I don't own Metropolis or its characters.

Last in Chapter 1: The Steps of Metropolis

"You will pay dearly for this Rock." he said coldly.

"I know…" Rock answered as he picked up the girl slowly with his free hand and pulled her over his shoulder. He shot and blew out two of the four tires on the Duke's car. The young man gave one last glance at the one he called father and then ran. He wasn't sure where he was going, but he knew that the authorities would be there at any minute.

Chapter 2: Hiding Out in Zone 1

Rock continued running, never looking back, as he put his gun into the proper place and held onto Tima's leg so that she wouldn't fall off his shoulder. The scenery was changing as he ran, changing from snow and destruction everywhere, to the escalator leading down to Zone 1. It was in sight from a distance. As the entrance began drawing closer as Rock ran, he could hear sirens far behind him.

"Damn…" he thought as he ran towards to sign that read Zone 1. When the youth finally reached the escalator steps, he stopped for a moment, catching his breath. He moved Tima from one shoulder to the other quickly but carefully, and ran down the steps.

Rock had just entered Zone 1 when a thought hit him. Where was a place to hide in Zone 1 that no one would think to look? He ran in the direction of the burnt laboratory of Dr. Loughton.

Not a soul appeared to live in the depths of the first zone. The inhabitance had chosen to remain scarce since the revolution earlier that day which lead to Rock having the advantage of not having witnesses see him or the unconscious girl in his arms. His photographic memory served him well as he maneuvered about the trash piles and maze like paths to the late doctor's ruined institution.

Rock switched positions and now held Tima in a bridal style as they arrived to their destination. He inhaled deeply to catch his breath and slow his pounding heart. After regaining his composer, he gently set the girl on the ground and stayed in a kneeling position next to her, studying the person that lay before him.

Rock pulled off one of his gloves and carefully ran a hand along Tima's golden curls which were soft to the touch.

"Her hair's real…"

The hand went to her cheek and hesitated before resting his fingers against it. He had never touched anyone before in such a careful manner and found himself gently rubbing her cheek. Tima felt warm and soft, just as a girl should.

A blush crept across his face and he pulled him hand away. She could just be very well made is all. He moved from the sleeping girl and glanced around him. There had to be material here on this young girl, and he was going to find it.

Kenichi woke up only a few minutes after Rock had hurried Tima away and forgot for a second where he was. He was looking up at the sky, seeing snowflakes fall from clouds miles high. Then he remembered and got up quickly.

He ran over to his uncle, who was still unconscious in the snow, to see if he was okay. Kenichi knelt down next to him and checked his pulse.

"He's alive!" He sighed with relief "Thank goodness."

Kenichi heard footsteps and looked to see who it was, hoping it was Tima. It was Duke Red with a very smug look on his face. Kenichi got up quickly, anger filling him

"Where's Tima what have you done with her?" Kenichi shouted, knowing that Rock was Duke Red's stepson.

"I've done nothing with her, that idiot ran off with her threatening to kill her if I followed so I had no choice but to stay." The two were silent after that, Kenichi beginning to piece everything together. His stomach was killing him; but that was the least of the worries.

"So you're saying that..." Kenichi started. "…that Rock has Tima" Duke Red finished the sentence, looking irritated.

The young man clenched his hands in fists at his sides, suddenly exploding as he had to Rock earlier.

"Great, just great! You have to whole army behind you and you couldn't even keep track of that jerk?" Kenichi shouted as he closed the gap between himself and his senior. The Duke looked towards the driver which stood behind him, who nodded and stepped forward. He shoved the child, who lost his balance and fell. He stared up at the two, the anger still plainly visible but started to decrease since it wouldn't do him any good here.

"You shall not speak to the Duke as if he were some commoner you brat." The driver sneered at the child.

The man in charge smiled a cruel smile. It was obvious there was a lot of anger in this boy, which could be the perfect for Duke Red's benefit. He reached a hand down to Kenichi, who slowly accepted and let the Duke help him up.