A/N: I do apologize that this chapter is two months overdue. A space-time concept I wanted to use in this chapter didn't fit, but it will fit and be used in the next chapter, which will be posted soon! Sorry for the wait! Please enjoy!
Chapter 7: Old faces, New Allies?
'With the team split up and Future Inez's existence at stake, Digit has got to find Inez and fast!'
Parts of Future Inez have begun fading and with Inez missing from the group, she could fade away forever if Inez isn't found and reunited with the team in time!"
Matt and Jackie turn to future Inez and notices that her arms and hands are becoming transparent.
"I'm fading away!" Future Inez panics. "This could only mean one thing and that's…"
"Inez is in trouble!" Matt finishes her sentence. "The smallest thing from the past can change the future dramatically and in this case, Inez missing from our group."
"I hope Digit finds her and fast!" Jackie adds into the panicking, now noticing Future Inez's legs becoming transparent.
"Ok we've got to calm down and get it together." Future Inez says as she begins calming her nerves. "I'm sure Digit will find Inez any time now, but until then, we have got to come up with a plan to stop Hacker from taking over cyberspace. That's our main focus right now."
"But what will happen to you?" Jackie questions with concern. "What if while we're coming up this plan, you fade away completely?"
"If that were to happen, then it's up to you two to take hacker down." Future Inez replies calmly. "Gather as many alias as you can to stop him, but the future must be saved if any of you want a chance at a good future."
"I wonder what future me is like." Matt begins wondering.
"If we don't stop Hacker in time, then you'll never find out!" Jackie snaps.
"I'll be ok for the most part, no need to worry." Future Inez says, completely ignoring her right hand, which is coming transparent.
"Ok, if you're sure." Matt simply says.
"Ok, here's the plan." Future Inez begins. "We have to infiltrate Sam's castle, which is where Hacker is staked out. In order to look for the others and free them, we would either have to lure him out of the castle or get in around him unseen. How we're going to do that? There are a number of secret passages into Sam's castle that we can use to get in without being seen."
"Where the passages exactly?" Matt questions.
"Well, there's one around the back of the castle, one on the right side in the tulip bush, one on the left in the thorn bush, and the other is underground." Future Inez answers. "The passage underground, that's the one we'll be taking to get into the castle. It's the fastest way in and we'll end up at our destination a lot quicker. After we get in, we look for the others, free them and together, we will stop Hacker's plan to destroy Cyberspace! However, it won't be as easy as me explaining it. This is going to take following my every word to the letter. We only get one chance at this therefore, can't afford any slip ups."
"But what if Hacker's henchmen are waiting by any of these secret passages?" Jackie inquires. "We could get caught and everything we planned for will be all for not."
"Not exactly Jackie." Future Inez says, now reaching into her bag and pulling out a small device and bringing it into view. "If any of Hacker's henchmen are by the passage way that we have chosen, I'll simply smoke them out and at the same time, smoke us in using this."
"Hey, is there a possibility that I can have one of those when we head back to the present?" Matt questions. "I really hate gym class and by using one of those, I could easily sneak out of class without being seen by the coach. He's too tough for my liking."
"We'll see Matt." Future Inez replies, slightly laughing at Matt's request. "You know, Inez is very lucky to be your girlfriend in the future."
"Inez is my what in the future?" Matt asks, making sure he heard Future Inez correctly. "Did you say she was my girlfriend?"
Now realizing what she said, Future Inez smiles nervously as she begins searching for words to retract what she just said.
"I mean, Inez will be very lucky to be your best friend in the future." Future Inez says, retracting her previous statement. "Yes that's it, you two will be the very best of friends."
"No, you just said Inez will be my girlfriend in the future." Matt replies with a smile coming to his face.
"No I didn't." Future Inez retorts. "I said you two would be best friends in the future."
"Yes, you did." Matt argues.
"No I didn't." Future Inez argues back.
"You just said it!" Matt continues.
"No I didn't!" Future Inez continues as well.
"No, you specifically said that Inez and Matt will be together in the future." Jackie adds in and corrects. "Congratulations Matt! I always knew you two would end up together!"
Matt's smile gets wider, now knowing what the future holds for him and his secret crush. He now has something great to look forward to in the future.
"Me and Inez." Matt says, his smile unmoving as he begins staring off into space. "Inez."
"Ok, we have to get moving now if we ever hope to stop Hacker and save the future so you and Inez can be best friends in the future." Future Inez speaks up. "Just best friends."
"No, we'll be together." Matt corrects. "My Inez."
Rolling her eyes, Future Inez grabs Matt by the shoulders as the three begins making their way to Sam's castle.
The Safety Shelter
In the shelter, Shakiah is filling Inez in on what's going on while Sam is lying unconscious on the ground in front of them.
"So when I arrived here, Sam told me about what was going on." Shakiah continues. "He said something about this cyborg named Hacker, trying to take over cyberspace. He crushed my plane when I arrived here, which means I'm stuck here until Hacker is defeated. No telling how long that is going to take, but Sam assured me that you and your friends will handle Hacker."
"Yep, Sam filled you in on what was going on exactly." Inez replies. "And he was very informative about assuring you that me and my friends were going to handle things. Except there's only one problem with that, I was separated from my friends when we first arrived here. No telling where they are on this site and I was lucky to run into you when I did, but even without me, I know my friends will take care of Hacker."
"And Sam informed of this as well." Shakiah continued. "Hacker is looking you and has his henchmen searching all over the site for you."
"But why?" Inez questions. "Sam began telling me before he suddenly changed, but never really did finish his sentence."
"Well, from what is understood is that Hacker wants to make sure none of you stand in his way of becoming the next ruler of cyberspace." Shakiah explains. "Also, he feels that with you out here, you are a big threat to him and his plans to take over cyberspace and that you will ultimately stop him. So he wants you found at all costs to prevent that."
"Wait a minute, Hacker's not looking for me, he's looking for my future self." Inez says, realization now hitting her. "So with the two of us on this site, he could very catch us both not knowing which one is which! This is not good, this is not good at all!"
Shakiah now gives Inez a confused look, hearing what she just said.
"Did you say he's looking for your future self?" Shakiah asks.
"That's right." Inez replies. "I'm from the present, but was brought here by my future self to stop Hacker. The plan originally was to stop him in the present, but that didn't work out which is why we are all here."
"That would explain so much." Shakiah says.
"However, I'm still wondering why Sam changed on me the way he did." Inez says, now turning to Sam. "He told me the last time I was here, he was done dealing with Hacker and have cut all ties to him."
"I feel that Sam's transformation has something to do with the dark force that has taken over this site." Shakiah replies. "From what Sam informed of me as well is that in the core of this site is a dark force that has the ability to transform even the kindest of person into an evil being. I had no idea about it and if I would have known that sooner, I would have encouraged Sam to come live on Romulus with me."
"Or turn the most evil cyborg into a power siphoning demon." Inez adds in. "And in Hacker's case, nothing has changed."
"Sam assured me that he wouldn't let anything happen to you as to why he risked his life to go out and find you." Shakiah says, now turning to Sam. "Even though things turned out quite badly, he was still brave in his attempt."
"Yes he was." Inez replies.
"With Hacker after you, well your future self, Sam and I will make sure that you are reunited with your friends and that he doesn't get a hold of either you or your future self." Shakiah says. "I believe that you and your friends have what is takes to take Hacker down! He doesn't stand a chance."
"Thanks Shakiah." Inez smiles.
Before Shakiah can reply to Inez, a groan now comes from the sleeping Sam, which catches Inez and Shakiah's attention. Continuing to groan, Sam now sits up and spots Inez and Shakiah staring at him.
"What happened and where am I?" Sam questions, now turning from the two as he looks around. "And why do I have such a massive headache?"
"That headache of yours is all thanks to me." Shakiah replies. "And you're back in the safety shelter Sam."
"How'd I end up back here?" Sam questions once more. "The last thing I remember was talking to Inez before I blacked out."
"Well, after telling me you were going to help me and then threatened to take me to Hacker, Shakiah knocked you out, which would explain your headache." Inez answers the confused prince. "After that, we both carried you back here. Sam how could you do that to me after telling me you were through with Hacker?"
"Inez, I am so sorry and I am totally through with Hacker." Sam sincerely apologizes. "I don't know what came over me, but just know I didn't mean to hurt you in any way. Could you ever forgive me for my foolish actions?"
Not knowing whether to say yes or no, Inez gazes into Sam's crystal blue orbs. She can see the sincerity in his eyes, which is doing the pleading for forgiveness for him. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, a small smile crosses Inez's face as she nods.
"I forgive you Sam." Inez finally speaks. "I know that you would never do anything to hurt me."
"Oh thank you Inez!" Sam cheers as he pulls her into a hug. "That means a lot to me."
"I knew you would come to your senses eventually Sam." Shakiah says.
Sam now loosens his embrace on Inez and gazes into her eyes.
"You mean a lot to me Inez and I wouldn't do anything to hurt you." Sam says with assurance as he hugs Inez once more. "Since the first day we met, I knew that we would be best friends forever."
Inez returns the hug.
Sam now loosens his embrace as he turns to his sister.
"Since we've returned to this shelter, you two haven't run into any trouble have you?" Sam questions.
"None so far." Shakiah replies.
"Good, which means we have a chance to come up with a plan to get Inez back with her friends and to stop Hacker from destroying my home." Sam says, now taking a seat across from the two. "So what did I miss while I was asleep?"
"Shakiah was just filling me in on why Hacker is after me and what you've told her so far about hacker." Inez replies.
"Anything else?" Sam asks.
"Nope." Inez simply answers.
Ok." Sam says. "Here's what I say we do. Huddle up ladies."
Shakiah and Inez now huddle up as Sam begins explaining what the three will do about Hacker.
The skies of Sector
Digit is still continuing on his search for Inez as he flies carefully through the dark skies of Sector. With his cyber optic goggles on so he can pick up on Inez's body outline and heat, Digit's focus is on the ground, making sure he doesn't miss Inez.
"Come on Inez, where are you?" Digit asks, continuing to search for her. "I know you're around here somewhere."
Continuing his flight search, Digit's cyber optics goggles now picks up on 3 body outlines and the body heat to go with those outlines. A small meter and statistics now appears the on the right lens of the goggles, informing Digit of what was found. The meter and statistics read out: Life forms found! Identification: Prince Sam, Princess Shakiah and Inez Garcia! Location: Woods Of Sector! Here are the directions to the location!
The directions to the three are now given on the left lens of the goggles.
"Perfect and just what I've been looking for!" Digit cheers. "Hold on Inez, I'm coming!"
With the directions, Digit now picks up his flight speed as he begins heading in the direction given.
Else Where On Sector
Future Inez, Matt, and Jackie have made their way through the grounds of Sector without being detected by Hacker's henchmen and have arrived at Sam's castle. Quietly sneaking up to the right side of the castle, the three now lean against the wall of the castle with Future Inez reaching into her bag and pulling out her miniature smoke bombs.
"Now that we've reached the castle, now what do we do?" Matt whispers to Future Inez.
"Well, now we find the doorway leading to the underground passage into the castle." Future Inez answers in a whispers. "I have my smoke bombs in case we need them."
Jackie, who has began looking for the passageway in, now passes a window and catches a glimpse of what's going on in the front room of the castle. Taking a step back, Jackie discretely peeks into the window, making sure she isn't seen by any security or henchmen that may walk by. Now getting a full view of what is going on inside, Jackie's eyes goes wide. From what she sees, Matt's future self, her future self, and Dr. Marbles are locked in a cybernetic prison and Digit is locked away in a cyber cage.
"Guys, Come quick!" Jackie calls out to Matt and Future Inez in a whisper. "You are not going to believe what I just found!"
Hearing Jackie call out to them, Matt and Future Inez rush to Jackie's side as she points to the window, indicating to them to look inside. Future Inez and Matt's eyes go wide at what they see.
"Well at least we know where the others are, so the mystery of where they might be in the castle has been solved." Matt says. "Now it's a matter of getting inside to rescue them. Hey, I don't look half bad 3 years from now."
"That eliminates one of our problems." Future Inez whispers. "My matt and the others will be free soon. That's a promise."
"So Inez and I do end up together in the future!" Matt silently cheers. "Yes! I knew it!"
"Ok, yes you two do end up together, but that's the only thing you're going to know about the future for now." Future Inez replies to Matt. "I can't reveal any more information as I have said too much already. Now, take these you two and make sure when using these, you are precise as we don't get a second chance with this plan."
Matt and Jackie now take 3 each of the miniature smoke bombs from Future Inez.
"Alright, time to put our plan into action." Future Inez whispers with a nod.
Just as the Future Inez, Matt, and Jackie are about to infiltrate the castle, a dark shadow now approaches the group and speaks.
"Hey, do you guys need a hand?" The shadow asks, now getting the attention of the 3.
Matt, Future Inez, and Jackie turn to the shadow and get into the fighting position incase its one of hacker's minions.
The dark shadow now steps into the light with everyone now knowing who spoke to them. Jackie's eyes go wide at the sight of the person in front of them.
"Is that.." Matt begins.
"Slider?" Future Inez finishes Matt's thought.
Jackie's wide eyes now change to hearts as she keeps her focus on Slider.
"In the flesh." Slider replies. "So, is there anything I can do to help?"
Wait a minute! Slider? Where did he come from? Has he been affected by the dark force and really offering to help the three out or is it a trick? Will Prince Sam's plan work for reuniting Inez with her friends and stopping Hacker? Will Digit be successful in his directions to find Inez? Will anyone and everyone stop trying to take over Cyberspace? These questions and more will be answered in the next chapter of The Genesis Of Cyberspace! Next chapter: Mecha-Hacker's plan is revealed and Slider's intentions are revealed as well!
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