Author's Notes: Sorry that this chapter has been so long, I have been distracted lately. And sadly, the next chapter will take even longer, because I am going out of town for two weeks, and will be away from my computer. The good news is that this chapter has a lot of stuff happening in it. It's not as long as some of my chapters, but at least 3 major things happen.
Disclaimer: I don't own Lilo and Stitch.
Thru New Eyes
Chapter 4
A 'Chance' Encounter
Siron turned his full attention to the young human. "How did you know what I was thinking?"
"Because you were thinking out loud." the little boy replied.
"Oh." Siron said as he sat down beside the child. Then it hit him that this boy either thought he was a talking animal, or that he knew he was an alien. "Don't I seem strange to you at all?"
"Nope. Not at all. You're just an alien."
Siron just sat there, completely shocked. What was with this child? According to psychology, this boy should either be running away or excited. He was neither. He just sat calmly.
"You look surprised. There are a lot of aliens on this island." the little boy said as he turned his attention to the sky. "Oh, by the way, my name is Chance, what's yours?"
"My name is Siron." Siron said as he looked up. "And why are you looking at the sky?"
"It helps me think about stuff. Why were you wondering about your name? It sounds pretty cool to me. Compared to the names of some of the other aliens, it's a really good name." Chance said as he continued to stare up at the afternoon sky.
"Yes, but it's what the name means that bothers me." Then Siron came back with a question of his own. "Why is it that you realize that aliens exist on this island, while other humans seem ignorant of the fact?"
Chance smiled as he answered. "Because most people rationalize what they see everyday, they close their minds to what might be, what is."
"What do you mean? Why would they ignore what is right in front of them and say it is something else?" To Siron this didn't make any sense.
"Because they have been doing it for a long time. The world is not a nice place, and enough of the truth strains on the mind that many people just don't want to know anymore. They don't think they could handle it."
Now it made even less sense. Siron had been programmed to try to learn everything, so it was unfathomable that someone would want to stop learning. "But why? How can the knowledge hurt them?" He noticed that Chance wasn't smiling anymore, his face was more neutral.
"It's because they're afraid. Afraid of the truth. My cousin once told me that people, if they knew the truth about everything, would never feel safe ever again. I don't know what those truths are, but if I find them one day, I suppose I'll just accept them as well."
It started to make sense to Siron, about humans and their apprehension. "I see, it's the old saying, 'what they don't know can't hurt them'".
Chance smiled again. "Right. If a bunch of people figured out you guys were aliens, they'd probably over-react and think that Earth was being invaded or something. And if one person just pointed it out, the other's would think he was nuts, so people just rationalize."
"Peer pressure. A perfectly expected response. But how come you are unaffected?" Siron said, still curious to the boy's overly accepting behavior.
"I think it's because I different from others. Mom and Dad say I'm a prodigy, and that I'm really smart for my age. My cousin says I'm just extremely observant, and that that is a good thing. Of course, Mom and Dad don't like me being around John too much, they say he's a bit unstable."
"John is your cousin, correct?"
"Yeah, he's cool, but a bit paranoid, and he's really into science fiction. Come to think of it, he'd probably recognize you as an alien too. A couple of his friends claimed to have seen an alien awhile back, but he just thought they were making up stories. But if he saw you he'd believe them."
The two continued to talk into the afternoon, when Chance brought up what Siron had been originally wondering about.
"Why were you concerned about your name? Does it mean something bad?" Chance said out of the blue.
Siron immediately remembered his current plight. "It's not what it means, but the namesake."
"Oh, did it belong to someone powerful or mean?"
"Mean, no, powerful, extremely." Siron said as he began to tell Chance the legend of Siron.
After the story had concluded, Siron was surprised to see that Chance wasn't shocked at all. In fact, he looked amused. "All this doesn't worry you at all? I mean, what sort of function could a name like that possibly indicate?"
Chance smiled as he tried to put his new friend's fears to rest. "It's a legend. Earth has lots of them. It gives us something to look to for guidance and lessons in how to live. As to your other function, if your creator won't tell you, I guess we'll have to work with what we know or can find out."
"I do not like guessing, it is inaccurate and often wrong."
"Then we won't just guess." Chance said as he put his chin to his fist in thought. "Hmm…most of the other aliens have name that hint at what they do, but you said they were named by a little girl and not their creator. Still, it's reasonable to assume that your name does have something to do with your hidden power, as your creator did admit it did."
As Siron watch him, something seemed odd, as if Chance was suddenly someone else, or at least different. He had no sign of the happy, carefree look the boy had previously had. Instead it was a face of focused thought, something no child of his age should be able to accomplish easily. Siron figured it was the fact that he was indeed a prodigy, and was merely utilizing it.
Chance meanwhile continued on. "Your creator said it was a last minute addition. Why did he add it, what made him add it?"
It hit Siron so fast that even he was caught by surprise. The answer he'd been looking for. "Jumba said the something happened to make him change his ways. I don't know why I think this has to do with it, but maybe what changed his ways caused him to add my addition programming. If I can find out what happened, perhaps I'll find my purpose."
Chance's face regained its normal glow. "Yeah, if you find out what scared him straight, maybe it will give you a clue to why you have your other function and maybe what it does!"
"What is 'scared straight'?" Siron said, wondering what his young friend was talking about.
"Oh, it's an Earth saying for going from bad to good via a bad experience. I mean, if he gave you a function that warranted your name, something bad must have happened he didn't want to happen again." Chance said as he slipped on one of his headphones.
Things were starting to make more sense by the minute for Siron. That would explain everything! Something bad happened to Jumba, something that must have turned him from evil forever. And whatever that was also scared Jumba into giving his new creation powers that he would have not otherwise given it. Maybe if he learned the nature of what it was that caused this shift in Jumba's behavior, he could figure out the powers he was given to counteract it!
Siron jumped off the bench and turned back to Chance. "Thank you, Chance. Your ideas have given me new insight into the possibilities of my origin. You are indeed the prodigy your parents claim you are."
"You're welcome." was Chance's only reply. He now had his music on, and had begun moving his head to the beat of the song.
Siron headed home, filled with a new sense of purpose. He would discover the hidden power he possessed, and finally be able to answer the question: what am I?
As Siron headed away, Chance turned to look his direction. He smiled slightly and said "You're right, it is a strange coincidence, huh?"
A few moments prior, Lilo and Stitch had been walking down the boardwalk, taking in the sunset.
"The perfect end to a perfect day, huh bugee-boo?" Stitch said as he and Lilo finished their ice cream.
"Yeah, the sunset is wonderful." She replied.
Just as the two rounded the corner, they saw Victoria coming down the way.
"Lilo, I've been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been all day?"
Lilo smiled. "On my first real date with Stitch."
Victoria's face lit up. "That's awesome! It's about time you two got serious. But I need to talk to you Lilo, in private."
"What's wrong Victoria?" Lilo said, somewhat against having to leave Stitch.
Victoria started to blush a little and drag her feet in the dirt. This indicated to Lilo that it was either about 'girl' stuff, or Richie. Probably Richie. "Ok Victoria, if it means that much to you." Then Lilo turned to Stitch. "Stitch, Victoria and I are going to go and talk for a few minutes."
Now Stitch didn't like this idea either, but Victoria was Lilo's only human friend, and besides, it would just be for a few minutes. "That's ok, I'll wait here."
"You're the best Stitch." Lilo said as she put her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Be right back."
As Lilo and Victoria wandered away, Stitch decided he would go get a soda from a machine while he waited. He was pretty sure that Victoria was talking about Richie. In the past few months, he and Lilo had had some luck with the fledgling couple, up to the point that they got Victoria to admit her feelings. Even with assurances that one liked the other, the two were still reluctant. But they'd get there.
As Stitch came up to the soda machine, something caught his eye. He looked over at the nearby bench. He did a double take. Was that an experiment? He looked it over. It didn't look like any experiment he'd ever seen before, but if it was a new one (which meant Jumba was in BIG trouble); it certainly wasn't acting like one. It was sitting there having a conversation with a little boy.
Wait a minute that has to be a new experiment. He looks a lot like 627, but I have to admit, the horn's a nice touch. But what is he doing? He's just sitting there talking to that little kid. Stitch then remembered the little boy that Lilo had mentioned. That must be the little boy that suggested Lilo's experiment name. What on Earth are they talking about?
Just then someone walked up behind him. "What ya looking at, Cous?"
Stitch jumped. He turned around to see Sparky. "Oh, hey Sparky."
"Why you so jumpy? You aren't looking at other girls are you? Afraid Lilo had caught you?"
Normally Stitch would have let Sparky have it, but he was still occupied with the new experiment, so he just let Sparky off with a verbal threat. "Shut up Sparky, don't even suggest that."
Sparky backed up a little. "Whoa, sorry. But what are you looking at?" He looked past Stitch to see Siron and Chance in the middle of trying to figure out Siron's name. Sparky rolled his eyes. "So much for him not being seen, the little dork."
This got Stitch's attention. "Little dork? Sparky, have you met this experiment?"
"Yeah, and I wouldn't worry you head off about the little wuss, he's Jumba's new apprentice."
"But he is Experiment 628?" Stitch asked, although the answer was obvious.
"Yeah, and if you want my opinion, I think he may be broken." Sparky said as he turned to the soda machine.
"What do you mean, broken?" Stitch said, not wanting to confront an experiment that may be unpredictable."
Another voice answered him. "Don't listen to Sparky; he's just mad because 628 makes him and most of the other male experiments look like brutes." Clip said as she came out of the restroom.
"Wait a minute, you mean he's a polite experiment? On purpose?" Stitch said in amazement.
"Yep, and I'm willing to bet he was born good." Clip replied.
Stitch turned back to watch the new experiment. After a few minutes, it got up and bid the boy goodbye, and walked off. The whole time it didn't do ANYTHING normal experiments did. It sat patiently, no fidgeting or interrupting. It didn't do anything rude. It didn't even pick it's nose with it's tongue (or at all, for that matter). It was completely well behaved, with no reason to be at all.
After 628 left, Stitch summarized his conclusion. "Are we sure he isn't malfunctioning?"
"See, that's what I said." Sparky said as he turned to Clip.
Clip rolled her eyes. "Do you think he would still be active if something was wrong? Don't you think Jumba would have fixed it? He isn't a destructive experiment guys, he was meant to assist Jumba with lab work."
"You have a point. Then why was he talking to that kid?" Stitch said as he got a soda.
"Maybe he wanted someone to talk to?" Clip suggested.
"And why wasn't that kid freaked out?" Sparky asked.
Stitch answered as he opened his soda. "Lilo told me about that kid. She said he makes her look normal."
"Yeah, that'd explain it." Sparky said as he took a sip of soda.
At that moment Lilo and Victoria decided to rejoin the group.
"Hey Stitch, anything interesting happen while I was gone?" Lilo asked as she came up to him.
"Aww, nothing much, just a new…" Sparky said, as Clip covered his mouth.
"Huh, why did you cover Sparky's mouth?" Lilo asked.
"Cause he's probably going to say something stupid or inappropriate, like he has been all day." Clip replied.
"Okayyy." And Jason thinks I'm a control freak. Lilo thought just as she noticed the boy on the bench. "Hey, that's that kid."
Victoria turned to see who Lilo was talking about. "Oh, Chance? What about him?"
Lilo then told Victoria of her encounter with Chance. Victoria just giggled. "Yep, that sounds like Chance."
"How do you know Chance Victoria?" Stitch asked as he crumpled his empty soda can.
"Oh, Chance and his family live on my street, a couple houses down from me. They moved in about a year ago. To tell you the truth, I think there's something wrong with him, poor kid."
"What's the matter with him?" Lilo asked.
"No one's for sure, not even his parents. He tends to space out at times, and he likes to stare at the sky a lot. He talk to himself, like someone else is there and sometimes he just knows things, well, that a little kid wouldn't know."
"You think he has ESP?" Lilo asked.
"Well, the Gleesons haven't had any reports of objects flying around by themselves yet, but maybe." Victoria replied.
"Let's not worry about it." Lilo said. "Besides, it's getting late."
It had been several hours since Siron had returned to the ship, unaware that he had been found out. (Fortunately, Clip had convinced Stitch that telling Lilo was a BAD idea, since she had freaked out the last two times that Jumba made a new experiment (627 and the serum)). He was looking over Jumba's files and journals, looking for ANYTHING that would indicate what might have caused the shift in Jumba's behavior. He was having no luck at all, and he was beginning to think he might never figure out his purpose.
Just above him, in the shadows, Stitch watched him silently, trying to figure out what this new experiment was truly capable of. So far, Sparky and Clip's assumptions had proven true, the experiment had nothing but look through files all night. But something was still intriguing about it: the fact that it seemed to be looking for something. From what Stitch could gather, 628 was looking for information on of all things, itself. This was strange in the fact that experiments are programmed with all knowledge relating to themselves and their abilities, so what could 628 be looking for?
At that moment Nani called out from the house. "Stitch, wherever you are, its time for bed, you have school in the morning." This distracted Stitch and he knocked over small opaque container. Siron turned around to see the source of the noise, but Stitch had hidden himself well enough to be overlooked at first glance. Then Siron turned his attention to the contents of the container. Inside were several small machine parts, and one thing that caught the dark-blue experiment's eye: a data chip.
Siron walked over and starting picking up the parts, but closed the container before putting the chip in it.
"Why was this chip hidden in that box of parts? Maybe this is what I have been searching for." He said as he inserted the chip into the computer.
A screen came up asking for a password. "A password? I suppose this might take longer than I thought." Siron said as he began keying on the computer.
Stitch was about to leave, figuring it would take all night for 628 to crack the code, when he heard the 'ding' that noted the correct password. He turned back around to take a look on what was on the file.
Both were in for a shock.
Siron read the file, entitled "Project LG". In it he discovered the formulas for creating an experiment, but with one difference: it used a host organism. This was absolutely astounding to him, but it was only the beginning. He accessed the progress notes, and began to learn what had been going on in Jumba's mind at the time. This apparently was a project Jumba had begun after toying with the thought of what "Little Girl" would be like as an experiment. What had begun as a mere theory blossomed into a project to see if such a conversion was actually possible. The notes were a bit vague on why Jumba persisted with the project, but the outcome was very detailed. The visual schematics part of the file was damaged, probably because it had been in a parts box, but the power data was unharmed. Siron was about ready to pass this off as one of Jumba's more daring, yet unfeasible, projects, when he found one last file. It was encrypted, and this drew the experiment's attention even closer. The encryption was easy enough to break, although a bit difficult for one of Jumba's encryptions. It was a diary.
08.21.10002 (Earth Month, Earth Day, Galatatic Year)
Project is completed, and yet more troubles my mind. Now am wondering, if this is to be working, what about 626? I know should not be so foolish, but talk with Pleakly has reveled insight into why I am wanting to make such ridiculous things: I care for both Little Girl and 626, and am wanting them to be happy. But is pointless to worry now, will continue later.
Siron wonders to himself why that this file was encrypted so heavily, if it was just progress notes. The next entry provided him his answer, to more than one of his questions.
08.23.10002
I am not knowing where to begin, am at such a loss of words. Yesterday can be described as nothing less than nightmare, and I am at fault. LG serum lived up to all expectations, and for this I would be proud, but it nearly cause not only my destruction, but destruction of its purpose. It is being best that I go over what has been happening these past few days.
It all was starting when Little Girl surprised me in ship on the morning of LG serum's completion. To humor her and not alert her to serum's purpose, I was locking serum in safe only she could open. Funny how what seems to be good idea turns out to be one's worst mistake. Well not worst, serum was worst idea, too damn powerful.
Anyways, same day 626 ceased relations with 624 (made 624 too much like ex-wife, so was not surprised). This angered 624, and next day, 624's actions caused horrible chain reaction. To be getting 626 away from Little Girl and back to her, she used song to try and get Little Girl in trouble. Had 624 been taking into account the theory of mental polarity, as well as Little Girl's intelligence, would have known outcome could only be bad. Was not bad however, was catastrophic. Little Girl disabled 624 and destroyed house. Then stole things from my ship, including LG serum, but was not knowing at the time. We were eventually tracking evil Little Girl to ship, only to be tricked and knocked out. When we awoke, we were at her mercy.
Siron continued to read on, and with each passage he became more and more horrified. Many of the experiments were designed to be evil, but nothing Jumba made could match this viciousness of this creature. She preceded to torture her family, plot to destroy the universe, and steal the freedom from those she loved most. According to the diary, the fact that she even became good again was a miracle. Siron was now sure that this is what caused Jumba to turn from his evil ways forever. The passage ended with Jumba swearing that he would make amends for the tragedy that he thought he caused. The next diary entry made how clear.
08.26.10002
I am knowing what I must do. I must prevent this from ever happening again. Should not ever happen, Little Girl is immune now, but still it haunts me. What if? Many of these haunt my mind, and are warranting final answer. This final answer will come in form of old project, one started years ago, but now ready for completion. Transfer finished about one month ago, after all data was complied. But now I must add new purpose, or my mind will never be at rest.
The diary was blank after that, but it didn't need to say anymore. Siron had found the answer, why Jumba had changed his ways, and why he had another function. As to his name, he had an idea. "If she was so powerful, then what was put in me to counteract? Whatever it is, I am more sure than ever that my name fits. Siron."
Siron ejected the disk and returned it to its container. Meanwhile Stitch had scurried away, his mind on what he had read, and what 628, named Siron, had said. The fact that he was even named that worried Stitch, but he also realized it worried Siron even more. As for what Jumba had written, was it possible? Could Lilith really return? And if she did, could he take it? If Lilo was still herself (which Stitch prayed she would be), could she take it? And most importantly, could Siron really stop her?
As he came into the house, Nani and Lilo were talking about the date. Both sounded excited. As Stitch took human form, Lilo turned to him. "What's wrong Stitch, you look worried."
"I'm okay Lilo. I'm just tired." Stitch replied as he headed to his room.
Lilo didn't buy a word of it. She got up and followed him to his room. She got there just in time to see his reaction at the new addition to his room. "When did I get a bunk bed?"
Lilo giggled. "How else am I suppose to sleep in here, on the floor?"
Stitch jerked his head around. "Wait a minute, you're sleeping here? Won't you get in trouble?"
Nani walked up to the couple. "I spoke with Cobra and told him about Lilo's nightmares. He was against lifting the restriction at first, but I convinced him. As long as no one see the two of you sharing a room, we won't have any problems. Lilo will just keep her stuff upstairs and come down here to sleep with you."
Learning this caused Stitch's heart to lighten. Lilo would get to sleep with him every night again, which was great news. Stitch gave Nani a big hug and then went to get ready for bed. He came back to see that Lilo had claimed the top bunk.
"Hey, I wanted the top bunk!" Stitch cried.
"Too bad, first come, first serve." Lilo retorted.
Stitch smiled. "Oh yeah, we'll see about that."
A massive pillow fight ensued, Stitch throwing a pillow up at Lilo, Lilo catching it and sticking out her tongue, Stitch climbing up after her with another pillow, only to get hit in the face several times. The two traded blows for about another minute before Nani yelled at them to go to sleep. Lilo and Stitch called a truce and climbed in bed. Just before Lilo went to sleep, she whispered to Stitch. "We have a big day tomorrow, so let's get some rest, ok?"
"Yeah, big prank tomorrow." Stitch replied.
"And your last for a while, got it?" Lilo said as she turned to get comfortable.
"And yours, remember?" Stitch shot back, reminding her that she had agreed to help.
"Yeah, and mine too. Good Night." Lilo said with a yawn.
"Good Night Lilo." Stitch replied as he laid his head down. His thoughts were still on what he had seen and heard earlier. I guess I should confront Siron, so he knows that I know about him. Then we need to figure out just what he is capable of, and what might cause Lilith's return. All without Lilo finding out, I don't want to worry her anymore. Lilith scares her enough as is. But I guess it will have to wait until after tomorrow, and Operation Splash Down.
Clearing his mind, Stitch finally was able to relax, and soon he was asleep.
But all was not well. In another corner of the galaxy, Hamsterville is applying the final calculations to his tool of revenge. "Soon, all will fear the name Jacque Von Hamsterville! Foolish little girl, she tried to betray me. But the ensuing battle with 626 garnered me a prize, brought to me by a loyal robo-drone. And with it, I will rule the universe!"
In his hand is a black substance, the remains of a cell feather. And behind him, in a glass tube, the nightmare is reborn.
End Chapter 4
Next Chapter
Operation: Splash Down