Chapter Fourteen: Threat or Promise
Summary: Mr. Gakslapper starts taking on a more major role, and the team faces their second battle.
Authors Note: Holy cow! 129 reviews! (sniffles) I'm touched guys, really I am.
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After Chiro went to bed, Antauri also retired to his room, Nova left to get some practice in before she went to bed, and Sprx also left to plan for breakfast in the morning, since it was his turn to cook.
"What're you gonna do, Gibson?" Otto asked. He was now lying on his belly with his arms folded under his chin so he could look up at his friend.
"I am unsure," Gibson murmured. "I'm disturbed by this stranger in the vicinity. Also, since when does Chiro retreat to bed so prematurely in the evening?"
Otto blinked. "Huh? You mean you don't know why Chiro went to bed so early?"
"That is precisely what I had said!"
"Nah, you were saying something about maturity retreating,"
Otto grinned while Gibson let out a small, frustrated groan. The blue monkey took a deep breath, then stood and went to the controls. Otto hopped up and followed.
"Whatcha doin?" Otto asked.
"I'm monitoring the area for the human anomaly," Gibson said as his fingers flew across the control panel. Nothing was showing up.
"Maybe he immaturely retreated to bed, too," Otto said, nudging Gibson's side.
"Otto," Gibson grumbled.
Otto couldn't help giggling. "I don't know why but you're funny when you're angry,"
"Oh, be quiet."
For the next twenty minutes, Gibson continued to monitor the area surrounding the robot. Otto watched quietly, only rocking on his heels every so often. Suddenly, something started causing the computer to beep.
"What is it?" Otto asked.
"It seems either Chiro is sleep-walking or sneaking out," Gibson said. "That's his power signature setting off the sensors,"
"But why would he do that?" Otto asked.
"Perhaps his concern of being discovered is causing his state of apparent insomnia," Gibson turned away from the computer. "I feel we should follow him,"
"Don't you think he'd be mad? What if he doesn't trust us anymore?"
"He'll have to understand. Come on, before we lose him."
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Gibson and Otto snuck out of the robot as quietly as they could. They could see Chiro's shrinking figure in the distance. He had transformed into Hyper Mode, lucky for the monkeys it made him easy to pick out in the dark along with the help of the reflecting light of Ranger Seven. The monkey's stayed on foot for it was likely that Chiro would be able to pick up the hum of their jetpacks.
"Where do you suppose he's going?" Otto whispered as they followed Chiro down another street.
"I believe he is attempting to discover the identity of the stranger," Gibson whispered. "Now, silence."
They watched Chiro stop in front of a building. He looked around it for about ten minutes, shrugged, and started back the way he came. Otto pulled Gibson into a dark alley so Chiro wouldn't see them. After he passed, they slowly came out and watched his retreating back. The two shared a glance and then went over to where Chiro had been inspecting the building.
"Doesn't look like much," Otto murmured, taking a peek in the windows.
Gibson stared hard inside the doorway, trying to make out something inside, but was unsuccessful.
"Well, apparently the stranger is nowhere to be seen,"
"Huh, what are you two doing out here so late?"
Both monkeys screeched as a hand was laid on each of their shoulders. They quickly ducked out of the unsettled grip, spinning around with weapons ready.
"Hey now little guys, sorry I scared you," the elder man put his hands up in a placating gesture.
"I seem to remember him from the first Formless attack," Gibson murmured.
"Yeah, he does look a little familiar," Otto agreed.
The man looked confused, since all he heard the monkeys exchange were chatters. But he smiled and went towards the door.
"See, this was my place a while ago, but the flood made me evacuate," he said, unlocking the door and turning on the light. "If you two want, you can come inside."
The monkeys just stared.
"Huh, I wonder if you two can even understand me,"
Otto and Gibson exchanged another look before going inside.
"Ah, maybe you can understand me. I'm Mr. Gakslapper, I invented the Hoverburger," the man introduced himself. "Your boy, Chiro, he really saved my life that day along with some of my fellow shop-owners. We were all forced to relocate when the flood hit. Business was good, so we never thought of coming back."
Inside, they monkeys could see it was a small café. Everything was covered in dust, a darkened menu hung above the food counter. Mr. Gakslapper sat on a stool and invited the monkeys to do the same.
"Well, I suppose I better explain why I'm here. I kinda followed where that big robot thing of yours flew off to and ended up here. I never would have guessed you guys were all holed up in this end of town. Then again, I always thought that big thing in the park was a statue. Chiro really saved my life that day, and to thank him, I thought maybe by moving into the neighborhood I could keep an eye out for anyone looking for him or you monkeys. It's the only way I can think to repay all of you."
Otto and Gibson had been listening very carefully. They weren't sure what to say or do considering that Mr. Gakslapper couldn't understand them.
"What are we gonna do?" Otto asked.
"For now, we leave this alone and consult Antauri. I think we should keep from saying anything to Chiro, I don't want him to discover that we had been following him." Gibson said. "Now, let's get out of here."
Both monkeys hopped off the stools without a sound. Gibson smiled up at the man and pat him on the knee before turning and leaving. Otto gave him a silly, lop-sided grin and a thumbs-up. Mr. Gakslapper smiled back and waved goodbye.
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Otto and Gibson returned to the robot as quietly as they could. After confirming that Chiro was back and in bed, they immediately went to Antauri's room. They went inside and explained what they had found. Antauri stayed in quiet thoughtfulness when the explanation was done.
"So, what now?" Otto asked, repeating the question he had asked Gibson not twenty minutes before.
"I am uncertain. I do not wish anything to befall this man as a result of us or Chiro's presence here; however, I suppose it is something that we'll have to leave alone for now. Please do not mention anything to Chiro as of yet, let us see how all this plays out."
Gibson and Otto nodded in agreement.
"Have you told him about the whole Chosen One thing yet?" Otto asked after a few moments of silence.
Antauri glared at him slightly. Gibson sighed and tapped the side of his head.
"Bedtime, Otto," Gibson said, dragging Otto out of the room. "Antauri, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with us so late at night,"
"You're welcome Gibson. Goodnight."
Out in the hallway, Gibson finally let Otto go. "Honestly, Otto,"
"What?" Otto said, rubbing the side of his head. "I was just curious,"
"Curiosity killed the chimp, you know,"
"Good thing we're monkeys then!"
Gibson sighed, going into his room "Goodnight, Otto,"
Since Gibson had forgotten to close his door, Otto followed him inside. Gibson went to his desk and picked up a cylindrical object that glowed with a soft light. When Gibson turned around, he screeched, startled.
"Otto!" Gibson exclaimed, trying to hide the object behind his back.
"Oooh, what is that?" Otto asked.
"What?"
"That thing, it's pretty and shiny!"
Gibson grumbled, accepting the fact that he couldn't hide it from Otto anymore.
"Okay, okay, it's like a security blanket," Gibson muttered. "Its light is soothing to me, it helps me sleep,"
Otto smiled. "Hey, that's cool,"
"Affirmative. Tell anyone and I will cause extreme trauma to your lower posterior abdominal structure."
"No problem, your secret is safe with me!" Otto grinned and started to walk out, but then stopped at the door to give Gibson an odd look. "You did just say that if I tell anyone, you'll kick my butt, right?"
"In a matter of speaking,"
"Oh, gotcha, okay, no problem."
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The next morning, everything proceeded normally. Everyone woke up, ate breakfast, discussed their plans for the day, then the alarms sounded.
"Well, I guess we know what we're doing for morning training," Nova muttered.
They all rushed to the control room. Gibson and Otto were the first to the controls and started scanning for the disturbance.
"Looks like we have another Formless infestation," Antauri said, looking over his companion's shoulders.
"Time to play exterminator," Sprx said with a grin. "What's the call, kid?"
"Let's do it, team. Monkeys, Mobilize!"
They took their respective ways to their posts, once they were strapped in, Chiro asked for a status report.
"The Formless have targeted another part of the city, it seems to be a more rural area filled with living quarters," Gibson said, bringing up the statistics.
"All right, let's get moving towards it, Gibson, you keep scanning it for more statistics," Chiro ordered.
"Roger."
When they got there, they could see Formless oozing their black slime over anything in reach. This time, their effects seemed to be less devastating. That is, if you really didn't mind getting goopy black sludge on your shoes.
"Gross, where's the clean-up crew when you need them?" Nova asked.
"What do you think we're for, sweatheart?" Sprx asked.
Nova ground her teeth. "Call me that again and you'll need a cleanup crew,"
"Come on you two, knock it off," Chiro said with a sigh. "What are we going to do about this?"
"Personally, I'd like to get their attention. Firing missile one!" Sprx said.
"Wait, Sprx!" Antauri called out too late.
The missile hit the center of a black puddle where a group of Formless were standing. The missile caused an electrical wave to shock the puddle and anything it touched. The Formless sank to their knees, but that was all.
"Huh, wonder why that didn't do anything," Otto asked.
"I'm having quite a horrid precognitive thought," Gibson said.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Chiro murmured, watching the Formless very carefully.
"That's precisely what I said!" Gibson grumbled.
A high-pitched screech sounded from the Formless. The monkeys and Chiro grabbed their ears in an effort to shut out the horrible sound.
"What are they doing?" Nova demanded when the screeching subsided.
"Stay alert, team," Antauri said. "It seems they are merging together,"
Gibson watched the screens carefully. Antauri was right, the Formless were gathering, as if something in the puddle that was zapped had a magnetic pull. This theory was entirely possible, but Gibson figured it was best not to point a finger at Sprx.
"Talk to me, Gibson, what's going on down there?" Chiro asked.
"It seems to Formless are pulling themselves together to make a super-Formless with a substantial amount of power. This could be very bad news, Chiro,"
"Tell me about it," Chiro said, watching the creature before them grow.
"Uhm, guys, what are we waiting for? I think we ought to blast it before it finishes, don't you?" Nova asked, her voice shaking slightly.
"Bad idea, Nova, I can't get a clear reading and a random attack could cause more trouble," Otto said.
"Otto's correct," Gibson confirmed.
There was another loud screech as the new monster finished its form. It seemed to take on the appearance of the robot, but rounder and with long claws and large, red eyes that glowed with evil.
"That does not look very friendly," Sprx said. "And our plan is?"
"Let's take it down. Hyper Force, go!" Chiro ordered.
The battle was on.
The Formless Monster charged, the Super Robot met it head on and fists were locked, each tried to overpower the other.
"We're losing our grip!" Otto reported.
"So will he." Nova said. She made the Foot Crusher kick the monster in the shin.
The monster screeched again, causing the Super Robot to back off as its pilots gripped their ears again.
"I swear I'm going to rip that thing's voice box out so it can't do that. Firing Fist Rockets!" Sprx cried, slamming a fist onto a button.
Three rockets blasted from one of the robots hands and found their mark in the middle of the monster's abdomen. It only made the screeching worse, but it was a good hit for now the creature was doubled over in pain.
"My head's going to explode!" Chiro said, now grinding the heels of his palms into his ears. "Antauri, do something!"
Before Antauri or any of the others could comply or respond, the monster suddenly stood up straight again and revealed the hole in its abdomen. This didn't seem to phase it much. It raised its arms in the air and arched its back as lumps began to grow from its shoulders.
"What the heck is it doing?" Sprx demanded.
"It appears to be growing wings," Antauri said.
The monster proved Antauri to be right as a pair of bony wings covered in black ooze popped out of the monster and it wasted no time taking to the sky.
"Everyone to the command center, now!" Antauri ordered.
Everyone complied and met in the control room.
"What do we do now?" Chiro asked. "Where did it go?"
"It seems to be taking a course into outer space. We must stop it before it gets too far away," Antauri said.
"Hey, it's on the run, why worry about it at all?" Chiro asked.
"We are unaware of that thing's true capabilities, Chiro," Gibson reminded him. "Not only can it possibly launch a massive attack on Shuggazoom, but also go back to its place of origin, where its master can bestow more power."
"Maybe we should let it, then. If it goes to Skeleton King, then we can find him and destroy him. Sounds like a done deal to me," Chiro said.
"Either way, we're heading into space. Everyone prepare for lift-off," Antauri said.
Everyone found their seats and strapped themselves in. Otto noticed that Chiro's hands were shaking a little as he buckled his belt.
"You okay?" Otto asked.
"Uhm, yeah, sure, no problem," Chiro said. "Uh, we never covered space travel, did we?"
"Huh, no, we didn't. It's no big deal, just like flying a plane. Well, a really, really big plane that takes off at thousands of miles an hour in a matter of seconds. It's so cool!"
"Otto? I have a confession to make," Chiro said as the robot began shaking in its preparation for take-off.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I've never traveled to space before."
"Uh oh,"
"Lift off in twenty seconds," Gibson reported.
"Wait! Chiro's never flown before!" Otto cried out.
"Too late, I'm sorry Chiro but you'll have to adapt," Antauri said grimly.
"Counting down…..Ten…..Nine," Gibson began.
"What's going to happen?" Chiro asked, feeling his breath becoming short.
"Eight…..Seven,"
"We'll speed into space, you'll be thrown back in your seat," Otto explained.
"Six…..Five,"
"And since you're not used to it yet, you'll more than likely pass out." Sprx added.
"Four…..Three,"
"Wonderful."
"Two…..One…..Taking off!"
The robot's shaking became more violent. The thrusters fired and the robot started lifting of into the sky. Nearby civilians watched the robot taking off, covering their eyes from the glaring sun or the rocket's glare. One elder gentleman in particular was smiling.
"And there you go, young Chiro, off again to save us all," Mr. Gakslapper murmured to no one. "And to think the police want to take you away from us. Don't worry, we won't let that happen. Not after all you've done for us so far."
Back in the robot, Chiro's fingers were white from gripping the seat. He felt himself being pressed backwards; pressure was building inside his head and over his body as the force of gravity showed its power. His eyes were squeezed shut, and it was all he could do from screaming in a mix of terror and the growing pain in his head.
Antauri felt Chiro's discomfort and pain and immediately felt sorry for the boy. He also chastised himself for not covering this topic early in his training. The black monkey shut his eyes and sought out Chiro's mind with his own.
"Stay relaxed, Chiro, allow things to happen as they may and it may be less painful for you. If you lose consciousness, know we will be here when you're ready to awaken."
Chiro felt a moment of panic when he heard Antauri's voice in his head. The words gave him a sense of comfort, but he couldn't allow himself to give in so easily.
"I'm not giving in," Chiro muttered, but the words still reached Antauri.
Antauri sighed. "Choosing your battles is just as important as your will to continue. Letting go of the correct battles saves you energy and work out better in the end."
Chiro relaxed a little, but something inside of him wanted to fight on. After a few moments, Chiro lost the battle he held with himself. His eyes rolled back, then slowly closed as the concussion finally took hold.
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Author's Notes
I might have gone a little nuts with the huge vocabulary Gibson tends to use. So, now my theory on what that thing is that Gibson is seen sleeping with is now revealed.
Reviewers Reply
SouthernAngel: Glad you enjoyed the Chiro/Antauri walk!
jozs0001: Going as quick as I can!
4Evermonkeyfan: (giggles at Sprx) very cute.
Crystal Persian: Yeah, I thought the hug was appropriate. Thanks for reading!
Ducket45: Heh, that's ok, glad you're still reading, good luck with your story!
Xiaolin Monkey: Hoping to add in more comical antics by our pink companion (reminds self to put Sprx rant in LJ..because he's pink). Glad you liked!
Giggle Gal: Ok, ok, if it bothers you that much, I won't say it to you. And summer ending for me means a couple of weeks of fewer kids in class while they adjust to the public/private school schedules. Muahaha.
KozueNoSaru: Ah, long reviews are fine! Thanks for sticking with me and reading, and I have found the site and looked for your fics, so far I think I could only read one, you got some style!
Supernova077: Awww (blushes) you're so sweet, thank you so much!
Hayley Cometra: Wow, you guys make me blush anymore and I'll be redder than Sprx…despite the fact that I still think he's pink…anyways, thank you so much!
PS: Read your story about Hayley, didn't finish it yet, but in case I haven't said it before, liked it a lot and will read the rest when I can!
Again, everyone, thank you so much for reading and the wonderfully touching reviews, it really helps keep me going, honestly. Catch you all in Chapter Fifteen!