Title: Welcome to Metropolis
Plot: Shunsaku Ban came to metropolis to solve one simple case, only to find himself involved in saving the world. As a power-struggle begins between opposing forces over a mythical creature and the power to conquer the world, the question of what it means to be human, to be alive comes into play. Dedicated Osamu Tezuka.
Prologue: Beginning
By: rockofmarduk
The Sun.
The power behind the universe. The light that saves us, guides us, lets us see the world around us. It gives us warmth in the cold, and grows food for us when nothing would grow before. The sun, a giant burning ball of fire in the starlit sky, our life, our love, her home. The universes winged goddess, our protector, and the world's most powerful creature.
As the sun stands they're blazing in space a creature covered in the flames of youth rises from the ash's and begins her flight across the stars. As she makes her way towards our earth, we see her in all her glory. Long slender neck attached to a long slender body with small petite breasts. Her golden wings attached to her golden body, spread out as far as they could go, helping her glide across the heavens. Her long orange legs glide straight behind her. Rows of pink, green and yellow tail feathers flow and flap against the wind as she descends through the clouds. Her face is soft and gentle. Short black hair curling at the back of her head and ending at the tip of her beak and a red tuff of hair sitting on top of her head gave her an elegant look. But the most striking feature on her of all was her beautiful blue eyes. They glinted with a hint of adventure and mystery, as if they had a great secret to bestow to the world. Eyes that were ageless, as if they had seen the world a hundred times over.
With a smile across her lips she flew down towards the earth with a trail of stardust flowing off her glowing body. Then in a flash she is gone, with only a trail of stardust floating in the sky. **
On Earth...
The Ministry of Science. A building made of glass and metal were the most scientific men work and play. Each man and woman that works there builds to create the next stage in human development. In the ministry's conference room a large group of men and woman sat around in three circles, each one listening to what the other had to say.
At that moment a man stood before the panel, discussing his ideas and theories. The room was dark except for a large screen in the front of the room that illuminated the man in front of it. He was an old man, between the age of fifty or sixty years old. His face was covered in wrinkles, lines and warts. His nose was shaped as a witch's, and he had a mouth that was always in a grumpy frown. He was bald on the top of his head, but had two huge puffs of hair on both sides of his head. Wearing a simple, short, scientist coat that buttoned on the side of his chest he gave a look of authority and showed no fear to anyone for expressing his beliefs. Some claimed him to be a genius, others a mad man, or just really ugly, but everyone all agreed on one thing, that Dr. Frankenstein was one man that could never be silenced.
On the screen behind the good doctor the image of a giant bird was stretched across the screen. It wasn't the best picture in the world but it did show the outline of an unknown bird, bathed in a glowing light, flying across space. Now that was unusual.
"In conclusion," Dr. Frankenstein said as he ended his speech. "I believe that this mythical creature does exist. It has been sighted all over the world from the dawn of man to now. This picture here was taken two days ago by one of our satellites and has been studied very carefully. It has been proven to be genuine, with no tricks of the light and no other objects in the vicinity. Would someone please turn on the lights."
The lights turned on and the screen behind Dr. Frankenstein went blank. "Now gentlemen. I know some of you believe me to be crazy, but I beg you to give me the benefit of a doubt, and let me construct a real scientific study on it. I know it will be worth our wild and would be a great interest to our world. Thank you for time."
As Dr. Frankenstein sat down, the rest of the council began talking to one another in quiet whispers. Some were scoffing at his ridicules idea's, other's were talking about what a genius he is in his amazing discoveries, one guy was asleep, and other's weren't sure what to think.
The first one to speak was the head of the ministry of science Dr. Ochanomizu. He was a short, stout man, with a bit of a heavy build. He had a large nose and was bald with two puffs of white hair on both sides of his head. Usually a bit scatterbrained and easily moved to tears, but he was a good-natured, kind man who always fought for what was right.
"Now, members of the council." He began. "I know some of you think that his idea of such a supernatural creature existing is quite impossible, however, instead of being skeptics, we should continue to keep an open mind on the idea of a new life-form, and in the interest of science, we should look into the possibility and begin to try and start up a case for it." The people began whispering amongst themselves again. Dr. Ochanomizu smiled happily to himself. Dr. Frankenstein looked pleased also. By all sights and sounds it looked as if he was going to win this one.
"Now if everyone's ready I think it's time we put this to a vote." Ochanomiz continued. "All those in favor..."
"I OBJECT!!!"
Everyone almost jumped out of their seat and all turned to the sound of the booming voice. Dr. Frankenstein frowned when he saw whom the voice belonged to.
Sitting at the opposite side of the room was a little boy, but who in reality was not a little boy. He was a full-grown man trapped inside a boy's body. Dr. Sharaku Hosuke was the head of the Historical Institute, (studying ancient civilizations, and legendary creatures). He appeared to be between the age of nine or eleven years old, but in reality was almost twenty-nine. His head was completely bald and he had a strange mark on his head that looked like a third eye. Sharaku didn't like Dr Frankenstein because of his crazy theories and was always trying to find a way to humiliate him.
"This man!" he continued. "Is nothing but a lunatic, a madman, and a psychopath! He doesn't deserve to be here with us. His ideas about this creature are all a figment of his depraved imagination! He has absolutely no proof that this creature even does exist, except for a crappy picture, which by the way could be about anything in the entire universe! Not to mention the fact that he is wasting our valuable time wi...!"
"That's enough!" Dr. Frankenstein shouted as he jumped up out of his seat and slammed his fists on the table. "It does exist, and I have proof that it does."
"Then why didn't you show this so called proof to us before dear doctor?" Sharaku cockily asked as he crossed his arms and lend back into his armchair.
"Because I haven't finished testing it yet to make sure it's genuine! If you had half a brain Dr. Sharaku you'd understand what it is that I'm trying to accomplish!" Dr. Frankenstein yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Now, now everyone. Please there's no need to shout." Dr. Ochanomizu said as he tried to bring peace and order to the room. "I'm sure that if we all put this to a vote, I'm sure this will all be settled. Now all those opposed...?"
A few men raised their hands. Dr. Sharaku smiled at this. Dr. Frankenstein frowned.
"All those for it raise their hands...?"
The rest of the panel raised their hands. Dr. Sharaku tightened his hands into fists and growled. Dr. Frankenstein smiled triumphantly.
"Motion granted." Dr, Ochanomizu said smiling. "A study on this case will begin immediately. If there are no new business, the panel is dismissed until next time." **
Outside the large conference room Dr. Frankenstein was making his way towards his office with a grim look on his face. Dr. Ochanomizu ran to catch up with him. "I'm sorry for the way Dr. Sharaku treated you back there, but, ah well, all's well that ends well, I suppose?"
Dr. Frankenstein didn't answer him, but instead went into his laboratory/office, slamming the door behind him, and leaving a puzzled Dr. Ochanomizu outside "Was it something I said?" **
Dr. Frankenstein wandered through his laboratory towards a table near the window. It had started to rain and it was now coming down in sheets, slamming themselves against the windowpane. Lighting struck across the sky lighting up the room just for a moment. The room was dark except for a strange light coming from the table, which seemed to light up the dim looking room. Dr. Frankenstein approached the table and picked up something from the box lying on it. It was a feather. A large, unusual feather that was pink and yellow. A soft glow was illuminating from it. Dr. Frankenstein looked over at his desk at all the notes and pictures he had been collecting over the years and at one picture in particular sitting on his table. It showed four figures on it but it was too dark to make out any features.
"Soon my dearest ones, soon." Frankenstein said in a sad sounding voice. Approaching the table he set the feather down, back in the box and began experimenting with it. He was so indulged with his experimentation; he didn't notice a shadowy figure, slip into the room.
Taking a pair of tweezers, Frankenstein tried to abstract a sample from the tail-feather, but a small flame erupted from the tail sending him stumbling back. Once it had calmed down he approached the table again. Suddenly he heard clapping behind him. Turning around he saw a figure in a dark overcoat, clapping his hands in a cocky fashion.
"Well that was an interesting development." A nasty voice sneered.
Dr. Frankenstein gasped. "You! What are you doing here?" he growled.
The man began to make his way towards him. "I want what is rightfully mine." He stated. "Now were are the others and most importantly, were is she?"
"I will never tell you were they are. You'd have to kill me first." Dr. Frankenstein stated bravely.
The other man grinned evilly as he pulled out a spray type of gun and sprayed some knockout gas into Dr. Frankenstein's face. Frankenstein tried to fight back but it was all too much for him. In seconds he collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.
"No my good doctor," he said with a smirk. "You're worth much more to me alive not dead."
To be continued...
Next time on metropolis: We arrive in the giant city of metropolis, which is just about finished completing the Ziggurat tower. But things are not all what they appear to be on the surface. Let Dr. Yorkshire Bell be your guide to the beginning of our adventure.
Plot: Shunsaku Ban came to metropolis to solve one simple case, only to find himself involved in saving the world. As a power-struggle begins between opposing forces over a mythical creature and the power to conquer the world, the question of what it means to be human, to be alive comes into play. Dedicated Osamu Tezuka.
Prologue: Beginning
By: rockofmarduk
The Sun.
The power behind the universe. The light that saves us, guides us, lets us see the world around us. It gives us warmth in the cold, and grows food for us when nothing would grow before. The sun, a giant burning ball of fire in the starlit sky, our life, our love, her home. The universes winged goddess, our protector, and the world's most powerful creature.
As the sun stands they're blazing in space a creature covered in the flames of youth rises from the ash's and begins her flight across the stars. As she makes her way towards our earth, we see her in all her glory. Long slender neck attached to a long slender body with small petite breasts. Her golden wings attached to her golden body, spread out as far as they could go, helping her glide across the heavens. Her long orange legs glide straight behind her. Rows of pink, green and yellow tail feathers flow and flap against the wind as she descends through the clouds. Her face is soft and gentle. Short black hair curling at the back of her head and ending at the tip of her beak and a red tuff of hair sitting on top of her head gave her an elegant look. But the most striking feature on her of all was her beautiful blue eyes. They glinted with a hint of adventure and mystery, as if they had a great secret to bestow to the world. Eyes that were ageless, as if they had seen the world a hundred times over.
With a smile across her lips she flew down towards the earth with a trail of stardust flowing off her glowing body. Then in a flash she is gone, with only a trail of stardust floating in the sky. **
On Earth...
The Ministry of Science. A building made of glass and metal were the most scientific men work and play. Each man and woman that works there builds to create the next stage in human development. In the ministry's conference room a large group of men and woman sat around in three circles, each one listening to what the other had to say.
At that moment a man stood before the panel, discussing his ideas and theories. The room was dark except for a large screen in the front of the room that illuminated the man in front of it. He was an old man, between the age of fifty or sixty years old. His face was covered in wrinkles, lines and warts. His nose was shaped as a witch's, and he had a mouth that was always in a grumpy frown. He was bald on the top of his head, but had two huge puffs of hair on both sides of his head. Wearing a simple, short, scientist coat that buttoned on the side of his chest he gave a look of authority and showed no fear to anyone for expressing his beliefs. Some claimed him to be a genius, others a mad man, or just really ugly, but everyone all agreed on one thing, that Dr. Frankenstein was one man that could never be silenced.
On the screen behind the good doctor the image of a giant bird was stretched across the screen. It wasn't the best picture in the world but it did show the outline of an unknown bird, bathed in a glowing light, flying across space. Now that was unusual.
"In conclusion," Dr. Frankenstein said as he ended his speech. "I believe that this mythical creature does exist. It has been sighted all over the world from the dawn of man to now. This picture here was taken two days ago by one of our satellites and has been studied very carefully. It has been proven to be genuine, with no tricks of the light and no other objects in the vicinity. Would someone please turn on the lights."
The lights turned on and the screen behind Dr. Frankenstein went blank. "Now gentlemen. I know some of you believe me to be crazy, but I beg you to give me the benefit of a doubt, and let me construct a real scientific study on it. I know it will be worth our wild and would be a great interest to our world. Thank you for time."
As Dr. Frankenstein sat down, the rest of the council began talking to one another in quiet whispers. Some were scoffing at his ridicules idea's, other's were talking about what a genius he is in his amazing discoveries, one guy was asleep, and other's weren't sure what to think.
The first one to speak was the head of the ministry of science Dr. Ochanomizu. He was a short, stout man, with a bit of a heavy build. He had a large nose and was bald with two puffs of white hair on both sides of his head. Usually a bit scatterbrained and easily moved to tears, but he was a good-natured, kind man who always fought for what was right.
"Now, members of the council." He began. "I know some of you think that his idea of such a supernatural creature existing is quite impossible, however, instead of being skeptics, we should continue to keep an open mind on the idea of a new life-form, and in the interest of science, we should look into the possibility and begin to try and start up a case for it." The people began whispering amongst themselves again. Dr. Ochanomizu smiled happily to himself. Dr. Frankenstein looked pleased also. By all sights and sounds it looked as if he was going to win this one.
"Now if everyone's ready I think it's time we put this to a vote." Ochanomiz continued. "All those in favor..."
"I OBJECT!!!"
Everyone almost jumped out of their seat and all turned to the sound of the booming voice. Dr. Frankenstein frowned when he saw whom the voice belonged to.
Sitting at the opposite side of the room was a little boy, but who in reality was not a little boy. He was a full-grown man trapped inside a boy's body. Dr. Sharaku Hosuke was the head of the Historical Institute, (studying ancient civilizations, and legendary creatures). He appeared to be between the age of nine or eleven years old, but in reality was almost twenty-nine. His head was completely bald and he had a strange mark on his head that looked like a third eye. Sharaku didn't like Dr Frankenstein because of his crazy theories and was always trying to find a way to humiliate him.
"This man!" he continued. "Is nothing but a lunatic, a madman, and a psychopath! He doesn't deserve to be here with us. His ideas about this creature are all a figment of his depraved imagination! He has absolutely no proof that this creature even does exist, except for a crappy picture, which by the way could be about anything in the entire universe! Not to mention the fact that he is wasting our valuable time wi...!"
"That's enough!" Dr. Frankenstein shouted as he jumped up out of his seat and slammed his fists on the table. "It does exist, and I have proof that it does."
"Then why didn't you show this so called proof to us before dear doctor?" Sharaku cockily asked as he crossed his arms and lend back into his armchair.
"Because I haven't finished testing it yet to make sure it's genuine! If you had half a brain Dr. Sharaku you'd understand what it is that I'm trying to accomplish!" Dr. Frankenstein yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Now, now everyone. Please there's no need to shout." Dr. Ochanomizu said as he tried to bring peace and order to the room. "I'm sure that if we all put this to a vote, I'm sure this will all be settled. Now all those opposed...?"
A few men raised their hands. Dr. Sharaku smiled at this. Dr. Frankenstein frowned.
"All those for it raise their hands...?"
The rest of the panel raised their hands. Dr. Sharaku tightened his hands into fists and growled. Dr. Frankenstein smiled triumphantly.
"Motion granted." Dr, Ochanomizu said smiling. "A study on this case will begin immediately. If there are no new business, the panel is dismissed until next time." **
Outside the large conference room Dr. Frankenstein was making his way towards his office with a grim look on his face. Dr. Ochanomizu ran to catch up with him. "I'm sorry for the way Dr. Sharaku treated you back there, but, ah well, all's well that ends well, I suppose?"
Dr. Frankenstein didn't answer him, but instead went into his laboratory/office, slamming the door behind him, and leaving a puzzled Dr. Ochanomizu outside "Was it something I said?" **
Dr. Frankenstein wandered through his laboratory towards a table near the window. It had started to rain and it was now coming down in sheets, slamming themselves against the windowpane. Lighting struck across the sky lighting up the room just for a moment. The room was dark except for a strange light coming from the table, which seemed to light up the dim looking room. Dr. Frankenstein approached the table and picked up something from the box lying on it. It was a feather. A large, unusual feather that was pink and yellow. A soft glow was illuminating from it. Dr. Frankenstein looked over at his desk at all the notes and pictures he had been collecting over the years and at one picture in particular sitting on his table. It showed four figures on it but it was too dark to make out any features.
"Soon my dearest ones, soon." Frankenstein said in a sad sounding voice. Approaching the table he set the feather down, back in the box and began experimenting with it. He was so indulged with his experimentation; he didn't notice a shadowy figure, slip into the room.
Taking a pair of tweezers, Frankenstein tried to abstract a sample from the tail-feather, but a small flame erupted from the tail sending him stumbling back. Once it had calmed down he approached the table again. Suddenly he heard clapping behind him. Turning around he saw a figure in a dark overcoat, clapping his hands in a cocky fashion.
"Well that was an interesting development." A nasty voice sneered.
Dr. Frankenstein gasped. "You! What are you doing here?" he growled.
The man began to make his way towards him. "I want what is rightfully mine." He stated. "Now were are the others and most importantly, were is she?"
"I will never tell you were they are. You'd have to kill me first." Dr. Frankenstein stated bravely.
The other man grinned evilly as he pulled out a spray type of gun and sprayed some knockout gas into Dr. Frankenstein's face. Frankenstein tried to fight back but it was all too much for him. In seconds he collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.
"No my good doctor," he said with a smirk. "You're worth much more to me alive not dead."
To be continued...
Next time on metropolis: We arrive in the giant city of metropolis, which is just about finished completing the Ziggurat tower. But things are not all what they appear to be on the surface. Let Dr. Yorkshire Bell be your guide to the beginning of our adventure.