Chapter Ten: Reflections
Summary: The monkeys remember harder days, and why Chiro can be trusted.
Warning: Ooo, a warning…mainly just for some disturbing mental conflict because I think Mandarin is a manipulative little…uhm…yeah.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
After Chiro was put into bed, Antauri told the others to take time to rest. They all acknowledged him silently and left the same way.
The black monkey decided to sit outside. He found a spot on the Super Robot's shoulder and sat on the edge, looking up at the stars. They were sparkling and bright, the moon known as Ranger Seven was only half-full and cast an eerie glow on their small, empty part of the city.
Antauri closed his eyes and reflected on that evening. They had spent nearly three hours trying to reach Chiro and bring him back. In one way, it made Antauri happy because that meant that the others did take his meditation exercises enough to heart to merit such a long period of focus.
However, the entire ordeal was alarming and shocking to them all. Skeleton King has some telepathic abilities and it was those powers that made him a threat when they became activated. They would lead him back to Shuggazoom and to them.
Beforehand, Skeleton King wasn't sure where they were. The Monkey Team was given orders and programming to wait for The Chosen One, and when that one arrived, Skeleton King would eventually make his return and it was their job to protect Shuggazoom and the universe, and somewhere along the lines, destroy Skeleton King.
Of course, no one ever realized that this was how Skeleton King would make his return, by launching a mental attack against their human friend.
But Antauri then realized that Chiro was the only one vulnerable to the attack. He and the others had studied enough to form telepathic walls against such an attack and that alone was over months, if not years, of study. Chiro was still prone to letting his mind wander, as a child is apt to do.
Ah, but that was something that Antauri and the others sometimes overlooked. Chiro was still just a child.
Another worry that sometimes tugged at Antauri's mind was how they would all bond with their new leader-to-be. Memories of the past haunted them all and affected their judgments. Even Antauri's.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Oh, Antauri, you'll just never get it, will you?"
Antauri grunted as he hit the wall. He stood up slowly, eyeing Mandarin.
"Just because you've mastered telekinesis first doesn't mean you can fight with it," Antauri said. "Monkey Mind Scream!"
Antauri let loose his attack. Mandarin smirked and activated his shield. The shield not only blocked the attack, but allowed Mandarin to push it back at Antauri, sending him flying into the wall again.
"You always will be my inferior, I think you ought to come to your senses and accept it," Mandarin said, turning to leave.
Antauri took a deep breath, keeping his anger mostly under iron-willed control, but he let go enough to launch another attack. With a screech, he leapt on top of Mandarin and wrestled him to the ground. After a few minutes struggle and after both sustained some heavy scratching, Antauri had Mandarin pinned to the wall by his throat.
"You underestimate your opponents, Mandarin," Antauri growled. "I think it is you who should come to his senses and either fix the problem or accept it and know that not everyone is your inferior,"
Mandarin only snarled in return. "You'll learn one of these days, Antauri,"
"It is you who needs some more learning,"
Their training session was clearly over.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antauri's eyes snapped open at the memory. He hadn't thought of their previous leader in a very long time. It was Mandarin's cruelty, severe training exercises, and his irritating self-assurance that he was superior to everyone in every way that made it so hard to get along with him.
But that was over. All of it long gone ancient history that taught them all to be wary.
"Chiro won't be like Mandarin," Antauri said out loud to the night, as if assuring himself. "He's an innocent, a child, he has a good heart, and until tonight, a clear mind. I just hope this attack won't cause too much of a storm,"
Antauri stood up, taking a look down to the ground, and then turning to go back inside.
"I have to check on him,"
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Sprx paced in his room, like Antauri, he was running the nights events over in his mind, too. He and Nova were replacing some of the wiring when Antauri's call reached them. He was shocked to be told that the enemy they had been waiting for had launched an unexpected attack in the most unlikely of places.
He had always imagined the first attack; Skeleton King would be detected by the Super Robot's sensors long before he reached Shuggazoom. The Monkey Team would be ready with an ambush. Then they would play the waiting game, the bag o' bones would arrive, and then slam, bam, wham, and it would be all over.
Of course, the best laid plans of men and monkeys, or was it monkeys and men?
Sprx was a little more than shaken by the experience. He had a few odd mental experiences, but this was beyond anything he ever felt before. It frightened him at first, because there was no evidence that the others were there with him. There was only darkness and a sense of dread, Sprx-77 never felt more alone in his life.
Then suddenly, he felt himself brush against another consciousness. He clung to it, and saw it was Chiro's. The boy was suffering and crying out for help.
Along with his pain was something else. It was cold, dark, and it reminded him too well of memories he wished he didn't have.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The room was dark and at first, it looked empty. Sprx knew better.
"I know you're here somewhere, come on out and play," Sprx called, almost taunting.
"Be careful what you wish for, one of these days, you may regret it,"
A blow to his knees made him fall. Sprx rolled to the side and got to his feet, alert for the next attack. It came to his left, he blocked and struck back. Red sparks from his magnets met the blue light-sword that his attacker wielded.
It took about ten minutes before Sprx finally got the best of his attacker, standing over him; his magnet captured the wrist that controlled the light-sword.
"Heh, not so tough now, are ya?" Sprx asked.
"Your overconfidence is terribly unbearable,"
Sprx suddenly screamed as pain ripped through his mind. He reeled back, his hands clutching the sides of his helmet. He finally collapsed, still screaming, his attacker stood over him, red eyes gleaming.
"That will be the last time you cross my path, Sparky,"
Then the world faded out.
When Sprx awoke again, he found that he was severely damaged. Gibson assured him that Antauri had a long talk with the orange monkey. It didn't matter who said what to him, Sprx felt betrayed. Again. Mandarin had promised never to hurt any of them, he promised to protect them, and he promised that they would serve the purpose for which they were built.
Whatever a leader promised, Sprx learned that he couldn't deliver.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Chiro's different," Sprx murmured. "The kid understands, he has to,"
Sprx caught his reflection in the window of his sleeping pod. He went close and looked himself deep into his own eyes.
"Chiro is not Mandarin. Never was, never will be," Sprx said, making sure his own voice held no room for any doubt. "You like the kid. You know he'd never leave you alone, and I can't leave him alone,"
Sprx left his room and headed towards Chiro's.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Gibson worked furiously at his computers. He was now worried about being prepared for Skeleton King's attack. They figured they had time, time to get the Super Robot up to speed, hone their skills, and train Chiro.
Gibson sighed, stopping his work and resting his head on the wall. He remembered it being said that sometimes there's no amount of training that can replace actual experience.
The scientist knew that he wasn't too much on faith to the extent that Antauri was. It wasn't that Gibson was completely without it, he just preferred unflawed logic and reasonable explanations as opposed to mystical forces.
He may be light on faith, but not on hope. Always had been, always planned to be.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"How in the world did a virus infect the computer?" Mandarin asked, watching Gibson pounding away at the controls.
"I wish I could tell you," Gibson said, only half-paying attention to his leader.
Mandarin grabbed Gibson's shoulder and turned him around harshly.
"That is not the answer I want to hear, Gibson. I want a reason and an explanation and I wanted it five minutes ago,"
Gibson narrowed his eyes and pushed Mandarin's hands off.
"I can't explain away a computer virus the way you and Antauri explain away the weather," Gibson said coldly. "This will take time, work, and a little hope to restore the system as it once was,"
"Hope," Mandarin sneered. "Rubbish. The system is lost. Wipe it clean and start from the beginning,"
"Are you out of your mind? Do you realize how long it will take to restore the system to what it is now?"
"That's an order, Mr. Hal Gibson,"
With that, Mandarin turned away and left.
Gibson glared after him. Mandarin's impatience seemed to grow with each passing day, and he was becoming more aggressive. It made Gibson feel sick to think about what it could possibly mean.
The next nine hours were spent working to clear the virus from the computer systems. Antauri came around looking for him when the tenth hour started.
"Gibson? You've missed your skills training, lunch, and dinner. Mandarin had mentioned you were clearing a virus from the systems?" Antauri asked.
"That's correct, Antauri," Gibson murmured, not stopping.
"Perhaps it is time to take a moment to rest?"
"No, I'm not giving up,"
Antauri watched silently for a few more minutes. Finally, Gibson gave a long sigh of relief and sat down on the floor.
"The virus is gone," he said. "Hope can spring eternal after all, I guess,"
Antauri smiled at his companion. "Hope is something no one can live without, Gibson,"
Gibson could only smile back at him. Mandarin was wrong, and it helped to know that he could share that with someone.
"Now, let's either get you some nourishment or some rest before you pass out," Antauri said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gibson smiled at the memory. Steeling his senses again, he resumed working. Even if there was no time, he could still make sure they were prepared.
But something else tugged on his mind. He wasn't sure why, but he was still worried about Chiro. He had to check on him.
Leaving everything as it was without cleaning up, which was a first for the scientist, he started down the hall towards Chiro's room.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Nova was doing what she usually did when she was supposed to be resting; not listening to the order and instead beating on her punching bags. However, tonight, she didn't hit them so hard or with so much enthusiasm. Her mind was elsewhere.
What was going to happen to Chiro, now? His mind had been touched by evil, how would that affect him? Would it make him weak and vulnerable? Would it be no more than a passing illness would be? Or would it be worse, and make Chiro turn like someone else they knew?
Nova shuddered as the old memory came back to haunt her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What is the point of all of this!" Nova screamed, pounding on the windows to the control room.
Mandarin smirked at her, his arms crossed. "You must learn to bear it, Nova my dear,"
Nova glowered at him as he turned the dial to a lower temperature. On instinct, Nova wrapped her tail around herself to help keep warm.
"I do remember what happened last time, Mandarin, I might just let it happen again,"
"And go against Antauri's order?" Mandarin gave a fake gasp of shock. "Why Nova, I didn't know you had it in you,"
Nova's eyes began to glow as her temper rose. Mandarin only smirked and pressed a button on his wrist. Nova twitched for a moment, then fell to the ground.
Mandarin came into the room and looked down at her.
"What did you do to me, you jerk?" Nova asked through clenched teeth.
"I'm having your systems shut down, I think you need a time out little Nova,"
With that, Mandarin walked away. The system was still on its coldest setting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nova had told Antauri about the system shut down trick that Mandarin had. He had immediately reprogrammed that, and in a matter of days, Mandarin had been exiled.
Would this brush with evil do the same to Chiro? Would he turn into a mean-spirited leader, bent on his own superiority? Would the torturous training sessions that were "good for them" return?
But then Nova remembered the walk they took that afternoon. Chiro and she had a lot in common that no one could see on the surface. They both wanted parents and a link back to their pasts. Chiro wanted Nova to help him learn; otherwise perhaps he would have given up, stopped training, or run away.
"He has to be different," Nova told herself as she left her room to go back to Chiro's.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Otto lay on his stomach in his room. He poked at the handful of small machine parts he placed on the floor. The inventor never minded being sent to his room when Antauri told him to rest when he wasn't ready. Instead, he usually used the time to work on his many ideas for gadgets and weapons, even though they weren't always necessary.
But now, the inventors mind just wasn't into it.
It was a little unlike Otto to dwell on negative thoughts. He liked looking on the bright side, cracking jokes, and reminding his companions how to loosen up and not be so serious. It was Otto's lot in life and he liked it.
Otto could only think of one other time where he willingly acted unlike himself. He hated to think of having to return to that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otto slowly opened his eyes and got to his feet, looking around for a certain orange monkey.
"Come on out, you sorry excuse for a primate," Otto muttered, having a saw out and ready for action.
It had been finally revealed that instead of protecting Shuggazoom, Mandarin sought to rule it with an iron fist.
This revelation had left Otto confused and angry. What had driven Mandarin to this? Were there signs and he just missed them? Why didn't Mandarin ever just talk to them, they were friends, weren't they?
"Dwelling in despair can be a dangerous thing, my brother,"
Otto turned but it was too late. Mandarin swung the heavy board to his head and knocked him nearly five feet away. Otto grunted and forced himself back to his feet.
"I'm no brother of yours," Otto said, glaring at Mandarin. "If I was your brother, you would have talked to me, or at least tell me why you're doing this,"
Mandarin smirked, and then suddenly he was in front of Otto. It surprised the green monkey enough to back up until his backside hit a rock surface. Mandarin put one hand over Otto's shoulder, effectively trapping him. Otto swallowed hard.
"You ask why I'm doing this, well, let me pose a question for you. Why aren't you by my side? I was always under the impression that you were the loyal one,"
Otto wanted to tear his eyes away from the orange ones that pierced through his mind and soul. Mandarin was trying to manipulate his feelings against him, again. It only made Otto even angrier.
With an ear-splitting screech, Otto brought his feet up and kicked Mandarin away. He leapt after him, landing on top of the orange monkey and struck him with all his might.
"Otto!"
At first he ignored the voice. When his name was called a second time, it made him stop for long enough a moment for someone's hand to grip his wrist. Something circled his waist and pulled him off Mandarin. For a minute Otto struggled until he met the eyes of the one who was holding him back.
"Gibson?"
"You're a lot stronger than you look, you know that? Must be all the machinery you work with," Gibson smiled weakly at Otto, his tail unwrapping from Otto's waist and the grip on his wrist loosened but stayed. "Are you all right?"
Otto couldn't answer. Instead, he looked over at where Mandarin was. Antauri, Nova, and Sprx had him captured and were taking away his weapons. Otto looked back at Gibson with hurt and betrayal very apparent in his gaze.
Gibson's eyes looked more sympathetic than Otto had ever seen him. Gibson looked past Otto for a moment to see if the others were looking. Once he figured they weren't, he pulled Otto in for a hug.
"You're fine, Mandarin can't hurt any of us anymore," Gibson said.
Otto nodded, and hugged Gibson back. He remembered who could be trusted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otto smiled. He had Gibson, Sprx, Antauri, Nova, and they had Chiro. They were a team, and a family.
Besides, Chiro would talk to him. They had an understanding.
"And I'm gonna be there when he wakes up!" Otto said cheerfully, heading out the door and down the hall.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
All five robot monkeys came to Chiro's door at about the same time.
"So much for resting," Gibson said.
"So, what are the excuses for not following my order?" Antauri asked. He was more amused than irritated.
"The same reason as you," Nova said.
"We're all worried about the kid," Sprx added.
Antauri smiled and nodded as he opened the door and went inside.
Chiro was still sleeping. They each found a spot to lean or sit.
"Do you think he'll be okay, Antauri?" Otto asked, pulling himself onto the shelf next Chiro's bed.
"Only time will tell, Otto," Antauri said, taking a spot on the floor to cross his legs. He closed his eyes, and moments later, he was floating. "I sense calm in his mind, so I can only assume that he will be okay,"
They were silent as they waited, each one lost in their own thoughts, though they didn't have to wait for long.
Chiro slowly raised his hand to his head and grunted as he sat up.
"Man, what hit me?" He murmured.
The monkeys all looked up at once and gathered around Chiro.
"How do you feel?" Antauri asked.
"Like I got hit by a truck," Chiro shook his head and looked around at his friends. Suddenly, the memory of his mental attack came back like a tidal wave. He blinked a few times and shook his head again. "Oh, man, you guys, I'm sorry,"
"For what?" Nova asked.
"You all got captured, I couldn't do anything about it, and he was hurting you guys, and, and there was just nothing I could do about it," Chiro's hands started to shake. "You were all captured and it was all my fault,"
They all exchanged worried glances as the shaking moved from Chiro's hands to his arms. His eyes were wide, becoming more frightened by the memory.
Gibson put a hand on his shoulder. "You're all right now, Chiro. You're with us and we're quite safe. None of what you saw really happened,"
Chiro turned his frightened gaze to Gibson. "B-but I saw it happen, I could feel you guys,"
"What you saw was a telepathic suggestion. Its purpose was to frighten you, make you unsure and make your mind unstable,"
"I'm sorry, Antauri, but it worked," Chiro murmured, looking down.
"Doesn't look like that to me," Sprx said. "Sure, you're a bit shaken up, that's for sure, but you still look as stable as the day you met us," Sprx looked up thoughtfully. "Well, come to think of it, I'm not sure how assuring that is,"
"Sprx!" Nova grumbled, punching his shoulder.
It was enough to make Chiro smile a little.
"So, who is Skeleton King?" Chiro asked.
"The reason for your training," Antauri explained. "Skeleton King has some telepathic abilities, I never thought he would try to use them against you,"
"Well, what am I going to do?" Chiro asked. "I can't be caught up in some dream all the time,"
"And you won't. Part of your meditation training will include putting up blocks and walls. It's simple enough; I believe you have the focus to do it now,"
"That simple, huh?"
"Yeah, you just imagine a white wall and you can keep anyone out," Otto said.
Everyone stared at him for a moment.
"You remember how to do that?" Sprx asked.
"Well, yeah," Otto said, scratching his head and looking at the floor. "You guys do too,"
"Yeah, but, you don't usually remember that stuff," Nova said.
"Anyway, what does all this mean now?" Chiro asked.
"It means we have less time than we originally planned," Gibson said. "It means our enemy will be showing his face and we had better get a move on with repairing the rest of the robot and our training,"
"What do you say, kid? You still up to it?" Sprx asked.
Chiro frowned slightly, looking down into his lap. The monkeys tried to see the look in his eyes, worried that their friend really wasn't up for the challenge.
"You know, back when I was little, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said that I wanted to be a superhero," Chiro said softly. He looked up at his friends with a smile. "Well, I'd be making a pretty bad career move if I was to back out now,"
They all shared a smile. Chiro was going to be okay.
"Well, I'm up for a snack, how about everyone else?" Sprx asked.
"Oo! Oo! Me!" Otto said, waving his hand like a child.
"I believe I have an idea for something tasty," Gibson said. "Come on, you three can help,"
Gibson ushered Otto, Sprx, and Nova out of Chiro's room. Antauri went to leave as well until Chiro's hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Antauri?" Chiro said. "I, I'm really sorry about earlier,"
"Chiro, you have nothing to apologize for. It was a surprise attack that you had no hopes of preparing for. Nothing you did was wrong, nor do I look down on or disapprove of you," Antauri turned to look the boy in his eyes. "Although we hope for victory, we must learn to take, expect, and sometimes accept, defeat. Look at this evening's adventure as the opportunity to view what sort of evil we will be encountering,"
"But he knows who I am, he knows my fears,"
"No, he does not know who you are. He merely tapped into your fears and turned them against you, however the fears themselves may not be apparent to him. Whatever fantasy you had seen was created by your own mind, just suggested by Skeleton King,"
Chiro rubbed his head. "Sounds confusing, I still don't feel safe,"
"For now, imagine a white wall against your uncertainties and fears. You are with friends and are safe, and for now, we will relax and start again tomorrow,"
Chiro nodded and followed Antauri to the kitchen, where they found a new set of chaos.
Gibson and Sprx were arguing over whether to add an ingredient or not. Nova looked mortified; she was covered in orange-colored goop that looked like melted cheese. Otto was covered too, and was sitting in a puddle of it, licking the stuff off of his fingers.
Antauri sighed and shook his head.
Chiro just laughed.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Authors Notes
Okay, before anyone says anything in reference to Otto's flashback, I'm not trying to hint at any slash. It may come up in another fic in the future, but I feel Mandarin has pushed them all in one way, shape, or form and took advantage of them. He just would the little…(restrains self from cursing up a blue streak) Yeah, I only hate Mandarin just a little bit, however he provides such great excuses to torture the Monkey Team.
Wow, long, long chapter. I was like, "Thirteen pages? Yikes." Actually, I said something else, but, impressionable ears may be around - Anyways, I updated a little later than I wanted to so, think of it as a reward for your patience.
Ten reviewers for one chapter…man, it's taking me almost as much time to write up the reviewer reply as it does for me to write a chapter or two, but I love it all the same and is so, so worth it! Many thanks you guys and girls!
I'd also like to thank everyone for being honest with my leap into announcing that I write slash fiction, and even more thanks for people not turning it into a big political debate. No one yelled, flamed, burned down people's laptops, I'm so proud
Reviewers Reply
Xiaolin Monkey: Ooo, love the new pen name and thanks, agree with what you say, and hope you like the new addition.
Fairy Whisperings: Chapter 9 was kind of a jolt, that one huge thunder crack before it downpours type of thing. Glad you like the one shot, it will be added soon.
Netbug: The reason for Chap 9 being rushed was because it was only a quick thing, kind of…as you can see in this fic, the "battle" lasted three hours, and most of it was Chiro being tortured anyway. The OOC of SK comes from this being so short and just a stab in the side, so to speak. Hopefully I will get it right when the real battles begin. I'll keep an eye on it, though. Thanks!
Shadowsong: Yeah, again, SK is still kinda far off from them, I wasn't sure if he even had psychic ability, I'm mainly trying to explain why sometimes Chiro visualizes SK (like in "Depths of Fear") especially when he's afraid, and even more so when it's water. Glad you liked
Moonless Night: You know what irritates me about theories with the Power Primate is that something always comes up that makes me want to change the theory u-u; Like, I watched "Antauri's Masters" and realized that Gibson especially has more faith the PP than I say…oh well. Glad you're enjoying! Ja!
4Evermonkeyfan: :breathes sigh of relief: I swear, 9 had to be the most nerve-wracking chapter so far, keep feeling like I'm playing with fire and walking on eggshells so glad you guys are so great
SouthernAngel: (ducks proverbial chair) Sorry, sorry, I'm a drama whore, what can I say? Yeah, don't worry, Chiro will eventually have to face up to what he's done, don't we all? lol
jozs001: :points to other reviewers: with this mob? If I don't continue, I might get a price put on my head u-u; Thank you for your review, your patience, and very happy that you're enjoying!
shamaru1: Glad you liked the chapter, and as far as the bonus chapter, that story is mine. I'll be posting it sometime within the next month, I still want to wait a little longer before making it public. Thanks!
Giggle Gal: Oh... The only countries I've been to are England and Japan, the closest I ever got to Mexico was Texas ; at least I know in case I do go down there…and, yeah, Chiro's unconscious…more like a shock-induced coma u-u; Thanks for being patient waiting for this chapter and hope you enjoyed
Duckect45: Hey, glad you like, hope I don't disappoint, and welcome to this insane review board!