Chapter 22: The Twin's Secret

Special thanks goes to ! SHE DREW ME A PICTURE! XD Seriously, I'm a sucker for pictures and if you ever draw a picture for one of my stories, you will be one of my favorite people FOREVER. Anyway, I insist everyone checks out wonderful artwork. There's a link on my bio page since for some reason I can't get links to work on posted chapters. .

That said, another shout out needs to happen: OVER ONE HUNDRED REVIEWS! Count it: over 1-0-0! Everyone sure does spoil me! Thank you to every single one of you has ever reviewed. It means so much to have your feed back. And it's kind of nice knowing people like my story. XD

Okay, now I've drabbled enough and it's time for the reason you really came here: the story. But as one last note so I don't get in trouble: I don't own Rockman. I am not that creative or that rich.

Okay, now enjoy.

Chapter 22: The Twins' Secret

To say Lightman was upset would have been an understatement. The fact that Rockman had just made a truce with Forte of all navis was a bit too much to swallow.

Rockman calmly watched Lightman pace in front of him back on their home page. "I still don't see the problem."

"I don't trust him," Lightman said, not even sparing Rockman a glance.

"I don't really either, but we have to," Rockman said. "Besides, he knows now that our ultimate programs aren't compatible so I don't think he'll try anything."

"Still…" Lightman said as he finally stopped pacing.

"There you boys are," a familiar voice suddenly broke into the conversation. Rockman and Lightman turned to face the window that had just popped up.

"Hello, Papa," the twins greeted in unison.

"Where were you?" Yuuichiro asked. "We looked all over for you."

"Nowhere," Lightman said.

"Who's 'we'?" Rockman followed curiously.

Yuuichiro smiled somewhat mischievously. "Head over to Sci-Labs and you guys will see."

The twins looked at each other puzzled and then proceeded to head to link that lead the way to sci-lab as the window that had held Yuuichiro's face shut down. Having been to sci-lab hundreds of times before, it did not take long for the twins to jump into the link that entered sci-lab.

Blues and Searchman, who were in the sci-lab area, broke off their idle conversation to see who was coming as they heard the entrance link activate. Searchman raised an eyebrow as he saw not only Rockman who, as far as he was aware, was still reclusive, but also the lighter look-alike come through closely behind Rockman.

Searchman began to say something but was cut off as Lightman, upon seeing both Blues and Searchman, burst out, "Ah crap," and turned to leave. However, Rockman silently gripped Lightman's arm to keep him from leaving and Lightman grumpily relented.

"Hello," Rockman greeted slowly, feeling the awkwardness of the situation. "Long time, no see, Searchman," the small blue navi directed to the familiar green one as he extended his hand.

Searchman, smiling slightly, took it. "Indeed," he said, then, shifting his gaze to the other blue navi scuffling his feet, asked, "And who might this be?"

Rockman smiled. "This is Lightman. He's been keeping me company," Rockman introduced.

Searchman walked over to the other navi and extended his own hand in friendship. "Nice to meet you, Lightman. My name is Searchman."

Lightman just looked up slightly at the offered hand.

Rockman twitched. "Lightman, you're still not upset are you?" Lightman glanced at his brother and did not respond. Rockman sighed.

"Well, at least he's being quiet," Blues stated.

"NOT funny!" Lightman burst out. Blues and Rockman looked at each other and Rockman started to chuckle. "Rooockmaan…" Lightman groaned. "Why are you laughing at me? It's not funny!"

"You're acting like a little kid," Rockman stated.

Lightman snuffed. "Whatever," he said as he marched between the three other navis with his arms behind his head. "Let's go see why Papa had us come."

The three other navis sweatdropped. "Is he…always like this?" Searchman asked quietly to his two comrades.

Rockman just sighed. "No. He's just not in a really good mood right now."

"Why?" Blue asked.

Rockman suddenly found needing to follow his brother important and took off, giving a quick, "It doesn't really matter. He'll be back to his normal self in a little bit."

This time it was Blues and Searchman to look at each other. "Something is up," Searchman vocalized quietly to his crimson friend. The three had worked together too long to not know what the others were feeling and the fact that Rockman was usually the easiest to read made Searchman fairly confident in his assumption.

"Maybe," Blues stated, no longer sure of anything involving the smaller navi. Blues shook his head sadly: "Too much has changed in the last few months." Searchman gave a small frown and nodded, knowing that what Blues had said was all too true—there sure were to be consequences from everything that had happened and since Blues had been the one to have the latest contact with Rockman, he could only trust what Blues knew…or did not know.

Rockman turned back to his old friends a little bit ahead. "Are you guys coming?" he asked.

"Yeah, we're coming," Searchman said as he and Blues started to move forward; however, Blues did so hesitantly. Of course, you would never have picked up a hesitant quiver in his body, but in his mind he was dreading the interaction that would happen in a matter of moments between his net-op and the navi that reminded Enzan of Netto.

"There they are."

The twin navis stopped with Blues and Searchman close behind to see out into the human world Meijin, Hikari-hakase, Enzan, Laika, as well as Chief Kifune and Manabe. It had been Chief Kifune who had first spoken and it was he who continued to speak:

"So you're the Lightman I've heard so much about," he said kindly as he approached the screen.

"Uh, yeah," Lightman nodded, somewhat confused.

Seeing the small navi's confused look, which was closely mirrored by the better known Rockman, Kifune chuckled. "You're probably wondering why I'm here,' he said. Both navis nodded. "Well, Lightman, I do not know if you know who I am or not, but I am Chief Kifune, head of the Net Police and I've heard about yours and Rockman's recent activities. Therefore, we've decided, if you want, both of you are welcome to become part of the Net Savers."

Lightman's face immediately lit up. "Really!" he asked excitedly.

The adults in the room all chuckled at the boy navi's enthusiasm. Enzan gave an "humph" and turned to leave, which earned a curious look from Laika as the prodigy net battler left the room. Lightman and Blues also noticed the exit and Lightman frowned slightly, but no one except Rockman noticed the small change which Lightman hid fairly well.

"Rockman, what about you?" Kifune asked, snapping the other blue navi out of his focus on his concern for Lightman.

"What?" he asked.

"Do you also want to be re-inducted into the Net Savers? I know it's hard…" Kifune asked.

Rockman shook his head and smiled. "That'd be great. I'd love to be back on duty."

Everyone in the room, both real and cyber, gave a small smile. Lightman, in the meantime, jumped on Rockman excitedly. "This is going to be so much fun, Rockman!" he said excitedly. Rockman could not help but laugh at his brother's excitement.

"Well, now that's settled," Kifune said, "we should probably tell you what we know of the latest problem, Myst. Where's Enzan?"

"He left earlier," Laika said. "Something seems to be bothering him."

Rockman and Lightman looked at each other sadly. "It's probably me," Lightman said.

"Why would that be?" Searchman asked.

Lightman shook his head. "I have no idea. But he hasn't liked me from day one."

Noticing Blues indication of being slightly uneasy that only Rockman, or Enzan had he been here, could pick up, Rockman asked, "Do you know why, Blues?"

Blues shook his head, "Err, no. Not that…" Blues stopped. All faces were on him and Blues felt completely lost. He did not want to betray his net-op but he also did not want to lie. Had it been anyone else, he probably would have gone with the first option without second thought. But this was Rockman, his teammate and comrade, the first navi he had ever held any respect for and, yes, even friend. Not to mention, he for once did not completely agree with Enzan's reasoning.

"Blues?" Rockman asked, having no idea of what to make of Blues abnormal hesitancy.

Blues sighed. "Lightman…reminds Enzan-sama of Netto-san," Blues finally said.

"WHAT!" the outburst from the twins was instantaneous. Blues only nodded.

"You…you can't be serious," Lightman said, laughing off his shock and worry. Blues nodded again. "There's no…it's not possible…" Lightman pushed. "I mean…a human can't become a navi, right?"

"No, you're right," Blues said. "But that's still what he thinks and it bugs him. Enzan-sama never…" Blues pauses sadly and then in a subdued voice said, "He hasn't gotten over Netto-san's death yet."

The room fell dead silent from shock. As for Rockman and Lightman, a strong of mix of emotions where traveling rapidly through the link between them, particularly from Lightman's side. Had his death really hurt Enzan that much? Not only that: how would he ever be able to help him if he hated him, as Lightman, so much? He wanted to help but it seemed impossible. Lightman hung his head low.

Had he really made the right decision?

Rockman's hand came and wrapped tightly around his, giving Lightman his answer. But it still did not solve the answer of how to make things right for Enzan.

"Twins," the silence was broken by one of the small gentle voices the twins had so recently come to know. The whole room turned to face the Maidens.

"Viruses?" Searchman asked, raising his gun in precaution.

"Don't!" both Rockman and Lightman let out the call of alarm. Searchman and Blues both lowered their raised weapons.

"You know them?" Blues asked.

Lightman nodded as Rockman addressed the Maidens, "What is it?"

"Myst has attacked a couple of the areas in the Undernet. Forte's in one area now and we need you to take out the other group led by Dark," Beam explained.

"I hate that guy," Lightman grumbled, though Rockman was not sure if Lightman was referring to Forte or Dark.

"We'll take you to the battle from here," Rei said. Both twins nodded and a bright light surrounded the four. When the brightness level returned to normal, Rockman and Lightman had both disappeared as had the viruses.

"What the…?" Blues began.

"Searchman," Laika's voice echoed through the computer.

"Yes, Laika-san?" Searchman responded.

"Head to the Undernet and see if you can find them and Myst," Laika instructed.

"Yes, sir," Searchman said.

"Let Enzan-sama know that I'm headed in too," Blues said.

"Very well," Kifune said. The two navis logged into the main area of the net to make the journey to the Undernet. Kifune looked at Dr. Hikari, but it was Meijin that vocalized what everything was wondering:

"Do you know anything about this?"

Yuuichiro shook his head, just as shocked as the rest. "I have no idea."

Kifune grunted and looked back at the computer. "Well, it seems they may know more about this then we gave them credit for," he said.

"It appears they may know more then we do in total," Meijin said.

Kifune nodded in agreement. "The question is, what do they know that we don't?"