Cy: Ahh yes. This is the third chapter, it will make everything better! With better writing, better plot development, and of course (hopefully) proper use of the Japanese suffixes and random words that I throw in to look cool… Thanks to MugenEXE for pointing out my mistakes in the last chapters. BTW, I don't own Virtuality or Driven, those are by Rush. "Rock with Your Navi", is mine. That way this should have a good balance. Yes, now enough of my rambling, for those of you who may be reading it, on with the fiction!

Behind These Eyes: Chapter 3

Virtuality

A boy awoke to a voice he was unfamiliar to. The voice was coming from the desk he normally kept his PET on. He looked over to see a face in his PET smiling at him, saying hello. The boy stared in disbelief at the spectacle of this navi in his PET, fully customized and conversing with him. The boy voiced his doubts of the navis ability, much to the navis chagrin, but the navi proved himself in a Netbattle with a rival and friend to the boy. That was not the end of the day though, for the navi was able to prove himself again after solving a problem the ovens were having. Little did either the boy or the navi know, the trouble was just beginning…

Forty-five minutes away by car from this boy, Ookami Cyril was checking a list he held in his hand, "Do we have everything?" He asked himself over and over. Though Icarus thought it was directed at him.

Getting annoyed Icarus finally lost his cool, "CYRIL!" He shouted indignantly, "You've checked the list three times! It's fine!"

Cyril stopped and took a deep breath, "Okay... what about you?
He inquired with some tension in his voice.

"I'm fine man, don't worry about it!" Icarus chided, and sensing that this was not what was truly bothering Cyril added, "We'll be fine. The instrumentalists we found are very good, and they learned our stuff pretty easily." He paused for a moment, "I'm sure that they will do our songs justice."

Cyril sat down on the little space that was left on his bed and sighed. "How can you be so calm, "he wondered aloud, "I mean even if you are a navi."

"It's all in your head man," Icaurs explained calmly, "I'm nervous too, honestly, but if you are certain something will go well, it will. If there is no doubt in your mind that you will succeed, then you are almost guaranteed that success."

Cyril stretched out a little bit, "I know you're right, but I can't stop the knot that's tightening in my stomach."

"Mind over matter," Icarus quipped

"Easy for you to say, you're data!" Cyril commented

"Very advanced and well-programmed data," Icarus corrected.

Cyril laughed and stood up again, "Well, I suppose the truck should get here soon right?"

Icarus checked the digital clock he had in the computer, "Yeah, let's get the stuff ready to go out."

Cyril whistled, "Sweet," he went and picked up a couple cases, "Get in the PET, I'll be back for you on the next trip." Thusly, Cyril moved all the equipment he needed out to the huge truck for transportation. Under the name, "Divernium," their gigs started more north in Electopia and continued south until they played their final shows in Densan City, even having one in Akihara Town. The weeks after they released "Virtuality" as a single gave them a rather large fan base. It came as a surprise to them that they got so many gigs in such a short amount of time; they managed to pull a quick tour of Electopia together.

They played for audiences numbering into the thousands, which is extremely good for a first time band. They dealt with problems that arose, all without roadies and only a modest help from volunteers around the areas they played. They sold T-shirts, PET-stickers, coffee mugs, and even specialty battle chips Cyril's father had made for them when he heard of the success their album was having. With all this, even after their first string of shows around the northern part of Electopia they had made a nice profit. They played the songs each night with renewed exuberance. They were heading back to Densan City for their final shows.

While they were gone, a few things happened: A subway train was attacked and nearly destroyed, signal crossings caused numerous traffic incidents and collisions, and fortunately there were few deaths. Water Works was also reported to be attacked, as a sudden "drought" occurred that robbed most homes in Densan City and the surrounding areas from their water. Lesser things happened that were not considered as dangerous but still disrupted daily life, which included the marine robots from the Marine Museum running wild and the Ayano-Kouji mansion was rumored to have been attacked.

Strangely, no one knew who stopped these occurrences from being worse than they already had been. Some thought it was the work of undercover Net-Agents, but there were others who began rumors of a young boy and his navi saving the day. The rumors were ignored, because it seemed to be a tale that was stranger than fiction.

Cyril, Icarus and the two musicians they were traveling with had just arrived in Densan City and decided that the band could treat themselves to a bit of a dinner before their gig the next day. Sadly for them, when they went out to eat something had caused all the restaurants cooking appliances to overheat and they had to get them repaired. So, they just had the normal dinner of cup ramen they had everyday on the road to save money.

In the tour us, two men sat facing each other at a table playing cards, alone. "This sucks!" the man with long, wavy, brown hair exclaimed slamming his cards on the table, "I fold…" Then he added, "I can't believe we have such crappy luck, all the restaurants had their cooking stuff broken! It's total and complete bull-"

"Daisuke!" warned a man with shorter black hair picking up the cards and shuffling the deck, "I know it's hard, but think about how well we have done on this tour!"

"Easy for you to say Koji," Daisuke said putting his long, nimble fingers over his eyes, "You don't have to play this kids f'ed up lead lines!"

"They're pure genius," Koji snapped back, deftly dealing out the next hand of cards, "They may be tough, but you don't see me complaining. His keyboard lines aren't exactly the easiest thing to play either." Setting the deck down he added more calmly, "Place your bets."

"Nah, I'm done…" Daisuke, "I have to give him some credit for that "Virtuality" song of his." He kicked back and sighed putting his hands behind his head, his well defined muscles now showing as his short-sleeves rolled down. "It's a hit for sure."

Koji picked up the cards and pocketed them, "What about that navi of his?"

Daisuke sat up, "Yeah…" he put his elbow on his knee and his chin on his fist, "That's what makes me weirded out… I mean that navi plays better than most real drummers, and I don't mean in speed or prowess. The thing is, he messes up subtly sometimes. He doesn't always play right on the beat, he adds groove!"

Koji just leaned back and thought for a moment, "You know bro," he paused to see Daisuke nodding to allow him to continue, "The navi clearly was not programmed to be a drummer. He learned it."

Daisuke's jaw dropped and he stared at his brother with an eyebrow raised, "You have got to be joking!" he exclaimed, "I don't care how much "Artificial Intelligence" or "Artificial Emotions" navi's have! There is just no frickin' way!"

Koji looked at his brother calmly, as he did often and stated a truism, "People have said that navis were impossible, and yet Hikari Tadashi made it real. Therefore, anything must be possible. The world we live in was once considered impossible; maybe it's time we opened up to the fact that a navi can learn and play music like a human: with feeling."

Daisuke responded angrily, "Don't give me that arrogant bull crap! You do this all the time!" He made his voice into a rude, nasally version of his brother's, "'Oh maybe we should open up!' BLEH! I've had enough; I'm going to take a walk!" With that he got up quickly and left the bus. Cyril stepped on shortly afterwards and looked behind him worriedly.

"What's eating Daisuke?" He inquired.

"He is having trouble dealing with the new world coming," Koji said mystically.

"As cryptic as ever, eh Koji?" Cyril said with a shrug, "Oh well, I'll just get my stuff, I'm gonna sleep at home for once."

"Good, it may make you more fit for tomorrow," Koji said, "I will propose similarly to Daisuke."

"Yeah, that would be good," Cyril approved as he packed some clothes, "We want to be the best we can be for playing in our hometown!"

"Indeed!" Koji said.

"Later Koji," Cyril yelled as he ran off.

"What a kid!" Koji exclaimed as he went about gathering his own belongings. Far off a cry of anguish was created by the second defeat of a warrior of fire.

The next day came inexorably. Cyril woke elated with Icarus, Daisuke and Koji were still arguing over whether or not Icarus actually learned the drums until the show began played at the Den Dome. The Den Dome as one can imagine had been rearranged to fit the ensemble and their playing. In short order the volunteers had the place looking like the typical arena rock setting. The amps looked tall and the instruments shone under the lights. The holographic projectors that made Icarus part of the band as the rest of them were set up in the back center as they should be. The mic that Cyril used was out in front. A diamond was formed as the set-ups for the other two were behind him to the left and the right. Koji's was to the right, his guitar and his keyboard looking majestic under the lights. To the left was Daisuke's guitar and wall of amplifiers. There were only two hours to go before the big concert began.

Like seconds, or so it was perceived by Divernium, the hours passed. They held their sound check and their "intro music" was playing. They stepped out into their positions, and the holographic projectors flickered to life as Cyril plugged-in his pet to the projector. The drums were set, the guitars were set and the keys were raring to go. They ripped through their first song "Rock with Your Navi" faster than the recorded tempo. The crowd went wild as they segued into their next song "Driven." This song featured a bass solo by Cyril who went crazy with it as the crowd cheered the band's praises.

As the final note still rang, Cyril came up to the mic and talked to the audience. "Thank you very much, Densan City!" He yelled in the upper range of his voice, "Thank you for all coming out here to hear this small band play. We have a single out that we released… I'm sure you all know it!" He got a modest reaction from the masses, "Do you all know it!" He asked louder. This got an even louder reaction from the audience. "Then you should sing along! You know which I'm talking about! This is 'Virtuality!'" He shouted the songs title as the riff started to be played by the guitar behind him, and then he joined in and kicked the song off with the first verse.

Like a ship-wrecked mariner

Adrift on an unknown sea

Clinging to the wreckage of

The lost ship "Fantasy"

The band broke down for the pre-chorus, the crowd clapping along and singing along with Icarus' beat.

I'm a castaway stranded in a desolate land

I can see the footprints in the virtual sand

They went back to the first riff then screamed into the chorus, the crowd went wild and sang as loud as they could.

Net boy, Net girl…

Send your signal around the world

Let your fingers walk and talk

And set you free

Net boy, Net girl

Send your impulse around the world

Put your message in a modem

And throw it in the Cyber Sea!

The band rocked out, and extended the tag riff a bit because the audience really got into it, jumping around and enjoying themselves. They sang the chorus again, with the frenzied passion of a great live show. They got to the bridge, Cyril and Icarus sang it out loud, even Daisuke and Koji sang along with it, a rich tremulous sound came forth and the entire audience was electrified.

Let's dance tonight to a virtual song

Press this key and you can play along

Let's fly tonight on our virtual wings

Press this key to see amazing things

To see amazing things…

Going through the final verse, they had to up the speed a bit, because the last chorus was riding on the back of the high-energy bridge. They sang the final chorus triumphantly, slowing down just enough so the audience could enjoy it.

Net boy, Net girl…

Send your heartbeat around the world

Let your fingers walk and talk

And set you free

Net boy, Net girl

Send your impulse around the world

Put your message in a modem

And throw it in the Cyber Sea!

Put your message in a modem

And throw it in the CYBER SEA!

Cyril and Icarus both contributed to the final scream of "Cyber Sea" at the top of their lungs, giving the outro of the song an added energy that made it different from the recorded version. Their live shows were going to become legend. They began their next song and the audience was kept throughout the rest of the two hour long show. After the band played their last song (a humorous cover of Aki-chan's "Install You Heart") and got off stage and met with a few fans of them. Signed some autographs and relaxed with each other. They went for awhile with silence, each of them sipping their respective drinks and Icarus meditating alone in Cyril's PET as he did after each show.

"Great show tonight guys," Cyril spoke up, breaking the 15-minute-long silence, "The playing was incredible, and the audience seemed to really enjoy it! I think this was our best yet!"

Koji was the first to speak, "Indeed Cyril-kun, this was a very excellent show. I know that my playing was quite spectacular tonight for my own abilities and your singing, playing and audience-leading was top notch."

"Thanks Koji," Cyril responded, "Daisuke's playing was excellent as well. I think Icarus played and sang quite well too."

Koji gave Cyril a warm smile, "Yes indeed it was. I must say tha-"

Daisuke cut him off, "Of course your navi's playing was good! He's a navi, you programmed him to play it like that, you made him to play drums this good!"

Cyril gave him a look of consternation, "No… no I did not," Cyril got up and paced, "I programmed Icarus with a basic persona, one that could be forged, and I also gave him a broad depth of musical knowledge… however." Cyril looked at the Daisuke seriously, "I did not in anyway shape or form program him to play drums. He offered to do it when it all got together. I have no coordination for drums, but he took them and he learned them on the drum kit that you saw tonight. There is nothing pre-programmed about Icarus' playing…"

"That…" Daisuke stammered, "Has got to be a lie!"

"Daisuke!" Koji shouted, shooting up from his chair. "What have I been trying to tell you?"

"Can-it, Koji," Daisuke growled, "This kid has to be put into his place, there is no way it could be possible!"

Cyril took a deep breath, "Look Daisuke, I know it's hard to believe. Believe me, five years ago, I didn't either. Navis, and Icarus are far more than just bits of data. They are friends, they are companions, and they are like a human." He saw Daisuke open his mouth in protest but cut him off, "No, not exactly like a human, because they are made of data and do not have to breath, eat or excrete. Emotionally though, they are like a human. They can grow, they can change. Daisuke, you may not believe in it, but you and I have a soul, and… in their own digital way, so do Navis."

Daisuke just stared at him for a moment before storming out of the waiting room. Cyril and Koji did nothing to stop him.

"Time and thought walk hand in hand; you cannot have one without the other as the matter gets more complex." Koji said sagely, not turning to Cyril. Cyril nodded as Koji made his way out the door.

End Chapter 3

Cy: Well… that was an interesting chapter, didn't go quite as I originally planned it, but that's okay. I prefer to have a bit of spontaneity in my work anyway. I hope you all are enjoying reading it as much as I am enjoying writing it.