Today was the day and you were in a sour mood. To day was the day hamegg would make money but using his invention. His robot games. You loathed the games with a deep rooted passion and it only made you more angry that hamegg instigated it.  

You shoved supplies into your bag silently as hamegg spoke. 

"Come on dear you know it's how I support you." You huffed and placed the parts you'd need for your bakery in your bag. "They're only robots." Now that tore it.

"They aren't just scrap metal!" You yelled flipping on him. "There's more than that." Hamegg shook his head at you with a small smile. Like you were a toddler. Which only infuriated you further. "Some have emotions. It's not all just programming I've seen it." You pressed your point but hamegg wasn't listening. 

"Just come to one game. You'll love it." Hamegg insisted he wrapped and arm around your shoulder enthusiastically. 

"That's wrong- you're wrong." You retorted ducking under his arm. "I'm going to go get some money the right way." Hamegg watched you leave with a raised eyebrow. Then waited till you were out of earshot. 

Just then Astro walked around the corner talking to Zane about learning to read when hamegg pulled him aside. 

"Astro my boy, I need a little help." He said allowing his hand to rest in Astro's shoulder. Astro's gaze went to hamegg before he nodded slightly. 

"Uh s-sure hamegg. What's up?"  Hamegg nodded in your direction before speaking again.

"(Y/n) is a bit of an introvert ya know? She'd like to come but she's too timid to ask. I want cha ta make her feel welcome, alright?" He asked clapping astro on the back. Astro smiled at him. 

"Sure thing, hamegg." He said before running after you. You were a good distance away. Honestly you didn't even care if you ran into Todd again. Anything would be better than the games. 

"(Y/n)!" Someone shouted behind you. You glanced over your shoulder and saw astro running your way. Stopping you turned to face him. 

"If you're worried about Todd I should be fine." You stated as he caught up without so much as breaking a sweat. You found it odd as most people running that speed for that long would be panting by now. 

"No, actually I wanted you to come with to the games today." You stated at Astro in disbelief before groaning. 

"Not you too! Look I'll just head to the bakery and-" you paused when you saw Astro frown. He looked more confused but you could see the disappointment in his eyes.

"How come?" He questioned tilting his head. 

"W-well you see i-i-" Your mind came up with several reasons but your mouth just couldn't say them. Astro only seemed more confused by your lack of a legitimate reason. Embarrassment struck you and you found yourself looking anywhere but at him. Then you saw it. Hamegg. 

He stood off in the distance smiling evilly at you and you frowned. But astro' s voice spoke out catching your attention. 

"Ya know it'd be more fun if you came." He was smiling at you and everything just broke. Toby came to your mind. All the pain from your scars or the insults would just melt away when he gave you that smile. You sighed and returned his smile. 

"Ok, but just this once." You said sternly and Astro laughed lightly. 

"Ok, ok." 

You were off. Zog carried you all as he walked and you fidgeted slightly when you remembered just how easy it was to fall off. And this time Astro wouldn't be waiting on the ground to catch you. You bit your lip at that thought. Suddenly, this seemed like a very very bad idea. 

Astro must have noticed your discomfort because you felt his hand rest on your shoulder. You jolted in habit as everyone else knew better than to touch you. As it normally resulted in someone getting flipped over your shoulder. Your eyes locked with his and he looked at you comfortingly. 

"Don't look down ok? I won't let you fall." You smiled and relaxed. Astro was no liar. You'd be safe. 

As the walk went on you started to come to a more crowded area. Where you felt like you were in a parade. People cheered on either side of you and there being so many, the sound was almost deafening. That alone made you uncomfortable as you hated crowds ever since you were young.

You scooted closer to Astro without really thinking. And he gave you a reassuring smile. Suddenly hamegg spoke from his flying contraption. 

"Give him a hand folks. The kid in the red boots. He's the one who got this killing machine up and running." The crowd's applause tripled in volume and you tapped your hand on your leg nervously. Cora looked at astro with a smile. 

"You are the golden child. Hamegg really likes you."

"Well I like him too. What's he mean killing machine?" He asked and you pulled away from him with a frown. 

"You don't know?" You asked. 

"Don't know what?" Astro asked completely confused.

"Well the robots fight until one of them is destroyed." Cora said uncaringly. 

"What?!" Astro gasped. 

"Don't worry. Zog is gonna crush them all." Cora soothed with a laugh. 

"That's what happens in the robot games?!" Astro seemed panicked and you pulled your knees up to your chest. 

"Yeah it's barbaric." You growled. Cora scoffed and you turned and shot her a glare. 

"Oh lighten up they're just robots." She said simply with a shrug. Astro looked between you two and frowned. 

"Besides what did you expect rock paper scissors?" Cora asked sarcastically. 

"Maybe something like a tournament." Said as though it was obvious. Ya know to test the robot's skills. Not just some stupid Roman theatre. Ugh it makes me sick." Cora rolled her eyes as if to say you were overreacting. 

It annoyed you but you kept quiet. Especially when you noticed how uneasy Astro was beginning to look. When you entered the robot's rooms you walked quietly and stared at the ground. 

"I thought it was a show not a slaughter!" Astro stated in a panic seemingly trying to convince hamegg. You frowned at his attempts. You remembered when you had tried. 

"They're just  robots son." 

"I thought you liked robots!" Astro retorted seemingly becoming more terrified.

"I do! But at the end of the day they're just junk waiting to happen." Your head snapped up at that remark. Oh yeah hamegg had said tons of things but never junk. That tore it. You opened your mouth to protest and stepped forward. But hamegg continued.

"I know. Some of those more advanced ones from metro city are programmed to smile and laugh just like us." 

Cora looked shocked. "Really?" You felt your stomach twist for some reason. Something was different about hamegg. Something wasn't right. 

"Oh yeah, unfortunately they don't have real emotions. Which is why I have no problem doing this!" Hamegg shouted flipping around and electrocuting Astro with some type of device. 

Your eyes widened in horror and you jumped forward to help Astro but Zane saw your movement and caught your arms. 

"Wait!" He shouted. 

"Stop! You're hurting him!" You yelled and finally Astro fell to the ground and Zane let go. You scrambled over and fell on your knees. 

"It worked! I don't believe it!" Hamegg cheered.

"What are you doing?!" Cora demanded.

"I swiped this from Dr.Tenma when he fired me from the ministry of science." Hamegg explained and Cora waved her arms dumbfoundedly.

"Who cares?!? Why did you do that to Astro?!" She demanded. 

"He's our friend!" Sludge protested.

"I thought I raised you better. Are you blind? He's a robot." The information even stung you. It was shocking but more than that it hurt. He hadn't told you. You thought he trusted you. You thought you were friends. Cora and hamegg were talking but your temper was rising. 

You stood slowly and when hamegg went to grab Astro. You punched him hard. Hamegg stumbled back and Zane grabbed you again.

"What are you doing?!" He shouted. 

"She's just a little upset, here." He handed Zane a pair of laser cuffs. 

You froze for a second. And Zane's grip on you loosened slightly. 

"Are those really necessary?" He asked worriedly. You thrashed against him.

"Zane let go." You growled. 

"I don't want you to get hurt." He responded. And hamegg snapped the cuffs around your wrists behind your back. 

"This way she won't rip any of her injuries. Don't worry they'll come off when you calm down." Hamegg said with a grin as he patted your head. 

"You son of a-" you growled but hamegg put a hand over your mouth. 

"Language."