METROPOLIS II: Save the City!
-Kawaii Hana-
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DISCLAIMER: I do not own Metropolis or any of its characters... Just sad they didn't give a sequel to it though...
NOTE TO READERS:
-- Italic -- Thoughts of the person
(Italic) Small commentary from me
Italic – a flashback passage
Bold Emphasized words
Bold Italic – Introduction/Ending statements of the chapter
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She has awaken to a place where she meets
Friends old and new
She looks upon a part of the city
Where hope seems to spark…
And there are those who
Wants to be a part of that world…
Despite the circumstances…
Have you ever thought
What if they all have…
Met in one place…
CHAPTER 6
In a Twist of Fate…
"Rock, are you sure about this?" His voice gripped to his son's heart like never before. Somewhere inside him knew what they're about to do is insane… But he just got to…
"Rock?"
To see her again…
"Just don't mind what they're going to say or do, father… We don't mean any harm, anyway. We're just here to say hello and surprise her, right?"
His son's voice was so sincere that he had to blink twice to see if this was really Rock… Around two weeks before, he was such a heartless man who demands what he wanted and wouldn't take no for answer… With the exception of the duke whom he had treated more than just a father but a master, Rock never for one second… hesitated at anything he wanted to do...
"OK… After all, I want to see her as well…" He confessed. It was about a week since their release from the hospital. And though the two both enjoy each other's company now that their relationship between father and son has gotten better, they still miss her…
After all, it was she who got them together…
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Another day at the Resistance Center… A very bright morning has come their way again…
Just nearby their building was that certain group of seven: Kenichi, Tima, Andy, Shay, Becka, Atlas and of course, Tinnette… The other people were still asleep or in their flats.
Kenichi was like the happiest boy on the face of the planet. Of course, he had always anticipated the revival of his best friend. He had gone through a lot to make this happen. And here he was, telling her all the things that happened after the Ziggurat Fall…
Becka was there beside the two watching them. And oh yeah, it was already weekends again. (Time flies, doesn't it?) And she had nothing better to do but to wonder what had happened to a certain pair that got released from the hospital from a week ago…
To which by the way, this nurse has never mentioned those two to Tinnette, Andy or anyone from the group. After all, most have them have certain issues regarding the pair…
Atlas and Shay? Well… they're together-they're happy! That's it! Even though they still haven't moved on from the fact that they were the only ones left from, well… the rebellion, these two lovers certainly enjoy each other's company and with their new friends…
Tinnette, always watching everyone talk, laugh and… all that. All of these things still with her dark shades on. Even the curious Tima had given up asking why Tinnette wears the sunglasses all day…
And Andy… Well, ever since Tima woke up, the raven-haired scientist never ever figured why the humanoid still recalled several flashbacks before that horrific fall… But he's a scientist which means…
"Ugh, Andy for the umpteenth time, please… Try to stop figuring out why Tima still remembers everything despite the fact she was torn into a thousand pieces and most parts on her are new ones!!!"
It was that particular statement that made the spectacled young man to stop making theories of Tima's miraculous memory resurfacing in an instant… Well, that was what she told them…
"Sorry… You know it's just weird this is the first thing I can't solve scientifically… and well, logically, that is…" Andy rubbed his head sheepishly...
"Well… If everything had a scientific answer, then this world will be boring… I mean, where's your sense of mystery, Andy?" Tinnette poked his left shoulder playfully.
"Oh c'mon… Tinnette… This is a mystery already… "
"Mystery that will be left unanswered…" She finished.
A pause…
"Then can that mean Tima is really the Tima who was believed to have died during the Fog-of-Death War? You know her spirit is in her!?" A voice suddenly came into their conversation… It was Shay.
"S-spirit?" Tinnette gasped.
"OK… Maybe not spirit… but like you know… your Master Laughton must have found a way to get some memories and convert into some kind of memory storage." Atlas chirped in.
"A memory device!? That's impossible!" Tinnette gasped again.
Both Atlas and Shay were surprised by the Leader's sudden outburst.
"Why is it impossible?" Atlas asked.
"W-well… uuhh" The leader got tongue-tied…
"Oh yeah… Why didn't I think of that, Tinnette?" Andy suddenly beamed in. "It is impossible to be a spirit because well scientifically it's not done that way…"
"Oh c'mon… Don't take it seriously. I always joke on those kinda things to scare people." Shay defended sheepishly.
"OK, what about the memory device thing…?" Atlas inquired yet again. "I mean I'm sure the Duke would have gotten hold of the body or something…"
At that point, Tinnette shuddered… To which Tima, Kenichi and Becka noticed.
"Please don't talk about me like I'm some kind of ghost. It scares me, too." Tima said, silencing the group.
"Y-Yeah… She's right." Tinnette spoke.
"Well, your theory of getting the body is logical, Atlas but…"
"But what…?"
"The brain must still be alive in order to get the memories…" Andy spoke seriously. "Yeah, well, there are some developments on that but… that's the thing… Duke Red never got his daughter back… at all"
Dead silence… A creepy moment… It was like she was actually there… (She is…)
Just then, a loud bang came from the gate. Although, it did sound like it was a knock, the gate being metal made it like a bell ringing in a church…
"Woops… gee, with all this creepy conversation, we forgot to open the gate. C'mon! Maybe it's another homeless person or something like that…" Becka interrupted the group's silence as she hurried to open the gate…
"Uh, remind me not to make up theories of Tima's memories again…"Andy whispered to Tinnette as the rest followed after Becka.
"I already did about a gazillion times already, Andy…" The blonde leader said as what looks like she rolled her eyes.
"OK,OK… The gate's open and wel-" Becka's sentence was cut off as she gasped with mouth wide open…
"Uh hi?"
This visitor's voice was so small that they couldn't recognize him if it weren't for his companion sitting on a wheelchair.
"R-Rock? D-Duke Red?" She said it… And the rest gasped… in horror that is…
"Hey!" Altas's fuming aura was back again. "What are you two doing in here!?"
By that time, Tima had clung tightly in Kenichi's arm while Shay did so with Atlas's. Andy was shocked as well and his eyes were sending death glares to Rock. Tinnette… well, it's hard to say with her shades on…
And Becka…well… She was shocked more than ever…
"Oh… I guess we're not welcome here, too." Rock interrupted their uneasy and scary glares to them. "We just wanted to visit the nurse who took care of us."
"T-Took care of…" Tinnette and Andy, which in coincidence, simultaneously repeated a part of that sentence as they looked at Becka with shock… How come she had never mentioned anything about them?
"U-Uh… I guess I forgot to tell you something?" Becka said in a manner in which she didn't mean what she said and words just came out of her mouth.
But humor was not really the best attempt to disturb between the ones out side the gate and the ones in the inside… And pretty soon, that tension had heightened…
"What 's going on? I thought Kenichi said they were still in the Ziggurat while IT was COLLAPSING!?" Atlas fumed again.
"Even I cannot answer that question myself… Atlas…" Rock countered, but in a replying manner neither defensive nor angry.
"Becka, what are they doing here!?" It was Andy's turn to fume up, surprising everyone present. Becka and Tinnette never did recall Andy losing his temper. Actually, he never did.
Becka sighed. She was panicking. She has one group of friends fuming over the other friends. She was getting all confused.
But she knew from the very start that this was going to happen. If only she thought of something earlier…
Everything was getting chaotic… even though none was uttering a sound… Within them was a battle of fear, anger, hate, regret…
The only way to stop it was…
"OK…" Becka finally said, breaking the uncomfortable silence that has beheld them. "Let's stop this…"
Each person turned towards Becka. "Look, I'm sorry I did not do something I'm supposed to do but… Ugh!" The brunette buried her face with her hands. Everyone just couldn't utter a sound anymore.
A deep and equally heavy sigh was heard from Tinnette. "Pretty soon, the other people are waking up… I know this is insane for all of you but… we've got to let them in…"
"W-Wha…" Andy folded his arms and grunted. "Fine…"
Seeing as if they really had no choice but to follow Tinnette since she is the leader, Rock and Duke Red finally went safely inside the Resistance Center.
"Becka." Andy's voice was stern and… since this was rare, scary… But, this is not the time to make fun of it. Becka knew that from that tone she was in deep, deep, deep trouble…
"We need to talk…" Tinnette completed Andy's sentence with the same scary tone of a voice…. Therefore, it is double the trouble for her…
"Sure…" That was all she could muster up. She was tired to say more.
The three left the group that was actually feuding a while ago and went into the right side of the compound.
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It was dead quiet. It seemed that both were still searching for more… errr… words that exactly match they want to say… And the brunette was getting more and more anxious as each moment passed by.
For the past ten years of their friendship starting from orphanage till now, Becka had never felt this heavy. The feeling where she had just betrayed her best friends' trust… was just too much.
For a time, she also pondered what would her brother would say to her. In all aspects, Raven and the other two have always been by her side… except that there is one thing that they could not tolerate… And that is… Secrets…
"Becka, haven't the three of us understood what the consequences are when we keep secrets from one another…?" Tinnette began.
- Jackpot…- The scolded one thought. Sometimes, things can be predictable.
"T-Tinnette… Andy… Look, I'm sorry… But Rock and Duke Red are really nice guys. As a nurse, of course, it's my job to give them a listening ear and-"
"Then why keep it a secret!? If it's just a job, why did we have to know not until they have released from the hospital…!?" Andy demanded for an answer.
"B-Because… obviously, we are having people here that… that have you know certain issues with them… I mean if I told you guys from the start… maybe Atlas and Shay would have left by now… Or…"
"So you're saying you wanted to avoid a conflict." Tinnette summed it up and heaved a huge sigh. "Wasn't what happened awhile ago a conflict…?"
"B-But I didn't know they were actually going to visit me! I know they meant it as just as a surprise for me… so… it's really my fault. I didn't tell them about you guys or…"
"Damn! This is getting chaotic as it is! Becka, were you in your right mind when you took them in!?" She was once again interrupted by Andy.
"H-Huh?"
"Becka, Rock's nothing but a murderer…! Have you been listening to the kid when he first came here with Tima!?" Andy was hysterical.
"Of course! Rock was jealous b-because… Duke Red has been giving too much attention to Tima during those times… And… We all know for a fact that he despises robots…"
"Oh really!? Did he ever tell you that by chasing Tima, he had to kill Master Laughton!"
-What… He killed… He didn't say that… All I know is he had done something… because it was out of… envy… Could it be… that something was…-
"Well look at that! Speechless, huh? Why would a guy like him admit it to you about it? Because it's a crime!" Andy led more to her confusion.
-What is going on? The Rock I knew so far was a lonely man who had sought for a father's love… He didn't tell me that he had done something that had gone… too far…-
"Told you Becka! People like him… don't have a place here!!!" Andy finally said.
And that would be the perfect time to stop playing the 'good girl'…
"What about Atlas!? Was he any different from Rock…!?"
The two were speechless. For once, she was right.
"Look, you two… When Atlas first woke up from the hospital, all he did was regret… Regret… Blamed him for everything that had happened to his friends… Rock was like that, too… He also has conscience, guys… You're just too fed up with your emotions … that you forgot what the Resistance Center is for!"
Indeed, the center was established for everyone who had entered and asked for help. Raven said that firmly. And the rest of the three agreed to that…
"And Tinnette… From what we're seeing here, everything is far from being happy… At least show something even while hiding…" Becka added.
Tinnette sighed. Indeed, she was the one who said that. (From the last chapter remember?)
"I guess… I should be the one who had to understand the consequences of keeping a secret." She said, as she pushed her sunglasses in place…
"And yeah… can I talk to Rock for a while…?" Becka suddenly asked out of the blue.
"U-uh… sure… That's fine. I guess…" Tinnette shrugged.
With that said, Becka rushed back to where they had left the people who have remained in silence.
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Rock anxiously gulped… His hands were shaking softly inside his pockets. That was why the others have never seen it. But, Duke Red could feel it.
The young man knew that by this time, Becka will finally know the one thing that he had failed to tell her…
If only he had the damn guts to tell her everything from the beginning…
He can feel the rest of the people surrounding him and his father with their immense death glares. That rebel leader…Atlas, the girl beside him must be one of his companions… and…that Japanese kid… It's a mystery as to how he ever survived from the Ziggurat…
But come to think of it… He and his father surviving that same catastrophe is also puzzlement itself…
And it was weird… They were all brought here in one place two weeks after the tragedy… Such a cruel twist of fate…. (Hence, the title, no?)
But there was something that had caught his eyes from the very start… it was that robot.
- She survived…. And weird… she was stable after I shot her. What was her name? Oh yes…. Tima… The name of his father's real child has been given to her…-
The girl robot was staring at them in a different way. No, not death glares, not a scared glance as well, but rather…
What's this? A look of curiosity… Well, if she has been rebuilt again as obviously shown, would that mean a new memory device? Or… Has that green-haired kid had someone erase all her memories? So that she can start a better life…?
The brunette young man turned away. This robot girl is no longer any of his concerns. He holds no grudges to anyone anymore… The only thing that remains is regret… And the reason why he came here was because he didn't want to have more than what he has now…
"Rock…" Her voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked and saw it…
A pair of serious eyes… Somehow the twinkle in her eyes had disappeared… From there, he could tell…
She already knew…
"Rock… can we talk …?" Her voice seemed stern. Was she disappointed? Angry? Rock couldn't tell… He has never encountered anything like this before…
Without a word, Rock followed Becka to the left side of the compound where a small play ground lies.
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As the two departed, the one left behind, trapped in a wheelchair, was Duke Red. He felt a little scared of what is to happen between Rock and Becka… but…
Maybe, he should think about himself, this time. That rebel leader, Atlas and the lady with him were already glaring him like they wanted him to be stroked by lightning on the spot.
He sighed to himself. He knew something like this would happen, anyway. Coming to the Resistance Center was a risk that even Rock was hesitant about.
He turned his attention to the Japanese boy… and Tima…
His features softened even more. If only, his daughter could survive the way this little robot could. But what really caught his attention was that…
She looked like she has seen him before. That would be impossible. To rebuild such a robot like her is even mind-boggling to him as well. This Tima robot was the only one its kind. And here she is standing just as she was before.
"Kenichi…" her small voice startling everyone as it has been dead silent for a good 10 minutes.
"Hm?"
"You said that Rock was the person who tried to kill me, right?" She asked rather loudly.
"Y-yeah…" That was all Kenichi could reply.
"Then why didn't he do anything…now?" Tima mused.
"Erm…"
"It's because he is not envious of you anymore." Duke Red found himself speaking.
"What is 'envious'?" Tima asked again. Kenichi couldn't stop her as well as the others. Nobody could really stop the humanoid's curiosity.
The duke was slightly taken aback. "Um, don't you remember who I am?"
OK, that was a dumb question. But, even the Duke himself was as curious as she was. All he could muster up is that this robot is supposed to perceive him as the enemy just like the rest of her companions.
"Ummmmm… A little… But Andy here told me it was you gave his master all the materials he needs to create… me, right?" Tima answered coolly.
The Duke nodded but narrowed his eyes at the robot girl. She was right. That Andy she was talking about might be the young man in a lab coat and glasses.
- Hmm… This must be that scientist's apprentice. To think what took his masters years to create Tima was only a couple weeks for him to rebuild. That Laughton chooses his students well. –
"So, what's 'envious'!?" The blonde girl asked the original question again. The Duke gulped. How did the Japanese boy get used to this girl with all her questions. Even their new friends might be having a hard time.
But all this reminds him of…
The real Tima…
"Envious means…" The Duke began to answer. "You are… uhm… jealous of a certain person. You hate that someone because… that person gets more attention than… you…"
His voice trailed off. Somehow, that meaning meant a lot to him now. Rock was in despair and he did no see it …because he was too blinded by the fact that his daughter will be revived again…
"But I didn't mean to…" Tima spoke again.
"No… it's not your fault…" The duke very much agrees to that. "The fault is mine…"
"But-" Tima spoke again when Kenichi finally had the urge to stop her.
"So, you admit that everything is your fault and yours alone!" Atlas suddenly spoke. His voice filled with anger was pretty much evident.
The Duke lowered his head. "Yes… And all I can say is I'm…"
"Sorry!? Does an apology bring our friends back!? Does all that regret can even match up to all the suffering we have to go through, huh!?" Atlas was furious now… His emotions came flooding back to him.
There was that dead silence again. It was unnerving. It gave an uneasy atmosphere. But what could they do? No one in that particular place had the guts to speak up.
Tinnette sighed heavily. She sure hoped the other people still asleep haven't awakened yet from all of Atlas's uproar. This was getting chaotic – despite the chilling stillness that had befallen them.
"I know… one apology cannot change the things that had transpired…" Duke Red said, breaking the unbearable silence as each person looked to him.
"But… coming here with Rock means that I… we… want to change things for the better…"
Atlas had a pained look. Shay was like about to be in tears again…
For the better!? What can possibly be in store for their future…? They had nothing left but each other. What can a single apology do to make things right again…?
"You know…" Tinnette suddenly spoke. "Ten years ago, Andy and I lost our parents from that… Fog-of-Death War… Even you, Atlas and Shay… The Duke here lost his daughter from the same war, too… It's just…"
"Maybe… instead of fighting, we should all help each other out…" Tima voiced out what Tinnette was going to say…
Another moment silence again. But it was lighter than the last time. Each person knew the truth in Tima's innocent but strong words.
Atlas sighed. "Well, everyone had some sort of a loss from all this. I guess Tinnette and Tima have a point… We should learn to forget…and forgive… and start again…"
Each made a small smile… except for Andy who merely had his head low so as not to show his face.
Duke Red made a huge sigh of relief. At least, there's no one here that's going to kick him out. Then, something struck him.
His eyes landed on that long blonde haired woman. Donning a simple shirt and jeans, she stood there like any other leader would. Her dark shades blocked the true nature of her eyes from view.
Oh yes… There was something about this Resistance Center that made the whole Metropolis storming with all kinds of stories and rumors. They say that the Center was founded by Raven Goldhart. And when he has risen to presidency, he passed his leadership of the Center to a young woman called Tinnette.
She sparked a lot of rumors and conspiracy. For one thing, why wear the sunglasses all day long when she's just at home?
"I see that some rumors are true…" The Duke voiced his thoughts, starting another conversation. Everyone turned towards the Duke. "That the leader of Center is someone who does not take off her sunglasses. If you don't mind me asking, miss… Why?"
The group then turned towards Tinnette, also expecting an answer … with the exception of Andy, of course.
The blonde merely gave a weak smile and a brief shrug. "Keeping a secret…" That said, she turned her head away…
- No comment, eh…- He thought.
This was weird… This woman truly has a secret that only a few trusted friends know. But, just looking at her… feels…
Light…
As if he has known this young lady before…
"So, Mr. Duke Red, sir…" Tima's voice reached his ears again. He turned to her once more. Apparently, this child had grown fond of him. He couldn't also help to think but he has that same feeling as her.
"Yes, Tima…" The name sounded right somehow.
"Tell me, what's the real Tima like to do?" Her question made many interested people. Kenichi, as always, was beside his best friend, looked up to listen. Atlas and Shay may not be near but were at good distance to hear the Duke's words. Andy just stood where he was. But, Tinnette was content where she was… A few meters away from the group but can still hear them nonetheless…
"Well, where do I begin? I've got loads to tell you. You might get sleepy afterwards…" Duke Red hesitated playfully to which the girl giggled.
"Don't worry; I like listening to a lot of stuff! C'mon! C'mon… Please…" The blonde robot girl pleaded with her small hands clasped together. The older man in a wheelchair sighed.
- Well… This is much better than being kicked out… -
The rest seemed interested even Atlas and that young lady with him. He winced slightly at the sight of the robot girl. Her voice, her movements… were so similar…
"Well, that's the one thing you two have in common, you know…?" He began. That was one way to start things. "You and my daughter are the most curious creatures in the world! Every now and then, she would pop a question… always to me!"
Tima giggled. "What color does she like?"
He paused to think for a few seconds, "Well, I sure hope you like pink or red…"
The girl nodded excitedly. "Yes I do, too… I like pink coz it's from the strawberry ice cream!"
The Duke made a small gasp. "My, you don't say… She likes… No… She loves that flavor. I always make sure I buy at least two for her when I come home…"
Tima smiled again. The Duke noticed that Atlas seemed to have got ridden off the angry look. The girl with him seemed to be softly smiling at his recollections. The Japanese boy was just as enthusiastic as his friend. That so-called Andy seemed to be listening as well.
But… what about Tinnette? Was she listening? He couldn't tell. She was pretty much far away.
"So… what more…?" Tima asked for more.
A deep sigh was heard but a calmer one at that. "That girl… Whenever I think of her, I also remember her mother."
"Do they look alike?"
"Well, exactly alike if you ask me…. The same soft flowing blonde hair, the same glistening green eyes…"
"But… where is she now?"
Another moment of silence.
"Sadly, Tima's mother died when she was just three…"
The robot girl had a pained look. The words 'death', 'died' and all that must still be harsh words for her. "That is why she and I were very close… It's the both of us together…"
He looked at the robot had a sad look. It was as if she was talking to the real Tima herself.
But, no… it has been ten years ago. She should be around 22 by now.
"I wish I can be a real human… like her…" Tima spoke again. Her eyes filled with hope…
Duke Red laughed softly. "You don't need to…"
"Why not!? Isn't that why I was created for…?" Tima asked. A puzzled expression plastered on her face. "I know I can't be the exact same Tima you had… but I'll do my best…!"
The Duke, for the nth time that day, was once again taken aback. But, he knew that even if he said yes, nothing can ever replace his daughter… It was this concept that he failed to comprehend.
"Well, you were indeed created in the image of her… But, it only started out like that. I'm not obliging you to become my daughter in place of her. Because… No one can ever take her place. Once more, the most important after all is to become who you want to be…"
There was truth in his words. Atlas and Shay couldn't believe this was the man they have hated for years.
And from a distance, Tinnette might have peeped in a small brief smile.
"You are in a way," The Duke added. "A unique Tima… A robot that can think and feel for itself! You already have your own life, your own path… Although, you started out in such a cruel world, you survived… And that's how it is…"
"Right… I am me! And no one can ever take my place, either!" The robot girl beamed happily as she sprang up from her feet.
Tinnette saw the whole group laughed. She smiled… Just a few minutes ago, they were silent as the dead. (Considering, that most of them should be dead in the movie, ehehehe…)
Then, something caught her eye…
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Somewhere not far away from the Resistance Center, hidden from sight was 7 dark figures.
"Well, well, well…" His voice boomed, but not too loud so as not to catch attention from a certain laughing group…
"This is interesting, boss!" A supposed subordinate spoke. "There's that rebel leader, his girlfriend or something and Duke Red comes in… And what do we have? They're laughing like they're ol' pals!!!"
"Yes… I can tell! You idiot!" The boss yelled annoyingly…
A minute of silence passed as he urged to watch the unsuspecting group. He made an evil smile.
"Well, boys… It's show time…" His voice was followed with a click of gun trigger.
"Yes sir!" The remaining subordinates yelled proceeded with their own gun clicks.
- Now, which one is Becka Goldhart?-
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Meanwhile…
They have been silent the whole time… They were speechless. They couldn't really think of a word that fits of how they want to say it. But they have to say something…
"Rock…" It was the brunette that first spoke. They were in a small playground. She was sitting on a swing with the young man just in front of her.
"S-So… You killed someone, huh?" Becka said… as if it didn't matter.
"No! It wasn't like that!" Rock began to protest. His boiled up emotion has now been released. Becka was confused. Just a second ago, he looked like he was going to confess everything. Now, he's in denial… What the-
"Then, why did you come here to talk here for…?" She questioned.
"I… I… I got scared." The once feared Rock was stuttering in his words now.
"Scared?"
"Scared that you'll find out the wrong way…?"
"Huh?"
He sighed heavily… -OK, relax… Relax, Rock. Just do this slowly… Slowly… Just relax…-
"Even I did have the capacity, I couldn't…" Rock slowly spoke.
"You couldn't… kill a scientist who was building a robot in an illegal way, a robot that the Duke has become obsessed with before?" She asked again
"He was pleading for mercy… Even though I was boiling mad over him, I… I never felt that powerless before. The old man died of a heart attack… I know it! All I did was to pull him up to the front door so that he could be found while he was still breathing. Then, I burned the lab so that… the humanoid robot wouldn't live…"
Becka had her mouth wide open. There was a moment of silence… (Note: This is simultaneous to the other group…)
"So… The only one you wanted kill was… Tima… You never thought that the old man would die that same night." Becka stated, verifying some facts.
"Yes… I… I'm sorry… I didn't tell you…"
The nurse suddenly snorted and gave a carefree laugh. "Man! You nearly gave me heart attack, you know… And here I thought, you thought you coming here was something really serious!"
Rock was startled at first at her weird reaction but sighed in relief. At least, she was not that upset.
"I guess the only right thing to do is tell the truth to Andy." Becka concluded. She was happy with that. At least, let the already-stressed-out robotic expert have some emotional relief for once.
But the ex-Marduk flinched painfully at that thought. Here he was getting all messed up by just confessing to Becka and now he's going to tell it again… to him!?
That's absurd... Well, in his opinion, anyway…
"What's with the pained look?" Becka asked, noticing Rock's expression.
"Well, Becka, you see… It took like a lot of guts for me to come here and say this all to you. But now, you want me to-"
"Of course! Who else? You're the one who wants to clear things up!"
-Liar… You're secretly glad that Rock's not the cold, heartless murderer everyone's been talking about… Wait a minute! Why am I so relieved…!? Hell, of course, he's such a cute guy with an angelic face! And then, you'll hear nasty rumors 'bout him. –
Uh oh… What a wrong timing for a blush to appear!
"B-But, Becka… I-I have never talked to anyone like this. It's just… I'm not used to it." Rock said hesitantly for the nth time today. "I have never socialized with anyone at all. I decided not to be attached… So now, I am at loss at what am I going to do first…"
The brunette sighed again. –Oh yeah, this person still trying to become a normal guy just like everyone else.–
She got up from the swing and raised his chin to level it up to hers. "Hey, cheer up! I'll be right next to you… Promise!"
"Really…"
"Y-Yeah, of course…" It was at this point that both had realized that their faces were merely a millimeter from each other.
(What the- Aaah! They're gonna kiss! They're gonna kiss!)
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
The two suddenly heard a scream…
(Aww, damn!)
There could only mean one thing…
There's trouble…
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Tinnette was getting all bewildered… One minute, they were arguing, then, they were laughing… And now, a group of thugs came barging in the Center… with guns…
And what would you expect when you see someone with a gun?
Normally, you'd scream, right…? Tinnette, Shay and Tima did just that but…
"SHUT UP!" The leader raised his voice angrily. Each thug was covered black clothing, from head to toe. And each had a gun with him. "Stop all that screaming, and answer me! Where is that President's sister, Becka Goldhart!?"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock. What the hell is happening here? Why do they need her? More importantly, what are they going to do with her!?
"What do you want with her!?" Tinnette shouted back.
"Relax… We ain't gonna hurt her. We just need to talk with the 'First Sister'. Hahahahaha!" The thug leader laughed at his joke.
"State your purpose first." Tinnette's eyes could be glaring behind those dark shades.
The leader thug smirked behind his mask. "Playing the brave one, eh?"
The others gulped but the blonde leader stood her ground, unfazed.
Meanwhile…
Rock and Becka were safely hidden at distance but they can still hear most of what's going on.
"Rock, I've got to show up. Who knows what they'll do to Tinnette?" Becka said frantically.
"Wait… Who knows what they'll to do you, too? You're their target. It could be worse!" Rock cautioned. They were hidden beneath a pillar that supported the center building where Becka and the rest resides. Thankfully, the pillar was wide enough to cover two people.
There was Tinnette bravely stalling them up while the Duke was behind her. The others came closer together from behind.
"But, Rock-"
"So, playing the brave one, eh…" Both heard the supposedly leader speak while taking a few steps towards Tinnette. "Well, then, take this!"
In a split second, the leader went down as she was unmercifully kicked in the stomach! "Ugh!" Down she fell... Her shades fell out off her face and broke into pieces. She landed in front of a wide-eyed Duke Red.
"That's it!" Becka suddenly dashed towards Tinnette.
"Hey! Wait!" Rock was about to chase after her when he accidentally stepped on something. He looked down and smiled.
-This is useful…-
What does he mean? Oh well…
"Wait!!!" Becka caught the leader's attention as she stood behind Tinnette still lying on the floor. "I'm here! What is it that you want?"
"Well, well, if it isn't Becka Goldhart… What took you so long!? This poor blondie just got a taste of my mood swings."
"S-Sorry… W-What... What is it that you want from me?" Becka asked, trying not to shiver in her voice.
"Well… our boss says that if your brother doesn't agree to the deal…." The leader raised his gun, pointing at Becka's forehead. The brunette found herself making a little gulp.
"Big mistake." A dark sinister voice caught everyone's attention. Even the thugs felt chills.
"R-Rock.." One by one, the thugs uttered his name…. in fear.
- What the… Rock's in here!? The boss didn't say anything about… Damn it!-
"Well? I thought you had one of those mood swings." Rock was back into the spooky mode. Becka wasn't getting used to this.
The leader grumbled but nevertheless… "Relax, Mr. Rock. We just came to send a message from our boss."
"A message…!?" His eyes were like piercing daggers. "You call that kicking woman over there, a message!?"
Everything fell into uneasy silence. Rock still focused his deadly stares at the leader. "Well, unfortunately, I, too have some mood swings from time to time…"
Then, his right hand inserted into his pockets. Rock seemed to have a gun all along. Of course, he's there protect his father, right? "If you thugs don't get out of here… you're all dead!"
That said, the minions ran for their lives. But the leader went out slowly. By the time he was at the gate, he looked at Becka again. "Well… don't forget the message to our brother, you know…"
"Out!" Rock said with finality. The leader immediately left.
A sigh of relief was heard from each person. Becka who had stood frozen all that time sat down on the ground. "Man! I couldn't even breathe there."
Suddenly, Rock dropped his scary look and was immediately replaced with worry. He ran towards Becka. "Becka, you okay?"
"Uh Rock? You actually had a gun!?" Becka asked.
Rock laughed but in a weak manner. "This…?" he took the thing he had in his right pocket… only to reveal… a water gun.
"It's a toy that I found from where we were hiding. I accidentally broke one of these, though." He said as he pulled the trigger, squishing droplets of water.
Becka's mouth went wide. Those thugs scampered off like scaredy-cats because of a… toy!?
"Well, I figured that since some still think I'm a Marduk so…"
"Whoa!!! That was awesome, man!" Both brunettes turned their heads to an amazed Atlas. "You know, if we had met in different circumstances, you would have been part of our gang…"
Rock laughed. "Really?"
Becka smiled. –I guess being rumored as a cold-hearted killer does have its perks…-
THUD!
All heads turned their attention to Duke Red. He was out of his wheel chair!
"Father!" Rock called. But he didn't hear his son. His eyes were fixed on Tinnette whose shades have broken into pieces. His trembling hands were caressing the still unconscious woman. Apparently, he had already seen the leader's true face.
"T-Tima, dear… Are you OK?" The Duke's eyes were filling up with tears now. "Daddy's here…"
Atlas, Shay, Rock, Kenichi, and most of all, Tima… gasped. Of course, no wonder the leader's been avoiding him all this time! She was the real Tima all along…
Rock looked at Becka expectantly. "Um, Becka?"
Becka grinned sheepishly. "I guess all secrets are going to be revealed today…" That said, they all gathered round the lying leader.
Slowly, Tinnette opened her eyes. But she immediately shut her them off again. She was not used to the penetrating light. She felt a warm hand on her face. She didn't know how but tears just came down her face, too…
"It's been a long time since I felt your hand, Daddy…" Her voice now sounded sincere. No longer had it has the sternness and superiority from before. Her eyes were now open.
Even without saying daddy, the whole group had already known that Tinnette was the real Tima. Her eyes were glistening in green alright… It was the same as the robot Tima's albeit more mature in appearance.
"You were here all along! I knew it… I felt it! I knew it! I could tell from your voice!" The Duke Red's eyes were red from all the tears. But it was shining in all his delight.
The group around them couldn't help also smile at what they're seeing…. Even Atlas (He hates Duke Red, remember?) had a faint smile on his features.
Soon, Tinnette sat up and hugged her father after like, oh, ten years of separation. It was an embrace that was sought out for so long. And now, they finally have it.
"Um… Sorry to break the moment but…" Andy suddenly broke it. "But, uh… with all the girls' screaming from before, I guess the other people have already woken up."
True enough, they could hear the doors opening. The once still quiet compound was beginning to be bustling with people and activity.
Instinctively, both Rock and Atlas (what the-) helped the Duke in his wheelchair. The rest tried as much as possible to look as if nothing really happened.
"Uh, dear… Your shades were…" Duke Red began.
"Don't worry. I just have…" Tinnette hurriedly took out an extra pair of sunglasses from her right pocket (keyword: right pocket). "I have another one… just in case…"
Duke Red rolled his eyes weakly. "But these people will see us…"
"So?" Tinnette said as she pushed her glasses in place on her nose. "Everyone is accepted in the Center… I'm sure you guys don't have a place anymore, right Daddy and Rock!? I think I saw some luggage by the gate somehow. Hmmm?"
Rock and his father produced a few sweatdrops. "Ehehehe…. Well, uh, 'nough said…" Rock manages to say so. Becka twitched an eyebrow. –What the! I thought he was only supposed to confess. Hm? Oh well…. At least, he'll stay over!-
"Hmm… I think there's an empty flat next to us, Tinnette." Kenichi suggested helpfully. (Now if you ask me, this is just his only line in the chapter.)
"Well, it's all settled then… OK, Andy? Rock? Atlas? Kenichi? Get the luggage, please…" Tinnette said. (More like ordered) The boys did so. While Rock got his own luggage, he was helped by Becka.
"So…. Confident enough to tell something to Andy…?" Becka asked him. A sigh was heard.
"Yeah… I think so…"
A smile came from the brunette. "That's great! As promised, I'll be right next to you…"
"Thanks…"
Weird day, wasn't it? Past emotions and grudges were calmed by forgiveness. Secrets were revealed, both shocking and touching. Old enemies seemed to find common ground… Yet a new enemy has emerged…
All of this happened… in a twist of fate…
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KAWAII HANA: Woooooooohhhh! Finally finished this chapter!
ROCK: Ermmm… This is kind of like the longest chapter in your writing experience…
KAWAII HANA: Huh? (Checks…) Oooh! Cool! So, guys how'd ya like the chapter…!? All kinds of twists, eh? Hence, the title, no? I am glad I finally revealed Tinnette's real identity now…
TINNETTE: Well, one could say this is your most overly dramatic chapter…
KAWAII HANA: Of course! It's been a long time since I updated this story.
TIMA: When's the next update?
KAWAII HANA: (Dumfounded) Ermm, I don't know…
ALL CHARACTERS: (They all groaned in annoyance)
KAWAII HANA: Oh come on, quit complaining!
ALL CHARACTERS: You can't order us! You don't own Metropolis!!! Hmph!
KAWAII HANA: Hmph! Okaaayyy, only, Tinnette, Shay, Andy and Becka will follow. They're my original characters…
ALL OC: Unfair…
THE THUGS: Um…. Are we included?
KAWAII HANA: (Snorts) you don't need to… You guys are going not to appear for a while.
THE THUGS: (Gets depressed)
KAWAII HANA: Oh well, if there's someone out there who's gonna review… How's this chapter…? Was it too fast-paced? Please tell me what you think… Oh well, thanks for reading and…
SAYONARA!!!