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.

XVI. Rendezvous

The bell rung with its herald of the day's end, marking the sessions of the day concluded. The campus doors opened as students flocked on their way out. Some students went to their clubs for practice and meetings, the other students went on their ways and left the school. Criel watched the students in their departure from above, standing on the rooftop with his eyes beholding their path and the view of the orange sun careening on the horizon. He placed his left hand within the pocket of his gray coat that topped the shirt of dark blue bound with a black necktie. The wind came with its breeze as it passed him, fluttering the edge of his gray trousers and coat, his hair of platinum bound on his back remained secured as the stray strands on his bangs followed the cool caress of the air. He closed his eyes as he brought his hand out, taking a pair of glasses from his pocket. As he unfolded the eyewear and brought it secure unto his face, he gave a sigh.

"What brings you here? Are you here for a visit or for a consultation?" Criel asked in his usual calm and casual tone, not turning from his position.

"Your senses have not dulled even for a moment. It's no surprise why Father took you in as his apprentice." A voice came to echo in response, masculine in tone yet its age still bore youth in its pitch. "You must have expected my arrival somehow, Kreuz von Schwarz."

Criel snickered upon hearing that forgotten name. "Only a few could remember that name. And that's the second time this week."

He turned around; facing what was behind him in a distance. What caught his sight was a young man, standing before him with a familiar resemblance. The denim windbreaker that covered his white t-shirt matched its shade with the jeans that he wore. He took a few steps forward; the sound on his sneakers was muffled by the wind that blew between them. He placed his gloved hand on his waist at ease, his bare fingers that came through the holes of the glove rested on the edges of the back pocket. The air moved almost at a constant pace on the rooftop, brushing both the strands of platinum on Criel's head and on the visitor's layered hair of black. He gazed at Criel in the eye, hazel eyes meeting with the eyes bearing mingling shades of azure and carmine as it settled to purple irises.

"So it seems you have something to do with me, Alecsi Light." Criel added. A smirk came to his face as he addressed the man. "What did you come here for?"

"I came here with my own reasons." Alecsi replied. "One of those reasons, you could have guessed already."

Criel straightened the expression of his face, taking a serious mood in it. He took his hands to his side, feeling that his motive has been confirmed. "That would mean you're here for you children, correct?"

Alecsi gave a nod and spoke once more. "But that's not the only reason."

Criel closed his eyes, reminded of the memories that came to appear before him. The wind came to stir again, pushing him to entice the thoughts of doubt that was always coming to mind. His hand shook with agitation, despite the calm countenance on his face. He sighed, waiting for the moment to subside as a query left his lips.

"Tell me, have you borne us any qualm or grudge for what you've become. Do you still bear any of those with me?"

Alecsi stared at the platinum-haired man, fallen silent to the sudden question. His emotions and his well-being, questioned at the face of the man who almost bore similarity in form. His eyes came to take in every detail of his guise, comparing it to the image that he remembered for the years that have passed; the image of a man clad with a lab coat that stood observing alongside his father. Alecsi blinked once, seeing now the man that stood before him.

"Though I am grateful for making me go this far in blurring the line between humanity and mere dolls, you could say I have been better." He replied with sarcasm. "Though I am not human to begin with, you gave me a chance to be one despite the factors that set me apart from them."

He stretched his hand, his palm facing the direction of the man. His forearm began to glow as lines of azure light came to inscribe the limb with patterns resembling circuits of energy. The veins of light came to reach the tips of his fingers, setting glowing points on the phalanges as it set the palm to luminescence. He smirked at Criel, a point pressed at the words that he then uttered. "And this is one of them…"

On that spur of the moment, a burst of energy left Alecsi's hand. The blast of charged energy rushed to the air at its influx. Criel flinched upon seeing this sudden action. He careened to the side, hurling his form to the right to dodge the energy shot. His hands came forth, meeting the ground where his body will land as he propped his form to a quick roll and recovered his ground. Kneeling as he landed, he tensed his legs and charged forward. His hand gathered energy, setting light to amass on his palm as it began to take shape. The light came to an elongated shape, setting its defined form as the shaft was now in his palm's grasp. The aura surrounding the object settled as the spearhead pierced through the light. Alecsi sidestepped to his left from the incoming pole arm, evading the skewering strike and propped his hand to send a charged shot. Criel snickered as he clasped the shaft with his freehand and twirled his spear at a vertical direction, circling once to brush aside Alecsi's arm and setting an opening. He then shoved the spear with its diagonal ascent, rising from the dextral region and almost near his opponent's torso. Alecsi felt his aim deflected from his mark, releasing the shot to the ground. The shock of the impact brought his form to rise slightly, add to that the blow of the spear that launched him to the air. Gaining distance from his foe, he brought his form to recover equilibrium in midair and set his palm to Criel's direction, a series of blasts surging from the limb towards his target. Seeing the incoming fluxes of energy rushing to where he stood, Criel twirled his weapon in front of him and deflected the projectiles at ease. He brought his spear to align on his back, set in a stance as he watched Alecsi land to the rooftop with ease.

"You really are a true masterpiece, Alecsi, comparable to your counterpart and might even surpass it. A Progenitor such as you truly leaves me in awe." Criel remarked nonchalantly.

"And you could still hold your own ground, even if you're holding back." Alecsi replied to him as his posture came to hold its guard.

"So you've noticed." He chuckled upon hearing them. "Well, you leave me no choice."

Criel closed his eyes as light emanated from his body as it began to take its distance from the ground. Levitating from his foothold, he rose to the air with his arms curled together to stabilize his body. He let out a breath, setting a pair of black wings to sprout from his back and span with its nigresence. Black feathers danced to the wind, circling to the tides of the air. The spear that he held began to glow, the light giving its mold to change its guise. The spearhead came to craft its crescent tip, forming its heavy curved head that gleamed with its sharp edge. The shaft and the pommel once more crafted its ornate pieces, light disbursed as the transformation was settled. Gazing at Alecsi, he raised his voice to him.

"What now, Alecsi? What sayeth you?" Criel asked him, his tone remained unchanged in resolve yet his voice mingled with an electric tune.

"It's fitting, for a member of the Four Guardians, Kreuz von Schwarz." Alecsi replied with a scoff.

"Let me test you this once…." Criel rebutted on the mocking tone given in response.

He grinned as he clasped his scythe, the black wings on his back angled in its tension. The air stirred as it compressed behind him to where the wings were. The wave caused by the pressure made him charge forth with velocity, rushing to where Alecsi stood. He brought his scythe back, preparing his weapon to initiate a glide hook stroke. The distance was being shortened. The gap was coming to a close as he rushed towards his opponent. Criel was ready to smite his opponent with one blow.

Alecsi waited, his body instilling its own veil of aura. His foe was coming fast, rushing with a powerful blow that could claim his life. He could hear the air whistle as the distance drew near. He raised both hands affront his form, his tarsals stressed unto the ground as he watched the scythe being swung to him. The two figures collided, their clash welcomed by a flash of light that filled the sky with its white span. As the white flash dispersed, Criel came to a startled gaze in its discovery. Alecsi's arms were able to stop the scythe, the shaft not coming to contact with his hands. The arms itself were clad in crimson gauntlets. The hands were covered with the metal gloves, the forearms with the bracers of carmine. The shoulders were placed with pauldrons connected to the cuirass on his chest. Criel smirked upon seeing these things manifest on Alecsi.

"The Armor Manifestation, as expected." He retorted coldly, finding this as a result of the battle. "This led you to be here. To let your children learn of this. But I doubt to test it to me again is your reason here."

"I have a message for you, Criel." Alecsi replied. "I'm here to deliver it."

Criel flapped his wings in a single stroke, pulling his form back a bit to take distance. Landing on his feet once more, he straightened his posture and gazed at Alecsi's armored state. He took a gasp of air and brought his wings to disperse into the air, bursting to a flock of feathers that vanished into dust. The scythe on his hand was dispelled, dematerializing in a flash of light. Alecsi followed suit and brought the armor pieces to evanesce in the crimson aura that cloaked him. Appearing once more in their normal states, Criel raised his query as his curiosity was stirred.

"And this message, what is it? To whom did it come from?" Criel asked.

"It came from her, if you get my point." Alecsi replied.

Criel was taken back; the hint given about the sender took him to silent pondering. He knew that premise of who Alecsi was referring to. He kept his composure as he asked Alecsi to continue. "Go on, what is this message?"

"The stage is set for all of us." Alecsi began with the message. "The Illuminati has made its move and has sent their elite to meet here in this city. Extreme actions might be considered. Now is the time for all of us to act and gather strength. We must also consider the consequences of our actions."

"They're making a move…" Criel pondered. "…and seems like they want to obtain 'it'."

"Their setting their plans to the next phase and they want the results. There's another message that she wanted me to tell you."

"What is it?" Criel asked.

"She wants to meet you alone, tonight on the fountain. It must be a private matter." Alecsi replied.

Criel snickered as he turned his gaze to the setting sun. "I see. What about you?"

Alecsi sauntered towards the farther side of the rooftop, his back turned on Criel as he gazed at the painted sky. Letting another aura surround his form, he snickered as he looked over his right shoulder. "I'll meet with the eldest."

From his back came to form six protrusions, resembling wings in their aligned structure, folded in their initial state. He gazed at the sky as the wings began to span open, energy gathered on the arrays and brought its force to lift him to the air. Speeding to the air as he left a sonic boom behind him, he rushed through the sky and left no trail. Criel watched him soar through the heavens when the door opened to interrupt his moment. A man darted out from the door, his apparel of olive green in its suit accenting with his brown hair. Gazing at Criel, he was left clueless of the events. He turned his head to the sky, wondering what was going on.

"Did I miss anything? What happened here?" He asked, panting as he caught his breath.

Criel shook his head, calm in countenance in his reply. "Nothing, Alex. It's just a parent-teacher consultation."

"What?" the man reacted with slight confusion.

Criel turned towards the door, his hand within a pocket of his trousers. He laid a hand on his shoulder and made his fingers tap on it. "Let's go, we have to meet up with Lucia today. It's something urgent."

The orange rays of the sun peered through the branches of the woods, giving a shower of gentle light. Passing through the forest after a while, Takenori left the repose of the mansion, treading through the trail within the woods as he departs once more for his travels. The gentle breeze came to pass him by, brushing through his ruffled hair of black and the yellow scarf that circled his neck with its length flowing on his back. The edges of his carmine coat danced, revealing the black trousers and the white t-shirt clad within. The shoes continued to trample on the dried grass as he sauntered, following the trail as his mind drifted.

So many secrets are hidden in our blood. What more is there? He pondered, his hands feeling tense on his sides. The cause of power surging with Mana and myself, Model X being embedded within Kamui's body, for what reason did he have? More likely, the boy with long hair may have Model Zero in him without knowing. I doubt if Klaha made it known to him. But what purpose do we have now?

He halted upon reaching the flat ground within the woods, stirred by something amiss within the area. The air seemed thick, carrying an essence of a certain presence within the vicinity. He came vigilant on the moment, wondering which direction the source could be. His eyes came to a close, feeling the presence and discerning the source itself. The quiet that surrounded them came to a shatter as a voice echoed.

"You still remain vigilant and prepared, though you seem calmer this time." The voice remarked with its words stirring the air.

Takenori opened his eyes, seeing the figure that stood before him. He recognized the denim windbreaker coating the white shirt on his chest, the pair of jeans mingling with the apparel and the layered black strands that he sported. Bearing its youthful face, Takenori shook his head upon recognizing the identity borne.

"Father…" he called, his reaction taken to a startled form. Unable to comprehend the reason for his appearance, he wished to raise that in words.

"It's been long, my son. And I'll cut to the chase. I'm here for an urgent call." Alecsi stated with a casual tone, paternal authority hinted with his voice.

Takenori gazed at his father, clenching his fist. He was unable to discern his father's motive. His voice grew cold in his reply of inquiry. "What do you want?"

"I'm here to make you stronger, Kamui and Mana as well." Alecsi replied. "The time for you to inherit the key for your true power has come. Now, show me what you've learned so far."

Alecsi clenched his fist, lights began to outline through his arm in its circuital paths as it filled his arm with its intricate marks. The flow of energy has begun to surge and circulate, amassing to his body and to his arm. Takenori stood his ground, his arm begun to summon its array with its circles rotating in countering directions as they set to alignment. The flow of energy came to circulate his body as well, preparing for a battle that will come. His eyes turned to its scarlet gleam, beholding a gaze to his father. Alecsi smirked as he waited; the aura lining his body began to flicker. Both men waited for the moment, a signal to instigate their battle. A twig snapped through the fine silence of the woods. Its sound gave its call as both men jumped back. Takenori raised his hand, aiming it to his father as he unleashed his attack. A beam of light surged from his hand, its blast width could almost engulf his body. Alecsi unleashed his move, firing the same shot with equal intensity. The beams of energy came to meet; the center of the impact gave a powerful shockwave due to its intensity. The environs of where the shots met shattered the trees and the ground came scorched with its immense power. Pushing the two at a considerable distance, Takenori took the chance and dispersed the beam. He landed on the ground and as his feet met the gentle earth, he charged his way towards his adversary. Alecsi came near to a tree as he was launched to the air due to his shot. He flipped his body and brought his legs to meet the trunk, curling his legs and made a springboard of the towering tree. Propelling his body with that motion, he channeled energy to his hand and made a number of charged shots to his son. Seeing the blasts of energy coming for him, Takenori took quick dashes as he dodged them, zigzagging his way through them. His eyes flickered, switching its gleam of crimson to gray. The arrays realigned once more as he kept his gaze at his father.

Takenori launched his form to the air, meeting the incoming figure of his father that was also rushing towards him. The arrays came to flash, veiling his hand with energy as it revealed array bars paralleled as it protruded from his wrist. Two bars were found aligned on the sides of his palm, one on the back of his hand. Energy surged on the bars as he came to strike. He gave a thrusting stroke with his arm, aimed at the incoming adversary. The man was prepared, his hand channeling another shot. As both men came to collide with their attacks, a flash of light filled the impact between them that its white span could give a blinding veil.

The wind whistled freely as it rushed to the ears of the young man. The breeze continued to brush the long mane of blond as its length flowed over his shoulders and to his back. A long host of his wavy strands obscured the sinistral half of his face. His visage that bore the radiance of his seemingly pale skin reflected the gentle rays of the sun. His eyes of emerald came to overlook the vast view of the city as he stood near the edge of the rooftop. His hands rested on his sides, feeling the cold air pass his body and his black garments. Taking a breath in a sigh of waiting, his toils ended when the faint clattering of footsteps came to his ears as a voice bade its heralding.

"Sorry, I'm late." The voice came to stir his ears. The young man turned to see the newcomer, his black overcoat wrapped snuggly to cover his inner garments. The long blond strands rested still while a few were combed by the wind. His eyes gazed at the man, his hand remaining still on his side.

He beheld him, gazing at the white coat topped over his purple shirt and black trousers. The glasses resting on the bridge of his nose gave its gleam as the purple eyes gazed back at the blond stranger. The short strands of his white bangs were brushed away from his face, setting it along with the rest of his black hair.

"You took long, Mikagami. But never as long as the other two." He remarked with a sly tone within his voice, partly light yet deep.

"As you were saying, Tetsu?" A voice came to interrupt with its hoarse and aggressive tone.

Mikagami chuckled slightly, a smirk marking his face. Two figures came to join them in their assembly. One of them was clad in a gray shirt and faded jeans, topped with a purple vest as the sneakers matched his attire. The long strands of platinum lay flowing with its length reaching only half of his back. The tinted sunglasses rested on his head, acting as a makeshift headband. The other was clad with a t-shirt of gray, matched with cargo pants of dark green and a pair of combat boots. His shaved head gave its fierce tone to his outlook, his eyes bore depth. Tetsu laid his gaze on the three, time was already running then.

"Mikagami." He called as he gazed at the one on the center.

He gave a nod of response to his call, denoting his presence.

"Dyne." He gazed at the platinum-haired youth on Mikagami's left and called his name.

"Oh yeah!" Dyne responded with a hint of its laid-back nature.

"Valence." Tetsu turned to the man on Mikagami's right.

Valence snorted, crossing his arms together as he stood.

"Now that we're here, it's time to initiate the next phase of the plan. Remember your assignments." Tetsu stated. "Now let's recap on our tasks."

"I'll infiltrate the school and initiate the Outbreak operation on the students." Dyne proceeded with his statement. "And along with that, wreak some havoc with the masses with the utilization of the affliction of the Nightmare."

"I'll take the military facilities and prepare the weapons for the Chaos operation." Valence spoke. "Thereon, the government will do nothing but yield."

"And I'll take the first step. That is to take the catalyst of our plan. That girl will serve as our vessel." Mikagami stated.

"There…to send this nation to its knees. They will see us, the Illuminati." Tetsu concluded. "These phases of our plan will take place in designated times. Once we are able to complete them, nothing can stop us."

Tetsu snapped his fingers, signaling its call as eight circles came to appear from the air. Eight symbols came to inscribe within the circles as they gazed at them. Mikagami brought his finger to his glasses, pushing the frame to align as he gazed at Tetsu.

"You plan to take the aid of the Eight Judges with this phase?" Mikagami asked.

"It will make things worthwhile." Tetsu answered. "The Chosen will pose much opposition. More likely, you will need to use your Star Creations as well. They're not to be taken lightly."

The gathering paused, everything falling silent on that interval. The array of where the eight symbols appeared evanesced as Tetsu closed his palm. He sauntered past them, halting his pace as he now stood behind Mikagami.

"You might only do this for vengeance while I do this to fulfill my desire. Maybe we can bring 'him' to take care of the rest." Tetsu said in the air, treading further from the group. He raised his hand, giving a gesture to move. "The time has come, let's go."

The night sky glittered with its stellar gems. The moon sat on the sky with its crescent form, taking watch on those within the city below. The square was now filled with a few people; some are on their way home. Criel sauntered with a company. Ciel sauntered ahead freely, clad in her school uniform. Kojiro was just behind her, within the sight of Criel's watchful eye. They had their fill of the moment with him watching them. Out of the stillness of the moment, a sudden flash in his mind came to Criel that it made him pause awhile. A thought, a message, came to cross his mind as its content made its work.

"Criel, your daughter is waiting at the train station. Bring someone to pick her up. I'm with her at the moment." The mental transmission came with this message.

Ciel and Kojiro were looking at him, wondering what came wrong. He simply smiled at them, piecing in the reply to the transmission. "Lucia, I'll send Ciel and Kojiro to pick her up. I'll send them now, just wait for them."

Criel ambled towards Kojiro and Ciel. He placed his hands on their shoulders, a smile with its warmth marking his face. "Ciel, Kojiro, there's something I'd like you to do."

Ciel tilted his head while Kojiro kept a listening ear. "What is it, dad?" She asked.

"I would like you to go to the train station and meet up with Lucia. There's something that she has to talk to you about. Bring Kojiro along too."

The two nodded. Ciel went steps ahead. Kojiro looked at Criel and asked. "What about you, Mr. Delacroix?"

"I have something urgent to attend to." Criel answered.

The two began to walk away, heading for the black bike that Kojiro parked on the corner. Criel turned his direction and made his way to the park. Following the walkway, he proceeded to where the fountain was.

The fountain continued to sprinkle with its crystalline waters. The lights gave its vibrant colors with its flow. The vicinity was empty on that time of the night, spare one who sat on the edge in waiting. Criel caught a glimpse of the white figure seated there, her long blond hair flowing straightly on her back. Her legs were steady, covered by the white coat while the black leggings hugged her long limbs as it matched her boots. The woman turned to the newcomer, her hands resting on her lap as she smiled.

"It's been long Criel." She said to him in a gentle welcome. Her voice was calm and deep, soothing to the ear.

Criel recognized the woman's features. The face itself gave its identity, still bearing its beauty from long ago. The blond hair complemented her fine features, the youthful look remained on her face. The golden ring still rested on the finger of her left hand, the band still upholding its oath. Criel ambled closer to the woman, her name once more surfacing his thoughts.

"Beatrice, my love." He uttered her name, his hand offered to her to take as it beckoned her to stand.

Beatrice smiled, taking his hand as she rose from where she sat. Her stature now in its erect form, she took a step and made her head rest on his chest in its loving manner. Her hands rested on his back in a warm embrace, her body feeling his warmth after missing the man that she loved. Criel smiled, treasuring the moment. His hands crept to her back in its embrace, knowing how much he missed her. He pushed her back in a slight distance, only to close in to her with a loving kiss. She took it, mesmerized with its sensation. She remembered his taste, his warmth. The battle-hardened bodies that they bore still remembered the sensation of love. The heart wished to continue but the body called them back. Criel pulled back, catching his breath as he gazed at her.

"My dear, it's been long since you were by my side." Criel said to her.

"I know. I felt the same." Beatrice responded. "There were things that both of us have to undertake."

"I received your message, love. Alecsi came here to deliver it."

Beatrice raised her hand and laid it on his cheek. "I had him deliver the message. I also delivered it to Takenori. He must have informed Klaha and the others by now."

"Will you be here for this?" Criel gazed at the night sky, looking at the stars that glittered along with the crescent moon's serenity. "Will you come home with me now?"

Beatrice buried her head on his chest, nodding on her question. "I don't think I could face our daughters like this. I have not served as a good mother to them when I'm needed."

Criel caressed her head, his hands combing her golden locks. "They still do. There's still time. Besides, I'm here with you."

Beatrice looked up to her husband, smiling as she slid her hands to his chest. Criel turned to face her again and smiled. "Shall we go somewhere, just the two of us?"

She chuckled at his invitation, making her plant a kiss on his cheek. Criel then turned towards the pathway, walking through the pavement. His hand was placed on her shoulder, cradling her closer to him. Sauntering away from the fountain and on towards a place they know well. After all, there's more for the couple to be reminded of.

(End of Chapter 16)

Author's tête-à-tête:

The second phase has made its preparations. Now that the Illuminati will initiate their plans, what will the Chosen have to prepare for? The battle wages near with a new wave.

Yes, answers are now given. And this time, doubts are answered. Now that Alecsi and Beatrice had finally revealed their identities, there's more that met the eyes of you readers. Must be the effect of the long wait…

Ok, here comes the guessing part. Give me your guesses with the following.

Alecsi – (clue, buster techniques)

Tetsu

Valence

Dyne

The last three may have hints regarding their looks. Try to guess who they are. If you're still clueless, we can wait for the upcoming chapters for their appearance. The updated list of the characters will come after a number of chapters.

Well, I hope you send in your reviews. They're really appreciated. Comments and suggestions are also welcome. Thank you very much.

Sydney Grise