Part II
Bob remembered that day very clearly...
The Guardian grunted as he gave the user one final blow with his sword.
"Game over," the automated System Administrator droned. "Game over."
Bob, Matrix, and AndrAIa reverted back into their normal sprite forms as the game cube ascended back into the sky. "It feels so good to be home again," Bob sighed. He looked back at Matrix and AndrAIa. He watched as they happily embraced and kissed. "Even though I may not be welcomed warmly by everyone," Bob said sadly to himself.
He looked around and saw that their little group had landed right across from Dot�s Diner. Bob was glad to see that it was still in good shape, even though Dot was now busy with the responsibilities of the Command.com. As he looked across the street, he saw the door open and Dot step out, busy with her organizer as usual.
"Dot!," Bob shouted out as he raced across to the diner. She looked up from her organizer and finally saw Bob. Her eyes widened in surprise. Dropping her organizer, she started step toward him, but then her eyes rolled back into her head as she collapsed in a dead faint. Bob reached the diner and awkwardly caught Dot as she fell. Laying her gently down on the ground, he softly patted her cheek with the back of his hand. Her eyes fluttered open as she awoke.
"What happened?," asked Dot, propping herself up and shaking her head to clear it. She looked up and saw Bob�s anxious face. "Bob!," she cried out and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I thought I�d never see you again," she said as he pulled her to his feet. "But I never gave up hope." Tears began to slide down her cheeks. "I felt in my heart that you were still alive, and you were doing everything you could possible to get back."
"I began to worry that you had forgotten about me. That you had... found someone else," Bob said. "No one could ever take your place," Dot replied. As he hugged her tightly, Dot saw that his face, too, was wet with tears. "I love you; I always have and I always will. She began to kiss him passionately on the lips, but was surprised when Bob pulled away. Dot looked puzzled as he got down on one knee and took her hand in his.
"Dot, I may not have realized it the first time we met, but I have always loved you. I�ve wanted to you ask you this ever since I was trapped in the web. Dot, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Dot�s eyes widened again. "Of course I will! Yes!," she cried as Bob stood up. He grabbed Dot around the waist and spun her around in glee, both of them grinning like fools.
From across the street, Matrix and AndrAIa happily watched the new couple, remembering their own joy.
My love.
Your love.
Our love.
You complete me.
Without you, I am nothing.
You love gives my life meaning.
With this ring, will you make me truly happy,
By giving yourself to me,
As I give myself to you?
You Complete Me, an original poem.
Bob smiled at the memory as he zipped toward the principal office. But concern began to set in as he thought about his nightmare again. I sure hope that dream doesn�t mean anything.
Dot reached out in her sleep and felt the empty space in the bed. Aarrhh, I thought I told him to wait until morning. Looking out the window, she saw light beginning to paint the edges of Mainframe with a gold tint. With a sigh, Dot quickly dressed and then flew toward the principal office. If Bob thinks it couldn�t wait until morning, it must be important.
"Yes?" Phong heard the sound of a zipboard as he turned around. "Oh, it is you Bob. Do you need something, my son?," Phong asked. "Yes," Bob answered. "I keep having this strange dream over and over." "Well, you know the drill. You must defeat me in a Pong match before I can give you an answer." "Oh, all right," Bob sighed. I don�t know why Phong makes me play this basic game every time I need some information. But I guess it must be worth it.
Dot arrived just as Bob scored the winning point. Phong ducked as the game puck shot over his head. "You could always were very talented in this game, Bob," said the old sprite as the Guardian commanded Glitch to return from play mode to normal mode. "Now, what is it that you wanted to ask me?"
Wrapping his arms around Dot, Bob described the dream in detail to Phong. When Bob was done, the couple looked at Phong expectantly. "Oh, my son, I am not sure what to make of this strange dream." Bob and Dot glanced worried looks at each other. "Still, keep a close eye on things. This vision of yours may hold more meaning than you think."
Three minutes later.
"Do you, Guardian Robert Sinclare, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?," Phong asked. "I do," answered the groom as he took the ring from the pillow Enzo held out and slipped the ring around Dot�s finger. "And do you, Dot Matrix, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?" "I do," came Dot�s voice from behind her veil. She slipped the other ring over Bob�s finger. "Then, with the power infested in me by the Super Computer, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Bob lifted up Dot�s veil and saw her beaming face. Then he embraced her and they kissed passionately. The crowd of sprites and binomes erupted into cheers.
Turbo, the best man, walked up to congratulate the happy couple. A few feet away from the bride and groom, Turbo suddenly doubled-over in pain. "Turbo, what is it?," asked his friend, anxiety stretched across Bob�s face as he bent down to help the Prime Guardian. But Bob hastily stepped back as Turbo screamed, his features twisted in pain and a menacing shadow rose from his back. The crowd, screaming, backed away in fear. Turbo collapsed on the ground and lay still, but Bob could tell his friend wasn�t dead. The shadow was a twisting and twirling black mass as it descended to the ground.
Bob kneeled down to check his friend�s pulse.
The shadow solidified and everyone gasped in surprise, especially Bob. He recognized the creature from his dream as it cast a amused glance around its new surroundings. "This is bad. This is very bad."