THOCK.
THOCK.
THOCK.
Atom's eyebrows furrowed as he slowly opened his eyes. He groaned, lifting his head a little just in time to see a small pebble hit his forehead.
THOCK.
He groaned again, sight adjusting to see Flair sitting across from him, aiming another rock.
THOCK.
"What...are you doing?" he mumbled.
"I'm gonna keep throwing them until you get up."
THOCK.
"Okay, okay!" he sighed, pulling himself into a sitting position. He looked around, noting that he was still on the cabin roof where had most probably fallen asleep last night. The air was already warm and heavy and he could smell the crisp sent of bacon being fried from inside.
Flair nudged him. "Common."
Breakfast was nothing short of awkward. Zane sat next to Flair, leaving Cora and Atom to flinch now and then next to each other, trying not to make eye contact. Anyone could see Flair sniggering to herself, though on the outside keeping her face stern and her head low. Cora picked at her food for a few minutes, sighing and waiting for anyone to start a conversation. She looked up to Zane, her eyes screaming 'DO SOMETHING.' He just passed of a smug expression, nudging his head towards Atom.
Cora clenched her fork with sweaty fingers and pushed her plate away. She glanced to Atom who's head was rested on his palm and pointed away from her. She gritted her teeth, digging the fork into the wooden table in an attempt to make herself look busy. Flair couldn't help smirk at the state of the two, digging more bacon into her mouth. Cora took a deep breath, playing with a strand of her hair.
Then...exploded.
"Okay, okay!" she cried, making Atom flinch and look at her. "I'm sorry I snapped at you! I was pissed off because the ticket man was a bitch," she jabbed a finger towards Flair, "she was being a bitch and, frankly, the world was being a BITCH!" she looked Atom in the eyes. "I would never leave you to rot or be pulped into a heap of scrap, okay?" she glanced to Zane. "Okay? Everyone okay? OKAY!" she finished with huff, crossing her arms across her chest.
Atom blinked a couple of times, processing what she had just said. "T...thank you?"
"Yeah well, you're welcome!" she snapped. He just smiled, looking to Zane and Flair who were desperately trying not to burst out laughing, covering their mouths or sipping orange juice.
It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. The perfect day to watch robots smash each other to the death. Zane, Cora and Atom slumbered out of the cabin, leaving Flair to take a days break from her heavy work and nap on the couch. They ventured out onto the dusty main streets, noting the definite increase in the people. And where were they headed? To the massive arena, all to attend the Robot Games.
"I can't believe you're still making me do this..." Atom gritted his teeth, ducking past crowds of people.
"I'm sorry," Cora sighed. "But there's no way we can get out of here if we don't have any cash."
"I won't even come first!"
"If things get too hectic, then we'll call the fight off. I promise." Atom let off a an uneasy look.
They continued until the crowds formed into a line, streaming past a ticket booth and into the stalls. On the far right to the gate way was yet another stall accept with a dusty label on it that read 'CONTESTANTS'. They swerved from the massive crowds to approach a man at the stall, one leg flipped over the side as he slouched with his head bowled over.
He looked about twenty five to thirty years of age, with a relaxed tanned face with smudges of grease and dirt across his cheek. He wore a tattered brown jumper with ripped shorts falling just past his knees and sandals to enclose his feet.
Atom was sure to stay at the back of the trio as they walked up to him. Cora cleared her throat loudly. The man stirred a bit, blinking lazily and looking around. His sight fell upon the teenagers. "Public entrance is that way..." he mumbled, waving an arm in the other direction in a sleepy tone. Soon after he went back into a dreamy state, closing his eyes.
"We know," Cora retorted. "We're contestants." The man snapped his eyes open, raising an eyebrow at them all. With a grunt he flipping upwards into a sitting position, stretching his back.
"Oh really? Bunch of kids like you?"
"You seem quick to judge."
"Well, it's a tough competition. You gotta a robot strong enough?" he asked, a sly grin upon his face.
"No way in hell..." Atom muttered, earning an elbow jabbed in his arm.
"Shut it," Zane hissed.
"Sure," Cora smiled. The man took a glance around.
"Well?" he asked. "Where?" his face clouded with confusion when the teen stepped back, nudging Atom forward.
"Right here."
The man stared for a while, blinking. Then he burst out in laughter.
"HAHAHA! That thing? Seriously?" but his face fell as Cora and Zane's didn't faze. His shoulders dropped. "Wait...you're serious?"
"Obviously!" Zane growled. The man shook his head.
"Nah-uh. You must be new. He wouldn't last five minutes." Atom let off a light smile, beginning to walk from the booth.
"Oh well, we tried." He smugged, only for Zane's arm to dart out and grab him around the collar of the hoodie.
"Don't even think about it."
"How does he not qualify? He's a robot, he can fight- what's the problem?" Cora replied hotly.
"The problem is that these people pay money to see elite fighting robots. That thing," he pointed to Atom, "wouldn't last one round. It would be pointless." Cora crossed her arms.
"Can I talk to the boss then?" she snapped. The man let off a grin, gesturing to himself.
"You're talking to him!" they all tilted their heads. "The name's Marvel." He told. "I'm the head of these games and I choose which robot gets in or not. And my final answer is NO." Atom tapped Cora on the shoulder.
"Cora, we tired and we failed. Now lets GO." She ignored him, making him sigh angrily.
"Look, we really need some money right now-"
"NOT. MY. PROBLEM," he snapped, kicking his legs up and getting comfy again. Cora let out an annoyed growl, kicking the side of the ticket booth. "You'll have to pay for that." He smugged. Cora was just about ready to punch the guy in the face when Zane grabbed her by the arm.
"Leave it," he muttered.
"Finally," Atom sighed. They looked as another tacky town man came up from behind the stall, leaning against the hard wood.
"Hey Patrick..." Marvel mumbled to him.
"What's new?" Patrick asked, glancing to Cora, Atom and Zane. "Who's this lot?" Marvel let off a careless gesture.
"Some kids want to enter their robot in the games..." he pointed to Atom. "That thing..." Patrick looked at the robot and almost immediately his eyes widened.
"Holy shit that thing looks real..." he walked forward towards them. Atom flinched, uncomfortable at his stare. Patrick reached out and poked his cheek.
"Ow! Hey, what was that for?!" he snapped, stepping away. Patrick paid him no attention, reaching out and grabbing his wrist. "Hey! Lay off!" the man simply examined him for a long while before dropping his arm and facing Marvel.
"Yep. I'd pay to see that thing get smashed up." Cora and Zane raised an eyebrow. Marvel snapped up in his chair.
"You would?" he asked, eyes sparkling.
"Sure! Acts like a kid, looks like a kid- bro this would be the game of the century!" Atom stared at Marvel for a long time as the man thought for a moment, hand placed lightly on his chin.
"So you think people would pay more money to see THAT fight?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Alot more money, Marvel. Trust me." After a while Marvel let off a toothy grin.
"Congratulations, kid," he smirked. "You got yourself a one way ticket into the Robot Games!" while the robot's shoulders dropped Cora and Zane's face brightened.
"Serious?" Zane asked. Marvel nodded and smiled but Cora let off a sneaky smirk.
"No, I believe you said we couldn't..." she murmured, beginning to walk away again. Marvel's jaw dropped and Zane gave her a look as if she was walking right into a pit of death.
"Excuse me?" the man stammered. Zane spun Cora to face him.
"What the hell are you doing?" he whispered.
"Play along..." she grinned, turning to Marvel.
"You were the one who were desperate to let him fight!" he argued. Atom was completely confused, sight juggling between Cora and Marvel.
"Yes, but you said it yourself. You decide the final answer and your final answer was no. So, bye-bye!" she gave him an innocent look and began walking towards the main street. Marvel chewed his lip, watching Atom slowly follow after. Patrick let out a whistle, turning on his heels.
"There goes a fortune..." he mumbled. Marvel clenched his fists as we watched them slowly depart.
"Wait!" he called. They didn't stop. "Ten grand!"
Cora suddenly came to a halt, head turned over to him. "Hmm? What was that?"
"Ten...ten grand for the winner. No loose ends. Winner takes all." Atom's eyes widened along with Zane's as they both glances to Cora. She gave him a professional look for a few seconds before walking back over to the stall.
"Fine." She smiled.
"Awesome!" Zane cheered at the thought of the heavy reward, fist pumping. Atom let off a wavering look, eyes flinching.
"BUT," Marvel held out a hand, "you need to know the terms and conditions. If he doesn't make it, then I keep what's left of him." Atom's eyes widened.
"I don't-"
"Deal." Cora said easily.
"WHAT?" Atom yelped. Marvel's face brightened.
"Done then!" he smiled, leaping out of the booth. "Owners get a free entry in to watch the games," he sent them a low gesture to the entrance, placing one hand on Atom's shoulder. Zane and Cora nodded with a smile, making their way over there. As soon as they left Marvel grabbed him by the horn of his hair and began to drag him around the arena. Atom was knocked off his feet, his boots scraping along the dirt.
"HEY! STOP IT!" he growled. Marvel paid no attention, casually dragging him over to a large open gateway that led into one of the stalls, whistling whilst doing so. With an arch of his arm he threw Atom inside the enclosed area making the robot trip and fall over with a grunt. Atom groaned, rubbing the back of his head as he watched Marvel heave the massive door closed.
"Alright, you better have some fight in you, or there'll be nothing left of you to fight. Got it?" he told. "Oh, and welcome to the Robot Games." And the door was shut. Atom scampered quickly to his feet, backing up against the side of the wall as his head flinched around. He could hear the roar of the crowds from the other end of the stall, slamming into his ears.
Cora and Zane plunked themselves on two seats, looking around the massive arena. It was at least as big as a football field, with seats reaching up to fifty rows high. Almost every seat was filled with people of all ages, cheering and yelling for the fights to begin. "They seem pumped..." Zane mumbled, craning his head around. Cora nodded, looking to a small flat dome-shaped area above the line of stalls. Glass covered the rims of it and looks as if it was the crows nest of the arena. And who was standing in it? Marvel, along with many others, one being a kid that looked only about eleven years old.
"Those must be the other owners..." she thought to herself.
"And we weren't invited. That sucks."
"Guess he thought we'd crash the party," she mumbled, resting her head on her palm as the crowd fell silent for a few seconds. Marvel stepped forward in the crows nest, one hand clenched around an old boxing microphone.
"Is everyone ready for the Robot Games?" he asked in a surprisingly casual voice with a smile. The crowd responded with an out burst of applause. Zane and Cora had to smile at the atmosphere. People sure take interest in robots tearing robots apart...Cora thought. She should've been used to a crowd like this, as the circus attracted most people in the area. But this competition just felt so must more raw.
The two teens looked around as the cheering turn into a mix of claps in unison and loud stamps. Soon a solid beat formed. Slam...stop...slam...stomp...
Atom looked around and slowly walked away from the large doors that led into the games. I won't be able to win this thing...his chest heaved as his boots kicked up the dirt. I'm going to be killed....
Cora and Zane simply sat in their seats, watching as the people continued the beat for a small moment longer. Soon, they started to scream out lyrics.
"YOU BETTER LOOSE YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC, THE MOMENT, YOU OWN IT, YOU BETTER NEVER LET IT GO!"
Atom flinched as he heard the gears of the doors slowly turn with a sharp click. He felt his stomach drop as the door slowly began to shutter upwards, letting in harsh light into the small stall. He felt his back hit the opposite door and he pressed himself against it, scraping his legs still.
Cora smiled at the crowd as they kept the beat going and continued to yell out into the arena.
"YOU ONLY GOT ONE SHOT! DO NOT MISS YOUR CHACE TO BLOW!"
The door was half way open and Atom was almost passing out from the tension and fear. Suddenly the wall behind him began to push him forward, making him yelp out. The crowd was almost deafening as he was pushed closer and closer towards the open fighting grounds.
"THIS OPPORTUNITY COMES ONCE IN A LIFE TIME, OHHHH!" they finished with a loud stream of cheering.
"Nice theme song," Zane smiled, leaning back in his seat. Cora eyed the almost open stall door. The wall pushing Atom stopped fast and he pushed off it with shaking legs. Slowly, he walking into the arena. With quivering eyes he glanced around, everyone's attention laid upon him. The crowd's yelling turned into a whirl of gasps, confused comments or plain falling into silence. Marvel twirled the microphone in between his fingers, holding it to his mouth.
"I know what you're all thinking..." he said to them. "Why on earth would I put a kid in the ring? Now, I'm not saying that wouldn't be entertaining as hell, but this here ladies and gentlemen, is in fact a robot." Atom slowly walked into the centre of the arena with no idea what to do. The crowd began cheering once again with new found enthusiasm. "So, without further ado, let the games begin! BRING OUT BLACK PUMA!" the crowd let out a cheer.
Flair looked to the TV from the kitchen, sipping her coffee with droning eyes. "This outta be good..." she mumbled.
The crowd died down as another stall gate slowly lifted upwards, letting out the first opponent. Atom took a breath, clenching his fists. Suddenly a small tune arose to everyone's ears. A...nursery rhyme? A small box-like robot squeaked out, its tiny wheels rolling over the dusty ground. It looked only as big as your everyday teddy bear and was mostly sliver with a pink rainbow slapped on one side. It's head had two thin iron ears pricked on each side to resemble some sort of cat with slanted eyes and a cherry nose. The twinkling tune followed as it rolled towards Atom, not causing any sort of threat what so ever.
Zane glanced to Cora with a snicker and she just shrugged back. The crowd had fallen into silence but none of the people seemed confused at the tiny robot. Zane was just about ready to burst out laughing. "KICK IT, ATOM!" Cora yelled to him. Atom looked to them.
"Like a vending machine!" Zane laughed. The robot looked to the cat as it came to a small stop and the tune echoed away. Worth a shot...
With a small run up and a bend of his leg, Atom slammed his boot right in the face of it, sending it flying. With a satisfied smile he watched the chunky machine perform many small flips in the air...and begin to transform. He frowned as it began to extend and fold out in an array of metals and gears and crash back to the ground. A wave of dust arose as it scraped to a stop, clouding Atom's vision to see what the hell he just did. Soon the musk cleared.
Atom took a step back.
And another.
And another.
His eyes widened to the giant robot in front of him. Cora and Zane felt their mouths drop. Flair simply smirked, slouching on the counter.
Black Puma. It was as big as a bulldozer and took the form of a wild cat, only around ten times larger. It's skeleton was made completely of sharp shards of shiny metal and it's tail held a heavy shooter of some sort. It's mechanical eyes turned to slits and its mouth twisted into a snarl.
"Oh...no..."
Puma let out a roar and swiveled it's tail around, slamming it into Atom's side and sending him to crash into the arena wall with a grunt. OW...
Atom groaned, clenching his shoulder and shakily getting to his feet as the dust fell off him and the crowd started cheering once more. Atom looked to see the huge robot snarl at him and throw its heavy tail at him again. Atom let out a yelp and ducked under it quickly, running along the rim of the high walls. Puma simply slashed its paw straight into him, sending him across the arena. He tumbled on the hard ground until he scraped to a stop. The crowd responded with a loud applause.
"No one said anything about the robots being big..." Zane mumbled with wide eyes.
"Elite fighting robots, Zane," Cora muttered back.
"Atom won't win, will he?" Cora just watched Black Puma slowly twist around, eyes flaring up as it planned its next attack. Her jaw tightened.
"We'll see."
Atom got to his feet once more, breathing up to maximum. His opponent let out a roar, gears groaning into motion as its strong agile legs kicked up the dirt, surging the robot towards him. Atom stood there for a few seconds, knees shaking at the sight of the giant machine headed straight for him.
'You better have some fight in you, or there'll be nothing left of you to fight...'
Fight. Atom took a breath of musty air, feeling the thunderous steps from Black Puma echoing along the ground. In one sift movement he thrust his legs into action as he sprinted across the arena, headed straight for the giant robot. Everyone leaned forward in their seats, intrigued on what the boy robot was planning to do. Marvel just let off one of his smirks.
Just when he was close enough, Atom dropped low to the ground, sliding one leg back and skidding straight underneath the Black Puma. Time seemed the slow down as he looked up at the clicking and sliding under belly. He spun to a stop, one hand to the ground as the crowd let out a cheer.
Cora sat back in her seat, gaping. "Well that was pretty fucking ninja..."
Obviously confused on how its prey had slipped past it, Black Puma craned its heavy head around, scanning the grounds in front. Atom bit his lip and tried to plan his next move before the robot caught on. It felt like he had just only un-fuzzed his mind when the tiger like machine was glaring at him again with a growl. Cursing under his breath he eyed his opponent back, wondering what move it would take. He never expected this though…
With a whirr its tail whipped around and pointed right at him and with a sharp hiss of lightning fast metal a large stake whizzed past him and sliced into the wall.
"Oh shi-"
It wasn't long before he was running along the edge of the arena, a trail of spikes following his every move and clipping at his jacket. The large robot seemed to grin devilishly as Atom ran closer and closer towards it. Okay…death by spikes or giant tiger. Could be worse. But just to his running out luck the spikes quickly ceased, the mechanical beast obviously running out of them. Choosing another tactic it quickly lashed out at him, to which Atom responded by boosting upwards. This back fired as he was sent crashing to the other side of the arena.
He groaned, getting to his shaking feet and pressing up against the wall. Okay, not flying again. He gritted his teeth to the Black Puma quickly pounding after him. His eyes flinched on what to do when they met with the sight of one of the stakes sliced into the wall.
Acting before his brain could even process what he was doing Atom gripping his fingers around the end of it and pulled with all his might. He could feel the pounding of the metal monster coming towards him, the crowd roaring with excitement and anticipation.
He gritted his teeth and pressed his foot against the wall to help him get the stubborn weapon out. "COMMON!" he cried uselessly.
Cora and Zane were on the edge of their seats, biting their cheeks and clenching their hands. "Common Atom…" Cora whispered. "Common, common, common…"
Black Puma opened its mouth to flaunt its shiny razor sharp teeth as it reached the tiny opponent just as Atom finally pulled the stake free.
CRUNCH.
The sound of breaking, twisting metal met everyone's ears.
Nobody made a sound.
Nobody reacted for a while.
Atom breathed heavily, dropping the metal spike that was half skewered into the Puma's head. The robot did nothing but whirr its back leg which quickly died out with a glint of electricity. It wasn't long before the crowd exploded in applaud, standing up to get a better look at the surprising winner. Atom collapsed against the wall, out of breath.
"NEVER… AGAIN…"
Cora and Zane were practically flying they were so excited.
"HELL YES!"
"WE WON!"
"Not yet, we still got three more."
"Oh damn."
Cora squinted at the over-looking nest as the same boy she saw before slump in disappointment, chucking his controls down and walking off with his dad. Was that robot really controlled by that boy? She raised an eyebrow at the thought.
Marvel gritted his teeth in agitation, taking the microphone. "Well then!" his voice boomed. "That was…surprising at least! Looks like our new tyke has some fight in him! Well, he hasn't met with our next opponent!" the crowd cheered in response. Atom reluctantly pulled himself off the wall with a tired expression as some working robots pulled Black Puma out of the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen! TOBOR BLAAAADDEEEE!"
The crowd let out another cheer and quickly a heavy gate stirred into life, metal and metal biting against each other as it descended upwards to let in the new opponent. Cora narrowed her eyes to a new owner who stepped forward. This one was much different than the humble looking child as before, with a scabby beard and gleaming gold eyes that screamed money. He didn't control this one this time.
"At least it can't get any worse than Black Puma." Cora strained the words out, hoping she hadn't jinxed anything. Because seriously- nothing could beat that beast.
Oh, but irony and fate decided to team up today and what screamed out that gate just proved it.
Atom only got a glimpse of a razor sharp blur and a roar of what sounded like a hundred motorbikes before leaping back to avoid his opponent's first blow. He took several more steps when he got a good look at the thing. Tobor Blade was at least three times larger than Atom and was the complete opposite to Black Puma, or rather any other thing in this town. It's armor was gleaming gold with Japanese symbols splashed across it, obviously polished before-hand and taken care of obsessively. It's build was very much like a human giant, accept its left arm ended in an impossibly massive rounded, spinning blade and it's right arm ended in a long chain saw. It looked like it leapt out of a slasher film with its glaring gaze and unmoving eyes.
"What was that you were saying, Cora?" Zane bit out, glaring at her from his seat.
Tobor didn't take any time to start slashing at Atom, the chain saw barely missing him before attacking again, as if trying to fight off much more enemies then just one. Atom could only find it in him to take jumps backwards, mind still trying to process what to do. He hissed when the chain saw nipped his cheek, exposing a slit of wires and metal. Obviously not gaining the upper hand in front of the thing, Atom dashed to the side of the arena.
Tobor whirled its body around and chased after, quickly gaining and slitting across Atom's knees. He screamed, falling to the ground but didn't have the time to strain in pain because the warrior robot was above him and stabbing for his chest in a millisecond. He rolled out of the way as the chain saw came surging down. Dirt pummeled into his cheek like a machine gun. He rolled the other way as the chain came down again and again. Can't do this forever…Atom gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut when the chain saw came down the fourth time and stuck his hands out, grabbing it flat against his palms and lifting it just inches away from his nose.
He groaned and fought against the opponent's strength but soon got him with range to kick. Booting him in the chest but still seizing his arm, Tobor Blade went flying into the wall, screeching when the arm disconnected and was ripped from his elbow. Atom quickly leapt to his knees, for once appreciating the cheer from the crowd as he wiped his mouth. There goes one arm…
Cora smirked in satisfaction at the shocked expression on the owner's face. Yeah, that's right bitch, she thought. Our robot's half the size and is kicking your ass.
Tobor looked up in enraged fury. Atom glared back. No way he was going to hop around anymore. These people want a fight and they'll get a fight. Tobor rushed forward, his huge razor wheel roaring into life as he swung it back and prepared to strike. Atom easily missed the first swing and Tobor took a minute to regain his footing when he arched back and swung behind. Atom kept dodging and Tobor kept swinging, neither of them laying a scratch on each other. Soon, Atom began to notice a major design flaw.
Each time Tobor swung his arm to the fullest, he had to lean back to keep it from hitting his own chest.
Bingo.
He was about three meters from him and didn't bother to take any more steps back. He stood there, completely idle. Cora and Zane leaned forward in their seats with huge eyes while the rest of the crowd chirped to themselves with excitement. "What is he doing?" Zane asked. "He's got a plan, right? Please tell me he's got a plan…" Cora looked up to Tobor Blade's owner. He was grinning cheekily, crossing his arms over his chest, obviously thinking he had this in the bag. But Cora knew their robot had something none of the other ones had- a smart mind. Her eyes returned to the game.
Atom couldn't control his rapidly rising chest. Tobor's metal face looked like it was smirking and he slowed down a bit, arching his arm the furthest it could go. Atom still didn't move, even when he was just a foot away. As the spinning wheel, screaming with razors, began to fly at his head, Atom waited until the very last second to let his legs drop from underneath him. He landed in a squat and jumped up just after when Tobor was leaning back to avoid dying at his own hand.
And then he slammed his feet into the rushing metal teeth and pushed it right into his chest.
The crowd gasped as Atom yelled out in pain and perseverance, his boots getting deep groves carved into the bottom as the wheel clicked and glitches, burying into the layers of metal and wire. He fell to the ground and bit his lip as Tobor spasmed into malfunction until finally falling to the ground with its final sparks. The audience exploded into cheers, most standing from their stalls. Cora and Zane stood with them.
"YEAH ATOM!" Zane fist pumped.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Cora flinched to a poke in the shoulder and twirled around to see an elderly man with a crooked back and a kind smile. His washed out eyes glanced to Atom who was recovering from the fight.
"That robot yours?" he asked shakily. Cora reluctantly nodded, not sure where this was going.
"Uhhh, yeah." The man's face scrunched up in a smile and nodded.
"He's doing well, then. He's doing well." Cora grinned and let out an extremely girly giggle. She nodded, regaining herself and turning back to her robot. Her little amazing robot.
The owner of Tobor Blade was pulling a hissy fit, screaming at Marvel and screaming at (what Cora could only put as) the world. He stormed out of the crow's nest and Marvel took the microphone, unfazed.
"Well, well, well! Let's hear it for the little guy!" The crowd shook with enthusiasm. Marvel chuckled. "Well, we have another first time fighter here with us today! So, without further ado, here is Death Machine!"
Cora and Zane looked up to the crow's nest to see the last owner besides Marvel step forward. This was a young girl, probably only fourteen or so and had elegant glasses and her hair pulled into a messy bun. She looked almost bored to be there, chewing on some gum.
Atom struggled to his feet and watched the cleaning bots take what was left of Tobor out of the ring. He needed to regain himself. He's almost died twice now and his cheek was slit along with the back of his knees. He didn't even want to know about the state of his feet. But, there was no stopping. No stopping until the very end, where he'd be most definitely destroyed by Zog.
He whimpered at the thought, straightening himself out for the next opponent anyway. Here it was. either die by this one or the gladiator. The crowd went silent as the doors began to slide open. He swallowed.
Out from the cage where he was kept came a very different robot indeed. He didn't look threatening at all. He looked like an old waiter bot, accept it's right hand was upgraded to a vicious looking claw and it's black coating back lost its shine long ago. Huh, he thought. This one doesn't seem so bad.
Cora immediately stood up from her seat, her eyes wide in shock. Zane's mouth dropped open. "It that…?"
'Death Machine' got one look at Atom and his eyes went wild with rage.
"YOU!" he shrieked. Atom was taken back.
"…Excuse me?"
"YOU! YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING ZITTLE RAT!" Atom's eyes were wide with confusion when he came charging for him with a battle cry. He pushed the attack off easily, taking steps back.
"Shit, that's GRASP!" Zane scrunched his hair in his palms. "And Atom has no idea he kicked the Scavenger's asses! Crap!"
"Look," Atom said cautiously, "I'm pretty sure you have me mixed up with some other battle robot-"
"NO MORE TALKING!" A punch was thrown at his face which Atom dodged, but Grasp got hold of his arm with his right hand, squeezing down on it with momentous power. He bit out a cry, one leg failing him and giving into the pain of his skin being molded.
"ATOM!" He glanced up to Cora. "THAT'S GRASP! FROM THE SCAVENGERS!" His eyes widened.
"Oh-"
He was cut off when Grasp threw him into the wall. "You will pay for zwhat you 'ave done!" he yelled, stepping closer to him. Atom used the wall as support to get back on his feet. Okay, now he understood. He beat him and his gang up in his sleep. Surely it couldn't be hard when he was awake. Grasp threw a punch at him, succeeding in only hitting the wall. "YOU'VE MADE ME A DISGRACE!"
Another punch.
"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!"
Another two punches.
"NO-ONE MAKES ZA FOOL OUT OF ME!"
The punches kept coming, not even bothering with their aim anymore. Atom kept stepping to the side, raising an eyebrow at Grasp's 'battle tactic'. But soon something happened. Grasp's arm began to fume and smoke, stuck in its continuous pattern of mindless assaults. His threats began to mold into one stream of static and harsh beeps and his whole body was covered in steam. Atom ran to the side as he calculated all the signs.
A huge explosion went off as the robot self-destructed, the ball of fire trying to climb out of the arena and grab the people in the stalls closest. When nothing seemed to be of much harm the coliseum burst into claps and laughter. Cora and Zane were among the laughing ones. The owner of Grasp's eyes widened for a few seconds before shrugging and walking off. Two more than usual cleaning bots came out to collect the rubble.
Atom was still at a miss. Did that robot just self-destruct because it wanted to kill me so much? The thought was clouded with a worse one in its place. Zog. Oh. No.
Marvel's laughing could be heard before he even grabbed the microphone. "Well, that probably why it was a first time competitor!" he took a moment to snicker off mic. "Now you know what time it is?" Most of the laughing was cheering now. "Yeah! That's right baby! MY TIME! Let's see what my big boy does against this little tike, hey? Bring out…what's his name?"
"ZOOOOOG!" the audience answered with a squeal of delight. Zane sunk to his seat with a swallow.
"This is it…right?" Cora looked to him. He seemed concerned.
"It…it's not over yet. He'll make it. He has to. He's made it so far."
"Yeah, out of smarts and luck. Zog won't have all those flaws, Cora. He's the champion. An immovable object."
"Yeah, well Atom's an unstoppable force. So let's just see." Their eyes met the arena as the grinding gates of the last stall begun to open.
Quarter way open…Atom could just see the start of the titan's golden tummy.
Half way open…still his midsection.
Almost all the way open…and the robot was still going. It was like the endless mountain of gold until finally he spotted a tiny dome at the top which he guessed could pass as some sort of face. Zog was massive. He could probably clear the entire arena in three steps. No wonder he was the champion- one step and you're dead. Atom took a few steps back and had to stop himself from falling over just from the mere magnitude of him.
Zane leaned back. "Holy...shi- no, actually, there's no words to describe that…"
Zog took no time to begin fighting, leaning down and slamming his arm down on Atom, who only just missed it by throwing himself to the side. Zog then scraped his arm along the ground, braking up the dirt and sending it flying as it chased after the tiny robot. Atom's eyes went wild when he looked behind him. The chunky gold limb chased him and before he even knew it he had ran into Zog's stumpy leg. With surprising quickness he lifted the fat stump up and slammed it down on Atom with so much force that the entire coliseum shook violently.
Everyone was silent. Marvel's eyes glinted with achievement and he slid the microphone into his hand. Cora's breath hitched in her throat and Zane just sat there. It…can't be the end…we've…we've gone through too much for it to end here…
"T-told you," Zane said, the life gone from his voice. The crowd began cheering again, but not as enthusiastic this time. They still seemed happy, but you could tell they were really excited to see where that little kid was going.
"We have a new record!" Marvel said cheerfully. "Eighteen seconds! Well done to our first time competitors and their truly entertaining child robot! One of a kind, he was. did you see his face when he was about to get stomped on! Ha! Ohhh, priceless…" he pretended to wipe a tear from his cheek bone. The crowd chuckled good-heartedly and some begun to leave their seats. Cora still couldn't move, but her hears burned.
…She didn't like it when people talked about her robot like that. She hated it, in fact. She wanted nothing more than to burn Marvel and burn Zog and burn this whole fricken town to the ground, for taking away her friend. Her friend. And friends come with responsibility. To keep them save. Suddenly she was back at the circus, looking down at the tiny fragile bodies of the children who had died from sickness or hunger.
Where was their food, Cora? Why didn't you give them enough food?
Where was their medication, Cora? Why didn't you steal from the store that day?
Why? Why? WHY?
Why is Atom dead, Cora? Why did you have to be so selfish?
WHY?
She buried her face in her hands and choked on her words (sobs?). "Oh god…o-oh go-o-d…"
Marvel's white teeth shone. "Come back again folks! It's been a blast!"
Zane placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Cora."
"Okay?" she batted the hand off. "He's DEAD, Zane. Crushed metal is waiting under that foot and it's ALL. MY. FAULT."
"Nothing was your fault! We're a team, okay? You fuck up, I fuck up. That's how it works!"
"If I hadn't even suggested the idea, then he might still be-"
They're argument got cut off with the sound of groaning metal. Everyone that was in the middle of departing quickly glanced down to the dusty arena. Zog still stool proudly but didn't move.
Slowly….his foot begun to lift up a slither.
Cora wasn't sure what was happening, but her mind told her to be happy about it so she was. It was impossible. There was no way he could still be alive. The foot lifted further and further and soon she could hear the sound of groaning. Never had she been so happy to hear that voice.
Atom tried standing up fully but Zog finally got the message on what was happening and pressed his leg downwards. Atom yelled out, straining his body even further. Soon he was almost fully standing up.
People were climbing back into their seats, eyes wide with anticipation. Marvel even had to wipe his eyes and smell his breath for alcohol. "What in the…?" he breathed, not noticing that he had the microphone in hand. Cheering echoed from some corners, but most stared in disbelief.
Atom's eyes flared up and he stretched his arms out, fully holding Zog's leg up with utter strength. Zog fought against it again, lowering Atom down more. He gritted his teeth. "NO…GET…OFF..OF..ME!" Suddenly a burst of light and fire shot up from Atom's boots. He groaned against the gold tinted metal, trying not to pay attention to the searing pain that shot up from his legs. Zog was leaning and waving his arms out for balance, his head turning to Marvel, his blank face crying for help. Marvel still was lost for words.
The crowd began cheering more, yelling out words of encouragement. Atom let out one last battle cry as he boosted his rockets to the absolute fullest they'd ever gone. In one swift moment Atom shot up wards, still clinging to Zog's leg and flipped the monstrous machine onto its back. It's head crashed into the side of the arena and crumble a part of the wall and the ground gave way to his heavy body.
For a few seconds everyone basked in the unbelievable event before screaming out, standing on their feet and clapping harder than any other time Zane or Cora could imagine. Marvel abruptly dropped the microphone and fell back into his chair.
Cora took no longer than two seconds before she leapt out of her seat and ran to the edge of the benches, sliding down the slightly sloped wall and landing with a thud into the dust covered arena. Atom looked down to her and smiled weakly, flying over as his rockets gradually gave out and he stumbled onto the ground. He was met with a fierce embrace.
"I'm sorry!" she sobbed into his neck. "I'm so sorry, don't ever let me send you into something like that again, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry…" He hugged her back and tried not to fall to the ground.
"Did I win?" he could only think to ask. She laughed and wiped her tears away, eagerly nodding.
"Yeah! Yeah, you won alright!" he smiled, sighing in relief and falling back into her arms. She giggled, hugging him again. Zane tumbled after them and joined the embrace.
"GROUP HUG. GOD DAMMIT GROUP HUG. We should do this more often. You know, just to embrace the fact that we are indeed still living." Atom chuckled and Zane smiled fondly at him, tugging on his hair.
The entire crowd thought this was a touching notion but too mushy for their taste, so they shook it up by climbing down into the arena themselves and sent a wave of cheering and explosions of confetti everywhere. It wasn't long before Atom was lifted onto some guy's shoulders. He laughed and lapped up the praises, punching his fist into the air. "WOOOOOO!" The man who was carrying him looked to Cora.
"YOUR ROBOT ROCKS!" he yelled over the ground. Cora grinned and nodded.
"I KNOW!"
As everyone departed from the Robot Games, celebration was still in the air. Little kids wanted to get a look at Atom and most wanted to spread the news that a new champion had emerged as quickly as possible. While passing through the main street on their way back to Flair's cabin with still a good hand-full of eager new fans behind them, Cora and Zane spotted Black Puma by one of the stall gates. It was already fully repaired and a few children were climbing over it or tickling it under its chin as it purred wildly, no more harmless than a house cat. Cora smiled and continued walking.
Atom looked over to a booth by the entrance that only read 'BETS' and saw two young girls, probably 15 at best, standing at the front. He only got a glimpse of a sweeping black fringe and tidy waist coat (very diverse from the people of Scarlet Lakes) for one and made out choppy brown hair for the other with a duck figurine attached to her belt. But it's what he heard the dark-haired one say that stumped him.
She held up a bag that was rattling with coins and grinned at it. "Tenma you genius…" The other chuckled in agreement.
Atom frowned at them. Tenma? How did the even know about him? And they know he's my creator? They looked around with a certain shiftiness and then disappeared into the crowd. Unable to trace them with the people still bubbling at his sides and not wanting to stir Cora's mood he let it pass and continued to the cabin.
Shocked was an understatement for Flair's reaction when they walked through the door. They had finally lost the crowd a while back and were beginning to discuss the seriousness of Atom's injuries when he began to limp and how they were going to fix them. Zane wasn't fussed, now that he had five grand under his belt (which Marvel would be delighted to give to them later on) he felt like he could rule the world.
"HOLY MOTHER OF-"
"We missed you too, Flair," Cora smirked, helping Atom to the couch which he eagerly flopped down on. Flair's eyes were as wide a saucers. She raised a finger to Atom and looked at him as if he were an alien.
"You…you're ALIVE? How the hell did you make it out?!"
"I thought you were watching it from the TV," Zane muttered, walking over to the fridge and ripping open a coke.
"I turned it off as soon as Zog came out! No robot's ever gotten by more than ten seconds with him!"
"Well Atom got a speedy eighteen seconds." Zane smugged, taking two long chugs. "And decided to kick it off with kicking Zog's butt. A pretty poor design when you think about it. Just push it over and- BOOM. Not getting up for a long while."
"Yeah, they'll probably start building a park around him," Cora smiled at the idea. Flair just collapsed on the couch, staring at Atom and softly shaking her head.
"You're a little wonder, you know that?" Atom smiled, resting his head on the back of the couch. Cora carefully stretched his legs out and pulled his jean legs back, or really, what was left of them. The fabric back of his thighs were completely shredded. Atom gasped when she skimmed her fingers over the dip in his knees.
"Oh, ouch…" she grimaced, feeling that all the skin covering was ripped off. "That looks…that's painful…"
"Thank you for that life changing information," Atom bit out. Cora couldn't find it in her to tell him off for rudeness.
"So, our plan of action from here?" Cora asked anyone who had the answer. Zane shrugged, sitting down next to Atom with another coke in hand.
"You're looking at it." She rolled her eyes and looked to Flair for any ideas. She was still shocked to the shell.
"Our next step is the train-" Atom stopped to grit his teeth as Cora laid his feet up onto the coffee table, "and travel past Green Fields. T-then we go to- OWWW! STOP TOUCHING IT! PLEASE!" Cora darted her hand away from trying to see what under-wires were unattached. "Sorry…" he sighed, "But it's like me slipping my hand underneath your skin and poking your blood vessels." Cora put some distance between them now, trying not to look sick at the description. Atom composed himself. "Then we're on our way to Sparks."
She nodded in approval. "Okay, so in the morning we go to get the money from Marvel."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho!" Zane gave a toothy grin and threw his head back. "He's going to love that…" Flair finally snapped out of it and smiled.
"It's about time someone took his ego down a few pegs." Cora chuckled, looking to the three people she's gotten stuck with on this insane adventure, and for once not feeling any strain on her mind. They'd be okay.
Because they were going home.