Hi. I wrote a "story" about the "super fighting robot except now he's on the super internet" called Megaman in a sort of "battle" "network". It was 13 years ago. That story sucked. I sucked. I wrote 25 chapters of suck. I tried to undo the suck in 2014. There was half of one chapter rewritten. I looked at it today. That also sucked even though I had less suck in me. So I'm not using that base either.
I still suck but marginally so. Now it's time to dive into the cringe that was "Lean On Me" and use the data to make the story I should have tried to write but didn't because I sucked. Try to enjoy.
Megaman Battle Network
"I'm not supposed to be alive."
The EMT stopped his work and looked closely at the little girl in front of him. They were inside of an ambulance, with her on top of a stretcher and being tended to.
"I know that...you feel-"
"I'm not supposed...to be alive," she repeated in that small voice of hers. He didn't know what to say to her; she was only ten years old from what he knew, and the only one of the family still alive. The home was in ruins, burned to nothing even after the firefighters went to work.
She was outside on the front lawn when the police came. Motionless, covered in dirt, and with blood splattered all over her face and hair.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," he replied as he cleaned and bandaged her wounds. "You have value...you're not-"
"I shouldn't say those things out loud. Even if they're true. Even if they're true."
"That's not the truth. Don't say that," he replied, trying to be stern yet reassuring. "You're not worthless. You deserve to live, you have value. Don't say those things. Who told you that?"
"I remember before...Papa disappeared. He said that I could become a monster in the wrong hands."
She tilted her head, sending chills down the young medic's spine.
There was no light shining in her blue eyes.
"Monsters...viruses. They're the same. They cause pain to people. We delete those things. We delete them."
He reached for his radio, pausing to look at the girl one last time. Her expression hadn't changed, but she was now staring out at the rain that had started to fall.
"Can...can someone send an officer or detective, social worker? Anybody. The...girl is saying some things you need to hear."
"It's the order of things. The world...brought to ruin. But Papa was wrong. He was wrong."
He sighed with relief, patting the little blonde girl on the arm as he finished his work. "You're right. Good. Be right back. I'm going to get you someone to talk to."
She was finally alone...finally able to let the manic grin try to split her face apart.
"Papa was wrong about me. I was a monster from the start! From the beginning! From my birth! All to zero! All to zero! Zero, zero! Zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero hehehehehaHAHAHAHAHAHA! KYAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
People rushed in to calm her down. But they were too late.
The third had been born.
-Roaring Souls-
"Hey, buddy. Time to get up."
"Yo...alright, gimme a minute."
The boy scratched at his messy brown hair before getting out of bed, yawning loudly. He went straight to the bathroom, took a hazy shower and then lazily brushed his teeth like a typical teenager.
"All clean. Probably."
He shrugged and rubbed at his brown eyes before getting dressed for the day. Couldn't forget the blue vest. New blue sneakers, super cool and still compatible with skating. And of course, with greater age came slightly longer shorts. But shorts nonetheless...pants were like, for lamers and old people. The taller, dashing, and more athletic hero of the internet was ready for the day.
"We are good to go! Good morning, ACDC!"
"Finally awake?"
"You know it." Lan Hikari reached over to his computer desk and grabbed his terminal, containing his battle buddy, best friend, brother, and actual twin brother, Megaman. One of the most accomplished net navigators around, and a creation of their genius father, Yuuchiro Hikari. And of course his father, Tadashi Hikari, was the big shot that created the net itself, something that was literally a part of society.
And had almost been wiped out at least twice.
And the reason it was only almost was because of his grandsons, Lan and Hub. History resolved itself in mysterious ways.
Today was one of the many peaceful days after the fall of Gospel, which included both the organization and the cyberbeast. Five years had passed. Lan and friends were in high school. He had earned his stripes as an Official Netbattler and as a champion of Grand Prix all across the world. A lot had happened. A lot had changed.
Almost all of it for the better.
"Thinking of her again."
"...yeah. You caught me." Lan rubbed the back of his head as he holstered his PET on his hip. He resisted the urge to look through his window and instead headed downstairs, towards the smell of breakfast.
"Morning, Mom."
The woman with short brown hair turned to face her son. She wore a lighter variation of her favorite purple dress, on account of the day's heat. "Morning, honey. Good sleep?"
"Yeah, always. Can't believe it's summer already."
Haruka Hikari smiled and rustled her son's already messy hair. "You've more than earned the break. I was worried about you going into high school, but you've really buckled down and focused these past few years. I want to tell you that I'm so proud of you for that and everything else."
"You always say that, Mom. But thanks anyways, I appreciate it. We both do."
"We sure do," Megaman piped up. "It's because of you that we can do anything."
"Oh, stop it. You boys are too much, especially you, Hub. I'm not the one out fighting scary monsters on the internet," she said as she walked over to the stove. Lan sat at the dining table and Haruka brought over a healthy breakfast. "But I'll be here to support you two, one thousand percent. No matter what it might be."
Lan grumbled. Was it that obvious? "I'm fine, Ma."
"You can say that all you want, but a mother knows."
"I'm...trying not to let it drag me down any. Don't worry about it too much."
"Do you realize who you're talking to?" Haruka said with a critical look. "Lan, sweetie...there's nothing wrong with you. Do you hear me? These are not just things you get over and away with so suddenly. Sometimes it takes years..."
"That's a lot..."
"It might be. But you have us, and...you still have her to go to, you know?"
Lan sighed and nodded. "I know. Thanks, Mom."
"Don't force anything. Eat up and get energized for the day, honey."
"Got it." Lan started on his rice. Haruka started washing the dishes in the meantime. A few minutes passed before she remembered something.
"Right, I forgot to tell you. Apparently they got a bite for the house across the street."
"Mmph..." Lan swallowed. "Seriously? They're not backing out?"
"Nope. Someone actually bought it, and they paid in full. I hear it's a scientist from...oh, what was the name of that place your father was going on about? I can't remember. He...he has those moments where he just goes on and on..." Haruka turned off the faucet and sighed heavily. "Lan, your father is an amazing man, but..."
"Dad has his quirks. We know," Megaman said.
"Yeah. He had us in his office last week going over the specifics of this new program he had for us. By the time we left, he hadn't even told us what it was called, or how it actually worked," Lan said with a chuckle. "Can't stop him when he gets going."
"Unfortunately. And that's why he spends so much time away from home. I'm not fussy about it, obviously...I wish I remembered what he was talking about. It's awful of me, because he was really excited, too. This seems like a thing that will change the internet again."
"If that's the case, we won't be seeing him for a while," Lan joked. "Has the person moved in yet? Is it just them?"
"Yes, just one person, apparently. I haven't seen them yet, but there were a bunch of movers working pretty quickly, with some nice looking furniture. Not as nice as ours, of course, but...still."
"Mom..."
"Maybe I should change the carpet...there are some new patterns I saw while browsing..."
Lan finished his breakfast and set the bowls into the sink, then kissed his daydreaming mother on the cheek.
"See you later, don't stay out too late," she said with a lazy wave. "Mm...not just carpet, but maybe the drapes...budget is fat enough for a new oven, with the new self-cleaning features and home connections...fire protection, too. I need that...more extinguishers, but the strategic and aesthetic features..."
"Much as she complains about Dad, she has her own issues," Lan mumbled as he left the house.
"It's romantic. They're perfect for each other," Megaman said.
"Yeah, well...maybe marriage isn't for me, then."
"Aye-aye, Captain Bringdown."
"Shut up...listen, I'm not trying to be gloomy, just..."
"Relax, Lan. Remember what Mom said, you'll be fine. Just be patient."
"I'll try."
"Try what?"
The girl with red hair had made it over to the front of the Hikari house while Lan and Megaman were chatting. She leaned forward a bit, chestnut eyes lit up with friendly adoration.
"Oh, just battle routines. Maybe some tweaks, that's all," Lan said to her.
She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Of course. What else would you boys be talking about, eh?"
Maylu Sakurai leaned back and brushed a bit of her hair behind her ear. She had grown into a fine young woman, letting her hair grow longer and to her shoulders.
"What brings you out today?" he asked her. He noted she was dressed in that familiar pink and red outfit, if a bit lighter on the fabric for the summer months.
"Nothing, really. I actually just saw you step out, so I thought I'd say hello...also, I heard that someone finally moved into the place across the street. Pretty crazy, honestly...I didn't think that house would ever get sold."
"Yeah, Mom was just telling me about it. How're your parents?"
She shrugged. "Fine as ever. Your dad?"
"Same as always. Busy. Though apparently he's got something really exciting going on this time. He's been home more, so I'll hear about it eventually, you know?"
"Yeah."
He coughed once before moving out to the sidewalk, Maylu following. "So, uh...how's he doing? I mean...both of you, together. And junk."
Maylu toed the ground a bit. "He's fine. Busy, as always. Doing investigations and running IPC like clockwork. He's good at his job. He's good at...everything."
"Yeah. That's Chaud. Heck of a guy."
"Lan...I..." She sighed and rubbed one of her arms. "I know you're still not completely over it, and if you...I know it sounds dumb, but if you want to talk, or just be angry-"
"Maylu, don't," he pleaded. "That's the worst idea. I'm not angry, and I don't want to pull up bad feelings again. We're cool, alright? I mean it. I'm not...bitter. It just feels weird, and Chaud not being...Chaud about it makes it worse."
She frowned. "Do you want him to gloat?"
"Something! Anything other than, like...just being quiet and weird. That's not him. He's the guy that's good at everything."
"You didn't..." Maylu struggled to find the right words. "He didn't...take me away. I chose. You're not...not a loser. Please don't think that. I was the one who chose this."
"Maylu-"
"Lan. You're too good a person to end up alone. You'll find someone. You will. And I promise that I'll always be with you. You mean so much to me...you always will." She wrapped her arms around herself. "Sorry. This got depressing again."
"It happens. Maylu...thanks."
Her face brightened and she nodded. "Yeah. Any time, Lan. I mean it."
"Hm?"
"I-"
"No, look." He nodded towards the delivery van that had stopped in front of the recently purchased house. The driver stepped inside briefly before emerging without their package or container, whatever it was they had earlier. The van then left soon after, and the house door closed.
"Someone's home," Maylu said.
"Yeah. Wanna have a look? Welcome them to the neighbourhood?"
"Might as well, yeah. Make them feel comfy."
The two walked across the street and past the opened wooden gate. The grass was pristine and neatly cut, seemingly down to the molecule.
Maylu shuddered. "Spooky."
"Mom said it was a scientist that moved in. From some corporation that Dad is working with."
"I think only serial deleters have their lawn cared for like this."
"What?"
"She was watching crime documentaries last night," Roll piped up from the terminal on Maylu's side. "Don't worry about her."
"Shut up, Roll."
"Did you know? A common trait of kidnappers is to leave their front gates invitingly open..."
"Shut up shut up shut up shut up..." Maylu grabbed Lan's arm and pressed it against her, making him blush.
"W-what are you...?"
"Make her stop..."
"Maylu, let go...you have a boyfriend..."
"He's out somewhere dumb doing dumb internet work. We're friends, you have to protect me in his place!"
"Jeez, come on. There's no serial killer or deleter or kidnapper here. Just some weird scientist who likes cutting their lawn."
"Uu..."
"Thanks, Roll. When my arm gets crushed to bits I'll think of you fondly," Lan muttered.
"Well, I think it's cute how she still relies on you for protection."
"Roll," Megaman scolded.
"Okay, sheesh. If Mega-Hubby says so, I'll stop bullying. Fair?"
"I would have appreciated it before this started," Lan replied. He managed to move himself and Maylu's trembling form closer to the door so that he could reach the bell.
"You know, if Chaud took her out on that date he originally planned, this would never have happened..."
"Roll, seriously."
"You know how I feel about that guy, sweetie. And how much better I think Lan is. He's your operator, no?"
"That's besides the point," Megaman said, rubbing his face with one hand. "Yes, Lan is awesome. And I'm awesome because we're the same dude, sorta. But affairs of the heart like this..."
Lan rang the bell and waited, with Maylu's trembling becoming more pronounced.
"We're not going to die. Seriously..."
"Uu...please don't be an axe murderer..."
With nothing happening for a bit, Lan started to reach for the doorbell again. The door then started to open, slowly.
Maylu let go of Lan's arm, and he rubbed it gently as they both stared at the person who had appeared.
"Is there...something I can do for you?"
"Ah...well." Lan gulped.
"W-we just wanted to welcome you to our area and all that," Maylu said quickly. "Um, are-"
"My apologies," the young woman said quickly, her voice soft and welcoming. "I am this home's only occupant. Thank you for coming to greet me, though I feel that I don't deserve it..."
She opened the door further and stepped out in front of it. Her hair was blonde and strikingly bright, the front swept to the left above her eyes in a jagged pattern, with the rest tied back into a long, bountiful ponytail. She blinked with sky blue eyes, trying to fight off her drowsiness.
Maylu looked curiously - a bit jealously, perhaps - at the girl's slim figure and paler skin. Her flat stomach was visible in the gap between her shirt and sweatpants.
"You shouldn't say stuff like that, seriously," Lan countered. "Everyone's welcome here. How's the town been so far?"
"Inviting. Very much so."
"Great. My name's Lan Hikari, I live across the street. The place with the doghouse over there."
"My name's Maylu Sakurai. I live next to him in the pink house, you can't miss it," she said with a friendly smile.
"We've also got our Navi with us," Lan added. "This is the best partner in the world, Megaman," he said as he held up his PET.
"Nice to meet you, miss."
"And this is my amazing partner, Roll," Maylu followed, doing the same.
"Very nice meeting you. Hope you enjoy staying with us."
The girl nodded and bowed once toward each of them, navigators included.
"Thank you. I...am simply a scientist working for a certain corporation. Neo Arcadia Data and Technologies. My name is Ciel Alexis Hublot. If you would like to simply use Ciel, that is more than fine."
"A scientist?" Lan asked. "Does that mean-"
"Yes. My pardon...I did hear of you, Lan Hikari. From many news reports, and by way of your father, Doctor Hikari. I...carry the same title as he, though I am not fit to stand in his presence," she said with a hand over her heart.
"No way that's true...I mean, especially if you're a...doctor? Really?"
"Ciel, that's amazing! I mean...I'm only assuming that you're the same age as us," Maylu said. "Lan and I are fifteen."
"I recently did turn fifteen myself, yes."
"Whoa," Lan said with surprise. "No wonder Dad's been buzzing lately."
"Please forgive my rudeness. Would you like to come in? I have tea ready, and if you would like to eat..."
"It's no trouble, honestly," Lan said while waving his hands. "We'll step in, thank you."
"Yup. Thanks for having us, Ciel," Maylu followed.
"Ladies first."
She nodded and went past Ciel inside. Lan started to follow before his eyes locked with Ciel's for a moment. Time suddenly...slowed.
There was a brief chime. They both blinked and then turned their heads away, blushing. He walked past her inside and she tried to compose herself, unsuccessfully, before closing the door and leaning against it.
"It isn't right," she murmured. "When did I...and boys...no. It's just him."
She shook her head and walked to the kitchen.
"It's nothing but foolishness. Monsters don't love, they ravish."
Even so. I have never had a waking dream like that.
"Hormones. Let it go. You're not into men," she said to herself as she poured tea. "You don't love. You consume. That's who Ciel is."
She put on a neutral expression as she went to the living room, tray in hand.
Where the end is the beginning.
The Roaring Souls: Megaman [Zero] Network