Ok, I've had this stuck in my head for the last few days, so I felt like I had to write it down, or at least start it.

I don't own Astro Boy.

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"I wish I didn't have to go."

"You'll be fine Cora."

"I can't believe they're making me move."

"They're just frightened. They're only trying to think of what's best for you."

"What's best for me is to stay here with my friends...with you."

He smiled softly at her. He said nothing as he walked forward and enveloped her in a strong embrace. She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder, revelling in the support that simple hug offered.

"Promise to keep in touch?" She whispered in his ear.

"Everyday."

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4 years later

"Are you excited Cora?"

Cora flicked some of her black and purple streaked hair out of her face and turned to address her friend and roommate.

"I'm a little nervous actually." Cora replied with a weak chuckle. She was leant over a suitcase, trying desperately to get it to close, applying all her weight as she tugged at the zip.

Her friend laughed as she watched her struggle.

"Here, let me give you hand." She offered.

"Thanks Lottie."

Lottie was a tall, slim girl with midnight black hair that she kept in a pony tail, a few strands falling around her face. She had a side fringe that was dyed blond and wore thick eye liner that made her hazel eyes stand out. She wore a black, zip up hoodie with short sleeves and black fingerless gloves. Black leggings covered her legs along with a pair of grey shorts. Lastly, she wore a pair of black, knee high converse boots.

"Ok, out of my way." Cora's eyes widened as she saw Lottie rub her hands together and get into position.

"Um...Lottie..." To late. With a yell, Lottie ran at the bed and dove onto the suit case, forcing Cora to topple to the floor. Cora rubbed her sore backside then pulled herself back onto the bed. "Gracefull." She muttered.

"All...most...got it..." Lottie grunted as she pulled at the zip. With a triumphant cry, the zip finally moved, travelling around the case with ease. "AH HA!"

"Awesome, thanks Lott." Cora said as she tugged the bag off of the bed and dragged it towards the door of their dorm room. She dusted her hands off and gazed around the now empty room.

Cora had been living in this dorm for the past four years as the school she attended required the student's to stay on site. It was through this dorm that Cora had met Lottie, the two becoming quick friends.

"I guess that's everything." Cora said. "What time's our bus?"

"Um..." Lottie pulled back her glove and glanced at her watch. "Nine thirty."

"Well, what time is it now?"

"Nine twenty."

"..."

"..."

"CRAP!" Both girls exclaimed. In a flurry of panic the two friends grabbed their luggage and ran from the room.

"I hope we don't miss it." Cora gasped as they sprinted down the hall.

"Take a pill would ya, we still got ten minutes." Lottie panted, trying hard to keep up with her friend. They ran down to the office, quickly filling out some forms and handing in their dorm card. After a quick goodbye to some of their other friends, the pair left the school for the last time.

"I can't believe we're finally doing this." Lottie squealed, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Yeah." Cora sighed.

"Geez, don't sound to excited." Lottie muttered.

"Sorry, it's just...I hav'nt been back to Metro City for four years. I guess...I guess I'm just a little nervous." Lottie smiled in sympathy and patted her friend on the shoulder.

"Hey, it's gonna be ok. I'm sure everyone will be thrilled to have you back." Cora allowed a small smile to spread on her face. "Plus you got that robot boy waiting for you." Cora felt her heart lurch as Lottie said this.

Astro.

He was one of the reasons she was so nervous about returning. Keeping true to his promise, Astro had stayed in touch with her; calling and texting her every day, spending hours upon hours just talking and laughing. Astro kept her up to date with life in Metro City whilst Cora kept him updated with her life. For some reason, finally seeing him face to face after all these years made her stomach flutter.

She wondered if he had changed. Could he change? At seventeen, Cora had grown taller, her hair now reaching to her shoulders. But Astro was a robot. Cora's heart dropped. The thought of her growing whilst Astro stayed the same, trapped forever in the body of a thirteen year old boy, made her eyes sting. 'No.' Shethought to herself as she shook her head. 'He's my best friend, I don't care.'

Lottie raised a brow as she watched the turmoil on Cora's face.

"You ok?" She asked softly.

"Hm...Yeah...Yeah, I'm fine." Cora replied as she shook off the rest of her deep thoughts. They just made her more nervous.

"Oh, ok then." The pair continued to walk before they finally made it to the bus station, just in time to as the hover bus' doors opened with a hiss. The girls quickly payed for their tickets, left their luggage to the bus driver, then made their way on-board.

"Here's a good place." Lottie pointed out. Cora pulled off her back pack and took the seat closest to the window, placing her bag on her knees as Lottie slid in next to her.

"Well, this is it." Lottie said. Cora heaved a large sigh and nodded. "Aren't you parents gonna see you off?" Cora frowned.

"They're working." She answered bluntly.

"Oh." The pair went silent. It took fifteenth minutes for all the passengers to arrive before the driver finally returned and they were on their way.

Two hours into the ride and Lottie decided to start a conversation.

"So...I never asked, but why choose now to move back to Metro City?" Cora turned her attention to her friend and smiled.

"My parents agreed that if I worked hard in school and made an effort to 'make some friends' then they would let me move back when I turned seventeen."

"But why not finish high school first? I mean, we're gonna have to transfer for like the last year. Seems pretty pointless don't you think?" Cora raised a brow at her.

"You didn't have to come you know." She pointed out

"Pfft, you kidding, I've been dying to out of that town for years." Lottie answered with a wave of her hand before going back to her questioning. "So why did you move in the first place?" With a start, Cora realised she had never actually told her the reason why she had moved to that small town.

"Well, after the incident with the Peacekeeper and the giant, Alain, squid thing, they suddenly decided Metro City was to dangerous. Plus, they had just got me back." Lottie knew the story of Cora's past and the battle of the Peacekeeper; it was all over the news.

"Sounds legit." Lottie nodded. She saw Cora shift out the corner of her eye and noticed something slip out of her bag.

"Zip your bag up Cora, you're gonna lose something." Lottie scolded as she bent down to pick the item up. It was a photo. "Here." She handed the picture back to her friend.

"Thanks." Cora took the photo out of her hand and smiled down at it. The picture was of a younger version of her. She had her arms wrapped around a boys neck, her cheek pressed against his. The boys smile was wide, as though he was laughing and his large, chocolate coloured eyes were shining in delight. His black hair was styled in two spikes whilst he wore a blue jacket with a red collar; the jacket zipped down a bit revealing a white t-shirt. She felt Lottie lean over and look at the picture.

"Is that Astro?" She asked. Cora smiled as she ran her finger over the boys face.

"Yeah." Cora replied with fondness.

"He's cute." Lottie stated bluntly. Cora couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, he is." She agreed.

"Is he really a robot?" Cora's smile dropped a bit.

"Yeah, he is." She repeated softly.

"Hm...He doesn't look like one." And Cora had to agree, he really didn't. Lottie suddenly started giggling.

"What?" Cora asked with a raised eyebrow.

"How does he do that with his hair?" Cora snorted a laugh.

"He goes through a hell of a lot of hair gel." The two cracked up, gaining weird glances from the other passengers.

The rest of the ride was spent goofing around, chatting or playing games on their holo-pads.

Bzz bzz

Cora felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

"One sec." She told Lottie as she paused the game they were playing. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and read the text, her face spreading into a grin. "It's Astro."

"What did he say?" Lottie asked as she leaned over to read the message. Cora's smile widened.

"He's meeting us at the station." She said excitedly.

"Sweet. I can't wait to finally meet him." Lottie felt equally excited to finally meet the famous boy robot that Cora never shut up about.

"How much longer we got left?" Cora asked. Lottie checked her watch.

"Around twenty minutes." Cora groaned.

"Don't worry Cora, twenty minutes will fly by before you know it." Lottie reassured.

And she was right. Before they knew it the grand skyscrapers of Metro City were finally coming into view. Now permanently back on the surface, the city stood out far more against the lessening mountains of trash.

Cora suddenly felt her nervousness return ten fold, her palms becoming sweaty and her heart racing as they neared the bus station. She jumped as a robotic voice announced the name of the station.

"You ok dude?" Lottie asked, noticing how stiff her friend was. Cora swallowed.

"Peachy." The air bus finally came to a stop in the busy Metro Station. The two friends gathered up their belongings and exited the vehicle. They waited patiently whilst the driver retrieved their suitcases, thanked him, then began the difficult job of making their way through the huge crowd of people.

The girls hooked arms in hope of not being separated whilst they searched the station.

"Where did he say he was meeting us?" Lottie shouted over the bustling noise.

"I dunno, he didn't say." Cora yelled back.

"Terrific."

They continued to push their way through the crowd, Lottie grumbling every time someone shoved her.

"This is a great first impression." She shouted making Cora laugh.

"CORA!"

The girls froze when they heard the voice call Cora's name. Cora's heart thumped against her ribs as she recognised the voice, yet there was something different about it. Her head twisted this way and that, trying to locate the owner. She suddenly felt Lottie tug on her sleeve.

"Uh...Cora." Lottie's eyes were wide as she pointed in a certain direction. Cora followed her finger and gasped at what she saw.

A boy was making his way towards them, swiftly moving through the crowed. He looked to be around seventeen. He was quit tall, wearing a baby blue button down shirt that was left undone revealing a white t-shirt. The sleeves rolled up to his elbows leaving his forearms bare. He wore a pair of dark blue jeans held up by a black belt decorated with a looped chain. His wrists were covered by simple black sweat bands.

Cora's wide eyes travelled down to his feet were she saw a pair of familiar red boots. She looked back at his face, his black hair styled into two iconic spikes. Her deep, blue eyes met with soft brown and her heart stopped beating.

"A...Astro?" She choked out. She heard Lottie gasp next to her.

"H-hey." The boy gasped as he placed his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Cora said nothing, only continuing to stare, her mouth gaping. The boy finally lifted his head, giving the pair a wide grin. However, his grin dropped when he noticed Cora's face. "Cora?"

His voice was deeper than she remembered, her phone not able to properly pick up the change, yet it was still soft, and sweet. She continued to gawp at him.

"Astro?" She whispered again. The boy-Astro looked himself over before returning his concerned gaze to Cora.

"Yeah?" That simple response seemed to snap Cora out of her daze and before anyone could blink she had jumped up, wrapping her arms around Astro's neck with a laugh of pure joy. Astro's laughed mixed with hers as he spun her around, holding her close.

"Oh my God, it's so good to see you. Just...look at you...you're so...you've really...I just...I don't..." Cora continued to exclaim, unable to finish a complete sentence. Astro chuckled, loosening his hold so he could look her in the eye, noticing the tears running down her cheeks.

"It's good to see you to." He said softly as he wiped her tears with his thump. "I missed you." Cora felt her face redden when he said this and quickly pulled him into another hug, burying her face in his shoulder.

"Ahem." The teens pulled apart at the sound of someone clearing their throat and turned to face Lottie who stood there, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

"Oh! Oh right." Cora broke the embrace and moved to stand next to her friend. "Astro, this is Lottie. Lottie, Astro."

"It's nice to meet you Lottie." Astro greeted politely, holding out his hand. Lottie stared at him with awe as she shook his hand. His hand was soft and felt nothing like a robot.

"So you're the famous Astro Boy." She was surprised to see his cheeks turn red.

"Heh, I guess." He said as he rubbed the back of his neck. Lottie continued to look him up and down.

"But Cora told me you were a robot." Astro cocked his head to the side, his brows scrunching in confusion.

"I am." Lottie looked at her hand, remembering the feeling of her palm in his.

"Amazing." She whispered.

"Hold on a minute." Cora suddenly exclaimed. She walked closer to Astro, staring at him intently.

"What?" The robot asked, slightly startled.

"You're taller than me." She stated. With a start, Astro realised he was, in fact, looking down at her.

"Huh, yeah, I guess I am." Astro said, using his hand to measure them. Cora stared at him in amazement.

"How is that even possi-" Before she could finish her question a random person pushed passed her, causing her to lose her balanced.

"Woah." Astro said as he caught her. "Maybe we should go somewhere less crowded." He suggested. Lottie nodded in agreement.

"I'm all for that." Astro bent down and lifted their heavy suitcases with ease.

"Show off." Cora muttered. Astro smirked at her.

"Come on, I'm parked out front." He said as he nodded his head in the direction of the door.

"Parked?" Cora asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You drive?" Lottie questioned.

"Of course I do." He answered before turning for the exit with their suitcases in hand. Cora and Lottie shared an astonished look then ran to catch up with him.

After a lot of pushing and shoving the trio finally made it to the front of the station, practically falling out of the automatic doors.

"This is gonna take some getting used to." Lottie stated as she dusted her clothes off causing Cora and Astro to laugh.

"Don't worry." Astro chuckled. "It's not usually that bad, you just caught it at a busy time."

"So, where's your car?" Cora asked a little enthusiastically, excited to see what type of vehicle he drove.

"Over here." He replied, leading the girls forward. Cora and Lottie's eyes widened at what they saw.

Astro had stopped next to a sleek, silver hover car with black rimmed Windows and a sharp design that made it more aero-dynamic. He pulled his keys out of his pocket and with a press of a button the door lifted open with a soft hiss.

The girls peeked inside at the black, leather interior and advanced looking dash board.

"Please tell me this isn't your first car?" Lottie choked out.

"Sure it is." Astro said as he placed their suitcases in the trunk. By now Lottie was practically drooling.

"Whaa..." Cora pulled her friend out of the door before her saliva stained the flawless leather.

"One of the perks of having a rich dad I guess." Cora pointed out. Astro closed the trunk and moved around to the drivers door.

"Hop in." He instructed. They did what they were told, Cora taking the passenger seat whilst Lottie Sat in the back; though she leant between the front seats in order to carry on their conversations. Astro stuck his key in the ignition and the hover car hummed to life, lifting a few centimetres of the floor, before he pulled out of the station and onto the main highway.

"So." Astro began as he casually gripped the steering wheel, his eyes never leaving the road. "Where are you guys staying?"

"Oh." Cora quickly shuffled through her bag, pulling out a piece of paper. "Erm...main street, the new apartment complex." Astro nodded and turned the car down the correct road.

"I've got a question?" Cora suddenly asked him.

"Shoot."

"Why drive when you can just fly everywhere? I'm sure that's faster." Astro was silent as he thought over her question.

"I guess..." He paused, sighing softly. "I guess it just makes me feel more...normal." The girls sent him a sympathetic look.

"So how long did it take you to pass your test?" Lottie asked, attempting to change the subject. The robot boy smiled a little smugly.

"Passed it on my first try." The girls giggled.

"Of course you did." Cora laughed before her eyes grew wide. "Oh yeah! How are Zane and the twins?"

"They're great. They can't wait to see you." The girl smiled at the thought of seeing her other friends. "Oh, by the way, what are doing about school?" Cora raised a brow at him.

"School?"

"Yeah. I mean, I never took you as a drop out." Astro joked. Cora laughed.

"We didn't drop out."

"Yeah." Lottie cut in. "We transferred to Metro City High."

"Really?" Astro asked.

"Yep." The girls confirmed in unison. Astro hummed in response.

"Huh, guess you'll be transferring to mine and Zanes year." Cora nodded.

"Yeah, my parents sent the info ahead so we can start on Monday." Cora explained. "That means we have the rest of the weekend to settle in."

"You need a hand?" The android offered. Cora smiled.

"Sure, if you're not to busy." She said modestly.

The trio spent the rest of the ride chatting and catching up and before they knew it they had arrived at their destination.

"Well, here we are." Astro announced as he park the car. The complex they were at was tall and in the usual pale colours of Metro City. Lottie let out a long whistle.

"Looks fancy." She stated.

"This is Metro City." Cora reminded.

"You guys ready?" They turned to see Astro, already holding their suitcases and motioning to the door. The girls hurried to catch up with him as they entered the lobby. Lottie's eyes practically bulged from her face.

"Dude, I can see my reflection in the floor." She exclaimed. Astro sent a confused look Cora's way.

"Lottie spent her entire life in that town." She explained. Astro nodded in understanding. They stopped at the front desk to fill in their details and retrieve their room key card before making their way to the elevator; travelling up to the fourth floor.

"Ok." Cora said as she checked the key card. "We're in apartment...29."

"26...27...28..." Astro mumbled as they walked down the hall. "Ah ha. 29." Lottie took the key card out of Cora's hand and swiped it through the lock.

Inside the apartment was spacious and clean. It had two bedrooms, a kitchen/dinning room and a large living room, equipped with a comfy looking couch and flat screen T.V.

"Holy cow." Lottie breathed.

"It's not bad." Astro agreed with an approving nod. He walked into the living room and placed the luggage next to the couch. "You guys need help unpacking?" The robot asked.

"Nah, we're good." Lottie replied with a wave of her hand. "We only really brought clothes and stuff."

"Then how bout I order pizza? You gotta be hungry after that trip." The girls quickly agreed. After deciding on the type of pizza, Astro took out his phone and dialled the number. "Hello, Pizza Palace?...Yeah, I'd like to order an extra large pepperoni, no mushrooms..." His voice trailed of as he wondered into the kitchen leaving Cora and Lottie in the living room.

"Well...he's..." Lottie began, unable to come up with an appropriate word to describe the boy robot.

"I know." Cora said as she slumped on the couch placing her bag on her lap.

"Are you sure he's a robot?" Her friend asked as she settled down next to her. "Coz he sure as hell don't seem like one." Cora said nothing, just continuing to stare directly ahead.

She couldn't believe it. Now that she was able to sit down and think about it, she realised how impossibly, incredible it was. Astro had grown. He was taller, more mature, heck even his voice had changed. She had no idea how and quit frankly she didn't care, she was just to overwhelmed. 'He can grow with me.' Cora jolted.

'The heck did that come from?' She thought to herself. 'Sure, maybe I had a bit of a crush on him when we where younger. But now...now maybe there's a chance.'

"Pizzas on its way." Cora was startled out of her thoughts as Astro made his way back into the room, causing her to drop her bag, the contents spilling on the floor.

"Klutz." She heard Lottie snicker next to her. Her face reddened a bit as she knelt down to tidy up the mess.

"Here, let me help you." Astro offered as he knelt down next to her. The pair quickly gathered up her belongings and shoved them back in the back pack. The last item was a photo. The same photo that had fallen out on the bus. Astro carefully pick up the picture and smiled at what he saw.

"You still have this?" He asked as he handed it back to Cora. Cora's cheeks turned pink as she gingerly took the photo.

"It's my favourite." She mumbled with a small smile making his own brighten.

"You really ought to get a frame for that or something. Lottie piped up behind them. "That's the second time today it's fallen out of your bag." Cora nodded as she placed the photo on a coffee table.

"So, do wanna start unpacking before the pizza gets here?" Astro asked as he straightened himself off the floor.

"Nah, we got plenty of time for that later." Lottie waved him off as she leant back on the couch. "I've got some question for you first."

"Me?" Astro asked in slight confusion.

"Yes, you."

"Ok, like what?" Lottie leant forward in her seat.

"Like, are you really a robot?" Cora groaned.

"Lottie we've been through this." She said with exasperation.

"I know, I'm just having trouble believing it." Lottie suddenly got a thoughtful look on her face. "Gimme some proof." Astro was still for a moment before a smirk wound its way onto his face. He silently removed the black sweat band from his right wrist and held out his arm.

Lottie's eyes widened to the size of saucers as she watched the skin on the lower part of his arm split, revealing metal and wires, before twisting and turning and finally transforming into a rather powerful looking cannon; the inside glowing blue as it charged up.

"HOLY CRAP!" She yelled, almost falling of the couch.

"That enough proof for you?" Astro asked with a laugh as he changed his arm back and slipped on the sweat band. Lottie quickly composed herself and cleared her throat, though her eyes remained wide.

"Y-yeah." She choked out, clearing her throat again. "Yeah, but there's one more thing I've been dying to see." Astro raised an eyebrow at her. "Cora said you're powered by something called the Blue Core."

"Yeah." Astro said, a little weary.

"Well, can I see it?" The robot took a small step back, his hand coming to rest on his chest. Noticing his slight reluctance, Cora stepped towards him.

"It's ok Astro." She soothed as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You can trust Lottie. She's just nosey that's all."

"Hey!" Lottie exclaimed with a pout. Astro chuckled at this before finally agreeing.

"Alright." He said as he reached for the bottom of his t-shirt and pulled it up revealing his chest. The girls leaned forward in anticipation as he pressed down on the left side of his chest, right above his heart. With a faint hiss a small hatch opened showing a beautiful, blue orb as it spun slowly in its place. The sound it made was like a thousand, tiny bells and the light it gave off filled the room with warmth and serenity.

"Amazing." Lottie breathed. Cora silently nodded in agreement. She had never really seen the Core properly before, only when it was dull and lifeless, but now, seeing it shine bright and strong, spinning in the chest of her best friend, the positive energy of a fallen star that kept her Astro alive. She couldn't help but be amazed.

Astro closed the hatch, snapping the pair out of their trance, and pulled his shirt back down.

"Anymore doubts of me being a robot?" He asked as he straightened his clothes.

"No way." Lottie answered as she shook her head.

"Good. Now that that's out of the way-" DING DONG. "-Looks like the pizzas here." Astro hurried off to answer the door, leaving Cora and Lottie, still sitting with expressions of awe.

"He's phenomenal." Lottie finally gasped. Cora smiled fondly in the direction Astro had left.

"Yeah...He is." Lottie gazed at Cora's expression, a knowing smile creeping on her face.

The trio spent the rest of the evening chowing down on pizza and pop and just enjoying each others company. Cora felt her heart drop when Astro announced that he had to get going.

"My dad will get worried." He said with a role of his eyes as he made his way towards the door. Cora suddenly grabbed him in a hug which he gladly returned.

"Come back tomorrow?" She asked hopefully.

"Bright and early." He promised as they broke apart. The girls quickly saw him off, waving from their window as he drove away.

"Guess we better get to bed." Lottie yawned as she stretched her back. The two friends searched through their luggage for their pyjamas, brushed their teeth, then retired to their new rooms.

"Goodnight Cora." Lottie yelled from her bed making Cora giggle.

"Night Lottie." She shouted back. Cora snuggled deeper into her bed, a smile plastered on her face, excited for what tomorrow might bring, and seeing a certain spiky haired robot boy again.

Holy mackerel! This has to be the longest chapter I have ever written! I just didn't know when to stop -_-

Anyhoo, I hope to explain more in future chapters, like how Astro is able to grow, where Cora has been for the last four years, yadda yadda.

Until next time! :)