The plane trip home was pretty nice. Although Lan did have to catch an poisonous spider. Model X really thought doing so was a bad idea.
'I know it's rare, and I don't wish to kill it, but it's still a hazard to everybody on the plane.' he said. Lan frowned, quietly waiting for the spider to sneak towards the bait.
"We're nearly back to Electopia, it'll be fine." he whispered. One of the other passengers hiding with him, waiting for the spider, glanced down.
"Are you talking to me, bud?" he asked. Lan grinned, shaking his head.
"It's nothing." he whispered. The spider expert pointed.
"There it is!" he whispered sharply. Lan held his breath. The spider skittered along the floor, glancing around. It scurried in the dirction of the trap. It paused, then took a few steps forward. Lan wanted to pull the cord right now.
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" he whispered. The spider took a few more steps forward.
'Now!' Model X exclaimed. Lan gave the string a good yank, and the heavy hat fell on top of the spider. The other passengers cheered, and Megaman sighed in relief.
"At least that's over with." he said. Lan sat up, laughing.
"I sure hope the next time we fly things don't go like this." he said. Model X peaked out from his backpack.
'Agreed.' he said. He glanced up, and so did Lan as a chiming noise echoed through the plane.
"All passengers, please go back to your seats. We'll be landing in DenTech Central Airport momentarily." a cheery voice said. Lan stood up.
"Ah, that's good." he said. He walked back towards his section of the plane when it shook. Lan yelped, landing hard on the floor. "What now?!" he exclaimed. He looked around, gaping as the inside of the plane started to shimmer. "Ah! A Mirage!" he said, scooting upright instantly. Megaman looked around.
"Every time we see one, they're bigger." he said. The chime echoed through the plane once again. This time, it was the rougher, deeper voice of the captian.
"This is your captain speaking. We are currently in the middle of a phenomena that's been affecting the Electopia region. Fasten your seatbelts, we are currently on an advoidance course and we hope to land-" The captain was cut off suddenly by a yell and a crash. Static filled the plane. Lan grabbed Model X and Megaman's PET.
"Let's go! Megamerge!" he exclaimed.
'MEGA System online.' Model X said. Megaman pushed his way through the screen instantly. He spun around.
"I'll help in the cabin, you try to see where else needs help." he said.
'I'll keep communication open between the two of you. Hurry.' Model X said. Lan stood up quickly.
"Got it!" he said, dashing off. Megaman nodded and raced to the cabin. He forcefully rammed the door open, and fired the X Buster at some smaller, Mettaur-like mechs. He kicked the last one away. The pilot and co-pilot stared at him dumbfounded. Megaman looked at them.
"We need to land the plane now before something damages it and makes it unsafe to fly." he said. The pilot frowned.
"I know." he said. He sat down, and started tapping away. He flinched. "The naivgation system is shot! Minarque! Get your Navi in there right now!" he said. The co-pilot sat down, plugging in his PET.
"Roger!" he said. Megaman looked at the jack-in port. He clenched his hand. If he could leave and enter the PET through the screen, maybe he could jack into the Net the same way.
"Lan, Model X, I'm going into the plane." he said.
"Into?!" Lan asked, voice startled.
'Navigation is down. Lan, keep the plane from getting any damage while Megaman fixes things.' Model X explained. Lan made a small noise, irritated, but agreeing. Megaman reached out a hand, and placed it on the jack-in port.
"Here I go!" he called out. The familliar feeling of being transferred into the Net left him weighless for an instant. He landed next to the pilot's sleek, metallic NetNavi, and helped clear a horde of viruses. The Navi nodded at him.
"I'll hold the fort here, go fix the navigation!" he exclaimed. Megaman nodded.
"Roger!" he exclaimed, and raced off. The fate of the plane and the passengers were in their hands!
Maylu watched the robots run down the street.
Dex was excited.
Yai was being ushered somewhere safe.
Each mysterious piece of metal was nearby. Maylu held the metal close.
"Lan isn't here. He can't, no, nobody can do anything." she whispered. Dex picked up the dusty metal.
"Finally! I can use that power!" he exclaimed. Yai patted the metal in her bag.
"What are you?" she whispered.
Maylu took a breath, and held the metal.
"I need power! Power to help everybody!" she exclaimed.
Dex held the metal aloft.
"Wake up this Chosen One power!" he commanded.
Yai held the metal in front of her face.
"Show yourself! Show me why you appeared!" she exclaimed.
Eyes flashed blue, red, and black.
'Biomatch found. MEGA System online.'
Maylu breathed in sharply. "This power-!"
Dex tightened his hands. "I can feel it now!"
Yai gasped. "This metal, you're alive!"
The words spilled out of their mouths without knowing what they meant.
"Megamerge!"
Aeolus stared down the mountain. He held Model H gently. He was thinking, very, very hard. He let out a slow breath.
"Wisdom is nothing if you don't use it." he whispered. He grunted when his SubPET went off. Model H floated up a bit.
'It's probably Thetis.' he said. Aeolus frowned, but still opened the call.
"Thetis, what is it?" he asked. Thetis looked frazzled.
"The shimmering lights, they're everywhere!" he said. Aeolus tilted his head.
"Lan can deal with it." he said. Thetis frowned.
"Lan is not here. Maylu told me he's been in Netopia for the past few days. His plane is supposed to be returning today, but it's not back yet." he said. He looked down. "I'm, I'm sorry, but you're the only person I can think of who can do anything at this moment." he said. Aeolus looked down. He looked at Model H. He looked back at Thetis.
"Find Lan." he said. Thetis blinked.
"What?" he asked. Aeolus grimmaced.
"Find his plane. I have a small Transerver. It should be enough to transport a Biometal." he said. Thetis' eyes went wide.
"Aeolus, you can't be serious." he said. Aeolus snapped his head to the side.
"I'm being as serious about this as the Game! I'm old, Thetis, Model H's power should go to somebody who knows how to respect a Biometal." he said. Model H floated next to him. He seemed sad, but determined.
'Lan will keep vistiting you know.' he said. Aeolus fingered the Biometal gently.
"I know." he said. He stood up, feeling uneasiness in his body. He stared at the sky. It felt, tangy somehow. "Something's wrong." he said.
Very, very wrong.
Lan panted as he fired another round of shots from the X Buster. The mechs had already broken open a door at the back of the plane. If they kept breaking them, the whole plane would depressurize according to Model X. Lan stumbled in exhaustion.
"If I could just stop them from coming in, things would be easier!" he said.
'You would need the power of flight for that, Lan.' Model X said. Lan looked straight ahead, bracing himself for the next wave.
"Like Aeolus' power." he said. Urgency shot through Model X.
'Megaman! Are you alright?' he asked. Lan tensed, firing off the X Buster automatically as the mechs inched forward.
"I'm fine. I'm tired, but I've nearly beat Magnetman." Megaman said. Lan frowned.
"I really should be operating you." he mumbled.
"I said I'm fine!" Megaman said, forcing cheeriness into his voice through the exhaustion. A ringing sound went through Lan's head.
"Lan, you have a phone call!" Megaman said, sounding surprised. Lan groaned.
"Now? Can you just cancel it?" he asked.
'No! The caller ID is important!' Model X said. A new voice crackled through Lan's head.
"Lan. Megaman. I'm sending Model H to you." Lan gaped.
"Aeolus?!" he asked.
"I thought that you were Model H's Biomatch, not us." Megaman said. Aeolus seemed distracted.
"Model X has the power to combine the strengths of Biometals. Through his power, the Blue Mega Man has access to all the powers of the Biometals." he said. He sighed. "He's coming. Use his power wisely, for I did not." he said. The phone cut off. Lan glanced back out of habit.
"Aeolus! What about-" He cried out as a mech tackled him. Megaman cried out too. Model X grunted, trying to hold them together.
'Hurry...' he whispered. Lan pushed at the mechaloids. They stared down at him with cold, metallic eyes. Lan raised the X Buster.
"We won't stop fighting!" he exclaimed.
"Not now, not ever!" Megaman added. A flash of light lit up the cabin for an instant. Model H shone in the sunlight.
'I am glad for that.' he said. He touched the merged PET on Lan's arm. 'Both of you, say the words 'Double Megamerge.'' he said.
Lan watched a mechaloid jump, ready to crush him.
Megaman watched the two Magnetmen try to crush him between him.
They closed their eyes.
"Lend us the power to help everyone! Double Megamerge!" the duo exclaimed. Model H's green eyes flashed. Model X woke power deep inside.
'MEGA System Online. Overdrive Invoke System active.' they said.
Lan felt the new power swelling inside him. The power of wind.
Megaman felt it wash down. The power of wisdom.
The energy built around them. Magnetman stared.
"What? What is this?" he demanded. All the mechanaloids dogpiling Lan flew backwards, vanishing from the power. Lan stood up, crossing his arms and opening his hands. Megaman rose from the ground, spreading a pair of green wings. He let his arms morph into blades, and Lan grasped the hilts of twin swords. They gave a battle cry, and charged forward. Lan raced from the cabin he was in into the depressurized one. Without thinking, he raced towards the open door, and jumped. He yelled, half out of fear, half out of excitement.
'Let me lend you my knowledge.' Model H said. Lan spread the new wings on his back, and cried out in surprise as they caught the air. He twisted around, laughing in excitement as flew around the plane. He slashed the flying mechanaloids and the smaller ones trying to get in. Megaman flew high above the reach of Magnetman's traps and attacks. He brought the blades into an X-shape.
"H-sabre!" he exclaimed, and dove straight down into Magnetman. Magnetman cried out, startled.
"What? No, it's impossible!" he exclaimed, vanishing into pixels. Megaman landed, standing up straight and tall. He breathed in.
"This power." he whispered. He flew high above the road and viruses, diving for the link. He appeared back in the pilot's cabin, startling the crew a bit. The captain flipped a switch.
"Navigation online!" he said. The co-pilot ticked off a few more switches.
"Wing flap on left wing is not working!" he said. The captain grimmaced.
"So is the right thruster." he said. Megaman stared out.
"We can help!" he said. He dashed back. "Lan! We need to help the pilot guide the plane into a safe landing!" he said.
"Eh?" Lan said. Model H sighed.
'Lan likes going fast. He can take the thruster.' he said. Model X felt warm with approval.
'Between the both of us, we can help Megaman guide the wing flap.' he said. Megaman jumped from the open door, spreading his new wings much quicker than Lan did. He waved at him.
"Right thruster, Lan! Push the inactive one as fast as Model H tells you to!" he said. Lan nodded from a distance.
"Got it!" he exclaimed. Megaman twisted around, and hovered over the left wing. He held the flap, and looked up.
"We're ready for directions!" Megaman said.
'Lift yours to a 5 degree angle. Lan, hold steady at 75 kilometres.' Model H said. They both nodded. The airport runway came into view. Model H frowned. 'Now, 3 degrees. Slow down, Lan.' he said. The plane streaked lower and lower. The tires hit the runway with a screech and jolt from the plane. Lan and Megaman pulled back, and hovered.
'See if you can get the plane to slow down.' Model X said. The duo shared a nod, then flew in front of the plane. It was inching closer and closer to the fence. The brakes weren't working as they should. Megaman raised his arms.
"We'll need as much thrust as possible to stop this. It's going to feel like you've been hit by a car." he said. Lan raised his.
"Ow." he mumbled.
'It's going to hurt more than that.' Model H deadpanned. Lan gaped.
"Tell me earlier!" he exclaimed. The plane met with their hands, and Lan yelped. It screeched. Megman gritted his teeth, pushing the thrust in the wings as strongly as he could. The plane screeched and groaned, and twin indents dipped into the plane's nose. But, it stopped. Lan and Megaman panted hard.
"We did it?" Megaman whispered. Lan pumped a fist into the air.
"We did it!" he exclaimed. He suddenly winced, and grabbed his arms. "Owowowowow!" he said. Megaman laughed, flapping his wings once. He looked at the plane. The pilot and co-pilot stared down at them in disbelief. Megaman waved at them. The co-pilot just scratched his head.
Dragons of ice rose their heads from the water. Jets of fire erupted from the ground. Enemies disappeared without warning. A figure with green hair and a black coat stared down from his perch on top of a building.
"Fools... All of them." Grave seethed.
'They have so blindly followed their hearts that my power is reaching through them easily. Unlike you. You chose my power. You chose to use it to fulfill your destiny.' The evil voice whispered. Grave stared, masked face hidden.
"My destiny." he whispered. He stared at the 'Chosen Ones.' He raised his hand to the sky. "From this day forth, all of you, you live to serve Grave." he said. With a simple snap of the fingers, the Chosen Ones recoiled. Grave watched them writhe around with a sick delight. "Humanity... You abandoned me again, and again." he said. A high-pitched chuckle rose from Grave. "Now! I am in control! I, I am the chosen one!" Three figures stood before him down below.
Their eyes were tainted with red, sickly purple. Tendrills of darkness wavered at their feet. Grave looked to the trio each in turn.
"The Ice Mega Man. Model L." Model L raised her head, such a pretty face.
"The Fire Mega Man, Model F." Model F raised his head more quickly, itching to move and smash things.
"The Shadow Mega Man, Model P." Model P raised her head with grace befitting a ninja.
Grave's mouth would of twisted into a smirk if he had one.
"Let's play a game." he whispered. The laughed again, his servants turning around, twisted, deadly eyes facing the town.
Another Time, Another Place...
The week usually went like this. Lan would attend school in the mornings. Get distracted after school with friends, NetBattles, or training with Model X. Megaman would convince him to get homework done. Two more minutes turned into an hour. Lan would cram homework in the evenings before and after supper. Saturdays, when there was no weekend school, were spent taking Megaman to new places and showing him new things.
Megaman got excited about the outings, and eventually started thinking up places on his own. Surprises were nice, but he wanted to see something new that he wanted to see. The Gargoyle Castle in End City sounded like an interesting place.
Lan grinned, holding Model X. Megaman pressed his hand to the screen. Brief training before going.
"Megamerge!" they exclaimed at the same time. Model X's eyes flashed.
'MEGA System, online.' he said. The familliar power filled them both. Megaman pressed on the screen, pushing his way out. He landed on the ground much more gracefully, and faced Lan. Lan grinned.
"Let's go!" he called, firing the X Buster. Megaman met it back with his own.
"Let's try that wall kick technique again." he said, flipping backwards. Lan's classmates were always baffled at how Lan seemed to always know what Megaman had to do to execute an attack, and how he reacted to the every movement of his opponent. It actually took a while to get Model X warmed up to the idea of NetBattles.
'I don't like fighting.' he said. Both Lan and Megaman had to explain to him several times that NetBattles were a competetion between friends, a way to understand each other better through battle. They weren't out of hate, or anger, but out of friendly competition. Now, Model X supervised them as they trained, giving them advice on new techniques.
'Lan, keep your eyes on your target, and keep your legs extended too. That's why you keep slamming into your side after a kick.' Megaman watched Lan slam to the ground after missing the kick. He winced.
"Maybe we should try later so we can get to End City." he suggested. Lan pouted, and sighed.
"Fine!" he said. Megaman lightly landed on the ground, and Model X released the Megamerge. Megaman instictively went to pull the hood of his sweater, he still had no idea where it came from, over his head. Lan tugged it down, grinning. "There!" he said. Megaman adjusted the collar a little.
"Lan..." he sighed. Lan had already taken off. Megaman sighed once again. His brother some days...