Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When people ask me what I do for a living, I usually reply with " Oh, just a standard clerk job at the Hinobi store. Nothing much." Lying is seen as a bad thing to most sensible people, but those poor fools would gawk at the sight of what I get to deal with every day. They call us the Glitch Techs, or well, those who know what we do behind closed doors and memory wipers. The only people who know what horrors are out there are those already in the field, working to keep a lid on that monstrous jar. 

Only chosen people can become Techs. It doesn't take a degree or experience in hand to hand combat, but it does take a high gaming rank. I was chosen because I would wipe the floor in multiplayer on Rank of Fallen. My brother, Pierce, was chosen alongside me because he had the same power when it came to his game of choice: Technological Warfare. If you ask me, they low balled it for him to get in.

Anyways, the reason only high-ranking, or at least impressive, gamers are chosen is because of Hinobi's little secret with their high-end tech stored in about every home on the planet. Their technology might be known for its power and amazing gameplay, but it should be better known for how video game monsters can literally pop out of the screen and eat you alive. The games can range from a cute little app on your phone, to a full-blown zombie apocalypse first-person shooter. The glitches are hard to deal with because they can be of any type. Mappers can turn the environment into the game setting and trap people inside, and that's not even the worse.

We fight these glitches and trap them in our gauntlets to take back to HQ for processing. We then wipe the memories of those who encountered this beast and restore any damage. Plixel technology is powerful, perhaps too powerful for these reasons. 

Personally, I wish they'd stop making their tech so easy to glitch, but they can't risk dumbing their product down because they're supposed to be the most advanced technology producer in the world. Being #1 comes at a price y'know. 

The job is fun most of the time; I get to blast glitch monster like an AR game and get free gear with the XP I earn along the way. I've only been working here for a year, but I think I've done pretty well for being pretty new.

My name is Lucas Cain, and I'm a Glitch Tech.

---

The morning sun poured in through the window, the lack of blinds letting the beams hit my face at full blast. My eyes opened slowly as my vision adjusted. I looked to my alarm clock, sitting on the nightstand next to the bed, reading 7 am. 

I got up, got dressed, and headed out. A Monday morning with the sun shining down couldn't feel more perfect. I might've still been tired, but hey, that's what I get for staying up playing ToonCraft all night. You'd think I'd stop playing games with this kind of job. 

The commune to work was like any other day. The roads were pretty clear due to being so early, and the birds were singing a beautiful song. The music was enough for me to roll down my windows and hear a monstrous roar instead as my car flipped over. 

The sound of glass shattering, covering the seats, and the sound of crinkling metal was barely heard over the beast's belly-filled bellow. My eyes slowly opened as I shook myself back to life. My car was totaled and so was the part of town the glitch was stomping through. Pulling myself out of my wreck, I looked up to see a large mole-like creature, reaching devastating heights, with small, yellow eyes picking up and scarfing down cars like a kid who had gotten hold of his sibling's snack bag. The gluttonous beast's belly glowed yellow with ear car It devoured.

" You owe me some shiny new metal." I grit through my teeth. My bracelet glowed as it unlocked itself, spawning plixels around it until it became a fully-functioning gauntlet. My eyes and ears were then covered by the visor that came with it. As I jumped to the ground, my clothes changed until I donned a grey and blue chest plate and armor plating that covered my white under armor. With a swipe of my hand over the gauntlet's screen, plixels flew out and into place to create a large sword. 

The suit enhances all abilities including speed, dexterity, and strength, so running at the target with a comedically large sword had no effect on me. My feet carried me up the monster's back and my arms swung up as I made a single, but final blow to the mole's head, immediately turning it to plixel dust, a large "500" banner appearing over where the monster was.

Gravity began to work again as I started plummeting towards the concrete below. While I was falling, I activated my gauntlet's memory wipers, setting it to a long-range and resetting everyone within 100 blocks who witnessed the disturbance. 2,000 feet from the ground, I realized my grave mistake as I swiped through my gauntlet's weapons and power-ups; I'd forgotten to buy rocket boots.

The fear kicked in, adrenaline following, pulsing through my very soul as I began to panic. The poor people I just reset were about to witness me flail midair until I inevitably reached the ground. 1,000 feet. I looked around the town, trying to see if there was something I could grapple. Too fast. 500 feet. I shut my eyes, only a few moments before-

I felt a hit in my side and hands wrapping around my body, forcing the air from my lungs from the velocity at which I was falling. I continued to fall, but at more of a controlled rate until I reached the ground, but my body never touched the cement. I opened my eyes, my body still full of adrenaline, to see none other than the grade A a-hole himself; Pierce.

" Looks like that's another save from me. That makes ten." His eyebrow cocked up as I felt his hands leave me, dropping me to the ground below with a thud. " Look, Lucas, if you want to go around getting yourself into trouble, that's all fine," he said, his voice soft but fruity and strong, " but maybe you should look for a partner to help on missions like this. Looks like you need it."

His belly laugh was enough to make my stomach churn. As he began leaving the scene, my broken car caught his eye. 

" It was about time you got rid of that old junk. The one good thing a glitch has ever done, and it's getting rid of your crappy excuse for a car, ha!"

I wish I was an only child.

----

Walking to Hinobi was less than ideal, but it gave me some time to think. If Peirce hadn't stepped in, I would have been mashed potatoes. Do I really need backup? I thought about it. I always went alone into missions, never really having a team for very long if there was a group assignment. I'd always gotten myself out of trouble, but this..This was a situation I don't think I could've walked away from on my own. He might've been right. 

---

The portal above me closed suddenly, as it does every time I use it to get into the Techs' secret HQ under the Hinobi store. The white walls were bussing with life as Techs moved from task to task. Some were practicing their aim, others were experimenting with robotic exoskeletons. As I walked through the main lobby, I noticed how many Techs had a glitch by their side. A Garbile, a Ginko, and even a Zoom Kazoom. It raced past me, spinning me around like a cartoon as I attempted to catch my balance. The Tech it belonged to was a tall, umber-skinned woman, her puffy black hair in her face as she attempted to catch up to her glitch. 

" Sorry!" Her voice had an Australian accent, hinted with American, as she had moved here a few months ago, and I had heard her name was Halima. She chased after Zoom and finally, after jumping on him, was able to get him to stop. I ran over to help them up. Halima grabbed my hand, panting heavily as she held Zoom in her other arm. " S-s-Ha-Sorry, mate. Kazoom here gets a bit riled up when he plays tag."

" Oh, it's no issue." I looked at the Zoom Kazoom as he had a big dumb smile on his face, embracing the hold of his keeper. " Say, I've been here for a while but I've never understood why you guys like keeping glitches around as..pets."

Her face lit up, " Oh! These glitches aren't just pets, they're companions! Zoom here, well he's my best bud. He comes on missions with me and sticks around in my gauntlet if I ever want to just hang out with him."

" But..Why? Why choose to befriend a glitch when there are plenty of people here who could offer a similar thing? It doesn't seem safe, really."

Halima's face dropped, but then she got an idea. " Alrighty Mr. Grumpy pants, you've never been interested in Companion Pets before. I'm guessing you finally had enough of your brother bailing you out of your glitch mishaps." Her smile spelled cocky.

My face grew red as I began to trip over my words, " W-what! N-no! Of course not, I'm just fascinated all of a sudden is all." But even with all the explanations in the world, it seemed nothing could cover up my truth.

" Look, mop-head, everyone here knows how you get yourself into trouble because you don't have a team. I mean, Pierce tends to like to talk about it a lot, so of course, word would get around. Don't worry, bud. C'mere." Halima draped her arm around Lucas, " I'm gonna show you someone who can get you the perfect Companion Pet."

She led me throughout the HQ until we reached a door at the end of a hallway. " Let me introduce you to the Pet Tech."

Chapter Text

The large, white, and blue-tinted metal door slid open, allowing us to walk through. The interior of the room was large and would remind me of the labs in Hinobi's Flunky Quest games. The ceiling reached the same height as the lobby but was covered in large pipes connecting to a main source in the middle of the room, hanging from the wall. It looked almost like the lobby's main system. There were stairs on each side of the room, 2 sets each, going up to a second area of the room. I couldn't believe I'd never seen this part of HQ before.

My view of the room was halted when a large machine-like creature hopped in front of my face, forcing me to fall to my butt in surprise by the noise and sudden appearance of such a large hunk of metal. Its large, red, and yellow eye looked at me with little emotion as it inched its round head closer. It was hunched like a gorilla and made deep, robotic, breathy noises as it examined me.

" Hey, Emma!" Halima exclaimed, calling up to someone who appeared to be standing on top of the large beast. A woman hopped down from the machine and brushed her white lab coat off. She wore purple gloves, extending to the middle of her forearms, and the same uniform as the rest of us underneath the lab coat. Her hair was a pink and white mashup, she almost looked like a Splatoon character. She extended her gloved hand to me as I was still laying on the floor.

" Sorry about that, he's a bit of a jumper today." I could hear a hint of excitement in her voice as if her little jumper didn't just give me a heart attack. I reluctantly took her hand and let her help me up. My face met with the beast again before I jumped back. Emma laughed at my timidness. "Don't worry, he's harmless...Mostly." 

Her humor seemed to be awfully dark, but I brushed it off as I quickly fixed my scared posture and straightened up, clearing my throat.

" So, I hear you're the Pet Tech, correct?" 

" Hmph, no need to address with such poise, you can relax." She responded, cocking an eyebrow at my expense. The robot laughed.

Halima cut in, " Lucas here needs a companion pet." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder, patting the side of my arm. 

" Oh! Then I shall find you the perfect sidekick." Emma inched up closer to me until we were just a breath apart. " Tell me, what is your style of monster?"

---

Emma typed away at her computer, and when she was finished, a beacon of light sprung from the floor as it opened up. A large pad came up and settled at ground level, giving off a blue and white glow. The blue glow began to pixelated, forming a body until it became physical and smooth. The end result was a large, goopy green mess with biceps, seeming to wear nothing but underwear. It flexed, shooting the blue glow off of it as it was completely formed.

" This," Emma explained, " is Garbile. A wrestling glitch from the game Nobi Gross Out." Garbile began to flex in different ways and positions, showing off. " His strength is larger than his intelligence, and he never passes up a chance to rumble." 

" You wanna go, little man? I'll break you In half like the twig you are!" He sounded like Hulk Hogan, but grosser, like he was sick. His light green beard flew around as he spoke, as he showed himself to be very expressive in physical movements and facial expressions. 

I gulped. " N-no thanks. I don't think this one's for me. I don't want to worry about being beaten up anytime he's around, I have my brother for that." I watched him pound his big hands together, a grin on his face as he looked through my soul with his one eye.

" Hm, alright, then, moving on." Once again, back at her computer, Emma spawned up another beast. This one was much smaller than the last and had a purple color palette. It had two large teeth protruding from its lower jaw, and its nose seemed to resemble that of a bat's. It had 4 horns sprouting from its head; 2 on each side, though one had 2 segments, making it larger. 

It grumbled and make nasally grunted noises as it looked around, running on all fours. It noticed me, staring while it stopped and sat on its hind legs.

" This is a Ginko. They start out small but don't let that fool you. Every time they walk they can grow until they are a huge monster that can deal incredible damage." Emma walked over to pet the little monster. It grunted in response.

I winced a bit, " Yeah, not my style." 

Emma looked slightly displeased, but with a sigh, she went back to the computer and tried again.

And again.

And again.

We went through maybe 20 different video game creatures and NPCs. They were either too big, too small, too scary, or just downright disgusting. I wasn't sure why I couldn't just pick one. It felt impossible with all of the choices and responsibilities.

I sat on one of the chairs, sighing in defeat.

" Maybe I'm just not cut out for a companion pet. I do tend to work better alone." I feel Emma could see the disappointment in my tone, as she examined me closer before rushing to her computer, typing furiously.

" Maybe you're more of a simple creature kinda guy. I feel this one will suit you nicely." With a final key pushed into the keyboard, the glitch spawner started up again and produced a large bug-like creature. It resembled a purple centipede, almost like Scolipede from that knock-off game called "Pokemon". Its eyes opened on the front of its rectangular body, its antenna beginning to move as it looked around the room. It had a beak like a squid, and many legs on every other segment of its body. It locked eyes with me.

" A Centridom. A centipede-like creature that can carry its hero on its back, and has a stinger that can immobilize foes. Best of all, they're cuddly and friendly, but only if their human is as well. Perfect for if you want to be all grippy and lonely, or if you want a pal that has your back."

The Centridom walked up to me, it was tall enough to meet eyes with me. It squinted, then let out a sort of caw from its beaked mouth, then proceeded to sniff my face. When it was finished, it backed up, still squinting, then looked like it started to calm as its eyes lifted to a normal state. It let out another caw, but this time in affirmation.

" Looks like you are cut out for a companion pet after all." Emma smiled wittily. 

I felt Halima nudge my shoulder in a sort of "go on" kind of way. I stepped forward, reaching out my hand, and felt the rough scale of the Centridom's head on my palm. It was cold and hard, like a giant snail shell. The Centridom rubbed against my hand, and there was this feeling. I couldn't describe it if I wanted to. It was like a mix of cold and warmth flowing throughout my body, something I had never felt before. It was calming. I looked up at Emma, beginning to grin a small bit.

" She's perfect."

----

And with that, the deal was to be sealed. Emma and Halima helped me figure out how to purchase the Centridom with my GT points, which I was then out about 90% of my earnings, but if a companion pet will help me with dealing with Glitch situations, I'm all for spending extra coins on it.

Centridom was able to be put into my gauntlet for safekeeping and easy travel. (Which thank god because having a giant centipede isn't the most flattering of pets to lug around everywhere).

" So you'll need to read up on this user's manual for your new pet, and I suspect you'll be taking good care of her?" Emma handed me a pamphlet.

" Take good care? I mean, it's just a bunch of plixels mashed together, I don't think it needs to be taken care of." I responded. My response seemed to not be taken lightly by the other two as they looked at me with slight disgust.

" Oh, so you're one of those Techs, huh? Well, I wish I would have known how you felt about glitches before trying so hard to set you up with your best match. Go then, be on your way if you really don't care about taking care of your pet." Emma scoffed, then turned away to return to whatever it was she was doing before. Looking at Halmia shaking her head, I realized I had made a mistake. 

I was about to apologize when something brushed against my leg. Looking down, I met eyes with a large cat-like creature. A Chomp Kitty. It had its classic green color with its purple stripes along its head and body. It gave me a large, toothed grin.

" Is that...Is that a classic 1993 Chomp Kitty?" I bent down with glistening eyes to pet it, which it seemed very happy with as it nuzzled against my hand, purring with its teeth still showing off their white perfection.

My love for the glitch caught Emma's attention.

" That's Chompers. My companion pet." Chompers looked up at her, then ran to her side, circling around her legs before sitting next to them, still smiling large. " He was my first catch when I was a newbie. Been by my side ever since."

The Chomp Kitty sort of barked at me, still cheerful. 

" Huh, if I would've known just how old the game to choose from could have been, he'd have been my first choice. The Chomp Kitty games have always been my favorite. Would've been fun having that little guy around." 

" You could trade your Centridom for a Chomp Kitty of your own, you know. Though it's more expensive than your Centridom." Emma crossed her arms, awaiting my reply. I thought for a moment, looking at my gauntlet that now held my pet. They're just programs after all, what harm would there be in exchanging a creature I didn't know much about for something I loved since I was a kid? Then again, I picked the Centridom. I couldn't leave her now...

" You don't really want to trade her in, do you?" Emma cut off my thoughts. 

I looked up, shook out of my head. Chuckling softly, " Guess not...But they're just programs, right? She wouldn't know if I just traded her in...Would she?" I gripped my gauntlet. Emma looked at me with a smile.

" Say what, keep her for a bit, then we can see if you still want to trade her in for a Chomp Kitty. Deal?" 

I thought for a moment, then decided. " Deal."

Chapter Text

Bustling cars and people took over the small town as I walked home from a long day of work. My back felt like it had been snapped in twenty different places, and my eyes were ready to pop out of my head, I was so tired. I realized while at Hinobi that I or Pierce could have fixed my car good as new with a bit of Plixel tech, but of course, I was too caught up in my anger and he was too caught up in his “glory”. 

When I finally reached my shambles of an apartment, I relaxed in the single creaky yellow and metal chair that resided next to my small table in my “dining room”. My home was nothing more than a small room with a kitchen and other room I like to call my living room. It’s more like if you put a wall in the middle of the bedroom and called it two rooms; like splitting a treat to trick a dog it’s getting two. 

The size doesn’t bother me, but the smell, oh the smell. Only when I couldn’t pay for a good carpet cleaner or replacement that would fix this problem did I realize how broke I was. I wish I got this job sooner, then maybe I wouldn’t be surviving off of scraps due to my poor financial planning skills.

I was never any good with math.

I got some money from my parents, sure, but I wasn’t smart enough to get a real job until I hit my 20s, which was just a cashier at a fast-food spaghetti joint. Did I mention how bad I am at math? Yeah, that job did not last very long.

Eight angry overcharged customers and a fall into the gamer depression later, here I am. If it wasn’t for this job offer I would be scraping the sides of dumpsters searching for my next meal by now.

My gauntlet bracelet buzzed, pulling me from my horrendous trip down memory lane. When I looked at the glowing blue screen on the side, I could see the +1 messages notification. I opened it up to see Pierce asking about my new pet.

“ So, tired of being a lonely little grasshopper ey? Good on you for finally owning up to the fact that you need a little glitch to help you”

The messages began rolling in of him mocking my choice with words and pictures of crude drawings he had made of me and my glitch. He got the math skills, I got the art skills. That’s at least something.

Grunting, I threw my bracelet to the table and went off to the bedroom, hoping a nap would ease my aching body. The light grazing my bed, however, didn’t look all that appeasing at the moment. I really need to get some blinds. Just then, my bracelet buzzed again, moving a bit on the table.

“ That’s it, I’m blocking him for good this time.” I brutishly grabbed the bracelet and was pleasantly surprised to see a different type of notification popped up on the small screen. It had an icon that resembled my new Centridom. When I opened it, a flash of light emitted as my gauntlet was unlocked to its full form, then another flash of light followed, bringing to life the creature I had purchased earlier in the day.

“ CREAAWWWW!!” It screeched, forcing me to cover my ears. I didn’t even have to time to pull myself together as it began to sniff me vigorously. I attempted to push it away, but it’s strength was much more than my meek body could hold back. I fell back, hitting my back against the table, stunning me for a second. When I reopened my eyes, I could see this giant monster’s large, yellow eyes staring into mine.

“ Jesus!” I tried to get up, but a hit to my head from the underside of the table was all I could manage.

The Centridom cawed again, but in a different tone, looking down at me with this look on its face. Almost like it was concerned. It pushed into my chest a bit, nuzzling it’s boxy head into my body.

“ Okay, okay, enough, gah.” I pushed it off again, this time it seemed to listen. It backed up while I tried to get back on my feet, my head throbbing. As if today couldn’t get any worse, I would hate to have to go to the hospital for a concussion.

Back on my feet and back in my right headspace, I took a breath. “ Okay, you…Thing. What’s your deal? I didn’t know you could interact with my gauntlet from the inside . If you can do more than just sending me a little pop up, I don’t want you anywhere near my XP or inventory, got it?”

The Centridom nodded with an affirming bug-like crow noise. 

“ Okay then. So, uh, get back in the gauntlet. Please.” I held up the gauntlet and pointed it at the creature, but it just looked at me blankly. “ Did ya hear me? Into the gauntlet. Go on.” I shook the tech at it, but it continued to stare. “ Are you glitching out or something? Can glitches glitch? What is your proble-,” I couldn’t finish that question before the Centridom turned around and began scouring my apartment.

“ H-hey!”

I ran after it as it crawled along the walls and floors, looking around, sniffing anything it could, picking things up and setting them down. This thing wasn’t listening to me.

“ Put that do- wha- hey no! That’s not for you! Get back in the gauntlet!” I lunged and grabbed at it, yet it wriggled away every time. You’d think I’d be able to snag something so large and bulky, but alas. A toddler would be able to catch this thing if it tried hard enough. Am I worse than a toddler? I couldn’t finish that thought as I felt the Centridom slam into my side as it crawled speedily past me, sending me to the ground again. This time, I felt a stinging in my hands and knees. They appeared to have some rug burn. When i touched the wounded area, I flinched, gritting my teeth a bit. This caught the attention of the very beast that caused the injury. 

It cawed and turned tail towards me at high speeds, stopping just before hitting my face, my arm shielding me from possible impact. When I brought my arm down, I saw it examine my hands and knees, sniffing cautiously. It cawed again before licking at my hands.

“ Ow! Hey, stop that!” I pulled away, clenching my fists, only to feel nothing on my palms. I looked down to see the wound had healed completely, leaving no trace. My amazement went away as the Centridom licked my knees as well, soaking my pants with it’s putrid saliva. It was disgusting, but underneath my pant legs, my knees were also fine now.

I looked up at the Centridom as it cawed. It seemed to be smiling, waiting for a response. “ Uh..I didn’t know you could heal.” It cawed again, happier. It brought its face closer to my chest, then began to..” Are you purring?” I had only felt a cat purr once. It was the stray cat I would feed every morning and night when I lived with my family as a child. It trusted me the night before it disappeared, crawling into my lap, purring as I pet it’s soft, creamy orange fur. 

The purring felt like a dream, it was warm and soft, bringing me further away from reality. I felt my hands pull up, holding onto the thick scaling of the Centridom, moving along its back, petting it. It was cold, but the feeling was warm. The Centridom closed it’s bright eyes and laid its head completely into my chest.

I wanted to move, yet I couldn’t. I wanted to stop, but that felt wrong. I missed this feeling. What is it called? Love? Care for another creature? Do I care for this giant beast that could tear me limb from limb in a second if its programming decided on it? This isn’t a living being. This isn’t real. It cannot feel, it cannot love. So why does it feel so warm to hold to something so cold?

I missed this.

Chapter Text

The morning sun poured in through the blindness window as it does every morning. As the light crept in, it hit my tattered bed, yet not my eyes as it normally would have. I was up before my alarm, sipping on a cup of freshly made coffee. The black btterness was overshadowed by the overuse of milk and sweetener, settling on a sweet, flavorful taste. My eyes moved over the manual Emma had given me the day I got Centi. It had all of the necessary information to “take care of” her. Everything from food to how to understand it was in this booklet. It wasn’t a long read, as most of the information is video game based, meaning there’s not much depth to it.
A burning oder inturrupted my silent thoughts, raising my eyes to the kitchen. “ Woah, woah hey!” I scrambled in to pull the plug from the toaster right before it caught flame. It went out as fast as it came and left a thick, black trail of smoke rising to the ceiling. Coughing, I put the now destroyed toaster in the sink, hoping that if it caught fire again, it would at least destroy that and not my counter. “ You can’t leave the bread in there for that long, you know.” I turned to my Centridom as she held up oven mitts in two of it’s claws. She cawed, lowering her thick antenna. “ It’s alright, just..Just don’t use anything that needs a timer.” Centi’s happy exterior perked back up again as she cawed in reply.
She snaked over to the other side of the counter, away from the burnt mess, and pick up a plate in her massive legs, presenting it. On the plate were eggshell-filled scrambled eggs that ran yet looked overdone at the same time. I saw the pan she used in the sink, covered in the egg mess that she wasn’t able to scrape onto the plate. “ Okay, we gotta teach you timing in general, wow” I grabbed the plate, “thank you, m’dear. I’m not much for breakfast, but I guess I do this time.”
I sat at the table, Centi joining on the other side. I would usually be irritated by this sort of thing. I need to buy a new toaster and clean up the destruction that’s been left in my kitchen, and I might get salmonella from these eggs, but I couldn’t really care less about that right now. The giant centipede that just destroyed my kitchen and made me under and overcooked eggs looks on at me with admiration in her large, yellow eyes. Her slit pupils were a bit more ovally like a cat’s. It wanted to do something nice, and I can appreciate that.

—
The walk to the store was no less boring as it was exhausting, as I still didn’t have a car. I had to give it to the dump because I couldn’t afford the damage. Oh well, I might be able to snag one of the vans from Hinobi if I give the good ol’ puppy dog eyes trick. At least I have good reason to now.
Hinobi was as busy as usual in the customer area as well as the Tech HQ. The familiar faces of my colleagues seemed to etch more in my mind than usual. I noticed their features more. I saw their focus, their smiles. I felt more connected to them as a person rather than as another soul just wandering the halls. It was strange to have not seem them this way before.
My bracelet buzzed, showing me the notification. With a press of the button, my companion was released. Her long body stretched then shook as if she woke up from a long sleep. She seemed to have attracted the attention of my fellow Techs as they began to crowd around her. Comments about her size and just how interesting she looked buzzed around, sort of like she was a celebrity.
“ So, you two get along well?” A familiar voice piped up. As the small crowd disbanded, Emma stood, viewing my Centridom with a smirk. “ I thought for sure you would have been in here earlier demanding a change to your precious Chomp Kitty.”
“ I, uh, had a change of heart as one might say.” I pet my companion, she cooed in response.
“ Oh really? Why the sudden change? Just the other day you were saying how glitches are nothing more than programs, and yet here you are, petting a giant centipede.”
“ There’s something different about her. She feels real. She looks at me and I can see life in her eyes. I don’t see that in the glitches I fight.”
Emma scoffed a bit, “ Of course you don’t, most of those glitches are hostile and are just performing their normal programmed routine. Your Centridom, like most companion pets, is able to make different programming. They can follow a different path that isn’t something ingrained into them. They can learn.” She smiled, cocking an eyebrow, “ Sort of like you.”
A chuckle escaped me. Boy was that the truth.
“ Say, you wouldn’t happen to be busy or anything right now, would you?”
“ Oh? Why?”
“ I dunno. My rounds aren’t for another couple of hours and I just kinda wanted to see that Chomp Kitty from the other day. If it’s alright with you of course.” I felt the back of my neck with my hand, the undercut brushed against my palm, itching it slightly.
Emma looked at Centi, petting her, keeping her cocky grin. “ I don’t see why not. The offer to trade is still up, you know?”
“ Heh, yeah I don’t think I’ll be taking it now. I just wanna see that lil guy. Maybe get him in the future when I build up enough points.”
Once again, walking through the HQ to the back where Emma’s lab was located, I noticed a few more things than I did before. The halls usually had at least one glitch in them just sort of chilling out. I thought it was just a runaway glitch or something, yet I couldn’t have thought it was someone’s pet or just one of Emma’s many glitches she kept in her lab with her. They must be allowed to roam.
The door once again slid open to allow us inside of the giant lab. The area was full of wondrous creatures of all types like before, but they were much more colorful and full of life than I remember. A flying cat soared past my head, meowing as it flew further into the air blissfully.
When we got towards the center console, Emma typed to find the Chomp Kitty, and once again the generator kicked up. Soon, in front of me stood a large, pixely green and purple cat with the biggest grin I’d ever seen. His smile soon gave me my own as I leaned down to pet him. He purred, showing his belly and making glitchy noises. Centi came over to see the Chomp Kitty closer, examining him.
“ I forgot, I don’t think I ever properly introduced you. His name is Chompers. He was my first ever glitch I caught and hasn’t left my side since.”
Centi sniffed Chompers, then cawed before sniffing again.
“ I think your Centridom might be a bit jealous.” Emma chimed in. She was certainly right about that. Centi seemed to like the Chompers, but I could tell she wanted some distance between him and me as she pushed her head between us. It was sweet.
After a while of hanging out in the lab with the Chomp Kitty and a few of the other glitches, my gauntlet alerted me.
“ Oop, my shift starts now. I’d better head out.” I said my final goodbyes to the glitches, but Emma stopped me before I went out.
“ You can always stop by here whenever you want, you know? You don’t just have to come by for pet maintenance or to see your little friend there.”
“ I suppose I could. I don’t do much anyways. It beats sitting around in my crappy apartment, that’s for sure. Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer.”
“ Oh is that a threat?”
“ Maybe it is.”
We laughed a bit, then the door shut behind me. Centi looked at my gauntlet as I swiped through my daily tasks.
“ Okay, I gotta admit, that was a switch up. Can’t believe it took just spending a day with you to open me up like that. First meeting with her and I couldn’t stand her. Now she’s a delight. It’s like you brought out this whole new side of me, Centi. Was this really all I needed? Just a little friend to keep me company and show me some compassion? Damn, am I really that lonely?” I chuckled nervously, “ That’s a bit of a problem, huh girl? Looks like I gotta make some actual friends that aren’t just you and my own reflection. Emma’s a good start to that, huh?” I began walking down the hallway. “ Halmia is sure gonna be happy about this one. She won’t stop gloating about how right she is the moment I tell her. Well, with you next to me, I don’t think I need to say anything at all.”
The hallway exited into the main area, allowing me to do my daily rounds and tasks as a Tech. This time, at least, I’ll have a little friend to help me today.

Chapter Text

My days had become restless. My eyes were full of light and energy, as was my body. My feet ran faster, my heart raced healthier, my chest was full and my mind free. The hunting of glitches became a side task that I could run through with ease as I focused on my main goal of each day. The glitches I faced were looking back at me with much more life than I originally gave them credit for. I could see the companion pets in them. I could see sentience. Each day was like the last; I would go to work early in the morning, finish my tasks as fast as possible, then spend the rest of the day and night taking care of the companion pets with Emma.
The days had practically merged together as I found solace in something stable and new. This was a fresh experience, wringing my body from its oily undertones and drying it back to life. I felt new. I felt free.
My mouth would often smile. It hasn’t done that in truth for quite some time. I love the feeling of it, the joy that came with it, the warmth.
I wanted nothing more than to continue this warmth throughout my days, yet I could only feel it in the lab. Outside of the lab I was colder. I could still feel the warmth from my Centridom’s gaze, especially as I laid in my bed with me at night, circling around itself to get comfortable. I couldn’t understand it. Perhaps it was the glitches. They were always so sweet and cuddly. Not the humanoid ones, however. They were more like people than anything. Honestly it was scary to think about.
No, it was something else. The glitches were a big part of this feeling, and the lab had nothing to do with it.
Oh..Oh no..
I had realized my mistake. I was not ready for this kind of thing. I was not expecting a feeling of this sorts to make its way into my life. People had always told me what it was like, that one day I would feel it, but I didn’t think they were serious.
Some people go their entire lives without this, so why couldn’t I? This pounding in my chest, this sweat from my hands and neck. My mouth became dry and my kness shaky.
Was this love?
Falling for a person takes great amounts of strength to endure. I’ve seen companions in love with one another and it just looks exhausting.
I was right about that one.
I can’t be. I won’t be! I refuse to feel this. I refuse to admit I can feel this. It’s more human than I can take. It’s sickening. If it’s so awful then why is it so warm? Such a happy place?
I’ve been around her too long, that’s all. My body was attached, but I was not, that must be it. A physical reaction to friendship. I hadn’t had a truly good friend before so my body is mistaking this closeness with affection.
Gah!
I can’t take this. I need a distraction.
I need a fight.

—

The T-Rex shot at me with its lasers, missing just barely as I flew around in on my hoverboard. I’d gotten some extra points and decided to splurge a little. The speed I was going at seemed to be just enough to evade the beast’s aim. To be fair, its eyes were so far apart, I could barely call this a fair fight.
Bam!
A beam hit my board, throwing me off balance. As I tried to restabilize myself, I began to see smoke coming from my board. Just great. I tried to steer away from any trees or powerlines, barely missing each one. I was losing control, and fast. One last option.
As I lunged off of the now flying death machine, it went off and exploded as it smashed into a tree. Good thing it’s respawnable.
ROAAAARRR!
But I’m not.
I manuevered out of the dinosaur’s path as it tried to snatch me in its large maw. It smashed into the ground, picking up some dirt as it lifted its mighty head.
The laser on its shoulder pointed it at me as the beast and I made eye contact. I summoned my shield just in time as the beam bounced off of it, hitting a nearby tree.
Scrambling to my feet, I felt the ground shake as the monster roared again, frustrated at my lack of defeat.
“ Alright big guy, I don’t wanna hurt ya. Just let me bonk your head real quick so I can get you back to HQ.”
It roared again.
“ Okay, not much of a conversationalist.”
I dodged as its tail hit the ground I stood on. It wasn’t playing around anymore. Not that it was before, but you get the idea. Another smash and another dodge later, we seemed to be at a standstill. I was too fast for it, but it was too big for me. We both seemed to know this, as we stared into each others eyes.
“ Draw?” I asked. It squinted at me, then relaxed. It turned and began to walk away, its large feet creating small craters in the ground.
Now’s my chance. I was always a good liar. My gauntlet glowed as it created a small ball-like capsule from that popular game. I threw it as good as my little man arms could, bonking the rex on the tail. It was just enough as the ball opened, showering the monster in a light, turning it into light, then sucking it in and closing, falling to the ground. It shook for a second, then a click was heard.
“ Man I love these things.”
I picked up the ball, then looked around at the damage. What a mess. I went through, using plixels to clean everything up and set it back to the way it was. As I was finishing up, I made my way to the last tree. My Centridom was still trapped in the monster’s spit. It seemed to have a good hold on her. This stuff could probably be used for some wicked glue. I pulled her out, cleaned the spit up, and headed out.
“ Alright, Centi. I think that was a job well done, don’t you?” Centi cooed, nuzzling into me. I had to push her off, though, as her nuzzling was pushing my hands off of the steering wheel. The tech vans had auto pilot, but I like to feel the car, feel the control in my hands.I looked at the capsule on the dashboard. It rocked slightly with the movement of the car. Another one that’s gonna be reused. Possibly made into a companion pet, maybe just broken down into data to be used for other things. Things like a hoverboard, or a van..
I shook it off, I needed to stay focused.
Back in the lab, Emma greeted me from onto of a flying eyeball glitch.
“ I see the capture went well?” She inquired. “ Yeah, a bit of trouble, but not too much.” I answered. “ We came to an agreement near the end, though. Made it a whole lot easier. Wish he woulda done that from the start.” I tossed the capsule up and let it fall back into my hand.
“ Well, Tyrrano are known for their stubborn, yet fair behavior.” She giggled as she took the capsule from me. “I take it you liked this new toy?”
“ Oh, uh yeah. It was a lot easier to just catch the thing rather than, uh, beat it at a fight.” I flexed my arm to prove my point. “ I would be chasing it for the whole day if it wasn’t for that.” I cleared my throat, feeling dry. Dammit.
“ Yeah, I bet.” She walked over to her computer.
“ So, uh, anything you need help with today?” I rocked onto my toes and back to my heels a bit, swaying.
“ Nope, I’m almost finished for the day, so you can just head out if you want.”
“ Oh, well uh, since you’re not doing anything soon, you wanna head out together? Grab some dinner? I’m starved after chasing that dino through the woods. Nothin’ big, of course, just to hang.” I bit at my tongue.
“ Oh, no thanks I already ate. You go on ahead though.” Her eyes were fixed to the screen as she worked. Her focus never broke. It was almost inhuman.
“ Oh, right right. Yeah, okay. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” My tongue felt more pressure from my teeth as I clenched. The dullness of the bones were thanked in that moment.
“ Oh yeah, mhm.”
Silence followed her reply, if you could call it that. I could say I was irritated, but that would be incorrect. I was ashamed. I was infuriated. Not at her inability to look at me, I understood this concentration, I lived it. I was to blame. I was trying to be something I’m not. I should know better. I should be better. I wanted something I knew I could not have. My body craves it, my brain doesn’t. Why is this so painful?
The blood.
I coughed as I choked on my iron rich spit, trying to breathe. This seemed to catch her attention.
“ Are you alright?” Her eyes did not move.
I caught my breath for a reply, “ Yeah,” then I coughed some more. My throat was now clear, and so was my mind. My teeth were stained red with the blood. I bit too hard.
My unconcious efforts made me conscious once more. I thank my body for that harsh awakening.
I centered myself as I made sure my throat was clear. My eyes then began to wander the screen Emma was so focused on. There was a list of all of the glitches she had in her custody. All of the creatures she was in charge of. There were so many different kinds. I hadn’t seen this list in my 3 weeks of coming here. I couldn’t imagine how large her collection was. I never dared to ask.
No. It’s not her collection. It’s theirs. She doesn’t control how many of them are sent to her, they do. How many more could there have been if they weren’t broken down to become something else? Recycled.
It’s sick.
“ There are so many.” The words left my mind before I could stop them.
“ Yep, and more to come.”
“ How do they choose which ones will remain themselves?”
“ I don’t know. Maybe it’s based on hostility and ability to change the code.”
“ There should be more in here. Glitches are caught everday, sometimes dozens. They shouldn’t be changed like that. Not that many. They wouldn’t all be that bad, would they?”
Emma sighed, her eyes falling for the first time since getting on the computer. “ They don’t see them the way we do. They only see them as code they can either use, or recycle. I don’t control that.”
“ Have you tried showing them? I was once like that, now I know what they are. If you can change me, you can change them, I’m sure of it.”
Emma closed her eyes for a bit, putting her hands on her head. When she spoke, it was solemn. “ I have. They refuse to listen. I don’t want it to be this way, but I can’t change it. At least in this chair I have some sort of power over this. I’m not completely powerless in showing someone, at least one person, that glitches are not just code. At least I did with you.” She looked at me with this sort of defeat in her eyes.
My blood ran faster, filling my mouth as my teeth gnawed into my tongue, further and further they dug.
“ That’s..That’s bullshit.”
“ Excuse me?” She was taken aback by my response.
“ It’s bullshit! They should listen. I looked that dinosaur in the eyes and saw a glimpse, no no, a huge chunk of life in there. He heard me. He understood me. Something that can look me in the eyes and show me some life should have the chance to live it.”
My anger boiled, I felt my nails in my palms as my fists clenched tighter and tighter. The face I saw was one of pain and defeat. I wanted to fix that.
“ Trust me, I’ve already tried. At least here I can show the Techs that truth. For the most part, at least.”
“ That’s not enough. I swear to you, I swear to them,” I pointed at the screen, “ That I can and will prove that these creatures are worth saving. They’re not just monsters, they’re intelligent beings. I can show them. I just need a chance. An audience with those high up assholes who think they can throw life around like this.”
“ Okay, okay, calm down.” Emma stood up, her hands up towards me, trying to keep me together. “ You can try. I won’t guarantee it’ll work, just from experience, but if you can get something to show them the truth, I could get you an audience.”
My ears perked along with my interest. “ What, really? You’re on my side on this?”
“ If you can do more than what I could, then yes. Only, though, if you can have some good solid proof that won’t make them think they wasted their time. It’ll only make things harder.”
My blood slowed as a smile crept up. Suddenly, my energy came back, but in a more controlled, solid way. “ Yes, yes I can do that. I just gotta get a glitch to bring back, easy, I do that everyday.” I began to walk out, a bit more pep in my step.
“ Lucas, just don’t be stupid and bring back a killer robot or something. Just because you relate to it doesn’t mean others will.”
“ I will forget you said that!”

Chapter Text

The cold air of the night whipped my face as the sliding doors moved aside to let me pass. I checked my bracelet, a hologram emitting from it, showing a map of Bailey. I swiped along it, hoping to find a red dot, an indicating to a glitch threat in that area. I spotted one near an arcade. The description of the enemy was next to nothing, the gauntlet just stating it as an imminent threat.
“ Odd. Never done that before.” Well, beggars can’t be choosers I guess, and with that, I was on my way.
I now have something to prove, not just to them, but to myself. I’ve seen consciousness in these creatures, and coming from me, that’s a lot. I barely see consciousness in the people I see on the streets. It has to mean something.
Maybe glitches were always more intelligent and alive than even we were. It’s a possibility. They live on a whole different plane of existence. It’s not crazy to think that their level of sentience couldn’t possibly be calculated to fit our ways of thinking of it. Perhaps they have always existed long before us, and our only way to see them was through the lens of virtual reality.
Virtual worlds are so much more simple. They tell a story that is linear, sometimes messy, but you always get to the end. Humanity has always just been messy, as has reality. Glitches have proven to me that virtual worlds can be just like our own, just on a binary scale of ones and zeros. They’re so alive, and I intend to prove that.
The van skidded as it rushed towards the goal that was this glitch. This glitch that was going to save them, that was going to save me. Hopefully, it was going to save her as well. The pain of watching a creature be broken down into nothing more than code. Vile.
I must prove them wrong, I must prove us right. I must save them. The virtual world has saved me more than enough times and it was time I paid back the favor.
The soft yellow glow of street lamps lit up the parking lot of the arcade when I arrived. It was just enough to see the large, gaping hole in the wall of the closed building. The red dot on my van’s scanner suddenly disappeared. Just great.
Some of the lights were still on inside, mainly in the main arcade room. I took my steps carefully, scanning the area with my gauntlet. Once I assessed the situation, I donned my uniform of tech and armor to protect my frail body in case of an ambush. The scanner picked up nothing but residue that a glitch had been here.
“ Dammit. It must’ve scurried off just before I got here.” I looked back to the giant hole in the wall, “ Well, scurry off might be an understatement.”
The glitch appeared to be big, big enough to also leave small dents in the floor. I noticed I was standing in one of them. It was circular with claws on the ends, just enough to dig into the floor a smaller bit than the heel of the foot. I took some more time to look around. Some of the arcade cabinets were knocked over, others destroyed or just busted up a bit. It didn’t look like a rampage, just more of a “get me out of here” situation.
I took another round around the area, but couldn’t find anything else to tell me where the glitch was or where it’s going. Just great.
I made my way back to the van to hopefully get back onto its signal when the ground began to shake. Thump. Thump. Thump. The pebbles around the wheels of my van shook and jumped with each bump. This seemed way bigger than the hole in the wall. It couldn’t have gotten bigger, right?
I turned to the wooded area behind the arcade, seeing the birds fly out of the trees as they shook with the ground. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The lights of the street lamps buzzed, flickering along with the earth’s movement. The flashing kept me from seeing more than the giant silhouette that began to emerge from the trees. It’s large arms and claws pushed the wood aside like it was nothing but a nuisance to the beast. I could make out a large tail, swaying with it as it walked. By the time the lamps stopped flashing, it was just behind the wall of the arcade building, it’s body taller than the structure by about 8 feet. The illuminated monster appeared to me in full, terrifying glory as it stood, staring at me. It’s one, black eye with many white pupils glared into my soul. It’s 2 large, vampiric fangs jutted out from the top of it’s mouth. It seemingly had the body of a snake with 2 arms and legs that looked like armor.
My breathing slowed as I attempted to calm myself. Sure, the glitch in front of me was bigger than I anticipated, but that was no reason to fret. It just..got bigger from when it broke out of the arcade, that’s all.
“ Okay, giant..monster thing. Let’s take a moment to think about what we’re doing here because I really don’t want to fight you and die tonight. Sound like a plan?” The glitch stared with its dead eye, then bellowed a hearty roar as it became angered. “ I guess I’ll take that as a no.”
Suddenly ducking as a tree flew over me, completely wrecking my van.
“Hey! I still have to pay for damages like that!”
The fight was on, the adrenaline pumping. If only it was a smaller glitch, or at least something that wasn’t so hostile. I don’t recognize this game character, must be something new for the kids, i dunno, something fun for the kids.
The beast roared again, then revealed it’s full body from behind the building’s wall. It lept up on top of the roof, almost shattering the wood beneath its massive feet. It stumbled for a second before gaining its balance, looking up at me again.
“ Alright, Centi, let’s see if you can handle something like this.” My gauntlet emitted the familiar glow, releasing my Centridom from her room inside it. She prilled, ready for battle. “ I want you to take its attention while I try to get in close to see what it is, we’ll go from there.” Centi nodded, then rushed off. The monster’s eyes followed her as she moved around in odd patterns, alerting it to her.
It gave me just enough wiggle room. I swiftly made my way behind the beast, tip-toeing onto the roof, careful not to creak any of the busted wood beneath my feet. With my gauntlet aimed, I was able to get a scan. It said the glitch was something known as a Possessor Glitch, but there was barely anything written other than “HIGH PRIORITY”. Not much I can go off of, which is terrifying since the thing is bigger than a building. Dunno how much bigger it might get.
The beast finally realized it was being toyed with and turned to be, enraged. It swung it’s tail at me, missing barely as I jumped away, smashing through the roof, sending wood chips in all different directions.
I readied a stun gun, aiming for the body of the beast and firing right before it smacked me off of the roof with its tail. While I crashed into the hard cement of the parking lot, the monster yelled in agony as the stun took effect. My body ached, but at least my armor kept most of the damage away. I pulled myself up. “Centi, do I have time to get back up there?” I called out. Centi scrambled over to the glitch and check the stun timer. It looked at me and nodded in confirmation.
With my air back in my body, I made my way back up to the roof where the glitch monster stood motionless. I took some time to examine it, check for weak spots in case I needed to defend myself again. It had quite a few on it’s legs and arms, as the fore arm and leg were much thinner and weaker than the rest of the limb. There also a weak point on its head and in its eye. With that out of the way, I got onto my Centridom, letting her hoist me up closer to the glitch’s eye level.
“ I know you can hear me. The stun won’t affect that. I know that somewhere inside, you know that you’re more than just game code, you can learn and feel and think, possibly more than most humans are capable of. Come back with me to prove that, and no one will hunt your kind ever again.” I looked into the glitch’s many pupils that were scattered along its eye, like it was looking for something to help it from the stun. One of the pupils seemed to move, looking at me more directly than before. The stun was wearing off, and I had only one chance to get this thing on my side before cavalry arrives or I have to actually fight back.
Slowly, the stun finally wore off, allowing the snake like monster to rear it’s head back as it unstiffened itself. It shook its head, then looked down on me.
“ Uh, you wouldn’t by any chance be accepting my offer? Hehe.” The glitch took a moment, then its figure slacked a bit, seeming to show it was calming down. Its face neared mine, and with a large wind of air hitting my face, it sniffed me, then backed away. I saw that look again, the look of knowing, of understanding. It could hear me, it could listen. I reached my hand up to it, slowly. I saw a flicker of pink, glitching in its eye. “ What are you?”

KABOOM!

I didn’t get an answer. In fact, I could barely hear anything after that explosion. My vision was blurred as I struggled to open my eyes. What I could barely see around me seemed to tell me enough of what was happening. Another tech had been alerted to this area and was attacking the glitch. It shrieked in anger and pain as he shot at it with his gauntlet and other blasters. Wood chips were strewn across the ground as fire continued to blaze from them.
I tried to look around for Centi. I saw her curled up, not moving, covered in some of the building’s rubble.
“ Centi..” I coughed out weakly, reaching for her. My attention came back to the person who did this, who caused this destruction. He was obliterating the glitch. It was weakened when he put in the final blow, but when it was destroyed, it didn’t turn into the classic green looking glitch particles, it was pink and alive. What I saw next was the most horrifying of all; there was something else that came out of the glitch. A child. A kid no older than 10 years old collapsed on the ground, lifeless.
The glitch looked at the kid, then met my eyes and rushed towards me, but was unable to make it before getting sucked up by the tech. I finally got to see who did this. Who ruined my chance.
The anger that radiated off of him couldn’t contain his usual snarky, confident, attitude. He kneeled down towards me.
“ What the hell is wrong with you?.”
“ Pierce?”

Chapter Text

The beeping of machinery was faint but slowly faded to clarity. My mind was coming to from the black. The aching in my body was everything. It was as if I was being steamrolled by gravity itself. The pounding of my head is what woke me. It pulsed and pulled, tearing through itself in gorey pain. The lights around me were bright enough that I could see them through my closed eyes. They forced my eyes to open slowly. My pupils needed to adjust but they wouldn’t stop opening. My vision was clouded as the light blinded me, but it slowly fixed itself. I was on a bed in a room that looked like a hospital room. This must’ve been the emergency room in the store. I have never been here before. I’d never been that bad before.

The machines that were connected to me beeped along with my heart rate, letting everyone know I was still alive. I didn’t expect to be here, I thought it was just a flesh wound, but oh god my head it ached. 

I sat up slowly, feeling the burn in my lungs and bones. Everything was on fire, but it was slowly subsiding as I got used to it. I looked down to the wrap around my torso, covering a wound I didn’t even know I had. My chest was exposed aside from the monitors hooked up to it, checking my vitals. I coughed, forcing phlegm out of my lungs and throat as it begged for water. I searched the small room and found a small cup of water with a straw sitting on a small table next to the bed. I drank from it generously, forgetting the straw entirely. When I finished, I took a breath. The cold air of the room shocked my lungs back to life. I felt so dry, so muggy. I needed a walk.

The floors were as cold as the air on my bare feet. As I walked towards the door, I removed the wires and things hooked up to me. The steady beeping of the heart monitor whirred as it didn’t sense my heart anymore. I found my shirt, socks, and shoes on a chair. When I put them on, I couldn’t find my gauntlet anywhere. Dammit.

A nurse rushed over to the room, opening the door before I could. “ Oh good, you’re awake. Don’t take those off next time, thought you were dead.” He went over and began to clean up the bed and room, possibly for the next patient. “ Are you sure you’re good enough to be walking around right now?”

“ I feel fine. Gravity is pushing my skull in right now but I’m fine.” I sarcastically remarked. Once my shoes were on, I left in a hurry. As I walked down the corridor, I saw some people near one of the rooms. Phil and Emma were talking outside of the room, looking distressed. When I got closer, I saw Pierce was there too, he seemed angry. When I got close enough, I caught their attention.

“ Well look who it is, man of the hour.” Pierce mocked angrily. He stomped over to me. “ Your little stunt almost got you killed, or worse, but you know what your stunt did do?” He pointed to the door. “ Go take a look.” I went over to the window that was beside the door. Inside the room was a kid, the kid. The kid that had the glitch attached to him. He was laying there, on the bed, motionless. The heart monitor beeped steadily, but the nurses and doctors were off like something was wrong.

“ What’s wrong with them?” I choked up, my throat still dry.

“ They won’t wake up.” Phil stepped forward, looking through the window as well. He was disgruntled. “ The Possessor Glitch it..It was too late. That glitch was one of the rarest glitches we know of.”

“ Last time they had one, they were able to destroy it before it hurt anyone.” Pierce chimed in.

“ We didn’t know what would happen if stayed attached to a host for too long. Now we know.” Phil sighed. “ We’re going to have to tell his parents. He’s not waking up. Ever.”

“ Comatose?” 

“ Yeah. We tried everything. They’re just gone.”

“ It’s like the body’s there, but not the mind,” Emma said. The air was thick with pain. From my body, I ached, but from my heart, I cried. I did this. I killed this poor child. They may not be dead, but his blood is on my hands. They’re going to have to tell his parents what I let happen. I let this happen. 

“ I didn’t know.” I tried to speak.

“ Of course, you didn’t know,” Pierce began to become violent, he marched up to me, yelling, “ You don’t think anything through! The hell is wrong with you? I may be a jerk but at least I take care of these monsters. At least I don’t let crap like this happen!” He shoved me, hard. I fell to the ground. My scars burned. My bones were on fire.

“ Enough!” Phil pushed him away. “ That doesn’t solve anything, you idiot! I will handle this, you just go home.” Pierce scoffed, looking at me with death in his eyes, then stormed by. Phil pinched the bridge of his nose. I picked myself up, feeling the weight of my body pulling against itself. Now my butt hurt too.

“ I’m sorry…” I put out.

“ I don’t care.” Phil injected. “ I don’t care that you’re sorry. I don’t care that you didn’t mean to. You did this.” He turned to me, taking a breath to calm himself. “ Go home. I’m relieving you from your post until you sort out whatever the hell this is. You get straight before you come back here, you got that? I don’t want another incident like this happening, especially not from glory-be-to-glitches fanatics like you.” He leaned in close. “ I will be keeping your gauntlet until further notice and you do not come back here until I tell you to, do you understand?” 

I was taken aback by this aggression. I deserved it, but I was still startled. I nodded.

“ Good.” He walked past me and Emma, then turned back to her. “ This is also on your hands too. I’ll be thinking of your consequences in my office.” And with that, he was gone. 

My chest twisted tight, forcing the air from my lungs and not letting any back in. I deserved this. I always did. What was I thinking? I took an innocent life from this world by trying to prove there was innocence in another. I didn’t prioritize my fellow man. I didn’t know. How could I have known?

I felt a hand on my shoulder. Emma’s. 

“ Hey, it’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. Nobody knew anything about Possessor Glitches prior. What did your gauntlet say about them?”

“ Basically nothing, but that doesn't mean anything.” I looked into the hospital room. “ This wasn’t supposed to happen. I just lost our case because I was stupid enough to try this on an unknown enemy.” I slammed my hand on the wall. “ I swear, though, I saw something in there.”

“ What do you mean?”

“ When I looked at it. The glitch. It looked back at me. I swear it understood me. I don’t think that was the kid under there. I swear it was alive. It didn’t want to hurt me. It was scared of me.”

I slumped against the wall. “ But that doesn’t matter now. I lost two things tonight; that kid and my job. It’s over.”
“ Hey, it’s not over. You can still fight for your job back. You just need some time is all.”

“ Time to what? To realize we were wrong or to figure out a better way to prove we were right? I just..I just can’t do this right now.” I got up, hearing my bones cracking under my weight. “ I just need to rest.”

Emma tried to reach for me, but I pulled away. She was angry and upset, but not with me. She seemed to understand this situation better than any of us. It was my fault, but it wasn’t. We all knew that. How could I have known? I should have known.

The cold air was confined to the hospital area as I walked into the much warmer main lobby. I could practically feel my bones separating. Emma exited soon after me, going in the opposite direction. She was going to talk to Phil. I could feel it. 

I followed, wanting to see what was going on. I don’t know what side she’s on right now, but it wasn’t mine and it wasn’t Phil’s. His office door closed and soon I heard yelling. Oh yeah, I was right. My ear led me closer, trying to take in what they were saying as the yelling began to die down. 

“ You know damn well what he did was wrong,” Phil argued.

“ You know damn well you didn’t know this could happen either!” Emma shot back. Phil grunted.

“ Look, I hate this as much as you do,”

“ Oh, that’s a shocker.”

“ But we can’t just let this slide. Look, I can’t let you off easy either, since you had a hand to play in this too.” Phil sighed. “ Okay, look. I can’t just pull you off like Lucas was, you’re way too important to lose, so I’m putting you in charge of the Possessor Glitch until we find a way to deal with it without destroying it.”

“ Excuse me? Why would you put me in charge of that creature?”

“ Because it doesn’t matter if what you two believe or don’t believe but that glitch is definitely alive in some way. It doesn’t react the same way as the other glitches do and has to be contained differently. It’s in the holder bay right now and I can’t find anyone who will look at it the way I know you will. You have to figure this thing out and chart it so we can figure out if there’s any way to reverse or fix the damage.”

“ So do I just get off easy while Lucas has to suffer for something that wasn’t really his fault?”

“ Emma I-”
“ No, Philbert, you listen here. I have as much to be blamed for this as Lucas. If anything, I should be punished way worse than him right now. I should be fired for this sort of malpractice and he should be mentally helped for what he just witnessed and what he thinks he caused.”

Then there was silence. Tensions were rising.

Another sigh from Phil. “ I’ll take that into consideration.”

“ His gauntlet.”

“ What?”
“ Give me his gauntlet. He has a friend in there.”

Phil was taken aback by this request. I was as well.

“ She needs someone and if you won’t let Lucas have her back until you think it’s right for him to come back, then I should be able to take her until then.”

I couldn’t see, but I could tell Phil stiffened in his chair. “ Fine, fine, whatever gets you out of my office.”

“ Thank you.”

I heard footsteps nearing the door, that was my cue to book it. My evasion was just in time as Emma stepped through the door. She looked at the gauntlet with heavy eyes. There was pain. She didn’t notice me around the corner when she turned and left back to her lab. I was in the clear. I had to leave. Not home, but somewhere else. I think I figured out what I have to do.

The glitch holding bay.

The halls were vacant. Nobody was on guard at the moment. They must be switching out right now. Perfect timing. The doors to the glitch holding bay slide aside for me, allowing me access. Only certain people were allowed back here, yet they haven’t changed the locks yet. It’s careless if you asked me. The bay was a long corridor where the walls were lined floor to ceiling with small boxes. Those boxes contained glitches inside. There were a lot of glitches held in here, as they were deemed more hostile and harder to break down into plixels than others. I searched the rows for what I was looking for. Then I found it.

The box that held the Possessor Glitch. It was right here. I looked in at the transparent box, watching it squirm and writhe as it attempted to break out. I carefully took the box from the row, looking in as it noticed its movement. It looked at me with its glitchy eyes. It looked smaller than it was before, but the same. The same pinkish color, the same yellow eye with a pink diamond pupil. It stared at me with wonder. 

“ Hey, little buddy. You’ve got some explaining to do.” I whispered. It moved closer inside the box. “ Okay, so you can’t talk uhh. How about one smack or nod for yes two smacks or a head shake for no? We’ll play 20 questions.”

The glitch looked at me for a second, then nodded. I couldn’t believe it. My knees practically bent in on themselves. If it wasn’t for the pain in my body, I would have jumped around like a dumb kid.

“ You can understand me? Yes, yes! I knew it. You understood me while you were that giant monster right?” It nodded. Incredible. “ Oh my god, they’re gonna have to listen to me now. Okay, so what was the deal with that kid? Did you do that on purpose?” It shook its head quickly. “ Okay, good. Did you know that was going to happen?” It shook again. “ Wait so you didn’t know that possessing that child for that long would put them into a coma?” It nodded.

This was crazy. I was playing 20 questions with a living glitch that was just nodding away. Wait. It could be lying to me.

“ You’re not lying so I’ll trust you are you?” It shook its head. I squinted at it. “ Mmm, okay, but I’ll keep that in mind. So, are all glitches sentient the way you are?” The Possessor squinted it’s eye in a way I could tell it was confused. “ Right, right, that’s more than a yes or no. Okay, uh, are you evil? Guess I shoulda started with that.” It shook its head. “ Haha! Yes, I knew it! I’m gonna rub this in everyone’s faces. Real talk, you know what you did was wrong right?” It nodded, looking almost ashamed. “ Good. You’re self-aware, that makes two of us.” I looked away, then at all of the other glitches stored away. “ I don’t think like them. I don’t see monsters, I see bad coding. You’re all alive in different ways. You’re more alive than most of the people I know, to be honest. I’m gonna prove that. You’re my proof.”

I was ready to head out when the doors slid open. There were two doors, one on each side of the corridor for emergencies. It turns out, I set off a silent alarm. Emma and Phil were on one side while a few other techs were on the other.
“ Boy, what the hell are you doing!” Phil yelled out. “ Why is that thing out of its row?” He growled.

“ Lucas whatever you think you’re doing, you have to stop. Put it back. This isn’t the way to prove yourself.” Emma tried to coax me.

“ No. No! Listen, just listen to me! I was talking to it. Look! It can understand us, it can hear us. It doesn’t like what it did, it feels ashamed for it!” I held out the box for them to see. “ It’s not a threat!”

“ Put that thing down or so help me, Lucas, it won’t be the only thing in a box right now.” Phil put on his own gauntlet, rearing it up and donning the armor. I tried to step back, but I was cornered. No where to go and I was in no shape to try to fight, especially without my gauntlet. I looked at the box. The glitch looked up at me. It trusted me. I wanted so badly to prove myself. I finally had something I wanted to prove, to share, and now I was being screwed over by the world.

“ Why can’t you just believe me? Look for yourself!” 

“ I’ll look once Emma’s done her job and proves to me correctly that that thing can be trusted.” Phil pointed his gauntlet. “ Let it go, now!”

I couldn’t. I couldn’t let go.

“ One.”

I had to hold it, I couldn’t just leave it here with them. I had to protect it.

“ Two.”

It deserved as much life as that child. It didn’t mean to.

“ Thre-”

My body took over. I felt my arms burn as I lifted the box above my head. With all of my remaining strength, I felt them throw and release the box at the ground. I couldn’t stop myself. Why couldn’t I stop myself? The shattered glass broke out all around me, cutting my hands and spreading out everywhere. The pink glitch suddenly sparked to life. It shot off of the ground, rising up within a second. Within that second, all I could see was pink. All I could feel was energy and static. Pain writhed within my very being. I screamed. I couldn’t help myself. All I could do was stand there and scream. I felt a blast pass me, possibly from Phil. He always was a lousy shot. At least when he got scared. I would be scared too.

I should be scared too.

My head pounded as I fell to the floor. My lungs grasped for air as my hands grasped at the floor, trying to hold onto anything at all. I felt like I was falling. Everything was so faded. Everything was so wrong. My body felt weird. I wasn’t in pain. I was just…Off. I could barely hear the voices of those around me, they were so faint from the pounding in my ears.

“ Why would you do that!?”

“ Lucas are you alright?”

“ What’s wrong with you?”

“ Get up! Get up right now!”

I couldn’t really hear them. I didn’t want to. 

Get up.

I felt myself rise. I stumbled. Phil tried to grab my arms, the other techs attempting to help. I kicked them away. Literally. They went flying into the wall. I couldn’t see much, my vision was dazed, but I could feel Phil’s eyes looking over in shock. I pushed him away, once again, harder than I intended. I stumbled, trying to get my balance. I could hear Emma’s voice, but I couldn’t understand what she was saying. She tried to reach out to me, but I moved back. I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay. Why can’t I stay?

Go.

I must go. I have to leave. I can feel my feet running. Where am I running to? I’ve got to keep going. I can’t let them catch me. I need to be faster. Faster. I’m much faster now. I look down, and I’m practically flying through the halls and rooms. Nothing can stop me. I feel so alive. Have I never felt alive before? I’ve felt alive. With her. With them.

I must keep going. Can’t give it up. What can’t I give up? What happened in there? I can’t remember. I only know I can’t let them catch us. I must be faster. A ledge was coming up. I can’t stop now. I must keep going. Escape. I must escape. 

Jump.

My legs were actually flying now. Did I learn how to fly? No. I’m jumping. Over the lobby. Over way more area than I should be able to jump. I feel like I’m in slow motion. I can’t stop. We must keep going.

I landed hard on the floor below, but I didn’t feel any pain. I was in pain moments ago. Where is that pain now? Why do I feel better? Why do I feel more alive than ever? Why am I so fast?

The portal. I can see it. I couldn’t see them. I can hear them. They’re still chasing me. I’m too fast. The portal. I’ve gotten through the portal. I can’t stop running. I’m still running. Faster than they can catch me. Out onto the street, and then some. They’ve stopped chasing me, but I don’t stop running. Where am I going?

Home.

Home, yes. I’m going home. I must go home, that’s where I’m safe. I can rest there. But why would I need to rest? I feel fine. I feel amazing. Fantastic. I feel like I can run forever. I’m so tired, but I don’t feel it. Why can’t I feel it? Why can’t I… I’m home. I’m in my apartment. When did I get here? Why does my body hurt now? Why is my head pounding? Why am I?

“ Gaaahh!!” I grip my head, falling to the ground. The pain in my body is gone now, but my head is pounding. I feel my sense return to me. It was the most surreal thing I’ve ever experienced, but it doesn’t look like it’s over. I made my way to the bathroom, stumbling over everything, trying to claw my way through. When i made it, I opened the medicine cabinet and began to scarf down pain killers. I took deep breaths. What was happening to me? Why did that happen? What even happened?
I can answer that for you.

“What?” I jumped back. “ Who’s there?” I looked around, trying to find where the voice was coming from.

I’m right here, Lucas.

I looked at the mirror. I saw my reflection, but it was different. My left eye had turned yellow with a pink diamond pupil. I blinked, then tried to rub the image off of the mirror.

That’s not going to work.

“ I might as well try.” I shakily said, rubbing furiously at the mirror. It proved true. It wasn’t coming off. I stared intently. “ Are you..Are you the Possessor Glitch?”

Yes.

“ Okay, okay. Glad we cleared that up. Uh, so like, do you want to explain what you’re doing in my head and on my eyeball?”

I had no other choice. We were cornered. 

“ So that gives you the idea to ride me like a Cadillac!?” I jumped, furious but also terrified.

No. I did not want this. You were right, I’m not like other glitches. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, but it was my nature. I need a host to survive. I need energy.

“ Not a good excuse.”

I know. I’m sorry. I will exit you as soon as it’s safe to do so. I don’t want you to end up the same way.

“ As the kid? Yeah, me neither. Then we’re both screwed.” I groaned. “ What am I gonna do now? I got you in my head and them on my butt. They don’t believe me and after this whole stunt, they’re gonna vaporize you on the spot and probably fire and reset me.”

Yeah, sorry about that. To be fair, you did put us in that situation yourself. I was only getting us out of it with our lives.

“ Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’ve just been a huge screw up today haven’t I?”

Not completely. You can’t save that kid, and neither can I, but you can save the glitches if we do this right.

“ What do you mean?”

Well, I can understand them and they can understand me. I’m like a link between humanity and glitch. I can help them to calm down enough to where we can tame them. Teach them.

I nodded. “ That could work. We could prove ourselves. We could show them me and Emma were right all along. Alright, let’s do it, uh, sorry do you have a name or is it just Possessor Glitch?”

My name is Bolypius. 

“ That’s a cool name. I’m Lucas.”

I know.

“ Right, right, you’re in my brain. So what’s nex-”

I couldn’t complete my question as the door broke in. I looked over to see someone step through the smokey rubble. Pierce. He held his gauntlet out. He just shot my door.

“ I’m gonna kill you, Lucas.”

Not if I kill me first. I looked over to the windows, I was too big to fit. I had nowhere to run.

Let me.

Bolypius took hold once more. She led us over to the wall, and with a smash of my fist, there was no more wall.

“ Did you just break my wall? I’m gonna have hell to pay when I get back for this damage.”

Pierce got into the bathroom, aiming for my head. He missed his blast as I jumped down into the trash below, breaking my fall just a bit. He grunted angrily and was about to jump down. Boly made sure we were faster. I hoped down, and began to run once again.Once I was far enough away, I hid behind a wall. He somehow didn’t see me. He looked around for a few moments, then yelled in frustration. He was out for blood. I looked around. Tons of techs were wandering around with their scanners on. Looks like I was public enemy #1.

Chapter Text

The wind blew swiftly and silently through the air, pushing on anything in its path gently, like how a bee lands on a flower when it’s trying to gather pollen. The sound of this gentle wind was drowned out easily by the honking of horns and footsteps hitting the ground. Even then, I could hear it all. I must be alert. If I wasn’t, it was a moment too late. A moment wasted could be the moment I’m captured. I can see them everywhere, looking for me. Looking for it. I had to pretend to be something, someone I wasn’t. It’s not hard once you get used to it; hiding amongst the crowd, blending in. Being nobody was the closest thing I could get to hiding away at the moment.
The smells of fried foods of all kinds caught my nose. My eyes drifted towards a fast food restaurant. The people there were so happy, just eating away. I checked my pockets, nothing. I didn’t have time to grab my wallet before I left. I couldn’t go back home. They’re looking for me there. My stomach grumbled, angry at this. I kept forgetting. It’s been 2 weeks and yet I kept forgetting. I forgot how I didn’t have any money. I forgot how I didn’t have a nice warm bed to lay down in. I forgot how much I loved being able to shower.
I looked down my left arm. The pink glow shined through the jacket’s sleeve. I tried my best to conceal it, but it did no good. The best thing I could do was to keep it in the pocket of the hoodie, making sure no one saw it. It aches. It burns as much as my eye does. The sunglasses help to keep that away too. Sometimes someone would notice the subtle pink glow from underneath the hood and black tinted glasses, but they never asked about it. I could just tell they knew something was off.
We could always try their dumpster again.
Oh right. Food. We needed food.
“ You know I hate cold fries.” I grumped.
They’re better than the burgers.
She was right. Their burgers were garbage. Literally.
Eating out of the trash wasn’t the greatest, but it wasn’t too bad either. I ended up picking up a few tricks from the homeless people I’ve met. They were always so nice. It’s a shame we’re pretty much in the same boat, except that I’m a wanted criminal with a glitch attached to me…Maybe not that same exact boat, but you get the picture.
“ Hey, what are you doing?” A voice peeked up behind me. Time to skedaddle. My legs carried me faster than the wind with stray fries in my hands and mouth, falling onto the cement beneath me. The worker couldn’t catch up in time before I made it out of the parking lot. Another successful raid. Not a full stomach, but at least I got my cardio in for the day.
This was my life now, just running from the “law” and trying to get by. It didn’t help that part of my body was glowing like a night light and drawing attention anytime it turned dark. Even then, at least I’m alive.
Not for long if you can’t get a decent meal. They don’t have anything that’s free around here?
“ No, that’s the way things are. I can’t get a job because I can’t stay in one place for a long time, yet I can’t eat without one. Times are tough. At least I have soggy fries. Woo.” I sarcastically put out. I looked down at my arm before turning into the dark alleyway. Slumping down against the wall, sliding onto the floor, I glared at it. When I pulled the sleeve up, I noticed just how bad it’s gotten.
“ It’s worse. It’s spreading more and more.”
I’m sorry.
“ This isn't your fault. You can’t control it. I just wish it wasn’t so bright.”
This is new to me.
“ Yeah, having a glowing glitch arm attached to me is new to me too.”
No, I’m serious. I am not programmed for this. I wasn’t meant to become one with someone like this. This is not normal. Even I don’t understand what’s happening.
“ Hm, well that makes two of us.” I took out some fries from my jacket pocket, munching them down slowly, savoring each bite. The hunger in my gut wasn’t satiated, but I wanted to make the food last as long as possible. My arm burned. It hurt less and less as this grew, but it still ached and burned like pouring soap into a cut. I wish I could say I’d gotten used to it. It’s been a week and a half since this appeared.
My mind wandered as I sat with my own thoughts, apart from Bolypius. My memories coming back swiftly. The warmth of my bed, the smell of freshly cooked meals. I remembered my job. My friends. My only 2 friends…I swore I had more.
“ Emma.” I muttered. “ I’ll never forget that. The look on her face when I took you. You could never replicate the pain and betrayal I saw. Nothing I do would ever make it up to her. Was this worth it? Did I really do any good?”
You saved me. You saved yourself.
“ Yeah, I might have saved you, but I sure as hell didn’t do myself any favors. I’m cold and eating soggy, day old fries that I got from a dumpster. I literally smell like death, that doesn’t sound like I’ve been “saved””.
You can fight another day.
“ Fight what? I’m probably dying from this thing,” I gestured at my arm, “ you don’t even know what’s happening to us, er, me. We aren’t in any shape to be fighting anything. If I don’t die from mother nature, then I’m dying from hunger, end of story.”
The silence was deafening.

I’m sorry.

I sat alone again. Quiet dripping into every crack and crevice. The darkness became more apparent. My situation became real again. I was alone. For once in my life I was truly alone. I had Bolypius, but that meant nothing. I had no home, no one to go to. I was lost. I had nothing.
That’s not true. You have Centridom.
“ Centi is gone. They took her from me.”
She is with Emma.
“ She’s gone!” I slammed my fist into the wall, cracking it. My head perked up, as I looked at my hand. I barely felt it. There was a small dent in the brick, but cracks spreading throughout the wall. A strength I didn’t know I had.
This is new.
“ Yeah, you’re telling me.” I flexed my fingers. I felt strong. The burn was overshadowed by this new feeling of power. I stood up, faced the wall, and hit again. This time, I broke through several layers of the brick. The dust poured to my feet as the sound of brick falling onto each other echoed throughout the alley. Amongst these sounds, I heard yelling coming from inside the building. That was my que to leave.
“ Did you know you could do this?”
No. I’ve never had an experience outside of a character.
“ So you just casually didn’t know your arm had super strength?”
I have never been attached to just a person before, give me a break.
“ Alright, alright, but this might come in handy. I wonder what else this thing could do. What kinda stuff are you used to doing?”
I possess people and turn them into a video game character from a game they are near or touching. I can mymic the powers from said character.
“ Hm, let me try something.”
Our next stop; the arcade. Inside there were about a hundred games to choose from, ranging in types. There was also my pride and joy; Chomp Kitty Classic. A beautifully made cabinet of the greatest game known to man. I was practically drooling.
“ Okay, if you can make people turn into characters, then maybe I can now.”
I touched the cabinet with my left hand, but nothing happened. A moment passes. Then another. The another. I focused my energy into the hand, trying to become the very being I loved so much, but nothing. I smacked my hand.
“ C’mon, work!”
The smack seemed to work as the arm began to glow. Pink electricity emitted from it, covering the machine as it shook.
“ Ohoho, here it comes.” I giddy exclaimed. The cabinet shook and shook before the screen blared pink and something jumped out. I moved out of the way just in time to see before me a life sized Chomp Kitty. “ Wait, no I wanted to become you, not create you.” The Chomp Kitty meowed before running off. “ Wait! We can still be buds! Gah! Okay, that was a bust.” I looked at my arm. “ So, we can create glitches then.”
It appears so. Also your Chomp Kitty is destroying things.
I looked over to see just that.
“ Ookay, so uh, not my problem anymore. I can’t stick around if the techs are gonna show up sooo..” And with that I was out of there. Maybe if the techs are distracted, I can get some more downtime. This ability was useful, more than the strength. If I can create glitches, then I can have distractions.
Then a realization hit.
If I have enough distractions, then Hinobi will be empty.
If they haven’t destroyed her already, I can get Centi back.

Chapter Text

Everything was set. The sun had just begun to set as the moon rose to cover this town in its light. My light came from my hand. After yesterday, something was different. It began to spread faster. My forearm was entirely pink and seem to be a big larger, swollen. At the tip of each of my finger grew a small claw. I The burning was immense, but I was able to block it out. My head throbbed my worse. At least that took my attention away from my arm. For now.
The arcade sat there, empty and void of life after they destroyed my creation. The poor Chomp Kitty didn’t stand a chance. And what chance I would give these creatures now. A fighting chance is all they need, and all I need. It wasn’t hard to slip in without setting off the security alarms. The place was old, and they never seemed to update their systems enough to keep up with the times. Lucky me. My gallery of life was before me, in all of its glorious beauty of wires and boards. The inside is what held my friends. My precious gift I will give them so they may give me mine.
It didn’t matter which one I chose, they would come to life at the touch of my hand. My grossly deformed hand, but that’s not the point.
That’s my hand too.
“ Sorry. It’s not disgustingly deformed. Happy?” I muttered sarcastically.
No time for banter.
Right. My electrical palm pressed against the console of my first machine. A simple fighting game. The machine began to whirr in response, filling with life as pink electricity swarmed it. In a moment, one of the characters emerged in pink light. He was stocky, built well. He would keep some busy, but I needed more.
I got to work. Every machine. Nothing left untouched by my power. No one left sitting in the machine that held them. They would live because I said so. They would be free. I hated to see their fates laid out, but I needed time. I needed a distraction.
The many monsters and characters were confused with each other, some began to fight. Others left immediately, looking to cause trouble. For once, I wanted trouble. I looked outside, and sure enough, there they were. In droves, Glitch Techs were pulling up to my crime scene. There were many, but I was certain many more were to come with the chaos I’ve stirred up. One of them got out and blasted a Monch Monch, one of those Chomp Kitty knockoffs. Honestly, not sad to see it go.
Now, phase two.

The security around Hinobi was basically nothing but someone working inside, restocking. Oh the night shift, how I did not miss you. It was easy to sneak inside. I’m surprised how easy, honestly. It’s like they were just zoned out. If I was working the night shift, I’d be zoned out too, if I’m being honest. I saluted the soldier before making my way to the back.
The lockers were a bit more tidy since the last time I was here, but the code was the same. At least they didn’t lock me out, that would be oh so very terrible.
Inside the lobby, the lights were completely out aside from some consoles still up and running, possibly from some of the techs leaving in the middle of the game. I do hope they paused. The silence was deafening, almost like a ghost town.
Would you prefer I kept you company?
“Gah! No! Don’t do that! Just keep quiet until we’re done here.”
I was thankful that no one was around to hear that.
The floor beneath me echoed its song across the walls as I walked along it. Being quiet wasn’t my main concern at the moment, I was in too much of a hurry. The techs could be back any minute now, even with all of the firepower I sent their way. With everyone possible out there in the field, there was no telling how much time I had left. That was also if my gauntlet is even still here.
Finally I made it to my destination; Emma’s lab. I lifted my hand, but halted. My mind was buzzing as I could feel the memories coming back. Everything I left behind. Everything I worked for, gone. Was I really going to risk it even more by getting my gauntlet? The one place I wanted so badly to return to, yet I was terrified. My feet sunk deeper and deeper into the floor, keeping me in place. My friend was in there, alone. I needed her, I needed to free her. It was the least I could do. She helped me realize who I truly was, what I actually cared about.
Who was I talking about here? They’re one in the same. My friend, my freedom, my truthteller. I couldn’t possibly tell them apart anymore. What they’ve done for me, what they’ve done to me. I could never pay them back in any way that would amount to how they have created a new me. I could try, but I would never make it close. I must free them. It’s the least I can do. So why can’t I make the move? I can’t bear to go back inside. My time spent inside this lab has haunted me. It was the best time of my life, and now that time is over. It’s but a painful memory. Inside possibly lies these two friends. One will always be closer to me than I would like to admit.
One will always break me.
I have to push past this. I have to be strong for her. I have to free her. I have to pay her back for what she’s done before this thing overtakes me, and possibly kills me. It’s my last request.
The large door slid open as my feet finally released from the floor. Inside, the monitors were still on. Emma must have been here before red alert sounded. I don’t think I want to face her now, yet I still wish she was here. Not in this state. I can’t be seen like this. If I die, never to see her again, I would hope my image would last as a human. Not whatever I am becoming.
The monitors’ blue lights gave me enough to be able to look around. There were papers scattered along the large desk, all about different glitches. I scoured, pushing them back and forth. She never told me where she kept important things. I checked the many drawers and cubbies within the area, but nothing. I checked the desk again, frantically shoving papers aside before something caught my eye. A piece of paper underneath the rest.
“ Possessor Glitch.” I heard something behind me.
“ Don’t move if you want to keep your head.” I know that voice.
My breathing slowed as I felt my body tense up. I couldn’t bear to turn around.
“ Who are you? Turn around, slow.” She grit her teeth. It was that sort of terrifying power that I always loved to see from her. She only showed it in situations that called for it, and I guess that time is now.
I slowly turned, the paper still in my hand. Once I could see her, I saw her anger fade to something I could only describe as confused shock. It was an odd look. It was almost like she hated to see me. I hated to see her.
“ It’s been a while.” I tried to lighten the mood a bit. Nothing I could say would help, but at least I tried. Emma’s hand gripped tighter on her weapon. It looked to be one of those mini guns from a Starlight game, possibly the 2nd generation.
“ Lucas?” Her exasperated reply came with a feeling of regret. I shouldn’t have come here. I shouldn’t have come here. I should have stayed away.
“ I didn’t want you to see me like this.” I apologized, looking down a bit, trying to chuckle like I used to but nothing would come out. I just didn’t want to look at her. Not in the eyes. Those pained eyes. I could tell she was off.
Emma straightened up. “ Why are you here?”
“ I came for a friend. I suppose you don’t still have my gauntlet?” I looked up, trying to look at her. Her expression shifted.
“ And what if I do?”
“ You know what I’m here for. Give her to me.” I held out my arm. The left one. This seemed to catch Emma’s attention, but almost like she was avoiding it at first.
“ What happened to you?” She sounded scared.
“ You were there.”
“ The Possessor Glitch. I’ve been doing research on it.”
“ I saw.” I shook the paper.”
“ There’s not much information on it. I don’t know how its doing this to you. Something is wrong with you, Lucas.”
“ Yeah, something is wrong. I don’t have my companion. Give her to me, now.” I began to grow impatient. My blood was boiling over. I could feel my emotions growing, much more than I anticipated. I didn’t want to be angry, not at her, but I couldn’t help it.
“ You’re not in the position to make demands.” Emma nudged the gun, proving her point. I hated it. I knew before never to mess with her when she made threats like these, but I’m not the same person I was before.
“ How are the other techs? They sure are taking awhile.” My comment seemed to unsettle Emma. Her gaze shifted as did her stature. She took a moment to process what I said.
“ You had something to do with the glitch outbreak…didn’t you?” She started to tremble, I could feel it. This fear gave me a rush. I could feel every inch of this room tremble in fear with her. I commanded it.
“ We were right, you know. They’re alive. More than I even thought.” I smiled. “ My glitch is one with me. I might be dying, but I die knowing the truth. I can hear her. She speaks to me. I can create glitches, bring them to life with a touch of my hand,” I thrust my arm closer. “ Don’t you get it? We were right! You can finally show them that glitches are not just code with a desire to hurt. They can learn, they can breathe, they are alive. I am alive.”
“ You’re sick.”
“ I am stronger than ever before!” My arms had a mind of their own. I felt them slam into the desk, throwing the papers to the floor, aggressive in their nature. “ You have no idea what this feels like. The pain, but the power. I am in charge of my own destiny now. I am in charge of theirs.” I gestured to the many cages around us, filled with the many glitches I knew. “ I can free them all, I can show them. We can show them.” I held out my arm once more. “ You were the only one who was able to teach me. The only other human who was able to care enough about these creatures to show me their value. We can free them together.”
Emma stood there, possibly thinking of my offer. I knew what was best for them. This was the way. I was certain of it. She stuttered, trying to get ahold of herself.
“ I can’t do that. You know this isn’t right. That thing is messing with your head.”
“ Thing? Hahahaha.” my laughter became maniacal, “ This thing is a living being with thoughts and feelings! You think she wanted this? She had no choice thanks to those techs. She just wanted to survive, like we all do. She hates what is happening to us and just because she’s not human like you are doesn’t make it any less disturbing. You have a lot of nerve to tell me what is wrong with me. You’re just a two-face liar, aren’t you?” I couldn’t hold myself together. “ Hahaha! I mean, who would ever actually believe that glitches can be alive? Was it all a trick? Did you just want to get into my head and make me believe you thought this way?”
“ No I-”
“ You have no right to say that what I’m doing is wrong. You did this to me! You gave me hope and now you’re just throwing it aside for what? People who don’t understand you? Don’t understand us?”
She was speechless. Her fear was replaced with something more somber. I walked closer. Closer until I felt the gun against my chest.
“ If only you could feel this the way I do.” My hand grew closer to her face. She couldn’t take her eyes off of me. It was like she was frozen in time. Before I could touch her, I felt something push me back, jumping into my chest. When I collected myself, I saw it was Chompers. He growled as Emma snapped out of it. He lunged again, teeth gnashing, but before he could hit again, I caught him with my hand. He squirmed and whimpered, trying to bite at me. I felt something inside of me. Something wanting this. I could feel my energy coming from my hand into the glitch. He cried out, but I don’t think it was from pain. Once again, I saw the electricity come from my arm, swarming Chompers. The pink light was enough to blind someone. I dropped Chompers and he fell to the ground, limp. Emma stood in shock, her gun lowered, almost ready to scoop up her little pet.
“ What did you do!?” She yelled at me. Honestly, I have no clue. I couldn’t tell you if I wanted. I could feel something, though. An energy within him. I felt connected. His body shifted. I could hear a growl coming from him. He slowly put his paws out, standing up like a zombie. When he looked up, his eyes were pink and lifeless, but angry. I felt him, almost like we were one. A moment passed in this uncertain phase, but I shook it off.
“ Give her to me.”
For the second time, I saw pain in Emma’s eyes. It was like nothing before. It was defeat in more ways than one. She had lost a friend. Possibly two if she still considered me one until now. Needless to say, she reached into her pocket and pulled out my bracelet. I took it without hesitation. Before I could say anything, I hear the doors slide open.
“ The signal is in here!” I heard a voice yell out. They returned. I backed away as they came in, pointing their gauntlets at me. I looked over to Emma, but she didn’t give me the same look back. She stared at the floor, silent. I could hear their murmurs. They knew something was off. I needed to get out of here. I turned towards them as they pointed their weapons.
“ Can’t we just be civil about this?” Fat chance. Once the first blaster fired, they all did. I was much quicker than I was before, and was able to evade most of their shots. Most of them. As I bounded off the wall to get by them, one nicked me in the back, forcing me to the floor outside. I was able to get up in time, though, making my escape. I heard bounding towards me, but I didn’t see the techs. I saw Chompers. He ran beside me. Oh lucky me.

The outside was cold once more, especially with the draft hitting my back. The blast destroyed my hoodie. At least my shirt was fine. I was able to hide in an alley before the rest of the techs came back. Somehow, they couldn’t find me again. I don’t know how they did when I was in there. A signal. Was I giving off a signal. Ugh, no time to think, I need to move.
The cold was chilling this time around, and now they were looking for me more than ever. I wasn’t safe in the open anymore. I needed somewhere to hide. My search came up empty for hours, but finally I came to somewhere I could lay low. An abandoned warehouse hidden deep in a whole truckload of them. Seriously, why are these all here?
I’ve seen enough shows and cutscenes to know where to look for these things. There’s always an abandoned warehouse ready for the pickings. Ripe for the pickings? Whatever.
The doors were locked, but not for long. I was able to smash them open with my insanely strong arm. Haha, I don’t even work out.
The inside was pitch black, but it was large. This would be perfect. Much better than my apartment, if I’m being honest. I limped over to one of the many crates strewn across the floor and collapsed, leaning against it. My tired body could barely hold myself up. I was drained from the glitch stuff. A puddle of water was next to me. I looked over into it, and I could see something horrifying looking back. My left eye had become yellow with a pink diamond-shaped pupil. Pink lines grew from the area, like a disease. No wonder my head was hurting today.
I laid back down against the crate, collecting my thoughts. I looked at my gauntlet, resting in my hand.
I got what I came for, but I finally lost everything else.