CHAPTER 15

"The Lives of Two Lights and Two Darks Untied"

"I just hope that the surgery didn't…" Yugi started sobbing.

#haven't had any word on Roll in a while, am I right?#

Tea just held him, knowing her King of Games' need to cry from time to time. Luka walked out to give the two privacy. Yugi just sobbed onto his fiancée shoulder. Tea just held him close. Lan frowned sensing the fear from Yugi.

#what?#

Don't you sense it+

#Yugi's fear from the surgery.#

Yeah.+

Yugi just cried on Tea's shoulder.

#Tea's with him#

I know.+

wish they HURRY!

Yami chuckled. Megaman began to toss in his sleep. Lan smiled. Megaman kept mumbling softly, a hint of fear was in his voice.

#better check on him#

+That will be a bit hard, right now.+

#why?#

I still haven't gotten to my dad's lab to get the damage to my PROGRAM fixed so I still can't move.+

#I see, I feel he's trapped within a dream#

+I know.+

"he does care! you don't know him..." Megaman whispered in his sleep.

If somebody would think to get me to dad's lab I'd be able to move and wake him up.+

#agreed#

Tyler had decided to come in at that moment. Lan was laying there motionless.

"Lan? what happened?" he asked, seeing that one son was unable to move and the other was tossing and turning in his sleep.

Yami, can you tell him+

"Dr. hikari, they need your help. Lan can't move. he was struck with electricity and Megaman's having a nightmare" Yami explained.

Tyler nodded as he went over to run repairs to the damage bits of PROGRAM.

#it's done#

It didn't take long, Lan jumped up and ran to wake his brother. Megaman shifted, not knowing that Lan was alright.

"Megaman wake up." Lan pled shaking Megaman harder.

"W-W-What? L-Lan? you're okay!" Megaman asked as his eyes shot open, seeing his brother next to him.

Lan nodded. Yugi cried himself to sleep.

"I believe my light's asleep now" Yami said.

'just a dream, isn't real' Megaman thought, shaking.

Lan smiled. Megaman looked at their dad. Tyler was getting up from the computer.

"Dr. hikari, I think Megaman's worried for his wife and the twins" Yami whispered.

"They're all fine now." Tyler said.

Megaman tried to get up again, he really wanted to see them. Lan helped his brother up knowing how stubborn he could be at times. Yami smiled, hoping he wouldn't be asked how he got there. Megaman was still shaken from his nightmare. Lan kept helping his brother towards where Roll and the twins were.

"Lan? what happened?" Roll asked when she saw them as she held two tiny navis in her arms.

"Let's just say there were some VIRUSES, and Megaman..." Lan said.

Roll looked at her husband, who still appeared exhausted. Megaman gave her a soft smile. Lan smiled softly as well.

Lan, look!

Huh: He was broken from his thoughts.

Megaman shakily pointed to the two little navis. Lan smiled at his niece and nephew. the two looked EXACTLY like each of their parents. Lan chuckled looking at them. Megaman looked at him.

:He looks like you.:

and she looks like Roll

Lan nods. Megaman tried for a better look, but his body just didn't seem to want to listen. Lan moved closer so his brother could get a better look at his children. A twinkle came to Megaman's eyes as he gazed at them. Lan smiled. Megaman glared at him.

"I felt the same way when I saw first saw Virgil and Kitty." Lan said.

Megaman kept trying to think of names for the two.

:How about Sela for her:

Megaman smiled, still trying to come up with a name for his son.

Netto:

I like it. Least there wouldn't be confusion between us.

Megaman reached over, allowing little Netto to grasp his father's finger. Lan smiled at this. Megaman gave a gentle smile, he was still very tired from before, he tried to stifle a yawn.

"You should get some more sleep." Lan said gently.

Megaman didn't have the strength to argue, Tyler knew that and keyed up a platform next Roll's. Lan smiled and helped him lay down. Megaman was asleep within seconds.

'sleep tight, blue' Roll thought sweetly as she looked to Lan.

Roll knew he'd want to hold one of them, she giggled.

"May I?" Lan asked.

Roll nodded. Lan took one of them.

'wonder if he'll show his friend?' Roll thought.

Lan smiled at the little navi in his arms. Little Netto cooed at his uncle. Megaman's insignia began to pulsate as it would for Double-Soul.

"what can we do?" Roll asked, knowing something was wrong with Megaman.

Lan handed Netto back to Roll and ran to his hikari. Roll worried for her husband as she held their son. Lan knelt beside Megaman helpless not sure what to do.

"No, you're wrong! I-I DO BELONG!" Megaman shouted, not knowing his brother was at his side.

"Megaman! Wake up! Please!" Lan pled.

Megaman shot up at hearing the plea.

"w-what happened?" he groaned.

"I don't know." Lan said sadly.

"I-it seemed SO REAL! i-i-it kept telling me I didn't belong" he said shakingly.

"Of course you do." Lan said.

Megaman looked at his brother with fear in his eyes. Lan frowned.

"The fact is it's me who doesn't belong. I don't belong in this world anymore and that's obvisious." Lan said standing up.

"no..." Megaman said, shaking his head. it made him feel sick his nightmare had this effect on Lan.

"I've felt it for sometime, I've been trying to ignore it." Lan said sadly.

'if he starts having doubts, we're both in trouble.' Megaman thought, hoping with his heart and soul that Lan would not give in to the darkness in him.

Lan didn't feel very well but, he hid it very well.

&Yugi? can you hear me?& Megaman tried to reach his fellow light.

Megaman took hold of Lan's arm.

Groans M-M-Megaman? He asked groggily as he woke up.

&yeah, I-it's me&

W-What's going on?

&think Lan's slipping again. i-i-i-i-i had this awful dream and I think he's feeling the effects&

I doubt they let me leave, I had a HEART ATTACK and then I had to have eye surgery. And that could be bad considering what we saw.

&too bad Yami can't come to cyberspace.&

Didn't Lan and his dad create a second pair of EGs?

&they did...Kat used them once when she was a little younger&

Megaman wondered what Yugi had in mind.

If they have it at Scilabs Yami could use it.

&I see, get one darkness to help another&

Exactly.

&don't know if he'd believe coming outta me&

Maybe me.

&um, I do, gotta tell ya something&

What is it?

&you know Yami's nickname for you, Lan used on me once by mistake!&

Not surprised.

&confused&

You are Mou Hitori No Boku for him, if you think about it.

&groan!&

&still think you're nuts&

You are his light.

&We haven't even told our mom about this. Or our other two brothers&

You should.

Yugi slowly sat up, wondering if Tea was still there.

"Yugi, what is it?" she asked.

&Andrew's a toddler&

"Nothing, it's just I was wondering if you were still here." Yugi said.

You should still tell your mom and the other one.

&meaning Jera?&

Hai.

&Lan had to ask him to be his net-op&

I see.

&but I think Kat did it&

good.

&I can only imagine his reaction to her telling him who we chose&

&snicker&

snickers as well

&wish I could've seen it!&

And I wish I could've seen Destiny before the surgery.

&you might still get your chance&

If the surgery didn't blind me.

&I'm betting she looks just like you!&

That's what Tea said.

&Netto looks like my clone!&

I wish I could be there.

&I know&

You want me to tell Yami that Lan needs him in cyber-space?

&yeah&

/Yami/

aibou? what's the matter?-

/It's Lan.../

is he alright?-

/He needs your help./

but how?-

/Lan and his dad made a second pair of EGs./

I see-

Yami got up from his seat. Lan yanked his arm from his light and started to walk away.

"LAN! WAIT!" Megaman shouted.

&Yugi, hurry!&

/Yami, hurry/

Yami found the EGs and instantly teleported to cyberspace. A gold version of Megaman. With black accents, and of course those crimson eyes, and the Eye Of Horus on the front appeared. Lan speed up his walk.

"BACK OFF! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Lan shouted.

Sennen appeared next to Megaman.

'y-Yami?' asked Megaman in shock.

Sennen nodded.

"looks like Yugi got through" he whispered.

A shadow barrier appeared in front of Lan. Lan growled in annoyance at the pharaoh.

"JUST STAY OUT OF THIS BROTHER!" Lan shouted at Yami.

This shocked the pharaoh to no end. Megaman gulped at the tone.

'if only I hadn't had that nightmare' he thought.

"I KNOW ALL ABOUT PHARAOH AKUNUMKANON, ATEMU! AND WHO HE'S BEEN REINCARNATED AS!" Lan shouted.

"Lan..." Megaman whispered.

"I DON'T BELONG HERE! I NEVER DID!" Lan shouted.

Tyler had used a link to check on Megaman while he recovered and was witnessing this new turn of events happening to his family. Yami frowned unsure what to do or say.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Sennen shouted.

"Lan, please listen to us!" Megaman plead.

"IT IS TRUE I DON'T BELONG HERE NOT NOW." Lan shouted, backing into the shadow barrier.

"Look, if this is over my dream...I'm sorry" the blue navi said, looking at his feet.

"IT'S NOT I'VE FELT THIS WAY EVER SINCE DARKNESSMAN!" Lan shouted.

Megaman began to shake with sobs.

"Megaman, calm down." Sennen said gently.

Lan went to shadow mode. He was unable to ignore the feeling that he didn't belong there, he had actually felt that way longer then he said.

'I'm SO weak! I couldn't keep you from the darkness and pain!' Megaman cried in thought.

"I've felt this way before that since..." Lan started.

Sennen went over stood between them in case of an attack.

"I'LL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHERE I BELONG!" Lan shouted.

Megaman just looked at him as his insignia began to pulsate once more in response to his dark's shouts. Megaman got up and let the light that emerged hit its target: his darkness' insignia.

"I BELONG IN THAT GRAVE THEY BURIED ME IN!" Lan shouted.

Sennen and Tyler in wonder watched as Megaman poured as much as he could muster. He hoped to restore the balance between them. Lan went back to his normal mode, falling to his knees he couldn't hold back the tears.

NO! YOU DON'T! FOR TWO YEARS I WALKED, LIVED AS IF IN A VOID!

Megaman fell to his knees. Sennen came and gave Megaman a squeeze on his shoulder.

"now do you understand, Lan?" Sennen asked.

"But, why did I...come back after..." Lan was sobbing.

Megaman looked to their friend. "your balance" he said.

"Megaman was just HALF a person when he lost you before" Sennen explained.

"But, why didn't I come back in the hospital or before the funeral? Why after!" Lan demanded in tears.

"sometimes fate works in ways we don't expect. I mean look at me, I came back after 5000 years" he said.

Megaman bit his lip.

It's just so hard to understand big brother.+

#I know, but YOU have plenty of reasons to stay#

Megaman looked between them.

But, what purpose could me dieing, being buried and then coming back ever serve+

Lan's body was racked with sobs.

#look WHO I'm next to#

Megaman was again sitting, hugging his knees in wait. Lan was very dizzy so he started to crawl towards Megaman. Sennen moved a little, giving Megaman room to move and embrace his BROTHER, his DARKNESS! Lan reached his brother tears still falling. Megaman looked at him with tears as well. Lan hugged his hikari, tears falling freely.

I would've allowed myself to be deleted if you hadn't come back when you did!

"Another thing I don't get is what could've caused the memory loss." Lan said softly.

"I'm not certain, but I too had lost my memory of my ancient past when I came to meet Yugi" Sennen said.

"all those years of being sealed away" he continued.

"But, that doesn't explain why it happened to me." Lan said.

Megaman gapped, hearing this.

"at the time neither of you knew how you were connected" Sennen said gently.

Lan nodded listening to Sennen.

"in a way Megaman's own grief might've reached you at a time when it was necessary" Sennen said.

"who? me?" Megaman whispered.

Megaman began biting his lip again.

"I see." Lan said looking at his brother with a smile.

see, told ya so

:We still haven't told Roll about our bound the only ones who know are us, dad, Yugi, Tea, Joey, Maylu and Yami.:

Megaman gulped.

:I'll do it.:

Megaman gave him a 'she'll use you for target practice' look.

:I know.:

Lan stood up.

"Roll, I have something to tell you." Lan said.

"yes? are you both alright?" Roll asked with concern.

"This will be quite shocking." Lan said.

Roll just looked at him.

"Sometimes a soul comes to this world that is not whole shall we say..." Lan started.

Roll cocked her head.

"When this happens the other half of that soul is brought to this world by whatever means are nessairy." Lan said.

"but-?" she tried to say.

Megaman took cover behind Sennen.

"The fact is I'm what you'd call a Yami." Lan said.

'I'm gonna GET IT!' Megaman thought.

"but what does this have to do with Megaman?" she asked.

"He is the hikari." Lan said bracing himself mentally for her reaction.

"WHAT!" she shouted, making Megaman run for cover.

told you!

"You heard me." Lan said maintaining a cool exterior.

Sennen chuckled, hoping he wouldn't need to step in.

/Yami/

"b-b-but HOW! since when?" she tried.

yes?-

/They said I can go home tomorrow, but, I can't take the bandages off for a month./

"Ever since he came to be." Lan said.

ah, I understand...of course your fellow light's scared now-

Roll looked at him in shock at the news that her husband was part of a soul.

"Yami and Yugi Motou are the same way." Lan said.

/Why/

"but they're twins..." she started.

Lan just told his sister in-law Roll-

about the Yami/hikari thing.+

"It happens by whatever means it has to be done. The fact is dad doesn't even know this...but, I was just days from losing out to the darkness inside me when he gave me your husband." Lan said looking away.

"it started with Jera, didn't it?" she said softly.

Lan nodded sadly. Lan couldn't even look at her or his father.

'oh Lan... I didn't know! I SWEAR I didn't.' Tyler thought as he had heard it all.

Roll just placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Lan started crying again. Sennen looked in the direction he sensed where Megaman was hiding. The tears were a mix of sadness and fear.

\alright cyber-light come back\

gulp

Megaman took his time, was STILL scared of his wife. Lan started to sob.

#he's coming...just scared that /Roll's mad#

:M-M-Megaman.: Lan sobbed in sadness.

'I can't be mad at my blue for long, he KNOWS that!' Roll thought

aw, Lan...c'mon don't cry

Lan's body was racked with sobs.

you're not the one who was making me shake

A sphere of light drew ever closer. Lan slowly looked at his brother. Megaman emerged, giving his wife a sheepish look.

'blue, sometimes I worry about YOU!' Roll thought.

Lan was still sick and thought he was hiding it well enough to hide it from his hikari. Megaman knelt down to be level with his Yami. Lan smiled softly at him. Megaman smiled back.

/Everything ok now/

looks that way-

/Good./

"Tea?" Yugi asked.

"yes?" she asked.

"Can you call..." Yugi started.

Tea cocked her head before, realizing WHO he wanted and picked up the phone.

"Yo." Joey said answering the phone.

"Joey, its tea?" she said

"Hey, Tea. What's up?" Joey asked.

"I'm alright...just had the baby, but Yugi..." she trailed off.

"What happened?" Joey asked.

"he had a heart attack AND needed eye surgery" she said, holding the phone away.

"What!" Joey exclaimed in shock.

"you heard me!" she exclaimed.

"Oh man." Joey said.

tea bit her lip, hoping he wouldn't asked about it.

"How's he feelin'?" Joey asked.

"I think that he wants to help Tristan" tea said.

"What happened ta Tristan?" Joey asked.

"I'm not clear on details. the pharaoh had to go" she said.

"I see." Joey said.

"he appeared on the computer screen in my room!" she exclaimed.

"That would be Mirriorman." Joey said.

"who? Joey, what's going on?" Tea asked.

Joey then told her everything he knew.

"h-he never do that!" she shouted.

"He did." Joey said.

"so...that couple?" tea asked.

"Yep." Joey said.

"he did mention a name: Megaman, said he was weak" she admitted

"You mean his real name?" Joey asked.

"I don't know...he just said that he had to get back, that someone named Megaman was weak and he had to get back" tea explained.

"Tristan's real name is Lan and Megaman is his light." Joey said.

"there's more, right?" she prompted.

"He's married with a child and 2 more on the way." Joey said.

During this Yugi was sitting in his room twirling one of his bangs.

"Tristan has a PHD and works at Scilabs." Joey said.

"since when?" she asked.

"A couples years apparently." Joey said.

Tea wondered if the name she had heard had more significance than what she knew.

"Weren't ya curious 'bout Yug's hair?" Joey asked.

"a little" she said

"It was an invention of Lan's." Joey said.

"and?" tea prompted, knowing there had to be more.

"It was a time machine and Lan and Yugi were sucked into it." Joey said.

"WHAT!" she shouted.

"You heard me." Joey said.

"how far in time?" she asked wondering what they could've seen.

"20 years into the future." Joey said.

"but-?" she started, wondering if anyone he knew was there.

"He told me that when he got there Yami was in a mental hospital catatonic." Joey said sadly.

"there's more isn't there?" she asked.

"Destiny and Lan's son were married with a family of their own." Joey said.

tea was quiet at that.

"That's all I know. When Yug came back a lot of his hair was gray." Joey said.

"Joey...so what's the deal with-? is he a family member?" tea asked, referring to the navi.

"Lan's dad created him." Joey said.

"so that makes him-?" tea tried.

"His brother." Joey said.

"I see. it's just Lan seemed really worried" she said.

"You'd have to ask Yug. So does he..." Joey started.

"what?" she asked.

"Yug, does he feel up for visitors?" Joey asked.

Tea turned to him, putting her hand to cover the receiver when she asked.

"feel up to a visit from Joey?" Téa asked.

Yugi smiled softly and nodded.

"how fast can you get here?" she asked.

"Pretty fast." Joey said.

"see you soon" she said.

"C'ya." Joey said.

tea hung up, wondered about Yami.

/I'm glad everything's ok now./

yes, sigh Megaman was the one in trouble-

/sighs. Glad that worked out after what I saw./

-his dream caused him to doubt himself-

/I see./

-it took his own power to get through to his brother, when Lan started having doubts of his own!-

/I'm glad they're ok though./ He had to tell his Yami what he saw.

what? are you certain?-

Yugi then told Yami what he saw in the other timeline.

MY RA! Megaman said that in his dream, a figure in shadow was telling him he didn't belong, I think he meant amongst humans-

/I see./

and Lan took it to mean him!-

/Can't blame him for feeling that way after having been buried alive./

-I know. he even mentioned my father-

/Maybe he knows something of your past that he didn't realize./

-perhaps-

Sennen looked at the two brothers who were huddled together and smiled.

I'm curious whose voice Megaman could've heard-

/Maybe it was Lan. I mean if he felt that he didn't belong anymore maybe that went to Megaman through their mind link./

maybe...but I feel as if whoever it was, tried to get to Lan through his brother-

/Maybe./

Lan still felt sick but, he was trying so hard to hid it from his family.

'He doesn't look so hot' Megaman thought as he looked up.

Lan slowly stood shakily.

"Lan?" he said softly.

Lan's legs shook under him. Megaman got up, allowing Lan to use him as a brace, Roll came up on the other side. Lan looked flush. Sennen sensed that his fellow darkness was ill and looked up at Tyler. Lan was breathing heavily and barely conscious. Tyler keyed up two platforms, Sennen and Roll helped them onto them to rest and regain their strength. Lan was groaning.

'Something's wrong' Megaman thought as he tried to keep awake.

B-B-Big b-b-brother...+

#Easy Lan.#

I-I-I w-w-was a-a-attacked b-by a v-v-v...+ Lan couldn't seem to get the last word out.

#A shadow creature, I know#

V-V-VIRUS.+

#Well it took the form of a Duel Monster, Little Brother#

M-M-Maybe i-i-it i-i-infected m-me.+

Tyler began to run a SCAN, based on a hunch as he watched. Lan's vision blurred.

"I thought so." he whispered as he keyed up the antivirus and REPAIR PROGRAMS.

#Think he knows#

Lan had already lost consciousness. Tyler's eyes widened when he realized how bad the virus was getting.

"What is it?" Sennen asked.

"The virus if I can't get rid of it soon, Mirriorman maybe deleted." Tyler said sadly getting to work.

"Maybe I can help." Sennen offered.

"Maybe...I hope." Tyler said.

"Elements of the SF that attacked Lan were of the Shadow Realm." Sennen explained as he pooled some of his power as he chanted, releasing it into his younger brother.

"It didn't get rid of it completely, it dealt with about half of it, but, it ought to buy me enough time to get rid of the rest of it." Tyler said.

Tyler went right to work all the while hoping and praying Lan would be OK.

"That was what I was hoping for." Sennen said with a soft smile.

Lan was floating there in that familiar light.

'Please, bro...you gotta pull through, you just gotta!' Megaman thought as he watched, wishing he could help his darkness.

Tyler DOWNLOADED the anti-virus into Lan and then started on repairing the damage the virus had done. Sennen smiled, knowing Megaman was watching. Then the room filled with normal viruses with 2 of 4 navis in no shape to fight. Sennen sensed the danger as he looked around. He knew he had to protect his brothers at any costs. Lan mumbled still unconscious.

'wish I could help' Megaman thought, hearing Lan mumble.

25 percent of the VIRUSES ATTACK at once, some going 4 Megaman some going 4 Lan and others going for the twins and a few went for Roll and Sennen. Megaman shakily used his Mega Buster, while Roll used her Roll Blast attack to protect their children. Even Sennen was able to use a blaster to protect the others.

'no wonder, they're capable of battle' Sennen thought as he cleared off a number of VIRUSES.

"There!" Tyler exclaimed as Lan slowly lowered to the platform he stood on the platform looking at the ground a moment.

Sennen sighed in relief when he heard this. Megaman was also glad that his brother was fighting-fit again. Lan used shadow mode and his double shadow sword attack and finished of half of the viruses with one attack. It took little time for the others to finish off the rest. Lan had his battle mask on and turned to face the others. Megaman had his own battle-mask on, grinned at his brother. Lan's disappeared and he smiled. Megaman felt his knees give from under him. he was just relieved that his family was safe, to him that what counted. Lan smiled at his hikari.

"Never a dull day is it?" Megaman asked from his spot.

Lan shook his head.

Hate being the youngest.

Lan knelt next to Megaman.

Before Andy.

Sennen wondered what that meant. Lan smiled softly at his hikari. Megaman snickered at Sennen. Lan was still a bit worried about Megaman. Megaman brought his knees together as he held them, groaning softly.

'this isn't my day' he thought.

Lan smiled at his brother softly. He lifted his head slightly to his brother.

"You should rest." Lan said.

Megaman was all for it, but he worried that there'd be more trouble. Especially for little Netto and Sela. He cringed at the thought.

"Don't worry." Lan said.

Megaman looked away.

"Trust me." Lan said.

Sennen went over and knelt in front of him.

"Lan's right. there's no need for you to worry. the little ones are safe" he said comfortingly.

Lan nodded. Megaman was having trouble, keeping awake. This was a battle he was losing fast.

#He's completely exhausted.#

I noticed.+

Megaman just settled where he was, watching the two. Lan smiled at his brother. Megaman kept trying to stay awake, he was really putting an effort. He even tried to stifle a yawn. Lan smiled.

:Just sleep.:

The blue navi just leaned up against his brother as his eyes steadily closed. Lan smiled and just sat where he was. Sennen just grinned at the sight of his brother giving comfort to the sleeping light. Lan smiled at his older brother.

#Need my help, moving him?#

I just hope his dream doesn't happen again.+

#Any ideas on this shadow figure?#

I wish I did.+

#You might hate me for suggesting this...it could've been Malik.#

I thought I killed him.+

#His spirit. Think about it...He witnessed the battle between you and THAT DEMON!#

+What can we do+

#There MAY BE a way that you AND I can help our little brother.#

Tell me.+

#If his dream occurs again, we'll have to enter his dream and help him defeat this fear.#

OK.+

Megaman shifted slightly. Lan watched closely. He started to mumble nervously. Sennen caused already-lit candles to appear around them.

"Realms of dream and shadow in this hour, accept this favor and grant us power." Yami chanted.

Lan watched quietly.

"Close your eyes brother, he'll need us both." Sennen said as their minds were transported to a fog-filled landscape.

"Megaman!" Lan shouted.

"NO! Y-YOU'RE WRONG! YOU DON'T KNOW LAN!" shouted a voice filled with fear.

Lan ran forward.

"HA-HA-HA! THEY DON'T CARE FOR YOU! YOU ARE NOTHING!" said a booming shadowy voice.

Lan touched Megaman's shoulder. Megaman spun around, breathing heavily.

"We're here." Lan said.

The shadow drew closer laughing maliciously

"I-I can't fight him!" Megaman said shaking terribly.

"We're here to help you fight this, little brother." Sennen said as he came from behind Lan.

"You can do it." Lan said.

"H-He's c-c-coming!" Megaman shuddered as a giant shadow appeared.

"We'll help you how ever we can." Lan said.

"WELL LITTLE LIGHT, IT SEEMS YOU'RE A BIGGER COWARD THEN I FIRST SUSPECTED!" the shadow boomed causing

Megaman to shiver.

"You're the coward to take over other people and have them do your dirty work." Lan said.

"THIS IS A NEW LOW FOR YOU, MALIK!" Yami shouted.

Lan smirked behind Megaman as if plotting something.

"WELL IF IT ISN'T THE PHARAOH AND HIS BABY BROTHER COMING TO SAVE THE UNREAL!" The creature sneered.

Lan growled at Malik. Megaman cringed at being called unreal. He sank to his knees, trying to block the taunt. Yami was mad, true Megaman was a computer PROGRAM...But he had ALWAYS been treated like family by others. He would NOT let this go unpunished.

"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT!" Lan shouted in anger.

+What say we punish him+

#My thoughts exactly!#

Any ideas+

#Feel up to tag-team?#

What do you have in mind+

#He's been getting to Megaman, because he was facing him alone...But if WE POOL OUR POWERS TOGETHER...#

Perhaps.+

#in dreams, anything's possible#

How do we do it+

#Remember when Megaman used his energy to heal you?#

Lan nodded. Yami faced Lan, his insignia beginning to pulse. Lan smiled and hoped his hikari would get what they were doing. Energy began to flow, Megaman saw and stood. All three insignias were pulsing in rhythm to each other.

"HA!-HA!-HA! DESPERATE PLOY PHARAOH! HA!-HA!-HA!" the creature laughed.

"YOU'LL SEE THE POWER WE HAVE!" Yami shouted.

The three were lifted, the energy binding them was growing in strength. The power intensified so it had to be Released.

"NOW!" Yami shouted as a laser-like blast was fired.

The energy hit it's mark straight, causing the Shadow-Creature Malik to scream in pain as he disappeared in a flash of light and smoke. Lan sighed. Megaman tried to speak, but he couldn't find the words. Lan looked down. Then his head snapped up as if reacting to something or someone. Yami Looked over, knowing they had to return. He chanted the incantation for the two to return to their cyber-forms.

Lan! can you hear me? Aw please, Lan?

Lan looked around.

'Who the hell is that women.' Lan wondered.

"What do you mean?" Yami asked.

"The women...I heard a women whisper in there." Lan said.

"What did she say?" Yami asked, noticing that the Blue-Bomber was starting to awaken

"G-Guys?" Megaman asked softly.

She told me that next time I'm hers. I don't know what she meant.+

"Feel better?" Lan asked.

#What?#

Megaman nodded.

"What happened to me?" Megaman asked.

+She said and I quote "Next time, you're mine.+

"You were having that nightmare again and well we..." Lan started.

"I-It was you?" Megaman asked amazed.

Lan nodded.

"I swear I didn't realize how bad that fight scared me, honest guys!" Megaman said.

Yami chuckled.

#Know which one he's referring to...#

Lan smiled and helped his hikari up.

Maybe my fight against Darknessman.+

#Mmm-hmmm.#

2 MONTHS LATER

Tyler sent for Jera to come to Scilabs. Jera was wondering why his dad had sent for him as he neared his dad's lab. True he had complied with his twin's request to be a net-op. but now he was curious.

'Wonder what's up?' Jera thought.

"Maybe dad fixed the EGs." Mirriorman piped up.

"How d-?" Jera asked.

"I'd be wondering the same thing." Mirriorman said.

Megaman broke down with laughter as he heard.

:Be quite, hikari.:

nyah!

Mirriorman Rolled his eyes.

ha!-ha!-ha!-hee!-hee!-hee!-ho!-ho!-ho!

Yugi got out of a DOCTORS appointment. (Still has the eye bandages till I say otherwise.)

:Just wait till I get my body back:

Yami was waiting.

"How'd it go?" Yami asked.

Gotta catch me first!

Yugi smiled. Yami grinned as he stared at the ceiling.

"T-T-They said...I could take the bandages off now." Yugi's voice quivered in fear.

"Yugi, it'll be fine." Yami reassured, trying NOT to chuckle.

Yugi's hand shakingly reached for the bandage tie. Yami waited patiently. Yugi slowly untied it.

'hope this works' Yami thought.

Yugi slowly started to unwrap the bandages. The bandage fell to the ground. Yugi's eyes slowly opened. Yami looked on anxiously.

"aibou?" he said softly.

Yugi smiled as his bright amethyst eyes opened.

"it worked?" he asked.

Yugi nodded.

"OH, THANK RA!" Yami shouted as he hugged Yugi.

Yugi hugged him back. Yami got an amused look on his face.

"What is it?" Yugi asked.

"I think that your fellow light's having a laugh at the expense of my fellow darkness" he grinned.

"I'm glad I'm not there knowing Tristan." Yugi said with a chuckle.

Yami glared playfully.

"wanna guess how I knew?" he asked.

/How/

-heard Megaman laughing and say Quote nyah, gotta catch me first! End Quote-

/snickering He'd better run now./

I know! snicker! thing is I think they were with Jera-

When they arrived they were greeted by Tyler.

"Glad you came I fixed them." Tyler said holding up the EGs.

"hey dad" Jera said.

Megaman gulped.

"May I?" Tyler asked gesturing to Lan's PET.

Jera handed it to him. Tyler took it and soon Lan was back in his body. Though his mind was exhausted the fact is he secretly hadn't slept since he heard the women. Megaman looked ready to run and hide. Lan slowly started to sit up, the exhaustion was more obvisious in his current form.

"L-Lan? you okay?" Megaman piped.

Lan slowly nodded.

"It's nothing." Lan said in exhaustion.

Megaman started wishing he was in Net City, he thought Lan was still mad at him for earlier. Lan slowly stood up. Megaman gulped again, causing Jera to snicker.

/I wonder why Lan's so tired./

I don't think he's been sleeping very well-

Lan slowly on shaky legs walked towards his brother. Jera wondered what was going on with his twin.

"alright. what's wrong?" Jera demanded.

"It's nothing." Lan said.

Megaman gave a look that said yeah RIGHT!.

Megaman...

&Y-Yugi?&

I don't think he's been sleeping the last 2 months.

&I noticed, but he's been stubborn!&

Lan's legs started to give out on him. Jera managed to catch him as he fell.

"I'm so tired..." Lan started.

&He REALLY needs to get some sleep.&

"But, I can't sleep..." Lan started.

&see? stubborn!&

Yami told me a women said to Lan that next time Lan was hers. maybe that's got him scared.

&did it-?&

You'd have to ask Lan.

&you know, happen when they helping me? if he'll tell me...&

Yami told me, what happened. Try asking Lan he may tell you.

&think i scared him, should've kept quiet&

A women threatend him in there...it has nothing to do with what happened with you.

&but it happened during my nightmare...&

It would've happened anyway the next time he fell asleep.

&you sure?&

Yes.

&doubt he'd tell...&

Lan was trying despritely to stay awake.

No harm in asking.

&if YOU say so, BIG BRO..if you say so&

Just ask.

Megaman gave a nod through the link.

lan? can you hear me?

:Uh huh.:

what's your dream been about?

:A ...women...she chased me and then I woke up. But, when I went to help you she made a threat and I haven't slept since.:

what threat?

:She...said...next time...I was...hers. The...way she...said it...:

AND SHE PULLED THIS, WHEN YOU GUYS WERE HELPING ME! THAT'S LOW! THAT'S JUST LOW!

Megaman was mad, one of the times he needed help and one of his brothers was threatened. Lan tried to walk out his legs only held him for 5 steps.

lan...you gotta rest

:But, she'll...:

don't make me need to call Yami and yugi into this

Lan reluctendly laid down and fell asleep instantly.

&yugi?&

Yeah?

&said it was because of a threat&

Then I was right.

&what?&

You'd be surprised by what sort of insight you gain when you've been basically blind for 2 months.

&think our bro scared your girlfriend&

He surprised her.

&what'd she think of him using an alias?&

"No you can't, I won't let you." Lan mumbled in his sleep.

&uh-oh&

That didn't take long for her to get used to. What is it?

&he's dreaming...i think it's the nightmare&

"NO!" Lan screamed in his sleep.

&yugi, please! we need your help&

Did anyone try and wake him?

&i'll try our link!&

LAN! LAN! LAN HIKARKI!

&hope that did it&

Lan didn't react.

&damn! it's no good!&

I'll tell Yami.

/Yami.../

-yes?-

/It's Lan./

-what happened?-

/He hasn't slept in 2 month, he finally fell asleep but, now Megaman can't wake him up./

-i see-

/We have to go there and see if we can help./

&i even used th old routine we went through in school!&

-agreed-

We're coming.

The two went to Dentech City in their usuall way.

"guys!" Megaman called.

Yugi ran over and tryed shaking Lan no reaction.

lan...please wake up!

/What do we do/

Yami wondered if what he did for Megaman, would work for Lan. Lan was breathing heavily.

"it might work..." Yami said softly.

/We haveta hurry./

-right!-

/He doesn't look to good./

-i know-

Yami then produced three candles, the width of three dollar bills Rolled together. he then placed them in a triangle encircling them. Yugi watched his brother.

"Realms of Dreams and Shadows in this hour, appect this favor and grant us power!" he chanted as before.

And like before he was transported to the DreamScape, but with two of his brothers in tow instead of one.

"LET ME GO!" Lan screamed.

"LAN!" Megaman cried as he ran.

"Please." Lan pled his voice quivering.

"LET HIM GO!" Megaman shouted, seeing his brother.

The women had Lan in chains. Megaman gitted his teeth in anger at the sight.

"DAMN IT! I SAID TO LET HIM GO!" he shouted

Power coursed through the chains causing Lan to scream in pain.

"STOP IT!" Megaman shouted, hearing his Darkness scream in pain.

/Yami, we have to help him/

-the spell i used before-

Megaman looked at them

+Y-Y-Yami...+ Lan gasped out in pain.

#lan?#

+T-T-This is H-H-Habor.+

#habor? what does she want with you?#

+I-I-I d-d-don't...+ Lan screamed as more power came through the chains.

"LET HIM GO!" Yami shouted, just as Megaman was gonna aim for the chains with his Mega Buster.

You'll hit Lan aim closer to her hands.

Megaman adjusted his aim before firing, hitting it's mark where Yugi had told him. The chains broke and fell off Lan who fell to the ground.

"Lan!" Megaman cried as he ran to his brother.

Habor scoffed

"fine take him." She said.

"tell us, habor! WHY GO AFTER ONE OF MY YOUNGER BROTHERS!" Yami shouted.

Habor sighed.

"To be honset I was lonely people don't stay here very long." She said.

"that doesn't give you the right...to keep my dark against his will!" Megaman sneered.

"i was without him FOR TWO YEARS! and it nearly destroyed me!" he CONTINUED.

Habor sighed. Yami and yugi gapped. they had no true idea of what effect the separation that happened three years prior had on Megaman. Lan was laying there on the ground breathing heavily and weakly.

lan?

:It hurts to breath.:

Megaman glared at habor.

"And then YOU torment him, after he helped me! Lady! GODDESS OF SLEEP OR NOT! YOU'RE SICK!" he shouted.

He then went to help his brother. Yami lent a hand. Habor disappeared.

"looks like she understands" Yami whispered.

Yugi frowned.

this'll probably effect his body too.

Megaman gulped, hoping his fellow light was wrong. Lan's was body was breathing heavily and weakly.

&what can we do?&

Megaman started to worry a little. First we have to wake him up.

&but how, we're here&

We have to return to the real world and wake him or hope that Jera and Tyler do.

&lets go, Dad and Jera don't know about any of this!&

Yugi nodded and looked at Yami. Yami began to chant for them to return, having sensed the conversation. They returned to there bodies, and cyber-forms.

"lan?" Megaman asked softly.

Lan slowly opened his eyes. Megaman smiled gently. Lan was still breathing heavily and weak.

&he needs help&

"We need to get him to the hospital now!" Yugi exclaimed.

Megaman nodded, alerting EMS.

+Y-Y-Yami...+

Megaman hoped carter wasn't around when they got there.

#yes?#

+T-T-Try a-a-and c-c-calm d-d-down m-m-my h-h-hikari.+

"Megaman, calm down he'll be ok, and you're starting to make him worry." Yami said.

"but i-i can't help it." Megaman said, biting his lip.

"Just try and calm down." Yami said.

Megaman looked down, before nodding. He hated it when his brothers made sense.

'just hope carter ain't around' he thought.

Yami looked around hoping the EMS would hurry. Sirens were heard as they neared. The EMTs ran in.

"thank god!" Megaman whispered.

One EMT tended to Lan and the other asked how it happeded. The three looked at each other, uncertain how to answer.

"He had a nightmare he was being tortured and then started to have a hard time breathing." Yugi said.

'hope my nightmare doesn't get told' Megaman thought as he listened.

The EMTs rushed Lan out. Megaman and the others followed. They loaded Lan on the ambulance. It didn't take long for them to reached the hospital. They had to inject Lan with something to temporaraly paralyze Lan so they could intabate. Megaman and the others were in the waiting room. Dr. Lewis walked up to them.

"yes?" Megaman asked, having heard someone coming.

"We've had to intabate." Lewis said.

Megaman bit his lip.

"But, he's stableized." Lewis said.

STOP THAT!

Hearing that made Megaman jump in his seat.

quit biting your lip, hikari!

Megaman looked around, hoping he didn't hear who he did. Yami smirked as he watched. He chuckled quietly.

"Lan's asleep now." Lewis said.

"t-thanks doc, can i see him?" He asked, still trying to figue who it was that told him not to bite his lip.

Lewis nodded. Megaman slowly followed her, glancing over his shoulder from time to time. Lewis opened the door. Megaman went in slowly and sat near the bed.

"He seems very tired." Lewis said quitely.

"h-he hadn't slept well the last couple of months." Megaman said.

"Well then just let him sleep." Lewis said walking out.

Megaman nodded, staying at his Dark's side.

/Think he'll be ok/

hopefully snicker-

/What's so funny/

-you didn't notice Megaman biting his lip again. did you?-

/Yeah, so./

-well i told him to stop-

/So that's why he jumped./

-yep!-

Yugi smiled.

-think i scared him!-

/Maybe./

Megaman in the meantime, was still pondering of who had told him to stop biting his lip when he was in the waiting room. Lan's eyes slowly open.

"bro?" Megaman whispered.

Lan's eyes went over to him. Megaman smiled as he glanced over his shoulder.

:M-M-Megaman...:

He looked back with a small smile.

:I-I-I c-c-can't m-m-move.:

"well they did give you sommething when they-" Megaman replied, pointing to the tube.

:T-T-Then it'll g-go away.:

Megaman nodded. Megaman couldn't help with glancing over his shoulder once more, hoping Lan wouldn't noticed.

:W-w-what's going o-on:

"wouldn't believe me" Megaman replied.

:Just tell me.:

"well, i was waiting with the guys. biting at my lip. when a really deep voice told me to stop, IN MY HEAD!" Megaman exclaimed.

:Chuckles:

"what!" Megaman nearly shouted.

:I know who it was.: Lan said teasingly.

Megaman looked at him.

:It was big brother.:

Megaman groaned, realizing who Big Brother was.

:You didn't realize it was him:

'of all the low-down tricks...' he thought, shaking his head.

"i was more focused on you" Megaman replied.

:I understand.:

"yugi must be getting a KICK outta this!" he whispered.

:And Yami.:

Megaman began biting his lip, in anger this time.

:Don't do that.:

Megaman glared.

:Just don't do that.:

'Jera'd get the BIGGEST laugh if he knew' Megaman thought.

:Got that right.:

Megaman hoped he'd make home in one piece after telling a pair of certain ladies. He tried to shake it off.

:I just wish this medicine would ware off already.:

Megaman grinned at his brother's attitude. Lan's eyes were full of frusteration.

"Just let it wear off on its own!" Megaman said with a bit of a giggle.

:Easy for you to say.:

Megaman just shook his head.

:You're not the one paralyzed here.:

He shrugged.

:It's true.:

"it'll wear off!" Megaman chuckled.

:It's just so frusterateing.:

Megaman was just not sure how he would tell. Lan's eyes started to close again.

"sleep tight, bro" Megaman whispered.

Lan fell asleep. Megaman kept trying to figure out how to explain to Maylu and Roll.

/Lan was awake, now he's asleep again./

probably while he talked to Megaman-

Yugi nodded in agreement. Yami chuckled a bit. Yugi was worried for his little brother.

-he'll be fine-

/I hope so./

altough i think Megaman's a little nervous-

/Probably about telling Roll and Maylu./

Yami nodded. Yugi pulls out an old picture.

what's that?-

/A picture.../

Yami leaned to try for a better look. Yugi handed it to him. It was a picture of the gang right after battle city. It was taken in front of the game shop. Yami smiled, wondering if Megaman should see it. Yugi stood he paced thinking.

what is it?-

/Just thinking about everything that happened./

ah-

Megaman in the meanwhile had settled in a chair that was in the room. Yugi was still worried.

-don't worry so much-

/I can't help it./

-wanna show Megaman that photo, might cheer him up.-

Yugi nodded taking the photo and walking into Lan's hospital room.

"y-yugi?" Megaman said softly, having heard someone coming.

"Yeah." Yugi said softly.

Megaman saw that yugi had something with him. Yugi handed Megaman the picture.

"this is-" Megaman whispered, looking toward the bed.

"Uh huh." Yugi said.

Megaman had never known of his brother's adventures before they met.

"That was after battle city." Yugi said

"battle city?" he asked.

"I was a Duel Monsters Tournement he and Tea was there to cheer me and Joey on." Yugi said.

"hmm" Megaman said.

"He and Joey were always there for me." Yugi said.

"uh-huh" Megaman said.

"We were all there for eachother." Yugi said.

"so...?" he asked

"What is it?" Yugi asked.

Megaman wasn't sure enough to say what he had on his mind.

"Just tell me little brother." Yugi said.

"i-i-i" he stammered.

Yugi smiled at him.

"Just say it." Yugi said.

'man, i can't get it out!' he thought.

Yugi cocked his head.

'here he is, being nice to me..and i can't ask him!' Megaman mentally screamed at himself in frustration.

What ever your thinking is starting to wake Lan.

&if we knew each other then, would i be included in the group?&

Yugi nodded.

"Do you see the girl with the long brown hair?" Yugi asked.

Megaman looked back at the picture, seeing the described person.

"That's Serenity Wheeler, Joey's little sister." Yugi said.

&joey's?&

Yep.

&why tell me?&

We'd have included anyone.

Megaman blushed crimson at that, causing his Battle-Mask to appear. Yugi smiled.

&i swear, you tell...&

I can guess.

Megaman glared.

&they won't believe this!&

Won't believe what?

&friends here, that we're related.&

Yugi smiled.

/Thing's have changed./

&it's the gang here, i'm talking about&

&Dex, Glide, Gutsman, Tori, Yai and iceman. They were the ones that helped before. oh man! guts gonna pound me when he hears of this!&

Why?

&they DON'T know of any of this!&

I see.

&look, i didn't mean...&

Huh?

&to lose my temper&

"I know." Yugi said.

Megaman really was having trouble, finding a way to tell his mother and friends.

&even my mom doesn't know&

Yugi nods. Megaman gulped at the thought, he was trying to keep calm. Yugi smiled reassureingly. Megaman just glanced.

"kat's gonna nail me." he whispered.

Yugi chuckled

'I'd imagine so.'

"even since she was a baby, she always knew when something was wrong with lan" Megaman CONTINUED.

"i'm NOT kidding!" he said

"I believe it." Yugi said.

Megaman shook his head, wondering if he should tell of one of the times. Lan stired. Megaman elbowed yugi as he looked over.

"Oops" Yugi said.

Megaman chuckled softly. Lan's eyes moved over to the two.

"hey bro" Megaman whispered.

:Hi, bro.:

feeling better?

:A bit.:

didn't wake you, did we?

:Nope.:

Megaman gestured to Yugi for the photo.

Yugi handed it to him.

remember this? Megaman went to his brother, picture in hand.

Lan looked at the picture and nodded.

yugi showed it to me.

:I'm surprised he stil has that picture.:

showed me joey's sister

:Serenity...:

He nodded.

:I miss everyone there.:

how about going for the next family trip?

Lan nodded.

everbody, even mom, dad and andrew too

Lan nodded.

bet we can drag Jera, Peter and Jr, even IF i need to hog-tie Jera!

:snickers:

what? you know his stubborn streak!

:I know.:

think kat said he nearly fainted when she told him who was our choice for net-op

Lan was starting to doze off again.

and he NEVER guessed!

:Really:

she told him and i qoute "not tellin'"

:You mean who's idea it was:

Lan was fighting sleep.

snicker yep, pleasant dreams, bro

Lan fell back asleep. Megaman kept snickering to himself as he went back to his seat.

He looks so peacefull.

Megaman nodded with a silly grin.

sometimes I wish I could change what happened to him

&don't blame yourself, you didn't know&

I still wish I could've prevented it.

&quit it! you just didn't know!&

My little brother is suffering inside because of it and I...

&yugi...&

Yugi was standing there back turned to Megaman crying.

"yugi?" he asked quietly in shock at his brother's unseen tears.

I failed him Yugi was sobbing.

&no, it's not&

It was my job to protect him and...

&yugi...& Megaman wrapped his arm around yugi in a comforting matter

Yugi just let the tears flow.

&none of you knew what he was dealing with after he came home as a kid, don't beat yourself up over this!&

Megaman remembered the times he done it with Lan. Yugi just sobbed. Megaman just held him, letting him cry his heart out. Yugi heart and mind were riddled with guilt he just hoped his dark wouldn't notice. Yami looked towards where his light and younger brothers were. Yugi couldn't stop the sobs. Megaman sighed. Yugi broken the embrace and left via shadow magic.

'uh-oh' Megaman thought.

"Yami gonna be pissed!" he whispered.

Lan woke up again.

"hey lan" Megaman said gently, still in shock at yugi's actions.

Yami, Yugi left.+

#WHAT! do you know why?#

+He was upset and left...he used shadow magic.+

#i see#

Yugi's mind was filled with sadness and guilt.

-aibou?-

/It's my fault it's all my fault./ Was a repeated phase.

-yugi...-

Yami, I have a bad feeling he's gonna do something stupid.+

#I hope not#

Megaman jumped to his feet, looking at Lan before leaving. Yugi sat alone somewhere, he had a knife in his hand.

I gotta do something! it's my shoulder he cried on.

Yugi twirled the knife in his fingers a moment and then stabbed himself in the stomach.

&Yugi? c'mon, talk to me!& Megaman ran right past Yami, sensing something was terribly wrong with his Big Brother and fellow light.

Yami sensed something wrong with his hikari.

TO BE CONTINUED...