Chapter 5: Confrontation.
You sighed, it had been three days since you and Astro had your fight. It was very awkward when you both worked on your project together. Every time Astro would look at you, he would look down. You knew that look, because he was looking at a killer. You sighed again, and stood up.
"Astro." You told. Astro hummed in acknowledgement. You clenched your knuckles. "Um, I need help on this one bit." Astro sighed, and looked over at your work, which wasn't much. You fidgeted as he read through what you had so far. He then frowned.
"You haven't even finished the introduction yet. It's like this is your first time writing an essay." You looked down in shame.
"Actually, it is my first time." You admitted. Astro gaped at you.
"Seriously!? What school did you go to!?" Astro questioned. You fidgeted some more.
"Um, none? I didn't exactly go to school till now." You told. Astro froze. He then sighed.
"Guess I have no choice. I'll help you on your assignment." You smiled.
"Thank you." You thanked. Astro blushed, and looked away. He then looked at the work.
"N-no problem." Astro stuttered. You looked at your work, and listened to Astro as he explained to you what to do. You nodded, and wrote down what he told you to. After a bit of writing was done, you smiled. You then heard Astro's phone ring, and saw him get up to answer it. "Hello?" You saw his expression change to a serious one, and saw him nod. "I see. Yeah, I'll be there right away! Got it!" Astro then hung up, and ran to the window of his house. "I gotta go! See ya!" Astro waved at you, and flew off. You were about to wave back, but held your hand, and sighed. You then saw Zoran walk in.
"Hey, Y/N." Zoran greeted. You smiled slightly.
"Hey, Zoran." Zoran looked towards the open window.
"Let me guess, Astro went off towards the ministry of science?" Zoran questioned. You shrugged.
"Probably." You then felt your phone buzz, and fear crossed your face. You slowly took out your phone, and saw that you had to go to head quarters. You clenched your phone in your hands, and stood up. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow." You waved goodbye, and ran past a confused Zoran. You didn't know why, but you were afraid. You ran towards head quarters, and changed into your work outfit. You then slowly walked to Bartus's office, and opened the door. Bartus turned towards you, and smiled.
"Ah, good. You're here. There's been a change in plans, you'll be attacking tonight." Bartus told. Your eyes widened.
"What? But why!?" You questioned. Bartus raised his eyebrow.
"Hmm, how odd. You never questioned my orders till now. What brought up the sudden change in attitude?" Bartus questioned. You froze, and looked away. Bartus sighed. "You will attack at midnight, understood?" You nodded.
"Understood."
You waited at Ainsworth's house, and felt your phone buzz, signalling the start of the mission. You slowly entered the room, your hood covering your face, and drew your sword. You then gasped when the lights suddenly turned on, and you were hit from behind. You flew towards the wall, and felt your back crack against the pressure. You then gripped your sword, and ran at your attacker. You and your attacker had a battle of strength, but you were pushed back with almost little effort. You growled, and looked at your attacker's face. You then gasped at who it was. Astro glared at you, and charged towards you. You jumped out of the way. 'Why? Why is Astro here!?' You thought. Your eyes then widened when he grabbed you.
"I've got you now!" Astro shouted. His eyes then widened. "What? Why do you feel... human?" Astro questioned. Your eyes widened when you realised that Astro didn't know who you were yet. Astro held you up by your collar. You trembled. You then kicked his arm, and ran towards the window. When you opened the window, a gust of wind blew your hood off, revealing your face. Astro gasped. "Y/N...? But, why?" You turned towards him, and looked down in sorrow.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want for us to meet like this." You then jumped out the window. Astro growled.
"I'm not letting you get away!" Astro shouted, and flew off after you. You ran across the building tops, and activated you boots. You then jumped from building to building. Astro frowned as you got further away, and increased his speed. Your eyes widened as he closed in on you. You gritted your teeth, and jumped towards a taller building. You then jumped to the top, and stopped. Astro landed behind you. "You have nowhere else to run. Give up." You sighed, and looked at the darkened sky.
"Why were you there?" You questioned. Astro frowned.
"I was told that a robot assassin was coming to kill Ainsworth Richardson, the world trader." Astro told. Your eyes widened, and you turned towards him.
"World trader...? But, I was told that he was a trader who smuggled weapons!" You told. Astro's eyes widened.
"What!? But, you're wrong! He hasn't done anything wrong!" Astro cried. Your eyes widened in realisation; Bartus had lied to you. You shook, and dropped to your knees, your sword clattering to the ground. Astro watched you. You looked into your hands as a horrified look washed over your face. You then gripped your head as you screamed.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" You cried. Astro reached out for you, but pulled his hand back. 'I almost killed an innocent person!' You thought, horrified. You then looked at your sword. 'But why? Why would Bartus lie to me!?' Tears then appeared in your eyes. "I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry! I'm sorry, I..." You kept muttering. You then looked up. "Please... help me." You begged. Astro's eyes widened as you cried into your hands. A look of determination then washed over him as he nodded. He then rushed to your side, and crouched down.
"Tell me, tell me everything." You nodded, and began telling Astro why you joined the organisation.
After you told him why you joined, he stared at you, horrified. He then looked down.
"So, what you're telling me is that your parents were killed eight years ago, and you and your brother were the only survivors. You were forced to become an assassin, but now you can't leave. You were lied to about your target, and now you can't run away." Astro summarised. All you could do was nod. You then looked up at him with a sorrowful look.
"I never asked to become an assassin!" You cried. You then looked down. "All these years, I've felt empty. I never cared what I did as long as my brother was safe, until I met you. You showed me the light, Astro. You showed me what it's like to laugh, to cry, to be angry, you showed me how to live!" Astro clenched his fists, and gritted his teeth. He then gripped you by the shoulders.
"Don't worry, Y/N. I'll help you. I'll save you from them!" Astro resolved. Your eyes widened, and you slowly nodded. Astro then stood up, and held out his hand. "Come on, we're going there right now." You looked at his hand, and slowly took it. Astro then pulled you up, and you both looked at each other. You then looked down.
"Astro, it's not as easy as you think it is. They'll silence me if I leave. I have no choice but to stay." You told. Astro shook his head.
"No, I'll make sure that nothing happens to you. I'll protect you." Astro told. You looked up, and nodded. You then looked to the distance.
"If we're really going through with this, then we'll need to surprise them. We'll take the secrete entrance to head quarters." You told. Astro nodded. He then picked you up, and flew off towards your house. You cried out as you were suddenly off the ground, and wrapped your arms around Astro's neck. You then watched the scenery go by as you both flew. After a short while, you both arrived at your house. Astro put you down, and followed you as you ran towards the secret entrance. You ran towards an old tunnel, and entered it. You and Astro then opened the secret door, and ran into the tunnels leading to head quarters. After leaving the tunnels, you both ran towards Bartus's office, and stopped. You shivered in fear as you both stood outside Bartus's office. Astro turned towards you.
"What's wrong?" Astro questioned. You looked at him in fear.
"I-I'm scared. I haven't felt this scared in years! Not ever since... they came." Astro frowned, and then held your hand.
"Don't worry. It's alright to feel afraid. I'll be by your side, and make sure that nothing happens to you." Astro told as he smiled. Your eyes widened. You then smiled as Astro squeezed your hand. You both looked at the door, and breathed in. You then opened the door. Bartus looked up, and frowned.
"Why are you back so soon?" Bartus then looked to Astro. "And why is HE here?" You gulped.
"I'm here to tell you that I quit. I quit being an assassin!" You yelled. Bartus looked unamused. He then burst out laughing.
"You!? Quit being an assassin!? HA! Don't make me laugh." Bartus then stood up. "You can NEVER quit being an assassin. You are forever bound to serve me, and kill people!" Astro growled, and took a step forward.
"No she isn't!" Astro shouted. Bartus rolled his eyes.
"What would you know? You're just a robot. A machine to serve human purposes." Bartus then pointed to you. "She's a killer. She became one ever since she killed her first target. She's a murderer, a sinner!" Astro shook his head.
"NO SHE ISN'T!" Astro shouted. Bartus sighed, he then began to snicker.
"Do you even know how many innocent people she's killed?" Bartus questioned. Astro and your eyes widened. You then took a step forward.
"What are you even talking about!? I've never killed anyone innocent!" You cried. Bartus smirked.
"That's what you think. Who do you think we get our requests from? Even though we are assassins, we except ANY requests. Including killing a lone family in the middle of nowhere." Your eyes widened.
"It was you... YOU KILLED MY FAMILY!" You cried. Bartus laughed.
"It took you so long to realise this. Eight years ago. You could have exacted your revenge then, but all you did was become our dog." Bartus told. You shook as rage engulfed you. You then drew your sword.
"You're right. I did become a dog for you, but I also became a dog of the goddesses, and as my last target, you need to DIE!" You shouted as you charged towards Bartus. Astro gasped, and reached out for you.
"Wait! Y/N! Don't do it! You're only doing what he wants!" Astro cried, but you wouldn't listen. You charged at Bartus, and swung your sword down on him. Bartus smiled, and blocked your blow with his own weapon. You gasped, and jumped back. Astro took your hand, and pulled you towards him. "You can't kill him! If you do, then you'll just be proving his point!" You looked at Astro, then sighed.
"This man, he killed my FAMILY! What do you suppose I do then!?" You questioned. Astro looked at Bartus, who watched with a smile. He then narrowed his eyes at him.
"We run. You don't have to be under his control." Astro then turned to you. "I'd hate to say it, but you're a very skilled assassin. You'd be able to defend yourself from anyone who might go after you, but I'll be there to protect you." Astro told. You gave him an unsure look. You then sighed, and nodded. Bartus stood up.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I can't let you leave. Let's have a game. If you both can get out, then you will be free. BUT," Bartus then pointed to Astro. "If he dies, and you're the only survivor, then you will be stuck here for the rest of your life." You glared at Bartus while Astro nodded.
"Fine by me, but I won't die." Astro told. You gave Astro a bewildered look.
"What!? But, you can't!" You cried. Astro turned towards you, and smiled.
"It's okay, I'm pretty sure that I can handle a couple of humans." Bartus smirked.
"Oh, did I forget to mention that you'll be facing robots?" Bartus questioned. You and Astro's eyes widened. You then saw Bartus press a button, and a herd of robots entered the room. Astro stood in front of you protectively.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you!" You rolled your eyes, and took out your sword.
"Did you forget that I can fight?" You questioned. Astro gave you a confused look as you ran towards one of the robots, and sliced its head clean off. You then turned towards Astro, and grinned. Astro stared at you with wide eyes. He then smiled, and raised his eyebrow.
"I swear, I've never met a girl like you." Astro told as he took down a couple of robots. You smiled, and took down another robot. Astro then grabbed your hand, and ran out the door. Bartus grinned.
"Looks like we're playing a game of cat and mouse. After them." Bartus ordered. "Oh, and kill the robot." The remaining robots nodded, and ran after you and Astro. Bartus then started to laugh. "Just you wait, Y/N. You will continue to play as my puppet, killing people."