[Chapter 4: Count to Three!]

Fushichou's residents!

Misaki let out a sigh as she got dressed for the day looking over at a picture that has an older looking woman who looks just like Arashi, an older looking man who looks just like Misaki, and both of the twins smiling then next to that picture was a picture of Lan, Maylu, and her though she could tell that Dex was the one taking the picture with ease, however, Misaki looked back at the family picture.

'They said that they'll be coming home for the NetBattling tournament,' she thought before letting out another sigh, 'and they also said that they'll like to meet my friends.' Misaki hanged her head in defeat. 'I'm doomed.'

"Misaki, you need to be going now," Yang said from her PET on the bed.

"Right," Misaki agreed.

Misaki quickly finished getting dressed before she grabbed her backpack along with the PET before running out of her bedroom.

Dentech Academy!

"Welcome Lan," Miss Mari said in a peeved tone, "when I asked you to be more consistent being late three days in a row is not what I meant."

The whole class laughed at Lan who was setting next to Misaki with a blush before he let out a sigh.

"I really tried to be on time today," Lan said as he placed his head in his hands, "and I would have made it, too, if it wasn't for that chip guy."

"What are you talking about?" Misaki asked confused.

"Well, class, now that we're all here," Miss Mari said making Lan hang his head, "I would like to introduce to you, our guest lecture for today from Dentech University, but unfortunately I can't." Miss Mari looked at her watch. "He's late, too."

Just then the classroom door opened and a man carrying a brief case walked in.

"Sorry, I'm late Miss Mari," he told her, "my name's Higsby."

"No way," Lan said making Misaki to look at him, "our speaker is that crazy chip guy!"

"Mr Higsby, well be teaching all of us about virus busting today," Miss Mari told the class making Misaki feel like banging her head on the table. "He's an expert in the field."

"Yes, I am," Higsby agreed, "as you know we all live in a highly network sanctity were computer viruses posed a concurrent threat."

At this Misaki just tuned out of the lecture feeling bored out of her mind wishing for school to already be over.

Ayano's residents: Secret Hideout!

"Yai, can we opened our eyes, yet?" Lan asked as it was already after school and Yai had them come over to her place.

"Okaay!" Yai said in a sing song tone.

All of them opened their eyes to see a wooden tree house in front of them.

"What is it?" Dex asked, "a bird house for pterodactyls?"

Misaki smacked Dex upside the head with a glare in place.

"Your so rude," Yai told him as she glared ahead though she trying not to laugh when Dex cried out in pain from Misaki hitting him. "Actually it's a secret hideout that I had Daddy built for me."

"A secret hideout?" Lan, Maylu, and Dex asked.

Misaki let out a sigh as she followed them inside the tree house and took in the place.

"Wow," Maylu said in awe, "this place is beautiful Yai."

"Yeah," Lan agreed, "but what's the secret?"

It was that everything changed within the tree house showing computers all over the walls making Misaki sigh.

"Yai, your dad rocks," Dex told her, "uh...what is it?"

At this Misaki face palmed while Yang let out a sigh.

"Observed," Yai answered.

Just then a hologram 3-D screen appeared in front of them.

"Whoa," the three said in awe.

"Tada!" Yai said happily, "you happen to be looking at the very latest in three dimensional NetBattling technology."

"That's awesome Yai!" Lan and Dex shouted while Misaki looked a bit impressed.

"Let's Jack-In," Dex told them, "Gutsman!"

"I'm ready," Maylu agreed, "Jack-In Roll!"

"Don't forget about me," Misaki stated, "Jack-In Yang!"

"Jack-In Megaman!" Lan went next.

"Power Up!"

The four NetOps smiled as their Navis appeared on the screen looking at them. Misaki noticed that Yang stood close to Megaman who stood next to Roll while Gutsman stood a bit behind the pink Navi.

"Wow," Dex said in awe, "even your mega munchkin looks huge on this system!"

Misaki rolled her eyes while Lan just smiled not at all defended.

"Whatever," he told Dex, "this why sweet!"

Secret Hideout Computer Systems!

The Navis all looked over when Glyde appeared facing them with a smile.

"Greetings follow warriors," he greeted, "I shill be your opponent this evening."

"But Glyde," both Roll and Yang started when Megaman cut in.

"Wait a sec," he told Glyde, "you weren't programmed to be a battle type NetNavi."

"Yai has supplied me with Battle Chips," Glyde told them as he held his figure up and smiled, "I assure you that I'm quite ready for anything."

"Wow," Maylu's voice said, "he sure seems confident."

"Maybe, but I'm sending Megaman in!" Lan told her.

"Yeah, right," Dex told him, "after Gutsman." Yang let out a sigh as she shook her head. "And I doubt that there will be anything left to fight when he's done."

"He's sloppy," Gutsman said before he throw his fist forward. "Guts Fire!"

"Routine defense," Glyde said, "no problem."

Yang along with Misaki let out a gasp when a purple aura surrounded him.

"Hey, I've heard about that power!" Lan yelled in shock, "that's the Life Aura Battle Chip!"

"Yupper!" Yai agreed with him with a smile, "wait until you see the next one. Download!"

"Hero Sword!" Lan yelled in surprised when Glyde's right arm turned into a sword.

Both Roll and Yang looked at each other as Gutsman fly back from the impact of Glyde's swords in defeat.

"He good," Gutsman said.

"Hey, Yai!" they heard Dex yelled, "that wasn't fair! You were using some of those rare Battle Chips!"

"Who said life was fair?" Misaki asked making Yang to snicker.

"We all have to work with what we got," Yai told him with an amused look on her face, "mine just happen to cost more."

"Whoa," Lan breathed, "Life Aura and Hero Sword! Now that's my idea of a great match! Go get 'em Megaman!" Megaman nodded before he moved to run in when he stopped look behind him at the same as Yang. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," Megaman answered, "but it feels like somebody else is in here."

"But how could they?" Lan asked.

"They couldn't," Yai answered, "because this NetBattling arena is equipped with the most advance and expensive security system on the market. Nobody get's in unless I say they do."

Yang looked down with a thoughtful look as she thought over what she heard from Yai.

'I think Megaman was right,' she thought, 'cause I felt someone watching us, too.'

Real World! Next Day: After School!

Misaki, Yai, and Dex stood next to Miss Mari as she typed away on a computer. Misaki looked around wondering where Lan was and wishing that Maylu was still there.

"I wonder where Lan is," Misaki said.

"Don't worry," Dex told her, "you can always count on Lan being late."

Misaki let out a sigh as she looked back at the computer that Miss Mari was using to see that it was getting messed up. Just then all of the windows and doors closed shut locking them inside.

"Good afternoon," a voice said making them all to look at the board to see a NetNavi. "Special classes begins now."

"What are you trying to pull?" Dex asked, "schools out. There's no special class today anyways."

"Yeah Mister!" Yai yelled, "who are you anyways?"

"I am Numberman," the NetNavi answered, "I have taken control of the electronics locks on the doors and windows until our little class is completed." Misaki let out a sigh as she looked at Numberman with annoyances. "There's only one way out of this room! I'm going to give you a little assignment. A test in a form of a NetBattle. Pass it and you may leave."

"He can't be serious," Misaki said in shock.

"Oh, I'm very serious," Numberman told her, "at stake is your rare Battle Chips."

"There are rules about having NetBattles on school property," Miss Mari told him angrily.

"Sorry, but as of right now I make all of the rules," Numberman said to Miss Mari, "I command every system in this school and I say what is and what is not allowed."

"I can't believe this happening here," Miss Mari said with shock before she pointed at Numberman angrily. "You must be part of World 3!"

"WHAT!?" Numberman yelled at her in shock, "I WOULD NEVER WORK FOR THOSE BUNCH OF BACKWARD BUMBLING BURGLERS! NEVER!"

"Alright bring it on," Dex said as he walked forward, "I'm not afraid of you." Just then the water sprinkler came on and drenched Dex. "My Hair!"

'What hair?' Misaki thought with a sweatdropped as she tried not to laugh.

"Rule #1," Numberman told them, "only those with rare Battle Chips may fight my. There is only one human here that qualifies." Numberman then points at Yai. "You."

"Who?" Yai asked as she points at herself. "Me?"

"According to my calculations you have the Life Aura and Hero Sword Chips correct?" Number asked.

"Hold on Light Blub Head!?" Yai asked, "how did you know that?"

"Insignificant," Numberman answered, "if you refuse to battle then I'll destroy the school's computer systems."

"Hey!" Yai yelled at him, "is that a threat? My father is the wealthiest man in Dentech City apart from the Fushichou family." At this Dex and Miss Mari looked at Misaki who looked like a deer cought in headlights. "I'll just ask Daddy to buy the school a new one."

"But what about the Data?" Dex asked as he turned his attention back to Yai. "You can't replace that Yai," Misaki added.

"Well, I'm sorry," Yai told them, "but Miss Mari said that NetBattling on school property isn't allowed."

"You have MY permission, Yai," Miss Mari told her as the teacher gently pushed her forward.

"Alright then," Yai said as she let out a sigh before pulling out her PET. "Jack-In Glyde! Power up!"

As Yai handled Numberman Dex turned to Misaki.

"Isn't Fushichou your last name?" he asked.

"Yeah, so?" Misaki asked with a hint of an attitude.

"Well, doesn't that mean that it's your family that Yai's talking about?" Dex asked again.

"Fushichou is a common last name Dex," Misaki said once again with an attitude.

"Misaki a last name that means Phoenix is not all that common," Miss Mari added in, "as a matter of fact it's not common at all."

Misaki let out a sigh knowing that she wasn't going to got of this one when all of a sudden their attention was again on the board when a familiar blue NetNavi appeared.

"It's Megaman!" Dex told them.

'Thank you, Captain Obvious,' Misaki thought, "then that must mean that Lan is right outside the classroom."

"Misaki," Yang's voice sounded just Dex and Miss Mari where watching the NetBattle now. Misaki pulled out her PET to look at her Navi. "Jack me in so I can help Megaman?"

"Right," Misaki agreed before she pulled out the cord. "Jack-In Yang! Power up!"

Computer System!

Yang landed behind Megaman who's arm was turned into his main weapon.

"Hey, number noggin'!" Yang called out, "did you tell him that you locked everyone inside the classroom and forced Yai into a NetBattle for her rare chips?"

"But who's controlling him?" Megaman asked her.

"We don't know who it is yet," Yang answered, "but it looks like he was smart enough to get into the school's security system and...it looks like he has some rare chips of his own."

"But who do that?" Lan's voice sounded, "it'll have to be some one who knows the security system and how to break in." It was then that it dawned on him. "Wait a minute! Some one who's obsess with rare chips!"

"Hey!" Dex and Misaki's voice sounded next, "it's Mr Higsby!"

"Uh-oh," Numberman said in a panic, "they got our number!"

"To bad," Mr Higsby's voice sounded as well before a screen with his picture appeared, "it just makes it a lot more difficult."

"Mr Higsby!" Miss Mari shouted, "wha-why are these's silly chips so important to you anyway?"

"Silly?" Mr Higsby asked angrily. "there is nothing silly about Rare Battle Chips, Miss Mari! Numberman, roll the doom dice."

'Oh this can't be good,' Yang thought not paying attention to what Yai and Misaki was saying.

"Maybe there's some kind of clue in coded in the walls data base that we can use to help us find the passwords," Megaman spoked up as Yang walked to stand next to him.

Yang looked over at him.

"I'm going to inter phase and scan it," Yang told him making Megaman to look at her, "if there's something there I'll catch it."

Yang walked up to the wall and the two long red strings with yellow ends that's attached to her band moved to touch the security walls. Just then a group of viruses appeared and headed right for Yang making her scream when she noticed till a blast destroyed some of them.

"Mega Blast!" Megaman said as he moved to stand in front of her, "I'll hold them off." Yang turned back around. "Just keep searching."

"Well, do," Yang told him, "wait? I'm getting something. Their letters. D.O.V.E."

"D.O.V.E," Dex repeated, "dove into what?"

"It looks familiar," Miss Mari mussed, "dove. The password is the number of doves that we have at the school."

"Yeah, I knew that," Dex said, "so what's the number?"

"Unfortunately I don't remember," Miss Mari told them.

"You count the doves," Megaman told Lan.

"Ok, hang tight," Lan stated, "I'll be right back."

Yang looked out of the corner of her eyes Megaman who was still keeping the Viruses away from her.

"You know what?" Megaman asked as he blasted some more Viruses, "you guys are a real drain."

Just then a flash of blue shot across some of the viruses destroying them making everyone gasp in shock. When the smoke cleared they all saw a Navi with blue long hair that was tightly tied in a ponytail by bandages and his eyes where covered by a blue slightly clear visor. Yang let out a gasp before a smile appeared on her face.

"Anubis!" she called out.

The Navi looked over at her and Megaman who was glaring at him thinking that he was an enemy.

"If he's here then that must mean..." Misaki started, but she ended up trailing off.

"What does it mean?" Yai asked.

"That Arashi-Nii is here," Misaki cheered.

"Miss Misaki, Yang," the Navi said, "are you two alright?"

"We're fine Anubis," the two girls told him.

Anubis let out a sigh of relief before he turned back to the Viruses.

"Why are you here anyways Anubis?" Misaki asked, "not that I'm not happy to see you."

"Master Arashi was worried about you, Miss Misaki," Anubis answered.

"And you were worried about Yang?" Misaki asked.

"Yes."

"Huh?"

"Keep focus Yang," Anubis told her.

"Just who are you?" Megaman asked.

"I'm Anubis," he answered, "I'm Miss Misaki's elder twin Brother's NetNavi and there for I'm Yang's Brother."

"You came at a good time Nii-san," Yang told him with a smile.

Anubis nodded at her before looking at Megaman.

"And you are?" he asked.

"I'm Megaman," the blue navi answered, "Lan Hikari's NetNavi."

"Ah, yes," Anubis said, "Miss Misaki did mention that young Lan had a new Navi." Megaman blinked a bit before Anubis looked back at the Viruses. "Shill we keep theses Viruses entertained?"

"Right," Megaman answered/agreed making Yang to smile happy that her Brother and friend were able to work together before she turned her focus to the wall. "What's taking so long Lan?"

"Sorry, but they wouldn't sit still," Lan told him, "there's 34 of them."

"Alright," Yang said, "3, 4. Here we go. Rock and roll!"

It then that Yang moved onto the second wall while Misaki and the others cheered.

"1 down and 2 to go," Misaki said, "what's the next one Yang?"

"Searching," Yang answered, "got it. The second walls password is. T.E.N.N-"

"Tennis!" Miss Mari said in shock, "I remember now! This one has to do with the number of tennis rackets. The password is the total number of rackets the tennis team uses."

"That's great cause your the coach of the tennis team!" Misaki said.

"Come on Miss Mari," Yai stated, "you've to know to this one!"

"Nope," Miss Mari told them, "forgot it."

"I'll go count them guys!" Lan's voice said, "I'm almost there anyways." Megaman and Anubis focused on the viruses. "I've got it guys! There's a total of 63 rackets!"

"Oh yeah!" Dex cheered as Yang put the number in.

"Yeah!" Misaki also cheered, "what a team! One more to go!"

"Numberman!" Mr Higsby's voice said in a panic. "Hurry up! Their breaking through!"

"Acknowledge."

Numberman throw more dice at Glyde as Yang moved onto the next one.

"The last clue is...F.L.O.W-"

"Oh yeah!" Miss Mari cried in shock, "flower! The last password is the number of plotted flowers in the school's yard."

"Please tell me that you remember this one?" Misaki asked.

"Sorry," Miss Mari apologized.

"LAN!" Dex yelled, "move it!"

"Calm down!" Lan told him, "I am!"

While Lan was counting the flowers everyone's attentions went to Glyde just as Numberman unleashed more dice at him.

"Glyde look out!" Yai yelled out in fear.

Glyde was knocked back towards the last wall.

"Hey, Glyde!" Megaman called out to him, "you alright?"

"I'm losing energy," Glyde answered, "if Numberman attacks like that again I'm gone."

"If we don't hurry then we're going to lose him," Dex said.

"Glyde no!" Yai cried out, "keep fighting!"

"Don't worry," Misaki told her, "Lan well come through same how. I know it."

"Roll three dice this time," Mr Higsby told Numberman. "Let's finish him off."

"Affirmative."

"Glyde!" Yai screamed in fear as three dice where throw his way.

"I've got it!" Lan's voice finally said, "the password is 665."

"Alright," Misaki cheered.

"I'm locking it in," Yang informed them.

"Come on!" Yai yelled.

"Area Steal! Battle Chip In!"

Once the last wall was done Megaman quickly jumped into action and got Glyde out of the way just in time as the three dices went off.

"Triple 6s," Numberman said, "my best roll ever!"

"Your rare battle chips belong to me!"

Just as the smoke cleared both Numberman and Mr Higsby noticed that something was off and they ended up shocked when they noticed that Megaman and Yang were both supporting Glyde once the smoke cleared half away.

"What?"

"But how?"

"You never saw me coming?" Megaman asked, "did cha ya?"

"Wide Sword! Battle Chip In! Download!"

In a panic Numberman tossed a dice at Megaman who just cut it in half.

"I'm sorry!" Number said once he fall to the ground in a bow just before Megaman's sword touched him. "Please don't divide me?"

"Return control to the school's operating system," Megaman demanded.

"As you wish," Numberman told him before he did just that.

Yang smiled as Megaman walked back over to them to help her with Glyde while Anubis just raised an eyebrow which made both Megaman and Yang to laugh at him.