LAN'S PERSPECTIVE

Several days have passed since the success of the our most recent mission, destroying that replica.

Now, MegaMan and I have been in Kadic for almost a week and a lot has happened over that time. It's been hard for me to adjust away from home, but for MegaMan, I'm sure it's much harder. Shifting the scene a bit, you can see me on a typical school morning, still asleep and snoring. MegaMan's already prepared as usual and is doing what became his job ever since the first day of our journey together. . .

I was having the most amazing dream. I dreamt that Chaud and Rauol were dressed in stereotypical disco costumes, wearing Afro wigs, and wailing on their identical guitars like rock stars.

However, my wonderful dream came to a close when I was (literally) shaken awake by my twin.

"Lan, get up! We're going to be late!," said MegaMan's voice.

I felt my body being jerked back and forth and realized that MegaMan was rocking me even harder. I pulled up my blankets over my face and grunted.

"Five more minutes. . ."

MegaMan sighed. I could tell he didn't approve of my answer, but in my defense, I was tired. I rolled over and buried my head in my pillow, hoping my message would get across. I'm not getting up and you can't MAKE ME!

However, MegaMan wasn't willing to back down and accepted my challenge.

"Lan, get up! XANA's attacking!," he yelled.

I know I was stupid to fall for that old trick, but MegaMan sounded so convincing even I believed it. I bolted upright and anxiously looked around, my eyes blinking rapidly.

"What? Who's he attacking?! What's happening?!," I shouted, genuinely terrified.

When I narrowed my eyes on my twin and saw that he was laughing, I realized that it was just an April Fool.

"He hasn't attacked anyone yet," MegaMan replied. "Now get dressed before he really does start attacking." He deposited my clothes on my lap to stress his point. "That's not funny," I said.

"Well, how else am I supposed to wake you up?," he teased. I laughed. He really did have a point there…

"Fine. I'll cooperate just this once," I teased back, giving MegaMan a playful bonk on the arm. He smiled. Then the two of us just broke out into laughter for no apparent reason. That's just how brothers are, I guess.

I'm still getting used to having one.

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The lunchroom was crowded. A loud cacophony of mixed noise was there to greet my twin and I when we entered the mess hall. MegaMan's fingers clenched around my hand tightly, as if all the noise made him nervous. I understood how he felt.

Crowded places always made me jumpy, too.

"We should find a place to sit down," I suggested, hoping that getting settled in would make him feel better.

"Yeah, but don't we have to get in line first?," MegaMan reminded me.

That was my brother for you. Always remembering what I tend to forget. I was still getting adjusted to living in a dorm and forgot we had to serve ourselves the food.

"Yeah, right…," I said.

The lunch line (or, in this case, breakfast line, as it was still the morning) was pretty easy to find. I mean, a whole string of kids holding empty trays must indicate a lunch line, right? And I wasn't too happy when I saw the length of the line. I already knew I'd be here to next week holding an empty tray.

"We're gonna be here for hours," I moaned.

"Lan, you're exaggerating," laughed MegaMan. "It won't take that long."

He handed me a tray and allowed me to stand in front of him in the line.

"There," he said. "You're ahead of me. If anyone has a reason to complain, I do." I chuckled.

MegaMan had the uncanny ability to find humor in any situation. That was one of the traits I really appreciated about my brother. Without getting all cheesy, Hub was always able to pick me up when I was feeling down. It felt good to be with him and I preferred things this way rather than the alternative of a PET.

Of course, there was one exception to this rule. . .Sissi Delmas. Whenever she showed up, it was always to pester my brother. It was during those times I wished he was in a PET so I could just stow him in my pocket, put on my rollerblades, and skate far away as possible.

And why did I suddenly start complaining about Sissi Delmas? Because she was now standing right next to MegaMan and talking to him. Surprisingly, the spoiled princess was alone, without her two mindless slaves by her side as usual. But, she didn't need them anyway. Sissi had approached my brother and I after we had exited the line with our trays full of food. We couldn't run away without spilling our cereal all over the floor. And we couldn't use the excuse of waiting in line either.

"You're a. . .journalist?," I heard MegaMan say. He sounded baffled.

"Well, yes," replied Sissi, taking out a notepad and pen. "Can I interview you, Hub? It's for the next issue."

At that, I realized MegaMan was in serious trouble. An interrogation from Sissi was just as bad a virus attack. Or maybe even worse. I just had to bail him out of it. Unfortunately, the only weapon of choice I had was words. No Area Steal.

"Who'd buy your stuff?," I challenged.

Sissi glared at me. "Lots of people would, Lan," she retorted.

"Yeah, if you paid them to read it," I said back.

She growled. "I'll have you know, Lan, that today's issue will have such interesting material, you'll beg me for a copy!," Sissi half-shouted.

"Sure. I'd beg you to burn every copy," I responded, hoping my tone was obnoxious enough. Apparently it was, for Sissi decided to play her invincible trump card in the argument.

"I'll have you know I've gotten permission from my father to interview Hub," Sissi told me. "If you have any complaints, go discuss it with him."

I glared at her. Just typical! She had to drag the principal into this. I couldn't think of an obnoxious retort for something like that. The spoiled princess shot us both piercing glares before finally issuing her royal command.

"Well, Hub, are you coming or not?," she demanded.

There was an awkward silence, until MegaMan spoke up.

"I. . .I'm coming, Sissi," he replied meekly. My jaw dropped.

"What?!," I hissed. MegaMan faced me for a moment.

"Lan, I don't want you to get in trouble," he whispered.

"But…but Mega-!" I tried to protest, but my brother shot me one of his best warning looks yet. I became quiet instantly.

And in silence, I watched as Sissi guided my brother towards her table, which was conviently (I hope you detect the sarcasm there) on the other side of the lunch room. Unfortunately, that area was swarming with people and MegaMan and Sissi seemed to vanish as they went into the crowd.

I sighed, and wandered through the lunch room, searching for a suitable seat. It didn't really help that the food on my serving dish was stacked in disproportionate amounts, either. The tray wobbled as I walked and I didn't like the way my cup of orange juice was tipping from side to side. Even my legs felt shaky as I tried to gain some balance. I dearly hoped I was coordinated enough to at least reach a table without tipping my tray over, but the chances were getting slimmer with each step.

Then, I nearly dropped the entire thing for I heard a proud, booming voice announce my name.

"HEY, LAN! OVER HERE!"

The flinch that resulted from that outcry nearly caused me to drop my tray, but I quickly regained my composure.

I turned to the direction where the shout originated and saw Odd sitting at a table with Ulrich and Jeremy. Odd was waving to me and Ulrich was rapidly patting the empty seat next to him, a gesture that indicated he wanted to me to sit next to him. However, Jeremy paid me no regard as his face still remained hidden behind his lap top.

"Hi, Odd," I said as I slowly approached the table. Carefully, I placed my tray down before taking the seat next to Ulrich. "'Morning, Ulrich. 'Morning, Jeremy," I said as I got settled in the chair.

"'Morning, Lan," Ulrich replied. Jeremy had no response at all.

"Don't mind Jeremy, Lan," Odd said to me. "He's working."

"Yeah, I'll say." I paused for a moment and then asked, "What's he working on?"

"I dunno," answered Odd.

"He didn't want to tell us," added Ulrich. "He said he wanted to confirm it first."

"Okay, I guess that makes sense," I said. I reached a hand for my French toast and placed the slice of bread into my mouth. The taste was heavenly.

"Hey, Lan, are you going to eat all of that?," Odd asked, pointing to my overly packed tray.

I defensively pulled my tray closer to me and answered with a gruff "yup." Ulrich snickered. "Looks like you're the not only one with an elephant's appetite, Odd."

"Very funny, Ulrich," the cat boy retorted. He turned to face me and asked, "oh, yeah, Lan, by the way, where's Hub?" I was taken aback at how randomly the question was asked and I realized that I'd neglected to mention the fate of my brother.

"Um. . . well. . .," I said awkwardly, not knowing how to phrase my answer. Luckily, Ulrich came to my aid.

"Let me guess, Sissi decided to interview him, didn't she?," he said. I nodded.

"How did you know that?," I asked him.

The samurai groaned. "Because she's been nagging me for an interview all week," he grumbled.

I blinked my eyes in disbelief.

"You're not. . .serious, are you?," I said shakily, giving a nervous laugh. Ulrich then treated me to one of his best I'd-rather-not-talk-about-it looks before he replied, in a stern, angry tone, "don't ask."

"Um. . .okay. . .I won't," I assured him. Then, I turned my attention back to my heavenly French Toast and I hardly ate two bites before Jeremy's lap top began emitting the most horrible beeping sounds I'd ever heard.

"XANA attack," he said simply, as if directing a fire drill. "Tell the others to head for the factory." We all groaned. A XANA attack in the morning, straight off the bat. Great way to start the day.

Nothing like a little life-risking danger to get you out of bed.

Well, that's it for chapter 14. Tell me, what do you think? This is my first time writing from Lan's perspective and I really liked how it came out. Do you think I should post more chapters like this? If so, whose POV would you want to see narrated? PM me or leave your response in the comments.

All opinions, ideas, reviews, and constructive critism are appreciated and accepted!