The New Adventures of TunnelVision: Reloaded

Enter the NEO (1/2)

Everyone came online, and there it was. A new portal had opened up to the right of portal 8, the sign above it read "NEO City". Jason explained what this was to the people who didn't join the scavenger hunt yesterday, "This is NEO city, a living graveyard where the deceassed who came before us reside, Their souls roam here and have established a beautiful city. We're going to explore it, and Henry wants to go see his uncle so that's the other reason"

The cavalcade set onto the new set of rails and made their way into the Tunnel. "Luckily there's a completely unused railroad on the other side, So we'll be okay" Jason added. As they moved through the tunnel, it felt different. They lost the feeling and sensation as locomotives, and began to feel like humans again. The light at the end of the Tunnel got closer and closer, and then they were all shot out of the other side of the tunnel. Landing on the top of a hill.

Looking out, the sky was a blueish purple hue, Stars in the night sky were plentiful, the moon was big and bright, and in the distance was the great city itself. The group made their way down the mountain to find a shed with what looked to be a strange looking steam locomotive tank engine with a flatbed behind it. "This must be our way to the city, come on guys!" Markus called out, he got behind the controls of the locomotive as everyone gathered on the flatbed, "Hold onto something" Markus said as he fired up the engine and got it in motion.

The ride was smooth and peaceful, the gang was taking in the beautiful countryside, wondering how exactly a heaven came to be for the project, and if this new realm was also at the mercy of the gamerunners.  Once they arrived in the city, they took in the bustling sights of a busy city. As they approached the town square, Markus stopped the train, a smartly dressed man came up to the locomotive, "Markus! I've been expecting you, welcome to NEO city my friend" The man said, walking up to Markus and shaking his hand, "You're probably wondering who I am, my name is Sterling Silver. But please, call me Mr. Silver. I was the first player of the Travis character, the same character your friend Jonas is the current player of. after my tragic demise at the hands of that rat bastard Richard, I ended up here, as the first resident of this strange place. I founded this city you see in front of you"

"Pleased to meet you Mr. Silver, I assume you're also the mayor then?" Markus asked, "You are correct young man" Sterling replied. "Here, Let me take you around the town for a proper tour, you and I have much to discuss" he added, "Excuse me Mr. Silver, is uncle Jamie anywhere nearby? do you know him?" Henry called out, "He should be arriving here soon my boy, I told our residents that a rebellion task force from the living world was coming to visit our great city. The rest of you feel free to explore the town and help yourself, my house is your house" Sterling finished.

As everyone went their own ways, Sterling and Markus took a walk to the town hall, "So, how's the rebellion going young man? Any news from outside the digital realm?" Sterling asked, "well my first question Mr. Silver is how do you know my name, or know my team? or even knew Henry had an uncle here?" Markus pondered, "My boy we are your number one biggest supporters, we want nothing more than to see TunnelVision crash and burn until it's nothing but smoke and ash. We're able to see across all of the realms in this digital plane, that's how I know about you. I'm impressed with your work." Sterling said, "Well thank you Mr. Silver, that's an honour coming from the first player" Markus thanked, "No please my boy, the honour is all mine."

"Well, do you have any questions for me Mr. Silver?" Markus asked him, "Well my first one is about your crew, what happened to your players of Avian and Jance?" That question hit Markus like a spear, "Zach, our Avian had some pretty bad mental troubles that he couldn't continue after I freed his mind, he's taking regular therapy. We still talk to him every now and then, but we don't talk about our mission, and... and..." Markus began to shed a tear, "Tyler was... killed at the hands of a guard while we broke into one of the facilities to free some players, he was snuck up on from behind and died slowly by bleeding out"

Markus fell to his knees and began crying his eyes out. Sterling could hear the pain in Markus's cries. He sat down and comforted him, patting him on the back, "It's okay son, It wasn't your fault. He was a good hero, He died and went out fighting till the very end. You've put together a strong team and I'm glad you all can keep pushing and still miss and honour your fallen comrade. He misses you all, and I'm sure he'd be more than joyus to see you all again." Sterling's words made Markus' mood turn around instantly. Wiping away his tears and cracking a smile, "Tyler's here? He's alive?", Markus's questions were right, "Indeed, Tyler is here. He's still recovering mentally but he is here, and you'll never guess where he is. Come on, let's go to the town hall.

As they opened the door, there he was. Tyler was there and overjoyed to see Markus, instantly running towards him for a big hug. The two friends finally met again for the first time in almost a month, tears of joy flowed from both of their faces. The joy in seeing his friend alive and well in this digital realm was a big sigh of relief, "So what Torrey said was true! Our souls really are attached to the game, Even if you die in the real world you can be brought here" Markus thought. He couldn't be any more right.