A/N: I've now taken to sleeping twice in 4 to 5 hours durations instead of just once of just 8 or 9 hours. Not sure how to feel about that.

CitrusMan: Huh. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've read a fanfic with Gregar and Falzar as one of its pairings before; I've read one with GBeast and FBeast, but not the actual Cybeats themselves. It's quite an obvious pairing now that I think about it, the enemies to lovers trope and all. Also, Forte will steal the LifeAura when he steals the LifeAura. That's it.

FallenwaterTheFallen: ...I did not realize the irony of the situation until you've pointed it out, and then I couldn't stop giggling on and off throughout the day. Thanks. You brought up an interesting "what-if" senario regaring Swallowman's confrontation with Shadowman, however; I originally had a scene in mind where Swallowman threatens Shadowman using Mega as leverage, but it was dropped since I couldn't find a way for it to make sense within the context of the story. But yeah it was lucky for Swallowman that that wasn't the case; He wouldn't have lived for very long if that had happened.


Inside one of the main control rooms of SciLabs, a madman was laughing maniacally to himself.

"Finally- Finally! My plan is coming to fruition!"

From where he was, Yuichiro Hikari could only look on in horror as he witnessed the mad scientist continued his crazed ramblings inside of the observation deck.

"With the use of all four of the elemental programmes, I have finally created the perfect programme!" The mad scientist cackled. "WWW will finally be able to plunge the world into complete chaos!"

"Don't be crazy!" Yuichiro did his best to yell out from where he was bound. "That programme is still incomplete- It's impossible for humans to create the perfect programme with our current technology!"

"Hm?" The mad man didn't appear concerned in the least. "Are you still going on about that? I've seen to the creation of the programme myself- It's perfect!" He took a moment to indulge in insane laughter. "Even with my great contributions to robotics, the world has failed to recognize my genius- And such a world has no value at all! Now, all shall watch in fear and despair as their world is destroyed!"

'So that's why he's doing this?' Yuichiro felt himself go pale. 'This man- He's completely insane!'

"Doctor Hikari."

The scientist jumped in surprise. The voice had come from behind him.

"Don't worry- He can't hear us." The voice continued. "I've cut off communication from this room to the observation deck. He should be too busy to notice for a while, anyways." Then, there was a slight pause. "I'm speaking to you through this room's systems, by the way."

"Who- who're you?" The scientist was still very much shocked; SciLabs was completely taken over by WWW. It was very unlikely that someone from the outside could access the computer systems within SciLabs at this point.

"That… That's not important right now. But I'm here to help put a stop to WWW's plans." The voice seemed to hesitate.

"Huh. And I suppose I don't have any proof of that other than your word?" Yuichiro asked, still slightly skeptical.

"I'm afraid not, doctor Hikari." The voice seemed almost apologetic. "But I guess if I were with WWW, I wouldn't be talking to you right now."

"...I guess you're right about that." Yuichiro allowed himself a small smile.

"Doctor Hikari, can you tell me more about the programme he was talking about? I need to know more about the situation in there." The voice prompted him.

"So, you heard that?" The scientist frowned, trying to find a way to convey as much information with as little time as possible. "He's talking about a programme called the "Dream Aura", an aura that can withstand any attack, thus making its user virtually invincible." Doctor Hikair paused slightly at that. "But…"

"But?"

Yuichiro sighed. "Normally, I would say that the programme is imperfect; the four elemental programmes were not designed with being combined with each other in mind… But from what I managed to see from here, I'm afraid he's actually managed to circumvent the flaw within the programmes."

The voice had gone quiet for a quick moment. "What?"

"If the flaw inside the programme were still there, it could very much be exploited." Yuichiro concluded. "But as it stands now, I fear we may be truly finished."

"...I understand." The voice appeared to be considering something. "Don't worry, doctor Hikair. I have to log out of the servers now before I'm discovered, but I'll make sure the Net Police receives this information."

"Wait! Before you go…!"

"Wh-what is it, doctor Hikari?"

"I know I shouldn't be asking this of a stranger, but… I have two sons." Yuichiro said. "If you happen to see them… Tell them to take care of their mother for me, alright?"

"...It won't come to that." The voice told him, sounding strangely determined. "I'll make sure that you and your family are safe." With that, the connection was cut off.


"What do you mean?" Netto gasped. "Dad's in trouble?"

"That is exactly what I had meant." Shadowman said, crossing his arms. "Your father is currently being held hostage in SciLabs by WWW."

The elder Hikari frowned. "Then that's even more reason why we shouldn't sit around and do nothing!"

"On the contrary, I would advise against the two of you involving yourselves in this." Shadowman interrupted the two.

"What?" The shock and the bit of anger at what Shadowman had suggested was apparent in the younger Hikari's voice.

"It took all but your companion to be held against you to render you completely helpless." Shadowman gestured at Rockman X, the blue Navi appearing displeased at how the shadow Navi was using him as an example. "When you confront WWW, do you truly think they will not do the same with your father? Such indecisiveness will only leave you open to attacks." Shadowman narrowed his eyes. "If you are not prepared to face that possibility, then it is for the best that you two do not get involved."

"Hey!" His words seemed to have gotten a reaction out of Hub as well. "That's not fair! H-"

"Is that not the reality of the situation? Or am I mistaken?" Shadowman cut him off once more. "This is my final warning; If you are not prepared to face the enemy, then withdraw from this battle before you get yourselves hurt."

The twins fell silent as they considered what he'd just said, the shadow Navi sighed internally as both boys seemed hesitant about confronting the potential threat. Perhaps he had too high of hopes for the two of them.

"...Stop messing with us!" Netto's sudden outburst surprised both the shadow Navi and his elder sibling. "So what if there's a possibility of that happening? Knowing that won't stop us from doing what's right!"

"Netto-kun!" As if inspired by his sibling's words, Hub spoke out as well. "That's right- And we have each other! Together, we can overcome anything!"

"..." Shadowman was quiet for a moment, before he made an affirmative sound. "Remember what you've said. I shall be watching from the sidelines."

"Right!" Netto nodded. "Plug out, X! We're heading to SciLabs immediately!"

"Alright!"

With that, the two red and blue NetNavies plugged out of the network entirely.

"It's true that they have each other to look out for them, you know. You don't have to be so concerned about them."

Shadowman turned to the approaching Navi. "Mistress, I am not…" the shadow Navi trailed off, seeing the knowing look on Rockman's face and deciding that he wouldn't be able to argue with him on this matter. "...What shall we do now, my Mistress?"

"Well, we need to make a quick trip back to the Undernet first." Rockman said. "I need you to help me track down someone…"


"This is it! The rest of WWW should be hiding out in here! ...But-"

"This place is completely empty!" Netto quickly realized. It hadn't taken the two of them long to reach SciLabs, with the amount of urgency that they had. But instead of a gang of WWW operators as they had been expecting, SciLabs seemed to be completely devoid of people.

"What's going on?" Hub was completely baffled. "Maybe we were wrong? Could it be possible that they're elsewhere?"

Before the two twins could dwell on this issue any further, the main entrance from which they've entered SciLabs from swung open, the new comer gasping in shock as he saw the two Hikaris.

"What the- What're you two doing here?!"