A/N: Hey y'all!!! I decided to update real quick because if I don't now, it'll probably be a week before I get to it. So I'm seizing the free time I have right now! XD The song in this chapter is "Don't Walk Away" by Nicholas Jonas. YES, IT IS THE FAMOUS NICK FROM THE JONAS BROTHERS!!!! :D Anyway, this song was back when Nick had his own solo record deal. It's a really awesome song, I wanna recommend you guys to listen to it on YouTube. I changed a couple of words in the song so that it makes sense with the situation. And yes, the song relates to Larissa and Dana. So anyway, I'm gonna shut up and write this chapter now! LOL!

Chapter Thirteen: Sometimes Fate Makes Our Choices Clear

Feelin' like you lost your way, say that you had better days.

You don't know why...

The next morning when the Monkey Team awakened, there was no sign of Larissa and Dana. At first, they'd thought the newcomers hadn't woken up yet. But when Nova entered the guest room, it was empty. After searching all over the Super Robot, they still couldn't find them.

"They'd tell us if they were goin' somewhere...right?" Sparx frowned. None of them knew what to think.

Nova, Otto, Jinmay, and Sparx went to go look through Shuggazoom City while the others stayed at the Super Robot. When they came back nearly an hour later, they still hadn't seen Larissa nor Dana. Chiro looked at Antauri with a confused frown on his face.

"Why would they take off like that, Antauri?"

Antauri looked at Chiro, an uncertain look on his face. "I am not certain, Chiro. Fate will soon tell us exactly why." He was also greatly concerned about Larissa and Dana, though he didn't show it. What would make them up and leave like that? It didn't make sense. Larissa had just joined the Hyperforce, after all. Had something happened to them? Unless...

"Uh, guys?" Otto's voice drifted over to them. He stood in the doorway, a piece of paper in his hand and an upset look on his face. "I think you'd better read this."

Dear Monkey Team,

I hope that by this note you will realize our intentions for running away. We're sorry that we

didn't let you know sooner, but it was last minute. It was very nice being able to stay here.

You'll never know how much we appreciated your welcoming attitude.

But the truth is, we've been hiding secrets from all of you. I never lost my memory.

We were dishonest by lying and hiding our past from you. It was wrong of us and we now

realize the error of our ways. It was dishonest of us. We hope that you can learn to trust us,

if we ever cross paths again. We're not really who you think we are.

Don't try to look for us. We have to face our battles...alone.

We enjoyed the time we spent here...you'll never know how much we appreciated your friendship.

Thank you so much..for everything.

Sincerely,

Larissa and Dana

Everything seems way too hard,

You start to wonder who you are and why you try...

Antauri finished reading the note first. He closed his eyes, as if he had been expecting this. "We must respect their decision."

"Respect it?!" Sparx snapped. "How can we respect it? They disappear without a trace and don't even tell us why..."

"Sparx." Chiro's blue eyes were filled with pain, but with somewhat understanding. With just that one name, unspoken words showed in his eyes and on his face. Sparx obediently grew silent, his respect for their leader showing. But it was obvious that he was still ticked off. Meanwhile, Gibson finished reading the note with a sorrowful expression and confusion in his eyes. Wordlessly he headed to his lab for some solitude.

I understand the way you feel, and I can help you keep it real

And help you see...

Jinmay's green eyes were filled with sadness. "I was afraid this would happen," she whispered.

Nova looked at her curiously, also hurt and angry by the newcomers' abrupt absence. "That what would happen?"

"That they were hiding something big...and that they would leave everything behind because of it."

Gibson trudged to his lab, filled with hurt and puzzlement and sorrow. Just when he had thought he had found a true friend that shared his beliefs and passions, just when he thought he had found the one, she had left. Why did these things always happen to him? Would he ever find a friend that would stay?

Just then a shiny silver object on his operating table caught Gibson's eye and he slowly turned around to be met with shock. It was Dana's locket!

Gibson scurried over to the table, taking the heart-shaped silver locket in his hands. He ran it through his fingers and held it close, feeling as if he was closer to Dana now. Then he spotted a note on the table, where the locket had been laying. Curious, Gibson held the locket in one hand and picked up the note with the other, carefully reading the heartfelt words.

Dearest Gibson,

What can I say? You have been the dearest friend to me since Larissa and I arrived.

You patiently taught me Science and opened my eyes to lots of new things.

Including love.

But you don't know anything about me. If you ever find out, you will

probably never want to see me again. Even so, I hope we

cross paths one day, if fate permits. Thank you for being my friend, Gibson.

I'll never regret knowing you. I hope you feel the same about me. I hope you'll

keep my locket to remember me by. I'll never forget you.

Love, Dana

Gibson felt touched by the genuine words in Dana's note. But in spite of himself, he was curious. What were Larissa and Dana hiding?

Everything you're missing here,

Help you take away your fear

And set you free...

Just then Gibson heard a loud beeping, as if a bomb. He listened carefully. It seemed to be coming from the locket! Studying it closer, Gibson turned it in his hands and to his horror found a red button lodged on the back of the necklace. A tracking device!

Just then the Super Robot's alarm system beeped, followed by a loud crash coming from the mainroom.

Larissa and Dana walked side-by-side in the wilderness, both silently wondering what they were going to do now. They had left quietly in the middle of the night and had been traveling ever since. Now Shuggazoom City was a black dot in the distance behind them.

Find a way back to your heart...that's a start...

That's where the answers are.

Don't walk away from what you once believed.

Just call my name and I will help you see...

Just then the communicator beeped, and they both gasped. They'd forgotten to dispose of the communicator. Dana reached for her throat to grasp her locket, which she always did when she was nervous, but found her neck bare. Then she remembered. She had given the locket to Gibson.

Larissa snatched the communicator, a strange calm in her eyes, but her hands were trembling. "Mandarin."

"Where are you two filthy, rotten traitors? You'd better have a good explanation for this, you worthless, useless creatures!"

Larissa and Dana both cringed at Mandarin's harsh choice of words. Then, shockingly, Dana answered. Her voice was as cold as steel, yet full of determination.

"Yes, we do, Mandarin. We've joined the good forces and are no longer evil. We don't need you controlling our lives any longer, you hypocrite!"

Mandarin was silent for a moment, obviously surprised by Dana's outburst. Then he growled. "I was afraid you might say that. Is this any way to treat your master, your creator?"

Larissa then spoke. "You might be our creator, Mandarin, but we are no longer your minions--no, scratch that--your slaves, going around doing your dirty work! We're finished, Mandarin."

Mandarin suddenly bursted into evil laughter. "I knew this day would come. And I knew something was amiss when you didn't return to me, or why you weren't at the Super Robot when I dropped by."

Larissa and Dana's hearts sank. Mandarin had been at the Super Robot? When?

Get your head up, get your game on.

Who you are, it's right, you're not wrong.

Don't turn your back on fate...

Mandarin continued. "Now I know you will be interested to know I have your...friends here with me."

Dana snatched the communicator. "No, you don't! You're lying!"

Mandarin cackled. "Just the opposite, dearest Dana." Just then an image sprang up from the communicator. It was the Monkey Team, all trapped in cocoon-like structures. They were captured! Larissa and Dana both let out horrified gasps.

Don't walk away.

"I will be getting rid of these pests once and for all, and once they're finished off with, you two rats are next!" Satisfied at having the last word, Mandarin broke his connection.

Larissa and Dana exchanged upset glances. Dana threw down the communicator in rage, her eyes filling with tears. "What are we going to do now?"

In your heart is where the answers are.

Don't turn your back on fate...

Larissa breathed deeply and closed her eyes. "It's like Antauri says, Dana...sometimes fate makes our choices clear."

Dana remained silent, and Larissa's eyes opened. She wore a determined and brave expression. "Dana, it's time we settle this and do what we should've done all along."

The two friends exchanged a knowing glance and a nod. Dana's eyes held a steady confidence.

"Let's go."

Don't walk away.

A/N: YAY FOR DRAMA!! Wow, I'm so sorry I haven't had time to update! Life has been reeeally hectic. Anyway, guys, do me a favor while you're reviewing. Put this story on Story Alert so that when I update, FanFiction will notify you. The pages for stories on SRMTHFG won't show Hidden Secrets. I've gone back five pages, and it STILL won't show my story! So now y'all will know when this story is updated. The next chapter should be really interesting...now REVIEW! I'm out!