CHAPTER 4
"The Stabbing"
THE NEXT MORNING
Lan was up, dressed and out the door before Megaman woke up. And Lan was running early for a change.
"Lan?" Megaman asked
groggily.
"Morning, Megaman."
Lan said walking down the street slowly.
"You're up early...you're
NEVER up early." Megaman said, shocked.
"I know." Lan said smiling as he pulled out the PET.
"So...what's up?"
Megaman asked.
"I had a heck of a time staying asleep. I don't know why." Lan said.
"Really?" Megaman
asked.
Lan nodded.
"Yeah." Lan said.
Megaman had a thought.
"Were you dreaming?"
Megaman asked.
Lan blushed.
"No." Lan lied.
"Uh-huh, then why are you
blushing?" Megaman asked.
"No reason." Lan lied.
"Yeah RIGHT!"
Megaman chided.
"Lan!" Maylu exclaimed running to catch up to him.
Maylu hugged Lan. Lan hugged
her back. Megaman
smiled to Roll. Roll went over to Megaman PET.
"Hey, Roll." Megaman
said with a smile.
"Hi." Roll said
kissing Megaman.
Megaman's smile grew. Lan whispered something in Maylu's ear and Maylu nodded in agreement. Lan had hoped the two navi's were to busy kissing to notice. Megaman had glanced over to the kids while was busy with giving Roll another kiss on the cheek. Maylu whispered in Lan's ear. And he whispered back. She whispered again and kissed him. Lan nodded. Megaman and Roll just grinned.
"Lan, just promise me." Maylu said.
"I promise. I'll be back as soon as I can." Lan said running off leave Megaman's PET with her. Because he didn't wanna to worry Megaman.
"Maylu, what's going on?" Megaman asked her curiously.
"Lan said he had a bad
feeling and that he had to go." Maylu said frowning worriedly.
"Why?" Megaman
asked.
Lan turned a corner and put on the emersion glasses and pulled out Marriorman's PET.
"I
don't know." Maylu said.
Lan jacked in.
'You BETTER come back
brother.' Megaman thought.
"I have a feeling, he's
gonna get in trouble." Maylu mumbled hoping the two navis didn't
hear her.
'Me too.' Megaman thought.
"Megaman, I'm gonna jack you in see if you can find him." Maylu said looking at Megaman.
Megaman nodded, agreeing.
"Jack in Megaman! Power
up!" Maylu exclaimed.
"Marriorman, where are
you?" Megaman called.
Marriorman looked up when he heard Megaman.
"Megaman!"
Marriorman called.
Megaman sighs.
"What are you doing?"
Megaman asked.
"I was on my way to
Scilabs." Marriorman said.
"Why, Lan?" Megaman
asked.
"Let's just say that
since dad made those repairs I've had this sixth sense about his
computer even in my human form and I sensed some viruses."
Marriorman said.
"You're serious? Does he
know about this?" Megaman asked.
"Yes, I'm serious and No he doesn't, he was asleep when I woke up and realized it." Marriorman said.
"Well I'm GOING WITH you!"
Megaman stated firmly.
"Let's go."
Marriorman said and started to Scilabs.
"Alright." Megaman
said as he followed.
Soon they arrived and their
presence alerted Dr. Hikari.
"Hey doc!" Megaman
called.
"What's going on?"
Dr. Hikari asked.
"Tell him." Megaman
prompted Marriorman.
"Dad, you have a virus on
you computer, I can sense it." Marriorman said.
"I believe him."
Megaman said.
Dr. Hikari checked his computer.
"Your right. Can you two give me a hand?" Dr. Hikari asked as the viruses appeared around them.
"Oh great we're
surrounded." Marriorman said.
"We can take 'em!"
Megaman said.
Marriorman nodded.
"Right." Marriorman
said and charged at the viruses with his wide sword and long sword.
"What battle chips do you
want bro?" Marriorman asked.
"Got some blaster battle
chips?" Megaman asked.
"Don't I always?"
Marriorman asked.
"Let's do this!"
Megaman shouted.
Blaster battle chips went into
Megaman's PET and downloaded.
"Blaster!" Megaman
called out.
"Let's finish this as
soon as we can." Marriorman said frowning.
"Right." Megaman
agreed.
"Megaman...something's...wrong..." Marriorman started.
"Marriorman logging out."
"LAN!" Megaman
shouted in mid-firing a shot that hit a virus.
"Something maybe wrong
with Lan." Dr. Hikari said.
"What?" Megaman
asked worriedly.
"I don't know what. But,
that maybe what caused Marriorman to log out." Dr. Hikari said.
"Will he be alright?"
Megaman asked.
"I don't know." Dr.
Hikari said.
'Lan...' Megaman thought.
"You'll have to hurry
back to your PET." Dr. Hikari said.
"Alright." Megaman
said reluctantly.
"It's the only way to get
to Lan. We can deal with the viruses later." Dr. Hikari said.
Megaman just nodded before
retuning to his PET and the girls who were waiting.
"What's up? Did you find
him?" Maylu asked.
"Yeah, I did."
Megaman said looking down.
Lan was still partly jacked
in. He was able to send a faint message to Megaman.
"Lan..." Megaman
said softly when he was alerted to the message.
It told him where Lan was but
then it stopped.
"Lan? Can you hear me?
Where are you?" Megaman called to his brother.
"Down in the next alley from you guys..." He cut off.
"We're coming, hold on!
Maylu, Lan's in a nearby alley and he needs help!" Megaman told
her.
Maylu ran into the alley and
gasped in shock dropping both PET's. Maylu ran to Lan.
'Please let him be alright.'
Megaman silently begged to himself.
"Oh, no...Lan!" She shouted in fear.
Lan slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.
"M-M-Ma-Maylu?" Lan
asked.
"Shh, it's ok stay still." Maylu said.
"Megaman, call an
ambulance." Maylu said.
"Right." Megaman
said as he alerted medical personnel.
"I hope they hurry." Maylu said gently moving Lan's head into he lap.
Both Megaman and Roll looked
on in worry. There was blood on Lan's shirt.
'My lord, how did that
happen?' Megaman wondered to himself.
More blood was getting on
Lan's shirt.
"MAYLU? Did you noticed
the blood on Lan's shirt?" Megaman asked the girl.
Maylu moved his shirt and
there was a stab wound on Lan's stomach.
"Megaman, I think he's been stabbed!" Maylu exclaimed.
"WHAT!" Megaman shouted.
Maylu ripped off part of her shirt and held it hard to the stab wound. Lan winced.
"I know it hurts but, I
have to keep you from bleeding too much." Maylu said.
All Megaman could do was look on helplessly at his friend as they waited for help to come. Soon the ambulance arrived. Maylu stepped back as they put Lan in it. She picked up the PETs.
"Maylu, what are we gonna tell his folks?" Megaman asked.
"I don't know." Maylu said as she headed down the street back towards Lan's house. Tears were pouring down her face.
"Aw Maylu, don't
cry...please? It's not your fault." he told her after seeing the
tears.
"I could have talked him out of it." Maylu said she froze a moment outside his house.
Maylu went and knocked on the door.
"Maylu? What's the
matter? Weren't you with Lan?" Mrs. Hikari asked after opening
the door and letting Maylu in.
"He ran off and he..." Maylu looked at the floor.
"He got hurt." She said sadly.
"I-Is he aliright?"
Mrs. Hikari asked slightly alarmed.
"M-M-Mrs. Hikari, he was attack and he was stabbed." Maylu said crying.
"Oh no... Maylu, listen
to me alright. this wasn't your fault. don't blame yourself for what
happened to Lan." Mrs. Hikari said softly trying to com fort the
girl.
"They took him to the
hospital." Maylu said smiling slightly at Mrs. Hikari.
"That's what I told her." Megaman piped in.
"We have to make sure he's alright." Maylu said.
"Of course we do!" Mrs. Hikari exclaimed.
"Better believe it!" Megaman replied.
"Let's go."
Maylu said leading his mother to the hospital.
'Lan, please hold on!' Megaman
thought as Mrs. Hikari took the PET with her.
Soon they arrived the doctor
told his mother they stopped the bleeding and that Lan was asleep
now.
"That's a relief!" Megaman said.
Mrs. Hikari went into the room Lan was in and smiled at his sleeping form and looked at Megaman.
"Why don't you stay here
until he gets out." Mrs. Hikari said.
"Sure, at least he'd have some company." Megaman replied.
Mrs. Hikari nodded and put the
PET down on the bedside table.
"Lan...I'm here with
you." Megaman whispered to the sleeping boy.
Maylu had to go to school even
through she didn't want to.
AT SCHOOL
"Lan Hikari late again." Ms. Mari said.
Maylu raised her hand.
"Yes, Maylu." Ms. Mari said noticing the hand.
"Ma'am, Lan's in the
hospital." Maylu said sadly.
Ms. Mari was shocked. Then she walked over to Maylu's desk and then ushered her outside of the classroom.
"Maylu, do you know
happened to him?" Ms. Mari asked with concern.
"He was stabbed." Maylu said sadly.
"Were you there when it happened?" Ms. Mari asked, trying her best to calm Maylu down.
"I found him in an alley
bleeding." Maylu said sadly.
"Do his parents know, are they with him?" Ms. Mari asked gently.
"His mother knows but, he was sleeping so she left Megaman with him." Maylu said.
"I see," Ms. Mari said nodding.
AT THE HOSPITAL
Lan Rolled over and slowly opened eyes. Lan sat up.
"Lan, you're awake!"
Megaman exclaimed having heard Lan move in the bed.
"Hey, Megaman." Lan reached for the PET and when he had it in his hand, he laid back down.
"You gotta take it easy."
Megaman said gently.
Lan nodded. Megaman hadn't noticed yet. But, Lan was soaked with sweat and looked flush.
"Lan? Are you alright? Do
you want me to get the doctor?" Megaman asked, having noticed
the look of his brother.
Lan nodded.
"Are you sure?"
Megaman asked.
"Megaman, I think I have a fever so...get a doctor." Lan said shivering.
"I'll be back in a flash!" Megaman said as he went to the nurses station on the floor where he and Lan's room was on.
"I need some help!"
Megaman called out.
The nurse came over to the computer.
"What is it?" The
nurse asked.
"It's Lan Hikari...I
think he's coming down with a fever! He's sweating a lot and his face
is flushed. Can you help or get his doctor?" Megaman asked.
"I'll bring his doctor
as soon as I can." The nurse said.
"Thanks." Megaman
replied before returning to the PET in Lan's room.
Soon the doctor arrived.
"Thanks for coming so
fast." Megaman said.
The doctor checked Lan over
and gave him some medcine.
"What happened?"
Megaman asked.
"He has a slight
infection but, he should be fine with the medcine I gave him."
The doctor said making a note in Lan's chart.
"Okay, thanks again for coming so fast." Megaman said.
The doctor nodded and walked out.
"Feeling better now?"
Megaman asked.
Lan nodded.
"A little." Lan
said.
"Try and rest. I'll see
if your mom and dad are here yet." Megaman told him.
Lan nodded and closed his eyes
and fell asleep. Megaman just smile sadly when he heard someone
coming.
"Megaman, is he alright?" Mrs. Hikari asked as she came in with Maylu.
Megaman put a finger to his lips.
"Shh, he's asleep."
Megaman whispered
Dr. Hikari was outside talking to Lan's doctor.
"What happened, Megaman?" Mrs. Hikari asked.
"Well we were talking and
then I noticed that he was sweating a lot and flushed." Megaman
told her.
Dr. Hikari nodded in understanding when Lan's doctor explained what medicine he gave him. Dr. Hikari walked into the room.
"Oh, hey Dr. Hikari."
Megaman greeted solemnly.
"Hey, Megaman." Dr. Hikari said as he carefully sat on the edge of Lan's bed.
"His doctor, tell you what happened?" Megaman asked.
Dr. Hikari nodded. Megaman sighed as he looked on at the sleeping form of his closest friend. The boy in the bed didn't look like the normal young netbattler they all knew. Dr. Hikari frowned. He knew something the others didn't.
"What's the matter Dr.
Hikari?" Megaman asked, noticing his expression.
"Well that medicine they gave him has a side effect..." Dr. Hikari started.
"What?" Megaman
asked worriedly.
"It's only a temporary side effect but..." Dr. Hikari started looking at the bed as his son Rolled over.
"What is it?"
Megaman whispered, trying not to wake Lan.
"Lan is gonna go blind for about 2 months." Dr. Hikari said sadly.
"WHAT! YOU'RE NOT
SERIOUS!" Megaman said in shock.
Dr. Hikari nodded.
"I guess that all we can
do,...is be there for him, huh?" Megaman said gently.
Dr. Hikari nodded in
agreement.
"You know that I'll do
what I can, right?" Megaman said.
"I know." Dr. Hikari said.
"You'll help too, right
Maylu?" Megaman asked the girl sitting in a chair that was the
room.
Maylu nodded.
"Yeah." Maylu said.
"He'll need everybody in
order to get through this." Megaman said to himself.
"Megaman we have to tell
Yai, Dex and Tori. I'll tell them but, where should I met them?"
Maylu asked.
"What about the park? We
can bring them here afterwards, if it's okay" Megaman
suggested.
"OK." Maylu said nodding.
"Um, Dr. Hikari... Maylu's gonna take me so we can tell the others what's going on and maybe bring them over, okay?" Megaman told the scientist.
Dr. Hikari nods. The two leave
the room and their friend in the hands of his parents. Maylu went to
the park and sat down.
"Are you alright?" Megaman asked concerned.
"Yeah, have you or Roll contacted the others?" Maylu asked.
"I Emailed them to come.
They'll be here soon." Megaman assured her.
"Good." Maylu said.
"Maylu? What's going on?"
Yai asked as she was first to arrive.
Maylu frowned.
"Lan got hurt and he's in the hospital. Yai, he was stabbed." Maylu said looking at Yai.
"Oh no, is he gonna be
alright?" Yai asked, knowing there was something more.
"They gave him some medicine, that gonna make him go blind for two months." Maylu said.
"SERIOUSLY?" Glide
said from his PET, shocked at the news.
"Yes." Maylu said.
"Do you know how his
parents are taking the news?" Yai asked.
"They're both with him at the hospital." Maylu said.
"We'd better go when the
others come... he'll need his friends" Yai said.
Soon the other arrived. Maylu
told them what was going on and then they all rushed to the hospital.
"Is he awake, Dr.
Hikari?" Megaman asked when they arrived.
"Yes, he is." Dr. Hikari said.
"Lan?" Megaman
called.
"Megaman?" Lan asked and Maylu ran over and sat on the bed.
"I'm glad you're awake
Lan." Maylu said.
"Maylu?" Lan asked.
Maylu smiled.
"Yeah." Maylu said.
"You had us scared, pal…"
Megaman said, glad that Lan was awake.
"Megaman, I..."
"They already know son." Dr. Hikari said cutting off Lan.
"Good." Lan said.
"No need to worry over that, Lan." Megaman said.
Lan nodded.
'Hope he can handle this, he's
been through so much already.' Megaman thought to himself.
Roll went into Megaman PET and hugged him.
"He'll be fine." Roll said hugging Megaman tightly.
"Thanks Roll, I needed
that." Megaman said, returning the hug.
Roll kissed Megaman and smiled. Megaman sighed as he watched Lan and the others.
"He has you and Maylu."
Roll said hugging Megaman kissing Megaman again.
"I know, I know." Megaman said.
Maylu bend over and her and Lan lips lock. They stay that way for quite a while.
"So, Lan? Found a way to
get to Maylu, huh?" Dex asked from the door.
"They've doing that for
days." Mrs. Hikari said with a slight giggle.
"WHAT!" Dex
shouted.
"You know, Dex has a
crush on Maylu." Yai said.
"They were at her house
until midnight last night and Lan was up early this morning."
Mrs. Hikari said.
"And I saw them kissing yesterday." She added.
"HIKARI! JUST WAIT UNTIL
GET MY HANDS ON YOU!" Dex shouted, only a very few people knew
that he liked Maylu.
Maylu stood in front of Lan.
"WHAT?" Dex asked in
shock of Maylu's action.
Lan smiled slightly knowing what she was about to say.
"I love him, and I won't let you hurt him." Maylu said.
"Fine." Dex said.
'I'll get you for this.' Dex
thought.
A WEEK LATER
Lan was out of the hospital but, was still on bed rest at home.
"Still tired, eh Lan?"
Megaman said.
"A little." Lan said nodding.
"Then try and rest. You
know doctor's orders and all." Megaman said.
Maylu was laying next to him
already a sleep. Lan nodded and fell asleep.
"Sleep tight, you two."
Megaman said gently.
Roll was in sleep mode. Megaman decided to also get some rest. Mrs. Hikari called Maylu's mom.
"So, the kids FINALLY
told each other their feelings, HMM?" Mrs. Sakurai asked.
"Yeah, and now Maylu and
Lan are asleep. And they look so cute." Mrs. Hikari said.
Mrs. Sakurai just giggled.
"Took them LONG ENOUGH!
They've known each other for so long!" Mrs. Sakurai stated.
Mrs. Hikari giggled as well.
"They had their first kiss yesterday." Mrs. Hikari said.
Lan shifted in his sleep.
"Really?" Mrs.
Sakurai asked.
"Yeah." Mrs. Hikari said.
Lan shifted again in his
sleep. A giggle escaped Mrs. Sakurai.
"Lan looked into her eyes brushing away her tear, then Lan pulled Maylu in and I don't think I have to go into anymore detail." Mrs. Hikari said giggling.
"Okay...okay, do Megaman
and Roll know this?" Mrs. Sakurai asked
"Yep." Mrs. Hikari said.
"It wouldn't surprise if
they did or fell in love like the kids" Mrs. Sakurai stated.
"I think they already
are." Mrs. Hikari said.
"You know the saying
-like op, like navi-" Mrs. Sakurai said with a giggle.
Mrs. Hikari just giggled. For
some reason Lan's been sleeping lighter this week. Lan Rolled over.
'I hope he's feeling alright.
He's normally not a light sleeper.' Megaman thought to himself.
Lan opened his eyes and slowly and carefully sat up trying not to disturb Maylu.
"You alright."
Megaman whispered, also trying not to wake her.
"Yeah." Lan said
looking at Megaman.
"I'm just asking 'cause
you still look a little sick." Megaman said quietly.
"I'm fine. except for the whole being blind thing." Lan whispered.
"I didn't mean it like
that." Megaman defended himself quietly.
"I know." Lan said quietly.
Megaman turned and saw Roll
still asleep. he smiled.
"I guess I just have to
get use to it for now." Lan said softly.
"You won't have to go
through it alone, you know?" Megaman said gently.
Lan smiled and nodded.
"I know." Lan said.
"I just wanna make sure." Megaman told him.
13
