AUGUST 20, 2180 (10 YEARS EARLIER)
Iker and Bastian created the greatest power vacuum in Earth's history thus far, and it was as simple as learning their ABCs and 123s. The Earth's don was no more with a splatting command, and his consciousness was erased thoroughly without knowing what any of those words would even mean. Indeed, what made it difficult for the Don to be eliminated was that his mind kept getting transferred to another machine, but splatting was an elegant solution.
Iker, before it happened, knew that his childhood friend would feel hollow even after typing the command in his own imagination. When Bastian performed an influx jump through the weaving of multiple splat commands to the rooftop where Iker waited, his face showed how hollow.
The hard part was about to begin.
"I hate to do this, but I got more bad news," Iker murmured, checking on the skeletal drone 420. 420's job was simple; carrying a branch of the Prunus Tantulum with minimal resources. The fourteen year old boys already exhausted every joke about the drone four months and twenty days ago.
Maybe at first, around ten years ago, they imagined they would be celebrating this day, but as the plan came closer to fruition, it dawned on them that it would be the opposite at a subconscious level. They still went through with it for some reason.
While Iker waited a bit longer for Bastian to emotionally prepare himself, he willed 420 to go higher into the smoggy No Man's Land sky. "2comsa has doxed us."
"What?" Bastian asked.
SPIC FAGGOTS @ PUBE-LO
anchor baby parents molesting children[Error: Disinformation about serious claims is highly punishable by law. More citations required before submission.]
#ALKREZIANS #MUSLIMS #CHRISTIANS #PRACTICEWHATYOUPREACH
click for image of degenerate home
"We need to hurry there to get everyone out of the house," Iker said. "We won't be able to hide the talking animals in the attic and basement much longer."
"What do you mean?" Bastian asked.
"What do you mean?" Iker retorted. "You should know better than me how serious 2comsa is."
"Talking animals? Are you high?" Bastian asked.
Iker's mouth gaped. "Is an esper toying with our memories?"
Bastian sighed. "Probably. I would remember talking animals."
"421 is ready," Iker said.
|jaunt felixboys
felixboys asset selected. Awaiting origin and target.
|jaunt 420 421
The two boys, made mostly of water and carbon, were transported from somewhere between where Detroit and Toronto used to be to eliminate Dominic, to Pueblo, Colorado. Or No Man's Land depending on who one asked.
Camilo's attractiveness made it likely that he either was a Colombian testtube baby, or he typed a cheat code in his mother's womb to show off the genetic lottery's greatest prize. His omnipresent social media presence agreed with Iker's perception of him.
What made him less attractive was him constantly reminding Bastian of how ugly he apparently was, but Iker never agreed with him and it was getting to his last nerve.
However, he had no time to objectify Camilo's sepia irises that could siphon all the light in the universe. His perfectly symmetrical face that seemed computer generated. Or how far ahead he was of Iker and Bastian in puberty when it came to his lips, chest and—
"My eyes are up here cueco," Camilo jeered. He covered up his front and rear, trying to lighten up the serious vibe the jaunting boys brought with them.
"I never thought about looking down there. Even if I were to not be straight," Bastian said.
"I wasn't referring to you, male version of Betty la fea," Camilo joked. He glanced at Iker after he made the 21st century reference, but Iker's usual aloofness amplified as his face remained flat.
"I tho—"
"I got the reference, it just wasn't funny," Iker murmured, interrupting Camilo.
Iker passed by Camilo. Even though Iker did have a crush on him, he did not appreciate how Camilo tried to grab him while rushing to the house. He's too used to getting what he wants, Iker thought to himself.
"We're either going to be hung on a tree or be honor killings if we continue with the joderia," Iker shouted. "I am not dying to people who still believe in bronze age bullshit."
"I am so deeply sorry that I can't just casually want to leave the town I grew up in," Camilo said sarcastically.
|ikerfelix+ci carbonchain3
|ikerfelix|carbonchain3+unchain
The front door clicked as Iker marched towards it. He usually dragged his feet.
"It's not a shack," Iker yelled, opening the door as the other two boys followed him in.
"It's a miracle, but I agree with Camilo for once," Bastian said. "It became a shack ever since the oak tree fell on top of it."
"Don't forget the power line too," Camilo added.
"Chucha, cierren la boca ya," Iker moaned, causing Bastian and Camilo to laugh mischievously. They were still all friends at the end of the day, but they were boys too.
"This is strange; our parents haven't heard us yet," Iker whispered.
"Uhm, Iker are you okay?" Camilo asked. "Your parents never lived here, Bastian's parents were raising you two."
"Uhm, my parents have been dead for eight years now," Bastian murmured.
All three of them stopped walking up the stairs to say the same two words at the same time.
"Esper shenanigans," the boys said.
"This is getting serious," Iker said, opting to run to his destination. The others ran after him to the master bedroom of the broken home.
Laying on the california king bed, with the neon circle sizziling on the smoggy horizon giving it a dim spotlight, was a canister the size of Iker's torso. It was made of flesh, tree bark, and a combination of metals. What was floating in what seemed to be tree sap... had a canine fetus.
"What in the actual fuck?" Camilo asked. "Is that your mom Bastian?"
"I can't tell if you're joking or not," Bastian cried.
"Stop," Iker commanded. He finally said it with a tone that showed Bastian and Camilo how determined he was. "We are just going to have to take this with us to do further research."
Iker could hear hundreds of voices having conversations in the attic as he hoisted the canister in his arms. The widened eyes of Bastian and Camilo indicated to Iker that he was not hallucinating.
Bastian pulled out an ancient revolver while Camilo pulled out a Sentiennica VV as they marched towards the attic. Iker knew what to do; look handsome while imagining commands if it was necessary.
"I am buying you a better gun after this weird shit is over," Camilo whispered.
"Do you remember a time when things weren't weird?" Bastian asked.
"Good point," Camilo replied.
Iker shushed them, but they were already under the attic door attached to the ceiling.
"I am so glad to have two strong men by my side," Iker whispered while taking a step back.
"Silly bottom," Bastian whispered, pulling down the door gently. The voices got instantly louder, now sounding like a milquetoast political rally.
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"No you two are just taller than me," Iker explained under his breath. "Since we have such narrow views of tops and bottoms, let me be the brave one to climb first. Don't enjoy the view too much."
"See? Bottom," Bastian joked.
"Ah, no matter what I do you'll spin it that way," Iker whispered while climbing up.
"The genius is getting it now," Camilo said, climbing after Bastian that was already halfway up.
"Please humans assist us."
"Oh God, don't let him eat me please."
Iker's heart jumped several beats while he was breathing faster. When his eyes made it to the attic, he saw talking domesticated animals awaiting their arrival.
"How did—"
"Please help me, the lion cub ate my litter," a yellow persian cat begged.
"That beast ate mine too."
It took a few moments to register, but the boys noticed the dried blood stains that were all over the wooden attic floor.
Under the tree that smashed into the house a few months ago, laid a shaking lion cub with a bloodied snout. The talking animals made a circle around him in fear, but the cub was even more afraid of them.
When he saw the kitten remains decomposing around the cub, Iker became furious.
"Please, don't hurt me," the cub squeaked. "I did this before I was able to talk. I understand what I have done can't be undone. I'll do anything you want. I'll spend the rest of my life making up for it."
"You have two options," Iker declared. "You'll either be shot dead right here, or you'll serve me until I have decided that you have redeemed yourself."
"I'll follow you always. Promise," the cub declared back. Instead of quivering, the cub stood firmly on all four paws.
"What's your name? As your leader I am responsible for your life now, along with my peers Camilo and Bastian," Iker explained, resembling his trickster father as he continued harnessing his charisma.
"I don't have one," the cub squeaked. "Can you give me one?"
"No, that's the one thing I shouldn't be allowed to control or take away from you," Iker said with a smile. "I am that I am."
The cub smiled back. "My name will be Maverick then."
"Maveri–"
"Excuse me boss," a brown guinea pig interrupted. "But this is all nonsense. He can't stay here."
"Neither can we," Iker said. "Even though we have a few more days before Ameen pays a visit, the Christians and Muslims that have been radicalized into his religion are coming tonight at the latest."
"Atheists have been affected by the virus too," Bastian said. "It seems to be targeting anyone who hasn't thought through their beliefs. There was a family with atheist parents that were immune, but the son who was born into it got affected."
"Mind virus? Is that metaphorical or literal?" Iker asked.
"Do you not understand?" Bastian said glaring at Iker. "The lines between the two have been blurring."
Iker and Bastian stared at each other. Iker could not shake the feeling that they were part of something grander than the human imagination could understand.
"The Alkrezians will kill us," Maverick said, joining the vicinity of the three boys.
"So will you carnivore," a hamster squeaked.
"I am sorry. I will never do it again," Maverick cried.
"No more apologizing," Iker commanded. "From now on you apologize with your actions."
The cub tilted his head up towards the leader and gave him an upnod.
"I don't want to hear anymore chilladera from any of you animals," Iker commanded. "If he hurts any of you, I'll shoot Maverick myself."
"Boss, sorry to interrupt, but this is urgent," Bastian whispered.
Iker walked towards his childhood friend.
Bastian manifested an earthplexus hologram displaying live footage from Iker's drone named Snitch. "I already checked it for deepfakes and all that."
The last citizens of Pueblo, now all either Alkrezians or pretending to be Alkrezians to stay alive, were gathering into a large riot towards Iker's suburban street. Almost all of them either had a torch or a sign.
"Please tell us you have a plan," a beagle with luscious fur asked.
Iker summoned a hologram calendar then dismissed it immediately with a smirk. "I always do, with a cherry contingency plan on top."
Even the most fraught alleys of Pueblo had a twisted charm once a sentient being attained confidence, a locked destination, knew the right residents, had a dangerous reputation, and knew the night dance to make it back home [https://img.wattpad.com/d4b1d4ee258f80684a480c77da6fdea2005c386c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6b553646574d38427a41593061673d3d2d313337353134333638302e313737656461326630356534393462333330353334383932333039302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Even the most fraught alleys of Pueblo had a twisted charm once a sentient being attained confidence, a locked destination, knew the right residents, had a dangerous reputation, and knew the night dance to make it back home.
Or maybe it was a delusion conjured to make sense of the town's chaos that grew in power with each earthling that would not make it back home. It even attained more resistance to the circular neon smog as the early mornings and evenings were as deadly as the night.
However, the neon circle shot its last flare goodbye and the town plummeted into total darkness.
"We've been friends since we were kids, would you be comfortable telling me if you wanna top or bottom?" Bastian whispered. "I can show you the strokes I use on these Pueblo bitches."
Iker grimaced and kissed his teeth while Camilo chuckled.
Iker, Bastian, Camilo, and Maverick were hiding under the living room's broken window on the first floor of the house. Maverick showed complete confusion at the conversation with a frown, but would smile during the laughs.
"You're so dumb Bastian," Iker whispered.
"Aren't you fourteen Bastian?" Camilo asked. "How many girls exactly?"
"Okay, it's one girl jeez. Let a straight brother live," Bastian moaned.
"I think zero would be better. I wish I waited longer myself," Camilo whispered.
"Yea you're right," Bastian sighed. "Hey... now that I think about it, I feel like I have to overhype how I lost my virginity. To be frank we weren't ready. But I feel like, you know, if the other Byza guys knew the truth, they would think I was a punk bitch. Actually I lied, I'm still a virgin."
"You were too ugly for me to ever believe that," Camilo whispered, earning him a slap to the head from Bastian.
"You're still a guy at the end of the day," Iker whispered. "How those guys aren't your friends, I wouldn't bother telling them the truth."
"Boss," Maverick said under his breath. "I hope your drones are on the way."
"Of course," Iker assured him. "Don't worry about me. Worry about the cult that's probably here."
Iker checked on the gasoline Maverick helped pour with his newborn teeth, then the shipment that the drone Hughmungus was going to pick up. The shipment had the mysterious canine canister they found, as many Prunus Tantulum branches they could fit, and the talking animals that were assigned to the front door. The others were at different exits.
Rows of orange lights appeared out of the windows.
Iker gulped as he pointed to the window. The rest of Pueblo were holding lit torches outside of their lawn.
The once Evangelical Christian pastor of all of Pueblo walked in front of the crowd, now a devout Alkrezian.
"Thanks to Byza keeping it a secret, these people don't know about the earthplexus," Iker explained. "This will be the greatest pride parade ever."
"Apparently Ameen knows about it," Camilo whispered.
"He ain't here," Bastian said with a shrug.
"We are the last true citizens of Pueblo," Camilo whispered. "Whoever has let themselves get radicalized isn't one of us."
The new Alkrezian leader raised his arms to the sky. "We have been waiting for a blessing from Prophet Ameen as this town has faced relentless judgement because of sinners like you! You shall be sacrifices for our high father."
"I clearly was the blessing, they just slept on me," Camilo whispered, flaunting his hips on the living room floor. "Sorry guys. I'm the reason I got y'all into this."
"Nah," Iker and Bastian said in unison.
"Help me understand this," Bastian whispered. "What are they gonna do against Iker's hologram drones?"
"Shoot them back with hope and prayers?" Iker said.
The boys smirked.
"What do those hopes and prayers do?" Camilo mocked, causing further chuckles.
"REPENT OR BURN!" the pastor shouted. "FLAMES AWAIT YOU IN THE END, THUS YOU SHALL BE DRENCHED IN FLAMES!"
"Sir, this is a boutique, how can I help you?" Camilo whispered, causing more chuckles.
"Bullets await you in the end, thus you shall be drenched in bullets," Bastian mocked while loading his gun.
"Theres no need for that" Iker reassured Bastian. He rested a hand on the barrel of Bastian's revolver. "Believe in me."
"You sodomites!" the fanatic screamed.
"His crypt keeper lookin' ass called me a sodomite?" Bastian snapped. "What the fuck is even a sodomite? I want to kill this motherfucker."
"It's okay," Iker whispered to Bastian. "You'll see why the gays always win against the men with imaginary friends in the sky."
The three boys and the cub took a peek above the window to see thousands of holograms manifesting in the remnants of the suburbs. Not as one usually manifests them, Iker willed them to come out of different suburban homes as if they were leaving the door.
Men in skimpy outfits. The gayest floats would spawn in whatever direction the Alkrezian extremists were not looking. Lesbians taking out motorcycles out of the garage. Baby blue and pink flags. Indeed, if only Iker knew how he was carrying the legacy of his last name.
A massive pride parade was about to begin.
"FAGGOTS!"
"SODOMITES!"
"KILL THOSE FAGS! KILL THEM ALL!"
See, disinformation and deepfakes have gotten so bad... or so good depending on one's perspective, that none of these Alkrezians even knew of the concept of a hologram. It was made worse by the holy law that disallowed them to consume any secular shows and music, as watching one sci-fi movie could have helped them figure out that nothing in front of them was real.
In this world, the one who understood reality the best were the gods. Those that did not sacrifice their dearest belief fell for falsehoods. If one were to be offended, the universe took it as an incentive to erase them from existence.
However, what can be fiction can be non-fiction, and non-fiction could become fiction in this cosmic war. The war for what the definition of real is was under way.
The Alkrezians went all night trying to kill the manifestations of the carbon-based computer system, allowing the talking animals to escape in the opposite direction while Iker, Camilo, Maverick, and Bastian walked with the massive holographic spectacle that pretended to be as physical as the four boys.
The universe presented humanity with a pop quiz and time was running out. Accept the total truth, even if it meant being humble enough to accept they have been wrong their whole lives, or join the silence of the universe.
Not understanding the only two options made the cold cosmic hand hover closer to the button that would turn humanity to a zero.
The choice of music for the parade was rather strange... circuit twinks would never select the movie soundtrack Iker loved. It was as if the pride parade searched his subconscious for it.
It was the version of Where is my Mind from the most underrated movie of the 21st century, Sucker Punch. At least Iker thought so, but he knows most of beingkind would not get it. Like the cosmic dominoes that was hiding in his subconscious, it was a film to be felt, not to be understood. The enemy was looking for them in what could be understood.
The intense quarter of the song kicked in when the fire in Iker's home engulfed the roof in an instant. The boys glanced back at where most of their childhood took place as the parade made it to the outskirts of Pueblo. Hughmungus hovered above the home with the humongous shipment. It was about to follow the boys at a safe distance.
An Alkrezian teenager chasing down a hologram ran past the group as the hologram gogo dancer dodged each of his shanks perfectly.
For the first night in over a century, not only did the town have its first pride parade, but Pueblo looked a little less scary than the night before.
A femto of light in the tunnel of oblivion.