Backyard Williams Residence Alex reflections.
Alex sat on the creaky wooden bench in the backyard, a mug of steaming hot soup cradled in his hands. The cool November air nipped at his face, and he tugged his hoodie tighter. His eyes wandered over the old oak tree at the corner of the yard, its branches bare against the fading afternoon light. It had been his favorite spot as a kid—a place where he could daydream and play. Now, at thirteen, with a clearer mind the future was no longer a vague fog. It was now something he was actively shaping with a clear goalin mind for what he wanted to accomplish.
The past year and a half had been a whirlwind, and Alex couldn't help but let his thoughts drift back to the moment it all changed.
The memory of the accident was still vivid, and even more detailed in his strength mind, even as he tried not to think about it too often. A dark alley, with loud bangs occasionally sounding out, his previous self at that a little scared but even more curious. Before he knew it he was later laying on the cold hard ground bleeding all over. He had been told later how lucky he was to survive, once he woke up from his coma. Though "lucky" didn't seem like the right word.
At that time, he been busy living life through the eyes of an individual named Dr. Henry Jones. As well as a few other individuals, for what flet like centuries.
But then came the dreams—or visions, maybe. Alex still wasn't entirely sure what lead to him receiving this memories or visions. Filled with knowledge: glimpses of inventions, breakthroughs, and ideas that seemed impossible to his thirteen-year-old self. Especially in his time where the internet was just beginning to take shape, but these invitations felt as familiar as his own name.
When he woke from the coma, everything had felt different. His mind was sharper, his thoughts more focused. It was as if the Aplus advice that shouldn't even be a imagination yet in Dr. Henry Jones mind had left him with a roadmap to the future, and he knew he had to follow it.
Strange as it may be, Alex smiled faintly, taking a sip of hot pepper soup.
Founding Blue Star Interactive with Michael and Mark had been the first step. At the time, it seemed like a pipe dream—three teenages with big ideas and no real resources. But Alex had convinced his friends, and with their parents' names on the paperwork, the company was born.
The release of Castle Wolfenstein 3D had been their breakthrough. It wasn't just a game; it was a revolution. Alex guiding the team using his knowledge from the future, predicting what gamers wanted before they even knew themselves. The success had been overwhelming, leading to a thriving studio and four more major projects in the works.
Though, the expansion was a little fast especially splitting the team 30 employees in of teams of 5 to 6 working on different projects simultaneously. Is definitely an ill advise move for a setup Gaming Studio, and him leaving to go an supervise TV and movie projection. Is definitely his biggest blunder on Alex, which lead to DOOM having to be put on pause indefinitely.
As much as Mark blamed himself for the oversight, it was ultimately Alex mistake he had overestimated himself. Splitting himself to thin in this aspect rushing for immediate success. Well for now Alex planed to really more on those around and try not to micro manage everything, he'll still be involved but to a lesser extent for now on.
His main priority was to Blue Star Interactive's, and HyperNet Technologies which were currently linked together. With HyperNet Technologies official working on Blue Star Interactive first home console systems. Currently funding was the biggest issue, 130 million dollars would be difficult to protein through normal means in a short time.
But, it wasn't a major issue at the moment as his uncle Damien and his team were still mostly doing research. So, for now Alex place most of his focus on developing Blue Star Interactive as a pillar in the gaming industry.
Still, it wasn't always easy. Leading a team of 30 adults while barely being a teenager himself came with its own challenges. There were times when he doubted himself, at times. But every time he saw the passion in his team's eyes or read the glowing reviews of their work, those doubts faded.
The book Jurassic Park had been another leap of faith. Sitting in his room late at night, Alex had poured out everything he remembered about Jurassic Park. It had taken a month of writing, rewriting, adding certain details that hadn't been in the original work.
Selling it to Steven Spielberg had been surreal. Alex chuckled softly at the memory. He'd honestly been surprised how fast his uncle David was able to grab the at station of Spielberg. The deal with Universal Studios had not only secured their financial future but also proved to his parents that his was now capable of helping his family out.
Then there is Star Horizon, the business he'd pushed his parents to start. Inspired by his knowledge of the future, Alex had convinced them to invest in the idea of an online store—a concept that no one else seemed to fully grasp yet. With his brother Duke working on Blue Space, their custom-built browser, the pieces were slowly falling into place.
The investment in various start-up, business and stock market speculation was another major stepping stone. Which he honestly wouldn't have been able to participate in stock treading if it wasn't for his Uncle Daniel.
Who can be the key conner stone in making all his plans go much smoother than he anticipated. Especially, with all the financial support he was providing his and his family's business venture.
The family's wealth had grown exponentially, from living paycheck to paycheck to having millions in assets. It wasn't just about the money, though. For Alex, it was about ensuring his family and friends never had to struggle again.
Despite everything he'd accomplished, Alex felt the weight of his knowledge. He hadn't told anyone about the Aplus —not Michael, not Mark, not even his parents. And had no plans to do so. How could he? And who would honestly believe him if he told them?
He shook his head, letting out a deep breath. He didn't have all the answers, but he had a plan. The Aplus had given him a gift, and he would use it to make things better—not just for himself, but for everyone around him.
Alex glanced toward the horizon, where the setting sun bathed the yard in shades of orange and gold. He didn't know what the future held, and what major changes would occur with his actions.
The Arcade – October 31, 1988 Monday
The sun was already setting, casting an orange glow over the quiet suburban streets as six friends gathered at their usual meeting spot—Jeffrey's driveway. The cool autumn air carried the scent of burning leaves, and the occasional porch was decorated with jack-o'-lanterns and fake cobwebs, signaling that Halloween night had arrived. But for these six teenage boys, there was something far more exciting than trick-or-treating: a night at the arcade.
Jeffrey "Jeff" Carter 17 – The Leader
A natural-born leader, Jeff had been the unofficial ringleader of their group since they were kids. With an easygoing smile and a passion for all things gaming, he was the one who always organized their meetups. His favorite games? Double Dragon and Contra—anything where he and his friends could team up and take on the world together.
2. Ryan Delgado 16– The Hotshot
Always rocking a denim jacket and a confident smirk, Ryan prided himself on being the best gamer in the group. He was a Street Fighter II fanatic, convinced that nobody could beat him when he played as Ryu. He had an aggressive playstyle in both games and life, never backing down from a challenge.
Michael "Mikey" Thompson 16 – The Comic Relief
The joker of the group, Mikey was the kind of guy who could make anyone laugh, even in the middle of a heated match. He wasn't the best at games, but he had fun no matter what. His favorites were Paperboy and NBA Jam—games that didn't require him to memorize complex moves but let him cause absolute chaos.
David "Dave" Nakamura 17 – The Strategist
Dave was the thinker of the group, always analyzing patterns and finding ways to win. He loved RPGs and puzzle games, but when it came to the arcade, he was a Tetris and Shinobi master. Unlike Ryan, he never boasted about his skills, preferring to let his high scores speak for themselves.
Anthony "Tony" Ramirez 16 – The Tech Guy
Tony was the only one in the group who actually cared about how games worked, constantly reading magazines like Electronic Gaming Monthly and Nintendo Power. He dreamed of designing games one day. His go-to arcade games? After Burner and OutRun—he loved anything with cool technology and fast action.
Brandon Walker 17 – The Wildcard
Nobody ever knew what Brandon would do next. He was unpredictable in games and in life, which made him both exciting and frustrating to play with. He jumped between different games every time they went to the arcade, but he had a soft spot for Gauntlet—where he could be the loose cannon without messing things up too badly.
As they gathered in Jeff's driveway, the conversation was already in full swing, shifting between school gossip, Halloween plans, and, of course, video games.
"Alright, boys," Jeff clapped his hands together. "We hitting up the arcade or what?"
"Hell yeah," Ryan said, adjusting his denim jacket. "I need my Street Fighter II fix."
"Dude, you're just mad because I wrecked you last time," Tony teased.
Ryan scoffed. "Please, I was just warming up."
"Sure, man," Dave smirked. "Just like how you were 'warming up' when I smoked you in Tetris?"
"Okay, okay, let's not turn this into a rematch before we even get there," Jeff said, laughing. "What's everyone hyped to play tonight?"
"Double Dragon," Mikey said immediately. "I'm feeling the need to punch some bad guys in the face."
"You do realize we always lose at that game?" Dave pointed out.
"Eh, that's part of the fun," Brandon shrugged. "Me? I think I'm gonna try After Burner again. I love that jet cockpit setup."
"Oh man, After Burner is so cool," Tony nodded. "It's like being in Top Gun, but without Tom Cruise's weird smile."
"Dude," Mikey chuckled. "Speaking of movies, did you guys hear about that new Arnold Schwarzenegger flick, Twins?"
"Yeah, but I'd rather see Die Hard again," Ryan said. "That movie is the best thing ever. Bruce Willis is a beast."
As they walked down the sidewalk toward the arcade, the neon lights of The Warp Zone glowed in the distance. The arcade had become their second home, a place where they could forget about school, parents, and everything else.
The Arcade Industry in 1988 was in an interesting place. The arcade boom of the early '80s had cooled down a bit, but the industry was far from dead. Companies like Capcom, Konami, and Sega were still pumping out hits, and new technology was making games bigger, better, and more immersive.
Home consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) had taken over a huge chunk of the market, but there was something special about arcades that home gaming just couldn't match—the flashing lights, the crowds, the thrill of dropping a quarter into a machine and proving yourself against other players.
Games like Street Fighter, Double Dragon, Contra, Shinobi, and OutRun were keeping arcades alive and kicking. Meanwhile, Sega and Nintendo were dominating the home console space, and rumors about upcoming advancements in gaming hardware were already spreading.
Jeff and the gang weren't thinking about the future, though. They were thinking about the now—the thrill of the arcade, the glow of the screens, and the sounds of coins dropping into machines.
Arriving at The Warp Zone. They stepped into the arcade, they were greeted by the familiar wall of noise—chiptune music, beeps, explosions, and the occasional voice sample from a game. The smell of warm popcorn and soda filled the air, and the dim lighting made the screens seem even brighter.
"Alright, let's split up and meet back here in an hour," Jeff said.
"You mean after I crush you in Street Fighter II," Ryan smirked.
"Not if I crush you first," Tony shot back.
Mikey ran off toward Double Dragon, Brandon made a beeline for After Burner, and Dave casually wandered over to Tetris.
The night was young, and the arcade was alive. None of them knew it yet, but tonight would be one of those nights they'd remember forever—the kind of night where gaming wasn't just a hobby, but a way of life.
A Special Invitation
The Warp Zone was alive with energy. Jeff and Ryan had just finished a few rounds of Street Fighter II, both still hyped from their matches. Jeff had barely edged out a win in their final round, leaving Ryan grumbling about how "the buttons were sticking."
They were about to head toward Double Dragon when a staff member—a guy in his mid-20s wearing a black polo with The Warp Zone logo—approached them. His name tag read "Mike."
"Hey, you two," Mike said, glancing around before lowering his voice. "You guys seem like serious gamers. We've got something special in the back. Ever played a game before it hits arcades?"
Jeff and Ryan exchanged glances, curiosity piqued.
"What kind of game?" Ryan asked.
Mike smirked. "Something brand new. Top secret. Wanna check it out?"
"Hell yeah," Jeff said immediately.
"Follow me."
Mike led them past rows of machines, through a door marked Employees Only. The room was dimly lit, except for the glow of six arcade cabinets lined up against the wall. The air smelled faintly of fresh plastic and electronics, as if the machines had just been unpacked.
The Secret Arcade Room
The room had a mix of unreleased arcade games, their attract modes cycling through demo footage. Jeff and Ryan could see logos they didn't recognize—some looked like futuristic shooters, others like side-scrolling beat 'em ups. But what immediately caught their attention were two identical arcade machines, each with the words Mortal Kombat glowing in bold letters.
"What the hell is this?" Ryan muttered.
The screen flickered to life.
First, a Blue Star Interactive logo appeared, the name spinning in a metallic blue gradient before fading out. Then, the screen turned black. Suddenly, an ominous gong echoed through the speakers.
The title MORTAL KOMBAT slammed onto the screen, accompanied by the deep, foreboding chant of the game's name. Flames roared behind the bold lettering as intense martial arts music kicked in. The intro showcased a lightning-fast montage of fighters—each one displaying brutal moves and mysterious powers—before cutting to the game's menacing dragon logo.
Jeff and Ryan stood there, mesmerized.
"Holy shit," Jeff whispered.
Ryan cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Let's see what this bad boy can do."
They each stepped up to a cabinet, hands gripping the joysticks as they pressed start. The character select screen appeared, revealing a roster of fierce-looking warriors. Unlike Street Fighter II, these fighters had a grittier, more realistic look—almost like real people had been digitized into the game.
Jeff hovered over a ninja in a yellow outfit labeled Scorpion. Ryan, naturally, picked the guy in blue—Sub-Zero.
The countdown ended. The match was on.
The screen faded to black. Then—FIGHT!