A/N: I'm baaaack! XD I just got through reading a KICKBUTT oneshot about Antauri and Chiro in a father/son way. It was called "Chicken Soup" by Usami. I really encourage you guys to read it, it's really awesome! Now, to answer your reviews...
To meggie6: Thanks for your helpful tips! I read my story over and now I see how jumbled together my paragraphs were. I'll try to separate the dialogue from now on. I'm glad you like my story, I've read a few of yours about Maia, Sky, and Nita, and they're really good! Anyway, thank you for your helpful review. I don't hate you (lol), but please don't curse.
To princess-tikal12: Yeah, I don't know what was up with FanFiction...weird. I totally agree though, Gibsana is such a sweet couple! I personally think that Dana is the perfect match for Gibson (besides Caraqueen herself, of course. ;D)
To Mskatee: You're welcome, and thanks for your reviews and ideas! Oh, and to answer your question, Krinkle doesn't play an important part in this story. I just added him to be a little interesting part to this story, I guess. XD
And here's the next chapter! Hope you like!
Chapter Six: A New Perspective
Larissa sat in a round pod chair, observing as Chiro and Sparx battled it out on a video game. She had never laid eyes on a video game, much less play it. But it looked fun. Otto was watching Chiro and Sparx play as he was sitting beside them. He caught Larissa's eye and waved at her. "Hey, Larissa, do you wanna play with me when they're done?" he asked loudly. Larissa flushed with embarrassment. How was she going to tell them she'd never played one before?
"Um..no thank you," she answered. "Maybe later."
Sparx smirked and glanced at her briefly before he returned his attention to the screen. "Are you a video game hater like Antauri?"
Larissa hadn't known that Antauri didn't like video games, but she wasn't surprised. Antauri didn't seem to be the type that liked to play them. "No, I just don't feel like playing at the moment." Larissa directed her attention to the otherwise empty room around her. It seemed too quiet. Nova was in her room training, Gibson was in his lab, and Dana and Jinmay had gone to get hoverburgers for lunch. And Antauri was probably meditating as usual, Larissa guessed.
Antauri spent most of his time in his chambers. Larissa had never gone up there before, but Chiro and Nova said it was peaceful in there, and so beautiful. She had heard that meditating was peaceful and calming, and that it helped clear your mind. Larissa decided now was a better time than ever to take a peek at Antauri's room, and she wanted to have a go at this 'meditating'. She definitely needed to clear her mind.
Larissa stood up. "I'm just..gonna ask Antauri something," she called to the threesome. None of them answered because of their concentration on the television. Larissa smiled. She'd expected as much. With a slight spring in her step, Larissa went up the black transport tube that led to Antauri's chambers. Strangely, she felt almost...excited to see him. Now why is that? Larissa wondered, frustrated. Sometimes the person that gave her the most trouble was herself.
* * *
Dana carried two take-out bags in the crook of her arm and carried one more in her hand. Jinmay was doing the same, except she held two in her hand. Dana breathed in the delicious aroma and sighed contentedly, excited to try them when they got home. She had never smelled anything so scrumptious in her life! Mandarin often fed her and Larissa stale bread, if they were lucky.
"Mmm, smells good, doesn't it?" Jinmay looked at Dana with a bright smile.
Dana nodded in agreement, closing her eyes. She could just imagine the taste of the fresh, juicy burger in her mouth. "I can't wait to try them!" she exclaimed. Jinmay giggled as they struggled to carry all the take-out bags. "So, you've really never had one before?" Jinmay inquired curiously.
Dana shook her head in reply and struggled to regain her balance. When she did, they strolled their way toward the Super Robot. It wouldn't be long now. Trying to strike up a conversation, Dana asked, "So, how'd you become part of the Monkey Team?"
Jinmay's stunning green eyes sparkled as she remembered. "Well, it all started when I met Chiro," she began. "We hung out a lot, and we became great friends. Eventually, the Hyperforce let me come on missions with them, and even help them when needed. But then I found out that I was actually a robot." For a moment Jinmay's eyes flickered.
Dana's attention was captured now. "You mean..you didn't know you were a robot?" she asked incredulously. Jinmay shook her head and stopped walking, her eyes shimmering with pain as she recalled. Dana stopped as well.
"No," Jinmay said, her voice down to a whisper now. "The truth was...Skeleton King found me floating in space." She lowered her gaze. "I was created as a robot. Skeleton King wiped away my memories and sent me to Shuggazoom with Sakko, one of his minions." Jinmay sighed. "I had no idea. I thought I was a normal girl, and I thought that Sakko was my pet."
Dana gasped. She knew who Sakko was; Mandarin had mentioned him on a few occasions. But she couldn't believe that Jinmay had came to be who she was, when she at first had been used for evil purposes. Is the same fate possible for me and Larissa? Dana couldn't help wondering.
Jinmay suddenly smiled radiantly at her as she moved on to a brighter prospect. "But what Skeleton King meant for bad, came out to be good after all," she finished as they picked up their pace toward the Super Robot. "And that's how I came to be." Dana remained silent, absorbing Jinmay's words and tucking them close in her heart.
* * *
Larissa lingered near the doorway, deciding if she should go in or not. Glancing around, she saw that everyone was right. Antauri's chambers held a peaceful atmosphere and it was very soothing indeed. Larissa looked up at the floating Antauri, his back to her. He looked so peaceful and calm that she didn't want to disturb him. Just as she turned to leave, Antauri's gentle voice stopped her. "Greetings, Larissa. Come in and make yourself comfortable."
Larissa's eyes widened as she turned around. Antauri's back was still facing her. Puzzled, Larissa stepped into the room, being sure to greet and thank him first before she bombarded him with questions. Antauri floated over to a table in the corner, where a teapot and two cups sat. A puff of steam was rising from the spout of the teapot. "Would you like some tea?" Antauri asked.
Larissa politely accepted and sat down on a mat. She watched with interest as Antauri poured them both tea and made the teacup float toward her all on its own. "How can you do that?" Larissa asked, amazed. The teacup softly landed in her outstretched hands. Not even a drop had fallen. Antauri smiled and held his own steaming cup in his hands as he floated towards her.
"It takes concentration and a mastery of the Power Primate." Antauri quietly took a sip of his tea. Larissa did the same, wanting to sigh with contentment when the warm liquid ran down her throat. She had never tasted anything so delicious. Usually she and Dana would have to drink dirty, germ-filled water. When Larissa had taken a few sips, she looked up at Antauri. "What's the Power Primate?" she asked, feeling almost stupid for asking.
Needless to say, Antauri did not look surprised. He smiled gently. "The Power Primate is an energy that dwells within you," he explained. "It becomes a part of you after a period of time." What Antauri found disconcerting was that he could sense a little bit of the Power Primate inside Larissa, though it had not been trained nor acknowledged. He estimated that Larissa was created with the Power Primate though did not know it, as had Chiro, before he became a part of the Hyperforce.
Larissa wondered what was going through Antauri's mind as he seemed to be studying her. Her pulse quickened, which confused her. Larissa couldn't deny her attraction toward the wise monkey, though she did not know why. What was it about Antauri that she liked?
"Who taught you in the Power Primate?" Larissa asked curiously, hoping she wasn't overstepping her boundaries. She took another sip of her tea to avoid talking.
Antauri looked as if he was recalling the time, a soft smile on his lips. "Master Zan," he replied. "He was a brilliant trainer of the ways of the Power Primate, full of wisdom and inner strength. Because of Master Zan, I am who I am today." Antauri's eyes suddenly took on a sad glow. "Until he was corrupted by the Dark Ones...by Skeleton King."
Larissa recognized the name immediately. Mandarin had had a word or two, not very nice ones at that, to say about Skeleton King on some occasions. She saw the grief in Antauri's eyes and felt sorry for him. "I'm very sorry. I know you must've cared about him." Larissa let her comment hang in the air before she dared to ask, "What happened?"
Antauri sighed and looked off in the distance. "I'm still not very certain," he answered. "All I do know however, is that, like many others, he fell prey to the dark overlords." It was silent for a while after that. Larissa took several sips of her tea, carefully considering all that Antauri had said. What did he mean when he said that many others had fallen prey? Did Skeleton King take many others besides the Power Primate master?
Changing the subject, Larissa asked, "Is meditating part of the Power Primate?" She felt like a bothersome child asking nonstop questions.
Antauri seemed to consider her question. "No, I suppose not. But it relieves the inner mind, and it helps put forth my full concentration into the Power Primate."
Larissa didn't know why, but the Power Primate appealed to her. It seemed to draw her in...and the more she thought about it, the more interested she became. The Hyperforce did seem like a very powerful team. Was the Power Primate the source of their power? Was that why they were such a strong team? Mandarin would no doubt disagree, instead he'd say that evil was the stronger power, that it would always reign over good.
"Could you teach me?" The words left Larissa's mouth before she could even think about it, and suddenly she wished she could take them back. She couldn't train in the Power Primate; she wasn't skilled enough, and she had no idea what it took. It would do nothing to help what she was already facing. Besides, it would probably take a long time. But, on the bright side, it would probably ease his suspicions. Larissa could tell that Antauri was somewhat wary of her presence. "In the Power Primate, I mean."
Antauri smiled and laid down his teacup. "I would be pleased to; however, you are to put your full concentration and effort into it. The Power Primate is not something to be careless with. It takes much practice, training, and diligence." Antauri leaned forward slightly, his steady blue eyes locking on hers. "Are you willing, Larissa? Will you be prepared?"
Why was it whenever Antauri said her name, it made her shiver all over? Larissa looked him straight in the eyes and nodded slowly, hoping she was doing the right thing. "Yes."
Antauri seemed pleased with her answer. He took his teacup and lifted it to his lips. "Very well. Your training begins now."
A/N: Not my best chapter, I admit. But there will be much better ones in the future...I have much in store. (evil laughter)
Larissa: That can't be good. XD
But anyway, I'd like to thank all my reviews...you guys rock! You guys are what gets me whipping out these chapters! I hope all of y'all like it so far, and more is to come...soon. Now, review!
Larissa: Now we're out! GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY!! XD