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Just stay calm, Fanchu, you'll find them. Just stay calm, he thought to himself as he wandered the halls all alone. Him and his friends had been dragged along to yet another mission, and were all supposed to stick together.
Unfortunately for him, that was no longer the case after an enemy team found them. As he hung back to fend them off, the other five ran off to safety, leaving him alone. He wasn't angry, of course. In fact, he was glad they ran off to protect themselves. He was able to take care of himself.
"This would have been easier if I still had my BlackBox." He mumbled to himself. He had lost it at some point during the tussel, and likely had it thrown off a ledge. It was only a minor inconvenience, though. He'd find them, he knew it.
He continued on, careful to watch out for more threats. He was armed with nothing but his strength and a knife, which fared well for him, but it was still wise to stay safe. Fists and knives prove useless when bullets are involved. Luckily, there didn't seem to be many patrols around, just many, many locked doors, all of which he managed to take down with a swift kick.
This next door flew off its hinges, the wood splintering as it smashed against the wall. He entered the room, seeing nothing but many, many wires and speakers, as well as a few computer terminals. Boxes we also scattered around, their contents unknown.
He walked over to one of them, prying it open and looking through the items. There had to be something that could help him in this situation.
"Just wires. This must be some sort of IT room. Otto and Laura could use some of this stuff, though." He said to himself.
He continued looking through more of the boxes. Most of them were full of wires and spare computer parts, but there was one he found that had some sort of baton. He pressed a button on it, and jumped back with a yelp as the top buzzed and sparked, similar to a taser.
When he jumped back, he smashed into a metal shelf. The frame shook and trembled, its contents tumbling down and landing in front of the only exit. Boxes, parts, and two large speakers now blocked his path, keeping him trapped in the room
He sighed, "Perfect, just perfect. Exactly what I need right now." He grumbled as he stared at the mess in front of him, getting ready to start digging his way to freedom.
Suddenly, loud feedback echoed through the room, from the many speakers scattered around, causing him to double over with his ears covered, groaning in pain. The sensation was almost physically painful.
As the noises started to die down, he slowly stood, uncovering his ears. His head rang and pounded, and his vision was slightly disoriented from the horrible migraine he now had.
"What the hell was that? Is someone there?"
He wasn't expecting any answer, and was startled when a voice was heard behind him.
"Hello, dear Brother. It has been quite a while, hasn't it?" The booming voice greeted him. It sounded eerie, almost demonic.
It didn't take too long for him to realize who was speaking to him.
"Of course I had to run into you. What kind of mission would this be if Overlord was not involved." He scoffed, looking around for any other sign of the AI. The terminals were still off, and the wires did nothing. Seems it was only communicating through the speakers.
"Now that isn't any way to greet family, is it Brother?" It asked, sounding slightly offended, "You humans have no manners."
Family? What does it mean by that?
"Whatever you want from me, you will not get, Overlord. I have nothing." He snapped back, not hiding his annoyance.
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Brother. I could use you."
"Stop calling me that!"
"Are we not brothers?" It asked, its tone genuine, "My creators are the ones that bore you, are they not?"
The realization hit, hard. It was right, his parents had been the creators of Overlord. But this thing wasn't human, only a machine.
"What do I possibly have that could be of any use to you?"
Overlord's voice sounded louder now, coming from more speakers, "I could use someone with your determination. Your strength. I've always admired it, you know?" Its was soft, gentle. It unsettled him. He hated how he couldn't look the AI in the eyes.
"And what makes you think I'd work with you? You killed my mother, drove my father to madness. Otto nearly died because of you!" He yelled back, not hiding his irritation.
Overlord chuckled, now coming from directly in front of him.
"I'd imagine you of all people would understand that sacrifices needed to be made to progress." It sneered, "you didn't forget about Father, did you? That reminds me, I do owe you a favor."
He raised an eyebrow, "a favor?" He asked, his voice wavering slightly. Wing didn't like the sound of that.
"Why yes. You saved me, remember? Father would've killed me if not for you."
He snarled, gripped the baton he had found, "I did not save you! I saved Otto! Whatever favor you have I am not interested in!"
He saw movement in the corner of his eye, and looked over to see one of the terminals was on, showing a red, smirking face.
"But you haven't yet heard it, Brother. Just listen, will you?"
He stood there for a few seconds, thinking. He then sighed and walked towards Overlord. There was nothing else he could do while trapped here.
"What could you ever do for me?"
Overlord smiled, "Why, I could help you get your revenge! You see, it wasn't me who killed Mother. GLOVE wanted her gone, wanted both of our parents gone. They were dangerous in the company's eyes. I had only wanted to save them. But, alas," it sighed, looking slightly sad, "I was too late. I was only blamed because none of them understood what I wanted."
Wing frowned, finding all of this hard to believe, "And how do I know this is true?"
Overlord shook its head, "I knew you'd ask that. Listen to me, Brother. GLOVE isn't all it seems to be. You are looking through rose colored glasses, all of you are. I am only trying to save you all."
Wing stayed silent, thinking. Could Overlord be right? There wasn't a lot Wing knew about GLOVE. There could be a chance all this blame was put on Overlord to cover up the truth.
"If you want me to help, why did you try to kill me?"
Overlord sighed, looking ashamed, "I wasn't quite myself at that moment. My memories had been lost, and took quite a while to regain. I didn't recognize you."
"I see." Wing nodded. "So what is GLOVE trying to do?" He was genuinely curious.
"They only see you students as tools. Pawns for their schemes of world domination. I simply couldn't stand by as they tormented you children like this."
That he could believe. Wing never had a good feeling about anyone in GLOVE, especially Nero. If this was true, it didn't surprise him.
"And how can I help?"
Overlord gave a big smile. Wing could almost see a small glimmer in his eyes, "It would be helpful to have someone on the inside, keeping an eye on Nero and whatever he's planning. You are strong and determined, the best choice for this."
"How can I do that?" Wing was confused.
"I have something just for that." Wing watched as he disappeared from the terminal. Suddenly, he felt something prick his neck, almost like small claws were holding onto him. He winced, reaching for the strange device attached to him.
"What is this?"
"A communication device, of course!" His brother's voice said through the speakers, "It's how I can get the needed information."
Wing started to feel uneasy about it.
"Oh, and one more thing, Wing."
"What is it?"
A bright, red light came on from behind him, and he turned around to see Overlord looking down at him from a large screen.
"You are quite foolish, you know?" He laughed, "How did you fall for this all so easily Brother?"
His eyes widened.
"It's quite helpful, though. Makes it easier for me. Thank you, genuinely." the AI gave an evil, twisted grin.
Pain shot all throughout his body, causing him to collapse to the floor, screaming. He could feel the control of his body being ripped away from him.
No! Nononono! Help! Someone help!
Soon, the pain stopped. Everything felt… odd. His senses seemed more distant. His vision was blurry, noises were muffled, and everything felt so far away.
He felt his mouth move against his will. "I have to say, Brother, you actually make a better host than Malpense did. Once again, thank you."
You monster! You can't get away with this! He wanted to say, yet no words came out. He was merely a passenger in his own mind.
Overlord chuckled, "Oh but thanks to you I already have. Now we should be on our way. I think someone's looking for us."
Otto threw his BlackBox down in frustration, "Dammit Wing! Pick up!"
The five stood around a room. Franz and Nigel sat next to each other, while the other three stood by the door. Laura has started to make her way down the wall, keeping and eye out for their lost friend.
"I am thinking he lost his BlackBox." Franz said, "It is not like him to ignore you."
Nigel nodded, "He's right, Otto. If Wing still had it, he'd answer you immediately."
Shelby sighed, leaning against the wall, "I just hope he's okay. I'm getting worried about him." Otto could hear the hint of fear in her tone.
"I am too, Shel," he responded, walking over and putting a hand on her shoulder, "But he's tough. I'm sure he's looking for us right now."
"Guys!" Laura came running into the room, beaming, "He's back!"
The other four looked over to see Wing walking calmly into the room. Something about him seemed off, but Otto couldn't quite tell what.
"I apologize for taking so long." He said calmly. Too calmly, even for Wing, "I lost my BlackBox."
"That is what I said!" Franz smiled.
Otto walked over to his friend, "glad you're back, Big Guy."
Otto felt a shiver run down his spine when Wing looked at him. The way he looked at Otto seemed almost…. Hungry.
"And it's great to be back. Should we get going now?"
Otto looked over at the others. Judging by their expressions, they too noticed his strange behavior.
"Are you alright? You seem strange?" Shelby asked, sounding concerned.
Wing ignored her, still staring at Otto, "Well, are we leaving?"
"Well… yes, I suppose we are." Otto hesitated. "Let's get going."
The six made their way through the halls, Wing sticking close to Otto. This wasn't too unusual, as Wing was quite protective of the other boy, but Otto had a strange gut feeling. He just brushed it off as anxiety, though.
That's not me! That's not me Otto! Leave him! Leave him!
He can't hear you, Brother.
Overlord stared down at the boy next to him. This was easier than he expected. He couldn't help but smile. Soon, the world would be in his hands, all because one young boy was simply too gullible.
Though, he started to wonder if Malpense would even be useful, now. This chip made it possible for him to use powers similar to the young boy's, and this host body was stronger and more resilient.
This worked out so much better than he thought.
As they got closer and closer to the Shroud, only one thought went through his head.
I have won! I cannot thank you enough, Brother. Truly.