Chapter 25: Chaos

A.N. Its finally here. Enjoy. (Note: put on whatever fight music you really like when you read this. For me i recommend 'Devil Trigger' for dmc5

Ethan fiddled with Alias's PET for the umpteenth time as he watched Gregar scramble through the Net. The cybeast had been surprisingly quiet ever since they met Zero and Ethan couldn't help but worry. The cybeast had left before Ethan could have even asked the hunter about the condition of his navi, and the fact that Flare was currently fighting Bass made this situation even more unsettling.

'Why did I ever think helping these two was a good idea?' Ethan thought, 'It would have been so much easier to just ignore them and move on with life, but that's not what Mom would have done.' He reminded himself. Alias was one of his mother's last creations and she had designed him to be hero, and had made it very clear to Ethan when she gave Alias to him that the duo was supposed to her proud. He wasn't exactly sure she would be proud right now; he literally helped the two biggest monsters on the Net hide from the police because he was afraid of getting trouble if he was caught with them and the Net has literally been turned into a living nightmare with dark spirits and beast viruses running amuck. He was pretty sure the Officials would have a field day trying to make heads or tails of what happened. He just hoped that this didn't become a nationwide problem.

" Rawwwgh!" Gregar screamed, snapping Ethan from his thoughts. Ethan looked down to see the cybeast trying to force himself through a purple fire barrier. The cybeast only made it so far before being thrusted back out. Gregar got back up dusted himself of and tried to go again only this time he was pushed back even farther. Before Gregar could try a third time Ethan interrupted him before he could start running.

"What's the problem?" Ethan asked the cybeast.

"Falzar's power has created a barrier around this area and I can't get through." Gregar growled as he sharpened his claws and prepared for another attempt at getting through the area.

"You're joking, right?" Ethan asked the Cybeast navi.

"DO I LOOK LIKE I'M JOKING?" Gregar snapped at him as he tried to penetrate the dark flame. He was pushed back just like the last time but Gregar held his ground and dug his claws into the floor to stop himself.

"Can't you just tell it to go away? I mean it is the result of a cybeast's power right?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah; it's Falzar's power and in case you forget Falzar's power is supposed to counteract mind so this barrier is even more difficult for me to break than it would be if someone else made it." Gregar grumbled as he began throwing punch after punch at the dark flame. Ethan just slammed his head against the desk as he contemplated their predicament. They had no idea where Alias was and now they couldn't even get to Flare. What were they supposed to the do now? Ethan looked over his chips and then the PETs, maybe he could do something, but question was would it work?

Falzar flapped her wings faster as she raced across the field narrowly avoiding Bass's buster rake. She had just barely managed to avoid it thanks to her speed. Had she been any slower and she would have instantly been turned to swish cheese. When the buster fire had stopped Falzar returned fire with her own. Though it was slower than Gregar's, it did cover a wide range meaning Bass would find it rather difficult to avoid, but unfortunately it did not do a lot of damage as Bass was able to use his Life Aura to shield the attack. Falzar didn't notice the aura until it was too late and Bass launched a tank cannon at her. The cybeast bird raised her arms and used her wings to shield herself from the attack but was stilled shot down. She land right on her stomach but was quickly able to get back up again. Falzar looked over her wings and noted small cracks in her metal feathers before refocusing on Bass.

"Alright, concentrate." She told herself, as she kept her attention on Bass, her body readying itself for his next attack. In the blink of an eye, Bass disappeared from her view, Falzar immediately turned around and used the talons on her hands to stop a dark sword from slicing into her, she still took a little damage but it was better than taking the full force of the attack. Bass's expression was unreadable, but Falzar would have liked to assume he was somewhat surprised and if he wasn't, then he would be now as Falzar opened and flapped her wings blowing a mini tornado at Bass point blank. The cloaked navi was sent flying as his aura was blown off and his cloak got picked up in the wind. Realizing she had a chance, Falzar unleashed another set of rounds from her buster. This time the attack struck Bass and managed to actually damage him. Falzar knew better than to celebrate early as Bass landed on his feet and looked like he was….smiling?

"You were the right Cybeast absorb." Bass spoke as he examined his cloak. "You actually fight smart and without your NetOp to help you."

"I have no NetOp." Falzar responded. "Only Flare and Gregar are weak enough to rely on others." She added.

"Now I am definitely sure you're the right one Falzar." Bass said as he discarded his cloak. "You and me, we're the same; we don't rely on anyone but ourselves." Bass said pridefully.

At this point Falzar couldn't help but laugh, "That's the biggest lie I ever heard." Falzar responded, shocking Bass. Before the navi could even respond, Falzar continued, "You act all high and mighty but in reality you're nothing more than a thief always stealing from other to get your power. Isn't that why you're fighting me now Bass, to steal my power and make it yours." Falzar said as she watched Bass's expression morph to shock before briefly turning to anger.

"SHUT UP." Bass yelled as through several Hell's Rollings at Falzar. Falzar avoid the first two but was struck by the last one.

"Hehe. Looks like I struck a nerve." Falzar said as she readied herself to reengage Bass.

Zero rushed through the Net towards Alias avoiding as much enemies as he possibly could. He had to hurry as fast possible to make sure the dark black navi was safe. If Alias truly was gaining powers from the cybeast then it only stand to reason that someone would target him, whether it be the Officials or some take over the world maniac, the Zero had to get to him first. As the fight between Alias and his assailant came into view, Zero did all he could not to lose his cool, because at the moment Alias was wearing armor akin to that of Falzar and was battling a navi that bore a striking resemblance to the LifeVirusR. If it wasn't bad enough that Falzar, Bass and probably even Gregar were fighting now then adding another Super program into the mixture was just asking for them wreck break the internet. Zero could already see the news headlines, 'Cybeast breaks the Internet' If he didn't get Alias out of their before the officials came, then things would be even more complicated for the virus hunter.

Zero raced as quickly as he could to intercept a sword strike from the LifeVirus on a downed Alias. The super virus was initially surprised at the appearance of the hunter but it didn't get a chance to react as Zero pressed his buster at the virus's chest for a point blank charge shot. The Virus was pushed back but still regained its composure and began charging directly for Zero. The red navi side stepped the super program and swapped out his buster for his shield boomerang and tossed it behind the virus striking him in the back of his knees, causing him to fall flat on his back.

Zero looked over to see where Alias was only to find the navi missing. As his eyes continue to search the area a strong whirlwind picked up the hunter and tossed him aside. Zero looked up to see a beast out Alias flying above him and the beast. The navi beast unsheathed his Falzar buster and released a volley of pellets towards Zero and the downed LifVirus. Zero only barely brought up the shield in time to block the attacks but the LifeVirus was not so fortunate. F. Alias seemingly satisfied with his handiwork fled the scene. When Zero brought down his shield he was about to leave to follow Alias but a large swarm of beast viruses had appeared and surrounded him. The Hunter cursed his fate. He would have to fight them all to escape but that would have to wait. He turned his attention to LifeVirus that had finally got back on his feet and was preparing to fight the beast viruses. It didn't take a genius to figure out what would happen if he left them alone and after seeing the results, Zero would be lying if he didn't say the ending result was unsettling. So the hunter prepared himself to fight alongside the LifeVirus if only to stop its power from fusing with Cybeast's.

Gregar spewed a stream of his own fire against the dark flame barrier for what seemed like the umpteenth time and the result was the same. Nothing happened. Gregar was growing more and more agitated every second he waited. He could sense the cybeast energy around him and it wasn't boding well. Falzar and Bass were fighting and while the fight seemed to be at a standstill, Gregar could sense small spikes in their power that hinted of Bass getting the upper hand every once and a while. If that wasn't enough to worry a person, Alias was coming closer and Gregar had a feeling Ethan would down right freak out if Alias was indeed overcome with Falzar's power.

'Whatever the kid's planning better work.' Gregar thought, as he looked through the PETs camera, seeing Ethan tinker with several wires from Flare and Alias's PETs. Gregar watched as he connected the wires from Flare's terminal to what the cybeast assumed was his own and Gregar immediately felt a surge of energy flowing inside him. Gregar's health doubled as his armor startled glowing faintly. He looked up to see Ethan looking down at him.

"How do you feel?" the Netop asked.

Gregar merely flexed one of his claws, "I feel as if I just beasted over but I am still able to focus on something other than fighting." Gregar said in awe as he turned his attention back to the barrier. The cybeast was about to attack it when Alias stopped him.

"Wait," the Netop called, "You may be stronger but I still feel that you might get blasted back if try forcing your way through the barrier again." Ethan warned.

"Then what do you suggest I do?" Gregar asked the boy.

Ethan slotted in four chips in the PET, one was a rock cube and the Boost P.A. "How about we ram something straight through the barrier, that isn't you." Ethan told him. Gregar summoned the rock cube and pushed it till it was right on the edge of the barrier.

"Are you sure this will work?" Gregar asked as he examined the cube.

"Nope."

"That's assuring."

"You got any better ideas."

"No."

"Then stop complaining and push." Ethan told the beast.

"Alright, Alright. I'm pushing." Gregar responded as he pressed his hands against the cube and channeled his new found power into the stone. "Program Advance, Boost." Gregar roared as his aura enveloped him and he pushed the cube. Ethan looked on as the green glowing aura started to slowly penetrate the barrier before it began to pick up speed. Within a minute Gregar had made it through the barrier and was now charging through the area towards Bass and Falzar.

Falzar staggered back that last blow from Bass did a lot more damage than she thought it would, but she was still able to fight, so she pressed on. Bass and Falzar were now trading blows at close range; one trying to sink there claws in the other while another tried to slice the other with a dark sword. Bass blocked another of Falzars strikes and fazed behind her. Falzar turned to face him but was met with a slash to her back. Falzar screeched in agony as she felt part of one of her wings tear. Bass then promptly proceeded to golem hit her into the ground. Falzar looked up at the imposing figure of Bass that towered over her. Bass had a sinister smile spread across his face as raised his sword to deliver the killing blow.

"So here ends the mighty Fal- AH?" Bass was cut off as he turned and sliced an incoming rock cube. As the cube split in two a glowing green flaming fist came through and broke through the sword hitting Bass straight in the face. Gregar stopped right in front Falzar noticing the red color on her armor. The wolf cybeast grabbed Falzar by her throat and pulled her up to his eye level.

"GIVE. HER. BACK!" Gregar growled as he applied more pressure to Falzar's helmet cracking it even more.

"Not…until….your deleted." Falzar spat back at him.

The two glared at each other for what seemed like hours before Gregar relented and tossed Falzar back onto the ground.

"Fine. I'll take care of you later but for now I'll deal with your inferior copy." Gregar spoke as he turned to Bass. Falzar managed to get to her feet but was still having trouble keeping her balance.

"Is that a compliment Mutt?" Falzar asked as she turned back into her human navi form, "Because no amount of flattery will save you from me."

"You're only superior because you have Flare inside you and when I finally tear you out of her, you'll be more worthless than a swordy with no sword." Gregar.

"I will make you suffer before that happens." Falzar hissed.

"FOCUS." Ethan yelled through the PET. The cybeasts turned to Bass who was now recovering from the surprise attack. Gregar and Falzar both readied themselves for the fight to come.

Bass stood up and stared at the two cybeasts, but more so Gregar. As he watched the wolf his eyes started to glow red as a familiar power started to surge through him.

"I will have your powers." Bass roared as he was enveloped in a red light as he beasted out. "SCREEEEEEECH" the beast navi screamed as he flew towards Gregar and Falzar.

Gregar stood in front of Falzar and stopped Bass in his tracks by grabbing his arms; however the Bass was not slowing down that easy. He stuck the talons on his feet in Gregar's legs and grabbed Gregar's arms; Bass spread is newly acquired wings and lifted him and Gregar high into the air, before releasing Gregar's arms and began to try and shred Gregar with his talons. Gregar managed to stop Bass's attack, but bass promptly stopped flapping and two of them began to fall. As Gregar and Bass fell they continued to struggle, but before the landed Bass maneuvered himself on top Gregar, letting the wolf cybeast crash into the ground. As Bass stood up he was promptly blasted off of Gregar by a Cannon from Falzar. Bass darted towards Falzar to strike only for her to disappear via areasteal. Frustrated Bass flew up and looked around for Falzar was hiding only to see her running away. Bass immediately swooped down in front of her and fired his Falzar buster. Falzar tried to brace the attack but in the end she collapsed to the ground from all the damage she had taken prior to Gregar's arrival.

"Pathetic." Bass spoke at the downed navi.

"Speak for yourself." Falzar responded as she watched Gregar appear behind Bass and slash him.

Bass turned his attention to cybeast who had snuck up on him. Without warning Gregar spewed fire on to the navi before slashing him again. Once the flames died it revealed a Bass cloaked in a red version of the life aura.

"Is that all?" Bass asked as grabbed Gregar and flew into the air again. Gregar wasn't having any of it and he spewed another stream of fire, this time at point blank range. Bass couldn't hold it and released his hold on Gregar. While free Gregar didn't exactly land gracefully; he went head first into the ground.

Ethan winced as he saw the defeated states of the two cybeast. He was doing all he could to try and jack them out but either Bass or something else was keeping them in. He looked over at Alias's PET and did the only thing he could think of; he connected it to Flare and Gregar's. Gregar immediately shot forward as if he got his second wind and was already standing, but Falzar began to spasm as her body dissolved into a stream of data and flew away. Gregar resumed his fight with Bass still fairing no better than before. Bass grabbed Gregar and flew him into the air for a third time before throwing him down and diving after him. As Bass was about the punch Gregar into oblivion Gregar dissolved into a stream of data similar to Falzar and flew away.

"What the heck?" Ethan screamed as he watched the screens showing no sign of Gregar or Falzar anywhere. As he continued to watch the screens of the three PETs as well as his PC all started to glitch and before long they all turned black. Ethan started at the screens with a look of pure horror as he tried to process what had just happened. He was broken out of his train of thought when he saw several series of 1's and 0's began to run across the screens in various colors; white, green, pink, red, grey and light blue.

Meanwhile Bass was looking around trying to determine whether or not the cybeasts were still here or if they had all fled the area. Bass stopped in when he felt the area around him start to glitch. He turned around to see a navi in blood red armor, far darker than that Falzar's, thrash around aimlessly. Bass immediately got prepared himself as realized who that navi was. He remembered it well the first time he encountered it. It was the combined form of Gregar, Falzar and that navi, Alias.

"You finally showed yourself." Bass yelled at the griffon beast navi. The navi in particular didn't seem to really bother with him as it continued to thrash around, mumbling incoherent words. Bass looked at the navi trying to decipher what it was doing, trying to make out what it was saying before he made a move. This navi was not normal not even in the slightest and Bass knew he had to play his cards right.

"Shut up. Shut up. Everyone just shut up." The navi screamed as it clutched its head. Bass watched as it slammed itself all over the area. Realizing he might be able to delete it in while it too busy fighting itself Bass readied his darksword. The blade itself was glowing having been infused by the beast power. Bass rushed forward while the navi's back was turned and then.

It went straight through. The dark sword went straight through the navi. The navi began trashing more and more violently as it tried to get the sword out of its body. Bass eventually withdrew and leapt back never taking his eyes of the navi. The navi turned around and met Bass's gazed. Not even wasting a second the navi lunged forward and began to try to tear into Bass. Bass flew back bring up his aura as the navi started swiping for him. While most of the navi's attacks missed it managed to land a single strike on the edge of the barrier causing the whole thing to dissolve. Bass however did not wait for it try again and fired a tank cannon straight at the whole in its chest.

The navi staggered back and stared down Bass. As it continued to watch its body started to glitch and was beginning to pull apart and recombine. Bass watcherd as he saw the face of the navi split into Gregar and Falzar before combining back into one. The navi released a loud howl as its body began to glow a crimson red. Bass himself was pushed back by to howl as the navi beasted over. The feral power inside reacted almost instinctively and began surging through him. Bass felt himself slipping as an unknown rage began to overtake him. The NetGod tried to fight it but he was too close to the cybeasts to impose his control. Bass's world faded to red as he beasted over.

The two now wild navis began to attack each other in mild frenzy, all forms of their humanity gone as they fought on only instincts. The two navi's rampaged through the area. As they fought various computer systems in the real world started to burst into flames as they over heated.

Zero and the LifeVirus looked up from the swarm of viruses they had been fighting. The viruses themselves seemed to scramble into hiding as a loud howl echoed through the area. The Life Virus darted forward towards the source of the howl with Zero following right behind it. When the duo reached what they saw were two wild beasts fighting for dominance over the other. It had looked like Bass was winning but he was starting to slow down as his powers started to drain him. The griffon beast on the other hand was still going despite having a hole in his chest.

"Duo help us." was all Zero could say as the navi blasted Bass away. Unbeknownst any of them the Seaside Fountain was beginning to bubble vigorously before it erupted like a geyser spewing its water high into the air. The LifeVirus began to speak as the floor beneath it started to glow.

"Drown. Them. in the Fountain." It muttered before it collapsed on the ground. Zero watched as the light beneath its feet formed an arrow pointing towards the erupting fountain. Calling on whatever power he had left Zero forced himself into Dark Zero mode once more.

"This better work," he told himself as he loaded in five chips and set out to stop the beasts.

Ethan was scrambling all over the place as he tore up his room looking for whatever he could. He had already removed the backs of each PET and had opened up the tower on his PC. At the moment he was busy connecting all three terminals to the PC along with whatever he could find to boost the power. He had re-wire everything and was now in the middle connecting it all. When he was finished he stepped back and looked at his handy work. He had broken a lot of safety precautions but that wasn't the point right now. It had to work and jack them out or otherwise…..he wasn't going to think about otherwise.

Zero waited patiently as he saw the fight approaching them. The Bass had regained the upper hand and sent a series of flaming bird projectiles at the navi. The navi however countered with its buster attack which broke through the projectiles and struck Bass. Zero summoned the Fan and fired his airshot at the dazed Bass forcing him into the healing water. When the navi reaized what happened it immediately turned its attention to Zero who fired another air shot hitting it straight in the face. The griffon navi while it staggered back didn't fall in the water like Bass did. As it tried to fly up to strike Zero again the virus hunter summoned a rock cube and fired a third airshot sending the rockcube flying into the navi. again pushing it back. It held the rock in place and destroyed it with its bare hands only to be met with Zero firing a charged shot directly in its face forcing it under water.

As the navi struggled underwater it split back into three. As Zero approached the fountain to retrieve them he was flung back by the bodies turning into streams of data and flying away. Zero dove into the fountain and looked around till he spotted what he wanted. He swam and quickly grabbed Bass and brought him up to the surface. He watched as Bass's eyes started to open slowly. Zero didn't have time to recover as Bass struck him across the face. Bass wasted no time in opening a portal and escaping through it. As Zero was left alone by the fountain wondering what he noticed a glow emitting from the fountain. The light began to glow bright as the water began to rise flooding the area. Wasting no time Zero made himself scarce and logged out. When the water finally drained out, Seaside Area was still incredibly damaged but in much better state now than when the cybeasts fought.

A.N. How was it? Was it worth the build up? Did you all like? Please review, constructive criticism is appreciated.