A/N: Hey y'all!!! Sorry I haven't been on in a while; crazy week. Anyway, here is the next chapter! Caraqueen helped me write this chapter, because it's mainly focused on Dana. If anyone can guess why I named this chapter this name, um...you get a cookie! (holds up mouth-watering, handmade chocolate-chip cookie) Looks good, doesn't it?

Larissa: Hurry, before Beth eats it! XD

Chapter Five: A Different Kind of Chemistry

Dana was seemingly alone in the main room and was about to relax in a round pod chair when she halted at the sound of a frustrated British voice. Curious, Dana peeked her head around the corner to find Gibson is his lab, his fingers flying over the keyboard on the giant computer, an aggravated frown on his face. Dana took a step inside and Gibson turned at the sound of her footstep. His frown decreased and was replaced with a weary smile. "Why, hello, Dana."

Dana smiled at him, glancing over at the jumbled math equations on the computer. "What are you doing?" she asked. Gibson sighed and looked at his computer again briefly. "Oh, I'm just calculating the readings of that cheese robot. I'm trying to decipher where its location was, where it came from." Gibson pulled out a long list of paper that he had printed out. "So far, no accurate results have come through," he added with another sigh. Dana frowned at the weariness in his tone. Gibson obviously worked very hard at being the Science Officer. Even the most intelligent people got tired of it sometimes, she guessed.

Dana smiled gently. "It sounds like you need a break," she said, taking his hand. "Do you want to take a walk or something?" Gibson's eyes brightened and he slowly nodded. "Yes," he answered. "I would like that very much, indeed."

* * *

"The wildlife in Shuggazoom have seemed to disappear altogether," Dana said as she and Gibson strolled along in the park. Gibson nodded in agreement as he glanced around. "Yes, it certainly seems that way," he agreed. "According to my calculations, all the readings of the animals strangely decreased after we were created." They walked in silence for a few more minutes until Gibson dared to ask, "Is it true that you and Larissa never acquainted with your creator?" Dana looked down at the ground and fiddled with her fingers.

"Well...we never really knew him, you know?" Dana looked up at the orange sky. "I mean..he created us, but he didn't care about us...we don't know much about him, or who he is, really." She blew out a frusterated breath as she struggled for the words to say. It's not the complete truth, but it's still truth...right? Gibson nodded, not asking any more questions, to Dana's relief. Instead he stopped and his eyes filled with a feeling Dana didn't understand. "I understand, Dana, completely," Gibson replied. "You see, we were created by a very well known and respected scientist, the Alchemist. He created us so that we could protect the world from harm, as we do now. We don't completely remember him, but we feel the sting of loss. We still have memories...forgotten memories."

Dana swallowed hard as she listened to Gibson's story, completely captivated. "...What happened to him?" she inquired, her voice lowering to a whisper. They sat on a bench and Gibson looked into her eyes..her soul. After a few moments, Dana turned her gaze. She had gained his trust, but why did she feel like such a jerk? Gibson continued. "The Dark Ones corrupted his soul...and he turned into Skeleton King." At Dana's gasp, he lowered his head. "Unfortunately, one of our teammates went with him," he added quietly.

Dana was just about to ask which teammate Gibson was talking about when something bright and yellow caught her eye. She turned and saw the cheese robot still lying in the park, totally malfunctioned. Gibson followed her gaze and suddenly sighed, as if he remembered he was supposed to be doing something more important. "I suppose we need to return," he commented, standing up. "I still need to analyze the data for that cheese robot." Dana cocked her head as a sudden realization popped into her head.

"You guys said that cheese robot looks like the one that was in Krinkle's mind...right?" Dana cautiously approached the robot, as if it was going to jump out and attack her. Gibson, puzzled, followed her. "Why, yes, but-" Before he could finish, Dana shifted her weight to one hip and cupped her hand around her chin in a thoughtful position. "Well...what if that is the same cheese robot? What if Krinkle had the power to send something out in the real world, out of his mind?" she theorized. She could practically see the wheels churning inside the blue simian's head.

"Yes, I suppose that is possible," Gibson answered after thoughtful silence. "But why would he do that, when he could simply send himself out?" Dana didn't answer but instead leaned down to pick up something from the robot. Gibson peered closer as she yanked out a metal box that was connected to wires. It looked like a mini television. Dana smiled at him as she tossed the tape up in the air and caught it in her hand. "Because Krinkle wanted to send you guys a message."

* * *

All of the Hyperforce, including Jinmay, Larissa, and Dana, were gathered in front of the mainscreen as Otto connected wires to the tape Dana had found. "I think I got it!" Otto exclaimed cheerfully. Sure enough, Krinkle's face appeared on the screen. Dana's theory had been correct. Everyone listened and watched carefully as Krinkle's crazed voice floated to their ears, the screen blackening and static-y. His eyes were full of bitterness and that familiar craziness. "Hyperforce, you may think you have defeated me. But you couldn't be any more wrong!" He let out a shaky laugh. "The truth is, I've gained more strength and power since I've been trapped. Here, in my own mind. I've learned many new things. You may think you have gotten rid of me for good. But I swear to you, Monkey Team, I will be back!" A wide smile spread over his face. "Then we can get together and discuss all this over a cup of coffee!" He let out another crazy laugh until the screen turned blank.

Everyone blinked, not sure what to make of it. Sparx finally rolled his eyes. "He's still the same ol' kook," he said. Antauri nodded wisely, his eyes reflecting answers to unknown questions of the present. "Krinkle is driven by his own obsessive desires," he stated, arms crossed. "This is living proof." He looked up at everyone's faces, but he locked his gaze on Larissa specifically. "Do not let your emotions take control of you," Antauri warned all of them, finally taking his gaze away from Larissa. "It can prove to be very fatal."

Larissa trembled as Antauri sent another message to her that related to her and Dana. Did he know? If he did, how? Larissa tore away from the room and to the guest room, where she could go for solitude and a quiet place to think. Chiro looked around at everyone. "If Krinkle ever does come, we'll be ready for him," he said with determination. Nova clenched her fists. "I'll be ready for him, alright!" she declared.

Gibson turned and smiled proudly at Dana. "It seems as if you are talented in the area of Science," he complimented. "Your hypothesis proved to be correct after all. If it wasn't for you, I would still be analyzing the data." Dana flushed and fumbled with the silver locket around her neck. "Thank you," she answered quietly, looking up to gaze into his eyes. "I've always wanted to learn more about Science, because it sounds really interesting, but I've never gotten the chance."

Sparx rolled his eyes at Dana's comment and mumbled, "As if!" Gibson glared at Sparx, but then turned back to Dana with a wide smile. Nobody had taken an interest in this field like he had. Could it be Dana shared the same passion? It would be nice to have an acquaintance in the science industry. "I will be pleased to teach you, if you are willing to learn," Gibson offered. Dana's eyes widened in surprise and an excited smile crossed her face. "O-Of course! I'm more than willing!" she exclaimed. "Thank you, Gibson!"

Sparx mimicked Dana behind their backs. "I'm more than willing to be a geek like you, Gibson!" Sparx exclaimed in a horrible girly voice, batting his eyes. Nova delivered to him a loud smack, a threatening glare on her face. Chiro, Jinmay, and Otto covered their mouths to keep from laughing. Antauri realized this was a personal moment for Gibson and Dana, and he wordlessly guided the others away.

Gibson smiled, always eager to share information. "Your first lesson begins tomorrow," he told Dana. "You can help me concoct a science experiment, if you like." Dana nodded and thanked him. As she watched Gibson go into his lab with fluttery feelings in her chest, a sudden thought sprang to Dana's mind, frightening her.

What am I getting myself into?

A/N: Awww!! I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Gibsana is such a cute couple to write about!! The next chapter will be about Antauri and Larissa. I'd like to thank all of my reviewers for reading my story and always leaving sweet reviews! I hope you guys like this story so far, it's a lot better than I thought it would be!! I'll try to get up the next chapter soon. (suddenly loud munching noises are heard) What is that?!

Larissa: (hiding something behind her back, chocolate smeared all over her mouth) Hm-ghm?

YOU!! YOU ATE THE COOKIE!!!

Larissa: (swallows) What?! It looked delicious!

And?

Larissa: And it was. (wipes chocolate off mouth) Sorry.

Well..sorry, reviewers. No cookie for you. :( But if you guys guess (and get the right answer), I'll be happy! :D Okay, now review! We're out!

Larissa: Until next time! Oh, and thanks to Caraqueen for helping write this chapter!

Oh yeah. Heh. (sweatdrop)