This chapter is also very long. I hope you enjoy it. Although I am in the process of being a part Diclonius and lots of freaky shit happening, I am doing my best to maintain my character so it is still an SI story. It will get gory and a bit sad soon so keep in mind.

Danger

"This is the Lebensborn project and we needed both you and Lucy to make it fulfilled."

Lebensborn? But why choose me? I am nothing special except for one small range vector.

"Kakuzawa I think you have a misunderstanding...I am not a chosen being or even a Diclonius."

"Ah but Lucy chose you for a reason." I notice Kakuzawa's eyes are dark and demonic. His slick silver hair looks like a hairpiece and he bears teeth of something like a vampire.

"Why does everyone think I'm so special?" I yell out which hurts my restrained wrists. "Ever since that plane crash strange things have been revolving around me...and now this."

I feel weak and drained of energy. It hurts to speak, yet even breathe down here. My pale body generates goose-bumps and my hairs are fully raised from the sheer cold. How could anyone live down here?

"Ben...Lucy chose you...to be her king..."

My heart churns and my body slumps. "What?"

"I know this must be hard news for someone as young and as unfamiliar of the Diclonius as you but she chose you to be the king Diclonius."

"But why me?" I plead for answers.

"Why because of your misanthropic personality of course."

I feel like I've been probed of all my personal information. "What makes you think that exactly?"

"Because we just talked with Lucy prior."

"She's down here as well?"

"Yes...and soon you two will help conceive a super Diclonius capable of spawning the new era of Homo-Diclonius domination."

"Your not gonna force us to have sex are you?" I say with concern. Normally I would jump at the opportunity but in this place and under such strange circumstances, my ethics say it's not right.

He procures another of his sadistic grins. "That's exactly what we intend on doing."

"Please just let me go...I don't like it here...I'm scared."

"Shut up! You're meant to be a king Diclonius not a crying little boy."

"But I'm all naked and tied up." I say as tears enter the corners of my mouth.

"It seems that the vector virus affects males differently to the Silpelits..." He comments to himself. "Normally you would develop a murderous intent and at least grow some horns...maybe you are still somewhat human."

"Yes! Now please let me go!"

"But I haven't filled you in on my plan."

"I don't want to know what kind of sick things you are going to do – or already have done, to us."

"But Ben. You'll love this...We are going to change the world for the better."

"How? It is already screwed up beyond repair." I pout. This whole S&M thing is getting to me.

"Right now a potent powder containing the vector virus is being spread throughout Japan. By now 30% of the population will be carriers of the virus and conceive Silpelit children – they are Diclonius born from a human carrier. Eventually the human population will be decimated by the Silpelits and outbreed to inevitable extinction."

"And so it's survival of the fittest all over again." I sigh.

He cackles a maniacal laughter. "Don't you see now Ben? The prophecy is being fulfilled right at his very moment."

"Then why do you need me if it's already coming to fruition?"

"Ah. Well there is one inferior quality about the Silpelits. They age at a much rapid rate. It's an exponential increase: At one they have the physical appearance of a three year old and by six it is that of a young adolescent. Life expectancy is at best 25 years old. Another problem is their vectors are often poor strength and can easily be killed with a heavy bullet or a projectile with kinetic energy of more than 300 joules." He turns his back as he continues. "The aim of the virus was to become the first wave of the human apocalypse. The humans would eventually discover that all births are of Silpelit children and abortion rates will increase in fear of that. Man will eventually win over the Silpelits as is." He turns back with his wicked grin again. "But if we were to create a super Diclonius capable of an infinite range and hundreds of vectors...then humanity would be doomed."

I can't believe it but I am starting to agree with some of this man's ideas. I mean there are indeed plenty of corrupt and evil people in this world; and if humans were to at least be significantly reduced in size then most of the environmental damage would cease. He was right to point out my misanthropic ideology and that I think humans are defacing over such evolutionary concepts.

"Okay I can understand what you're saying. But let me ask you this...Is this place really just an ecological research facility?"

He snickers and gives a cold smirk. "You fool, of course not. We are one of two research facilities for Diclonius. We are responsible for analysing the virus properties. The other one is in charge of vector research."

"How do you test your products though?"

"Well we have over 1834 Silpelits in this facility. Most of them are born disfigured and due to their inferior qualities we usually detach their spinal chords for other purposes."

I instantly feel a pain in my stomach as if someone metaphorically disembowelled me. How could they do such things to Diclonius?

"Some more are kept in underground bunkers until we need to extract their spinal chords...but a lucky few get to be used as guinea pigs."

"You mean?"

"Yes. We test their range and their blocking ability whilst they are kept in very good conditions."

"Much like me eh?" He laughs at my empathy for the Silpelits. I remember those clones that had the strange helmets on and almost acted robotic without any real emotion. What other kind of sick things must this man be exploiting them for?

"You don't sound any better than those evil humans. You are simply performing inhumane tests on other species."

"Before you say that..." He pulls of his hairpiece to reveal two small protrusions from his skull. "I am just like the rest of them. I was tormented and bullied as a child for being different. Their sacrifice will be worth it in the long run."

I am lost for words. All my beliefs and ideas have been challenged in this very room. Should I breed the new dominant species or save humanity. I mean there are plenty of bad aspects to humanity but there are some qualities some special humans have which make up for it.

"I think it's time we brought in Lucy."

A man in a black leather trenchcoat was carrying a trolley apparatus. Lucy was also naked and her body was constricted with the various straps over her body. She appeared quite upset and fatigued.

"Nyu!"

"Ben! What's going on why are we here?" She looked very distressed. I hope they haven't done anything to her.

"So you're the prick who poked a hole in my arse." The man came forth to reveal himself. It was the Alucard-man from before.

"You sick bastard! I don't care about changing the world anymore. I just want me and Lucy to be free."

He produces his gruesome weapon again. "Shut up or I'll send you in a world of pain."

Kakuzawa claps "Good work Man. Now we can begin the conception of the new race...but first I must ask Anna something." The old man goes to the watery pool of the swamp and calls forth Anna. A giant head with irregular eyes and bulging veins rises.

"Hey you two, start already." Man nudges us so we are rubbing together with each other. I can hear Nyu's sobs as she is being put under such atrocious conditions. No matter how attractive she may be and how erotic this might seem I refuse to allow Saturn V's launch (if you know what I mean).

"Don't worry Nyu. We can get out of here." I whisper. "You just need to use your vectors."

She cries evermore. "I can't. I don't have vectors."

"What are you saying? Of course you do."

"No. Not while I'm Nyu."

"Well transform then and get us the hell outta here-"

"Hey what's taking so long?" Man barks.

I have an idea and I hope it works. "Say Man what did you intend on doing to Mayu and Nana if I didn't show up?"

"Oh the things I would have done to her. It would've just been like Number 28."

"Number 28?"

"Oh dammit that's right I accidentally killed her when I arrived their. She was used as a radar so I could find Lucy. We had to amputate all her limbs to make her portable and take out most of her internal organs so she would be lightweight. She had to be put on continuous life support. And to stop her using vectors we sent a constant charge of electricity down her spinal chord so she would feel endless pain. Oh you would have loved to see her. She was in such a state of pain you could never imagine. And yet I still had time to fool around with her bottom half." Man laughs maniacally at his sick torture. I can't believe he would even consider doing such things to Mayu.

Nyu's eyes are drained from a torrent of tears. She bites her lip as she holds back her raging alter ego. "No Nyu you have to release Lucy. It's the only way."

"AARRGGHH!"

Nyu's shackles burst open as her many vectors (which I could now see) flung wildly in the air. But she was still Nyu by the looks of things. Now I was impressed.

"You people are so cruel. I won't forgive you." She walks over to Kakuzawa where he is now arguing with the mammoth head about something.

"Kakuzawa? What should we do with them now?"

"Bring the boy over but make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Okay I'm going to let you out but if you try anything funny this ones going right in your head." I feel the tight shackles released from my body. I double over in exhaustion and feel my body becoming numb with the freezing air.

I am shoved over to the scene near Anna. Kakuzawa is trying to ask it wether the Lebensborn project will be a success. I'm thinking that this giant brain must be like a magic mirror or something.

"So have you two copulated yet?" Kakuzawa asks frustratingly.

"I've been thinking Kakuzawa...It is a great thing you guys are doing with the whole killing off the human race. But since you people are doing the one thing I despise most: animal testing. I'm going to have to decline your offer of a supreme race. I am not 'King of the Diclonius' and never will be. I am Ben McMullen and I have one measly vector… And although I would like the world to change for the better. I can't do it under your ideas which, frankly, are close to Nazism. Although their are a lot of things I hate about humanity I have discovered there is a good side which must be cherished; and being around Mayu, Kouta, Yuka, Nozomi, Nana and Nyu has helped me discover that.

"Did I forget to mention your family is dead?" The Man interrupts my noble speech.

"W-w-w-w-what...?"

"Well after hearing of your Diclonius powers I went to pay a visit to Australia to see if anyone else in the family carried the gene. After testing their dismembered corpses we found nothing...just thought I'd tell you..."

"You killed all of my family? My mother? My father? My brothers? Everyone?"

He simply nodded.

So I really have nothing to return to...All that stuff about humanity seems dead...Why do I even bother sticking up for them...? Everything I ever cared about is gone…

"If you stay any longer people will die..."

"It's time Ben...It's time to unleash our vengeance upon the pitiful humans who are responsible for your family's death."

The noise has returned...it's louder than ever.

"NNNYAHHHHHHRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!"

I close my eyes shut and block my ears from the noise. I feel two sharp objects grow from my skull. I have attained the horns of Diclonius. I open my eyes and see that I've blown apart the upper half of Kakuzawa and the Man. I have become a killer and resorted to my instincts.

"NOOOOO!!!!!!" I start bashing the ground with my sole vector which has increased significantly in range and feels much stronger. I start throwing around the stone objects and end up knocking over Nyu who is about to be crushed by Anna's fist.

"Nyu!!!"

I'm flung back twenty metres and hit a wall. My instinct seems to fall back and I feel normal again. I will need to grieve over my late family later as it seems this place is falling apart. I can now sense Lucy's presence with my horns. Her vectors burst open from Anna's arm and rise up to the ceiling. I had no idea her vectors could be so powerful.

"Get out of here now Ben..." She say's grunting. "I have penetrated the roof for you to escape...use your vector to jump out."

"But what about you Lucy?"

"Do what I cannot and live a happy life with Kouta and the others for me." Although she is currently Lucy she manages to smile and show sympathy for my loss.

"Right...for you Lucy I will make sure noone hurts them anymore." And with that I thrust upward out of the massive hole that has been created. The entire complex has lost a major chunk. Foundations and water pipes are jutting from the open walls. I vow to try and escape from here and find Mayu and the others. They will drive me to live on.

I hear a shrill scream – that of a woman, on the level just above me. I flick back my fully stretched vector and the momentum allows me to hover just where she is. I'll ignore the fact she is only wearing a yellow tanktop and panties as she is teetering of the edge. I grip the ledge with my real hands and use my vector to prop up my weight.

"Agh!! Someone please save me!" She cries as I see a row of shadows cast around her. I jump to her side and curl my vector around. I'm hoping this thing has defensive capabilities as well.

The shadows come forth and appear as normal looking naked women. Only striking difference is the array of veils over their heads. Some of them have irregular slits, three vertically parallel, one perpendicular to the other and one Cyclops veil. I'm gathering these creatures must be the inferior Silpelits Kakuzawa referred to.

The Silpelits seem agitated by my arrival. They take a step closer. All these nipples are making my flower crane cannon want to release the reishukaku into Seretei (if you know what I mean). "Please girls don't come any closer I don't want to..."

Alas a curtain of crimson drapes flew over us. Something blew apart their upper bodies.

"Oh god! How did you do that boy?" The panties girl asks me.

"That wasn't my doing I swear." I then recognise the panties girl to be Arakawa – the commando science lady from the university. "Hey what the hell are you doing here?" I blast.

"That's my line kid. Why are you naked and just how in the hell did you show up behind me like that?" A vein comically pops in her head; yet I feel one pop in my head and penis as well. "Please cover your shame boy." She pulls a veil of the head of one of the fallen Silpelits. Both of us let out a unified scream of utter terror.

"KYAHH! WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE?" The horrible disfigured head reminded of me of the man from Ghost in the Machine when his head bubbled up from....Anyway it was horrible. I felt more of my only meal welling up in my throat.

She gave the veil and I placed it over my genitalia. I felt a bit like Tarzan: both due to the limited covering and my heroic leap to save 'Jane' the damsel in distress from a group of carnivorous natives or whoever he saves Jane from.

"We need to get out of here before this place collapses." I point out. I notice she has a large metal box near her side. "Say what's in there?"

She clutches it and brings it to her chest. "This will save mankind...I mustn't lose it!" She looks very stern and serious so I gather it is significant. I hope at least the population can fall a reasonable amount though before she gets it into the public.

A small girl wearing pyjamas enters the room. She looks just like the clones from before. "Crap stay beck Arakawa, I'll deal with her."

"How you don't have vectors – oh wait you do too." She kindly leaps back.

"Stay back little girl." But she comes closer. I hope I don't have to kill another person with this thing.

"Please stop!" Arakawa screams. It seems to work because the clone stays firm in her tracks.

"Shit I think she must obey your orders somehow. We could use her to get out of here." Just on cue another wave of ravenous Silpelits storm the lab. "Do it again Arakawa!"

"Kill all the Silpelits! Mow 'em down!"

The girl zapped up like a robot and charged at the Silpelits easily slaughtering the whole group. "Yes now we can escape."

Unfortunately when we turn the corner I am bumped into by a column of Silpelits. I don't have time to produce my vectors but their head are blown apart by something. It is the butch lady who caught me in the first place. I become enraged "You..."

"Hey I saved your bacon kid be grateful." She waves around a large gun similar to Bando's.

"Grr...Okay do you know the exit out of here?" I say.

"We have to get to the top level. There's a lift you and her can go down."

"What about you?"

"I have a job to do here and must stay."

We walk the corridors taking every step carefully to check for more of the monsters. We often stray into small contingents but the clone can easily deal with them. Somehow I've gotten used to seeing such death around me lately. I guess the consistent trauma of the plane, Lucy fighting Bando on the beach, Man in general and being here has made me desensitised to the gore. I feel like I've lost a part of my soul.

"Come on Ben...Quit dawdling and get over here!"

"Coming!"

We reach another ledge. The staircase to the top is just at the end. Arakawa runs enthusiastically ahead but a large part of the platform crumbles away beneath her.

"Ahh!!!"

After freefalling a few metres I manage to catch her with my vector. Although she feels uneasy about it she holds on to the invisible rope of salvation. Her metal case is making it hard to hold her though.

"I have to save you! Please drop the box." I yell down to her.

"I can't I'm the saviour of humanity." She claims.

The butch woman is fighting against a huge column of Silpelits. "Hurry up! I only have a few of these bullets left!"

"Come on Arakawa...I'm sure you can develop another one anytime."

"It would take five years to develop something like this again."

"HUMANITY WILL HAVE TIME TO WAIT!!!" I growl. Even I think that was a bit excessive but it felt like my sub-conscious was talking then.

She sobs and tears fall many metres into a bottomless peril. "Okay...I'll let go."

The sudden release of weight makes me jump back. She is now flying metres higher and is a story above us now.

"Just stay there Arakawa we'll be there shortly." I reassure her but she sounds scared.

"There are more of them up here. Please hurry!"

Our situation seemed dire. The butch lady used up all her bullets and the clone had just been decapitated by one of the longer ranged Silpelits. I had no other choice.

"Get up their now! I'll hold 'em off with my vector."

"Right."

"Come on ladies...LETS HAVE SOME FUN!!!" I feel a wicked aura wrap around me as I punch forward my vector annihilating the many Silpelits behind it. I can just make out the outlines of the tentacles and I perform an amazing dodging manoeuvre where I use my vector to bounce me off the floor and flip over them. I swipe my vector horizontally and mow down some more Silpelits. I really am feeling like a different person. I am killing indiscriminately and although part of me wants to stop another driving force says 'keep going' – 'kill more'.

"NOOOO!!! WHY DID I HAVE TO DO THIS!!! I'M A MONSTER."

I feel the horn grow longer till they resemble that of elf ears. My power seems to have increased but my will is growing weaker. The halls are an empty mess of gore and blood. I must continue no matter what and be reunited with the others – that's what Lucy wanted for me.

An intense tremor shakes the foundations of the room. I run up the stairs as those behind me crumble away. I reach the top where Arakawa is now gone. The butch lady is in a tattered mess as a horde of Silpelits surround her.

"GO NOW BOY LEAVE ME HERE TO PERISH!!!"

If I go now I will have let my instinct win again but if I kill these Silpelits I'm merely satisfying my hunger for blood. Dammit.

"NO! I WON'T LEAVE YOU TO DIE!!!"

I push side some of the Silpelits and they are now drawn to me. "Go now. I'll hold em off."

She trudges over to a small lift and presses a lever which brings the platform back up. Arakawa must already be down there. But before she can hop on the lift her head is torn off from her body. A rogue Silpelit managed to creep up on her.

"Dammit!!!" I furiously swing around my vector cutting down the circle of Silpelits in my path. After some panting and sobbing I operate the lift and travel down the grassy floor of the island.

"More of them..." I say in frustration. Arakawa is in grave danger as she appears in the centre of a group of Silpelits. She lets out another shrill scream of despair. But something else intervenes before I get the chance to.

A strange craft appears from the water. It is like something from science fiction. It is rounded and has blue outlines and glass windows much like eyes. The strangest thing is that visible vectors much thicker that normal come out from the craft and take down the entire wave of Silpelits around her.

A voice calls out to Arakawa. "Are you human?"

Isn't it obvious?

"Yes please save me!"

A door opens and a man in a black cape comes out and offers his hand. I should try and go with them as well.

"Hey please don't leave me!" I cal out as I jump off the lift. My horns stand out and it makes the man unnerved.

"Stay back Diclonius. If you come any closer we will use this device on you."

"But I'm human." I plead.

"You are obviously not human...you have Diclonius horns."

I feel the elongated horns that have developed through my head. "But I'm not like Lucy or the others." I take one step too far. "Please save me!"

The gigantic vectors come out once again and their target is me. My only hope is my vector can save me.

"KYAHHH!!!"

My eyes are locked shut. I don't want to open them and see the parts of me possibly missing. I have no choice but to open them. Amazingly I am untouched.

"Dammit we used the vector canceller on you how could your vectors possibly block another vector?" He vents his anger from the doorway.

"Please let me in sir. I am Ben McMullen...a human who has unwillingly been given Diclonius powers."

The earth crumbles around me and the waves rise over in increasing rage. We are all going to perish in an unforgiving sea unless they let me on.

I hear a voice from within. "Dammit commander we can't use the vectors or the craft anymore."

"What?"

"The Diclonius' vectors are different from the others in physical properties. He must have the same wavelength as us."

"Because he is a male..." He sighs.

"What if I give you guys a boost with my vector?" I suggest.

"Silence Diclonius you don't get a say in this." But the water is rising and the ground is evermore unstable. Why are these guys procrastinating at such an inconvenient time?

"I promise I will not do anything to you guys. I am a fully functional and rational human being...PLEASE YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME?"

In anger I try to rip out my horns but they are strongly fixed to my head. I pull and pull till blood rims around the horns and stains my hair.

"Commander I'm afraid we either try him out or we sink with this island." The pilot says.

"Tch. Hurry up then boy...but if you try anything." He pulls out a makeshift handgun.

"Yes thank you so much!" I leap onto the ship with my vectors aiding me just as the earth is submerged in the watery abyss.

I enter the small cabin of the Diclonius craft. There are three others aboard other than me, Arakawa and the commander.

"Now boy use your vectors to get us out of here." The commander orders.

"Yes right away." I stretch out my vector hand till it reaches hard ground and with a swift push give the craft enough of a boost to run itself again.

"Tis a fragile device." One of the pilots says.

"What the hell is this thing?" I ask.

"No we ask the questions here." The commander interrupts. "But firstly please put this on." He throws over the black cape he previously wore. "Who are you and why are you here at the Kakuzawa research facility?"

"How should I know? They freaking captured me and shackled me naked in an underground swamp. The creepy Kakuzawa wanted to create some Lebensborn thing with me and Lucy."

All the crew stammer. "He wanted to create the dominant race of Diclonius?"

"Yes he did and he wanted me and Lucy to conceive a super-Diclonius child."

"I knew that man was not to be fully trusted. Ever since we split the research facility..."

"What do you mean split?"

"We are from another research facility which specialises in vector research. That's why we were able to develop such crafts as this one." He waves his hand. "This device uses organs from other Diclonius to be able to operate simulating vectors with an inverse wave. That's why we were surprised to see you block it out with your own."

"And the fact he is the only known male Diclonius with vectors." One of the pilots says.

"Well I only have one." I rebut.

"If only we could study you some more...Unfortunately the whole research project is shutting down under government orders."

"Because of the virus?" I ask.

"Exactly. We are simply responsible for cleaning up the mess Kakuzawa created and to find a possible vaccine."

Arakawa sobs suddenly. "What's the matter?" The commander asks unsure. "Were you violated?"

"What of course not why do you think that?" She yells feeling insulted.

"Because you are only in panties."

"This is just my casual clothing." Wow she really is a sexed-up scientist. "No I'm upset because this vaccine you speak of was created by me."

"Really? Where is it?"

"It's gone now. Under the sea." She frowns. All that work for nothing.

"But you know how to create a new one right?" He says in utter concern.

"I'm not sure where I would find the resources though."

"It's no use...Humanity's doomed." He slams his fist against the wall of the craft.

"Wasn't humanity already doomed?" I ask in my typical leftie fashion. I still managed to retain some of my original personality through this whole experience.

"Are you trying to be clever boy?" He pulls out his gun to which the others cower.

"I'm just saying maybe this virus could be a hidden blessing to save humanity from its own peril. War, disease and famine would all be wiped out if the population was significantly reduced to a sustainable level."

Wow I'm smart.

"It's not like that. Once the virus spreads it will be a two-fold death for humans: The virus will outbreed human as more and more babies are born with horns and the juvenile Diclonius will reap and kill the rest of us. It's either we find a way to stop this or we all die."

I think hard and fast until a very random idea pops into my mind. "What about me? What if we use my blood?"

"Don't be stupid how could that possibly work?"

Arakawa does seem interested and listens on as I speak. "Well think about it, I am a human wether you believe me or not – at least I used to be a human. That means unlike the others I still have the will of a human. Perhaps we may not be able to control Diclonii populations but if we can stop their killer instinct at birth then we may be able to co-exist."

"Absolutely not. Diclonius are an existential threat and we cannot live where they reside."

"Do you want to face thousands more of those things in their or would you rather have their personalities controlled so we can have more time to find a real cure?"

"No he's right." Arakawa supports me. I smile as the panties girl continues. "It won't stop the virus but it may give me some more time to develop another one. I mean how hard can it be?"

The commander seems unsure at seeking the help of a Diclonius-boy but has to concede. "Alright when can we start work?"

"I could extract a sample now and over a few years I can grow it to commercial levels."

"Really?" Even I'm impressed at the advances of science. I thought I'd sign up to being a guinea pig for life constantly being jabbed for new vaccines.

"Does anyone have a syringe handy – preferably a clean one?"

Preferably a clean one? So she'd even use a dirty needle on me?

"I think we may have an empty one in here." One of the pilots opens a drawer. "We bought some in case we did find a vaccine to take samples of so you can use it."

She catches the syringe in heroic might. "Alright let's do this!" She jabs the large needle into my arm which makes me howl with pain.

"Why did you have to do it like that?" I say past weeps.

"Almost...Got it." She swirls around my blood in delight and places it onto a vial. "With this, we may have a hope at reviving humanity."

Our ship comes to an abrupt stop. "Ah we have found our ship. Excellent."

I step out of the craft and look over the dark horizon where the island once stood. All that remains is a flaming ball and some sinking buildings. Lucy's vectors appear to be soaring in the distance but now fade. She too has fallen with everything corrupt and evil in that place.

I talk to the sunken landscape. "Don't worry Lucy. I won't let you down. I will make that promise for you and live a comfortable life with Kouta, Yuka, Nozomi, Nana and Mayu."

I am free from the Kakuzawa research facility but what have I left behind? The many people and Silpelits who were brutally slaughtered and sunk with the island. Was all this worth it? What does me fate have in store when I try to reunite with the others of Maple Inn? Find out next chapter.