NETWORK NAVIGATOR BOOT UP…

KERNEL / ACTIVATED

INTERNAL BOOT CONFIG / ACTIVATED

SOFTWARE ANALYSIS / ACTIVATED

ALL NODES SYNCHED

NETWORK NAVIGATOR BOOT UP COMPLETE.

It felt weird to open his eyes. The Netnavi thought as he felt them flutter open for a moment before closing again. He took a minute to rub them, squint, and then finally force them open as much as they could.

"Good Morning, Shell."

Shell as he was called looked around as he took in his surroundings. Some of the innate general information all NetNavis were born with told him where he was. He was in a terminal, not the portable PET, but an actual computer terminal. One that was showing him a simple white floor with a few pillars with bits of data just trailing about them. His default memories told him this was typical for a Computer Terminal, one thawt hadn't been given some personal flair.

Regardless, Shell turned away from his surroundings as he looked forward, looked at the screen - rather screens - that showed him the outside world and who he assumed was his creator.

Actually there was no assumption there. Though his 'memories' were a little fuzzy, he did remember small moments of consciousness brought about by test-runs; those brief moments where he could glimpse this person hard at work trying to piece him together. Black hair, onyx eyes, fair skin and few freckles. "Dad?" He muttered as he looked at the three screens and saw his human counterpart chuckle.

"Well, you're not exactly wrong."

The young man stated.

"My name is Allen Fairwind. I'm the one responsible for putting your software together."

"Allen…Fairwind." The young man seemed to beam for a moment as Shell repeated the words.

"That's right. What about you, can you introduce yourself?"

Shell seemed to think for a moment as he crossed his arms in thought, cycling through a few core memories as he nodded his head. "I am… Prototype Semi-Autonomous Network Navigator . Serial Number: 00-00-00-00-X. My AI Core was activated today." He paused for a moment. "It's nice to meet you, Allen." Allen chuckled slightly as he clapped.

"Bit stoic and formal for my tastes, but good work."

He said as he chuckled.

"Is… formal bad?" Allen shook his head as he waved his hands from the otherside of the screen.

"No no it's fine, I just, it's something I wasn't really expecting that's all."

Allen admitted.

"It feels a little weird, that's all."

"So I shouldn't be formal?"

"That's not my decision to make. If you want to be formal go right ahead. If not?"

Allen shrugged.

It's your call, ok?"

"Ok." Shell muttered as he seemed to think before looking around, then taking a minute to take notice of the small screen that had popped up in front of him. On it he saw his name, not to mention a downscaled model of his person. He looked… well… he looked human, which in itself wasn't too strange.

Most netnavi looked human after all.

Sell looked like a young man, , one that would probably be 16 or 17 years old and the screen data said he was around 5'6". His body suit was a dark- near black gray, and over it was this armor of a lighter shade gray with flecks of orange. His boots didn't flan outHe didn't have boots, rather he had simple shoes with the armor of his legs giving the impression of pants with kneepads. His torso was covered in what could be considered body armor. His forearms had a patch on them and his gloves didn't flan out. He didn't have a helmet, so his mess of black hair showed itself freely and trailed down his back a bit, that said his ears were still covered like every other humanoid netnavi out there.

"So this is what I look like…" Shell muttered, rotating the small image of himself and noticed a s secondary menu titled Equipment. "?"

"Shell."

Allen called out.

"Shell. I'm not too sure exactly what's stored in your innate memories, so I'm going to ask you a few questions, ok?"

hell snapped at attention as he looked upward. "Ok, fire away."

"How many different Netnavi types are there?"

"Three." Shell stated. "The three main Netnavi types are Human-Type, Beast-Type, and Vehicle-Type. Human-Types are the oldest and most common types around. They were created to emulate human form in order to make them feel more comfortable. The second most common netnavi are Vehicle-types. They're typically responsible for operating transportation such as cars, trains and airplanes. They typically take the form reminiscent of their operating vehicle with some posing the hybrid feature allowing them to shift to a more Humanoid shape." He paused, seeming to take a breath. "Beast-types are the more exotic types of Netnavis, with features more loosely akin to an animal of sorts, be they modern, prehistoric, or fantasy in nature."

"Good. What are the Netnavis operation types?"

"Operation types?" Shell asked for a moment as he seemed to think. "You mean Assist Control Types and Solo-Types, right?"

"Exactly."

"Well, Assist Control are the standard Netnavi operation type; they're Netnavis that while possessing their standard functions, their full potential is only able to be unlocked through the assistance of a NetOperator. In battle this means their standard combat parameters are only enhanced through the use of battlechips." Shell admitted.

"As for Solo Netnavis, also known as Auto Navis are Netnavis that don't require a Net Operator to assist them in any way or form, in fact they often aren't affiliated with an Operator to begin with. They function 'solo'." He paused as he seemed to think for a moment, and stared at the screen that showed his information. "I'm a… Semi-Auto type?" Shell muttered as he made a face. "My generic memories don't have anything about those."

"To be fair, I'd be very surprised if they did."

Allen admitted.

"See, the concept was originally put together by Dr. Tadashi Hikari upon reading Dr. Cossack's notes concerning the original Auto Navi."

Allen stated.

"Due to complications that led to the Original Auto Netnavi going berserk and being deleted, the Netnavi Designers put a number of restrictions on a netnavi's capabilities. Such as their combat abilities only really being supported by Battle Chips deployed by their assigned Operator."

Allen continued.

"Shell, you're probably the first known attempt at a Semi-Autonomous Netnavi, that means you have noticeably less restraints placed on you. Not enough to go full Solo, but enough that if something were to happen, you'd be able to function properly and protect yourself without needing my assistance."

"Oh…" Shell muttered as he looked at the holster on his hip and touched it unconsciously. Something popped out of it, what looked to be a handle of sorts that he pulled out and was immediately greeted with it igniting into a cybersword. He noted a small screen pop up next to it, showing what seemed to be a slider. With his free hand he started messing with it, and in turn his cybersword started shrinking and growing in length. "Neet." He paused. "But… why?" He asked. "Why make me Semi-Autonomous?"

Allen fell silent as he leaned over from his side of the screen.

"Honest answer? It's more a precaution on my part than anything."

Allen admitted as Shell stared at his creator.

"See, there's a lot going on in the Net, I don't mean right now, I mean in general."

He muttered.

"Viruses and bugs pop up everywhere, and there are situations that prevent the Operator can't helping their netnavi."

Allen admitted.

"Just a few weeks ago, one of my friends' PET crashed, and it needed repairs. His Netnavi partner was stuck on the net without any support or way to get back home for about a day, but the navi admitted that it was a very harrowing experience."

Shell stayed silent as he listened.

"Being trapped on the net, with no way home and barely having the ability to defend yourself without Battle Chips… I can't imagine what that's like."

"So you made me semi-auto in order to keep me safe if something like that happened." Allen nodded as Shell got a warm feeling in his chest. "Thanks, dad." Allen chuckled.

"That seriously feels a little weird."

Allen admitted.

"Anyway let's get back to the Q&A ok?

"I'm all yours." Allen spent a few more minutes asking questions and Shell did his best to answer them. It was… insightful. Seeing just what was stored within a Netnavi's general memory files.

He knew about viruses, he knew about bugs, he knew about the PET, he knew about Battle Chips and a few other things. None of his default memories were about anything too personal, or too private like Network Security Codes but that was fine.

Honestly, he'd be kinda worried if his partner had that kind of data saved in his brain.

"Anyway, that should do it for the Q&A… next should be a test run. If you're up for it."

"You mean get an idea of my combat parameters?"

"That and a few other things."

Allen admitted as he looked at his Navi.

"You up for it?"

"Sure, I'd like to see what I'm capable of too."

"Alright this will just take a second."

Alex messed with something on his console and Shell noticed that his world started to change. The home server didn't have much to begin with, but now, that was starting to change. Parts of the flatlands started to rise up forming walls and pillars, others started to drop down and slant into odd directions to form an incline.

Shell realized what was going on in an instant. "You know how to rearrange the Servers layout?"

"Yeah uh… I messed around with a few things - just on my server though."

Allen admitted.

"I downloaded some basic tools, read a few manuals, did a few classes and… figured out the basics. So I can't give you anything crazy yet, but… yeah. This is my little Sandbox."

The Sandbox was one of a few unofficial names given to a place like this. Other names would be along the lines of Toybox, or a Test Server, others still just called it "BLANK". Names aside, it basically did the same thing. A Sandbox was a testing environment, one that could be freely changed at whim. In programming it was useful for trial and error, testing changes in source codes before they were put out on the net for things like games or actual servers. For would be netbattlers though, at least those that knew how to work it, they found they could mold to be used for training purposes.

"Wow…" Shell thought. "You're really smart." Allen chuckled.

"Not really… have a lot of free time on my hands and well…"

Allen paused.

"I really wanted to make you and have something ready for you when you came too."

Shell smiled as he continued looking around. Noticing that the server had turned into an obstacle course of sorts. There were places he could climb, there were things could vault over, and there were floating platforms he'd have to use his head in getting too. "Thank you, this looks like fun."

"I'm glad you like it, it's not much but welcome to your personal Training Field. Later we can mess around with it later when you want another course set up. For now, lets start a little slow."

"So, let's start the tutorial."

Tutorials weren't the most interesting thing to get involved in. But they were there for a reason. Learning to work the controls was essential for just about everything.

As someone once said, you have to walk before you can run.

Although there were a few who'd no doubt say that something along the lines of sometimes you run before you walk.

Speaking of which…

A series of markers popped up in front of Shell as he looked in their direction.

"Alright, let's start by seeing if you can walk that body in a straight line without your frame glitching."

"Gotcha." Shell took a step as he started walking, reaching the first marker as his Operator seemed to be checking something on the other side of the monitors.

Four markers down and Allen nodded his head."

"Alright looking good, let's pick up the pace. Try running."

Another set of markers popped up in the distance, as they formed a path through the Training area. Shell just just started jogging, reaching the first one as he slowly started picking up the pace. Next mark and he did the same, and the same could be said for the next set of markers until he reached his top speed.

"This feels… nice…" He muttered as he continued running before his attention turned to see a piece of elevated ground. Without much of a thought he vaulted over it. Then did the same to the next one after that as he kept running.

He saw an opening in the ground before him as he smiled.

"You're gonna have to jump if you want to get over that."

Shell didn't respond, just taking the time to jump over the gap as Alex seemed to work on something and Shell just kept running off through the training area. He reached the next gap and jumped as Allen did a bit more work on his side.

"Alright, that's good."

He muttered.

"I'm done calibrating your Jumpkit to your movement style. So I'm gonna enable it now so we can move on to Advanced Mobility."

Allen told Shell as he continued jumping over platforms before his attention turned to one he wouldn't be able to cross on his own. He saw a bit of ghost data run past him as they headed towards one of the walls and started running on it. "What the -"

Don't worry, it's just a prerecorded motion I picked up from some old game I used to play."

Allen stated.

"What did it just do?"

"Wallrunning."

Allen stated.

"You should be able to do it too, you'll just need a running start and have to activate your jumpkit in order to do so and get across that gap."

"I can run on walls?"

"For a short while anyway, and you'll likely have to practice it a few times in order to get it right."

Allen stated.

"This is a good time to try getting the hang of it, and for that gap in particular you'll need your jumpkits assistance to pull off properly - it'll keep you in the air while you run."

Shell tried not to squeal as he stepped back and got a running start. He observed the ghost data a few times before trying it himself. Making it, Shell just looked back to see the gap he covered and smiled. "Nice~" He turned back ahead and started running.

"Alright, not bad at all, but let's do it a few more time just to be sure you got it. This a safe place so there is gonna be a floor you can just drop onto if you mess up."

Looking ahead, Shell saw a dozen more gaps he'd have to get passed and simply grinned at the prospect of running over them. He didn't need to use the jumpkit for most of the gaps but using it was kind of fun.

Sliding under low areas was a bit difficult though. He counted on having to try it about thirty times before he got it right.

"Alright, the next set of markers are going to be on the elevated platforms ahead of you. You're gonna have to jump up if you want to reach them."

"On it." Swell did just that as he jumped up, grabbing onto a platform and pulled himself up before jumping towards the next. He needed his jumpkit to help him a few times, that extra boost getting him either high enough to reach where he wanted to go just high enough to grab the edge of the platform.

"You're doing great, advanced mobility will definitely help you out in the field, especially with navigating your way around the Net."

"Really? What does the Net really look like?"

"Actually it's very similar to my world, just, there's some data lines that you find trailing here and there at times."

Allen stated.

"The Net used to just be a series of flat servers but after a while they added some things, digital buildings, grass, hell there's even a digital sea out there."

"I get to see that stuff right?" Shell asked in excitement.

"Of course. You can go almost anywhere on the net, save for restricted areas of other peoples PC's less they allow you in."

"Will I get in trouble if I just go in there?"

"Usually. It's an invasion of privacy after all."

Allen admitted before seeing a gap that Shell wouldn't be able to reach no matter what he did.

"Oh, looks like it's time for the Grapple practice?"

"Grapple?" Shell asked. "You mean, grappling/fighting?"

"No, I mean grapple hook."

Allen stated.

"Your gloves have a grapple hook programmed into them. "Just point and think and a data cord will fire off towards the nearest wall or ledge and propel you towards it."

"Neat~" Shell stated as he looked at his gloves for a moment before pointing it towards a far off wall and extending the cord towards it. The moment it hit he released a yelp as he was pulled across the gap. He looked down, noticing just how high up he was and squealed in delight. The moment he hit ground the cord retracted as he looked at the gap he had just crossed. "Oh my god, that was fun!" He started to jump up and down like a little kid. "Can I do it again?"

"Just a few more times for this exercise."

Shell nodded his head as he turned to the gap he would have to cross next before turning towards the wall that was beside him. Without a word he fired the cord at it, aiming high as it started to pull him up the wall. The moment he hit the end he started trying to run up it, even using his jumpkit to assist in the endeavor.

He didn't reach the top of the wall.

Still it was kinda fun, so much so that he did it several more times before going across the gap.

"A jumpkit, wallrunning a grapple hook? Where did you get the idea for this stuff?"

"Titanfall."

"Titanfall?"

"It's an old game I used to play, super addictive, I just wish they came out with a Titanfall 3…"

Allen muttered before shaking his head.

Anyway, let's focus, it's almost time to move on to testing your weapon systems."

"Can I play around for a few more minutes?"

"Sure, this isn't a timed exercise after all."


Testing Shell's combat capabilities weren't necessarily hard. Allen just set up a few digital dummies and Shell went to town. He tested out the handcannon style busters that were sealed in his pants, he played around with the two cybersword situated on his back and even tapped into his satchel to start lobbing a few bombs like a maniac. Honestly the latter caused Allen to reconsider the bomb satchel.

Still, the main test came when Shell had to put everything he'd been practicing together. That was a timed test. One Shell took around 15 times to get a score he was happy with.

""Alright, looks like we're done."

"Oh really?" Shell asked as he settled down on the floor, taking a minute to open his menu in order to remove his helmet and wipe his brow. "I was really having fun, I guess I lost track of things."

"That's fine."

Allen stated.

"You gave me a lot of data to work with in analyzing your capabilities."

"You're welcome." Shell stated as he removed his satchel, letting it disappear into data so he could lean back on the floor. "So what comes next?"

"Well, that's just it, there's really nothing left for you try out yet."

Allen stated.

"I mean, I am working on some Software for a Ride Armor and Ride Chaser, but they're not done yet. So you can't play around with those yet."

Aw~" Shell started to whine as he stared at the screen above him. He didn't know what a Ride Armor was at the moment, but he wanted to see what it was. Same could be said for the Ride Chaser. "When do you think they'll be done?"

"Not for a good while."

Allen admitted.

"It took a lot of work to just get you together, getting the Armor and the Chaser will each take just as long."

"Boo~" Allen just shook his head. "So I can't mess around with anything else?"

"Not at the moment. But there is a place you can explore tomorrow."

"Really?" Shell perked up. "Where can I explore?"

"My school."

"School." Shell seemed to think for a moment. "That is… That's where you go to learn, right?"

That's right. I'm starting school tomorrow and you're gonna be coming with me."

"Cool. I wonder what school is gonna be like."

"Don't get your hopes up too high."

Allen stated.

"School is really boring to be honest."

He admitted.

"But there's gonna be plenty of people around for you to meet, and maybe make some friends."

"Friends…" Shell muttered. "Do you have friends at school?"

"I did."

Allen admitted softly as Shell sat up and looked at his operator. "What happened to them, did you fall out or something?" Allen waved his hands for some reason.

"No, no it's nothing like that."

He stated.

"I moved away, that's all. Left my friends behind as me and my mom moved to a new city."

"Oh~" Shell muttered in relief. "What about your old friends, do you miss them?"

"Yeah I do, but we keep in touch; video chat, email, you know the works so I still get to see them and all, but… yeah I miss being able to hang out with them."

Allen admitted before shaking his head.

"Anyway, it's getting late and I have class tomorrow. So I gotta turn in."

Allen stated as he started messing with his keyboard for a bit.

"I'll bring up your room, so you can get some rest too, ok."

"Actually…" Shell asked as he sat up. "Can you reset the obstacle course? I'd like to run it while you get some rest."