Random Encounters: Dimension 13

Dimension 13

AJ stares blankly at his phone. Words are on the screen, but he's hardly focusing on them. His mind is in other places. His phone buzzes, a text from Nate. What's for dinner and where is it? It reads, AJ clicks on it and begins to respond, then realizes he has no idea what to say and tosses his phone on the desk in frustration.

"Hey there big lug," a voice calls from inside his brain.

He closes his eyes and is greeted by Kris's smiling face.

"What do you need?" AJ asks, slight agitation in his voice.

"No need to snap at me, Noelle told me what was going on, the entire crew is here for you," Kris says, adjusting their blue pigtails.

"Any word?" AJ asks, slight hope in his voice.

"It appears that Eggman-"

"From?"

"Sonic Boom."

"Continue"

"It appears Eggman and Spooky believe that Gwen is caught in Dimension 13," Kris says.

AJ sucks in a breath. Dimension 13, the single handedly most dangerous dimension out there. If you get caught there by some way or another, there's almost no way of retrieving you before you're driven mad from the mind tricks it plays on you. Even the sturdiest can be driven mad in a matter of days.

"Does he have any ideas on how to retrieve her?" AJ asks.

"It requires Nate-"

"No. You know what's going on. I can't get Nate, he's already on the brink of insanity. Why does he need Nate?" AJ asks.

"He claims to need someone that matches his intelligence level," Kris responds.

"Ouch, I'm not getting Nate, one small thing could set him off, I'm not losing my wife and my best friend. I'm sorry, he has to find an alternative," AJ crosses his arms.

"The alternative is working with you..."

"Alright, I like this alternative," AJ says, "Where do we begin?"

Eggman walks up next to Kris, Spooky standing in the doorway behind them. Eggman crosses his arms, looking up at AJ. He partially salutes him in a very improper manner.

"What's the plan?" AJ asks.

"We need to modify the machine that you used in the first place, I am fully willing to help you through the finer details," Eggman says.

"What do I need for this?" AJ asks.

"You got a place that sells various items for home projects varying from pipes to paint near you?"

"You mean a Home Depot? Yes..."

"Egg-cellent, I have a long list of items you'll need. Cvc pipes, electrical wiring, light switch cover, no light switch..." Eggman continues listing off items.

AJ opens his eyes and leaves his office. On the desk, his phone, buzzing over and over from Nate sending texts. AJ slams the door behind him, walking down the stairs. When the front door opens and closes, Nate's door opens slowly, Nate poking his head into the hallway, surveying the scene, before heading down the stairs.