OKAY, so I know I said I was re writing this, well now I'm re writing it again. THE RE WRITING HAS BEEN DOUBLED! Mainly because I feel this is one of the better stories I've thought of and I keep thinking of way to make it better but they all involve tweaking, so I swear this is the last time. And I SWEAR I will not leave it dangling in fanfiction space so that the few who actually enjoy it cry tears of hatred. I own nothing!
"What's going on, Chiro? You look like you're preparing for war!"
"The biggest war Shuggazoom has ever seen."
The team was gathered in the super robot with their collected allies. With the Skeleton King at his worst, they needed all the help they could get. As determined as Chiro was, he was unsure as to what he was going to do exactly. Time was limited, and there was scarcely any room for failure. He couldn't help but think what would happen if they failed. Life under Skelton King's rule? No, that wouldn't happen; he wouldn't let it. But even with extra assistance from all of their allies, would it be enough? It would have to be. But. . . Nevertheless, he couldn't let these thoughts distract him; he needed to lead this team, after all.
"So, what's the plan, Chiro?" Otto asked, bringing back from his thoughts.
"The plan is to think of a plan," Chiro replied grimly. "What can we do that will be enough? Skelton King has never been more powerful!"
"That may be true," said Aurora Six. "But neither has the Hyper Force."
"That's right." said Tiqudo. "Whatever you need done, we're happy to oblige."
"We're all in this together!" Suupa agreed.
"No matter what!" Jinmay added, taking Chiro's hand.
"I thank you, fellow warriors, for the support you have presented," said Antauri, standing before them all. "This mission is not an easy one, but worthwhile nonetheless. It is important now to stand together, and I thank you for your courage and allegiance."
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Antauri." Chiro agreed, standing next to him. "We don't have much time, so we're gonna need a distraction to but us some time to come up with a real strategy. . . not to mention the safety of the citizens is important. . ."
"Leave that to us," Nikita said, and the entirety of their allies nodded in agreement and made their way to get into positions.
Chiro nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, all of you. We'l be in constant contact; Otto has communicators for all of you."
"And Sprx thought I was wasting my time making these! Hehe." Otto remarked gleefully, distributing them.
"Just a moment," said Gibson, "Where exactly is Sprx?"
Chiro, Jinmay and the monkeys gathered outside Sprx's room, knocking and calling his name but with no success.
Chiro sighed. "He must still be upset," he said. "Nova, why don't you try?"
"Why me?" Nova asked. "I mean, I'll try, but what makes you think he'll even listen to me?"
"Well because…" began Otto. "Wait, why will he listen to her?"
"Well, Otto, because. . . well because, well you surely know, Nova." Gibson offered, frankly at a lose for words.
"No."
"Well it's just that, come on, Nova, like you don't know." Said Chiro, having the same issue.
"You do have a certain way of. . . Capturing his attention" offered Antauri.
"So you want me to hit him?"
"Well, no.' said Gibson. "At least not this time, anyway."
"Would someone like to make a little sense?" asked Nova.
"Nova, I'm afraid we can't be the ones to tell you," Said Antauri. "It has to be Sprx. You'll see in time."
"I'm not so sure I will."
"It's just well, Nova. . . what I think they mean is, well. . . You said you loved him." Jinmay offered
"Well, yeah," she said. "He's my best friend; I couldn't stand seeing him so. . . Vile. I mean I- wait, you guys thought? I mean, you thought that me a-and Sprx..?
Everyone nodded.
"S-P-R-X-7-7? Sprx?" asked Nova with a hint of a nervous laugh. "And me?"
Everyone nodded again.
"I mean I- it's just that. . .." Now she was at a lose for words. She never imagined she's be put in this situation. "He's my friend. I'll go talk to him, because that's what friendsdo."
The team let out a collective sigh as they left Nova to talk to Sprx. She gently knocked on the door.
"I'm afraid she's in denial." Antauri said with a small shake of his head.
"But why is it so hard for her, Antauri?" asked Jinmay.
"Nova's biggest fear is losing her nerve," said Antauri. "But she doesn't want to have another weakness."
"Sprx? Sprx?" Said Nova, knocking on his door. Why won't you come out? You have to come out eventually, and I'm not leaving until you do. You know me, I'm stubborn. I'll stay out as long as I have to."
Sprx's room was pitch black, the memories of what he did, of what he almost did, replaying over and over inside his head. It was horrible; he couldn't believe he had let that happen. If he couldn't forgive himself, how could he let her?
"Nova, please. Just leave me alone." Said Sprx from inside. "I don't want to talk to anyone."
"Not even me?" her voice containing a tone of sorrow.
"Especially you."
"Awh, c'mon Sprx, I hate seeing you like this." she said, meaning every word. "Am I gonna have to come in there and punch some sense into you?"
Silence.
"Sprx, please, we're all worried about you."
Silence.
"Sprx, I know you're feeling horrible but you can't blame yourself. I know you; I know you'd never even think of doing anything like what the fire of hate made you do. You were a victim, as much as the rest of us were. But that's all in the past, and if you live in the past then you're only gonna make things worse. C'mon, we really need you right now. So what do ya say? Sprx?"
Her response was once again pure silence; she sighed and turned to walk away. Suddenly the door flew open and Sprx ran out and embraced her, catching her slightly off guard.
"Thanks, Nova," he said. "I needed that."
She returned the embrace and smiled. "Anytime." she said, happy to have her friend back. "You ready to kick some butt?"
"Yeah! But, uh, first, Nova, before all of this starts, there's something I gotta say." he began. "Now I-"
But of course, the spova confession is always interrupted and this time is no exception. The Super Robot suddenly took a hard blow from the battle undergoing outside.
"C'mon!" said Nova. "We gotta see what's going on!"
The both ran to the control room.
"What's the hub bub, Kid?" Sprx said as he and Nova entered. The entire team looked happy to see Sprx back to his regular self.
"The entirety of our gathered allies has volunteered to hold off the formless while we develop a strategy." Gibson answered.
"Which is?"
"Still a work in progress."
"Monkey Team! Come in monkey team!" came Super Quasier's voice from one of the communication devices.
"Super Quasier, is everything all right?" Chiro asked. "Do you need back up?"
"We can handle him for now, but we all agree it's in your best interest if you and your team relocate." The sounds of explosions and lasers came from the background.
"What? We can't just leave you guys here!"
"Do not worry about us Chiro," Nikita said, with obvious struggle in her voice as she battled a Skelton minion.
"We can handle him for now," Master Offey added. "It is you he wants and it remains important that you are safe. I'm sure you can find a way to defeat him, but for now. . ."
"This is for the best," added Jinmay, a tone of sadness in her voice. She made her way to exit the Super Robot.
"Jinmay, what are you doing?" Chiro asked, confused.
"I'm gonna go help fight; I'm gonna do whatever it takes to help you guys win this war."
"But you-!"
"I'll be fine, Chiro! Haven't I always been?"
Chiro sighed and gave her a hug. "I'm gonna hold you to that."
They broke the embrace and Jinmay ran to join the others.
"Monkeys mobilize!"
The team went to their separate machines and prepared to deploy.
"Gibson, engage stealth mode, we must leave as discretely as possible." said Antauri.
"Affirmative, Antauri." The robot jetted from the ground and instantly turned invisible (I'm not sure if the robot ever had this feature, but it makes sense to me).
"Any idea where we're going Chiro?" Nova asked.
"Uh. . . No, not exactly."
"So, what? We just fly around the galaxy brainstorming ideas?" Sprx remarked.
"Not necessarily," said Antauri. "I do believe I have a suggestion."
"Oh oh oh! Wonder Fun Meat World?" Otto asked happily. The entire team made a face of disgust.
"Otto, please do refrain from you coherent babbling; this is serious." said Gibson.
"Anyway, what did you have in mind, Antauri?" asked Chiro.
"Just follow my lead, I'm not sure if it'll help our situation much, but it certainly cannot hurt."
Antauri lead them to a planet none of them had ever seen before. It was small, almost hidden from sight by a mass of asteroids. The team landed cautiously and simply could not fathom why Antauri had brought them here. They excited the robot and saw the land looked almost devoid of life.
"Antauri, what is this place?" Chiro asked.
"I do say I'm beginning to have a drastic sense of déjà vu." Gibson commented.
"The place is new but the presence is not." Said Antauri. "I sense she is near."
"Who's she?" asked Otto, but Antauri did not reply.
The team walked quite a ways until happened upon a tiny village. The team walked down until they were spotted by a villager, who took one look at them and ran in the opposite direction.
"Talk about a warm welcome," Sprx whispered.
"Antauri, could you please explain what's going on here?" asked Gibson.
"All in due time."
They then noticed that the same villager who had seen them before was now returning, but this time with a crowd of people. Chiro instantly thought it was an attack.
"Get ready, hyper force," he said. "We don't know what they're capable of."
The monkeys got into formation, and once the villagers got to them they stopped. A single voice came from the crowd.
"Now what the devil could you all possibly be fussing over, it's not like-" from the crowd emerged a young, pale girl, older and taller than Chiro, with long raven hair tied back in a pony tail.
"Antauri?" she asked, stunned. "No! Hyper force? It can't- Is it really you?"
"It is indeed Alana." Antauir replied, smiling. "We're in need of your assistance."
She gave a small nod, her eyes were big and she looked as if she were about to cry. "I thought you would eventually. Come, we'll need to talk. Folllow me."
The team did so, but the confusion over the identity of the girl was all too confounding. Why was she so familiar? How did Antauri know her?
The team packed into Alana's small but still quite adorable room. She seemed flustered, scared, and delighted all at once and simply hadn't a clue how to process it all.
"Pardon the mess, I don't have company often." she said with a giggle. "Please sit, sit. You must be tired, are you hungry? Bananas? I have bananas. . . No wait you didn't like bananas . . ."
"I like bananas!" offered Otto.
Alana smiled. "As I recall, there really is nothing you won't eat."
"So, if you don't mind me asking, u, who are you exactly?' Chiro asked.
"Oh," she turned around sharply, dropping all the bananas she was holding. "Right! That is a very important piece of information after all, I'm sure you were all, um. . . well, it's not the easiest thing to explain, you see. . . Antauri?"
"Alana is, or perhaps rather was, the Alchemist's daughter."
The entire team shared the same look of shock, not exactly knowing what to think of it. So many questions scurried through each of their brains, but they all remained silently stunned until Chiro decided to speak.
"So you're the Skeleton King's. . . daughter?"
Her face narrowed and she sharply inhaled. "No," she said coldly. "I was the Alchemist's daughter. There is a difference." She cleared her throat, and joined the team in sitting. "Now, how exactly do you need my help?"
"We may require some. . . information,' Antauri replied. "Your memories."
"Oh," she said quietly. "I see, but. . . oh! Where are my manners?" She sharply reached out her hand to Chiro and gave a big, if not somewhat awkward, smile. 'I haven't properly introduced myself to Chrio. I'm Alana. . . but you sort of knew that. . I'm sorry, I'm not the best at meeting people."
Chiro smiled awkwardly and took her hand. "Uh, no problem. But, uh, how exactly did you know my name?"
Antauri let out a small chuckle. "I've managed to maintain contact with Alana and I've kept her updated on the team, including you."
"But how'd you even know where she was, Antauri?" Nova asked.
"Before I acquired this new robotic form, and my soul was lost, I was able to wander and view the entirety of my memories, even seemingly forgotten ones. Before the Alchemist became the Skeleton King, she was a major part of our lives and I thought her to be an important ally."
Alana smiled. "But how, exactly?"
"You were closer the Alchemist than any of us, and I find it would help to know more about his . . . Transformation." said Antauri. "What you remember could ultimately save the universe."
"So, no pressure kid." joked Sprx.
Alana chuckled nervously. "It's not exactly a memory I like revisiting, but I'll try," she said. "What is it that you want to know?"
"Try just describing what happened," Chiro said. 'Ya know, when he. . ."
"Changed," finished Alana, he voice choking back sadness. "I remember he had so much good within him, which is why I think. . . Whatever it was chose him. He didn't know how to fight it, so he trained all of you, to try and keep good in the universe. To fight him, to fight whatever it was he was becoming. The last few days I remember seeing him as my father, he acted so distant, like he was in pain. I thought he was sick, but he wouldn't let me see him. He sent to live here on Giptarf, far away from him. He never told me why."
"So what do you think happened?" Otto asked.
"Something overpowered him," answered. 'Something. . . Something . . ."
"Something opposite as to what he was," finished Antauri. "The only thing that could defeat the evil that overcame your father was the Alchemist, so it got to him before he knew what was happening."
"So what we need to do is find something as good as the Alchemist was," said Sprx.
"It's not as simple as that, Sprx," said Antauri. "The Alchemist had great powers and the evil now uses them for evil."
"But he's not wrong," volunteered Alana, getting up with a look of inspiration in her eyes.
"Well, there's a first," remarked Nova.
"I have read, somewhere, of several item said to have untold power," Alana began, getting up and moving to her bookshelf and flipping through several books. "They are intended for good, but if they were to fall into the wrong hands, well. . . I think you can imagine."
"Where can we find them?" asked Chiro.
"Well -ah here we go," she said, finding what she was looking for. "It's all a system of riddles and puzzles and what not, I could never decipher their location exactly, but I do believe they could help you in your quest."
"How?" asked Otto.
"Well, they could contradict the Skelton King's power. By themselves they really don't have much effect, but if they are combined just right the possibilities are unlimited."
"May I see the book?" asked Gibson, she handed it to him. "Yes, complicated but not completely untransferrable. What do you think Chiro?"
"I say it's worth a shot," he replied. "At this point, I say anything goes."
"If there's anything else I can do, please do not hesitate to contact me." said Alana.
"Don't you wanna come with us?" masked Nova.
"Who me? No, oh no. With all the lasers and the boom and the AHHHHHHH, I just don't see how I fit into that equation; I bruise easily. I couldn't possibly be of much assistance."
"Alana, I do believe it would be helpful if you did come along," said Antauri. "That way, not only could we call on you for information, but we could protect you.'"
"Protect me?" she said. "Protect me from. . .?" But the look in his eyes was the all the answer she needed. "Oh, all right. Just allow me a few minutes to gather a few things." And she rushed away to do so as the team made their way to the robot.
"Wait! Antauri!" Alana whispered loudly. "Are things the same as the last time we spoke with, uh, you know. . . "
Antauri gave a tiny smile. "Yes."
Alana let out a groan. "Oh, it must be so frustrating!"
Sprx turned to Antauri. "Hey, Antauri, what was that about?"
From inside the house they heard Alana exclaim: "Oh of course HE wouldn't know!"
"All in due time, Sprx," said Antauri with a small smile. "All in due time."
So that's chapter one! Some of you might have noticed how I changed some things up, but I think it's for the better! Please review, it is greatly appreciated!