I do not own Astro boy or any of the franchises referenced in this story.

A/N: Warning! This story will contain Astro X Zoran romance as in this story they are considered adopted siblings or stepsiblings. If you don't like this then I recommend you do not read.

Astro and Tobio

Chapter 1: Droids

Astro and Zoran walked through the streets of Metro City on their way back from a trip to the mall. Each carried a large paper bag that was full to the brim with food. The two of them smiled as they walked, both enjoying the calm, relaxing day as the sun's warmth beat down on them. But as they were about to discover, the calm and relaxing part of the day was almost at an end.

"You know Astro," began Zoran, breaking the silence between them, "I have super-strength, remember? I could have easily carried both these bags. There was no need for you to come as well," she said with a hopeful smile.

"Well, I thought I should come along to keep an eye on you given your tendency to get into trouble," Astro smirked at her, "it is not like I had anything better to do."

Zoran smile faded. She had been hoping he would say he had come because he wanted to spend more time with her. "Oh, Astro's being a meanie," she huffed and gave him a sad look.

Astro blushed when he looked at her adorable expression with her eyes twinkling. 'She was right, she is too cute,' he thought. "I'm just kidding," he laughed at her, "of course I came because I wanted to spend time with you."

Zoran's face immediately lit up. "Really?" she giggled.

"Yes, I thought we could…" but Astro was cut off as two red, spinning objects suddenly came around a corner and stopped right in front of them. The two robots uncurled themselves and pointed blasters at Astro and Zoran while blue energy fields surrounded each of them. "What are they?" gasped Astro.

"They are known as Droidekas," said a robotic voice behind them. The two turned to see about a dozen more robots approaching them, half blue the others light brown, all carrying blasters. "We are Battle droids," said one of the brown robots.

"And we are Super Battle droids," said one of the blue droids.

"I know that," replied Astro, "I have seen Star Wars. What I meant was, what are they doing here instead of being in a fictional movie?"

"Our creator was a Star Wars fan," said one of the Super Battle droids, "Unfortunately for you he is no fan of yours, as we have orders to destroy you." And with that they opened fire.

Astro fired up his rocket boots and took to the air while Zoran ran for cover. Each dropped the bag they were carrying causing the contents to spill out. Zoran came to a halt when she realised the droids were only aiming at Astro.

Astro quickly turned most of the droids into scrap metal with his hand blasters or simply smashed them using his strength. The only ones that didn't go down quickly were the two Droidekas as their shields protected them from the shots from his blasters. Astro flew around avoiding their lasers, trying to think up an alternative way to crash them. One of the droids suddenly turned towards Zoran and started firing at her. Zoran quickly began running and performing summersaults and cartwheels to avoid the shots. 'I knew those gymnastics classes would come in handy,' she thought to herself.

"Zoran!" Astro cried as he flew over to help her. He scooped her up in his arms bridal style and flew to the top of the building they had been walking alongside. The Droidekas continued their assault but Astro and Zoran stood so they were protected by the building and the droid lasers seemed to have no effect on the wall. "Well, those things are no real threat but I can't stop them as long as those shields are up."

"Oh, that is no problem," giggled Zoran, "If you had watched the other parts of Star Wars instead of just the movies you would know their weakness." She leaned over and whispered something in Astro's ear.

"Great idea," smiled Astro, "back in one moment." He flew down the side of the building, effortlessly avoiding the droids' shots, before flying around the side of the building. The two droids curled themselves up into their circular state in order to swifty follow him. Doing so, however, forced them to lower their shields allowing Astro to simple fly back around the building and blast them both into pieces. He then hovered in the air, smiling at his victory.

"Astro!" cried Zoran in delight as jumped from the roof and down into his arms. Astro caught her by rapping his arms around her waist while she put her arms around his neck and he spun them gently in the air. As they gazed into each other's eyes Astro suddenly had an overwhelming urge to kiss her. He had started to have these strange feelings for Zoran recently. At first, he thought he was going crazy but later realised that, as they were robots designed with a similar appearance, they were really just adopted siblings that looked alike. If he had known she was thinking the same thing, he would not have resisted kissing her.

As he set them both down on the pavement, he broke their embrace and began scanning the surrounding area. "Hmm. I don't think I got them all," he breathed as Zoran stood quietly smiling at him.

He was right. A lone Buzz droid clung to the side of a nearby building watching them. The droid's view was transmitted to a tablet held by a young boy who was currently sitting on a computer chair in a room some distance from where Astro and Zoran stood. "Very impressive Astro," the boy smiled to himself although his eyes seemed to be focused on Zoran, "those droids were hardly my best design but for you to defeat them so quickly is certainly nothing to be sneezed at." The boy was so small that his feet did not even reach the ground as he sat smuggle on his chair. "On the other hand, I did not intend for the robots to destroy you, Astro, and since I got all the data from your battle I was after, it would be a stretch to call that a victory for you."

"You have everything then?" asked a calm voice from behind him. As the boy listened to this question, Astro caught sight of the buzz droid and fired a laser beam at it. A moment later the tablet screen when blank.

A frown appeared on the boy's lips. "Yes, Professor Sebastian," said the boy, "I will download the data into the equipment and, as promised, you will have Astro by the end of the day."

"Brilliant because I am growing tired of your excuses as to why the preparations for our plan are taking so long," Sebastian smirked.

'Our plan? It is entirely your plan that I am being forced to go along with,' the short boy thought. 'I mean, it is not as if you are planning to kill me as soon as I've done everything you wanted. Oh wait, that is exactly what you are planning. You even gloat about the idea in those papers I found when I picked the lock of your filing cabinet.' He felt what he knew was a gun press against his neck.

"You remember what will happen if you fail me," said Sebastian calmly, while smirking, "You will pay the price."

'Oh, I'm going to fail you,' the boy thought while tapping his tablet to start the download process, 'but it won't be me that pays the price.' "Of course." Was all he said out loud.

"Good," smiled Sebastian and left the room.

The boy left his tablet on his desk as it continued processing. He picked up a cardboard box. "Let's put you somewhere safe," he said with a smile before walking out of the room.

A few hours later, Astro flew over Metro City. He scanned the roads and alleyways, trying to find any sign of more droids or where they had come from. He could find no clue as to their origin. They had appeared out of seemingly nowhere and were now gone without a trace.

Then suddenly he heard a voice crying out for help and calling his name. "Zoran! I thought I told her to stay home." He quickly flew towards the voice. It was quite a distance. He had only been able to hear the cry thanks to his special hearing. His concern shifted, however, when he flew over the ally the voice was coming from. There was no sign of Zoran or danger. All he could see was a small boy who appeared to be resting his forehead on one of the ally walls.

He landed a few metres away from the boy and set stern eyes on him but remained silent. Astro noticed the boy's hair was styled in the same way as his own, except not as neat of course. The boy slowly raised his right hand which held a tablet and clicked a button. Zoran's voice came from the device calling for help. "I guess the recordings on my tablet fooled you. The sound is crystal clear," said the boy, lifting his head away from the wall but he did not turn to face Astro just yet.

"Who the hell are you? Why do you think you have the right to deceive me like that?" Astro yelled. The kid turned to Astro, allowing him to see the boy's face. Astro blinked for a second before stumbling back in astonishment. "Tobio?!" he half yelled half gasped.

"That's my name, don't wear it out," Tobio smiled.

"But… but…" Astro stuttered, unable to think straight.

"I'm supposed to be dead?" Tobio finished for him.

"Well… yes," said Astro, his expression still one of disbelief. "You being dead was the reason I was created!"

"I will give you the explanation soon but right now it is imperative that I restrain you as it is essential to my plan," Tobio smiled. He bent down and scooped up a black metal ring which looked to be a perfect fit for Astro's neck. "This invention of mine has your fighting style imbedded in its computer memory." He threw the ring at Astro, which he avoided by simply leaning to the side.

"Did you think that stupid ring would stop me," Astro laughed in amusement.

"Did you not hear me say it was programmed with your fighting style?" Tobio smirked and pointed.

Astro turned to see the ring hovering in the air before it flew at him again. This time instead of dodging he caught the ring with ease. He turned back to Tobio, tightening his grip in an attempt to break the ring. Now both were smirking. "The data on my techniques isn't going to be much use if I…" Astro was cut off as he felt electricity shot through his body.

"I know. That is why I designed the ring to electrocute anyone that tries to damage it," said Tobio. He picked up a second ring and threw it. Astro dropped the first ring but was not able to recover fast enough. The second ring opened and then clamped itself around Astro's neck. He had thought the first shock was bad but now the ring was around his neck the energy went right through him threatening to overload his system.

With a sad expression on his face, Tobio silently watched Astro fall to the ground as he lost consciousness. He clicked a button on his tablet to deactivate the ring. He then walked over to Astro, flung him over his shoulder and started to carry him away.

Astro awoke to a soothing rush of power through his system. He opened his eyes to see Tobio kneeling in front of him. He attempted to scramble to his feet but his legs gave way immediately and he ended up flat on his face. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you Astro," said Tobio. He waved a cylinder-shaped device in front of Astro, "This thing barely gave you enough power to regain consciousness."

Astro looked around. He appeared to be in what looked like a laboratory. There was a droid standing on either side of him. His eyes then came to rest of the sixty-year-old man standing behind Tobio, a smug smirk on his face. "Welcome to my lab Astro," the man smiled.

"I know who you are," breathed Astro. "You're Professor Sebastian. You are wanted for crimes committed all over Japan."

"Yes, and that is the way it is going to stay as they will never find me. In your current state, even you are of zero threat to me. And soon you will understand just how brilliant I truly am."

To Be Continued…