Twisted Wonderland 2

Finished Renovation

Back in the Isle of Woe, Idia works in a lab. Tinkering with something on the table.

"That should do it. As long as all the data is fully read."

Idia picks up the item that was lodged in Grim's throat. It's a blue computer chip that's been labeled Ortho.

"It's the technomantic memory card Ortho had in him when he got assimilated by the Phantom. All the data from Ortho's memory and AI programs should be saved on it. But... If I use this memory card, and he goes out of control again..." Idia glances to Ortho's unmoving technomantic body on the table. "I'll handle it personally if it comes to that. But it should be cool! There was no bug in his programming. Here goes nothing."

Idia inserts the card into the plate above Ortho's heart. Idia watches with bated breath.

"Energy one hundred percent charged. Technomantic reactor online. Power stable."

Idia nods. "Yes.. that's it! Keep going!"

"Reading memory card. Fifty four percent, eighty three percent... Complete. Technomantic humanoid Ortho, rebooting."

Ortho slows sits up, blinking his eyes.

"Good morning. Do you recognize me?" Idia says hopefully.

Ortho nods. "Good morning, Idia. But... How am I here? I thought both the original Ortho and I got swallowed by the Underworld..."

"Grim swallowed your memory card. That's how I was able to bring you back."

"Oh... Well, that explains it. In that case, I wonder if the original Ortho..." His eyes widen. "Wow, wait a minute. The area around my memory card housing feels warm."

Idia rushes over. "Oh no, do you feel buggy?"

Ortho shakes his head. "No, not at all. It's not an operational issue. It's just... I feel it. Ortho is right here. There aren't any temperature changes to my internal components, but I still feel... warm. I've never felt this way before."

"Oh, wow." Idia rubs his neck. "So, uhh... What should I call you now?"

"Huh? Why do you ask?"

"You don't have to play the part of Ortho for me anymore..." Idia smiles softly. "Thanks for being my little brother for so long."

Ortho tilts his head. "Do you not need a brother anymore?"

"No, no, it's not that." Idia lets out a small laugh. "It's kind of a long explanation. I don't know if it was the extended blot exposure to your memory card, or all those Thunder Spear blasts, but... Your technomantic circuitry's altered now."

"How? My thought patterns and learning algorithm are operating as normal."

"Your circuitry is no longer subject to any outside interference whatsoever. Nothing can overwrite your data now except your own learning."

"You mean I have an irreparable bug?" Ortho asks.

Idia shrugs. "Yeah. But you could put it another way too. You've gained self-awareness. You've got a heart now."

Ortho's eyes widen. "I have a heart?"

Idia nods. "Yup. From now on, nobody in the world can rewrite your memories or emotional programs. Not even me. So you can make your own choices now. Follow your heart. You don't have to be confined to playing my little brother. You're free."

"Okay. In that case, I want to be a REAL little brother to you."

Idia steps back. "What?"

"I don't have Shroud blood running through my body, just oil. And my hair isn't a manifestation of some curse. It's just artificially generated. But the memories and feelings Ortho left me all reside within my core. I am Ortho, and Ortho is me. So this is my choice, Idia." Ortho folds his arms. "Besides, if I wasn't there to stop you, you'd just throw yourself into binge gaming and dev work and never eat or sleep."