In the United States, there is a city, half industrial, half restaurants called Livonia. This particular city wasnt spectacular at all, but here, in southeast Michigan lived a thirteen year old girl named Natarii Horubafu of Ohioan decent.
She wasnt really good at much; she couldnt even skate backwards on ice. Besides that, she was an artist, and was quite a good driver for her age.
Her hair was orange at the ends, but gradually turned to brown. Her eyes were a beautiful blue-green color that changed with different amounts of light.
On this particular day in the year 2005, she ran out of the front door, crying hard, and jumped into a maroon colored, shiny English motorcar from 1958. As the tears came down her face, she yanked hard on the starter, and shifted into reverse.
I wont let him ruin my day. She said quietly as she slowly let off the brakes and shifted into first. She let go of something she was holding, and gently lowered it onto the passengers seat.
Looking closely, you could tell it was a manga by Osamu Tezuka; Astro Boy.
As the automobile gained speed, her hair began to rise up slowly, like a flag before a storm. She wiped the tears from her eyes with a light brown sleeve.
Sometimes I wonder, She thought, Could things be better somewhere else? Is there someone somewhere who wouldnt mind helping me out?
In that very same city, on that very same Harrison Street, there was a certain woman of special interests. She was called Dr. Mockingbird, of course, shortened from the actual Doctor Nora Vivian Mockingbird. Dr. Mockingbird, a Canadian engineer of new technologies, decided to shoot signals from a strange radar contraption that looked somewhat like a bicycle (certainly covered) with numerous gauges and dials held onto the devise with small metal tie straps.
This bizarre equipment was the best system ever, tracking farther, and even higher and deeper than a bicycle looking thing should. Or any devise used for that particular function.
As Natarii drove down the street, Dr. Mockingbird was not ready for the quite possible, a system malfunction in this Scientific Wonder that she designed.
She flipped the switch, and
As soon as it happened, the machine blew to pieces, and strange fumes filled the air. When they vanished for good, Natariis car had left the neighborhood, or shall I say, her world as she knew it.
As soon as Natarii had regained feeling, she looked about her. She was, for certain, not where she belonged. Her automobile sped down the street What?! She gasped, as she noticed something quite different than her usual view of big cities. The buildings were enormous, and balloons soared high in the sky, delivering the news of the day. All of the automobiles around her, well Were made with the capabilities of flight.
The automobile she was driving turned slightly. But Natarii still had no concept about what was to happen next. She saw bright lights, and they temporarily deprived her of her vision. Her hands, sweaty with fright, slipped completely off the steering wheel.
What she couldnt see; a truck coming her way. It was too late. Kersmash!
She screamed aloud as she was hurled through the glass windshield of her car.
But there was then a both weird and bizarre series of events that occurred after that.
A man who happened to be quite hidden in the dark alleyways of the city ran from his vehicle and looked upon the scene. This happened to bring back some very disturbing memories from quite awhile back. He then had an idea he couldnt pass up.
He ran towards Natarii, crying. His long coat flapping in the wind. His face awfully familiar.
My daughter! Please dont tell me that thats my poor daughter! He began to sob madly, but at the same time, was quite satisfied at how he had got these people to believe that she was really his daughter. His plan might actually work.
Luckily most of the people did not know him, but there was one person who did, who simply thought, I didnt know that he had a daughter.
He never used to feel this way, but there was something good about the timing of Natariis arrival. The paramedics were there, but it was already too late for much. She was still breathing, but not well enough to be helped.
When most of the people left, realizing they were almost late for the train, it was just the man, the paramedics, and maybe three or four bystanders. Sir, Im so sorry but The paramedic stuttered as he looked in horror at what was behind him. A dog. It was a large robotic dog. He screamed as it pounced on top of him, but the other man took a run for it back to his hiding spot in the alley, but with Natarii in his arms. The paramedic, and the others of his profession, were out cold.
When Natarii had gotten some sense of consciousness, she found herself in the passengers seat of a fancy automobile, leaning against someones shoulder. He looked down at her and she became shocked. Actually, she was very shocked. Doctor T You are Dr.Tenma! She passed out for what would appear to be the last time.
It was dark on this side of the city. This, the industrial side, was where the two ended up. There werent many people around here, just maintenance robots doing work to ensure the humans to be happy and free of such labor.
This day would be a few after Natariis accident in the main part of Metro City. A child and a man were walking down the stairs of an abandoned building.
Father, someone said, Where does this so-and-so live? Who are you talking about?
Ask Can Astro come out to play? Not too hard, is it?
Can you take me there, father? I believe I will need to do that. He smiled, and then muttered, This works perfectly.
Having caught the childs attention, she said, Father, what plan?
He just walked in silence toward his automobile, and motioned for the child to follow. She skipped along, but tripped over a small pothole. Suddenly, she remembered something.
Daddy, whats wrong with this road? a nine year old girl said as they drove back home in the winter
The thought ended just as quickly as it happened, and the girl and her father were driving towards a more residential side of the city.
Father, is that all that I ask, if he wants to play with me? I dont even know who he is! She looked up at him and made a very funny looking face. And She asked, I dont recall you ever calling me by my name! What is it? Please tell me father!
He looked at her and continued driving, for he did not know her name.
They drove for awhile, passing many different buildings. The girl looked out of the window and looked around. The sky is very beautiful today, dont you think? He just kept driving until they finally reached their destination. Oh father, I have seen this house before! I remember its weird architectural style!
He began to look very angry, and yelled at the girl, You have never been away from home in your life! She backed away and opened the door of the automobile.
Sorry father, I guess I havent.
Goodbye. She said, and he drove away, kicking up some dust that hid the girl from the rows of houses. Well, at least until it disappeared.
She began to walk, her orange hair shining in the sun, her eyes the beautiful blue of a sunny day. She was wearing a blue jacket, and a matching skirt decorated with three large cobalt colored buttons.
What should I say ? Oh. Now I remember. She began thinking of who could answer the door as she walked slowly up the stairs connected to a patio.
As she reached the door, she hesitated to knock at first. Might as well get over my anxiousness. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
She heard voices inside the house BIG BROTHER! GET THE DOOR! Maybe you should get it For once.
Footsteps neared the door, and it was flung open. Hello! Wait Do I know you?
The girl stood still, as her blue eyes displayed a rather (along with her face) a confused expression. She thought hard. You dont know me, but I know who you are! Your name is Uran, isnt it?
You know me, YAAY! She began to dance in the doorway, then turned around and made a very bizarre face.
Big brother, I have a fan! Come and look!
Yet again Footsteps
Youre Astro, arent you? My father told me to ask you if you could come and play with me. Can you? Please?
Uran, she looks like the girl on the news from three days ago. He looked at her more closely, and then reached out for her hand. She just stared at him.
Whats wrong? He said as she touched her hand. Her eyes appeared to be on the verge of crying.
But I thought He said, as he felt her hand, That the girl in the accident She looked into his eyes. Was human.
She turned around, and ran as fast as she could, but she could hear him call her.
Come back! He said to her. I didnt mean to hurt your feelings!
Something came back to her as she ran, Natarii, lets see who gets to the swings first! Whoever Natarii was, she ran fast, her hair swept back, across the playground
Some people on the sidewalks looked as she fell to the ground, crying. Or something like that.
So thats my name Natarii. Why couldnt father tell me?!
She suddenly felt someones hands on her shoulders. Im sorry, He said, as she looked up at him.
She woke up somewhere else.
Doctor, is there something you could do to help her? She says her name is Natarii, but I dont think shes too sure of it.
Let me look. Astro, is she okay? How long has she been here?
I think for about eight hours now.
Dr. Ochanomizu went ahead with pulling some bed sheets off her face.
Natarii, its time to wake up now. She opened her eyes. She pretty much saw only the doctor, with white puffy hair and a big nose.
Uran, who was standing behind her brother, said, Astro, shes kinda cute, but still not more than me!
Natarii, or whoever she was, looked up at the three of them and began to softly cry to herself. She held the blankets tight in her hand.
You said your father sent you here, Dr. Ochanomizu told Natarii, Well Who is he?
Do you have some paper? she said, Ill draw him for you.
Uran ran to her room and came back with a notebook and a small box of crayons.
Does this help? She said as she sat them down next to Natarii.
Of course it does. Thank you very much. Natarii flipped open the book to a blank page. She began to draw with a black crayon, an outline of her Father. She then went in with details, dark brown hair, a long beard, his eyes, and even the clothes he was wearing the last time she saw him. She then, drew someone else. A girl. Holding his hand
Natarii, hes not your father! Thats Dr. Tenma? Dr. Ochanomizu held the drawing very close to look at, as if he couldnt believe what it had shown.
Uh huh He is my father, he even told me so But he didnt even know my name. She looked at Astro and raised her finger, as to point at him.
Yes, Astro, hes yours too
How did How do you know that?
Father told me I had a brother. He said his name was
Tobio They both said together.
And you look like him too.
Anyways, Dr. Ochanomizu said, changing the subject, There was a report about abduction at the sight of that accident the other day, but would he have Taken a child he didnt know?
Thats not true! Natarii shouted. She jumped from the bed where she was laying and looked around. The walls were blue, with a pattern of space rockets and stars sandwiched between two off-white stripes. She tripped and fell on the floor.
Are you okay? Someone held out a hand. Looking up, she saw it was Astro.
She stood up, and hugged him as tight as she could.
Can you help me Please?! I have no friends and I am sad. She looked at him, and he said back,
Of course I will.
Dr. Ochanomizu called her over. Natarii, Ill need to take a look at you Is that okay?
Yes Doctor. She said.
He grabbed her arm. Well, youre obviously a robot.
I am? Natarii said quietly.
NOTE!!! Livonia is an actual city, as is Harrison is an actual street!
Natarii is pronounced, "Na-Ta-Ree", NOT to be pronounced like Atari!
