Disclaimer and Notice: First of all, I do not own the setting or the characters Hikari Netto and the navi ideas. Those are by Capcom. Second of all, I am writing this story as if I was in the world of Megaman Battle Network (or in this case Rockman.EXE.) I am using my pen name and not my actual name for obvious reasons. I also would like to make it known that I am not trying to steal the spotlight from Rockman and Netto-kun. They will always save the day no matter how unlikely, but this is a story of a spotlight that is going to be shared and a look at this universe from behind the eyes of a character that is not really one of the main characters. Also, I will be taking songs that are from actual artists nowadays and attribute them to my character, but of course they are actually the property of the original authors. He has his own adventures and this will start in one place of the series (just before the beginning of Rockman.EXE 3) and will go off on its own tangent. I do not plan this to be ages long, but the story will have a definite conclusion.

Thank you for choosing to read this story of mine, if you ever have any suggestions or criticisms do not hold back. I hope I can keep my characters nice and deep for you, and stay true to the characters of the original series. They will of course come in; there will be little romance in this (aside from the standard RockmanxRoll etc.,) lest I choose to invite more characters from my brain into this.

Behind These Eyes: Prologue

6 years ago today…

Darkness is caused by the light being blocked by something. This is a rule, but like all rules it has one exception. When light is extinguished there is no light. However, this also has a corollary connected to that. How hard is it to stop a fire when it starts going? How long does a star burn, over the millennia, over the aeons? The light is nearly immortal, but it is easily blocked by those wrapped in darkness or those who don't understand… Darkness reigns when the light is drained…

He was given such a western name for where he lived… Surprisingly, since it flowed with everyone else it worked, but there were always bullies. He lived in Densan Town, and had been witness to many Net Crimes that had been foiled. He always heard about how they never got away with it… somehow and they made him smile, for as much as he would have liked to be the one who always saved the day, his passion lied in a less noble pursuit. Though, he would if that situation was thrust upon him.

Cyril could not dismiss his navi though; Icarus has always been his dearest friend since 6 years ago when he customized a navi from a template in one sleepless 24 hour stretch. Cyril was prone to do that: if he had an idea for a song, or something of that nature; he did NOTHING else while he completed it, thus he was able to make a Navi in what some would consider record time. At the very end of that 24 hours of sweat, reboots and just general frustration, he installed Icarus.EXE onto his PET and greeted him warmly.

Cyril told Icarus only two things on that day 6 years ago: "Though I did program you, you are more than just a piece of data or a servant to me, you are my friend. If I EVER cause you anger, you do not have to put up with it. You have the choice, and the freedom to leave me to pursue other things." This was the first thing he said to Icarus, but he didn't stop there: "Now with that said, you have about 10 hours while I sleep, to decide if you desire to stay based upon just what you have learned. I have all of my information available to you and all of my exploits. If I am not worthy of you… you may leave." With that, he crawled into his bed and slept like a dead man.

Icarus was programmed with a very modular personality, which is one that was very simple; that could be molded by knowledge he gained. Though his basic personality was a pre-disposition to music, and the standard codes of ethics there wasn't really that much else. He really needed that time to decide what he truly wanted to do. From the information he sought he determined that a good way to act would be kind, selfless, and probably a tad on the odd side, if only because of his operator. He thought that knowledge of everything was a vain task to do. He thought that if he stuck with Cyril, that they could explore together and he could grow himself as well. Was Cyril super intelligent for programming him at a young age? He was so basic… aside from his wings… He decided he would sleep and talk to Cyril when he awoke…

Cyril smiled after he woke his navi from sleep "I'm glad you decided not to flee!" He said jovially.

"It's not like you gave me much choice with the little knowledge you programmed me with!" Icarus responded.

"Well… I did kinda create you in a hurry!" Cyril said hurriedly, "Sorry about that, it's a bit of a character flaw of mine to rush things…"

"I noticed when I looked at the 20 versions of the same song you have stored on your computer Cyril…" Icarus stated as-a-matter-of-factly.

Cyril chuckled nervously, "Well at least I gave you a name! Also I gave you some pretty powerful standard battling techniques, and of course the knowledge and desire to play music!"

"-which, according to your mission statement (that you put together oh-so-nicely,) is pretty much the most important thing to you." Icarus stated in the same clear, sure tone.

"To be fair, I just want to get an early start, I am not that great at my instruments yet, but I am working slowly at it!" Cyril slowly, "I really would like to be able to be one of the youngest people to put out an album of songs! I think I am doing pretty well, wouldn't you agree? Icarus?"

Icarus just stared at Cyril for a moment. Then he said slowly, "To be honest, no. From what knowledge of music you programmed into my core memory, you have quite a bit to go. I will grant you that your melodies are good, and your rhythms are fantastic, but you need to work on your harmony…" Icarus stopped for a moment because he had a sudden realization: "That's why you programmed me isn't it? You just needed someone to make your harmony good! …That's quite selfish…"

"Icarus," Cyril said, "You have it all wrong. I programmed you so I could have a friend in music. Most people I know do not understand my love for music. Sure, I have friends at school and other places, but I don't have any friends who understand my music. Even my parents don't get it. My father is a programmer at Science Labs and my mother states that she doesn't have any musical inclination whatsoever!"

"Hmph," Icarus grunted, "Then why are you so into music? Wouldn't you be a talented programmer too… oh wait… yeah…" Icarus stopped for a second to gather his thoughts before continuing, "But why did you make a navi? Why not look for a relative or a local guru for musical advice?"

Cyril sighed and looked up at the ceiling, "I do have mentors, and I love them for the work they do for me. They have taught me many things, but…" Cyril looked at Icarus straight into his electric-blue eyes, "I want to be able to do it myself, for once, without consulting anyone and suddenly burst into the world with music that everyone can enjoy! I can't find anyone to play the things I cannot, and my mentors are too close-minded when I have showed them my music before!

They have told me, 'Music isn't like that anymore! You can't use that instrument like that and hope for people to accept it!' I can't believe it when they say that! Someone has to like the music, they have told me I have a good voice, and I could do great things… but I have listened to music from ages past and felt that it is better than most things out there today! Aki-chan may have some good songs, but musically they don't excite me or give me that spine-tingling sensation I get from some of the older music!"

Icarus stared into his creator and friends eyes, he sensed a great burning talent and thirst for success and truth though he was "behind the glass" inside the PET. He then sighed and took a deep breath for his rebuttal, "You have a good point, and my knowledge of the past music would make me agree with that, yes, your music has good elements. The melodies of that era and genre you have emulated well, the rhythms are your own, but only accentuate the way you have put together the melodies, but the way you implement the harmony is far different. It's too simplistic! When we listen to the older music we can hear some very complex harmonies! You have missed that, and you don't have contrapuntal melodies; you have only single line melodies! You place too much emphasis on the riff and you detract from the chord structure, from which I have heard you have none!"

Cyril looked into the eyes of his navi sadly. "That's it, huh?"

"That's it."

"I always wondered why they never sounded like they would in my head… too high sometimes…"

"That's because all of your music is in one key! You can't write everything in A minor or C major! There's more to it than that! I understand, you play bass guitar, and saxophone, so you haven't had the chord training you need!" Icarus said hotly

"Then I need to learn… like guitar…" Cyril concluded slowly…

"Yes, that would be a good plan, learn guitar and not lead either. Learn rhythm guitar and concentrate on your chords and forget about melody! Just get down a nice rhythm section of bass, drums and guitar and you're set!" Icarus said excitedly, "You've got it! YES!"

"Thanks Icarus, I'm glad I decided to try and "make a friend," and when the time comes I will ask you to lend me your talents." Cyril said happily, lazily. "I programmed you to be very human; you have the capability of being a great human musician! That is what we will be! We will be the first navi and operator team of musicians! You can play the drums! Er… if you want…"

Icarus smiled and spread his wings impressively, "You put your soul into me when you programmed me, did you not?"

"Yes… I suppose I did… but wha-" Cyril said surprised

"I owe it to you for bringing me into this world as you did. You didn't half-heartedly make me, despite the speed in which your task was completed." Icarus said warmly, "You must have great potential, and I will gladly play the drums for you, since I think that that is the most important part of the ensemble!" Icarus laughed heartily, "Of course we have much work to do, and we need to do some lyrics! There is more planning then this, but we are still young, proportionately. So we must wait. Let's do well in school and get ready to take the world by storm!"

"Thank you, Icarus…" Cyril said, tears coming to his eyes.

"No, thank you, Cyril." Icarus said with a sidelong glance at Cyril.

At that both of them started to chuckle, which turned into full blown laughter shortly afterwards. Ookami Cyril and Icarus.EXE were the team. They were made for each other, almost. Someday they would become very well known to the public and their dreams together and their bond of music and friendship would be their catalyst.

End Prologue.

by Cyril Ookami

Cy: Don't forget to review and tell me what you think. Critique is welcome, and I always enjoy suggestions! If I am doing to much music related nonsense, please forgive me. That will not be in every single chapter!