CHAPTER 11

"The Prince of Thieves a Net-op"

2 YEARS LATER
A famous and well known thief arrived in Dentech City.
"I haven't been here in 2 years." Lupin said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, Lupin." Gekin said.

Meanwhile, Megaman was walking home, he had been upholding the promise to Lan of watching after Maylu and Kat.
"Well, you can't blame me, for being sentimental." Lupin said.
"No, we can't." Goemon said.
"So, what's the plan pal?" Gekin asked.
"They have some technology at Scilabs that can make us bocu bucks." Lupin said.

"So, Lupin? What's the deal of this place? You've been here before?" Fujiko asked.
"Yeah, and let's say it wasn't pleasant. I had to dig myself out of a grave apparently they thought I was dead. I don't like to think about it Fuji-cakes." Lupin said.
"Why's that?" Fujiko asked.

"It not pleasant to have to dig yourself out of your own grave." Lupin said.

"Not what I meant, I wanted to know if you had ties here." Fujiko stated.
Dex ran up to Megaman out of breathe.
"Megaman, they exhumed Lan's coffin. Megaman it was empty." Dex started.
"I don't know, Fuji-cakes." Lupin said.

"WHAT!" Megaman exclaimed
"They said it looked like someone broke it open from the inside." Dex said sadly.

"Don't you remember?" Fujiko asked her partner in crime.

"LET'S GO!" Megaman told his friend.
Lupin shook his head.
"No, I don't remember anything before 2 years ago." Lupin said.
"What DO you remember?" Fujiko asked.
"Like I said I don't remember anything before 2 years ago." Lupin said.
"I see." Fujiko said, not wanting to push further.
"Let's go." Lupin said as they walked down the street, Lupin saw Megaman's back as he ran in the other direction Lupin stopped dead in his tracks and stared a moment and sorta zoned out.

"Lupin?" Goemon asked, seeing him stop.
Lupin shook his head.

"Lupin, you alright?" Gekin asked.
"I'm fine; it's just that the guy in blue that ran the other way looks farmiler." Lupin said.

"oh yeah?" Gekin asked.
Lupin nods.
"Yeah." Lupin said.

'How could this have happened?' Megaman thought as he and Dex raced to the cemetery, not knowing they had been seen.
Lupin raced after them.
"Wanna follow?" Goemon asked.
Gekin and Fujiko nodded. When Lupin got to the cemetery he hid behind a tree to watch.

"No...Lan" Megaman said softly as he fell to his knees in shock.
"From what we can tell he woke up and dug himself out not long after the funeral." The person said.

Megaman turned to the voice.

"What did you say?" Megaman asked.
"He dug himself out not long after the funeral." The person said again.

"Who are you? Did you see him?" Megaman asked, trying not to raise his hopes.
"I saw someone his age and he was covered with dirt so I think so." The person said.
'What is it about that guy? Why is he so farmiler?' Lupin thought as he watched.

'How am I gonna explain this to the others? This will hurt Kat even more' Megaman thought sadly.
'There's only one way to find out.' Lupin thought and glance back at Goemon, Gekin and Fujiko.

The three looked at him. Lupin gives them a smirk sort of asking them without words to keep a look out. They nodded, understanding. Lupin stepped out from behind the tree.
"Excuse me..." Lupin started.
"Who...?" Megaman stared.
"Name's Lupin the 3rd. I couldn't help but over hear..." Lupin said.
"Yes?" Megaman prompted.
"I dug myself out of a grave here 2 years...and you look so familiar." Lupin said.

"No. It can't be, could it?" Megaman whispered quietly.
Lupin was sort of unsure which is unusually for him. Lupin glanced back at Gekin, Goemon and Fujiko. The three just looked on.
"I uh...well..." Lupin started.

"Look, my family had to bury a member before his time. Just when it had finally become whole." Megaman said, trying not to break down at the sight of his brother's empty grave.
"I was here when I dug myself out." Lupin said.
'L-Lan?' Megaman thought when he realized who it was that it was before him.
Megaman hoped their mental connection was there. Lupin blinked a bit confused.
"My friends are with me." Lupin said.

"Oh? Where?" Megaman asked.
Lupin gestured for Gekin, Goemon and Fujiko to come over. The three had watched the whole thing and heard it all before meeting up with their comrade and the blue-clad fighter.
"This is Gekin, Goemon and Fujiko." Lupin said introducing them.

"My name's Megaman and the guy over there's called Dex." He said as he gestured for his friend.
Lupin nodded a hello.
"Hi." Lupin said.

Megaman just looked toward the headstone
"You haveta keep it hush, hush we were here." Lupin said.

"You're planning something, aren't you!" Megaman said sternly, about to pull out his net-savior badge.
"Yeah, a little job I've got somebody willing to pay a rather large fortune for something called the EGs." Lupin said.

"Sorry, but the four of you won't get the EGs while I'm around." said Megaman, flashing the badge, the net-police kept him as respect to Lan.
"What say we make a quick exit guys?" Lupin asked.
Goemon, Gekin and Fujiko nodded. Lupin started to make a run for it.
"HEY YOU, FREEZE!" Megaman shouted as he chased them.
"Let's get outta here." Lupin said.

"OH NO, YOU DON'T!" Megaman shouted as he fired his mega buster.
Lupin pulled out his gun and started firing. Megaman took cover as Dex did the same.
"Let hurry up." Lupin said shooting at Megaman as he ran.
Megaman wasn't about to let something his brother left be taken without a fight.
"GET BACK HERE!" the navi shouted.

Lupin and the gang disappeared. They soon arrive at Scilabs. Lupin was the first one in Tyler's lab.

"Who are you! What do you want here?" Tyler asked, having been warned by Megaman via COM link.
"Name's Lupin and I want the EGs." He said.
"There's no way that I'll hand over my son's device to a crook!" Tyler said coldly.
"Didn't Megaman tell you...Lan's body is gone. In fact I dug myself of a grave 2 years ago in the same cemetery." Lupin said.

"No...it can't be! Lan? Is it you?" Tyler said, when a realization came to him.
"To be honest I'm not sure." Lupin said.
"DAD?" Megaman called, entering the lab, spotting Lupin.
Lupin looked at Megaman. And took a step back.

"You ARE NOT getting the EGs!" Megaman stated firmly, having his blaster aimed on Lupin.
Lupin sort of froze.

"Son, wait." Tyler said softly as he placed his hand on Megaman's arm as Lupin's friends came in and got in front of him.
Lupin started at Megaman.
"Dad, why are you stopping me?" Megaman questioned.
"I think that's Lan." Tyler whispered to him.
Megaman stared at him in disbelief. Lupin just stared at Megaman, Lupin wasn't acting like the Lupin that his partners knew.
"Something's up!" Goemon whispered to the other two.
Lupin kept staring at Megaman. Megaman lowered his blaster, but couldn't keep his eyes off him. Lupin blinked watching Megaman. Lupin's eyes held a look that was half recognition and half confusion.
'Wonder if Kat could help...Maylu would delete me if I her brought into this.' Megaman thought when he saw the look in Lupin's eyes.
"Guys..." Lupin started.

They all looked at him
"I seem to remember being inside this pink dome and..." Lupin started trying hard to remember.

'Only Lan knew that.' Megaman and Tyler both thought.
"Then Megaman appeared..." Lupin continued still trying hard to remember.
"Yes...that right." Megaman whispered to himself.
"He called me...Lan." Lupin said.

"It's your name...bro?" Megaman said going over to him in the way that he had when Lan had first used the EGs.
Lupin looked a bit wobbly like he was gonna pass out.
"Whoa! Gotcha." Goemon said as his friend passed out.
Lupin was out cold.

'Lan? Please! You gotta remember us.' Megaman thought as he knelt by them.
Lupin groaned and slowly opened his eyes.

"Megaman? Goemon?" Lupin asked sitting up.
The two looked at him.

"What happened?" Lupin asked.

"You passed out." Megaman said, hoping his brother would remember.
Lupin stood up.
"What's wrong?" Goemon asked.
"Nothing Goemon it's just my memories are back." Lupin said.
'Please Lan...' Megaman thought.
"I remember everything." Lupin said.

'Hope Kat hasn't sensed this, she's been through enough.' Megaman kept thinking of his young niece.
"Megaman? Bro?" Lan asked out of concern.
"YOU really remember me, don't you?" Megaman asked when he heard Lan call him bro.
Lan smiled at him and nodded. Megaman had tears in his eyes as he smiled at him. Lan rested a hand on his shoulder.
"It's just. We've ALL missed you dearly." Megaman sobbed as he looked over at Tyler who was also in tears.
"I know, but, I'm afraid we can't stay long...I am wanted after all." Lan said sadly.
'But Kat and Maylu need him, I NEED HIM!' Megaman thought as he felt his heart-breaking a second time.
"I wish I could stay I really do...but, Pops'll be here soon to arrest me.
"Who?" Megaman asked, confused.
"Inspector Zenigata, he works for Interpol and has been after us for years." Lan said.

Megaman scowled as thoughts of his heart-broken sister in-law and niece kept coming to mind.
"He just won't give up. If it weren't for Interpol I'd stay." Lan said.
"YOU JERKS DON'T GET IT! THERE'S A LITTLE GIRL HERE WHO'S BEEN WITHOUT HER FATHER FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS! She probably ALREADY knows something's going on! And is on her way now! OR DID YOU FORGET KAT TOO!" Megaman said at the top of his lungs!
"How do you think it would affect her to get her dad back and then watch her dad be arrested, HUH DID YOU EVER CONCIDER THAT BROTHER!" Lan shouted.
"TO GET HER FATHER BACK AND THEN TO LOSS HIM AGAIN WOULD HAVE A WORSE EFFECT ON KAT I KNOW IT!" Lan shouted.

"I DID. BUT THE POOR KID'S SO DOWN, THAT SHE'S LOST INTEREST IN THINGS SHE LOVED! I've found her crying in her room every night, since that terrible day and what Jera, your twin brother...poor guy's in such a deep state of depression that I can't pull him out, Jr.'s nearly lost hope. and then there's our family's youngest member, which you've have YET TO SEE!" Megaman sneered.
"If I stay Pops will come...if there were a way out of it I would take it in a heart beat." Lan said.

"Look, I know that running's not the answer. But, you gotta give up, face up to it." Megaman said, arms-crossed.

Tyler came up, wanting Lan to stay even if he was in trouble.
"We've been on the run so long..." Lan started and stepping back from Goemon and the other two.
"Go on guys, I won't ask you to stay." Lan said.

The three looked at him, wondering if he was certain. Especially after hearing his brother pleas on behalf of a daughter and other family.
"Go on I'm not gonna ask you to be arrested. Just go on." Lan said smiling at the 3.

They nodded then disappeared.

"Don't worry, Lan...we'll get this straighten out. Net-saviors have more jurisdiction now. I won't let Zenigata get you, he'll have to get past me FIRST!" Megaman said firmly.
Lan smiled.

'Guess he lost the ability to hear my thoughts after so long apart.' Megaman thought to himself, smiling back.
"No, I didn't before I was just confused by it." Lan said.
The door to the lab swung up.

"I wondered" he said.

"Lupin!" Pops exclaimed.

"Hey Pops." Lan said.

"Hold it RIGHT THERE PAL!" Megaman said, going between them.
"What the..." Pops started.
"My name's Megaman, a Net-Saver navi...the man you're after, is MY BROTHER." Megaman said, flashing his ID.
"But, he..." Pops started.
"Pops if I had to I'd go with you. But, I'm not the same man you knew." Lan said as a 8 years girl ran in.
"Daddy!" Kat yelled running over and hugging him.
"Oh, Kat." Lan said hugging her tightly.

"Hey Talla." Megaman said as his own daughter hugged him.
Pops blinked in confusion as he watched Lupin.
"Now, do you understand officer?" Tyler asked.
"Not really." Pops said.

"Two years ago, my boy was badly injured he died from his injuries or so we thought as Megaman and my daughter in-law Maylu witnessed it." Dr. Hikari explained.
"What does that have to do with Lupin?" Pops asked.

"The one that you know as Lupin and my son Lan Hikari are one and the same...he had lost his memory after digging himself out of his grave, shortly after the funeral as Megaman was told by someone with the cemetery." Tyler explained
"Really?" Pops asked a bit shock.
Megaman nodded. Kat was crying on Lan's chest.
'Sure I would never admit it out loud but, I care what happens to Lupin.' Pops thought watching.
Megaman chuckled at the cop. Dr. Hikari came over, giving his son a hug.
Lan hugged his dad back.
'Jera, Jr, Maylu and mom are gonna flip!' Megaman thought with a smile.
"I'll pretent you're still on the run...that ought to help." Pops said starting for the door.
"Pops..." Lan started in shock.

"Thanks, Inspector" Megaman said.

"Let's go home." Lan said picking up Kat.
"Right, bro" said Megaman picking up talla.
Lan started out of the lab.
"coming, dad?" Megaman asked
Tyler nodded.
Lan walked to his house but, froze outside a moment.
"what's wrong, bro?" asked Megaman noticing his brother's actions
"It's just I've been gone so long." Lan said.

'I know' Megaman thought.
Lan took a deep breathe and walked in.
"Megaman? is that you?" Roll called
"No, Roll." Lan said.
"what? no...it can't be!" Roll gasped when she saw Lan.
"Hi, Roll." Lan said putting down Kat.

she was in tears as went to hug her brother in-law. which alerted Maylu.
Lan smiled at Roll. Lan hugged Roll back.

"Roll? why are-?" Maylu asked as she heard Roll crying, not knowing her husband was home.

she gasped at what she saw. Lan smiled at Maylu.

"L-L-Lan? Is it really you?" she asked as her voice began to waver as she fought back the tears.
Lan nodded.

"OH. LAN! I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" Maylu cried as she ran to hold him.
Lan held his wife tightly.
"Maylu, I'm so sorry." Lan sobbed holding the women he loved.

Megaman just grinned as he kept holding Talla. Lan broke up the hug frowning.
"I have to go talk to Jera." Lan said.

Megaman nodded as he gave talla to Roll.
"Where is he?" Lan asked.

Megaman took Lan to a house not far from theirs. "better lemme go in first" Megaman offered.
Lan nodded.
"Jr, it's me, Megaman...can I come in?" Megaman called out after he knocked on the door.
"Come on in uncle Megaman." Jr. said.
"hey kid, how you doing?" he said, going but kept the door slightly.

"I'm fine, it's just..." Jr. said.
"your dad?" Megaman trying to keep a straight face.
Jr nodded.

"well I might just have someone that can help with that-go look to the porch" he instructed.
Jr. walked out.
'5-4-3-2' he counted.
"Uncle Lan!" Jr exclaimed.
Megaman beamed as the expression of his nephew. Soon Jr. pulled Lan inside. Megaman just couldn't help but laugh as his brother was led into the house by the arm due to their teenage nephew.

'hope it works for Jera' he thought to himself.
"Jr, where's your dad?" Lan asked.
"tell us" Megaman said gently.
"His bedroom." Jr. said.
"still?" Megaman sighed.
Jr. nods.
"wanna show him?" Megaman asked, pointed to Lan.
Jr nodded and lead Lan inside. Megaman started counted again as he followed the two. Lan gasped and ran to his brother. Megaman just sighed when he went in.
"see when I meant?" he whispered.
"Jera...brother..." Lan started.
"Lan? No I must be hearing things again..." Jera mumbled not seeing his son and brothers in the room.
"Jera." Lan said sitting in front of Jera.

"L-L-Lan? Is it really you?" Jera whispered not wanting to believe that his twin brother was alive and in front of him.
Lan nodded.
"Yes, it's me." Lan said.

"OH LAN! I THOUGHT I LOST YOU FOR GOOD!" Jera cried as he went and embraced his twin.
Lan hugged him as well. Megaman chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Jr. as they watched.
"I'm so sorry, Jera." Lan said still embraceing his brother.
"why?" Jera asked, confused.
"For being gone so long." Lan said.
"wasn't your fault" Jera said as a tear fell.
Lan smiled.
'mom's next unless dad's told her yet' Megaman thought as he continued to watch the twins.
"You don't even want to know what I went through." Lan said helping Jera up.

"I can imagine" he replied.
"You don't want to imagine believe me." Lan said.

Jera just looked at him.
"I better go talk to mom." Lan said shaking his head.

"c'mon, then" Megaman said as they left.
"I wonder if dad's told mom and if so how much of it." Lan said.
"I was wondering the same thing, Lan" Megaman replied.
"Let's go see." Lan said and continued towards Bri, and Tyler's.
"mom? you in?" Megaman called when they reached the front door.
"Megaman, what nice surprise how are y-?" bri started to say as she opened the front door.
Lan looked at Bri. She thought dreaming when she saw the son that she'd lost two years before.
"No, i-i-it can't be..." she trailed off as tears came to her eyes.

"It's me, mom." Lan said.

"Oh, Lan! I thought that I never see you again! Oh, my boy!" Bri said as she went and wept holding him for all it was worth.
Megaman grinned as he went upstairs to get someone.
"Mom, I...I don't even wanna think about what happened two years ago." Lan said sobbing.
"Oh, Lan...it's alright" Bri said trying to comfort her son.
Meanwhile Megaman was upstairs in a bedroom belonging to his baby brother.
"Mom..." Lan started.
Then he whipeared to his mom what had happened two years ago. Andrew was asleep in his crib. Megaman looked at the small boy in the crib with deep affection. He hated to wake Andrew, but knew that Lan never seen him.
"Hey little bro." Megaman whispered gently.
Andrew yawned and looked at Megaman.
"Hey, there's someone who wants to meet you." Megaman said as he picked the boy up and out of the crib.
Lan cried when he told his mom what happened. Bri just held him as she listened. It was then that Megaman came down with little Andrew in his arms. That's when Lan got to the part about digging himself out of his grave.
"Oh, Lan...if we had known." Bri said gently.
"I know." Lan sobbed.
Bri then saw Megaman

"Honey, there's someone who wants to say hello." Bri told Lan softly.
Lan calmed himself down.
'Easy bro.' Megaman thought as he came over.
Lan looked at Megaman.

"This is our baby brother, Andrew" Megaman said softly as he handed the tot to their mother.
Lan smiled at the tot. The baby just cooed at him, clapping his little hands.
"He's a cutie." Lan said.

Megaman grinned at his mother.

'He wants to hold him.' Megaman thought to himself, hoping that Lan hadn't heard.
"Mom, can I..." Lan started.

'Knew it.' Megaman thought.

"Of course, dear. You're one of his big brothers after all." Bri smiled as she sat Andrew on Lan's lap
Lan smiled at his baby brother in his lap.
'Awww' both of them thought.

Lan brushed his hand through his little brother's hair and was hugging him lightly. And something came up that shocked all three of them. Little Andrew Hikari's first word...

"LAN!" Andrew said at the top of his lungs.
"D-D-Did he j-j-just..." Lan started in shock.

"He did, bro." Megaman said as their mother just smiled at her youngest boy.
"Wait til dad finds out he said his first words." Lan said.
"Lan. Lan. Lan." Andrew repeated, which caused a laugh to escape from Megaman.
Lan chuckled as well.

"I know he's gonna flip." Megaman said as he calmed down.
"Yeah." Lan said smiling.
"Megaman, how did Yai and Tori deal with..." He started.

"Yai just buried herself in dealings with Ayanotech and I haven't heard from Tori in a while" Megaman said sadly.
Lan pulled out the orginal EGs. And handed Andrew to his mother.
"Lan?" Megaman asked.
Lan twirled the EGs.
"I think it's time to pay Yai a little visit." Lan said.

"Want me to come? I haven't seen glide in some time." Megaman offered.
"That might be a good idea." Lan said.
'You know what to do' Megaman thought.
Lan put the glasses on and jacked in. Megaman grinned to see his brother's cyber-self again. Marriorman smiled.

"Well?" Megaman prompted.
"Let's go." Marriorman said.

It didn't take long for the two the reach Ayanotech's mainframe.
"See glyde?" Megaman asked.
"Glide!" Marriorman called out.

"Who's there?" came the replied as glide appeared.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Maybe if you saw who it was." Marriorman said.
Marriorman smiled as the mask came off. Megaman just grinned.

"n-n-no it can't be!" glyde stammered in shock like the others.
"In a way the reactions were worth being buried alive." Marriorman meant to think but, he had accidently said it.

Megaman just shook his head at glide and kept quiet.

'gonna ask about Yai.' Megaman reminded.
"How's Yai?" Marriorman asked.

"not well, I'm afraid" glyde said sadly, after recovering from the shock.
"Maybe finding out I'm alive would help." Marriorman said.

"you could try" the navi said with a bit of hope.

"Yeah." Marriorman said.
"I doubt it'll make thing's any worse." He said.

"look glyde, if Lan could get his twin brother out of the depression and sadness his death had caused HIM, he can DEFINITELY DO IT FOR YAI!" Megaman said in a way that glide hadn't heard from him in a long time.
"but-" glide started, still uncertain.
"It can't get any worse." Marriorman pointed out.

glide sighed, knowing they were right as pointed in the direction of yai's cyber-office. Marriorman walked towards it.

'Good luck' Megaman thought as he and glyde watched.
Marriorman walked into Yai's cyber-office.
"Yai!" Marriorman called.

"Who's there? I'm busy! Make an appointment." Yai said, coldly not looking from her paperwork and not realizing who had called her. in the months since Lan's death she threw herself into the company affairs. becoming cold and distance.
"Yai, it's me, Lan." Marriorman said.

"No...it not true, my friend Lan Hikari died two years." the CEO said sadly.
"There are moments that I wish that were the case. Then I wouldn't have had to dig myself out." Marriorman said.

"Lan? I-Is it really you! Please tell me that I'm not dreaming again." Yai said, finally with tears in her eyes looked at the screen upon a navi she hadn't seen since losing her friend.
"It's really me, Yai." Marriorman said.

"Oh Lan, I missed you-" Yai said but was cut off by her need to cry as tears and sobs flowed from her.
"I know." Marriorman said.

'Knew you could do it, bro.' Megaman thought as he and glyde came up from behind and saw Yai.
Marriorman smiled at Megaman.

"Lan, thank you" glyde said softly he looked on at his net-op.
"I had to. She's my friend." Marriorman said smiling.

The two navis nodded understandingly.
"I'm just glad Pops is gonna pretent I'm still on the run." Marriorman said.

Both Yai AND Glyde looked confused as Megaman just shook his head.

'thought you'd put THAT behind you!' Megaman thought when he realized what Lan had said.

"Let's just say I did a lot of thing these last 2 years." Marriorman said.

"Thing's I'm not proud of." He said.

'But still, you didn't know WHO you were.' Megaman thought
"Digging myself out caused some problems shall we say." Marriorman said.

'But I should've been there' Megaman finally said sadly.
"Have you ever heard of Lupin the 3rd?" Marriorman asked knowing it would most likely be a yes.

"I got a report on a theif by that name." Megaman said, looking at his feet.
"I had lost my memory and well I became well..." Marriorman started.

"I know...honestly, I'd never added the two events together." Megaman said, knowing where his brother was heading on this.
"I became a thief. To be exact I became Lupin the 3rd." Marriorman said.
Megaman nodded, knowing there was more.
"Now I'm back and that's all that matters." Marriorman said.

Megaman agreed.

"Now to try and find Tori." Marriorman said.

"Right, and so you know...Dex has been helping me and the rest of our family." Megaman said cheerfully.
"I'm glad." Marriorman said smiling.

'Thought you might be...now let's see.' Megaman thought to himself as he tried to get a fix on iceman.

Marriorman watched Megaman.

"got 'im! he and Tori are at his dad's lab" Megaman said.
"Let's go." Marriorman said.

"Right." Megaman said.

"C'ya later, Yai, Glide." Marriorman said.
"Bye guys!" the two called
Marriorman headed to Tori's dad's lab.

'They'll freak!' Megaman thought with a grin as he followed.
Soon the two arrived.
"YO, FROSTY!" Megaman called.

"MEGAMAN, DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Came a shout.
"He doesn't seemed to have changed much, bro." Marriorman said.

'Ya'll see, now hide.' Megaman thought as he heard iceman coming.
Marriorman hid. Iceman had changed quite a bit, he was taller and his color was a different shade. "so, why the visit?" he asked.
"Oh, just this!" Megaman said as he whistled for Lan.
Marriorman stepped out from his hiding place.
"L-L-LAN! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! IS IT REALLY YOU!" Iceman cried.
Marriorman nodded.
"Yeah, it's me." Marriorman said.

"b-b-but we were told-" he stammered as Megaman quieted his friend by a question. "where's tory?"
"the lab" he told them with a tinge of sadness in his voice.
"I gotta admit there are times I wish that I really was...I mean I had to..." Marriorman started.
Megaman shook his head, wishing lan would stop blaming himself as he headed for the lab.

"hey, tory! you in there!" Megaman shouted.

"i know he's here" Megaman whispered, knowing how tory'd changed in the last couple years.

"I'm working, come back later." Tori said.
"tori, it's me...come out!" Megaman called to his friend.
Tori sighed and stood up.
"This better be important." Tori said walking to the door.
Megaman whistled from the mainframe. Tori walks over to his computer.
"there's SOMEONE who want to see YOU!" Megaman grinned.
Marriorman walked up to where Megaman was.
'5-4-3-2' Megaman counted down for tori's reaction.
"LAN!" Tori exclaimed in shock.
"it's him" Megaman said with an even worst grin.
"But, how? I thought..." Tori started.
"long story, buddy...real LONG" Megaman said, hoping lan wouldn't mope again.
Marriorman looked away from his friends. Megaman just went and placed his hand comfortingly on his brother shoulder.

"let's just say he's had pretty rough the last couple years and leave it at that...okay tor?" he said.
Tori nodded.
'better?' Megaman thought.
Marriorman nodded fighting back tears.
'aw lan...' he thought as he witnessed his brother.
"I'll c'ya to later you two." Marriorman said disappearing.

"is he okay?" asked iceman. "he will be, given time" replied Megaman. and he said goodbye to his friends.
'now, where'd he go?' Megaman asked himself as he looked for his missing brother.
Marriorman was sitting indian style alone somewhere crying.
'Oh Lan, please...let me help you that's ALL I want to help you ease your pain.' Megaman thought as he kept up his search.
Marriorman looked up when he heard Megaman. Tears poured down his face.
"I know he's had it rough, but still." Megaman said to himself.
Marriorman just cried. Megaman found him, but kept a distance. Marriorman was sobbing. Megaman just sat down, hugging his knees and waited. Marriorman looked up sensing his brother nearby, tears still falling. Megaman stayed put, not wanting to push his presence on his brother.
"M-M-Megaman..." Marriorman started.
"I'm here, bro." Megaman said gently as he got up.
Marriorman looked at Megaman tears still falling. Megaman kept hoping he could reach the brother he knew deep within. Marriorman hugged Megaman crying.
"Just let it out, just let it ALL out!" Megaman whispered as he held his brother's crying form.
It broke Megaman's heart to see Lan like this, and this whole ordeal was more draining then dealing with ANY net-crime organization could EVER BE! Marriorman sobbed. Megaman just quietly let his brother do this, not-knowing when it would pass. Soon Marriorman's sobs slowed. Megaman looked down at him. Marriorman stepped back and wiped the tears off his face.
"Feeling a little better?" Megaman asked, hoping a certain little girl hadn't sensed her father's inner-turmoil.
Marriorman nodded.
"Sorry about that, bro." Marriorman said.

Marriorman smiled at him.
"I'm glad." Marriorman said.

"Hey, after WHAT you've BEEN THROUGH, this is normal." Megaman said with a slight grinned.
"Let's go home." Marriorman said.

Megaman nodded in agreement.
"Marriorman logging out."
Megaman was solid again from the MDE in seconds.

Lan smiled at his mom.
"That took longer then I thought." Lan said.

"Lan, are you alright?" Bri asked, seeing the look in his eyes.
"I'm fine." Lan said.

Megaman just shrugged when she looked to him for answers.
"I think me and my wife need to spent so time together." Lan said heading towards the door smiling at his baby brother.

Both his mother and brother agreed, looking at the baby boy.
"I'll see you guys later." Lan said reaching for the door.

"alright" bri said, conveying a 'look after him' look to Megaman as he followed lan. he nodded.
Lan opened the door.
'PLEASE let her not know' Megaman begged silently as he kept up with his brother.
Lan ran into his house.
Megaman was right behind.
"Maylu! I'm home!" Lan called.
"lan?" she asked when she saw them with Roll following.
"Yeah." Lan said.
"so, did you see the others? or your mom?" she asked, sitting on the sofa.
"Yeah, I contacted, Tori and Yai, saw mom and Andrew said his first word." Lan said sitting next to her.
"really?" maylu asked. Megaman was having a hard time keeping a straight face in front of the girls.
Lan nodded.

"well, are you going to tell me or do i need to guess?" she asked, wanting to know.
"He said Lan." Lan said.

'and he hasn't asked me how andy knew' Megaman thought as he looked at Roll was shocked.
"Your right, bro I haven't. So pray tell." Lan said looking at his brother.

"alright, i showed him your photo repeated it when mom brought him over here." he explained.
Lan smiled at his brother.

"well i'd be thinking about you when i was trying to get him to sleep" Megaman admitted.
Lan sighed. Lan leaned back on the couch.

"lan, honey? are you alright?" maylu asked.

"I'm just tired." Lan said with a yawn.

"well it's been a long day" Megaman said with the girls agreeing with him as he headed to see kat and talla.
Lan layed his head down on Maylu's lap half asleep.

"shhh, just rest sweetheart" she cooed, gently stroking her husband's hair. Roll went with her husband to give them some privacy.
Lan closed his eyes and fell asleep. She smiled, hoping his rest was peaceful.And it was. It was something he hadn't expreinced in a long time. Meanwhile Megaman and Roll were with the two girls, trying to explain.
"Really?" Kat asked having thought she was dreaming when she saw Lan.

"that's right honey...he's with your mom right now" Roll answered her niece.
Kat smiled broadly.

"if you want to see him, you can. but be quiet, he's asleep right now" Megaman told her, knowing how much his niece had missed her father.
Kat rushed downstairs and smiled. maylu smiled gently when she saw kat.
"It's true...I..." Kat said softly.

"i know honey, we all did" maylu whispered, looking at her sleeping husband.
The three navi followed the little girl with talla reacting the same as her net-op/cousin. Kat walked over and smiled at her father's sleeping form.

"uncle lan?" Talla whispered as looked up at her dad.

"it's him honey...he's home" Megaman whispered in reply.
Kat hugged her mom trying not to wake her dad. Megaman smiled as he did the same with Roll and talla. Lan's eyes slowly open still liden with sleep.
'hey bro..look who's there with you and maylu' Megaman thought when he saw lan slowly awaken.
Lan sat up and smiled at his daughter. Megaman chuckled. Kat hugged her dad. Lan hugged her back. Maylu hugged them both tightly.
"I'm just so glad to be home." Lan said.

'i know bro, WE know' Megaman thought as he continued to watch.
Lan gave Megaman a "Don't say a word about what happend" look as he contiued to hug his daughter.

'don't worry, I WON'T! altough, i do hope she didn't sensed it' Megaman returned.
"Me too." Lan whispeared.

'you know, kat used to tell me that she dreamt of you, but i always thought they were due to grief' Megaman admitted.
Lan smiled at his brother and broke up the hug. Megaman and the others looked at him curiously.
"I know Megaman, I can understand...but, I don't wanna talk about. If we start talking about that we both know where it'll lead." Lan said.
Megaman just nodded.

"So, let's just not talk about it." Lan said.
Megaman agreed. Lan smiled at Megaman and the others. maylu, kat, Roll and talla just smiled at the guys. Lan sighed and started towards his and Maylu's bedroom.

'Poor guy's still beat' Megaman thought as he looked at his wife, daughter and niece.
Lan leaned against the door locked it and slid down it.

"Lan? You alright?" maylu asked when she saw him slide down the door.
Lan nodded trying to keep his train off what happened 2 years ago but failing.

"wanna talk about it? it might help" she asked, knowing he'd be stubborn and keep quiet.
Lan stood up and sat on the bed.
"It was like a nightmare...one of those nightmare you pray you'll never have...but, it was real." Lan said.

maylu nodded and held him.
"Maylu, I had to break open my own coffin and dig myself out." Lan sobbed out.

"oh lan... if i-i had known, i would've told the doctors to keep trying...i-i-i-i would've" maylu whispered, tearfully.
"I know." Lan said crying now Maylu's shoulder.
"Megaman was the one who took losing you the hardest of all. The only time I ever saw him even attempt a smile was in front of our Kat." maylu said softly as she ran her fingers through his hair
Lan just sobbed. Maylu just stayed by him, not wanting to leave his side.

6 MONTHS LATER
Lan was finally able to talk about what happened 2 years ago without breaking down. Megaman was still wanting to be by his brother's side after learning of all the deeds.

"I think I wanna to go back to Scilabs to work if we can arrange that." Lan said.

"want me to call dad?" Megaman asked when he heard this.
Lan nodded.
"Yeah." Lan said.

It took a few minutes for the call to reach Tyler. He had been waiting and kept Lan's position for him, mainly as a way to remember him. Since being reunited he made sure it was still there.

"Hello?" Tyler said when he answered the phone.

"Dad? It's Megaman...listen, is Lan's spot with Scilabs still there?" he asked.
"Yeah, why?" Tyler asked, hopeing he was right about why Megaman was asking.

"Looks like he's wants to work for Scilabs again" he replied also hopeful.

"Now that sounds like the Lan we know!" Tyler exclaimed.

"Thought you might be happy." Megaman said.
"You bet I am, he can come back when ever he wants." Tyler said.

'Hey Lan... dad says you can go back when you're ready.' Megaman thought.
"I think I'm ready now. But, I'll wait until I tell Maylu and Kat." Lan said.
"They're still in Kat's room aren't they?" He asked.

"i think so" megaman said.
Lan walked upstairs to Kat's room and knock. Kat was giggling.

"c'mere you little-" maylu said as she reached to tickle the girl.

Lan poked his head in.

"Hi." Lan said walking in.
"Lan?" Maylu said as she just missed, noticing he husband.

megaman had a hard time keeping a straight face.
"Maylu, I'm gonna to work at Scilabs again." Lan said smiling at his wife in a way she hadn't seen in a long time.

"oh, lan...really?" she asked, her voice and heart filled with hope.
Lan nodded.
"Yeah." Lan said.

"you're NOT the only one who's happy over this, maylu...dad's ESTATIC!" megaman said as he picked up kat and began tickling her.
"I think I'll head to the lab now." Lan said as he kissed Maylu.

"Not without me." Megaman chided with kat in his arms.
"Let's go." Lan said.

Megaman nodded, placing kat on the sofa. Lan walked out of the house and headed to Scilabs. megaman was in his PET and at his brother's side. Lan walked into his dad's lab.

"Hi, dad." Lan said.

"lan, you made it!" tyler said.

Lan nodded.
"Yep." Lan said walking over to his dad.
"Gonna start slow?" tyler asked.
"I have an idea for a new invention actually." Lan said.

"really?" came the reply from both his father and brother.
"Yep." Lan said as he started work.

"How can I help?" Tyler asked glad to see the spark for the fire his son once had, returning.
"Uh..." Lan was about to answer but his invention started to glow.
"Lan?" Tyler asked when he saw the glow.
The glow engulfed Lan.

"LAN!" his father cried out.
When the light faded Lan didn't seem at first to be there.

'lan?' thought his brother.
A small boy suddenly clung to Tyler's legs.

"dad, look" megaman said when he noticed the boy tyler gasped as he looked down.
The boy slowly looked up at Tyler.
"lan?" he said softly not sure if the little one would respond.

"Daddy." The boy said.

"oh, my gosh!" megaman said when he realized the little boy was his brother.
"Where's mommy?" Lan asked.

"at home" tyler answered as he looked at the PET.
"Upie." Lan said.
"um, could you-?" megaman asked their dad as he picked up the small form of his brother in wanting his MDE so he could get a better look at lan.

Lan snuggled up to his dad. Tyler nodded. Still holding his son in his arms he jacked Megaman in the MDE.
"thanks" megaman said as he gazed at lan.
"hey little guy" megaman cooed.
Lan smiled at Megaman.
'the girls are gonna delete me' megaman thought.
Lan cocked his head in confusion.
"did he just-" megaman whispered.
"Daddy, go see mommy." Lan said looking at his father.

"coming, megaman?" tyler asked as he carried lan out and Megaman nodded.
Lan clutched Tyler lab-coat.

"i gotta call the girls and tell them to meet us" megaman said as he followed.
Soon they arrived at Bri and Tyler's house.

"tyler, megaman...you're home e-" bri started when she saw the little boy in her husband's arms.
"Mommy!" Lan exclaimed.
"it's lan, honey" tyler said as he handed lan to his brother.
"but how?" she asked in shock.
Lan snuggled up to Megaman and fell asleep.

"he was working on another invention and well..." megaman trailed off in a whisper, not wanting to wake the little netbattler in his arms.
Kat ran into her grandparents room.

'uh-oh' megaman thought when he saw his niece.
Kat cocked her head in confusion.
"um, hi kat" megaman said, unsure of how to explain.
"Who's that?" Kat asked not recognizing Lan at first.
megaman sighed. "your dad" he finally got out.
"where's your mom and aunt" asked tyler.
"Probably right behind me." Kat said.
'maylu's gonna delete me for this' megaman thought in dread.
"I'll go make sure." Kat said.
her uncle nodded.
Kat walked out to get her mom.
"kat, honey? what's wong?" maylu asked.
"It's daddy, come on." Kat said.

Maylu, Roll and Talla followed the girl. Kat ran back into her grandparents house.

"megaman what's going-?" maylu started when she saw lan when they got there.
Lan groaned lightly in his sleep.

"it's lan" megaman said, pointing to the little boy.
Lan's eyes slowly open.
"lan?" maylu said softly.
Lan looked at her. Megaman was nervous.

"Hi." Lan said.

maylu looked to her brother-in-law for answers after she smiled at lan.
Lan wiggled a bit.

"he was working on another invention" megaman started as he put lan on the floor in front of her.
Lan ran towards the steps.

"Oh no" megaman said as he followed him.
Lan got to the steps and started to crawl up.
"lan? where are you going?" megaman called out, hoping he hadn't gotten into trouble.
Lan watched Andrew who was asleep again.

"oh, i see...you wanted to see andrew, huh?" megaman cooed quietly to the little boy.
Lan looked up at Megaman.

"wanna have a better look at our baby brother?" megaman whispered.
Lan nodded.
megaman picked lan up to where he could see the baby better.
"Baby brother?" Lan asked.
megaman nodded. 'this is JUST TOO CUTE!' he thought to himself.
"his name's andrew" megaman replied.
"Andrew." Lan said.
megaman nodded with a grin.
'i gotta call jera' megaman thought as he watched his brothers not wanting to leave them alone.
"Play?" Lan asked.
"sure, bro...what do you want to do?" megaman asked.

"Right Light, Green Light." Lan said.

"okay" megaman said
Lan smiled at Megaman.
"so, do you wanna start or me?" he asked.
"You start." Lan said.

Megaman just grinned as he turn around.

Lan moved back a bit so he was ready to play.
"green light" megaman called out.
Lan started to move forward.
"red light" he said, turning around
Lan froze.
megaman chuckled as he turned back around. "green light" he said.
Lan moved closer.

megaman waited five seconds. "red light" he said.
Lan froze again.
megaman had a feeling he was asking for trouble. "green light" he said.
Lan rushed forward and was almost close enough to touch Megaman.
"Red light!" he callled.

megaman waited two seconds. "green light" he called before the attack.
Lan toughed Megaman.
"gyahh, no lan! ha!-ha!-ha!-ha!-ha! NO FAIR! ha!-ha!-ha!-ha!-ha!-ha!" megaman cried out when he felt little fingers at his sides.
Lan giggled. Megaman was laughing so hard that he never realized he had more company.Lan kept up the attack. Tyler had heard the commotion from the baby's room. Lan kept up the attack. Tyler chuckled when he saw Megaman being tickled by a four-year when he looked in. Lan yawned and stopped the attack. That gave Megaman the chance he needed to move, but froze when he saw their dad laughing at them. Lan yawned again.

"were playing after i found him looking at andrew, manages to tickle me" megaman told him as they noticed lan yawning.
Lan yawned again. Megaman went and picked him up and went back downstairs with their dad and youngest brother following. Lan fell asleep again in Megaman's arms. Tyler chuckled at them which caused Megaman to blush.
"What are we gonna do about daddy?" Kat asked quitely when she saw them.
'"i don't know kat" megaman whispered.
"um, has anyone called jera?" he asked.
"No need." Came a voice from the door.
"hey bro" megaman whispered.
"So, how did this happen anyway." Jera asked.
"another invention" megaman said softly.
"I maybe able to fix this. But, I'll need to see this invention." Jera said.
"it's still at scilabs-i didn't get a good look" megaman admitted.
"I'll need your help dad." Jera said.
tyler nodded.
Jera walked out of the house and headed to Scilabs. Tyler followed, leaving megaman with their (little) brother asleep in his arms.
"Daddy's so cute." Kat giggled softly.

"so, were you" megaman chuckled.

Kat giggled.

"well i can vouch on that" maylu piped in, holding a photo album.
Lan groaned slightly. Kat smiled at her mom. Megaman looked down.

'what's she planning?' megaman thought.
Lan's eyes slowly open and he looks at Megaman. Kat ran to her mom.
"have a nice nap, bro?" he asked.
Lan nodded slightly.
"i got pictures here of you and talla as babies with your dads" maylu said going to two certain photos.
Kat looked at the pictures.
they were of lan and megaman, asleep each with his own infant daughter on his chest.
"Aww." Kat said.

"Where's daddy?" Lan asked.

"went out for a bit, pal" megaman replied as he glared at maylu.
"Eat." Lan said.

maylu giggled as she went to the kitchen, having heard lan.

"Down." Lan said.

"kat could you-?" asked megaman as he placed lan on the floor, following maylu.

Kat smiled at Lan and Lan smiled back.

"so, you gonna tell?" megaman asked his sister in-law when he knew they wouldn't be heard.
Kat smiled at Roll and Talla.

"remember the first time you two laid down with the girls?" maylu countered. megaman groaned in realization.
"Lan, this is Talla and Roll." Kat said leading him over to the duo.
megaman and maylu popped their heads through the door when they heard kat.
Kat glanced back and shrugged.
"lan?" Roll questioned, when she saw the little boy, then looked at her husband for answers.
Lan smiled at Roll and Talla.

"remember the first time you two laid down with the girls?" maylu countered. megaman groaned in realization.
"Lan, this is Talla and Roll." Kat said leading him over to the duo.
megaman and maylu popped their heads through the door when they heard kat.
Kat glanced back and shrugged.
"lan?" Roll questioned, when she saw the little boy, then looked at her husband for answers.
Lan smiled at Roll and Talla.
"new invention mishap" megaman said with a shrug.
MEANWHILE AT SCILABS
Jera was on the verge of a breakthrough.
"son?" tyler asked out of concern.
Jera looked at him.
"think you figured out what your brother was trying to do?" he asked.
"Yeah, in fact I'm almost done with it." Jera said while he was working.

"really?"tyler said.
"There." Jera said putting down his tools.

"so, what is it? not even megaman knew what lan was doing" tyler said.
"I think Lan will be able to exclaim it better, let's go home to get Lan back to normal." Jera said.
tyler nodded.
Jera headed out.
"Dad, by the way how'd your boss handle the news that Lan was back." Jera said as he walked down the street.
"he was shocked and amazed by it all" tyler said.
"I could imagin." Jera said.
tyler nodded again. Jera walked back into Bri and Tyler's house.
"hey guys" megaman called.
"I figured it out." Jera said.
"so, what was he working on, never got a good look" megaman told his brother.
"I finished it. So everyone back away from Lan." Jera said.
they all did as instructed. joey's got his own bed
Jera aimed the devise at Lan and fired. There was a glow and Lan was back to his normal age.
'YES!' megaman thought when he saw lan was back to normal.
Lan looked around confused.
"lan?" maylu asked when she saw her husband back to the way he was just before.
Lan spun to face her and smiled.
"Hey honey." Lan said.

"YOU NUTCASE!" she shouted, hugging him.
"What? What happened anyway? How did I get back to my parent's?" Lan asked in confusion as he hugged his wife.
'she took the words right out of my mouth' megaman thought before he spoke. "whatever you were making transformed you"
"Really?" Lan asked still confused.
"yeah, TO A FOUR-YEAR-OLD!" megaman laughed out-loud.
Lan blushed.
"Really?" Lan asked.
MEANWHILE ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD
Pops found Gekin, Goemon and Fujiko.

"oh no! here comes that nutcase cop" fujiko groaned
"Gekin, Goemon, Fujiko." Pops said out of breathe.

"give it up, old man!" genkin taunted. so, what's the scoop?
"Got a letter for you guys. It's from Lupin." Pops said holding up an envelope.

"WHAT!"The three chorused.
"I have a letter for you from Lupin." Pops said.

fujiko went and snatched the envelope right out of his hand. Pops smiled having done what Lan asked he headed in the other direction. The three just look toward his direction
"What is it?" Pops asked looking at them.

"have you seen his family? the ones that the guy in blue mentioned?" fujiko asked.
"I saw his daughter." Pops said.
"she look like him?" asked jekin
"Let's just say it was so adorable, I just couldn't arrest him, even if his brother wasn't there I couldn't have." Pops said.
"Just don't tell my boss." Pops said.

The three nodded.

"Later, guys." Pops said walking away.
The trio just looked at each other.
MEANWHILE IN DENTECH CITY
Lan was still blushing madly. It took a few minutes for megaman to calm down. Lan was still beet red.

"it's true, hon" maylu said.
Lan was still blushing. tyler just chuckled about the expression on his son's face. Lan slowly stop blushing. The others just smiled. Lan smiled at Kat and picked her up. Lan smiled at Kat and picked her up. Megaman and the others looked on in wonder.

"What?" Lan asked smiling at the others.
No one said a word. Lan shrugged.

'cute' megaman thought.
'It's really to bad the whole hear thought only works one way.' Lan thought.

'it isn't one-sided anymore, brother' megaman thought.
'Then what do you thinks cute?' Lan thought.

'you and kat! DO I REALLY NEED TO SAY IT! SHEESH!' megaman thought.
'You don't have to put it that way. I'm still a little off from that little accident.' Lan thought.

'and if your curiousity's getting to you...it started when you led me on that little chase in the net' megaman thought.
'Really?' Lan thought.
megaman nodded.
'I sent a letter through Pops to Genkin, Goemon and Fujiko.' Lan thought.
'oh?' megaman thought.
'Yeah, I filled them in on what's been happenning for the last few month and well...' Lan thought.
Lan smiled at his daughter.

'and you told them about kat?' megaman thought.
'I told them that I wish I could introduce them to Kat.' Lan thought.

'really? what did that cop think?' megaman thought.
"I don't know, I was sent it last week so he should have got it today. And gave it to them by now." Lan said.

"i see" megaman said.
Kat cocked her head in confusion. She looked at her mom to see if she knew what they were talking about. maylu didn't know either. Kat shrugged in very confused. Megaman noticed this and looked at his brother.

'What is it?' Lan thought.
'we're confusing her' megaman thought, pointing to kat.
'And Maylu and the others if I had to guess.' Lan thought.

megaman shrugged.
'How should we explain it?' Lan thought.

'from the start' megaman thought-suggested.

'Maylu already knows that I can read your mind but, the others don't.' Lan thought.

'as i said from the start' megaman thought.
"Guys there's thing we have to tell you." Lan said.

The rest of the hikari clan looked in their direction.
"It started a while back. It was actually pretty soon after I first tested the EGs. " Lan said.

"what can you do?" tyler asked.
"I can hear Megaman's thoughts." Lan said.

"so, what you were doing just now was having a conversation?" Jera asked.
Lan nodded.

'hope he's not jealous' megaman thought, looking over at Jera.

'No need to worry about that, we have the same thing between us. It's the kind of thing that's common with twins.' Lan thought.

megaman nodded in relief.
"so, when you guys proposed-?" Roll asked.
"At that point it was one way, up until resently." Lan said.
"How recently?" Bri asked.
"6 months ago." Lan said.

Megaman gritted his teeth, hoping Lan wouldn't need to go further.

'I hope I don't need to go any farther then that and I know you're hoping the same thing, Megaman.' Lan thought.

The family just smiled.
'You could tell, huh?' Megaman thought.
'Tell what?' Lan thought.

"That I hoped no more explanations were needed." Megaman said.
"Yeah I could." Lan said.

The three kids had a look that said 'wow' on their faces. Lan looked at Roll, Tyler and Bri. Megaman also looked over.

"Amazing." Bri said.

Lan smiled at the group as did Megaman.

'I think I should spend the rest of the day alone with Maylu. If you know what I mean.' Lan thought.

'GOTCHA!' Megaman replied as he herded the rest of their grinning relatives out.
"Come on." Lan grabbed Maylu's hand and lead her out and back to their place.

"LAN!" Maylu giggled.
Lan smiled kissing her passionately. Soon it got really intense. Meanwhile...Megaman and Roll decided to take the girls to the park for a while. They even had baby Andrew in tow. When they were done Lan was laying down on the bed next to Maylu. Maylu just smiled contently.

"That felt good." Lan mumbled.

"It has been a while." Maylu sighed.
"Yeah." Lan said with a sigh.

Lan slowly sat up.

"Are you heading out?" Maylu asked.
"I should get back to work." Lan said getting out of the bed and started to get dressed again.

Maylu nodded. Lan finished getting dressed and kissed Maylu before he left.

'I'm on my way back to the lab.' Lan thought as he headed down the street.

'I'll meet you there, bro.' Megaman thought, telling Roll that he was leaving for the lab, saying goodbye to her and the kids.
Lan got to the lab and started to work on yet another invention.

"He never gives up." Megaman whispered when he saw his brother as he entered.
4 DAYS LATER
Lan was still working on the same invention. Lan hadn't even realize he'd been for four straight days.

"YO! LAN! TAKE A BREAK, ALREADY!" Megaman shouted, knowing when Lan was working on an invention, he wouldn't stop!
Even their father worried when Lan was like this. Lan took a deep breathe. Lan rubbed his eyes.
"Son, maybe you ought to rest." Tyler told him as he looked over in Lan's direction.
Lan stood up but looked wobbly. Tyler made sure that Lan wouldn't fall.

'I'm so tired.' Lan thought.

'I HEARD that! I'm taking you to the lounge.' Megaman thought as he went over and eased Lan away from Tyler and out of the lab.

When Lan laid down on the couch. He fell asleep right off the bat. Megaman just smirked as Lan laid down.

"Pleasant dreams, bro." Megaman whispered as he left the lounge for a few minutes.

Megaman went back to the lab and let their dad know where Lan was. Lan slept for a few hours before he started to stire. Megaman returned as his brother began to move.Lan yawned and streached.

"Feeling better?" Megaman asked.
Lan nodded.
"So...?" Megaman prompted.

Lan looked at him.
"Gonna tell me what you've been doing to the point of colaspe?" Megaman asked.

'It's something I call the HCP." Lan said standing up.

"And that does-?" Megaman asked.
"It stands for Holographic Computerized Projectors." Lan said.

Megaman was still confused.
"I'll show you." Lan said heading towards the lab.

Megaman reluctantly followed. Lan sat at his computer punched something up and the HCPs activated and a Hologram appeared of the EG.

"What the-?" Megaman gasped.
"This is just an example of what the HCPs can do." Lan said.
"Yeah?" Megaman asked.
"Any thing I punch-up on my computer will appear like that if I activate the HCPs." Lan said.
"okay, i admit...i was worried what you were having run through your mind this time" megaman said, looking down.
"That's alright, concidering what happened with my last invention." Lan said.
Lan glanced up and looked at his dad to see his reaction.
"At it again, eh?" Tyler chuckled out when he heard.

"So, I wonder which one he lives in." Gekin said looking at the city that he and his comrades had come to.

"I managed to finished it before I almost collasped. But, I think I need some fresh air." Lan said starting for the door.

The two nodded. Lan walked out and down the street lost in thought still in his lab-coat.
'penny for your thought?' his brother stated.
'huh?' Lan thought broken from his thoughts.
'c'mon lan...what's on your mind?' megaman asked.
'I was just thinking about some of the adventures I had while I was gone.' Lan thought.

'With those three?' his brother thought.
'Yeah.' Lan thought.

'why? i mean...i doubt they'd returned after how you guys parted' megaman thought.
'i think i might've scared them a bit' he admitted.
'After everything we've been through I miss those guys. I doubt it.' Lan thought.
'meant how i kinda-' he started.
'What's on your mind bro?' Lan thought as he walked down the street.
'well...i' megaman couldn't say anything.
Lan sighed as he looked around as he walked.
'after you left...i threw myself into the job. so, when i was told-' he finally started.
'Go on.' Lan thought.
'that day...i had been warned that the EGs were targeted for robbery. needless to say that i was a pretty messed-up navi' he thought sadly.
'I can understand.
' Lan thought.
'kat was kept me going' megaman said as a tear fell.
'I can only imajin how you felt when you found out.' Lan thought.
megaman nodded.
"i thought it was someone's idea of a SICK JOKE!" megaman said, still looking away.
'Bet your glad you were wrong.' Lan said.
Lan looked up and saw Goemon, Gekin and Fujiko.
'Look who's here.' Lan thought.

"WELL I'D BE DELETED!" megaman shreiked when he saw the three.
"hi guys!" fujiko smiled.
"Hi." Lan walked over to them smiling.
"surprised?" goemon asked megaman.
megaman blushed.
Lan smiled at his brother.
megaman's face was still red.
'It's OK, bro. I'm sure they understand.' Lan thought.

megaman gave him an uncertain look
'Trust me, I've know them for 2 years.' Lan thought.

megaman looked to his brother and then to the trio and back then shook his head. causing confusion for the others.
Lan laughed at his brother's anitics.
"Come on, guys." Lan said.

"so...what's going on?" fujiko asked.
"I've just been pretty busy in the lab." Lan said smiling at Fujiko.
"she means you two" genkin countered.
"the silent treatment" goemon added.
"We don't need word we can hear eachothers thoughts." Lan said.
"since when?" fujiko asked, earning a snicker from megaman.
"I've been able to hear his thought for about 6 years and he's been able to read mine for a few months." Lan said.
the three gaped.
"It was after I tested an invention." Lan said.

"not those glasses?" fujiko whispered. sorry, had to reboot
"Yep." Lan said.

"so, how old were you when you first made them?" asked genkin curiously.
"About 15." Lan said.

"and what's on that navi?" goemon asked, thumbing in megaman's direction.
"Another invention of mine." Lan said.
megaman grinned.
"Come on." Lan said leading the way to his house.

"you three, coming?" megaman called to the others as he followed lan.
"Come on, I can introduce you to my daughter." Lan said looking at Gekin, Goemon and Fujiko.
they nodded, following the brothers.
Lan soon arrived at his house and lead them in.
"lan?" maylu called when she heard the door.
"Yeah, Maylu." Lan said.

"oh, hello..i'm Maylu Hikari" she greeted the three.
"Guys this is my wife." Lan said smiling.

"ma'am" gekin greeted, tipping his hat. the other two nodded a hello.

"Daddy!" Kat exclaimed running up to him.
Kat hugged him.

'so...this little kat, huh?' fujiko thought with a smile.
Lan picked her up.
"Gekin, Goemon, Fujiko, this is my daughter Kat." Lan said.
"awwww, aren't you just the little cutie!" fujiko cooed at the 8-year old.
Kat smiled.
"Kat, these are friends of mine." Lan said with a smile.
"Hi." Kat said.

megaman chuckled as he looked elsewhere.
'What's on your mind now bro?' Lan asked.
"wondering where Roll and Talla are" he whispered in reply.
"Kat, where's Talla?" Lan asked putting his daughter down.
a child's laughter and barking was heard from behind the house.
"I guess she's playing with Rush." Lan said.
"sounds like" megaman grinned.
"Talla's my niece." Lan said.
the group went to the backyard, seeing the little navi playing.
"Hey, you two." Lan said smiling at the two navis.
"UNCLE LAN!" talla squealed as she ran to him.
Lan knelt down to her level.

"who are they?" she asked seeing the three lan had known.

"This is Gekin." Lan said starting the introductions.

"hi" talla looked up.
"This is Goemon." Lan said.
she grinned at him.
"And this is Fujiko." Lan said.
she just waved.
"They were with me when I came back." Lan said smiling at the trio.
Talla just looked to her father who nodded. Maylu just placed her hand on her belly as she heard the others.
"i've gotta tell them soon" she whispered.

Lan started tiggling Talla and Kat. This caused laughter from the others. Kat started laughing.

"HA!-HA!-HA!-HA!-HA! no, uncle lan! stop! HA!-HA!-HA!-HA!-HA!" talla cried.
'Think I should?' Lan thought.

megam cocked his head as he grinned at the scene.
'do you want to?' his brother thought.
'No.' Lan thought.

megaman's grin got worse. story-writing's thirsty work
'But, I should before they throw up.' Lan thought as he stoppend tiggling the two.
megaman nodded.
Lan stood up.
the girls took their chance and ran.
when should maylu tell?
Soon.
Lan looked at his wife and walked over to her and hugged her.
"oh, lan" maylu whispered.
"I love you, so much." Lan whispered.
how's now?
Sure.

"and i love you, darling" she whispered as her fingers brushed her stomach.
Lan took a step back and looked her in the eyes.
"What's going on?" Lan asked.
"lan...i'm pregnant...our family's gonna get bigger" she whispered, not sure of her husband reaction.
Lan smiled and scooped her into a hug spinning a bit.
tears came to her eyes as she looked.
"I'm so happy about this." Lan whispared.
"how do you wanna-?" maylu whispered as she looked in the direction of the others.
'Megaman, I got some news.' Lan thought.
'what's up, bro?' megaman asked in thought.
'Maylu's pregnant.' Lan thought.

"WHAT! NO FOOLING!" megaman shouted loud enough for all to hear.
"Yep." Lan said smiling.

he ran to where they were and gave his sister in-law a HUGE hug.
Lan chuckled.
Roll and the others followed, curious to the blue navi's actions.
"Maylu's pregnant again." Lan said.
there were shout of joy from the group. kat sported a hugh grin at the thought of being an older sister.
Lan smiled.

"so, who's gonna break the news to mom, dad and jera?" megaman whispered.

"I'll tell the family." Lan said.
'good luck' megaman thought.
Lan walked into his mom's house.
"lan? what a nice surprise" bri said when she saw him as she opened the door, holding andrew.
"Hi baby brother." Lan said smiling at Andrew.

"LAN!" the toddler shouted.
"come in, already" bri smiled at him before closing the door.
The little boy stretched for his big-brother with all his might. Lan took his little brother in his arms.

"So...?" Bri prompts him as they went in and sat on the sofa.
Lan sat with Andrew in his lap.
"Maylu's gonna have a baby." Lan said.

"oh, LAN! really!" she squealed.
Lan nodded. Kat started playing with Talla.

rush managed to join in.
"She just told me." Lan said.
"oh honey, congrats!" bri said, smiling.
"It was a bit of a shock. Through I certinately am happy about it." Lan said.
"i'll bet" she grinned.
Eventually Lan will probably relasp into that state of depression he was in eariler. "I better get back some friends of mine from when I was gone are here." Lan said.
Lan smiled at his mother.
"alright sweetheart" she said as she held andrew again. well i know depression can be
BRB in 15 dinner, but, go ahead and IM me while I'm gone. Lan stood up and walked out.
When I leave that is.
megaman began to wonder if roll would want another addition as he watched the girls play.
Lan walked into his house and back to where he left the others.

megaman smiled as he sensed lan's returned.
"Hi, guys." Lan said.
"so, how'd she take the news?" maylu asked.
"She was happy." Lan said.

What's on your mind Megaman?' Lan thought.
'What do you mean?' Megaman asked in thought.
'You were wondering something about Roll.' Lan said.
'sigh, i wondered if she'd want more children, that's all' he replied in thought.
'Why don't you talk to her about it?' Lan thought.
Megaman nodded, it didn't take long for him to find her, she was still watching the girls playing with rush. Roll was happy that there would be another little Hikari. but as before she wished to share that joy. megaman came up quietly.

"roll?" Megaman whispered.

"megaman?" Roll said in surprise when she looked at her husband.

"Honey, what is it?" Megaman asked, knowing what was probably going through her mind.

"Oh...Megaman, I wish we could have more children." Roll said softly.

"I thought so." Megaman said with a grin.
Lan smiled as he watched his daughter.
"As you too can see things are different for me now." Lan said looking at Gekin, Goemon and Fujiko.
They nodded in understanding.
"The Lupin you guys knew certinly didn't have a love for science or invention." Lan said with a chuckle.

"That's for sure." Gekin laughed.
"There are probably other differenses you guys can probably see that I can't." Lan said.

"Well there's the way you act around-" Goemon started when he thumbed in Megaman's direction.
Lan opened his mouth to say something but then someone walked into where he and everyone were.
"Hey, bro." Jera said.
Lan looked and saw Jera standing behind Gekin, Goemon and Fujiko.

the three spun around, gaping at the person who had been behind them.
"Hey, bro." Lan said.
"Guys this is my twin brother Jera." He said.
the three greeted Jera, but was still shock.
Jera greeted them.
"wow...some family you've got, pal" genkin managed to get out.
"Quite a large one too. Jera has a son." Lan said.
once more their mouths fell open
Lan smiled.
"You guys already met my dad." Lan said.

they nodded.
"I have a baby brother." Lan said.

the look of the three, was that they were gonna faint.
"Maybe you guys should sit down." Lan said.

they agreed, taking spots on the sofa
Lan smiled.
"I imagine this has been quite a shock for you guys." Lan said.
they nodded. "so, your little brother's with your parents?" fujiko managed to ask.
Lan nodded.
"He's with my mom." Lan said.
"they live nearby?" she asked, curiously.
Lan nodded.
"Yep." Lan said.
'want me to bring them over?' megaman thought having heard the whole thing.
'Yeah.' Lan thought.
It didn't take long for megaman to get over to tyler and bri's.
"Hi, Megaman." Bri said opening the door still holding her youngest son.
"hi mom, listen lan's got some friends that he wants to introduce you and andrew to. up for it?" megaman asked.
Bri smiled.
"OK." Bri said.
Bri stepped out closing the door behind her. It was a couple minutes for Megaman to return, alerting Lan. Lan looked over and smiled when he saw Bri and Andrew. Andrew had the bubbliest look on his face when he saw him. Lan walked over and took his brother in his arms. Fujiko was the first to notice the baby. Lan smiled at his friends when he came up.
"Guys this is my little brother." Lan said.

"looks like you" she grinned at the tot.
"His name's Andrew." Lan said.
even goemon and gekin had a look at the youngest of hikari brothers. i hear ya
"He was born after I..." Lan started.

The three gave lan sympathetic look as he spoke. Lan stopped without finishing his sentence hopeing he wouldn't have to. fujiko went over to Lan.

"you don't need to say it we understand" Fujiko whispered.
Lan smiled at her. she began to tickle Andrew on his foot, making him squeal. Lan smiled at this.

"I'm glad you guys are here. I gotta admit I missed you guys." Lan said.

the three of them agreed.
Bri walked over. Lan smiled at Bri.
"Mom, these are my friends...Fujiko is the one tiggling Andrew..." Lan started.
"Hello." Bri said smiling at Fujiko.
"hi" fujiko said as she held andrew some more.
"The one with the sword is Goemon." Lan said.
he nodded.
"The one with the hat is Gekin." Lan said.

the three of them agreed.
Bri walked over. Lan smiled at Bri.
"Mom, these are my friends…Fujiko is the one tiggling Andrew..." Lan started.
"Hello." Bri said smiling at Fujiko.
"hi" fujiko said as she held andrew some more.
"The one with the sword is Goemon." Lan said.
he nodded.
"The one with the hat is Gekin." Lan said.

"pleasure, ma'am" he said as he tipped his hat.
"Hello." Bri said smiling at the two.

"Well I see that he's got some pretty great folks watching out for him." Gekin said.
"I still missed you guys, after everything we've been through, I concider you guys family." Lan said blushing slight when he said the last part.

The three were shocked their friend had never said that in the time they were together. Bri smiled when she heard.
"I always felt that way I just didn't know how to tell you." Lan said.
Gekin just playfully punched Lan in the shoulder. Lan smiled at Gekin and the other two. Megaman and Jera pleanstly surprised by there brothers admission, Kat smiled hearing her dad's admission, as did the rest of the family.

"And my family'll be getting bigger." Lan said.

"Meaning?" Fujiko, Gekin and Goemon asked.

"My wife and I are having a baby." Lan said.
"2nd kid." Fujiko whispered.
Lan smiled at his friend.

"Is your brother planning on more." Gekin asked.

"Megaman and Roll are planning on having more." Lan said.

"And you'll help?" Fujiko asked.

"Of course." Lan said.

The three laughed at the thought of their friend chasing more kids. Lan smiled at the three.

'Hey bro, having fun?' Megaman thought.
'Yep.' Lan thought.

'Bet our baby brother's a hit with those three, right?' he thought.
Lan chuckled.
'Yeah.' Lan thought.

'who's he with?' he asked.
'Huh?' Lan asked.
'who's holding him?' megaman asked.
'Last I check Fujiko.' Lan thought.

'bet she's having a time' megaman thought with a grin.

Lan smiled. Suddenly a "D" bubble appeared around. Gekin, Goemon, Fujiko, Andrew and Lan. Lan got a serious look and put on the EGs. Marriorman appeared in front of the group. Marriorman's mask was on. A mysterious navi appeared in front of Marriorman and attacked him knocking him into the "D" bubble. Lan reacted in pain.

"LAN!" Came the collective shout.

'Bro, what's going on?' Megaman thought leaveing Roll to help his brother and his friends.

'It's a navi I've never seen before. And he's strong.' Marriorman thought.
'I'M COMING!' megaman shouted in thought.
"Fujicakes protect Andrew." Marriorman said.
Then he gained the broadsword and electrosword. Marriorman was standing there breathing heavily. it only took seconds for megaman reach them. he saw that his brother was not well. Fujiko complied with help of the other two. The navi attacked again and the attack hit Marriorman again cause a scream from Marriorman and Lan. Megaman and the others watched helplessly. Marriorman collasped to the ground. Lan's hand shook as he semi-consciously pulled out a battle chip. Megaman kept wanting to help, but was unable as he watched Lan take hold of a battle-chip.

'I have an idea.' Lan gasped out in thought.

'what? tell me' megaman replid in thought.
'Dubble soul' Lan gasped out.
'which one?' megaman questioned.
'We have no chose...go back to your PET.' Lan gasped out weakly pulling out Megaman's PET.
Megaman complied, returning to his PET.
"Jack in Megaman! Power up!" Lan exclaimed.

In seconds Megaman was at his brother's side.
"Dubble soul battle chip in download!" Lan exclaimed.

"Marrior-soul!" Lan exclaimed falling to his knees breathing heavily.

"LAN!" megaman cried.

A white glow came from Megaman and Marriorman. Lan smiled weakly at Megaman.
"My fate is in your hands now brother." Lan said as he passed out.
With that Marrior-soul happened.

"don't worry, lan...THIS ONE'S FOR YOU, MY BROTHER!" he called out as bits of his and marriorman's color came and covered his body.
The navi attacked Megaman. He countered with a cyber-sword. The navi's eyes widen.
"I am darknessman I bring the darkness in people out." He said jumping back though hurt.

A black fire surrounded the unconscious Lan.
"GGGRRRR! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" megaman roared.
As well as a small "D" bubble preventing Megaman from getting to him. This "D" bubble moved and floated in front of darknessman.

"YOU ARE GONNA REGRET GOING AFTER LAN!" megaman shouted as Lan was pulled.

The black flames burst like a bubble and form a lot of black bubbles. Darknessman smirked as he watched Lan knowing what was to come.

"no..lan" megaman whispered as he watched.
The black bubbles started to enter Lan. megaman watched in horror. Soon all the bubbles entered Lan and the "D" bubble around him popped. Darknessman carefully lowered Lan to the ground.

"LAN! CAN YOU HEAR ME! OH PLEASE, LAN!" megaman screamed.
Lan groaned and started to get up.

'lan?' megaman thought in worry.
Lan slowly stood up.

Megaman watched his brother fearfully. Lan glared at Darknessman then at Megaman. Megaman prayed his brother was unaffectd. Lan narrowed his eyes at Megaman angerily. Megaman was shocked at the look on his brother's face. Darknessman along with the "D" area disappeared.
'Lan?' Megaman questioned.
Lan smirked evily. Now Megaman was getting worried, he'd NEVER seen that sort of smirk on Lan. Lan chuckled evily.

"Lan? Are you alright?" Megaman asked nervously.
The look in his brother's eyes scared him. Bri stepped back having a bad feeling about this. Megaman noticed. All the others had noted kat feelings of dread due her father's condition. Lan started to walk away.