The dark assassin that sat behind Sean tensed when he saw the Red and Yellow shirted Googlepliers ride in. Sean's jaw dropped, asking the assassins nervously. "Guys? Should we be worried?" The Assassin behind him yanked his horse around to face the fountain, shouting out terrified. "VERY! We've got to go! NOW!" The robot horses that the Googlepliers rode, reared with loud aggressive whinnies. They then sprang off their hind legs into an outright run toward them. Sean raised his hand toward the fountain, feeling a surge of desperation overwhelm him. The ring's diamond began to glow a bright red, causing the water spewing from the fountain to part into a portal that showed a snowy forest. The green assassin held onto Illinois, shouting out. "It's open!" The green Assassin kicked his horse into a bolt for it, just as the Yellow Googleplier's horse jumped the nearest hedge. However, the green Assassin was close enough to the portal that he easily cleared the jump through to the other side. Sean gasped as his Assassin's horse bolted trying to reach the portal before the Yellow Googleplier. Sean risked a look back to see the Red Googleplier gaining on them from behind. To Sean's dismay, the Yellow Googleplier didn't seem interested in getting them as much as getting into the portal before them.

On the other side of the portal, Illinois yelled out in distress. "SEAN!" Even the green Assassin looked back at them like they weren't going to make it. Sean wanted to believe that they would, but the Yellow Googleplier was gaining so fast that he was going to end up jumping into the portal with them. Realizing that they weren't going to make it, Sean removed the ring and yelled out. "CATCH IT!" Illinois shook his head, trying to turn the horse to go back as he shouted out in distress. "SEAN, DON'T!" Sean threw the ring with as much strength as he possessed. The ring kept shining as it flipped through the air and then in one last flash it went through the portal and the portal sealed behind it. The Assassin behind him yanked his horse into a stop, causing the horse to skid across the stony ground but it had plenty of time to stop before reaching the fountain. The Yellow Googleplier wasn't as lucky. His horse was moving so fast that the metal hooves sparked and squealed across the ground as it tried to stop. Resulting in the horse just leaping into the fountain to smash through the stone structure. Landing on the other side, the Yellow Google's robot horse spasmed as its dents allowed water to get into its system.

Hopping off the horse, the Yellow Google walked around the broken fountain completely unscathed as he announced to them. "You both are under arrest by order of the Red King. Dismount. Or be subjected to physical abuse until you comply. Will you comply?" The Red Googleplier pulled his horse into a graceful skid to block off their possibility for escape. Swallowing, Sean raised his hands and answered softly. "I'll comply." Glancing over his shoulder, he told the Assassin with guilty eyes. "I'm sorry..." The Assassin pushed his black hood back to reveal a face that was similar to Illinois, but he had bangs of red and a tattoo of a long black line that spanned across his cheekbones and nose. Around the Assassin's neck was a black choker with a silver arrowhead looking symbol. His dark eyeliner made his dark brown eyes stand out and his deep voice made Sean blush a little when he told him coolly. "It's alright. You did the right thing. You kept the ring from them. It was smart thinking." The Yellow Google grabbed Sean's wrist, pulling him down off the horse and into his strong arms. The Red Google then moved closer to grab the Assassin in the same way.

Sean listened as the Yellow Google announced to himself. "Asset contained. Two escaped. One confirmed as Illinois. The other unknown but we have his assailant." From the backdoor of the castle, the heavy doors swung open as the battered looking Blue Google replied loud and clear. "Confirmed. I'll take the Oyster. Take the other to the Dungeon of the Heart's Casino to await their interrogation and trail." The Red Google started to drag the Assassin away, while the Assassin yelled out to the Blue Google. "The system is broken, Googleplier! You see it! I know you do! Set things right! Don't let him take your free will! FIGHT IT!" Sean saw Googleplier's eyes flickered from brown to a glowing blue but showed no other emotion. When his eyes cleared back to his normal brown, he stomped down the steps toward him. Sean straightened up to his full height trying not to show fear. Stopping in front of him, Googleplier told him without emotion. "My orders are to take you to the Walrus and the Carpenter in Sharper Industries. There you will be harvested. Any final words for the record?" Sean thought about, then asked him hopefully. "How about a final request? I wanna see the Red King."

Googleplier shook his head, then told him seriously. "Request denied. Final words?" Sean didn't know what to say, but he managed to say the first thing that came to his mind. "Tell the Red King... that whatever he's trying to do... It's hurting people. And if the people suffer. They'll make him suffer in return. But he can still stop this." Googleplier waited, then made a soft dinging sound. Blinking, Google told him coolly. "Last words sent. Thank you for your cooperation." Sean scoffed, hanging his head a bit sarcastically as he glanced at how the Red Google restrained his arms. By the time he looked up, he yelped as Googleplier pressed his finger to his neck and something sharp pierced his neck with a soft hiss. Sean's vision started to swim as colors blended and sounds became a bit distorted around him. He barely heard Googleplier tell someone. "Prepare for our arrive in exactly four hours. Oyster found and in transit to you." On the other side of the link, Sean groggily heard someone that sounded similar to Bandit answer promptly. "Confirmed. We'll be awaiting your arrival." Sean thought he might throw up, when he felt like he was falling. Instead, Googleplier scooped him up into his arms and started walking. Sean tried to keep his eyes open, but the blurring colors hurt his eyes to look at. So, he closed his eyes, and everything faded to black.

When Sean opened his eyes, he winced from the sharp neon colors that passed over him repeatedly. His sensitive eyes hurt at even the softest of lights, but eventually they adjusted. He was in a dark compartment, but on the wall a screen kept changing to different brightly colored neon ads. As he started to come out of his haze, he found himself in a clear case that was smaller than a coffin. The thin glass case had holes for air along the sides, while the rest of the glass was monitoring his vitals. It was so futuristic that Sean wondered if he was still in Wonderland. The bed he was on was firm but molded to his body to be comfortable. When he tried to reach up to touch the glass, he found himself strapped down to keep him completely still. Only his head was able to look around. He seemed to be on a train, but it was like none that he'd ever seen. There were no windows. Instead, there were just screens playing advertisements. People far different from the ones he'd seen in Wonderland were here. They looked like they were straight out of a futuristic Steampunk era. There were more Androids than people from what he could see. All of them sitting quietly in their dark seats without saying a word to anyone else. Some sat playing on cellphones. While others seemed absorbed into watching the ads.

Sitting beside the container he was in, a man in a white lab coat was texting something and on occasion would look up to check his vitals. Fear filled Sean as he took this in. Where were they taking him? What were they going to do? Being completely naked didn't help either. He felt vulnerable and his fear of enclosed spaces was just getting worse. Turning his eyes to the ad that played beside him, he listened to a robotic voice say as a little animated scene skit played out. "Upgrade your life today with Sharper Industries 'Immersion Tube.' An endless oasis to your personal virtual reality. Experience the life you've always wanted. Buy ordering a New Tube, simply load in the desired program. Step into your New Tube and our special blend of 'Hallucina-Puff Memory Gas' will let you experience the life you deserve. Clearer Experiences. Vivid Realities. Sharper Industries. Experience more." Sean gulped as he realized that he was still somewhere in Wonderland. Yet, this place felt more unsettling. Right after the ad played, a sudden warning popped up to express quick and brief in a less cheery tone. "Warning! Excessive exposure to H.P.M.G. may damage some to all brain function."

Sean's eyes drifted to another ad that cheerily told the passengers. "Coming this month! Sharper Industries new downloadable program. 'King for a day.' Ever wanted to know what it would be like to be both desired and powerful? Now you can! Command a Kingdom. Enjoy a forbidden romance. Be a good king or a tyrant. The choice is yours. Download it and experience the life you deserve. Clearer Experiences. Vivid Realities. Sharper Industries. Experience More." Sean's heart sank when he saw the ad feature a man he recognized. King Nathan. The old Chess King of Night. His friend from his distorted memories. The images they used were his memories! It made him gasp to see himself in the background of some of them. Unable to stop himself, he stated aloud to himself just to get it out of his system. "Nathan?" The second his name left his lips, all the screens on the train flickered and glitched before cutting out. Sending the train into a pitch-black darkness as the train came to a dead stop. People were tossed from their seats, but he remained firmly in place. People on the train began to express low concerns of panic. Was this common or not? The scientist near Sean, gruffly leaned forward to check the power on the container.

The container glowed with emergency power to his touch, before he told others around him. "It's ok. They usually fix it quickly. CyberNateic is probably just being reset." People chatted softly in the dark, when a voice rippled over the speakers a bit strained. "Sean... Help me... F-F-Frozen... E-E-Empty..." Sean's breathing increased as he heard the pain and distance in Nathan's distorted voice. Somewhere the power boomed and pulsed like it was trying to come back online. The screen lights flickered as they started to slowly come back online to light up the train. However, as the power returned, it appeared to increase as Nathan's distorted and screeching voice screamed loudly behind the noise of the ads. "LET ME OUT!" His voice pitched so sharply that two of the ad screens shattered and rained glass down on the passengers. The train chugged loudly straining to pick up speed before it finally kicked back into gear. Sean stared at the shattered screens to see the outside of the train. Outside was shrouded in endless darkness, with tall apartment buildings that had a single rounded window that could barely be seen amongst the larger ads that played along the walls.

While the train had suffered from the power loss, the other buildings outside appeared to be fine. Sean thrashed in his restraints, yelling out. "NATHAN?!" The Scientist acted fast, pressing a button that popped the case open with a soft hiss. The Scientist removed a strange metal cylinder from his coat, then started to lower it to Sean's neck. Trying to thrash, Sean screamed out in distress. "NO! STOP!" The device injected something into his neck, causing Sean to scream. The people on the train watched but did nothing to help him. His scream of pain made the screens flicker, before all his energy fade away. The Scientist stroked Sean's bangs away from his eyes, whispering to him as he leaned over him. "Easy, little Oyster. We're almost there. The Carpenter is waiting." Sean closed his eyes, feeling his tears run down his face. The next time he opened his eyes, he was being pushed down a dark gloomy hallway. He heard people walking around the container, but his eyes were so heavy from whatever the scientist had given him. He could hear the familiar voice of Shawn Flynn asking someone curiously. "Are you sure? CyberNateic has always been glitchy and a bit lost with his identity... but he's never reached out like that."

The Scientist huffed, retorting bluntly. "I'm telling you the truth. CyberNateic shut down the train after hearing him speak. I don't think it is wise to put him in the same room with-" Shawn Flynn's voice snapped back rather bitterly. "I'm not paying you for your opinion. You are a nurse and nothing more to me. Don't tell me how to do my job. Or I'll find someone better to replace ya. Understood?" There was a brief pause of silence, before Sean heard someone leave. Then Shawn told someone else in a softer voice. "Did you call Dr. Iplier down? We need him to get this one hooked up to the Harvester." A voice that Sean didn't know, replied calmly. "Relax, Carpenter. He's not going anywhere. Yes, I called him down." Shawn huffed, telling the man cautiously. "Damn fool sedated him too heavily. How can I draw things to Harvest the Pearls, if his mind is mush! Damn it! Hooking him up is going to take us too long... You can tell the Red King that the Pearls he wants will be delayed. I'm not putting my neck out again." The man chuckled, calmly telling him. "Yes. Yes. I'll tell him. Just breathe. We've got him. That's half the battle won. Now we get to play."

Another voice started in as someone new entered the conversation, saying. "Sorry, I'm late. What did I miss?" Shawn scoffed, grumbling out. "Just Bim being overly optimistic. As usual." The new person chuckled, then corrected. "Don't you mean... Egotistic?" Shawn laughed, but Bim snapped out to them. "Hey! I resent that! It's called 'Charm.' Get some." Sean finally opened his eyes, then jerked as he saw Nathan laying in a case similar to his own. However, Nathan was hooked up to breathing and feeding tubes. His whole naked body had little circular wire pads monitoring him, but he looked to be alive. Just asleep. Natemare hadn't killed him. Sean smiled, until Shawn stepped around his case to yell at someone sitting in the corner. "Hey! Get out here! Explain yourself! Why did you mess with the train, CyberNateic!" Stepping out from between two Immersion Tubes that he'd seen in the ad, a man that looked like Nathan stepped out. Only something was clearly wrong with him. His shoulder was missing a patch of skin to reveal his metal interior and his arm was bandaged up like he'd hurt himself.

CyberNateic rested his hands on the side of the real Nathan's bed, answering in a distorted voice. "I need the doctor to run another diagnostic... I don't feel like myself. I feel like I'm trapped in a dream... These memories... They aren't mine. I'm hearing voices in my head. My reflection isn't my own... I see him. I can feel him. I'm... not real. Not him. Yet... my programing says I am him." Shawn's expression changed to a worried one, locking eyes with Dr. Iplier briefly as they split up to surround CyberNateic. CyberNateic's fingers pressed into the metal of the table, bending it while his eyes flashed from purple to black in rapid rushes of data code. As Shawn got close, CyberNateic jerked his head in his direction to snap out in a dark sinister tone of voice. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?! Am I forever young? Or will I simply fade before I'm old?" Shawn raised an eyebrow, telling Dr. Iplier calmly. "Shut him down. He's glitching again." CyberNateic twitched a little as he walked toward Shawn, asking in a lifeless tone of voice. "Would you never die if you lived a life frozen and empty?" Shawn backed up slowly and CyberNateic stayed on him, until Dr. Iplier pressed something to CyberNateic's back.

Bending over like the object had hurt him internally, CyberNateic's eyes rushed with streams of purple code as he screamed. All around the lights flickered and power hummed to keep up with the flux of power, until CyberNateic's eyes closed, and he fell limply to the ground with a loud metallic BANG. Once he was done, Dr. Iplier told Shawn. "It's probably a glitch from his last update... I'll check him out when I'm finished." Shawn nodded, adding a bit shaken. "Ya... And pull his connection to the server. Just to be safe until we fix it." Dr. Iplier shrugged, uttering out. "I've done that multiple times. He sets it himself." Shawn whirled on Dr. Iplier, snapping out. "Then remove it entirely! You never had this issue with Googleplier!" Dr. Iplier huffed, calmly retorting back. "Nathan's kin are nothing like ours. They don't fight each other. They thrive off each other. I can't keep Nathan in a coma AND keep CyberNateic from seeking him out within the system. For all I know... Nathan is already inside CyberNateic's system trying to possess him or some shit." Shawn glared at Dr. Iplier, growling out. "Don't even joke about that. It's not funny. Just contain him. Or erase him. I've had enough of this shite!" Bim cut in then to say casually as he crossed his arms. "You can't erase CyberNateic without talking to Phantom first, Flynn. And you know what Darkiplier and Anti will do if you do it behind their backs."

Bim locked eyes with Shawn, adding seriously. "I wouldn't want to be the center of their wraith. Do you?" Shawn shifted on his feet, then blurted out as he stormed out. "Fuck! Get him out of my sight then! I've got bigger things to deal with right now!" To Be Continued...