He always thought it's only a machine. It had been failing to do his job. To replace his only son. He always thought it's only a failed invention. No more use. But the Core inside it, that's why it's important. Soon, it wouldn't be.

But a robot or not, it's still his only son. And he's his only father.

To Be a Father

Warning and Disclaimer:

Astro boy movie © Osamu Tezuka and Imagi Animation

All the words flow – all my OCs – and nearly the whole idea © Lianda Alshiraz

OOC, one-shot, mini fanfic, drabblish, English, movie-verse, set on movie, canon, third-person-POV, Tenma-centric, angst failed, spelling and grammar awful, family-fic, Fam ily/Hurt/Comfort/Tragedy/Mechanic/Angst (hope-to-be), RnR, also DON'T LIKE DON'T READ

First fic from Lianda Alshiraz for Astroboy

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Dr. Tenma took an eye to the prisoner. A few minutes ago, President Stone and his military team had captured him. Now, the skinny President had ordered him to take the Blue Core on the robot and put it on the Peacekeeper.

As Robot-Toby walking, he kept thinking. It's only a machine; it's only a machine...

Dr. Elefun glared on him desperately. "This is the place we made him," he whispered to him. "You can't do this!"

Tenma didn't care. All he needed to do right now is take the Core and turn his son off.

His son. Dr. Tenma rolled his eyes. Huh. He's not my son, he's a robot!

He took the Robot-Toby, laid him on the table, and took the Core as President Stone had ordered him. He's only a scientist. He has intelligence as an offering to Metro City, and he needs money from Metro City to create an invention. He shouldn't have heart only for fluffy-stupid-things like this.

But anyway, his invention this time could feel. It had a heart. So he needed to say something before it really turned off.

"I'm sorry... for everything."

Robot-Toby looked at him with its half-closed eyes, spent its last energy before going to die. It tried to speak, too.

"Don't be. I'm sorry I can't be a perfect son for you..."

Tenma still standing, the room was full of silent, waiting for the last words of the great invention, the best human-like robot that could feeling.

"...Dad."

Dr. Tenma couldn't believe his hearing. What? It called him dad? For all the refuses he ever done to it, it still thought he's its father?

Robot-Toby had a feel. And like the entire human – in this case, robot included – had feeling, Robot-Toby needs love. Someone to love him, like family and friends. As a father, he hadn't give love to it.

No, it isn't it. Robot-Toby must be called he.

So Dr. Tenma walked towards president Stone, and gave the Core. But at last, he thought he still has second chance to love his only son, Toby – the robot. And this time, Dr. Elefun supported him one-hundred-percent.

He kept seeing his son, waiting him to wake up. Soon, President Stone will find his way to open the divider wall. He knew Toby will be free in a minute. As his eyes looking at the robot, he hoped his son won't get captured by President Stone and his military team.

Maybe after this, I will be fired, he whispered to himself. Toby's eyes had opened.

Tenma's eyes were full of joy. "You may not be Toby, but you're still my son."

His son looked at his father with joyfully, like giving thanks to him. No, maybe because he got his father again.

"DAD!"

Bill Tenma hugged his son for the last time, and let him flew to be free. Even President Skinny Stone had ordered Dr. Elefun and him to be captured; he still smiled to the hole that Toby made when he escaped. He knew this is the right way.

*THE END!*