Chapter 9: Revelations

Hey everybody. Tardispilot297 here to dish out the next chapter. Before we begin however I'd just like to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who's taken the time to read this story so far.. And a special thank you to all who've followed/marked as favorite this story.

It means a lot guys. Also I will do my best to reply to everyone's comments when I get the chance. Anyway without further ado let's get to it.

(Henry's shop)

News of the fight at the school had already spread across the city. Reports of violent bots were flooding almost every news channel. On a small TV on the counter of his shop Henry watched the news broadcast with great interest.

Since the re-emergence of the Rubber Robo Gang was made public Henry has been keeping track of everything that's happened. He was even tempted to try and investigate some of the incidents himself. Course that would mean donning his old costume again after so long.

For the longest time Henry has been keeping his secret of being the Phantom Renegade from getting out, even from Ikki and his friends. And after the medabot tournament crisis he hasn't had a reason to be the Phantom Renegade anymore. Since then he's led a quiet, peaceful life running his small shop. Even though people hardly come in to buy anything he still likes working there.

Especially when Ikki, Metabee and their friends would walk in and say hi and to hang out in the shop. It felt like only yesterday he sold Metabee to Ikki, especially the day after he stole/lost Metabee's rare medal in the canal. Imagine his surprise when Ikki turned up with it.

His train of thought was broken when he heard people walk into the shop. He looked over to see it was Ikki and all his friends. He was at first surprised to see them all together outside of school. Usually Samantha and the other two Screw kids would hangout on their own but that didn't seem to be the case today.

Ikki walked up to the counter. "Hey Henry long time no see." Henry smiled at his old friend. "Hey Ikki, Metabee, Erika, Brass how have you all been?" "Not too bad. We'd like you to meet some friends of ours." Ikki gestured to Zuru and Ginkai. "This is Zuru and Ginkai along with their medabots Gorem-2 and Arc-Dash." Henry looked over at them. "Hi there." Zuru and Gorem-2 greeted him while Ginkai tried to act cool, not saying anything until Arc-Dash nudged him with his arm.

Erika walked up to the counter next. "Listen Henry is it ok if we hang out in the corner of your shop for a bit?" "Sure Erika, it's no trouble at all. By the way I heard about what happened at the school today. You guys all ok?" Arc-Dash stepped forward. "Well a few of us feel a little dented but all and all we're ok." Henry looked over Arc-Dash and Totalizer who both looked a little worse for wear.

He stepped over from behind the counter and walked over. "Why don't you let me take a look at the damage. I may not be a mechanic but I know a thing or two about fixing up bots." Karin spoke up. "Why thank you Mr. Henry. That's very kind of you." "Come on Karin, we've known each other long enough that you don't have to refer to me as Mr." He let out a light chuckle. Henry looked over the damage on Arc-Dash and Totalizer.

As Henry examined the two bots everyone walked toward the corner of the shop. Just as Zuru was about to speak up he was lightly shoved by Sloan. "Ok Zuru now start talking. What's all this about?" Samantha pulled him back. "Knock it off Sloan." "But boss it's because of him that Totalizer is in bad shape." Spike chimed in. "Yeah he knows something about what happened today." Ginkai stepped up to them in front of Zuru. "I don't blame you for being angry Sloan but if you expect to take it out on Zuru you're gonna have to go through me first." Sloan and Spike immediately backed off and calmed down.

Ginkai then turned to face Zuru. "Now then start talking Zuru." Zuru straightened his glasses and cleared his throat. He faced the group. "As all of you are aware The Rubber Robo Gang made off with the capsules containing five ancient medabots in cryo stasis. Not long after they attacked the stock exchange with those same medabots." Koji spoke up. "How do you know that?" "Because I was there." The entire group stood in shock.

Zuru reached into his bag and took out the computer. "By the time me and my partners Roks and Tyrel-beetle got there they were already on the move." Erika spoke up. "I thought you said you were done being the mystery medafighter?" "I know but after the factory theft it was necessary. Now as we were giving chase someone else attacked them on the highway."

Metabee spoke up. "You mean Rokusho right?" Zuru turned to him surprised. "Yes. How did you know?" Metabee shrugged. "Lucky guess." Zuru continued. "Anyway while Rokusho was fighting two of the bots he managed to separate a bag containing this computer from one of them." Gorem-2 spoke up next. "Then me and Roks went to back up Rokusho while Zuru went for the bag." Karin spoke up next with concern in her voice. "Zuru that was dangerous. You could've gotten hurt."

"I appreciate your concern but it was a necessary risk. When I got close to the bag it started beeping. Afterwards the two bots retreated and I pulled the computer from the bag. When I looked at it the screen read 'Download Complete'." Erika put on her reporter's face. "And what did you find on the computer?" Zuru opened up the computer and presented it to everyone.

They looked to see the computer displaying a blank screen. "Unfortunately when I took it home to examine it everything had been wiped. It's like whatever program they used was designed to erase itself once it was finished." Ikki spoke up. "Man talk about sneaky."

Everyone looked at each other with concern. Karin however examined the computer and started typing on it. Koji looked over at her. "Hey Karin what are you doing?" Before long the screen lit up with the blank screen being filled up with files.

Everyone stood there astonished. Ikki turned to Karin. "How did you do that?" "[Giggle] Oh it's just something my uncle taught me about computers." Zuru turned it around and went over the files.

He soon found exactly what he was looking for. Files detailing company sales and business transactions. "Look I think I found something." Everyone crowded him to see the screen. Spike and Sloan looked confused. "What's with all the lines and numbers?" "Yeah what is this some kinda computer game?" Erika turned to them. "No you guys these are transaction records. The stock exchange uses these to keep track of how much money companies make."

Samantha scratched her head in confusion. "Why would the Rubber Robo Gang want something like that?" Brass spoke up. "I'm not so sure it's them who wanted them." Everyone turned to her. "I mean think about everything that's happened. The Rubber Robo Gang steals the capsules. Then they hit the stock exchange. Followed by the attacks at the festival and the school." Krosserdog spoke up. "What are you getting at Brass?" "I'm saying what if it's the medabots from the capsules that have been ordering these attacks?"

Sumiladon spoke up next. "She's right I mean you heard what that spider bot said. He was sent there by someone." Neutranurse walked up. "And Rokusho told us that four of those bots only take orders from one mech." Ginkai spoke up. "In that case I say we find the head bot and take him down." Zuru put a hand on his shoulder.

Ginkai turned to him confused. "Let's not act rashly here Ginkai. We need a plan." Ginkai shrugged him off. "What we need is to make him pay for what he did to our friends." Ikki stepped up between them. "Hey calm down guys. Standing around arguing isn't gonna get us anywhere." Everyone turned when they heard Metabee start walking out of the shop.

Ikki called out to him. "Hey Metabee where are you going?" "You guys can make whatever plans you want. All I want is answers. And I know just the mech to ask." With that Metabee ran out of the shop.

While the group was looking at each other with confusion and worry Henry, who was listening in on the whole conversation, went over to the back room and grabbed a phone. He dialed a number and waited for an answer. "Hey doc it's me. Yeah I know it's been awhile. Listen there's been a new development." Henry leaned down and pulled out a trunk. He opened it to reveal a black outfit with a white mask. "I think it might be time for me to get back out there."

Will Metabee get the answers he seeks? What course of action will the group take in this ongoing crisis? Do you think Henry will still be able to fit in the costume?

Find out all these answers and more in the next chapter: New Dog, Old tricks. Till then as always this is Tardispilot297 saying ALLONSY!