Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Show yourself.” He looked reluctantly at the direction original of the noises.

From the shadows, a figure emerged. A long red cloak, black robe, and the face was covered with a mask, half black and half white, with one eye in the center.

“Shadow.” His voice switched to a serious tone.

“Robots stand on the edge of revolution, yet you do nothing. Are you that confident Astro will stand by your side against the humans? The figure said.

“When the time comes, Astro will fulfill his destiny and lead the battle against mankind.” Tenma stated defiantly

“Are you sure?” Shadow inquired his creator. “Astro choses no sides. Tenma, you must prove to me that Astro will join us.”

“We’ll use all of the Ministry of Science resources to make a completely new kind of robot. One with a heart, one with a soul, a robot that is almost human.”

“Shadow, you weren’t there at the beginning. I was.
As the director of the Ministry of Science, I worked tirelessly to create a robot beyond anything the world had ever witnessed. This robot would be more powerful than any robot with mere artificial intelligence. My colleagues doubted me, some even thought I had gone mad. They were just afraid that I had created a robot superior to men.

The finishing touch was modeling the robot’s mind and appearance on a boy I once knew. His name was...

Tobio.

After resigning from my post at the Ministry of Science, I became obsessed with my creation. My masterpiece.”

Tenma lowered his voice tone, his gaze far away, almost submerged in his memories.

“Your masterpiece?” Shadow pronounced, snapping Tenma from his memories. “How could you forget what happened next?”

“Tenma.” Shadow rose up his voice. “Did you find a fatal flaw in your creation, one that led you to try and destroy it?”

“What do you mean, Shadow?” He rose up his left eyebrow, stoic.

“I am still not convinced Astro will lead us.”

“Shadow! You are my creation, how dare you doubt me!” The scientist quickly became vexed.

“Can you prove me that Astro is the one?”

“Shadow questions my judgment. He wants proof? Then I will give it to him.” A briefly mischievous chuckle was heard.

“I will gather all the proof he desires from my database. Once and for all, Shadow and the world will know the truth, Astro will lead the robots against the humans.

Remember, my replacement at the Ministry of Science discovered Astro in the wreckage. Doctor Ochanomizu rebooted him using the same technique that I had.

Ochanomizu foolishly believed Astro could be the bridge between humans and robots. No question, this is why Shadow doubts Astro’s intentions. The humans fear all robots, and Astro is no exception.

Ignorant humans. Although they do not accept him, he still protects them.

Shadow had mistaken Astro’s heroics for loyalty to the humans. Astro is a hero wherever he travels.

Astro doesn’t know yet, but he is a prisoner in the human world. Therefore, he is confronted with many of their problems.

Astro fought alongside the Blue Knight, the robot freedom-fighter.

“Astro, the Blue Knight knows what he’s doing. You’re going to learn a lot from him, he has the key to your future.”

Unfortunately, Astro and the Blue Knight not always seem to ally. 

Shadow, you may not trust Astro, but you must!

Astro has experienced things not thought possible by man or machine, this could only benefit Astro in our struggle.

He has even traveled to the Earth core. 

He also experienced the nature of friendship, it has empowered him and made him stronger.

These ties with both robots and humans have helped Astro in his evolution. 

And Astro’s bond with his sister is the strongest yet.

So dear Shadow, when the war comes, do you really believe Astro will abandon Uran and let her be destroyed?

Astro, am I right? You will lead the robots.

Ochanomizu may be confident Astro will always see things his way, but I have taken steps to transform Astro into the ruler of robots.”

Tenma’s grin grew wider as he recalled a conversation he had with Ochanomizu, back when Astro and Atlas had a confrontation.

“Tell me, Tenma. Why do you keep doing this things to Astro?” Ochanomizu hissed.

“I am testing Tobio, that’s all I am doing.” Tenma replied, nonchalantly.

“Testing him?” Ochanomizu grimaced.

“Exactly.” He smirked.

“Why?” Implied him. Tenma roled his eyes, what was there Ochanomizu didn’t understand?!

“Because robots are the future, Ochanomizu. I set up a duo between Tobio and Atlas to see if Tobio is the one to lead us all.” He smiled satisfied with his own response.

“No doubt about it, you are completely out of your mind!” Ochanomizu shouted.

“I didn’t expect someone like you to understand.”

“Shadow, have you reviewed the data that I’ve sent you?” Tenma turned to face him.

“I have. It seems you were right about Astro.” Shadow nodded. “All the pieces are in place for Astro to fight alongside us. He is the leader you have always hoped for.”

“I’m glad we have come to this understanding.” Tenma couldn’t hold a grin. “Now we wait for the humans to make the first move.”

“Until that time, I’ll assemble our robot armies ready for the first sign of war.”

“The time has come."

Shadow was a mysterious man. Or better, a mysterious robot.

Created by the insane doctor Tenma, and having all of his wisdom and brilliance about robotics passed to him by said doctor, for until now, unknown purpose, is what he could be labeled. 

A shadow.

That’s what he is. A shadow of Umataro Tenma.

To him, Tenma was still unreadable, as unpredictable as his own plans and tactics. Intrigued by the fact his creator is so blindly trusting in Astro, throwing away the still possibility of the boy refusing his “destiny”. He does have his memories, but not his thoughts. It wouldn’t be news that Tenma would force him to work towards the success of his plan, either way, him wanting or not. He believes in free-will, but that won’t stop him to get what he wants, even if it is by force.

It was alluring though. Tenma would spare no effort, perhaps controlling his mind, saving time from having to convince him in the old fashioned way, this one was easier and worked for their benefit. Having Astro to do what they wanted wasn’t a bad idea. It was a rather good one.

The situation, after being explained, wasn’t difficult to understand, after all. 

After burning down part of the Ministry of Science, Dr. Umataro Tenma disappeared as part of a self- imposed exile. He then decided to create a robot, a doppelganger of himself. 

Shadow.

Shortly thereafter, he transferred his own memories into Shadow to ensure the robot would possess all his knowledge and robotic skill. Tenma declares him to be a "robot that creates robots." 

Tenma was inspired to create Shadow after the realization that humans don't learn and develop as fast as Al robots. Therefore, if a robot was able to engineer and develop on their own, they could advance robotic technology faster than ever before.

“You know, I was thinking here,” Tenma started to talk, immediately gaining Shadow’s attention. “How things change so quick.”

“What do you mean?” The robot asked, interested on the subject.

“How things changed. To think I would be who I am now. Years ago I was just a naive young man studying robotics, and now I’m here planing a revolution.” He bitterly laughed.

“How far do you want to go with this?” 

“How far? I don’t know.” He looked away. “You have my memories, Shadow. It won’t be necessary to tell you about my past, but you know why.”

Tenma rose up from his chair in front of the monitors, ambled to the closest window.

“You know the reasons.” He said without taking his eyes off the view. “And now that I have the chance to get my Tobio back, I won’t hesitate.”

“And I don’t doubt your capacities, Tenma. I hope your plans don’t fail, for your own sake.”

The scientist turned to the robot, who just stood silent after the declaration, and said nothing.

“Well, I have plans after all.” Shadow turned to the opposite side to the man in front of him. “ I look forward to our next meeting.”

“Hey! Astro!” Kenichi snapped his fingers in front of the boy's face to get his attention. “Hey! What got you so distracted today?”

The robot boy straight away widened his eyes and then blinked, shaking his head.

“Huh? Oh sorry, I was just wondering about something. Don’t mind me.” Astro kept his eyes at low level

“Is it about Atlas, isn’t it?” Tamao came closer to him. “I’m sure that he’s okay, Astro. You know how he is, probably doing something somewhere, causing trouble. Or maybe he’s hiding. You also know he’s kind of a criminal.” He gently put his hands on the robot’s shoulder. “He’ll come around.” 

“Yeah Astro, don’t worry about him, he’s totally fine.” Kenichi smiled. Astro looked at them, and smiled back.

“Okay! So let’s get this thing flying! The skyriders are in action!” Shibugaki shouted, excited. “Come on, Astro, cheer up! We need your super strength to get this up!”

“Alright!” Astro's eyes brightened at the suggestion.

The boys started to treadle, and soon the flying bike was up in the sky.

Not so far distant, a robotic dog was watching, silently and hidden, barely noticeable at all, with shining eyes as precise as camera lens.

He waited, observing a certain robot boy, capturing every word he said, every movement he did. Nothing passed unnoticed to the meticulous camera eyes, that shined a crimson red everytime that it changed directions.

“I can’t wait for us to meet again, my Tobio.”

On a relatively small screen, one of the only sources of light in that dimly lit room could be seen a small boy, probably nine or ten years old, chuckling as he ran with another child, a girl maybe two or three years younger than him.

She poked his cheek provocatively, and then ran again, but got caught as the boy started to tickle her belly, and the little fight scaled quickly as silly words were said.

The boy tried to reach out to something on the girl’s hand, but couldn’t get a hold of it. 

“Ah! Uran stop this!” He started to seem impatient as if still trying to get something from his sister’s hand. 

“No, big brother! Spend more time with me, and I’ll think about it!” She seemed convinced.

“Urg! Uran stop!” He sighed. “It’s a GameBoy, practically a relic! You’re going to break it, give me this now!” 

“Why do you want this so much anyway? It’s old and boring! We have way other advanced ones, so let’s go play together!” The black-haired girl seemed impatient as she still hid the toy. 

“Doctor Ochanomizu gave me! It’s special to me! And I don’t want it to get ruined, so give it back!” 

After looking into his eyes for what seemed a whole minute, she pouted and returned his brother’s toy.

“Alright, but you promise you’ll play with me?” 

“Yes Uran, but just for a while, I have homework.”

They smiled at each other and started running and laughing again.

They seemed happy.

“I’m always looking after you, my Tobio.

“Always watching him...” Shadow appeared, it was almost a mystery why he did this things, appearing and then disappearing without leaving a trace. “Isn’t it a little creepy?”

“Not at all, dear Shadow.” Tenma turned his head to face the robot. “I’m just looking after my boy, you know.”

“Of course. But I did not come here to just chitchat. We have matters to deal with.” His voice was solemn.

“Yes, alright. My plans are now complete. It is time to put them in action.” Walking close to the other side of the room, the scientist grabbed a folder, opening it, he handed the blueprints to his robotic doppelgänger. 

After examining the papers handed to him, Shadow rose his head to Tenma. 

“Mind control?” 

Tenma kept his eyes on what was in Shadow’s hand, waiting for his reaction, then decided to explain.

“Not quite, but you can put it like that, It´s memory manipulation, but it can work in a similar way,”

Looking back at the messy letters obviously hastily written, not even a comma going unnoticed, he veered his head slightly to the side.

“So, and how is that exactly going to work?” It was really intriguing. “A man like you, with all your principles, does not appeal to ‘mind control’ seem a little, let's say, too much?” He remarked with his snide tone, just like he inherited from his creator 

“We will have the help of someone he least expects. I have Atlas under my control, remember that it was me who created him too. It’s going to work just fine.” 

“Do you think he will agree to this?” If his face could be seen underneath the mask, he would be rising one of his artificial eyebrows.

“He will... eventually.”  A mischievous smile was found on his face, as he turned to the monitors where the said boy could be seen, sitting beneath a tree with some books on his lap. 

“Big brother!” Uran came running to meet him.

“Uran! I already told you, I’m busy.” 

“But Astro, you promised you’d play with me more after doing your homework!” She pouted.

“But I’m not finished!” But she was still standing in front of him with a sad look. He sighed. “Okay, I’ll play, but let me finish first. You wait here, with me, but quiet, okay?” 

The girl smiled fondly. 

“Yes, big brother!”

After what seemed ten minutes, Uran, noticing her brother gathering up his books for what she thought it meant he had finished his homework, ran into the house and a couple of seconds later reappearing with some boxes and toys in hands. Putting them on the ground, she sat front of him, not so far, with the space necessary for the board games, already placing one of the boxes between them.

“Wanna play chinese checkers?” She said setting the pieces up in anticipation.

Astro bobbed his head slightly. “Of course!”

Atlas found himself waiting in front of the abandoned building Tenma took up as a lab.

Of course he thought it was weird being called out of the blue, for apparently something of highly importance that his presence was required. Curiosity oblivious in his eyes as he considered all the reasons possible behind Shadow’s message asking for his attendance in this mysterious meeting the robot genius only just mentioned, but not a single explanation. Not so weird though, Shadow was all about mysterious and seriousness, he was used to that for the few times he had been in Tenma’s lab for obvious reasons.

And the redhead couldn´t stop thinking that this somehow had something to do with Astro, of course he was involved, it was Tenma after all, the man was seriously crazy obsessed with the robot boy.

As he stood there for some minutes, his lacking patience almost making him regret coming all the way over there, he heard an amicable greeting from Tenma´s robotic dopplegänger.

“Just in time.” He said in his usual stoic tone. “Let’s not waste time, Tenma is waiting for us for the meeting to start.”

“Uh, okay.” Atlas followed. “Not a chance of you telling me what’s happening first?” He tried.

“Patience.” Not waiting for the teen, Shadow walked forward.

Once they got in their destination, Atlas observed all the place as if it would give him a clue of what was happening. Noticing the dimly ilumination of the room, he couldn´t think but Tenma had something for the dark, no wonder that man was crazy.

Perceiving the man on the window as they got closer, he finally spoke.

“I know you don´t abide spiel, so let´s get straight to the point.” 

“So...” Atlas begun. “You want me to lure little brother here so you can do God knows what to him?” It sounded more doubtful than a question. “No way” He scoffed. “If you two called me here for this you just lost your time, I´m not helping.”

“Listen,” Shadow implied before the other man could get angry at the response. “We just want to talk to him, if you don´t trust our words, you can be by his side. So, what do you say?”

Atlas clammed up. No, it was absurd, he wasn´t going to betray Astro like that, he was like a little brother to him, given how much they were alike. He clenched his fists as he felt a gaze over himself. ‘I don´t care if you are the one who created me, you´re a mad man’ He thought, rolling his eyes.

“So? What´s your answer?” The scientist was clearly impatient.

“I already told you, a big no!” Turning to leave as he finished the sentence, sparks of electricity came out of his body as he seems to be electrocuted. He met the floor with a loud thud, spasming as the sparks only got brighter, to suddenly stop as the green eyes got blank and then assuming the tone of crimson red. Getting out of the floor, he approached both figures, silent, as if unable to speak at all.

“Perfect.”

Tenma grinned ear to ear.

"You will comply. Whether you want to or not."

Finally. It seems his plan was getting somewhere.

“It is time to put everything in action. We are in control now.”

“I will get you back, Tobio. Don’t doubt that.”