Disclaimer: I don't own Megaman.

Chapter 12: The War Begins: Meeting the Mentor: Only Half?

Kirby looked at Bass intently. Bass stared back.

"Your forehand," he whispered.

Kirby obliged; he raised his right forehand in Bass' direction. Megaman, Blademan, Shade, and the rest of the navis cautiously moved forward to get a glimpse of what Kirby was showing Bass. Megaman gasped. 'That's the same star symbol Bass has on his forehead…but…' Megaman couldn't find what was different about it, then, it hit him, it should've been so obvious to him, 'It's only the top half. But what does that mean?'

Bass spoke again, "I see. You are asking for the second half? Yes?"

Kirby nodded.

Bass reached into his cloak and pulled out the second half; he placed it under the first half. The two halves glowed a pitch black and then connected together. The navis felt a sudden atmospheric change. It seemed as if everything had suddenly become darker.

The NetOps felt the change also, the air around seemed to have grown darker. Alex looked at his right forehand; it had the same symbol that Kirby had on his forehand.

Tim shuddered, "That hurt?"

Alex said nothing for a second then, spoke, "Like a bitch."

"Ow," said Mae.

"Yup," said Alex simply. He stared at the ground thinking of the past few days…everything was so carefree and now everything seemed to be falling apart.

Trigo spoke up, "Ahem? Uh, look, it's going to take more than just Kirby and Shade, we need the rest of the navis."

"Damn straight," said Alex firmly.

"What about Blademan's mentor?" asked Tim.

"Yeah," replied the green and black navi, "I need polishing, it's not as easy as just putting a star piece on your forehand and…wait; the star piece. What's it for?"

Bass decided to answer the question, "It fully unlocks a navi's DarkSoul, allowing the to use it to their fullest."

Kirby explained, "I'm capable of resisting the DarkSoul, so I can use it. But Bass here, well, he doesn't need to, he is one."

Lan was confused, "So Bass is a DarkSoul?"

"In pure essence, yes, I am," answered Bass, he turned his back to the navis, "I have done what I can, you can now leave."

The navis left immediately; angering Bass was not a good idea.

Kirby turned back before leaving, "Thank you." He bowed.

Kirby caught up with Blademan; Blademan turned looking grim; Kirby smiled, "Heh, I suppose I should apologize to you, well, really to everyone."

Everyone, including the NetOps looked at Kirby.

"Geez, well, okay, sorry, Bass is a little, well, edgy. I am too when it comes to stuff like this," apologized Kirby.

Blademan spoke up, "Yeah, well, don't act that way in front of GateMan.

"Huh?" said everyone.

Tim sweatdropped, "Eh heh, Blade's mentor is GateMan."

Lan and Maylu sighed, Chaud didn't say anything. "First Bass, now GateMan, what next? Gospel?" asked Lan jokingly.

"Maybe," said Mae.

Lan sighed again, "Gospel is your mentor?"

Alex laughed, "Nah, she doesn't have one 'cause she's self-taught."

"Oh thanks for ruining it Alex," said Mae jokingly.

"No prob," said Alex.

End Chapter 12

Bass: Phew, gotta think more. Sorry for not updating lately.

Shadow: Update sooner next time.

Bass: I know. Oh yeah, to readers, sorry for the roller coaster mood. But it does make the fic realistic. (As realistic as Megaman is anyway) lol. Later.