Ch7

"Long Sword slot in!" Netto said.

Slur stood firm with both a sword on one hand and a wide sword on the other. Here we go again. Taking a deep breath she felt the familiar presence of the program advance begin to take effect.

She could feel her operator staring at her intently waiting to see the results. Raising her hands she felt the familiar presence of the program advance. Why must he continue this pointless endeavor? I can easily sweep all of these pathetic navis. Her operator knew she was strong and respected her for it. Is it because that other boy is doing it too?

Yet deep down she knew the answer. Her operator wanted to get stronger and improve their bond. These things are so tedious. The familiar sensation of the program advance dissipated as she tried to slam it down.

"Man I feel like we are so close but we are missing something." Her operator shook his head. "Sorry Slur maybe we just aren't in sync yet."

She nodded. Deep down she knew that was the case. As much as I enjoy your company I still don't view humans as anything worth saving. It was the truth even if she wouldn't dare say it. Hikari Netto was a nice boy who had some good attributes but she wasn't sure about the rest of humanity. Yet looking at her operator's sad expression she felt a strange warm sensation inside of her. You are special I'll give you that. You are a kind boy and very brave.

She couldn't help but feel taken aback by those thoughts. Not too long ago Netto was just a mission for her. Yet now as much as she didn't want to admit it she was starting to warm up to him. The way he cared for her and others and the way they fought together made her feel something for her operator.

"Well lets take a break for now," Netto said. "Don't worry we will master it I know it."

She nodded. "Of course Netto-kun."

The two of them then headed to watch the other fights of the N1 Grand Prix. "Looks like Enzan is still going on strong," Netto said folding his arms.

She nodded watching Blues defeat his opponents. The red navi was still wounded yet fought well and like an injured animal. I will say this though. As much as I dislike Netto he has a good heart, he wouldn't push a navi like that. Good thing Netto is my operator not a guy like that. It would be a very hard quest if it were.

It was obvious from what she knew and saw that Enzan treated Blues more like an object, a tool for his own uses. Netto has every opportunity to use me for his own selfish desires, yet he chooses to use me for helping others. She folded her arms and frowned at the image of Blues as it announced his victory.

"Don't worry we will show them," Netto said firmly. "We'll defeat them soon."

She nodded. "I'll gladly take them down. He is an arrogant prick." She was surprised that she said the word prick, her operator referred to Enzan as an entitled prick and she agreed he was pompous. I'm even picking up his slang, I guess we are bonding in a way.

Netto laughed. "No argument there."

To think a navi like that dares to believe it can face me in battle as equals? She wanted to laugh at that suggestion, even at full strength Blues could not defeat her, especially the way she and her operator were treated by Enzan. I'll crush them hard and show them what it means to defy someone of superior strength.

Originally she was amused by this tournament. No navi could beat her, but since her operator wanted to win so badly she might as well show these pitiful navis her power so as to not shame her creators.

The rest of the day was relatively mundane. They continued to practice the program advance a bit but to no avail. She did her best to focus on the attack and her operator yet each time it failed just like a car missing that one key component. After that her operator spent some time with his friends before they went home.

"Slur," said a familiar voice in her head. She could feel Duo's presence, it made her freeze up as she felt the connection be made.

"Lord Duo what do you desire?" she asked. Her operator was sleeping so she didn't have to worry about him seeing her talk to her lord.

"It has been a while since your last report," Duo said.

She flinched and nodded. "Forgive me. I was busy with my operator. We are doing our best to win a fighting tournament."

"I see. How has that been going for you?" Duo asked his voice sounding bemused.

"We will win," she said in a matter of fact tone. "No one can stop us."

She heard Duo chuckle which caused her to frown. "My dear Slur your arrogance may be your downfall. I fear you have learned nothing yet."

"My lord I am only stating the facts," she said clenching her fists. "I have watched over my operator as you told me to and have learned from him. In fact we are attempting to master the program advance."

"Ah yes and how is that? To do such a basic attack you need to be in sync with your operator," Duo said. "Tell me how well can you do it?"

She swallowed the frustration in her throat. "We are still working on it."

Duo paused but she could feel his disappointment. "I am not just judging this planet by the actions of a few. I'm also judging you on how well you can bond with this boy. If you cannot even do such a simple task what use are you to me?"

She flinched. For once in a long time she felt fear. She had always prized herself as Duo's messenger, the herald of his judgement yet now the realization that she was failing him made her blood boil. "My lord we will master I assure you we will. He is just young and inexperienced."

"You dare blame your operator? Such a sacred bond is formed between an operator and their partner and you throw him under the rug just like that? Yes he is a boy but one of his and your rivals is close to mastering it already," Duo said his voice not bothering to betray the disappointment. Each of his words hit her like a brick.

"Forgive me lord," she said quickly doing a bow. "I am bonding with the boy I swear I am."

"We'll see about that," Duo said sounding bemused. "When I judge this world I shall also judge you and your actions in it. Don't forget that everyone and everything will be judged by me."

"Understood sir," she said softly.

"Now go and good luck in your tournament," Duo said.

She nodded feeling Duo's presence leave her. As soon as it was gone she summoned her sword and slammed it into the ground. Damn it. Frustration built up inside of her. Why am I feeling all of these things? Anger, sadness, disappointment, and even fear spread throughout her body.

Was it because that navi I absorbed? It was a possibility, ever since she came to this planet she felt like she was changing. Her body shook, she wanted to scream yet she only had herself to blame.

Strangely she didn't hate her operator or his friends. In fact at that moment she felt close to her operator, just thinking of Netto made her feel a strange warm happy feeling. We have been through a lot. In our time he has yet to use me for anything selfish, instead he chooses to help those around him.

I won't fail this mission. Her pride as Duo's messenger wouldn't allow for that. She looked at her sleeping operator through the PET. Netto-kun I swear we will perfect this program advance.

Yet looking at her operator a strange sentiment made her feel flustered. If humanity were like you then this planet is saved. Strangely she wanted to save this world, it was weird because she viewed humanity as something inconsequential, something that wasn't worthy of remaining alive.

But a part of her was telling her otherwise. A part of her, a very small part of her was telling her Netto and the rest of humanity maybe worth saving. Netto-kun I know Lord Duo has something in store for you. I know you won't let anyone down that is one thing I learned about you.

The next day she remained calm as always as she and her operator got ready for their match. It would be another tag team battle, this time she would be teamed with Roll against Fireman and Colorman.

These clowns are pathetic. They don't even have any goals outside of causing mayhem. She appeared in the arena next to Roll, their opponents stared at them with hard expressions.

"Good luck Slur. Lets do our best," Roll said with a smile.

She nodded and summoned a pair of light swords in her hands. "Thanks. Lets do this."

Charging at the enemy Colorman launched his ball at her, she sliced it in half causing the clown navi to yelp in surprise.

"Oh no you don't," Fireman said as he shot a torrent of flames at her.

"Water Tower slot in!" Netto said.

She summoned a tower of water to block the attack. Steam filled the arena as Roll fired hearts at the enemy.

"Netto-kun I'm going to try that chip Higure-san gave me," Meiru said.

She didn't pay it much thought since Colorman and Fireman both started attacking her but that was when Roll screamed.

"Roll!" She turned around and saw Roll begin to change, her features darkened and looked corrupted.

Roll laughed like a lunatic as she stared at her. "I'm all fine dear," her voice sounded like an animal's growl. A whip appeared in her hand and she snapped her fingers summoning a bunch of viruses. "Take her down!"

Damn it. she quickly dealt with the viruses while Fireman attacked her with another torrent of flames. Something corrupted her. She could still mop the floor with her but Meiru was Netto's friend so he might not like that idea.

"Let us see if you can take three opponents now," Colorman said with a laugh.

"Roll stop!" Meiru begged but Roll did not listen and shot a torrent of electricity at her.

"Netto-kun I'm going to restrain her," she said as she avoided the attack.

"Alright just don't harm her please," Netto said as he tried to help Meiru.

Seriously a battle chip nut gave her a rare chip and she used it without second thought? She shook her head and snapped her fingers. Chords came out from the ground and grabbed Roll immobilizing her while taking out the viruses around her. "There nice and stead. Enjoy your place princess."

"Good job Slur keep her down like that and we'll try to figure something out," Netto said.

"As you command," she said as she turned to face Fireman and Colorman who looked unnerved.

"Can you take them?" Netto asked.

She looked at her operator and nodded. "Easily."

Netto smiled at her. His cocky grin met hers and she actually enjoyed it. "Good lets do it then. Area Steal slot in! Water Sword slot in!"

She was quickly teleported to behind Fireman. The fire navi barely turned around as she summoned cords to immobilize him. Using the water sword she stabbed the navi in his chest as spears pierced him through the ground.

Fireman moaned as he was logged out. She heard the WWW operators swear in frustration as Colorman regenerated his ball and fired it at her.

"Electro Sword slot in!" Netto said.

Glancing at her operator she saw the man Higure was helping Meiru with something. But she didn't have time to care, she slashed Colorman's ball and charged at the navi.

Colorman screamed and tried to hop away as cords quickly restrained him. She smiled at the navi as she stabbed him through his chest. Colorman screamed as he was logged out.

She heard a moan from the corner. Looking over at Roll she saw that her face appeared normal. "S-Slur what happened?" Roll moaned as she was logged out.

"Slur is the only navi left standing," The announcer said. "She along with Hikari Netto will advance to the next round."

The crowd cheered. She looked at her operator who comforted his friend, usually, her operator would've been happy to win a battle yet now he hugged his friend Meiru who had dears down her face. You really are a caring person.

She looked up at the holographic screen to the final match. She and her operator were beneath Enzan and Blues. The final battle is yet to come.