Plague...

"Huh?" Plague glanced around at the endless blackness surrounding him, "Where...am I?"

Inside of your mind...

"My...mind?" 

Where I dwell...

"Who are you?" Plague demanded, whirling.

I am you. Your potential. I am what makes you stronger than Rockman.

"Eh..? Oh! You're that...that virus thingy!"

Yes. Plague.

"Oh, hello! How are you?"

Plague smiled inananely, but secretly, he was quite worried. This dream was... not like anything he'd experienced before. Although his experience was quite limited. A low, scabrulous chuckle filled the air, making him shiver.

I'm quite fine. In fact... better than fine. And how is little Rockman?

"Rockman? He's fine."

He's had a taste of me, but he'll have more. Again, that sickening chuckle. Plague shifted, starting to feel alarmed.

"What do you mean?"

How else do you think the Elec Sword attacked Rockman?

"That was you?!"

Yes.

"But...but why?!"

He'll only get in the way.

"Get in the way of what?"

Your advances. He's holding you back. He wants to to be weaker, when he knows you are superior.

"...But, I don't want to be superior. I just want to be friends."

Friends. Pah. A weak, unnecessary thing. You are still too much like Rockman... but that will change.

"What? What do you mean?"

I mean that I with your link to Hikari Netto, I will be the first virus to ever infect a human being...!

"No!"

Oh, yes. And you have no say in the matter, my little tool. Again, that chuckle. Plague was already growing to hate it.

"Shut up! I won't let you use me against Netto and Rockman!" Plague formed a buster, and aimed at the darkness. "Show yourself, bastard!"

If you wish to see me, you only need the aid of a mirror...

"NO! SHUT UP! I AM NOT YOU!"

You fool! I am what gives you LIFE! Without me, you'd sit idly in Dr. Hikari's computer, being released only if Rockman should die...without me, you are nothing but a replacement! A second fiddle!

"Better second fiddle than... than what you want me to be!" Plague shouted, turning, trying to find anything in the darkness. "I won't be your tool, and I won't be a virus! I'm a Navi! Do you hear me, a NAVI!"

You are also a virus, and you will be whatever I want... Plague suddenly gasped, as a wave of coldness assaulted him. It seemed to radiate from the centre of his chest, making his limbs leaden and weak. He suddenly fell to his knees, unable to keep to his feet. Enough of this. Go back to your foolish Rockman... but remember, you are mine. In all ways, you are mine... And that chuckle filled his ears, as the world seemed to spiral away...

"No..." he whispered, "No, no no..."

"Plague?"

"No...no! Get away!"

"Plague! Wake up!"

"Wh...what?" Plague opened his eyes. It was all...a dream? He looked around. Rockman was kneeling over him, a worried look across his face. "Rockman?"

"Plague!" Rockman exclaimed, "You were having a nightmare!"

"I..." The red navi blinked, a bit dazed, "I'm cold..."

"Cold?" Rockman echoed. He hesitantly reached down to feel the navi's forehead. He gasped at the touch. "Plague...you're like ice..."

"Help..." Plague choked, shivering.

Plague gasped as Rockman slid his arms around him. Rockman's touch was so hot... he curled up against the blue Navi, resting his head against his chest.

"What was the nightmare, Plague? Are you okay?" Rockman rested a hand against Plague's icy cheek, as he shivered.

For a moment, Plague almost blurted out the whole nightmare... then thought better of it. They already had enough doubts about him, because of the virus, he didn't want to add more.

It was probably just a dream anyway, Plague rationalized the decision. And I don't want Rockman to hate me... He shivered again, then looked up into Rockman's concerned green eyes.

"C-Can't remember..." He murmured weakly, then burrowed his face into Rockman's chest. His warmth felt so good...

"What t-time is it?" he chattered.

"Two in the morning." Rockman yawned.

"Mm.." Sighed plague. Then it'd be okay...for me to fall asleep here...like this...He felt so relaxed, so peaceful, for the first time since his activation. I want to stay here forever...

Rockman looked down at the Navi in his arms. "You okay?" He whispered.

Plague was already sound asleep.

The blue navi smiled weakly and carefully set Plague back down. "Good night." He whispered, then after a bit of thought, added, "Little brother." He smiled.