Episode 6

A Reluctant Ally

As per usual, the master was angry. And as per usual, he was taking it out on Trey and Troy. “The last Guardian power has been activated!” he shouted at them.

“Well…that’s not good,” said Trey.

He leaned in closer to the boys. “Do you know how many that leaves us with?”

Trey and Troy crunched some numbers in their heads. “Uh, zero?” Troy guessed.

“Zero! Now we have five Guardians to deal with. Do you have any idea how complicated that makes things?”

Troy thought about it for a moment. “Uh, very?”

The master blew up in his face. “That question was rhetorical!”

“Sorry, it didn’t sound rhetorical!”

“With all due respect, boss,” Trey said, “why are you yelling at us?”

“Because you’re the nearest people I have to yell at!”

“I know how we can cheer you up, boss,” Troy suggested. “Let us go get them all back for you.”

“Sure, great idea. You‘ve fared so well against the Guardians so far. You even lost to two teenage girls! If you didn’t clean the floors so well, you’d be worth nothing to me.”

Trey gasped at the insult. “…ouch. That hurts.”

The master ignored him. “No, obviously we’re going to have to up the ante to deal with these pesky children. And I know just the Creturian for the job. Cymian!”

Out of nowhere, a tiny black chimp materialized in a flash of blue and levitated in the air on a silver saucer in front of them. A metallic headband glistened on his forehead. If a smile could be condescending, the one on his face was. “Ah, if it isn't my favorite Dark Overlord. To what do I owe this 'pleasure?'”

“The Dimensional Guardians are becoming quite the annoying insects, and we need someone to perform some pest control, if you get my drift.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard about these Guardians. I’d love for an opportunity to see just what they’re capable of.”

“Very good. I hereby give you permission to--”

“Don’t talk down to me, 'sir', as if I was one of your simple-minded lackeys,” Cymian interrupted. He shot a glance at Trey and Troy. His smile was definitely condescending.

Insulted, Troy edged towards the small simian. “Simple-minded? Why I otta--!”

Trey held him back. “Anger management, bro.”

“I will do battle with the Guardians because I want to see their power,” Cymian told the dark figure, “not because you want them destroyed. Do we understand each other?”

Troy edged forward again. “How dare you talk to the master like that! I otta--!”

“Anger management!” Trey repeated, punching his brother in the arm angrily.

The master took a moment to reply. “Very well.”

“Good.” Cymian cradled his fingers. “I’m looking forward to this. Very much, indeed. Of course, I would appreciate the assistance of someone who can sense the whereabouts of the Guardian powers.” Cymian smirked at Trey and Troy again, and they scowled back at him.

The master nodded. “Of course. Trey, Troy, you two will go with Cymian and point him in the direction of the other Guardians. Do you think you're up to that simple task?”

“Yes, sir…” Trey and Troy begrudgingly replied.

“Ah, what fun this will be!” Cymian threw his stubby hands up in the air. It was obvious he was really going to savor the upcoming encounter. Almost sickeningly so. “I haven’t enjoyed a good battle in a long time. I do hope the Guardians don’t disappoint me. I shall rendezvous with the two of you outside the forest. Make it quick, cretins.”

In another blue flash, the monkey was gone.

“The nerve of that guy…” Troy muttered.

“How could you let him talk to you like that, boss?” Trey asked.

The master's mouth, the only part of his face visible outside of the shadows, was frowning. “As much as I hate to admit it, Cymian is far too strong-willed to be controlled, even by me. Still, as long as I can utilize his powers to further my own pursuits, that's all that matters.”

---

Chip lay sprawled out on his bed. Last night, all he could think about was what took place the previous day. He barely managed two hours of sleep, and if today was any indication, it looked like he wasn't going to get much sleep that night, either. His thoughts were interrupted, however, when his concerned mother peeked her head into his room. “Chip, honey, are you all right?”

Chip tilted his head lazily towards her. “Yeah, I’m fine, why?”

“You’ve been acting very peculiar today. Are you sure nothing is wrong?”

“Don’t worry about me, mom, I just have…a lot on my mind lately.”

“Okay, well, if you ever want to talk, we’re here for you.”

“Thanks, I know.”

He turned back to look up at his ceiling fan. Nothing made sense. Nothing at all.

He decided to head outside. Maybe the fresh air could clear his head. But as he stepped off his front step, he wondered if it was even safe to be outside anymore.

He jumped in surprise as he heard a car horn from one of his dad's friends driving down the road. Gah. What’s wrong with me? he thought. I’m jumping at shadows. I need to pull myself together. This is ridiculous. Everything that’s happened over the last day has been ridiculous. Could it possibly have been real? This seems like a crazy dream I’d have after a CraftWorld binge. More like a nightmare, actually. But why can’t I seem to wake up?

“Hey, Chip!”

Chip jumped again as Rob came up his driveway. “R-Rob. W-What’re you doing here?” he asked. He had no idea what he was supposed to say after the way he acted towards his classmate the other day.

Rob wasn't quite sure what to say, either. “Listen, about yesterday…I really need to talk to you.”

“I know. I’m sorry I ran off. Whatever it was that happened, it really freaked me out. But I want to know exactly what it was, and what you have to do with it.”

Rob smiled weakly. “Glad to hear it.” Things were going smoother than he thought they would.

Thus, he sat him down and told him the whole tale.

“So you see,” he concluded, “it’s very important that you get a grasp of this thing.” He held Chip’s Guardian band in front of him.

Chip shook his head, not taking his eyes off the object. In the blink of an eye, that little bracelet had destroyed his life? “You can’t be serious. This has to be some sort of joke.”

Rob looked solemn. “This isn’t a joke, Chip. I’m serious. Like it or not, your life may depend on learning how to use this power, so I suggest you get to it.”

Chip stood and shook his head wildly in denial. “T-This can‘t be real. This totally goes against the laws of nature!” He voice gradually got louder as he babbled on. “You must be crazy. Or maybe I’m crazy. That’s it. I must be crazy. All those hours of playing video games are warping my perception of reality.”

Rob grabbed Chip by the shoulders to settle him. “Chip, calm down, dude! If anything, you’re going crazy right now. Just get a hold of yourself.”

Chip pulled himself free of Rob's grip. “Let go of me!”

“Listen to me!” Rob said sternly. “You have to take this band. I can teach you how to use your powers. We can train together or something.”

“No. I can’t. I won’t!” Chip jerked around and put his hand on the door to his house.

“Wait!” Rob said. “You can’t keep running away from your problems. You’re in danger without your Guardian band.”

But Chip's mind was already made up, and he ran back inside.

Rob rubbed his head in defeat. “Man, I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. That poor kid’s not exactly known for his bravery. Or his strength. He’s as good as doomed. And it’s all my fault.”

---

Back at the Feldnaut City Police Department, Derek spoke to his associate, Stan as he was getting coffee.

“So the chief didn’t fire you?” Stan asked in surprise.

“No,” Derek replied. “After I explained everything, he said at least I had a halfway decent reason for taking the cop car, and now we have an idea where the monsters are coming from and what they’re after. I guess it kind of balanced out.”

“At least it worked out okay. What’s the chief going to do about the monsters now?”

“He’s assembling a squad for a scouting mission in a few hours. We’re going back to the hideout to get a better look at it.”

“Sounds like fun, actually. Wish I could go…”

“I don’t know. If the monsters inside that place are anything like I one I encountered yesterday, things could get pretty ugly.”

---

“I can’t believe we have to help this guy,” Trey grumbled, gazing at the hyper intelligent monkey levitating ahead of him as he and his brother walked down the street.

“Quit complaining,” Troy said. “At least we get to see some action.”

“Hey, Cymian,” Trey said, “don’t you think that people around town might find a levitating monkey a little strange?”

“Obviously,” Cymian said without looking back at them. “I have put up a barrier that shields the vision of these simple-minded creatures. None of them can see me.”

Troy perked his head up. “Hey, I’m detecting a Guardian energy signature. It looks like it’s down by the suburbs.”

“Good,” Cymian said. “Point me in the right direction. I’ll take it from there.”

Soon, the trio found themselves in front of Chip’s house.

“So, what’s the plan, Cymian?” Trey asked. As if he really cared.

Cymian seemed to go into a trance for a few moments. “Yes, there are several computers operating in this domicile.”

“Uh…so?”

“You can detect otherworldly energy signatures, while I specialize in detecting digital signals,” Cymain said. “I can manipulate anything digital in nature, from satellite systems to computers.”

“That’s handy, I guess,” Troy said unenthusiastically. “What are you gonna do?”

“Send the Dimensional Guardian on the ride of his life.” Cymian waved the boys off. “You’ve done your part. I’ll finish things here.” Without a thank you one, he disappeared, leaving the two boys to themselves.

“Where’d he go?” Troy asked.

Trey shrugged. “Beats me. You heard him, though. Our job’s done. Let’s go grab some food.”

Chip sat at his laptop, pressing random buttons without any enthusiasm. The more he knew about these “Guardian band” things, the more questions he had. Usually he loved learning about things. He loved adding to his reservoir of knowledge.

But this was something he just couldn't wrap his mind around. It was too much.

Or maybe it was something he simply didn't want to understand.

Just then, his computer screen slowly turned green and began emitting an eerie glow.

“Oh, now what?”

Suddenly, green lights streaked out of the screen and wrapped around him like lassos, slowly dragging him closer and closer to the screen. He screamed in horror, trying to break free of the light cables' grasp.

But to no avail. Within moments, he was gone.

Chip found himself tumbling through a strange green tube, eventually landing on what appeared to be a black and green checkered floor. It almost looked like...a computer grid?

He looked up and around in total shock. The grid floor bounded endlessly into the distance. The “land” was barren. The sky was a light blue, with green binary numbers crossing lazily through the air.

“Okay, I have absolutely no clue where I am, but wherever it is...” Chip paused, unsure whether to be horrified...

...or really, really excited. “It...is...awesome! Could this be…the inside of my computer…? A type of digital realm?” His excitement suddenly dissipated. “I’m sure it’d be a whole lot cooler if I didn’t think I was permanently stranded here with no hope of escape.”

“So, you’re one of the Dimensional Guardians I’ve heard so much about,” a voice echoed ominously through the air.

“Oh no. Not this again…” He had already grown to hate those words. He looked around for the source of the voice, and saw Cymian levitating over him, his feet planted firmly on his silver saucer.

Chip put his head in his hands. “Okay, I was sucked into my computer, I’m in the middle of a freaky computer world, and now a little black monkey on a levitating saucer is talking to me. I’ve gone beyond crazy.”

“I assure you, everything you see before you is quite real,” Cymian said. “My name is Cymian. I am a master of all things digital. I have used my powers to bring you to my digital realm so that you can do battle with me.”

“Y-You’re kidding, right?”

“I don’t kid, human. I wish to see the power you possess, and I wish to do so now.”

Chip squeaked involuntarily. “U-Uh, I’d love to fight with you and all, but I don’t even have my Guardian thingy with me right now.”

Cymian's calm disposition turned to one of rage. “What?! How can this be?”

“Sorry…”

“You don’t have what you need to turn into your Guardian form? Bah. That makes you worthless to me.”

“Does that mean I’m free to go?” Chip asked hopefully.

“No. I’m not letting you out of this dimension until I’ve fought a Dimensional Guardian.” With a wave of his hand, Cymian seemed to rip open a hole in the dimension. Inside the rip could be seen Trey and Troy sitting down in front of a hot dog stand. Before they could take bites of their food, they glanced over at Cymian and jumped in surprise.

“Gah, don’t scare us like that, Cymian!” Trey said.

“What do you want?” Troy asked. “Can't you see we're eating, here?”

“This Guardian you led me to doesn’t even have his Guardian band with him,” Cymian said.

Trey took a bite of his hot dog and talked as he chewed. “Oh yeah, forgot to tell you, their Guardian power is permanently bonded to their DNA. That must’ve been why we could detect the power without him having his band on.”

“You fools! I’ve gone through a lot of trouble to get everything set up, and I want to fight a Dimensional Guardian.”

“So what are you whining at us for?” Troy asked.

“I want you to go grab me another Dimensional Guardian and set him in front of a computer screen so I can bring him here.”

Trey folded his arms. “And why should we do that?”

“Because your master would be very displeased if you were insubordinate, now, wouldn’t he?”

Trey and Troy thought it over. The last thing they needed was for the boss to be angry at them again.

“Gah, fine,” Trey said in defeat. “Give us a few minutes.”

“Don’t take long,” Cymian warned. “My patience is wearing thin.” He closed the rip and looked back down at Chip. “This may take a while.”

With nothing to do but wait, Chip and Cymian stared at each other.

“So…what’s your name?” Cymian asked him.

“Chip.”

“Chip? Like a computer chip?”

“Well, I guess you could look at it that way. It's kind of funny, since my dad works on computers. I almost think that's what he named me after.”

“Ah. Interesting.”

“Yeah.”

“...”

“...”

Cymian took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It seemed like it was going to be a long wait no matter how long it took. “...So, where do you stand when it comes to downloading movies off the internet?”

“I sense one of those guys down this way,” Trey said, gesturing down the road.

“Oh boy, I hope it’s that black-haired guy,” Troy said. “He’s always good for a laugh.”

They peeked their heads out from behind a building and noticed a bummed out Rob heading towards them.

“There he is,” said Trey.

“Now we just have to find some way to lure him in front of some sort of computer,” said Troy.

They looked across the street, where an internet café conveniently sat.

“…that’ll work,” Trey said.

“But how are we going to get him in there?”

“Don’t worry, I have a brilliant plan.”

“I hope it’s better than the last 'brilliant plan' you had.”

“Just follow my lead.”

Without warning, Trey picked Rob up from behind. “Hey, what’s going on?” he gasped, wriggling in the air. “Leggo!”

“Please don’t tell me that was your plan,” Troy said to Trey. “Please don’t tell me!”

“Okay, I won’t tell you.”

“That’s the exact same plan you had last time!”

“And just like last time, I need you to put to sleep everyone that sees us. Get with it.”

Troy muttered. “I still hate this plan…”

“So now you’re randomly grabbing people while their backs are turned?” Rob grunted. “That’s pretty lame, even for you guys.”

“Hush and quit squirming,” Trey said. “We have plans for you.” He dragged Rob into the internet cafe, and everyone inside stared at them. Troy followed along, blasting them to sleep with his sleep gun.

“Just what are you guys doing, exactly?” Rob asked.

“You’ll find out in a minute,” Trey answered, positioning Rob in front of one of the computer screens.

“You don’t have a minute,” Rob said. “The second I get free, I’m gonna kick your--” His words were swallowed up—along with his body—into the digital dimension.

“Man, I’m glad that’s over with,” Troy panted.

“Hey, I had the hard job,” Trey said. “Quit whining.”

Back in the digital realm, Chip and Cymian did their best to occupy themselves. “So then the penguin says, 'that’s no microprocessor, that’s my wife!'” Chip laughed at his joke, but Cymian stayed silent. “…you didn’t think that was funny?”

“I don’t have a sense of humor,” Cymian said.

Out of nowhere, Rob landed with a thud beside Chip. “Man…that was unpleasant,” he said. “Where in the world am I?”

“So glad that you could join us, young Guardian,” Cymian said with a satisfied smile.

“Rob!” Chip exclaimed, shocked to see his friend yet again. “Are you okay?”

Rob looked up at Chip. “Chip! What’re you doing here?”

He then turned to see Cymian. “Wonderful. A floating talking monkey. As if my day hasn't been weird enough.”

“My name is Cymian. And to answer your questions, you’re in a digital pocket dimension of my own creation. I summoned your friend to do battle with me, but since he seems to have left his Guardian band at home, I summoned you to fight in his stead.”

Rob stood up. “That figures. So, if I beat you, you’ll let us go, right?”

“I simply wish to test your strength,” Cymian said.

“Fine by me.” Rob shot Chip an annoyed look. “Chip, didn’t I tell you you’d get in trouble without your Guardian band?”

“Rob…I’m sorry.”

“Eh, don’t sweat it. Anyway, here.” He pulled something from his pocket and threw it to Chip.

Chip caught it. “The band…” His band.

Rob grinned. “Yeah, the band. I know you don’t want to fight, but seeing as how you’re trapped in a crazy world with a whacked-out monkey, I suggest you hold onto it in case things get ugly.”

“What a pleasant turn of events!” Cymian said happily. “It will be much more entertaining fighting the both of you.”

“Hey now, monkey boy, your fight is with me and me alone,” Rob said.

Cymian rubbed his chin. “Mmm, you think you can handle me on your own, do you? Very well, I’ll give you a chance. Shall we begin?”

“We shall. Dimensional Guardians, power up!”

Cymian was delighted to finally see a Dimensional Guardian for himself. They didn't appear as impressive as he had hoped, but he knew looks could be deceiving.

“Coming at ya, Magilla!” Rob declared. “Laser Blast!”

Cymian stood his ground as the blast streaked towards him—and went right through him.

“What the--?!” Rob said as Cymian appeared to fizzle out. Suddenly, multiple images of Cymian circled high above him. “Oh, come on. Holograms are cheap.”

“Prepare yourself,” all of the images said at once. “Blue Ray!” Rob jumped into the air to avoid the ten massive blue beams the images shot out. Whether the images he witnessed were holograms or not, the heat from the resulting explosion felt all too real.

“Hmph, holograms aren’t that hard to deal with,” Rob said as he landed. One by one he blasted the holograms, and one by one they disappeared. Soon, to Rob's surprise, they were all gone. “…okay, one of those had to be real.”

“Of course. You just missed it.”

Suddenly, Cymian, surrounded by a blue barrier, slammed into Rob and carried him up into the air.

Rob pounded on the barrier with his armored fist. “You can’t keep that force field up forever.”

“At the rate you’re going, I‘m not particularly worried,” Cymian said. He changed direction and flew downward, crushing Rob between the ground and his force field. Rob lay motionless.

“Okay, maybe you’re a little tougher than I thought you’d be,” Rob grumbled, trying to get back on his feet.

“I wish I could say the same about you.”

Chip looked helplessly at his friend, then down at his band. Cymian eyed him carefully, then turned back to Rob. “I knew one Dimensional Guardian wouldn’t be a challenge. I suppose I might as well finish you off.”

“No, you can’t!” Chip blurted out.

“Oh? And just how do you intend to stop me?”

“I--I--”

“That’s what I thought. Blue Ray!”

Chip watched in horror. Rob had fought with all his might out there, while all he'd done is stand around, frozen in fear like a deer caught in headlights. He looked down at his Guardian band again. “No more,” he said softly. “No more running away!”

Cymian shot a quick glance back over to him.

And smiled.

“Dimensional Guardians, power up!”

No way I’m letting Rob go out like this!

A spiral of energy knocked Cymian's beam away just in time. Chip ran up to Rob and helped him to his feet.

“Chip…you saved me,” Rob said.

“I owed you one. Now, let’s show this monkey who’s boss, huh?”

Rob chuckled, pleasantly surprised by Chip's complete change in attitude. “I like the way you think, Chip.”

Cymian laughed heartily. “Now that is more like it! I had a feeling when push came to shove you’d do what you had to to save your friend. I have to say I didn’t expect you to block that attack so easily, even though I held back quite a bit.”

“You held back?” Chip asked.

“Of course. I have no desire to kill anyone. I just want a good fight. Let us continue!”

Rob looked at Chip and snickered. “You heard the monkey. Let’s double-team him!”

They ran at Cymian, who fired several blue energy orbs at them. They both leaped into the air.

Suddenly, Chip felt himself floating, as well as a rush of heat behind him.

“Hey, you can fly!” Rob exclaimed.

Chip turned his head to see a jetpack roaring on his back. “Whoa. Looks that way.”

“Awesome. Pick me up and fling me at him.”

“Uh…okay.” Chip reached down and grabbed Rob's hand, spun around, and hurled Rob at the Creturian.

“Blue Ray!”

Rob shot a blast towards the ground, which propelled him up and over Cymian's beam. “Now’s your chance, Chip,” he said. “Attack!”

Chip shot another energy spiral, but Cymian's barrier deflected it. Rob fired in front of himself to send him sailing backwards towards his opponent, then fired again upwards to send him slamming down on him. As Cymian hit the ground, his shield dissipated.

“We got him now,” Rob said. “Double-attack! Laser Blast!”

Rob and Chip hit Cymian at the same time, sending a plume of smoke into the air.

“Yeah, we got him!” Chip cheered.

A sudden rush of wind blew the smoke away. Cymian's barrier was up again. And from what Rob and Chip could tell, the attacks hadn't even connected. “An interesting attack strategy,” Cymian said. “I have to admit you almost got a good shot in. Unfortunately, you’re still far too weak to stand up to my power.”

“Thanks, as if we hadn’t figured that out already,” Rob muttered.

“You are, however, free to go.”

“Uh, say what?”

Just then, a portal opened beside the boys, revealing what appeared to be Chip's living room. “Just as it sounds, Guardians,” Cymian said. “Return to your world.”

Rob scratched his head. “Uhh…are you sure?”

“Of course. I wanted to see your power, and I saw it. You’re not worthy of my time anymore. However, I see great potential for growth. Yes, great potential, indeed, especially in you, Chip.”

Chip pointed to himself. “M-Me?”

“Yes. I predict that you’ll grow quite strong. Perhaps strong enough to one day give me a challenge.”

“…what about me?” Rob asked.

Cymian paused for the slightest moment. “Yes, perhaps you, as well. We will meet again, Guardians. But for now, go back to your world.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Chip said uneasily as he and Rob walked towards the warp.

“Do not disappoint me, Guardians,” Cymian called out as the boys disappeared.

Downtown, a young boy was playing a game on his computer when suddenly, the screen began glowing green. “Hey, what happened to the game?”

While Cymian was a great fighter, his transportation techniques apparently needed some work; Rob and Chip landed directly on top of the poor unsuspecting boy.

They stood up and looked around. “Wow, nice place you got here,” Rob said.

“This isn't my house,” Chip said.

“Really? Then whose is it?”

They looked over at the boy, who stared at them with his mouth agape.

Well. This was awkward.

Without saying a word, they picked the boy up off the floor, dusted him off, then slowly inched towards the door and left the home.

“Okay, that is without a doubt the freakiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Rob said as they headed back towards Chip's house, “and I’ve seen a lot.” He glanced over at Chip, who was tinkering with his Guardian band. He appeared more curious about it now than terrified of it. “Hey, Chip, thanks for saving me back there.”

“Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do,” Chip said with a smile. “If I'm not going to be able to avoid these guys, there’s no point in trying. If you don’t have any objections, I think I’m ready to learn how to better use these newfound powers of mine.”

“That's the spirit!” Rob said, putting his arm around his new partner. “We’re in this together, Chippo. Once you’ve mastered your Guardian power, we’ll be an unstoppable team. Just think! Man, it’s going to be so cool!”

“Ack! Rob…need to breathe here.”

Rob let go. “Sorry. Got caught up in the moment.”

Trey quit eating his ice cream cone and looked around. “Hey, you feel that?”

Troy shifted on the park bench they were sitting on. “Yeah, I feel the presence of the two Guardians again. Cymian must’ve let ‘em go.”

“Mmm, Clonar won’t like that.”

“Ah well. I have ice cream, so I’m happy.”

They continued snacking on their cones.

“I don’t think we should go back there for a while,” Trey said.

“You didn’t destroy them?!” the master yelled at Cymian.

“I told you before, my goal was to test the Guardians’ power,” Cymian said calmly. “I never said anything about destroying them.”

The master snorted. “Bah, you wasted a golden opportunity.”

“I advise caution, 'my lord.' The Dimensional Guardians may not seem like much, but I have a feeling that if they all get together, they may be too much for you to handle.”

“Ridiculous. If that’s all you have to say, then I have no further business with you.”

Cymian couldn't help but grin. “As you wish. I wish you the best of luck. I think you’re going to need it.” His business concluded, he disappeared, leaving the master to ponder over what he had said.

He reappeared on top of a hill overlooking the city. “I sense great things coming from these Dimensional Guardians,” he said to himself. “Keep fighting, children. You may very well be the only hope for our world.”

What does Cymian mean by that? Will Chip learn to become a seasoned fighter before the next attack? Keep reading Dimension Heroes to find out!

TO BE CONTINUED…