AN: Yoinks! Holidays were a busy time, and with Spring comes beautiful foliage (and not-so-beautiful allergies that keep me in bed for a week at a time)! I had hoped to get this chapter out sooner, but it didn't work out that way. It was also originally much longer, but I didn't like the way the chapter seemed to flow, so I did a little slice-and-dice and will put some of the cut ideas into future chapters instead. Please feel free to comment on whether or not ya think the character development is good, and also what ya think of the dialogue ('specially the ratio of dialogue to descriptive text, 'cause I'm not too sure as to whether or not I have a good balance goin' on). And if there are any mistakes, even minor ones, please feel free to point 'em out so I can improve in the future (hopefully). Also, as always, there are homages to other sci-fi animes and fantasies spread throughout, so see if can find any and earn a special Metropolis Merit Badge! (Metropolis Merit Badges available for only 3 easy payments of $29.95 + S&H, state sales taxes may apply, sorry no CODs)
And thanks to Gear001 for the BETA read!
Also, I've noticed that due to new format changes on the FFNet website, my section dividers no longer appear in the previous chapters, which makes for a confusing read. I'm working to correct it, my apologies (evil glare at FFNet format changes).
Metropolis Heroes Rising
Chapter 7: Close Calls and Wishes on Rainbows
"Oh my gosh!"
Namid shuddered at the high-pitched squeal.
"It's a 2G-Heavy-Fork-Lifter from NERV Heavy Industries! They stopped making these 30 years ago! I didn't think there were any left!"
Tima looked over Namid shoulder as he sat opposite them at the table. "His name is Shinji."
Namid braced for another high-pitched squeal.
"Shinji! What a great name! Oh! Oh! Let me guess! The 'S' stands for 'second generation', the 'h' stands for 'heavy', the 'i' is for integrated and…oh…my…gosh! It has the original gear casings! And they're barely dinged! I can't believe it! Have the treads ever been realigned, 'cause they almost loo-…Oh my gosh! It's a Plato-3! With original antennae!"
Namid's eyebrow almost seemed to twitch.
"Er, sorry 'bout Bottles, he just gets a bit excited, ya know, a real fanatic when it comes to machines. Kinda reminds me of myself when I was in my youth."
"Aaahhhkkk! Look at that! Oh my gosh, do you know what this is?"
A vein on Namid's forehead was beginning was beginning to pulse.
"Then again, maybe not quite that enthusiastic." He turned his head around to the seemingly hyperactive fellow, "Hey, Bottles! Tone it down, will ya!"
The man, nick-named Bottles presumably for his skinny stature and the thick bottle-lens glasses that he wore, didn't seem to pay any attention. He was like a kid in a candy store. And while Kenichi could certainly appreciate his enthusiasm, not all of the robots working to unload their newest family members from the cart-train knew what to think of having their own one-man fan club.
While Namid was able to get most of the cart-train crew to "look the other way", and let him handle the "cargo" for this particular trip, he was still required to have a driver. And so, he had requested the one man he felt trustworthy enough (even if it was just because his innocent curiosity blinded him to everything else) to do the job.
Oddly enough, when Tima had asked him if Bottles was his real name, Namid had blushed embarrassingly and admitted that he didn't know what his true name was. They had all just called him Bottles for as long as anybody could remember.
He appeared to be a nice enough person though, and so far all of his (many) questions had been about technical specifications and engineering. He hadn't questioned why the robots had names or about what their function in the commune was, or even why there didn't appear to be any other humans around. Kenichi was actually quite impressed with knowledge of all the robots, and so far Bottles had been able to identify every type and model he had seen (Tima excluded, of course) and even notice any modifications they had.
Kenichi thought Bottles could be quite an asset, since he apparently knew more about robots than just about anybody else he'd met. But the way he was gushing over every mechanical thing and person who came into view made Kenichi wonder just how likely it was that he could truly keep to himself the things that he'd seen here. While Bottles certainly didn't seem to have any malice, Kenichi was starting to wonder if he might spill the beans just to express his sheer amazement to everybody he met. Luckily, Namid had seen the look on Kenichi's face and, having interpreted the internal question correctly, promised them he would take Bottles aside before they left and have a word with him, to keep him in line.
However, right now Kenichi was almost wishing that Namid shared Bottles' blinding enthusiasm.
"So…there is nobody else?"
"That's right."
"Ever?"
"Hmm-mmm," nodded Kenichi.
Namid's brows seemed to shrink until they formed a solid, fuzzy line.
"Now, I understand the need for secrecy, but don't ya be tryin' to pull a fast one on me now. If your associates don't wanna come out, that's fine-" he made a sweeping gesture across the courtyard and the buildings that lined it, "-but don't be makin' up stories 'bout ya bein' all alone up here."
"But it is the truth," interjected Tima
"Just how d'ya expect me to believe that ya came by all this? Took it all yourselves?"
"The robots found the place when they were still performing routine maintenance before the Great Fall. We think it had already been abandoned for some time, but we don't know for sure."
"Uh-huh," Namid's voice had a slight tone of skepticism, "and just how did ya come by all these other robots? Thought I had the motherload of the scrappers, only ta find out ya already got near as many just lyin' 'round! I know ya told me to expect a welcomin' party, but I wasn't expectin' a whole bloody village!"
Kenichi's voice took a firm tone. "I wish I could've told you everything before, but we really needed your help, and I didn't want you to become any more involved than you needed to be. For both your safety and ours."
"Thanks for the sentiments kid, but that doesn't explain how ya've managed to aquire so many, or what yer puttin' 'em to work for."
Kenichi sighed. "Tima and I were friends with some of them before the Great Fall," he gestured towards Fifi and some of the others who had gathered around the table to listen in. "With all the chaos that followed, most of them weren't needed anymore, and then others came who also had nowhere else to go. Some were damaged, so we tried our best to repair them. And then word kind of spread, and even robots who still had jobs wanted to spend time here, and…well…"
Namid was silent for a long moment.
"…So, ya mean to tell me, that you two are the only ones here, and all these 'bots are here just 'cause they wanna?"
Both Kenichi and Tima nodded.
"And ya don't actually own any of 'em? They're here of their own quirk?"
Kenichi nodded. Tima was confused at the use of the word "quirk", but seeing Kenichi's response, nodded nonetheless.
"And me, Bottles, and Scruffs," he gestured towards the cart-train driver and his own robot assistant, a cleaning robot that actually didn't look much different than Fifi other than it had a more robust shape, slightly smaller wheel treads, and more human-like arm attachments, "just delivered 'nother hundred and thirty ta add ta your collection?"
"One hundred and thirty-three," corrected Tima.
"And ya plan on repairin' the lot of 'em, by yourselves?"
"Kenichi is very good at repairing robots," replied Tima.
Kenichi blushed, "Actually, they know who to repair themselves most of the time. I just help out where I can."
Namid was silent for a minute more before speaking again.
"And what d'ya plan to do with 'em, when they're all up and runnin' again?"
"Uh…we don't really plan to do anything with them. What they wish to do once they are repaired is up to them."
Namid tried to remember the last time he was this confused.
"Now look, I know they ain't exactly compatible fer an assembly line, but surely ya can think of somethin' to make a bit of production outta 'em. A few hundred 'bots ain't nothin' ta shake a stick at."
Tima's face scrunched up in a confused (and to Kenichi, a very cute) expression.
"Sticks composed of what?"
"Err, sorry missy, just an expression? What I mean is that…er…this ain't the time to be goin' 'round and settin' up for own personal robot petting zoo. It's illegal to own unregistered 'bots, ya know! 'Specially if ya ain't puttin' 'em to work! People ain't in a charitable move towards mechanical pets right now! If they find out you're harborin' a few hundred of…well…I mean…they'll treat 'em like fugitives! And YOU along with 'em! We're talikn' some serious trouble."
"Beep beep beep bop bop beep beep bop beep…beeeepp!" Kenichi's retort was cut off by a rant from Fifi.
"Uh…what was that?"
"He objects to being called a pet," interpreted Tima, a slight look of indignation on her face as well.
Namid huffed. "Sorry. Now look, I understand what you're tryin' to do here. Scruffs over there is like a brother to me. Actually, better than a brother, at least Scruffs doesn't hit my last bottle of whiskey…oh, uh, but anyway, the point is, ya'll are bit young to be goin' 'round and gettin' yourselves into this much trouble. And this IS trouble, even by the underworld standards. I don't mean ta rant on ya, I'll admit I have a soft spot for 'bots in trouble, as well you know…but that doesn't mean I wanna see two fine young folks like yourselves…err…ah, what tha heck!"
Kenichi and Tima were both taken aback.
"I guess what I mean to say is, I've grown attached to ya little tikes, and I don't want nothin' bad happenin' to ya's, understand?"
The young couple shared a smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Namid. We're really glad that you want to look out for us, and for everything that you've done for us. But we can't stop now. They're depending on us to see this through to the end."
"And just when is the end?" replied Namid. "After ya get this batch fixed, then what? There'll always be more out there, and ya can only take it so far…what's yer limit?"
At this, Kenichi shook his head, "I don't know. But I can't refuse to help somebody who's in need, be they robot or human, so I won't stop until I've done all that I can."
Tima intertwined her hand with his, under the table.
Namid sighed, "Aw, bloody heck! Guess I ain't got no right to complain. I just hope ya two know where this might lead to…"
Now it was Tima and Kenichi who were left to ponder in silence for a moment.
"Well, anyway…as long as I'm here, might as well see if there's anythin' else I can do to help ya out. Come on, lad and lassie, why don't ya show me tha layout, if'n ya don't mind, that is?"
Kenichi shook his head, and Tima followed his example. It was the least they could do.
"Hey Bottles! Come on already and stop gawkin'! We're gonna take a peek in the workshop!"
"Oh, er, coming!" Bottles followed, almost accidentally tripping over his seemingly oversized boots in the process.
"Hey, a BURN-E model Weld-bot! Ain't you a cute little tyke? Say, you know if you use a plastic intake hose instead of this rubber one, it'll last longer and have less chance of icing up?"
"Uh, thanks."
Kenichi was blushing. He knew that he was guessing around a good deal of the time when he repaired his friends, but the way Bottles kept casually pointing out ways to enhance or improvement his work on nearly every robot made Kenichi very self-aware as to just how little he really did know. Namid didn't say much out loud, but by the way he was also apprising the workshops, and slightly nodding his head to most of what Bottles said, Kenichi had a feeling that he too knew of a quite a few things that could be done to improve efficiency. Even Scruffs, Namid's robotic assistant, who had come in from helping to unload the cart train, was casually re-arranging several of the tool shelves.
He wasn't expecting a standing ovation, but Kenichi had felt quite proud at the work he had done thus far, and he now realized that perhaps he was secretly hoping that his visitors would perhaps share in that pride as well. Instead, he was found himself somewhat reliving the feeling of back when he was in school and was lightly scolded by the teacher a poor mark on a project, and then told how he could improve his efforts in the future.
"You know kid, this setup really ain't half-bad. If you change it up a bit, you could really have a grade-A repair shop set up here. Of course, you're a bit low on parts, but on the other hand, some of this stuff is really hard to come by. That 500-watt battery recharger with the old ISL plug converter is really hard to come by! And so is that tri-head wrench for the Imp wheel gears! Just where did you find some of this stuff?"
"Now, Bottles, let's not be pesterin' 'em with questions they don't need to answer. We all know what it was like after the Fall. I seem to recall someone havin' come into several slightly-dented deluxe tool-sets and a Mitsu-Heavy battery just a few days after the dust settled."
Bottles quickly grew a blush of his own.
"Eh, of course, I see what you mean. Say…what's this thing do?" Bottles said curiously, pointing to a large, cylindrical container with a multitude of wires, hoses, and tubes attached, next to small collection of various gauges, tanks, and computer processors.
Oh crud! Thought Kenichi, Tima's regeneration tank! I forgot! He quickly cursed his absentmindedness. Here in the conclave, Tima's origins were no secret and Kenichi had grown so used to seeing the chamber every time he was in this workshop, that he had didn't even think of how Namid and his friends would react to it!
Bottles approached the chamber, trying to look at it from a different angle.
"It almost looks like something out of a sci-fi film-"
"BEEP BEEP BEEP BOP BEEP!"
"WHIRZ WHIP WEEP WEEP!"
"HONK! HER-HONK!"
"CLINK-CLANK! CLANK! CL-CLANK!"
Bottles suddenly found himself besieged by an assortment of robots from all sides by a menagerie of robots, including Fifi and, surprisingly, Scruffs!
"Aacck!"
"Scruffs! What in bloody Hades are you doin'! Get off of him!"
Kenichi quickly ran forward.
"It's okay! It's okay! He won't touch it. He didn't mean any harm."
The robots froze for a second, contemplating the situation. Tima gave a small, barely noticeable nod, and they released their captive, who nearly collapsed and let loose a sigh of release.
Namid turned to Tima and Kenichi, a mixture of disbelief and anger on his face.
"What in the name of-"
"We're sorry! It's just that, the…um…well, it's special to them. They were just protecting it. They didn't know that he didn't mean any harm, but they do now, and it won't happen again, I swear!" Kenichi rambled nervously.
Namid raised his eyebrow, "Bottles? A threat? A threat to what…a mosquito maybe? What the heck is that thing?"
"It's just very important to them, that's all."
"Important how?" he turned to Scruffs, "And have your brain bolts rusted? You don't even know what that thing is! Are your wires crossed?"
Scruffs cowered back, making soft mechanical noises that sounded suspiciously like whimpers.
"Please do not be angry with him," pleaded Tima. "They were protecting me. I apologize. I should have informed you before, but I did not foresee their reaction. I am sorry."
Now Kenichi felt really guilty. Tima was apologizing, and it wasn't even her fault! And Namid was even more confused.
"You? Missy, I think that they were tryin' to protect that pile of scrap over there, not your soft little hide. No need ta apologize on their behalf, but what the heck is goin' on?"
Tima's face crinkled in thought for a moment before replying, "It is very important to me. They were just trying to protect me from any harm that might come as a result to it being inadvertently damaged."
"Eh? Come again?"
"It is the origin of my soul."
"Whuh-What?"
"Kenichi is the architect, however. His affection and kindness serves as the primary catalyst."
Kenichi blushed deeply. Namid and Bottles gaped openly.
"Wh-what?"
"It's hers, the machine," explained Kenichi. "It's, uh…it has sentimental value. It was her first machine, and she poured her soul into it!" It sounded rather cliché and rushed, but he hoped it would obscure Tima's response enough to end the inquiry.
"…But, what does it do?"
Apparently not.
"Uh, well, it was really just an experiment more than anything. It started out as one thing, but just sort of turned into something else along the way." Kenichi was afraid that he was starting to drown himself – and everyone else – in vague half-truths.
"Huh. I've known bots that were the sentimental type, but this is a bit overboard," said Namid, who then turned to Tima. "Well, it seems that you're somethin' awfully special 'round here," he let out a small huff. "It must be that cute button nose o' yours."
Kenichi let out a breath and his body, which had gone stiff without his realization, seemed to melt into pudding. Tima had the strange urge to reach up and rub her nose, but resisted.
"Well then," shouted Namid, "I think that's 'nough of the tour for now. Why don't we go check and see how your new arrivals are doin'?" Tima and Kenichi nodded, and they left for the unloading area. "Oh, and Bottles?" called Namid as the scrawny tech turned and nodded. "Don't try ta touch anythin' else that ya don't know what it is, okay?"
Bottles blushed and mumbled a soft apology. Kenichi felt increasingly guilty over their treatment of the well-meaning man. It certainly didn't reflect well on their role as hosts, and even less so on their role as potential friends. This day was supposed to be one of joy. And now he was having ever-more worries; ever-increasing doubts. Why did it seem that he was always on verge of losing what he wanted, just when he had figured out what it was that he really wanted to begin with?
Suddenly, Kenichi felt a small tug, and glanced down to see a hand intertwining with his. He looked up, and saw Tima's bright face. Her smile was small, but it seemed to wipe away all his worries and paint his dark thoughts in a rainbow of colors. She was like the overworld of towering spires on the surface of Metropolis, and she was shining down and lighting up the levels of the underworld for all to see. And though they were, in reality, stuck in the dark, real underworld for now, she turned their humble dwelling into the most comfortable home Kenichi had ever lived in.
Instead of thoughts about what he almost lost, Kenichi's mind turned to thoughts of what he had gained.
And he found himself with a smile that matched hers.
"Well lad, we thank ya fer yer hospitality, but 'tis time we be goin' off now."
It was now drawing on evening, and in the underground levels of Metropolis, the shadows grew long and twilight, which would not fall on the world above for at least another hour, was already setting in.
"Thanks once again for showin' us around, you've got a really great set-up here! Best of luck!" Bottles shook both of their hands vigorously. After all the comments about possible improvements that Bottles had made Kenichi felt slightly taken aback by the gratitude and pride in his voice, and felt a small blush spreading to his cheeks.
They saw their friends off to the cart-train, with Fifi and several other robots accompanying them. Just before he was loaded up, Scruffs turned around and, as best he could, bowed deeply at Tima, and took her hand.
She blushed, "Oh, thank you."
Namid's face briefly turned to a strange mix of queer and question, but quickly shrugged it off and smiled. He too took Tima's hand and then turned to offer a hearty handshake to Kenichi. In a strange turn, after a few seconds, the handshake had somehow turned into a full-blown hug, with a tearful Kenichi crying softly into Namid's shoulder.
"There-there lad," Namid whispered gently. "Looked like ya needed a hug. Can tell you've been a mite tense all day."
"S-Sorry. I dibn't mean to…" Kenichi's words were muffled by Namid's thick jacket.
" 'Tis okay lad. Ya know, some folk will say it's not right fer a real man to cry, but don't ya pay 'em any heed, ya hear? Perfectly fine to wet yer cheeks once in a while. Keeps 'em rosy red, and pretty for the lassies, my mama used to say. And you've got such a fine lass, t'be a shame to let those cheeks go to waste, eh?"
Kenichi nodded his head against Namid's shoulder.
"Now I know things have been hard ya, and ya probably a more than mite scared n' all, but you've got a fine head on shoulders and some good friends at yer side. And you've done a fine job here, a really fine job! I'm proud a' ya boy."
With that, Kenichi sobbed even harder. For some reason, those words seemed to make all his pain and worries lift up just a little, and his muscles suddenly seemed to melt as he released the massive tension he had been subconsciously holding in.
Tima watched on in concern, not knowing what to do exactly, but feeling strangely compelled to let the two continue. Inside, she found herself relieved that Kenichi was releasing the stress that she knew was building up inside him, but was also puzzled, and almost a bit…hurt?...that Kenichi had chosen to do so in the company of Namid. But why should she feel that way?
Bottles sheepishly looked away from the cab of the cart-train, while the robots looked on curiously, some with sympathy. After several minutes (which seemed much longer, and at the same time, far too short to the participants), Namid and Kenichi parted, the younger male looking relieved, drained, and very tired. The older one had a small smile on his face (and a large damp spot on his jacket).
Kenichi sheepishly mumbled a mix of thanks, apologies, and good-byes. Namid nodded, patted the boy on his shoulder for good measure, and turned around to wish Tima a final farewell before heading to the cab of the cart-train.
"Take care of 'im well, lass. A fine young women should keep 'im in good spirits, ya hear?"
Tima nodded, seeming to understand the meaning behind his words, if not the actual words themselves.
As the cart-train began to gain steam, turning around in the plaza to make towards the same tunnel it had come through, Tima approached Kenichi, wrapping her hand in his. Kenichi made the unexpected move of laying his head on Tima's shoulder. Though taller than her by several inches, it felt very wonderful to Tima in a way she couldn't describe, and she allowed it until the cart-train had departed and the commune had become relatively quiet again.
"Was it good?" asked Kenichi, as he put away the cups and plates (or what passed for cups and plates) from the evening meal. They had eaten later than usual, spending what remaining daylight there was checking up on their new family members and beginning to make plans for the repairs.
"Yes," answered Tima.
Kenichi gulped, "A-Are you sure? You didn't say much during the meal. You've been kind of quiet since this afternoon."
"So have you," she pointed out.
"I…guess so."
"Why were you crying when Namid hugged you?" she asked, out of the blue.
Kenichi flinched, "I…I guess that when he hugged me, it just felt…good…and then I…I guess a lot of the tension that I built up just…let itself out."
"You have been very tense lately."
"I know. I'm sorry"
"Why?"
"It's not fair to you that I've been so stressed. I know that you've been very-"
"-No."
"Huh?"
"I do not want to know why you are sorry. I want to know why you have been 'tense'."
Kenichi looked down at his feet, "I…I know things have been going pretty well recently, and that I should be happy at our good fortune…and, I am." Tima waited patiently as Kenichi struggled to find the words to express himself. "It's just…I-I keep getting this feeling that things are going to just…go wrong. That they're going to collapse around us!"
Tima's brow furrowed, "This area is not in danger of structural collapse. We have checked it thoroughly."
Kenichi would have almost laughed had he not been so anxious.
"No, that's not what I meant. I…It means that I worry that everything that we've accomplished will end in failure. That we'll be found out and that everyone will be destroyed! That you'll be taken away! Namid was right, we can't just keep go on hiding forever and hope to not be found, especially with there being so many more of us now. What will happen to you if something goes wrong? I spend so much time worrying about you that I-"
"You have been worrying about me?" Tima interrupted.
Kenichi let it all out, "Of course I worry about you! You're the most important thi-…person in my life!"
To his dismay, Tima looked rather hurt, "Then…I am the cause of your tension?"
"Wha-? No! Well, yes, maybe. A little. Okay, more than a little, but it's not just you! I've grown so attached to everyone here…you've all become like family to me, and I just don't want anything bad to happen to any of you!"
"You have not lost any of us!"
"Not yet, but we've had some close calls!"
"We are doing well, and we will continue to do so, even if we are discovered."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because you have promised to take care of us, and Kenichi does not break his promises."
Tears again threatened to stream from Kenichi's eyes, "I-I want…to keep my promise, more than anything…I do, but…I just…I-I just don't-…"
Kenichi felt himself being enveloped in another hug.
"Do not worry. The burden does not fall upon you alone. I will help you. We will all help you."
"I'm sorry…" the tears fell freely now.
"You have placed the burden of being our protector solely on yourself. I apologize for not fully understanding this before. I believe you have been trying to spare us the responsibilities that you have assumed under your leadership in an attempt to spare us from pain."
"L-Leadership?"
Tima ignored his mumblings, "You are very compassionate and kind Kenichi. But the responsibility is ours to bear as well as yours. Just as it troubles you to see us worry, it distresses us when you take the entire burden upon yourself. Your emotional and mental health is important to us. You put yourself at risk and worry us greatly when you possibly compromise your wellbeing in guarding us."
Kenichi was silent for a long moment before replying, "…Y-You know Tima, you've grown very…wise. I'm sorry that I haven't been placing as much faith in you lately as…I should have. I've been taking it all upon myself so you wouldn't have to worry…but all that did was make matters worse and worry you even more. I'm so sorry."
Tima nodded against his shoulder, "Please promise that you will vent your frustrations more openly. We wish to help you with the burden."
"Yes, I promise."
"It was not rational for you to unload your tensions on Namid, when I was also willing to help alleviate your fears."
This time Kenichi did laugh, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were almost jealous."
Tima made a small pout, "Namid is a friend, but he has not invested himself in you as emotionally as I have. I am your partner; you should express your concerns to me first."
He stroked her hair as they gently parted, thinking how lucky he was to have her.
"You're right…again. I guess I've been acting more than a bit foolishly lately, huh?"
She smiled, "All is forgiven. Come, you need to rest from the stresses of the past day."
Tima led him by the hand to their small palette, where they both fell asleep rather quickly, snuggled against each other.
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