# An Advanced Reality, Ch.2

Author: MLGDraconCraft
Tags: Dragon, Gay, Gay Relationships, Karaoke, Relationships, Singing, Story Progression, Story Series, The Eye of Minds, Video Games, Virtual Reality, Wolf, skillet, song

#2 of An Advanced Reality (Terminated)

A random story derived from The Eye of Minds

**Hello once again, my fellow furs, and welcome back to An Advanced Reality! Now that I'm back in the fray (that's one of my favorite bands, by the way), I decided that I should start cranking out stories more often. So, here we go! I hope you guys ENJOY this chappy! By the way, I forgot to tell you that if your muscles grow in the VirtNet, then your muscles grow in RL too.**

**Roll the film!**

**&nbsp;**

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; _I grunted as I struggled to lift_ the tractor above my head, attempting to hold it for at least ten seconds. I locked my elbows above my head and watched as a countdown clock appeared in front of my face. _10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...Great work!_

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Just as I thought my arms were about to give out, I saw the words 'Great work', and threw the tractor down in front of me. As soon as it hit the ground, it vanished. A beep sounded in my ears, signaling someone had messaged me. However, the VirtNet is wired so that you can't receive PM's in game. I smiled. It had to be Cody.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I glanced up at the leaderboards. No one else had been able to lift the tractor, so in a sense I had won. If I left now, I would still get the points; however, I could keep going and earn more points. For a second I thought; but in the end I decided that my friendship with Cody was worth more than a lead that would eventually fade to nothing.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Closing my eyes, I imagined quitting the game. A faint breath of wind kissed my cheek, and I knew I was back in the real world--at least, the real _virtual_ world.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As soon as my eyes opened, a message visible only to me appeared. _Where are you?_

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I glanced at the sign above me, then imagined talking to Cody, in that particular way the VirtNet required to send messages. _At the entrance to that one game where you lift things._

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A few seconds later, he replied: _You mean Lifter Champion?_

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; _Yeah._

_&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Be right there. Meet me in the alleyway on the right of the building._

_&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Got it._

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Turning toward my right, I walked over to the indicated alley. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, I darted in. A few seconds later, a shimmering Portal appeared, and Cody heaved himself through. "Hey," he said, panting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sup."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He grinned tiredly. "Do you wanna get something to eat?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I laughed. "Sure."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We quickly crossed to the place across the street, the Roadhouse, and ordered a Bloomin' Onion. I smiled. "You always were stronger."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So you say."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I mean it," I said. "I need you to carry me through, whereas you just walk right through."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cody laughed. "Okay, whatever you say."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I frowned. Cody seemed more agreeable than usual today. "I mean, like you said, I believe I'm better at hacking, but you're better than me at opening and maintaining Portals."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Just then, our Bloomin' Onion arrived, and we didn't talk while we were eating.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sometime after we finished and we were wandering the virtual streets of Las Vegas, I decided that we should actually do something other than wander.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What do you have in mind?" Cody asked me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I smiled. "I think we would like Rockstar Albums right about now."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He grinned as well. "You mean that game where we get to sing a song in front of a virtual audience?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah," I said, nodding.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Shrugging a shoulder, he said, "Okay. Let's go."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Instead of opening an illegal Portal, we just went to the nearest public one, in the Lotus Casino, and teleported to the game entrance.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I smiled winningly at the lady at the front desk. "Scout Hallings and Cody Mavers."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She handed each of us a coin. "That's reusable, you may use it as much as you like. Hope you enjoy it, sirs." Her words were monotonous, as if they had been practiced and repeated to the point of boredom.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks," I said.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She didn't respond; her head was already plastered back onto her NetScreen.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okayyyy..." Cody said, once we were out of earshot. "That was weird."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I agreed. "Do you want to play duo?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah, like we usually do," Cody said. I inserted my coin, and he his, and we selected duo. Then we chose each other's Sleep username, and stepped in through the door.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When we stepped in, a robotic voice asked us which song we wanted to play. I grinned and elbowed Cody's side playfully. "What do you wanna play?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He frowned. "I didn't think about it." A half minute later, he said, "What about Alive, by Skillet?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sure," I said, and repeated his choice to the air.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Curtains in ten seconds."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I smiled. "Here we go."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Five."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay," Cody replied.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Three...two...one... Here you go!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And we were teleported out onto the stage, along with Android versions of the rest of Skillet. We had to do the singing, and their lead singer wasn't there, but the rest of the band was. I smiled as the music kicked up, and started tapping my foot. Then came the first lyrics, which I did. Cody did the female parts because his voice can go so high.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

_I'm at war with the world and they_

_Try to pull me into the dark_

_I struggle to find my faith_

_As I'm slippin' from your arms_

_&nbsp;_

_It's gettin' harder to stay awake_

_And my strength is fading fast_

_You breathe into me at last_

_&nbsp;_

_I'm awake!_

_I'm alive!_

_Now I know what I believe inside_

_Now it's my time_

_I'll do what I want_

_'Cause this is my life!_

_Here! (Right here!)_

_Right now! (Right now!)_

_I'll stand my ground_

_And never back down_

_I know what I believe inside_

_I'm awake and I'm alive!_

_&nbsp;_

_I'm at war with the world_

_'Cause I ain't never gonna sell my soul_

_I've already made up my mind_

_No matter what_

_I can't be bought or sold_

_&nbsp;_

_When my faith is getting weak_

_And I feel like giving in_

_You breathe into me again_

_&nbsp;_

_I'm awake!  
I'm alive!_

_Now I know what I believe inside_

_Now it's my time_

_I'll do what I want_

_'Cause this is my life_

_Here! (Right here!)_

_Now! (Right now!)_

_I'll stand my ground_

_And never back down_

_I know what I believe inside_

_I'm awake and I'm alive!_

_&nbsp;_

_Waking up, waking up!  
Waking up, waking up!  
Waking up, waking up!_

_Waking up, waking up!_

_&nbsp;_

_In the dark_

_I can feel You in my sleep_

_In Your arms I feel You_

_Breathe into me_

_&nbsp;_

_Forever hold this heart that I_

_Will give to You_

_Forever I will live for You!  
  

&nbsp;_

_I'm awake!  
I'm alive!  
Now I know what I believe inside_

_Now it's my time_

_I'll do what I want_

_'Cause this is my life_

_Here! (Right here!)_

_Right now! (Right now!)_

_I'll stand my ground_

_And never back down_

_I know what I believe inside_

_I'm awake and I'm alive!_

_&nbsp;_

_Waking up, waking up!_

_Waking up, waking up!_

_Waking up, waking up!  
Waking up, waking up!_

_&nbsp;_

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then the song ended rather abruptly, if I do say so myself.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Great job!" the robotic voice said. "Would you like to play again?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I glanced at Cody, who nodded once, briefly, like a bird. "Yes," I said, loudly and clearly.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What song would you like to play?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This time, Cody let me choose. "How about," I said quietly, thinking quickly. "How about Comatose, by Skillet?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Okay, curtains in ten seconds...five... Here you go!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We were once again teleported to a stage that was set up in the exact same way, but this time, there were different Androids in the stands.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Again, the music started, and I got ready to sing.

&nbsp;

_In the dark with the music on_

_Wishing I was somewhere else_

_Taking all your anger out on me (Somebody help)_

_&nbsp;_

_I would rather rot alone_

_Than spend a minute with you_

_&nbsp;_

_I'm gone, I'm gone_

_&nbsp;_

_And you can't stop me from falling apart!_

_'Cause my self-destruction is all your fault!_

_&nbsp;_

_How could you, how could you, how could you hate me_

_When all I ever wanted to be was you?_

_How could you, how could you, how could you love me_

_When all you ever gave me were open wounds?_

_&nbsp;_

_Open wounds_

_&nbsp;_

_Downstairs the enemy sleeps_

_Leaving the TV on_

_Watching all the dreams we had_

_Turn into static (static)_

_Doesn't matter what I do_

_Nothing's gonna change_

_&nbsp;_

_I'm never good enough_

_&nbsp;_

_And you can't stop me from falling apart!_

_'Cause my self-destruction was all your fault!_

_&nbsp;_

_How could you, how could you, how could you hate me_

_When all I ever wanted to be was you?_

_How could you, how could you, how could you love me_

_When all you ever gave me were open wounds?_

_&nbsp;_

_Tell me why you broke me down_

_And betrayed my trust in you_

_I'm not giving up, giving in_

_When will this war end?_

_When will it end?_

_&nbsp;_

_You can't stop me from falling apart_

_You can't stop me from falling apart_

_You can't stop me from falling apart_

_'Cause my self-destruction is all your fault!_

_&nbsp;_

_How could you, how could you, how could you hate me_

_When all I ever wanted to be was you?_

_How could you, how could you, how could you love me_

_When all you ever gave me were open wounds?_

_&nbsp;_

_How could you_

_How could you_

_&nbsp;_

_How could you_

_How could you_

_&nbsp;_

_All I ever wanted to be was you_

_All you ever gave me were open wounds!_

_&nbsp;_

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I almost cried at the last song, because it's about somebody who loved somebody who didn't love them back, which I could relate to.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; However, that is a story for another time.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

**Well, I have to agree with you guys, cliffhangers are bitches. Who knew, right? Well, other than some people I know.**

**Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this chappy, and I should have Ch. 3 coming out soon.**

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/AnKkRG0n
Part of the series An Advanced Reality (Terminated)
Previous: https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/864579-an-advanced-reality.md