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: This chapter is written for storyline purposes. You'll understand why….Refer to Chapter 9 for details.…

S-Conscious: Interlude of Crimson

Darkness welcomed the disembodied self that has to witness what comes before them all. Confused for the pitch black veiling that welcomed him, he could only feel the vast cold enveloping his form. It was grim in nature. But the haze of lost visibility began to fade as it settled. Images blended with their colors as they clashed through, silhouettes forming upon the haze. Little by little, it was making sense as it formed its own as each detail forms from the shroud of blur.

The image made its mark, letting it settle into definite form. The colors settled and the clarity much accurate. A sphere of its crystalline form encased a body that has been dormant. Curled up together in its slumber, its legs folded together with its arms crossing together upon its chest, its body was already developed. It was clad in crimson armor with hints of black upon certain parts. Protruding from the back of his head upon where the helm was placed were long strands of blond hair. Upon its back was the main cord that held its binding and a few more wires that branched from different corners. The cylindrical room where it was placed echoed with emptiness. But only one man stood beholding the being.

The man smiled with a glow of achievement upon his face. His hands placed upon the pocket of his white lab coat, he beheld it with his gray eyes through his glasses that sat upon the bridge of his nose. His hair of golden blond was brushed up neatly as he stood there with an aura of awe.

"It's complete at last. My creation has made it through." He said within the emptiness with a tone of glory. "My son…"

The door behind him slid open as two strangers entered the room, dressed in black. A young man with platinum hair bound in a ponytail sauntered, the train of his trench coat danced and quivered upon the rushed motion of his arrival. Clasping a cane-like object upon his hand, he halted as he stood a bit distant from the good doctor. His companion made his stand behind the former, dressed in the same manner as he. His hair was neatly styled as its straight manner trailed upon his head.

"Maestro Albert," the man spoke to the doctor, clasping his cane and making its point touch the metallic floor. He reached his hand to him, offering a handshake. "I would like to congratulate you for the completion."

"Thank you," Albert replied to the young visitor. "You must be the apprentice that Thomas had mentioned earlier on. Any news you have brought of this good friend of mine?"

"Sir, he sends his tidings to you. He would have been celebrating with you right now." He smiled as he brought his hand back to the 'cane'. His hands rested upon the ball-like tip. "So to speak, he's on his way."

"I see. Very well, let's wait on then…Mr.—"

"Delacroix."

"What's going on? What is father doing here? And I've seen this man before but where?"

On that same room once more, the emptiness took over but leaving the impression of this bound creation. Everything faded as it showed another image. This time, the silence once more took the majority of everything. Light crept in the room as it focused on one point, revealing someone before him. Dressed in a school uniform, his gray eyes gaze upon the dormant one. His hair of blond bound together in a ponytail, his face bore familiarity and youth of early years. He stood before the crimson being with a curious yet enchanted stare as he reveled quietly.

"Wait…is this……me?"

He remained with his stare, as if bound to look at it continually without end. Standing before this form of unknown nature, the young one looked at it. Engulfed with an unmeasured peculiar familiarity, it seemed forever still as impressed by the halting time. As this took place, another one entered. Approaching this young longhaired blond was a young man who was older than him around three more years. He bore short hair of platinum and wore the same uniform as the other. Giving a warm smile to him, he beckoned the long haired boy to follow him.

"Brother, let's go elsewhere." The platinum haired boy said to him. "He's looking for us."

The young one agreed to his brother's offer. Both of them sauntered away as they both left the scene. The door slid open as both vanished to the light from outside. The door slid back to close once more, leaving the empty room and the sleeping being behind. Echoes of a ticking clock made its resound. The silence that deemed eternity ran its deep resolve. Thoughts dance within and without, making its premise to questions.

"What is going on? Brother…Father…and I…could this be…?"

What is behind the doors of tomorrow? What is behind the mirror that circles itself in a hall of longing? You question much for your favor…now I show you who you are…the end of dream…

The voice was distinct in its manner of mind. It echoed in his head. Making its way to his conscience, the darkness faded as the light peered in as it filled everything in its white blaze. The light began to settle in gradual state as the spherical bind vanished and the wires and the cord that kept the body of the crimson clad being vanished. Only the form in its dormant state, curled upon like a child. The light seemed still as the white outlay vanished and revealed the same room where it was.

It differed now. The walls are broken and destroyed. Flames consumed everything around it. Bodies of dead fallen upon the face of the earth and the sight of destruction brought everything to a surprise. The sky was dark with the smoke caused by the blazing inferno. And beside the debris that was affront the crimson one, two bodies lying before him were found. The same blond one with long hair lay motionless, his back leaning upon a portion of a wall. Beside him was a body of a girl, dressed in school uniform. Her chestnut brown hair was marred with the dust as strands of her hair partly cover her face.

Upon the farther side, two silhouettes reveal themselves. A man dressed in white, his hair of blond with its short length danced with the breeze passing. His hand was stretched as he beckoned mockingly by the gesture of his finger. Wearing a grin denoting evil intent, he made his mark of provoking the other. The other raised his blade of light, a slight curve made its shape resembling a katana. His hair of platinum in its short length danced with the wind whilst the inferno raged. Soon after, two people rushed upon his side. One of them bore a yellow scarf upon his neck, dressed also in school uniform. The other came towards the direction of the blond boy, coming to the young one's aid. She remained upon the side of the two unconscious individuals as the other two made their confrontation.

"I can't let you go any further, Shuen." the platinum haired one said to him with the blade raised. "This madness is sickening."

This adversary smirked and chuckled with his mad laugh. He gazed at them with madness and malice as he replied. "And what are you going to do about it?"

The scarf bearing one replied with his hand channeling energy upon his palm. "I'll make sure you won't come back." Without any hesitation, he released the shot upon Shuen. He then turned to the other. "Klaha, go and make your move. We have no choice about this."

Klaha nodded as he dashed upon the side and followed Shuen's form that dodged the shot on that direction. Klaha smirked as he then stopped from his tracks. A gust of wind made its mark as a silhouette left his body dashing its way towards Shuen, striking with a horizontal slash. It grazed upon Shuen as the blow made its hit. Crazed, he gave out a wave of energy in its crescent shape. Klaha dashed aside to evade, his blade charged to its anticipation. Shuen charged forth and lunged himself towards Klaha but was interrupted with a blast of plasma colliding upon his body. Dazed, he turned and was about to counter when a powerful flash of energy broke his guard and gave him enough damage. He turned and noticed Klaha's saber letting out a geyser of energy while Shuen's body was thrown even further.

Enraged, Shuen charged his way towards Klaha as his body resonated with an ominous purple aura. Klaha's ally began charging his own energy and channeled it into his own form. He dashed on and gave a thumb up at Klaha.

"Klaha, I'll take care of it." he said with a daring tone.

"Takenori…" Klaha muttered. Upon reading the plan in mind, he smiled and agreed as he faced Shuen. His hand began to glow as the tips of his fingers began to glow. Energy began to gather upon his palm as it enveloped his hand. Clenching it into a fist, the sphere of energy gave its distinct solid glow as he waited for the right moment. Shuen lunged fort with his form towards Klaha as his body flared with energy and made its collision course. Klaha took a deep breath and waited as he approached inch by inch. Takenori jumped and made his body ready for his move to be executed.

The young blond opened his eyes. The images of lights began to surround his form. Yet, the aura of white took over and averted his mind. Seeing an empty white room, he stood there as if time itself halted. And affront him was a mirror where his reflection was seen. It seemed normal, nothing came to thought. But gradually, it was taking its course. The feeling of peculiarity took its toll as the image before him changed. It bore the same face, but the body that revealed itself was clad in an armor of crimson and black. Upon that moment, a voice echoed within his head.

I'm you…and you will be me…You question your identity, face me when the time comes.

This crimson reflection raised his hand and placed it upon the surface of the mirror. The young blond seemed reluctant to this action.

Similar yet different, I'll teach you soon.

The young man raised his hand and brought his palm to touch the surface of crystalline making. His hand met the palm of the other, the light flashed upon the convergence. The image reverted to where it was. And the clock seemed to tick in time with the pulse of his heart.

Shuen was coming close to the blow. He was about to make his mark.

Klaha smirked as the time came to play. The sphere of luminescence that covered his palm resonated. He brought his hand to a quick descend as it collided upon the ground. A pillar of light shone from where he stood, giving its blow of destructive force.

At that same moment, Takenori brought his form upon Shuen. His body made its comet like velocity as he ignited with energy. His form flared in raging force as it gave off an aura of pure force. This collided in time with the light pillar that awakened.

All this taking into play, the light flashed and enveloped everything into the blinding curtain. Everything seemed to have vanished, leaving no trace of it any longer. Now that all of this is over, he was on his knees to the ground. The resemblance of the living room came about; an empty room is what it became.

Gazing at the wooden floor of Criel's house, his hands shuddered as he tried to still himself. But a tear rolled from his eye down to his cheek. Unable to fathom what has taken place, he fell silent.

"What…am I…?" this question left his lips with a stutter.

"Kojiro, please be calm." A familiar voice, female, and sweet, gave its comforting words.

(End of the Crimson)

Author's tête-à-tête

How will he face them now? What does this mean? The pain of the truth brings its heavy note. A pang of despair, agony and guilt mingle in one cocktail of masks.

Now that I have said it, try to figure this thing out and how it's connected. For the characters, try to guess who they are. I won't say their names this time.

I hope you enjoyed this interlude. To think that I took a week for these two, whew that's a lot of brain frying.

Please review. Comments and suggestions are alright, I'm open for them. Thanks.

Sydney Grise