Chapter 12

Chiro coughed as a large slab was lifted off of him, his mind whirling as he opened his eyes to see Gibson's dirty face smiling down at him weakly.

"Chiro." The little robot's voice was hoarse, tear's falling and leaving streaks on his face as his smile wobbled.

"Gibson?" The blue robot gave a slight nod before moving to help Nova struggle with the large slab of rock that covered Chiro's torso and legs. His right arm was still buried under the rubble and he came to realize that it his hand was clutching something while his left leg was starting to throb. It hit him all at once.

His eyes went wide as the slab was removed and he couldn't help the cry that escaped his lips. The throbbing in his leg turned into a searing pain that traveled up his spine, only to be echoed by his right hip by a severe burning sensation that turned his vision white. He couldn't breath but could still hear the terrified cries of Nova and Gibson, and whatever it was he was clutching with his still buried hand suddenly tightened its own grip. He could dimly hear rocks moving, the sounds of Nova and Gibson scrambling about him, then there was another voice shouting in panic and the grip on his hand turned into a desperate clutch. He took a painful breath and dared to open his eyes. Sprx-77 was holding his hand, his mouth bloody and his eyes filled with tears, as Antauri sobbed with his forehead touching the teens.

"Chiro," the silver monkey whispered. "I'm... so sorry... Chiro..." His voice hitched as he sobbed, Sprx shakily removing one hand to place it over the hurt on his side. He hissed from the pain this action brought before panting. The sounds were quickly disappearing as something tickled the back of his mind with a deep chuckle. For a moment, as he panted through dry lips, he thought he heard the sound of a gorilla hooting and grunting at him. This changed soon however and he felt something warm slide through him, the pain disappearing and the panting ceasing as he felt his life give way.

"You have one left to save," he heard echo through his mind, dark green light invading his senses, soothing his hurts, and bringing about a strange kind of wakening. "You mustn't let him down, neh?" He gave a weak grunt and a soft growl surrounded him. "You've been chosen for a purpose you have yet to fulfill. You do not have permission to die yet! AWAKEN!"

His eyes shot open and he sat up with a jerk, his wounds gone, staring around and then down as four monkeys stared back at him. At some point Antauri had moved, kneeling beside Chiro's left leg along side Nova, and was now staring at him with wide blue eyes filled with shock. Sprx as still clinging to his hand, Gibson was blinking in shock as he clung to his red brother in some kind of disturbed mourning gesture and Nova was suddenly smiling amidst tears. She was the first to move, flinging herself into Chiro's chest with a celebrated cry of joy which was quickly echoed by the rest of his team, all of whom grabbed a hold and refused to let go. Tears came to his eyes as he recognized the eyes staring up at him and he hugged them back as best he could as he cried.

"You guys..." his voice cracked as his throat was dry and he shook his head, unable to speak. They clung to each other tightly for a long while before a searing pain shot through his head and he grunted and released them. His hands went to his temples and he could feel their worried gazes as an angry snarl resonated through his skull.

"Save him Chiro!"

The image of a green robot monkey, sobbing and surrounded by darkness, appeared before him and he gasped, eyes widening and returning him to the present.

"OTTO!" He threw himself to his feet and stumbled, his four teammates quickly rushing to help him.

"Chiro wait! You were hurt so badly," Nova exclaimed fearfully, only to cry out and clutch Sprx-77 tightly to her side as his legs gave way beneath him. "Sprx!" Chiro shook his head as he felt Antauri's hand cling to his torn pants leg like a lost child and smiled warmly at his team.

"Get to the Super Robot," he said suddenly. The resounding 'NO!' made his smile widen and he forced a laugh past his lips. "I'll be okay guys! Really! Besides," he gave them a quick once over. Gibson was covered in dirt and grim, tear streaks and smears on his face but he was at least in good condition. Nova looked to be in the same boat as her blue brother as she clutched a weakened Sprx and held him close to her in worry. The little red robot was bloody and weak and Antauri... Antauri was as dirty as the rest of them, his exterior scruffed and dented, and he seemed to be on his last leg as he wavered from side to side. "I need someone to ready the robot so we can get out of here as soon as I get Otto back."

"But... Chiro..." Antauri's voice was pained and weak, and when Gibson lay a hand on the silver robots shoulder he shrugged it off as if ashamed. Chiro kneeled down so he was eye level with his mentor and stared into his large blue eyes. Then, before the monkey could react, he had Antauri in a tight hug. He startled the others by suddenly looking up and grabbing them as well, holding them close and tight.

"I'll make sure he never does this to you again. I'll make that monster pay, I swear," he whispered. There was silence for a moment and he breathed deep, as if trying to take in their scents. "None of you are to blame for this," he said suddenly. "You've done nothing wrong." The robot monkey's were silent and he fought back tears as he said; "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you all from this." He released them then, his teammates staring up at him with unshed tears, and he smiled at them.

"Go," he said, feeling his body shake with the want to be on the move. Antauri nodded slowly at the command before turning and allowing Gibson to take his arm and help him rush away. Nova had a harder time as Sprx gave Chiro one last weak smile and passed out in her arms. She had to jostle him a little so she could get a good grip, gave Chiro one last look, and then ran after her brothers. Chiro watched them go for only a moment before giving into the urge that had lay claim to him and rushed away. His only thoughts were of Otto and nothing more.

TBC