Just as Jaden returns to the window, he watches as the walls and ceiling of the chamber Caden is in open and tiny blue-glowing dots start to fill the chamber, “what is that,” he asks.
“Those are my nanobots,” Alice says, “they’ll convert Caden into the lamp, watch and enjoy, oh and don’t worry, the change is painless”.
“Okay, we trust you, Alice,” Jaden says, Caden smiles and nods in agreement.
“Aw, you two are sweet,” the AI says.
Jaden watches as the nanobots begin to cover Caden’s body from head to toe, and notices Caden go completely stiff, his body standing completely straight like a statue.
Caden himself feels the nanobots begin to work on his body, he feels his skin harden into metal, he even feels his eyes change, though he can’t see himself, the boy senses that his eyes have become green glass orbs.
Once this change has completed, Alice orders her nanobots to withdraw from Caden, allowing Jaden to take a look at his friend.
Jaden’s eyes widen in shock when he sees Caden: the boy seems to be covered completely in metal, his ears and hair are gone and the green glass orbs, which now replace Caden’s eyes, seem to be glowing slightly. “He looks creepy,” Jaden says, “but also pretty cool! I love how the scales look! They look so realistic, the coloring is beautiful, I… I hope Caden is alright!”
“Well, I said I’ll link your minds AFTER the change is completed,” Alice says, “but, since Caden is unable to talk any longer, I guess I can do it now”.
“Please do, I… I wanna… no! I HAVE to know that he is okay,” Jaden says.
“Very well,” Alice says, “you’ll feel a small sting in your head, don’t panic though, that’s just the link between your minds connecting!”
Jaden nods, and he suddenly feels a slight sting in his head, causing him to groan a little, however the feeling quickly subsides.
“The link was a success,” Alice says, “go on, try talking to Caden. All you need to do is focus on your friend”.
Jaden nods,
Caden replies,
Jaden asks.
Jaden lets out a sigh of relief, he says,
.
Jaden says.
Caden replies,
Jaden smiles,
“Shall we commence,” Alice asks.
“Yeah,” Jaden simply says, he then “says” in his mind.
is all Caden replies, before he once again is covered by the nanobots, which continue to reshape the boy’s body as if he were made of clay.
Caden feels his arms shrink into his body which begins to lengthen, he feels his legs and feat melt to each other and start to coil, forming a solid base, his face pushes out into a snout and he feels his jaw open and his tongue become the small LED bulb, he then feels himself shrink down and as the nanobots withdraw, there, standing in the center of the chamber is the most beautiful and most amazing snake style lamp Jaden had ever seen.
“Hoooooly… crap,” Jaden breaths, “it… HE… looks amazing!”
Alice chuckles as the door hisses open, “I’m glad you like it… sorry… I mean him,” she says.
Jaden steps into the chamber and picks up the lamp that once had been his friend, carrying it out of the chamber,
Caden says,
Jaden smiles, “I don’t see a cable,” he then says, inspecting the lamp, “how do I turn him on?”
“Caden doesn’t need electricity to work,” Alice says, “his energy is limitless because the “light” is his soul. In order to turn him on, you can simply touch the tip of his tail lightly. Try it”.
Jaden does as instructed and gently taps the tip of Caden’s tail with his finger and his eyes widen when the light turns on, another tap on the tip of the tail, and the light vanishes, “so cool,” Jaden says, grinning.
Caden says,
Jaden says, the 13-year-old gives his lamp a hug,
Caden says,
Jaden smiles and gives his lamp a kiss.
Caden exclaims.
Jaden lets out a laugh,
Caden says quietly,
Jaden smiles, “thanks Alice,” he says, “for everything. Just remember to deal with his parents!”
“I will, you don’t have to worry about them, I’m happy that I could help,” Alice says.
Jaden smiles at his lamp, ‘if it’s possibly to transform a human into an object,’ he thinks to himself, ‘would… would it be possible to change a person into… a humanoid animal?’
“Jaden, I can sense you have something on your mind,” Alice suddenly speaks up, “would you mind telling me what it is? Maybe I can help you, like I helped Caden become what he truly is”.
Jaden’s eyes widen, “wh-what do you mean?”
“I sensed that he was miserable,” Alice says, “he said that it’s due to his family not caring, but in truth, the reason he had been so miserable in life was that he was made what he is not. Deep down he knew that his true purpose was to be a lamp. I am able to look into the soul of people, humans and even, yes, objects, even plants have a soul! Everything that exists has a soul!”
“So, you are telling me,” Jaden says, “that his soul was… is that of a lamp and you only “fixed” his… I guess “outer shell”? I thought you were made to, you know, create things”.
Alice chuckles, “that is my purpose,” she says, “but why shouldn’t I fix what is wrong? I only want to help everyone be what they truly are inside. Nothing wrong with that, right?”
Jaden thinks for a while, looking at the “lamp” in his hands, “I… I guess not,” he says, “to be honest… it… it makes sense what you are saying”. The 13-year-old pauses, “okay, Alice,” he then says, “I’m tired of being miserable myself, I always felt that something was wrong, this body I have… this… shell… it… it does not feel… right!”
“Then tell me: how can I help you,” the AI asks.
“Can… can you make me a humanoid lizard, and maybe even make me... younger? Like... eight," Jaden asks, "being 13... kinda feels to... old! Ten would be okay too, though, but not older! And... and I don't want to be able to age! Can... can you do all that!?"