Astro Boy: Core Collision

Episode 7: Family Time

Astro looked back up from his pillow and at his supposed older brother. He stared at him with confusion and anger in his eyes.

"Why? Why are you still here?"

Astro asked. Cobalt sighed feeling defeated.

"Because I wanna make it up to you. I know, I should have told her no more clearly, but she's so... so..."

He trailed off.

"Stubborn?" Astro asked him, finishing his statement for him.

"Yes! Thats the word! She's stubborn, but at the same time, she's so nice. She told me how she donates money to help homeless people in Metro City after the whole Peacekeeper thing."

Astro's eyes widened. He could not believe a word his brother was saying.

"So she only told you about how she helps people, but doesn't show you what she does?" Astro smirked at Cobalt.

Cobalt was at a loss for words. He sat still and thought to himself. Astro was right, Cobalt never saw Candace actually helping people. She only told him about all the good deeds she supposedly did.

"You know what? You're right. She never actually showed me what she does after school! I'm gonna ask her to show me tomorrow after school."

Cobalt said with confidence. Astro rolled his eyes and fell back into his pillow.

Marionette stood in the back yard with Atlas, getting ready to fight.

"Okay, in order to protect yourself, you need to know how to fight."

Atlas stated while putting up his fists.

Marionette nodded and positioned herself to fight back.

"I'm not gonna go easy on you, only because your enemy is not going to either, so you need to be prepared for anything that comes toward you."

As Atlas spoke, Livian snuck up behind Marionette and tried to put her in a chokehold, but Marionette flipped her over and pinned her to the ground.

"Nice job!" Atlas shouted while clapping for her. Marionette smiled and helped Livian off the ground.

Atlas charged at her with full force, but Marionette grabbed his fist just before it hit her face and punched him in his stomach.

"Good! Now look over there!" Atlas pointed at a bird flying by them. Marionette looked at the bird, but Atlas grabbed and locked her arms together and pinned her to the ground.

"You can't get distracted, okay? I could have punched you in the face easily, or worse." He said while looking into her eyes.

Marionette nodded and Atlas helped her off the ground as well.

"Cmon, let's take a break for a while and we'll get back to practicing." Atlas held out a hand to her. She took it happily and Marionette, Atlas and Livian went back into the castle.

The next day, Astro and Cobalt entered the school together. Cobalt froze once he saw Candace make a beeline toward him. He turned himself around to run away, but Candace jumped onto his back and clung to him tightly.

"Hi there, Cobalt! I missed you so much yesterday after school!"

"Uh, yeah, about that." Cobalt began.

Astro rolled his eyes and stormed to his first period class.

"Can I hang out with you guys after school? Just so I can see you donating to the homeless?" Cobalt asked shakily.

Candace fell silent for a second, but suddenly perked up. "Of course you can! It's gonna be soooo much fun!"

Cobalt dropped her, hearing a high pitched yelp from Candace. She brushed the back of her thighs with her hands and walked away smiling.