And we're back from a long hiatus!

Quickly, just wanted to thank Lady Cougar-Trombone, ShadowDragon1553, Labgirl2001, EmeraldTulip, LRW, Dirtkid123, AlienGhostWizard14, and raenbc for sharing your Top Five Lab Rats episode lists with me! Some of you also shared reasons, which was awesome!

Alright, this chapter is a tag to the episode mentioned below, but it also makes mention of the events of And Then There Were Four. Explanation will come later.

There are additional notes below. Also, if you find mistakes here, my apologies in advance. I'm really trying to get this posted before Space Colony airs tonight so I won't be behind on tags!

Anyways, enjoy!

Episode Tag to: Ultimate Tailgate Challenge

Chronicle #066

"Zonal"

12/13/15

9:09 PM

Let it be known that Leo Francis Dooley is not a big fan of sports. It's not only because I'm confident I'll make a terrible athlete, but also because I just don't understand most sports in general. I don't get too excited watching the games either. I guess it's always been this way because it's an area I've never really excelled in. Up until Douglas gave me bionics, I've never really been involved in anything I needed training in. Or anything where I won't have much control. With math problems and coding, even with the video games I played, I can manipulate some things around. With sports, I just…can't.

It mostly depends on your physical fitness than your mental fitness. And while with my bionic arm I can throw a killer shot (the aim is a different topic altogether), winning is still dependent on other variables, or people, involved.

So, yeah. No sports for me.

Still, that I don't like it doesn't mean that from time to time, I won't get involved in it—and by 'get involved,' I mean using it for an advantage.

Here's the problem I had a few days ago. After standing in for Chase in one of his classes as part of my training period as a mentor, Big D told me that I would need to give him some sort of a lesson plan for when I do start teaching my class. That wouldn't have been a big issue if not for the fact that I had nothing to teach the students that my siblings aren't already teaching them. Adam and Bree are in charge of getting them suited up for missions, and Chase has the academic classes covered. I can't really get involved with teaching the students how to master their bionics because (1) I'm still learning the full extent of mine, and (2) Big D and Douglas already have that area covered.

So, the sad conclusion to that story was that I had nothing to teach but still had a deadline to meet.

When Mom called one night to tell us about the next football game (which I still have no interest in going to, given what happened the last time), I told her about my problem. She gave me a brilliant idea. "Why don't you teach them about the outside world?" she had asked. "You know much more about living out here than anyone else, honey. You have years of experience on you. You did well in helping Adam, Bree, and Chase adapt. That's one thing you can do again this time. I'm sure they'd need to develop better gauges when it comes to people. They are going to be living with them and helping them once they finish training. And, you know, you can always take them to different places. I imagine they get bored there on the island, too. Expanding their horizons may not be such a bad idea."

Mom. She's so smart.

After we discussed the plan that I came up with, I took it to Big D two days before I was to lead my first class. He was a little unsure about it, especially since it involved a small fee, but when I told him that Mom said she was willing to finance it if he said okay, then he was onboard.

Thursday afternoon, before Adam and Bree dismissed their class for the day, I told everyone to layer up for the cold weather and wear comfortable gym shoes for our class the next day.

"Why?" Bob asked, voicing what everyone else was wondering about.

"We're going to the park," I told them. "We're playing kickball."

Since they didn't know what that was, most of the students looked at me like I just told them we would talk about quantum mechanics in class. Even some of my friends looked at me like I was crazy. Adam was excited about it. Bree and Chase weren't so thrilled about the idea. Bree wouldn't have been against it, she said, if not for the fact that the temperature would be somewhere in the 50s that day. Chase had the same issue, but he also added that he didn't see the use in that since the students already get the physical training they needed on the island.

I told them that even if it was cold, once the students started playing, they'd be warm enough. Plus, spending some time outside would get them to be acclimated to different weather patterns and not just to the bright, sunny one that we're all so used to. I also reasoned that yes, they do get their training here, but it would be nice from time to time to have a change in surroundings. After a while, the sight of metal and artificial lighting can drive the sanest of person to madness.

Another reason that I had for doing this but which I didn't tell my siblings was that this would help the students become team players. I know, siblings, inherently, already have the social skill of working together as a team, but there was no harm in improving that. Plus, they would be playing something they've never had a chance to play before, so it helps them to learn how to adapt.

Above all, it's fun. It's a game I do fairly well in since I played it with the kids in my neighborhood when I was much younger.

Friday afternoon, we all came to the Hurst Recreation Park, at the dirt baseball field that Mom reserved for us. She was waiting for us there, along with the car Big D brought to the tailgating competition a week prior. True to the weather forecast, it was chilly, but I didn't think it bothered anyone too much. They were all excited to be there, if the amazed looks on their faces as they took in the scenery around them was anything to go by.

With Adam signing up and Taylor wanting to sit the game out, which was completely okay since she wasn't having the best day that day, I had twenty-eight players to divide into teams. Since having fourteen in one team was a lot, I divided them into four teams, with seven players each. To be honest, I was a little partial when choosing the team captains. I knew what it was like to always be chosen last, so I chose the ones who usually gets picked last first. I gave Bob, Rocket, Kate, and Storm the choosing rights.

Once they were with their teams, I explained how the game works to them. I didn't make it too complicated, just what they needed to know. I also paired the opposing teams first—Bob's vs. Kate's and Rocket's vs. Storm's—before I told them how the turns at the field would work. Once a team reaches three points, both team would switch out, and then the other set of opposing teams would take over. The two winning team from both games get to play against each other.

I also told them one of the most important rules in the game: no using their bionics. If they use it, they would be out.

It sounded simple enough. No one complained, though I think it may have been because they were starting to feel cold and thus wanted to get it over with.

Mom and I were the umpires. Meanwhile, Big D decided to spend time with Bree over at the tailgate car, grilling food and talking, with Taylor hanging out with them. Chase, unsurprisingly, used the free time to sit down and get into the new book he bought last weekend.

Once everything was set, we were ready to play.

The first round was interesting. Bob's team was the serving team, and Kate's team was in line to kick. The kickers were obviously apprehensive about taking a shot at the ball. It was almost like they were afraid I'd blow the whistle on them as soon as their foot made contact. They kept looking back at me to read my expression before they took their turn, which worried me a little because it defeated the purpose of them using this time to have fun.

However, once they got the hang of it, the game started to flow smoother until soon, their concentration was more on the ball and less on me.

Surprisingly, Kate's team was the first to get to three points. It was pretty cool when they won because her siblings were high-fiving her on their way out the field. She was very supportive of them and was not a harsh team leader, and they appreciated that.

Bob was okay with the loss. His older siblings didn't look happy that they lost the first game, especially Spin, but they seemed to forget about it on their way out. I'm not really sure if it was because they were happy to see Kate happy, because Bob had good sportsmanship, or because there was a spread of food and drinks waiting for them by the picnic tables. Probably all.

Game Storm vs. Rocket started off somewhat slow, but because they had been watching earlier, they were quick to pick up. And when they picked up, it became…tense. What added to that was Charlie throwing the ball at Era before she got to the base – and accidentally using his super strength in the process. Thankfully, it only grazed her. Still, because of the force in the throw, Era was flung into the dirt where she tumbled.

Charlie apologized again and again while he and several others helped their sister up. Era was smiling, partially because she was embarrassed, even if she obviously had scratches on her. She told him it was okay as she dusted herself off.

Though it was accidental, Mom and I had to bench Charlie from the game, which he was perfectly okay with. Era, because she was covered in dirt and cuts, wanted to sit the game out, too, so she could get cleaned up. The game would have returned to normal, if not for Miller making a scene as Charlie walked out of the field, screaming by the fences, "Rocket! You must avenge our fallen sister!"

Charlie pulled a face, narrowing his eyes. "Miller. Era's my sister, too," he told his younger brother.

"You fiend! You traitor!" Miller shouted as he clenched and shook the wires dramatically. I honestly think he was only doing that to take away the embarrassment from Era and to annoy Charlie so he wouldn't feel so guilty.

With this display, Miles only covered her face with her hand and shook her head.

Era sighed as she sat beside me. "They gave him something carbonated, didn't they?" she mumbled. "Yeah, that really was not a good idea."

Meanwhile, back on the field, some of the players were grinning because of Miller's show, while others decided to just ignore him. Rocket and Storm, on the other hand, seemed to have come into an agreement. Storm had a smirk on her face while Rocket was smiling, probably because of Miller, when they caught each other's glances. Storm nodded after Rocket gave her a look, and after that, the game was on.

It was a great round; both teams really played. In the end, by a super slim margin, Rocket's team won.

So the final game was Kate vs. Rocket, or, as what their siblings endearingly termed it, Battle of the Introverts. Since Era, though she was already relatively clean and patched up, didn't want to play anymore, Bree came in to replace her.

After nearly an hour, Kate's team emerged as the winner.

There was still some daylight after the game so we didn't come home immediately. Big D was okay with the students just hanging around since there were no classes the next day anyways. And it had been a while since we last got out of the island. He thought that a late afternoon out in a park was fine.

Some of the students elected to get something to eat, while others decided to keep playing. Era and I were starving, so we got food, leaving Mom and Chase to be the umpires of the unofficial game. While in line, Era told me how much she enjoyed the first class, which admittedly made me feel very good. It boosted my confidence more when a few other students came up to me and told me that that day's 'lesson' had been fun. A few of them asked what we were going to do next week.

I told them it was a surprise, and it was true. It was such a huge surprise that I didn't even have any idea what it would be.

"And here you thought you won't have anything to teach," Era told me with a nudge and a smirk as we made our way to the empty playground not far from the field, food and drinks in our hands.

We settled on one of the huge plastic tubes that connected the sets. As we ate, we talked about a variety of things, including the people strolling along the park who looked intrigued by our little party. Rocket joined us soon after. Amaranth would have come, but I think Mom managed to talk her into hanging out with her instead.

"So what's the plan now?" Era asked later.

I shrugged. "I don't know," I told her. "I only had plans for today. Mom suggested that I get everyone acquainted with the world, but I doubt Big D would let me do trips outside the island regularly."

"Bummer. We would have really liked that," Era said.

"Yeah. That would be great," Rocket said with a small smile.

"Well, I guess I could try asking. The worst he could say is no."

"Yeah," Era agreed, dangling her feet back and forth. She looked at me, and then she asked, "If he does say no, what are you thinking of doing?"

"I thought about first aid. That would be really helpful on missions."

"You can teach that?" Rocket asked.

"I'm certified, but not to teach. I was thinking of calling the same organization that taught the Mission Creek High students about first aid if they will be interested in partnering up with us so you guys can learn the skills, too."

"Sounds good."

"Yeah. We'll learn how to do CPR and all that."

"But you're not going to be the one teaching us," Era said.

"No." I grinned at her. "Why? You don't approve?"

"I mean, it's nice and all. I would love to have classes like that, but – I was really looking forward to see what you'd bring to the table as a mentor." When I laughed, she scoffed. "No, it's not because I expect to get good grades in your class out of favoritism," she said. "It's just—You have good ideas. Not to say that your siblings don't. They do, but you bring another facet. You can bring something out of the norm."

"Your confidence in me is overwhelming," I joked, chuckling.

She pointed at herself. "Hello? Best friend? Of course I have confidence in you. And, if today was any indication of how you would plan and handle your classes, I'd rather you be the one teaching. We had a great time."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"You guys didn't seem to like it earlier that I brought you out to play in the cold."

"That was earlier," Era said.

I just grinned and said nothing else.

A little later, Era spoke again. "You know, if you keep doing things like this, you'd go up in the polls of favorite mentor," she said absently, smiling as she watched her siblings.

"There's a poll?" I asked, surprised.

Era's eyes widened as she realized her mistake. She exchanged looks with Rocket. She appeared set on waving her comment off, but then she changed her mind. She sighed. "Yeah. There's a poll. We have a rating system for almost anything. It's kind of like our own version of Yelp. We rate food, and the classes, and…the mentors. It gives us something to do." She looked at me pleadingly. "Please don't tell your siblings."

"Uh, okay." I frowned. "Where am I in the polls?"

Era and Rocket both hesitated. Then, Era said, "Right now, you're on fourth place."

"Fourth?!"

"You just got started!" Era reasoned.

"Almost half of the students are my friends! That didn't have any pull on that?"

"Well, it would have if…if all of us gave you the highest ranking," Rocket said, his voice decreasing in volume with every word.

Era gasped. "Rocket!"

"It's the truth, Era," Rocket said, looking at her as if he'd been strongly reprimanded. "He deserves to know."

"Let me guess. You ranked Adam as first," I said to Era.

"No. I ranked Bree as first because I'm more familiar with her teaching style," Era said resignedly, darting Rocket a quick glare.

"Was I on your second place at least?" I asked.

Era looked away in guilt.

"O—Yeah, no, now I'm hurt. What is this. We're not friends anymore," I said, crossing my arms and pretending I was hurt when in reality, I just wanted to mess with her.

Well, for the most part anyways.

"You know, Era's not wrong, Leo," Rocket said after we lapsed into silence. "You should plan your class according to what you're most experienced in. The ones that ranked you in the top three put you there because of what you taught them about the outside world."

I frowned, curious. "Like what? And who did put me on top three?"

"There are a few who did." He smiled. "Believe it or not, you hold first place in Spin's list."

That was a surprise. "Spin?" I repeated.

"Yeah. He may not seem to like you, but he does think that you taught him the best lessons," Rocket said. "He said he still remembers what you told him and Bob months ago, that if we're going to choose between loving people and saving them, we should choose to love them."

"Because love enables you to do things you don't think you could do," Era said with a smile. "I remember reading that from Bob's review. He put you on number three."

"They still remember that?" I asked, pleasantly surprised.

"You teach and do good things for people, Leo, they're not going to forget it," Era said. Then, she chuckled. "If you teach fun things and do fun things with people, though, they're really not going to forget it. If you keep up with this streak, you're going to be the favorite soon."

I looked at all the students as I thought about that. That would be nice. I've never been anyone's favorite before. (Well, not counting Mom and Grandma; they're always going to be partial to me.) As I said, I'm usually the last one to be picked. It'd be a nice change to have the students prefer me and my classes for once.

Honestly, thinking about that made me think of where I could bring them and what I could teach them next.

As ideas accumulated in my head, I realized that I had seen this same scenario before: me coming in to people's lives, me showing them how things are like, me being their friend for a while, and then – what always happens. It snuffed out my excitement quickly.

I would be willing to teach them about how things work out here, but I doubted I'd be their favorite for long.

"What do you mean?" Era asked.

I looked at her. "What do you mean what do I mean?"

"You said you don't think you'll be our favorite for long. Why?"

Oops. Did I say that out loud?

"Yes you did," Era said.

Apparently, the filter between my brain and my mouth took an afternoon off that day.

Seeing that both her and Rocket were waiting for an explanation, I caved in. Still, I didn't want to be a complainer, and I'm so sick and tired of bellyaching, so I just said, "It's nothing, Era. It's not a big deal. I'm just saying I know how to set the bar when it comes to expectations."

"Enlighten me."

"C'mon. Aren't you sick and tired of my tragedies?"

"I don't know. Do you get sick and tired of mine?" Era asked, brows quirked.

I guess not. I shrugged. "It's just how things work for me. I rarely get anything good that lasts. That's how the friendships I've ever had always worked anyways," I said with a smile. "Actually, no, I don't get friendships. I get…something to do. I meet people, I do something for them, I try my best to do good. I try too hard. Then they move on. I'm like one of those witty, entertaining doormats you see on people's houses: you stop and look a while when you see it, but then you walk away from it after you get a good laugh from it."

As I dreaded, they looked at me like they pitied me, which I honestly didn't like. I wasn't mad. It just made me feel uncomfortable. Thankfully, Era decided to make a joke. "Aw. I didn't know The Dooley have insecurities."

I laughed. "I'm not bulletproof, you know."

"What about Adam, Bree, and Chase? You've been friends with them for years," Rocket commented.

"They're my siblings, Rock man."

"What's the difference?"

"A whole lot, apparently," I answered with a small smile.

"Having Douglas' kid come into the picture didn't help, did it," Era said with an empathetic smile.

"No, Daniel's alright. He's a pretty great kid. I have no problem with him," I told them honestly. "Having a step-cousin's actually nice."

"Being openly told that you've been replaced wasn't, though."

I smiled. "Like I said, if you know how to set the bar when it comes to expectations, you don't get disappointed anymore."

After a moment, Era asked, "What about me? Do you expect my friendship with you not to last, too?"

I thought about how to answer that. "I have two truths for you," I said. "There's a truth from your friend, and there's a truth that's fully transparent. Which one do you want?"

"I want full transparency. I think I'm tough enough to handle it."

"Okay. There are times when I think it won't. It's not that I think you're not really my friend or that you won't stick around because you don't want to, but a lifetime is a long time, Era. Circumstances change, people change. It's just how things work out here," I told her. Then, I added, "But that doesn't mean I don't hope that you'd be different, all of you."

Era smiled appreciatively. She hugged me tightly then said, "You know I care about you, right? Like, in an older sister/best friend/fellow doormat sort of way?"

I rolled my eyes, grinning. "Yeah, yeah. I care about you, too," I told her. When I saw the expression on Rocket's face, I told him, "Don't worry, Rock man. You don't have to hug me. Your sister's just—"

"Ooh, we're hugging Leo?" Miller cut into the conversation. He ran towards us then joined the group hug, crushing me a little bit. "Coming in!"

"Ow…You guys—"

"Group hugs? I love group hugs!" I heard Logan say before another person added into the circle.

"I don't really see the point of this without Bree in it, but why not?" Bob said as he, too, came in, Miles joining them soon after.

Taylor and Amaranth also came. Soon, I was surrounded. "Guys! This is not funny anymore, let me go!" I said, struggling.

"Uh-uh. You need to feel the love, Leo. Do you feel it? I mean really feel it?" Era said dramatically.

"Oh, I feel it alright. I feel like you guys are holding me hostage!" I said. Seeing the other students and my family watching us, I yelled albeit jokingly, "Mom! Help me! I'm surrounded by crazy people!"

The only help Mom gave me was of getting the best shot of my friends smothering me with love. Or just smothering me, period.

True to what Era said, that game at the park bumped up my cred. Over the weekend, I heard a few students talking about the class. It's awesome. Since my pitches for more outings are still pending, I have this social experiment planned based on a book I've read. I've gone over it with Chase, and he thought it would be a neat idea.

So far, I'm really enjoying being a mentor. I get to build good relationships with the students while also watching them learn and grow. Not so much right now because I just started, but soon I'm sure I'd have that privilege. It's cool that I'm close to most of them, too. It's not very awkward trying to figure out what it is they'd need. They just come tell me. I also know some things since I have the experience of being a student, things I can use to work lesson plans with.

Of course, one of the biggest bonuses is that I don't need to be athletic for this job.

Really, if I did, I would've tanked on the first try.

Signed,

Leo Francis Dooley

12/14/15

12:24 AM

The Bree Chronicles

What was the name of Mission Creek State's wooden mascot? Answers and reviews are appreciated!

Additional notes for the next entry: that one would be somewhat of an open tag. I don't really know how to work Daniel into the story, to be honest. It's not that I don't like him. Actually, I liked him more than I thought. There's just no storyline for him yet in this series.

Speaking of open tags, there will be another one in between Space Colony and The Vanishing, mostly because of my slight obsession when it comes to exact numbers. We have four more left, so that should give this story seventy entries altogether.

Finally, we're only two weeks away before the end of this series. The tag for the finale, however, won't come until March the 3rd-three years since this story is first posted. There will definitely be tears, but let's not do it tonight.

With all of that said, who's ready for Space Colony? Hit me up in the comments later on if you'd like to talk about the episode after you see it!