Author's note: Getting more chapters for you guys to move on!

3. Shattered

One after another, all the "incidents" that had been taking place in town have been the work of one man: Tenma. For Dr. O´Shay is not like he should be too worried but he is. He once knew a brilliant and hard working man and now he is facing the shadow. A shattered soul that hangs between despair, craziness and solitude.

How could he sink so low?

For the Head of the Ministry of Science all is too dark, painful. Toby was Tenma´s reason to live and work. And now he tries so hard to use Astro for his plans ―and as scapegoat for his pain― that he does not realize he is destroying himself and O´Shay feels responsible for that. But still, how he can look so cocky and arrogant? Has Tenma gone totally crazy? Why isn't Abra helping them out?

"Is hard for a father to get over that but, is like if something really bad had grabbed unto him. What can I do? How can I help?" He feels responsible for everything. If only he can know what is Tenma thinking. If only… the grieving father could hear those magical words that his son could not say before dying and after the quarrel. The words that can change the world.

Maybe even Tenma wanted to say them. But then, how come he is so obsessed about power and destruction? Where is the end to this powder call?

"All the words that I come up with

They're like gasoline on flames

There's no excuse

No explanation

Believe me

If I could I'd undo what I did wrong

I'd give away all that I own"

Astro sits down in his room while the doctor talks to Inspector Tawashi about Tenma´s last scheme. The boy lets out a sigh and sits near the window.

Tenma was once happy with him, as Toby and later as robot but then, why did he left him? Did he remind him too much of his dead son? A sudden feeling crosses his chest but is not like him. Is from Toby. So mad about his father. Always paying little attention to him, so sunk into his job that the young got the idea that his father would not cry if he was gone.

Astro rubs his eyes. How can someone get those ideas?

Tenma cried for sure and heavily. Tearing his heart open for years. Is not fair, not at all. But still, how did they got to this point? And how can he save the doctor from this hell before is too late?

Othousan...

'Why are you doing this? Why are you haunting me like this?'

XXXXX

After been done with Atlas, Tenma has some time for himself in his lab. He has worked like a dog but still he has a moment to glance at the photos on his desk. Old friends, his wife… Such strange but comforting faces. But there is only one who can put his shattered feelings together. One that smiles with all its innocence.

Toby.

Hope you like this one.

Is hard to get the point, I must confess.

Next stop: A Devil's Request.