Chapter 3: Surfacing Feelings and Brewing Trouble
'Lan's feelings for Maylu are starting to surface and Flashman plans to form a dangerous alliance with MusicMan. Things are starting to get interesting.'
Cyber World
Roll is online and is on her way to find Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata for Maylu.
"Now, if I'm correct, the classical music web site is down that way." Roll says to herself as she now passes the Cyber World Café and makes a right on Cyber Link Avenue. Megaman, who has just come from the Cyber World arena, passes the Cyber World bank and spots Roll walking down Cyber Link Avenue.
"Hey, that's Roll." Megaman speaks. "I wonder where she's going. Hey Roll."
Hearing a familiar voice calling out to her, Roll turns around and notices Megaman running in her direction. Now being within reaching range of Roll, Megaman stops and smiles.
"Hey Megaman." Roll greets to Megaman with a smile. "Nice to see you."
"Hey Roll." Megaman greets back, returning the smile. "Nice to see you as well. So, where are you heading off to?"
"Oh, I'm heading to the classical music web site to find a song for Maylu." Roll answers Megaman. "She wants to play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata at the music festival, so I said I'd find the song for her so she can start practicing on it right away."
"Well, that was very nice of you to volunteer." Megaman speaks, continuing to smile.
"Well after all, I am her navi and will do whatever I can to help her out." Roll replies to Megaman, slightly giggling. "So, what brings you here?"
"Well, Maylu is helping Lan with his homework right now so he sent me here." Megaman begins explaining. "I just came from the arena and was heading to NumberMan's chip shop to see if there were new shipments of rare chips in, but that was before I saw you here."
"Well, I am glad you are here." Roll replies as she walks to the right of Megaman. "Because I can use some company and someone to talk to while on this errand."
Taking Megaman by the hand, Megaman's cheeks turn a light shade of red.
"Sure no problem." Megaman replies blushing. "I'll keep you company."
"And after I get the song, we can stop by NumberMan's shop together to see if there are any rare chips in stock ." Roll suggests. "I have been meaning to go look in there myself."
"Sure, that sounds great to me." Megaman replies with a smile.
"Ok, then that's what we'll do." Roll replies, as she and Megaman begin walking down Cyber link avenue, towards the web site hand in hand.
Hikari Residence
Maylu and Lan are still working on their math homework, as Maylu continues explaining the procedures of how the problems are worked to Lan. Lan, on the other hand, is paying attention to Maylu's instructions, but is putting more of his attention on her.
"So after you cancel out these two numbers out, you bring down the number with the variable and divide both the number and answer by two, which will give you your answer for X." Maylu finishes explaining. "Now do you understand how to get the answer for X?"
Lan, who is in a daze and continuing to stare at Maylu, doesn't hear her question. Not hearing an immediate response from Lan, Maylu turns to him and notices he is staring at her.
"Hey Lan, did you hear my question?" Maylu inquires to him as she waves her hand in front of his face.
Now snapping out of his zone, Lan slightly shakes his head to get his thinking back on track.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that Maylu." Lan apologizes. "I zoned out for a bit. Did you say something?"
"Yes I did. I asked you, do you now understand how to get the answer for X?" Maylu repeats herself.
"Uh, yeah, every word of it." Lan quickly responds with a nervous expression.
"Which part?" Maylu inquires. "The procedure of how the problem is worked or the last steps leading to the answer?"
"Uh.." Lan begins stammering as he quickly begins thinking of how to answer Maylu.
:If I answer the first question, then she'll ask me to work the problem to show her I understand it, which I don't, but if I answer the second question, then she'll know I wasn't paying attention to her when she was explaining how this all works.: Lan mentally says to himself. :But either way, I have to give an answer.:
As Maylu awaits an answer, Lan continues trying to choose between the two questions.
:Well, I can't leave her hanging so here goes.: Lan says to himself.
"The last steps leading to the answer." Lan speaks up.
"Ok then." Maylu answers as she releases a sigh. "Let's go through the procedures of how the problem is worked again."
"Ok, thanks and sorry about zoning out earlier." Lan answers as Maylu begins writing a new problem. "There are way too many steps to working these problems and I just got confused."
"That's alright." Maylu replies. "I can understand how a problem this complex can confuse anyone."
As Maylu begins working the problem, Lan's mind wanders back to his dad's advice about expressing himself, but knowing what to say before he does while watching Maylu work the problem.
:If you really feel that strongly about this girl, then you have to tell her how you feel, but make sure you know what you are going to say before confronting her and no matter what, always be yourself.: Dr. Hikari's words echo in Lan's head.
"Hey Maylu, can I ask you something?" Lan inquires.
"Sure Lan." Maylu answers as she keeps her attention on the problem she's working. "What's up?"
"Well, don't think this is weird when I ask you this." Lan begins. "But are you, you know, interested in anyone right now?"
Maylu suddenly stops writing and turns to Lan, with a confused look.
"Can you repeat that please?" Maylu inquires in confusion.
Not knowing how to repeat the question without giving himself away, Lan quickly thinks of a way to alter the question so Maylu won't get suspicious of what he is really trying to ask.
"Um, what I meant to ask was, are you interested in getting something to eat or maybe drink right now?" Lan quickly inquires to her, hoping the first question will quickly be forgotten. "I mean studying can work up a good appetite."
"Well, I am thirsty." Maylu responds with a smile. "So I could use something to drink. Thanks Lan."
"No problem." Lan replies. "I'll go get that for you."
Putting his notebook behind him on the bed, Lan stands and stretches. After stretching, Lan walks to the door and upon reaching it, opens it and walks out of out the room. Lan, then, heads for the stairs and begins walking down them. After reaching the bottom, Lan heads straight to the kitchen. Now reaching the kitchen, Lan goes straight to the refrigerator and stands against it.
"I can't believe I just asked her that and almost gave myself away, had I not changed the question." Lan says to himself as he places his face in his right hand. "I know I made myself look stupid and now she's probably wondering what made me ask her that."
Turning around and opening the fridge, Lan begins looking on the shelves for soda pops. Not finding any in the main fridge, Lan, then, looks on the door and spots 4 cans of Lemon Lime and grabs one.
"I see dad didn't drink very many of these since he's been home." Lan comments as he closes the door.
Lan leaves the kitchen and heads back up the stairs to his room. Now reaching the top, Lan goes to his room and enters, now closing the door behind himself.
"Here you are." Lan speaks up as he catches Maylu's attention. "I hope Lemon Lime is ok."
"That will be fine, thanks." Maylu replies with a smile as Lan takes a seat back next to her and hands her the soda. "Now what were you trying to ask me earlier?"
"Oh, if you were thirsty or hungry because you looked as if you needed a boost." Lan says as he grabs his notebook. "I was thinking of something else when I was trying to ask you that. That happens a lot."
"That's alright and I did needa boost." Maylu replies as she opens the can. "Thanks a lot Lan."
"No problem." Lan says as Maylu takes a sip of the pop. "What are friends for."
Now setting the can on the desk across from them, Maylu turns to Lan.
"Well, let's get back to work." Maylu says with a smile as she turns her attention away from Lan and back to her notebook.
"Alright." Lan replies as he continues staring at Maylu.
:I wish I could tell Maylu how I really feel about her, but something is holding me back.: Lan says to himself. :I don't know what it is, butsoon, I will tell her.:
Lan stares at Maylu for a bit longer and then turns his attention back to the math problem she is working.
Cyber World
Megaman and Roll are coming up Cyber Link Avenue, now having came from the classical music web site, where Roll retrieved the song Maylu wanted and are now on their way to NumberMan's shop.
"That classical music web site is an interesting place." Megaman speaks up. "I've never been to that part of the Cyber World before."
"I go to that web site for all of the special songs that Maylu requests and for some of her piano sheet music she plays for her lessons." Roll replies as she and Megaman come off Cyber Link Avenue, now passing the Café.
"You can go to the music store for those special songs and the music for Maylu's lessons, instead of going to another place for them." Megaman speaks up. "They have classical music as well as sheet music there."
"That they do, but they don't carry specially made songs like Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata." Roll replies. "I have to go to another place for those types of songs, but I do go there for a lot of Maylu's music for her lessons."
"For a music store, they should carry everything." Megaman answers in confusion. "That should also include special songs."
"That's true they should, but sadly they don't." Roll speaks, releasing a sigh. "But for what music they don't have, I know where to go to get it so it's no big thing really."
Continuing towards NumberMan's shop, Megaman and Roll make a right on the avenue they are on, and upon turning the corner, Megaman spots the back of Flashman, a few buildings down, standing outside of the Cyber World Music store.
"Hey wait, that navi looks familiar." Megaman speaks, as he begins looking the navi over. "I remember seeing him somewhere before."
The navi turns towards the cyber street ahead of him andMegaman gets aglimpse of the Navi's face from the side he can see. Now recognizing the Navi, Megaman's eyes get wide.
"That's Flashman!" Megaman says in shock as he quickly runs back around the corner, pulling Roll with him.
"Flashman?" Roll asks in a whisper to Megaman. "What is he doing here?"
"I don't know, but whatever it is, it can't be good." Megaman replies as he peeks around the corner. "Listen Roll, I want you to log out now. No telling what Flashman has in mind and whatever it is, I don't want you caught in the middle of it."
"You sure you won't need my help?" Roll inquires in concern.
"I'm positive." Megaman replies turning to Roll with a smile. "You have Maylu to return to, so go on ahead. I'll be fine."
"Alright, but be careful." Roll says, as she logs out of the Internet, now on her way back to Maylu's computer.
"I'm curious to know exactly what Flashman has up his sleeve this time." Megaman quietly says to himself as he continues watching Flashman.
Music Store
"Here you are and sorry about the wait." The store clerk navi says to MusicMan, now handing him the file he requested.
"Thank you and that's quite alright." MusicMan replies politely. "You have a good one."
"Thank you for visiting the Cyber World Music Store, have a great evening and please come back again soon." The clerk greets to MusicMan as MusicMan exit's the store.
Now being outside of the store, MusicMan begins heading towards the cyber street, but is suddenly stopped by Flashman walking in front of him.
"Excuse me." MusicMan speaks in surprise. "I'm in a bit of a rush and you're in my way. Is there something I can do for you?"
"As a matter of fact there is, but before I get into details, allow me to introduce myself." Flashman begins. "I am Flashman and I am offering for you an opportunity to join a very powerful team."
"Listen Flashman, whatever you're selling, I'm not interested." MusicMan replies as he walks around Flashman. "I'm on a tight schedule."
"Oh, I see." Flashman speaks. "You must be a human operated Net Navi."
Upon hearing that remark, MusicMan stops in his tracks and slightly turns to Flashman.
"There is nothing wrong with having a Net Op." MusicMan replies. "It shows you have loyalty and from that comment alone, it appears you have no loyalty what so ever."
"Loyalty is for the weak." Flashman replies in a taunting tone. "Loyalty shows that you'll do anything for a human. So in other words, you're their lap dog, doing whatever they tell you to do."
Turning his attention back towards the cyber street, MusicMan closes his eyes and releases a sigh.
"For you to even have that kind of mind set makes you a servant to the mindless and the ignorant." MusicMan replies. "I refuse to continue this conversation any further. I must be going now."
"That musical net navi is a smart one." Megaman says to himself with a small smile, having over heard the conversation, and continuing to watch the scene in front of him.
MusicMan begins walking away as Flashman pulls out the dark chip that was given to him by Shademan.
"I don't tolerate refusal." Flashman speaks in a low, but dangerous tone as he begins following MusicMan.
"The conversation is over when I say it is and I don't believe refusing to discontinue was an option." Flashman growls as he quickly approaches MusicMan from behind and shoves the dark chip into his back. The dark spirit of the dark chip appears over MusicMan, but immediately enters MusicMan's systems. Now gripping his head, MusicMan falls to his knees and begins screaming out in agony.
Megaman's eyes get wide at the sight in front of him.
"Flashman just gave that navi a dark chip." Megaman says in surprise. "It's a good thing I told Roll to log out because things are about to get ugly."
Converting his right arm and hand to his mega-buster, Megaman brings it into view.
"I don't know when Lan and Mayluare going tobe done, so I might as well do what I can with what I have for right now." Megaman speaks as he releases a heavy sigh.
"Now do we have a better understanding of each other?" Flashman inquires to MusicMan, who is now laying on the cyber floor as his eyes glow a bright red. "I hope so, because I don't tolerate refusing of any kind."
"MEGA-BUSTER!" Flashman suddenly hears and now getting hit by one of the buster's shots. Turning around, Flashman spots Megaman quickly approaching him, as he continues releasing his buster shots.
"Oh great. It's the little blue pest." Flashman says, as he begins blocking the Mega-buster's shots.
Now being within range of Flashman, Megaman stops an inch from him and shoots a death glare his direction, now placing his Mega-buster at his side.
"Back off and leave that navi alone!" Megaman yells as he quickly aims his Mega-buster at Flashman. "I'm only going to say that once!"
"You're kidding me right?" Flashman speaks as he begins laughing. "Do you honestly expect me to be intimidated by the likes of you?"
"Step away from the Navi!" Megaman growls as he continues glaring at Flashman. "I'm warning you!"
"And that's where you're wrong." Flashman says calmly as he raises his right hand in Megaman's direction. "I don't take warnings from a navi like you."
A ball of light begins materializing in Flashman's right palm as it begins glowing brightly while beginning to grow.
"If anything, you should take this as a warning from me." Flashman continues as the ball of light in his right palm continues glowing as it stops growing. "Neon Lights!"
The ball of light is released and is quickly approaching Megaman. Not having enough time to dodge the attack, the attack slams right into Megaman, knocking him off his feet.
"Unfortunately, I don't have time to play with you now." Flashman speaks. "I must be going, but we will meet again."
Flashman teleports out, taking MusicMan with him.
Megaman, who is still feeling the impact of Flashman's attack, now rolls over on his left side and turns in the direction of where Flashman and MusicMan were.
"He took MusicMan with him." Megaman speaks as his begins trying to get to his feet. "I have to go after him, but before I can, I'm going to need more power andLan's help."
Megaman gets to his feet and teleports out of the Cyber World, now heading back to Lan's computer.
Hikari Residence
Lan and Maylu are working on the last of their math homework.
"And that concludes pages 23 and 25." Maylu speaks as she closes her notebook, along with her math book. "Ms. Mari really knows how to lay homework on us."
"Tell me about it. It's almost like she enjoys giving homework by the tons." Lan replies as he finishes the problem he is working and closes his notebook, now turning to Maylu. "Hey Maylu, I really appreciate you helping me out with my homework. I wouldn't have gotten the concepts if it weren't for your help."
Maylu turns to Lan and smiles.
"It's not a problem Lan." Maylu replies, continuing to smile. "You're my best friend and I'm always here when you need me."
:Her smile is so beautiful.: Lan mentally says to himself as his gaze catches with Maylu's. :Very beautiful.:
"Well, I better get going." Maylu says as she stands, which breaks Lan's out of his zone. "I have to head home and start practicing for the festival, but before I do that, I'm going to head to the Music Emporium first to see if they have any pine piano benches in stock."
"Ok." Lan says, now standing as Maylu places her notebook, pen and math book in her back pack. "Let me walk you to the door."
Maylu smiles as she closes her back pack and places it on her back. Lan walks to his room door, and opens it. Maylu walks to the exit of the room and soon exits, with Lan in tow. Heading for the stair case and now going down the stairs, Maylu and Lan reach the bottom of the stairs as Lan walks to the front door and opens it for Maylu.
"Well, I'll see you at school tomorrow and thanks again for helping me out." Lan speaks as Maylu walks past him and steps out on the front porch.
"No problem, but I will be calling you tonight after my piano lesson." Maylu replies as she turns to Lan. "I want to go over the homework one last time, just to make sure you really understand everything we did."
"Sure, alright." Lan replies as Maylu turns to leave.
"Talk to you tonight." Maylu says to Lan as she leaves his porch and walks down the walk way. Maylu, then, makes a right and begins down the street.
Lan stands in the door way, continuing to watch Maylu walk down the street until she is out of sight. Now that Maylu is out of sight, Lan closes the door and heads back upstairs to his room. Once he reaches the top of the stairs, Lan heads straight to his room and upon entering his room, Lan goes straight to the computer and turns both the monitor and the tower on. Once the computer is booted up, an exhausted Megaman appears on the monitor screen.
"Hey Megaman." Lan greets to his navi. "You're just in time. Maylu and I are done with our homework."
"That's great Lan, but there is a problem." Megaman says with panic in his voice.
"What's the problem?" Lan inquires to Megaman.
"I saw Flashman online and he corrupted a net navi with a dark chip." Megaman answers Lan. "I had no idea when you and Maylu were going to be done so I tried to take him on with just my Mega-buster, but unfortunately he got away with the navi he corrupted. I have to go after him."
"No problem Megaman." Lan says as he grabs his battle chip case from the computer shelf above his monitor. "They don't call us net saviors for nothing."
Just as Lan begins opening the battle chip case, the monitor suddenly beeps as a letter appears on the screen next to Megaman.
"Lan, you have a message from Mr. Famous." Megaman informs Lan. Turning to the monitor, Lan grabs his mouse and clicks on the letter, which turns into a window with Mr. Famous appearing on it.
"What's up Mr. Famous?" Lan inquires.
"Lan, there is trouble at the Dentech City Music Emporium." Mr. Famous reports to Lan. "You and Megaman head down there right away!"
"Yes sir, Mr. Famous." Lan says, now grabbing his PET.
"How many times do I have to tell you, just call me Famous." Mr. Famous says as Lan closes the window.
"Flashman will have to wait Megaman." Lan says to Megaman as he points the PET at the Infer-red slot on his monitor. Megaman is quickly transferred to the PET. "We have a bigger problem now and Maylu is about to walk right in the middle of it. If I don't get down to that Emporium right away, something terrible may happen."
Placing his PET in the carry case on his waist along with the battle chips, Lan runs out of his room and soon out of the house, now on his way to the Music Emporium.
Watching from deep within the shadows, the mysterious man grins.
"The is going better then I had originally planned." He speaks as he being snickering. "Let the fun begin."
A/N: Ok end of chapter 3 and I hope you all like it. My ideas were jumbled up, which is why it took so long to get this out, but the wait is over and here it is. I apologize if this chapter is kind of boring. As I said, the story would get better as it continued and you see, I didn't let you all down.No flames please and if anything is confusing, please let me know and I'll modify it for you. If nothing else, please review.
Review Please!