Astro and Tobio

Chapter 7: The Professor's Trap

Professor Sebastian walked down the road having just watched Astro fly away following his argument with Tobio. 'Excellent,' he thought, smirking to himself. 'Everything is setup perfectly for tomorrow.' He looked up at the clear night sky. 'I was planning on butchering the two of them then but this is so entertaining, why should I rush to their demise when I can draw it out as long as I wish?'

The next day, Sebastian stood just inside the entry to an alleyway, now in his hat and trench coat, watching Astro through binoculars. 'I did not expect Astro to be here but no matter,' he thought to himself. 'I won't have any problem capturing him as well.'

Astro was currently pacing back-and-forth on a roof, watching with envy as Tobio enjoyed his date with Zoran in the ice-cream café opposite the building Astro stood on. 'That should be me in there with Zoran,' he fumed to himself as he saw them laughing together. But when Tobio leaned across the table and fed a giggling Zoran a spoonful of ice-cream, Astro couldn't take it anymore.

Apart from to occasionally glance around to make sure he himself was not being observed, Sebastian never took his eyes off Astro. Then as if as proof that the universe was on his side, he saw Astro take-off and fly out of sight. 'Perfect,' he thought smugly.

Soon after, Tobio and Zoran left the café and walked down the road, unknowingly in the direction Sebastian was waiting for them. With a smirk on his lips, he slowly retreated into the alleyway.

Zoran laughed as Tobio told jokes. She was having a wonderful time, just as Tobio had promised but, and she knew this was unfair to Tobio, she couldn't help but wish it was Astro she was with. For Tobio on the other hand, the date was going exactly as he wanted. He was having so much fun he carelessly let his guard down. He let himself get distracted by the way Zoran's eyes sparkled when she laughed, resulting in him not noticing the two Magna Guard droids approaching behind them. It was only when one of the droids jabbed Zoran with its electrostaff, sending electricity through her and knocking her out, did he jump into action. He quickly pulled a deactivator from his pocket, only to have it knocked out of his hand by the second droid's staff.

He scowled as the droid crushed his device with its staff. "Looks like I'm going to have to teach you some manners," he yelled, pulling out his tablet. The droid swung at him but Tobio dodged with ease. The droid continued swinging, and Tobio continued effortlessly dodging, as the first droid picked up Zoran and flung her over its shoulder. "You stupid droids," Tobio shouted, as he slowly backed up. "You can't get me. I programmed you. I know all your fighting styles inside and out." As he darted back-and-forth to avoid the droid's strikes, he carelessly let himself get backed into an alleyway.

Sebastian, flanked by two more Magna Guards, watched Tobio avoid some stabs directed at his feet, causing him to move even further into the alley. 'Back-and-forth the little brat goes. If he should stop then it's off with his toes,' thought Sebastian as he moved forwards.

"I'll make you pay for what you just did to Zoran," yelled Tobio, starting to type on his tablet screen. But before he could tap three buttons a hand came from behind him and struck the device, knocking it from his clutches. Tobio watched in horror, as the Magna Guard shattered his tablet with its staff. Before he could react, he felt the person wrap an arm around his waist and pull him against his chest. "No fair!" Tobio screamed, flailing his arms and legs. "It's three on one!"

"Actually, it's five on one, but I assure you I would win even if it was one on one," chuckled a voice that made Tobio freeze in terror.

"It… It can't be. I s… saw you die," he stuttered out.

"I cannot die," smirked Professor Sebastian, pulling something from his pocket.

'I can't believe I am reduced to this on my first date with Zoran,' thought Tobio, as he opened his mouth to call for Astro's help. But just as his mouth opened Sebastian placed a cloth over his face and Tobio immediately felt his head start to spin. 'Chloroform! No fair!' he thought just before blacking out.

Sebastian smiled with satisfaction. He and his droids then proceeded to disappear into the sewers, taking Tobio and Zoran with them.

Tobio slowly lifted his head as he came around, his eyelids felt extremely heavy. It took a few moments for his thoughts to arrange themselves, but after he remembered what had happened, he sat up, his back pressing against a wall, and looked around taking in his surroundings. However, there wasn't much to take in. He was in a small room with a high ceiling with no windows and one door. The room was empty except for himself and… Sebastian. He glared at the man smiling at him. "Why aren't you dead?" he hissed through clenched teeth. "You died. I saw it."

"You saw what I wanted you to see," Sebastian chuckled. "That was actually a robot duplicate of myself you witnessed die."

"Curse you!" yelled Tobio. "If you have done anything to hurt Zoran, I swear I'll…"

"Don't swear," Sebastian interrupted calmly. "And you can relax about that. Zoran is my insurance for when Astro arrives so I cannot harm her just yet." He then knelt on one knee in front of Tobio and held a gun up to the boy's face. "You on the other hand…" he trailed off chuckling.

"You really think I will fall for that?" Tobio spat. "I'm sure you still plan to frame me for the virus attack, so you need me alive until then." Tobio knew his statement was a shot in the dark. As far as he was aware the Professor had already released the viruses, but he assumed he would already be dead if that was the case, and even if he was wrong, he had no intention of giving Sebastian the satisfaction of seeing him cower in fear.

Sebastian looked at Tobio, who met his gaze unflinching. He hadn't yet released the viruses, but he didn't need to make Tobio appear to be responsible. He could kill him now. He didn't even need his gun. Hidden under his lab overalls was a machete. He always had this on him unless his attire did not allow for it to be concealed. Decapitation was he favourite method of killing. At this moment he chose to spare the boy to prolong his own amusement.

"I like you Tobio. You're not afraid," Sebastian smiled, putting away his gun.

"Afraid of you? Not as long as I know Astro's got my back!" Tobio yelled.

"In that case you will be afraid very soon," chuckled Sebastian as he straightened up. "And soon after I shall be made emperor."

"Seriously? You're planning to give yourself the title of emperor?" muttered Tobio.

"It is the title I deserve," the Professor smiled. He walked over to the door and it slid open. "In a few days Japan will get a new emperor. The one true emperor," he laughed as the door closed behind him and he pressed a button to lock it.

"Long live the rightful emperor!" Tobio shouted after him, as he reached down the back of his shirt collar and pulled out a small piece of metal. He then took off his shoe and pulled another piece out from a hidden space under the sole and fit the two pieces together. He proceeded to take out many small pieces from different hidden pockets all over his clothing and a device slowly took form in his hands.

He was just about to connect the final part when he paused. Closing his eyes, he thought, 'I failed. I said I would keep Zoran safe and now we've both been captured. Astro wouldn't have allowed this to happen.' An image of Zoran laughing just before the droids attacked them flashed through his mind. 'She is so innocent and beautiful. Even if she can't love me after this, I hope she can forgive me. And I hope Astro will let me be his brother again.' He connected the final piece of the device and it started to emit a noise that only one person could hear.

Astro lay on his bed, going over images of Zoran and Tobio on their date. 'I'm the world's greatest robot but Tobio still beat me to asking Zoran out,' he thought glumly.

A sound then reached his ear and he sat up. He could not make out any audible words but he knew it was a cry for help.

He slid off his bed and ran to the window. "I've got your back Tobio," he said. He was just about to take off when he paused, an idea coming to mind. He turned and ran to Tobio's room to retrieve something. "Tobio would be mad if I forgot this," he smirked to himself as he headed to where the message for help was coming from.

Tobio sat with his back against the door to his cell, patiently waiting for Astro to arrive. He raised his hand and ran his fingers up and down his neck. "Man, I'm thirsty," he said aloud. He looked around the room. "I guess there's no way for me to order lemonade and a chicken baguette from in here," he chuckled.

His train of thought was abruptly interrupted as something suddenly smashed through the top of the wall across from him. He got to his feet, raising his hand to block the chunks of wall flying into him, a grin plastered on his face.

Astro landed, letting the object he was carrying fall to the floor. "Tobio/Astro!" they called each other's names with happiness and then the two boys hugged. After a few moments they both quickly drew apart.

"We can hug later. Now we need to help Zoran," said Astro.

"Right, but first there are a few things we need to take care of," replied Tobio, kneeling down next to the object Astro dropped. "It will make it easier to rescue Zoran and she should be alright for now. Sebastian said she was his insurance for when you get here."

"Sebastian!" Astro exclaimed in horror.

"I will explain later. Oh, and thanks for bringing my skateboard," Tobio grinned as he took out a bottle of water from inside the board and downed its contents in one go.

"I thought it might come in handy," Astro smiled as Tobio pulled out his spare tablet and began tapping the screen. The swish of the door opening caught Astro's attention. He walked over to the doorway and his eyes widened. Countless red super rocket troopers were marching down the hallway, pouring in from every possible entrance. There were too many for even him to handle. He ran back over to Tobio. "We have to get moving, we are about to have company."

Tobio stood up without looking up from his tablet. "Oh, and I didn't even make tea," he chuckled sarcastically.

Astro blinked. "I take it you have a plan then bro."

"I always have a plan bro. The question is if it will work."

"That is definitely the question with your plans. No argument here," Astro laughed.

"Oh haha," Tobio sniggered. He finished with his tablet, letting it fall to his side and he looked to the doorway. Just as the droids became visible to Tobio they slumped over and became still.

"How did you do that?" Astro asked. "I thought you said you didn't have the right shutdown codes."

"Yesterday I didn't," replied Tobio. "But before we finished the Crab droid, I took a piece of its robotic mind and downloaded the new codes from there."

"Wow. You really do think of everything," said Astro in amazement.

"Thank you. That means a lot coming from The Great Astro," Tobio smiled.

"Looks like I know Tobio better than Astro," Sebastian smirked, watching the two on a computer station. He looked around as the droids in the room with him all shutdown. "I knew Tobio would get the new codes." The screen next to the one he was watching showed the download of the viruses for bringing down the Japanese financial system was 90% complete.

"Follow me Astro," said Tobio as he hopped onto his board and it levitated into the air. "This can't wait."

"Then can we save Zoran?" asked Astro as he followed Tobio through the gap in the wall he had created earlier.

"Of course."

As Sebastian watched them leave the room, he began counting backwards and just as he reached zero a loud explosion could be heard. He then started counting backwards again, turning to the door at two, the screen now showing download was 97% complete. When he reached zero, Astro and Tobio flew in through the door.

To Be Continued…