Chapter 9 – Flesh, Data and Heart
That night, Cadmus couldn't sleep. After two hours shifting around in bed, he got up and headed to the basement. With a sigh, he entered his secure chamber and sat on the recliner, activating the device.
"Pulse In." he muttered.
In an instant he was floating freely through the Cyberworld, once again relieved of the weight of flesh. With a sigh, he collected his thoughts, trying to decide what to do. Finally, after a moment of reflection, he made his way into Ciel's PET.
"Cadmus? What are you doing here? And at this hour..." Zero said as he saw the scientist.
"Zero... we need to talk." Cadmus said, staring into the Navi's green eyes with an expression Zero had never seen before. With a thought, Cadmus willed a couch into existence and sat down, gesturing at Zero to join him. Intrigued, the Navi in red sat next to him.
"I have a problem..." Cadmus said with a weary sigh. "Something that's been eating away at me for years. I've been trying to fight it, but it's stronger than ever."
"What do you mean?" Zero asked.
"It's a shameful thing... a dirty little secret. A secret that could destroy my friendship with Ciel."
"We wouldn't want that, now would we? We're her best friends." Zero said. "What could be so bad?"
Cadmus placed a hand on the Navi's shoulder.
"Zero... from one man to another... How do you feel about her?"
"That… came a little out of nowhere. I'd do anything to protect her." Zero stated with determination.
"As would I. But if I falter... if I lose myself... you may have to protect her... from me."
"What are you talking about? You're not making any sense."
"I feel... emotions... that are... unacceptable... inappropriate. I try to conceal it as best as I can, but there are times when I feel my grip is slipping. There are times when I consider disappearing, but that would hurt her as much as the revelation."
Zero blinked.
"I still don't understand what could be so horrible. I don't think you'd do anything to hurt her. And don't forget, you promised to watch over her and always stand by her side when she needs you. If you break that promise, I will hunt you down and drag you back."
"Thanks for the reassurance Zero. Perhaps it is possible for the princess to have two knights... Not a word of all this to Ciel though, all right?"
Zero blinked again and raised an eyebrow.
"We both want what's best for her." Zero said calmly. "And she makes me feel alive. Treats me like a human. To her I'm not just a Navi."
"I like to think you're the next stage of human evolution. Maybe one day we'll all be immortal like you."
"I suppose I am immortal... and that can be a frightening thought. I'll probably outlast both of you unless the project succeeds."
"Do you know why I started Project Unity?" Cadmus asked suddenly, with an intense, almost desperate look in his eyes.
"You said you want to bring both worlds together. Make humans and Navis equal. One world, one people."
"And in doing so... protect my favorite little genius from the ravages of time." he was starting to ramble, his expression lighting up as she went along. "She is precious. Unique. Irreplaceable. An earthborn angel. Once we have made the necessary technological advances... she will live forever. And if I don't live to see the end of the project, you will still be by her side for all eternity."
"No more talk of dying or disappearing, Cadmus." Zero said with a glare. "I won't let either of you kick the bucket before your time. For now, I'll do my best to protect everyone from the Cyberworld... and once I get a physical body, I will do the same in the real world as well."
"And with the proper technology... You will be a superman. We all will. In a world without death or suffering."
"What a strange man you are..." Zero pondered. "In another life, you might have ended up another megalomaniac supervillain."
"I'll be the first to admit that there's something not quite right with my head." Cadmus said. "But the people around me keep me grounded. Focused."
The next morning…
Lan lazily opened an eye, his vision blurred as he emerged from a long sleep. It was then that he noticed a soft and warm weight on his body. His eyes snapped open as his mind processed the sight of the pink hair.
"M-Mayl?" he muttered, a sudden blush invading his face.
She was still asleep with a content smile, holding him tightly. A strange warmth filled his chest as he felt her pressing against him.
"How did this happen?" he wondered. "And how long have I been out?"
As he looked at the nearest window, his eyes widened.
"I was here all night?!" he gasped.
His mind was still trying to process what was going on, but Mayl's soft warmth sent him into a daze. The fact that someone had covered both of them with a warm blanket only made his situation more comfortable… and somewhat awkward. Since he couldn't move without waking her up and was too embarrassed to try, he lay still, holding her and enjoying the feeling that was overwhelming him. About half an hour later she began to stir and opened her eyes. Remembering her impulsive act, she stared at him wide eyed, blushing. Their gazes locked on each other and neither moved for a full minute.
"Has she always been this..." Lan thought, the close proximity diverting most of the blood to his face and his brain struggling to work. "This is what I've been missing?"
It was Hub who broke the silence.
"Good morning sleepyheads." he said cheerfully. "Looks like you've slept quite well."
"Wh-what happened?" Lan stuttered. "All I remember was those delicious cookies, and the music and then..."
"You dozed off Lan." Mayl said with a smile. "And you looked so cute while you were asleep I couldn't help joining you." she blushed harder as she said the last part.
"Well... that felt... nice..." Lan admitted. "But what time is it?"
"It's 9:30 Lan." Hub replied, giving his brother an opening to make a gracious exit just as he struggled not to tease him about it. "Don't forget we're supposed to take the copy bot to SciLab."
"Well, Professor Cadmus didn't give us a specific hour... but the sooner the better." Lan said.
"You're not going out without eating something first." Mayl scolded as she got up, back to her usual doting and determined self. "Let me get you some breakfast."
Hub and Roll giggled as they watched the two.
"Looks like she's back to full attack mode." Roll quipped under her breath.
About twenty minutes later, the pair stepped outside. Lan felt even warmer with the delicious breakfast in his stomach and had a huge smile on his face. They walked to his house and as Lan opened the door he tried to think of what he was going to say to his parents.
"There you are!" Haruka said, startling him out of his wits.
"Uh... hi mom. Sorry I didn't warn you but..." he blurted.
"It's fine to have a sleepover now and then." she said with a smile. "Especially with Mayl. I've seen the sparks flying since you two were little. Just… let us know ahead of time… and try to be responsible."
Lan's jaw dropped at her words.
"M-Mom! I didn't do anything wrong!" he protested. "We just... fell asleep. Say, where's dad?"
"Waiting for you at SciLab. Have you had breakfast yet dear?"
"Yeah. Mayl wouldn't let me out of the house before I ate something. Or everything."
"I'm glad she's taking such good care of you. It's a good sign for the future." Haruka said with dreamy eyes.
"Mom! You're embarrassing me!" he protested.
Haruka giggled and kissed his cheek.
"All part of a mother's job. Run along now, your father is waiting."
With a sigh, Lan nodded and walked to his room to retrieve the Copy Bot. Once Hub had transferred into it, followed by Roll as was becoming usual, Lan and Mayl headed towards the Metroline station, the Navis following them. About half an hour later they were entering Dr. Hikari's office, where they found him waiting, along with Cadmus, Ciel and Sean.
"Sean? Good to see you!" Lan greeted.
"It's been a while." Sean said. "But I've been keeping track of your exploits. I've been informed of Project Unity and I'm quite interested in being part of it. It's only fitting that MegaMan would be the first to enter phase one."
"Take good care of this body." Hub said with a tinge of emotion in his voice as he walked to the middle of the room. He noticed that someone had placed a metal table there since last time, and it was surrounded with various tools. He laid down the Copy Bot on it and Lan and Mayl approached and plugged in their PETs to retrieve their Navis, Roll having once again decided to ride in it. As their presences left it, the copy bot shut down, returning to its featureless yellow form.
"Don't worry son. We will." Dr. Hikari said with a smile.
"Well, let's get to work. Cadmus said. First we need to update the neural interface software. Then comes the hard part."
The others nodded and started moving about. Dr. Hikari connected a cable to the Copy Bot, linking it to one of the computers, while Ciel went over the following steps once again. Sean watched intently, eager to learn and help with anything that might be necessary.
The next day went by quickly as the scientists worked on the modifications to the Copy Bot, and then the day of the party at the Creamland embassy arrived.
Lan got up quite early without needing his brother to wake him up. He'd been feeling excited and nervous in equal measure about the whole thing and tried to calm down rollerskating around the neighborhood while his mother took care of breakfast.
After about fifteen minutes he headed back home and devoured the stack of pancakes his mother had made for him. For some reason his appetite was out of control on that day, likely a case of his nervous tension sending it into overdrive, and he raided the pantry after he was done, stuffing himself with cookies and chocolate.
"Whoa Lan! Slow down!" Hub said, his eyes wide open in surprise. " This is too much even for you! What's the matter?"
"I don't know... I'm just... so hungry..." he managed to say between bites.
"It looks like someone's nervous, and stuffing yourself isn't going to help. Come on, relax."
Lan suddenly stopped and clutched his stomach, feeling queasy.
"I think I'm gonna be sick..." he muttered.
Haruka blinked, still stunned by his rampage. She reached for the medicine cabinet and looked for a digestive. She finally found a white pill and then headed to the kitchen sink and filled a glass with water before approaching Lan.
"Here, take this dear." she said, putting the pill in his mouth and handing him the glass. Lan downed it and belched loudly, feeling slightly better.
"I've never seen you so nervous before a date dear." she remarked.
"Well, this time it's different..." Lan said, a blush creeping over his face. "It's not just me going out with the bunch, or doing the usual normal stuff. This time... I..."
"Don't worry. Just follow your heart. It will never lead you astray." she assured him, giving him a hug. He couldn't help wondering if all the women in town had this sappy romantic streak or if it was something specific to the likes of her, Mayl and Yai.
"Mom... Did it take dad this long to realize how he felt?" Lan asked. He had seen his parents' constant displays of affection at home and heard some stories about their younger days, but he hadn't actually remembered to ask about this particular part as he'd intended.
Haruka smiled and patted his back. The fact that he was finally being honest with himself was also not lost on her.
"That and he was shy. Very shy." she said with a glimmer in her eyes as memories flooded her mind.
"Dad, shy?" Lan asked, looking somewhat perplexed. "He always looks... so confident."
"You'd be surprised. He nearly fainted on our first date."
Lan blinked and said nothing.
"Well, that was an interesting revelation." Hub said with a grin.
"And you'll be there to help your brother, Hub." Haruka said. "In case his mind freezes and he doesn't know what to do."
"Don't worry mom, I'll make sure he gets through this."
Even with the digestive, Lan was feeling a bit heavy and bloated after his rampage, so he decided to lie down for a while to give his nerves time to settle down. A few hours later, Haruka stepped into the room and gently woke him up.
"It's time, dear. You don't want to be late." she said with a smile.
Five minutes later, after getting a quick shower and changing into his formal clothes, Lan stood at Mayl's doorstep, clad in a black tuxedo that suddenly made him look all grown up. Trying to stay calm, he rang the doorbell. His jaw nearly dropped to the floor at the sight of Mayl, wearing a long beautiful pink dress that brought out her developing figure. It was a strange, almost nostalgic feeling to realize how time had changed him and continued to do so.
They stared at each other for a moment, equally surprised, before she reached out for his hand.
"You look... beautiful..." he managed to say, earning him a peck on the cheek.
"Focus, damnit!" he thought. "Stay calm!"
"You don't look so bad either..." she whispered in his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
Just as they were about to head to the Metroline station, a limousine stopped by. One of the windows in the back opened and they saw a very amused Yai staring at them.
"This is a special occasion." she said with a smile. "I've been waiting for years to see one of you make a move. Hop in."
"So... how did you know?" Lan asked as he settled on the comfortable seat. It did not take a genius to realize that she had been waiting for him.
"I have my sources." Yai replied with a smug grin.
About half an hour later they found themselves standing before the embassy, which was in a beautiful two floor white marble villa with a large garden, surrounded by a tall fence. A pair of uniformed guards stood by the gate, and several people in formal attire were frolicking through the garden, where large tables laden with trays of snacks and drinks lay.
"I've got some things to take care off." Yai said as she dropped them off. "If I'm not done by the time this ends, give me a call and I'll have my staff pick you up."
"All right. Thanks Yai." Lan said, taking Mayl's hand and leading her towards the gate. He didn't even need to identify himself as the guards recognized him and ushered the pair in with a smile.
"Either people still remember my face or the Princess told them to expect me." Lan thought with a shrug. While he was proud of his skills and achievements, he could actually be quite shy about being showered with recognition from random strangers on the street.
As they walked around, a few people stared at the pair. Mayl knew how those who came in contact with Lan tended to be overwhelmed with admiration for the young man who had saved the world so many times, but to her, he would always be the boy next door, the classmate, the lazy student with a heart of gold.
"He has given much of himself to the world..." she thought. "But now it's his turn to receive, whether he thinks he deserves it or not."
"Lan!" a feminine voice called out. The two turned their gaze to the villa's main door and saw a slightly older young woman with golden hair and blue eyes, clad in a regal white dress and wearing a golden tiara. Princess Pride looked even more beautiful than last time they had met, and Mayl couldn't help feeling slightly jealous as she saw the affectionate gaze she cast at Lan. The feeling intensified as the Princess caught him in a tight embrace, but it soon subsided as she reminded herself that Lan had chosen her and not Pride to accompany him on the event.
"Ah Lan, it's been a while. I wanted to see you again." the Princess said with a smile. "I see you're in good company." she added, looking at Mayl. "It looks like you finally found someone. I'm glad."
"Mayl was there all along." Lan managed to say, blushing at his own words. "I was just too dense to realize it. Or maybe I was just scared..."
Mayl blinked and stared at him.
"He's really changing a lot... Did he just say what I think he did? And in front of her, no less?" she thought, feeling a sudden shortness of breath.
"What about you, Princess?" Mayl managed to ask. "Have you... found someone yet?"
Pride sighed sadly.
"Not yet. State affairs don't leave much time for romance, I'm afraid."
She then leaned closer to Mayl.
"Please... take good care of Lan." she whispered in her ear, blushing slightly. Surprised, Mayl nodded. She realized, with equal parts relief and sympathy, that the Princess appeared to be another victim of the charm he didn't even realize he had.
"I can relate..." Mayl thought, with a fire in her chest. "But on this particular matter, I am never budging."
Looking a bit more cheerful, the Princess motioned at them to follow and stepped inside. Lan and Pride reminisced about their adventures together while Mayl listened intently, holding his hand. After about an hour, dinner was served and the guests made it to the large, lavishly decorated tables. The pair realized that they had been assigned seats facing each other, right next to the Princess at the head of the table.
"So what brings you to Electopia, Princess?" Mayl asked.
"There's a conference on network security in a few days, and I had to come represent my country. That and I wanted to see some old friends."
"You didn't set up this whole dinner just to see Lan, did you?" Mayl asked with a suspicious glare, but keeping a level tone.
"I have to admit he's part of the reason for it. I mean, I'm going to present a commendation to the ambassador for his many years of service, but I couldn't pass up the chance to see my good friend again."
"I knew it." Mayl thought. "I don't want to imagine what might have happened if he hadn't invited me."
Just then, the first course was served. Lan's stomach growled at the smell of roast turkey and he eagerly dug in. Not too long after that, the staff started serving large juicy steaks. Mayl smiled at his appetite, eating her food slowly as she watched him try to indulge his gluttony while maintaining his good manners. That was another surprise, Mayl realized.
"When did he learn how to eat like a civilized person?" she thought. For all his positive aspects, he could still be quite the savage when gluttony took over.
"You may want to save some room in your stomach Lan... The next course was made especially for you." the Princess said with a smile.
He quirked an eyebrow at her words, and finished the last bit of steak before a familiar scent reached his nose.
"It can't be! How did you know?" he muttered, taking in the aroma of curry.
By that point Mayl was starting to get suspicious again. She eyed Pride oddly, as if trying to guess what was on her mind. The Princess noticed and stood up.
"Mayl, can we talk?" she asked.
Mayl nodded and turned to Lan.
"You keep on eating. We'll be right back."
The Princess led Mayl to a vacant room and closed the door behind them.
"All right, what's going on here?" Mayl asked, staring at her. "It's like you set up the whole thing just for Lan."
Pride blushed and sighed.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked with a sad smile.
"And the way you talked... You've got a thing for him too, don't you?"
"I always knew there was something about him that set him apart from everyone else..." the Princess said, glancing upon Mayl as if taking her measure. "But I never acted upon it. I guess it's better this way... you're his childhood friend after all, the first and best. It would be crass and selfish to try to interfere."
"I'm not sure I could have competed with royalty..." Mayl thought. "But she backed down on her own?"
"Yes... There's really something about that boy..." Mayl admitted with a sigh. "The frustrating part is he doesn't even realize it."
"I wonder how many more girls around the world ended up like her..." Mayl thought as she remembered the sheer number of people Lan had met, battled and befriended. "Heart of gold, brain of… some kind of alien matter."
"I have something special in store for him. A little something for his heroics. Don't worry, I won't try to steal him from you. I know you'll take good care of him."
Mayl couldn't help notice a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"He really is one of a kind. I feel sorry for you Princess." she said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But don't worry. I'm sure somewhere out there, you'll find someone just for you." she added with a smile.
"I would appreciate it if you kept it between us." the Princess said, cheering up slightly. "He's better off not knowing."
Suddenly the lights went out and everyone stopped what they were doing, gasping in surprise. The front door and all the windows sealed themselves, trapping everyone inside.
