-
They had been running for a long time. Dean was almost out of breath and his legs and feet were getting sore. He was also running out of patience waiting for answers from Skip. Every time he tried the ask, the rodent would tell him not now and Dean was getting angrier with each denial.
“Crap,” Skip muttered when they reached a dead end. “End of the road. I thought I had that map memorized.”
“You don’t know where we are?” Tron asked.
“Not completely,” Skip said as he scratched the top of his head. “I know most of it, but not as good as Slash.”
“So what do we do now?” Dean asked.
Skip pointed above them. “Gotta stick to the alley ways.”
“No.” Dean pointed at the video game character. “I am not going anywhere else with you until I get some answers.”
“Some things never change with you,” Skip said and shook his head. “You leap before you look. Sammy tends to do the opposite most of the time.”
“That’s the number one thing. How the hell did you know who I was?”
“Got someone working undercover,” Skip explained. “You told her your name and mentioned your friend here.” He gestured to Tron.
“Lia?” Dean asked. He was right about her.
“She’s the one.” Skip smiled.
“Did you mention your brother to her, Dean?” Tron asked him.
“No I didn’t.” Dean narrowed his eyes as he stomped up to Skip. “Who are you?”
“Wow.” Skip rolled his eyes. “Turn a guy’s brother into a car and they still forget you.”
“Gabe?” Dean just stared at the digital rodent. It just couldn’t be him. The last time he saw the angel turned trickster he was killed by Lucifer, well the actually last time he saw him was on an erotic DVD, but in person he was killed. It couldn’t be Gabriel, but the voice was the same.
Gabe pointed to himself and nodded. “Who else?”
“Is this another friend of yours?” Tron asked.
“No.” Dean answered.
“Aw c’mon.” Gabe wrapped his arm around Dean’s midsection and wrapped his tail around his leg. “Me and the bros go back.”
“Doesn’t mean we are friends.” Dean stepped away from him.
“Is he a User?” Tron asked.
“User?” Gabe stared at the program. “Psssh. I am certainly not.” He stared at Dean. “Seriously a User. What have you told him about me?”
“Nothing.”
“Is he an angel?” The security program asked.
“He’s the archangel Gabriel. Took on the role of a trickster until he was killed.” Dean blinked. “That’s another thing. Why aren’t you still dead?”
“You forgot who my dad is?” Gabe asked and pointed above him.
“Your father, the creator, rerezzed you,” Tron said.
“We prefer the term, resurrected.” He turned to Dean. “Dad can be wrathful, but he also believes in second chances, and third ones and fourth and you get the picture.”
“Not completely.” Dean folded his arms across his chest. He was still annoyed with the angel.
“As merciful as father is he also believes in various forms of punishments and the fact that I have to earn my way back into his good graces. Hence this.” He pointed at his body.
“Trapped you in the digital form of Skip Chinchilla.” Dean pursed his lips and nodded. “That is kind of fitting.”
“At least I don’t look like Link.”
“Link has his fangirls.”
“As does Skip.”
“We still have bigger issues,” Tron said. His voice carried a hint of urgency.
“So you are trapped here in the form of Skip,” Dean said.
“With my powers restricted,” Gabe added. “Still have a few tricks but not restored to full glory. I tried to see if I can do some good around here. These neon folk just figure I’m some game sprite program and leave me be, but then something got uploaded and made its nest here.”
“Luduserus,” Dean answered.
“Him?” Gabe blinked. “I knew it was a demon, but I didn’t know it was him. I haven’t seen him in decades. I knew about the amulet and someone taking a picture of it with a devil trap camera.”
“Wait.” Dean held up his hand. “What?”
“Devil trap camera. You know how some of your kind used to believe that if you trap the image you trap the soul?” He waited for Dean to nod his head. “Well this camera had the insignia of one printed on it. All demons that had their pictures taken with this camera would be trapped in the photos.”
“When was this?” Dean asked.
“Mid 90’s,” Gabe explained. “Some exhibit where photography was allowed. The guy who took the pictures didn’t know what kind of camera he had. Well, he knew the camera, just didn’t know about the trapping ability.”
“Somebody must have scanned that picture,” Dean said. He had no idea if it was intentionally or if the person who originally took the picture was just creating a website display of similar pictures, or just scanned it to e-mail it to someone. “That’s how he got here and he must have send out messages to his acolytes on the outside so they could give out the code.”
“Now we have to figure how to get rid him,” Tron said. “But as Gabriel said we have to get out of here.” He jumped up and grabbed the ceiling.
“Now are we cool?” Gabe asked.
“No.” Dean pulled back his foot and kicked Gabe hard, right in between the legs with enough force to send him flying up. He watched as the rodent bounced off the ceiling and landed on the ground, already curled up in the fetus position. “Now we are are.”
“Why did you do that?” Tron asked as he removed a square panel from above.
“That was for Sammy,” Dean said and picked the still immobile Gabe up and slung him over his shoulder.
-
Kruz was not in a happy mood. He had been defeated by a couple of cocky players a not too long ago and his anger had yet to abate. He had ordered lieutenant Nyrii to take care of that group and the last he heard she took them to play the Hobs and Bogs game. It had been a while an he eagerly waited to hear the results. That group was lucky the first time, but their luck eventually run out.
A sentry strode up to him. “Sir, lieutenant Nyrii is here with her report.”
Kruz nodded. “Send her in.”
The sentry left and Nyrii walked in. Her usual stoic expression was replaced by one that was a mix of anger, frustration and a hint of fear. Kruz already knew he was not going to like what she had to say.
“Don’t tell me they won this round,” Kruz said in an exasperated tone. He was certain that was the answer although she had overseen other groups of players before and even when they had won she was not this upset.
“That is not the reason why I’m here, captain,” Nyrii said. She glanced at the ground for a nano before she continued. “They were doing well until they were close to the boggart generator and they were loosing points.”
“And?” Kruz raised his eyebrows
“Then something broke through the floor.” She spoke in a slow and calm manner while her posture was rigid.
“Something?”
“It was a video game sprite program, a highly enhanced one. It took out the panel with a light grenade. The players went with it.”
“Went with it?” Kruz could not believe he was hearing this. “Are you telling me they escaped?”
“Yes they have sir b-“
“How they escape?” Kruz asked
“I am sorry sir,” Nyrii said. She did not look him in the eyes
“Now don’t be too hard on yourself.” He gave her a light pat on the shoulder. “One of them is a very special program.”
“I have ordered several platoons in pursuit of them. We will have them captured soon.”
“That’s my girl,” Kruz said.
“I should be punished.”
“For something that is not entirely your fault? No. In fact I have something for you.” He turned to one of his sentries and snapped his fingers. “Bring one of those rebellious programs you have captured.”
“Right away, sir,” the soldier said and ran off.
“What are you planning?” Nyrii asked.
“You will see.” His smile grew when he heard the soldier returned along with another. He turned around to see his sentries return while dragging the rogue program with them.
“Why is he here?” Nyrii asked as she pointed at the program.
“For you to derezz.”
“But Captain, I don’t deserve this.”
“Don’t think of it as a treat but more of an incentive. You bring back the escaped players and there will be a hundred programs for you to derezz.”
The smile returned to her face. “I shall not fail you.” She pulled the disk from her back and activated. With one quick swipe across the throat she derezzed him.
“Do you feel better?” He asked as she studied her disk.
“Yes,” she said in a sickly sweet tone of voice before she gave her disk a lick and placed it back in its harness.
“Move out.”
“Yes sir,” Nyrii saluted him and wiped her face before she turned around.
Kruz grimaced at the thought of facing Master Control with this bit of news. He better get it out now. He squared his shoulders, set his jaw and approached the contract screen.
“Why have you called me?” Master Control asked.
“I have a bit of bad news to report,” Kruz said. “Tron and his team of players have escaped.”
“Escaped?” Master Control blinked. “You let them escape?”
“I am sorry.” He knew it would be wise not to whine about how it wasn’t his fault, or that he didn’t allow them to do anything, or pass the buck onto Nyrii. “We are on the look out for them as of now.”
“I cannot have that security program loose in this system. I have learned everything there is to know about my predecessor. He was destroyed by Tron.”
“May I inquire why you didn’t order that program to be derezzed when you first heard about him?”
Master Control grinned. “Now that wouldn’t be sporting of me, now would it? I always love a good game. I should not be too worried. The original Master Control Program was a hybrid while I am the real thing.”
“I do not understand,” Kruz asked. He wondered why his master had gone from demanding and harsh to speaking in a smooth manner.
“Do not trouble yourself,” Master Control said. “Capture Tron and his team and bring them to me. I want to see what they are made of. End of Line.”
-
As soon as they had hit the surface the three of them immediately ran to the nearest alley. They took the back paths, alleyways, places that were hard to squeeze through. They hid in underpasses, in what Dean figured to be disposal units and everything else they could think of.
“How far does Luduserus has his claws spread out?” Dean asked as they ran down another alleyway.
“Pretty far,” Gabe answered. “His power is growing as does his influence.” He pointed to a building across the street. “We can duck in there for a bit and talk.”
“In there?” Tron asked as he stared at the building.
“What’s wrong with it?” Dean asked. He had no idea what all these places were. Except for the shape and the color of their neon they practically looked the same to him.
“Nothing. It would be good to reenergize there.” Tron glanced up and down the street and looked up in the air. “The coast is clear.”
“One three,” Gabe said .
“One,” Dean started the count.
“Two,” Tron continued.
“Three.” All three of them said and ran across the street and into the building. As soon as they were inside they turned around to see if they were followed. No one else had entered.
“So far so good,” Dean said.
“Hey boys,” a sultry feminine voice said. A female program dressed in tight white clothing and had what looked like orange-pink circuitry greeted them. “Need cover.” She pointed to what looked like a clothes rack, except everything hanging from it was more like long hooded robes. “Feel free to borrow em.”
“Thanks doll,” Gabe took on a Brooklyn accent as he spoke to her. He gave her a wink as he grabbed two of the robes and tossed them to Tron and Dean. “Love what you did with your hair.”
“Really?” the program gave her pastel colored updo a pat. “I’ve been thinking of changing it.”
“Anything will look lovely on you, babe.” Gabe grabbed her hand and gave it a kiss.
“I bet you say that to all the females.”
Gabe shook his head. “Only the ultra bootyful ones and those are rarer than diamonds. You stay flashy, sugar cake.” He snapped both his fingers and pointed at her as he led Dean and Tron into main part of the dwelling.
“Why was he talking like that?” Tron asked as he put his robe on.
“That’s how Skip Chinchilla talks,” Dean explained as covered himself in his robe. “He’s in character.” He put the hood over his head. “Why were you in character?”
“They all think I’m just a simple game sprite program,” Gabe said as he led them to a booth. They were in some sort of a digital bar. “And the best way to let them think that way is to act that way. I thought you knew me by now, Dean.”
“Sorry,” Dean said as he slid into the booth. He could not believe he was apologizing to the former trickster. “Nobody knows what you really are?”
“No.” He looked up when he heard someone approach them. “Hey gorgeous.” He flashed a pearly white smile at their cocktail waitress.
“Greetings gentlemen,” the waitress said. “What can I get for you?”
“Three ice blue energies, please,” Tron said as he held up three fingers.
“I’ll be back shortly,” the waitress said and walked off.
“Can’t really tell them what I really am,” Gabe said after a minute. “I don’t think they would really comprehend what an angel is or even except it. There are some programs here who stop believing in Users, just like there are Users or humans who have stopped believing in us.”
“Can you really blame them?” Dean asked. “Or us with your track record?”
The angel sighed. “Not really but then again you humans haven’t been exactly saints to your creations either.”
“Touché.”
“My User was proud of me,” Tron said. “He was pleased with my work. I was able to keep this system secure and Flynn was a great friend.” He looked up when their waitress returned.
“Here you go, boys,” she set their drinks down. “I’ll be back to check on you. Enjoy yourselves.”
“Thanks, sweetheart,” Gabe said and dropped the accent once she was gone. “There are humans that care about you guys and there are some angels that do care about the humans.”
“I know about angels,” Tron said as he picked up his glass. “I believe in you. I know your kind exists.”
“You are different,” Gabe said as he pointed at the program. “Tron right?”
“That’s correct.” The security program took a long sip from his glass.
“Lia told me about you as well.” Gabe took a sip of energy and swallowed. “Or rather I overheard her telling this team of programs. When I heard Winchester here was with him I had to get involved.”
“Wow Gabe, didn’t know you cared.” Dean took a drink from his glass.
The chinchilla shrugged. “What can I say you guys grew on me. While I was listening in on Lia’s conversation one of these female programs was ecstatic when she was informed you were in town. I think by the way she was reacting she was a paramour of yours.”
“Paramour, seriously?” Dean could not believe Gabe would use that word.
“Bite me, I’m trying to set the mood here. Now this gal had a great figure, blond hair, blue eyes.”
Dean studied Tron as they both heard the description. His friend’s breathing had slowed down and his eyes widened.
“This the girl you told me about?” Dean asked as he picked up his glass again. “Jolie, Yolei-“
“Yori,” Tron gasped.
“That’s her,” Gabe said and nodded. “When she heard your name she cried.” He ran his finger down his cheek, under his eye and towards his chin. “Pure tears of love.”
“Yori is still alive.” Tron closed his eyes and sighed deeply. His smile faded after a few seconds. “If she knew what I had done she wouldn’t want anything to do with me.”
“I think she’ll understand.” Dean gave his friend a pat on the shoulder.
“Great first I had to deal with you angsty brothers and now an angsty program” Gabe rolled his eyes. “Speaking of which, where is Sam?”
“He’s in our world,” Dean said and immediately felt a dull ache in his chest. He missed Sam. It had only been hours to him but he still wished his brother was with him. Granted that would not be the best option since he was a digital fugitive. “He’s out there with Cas.”
“So Cas is helping you guys,” Gabe said in a semi-amused tone as he traced the paths of condensation on his glass with his finger.
“He brought me out of Flynn’s Grid and into the User world,” Tron explained.
“What?”
“Cas flew into cyberspace and brought Tron out,” Dean explained
“Wait, back up and say that again?” Gabe asked. He looked like they were speaking in a foreign language to him.
“Castiel flew in or got himself digitized,” Dean repeated only slower. “He found Tron and brought him out into our world.”
“Castiel?” Gabe blinked.
“He was the one,” Tron said.
“Him?”
“I thought we had that established,” Dean said before he finished his glass.
“I’m sorry,” Gabe chuckled. “But Cas? Just the idea of him in cyberspace is beyond comprehension. He is one of the last to figure out your human inventions. You should have seen him with Guttenberg’s printing press.”
“I get the picture,” Dean said. He heard the sound of someone running towards them and looked up to see their waitress with a frantic look on her face. “Is something wrong?”
“You have to get out of here,” She said. “Soldiers that follow Kruz’s orders are at the front.”
“Best not to take any chances,” Gabe said as he stood up.
“Take the back.” The waitress pointed to the left side and back.
“Thank you,” Tron said as he and Dean stood up.
The three of them were no the only ones who were on the run from Kruz. Several more people who were also wearing robes had gathered in the back.
“Stand back,” someone said as their companion open the doors.
Freedom to the back alley was blocked by Nyrii and a few dozen sentries.
-