"Echoes of laughter...Now ring in distant corridors...With the tears of hearts undone...Dreams we chase after...Open the key to any door...We are what we become..."

- "Voices" by Wayne Kirkpatrick

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A FATHER'S FEAR

By Twila@M3

Based on the characters and theme of the Megaman Mush
(Telnet://mmm.penmush.org  port: 1997)

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A portion of Dr. Light's journal entry for September 18th, 22XX:

...so disturbing, the dream I had last night. Not sure if it was brought on by my worrisome thoughts over my son or....something happened to disagree with me from supper. For all I know, it may have been a little of both.

However, if it had been solely the former I suppose I shouldn't really be surprised. Twila and Rock are still very much in love and have been, I suspect, despite the fact the girl called off the wedding engagement near the beginning of the new year. Not that I can fault her. Both of them had somewhat "jumped the gun" without taking in the full considerations of such a step. They were asking too much of one another far too soon. Twila may have been more aware of what such a union would entail at the time, more so than Rock would have. After all, the girl was his first interest in love. As such his level of maturity regarding their relationship and how a young woman should he regarded, treated, and handled was not particularly as it would have been had he been a human around the same age as she. (Or, at least I hope that were the case! Then again, there are plenty of young people who are immature these days regardless, and not in there matters. How in the world some of them were able to get a license to drive is beyond me!)

Still, Twila was patient with Rock. And, at times, it seemed rather endless. Even now. But that patience did have its limits. (Oh, he had good intentions perhaps...but nobody likes to feel as if they're kept within a box, only to be taken out time and again to be regarded. Thank goodness he's realizing another individual can't live within a box. ) His duties often call him away, you see. In a strong sense he's "married" to his job. For him, it must take precedence...for what a job it is! Indeed, there are many times I feel he takes on a bit too much. But I digress. In the end, they both came to realize that his attentions would be rather divided between her and his work. And much like a mistress stealing a woman's husband away from for his wife...in the end, his work would always be his priority, not her. The truth of that must have hurt the both of them greatly. It hurts me as well. How I wish Rock could have lived a relatively "normal" life and not have to deal with these rogues, whether they follow Albert of that cursed Sigma.

Alas, that was not meant to be. I never in my wildest dreams thought anything of the sort regarding either the Robot Masters or the Mavericks would have ever come into existence when Blues, Rock, and their sister were first created. A tooluser was what Rock had originally been designed for...merely working as a lab assistant. He was more than that. I could never consider him as simple tool. He may have been built, constructed, but he as well as the other two were as my own children. Nay, they are my children.

My son was called by destiny to fulfill his role as Megaman, as X, and as Commander of the Maverick Hunters. And that's something he cannot, nor will not, deny. His very nature prevents it, no matter how he may feel otherwise at times. And I'm certain does carry some form of resentment deep inside. He's never spoken it to me. But I know. A father knows these things.

There's only one of Rock. And only he can do what he was called to do. No other. And no one can prevent him from carrying out his role, not even the woman he loves the most.

It's for this reason I find the content of the dream so disturbing and it's details find themselves written down...

*****

The girl's twin brother, Rick, was the one who seemed a the most disturbed at the news of the impending wedding. I could see the disapproval within his eyes...as could the others I'm sure. Apparently he had spoken to great length regarding the relationship she had with Rock at great length before and had expressed his concerns. What he said exactly I don't know. But I can at least guess. Eventually, however, he seemed to accept that his little sister and my son were finally going to "tie the knot" and conceded to be the one to give away the bride at the ceremony. Rock's own brother was not quite so kind or forgiving, which can be expected. Blues was furious. So furious in fact that I was afraid not only he threatened to "slap some sense" into Rock literally, but also bring some manner or harm to the bride-to-be. I would have hoped not! As for Rock's best friend Zero, little reaction was given - which I found unusual. Much of the time no one really has to so much as to guess the Beserker's present emotional state. This time...was different though. I heavily suspect he also had mixed emotions, happy for his friend but at the same time not fully knowing what it would fully mean. Perhaps there was even fear there as well. The other Hunters reacted with a round of congratulations.

They had seen the long trek the two's relationship had taken and were happy it finally led to a final commitment. I sense that a commitment and bond was already present within the two. Although unspoken of or made public it was there just the same. Now, it would be publicly stated as well as officially made. This applied emotionally certainly. Unknown to most, this would also be physical. Rock had approached me, requesting that he be slightly modified so that he could carry out the same functions of a human male, enable for him to be joined to his wife as a "normal" husband would. Now, carrying out spousal duties to their fullest extent regarding these relations would be impossible of course. Yet, it's not something unheard of that some manner of modification could be given.(Some of which is done for the most sordid reasons by others I fear. I was very glad this was not the case in this instance.) So, I agreed to this for sometime after the wedding. It may have affected their Honeymoon. Knowing Rock he would have preferred to be within his pajamas and snuggling Twila just as if she were his stuffed toy teddy bear anyway! There's still a little boy inside. He may be hidden from view a lot of the time. But he's still there.

My mind chose the image of a small valley for the setting for the event. Twila would have preferred a church setting more than likely. However, a structure such as the one she was thinking of would not have contained some of the guests easily due to their size and make - especially those who were invited from Repliforce itself. Thus, outdoors was the best option proposed. I suppose even in sleep my logical side must play out. Among the crowd from New York I readily noticed General (as if who couldn't!) as well as Colonel. Colonel's sister Iris was also in attendance. However, she seemed infinitely saddened by some prospect. By the way she was occasionally tossing stares towards Zero it was easy to guess it concerned him in some way. Their relationship had been unstable at best and was the expected "up again, down again" between the two. It was hard to tell if anything between them was meant to last for terribly long.

Across the isle from me I couldn't help but noticed the middle-aged redheaded woman sitting there, smiling. Hair cut short and wearing a teal dress of her own has to be Twila and Rick's own birth mother Lauren Hemmings. I didn't know how I knew...I just did. Lovely woman. She must have had a story to tell. But then, who of is doesn't?

Rock stood in front of the minister, eyes wide with adoration as he watched his bride escorted to towards him by her sibling. His gaze was returned in like of course and, I was certain of this, both were seeing the world through glazed eyes. A little more noticeable was the fact they were both slightly blushing. I wondered why I was even surprised. They both had never stopped ever since they had first met.

Zero stood beside Rock as his Best Man, also impressed with Twila's white gown and train. Touched with a Renaissance feel with its lace, satin, and ribbons it did take to her well and was pleasing to my own old eyes. Likewise, Rock and Zero were also impressive within their "penguin suits". Still, I have to wonder how the Beserker had even been paid to get into one! Whatever the amount, I doubt anyone could have persuaded him to have something done with that lengthy golden hair of his but bind it within its usual tie behind him. My son, thankfully, had for once combed that dang hair of his. Twila must have said something to him about that. Dear me, I must wonder if this would be the first time. I somehow doubt it would have been the last. She's not really that fussy, I know. But it has been fun to contemplate. (Yes, Dear. Right away, Dear.) Next to Zero stood the officer Seminole. A fine choice I admit.

Roll was just as lovely as Twila, acting as the girl's maid of honor...dressed within the chosen color of the wedding. A bluish-green. Rock's color had always been blue, Twila's I suppose had been green. A compromise. Next to Roll was her fellow Hunter Dischord in a dress much like hers, shifting awkwardly. Not much used to formal affairs.

The young woman let go of Rick's arm as she now stood by Rock before the minister. Her twin still appeared uncertain of this entire affair for whatever reason there was. Yet, all he offered his sister in was a gentle squeeze to her shoulder before taking a step back, awaiting his part. I noticed he too shifted self-consciously within his tux. These young people have no sense of formality!

After the hymn and service the vows were taken. Tears came to my eyes. It had been my fondest wish for Rock to find happiness and peace despite his life that had been anything but since the damnable war began. And to see the two young people up in front of me promise to love, hold, and cherish one another until death do they part warmed my heart more than I can say. When they exchanged their rings and soon pronounced man and wife, I soared. In that moment I sincerely believed that any problem they would face or whatever trouble may surface they would face it together and overcome. I couldn't believe anything else. Love is a very, very powerful thing.

However, love has the power to destroy just as it does to build...especially if the one so loved was cruelly snatched away...
Despite everything he had stated I somehow knew Blues would have been one of those in attendance at the wedding regardless. It was his voice that shouted the warning that when a sole dark-clad intruder atop a purple hover-platform in shape of a canine swooped over the assembly, catching just about all of us off-guard. Security measures to assure that the wedding would not be interrupted had been taken. But, they weren't enough, much to everyone's regret...most of all my son's. As soon as the warning was sounded the following events seemed to move far to slow. The unwanted arrival, the Robot Master Bass, opened fire without preamble. He didn't care if he hit anyone else besides his intended target, just so he succeeded. And...that he did. Neither Rock nor Zero were able to prevent Twila from being felled that day. And immediately my training within human physiology had already come to the conclusion the wound was indeed fatal. I choose not to go into graphic detail regarding what Bass's Neo-Buster has done to Twila or what type of injuries it had inflicted. For intents and purposes, to say it was grievous is sufficient enough.

Pandemonium erupted soon after, of course. Shaking themselves from their initial shock some of the attendees shifted immediately into the battle gear while others sought to help out those guests who were more or less vulnerable to whatever else the Bass had planned. However, the Master XO pulled back with a maniacal laughter, separating himself from the enraged assembly. He was insane and highly unstable as was his Master Wily. One thing he wasn't was stupid. He callously watched his nemesis clutch the battered form of his new wife, taunting him, proclaiming that *now* that Rock's weakness was removed he was now free to best him unhindered.

Behind the congregation I somehow heard Sigma as well as the human cult leader known as Kaust Losstaret declaring that Bass had, for once, done what should have been done long ago...that a human and reploid never belonged together...that the perversion had to end. Strange to see the two of those miscreants together.

Lost within his grief, the further the taunts were made, the more and more a deep reservoir of hatred, self-loathing began to rise in him. I saw it written on his features. In that moment, the Rock I had known and loved was replaced by...someone else. Trembling, tears rolling down his cheeks, the reploid carefully laid Twila's blood-soaked form within Rick's awaiting arms and didn't offer him any words. He merely shifted into fill battle armor as some others had. Then, with a piercing, heart-wrenching scream he launched himself upwards towards the knight with the aid his own robo-dog , Rush. Bass seemed to laugh in unhidden glee as the fight between the two began and then went out my line of sight.
Meanwhile, Rick was no longer paying attention to any of us or the chaos that was still going about him. He didn't even notice when I made my way upwards and laid a hand on his shoulder. All he did was cradle the form of his sister to himself back and forth, ceaselessly murmuring incoherently as if something at his very core had also snapped. And he would not be consoled...ever.

Although I don't recall the specific of what occurred afterwards, I do remember neither Rock or Rick, nor any of the Hunters for that matter were the same. I sensed none of us were the same. Twila, you see, had been the first Hunter within the ranks to fall to her death. A death would have been a tragedy in itself regardless of who it had been. But this one, later in the dream I came to realize not one was killed that day...but three. Rock and Rick may have survived physically, but emotionally they had been shattered.

Rick, who had also had a special, unexplainable bond with his sister was able to function enough to do his duties. But that's all he did. He threw himself into his work after the incident, knowing little else and caring about little else. The only time he seemed to soften was when he cared for little Kyo-Ohki...Twila's pet cabbit. When the mech-animal realized her owner was never returning Rick was the only one she would go to.

During the horrific revelation shown to us during the passing of events which brought the possible pasts and furthers to cross our paths the one known only as "X" was first introduced. It was perhaps a warning or a preview of what either could or would happen to Rock and what he would become if certain events took place. In my thoughts, it was assuredly a prophecy. Rock was gone. The cold and hardened X was now within his place. His deepest fear had come true. One of the ones he most cherished was stolen from him, leaving him alone.

Sadly, Twila was only the first who would be taken from him. She would not be the last. Even though Rock refused to allow anyone to see how much it would forever scar him it scarred just the same. He would not recover.
And now, the dreaded and sordid future that was feared took its first ominous step forward, preparing to rip all asunder within its wake.

*****

I had woken up in tears within the dead of night, awakened by my own sobs. The implications alone were frightening more than enough. This old body of mine refused to move as I laid there for the longest time, trembling.
Humans and Repliods are much alike. Their nature of the races is not at issue. Relations between the two have grown and prospered in the past and will continue to do so. However, long ago I had accepted the truth that my son's station in life is so unique and so different from the norm.

The relationship between Rock and Twila had always remained in innocence. I pray it remains so. As long as Rock is needed within his present stead he must not be deterred. I may be old, but I'm not blind. The two already share a strong bond, a love and friendship that cannot be broken. It pains me to say there is a boundary that cannot be crossed, a border that must prevent them from taking the next step from crossing over. My son cannot completely share his life and become one with another until his work is finally completed. If he ever did, they would both end up being destroyed. And not only them...but anyone else around them.

The implications are too far reaching .

*****
*****

Epilogue

Rock sat working at his private terminal within his room, dressed within a sweatshirt and blue jeans. His dark hair was characteristically messy as always. Sapphire eyes looked over the computer screen as he read the report regarding last night's activities. His hand idly reached for a glass of chocolate milk he had procured earlier from the Rec Room when he heard the door knock. Before answering his gazed towards the string of clothes and other assorted items on the floor and rose put them away within his hamper...before anyone saw. "Uh...come in..." he called out, wondering if all bachelors were like this. If Zero was any indication...probably.

The door opened, revealing the plump, white-bearded form of his father. Dr. Light glanced towards the reploid with the various items within his arms, a slight frown creasing his brow. Surprisingly, when he spoke, he made no comment regarding the need for Rock to keep is room more clean. "Rock," the old scientist said slowly, "we need to talk."