Netto was staring down at himself in total mortification and shock. His face was beet red and his mouth was hanging open. He was self-conscious of his body and how he looked. And this outfit bypassed his normal style of clothes a bit too much for his liking. He was wearing Black tie up shoes that had about a 4-inch platform on it - to which, Netto noticed - fit him perfectly. And next he was in rather short black leather shorts, which fit him snugly, taking to his form and curves rather nicely, giving it shape. But it still embarrassed him by how short and how low was on his hips. Next he was wearing a sleeveless crimson silk dress shirt. He left the collar flared up and had left the two buttons undone because it was bad enough that it was a bit small. But unknowingly, it only added to the look. His face was bright red, his eyes were unbelievably large, and his mouth was in an "O" on surprise. Picking up the PET that now contained the Darkloid, he stared into it. "What the hell? What kind of outfit is this?"
"A perfect one." Dark Blues said with a smirk.
"Why do you even want me to wear this?"
"So you won't look like you. Now, the next thing you're going to do is get rid of that hair color. You'll still be easily recognizable even with that outfit. You can choose the color, just make sure you don't look like you." He hissed. Netto sighed, running a hand through his hair. He rather liked his hair and the thought of turning it to another color was just outrageous! But he didn't exactly want to piss the Navi off; as such he held power over him. Gritting his teeth, Netto slid the device into his holster he put on from his other pair and stuffed his old clothes into the crate, picked up his backpack and put it on, before he started walking off, back towards the city, to find a hair dyeing store. "And how, Blues, do you expect me to pay for this?" He asked the Dark NetNavi. "I have that covered. Don't worry about things like that. Just do as I say without questioning and you won't have a problem." Dark Blues replied smoothly. With a slight glare at nothing, the brunette continued walking.
In town, he passed people and places, but nobody paid him any attention, as they were all blissfully unaware of everything that had happened. Navigating his way over to a store, he stepped inside and looked around for a person. "Hello, how may I help you?" Asked the girl who looked up from her book. "Do you do hair coloring?" He asked politely through clenched teeth, smiling nonetheless. The girl nodded. "Yes we do. Are you interested in dyeing your hair?" She asked. The brunette nodded slightly. "Okay. Follow me," The woman made a motion with her hand. Walking over, he let her lead her to the sink. "Do you want your hair cut or trimmed any before hand?" She asked. "No." Netto answered quickly. With a kind smile, the woman nodded in understanding. "I'll wash your hair and then you can choose what you want your hair color to be." She said softly. With a hesitant nod, Netto sat himself down in the chair and leaned back, putting his head in the sink.
----
"Enzan, did you find Netto?" Hikari Yuuichirou asked hopefully when he saw the two-coloured haired prodigy walk up. With a shake of his head, Enzan sighed, "No. Blues has him. He tricked him and took him." He informed, pulling Netto's PET and handing it to the scientist. "He left Rock behind along with his vest and headband." Yuuichirou frowned deeply, brows furrowing in confusion and sadness. "Thank you, Enzan." He said softly. With a nod, Enzan put his hand on the good scientist's shoulder. "Hikari-san, I promise I'll get Netto back for you. Blues has gone too far with his game, I'm not going to let it get any more out of hand." He swore. "Take Rockman with you, you'll need him." Yuuichirou said quietly, handing the PET back to Enzan who took it and nodded silently.
Nothing more needed to be said so Enzan turned and walked away silently, mind reeling, taking information in and processing it, only to come up with blanks each time. Hikari Yuuichirou watched the boy go, frowning still. He hoped that he and Rock would be able to get Netto back. He had a bad feeling still and he was afraid that something bigger then this was about to happen.
----
"What color is it?" Dark Blues asked from the PET he was confined in for the time being. Netto smirked. "It's a secret." Perhaps it wasn't the wisest idea to tease the Darkloid, but he had nothing better to do. And it was a warped way to get back at the dark being for making him do this. There was an annoyed hiss from the Navi and Netto felt smug. He hadn't really been paying attention to the lady who was colouring his hair, because it was hard enough knowing he was parting with his look that he always had used since he was a child. "Alright, let's get you over here in the dryer." The woman said. With a slight nod, Netto stood up, following the lady, trying extra hard to curb his curiosity to look in the mirror. He sat in the chair and let the woman mess around with the controls and stick his head in the huge round bowl-shaped dome thing and turn it on, air beginning to blow out of it onto his head.
----
Dark Blues was annoyed at the boy, though the boy had every right not to tell him. He smirked as he exited the PET unnoticed and logged himself into a place no one else knew of but the Darkloids. Making his way down into the darkness where he knew someone would be. "Who's there?" A voice hissed. "I know you're there." The dark Navi smirked. "Shademan." Was all he said. The Navi stepped over towards him, eyes glowing slightly. "You!" He accused.
"What about me?"
"Why are you here?"
"I'm here to request your...assistance, is it?"
"Why would I help you?"
"Because you're not the only one wanting to take out Laserman and Regal." Shademan stared at the other Navi with narrowed eyes. "Why would you want to take them out? I thought you were just their lowlife pawn." He snorted. The vampire Navi found himself with a blade to his neck and a red visor in his face. "Watch what you say. I could delete you right here and now and find somebody else to assist me." Dark Blues hissed. "What's in this for me if I 'assist' you?" The Darkloid asked venomously, hissing at the blade against his neck.
"If you listen and help me, I have a plan to overthrow Laserman and you can regain control of the Darkloids, and take over the world. I can't do it alone, I need someone who can work behind the shadows." He said lowly.
"And you want me to do this?" The other asked.
"Yes and no."
"What do you mean?"
"There's another who will be in this to help me. And this is one of the reasons I need you. Your powers...are required, however. You two will be the one's to help me overthrow Regal and Laserman. Then nothing will stop us from taking over the real world and the cyber world." Dark Blues said. "And why do you want my powers?" The shadow Navi asked. "Because," The kagemusha replied, beginning to tell the Navi his plan.
----
"You're done." The lady said, smiling as she finished combing her fingers through the teen's hair, finishing off the look. She turned the chair around to the mirror to let the other see. Netto took in a deep breath and opened his closed eyes. He was met with a sight that made him jump and slightly gasp. His hair was no longer the brown color it was. Instead it was different. Really different. Standing up, he looked himself over. It matched well with his outfit and he ran a hand through it, smirking at himself. He hated to admit it, but he was slightly enjoying this. 'No!' His mind hissed. 'You shouldn't be enjoying this! This is exactly what Blues wants. You can't give into this.' Netto sighed before following the woman up front again. "Your total is $19.50." The lady informed. "Put it on the account tab: 16143, the funds will be transferred within a few hours." Dark Blues said from the PET. The lady nodded, typing things up on the Keyboard until it beeped in approval. "Have a nice day." She said with a light bow. Netto smiled at her, leaving the shop.
"Well?" Dark Blues said impatiently.
"Well, what?"
"What do you look like?" He snapped, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Oh. Well, look for yourself." Netto said, picking up the PET and holding the screen up and eye level. The boy's face was still the same, but the shocking thing the Navi found was the boy's hair. It wasdark silver, with white ends in one of those "bed head" styles, which seemed to add onto the look. The Darkloid nodded his approval. "Perfect." He said, smirking. Netto almost found himself smirking back, but resisted and shrugged. "I figured it went with the outfit and since you never defined what color, why not take it after yours?" He said, putting the PET back in the holster at his waist. "It does compliment the outfit, I'm flattered that you copied my color." The dark NetNavi drawled. Netto was walking aimlessly among the crowd, getting some looks, but mostly being passed by and ignored – brushed aside like he was nothing.
He caught site of brown curled hair, and a black jacket heading toward him. He looked up and saw it was Yuriko. She raised a brow from behind her shades as she neared him. And Netto smirked at her that clearly said, 'I know who you are.' as he passed. He paid her no mind when she stopped and looked back at him with curious fascination. She had never seen the boy in her life and yet… She shook her head before straightening up and walking off, disappearing into the crowd.
"Where to now?" Netto asked. "To the weapons shop a few blocks down." The Navi replied. "Why there?" He asked. "You're going to pick up what I ordered for you." Netto sighed. "Fine." He murmured, directing himself towards the shop. The trip itself was not long, but with him thinking so hard, it felt like forever. Coming out of his autopilot, he looked up at the armory store before going to the door and walking in. The bells chimed rhythmically as he walked in. Looking around, there were various types of weapons everywhere. Swords, staffs, bows, spears, all different types of weapons. Some he hadn't ever seen before. And some looked custom made. It was slightly awe inspiring to say the least. "Can I help you?" Asked a gruff voice.
Turning, he saw a rather large, burly man at the desk. Walking over slowly, he smiled slightly. "I'm here to pick up something. I believe my Navi knows what it is." He said, smirking lightly down at the Darkloid. "The order number is: 6611459, it was ordered three days ago, and was said it could be picked up today." Dark Blues said smoothly. The man behind the shop stared at the boy for a moment; before he typed the number into the computer, it beeping and the processing information came up.
"It checks out, give me a moment and I will be back with your order." The man turned, and went into a backroom, leaving Netto standing there, waiting. He looked down at the PET with slightly angry eyes. "How long have you been planning to do this?" He hissed angrily.
"Ever since I first became a Darkloid."
"That's impossible."
"Is it? Who says?"
Netto had nothing to say back, he just glared for a moment before looking away from the screen, lowering the device back to his side, shifting impatiently as he waited. Thoughts wandered through his mind as he waited. 'Why?' His mind asked silently over and over. He didn't know the answer at all. He didn't even know why his mind was asking him that. The man stepped back into the room carrying a rather long box with him. Setting it on the counter, the man opened it and pulled out a small rod. It was made out of something rather solid, and had some designs along it. It was a silvery-white color all around it and there were two small grooves 9 inches from the middle on both sides. He handed it over to him. Taking it into his hand, Netto studied it more thoroughly.
It was rather light. But he could tell it would not break very easily, despite its feel. He tried to bend it, and it wouldn't budge. It was very well balanced and fit rather nicely into one or both of his hands. "There are switches there on both ends, press them." The man instructed. Looking, he saw the 'grooves' were really buttons. Putting his hand on one, he pressed it hard.
Ssschwisch
Another rod came out from the side, with a rather deadly blade on the end. Pressing the button on the other side, the same thing happened. Now twice the length it had been, and had blades on each end. It felt even lighter then before. Feeling along the smooth blade, he stared at it. It was made out of some metal he had never seen before. It was shiny and reflected like a mirror almost. But felt rough even among the polish on it. He made a yelp of surprise when he accidentally touched the blade. He looked at his hand. A small, thin, string-like cut appeared on his hand, red forming at the surface rather quickly, a trail of blood falling slightly.
"Aye. That's one of the sharpest blades you will ever find. Makes the cleanest cuts, and the blade never rusts or dulls hardly. It feels light, but don't think it can't hold against anything. Pressing the buttons again will make them retract, and all it looks like is a metal pole." The man explained. Looking back, Netto nodded. He had barely heard it. He was in amazement from the cut he got. He had barely touched it… "I hope it meets your expectations." The voice cut him out of his daze. Nodding numbly, Netto set the weapon back down. "How much?" He asked. "The money has been paid beforehand, there is nothing you owe. Enjoy that weapon, it's one of a kind." With that said, the man turned and disappeared into the back. Staring slightly, Netto picked the weapon up, twirling it slightly with one hand.
He admitted, it was rather nifty, and it seemed rather easy to handle. 'Stop thinking like that!' His mind chided. He turned around, and walked out of the shop with the weapon. "What do you think of it? Isn't it beautiful?" Dark Blues asked. Netto flinched slightly. "I wouldn't say it's beautiful. It's…powerful, yes. Dangerous, too. It's a work of art, it's something of quality." He answered. Dark Blues smirked. "I agree with that. I knew it would be perfect for you when I had them make it. It's made to fit you." Netto flinched again. He didn't like the fact that he was being used like this. He didn't like it at all. But what choice did he have? Dark Blues had him exactly where he wanted him, and he couldn't do a thing to get out of it.
"Where do we go next?" He asked quietly, his voice sounding far off, eyes closing lightly from the onslaught of emotions that just hit him. He wanted to cry, and he was angry, and he just wanted to curl up somewhere and hide for the rest of his life – away from everything. He wanted Rock back, and he wanted to be back with his friends, and his family. But somehow he knew he wouldn't be going back for a long time, if ever. "Follow this map." The Darkloid commanded, an internal map popping up on the PET screen. Netto stared at it for a moment, before he silently started walking, moving off towards the location shown on the map.
----
"I'm worried about Netto-kun… I hope he's all right. I'm afraid he'll do something that could get him hurt." Rockman said from his PET, eyes clearly showing distress and worry. He was on the edge, and anything could set the little Navi off. Enzan couldn't blame him. He was worried, too. But, he had to be strong. He couldn't show exactly how upset he was over this, as it would only make the situation worse. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, trying to think of anything that he could that would help him find Blues and Netto faster.
The only thing he could come up with was to just wait, and let Blues come to them, but that would be wasting time. And knowing Blues, he had a plan for everything. So he had to find another way. He couldn't just sit there and let Blues strike first, because he already had the advantage, waiting would only give him more of one. "Enzan…?" Came Rock's quiet voice. "Hn?" He looked down at the PET, noticing how vulnerable the little Navi looked. "Do you…do you think Netto's all right?" He asked hesitantly.
Enzan saw the worry, fright, and sadness in the Navi, and felt himself slipping a bit. He sighed again. He couldn't lie to the Navi, nor could he go out and say he didn't believe. Instead, he opted to say something else. "I don't know. If Netto's smart – and I know he is – he won't do anything to put himself in immediate danger. And Blues may look down upon those who are weaker then him, but I don't think he'd directly hurt Netto without any good reason. I think he may have use for Netto, which is what I'm more concerned about." It was mostly the truth. He left some details out, and he had the right mind to do so as he saw the Navi's reaction.
Rockman was panicking, feeling like he could just cry or burst – if Navi's could do so, that is. His stress and anxiety levels had just rose another good 20 points and didn't look like they were coming down soon. So Enzan said quickly, "But I plan on getting Netto back before Blues has a chance to do anything." He gave a light smile to the Navi, which he hoped would calm him down some. It worked somewhat. "I'll help you, I want to get Netto-kun back before Blues does something bad with him. If you need anything on my part, just ask, I'm willing to help you wherever I can." He smiled back, feeling calmer then he had ever since Netto had left with Blues.
Enzan nodded. "Thanks…" Rock's smile widened. "You're welcome." He said quietly. Closing his eyes briefly, Enzan went back to wracking his brain for anything that would help him find Netto and Blues faster. Opening them again, a small inspiration struck. Getting up, and retrieving his laptop, he opened it and pulled up a screen and quickly began typing, hoping that his idea would work.
----
Netto stepped down into an Alleyway. He was in the slums, and it was terribly deserted and to make matters worse, he was getting creeped out by the bad feeling he had. "Alright, stop." Dark Blues said. He stopped walking and waited. Two Dimensional Converters hit the ground and started generating a small field around them. Dark Blues appeared and smirked. "There's someone I want you to meet. I believe you know him quite well, though." There was the sound of someone behind him and Netto spun around, eyes widening, a gasp coming out. "Hello, human." The voice hissed.
Netto stared in shock.
"Shademan…"
