that made it go away.
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"Troops, I want you to go to the system called Mainframe and find and capture these two sprites: Guardian 452 and Command.Com, Dot Matrix. If we can somehow find a way to harness the Guardians' powers, I will have the ultimate tool to take over the Net. But if he resists, the Command.Com will be the back-up. You all have your orders. Now go and bring them to me."
"Yes, Master Daemon."
"Ahh. Now this is what I call having a good time," Bob said putting his sunglasses on.
"Same here," Dot said in a long sigh.
They were laying on a plaid blanket in Floating Point Park. Both were darker in color from being in the sun so long. Small binomes were playing happily in the once completely destroyed playground that was right outside the park. Birds flew from tree to tree singing songs of joy.
Dot turned on her side toward Bob, who was lying on his back. "I love you," she said.
Bob opened his eyes and turned on his side, also. "I love you, too."
"How are you feeling? You looked pretty drained when you came back from the core earlier." She gently layed her hand on his cheek.
"I'm fine Dot." He layed his hand over hers, bringing it up and kissing it.
"Well, aren't we being Mr. Romantic today."
"I guess I'm just happy to be home and with the woman of my dreams." Bob leaned closer and kissed her on the lips for what seemed to be forever.
Dot never imagined that Bob could kiss so well, but of course she never thought she would be kissing him either. She giggled and turned on the other side, away from Bob. Bob moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, laying his head gently on her arm.
"Bob. What do you think'll happen to Megabyte?"
"He'll probably be taken very good care of by the web creatures." Bob looked at her and winked.
Dot let out a sigh and looked slightly distressed.
"Dot? Is something bothering you?"
"Well, I was just thinking. If I could of got up from where Megabyte had tossed me, I...I...could have helped you." Her voice trailed off.
"Dot, you know as well as I do that it wasn't your fault. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine."
"Why do you say that?"
"If I hadn't teamed up with Megabyte, or at least of been more careful, we probably wouldn't of been in this mess."
"It wasn't your fault, either. You had no choice," she said tenderly.
Bob closed his eyes. "Yeah. You're probably right."
"I am right!" Dot said, smiling.
She took off Bob's sunglasses and cuddled up as close as she could possibly get to him. Bob was loving every nano second of Dot's affection. They finally fell asleep.
Bob and Dot walked hand and hand down Baudway to the Diner.
"I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful day!" Dot said, looking around.
"I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful woman," Bob said kissing her on the cheek.
"Geez! You must really be in a good mood!
"I couldn't be happier. Nothing could ruin this day."
--WARNING, INCOMING GAME.--
"Except for that. Come on. Let's go.
They both spun out their zip-boards and headed toward the descending game cube.
* * * *
"ReBoot!" Bob and Dot rebooted into what seemed to be explorer clothes. They heard noises behind them and turned around to see Matrix, AndrAIa, Mouse, and Ray walking toward them. They were in a Crocodile Dun Dee type game. The object is to find the crocodile named "Charlie" and delete it.
"Hey guys! I didn't know you were in h--" Bob was suddenly jerked into the big swamp behind him.
"Bob!" Dot screamed.
They all looked cautiously in the merky water for any signs of Bob and what had attacked him. Finally, Bob and his attacker resurfaced. They all watched as Bob wrestled with a huge crocodile, its massive jaws, trying to bite and crush Bob's body.
Matrix raised his gun, but lowered it. "I'm afraid I might hit Bob!" Matrix said worriedly.
Dot just watched in horror as the twenty-three-foot-long monster tried to delete her boyfriend.
The crocodile grabbed Bob's arm and pulled him under but not before Bob could get out a knife. After a nanosecond had passed, Bob crawled onto dry land, caughing up water.
--GAME OVER--
They ran to where Bob sat on the ground.
"Are you okay?" Dot said, looking him over for any bad injuries.
"I...I think so. That is something I never want to experience again!"
"We'll see you guys a little later. We're going to the P.O. to get his cuts cleaned up."
"Do I have to?" Bob whined.
"Oh come on you big baby," she teased.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming."
The couple headed toward the principle office.
"Ouch! That stuff stings!" Bob yelped as Dot applied the ointment to his cuts.
She finally bandaged the last one. "There, all done." She kissed his cheek softly. "I thought you was a goner for a nano second!"
"Goner!? I thought I was dead meat! When it grabbed me the last time, I thought my days were numbered!"
Dot noticed something sticking out of Bob's boot. She pulled out what seemed to be a tooth...a crocodile tooth. Dot handed it to Bob.
He rolled the pearl white object over in his hand. "It looks like he left me his calling card."
Dot looked at him and smiled. "Let's see if we can make it to the Diner this time without being interrupted."
They both walked down the long hallway, but before they left, Bob sensed something that wasn't right. But he just figured it was because he had been scared half to deletion, so he just ignored it.
Bob stepped outside first, followed by Dot. He saw something move in the corner of his eye, but it was too late. He had just been hit with a tranquilizer dart.
"Dot run!" was all he could say before the drug made its way through his system, knocking him out instantly.
Dot started to run but was immediately put in a file locker.
"Let us go!!"
The infected guardians payed no attention to Dot's pleas, but placed her in a large ship, along with Bob.
Dot heard them talking to someone.
"Yes Master Daemon. The top-level guardian has been sedated and the command.com is in a file-locker."
"Very good, troops. You will both be handsomely rewarded for your deeds."
"Thank you, Master Daemon."
"When you arrive, you can place them in one of the left-wing cells."
Dot thought for a nano, then remembered that Phong had told her about the super virus, Daemon, and how she turned some of the guardians against their systems. Phong also told her that Bob may be immune to the infection, but the chances of that were very slim. She looked at him and hoped that he was.
"In you go!"
They put Bob and Dot in a cold, dark holding cell and released Dot from the file-locker. The infected Guardians slammed the thick metal door shut.
"Let us out!" Dot screamed while beating her fists on the door. She heard a soft moan and turned around quickly to see what it was. Bob had awakned and was rubbing the place they had shot him with the tranquilizer. He looked around, then at Dot.
"Uhhh...Dot? Where are we?"
"We are in a cell in the Supercomputer. And by the looks of it, we're not going anywhere soon." Dot quivered with fear and from being cold. Bob stood up and wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't worry. We'll find some way out of this mess. We always do."
His words provided some comfort for her. Bob sat down on the cold floor and pulled Dot onto his lap, wrapping his arms back around her. She put her arms around his neck and layed her head on his shoulder.
"Bob...I'm afraid." with that said, a tear fell down her cheek. He raised a gentle hand and wiped it away.
"Dot, sweetheart. Everything'll be okay. If anything ever tries to hurt you, I'd rip 'em apart. You just have to have a little faith that we'll make it home."
Dot hugged him tightly. "You're right. I'm sorry. It's just...so many things have happened to me..." Her voice trailed off.
"I know. It's alright."
"At least this time...I'm with you," Dot said quietly.
Bob sat there, trying to think of what places in Supercomputer had lead-lined cells.
"Oh of course! How could I of been so basic! We're in the Guardian academy!" Bob thought to himself.
Bob felt Dot's once tense body suddenly relax. He looked down at her. She was sleeping peacefully in his arms. She was so beautiful. So fragile but yet so strong. He wondered how she could ever love a Guardian like him. Bob laid his head against the wall behind him.
"This is going to be one long night."
Dot awoke on the hard cell floor.She looked around but Bob wasn't there. She stood up and started to panic.
"There's no telling what they've done to him."
"Is the Guardian tied down?"
"Yes Daemon. The Guardian is strapped tightly to the inside of the containment field."
"Good. I want you to drain his energy until he's on the verge of deletion. Then take him back to his cell. I want to measure how much energy he has."
"Yes Master Daemon."
Bob was struggling to get free, but to no avail. They switched on the field to drain his energy. Bob noticed his whole body felt like it was on fire. Finally, he could no longer stand it. Bob cried out in severe pain. It was unlike any pain he had ever felt. Tears streamed down his face.
Dot heard voices and backed away from the door. The thick lead door opened to reveal two male Guardians dragging Bob, then they tossed him into the cell.
They closed the door and Dot quickly ran to his side. She was completely heart-broken at the sight. She gently placed his head in her lap. His body was completly limp.
"Oh Bob." She brushed his long hair out of his face. Bob looked up at her. His strength was slowly starting to return to him.
Dot felt him try to get up. "Bob, just relax. You need to rest."
She caressed his face to try to get him to calm down. "Whatever they did to him, I don't think he could possibly survive it again." Dot thought. "We need a plan."
Bob was sitting up now with a little help from Dot.
"Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I just hope I don't have to go back in that thing again," Bob said wearily.
"What thing?"
"They put me in some kind of containment and drained me of my energy. Before they turned it on, I heard someone say something about a test."
"What do you think they're up to?" Dot quieried.
"I really don't know, but whatever they're doing, I've got a feeling it's bad."
Dot was looking at the floor in a state of thought.
"Bob? Do you think you have enough energy to run?"
"I think so. Why?" Bob looked deep into her eyes and saw that same determined, stubborn look.
Bob suddenly froze. He listened to the growing sound of foot steps.
"What is it Bob?"
"Someone's coming."
"Perfect timing. Okay here's the plan. I'll distract 'em while you knock 'em out with something."
Bob got up and stood quietly behind the door.
"Oh! Hello boys. Have a nice nap!"
"What do you mean, woman?"
"THIS...." Bob stepped out from behind them and slugged them both, instantly knocking them out.
"Come on! Let's get out of here!" Dot stepped out into a room that had nine hallways leading away from the cell.
"Ummm...Bob? I think you better lead the way."
Bob and Dot ran down one long hallway after another. A red infected guardian stepped out in front of them, making the two sprites stop dead in their tracks.
"Halt! In the name of the supreme virus, Daemon!"
"Huh! Yeah right!" Bob blew the guardian through a window with one blast of gold energy.
"Nice shot!" Dot said, amused.
"Thanks. Now let's get out of here."
Bob and Dot made it out of the Academy only to see a devasted city...overrun by viruses.
"No!" Bob shouted as he looked around at the devasted city he once lived in when he was a kid. Then something hit him. "My parents!" Bob put his hands on Dot's shoulders. "Dot. We have to find my parents."
"I understand."
They walked around the city, staying unseen by the virals and infected Guardians.
Bob finally stopped, his eyes wide in horror. Laying in rubble before him, was his parents' house.
He struggled to move large debris out of the way. Dot helped him move an extremely large boulder out of the way.
"DAD!" Bob got on his knees and lifted his fathers head.
"Son? Is that you?"
"Yeah. It's me dad. Where's mom?"
"Your mother escaped. Son...you...need...to get out...of here. Daemon...is...looking for you."
"I don't care about Daemon. I need to get you some help."
"Don't worry...about...me...son. Save...yourself."
"No! I won't leave without you!" A tear started to roll down his cheek.
"Bob...I..watched...you...grow...from...a baby...who...loved to pull...on...his...big sister's hair...to...a...top-level guardian. My...life is...complete. Now..it's my...time...to go."
"Please don't die. I love you dad."
"I love...you...too, son."His eyes slowly began to close.
"I...always...told your mother...that..I wanted you...to have...a...son so..you...could enjoy your...life...as...much..as I...have..." *Silence*
"Dad," Bob whispered. His father had just been deleted. Hot tears streamed down his face.
Dot had just watched what had taken place. She knew exactly how Bob felt.
Dot knelt down beside him and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace.
"Its okay," Dot said, rubbing the back of his head with her hand.
"I love you," Bob whispered, holding onto Dot tightly.
"Do you think we'll be safe in here?" Dot asked completly out of breath.
"We should be."
Dot felt so sorry for him. She knew exactly how he felt. She had gone through the same thing.
Bob looked around the old building then sat down next to Dot and wiped the tears off his face.
"Bob? Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah. I'll be fine."
"I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."
"I know. Thanks."
It started to rain ad lightly thunder outside. Dot huddled closly to Bob.
"How are we ever going to get home?"
"We'll find someway. I promise."
"Before we go out there again, I think we need to figure out where we're going first."
"I think you're right."
Bob tried to think of how they could get home, but his mind found its way back to his fathers deletion.
"I swear, Daemon. When I find you, you're going to wish you had never been initialized!" Bob thought to himself.
Dot looked at him. She saw the anger adn sadness in his eyes. Dot felt as if she knew what he was thinking. She touched his shoulder. Bob looked her in the eyes.
"If you fight her, you're not doing it without me."
"Dot, this isn't going to be a simple thing to do."
"I know."
"Okay. We've got sprites searching Mainframe and a Net wide search for them. Am I right?" Matrix asked impatiently.
"Yes my son. Calm down. We will find them," Phong assured him and the others.
AndrAIa was trying her best to calm down little Enzo."Shhhh... It's okay. We'll find them. Don't worry."
AndrAIa got up and sat down beside Matrix.
"AndrAIa. Where could they be?"
She only sighed and shook her head."I don't know. But I wish I did."
A vid-window sprang open infront of them.
"Have you found them?"
"I'm sorry sir. We've checked everywhere but there's no trace of them."
"Keep checking."
"Yes sir."
Frisket nudged Matrix, who then lowered down to the large dog.
"What's this?" Matrix looked at an empty dart.
"Where did you find this boy?"
Frisket, then ran quickly down a hallway to a door leading out. Matrix stepped outside and looked for any other things.
Friscuit disappeared around a corner and returned with something else in his mouth. Matrix took the object in disbelief.
"Dot's Organizer! No!"
He took them inside and showed them to Phong.
"Phong. They had to have been kidnapped! You know as well as I do that Dot would never leave her organizer."
"You may be right, my son."
Mouse and AndrAIa walked into the room.
"Have ya found anythin' yet, sugah?"
Phong showed them the dart and Dot's Organizer.
"The file-find diagnostic says it can't detect them in Mainframe."
"Let's keep searching."
Two dark, shadowy figures moved in and out of the darkness of the night, both cold and wet from the pouring rain. They ducked away in an ally until a squad of guardians passed by.
Dot pressed her back against a wall and let out a sigh of relief.
"If we could only find a tear. I could stabilize it into a portal to Mainframe."
"All of the guardians are probably securing all the tears they find."
"Yeah. If we could only get to one before they do." Water dripped off Bob's face as it started to rain even harder.
"We need to get somewhere so we can get a good view of the city. It'll be much easier to locate tears that way."
"Hmmm... I think I know of a perfect place. It's not far from here."
They held each other's hand as they slipped through the streets and allys. They stopped when they came to a very tall building. The two sprites climbed up a fire escape to the top of the building. From there, they could see over the entire city.
"This place really is big!"
Bob grinned at her remark then turned his attention to finding a tear.
"See anything?" Dot questioned.
"Nope. Just a lot of smoke."
"Turn around nice and slow."
Bob and Dot turned slowly around and held out their hands to show they were unarmed. Bob saw a beam of light suddenly expand to form a tear on the street below the building. It was directly behind them.
Bob kept his eyes focused on the two guardians in front of him while he moved his left hand behind him to try and stabilize the tear.
Bob nudged Dot with his elbow.
"Do you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you."
"Just hang on to that thought."
"Why?"
Bob immediately pushed her off the building. He jumped off behind her. They both fell into the portal at the bottom of the building. The tear dissapeared behind them, leaving two stunned guardians staring at the street below.
"Ugh. What hit me?" Bob rubbed the top of his head.
"I think I did." Dot was sitting adjacent to Bob, rubbing her head also.
They looked around and finally realized where they were.
"We're in Level 31!" Dot said happily.
"Maybe...but we're not out of danger yet."
"What do you mean Bob?
"They can easily track us, and find out where we are."
"Just great," Dot said sarcastically.
"We need to get to the Principle Office and warn everyone." Their zip-boards decompressed to full size, and they made their way to the P.O.
"Bob! Dot! What happened? Are you two okay? Where were you?" That's all Matrix could get out as Bob and Dot entered.
"Don't worry. We're fine. But we may not be for long," Dot answered.
"Phong, warn the Mainframers of some possible unwanted guests coming soon. They need to be ready."
"Consider it done, my son."
Matrix handed Dot her organizer.
"Whew! I'm glad you found it! Thank you."
Enzo came running through the door and knocked Bob to the ground.
"Bob! I'm soooo glad you two are finally home! So, when are we going jet-bowling again? You promised we could. Can we? Ple..." The young sprite was cut-off by Bob clamping his hand over his mouth. Dot stood there and laughed at her hyperactive brother. Bob finally got to stand up.
"Okay. We need to get some CPU's ready. I want the Mainframers ready this time, instead of being caught off-guard."
"Alright people. I want eleven CPU's guarding the P.O. Four of you are to be look outs. The remaining CPU's are to patrol the city. If anyone sees anything, contact me. Got it?"
"Yes sir!"
"Okay then. Move out!" Bob watched them depart. He decided to go check and see how Dot was doing.
Dot was working buisly on her organizer when Bob came into the room.
"Are the citizens ready?"
"Ready and waiting." Dot stood up and hugged Bob tightly. She looked deep into his warm, brown eyes.
"Please be careful. I don't want to lose you again."
"Don't worry. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it."
Ray walked in and shattered their moment. "Hey Bob. A few of the CPU's have requested your presence."
Bob and Dot walked into the main room. Phong rolled up to Bob. "Bob, my son. Some of the binomes have spotted some guardians roaming the city. What are your orders?"
"Tell them to stay out of sight but to keep an eye on the guardians. If they get suspicious, they may call for backup. Matrix. AndrAIa. I want you two to make sure the guardians don't get past the CPUs."
"Right!"
Bob sat down in a chair.
"Bob? Something bothering you?" Dot sat on his lap.
"I...I just kinda feel wrong doing this. I mean...all of those infected guardians out there are were all my friends. I feel like I'm betraying them."
Bob, they are victims just like we are. The only way we can help them is if we help ourselves first." A vid-window opened in front of them.
"Bob! There's a lot of them here! And they aren't being friendly!"
"Okay everyone! Let's get ready to rumble!"
Dot grabbed Bob's arm for support as the ground beneath them started to shake, then suddenly stopped.
"I think Daemon's here."
"What made ya think that sugah?" Mouse said sarcastically.
"I guess this is it," Bob sighed. He had gone up against viruses before, but not a super-virus.
He started out the door. Dot stopped him and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She ran her hand over his chest. "Come back to me."
"I will." He kissed her again. Phong rolled over to Bob.
"Bob, my child. We will have many CPU's backing you up along with some others. Please be careful, child."
Bob nodded and whipped out his zip-board. Before he left, he looked at Dot and winked. Then he sped off.
Dot looked after him."I love you," she whispered.
"Come on, sugah. We'll be Bob's back-up."
"If something goes...wrong, my children, contact me."
"Sure thing, Phong." Dot and Mouse got in Ship, and followed Bob.
Bob suddenly stopped. He looked around. Something wasn't right. "Daemon! I know you're here! Show yourself!" Bob shouted.
A dark-feminine figure appeared out of nowhere, its red eyes glowing with rage.
"Hello, Guardian. It's a pity you couldn't have stayed with me in the Super-Computer, but I guess coming here was just as good."
Bob was starting to get furious, and a little annoyed. "What in the NET do you want me for?"
"I want you, Bob, to rule by my side."
"What? You mean...be your husband?"
"Put into simpler terms, yes. With your power and my power combined, we could rule the entire Net!
Her words sent chills down Bob's spine. "Sorry, virus. I'm taken. And who in their right mind would wanna marry you?"
She gritted her teeth in anger. "Awwww...I was hoping we could work this out. But since I can't have you, no one will."
Daemon let out a long screeching laugh. "You poor fool. Its too bad I have to destroy such a handsome-looking sprite."
"I don't think so, you stupid witch!"
"Man! These guys jus' keep comin'!" Mouse and Dot were trying to keep the Guardians away from from Bob as he fought with Daemon.
For awhile, Bob and Daemon used only their powers against each other. Now, they were using brute force.
Daemon lunged at Bob, plunging her sharp fingernails deep into his shoulder blade. Bob cried out in severe pain, and blasted her away with a gold energy beam.
He grabbed his arm in agony as blood poured from his wound.
"What's the matter, Bob? Getting tired?" Daemon taunted.
"Never, virus!" Bob yelled in a harsh voice.
"Come now. Do you really think you have enough guts to delete me?"
"In your case, I'll be happy to delete you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Phong! You may have to raise the shields. There are too many!" Matrix yelled to Phong.
"I know my child." Phong grinned slightly. "I may have something else that will distract them."
Phong pushed a few buttons and watched an open vid-window.
An electric field encircled the Principle Office. Any Guardians that were too close to the field when it dropped were given a huge electric jolt that sent them flying backwards.
Mike the T.V. was watching the guardians try to get through the field. He almost cracked up at watching them fly through the air, then come back and try to get through again.
"When static stops you, get Bounce."
"MIKE!" Everyone yelled.
"What?"
A portal opened behind Phong, slightly startling him. A tall light-green man stepped through. Matrix recognized him as Turbo.
"It's okay, Phong. He's a good Guardian."
Phong looked up at him. "You are the Prime Guardian, am I right?"
"Yes. I came here cause ahm trackin' the super-virus Daemon. Mah key-tool pin-pointed her location ta your system."
Phong showed him a vid-window of Bob and Daemon fighting. Turbo's eyes went wide when he saw Bob.
"He's fighting Daemon alone? He'll get himself deleted!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daemon knocked Bob to the ground. He tried to get up but he was too weak from losing so much blood from his wounds. He closed his eyes.
"Ha ha ha ha! I knew you couldn't defeat me. No one can! Maybe a few nulls will come along and finish you off. Now if you will excuse me, I have a system to conquer."
Bob's eyes shot open. Two glowing orbs of energy, shot from Bob's hand, hit Daemon in the stomach.
"NOOOO! This can't be! I will not be deleted!" She let out an ear-piercing scream that could be heard aound Mainframe.
Everyone watched in horror as Daemon suddenly exploded. Thick black smoke filled the sky. When the air cleared, all that was left was large debris scattered in different places and a crater in the ground.
"Bob!" Dot screamed, "Noooo!" Mouse landed her ship and she, along with a frantic Dot, searched for Bob among the rubble.
The once infected Guardians were sitting on the ground, completely confused. Daemon's destruction had released her control over them.
Matrix, AndrAIa, Turbo, and everyone else were moving debris, hoping Bob was alive somewhere under there.
AndrAIa moved a rock and almost screamed. Bob's hand was under it.
"Guys! Over here! I found him!" Matrix and Turbo rushed over and started getting the stuff off of Bob.
Dot fell to her knees beside him. Tears flowed down her face. Bob coughed and gasped for air.
Dot layed his head in her lap and craddled him. A small pool of blood was forming on the pavement from a large gash on his side.
An ambulance finally came and took the injured Guardian to the hospital to be treated.
At the hospital, Mainframers and Guardians filled the lobby.
The doctor made his way toward Dot and the others and started talking about Bob's current condition.
"I'm sorry, but Bob slipped into a coma while we were trying to stop the bleeding. There was nothing else we could have done to prevent it from happening." Dot slumped down and started sobbing.
"Right now, only one sprite at a time can go in to see him." Matrix put an arm around Dot's shoulders. A tear falling down his face as well.
"Dot. You go in first."
Dot looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "Thank you."
Dot walked up a hallway to his room. She tried to prepare herself for what she might see.
She came to his door and stopped to take a deep breath. Dot wiped her eyes and walked in.
Dot walked to Bob's bedside. An I.V. and several other monitors were attached to him.
Hot tears rolled down her face again. She pulled up a chair and sat down beside his bed, taking his hand in hers, and gently holding it.
Dot watched Bob's chest slowly rise and fall. She wiped a tear away that was falling down her face.
"I wish I could take your pain away. Please come back to me. You promised you'd never leave me!" she sobbed, "Please! I need you more now than I ever will." Dot held his hand to her face. "I love you, Guardian," she whispered.
Dot looked up as someone knocked on the door. Matrix walked in and pulled up a seat next to Dot.
"How is he?"
"Not too good, but he's stable," Dot sighed.
Matrix stared sadly at his Guardian mentor.
Dot lowered her head and spoke. "Why? Why couldn't I have been there to protect him? He's always been there to help me. Why couldn't I be there when he needed me?"
Matrix hugged her tightly. "Sis, it's not your fault. Bob knew what he was doing. He reminds me of you sometimes. When he sets his mind to doing something, he does it."
Dot smiled slightly at his comment.
Matrix started to get up. "I guess I better get out of here before they throw me out."
Dot grabbed his arm. "Sit down. If they have something to say about two sprites being in here, they'll have to take it up with the Command.com."
Matrix laughed and sat back down.
Dot and Matrix were both asleep. Matrix was sleeping soundly, with his head slightly drooped.
Dot had her head lying on the edge of Bob's bed.
Bob let out a soft moan, his head twitched. The noise startled Dot awake.
She rubbed her eyes and looked at Bob. He never moved.
Dot looked out the window in his room, but snapped her head around as she heard Bob moan again.
She stood beside his bed and took his hand.
"Bob? Bob, come on. Wake up. Please," Dot begged. "I know you can do it. Please?"
*Silence*
Dot sat back down, on the verge of tears.
"Sis?" Matrix asked, waking up. "Did you say something?"
Dot sighed. "No. You must have just been dreaming."
He got up and stretched. "You want some breakfast?"
"No. It's okay. I'm not hungry. You go ahead."
Matrix started out the door. "You sure?"
"Yes. Yes. I'm sure." Dot got back up and went to the window.
It was such a beautiful day. Two small floppies flew by, and perched on a tree below.
"Dot?" a voice whispered.
"Yes? Who's there?"
No one answered her.
"Hello?" Dot said walking to the door.
She looked up and down the hallway, but it was empty.
Dot shrugged. "Oh great. I must be losing it!" She rubbed her head.
She suddenly heard the voice again. "Dot?"
She turned around to see to weary, brown eyes staring back at her. She knelt down beside him and touched his face.
"I knew you'd make it." Dot leaned over him and kissed him softly on the lips.
Bob moved his hand over hers, and tried to smile, even though his whole body ached.
"Phong. Is there any free buildin' space in Mainframe?" Turbo asked.
Phong blinked, then said, "Yes there is, my child. Sector G-Prime. One of our former viruses used to live there. Why do you ask?"
Turbo rubbed his temples where the once deadly infection pulsed through his head like a strong heart beat, but was no longer there.
"As the Prime Guardian, I've watched Bob grow up from a young cadet to ah full-fledged Guardian. I've also seen him do many things that a lot of sprites would consider to be completely random." Turbo stopped for a nano-second and started to remember something...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Cadet 452. Ah thought ah told you to stay outta games!" Turbo said sternly.
"I'm sorry, sir. It landed on me. I couldn't get out in time," the young boy answered. He looked to be no older than 0.9002 (9 years old).
"Oh well...we'll let it slip this tahm, but next tahm...." He was cut off by a bullet pinging off the wall beside his head.
"Copeland. Game stats." The keytool beeped and whirred, then displayed the game objectives.
"Oh great," he mumbled, "It's a World War II game. Oh well..let's get this over with."
"Reboot!" they shouted in unison. Both were dressed in red clothing, with two guns, and a large knife.
Bob looked at the guns and stated, "Cool!" Turbo only shook his head.
"Take your defense position, 452, and return fire to the enemy."
"Yes sir!" Bob peeped over the edge of the barrier that was around them and tried to get a look at who he was shooting at.
"Ummm..Turbo? Which one is the User?" Bob asked.
"Believe me. You'll know him when ya see him."
Turbo raised his gun and opened fire on the enemies. Bob did the same.
They only quit when they saw no more shooting come from the opposite side. A white flag rose up where they could see it.
"452. You stay here while I go check out their fort. The User has to be here somewhere." He started to walk away.
"Turbo! Wait!" Bob shouted after him.
"What?"
"Something isn't right. It's quiet. Too quiet." Bob looked around like something was getting ready to attack him.
Turbo looked around also. Bob was right. Something was there. But he only figured out what it was when it was too late.
"Turbo!" Bob screamed, as he suddenly could no longer control his legs, he dove at the User.
A loud cracking noise that sounded like thunder, rang through the air.
The User scrambled to his feet, and raised his gun to Turbo, only to have it knocked away. Turbo punched him in the face then got out his own gun and deleted the User, winning the game.
As the cube left, Turbo ran over to Bob. He lay on his stomach, unmoving.
Turbo turned him on his back, and saw the gun-shot wound on his upper leg.
The young boy had taken a bullet for him, saving his life. It was something he could never repay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Turbo? You we're saying about some free space?" Phong reminded him.
Turbo shook out of his daze. "Oh, yes. I would appreciate it if your construction crew could build a command port and a home base into one building. Can you do it?"
"Yes, my son. I'm sure we can get it done." Phong paused before asking, "What do you need it for?"
Turbo sat down, and whispered his plan to Phong.
"Bob! You're awake!" Matrix almost tripped over a chair as he went to Bob.
"It's nice to see you too, Matrix," Bob grinned.
"How are you feeling?"
"Believe me, you don't wanna know." Bob tried to turn his head so he could see out the window, but gasped as pain shot through his neck, back, and shoulder.
"Forget that idea," Bob said sarcastically.
He turned his eyes toward Matrix. "How are the other Guardians doing?"
"They're okay. Some of 'em are still a bit dazed, but they'll be fine."
"That's good."
"Bob?"
"Yes Matrix?"
"There's something I don't get. How did you fight Daemon without being infected yourself?"
"Truly... I have no idea. I don't know what kept me from being infected. But I wish I did."
"Strange huh?" Matrix said.
"Really."
Bob looked at his arms. I.V.'s were attached to both of them.
"Umm...Dot? Do me a favor and find the doctor."
"Why? Are you okay?" She felt his forehead to see if he had a temperature.
"I want these things out of my arms."
"I don't blame you, Guardian," a one binome said from the door. It was Bob's doctor.
He looked at Bob. "Since you're not in a coma any more, I think we can take these out, but only if you drink plenty of liquids."
Dot turned her head, as he took the long needles out of Bob's arms. Bob couldn't stand watching either. He had to close his eyes before it made him sick.
"All done."
"Thanks Doc."
"If you need anything, the nurses' station is just down the hall. Someone will be in to check on you later."
Dot touched his hand. "Feel better now?"
"Yeah...I guess." Bob's stomach started to growl. "Why don't you order us a pizza? I'm starved!"
Dot giggled. "Will it bite me?"
"I don't think so," he said, almost bursting out in laughter. "Now how about that pizza?"
"Consider it done."
A nurse walked into the lobby where everyone was waiting.
"More of you can go in to see him. But we'd like it to stay only a maximum of six sprites in the room at once."
AndrAIa looked at Mouse and Ray. "Come on. Let's go see him." She stood up.
"We're right behind ya, sugah."
Phong watched them head toward Bob's room. "Turbo, why don't you go in and see him?"
Turbo nodded."Thanks."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frisket walked to Bob's bed-side and put his front feet up on the bed, so he could see Bob. He then laid his head down on top of Bob's hand and whined.
Bob slowly put his hand on Frisket's head, and scratched him behind the ear.
"I don't believe it!" Matrix said, completely stunned by the dog's actions.
Bob looked at Matrix. "I have to be dreaming, or Frisket has completely lost it." Bob was clearly dumbfounded by it himself.
Friscuit perked up his ears and licked Bob's hand.
"Maybe he just figured he'd give you a break for once," Dot giggled.
"Bob?"
Bob looked at the doorway. "Turbo! How are ya, buddy?"
"I was gonna ask ya th' same question. How are ya feelin'?"
"I'm okay, I guess."
Turbo walked over to Bob. "Bob. I just want ya ta know that was one of th' most random things ya could of ever done! You could of been deleted!"
Bob smiled. "I guess I am a bit random, aren't I?"
Turbo continued. "But it was also the bravest thing any Guardian has ever done. You don't act like just any Guardian...ya act like ah Prime Guardian."
"I wouldn't go that far, Turbo. I was just doing what I thought was right," Bob said.
"No. I mean it Bob. You have literally done the impossible!"
Phong rolled in the door. "He's right my son."
Dot and the others grinned at each other.
Turbo stood up straight. "Guardian 452..." He was interupted by a loud yell from the door.
"BOB!!!!" Little Enzo slid into the room."BOBAREYOUOKAY? YOUWERESOCOOL! YOUREALLYKICKEDTHATVIRUS'BITMAPACROSSMAINFRAME!"
"Enzo!" Dot scolded.
"Ahem." Turbo cleared his throat. "As I was saying. Guardian 452, you have showed the SuperComputer, Mainframe, and the Net your incredible skills. Your codes have proven ta be pure. You've followed your Guardian protocols and even used your own common sense when your programmin' didn't help you. I am truly very honored ta give this to you." Turbo looked at Copeland. "Copeland. Release icon."
A glass case appeared. Inside it, a new Guardian icon sparkled in the light.
Bob gasped. "But... but... if I accept, I'll have to go back to the SuperComputer. I'm not leaving Mainframe! Ever!"
"And you don't have to leave Mainframe. They are building a base for you here. I knew you wouldn't leave."
Matrix hugged AndrAIa, and smiled down at her.
"Guardian 452, do you accept the responsibilities and duties of a Prime Guardian?"
"But, Turbo, what about you?" Bob questioned.
"You deserve it more that me. I am very proud of you. Do you accept?"
"Yes."
"Give me your icon." Bob took his icon and handed it to Turbo. Turbo unlocked the glass case and took the icon out. He put Bob's icon over the new one.
"Download diversion 0.452." A shimmer of light engulfed the two icons. He turned to Bob. "As of now, you are Prime Guardian 452." He placed Bob's new guardian icon on Bob's chest.
A lot of clapping and hollering came from the door. The other guardians were crowded around the door.
Bob tried to sit up. Dot hugged him tight.
"Thanks Turbo."
"No. Thank you, Bob."
"Congratulations, mate."
"Thanks Surfer."
"WOW!" Enzo yelled. "THISISSOALPHANUMERIC! CANIBEAPRIMEGUARDIANTOO? HUH? CANI?"
Bob laughed."Maybe someday you will."
Bob turned his attention back to Turbo. "How many Guardians are left?"
"Less than half. Many were deleted by Daemon. But the others were just erased by stupid acts," Turbo said sadly.
A female Guardian pushed her way through the crowd of Guardians to Bob's room. She came through the door.
Bob looked at her open-mouthed."Be...Becca?" He stared at her, wondering if it could be who he wanted it to be.
"Bro!" She ran to him, and hugged him. "I was so worried about you! I heard about you and the web and I was afraid that...that.."
"I know. I thought you were gone too." A tear fell down Bob's cheek.
Dot looked at Becca. This girl looked almost identical to Bob, her long chrome hair tied back in a pony-tail.
"Sis. I want you to meet my friends. The big green fellow over there is Matrix. Next to him is AndrAIa. And, of course, you know Mouse."
"This is Ray sugah. My new boyfriend." Mouse snuggled up against Ray.
Becca couldn't help but giggle a little. As far as she could remember, Mouse had had more boyfriends than she could possibly count.
"And this," Bob looked at Dot, "is Dot Matrix: my girlfriend," Bob said lovingly.
Becca turned her head to look at Dot. Dot saw the same brown eyes Bob had, looking at her.
"It's nice to meet you." Dot held out her hand to shake. Becca took it gratefully.
"It's nice to know my little brother has good taste in girls." She smiled.
"Thanks." Dot blushed slightly.
Becca sighed. "My brother. A Prime Guardian. I never would have believed it!"
Bob raised his hand to his shoulder. The stitches were really starting to hurt.
"Bob? Is everything okay?" Dot asked.
"My shoulder hurts, but I'm okay." Bob gritted his teeth.
"You want an ice-pack? The doctor left one in case you wanted it."
"Yeah. That might help." Bob gritted his teeth even harder when Dot gently put the ice-pack on him, then he relaxed and closed his eyes.
"Bob?" Dot touched his arm. He opened his eyes.
"Sorry. It feels better." Bob laughed.
"Oh, you! You scared me!"
He patted her hand. "Guys? All of you are gonna stay here awhile aren't you?" Bob smiled strangely.
"Ah guess." Turbo responded.
"Good. Maybe I'll be outta here soon."
Becca noticed little Enzo looking at her.
"AreyoureallyBob'ssister? Youlookexactlylikehim!"
"Uhhh...I think I understood that. Yes I'm Bob's sister. Older sister."
Bob rolled his eyes. "Okay! Okay! So I'm the little brother! Big deal!" Bob smirked.
"Calm down little bro," Becca laughed.
"You just wait until I get out of here! I'll show you little brother!" Bob smiled.
"Alright Guardian. You can leave. Just get plenty of rest and don't do anything too strenuous."
"Don't worry Doc. I'll make sure of that," Dot grinned.
Bob scratched his side where his wounds were healing up.
Dot wrapped her arm around him and helped him to stand up. They, along with Matrix and the others, walked to the waiting room. There, Bob was greeted with a lot of cheering and whistling. They all congratulated him on becoming the new Prime Guardian.
Dot kept a grip on Bob's arm, even though it seemed he didn't need the support, she held on to him anyways.
Bob scratched his side again. "I wish they would stop itching!"
Dot giggled, and kissed Bob on his lower cheek."It'll go away soon."
"I sure hope so."
Dot tried to get everyone's attention. "Uh excuse me!" she yelled.
No one stopped talking.
"EXCUSE ME!" Still no reply.
Bob grinned. "This is how you get their attention. *ahem* VIRUS!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.
Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked around nervously.
"Thanks." Dot said, turning to the crowd of sprites and binomes. "If any of you want to come to the Diner, you're welcome to come!"
As everyone left the hospital, Bob and Dot were the last two to leave.
"Let's go by Floating Point Park before we go to the Diner, okay?" Bob looked at Dot, and took her hand in his.
"Sure."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bob and Dot walked down a sidewalk in Floating Point, admiring the beautiful array of flower programs growing beside the path. Ahead of them, a small stream with many different flower programs and trees grew alongside it. The steady stream of water hit against a few rocks making a peaceful splashing noise.
Dot turned around to face Bob. She took both of his hands. "You really scared me out there. I...I thought you had been...deleted." A tear rolled down her cheek as she crumpled against his chest. They stood there, Dot hugging his middle. He was more solid than she remembered, and she could listen to all his inner parts: his heart beating in double thumps, his lungs filling in rhythm with hers.
Bob tilted back from her and slid his hands back alongside her cheeks, wiping away the tears.
"It's okay. It's all over now." Bob kissed her tenderly.
"I don't know what I'd do with out you," Dot said softly.
"Dot there's something, I need to tell you." He coaxed her to sit on the park bench behind them.
"What is it Bob?" Dot looked at him, slightly puzzled. He had the strangest look in his eyes.
"Dot. We've been through so much in the past few cycles." Bob felt as if he was completely dumb. His mind had suddenly gone blank. How many times he had rehearsed this moment, then forget what to say. "I love you more than life itself." He looked directly into her eyes. As if by some strange force, the words all came back to him. He took a deep breath.
"Dot will you...." He was suddenly cut off by a vid-window.
"Dot, my child. I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow you have a buisness conference to attend," Phong said.
Dot looked over at Bob, who looked slightly distressed."Okay...Thanks Phong." The vid-window shut.
Dot looked back up but Bob was no longer in front of her. He was staring blankly at a huge pile of leaves. He turned around and fell back into the leaves.
He sprawled comfortably. The leaves crackled with every breath he took. Dot got up from the bench, and sat next to him, cross-legged, looking down into his face.
"Bob. Is something wrong?"
He grinned at her. He had to. It seemed like every time he found the courage to tell her, *Something* had to happen. He grinned even wider. He almost started thinking he was going random sometimes because he would just suddenly burst out laughing when he was on verge of telling Dot something then get interrupted. He couldn't bare it any longer, he started to laugh a little.
Dot stared at him."What? What's so funny?"
He laughed and laughed, put both hands around her, and pulled her down into the leaves with him.
The kiss was long.And serious.
She stared, amazed, at Bob's cheek, which was pressed against hers. She brought her lips together to kiss him again. She could feel his heart racing and could feel her own pick up speed and run with his.
Very slowly her hands crept around his face, finding the back of his neck where his hair lay thick over the pulse. His hand, soft-surfaced, gently touched her face. With the pad of his thumb he traced her profile.
She looked at him.His eyes shined in the light. She moved back to his side. Bob grinned once again.
He was going to say it whether it sounded right or not.
"Dot. Will you marry me?" He almost choked. 'I got it out! Finally!' He thought.
He brought out a small black box.He opened it to reveal a gold banded ring with a large diamond in the center and several tiny ones around it.
She clasped her hand over her mouth, tears falling down her cheeks like a river that had flooded, and was overflowing.
Dot took the black box in a shaky hand. She marveled at the sparkling ring. Without any warning she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly.
"Of course I'll marry you!" she said while weeping.
"Hey guys! Guess what?" Bob was excited, and he knew Dot was too by the way she was acting.
"What is it Bro?" Becca asked him. Everyone looked at Bob and Dot, waiting for an answer.
"You wanna tell them Dot?" Bob almost laughed as he looked at Dot.
"You tell'em," she giggled into Bob's shoulder.
"Well what is it?!" Matrix asked impatiently.
"Dot and I are getting married."
Becca leaped at her brother and sister-to-be, hugging them both tightly.
"I can't believe it!! I just never would have believed it!! My brother is getting married!!" she said, still hugging Bob and Dot's necks.
"So ya two are finally gettin' hitched?" Mouse grinned.
"It's about time! I didn't think you two were ever going to tie the knot!!" Matrix laughed.
"WOW!!!! Yourgonnabemybrotherinlaw!!Thatssocool!!"Enzo said in his normal hyper way.
Dot grinned and nuzzled up to Bob's neck. Bob in turn, wrapped his arms around her waist affectionately.
"So..When is this special occasion gonna take place, mates?" Ray asked.
"We haven't really worked that out yet." Bob smiled, but his smile quickly faded as an all too familiar voice boomed from above.
WARNING INCOMING GAME. WARNING INCOMING GAME.
Bob looked at Dot and at the others. "Come on. Let's get this over with." Dot hugged Bob.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"ReBoot!!" everyone yelled in unison.
"Interesting." Dot looked at her clothes which were short blue jean shorts and a tank top shirt.
"This is nice." Bob was in nothing but a tattered pair of shorts and had a gun slung casually across his back.
The others had on things similar.
"Hmmm...I think I've played this game." Bob looked around seeing the the tropical trees and different varieties of flowers that that covered the ground and the trees.
He picked a beautiful red flower off a tree and walked up to Dot, put it in her hair, then smiled.
Dot blushed then kissed his cheek.
"Okay. So what's the objective of the game?" Matrix asked, watching Dot and Bob's display of affection for one another.
"We take out the user before he kills us. It's just a normal typical game." Bob replied.
"Anything we need to watch out for besides the user?"
Bob turned back to Dot. "If I'm correct, there should be a snare trap around here som...AUGHHHH!" A rope wrapped around Bob's ankles and pulled him upside down, leaving him dangling from a tree.
Dot covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
"Well, I said there was a trap here but I didn't auctually say I knew where it was!" Bob joked.
Enzo looked at Bob. "Cool! Can I do that too!? Can I please?"
"Maybe later Enzo," Bob struggled to get down. "Umm...could somebody cut me down? All the energy is starting to rush to my head and doesn't really feel too good."
"Sure thing Bro. I'll have you down in a nanosecond," Becca spoke to her key-tool. "Java! Cutter!"
The key-tool complied and snapped the the rope into with one swipe, then returned to her arm band.
"AHHH OOF!" Bob hit the ground with a loud *THUD*.
"Oh yeah. Thanks a lot Becca," he said sarcastically.
"Anytime."
"Come on ya'll. Let's get ta huntin' fer the user." Mouse pulled out a katana and cut vines and small shrubs as they walked though the jungle.
Bob heard something hiss, and stopped momentarily. Looking around, he saw nothing. Bob noticed a green vine hanging infront of his face that wasn't there a few nanos before.
Bob's eyes went wide when he noticed the vine had two slitted eyes and a mouth filled with very large fangs.
"HOLY BITMAPS!" Bob ducked and almost ran over Dot trying to get away from the large snake.
It fell out of the tree and slithered away to find something different to prey on, maybe something smaller perhaps.
They all stopped when they came to a huge cliff over-looking a very large waterfall. They had to talk loud to hear each other over the loud rumbling of the falling water.
"Where do we go from here, Bob?" AndrAIa noticed there was no other way to go but across to the other side, and there was no bridge across.
"You're not going anywhere!" A voice yelled from behind the sprites.
"Oh I think we are!" Bob yelled, pulling out his gun the game provided and aimed at the user.
The user immediatly grabbed for Dot and held her to the edge of the cliff.
"You're not going anywhere!" The user repeated once again. Pushing Dot closer to the edge.
The user, by making Dot go closer to the edge, had also made himself closer to the edge.
Bob took aim and fired, sending the User and Dot over the edge.
"BOB! HELP ME!"
"DOT!!" Bob dashed to the edge of the cliff and grabbed Dot's hand before she plunged into the swift waterfall below. His breath almost caught in his throat, as his hand grasped hers, thankful she didn't fall.
He took a breath and pulled her up, hugging her so tight, that when he sat her down, Dot thought her eyes would pop out.
Bob wondered why the game had not ended, then he heard why.
"You're not going anywhere!!" Bob grabbed his gun the game gave him, and took aim at the branch below them that the user was holding tightly to.
"You're not going anywhere!!" The user screamed louder.
"But you are!" Bob pulled the trigger, blowing the limb to pieces, and sending the User to deletion.
GAME OVER.
Bob found himself being hugged and kissed by Dot.
"Thank you for saving me handsome." Dot giggled and snuggled against his chest.
Matrix smiled at the two lovers, then turned his attention to AndrAIa who was staring at him.
"What?"
"I'm just glad to see you happy, Sparky." Matrix walked over to her and put his arm around her waist, and started walking back to the Diner with the others.
Bob and Dot stopped as a vid-window opened in front of them, Phong filled the screen. Bob noticed the old sprites facial expression was one of happiness. It made Bob wonder why.
"Bob, my son. I need you here at the Principle Office." Phong looked at Dot." I need you here as well."
"We're on our way." The vid-window closed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Wow!" Was all the two sprites could say as they looked at the new Read Only room.
"When the user restarted, he must of updated this as well." Bob noticed, unlike before, it now had many more commands for use. Anti-virus programs, bug erase commands, fixes for software glitches, more and more things were discovered as they looked.
"I am very pleased with this new update. We have been needing this for some time now." Phong added.
The Command.com and Prime Guardian still looked around, finding new things.
Dot's mind suddenly got sidetracked from the P.O. She turned to Bob who was looking at the Anti-virus programs. She hooked one of her arms around his.
Bob looked at her funny, and raised a brow.
"When do you think we should set a date?" Dot smiled at him, and gave him a playful nudge in the stomach.
"Young love." Phong whispered and smiled as he watched them.
"Hmmm...I don't know? When do you think would be a good time?" Bob asked.
"How about a week before Christmas? We could have a White wedding! It'll be so beautiful, everything in white!" Dot caught herself day-dreaming about their wedding, and noticed Bob staring at her.
"Well? What do you think?" Dot asked again.
With a smile, Bob answered. "That sounds like a great idea. One thing though, that means we'll be getting married next week!! We need to get arrangements set up!" Bob pointed out.
"Well, it looks like we have our work cut out for us then, don't we?" She laughed.
"Phong? Would you do the honours of marrying us?" Bob asked.
"I would be more than happy to my children."
"Thank you Phong. This means a lot to us." Dot looked at Phong, then back at Bob and winked.
Bob took a deep breath, and chuckled."I guess we better get busy then, huh?
Mike the TV suddenly appeared out of know where.
"I'll do the cake!! I can make you a dress!! I can make you a Tux!! And I can do it all for one low price of $99.99.99!!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
The End?
I don't think so!!