CHAPTER 8: JOHNNY'S BIG STAND
Hope you all like this chapter. Not only does Johnny get to strut his stuff, he meets a special person. Enjoy!
Back on Earth, Sheldon was sitting in his chair in his room at the Wakeman residence. His arms were laced behind his head, his feet were propped up on the desk, and a relaxed smile on his face. Soft music played from his computer's sound system, threatening to lull him into an early afternoon nap. He wasn't wearing a shirt, instead preferring to enjoy the mid-autumn breeze coming in through his open window.
The sound of someone knocking on his door got his attention, as did the familiar voice coming from the other side.
"Come on in," he called, quickly pulling on a black T-shirt.
Jenny walked in, closing the door behind her. "I hope I'm not disturbing you, Sheldon," she said.
"Nah, I was just being lazy," he said, giving her a hug, which she returned. 'I never actually imagined that I'd be doing this,' he thought, relishing the sensation of holding his true love.
Jenny broke the embrace after a few seconds. "Anyway, I came to talk to you about my new humanoid schematics," she said.
"Sure, just ask me anything," said Sheldon, sitting back down.
"Well, it's kind of embarrassing to ask, but…" Jenny paused as a faint blush came across her face. "Am I, you know…fully functional?" she finally asked.
Luckily for her, Sheldon knew what she was asking, and managed to keep a straight face as he replied, "Yes, you are fully functional in that department. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I went over some of Johnny's schematics, and, well, it seems Mom designed him to be-" she made "quote marks" with her fingers-"'fully equipped.'"
"I see," said Sheldon, rubbing his chin. "Hey, speaking of Johnny, where is he?" he asked. "I haven't seen him all day."
"He left earlier this morning to go for a walk," said Jenny. "He should have come back by now, unless he lost track of time. I wonder if he's okay."
"I'm sure he's fine," said Sheldon. "I mean, what could possibly happen?"
At that moment, Johnny was walking down a quiet sidewalk in town, whistling a tune and not really paying attention to anything. Occasionally, he'd wave and say a greeting to one of the locals, and most of them returned his greeting in a friendly manner. In fact, he was so deep in his own little world, he almost didn't see the girl in the nearby crosswalk, or the car speeding out of control right towards her. Luckily, the squeal of rubber on asphalt snapped him back to reality just in time.
"Dang!" he yelled as he zoomed over and swept the girl up, carrying her out of harm's way. As the car sped past, he could barely make out the look of terror on the driver's face. Obviously, his crazy driving was the result of something scaring the piss out of him. However, he quickly directed his full attention back to the girl he had just rescued.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked her, setting her on her feet.
She appeared to be about Johnny's age (if he were human), and about four inches shorter. From her eyes, he guessed she was Japanese, and they were a light brown in color. She had long, shiny black hair that hung halfway down her back. She wore a sleeveless green-and-white shirt, white shorts and socks, and green tennis shoes. She also wore a pair of round glasses.
"Yes, I'm okay," she replied, brushing herself off. "Arigato, you saved my life."
"No problem," sounded Johnny, scratching the back of his head, a light fluttering suddenly building up in his stomach. "I'm Global Robotic Response Unit XJ-10, but you can call me Johnny." He held out a hand.
Smiling shyly, she shook it. "I am Stacey Kimiko Langley," she said. "So, you're a robot?" she asked.
"Yeah, fresh out of the factory, so to say," said Johnny. "XJ-9 is my older sister, you've probably heard of her."
"Yes, I go to the same school as she does," said Stacey, pushing her glasses up onto her face. 'I have to admit, he's pretty cute,' she thought.
Just then, the cause of the near-collision appeared. Two robots, a male wearing blue-and-red armor, and a female with green hair, a red body suit, and a killer figure, came strolling down the street, wicked smiles on their faces.
"Aww, the human got away," said Excaliber. "I guess he didn't want to play anymore."
"Don't let him get to you," said Serenade, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Humans are so unsophisticated."
"What did I say about touching," said Excaliber, glaring at Serenade's hand, which she removed.
"Hey, you two!" yelled Johnny, grabbing their attention. "Who in the heck are you?"
"We, little boy, are Serenade and Excaliber," said Serenade, "better known as Team Nocturne, proud servants of the Cluster and Queen Vexus!"
"So, these are the Cluster flunkies that Jenny told me about," thought Johnny. "Jeez, Vexus may have been dethroned, but she still doesn't know when to give up!"
"Well, your shenanigans for the day have just been cancelled, folks!" he said, glaring at them with what he believed to be a total warfare look. "I'm Johnny Wakeman, XJ-10, and you two clowns are on my list of undesirables!"
"Wait a second! Are you saying that you're…related to XJ-9?" demanded Excaliber.
"You bet your tin-plated kiester I am!" said Johnny, his eyes locked onto the Cluster agents like a hawk's.
"Well, perhaps I can pay your sister back for humiliating us," said Excaliber, activating his beam blades, "by cutting you to ribbons!"
"Stacey, take cover and stay out of sight," said Johnny, glancing back at the human girl. "I'm pretty confident, but it these two start whipping on me, I don't want you caught in the middle."
"Uh, okay then," said Stacey, running off for some nearby bushes.
"You talk awfully big for a small fry," said Excaliber, slowly approaching Johnny. "I think I need to put you in your place."
"More like I need to put you in yours," said Johnny, not even showing the slightest sign of being intimidated. "More specifically, the scrapyard where all the old Cluster has-beens are hanging out at."
Excaliber simply smirked. "I'm not going to take that from a snot-nosed brat like you. Allow me to educate you!" With that, he charged forward, his blades held behind him in attack position.
"Okay, just play it cool, Johnny," thought the young boy robot as he watched the other robot charge. "Stay focused, watch his moves, and when you have a sure opening…STRIKE!"
Just then Excaliber struck at Johnny, his blow so powerful it smashed a hole into the sidewalk where he had been standing. From where she was hiding, Stacey covered her mouth and gasped in horror, but the feeling was quickly replaced by what transpired next.
"Very, very close," said a completely unharmed Johnny as he appeared right next to Excaliber. "Unfortunately, no cigar!" With blinding speed, Johnny's foot impacted the side of Excaliber's helmeted head, sending him into the lightpost across the street.
Excaliber stood up and glared at the boy robot. "Impossible," he said. "How did you manage to dodge my attack?"
"With how slow you move, I dodged it a week ago," said Johnny, his hands in his pockets. "Plus, your blades are all short-range types, so they have totally lame reach."
"Why you sniveling little-" Excaliber shot forward and began slashing wildly at Johnny, who easily began dodging the swings for a few seconds before deploying his own beam blades. The two robots fought like caged tigers, sparks flying as their blades clashed.
Stacey could not help but watch in awe as her rescuer, Johnny, fought fearlessly against an opponent who he must have known had far more combat experience than he did. She had to admit, that was an admirable trait…and attractive.
"Stacey, get a hold of yourself, baka!" she said to herself. "He may be strong and cute, but he's a robot! What kind of chance do you think you have with him?"
However, Serenade was having completely different thoughts. "Why should Excaliber get to have all of the fun?" she thought, charging up a palm laser. "I think it's time I showed him I'm not a combat-challenged weakling like he thinks I am!
"DIE, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" she yelled as she fired the laser. It screamed right towards the two swordsmen…and seemed to slam Johnny right in the face.
"NO!" screamed Stacey as Johnny went sailing backwards.
Excaliber stared at his partner in shock and disbelief. "Serenade, what in the seven hells are you doing?" he almost screamed at her.
"Just giving you a hand, honey," she said. "I thought it was high time I made my first kill."
"Too bad this isn't that time, lady."
Serenade and Excaliber both wore expressions of shock as they saw Johnny still standing, his right blade held in front of his face in a defensive position, and wearing a glare that would have had Vexus herself crying for her mother.
Trying to fight back the sudden feeling of intimidation, Serenade only made a bigger mistake…by aiming her other palm laser at Stacey while keeping one fixed on him. "How about this little set-up?" she sneered. "You can't possibly attack me now, or I'll roast both of you!"
"Wrong, beeatch," said Johnny in a deadly voice. "You are dead wrong." As if to emphasize, he suddenly struck his left blade to the ground, sending a seismic fissure right at Serenade. Completely overcome by fright, Serenade took the attack dead-on…especially in the face. The female robot fell to the ground, overcome with pain so severe that she couldn't even move, much less cry out.
"I hope you enjoy this experience," said Johnny, his voice unchanged. "Because I sure as hell wouldn't."
He looked back at Excaliber, who was fuming over what had happened to his partner. "Hey, blame her for her stupidity in trying to involve an innocent human," he said. "Don't worry, you'll be joining her momentarily."
"Not if I crush you first, you little bastard!" roared Excaliber as he charged…right at Stacey!
"STACEY!" yelled Johnny as he zoomed towards her in a desperate bid to reach her first.
Stacey shut her eyes and looked away, screaming as Excaliber thrust his blade right at her…only to have Johnny intercept and take the blade in the left shoulder.
"What the-Johnny!" gasped Stacey when she saw what had happened.
Excaliber would have finished the job with his other blade, had Johnny not shoved the other blade through his gut. "You…lucky son of …a bitch," groaned Excaliber before he collapsed flat on his face.
Johnny let go a sigh of relief and leaned up against a tree for support. "Are you okay, Stacey?" he asked her, absently regarding his blood stained silver pullover.
"You…you saved my life three times," said Stacey, a burst of warmth filling her chest. "I…I don't know how I can ever repay you."
Johnny looked at her and smiled. "Seeing you safe and well is enough of a reward for me," he said.
"Well, we'd better get you some help," said Stacey. "You look like your hurt pretty bad."
"Hey, it's no biggy," said Johnny. "Just need a band-aid and a kiss, and I'll be fit as a fiddle."
"Well, I think I can help there," said Stacey as she went up and kissed Johnny right on the cheek.
"Well, uh…thank you," said Johnny, his cheeks turning red. "You know," he thought, "this could be the start of something good."