Metropolis

Revelation, Reflections, and Resurrection

Chapter 1

Living My Life of Dreams of Yesterday

This chapter deals with Kenichi's loss, how he mourns for Tima, the problems that plague him during this time of mourning and the reaching out for help.

Kenichi's POV

I wake up early eager to continue my search of Tima and whatever parts I could find from the surrounding area formerly known as the Ziggurat. I part the sheet to look outside, all I can see is a city in ruin. There is no avoiding it Metropolis as I remembered from the first day I arrived to the day of the tragedy is no more. The Metropolis I know died a month ago and as I look out the window I see the citizens primarily the humans still in shock over the loss. I for one would be in shock too if one month ago Tokyo was here and within a week the city is turned to nothing but rubble and ash. But as I look outside I look back at that week, on Monday was a day of celebration and by week's end instead of enjoying the parade which was planned until the revolution, the citizens was now picking up the pieces of a city that fell apart as a result of the city's problems.

I have had my share of problems since that day I have not been the same. Since Tima's death Fifi and I have been looking for Tima's parts with help from several worker robots and have made progress. But there have been times when I think about her when everything slows down and it has not been too good. One day I was in my room listening to the radio Tima found after being chased by those damn Marduks. Suddenly the song "I Can't Loving You" came on the radio, as I listened to the lyrics I reminisce about Tima and I together. My most memorable time I had with Tima when she remembered her name and learn how to write that moment brought us together. And as I remember those times I sit back and listen to a song that reminds me of Tima.

(I can't stop loving you)
I've made up my mind
To live in memory of the lonesome times
(I can't stop wanting you)
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday
(Dreams of yesterday)

Those happy hours that we once knew
Tho' long ago, they still make me blue
They say that time heals a broken heart
But time has stood still since we've been apart

(I can't stop loving you)
I've made up my mind
To live in memories of the lonesome times
(I can't stop wanting you)
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday

(Those happy hours)
Those happy hours
(That we once knew)
That we once knew
(Tho' long ago)
Tho' long ago
(Still make me blue)
Still ma-a-a-ake me blue
(They say that time)
They say that time
(Heals a broken heart)
Heals a broken heart
(But time has stood still)
Time has stood still
(Since we've been apart)
Since we've been apart

(I can't stop loving you)
I said I made up my mind
To live in memory of the lonesome times

(I can't stop wanting you)
It's useless to say
So I'll just live my life of dreams of yesterday
(Of yesterday)

And as I sit and remember those times, and the song playing I break down uncontrollably as tears stream down my face and onto papers containing Tima's data and blueprints. When the song ends I look at Tima's heart as more tears fall I realized that Tima was more that just a robot and a friend she was someone whom reached out to me. Tima didn't know where she stood in society but she chose me to lean on for support and I considered Tima to be my friend. I looked at Tima sitting on the roof while talking with Atlas. And finally when Tima spelled my name I realized after blushing beet red when she thanked me I considered Tima to be more than a friend even though I denied openly how I truly feel about Tima. People think that young people do not know the true meaning of love and it's true, but not all relationships start with a kiss. And Tima and I are an example of this, we did not have to kiss to express how we felt about each other.

It was through the dangers we faced, the determination to survive, and the times we spent alone from the lab fire to Tima remembering her name that brought us together. And it seemed that no matter where we went we were inseparable. And when we were separated our determination to be together grew. I remember when the Marduk took me away I would not calm down and they sedated me. I also remember when Tima and I were just few inches apart in the Ziggurat as I lie unconscious unable to move wanting to stay awake but I couldn't. The Marduks kept my uncle and me at bay preventing me from reaching Tima and I was unable to do anything to help. I blame myself for not being too strong to defend Tima against Rock or that fool Duke Red. But I can't shake the fact that Tima's gone and I'm faced with a difficult task of finding her parts and bringing her back. I often visit that damn tower or what left of it to find Tima's parts. Every time I go to that place I get angry and a part of me wants to destroy what left of it to rid myself of the pain that has turned me into an emotional wreck.

I have had nightmares that would keep me up all night. By morning I am a wreck and by noon I get so exhausted that I am of no help to the other robots. Most of my nightmares take place in the Ziggurat and how Tima reacted after being shot. How I saw the unemotional Tima still remains vividly etched in my mind to this day. I go back to how she came close to taking my life and wonder if I had perished how would she have taken my passing? I often ask myself would Tima take her own life if she realized what she has done. But above all else my hands shake when I think about how she died and what I could have done to prevent it. There are times that I've walk the streets of a recently departed Metropolis because I cannot sleep. I often go to Zone 1 to visit the people who were part of the movement and they often "ask why you at this hour?" I would not answer their question but they would soon know the truth from Atlas when he gets released from the hospital. Other nights I walk the streets going past buildings that were destroyed and bringing back parts that could be useful in Tima's recovery. Other than that I have taken Tima's death very hard and I do not talk to people about her death because of the pain that would follow.

But there is one person whose presence I miss about the same as I miss Tima's and it's my Uncle Shunsaku. Uncle Shunsaku has been there for me ever since I was little he has been my confidante and friend. The one person who I trust with anything I wish he was here to help me get through this. Fifi pulled me aside one day asking how I was feeling and how concerned he was for me. Fifi asked about how I was dealing with Tima's death and why I allowed myself to get to a point that I could not reach out for help. Fifi being a caring friend told me to write a letter to my uncle telling him of how my progress in Metropolis was going but also tell him about my current problem. Fifi along with others including some from the movement encouraged me to write the letter because it was for my own good. If I did not go through with it what help would I be to them and most of all what help would I be to Tima if I wanted her back?

That night while everybody was either looking for parts or resting for the night I wrote my Uncle a lengthy letter.

Dear Uncle Shunsaku,

It has been a month since you left Metropolis and it has been a long time since we have been together and I miss your presence deeply. During my time here I've managed to find parts of Tima near the Ziggurat. We are still trying to find the notebook that contains all of the data required to help build Tima it has been hard trying to find that book but I am confident that we will be successful. Several robots have volunteered to help find parts which I'm grateful. I just can't wait until Tima is rebuilt so she can live a real life in a society where she is accepted.

The city is still reeling from the tragedy a month ago; people are in the streets still in shock over what happened. Robots from the other zones have now surfaced to help in the relief effort but it has been tough sledding. Even though the city is gone, the government still exists in a sense. President Boon and his advisor were assassinated the day of the revolution and everybody is still stricken by the loss. The city has now turned to Mayor Lyon to help lead the citizens of Metropolis. The Mayor however is very heartbroken over the loss of the city. Even though Mayor Lyon survived the tragedy he has been mum the majority of the time while reaching out to the international community and organizations for relief. The mayor has been very saddened that he could not do much to stop Duke Red and many people do not blame him. The Mayor despite his emotional state quickly took action to restore some law and order when he had then former Superintendent Notarlin reinstated to head the Police Department. Immediately after that Notarlin heard what happened to Pero when he tried to subdue the revolution and has a result Pero is in the process of being rebuilt. However the news concerning Metropolis maybe good but lately some other news has not been so good.

You are probably wondering why I spent six to nine lines talking about the conditions of the city instead of me. While I was writing this letter I have been trying to figure out how tell you what is the problem. I remember what happened the night of the tragedy and when you left to escape. I was left alone with Tima, I managed to pull her from the throne but after I pulled her from the throne she still wasn't herself. Tima tried to take my life but when the Ziggurat exploded the mechanism that took her memories and feelings away deactivated and Tima changed back. Sadly, while she was hanging over the edge I tried pulling her up and when a piece that was in her back snapped loose. I grab Tima's hand and tried to pull her up but her grip wasn't strong enough and she plummets to her death.

The next morning before I met up with you I ran into some robots and they were searching the pile of rubble I saw one robot with a part that belonged to Tima, I asked the robot where this was found. At that moment an Albert II robot Tima and I named Fifi came and given me Tima's heart and begin to chant her name "Tima". All of the sudden all the other robots followed suit chanting "Tima" because they too had found parts that belonged to her. When I heard the other robots chanting her name I broke down and cried that is why I ask you was it okay for me stay I want Tima in my life Uncle. My problem is Uncle is that I am currently grieving Tima's loss and I am having a hard times dealing with the pain that when she died and taken a piece of me with her. I remember the times that I taught Tima how to write in which she wrote my name. I also help Tima read and introduce herself to me. I blame myself for several things that I could have done to prevent Tima's death. One of those is what happened in the Ziggurat when Rock shot Tima I think about it a lot Uncle when that mechanism took her away from me and erased everything that meant so much to us both. (While I was writing to this point I broke down and cried the tears staining the paper.) I blame myself because I was not strong enough to defend Tima and hopefully escape the tower. I have nightmares Uncle of that moment which in the Ziggurat and there are times that sit and think back to that week of the completion of the Ziggurat.

So many things occurred from our arrival in Metropolis, to investigating Laughton, Tima and I and the run-ins with the Marduks to us finally parting ways while I chose to stay in Metropolis you left for Tokyo. Even after a month I sit here and think of all those things and how I met Tima and what we done meant a lot to me. And from all those events and near death experiences we had together, a bond was formed. I hoped that bond would hold us together and get us through the danger that I lie ahead but I was wrong and we both know how that ended Uncle?

Tima is gone and everytime I have a nightmare or sit back and reflect on what happened, I have a breakdown. What made me finally contact you by letter was that Fifi was concerned and encouraged me to reach out for help. Fifi realized that he could only do but so much to help me through this but Fifi said that you Uncle can help me deal with my loss. Fifi told me that if I don't seek help that my emotional state would be no good in bringing Tima back. I look at the tower and it angers me each time I have to look for parts. Sometimes I want to destroy what's left of that wretched place because of what happened there and the pain that it has brought me.

So I write to you Uncle to help me, give me the strength and guidance that I need to so I can deal with my loss so I can be an important part in rebuilding Tima. I want to do more to help the city as well and I know deep down that you want to help out after what happened to Pero and the incident in the Ziggurat. So when you get this letter please can you comeback to Metropolis. But if you can't please write something to help me get through the pain so I can focus on the task at hand. I know that the grieving process take time but I do not want to delay Tima's rebuilding. I know that I'm asking too much from you but this is very important I did not reach out for help until it was too late. At this point any help that you and offer would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, I want to thank you Uncle Shunsaku for being there for me, taking me in and for raising me to be a responsible person. And finally thank you being the only person to listen to me and giving me advice which has been a great benefit to me. I look forward to seeing you or hearing from you soon now I must get back to helping the others thanks for everything Uncle.

Your nephew with love,

Kenichi

After I wrote the letter I left for the Hotel Coconut since they allowed me to send mail out through them. When I returned I looked at all the parts that were gathered in a room large enough to hold the parts as well the module the robots and I managed to drag back from Laughton's lab the same one that Tima was in when I found her. As I looked at the module I can remember the night of the fire when I first met Atlas and members of the movement. I sat down in front of the module and just stared at it as my memories of that night when I met Tima for the first time.

Like I said before, it was a life or death situation whether it was with running from the Marduks or hiding from them. It was all the same a Marduk started the fire and it was a Marduk that would be chasing after us. The only fun thing about the whole situation was the bike ride through Zone 1 and seeing those Marduks running after us like crazy despite the situation it was still funny. But now as I grow weary I realize that my memories of Tima will always be with me. That Tima for now may not be here in presence but she's will always be with me in spirit. After much thought I made a vow to Tima that I would never give up on her. "I vow to you Tima that I will bring you back and we will be reunited but for now all I can do is to continue living my life dreams of yesterday. Live my life of the good time we had until we meet again. And I when we meet again Tima, I will tell you my feelings of you, my true feelings." I left the room, and went to bed for the night dreaming of memories of happy times.

Author's Note: The Title of the Chapter is a verse from the song "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles. Go to the Metropolis website which is powered through Sony Pictures. The song according to the website is Kenichi's feelings towards Tima. Please read and review I will continue to type more chapters. Uncle Shunsaku will read Kenichi's letter in the next chapter. Thank you for your time and your patience. P. Wimbs