Metropolis
Revelation, Reflections, and Resurrection
Prologue
Kenichi Ban has been living in Metropolis for a month, living in a city of ruins. Amongst those ruins is someone Kenichi lost, as he looks out at a city has become an enigma of its former self. Kenichi also takes the time to look at what's left of a building responsible for Metropolis' current state. But what that building did to Kenichi and the person he cared for and loved even though he denies these feelings to himself. Kenichi has changed since the loss of Tima, his companion and friend. Deep down Kenichi misses Tima and not a day goes by without him looking back to that day when Tima lost her grip trying to hold on to Kenichi's hand falling to her demise. Kenichi often sit and thinks about it which leads to him being upset and breaking down in tears.
Kenichi's POV
Metropolis was a city rich in technology and modern design. Metropolis was unlike other cities like New York City and Tokyo, Metropolis was a city that was built one level on top of another level or a city built on top of another city. Metropolis was the epicenter for economics, technology, culture, and other innovations. One of those innovations was not technical but more based on human relations unlike other cities Metropolis was a city which humans and robots coexisted together. But under this silver lining were serious problems that citizens of Metropolis faced and if these problems were not addressed the future of Metropolis would be in jeopardy. One of these many problems were jobs, robots took up the majority of the workforce forcing the less fortunate into poverty. The reason for this is because the city and some companies relied on robots for jobs normally performed by humans. For CEOs and the city this method saved money and to this end citizens living in Zone 1 protested. In addition, citizens living in Zone 1 are forced to live in homes and apartments that are normally suitable for one family but at time up to 2 to 3 were living in one room homes and apartments. There were no schools for children or for those who wanted to change their way of life. Robots also showed their defiance because of the apartheid like treatment and laws that were enforced. Some of these robots rebelled leading to their destruction by Marduks founded by Duke Red. The Marduk Party was at first a political party but turned into a squad similar to the Gestapo dedicated to eradicating robots that go outside their zone or go berserk.
These indiscretions led to an event that no one expected. The event that most of the discretions took place was during the weeklong celebration of the completed Ziggurat. The Ziggurat is a tower which extends far into the heavens. The Ziggurat is based on the Bible versions of the Tower of Babel. The towerwas created to show arrogance and power but was destroyed when the Babylonian King angered God. The creation of the Ziggurat at first was viewed by many as a military facility for the defense of the state. But many were quick to change their assessments of this when the dome opened and fired a ray into the sun. Many leaders determined that Duke Red who created the Ziggurat had different plans in mind, plans that would be dangerous to the state of Metropolis and the world.
These plans almost came to fruition when an innocent child named Tima sat on the throne. Tima was the daughter of Duke Red whom had passed away many years ago. Tima was a robot that resembled a human being. Tima's creator, Dr. Laughton was commissioned by Duke Red to build Tima so that she can claim her place on the throne of the Ziggurat and rule the world. Duke Red's plans like I said before almost came to pass. One of the reasons for this is the delay of her construction by Laughton because her fuel system was not stable and if she was to be activated she would exploded. Secondly, Rock, the leader of the Marduk Party and adopted son of Duke Red resented robots and did not want a robot sitting on the throne that should be occupied by his father. Rock's belief led to the destruction of the laboratory hoping to cover all traces of Tima and Laughton. Unfortunately Rock's plans failed when my uncle and I (originally sent to Metropolis to arrest Dr. Laughton for several animal rights violations) came to rescue the doctor and Tima from the fire. After I rescued Tima, we fell through a sewage drain leading to Zone 3 which is a restricted area where sewage is disposed of and where the majority cleaning robots worked. When we were not running from Marduks, Tima and I spent our time getting to know each other through introducing of each other, spelling, and writing. And through those hardships to survive Tima and I created a bond that would ultimately be broken due to evil intentions.
The evil intentions of Duke Red led Tima to sit on the throne after being shot by Rock and her heart which kept a mechanism that which took control of her system. Upon her sitting down on the throne whatever feelings and past she had was gone. Tima had become an emotionless weapon to rule to the world. However Tima through all her time and experiences with me witnessed two mistreatments to robots the destruction of Fifi and the shooting of Pero led her to punish all mankind. But I had faith in Tima and I pulled her off the throne. Even when Tima was not herself I still believed in her. I saw Tima revert back but it too late while trying to pull her up to safety Tima let go and fell. I felt a piece of me went with Tima that day. And with Tima's death, Metropolis and the problems which led to this went with her.
The next day the rebuilding effort is underway I walk down and see a robot with one of Tima's parts I asked the robot where was this found and Fifi came and given me Tima's heart and begin to chant her "Tima" which led the other robots to chant her name. Upon hearing the chants of the robots and holding the Tima's heart in my hand tears fell and cried.
I told my uncle that I would like to stay here but a day does not go by without me thinking of him and Tima I how I miss them both. I am determined to help my robot friends but they are as determined to help me and for that I am grateful. I cannot live my life wishing that she was here I got to have her in my life. And as each day goes by my friends and I continue our search for Tima's remains because I refuse let her remain missing. I also refuse to have Tima's life cut short because of the evil intentions of others. Tima deserves a chance at life and to choose what is in her best interest. In order for that to happen we cannot live in a city where the less fortunate is oppressed constantly with no work or income to support their families. We cannot live in a city where robots are alienated by humans regardless of past indiscretions. Something must be done to prevent what happened a month ago from repeating itself. I am a firm believer in learning from the mistakes of the past for failure to do would lead to history repeating itself.
After the destruction of the Ziggurat the great city known as Metropolis was a shell of its former self. The buildings which towered into the heavens were gone. The tallest of them the Ziggurat was destroyed. The people that were once festive and full of happiness were homeless. The robots whose roles were overshadowed by the people who lived in the upper level of Metropolis were now on the surface slowly picking up the pieces of a city that both relied on them and rejected them. The leaders such as the President and his advisors that had dedicated their lives to Metropolis hoping to make things better for both human and robot kind are either dead or missing. And if some of these leaders such as Mayor Lyon have survived and are out and about looking at the damages they are asking questions. One of the few questions that will be asked is how can Metropolis a city with a great future and promise end up like this?
Author Notes: This story is basically about the past, present, and future of Metropolis. The title and the three R's are the testament to what this story is about. The word revelation deals with the tragedy and what people would have called the end of the world. Reflection means to think about the previous event and the process of reconsidering actions and decisions. In other words, what caused Metropolis' demise and what do the citizens need to do to prevent this from ever happening again. Lastly, resurrection is to bring back from the dead. In this story the resurrection of Tima and resurrection of a new Metropolis, in other words from the ashes of the old Metropolis a new Metropolis will be born with the lessons of the past in mind. Later chapters will be the grieving process, the construction and resurrection of a new Tower and the election for President and Mayor of Metropolis just to start off with. Please review Thank You.