It's been a long time since I've updated. I apologize for that. College really had me busy this semester, and the entire month of November was occupied with National Novel Writing Month. Then I had to start getting ready for finals and everything...
And I realize that it's only a few days until Christmas, so posting today probably isn't a very good idea. But this was the only time that I had a chance to post, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Just...think of this as a Christmas gift from me.
Anyway, for those who actually do read this chapter, I warn you to be prepared for everything here. It might be a little surprising. Enjoy!
Ring sat on the floor, curiously watching as the green monkey carefully worked on some of the Robot's interior, connecting certain wires and putting away certain pieces in their proper places. Getting a little bored, the chick hopped to a spot on the wall, taking a red wire into her beak and tugging on it.
Looking down at her, the mechanic grinned. "Aww…" he said, "Ring wants to help fix up the place…"
"Just be careful, Otto," Gibson warned from his spot at the main computer. "Unless you want her to get lost inside the Robot again."
Otto frowned slightly, looking back down at the bird before scooping her up with his tail. After hearing about how Antauri had found her in the computer after she had gone missing, he was careful to make sure it wouldn't happen again.
As the mechanic started to get back to work, the chief of science was focused on the computer monitor. Frowning a little, he typed in a few commands on the consol, glancing at the screen again before rubbing his chin thoughtfully. There was no doubt that something strange was occurring, and he decided it would be best to discuss it with Antauri.
Despite the need to fix the rather unnecessary mess the others had created in their search for Ring (a mess that had extended to his lab, he noted with annoyance), it was actually something he had come to be thankful for. After all, the time spent inside the Robot had given them an opportunity to reconnect with Antauri in a way that they hadn't been able to for the past week.
He hadn't been too surprised to learn that the others had felt their relationships with the silver monkey had seemed severed somehow…almost broken. He too had been experiencing the same sentiment. But none of them knew exactly how to go about fixing the problem. Luckily, the two days they had spent fixing the Robot had allowed them to spend more time with the second-in-command, who had also conversed with them more instead of drawing away from them as he had before. The only one who Antauri hadn't been able to patch things up with was Chiro, who had a habit of frequently disappearing with Kalli whenever they took time to repair the machinder.
Gibson wasn't quite sure what to think of it all. He didn't mind the fact that Chiro spent so much time with Kalli (though it did prevent him from helping them do the repairs), but he found it unnerving that the teen and Antauri still hadn't made amends after the argument that occurred a week ago. While the rest of them were rebuilding their relationships with the silver monkey through the time they spent mending the Super Robot, Chiro was usually gone before he had a chance to do the same thing.
And it was especially upsetting that the leader was never able to see the pain that Antauri was in so often…the pain that he had been trying to hide from all of them for the past week.
They had learned of it so suddenly that it had frightened them all. They had been busily fixing the command center, and just as Nova had pointed out that Chiro was once again absent, the silver monkey had collapsed to the ground. His body was trembling and he seemed to be fighting hard to contain himself and contain the pain that overcame him. Then the fit had passed, and several minutes had gone by before Antauri was able to stand again.
After that, the robotic simian had finally confessed to multiple occurrences of similar experiences happening to him, but had no explanation as to why. When Gibson offered to run some scans over his body, Antauri had declined and stated that the problem wasn't of a physical nature, but of a spiritual one.
And that had scared the blue monkey a little. The last time he had heard that, they had nearly lost him on the planet Koroladol.
So they had all taken a watchful eye over Antauri, to be there in case the painful episode ever happened again. But it seemed there was nothing they could do to help him as his strength rapidly deteriorated and his condition just seemed to worsen. He wondered just how the other had managed to hide the pain from them for so long.
Then a rather troubling thought numbed him to the core: Was it that Antauri had been hiding the pain from them all this time…or was it that they had just never bothered to notice it before?
It was true that the second-in-command had started to distance himself from them. But there were still so many times when he had silently sat among them; watching them, being with them…They had sensed that something was wrong with him. So why was it just so recently that the learned of the pain that was so greatly affecting him? Why were they only just seeing it now?
Had their once meaningful relationship with Antauri really changed so dramatically that they were unable to notice just how much he required their help now? And Chiro, who had been so close to Antauri only a short time ago, still didn't know of how much suffering the silver monkey was going through.
Gibson swallowed thickly as another frightening thought occurred to him: Didn't know? Or just…didn't care?
It was an absurd notion. But still…was it possible…?
He was drawn out of his musings by the sound of someone's arrival through the transport pipes. He turned slightly, and he and Otto watched while Antauri had stepped out of the black-lined tube.
"Welcome back!" Otto said happily as Ring chirped excitedly upon seeing the robotic simian. "Didja find anything?"
While they were occupied with repairs for the central area of the Robot, they had decided (or rather, Antauri had decided during one of Chiro's frequent absences) that they should continue the search they had started for clues to the fate of Kalli's home and people. He advised that there would be different shifts for who went out, and the second-in-command had just returned from his appointed time.
Sighing softly, the silver monkey shook his head. "Nothing yet unfortunately," he replied.
Gibson watched the other as carefully as he could for a moment. "How are you feeling?"
Turning to him, Antauri regarded him carefully as a thoughtful look crossed his features, seeming to debate his answer. Finally, he looked away as he hesitantly answered, "I'm…not at my best."
"Did anything happen to you…while you were gone?" Gibson inquired further. He had wanted one of them to accompany the silver monkey in case he experienced another painful attack while flying the Brain Scrambler, but he and Otto were unable to do so since they were mending the Robot's interior. And because the main computer was temporarily offline, Nova and Sprx had gone to check for any further damage just minutes before Antauri decided to depart.
The reason for the computer's shutdown, occurring two days ago soon after Ring had been found, was because of the damage done inside the consol, and shutting the computer off was the only safe way to repair it without harm. However, if he had known that it meant the silver monkey would chance traveling alone in his current condition, he wouldn't have done it so early.
He sighed in slight relief when he saw the second-in-command shake his head. "Luckily, nothing has happened…yet."
Gibson quickly took a glance at Otto and caught the worried expression held there. They both understood the hidden implication that lied within the other's words. He was bound to go through that moment of surging pain…it happened everyday so far, as far as they've been told. The question was: When would it happen?
The chief of science cleared his throat then, dispelling the heavy silence in order to venture onto another topic. "In any case," he began softly, "it's a good thing that you've returned so soon, Antauri. There's something I need to discuss with you."
Lifting his gaze, the silver monkey looked at the other once again. The impassive expression on the rest of his features did little to conceal the curiosity held in his cobalt eyes. "What is it Gibson?" he finally questioned.
The blue monkey turned his back to the second-in-command as he focused his eyes on the computer screen before him. "Two days ago after Ring was found, you had told us that you were unable to contact us," he stated plainly, still trying to find the proper words to express this recent dilemma.
"That's right," he heard Antauri respond. "Even now, I still haven't been able to establish distant communication with anyone, even when I was in the Brain Scrambler."
That had been another concern to Gibson when Antauri had set off. If they were unable to contact him, and he was also unable to contact them, what would have happened if Antauri had been in any trouble? How would they have known until it was too late?
He quickly suppressed the matter. "Well, when you had told us that, I wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the damage Ring might have caused while in the computer's hardware."
"It's not her fault…" Otto said quickly. "She was scared."
Gibson sighed. "I understand that, Otto. But it was because she was scared that she thrashed about inside and wrecked the systems until she exhausted herself. So we had to shut the computer down while we repaired it."
"I wonder why it took us so long to fix it," the mechanic said as he replaced one of the wall tiles.
The blue monkey turned and watched as Ring tugged at some loose wires. "I wonder…" he muttered sarcastically. Then he turned to Antauri again. "When I had reactivated the computer, I found something…rather strange."
"What's that, Gibson?" the second-in-command asked.
"Well…I had checked through the systems, and to my dismay I discovered that communications to and from you were still blocked. Upon further inspection, however, I also found that…well…" He paused, unsure of how to put the idea into words.
The silver monkey sensed the other's hesitancy. "Found what, Gibson?" he urged patiently.
The chief of science looked at him with an uncertain gaze. "Well…I found a sort of…destructive programming that was preventing transmissions from you…and preventing us from reaching you."
Otto's attention turned away from his work to the other two. "Programming?" he asked in confusion. "Like a virus?"
"Very much like a virus," Gibson answered, turning back to the computer. "Designed specifically to attack Antauri's broadcasting systems, impeding any messages to or from it."
The green monkey placed his tool down, abandoning further thoughts of repair. Scooping Ring into his hands, he walked to stand next to Antauri. "But where would a virus like that come from?"
"That…is probably the most disturbing news," Gibson muttered tentatively as his gaze lowered to the computer consol. "I recently managed to deactivate the virus…"
"So now we can call Antauri again?" the mechanic interrupted hopefully.
"Yes, and it was simple enough to do…but as I was doing so, I managed to track down the origins of the virus."
Antauri took a small step towards the blue monkey. The tone in the other's voice seemed unusually discouraged. "You found where the virus came from?" he ventured carefully.
With a long sigh, Gibson nodded. "Yes…and no matter how many times I replicated the procedure, I always received the exact same answer, but…"
Reluctantly he turned to face the other two and pointed to the monitor. "The virus was created right here…on this computer…"
Otto's eyes widened. "No way!" he exclaimed. "That can't be right!"
The chief of science shook his head. "Unfortunately it is. I ran the scan hundreds of times! The computer…our computer is where the virus derived from."
"If that's the case," Antauri said slowly, folding his arms over his torso, "then that would mean…that one of us created the virus."
There was no change in his tone, concealing well any surprise in his voice. But Gibson had a strange suspicion that the second-in-command wasn't stunned in the slightest. Had he already suspected it? Had he already felt…that one of them had tried to disconnect him from everyone else?
"But who?" the mechanic asked, shattering the heavy silence. "Who would want to make a virus like that? And why?"
The chief of science shook his head slightly. "I couldn't tell you why Otto…but the ones capable of creating a virus like this is a limited number. The virus is such a complicated program; there are really only two of us who could actually ever create something like it…at least two that any of us are aware of."
Turning back to the computer, Gibson began typing in some commands. "As I analyzed the complex program, I was able to eliminate most of the team as its creator. Unfortunately, there were still two of us left who could ever hope to design something like this…one being myself."
"You Gibson?" the green monkey asked, alarm in his voice.
"I didn't make the virus!" the blue monkey retorted. "I was just saying that I'm able to make something like it! While the program itself is so intricate, it's actually relatively easy to create as long as one understands what to do."
"But if you didn't make it," the mechanic said, scratching his head, "then who's the other person who coulda done it?"
The silver monkey closed his eyes for a moment as a sigh passed through his lips. Opening his eyes again, he looked at Gibson. "You had spent a great deal of time teaching Chiro about such programs, haven't you?" he questioned. Though his voice was barely above a whisper, his words were clearly heard.
Glancing at Antauri with a mix of distress and uncertainty within his ebony depths, he nodded once before looking at the ground.
"Chiro?!" Otto exclaimed. "That can't be…!"
"I've been showing Chiro how to design many complicated programs," Gibson said softly, "and he's really been getting the hang of them. The virus specifications fall right into his range of ability."
"But why? Why would he make something like that? Why would he try to cut out Antauri…?"
Antauri held his hand up to stop the other from continuing. "Let's not jump to conclusions yet, Otto," he advised. "We have no proof that Chiro actually did create the virus, and without any we shouldn't assume anything. And even if he did create it, we still must take into account the reason why."
Otto and Gibson glanced at each other. If anyone had the right to be upset by the idea that Chiro created the virus, it was Antauri. And yet he was still quick to defend him. They both wondered just how Antauri and Chiro were still on non-speaking terms.
The second-in-command looked at the blue monkey. "Would you be able to find who actually made the virus?"
"I'm…not sure," the chief of science answered hesitantly. "I can try, I suppose…but Antauri, there's still something I have to tell you."
Otto groaned softly. "More bad news?"
"Unfortunately…yes. See, for the past week since we've arrived on Verdane, I've made it a point to monitor the remaining energy in the neutron generator at least once a day."
"A wise idea," Antauri stated.
"Well, I thought it wouldn't hurt. Anyway, for the past few days, I observed the neutron generator and perceived no significant change…until two days ago."
"What do ya mean?" the green monkey asked.
Gibson turned towards him. "After we returned from searching for Ring, I had gone to check on the generator as I usually do, expecting it to be the same as the previous days. However, instead of its regular level, I found that the energy had been seriously depleted compared to just a day before…about a fourth of it had been drained."
"Is there any explanation for that?" Antauri asked.
"None that I can find. But when I checked the generator today, I found that more energy had been extracted and it's now down to half power. If this keeps up, we may never be able to leave Verdane."
The chief of science recognized the concerned gaze that flickered through Antauri's eyes, no matter how brief the instance before their normal neutrality returned. Observing Otto, however, was a different story. At the moment, the only expression he was able to recognize from the green monkey was one of confusion, as though the other couldn't quite understand why this was bad news. And as strange as that seemed to be, it really didn't surprise him.
After all, when Gibson had reached that conclusion earlier – that they all may end up stuck on Verdane – he hadn't been particularly worried. The idea of remaining on the lush and placid planet hadn't bothered him in the slightest, and the notion of making Verdane their new home was actually a comforting thought. He had been in the middle of planning certain living arrangements when the realization finally dawned on him: If they ran out of power, then they could never return to Shuggazoom.
Shuggazoom. Their real home.
How he could have ever forgotten their home planet, he wasn't entirely sure. But it had startled him to think that just after a week of living on the emerald planet, he could so easily forget the planet they had been longing to return to for some time…the planet they spent so much of their effort protecting.
And if he could forget so easily, he had wondered if any of the others had forgotten as well. Seeing Otto's reaction to his news gave him some inkling that the others were in the same mind-frame as he was; so comfortable with Verdane that they had failed to remember where it was they had been returning to before.
Antauri had been the exception. The implication had been quickly understood by the silver monkey, and it made Gibson slightly curious. What was the reason that Antauri hadn't been affected by the planet as the rest of them had?
As the blue monkey continued to watch, he saw as the truth finally seemed to light in Otto's eyes. Before he could make sure, however, his thoughts were interrupted as the voice of the second-in-command reached his ears. "Could there possibly be a leak in the storage system?"
Gibson shook his head. "I've already checked and found nothing there. That room was the only one that was untouched after we nearly dismantled the place looking for Ring. There was no damage or anything, so that possibility has been ruled out."
Frowning, Antauri folded his arms across his chest. "Are there any other reasons to account for this?"
"Well…" he began hesitantly, "I have…a small hypothesis…however, I have neither evidence nor suspects to support the idea, not to mention how or why it would be possible is beyond me…"
"Gibson," the silver monkey interrupted patiently, "what is it?"
Looking at the other, the intelligent simian sighed softly. "Well…for a moment, I wrestled with the notion that perhaps…someone was stealing the energy of the neutron generator."
"Stealing?" Otto repeated, his eyes widening.
"Yes…but I couldn't imagine why it'd be done to begin with. Even just a fourth of energy from the neutron generator is very powerful and can be difficult to handle without proper procedures. And if it is being pilfered, at the rate of its disappearance, then I'd say that whoever is responsible is certainly taking a great risk."
"Then we can assume that whoever is the culprit is rather desperate for large and quick amounts of energy," Antauri stated softly.
Gibson and Otto exchanged brief, uncertain glances. To their ears, the other had spoken as if the idea of someone stealing the neutron generator's energy was fact rather than just a guess. Did he know something that they didn't?
The same disturbing idea entered both their minds at the same moment. The neutron generator was losing vast amounts of energy in a short period of time. If it was being stolen by someone, Antauri had suggested that it was because the thief needed the energy quickly. At the same time, Antauri himself seemed to be rapidly losing his strength. The painful episodes that overcame him frequently seemed to drain him significantly with each occurrence. When the silver monkey had revealed to them how long he had been suffering, they had all wondered just how the other could have lasted so long that way.
It wasn't possible…was it? It…couldn't be. Not Antauri. He would never…would he?
They both didn't want to doubt him that way. And yet for some reason they weren't able to get the thought of their minds.
They were thankfully distracted from their musings when the hum of the transportation tubes echoed through the command center, announcing Sprx and Nova's arrival. Stepping out of their respective tubes, they slowly walked over to the place the other three stood.
"I can't believe how long it's taking us to fix this place," Sprx muttered as he stepped over various spare parts strewn throughout the room.
"Well, we did kind of mess it up a lot," Nova retorted. Turning to the other three, she added, "And there are still some of the lower levels that need to be repaired too."
"Just how badly did you destroy the Robot while looking for Ring, anyway?" Gibson reproved.
The hot shot held up his hands in defense. "Hey, we were just doing what Chiro told us to do," he answered.
Ring chirped softly as Otto placed her on his shoulder. "It shouldn't be too hard to fix," he said confidently. "Actually, it shouldn't be taking as long as it has."
"Well, with you and the kid playing house all the time, it's not going to happen anytime soon."
The mechanic looked at the other curiously. "Whaddya mean?"
Sprx sighed softly. "Just that maybe the reason it's taking so long to fix the Robot is because you're busy taking care of Ring, and Chiro and Kalli are off doing who-knows-what."
"That's not fair, Sprx," Nova admonished. "We didn't know any of this was gonna happen. You can't blame them for this."
"Especially since you also helped create the mess in the first place and have done little to help fix it," the blue monkey stated.
"Hey!" the pilot shot back. "At least I'm here to help!"
"Not that you do anything useful…"
Antauri and Otto watched in surprise and bewilderment as, from that point, the three quickly escalated into a heated argument. The silver monkey frowned deeply, sensing the anger that provided the fuel to their words and statements. What really bothered him was that the burning source of each of their aggravation had just come so suddenly. There had been no evidence of any irritation prior to the quarrel just seconds ago, and he wasn't able to tell where it had all come from.
He opened his mouth to call their attention and prevent them from carrying the dispute any further. However, his voice was caught in his throat as a familiar pain rippled through his body.
Otto stood and watched the other curiously, wondering why he had seemed to stop suddenly. He figured that the second-in-command would try to put an end to the argument between the other three by that point. Then a familiar, anxious feeling filled the green monkey as he noticed that Antauri's body had stiffened considerably. During the past two days, he had quickly come to recognize the significance of the other's actions.
Still, he jumped slightly when the silver monkey suddenly collapsed to his knees, his robotic body violently trembling. "Antauri!" he gasped as Ring began to chirp frantically.
The squabble between the three was swiftly dropped at the mechanic's exclamation. All hostility soon dissipated, replaced by concern and worry for the second-in-command.
Kneeling down beside him, Gibson placed his hand on Antauri's shoulder as he tried to get a better look at what was occurring…to obtain any clues about what was happening and why. But as he felt the painful seizures that racked the stiff metallic body, as he saw the way Antauri gritted his teeth to fight down the groans that threatened to pass his lips, and as he noticed how tightly the other's silver hands were clenched in vain attempts to somehow divert the affliction within…he was once again overcome with the feeling of helplessness. He hated to admit it, but there was nothing he could do to help ease Antauri's suffering.
With a defeated sigh, Gibson turned his gaze towards the anxious faces of the others. In their eyes, he could see the different thoughts, similar to his own, running through their heads; the wishing that there was something they could do for Antauri, the feeling of disappointment and failure that they couldn't help, the hoping that the fit would pass quickly and that Antauri would still come out of it more or less all right, and especially the wondering.
Why? Why was this happening to him? What was the reason that Antauri was suffering like this?
Suddenly, Chiro broke the kiss, drawing away from Kalli. "Hold on…" he said softly.
"What's wrong, Chiro?" the sorceress asked.
He avoided looking into her gold eyes. The hurt tone in her voice was enough. "I'm sorry…it's just…I haven't been totally honest with you, Kalli."
"What do you mean?"
Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, the teen leader let out a low sigh. "It's just…Jinmay…"
The girl blinked a little, tilting her head as she looked at him curiously. "Jinmay? You're friend back on Shuggazoom?"
"Yeah…See, I really like you a lot, Kalli. But…I don't know, I really like Jinmay too…more than just a friend."
He chanced a glance at her face, and he found himself flinching a little at the surprised expression in her eyes. "I'm sorry," he uttered again, desperate to come up with some kind of explanation, "I'm just…I don't know, confused I guess. I mean, I really do like you, Kalli…ever since I first met you."
The girl smiled. "That's when I first started liking you."
Chiro allowed a small smile on his lips as he felt a slight warmth on his cheeks. But the smile soon disappeared and he cleared his throat. "The thing is, though, it was the same with Jinmay. Ever since I first saw her…and she and I have been through a lot together. I've said Jinmay and I are just friends, but I know that's really not true. I really care about her…but when I first saw you, I somehow forgot all about her for a while. And I care about you too, and…" He sighed in frustration, unsure of what else to say.
Gently, Kalli took one of Chiro's hands into her own and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It's okay, Chiro," she whispered. "I understand how hard it must be for you; caring for two people the same way and feeling like you have to choose one."
The leader nodded slightly. "I just wish I knew what to do."
"Well, you're just going to have to take some time to decide."
"Yeah…" Chiro rubbed the back of his neck again. "It's not gonna be easy."
"Most important things never are. But it really has to be done. If you don't decide, it really wouldn't be fair to Jinmay or me."
"I know…I guess I'm glad Antauri reminded me before we got back to Shuggazoom, otherwise I'd really be in trouble."
"Antauri?"
Chiro nodded. "Yeah. He reminded me about Jinmay the night we got into that argument. I guess one of the reasons I got mad at him was because I knew he was really right about how I feel for Jinmay, but he still didn't understand how I feel about you."
The boy gave a small laugh then. "Actually, it's kinda funny now that I think about it. When we all first met Jinmay, it seemed like Antauri wasn't too fond of her either."
"Really?" Kalli asked.
"Yeah…that was kinda my fault, I guess, but he warmed up to her eventually." He shrugged. "Maybe that means he'll warm up to you too."
The sorceress frowned slightly. "Maybe…but I kind of doubt it."
Chiro looked at her curiously. "Why's that?"
She turned to look at him. "Chiro…if you told Antauri that you had to choose between me and Jinmay, would he prefer it if you chose Jinmay?"
"I…don't know. Probably, but…"
"Why?"
That question startled him a bit. "What do you mean 'why'?"
"Why would Antauri prefer you to pick her over me? Why is it that he doesn't like me?"
The leader floundered for an answer. "Maybe…because he doesn't know you too well, I guess."
"He didn't know Jinmay either."
"But he knows her now," Chiro replied, unsure of where the conversation was going.
"So would you say Antauri would prefer you to choose Jinmay because he knows her better than he knows me?"
"I…guess…? But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Because if he knows her better, than he'll have an easier time understanding what she might or might not do."
The boy frowned. "What?"
"You said that Antauri might not like me because he doesn't know me. If he doesn't know me, then he can't understand the things I do or say as easily as he would with someone he's more familiar with, like Jinmay. And he can't predict what I might do. So maybe he doesn't like the idea of us being together because he feels that he won't know what I might do to you."
Chiro rubbed the back of his head slightly, mulling over her words. Even though her logic was slightly confusing, he found himself understanding exactly what she meant. "But why? I mean, it's not like you're going to do something bad to me, right?"
"Of course not Chiro," the girl assured. "You know I wouldn't. But Antauri doesn't know that, because he doesn't know me. That could be why he would want you with Jinmay. Because he knows her, and it's safe and predictable."
The boy hesitated. "I don't know, Kalli. Antauri's not really like that. I mean, yeah, he doesn't like you too much, but if I told him that I really wanted to be with you, he'd understand. He wouldn't mind if he knew that that's what makes me happy…"
"Really?" she demanded, a strange seriousness in her golden eyes. "Are you sure about that?"
The teen leader blinked in confusion. "Yeah…" he replied, more uncertain than he had intended to be.
Studying him for a moment, the sorceress's expression then softened. "I'm sorry, Chiro," she said, turning away from him. "I didn't mean to…I'm just worried, that's all."
"It's okay, Kalli," he replied, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. "What are you worried about?"
Glancing at the other shyly, the sorceress played with her hands. "Well…there's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while…I've just never known how to say it."
"C'mon, Kalli. You know you can ask me anything."
"I know…I'm just afraid of how you might take the question."
Chiro's frown deepened. Her attitude was already puzzling him. "Well," he finally answered, "you won't know unless you ask."
With a small sigh, Kalli nodded and turned to face him. "Okay," she said. "Just promise you won't get mad."
"I promise."
Tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear, she inhaled deeply as she sought for the words she needed. "Are you sure…that Antauri really cares about you at all?"
Eyes widening, the boy opened his mouth to say something, but the shock of the question prevent the flurry of thoughts from reaching his lips. "Wh-what…?" he finally managed to stutter.
Glancing at him cautiously, the girl then focused her gaze on the ground.
After a moment, Chiro at last found his voice. "Of course I'm sure that Antauri cares…! Why would you…I mean, how could you even ask that question?"
She began playing with her hands again. "Well, it's just that you always tell me about how hard you have to work and everything…and how hard Antauri pushes you."
He rapidly searched his mind trying to recall when he had told her that. "Well yeah…but Antauri has to push me to work hard."
"Why?"
"Well, y'know…" The teen paused, a frown set on his lips. There was a reason for it, he knew. So why couldn't he remember it? "So that…I'll get better…"
"But he's not you, Chiro. He could keep forcing you to work and train until the end of time without realizing that you have limits. And wouldn't you know when you've reached those limits better than he would?"
Chiro hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Part of him knew that what she was saying wasn't true…but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to tell her that.
"You also told me that Antauri said that you were some kind of Chosen One," the sorceress continued. "But you never wanted to be, did you? You never asked to be the Chosen One. You're just a kid, after all. So what right does Antauri have to make you work so hard, to push you past your limits…to change you…for a destiny you never really wanted? For a destiny you don't even understand?"
The leader of the Hyperforce bit his bottom lip. She couldn't be right, could she? She just couldn't be. Antauri had to care…didn't he?
"What proof do you have that Antauri really cares about you?" Kalli asked softly.
He thought for a minute, trying to come up with something. There had to be…anything to show her she was wrong.
A single instance flashed in his mind, one that was burned deeply in his memories. He'd never forget it, and it was exactly what he needed. "He sacrificed himself to save us…to save me," he finally answered. "His body was destroyed, and we almost lost him forever…but he gave up everything to save the world…so that I wouldn't have to…So that I would live."
As he watched her face carefully, he felt that the reason he had provided was irrefutable, that it was enough to show her how wrong she was about Antauri. That everything she was saying about him just wasn't true. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder; was he trying to convince Kalli of the truth…or just himself?
It didn't matter now. There was no way for either of them to argue with this point. Or so he thought.
What the girl said next shattered whatever faith he still held.
"Just because he saved you doesn't mean he has to care…" the sorceress answered softly.
His heart simply stopped then as he stared at her, shock and confusion frozen in his cerulean eyes fixed on the girl. His mouth opened – whether to deny the idea or to question it further, he didn't know – but absolutely nothing would come out. How…how was that possible? How could…Antauri? That just…it didn't seem right. Why would he…What did Kalli mean?
He was suddenly aware of the tremble that had consumed his body. But was it anger at the girl's outlandish ideas? Fury of what she was saying about Antauri, trying to insist that he didn't care? Or was it…fear?
Fear that there was a chance…that she was right?
The torrent of confusion was broken by the soft tone of Kalli's voice. "I only say that…" she began, "because your circumstances are much different from other people. Maybe if it had been someone else, it would have been better. But Antauri said that you are the 'Chosen One,' and that it was your destiny to wield the Power Primate. But y'know…you can't do anything if you're dead…"
At that moment, he knew exactly what she was trying to say. He understood the insinuation she was making, and he couldn't resist the notion that she might have some kind of point.
But maybe that's what made it so painful…
Antauri hadn't saved him because he wanted to. He had a destiny to fulfill, an obligation to complete. And Antauri knew that…probably better than anyone. It had been the monkey's duty to guide him, teach him, help him, protect him…but that didn't mean that Antauri had to like him. Fate had brought them together, forcing each to work with the other. And for the chance for a more peaceful future – the one thing Antauri always sought for – the monkey had been willing to sacrifice everything. Time, effort, energy; mental, physical spiritual ability…even life.
It had never been about him that Antauri cared for. It had always been about his destiny as the Chosen One that the other had been protecting. And the reason that Antauri had saved him back then…was only because he had to…
Gently taking the boy's hand, Kalli gave it a tender squeeze. "I'm so sorry that you had to hear it this way, Chiro," she said softly. Yet the sympathetic tone and sweet features couldn't hide the darkness in her golden eyes this time.
But Chiro didn't notice. He hadn't registered her touch or heard the sound of her voice. All that he was aware of was the deep pain that had cut through his body. Quickly he shut his eyes to prevent the hot tears that threatened to fall.
So then it was all a lie? After everything the two had been through together…all the good and bad times…after everything he had learned from the other…and the pain that he had felt when he thought Antauri had died…the rejoicing of his return…all his concern and respect for his mentor…their entire friendship…Had all of that really been wasted on someone who didn't even care about him? On someone who had preformed every task just because of a future he was supposed to realize?
Just the very idea…that Antauri didn't care about him at all…left a cold emptiness in his heart.
And if he had been more aware, he would have felt something far worse fill inside it…
TBC
As I believe I've stated once before, there's a reason for this OOCness. It's all part of the plot, so please bear with me until the end of the story...which won't be for a few more chapters.
I do recommend that everyone reads the next one when it comes out. That will be a real surprise.
Anyway, no flames if it can be helped, but reviews would be much appreciated. Thanks! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!