Disclaimer: I do not own MegaMan.EXE or MegaMan X.

Of Souls and Reploids

Thoughts "blah"

Chapter 10

AfterLaika and the Colonel left Yuuichiro called his wife's cellphone. When she picked up he said, "Haruka honey, I need you to find MegaMan. It seems that Sharo's military wants to speak with him and I need to talk to him first."

When Haruka replied the fear could be heard in her voice, "You don't thinkthat they know about...'him' do you?" It was one of her worst fears other than losing Lan which had already happened. Now with the possibility of losing her other little boy seemingly such a real possibility her motherly instincts were working overtime making her one extremely paranoid and sometimes aggressive mother.

Yuuichiro couldn't blame his wife for acting this way. He'd lost a son that day too and now he regretted spending so much time away from Lan while he was growing up. While it was true that he did spend a lot of time working on ways to improve MegaMan's capabilities he'd also spent time on many other projects causing him to neglect one if not both of his sons. He finally replied to his worried wife saying, "I don't know, but once I talk with Hub I'm certain to find out. Hopefully he hasn't let anything slip since his brother's passing. I'm beginning to think that we let him spending way too much time out on the Net."

"But he needs his space. If we crowd Hub we could lose the only son that we have left. Give him more time to grieve...he more than anyone needs it right now. You and I can't understand just how strong the bond between twins can be, but he knows and it's going to take time for him to deal with. All that we can do is be there and offer our support.", said Haruka. Privately she agreed with her husband and would talk to Hub and get him to spend less time on the Net.

"I know dear, but please find him and bring him home. I'll talk to him later on tonight and see what I can do.", said Yuuichiro before he and his wife hung up.

Up on Regal's satellite the renegade scientist had come up with perfect way to lure Rockman out. "Do you understand your assignment Dark Protoman?", he asked watching the Darkloid carefully.

"Yes Master. I'll retrieve the target and bring the little pipsqueak here.", replied Dark Protoman as he logged out to hunt down his prey. He knew that without 'the target' MegaMan would be able to rip him to pieces and would probably think nothing of it. The Darkloid chuckled as he remembered watching Chaud and Lan die six months ago. He would never admit it to anyone but a part of the old Protoman still beat strongly in his heart. When Chaud died a part of himself had died too.

"Perfect. Now we'll find out just how powerful Bass made you...and perhaps even why he's helping you.", muttered Regal as he watched a surveillance tape of MegaMan that was a few weeks old. The brilliant scientist knew that he wouldn't get much information watching this, but it would help him understand MegaMan's mind just a little better. Something about this navi seemed so different from other navis...he was more independent, had more freedoms that Regal didn't think could be programmed. Yet the proof was right in front of him, somehow Dr. Hikari had done something that even he couldn't do and Regal was determined to find out how.

The door to the control room decompressed and opened as Ms. Yuri walked into the room. "So what's this that I hear MegaMan trashed your favorite little puppet?", she asked with a smirk. She may work for this man, but she didn't particularly like him...just the money that she could get from him and the small comfort from being around someone that had gone through such an living changing experience like the one that had separated her from her sister Ms. Mari.

Dr. Regal growled and the replied curtly, "Yes, it seems that Bass has decided to get involved in this."

That was certainly not the answer Yuri had been expecting. She thought for sure that he'd have some witty comeback or petty chore for her, but to hear that the Super Navi Bass was helping MegaMan...she wasn't prepared for that. When she overcame her surprise she asked, "So why is the ultimate human hater helping a human loving navi like MegaMan? Any ideas?"

"Unfortunately none. Whatever is going through Bass' mind I can't predict it at present. Every navi I've sent to locate and spy on him has been sent back at the point of near deletion as a message to me.", said Regal. Bass it seemed did have a sense of humor and right now he was enjoying mocking Regal's Darkloids. "Whatever you're up to I will counter. Both world shall be mine in the end and I'll destroy anyone that tries to stop me."

In DenTech city at the Hikari residence Axl and Zero were trying their best to teach X, Palette, and Layer how to act like human beings. The two female navis were passable with help from Denise, but X...X was a different story. The two humans turned Reploid held their heads down in shame hearing X's attempt to make a human joke.

Axl looked at Zero and said, "If he ever tries to make a joke again...I'm gonna kill him." To the young Reploid's surprise the swordsman agreed and had his hand on his Z-Saber just in case X cracked one of his horrible jokes. "Man! He's a few hundred years old and he can't even make one good joke. That is pathetic.", thought the orange haired Reploid.

Denise was successful in getting X to stop when she threatened him with a collar like Zero was forced to bare. She caught Zero whispering to himself '...and that evil bitch would do it too.' She looked Zero in the eyes and said, "That's Queen Bitch to you...and what a lovely thing to say...SIT! SIT! SIT!"

The blonde was now part of the Hikari's floor thanks to the collar. Hub wasn't thrilled when he saw that, but even he had a hard time not laughing knowing that it was Chaud who was collared like that. He turned to Denise and asked, "And just who's going to fix that mess before Mama and Papa get home?"

Dr. Wildman smiled evilly at Zero and the Reploid knew that he'd just been volunteered. "If I'm lucky maybe Dr. Hikari can get this thing off of me.", he thought knowing that any argument from him would result in more 'Sits' and pain.

"See you can teach men anything with the proper tools.", Dr. Wildman said pointing at Zero. She knew that she'd gotten under his skin when his crystal blue eyes became blood shot. "He must really hate me right now.", she thought grinning from ear to ear.

X offered to help Zero make the repairs to speed things up while Axl went to talk with his brother. "So, be honest. What do you think Mama and Papa are going to think of the new me?", the young Reploid asked. Now Axl had to tell his parents and eventually his old friends. The question racing through his mind was would they believe him. "What is Maylu going to think of me? Will I even have a chance with her anymore? Do I even still want to be with her or Palette?", he wondered. After the years he'd spent as a Reploid Lan had matured somewhat...well he wasn't as dense as he used to be at any rate. He knew that Maylu had feelings for him and maybe he still had feelings for her, but he'd have to wait and see how things turned out.

MegaMan smiled and replied, "Of course Lan. They took me being turned into a navi well...except for all the tears that came after I died." For a moment MegaMan's attention seemed elsewhere and then he smiled at his younger brother. "It looks like it's already 'that' time. Mama's home and Papa shouldn't be too far behind. Since you 'died' he's been spending as much time we me and Mama as possible...to be honest it's getting really annoying, but I understand why he's doing it."

"Yeah...yeah so do I.", said the Reploid as he started pacing back and forth trying to imagine how the next few minutes would play out. With some psychic influence from Hub Axl was able to calm down and told the others to get ready for an interesting talk.

Just as Axl had promised Haruka entered the house calling out, "Hub sweety are you here? We really need to have a talk." She found three women on one couch and three young men on the other. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house!", she demanded pulling out a can of mace, but keeping it hidden behind her back.

"Woah! Woah lady settle down. There's no need for violence.", said X as he motioned for her to sit in the recliner. "We just came here to talk to you...", he said taking a look at Axl. He saw the Reploid nod and continued, "We have information about your son...Lan."

Haruka flew out of the chair and pointed the can of mace at X. Zero and Axl recognized the container and ducked for cover leaving X to fend for himself. Even though the Hunter was a Reploid mace could still hurt him and unfortunately he had no idea what Haruka was pointing at him until it was too late. Haruka emptied the contents into the Hunter's eyes and pulled out her taser punching him right in the chest with it. "HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT THE DEAD! MY LITTLE BOY DIED ONLY SIX MONTHS AGO AND THEN SICKOS LIKE YOU PEOPLE...", she started ranting before Axl restrained her. "Oh! Let me go! Let me go! Help somebody!"

"Mama calm down. They're not lying to you.", said MegaMan using the holographic projector that Dr. Hikari had installed to appear life sized in the living room. When his mother stopped fighting MegaMan said, "They do know where my little brother is. I know because I've been talking to him for the last few hours."

"But Hub darling you saw your brother die six months ago. He can't still be alive after that...that...that Protoman.", she said giving in to her tears.

"Well Lan it's time to tell her. Or would you rather wait until Papa gets home?"

'No. I'll tell her now, just not everything. The history lesson will have to wait until Papa gets here.'

"Thank you. She really needs this ya know."

'I know. Then again you already knew that.'

Axl felt the connection he shared with his twin was still disturbingly weak, but it still let them communicate with each other. The link also let Axl feel something unsettling inside of Hub...it felt dark, evil. The Reploid believed that it was just Hub's feelings towards Nebula for supposedly killing himself. Turning his attention back to the woman in his arms Axl said, "I know that your son is well, but he's different now. Much like your other little boy Hub."

Haruka looked at Axl surprised that he knew such a closely guarded secret and then to MegaMan who nodded. "Why would Hub take such a risk? These people are just trying to exploit our family and my son fell for it.", she thought feeling her eyes water up again. "Hub you fool...what have you done?", she said looking at her oldest son.

MegaMan's gaze remained strong and he replied, "I didn't tell them about me. Lan did and he's got something else to tell you, right Lan?"

Haruka was completely baffled and looked around to see if Lan had just changed his appearance. None of the people their looked even remotely like Lan, so she looked back to Hub for answers. She got her answer when Axl started to laugh at her confusion. "What's so funny? How dare you..."

Axl placed a finger over his mother's mouth silencing her insults. "...I'm right here Mama. I'm Lan, but different in more than just appearance."

Haruka looked at the other guys and pointed to Zero. "And I suppose that you are going to tell me that that's Chaud? What kinda fool do you take me for?" Axl suddenly got wide eyed and looked at Zero. Mrs. Hikari's mouth fell wide open when she saw that look on Axl's face. "Oh my God. THAT REALLY IS CHAUD? ...AND YOU'RE...YOU'RE MY LITTLE BOY!"

"Yep, that would be me.", replied a cheerful Axl.

Without warning Haruka grabbed Lan by the ear and pulled hard. "WHY..DID...YOU...DYE...YOUR...HAIR!", she demanded stressing each word. She felt pleased seeing the other 'guests' and Chaud shrink away in fear of her wrath.

Axl laughed nervously and said, "That's actually a very funny story."

"What's so funny about it?", asked Haruka making her youngest even more nervous. She'd told him many times before that he would never be allowed to dye his chocolate brown hair as long as she had any say in it and yet here he was with orange hair. Orange of all colors...well she was glad that it wasn't purple or pink.

Hub came to his brother's rescue saying, "He's right it's...interesting, but we really should wait for Papa to get home before he's goes into details. It's a long story and I think that he'd rather only tell it once more."

Mrs. Hikari released the ear and pulled Lan into a loving hug while the youth tried to nurse the injured ear. "Alright, I'll give you until the time Yuuichiro comes home to come up with a REALLY GOOD reason why you hair is orange.", she said before turning to the others, "Are you going to introduce me to these people Lan?"

"Oh, right. Sorry about that." Axl said over to Zero. "As you already know this is actually Chaud, but don't tell anyone. He's got...daddy issues.", said the younger boy before muttering, "Not that I can blame him given who his is."

Zero had been ready to hit Axl for saying that, but stopped himself when he heard what they boy had muttered. "Thanks Lan.", he thought before nodding to Haruka.

Denise didn't give Axl a chance to say more before she walked up and shook hands with his mother. "Pleased to meet you. My name is Dr. Denise Wildman and I've acted as Lan's guardian since he ended up in our world.", she said.

"Your world?", asked Mrs. Hikari as she began to question the brunette's sanity.

"Yes my world. Your son ended up being thrown into another time and universe. I've taken care of him for...twenty three years. Actually when I found him in such horrible shape I took him in as my son.", said Denise as she felt eager to trade stories about Lan.

"Your son?", asked Haruka.

Denise smiled sadly and said, "Yes sadly I can't have children on my own and when I found Lan it seemed like the answer to my prayers. I understand if you don't-"

"Oh nonsense. That boy needs all the mothers and fathers he can get given his knack for digging up trouble.", said Haruka as she'd figured out where Denise was going. Her heart went out to this woman who couldn't have children on her own, so she decided that she could share her little boy with Denise. The doctor seemed to be very pleasant and she was sure that they'd get along well.

"Thank you Mrs. Hikari.", replied Dr. Wildman.

Palette took a page from Dr. Wildman's book and repeated the doctor's actions, but said something very unexpected. "How are you Mrs. Hikari? I'm your son's girlfriend Palette. It's nice to finally meet my future in laws."

Denise and Haruka covered their faces to try to hide their laughter, but Zero, X, and Layer didn't bother. Axl was beyond shocked on froze completely where he was standing. Palette walked up to him and waved a hand in front of her self-declared boyfriend's face. "Um...guys...he passed out...on his feet.", she said pulling his larger body to the couch and lying him down in the seat.

Saito was shocked that Lan hadn't told him that he'd picked up a girlfriend in that other world. "So he's been holding out on me. You sly dog...but you'll be a dead dog when Maylu finds out. This is going to get ugly.", he thought.

When everything finally settled back down X introduced himself since Axl was currently unavailable. "I'm X. Lan and Chaud were part of the military back home and I was their Unit Leader. It's always been an honor serving with them and you should be proud of your son ma'am."

"Military? Chaud explain.", said Mrs. Hikari leaving no room for argument.

He sighed and then answered, "We served in the military to prevent what are called Mavericks from hurting innocent people. We were part of a group called 'The Maverick Hunters' which is that world's version of the NetSaviors. I kept an eye on Lan and I have to agree with X, you should be proud."

Finally the purple haired Navigator stood up and introduced herself. "I'm Layer. My purpose with the Hunters was to serve as a battle analyst. I'm also Zero's girlfriend by the way."

Axl finally started to wake up after Palette shook him harshly and Mrs. Hikari said, "Well it's good to know that somebody is taking good care of Chaud."

When Axl was finally up he said nothing to Palette, but he did blush making both humans say, "Awww isn't that cute." The other two Hunters were smirking and Layer was simply holding a tight grip on Zero. Finally Axl recovered enough to talk and said, "Mama...I talked with Chaud and well...me and Hub want to adopt him into our family."

"But Lan he's already got a family. We can't just do something like that.", she said trying to explain just how bad of an idea that was. She knew Chaud's father would throw every penny he had to retrieving his son simply because he wanted an heir. Mrs. Hikari was aware of how Mr. Blaze treated his son and she absolutely detested the man almost as much as Chaud himself.

"Mrs. Hikari, it's ok. I have no intentions of ever returning to my 'father'. Besides according to NetSavior records Chaud Blaze died just a few months ago, so really all you have to do is adopt Zero.", said the blonde swordsman with a smirk. So long as nobody other than the Hikaris and Reploids knew who he really was there shouldn't be a problem.

Reluctantly Mrs. Hikari agreed with one condition, "Yuuichiro has to agree with this and handle all of the arrangements. One question, why Zero?"

The swordsman gave one of his rare smiles and said, "Because that is the name that I was given when I was reborn as I am now. Lan was renamed Axl, but he responds to either name. As for what I mean by 'reborn'...well you'll just have to wait until Dr. Hikari gets here."

"Fair enough.", Haruka said. She had to admit she was more than a tad curious as to how else the two boys were different, but she'd wait as long as it took.

Outside there was a loud crash and then a multi-colored glow appeared confusing everyone except for Zero, Axl, and MegaMan. A Dimensional Area was forming right over the Hikari household.

"Nebula.", all three former humans spit out knowing who was behind this. The Hunters went on their guard while MegaMan transferred himself into the Dimensional Area.

Seconds later Dark Protoman appeared before the group. "Well this is a surprise. I didn't know that you had company Mrs. Hikari...and there you are MegaMan. How nice to see you again.", the Darkloid sneered. The navi turned to Zero and felt something stirring inside of his corrupted heart, but the navi brushed it aside. "Time to get down to business.", he said call forth his Cyber Sword.

Outside of the Dimensional Area was Laika and the Colonel. They'd decided to see if they could get Haruka to let them speak to MegaMan since it was obvious that Yuuichiro was going to be difficult and they'd arrived at the Hikari home just before the Dimensional Area generators landed. "Sir?", asked Laika.

"Go ahead nephew. Make Sharo proud.", said the Colonel. He watched as Laika rushed climbed on top of the car ready to jump into the dome once he'd gather up enough speed to break through. The Colonel planned to veer off at the last second so he was worried about crashing into the barrier. Not many people knew that Laika's Uncle had been a daredevil in his youth before he joined the military, so something like this gave the old man a little excitement these days.

"Synchro-chip in. Download. Begin Crossfusion.", said Laika and Searchman as they made contact with the domes outer barrier. "I wonder what Nebula's up to this time.", he wondered making his way to the Hikari's home at the center of the Dimensinal Area.