Astro Boy: Core Collision

Episode 4. Back to School

Astro woke up the next morning and walked toward the living room where Cobalt was already dressed and ready for the day.

"Dad told me earlier he has news for us."

"Did he call you?" Astro asked confused.

"Yeah, he said we start school today."

Astro's eyes widened at the thought of him going back to school. Through Toby's memories he could recall school being not so bad, exept for one girl who would always use him to do her schoolwork. She knew he was the smartest kid in school and she used that to her advantage. He hated her, not just because she used him for his smarts, but anytime he refused to help her, she would cry, and everyone would harass him until he did what she wanted.

He shook his head, causing Cobalt to look worried. "What's wrong, little bro? Are you nervous to go back to school?"

"It's not that."

Cobalt sighed in relief. "Then what is it?"

"It's a girl I remembered. She's mean and horrible."

"Ooh! Do you have a crush on her?"

Cobalt smiled.

"Seriously? No. I hate her if anything."

"Well, if anything happens, I've got your back, okay?"

Cobalt wrapped his arms around Astro, pulling him into a hug. Astro embraced the hug until he broke out of it and rushed to the door. "If we're going to school, then that means we have to hurry now before we're late!"

Meanwhile, at the school, everyone was hanging out in front of the school talking to each other until they all noticed a familiar limo. They all gathered around as Astro slowly climbed out of it with Toby's old schoolbag in his hand. Cobalt followed right behind him, but accidentally fell out of the limo, causing everyone to laugh at him exept for Astro. Astro held Cobalt's hand to help him back onto his feet.

"Thanks." Cobalt said while brushing some dust off his sweater.

"No problem."

Astro replied while walking toward the school. As they walked, Cobalt suddenly noticed a girl with pink hair and a fluffy white fur coat hanging out with a small crowd of guys. They all suddenly noticed the two robot boys and their ringleader with pink hair made a beeline toward them.

"Hi! My name is Candace Valentine! And these are my buddies!" The girl made a hand gesture to show them the kids she was just with.

Cobalt stuttered nervously. "H-hello Candace. I-i-i'm new here, but I'm sure you guys know Astro."

Candace giggled innocently. "You're cute! Why don't you and Metro City's biggest hero come hang out with us at lunch?"

Cobalt looked down at Astro, and Astro shook his head and pleaded with his eyes. Cobalt nodded and turned his head back toward Candace. "We would love to, but just for today Astro and I have to get used to the school, like I said I'm new here."

"Oh!" Candace shouted looking shocked. "That's okay! I can show you all around the school if you want."

Cobalt tried to turn her down once again, but she already grabbed his arm and dragged him along with her guy friends into the school, leaving Astro on his own.

"Some responsible brother you are!"

Astro muttered to himself while kicking a nearby rock. He entered the school as well until he heard the voice once again. He adjusted his super hearing to listen even closer.

"I shouldn't be here! I'm just a waste of space!"

As he kept listening, he walked down the hallway toward his first class.

Another pop quiz completed as usual. Toby could always do those while he was sleeping, and so could Astro. After all, they both had the same memories. Astro sighed and passed his completed quiz to the teacher. As he got in front of the desk, the voice talked again.

"I shouldn't exist."

Astro's eyes widened. He looked down at the teacher. "I completed the pop quiz! I've gotta go! Someone is in danger!" The teacher was stunned as Astro ran with full speed by him, causing a gust of wind to toss a few papers onto the floor. He turned back toward the rest of the class who also looked stunned to see Astro run that fast.

Astro ran through the halls of the school to look for Cobalt, and he suddenly found him outside with Candace talking while she tightly held onto his arm like her life depended on him. Astro rushed over to them frantically.

"Cobalt! Someone is in danger! I'll be back soon! Can you protect the school while I'm gone?"

Cobalt looked at Astro confused, but nodded. "Sure! I've got this place covered for ya!"

"Thanks!" He replied before activating his rocket boots and headed toward where the voice came from. Candace and Cobalt both waved as he left.

The mysterious figure stood on the hanging catwalk above her stage, thinking about her life. She held her head in her hands as if it was about to explode.

"Why?" She questioned herself. "I don't wanna stay here! I need to take it out. Shut myself off." She giggled to herself with a crazed grin.

She paced back and forth. "Or maybe I could just jump. I'll shatter all over the floor!" She said as she slowly leaned over the railing with her eyes closed. She got dangerously low but stopped midway.

Astro searched through the scrap heap and flew over to where the voice was coming from until his head came into contact with an old rusty gate with a bunch of old signs scattered all over it.

"Danger!"

"Beware!"

"Unstable robots!"

The signs read, but Astro felt confident he was going to get to the bottom of what could be hiding behind that gate. He flew over it and landed in what looked like an old studio lot. He walked toward the biggest building and noticed the doors had chains on the handles. He used a laser from his index finger and opened the doors.