Hey guys, before we go any further, I would like to apologize for the childish ranting that I did on previous chapter's Author's Note (which I changed approximately 6 hours later so majority probably wouldn't know anything about it). Just as what I said last time, I spent an all-nighter doing chapter 12 starting from somewhere at 7 at night until dawn arrives and I sort of got a little 'cranky' during the process because I didn't sleep much beforehand.
As a result, I kept on ranting about nonsense stuff like how an old geezer would…and I'm doing it again now. Oh great, it's happening again.
Anyway, on to the Reviewer's Review:
To NightLuck:
Hahaha yes, I can agree to that, old animes can be really hard to find nowadays and when we do got them, it'd just end up being covered in dust bunnies.
To King of Anochronisms:
I would have done so if my laptop would just stop freezing the screen, it completely ruins a good movie sometimes.
To Ryuuto Raizel:
Hahaha well, Ryuusei no Rockman is a classic anime so whether if it's high quality or not, it still doesn't make it HD, which is the reason why I try to find the 'cheapest' ones as possible.
To AnimeGirl257:
A new laptop? Well, as much as I want to, something tells me I won't be getting it anytime soon.
To 5waydragon:
I highly appreciate the comment. As for the character choosing, forgive me but can you elaborate further on this since I don't quite understand what you're trying to say here.
To CISCO:
You'll find out soon enough ;)
To Light Wolf Moon:
Hehehehehehehehe :)
To Auabluey:
Already am :)
To darkboy18;
When is the next chapter, you ask? That's a bit difficult to answer since my schedule is in slight disorder nowadays but I can assure you that it won't pass the 12 month duration.
To Wolf:
I have, it's not much of an update but please bear with it for a little while as I have other important matters to attend to at the moment.
To Psychochiken:
Hmm…well, I pretty much have everything sorted out here already especially the characters but I'll let you know if I do need one.
To AssassinDevil:
Got it, just keep on reviewing and I'll continue on updating in return.
To Guest:
Yeah, I wanted to post long chapters at first but the last time I did it took me 7 months to finish…that or I'm just lazy that time.
Change of Plans
"Eight years has passed and you'd thought would come up with nifty brand new technologies to deal with any of adversaries," Venim began. "I can't say just how disappointed I really am."
Tyler pretended to laugh at his statement. The Satella Police are probably keeping an eye on anyone suspicious with all the surveillance cameras around them; they had to look inconspicuous as much as possible. "I doubt this is all they have." Tyler said as he glances at his surroundings. "The Satella Police probably has a few more men in the building kept for reserve."
"6/10 then though I doubt Dealer will be easily stopped by several average-powered EM pulse shots, a bunch of vault-able fences and some puppy Wizards." Venim retorted back.
Tyler chuckled. "Well, I'm more surprised that they allow you to enter this concert with what you're wearing."
"Hey, just to let you know, this is what a Sonia hardcore fan must wear whenever attending her concert!" He responded rather vigorously while waving the giant purple foam glove dangerously. Aside than the ridiculous hand gear, the toxic-user was also clad in a pink t-shirt that has 'I LUV SONIA' printed largely at the front side and a headband that constantly flickers with blue and red lights consecutively. Overall, he looks like a Sonia's hardcore fan, exactly just like what he wanted it to be.
"And Drew actually allowed you to attend this concert?"
"Yup, she's actually a fan herself so all's good." Venim said before he slumped in depression. "It's too bad she's not here though, she would've loved this."
"Hey, I'm here!" Cecilia cried beside him and Venim snorted in return.
The Poison-specialist merely gave her the 'Are you serious?' look. "But you're not Drew." He retorted back and she puffed her cheeks at that.
"Alright guys, knock it off." Laura warned, swiftly stepping in between the two before they could fight, at least not a real one anyway. "Remember what we're actually here for."
What Laura said was true, though they all look like they're here for the concert; the team of four is actually on a recon mission. When it comes to recon mission, quantity of members is crucial as it determines the chances of being discovered. The less members a recon mission, the lower the risks of being discovered and vice versa.
Normally, Tyler would've handpicked the party members himself but this was not the case as nearly all of his team members are fans of Sonia and are eager to join her concert once more.
After dealing the situation with the aid of the simple draw-a-straw game, with Tyler being the obvious exception since he is the team leader, the other three members who will be joining him will be Laura, Venim and Cecilia. Not a bad combination if he must say so himself. Though there was a minor 'bloodshed' upon hearing the result of the game but everyone finally agreed to it in the end with a little bit of persuasions from yours truly.
Tyler's bubble of thoughts was popped when Laura hand him a pair of glow sticks onto his hand. While he was busy thinking to himself, he wasn't aware that the group have arrived at a lobby-like part of the stadium which has an average-sized stand which sells Sonia's concert-only limited edition merchandises positioned at the centre of the room. Just like any other concert Tyler always sees a few years ago, the place is literally crowded with Sonia's diehard fans who are struggling to buy her products.
"What's the glow sticks for?" The head of the party asked as he examines the thin cylinders partially filled with red and green gels, looking almost similar to the E-Crystals back at home.
"Venim said that we'll need it when we go into the hall later on," Laura answered before shrugging her shoulders.
"Where is he anyway?" Laura replied by merely pointing a finger to the crowded stall. "Owh, looks like we won't be able to see him for a while now."
"I'll agree with you on that one. Once a Sonia Strumm fan, always a Sonia Strumm fan."
Tyler winced slightly at the mere mention of the pop singer. Thinking about it and hearing it verbally is an entirely different story. No one can blame him about it though; they're talking about his lover from eight years ago after all but none knew about this news just yet. Hell will broke loose if he does that.
That's right. Having living in FM planet for eight long years, he never once told any of neither the FM-ians nor the human residents about his love life or more specifically, his not so obvious relationship with Sonia Strumm. He wasn't entirely sure why for all the secrecy but he figures it was for the best if he wants to rule the whole planet without any…ah, prior distractions. The only person who does know about it aside than himself is his trustful partner, Omega-xis.
However, to make matters' worse, the undercover Hero of Justice is seeing mirages of the famed Sonia Strumm everywhere he look, as if the universe was trying to make him uncomfortable and force him to spill the secrets out. No, he definitely won't do that, at least not yet anyway.
"Something wrong, Tyler?" Laura tilted her head slightly upon seeing his discomfort.
"Nothing." Tyler replied back rather hastily, causing Laura to raise an inquisitive eyebrow at him. "Just have some things to think about."
Laura opened her mouth, probably to demand the hidden brunette what's really bothering him at the moment and Tyler braced himself for the verbal warfare that are about to be issued, a battle that he is hundred percent sure will end with him in the losing side. Luckily for him, Cecilia came just in the nick of time to save his butt.
"Laura, I need to go to the bathroom!" She whispered to her urgently.
The Huntress stares at her incredulously. "Then go." She whispered back.
"But I don't know where the toilet is!" She retorted. "Can you come with me, please, pretty please?"
Laura couldn't help but sigh to herself as she stares at the ceiling. "Oh for the sake of Artemis, alright fine." The female advisor then spares a quick moment to look at her boss. "We'll be back soon, need to bring her to the toilet."
Tyler chuckled, unfazed by Cecilia's childish antics. "It's alright girls, take your time." He said as he took a glance at his digital wrist watch. They still have fifteen minutes before the concert began plus they weren't exactly in a rush or anything, it is a recon mission after all. Sometimes, it can take up to months for a sufficient amount of intel to be obtained.
Once his female companions left him to settle their urgent business, the young King is finally alone ever since they initiated this mission. To divert his attention away from a certain pink-head he dearly loves of, Tyler put his hand into his jacket to take out his newly-acquired yellow and black Hunter VG. Contrasts to the ones he has last seen a few years ago, the latest Hunter is lighter, has a metallic color theme and is sleeker than it used to be.
However, it wasn't its exterior design that interests him; it's what in the inside that counts the most. When Geo got his first Hunter VG and committed his first Wave Change with the said device, he and his secret identity as Mega Man was immediately registered into the Satella Police's Transcode program and everything that he does are kept under their surveillance since then.
Not wanting the same fate to happen on him and his new team members, he has instructed Ciel to dismantle each and one of the Hunter they recently purchased from Big Wave and hack its internal program and remove any components the device has that ties it to WAZA server. It was a delicate operation but it was worth it as they are now away from the wandering eyes of both their allies and enemies alike…at least, Tyler hope they do, otherwise there's no point for them planning this ambush tactic first hand then.
All of the sudden, he heard someone let out a high-pitch battle cry and Tyler jerk his head towards the direction of the voice just in time to see a kid running pass him like there was no tomorrow before diving head-first into the pond of Sonia fans still occupying the unfortunate stall. Tyler's eyes went wide in shock, one does not simply charge into active Sonia hardcore fans and gets away unscathed with it.
As much as he wishes to compliment the kid for his bravery, he is more concerned about his health fare when the kid was forcefully kicked back out a few seconds later by people older than the child himself.
"Owie…" The kid moaned as he rubs his butt.
Tyler approached the kid. "Are you okay, kid?" he asked as he kneeled beside him. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"Ugh yeah, I'm alright mister," The kid replied back.
"That was a bold move you did there." Tyler commented amusingly as he helps him get up. "But I recommend you to do that again unless you want to get badly injured."
Tyler spent a quick moment to examine the kid, he looks somewhere between six to eight years old and has a pair of awfully-familiar looking chocolate brown hair and eyes. He was clad in an orange long sleeve t-shirt over a dark blue vest, a pair of black baggy shorts fully-looped with several tactical belts and a pair of midnight black sneakers.
"I know…but I have to buy something from there."
"Well, what do you need anyway?" Whatever the kid wanted, it must've been really important if he was willing to single-handedly charge into a deathtrap just like that.
"Glow sticks."
Tyler takes back his words.
"You don't understand!" The child said when he saw the look of disbelief on Tyler's face. "I need to get the glow sticks, I have to support Sonia!"
"Alright, alright." Tyler surrendered. "Still, it's too dangerous for you to go in there, why don't you wait until the crowd disappears?"
"But dad said the glow sticks sold out fast, that's why I have to buy them as soon as possible." The child sniffled back as he lowers his head and stares at his shoes.
The former Blue Bomber paused to think. "…tell you what, why don't you take my glow sticks instead?" He suggested as he took his pair of glow sticks out for the brunette to see.
"Mom said I shouldn't accept things from strangers." He replied as a matter of fact.
"Er…well, how about you buy it from me then?" He suggested once more.
The kid stared at the blonde suspiciously. "How do I know that you're not a con artist?"
Tyler could only give him a deadpanned look before he shook his head in a 'no' manner. "Don't worry; I'm not a con artist. A friend of mine bought them for me a while ago from the store so it's not fake." He explained. "So how about it?"
"How much are you selling it for?" He asked once more. By now, Tyler wasn't sure if he's dealing with an eight year old or a professional negotiator. The kid sure knows a lot for someone of his age.
"Hm…how about a hundred Zenny for both?"
"What!? But those glow sticks cost fifty hundred Zenny each!"
The blonde stared at the gel tubes within his grasp in disbelief. These things cost 5000 Zenny each!? Just what on Earth is Venim thinking when he bought this!? He should brief the team about their budget issues soon. They really need to keep the amount of overall money they're spending in check since the villa alone already cost them more than they could possibly handle.
"Well, I'm not here for the concert so I don't really have any use for it." Tyler lied back.
The former Mega Man could see the gears churning inside his skull as the kid carefully contemplates about this. "Alright, it's a deal, mister!"
"Good to know."
With that said, the two proceed on taking out their respective devices, the brunette with his dark blue-and-black and the blonde with his yellow-and-black Hunter, to resume their agreed deal. Tyler was smiling to himself at first, glad to be able to help the kid despite how ridiculous it is, but he immediately stiffened when he saw something that is virtually impossible on his Hunter.
When two or more people start a conversation with each other, the Hunters will automatically projects the public information such as the name, age, favorite Battle Cards and list of Brotherband of the people they are currently talking with. The same thing happens for Tyler and the kid as well since they are making contact with each other but the ruler of planet FM was shocked by the child, or more precisely the name of the child.
Starlight Stelar
He was in a state of being mind blown like no other that he didn't even realize when the kid sent the promised Zenny into his Hunter and took the glow sticks from his opened palm. Hell, someone might be able to lob a basketball at his head and he won't be able to feel a thing. The baffled look on his face made him look like he just saw Andromeda being defeated by a Metenna virus. "S-Starlight Stelar. Y-Y-You're a S-Stelar?"
"Hm, yeah I am but people usually call me Star for short." The kid named replied innocently before slightly tilting his head to the left, curiosity evident on the brunette's petite face. "Why do you ask, mister?"
The undercover ruler opened his mouth to say something, anything, but no sound came out of his lips. Thousands and thousands questions ran through his mindscape that he doesn't know where to start. Fortunately, he didn't have to waste any further of his remaining energy as his answer has just arrived for him in the form of an individual he greatly familiar with.
"Star!" A familiar male voice shouted from afar.
"Ah!" Star exclaimed before glancing at the source of the voice. "Dad!"
He hitched his breath. For that one brief moment, Geo felt like his heart has stop doing its designated function. If he said he was in a complete shock a while ago, he take his words back as he sees someone that is even more surprising than back when King Cepheus personally asked him to be the next ruler of planet FM. Someone he has strived on finding ever since his disappearance twelve years ago, the one whom he and his mom greatly adores more than anything in this world.
His one and only father, Kelvin Stelar
Tyler suddenly finds it hard to breathe properly; it felt like someone stuffed a ball of fluffy cotton down his wind pipe. He could see the two of them are talking about something together but his state of shock caused him to hear nothing but his own rapidly-beating heart. Beads of perspiration were continuously rolling down his forehead despite the air-conditioned place they are in but thankfully it was partially-obscured by his thick goldilocks.
Without any prior warning, the two focuses their attention back on him and Tyler felt like shrinking down when he made eye contact with his dad's calm yet stern eyes. Now that he has finally seen his long lost dad, Tyler noticed he hasn't changed much aside than looking a few years older and that thin beard of his. He still retains his muscular body posture, something his dad unconsciously gained from his daily workout in order to get accustomed to the space's antigravity.
"So you're Tyler, huh? Thank you for helping my son here and I'm sorry if he was troubling you, this little rascal can be a little impatient sometimes." Kelvin gave his son a quick ruffle through his brunette hair, earning him an indignant 'hey' from said person.
"O-Oh um ah, it's n-no big deal really." Tyler stuttered in response, hesitation hundred-percent evident in his voice. Dammit! Of all the times, why does he have to be nervous now!?
Whether his oblivious father noticed his anxiety or no, he didn't show it. Instead, he turned to his son slash his younger brother and said, "It's nearly time for the concert; we should head in there before it's too late."
"Oh you're right, dad! We definitely should!" Star agreed when he realized what time it is. "Thanks for helping, Mister Tyler!"
"Oh um, sure…" Still speechless, the leader could only stay there and wave at the duo as they disappear around the corner to the concert venue, now recognized as his dad and younger brother. His hand fell limp onto his sides afterwards, the absolute shock's effect still lingering on him. Poor Tyler wasn't even aware that he had stayed motionless in the same spot and that people around him are slowly leaving the place in order to head to the concert, even the stall which was previously occupied by the zombie-like fans was deserted of any living presence.
"Phew, that was nasty." Venim said to no one in particular as he appears beside his leader, carrying several Sonia products in tow. "It's been a while since I joined a rough dog fight like that but it was definitely worth it!"
As if on cue, Laura and Cecilia also arrives at the scene. "Sorry for the long wait you guys, Cecilia had a bit of a minor problem with the toilet just now." Laura apologized, an amused smirk on her face.
The latter let out an indignant 'humph!' sound but gave no further comment.
It was then Laura noticed that their leader is being quiet throughout the time, way too quiet for their liking.
"Tyler?" She called but he didn't respond. Laura took a glance at her other teammates who merely shrug in return. She tried calling him again but to no avail. "Geo?"
Calling him by his real name seems to do the trick as the former Blue Bomber immediately snapped out of his conscience. "Huh wha—"He finally said as he frantically looks around his surroundings. Judging from his state of surprise, it seems only then did he realized that they were the only people residing in the lobby. "S-Sorry guys, I guess I daydreamed again."
"You alright, Geo?" Laura asked, lowering her tone voice so that no one aside than the four of them can hear her. "It's not like you to be this…distracted. Did something happen?"
Geo bit his lower lip; leave it to Laura's perception to see things that no one else can. "It's nothing. I just got many things to think about, that's all." He said. Family affair can sometimes be complicated when things come for the worse so Geo wasn't actually lying nor did he tell them the truth. Though he got a good hunch that the Huntress won't be buying his words, he just hopes that she'll drop this matter for another time. Right now, they got another problem to deal here.
Fortunately, fate seems to be on his side as all their Hunters suddenly beeped to life. Simultaneously, all four of them skillfully took out the said device as if they've done it all the time.
"Hey guys it's me, Ciel."
"Ciel," Tyler said, silently thanking the petite girl for her sudden interference. "Something wrong?"
Back at the team's main base a.k.a. the highly-expensive villa, Ciel is furiously typing on her neon pink laptop while conversing with said team at the same time in her personal library. Ever since they've made the whole compound as their private property, the pink former professor of the Resistance has strived hard on making the library as her own research lab. With the help of begrudging Fenrir and a more-than-happy Cecilia, they were able to speedily move her heavy yet necessary equipment in and successfully convert the whole place just in time for them to begin their first recon mission.
No longer having the cute white and pink bulky helmet on her head, the blonde now has switched to a bright pink headgear with a HUD display and fluffy pink rubber band to keep her Rapunzel-like golden locks in place. The only thing that does not suit with the situation is the pink pajamas and the fluffy white bunny flip flops she's wearing at the moment. It made her look like a 24/7 online gamer girl rather than an operator of important tasks instead.
"I was checking through the area where you guys are and I found something."
"What do you have, Private?" At the same time but different location, the surveillance team of the Satella Police has also discovered a similar and unusual happening in the security room, where high definition security camera footages are all displayed on each and every monitor available within the spacious room. Pat and Rey Sprigs are elected by Ace to be in charge of the team due to their efficient skills with Wave Technology.
The said Private nodded as he continues to tap on the holographic keyboard, producing cyber-beeping sounds as he does so. "We're picking up heavy Virus signatures located 2.5 kilometers away from the Alohaha Stadium area." Pressing a few more necessary keys, the Satella Police brought the information he was referring to onto the main screen in the form of a map of Alohaha.
"Could it be a Virus Nest perhaps?" Laura guessed as they inspect the map intel Ciel have sent on their respective Hunters. So far there is nothing unusual displayed minus the many red dots pinned on somewhere not too far from their current location which is the Alohaha Stadium.
In planet FM, Virus Nests issues have been a common problem for Geo and his Royal Knights. In fact, they would often have at least one mission a day which requires them to delete one. Despite not sound like a threat, Virus Nests can be a hassle to deal with if they are left unattended for a long duration of time since it is the place where the Viruses usually gather around and 'reproduce' themselves.
Ciel nodded at Laura's words. "That's what I thought as well but I don't think that's the case here."
"What do you mean?" Tyler asked.
"These place was basically spotlessly clean before these Viruses just popped out of nowhere at an alarmingly fast rate."
"Whoa whoa, just wait for one quick moment here." Venim interrupted. "Popped out of nowhere? You mean the viruses just came out without any proper source or whatsoever?"
The Satella Police nodded.
"Any ideas on what we're dealing with?" Pat asked, now taking charge of their body.
"Not yet, satellite is still in the process of scanning." He said before another beep came from his unit. "Got it, we're dealing with many assortments of large-sized level 3 viruses."
Both Pat and Rey (mentally) blinked in unison. "Come again, Private Williams. Did you just say what I think you said?"
The officer nodded once more, looking as doubtful as he is.
'…not sure if the satellite is rigged or the Wizard working there is bluffing on us.'
Pat crossed his arms, this will be a serious problem if they don't do something. "How long do we have before they arrive here?"
"Depending on their speed, ETA in about an hour or so."
Pat rested a hand under her chin to think. "Warn the security team up there about this; tell them to speed up the checking process and bring them all into the stadium."
"Already on it, sir."
"So not only that they're level 3 viruses but they're all super-sized as well?" Venim whistled. "That's very uncommon, even for FM standards. No doubt it's 'their' work, alright."
Ciel nodded once again. "I can't really explain when or how either but these must definitely be Dealer's doings."
Tyler's silver eyes immediately hardened and he clenched both his knuckles hard at the mention of his old enemies, Dealer.
"What should we do, Tyler?" Laura asked.
Tyler calmed himself down to muse carefully about this, no point thinking a strategy when you're blinded by your own rage. He originally wanted them to resume with their original plan but on the other hand…
His line of thoughts came to a sudden halt when several Satella Polices came out from a certain metal hydraulic-powered door and are heading to somewhere else. Though not armed with any lethal weapons, you can easily tell that they're all in a hurry for 'something'. Something like a group of powerful viruses heading here for example.
"Looks like the Satella Police are making their moves. I'd say they are probably trying to neutralize the threat before it gets too close for comfort." Venim commented the obvious as he sneak a glance at them. "You know, as much as I hate to talk down on other people, I don't think the Satella Police can handle an army of OP viruses much less half of them."
The Poison-Specialist got a point, even if they did have reserves in tow; he doubt the Police force can handle them. Furthermore, there are a large number of civilians here whose lives will be in jeopardy if the soldiers failed to defend them. Tyler doesn't want that, even if he's no longer Earth's Hero of Justice, he still carry the responsibility of protecting all of them.
Plus, his family is here, including his recently-discovered younger brother which he wasn't aware of not until a while ago. He'll be damned if anything bad happens to them.
"Just focus on the concert Sonia and let the Satella Police handle the rest." Tia repeated. They were just about to head to the backstage along with several of her security staffs when they pass by several urgently running heavily-armed Satella Police. The Queen Virgo herself wasn't sure what's really going on but something bad must've happened.
Queen Lyra shares the same thought as her as well and let out an exasperated sigh. "I know, but still…" Now Sonia wished she doesn't have her concert now. It doesn't take Zack's knowledge to tell that something really bad must've happened even if they said it was just a 'minor problem' but right now, she has to focus on her duty as a pop singer only.
Throughout her (secret) carrier as a Satella Police Commando, Sonia has worked very hard on keeping Earth safe just as her beloved Mega Man does. For her to not participate in something feels alien to her somehow. It painfully reminds her of the times back during the incident where Geo heads up to stop Meteor G while she helplessly just stay here on Earth's sidelines, praying to herself for his safe return. She felt pathetic back then, pathetic because she is powerless to do anything.
Sonia nervously bit her fingernails, is there not anything she could do?
Tyler gritted his teeth, he can't just sit around and do nothing, he has to do something. Anything!
Just then, an idea popped into the Queen of WAZA's mind
A plan finally dawned into the King of FM's head
"Hey Stern, can do you me a huge favor?" Sonia asked at the producer who also acts as one of her security staffs. She then proceeds on explaining her idea to him, silently praying to herself that he'll agree to it.
"I got a plan, everyone listen up." After all of them are huddled together, Tyler wasted no time and tells them his plan, hoping that none of them have any objections for this last-minute change.
Stern hummed to himself as he mused about this. "Hm well, it might upset our original plan a bit…" He began.
"…not to mention downright risky…" Laura continued upon hearing her leader's new plan.
Stern smiled. "But I think it'll work out if we can initiate it properly."
Sonia finally let out a genuine smile, her twinkling emerald eyes carrying the strong determination she always has whenever she tries to accomplish a goal. "That settles it then," She declared before looking at her signature pink-and-blue Hunter. "Are you ready for this, Harp?"
"Of course!" The sound-based FM-ian cried in agreement.
Tyler nodded once everyone voiced out their agreement, his shining silver contacted eyes reflecting just how strong his desire is in protecting his precious ones. "Alright guys, let's do this." He commanded to his members before whipping his black-and-gold Hunter out of his jacket. "Ready to go buck wild again, Mega?"
His partner grunted in approval, his golden beak curving into a familiar smirk. "Always."
Both Tyler and Sonia simultaneously take a deep breath before slowly exhaling them out in unison. "Alright everyone…"
"Let's rock!" "Let's roll!"
[Due to excess fatigue, DragonEmperror2810 has collapsed and will not be adding the bottom side Author's Note like he usually does. His sleep-deprived state has also prevents him from doing his usual final check-up on the chapter. Therefore, if anyone noticed any errors or problems concerning this chapter, please leave a review of such faults and the writer shall fix it as soon as he wakes up]