The Secret of Solex
Chapter 7
Sitting on his bed, looking at the rising sun outside, Connor cradled the cubic piece. Sometime during the night he had fallen asleep, but the fear of letting go of the part woke him up only a few hours later. He could not let it get away, for as long as he had it Cubix would have to come back for it…
As long as he had it, he could still save Cubix.
"Finished," Dr. K said with a smug, stepping back and looking over his newly decorated pet. "Now you truly belong to me."
Cubix looked down at his new, onyx paint job and the large, red "K" on his chest panel. The dark colors clashed with his timid and gentle psyche, leaving him disorientated.
"Now lets go to the Botties Pit. We need to get your arm back and get rid of those meddlesome kids!" the old man said with a cackle. Cubix looked down at his left arm, the forearm piece was missing. He did want to get that part back…but deep down the thought of hurting the children sent a bolt of unexplainable terror through him. Such disregard for life was not within the boundaries of his character…
But at least… he wasn't alone.
Now you truly belong to me.
Yet…was this really better than solitude?
Anything is better than solitude.
In the Botties Pit, Mong was kneeling down next to Maximix. Hela and her father were out picking up supplies at a nearby store. The boy was inserting a new chip into his companion's battle computer, hoping that it will allow him to better channel his energy.
They were going to need all of the extra power they could get to fight against Cubix.
"Hey, Mong…?" Connor's voice broke the heavyset child from his thoughts.
Mong looked over his shoulder at his friend, "Huh?"
"Thank you…for your help with Cubix," Connor said sheepishly. In his arms the boy clung onto the object that guaranteed his partner's return.
"No problem, I know how you feel. I would be devastated if it was Maximix. Don't worry though, we'll get Cubix back! I promise!" Mong said cheerfully, flashing his pal a thumbs up.
Suddenly, tremors rocked the Botties Pit. Connor staggered but managed to keep his balance. Tucking the piece under one arm, the boy ran to the window and looked outside. The sight both sent a wave of relief as well as a chill of apprehension through him. "It's Cubix!"
The robot was now painted black, and a "K" was plastered on his chest to show his master's ownership. The obvious marks of Dr. K's mistreatment brought tears of anger through the child.
"Connor!" Mong cried. "Call Abby and Chip! Maximix and I will try to stall him. Make sure that he doesn't get that piece back!"
The boy looked over at his friend hesitantly, then nodded and ran to the back of the building. Cubix stood just outside of the window and, noticing Connor's departure, ran towards the door.
"Lets go, Maximix!" Mong said, determination setting his features.
"Yah!" Maximix cheered. The robot rolled out of the door, almost colliding into his antagonist.
Cubix grabbed onto his enemy with a desperate ferocity. He was well aware that Dr. K stood only several feet away with Kolossal and Kilobot. The old man's words, as well as the haunting echoes of his own thoughts sent chills through him.
You will not be so easily forgiven a second time…
If you fail again…
Cubix shook his head, not wanting to think about the severe consequences…
He had to win.
His optics glowed brightly as his anxiety compelled his systems to tap into his dormant powers. Lifting Maximix into the air, cracking can be heard as the larger robot tried to, literally, break the smaller in half.
"NO!" Mong cried, running forward. "Maximix!!"
The azure mechanoid growled in pain and struggled to break free. But it was to no avail. Once Cubix taps into the power of solex, not even the battle chip upgrade could balance the competition…
"Is Abby there? It's Connor, I have to speak with her, now! Please!" Connor cried into the phone when his friend's mother answered.
There was a short pause. "Hello?"
"Abby!"
"What's wrong?!" the girl asked. By the tone of her friend's voice, it definitely wasn't something good.
"Cubix is here!" Connor almost yelled, his voice bordering on hysteria. Suddenly, Mong's cries cut through the air. The boy looked out the door to see Cubix in the main entrance, holding Maximix over his head. "Cubix! No! Abby, you've got to call Chip! Cubix!!"
"Connor, what's going on?" Abby's cry fell on deaf ears, as Connor had dropped the phone and ran into the main room.
"Cubix! Stop this! Put Maximix down!" The boy demanded, his voice shaking with apprehension.
The robot looked at him, his body in battle mode and his visor crimson. Without a verbal reply, Cubix hurled Maximix at him. Connor barely managed to dodge the assault. The broken robot skidded on the floor and slammed heavily into the wall. Sparks shot out of the numerous cracks. Mong ran over to his damaged companion.
"Are you ok buddy?!" He cried, giving the injured robot a gentle shake.
"Y…yah…I think…I'm gonna feel that in the morning…" Maximix mumbled weakly. Mong smiled tearfully, relieved.
"Cubix…" Connor said gently, slowing approaching the onyx robot. Under his arm he still held the piece…
The piece Cubix needed.
Connor could feel the magnetic pull of the forearm part to its owner and clung onto it with both hands. "Cubix, this has got to stop. This isn't you!! I know you, and this is not who you are!"
Still kneeling next to his injured friend, Mong could think of nothing better to do than watch the unfolding scene.
Cubix stepped forward threateningly, but the child refused to back down.
"Through what means does he control you, Cubix…?" Connor asked softly.
The robot stalled. The tone of the boy's voice lacked any anger or fear…instead it sounded…warm…
Destroy the child!!
Cubix shook his head as the voice virtually screamed at him. Seeing the abrupt and unexplainable movement, Connor stepped forward.
"Cubix…? What is it?" the child asked. He stepped forward.
You dare to question your master's orders?!
Do you want him to abandon you? Like everyone else has?
Suddenly, within the boy's arms he could feel the piece tremble. Connor looked down at the piece, then up back to its owner.
Do you want to go back to the isolation chamber?!
"NO!" Cubix suddenly cried. The tormented, unfamiliar sound in his former companion's voice both startled and further confused Connor.
"What's happening?!" the boy cried, his voice tight with concern. "Cubix! You've got to break away from Dr. K! Look what he's doing! You deserve better than this! Please, come with me. You can fight his influence, I know you can! You're my friend and I believe in you!"
You're my…friend…
Destroy the child!
"No matter what Dr. K makes you do… you'll always be my friend and you'll always be welcomed back! There's nothing…" Connor's voice choked. He quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. "N-nothing he can do to s-separate us…!"
Cubix, we belong together… you and me, Cubix, together…
Within the faint whispers of his memory, Cubix could remember… a time of laughter, fun, friendship…the boy…Connor…was his friend…Connor cared about him…
But it felt so long ago…like an eternity away…a time that no longer existed…
No one cares about you. No one but Dr. K.
And you are throwing it away!
"Cubix, please…" the boy whimpered, gently touching the robot's chest panel. "Come home…"
Within the boy's words laid a promise…a promise of the companionship that he had always yearned for…
Empty promises…
Studying the android's visor, Connor could see the anxiety and indecision that plagued him. "Whatever you do, I'll always be here for you…"
His promises are empty! If you go with him, he will abandon you!
You will forever remain alone!
The voice that haunted him was strong…
But the gentle young voice of his companion was stronger…
Suddenly, Cubix fell onto his knees with a loud clank and threw his arms around the boy. Letting out a sob of relief, Connor let go of the piece and returned the hug. The forearm piece floated back to its owner and attached itself on his left elbow joint.
You are a fool, Cubix!! A fool!!!
No one will ever care about you!!
Forever you will be condemned to solitude!
Connor could faintly hear a voice…the boy looked in the direction of the hostile tone and noticed a tiny chip on the side of the robot's head. Gently he reached over and detached it.
Cubix wasn't paying attention, his thoughts preoccupied by the haunting voice…when suddenly he heard a click and the voice was gone. The abrupt end of the tormenting voice and the silence that remained confused the android. Pulling back, he looked at his friend, who was holding a small chip in his hand.
The voice could still be heard emitting from the small metallic piece, but it was so soft it was inaudible. Connor looked up at his companion, "Was this how he controlled you…?"
The robot simply stared at the chip, realizing for the first time that the voice was not indeed his own, but some twisted joke of that horrible scientist. His choice had indeed been the right one. He suddenly lunged forward and embraced the boy again.
Mong smiled, having watched the entire exchange. Maximix leaned back against the wall silently.
"You dare to betray me, Cubix?!" Dr. K cried, revealing himself from behind a tree. Cubix started, jumping onto his feet and looking fearfully at his former master. The two other robots too revealed their collective presence, Kilobot teleporting by the old man's side with Kolossal.
"Yes he does!" Abby yelled, arriving to the scene on her scooter with Dondon and Dr. Nemo riding behind her. Alongside her rode Chip in his scooter with Cerebrix and Hela. A large group of security robots made their way to the area as well, brandishing their weapons.
Kilobot stepped forward, "Allow me to handle them!"
"No!" Dr. K said, a bit intimidated by the sheer number of security robots. This wasn't how his plan was supposed to unfold. "Lets retreat for now. But this isn't the last you've seen of us!"
With that said, the mad scientist jumped onto Kolossal's shoulder and Kilobot teleported them all out. Dr. Nemo quietly watched them go. With the newer creation's teleportation abilities, it would be impossible to follow them. Looking over at Cubix, the old man was internally glad that Dr. K did retreat, because they currently had more important matters to concern themselves with…
The rest of the day had passed surprisingly fast. Pointing out that the color scheme on Cubix's body was drastically different than that of his previously missing forearm, Connor gave his friend the choice of what scheme he wanted to stay with. To everyone's internal relief, Cubix had immediately picked his previous paint job. The children immediately painted him the appropriate colors and changed the "K" icon on his chest back to a "C."
During this period of time, Cubix's memories began to ebb back to him. The sights, the sounds…everything reminded him of something. Everything felt so familiar…so right….
Finally, he felt like he was home.
When the sun began to set, the children each returned to their respective houses for the night. Connor was initially worried as he and his companion stepped into the house about what his father would have to say. To both of their relief, he was surprisingly warm to the robot. It was times like this when the boy would wonder if his parent knew more than he ever let onto.
After brushing his teeth and changing into his nightclothes, Connor climbed into bed. Cubix settled himself by the door, leaning back against the wall. Although that was where he normally shut down, the robot appeared disturbed.
"Cubix…?" Connor said softly. The robot looked over at him.
What was it the voice had said? No one will ever care about you. You will forever be condemned to solitude.
After much thought, the boy had finally understood how exactly Dr. K had controlled him. Cubix was plagued with a horrible fear of being alone. Although the voice that haunted him had finally been silenced, the aftereffects were still there. His deepest weakness had been revealed and exploited, and that was going to take time to heal.
With a gentle smile, Connor shifted back. He patted the empty space before him. "Do you want to sleep with me?"
Although there was no verbal answer, the robot looked visibly relieved. Immediately he pushed himself onto his feet and climbed into the bed with him. Afterwards he leaned back against the headboard. Connor laid his head on his companion's lap and wrapped his arms around his waist.
As Cubix looked down at his friend, one last memory washing over him.
"Connor…?" the robot asked. It was midnight and Connor was lying in his bed, half asleep. Cubix looked over at him from his place by the door.
"Hm…?" Connor sleepily looked over at him.
"What is 'love'?" he asked. The boy was a bit surprised by the question.
"Well…it's kind of hard to explain…" Connor yawned and scratched his head. "It's something you feel when…uh…when you care about someone a lot…and being with them makes you happy."
"How do you know when you love someone?" Cubix asked innocently.
The boy laid silently in thought, "Well…uh…it's a surge of emotion…when you feel it…you just 'know'. Does that make any sense?"
Cubix stared at him blankly. "I think so…"
Ever since his return, Cubix hadn't spoken. After such a traumatic event, Connor hadn't expected him to. Although he had very much enjoyed being able to talk to, and receive feedback from his friend, the boy vowed not to push him. Instead, he was going to help Cubix regain the confidence that had been so savagely taken from him, and hope that along with it his speech would return.
"Connor…?" a small voice broke the child from his train of thought. After realizing that it was the robot that had spoken, the boy felt a surge of joy. Somehow, after everything he had been through, Cubix found it within him to speak.
Connor looked up at his friend with a tender smile. "Yeah, Cubix?"
"I love you," Cubix said softly. The words made the boy's heart leap.
Tightening his hug around the robot's waist, Connor laid his head back down on his companion's lap. "I love you too."
The End
Author's Notes: This last chapter was a little difficult to write, just because of all of the emotions involved. So here I sit, half asleep and way past my bedtime, polishing up the rough edges. Thank you for taking the time to read my story! I hope that it was a worthwhile venture and gave the poor robot some due credit.