Chapter 3: The Twelve Strikes Of Midnight.

Sprx sat on his bed/tube and huffed, he had been 'sent' to his bedroom so he didn't stay up late. Sprx was sure Gibson was treating him like a kid.

Flashback

It was about 9.00 when Gibson came into the main room. Nova was sitting in her bubble chair listening to her mp3 player, Antauri was meditating, Sprx and Chiro were playing video games and Otto, not being able to keep up with his fellow team mates, went to bed.

Gibson went over to the games console and pressed the 'off' button.

"What was that for?" Chiro whined.

"Yeah we were on level 5!" Sprx fumed.

Nova laughed silently, they had made it that far because she had got them that far. They were whining that this boss thing kept killing them off. Nova had offered to help, but they said only experienced game players. She ignored them and had a go, and beat it first time. They had 'worshiped' her since.

"I think you should all have an early night tonight, we need to be in top condition for any Skeleton King attacks." Gibson said.

"I agree it seems the time agreement for bedtimes has been slipping" confirmed Antauri. He looked at Nova and Sprx as he said it.

But it wasn't a glare or stare just a normal Antauri-ish look. Reluctantly Nova, .Sprx and Chiro went up their tubes. They knew the couldn't win against the powerful combo of Antauri and Gibson

Flashback end

Bored out of his mind Sprx turned of the table lamp beside his bed and shut his eyes. It wasn't long before sleep caught him

Five minutes to midnight finally rolled round. Nova sat in her bed shivering, sure Sprx had convinced her it was a trick, but she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched. But soon she couldn't stay awake any longer and drifted into a sleep.
"Almost midnight, perfect now my friend lets begin." An old lady said to a black cat. She wore a black dress, which at the present time looked like it had been through a shredder. A golden shawl was draped round her shoulders.

She was standing looking down at a crystal ball. Her cave where she was located was hidden by a mass of green trees; well they were green until she had killed them. It stood indeed on the same planet as Shugazoom but it was far from that little city.

"Now Midnight, it is time to take that monkey, did you find out its name?" She asked her cat. It jumped off one of the rocks on the side of the cave and as it did its structure grew….larger? Its tail grew larger and more metallic.

"Yes, its name is S.P.R.X.77 but its friends call it Sprx." The cat said as it's true form became visible. It was a robot monkey! It had a black coat with one navy blue stripe running from the tip of his nose, down the back of his head and ended at the end of his tail. His magenta red eyes gleamed with joy.

"Very good Midnight. Now leave Sprx, was it?" Midnight nodded.

"To me" the lady finished.

"Very soon Midnight, very soon you will have that yellow one." A small grin crept across his face.

But it wasn't because he was only partly happy, because in fact he was overjoyed. No it was because he just never smiled….properly.

"You know the plan Midnight, I will take Sprx. Then you will turn up at the door of their robot brutally beaten, get close to her, and then lead her here." She cackled.

Midnight nodded. It was only a matter of hours before he would get to see Nova.

The old grandfather clock, which at the time when the witch had inhabited the cave was tossed carelessly to the side, began to strike. Strike One.

"Yes this is it, Midnight get my staff!" Strike Two.

Midnight grabbed a staff which was leaning on the wall, it had a Hematite orb in the centre, there were engravings on the side bearing two cats curled round the gem.

(A/N: for those who don't know Hematite is a black/grey gem)

Strike Three. Midnight passed it to his mistress. She breathed in and looked down on the crystal ball. Strike Four.

"Show me, Show me the one called Sprx!" she yelled. Strike Five.

A picture of Sprx flashed into the crystal ball. He was sleeping peacefully. Strike Six.

The lady begun her spell.

"The demons below,

Help me bestow,

A curse on this one,

And may it never come undone"

Strike Seven.

"Bring him to me,

And I guarantee,

That he will never be free!"

Strike Eight.

A dark shadow crept over the crystal ball it seeped through it and appeared in Sprx's room. Strike Nine.

The shadow floated over to Sprx and enclosed around him. Strike Ten.

A white light flashed and when it died down the room was empty! Strike Eleven.

Nova sat up in her bed. Sweat was rolling of her. She had had a nightmare about a witch, a cat, no monkey called Midnight and Sprx disappearing.

Her breathing became steady again. She lied down again and sighed. It was all just a dream.

The Twelfth Strike sounded as Nova settled. As she did so she could have sworn she heard a cackle and a snigger. But little did she know it was the witch and Midnight celebrating on a job well done.

Yay another chappie done! About the strike things I wanted to make it sound like the clock chiming.

Anyway please R&R. Thankies!