We Must Keep Going…

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"CHIRO!!!" They all screeched; but still found it impossible to move. The painful screams tore they're hearts apart.

As Chiro felt the orb find its place deep within him, he felt something pulling him away. it wasn't like he was being transported, it was more like something was trying to strip his sole from his body. This however, was something Chiro wouldn't allow; thanks to Antauri's training, he set up defense systems in his soul that seemed to corner the intruding mass almost at every turn. But just like Chiro, this thing didn't want to give in. The orb began to glow a dark unwelcoming purple color that made Chiro quiver in fear. The feeling it was giving off was nothing but darkness; something in which he feared because of Skeleton King.

'Let yourself go…' It began as Chiro felt himself falling in and out of consciousness. 'Fall into a peaceful slumber that you'll never wake up from…'

Chiro was struggling to keep his eyes open. "I'll never give in!" He cried as he felt the darkness began to surround him.

'Soot yourself then…I didn't want to use force…' It coldly replied as the dark mass grabbed Chiro and squeezed him tightly.

Chiro tried to gasp for air, but found it impossible to.

'Give in now and I'll set you free…'

Of course Chiro didn't give a response and remained breathless; his skin paling from the lack of air.

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The bright yellow light slowly faded and the monkeys all turned back to Chiro as they saw his motionless body hit the floor. Immediately, they rushed to his aid to notice that his skin had paled tremendously and he was as cold as ice.

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Chiro's silent screams faded as the dark purple mist released the teen's soul and allowed it to fall in the depths of nothingness…

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Antauri tried to reach his mind out to Chiro's, but opened his eyes in much sorrow as he couldn't even find a trace of it.

"Let's get him to the sickbay, now!" Gibson ordered as Sprx and Nova grabbed Chiro and took him into the Sick Bay where Gibson quickly began tests.

Antauri and Otto came in only moments later as they're shock of the situation was apparent on they're faces.

"Gibson, any luck so far?" Sprx asked hoping that there was at least some progression.

Gibson just shook his head grimly as he continued to find out what was wrong until he had to come to the unbearable truth…

"There's, there's nothing I can do to help him…" The monkey's blood went cold. They couldn't believe they were hearing this… Their friend, they're leader was in pain and they couldn't even comfort him. He wasn't dying, but still, the thought that they couldn't take the pain from his was unbearable.

Antauri looked walked up cautiously to the frail child and began to caress his hair. 'At least I can try and calm you, my son…' It was that word again. 'Son.' Why did he say this to himself whenever he thought of Chiro? It was as if it was an automatic response that was built in his systems to call him that…

"Uh…Antauri?" Otto snapped Antauri out of his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"Well, we're still kinda heading towards the planet…did you want to land or stay in space?"

'What kind of question was that?! Chiro was in this state because someone down there decided they wanted him to suffer.' But even though he wanted to say no, they still had to help this planet. Who knows, they could have mistaken them for one of their enemies…

"Yes, continue to land; but be alert." Otto nodded in agreement before running off into the command center. Sprx, who felt like he had nothing better to do, followed the mechanic to assist him in any way possible.

Antauri sighed and stared back at Chiro when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Nova; who was half-heartedly smiling. "He'll be alright Antauri; he's our leader after all…" But he could hear the doubt in her sincere voice.

Antauri smiled as he knew he was the only one that can keep the team together for right now. With Chiro hurt and everyone's emotions swelling, he had to be the strong one. "I know, we better be ready for anything though; I sense danger all over this planet…"