Astro boy the movie (the novel)

Chapter 19

Astro slowly opened his eyes. He was in some kind of flying car. He saw Cora leaning over him. Zane, Widget, and Sludge sat next to her.

"Astro, are you hurt?" she asked.

"Yeah," Astro said, groaning.

"Where?" Cora asked.

"Everywhere," Astro replied. "Hey, who's driving?"

The kids all looked at the front seat. Trashcan was at the steering wheel.

"Aaaaaaaah!" they yelled.

Peacekeeper Stone stomped after them. He knocked down buildings in his path as easily as if they were a child's blocks.

"Trashcan, faster!" Astro urged.

Zane slipped into the driver's seat and took the controls from Trashcan. Cora and Astro hugged each other as the Peacekeeper got closer and closer.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Transformers around the city exploded as the power went out. The whole city was silent for a moment. Then, suddenly, all of Metro City violently lurched sideways. The Peacekeeper screamed as he fell over, crashing into the ground.

Zane was confused. "Why are we going up?" he asked.

"No, the city's going down!" Cora yelled.

Astro realized what was happening. Without power, the technology that kept Metro City magically hovering over the Surface had failed. If he didn't do something, the city would be destroyed!

"I have to take care of this," Astro said. Every inch of him hurt, but he pushed the pain away. He powered his jets and zoomed from the car.

"Astro, no!" Cora yelled.

The kids were safe in their hover car. Zane steered them away. Astro flew down past the falling city. He gripped the edge of the city with all his might, trying to keep it from crashing to the surface. He focused every ounce of energy he had.

People fell out of windows. Cars skidded down the street. Astro pushed harder. He had to straighten things out before anyone fell off!

"Aaaaaaagh!" Astro groaned.

He felt himself weakening.

I can't hold on anymore! Astro thought.

Then, just when he was about to collapse, the city leveled out and landed on the Surface. He let go, sighing with relief.

Up above him, Peacekeeper Stone emerged from the smoking bubble.

Down below him, he heard a voice.

"Oy, ugly!"

The Peacekeeper looked around.

"Down here!"

The voice came from Sparx, who stood next to Robotsky and Mike. Sparx was shaking his fist.

"We, the Robot Revolutionary Front, demand immediately that you cease oppressing our comrade, Astro," Sparx said. "And we would like to remind you that while the laws of robotics state that we are unable to harm a human, there is nothing to say we can't do some serious damage to a monster. Right, comrades?"

There was no reply. Sparx turned around and saw Robotsky and Mike running away, terrified.

"This isn't how we voted!" Sparx called after them.

"Where are you, robot boy?" Peacekeeper Stone shouted. "I know you're still alive."

Astro flew up behind him, holding a giant metal girder.

Peacekeeper Stone continued, "You can't hide from-"

Slam! Astro hit the robot over the head with the girder.

"Aaaaaah!" Peacekeeper Stone cried. He shook his head, spitting out a metal tooth.

"Is that all you got?" he challenged.

Astro tossed the girder aside and cracked his knuckles. He was ready for action. With a roar, he zoomed toward Peacekeeper Stone, pummeling the giant robot's metal chest like a boxer hitting a speed bag.

Then the big robot's chest opened wide, and a mechanical claw grabbed Astro in an iron grip.

"Objective complete. Blue Core obtained," Peacekeeper Stone announced.

He started to pull Astro inside his body, where the Red Core glowed brightly. Astro's eyes flashed red in warning. Just as he was about to be absorbed by the Peacekeeper, there was a huge flash and an explosion.

Astro went flying backward, landing on the top floor of a skyscraper. Peacekeeper Stone fell to the ground in agony.

"Toby!"

Astro turned to see that his father had found him.

"Dad?" Astro ran to Dr. Tenma and fell into his arms with relief. But something was worrying him.

"I don't understand. Why didn't it absorb me?" he asked.

"Because it can't." Tenma replied. "If the Red and the Blue Core come together ... well, you both die."

Astro gazed out across the city. The Peacekeeper was back on his feet. Cora and the kids were zipping between the buildings, searching for Astro. Peacekeeper Stone spotted the vehicle and grabbed it in his hand.

Astro knew what he had to do. It was all very clear to him now.

"This is it. This is what I was created for," Astro said. "This is my destiny."

"Toby, NO," Dr. Tenma said sternly. He had lost his son twice already. He wasn't about to lose him again.

"I'm sorry, but that isn't my name anymore," Astro said. "Good-bye, Dad."

Astro's face darkened. His eyes glowed with determination. Then he launched himself right at the Peacekeeper.

"No!" Dr. Tenma yelled.

Cora and the kids gasped in amazement as Astro streaked toward the immense robot. Sensing danger, Peacekeeper Stone stepped backward and swatted at Astro.

Astro didn't hesitate. He flew straight for the Peacekeeper's chest.

Once the Red and Blue Cores met, they both would be destroyed.