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Mainframe has changed so much since the guardian disappeared. I'm not even sure what happened to him, but from Enzo's reaction, I know it was bad. The city is now under Megabyte's rule, and I fear for my friend's safety. He is so young, but he is driven to race to the games and defend the people. I still think that guardian was a bad influence on his young mind.
I watch him now as he talks with his sister. We are inside the Priciple Office, our only refuge in this twisted nightmare. AndrAIa stands by Enzo, listening to his words. She loves him very much. Sometimes I think she is taking him away from me, but I must not let myself think that way. She is a very special friend to the boy. Without her, Bob's loss might have been even more devastating. I can only offer so much comfort without the aid of words.
The warning voice indicates a game is decending on the city. I join Enzo and AndrAIa as they happily bound up the steps to leave. I can't help but notice the strained look on Dot's face as I pass. I give an excited bark as we head out, but there is always the worry and doubt hiding beneath my happy facade. We ride to the game in Bob's beat up old car. How ironic. I hope this is not a bad omen. I act happy anyway, not wanting my doubts to darken Enzo's mood.
Once inside the game, Enzo finds we may be in over our heads. It's a fighting game, but we are not in control. This is not good. Enzo instructs AndrAIa to take me with her and choose a character. I don't like the idea, but I go along anyway. Once ReBooted, the girl and I are encased in some sort of glass holding. I watch carefully, as does Enzo, while the User dispathces game sprite after game sprite. Enzo seems calm and collected. I have a bad feeling resting in my stomache.
Finally it's Enzo's turn. He fights well. Both
User and Enzo win one round. The last is the decider. Enzo seems a bit
drawn now. I hope he can win. Then the unthinkable happens. Enzo is hurt
badly by a slash from the User. I see his pain and I growl and throw myself
at the glass window. I have to help him! But I am trapped. AndrAIa and
I watch horrified as the User finishes him off. Griefstricken, I let AndrAIa
tap my icon. I care not what happens to me now. My only friend is gone.
As the computer states the game is at an end, I swear I can here the far
off laugh of the virus.
Addendum
"Frisket, cut it out," he muttered, trying to push me away. I backed up and wagged my tail, gazing at my friend. He was alive and whole, except for his eye. I whined softly and looked to AndrAIa. She could only shrug and return my worried gaze. Then I remembered where we were. Inside the game. The same game that took Enzo's eye. I growled and turned to face the User. It wasn't using the same character as last time. He had chosen a normal looking one. I barked savagely, bringing AndrAIa's attention to our surroundings. She came to stand beside me, a determined look on her small face.
"All right, Frisket. Let's win this game."
We chose the same characters as last time so I could particapate. I waited eagerly for the User to choose us. When it did, I showed no mercy. I took the User down with a crushing bite. That won us the first round. AndrAIa refused to be left out. She rushed in with her swords and slashed away at our opponent in round two. I stood close by, making sure the User never laid a hand on her. Finally the User was defeated, and AndrAIa quickly changed our icons back to normal. She rushed to Enzo to make sure he had changed his also. The game lifted, and we found ourselves in a foreign system. Enzo stood up and looked around with his one good eye.
"Where are we, Enzo?" AndrAIa asked.
"I...don't know," he answered slowly.
We definately weren't in Mainframe anymore, that was for sure. But where ever we were, I was sure we would be fine. Enzo was with me, and that was all that mattered.