Part ??G - Technological Meltdown (Part 1)

''Enflared walked into The Heart's CORE, a twisted grimace across his face and a plan set in his mind. Walking the many twisting corridors, Enflared finally ran into Jackie. Jackie yelped and backed up in surprise, before seeing who she had bumped into. She sighed with relief.''

Jackie: Oh Enflared darling, it's only you. You had me really scared for a moment there. I thought you were the human.

''Enflared chuckled quietly to himself and nodded. He pulled his hood down and gave a sincere, tired smile.''

Enflared: Sorry if I startled you Jackie. I didn't mean to.

Jackie: My siblings... they're safe... right?

Enflared: Yes, I led them, and everyone in the Calm Waters area to the evacuation zone. They are all headed for Old Hometown as we speak.

Jackie smiled and gave Enflared a tight hug.

Jackie: Thank you Enflared, you have no idea how much that means to me.

Enflared quickly shook off the feeling that was coming over him, making his glowing eyes dim slightly.

Enflared: Actually, I was just looking for you.

Jackie: You were?

Enflared nodded, pulling his hood back up.

Enflared: Yes. You helped Emily evacuate everyone from the heart's core, didn't you?

Jackie: I did darling, why do you ask?

Enflared: Jackie. That human is slippery.

Jackie: What do you mean?

Enflared: I reactivated all of the puzzles, they slipped by. I set traps in sunny day and they slipped past. I have tried everything and they keep slipping by.

Jackie: Well, you're one of the smartest people here darling, if anyone can come up with a plan, it's you.

Enflared: I do have a plan. A trap to stop them, but I can't do it alone.

Jackie: Oh? What do you need?

Enflared: Jackie. I have one idea left before I actually fight them. We need to meet them at the middle of the heart's core and fight them.

Jackie: Oh? Why the middle?

Enflared: You don't have any problems with my shortcuts, do you?

Jackie: Not at all... why?

The twisted grimace returned to Enflared's face and he chuckled.

Enflared: We're going to rig the Heart's Core to explode.

Jackie gasped, her screen changing from a face to a big exclamation mark.

Jackie: WHAT?!

Enflared: Hear me out. We'll fight them, stall while the timer is counting down, and then once the timer is around... say 30 seconds, I am going to shortcut us out of there, leaving the human in there.

Jackie: Enflared, darling, are you insane?!

Enflared: Heh heh heh.

Jackie: Enflared...?

Enflared suddenly shook his head violently, his twisted grimace fading.

Enflared: Sorry, my head has been hurting a lot lately.

Jackie: It's quite alright, but blowing up The Heart's Core? That's an INSANE idea darling!

Enflared: What other choice do we have Jackie? If we don't do something to halt their progress, they'll get to Old Hometown sooner or later.

Jackie took a moment to look at the hall around her, then she sighed.

Jackie: You're right, darling... but what if they still somehow escape?

Enflared: If they do escape, I plan to confront them myself while you regroup with the others in the throne room. Do you understand why I want to do this?

Jackie looked into Enflared's caring eyes and sighed, nodding.

Jackie: Of course Enflared, darling. I'll get myself out of this robot, while you work on rigging everything.

Enflared: Thank you Jackie. I promise you once that human is gone for good, we'll rebuild the Heart's Core, better than it ever was.

Jackie: I trust you darling. Good luck.

Enflared: Good luck to you too.

Jackie and Enflared parted ways, Jackie headed to the lab, and Enflared headed to the heart of The Heart's CORE.