At the other end of the city, Astro was amusing himself by racing through the air with pigeons. He was far from suspecting what was happening, but the hypersensitive sensors of his computer brain heard the professor's call for help. The little robot abandoned his feathered companions and rushed at lightning speed towards the bridge.

As soon as he flew around some skyscrapers, Astro could see smoke and explosions. The battle raged off the bridge. He immediately located the professor in the small shattered wreck that the monster was about to crush.

“I'm here, professor!”

On his first fly by, Astro grabbed what was left of the aircraft and took off in the air. Through the smashed roof, he could see the professor.

“It's about time that I got here!” mused the child.

“You need to stop this monster, Astro. Otherwise he'll destroy the city.”

“But he's a robot designed by humans. Why would he do them harm?”

“He's been reprogrammed. He's become a destructive machine that no longer obeys anything. And his strength is colossal!”

“I'll take care of it,” said Astro as he placed the dented vehicle away from the battlefield.

“Astro, you need to know that Magnamite feeds on energy. Do not use your ray guns. This would make him even stronger.”

“Understood. You, stay here in safety. I'll go and say hello to this giant spider...”

“Take care, my child...”

The child robot took off and raced to the front of the tentacles that Magnamite whipped in the air. Facing the gigantic monster, Astro was like a housefly. Magnamite sent an energy discharge that Astro narrowly avoided.

Understanding the firepower of his enemy, Astro had an idea. He turned around and plunged into the armed forces.

“Give me one of your anti-radiation shields,” he asked one of the policemen.

“What are you going to do?”

“Beat Magnamite at his own game!”

The little robot flew away, holding the great armoured metal panel between his arms. To get the attention of the monster, he made some flybys that skimmed closer and closer. He looked like a fly annoying a furious dog by brushing its nose. The response did not take long. The creature lifted his legs and did not send a bolt of energy, but two!

“And I wanted an adventure,” exclaimed Astro. “On my first day, I've got it!”

Astro boosted his engines and stood right in the path of energy discharge. He held the shield before him like a mirror. The first shock was very violent. The little robot had to use all his capacities to avoid losing control. The ball of light bounced and returned to Magnamite. The second impact took the same path.

“Return to sender!” exclaimed Astro.

Surprised, the monster was unable to escape the two blasts. The two explosions were terrible and immobilizing. Astro took the opportunity to dive between his legs, looking for a control hatch. When he found it, the monster had just barely regained his senses.

“It's between us, Magnamite!” Astro growled, forcing open the armoured door. “Now, I'll get to the heart of the problem...”

The little robot entered the interior of the monster. Everything was only a maze of hardware and electric lightning.

“I have to find the mind-controller and remove it. This is the only way to calm down the madman!”

Astro navigated the maze of Magnamite's structure. It was huge and full of danger. There were moving parts everywhere, each of which was big enough to crush the child. All of Astro's sensors were on alert to prevent him from being electrocuted or crushed by the powerful mechanisms that animated the creature.

Suddenly, in the heart of the most protected area, Astro saw the attachment he sought.

“There you are now. How can such a small box be making such big problems?”

Astro pulled it off with one gesture.

“Now you'll no longer follow the villainous orders that this program gives you!”

In one last groan, Magnamite collapsed on himself.

Astro had no trouble finding the exit. Amid the rubble, among the countless holes on the bridge, he walked towards the police and the military, the control box in hand.

The smoke cleared. Professor O'Shay ran to meet the child robot. He lifted him from the earth and embraced him.

“Bravo, my child, you've saved us!”

Astro smiled and handed him the box.

“Here, Professor. By analyzing this, I'm sure we'll discover what sabotaged Magnamite.”

The professor was very proud of him.

Faced with this drama, Astro had not only discovered how highly the professor regarded him, but he also understood what the was mission for him: to protect the people of Metro City.

   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***

Professor O'Shay smiled. Now, no one doubted that Astro was truly amazing!

While soldiers and police were advancing to congratulate the little hero, Inspector Tawashi appeared. He was covered with dust.

“Professor, I must apologize. I was unfair to Astro. Not only is he exceptionally skilled, but I think he'll become our strongest ally!”

All the officers began cheering with loud roars. Meanwhile, the professor's videophone rang.

“Hello?”

“Professor, it's Yuko. Where are you? You're very late for your meeting...what's happening?”

“It would take too long to explain, my dear Yuko. So many things have happened...today is a historic day. Humans will never look at robots as mere machines again, but like true mechanical brethren...”

“Are you all right, Professor? You seem odd.”

“I'm very well, my dear Yuko, I have never been so good.”

The professor felt his heart swell with joy. In the same day, there had been both the birth of a technological dream and the birth of one he considered his own son: Astro Boy. And it was only his first day!