Disclaimer: I don't own SRMTHFG or any of its characters, just my character and this plot.
Chapter Six: Brotherly Love
Nova and Otto had made very little progress by the time the other Monkeys regrouped with them. Antauri took one look down the dangerously steep cliff and guessed how they had lost contact with Chiro.
Sprx immediately activated his communicator. "Kid, do you read me?"
"Forget it," an exasperated Nova told him. "We already tried."
"I hope Chiro's not hurt," Otto whimpered, looking down the cliff with Antauri. "I knew I shoulda built a jetpack for him…"
"Hmm…" Antauri said thoughtfully before tuning out the rest of the world around him. Using only the Power Primate, he searched the area all around him for miles. Besides the four Monkeys standing by him, he felt the presence of three other individuals. One he quickly identified as Mandarin, continuing a search of his own for Chiro and Hayley at the bottom of the cliff. But the other two…
"Chiro is blocking my mind probe," he finally said, slightly surprised, as he came back to the others. "Which means that he IS alive…but that is all I know."
"Why would he deliberately withhold his exact location from you?" a confused Gibson asked. "That defies any logical reasoning."
The Black Monkey regarded them all. "I am not certain, Gibson. However, I have been sensing Hayley doing the exact same thing ever since we found the crash site. We must continue our search with the utmost of haste. As long as Chiro and Hayley are alive, we will find them."
He then took to the air with the others following him and began down the cliff.
---------
Almost as if her circumstances hadn't changed, Hayley kept a constant vigil at the cave entrance, keeping her mind closed and her eyes opened, watching for any signs of friend or foe.
But her circumstances had changed. For behind her, still lost in a dreamless sleep, was apparently her new leader Chiro.
She knew that he was by far younger than even her, and that alone was what didn't make it feel strange to be protecting him like a mother bear protecting her cubs. But she also knew that her own raw, untapped power was nothing compared to his. She knew that the moment she first saw his eyes in her vision. That made her feel like a baby sister even to him, and that was a role she was used to playing.
After all, she saw herself in that way to the Robot Monkeys before.
No, she told herself. Stepsister was the more appropriate word.
In her mind, it always was and always should be. Sure, she didn't seem different than the others on the outside apart from her color, but their differences were inside. She felt different, and she wanted to be treated different.
In spite of all that, she knew that they were all still essentially as one. She had made a promise to protect the Hyperforce, and she intended to keep that promise. And now, not only did that promise not apply to Mandarin because he had disowned them, but that promise applied to Chiro because he had accepted them.
She strayed from these thoughts when she felt a power of darkness nearby. Sensing something amiss, she carefully looked down the cliffside. She found Mandarin floating along the ravine floor about 100 feet below her and passing by the cave entrance, apparently without seeing her.
Hayley glanced back at Chiro. "He's not awake yet," she whispered to herself. "I will do what I must."
She slowly and quietly crawled out of the cave. She cautiously watched every move that Mandarin made as she slowly descended the cliff. She leapt silently behind him from one side of the ravine to the other, and judging by his hesitation, she wondered if he had heard her takeoff.
Finally, just as he started to move on, she jumped in from above and smashed on top of him, kicking him into the dirt with a karate yell!
He grunted and started to pick himself up to throw off his attacker, but she was too quick. She leapt off and landed in front of him, facing him and staring him down as he dusted himself off.
"I think that's far enough," she told him.
"Finally, my first prize," he happily replied with his evil grin. "You dealt with the Formless beautifully, exactly as I anticipated. Now, let's see how you fare against a greater opponent."
"You shall not pass by me."
"And what happens if I do?"
"You will have to destroy me to find that out."
"Then…so be it!"
They both leapt at each other with loud screeches and clashed at each other, and immediately, they both knew that their opponent was going to be tougher than they first thought.
---------
Inside the cave above them, Chiro slowly awoke to a slight noise and easily sat up. The wound on his head had closed, but it still stung a little. He felt a slight dizzy spell as he got to his feet, but it passed quickly when he realized that his hostess was no longer with him.
"Hayley?" he quietly asked.
Another monkey screech was his only answer. Immediately recognizing it as a battle cry, he carefully ran to the cave mouth and peeked out in time to see Hayley revealing her whips and Mandarin activating his sword.
She tried to grab his weapon-bearing hand with her tail, but he made a nimble dodge and jabbed his sword for her shoulder! With only a split-second to react, she was able to lean to one side and allow the sword to pierce through the rock behind her. Knowing that he was momentarily pinned, she took the opportunity to kick him away from her.
Grunting, Mandarin floated into his upright position and glared at her. "How is it that you were able to elude my mind probe in such close proximity?" he snarled at her.
With a half-grin, Hayley answered, "Let's just say that Antauri took the liberty of teaching me some…special techniques."
He scoffed at her. "Very resourceful, but ultimately futile. You're coming back with me, conscious or not, and Skeleton King will make you a fighting force to be reckoned with. The choice is yours, Hayley Cometra: be his willing servant or be his mindless slave."
"One thing wrong with those options, Mandarin: there is no difference!"
They both exchanged snarls, and the battle resumed.
"Halo Lasso!" she screeched, twirling her whips high above her head and throwing her arms forward. The whips wrapped around Mandarin, pinning his arms to his sides. She then pulled him close to her.
"I hope you like to dance, Mandarin, 'cause I'm gonna take you out for quite a spin!" she punned, beginning to spin herself and Mandarin until they both became of blur of bright blue and orange. Mandarin groaned as they spun faster, and Chiro nearly became dizzy trying to following along with them.
Then, like a rock in a slingshot, she released him just moments before she stopped spinning. She and Chiro watched as Mandarin flew toward one of the ravine walls.
But, to both of their surprise, Mandarin quickly straightened himself and easily landed on his feet! "Dance your way out of this. Monkey Mind Scream!"
She gasped as she tried to escape from the powerful sound wave, but everywhere she went, he followed her. It didn't take her long to be cornered as the attack struck her head on!
The resulting cloud of dust and smoke had temporarily stifled and blinded Chiro, but he did his best to keep himself from being heard. He slowly waved his hand in front of his face as the dust began to clear. The sight he saw next shocked him: Hayley was laying on the ground, damaged and worn out, with Mandarin hovering over her.
"Did you really think you could overpower me, you poor, naïve monkey?" he asked with an evil laugh. "The battle is over. You lose. Now tell me where the boy is."
"Boy?" she grunted painfully. "I don't know what you're t—"
His powerful paw suddenly interrupted her, clamping at her throat and choking her! Mandarin lifted her off the ground and squeezed his claws around her neck, intensifying her pain! She made a pitiful squeak as the force made her lose her voice. She tried to pry his hand off with hers, but his grasp was far too tight even if she wasn't weakened.
"Spare me your selflessness!" he scowled. "The stench of human betrays you. Now where is he hiding?"
Hayley strained away at his grasp, desperately struggling to break free.
"Right here, Mandarin! Chiro Spearo!"
The evil Monkey barely had the time to register the statement before the electric attack separated him from Hayley! She landed harshly on the rocky floor as Chiro came between them, kicking Mandarin back several meters. Chiro then looked at her and cradled her head in his hands.
"Hayley?"
His only answer from her was soft and painful whine. Her eyes were closed in fatigue.
"Well, well, well, my hairless monkey," Mandarin greeted, compelling Chiro to see him approaching. "It appears we meet again."
"Get away from her," Chiro threatened him, his voice growling with the strength of the Power Primate.
"What is this?" Mandarin asked, surprised but calm. "Concern? For a Monkey you don't even know?"
"I may not know her, but unlike you, I don't abandon my sister!"
With those words, the two powerful opponents began battle.
Hayley was silently bewildered upon hearing the word Chiro chose. Not baby sister. Not stepsister. Simply…sister. Why?
She tried to get to her feet, to help him and protect him, but she didn't get her head even one inch off the ground before her body gave way to gravity's pull. There was almost nothing left in her now.
Her head was facing away from the two competitors, so she was unable to see the battle, but she knew that it was intense. She sensed when Chiro had the advantage on several occasions, but she also felt when Mandarin took that advantage away. It was virtually a stalemate.
She had lost all sense of time, so she didn't know if it was seconds or minutes later before Chiro was knocked back to her side! Not nearly as weakened as she, Chiro took Hayley's body in his arms and held her chest to his, silently vowing to protect her as she protected him.
"So much for the power of light," Mandarin mocked them both.
Hayley moaned lightly, slowly placing the ends of her whips together.
The sound of distant engines surprised all three of them. Mandarin turned around, and Chiro looked up.
Apparently, the two battles Mandarin had with Hayley and Chiro had attracted the attention of the remaining Hyperforce, and now they were flying for them at top speed!
"Still think this is your lucky day, Mandarin?" Chiro grinned.
"Don't press your luck, boy," Mandarin warned him. "This is far from over." Levitating off the ground, he floated high above Chiro's head and slashed at the ravine wall with his sword, creating an avalanche!
"Chiro!" Antauri called out.
The Robot Monkeys were still too far to help them.
Mandarin laughed and made his escape.
In his fear, Chiro could only stand and stare.
Hayley finally opened her eyes and saw the massive boulders falling straight for them! With a painful groan, she slowly whispered, "I have…no choice…"
Not without a great deal of effort, she reactivated her jetpack, sending Chiro hovering a few inches off the ground. Then, with all the physical strength she could muster, she began twirling her whips over Chiro's head and shouted, "Invisibubble!"
They both seemed to disappear just as the rocks crashed down on where they were!
"Hayley!" Otto screamed.
"The Invisibubble won't stabilize for long under such intense mass!" Gibson shouted as they all dived for the huge rock pile. Antauri used his telekinesis to remove several boulders while Sprx and Nova tossed more overhead by hand. Gibson and Otto used their weapons to reduce the bigger boulders into smaller ones.
Finally, they heard a familiar voice from inside, saying, "Stand back, team. Thunder Punch!"
The electric attack sent many boulders flying, and Gibson had to shove Otto to one side to save him from getting crushed by one! All five watched in apprehension (yes, even Antauri clearly showed worry) as Chiro slowly stepped out through the cloud of dust.
His bright blue eyes were fixed on the Robot Monkey in his arms, depowered, battered, and motionless.
He then looked at the others, his face changing from worry to determination. "We've got to get her back to the Robot now!"
---------
Gibson and Otto had never worked together so well as when they did to save Hayley once again. Unlike the usual circumstances, the two didn't confuse each other with intelligent words and baffling actions; they simply cooperated in serious silence.
Nova and Sprx tried to lend a hand, but the only help they were able to provide were a few gestures of encouragement. So instead of assisting Gibson and Otto, the pair worked together to clean and dress the wound on Chiro's head.
Chiro and Antauri were the only ones who spoke since the return to the Robot, but Chiro did most of the talking as he repeated to them what Hayley had told him.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Gibson's analyses and Otto's repairs were to their satisfaction.
The only thing left to do to find out if she survived was to reactivate her.
But Otto couldn't bring himself to do it for fear of the guilt he'd feel if they failed. So it was Gibson who did the honors.
The plug-in tool that inserted into the back of her head beeped to life as it began its work. Everyone watched anxiously, waiting for something…anything.
"Come on, Hayley," Otto whined softly. "Ya gotta be all right."
But after waiting for over thirty seconds, Hayley remained motionless.
"No…" Nova whispered, and before she realized it, the proud warrior found herself in the waiting embrace of Sprx's arms.
"She risked her life to save mine," Chiro realized, even though he knew that wouldn't be enough to reassure anyone.
"All of those tedious endeavors…" Gibson muttered to himself. "We were too late."
Only Antauri looked at Hayley and knew what the others didn't.
"This isn't happening…" Otto whimpered, looking away from the table where Hayley was laying. "It can't be happening… It can't…"
Then, a gentle voice answered, "You're right, it's not."
"Huh?" all except Antauri asked as one.
Just as Otto began to turn toward the table again, a turquoise blur jumped him with a loud but sweet giggle and sent him to the floor, tickling him badly!
"Whoa, and I thought Otto's tackles were bad," Chiro whispered, and no one else heard him.
"H-h-hayley?" Otto asked, half screaming and half laughing. "Y-you're alive!"
"Naturally," she giggled, stopping her tickles. "You don't get rid of a prize like me that easily!"
"I thought I told ya never to scare me like that again!"
That only made her laugh even more. "I had you guys going for a minute there, didn't I?"
"Not all of us," Antauri simply stated with only a hint of a wry grin.
"Aw, Antauri," Hayley pouted. "I see you haven't changed, Master Killjoy."
"Kinda gives you a sense of security, doesn't it, Hayley?" Sprx laughed.
Hayley looked in the Red Monkey's direction and was about to reply when she noticed that he still held Nova in his arms. Instead, she grinned at the pair. "Well, when did THIS happen?"
"Huh?" Nova asked, looking at Sprx. Then, realizing what she was doing, the Yellow Monkey quickly shoved Sprx to the floor! "Hmph!"
"It must have been terribly agonizing for you, enduring Skeleton King's torments for such a long period of time," Gibson said to Hayley.
"You have no idea…Gibz."
Otto, Sprx, and Nova began to snicker at the familiar nickname. Chiro smiled, trying to keep his laugh in, but Gibson stared at her indignantly.
"Hayley Cometra…"
She started to giggle, but as she did, everyone noticed that it was quickly turning into a happy moan. Then, much to their surprise and shock, she let out an intense, "I'M FREE!"
Every one of the others flinched at the shrill sound. It took everyone a while (Chiro the longest) to recover from the ear splitting screech, and when they did, they looked as one to Hayley.
"Catch me if you can!" she exclaimed before dashing to one side on all fours.
One look at her innocent bliss, and Otto and Nova lost themselves to it; they instantly ran to catch up with her. Sprx and Chiro didn't want to feel left out, so they too joined in the fun even though Chiro was still rubbing his ears. The ever-logical Gibson at first ignored the game and began to lecture Hayley for referring to him by the unkindly nickname, but a monkey pile from the others cut him off and quickly had him involved in the chase.
Only when Hayley accidentally rammed into Antauri did everyone come to a screeching halt!
The pink eyes of the youngest Robot Monkey looked up into the deep yellow eyes of the oldest, and she suddenly felt the need to apologize but was unable to find the words.
Everyone else looked on, unsure of how he was going to react.
Antauri made a subtle noise, soft enough to make everyone wonder if it was a chuckle or a cough.
Finally, after nearly a minute of silence, the Black Monkey asked, "I suppose that this physical contact with me would suggest that I am, as you call…'it'?"
Hayley blinked, barely believing what he just said.
"Because if it is, Monkey Team, then you'd better start running."
Every tense muscle relaxed at Antauri's statement, but only for a moment.
Hayley scrambled out of Antauri's physical reach and nearly tripped over Nova! The others were quick out the door. Antauri began after them, deliberately restraining himself from bolting into full speed to let them get a head start.
The reunion – consisting of some blissful playing, a lot of story sharing, a little bonding, a celebration dinner, a food fight, and seven sonic showers – lasted well into the night.
At last, the Hyperforce found Hayley, and it's a happy reunion! But that's not quite all, folks. Chapter Seven: Midnight in Shuggazoom will be the end of the beginning.
In response to Chapter Five's reviews…
Crystal Persian: This review is even funnier to me than your last one! I'm very happy to notice that you're keeping up with this closely. Thanks!
4Evermonkeyfan: I was wondering when someone would post me with a theory. And that's a very interesting theory, too. Unfortunately, that's a fanfic for another day. But thanks for reviewing!
love-writer: Thanks for reviewing. Glad you're enjoying this.