I'm really sorry for taking this long, so please bare with another excuse. After the several other stories that flowed out, I came into another rut. However, this is a two-fold problem that still hovers over me and is waiting to cloud me again.

1) It has really been hard to get this chapter going, simply because I can't figure out how to proceed with the storyline. I've tried a number of scenarios, but they all don't seem to fit. Besides this, my wording came very inconsistent with the style and pace of this story. I suppose you can think of it as an advanced, and complex case of writer's block.

2) Now the other problem is something everyone must have felt at one point in their life: lethargy. Summer came and was a relief, but it soon became too much of a break as I became high on R and R. Trying to get myself to write must be the most difficult thing to do. For background information, fanfiction started just last September for me. To say the least, I have no experience in getting the creative juices flowing... they're just too spontaneous.

Very sorry again for the delay and for that long explanation. I'll be trying to keep the updates to a max waiting period of one month. With that in place I'll at least have some consistency, especially with the summer class I'm going to take for the next month.

But I thank everyone who has read the story so far. The encouragement certainly boosts my morale to continue and do more. And as for the reviews I've received, I'm sorry to everyone for not giving a response. Believe it or not, I'm very lazy to get on a computer for extended periods of time. However, if everyone doesn't mind looking, at the end of this chapter there will be a list of people I'm thanking and replying.

Anyway, on with the chapter!

Loonatics Unleashed © WarnerBros.

That cooling gust of wind brought back a sense of peace and tranquility to Tech. It was as if it was a reminder… a reminder of past memories. Memories that he did not want to relive and yet… memories that gave him his decision. But no matter how calming the wind was, at the same time his life was shrouded by the will of one mechanical monster. Tears stained his matted cheek fur as this may very well be his last moments on earth. With the taunting voice surrounding his own train of thought, Tech gained the almost extinguished energy he had to answer this detestable man's question.

"… (cough)… I'd rather save… their lives… (cough)… even if they betray me… I'll still hold onto my ideals… my… memories… (huhh-huhh)… because… my friends will always come first!"

The man paused for several moments and laughed hysterically at Tech's naïve words. He squeezed his collar even harder and placed two fingers behind his neck in a more forceful choking method. Tech closed his eyes as more tears filled within him. Never had he felt so much sadness in his heart. It was not only because his death may come, but that the death of Ace and Slam could soon follow. He looked down on the arm that held his life, when something caught his eye. Etched in the man's mechanical arm were a series of numbers. They looked like serial numbers, but Tech's remaining strength soon left him as guilt and frustration took hold of his mind. His consciousness slowly slipped as darkness consumed him, but not before an oddly violent tug came to him and then gently whisked him to slumber.

Rev stood to his feet as soon as he laid Tech to the floor. Ever since Ace, Slam, and Tech left, he had already made up his mind to follow them. Being a youngster at heart, listening to authority was never really his forte. However, Rev arrived and had been listening just in time when the android raised Tech off his feet. He had heard everything. Everything Tech uttered with an overburdened, yet contrite heart. His simple confession confirmed a deep conviction Rev held ever since he joined the team. He had always felt a strong sense of togetherness with the Loonatics and Ace being the leader, but never did anyone exhibit more compassion than Tech. The first instance they met, Rev knew a kind and gentle heart that far outweighed the patient and calculating persona that disguised Tech's true spirit. Though his personality seemed rather arrogant with knowledge, and childish from his inquisitive nature, he cared… deeply. Even Rev's carefree, reckless and seemingly ignorant attitude disclosed Tech's true nature. But… he alone recognized the deep and connective bonds Tech had around all the team.

Rev peered at his motionless friend before he stared at the android, blazing fire in his eyes. Anger seemed to be an issue with the members of the Loonatics, but only Ace had been afflicted by its uncontrollable fury. Rev now knew why.

"I'm sorry about your friend there, but are you going to stare at me all day or do I have to teach you another painful lesson?" the man smiled again.

Within an instant, Rev used his super speed to burn through the small distance between the android and himself. The android didn't expect such a sudden and abrupt move, but only smiled within the millisecond Rev had to reach him. Rev thrust an uppercut into the man's jaw, but flew into the air as his attack went right through him. Rev widened his eyes in fear as he dashed through the hologram. That brief moment retrieving Tech allowed the man time to switch positions. And not even given time after his moment of thought, Rev felt a hard metallic kick centered into his gut. The force from the kick made him convulse as he fell to his knees, clutching the pain that spiked in his abdomen. The breath was completely knocked from him as he knelled there in front of his attacker.

"Perhaps a lesson can no longer help... How about I simply put you out of you misery?"

A similar device that he held before Tech, he fashioned again in his palm. Rev squinted his eyes further as he braced himself for the end. Thoughts raced in his mind as he wondered if this same kind of fear and uncertainty seized Tech just moments before. With another smile, the android lifted his arm, bent on ending Rev's life.

BOOM!

"AAAHHHH!"

The resounding noise of the explosion echoed through the disheveled room. A body was shot forward at a frightening speed as it arched and embedded itself into the opposing wall. In his mind's eye, Rev barely felt the attack. For some reason, the pain in his gut still remained. He feared for the worst. Had the explosion been so destructive that he somehow was severed from reality and left to endure the painful end in his abdomen? Was he still alive? Rev felt that his eyes were still squinting and he was somehow able to move them. Just as he decidedly moved to reveal his condition, a sound caught his ear. It was a familiar sound. The sound... of jet packs?

"Hey Rev, are you okay!"

"Yeah. Don't tell me one kick already knocked you out. Ha, I could've taken it no problem."

"Get over yourself, Duck."

He knew those voices. Could it be? Rev opened his eyes and found himself still lying on the floor looking up to Lexi and Duck, who were landing. "G-guys!-I'm-so-glad-to-see-you!-How'd-you-know-to-come-here?"

"What are you talking about Rev? You're the one who came here when Ace told us not to."

Rev smiled. "Guilty-as-charged,-but..."

"Not another word," Lexi chuckled back. "You know we wouldn't miss the chance for payback, even if Ace said no."

"Yeah, it's about time I pay that android back for my re-adjusted spine."

Back on the far wall, the android was staring wide-eyed as he began to feel a slight paralysis on his back. The attack that was inflicted had broken through his armor and shorted some of his electrical systems below his chest. He had to escape now or he might not be able to recover from another attack. Sending the remaining energy to his crumpled back, he activated his anti-gravity device.

"... huh, huh... I've gotten, huh... too careless..."

He began to dislodge himself from the punished wall as bits and fragments of material fell from his actions. He slowly floated from the floor and attempted to make his way toward the ceiling. Before the android even made it halfway between the floor and the ceiling, a yellowish-orange orb shot past his way, striking the wall with an explosion.

"And where do you think you're going, mister chiropractor?"

The android peered across the room as he found Duck holding another orb in his hand with Lexi and the recently recovered Rev. The situation was looking very desperate for him. His legs have become significantly immobilized due to the last attack, but also because of his recovering maneuvers to free himself from Tech's accursed weapon. His body was fatigued and seemed to be running at half of its efficiency. Thinking for a solution, his own weapon caught his attention. When Lexi and Duck struck him off-guard, he had dropped the device he was going to use on Tech. The android smirked as he remembered that he still had another device in reserve.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself over."

"Can't you give that smug talk a break already!" Lexi called out with a slightly annoyed tone. "There's no way you can escape from us now!"

"On the contrary. I'll be happy to show you how wrong you are, along with a parting gift before I go."

Immediately after, the android waved his trench coat and pulled out what looked to be a hand grenade. Solving the heroes' assumption, the android threw the device onto the ceiling and exploded into a fiery blaze. The ceiling's foundation no longer could support its weakened state and collapsed. The falling pieces of fiery debris headed downward towards the unconscious Ace, Slam, and Tech.

BOOM! RUMBLE, RUMBLE!

"Farewell for now... Tech," the man muttered as he propelled himself through the gaping hole in the roof.

Lexi, Duck, and Rev watched in slow motion as the life threatening events unfolded. For yet again, the android managed to escape using a most vile trick. The team had to respond quickly if they wanted to save their friends. "Duck, Rev! Get them out of here!" Lexi shouted, while pointing at the unconscious teammates. "I'll try and stall the ceiling!" Without another word, Duck quacked to Ace and Slam while Rev raced over to retrieve Tech. Lexi focused and concentrated as she unleashed volley after volley of her brain blasts at the falling pieces of debris. However, Lexi's attack only seemed to shatter the falling debris into more pieces rather than eliminating them. Fortunately, Duck and Rev had gotten the others out before it was too late.

CRASH!

"...cough, cough... that was a little too close for comfort," Lexi commented as she choked from the excessive dust clouding the air.

"Yeah, Slam needs to lose some weight. I can barely lift him."

"Guys!-We've-got-to-get-them-outta-here-quickly!-They've-been-badly-hurt!"

"Rev's right. We've got no time to waste. We'll get that bad bot later."

-----

"What would you rather save..., your friends… or their trust?"

"... their... trust..."

(Flashback)

"Welcome, students, to the Acme Tech University."

This was the moment he had been waiting for. Ever since he received the acceptance letter to become a student at the university, Tech had remained in a perpetual state of ecstasy. He couldn't have imagined a better opportunity to expound his knowledge and broaden his mind. Since childhood, Tech's curiosity in the world around him grew at an imperceptible rate. And with each passing day, that relentlessness consumed his attention more and more. Now with all of his past efforts and natural aptitude, he was finally going to attend the most prestigious technical university in the world.

"Now I know that you are all just ready to start this new semester with enthusiasm and perseverance..." the professor began with an awkwardly cheerful tone. "However, even though we focus on the technical aspects of the world around us, let us not forget the human element that allows us to create. Now, I would like to begin this first day of class with some informal introductions. You may go around the room and speak to at least three different people. Be sure to ask what interests and motivates them. All right students, get to it!"

Tech sunk in his chair and immediately jerked at that familiar feeling. No sooner had the word "introductions" been spoken was when he anguished in remembering his childhood days. Ever since grade school, Tech received the usual remarks about his intellect and unusual curiosity in science. Besides this, he was more mature than even kids in higher grade levels and gave profound respect to his teachers. Needless to say, many students mocked him for being the perfect student, called him names, and other little atrocities children delight in when attacking the unusual. Though, even in this regard, Tech had become the center of abuse not because of his strange personality, but because he was an animal. Back when he was in the younger grades such as kindergarten, his other classmates didn't seem at all to be interested in his differences. In fact, they wanted to play with him even more because the kids thought he was cute.

Sadly enough, those joyful days soon became washed away. Tech had heard the phrase teacher's pet several times before, but it soon took on a literal meaning as he went through school. Though many thought he was a coward and simply meek, Tech had a very strong will. The pain of social rejection was forced deep into his heart as he concentrated more on schoolwork to dull the pain. His progress was astounding and many of the teachers supported him with help or recommendations. When looking back at his life, Tech could only say that if it not for his teachers and his parents, he would never have succeeded this far in his career. The memories of the past continue to haunt him and it is simply unbelievable that he held no malice or spite towards those students from the past. The students back then thought right: Tech was meek. And that meekness, coupled with his maturity, allowed Tech to remain unscathed in his innocence and disposition.

Unfortunately, even the strongest of mind can't completely eliminate feelings of shame and humiliation. Tech's stomach started to flutter as though the butterflies were propelled by jet packs. The students started to rise and move, while Tech was having trouble even with rising. Tech fought his emotions of nervousness as he began to wind through his well established intellect. Thinking through things logically, he resigned to think of his new peers with an open mind. Perhaps at this school people would finally appreciate him because of the similarities that brought them to this academy. Besides, this is a scientific community that should never be judgmental or biased because of background differences. They should always be objective and never let personal beliefs stand in the way of scientific progress.

With a confident smile, Tech approached the nearest student who wasn't having a conversation. He approached a young woman that seemed to be at the sophomore level. She was Caucasian, had brown hair, intriguing hazel eyes, and seemed to look generally favorable. With some reluctance, Tech approached her with his best foot forward and introduced himself.

"Hello. Nice to meet you. My name's Tech. What's yours?"

"Natalie," she responded. "Interesting to see you, Tech. I'm interested in chemical engineering and plan to be the head director of Acme Chemicals Inc. What about you?"

"Heh, heh...," Tech instinctively rubbed his head as a coping reaction, "wow, you're very straight forward aren't you?"

"Indeed," she replied rather coldly.

"... Well, umm... I have a broad range of interests, but they seem to concentrate around physics and engineering. As for future career goals, I haven't thoroughly decided yet."

"Very interesting. Nice meeting you Tech."

"You..." Tech began, but was cut short as Natalie turned to find another student to converse with. "... too."

Tech began to feel that dull pain again in his heart. Sure Natalie was polite and all, but that was it. She seemed to convey no such reactions of interest or appeal. Tech began to grow cold and searched around the room for another person to talk with. However, all of the students were either paired up or gathered in small trios throughout the room. He also noticed that the general location of the students tended to deviate from his position. It was as if they had planned this or purposely avoided him.

Again with a heavy heart, Tech forced himself to conceal and contain the turmoil that he had carried for so long. He now realized that there may be no hope for him in this world. The same occurrence was happening all over again. No longer were people openly indignant, but now they were silently evasive. This last chance, this last place of sanctuary, this last spark of hope, failed him miserably. The feeling almost became unbearable as his eyes started to water. Tech fought with all his might to prevent this, but only managed to allow one single solitary tear to drip onto his fur.

Tech slowly moved over to his desk and sat down opening his textbook for the class. From afar, one would think he was simply reading or trying to get a head start as his studious academic career suggests. However, Tech was remembering all the happy times he had with his young friends and family. His parents always encouraged him, played with him, shared secrets with him. They were of a close knit family. Living in the desert with miles of open territory can do that to people, especially those not thoroughly embedded and reliant on society. But the thought of his parents brought back another memory he tried to forget.

----

There you have it. Though the story hasn't gotten much farther, some background information is needed to create the perspective which you can observe Tech's train of thought, his feelings, and emotions. For now, who knows what effects this resurgence of past experiences will have on Tech? Much will come later.

Now for those of you who have reviewed this story, here are my thanks and/or replies. (alphabetical order)

Angelus-alvus- I will try and update faster if my patience doesn't fail me.

Animefangirl11- I hope you didn't mind the wait, but thanks very much for the support. And yes the cliffhangers will keep coming.

Black Oracle- Thanks very much for the compliment. I'll be sure to try and make the story as intriguing as I can. But I'm also glad another Tech fan has come on board too.

ChidoriManiac- By the sound of your enthusiasm, I think you went into a coma already waiting. Sorry about that. But I'm happy to see you like the story so far. Thanks very much.

darkliTe-sPirit- Aw, thank you. Tech's altered power is interesting, especially against Mallory perhaps. The villain turned out better than expected, but still more to come on him.

Experimental Fairimental- Well, I'm glad you don't hate this show anymore. It's very funny and I hope more episodes will come for it too.

GoDrOx- Thank you GoDrOx. Here's the chapter.

Ippiki Ookami no Kage- Yes, cliffhangers are a wonderful thing. Thanks very much again for the correspondences and chats. I hope to contact you again, without my inability to remain on the computer.

Jessi the Fangirl- I thank all of you Jessi's for the support.

matn90- Thanks for the encouragement. I'll try and keep things interesting.

NightShadow Blitz- Oh, thank you, thank you so much. I will try and update faster.

PurpleCobra247- Thank you. I hope to keep the writing up too.

Shark- I'm very glad you enjoyed it Shark. And thanks for pointing out some of my writing styles. Now I just need to improve on them. I'll be sure to continue the story.

Windel- Thanks Windel, it's no problem. I'll try and update as fast as I can. After all, I can actually use your enthusiasm to get this story going. (well, ch. 4 doesn't count... ). And yes, it is Rev. Good insight.