"Four months you have been a prisoner at the junkyard underground. That must have been quite a traumatic exsperience. Especially considering the state you were already in," Yukata commented. "How do you feel Dr Tenma?"

Tenma was back in the old apartment. He had opened up the windows for the day, allowing the fresh air and sunshine to enter, and was sitting quite comfortably on the couch with Yukata oppsite him in a chair. Between them there was his coffee table with freshly made tea and even cookies to celebrate the occasion. Astro was at school; it was just the two of them.

Tenma closed his eyes. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I am quite relieved to be out of there. I never even realized how much I missed the fresh air."

"It must be quite a relief that they won't be pressing any further charges against you," Yukata said. "I even hear the mayor is considering offering you a medal of honor."

Amused, Tenma shook his head. Yukata was silent, waiting for his response.

"I didn't do anything," Tenma finally said. "I don't know why he would ever give such a thing to me."

"Well, I suppose that's up to him," Yukata replied. "In any case, your parole is now over. You can go wherever you want. Do you have any plans?"

"I'm meeting Astro later."

"Oh?" Yukata asked. "Where will you be going?"

"Well, first we'll be going to the graveyard," Tenma said and Yukata blinked. "We are going to place some flowers on Tobio's grave. And Hoshie's. I suppose I've been a rather neglectful husband. She deserves flowers, at least."

"I see." Yukata blinked. "You haven't visited her grave for a long time, have you? What made you change your mind?"

"Well," Tenma hesitated. "I guess that… Well. I miss her."

Stunned, Yukata stared at him. The entire time she had been his psychiatrist, he had refused to ever talk about his late wife, and now he was so calm and quiet about it. He even looked rather sad.

"Then once we've visited the graveyard, I thought I would take Astro to the pond across town," Tenma continued. "It has been a long time since I was there last. Tobio loved to feed the ducks. I wonder if Astro would enjoy it too."

"I'm sure he will," Yukata smiled warmly. "Most children love to feed ducks. That does sound like a wonderful idea."

Tenma smiled lightly.

"I hear all the robots who lived in the village have been rounded up," Yukata continued. "And they will likely be tried for crimes against humans."

Tenma closed his eyes.

"That upsets you?"

Tenma swallowed. "What happened… It's not their fault," he said. "They were thrown away and just did what they had to do to survive. The easy solution would be to dismantle them, but I don't see how they deserve it. They only wanted to live."

Yukata looked at Tenma. "You do realize you're not entirely powerless, right?" she asked. "Everyone's eyes are on you. What you say will be taken into consideration."

Tenma sighed deeply as he looked down at his teacup. "I don't know," he said. "I'm not very good with cameras. And Professor Ochanomizu would probably be much better at saying these things than me. The man always had such a soft heart and such an idealistic worldview."

"Well, what you do is up to you now," Yukata said in a surprisingly gentle voice. "You are free now, to live your life in whatever way you choose."

"I'm still so unsure." he admitted. "What am I even supposed to do? I can't just sit here every single day."

"I'm glad you see it that way," Yukata said. "Take it slow, Dr Tenma. Find out what you wish to do in your own time."

Tenma frowned deeply. "It seems to me that the things I do have far bigger consequences than I could ever have imagined," he commented. "Whereever I go, it's like there's something I know originated from me."

"How does that make you feel?"

"Well… I…" Tenma swallowed then closed his eyes. "This is confidential, right? No one will ever hear this."

Yukata smirked, amused. "Yes indeed, no one but me. And I won't tell anyone at all."

"It's scary," Tenma admitted. "Everything I do will have consequences, either for better or worse. It's a very scary thought."

"It's okay to be scared," Yukata assured him. "Life is scary; it is very unpredictable and rarely will it go the way people think it will. Listen to me, just take it one day at the time. Go to the graveyard with Astro, then go to the pond and feed the ducks. Enjoy the moment, I'm sure you'll figure out what to do in your own time."

"Yes."

"And if you need anything, my phone is open to you," Yukata added. "I'm here to help you."

"Thank you," Tenma nodded.

As promised, Tenma and Astro met up not too far from the graveyard. Together, they picked out the flowers. Astro had fallen for some bright red tulips, and with much amusement Tenma noted that they were the same color as Astro's boots.

As they walked across the graveyard, Astro held Tenma's hand and when they finally reached the two graves lying beside each other, he arranged the flowers for them.

"Hello, Tobio, hello Mrs. Tenma," Astro greeted the stones. "I hope this isn't too weird for you, since we've never actually met. I really wish we had, though Tobio, I'm your little brother, isn't it cool? Listen, I understand you're not able to look after father anymore. But don't worry, I'll do it for you," he smiled. "Father sure has been through a lot, but, things are going to be fine. He says so himself." He bowed respectfully for them. "Thank you for seeing me. I'll come visit again soon." Then,standing up straight, he turned to Tenma, "I'm going for a walk. I'll be by the oak tree."

Tenma smiled after the robot who walked respectfully away before turning back to the gravestones. "Hello, Hoshie. Hello, Tobio," he said quietly. "It really is a shame neither of you can meet Astro. I'm sure you both would like him very much. I miss you a lot." He put a hand on the gravestone with Hoshie's name on it. "I feel so lost without you two," he admitted. "I don't know which direction to go from here. Hoshie, listen I erh." he hesitated. "When we were together, I didn't really get the concept of love. I still don't entirely to be honest, being tied to one person more than another. People are people right? Most of them are just annoying and dumb, yet... I guess what i'm trying to say is that I. I think I really did love you, when you were with me. I actually think I were happy, so. Here it is, you wanted me to say it in a way so I meant it. I... I love you Hoshie." he closed his eyes. "Without you, I would never have known Tobio or Astro, I wouldn't have known any of these feelings, my heart would never have developed to this exstent. Tobio, you tried me to tell about the robots. I didn't listen, and I continued denying. I'm sorry, Tobio. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I'll try to do my best to act upon what you taught me. I hope that, one day, I can do something that would have made you proud. You were right. Robots... they are alive, and if we let them, they will be our friends. You were right." He reached into his pocket and from it found a stuffed bunny, which he placed in front of Tobio's headstone. Then he stood, and patted the headstone. "Happy birthday, Tobio," he said, then turned away and wiped his tears with his hands.

He met Astro by the oak tree as promised. Astro didn't ask about the tears but took Tenma's hand and walked with him down the street towards the pond. "Next time we go to the pond, we should bring Uran too," he said. "She loves feeding ducks!"

"I bet she does," Tenma smiled. "Indeed, let's take her one of these day."

"Haha! YES!"

Astro and Tenma stayed out for most of the day, only heading home when the sun began to set. They didn't take a cab or car, instead just walking down the streets. That is, until they reached the apartment building and spotted a man standing in front of the entrance.

Tenma's eyes widened in recognition. It was the man from the zoo who had tried to hire him to build a robot replica of his own son. Immediately, Tenma turned away, trying to run for it.

"Dr Tenma!" the man called out to him. "Please, I don't mean any harm. I just want to apologise to you."

That made Tenma stop and, slowly, he turned his head. The man looked down, taking off his hat and holding it over his chest.

" I was very angry at you for a while," he said. "I was even considering kidnapping you myself before someone else beat me to the punch. However, finally my wife beat some sense into me and I realized you were right. William is gone, he can't ever be replaced, and I won't be disgracing his memory like that anymore. I will take care of my two daughters instead. I'm sorry, Dr. Tenma. I wasn't thinking clearly."

Tenma stared at him for a while, then sighed as he shook his head. "Grief does weird things to humans," he replied. "I assure you, there is nothing to forgive."

"If there is anything I can do," the man said, "to make it up to you... I must really have embarrassed you terribly that day."

"You've done enough," Tenma assured. "Go home to your family."

"Thank you, Dr. Tenma. It's been an honor to meet you." The man nodded and was finally on his way.

Astro stared after him. "I sure am glad that man is okay now.".

"Well, he's not entirely okay, but he probably will be."

"Oh, that reminds me, I was supposed to give this to you," Astro smiled. He opened his chest and found a pink postcard, which he then handed to Tenma.

Tenma blinked as he took it. "What's this?"

"It's from Emily!" Astro grinned.

Confused, Tenma looked down at Astro.

"That girl you saved from the crashing air-bike," Astro elaborated. "She was wondering if you had gotten any of her letters, then when I told her you had thrown out all letters you had ever gotten she got kind of upset, so she gave this to me to give to you directly. She just wanted to say thanks for saving her!"

"I see," Tenma smiled lightly, holding the letter. "Well, I'd better take my time to read it then." He put it securely in his pocket.

The days went by, mostly without incident. Astro sometimes spent his nights with Tenma in his apartment, and sometimes with Ochanomizu, Uran, and Reno at the institute. Tenma and Ochanomizu had both agreed that as long as Astro kept up with school and finished his homework on time, it was okay for him to be with either to his own liking.

Besides, as Ochanomizu had pointed out, it was impossible to actually tell Astro what to do or not do, which was why Ochanomizu had allowed Astro to stay with Tenma in the first place in spite of his own worry. It would have been a foolish to attempt to tell Astro no back then.

Now that Tenma was free to do as he wanted, he often took long walks around the city, and even went to music bars where he could listen to life music while enjoying a drink.

He took both Reno and Astro to an exhibition on the history of technology, which had excited both the teen and the robot. Uran had come with them to the duck pond as promised, and she had been very happy. Things were peaceful.

Then, one lovely summer day at around noon, Ochanomizu had given himself the time to enjoy himself a little bit as stood outside of the Ministry of Science, enjoying the air and the blue sky. However, he got quite the shock as a figure came walking towards him.

Ochanomizu gaped. He honestly hadn't thought he would ever see this man at this place again. "Tenma," he greeted, surprised.

"Hello, Ochanomizu," Tenma returned.

"Well. This is a surprise," he admitted. "Can I help you with something?"

"Actually," Tenma hesitated, "I have a favor to ask you. It's a pretty big favor, and I won't blame you for a second if you deny my request."

"What is it?" he asked, stunned.

"Well," Tenma produced a small box from his pocket. It looked almost like a jewellery box but it was clearly sturdier than that. He opened it up to reveal what looked like a memory chip. "I would also like to ask your discretion, regardless of your answer."

Ochanomizu looked from the memory chip to Tenma.

"Professor!" Astro called as he came running up the pathway to the Ministry. "Professor!"

"Astro!" Ochanomizu greeted him as he met him in the opening. "Is everything okay?"

"Of course it is," Astro said. "Is father here? I swear I saw his car parked in the parking lot!"

"Oh, yes. Tenma is indeed here," Ochanomizu nodded.

"Really?" Astro asked. "Where is he?"

"In robotics lab fifty-three," Ochanomizu informed him. "He asked if he could borrow it. Also he asked not to be disturbed."

"Oh," Astro blinked. "Wait, he's inside a robotics lab?! He's building a robot?!"

"I'm not sure, to be honest," Ochanomizu admitted. "He had this memory chip with him, and he said he had a responsibility to protect that life which he held in his hand. I… I did it again; the way he looked at me, I couldn't say no to him!"

"A memory chip?" Astro asked and his eyes widened. He turned towards the hallway that led to the robotic labs, wondering.

Astro didn't go in to check on his father, but dutifully waited for him for the rest of the day. Soon Uran and Reno joined him, both equally surprised to hear that Tenma was borrowing a lab.

They didn't hear anything from Tenma, though; not as the day passed by and the sun went down. Finally, late in the evening, the door to the lab opened up, and Tenma mopped his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief.

Immediately, Astro ran to him. "Father!"

"Ah, hello, Astro," Tenma smiled lightly. "I hope you haven't been waiting for me all day."

"Well, I've been curious," Astro said, trying to glance behind Tenma into the lab, but all he could see were the dim lights. "Are you finished with whatever you're doing?"

At that, Tenma laughed out loud. "Hardly," he said. "This is going to take more time than just one day. I'm sorry, Astro, I don't think we'll be able to spend as much time together for a little while."

"That's okay," Astro blinked. "Just… Do what ever you need to do."

From that day on, Tenma came to the Ministry every morning. He came early, went into the lab he had claimed, and didn't exit again before late evening.

The curiosity between Astro, Uran, and Reno grew and grew. None of them had any idea what he was doing.

Then, finally, one day Tenma approached Astro. "Astro, I'm going to be finished this afternoon. Would you come meet me at the lab? I would like you to see it."

Astro blinked at him. "Of course. Can Uran, Reno, and Ochanomizu come too?"

Tenma smirked, amused. "I doubt I would be able to keep them away."

And so it was that that afternoon, Astro, Uran, Reno, and Ochanomizu sat outside the lab. Everyone was looking at the door in sheer anticipation. What on earth could Tenma have been up to? The tension was so thick you could have cut it with a knife.

Then, finally, after what seemed like forever, the door opened and out stepped Tenma, holding something in his hands.

"Father!" Astro exclaimed, standing up.

The others joined him with wide eyes.

Tenma smiled lightly. "It's don,." he said, showing them the object in his hands.

Uran gasped deeply at the sight. "Uncle Tenma," she breathed. "It's beautiful!"

There, in Tenma's hands, was an elegant and sophisticated creature. It had long feathers made of shining blue metal, with elegant red markings on the feather tips. Its neck was long and elegant, the beak made of what looked like a golden metal. It was a beautiful robot bird, though right now it seemed like it was merely sleeping.

"Wow," Reno blinked. "The work on that must have been so delicate!"

Astro gaped. "Is that… Voltak?"

Tenma nodded. "He is still asleep though. Uran, perhaps you would like to be the one to wake him up?"

Uran gaped. "Can I?"

"Yes, here let me show you," Tenma nodded as he held the bird out towards Uran. "Do you see that feather on its neck that seems to stand a little taller than the rest? Under it is a button. Can I ask you to press it for me?"

Uran gasped and then grinned as she gently moved the feather aside to reveal the promised tiny button, which she pressed. She then stepped back, as did Astro and Reno. They all watched the robot bird with anticipation.

Then, finally, the birds eyes slowly opened to reveal what looked like two black gems shining brilliantly. Uran gaped as slowly the bird lifted itself.

"Where...?" a gentle, soft voice fitting the bird began. "Where am I?"

Uran grinned. "You're at the Ministry of Science!"

Confused, the bird looked at Uran then turned around and gasped at the sight of Tenma. "Creator!" it exclaimed. "You're huge!"

"No he's not," Astro chuckled. "You're just small."

That made the bird turn to Astro. "Small? But…. Creator. What have you done to me?"

"I made you a body," Tenma said. "This body was made for you and you alone. It is unique."

"I am… unique?" the bird echoed and Tenma nodded, walking to the table and putting the bird down. He reached into his bag, finding a mirror, and put it down in front of the bird.

The bird gasped. "Is that… me?"

"Do you like it?" Astro asked. "Father spend a really long time making it!"

"It… It's...It's wonderful!" he said in a broken voice. "I didn't even realize! This is what I desired!"

Tenma smiled warmly. "That's good," he said. "You're free now to live your own life and develop your heart. You can fly wherever you want."

"I can… fly?"

"Of course you can; you're a bird!" Uran cheered. "Though Voltak doesn't fit at all to that body. You need a new name!"

"A new… name?"

"What do you think, father? What should we call him?" Astro asked.

"I never was good with names," Tenma admitted, crossing his arms.

"Uh, I know!" Uran reached up a hand.

"Creator," the bird asked pathetically, "can't you give me a name?" His voice was pleading, nearly desperate.

"I will give you a name, just let me think," Tenma frowned. "Ah! Phenias! Derived from the magnificent bird the phoenix who rises from the ashes and brings new life. I will call you Phenias!"

"It's perfect!" Phenias exclaimed, gladly jumping up and down on the spot. "Thank you, creator!"

Astro smiled, leaning his elbows on the table. "So now you can go out and see the world."

"Not so fast," Tenma said and the all turned to him. "I need to check how his flight is. We don't want him to fall out of the air! Phenias, could I ask you to stay nearby for a while? Just a few days so that if anything happens I can fix you up."

"You… You'll do that?" Phenias asked.

"Of course, you're mine, after all. You're my responsibility," Tenma said. "I was also wondering if you would do me a favor."

"A favor?" Phenias repeated. "What kind of favor?".

"You see, robot hearts..." Tenma began. "They're not something robots just have the moment they are born; they are developed as the robot experiences things. As a robot starts to question what it sees and experiences, that is when a robot heart is created, but then it'll continue to develop and grow. I'm interested in finding out more," he said. "So when you have been out there, experiencing and absorbing, developing your heart further, could you come back once in a while and tell me about it?"

Phenias gaped. "You… You really mean that?" he asked. "Really?"

Tenma nodded. "Yes. And if you ever need a place to rest from your travels, my home is open to you."

Phenias looked at him. It was clear that if he had been a human he would have been a well of pure tears. "Creator," he said brokenly.

Tenma smiled, amused, and lifted Phenias into his arms. "Let's get outside and test those wings, shall we?"

They went out into the garden next to the Ministry. Phenias was standing on Tenma's arm.

"Okay listen, your flying functions are different than the droids'," Tenma began. "You can't just go in whatever direction, you must glide on the wind. Of course, you have some boosters that'll enable you to pick up speed if an emergency happens, but that will also drain your energy quite a bit. Your body is not very big, so the energy stored in you isn't much. However, if you learn how to use the wind and glide on it, you will be able to fly using practically no energy whatsoever."

Phenias nodded. "I understand," he said.

"Okay, now spread out your wings," Tenma said, raising up his arm with Phenias on it. Phenias did as he was instructed. "Get ready to set off." Phenias bent his legs. "NOW FLY!" Tenma shouted and Phenias set off, and indeed he did fly, up into the air.

"WHOAAAA!" Uran exclaimed. "Astro! Astro, look! He's flying!"

"He sure is!" Astro laughed happily.

"Wow, the airodynamics in that design are nearly perfect!" Reno gaped. "The balance in the air and without any jets."

"Stop being a nerd, Reno. Come on!" Uran chided, and all three children laughed as they ran after the bird, dancing in circles and playing together.

Amused, Tenma and Ochanomizu stood back, observing both the children and the beautiful bird that now shone with its blue metallic color as it made a somersault in the air, just to show off.

"You did a good thing, Tenma," Ochanomizu smiled warmly.

Tenma smirked. "This hardly makes up for all the bad things I've done."

"Still, a start is a start. And you have to start somewhere," Ochanomizu said. "How do you feel?"

"You know, I actually feel rather good," Tenma had to admit. "How odd."

"Well, you did something good for someone else. Nothing odd about feeling good about that," Ochanomizu smiled a little defeated.

"Ah, I see," Tenma nodded stroking his beard. "You think this is the right thing to do?" he asked. "The body I gave Phenias serves no purpose. It can't do any work that is important for humans. It only exists for Phenias' own enjoyment. That is all."

"I think that's what makes it wonderful."

"Huh."

"You don't understand at all what I'm getting at, do you?"

"No, I don't," Tenma replied but then he smiled. "But I'll take your word for it." He held out his arm and allowed the robot bird to land on it. "How was it? Did you experience any troubles with your flight?"

Phenias shook his head. "Not one bit, it was wonderful! I was gliding on the wind! Did you see me, creator?"

"I saw," Tenma assured. "You were a proud sight in the sky"

"Creator, is this a dream?"

"No," Tenma smiled.

"I changed my mind!" Uran then stated as she jumped up on Astro's back. "Your father is great!"

"Yeah," Astro nodded. "Yeah he is."

This chapter has been beta read by MugetsuFoxPipe