T.A.S.H.A
By Phil
Pine trees.
Prickly, sticky pine trees.
A city, a subway.
The underground train.
People holding onto supports on the sub train. Others sat in seats.
One of the people sitting, was I.
My name is Caleb curd. I am an inventor. With me, which I brought was my invention, a robot with a mind of it's own. Yes, I know what your thinking: 'Robots have been made so many dozens of times that it's become so bland and dry!'
But you forget, that everyone may make the same thing, but they always put something of their genious into their work. And that's what I did with this robot.
“Mr.Curd, are we there yet?” My robot asked.
“Not yet Tasha,” Said I.
“You said that approxametly twenty minutes and fourty seconds ago,” Said Tasha.
“I'm re-posting the order,” Said I.
“Order re-posted, will wait longer,” Said Tasha.
Tasha was white, with a circular head, green eyes and a left and right light moving mouth. She also had hands and boots for feet. And on the very top of her round head was a antenna with a red ball. It was safe to say that she looked very cute. The sub train topped and the station name was announced.
“That's ours, let's go,” Said I.
Tasha's boots shot out rebvealing two strong and sturdy but thin legs which where rectangular. Tasha jumped to her feet like any eager child would ddo. I took her hand, at the corner of my eye I saw some red flicker on Tasha's screen sides.
“I saw that,” Said I.
“I feel honored to hold Mr.Curds hand,” Said Tasha.
“I'm sure you are, for I built you,” Said I.
I led her up the stairs. What we came out to, was a overlook of a huge metropolis.
“Here we are Tasha, Inventor Metropolis,” Said I.
Tasha was looking at the pople that passed by, for they too had inventions of their own.
“I feel strange,” said she.
“You probably feel shy, I wouldn't blame you, your used to small places,” Said I.
“Yes, I'm feeling very shy,” Said Tasha.
“Ah, Caleb, I see you made it!” Excalmed a teenager walking up to me.
“Ah yes, I did Frank, indeed I'm back,” Said I.
Frank grinned. He was about as tall as I was, with glasses and razy blue eyes behind them. He looked at Tasha.
“Hello Tasha, remember me?” He asked.
“You remember uncle Frank?” I asked encouragingly.
“Uncle Frank!” Said Tasha in a mix of voices.
She waved gently at him.
“Yup, she remembers,” Said I.
“Oh yeah, let me show you my invention,” Said Frank reaching into his pocket.
“It's against the rules to show off inventions before the tournament except for the showing,” Said I.
“Just when did I care about rules? And your one to talk Caleb, your lugging yours around in the open like a child,” Said Frank.
“You have a point,” Said I.
Frank pulled out a silver ball and placed it in his hand.
“Tunko, it's time to act!” He exclaimed.
The ball exploded into a wiry robot who did a tap dance in Franks hand.
Then it did some tricks. After it was finished it took a bow. Tasha clapped her hands slowly, since if she did it quickly they would make quite some noise since they were metallic.
“Bravo,” Said she.
“Thank yew,” Wirred Tunko.
“Hmm, not bad, not bad,” Said I.
“Yes, he'll definetly win a place in the inventing world,” Said Frank.
“I like his dance,” Said Tasha.
“Thank yew,” Wirred Tunko.
“Alright, back to ball with you, shows over,” Said Frank.
Tunko did a spin and was instantly a ball.
“Very cool,” Said I.
“Yeah, I plan to put him in a contest, you know, before the tornament begins, that way he'll have a dance partner,” Said Frank.
“You mean you'll make him one,” Said I.
“Yup, until then, see ya later,” Said Frank.
He put Tunko in his pocket and walked away.
“Uncle Frank!” Said Tasha waving.
Frank laughed waving back.
“Frank has a point, I have broken a few rules by brining you out in the open,” Said I.
Tasha looked up at me with her wide green eyes.
“No, I'm not going to shut you down, I just have to be more carefull,” Said I.
I then saw something on the ground. It was a letter adressed to me.
“How'd that get there?” I mused.
“Uncle Frank!” Said Tasha.
All the letter said was: 'Bolts and screws hotel'
“Look Mr.Curd, a hotel!” Said Tasha pointing to the exact hotel the letter worded.
“Thanks,” Said I.
“Welcome, welcome!” Said the hotel owner when we came in.
He came up to me with a reservation book.
“Name please,” Said he.
“Caleb curd,” Said I, a little unsure why he asked.
The owner looked through his book.
“I haven't checked in,” Said I.
“It is our custom to ask in case,” Said the owner.
He stopped at a page.
“Aha, you have a reservation,” Said he.
“Really?” I asked in surprise.
“It's your name, under the name Frank Tudston,” Said the owner.
He handed me a key.
“A friend of yours?” He asked.
“Yes, a fellow inventor,” Said I.
“Well you should thank him, he picked one of our best,” Said the owner.
Again I was surprised.
The room that I was led to was on the second floor and the very last door. The inside was like out of a luxory home. Red sofas and carpet and a bed made for a king.
“Your friend lives next door, he told me to tell you that,” Said the owner.
He walked away.
Besides Tasha I brought my computer, some spare parts, and Tasha's charger, even though she could last months without it and my inventors journal. I rang up the hotel owner.
“Hey, how much for charging robots?” I asked.
“Your friends paying,” Was the owners reply, then he hung up.
I plugged Tasha's charger into the wall and then plugged the other end, which was a USB, into her.
I flopped on the bed.
“So Frank is paying for everything?” I thought wearily.
I groaned.
“You over do it sometimes Frank,” I grumbled.
Then I heard a door closed and the sound of feet on the stair. Frank exploded into my room.
“Surprise!” He exclaimed.
I looked up at him, then back at the ceiling.
“Aw come on Caleb, don't you like it?” He asked.
“It's a bit much,” Said I.
“Nah, just a couple hundred, nothing I can't get back,” Said Frank.
“This is too generous Frank, why'd you do it?” I asked.
“Call it a return favor,” Said Frank.
I sat up.
“I didn't know you had this type of money,” Said I.
“I saved up,” Said Frank.
“That's good, but you shouldn't use it all on me,” Said I.
“I haven't, see what else I've got,” Said Frank pulling out two tickets.
I took one.
“No way,” Said I.
“Yes way, I got us the showing, we'll be seeing the inventions we're up against up close!” Said Frank excitedly.
I stared at the silvery ticket in my hand, the excitement of seeing other peoples work before the tornament was both an advantage and a disadvantage because they would know also.
“I can't thank you enough,” Said I.
“Hey, you helped me, and now I help you,” Said Frank.
He left the room.
Oh yes, I remember how I helped Frank. Some years back he invented an automatic popcorn machine that created and popped it's own popcorn. But something went wrong and we never knew what. Either someone messed with it or Frank was too excited about showing his work, either way, the machine exploded but I jumped in and saved Frank just in time. The inventing judges told Frank he couldn't invent any more, but Frank being the stubborn guy he was, shouted that he would instead of inventing big things, would invent small things. And thus Tunko was born. Ever since that day Frank has been striving to show that small things can make big hopes for the future and so far, he's been right.
“What do you think Tasha, think we'll win?” I asked.
“Of course!” Said Tasha cheerfully.
Her green oval eyes switched to thin green triangles which meant she was smiling.
The showing started a few weeks later. The place where the showing was being unveiled was at a giant mall. Every invention was in the center of the place with the inventor next to it and people swarming all over the place.
“Amazing, right?” Frank asked.
“Yes, there are so many,” said I.
But there was one that people were packed at to the point of squeezing together.
“There's only one reason for this,” Said I quietly.
I pushed through the crowd till I could see what the people stared at. It was a tall, black robot much like Tasha, only it had a rectangular head, red eyes and zigzags for a mouth. Along with all that was it's sturdy arms and strong legs. It's inventor stood next to it, he was taller than it was since it only reached up to a small bit beyond his elbow. He saw me standing there.
“Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Caleb curd,” Said he.
“Richard Stilksenson,” Said I quietly.
“I see your back from the dead, I knew I couldn't keep you away forever,” Said Richard.
“You never killed me,” Said I.
“No, but I definetly broke you,” Said Richard.
He nudged his invention.
“Hey Rogue, look who showed up,” Said Richard.
Rogue looked down at me, then put his fist into his palm.
“Caleb curd,” He wirred in a deep voice.
“I see you still remember each other, that's grand,” Said Richard.
“How can I not forget?” Said I.
Richard looked around.
“Where's your invention?” He asked with a sneer.
“It's not here,” Said I.
I was carefull to say 'it's' because I didn't want Richard knowing about Tasha.
“Aw come on Caleb, what did you make this time?” Richard asked.
“You'll see at the tornament,” Said I.
Richard chuckled.
“I don't care about tornaments anymore Caleb, you can have that, I've gone higher,” Said Richard.
“Really? I always thought you stayed at the bottom,” Said I.
Richard snarled.
“Listen here Caleb curd, I'm going to the Brawl championships where Rogue will become an all world champion!” Growled Richard.
“That's totally you Richard, tearing your own inventions to pieces,” Said Frank appearing.
“Frank Tudston, what are you doing here?” Richard growled.
“Being me, what else?” Said Frank.
“I thought you disappeared off the face of the inventing world, why'd you return?” Richard asked.
“Because I'm stubborn,” Said Frank.
Richard might have hated me, but he feared Frank. Not because Frank was a 'on the rise inventor,' but because Frank knew people in high places. That's why Richard had such a snarl on his face.
“Rogue, show Frank what I think of him,” Said Richard hotly.
Rogue stepped off the stage and up to Frank. The robots fist flew, but I jumped into it's path and was hit instead. I hit the ground with a bloody nose.
“That's good enough for me Rogue,” Laughed Richard.
I slowly stood clutching my nose.
“Caleb, I'll tell you this now, if you really want to rise come out with your invention to the Brawl championships and if you win, I'll gladly accept defeat,” Said Richard.
“I remember you saying something like that once already, I'm not falling for that again,” Said I.
I turned and walked away.
Frank caught up with me as I reached the exit.
“Remind me what went between you two,” Said he.
I remember the day Richard first appeared as a inventor, everyone thought he'd make things for the good of the world. But sometimes people don't become what we hoped they would and that's exactly what happened with Richard and his first model of Rogue. When Richard first came out wit his invention people marveled and questioned the use of it. I meanwhile had just come out with the second version of Tasha. To be honest I really respected Richard as a person, but something in his eyes scared me whenever he saw my invention, it was a look of jealousy. Rogue wasn't he name of Richard's robot back then either, it's original name was Mervin. Back then Mervin only reached up to Richards knee. There were contests and tornaments we went to and I usually either came in first or second while Richard came in second or third. In every picture taken Richard along with Mervin, would be staring with great jealousy at Tasha. It was not because of how small she was nor how she was built, it as how she acted that gave her the place she landed in. She'd always smile with those green triangles at the judges and they'd warm to her cheery nature. One night at a tornament, Tasha for the first time in her career won first place. It was a praise worthy acheivement since young inventors like me had never in history gotten a first place in a tornament. I promised Tasha I'd get her some parts and even a new voice box as a present, since back then she spoke small words and had a hard time making sentences. But then Richard struck. Straight after the tornament I was invited to a contest that I was assured I would win because of public opinion. That was also the night I met Frank. When I went back to get Tasha, I found a horrible sight. One of Tasha's eyes had been smashed In and one of her arms torn out, the rest of her was in pieces. I knew who had done it, and I knew I couldn't win the contest with Tasha the way she was. I found a note next to Tasha from Richard saying that he deserved higher for the work he did on Mervin and that I shall never invent Tasha again lest he'd kill me himself. I dropped out of the contest and disappeared from the inventing world. Richard later changed Mervin's name to Rogue and has been rising ever since. I rebuilt Tasha with what I had and worked my hardest to earn some fund for parts I didn't have. It was a struggle, but it was worth it. On the outside, Tasha was a sweet robot who would steal the hearts of judges and people alike. But buried deep in her core was a murderous hate for Rogue Stilkenson, a hate that was kept buried by the antenna plugged into the top of her head.
“We just don't get along,” I finally said.
“You never have, sorry about your nose,” Said Frank.
“I'll live,” Said I.
I cleaned myself up before going into my hotel room. Tasha's eyes opened when I came inside.
“Mr.Curd,” Said she, her eyes flickered into triangles then back to ovals.
“Evening Tasha,” Said I trying to sound like nothing happened.
I unplugged her from the charger.
I knelt and stared at her.
“How's my star?” I asked.
“Happy!” Said Tasha.
“Here, I bought you some cushion, I'll slip some on your fingers,” Said I.
I put cushion on Tasha's metallic fingers. She clapped with it. Now they sounded like felt mitts coming together. I touched the side of her head and rubbed it gently.
“I'm glad your happy,” Said I.
Tasha turned a little red.
“Is Mr.Curd, not happy?” Tasha asked worriedly.
“Not really, I've had a long day,” Said I.
“Tomorrow's another one,' Said Tasha.
“Yes, indeed it will be,” Said I.
I stared at Tasha, my mind started to wonder.
“If only you were a-” I began to think, then I quickly came back to reality.
“No, Tasha won't be more than just a robot,” I thought.
But besides taking vengeance on her destroyer, I felt that there was a hidden purpose for why I rebuild Tasha. A few weeks later the tornament began. I came to the showing early, so that I could Tasha in a safe place. Soon Frank came in a magicians outfit. He defenetly looked goofy. Then some other people came, then lastly Richard came.
“I thought you weren't interested in championships,” Said I.
“The Brawl Championships aren't open till next week,” Said Richard with a sneer.
“Wonderful,” Said I.
“Any anyway, I wanted to see your invention,” Said Richard.
I had put a white curtain over Tasha to hide her from Richard.
“Is this it?” He asked.
“Back off!” I snapped.
Richard took a step back in surprise.
“Just wait till the judges get here, I want to surprise you,” Said I more calmly.
“Be careful Caleb, that jumpyness of yours could be the last thing you ever do,” Said Richard.
He walked back next to his robot. The judges came.
Frank stood next to me.
“Let the fun begin,” He whispered to me.
The judges looked at all the inventions and then one came over to me.
“Invention sir?” He asked.
I leaned over and whispered something in the judges ear. He glanced at Richard then at me.
“You sure sir?” He asked.
“Please, for safety measures,” Said I.
The judge turned and pulled out a remote.
“What's that for?” Richard growled when the judge came up to him.
“Safety measures sir, just safety, only will take a moment,” Said the judge.
He pressed a botton and two circular ovals appeared on Rogue's arms.
I placed a hand on Tasha, and removed the veil. Richard's eyes went wide.
“Tasha, it's time,” I whispered into Tasha's ear.
Tasha's eyes opened and she looked up. The judge stared at her. Tasha's eyes switched to triangles and then she saluted him.
“Mister Judge sir,” Said she.
“What's your robots name sir?” The judge asked.
“Tasha, sir,” Said I.
The judge stared at me in surprise.
“Caleb curd?” He asked.
“Yes sir, that's me,” Said I.
Richard was snarling angrilly.
“You don't remember me, do you Caleb?” Asked the judge staring at me.
“No, I don't,” Said I.
“I was the one who gave you your first place in that tornament years ago,” Said the judge.
I stared in surprise.
“I'm surprised your here, I thought you'd be higher by now,” Said the judge.
“No, someone knocked me down,” Said I quietly.
“I see, well let me help you climb back up, the names Andrew,” Said the judge handing me a silver ribbon.
“Thanks Andrew,” Said I smiling.
Richard was twitching all over.
“Caleb!” He roared.
I glanced at him with a small triumphant smile.
“You.........you rebuilt her?!” Richard yelled.
“Indeed I did,” Said I.
“I......I told you not to!” Richard yelled.
“Just when did I ever listen to you?” I asked staring at him.
“You.........” Richard growled angrilly.
“Tasha, remember Andrew, he gave you your gold medal,” Said I to Tasha.
Tasha stared up at Andrew and blinked a few times.
“Mister Andrew!” Said Tasha, her eyes switching to triangles.
“Yes, she remembers you,” Said I.
“I'm glad, I'm happy you do Tasha,” Said Andrew.
The other judges came over.
“Well, well, aint this one cute,” Said one.
“Hello there,” Said Tasha waving.
“And it talks, that's amazing,” Said another.
“And it's very polite,” Said Andrew winking at me.
Richard was glenching his teeth in fury.
“You've lost this one Richard,” Said Frank walking by him.
The judges handed me a gold medal.
“Congradulations,” Said Andrew.
“Thank you for being here,” Said I.
“Yes, I knew it was you,” Said Andrew smiling.
I put the medal on Tasha's chest.
“Your a star Tasha, well done,” Said I.
“Star! Star in midnight sky!” Said Tasha happily.
The judges laughed.
I walked Tasha home feeling like a successful man.
I plugged Tasha in.
“You did very well Tasha, I'm proud of you,” Said I.
Tasha turned red.
“Caleb curd is proud of me,” Tasha whispered.
I patted her head.
Frank walked in.
“Great job out there,” Said he.
“Thanks Frank, you did swell also,” Said I.
“That's two gold medals Caleb, you'll make history,” Said Frank smiling.
“I'll let you in on history also,” Said I.
“Nah, I prefer being small,” Said Frank sitting back.
“Uncle Frank!” Tasha said waving.
“Hello little star,” Said Frank smiling.
“So what you get?” I asked.
“A sliver, you hogged up all the judges though,” Said Frank grinning.
“Yeah, Richard wasn't too happy,” Said I.
“Nope, he looked like his world just melted into oblivion,” Said Frank.
“Yeah, but he'll be back, that's the horrid part about Richard, he always has an alternative plan,” Said I.
“Yes, but I'm ready this time,” Said Frank.
I glanced at him.
“I'm not going to let Richard tear your future down all because of bitter jealousy Caleb, I've called some people that are going to watch him keenly,” Said Frank.
“How keenly?” I asked.
“Very.” Said Frank.
“Frank, Tunko!” Said Tasha.
“Oh, you want to see him go again?” Frank asked.
Tasha nodded.
Frank pulled out Tunko.
“And may I present Tuntella,” Said Frank pulling out a second ball.
They both spun into their forms and danced together.
Tasha clapped happily.
“Your a natural impressor Frank,” Said I.
“Not as much as you are,” Said Frank smiling.
He picked up his two robots and vanished out the door.
I plopped into bed with a sigh.
“What a day,” I thought.
“Richard's on watch, I'm climbing again, Tasha is a star, this is great!”
I glanced at Tasha who glanced at me.
“I'll get you some more presents tomorrow,” Said I.
“Yay!” Said Tasha.
That night someone slipped into the hotel. The owner saw him, and when he tried to stop him he was thrust back by a strange invisable wall. It came from a remote that the stranger was holding. He walked upstairs slowly. Peering around he opened the door to my room. Tasha's eyes opened. The stranger pointed his remote at her and she instantly shut off. He picked her up and carried her out. As quickly and quietly as he came, he left.
I awoke to see Tasha gone.
“Tasha?!” I shouted looking around.
Frank came in.
“Frank, where's Tasha?” I asked.
“No idea,” Said Frank.
Downstairs we found the hotel owner dead.
“Oh great,” Said Frank.
“It was Richard, it had to be,” Said I.
“How did he get in?” Frank asked examining the doors.
“Furthermore how'd he kidnap Tasha without her making a sound?” I asked.
“He must have had a power drainer or worse,” Said Frank.
“Worse?” I asked.
“He could have had a constagrapher,” Said Frank.
“A what?” I asked.
“It briefly shuts off robots for a few seconds, very usefull when controlling unstable machines,” Said Frank.
“And he used one on Tasha,” said I.
“Yes, but my question is, how'd he get past the owner,” Said Frank.
“Well, seeing that he's dead I suppose he killed him,” Said I.
“Well, the owner would have made a noise, so that means Richard had an advanced version of the constagrapher,” Said Frank.
“So now what?” I asked.
“We find him,” Said Frank.
“He told me he was going to the Brawl championships,” Said I.
“That's at the arena at the far end of the city,” Said Frank with a snarl.
“What?” I asked.
“It'll take us two days to get there, the Brawl championships start tomorrow,” Said Frank glancing at me.
I kicked a can.
“Can we get there any faster?” I asked.
“Subway,” Said Frank.
Meanwhile Richard put Tasha in a holding cuff. Her eyes opened again.
“Goodmorning,” Said Richard.
Tasha just stared.
“Ah, you don't remember me do you?” Richard asked.
Tasha still stared.
“I'm Richard, the winner of all,” Said Richard.
Tasha blinked a few times, then her eyes narrowed.
“Richard,” She said in a dark voice.
“Ah, you do remember me, good,” Said Richard smiling.
He nudged Rogue.
“Remember him?” He asked.
Tasha glanced at Rogue.
“Rogue,” she said darkly.
“Good, you remember,” Said Richard with a grin.
“Cheaters, both of you,” Said Tasha.
Richard hit Tasha with a wrench.
“Quiet, you cheat also!” Richard spat.
Tasha blinked a few times.
“You cheat, because your afraid,” Said Tasha.
Richard hit her again.
“Be quiet, be glad I'm only hitting you lightly, because I really want to smash you to pieces, but I'll let the ring do that for me,” Said Richard grinning.
“Caleb will come,” Said Tasha.
“Let him, I want him to see you die,” Said Richard.
He pointed a remote at Tasha.
“Till then, night night,” Said he pressing a button.
Meanwhile I sat on the sub-train with Frank sitting next to me.
Tunko was in Franks hand pacing.
“He does all the small thinking in big situations,” Said Frank with a smile.
“Remote stolen from judges,” Wirred Tunko.
“Indeed, Richard had that opportunity,” Said Frank.
“But what judge?” I asked.
“Probably a very highly respected one, mainly one that will watch the Brawl championships,” Wirred Tunko.
“Tunko's amazing when it comes to thinking,” Said I.
“I programed him to, that's his other talent,” Said Frank smiling.
Meanwhile back at the arena.
“Wake up bucket of bolts,” Said Richard to Tasha.
Tasha's eyes slowly opened.
“It's show time,” Said Richard grabbing Tasha's arm.
He picked her up and led her to the ring.
There were people everywhere.
“Heh, no one knows nor cares about you here, it doesn't matter if your a star in the inventing world, what matters is how long you survive,” Said Richard.
Tasha's eyes were wide in fear.
“That's right, be afraid, be very, very afraid,” Said Richard chuckling.
He placed her in the ring.
“The rules are simple Tasha, hit him and don't let him hit you back,” Said Richard with a sneer.
Tasha slowly turned, the robot she was facing was built out of an old dishwasher, with wheels and a microwave for a head.
The bell rand and the robot shot forward. Richard exploded into laughter as the robot hit Tasha in the head.
“Oh this is fun,” He chuckled.
Then Tasha hit back, sending the robot back into it's corner. Since it was on wheels it had a hard time stopping when it came to moving, so it had to use one arm to slow down and the other to hit. It shot forward again but Tasha hit it back. Tasha removed her cushion gloves and dropped them. Her metallic fingers tightened into a fist. She didn't like fighting, but she had no choice. The robot shot at her and grabbed the antenna on her head and pulled.
Tasha's eyes, went red.
Meanwhile Frank and I ran onto a bus headed for the Brawl Championships.
“Man, I gotta work out more,” Gasped Frank.
“No, we just ran a lot,” Said I.
“What are the odds she's alive?” Frank asked.
“Very high, she knows how to fight,” Said I.
“Caleb,” Said Frank seriously.
“What?” I asked.
“If Richard pulls that antenna on her, what happens?” Frank asked.
“Then.......it's over,” Said I.
“What do you mean by 'over'?” Frank asked.
“I mean, she becomes what I made her to be,” Said I.
“Which is?” Frank asked.
“The destroyer of Rogue,” Said I.
Tasha lashed out and slammed the robot in the face and pounded it to the dirt and kept pounding it till there was nothing left. Then she looked around for Richard. Another robot was put in the ring and Tasha dispatched that one also. It was like she was a totally different robot from her sweet self. Richard was laughing quietly.
“So this is what you made Caleb, a monster,” Said Richard.
He held the antenna in his hands.
“You made her so that you could have your vengance on me, well too bad, even in this state, she won't last against Rogue,” Said Richard.
He smashed the antenna and crushed it with his shoe.
“You won't be able to save her, nor yourself this time,” Said he.
Frank and I arrived at the door to the arena.
“How do we get in?” I asked.
“Simple Caleb, tickets,” Said Frank pulling out two green tickets.
“How much you betting?” A guard asked taking the tickets.
“Plenty, more than your paid,” Said Frank grinning.
“Get lost,” Said the guard opening the door.
We arrived inside and I saw Tasha in the ring. Her eyes were blood red.
“Oh no,” I whispered.
“So that's what Tasha is under the antenna,” Said Frank quietly.
Tasha smashed another robot and spun around and smashed another. Over in the corner was Richard laughing. Under his shoe was her smashed antenna.
“He knew,” Said I.
“Looks like it,” Said Frank quietly.
Tasha smashed another robot and yet another, and yet another.
“To everyone, this looks like a kill or get killed, to us, this is Richard getting his revenge,” Said I.
“How about Tasha Caleb? What's going through her head right now?” Frank asked.
“Only one thing, kill Rogue,” Said I.
I ran down.
“Richard!” I yelled.
Richard turned.
“Ah Caleb, Frank, welcome,” Said Richard.
“You monster, what you do to my robot?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing, it's all you,” Said Richard.
“How many more are you going to throw at her?” I asked.
“Until she collapses, that's how many,” Said Richard.
Tasha slammed another into the wall.
“Quite brutal, that rage she has,” Said Richard smiling.
He turned to me.
“I'll use her against the champion here,” Said he.
“No you won't,” Said I.
Richard pulled out a remote.
“This is a constagrapher, well, that's what they call them, I call it the virus, this thing is the best when it comes to shutting down robots, but it also gives an electric shock that can kill a human,” Said Richard.
I stared at him.
“Try anything funny Caleb, and I'll shut her off and kill you,” Said Richard.
“I see, you have the newest version,” Said Frank.
“And that goes for you too Frank, do anything and your dead, you hear me?” Richard said.
“I hear you loud and dangerous,” Said Frank.
Richard pointed the remote at Frank.
“And keep your mouth to yourself,” said he.
“Since when did I ever listen to you?” Frank asked.
“I'm warning you nicely Frank, don't tempt me,” Said Richard.
Tasha tore a robots head off and it fell to the floor.
Richard hit the bell and Tasha walked back to the corner.
Her red eyes scared me. The rage chip I placed in her core was doing it's work, turning her into what I designed her to be.
“Now, I'll bring out the champion,” Said Richard.
He walked over to a lever and pulled it.
A gate opened and a giant robot walked out onto the ring.
It was giant as in towering, it was giant as in strong and bulky.
It looked like a hulk compared to Tasha.
“May I present, Harok!” Richard roared.
The audience cheered.
Harok gave a mocking bow to Tasha.
Tasha just stared defiantly at the champion.
“If she survives this, I'll let her fight Rogue,” Said Richard grinning.
“You can leave now if you wish, little robot,” Said Harok.
“I will destroy you,” Said Tasha in a metallic voice.
“You won't last a second with me!” Laughed Harok.
“You will die,” Said Tasha.
The bell rang and the fight began. I walked up to the side of the ring and watched in horror.
The champ attacked first, sending Tasha out of the ring and into a wall.
People groaned.
I winced.
Tasha flew out of the wall into the champ and knocked him onto the rings ropes. He pushed back and hit her again. There was a loud cracking noise as her hit her. She fought back and hit him in the eye. She was so small compared to him, but she was holding barely. Her visor was cracked and the rest of her was dented and cracking. The champ only lost an eye and that's about it so far. Tasha hit the champ in the chest and kept hitting him. The champ laughed quietly and sent her flying back again.
“Your impressive, but you don't have any grip on the ground,” Said the champ.
“I...will...destroy you,” Groaned Tasha.
“No more,” I thought.
“I can't take anymore,”
“Tasha!” I yelled.
Tasha turned, her red eyes focused on me.
“Mr.Curd,” She gasped.
“Get out of there, you don't need to fight anymore!” I shouted.
Her red eyes flickered to green, but only for a second.
“I'm sorry Mr.Curd, I can't seem to stop,” Said she quietly.
“No,” I gasped.
Richard laughed.
“This is spectacular,” Said he.
Tasha launched herself at the champ and started hitting him as hard as she possibly could. Her blood red eyes were flickering and her visor cracked even more.
She screamed and smashed the champ into the ground.
“How....why?” The champ groaned.
“I told you I'd destroy you,” Said Tasha.
Richard clapped his hands.
“Bravo, bravo!” Said he.
A crane picked up the champ, then lowered Rogue.
“Now, the moment we've all been waiting for, Tasha verses Rogue!” Richard shouted.
As soon as Tasha saw Rogue, her eyes went huge.
“Roooooggggguuuueeee,” She growled.
“Tasha, bucket of bolts,” Said Rogue.
Tasha's body buckled and all of the sudden she became bigger.
Her arms became thicker and her legs stronger.
“What the?” Frank said horrified.
“This is what she really is,” Said I.
Tasha was a little taller than Rogue now, she in fact looked terrifying now.
Richard chuckled.
“This is beautiful,” Said he.
He rang the bell and the robots started fighting.
Tasha's visor broke, but under that were two red screens, full of hate for the one who destroyed them.
The two robots took turns hitting each other, neither one going down or giving up. Tasha roared and slammed Rogue in the head knocking him into the ring wires.
“Die, Die!” She screamed pounding him.
A seperator pulled them apart and the bell rang again.
“There are no rules when it comes to this, only that they must be seperated when landing on the wires,” Said Richard.
Rogue fought back, hitting Tasha in the head and knocking her to the ground.
“Tasha!” I yelled jumping up.
“Sit down!” Richard shouted punching me in the face.
I fell down, but got back up.
Tasha got up and hit Rogue back. It was a constant tug of war between the two robots. Just as it always had been, for years and years. Tasha hit Rogue and broke one of his eyes and one of his fingers. But Rogue broke one of her eyes and part of her head.
“This is perfect,” Said Richard.
It was justice, really, I had been so consumed with getting revenge on Richard that I never considered the monster I had created till now. Tasha was destroying herself because of me. I hated it now, I hated the fact that I hated Richard, I just wanted to take Tasha, and go home. I didn't care about the inventing buisiness.
I got up and pulled Richard off his chair.
“I'm saving my robot, whether you like it or not!” I shouted.
“You can't save her, she's done for,” Said Richard.
“Then I'll save what's left of her!” I yelled.
“There won't be anything left of her after Rogue releases himself,” Said Richard.
“I don't want to hate you anymore Richard, I just want to go home,” Said I.
Richard stared at me.
“You actually want to just leave?” He asked.
“Yes,” Said I.
“You won't come back?” Richard asked.
“No,” Said I.
“You sure, knowing you, you will,” Said Richard.
“Seeing what I've seen Richard, I hate the fact that I hate you,” Said I.
Rogue slammed Tasha in the chest.
“But seriously Caleb, it took you this long to realize that you were wrong?” Richard asked.
“We're both wrong,” Said I.
“No Caleb, just you,” Said Richard.
I jumped into the ring. Rogue was about to deliver a final blow, but I stopped him in his tracks with my hand.
“Leave, Tasha alone,” I growled.
I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Richard was behind me.
“I don't think so,” Said he.
He punched me out of the ring.
I got up.
“Finish her Rogue, then we're done,” Said Richard walking off the ring.
Rogue stared down at Tasha.
I ran. I didn't want to lose Tasha again. Tasha opened her eyes very slowly, she saw Rogue towering over her.
“Rogue,” She said in a sweet voice.
Rogue raised a robotic eyebrow.
Tasha grabbed his robotic hand.
“I'm sorry,” She whispered.
Rogue raised both eyebrows.
“I'm sorry Mervin,” Tasha whispered.
Rogue's eyes went wide.
“I'm sorry I hated you,” Said Tasha, then her eyes closed.
“What are you waiting for Rogue, finish her!” Richard shouted.
“No,” Said Rogue turning away.
“You useless piece of machinery!” Richard roared.
He pulled out the remote. Rogue spun around and hit it out of Richards hand.
“We both cheated, this is the price we pay,” Said Rogue.
I ran up and picked up Tasha.
I pried out the red chip inside her core.
I threw it out the window.
“Come on Caleb, it's over,” Said Frank quietly.
“No it's not, it won't be, not as long as she's in tact!” Richard yelled.
“It is over Richard, I don't plan coming back out,” Said I.
“You will, I know you too well,” Said Richard.
“No, you don't,” Said I.
I picked up Tasha and walked away slowly.
Then I felt an electrical shock go through me.
I fell to the ground and spun around. Before me was Richard with another constagrapher.
“For emergencies,” Said he.
He shot his robot with it also and Rogue shut off.
“I can't let you go alive Caleb, it doesn't sit well with me,” Said Richard.
Then a gun fired.
Richard stood there for a moment, then fell down.
Frank stood behind him, with a pistol in hand.
“That, is why you lose,” Said Frank.
I rushed Tasha back home and plugged her into her charger, hoping to revive her somehow.
There was a faint beeping noise and Tasha's eyes slowly opened.
“Tasha,” I whispered.
“Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“Hey, you stopped calling me Mr.Curd,” Said I smiling.
“I don't feel anything,” Said Tasha.
“You don't have to, I pulled out your curciut,” Said I.
“Thank you Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“For what?” I asked.
“For making me again,” Said Tasha, her eyes flipped to triangles, then back to ovals.
“I'm not going to let you die, I'll rebuild you, but I won't return,” Said I.
“No, this is all I can take Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“No, your strong, you'll make it,” Said I.
Tasha turned red.
“I feel strange,” Said she.
“What your feeling is called love Tasha, that's a rare thing for a robot to feel,” Said Frank smiling.
“I'm sorry Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“It's alright, you did very well up there,” Said I.
“Am I still a star?” Tasha asked, her eyes slowly closing.
“Yes, you always will be my little star,” Said I.
Tears were falling from my eyes.
“Caleb, if the feeling I'm having right now is love, then...I love you,” Said Tasha.
“I do too,” Said I.
Then she was gone.
“I could say, that; that was the most human thing, coming out of Tasha.” Said Frank.
“I think that's what I ultametly wanted, Tasha to be human,” Said I.
“And that's just what you got, at the last minute,” Said Frank.
With Tasha gone, I left the inventing world. Frank rose up with his invention and soon became one of the judges of the inventing world. He made sure that the Brawler Championships were shut down because of the danger of them. Andrew stayed with Frank as a judge and others came to show their inventions.
I never rose up again, but maybe it was a good thing I didn't.
I will never forget Tasha, and the lesson she taught me in how to forgive those that never deserved it.
The end.
By Phil
Pine trees.
Prickly, sticky pine trees.
A city, a subway.
The underground train.
People holding onto supports on the sub train. Others sat in seats.
One of the people sitting, was I.
My name is Caleb curd. I am an inventor. With me, which I brought was my invention, a robot with a mind of it's own. Yes, I know what your thinking: 'Robots have been made so many dozens of times that it's become so bland and dry!'
But you forget, that everyone may make the same thing, but they always put something of their genious into their work. And that's what I did with this robot.
“Mr.Curd, are we there yet?” My robot asked.
“Not yet Tasha,” Said I.
“You said that approxametly twenty minutes and fourty seconds ago,” Said Tasha.
“I'm re-posting the order,” Said I.
“Order re-posted, will wait longer,” Said Tasha.
Tasha was white, with a circular head, green eyes and a left and right light moving mouth. She also had hands and boots for feet. And on the very top of her round head was a antenna with a red ball. It was safe to say that she looked very cute. The sub train topped and the station name was announced.
“That's ours, let's go,” Said I.
Tasha's boots shot out rebvealing two strong and sturdy but thin legs which where rectangular. Tasha jumped to her feet like any eager child would ddo. I took her hand, at the corner of my eye I saw some red flicker on Tasha's screen sides.
“I saw that,” Said I.
“I feel honored to hold Mr.Curds hand,” Said Tasha.
“I'm sure you are, for I built you,” Said I.
I led her up the stairs. What we came out to, was a overlook of a huge metropolis.
“Here we are Tasha, Inventor Metropolis,” Said I.
Tasha was looking at the pople that passed by, for they too had inventions of their own.
“I feel strange,” said she.
“You probably feel shy, I wouldn't blame you, your used to small places,” Said I.
“Yes, I'm feeling very shy,” Said Tasha.
“Ah, Caleb, I see you made it!” Excalmed a teenager walking up to me.
“Ah yes, I did Frank, indeed I'm back,” Said I.
Frank grinned. He was about as tall as I was, with glasses and razy blue eyes behind them. He looked at Tasha.
“Hello Tasha, remember me?” He asked.
“You remember uncle Frank?” I asked encouragingly.
“Uncle Frank!” Said Tasha in a mix of voices.
She waved gently at him.
“Yup, she remembers,” Said I.
“Oh yeah, let me show you my invention,” Said Frank reaching into his pocket.
“It's against the rules to show off inventions before the tournament except for the showing,” Said I.
“Just when did I care about rules? And your one to talk Caleb, your lugging yours around in the open like a child,” Said Frank.
“You have a point,” Said I.
Frank pulled out a silver ball and placed it in his hand.
“Tunko, it's time to act!” He exclaimed.
The ball exploded into a wiry robot who did a tap dance in Franks hand.
Then it did some tricks. After it was finished it took a bow. Tasha clapped her hands slowly, since if she did it quickly they would make quite some noise since they were metallic.
“Bravo,” Said she.
“Thank yew,” Wirred Tunko.
“Hmm, not bad, not bad,” Said I.
“Yes, he'll definetly win a place in the inventing world,” Said Frank.
“I like his dance,” Said Tasha.
“Thank yew,” Wirred Tunko.
“Alright, back to ball with you, shows over,” Said Frank.
Tunko did a spin and was instantly a ball.
“Very cool,” Said I.
“Yeah, I plan to put him in a contest, you know, before the tornament begins, that way he'll have a dance partner,” Said Frank.
“You mean you'll make him one,” Said I.
“Yup, until then, see ya later,” Said Frank.
He put Tunko in his pocket and walked away.
“Uncle Frank!” Said Tasha waving.
Frank laughed waving back.
“Frank has a point, I have broken a few rules by brining you out in the open,” Said I.
Tasha looked up at me with her wide green eyes.
“No, I'm not going to shut you down, I just have to be more carefull,” Said I.
I then saw something on the ground. It was a letter adressed to me.
“How'd that get there?” I mused.
“Uncle Frank!” Said Tasha.
All the letter said was: 'Bolts and screws hotel'
“Look Mr.Curd, a hotel!” Said Tasha pointing to the exact hotel the letter worded.
“Thanks,” Said I.
“Welcome, welcome!” Said the hotel owner when we came in.
He came up to me with a reservation book.
“Name please,” Said he.
“Caleb curd,” Said I, a little unsure why he asked.
The owner looked through his book.
“I haven't checked in,” Said I.
“It is our custom to ask in case,” Said the owner.
He stopped at a page.
“Aha, you have a reservation,” Said he.
“Really?” I asked in surprise.
“It's your name, under the name Frank Tudston,” Said the owner.
He handed me a key.
“A friend of yours?” He asked.
“Yes, a fellow inventor,” Said I.
“Well you should thank him, he picked one of our best,” Said the owner.
Again I was surprised.
The room that I was led to was on the second floor and the very last door. The inside was like out of a luxory home. Red sofas and carpet and a bed made for a king.
“Your friend lives next door, he told me to tell you that,” Said the owner.
He walked away.
Besides Tasha I brought my computer, some spare parts, and Tasha's charger, even though she could last months without it and my inventors journal. I rang up the hotel owner.
“Hey, how much for charging robots?” I asked.
“Your friends paying,” Was the owners reply, then he hung up.
I plugged Tasha's charger into the wall and then plugged the other end, which was a USB, into her.
I flopped on the bed.
“So Frank is paying for everything?” I thought wearily.
I groaned.
“You over do it sometimes Frank,” I grumbled.
Then I heard a door closed and the sound of feet on the stair. Frank exploded into my room.
“Surprise!” He exclaimed.
I looked up at him, then back at the ceiling.
“Aw come on Caleb, don't you like it?” He asked.
“It's a bit much,” Said I.
“Nah, just a couple hundred, nothing I can't get back,” Said Frank.
“This is too generous Frank, why'd you do it?” I asked.
“Call it a return favor,” Said Frank.
I sat up.
“I didn't know you had this type of money,” Said I.
“I saved up,” Said Frank.
“That's good, but you shouldn't use it all on me,” Said I.
“I haven't, see what else I've got,” Said Frank pulling out two tickets.
I took one.
“No way,” Said I.
“Yes way, I got us the showing, we'll be seeing the inventions we're up against up close!” Said Frank excitedly.
I stared at the silvery ticket in my hand, the excitement of seeing other peoples work before the tornament was both an advantage and a disadvantage because they would know also.
“I can't thank you enough,” Said I.
“Hey, you helped me, and now I help you,” Said Frank.
He left the room.
Oh yes, I remember how I helped Frank. Some years back he invented an automatic popcorn machine that created and popped it's own popcorn. But something went wrong and we never knew what. Either someone messed with it or Frank was too excited about showing his work, either way, the machine exploded but I jumped in and saved Frank just in time. The inventing judges told Frank he couldn't invent any more, but Frank being the stubborn guy he was, shouted that he would instead of inventing big things, would invent small things. And thus Tunko was born. Ever since that day Frank has been striving to show that small things can make big hopes for the future and so far, he's been right.
“What do you think Tasha, think we'll win?” I asked.
“Of course!” Said Tasha cheerfully.
Her green oval eyes switched to thin green triangles which meant she was smiling.
The showing started a few weeks later. The place where the showing was being unveiled was at a giant mall. Every invention was in the center of the place with the inventor next to it and people swarming all over the place.
“Amazing, right?” Frank asked.
“Yes, there are so many,” said I.
But there was one that people were packed at to the point of squeezing together.
“There's only one reason for this,” Said I quietly.
I pushed through the crowd till I could see what the people stared at. It was a tall, black robot much like Tasha, only it had a rectangular head, red eyes and zigzags for a mouth. Along with all that was it's sturdy arms and strong legs. It's inventor stood next to it, he was taller than it was since it only reached up to a small bit beyond his elbow. He saw me standing there.
“Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Caleb curd,” Said he.
“Richard Stilksenson,” Said I quietly.
“I see your back from the dead, I knew I couldn't keep you away forever,” Said Richard.
“You never killed me,” Said I.
“No, but I definetly broke you,” Said Richard.
He nudged his invention.
“Hey Rogue, look who showed up,” Said Richard.
Rogue looked down at me, then put his fist into his palm.
“Caleb curd,” He wirred in a deep voice.
“I see you still remember each other, that's grand,” Said Richard.
“How can I not forget?” Said I.
Richard looked around.
“Where's your invention?” He asked with a sneer.
“It's not here,” Said I.
I was carefull to say 'it's' because I didn't want Richard knowing about Tasha.
“Aw come on Caleb, what did you make this time?” Richard asked.
“You'll see at the tornament,” Said I.
Richard chuckled.
“I don't care about tornaments anymore Caleb, you can have that, I've gone higher,” Said Richard.
“Really? I always thought you stayed at the bottom,” Said I.
Richard snarled.
“Listen here Caleb curd, I'm going to the Brawl championships where Rogue will become an all world champion!” Growled Richard.
“That's totally you Richard, tearing your own inventions to pieces,” Said Frank appearing.
“Frank Tudston, what are you doing here?” Richard growled.
“Being me, what else?” Said Frank.
“I thought you disappeared off the face of the inventing world, why'd you return?” Richard asked.
“Because I'm stubborn,” Said Frank.
Richard might have hated me, but he feared Frank. Not because Frank was a 'on the rise inventor,' but because Frank knew people in high places. That's why Richard had such a snarl on his face.
“Rogue, show Frank what I think of him,” Said Richard hotly.
Rogue stepped off the stage and up to Frank. The robots fist flew, but I jumped into it's path and was hit instead. I hit the ground with a bloody nose.
“That's good enough for me Rogue,” Laughed Richard.
I slowly stood clutching my nose.
“Caleb, I'll tell you this now, if you really want to rise come out with your invention to the Brawl championships and if you win, I'll gladly accept defeat,” Said Richard.
“I remember you saying something like that once already, I'm not falling for that again,” Said I.
I turned and walked away.
Frank caught up with me as I reached the exit.
“Remind me what went between you two,” Said he.
I remember the day Richard first appeared as a inventor, everyone thought he'd make things for the good of the world. But sometimes people don't become what we hoped they would and that's exactly what happened with Richard and his first model of Rogue. When Richard first came out wit his invention people marveled and questioned the use of it. I meanwhile had just come out with the second version of Tasha. To be honest I really respected Richard as a person, but something in his eyes scared me whenever he saw my invention, it was a look of jealousy. Rogue wasn't he name of Richard's robot back then either, it's original name was Mervin. Back then Mervin only reached up to Richards knee. There were contests and tornaments we went to and I usually either came in first or second while Richard came in second or third. In every picture taken Richard along with Mervin, would be staring with great jealousy at Tasha. It was not because of how small she was nor how she was built, it as how she acted that gave her the place she landed in. She'd always smile with those green triangles at the judges and they'd warm to her cheery nature. One night at a tornament, Tasha for the first time in her career won first place. It was a praise worthy acheivement since young inventors like me had never in history gotten a first place in a tornament. I promised Tasha I'd get her some parts and even a new voice box as a present, since back then she spoke small words and had a hard time making sentences. But then Richard struck. Straight after the tornament I was invited to a contest that I was assured I would win because of public opinion. That was also the night I met Frank. When I went back to get Tasha, I found a horrible sight. One of Tasha's eyes had been smashed In and one of her arms torn out, the rest of her was in pieces. I knew who had done it, and I knew I couldn't win the contest with Tasha the way she was. I found a note next to Tasha from Richard saying that he deserved higher for the work he did on Mervin and that I shall never invent Tasha again lest he'd kill me himself. I dropped out of the contest and disappeared from the inventing world. Richard later changed Mervin's name to Rogue and has been rising ever since. I rebuilt Tasha with what I had and worked my hardest to earn some fund for parts I didn't have. It was a struggle, but it was worth it. On the outside, Tasha was a sweet robot who would steal the hearts of judges and people alike. But buried deep in her core was a murderous hate for Rogue Stilkenson, a hate that was kept buried by the antenna plugged into the top of her head.
“We just don't get along,” I finally said.
“You never have, sorry about your nose,” Said Frank.
“I'll live,” Said I.
I cleaned myself up before going into my hotel room. Tasha's eyes opened when I came inside.
“Mr.Curd,” Said she, her eyes flickered into triangles then back to ovals.
“Evening Tasha,” Said I trying to sound like nothing happened.
I unplugged her from the charger.
I knelt and stared at her.
“How's my star?” I asked.
“Happy!” Said Tasha.
“Here, I bought you some cushion, I'll slip some on your fingers,” Said I.
I put cushion on Tasha's metallic fingers. She clapped with it. Now they sounded like felt mitts coming together. I touched the side of her head and rubbed it gently.
“I'm glad your happy,” Said I.
Tasha turned a little red.
“Is Mr.Curd, not happy?” Tasha asked worriedly.
“Not really, I've had a long day,” Said I.
“Tomorrow's another one,' Said Tasha.
“Yes, indeed it will be,” Said I.
I stared at Tasha, my mind started to wonder.
“If only you were a-” I began to think, then I quickly came back to reality.
“No, Tasha won't be more than just a robot,” I thought.
But besides taking vengeance on her destroyer, I felt that there was a hidden purpose for why I rebuild Tasha. A few weeks later the tornament began. I came to the showing early, so that I could Tasha in a safe place. Soon Frank came in a magicians outfit. He defenetly looked goofy. Then some other people came, then lastly Richard came.
“I thought you weren't interested in championships,” Said I.
“The Brawl Championships aren't open till next week,” Said Richard with a sneer.
“Wonderful,” Said I.
“Any anyway, I wanted to see your invention,” Said Richard.
I had put a white curtain over Tasha to hide her from Richard.
“Is this it?” He asked.
“Back off!” I snapped.
Richard took a step back in surprise.
“Just wait till the judges get here, I want to surprise you,” Said I more calmly.
“Be careful Caleb, that jumpyness of yours could be the last thing you ever do,” Said Richard.
He walked back next to his robot. The judges came.
Frank stood next to me.
“Let the fun begin,” He whispered to me.
The judges looked at all the inventions and then one came over to me.
“Invention sir?” He asked.
I leaned over and whispered something in the judges ear. He glanced at Richard then at me.
“You sure sir?” He asked.
“Please, for safety measures,” Said I.
The judge turned and pulled out a remote.
“What's that for?” Richard growled when the judge came up to him.
“Safety measures sir, just safety, only will take a moment,” Said the judge.
He pressed a botton and two circular ovals appeared on Rogue's arms.
I placed a hand on Tasha, and removed the veil. Richard's eyes went wide.
“Tasha, it's time,” I whispered into Tasha's ear.
Tasha's eyes opened and she looked up. The judge stared at her. Tasha's eyes switched to triangles and then she saluted him.
“Mister Judge sir,” Said she.
“What's your robots name sir?” The judge asked.
“Tasha, sir,” Said I.
The judge stared at me in surprise.
“Caleb curd?” He asked.
“Yes sir, that's me,” Said I.
Richard was snarling angrilly.
“You don't remember me, do you Caleb?” Asked the judge staring at me.
“No, I don't,” Said I.
“I was the one who gave you your first place in that tornament years ago,” Said the judge.
I stared in surprise.
“I'm surprised your here, I thought you'd be higher by now,” Said the judge.
“No, someone knocked me down,” Said I quietly.
“I see, well let me help you climb back up, the names Andrew,” Said the judge handing me a silver ribbon.
“Thanks Andrew,” Said I smiling.
Richard was twitching all over.
“Caleb!” He roared.
I glanced at him with a small triumphant smile.
“You.........you rebuilt her?!” Richard yelled.
“Indeed I did,” Said I.
“I......I told you not to!” Richard yelled.
“Just when did I ever listen to you?” I asked staring at him.
“You.........” Richard growled angrilly.
“Tasha, remember Andrew, he gave you your gold medal,” Said I to Tasha.
Tasha stared up at Andrew and blinked a few times.
“Mister Andrew!” Said Tasha, her eyes switching to triangles.
“Yes, she remembers you,” Said I.
“I'm glad, I'm happy you do Tasha,” Said Andrew.
The other judges came over.
“Well, well, aint this one cute,” Said one.
“Hello there,” Said Tasha waving.
“And it talks, that's amazing,” Said another.
“And it's very polite,” Said Andrew winking at me.
Richard was glenching his teeth in fury.
“You've lost this one Richard,” Said Frank walking by him.
The judges handed me a gold medal.
“Congradulations,” Said Andrew.
“Thank you for being here,” Said I.
“Yes, I knew it was you,” Said Andrew smiling.
I put the medal on Tasha's chest.
“Your a star Tasha, well done,” Said I.
“Star! Star in midnight sky!” Said Tasha happily.
The judges laughed.
I walked Tasha home feeling like a successful man.
I plugged Tasha in.
“You did very well Tasha, I'm proud of you,” Said I.
Tasha turned red.
“Caleb curd is proud of me,” Tasha whispered.
I patted her head.
Frank walked in.
“Great job out there,” Said he.
“Thanks Frank, you did swell also,” Said I.
“That's two gold medals Caleb, you'll make history,” Said Frank smiling.
“I'll let you in on history also,” Said I.
“Nah, I prefer being small,” Said Frank sitting back.
“Uncle Frank!” Tasha said waving.
“Hello little star,” Said Frank smiling.
“So what you get?” I asked.
“A sliver, you hogged up all the judges though,” Said Frank grinning.
“Yeah, Richard wasn't too happy,” Said I.
“Nope, he looked like his world just melted into oblivion,” Said Frank.
“Yeah, but he'll be back, that's the horrid part about Richard, he always has an alternative plan,” Said I.
“Yes, but I'm ready this time,” Said Frank.
I glanced at him.
“I'm not going to let Richard tear your future down all because of bitter jealousy Caleb, I've called some people that are going to watch him keenly,” Said Frank.
“How keenly?” I asked.
“Very.” Said Frank.
“Frank, Tunko!” Said Tasha.
“Oh, you want to see him go again?” Frank asked.
Tasha nodded.
Frank pulled out Tunko.
“And may I present Tuntella,” Said Frank pulling out a second ball.
They both spun into their forms and danced together.
Tasha clapped happily.
“Your a natural impressor Frank,” Said I.
“Not as much as you are,” Said Frank smiling.
He picked up his two robots and vanished out the door.
I plopped into bed with a sigh.
“What a day,” I thought.
“Richard's on watch, I'm climbing again, Tasha is a star, this is great!”
I glanced at Tasha who glanced at me.
“I'll get you some more presents tomorrow,” Said I.
“Yay!” Said Tasha.
That night someone slipped into the hotel. The owner saw him, and when he tried to stop him he was thrust back by a strange invisable wall. It came from a remote that the stranger was holding. He walked upstairs slowly. Peering around he opened the door to my room. Tasha's eyes opened. The stranger pointed his remote at her and she instantly shut off. He picked her up and carried her out. As quickly and quietly as he came, he left.
I awoke to see Tasha gone.
“Tasha?!” I shouted looking around.
Frank came in.
“Frank, where's Tasha?” I asked.
“No idea,” Said Frank.
Downstairs we found the hotel owner dead.
“Oh great,” Said Frank.
“It was Richard, it had to be,” Said I.
“How did he get in?” Frank asked examining the doors.
“Furthermore how'd he kidnap Tasha without her making a sound?” I asked.
“He must have had a power drainer or worse,” Said Frank.
“Worse?” I asked.
“He could have had a constagrapher,” Said Frank.
“A what?” I asked.
“It briefly shuts off robots for a few seconds, very usefull when controlling unstable machines,” Said Frank.
“And he used one on Tasha,” said I.
“Yes, but my question is, how'd he get past the owner,” Said Frank.
“Well, seeing that he's dead I suppose he killed him,” Said I.
“Well, the owner would have made a noise, so that means Richard had an advanced version of the constagrapher,” Said Frank.
“So now what?” I asked.
“We find him,” Said Frank.
“He told me he was going to the Brawl championships,” Said I.
“That's at the arena at the far end of the city,” Said Frank with a snarl.
“What?” I asked.
“It'll take us two days to get there, the Brawl championships start tomorrow,” Said Frank glancing at me.
I kicked a can.
“Can we get there any faster?” I asked.
“Subway,” Said Frank.
Meanwhile Richard put Tasha in a holding cuff. Her eyes opened again.
“Goodmorning,” Said Richard.
Tasha just stared.
“Ah, you don't remember me do you?” Richard asked.
Tasha still stared.
“I'm Richard, the winner of all,” Said Richard.
Tasha blinked a few times, then her eyes narrowed.
“Richard,” She said in a dark voice.
“Ah, you do remember me, good,” Said Richard smiling.
He nudged Rogue.
“Remember him?” He asked.
Tasha glanced at Rogue.
“Rogue,” she said darkly.
“Good, you remember,” Said Richard with a grin.
“Cheaters, both of you,” Said Tasha.
Richard hit Tasha with a wrench.
“Quiet, you cheat also!” Richard spat.
Tasha blinked a few times.
“You cheat, because your afraid,” Said Tasha.
Richard hit her again.
“Be quiet, be glad I'm only hitting you lightly, because I really want to smash you to pieces, but I'll let the ring do that for me,” Said Richard grinning.
“Caleb will come,” Said Tasha.
“Let him, I want him to see you die,” Said Richard.
He pointed a remote at Tasha.
“Till then, night night,” Said he pressing a button.
Meanwhile I sat on the sub-train with Frank sitting next to me.
Tunko was in Franks hand pacing.
“He does all the small thinking in big situations,” Said Frank with a smile.
“Remote stolen from judges,” Wirred Tunko.
“Indeed, Richard had that opportunity,” Said Frank.
“But what judge?” I asked.
“Probably a very highly respected one, mainly one that will watch the Brawl championships,” Wirred Tunko.
“Tunko's amazing when it comes to thinking,” Said I.
“I programed him to, that's his other talent,” Said Frank smiling.
Meanwhile back at the arena.
“Wake up bucket of bolts,” Said Richard to Tasha.
Tasha's eyes slowly opened.
“It's show time,” Said Richard grabbing Tasha's arm.
He picked her up and led her to the ring.
There were people everywhere.
“Heh, no one knows nor cares about you here, it doesn't matter if your a star in the inventing world, what matters is how long you survive,” Said Richard.
Tasha's eyes were wide in fear.
“That's right, be afraid, be very, very afraid,” Said Richard chuckling.
He placed her in the ring.
“The rules are simple Tasha, hit him and don't let him hit you back,” Said Richard with a sneer.
Tasha slowly turned, the robot she was facing was built out of an old dishwasher, with wheels and a microwave for a head.
The bell rand and the robot shot forward. Richard exploded into laughter as the robot hit Tasha in the head.
“Oh this is fun,” He chuckled.
Then Tasha hit back, sending the robot back into it's corner. Since it was on wheels it had a hard time stopping when it came to moving, so it had to use one arm to slow down and the other to hit. It shot forward again but Tasha hit it back. Tasha removed her cushion gloves and dropped them. Her metallic fingers tightened into a fist. She didn't like fighting, but she had no choice. The robot shot at her and grabbed the antenna on her head and pulled.
Tasha's eyes, went red.
Meanwhile Frank and I ran onto a bus headed for the Brawl Championships.
“Man, I gotta work out more,” Gasped Frank.
“No, we just ran a lot,” Said I.
“What are the odds she's alive?” Frank asked.
“Very high, she knows how to fight,” Said I.
“Caleb,” Said Frank seriously.
“What?” I asked.
“If Richard pulls that antenna on her, what happens?” Frank asked.
“Then.......it's over,” Said I.
“What do you mean by 'over'?” Frank asked.
“I mean, she becomes what I made her to be,” Said I.
“Which is?” Frank asked.
“The destroyer of Rogue,” Said I.
Tasha lashed out and slammed the robot in the face and pounded it to the dirt and kept pounding it till there was nothing left. Then she looked around for Richard. Another robot was put in the ring and Tasha dispatched that one also. It was like she was a totally different robot from her sweet self. Richard was laughing quietly.
“So this is what you made Caleb, a monster,” Said Richard.
He held the antenna in his hands.
“You made her so that you could have your vengance on me, well too bad, even in this state, she won't last against Rogue,” Said Richard.
He smashed the antenna and crushed it with his shoe.
“You won't be able to save her, nor yourself this time,” Said he.
Frank and I arrived at the door to the arena.
“How do we get in?” I asked.
“Simple Caleb, tickets,” Said Frank pulling out two green tickets.
“How much you betting?” A guard asked taking the tickets.
“Plenty, more than your paid,” Said Frank grinning.
“Get lost,” Said the guard opening the door.
We arrived inside and I saw Tasha in the ring. Her eyes were blood red.
“Oh no,” I whispered.
“So that's what Tasha is under the antenna,” Said Frank quietly.
Tasha smashed another robot and spun around and smashed another. Over in the corner was Richard laughing. Under his shoe was her smashed antenna.
“He knew,” Said I.
“Looks like it,” Said Frank quietly.
Tasha smashed another robot and yet another, and yet another.
“To everyone, this looks like a kill or get killed, to us, this is Richard getting his revenge,” Said I.
“How about Tasha Caleb? What's going through her head right now?” Frank asked.
“Only one thing, kill Rogue,” Said I.
I ran down.
“Richard!” I yelled.
Richard turned.
“Ah Caleb, Frank, welcome,” Said Richard.
“You monster, what you do to my robot?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing, it's all you,” Said Richard.
“How many more are you going to throw at her?” I asked.
“Until she collapses, that's how many,” Said Richard.
Tasha slammed another into the wall.
“Quite brutal, that rage she has,” Said Richard smiling.
He turned to me.
“I'll use her against the champion here,” Said he.
“No you won't,” Said I.
Richard pulled out a remote.
“This is a constagrapher, well, that's what they call them, I call it the virus, this thing is the best when it comes to shutting down robots, but it also gives an electric shock that can kill a human,” Said Richard.
I stared at him.
“Try anything funny Caleb, and I'll shut her off and kill you,” Said Richard.
“I see, you have the newest version,” Said Frank.
“And that goes for you too Frank, do anything and your dead, you hear me?” Richard said.
“I hear you loud and dangerous,” Said Frank.
Richard pointed the remote at Frank.
“And keep your mouth to yourself,” said he.
“Since when did I ever listen to you?” Frank asked.
“I'm warning you nicely Frank, don't tempt me,” Said Richard.
Tasha tore a robots head off and it fell to the floor.
Richard hit the bell and Tasha walked back to the corner.
Her red eyes scared me. The rage chip I placed in her core was doing it's work, turning her into what I designed her to be.
“Now, I'll bring out the champion,” Said Richard.
He walked over to a lever and pulled it.
A gate opened and a giant robot walked out onto the ring.
It was giant as in towering, it was giant as in strong and bulky.
It looked like a hulk compared to Tasha.
“May I present, Harok!” Richard roared.
The audience cheered.
Harok gave a mocking bow to Tasha.
Tasha just stared defiantly at the champion.
“If she survives this, I'll let her fight Rogue,” Said Richard grinning.
“You can leave now if you wish, little robot,” Said Harok.
“I will destroy you,” Said Tasha in a metallic voice.
“You won't last a second with me!” Laughed Harok.
“You will die,” Said Tasha.
The bell rang and the fight began. I walked up to the side of the ring and watched in horror.
The champ attacked first, sending Tasha out of the ring and into a wall.
People groaned.
I winced.
Tasha flew out of the wall into the champ and knocked him onto the rings ropes. He pushed back and hit her again. There was a loud cracking noise as her hit her. She fought back and hit him in the eye. She was so small compared to him, but she was holding barely. Her visor was cracked and the rest of her was dented and cracking. The champ only lost an eye and that's about it so far. Tasha hit the champ in the chest and kept hitting him. The champ laughed quietly and sent her flying back again.
“Your impressive, but you don't have any grip on the ground,” Said the champ.
“I...will...destroy you,” Groaned Tasha.
“No more,” I thought.
“I can't take anymore,”
“Tasha!” I yelled.
Tasha turned, her red eyes focused on me.
“Mr.Curd,” She gasped.
“Get out of there, you don't need to fight anymore!” I shouted.
Her red eyes flickered to green, but only for a second.
“I'm sorry Mr.Curd, I can't seem to stop,” Said she quietly.
“No,” I gasped.
Richard laughed.
“This is spectacular,” Said he.
Tasha launched herself at the champ and started hitting him as hard as she possibly could. Her blood red eyes were flickering and her visor cracked even more.
She screamed and smashed the champ into the ground.
“How....why?” The champ groaned.
“I told you I'd destroy you,” Said Tasha.
Richard clapped his hands.
“Bravo, bravo!” Said he.
A crane picked up the champ, then lowered Rogue.
“Now, the moment we've all been waiting for, Tasha verses Rogue!” Richard shouted.
As soon as Tasha saw Rogue, her eyes went huge.
“Roooooggggguuuueeee,” She growled.
“Tasha, bucket of bolts,” Said Rogue.
Tasha's body buckled and all of the sudden she became bigger.
Her arms became thicker and her legs stronger.
“What the?” Frank said horrified.
“This is what she really is,” Said I.
Tasha was a little taller than Rogue now, she in fact looked terrifying now.
Richard chuckled.
“This is beautiful,” Said he.
He rang the bell and the robots started fighting.
Tasha's visor broke, but under that were two red screens, full of hate for the one who destroyed them.
The two robots took turns hitting each other, neither one going down or giving up. Tasha roared and slammed Rogue in the head knocking him into the ring wires.
“Die, Die!” She screamed pounding him.
A seperator pulled them apart and the bell rang again.
“There are no rules when it comes to this, only that they must be seperated when landing on the wires,” Said Richard.
Rogue fought back, hitting Tasha in the head and knocking her to the ground.
“Tasha!” I yelled jumping up.
“Sit down!” Richard shouted punching me in the face.
I fell down, but got back up.
Tasha got up and hit Rogue back. It was a constant tug of war between the two robots. Just as it always had been, for years and years. Tasha hit Rogue and broke one of his eyes and one of his fingers. But Rogue broke one of her eyes and part of her head.
“This is perfect,” Said Richard.
It was justice, really, I had been so consumed with getting revenge on Richard that I never considered the monster I had created till now. Tasha was destroying herself because of me. I hated it now, I hated the fact that I hated Richard, I just wanted to take Tasha, and go home. I didn't care about the inventing buisiness.
I got up and pulled Richard off his chair.
“I'm saving my robot, whether you like it or not!” I shouted.
“You can't save her, she's done for,” Said Richard.
“Then I'll save what's left of her!” I yelled.
“There won't be anything left of her after Rogue releases himself,” Said Richard.
“I don't want to hate you anymore Richard, I just want to go home,” Said I.
Richard stared at me.
“You actually want to just leave?” He asked.
“Yes,” Said I.
“You won't come back?” Richard asked.
“No,” Said I.
“You sure, knowing you, you will,” Said Richard.
“Seeing what I've seen Richard, I hate the fact that I hate you,” Said I.
Rogue slammed Tasha in the chest.
“But seriously Caleb, it took you this long to realize that you were wrong?” Richard asked.
“We're both wrong,” Said I.
“No Caleb, just you,” Said Richard.
I jumped into the ring. Rogue was about to deliver a final blow, but I stopped him in his tracks with my hand.
“Leave, Tasha alone,” I growled.
I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Richard was behind me.
“I don't think so,” Said he.
He punched me out of the ring.
I got up.
“Finish her Rogue, then we're done,” Said Richard walking off the ring.
Rogue stared down at Tasha.
I ran. I didn't want to lose Tasha again. Tasha opened her eyes very slowly, she saw Rogue towering over her.
“Rogue,” She said in a sweet voice.
Rogue raised a robotic eyebrow.
Tasha grabbed his robotic hand.
“I'm sorry,” She whispered.
Rogue raised both eyebrows.
“I'm sorry Mervin,” Tasha whispered.
Rogue's eyes went wide.
“I'm sorry I hated you,” Said Tasha, then her eyes closed.
“What are you waiting for Rogue, finish her!” Richard shouted.
“No,” Said Rogue turning away.
“You useless piece of machinery!” Richard roared.
He pulled out the remote. Rogue spun around and hit it out of Richards hand.
“We both cheated, this is the price we pay,” Said Rogue.
I ran up and picked up Tasha.
I pried out the red chip inside her core.
I threw it out the window.
“Come on Caleb, it's over,” Said Frank quietly.
“No it's not, it won't be, not as long as she's in tact!” Richard yelled.
“It is over Richard, I don't plan coming back out,” Said I.
“You will, I know you too well,” Said Richard.
“No, you don't,” Said I.
I picked up Tasha and walked away slowly.
Then I felt an electrical shock go through me.
I fell to the ground and spun around. Before me was Richard with another constagrapher.
“For emergencies,” Said he.
He shot his robot with it also and Rogue shut off.
“I can't let you go alive Caleb, it doesn't sit well with me,” Said Richard.
Then a gun fired.
Richard stood there for a moment, then fell down.
Frank stood behind him, with a pistol in hand.
“That, is why you lose,” Said Frank.
I rushed Tasha back home and plugged her into her charger, hoping to revive her somehow.
There was a faint beeping noise and Tasha's eyes slowly opened.
“Tasha,” I whispered.
“Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“Hey, you stopped calling me Mr.Curd,” Said I smiling.
“I don't feel anything,” Said Tasha.
“You don't have to, I pulled out your curciut,” Said I.
“Thank you Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“For what?” I asked.
“For making me again,” Said Tasha, her eyes flipped to triangles, then back to ovals.
“I'm not going to let you die, I'll rebuild you, but I won't return,” Said I.
“No, this is all I can take Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“No, your strong, you'll make it,” Said I.
Tasha turned red.
“I feel strange,” Said she.
“What your feeling is called love Tasha, that's a rare thing for a robot to feel,” Said Frank smiling.
“I'm sorry Caleb,” Said Tasha.
“It's alright, you did very well up there,” Said I.
“Am I still a star?” Tasha asked, her eyes slowly closing.
“Yes, you always will be my little star,” Said I.
Tears were falling from my eyes.
“Caleb, if the feeling I'm having right now is love, then...I love you,” Said Tasha.
“I do too,” Said I.
Then she was gone.
“I could say, that; that was the most human thing, coming out of Tasha.” Said Frank.
“I think that's what I ultametly wanted, Tasha to be human,” Said I.
“And that's just what you got, at the last minute,” Said Frank.
With Tasha gone, I left the inventing world. Frank rose up with his invention and soon became one of the judges of the inventing world. He made sure that the Brawler Championships were shut down because of the danger of them. Andrew stayed with Frank as a judge and others came to show their inventions.
I never rose up again, but maybe it was a good thing I didn't.
I will never forget Tasha, and the lesson she taught me in how to forgive those that never deserved it.
The end.
