Post by rayman112 on Jul 2, 2007 17:50:57 GMT -5
Alright so this is my story i'll try to update it until Its finished before the contest is over because I don't plan for it to be a long one. This is my first time in a contest so I hope you like it.
Author's notes: This story is based in a future where the sobot becomes a highly used technology. Sobots are Software Robots that have 14 chromosomes programed into them. In other words, these robots have their own personality. In the story these robots go by the name of Acolytes and are given certain animal forms depending on their owner's personality. Players are able to enter a virtual reality with their acolytes to battle in tournaments with other players.
Summary: Rowan Hunter is a fourteen year-old boy who finally gets enough money to bye his own acolyte. His dream is to enter the tournaments and become the number one acolyte user.
Rating: T
Chapter one: Enter Rowan Hunter!
Rowan ducked out of the way of, yet, another fire ball which ricocheted off the wall behind him sending sparks flying everywhere. Wary of his present danger he pulled his cloak closer to him to use as protection from the sparks.
“Give it up weakling,” his opponent wizard called, “you will never win at this rate. Your magic tokens are used up and I still have a full deck. The advantage is mine for the taking.”
“Can you really be so certain?” asked Rowan a smile forming on his lips, “I have one option left.” His enemy’s eyes widened.
“You don’t mean?” started the enemy wizard, but Rowan cut him off.
“Acolyte, I summon you!” he yelled, raising his arm high in the air for dramatic effect. The air became thick with magic as rays of light traced out a symbol on the ground between Rowan and the enemy wizard.
“What is this?!” stuttered the enemy wizard as the light engulfed the two of them in a blinding display. Then, finally, there was an enormous bang and smoke replaced the light filling the room in its place. For awhile, neither of the wizards could speak as they stared transfixed at the display. Both wondered what creature would take place of the smoke.
Rowan basked in the glory of his summoning. Something that had such an amazing entrance had to be powerful. However, what he saw when the smoke cleared was not what he had hoped.
“This is…” he stuttered not able to find the right words for what he was seeing. The creature he had summoned was Mr. Robin, his eighth grade history teacher, but, this wasn’t the worst of it. For some reason, his teacher was in his underwear.
“It’s time to turn in your homework, Mr. Hunter!” yelled his teacher slapping him on the head.
*______________________________*
“No! Mr. Robin, underwear bad!” Rowan opened his eyes to see a whole class room of his peers laughing at him because of his sudden outburst. None of whom seemed as disturbed as Mr. Robin did…
***
Rowan hung his head as he walked home from the school the following afternoon, too depressed about what had happened earlier to notice the person sneaking up behind him, he was unprepared for what jumped onto his back.
“Hey, Rowan!” yelled Abby, his ten-year old little sister.
“Abby, can’t you see that your brother’s depressed?” he asked barely able to stand because of his sister’s weight.
“Come-on bubba, I thought you’d be excited since you finally have enough money to get an acolyte.” Rowan suddenly perked up at the idea having momentarily forgotten.
“Oh no, I’m late!” he said throwing his sister off his shoulders and sending her tumbling to the ground ungracefully.
“Tell grandma and grandpa that I might be late for dinner!” he yelled back.
*___________________*
The ride over to the Agilysys Gaming Shop was a long and worrisome journey for Rowan. The Agilysys gaming industry had its own building located on the city’s third level, the highest and richest level in the city. It was the only place one could get an acolyte. Fortunately, Rowan lived on the second level, the moderately poor area, which meant the hover trolley ride shouldn’t be too far from where he needed to go. However, even with that fact hanging over his head Rowan still found himself counting down the minutes.
In hope of taking his mind off the time, Rowan looked out the trolley window. The sun was setting over the cluttered buildings on the second level. The sun’s golden light flooded the streets making them look like shimmering rivers of gold. No matter how many times he took a ride up to the top level of the city, he still couldn’t help but feel surprised by the beauty of the sight.
The trolley lurched suddenly, as it left the atmosphere and began to enter the third level. The outside of the trolley seemed to be covered by a black blanket. For a second Rowan felt as if he were weightless before the artificial gravity kicked in slamming everyone back into their seats. A man who had been sitting at the back of the trolley suddenly lurched over and puked into the aisle. It was obviously his first time on a trolley.
Many of the trolley’s passengers grimaced or turned back around in their seats trying to ignore the man’s embarrassment. Rowan tried looking away also but, something about the guy gave a somewhat nostalgic feeling that reminded him of his dad before he died. When Rowan was five his dad had taken him on his first trolley ride to the third level…
“Dad, look!” he said pointing out the stars, barely visible beyond the sun’s rays.
“Ok, I’m looking, I’m looking.” his dad would say, but Rowan knew his dad wasn’t looking at the stars. Rowan knew that because the whole time his dad was looking at him…
Another lurch from the trolley as it entered the station awoke Rowan from his day dream. As he got up from his seat he checked his watch. It was 5:30, only thirty minutes before the shop closed! Rowan hastily shuffled towards the train’s exit. If I just keep moving, he constantly said to himself, checking his watch with every other step. If I can just get off this bus I’ll make it…
Little did he know, prior to his arriving at the station there was a temporary mass power outage pushing all of the third level’s busy worker’s off time in their schedules by four minutes. This meant that everybody as a result would lose four minutes worth of money!
Like ants, the ruthless mass of lawyers, business executives, and Mc Donald’s managers rushed in every direction trying to make their appointments in time. Poor Rowan seemed lost as he was pushed or shoved out of the way at every turn. Never before had he witnessed the third level in such a ruckus!
*_____________________*
Considering what he had been up against, it was remarkable Rowan was able to make it to the game shop two minutes before closing time. The building’s lights were shutting off and the manager had just stepped out of the door and seemed to be stumbling with his keys trying to get the door locked. He was mumbling something about how people were able to make virtual games but, unable to fix the problem of having to use so many keys when Rowan appeared behind him. The manager turned to face him.
“What do you want?” he asked, impatiently.
“Please, I need you to let me in,” Rowan pleaded.
“Sorry, I can’t help you the shop’s closed” he said starting off in the opposite direction.
“What do you mean? It’s only two minutes until it closes. Can’t you do me this one favor?”
“I said it’s closed!” the man yelled, not even bothering to look back.
Lost in his despair, Rowan left the shop entrance in a daze and, dampening his mood even further, artificial clouds covered the sky and it began to rain. Unaware of where he was going he wandered into an area he didn’t recognize.
He seemed to have entered one of the older shopping districts. The third level city was composed of a series of shopping districts, casinos, and small neighborhoods. So, it seemed highly probable that he’d wander into a shopping district he hadn’t noticed before. Not wanting to find his way home at the present time Rowan wandered over to one of the food stands he saw at the other end of the street. The owner noticed him as he approached the shop.
“What’ll ya be have n’ kid?” The owner asked as Rowan took a seat at the bar.
“Two hot dogs sir, one for me and the boy here,” said a man sitting in the seat next to Rowan.
“Is that ok with you?” asked the owner. Rowan nodded his head as he turned his attention to the old man. The man seemed strange enough. He was wearing one of those old brown jackets that one would expect to see in a 21rst century movie.
“My name’s Jack,” said the man holding out his hand for Rowan to shake.
“Rowan,” he replied promptly shaking the man’s hand in return.
“So what’s on your mind kid? You look like you just got run over by a bus.”
“Might as well have,” Rowan replied as he propped his head on his hand, “today has been the worst day imaginable.”
“I see,” Jack replied suddenly taking an interest, “and for what reason is that?” Before Rowan could reply the shop’s bartender returned with two hot dogs. Jack took one and handed the other to Rowan.
“I tried the best I could to get an acolyte but,” Rowan paused and took a bite out of his hot dog before continuing, “maybe I was never meant to get one.” For moment the two of them sat in silence simply enjoying their hot dogs.
“What if I told you I can get you an acolyte?” Jack asked. Jerry, the bartender, looked up suddenly interested in the conversation taking place.
“Look, sir, it’s nice of you to try and cheer me up but making fun of me is-” Rowan started to say but Jack interrupted.
“I’m not making fun of you I’m serious.” Rowan stood up.
“I shouldn’t even be talking to strangers,” he muttered, however; before Rowan could leave the shop the old man sat something on the table that caught his eye. It was a small device that looked somewhat similar to a cell phone. Rowan picked it up to examine. It was slender and it had a wide rectangular screen on it that slid out.
“This is-” he started but Jack interrupted him.
“It’s a memory drive.”
“Yeah, I know it’s used to hold your acolyte’s information. Why are you giving this to me?” Rowan asked placing the drive back on the bar.
“Because,” Jack said gathering up his things, “I know you’re a good kid.” And with that being said the old man left the shop leaving Rowan with the memory drive.
A strange energy seemed to flow through Rowan every time he touched the drive. Ever since he was a kid he wanted to battle in the tournaments with his own acolyte. Acolytes were sobots (software robots) and when given a personality they could become great allies. Their main use was for fighting in digital arenas. And now, after meeting that strange old man he would finally be able to get his chance.
“Hey kid!” yelled the bartender knocking away Rowan’s thoughts “you gonna pay for the check or what?”
“Oh, yea how much is it?”
The bartender paused as if he were thinking it over before he said “Fifty bucks.” Rowan’s jaw dropped.
“How can it be that much for two hot dogs?” Rowan asked incredulously.
“That and all the other stuff that old guy ordered.” The bartender replied.
Author's notes: This story is based in a future where the sobot becomes a highly used technology. Sobots are Software Robots that have 14 chromosomes programed into them. In other words, these robots have their own personality. In the story these robots go by the name of Acolytes and are given certain animal forms depending on their owner's personality. Players are able to enter a virtual reality with their acolytes to battle in tournaments with other players.
Summary: Rowan Hunter is a fourteen year-old boy who finally gets enough money to bye his own acolyte. His dream is to enter the tournaments and become the number one acolyte user.
Rating: T
Chapter one: Enter Rowan Hunter!
Rowan ducked out of the way of, yet, another fire ball which ricocheted off the wall behind him sending sparks flying everywhere. Wary of his present danger he pulled his cloak closer to him to use as protection from the sparks.
“Give it up weakling,” his opponent wizard called, “you will never win at this rate. Your magic tokens are used up and I still have a full deck. The advantage is mine for the taking.”
“Can you really be so certain?” asked Rowan a smile forming on his lips, “I have one option left.” His enemy’s eyes widened.
“You don’t mean?” started the enemy wizard, but Rowan cut him off.
“Acolyte, I summon you!” he yelled, raising his arm high in the air for dramatic effect. The air became thick with magic as rays of light traced out a symbol on the ground between Rowan and the enemy wizard.
“What is this?!” stuttered the enemy wizard as the light engulfed the two of them in a blinding display. Then, finally, there was an enormous bang and smoke replaced the light filling the room in its place. For awhile, neither of the wizards could speak as they stared transfixed at the display. Both wondered what creature would take place of the smoke.
Rowan basked in the glory of his summoning. Something that had such an amazing entrance had to be powerful. However, what he saw when the smoke cleared was not what he had hoped.
“This is…” he stuttered not able to find the right words for what he was seeing. The creature he had summoned was Mr. Robin, his eighth grade history teacher, but, this wasn’t the worst of it. For some reason, his teacher was in his underwear.
“It’s time to turn in your homework, Mr. Hunter!” yelled his teacher slapping him on the head.
*______________________________*
“No! Mr. Robin, underwear bad!” Rowan opened his eyes to see a whole class room of his peers laughing at him because of his sudden outburst. None of whom seemed as disturbed as Mr. Robin did…
***
Rowan hung his head as he walked home from the school the following afternoon, too depressed about what had happened earlier to notice the person sneaking up behind him, he was unprepared for what jumped onto his back.
“Hey, Rowan!” yelled Abby, his ten-year old little sister.
“Abby, can’t you see that your brother’s depressed?” he asked barely able to stand because of his sister’s weight.
“Come-on bubba, I thought you’d be excited since you finally have enough money to get an acolyte.” Rowan suddenly perked up at the idea having momentarily forgotten.
“Oh no, I’m late!” he said throwing his sister off his shoulders and sending her tumbling to the ground ungracefully.
“Tell grandma and grandpa that I might be late for dinner!” he yelled back.
*___________________*
The ride over to the Agilysys Gaming Shop was a long and worrisome journey for Rowan. The Agilysys gaming industry had its own building located on the city’s third level, the highest and richest level in the city. It was the only place one could get an acolyte. Fortunately, Rowan lived on the second level, the moderately poor area, which meant the hover trolley ride shouldn’t be too far from where he needed to go. However, even with that fact hanging over his head Rowan still found himself counting down the minutes.
In hope of taking his mind off the time, Rowan looked out the trolley window. The sun was setting over the cluttered buildings on the second level. The sun’s golden light flooded the streets making them look like shimmering rivers of gold. No matter how many times he took a ride up to the top level of the city, he still couldn’t help but feel surprised by the beauty of the sight.
The trolley lurched suddenly, as it left the atmosphere and began to enter the third level. The outside of the trolley seemed to be covered by a black blanket. For a second Rowan felt as if he were weightless before the artificial gravity kicked in slamming everyone back into their seats. A man who had been sitting at the back of the trolley suddenly lurched over and puked into the aisle. It was obviously his first time on a trolley.
Many of the trolley’s passengers grimaced or turned back around in their seats trying to ignore the man’s embarrassment. Rowan tried looking away also but, something about the guy gave a somewhat nostalgic feeling that reminded him of his dad before he died. When Rowan was five his dad had taken him on his first trolley ride to the third level…
“Dad, look!” he said pointing out the stars, barely visible beyond the sun’s rays.
“Ok, I’m looking, I’m looking.” his dad would say, but Rowan knew his dad wasn’t looking at the stars. Rowan knew that because the whole time his dad was looking at him…
Another lurch from the trolley as it entered the station awoke Rowan from his day dream. As he got up from his seat he checked his watch. It was 5:30, only thirty minutes before the shop closed! Rowan hastily shuffled towards the train’s exit. If I just keep moving, he constantly said to himself, checking his watch with every other step. If I can just get off this bus I’ll make it…
Little did he know, prior to his arriving at the station there was a temporary mass power outage pushing all of the third level’s busy worker’s off time in their schedules by four minutes. This meant that everybody as a result would lose four minutes worth of money!
Like ants, the ruthless mass of lawyers, business executives, and Mc Donald’s managers rushed in every direction trying to make their appointments in time. Poor Rowan seemed lost as he was pushed or shoved out of the way at every turn. Never before had he witnessed the third level in such a ruckus!
*_____________________*
Considering what he had been up against, it was remarkable Rowan was able to make it to the game shop two minutes before closing time. The building’s lights were shutting off and the manager had just stepped out of the door and seemed to be stumbling with his keys trying to get the door locked. He was mumbling something about how people were able to make virtual games but, unable to fix the problem of having to use so many keys when Rowan appeared behind him. The manager turned to face him.
“What do you want?” he asked, impatiently.
“Please, I need you to let me in,” Rowan pleaded.
“Sorry, I can’t help you the shop’s closed” he said starting off in the opposite direction.
“What do you mean? It’s only two minutes until it closes. Can’t you do me this one favor?”
“I said it’s closed!” the man yelled, not even bothering to look back.
Lost in his despair, Rowan left the shop entrance in a daze and, dampening his mood even further, artificial clouds covered the sky and it began to rain. Unaware of where he was going he wandered into an area he didn’t recognize.
He seemed to have entered one of the older shopping districts. The third level city was composed of a series of shopping districts, casinos, and small neighborhoods. So, it seemed highly probable that he’d wander into a shopping district he hadn’t noticed before. Not wanting to find his way home at the present time Rowan wandered over to one of the food stands he saw at the other end of the street. The owner noticed him as he approached the shop.
“What’ll ya be have n’ kid?” The owner asked as Rowan took a seat at the bar.
“Two hot dogs sir, one for me and the boy here,” said a man sitting in the seat next to Rowan.
“Is that ok with you?” asked the owner. Rowan nodded his head as he turned his attention to the old man. The man seemed strange enough. He was wearing one of those old brown jackets that one would expect to see in a 21rst century movie.
“My name’s Jack,” said the man holding out his hand for Rowan to shake.
“Rowan,” he replied promptly shaking the man’s hand in return.
“So what’s on your mind kid? You look like you just got run over by a bus.”
“Might as well have,” Rowan replied as he propped his head on his hand, “today has been the worst day imaginable.”
“I see,” Jack replied suddenly taking an interest, “and for what reason is that?” Before Rowan could reply the shop’s bartender returned with two hot dogs. Jack took one and handed the other to Rowan.
“I tried the best I could to get an acolyte but,” Rowan paused and took a bite out of his hot dog before continuing, “maybe I was never meant to get one.” For moment the two of them sat in silence simply enjoying their hot dogs.
“What if I told you I can get you an acolyte?” Jack asked. Jerry, the bartender, looked up suddenly interested in the conversation taking place.
“Look, sir, it’s nice of you to try and cheer me up but making fun of me is-” Rowan started to say but Jack interrupted.
“I’m not making fun of you I’m serious.” Rowan stood up.
“I shouldn’t even be talking to strangers,” he muttered, however; before Rowan could leave the shop the old man sat something on the table that caught his eye. It was a small device that looked somewhat similar to a cell phone. Rowan picked it up to examine. It was slender and it had a wide rectangular screen on it that slid out.
“This is-” he started but Jack interrupted him.
“It’s a memory drive.”
“Yeah, I know it’s used to hold your acolyte’s information. Why are you giving this to me?” Rowan asked placing the drive back on the bar.
“Because,” Jack said gathering up his things, “I know you’re a good kid.” And with that being said the old man left the shop leaving Rowan with the memory drive.
A strange energy seemed to flow through Rowan every time he touched the drive. Ever since he was a kid he wanted to battle in the tournaments with his own acolyte. Acolytes were sobots (software robots) and when given a personality they could become great allies. Their main use was for fighting in digital arenas. And now, after meeting that strange old man he would finally be able to get his chance.
“Hey kid!” yelled the bartender knocking away Rowan’s thoughts “you gonna pay for the check or what?”
“Oh, yea how much is it?”
The bartender paused as if he were thinking it over before he said “Fifty bucks.” Rowan’s jaw dropped.
“How can it be that much for two hot dogs?” Rowan asked incredulously.
“That and all the other stuff that old guy ordered.” The bartender replied.