(Chapter 6)
Rockman could feel his power increasing because of the fusion with Unity. Suddenly, his power dropped to normal, his form returned to normal too, and Unity separated from him, then dropped to the floor.
"You're getting better, don't worry Saratu-chan" Neta assured her, Unity got back to her feet, nodding.
Neta yawned and stretched, before turning to everyone again "I'm tired, and you look it too Saratu, we'd best get back to the Science Labs. I assume you're going to bed Netto?" Neta asked, he looked at the clock on the computer. 11.34 PM.
"Yeah, Mama'll blow a fuse if she finds out I'm still up" Netto replied as he plugged Rockman out. Neta and Unity waved before they left. Netto then got changed, then got into bed.
(Data Link over to Science Labs)
Neta was holding onto Unity's arm as they flew down the link. "What do you think to being a Navi?" she asked.
"I guess I like it, but I really hope this doesn't end up being permanent. I like the fact that I've been able to find out how you've felt while you've been a Navi Mom, but I don't want to stay one" Unity answered.
"I understand Saratu, but you might have to get used to this, as we don't know how long you're going to stay like this" Neta replied, Unity nodded.
(Nebula base, the next morning...)
"I see you're picking things up pretty quickly" Regal told Pyra, whom was having breakfast. A bowl of rice.
"I was watching Saratu closely, so I know how people live" Pyra answered as she continued to eat.
"You've read your assignment?" Regal asked, she nodded.
"Though I don't know why he gives you such a problem. With my new powers I could probably delete him in an instant" Pyra replied.
"I merely want you to show him not to interfere with us. He may prove some use to me at some point" Regal said, Pyra nodded. "He's not a Navi to be underestimated, he is powerful, but he has become arrogant now he's been himself a while" he added.
"I'm also to play around with Neta and Rockman for a while. That is going to be fun" Pyra replied with an evil smirk as she finished.
(Hotel room)
"B-but Saratu said..." Michirure stammered as Ademu handed her PET to her.
"Long story, but this is Heart" Ademu told her with a smile. Michirure hugged her brother, before activating her PET.
Once it had booted up, Heart formed on the screen, smiling up at her operator. "Hi Michirure-chan" she said.
"Great to have you back Heart" Michirure replied with a smile.
"Ademu! Get in here!" Kurisutaru called out, Ademu left Michirure's room, Kurisutaru had her laptop on the table, he walked over to her.
"What's the matter?" Ademu asked. Someone cleared their throat, it came from the laptop.
"I had to get in touch with the two of you personally. I got your reports from Kurisutaru, good work on your case. That's all we needed to know." Meijin explained.
"Thank you Meijin, sir!" both replied, saluting.
"No need for formalities, either of you. I don't want to have to start reminding you of that. I have enough trouble with Netto." Meijin told them, they dropped the salute. "Now then, onto your next assignment. Navis all over the net in Amerroupe are becoming Dark Souls. The strange thing is, there's been no report of anyone selling Dark Chips from any of Amerroupe's Net Saviors. We think Nebula may have a new weapon" Meijin told the two.
"But why Amerroupe? If he wanted to get to us, why not attack Japan?" Kurisutaru asked.
"A lot of people rely on the net all over the world, Amerroupe is a much bigger place than Japan. Attacking there would scare a lot of people, even here in Japan. I'm sorry to throw you both into such a big case so soon, but we need the whole organization working on this" Meijin replied.
"Don't worry, we can handle it. What do you want us to do?" Dragoman questioned.
"Find out what you can from the surrounding areas on the net. Going into the Amerroupe server is too dangerous, as you may lose your Navis" Meijin answered. "Oh, and I've arranged that you be teamed with Netto and Enzan for this. Enzan will be able to show you the ropes. Ademu, I trust you still have your Synchro Chip?" he asked.
Ademu nodded "Yeah I still have it, but what about Kuri-chan?" he questioned.
"With Mama busy, I won't be able to fuse with her" Kurisutaru added.
"Then I'll have to ask you to come to the Science Labs so I can check to make sure you can fuse with Umi. Ademu, I want you to go inform Netto about this. I'll tell Enzan while Kurisutaru is on her way over here" Meijin replied as he signed off.
(Science Labs...)
"Okay, it'll be good to see some new Net Saviors, I'll do it. Anyway, I might be onto something Meijin" Enzan said.
"Regarding the situation in Amerroupe?" Meijin questioned, Enzan nodded over the transmission.
"Yeah, Blues and I have been asking around the net, and a description I keep getting is a black armored Navi. Though they said it was male, so it's not Pyra" Enzan replied.
"It's either this Navi is from another organisation, or he's another Nebula Navi, possibly a partner to Pyra" Blues added.
"It's good that you've already started the investigation Enzan, give your teammates the same information, and inform them, and me, of anything you find" Meijin told him, he nodded.
"I will, has anyone reported in about those three Navis?" Enzan asked.
"I asked Kurisutaru and Ademu to look into it, they are Nebula Navis, all three of them. They're also solo Navis" Meijin answered.
"Thought they were. Anyway, I have work to do. I'll keep on with the investigation, Ijuuin out" Enzan replied as he plugged Blues out.
Minutes later, the door opened, and Kurisutaru came in. "Hi Meijin!" she exclaimed.
Meijin got up, and walked over to the door. "This way, I've already got everything arranged for your test" he told her as he walked by her, she nodded and followed.
Downstairs, Kurisutaru was already in the chamber, waiting for the signal to slot in the Synchro Chip. Once Meijin gave her it, she nodded. "Synchro Chip! Slot-In!" she called as she slotted the chip into Umi's PET. "Cross Fusion!" both she and Umi said in unison as the flash of light appeared over her. An explosion alarmed all of the scientists, Meijin included. Once the smoke cleared, Kurisutaru was unconcious on the ground. She had a few scratches and bruises, Umi's PET was a little scatched too. Once the Dimensional Area around the chamber had been deactivated, Meijin rushed in, and ran over to Kurisutaru to check her pulse, it was there. He pocketed Umi's PET and picked Kurisutaru up, and took her out of the lab.
(Over at the Hikari home...)
"Team? Me, you, Enzan, and Kuri-chan? Why'd Meijin-san arrange that?" Netto questioned.
"You'd have to ask him that yourself Netto. Anyway, now I've delivered the message, want a NetBattle?" Ademu asked, he nodded.
"Plug-In! Rockman.EXE! Transmission!" Netto called as he sent Rockman into his computer.
"Plug-In! Dragoman! Transmission!" Ademu called as he sent Dragoman into Netto's computer.
Battle Start!
Rockman activated his buster, then charged forward as he started to fire it at Dragoman "Rock Buster!" he shouted.
Dragoman leapt over Rockman's shots, and activated his sword. He was about to slash him, when...
"Battlechip AntiSword! Slot-In!" Netto called out. Rockman turned around and caught Dragoman's sword, then formed his own and fired three Sonic Booms at him, at three hitting him.
"Stretch Branch!" a voice called out. A stretched green arm hit Dragoman in the back, knocking him to the floor.
Dragoman got up to his knees "Who did that?" he asked.
"Good question" Ademu replied.
"Who else!" the voice called back as a Invisibility chip wore off, to reveal Branchman. An anger mark appeared on Dragoman's helmet.
"What the hell do you want Branchman? Rockman and me were netbattling" Dragoman asked.
"Sorry about that, I can hardly control him. Anyway, have you seen Kuri-chan or Umi? I can't seem to get hold of either of them" Erumeru asked as a screen link opened beside Branchman.
"So you found your operator. Good for you Branchman" Rockman said.
"No, I haven't seen them since this morning. Who are you anyway?" Ademu questioned.
"An old friend of Kuri-chan's, Supaiku Erumeru" Erumeru answered.
(Science Labs Medical Wing...)
A small dimensional area is formed around the room. Neta is in the room, watching over Kurisutaru. She had more training for Unity to do, but she wanted to make sure Kurisutaru was okay before she got back to work. Neta's helmet was off, and was resting on the table beside Kurisutaru's bed. Neta was looking out the window as Kurisutaru started to stir, but she didn't notice.
Once Kurisutaru opened her eyes, she noticed Neta "Mama?" she asked.
Neta turned around to look at her daughter, then walked over to the seat beside her bed and sat down. Kurisutaru tried to get up, but Neta forced her to lie back down "Easy Kuri-chan, you need to rest some more. That explosion really took it out of you" Neta told her, Kurisutaru relaxed.
"So I can't Cross Fuse without you" Kurisutaru said, looking away from Neta.
"I read over the scans, looks like you don't have a high enough sync ratio to fuse with Umi. You have a much higher one with me" Neta told her.
"What're you doing here at the Science Labs anyway Mama? I get the chance to have you back after months, and you have more work to do. It's like Dad said, before you died, you were always working" Kurisutaru questioned.
"I couldn't get out of it back then Kuri-chan. I could now, but we need what I'm working on, against Nebula. By the time you're ready to leave, I'll be done, I promise" Neta answered.
Kurisutaru looked around "Hey, where's Umi?" she asked.
"Right here, your PET took some damage, but it should be okay" Neta said as she handed the blue cased PET to her. When Kurisutaru looked at the screen, Umi had her back facing the screen.
"What's up Umi?" Kurisutaru questioned.
"You got hurt because I couldn't fuse with you" Umi replied, sadness in her voice. Kurisutaru could make out some tears falling down her face, she was crying.
"Don't worry about it Umi-chan, neither of us knew. It's not your fault" Kurisutaru told her, then smiled at her "Hey, let's go on the net, try to get your mind off of this" she added.
Umi wiped her eyes and nodded as she turned to face her opeator. "Okay Kuri-chan" she replied.
"Plug-In! Umi! Transmission!" Kurisutaru called out as she sent Umi into a nearby plug in sensor on her bed.
(On at net...)
Umi logged in, and immediately noticed something. "Kuri-chan, Cosmoman is here. Should I...?" Umi asked.
"Yes, we can't let him damage the server or any of it's Navis" Kurisutaru replied.
"Cosmoman is on the server?" Neta asked, Kurisutaru nodded. Neta then grabbed her helmet, put it on her head, then disappeared as she logged onto the net herself.
Umi charged forward, then jumped up just before she activated her tail. Cosmoman had his back turned, and didn't see the next attack coming. He was attacking the server. "Icicle Tail!" Umi called out as she hit him in the back, ice covered it, but it disappeared as he turned to face her.
"I was expecting a Net Savior to come, but I wasn't expecting such an inexperienced one. Oh well, it doesn't matter" Cosmoman told her as he formed a large planet like sphere. "Cosmo Planet!" he yelled as he fired the planet at her. It slammed into her, and knocked her to the ground, hard. It planted her into the ground. The planet then disappeared "A complete waste of my talents" he added. Unity logged in and kneeled down at Umi's head.
"Wh-who are you?" Umi asked weakly. Unity just smiled as she placed a hand on Umi's icon, then the other on her own.
"Call me Unity, Umi" Unity answered, then tensed both of her hands as she whispered "Yuugou Program, execute...". Her form disappeared into Umi's, and she instantly felt good as new. New light green gloves and boots formed in place of her old ones, then armor of the same color formed over her chest. She gasped. 'I've upgraded your abilities Umi, your new powers are yours to use while I'm fused with you' she thought to Umi.
Umi got to her feet, then activated her fin, which was now green in color. She raised a hand, then slammed it into the ground "Aqua Tower!" she called as the attack formed, then sped towards Cosmoman. It hit him, but didn't seem to hurt him too much.
"Battlechip Kawarimi! Slot-In!" Kurisutaru called as she sent the chip. Cosmoman fired a meteor at her, but the Kawarimi activated and Umi threw a shuriken at him, which he dodged.
'I'll handle this Umi' Unity told her. Umi's eyes then turned green. She put her hands high above her head, and energy began to gather inbetween them.
"A pitiful effort, I will send you to the darkness!" Cosmoman said as he formed a black hole and small planet like spheres began to shoot out of it.
Once the energy she needed had gathered, a green ball of energy had formed, she tossed the energy ball at Cosmoman "Unity Burst!" she yelled.
The attack slammed into Cosmoman, tearing through his stomach. He put a hand over the wound, then logged out.
Unity then instantly separated from Umi, and seemed very tired "Good, I wasn't sure how much longer I could've kept the fusion together" she sighed.
"Thanks Unity, I'm not sure what we would've done if you hadn't shown up" Kurisutaru told her, Unity looked away from the screen link.
"Don't mention it, but I have to get going" Unity replied as she started to walk off, Kurisutaru nodded to Umi, and she grabbed Unity's arm. "What're you doing?" she questioned.
"C'mon Unity, hang out with us for a while" Kurisutaru told her, Neta then logged in.
"Unity! I've been looking all over the server for you!" Neta scolded her. Unity freed her arm, then walked over to Neta. "You need to get back to your training, I won't tell Yuuichiro about this if you get going, now" she told her.
Unity quickly nodded "Okay Neta" she said as she logged out.
"Is she the reason you're still here Denierure-chan?" Umi asked.
"I'm afraid so, once her training is done, I'll be able to come home with you and Kuri-chan, but I can't until then" Neta answered.
"Well, at least Umi wasn't deleted, and it's thanks to Unity" Kurisutaru smiled.
'Good, I thought if Kuri-chan met Saratu while she was a Navi, she would've figured it out. I hope Saratu can keep her secret for as long as she needs to' Neta thought to herself.
"Okay Umi, but don't leave the server." Kurisutaru told her navi as she closed the screen link.
"What'd you do that for Umi?" Neta asked, confused.
"I wanted to talk to you, about Unity. While she was fused with me, I felt...like I knew her from someplace, is that normal for her program? Or is she a Soul Navi?" Umi questioned.
"I'm sorry Umi, even though you and Kuri-chan are Net Saviors now, I can't give you that information. It's confidential" Neta replied as she logged out.
"I thought so, you don't want us to know..." Umi said to herself before she logged out.
(Elsewhere...)
"She could've found out Saratu, don't try anything like that again without seeing me first, okay?" Neta asked.
"But Mom, Umi could've been deleted, I didn't want to just let that happen" Unity shot back.
"I know that Saratu, but you're still inexperienced as a Navi, you could've been deleted too" Neta told her, Unity sighed. "But I like how you're progressing, it took me much longer to get to where you are now" she added with a smile.
Unity blushed a bit "You're just saying that" she said.
"I'm serious Saratu-chan, you've done in a day stuff that took me a week to do" Neta replied.
"I-I'm glad I've got you back Mom, I'm sorry that I didn't believe you before" Unity told her.
Neta smiled at her "Doesn't matter Saratu, a lot of people would have a hard time believing someone they love had been turned into a Navi. I don't blame you" she replied "You've been progressing well, you deserve a break. How does heading over to Gabcom's game server sound?" she questioned.
"Great, thanks" Unity answered.
(Elsewhere on the net...)
"Okay, thanks. Your information should help us" Rockman said to a navi, he nodded and then logged out.
"This is much harder than I thought, we've been asking around for hours" Netto said as a link to his PET popped up.
"Being a Net Savior isn't all about us Cross Fusing to stop Navis causing trouble in the real world Netto-kun, we still have to do things like this" Rockman told him.
"I know, but we haven't had any action since the whole thing with Duo. We might not even need the Synchro chip anymore" Netto replied.
"With Nebula, I doubt it" Rockman said, Netto nodded.He then sensed something, and turned to look up behind him. Pyra was stood on a building above him.
(End of Chapter)