A/N: I hope that the last chapter enlightened you somewhat. Here's another chapter and this one should shed more light on everything. R&R. Enjoy.

Chapter Nine: Memories

John honestly didn't know what the hell was going on. Was he suddenly remembering everything that he couldn't in his existence? Or was his new ability kicking in? It was all so strange and confusing, especially the way he was seeing all of this. He felt as though he were an outsider gazing in or as though he was having an out of body experience. He could look into the capsule and see himself clearly, standing there in the water with his eyes closed. And from all around him, he could see the lab, which was a huge bunker-type room with a lot of electrical equipment, computers, scanners, and anything else that would be found in a lab. Also, he could see hundreds upon thousands of capsules just like the one the he-that-wasn't-really-him was contained in. There were so many that he lost count after fifty.

In the capsules closer to his, were Randy and Wade, and he couldn't help but gape at them. Randy looked a lot younger than he was now, probably in his early teens, while Wade looked like an eleven year old, but he could still tell who they were and not just by looking at the zero and one clearly imprinted on their skin. Even in his memories, looking at them like this, his heart started beating faster, especially now that he knew that he was bound to both of them until they were destroyed. Just thinking about Randy or Wade dying sent unpleasant shivers down his spine and he silently vowed to do his best to make sure that didn't happen. Regardless of the fact that he hadn't know Randy at all when they were first mated, the thought of him dying saddened him greatly. He didn't even know how he'd feel if he even approached the idea of Wade dying.

Loud shuffling from behind him caught his attention and he turned around to the tables full of equipment to see a much younger Steve looking through numerous documents and jotting notes down on something he couldn't really see. John approached him, trying to be quiet, although he had the suspicion that he couldn't be heard. Looking down at the papers, he realized that they were files on himself, Randy, Wade and others of their kind. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that only about ten beings aside from himself, Randy, and Wade were in the capsules, all of whom appeared to be kids or teenagers. Did that mean that, in the first stages of development, his kind were raised n a Petri dish or something like that? It was possible, but unless his memories revealed that to him, he would never know for sure.

Turning back to Steve, John watched as his late friend read over the files and wrote on them, muttering to himself softly. A door to the left opened up and Crawford and Doctor Carol Cena walked in and they appeared to be in a heated discussion. From his work, Steve looked up at the pair and smiled.

"What's going on now between you two?"

"Emille doesn't agree with me that our creations should be given regular names like people."

"They're not people, Carol. How many times have I tried to explain this to you?"

"Just because they're not like you and I doesn't mean that they're not humane. For the love of God, we haven't even let John out yet and all of his functions have been normal thus far."

"It's name isn't John and it's not human. It's name is The Prototype Carol."

"If he's not human then why did you create him to look like my late son, eh?" At this, Crawford stayed silent and cast his gaze elsewhere aside from Carol who, instead of appearing smug, had a look genuine curiosity on her face.

"I thought that you'd have it figured out by now." A light blush crossed Carol's face, but before she could say anything, Steve spoke up.

"I hate to interrupt your love fest, but I agree with Carol. John needs to be let out to roam and get use of the mobility of his limbs. Besides, how else are we to program him with all that the world knows unless he's outside of that capsule? We rig him up with those computer wires, and there goes our first real creation."

Somewhere, in the deep recesses of his mind, John vaguely remembered this conversation. It felt so familiar to him and he could almost predict who was going to say what. He wasn't too sure if he was completely 'awake' or not, but he must have been in order to hear and retain some of what they were saying.

"So now you're calling it John now, are you?" Steve smirked up from his chair at Crawford. Even John could hear in the doctor's tone that he was relenting.

"It's easier than saying 'The Prototype' all the time. Come on, Doc. Lighten up. John may not be human, but we created him and his kind based off of our own species so technically all he is is super human." Crawford shook his head, but he was unable to hide the smile slowly forming on his face.

"Fine. You're both right. John it is and we'll let him out tomorrow. It's getting late and I don't think now's a good time to let him loose."

Crawford approached John's capsule and peered at him, scrutinizing him closely. John moved so that he was right beside the older man and watched as the he-that-wasn't-really-him started to slowly, and with some difficulty, open his eyes. The bright blue orbs closed after a brief second before they reopened. Even from looking on like a ghost, John could recall his own confusion and slight fear at seeing Crawford looking so intently at him. However, his fear vanished when Crawford smiled at him and the he-that-wasn't-him closed his eyes and dipped his head back down.

"Tomorrow, we'll let John out. And maybe soon, we'll let Randy out. See how they react to one another. But for now, it's time to go." And with that, Crawford and Carol left, leaving Steve to reorganize the files and stack them neatly on one pile. Before he too left, Steve approached John's capsule and gazed up at him.

"You're something special John. You're proof of how much Crawford cares about Carol and that's enough to make me fight for you." Steve then left, turning off the lights.

John didn't know if his memories were swirling around him or what, but only a few seconds passed before the lights were turned back on. Steve, Crawford, and Carol entered the room and began reading over the files that were stacked on the desk. Looking around, he saw that Wade had grown a little bit more since the last memory recollection, but it wasn't a bad thing. Randy still looked to be a young teenager, although he could see a bit of change in him as well. Seeing them look so young and peaceful made him smile; if only they could see themselves now, what would they have to say?

"Alright Steve. Let's drain the capsule and let John out for his first test run. Theoretically, everything should be fine, but we can't be too careful."

"Gotcha."

And Steve approached John's capsule and typed a code into the keypad attached to it. As soon as the code was typed in, the water in the capsule began to drain until it was all gone. The doors opened and Steve reached in for John, wrapping a large, thick towel around his soaked body. Clumsily, John stumbled out of the capsule and opened his eyes, blinking them a few time before he shook his head. Drops of water rained down on whatever was closest to John, including Steve, but he didn't seem to care. As Steve helped up, John looked around, glancing at everything with wide, confusion-filled eyes before they settled on Steve. When the man let him go, John wobbled on his unsteady legs before he fell backwards, hitting the capsule.

"He hasn't been let out before, has he?" Carol's voice was filled with concern as she watched Steve help the first being. John watched the scene with a tiny bit of amusement; he must have been worse than a new born baby deer when he was first released.

"No he hasn't been. It's expected that he'll be clumsy until he gets his bearings. It shouldn't take him that long." Carol nodded at Crawford as they watched Steve straighten John up and help him walk around.

After minutes of trial and error, John finally appeared to have the hang of it and he was able to walk without Steve's assistance. John watched as his memory self continued to walk around the lab, gazing at everything with a curious look. When he approached Randy's capsule, he stopped and looked up at the still sleeping being. Pressing his hands to the glass, he leaned in closer, staring intently up at the other being. John moved closer to the two of them, trying to get a better look at what was going on. From inside the capsule, he could see Randy's eyes crack open slightly before closing tightly, as though trying to adjust to the unfamiliar lighting. Slowly, he reopened his pale, icy blue eyes more and more until they were completely open. When Randy looked down at John and their eyes connected, a spark of energy passed between them, one that John could clearly make out and one that took his breath away.

"Looks like Randy's woken up. Could it have anything to do with John?"

"Maybe, but we won't know for sure until we get more beings created and finalized and released. Of course, I'll probably let Randy out sooner than anticipated. He's not finalized yet, but he's waking up nonetheless. Could be worth the risk."

Randy closed his eyes and John frowned before he moved away from the capsule and walked over to Wade's. Still in his child-like stage, Wade was rather adorable and the real John could help but smile at him. The other John pressed his face against the capsule and looked at the child-like Wade. He didn't open his eyes like Randy did, but the heart pacing monitor that was connected to his sped up slightly. It kind of made him blush, the fact that, before he even knew anything at all, he was making Wade reaction in such a manner. Did Wade's heart still beat faster when he was around? In all honesty, he never took the time to just listen, but seeing his memory-self study Wade so intensely, it made him want to pause and listen to his Wade's heartbeat, to see if it still sped up.

"Steve. Collect him please. It's time we hook him up and fed him the knowledge of our world."

John walked over to the machine that Crawford and Carol were standing beside. It looked like a computer of some sort, but he wasn't too sure. Connected to it were wires attached to cream colored circles, the ones that were often placed on someone's head. Was that how they were going to program him? Although it looked too surreal, it must have been; it would have taken them too long to teach him normally. The memory-John was placed in the chair that sat beside the computer and Crawford attached the circle-things to his forehead.

"This is going to feel weird and uncomfortable, but it's completely necessary. After this session, your speech function should be fully operational and you should have the basic IQ of a ninth grader."

"How long is this going to take, Doc?" Steve asked as he took away the towel he gave the John, leaving him in only a pair of boxers.

"At least four hours. The maximum amount of time is six, but I'm hoping that it won't go beyond four."

"Why is that? Got a hot date tonight?" Steve chuckled at the looks that appeared on the faces of Crawford and Carol.

"Shall we turn on the computer and begin the programming?"

"Please do, Carol."

The John that sat in the chair fidgeted a bit before he ceased all movement. Now that the machine was on and running, processing and exporting all of the information that Crawford wanted to transfer into his brain, John sat completely still, his eyes going blank and glossing over. Steve studied his face and spoke up, sounding uncertain.

"Is he supposed to do that? And to look like that?" Crawford looked at John before returning to the computer.

"Yes, he is. It's part of his basic function. His conscious mind is shut down until the programming is completed, then it'll return to normal. It's almost like he's in a coma without actually being in a coma."

"Oh."

The real John watched on until everything around him distorted and his memory shifted to another forgotten memory. It stopped briefly at one memory on him still attached to the computer scanning system and he watched as Crawford explained to Steve that there was no longer a need to use the system. All around him, his memory shifted until it stopped and everything came into focus. He wasn't in the lab anymore. Now, he was in a small room, a break room or something like that, where his memory-self was with Steve and Randy. John was watching Steve make coffee while Randy was watching John, his eyes never looking away from John's body as he watched and moved about.

"It's like having a puppy." John tilted his head at Steve's comment, looking confused.

"What's like having a puppy, Steve? Is the Doctor going to get us a puppy? That'd be nice, since it's just Randy, Wade, Mike, and I. Gets kind of boring with just the four of us, even when…" John's voice trailed off as he looked over his shoulder at Randy, who grinned and licked his lips. A blush came over his face and he turned back to catch Steve's slightly smirking face, coffee cup held to his lips.

"I'll see what I can do. Hey, I forgot something. I'll be right back. No one else aside from myself and the Doctor are outside of the lab units, so you'll be fine alone here." And with that, he slipped out of the door.

John, trying not to pay attention to the feel of Randy's heated icy blues on him, opened the nearest cupboard and retrieve a coffee cup from it. Today was the first time he had ever seen coffee being made and he wanted to try it and taste it. The real John leaned against the opposite wall and watched as Randy continued to lean forward, his gaze traveling all over the other John's body. After a few moments, he got up and stalked over to John, who was still trying to ignore him. All body movement stilled when he felt Randy's presence so close to his body. Large tanned hands came to rest on his bare shoulders and Randy leaned in and started to nibble on John's ear.

"I want you, John-John. I want you so damn bad."

"Randy. We can't. Not here. And don't you remember last week when the Doctor caught us making out? He wasn't too happy about that; said personal bonds would get in the way of our objectives."

"The Doctor won't even tell us what our objectives are. Besides, he's just pissed because Carol hasn't been around lately. Seeing anyone else get some is probably a sore spot for him."

"Randy! That's not nice."

"Neither is denying me, Johnny." Randy forced John to turn around and face him, leaning in so close that their lips were touching.

"I had to watch you be taken by Wade on Monday. You have no idea how difficult it was seeing his hands all over you, seeing him kiss every last inch of you, and seeing you want him just as badly. I know that the three of us are a part, but my world revolves around you, and I think it's time that you allow me to take you." He kissed John passionately, possessively and John watched as his other self gave in and kissed back, wrapping his arms around Randy's neck, pulling him in closer.

Randy lifted John up so that he now sat on the counter and he spread John's legs open so he could slip in between them. A loud moan escaped John's lips as they continued to kiss, his blunt nailed digging into Randy's copper skin. Tanned hands caressed his face before they ran down his neck and then to his chest. Pinching John's nipples, Randy smirked at the mewling sound he received in return. Breaking the kiss, panting, Randy moved his lips down to John's neck, leaving open mouthed kisses along it, nipping at the soft skin. The real John was so caught up in the heat of the moment, that he almost didn't see Steve's face peer through the door, smirking evilly before he left once again. What was he up to now? His thoughts were interrupted when he heard himself gasp out loud. Turning back to the scene before him, John watched as Randy's hand cupped his hardening erection.

"R-Randy. Not…Not here."

"John, if I don't fuck you right here, right now, I'm going to explode."

All of John's protests died when Randy's lips claimed his own yet again and the real John was feeling himself becoming hot and bothered. Before it could continue any further, the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted the two and Randy pulled away, looking less than impressed while John flushed red and buried his head against the other's chest. Standing at the door was Doctor Crawford, hands crossed over his chest and looking incredibly angry. Behind him was Steve, who was trying very hard to stop the laughter from bursting out of him.

"What did I tell you two last week?" Randy frowned and wrapped his arms around John possessively while the other was still too embarrassed to lift his head up.

"I forget." Crawford sighed and shook his head.

"Randal, I've designed special rooms for you and Wade to…fornicate with John. However, I will not tolerate such behavior outside of those rooms! Last week, I caught you two in the public bathroom on the third floor. Is your libido really that insatiable?"

"Only when it comes to my John-John." At that, Steve did laugh out loud and Crawford sent a dirty look at his assistant.

"Take them back to the lab Steve."

Once more, his memories blurred and distorted, causing John to get a bit dizzy. This out of body experience was incredibly bizarre and he really wished that remembering everything were so much easier and less hassle than this. A few seconds later, everything stopped and John was back in the lab again, but this time, the lights were dimmed, although he could still see. Looking around him, John saw that all of the capsules were filled and every being inside of them appeared to be sound asleep. The only one that wasn't asleep or even in his capsule was John, who sat on a stool a few inches away from his capsule and watched as Crawford and Steve talked animatedly.

"So, you over heard Noba talking to Hernandez about The Virus and The Animal?" Steve nodded and replied to Crawford's question.

"Yes, I did. He said that he had injected this powerful virus into The Animal and that when it woke up, it would infect the other humanoids by biting them."

"Did he say why he was doing this?"

"Aside from you forcing him to put The Animal to sleep? Yes. Apparently, our…employers, the leaders of the U.N., have been tricking us this whole time. These beings are going to be used to help. They're weapons. A private army. I've got to say that, although Noba's completely nuts, he's right. I've heard rumors about it and the way that the leaders are constantly checking in on us and asking about their abilities… It's too much of a coincidence."

"I've known for a while that their intentions were less than noble. But I wasn't too sure how to combat them. At least, not until now. We can't keep this up. We can't let our creations be used for such horrid schemes."

"What's your plan Doc?"

"It's already been set in motion." At this, Crawford turned to John and he gazed into his creation's bright blue eyes.

"I'm sorry it has to end this way, John."

"Me too Doctor." Steve spoke up, a bit confused.

"Woah, woah, woah. What's going on? Does John know about this?" Crawford ignored him and instead continued talking to John.

"You're the exact replica of Carol's son John. We hid our affair from her husband, but thankfully, the one result of it survived: John. He's dead now, my own son. In his place, I created you. You're every bit like him and so much more. I wish I had more time with you, to show you things, to teach you more, but time is of the essence." Crawford then turned to Steve, his serious gaze boring into the eyes of his most trusted friend and assistant.

"Steve, you've been with me since your internship. I couldn't ask for a better assistant or friend. But there's one more thing that I must ask of you." Steve stared at the older man, confused, but more than ready to help.

"What do you need of me?"

"I'm going to put you in suspended animation, one that will last long enough that you'll survive hundreds of years. You will be there when our creations awaken."

"You're putting them to sleep? For how long?"

"Five hundred years. The same as you if you agree. Everyone but John is already asleep, and it's only a matter of time before I'm found out and captured. I'll be giving you all of my notes and files when I suspend you, so everything will be with you when you wake up. You may or may not awaken before the humanoids do. Regardless of that, find John, Randy, and Wade. Stay with them, bring them into the light should they forget. They are our only hope against The Animal."

"Why do you say that, Doctor?" John's voice interrupted their conversation and Crawford turned to him, his eyes wide and pleading with John to understand.

"Because inside of the three of you are the three components of The Virus with which The Animal is infected." John's eye widened and he stared at the doctor who was looking at him with pleading eyes, seeking forgiveness.

"But…how will it work if those components are inside of us?"

"When the time comes, you will know. Until then, don't worry about it." Crawford turned back to Steve.

"Here are my files. Keep them with you. Hide them as well as you can when I place you in the capsule. There's a locking code I'll be using, but I want to be careful regardless."

"You got it Doc."

"Good. Steve, now's the time. Step inside."

The real John and the memory John both watched as Steve walked away from John's capsule and walked towards an empty one. He breathed in deeply before he opened it and got in. Taking off his lab coat and wrapping it around the files and folders that Crawford gave them, he threw them onto the capsule floor and stepped on top of them.

"This ought to look a bit more realistic and less planned."

"You're doing fine. Now, when it closes and begins injecting the formula into the capsule, I want you to pound on the doors and scream. If you do, it'll look as though I forced you in there to keep your mouth shut." Nodding, Steve stood up proudly, his black shirt clinging to his toned body.

Both John's watched as the capsule closed up and an odd colored liquid started flowing into it. Steve brought his hands up and pounded on the glass capsule, screaming out something that couldn't be heard. With an even pace, the capsule filled up and before too long, Steve was frozen, suspended in animation. Once it was completely filled, both Johns turned to look at Crawford, who was breathing in deeply, trying to calm himself. He looked up at the memory John and the real John noticed how tired and worn out he looked.

"I'm sorry for doing this to you John. I'd rather not have to put you to sleep, though if I release you, suspicion may rise considering you'll never age."

"I understand Doctor. Don't worry; Wade, Randy, and I will find The Animal and we'll destroy him. " Crawford smiled and walked John over to his capsule. He got inside and stood still, staring down at Crawford.

"The Animal, Batista, is ruthless, cunning, and won't stop at anything until it gets what it wants. Noba has programmed it with a bloodlust for humans and if our race is destroyed, everything is destroyed. It's up to you John, you who are The Prototype, the leader of your kind. The future of the world rests on your shoulders. It's an unfair and heavy burden, but I couldn't trust anyone else with it. Randy is, well, Randy, and Wade is…"

"Wade." John smiled sadly down at Crawford who nodded and smiled sadly back.

"Indeed. There's so much I wanted to tell you, so many of your brothers and sisters you've yet to met. My notes contain the answers to everything. Anything that you don't know, they do. Don't forget, John. Please, don't forget."

And with that, the capsule began to fill up and the memory John sank into a deep, undisturbed slumber.