It was a quiet morning at the Hikari household, where things from the previous day were just settling down. Netto was still asleep, content with the talk he had last night with his dad. Everything was well again, and the boy could literally feel something being lifted off his shoulders. The two navis were also resting within their PETs, tired from the events of the day.
However, not everything was as quiet as it seemed. Downstairs, Yuuichirou was on the phone, looking quite sullen. Haruka stood in the kitchen, an unreadable expression on her face as she watched her husband pale.
"...so nothing worked?" Yuuichirou asked, drumming his fingers on the counter to try and distract him. There was a grunt on the other side of the phone.
"Nothing did. However, we are managing to hold back the energy from spreading any further," came the other person replied. The scientist held back a sigh; the damage was being contained, but how long would it last?
"How long do you think you can hold it back for, Regal?" he asked.
There was some silence on the other end before Regal sighed. "Honestly? For half a day, at most. We're working all of our computers to keep the firewall up, but the energy that is pouring out from the Ura Net is incessant. At this rate, the security will overload in no time at all."
"I see..." Yuuichirou murmured. "I guess it's come to this after all. I'll bring him as soon as he wakes up, and I'll brief him on the details along the way."
"At this point, he'll probably be the only one to get in there and stop it. I have the program ready, all that remains is to install it inside Rockman." Regal said. "Oh, and Yuuichirou...while we may have stopped the spread of the chaotic energy, we cannot do a thing about the navis running amok. I've contacted the officials to try and stop all of the attacks that may happen during the day, so..."
"Wait," the scientist said, looking confused, "What do you mean by attacks?"
"Quite simply, the chaotic energy inside the Ura Net has infected any navi that was bathed in it;" Regal responded, his voice weary. "It has driven them into near insanity, and early reports from some officials say that they're attacking anything in their way. That's why the source of whatever is causing this has to be eliminated as soon as possible!" came the voice on the other end, and Yuuichirou gulped. The entire situation had become much worse.
"Alright, I'll go get him. Make sure everything is prepared for when we arrive." he ordered and hung up the phone. Immediately, he plopped down in the nearest chair, giving an exasperated groan.
Haruka sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Netto has to fight again, doesn't he?" she asked softly. Yuuichirou nodded, and she sighed. Somehow, she had a foreboding feeling about this, given how things went over the past couple of months. "Why does it always come to this?"
Yuuichirou sighed again. "I don't know, but we both know that he has both the skill and the power to take out whatever it is. Enzan is going to have his hands full from what Regal said, and with most of the other officials either defending the city or out of the country..."
"It still doesn't make it any easier to see him go out like this," she murmured. At that moment, there were some footfalls from the stairway, and Netto came in, dressed in his usual attire plus his cloak. It seemed to Haruka that he was so tired that he fell asleep without bothering to change his clothes, from the way they were wrinkled.
"Morning," he mumbled, sitting down at the table and turning on the television. "What's for breakfast?"
The scientist gave a small smile to his son before clearing his throat. "Netto, there is something I need to tell you. It's very important, and I really need you to listen." he said seriously.
Netto blinked, obviously confused. "What do you mean, Papa?" he asked. Rockman and Forte were also confused. Did it have something to do with last night?
Before Yuuichirou could speak, a loud jingle came from the television, catching everyone's attention. All of them knew it was the emergency broadcast signal, and Yuuichirou grimaced as a frantic Kero appeared on the screen.
"Everyone, this is an emergency! Densan's internet is under heavy attack!" she cried, "At the moment, numerous navis have begun a mass attack upon several areas in the area, invading and destroying both public and private systems. The officials have issued a statement to the public, warning them not to plug in anywhere until the officials can get everything under control-" The scientist turned off the TV, cutting the reporter off as Netto stared at the screen.
"No way..." he muttered before standing up, "Mama, Papa! I have to go help Enzan!" he said, but Yuuichirou blocked his path before he could move. "Papa, what are you doing!"
"Listen to me Netto," he said lowly, "I know you want to help, but right now, I can trust Enzan and the other officials to do this. Right now, there is something more important that only you and your navis can do."
"Something that only we can do?" Rockman repeated, "What do you mean, Papa? Does it have to do with these attacks?"
Both navis, at this time, were staring intently at the scientist. Glancing at his partners, Netto sighed. "Papa, please tell me what is going on! You know something about these attacks, so please!"
Yuuichirou nodded. "What is going on right now directly relates to stuff that has been going on since you've returned, Netto. A few months after you came back, we started to notice a very odd energy originating in the Ura Net," he said, walking to the window and looking outside. "We had some investigations started, and around that time, many incidences involving the navis from Ura Net started happening."
Netto stared at this father, blinking. "Do you mean to say that the person who held Mama hostage was involved too?"
The scientist shook his head. "Partially, yes. That criminal in particular had his navi use the Ura Net all the time. But I digress..." he said, turning back and looking his son in the eye. "Right now, all we know is that whatever is causing these attacks lies deep within the Ura Net. The energy coming from there has infected many navis who reside there, leading to what is happening right now."
Forte looked thoughtful, and then spoke up. "I get it. We're the only ones who can get in there and take out whatever the source is, correct?"
"That is correct," Yuuichirou sighed. "The officials are busy defending the city systems right now, and I've already made preparations for the both of you to infiltrate the Ura Net."
Netto was trying to absorb all of the information his father was telling him, when the scientist spoke up again. "Netto, I just got a call from the Science Labs earlier. They're doing their best to hold in the energy, but they can only last around twelve hours before the systems give way. We cannot allow that to happen, or else...just think of all the chaos that would spread onto the internet!"
The brunette nodded. "All right, I see. We should get going right now in that case, then," he said. Yuuichirou nodded, but Haruka cleared her throat and walked back into the room.
"I knew you were going to go..." she said softly as she handed Netto a large muffin. "Eat it, you'll need it. And as for you two..." she said as she looked at both navis, "Be careful. Watch over Netto and take care, you hear me?"
"I will, Mama. I promise." Rockman piped up from his PET while Forte sighed.
"Do not worry. We will not fail," he murmured. Haruka smiled and hugged Netto.
"As for you Netto, don't do anything reckless," Netto was about to respond when he was cut off with a tighter embrace. "Something tells me this is far more dangerous then we know, so please, be careful!"
Netto nodded. "I'll be careful. Don't worry." he said. The mother chuckled and let go of her child, ruffling his hair before standing back.
"Alright, we should go now;" Yuuichirou spoke up, walking towards the door. "Haruka, hopefully we'll be back soon, so don't worry about us." he said. The woman nodded and smiled at her husband, a silent notice to him telling him to be careful.
Netto took a deep breath and walked towards the door, but when he opened it, he saw a frantic Meiru standing before him. "Meiru-chan!" he gasped in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"I saw the news report..." she said, looking worried. "And I know that you're going out to try and help Enzan. I came here so I can help!" she said, looking resolute.
"Meiru, Netto has something far more important to do at this moment. Right now, we have to entrust the defense to Enzan and the other officials," the scientist said from behind Netto. Meiru looked stunned before turning back to her friend.
"What can be more important then helping defend the city?" she asked in a controlled voice, trying to hide her anger. Netto shook his head and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Meiru-chan, I'm going to go take out the source of this problem. That's why I have to leave right now," he said. The girl looked down, an unreadable expression on her face.
"At least let me come with you," she pleaded. "I want to help. I don't want to be stuck on the sidelines, just waiting for the outcome! Let me do something!" she said, looking back up at Netto.
The brunette shook his head. "Meiru-chan, I can't let you come with me, and I'm very sure that Papa would not allow it anyway," he said, and Meiru looked downcast for a moment before he continued. "However, right now, you can go help Enzan and the others in defending the city. They'll need all the help they can get until Rockman and Forte can take out the source, you hear?"
The girl blinked before nodding. "I understand..." she replied quietly. Yuuichirou looked like he was about to say something, but Haruka laid a hand on his shoulder and shook her head, making the scientist refrain from saying something. Meiru then looked back up, looking resolute. "Alright Netto, I'll go help wherever I can! But please, promise me you'll be alright."
"I promise, I'll be fine!" Netto declared as he chuckled. "Now...I have to go, Meiru. I'll see you later." The girl nodded, and then ran off towards the direction of Densan. Netto turned back to his father and nodded, signaling that he was ready to go.
The scientist frowned as they walked towards the car, looking over at his son. "Are you sure that you wanted her to go off and help fight?"
Netto nodded. "I trust her. I know she'll do a good job." Yuuichirou sighed and entered the car, with Netto following suit.
"I'll fill you in on what you have to do on the way. We have no time to waste." Yuuichirou said as he started the car. He then backed out of the driveway and began to quickly drive down the road.
Netto took both PETs into his hands and looked at the navis within them. "I can't believe things are happening so fast. Just yesterday we were having fun, and now there's a new crisis out of the blue."
Forte nodded. "Indeed. Your father says that this started when we got back from that other world, Netto-kun, but I wonder why we didn't notice until now? Surely all of the incidents that we've come across should have clued us in."
"But at the time, we all thought they were separate and not even related to each other," Netto said while leaning back in the car seat. "It couldn't be helped. Usually we know at least something about the enemies we fight, but now we don't know what we're getting into."
Rockman frowned before speaking up. "You know...before we left Endo last night, I had a strange feeling," he said, prompting the other two to look at him. "I felt something very strange. I heard someone laughing, and th e feeling I got from it...it was malicious. At the time, I just thought I was being paranoid about something, but now I think it's whatever we're looking for."
"I see..." he murmured before smiling. "Both of you, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to either of you, and we'll beat this thing!"
The two navis shared a look before nodding. Silently, Forte looked away as Yuuichirou started to speak to Netto about the plan. I'm more worried about you, Netto-kun.
----
To Netto, the ride to the Science Labs was quick, his father's words just racing through his mind. As both of them walked briskly towards the lab, he ran the plan over one more time in his head before asking a question. "So Rockman and Forte have to get into the Ura Net, but the firewalls around Endo and many other areas prevent any traffic to and from it. How are they going to get in?"
"We managed to make an entry point at the outskirts of the Ura Net," Yuuichirou explained, swiping his key card through a security gate and pulling Netto inside. "However, we only have enough power to send Rockman and Forte inside once. We can't do it again without opening the firewall, which is an impossibility at this point."
"I see," the boy said, following the scientist through more corridors, "But if you said that the energy can infect navis..."
Yuuichirou smiled assuringly. "Don't worry, I've already thought of a counter measure for that. We've received samples of the energy being emitted from the officials, so I've managed to create an anti-virus that will protect Rockman when he goes in there."
Netto frowned. "What about Forte?"
"You don't have to worry about that, Netto," the scientist said as they were nearing the lab, "I am certain that Forte cannot be infected; it seems those with a strong will and an affinity for the dark can withstand the effects and not go crazy." Netto blinked.
"How do you know?" he asked suspiciously. Yuuichirou chuckled.
"Because then Serenade would probably come out of hiding and then things would get worse." he said. Netto paled at the implications and nodded, while Forte let off a snarl, as the memory of the emperor of the Ura Net came unwillingly to mind.
"It's even made it's way to the Secret Area?" he asked in shock. Yuuichirou nodded.
"Yes, but don't be alarmed. It's being repelled and cannot go deeper in. I think Serenade is making sure of that," he said as he opened the doors. "We're here." he announced, gesturing for Netto to follow him into the room.
The brunette nodded and followed his father, and immediately jumped when he saw a familiar face inside the room. "Dr. Regal!" he cried, forgetting everything that had transpired over the past year.
The dark haired scientist looked up and smiled at the brunette. "Ah, so you're Hikari Netto. Yuuichirou has told me much about you and your exploits," he said, picking up a disc on the table. "Unfortunately, we don't have the time for an extended hello, because we need you and your navis to act as quickly as possible." Regal then handed the disc over to his companion, who nodded and turned to his son.
"This disc has the anti-virus, and we need to install it into Rockman. It'll only take a minute or so, and time is of the essence at this point," he explained.
Netto got over his shock of seeing Regal before looking at his partner. "You ready, Rockman?" The blue navi nodded and immediately went into rest mode to prepare for the installation. Sighing, the brunette handed the PET over to his father, who went over to a computer while inserting the disc.
Taking a breath, Netto looked around the room. Numerous computers and other equipment he had never seen before. "Nervous?" Forte asked from his postion.
"Yes," Netto admitted, "I could be sending you two into a deathtrap for all I know."
"Maybe, but we're not so easily deleted," Forte replied, smirking. "Just trust us, Netto-kun."
Netto slowly nodded, still looking worried. "I'll do my best!"
At that moment, Yuuichirou walked back and handed Rockman's PET over to Netto. "All done. Check to see if Rockman is alright." Nodding, Netto turned on the PET, and a few moments later, an awakening Rockman could be seen as he yawned.
"How are you feeling Rockman?" Netto asked hesitantly. Rockman looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling.
"Never better! I can feel the anti-virus taking effect, so I'm good to go," he answered cheerfully. Netto smiled at him before nodding at the two scientists.
"I'm ready."
Regal sighed. "Very well. Come over to the main computer and we'll begin. Remember, make sure you have all your battle chips in order once you enter, because there is no going back out until the source has been eliminated."
The brunette quickly double checked his battle chips, and then nodded. "Alright, where do I plug them in at? And where exactly will they land?"
Yuuichirou spoke up for Regal, pointing to a place on the computer screen that looked like a map of the entire Ura Net. "Like I said before, they'll land in the outskirts, near the entrance to Endo Area. The source is deeper within, so they will have some walking ahead of them;" he said before typing some commands into the main computer, "Okay, preparations are complete. You ready?"
"Yeah, I am..." Netto trailed off as he looked at both navis, who nodded. "Alright! Plug in! Forte, Rockman.exe, transmission!"
----
"Hey! Are you guys alright?" Netto asked as both navis teleported in.
"Yeah, we're fine!" Rockman called back. Netto smiled in relief before looking at the cloaked navi.
"Forte, are you alright?" he asked softly. Forte instantly knew what the boy was referring to as he nodded.
"Yes, I am. It seems your father was right, after all." he said. Netto sighed in relief.
"That's good," he muttered before taking another breath in. "Anyway, look around for any leads. Papa and Dr. Regal can't get an exact location on the signal, so you're going to have to look around." Forte grunted in annoyance while Rockman sighed. He hated spending so much time in the Ura Net, but it couldn't be helped.
The first thing Rockman felt as he and Forte landed in the barren Ura Net was a supreme feeling of unease. Nervously looking around, he saw that the area seemed darker than usual, and he could not see any of the viruses that normally occupied the area. "Forte, do you sense anything different?" he asked, taking a few steps forward onto the path.
The cloaked navi looked around, narrowing his eyes. "Everything here is wrong. I'm feeling some kind of energy floating about, but...I don't sense the presence of anything else. The whole area is deserted."
"I thought so," Rockman murmured before sighing. He never imagined that the Ura Net could get any creepier then it had, but he was proved wrong, apparently. "Anyway, we should get going and find whatever source Papa was talking about."
"Hmph..." Forte snorted, looking around again, "You're right. Let's go."
"Be careful, you two. Something doesn't feel right," Netto said lowly. Both navis nodded in compliance and began to look around.
The two navis walked through the Ura Net as fast as they could, moving from area to area while searching for the disturbance. Along the way, they couldn't help but shudder at the utter silence of the area. "Didn't expect it to be this creepy..." the blue navi muttered as they walked into the next area. "Hey...is it me, or is growing darker?"
Forte looked around and nodded. "Yeah, it is. We're probably getting near it."
"It's probably near, but where?' Rockman asked to himself, cupping his chin with his fingers while looking around.
"The source of the chaotic energy?" came a voice from behind the navis.
"Yeah..." Rockman agreed before looking startled and turning around. "Who are you!"
Forte looked over the navi carefully while readying himself should the navi try anything. He was peculiar, with two sleek blue wings, a blue and red chest plate, and a black, white, and red bodysuit. He also had taloned feet and a helmet that looked like it was horned.
The navi chuckled. "Glad to see some navis are still sane around here;" he muttered, "I am Swallowman, a wandering navi.
Rockman didn't let down his guard, still looking at the bird navi warily. "How did you know what we were looking for?"
Swallowman snorted. "Easily enough. I saw you two as you were walking through the area and just decided to follow you. I can tell that you're a surface dweller, and there would be no reason to come in here at this time unless it was to do something."
"That still doesn't explain why you followed us." Forte pointed out, slowly sliding back into a relaxed stance. Rockman looked at Forte hesitantly before relaxing as well. Swallowman raised an eyebrow.
"Letting your guard down around me? Are you certain of that?" he asked in amusement, "How do you know I'm not going to attack you right here and now?"
"Because you would have done it already;" Rockman said, sighing. "You had multiple chances to attack us, but you didn't. So you obviously don't want to hurt us. But I'm guessing you want something, right?"
Swallowman chuckled again. "You're pretty sharp," he said. "Anyway...you're searching for wherever this whole thing started, right?" Seeing both navis nod, he then continued, "Well...I know where it is. And I can help guide you to it, if you wish."
Both navis stared at him, blinking. "So...what's the catch?" Forte asked suspiciously.
"Not really a catch, per se..." Swallowman waved off, "But the sooner you two do whatever you do, the faster I can get out of this place. I hate being confined to a single area."
Rockman looked at the cloaked navi and shrugged. "It makes sense," he said. He then held out a hand towards the bird navi. "I'm Rockman, and he's Forte. Nice to meet you."
Swallowman shook the hand, grinning. "Indeed. Anyway, to business," he said while looking over towards an area. "As you probably have noticed, this area is darker than the other ones. I reckon the source is near."
Forte looked in the direction Swallowman was facing, narrowing his eyes. "The energy feels stronger in that direction..." he muttered. Swallowman nodded.
"Yep, that's it alright. It's a bit of a walk, but I'm sure you don't mind." he said, shrugging his shoulders. Rockman sighed.
"Can you please lead us there? We shouldn't stay in one area too long, because the energy flowing throughout this area is making me shiver," the blue navi said, unconsciously gripping one of his arms in an effort to stop himself from quivering.
Swallowman frowned. "I'll lead you as far as I can. I can only go so far, however, because I do not want to chance getting hit by that energy."
Forte grunted. "Fine. As long as you can get us as far as possible, then point us from there, then we'll be alright." The bird navi nodded and motioned the other two to follow him, and soon they were off walking towards the source.
After a few minutes of traveling, Rockman decided to speak up. "Hey Swallowman, how did you not get infected?"
The bird navi shrugged. "I mostly stay near the outskirts, because traveling through the heart of the Ura Net is suicide, in most cases;" he answered, lazily gliding through the air as they turned a corner. "But then, over the last few months, a lot of the navis that have been living down here have been leaving in a mass exodus, all of them mumbling to themselves. They were utterly insane," he murmured.
"I see..." Rockman muttered.
"I don't know how or why I'm still sane, but I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth," Swallowman said. He then frowned. "So, who are your operators?"
"Our operator is Hikari Netto," Forte growled, stressing the operator part, "He's watching over us right now because we're on a mission."
The bird navi looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Operator huh? Interesting..." he said. "I never was the type to work with other people as a lifelong commitment. I'm content in just wandering the world," he mused, chuckling to himself.
Forte lowered his gaze to the ground at that, memories coming up to the front of his mind. Ever since his near death by Serenade, he had always wandered the internet alone, searching for new challenges and ways to increase his own power. At that time, the thought of even having an operator, even a lifelong commitment at that, was an outrageous one.
But all of that changed, he thought as Rockman and Swallowman were talking to each other again. Ever since that journey, he was willing to have me, even after all the things I have done. I have never even dreamed of being someone's navi willingly before this. Yet...I am finally happy.
The cloaked navi was snapped out of his thoughts as everyone suddenly stopped and he bumped into Rockman. "Huh?" he said in surprise as he stepped back. Rockman gave him an amused look before looking back at their guide. Forte rubbed the back of his head sheepishly before staring at the bird navi.
"This is as far as I can take you, as the energy being emitted is too great for me to go on," Swallowman said, landing on the ground and turning to face the other two. "Down this path should be where you have to head, all you have to do is go straight. I don't have a good feeling about what's ahead. Are you two sure you're going to go in there?"
Rockman nodded. "Of course. We won't fail our operator or our friends," he stated, smiling. Forte chuckled.
"We just want to end this as soon as possible. It's been giving us headaches for months." he replied. Swallowman smirked.
"Well, I guess I can't change your minds, then;" he said while turning away. "I wish you luck. It is very dangerous ahead." With a wave, the bird navi took off, flying away at a very fast speed.
At that moment, Netto finally spoke up after several minutes of silence. "Ah, you're alright! I was getting worried!"
"Where were you, Netto-kun?" Forte asked, looking to the sky.
"I'm sorry, I was busy helping out Papa and Dr. Regal secure the defenses. Papa got wind of an emergency and is working on several computers like a madman. It seems the firewall around Densan is crumbling far faster than he thought!"
Rockman grimaced. "It seems that we're running out of time. Let's hurry!" The cloaked navi nodded, and the two started to run along the path Swallowman guided them to. Soon enough, they found themselves standing on a large platform, staring at a huge hole hanging in midair.
"Is this it?" Rockman wondered, trying to look through the vortex. "I can't see anything on the other side..."
Forte shrugged. "Well, I don't think we have a choice. It's obviously in there!" he said before breaking into a run.
"Forte, wait!" the blue navi cried as Forte jumped into the hole, disappearing into the dark depths. Growling to himself about how impatient the cloaked navi could be at times, Rockman dove through the hole as well.
The blue navi tumbled into a roll and jumped to his feet as he took a look around him. The background of the net and the ground were all glowing with a dark energy, and the feeling of unease he had felt before had tripled. As he got up, he saw Forte standing next to him, staring off into the distance.
"I sense something very powerful emanating from far away..." Forte breathed, looking at Rockman, "It is far more powerful than I originally thought."
Netto looked worried. "That worries me. I've never seen this area before...be alert you two. I don't know what to expect in here!"
Rockman was about to respond when a chuckle reverberated from the darkness. Startled, the blue navi got in a ready stance, forming his buster.
"Rockman?" Forte asked, looking confused.
"That laugh...I would know it anywhere." the blue navi growled. The voice chuckled again before a flap of wings caught the cloaked navi's attention.
Standing in front of him was a tall figure that wore purple armor and a blue bodysuit, with long claws and yellow eyes. "Well well, it seems that the guests have arrived. I'll have to make sure to enjoy myself!"
"Shademan!" Netto shouted from his position, getting his battle chips ready. "How did you...?"
The vampire navi smirked. "Demanding questions of me so suddenly, little human? You should know by now..." he laughed, "That I'm not one to give you what you want!" he bellowed, rushing forward with one of his claws raised.
Both navis jumped out of the way in time, assessing their options. "He never dies, does he?" Forte asked, drawing upon Netto's memories to try to assess his foe. Rockman shook his head.
"Unfortunately not." he replied dully.
Forte smirked. "Hmph. Then we'll make sure that we'll accomplish it this time." Rockman had to chuckle as he got himself ready as well.
Shademan threw his head back and laughed. "By all means, you're welcome to try!" he shouted in glee, "But your lives will end here by my hand, I shall make sure of it!" With that, his arms turned into wings, and he took to the sky.
Rockman and Forte readied themselves as Shademan dove at them, malicious intent evident in his eyes.
"Crush Noise!"
----
Next Chapter: Into the Dark Depths: Rockman and Forte face off against a revived Shademan, while Enzan and Meiru are defending the city. But as the the two navis continue to traverse the darkness, Rockman's feeling of unease keeps growing. Something is waiting for both of them, something very powerful...
----
Author's Notes: Whew, another chapter finished.
Summer classes have ended (which was why I was late in updating), and I'm free until the twenty-first, when fall semester starts. Oy vey.
I'm really excited because I'm in the final stretch in this fic. It feels good that you're so close to finishing something, and it makes it worth it in the end when you finally do.
Anyway, next chapter will be soon.