It was a Saturday so Lan had the option of sleeping in but truth be told, he had hardly slept all night. He had anxiety about the evening ahead of him. Around 9AM he decided to just sit at the edge of his bed and didn't realize an hour had passed until he heard his navi wake up at 10AM like he always does on Saturday.

Megaman rubbed his eyes and asked "Lan, why are you already up? Couldn't sleep last night?"

"Yeah."

"Lan don't worry about it, just be yourself and you'll be fine."

"I doubt it. Mayl and I are so different from one another. We don't share many hobbies or personality traits. I'm just so afraid that she'll realize that I'm not the one for her" the boy sounded depressed.

Megaman sighed heavily. "Lan, you're a great guy. You're kind, you're funny, you're outgoing, and you would do anything to protect those who are close to you. Sure you may be a dumbass but you're a loveable dumbass."

"Screw you Hub" said the adolescent as he jolted up into a defensive position.

"You're too easy" responded Megaman laughing at his brother's short fuse. (At least this way his doubts will be in the back of his mind) thought the blue navi.

Lan yelled a couple obscenities at his brother before laughing at himself. "Let's just go downstairs and get breakfast. Sound good Megaman?"

"Because watching you eat is just my favorite part of the day!" Megaman quipped.

Lan just slurred at his navi before taking his PET with him downstairs.

"Good morning mom" said Lan cheerfully. He felt much less nervous about the whole thing now and just tried to enjoy the day.

"Good morning dear, your father left early this morning but he told me to give you this."

"Huh, what could it be?" Lan opened the envelope to reveal a disc with a note attached.

"Use this disc on Megaman, it'll come in handy. -Dad"

"Oh cool! It's probably an upgrade Megaman, I can't wait to check it out." Lan was pumped to see what his genius father had come up with. He was about to leave the table before his mother stopped him.

"Lan, Mayl left last night looking very happy. Did something happen last night between you two?" She asked as she giggled.

Lan was embarrassed, he felt the heat rush to his face and started waving his hands back and forth rapidly "no of course not! Why do you ask? Nothing happened!"

It was then that his mother attempted to give him the talk since his father wasn't around to do it. Lan knew what was going on and avoided the conversation like his life depended on it.

"Sorry Mom, I forgot I had some..uh really important homework to do..see ya!" the teen said as he bolted upstairs.

His mother just chuckled and went about doing her regular thing. It was to be expected, what 17 year old son would want to hear about the birds and the bees? They probably encountered it in school at some point anyway.

"Phew, that was a close one. Now let's see what this upgrade is all about. Ready Megaman?"

"Ready!"

Lan loaded up the disc and the estimated install time was three hours. "Three whole hours?!" Lan had to wait for three hours while Megaman was in sleep mode getting an upgrade. "What am I gonna do to pass the time? I know, let's see what Dex is up to!"


Lan rollerbladed over to Dex's house and rang the doorbell but there was no answer. "Figures, oh well let's try Yai's place." *Ding-dong* a maid answered the door and informed Lan that Ms. Yai was currently out of town for the weekend and offered Lan a cup of tea. He politely refused and began to walk around town. "Ugh, I can't go to Mayl's, so what do I do?"

That's when he saw Zeke around the corner. He didn't spot Lan and appeared to be taking a phone call. Lan hid behind the corner and listened in on the conversation. (He was meddling in our lives so let's see how he likes it!) thought Lan.

"Preperation is nearly complete. You better keep your end of the bargain. I know. I know. I got it. I'll meet you in an hour" Zeke hung up the phone.

(What the heck is going on? I think I should tail him to see just what he's up to.) Lan was nervous, he knew something felt off about Zeke but he wasn't sure of what it was. Perhaps he was about to find out.

Just as he saw Zeke turn the corner, he decided to start following him when somebody grabbed his shoulder.

"How are ya Lan? Are ya gettin' enough calcium these days?"

(Not now Masaaa) Lan thought. "I'm sorry Masa but I have other things to take care of. I'm really busy, another time okay?"

"Nonsense, nothing is more important than gettin' your calcium and knowing your fish facts. It's disrespectful to your elders when you up and leave on 'em."

Lan knew he wasn't going to shake Masa with words so he decided to wait until his guard was down and then he took off on his rollerblades.

"Hey, wait! At least he's getting his exercise. Kids these days don't stay in shape and it'd make my mammy sad" said Masa as he strolled away on his bicycle.


Mayl had been rummaging through her entire wardrobe, going through everything multiple times. Roll said she had everything picked out already but as much as she trusted her navi's judgment, she wanted to look perfect for tonight. It was such a huge deal to her.

"Mayl I think you're overreacting. He'll think you look great no matter what you wear!" Roll was trying to convince her netop that his feelings would remain the same regardless but convincing Mayl was difficult. She was infatuated with Lan and wanted everything about this night to go perfectly. She even started fantasizing about the situation. Roll had to snap her out of it multiple times.

"I'm just so nervous. I just want to pounce on top of him and just-" Mayl was feeling more and more hot the deeper she went into her thoughts.

"Whoa Mayl slow your roll" her navi said bringing her train of thought to a screeching halt. "One step at a time girl. Everything will be fine, just be yourself." Roll was offering the same advice Megaman offered and she got a similar response.

"I'm really worried that he won't like me. We're so different in so many ways. What if he thinks that I'm stuck up or that I'm boring?" Mayl was almost in tears thinking of rejection.

"Mayl he's been your best friend for as long as you can remember. He wouldn't see you like that and you know it!" Roll didn't understand how her netop could feel this way. I guess she felt that way about Megaman on occassion. She felt like she couldn't truly relate to him since he was once human but she'd definitely try. She just needed a chance to tell him how she really felt.

Roll's words were comforting for Mayl. "I guess you're right. You always know the right things to say" Mayl said smiling at her digital companion. "I wonder what Lan is doing right now?"

"Who knows, probably netbattling knowing him" Roll replied as she shrugged her shoulders.


"Shit, I lost him. Dammit Masa you really know how to mess things up." Lan was still grumbling over Masa's interference.

That's when he stumbled upon Zeke and a figure wearing a long coat concealing his body and face talking down an alleyway.

"You know your cue Zeke. Don't mess this up, you know the repercussions of failure."

"I understand. It'll be taken care of. Anything else?" Zeke responded.

Lan couldn't believe his ears. He seemed to be working on some sort of criminal activity. Who would suspect a high school student right? Lan accidentally struck some nearby bushes and it sent shivers down his spine.

"Someone is here" said the mysterious man.

Zeke walked down the alleyway headed towards Lan's location. (Who could have followed me here?) thought the young man. He jumped around the corner but there was nobody there.

"Probably just a cat" Zeke said to the mysterious man but he didn't believe his own words.

"Very well, I'll make my departure. Do not forget your objectives." The two parted ways, Zeke with a black briefcase in his hands.

Lan popped up out of the bushes after he knew the coast was clear. (What the heck was that all about? I have to tell Dad.)

Lan rushed down the street on his rollerblades only to bump into Chaud.

"Funny seeing you here" said Lan.

"I got the day off so I decided to take a stroll around town" replied the white haired boy.

"You...take days off? Oh my god I've seen everything." Lan started to laugh hysterically.

"Laugh all you want. Why are you out here anyway? It's not like you to be up this early on a Saturday Lan" Chaud sneered.

"Well I was going to go see my dad about this but it's probably a good idea to warn you too." Lan started: "there's a new kid in my class named Zeke, he seems alright at first glance but something about him was throwing me off. I overheard him talking on a cellphone earlier using some suspicious dialogue and decided to tail him but I was interrupted by Masa. Lucky for me I stumbled upon him about fifteen minutes ago. Something about a plan and Zeke walked away with a black briefcase. I really don't know what to make of it all. Oh, and scariest news of all, his navi is Zero."

Chaud was stunned by all of this information but looked relatively composed. "Zero is a massive threat and if what you're saying is true we need to keep a close eye on this Zeke character. I'll have Protoman follow Zero to make sure his navi isn't performing any suspicious activity on the web. Keep an eye on him if you can." Chaud went on his own merry way as Lan decided to make his way over to the SciLab to speak with his father.


Zeke closed the front door behind him. "Who could have followed me?" Zeke thought aloud. He was positive that nobody was around.

"So did you meet up with him?" Zero chimed in.

"Yeah."

"Well?"

"We still have a lot of work to do before they follow through with our reward." Zeke sighed heavily as he sat on the couch.

The house was empty. As usual.

"You know they're just using you. They won't ever fulfill their promise to you. I know how you feel but I don't think this is right." The red navi didn't approve of the whole thing.

"I know but it's the only chance I've got so I can stop living a life of isolation."

"Alright Zeke. I don't like it but I'm with you until the day I'm deleted."

"Thanks Zero, I know I can always depend on you" Zeke said while staring off into space. Something he did often when he was alone. His life was tragic to say the least. (After all this is over everything will be normal again) Zeke thought as he went to clear his head.


"I see" said Dr. Hikari after Lan explained the whole situation to him. "I really hope that this isn't the case. If so, Zero is in some dangerous hands. We both know how much of a problem Zero can be."

Lan had never seen his father look so let down all of his life. He could tell that he truly trusted Zeke with Zero. It looked as though he felt betrayed. "Dad, we'll make sure that everything is alright" Lan said, placing a hand on his father's shoulders.

Yuchirou was surprised at how mature his boy, no, his young man had become. He smiled before speaking up: "thanks Lan, I'm sure you will. Now shouldn't you run along and get ready for your date?"

Lan blushed a bright red "how'd you know?"

"Hub doesn't like keeping secrets from your mother and I. He told us last night while you were taking a bath."

"Ugh, he's gonna get it when I get home! Oh wait, the upgrade should be done by now and since I'm here, what does that upgrade do for Megaman?" Lan asked his father.

"Well...it does numerous things. He's no longer susceptible to that virus that paralyzed him anymore; he got an all-around boost in power, speed, and defensive capabilities; there's also something else in the code that should help boost the full synchro. That way the two of you have an even closer bond and can operate far more efficiently."

"That's awesome Dad, I didn't think we could get any closer without him being in my head to be honest." Lan joked.

"Well the fact that the two of you share such a tight bond and you're biological twin brothers made it easy."

"Thanks Dad, I should really head home. Megaman should be finished installing that upgrade pretty soon!" Lan waved goodbye as he walked out the door as just smiled.


Lan finally got home to realize that it was only two hours before his date with his best friend Mayl. He realized and got really nervous again and started freaking out.

"What's up Lan?" Megaman was up and running. "This new upgrade feels awesome, I feel as light as a feather!"

"No time Megaman, I've only got two hours to figure out everything for our date!"

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a suit of clothes laid out across his bed with a note on it "you're welcome -Mom" so that was one less thing to worry about.

"Oh yeah, I took care of a couple things while you were still out. I mean I had a couple hours to kill" Megaman said proud of what he had done.

"What'd you do?" asked Lan reluctantly.

*Ding dong* "Lan it's for you!" called out his mother. Lan ran downstairs to see Sal standing in his doorway holding flowers.

"I think Mayl will really like these ones, they look really pretty, and they smell lovely" Sal said in a kind, soft voice.

"T-thank you Sal." Lan was baffled.

"Anytime, well see you later Lan." Sal left and Lan turned around to see his mother teary-eyed.

"My boy is becoming a man, I'm so proud." This embarrassed Lan greatly and prompted him to tell his mom to stop as he ran back upstairs.

"Lan?" Megaman called out.

"Yeah Hub?"

"The limo will be here at around 6:30."

"Alright. Wait...what?!" Lan nearly had a heart attack, he definitely couldn't afford this.

"I tracked down Glyde and asked him if Yai could lend you a limo for tonight. They were curious as to why but once I told them, they were happy to help!"

"Oh mannnn"

Megaman looked puzzled.

"Now everyone is gonna know that Mayl and I went on a date and they're going to tease me forever" Lan said as he hung his head down in defeat.

"It'll be fine, now go get a shower dirtbag!" Megaman laughed.

"That's great coming from you, you've never showered in your life!"

"Don't need to, I'm digital remember?"

"You win this round but I'll get you back." Both of them laughed, they were brothers through and through. "Thanks Hub, I appreciate it."

"No problem bro." Megaman looked at his brother with a big smile. "Just try to make sure you don't kiss her lips right off."

Lan turned red from head to toe and decided to opt out of the conversation and get a shower. He couldn't go smelling of sweat after all the events that happened today.


Mayl was dressed and ready about the same time that Lan finally got home. She was replaying the date over and over in her mind, trying desperately to figure out what to expect.

"Mayl you're stressing yourself out. Just relax and go with the flow. Everything is going to go great!" Roll offered some reassurance but it just seemed like Mayl was off in her own world. It was now 6:00, she only had half an hour before Lan got here. That's what Megaman had told Mayl and Roll anyway.

"Do you think I look okay?" Mayl asked her navi sheepishly.

"I think you look stunning Mayl. I'm sure Lan will think so too" the navi offered a smile and Mayl was off in her own world again.

Roll had felt like someone was watching her but she didn't want to say anything to ruin Mayl's mood. She had been right. Plagueman was off in the edges of Mayl's PC keeping an eye on Roll.

"I wonder how blue boy would feel if I deleted hisss girlfriend." Plagueman whispered. "After being disssgraced I mussst get revenge; it'sss only natural."

It was about time to go and Plagueman was slowly creeping up on Roll but Roll got into her PET as Mayl took her navi with her.

"Drat!" Plagueman then left agitated because he didn't get to attack his prey.

*Ding dong*

Mayl opened the door to see Lan dressed up in a suit and tie. She was absolutely shocked to see him not wearing his headband but rather having his hair styled. (He looks so handsome) she thought to herself.

"W-wow Mayl, you l-look unbelievable." It was evident that Lan was nervous beyond words. She was wearing a spaghetti strapped black dress that stopped just above her knees and it hugged her body in all the right places.

"Thanks Lan" she blushed. She then noticed the bouquet of flowers that he had for her and felt her heart melt a little. "They look beautiful Lan, just let me put them in a jug of water real quick okay?"

Lan let out a sigh of relief, this gave him at least a minute to pull himself together.

"Okay! Ready?" The scarlet-haired beauty asked her date.

"Of course, let's go" Lan said as he opened her door to the limo.

"Wow Lan you really went all out on this didn't you?"

"Well, I had some help" Lan replied rubbing the back of his neck and laughing sheepishly.

"Well I think it was beyond sweet" Mayl said blushing.


They didn't say much to each other on the way to the restaurant because they were still really nervous and shy over the whole thing.

As they got out of the limo Lan told the driver that he could go home because he had planned to walk her home since it was a starry night outside.

"Reservation for two? Lan Hikari and Mayl Sakurai? Right this way please." The waiter had seemed snooty to say the least. This wasn't exactly Lan's scene but he didn't mind as long as good food was involved. Mayl was flattered that he had picked such a classy place to have their second date.

Whenever Lan ate anything it was unflattering. He was a fast, messy eater with no regard to anybody else who he was eating with usually. Tonight however, he was trying to be a gentleman to impress Mayl. She was shocked when he was actually cutting his food and eating it patiently.

"So...how has the virus busting been going lately?" Mayl asked trying to start converstion.

"It's going great, Megaman and I are an unstoppable team! With all these years of net battling and virus busting around the world, I feel like I could take on anyone!" She giggled to herself because she knew Lan's passion would never die out when it came to net battles or virus busting. He was always so passionate toward anything he cared deeply about. She hoped that it'd translate to her as well.

With that the tension between the two had lightened up and they felt like they could talk with each other again.

"I heard you playing piano in the music room the other day, it sounded amazing. I think you could play around the world Mayl. I wish I was that gifted with something."

"Stop flattering me, it just takes time and practice is all" Mayl responded with a smile.

"Well maybe you could teach me sometime?" Lan asked. He thought it'd be something they could do together and share.

"I wouldn't want to take on a hopeless student" Mayl jested. "If you just want to spend time with me Lan Hikari, you just need to ask, you know that."

"I wouldn't be completely hopeless, I mean I'd have a pretty amazing teacher. I don't know how much I'd learn because I think I'd be too focused on something else.." Lan didn't mean to flirt with Mayl but it just came out so he was nervous as to how she'd respond.

Mayl felt butterflies in her stomach "you're such a flirt Lan." She really enjoyed it, it showed that he was actually taking interest in her and she didn't know what to do with herself.

(Did that actually work?) Lan thought. "I'm just being honest! How's your food Mayl?"

"It tastes amazing, I'm so glad you took me to this place. Lan?"

"Yes Mayl?"

"This whole thing wasn't originally your idea right? Zeke, Zero, Roll, and Megaman set us up and you know that right?"

"I do."

Mayl looked down in disappointment. She was still subsconsciouly upset that he hadn't asked her himself.

"Mayl, I know that it wasn't me who had this idea..but that doesn't mean that it means any less to me." Mayl looked up from the table. "I've been thinking about us for a long time, playing it over and over in my head how things should be and this scene is pretty familiar. I'm glad that I'm actually getting to live it with you."

Mayl's heart was beating a mile a minute and if she could hear it, she'd know that Lan's was as well. All of her doubts and fears of this not working out were suddenly lifted and she was glad that she came.

Before they had realized anything Chaud was standing at their table with a serious look on his face.

"Lan, something is going on. I don't mean to interrupt your little date but this is rather important."

Lan looked across the table at his date and she looked hurt. Honestly she expected it to happen. Every time she tries to get close to him it does. It happened on their first date years ago and it's happening again now. She always rooted for him but secretly it still upset her that he was always hauled away from her. He was always drawn back into the line of fire and she didn't know if he was going to come back in one piece or not.

Mayl simply got up and left.

"Mayl..." Lan said weakly as he watched her walk away. He turned to Chaud "this better be serious. What the hell happened?"

"A rogue navi is running a rampage in Dentech Square and Protoman is on his way but he was following Zero so he ended up pretty far from the area" Chaud informed him. "It'd be quicker for you to jack in from here."

"Alright I'm on it." Lan had Mayl on the back of his mind but more important matters were at hand. (I just hope she forgives me) he thought.


"Come on out Megaman. I have something that'll just blow you away!" the navi yelled while destroying merchant stands in the square.

It wasn't long before the navi he was looking for appeared before his eyes. "Megaman, so nice of you to come out and play!"

"You don't realize what you've done. You've ruined my brother's evening and I'll make you pay for that." Megaman was fuming.

"I'm flattered. Nobody else can stir up as much chaos as I, Typhoonman. Can you handle these winds?" Typhoon man launched an assault of high pressure wind that cut Megaman numerous times while he winced in pain.

Something was different though. Megaman's appearence had changed. He gained jagged black armor across his chest, below his knees, on his forearms, and his helmet had changed but this was different from a double soul. It felt primal. Megaman's wounds were healing just as fast as they were forming. Was this the unknown code in the upgrade? He also felt an overpowering urge to destroy this navi. It almost felt...animalistic.

"What's going on with Megaman?" Lan was stunned. "I can't control him." Lan called out to his navi but he was getting no response.

Lan and Chaud watched as Megaman lunged forward at blinding speed, the shockwave destroyed all the ground underneath him; piercing his enemy's core with his hand deleting him. Megaman watched as the disturbance wailed in pain.

(What'd I just do?) Megaman panicked. He never even thought about attacking, all he remembered was being angry and next thing he knew his hand was inside of Typhoonman's core. He deleted the navi without a second thought. He felt like a monster.

After the navi was no longer in sight Megaman's appearence reverted back to his original form. He collapsed to the floor with no energy left right before Protoman had arrived.

"Megaman? Are you alright?" Protoman rushed over to him but it was no use. Megaman was completely unconscious and Lan was turning white worrying about what had just happened.

Lan just knew he had to see his father tomorrow right or wrong.


Somewhere off in the deepest corners of the Undernet Bass was absorbing data when he felt a power surge.

"Well then Megaman, you seem to have obtained some monstrous energy. Let's just see who wields the most power!" Bass burst into psychotic laughter.

The God of Destruction was anxious to see what new power that Megaman has tapped into and he wanted it for himself. "Nothing and nobody will stop me from taking what is rightfully mine! With it, no humans will ever stop me!"


Well that was a long ass chapter wasn't it?

Both Protoman and Bass are on the verge of getting involved in the story now! I've had a few people ask when they were going to get involved but I had planned for them to show up around this point originally.

If you have any questions about the characters, the story, or any suggestions, don't hesitate to bring them forward!

Don't forget to leave a review because it helps me improve and I really appreciate it!

Cheers

ZX Saber