A/N: I've decided on a first-person narrative for the rest of my chapters, I think it well help to get into the characters' heads a bit better and provide an interesting spin on the rest of the story.


I. - Taylor.

It had felt nice to re-experience the tropical air of Honolulu, the place we had escaped to after the destruction of Washington D.C.'s remains. But now as I was walking by myself back to the ends of the large auditorium to see her once more, my mind began to slip into its worried depths again.

The droid operators and others would prefer I hadn't given the Giant's clone a gender, but then it was kind of hard when the thirty-five-foot robot actually sounded like a girl. As I passed the light gray walls on the outer wing, a shortcut to the end of the auditorium, I saw myself in the window opening out to the sandy shores. My bow lips parted in awe as I clutched at my swollen stomach.

Our time in Iceland had been going on nearly three weeks. The hair I had cut off just down to my shoulders was now at mid-back, and the yellow orb I had tied to my body partially out of a way to compensate to Hogarth was now a fully formed individual. I kept moving, trying to reason gently with myself that everything I was going through was normal although clearly not anything usual.

As the corridor opened up, the sight of many yellow-suited people running about and taking notes on the already confirmed harmless droid unceremoniously welcomed me. But as soon as they all saw me, their heads rotated and a look of apprehension shone in their eyes before they downcast.

I felt the deep-seeded guilt rise from my chest to my throat, but loftily tossed my dark blonde hair over one shoulder and started pass them like I was proud of my rapid pregnancy. It was no secret that while some were curious, most anyone who saw me had thought I had self-mutilated myself.

Tears slowly collected in my light brown eyes as I approached the clear-glass containment section where a large, loping creature was at. I had been told that she was only going to be kept here until it was proven that she wouldn't malfunction like the Motorix, but I knew it was really for testing.

Pygmy turned on her heel almost as if she'd sensed my presence, and her bright near-golden eyes that had been following the people outside beamed with an elated cast at seeing me a second time. After it had been discovered that she was a potential 'hazard' to my health, she had been taken as I slept in the final hours of her transformation. Relieved that she was all right, I gave her a smile.

The robot was shorter then the Giant but retained many of his features, her coloration had more of a blue-purple hint to it while her crest was pointed and arched backwards like the end of a thunder bolt. Pygmy stepped up to where I was and knelt down, pressing her hands to the separating glass.

Wistfully, I placed mine against it and sighed as my other one traveled to my stomach. There was this electric feeling I got with her nearby, gazing upon me with fascination and an eagerness that a child might have about meeting a long-lost parent. With a shuddering breath, I walked away as my hand slipped away. But as I looked over my shoulder I saw that her enthusiasm was in place.

Pygmy took a few steps after me, seemed to look a little interested that I was going and then went right back to inquisitively viewing her many spectators. Inx's words fell into my head; It is for the very best you do not get too attached. I've spoken with the Council; as soon as the Giant's clones are deactivated you will have to leave anyway. I felt a part of me wilt as I continued to leave her.

"Taylor," A kind voice said from behind and I turned to see Archer, blue-suit and all, "I know it has been extremely difficult for you. The operators have run some more tests," he eyed the nosy people around us, "And they believe your condition is a result of Pygmy's transmuting powers."

"You mean she has some kind of connection to my baby?" I looked down.

"It is more then that." His light green eyes grew serious behind his wrinkles, "Taylor, we believe your rapidly developing fetus is fast approaching delivery. Pygmy," he eyed the distracted robot. "has established a prenatal bond with your baby, due to the ideological cyborg intentions of Ki-."

My whole body went into shock and I met the man's eyes critically. "Let me in there to see her."


II. - The Giant.

The terrain was very rocky on the island Honshū, Hogarth had mentioned a disliking toward Japan because of something called Pearl Harbor, but as we moved toward the city called Robocity most of the area was dark and ridged reminding me of Iceland, and with no signs of life there wasn't much to dislike. Curiously, I turned toward my friend.

"Where did Archer say we would meet the people able to stop my clones?"

He didn't react.

"Hogarth." I nudged his shoulder slightly upon my shoulder, being delicate as always.

"Mmm." He groaned and sleepily batted at my finger.

"Careful," I laughed a bit, scooting his draping limps back to the center. "Don't fall off."

Hogarth rose up with a glare. "We wouldn't be walking if someone hadn't lost that metal liquidizing machine." He didn't seem to believe me as I innocently argued misplacing it.

"And besides," I took a handful of metal and plopped it in my mouth as we walked along like popcorn, an enormous stack towering in my arm. "That leaves more room for food."

He looked at me from upside-down, blue eyes narrowed. "Suurreee…"

Determined to defend myself, I pushed up on his feet to move him closer under my also narrowed eyes. "Yes, I sure did not lose it on purpose." I told him, which was the truth.

"We still have a walk ahead of us." Hogarth mentioned with a chuckle, lying back down.

I tried not to let on to my worries. "So," my mouth became full, "dream about anything?"

He sighed, as if he were considering something seriously. "Well, seeing Taylor again got me thinking about fatherhood. The anniversary of my dad's passing was two weeks ago."

The idea we had spent so much time together made me pause. "I'll be there if I can."

Hogarth looked over at me with a smile. "I know." He grew knowing in that moment. "I'm not the only one who's going to be a dad, remember? Y'know, with Pygmy all the way here."

"No!" I was suddenly thrown into shock. "I didn't know!"

The look I received from Hogarth was a grimace. "Whoops."


III. - Trisha.

From the crowds of spectators, 'reformed' or otherwise as I didn't much notice, I saw what my daughter had been concealing from me since the day we'd had our private conversation. I should have found my dear Taylor's state grotesque, but somehow the year of aliens, time travel and commie takeovers had left me numbed to surprise now.

Even as I felt the surmounting disapproval of her choice to interact with the creature that had accelerated her natural cycle, I was still somehow able to keep my head as I watched on. Taylor had asked me up front to give her my blessing for extending our divided family, and with the mostly positive influence she had received I'd granted it.

I hadn't seen Robert for quite some time, nor heard from James Rhinestien but I had my main focus with my seventeen-year-old daughter to concentrate on. Any other distractions would have been too debilitating. However, Daniel caught my eye now and again. But in that moment I found myself absently glancing around for the man.

"Everyone," The familiar voice of the D.C. scientist caught my attention. He had his hand on Taylor's shoulder as he ascended with her while blue-suited people assisted up to a seven foot railed podium set to move into the incased dome. "Space, please."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and smoothed the wrinkles of my own hazmat-like uniform; there was so much to this world I didn't understand. An Asian man, Inx as I briefly recounted, met her up and escorted her down a narrow walk to a circular open.

My natural instincts began to perk as a low whirring noise rose and the diving board-narrow stage started out into the solid bubble. Taylor seemed to be gripping the rails with a little anxiety, and I was about to hurl a protest when the moving stage halted.

A hand came to rest on my shoulder. This is it, A voice spoke to me through my line in the thought transmitter system. Daniel's thinking was as easy as if he were giving me a lecture. This is where we expose the droid operators for nearly killing Hogarth.

I plucked the wireless ear pieces from my head and planted them firmly in his palm.

"I'm done, Barnes." I told him statically. "I'm through with this whole thing, Taylor has free reign to live this wild robot life. The day mom's worries stood for nothing."

"Your worries are valid, Trisha. In fact, they may just uncover a darker truth."

We watched on as Taylor attempted to make contact with the droid named Pygmy.

IV. - Hogarth.

I knew I was in trouble when the Giant scooped me off of his shoulder and glared at me, he didn't get peeved off too often so I tried to wipe the relaxed look off my face. Sometimes that was the problem with having a friend '50 feet tall; running was futile.

"Why didn't you tell me?" His tone wasn't accusatory, but it did sound shortchanged.

"I kinda…" I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, "forgot to mention it."

The Giant gave me a look of disbelief.

"Look, I'm sorry pal. But I didn't really get around to it last night."

A hint of apology entered his eyes. "That's right." he admitted, then scratched at his head in thought and in that second I knew what was really going on. "But a-a father?"

"Tell me about it." I offered him a small grin. "But, hey, we have nine months before we'll have to take on two. We should just focus on crossing the bridge we have now."

Though the Giant seemed to have more on his mind, he nodded at me in agreement. I motioned for him to set me down and started toward the beginning of what appeared to be tall spires out in the distance. I felt his eyes on me and he stepped closer to the edge. Sometimes I didn't know what I was thinking, I knew I was finally beating my inferiority complex with my best friend but there was still that part of me who craved to strive for total independence. There was that rebel in me, who refused to take help.

"Hogarth." I cringed a little at the necessity in his voice, that little nagging habit that he had developed whenever I turned away from being practical. And if I rode on him, that was faster and therefore practical. "See this slope." I motioned to the smooth tract of charred-looking land before us. "I can get down it no sweat." He wasn't convinced.

"Why not just do it more quickly," The Giant offered his hand. "Or we'll transmute."

I flinched away at his perplexed look. "Giant…" I stumbled for an excuse that would not sound completely lame. "You're, well, giant." He brought his shutters in, tilting his head. "And like I said, this is Japan. So if I go riding in, they could mistake you-."

"For a weapon." The robot finished flatly.

"You know what I mean."

"No." He looked away offensively. "I don't."

"Giant," I coaxed him gently. "All I'm saying is that it would look better if we go in side-by-side. This is our last stop and we need to make a statement. I've tried to get information on this city." My eyes traveled onward. "There aren't that many details."

He stood up straighter and looked out with me. "Maybe… it would be better."

"I-."

"I know you didn't mean anything by it." The Giant met my gaze reassuringly.

A recovered smile crossed my mouth and we began out. I heard him hesitate, but with the plan already set in motion I started down the smooth decline with caution. To me it felt like the Giant was debating, but I heard him start down and looked back to see him sliding down on his columned chassis even when he could have just leapt down.

"What is this really about?" He insisted a little boldly, scraping his elbow down the slope and holding out his hand to talk. I sighed roughly and avoided stepping onto it.

"Half the time I ride on you, the other half I ride in you…" This was my vague excuse, but I felt bad for snubbing his offer. It didn't make my day to disappoint him like this.

But then, sometimes it was necessary to protect both of our dignities. The whole thing was complicated and I knew he didn't understand; it was one of only a few ways that I had of taking care of him. But the Giant gave a grunt of determination, and I noticed from the corner of my eye that he was testing the sliding ability of the slope I walked.

I also noticed his solid metal supply netted together was sliding down to a hot pool of water near a dark outcropping. He met my eyes with a daring smile, and I directed a similar one back; if the big metal guy was going to play games I'd play along as well.

V. - Taylor.

My dark blonde hair draped around my shoulders as the metal-framed stadium moved me out towards Pygmy who wandered randomly around the very center of the clear enclosure. I swallowed back a lump of nerves and peered over the edge.

In my mind I knew why I was doing this; I owed it to Hogarth and the Giant to help them prove that the clones could be treated equally. There were many eyes on us and I wished they would leave her be. It didn't take a wise or knowing pair of eyes to see that the robot wasn't a danger. Looking over to the crowds, I could see my mother was there. She had a blank look on her face as her eyes traveled down automatically to my enlarged stomach, and I was reminded of what I'd done then.

I had taken advantage of Hogarth to save his life, but in the mind-bending process had harmed my own life more. That was what Inx, my mother and everyone who cared about me had been trying to tell me. But even as I had taken responsibility for what I had done, I realized in that moment it had only been to protect myself.

It hadn't been just to make it up to everyone else; it had been for my own safety.

Tears materialized in my eyes as the podium stopped and I suddenly felt exposed, I felt fifty feet tall and subjected to the gawking curiosity of everyone in the room. What have I done? My gut reaction was to protest to get down but than I felt that if I did so I would not be paying for the atrocity of my actions, so I said no words.

Curiously, I peered over the edge and noticed that the robot wandering below had paused from her aimless venture. She gazed straight up at me and focused her big golden eyes into mine, blinked twice and raised her lower shutters at me; smiling.

The ache burning in my chest receded away, and I allowed my warm tears to fall.

"Hi, Pygmy." I cried with a weak choke in my voice.

She reached up as if to touch my face. "Taylor…?" her voice was soft with inquiry.

- The Giant.

To prove to Hogarth there was no shame in accepting my help, considering the fact that I was just 'somewhat' bigger then he was, I slid down to the bottom just inches from my feet and turned around to await his descent. Hogarth held my gaze and tried his best to stop as gravity was winning in his resistance to meet my hand at the base of the cliff. Trying a different approach, I folded my arms and leaned forward instead.

He got down in a crouch as he was only a few feet from making contact with my big armor-reinforced arms. I watched with calm anticipation, not pushing the inevitable discussion on him. But what got me deep down was why he still wouldn't open up.

"Giant." Hogarth said flatly.

"Just waiting for you…" I said casually.

Wrinkling his nose, he tried harder to back step up the slope but only wound up with dark-colored pants. I wondered briefly what the odd-looking dirt was called. Hogarth gave a grunt, frustrated, and tried jogging back up it but to no avail. I sighed as I got up and leaned against the curving jagged black rock. Hogarth gave up trying to be in total control of the situation and stood on my outstretched arm as we both looked out.

He took a deep breath at the same time I relaxed my shoulders.

"No way I was gettin' passed you, huh?"

"Not really." I turned to him and replied lightheartedly. Then, adding more seriously as I set him down. "Hogarth, what happened? I thought we both reached somewhere."

"It's nothing, Giant." he waved at me dismissingly. But then paused and gave a more open examination. "I really opened up last night, IG?" It still had me taken aback too.

"You did."

"And that's part of it, Giant," Hogarth went on to say. "I know it's petty, I really do, but to be completely honest I would have to say that while you can do all of these big, extraordinary things…" he shrugged slightly. "I feel like I take advantage of all that."

Before he could start towards the outskirts of the city, I crossed over and stepped right in front of him. "Hogarth, we're friends. I thought things like carrying you just came with the package." I made sure I wasn't coming off as too overbearing. He shrugged.

"Thanks for the offer," he waved away my offered palm and stated pointblank. "But I'd feel better if we walked in side-by-side. Besides, I think it'd be more appropriate."

"If that's what you want." I brought my arm back up and we began walking together down the rest of the way. As we did, I noticed that the late day sky had a moon to it.

Going back over my talks with Taylor in my head, I recounted what she'd called it.

"A first quarter moon." Hogarth mentioned and I sensed him pause so I turned a bit.

"Hogarth?"

"Iron Giant," He placed his arm to his chest, smiled and gave a half bow. "I would be honored to accept your voluntary chauffeuring request." My face could have dropped.

But I contained myself and copied his move. "And I would be volunteered to accept your honorary acceptance…" I bowed slightly and scratched my head. "…request?"

"Close enough." Hogarth chuckled as he was already set to climb on.

"Why did you change your mind?" I couldn't help but to ask as we rose.

"Because it's better to let a friend's offer in then leave him out in the cold with it." He explained truthfully before adding, "Besides, it's good to have friends in high places."

"I can't agree more." I looked at him for emphasis; I didn't like it when people would make jokes about ordinary sentences. "In the forest…" My voice's volume deepened.

"…The mighty Maine forest." Hogarth's higher pitch harmonized with mine.

Then, as we walked towards the city, "The robot sleeps tonight…"

"Very in tune. Do you practice?"

That voice. I thought numbly as I stopped in my tracks.

"Trant." Hogarth muttered disgustedly, and I heard Garth Hughes returning.

After Taylor and I had tried so hard to help him, I knew what Trant could do.

"Hogarth..." I sensed him turn towards me as I tried to keep my voice even. "I'm not going to lose you."

To be continued…