Deep within the space-residing Citadel of Bone, an undead, self-proclaimed King sat in his throne. In watching the battle go down on Shuggazoom, his eyes burned red with hatred of the triumphing Monkey Team and especially of the boy they held so dear.
Then, just when he was about to turn away from the battle in pure disgust, he witnessed his greatest adversary's blunder.
"This is grand!" he cried, throwing his head back as he cackled gleefully. "The Chosen One nearly brings down his own Hyperforce!"
A wicked smile graced his lips.
This was the chance he'd been waiting for!
He only absently observed the remainder of the battle as his mind formed various infringement strategies. To use such a vital advantage in this war effectively, this plan would have to be flawless….
Hours later, when his army had been utterly wiped out, he was not as enraged as he normally would be. Instead, he smirked as he watched Nova, Antauri, and Sprx return to the Robot, laughed mockingly at how easily the filthy vermin let down their guard.
He struck the ground with his staff and called out, "Rise, my Formless minions! Your Master requires your service!"
Millions of Formless sprang from the Cauldron of Ooze, and the King of All Evil's eyes flamed ever brighter as he foresaw this battle's outcome: the decimation of the Hyperforce and the downfall of Shuggazoom city!
Bloodlust was all he knew as he fixed his eyes on his troops.
"The boy is weak, my Formless minions!" he announced, drawing himself up in his throne as the shadows enclosed his face. "Now is the time to attack!" He stretched out an arm toward the source of his nightmares. "March on Shuggazoom, my soldiers! Leave alive no man, monkey, or otherwise!" He chuckled darkly. "Without their precious leader, the Hyperforce and the last establishment of hope in the universe are as good as mine…"
His heart shuddered in anticipation; his undead soul hungered.
He would dine on boy's blood tonight….
"How is he, Gibson?" Otto asked quietly as the scientist stepped out of the sick bay to join the others in the control room.
The blue monkey smiled at his brother. "He should be fine, Otto. I administered a dose of benzodiazepine, a type of sedative that should help him sleep. He'll need his rest if he hopes to get better anytime soon."
The other monkeys nodded, and the room went quiet. Each monkey was practically bursting with worry for the boy. While Gibson was utterly trusted as the more-than-capable doctor of the Team, anxiety was a given whenever any one of them was hurt. It was yet another thing that made their family as close as it was.
"Gibson…?"
All eyes shot to the golden warrior as she hesitantly broke the silence.
"Yes, Nova?" the blue simian returned kindly.
"How did this happen?" she asked, clenching her fists. "I mean, he's never been sick before! You don't think this could be some twisted plan of Skeleton King's, do you?"
The scientist turned grim, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I wouldn't go that far, Nova," he gave a small smirk, "though I commend your deductive methods." He sighed heavily. "I warn you, there's no easy way to say this…" He glanced up, catching eyes with each in turn. "I think we may be the cause."
The others snapped up, screeching with wide eyes and fur standing on end. "What?"
Gibson, unsurprised by his siblings' reactions, merely waved his hands as if to shoo away whatever poppycock they were dreaming up.
"Now, now, let's dissect this matter rationally, shall we? Come, now. Let's all take our seats and remember to breathe a moment."
The others, though disgruntled, consented to doing so.
"This better be good, Brainstrain," Sprx growled, unsettled at the implications of his brother's words.
Gibson glared at him for use of the nickname, but replied as calmly as possible.
"It will be, Sparky." Sprx's frown deepened. "As I was saying, just consider all that Chiro's been through: awakening us and the Super Robot, the training, battling the numerous dangers that threaten Shuggazoom city, the stress that comes with being a hero, along with facing everyday teenage conflicts…" The rest of the Team looked thoughtful, even troubled, as the realization that Gibson could very well be right set in. "Like Nova already said, he hasn't fallen ill, not once since we've met, and frankly I'm astounded surprised this didn't happen sooner."
Silence dominated once again, all eyes downcast and spirits low.
"So…" Sprx said softly, morosely, "…the kid really did get sick because of us?"
"This is not about finding fault in ourselves or in anyone else, Sprx," Antauri spoke up, and attention shifted instantly to the spiritual leader. The metallic primate eyed the sick bay worriedly. "What matters now is getting Chiro well again." He turned back to his family. "That should be our first priority."
The silver monkey breathed deeply, and Gibson placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Antauri glanced at him, and the scientist offered a small smile.
"I know this is difficult for you, Antauri, but it is true." His voice grew gentler with each word, knowing that his elemental brother thought as highly of the human child as he would his own son. "It seems even your Chosen One has weaknesses."
Antauri, ever the graceful one, merely bent his head and, smiling ruefully, hummed in response.
"So it would seem, my friend," he breathed. "So it would seem."
A/N: Not too long this time, for the sake of figuring out how to get it where I want it to go. XD Hopefully it's enjoyable anyway! (Oh, and as this is my first time ever writing for SK...please don't kill me if he's OOC! I tried my best! XP)
Thanks for reading, as always!