NOTE: This fanfic starts just before Mainframe reboots. I wasn't sure of their exact words, so this is an interpretation of what happened. This fanfic is written from BOB's viewpoint, as though he's narrating the story. So there are his thoughts and his narration. When the text is italicized, it's someone's (most likely Bob's) thoughts.
Click on the new Dot Matrix and Macro Matrix to see an edited image and short summary of their character to give you a general idea of what they look like.
"What have we done?" Matrix' voice echoed throughout the principal office as he say the game cube land on Mainframe.
"Hopefully when the system crashes, the User will reboot and all will be restored back to normal. It's our only hope." I looked over at Dot, then the rest of the group. I knew it was risky but what else could we do? Mainframe was to far destroyed to restore. All that was left was the Principal office, a few scattered remains of sectors, and it's occupants.
We waited in silence for the game cube to finish, some giving meaningful looks at each other as though to say goodbye.
"Game Over. User Wins." Those words ripped through my being. It was my protocol to prevent such things as this, but I put my faith in the User.
"Warning. System Shutdown. Warning. System Shutdown." I could hear all the remaining citizens screaming in horror and fear. Some clutching to others, some panicking, and some were just silent.
I walked over towards Dot, and tried to express my feelings, but I was too overpowered by emotion. We reached for each other's hand when everything seemed to freeze except me. I looked around as I saw everyone in fear, then I saw Dot. Her timid smile was all I needed to know everything would be all right. Then things went black.
I felt all the colors begin to swirl together as though they were one and the same. I was the exception in a lost world. All my senses were heightened for a brief moment, allowing me to live in a world where fear ruled supreme. There were no other people around me, just my loneliness. I thought that the system had rebooted, and this was all that was left. And unusable area of wasted space, where I was the only survivor. I felt grief. All my loved ones were gone forever. And Dot, would never know how I felt about her. Just as I was about to breakdown into tears, I felt the colors being sucked into an abyss of darkness. My body felt immense pressure as I was sucked through. For one instant all colors were blinding bright, then darkness.
* * *
As my eyes opened, I saw her lovely face peering at me. I gave a warm smile as I called her name. "Dot." Her concerned and worried face turned puzzled and confused.
"How do you know my name?"
"What do you mean? It's me; Bob."
"I'm sorry but you must have me mistaken for somebody else. I don't know you."
"What? I don't understand. We went through the rebooting and now here we are. Together again."
"Just lie down. You've bumped your head, and you've been unconscious for several seconds."
"What? No. I don't -"
"Please."
How can I say no to her? I just don't understand what's going on. Why doesn't she remember me? Did the rebooting affect her memory or something? She's still the same Dot I always knew...yet...she did look different. Her eyes, her face, they were all the same, but her hair was a little longer, and rougher. Now that I think about it, her outfit was slightly different too. It was more or less the same as her black suit from before the reboot, but it was darker, and she didn't carry any weapons, or a communicator. Maybe this isn't Dot. Maybe I'm in a whole new system of some sort. But she did admit to her name being Dot.
Before I could continue my train of thought, all went black again. Apparently I had fallen asleep, but when I woke up again, there were her beautiful eyes staring at me again.
"Dot."
"How is it that you know my name, stranger?"
"Stranger?"
"I'm sorry, I guess you're not quite back up to speed yet. But don't worry. I'll help you get better." She gave me a warm smile to reassure me, but I was still confused.
"But -"
"Now...Bob, right?"
"Yeah, --"
"Do you remember anything at all? What happened? Where you came from? Why you're here? How you know my name?"
"What do you mean? We've known each other for hours!"
"I'm sorry, but I'm not who you think I am. Maybe we look the same, but my name is Dot -"
"Matrix."
"Yes...How did you know? Have you been following me? Did the Guardians send you!"
"What? Well...I suppose you could say that."
"Out!"
"Wait a micro."
"Get out of my apartment now! I don't care how much money my brother owes you! I'm not responsible for him, so find someone else to collect from!"
"Money?"
"Now!"
"Wait, wait, wait a nano right there! I don't know anything about any money."
"What? But you said Guardians sent you. What business would you have with me? Unless Matrix has done something else! Like I said before, I'm not responsible for him, so you better leave."
"Matrix! Enzo is around here?"
"Enzo? I think we're talking about two different people here. My brother's name is Macro. Macro Matrix. Do you know him?"
"Macro? I don't know anyone named Macro, except...Nah, you wouldn't know him. But your brother is Enzo Matrix, not Macro."
"I think I know what his name is. Listen buster, either you tell me why you're here or you leave right now before I make more trouble then you can handle!"
"Alright, alright. If we have to do it this way, fine." It didn't make any sense, but I figured it would be safer this way, maybe it would even jog her memory a bit. "I come from the Net. Through systems, peoples, and cities, to this place; Mainframe. My format; Guardian 452, to mend and defend. To defend the citizens. Their hopes and dreams. To defend them from their enemies."
"Yeah right! And I'm a user!"
"I'm serious! My friends call me Bob. Don't you remember me."
"No I don't remember you, or believe you. For three reasons. One. Guardians don't defend anyone or anything, except themselves and their property. Two. No guardian number is that short. My brother is Guardian 58733219. Guardians with that short of a name are extinct. And three. You look too friendly to be evil."
"Evil? I don't know what you're talking about. Guardians are here to help people against viruses and whatever enemies pop up. Our names aren't that long, and -"
"Yeah right! Maybe weeks ago things were like that, but not anymore! What are you?"
"Weeks? What hour is it?"
"It's 101110 111000. Why?"
"No! It can't be!"
"What? What's wrong?"
"It was only 011111 001111 before we rebooted! It can't be! No!"
"Are you trying to tell me that you've been asleep for a month!"
"Yes! No! I don't understand! Last I knew it was a month ago, and we had just rebooted, and now it's a month later! That's why everything is so weird! It can't be true! I don't believe it! I don't believe you! I need to see the Command.Com! Or better yet, I need to see Phong! Someone who can tell me what's happened!"
"Phong? Command.Com? There's nobody named that around here. Where are you from?"
"No Command.Com? Then who's in charge of Mainframe?"
"The Guardians. If I remember correctly a couple of weeks ago, Guardians got rid of the Command.Com's and replaced them with a Guardian to watch over the system. We haven't had one in so long; most people don't even know what one is. No one's ever seen one. Except..."
"Except?"
"The Chip! He's been around longer then you have! He'll be able to tell us what happened to you! Let's go!"
"The chip?"
"Yeah. It's what's left of an old Binome. It was preserved for the Guardians. This way they could have accurate information of the past. Magnets! The chip is guarded 24-7, so there's no way in!"
"Are you sure? I have to get in there!"
"Well...I could ask my brother, Macro. He's head of security, but we don't exactly get along."
"You have to ask! It's the only way I'll be able to figure out what's happened to me. To Mainframe."
"Alright. I'll ask, but you have to rest for a while. I don't want you to faint later on. Ok?"
I smiled at her caring face, and nodded. I know that she isn't my Dot, but they're so much alike. My only hope to make sense of this crazy dream is to talk to this "Chip". Even then, he might not know what's happened. How could a millenium go by without anyone noticing?
Just then, the door slammed open, and a sprite burst forth. He was wearing a Guardian's outfit, but he looked just like Matrix, if he hadn't lost his other eye, and his skin was a more bluish color.
"Dot! You gotta hide me! They're after me again!"
"Macro! I'm not responsible for your foolish actions! You better leave before you get me in trouble for harboring a fugitive! Get out!"
"Come on Dot! You wouldn't turn out family! I'll owe you a big favor if you help me out just this once! Please" Macro gave a Dot a puppy dog face that could melt a null.
"No Macro! I won't -"
"Dot! Help him out here, and then maybe he can help us." I gave Dot a wink and a nod, hoping she would understand.
"Who's this! What are you doing in my sister's apartment? And on her bed!"
"Macro! It's not what you think!"
"If you've touched even a hair of hers, I'll kill you!" Macro lunged for my throat. In the nick of time I shot out an energy beam that blasted him away from me.
"Macro! Leave him alone! He's just a friend! I'll help you out this time, but you have to do me a favor as well! Agreed?"
"Agreed." Macro gave a low growl in my direction.
"Open up! This is the Mainframe Authorities! If you do not obey, we will be forced to break down your down! You have until the count of ten! 1!"
"Macro! Hide!"
"2!"
"Where?"
"Uh..."
"3!"
"In the closet!"
"4!"
"No way! That'll be the first place they look!"
"5!"
"Then get in the cupboard under the sink!"
"6!"
"Ok!"
"7!"
"You too Bob!"
"8!"
"Ugh! I can't stand up!"
"9!"
"Oh no! Ok, just stay there, and play along!"
"10! Open up lady! Men! Arm your blasters!"
"I'm here! I'm here!" Dot opened the door just before one of the blasters went off.
"What took you so long?"
"I was, uh...busy?"
"I'm sure you were...Busy hiding your brother! Now where is he? Your brother, Macro Matrix! Guardian 58733219! Where is he? We traced his PID to this room!"
I heard Macro swear to himself softly, and I'm pretty sure that he changed his icon into sprite mode.
"Uh, sir."
"What is it, 37902716?"
"We just lost him."
"What do you mean "We just lost him"!?"
"He's no longer on the screen. He's gone sir."
"Then find him! He must be on this apartment somewhere! I know you hid him here!"
"It's true that he was here, but I sent him out the backdoor. I will not be a part of his problems! He's not in this house! I you don't believe me, fine. But if you continue to search without a warrant, I will have you charged!"
The binome hesitated for a few moments before it backed away.
"Alright Miss Matrix! We'll go this time, but if we find out that you've been lying to us, we will have you charged and thrown in jail so fast, it'll make your head spin!" As they left, Dot closed the door and quickly returned to the bedroom to find Macro and me.
"Bob!" She looked around the room, not finding me anywhere in sight. "Bob? Macro! Get out now! They're gone!"
"Thank the User! I was starting to get cramped up in that little cupboard of yours! They almost found me too! Hey? Where's your friend?"
"I don't know! He was here a nano ago! Where could he have gone?"
"Mmmpdfgh."
"Did you hear something, Dot?"
"Yeah..."
"Mmmfdhsppr!"
"It sounds like it's coming from my closet!" she slid the door open, and I fell out onto the ground.
"Bob! What were you doing in there?"
"I heard them coming so I scrambled over there to hide."
"But why? They're after to Macro, not you. Or are you also hunted by the guardians?"
"I'm not sure..."
"What do you mean you're not sure?"
"I was...But since the time change, I don't know anymore."
"If you're a fugitive, I have to report you to the Guardians for trial!"
"Macro! No! We need to sort out a few things first before we go to the Guardians!"
"Why? Why can't he go now?"
"It's...complicated. I can't explain right now, but you have to trust me!"
"-sigh- Alright Dot. I know you would never lie to me. And thanks for saving my butt. I owe you one!" Macro turned to walk away, but I nudged Dot to remind her about the Chip.
"Macro! We need to collect on that favor right now."
"Oh...what do you need?"
"We need to see the chip."
"The chip! No way! Only commanding Guardians can see the chip, and only with permission from Dameon!"
"But Macro! This is really important! You have to let us see him! We won't be long! I promise!"
"Did you just say Dameon?"
"Yeah. She's our leader. We all exist to serve her."
"No...it can't be!"
"What's wrong Bob?"
"Uh...Nothing...I hope...But Matrix! It's really important that we see the Chip! It may be my only chance to understand what has happened!"
"But I can't allow that, and you know it!"
"You said you owed us a favor! And this is what we want! You can't back out now! We agreed!"
I saw her tears spring to her eyes. We both knew this was my quest, but she cared so deeply about what happened to me. Maybe she just wanted me gone, but whatever it was, I was glad that she was on my side. As I looked over towards Matrix...or rather, Macro, I saw that he was beginning to cave in. it was obvious that he cared very deeply about his sister, and I'm convinced he would kill for her.
"Alright Dot. But only this once. We'll have to meet later, because I have to smooth things over with the authorities before they start plastering my face in wanted vidwindows all over the place! I'll contact you later tonight! Alright?" Dot nodded her head as Macro leaned forward to kiss Dot on her forehead. "Bye Dot. I'll see you later." Then Macro leaped out of the window into a waiting car below.