⚠Fair warning⚠

There's a lot of bashing here with the gang and the higher-ups. Koko Ci is kinda nice here though.

There will also be some swearing here, not a lot though.

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Date: February 16,2024

Place: TAPOPS Station

It pained him to be here. So many emotions swirled around his head, heart and soul. Most of them not exactly pleasant, but emotions they were. He, technically, had a choice. A choice to be there or not. Albeit, not going would most likely lead to a very messy mess amongst his work circle at TAPOPS, and his friend circle. Whether it was due to the fact that they were concerned, pissed off, or both, he did not want to find out under any circumstances.

And so he found himself in the meeting room at the (finally) rebuilt TAPOPS station. Situated in the room were some of the last faces he wanted to see, his friends and the higher-ups. All were looking at him, each face plastered with a different emotion on their faces. Emotions he can immediately spot were disgust, shock, hurt, sadness. Behind the steeled mask the higher-ups had in place, he can see the gears turning in their heads, accompanied by two other emotions. Fear and confusion.

He really had to fight the temptation to snort out loud, but he had good reasons. Around him were absolute idiots. Their level of stupidness and idiocy surprised him. Well, Gopal's definitely didn't, and he could see how easily Yaya & Ying were manipulated into all of this. But Fang? He really got backstabbed twice by the same person, huh. He had a small feeling that the shadow user wasn't aware of what was going on. But with Kaizo as one of the few people part of the inner mission, he couldn't grasp that as a likely possibility.

"Cadet Boboiboy," Laksamana Tarung began (And Boboiboy was extremely tempted to roll his eyes at the higher-up). "Do you know why you have been summoned?," The said higher up asked. Boboiboy narrowed his eyes ever-so-slightly and simply stated in a clear voice, "No." The admiral's left eye twitched from frustration, but Boboiboy's pretty sure he was the only one who could see it and had to bite back a smirk.

"You have been summoned in order to help us go against the new rising threat, that we fear, will have the power to take control of the entire galaxy, and TAPOPS. The higher-ups, have decided that everyone, including you, will be working together in order to subdue the threat. However, once the enemy has been defeated, you will be returning to finish your punishment of 1 month confinement in your room caused by the mission's failure on the 5th day of this month." Fang explained, voice laced with barely controlled disgust and anger. Boboiboy blinked his eyes, trying to digest the information fed to him.

These morons, these fucking morons, the people who would rather let him go rot in hell for accidentally losing control on one mission, one mission, than forgive him for his mistake. The same people he trusted with his life, and then those who he thought cared about him then proceeded to apparently use and betray him. They are asking him for help? It's not even help they are asking for, it's basically permission to use him like a pawn.

He really could not help the bark of laughter that escaped his throat. Oh their level of idiocy is insane, it's quite ridiculous if he is being honest. "Anything to say, Cadet?" Tarung asked quite harshly. Boboiboy had lost all his respect for the higher-up long ago, and therefore refused to call him by his 'rightfully earned' title, unless it he is to use it to taunt the man. "Oh nothing except for my answer, Laksamana." Boboiboy said, biting on the last word so sweetly.

Tarung, although obviously pissed off through the clear lack of respect from the young hero, seemed to be marginally intrigued. Hopes high, he asked, "And that is?" Boboiboy was not a blind boy at all, he can clearly see how high everyone's hopes and confidence were. And so he responded, "I refuse to help you and I wish to formally take my leave and to not be involved with anything in regards to TAPOPS."

A very pregnant silence followed his statement as they all processed the bold declaration of the young hero, followed quickly by the unspoken words; What the fuck. Murmurs soon erupted amongst some of the other agents in the room, including his friends, but all Boboiboy could focus on is Tarung & Koko Ci's reactions. Koko Ci didn't seem to react that much, other than the obvious shock and disbelief displayed on his face.

Tarung, on the other hand, didn't seem to take the news that well. His fists were clenched together so tightly, his knuckles are turning white. His normal working, already red face seemed to flush darker. Oh he could feel the anger radiating off the higher-up. If he didn't know any better, he would say he was just really angry. But no, seeing it in front of his eyes, knowing damn well he caused it, he can easily see and say that the man was livid.

Koko Ci seemed to have expected this coming from how calm he was, Boboiboy decided. Yet it still was not able to prevent the dissatisfaction and disappointment that radiates from the small alien. It became even more apparent as the green alien spoke, "State your reasoning behind this decision cadet."

Boboiboy knew he could not deny this, but Koko Ci, despite being a little bit of a bastard sometimes, was definitely more respectable than Tarung. Compared to that loathsome man, Koko Ci is more genuine and can be that way when he needs to be for some of the other agents, especially once they got injured. He has seen how well the short alien treats the agents rightfully for their actions. Despite all this however, Koko Ci hasn't really given him an all pleasant experience as his first few days after joining TAPOPS were not that fun.

Going back to the topic on hand, Boboiboy knew that there was absolutely no way that he could possibly try and curve the situation away from the question. And even if he did have a chance, he knows that his chances would be very slim and his luck would not be able to grasp onto that small chance. He would have to face the reality and slap the answer in their face, one way or another, even if it was at the cost of his own social status in TAPOPS, and possibly, the whole galaxy.

And so, in a straightforward manner, he answered, "I simply do not wish to associate myself in this society, nor do I wish to continue to be here. I believe that while I may have given a great benefit to TAPOPS and all of the Powerspheras out there, this place is simply not for me." And as expected, his response was not taken lightly by his friends, nor by the higher-ups that are present.

"What!? He can't do that!" Gopal exclaimed furiously. Boboiboy had to bite back a sigh at that. Yes, he did expect it, but the problem was that he couldn't pinpoint on the exact reasoning behind his friend's reaction. Was it hurt? Betrayal? Fear? Gopal had always been the unexpected type of person when it came to reacting to a situation on hand. Despite Gopal's horrible reaction, he was horribly wrong in his statement.

Maybe it was time for a little taunting. "I can, TAPOPS protocol states that unless under an immediate threat, any member can leave at any time given that they have a.) Informed any higher-ups 1 month in advance at minimum of their desired date and b.) Worked at TAPOPS for 3 years," Boboiboy paused to let the information sinked in before continuing, "I am already eighteen (18), almost nineteen (19). I have been with TAPOPS ever since I was 14 and therefore I am eligible to request for retirement. I wish to leave by the 23rd, and until then, I will continue to be in confinement in my room for the last week of my punishment."

Tarung gave a short, sarcastic laugh at that. "You think I'd agree to that cadet? As admiral of this station, I can and will deny your request to retire from your duties of this organization." Boboiboy had to maintain an iron grip on his emotions and elements, especially Blaze and Halilintar, who are itching to kill the 'admiral'. Although hard, he was successful and maintained a blank face, not showing any hint of emotion. 

Tarung seemed to take this is a win however, and proceeded to say, "You are to obey every command I give and I will not listen to any excuse you have, cadet. Failure to comply will equate to extension of your confinement or other harsh consequences. You will start tomorrow at the crack of dawn and will be given your schedule by one of the agents. Understood, cadet?!"

Half-mockingly, Boboiboy proceeded to do the TAPOPS salute while exclaiming, "Understood, Laksamana!" Tarung studied him for a minute or two before nodding, signalling his dismissal. Boboiboy then slowly walked out of the room, refusing to make eye-contact with anyone present in it. Two agents stood outside, one on either side of the door, waiting to guide him back to his room. 

Part of his punishment included constant observation and monitoring, to ensure he wouldn't do anything that would be considered as a 'rebellion', and even then if he was 'misbehaving', it would really just lead to more weeks of confinement. All in all, Boboiboy had to conclude everything was a piece of bullshit, and although he would comply with everything they told him to do, he really wanted to kick the 'superiors' and send them straight to hell.

When he finally got to his room and closed the door, he let out a long suffering sigh that he had been holding back. Being in his room was the only time he could actually have privacy as his two 'guards', would only remain outside and we're not permitted to go inside his room unless they sense any suspicious activity from him. None of his friends shared a room with him at the moment and it has been that way for the last two years. 

During their 2nd year at TAPOPS, Boboiboy was placed in separate rooms as him and Gopal placed a request to be transferred after both could not get sleep on many different nights. Boboiboy couldn't sleep due to Gopal's loud snoring at night. While Gopal couldn't sleep due to the light from those nights where Boboiboy would be reading some books instead of sleeping. 

And although they got their request in the end, it just ended up being the more horrible case scenario for Boboiboy as he ended up reading most nights instead of sleeping, and therefore got lesser sleep as time went by. Although Boboiboy honestly wouldn't complain, at least he had his own room now, even if he was currently not able to leave it.

Ochobot's charging port is empty, meaning he's probably with the other Powerspheras and interacting with them.Originally, Ochobot was going to reside in the Powersphera room with all the other Powerspheras. Despite their reasonings, especially during the beginning of Boboiboy's punishment, Ochobot refused to leave the room and remained by his best friend's side the entire time. 

Boboiboy caught himself smiling softly at the thought of Ochobot. His one and only bestest friend. Not to misunderstand him, Gopal was really one of his first true friends, and he really cared about the Indian boy and considered him his best friend. But with the recent 'betrayal', as he dubbed it, he didn't know what to think about him. Yes he still cares, but he isn't sure how much Gopal cares. And he sure as hell can never find out, not while his punishment is still ongoing.

Speaking of friends, he genuinely doesn't know what Yaya or Ying thinks about him. Yes, they are sweet and they aren't the type to judge, but Ying can sometimes be a little harsh, while Yaya is most likely more of a silent judgement kind of person. Those two almost have the exact same mindset so if they one doesn't want to be friends with him anymore, the other will follow for sure. Those two rarely argued and if they did, it's probably over the #1 spot.

Then there was Fang, and he was... well... complicated. He wasn't that close to Fang in his opinion, but close enough for him to consider Fang as part of his inner circle of friends. Yes he had betrayed him before, but that was when Kaizo technically peer-pressured him into that. That's excusable in his opinion. And he can't count the TAPOPS savage trial considering he was also forced into it. He was just doing his job after all. 

But now? While he knows that all of those were excusable, probably even this, it still hurts. Boboiboy truly didn't know why he was feeling all of this despite the fact there are reasons or excuses but it hurts a lot. And that applies for the entire gang, who he had thought would stick with him till the end, yet dumped him after a small mistake, that while yes, technically costed them their mission, but it was only once! And they turned their backs on him, and it burns to think about it.

Boboiboy was blinked back into reality, however, when the door suddenly opened, and Ochobot entered the room. His relief upon seeing his best friend was immediate, but it quickly was replaced by small hints of surprise soon after. The yellow Powersphera was also accompanied by the short green alien who he had seen not more than one hour ago, and a small green cat with a bell around its neck. 

"Komander!" Boboiboy exclaimed in surprise, but still following protocol and doing the TAPOPS salute. Koko Ci simply told him, "At ease, cadet." And gestured to the chairs in the room. Boboiboy immediately took the hint and sat down in one of the chairs, with the other chair being occupied by Koko Ci, while Ochobot floated beside Boboiboy. Cattus jumped into the hero's lap, purring while Boboiboy gentle pet him, getting comfortable real quickly.

Koko Ci was the first to break the silence. "I am sure you are wondering why I have decided to visit you here in your room rather than calling you up to the control room, am I correct to assume?" Koko Ci asked, voice steady and bland. At Boboiboy's nod of confirmation, he continued, "I have decided that here would be a safer place to discuss this instead of with Laksamana Tarung as he will greatly disapprove on what I'm about to offer."

If Boboiboy was interested and confused before, he's currently worried and greatly intrigued by the words of the commander. What would he do that Tarung would not approve of? And why would he do it anyways? Before those questions could be asked, however, Koko Ci pulled out some files and handed it to the hero. While confused, Boboiboy took the files and studied it, drawing in a sharp breathe as he read it. These were the official files needed in order to finalize his retirement from TAPOPS.

He had been trying to find a copy of this for almost an entire week or two! He didn't know who he could've asked to sign it, but he wanted to be prepared to get it quickly over with so as not to draw question. But even with his countless searches and trips he took to the library, he couldn't find anything. It sucked even more knowing he also wasn't allowed to use his powers do he couldn't summon Solar or Halilintar to help him find what he was looking for. But yet here it is. The very thing he has been searching for for the last week or two, laying in his very hands.

When Koko Ci started talking once more, the hero's entire attention was given to him. "I have considered what you have said and I must agree, that you still have every right to leave if you wish to as you have been loyal to our mission and vision. I am aware you need these," He gestured to the files in Boboiboy's hands. "Signed by someone amongst the higher rankings. And I am one of those people able to authorize your leave."

Boboiboy, although extremely shocked, grateful and so much more, was extremely confused. He tried to mask it with a blank look as he always had, but it seems as though he wasn't quick enough to do so before Koko Ci noticed. "Yes, I am sure you are confused on why I am doing this for you. TAPOPS essentially owes you huge debt after you have successfully defeated some of the greatest villains ever seen and protecting the Powerspheras and many planets across the galaxy. This," He once more gestures to the files before continuing his words, "is the least we could do to repay you for all you did."

To say that Boboiboy was shocked was an understatement. He was speechless, baffled, astonished. But most of all, he was truly grateful to Komander, even if they didn't see eye to eye most of the time. Despite the overwhelming emotions however, he still could muster up some words for the small alien. "Thank you Komander...," he began, "I don't know what to say..." 

But Koko Ci put up his hands to silence him as he spoke, "Don't thank me cadet. If anyone deserves this while in the same situation, it's you. And I am more than willing to help you with this." And Koko Ci gave Boboiboy one of his rare, genuine smiles. Boboiboy smiled in return, not feeling the forced feeling he felt when he smiled at others before, not feeling the obligation to make and keep everyone happy. It felt nice, light, and natural.

But a sudden thought came to him, and he frowned slightly, his eyes filled with concern, directed at the person here. Knowing he wouldn't be able to rest easily with this question on his mind, he decided to ask, "What if Laksamana finds out? What will happen then?" Koko Ci seemed to have expected this as he gave little to no reaction to his question, yet it didn't stop the grimace that consumed his expression. "I, do not know what will Laksamana do when he finds out," Koko Ci began slowly, "however, what I do know is that he can't nullify your leave as soon as the papers are signed and therefore, he can't force you back into TAPOPS unless you willingly join on your consent."

"But what about Ochobot? Will he be staying here with the others?" Boboiboy asked, ignoring Ochobot's glare of disapproval. Koko Ci seemed thoughtful for a moment before answering, "Since Ochobot is technically under your possession and not TAPOPS, he may go with you. Unless, that is, he decides to stay at TAPOPS." Ochobot was quick to respond with, "No! I don't want to stay here, I want to go with Boboiboy." And the said person flashed Ochobot a grateful smile, so glad and relieved that he will not be lonely and will still have his best friend by his side.

"Meow." Oh, Boboiboy honestly forgot Cattus was still on his lap. He tilted his head in confusion to the green cat, who was looking at him straight in the eye. Bellbot, thankfully, answered his unspoken question. "Cattus wants to go with you, and I do too." Bellbot said. Boboiboy blinked, truly not expecting that. He looked at Koko Ci to see what he said, and his answer only fueled his happiness more. "Bellbot is under Cattus and neither of them are under TAPOPS' care, somewhat similar to Ochobot. And if Cattus wants to go with you, then you may bring him."

As excited and happy as he is to finally leave TAPOPS, he is still really concerned. And while most of that is directed at his friends, the trigger had been caused by Koko Ci. It is possible that something may happen to Koko Ci after this, but there's also a chance that nothing will happen and no harm will come in the green alien's way. Even through his emotions, he can still see and think rationally. Or as rationally as he could. This is his only chance out of TAPOPS, something may or may not happen, but if he doesn't say yes now, he probably won't get another chance.

While he was stuck in his clouded brain where he was weighing the possibilities, he didn't notice the pen that had been inserted in his hand. He was flicked back into reality, however, when Ochobot flicked his forehead lightly. With a small glare and apology on different ends, he finally noticed the pen. And when he did, he looked at Koko Ci, half confused and half concerned. Koko Ci said simply, "I have made my choice, Boboiboy. It's your turn to choose your choice." And chose his choice he did as he quickly signed the paper, and gave it back to Koko Ci, watching as he signed his part.

Boboiboy felt an immense weight from his shoulders lifted, almost immediately and he sighed contently. Yes, he still had to remain at TAPOPS for one week, and yes, he still had to obey their every command and order. But with the knowledge of his approved leave after it, it doesn't feel as restricted and heavy anymore. He didn't have to worry about whether or not he had done anything wrong. He doesn't have to worry about when the next mission will be. And he doesn't have to worry about his former friends anymore, although he still will care, even if it's just a little. He was free, and he could rest, rest for himself, rest from his duties to the world. And he gets to still have some close friends with him, by his side. He truly couldn't have wished for anything more.

Koko Ci stood up from his seat and gathered up the files into his possession. "I thank you once again BoBoiBoy, for all that you have done for TAPOPS and for the entire galaxy, you and your work will never be forgotten. I will make sure of it till my dying breath, you have my word," Koko Ci said, giving Boboiboy the all too familiar TAPOPS salute, accompanied by a proud, and genuine smile. This, for what would be one of the last times in his life, he would return it with a radiating pride, joy, and honor gleaming in his eyes. He was finally done.

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Boboibiy is done, and so is your Author. Kill me later for a horrible story ok?

It's 4am here and I'm supposed to be asleep but I'm not so if the end part sounds and looks rushed a little, that's because it is. It was rushed out of determination and made out of love and exhaustion, not the best combo honestly.

I worked on this all day yesterday and I'm not proud but it's not that bad either.

Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this!!

I'm really sorry for disappearing for a while but my mental health went down the drain the last few weeks so I didn't really do that well when it came to doing anything. But I'm back and hopefully I'll be able to put out lots of epic and cool stories for you guys to enjoy!!

I'll talk to you guys another time, byeee! I love you all <33

Word Count: 3800