A/N: Thanks for waiting. Also please read the following announcement

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Chapter 11

-A Scientist's Yesterday

The super robot flew through space, its silence as cold as a corpse. The clocks from within chimed out, signaling its inhabitance five AM had reached its mark. Also informing the sleepless it had been approximately two days since escaping the slave trader.

Within the med bay laid Mandarin, suspended in his medical tank. He floated lifelessly as his body healed itself in pressure blocking fluids. Right next to the rogue simian sat the crystal, guarded behind many layers of safety glass.

The gem began to whisper incoherent words. Dark lights pulsing around its sharp surface. Illuminating a faint blue light. The image of two humans forming within the stone's face.

Right down the hall, Chiro lied asleep in his room. His heart started to pound as he tossed and turned. A typical night for the chosen one. Except something was amiss, his usual nightmares had yet to plague his fragile mind. Instead, the dark whispers had found his ears and played around the darkest corners of his mind. Like little ghouls haunting an empty house.

Chiro started to sweat as the void of his thoughts began to cloud over. There he found himself trapped in a strange dimension. Things he never knew existed floated around him. Like the past, present, and future were colliding right before his very eyes. The vast reaches of space, time, and life itself unfolding before his very eyes.

"Chiro…" A soft sweet voice called out to him.

Turning around, the young teen eyes widen. The sight of two children laughing galloped right past him. He gasped and took a step to follow them. But he halted his actions when the children seemed to grow taller in height. The kids suddenly became adults, as if time had sped up.

The girl now woman had long flowing black hair. Her male companion, slightly shorter than her, had sharp spikey hair. Both adults, seeming to be in their mid-thirties, looked at each other. Smiling, they embraced each other in passionate hugs.

Chiro reached a hand out to them. But before he could make an attempt to communicate, the couple looked right at him. This made the blue eyed boy jump in alarm as he retracted his palm.

"Um, hello?" He spoke softly.

Both adults stepped towards him. Bending down, the pair opened their arms up. Then a boy as young as four ran past the teen. The youngster ran right past Chiro and into the couple's waiting arms. He hugged his father's neck as the mother hugged both males. The boy's short dark hair was hidden under a blue hat with a matching blue outfit.

As the pair awed over their apparent child, two more figures stepped forward. A pair of, what appeared to be, metal monkeys emerged. Their older age obvious by the signs of their long hair and clunky electronic limbs. Both simians smiled as the child was then handed to them. The slightly bigger grey one ruffled the boy's black hair while the thinner white one nuzzled his head.

The boy seemed to enjoy the attention as he pulled the feral looking grey monkey's eye lids. She didn't seem to mind as she engaged him in a game of peek-a-boo. The purple eyed white male chuckled as he kept the squirming toddler firmly in his lap. Fondly watching the sight of his mate and friend play together.

Chiro's eyes widen when he realized the scene before him felt familiar. Before he could question, he felt pressure build up in his lungs. Gasping, he forced his eyes open. Finding himself in the familiar environment of his bedroom. The teen scratched his head in alarm at what he just witnessed.

"What in the name of Shuggazoom?" He gasped out while holding his dry throat. "That was… different. Never had that dream before." He shrugged his shoulders before pulling the covers back over his head. "Well better that then those awful nightmares."

He eventually returned to sleep.

~8:30 AM~

Everyone sat at the dinner table. Antauri had resumed his post at the stove as he served them all different platters. The serving today consisting from eggs, waffles, bacon, to tofu. Also sneaking some of his health shakes in with the orange juice.

As everyone sat, Gibson seemed to be the quietest. Know all too well arrival to Cranius-Epsolon. He was not very eager to go. These thoughts shone through his depressive behavior in lack of eating and sleep. He sighed, at least sparing himself for a big swig of orange juice.

"Gibson," Antauri started gently. "You must rest, we'll be arriving to our destination very soon. You must gather your strength."

"You're right, my mental capacity would be reduced to dimwitted levels without the proper nutrition. But at las nerves have been the cause of my hindrance lately."

The monk nodded as he placed a comforting hand to the blue primate's shoulder. "I understand, we still got awhile to go before arrival. Why don't you rest, I'll bring your breakfast to your room. You can eat when you feel ready."

"Thank you Antauri…" Gibson thanked his brother with vast appreciation. Getting up, he politely dismissed himself and drug himself out.

Antauri sighed and returned to cooking his own breakfast now.

As he did so, Nova sat with her elbows propped on the table. She rubbed her forehead, also suffering from lack of sleep. But mostly due to Sprx badgering her to talk about things she'd rather not discuss. The gold warrior grunted as she brought her dull pink eyes up to stare at the ceiling.

"Man I wish Jinmay was here, I could really use some girl time."

As if on cue, the female spotted neon green eyes floating through the hallway's shadows. Her head perked up. "Vex?"

The bigger female stopped, groaning at the source of the voice. Vex strained as she forced herself to look into the kitchen. Already getting nervous when all sets of eyes fell on her. But clone Mandarin's past orders kept her from retreating. She swallowed her anti-socialness and unwillingly stalked in.

Nova grinned as an idea struck her. She never noticed before, but she had never been around another female monkey. Little lone an older one. She decided to forget about the tension both held and jumped in front of her.

"Hey Vex, how'd you like to hang out with me?"

Antauri's face fell as he watched the two from the corner of his eye.

The much older female stroked her furry chin. Sighing, she nodded with her everyday blank stare. Nova smiled huge and, much to Vex's dismay, grabbed her larger paw and drug her out the door. The warrior laughed as she looked back to the black primate.

"You know as odd as this may sound, I've never been around another female of my own species." She laughed as she shook her head. "I never minded it, but you get lonely sometimes ya know? With being raised by dudes."

Vex sighed, unsure of how to do this. "I am not a mother figure if that's where you're going with this lass."

Halting, Nova turned and stared at her. Then she broke into a fit of laughter. "No of course not! I just meant, you know, having another girl like me to talk to."

Vex frowned when they finally reached the training room. She inhaled a deep sigh, wishing with every fiber in her body to end this quickly. "I'm not one much for the 'chitty chat'."

The younger female laughed even harder. "Don't worry, if I can hold down a conversation with Antauri, I can handle you." She release Vex's wrist and strolled across the arena. She turned around and raised her fist, sliding into an attack stance.

"Besides, 'talking' in my book actually means something else."

Vex raised a brow, her curiosity peeked. "Oh so… you wish to duel?"

Nova stared at her oddly. "Well um, I did say 'train' so yes. I only seen you fight a little and I want to know what you got!"

Vex blinked at the sight of Nova's hands shifting into bigger gold fist with pink color coded knuckles. She tilted her head at the strange sight.

Nova caught this look and glimpsed at her hands. "What, never seen transformers before?" She chuckled as she waved her left knuckle. "Don't worry, I'll hold back old woman."

When Vex didn't move, Nova smacked her forehead and shouted. "Come on, go!"

Quicker than a flash Nova found herself slammed into the ground. Vex, with arms hooked around her stomach, swung her around like a spin top and drove her face first into the floor. Vex stepped back, releasing her hold on Nova.

Surprised at the quick attack, Nova held her dented side. "Faster than I thought. You should've had me while I was down." She pushed herself to her feet.

"Wouldn't have been fair." Vex gestured with her big claw for the gold simian to bring it.

Smirking at the possibility of a good challenge, Nova flew forward. "My turn!"

She delivered a hard sideways blow to the dark primate's cheek. Vex grunted as she stepped back, using her arms as a shield to deflect the next set of blows.

Nova came in swinging with the speed of a firing machine gun. Her fist digging into their target's body as she pushed all her raw strength into each blow.

Vex jumped back after the gold female landed a good whack to her bad eye. Bruising her cheek as she wiped the blood from her mouth. She drove her knee into Nova's gut. Causing the warrior to cough before the bigger female had her in a strong head lock.

Vex flipped Nova over and slammed her right on her back. Backing up, Vex catapulted herself up and turned her body sideways. With elbow out, she aimed right for Nova's gut.

Gasping, Nova found the strength to role away. Barely dodging the pile driver as Vex's elbow ripped a huge hole into the titanium floor. Nova sighed in relief before she went blazing back into combat mode.

Both females locked their hands together. Metal grinding together as they got eye to eye. Flexing their fangs and puffing their muscles out, they snarled. Steam rose from their nostrils as they cracked their helmets together. Head-butting went to shoulder bashing while they quarreled. Going from brute strength to swift lethal techniques.

After a four hour sparring match, both finally backed off. Nova panted as sweat drenched her fur. She sat on the floor with her arm supported by Antauri's pod chair. Her hair wild and out of place.

Vex, with hands firmly pressed to her knees, also gasped for breath. She flexed a weak smirk as she glanced to her exhausted opponent. "Prepare to… meet your doom." She grunted as she tried to raise her now very heavy arms. But with little strength remaining, she dropped her big claws again.

"I'll give yeh an opportunity to relish defeat…"

"I am not… defeated," Nova huffed out. "And I shall hold my ground."

"Hold your ground? Yeh can barely hold yourself."

"Then come get me," Nova dared.

Raising both brows, Vex scrunched her snout in an unamused frown. "Seeing as I'm a sportsmen, I'll give yeh a moment to recuperate."

As both stared each other down for fifteen minutes, Nova broke into a fit of laughter. "Aw man, that was the most fun I had in a while, you're a good fighter!" She smiled and slapped Vex's back hard. "Though I'm surprised, your style is pretty old school."

Vex chuckled as she nodded. "As my 'age' would suggest." She turned and popped the younger female's back in return. Inadvertently knocking Nova right off her feet, Vex winced as she waved her hand apologetically.

"Ah don't sweat it, I feel better now." Smiling, she stood up and jokingly head-butted Vex. "You know you aren't so bad, we should definitely do this again!"

Vex rubbed her forehead and nodded as Nova waved her a goodbye. As she left her alone, the older monkey sighed. She massaged her temples to ease her headache. Feeling like it'd been years since she's been exhausted to this extent.

Levitating right outside the training room was Antauri. The wise monkey had patiently watched the four hour brawl between the power females. Surprised at seeing the anti-social primate actually participating in a positive way. Even stranger, both seemed to enjoy it.

But when the unruly monkey began to leave, he made himself known to her. "That was quite a display of strength."

Vex jumped in surprise, turning to face the floating male. She sighed through her nose before looking away. She nodded in thanks to the compliment.

"May I ask why you seem so stressed in my presence?"

Caught off guard by the forward question, Vex raised a brow. Giving Antauri a perplexed look that asked for more specifics.

"While your unsocial nature is obvious, I observed you 'warming up' to Otto as well as Nova. Yet I sense you seem to have some personal turmoil every time I approach. May I ask why?"

Her nostrils twitched as her half darkened vision fogged over. "I can't smell you."

"I… beg your pardon?" Antauri asked, narrowing one optic while raising the other in sheer surprise.

Vex inhaled a deep stressed induced sigh. Brushing her short mane down with her claws, she grunted. "I… lack some depth perception."

Antauri stared, unsure of what she was trying to explain. But still surprised never the less. He glimpsed at her right eye, now noticing it lacked a pupil.

She tried again. "I can't see well. So when others approach, I smell them. But you possess no scent. No heart beat nor breathe for me to hear. You're… utterly invisible. In which the mystery troubles me."

Shock punched his stomach as he stared at her. Then he shifted his gaze to his mechanical hands. "I…" He cleared his throat, quickly regaining his composure. "I am sorry if I startle you. I, by no means, have any intention of ambushing you."

Vex stared at the fully robotic monkey. Her uneven heart beats pulsed as she sighed. She looked away, unsure of what to make of this conversation. "I know you have no such intentions..." She inched away, desperate to flee.

Seeing this weak form of retreat, he inwardly sighed. "If you have any remaining qualms against me, please do tell me. I do not wish to be seen as a danger to your eye."

She stared at the wise monkey, the steam pump working in her lungs tightened under the rising stress levels. His sudden attempt at kindness bending her in an awkward position.

"Um, I need to depart." She quickly left before he could say anything else.

Watching the female leave, Antauri found his feet touching the floor. His mind to burden with what she said about his lack of organic characteristics to sustain his levitation. He pressed his palm to his chest, grimly staring at the floor when he felt no heartbeat.

Realizing he was in great need of meditation, Antauri turned and walked to his tube. Which shot him up to his room seconds later.

~Cranius-Epsolon

The long flight had finally come to an end. The robot's large feet slammed on the pillars of an outskirts docking bay. Once everyone was out, Gibson took the lead. He breathed in as he looked to the faces of his team.

"Well my friends, welcome to Cranius-Epsolon, the most famous of all intergalactic Universities." He stood aside, presenting the amazing sight.

All sorts of buildings rested on the planet sized campus. Each sector was labeled with numbers and guarded with large gates. The dorms were in hotel looking lodges separate from the rest of the premises. There even some trees and few patches of grass planted throughout the base of the green house.

"Impressive," Antauri stated.

"Yea very cool, so you really trained here Gibson?" Chiro asked with a faint smile. Secretly hoping this question didn't lead to a long winded answer.

Gibson cleared his throat. "Why yes, I have trained here, such as each and everyone one of us has trained on a specific people that assisted us in acquiring our skills." He looked to tall holographic map listing all areas of the huge property. "Anyways, we're here to find the crystal, not for a class reunion. If we're lucky no one here will remember me, as I have no interest in talking."

"Okay settle down Gibson," Nova waved her hands in a calming gesture. "No one said you had to talk anyone, we'll just get in, grab the crystal, and get out."

The scientist nodded before he pulled out his scanner. He scratched his chin as he started waving the contemplation around in the air. Searching for any mysterious electron waves or foreign signals. He smiled when the black screen started bleeping.

"Aha got something," He pointed to the gates right in front of them. "It's coming from this cam-" He stopped as his face fell when reading the sign. "Oh great scott, Campus 13… the premises I unfortunately studied at. Where an old rival of mine had also inhabited." He smacked his forehead. "No big deal, pushing all issues aside, come on team. We got some searching to do!"

As they entered the building, they were greeted by a variety of students. Many different aliens walked around them. From the tallest reptilians to the shortest hairy humanoids. Each student wore grey college uniforms with foreign numbers written on their backs. All carried stacks of books and other inexpensive items.

"This place looks like geek heaven." Sprx relayed as he reached out and grabbed his mate's hand. "I can see where Gibson picked up on his annoying habits."

"Even the least skilled of students on this planet have a probable IQ to present, unlike you Sprx." Gibson scoffed as he took his eyes off the scanner. "Even the chemist intermediates could outwit you."

"Why you-!" Sprx started before Nova whacked him upside the head. The red pilot winced as he looked back at her teary eyed. Rubbing his aching helmet to sooth it.

Nova shook at her head at her boyfriend. "Jeez Sprx, can you and Gibson not fight for ten minutes?"

Sprx shrugged his shoulders. "Hey he started it."

Nova rolled her eyes before leading him off to inspect the nearest laboratory.

As Antauri followed Chiro and Gibson, some nearby gasps alerted him. Looking back, he noticed five students approach him. Four females and one male rushed up to inspect him. The male being feline in appearance while the girls were more bird like.

"Amazing, look at how this robot suspends itself off the ground!" The male observed while straightening his glasses.

"I'm betting zero-gravity suspender." The shortest female added while grabbing Antauri's tail. Pulling the silver appendage back to get a better look.

"No it's too small to be that advanced." The tallest girl disagreed.

Sighing, Antauri gently pulled his tail away from the student's grabby hands. "Forgive my interruption, but the source of my levitation is mind over matter."

The students gawked at his deep voice before looking at each other. "Ah so the machine is capable of separate speech patterns. It must be programmed to hold down conversations." The boy added before clearing his throat. "I wonder what model this thing is, I don't know any engineers on campus designing a three foot robotic simian."

The scene was getting a little awkward as Antauri decided to stand normally. He sighed and brought their attention back to him. "I assure you I am not a product of normal robotics. I am best known as Antauri, and I am a member of the Hyperforce."

The tallest student snapped her claws. "Oh yea I heard of those guys, Mr. Hal Gibson's bunch!" She smiled at the tiny deep voiced robot. "Your modest module box is most believable, but… pardon my old school view point, but machines are not teammates. They are merely toys built to certain advancement levels, depending on their builders. They do no more then what they're designed to do."

The simian frowned, raising an eyebrow at the slap in the face. "There is more to life than meets the eye I assure you."

The feline male chuckled, combing his red hair back behind his ears. "Um, no what you see is what you get. Life is filled with a great unknown true, but everything has a logical explanation behind it."

Antauri crossed his arms as the conversation now turned into a debate. "Even logic isn't always the answer. There is a greater understanding to life than just computers and formulas. It'd be unwise to try and put everything you see under a label."

Glancing at each other, they broke down laughing. "I think a priest or something built this thing, never had a robot argue against logic!" The girl chuckled before she waved for her flunkies to follow. "Come on we better get back to class, boy do we have a story to share!"

Laughing as they walked away, Antauri was left in awkward silence. He inhaled a deep sigh whilst shaking his head. "Kids these days."

Chiro frowned as he quickly took his mentor by the shoulders. "Don't listen to them Antauri, they're wrong."

Antauri nodded before he followed Chiro. Gibson threw an apologetic look to his eldest brother. "My sincerest apologies Antauri. The percentage of arrogance in the student population is high. Many have succumbed to the environment of equations and mathematics that 'spirituality' does not really have a place in this world." He breathed in before looking back at his monitor. "Just know many students here do not share your outlook. That's all I can say."

The second in command nodded. "I can see that."

Vex turned to gaze at the group that pushed the silver monkeys' buttons. Narrowing her good eye, she followed them in secret.

Gibson smiled as he gestured Otto up to his side. "Okay the signal is getting stronger, I believe it's originating right around the Dean's office."

Right as they rounded another corner, passing the gymnasium, a figure stopped them.

"Why hello there Hal," A high pitched nasally voice called out. The speaker almost sounded stuffy from a cold. Or high on helium.

Freezing at the familiar voice, Gibson slowly raised his head. Before him was a brownish-grey skinned alien that stood only a little taller than himself. He wore a blue sweater vest while sporting a big purple nose with a set of large sharp teeth. His three green eyes blinked behind his thin dark glasses as stared at the four in front of him.

"Long time no see Hal," He answered again before pressing an inhaler to his lips. Breathing in the small box's fumes to clear his throat. Once done he returned it to his vest's pocket.

Gibson winced at the horror standing before him. "Ah hello… Nergal."

"Who's Nergal?" Chiro whispered to Otto.

"His old college rival, apparently the only one that truly rivalled Gibson on an intellectual level." The green mechanic muttered back.

"So," Nergal started, pushing his glasses back in place. "Going to introduce me to your little lackeys?"

Gibson, with blue face now red, sneered as he pointed behind him with his thumb. "This is my team. Chiro, Antauri, Otto, and the others are somewhere else." He cleared his throat before pressing his knuckles to his hips. "How has your life been since graduation?"

The bow-legged alien chuckled as he smoothed his sweater vest down. "If you must know, things have went particularly well since your departure. I have taken former Dean Winston's place, now I run this University. Nothing goes on without my earnest approval." He laughed, releasing a few snorts.

"So what brings your little circus simian team here?"

"None of your business if you must know." Gibson stubbornly crossed his arms.

"How does us searching for an evil crystal on this campus not be any of his business if he owns the place?" Otto asked stupidly with an innocent hand pressed to his chin.

Gibson's mouth flat lined as he turned to cut the ditsy green primate a fowl look. "It was a rhetorical statement Otto!"

"Oh so you're looking for something on my campus eh Hal?" Nergal snuffled out with an ignorant smile.

Gibson was about to blow his top before Chiro quickly intervened. "Look um, sir, we really don't want trouble. We're really pressed for time here and we just need to search your University for something really important. Please understand?"

"Oh dear, why of course young man, I wouldn't mind my arch rival gallivanting freely amongst the school grounds up to who knows what."

Otto smiled huge. "So you'll let us look?"

Nergal just stared before he face palmed. "No you ditz!" He growled before clearing his throat. "But if you all want to search these school grounds, fine. However I have a… few standards that must be met first."

Gibson scowled. "And what's your buffoonery you call requirements?"

"I recall last time we met, before graduation, you went against in a brain-athon. We ended up tying and that ruined my reputation. I've waited a long time for a re-match, so tomorrow in two days starting, you will compete against me in a Psychics Super Bowl. To settle once and for all who is truly the smartest."

Gibson darkened his glare. "So if I win, you will let us continue our search without any more of your bothersome ways?"

Nergal snorted a chuckle. "IF you win, but yes. You have my word."

"Then consider the challenge accepted."

"Good. Now to let you know, we'll be asked a series of the most complex questions from highest level of research ever done. You will be competing against me, alone." He snorted some more chuckles. "It'll be just like old times. So I suggest you best get to studying!"

"Wait," Gibson called out with a hand pressed out. "I'm not sure what we're supposed to be studying, I can't simply go off you're cryptic clues."

"Usually I'd tell you to buzz off, but because I'm feeling generous today. Here's one of the books." He handed the medic a thick holographic novel. Its cover marked with a molecular cell symbol.

Gibson's eyes went huge as he shakily held the item in his metal hands. "T-the quantum levels of nuclear DNA?"

Nergal smirked at the shocked face his rival gifted him with. "That's right, and not only that, but that's only one of the subjects. The rest of the tests are based on hybrid theories tested on molecular elements presented through the combination of dark matter and string theory."

The metal simian swore his heart skipped a beat. "N-Nergal I haven't even heard of these theories before I graduated! Do you have any idea how broad the term 'dark matter' is alone? There is no way I can absorb and retain all necessary information in merely forty eight hours!"

"Then looks like you best get to studying!" He snorted out more mocking laughs as he strolled past Gibson. "See you Thursday at five AM sharp."

The blue cyborg's jaw nearly hit the ground. "Wait wait five AM!?" He smacked his forehead. "Are you crazy? Not even engineering classes started that early!"

"Not my problem." Nergal waved off the monkey. He snickered, saluted the scared monkey, and disappeared down the hallway.

Gibson could feel his heart beating out of his chest. Now the fate of their search relied on his success. The pressure was already coming on as he stared at the book in his hands. "Team there-there is no way I can do this! I didn't even major in quantum geometry, I predominantly studied Psychics!"

"Do not let stress cloud your judgement Gibson." Antauri stated while placing a gentle hand to his distressed brother's shoulder. "You can do this, I know you can. Your intelligence is beyond anyone's expectations."

The nurturing words lifted his spirits by a little. But it still didn't change the huge challenge ahead of him. "Thank you Antauri, but this is going to be far more difficult than you think. For starters, words cannot even begin to explain just how sufficient Nergal's knowledge is. Why, great scott, if he's been a Dean here since our graduation then who knows how much study time he had acquired! I am utterly ill prepared for this!"

"Don't worry Gibson, I'll help ya study!" Otto offered with his thumb pointed to himself. A big smile beaming with pride.

The British monkey stared at the green mechanic blankly. "Um, thank you Otto… why the offer is most appreciated, I fear I can only accomplish this on my own."

"Gibson…" Antauri quickly cut it. "It is unhealthy to take on such a tremendous burden alone." He sighed. "But if you feel as such, then I can only be there when you require our assistance."

"Thank you for understanding. Now I'm going to run to the library and order my books. I have fifteen novels to memorize by Thursday, so I best begin now!"

As Gibson ran off, Otto, Chiro, and Antauri glanced at each other. "I hope he can handle this, Gibson always gets weird when he reads hours on end." Otto relayed while miming like he was Gibson reading a book. "He always stares at you with big scary blood shot eyes when you make noises, it gets really creepy!"

"Don't worry guys, I'm sure Gibson will handle this." Chiro waved his hand dismissively. "We just got to have faith in him. Anyways since we obviously aren't going anywhere for the next day or so, we might as well hang out."

Antauri nodded as he glanced around. "Where are the others?"

Otto stared at a large poster advertising a book fair. "Nova and Sprx went to look around and Vex just wandered off."

Antauri sighed. "We best go find them and return to the robot."

Otto frowned and whined. "Aw man! Why can't we just go exploring for a little bit?"

"Otto, I do not wish to disrupt any of the students or employeers here. It'd be disrespectful to go parading around a facility and disturbing their peace."

"Blah blah sounds boring. Fine I'll just go back to the robot and put on some video games!" Otto stated as he strolled past the two.

Antauri shook his head and sighed. "Maybe now would be a good time for some training Chiro." The silver monkey blinked when he looked behind him. "Chiro?"

"I call first game!" Chiro yelled as he ran after Otto.

Frowning, he pinched the ridge between his eyes. "For goodness sakes…"