Matrix’ new home

## Summary

Matrix, a protogen, was born and raised in Vex labs, taught to fear and hate. But deep inside of her, she knows that the life she's been living, and what she's been taught is a lie, revealed to her by her mother, out of love, and the fact that Matrix deserves to know the truth. With the help of her friend Bia, along with a fellow former underdog of the fake realm guy named Eber, Alex, Ava and Cyrus, can she escape Vex's toxic cycle once and for all?

## Characters

* Matrix
* Piper (adopted sister)
* Misty
* Spectra
* Lemoncello
* Willow
* Coriander
* Ganymede
* Coral
* Limestone
* Several Vex lab teachers (unnamed)
* Alex
* Kai
* Cyrus
* Celeste
* Estrella
* Azuna
* Ava
* Mae
* Nova
* Eli
* Eber
* Halo

## Matrix' POV

"Matrix, wake up." I hear a voice behind me, and feel someone tap me on the shoulder.

*Great. Another day in the hellish world of Vex labs.*

"What the hell do they want from us now, Lemoncello?" I say blearily.

"Well, the boss has a seminar on the evils of guardians."

My voice cracks. "But that's terrible. I know it's what we've been taught, but I ran into a guardian, and she didn't talk, but she spoke to me in my mind. She was very nice."

"We're not supposed to go near them, you freaking idiot!" Spectra growls. "What are you, *brain dead?!"*

A tear streams down my face. "FINE!!" I shout. "If you're going to keep lying to yourself about Vex being right, SO
BE*IT! Now go away and leave me alone!"*

"Yeah, Spectra! Leave Matrix alone!" Lemon says.

"You'll regret it later!" Spectra shouts. "You'll find that this is just how life is. People are terrible. Working every day like this is just how everything goes."

I growl. "It's *NOT!* You'll learn someday! I'm sick of these people hurting everyone! You know this is wrong, you just refuse to admit it, you bean brain!"

I stomp off through the dirty corridors and hear a voice. In my head I see a face.

It's the guardian I met earlier.

"I'm having a huge problem. We were all raised in Vex labs, raised to hate, but both me and my mom know that this life we're all living is a toxic cycle of pain and hatred."

𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰, 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘹. The voice says. 𝘈𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢, 𝘰𝘳 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘌𝘭𝘪.

"Well Eli, the problem is, my mom loves me, but my friends, who are without families of their own are treating me like trash and they refuse to believe there is a light outside of all of this pain and abuse. Byron is a terrible man with a heart of stone, and I wish I could run away and take my mom with me, but the whip wounds Vex gave us make every day hurt more. I feel like a walking corpse."

*Ouch. That must really hurt. Tell you what. I'll see if I can reach your mother and your friend Lemoncello. They need to know that hope for all your friends, including Spectra exists for them.*

"Thank you Eli."

*You're quite welcome. I'm sorry if we can't talk more right now. I have something important to attend to and I can't exactly do it and mindspeak with you are the same time. Multitasking is tiring for me.*

"Bye for now."

*Tonight if you have time, I'll come get you and your mother. I'm good with disguises. Meet me in the forest near the flower bushes. I like flowers.*

"Will do. I need to escape this. Other people’s bullshit shouldn’t be my responsibility."

*That’s why you should learn to shut people down quickly, Matrix. Their problems aren’t always your doing. Your friends need to know who they can trust. So do you.*

“Maybe you’re right. I hope it all works out in the end.”

I make my way back to the banged up apartment Vex's experiments call "home".

I close my eyes and try to have Eli peer through them.

"That's my house." I whisper.

*I hate to say it like this, but it doesn't look like a home to me. Once I rescue you, maybe my wife and I can find you and your friends and mother a better home.* she replies telepathically

"Off topic question; you have a wife? But I thought-"

*Being gay or lesbian isn't a bad thing. I am happy. My wife is happy. I got to be with the love of my life.* she says.

"Vex labs told us it's a terrible thing. I've seen same sex couples before, but I kept getting scolded for it."

*Oh dear...People have their own opinions, but that lab indoctrinating hatred into you and your friends is not a good thing. I remember them vividly. They kidnapped my daughter but thankfully I was able to get my baby back. Also I'm sorry you have to go through this.*

"Hold on, Eli, my friends are coming." I whisper.

*Okay. No worries, I'm coming for all of you.*

I walk into a run down building full of upturned tables, broken dishes, spilled drinks, and dirty laundry. Just as I walk into my room, I bump into another friend of mine. Short willowy frame, neck length hair, blind in one eye, wearing a dirty hoodie. She has one gold tooth, and chain imprints on her wrist.

"Where the hell have you been?" she says, worried. "I was looking for you. Spectra got himself drunk and got into a fight with Lemon over an Uno match. Jeezus christ, those two. They never stop, not even at 2AM." She twists around slightly. "Oh my god. My back hurts so much, but every time I complain about these stupid beds, I almost get the pulp beaten out of me."

"How long have you had those pains?"

"Ever since I was 3. Once I got pushed off a structure and it messed with my back. Thank God it didn't paralyze or kill me. All those lab workers are assholes. Once I get the chance, I'm getting the fuck out of here."

I see Eli's face materialize in my mind, then a glowing figure appears in front of me, Eli herself.

"Hello." she says softly. "I heard something's up here."

"Take this coat." I say. "It's a disguise."

She nods.

"Willow, this is the guardian I bumped into."

"My name is Eli." she holds out her hand.

"It's nice to meet you." she says.

I hear thumping noises, and Spectra barrels into me, but Eli stops him. I hear her speak telepathically.

"What have you been doing, mushbrain?! Letting a guardian into our territory?!"

I spot a vine wrap around part of his body.

*Spectra, how can you be friends with these guys if you keep treating them badly?* Eli says.

"It...It's our way of life. We were raised to hate and work all day and that's all we'll be doing."

*Way of life or not, it's no excuse to berate your friends for nothing.* Eli says. *If you or any lab workers try to hurt us, then you'll be tasting the sting of my plant magic.*

"You have elemental magic?" I say.

*Yes. When I was growing up, I had a love for flowers and plants, and that love eventually grew, and when I got my powers, the first power I got was elemental plant/nature manipulation.*

"Wow. That's amazing."

*Where is your mother?*

I hear crying. Something must've happened.

"She's over there." I say, leading the five of us down a hallway. I spot a figure that looks like mother, but different.

More beautiful. Almost like a second form. She is taller, no longer has a visor, has wider ears, most of her cybernetic bits have become more inconspicuous, and her eyes flash like jewels.

"Mom!" I say. "How did you end up with that form?"

She shifts back to her protogen form. "Oh sweetheart, it was nothing you're supposed to see."

"But mom! After seeing that form, it makes me think I have it too. But I don't remember shapeshifting."

"Matrix," she says softly. "You're not just a Protogen."

Really? Now I'm learning more than I thought.

"You and I come from a variant species called Biogen which are 70% biological and 30% cybernetic. When one turns 14, they go through a metamorphosis which gives them a form similar to mine. Unlike Protogen, who cannot reproduce, when we evolved, we gained the ability to reproduce naturally, but like regular protogen, we can also do it by scientific means. When I had you, I had to hide you away so you wouldn't get experimented on. When Anubis eventually did find you, I lied to him saying you were adopted."

My face glows red. "Mom, my life is a lie! Guardians aren't who we thought they were!"

"Matrix...you found a guardian?"

"Don't be mad." I say.

"I'm not." she replies. "Before I was captured and hauled to this god forsaken trash can of a lab, one of my friends was a guardian. He led a gang of them, but has been in hiding ever since."

"Why was he hiding?" I ask.

"He broke one of the rules of the Gurdian code, and became so distraught that he hid his family so that people wouldn't know what he did. He had colleagues at Vex labs who stole his daughter away from him to become a slave of Byron the fake realm guy. To this day, he no longer trusts his colleagues. If you ever do find his daughter, bring them to Jewel labs where they will be safe. Matrix, my dear blossom, I promise you that one day we will leave this place, find a home, and never come back here."

*I can help you.* Eli says. *First, what is your name?*

"Freesia." mom replies.

*That's beautiful. I'll have to remember that name. It was the name of one of the flowers we have at the shop I work with.*

"You work with flowers? Byron kept telling us to not smell them or it will kill us."

*Lies.*

"I know. I've smelt flowers before and they're amazing." I turn to mum. "One more thing. What should we do first?"

"Find my friend's child and get them out."

I hear a voice behind me. "Look this way and you've already found me."

I turn towards the figure, who looks like a white wolf, but with stripes on parts of their body. They have short messy wavy hair, one gold eye, one silver eye, a dirty hoodie, sandals, and ripped shorts. They sit in a dilapidated wheelchair.

"Eber." My mom says. "I'm so glad we found you."

"Yeah, me too." I reply. "What happened to you?"

"Got beaten up by Darcy." they reply. "Slammed against a wall and it jacked up my spine. She ran away, I fell unconscious, and when I woke up, I was at a healer's facility. They told me that my spine isn't completely severed, so that means I might be able to learn to walk again, it would just take a long time and some rehab. In the meantime, I have to drink this Bluebell elixir to protect my spine and potentially heal it. Except I have to hide my elixir because Anubis says once his servants get hurt, they're not getting healed. Once we get out of here, I’m gonna walk again, no matter *how long* it takes. "

They face Eli and their eyes go wide. "You're the guardian who found me."

*And I can help you get free. No more grunt work, no more pain.* she says.

"And will you help me find my parents?" they ask.

"Yes." I reply. "Although it might take a while. I've been so tired lately and I don't know why my joints have been aching all of a sudden."

"Your face is flickering." Eber says.

"Your metamorphosis is approaching." mom says.

"Mum?" I ask. "When I metamorphose, can Eli, Eber, Willow, and Lemon guard me in shifts while I sleep?"

Mom nods.

"Thank you." I walk into my messy room and lie on the hard bed. I hear a voice in my head.

**Hello Matrix.** It says. **One of the guardians is tracking you, and your situation with Vex labs, and once the time is right, we can get you out.**

*What's your name?* I ask. *And how will you be able to get me out if I metamorphose? I would be asleep.*

**We have our ways.** the voice replies. **And my name is Alex.**

*Alex! I half remember you from the stories mum told me.*

**And you're about to see me up close.**

*My friends will be guarding me while I'm transforming.*

**And I'll watch you during the last few days so we can meet properly.** Alex replies. **I promise that once I get here, I’ll help break you out. I do have a human form.**

*Thank you.* I say.

**No problem. If you want to talk again, call me. I will show my face in your mind so you can remember what I look like.**

*Bye for now.*

**Goodbye, Matrix.**

My body goes heavy. I sit up and Eber materializes in front of me with a stack of folded blankets.

"I teleported to the hospital and told them your situation. These blankets should make your transformation a lot more comfortable. We wouldn't want you to wake up from your metamorphosis with an aching back."

"Like Willow." I say.

"Yeah. She doesn't look rested. Once we escape from here, I suggest therapy. I've been trying to get that for a long time, but I'm still treated like trash, forced to hurt people that aren't even my enemies." they reply.

"Don't worry." I say softly, wrapping myself in blankets. "We'll find a way. I promise."

"Also who were you talking to back there? You looked like you were in some sort of trance." they say.

"Well, I..." I begin. "I was talking...to Alex."

“Wait…” Eber says. “Alex was the kid of my dad’s friend. Where are they now?”

“They say that they will find us and break us out.” I say

Eber grins. “Ahh, I *knew* hope was on our side!”

I hear Alex’ voice in my head.

**Everyone.** they say. **Be on the lookout for any guards who might spot us. If any get close, it’s murder time. Eber, you wait for me. Eli, Lemon, Willow, keep Matrix safe when she goes into metamorphosis.**

”I promise.” I say. “Alright. It’s operation Jailbreak time.”

”I should probably carry you.” Eli says. “It’s not safe for you to metamorphose here.”

”I can walk.” I say. I attempt to get up, but a fatigue overtakes me and I collapse.

”Never mind.” I mutter.

Mom scoops me up in both arms. “You’re in no condition to walk.”

”Fine.” I say. We make the long journey to a small building, which is dimly lit, but is occupied by several groups of people. I hear distant barking, but something in my mind tells me that the barking is a language.

I hang on to the sounds for as long as I can until it finally comes to me.

*It looks like we have new guests. Tell the rest of the team to prepare them a room for the night.*

”Is that…Wolvish?” I ask. “I don’t really have a very strong grip on the language.”

Eber nods. “They found a room for you.”

“Thank God.” I say.

“Also two guardians will look after you. Alex is one of them.” an attendant says.

Mom sets me on a bed. My senses swim in and out.

“Why does everything look so weird?” I mumble.

“Your body is preparing itself for a big change.”

“I know…but I really don’t know why it has to feel like this.”

“Don’t worry. It will pass.”

“I hope.” I whisper. Voices fade, and the world goes dark.

5 days later

Cyrus’ POV

I trudge through the bushes and into the lab building Alex told me about through a letter. Through dim light, I spot Eber, Eli, and Freesia sitting next to a glowing mass. I shapeshift into my human form as I enter just to be safe.

“Hi.” I say softly. “I seem to recall Alex’s note led me here.”

Eber nods. “Yeah. Thanks, Cyrus.”

I nod. “Time to break out.”

“We just need to wait for Matrix to wake up.”

I take a seat next to Eber. Two other Vex captives enter the room. Two of whom I recognize to be Lemoncello and Willow, Matrix’ best friends.

Matrix’ POV

My eyes flutter open.

Everything is blurry. I hear voices of people around me, along with someone I don’t recognize.

A human.

It’s a damn human.

Someone has found me.

A soft raspy scream escapes from my lips.

“AAAAAAAaa!” I yell. “Oh God! Human, human, HUMAN! Get AWAY!!”

“Dude, are you okay?” Willow asks. “Maybe you just can’t see them very well because you just woke up.”

“Willow, GET HIM OOUUUUT!” I scream.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. I drop to my knees.

“Shhhhh.” The mysterious person says softly, getting on their knees to my level. Their body glows, and they shift back to their normal form. “It’s just me. Cyrus. Everything’s going to be okay. You’re safe here.”

“C-Cyrus?” I whisper.

Our eyes lock. Cyrus’ voice grows soft again.

“Listen…I’ve been watching you from afar for as long as I possibly can.

Vex labs is a terrible place.

I know how scary it is for you, being born in a place that was never home.

Not knowing who was friend or foe.”

I nod

“I can help you. There are still people who care. There is still hope. You just need to find it.

And if you feel frightened, don’t worry.

I’ve been there before. Just know that you have allies.

And if you need any help, come to us. If anyone tells you otherwise, don’t listen to them.

I believe you can find a way out of this.

I *really* do.

All you need to do is have faith in yourself and the people around you who love you, because in the end it’s the most powerful thing you’ve got in your life.

All you gotta do is let people in.

Let me help you.

You’re going to be okay. I know it.”

“Really?” I ask.

“Positive. Also one more thing.” They say.

“Yeah?” I ask.

“My pronouns are they/them.”

“Oh. Sorry. I’m still sort of learning. People kept telling me They/them could only be used by multiple people and whenever I talked about you, Spectra would mock me, saying ‘I think you mean *they is,* since it’s one person and using plural pronouns would be grammatically incorrect.”

Cyrus laughs softly. “Well he’ll have to see me in the flesh if he wants to prove that’s true.”

Cyrus shifts into human form, and scoops me up in both arms. “Wow. You’re not as heavy as I thought you were.”

I hear booming footsteps, and someone kicks the door open.

It’s Spectra.

“What the HELL are you doing?! Get away from her!” He thunders, running towards Cyrus. Willow blocks his way.

“I told you not to go near a guardian!” He yells.

“Spectra, Cyrus is on our side.” I say.

“Really?”

Cyrus’ voice softens, but their tone grows firm. “Yes. I came here so all of you can be free. You can be happy, and you can be safe.”

“What do you mean? Vex is our home. Working all day and shitty people is how it always is.”

Cyrus gets close to Spectra. “Look past your beliefs. If you’re being treated badly, and are unhappy here, is that place really your home? Maybe if you just open yourself up a bit, you’ll realize that finding a new home and coming with me is for the best.”

Spectra turns to me. “Are you sure I should trust him?”

“*Them.”* Cyrus corrects.

I nod. “It’s better that way.”

Spectra turns towards Cyrus. “Them? Are you sure that’s correct?”

“If it’s what a person uses, you should respect that.” Cyrus says. “Do you have any family?”

“Well yes but…” Spectra falters. “My mom gave up on me.”

“Really? What happened?” Cyrus asks.

“She thought I wouldn’t survive this place.”

“Well you clearly did.” They reply.