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Phase 1-I’m Fine.
''And don’t you dare try and rearrange MY plans! They are mine! And stay out of my way. I don’t need someone getting in my business except to help me, but you laze around so much!’’ Gantu stormed off. Reuben faked a chuckle, but when Gantu left, he swallowed hard. He left the room and stepped into his room. He took a deep sigh. For the first time in a while, he didn’t feel like making a sandwich. He just wanted to sit there..and think. He had extremely terrifying thoughts. What if Gantu leaves me again? Why does he seem so furious? Gulping back frustration, he took a shaky breath. Why am I feeling this way? I feel sick to the stomach..
When Gantu got back to talk with Reuben, he was no where nearby. Gantu was suddenly struck with guilt. He knocked on Reuben’s door, but there was no answer-except for soft groans. Gantu looked through the peephole. Reuben was lying in bed, curled up in a strange position. He seemed to be in pain. Gantu knocked again. ''C’mon, sport. You alright in there?’’ Reuben opened the door slowly. ''I’m so so sorry. I-'' ''Look..I forgive you. I always do. But..I’m feeling really sick, and need some time to myself, k?’’ Gantu nodded. Reuben politely shut the door, and went to his bed.
I feel like I’m gonna hurl.. Reuben grunted, but he eventually fell asleep.
Reuben awoke with a loud gasp. He panted and sat up. Ayiyi; was it only a dream? He quietly went over to Gantu’s room. He was in bed, snoring like a pig. Hehe..guess it was only a dream. Reuben went back to bed, and snoozed for a while longer..
The next morning, Reuben moaned and rolled over. He checked the clock. ‘’Holy crap! I slept in!’’ He rolled out of bed and stepped out of his room. He was feeling much better, but he still had a lot on his mind. Gantu noticed his presence. ‘’Hey Reuben.’’ Reuben turned his eyes towards Gantu, and fidgeted with his fingers.
''Hey, G.’’
''Look, I’m really sorry about last night.’’
''It’s fine.’’
''No, it wasn’t. I was a jerk.’’
''It really is fine.’’
''Are you feeling okay now?’’
''Mhm..sorta.’’ Reuben answered as he fixed himself a bacon and egg sandwich. ''Just..thinking a lot lately. I had a rough night.’’ Reuben yawned and bit into his breakfast. Gantu noticed Reuben’s eyelids were droopy, and they had dark circles. ''How ‘bout you rest today, ok?’’ ''R-really? You’ll be okay?’’ Gantu nodded. You need to sleep. ''Thanks G,
but-'' ''No buts! It’s your day off. You’re allowed to be lazy today.’’ ''Thanks a lot, G-man.’’ Reuben yawned, and collapsed on the couch.
When he woke up, he saw Cora and Gantu standing over him, and they looked pretty much worried as heck. ''What’s wrong, you two?’’ Reuben said with slurred speech. ''Did I do something wrong?’’ Gantu exhaled and sat on the chair next to the couch, face in his hands, and Cora sighed. ''You’ve been asleep all day long. Are you feeling okay?’’ Reuben mumbled: ''I’m fine.’’ Cora took a shaky breath. ''No, Roost, you’re not fine. You’re extremely pale and you haven’t been able to move around a lot today.’’ Cora started to tear up. ''We’re worried sick, Reuben. What is going on?’’ Reuben sat there in astonishment. Why do I seem so shocked? I feel so confused, but I know it’s the crew that’s here and I’ve been sleeping all day.. ''I-was really anxious last night. To the point where I was in pain. My head and my stomach were hurting, and I didn’t want to leave my room. I don’t know either, Cora.’’ Cora nodded sympathetically, and looked into his big, droopy black eyes that were staring up at her. ''I think you’re stressed out. You need rest, and I’m gonna stay here with you..just to make sure you’re okay.’’ ''Okay..thank you Cora.’’ Cora looked confused. His voice was getting really quiet, and she couldn’t understand everything he was saying anymore. To Cora’s dismay, Reuben’s words faded out. His eyes were droopier than ever, and the normal sparkling in them had faded. He closed them, trying to make the dizziness disappear, but it only made it worse. Then it happened. Reuben’s nose was pale, and he was shivering uncontrollably. He let out a couple soft whimpers, before he paused. His eyes rolled backwards, and his dark eyelids shut. He was out cold. Cora gasped. ''REUBEN!!’’
Tbc..
Phase 2-Emergency Call.
Gantu jumped up and went over to where Cora and Reuben were. ''What happened??’’ ''HE’S UNCONSCIOUS!’’ Gantu gulped and rolled Reuben on his back. Seeing his best friend in this state gave him a sense of grief. His heart sank as he tried to find out why this was happening. ''He’s got a pulse. Hold on!’’
''Someone’s screaming.’’ Donatii sighed. ''Turn on the autopilot.’’
''What’s all the screaming?’’
Simone and Donatii stepped in the room. ‘’Reuben passed out,’’ Cora explained, trying not to cry. She was holding Reuben’s paw and Gantu was trying desperately to wake him. ''C’mon, pal. Wake up.’’ ''How?’’ Simone asked, in a worried tone. ''He’s been sick all day! I don’t know!’’ Gantu turned to Cora, and looked down at Reuben’s limp form. He looked back at Cora. ''Cora, I need you to calm down stay here with Reuben. I’m calling Jumba.’’ She gently held back the tears that stung intensely. ''Okay..’’ Gantu rushed to call Reuben’s family. She rubbed Reuben’s golden fur and gripped onto him tightly. ''C’mon, Rooster! I need you, okay?’’ She sniffled. ''Okay,’’ a soft voice uttered. Cora looked up. ‘’R-‘’ Reuben slowly opened his eyes. ''C-Cora?’’ He tried speaking, but he was too weak, and his voice had a hoarse tone to it. He coughed. Cora was so relieved she started to cry. Silent sobs escaped her lips as she held her best friend close. ''You scared me half to death!’’ He shut his eyes. His head was throbbing. He tried to speak, but nothing would come out. Just tight mumbles. ''Is he awake now?’’ Simone asked impatiently. She seemed to act this way when she’s anxious. ‘''Y-yep! Gantu!’’ Cora yelled for Gantu, who held the phone up. Reuben tried turning over with all of his might. ''G?’’ Gantu’s heart sank as he saw his pal’s small form trembling in the arms of Cora. It hurt to see him so weak. ''I-I’m right here, sport. Just hang in there. We’ve got you. We’re right here.’’ Reuben opened his eyes..just enough to make out four people in the room. ''What’s going on..’’
Jumba stared into the screen, scanning Reuben’s actions. ''You passed out while talking to Cora. Do you remember?’’ Reuben forgot to answer. His mind seemed to be speeding in confusion. Everything seemed to be in motion, and it was making him dizzy. Jumba sighed. ''What are his symptoms?’’ Cora looked at Reuben. ''He’s grabbing at his ears..’’ Reuben gulped, then said: ''My stomach and head hurts!’’ Reuben groaned. ''He’s talking. He wouldn’t do that earlier.’’ ‘’Is he hearing random disturbing sounds in his ears?’’ They all looked at Reuben. ‘'Yes!’’ He grunted in pain. ''Oh..’’ Jumba paused.
''I’m so sorry guys..Cora?’’ Cora rubbed Reuben’s fur to comfort him. ''Yes Reuben?’’ There was no response. It was so quiet, she could hear her own hearts beating. She looked down. He was out again, his golden fur seemed to had lost its color. He was very still, and his breathing was slow. Then, he was out..again. Tears trickled down her cheeks. ''Reuben no!’’
Phase 3-Still Numb.
The last thing Reuben remembered before passing out was Cora trying to assure him that he was going to be fine, while her sparkling magenta-colored eyes were looking into his. Then, everything slowed down.
Everything around him was dark, until..it wasn’t. His big black eyes adjusted to a bright light. ''625.’’ A voice uttered. Reuben tried to grab at his head, but he felt too weak. ''625..’’ The voice said again. ''Who’s there? I can’t see..’’ Confusion struck the eyes of the experiment, and he couldn’t tell if he was at home or on a hovercraft. It smelled like Jumba’s lab.. ''It is I, your creator, evil genius Jumba Jookiba.’’ Reuben finally snapped out of it, and rubbed his eyes. His paws..they were in better shape. He felt younger. He looked around. It was indeed Jumba’s lab. ''Huh?’’ He felt like he was back in the early 90s..when he helped Jumba create experiments and made sandwiches with his pals 521 and 199. All of sudden, he was full of confusion of what Jumba was saying to him. Buzzing sounds in his ears made it even harder to understand what Jumba was saying. ''You need to open your eyes and stop living under a rock! Helping me create 626 is better than making sandwiches!’’ All of a sudden, everything went dark again..
''625..is something wrong?’’ Reuben opened his eyes again. Nosy was staring into his eyes..but he was just known as 199. Next to him was 521. ''Am I time-traveling or something?’’ Reuben was very confused. ''What do you mean, pal?’’ Everything got dark..again. He opened his eyes. He was in..Gantu’s old ship. ''625! Get off your butt and come help me!’’ Reuben groaned and rolled out of the seat he was somehow sitting on. ''What’s going on, G? I’m confused.’’ But Gantu didn’t look happy. ''You’re always lazing around! What was Jumba’s intent? To make you lazy like this? I wish I had a useful experiment instead of you!’’ Those words struck Reuben’s heart like a sword. He closed his eyes and rubbed them. Then he opened them. He saw Gantu yelling at him..this time it was inside the BRB 9000. ''G..I don’t know what’s going on!’’ Gantu growled. ‘’You know exactly what’s going on! You’re just being ignorant!’’ Reuben sighed. ''But G, I-'' ''No buts, Reuben! Leave me alone!’’ Reuben’s breath was shaky, but he managed to say something else before he drifted off again. ''Goodbye, Gantu.’’ He said one last thing. ''I’m sorry.’’ His heart was beating hard, and he was hyperventilating. Everything went black, and he could hear ringing in his ears.
Phase 4-Stress Syndrome??
Gantu held the unconscious Reuben in his hands. ''Jookiba, what is this?’’ Jumba shook his head. ''Jumba is thinking..stress syndrome.’’ Gantu looked confused. Jumba continued. ‘’You see, when 625 was youngster, he had a lot of feelings that he learned to hide. Knowing him, I know he likes to hide what he’s actually feeling so no one can see them; it’s embarrassing for him. Keeping it hidden, however, can cause damage to his physical health. That’s because he has a condition that causes thoughts to be physically harmful when the bad thoughts are triggered, kinda like Stitch’s condition, but less complex, since he was fully charg-'' Gantu interrupted. ''I’m sorry, but is it deadly?’’ Jumba sighed. ''It depends on how bad it is. Right now, is not fatal..unless it affects his heart.'' ''W-What’s the cause? I want to know what caused this.’’ Cora stated. ''Is like I said-stress. Does anyone know what has been stressing 625 out?’’ Gantu gasped. He remembered the times that he yelled at him for his weaknesses. Poor Reuben couldn’t help it. Sure, he joked rudely about things, but the guy was overwhelmed with pain and loss as a child. Gantu felt really guilty, and he swallowed the lump that was in his throat. As Gantu was holding the limp experiment and rubbing his golden fur, his three droopy antennae shifted, and Reuben’s nose twitched. His frail body was trembling; he was so weak that he couldn’t even soothe the pain on his own, so Gantu held him close. ''Does he have to go in..a fusion chamber or something of the sort?’’ Jumba shook his head. ''Jumba is thinking..there will be something he can lie in that will help him recover much more peacefully..your arms.’’ Gantu was lost in thought, and Cora took the phone. ''Thank you, Mr. Jookiba. We’ll call you back when we need you.’’ They said goodbye and hung up the phone, while Cora took a seat. Her tear-stained face looked exhausted, but she seemed too overwhelmed to sleep. Simone was already sitting down, still kind of worried. Donati was driving until Gantu could get a chance to; he knew he needed some time and space. ''I-need to talk with him to see if he’ll wake up.’’ Gantu left the room. Holding Reuben in his arms, he sat in a quiet place. He took a couple deep breaths, and started speaking. He noticed Reuben’s eyes were starting to open, and he was flinching quite a bit. ''I don’t know if you can hear me right now..’’ His heart filled with emotion as he stared into the droopy eyes of his companion-the one he’s been working traveling side by side with for years. The same eyes that would look at him with joy, anger, sadness, and astonishment through their journey. But it felt like only two weeks, because he often got angry and said and did things he didn’t mean. ''I want you to know, that I’m sorry. For everything. Gantu held Reuben close, gently stroking his golden fur. ''I know we didn’t get off to a great start. And me yelling at you never helped; it just made things worse.’’ Gantu took a shaky breath. He knew none of Jumba’s experiments were flawless, but he needed Reuben, way before he knew he did. ''Just please heal. Your family needs you. The crew needs you. The troops need you. Cora needs you. And..I need you, Reuben.. please..stay. Don’t hide it anymore.’’ The room’s lights were dimmed, and the temperature was chilly. The fur on Reuben’s shoulders started to stick up..
Phase 5-Let The Tears Flow.
Reuben turned his head around, and sneezed twice. He slowly opened his eyes and coughed. ''G? Is that you? *cough* Really you? *cough* The real you?’’ Gantu nodded, and smiled slightly. With that, Reuben’s frail form couldn’t take it anymore. He broke down into bittersweet tears, weeping while grasping Gantu’s wrist. Reuben was actually crying. ''I-I’m s-so s-sorry G-Gantu! I -I ne-ed you too.’’ He continued to shed tears, and Gantu actually started to tear up, as well. ''No, I’m sorry. Let it all out, sport. I’m so proud of you. You don’t need to be sorry. You know why? Cuz you saved me, little fella. I never would have been in this place or even okay without you.’’ Tears left the corner of his eyes. ''I’m just happy you’re okay!’’ More tears dropped onto Gantu’s arm, as Reuben chuckled under a sob, as bittersweet as ever before. ''T-Thanks G-Gman. A lot.’’
Phase 6-Still Here.
Gantu carried Reuben’s weak form to the living room. Cora ran over to them, and everybody sat down. Cora sat next to Gantu and Reuben. ''Roost..you’re back.’’ Reuben blinked, and looked up at her. ''Yeah. It feels great, too.’’ His tear stained face was in the comfort of his home..the BRB 9000-surrounded by his best friends. ''I wouldn’t trade this for the past. I love you guys.’’ Cora looked at Reuben’s big black eyes, and started to cry. ''I love all of you, too.’’ She smiled. ‘’Simone! C’mere, you!’’ Simone went over to where they were. ‘’Is he gonna be okay?’’ Gantu looked at the drowsy experiment. Somehow, he was tired again. ''Yeah,’’ he replied. ''I think he will.’’ Reuben smirked and said, ''I’m hungry.’’ Cora and Simone giggled. ''You’re always hungry, fella!’’ Simone said.
Cora made him a sandwich. ''I’m not so great at it, but I hope you like it. It’s the best I could do. ‘’ Reuben perked up and said, ''Thank you.’’ He took a bite, and his eyes grew wide. ''This is really good! You should make some with me one day!’’ Cora chuckled. ''That would be fun. Thanks.’’
Phase 7-The Road to Recovery.
It was about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Reuben had a small fever, but that didn’t stop him from making a sandwich. Gantu brought him the ingredients, and he got to work. ''Thanks, big guy.’’ He grinned as Cora stepped into the room. ''Heya, Rooster,’’ she said, smiling. ''Feelin’ better?’’ He nodded. ''Thanks, Cora.’’ She smiled. ''Someone wants to see you.’’ She held out her hand. There sat a large cockroach.
''Jimmy!’’ The cockroach crawled to Reuben’s paw. ''Looks like he missed you,'' Cora said under a laugh.
Gantu got off of work, and stepped out of the cockpit, while Donatii stayed there. He could here a saxophone noise in the living room. There sat Reuben, playing his saxophone while his pet cockroach Jimmy was eating a sandwich. Gantu chuckled. That’s Reuben all right. Gantu watched contently at Reuben playing his saxophone, and smiled. Gantu had been worried about him for a while. Now, he knew that he’d be fine, now that he’s got supporters that help lift him up when he falls down. He wish he knew how much he cared for him. Gantu got an idea, and knew how to make it up to him..
Phase 8-Best Friends.
''Hey, Cora.’’ She hopped over to where he was sitting. ''Whatcha doin’?’’ He turned towards her. ''I’m makin’ a ham and cheese sandwich. This is how you make it have that tangy taste to it..’’
''I finished my sandwich! Reuben?’’ She looked over to his seat. Apparently, he fell asleep. ''Hehe. Thanks Reuben.’’ When he woke up, Cora chuckled. ''Hey, Sleepyhead. Thank you for teaching me how to make a good sandwich. That means a lot to me, cuz I also get to spend time with you.’’ Reuben had a sleepy smile. ''It’s my absolute pleasure.’’ Gantu walked in the room. ''It’s your absolute pleasure cuz it involves food,’’ Gantu said. ''Ha, yes, but also cuz it involves hanging out with her. Oh, and you wanted to tell me something?’’ Gantu nodded. ''See ya later, Reuben!’’ Cora shouted. Reuben waved. Gantu sat next to Reuben. ''I wanted to tell you, that you don’t have to feel like I don’t care about you. I do. I truly do. In fact, if it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where or what I’d be doing.’’ Reuben listened as tears stung his eyes. ''You are more than an acquaintance, Reuben. You mean way more to me than you think. If something happened to you, I would be broken. We’re best friends for life. If something separated you from me, I’d go literally ballistic. *sniffle sniff* ''Thanks, big guy. We are best buds for life. I feel the same way. I’m here for you whenever you need me.’’ Tears left the corners of Reuben’s eyes as they sat together, showing affection. They weren’t just happy; they were filled with pure joy now. Those tears didn’t separate their friendship, however. In fact, their relationship grew.