Author's Note: I do not own any of the songs that I use in this chapter. They all belong to their respective singers, songwriters, and record companies.

Chapter 5: With a Bang

They got back to HQ about fifteen minutes before the concert was to begin. A stage had been set up, instruments already out and waiting, and a dance area had been set up as well. Many Hunters and their guests were waiting patiently, chatting about this and that. Moving carefully, X and Zero secured a place near the front, where they saw Stormloop guarding the steps up. He barked softly at them and waved.

"That is one strange canine," Zero muttered, and X had to agree.

"Quite a turnout," X commented casually.

"Colonel should be happy about that, though I don't know how much good it will do. Even if moral is low - and I admit that it is a little - a simple concert won't help." That had X thinking. If he could open that data chip, maybe whatever was on it would help. A weapon, a new program the Hunters could use, even something as simple as a message could give HQ a charge, could give one to all Hunters. He decided that when they talked with Felsen he'd ask what they had tried. He'd crack that code.

At the appointed time, the stage lights lit up and the eight Reploids appeared. Their crowd applauded and cheered, some seemingly very eager. The three siblings took up position at front, Albastru center, Felsen left, and Listina right, and the rest took up their spots at the various instruments, drums, keyboard, synth, etc. Felsen and Albastru both wore electric guitars. Rather than say something. like some sort of introduction, they just went right into the songs, the first one starting out with a heavy, jungle-sounding drum beat. Felsen sang lead.

"Put your faith in what you most believe in

Two worlds, one family."

X blinked.

"Two Worlds," he said softly.

"Huh?" asked Zero.

"That song, it's called Two Worlds. Somehow, I know it."

"A paradise untouched by man
Within this world blessed with love ."

Felsen gave a playful smile that made X smile back.

"A simply life, but they live in peace.

Softly tread the sand below your feet now
Two worlds, one family
Trust your heart
Let fate decide
To guide these lives we see
Beneath the shelter of the trees
Only love can enter here
A simple life, they live in peace

Raise you head up
Life high the load
Take strength from those that need you.
Build high the walls.
Build strong the beams.
A new life in waiting,
but danger's no stranger here."

After that song they kept up the pace, with Albastru quickly moving to the keyboard to start up a fast pace. Felsen and Listina began to clap, encouraging the crowd to participate. Then Listina began to sing and dance on the stage.

"There comes a time
when you face the toughest of fights.
Searching for a sign,
Lost in the darkest of nights.
The wind blows to cold,
standing alone
before
the battle's begun.
But deep in your soul
the future unfolds
as bright as the rays of the sun!"

Again, X was surprised to discover he knew the song, called Power of Love.

I must've heard them somewhere, he reasoned. Simple enough. In the next song, Felsen played while Albastru sang. X knew it before he began.

"We call them cool
those hearts that have no scars to show."

Ok, this is too crazy, he thought. So far I'm three for three.

"Hey, it seems to be working," Zero suddenly said. X looked and saw some Reploid dancing, really enjoying themselves. After the song was over, Albastru finally paused to speak.

"Now that we've got your attention, thank you for coming out to hear us perform. I'm Albastru, this is Felsen, and Listina. If ya can't tell, we're siblings. Our backup - and some of the best pals we could ever ask for - "

"And your cousins," put in Fatalis, on the drums with a rim shot, getting a laugh.

"I was gettin' to that! Yes, and our cousins, Fatalis on drums, Ra on guitar, Naki on synth, Diadem on keyboard, and Neon on bass."

"As I'm sure you can tell," Felsen put in, "we pick our songs from a lot of places. country, rock 'n roll, soundtracks, pretty much everywhere. Most are old and nearly forgotten, but you might just hear a favorite or two if you're lucky."

"Lastly," said Listina, "we don't like to talk much." She winked. "Hope you like non-stop music!" The crowd cheered its enthusiasm, and with that Felsen and Albastru stepped up for a duet, Felsen leading, of Danger Zone. Listina took the mike next, and sang in Japanese. It was a song from some anime or video game, called Makenai Ai Ga Kitto Aru, or something like that. He couldn't help but smile, but when he looked at Zero near the end he was surprised to see his pal looking bored.

"Everything okay, Zero?" X asked quietly.

"Yeah. But why couldn't they play something good?"

"So far I'm liking it."

"Yeah, it's okay, but it's not - " By this time, Makenai had finished, and Albastru kicked the next some off abruptly.

"Gimmie fuel, gimmie fire
gimmie that which I desire!"

Zero jumped a foot in surprise, looking finally interested. He grinned and yelled,

"Haha! Now we're talkin!'" X grinned too. He knew this song, but mostly because Zero was a fan of the old band Metallica, and had tracked down copies of virtually all of their songs. Fuel was followed by Astronomy, then Hero of the Day (Zero jokingly remarked that song fit him, and maybe X too, haha). Both weren’t the only ones singing along.

Then the group slowed things down, Felsen and Listina dueting Somewhere Out There. X got a funny feeling during it, like there was something about it he should be getting, but wasn't. Albastru took Listina's place for Son of Man, doing a little dance with his bro during the first lines of "Whatever you do, I'll do it too," imitating Felsen's playful flip of the mike. Felsen next took the ending song from Ninja Scroll, and old anime, then it was back to Metallica with Unforgiven II. That seemed to start a run, as the next songs - Burning Bright by Shine down, Show me the Way by Styx, My Own Prison, What's This Life For, and One by Creed - seemed to tell a story of a person struggling to rise through darkness. Albastru led the run, and here he danced the emotions, first cold and dark, then struggling to break free, then pleading for help, to dealing with the guilt, and lastly Felsen and Listina came in to 'pull him up' from despair. X couldn't help singing along when all the band did,

"We may rise and fall, but in the end, we'll meet our fate together!"

He grinned at hearing others sing with him. It was like a rallying call for the Hunters.

All I Ever Wanted, again by Shinedown, touched X as had Somewhere Out There, as it spoke of wanting a home, and 'home' to X meant family. Zero seemed to sense it and playfully bumped X with his shoulder to make him smile. Then Felsen stepped forward.

"Sad to say, we're nearing the end - " A chorus of disappointment rang out over the crowd. Felsen smiled. "But I hope you'll consider these last two songs our heartfelt prayer for all of you. A prayer of peace to come, and a promise." Albastru stepped up now, as Felsen began to play on his acoustic guitar.

"Brother, my brother
tell me what are we fighting for?
We've got to end this war."

X physically jerked. It almost felt as if that had been sent straight to him.

"We face each other from different sides
The anger burns, can't remember why
It's kinda crazy to cause such pain
Our foolish pride makes us hate this way

We watch our world fall apart
Tell me what good is winning
When you lose your heart ?"

A sudden thought hit X. The Mavericks... in a way they were his brothers, or cousins at least. And some had been Hunters, which were all the family X had ever known. It gave a whole new meaning to this war.

"Let's take a moment and look deep inside
We say we're willing to give love a try
We're not as different as we seem to be
There's so much more to me than what you see
It don't have to be this way
Think about the consequences
Turn around and walk away."

Could there be another way? X mused as he looked around. Everyone seemed meditative, at least a bit.

Then Albastru took over playing, blending from one song smoothly into the next. Diadem on the keyboard and Naki on synth picked up the string part, cello and violin. Felsen sang, while to the side Listina began an almost sign language-like dance.

"Come stop your crying
it will be all right."

It was the song Albastru had sung to Felsen, that night X had heard him crying.

"Just take my hand, hold it tight
I will protect you from, all around you
I will be here, don't you cry"

Now Albastru took over.

"For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us, can't be broken
I will be here, don't you cry "

Now both sang together.

"cause you'll be in my heart
yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on, now and forever more

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always "

X could see how they called it a promise. And once more X got a feeling that there was a second meaning. A bit fancifully he thought of Dr. Light, always in his heart. While he was musing, they got through the second verse and chorus. Then he was jolted out of his reverie by the bridge, Felsen on lead, Albastru and Listina on echo.

"Don't listen to them, 'cause what do they know? (What do they know?)
We need each other, to have, to hold
They'll see in time, I know."

Abruptly X's gaze met Felsen's, and was locked! All three were looking right at him!

“When destiny calls you, you must be strong (You gotta be strong)
I may not be with you, but you've got to hold on
They'll see in time, I know, we'll show them together."

On the chorus they released his eyes, and he panted a bit; he'd been holding his breath. That had been meant undeniably for him. They were trying to tell him something. His heart was racing.

"You okay?" Zero asked. X began to reply, to ask if Zero had noticed, but just then an explosion ripped through one wall. Through the noise and cries of alarm, X heard Listina scream,

"Oh no! He's found us!"

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Author's Note: Wow! Long one! Ok, just to be nice and legal, here's all the songs and their singers:

Two Worlds, Son of Man, and You'll Be In My Heart: Phil Collins

Power of Love: from Sailor Moon

Standing Outside the Fire: Garth Brooks

Danger Zone: Kenny Loggins

Makenai Ai ga Kitto Aru: performed by Namie Amuro

Fuel, Astronomy, Hero of the Day, Unforgiven II: Metallica

Somewhere Out There: performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram

Burning Bright, All I Ever Wanted: Shinedown

Show Me the Way: Styx

My Own Prison, What's This Life For, One: Creed

Brother My Brother: Blessed Union of Souls