Chiro stared at the sky above him, wincing every so often. His arms were still burning from the acid and the bullets in his legs were melting through.
He stared, with glassy eyes, at the clouds which were beginning to darken, signaling rain, 'Where are they?'
He closed his eyes, and let his mind drift. He thought back to when he wandered through the citadel, pausing at the image of his room. He decided that was what he would call it, considering it was full of his things. He scanned each item, before his eyes came to rest on his old uniform. He stared at it, not knowing what to do.
Then he remembered the assassins words, 'We do what we must do.'
He felt something that was hard to describe. It wasn't curiousity, or wonder. Anger, or confusion. Was it simply, interest?
He was brought out of his thoughts by the feeling of someone shaking him. They held right on his burns and he hissed in pain. The hands immediatly receeded.
He opened his eyes.
Water dripped into them, blurring his vision, 'When had it started raining?' He blinked away the water and pain, and looked into the terrified faces of his team.
"We didnt mean to hurt you Chiro! Nova shook slightly.
"You weren't moving, so we thought..." Otto trailed off. Antauri was silent.
Gibson stepped forward and prodded the burns, and Chiro fought not to cry out. He clenched his teeth and cried, tears hidden with the rain.
Gibson observed him and moved to his torso, inspecting for more damage, but halted when Chiro whimpered.
"My legs," he said quietly. Gibson's eyes widened and he hurried to inspect them. Chiro felt a sudden wave of pain and groaned loudly, closing his eyes.
Gibson paled, "We have to get him to the robot NOW!"
Panicing, they grabbed onto him, and flew him as fast as they could, back to their home.
Upon arriving, Antauri levitated him and ran him to the med bay, closly followed by the others and Gibson, who promtly pushed them back out.
They stood, staring at the door, as they heard Gibson rushing about inside, yelling apology through the wall.
A few hours later, the door opened and an extreemly exhausted Gibson appeared, leaning against the doorframe. The others rushed to him, bombarding him with questions which, he was to tired to fight off.
He tried to the best of his ability to mumble out answers before he was suddenly picked up. He looked into the face of Antauri and mumbled apology.
Antauri smiled sadly and placed him on a med bay table, where he pointed to a screen on the opposite wall.
They ran to it, but not before giving a glance to their leader and brother.
"It looks like a list of injuries," Nova said, flinching at the number of them.
Otto took a breath and read aloud;
Minor Concussion
Severe Burns on Arms
Multiple Cuts
Blood Loss
Bullet Wounds in Legs
Temporary Paralysis in both Legs
Severe Deteroiration in Legs
"It will be very hard," Gibson muttered, trying to sit up, but failing.
"Hey! You should rest Gibson. You've done enough." Nova ran over and gently pushed him back down.
Gibson hid his face in his hands, "It wasn't enough! He wont be able to walk until after tomorrow, and thats with treatment! How will he fight?" He sobbed into his hands and pure fear lit up everyones faces.
"He- he will..." Antauri stared at the ground, eyes wide.
"Damn it, Chiro." Otto's shoulders shook with quiet sobbs. Antauri raised his head and glared halfheartedly at him, but gave in and fell to his knees.
Nova's face was void of hope.
The sound of a sigh caught their attention and they gazed toward their leader. He opened his eyes slowly and they crowded around him, Gibson inching closer on his table.
Looking at him, they saw the pain he was trying to hide. With every breath he took he winced. His hands were fists and he was shivering. His face and eyes were blank.
"I can't."
There was no emotion in his voice, only cold realzation of what had to happen, and it broke their hearts.
He frowned and pushed himself up, much to the annoyance of Gibson, who yelled from his table, "Don't move Chiro. Your body can't support you!"
Ignoring him, Chiro slowly eased himself into a standing position, using the table as a support. A blinding pain tore through him, and he threw his hand to his mouth to stifle the scream that threatened to escape, falling to the ground in the process.
"Chiro!" Antauri rushed to him, but shrank back when a growl answered him.
Chiro pushed himself onto his knees, ignoring the pain, "Don't touch me!" he snapped, glaring daggers at his team.
Gibson trembled, "He-The concussion, It has to be the concussion!"
Nova reached out and Chiro shrank back, fear flickering in his otherwise lifeless eyes, "Chiro, its okay. Were your family, we wont hurt you." Her arm trembled and Chiro scowled.
He curled into a ball, hiding his face, muttering. The monkeys strained to hear, "I wont, I can't. He must die, they can't know. Not now."
"Chiro thats enough." Otto spoke loudly, no laugh in his voice. Chiro raised his head, and his eyes regained their saphire glow.
"O-Otto?" He stuttered, before letting out a sob. They carefully put their arms around him, wary of his outburst and injuries.
He sighed before saying quietly, "Why can't I move my legs?" They froze.
"Chiro," Gibson said, "Whatever those bullets were, they destroyed a rather large amount of the interior of your legs." he paused, and Chiro took a moment to absorb the info.
"So." he said slowly, "I can't walk?" They nodded and he laughed nervously, "but Gibson's the best doctor ever! Can't he fix them?"
Gibson's voice shook, "I can, but they wont be healed in time. And if you were to use them before hand, you could furthur damage them."
Chiro nodded slowly, face void of fear, though he was shaking. "H-how long?"
"About two days, including the rest of today," Chiro sighed, relieved.
"Good," they looked at him, startled. He realized his position, "um, why am I on the floor?"
They explained what had occured, and he paled.
"Care to explain?" Antauri crossed his arms.
Chiro shook his head, waving his hands frantically, "It's nothing, don't worry about it!" he shrank under their gazes.
"Chiro you nearly bit Antauri's head off! I think we need to know why." Nova said sternly.
Otto smiled at the thought of a monster Chiro biting Antauri's head off.
Chiro sighed, lowering his hands, "You can't know, not now." They stared, remembering his words earlier.
Gibson opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Chiro, "So how will this heal? Do I have to train or relax? Will I need a wheelchair? Will-"
"One question at a time!" Gibson smiled at the young teens enthusiam, but never forgot his words. "It should heal normally due to modern medicine, but faster because of the Power Primate." Chiro nodded in understanding, "You will relax, whether we have to force you or not," Chiro grinned, "and yes, you will need a wheelchair."
"Can you still play videogames with me Chiro?" Otto had a huge grin on his face.
Chiro shrugged and immediatly regretted it. "Agh!" He held his arms, startling everyone. Gibson swept his eyes over him, until they came to rest on the burns on his arms, which were much worse now.
Nova turned on him, "You didn't heal his arms!"
"I was to focused on saving his legs! I must have overlooked them." he looked to Chiro apologetically.
"Its all-right, " Chiro said, "just another injury." Antauri shook his head and began to bandage his arms, causing him to hiss.
He paused, "Sorry Chiro," then resumed his actions.
When all was finished, Chiro's head was bandaged, as was part of his chest, both arms, and legs. Chiro giggled, "I look like a mummy."
Nova smiled, "Hey Otto! Where's that wheelchair?"
"Got It!" Otto came running in, dragging the wheelchair behind him, stopping in front of Chiro.
"Thanks," Chiro eased himself into the chair, which was difficult considering his arms and legs were almost unusable.
He let out a sigh, relaxing into it, and closed his eyes.
When he opened them, the sun was setting. He frowned, he was in his bed. He threw his legs over and stood, only to hold back a scream and fall back.
He laughed, "Forgot," and hopped onto the wheelchair, before a thought hit him. How would he move? He couldn't use his arms, they hurt to move, and his legs were out of the question.
As if to answer his prayer, Otto walked in, a new videogame in his hands. He smiled whan he saw Chiro but let it drop when he saw the pain on his face, "You forgot didn't you?"
Chiro grinned sheepishly, before nodding. Otto sighed and placed the game on Chiro's lap, before running around the chair, and grabbing the handles.
Chiro flinched, expecting to be zoomed away, and was suprised when he was eased forward carefully. He turned and stared at Otto.
Otto noticed and grinned, "I can be careful when I wanna be," Chiro smiled, remembering when he had comforted him.
"I know."
They entered the main room and Chiro looked around confused. "Where is everybody?"
"They wanted to get more supplies, and since you fell asleep, thought it a good time."
"Oh," Chiro touched the wall and a window appeared. He looked longingly out at the city, as Otto noticed.
"If you want to go somewhere, I can take you," Otto circled the chair to look at him. Chiro shook his head.
"No it's okay. I didn't really want to go anyway," he smiled feebly, giving away his lie. Otto crossed his arms.
"Let me rephrase that," He stuck his face up to Chiro's, "I want to go somewhere, take me."
Chiro grinned, "If you insist." he shrugged. Otto grinned and grabbed the chair handles.
"Hey Chiro?"
"Yeah?"
"If you want something, don't hesitate to ask me."
Chiro smiled sadly, "Okay."
They exited the robot.
Otto frowned, his hands tightened around the handles, "Why is it so hard for you to ask for help? When you fought that assassin was the first time."
Chiro shrugged, "I never got to rely on anyone before I met you, so its not something I'm used to."
Otto sighed, as they passed the Hoverburger stand. Chiro's mouth watered and Otto smiled, "Bet your hungry huh?"
Chiro groaned, "Starving!"
Otto chuckled and set the chair near the entrance, "Be right back," and he ran inside.
Chiro smiled and rested his head on the back of his chair, and closed his eyes.
Mandarin adjusted the goggles over his eyes, refocusing on the chosen boy. He laughed quietly, "Oh, my master will be happy to see this. Un wanted injury, I thought he would be hurt, but I never dared to hope it would be this bad!"
He shifted the goggles so he had full view of Otto. "But I must admit I'm suprised. Out of all my brothers, HE was the one he chose."
Returning his gaze to Chiro, he said, "There is no resemblance whatsoever. I find it hard to believe he is-" He froze. Chiro had opened his eyes, and turned so he was looking straight at him. He watched as Chiro opened his mouth and spoke so he was the only one who heard.
"Believe it."
Chiro stared into the distance, watching as Mandarin turned and ran off, back to his master. He laughed quietly to himself, but paused when a girl bumped into his chair.
I'm sorry! I didnt see you." Chiro turned his torso to face her and her eyes lit up with recodnition, "Your Chiro!," then with fear, "what happened? Are you alright?"
She went to touch his arm but he pulled away. She paused, hurt.
"Sorry, I'm not doing so well, and my arms are injured," Chiro apologised and she shrugged it off.
"That's okay. The names Nikki." Nikki went to shake his hand, but thought better of it. She looked around, "So how'd you get here if you can't hardly move?"
"Otto brought me."
"Otto?" she scrunched her nose, "otto, he's the green one right?" He smiled and nodded. "What is it?"
"You just remind me of someone I care about." she blushed and he laughed, before turning serious, "I'm fighting to get her, and two of my friends back."
She carefully placed a hand on his shoulder, "Im so sorry."
He shook his head, "Don't be." He switched his eyes back to the stand in time to see Otto running out carrying a bag.
"Sorry it took so long, here's your burger." He smiled then looked questionly at Nikki. "Who's this?"
Chiro smiled, taking his burger, "Otto, this is Nikki. Nikki, Otto." Nikki smiled and held her hand out.
"It's nice to meet you, Otto." Otto smiled and shook her hand.
"Same here." He reached into the bag and pulled out another hoverburger. He handed it to Nikki, "Good thing I bought extra."
She smiled, and a little girl of about six ran up to her. "Sissy, who are you tawking to?" Nikki grinned and picked the child up, placing her on her shoulders.
"Chiro, Otto, this is Nana, my sister."
Nana yawned, "I'm tired."
Nikki looked at the time, "It is getting late," she turned to Chiro, "sorry, mom wants us home soon."
Chiro shook his head, "No worries. Thanks for, you know, putting up with me."
Nikki grinned playfully, "No problem," she started to walk away, "see you later Chiro!"
"yeah," Chiro saddened, "see you." Otto looked at him strangly, before shrugging and pushing the chair. Chiro jumped at the sudden movement, and Otto laughed.
"Where do you want to go now?" Chiro yawned making Otto smile, "Home it is."
Chiro was sleeping by the time they reached the robot, his half eaten hoverburger on his lap. They had returned not a minute before the others, who were not to thrilled by the idea of him moving around. But one look at his peacefull face eased their worries.
Nova sighed, she was especially exhausted by the day's events, having almost lost her son. She started to her room but was stopped by Otto pushing a burger into her hands. She watched as he did the same to the others, and smiled at the suprise on their faces
"I got some extra, and thought you might want them." Otto explained, and pushed Chiro over to his chair, which Antauri levitated him onto.
Gibson got a troubled look on his face, staring at the sleeping child, "Do you think he'll dream about the assassin again? Or Sprx?"
The others paused in what they were doing, and turned to look at Chiro.
They looked at eachother, and made a decision. They wanted to see.
in dream
Chiro stood in his room, glaring daggers at each item. He still coudn't believe SK had kept them, and wished he hadn't. He raised his hand, all evidence needed to be erased.
And he destroyed everything. His past, it was all erased.
meanwhile-
Gibson was dragging a huge machine out of his lab, helped by Antauri.
"What is that?" Nova asked, sneaking glances at Chiro.
"This, should allow us to see into Chiro's dreams," Gibson huffed, releasing it. He unhooked two wires from it and brought them over to Chiro.
"One goes around his forehead," he demonstrated,"and the other, attached to the screen," he hooked it up.
"When did you make this?" Antauri questioned, skeptical.
Gibson sighed, "I've been working on it ever since Chiro first mentioned his dreams."
"Well? Turn it on!" Nova placed her hands on her hips.
"Alright," Gibson walked over to the screen, "prepare to witness Chiro's nightmares."
And he turned it on.
(on the screen)
Chiro stared at the remains of his room, eyes scanning the charred items. "Nothing is allowed to remain," his voice startled the monkeys, and they watched attentivly.
A shout was heard, and he turned slowly, his eyes widening in anger, "Sprx," he growled. The team gasped and Chiro ran. They watched as he ran through wall after wall, only stopping when he entered a dungeon.
Nova cried.
Sprx was being held against the wall by the neck by a hyperformless, bleeding from many wounds. Jinmay was barely standing, her robot mode deactivated, and had blood running down her face and chest.
BT was unconcious, blood dripping from his head.
"My gods," Gibson whispered.
"That's it," Chiro whispered, pure fury ravaged him, and his body shook. "I wont let you hurt my family anymore!" And he was ravaged.
If you blinked you would have missed it. To the eye, it looked simply like the hyperformless exploded, but the monkeys were equipt with the best visual softwear of their time, so they saw the reality.
Chiro pounced on the formless, tearing it limb from limb, literaly. Its arms fell first. Then each leg, until it was reduced to a head and torso, writhing on the floor.
Chiro walked to its head and stomped down, letting the ooze seep into his shoe.
What normally would have taken hours to defeat, was lying dead less then a second.
The monkeys watched in horror, as Chiro smiled.
He turned to Sprx, who had slid down the wall, and was now staring scared at him. He smiled sadly and picked him up, rocking and reassuring him, until Sprx finally relaxed. He walked to Jinmay, who collapsed on his other arm.
He sighed, "I'm tired of this," they looked at him, worried, and he set them down next to eachother, reaching out to BT, who was still unconcious.
"Gibson," Everyone jumped, "I know your there, answer me this," he paused and turned so he was facing them. Jinmay just shrugged tiredly.
"If I use the power primate, can I transport them there?" Gibson looked down, thinking hard.
"I suppose," he said slowly, "but the damage it could do to your already ravaged body, would be substantial. You could die."
Chiro nodded, "So be it."
He set BT next to the two, and crossed his arms over his chest, summoning all the power he could. Sprx and Jinmay looked at him, fearing what, 'already ravaged body,' meant.
The primate surrounded him, swirling around the three and they gasped as their injuries were healed. They gaped up at him, as his face pained.
"Agh!" The power increased and his legs buckled.
"Chiro!" Jinmay reached out to him but quickly pulled back as though she'd been burned."What?"
Chiro groaned, and pushed the last of his power into the three, collapsing in the process. "Chiro!" they yelled, before they disappeared.
(off screen)
The monkeys watched in awe as the three appeared beside them, shaken but otherwise alright.
"Sprx!" Nova threw herself on him, sobbing her eyes out, and he hugged her tight. "Its alright babe, I'm here."
Antauri levitated BT and set him onto a table, while the other monkeys crowded around Sprx, happy their brother was back.
Jinmay crawled over to Nova, who was still sobbing and patted her on the back, whispering softly.
Chiro just watched from his table, wincing, but for the most part he tried to hide the pain he was in. He chuckled quietly, but had to stifle a scream of pain.
Jinmay spotted him and darted to him, "Chiro!" She placed a hand on his arm and he hissed in pain. She drew back scared. The others ran to him.
He coughed and Blood ran down his chin. His vision blurred. "-ibson." he murmered, "Somethings wrong."
CHIRO POV
Gibson's shouting something, I can't hear. Jinmay is crying and Antauri and Otto are running around gathering machines. My vision blurrs. I look for Sprx, he's just standing there, frozen. I feel a pang in my heart, and realize what's happening.
I'm dying.
My eyelids lower slightly, and fear fills Sprx's face. He runs over to me, and grabbs my hand. I can see his mouth move, but I can't hear. Something wet lands on my face and I look up to see my family, standing over me, crying their hearts out.
I feel something cover my face, and feel air pumped into my lungs. My eyelids lower more, I try so hard to stay awake.
'Why?' a voice answers.
'There will be more fighters! More will be taken!'
'But why? Do you want to live for yourself, or for others?'
'What does it matter?'
'It means everything to you. This city, these people, why do you want to live?'
'I, I don't know. For my family?'
The voice chuckles and black creeps up in my vision. I feal tears come into my eyes, 'I just don't want to die!' I sobb.
The voice stops laughing and the black dissapates. 'Good answer. Its nice to live for others, but it will mean nothing in the end. Live for yourself.'
My eyes open slightly, and hope fills my families faces, and they run to Gibson, who's injecting something into my arm.
I recodnize that voice. "Father," I whisper weakly, and my family crowdes around me. Sprx never released my hand.
The voice disappears, and with it, I felt something inside of me leave to.
The darkness is completly gone now, and I open my eyes.
My family is smiling, hugging eachother. Jinmay is still crying. I frown, something seems off...
I sit up, and my family starts freaking out. I rip the mask from my face, frown still there. They stare at me, scared. I reach to where my burns are and tear at them. I watch as my blood falls in beads down my arm.
I move my gaze to my family, "I can't feel anything." Their eyes widen fearfully.
"W-what do you mean Chiro?" Jinmay stutteres. I look at her.
"I can't feel anything. Not sadness, not pain, nothing." I cough and blood sprays over my lap. I wipe at it, "Nothing."
Normal POV
Chiro sat in his wheechair, surrounded by his family. Gibson paced in circles, a frown on his face. He suddenly stopped, grabbing his head, "I don't understand! There is no logical conclusion as to why Chiro lost his emotions and pain centers!"
"Well even if I can't feel the pain, my body does. So I still have to rest don't I?" Chiro said with a indifferent look on his face. Gibson nodded without looking at him.
"Alright then," Chiro closed his eyes and lay his head back, "Stupid dad." He whispered, then fell asleep.
Otto looked up, startled, "I thought he couldn't feel? So why's he mad at his dad?"
Gibson froze, "His father?"
Antauri frowned, "Perhaps it is time for us to learn of his past." He looked at his sleeping child, "before it is too late."
next day
Chiro's eyes snapped open, and he surveyed his surroundings. "I figured it out," he whispered and sat up. He inched onto his wheelchair and slowly wheeled himself into the med-bay. He looked around and spotted Gibson asleep in a chair and quikly rolled to him.
He was about to wake him when he hesitated, remembering their reactions to his lost emotions. He just had a feeling, that the news would upset them more then reassure, so he withdrew his hand.
He then, as quickly as he could without aggrivating his burns and fresh puncture wounds, wheeled himself back to his room, not seeing the black eyes open or a blue head raised.
He reached under his bed and pulled out the almost forgotten transmitter. He turned it on and looked into the face of Skeleton King.
"Well well, what do we have here? I thought you forgot me boy. You did a number on my formless rescuing your friends. Rather impressive."
Chiro just nodded, "I have a question for you."
Skeleton king frowned, "Go on."
Chiro took a breath, "What is your goal in all this?"
Skeleton King's eyes narrowed, "What?"
Chiro's eyes narrowed, "I know you think I'll succeed. Your hoping for it actually. I just want to know why."
The monkeys and Jinmay listened through the door.
SK almost laughed, "Well boy, you certainly are perceptive, just like your mother." His eyes softened, "You are correct young one. I know you'll succeed, regardless of injuries," he gestured to the wheelchair, "however the reason why is none of your concern."
SK took a moment to look Chiro over, "However, with your injuries, it might be harder for you then I would have liked. I cannot take them away, but I can give you something back, if you wish." Chiro nodded.
"I'll make you a deal. For each assassin you defeat, I'll give you an emotion back. So far, you have destroyed two assassins. Choose the emotions."
Chiro frowned, "I want pain, and," he hesitated, "insanity."
SK grinned, "Yes, always been particularly fond of that one myself." He closed his eyes, and Chiro felt the emotions coarse through him. And the pain.
Chiro searched, and finally found what he had missed most. Insanity, blessed insanity. He let a smirk cover his face, and his bangs cover his eyes.
SK smiled evily, "You can deny it all you want, you are my son." and ended the call.
The monkeys stared dumbfounded at eachother.
"His son?" Sprx whispered histerically, "Chiro is Skeleton King's, SON?"
"I don't believe it," Jinmay whispered, "I love the Skeleton Prince."
From inside the room they heard Chiro laugh crazily and peered in.
"Ah, blesed insanity," Chiro smirked, eyes still covered, "the old man had good taste. In insanity theres anger, happiness, sadness, and pure bliss. I love it."
Otto leaned forward and accidentally knocked Sprx down, who toppled thrpugh the doorway. Chiro stopped smiling and turned to face him. His voice was neutral.
"So you know do you?" They stood and nodded slowly. Chiro sighed, then regained his smile. He laughed a tired, forced laugh, "then will you leave me to? Just like all the others!" He scowled, "you're all the same! I can never satisfy anyone! It doesn't matter what I do to help people, if I'm HIS son then I'm automatically unloved. Is that it?"
They stared at him, fear on their faces, and jumped when the alarm went off.
Chiro scowled, "Didn't take long. Wonder who it is." He pressed a button and his tv flickered to life. On it was a survalience clip of the next assassin. Chiro laughed.
"Looks like mom decided to join the party!"
hehe I bet you weren't expecting THAT now were you? His mother, and insanity? I love writing stuff like this.
