I apologize for taking so long to update this story. I got sidetracked with another story that I had to write, and things have been kind of crazy lately. Hmm...I wonder if there are still people out there reading this story...
For those of you who are, and since it has been a while since my last update, I highly suggest glimpsing over the previous chapters (especially the end of chapter 8) before tackling this one. Just as a refresher. You don't have to, I suppose, but it could help remind you of where some of the ideas in this chapter came from.
Anyway, enough out of me. All I ask now is that you keep your mind open, and trust me. Happy reading!
Antauri sighed softly as he sat upon the Robot's shoulder and looked over the vast area below. A gentle breeze drifted around him, and he watched as it danced through the grass and flowers in the field as well as tickled the tops of the trees in the nearby forest. As he gazed over the tranquil setting, he did his best to calm the painful torrent that still lingered within.
It had been about an hour since the painful episode he had experienced among the others in the Command Center. Shortly afterwards he had retreated from them in order to gather his bearings, as well as his thoughts over the entire matter that was unfolding before him.
That last experience was by far the most agonizing one to date. The pain that had ripped through his soul was unlike anything he had ever felt before. Even now, an hour after the event occurred, the pain lingered and pulsed within him, searing through the spiritual wound that had yet to heal.
The pain of a burning anger that, at the same time, left him feeling strangely cold inside.
It was unnatural, that he knew. A crippling sensation that simply did not belong. What truly puzzled him was how to go about taking care of the situation. There wasn't much time left. There had to be a way to fix this before it was too late.
And yet he couldn't quell the fear…that perhaps it was already too late.
The sound of laughter suddenly rattled the silence around him, and Antauri watched as Chiro and Kalli emerged from the forest, hand-in-hand. As they walked, they spoke to each other in soft tones before laughter briefly interrupted their conversation.
His eyes narrowed as his gaze fell on the sorceress. The suspicion that all was not right with her suddenly felt stronger than ever. No matter how hard he tried, he knew that she could not be trusted.
But he still had no proof. All he had was his own suspicion, and while that once was enough evidence for his teammates, he knew they would not believe him this time. So for now, he could only prepare himself for when she revealed her true nature. And he had to find a way to protect the others…especially Chiro.
In one fluid motion, the silver monkey rose to his feet and jumped from the robot's shoulder. He landed in front of the two teens, causing Kalli to gasp and hide behind Chiro.
"Antauri!" the leader reproached. "I've told you not to do that around Kalli!"
The robotic simian ignored the comment. "Chiro, may I speak with you for a moment?"
Though the boy's irritation quickly faded, he hesitated and glanced back at the sorceress, who met his gaze with a shrug. With one more look at his mentor, Chiro then gave a nod.
Though Antauri recalled a time when the teen would acquiesce to a request without hesitation, he said nothing about it and motioned to the area behind the hill. But as Chiro moved passed him, the silver monkey lingered for a moment longer and turned his attention towards Kalli.
Noticing his glance, the girl responded with a sweet smile. But the monkey felt the darkness in her golden eyes, and a shudder ran through his metallic body before he broke the contact and turned to follow Chiro.
Once they were on the other side of the hill, the boy turned to his mentor. "So what did you wanna talk about, Antauri?" he asked as he crossed his arms.
The simian didn't like the irate tone the other was speaking with. "Where have you been, Chiro?" His voice remained calm, concealing any possible emotions and wanting to keep the exchange neutral.
"I was just hangin' out with Kalli. Why? Is that a problem now?"
There was a strange hostility in Chiro's voice, and a coldness that worried Antauri. "It's only a problem because we could use your help fixing the Super Robot."
Scoffing, the teen dropped his arms to his sides. "Y'know, no one else has a problem with me spending time with Kalli. Why do you?"
"Perhaps they are only withholding what you need to hear," the silver monkey responded, frustration creeping into his tone. "But all the time you spend with her is pulling you away from what you should be doing here, from helping us with the repairs."
Chiro's fists clenched tightly. "Why don't you just come out and say it?" he shot back. "Why don't you just say that you don't like Kalli, and that the only reason you want me to stay here and help fix the robot is because you don't want me being with her!"
Antauri was bewildered by the teen's mounting anger. Choosing his next words carefully, he stated, "I've told you before; how I feel about Kalli is not what's important. But you have a responsibility to the team –"
The leader's harsh snort interrupted the robotic simian. "Yeah, you would know all about responsibility, wouldn't you, Antauri? That's all that ever matters to you. All you care about is responsibility, about duty, about what destiny forces us to do…but you don't care about anything else…or anyone else."
By this time, the remaining four monkeys had emerged from the robot and were peaking from the other side of the hill to watch the conversation between their two teammates. Their eyes widened at the teen's accusation, and while the silver monkey's back was towards them, they could all feel the shock that radiated from their second-in-command.
"It's true, isn't it, Antauri?" the leader spoke up again. "You think that everything is controlled by fate or something, and that everything has to happen because that's the way it's supposed to be. But you don't care about anyone, because they're just pieces that fit in the puzzle, going exactly where they're supposed to go." His shoulders trembled as he glared at the mentor. "That's how it went with me, isn't it? Just some kid meant to be the Chosen One, destined to wield the Power Primate that suddenly blew into your life whether you wanted me or not…That's why you've spent so much time protecting and helping me, because of my destiny. But you never cared about me."
The allegations had come so suddenly, so unexpectedly and without reason that the robotic simian at first didn't know how to react. Shaking himself out of his astonishment, he struggled to find his voice. "Chiro…that's not…"
"Don't lie to me!" the teen snapped. "You never cared about me. I was just some kid you needed to guard because of something I'm fated to do. But I was still never good enough for you, was I? That's why you always had to keep pushing me to work harder, pushing me to do better; pushing me to change so I could fit your ideal…your 'Chosen One'. But no matter what I did…no matter what I do…it's never enough for you!"
"You're wrong, Chiro!" Antauri argued. "My intentions were never meant to –!"
The rest of the simian's words dissipated when a powerful front kick caught him in the chest and sent him sailing backwards. His metallic body hit the ground hard and slide over the grass until finally stopping, landing several feet away from the rest of the team.
The four monkeys gasped. "Antauri!" Otto exclaimed as Ring chirped frantically.
Stepping forward and standing where Sprx and the green monkey remained, Chiro watched as Nova and Gibson rushed to the silver monkey's side. For a moment, the boy could scarcely believe what happened. Had he really just hit Antauri like that? But as he caught the robotic simian's gaze, and felt the questions…the pain…in the cobalt eyes, he knew what he had done and almost regretted it.
Almost.
"Whaddya think you're doing, Kid?!" he heard the red monkey demand. "Are you outta your mind?!"
The boy turned to the other. "I'm just tired of it all, Sprx," he answered, his own hard tone foreign to his ears. "I'm sick and tired of all the responsibility, of always having to work so hard and fighting all the time. I'm sick of never being good enough for him…I'm sick of being forced into something I'm not. I'm sick of being the 'Chosen One' and of destiny." His focus then turned back to his fallen mentor. "But most of all…I'm just sick of you."
"But Chiro…!" Gibson began, but was quickly silenced by the silver monkey's hand.
Slowly Antauri rose to his feet, looking at the leader with a steady gaze. "Is that really what you think, Chiro?" he asked. "Is that really how you feel?"
The teen scoffed and threw his hands into the air. "There you go again!" he retorted. "Even though I'm telling you, you still don't listen to me! It's like you think I don't know what's going on in my own head! Yes, this is really how I feel! I hate all of this! I hate it, and I hate you!"
"Then what would you like me to do?" Antauri's calm tone never wavered.
"I…" Chiro paused as he thought over the question. What did he want the other to do? "I just…I just want you to leave. And I never want to see you again."
The silver monkey's composure never faltered. But after a lingering moment, he closed his eyes and turned his face away from the boy. "Very well…" he finally answered.
Nova's eyes widened. "Antauri…!" she protested as the second-in-command began to leave.
Looking at her, the robotic simian placed his hand on her shoulder. "Watch over him…" he whispered. "Do what you can to protect him…and take care of yourselves." Then he stepped away from her, crouching to the ground as he ran towards the forest. His silver form disappeared amidst the shadows of the trees…never looking back.
Watching his mentor go, Chiro couldn't explain the sudden tears that stung his eyes. Why was he ashamed of what just happened? He asked for this, didn't he? He wanted this, didn't he? He thought he had…but somehow part of him just wasn't sure anymore.
At least until he felt a gentle squeeze on his hand. He turned to look at Kalli, who gave him a reassuring smile. "It's gonna be okay, Chiro…" she said softly. "You'll see."
Returning the smile, the leader nodded. All his doubt seemed to vanish. Turning to the remaining monkeys, he sighed. "Okay…" he said, rubbing the back of his head, "I guess I kinda put you guys on the spot now. But this is the way it's gonna be from now on. And I'm sorry to make you choose like this, but I need to know…Are you with me? Or are you with him?"
Startled, the four simians exchanged hesitant and uncertain glances. How could they make such a decision…to pick either Chiro or Antauri? Why did they have to pick? Neither of them wanted to leave Antauri on his own…to abandon him…but the ultimatum gave them little choice. And they couldn't very well leave Chiro alone either. Three pairs of ebony eyes then turned to focus on their third in charge, waiting for her verdict.
Reluctantly Nova glanced over her shoulder in the direction where Antauri had gone, his last words echoing in her mind. Then, turning back to the teen, she replied softly, "You're our leader, Chiro. You know we're here for you."
"Yeah, Kid," Sprx added, picking up on her lead. "We've got your back."
Chiro smiled in relief when Otto and Gibson nodded their agreement. "Thanks, guys," he said. "I knew I could count on you."
The four once again traded doubtful looks before looking up at the suddenly darkened sky. Ominous clouds loomed overhead, blocking the sun as water droplets began to descend on them.
"Oh well that's just great…" the hot shot muttered.
Ring chirped softly, fluttering her wings anxiously when the storm grew heavier. Though Otto did his best to protect her from the rain, they were all quickly getting soaked.
"I think we better sleep inside the Super Robot tonight," Chiro suggested, trying to keep the rain out of his eyes. Looking at the sorceress, he added, "I guess…there's an extra room now for you to sleep in…"
The Monkey Team frowned at the boy's words, but all said nothing as they headed back up the hill and entered the machinder. As she moved to follow them, Kalli stopped when she noticed that the other hadn't budged.
"Chiro?" she said softly. "What's wrong?"
He tore his gaze away from the forest where Antauri had disappeared to look at her with wondering sapphire eyes. "Do you really think I did the right thing?" he asked. "You really think this is okay?"
The sorceress sighed, taking his hand into hers. "It's hard to really be sure," she replied softly. "But you definitely can't change what's happened. We'll just have to wait and see how this all turns out, okay?"
Chiro nodded, looking back at the thick woods. "I guess you're right…"
Smiling gently, Kalli reached up with her free hand to gently caress his cheek. "Hey…try not to worry about it now, all right? After all, you've still got the others…and I'm here too. And we'll do what we can to help."
Placing his hand on top of hers, he gave her a small nod. "Yeah…Thanks Kalli."
Darkness flickered in her golden eyes, but the storm concealed it well. "It's what I'm here for," the girl answered playfully.
With a grin of his own, Chiro leaned forward to gently capture her lips.
Antauri gasped as pain suddenly coursed through his body, immobilizing him. His hand faltered on the ground, slick with the fresh rain, and sent him crashing into the dampened soil. The pain was far worse than anything he had experienced, tearing at his soul and ripping him apart. It mingled with the pain that lingered from earlier that day, growing and spreading until it consumed him entirely. It quickly seared through him, leaving nothing but a hollow chill that created deep scars in his spirit.
But it was not the worst pain that he felt. The worst were Chiro's harsh words that sharply cut through his heart.
It had taken everything in his power to retain a calm state in light of the angry accusations thrown at him. Never before had he expected to hear those words from the teen, nor did he ever consider how to react if presented with such a situation. Just the idea that Chiro could ever think he didn't care…that he never cared…that he didn't think the teen was "good enough"…How could Chiro ever considered such things? And the sharp bitterness he had spoken those words with…Antauri never expected it to hurt so much.
Yet through the sting of the claims and the rage in the tone, the silver monkey knew that the teen hadn't meant the words he said. Antauri knew the truth, and he knew exactly what was happening. He knew why Chiro had said those things, and he knew…he knew that it was all his fault.
Because he had failed to protect the boy.
Antauri grit his teeth and shut his eyes. He had been too late after all, and he had failed to prevent all this from occurring. If only he could have seen it sooner, if he could have just realized…then none of this would have happened. But it was too late now. He had failed, and because of his grave mistake Chiro was in terrible danger. It was only a matter of time before the teen was completely gone…
And still…there had to be something he could do. Perhaps it was too late to stop it, but it still wasn't too late to fix this…yet. There had to be some way to save Chiro…
That's why…he had to…get up…
Biting back the pain that continued to course though his body, Antauri struggled to push himself up. His silver form was now plastered with mud, and he fought to keep his balance before running through the forest once more. He had his destination set in mind, and he had to get there no matter what.
If he was going to help Chiro now, he needed some answers…and some help. And he knew there was only one place he could go to receive both.
The rain pounded on top of him, trying once more to drive him to the ground. He winced as each droplet struck a painful needle that beat against the weakened soul inside the metallic frame. The muddied ground tried to ensnare his limbs, tried to pull him back into it. And the pain within was almost overwhelming, threatening to destroy him entirely. But he held control, willing himself to keep moving.
And somehow, despite the torture it had been, Antauri found himself standing in front of the cave where Kalli had been locked away.
Rising to stand on his two feet, the silver monkey rested his hand against the cave wall for support, slowly stepping inside the cave. The cavern air felt empty and frozen, whispering a sorrowful warning for him to turn back. But he did not yield and continued moving father back into the tunnels.
As the narrow corridor expanded into the wider chamber, Antauri winced from the harsh light that filled the cave. The orb continued to radiate its violet beam atop the altar, but with much more intensity than it had when he was last in the grotto. There was no warmth to the glow, and in fact it was colder in the cave than it had been outside in the rain. It was as though the light of the orb absorbed the heat around it, leaving nothing but the bare cold.
But while he wanted to examine the orb, he ignored it and instead continued on past the altar steps. He only came to a stop when he stood in front of the black-cloaked skeleton that clutched its jade pendant.
Antauri stared at the figure for an eternal moment. He could only assume that this person had died holding onto the jewel, and therefore the item held great importance. And while he preferred not to disturb the final resting place of a fallen being, he knew that the pendant held all the answers he sought.
At any rate, he had known that he would return to this cave and search for this pendant. He just never realized when or why he would revisit the place.
"But you knew, didn't you?" the robotic simian said, his cobalt eyes never straying from the jewel held by the skeletal hand. "You knew I would come again…because you were the one calling me here in the first place. The first day we had landed on Verdane, you called me here because you knew what was going to happen. And you were the one who warned me not to inform Kalli of your presence here. It was all your doing…and if I had paid more attention, perhaps I could have stopped all this from getting too far."
Another wave of pain spread through him, forcing his legs to give way. Collapsing to his knees, he bit back the groan that tried to work its way up. Looking at the pendant again, he said, "I need your help now. Something has to be done before it's too late…and I'm running out of time."
Rising to his feet once more, the silver monkey stepped towards the skeleton and bowed to it. "Forgive me…" he said. Then he reached out and grabbed the jade pendant. When he did, the jewel flared brilliantly, engulfing him in its bright light.
Antauri felt the pain within him suddenly ease, replaced with a warmth that had so long been absent. It spread throughout his soul, touching the scars and providing even just a temporary relief. And as the soothing sensation swept through him, he heard a strange voice echo within his mind.
"Greetings, my friend. It is nice to finally see you. I have been expecting you for some time…"
TBC
I hope I haven't offended anyone with the terrible OOCness. I promise, I've planned it this way, and it's integral to the story's plot.
I've also left vague ideas here, because I plan to explain everything (hopefully) in the next chapter. If you want your questions answered, make sure to catch it!
It may take a while before the next chapter is up, though. I'm on spring break right now, but it ends next week. After that, class work will keep me pretty busy for a while. Hopefully I'll be able to update soon, but we'll have to see.
Anyway, please review and let me know what you think. No flames if it can be helped, and remember: I've planned everything out already. The OOCness is supposed to happen. So please don't send angry reviews telling me how wrong I am. Thank you.