The End Of Rivalry

Chapter 9: A Hostile's Visit

I do NOT own any of the characters (except Isabella) or items used throughout the story.

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Before you read the fic: This story takes place during the Axess series. A few things I've changed for the sake of this story is the fact the Megaman is Lan's twin brother Hub (wasn't in the anime) and that Dex and Yai are staying in DenTech.

ON WITH THE FIC!

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"Burnerman, you have failed me once again," Shademan spoke darkly. "I know you can do better. I've received word that Chaud Blaze was hospitalized thanks to you, and for that, I will be rewarding you with a Dark-Chip."

"Thank you, my Lord," Burnerman told his master. A Dark Chip appeared before the Darkloid, who lifted his hand and snatched it, storing it away.

"Your next mission is to delete Protoman, who has been spotted around Beach Street. With Chaud hospitalized, it may limit his abilities, and because of his current state, Lan Hikari is the only Net Saver left in DenTech city."

"I understand, my Lord," Burnerman concluded the meeting, logging out of the system to head to Beach Street.

-At The Beach Street Hospital-

Yai was the first of the two to wake up, but she immediately noticed that Chaud had wrapped his arm around her. She smiled and stared into him. His breathing was slow and steady, meaning he was still asleep, or a very good actor. She turned her head slightly to the right and examined the clock. The time was now 12:14PM.

She turned her head back to where it was, but found Chaud's eyes open wide and a very subtle smile on his face. He stared at Yai slightly as her smile changed to a surprised look.

"Oh. Good morning," she said warmly, sitting up and stretching.

"Good afternoon," he replied, sitting up himself and yawning silently, cracking his fingers then rubbing his eyes.

"That's gross!" Yai commented at his finger-cracking, still smiling a little. Chaud decided to tease her by cracking them more. "Stop it!"

Yai covered her ears and buried her head into her chest. Chaud chuckled inwardly and stripped the blankets away. He stood up and headed for the washroom at the other end of the room. He stepped inside and closed the door. After about forty-five seconds, the sink began to run, then stop, then the door opened and Chaud stepped out.

Yai blushed at his sight, looking away desperately to hide her blush. Chaud sat back down on the bed. He opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by the call of his Net Navi.

"Chaud, we have a problem!"

"What is it?" he demanded, grabbing his PET from the nightstand and bringing it into view.

"Burnerman is back."

"What?!"

"Yeah, and he's on Beach Street."

"Are you jacked in?" he asked his Navi.

"Yeah. He's headed this way."

-Cyberworld-

"Well hello, Protoman. Nice of you to show up," Burnerman said lowly.

"Yeah, well, you aren't going to get away this time," Protoman replied.

"Very weak words. Let's start this off crispy and end you burnt!"

The Darkloid charged toward Protoman like a stallion. The Net Navi barely avoided the attack and produced his sword, waiting for his opponent to return. As soon as Burnerman turned around, Protoman jumped out of his way, but held his sword out and attempted to clothesline the Darkloid. His sword was just smacked out of the way.

"Chaud, I need a Yo-Yo and an Aqua Sword Chip now," Protoman demanded.

"I have them right here," Chaud answered, taking the two Battle Chips from his folder and inserting and downloading them into the PET.

Protoman Shot his Yo-Yo across the ground and hooked it onto a nearby pole, sending him swinging around and barely avoiding Burnerman's tackle. Burnerman turned widely and head towards Protoman's general direction. The Net Navi kick off the wall of a building, propelling himself towards the Darkloid at a quicker rate. As he approached the ground, he kicked off the ground, but with the sword materialized and being within range, he slashed, sending a high-speed jet of water at Burnerman. The corrupt Navi tumbled back and fell over in pain. Slowly, he stood back up.

"Good move, but you'll need more than that to put me out!" Burnerman taunted.

"Laser Blast, High Cannon, Mega Cannon, Battle Chips in! Triple download!" Chaud yelled.

"Zeta Cannon!" Protoman yelled, the five barrelled weapon materializing on his hands, and taking his aim at the Darkloid. Firing the weapon, Burnerman was too slow to get out of the way of the bright, large projectile. The high-powered laser ploughed into him, tearing a hole through his chest and causing him to fall backwards.

The Darkloid picked himself up and smirked.

"If I can't burn you here, then I guess I'll have to do it somewhere else," he laughed, before disappearing from the Cyberworld completely. Protoman groaned, then logged out.

-Real World-

"Where did he go?" asked Yai. Suddenly the ground shook violently, and the sky outside the window turned orange, the walls changing to a rainbow colour.

"I think that answers your question," Chaud replied. "Yai, go hide somewhere!"

Yai nodded and ran into the corner of the room, moving a large dresser out of the way with Chaud's help, and hiding behind it, before Chaud pushed it back at a diagonal angle so Yai could still have some room to breathe.

Burnerman reappeared inside the hospital room with a large smirk on his face.

"But how!? There's a massive hole going right through your stomach!" Chaud screamed, astonished.

"Come on. You know me; I don't go down THAT easily," Burnerman answered, still smirking. Chaud frowned angrily, and began loading Battle Chips into his PET. Finally, he produced the Synchro Chip. "Synchro Chip in! Begin Crossfusion!"

A bright light soon overtook the room, before darkening and revealing the Crossfused Protoman.

"Nice trick, but mine's better!" Burnerman taunted. "Dark Chip activate!"

A deep purple veil of light appeared, a menacing face along with it, shrouding Burnerman, who laughed insanely, his eyes turning completely pale and his back arching. The Dark Aura soon faded, revealing a much more evil Darkloid behind, a grin covering his face.

"Chaud, get out of the hospital so no one else gets hurt before you start fighting," Protoman said inwardly to Chaud. His NetOP nodded and ran towards to window, jumping from it and falling two stories to the ground below. He jumped down once more, this time to the beach, his opponent not far behind.

"Why are you running?" Burnerman asked, raising his hand. "Things haven't even started cooking up yet!" (A/N: Oh my God, writing these stupid burning/fire related puns is painful for me, but that's what he does in the Anime, and I want people to be in-character, so it's necessary; I'm sorry.)

His hand retracted, replaced by a blue flame. He yelled, shooting a large jet towards Protoman. The crimson Net Navi quickly rolled to the side, narrowly escaping his attack.

"Aqua Tower Battle Chip in! Download!" Chaud yelled. He quickly ran at the Darkloid, jumping several feet in the air, looking up and seeing exactly what he wanted to. He slammed down a few feet from Burnerman. His opponent smirked further and punched Protoman straight in the face, sending him sliding along the sandy shoreline, but it was too late. The Aqua Tower was already used, the pillar of water now springing up directly below Burnerman, causing him fly acrobatically upwards, smacking into the rounded wall of the Dimensional Area, propelling him once more to the ground with an electrical shock.

When the dust cleared, Protoman was once again on his feet, panting and gripping the side of his face. He approached the downed Burnerman, producing his Cybersword.

"Looks like you're toast," Chaud taunted, hoping to get a reaction. "That's what you get for using a Dark Chip."

"That's what you think!" replied Burnerman, who now did a backwards somersault back onto his feet. He was panting heavily and smiling. "I must say, I'm impressed by your well placed attack, but that was only luck."

"That's where you're wrong. I learned about the effects of touching a Dimensional Area a while back when I saw Lan run at one when he was chasing you!"

"Ah yes. I remember that. But enough talk. It's time to get this show on the road!" Burnerman jumped, sailing backwards into Chaud's hospital room. All Chaud heard after was Yai's screaming. The Darkloid emerged seconds later with the blonde in his hands. "Time to get down to business. Either you destroy your PET with Protoman in it, or the girl gets it!"

"You coward! Let her go!" Chaud screamed threateningly.

"Or else what? Just do as I say!"

"Chaud, please help me!" Yai pleaded, crying.

"I'm not going to do as you say, you piece of garbage!"

"That's a shame," Burnerman said finally, producing a large blue flame from his right hand. He began to laugh.

"Now Chaud!" Protoman yelled within the Crossfused form. Chaud looked on angrily.

"Variable Sword and Area Steal, Battle Chips in! Download!" he yelled, the sword materializing without delay and disappearing from all sight. Burnerman held Yai out triumphantly over the end of the broken wall, two stories now the only thing between the girl and likely death. He held his right hand back, readying it to be thrust into the blonde in front of him. All he could do was let a gasp of death and a look of horror cross his face. The Crossfused Chaud had reappeared behind Burnerman, slashing his sword upwards and cutting through the Darkloid, splitting him apart into two symmetrical halves. His data began to break up, fragments flying away.

"Burnerman deleted."

Chaud once again summoned an Area Steal, this time reappearing in midair and catching the falling Yai. He landed safely on the ground, the girl huddled in his arms for safety.

Slowly, she looked up from Chaud's shoulder and saw him looking back down at her. She stared into his eyes, seeing a look of inner turmoil. She blinked slowly, still looking at him dreamily. Chaud just looked into her eyes like she was, only finding gratitude and love.

"Oh God," Chaud thought to himself. "I can't remember the time I was last this confused. I mean, I don't even know if I like her… the way she so obviously does to me… I guess I just… have to let her take control of this situation."

Yai now saw a slight of submission in his eyes. She took this opportunity like anyone else would. She slowly brought herself closer to Chaud. He followed her lead, knowing this is probably what she has wanted for a long time. They slowly closed their eyes, along with the gap between their lips, meeting in their first, blissful, passionate kiss. Both of their hearts racing, Chaud's heart began to melt to hers, feelings he has never experienced now arising. He brought on his hands around her waist and leaving the other around her shoulders. Yai felt her lips tingling with this action. She trembled slightly at the sensation, and melted against him completely. Doing similarly to Chaud, both of her hands moved to cling herself tightly to him.

The Dimensional Area peeled away, revealing the blue sky. Chaud's Crossfusion deteriorated, leaving him once again shirtless, but the bandages missing. They slowly separated their lips, once again looking into each other's eyes. Reality slowly set back in, and Chaud immediately let go of Yai. He stood up, looking down at the wrinkled, discoloured burns on his chest. He yelled loudly, once again in extreme pain from his injury.

Doctor Cain raced from the hospital and took Chaud, helping back into the hospital. Yai followed behind.

-END CHAPTER-

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Well, there you go. One more chapter down. Next chapter will begin to tie into the previous story a lot more, as the relationship between Chaud and Yai was already present, along with the character of Doctor Cain.

I'm also proud of myself for not making their kiss as cliché and cheesy as they were in the last story :P

PLEASE REVIEW AND TELL ME IF YOU LIKE IT OR LOVE IT :D

-0Zero0