A/N: Hey everyone thanks for waiting! Now before you all start reading, please note that after thinking about it… I am going to tweak Mandarin's character a little. I realized I have been making him a bit too much of a jerk even though he always seemed to have a mean streak to him.

But starting in this chapter, I'm going to start showing Mandarin's 'better' side. Then I'll give my own interpretation on how he went bad.

So enough small talk, on with chapter 7!


Chapter 7

Future Leader Meets Former

Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump.

He could hear his heart beginning to beat. It was a foreign sound at first, but it granted him peace from the endless realm of silence. He didn't know how long he had been out or even where he was, but Chiro knew he was in someplace he was not before. His limbs felt too light, feet not touching the ground, gravity not bearing its usual strain on him.

When he tried to wiggle his hands something cold and tight entrapped them. He didn't know what, but the more he moved his head, the more his senses came back online. For the first time he could literally hear the circuits running his partially cybernetic brain. All sorts of weird codes and numbers flashed before his optics. He never studied computer language… but he guessed this met his systems were offline. At least not until now.

A faint blue glow powered in his mind, lighting up his darkened world. The metal pump that surrounded the coils of his weak organic heart started to hum. Like everything was sluggishly coming back online the more his organic side started to wake.

Suddenly painful shocks berated his nerves. He jolted, the metal circles binding his wrist immobilized him. When he didn't respond, another stinging shock swept over his body.

Now his nerves flared as the numbness started to disappear. He could now make out the feeling of water soaking his body to the metallic bone. Something hard and plastic strapped over his snout sent bursts of fresh air down his throat. His lungs strained under the forceful feeling as he started to squirm in a pitiful struggle.

Outside of his medical tank, Gibson stood at its base with Mandarin behind. The strong leader stood with hands behind his back. His red pupiled eyes staring at the reflective black monkey. He quirked his brow as he looked to the scientist, "Status?"

"He's been out all night… these small electric shocks should jump start his brain's consul." Gibson relayed in his British accented voice, keeping his back to the orange spectator. "I hate having to wake him up manually in this way… it feels so abusive, but I'm afraid if he is to deep in a coma that the only way to activate him is a jump start."

The other monkeys stood behind Mandarin, closer to the door. Antauri watched intently with a well-trained optic. Observing every move the new robotic monkey made. Seeing the blue eyed simian squirm under the shocks wracked his own circuits with guilt… but he knew he had no say so in the process of awakening him. Despite the fact Antauri had pushed for the latter, which was letting the monkey wake up on his own pace… but Mandarin deemed he needed to be woken now.

After a few more jolts, Chiro had finally awoken. His white pupils snapped open as his hands raced up and grabbed his neck. He kicked the glass when he realized he was in water. His heart monitor sped up as he started turning his body in every angle, trying to find an escape.

Nodding to Gibson, Mandarin reached up and hit a small red button. Resulting in the tank draining the water it inhabited. Once the green liquids were gone, the medical cables and oxygen mask snapped out of place. The door opened and all watched as the white faced simian went flopping onto the floor.

He coughed violently as he clawed at his neck. He shivered as he sat in the puddle at the base of the tank. Looking up, Chiro shot back in fright. But to his surprise, the black cuffs firmly attached to his arms jerked him back into place. Seeing as how he was trapped, Chiro looked up, staring at the colorful balls of fur watching him.

The monkeys stared with wide eyes, still unable to figure out what to do next. Mandarin started by raising his hand in a small comforting gesture. "Please don't be afraid… the chains on your arms are just for everyone's safety… we're not here to harm you."

Hearing the familiar Asian sounding voice snapped Chiro's gaze to rest on the orange simian's face. There his eyes retorted to anger as he had a one-sided glare down with his rival… or at least the younger version of his rival.

Noticing the look of anger, Mandarin sighed and tried a different approach. "Look we found you wounded and brought you back here… I know you're confused, but believe me we are just baffled…"

Still not saying anything, Antauri sighed and hovered down next to Mandarin. Upon seeing the lime green eyes, Chiro's defensive stance dropped. He cracked a smile in recognition to the wise monkey he called his father figure.

Sensing the new monkey was now feeling more comfortable, the wise simian smiled. "Allow us to introduce ourselves… I am Antauri, second in command of the team."

The broad gold monkey smiled, "I'm Nova."

The red monkey that carried a cocky grin waved his hand, "Name is SPRX-77, but you can call me Sprx."

The blue monkey, with hands behind his back, stood in an orderly manner. "My name is Mr. Hal Gibson, please do not call me Mister or Hal, just Gibson please."

"I go by Otto!" the green one added with a huge grin plastered all over his face.

Chiro knew all the introductions already, he was just relaying them in his mind. Then he went even quieter when the source of his anger stood up.

Mandarin took his turn as he crossed his arms and gave him a blunt smile. "My name is Mandarin, and I am the leader of the Hyperforce, nice to meet you."

Hearing the orange monkey claim his title made rage boil in his stomach; but he kept the feeling patted down. He didn't need to lose his cool now. So he pushed the rivalry aside and put up a fake kind smile.

When he still said nothing, Antauri cleared his throat. "Would you be willing to tell us your name?"

Blinking, he bit his tongue and gripped the Clock of Morrow. Tapping a metal thumb over the crystal blue casing, he sighed. "M-my name is Chiro…" he whispered out.

All their faces lit up with surprise at the sound of his voice. The tone and volume easily told the team he was a lot younger then he appeared. Apparently they were not expecting it. But they rid themselves of the shocked look before Chiro had time to notice.

Chiro looked at the chains, and then at the watch of Morrow. He shivered as the clock's hand ticked forward. A shock of weakness strangled his small frame as he shook heavily.

Noticing this, Gibson quickly grabbed a scanner and scanned the monkey. "Please you must relax… Chiro right?"

Taking in a deep breath, he pushed the clock back under his scarf to hide the relic. He looked up to them before Mandarin spoke.

"Look, help us understand here… you're a robot monkey like us, where did you come from?"

His brain was literally running in all different directions. Remembering the Alchemist's words, he realized he knew stuff they didn't. Therefor he could not tell them the truth, for it could possibly land him in the crazy house. He needed to lie and fast, but what would be believable? He thought on his toes.

"I don't know how long I have been awake, all I recall is darkness. I'm afraid I don't know where I come from," he prayed that blaming amnesia would throw them off the scent.

Antauri gave a look that Chiro recognized as his 'look of doubt'. He bit his tongue, that's all he could say. Lying was not his forte anyways. But at least the other monkeys seemed to buy this lie. They whispered to one another before Gibson piped up.

"I did find a small fracture over Chiro's helmet that could perhaps have damaged his memory. It might take a while, but I might be able to repair them."

Sighing, Mandarin nodded before turning back to the black monkey. Now his gaze sharpened into a serious stare as he approached. Looming over the knelt monkey, the leader exerted his assertiveness. "Are you friend… or foe?"

If he could, he would have thunder punched that stupid stare right off the orange monkeys' face. Chiro fought off the scowl as he kept his head bowed. To prevent enticing the leader, he answered. "I am a friend…" he spoke as earnestly as he could.

Mandarin continued to hover, his blood pupils burning into his fur. Then Antauri intervened by separating their gazes with his arm. "I believe he is telling the truth…" he gave a kind smile to the younger simian. "If he was hostile… he wouldn't have saved the citizens from that fire…"

Looking at each other, the others began to nod in agreement. Mandarin sighed as he looked at the young simian once more. "Very well," he answered. Stepping forward, he flipped a nearby switch.

The chains binding his limbs unclicked as they slithered back into the walls. Chiro grunted as his limbs felt like jelly from being suspended for so long. He balanced on his wobbly legs, momentarily showing his greater height. Mandarin ignored this surprise by placing a firm hand on the young monkey's injured side.

"Don't mistake my moment of trust for gullibility… do one thing that makes me regret this decision and I will send you away in a body bag…" he growled, warning the stranger to keep his distance. "Understood?"

Chiro kept his eyes away as he stared at his feet instead. He didn't satisfy the leader with an answer. Which made the orange monkey puff up in annoyance. But taking in a deep breath, Mandarin pushed the topic no further.

Antauri broke the ice by speaking out, "I believe now the most necessary action to take is to let Chiro take up residence with us. At least for now."

Gibson nodded, "Agreed. Letting him go without being fully medevacked is not smart, he is still hurt. He needs rest and judging by our scans he needs nutrition."

Mandarin stared at Chiro's back as the monkey refused to face him. "Fine, he can stay in the robot… but only until we decide what to do with him," he cut the monkeys a double-checking look. "So just because he is a robot monkey does not make him part of the team… got it?"

When the team nodded, Mandarin threw another look at Chiro- who was now facing him. "You're welcome here, but please do not meddle in our affairs. You are only a guest… understand?"

Chiro just simply nodded, surprised at the orange monkey's somewhat civil offer. Things were now becoming more awkward the more Mandarin showed an understanding side. He smacked his forehead, what was he thinking? Mandarin and understanding didn't even belong in the same sentence! It was like reading witchcraft or something…

At peace that his point was understood, Mandarin turned and strolled past the team. Leaving Chiro alone with his future teammates, he once again felt all eyes locked on him. He blushed nervously as he gave a shy wave.

The team just looked at each other and walked out without giving him another look.

Taken aback by that gesture, Chiro flopped back in disbelief against Gibson's main computer. Great, they only spoke to him for about ten seconds and they already walked out without giving him a second thought.

"This is going to be sooo peachy…" he whispered as he rubbed his sore side. He rubbed his head, he was so exhausted. His stomach also gave out a needy growl, begging him for food. He grunted and pushed himself to his feet.

"Well at least I'm with the team now…" he whispered to himself. He inched himself closer to the lab door and peaked out. With Mandarin around he felt very uncomfortable walking around the robot.

But now that he was in the place he needed to be, he started to panic. What did he do now? He struggled to recall the Alchemist's instructions as he paced the lab. Retailing his game plan, step one was now officially done. He can now monitor the team and keep them away from Mandarin… but what he did not anticipate was having to deal with the younger Mandarin.

He smacked his forehead. Pushing the clock of Morrow to his big eyes, he breathed a heavy sigh. "Holy Shuggazoom I am going to need a miracle…"

Pushing the relic back under his thick scarf, he slunk further back into med bay. He still felt too shy to come out. Staying out of sight in the lab made Chiro feel more reassured. He knew however he couldn't stay here forever since Gibson would be occupying it like he always did.

Down the hall, Antauri sat in his usual meditative position. He could sense the presence of his leader emerge next to him. Weariness was ever present in the spiritual advisor's heart.

"I sense you're uneasy."

Antauri opened one eye to glance at him. "So it seems."

"I don't understand, you're the one who pushed to keep him here."

"That is not what makes me uneasy."

Mandarin stared, "Then what is?"

Antauri sighed, "When he was out cold I felt normal. But hearing his voice, something feels off."

He felt a strong hand take his shoulder to comfort tense state. "Don't worry, as long as I am here this stranger will cause no harm."

"That is not what worries me."

He could feel his leader's frustrated gaze burn into the back of his helmet. Antauri's calm demeanor easily hid his hesitation; which is what frustrated the leader.

"Then what is worrying you?" he growled, "You know I hate playing these guessing games with you…"

"I can't explain it…"

Smacking his forehead, Mandarin sighed and took in a deep breath. Catching his brother in a comforting smile, he relaxed. "Look we'll just keep an eye on him till we can figure out exactly where he is from and what he is doing here."

Antauri opened both eyes, giving his leader his full attention. "And then?"

"Then…" he paused, thinking it over. "Then depending on what we find, we can send him back and continue on with our lives. Alright? So please stop worrying."

When Antauri did not answer, the orange monkey grunted. "If it makes you feel better, just avoid him. He might have saved the citizens once, but we still don't know his true intentions. So we'll keep our distance, monitor him at all times, and continue on." He paused before adding, "And do not trust him till we know for sure we can."

Sighing, he was not sure how to respond to this. "Very well Mandarin, I trust your judgement."

Nodding, the orange monkey used one arm to catch his brother in a swift hug. Smiling, he waved goodnight as he left his brother's room and retired to his own private quarters.

Leaving Antauri in silence once more.


A/N: Alright here is chapter 7! Updated this one quicker then I originally planned. But okay let's see, Chiro is making decent progress. But now he is starting to get cold feet the more he sees just how challenging things are really about to become. But not to worry he'll start socializing too! But with Mandarin and the team not trusting him, getting the jitters is the correct response ;)

So have a nice night, sleep well, and review! Stay tuned for chapter 8! We'll see how Chiro gets the ball rolling! Except not as a human! lol