Chapter 11: [Universe A] Welcome to Densan City! Act I

- Going to a new place is exciting yet frightening -

- [Universe A] Cyber City - Green Town (Sapphire's Room) -

Ring! Ring! Sapphire's green Watch PET dings, FlowerGrl automatically notices the recently sent email and informs her operator. "Sapphire-chan! You have email, it's from Rasp and Wisely from Ameroupe!"

"Rasp and Wisely?" Sapphire said looking away from her PC, "What does the email say?"

Hey Sapphire,

We are coming to Japan to visit you! Our flight will arrive at Cyber City's International Airport. Be there at 2 P.M. okay?

Thanks,

Rasp and Wisely

"I wonder why they're coming to Japan?" Sapphire asked, "I know they're here to visit us but why exactly?" "Who knows," FlowerGirl answers, "Anyway, it's only 8:30 AM so we have a lot of time to get the place ready for our guests to arrive." Sapphire nods in agreement and begins doing the chores to tighten up the home.

- Cyber City International Airport -

The international airport was much bigger than the regular local airport as it houses and transports passengers from around the world. There were at least five floors to accommodate the thousands of people that come in and out of it. Sapphire was waiting on the first floor in which passengers were checking the logistics of various planes such as when it is departing or arriving, checking in or out the baggage or dealing with the customs and immigration facilities.

"Where are they?" Sapphire said looking at the immense crowd of people.

Wisely cries out with a simple hey to attract Sapphire's attention. She was waving as she and Rasp were coming down the escalator with their suitcases.

As the moving staircase stops, Wisely happily races over to them with her black suitcase with a magenta stripe and white bow in tow. Rasp slowly follows her with his red, rolling bag in tow.

Wisely had long white hair that almost reaches below her knees and tied with a big black and cranberry striped bow and cranberry eyes. She wore a sleeveless lavender vest over her black tank top with a purple stripe in the middle, jeans, and white shoes with purple stripes and black soles. Her additional accessories were black bracelets with cranberry stripes to match the style of her big bow.

Rasp had short, ruby red hair but his eyes were an ash grey. He wore a sleeveless, white vest, over his gunmetal colored tank top, faded nickel colored jeans, ash grey shoes with cinereous red shoelaces and soles. His additional accessory was a necklace of his Emblem which was two white bubbles on a grey background surrounded by a jet black ring with some rope.

Wisely gives Sapphire a great big hug which the blue-haired girl returns. "So glad to see you again!" Wisely said, "So why are you guys here?" "Well, we've been invited to Densan City's Ministry of Science by Rollen!" Wisely replied. "Rollen did?" Sapphire said, "How come I didn't get an email?" "Maybe he forgot?" Wisely suggested, "Anyway, I can't wait to see Densan City, I heard a lot of incidents were involved there." Rasp nodded in agreement, "Yeah I remembered that Asteroid incident, I saw the reports, and it left a lot of devastation." "Yeah that was scary," Wisely said, "So are you going to take to Densan City?" "Sure but where are we going to stay?" Sapphire asked.

"Rollen already made reservations at a hotel so we can stay there," Rasp asked. "Alright but first I need to pack and then we'll go to Densan City?" Sapphire said, "Plus the directions for the hotel."

- Densan City [Vevila Hotel] -

After taking Rasp and Wisely back to her house for Sapphire to pack, she uses her white Camry car and takes them to the hotel close to Densan City downtown. The car ride there was about an 8-hour drive, by the time they arrived it was already night time. The hotel that the three were staying was the Vevila Hotel, a decent looking hotel with a peaceful view of the buildings of Densan City.

Their hotel room was a living room with beige walls and slate and black diamond pattern, carpet floors. On the left wall was a teal couch with white pillows and a standard lamp and glass, a circular table with a small vase of flowers. The right wall only had a flat screen TV on top of a brown dresser. Behind them was a hallway with two doors on the left and one door on the right. The two doors were the bedrooms, and the door on the right was the bathroom.

Both bedrooms had the same floor design, but the first one had one bed, and the other had two beds. A massive window with dark blue curtains almost took the entire wall which had the view of downtown Densan City. The carpet was a standard white. A snow white chair with a single blue cushion on one of the corners of the room, the beds were also a standard white with some pillows like headboard behind them with a small lamp on a table. Above them was a blue painting.

"Whoa, this place looks nice!" Wisely compliments on how the rooms presented. "Looks decent to me," Sapphire added. "So regarding which bedroom to sleep in tonight, I'll be sleeping in the single bedroom, you two will share the two bedrooms." Rasp suggests. "Sounds fair to me," Sapphire said, "I mean it would be a bit awkward if two people of different genders will be sleeping together in the same room unless they're a couple or married."

Later that night Wisely was dressed in her violet and cranberry star pajamas which Sapphire was in a comfortable white T-shirt with a flower imprint on it and knee-length pink shorts. They were talking about various things like current events and relationships.

"So Sapphire have you find someone that catches your interest?" Wisely asked. "No," Sapphire shook her head, "Besides I don't feel attracted to anyone either man or woman." "Mou, you probably didn't find the one yet," Wisely quickly dismissed her friend's quote, "I'm sure you find the soul mate yet." "Yeah but even if I did some time down the road I have to give up my dream job of being a biologist to stay home, clean the house and raise my future children plus you know how much it costs to raise children and maintain the bills." Sapphire points out. "Mou, you're always thinking negatively!" Wisely quickly dismissed her friend's disbeliefs even though they were grounded in reality, "Look if you find your special someone than things will always work out in the end!" "Yeah, keep telling yourself that," Sapphire muttered. Sapphire had no bitter feelings towards those who are willing to be together for the rest of their lives as long as things remain stable in the long term. In Sapphire's mind, she just isn't interested in dating in general as to her; they're too complicated for her to understand despite the fact she is in her late teen years. Even though Wisely insisted on Sapphire trying on dating to get some experience but so far Sapphire had a hard time finding a date as she doesn't know what she wants from a significant other.

"So Sapphire," Wisely said, "How are things going in Green Town?" "Well, things have been very peaceful and orderly as usually there." Sapphire replied, "The only thing interesting is Uncle Azur sending me some gifts from overseas." "Sounds boring," Wisely said, "For me, I would go around the world and see where I can settle down with my future husband!" Sapphire just sweatdropped at Wisely almost outlandish claims. As much as Wisely is a good friend and the cheerleader of their group, she can get a bit overboard regarding romance and relationships.

Wisely yawns at looks at the time on her cranberry Watch PET, "Oh look at the time! We better get some rest for tomorrow. I can't wait for Rollen-kun to show us Densan City's Ministry of Science I heard the best scientists work there." "Yeah," Sapphire said, "I mean it's been a while since I've seen Yuuichiro-san and Rockman. I wonder if they made some new inventions?" "Yeah," FlowerGirl happily agreed, "What even better is I get to see the Net Saviors Blues and Roll! That was so awesome!" Sapphire nods as she was curious as to what happened these past few months since her last visit. She remembers a couple of things during her first visit there. What she can recall is that it all started when FlowerGirl was severely damaged when she was on the Internet. Sapphire quickly brings her to the Ministry of Science and encounters the head scientist and Netto's father, Yuuichiro Hikari and his son's NetNavi, Rockman. During her time, Yuuichiro noted that Sapphire had been staring at Rockman almost the entire time FlowerGirl was in repairs. Almost like she was trying to know him, Rockman was slightly unnerved by her behavior but shrugged it off. Sapphire also remembered meeting Enzan, Meiru and their NetNavis Blues and Roll. After that short introductions, FlowerGirl was thoroughly repaired and functional, and she left the Ministry of Science with Rollen.

Sapphire notices that Wisely was already fast asleep. She turns off the lamp between them, utters FlowerGirl a good night sleep and drifts off to sleep.

The sunrise was very pleasant that morning that it left a pleasant view in the hotel room. Sapphire was sipping some of her apple juice, while Wisely was happily eating her strawberry waffles. Rasp was just sipping his coffee.

Beep! Beep! "Sapphire-chan, Email from Rollen-kun!" FlowerGirl chirped. "Read it FlowerGirl," Sapphire asked.

Hey Sapphire,

Sorry, I forgot to email you about Rasp and Wisely visiting Japan. It slipped past my mind. Anyway, if you can remember the Ministry of Science is in Akihara Town just go past a few neighborhoods, and you'll be there!

Sincerely,

Rollen

"That's all?" Sapphire said, "Nothing on why he wants Rasp and Wisely to come to Ministry of Science?" "Maybe he's decided to keep it as a surprise?" FlowerGirl suggested. "I guess," Sapphire said.

- Akihara Town -

Akihara Town did not change much the four years since Netto's 'death.' Sapphire was taking some mental notes in the neighborhood that Netto grew up for the first decade of his life. Rasp and Wisely were just wandering around to see the neighborhood in which Yuuichiro lives with his wife and his deceased son. She always looks at the houses that his friends live. First was Dekao's home which now had Chisao, who was now older and saw that he had Gutsman with him. The second was Yaito's mansion. The last was Meiru and Netto's homes since they were next to each other. Her eyes took a brief look to a brown-haired woman with some wrinkles on her face, matching eyes, a lavender T-shirt with a white stripe on the chest area, long green skirt and maroon sandals. She was dusting the front porch with a broom when she looks up to see her. She blinks for a moment before giving her a sweet smile. She then sees Meiru looking at her PET before looking up to see the blue-haired girl.

"Oh hi, Sapphire-chan!" She greeted with a smile. Meiru changed a lot over the past four years. She wore an aqua green sweater, a pink skirt, black stockings, and pink shoes. Her hair clip with her NetNavi's symbol attached to her left side. "Hey Sapphire, you know this girl?" Rasp noted. "Yes, this is Sakurai Meiru," Sapphire introduced. "Nice to meet you!" Meiru greeted. Her NetNavi, RollEXE came out of her PET via hologram. Her helmet was pink with some patterns in a darker shade, and two thin yellow ribbons that almost reach to the back plus two-dimensional blonde hair tied into a low ponytail with a green bow. Her armor, gloves, and boots were pink, but her body suit was black.

"Nice to meet you, too!" Roll greeted. "You're Roll-chan right?" FlowerGirl said, "I'm FlowerGirl I don't think we ever had a proper meeting since I was in repairs." Roll just gave her a greeting smile. "Looks like your NetNavis are getting along already!" Wisely said. "So where are your NetNavis?" Meiru asked. "We don't have any," Rasp said. "I know it's embarrassing," Wisely abashedly said, "It's true, but Rollen had emailed us and told us to come to Japan, Densan City." "Maybe, he's giving you two NetNavis of your own?" Roll suggests. "If that were the case I would be so excited," Wisely said.

"Anyway, the reason we're here is just to look around the neighborhood that Yuuichiro-hakase lived with his wife and his 'deceased' child," Sapphire said. "Deceased child?" Wisely said confused, "Yuuichiro had a child?" "Actually yes," Meiru said, "He had a son named Netto. He was my childhood friend and Rockman's Operator." "So Rockman was Netto's NetNavi before he died," Wisely asked. "Yes," Meiru said remembering the fond memories of the spiky brunette unaware that he was alive and hopping from dimension to dimension.

She then notices Chisao as well as two children that Sapphire vaguely knew, Kaita Todoroki and Mary Towa. Chisao was hanging out with them when he spotted Meiru talking with Sapphire, Rasp and Wisely.

Chisao had a chestnut, brown hair and beady black eyes. However, during the four-year time gap, he had a black undershirt under his yellow T-shirt with green collar and screen cuffs, blue shorts that almost reach the knees, black socks and green and white shoes.

Kaita was about in his preteens with dark blue hair tied with a red bandana with Turboman's symbol on it and brown eyes. He was wearing his summer attire, a yellow T-shirt with a red stripe in the middle, red cargo shorts, and checkboard shoes.

Mary was the same age as Kaita with long curly blond hair and green eyes. She wore a pink dress with dark red sleeves, and the ribbon had Ring's symbol on it, black leggings that reach to the knees, and pink and white shoes.

"Hello, Meiru-chan!" Chisao greeted. Mary and Kaita said the same greeting only adding the -san honorific after Meiru's name instead of -chan. "Hello, Chisao, Mary-chan, and Kaita-kun," Meiru replied, "It's been a while since we last meet. Was it after Nova's defeat?" "You bet!" Kaita chirped, "Things have been peaceful after that." "Let's just hope it stays like that," Mary added.

He then noticed Sapphire but blinks due to unfamiliarity, but Kaita and Mary's eyes lighten up at her. "Hey, Sapphire-chan!" Both of them greeted. "Hey guys," Sapphire said with a small smile, "How are your NetNavi's doing?"

"We're fine actually!" Turboman said as he makes a hologram of himself on Kaita's shoulder. He was pretty tall with his main body color being red. On his back was the rear wing of a race car with green stripes on both ends, wheels around his shoulders, his arms were bronze and white, and his feet had wheels on it. Overall, he looked like a humanoid racecar.

Ring projects herself on Mary's shoulder. Her helmet was yellow with orange and blue stripes in the middle, and bright lime green rings, one on top, one around it and a bunch of it connecting to form pigtails. Her armor resembled a yellow jumpsuit with blue and orange stripes designed on the ends over a pink bodysuit. Lastly, her eyes were a deep pink. "Yeah!" Ring replied, "Things have been very peaceful."

Gutsman also appears on Chisao's shoulder. His helmet was mostly cuboid shaped with the top being yellow with a green gem on the forehead and mouth with a grey mouthguard; his eyes were green. The upper body was red with yellow cuffs, grey arms and yellow armor covering his lower arm, his body suit was black with light blue stripes on the side, yellow boots with flat feet, two battery shaped on the back. His emblem was a green cross on a black background surrounding by a grey background. Sapphire noted that he vaguely resembles a gorilla when she remembers what Netto told her was that Gutsman was Dekao's NetNavi, not Chisao's. "You're NetNavi, Gutsman," Sapphire asked, "Was he given to you as a gift?" "Yeah, my brother gave him to me as a gift," Chisao replied, "Why?" "Just curious," Sapphire shrugged. Meiru just blinked at Sapphire's question, how did she know that Gutsman was initially Dekao's NetNavi?

"Anyway, you're Sapphire-chan right?" Chisao asked. "Yes," Sapphire said bluntly, "The red-haired guy is Rasp, and the albino haired girl is Wisely." Rasp and Wisely gave out their introductions, but Rasp was more of a simple hey while Wisely happily greets them. "So why are you in Akihara Town?" Mary asked. "Oh, we were going to the Ministry of Science, but we took a detour since Sapphire decided to take a tour of the neighborhood." Wisely said. Meiru blinked why Sapphire would be interested in touring her neighborhood, the only thing that was worth noting was that Netto was born and raised here before his death. "Well, I'm glad you are enjoying our neighborhood!" Chisao said. "Sapphire-chan since you, Rasp and Wisely are going to the Ministry of Science, why don't I show the way," Meiru suggested. "Can we come?" Chisao asked. "Of course," Meiru said.

- Ministry of Science -

Inside one of the labs, Yuuichiro Hikari, and his assistant, Meijin were working on the computers when Rollen just stands behind idly by.

Yuuichiro had symmetrical, neatly combed, brown hair and matching eyes. There were some wrinkles on his face due to overworking and age. He was wearing a tan shirt with orange stripes with his emblem on the right side of around the chest area, black pants and brown shoes.

Meijin was about the same age as him with spiky brown hair and was wearing orange glasses. Under his white lab coat was an orange and red shirt with the numbers 30 on it, a belt, dark green pants, and orange shoes. He also wore brown fingerless gloves.

Rollen was about in his late teens with long blond hair tied into a low ponytail with a blue clip and amber eyes. He wore an azure T-shirt with white cuffs over a black T-shirt, jeans and white shoes with yellow shoelaces and soles. "So Hakase and Meijin-san, are the NetNavis finished?" Rollen asked. "No need for formalities, Rollen-kun, they're almost done," Meijin said.

Rollen looks up the screen and sees the two NetNavis that was on display. The one on the left was a male NetNavi with grey armor. His helmet spiked up that resembles a crown with spikes of dark red hair coming from the back with a hexagon symbol with a diamond ash grey and the rest jet black. His eyes were ash grey, and his mouth guard was the same shade of his helmet with a patch of jet black covering the nose area. His armor was a nickel grey that reaches slightly above the stomach with ash grey sleeves with small spikes extruding out. His gauntlets had ash grey rings and gems on the back of the hand which was jet black. His jet black boots with diamonds on the top and ankles. Lastly, his bodysuit that was Marengo grey with the highlight an ash gray. His ear and chest emblem was the same as Rasp's necklace.

The one on the left was a female NetNavi. The helmet was a Columbia blue with ash grey horns, a pink visor that obscures her eyes and a cape like substance flowing from the back that reaches past her shoulders. Her body suit was black. Her upper chest and sides of the chest covered with armor with ash grey, diamond-shaped shoulder pads, her gauntlets were cranberry with the rings an ash grey. There was an ash grey belt with a hexagon-shaped burgundy gem with a glaucous blue skirt, cranberry stocking with some ash grey stripes and glaucous blue boots. Her emblem was a cranberry diamond over an ash grey arrow on a black background, surrounded by a dark purple ring.

A small bing informs that the tests are done. "All clear," Meijin announced, "The NetNavis are ready!" The two NetNavis were transferred to their PETs. The grey NetNavi was transferred to a grey and black Watch PET while the cranberry and blue NetNavi was transferred to the cranberry and blue Watch PET.

The doors of the lab were slowly open to reveal Sapphire, Rasp and Wisely followed by Meiru, Chisao, Kaita, and Mary. "Oh hey, guys!" Rollen said, "You brought the others with you?" Yuuichiro greeted Meiru, Chisao, and Mary but Kaita had to introduce himself since the scientist never met him. "So you must be Rasp and Wisely correct?" He asked with a gentle smile. "Papa, the NetNavis are ready!" Rockman chirped from the computer. Sapphire looks up to see the blue NetNavi.

Rockman had not changed since the four-year time-skip since he was a computer program. His helmet was blue with yellow rectangles in the middle of two light blue stripes in which his spiky black is seen sticking from his back. His eyes were an emerald green and his face had fair skin. His bodysuit was a dark blue with light blue stripes on the sides, yellow shoulder pads, blue gloves, and boots. Additionally, there was a blue pack attached to his back.

Rockman looks back at her; he notices this blank stare she gives him. Rockman was a bit unnerved by how long she was staring at him. "Sapphire, are you staring at Rockman again?" Rollen asked. "What's wrong with Sapphire looking at Rockman?" Wisely said confused. "I don't know, but Yuuichiro notes that Sapphire has been staring at Rockman when we first visit the Ministry of Science when FlowerGirl was under repairs." Rollen informed, "It made Rockman a bit uncomfortable." "Weird she's never done that before with any other NetNavi," Wisely said. Rockman just blinks at Sapphire's odd behavior. "Um, Sapphire-chan do you need something?" He awkwardly said. "No," Sapphire blankly stated. An awkward silence follows.

"Anyway, Rasp and Wisely correct?" Meijin said to pick up the awkward silence, "The two NetNavis are yours." "Really?" Wisely cried, "You're giving them to us!" "Yes, it was Rollen-kun's request," Meijin said. "Rollen, you're the best!" Wisely said as she gives him a big hug. "So which one is mine?" "Yours is the cranberry PET while the grey PET is Rasp's," Rollen clarified. Wisely snatches the cranberry colored, Watch PET while Rasp casually takes the grey one. The pink visor NetNavi looked up and beams a small smile. "Hello Wisely, my name is Kaida!" "My name is Jaggedman," The grey NetNavi greeted. "Jaggedman, huh?" Rasp said before giving out a small smile, "I'm Rasp your operator." "We're going to be a great team, Kaida!" Wisely happily beamed.

Later that day, Sapphire, Rasp, and Wisely were given a tour with Meiru leading the way. Chisao, Kaita, and Mary were just tagging along. The blue-haired girl was just surveying the area. "Hey is there a shop that sells battle chips?" Wisely asked, "Because I need new battle chips for Kaida, Rasp you need battle chips for Jaggedman, too!" "Right," Rasp said, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to get some and then practice." "So you need battle chips, I know just the place," Meiru said.

Higureya was a small chip shop that was stationed under a ten-story apartment; the outside had a blue roof, yellow walls with the sign 'chip shop' in both English and Japanese. Meiru opens the doors, and a middle-aged man with scuff brown hair with glasses greeted him. His name was Higure Yamitaro. He wore a simple white-collared shirt with a red tie with a pin that had his NetNavi, Numberman's Emblem on it, regular jeans with a belt, white socks, and brown sandals. He was also wearing a blue apron. His assistant was Shuuko Kido. She was had purple hair tied into twin pigtails and grey eyes. She was wearing a blue sweater with a light yellow stripe on the chest and on the cuffs, jeans with cuffs in the same style as her sweater, and brown and yellow shoes with white shoelaces. "Sapphire-chan?" Shuuko blurted out, "Is that you?" "Hey Shuuko," Sapphire said with a small smile.

"You know Shuuko-san?" Meiru asked. "Yeah, we're penpals," Sapphire said. "Flower-onee-chan!" Aquaman cried out from her Watch PET. Aquaman was about the size of a child. His helmet was slightly translucent with a small hole in which water spurts out from the top and two white pieces on both sides. It shows his beady eyes with little pink cheeks. His body suit was blue with white rings on his writs and ankles. He wore a white shirt with magenta cuffs and his chest emblem which was two waves; the top was white while the bottom was blue, on a lime green background surrounded by a pink ring.

"Hello, Aquaman!" FlowerGirl greeted, "Have things gone smoothly with your operator's interview?" "You mean Shuuko-nee-chan's teaching job?" Aquaman clarified, "Yes, she got the job and is moving to Central Town!" "Oh, Shuuko-san, I didn't know you are moving?" Meiru said. "Yes, I took the job because I want to be closer to my brothers, who are in college in Central Town." Shuuko replied, "I'm sorry about not telling you guys sooner." "I'm going to miss you being my assistant," Higure said a bit saddened. He then lightens his mood and turns to look at Sapphire, Rasp and Wisely. "So are you here to by some battle chips?"

In the end, Rasp and Wisely just got a starter pack of battle chips which contains some Sword, Vulcan, and a semi-rare Barrier Chip. Sapphire just bought a Barrier and Wide Shot Battle Chip. "Come again," Higure cried. "Sapphire-chan, I'll see you in Cyber City in about a week or so!" Shuuko cried out.

Next was Miyuki Kuori's Antique Shop; the building was green with sign Antiques over it. "It's been a while since I've been here." Meiru reminisces, "I wonder if Miyuki-san is home?" "Who is Miyuki?" Sapphire asked. "Oh, she's a fortune teller and could see glimpses of the future and the operator of SkullmanEXE," Meiru explained. Sapphire just goes up to the door and puts some pressure on it with her hands; it slowly creaks open. "It's open?" Wisely said, "Then that means the Miyuki person is here!" The door creaks open, and Miyuki was there standing behind the wooden reception desk.

Miyuki had light blue hair tied into two braids with hoops attached and her hair related to the back and grey eyes. She wore a purple and black cap with Skullman's emblem. Her knee-length, purple and black dress with skull patterns, maroon stockings and long purple boots. "Miyuki-san!" Meiru said. "Nice to see you again, Meiru-chan, you have grown since the last time we meet." "Hey, you're that lady I saw at the Grand Championship!" Kaita points out.

Her eyes slowly turned to face Sapphire. She froze at how she was staring into her soul. "Your eyes," Miyuki said, "Would you like to tell me your fortune?" "Sure why not, no harm," Sapphire shrugged after that nerve-wracking moment.

She sits down and looks at her crystal ball. "Darkness..." She said, "I see a soul that was once lost calling to you. That soul is a young boy crying for help." Everyone was exchanging looks about Miyuki's prediction.

A boy crying for help? Someone crying out for Sapphire? But why her?

But Sapphire knew who it was; it was Netto. In the back of her mind, she could hear Netto's plea as well as another voice.