Chapter 3

"Not-So Hidden Plans"

Nocturne enjoyed surfing the Net—literally.

April had made him a "Cyberboard"—it looked like a snowboard—for him several years ago, and he loved being able to zoom around above the regular foot traffic of the Net. It made searching for things and finding people a lot easier.

But it was also just fun to use and not have anywhere to go.

He hadn't been back to the UnderNet since that day four years ago, when he last saw Requiem. The thought of her going away with Bass hurt in him a way he expected many other Navis didn't feel.

So why am I here again?

He was sitting on top of a large cube of data, the Cyberboard sitting beside him. He watched what was going on a little ways below him, frowning unhappily. Really, what was he doing here?

The truth was, he had secretly been wanting to come back; he wanted to be the one to find Requiem again. Perhaps he could talk her in to just a visit, and then maybe April could do something…

He shook his head. As long as Bass was with her, there was probably no way he could talk her into coming with him. He sighed, stood up, and jumped off the data cube, board in hand. He maneuvered onto it in the air, and dashed off across the Net, close to the ground. He tapped a button near his foot, and the board shimmered green, then shot forward.

He enjoyed this thrill, speeding around obstacles and the few other Navis, barely missing each one.

Ahead of him, he noticed a large gathering. Unusually large, for the UnderNet. He frowned, tapping the button by his foot and slowing down. He was no expert on the UnderNet, but he was pretty sure that the only large groups around here were gangs and other sorts he didn't want to deal with without his NetOp.

He tapped the board's button one more time as he got closer, and it slowed to a stop. He picked it up and squished it between his hands, folding it up and storing the program until he needed to use it again. He inched his way forward, trying to see what was going on.

As he snuck around a data cube, he failed to see a tiny little green light wink red as he passed; he was so focused on what was going on in front of him.

Nocturne peeked around the corner, and his dark eyes went wide at what he saw.

A large group of Navis, most who looked like they wished the world ill, were gathering around a Navi who was standing on a cube, talking loudly and gesturing wildly.

"The humans have created a monstrosity!" He was shouting. "A device that makes humans and Navis the same!"

Nocturne's eyes widened more. How do they know about this? It's supposed to be a top secret project!

"After what I have been through, there is no way that I am going to share a data stream with a filthy human!" The red and black Navi roared, pounding his fist into his palm. The crowd roared its ascent, and Nocturne gulped.

"It is time for us cyberfolk to show the humans that we wish to remain separate from their world. We have no wish or need to participate in things that they do, nor do we wish to share their weaknesses! We are superior and—" Here, he had to stop, and wait for the crowd's cheering to die down.

Where are the police? Nocturne wondered.

Oh wait, it's the UndereNet. That's right.

"We are superior," the red and black Navi at the front finally continued, "and it is time we showed those humans exactly what will happen if they try to become like us! Join me!" He shouted, spreading his arms wide. "Join me and my organization, and we will make the world our own!"

Nocturne had heard enough to know that he needed to warn the others. He backed away a couple of steps, trying to be quiet even though the crowd was loud enough to cover any sound he made, and he turned around, just in time to walk into the chest of a large Navi. Nocturne had never seen a real bull (only pictures), but he imagined this is what they might look like up close.

The large bodyguard Navi grinned. "Well now, what do we have here? An eavesdropper? Or a trespasser?"

Nocturne gulped again, and tried to smile. "Ah, n-no."

They stared each other down long enough for Nocturne to pick out some choice curse words in his mind, then he turned and ran.

-0-

Requiem had been listening to the loud speech from high above. She was frowning, which was something she didn't do often.

His speech sounds like it's made directly for Bass. She thought, feeling slightly nervous, and glancing over at him. He was a third of the way around the circle of Navis from her, watching with an intense look.

Oh, I really hope he doesn't do something stupid… the last thing we need is Bass to go on a rampage again.

She kept watching, feeling more and more uneasy with every word spoken by this mysterious Navi. Her frown deepened slightly as she studied him. From the way he was talking, he wanted the audience to think he was a strong, independent Navi, but…

Some action below her caught her eye. She glanced down, squinting slightly to zoom in on the sight. A hulking Navi was chasing a smaller one around. She frowned again, thought for a moment, then dropped down.

She touched the ground with a silent flutter of her cloak just as the larger Navi caught the smaller one and pinned him to the wall by his throat. With a jolt, she recognized the smaller, purple and black Navi.

"I've been looking for you this whole time…" He had said that to her, four years ago. Was it possible he was still looking for her?

Nocturne coughed, he hands grabbing at the large Navi's own. He wasn't in contact with his NetOp; there wasn't really anyway for him to fight back. Requiem paused, still and silent.

"You know, there is really only one way for you to save him."

She grit her teeth at Bass' voice.

"One or the other has to be deleted, you get to make that choice."

"Bass, you know I don't have it in me to delete others."

"Very well." He said. She could hear the smirk in his voice. "Then you doom your… friend."

Requiem stood there, frozen and panicking inside. She didn't want to destroy others; she didn't want to start on the path that lead Bass to becoming dark and feared. She didn't want to become a killer.

In front of her, Nocturne choked, his fingers trembling.

"We are not alike Nocturne… we can never truly understand each other." She had said that to him, four years ago. The pain on his face had been different that the pain he had now.

She didn't like seeing him in pain.

Her right hand transformed into a sword, and she pulled her arm back, thrusting it forward.

Up on his data cube, Bass' gaze had been locked on Requiem, the meeting below him forgotten. Requiem's internal struggle was far more interesting than the meeting of gnats below. His face split into a smile.

"Muscleman; deleted."

The large Navi disappeared, and Nocturne fell to his knees, coughing and massaging his neck. Requiem stood, unmoving, her sword-arm still outstretched.

That was… so easy.

"Easy… the feeling of power over those lesser than you… what a sweet feeling, isn't it, Requiem?"

Bass's words reverberated around her mind; her sword slowly disappeared and reformed into her hand again.

"Requiem?"

She looked down at the voice that was not speaking directly into her mind. "Hello again, Nocturne." She tried to smile, and wondered what he saw.

He coughed again, then stood up, rubbing his neck. His eyes widened slightly as he took in her full appearance; with her cloak whipping around her like that, she looked more like Bass than ever. He saw a little of her internal struggle through her eyes, but he didn't fully understand. He had seen that look in April's eyes before…

She reached out her hand and placed it on his shoulder, and her touch surprised him. She leaned forward and kissed his check, which surprised him more than the touch did.

"You must go." She whispered to him. "The UnderNet is not safe, especially around this part. They will send more to come looking for you, thinking you deleted one of their own." Nocturne had no doubt as to who "they" were.

She straightened, her head turning sharply to the right, the direction of the crowd. "They're coming. Go now, I will hold them off."

"Requiem—"

She held out a hand, stopping his words, then winked at him, the motion looking cheery and deadly all at the same time. "Don't worry; I won't let them catch me. Now go, you must warn the others of what they are planning. Perhaps you can stop all this before destruction and bloodshed occur." She lowered her hand, turning away; her other arm transformed back into a sword.

Nocturne ran up and gave her a swift hug; he felt her stiffen slightly under his touch. "Be careful. I'll come back for you." He whispered, then ran, looking back only once.

As he tore around a corner, he reached out and expanded his cyberboard program. The board grew between his hands; then threw it in front of him and jumped on it, racing out of the UnderNet.

Requiem stood still, adopting the pose she had seen Bass take many times after deleting someone, and she glanced up as the first of the mob came rushing around the corner. The red and black Navi was at the head. They all came screeching to a halt when they saw her.

The lead Navi balled his hands into fists. "So we finally met. I've heard a lot about you, Requiem."

She gave him her best frightening Bass-like smile, her hand transforming back. "Oh, could you sound any more cliché?" She chuckled quietly, and his eyes narrowed.

"I warn you Requiem…"

"No, I warn you, whoever-you-are. If you continue this rebellion, you and all your friends will be wiped out." She was talking quietly, but her voice echoed around the silent group. "Not just deleted, but wiped completely out of existence. My partner and I will see to that."

The group seemed to go even quieter, if that was even possible. They all knew who she was referring to; even the toughest Navis in the UnderNet had a healthy fear for Bass.

The leader bared his teeth. "We'll take that challenge."

Requiem lowered her gaze, laughing lowly. "Then soon, you'll be dust."

And with that, she leapt up into the air, disappearing quickly out of sight on top of a data cube.

She sat there, holding trembling hands tightly together as the group slowly dispersed after the leader had given them some more directions. She didn't know what they were; she wasn't listening.

"Very good Requiem."

"Please, not now Bass…"

She could feel his grin focused on her back. "Ah, but now you understand me more now, don't you? Your first time deleting another… how did it feel? Did you feel powerful? In control? Ready to show the rest of the low-lifes around you just exactly how you have complete and total control over wither they live or die?"

She put her face in her hands; he knew her too well. But, that was to be expected.

His smile widened when she didn't answer. "Come; let's see how this all plays out."

Yay for Thanksgiving and days where I don't have school!

fffffffffffffffft. Nocturne. oh you. XD He may seem a bit OOC, but he's not, don't worry.

Also, I know I said this last chapter, but I'll say it again here: if you haven't read Requiem's Awakening, I suggest you do so. NOW. While I'm writing the next chapter. XD

Expect a lot of chapters from me during the weekend as I try to catch up on NaNo. I'm 25k words behind… . yeah. Yay for time to write!

Next time! Nocturne warns the group about what is going on, but it doesn't seem that many people are going to take him seriously…

Leave a review please!