Chapter 7: Face the Music

Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Things have been a little weird on the site lately all these error messages regarding new updates. I hope they fix it. Anyway for this chapter I have a surprise addition joining the story soon. See if you can find them. In the meantime it's been almost 2 years since I first created this story and I'm glad to see how much progress this story has made. Hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.

In the living room, Hikaru sat across from his father, silently staring at him.

Gulping Hikaru was lucky he avoided the police. The last thing he wanted was the cops to call his dad.

"You've changed Hikaru," Kaito declares.

"Huh?" Hikaru asks, snapping out of his thoughts.

"You've been acting different lately. You seem happier, but at the same time you seem to be doing things you'd never normally do. Like being out this late. Something you want to share?" Kaito asks.

"It's nothing, Dad. I just wanted to take a walk and clear my head." Hikaru assures.

"This late at night?" Kaito raises making Hikaru. "Was it a girl?"

"What? No. Why would you think that?" Hikaru asks nervously.

"Come on give me some credit. You wouldn't do something like this for no reason. What's her name?" Kaito asks.

"None of your business." Hikaru blushes looking away.

Smirking, Kaito thought he had him.

"Well, whoever she is, no girl is worth getting into trouble. Especially if it involves something dangerous, understand?" Kaito scolds.

"Yes, sir. It won't happen again," Hikaru assures.

"It better not. As punishment, I want you to come help at the café these next few days." Kaito said making Hikaru sigh in defeat.

"Fair enough, can I go to bed now?" Hikaru asks.

"Sure," Kaito said as Hikaru stood up. "I hope I can meet this girl someday. Is she cute?"

Ignoring him, Hikaru closed the door.

Changing into his sleepwear, Hikaru sat at his desk.

"Thanks a lot Omega Xis." Hikaru glares.

"Don't blame me. You were the one who chose to come after me," Omega Xis counters.

"Because I thought you might need my help and you did. Who was that?" Hikaru asks.

"What else? It was another FM-Ian." Omega Xis said.

"Seriously?! Then why aren't we dealing with this before it gets out of hand?" Hikaru asks.

"Don't worry, we won't have to wait long. I know Lyra well; she's not one to keep quiet. She loves attention. She'll pop up sooner or later and then we'll deal with her," Omega Xis assures.

"If you say so," Hikaru narrows his eyes.

"Just get some rest, you have other priorities to deal with," Omega Xis brushes off.

While Hikaru wasn't a fan of that, he didn't have much of a choice.

Meanwhile, on the tropical island, a loud groan echoed from it.

"Dumb manager!" Rise snaps annoyed. "All he cares about is the dumb shows and parading me around like some kind of model! This is the first time in months I've had time to myself and all he cares about is stupid commercials, stupid interviews, stupid concerns, and stupid money! Why won't that fat, ugly, parasite leave me alone?!" Rise yells, throwing a coconut as far as she could.

Panting heavily, she laid down in a hammock to catch her breath and relax.

"Felt good to let it all out, didn't it?" Lyra asks.

"I've been holding that in for a long time. Felt good to finally get it off my chest," Rise sighs.

Glad to hear it, why don't you kick back and relax. Maybe work on a song," Lyra suggests.

Pausing, Rise tried humming some tunes.

"Ugh I just don't have it in me, maybe I'm not meant to write songs," Rise sighs.

"Of course you do, Rise. I see beautiful music emanating from your wavelength. That's why I chose you," Lyra explains.

"Honestly, I don't even know if I want to be an idol anymore. Whenever I perform, I have to pretend to be someone to the point I don't even know what the true me is like anymore. I don't even know if people like the real me or Risette." Rise admits.

"But what about the Rise I'm talking to right now. Is this the real you?" Lyra asks as Rise smiles.

"I think so," Rise said a little unsure.

"But you don't know for sure, do you?" Lyra asks.

"I…I don't know." Rise admits.

"You've spent so long putting on fake faces you can't even figure out what your real face is," Lyra said.

"I guess not," Rise frowns.

"Well maybe I can help you figure that out. Help you realize your stupid manager isn't the one in control. You are." Lyra gestures.

"I am?" Rise pauses.

"Wouldn't it be nice to call the shots? Do what you want to do instead of what everyone else expects you to do?" Lyra asks.

"More than anything," Rise nods.

"Then try lying back," Lyra said as Rise laid in the hammock. "Now listen to the music, let it guide you." As the music played, Rise closed her eyes and drifted to sleep unaware of an evil grin on Lyra's face.

The following day, things were busy at the Wishing Star Maid Café as maids were walking around taking orders, delivering food and drinks, and looking cute while doing it.

In a booth, a teenage girl with long blonde hair and dark pink eyes was looking at the maids with interest. Specifically, their outfits.

"I heard this place has the most unique dresses. Just need to find one that looks close enough to what I'm looking for," She said, looking at her phone to reveal an anime character.

"Here you are." One maid said, handing the girl her drink.

"Oh, thank you," She looks at the maid and gasps seeing her black dress was a close resemblance to what she was looking for. "That dress! Please tell me it's for sale!"

"Wha?" She blushes.

"Do you have any in the back?! I really want that!" The girl said excitedly.

"Uh…it's not mine. I mean it is mine but…I have other tables." She said scampering off.

"Ugh man, was I too forward? Come on Marin. There's gotta be a way to get my hands on some quality cosplay." The girl groans, going back to sipping her drink.

If she had looked to the side, she would have noticed that same maid approach Hikaru.

"Hey Hikaru, there's a rip in my dress, can you stitch it up?" She asks.

"Sure, grab a backup and leave that one here. I'll have it fixed by your next shift." Hikaru gestures.

"You're a life saver," She smiles as she walks away.

"Hey Hikaru, Aisha is about to take her break, can you bring drinks over to table 5?" Kaito asks.

"Sure Dad," Hikaru said.

As he grabbed the tray, he made his way over to the table. He didn't notice 3 people walk in.

"Hikaru?" Yukana gasps, startling him, making him almost drop the drinks.

"Yukana?" Hikaru gulps, turning around.

"What are you doing here?" Yukana asks.

"I should be asking you that," Hikaru said.

"Ranko wanted to hang out so she found this place," Yukana said.

"Well, well, look who it is," Ranko smirks.

"Uh, can I show you 3 to a table?" Hikaru offers.

"By all means," Yukana said as Hikaru led them to a table.

"So how did you 3 run into each other?" Hikaru asks.

"Ranko and I were doing some shopping when we saw Sena nearby," Yukana said.

"She's definitely amusing to be around. And a little fun," Ranko said.

"Does she do this teasing thing often?" Sena whispers.

"Don't worry, she doesn't bite," Yukana assures as they sat down.

"So, you're one of those boys who works at a maid café? Is this just an excuse to ogle girls?" Rnako asks.

"No. I don't work here, my family owns this place." Hikaru declares surprising them. "My dad runs this place,"

"Whoa, this is your café?" Sena asks.

"That's a little creepy," Ranko raises an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" Hikaru asks.

"I mean is your dad some weirdo? Why would he want to run a maid café?" Ranko asks.

"Ranko, that's not nice," Yukana said.

"I mean you got to admit. A grown man running a café full of young girls. Sounds a little weird and confusing.

"It's not weird. It's actually a really sweet story." Hikaru said getting their attention.

"There is?" Yukana asks curiously.

Hikaru was about to respond when the TV changed to reveal a Risette show.

"Hey look! It's Risette!" Sena points.

"Wow, you guys play this stuff too? You really make sure cute girls are everywhere huh?" Ranko asks.

"But…we don't," Hikaru said as this video played all over every screen in the city.

Narrowing his eyes, Hikaru looked at Risette and for a moment felt he recognized her from somewhere.

Suddenly the footage changed to Lyra Note.

"Hey who's that?" Yukana asks as a hypnotic melody echoed.

"I don't know…but I feel drowsy." Ranko yawns as she, Sena, Kaito, and everyone else in the café and city fell asleep.

"What in the?" Hikaru said confused.

Looking around he saw he was the only one still awake.

"This is Lyra's doing. Come on!" Omega Xis said.

"Right." Nodding Hikaru raised his arm. "EM Wave Change!"

As Yukana's eyes began to close, she saw a blurry image of Hikaru changing into Mega Man.

"H-Hikaru?" Yukana mumbles before falling asleep.

Racing across the EM-Road, Mega Man followed the music to find Lyra Note atop the TV Tower.

"And just like that, it's sleepy time for Planet Earth," Lyra smirks.

"Don't go celebrating your victory just yet!"

Gasping, Lyra saw multiple blasts being fired at them, forcing Lyra Note to dodge.

"Who's there?!" Lyra calls out as Mega Man landed across from them. "Omega Xis!"

"And Mega Man!" Mega Man adds. "You won't get away like last time."

"Interesting choice of human, Omega Xis. But who's in charge? Him or you?" Lyra mocks.

"Save it Lyra, go back to Planet FM." Omega Xis orders.

"Sorry, but I've been preparing for this," Lyra hints as Lyra Note raised her head revealing her eyes were in a trance.

"You won't make me your puppet anymore! Shock Note!" Lyra Note said summoning two speakers and firing music notes at her.

Jumping out of the way, Mega Man dodges it.

"You think you can just order me to be whatever you want me to be?! Not anymore!" Lyra Note yells, keeping up her attack.

"What is she talking about?" Mega Man asks running along the rooftop.

"Lyra's tapped into her human's insecurities and is using that to make her fight." Omega Xis explains.

"Well then, we better snap her out of it! Battlecard! Heat Ball!" Mega Man said an orange ball appeared in his hands.

Hurling it across the tower, it lands in front of Lyra Note and explodes, knocking her back.

Recovering Lyra Note growls at him.

"This is why I want to quit and leave! It's always what everyone else wants! It's never what I want!" Lyra Note said, flinging her microphone at him, wrapping around his body. "Machine Gun String!"

Grabbing her mic, Lyra Note screams into sending multiple music notes flying at Mega Man, hitting him multiple times.

Breaking free, Mega Man lands atop the satellite.

"Geez and I thought you had issues," Omega Xis said.

"All this talk about being alone. She sounds like how I used to be before I met my friends. Omega Xis, I don't think this girl has anyone to rely on," Mega Man said.

"Can you save pity party until after you stop her?" Omega Xis asks.

"Fine. Battlecard! Gatling!" Mega Man said as his arm changed into a gatling gun.

Leaping out, Mega Man fired a barrage of blasts at her.

Spinning her guitar, Lyra Note tried to deflect the strikes but a few got in knocking her back.

"Battlecard! Widesword!" Mega Man said as his arm changed into a sword.

Lunging forward, Mega Man slashes Lyra Note knocking her against the stairwell.

Groaning, Lyra Note dropped to her knees.

"Why? Why won't you people just let me be me?" Lyra Note chokes in a sad tone. "I just want to be real for once."

"Kid, we got to snap her out of it. We need something big." Omega Xis said.

"I got one, but she's not gonna like it," Mega Man said looking at his panel. "Battlecard! Stun Knuckle!" As a giant yellow gauntlet appeared on his right hand.

Closing his fist, electricity crackled around it.

"Oh yeah, now we're talking." Omega Xis grins.

"Don't let him get close!" Lyra orders.

"Shock Note!" Lyra Note said firing music notes.

Charging forward, Mega Man raced through the attack, dodging as many as possible.

As a few music notes smashed into him, Mega Man cringed in pain but continued to fight on.

"I don't know who you are under there! But snap out of it!" Mega Man yells, nailing Lyra Note in the face with a powerful right hook.

Flying backwards, Lyra Note crashes to the floor and stops just short of the edge.

"Time for the big finale." Lyra growls.

"Ugh. My head. I feel like I just got hit by a car," Lyra Note groans, snapping out of it.

"Uh oh," Lyra gulps.

"Where am I? What is this place?" Lyra Note asks before noticing her outfit. "And what on Earth am I wearing?"

"Oh you're awake," Lyra said trying to play it casual.

"Lyra, what's going on?" Lyra Note asks.

"Did it work?" Mega Man asks.

"Like you, the girl is fighting the EM Wave Change by asserting her own identity." Omega Xis explains.

"Listen to me, Lyra is an FM-Ian and she was using you to try and hurt innocent people!" Mega Man said making her gasp.

"What?! You told me you were the Goddess of Music!" Lyra Note said turning to her.

"Uh well…" Lyra gulps.

"And you were just using me?!" Lyra Note snaps.

"I didn't have a choice. I was ordered to." Lyra defends.

Watching them, Hikaru noticed these two acted differently compared to Cygnus and Taurus.

"I don't get it. She sounds like she regrets this." Mega Man said confused.

"Believe it or not, kid. Not all FM-Ians are evil. Some are just doing this because they were following orders or because they fear those above them. I knew quite a few good ones," Omega Xis assures.

"So you think Lyra's one of them?" Mega Man asks.

"That all depends on her human." Omega Xis said.

Watching the two of them argue, Mega Man could tell this girl was a lot like him and Omega Xis.

Without thinking, he slowly walked over.

"I trusted you! And all this time you've been lying to me?!" Lyra Note snaps.

"Well…not about everything," Lyra said.

"You know, I heard some of the things you said," Mega Man said, getting her attention.

"What did I say?" Lyra Note asks.

"How you're all alone, miserable, and how no one knows the real you," Mega Man starts making her gasp. "I know what it's like to feel alone. It sucks. Sometimes you want to just run away from it. If it weren't for my friends and my dad, I might have."

"Why aren't you finishing us off?" Lyra asks.

"Why aren't you abandoning your host? You're busted so why are you sticking around?" Mega Man counters.

"There's only disgraceful punishment waiting for me if I return like this. But I suppose it's what I deserve for deceiving you," Lyra said glancing at Lyra Note.

"I think I might know a better punishment for her instead," Lyra Note said, standing him. "I think for deceiving me, it's only right that you stay with me,"

"What?!" Lyra and Omega Xis gasps.

"That might work. Now that you're free from her control, you call the shots," Mega Man admits.

"I'll keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't cause any trouble," Lyra Note said.

"I guess that could work," Mega Man said.

Looking at Lyra Note surprised; Lyra did not expect her to be this forgiving.

As she was about to leave, Lyra Note felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Listen, I don't know what you're going through but if you ever want a friend or someone to talk to. You can come talk to me if you want," Mega Man offers.

Turning her head, Lyra Note smiles softly.

"Thanks, I might take you up on that someday," Lyra Note said before leaving.

"Well. That was interesting," Mega Man said when they heard police sirens.

"Uh oh sounds like everyone's starting to wake up," Omega Xis said.

"Crap! I gotta back to the café!" Panicking Mega Man raced back before anyone noticed he was gone.

On the island, Rise was sitting with Lyra.

"I should have known this was too good to be true," Rise sighs.

"I'm sorry Rise," Lyra apologizes.

"Although, there is a way you can make it up to me." Rise said getting her attention.

"Hmm?" Lyra asks.

"If I'm Lyra Note, does that mean I can go anywhere in the world? Whenever I want?" Rise asks.

"Of course," Lyra nods.

"In that case, maybe having an escape can help me figure things out. Help me find my true self. Maybe even make some friends or a cute boy if I'm lucky enough," Rise smiles.

"Good idea, that might just do the trick." Lyra smiles.

"But first, I'm going to take some of your advice from earlier," Rise said as she began typing on her smart watch.

"What are you doing?" Lyra asks.

"Setting my terms," Rise declares.

Back at the Wishing Star Café, Sena was slow to wake up.

"Ugh what happened?" Sena asks when she noticed drool coming down Ranko's cheek as she woke up.

"Hey Yukana, wake up." Nearby Ranko saw Hikaru shaking Yukana.

"Hikaru?" She groans.

"You, okay?" Hikaru asks.

"I had a weird dream. I think you were glowing blue," Yukana said.

"I think you girls need something to drink," Hikaru said.

"Hold on. You owe us an explanation," Yukana said grabbing his arm.

"Uh for what?" Hikaru asks nervously.

"So what's the deal with your dad's café? You said there was a story behind it." Yukana asks.

Sighing, Hikaru had forgotten that part.

"Well, when my mom was a university student, she didn't have much money to pay for living expenses and food on top of her studies. So, she took a part-time job at a maid café. As luck would have it, my dad was working in the back washing dishes. While my mom was pretty smart, she wasn't much of a people person." Hikaru explains.

"Kinda like you," Yukana teases.

"Uh anyway. She would have been fired if not for my dad. He helped her learn the tricks of her job. With each lesson they got closer until they got married. My dad was good in business, and one day he saw the owner of that maid café was quitting. So he applied for the job and now he owns the very place he met the love of his life." Hikaru gestures surprising them.

"Wait, this was that café?" Sena gasps.

"The very same," Hikaru smiles.

"Awww." Yukana and Sena sighed.

Even though Ranko didn't show it, she thought it was a sweet story.

"That's so adorable. Who knew such a story could come from a maid café of all places?" Yukana said.

"Yeah it's really surprising," Hikaru shrugs. "Anyway, I'll get you girls something to eat,"

As Hikaru walks away, he didn't notice his father watching from the back.

'Hmm is one of those girls Hikaru's girlfriend?' He thought interested. 'I remember Asuka used to think Hikaru would grow up to be a ladies' man. I wonder how she would react to this?'

After an epic battle with Lyra Note, Hikaru saved the day and made a new friend. However, more FM-Ians were on their way, but whether they're bad or good is still anyone's guess.