A small poem about Turkesa’s love and want for an adventure while he was a child.
“Oh adventure, how I desire you so,
I desire your excitement and your exploration, seeing the most beautiful locations the world has to offer, and learning from these examples of nature both at its purest, and its most corrupt.
Oh adventure, how I desire you so,
I desire your connection, the bonds, the families built and forever strengthened by the difficulties and hardships that lie in your path.
Oh call to adventure; will you ever come to me?
Will you give me this chance to explore and discover who I am in relation to the world, in relation to myself?
Oh call to adventure; will you ever come to me?
Will you give me a chance to discover the treasures that is the knowledge and wisdom you will give me?
Oh chance for adventure; I am ready.
Ready for your tests, ready to earn these experiences, to see these sights I’ve only read and dreamed about, to triumph over your obstacles, to create powerful bonds with those who walk along the same path.
Oh chance for adventure; I am ready.
To travel, to communicate, to learn, to fight, to answer, should you come calling for me.”
(Well since I answered the Zs previously, better answer the thundercloud this time)
(Warning, serious amounts of angst here)
A Nightmare
He blinked, and before he knew it, he was no longer in his room. No longer surrounded by metals and wires and a family that had found him and he had become a part of. Instead, Turkesa stood in a white endless void, no matter where he looked, no matter where he felt, there was nothing to touch; a good portion of him wondered if he was even standing on anything as he couldn’t even feel the floor.
“.... I’m dreaming...?” Came his curious inquiry; it wasn’t often Turkesa let himself sleep, nah the turquoise monkey preferred the luxury of closing his eyes and immediately opening them to a new day. It definitely wasn’t often that Turkesa was conscious within his dreams, and this was something he dreaded now that he knew he was... After all he never got dreams, not for as long as he could remember, no instead all Turkesa ever had was...
“..Oh no.. Oh no I want to wake up, not this, not this... Let me wake up please...”
His eyes closed shut, the monkey having no desire to see or hear what happens next. Yet, open his eyes Turkesa did; his pupils dilated in surprise for there in front of him stood the very people he had been searching for. The psychokinetic wanted to feel happy, he wanted to smile and run over to embrace his family.
But he knew better, at least he thought he did...
“... I don’t want to hear this, I don’t want to see this. Just, just go away, just leave me alone and let me wake up.”
Turkesa didn’t care that there was no response; instead the monkey sat on the floor and curled his knees in, his tail wrapping around him as he closed his eyes and desperately hoped to wake up from this before it grew any worse.
“...Why? What’s wrong Turk?”
Once again the teal monkey opened his eyes, only seeing his family a few dozen steps away from him, only to turn around towards the voice and see.. Another family a few dozen steps, a much more recent one that’s still with him today, the Hyperforce.
“...Huh.? N-no.. no I.. Nothing, I -.... it’s complicated I just-.... I don’t think-“
There was a sound, a noise, incomprehensible, yet still hearable, stemming from the direction of his current family. Turkesa tilted his head, anxiety clear in his expression as he took a step closer, only to freeze as the sound of sand falling on the floor rang through his ears. It was coming from behind him?
As he turned his heart skipped a beat, his stomach clenched in horror, as his breathing hitched in his throat. The simian’s family, the very thing he had been searching for all this time, was disappearing in front of his eyes; their bodies slowly eroding into grains of sand that flew away thanks to a non-existing wind.
Panic flooded his system and fear clouded his mind, Turkesa immediately began making steps towards his father, towards his mother, his sister, and his brother. He couldn’t loose them; not again, not after all this time of searching for them. He could feel the tears building up at the thought of never being able to see them, of not even apologizing or telling them he loved them while they were still here.
Turkesa shouted, pleading for his biological family to stay; even if it was for a moment, even if it was just long enough to say three words. He couldn’t care about anything else at that moment, he couldn’t bare to not even hear their voices. For a moment, it seemed as though his wish came true, for his family began to reverse their disappearing the closer he got.
But the same sound of the sand being blown away stopped him in his tracks; especially once he realized it was coming from behind him.
Turning around, the psychokinetic saw the Hyperforce disappearing just as his family was. Dread filled Turkesa’s heart and very being, as it finally clicked in his mind; he now knew what was happening, why both his families were now here with him in the middle.
He had to choose, and who ever he didn’t would disappear.
The pain in his chest started letting itself be known, the hole that grew in his stomach only brought the monkey to his knees, the migraine that steadily got worse made him grasp his head; the agonizing crushing claustrophobia that pressed down on his heart made him rasp for breath. Tears burned his eyes, his left one crackling and glitching and only causing more pain with its malfunctioning. The sound of the sand once again filled his ears, this time coming from both sides. Turk knew what was happening, what he had to do, and what was going to happen if he didn’t.
And he knew he couldn’t.
He begged, he pleaded, he yelled he was never going to be ready, he couldn’t choose, he didn’t want to choose even if he could. Turkesa whimpered and shook in place as the sounds of the sand grew louder and louder, beginning to drown out his own voice as he tried to scream and desperately try to wake himself up, or that someone else would.
When suddenly, silence took over.
Turkesa kept his eyes shut, terrified of what he might see should he open his eyes, hear should he uncover his ears, exposed to should he uncurl from around himself. Yet some force drove him to act against his judgement and will, literally; the turquoise monkey opening his eyes and letting go of his ears to see what laid before him.
He could feel his entire body tense, muscles and limbs locking as if turned to stone, his heart-rate rising until he was sure it was going to explode as he began hyper-ventilating. Blood, remains, it was all he saw; the screeching of agony and desperation that was not his own deafened his ears. His entire soul burned, he wanted to run, he wanted to look away, to curl up and rid himself of the horrifying sight that now laid before him. But nothing would listen, his muscles wouldn’t move, his limbs wouldn’t respond, like he became a backseat to his own body. Turkesa’s panic only rose as the violent visage seared into his memory, and the knowledge that it was his fault only lingering in his consciousness. He wanted to scream, he tried to scream; but not even his mouth listened, not even his cords would generate sound, and as he cried one last time for something, anything to set him free.
The sound of banging and shouting granted his plea.
“Turkesa!”
Eyes opening, the psychokinetic’s lungs tightened and struggled as the monkey wrenched oxygen in with a strangled gasp. Taking in his surroundings, he quickly saw all the furniture, and himself suspended above the floor via his own abilities. Turkesa began to try and slow his breathing, when the sound of voices drew his attention to the door.
“I’m gonna knock it down.”
“Chiro, no!”
“Chiro yes! We gotta get in there!”
“Otto do not encourage him!”
Panic shot through Turkesa’s system as he quickly (and quite quietly) placed everything down and ran to the door.
“Don’t knock it down! Don’t knock it down!” There was a moment of silence, Turkesa pausing right before opening the door, he swore he could hear a collective sigh before the voices of Sparx and Nova, in that order, reached his ears through the door.
“You alright kid?”
“What was all that shouting about?”
“Yeah!” Turkesa answered to one, looking around his now messy room and quickly getting an idea on the answer for the other. “I was practicing my powers and accidentally dropped my bed on my foot..... I’m alright now.”
It was a blatant lie, but he had to. They didn’t near to hear about his nightmares, they didn’t need to stress about it’s meanings.
It was his burden after all, and he intended to carry it alone.
It was an odd sensation, one Turkesa couldn’t exactly place or decide if he liked it or not. The reptilian noodle known as a snake continued to slither around and up his arms, the teal simian watching with innocent curiosity as the snake eventually slid off his shoulders and back on the grass. Heading back into the forest to where it presumably lived, the small 12 year old monkey rose to his feet as he watched after it with a big smile.
“Sable.. You have to understand, he has to be the failsafe.. The potential we have found in his energy readings show that he’s the only one who could be...”
His ears twitched at the name call, the name of his father, Turkesa looked over to see the black and white monkey he called dad talking to someone more than two times taller than himself. The small monkey tilted his head as his tail loosely made one loop around his waist in cautious curiosity. Yeah in the past he had been scolded at for eavesdropping; but what did these guys expect? They were having a conversation right in earshot! Turkesa couldn’t help but listen in... Especially if it had to do with his family.
“Nobody else in your family would be able to handle the stress of these abilities. Not you, not Kahel, not-...”
“....Huh?” Turkesa rubbed his ears, moving closer as the voice of the individual his father talked to seemed to have gone silent. The turquoise monkey let out a silent huff as he still couldn’t hear the words of that individual; then his father opened his mouth, and Turk’s ears perked up, his father was a much louder speaker, much like him and his older brother, he could certainly piece together what was happening when his father spoke.
....
What?
Turkesa’s eyes dilated in surprise as he could see his father’s mouth move, yet no sounds traveled through the air. The longer Turk tried to listen, the more quiet he noticed things became; the young simian looked at the grass and slammed his tail down, no sound was heard. Turkesa turned and knocked on a nearby tree, no noise was made. Frustrated, the teal monkey turn and ran towards his father.
“Dad! Dad something’s wrong I can’t hear anything!” He began as he ran over, at least his voice was registering. Feet silently planting against the dirt and pushing off, Turkesa reached a hand out to grasp his father’s hand.
Only for him to fall through the figure, and said figure disappear in a gentle ignition of flames.
“..W-wha... W-wait what..??”
Turkesa’s eyes washed over with fear at his dad, or rather the lack of. The teal simian child began walking back over to where Sable once stood, only to grunt as something yanked his arm. Confused, Turkesa tried to walk in another direction, only to realize his legs weren’t listening, neither were his arms.
He couldn’t move, he could feel his heart racing, his breath getting heavier, the boy struggled and strained, feeling no restraints constricting him, yet not feeling any response.
Turkesa’s heart was pounding, his head began ringing, he had to move, he couldn’t see or tell what was keeping him still. He looked around only to see what he called his home fading away to flames and gushes of wind.
“Dad?! Dad!!” He called out desperately, only to scream as pain registered in his eye, as if some unknown force was burning it away. The excruciating sensation only growing in intensity as he could feel his legs burning to the same degree as his eye. Turkesa’s eyes closed tightly as he could only cry in agony at the constant pain that ran through his body. The monkey begging, wishing, pleading for it all to stop, for him to just go back to his dad and everyone else.
Only for his eyes to open wide once again, and no longer was his vision only seeing fire, no longer could he hear the crackling and sizzling that came from the fire. Instead he could hear nothing, and see only the recognizable sight of his dorm room in the Super Robot.... It would’ve been a relieving sight.
Were it not for the lingering, stinging pain that persisted in his left eye.
“Tch..” Turkesa placed a hand over his aching cybernetics; sighing with a somber expression as he turned his gaze off the roof and towards the wall. Frustrated as once again, he had let himself dream, or should he say, let himself see another nightmare..
A canon for Turk story about a heart-to-heart moment shared between him and @spottedwings-psychicdreams‘s Mhairi, who gets to be the first to see Turkesa at his lowest. (This story is very Angsty, just letting you know)
Mhairi found herself unable to focus after the events of a few weeks ago; concentration was something that was hard to come by for most. The Otto clone that almost blew everyone up, the uneasiness of the other members, and how everyone was uncomfortable around each other as a result. Now it was not anything too bad, within a few more days time, everything should go back to normal, but that still didn’t settle the alien bird’s nerves.
Mhairi flinched as she accidentally agitated one of her injuries, looking at her bandaged forearm with disdain; it sure made it hard for her to work without really having it take up her mind. The archeologist sighed as the source of her few cuts and bruises rose in her mind; those Formless sure put up a fight, she was just glad everyone made it out relatively okay.
Well... Everyone except a certain pair of monkeys.
Poor Otto, she had thought, the cheerful and joyful monkey didn’t deserve what happened to him. It was cruel, monstrous, even appalling that such a horrible event would happen to one of their most positive and supporting members, even though he seemed to have recovered quickly; Mhairi was sure what had transpired would still linger in his mind for a little while longer.
Then there was Turkesa
To be honest, Mhairi couldn’t see anything wrong with him, emotionally anyway; he seemed so quiet and happy to have his second father-figure back. He talked to the other members as he normally did, and it honestly surprised the Grypharian when Gibson had told her of the monkey’s behavior during the mission. Now, Mhairi had never really seen a genuine angry Turkesa, nor has she really paid attention to how he fights; but ruthless? Cold and intimidating even to Gibson? Now the recklessness she expected, but what had been described to her? That seemed to be the almost exact opposite of how Turkesa behaved, she stopped to dwell on the thought a little longer.
...
Nope, she couldn’t see the Turkesa that was described and the Turkesa she sees being the same monkey. But then again, he did seem oddly too quiet, and now that she thought about it; he did seem to be avoiding Otto a little...
*Thum thum*
The quiet noise yanked Mhairi from her thoughts so suddenly she visibly jumped in reality, her eyes flicking over to the door on the other side of the room. Sighing to calm her nerves, the archeologist began heading over to greet her visitor.
“Coming! I was busy working on-” Her sentence couldn’t find its way out her throat at the sight of the turquoise monkey in front of her. The turquoise monkey who’s leg was strait stiff with the right and left eye lenses in his helmet cracked horrendously –she briefly wondered how he could see–, and his right arm lightly holding his stomach.
Overall, not as bad as Otto, but still looking like he was hit by a truck.
“Turkesa! You shouldn’t be up you dolt, go back to the medical room and get some sleep.” Mhairi scolded, immediately feeling her protective senses kick in. Turkesa made eye contact with the shorter member before feeling a smirk building on his face.
“Couldn’t sleep.” He simply answered before leaning against the wall with the smallest of groans, “Besides, I need a favor.. As you can see the lenses in my helmet are cracked...”
“That’s why Gibson’s here, I only know basic stuff remember? I thought we established this a few months ago that...” There it was, “that...” Ugh, she hatted admitting when she wasn’t good at something, especially when it was in comparison to a certain scientist she absolutely loathed,” admittedly I’m not as skilled as him in this field.”
Turkesa noticed how that last sentence clawed its way out Mhairi’s mouth, and felt a tiny grin grow on his face grow as he watched her. She was so utterly adorable when it came to Gibson, not to mention childish, it was definitely something he found endearing.
But now back to the topic.
“Gibson’s still tending to d-... To Otto, I don’t want to be in the way... besides I remembered you have an extra pair of lenses in here so... Why not? Can I come in?”
Mhairi frowned inwardly, she was right before, something is off about the psychokinetic standing before her; considering her options, the Grypharian let the simian inside.
“Take off your helmet, I’ll only be a few seconds.” Turkesa nodded as he watched the archeologist before looking at his hands and pausing. Why was he pausing, he thought, why the hesitation? Mhairi had seen him underneath his armor and helmet, so he should be comfortable right?... Right?
It was then Turkesa figured he would never get used to anyone seeing him like this.
The click and hiss of the Helmet as it detached from the rest of his armor cut through the short silence. Turkesa letting out a deep breath as his head was free from the protective metal, shaking slightly as the excess fur on his head frizzed out a little. Looking around the room, the monkey decided to sit at a chair while waiting.
---
Mhairi paused as she heard a sudden yelp of pain, whipping her attention to the source, she felt the worry fill her thoughts as she saw Turkesa sitting in the chair clenching the spot on his armor that covered his stomach tightly. Sighing, the female found the spare lenses she had before making her way over to the healing monkey.
“Give, it here.” She says softly, Turkesa looking at her curiously, the bright blinding glow that originated from his in-organic left eye causing the archeologist to blink and tilt her head as to see her friend.
“Whoops, sorry forgot- uh... here..” The turquoise monkey looked away with red cheeks –which Mhairi noticed were way easier to notice since he wasn’t wearing his helmet– and handed out the gear that covered his eyes and protected his brain. Taking it semi-cautiously, The archeologist got to work replacing the lenses, glancing at the psychokinetic as this was only really the second time she’s seen his real face. Big green eye, another lighter shade of teal she didn’t know he had, overall, Turkesa didn’t look half-bad... if it weren’t for his robotic left eye giving him a very menacing appearance even if he didn’t want to look intimidating.
A part of her wanted to ask if he could remember what happened, only to keep it to herself as she remembered that well... Turkesa couldn’t recall what exactly happened to him.
Speaking of keeping things to oneself, Mhairi’s mind then to Turkesa’s slightly odd behavior; he seemed too calm, too passive and polite. Normally by now the two would be sending semi-mean quips back and forward, or would be talking about something... Anything, even if it’s just him teasing her about her crush.
A sudden rush of red went to Mhairi’s cheeks as she remembered their last conversation regarding her crush on Gibson, she honestly wasn’t expecting the hug, or the compliments sent her way. Turk had helped her self confidence with the subject quite a bit that day even though she didn’t want to even think about it...
It seemed only fair for her to at least do the same for him.
“So um-... What’s wrong?” Damn it, she didn’t mean for it to come out that awkward.
“Hmm?” Turkesa looked at her curiously.
“I didn’t noticed before, but I do now, you’ve been odd... What’s wrong?”
“Nothing just- you know...”
“Turkesa, you may be good at hiding your thoughts, but you certainly are not good at controlling your tail.”
Turkesa’s face lit up like Christmas, the male looking down to see his tail curled around his body in a very closed and defensive manner. He always had trouble keeping it from telegraphing his emotions, and it was at this moment that he resented Mhairi’s archeologist knack for noticing small details.
---
Mhairi kept focus as she finished locking the lenses into place, giving the helmet a once over before gently setting it down. The room was still quiet, the bird sighed as she figured it was time to bring the nice curtains down-
“It hurts...”
Eyes widening, the Grypharian looked over to see Turkesa looking down at the floor, a somber expression detailing his face as he went quiet for a moment longer, before finally speaking again.
“My heart hurts... Every time I look at Otto, every time I think of him.... I don’t want it to... I hate that it does... But it does.... Every. Single. Time. I look at him, and I don’t see the green monkey who makes me laugh and whom of which I called dad, I keep seeing the clone. I keep getting angry, I keep-....” Turkesa let out a sharp grunt as his left eye malfunctioned, the teal monkey’s eyes tearing up as he finally looked at Mhairi.
“A part of me still wants to tear the clone apart, even though I already did and the thing I’d be tearing apart is Otto... I can’t get it out of my head, that damn cackle, that damn sneer, that damn look in his- its eyes as it tried to-.” Mhairi watched as Turkesa’s eyes widened; the simian seeming to realize what he was saying, before he let out a shaky sigh.
“...I can’t call him dad anymore...” The voice cracked, and the tears finally began falling, along with another sharp grunt in pain.
Mhairi watched with wide eyes filled with pity and sadness, her friend really felt this way? For this long? Looking from an objective standpoint, Turkesa seemed to be a little dramatic.
But then she remembered Gibson telling her how empathetic, how open, how emotional Turkesa was during that time he was a child, and while he was way older now; it just clicked that maybe, under all that calm control he seemed to have, Turkesa was still just as emotional, still just as open.
Still just as vulnerable.
“Turkesa.” She began softly.
“It’s not just Otto though; Antauri, Chiro, Sparx, Zoltoy, Gibson- all of them, including you. I-.. I have to stop calling you guys my brothers, sisters, uncles... Fathers...” That was enough, rising to her feet, Mhairi stared down at the sad injured monkey before her.
“Now stop this Turkesa, you sound ridiculous! This isn’t some drama or-”
“This has nothing to do with the clone! Nothing to do with anything that’s happened so far!” Silence suddenly captured the room, Mhairi staring down Turkesa who only stared back with a mixture of anger, anguish, and hatred.
Hatred of which, Mhairi realized to her surprise, was now directed at himself.
“It has everything to do with me, ever since I’ve got here; I’ve opened so much. I started calling Gibson dad within the week, and Otto my dad after a few months, and everyone else followed after that!” Turkesa’s left eye malfunctioned once again, but whether or not Turkesa felt the pain was unknown to the archeologist as he continued his rant.
“I keep giving these tittles of relatives away like I don’t have anyone else when I still have my own family! Whom of which, is still out there, god knows where! And- and I’m here calling you guys my family as if- as if they don’t exist! as if they’re not even alive! and I don’t want that!“ Turkesa placed a hand to his face and took a shaky breath, trying to calm his emotions and his left eye, only to look at Mhairi with just as much emotion as before.
“I can’t... I can’t keep calling you guys what I do, and now cause of the clone I can’t even look at Otto without wanting to tear something apart. And- and imagine, just-imagine what must feel like for him!” Mhairi just noticed how much his voice was cracking, “He sees me as his son, and even he knows the murderous desire I get every time I so much glance at him. And then! and then for me to-”
Mhairi paused once she heard the lack of sound, looking over, she could see Turkesa silently clutching at his left eye, which seemed to be sparking in a fury, before the psychokinetic let out a scream in pain. Jumping at the sound, Mhairi was at his side in an instant, trying to figure out what exactly was wrong.
“Turkesa! How- how do I help?” She asked in an almost frantic state of mind. It seemed luck was on her side, as Turkesa’s pain suddenly subsided enough for him to lay panting and holding his inorganic eye.
“My... My helmet... Give me my-” Another scream released from Turkesa resulted in Mhairi jumping into action. The archeologist quickly grabbing the gear and fastening it on, the head piece reattaching itself to it’s owner; who eventually calmed to simply laying there and panting, hand placed over his left eye lens as the pain finally dulled to a bearable level.
“P-pain suppressant... in the helmet... Apparently it’s... a-always been there...” Was the answer to the question the alien bird yet to ask.
---
Mhairi stared at Turkesa speechless; she had never seen him like this... So, down, so low and vulnerable. This monkey that laid before her was just about a completely different person compared to the happy-go-lucky and sassy monkey that she had come to know.
Sitting up, Turkesa stared off into the distance, rubbing his tears away before he finally made eye contact with Mhairi, his eyes sad and relenting.
“I’ll still call you guys my family... That won’t change... But... No more titles... At least not from me... You’re all just friends I call family...” Silence then reigned for several moments before Turkesa spoke once again, Mhairi keeping silent as she wanted him to finish.
“Mhairi... I need you to do me a favor...” The archeologist tilted her head ever so slightly. Blushing a just a bit, Turkesa turned away with the faintest red on his cheeks, his eyes still sad as he stared at the door that led outside.
“I.. I’m an open person... Overly open person... I am overly empathetic, and I care too much.... I make attachments too quickly, and I invest too much in those attachments...I... I understand if you decline... But I’d like you to be my chain, to keep me from getting too close, from investing too much...” Turkesa turned to Mhairi, the latter staring at the former with slightly wide eyes; while the teal monkey stared back with a somber, heart-wrenching expression. His lips curving into a smile that all too well told how much he was emotionally hurting himself.
“It’s asking a bit much, but I’m asking you as family... Can you help me?”
Turkesa entered his room, it was pretty late; clocking in at 10:59 P.M. But he couldn’t help it, force of habit considering what today was....
Yeah, considering what today was....
The teal monkey flinched as pain shot in his left eye, already feeling the small tears falling down his face. At least he had a brief talk with Sonata earlier... That definitely helped..
Turkesa looked down at his cup of Horchata, sitting down on his bed as he contemplated the source of his thoughts; today was a birthday... Another one so soon, he could feel the spike of pain in his left eye again the more he thought about it... But it was alright.. After all his sister never really made a big deal out of her birthday, so neither would Turk.
But that didn’t really lessen the pain.
“Well... I know you don’t think big of this kinda stuff... But I know how much you love Horchata so I made it... Hope you’re enjoying some yourself wherever you are...”
“Happy Birthday Ilaw.” Turkesa stated in a somber soft tone. Looking at the cup as more tears fell from his eyes, his left eye in particular not being happy about it. Letting out a sigh to null the pain, the psychokinetic finished his fridge cold beverage and placed it on the table, laying down in his bed and covering himself in his blankets as he tried to fall asleep while thinking of the positive memories he had of his eldest sibling.
It was a long while before sleep finally embraced the monkey, and even then, the tears never ceased to fall.
The Super Robot was peaceful, well; as peaceful as you could get with a whole giant team of monkeys, aliens, and one human all with varying personalities living in it. Now, the place wasn’t utter anarchy, but at the same time; between the new teammates and the interactions with the veterans, any desire for full on silence would never be fulfilled.
Unless you were in Gibson’s lab.
Yes, here in this blue simian’s base of operations, one could revel in the ninety percent chance of utter solitude this lab provided on a daily basis -because every now and then someone has to breach and compromise the sanctuary of this heaven-. Even at this very moment, Hal Gibson sat at his desk, pencil in hand, head in his thoughts, paper on the table filled with equations theories and chemical combinations, and the reason for his current overworking state sitting happily on his desk.
Someone had turned Turkesa into a child. Nobody knew who, or how, but it was done; and it wasn’t just the turquoise monkey’s body that had been reversed, but even his memories and personality had been rewound back to the appropriate age of when he was nine years old. It was quite the surprise for Gibson when he heard from Otto that his son- teammate had been, as the green mechanic put it, “magic’d into a child.”
However it was done, Gibson had no idea, every theory he’s tried so far has only explained one aspect of the transformation, but never the whole thing, and it was beginning to drive him crazy. The scientist faintly remembered Mhairi offering some help, but there was no way he was accepting it, she knew only archeology and history, and would just be a nuisance if he allowed her to help. But then again, Gibson had to admit the Gryphon-like alien was determined, and persistent when she put her mind to it, not to mention-.
...
...
He’s getting sidetracked again.
A part of him wanted to let a mix of a roar and a whine rupture from his throat and drive his face into the table; but Gibson knew this would be too unbecoming of him. The blue simian planted his hands lazily against the table with a sigh of frustration, his actions gaining the attention of the little bubbly turquoise monkey sitting on the table.
“Are you okay Mr. Gibson?” The monkey who’s name was called raised an eyebrow before turning his gaze to Turkesa; whom of which was smiling ear to ear, his eyes shining with joy, and his tail wagging, curling, and uncurling in it’s own way of expressing the same emotion. A softer look grew in Gibson’s eyes as he looked Turkesa up an down; this monkey sitting in front of him was so different than the one he knew. This younger Turkesa was so much brighter, so much more energetic, so much more oblivious, curious, honest and so much more open than the older turquoise monkey that had joined the team. If this Turkesa was scared, he genuinely voiced it, if he was hurt, he’d tell and ask for help, if he was feeling anything negative; he’d let the whole team know instead of burying it behind a mask of charisma, confidence, and cool-headedness. It honestly reminded Gibson of his magnetic and robotic teammates, and remembering what happened when all those bottled up emotions finally exploded, and one of then had it amplified by a certain event; it didn’t help relax his thoughts on Turkesa.
Not to mention the major physical difference.
He had seen Turkesa without his armor, the image was a little hard to get out his head, especially now that he had something to compare it to. Gibson could honestly say Turk was definitely more fluffier as an adult than when he was a child.
“Mr. Gibson?” At the second call of his name, Gibson was pulled out of his thoughts as he took a moment to remember the inquiry that was sent his way, the blue scientist making eye contact with Turkesa and feeling the slightest smile grow on his face.
“Yes, I am alright Turkesa. I have just been thinking.”
“Thinking? About what?”
“Just this; I have been trying to explain a phenomenon that has recently occurred, and has occurred once before in the past to one of our other members. I have gone from mathematical equations, to chemical compounds, to even combinations of both. Yet I have discovered nothing on this subject, it continues to elude me and slip through my fingers. It does not provide any comfort or aid that the question has never been answered, and it wasn’t even asked the first time this incident occurred.” Gibson went quiet as he realized he was talking to a nine year old, who probably didn’t understand some of the words he said let alone the entire situation. He began returning to the desk and paper before pausing as a little voice reached his ears.
“It’s alright. Everyone has a thing or a question that’s hard to solve, but I believe you can do it.” Gibson looked over only to be greeted with a compassionate and reassuring vibe coming from the monkey child, who’s expression matched his tone and aura. “You’re very hard working and honest Mr. Gibson, honest hard working people always get it in the end.” Gibson could only smile at the reassuring words, yep; Turk deserved the tittle of Otto’s son.
But did he deserve the tittle of Turkesa’s first father figure?
Gibson never acknowledged Turkesa as his son figure, why would he? The turquoise monkey was just as mature as the rest of them, he was already smart on his own, there was no need for the blue scientist to be a “father”. Besides, it seemed that Otto had become the father figure already, so there was no need what so ever. It was then a familiar phrase registered in Gibson’s ears, while it was normally told in a much deeper and older voice, the phrase set off alarms none the less.
“What’s this?” The blue monkey whipped his head over to see Turkesa already picking up a vial and was about to open it.
“Don’t!” Jumping out his seat, Gibson snatched the turquoise monkey up in his arms as his shout caused Turk to drop the vial. The blue monkey let out a screech before turning his back to the glass and covering the now frightened Turkesa with his body. When there was no sound, feeling, or smell that would signal incoming death and destruction, Gibson finally turned to the table to see shattered glass and a harmless chemical liquid spilled across its surface. The sight pulled a sigh of relief from the indigo monkey, who could already feel the anger rising in his throat as he faced the little monkey in his arms.
“Turkesa, I have said this many times, you must stop allowing your childish curiosity to influence...”
Sniffing? And... was that shuttering he felt in his arms?
Was Turkesa crying?
Looking down and paying closer attention, Gibson could see that Turkesa was indeed looking up at him with tears in his apologetic eyes, his mouth quivering as a bit of fear was laced in his expression. All the frustration that boiled within the scientist melted away at the sight, and was replaced with guilt. He forgot how empathetic Turk was as an adult... It’d make sense that he’d be even more so as a child... Gibson let out a sigh as his mind replayed several tactics he had both seen and read about that worked for reassuring those who were scared. After throwing it all away, Gibson awkwardly pulled Turkesa against him in a hug. Ugh, how did Otto do this so easily?
“Shh you’re okay Turkesa, there were no injuries or dangers presented or done in the end. You just have to think before you take action, understand?” The response was almost immediate, the little nine year old monkey hugging Gibson back and giving a nod in understanding. The scientist allowed the embrace to last a little longer before letting go of Turkesa and returning to his desk. The little fluffy monkey taking a seat in the exact same spot he had before, being noticeably curious and observing of Gibson.
“Yes Turkesa?” The blue scientist inquired as he returned to writing down possible equations and chemical combinations.
“It’s funny, when you said that you reminded me a lot of my dad..” The sound of pencil against paper suddenly came to a halt. “Now that I think about it, you remind me a lot of my dad.... blunt... wise... he would always tear into me if I did something stupid..... But he cared so much... You’re a lot like that...” Gibson couldn’t think of a response to that, but there was an odd feeling that rose in his chest, one that was certainly happy and made the scientist smile ever so slightly.
“Hey... until we find my family, maybe you could be my other father figure! What do you say?”
Gibson’s smile faltered slightly as he turned and looked at the nine year old Turkesa. That question, it was almost word for word the same question older Turk had...
“Hahahaha!”
“Eh?! What’s so funny? You could’ve gotten us both destroyed or worse! Why are you laughing?!”
“Heheh, sorry...”
“No sorry me, if something did happen, no sorry would’ve been able to fix it. You mudt think before you act Turkesa, not after! Thinking after taking action will not help anyone or solve anything!”
“...”
“Now, since that is clear, I will return to my duties and try to replicate the experiment you destroyed. If you have nothing else to say or do then take your leave.”
“...Hey Gibson?”
“What?”
“What would you say to being my father figure?”
“What?! Why?! I don’t see the point in it at all! You’re probably almost, if not, the same age as us there’s no reason for-“
“Too late, guess I’m gonna have to call you dad from now on.”
“Eh? Wait hold on-!”
“See ya dad!”
“Turkesa! Grraah!”
Gibson blinked as the memory had finished replaying in his mind, staring into the eyes of a giddy looking fluffy monkey, who’s tail curled in anticipation for the much older simian’s answer. Gibson could feel the smallest of smiles tug at his lips.
“I wouldn’t oppose to the idea.” Turkesa had almost instantly scooted closer, his tail wagging and curling in happiness.
“Really?” The little child had asked, his green eyes shinning with his excitement. Turk soon gave Gibson a little more space, sporting a big childish grin on his face. “Guess I’m going to have to call you dad now huh?”
Gibson could feel the laugh building in his lungs, and instead let it out in a soft chuckle as he returned to his equation with new vigor.
Turkesa wondered how this happened, Otto had invited him to watch some Tv, maybe even try out some video games, and naturally, the psychokinetic accepted, always eager to spend time with his other father figure. The two had a blast, there was cracked jokes, laughing, teasing, the whole package that comes when family hangs out and plays games. Soon Turkesa was simply relaxing and watching TV when Otto had suddenly slumped over on his lap, upon investigation, he had realized the green monkey had fallen asleep. Turkesa smiled and couldn’t help but laugh a little at the familiar sight, his father would often fall asleep before he did whenever they stayed up late, Turk would always have to wake him up and send him to bed, and the two would laugh about it the next day.
What a nice memory.
Turkesa flinched slightly as he felt pain in his left eye, how annoying. Sighing as he looked at the sleeping Otto, Turkesa charged the energy in his hand quietly until enough had built up that he could manipulate and move the mechanic. Gently, Turkesa lifted his second father figure, and brought him to his room, laying Otto softly on his bed with the blanket silently covering him. The turquoise monkey smiled at the sight before he began to take his leave.
Footsteps rang through the hallway, Turkesa sprinting as fast as his feet could take him, he could feel the mechanical limbs malfunctioning ever so slightly from the impact against the floor. But none of that mattered, he could feel the cuts, stab wounds, and gashes in his body scream at him for moving despite the injuries, but none of that mattered. He could feel his heart and lungs burning and his left eye barely function from the tears that threatened to run down his face, but none of that mattered.
He was stupid, his decision was stupid, his reasoning was stupid. Turkesa had saw something that had piqued his curiosity while in the middle of a mission with Flicker; worried it might be something dangerous, Turk had sent his friend ahead while he checked it out.
He should’ve kept Flicker with him. He should’ve played it safer instead of quicker, he had realized this too late as the scream from a familiar voice reached his ears, leading him to the current moment. It was then a familiar color came into view, something too familiar. Turkesa came to a stop as everything in his body froze up, his expression wide-eyed and speechless. A small pool of blood surrounded the body, a deep stab wound in the center of the chest, the blood covered maroon armor letting Turkesa know who exactly this was.
There were no words spoken, no sounds made as tears began to fall and his left eye malfunctioned. Turkesa walked over to the body, gently lifting him with his psychokinesis before holding the now deceased flute player in his arms. He could only bare to look at Flicker’s sad broken state before hugging him tightly; the only sound audible being a few broken sounds originating from the psychokinetic. Once silence consumed the area, Turkesa began turning to leave, to head back to the Super Robot and forgo his mission which no longer mattered; the only thoughts going through the turquoise monkey’s mind was how terrified, how hurt Flicker must have been… how alone he must’ve felt.
How he should’ve been there for him.
He had done it again, he had let his curiosity control his decisions…
And as a result, he has once again lost someone he loved.
