A.I. Takuya

Chapter 11: Denying the Truth

By KellyQ

"That I am, son."

All four kids turned pale, but Takuya. He looked as though he was trying to figure things out.

His eyes shifted to the right. "Then that means ..." The android mumbled, his eyes shifting to the man before him. "You must be an android too!"

"He's the one who built you, Takuya!" Tomoki said.

Before the little boy could finish, some men made their move. One of the men yanked Tomoki out of Izumi's arms. She tried to grab Tomoki, but she failed. Junpei was knocked to the ground and then yanked to his feet. Takuya turned to see that Izumi, Tomoki, and Junpei were tied up.

Takuya stared back at his father. "What's the meaning of this? Let my friends go!"

"I will, as soon as we help you."

"Just run - don't worry about us - just run!" Izumi yelled.

"No - I'm not going to leave you guys - you're my friends and friends stick together!" Takuya shot back.

Kouji scanned the whole area and saw that his brother was nowhere in sight. Slight anger rose within him. If he were going to get out of this one, he would get answers from his brother.

"Friends, huh? Did your friend behind you teach you that?" Mr. Kanbara asked mockingly, eyeing Kouji critically.

Takuya growled. "You leave him alone, and what's it to you what Kouji and I do!"

"You're an android, Takuya. The Gemine is malfunctioning -" Mr. Kanbra started to explain.

"What do you know about the Gemine?" Kouji finally spoke up. He sidestepped Takuya and stood in front of him.

"A lot more than you know, and how did you hear about it?" Mr. Kanbara asked suspiciously at Kouji.

Shinya pulled out his gun and fired. Kouji turned and pushed Takuya down. The laser beam hit the side of Kouji's hair. The rubber band and bandana came loose. Kouji's hair tumbled down his back and shoulders. Izumi, Tomoki, Takuya, and Junpei cried out, fearing for their friend. Shinya took a step but stopped when Takuya rolled Kouji off him and stood up. He staggered a little, and his expression darkened with loath and hate.

"I told you to stay away from Kouji," Takuya stated darkly. "I don't want to hurt anyone -" he continued, slamming his fists into his shoulders in an X-fashion. "Switch on - now!" Changing into his robot, Takuya brought his right foot forward and his left foot back. He moved his right arm out slightly and his other arm inward. "But you leave me no choice."

Taking a bound forward, Takuya was ready to use his attack. Shinya stepped back and started to whistle. Takuya's optic sensors flashed, and he fell to the ground with a thud. Kouji scowled. He got to his feet to aid Takuya but stopped with 6-2-5 spoke.

"Kouji ... don't ... just run ..." Takuya wheezed out. He slowly got to his feet and staggered.

Kouji gowled and dashed forward. He lunged for Takuya, and they both crashed to the ground, rolling a few feet away. Kouji yanked Takuya to his feet, and they started to run.

Kouichi watched Kouji and Takuya escape from where he was on the roof. With a sigh, he pressed a button on his watch and jumped down to follow them.

Kouji dragged Takuya into an alley. They stayed there until they thought it was safe to talk or move.

"Damnit, Kouji!" Takuya swore. "You could've gotten hurt!"

"You don't get it do you!" Kouji shot back. "That man is the one who wants to take over the world, and you're the key!"

Takuya was brought back to reality when Kouji continued. The android flinched, feeling queasy in his chest again; words from his little brother haunted his mind: You're an Android. Similar to myself, except you possess a - gemine - or whatever he called it.

"Your Gemine gives you the ability to have human emotions and who knows what would happen if it is removed!"

Kouji looked sympathetically at the android. So, that's why the little android said all those things about me. But why do I have one when it's clear I'm here to destroy the world of love and life, Takuya thought, showing nothing but pain in his eyes.

"I know it's like a bad dream," he stated, putting his hands on Takuya's shoulders. "But we have to find the others and find out what's going on."

To be continued ...