For the Humanity Within

Disclaimer: Megaman is owned by Capcom but the names used here are meant for fictional purposes. If real names appear here, this is out of coincidence.

Note: I have been waiting for this chapter. Hopefully, you know the drill. I had a thought in it so here it is. Enjoy.

IX. Edge of Reality

A sound of a high pitched beep echoed the room. The screen display of the mobile phone lit up with a message alert. A hand made its reach upon the phone and took it upon its grasp. The thumb made its push upon the button as it revealed a short message upon its display.

"Meet me at my place. This matter is of urgent call. Come ASAP."

The man's gray eyes read the message and winced. He gave a sigh as he gazed at his window and smirked at the sunlight that peered through the curtain. Already dressed, he placed the phone into his holster as he brought the message at the thought of his mind.

"So Criel decided to do this…" Klaha whispered, grasping the black coat lying on the chair. "I'll bring some concerned company along with me…"

He brought the long black coat as he let it hang upon his right shoulder, making his way out of the room. He felt a strange train of uneasiness, hardening its mass upon his stomach. The shivering caress gave its hold upon his body as he took a breath. It was coming to revelation, a truth that he had tried to withhold.

Well, that's something that he has made in his advantage. This will be a long day… Klaha closed the door behind him. He knew deep inside the consequences that'll come after. He closed out the thought of worry as he waited for the two to come out.

Kamui stood beside the white van parked near the house. Leaning his form upon the door of the vehicle, he waited for an arrival. The scarf of blue blocked the cold that caressed his face. He crossed his hands together as he expressionlessly fought the cold. His sneakers tapped upon the pavement, shaking the lining of his jeans. The door of the house opened and revealed his sister dressed in her usual scarlet shirt and dark cargo pants. Her hair of crimson and azure waved along with the wind as she made her way to where Kamui stood.

"So sis, is this really urgent?" Kamui scoffed with his question. "And go out this early?"

Mana smiled whimsically at him. "Yes. It is urgent you know."

Kamui couldn't help but think of the other possibility. "Don't tell me it's your boyfriend."

"Definitely not that prioritized." Mana blocked his words. "Although he's going to be there, what more is there? We have to pick up the others at the park."

Kamui sighed as he remembered Akira and the others. "Oh, that…"

The two entered the van. The vehicle made a slight turn and departed. Making its way through the road, Kamui was gazing through the windshield beside his door. Quiet as he is, he watched the fleeting images drifting through his sight. His mind seemed lost within its refracting illusion until a tap of the shoulder brought his mind to return. He turned his head in a slow pace and saw a phone being handed through his shoulder by Mana's hand while the other hand kept its grip upon the steering wheel. Kamui gave an absent expression, wondering what this signaled him to do.

"Try to give Akira and the others a call." Mana said to him without turning her gaze upon the road. "Tell them we'll meet them at the park."

Kamui silently took the phone and dialed the number. Placing the handset upon his ear, the ringing tone made its duty as it began to resound on the other end. The vehicle went on with its cruising speed, leaving no time to waste upon the moment.

Akira made his stroll from the bathroom, his chestnut brown hair damp with its drops and a towel wrapped around his waist. The ringing of his phone came persistently upon the room as he walked to where it was, pressing a button to respond. The voice echoed loud enough for him to hear within the silent room with the screen flashing 'hands-free mode'.

"Yeah, this is Akira at your service." he answered casually as he rubbed his hair of the droplets that remained. Tossing the towel aside, he took a white shirt and wore it. He was surprised at the answer upon the other line.

"Akira, this is Kamui. Do you have time for today?"

Akira smirked as he took his khaki trousers to his lower side. Placing the button on and zipping it in place, he gave a definite answer. "Come on, I have the whole day. I got this message from Mr. Delacroix. Why'd you ask?"

"So you got the message?"

"Yeah," he replied as he tied the shoelaces of his sneakers. "Is this related to the message?"

"That and the events from before,"

Akira paused for a moment and gave a sigh. He was expecting this one way or the other. Taking the white sleeve warmers and placed the pair upon his arms, he gave his reply.

"Ok, so where do we meet?"

"The park at the plaza, around the fountain,"

"Ok, see ya around." Akira ended his call as he pressed the button on his phone. Then turning to the side of his door, he shouted upon the hallway. "Hey Kaze, we're going."

"What? Where…?" He replied with his voice echoing faintly from one corner.

"To the park," he replied while grabbing the phone upon the dresser. "Tell Mayu and Pai about this."

Akira casually sauntered towards his desk and took his bag. Upon taking that along with him, he left the room with the door closing behind him.

"Kojiro, are you through?" came the question leaving Klaha's lips, standing in wait upon the living room.

From the corridor came Kojiro, placing his gray polo shirt on top of the red long sleeved shirt. He belted his jeans securely and tied his hair soon after. He looked at Klaha, whose hand rose giving a thumb up. He turned back and saw Ciel trailing after, her apparel changed with a pink tank top and a pair of jeans. She looked at Kojiro and smiled.

"So where are we going?" Ciel asked, wondering what this was about.

"To visit someone," Klaha replied, placing the leather gloves from his pocket to his hands. Fitting them dexterously, he gazed at Kojiro and then back at her. "It's a bit urgent that we have to go right away."

Kojiro began to think of the matter. Being reminded of the message that he got on his phone, he smirked as he gazed at his brother. The trio walked out of the house and went to where the motorbikes are parked. Seeing two of these readied, Kojiro turned to his brother.

"Where exactly are we going?" Kojiro asked.

Klaha reached for his bike and mounted himself upon the vehicle. Clasping the helmet, he turned to Kojiro and replied. "Well, to the mountains. Just a bit closer than where I went."

"What?" Kojiro scratched his neck slightly as he looked at Ciel. "Well, that means it's going to be longer of a trip."

"Don't worry Ciel." Klaha said to her. "You'll be ok with this guy. Just remember to hang on."

It was evident that Ciel felt excited. Kojiro sheepishly turned to the bike and grabbed the pair of gloves and fitted them upon his hands. He headed for the garage and came out with an extra helmet, handing it to her soon after. Kojiro brought his helmet upon his head, ready to go. Starting the engine of the motorbike, he looked at Klaha. He nodded as Klaha gave a signal for them to follow his trail. Kojiro turned to Ciel and saw her ready.

"Hang on Ciel, we're going." Kojiro said to her as he revved the throttle and prepared to go.

Klaha pushed his bike with a single step as he propelled himself to move. Kojiro followed behind as they sped through the street and out to the main road. Rushing through the half empty road with velocity, they cruised onwards the route leading towards the northern mountains.

The silence ended quickly. Criel sat on his couch with an expectant mind. .The door crept open, revealing the shadow upon the floor. The footsteps echoed and it brought a familiar man to be welcomed before Criel, silently gestured to take his seat. The stranger raised his hand as he gestured himself to be alright standing, sauntering as he takes his place upon the wall as he leaned upon the surface.

The white van made its mark on the location. Halting upon the space near the square, Kamui walked his way towards the fountain, seeing the vehicle not to be that far. Sauntering towards the meeting place, he caught the sight of Akira waiting along with Kaze and the rest. A smirk broke out upon Akira's face as he saw Kamui arrive. He wouldn't say a word.

"Kamui, where are we going?" Akira asked with his hands digging upon his pockets.

Kamui raised his hand, gesturing his thumb upon the farther side behind him where the van was parked. Kaze clasped his card deck and touched the tip of his hat as he revealed himself to Kamui. Placing the cards back on the belt bag buckled on his jeans, he then fixed his purple shirt as he walked. "Let's go then."

Pai followed with her usual smile. Dressed in a short skirt and a sweater, she frolicked towards the van. Mayu followed silently as she eyed Kamui and Akira. The earphones of her player remained on her ears as she walked along towards the van, the clothing of her usual shorts and shirt giving shape to her figure. Akira and Kamui remained standing before the fountain with the waters making their display. Kamui sensed the thoughts that clouded Akira's concern; he seemed to have read them before he could even speak of it.

"Kamui, they can't be involved in this. They have nothing to do with this." Akira raised his comment.

Kamui sighed as he would have expected. He flipped the scarf over his shoulder as he broke his silence. "I know that but we have no choice. They should come with us."

Both of these young men turned to the vehicle waiting for them. Seeing Mana's hand being waved upon the air, they sauntered their way to the van. Kamui said nothing as he stepped inside and took his seat on the front row, merely glancing at his palm that laid itself upon the door. His mind wandered further as they left the vicinity, on their way to the northern mountains.

Akira felt his stomach growl, echoing within the car. Kaze lazily shuffled and played the cards to his fingers. Mayu leaned her head sleepily on Kaze's shoulder while the song played within her ears. Pai was quiet, gazing at the view given upon the window. She turned to Akira who feels hunger running along with the boredom running in.

"Man, I feel hungry."

"Try the basket that I placed there." Mana said to him out of sudden moments. "I have made some snacks for all of us. Go ahead, get them."

"You mean this one?" Pai asked curiously, holding a blue basket. Upon opening its lid, she took a sandwich wrapped in table napkins and tossed it to Akira. "Here Akira,"

Akira caught the food tossed at him and began eating. Kamui silently watched the view unravel as they came near the northern mountains.

Moments have made their passing. Criel remained in his seat as he noticed these guests that he has expected. A smile crawled its way to his face as he gestured his hand to take their comfort in their seats. Klaha only stood and leaned his back upon the wall behind where Kojiro sat. Ciel gazed quietly at Criel upon seeing him; Akira sat on the very end of the couch along with Kaze. Mayu and Pai were together on the other couch as Kamui took the solitary chair. Mana situated herself with Klaha as she sat on the chair beside him. Everything seemed silent when Criel began to speak.

"I believe you know why all of you are here today." Criel started, the fingers of his right hand tapped with alacrity and leisure. "I must beg for your forgiveness for disturbing all of you but I shall make this worthwhile. And also for the trouble that has been passing."

Akira began his question as soon as Criel paused. "Teacher, what's going on? What were those things that attacked us?"

"What's going on sir? We want to know." Kaze added.

Criel raised his hand to halt them. "One at a time," he closed his eyes and took a breath as he gave a look at Mana and Klaha then turning to the students that are before him. "You see, there is a situation that has been taking place. It has troubled all of us that it targeted you. The creatures that resembled human forms that attacked you, those are from the Illuminati. These beings are engineered soldiers that are crafted by the order to do their bidding. They're called the Necro Legion."

"What are they? This Illuminati…?" Kamui raised his query.

"They are an organization that has been causing the troubles here behind the scenes. These events are the reason behind the ambush made to you." Criel paused for a moment as he closed his eyes and clasped his face. Unhinging his hand from his face, he lowered it again and grasped the side of his chair, opening his eyes soon after. "And not long ago, we faced them. I faced them along with some others who aided me."

The room became silent upon hearing the last statement. Kamui and the others seemed puzzled with his words. What could this mean? Criel grimaced at the fact of his past that it has come to this. He had no choice on the matter, might as well tell them.

"Before you ask the question on what I am, I should rather do the liberty of answering it. I am one of a group of watchers called the Zodiac Collective. I was an agent who was assigned to protect and undergo the apprenticeship of one of the two well known men that have been well known in the field of technology. I was assigned to Dr. Thomas Xavier Light, an expert in the field of robotics and nanotechnology. My partner was assigned to Dr. Albert Wily. I presume you've heard of them."

Everyone was at a shock upon hearing this nugget of facts, except Klaha and Mana. Kojiro mused over the name that crossed his ears. Kamui turned to Mana upon hearing the statement. Akira and the rest, including Ciel, seemed to shake their heads upon hearing prominence come to play. Criel had no choice. He then continued.

"Their project caught the interest of the Illuminati." Criel smirked as he shifted his legs, raising his right leg as it crossed and rested on the other lap. "This project is known as the Philemon project, a study focused on creating new sides to the altered humanity. Hearing about the work that they had, they began to target these two people. Being both the agent and the apprentice of the good doctor, I faced them and fought for good sakes. The tragedy took place with a city being destroyed during the battle."

It seemed too much for them to understand. These teens should know at least, being dragged to this unknown maelstrom of chaos. Kamui clenched his fist upon imagining the whole image. Releasing his hand from the tension, he turned to Criel and raised his own question but he waited for the right moment. And that was now.

"Sir, what just happened to Kojiro, Akira and I?" he asked.

"When you fought the Blood Flaw, the clawed beings in gray, something within you opened and awakened." Criel explained. "This is called the inner humanity. Only a few people are chosen to have them. And each person has its own manifestation. For your case Kamui, it's the energy discharged from your body and that strange distortion upon your hand. For Kojiro, it took its form as a weapon. It varies."

Criel rose from his seat upon the explanation. Everyone was bewildered. He turned to the pair behind them as he smiled at them. "I'll need your assistance, Klaha, Mana."

Mana and Klaha gave a nod, responding to him. Criel snapped his fingers as the room changed and darkened. Everything around them faded, only the people in the room remained as the environs of the living room vanished and a white hall was revealed with symbols at every wall making their distinct glow. Kaze and Akira stood alongside Mayu and Pai. Mana and Klaha were there as well along with Ciel. The only ones missing are Kamui and Kojiro. This puzzled the students yet the awe took much more to them.

"Inner Humanity, 'tis a side to a person that lies within his or her heart as it resides alongside the person. It's said that some of them are existences of former lives. It is what runs within us as a part of our well being.

"The Altered Humanity…this is an attempt to replicate a higher version of Humanity. It is a case of potential aid. Also called Reploids by a few, they may be close to being in the likeness of humans but still distinct from them."

Kamui stood on his own, finding himself somewhere else. A forest surrounded him while a light of the crimson sky danced above him. The light with its orange glow flowed through the branches. The mist amplified its unnatural work. Now this has given Kamui a case of isolation. Wondering where the others are, he kept calm and wished for their safety.

"What is this place?" he whispered to himself as he took a few steps. "This isn't what I remembered coming to."

The wind made its passing as the trees resonated. But something else was coming forth towards where he was. And this quick flash that came in velocity collided towards the ground, sending its explosion. Kamui stepped back in time, evading the blast that rushed forth towards him. The scorched earth sizzled with black smoke as a shadow was cast before it. The scarf and its amber shade, the sunglasses and the crimson coat gave away its image. He stood still upon the branches of the trees. Kamui looked upon the direction where it came from, looking up towards the tree where the shadow came from. And a surprised look fell upon his face upon seeing this stranger.

"Brother…" Kamui gasped as he looked at him.

Within a darkness enveloping Kojiro, he was left to shock within this solitude. Standing within a shroud that surrounded him, he could not hear any sound nor sense anything. It seemed to be close to death. The cold sensation that crept upon his skin and the darkness that seemed to have overtaken has brought him to feel an eerie aura take over.

"……the end of dream……"

Klaha felt his chest pound in an unexplained moment. The shock gave its effect on him as he began to feel weakened at some point. Mana came to his aid and held him to support.

"Klaha, what's wrong?" Mana asked with a tone of worry in her voice.

Mana stood helplessly as Klaha fell upon her shoulders. His body felt strength draining him with a shivering sensation piercing within. She could only hold him in her arms, trying to find a way to help him. Criel took note of this as he came to his side. The other students gathered upon the couple, thinking of a way to aid him while a run of panic shook half of them.

"…I guess…this is what it means to be bound…" Klaha whispered to Mana's ear as he smirked, shivering. "Strange to have two people in the same fate…"

How strange the chosen ones are bound together. Especially those who are brothers…

(End of Chapter 9)

Author's tête-à-tête

The pasts revealed once more. Now that the truth hangs in the balance, will this play with the ache of the soul and sanity alike? Only the chosen will decide.

Enjoy the special chapter that I have prepared along the way. Please review both of them. Forgive me for the delays; writing both at once is tricky to take a week in making them.

And now the special guests…They're too obvious. Now do these…Give me a theory behind their appearance here and their involvement here in the story, please?

Reviews, suggestions and comments are appreciated.

Sydney Grise