Megaman Battle Network - New Generation
By Zelloss
Author's Note: I hope you like it! This thing is the LONGEST story I have ever written (It outdoes some of my stories right now just with that one chapter...) Disclaimer: Like I said, I DO NOT own Megaman Battle Network!
Chapter 2 - Sudden Change
"Well, speak up!" Juru-chan harshly spoke to me.
Completely confused, my mind raced with diffrent ideas. I had no choice but to tell him.
I paused and then began. "You see, the PET was broken when it was run over by a car at a rather inopportune time, as my PET had came off and ended up on the road. This was just before I got home and you weren't there. So I found the key and used it to unlock the dresser drawer... and I took Dynast and my father's chips from it."
Not stopping, I explained everything that I could remember. By the time I had finished, I found myself gasping for breath.
My uncle was silent for a few moments. Then his frown turned up into a slight smile.
"I'm rather dissapointed in you, Hayato. I should have expected it from you. You're just as michevious as your father was" my uncle spoke, his tone becoming a bit more jolly.
"Don't get me wrong, though" he said, "this was your mother's wish that you never found it, but I guess you would definatly find it at one point or another."
With that, he moved back and put the PET on the nearby table. He then spoke once more, saying "I suppose that I can forgive you. It was something that was bound to happen. Besides, it was better you do it now..."
"I'm leaving soon, going off to the far-off country of Creamland. I have some important buisness to take care of there, something that involves the O.N.B.A.. So, I won't be back for a while. I've already gotten you a place at the Netbattlers Complex just downtown."
I was forced to stay, stunned. Although, I have to explain something back there. The O.N.B.A. is the Official Netbattlers Association, a group of the best netbattlers that work to solve netcrimes when they arrive.
I slowly raised my arm, which held Dynast's PET. The Navi was simply standing there, listening.
"I'm sorry," my uncle continued, "but there isn't much choice in the matter. I do hope you'll do fine... but it's in your blood, so I know you will live through this."
I could barely say anything.
* * *
Before I realized anything, my uncle was no longer with me, and I was somewhere completely diffrent. I was all alone now, just me in this lonely apartment. The building was made to host new netbattlers. I'm surprised they let me in, to tell the truth. Of course, I had been regestered there for a while, and that was before I got Dynast.
The small apartment was just the basics - a bed, some furniture, cooking appliances, and a computer. These were, obviously, standand issue around here. It still seemed to be so lonely, in part because it was small.
This place was rather old. It had been around when my father was still a child, but he never lived here. People say he simply slept in the alleys around the area, but that's hardly believable.
The second or third morning, I awakened in the morning to a knock at my door. I sleepishly got up and stumbled to the door, opening it up.
Staring at me was a man wearing a tan suit with dark jeans. He had short, brown hair, and his face made me believe he was about 40 or so.
I looked him over and asked him his name. He replied, saying "I am Freddy. That is all you need to know."
I looked at his arm to find no PET, it was hooked around his waist. Obviously an older model.
"What do you wish, Freddy?" I asked. Freddy nearly invited himself in and sat down.
"You are Hayato Grausherra, right?" he asked me, his face lightening up. I nodded, and he continued. "I hear you recently came across your father's Navi?"
I slowly nodded. How would he know that?
Freddy continued. "I remember working alongside him. Before he turned truly evil, though. Sure, he was good, but I don't think it was him acting. You remind me so much of him, you know?"
I stood for a moment, then asked "What exactly is the point of your visit, Freddy-san?"
Freddy smiled. "I was told to give this to you when you arrived. It happened to belong to your father, you may find it rather usefull."
The man walked over and dropped something in my hand, folding my hand. He promptly left, leaving me stunned in my room.
I slowly uncurled my hand to find a diskette in it, one very small. Obviously a program of some sort.
Quickly, I moved to the computer and fitted the diskette into it. I then hooked my PET into a special device next to it. The data downloaded to my Navi.
For the first time in a while, Dynast spoke. "I remember that man. He had a Navi named HeroSaber, I believe. I know what this program is, though."
I stared at Dynast and asked the question I had been wondering. "What is the program, Dynast?"
The ice navi extended his arm, a small map appearing from a hidden projector. It floated in the air, and he explained.
"This was a project started by your grandfather and completed by your father. It's a Tracker Program, completely unique, but it's incredibly powerfull to help find programs and viri, as well as other Navi. It basically works like a map of the web."
I looked at the diagram, seeing nothing in it except a large grid that stretched quite a bit, with a blue star in the center. Obviously Dynast.
I secretly thanked Freddy. I dearly hoped I would find him agian.
* * *
Aera-chan walked down the road towards me. I was standing just outside of the nearby chip shop. We were going to see if there was anything good.
We walked in to Higure's Battle Chip shop. He was, long ago, a great chip collector with an amazing collection of Rare Chips that was still on display. Now, the son of Higure's last student, Nemo, ran the shop with his father.
I walked in and looked under the counter. I could see rows of Battle Chips lined up. This was normal here, though.
"See anything you like?" said a mature voice from just above the counter. I stood up straight and smiled.
"Not yet, Kana. Not yet. I still haven't finished looking yet, don't forget!" I said with a snicker, moving my head back under the counter.
All the chips looked similar, in shape anyway. The pictures on each were very, very diffrent.
I could see a lot of Cannon and Shockwave chips, they were rather common. Of course, there were others, too. Common ones I found were ZapRing, a slow moving electrical ring that could stun it's target, Guard, which created a shield for your Navi, and other rather common chips.
In the racks I spotted a couple decent chips. Like HiCannon, an upgraded version of the Cannon, even a couple Dash and RockCube chips. Obviously, though I had nothing in mind. Nothing really sparked my intrest. I turned and began to walk out, and I heard Kana speaking to Aera.
"Alright. So you want the HiCannon? Alright, that'll be 1200 Zenny... hey, Hayato! Wait up for a moment! I've got something I wanna show you!"
I stopped and turned, walking away from the door and back to the counter as Kana reached down and slid something out of a hidden drawer.
He clutched it tight in his hands and then revealed it. In his hand was a very rare chip, a powerfull chip named Electric Balloon. It was well known for being tricky. It's power was very small, but it exploded over a large area. In addition, it could be powered up by being attacked. I dared to ask the price.
"Well..." Kana thought for a moment. "Normally, it's 27000 Zenny... but for you, it's 17000!"
I shuddered. I knew he knew I didn't have near that much Zenny. I couldn't help but watch as he returned it to the desk, then I heard somebody say "I'll take it!"
I turned to my PET. Dynast was standing there, a small smirk on his face.
I then realized he had said it. I stood stunned, before I scolded him. "You know I don't have that much Zenny!'
Dynast smirked back. "Your father gave me access to his entire account. He's got an awfully large amount in there for me to dip into, should I ever want to. So, it's yours."
Kana, Aera, and I were all stunned. I plugged Dynast into the jack- in port and I found my account not going down any. The transmission was right, though, and I found myself holding the Electric Balloon chip in my hand.
* * *
After a long day of school, I headed off to the arcade. I had to test out this new chip. I saw one stadium half-lit, meaning somebody was already seated on the other side. Without looking, I sat down. Everybody hushed, even the Navis in the side domes stopped fighting.
I looked around confused and then looked across the dome. Sitting there was a man I had never seen before. He had rather spiky dark hair, and a loose, silver shirt. I couldn't see his legs, they were blocked by the dome. I plugged Dynast in without a thought.
Whispers started around me. "This guy's crazy" and "Does this kid even know who he's fighting?"
I could see the man on the other side plug in to the arena. A one- armed navi stood there, his body a strange silver-blue. He was obviously a fighter. I knew he was one-armed, although I could see nothing under the dark cloak he wore across his shoulder.
"I hope I don't beat you too bad, Hayato" the man said across. I stopped for a moment before looking across.
"How do you know who I am?" I demanded.
"I've known who you are since you were born" the man replied. "I am Shinju Toriyama."
I froze in fear. Shinju Toriyama was once a friend of my father. They were closest friends. He was also one of the best netbattlers of the day, and so was his Navi, Ark.
"It's been a while, Dynast" spoke Ark's voice. People suddenly sparked up and dissapeared quickly, shouting weird, uncomprehensible things. Only a few stayed, knowing that a battle like this could be one of the greatest things in ages.
Dynast, of course, didn't really care. "Yes, it has, Ark. It's been a few years since I've seen your face."
Ark simply smiled. I could tell this was just idle chat, though. I could see, well, more like sense that Dynast was itching for a fight. I could also sense it from Ark, and the words 'Battle Start' came across the floor of the dome.
Ark was faster then Dynast, firing off a huge burst of energy from his hand. Dynast quickly and effortlessly dodged it.
Shinju was much more practiced then I was, already having the first chip in his hand. He dropped it into the PET, announcing "Battle Chip, Elec Sword! Slot-In!"
Ark dashed towards Dynast with amazing speed. I grabbed a random chip from my folder and slotted it in. It turned out to be the Wood Sword, and it shattered through the Elec Sword with ease, before Dynast did an expert spin, slashing at Ark.
The attack barely came close, however, because Shinju popped in a Guard chip, creating a shield for him momentarily. While Dynast was off balance, Shinju slotted in his next chip, a Fire Sword. It cut through the Wood Sword with ease before coming up on Dynast's stomach, doing lots of damage.
I fumbled for the next chip. I found myself with Heat Balloon. I quickly slotted it in. I then grabbed the next chip and slotted it in without thiniking.
The Heat Balloon took the next of Ark's attack, and it was super- sized. At the same time, Dynast shot it with a Mega Cannon, the most powerfull version of the Cannon chip.
In only those few moments, the Heat Balloon had supersized to become enormous. It bounced once, before landing on a data cube. I quickly slotted in a Barrier chip as the balloon exploded, sending Ark flying.
"Just like your father..." Shinju commented, slotting in two more chips. In only those few moments, Ark slotted in two more chips to create the Life Sword 2. I was, somewhat expecting it, so I slotted in the only chip I could find. I could only watch as the deadly Life Sword Program Advance slammed into Dynast, shooting past and leaving a trail of bright light.
The light slowly dissapeared, but I could see Dynast standing there still. In perfect shape, nonetheless!
I checked the PET's screen. I had apparently placed in a powerfull chip, the Leaf Shield. Unlike other shields, it was a just like a Barrier. On the other hand, it turned damage into healing! A weapon that was normally that powerfull turned into healing would be amazing! Even with the blow Dynast had taken, he was now fully healed and then some!
"You remind me of your father, you know?" Dynast said, as I popped the next chip in without thinking. I don't think I was the one choosing the chips. I had too much luck.
The luck struck again just as Shinju dropped in another chip. A gigantic sword appeared in his hand. One I knew... a Legendary Chip, the Hero Sword.
Ark dashed forward and struck with the huge sword. Dynast wouldn't have had time to dodge, but I had drawn just the right chip. Dynast took the hit directly, but he flicked his wrist, a small bomb shooting across, straight at Ark. A strange cloud of white mist arose, and the dome was filled with it. When it cleared, I saw Ark, trapped in a tower of Ice.
"Freezebomb..." Shinju muttered. My eyes opened wide. I now had a legendary chip too, the Freeze Bomb. I looked at the empty chip in my hand. I couldn't believe it.
By the time I had finished drawing the next chip, Ark broke out of the ice, the Hero Sword slamming down at Dynast again. Dynast dodged backwards.
"I don't have enough power to beat him!" Dynast warned me. "Please, help me!"
I held the next chip in my hand. A simple Aqua Blade. I couldn't use that. My mind searched for an answer.
My mind, or, rather, Dynast's mind answered back for me.
"Do the same thing your father did, Hayato."
Ark came with the next slash, as I just stood there, hoping that there was some other way.
Dynast moved sideways, avoiding the downward strike from the agile swordsman Navi that was my opponent.
Shinju knew something was going wrong in my head. Instead of bothering to help me, though, he simply let the battle continue.
The voice of Dynast spoke in my mind again. "Please, help me!"
I looked helplessly at Dynast. He was going to get beaten unless I did it. I slowly nodded.
"I will help you" I muttered.
At that moment, my muscles tensed. I knew something was about to happen. I was awfully right.
I could feel myself getting stronger. I could sense Dynast's heart beating. I could feel, too, another presence. A darker presence, that I welcomed.
As I did, it wasn't just my feelings that changed, my body shifted with it. My hair turned from it's light blue color to a deep, deep black. My light-colored outfit turned black, the edges tearing easily. I caught my reflection in the dome, and I stopped for a moment. My pupils had turned pure black as well!
I studied my reflection for a moment. I looked just like the man who had given me the PET. I knew what this power was, now, and I meant to use it.
Without thinking, I slotted in the Aqua Blade and grabbed the next chip. The Blade and Sword clashed, now being of equal power.
I heard Shinju mutter "It's about time. You've figured out the secret of your father, I think."
I slotted in the next chip, reaching into my chip folder. I felt my body changing as the Invisible 3 chip began. A perfect opportunity!
As Ark looked wildly around, I turned and stuck another chip in. I felt my hand get heavier as the Elec Blade took shape in Dynast's hand. It was a strange feeling, but I now had reason to understand why my father could netbattle so good.
With one stroke, we sliced into Ark, sending him flying. His body crackled with electricity.
Shinju smirked, popping in a trio of seemingly random chips. All bombs of some sort. Ark tossed them so quickly I couldn't see where they were going to land. I let Dynast stand in place, and the bombs landed around Ark. He had obviously meant to hit me that way.
Our chip folders were running low, so I grabbed another chip from my pack just as the Invisible chip wore off. At the same time, Dynast took another swing at Ark, just as Shinju created the Wood Sword. It smashed the Elec Blade in two.
I looked at the chip in my hand and smiled, as I slotted in one last chip, one that could hopefully win the game. I mentally told Dynast to stay in one spot.
Ark dashed forward, attacking with the Wood Sword. At that moment, the chip activated. Dynast grabbed the blade and sent a surge back through it, dealing a ton of damage to Ark. The chip I had used was an Anti-Sword.
Shinju smiled. "This is no diffrent then netbattling your father" he spoke calmly, as Ark logged out.
I slowly felt my body returning to normal. Checking my reflection, even my clothes had become normal and resown themselves. My eyes and hair were now the same as before.
Somewhere, though, I knew I would never be the same.
Shinju stood up, removing the PET from the jack-in port. He smiled and tossed me something.
The few remaining people were wide-eyed, definatly trying to grasp what had happened.
Shinju walked out, saying "I knew it would happen. Like father, like son."
I grabbed the chip he gave me and looked it over. A strange, silver chip. On it was a picture of Ark. I couldn't figure out what it was for, so I decided to take it to the chip shop.
* * *
"You mean you DON'T know what that chip is?" Kana asked me. I shook my head no.
Sasama-chan walked in behind me. "What's going on? Oh... who's that?" She said, looking at the chip. I told her about Shinju and Ark. She nodded. "I see... Shinju Toriyama... he gave you that chip? You should feel lucky!"
I shook my head. I had no clue what to use it for. Kana jacked into a small stadium near the top of the counter; his Navi, Starman, appearing. Starman looked like a normal Navi, except his armor was bronze and he had a huge star across his chest and a star on his forehead. Starman stood for a moment before saying "Why don't you try it out?"
I looked over the chip once more before jacking Dynast into the netbattle dome. I slowly slid in the chip.
As I did, the screen on the PET changed. It now not only showed Dynast, but a ghost-like image of Ark appeared beside him. A huge blast of energy shot from his palm, bashing into Starman and causing a very quick logout.
"It's a Navi chip. It allows you to use another Navi's charged attack. You're lucky to have one so powerfull!" Kana told me. He obviously wished to have one like that.
"Navi... chip..." I muttered to myself. It was definatly very powerfull. Why would Shinju just hand it to me, though? I continued to ponder this as I left the shop.
* * *
The next few days passed without anything major. It was, in part, because of the fact that everybody refused to netbattle me after I had defeated Shinju, a world-class netbattler. I was cleary somebody special, but now the word was out that my Navi really was Dynast. Of course, I couldn't have cared less. The people that had seen me netbattle had almost forgotten everything near the end, thankfully.
I was right, though. Things had changed for me. It was more or less my entire life. My teacher now feared me, my classmates revered me. I still kept my friends, but anybody who ever hated me now held a great respect.
However, it wasn't just my life that had changed. It was my feelings. I wasn't sure exactly why, but I was slowly changing. Not normally, either. It was something dark inside of me. Dynast refused to explain it, though, leaving me to my own ideas.
This respect that I had found also had reprocussions, as everything does, these days. People began to get worried. After all, how could a kid like me beat a world-class netbattler? Everybody believes that I had to cheat! Which wasn't true... at least, I don't think it is.
I had no sign from my uncle during all this time. I wish I had of known what was going on in Creamland, and how I could help.
Wait a second. Mabye I could help. If I had beaten one of the world's best, then mabye I could help my uncle!
With only that, I decided my next course of action. I was going to go to Creamland to see and help my uncle.
* * *
"You can't expect me to help you with that!"
"Comeon! I have to see my uncle!" I pleaded. Dynast shook his head.
"Nope. The bank account is for netbattling and like. Not for family trips. Those were my specific instructions."
I sat down on a chair in my room. "Comeon, Dynast! You have to let me go there, I'm getting worried about uncle Juru!"
Dynast just looked blankly up at me. "I said it once, my mind isn't going to change. No, no, no, and no."
I nearly fell over. "Comeon!" I nearly begged.
Dynast refused to answer once again. He wasn't going to be much help, I knew.
It took me a few minutes to figure out who else I could talk with.
* * *
"So, will you help me?" I asked politely.
Sasama nodded. "You're lucky I'm so rich. You're also lucky that I believe you."
I bowed politely in thanks. We quickly hooked up our PET, and my account now showed myself with more Zenny then before. I left for the airport not long after.
* * *
"So THIS is the O.N.B.A. H.Q. in Creamland" I muttered, giving a look around. It was much like the Marine Harbor one, the Electopia Headquarters, but it was simply diffrent. Not near as many people were here, aside from receptionists and netbattlers. I looked around confused. Sure, I had found my way here, but where was my uncle?
"Can I help you?" said a voice behind me. I turned and looked up.
In front of me was a man wearing a light yellow shirt, blue jeans, and a PET of an old model around his waist. He wore a silver baseball cap upon his head. I looked him over.
"Yes," I began. "I'm looking for my uncle Juru. He arrived about two weeks ago for a reason I don't know. He said he had been summoned."
The man stopped. He lightly smiled. "Let's see. If your uncle is Juru-chan, then you must be Hayato. Please, come with me."
I followed the man from the main room into an elevator, then up to the top floor. He led me into a huge room.
I looked around, confused. I could see a rather long table, like those in buisness conference rooms. Of course, this wasn't a buisness meeting. I saw some very familiar faces. I looked along my left side first.
First was Sasama's mother. Then, one face I didn't know. I then saw Freddy from the apartment visit. He smiled at me. I looked at the face directly across, seeing Shinju sitting at the end. His face barely changed. I looked beside him to see Otoyo, then one more face I barely knew. Next, was the head of the ONBA of Netopia, one I had only seen in newspapers, Zennith. Closest to me were three empty chairs. The man in yellow sat me down at one, next to Zennith, and began to introduce me to everybody.
"Allow me to introduce everybody. To those who don't know, this is Hayato Grausherra, son of Zelloss-san" the man spoke. The face of Sasama's mother and the two people I didn't know changed to surprise.
"From left to right, this is Netbattler and head of Gencon, Merra- san. Next, is top netbattler and head of the Yumland ONBA, Kiro Netto" the man paused. I looked over Kiro. He was either the grandson or great- grandson of world-famous netbattler Netto Hikari.
"Next, head of Electopia ONBA, Fred D'Silva" the man spoke. I had hardly realized Freddy had been the head of the ONBA here. "I, of course, suspect you know Shinju, head of the Shinseiken of Cresent Isle."
I smiled to Shinju. His face remained the same though.
"The next one is Otoyo Enzan, top netbattler and N-1 grand prix champion. Then, Nemo-san, head of the Collectors Association. Finally, is Zennith, head of the Netopia ONBA. I, of course, am Jen, head of the branch of the ONBA here in Creamland."
I looked at Jen, and he put me in a seat next to Zennith. He looked me over, making me shiver. Jen took the seat across from me.
The time slowly droned on. What was really only a minute seemed to take forever, so I decided to get it off my chest.
I looked Jen dead in the eye and spoke, breaking the silence. "Jen, I don't think I'm understanding everything. Where is my uncle?"
Jen looked down the table. All eyes were on him, though.
"You're uncle will be here shortly, Hayato. We have something incredibly important that requires discussion. Of course, I suspect you will not like what you discover" Jen spoke solemly.
Merra spoke next. "I do hope you'll forgive your uncle, Hayato. It's not good to have a torn family."
I looked around, completely confused. What was going on? I turned to Shinju, my face looking desperate for an answer.
"I'm sorry," Ark said from Shinju's PET. "I can't tell you until it's time, and even then, it's not right for me to tell you."
The door opened. My uncle walked out, dressed up in a suit, looking tidy.
"What's going on here, uncle?" I asked.
Author's Note: I hope you like it! This thing is the LONGEST story I have ever written (It outdoes some of my stories right now just with that one chapter...) Disclaimer: Like I said, I DO NOT own Megaman Battle Network!
Chapter 2 - Sudden Change
"Well, speak up!" Juru-chan harshly spoke to me.
Completely confused, my mind raced with diffrent ideas. I had no choice but to tell him.
I paused and then began. "You see, the PET was broken when it was run over by a car at a rather inopportune time, as my PET had came off and ended up on the road. This was just before I got home and you weren't there. So I found the key and used it to unlock the dresser drawer... and I took Dynast and my father's chips from it."
Not stopping, I explained everything that I could remember. By the time I had finished, I found myself gasping for breath.
My uncle was silent for a few moments. Then his frown turned up into a slight smile.
"I'm rather dissapointed in you, Hayato. I should have expected it from you. You're just as michevious as your father was" my uncle spoke, his tone becoming a bit more jolly.
"Don't get me wrong, though" he said, "this was your mother's wish that you never found it, but I guess you would definatly find it at one point or another."
With that, he moved back and put the PET on the nearby table. He then spoke once more, saying "I suppose that I can forgive you. It was something that was bound to happen. Besides, it was better you do it now..."
"I'm leaving soon, going off to the far-off country of Creamland. I have some important buisness to take care of there, something that involves the O.N.B.A.. So, I won't be back for a while. I've already gotten you a place at the Netbattlers Complex just downtown."
I was forced to stay, stunned. Although, I have to explain something back there. The O.N.B.A. is the Official Netbattlers Association, a group of the best netbattlers that work to solve netcrimes when they arrive.
I slowly raised my arm, which held Dynast's PET. The Navi was simply standing there, listening.
"I'm sorry," my uncle continued, "but there isn't much choice in the matter. I do hope you'll do fine... but it's in your blood, so I know you will live through this."
I could barely say anything.
* * *
Before I realized anything, my uncle was no longer with me, and I was somewhere completely diffrent. I was all alone now, just me in this lonely apartment. The building was made to host new netbattlers. I'm surprised they let me in, to tell the truth. Of course, I had been regestered there for a while, and that was before I got Dynast.
The small apartment was just the basics - a bed, some furniture, cooking appliances, and a computer. These were, obviously, standand issue around here. It still seemed to be so lonely, in part because it was small.
This place was rather old. It had been around when my father was still a child, but he never lived here. People say he simply slept in the alleys around the area, but that's hardly believable.
The second or third morning, I awakened in the morning to a knock at my door. I sleepishly got up and stumbled to the door, opening it up.
Staring at me was a man wearing a tan suit with dark jeans. He had short, brown hair, and his face made me believe he was about 40 or so.
I looked him over and asked him his name. He replied, saying "I am Freddy. That is all you need to know."
I looked at his arm to find no PET, it was hooked around his waist. Obviously an older model.
"What do you wish, Freddy?" I asked. Freddy nearly invited himself in and sat down.
"You are Hayato Grausherra, right?" he asked me, his face lightening up. I nodded, and he continued. "I hear you recently came across your father's Navi?"
I slowly nodded. How would he know that?
Freddy continued. "I remember working alongside him. Before he turned truly evil, though. Sure, he was good, but I don't think it was him acting. You remind me so much of him, you know?"
I stood for a moment, then asked "What exactly is the point of your visit, Freddy-san?"
Freddy smiled. "I was told to give this to you when you arrived. It happened to belong to your father, you may find it rather usefull."
The man walked over and dropped something in my hand, folding my hand. He promptly left, leaving me stunned in my room.
I slowly uncurled my hand to find a diskette in it, one very small. Obviously a program of some sort.
Quickly, I moved to the computer and fitted the diskette into it. I then hooked my PET into a special device next to it. The data downloaded to my Navi.
For the first time in a while, Dynast spoke. "I remember that man. He had a Navi named HeroSaber, I believe. I know what this program is, though."
I stared at Dynast and asked the question I had been wondering. "What is the program, Dynast?"
The ice navi extended his arm, a small map appearing from a hidden projector. It floated in the air, and he explained.
"This was a project started by your grandfather and completed by your father. It's a Tracker Program, completely unique, but it's incredibly powerfull to help find programs and viri, as well as other Navi. It basically works like a map of the web."
I looked at the diagram, seeing nothing in it except a large grid that stretched quite a bit, with a blue star in the center. Obviously Dynast.
I secretly thanked Freddy. I dearly hoped I would find him agian.
* * *
Aera-chan walked down the road towards me. I was standing just outside of the nearby chip shop. We were going to see if there was anything good.
We walked in to Higure's Battle Chip shop. He was, long ago, a great chip collector with an amazing collection of Rare Chips that was still on display. Now, the son of Higure's last student, Nemo, ran the shop with his father.
I walked in and looked under the counter. I could see rows of Battle Chips lined up. This was normal here, though.
"See anything you like?" said a mature voice from just above the counter. I stood up straight and smiled.
"Not yet, Kana. Not yet. I still haven't finished looking yet, don't forget!" I said with a snicker, moving my head back under the counter.
All the chips looked similar, in shape anyway. The pictures on each were very, very diffrent.
I could see a lot of Cannon and Shockwave chips, they were rather common. Of course, there were others, too. Common ones I found were ZapRing, a slow moving electrical ring that could stun it's target, Guard, which created a shield for your Navi, and other rather common chips.
In the racks I spotted a couple decent chips. Like HiCannon, an upgraded version of the Cannon, even a couple Dash and RockCube chips. Obviously, though I had nothing in mind. Nothing really sparked my intrest. I turned and began to walk out, and I heard Kana speaking to Aera.
"Alright. So you want the HiCannon? Alright, that'll be 1200 Zenny... hey, Hayato! Wait up for a moment! I've got something I wanna show you!"
I stopped and turned, walking away from the door and back to the counter as Kana reached down and slid something out of a hidden drawer.
He clutched it tight in his hands and then revealed it. In his hand was a very rare chip, a powerfull chip named Electric Balloon. It was well known for being tricky. It's power was very small, but it exploded over a large area. In addition, it could be powered up by being attacked. I dared to ask the price.
"Well..." Kana thought for a moment. "Normally, it's 27000 Zenny... but for you, it's 17000!"
I shuddered. I knew he knew I didn't have near that much Zenny. I couldn't help but watch as he returned it to the desk, then I heard somebody say "I'll take it!"
I turned to my PET. Dynast was standing there, a small smirk on his face.
I then realized he had said it. I stood stunned, before I scolded him. "You know I don't have that much Zenny!'
Dynast smirked back. "Your father gave me access to his entire account. He's got an awfully large amount in there for me to dip into, should I ever want to. So, it's yours."
Kana, Aera, and I were all stunned. I plugged Dynast into the jack- in port and I found my account not going down any. The transmission was right, though, and I found myself holding the Electric Balloon chip in my hand.
* * *
After a long day of school, I headed off to the arcade. I had to test out this new chip. I saw one stadium half-lit, meaning somebody was already seated on the other side. Without looking, I sat down. Everybody hushed, even the Navis in the side domes stopped fighting.
I looked around confused and then looked across the dome. Sitting there was a man I had never seen before. He had rather spiky dark hair, and a loose, silver shirt. I couldn't see his legs, they were blocked by the dome. I plugged Dynast in without a thought.
Whispers started around me. "This guy's crazy" and "Does this kid even know who he's fighting?"
I could see the man on the other side plug in to the arena. A one- armed navi stood there, his body a strange silver-blue. He was obviously a fighter. I knew he was one-armed, although I could see nothing under the dark cloak he wore across his shoulder.
"I hope I don't beat you too bad, Hayato" the man said across. I stopped for a moment before looking across.
"How do you know who I am?" I demanded.
"I've known who you are since you were born" the man replied. "I am Shinju Toriyama."
I froze in fear. Shinju Toriyama was once a friend of my father. They were closest friends. He was also one of the best netbattlers of the day, and so was his Navi, Ark.
"It's been a while, Dynast" spoke Ark's voice. People suddenly sparked up and dissapeared quickly, shouting weird, uncomprehensible things. Only a few stayed, knowing that a battle like this could be one of the greatest things in ages.
Dynast, of course, didn't really care. "Yes, it has, Ark. It's been a few years since I've seen your face."
Ark simply smiled. I could tell this was just idle chat, though. I could see, well, more like sense that Dynast was itching for a fight. I could also sense it from Ark, and the words 'Battle Start' came across the floor of the dome.
Ark was faster then Dynast, firing off a huge burst of energy from his hand. Dynast quickly and effortlessly dodged it.
Shinju was much more practiced then I was, already having the first chip in his hand. He dropped it into the PET, announcing "Battle Chip, Elec Sword! Slot-In!"
Ark dashed towards Dynast with amazing speed. I grabbed a random chip from my folder and slotted it in. It turned out to be the Wood Sword, and it shattered through the Elec Sword with ease, before Dynast did an expert spin, slashing at Ark.
The attack barely came close, however, because Shinju popped in a Guard chip, creating a shield for him momentarily. While Dynast was off balance, Shinju slotted in his next chip, a Fire Sword. It cut through the Wood Sword with ease before coming up on Dynast's stomach, doing lots of damage.
I fumbled for the next chip. I found myself with Heat Balloon. I quickly slotted it in. I then grabbed the next chip and slotted it in without thiniking.
The Heat Balloon took the next of Ark's attack, and it was super- sized. At the same time, Dynast shot it with a Mega Cannon, the most powerfull version of the Cannon chip.
In only those few moments, the Heat Balloon had supersized to become enormous. It bounced once, before landing on a data cube. I quickly slotted in a Barrier chip as the balloon exploded, sending Ark flying.
"Just like your father..." Shinju commented, slotting in two more chips. In only those few moments, Ark slotted in two more chips to create the Life Sword 2. I was, somewhat expecting it, so I slotted in the only chip I could find. I could only watch as the deadly Life Sword Program Advance slammed into Dynast, shooting past and leaving a trail of bright light.
The light slowly dissapeared, but I could see Dynast standing there still. In perfect shape, nonetheless!
I checked the PET's screen. I had apparently placed in a powerfull chip, the Leaf Shield. Unlike other shields, it was a just like a Barrier. On the other hand, it turned damage into healing! A weapon that was normally that powerfull turned into healing would be amazing! Even with the blow Dynast had taken, he was now fully healed and then some!
"You remind me of your father, you know?" Dynast said, as I popped the next chip in without thinking. I don't think I was the one choosing the chips. I had too much luck.
The luck struck again just as Shinju dropped in another chip. A gigantic sword appeared in his hand. One I knew... a Legendary Chip, the Hero Sword.
Ark dashed forward and struck with the huge sword. Dynast wouldn't have had time to dodge, but I had drawn just the right chip. Dynast took the hit directly, but he flicked his wrist, a small bomb shooting across, straight at Ark. A strange cloud of white mist arose, and the dome was filled with it. When it cleared, I saw Ark, trapped in a tower of Ice.
"Freezebomb..." Shinju muttered. My eyes opened wide. I now had a legendary chip too, the Freeze Bomb. I looked at the empty chip in my hand. I couldn't believe it.
By the time I had finished drawing the next chip, Ark broke out of the ice, the Hero Sword slamming down at Dynast again. Dynast dodged backwards.
"I don't have enough power to beat him!" Dynast warned me. "Please, help me!"
I held the next chip in my hand. A simple Aqua Blade. I couldn't use that. My mind searched for an answer.
My mind, or, rather, Dynast's mind answered back for me.
"Do the same thing your father did, Hayato."
Ark came with the next slash, as I just stood there, hoping that there was some other way.
Dynast moved sideways, avoiding the downward strike from the agile swordsman Navi that was my opponent.
Shinju knew something was going wrong in my head. Instead of bothering to help me, though, he simply let the battle continue.
The voice of Dynast spoke in my mind again. "Please, help me!"
I looked helplessly at Dynast. He was going to get beaten unless I did it. I slowly nodded.
"I will help you" I muttered.
At that moment, my muscles tensed. I knew something was about to happen. I was awfully right.
I could feel myself getting stronger. I could sense Dynast's heart beating. I could feel, too, another presence. A darker presence, that I welcomed.
As I did, it wasn't just my feelings that changed, my body shifted with it. My hair turned from it's light blue color to a deep, deep black. My light-colored outfit turned black, the edges tearing easily. I caught my reflection in the dome, and I stopped for a moment. My pupils had turned pure black as well!
I studied my reflection for a moment. I looked just like the man who had given me the PET. I knew what this power was, now, and I meant to use it.
Without thinking, I slotted in the Aqua Blade and grabbed the next chip. The Blade and Sword clashed, now being of equal power.
I heard Shinju mutter "It's about time. You've figured out the secret of your father, I think."
I slotted in the next chip, reaching into my chip folder. I felt my body changing as the Invisible 3 chip began. A perfect opportunity!
As Ark looked wildly around, I turned and stuck another chip in. I felt my hand get heavier as the Elec Blade took shape in Dynast's hand. It was a strange feeling, but I now had reason to understand why my father could netbattle so good.
With one stroke, we sliced into Ark, sending him flying. His body crackled with electricity.
Shinju smirked, popping in a trio of seemingly random chips. All bombs of some sort. Ark tossed them so quickly I couldn't see where they were going to land. I let Dynast stand in place, and the bombs landed around Ark. He had obviously meant to hit me that way.
Our chip folders were running low, so I grabbed another chip from my pack just as the Invisible chip wore off. At the same time, Dynast took another swing at Ark, just as Shinju created the Wood Sword. It smashed the Elec Blade in two.
I looked at the chip in my hand and smiled, as I slotted in one last chip, one that could hopefully win the game. I mentally told Dynast to stay in one spot.
Ark dashed forward, attacking with the Wood Sword. At that moment, the chip activated. Dynast grabbed the blade and sent a surge back through it, dealing a ton of damage to Ark. The chip I had used was an Anti-Sword.
Shinju smiled. "This is no diffrent then netbattling your father" he spoke calmly, as Ark logged out.
I slowly felt my body returning to normal. Checking my reflection, even my clothes had become normal and resown themselves. My eyes and hair were now the same as before.
Somewhere, though, I knew I would never be the same.
Shinju stood up, removing the PET from the jack-in port. He smiled and tossed me something.
The few remaining people were wide-eyed, definatly trying to grasp what had happened.
Shinju walked out, saying "I knew it would happen. Like father, like son."
I grabbed the chip he gave me and looked it over. A strange, silver chip. On it was a picture of Ark. I couldn't figure out what it was for, so I decided to take it to the chip shop.
* * *
"You mean you DON'T know what that chip is?" Kana asked me. I shook my head no.
Sasama-chan walked in behind me. "What's going on? Oh... who's that?" She said, looking at the chip. I told her about Shinju and Ark. She nodded. "I see... Shinju Toriyama... he gave you that chip? You should feel lucky!"
I shook my head. I had no clue what to use it for. Kana jacked into a small stadium near the top of the counter; his Navi, Starman, appearing. Starman looked like a normal Navi, except his armor was bronze and he had a huge star across his chest and a star on his forehead. Starman stood for a moment before saying "Why don't you try it out?"
I looked over the chip once more before jacking Dynast into the netbattle dome. I slowly slid in the chip.
As I did, the screen on the PET changed. It now not only showed Dynast, but a ghost-like image of Ark appeared beside him. A huge blast of energy shot from his palm, bashing into Starman and causing a very quick logout.
"It's a Navi chip. It allows you to use another Navi's charged attack. You're lucky to have one so powerfull!" Kana told me. He obviously wished to have one like that.
"Navi... chip..." I muttered to myself. It was definatly very powerfull. Why would Shinju just hand it to me, though? I continued to ponder this as I left the shop.
* * *
The next few days passed without anything major. It was, in part, because of the fact that everybody refused to netbattle me after I had defeated Shinju, a world-class netbattler. I was cleary somebody special, but now the word was out that my Navi really was Dynast. Of course, I couldn't have cared less. The people that had seen me netbattle had almost forgotten everything near the end, thankfully.
I was right, though. Things had changed for me. It was more or less my entire life. My teacher now feared me, my classmates revered me. I still kept my friends, but anybody who ever hated me now held a great respect.
However, it wasn't just my life that had changed. It was my feelings. I wasn't sure exactly why, but I was slowly changing. Not normally, either. It was something dark inside of me. Dynast refused to explain it, though, leaving me to my own ideas.
This respect that I had found also had reprocussions, as everything does, these days. People began to get worried. After all, how could a kid like me beat a world-class netbattler? Everybody believes that I had to cheat! Which wasn't true... at least, I don't think it is.
I had no sign from my uncle during all this time. I wish I had of known what was going on in Creamland, and how I could help.
Wait a second. Mabye I could help. If I had beaten one of the world's best, then mabye I could help my uncle!
With only that, I decided my next course of action. I was going to go to Creamland to see and help my uncle.
* * *
"You can't expect me to help you with that!"
"Comeon! I have to see my uncle!" I pleaded. Dynast shook his head.
"Nope. The bank account is for netbattling and like. Not for family trips. Those were my specific instructions."
I sat down on a chair in my room. "Comeon, Dynast! You have to let me go there, I'm getting worried about uncle Juru!"
Dynast just looked blankly up at me. "I said it once, my mind isn't going to change. No, no, no, and no."
I nearly fell over. "Comeon!" I nearly begged.
Dynast refused to answer once again. He wasn't going to be much help, I knew.
It took me a few minutes to figure out who else I could talk with.
* * *
"So, will you help me?" I asked politely.
Sasama nodded. "You're lucky I'm so rich. You're also lucky that I believe you."
I bowed politely in thanks. We quickly hooked up our PET, and my account now showed myself with more Zenny then before. I left for the airport not long after.
* * *
"So THIS is the O.N.B.A. H.Q. in Creamland" I muttered, giving a look around. It was much like the Marine Harbor one, the Electopia Headquarters, but it was simply diffrent. Not near as many people were here, aside from receptionists and netbattlers. I looked around confused. Sure, I had found my way here, but where was my uncle?
"Can I help you?" said a voice behind me. I turned and looked up.
In front of me was a man wearing a light yellow shirt, blue jeans, and a PET of an old model around his waist. He wore a silver baseball cap upon his head. I looked him over.
"Yes," I began. "I'm looking for my uncle Juru. He arrived about two weeks ago for a reason I don't know. He said he had been summoned."
The man stopped. He lightly smiled. "Let's see. If your uncle is Juru-chan, then you must be Hayato. Please, come with me."
I followed the man from the main room into an elevator, then up to the top floor. He led me into a huge room.
I looked around, confused. I could see a rather long table, like those in buisness conference rooms. Of course, this wasn't a buisness meeting. I saw some very familiar faces. I looked along my left side first.
First was Sasama's mother. Then, one face I didn't know. I then saw Freddy from the apartment visit. He smiled at me. I looked at the face directly across, seeing Shinju sitting at the end. His face barely changed. I looked beside him to see Otoyo, then one more face I barely knew. Next, was the head of the ONBA of Netopia, one I had only seen in newspapers, Zennith. Closest to me were three empty chairs. The man in yellow sat me down at one, next to Zennith, and began to introduce me to everybody.
"Allow me to introduce everybody. To those who don't know, this is Hayato Grausherra, son of Zelloss-san" the man spoke. The face of Sasama's mother and the two people I didn't know changed to surprise.
"From left to right, this is Netbattler and head of Gencon, Merra- san. Next, is top netbattler and head of the Yumland ONBA, Kiro Netto" the man paused. I looked over Kiro. He was either the grandson or great- grandson of world-famous netbattler Netto Hikari.
"Next, head of Electopia ONBA, Fred D'Silva" the man spoke. I had hardly realized Freddy had been the head of the ONBA here. "I, of course, suspect you know Shinju, head of the Shinseiken of Cresent Isle."
I smiled to Shinju. His face remained the same though.
"The next one is Otoyo Enzan, top netbattler and N-1 grand prix champion. Then, Nemo-san, head of the Collectors Association. Finally, is Zennith, head of the Netopia ONBA. I, of course, am Jen, head of the branch of the ONBA here in Creamland."
I looked at Jen, and he put me in a seat next to Zennith. He looked me over, making me shiver. Jen took the seat across from me.
The time slowly droned on. What was really only a minute seemed to take forever, so I decided to get it off my chest.
I looked Jen dead in the eye and spoke, breaking the silence. "Jen, I don't think I'm understanding everything. Where is my uncle?"
Jen looked down the table. All eyes were on him, though.
"You're uncle will be here shortly, Hayato. We have something incredibly important that requires discussion. Of course, I suspect you will not like what you discover" Jen spoke solemly.
Merra spoke next. "I do hope you'll forgive your uncle, Hayato. It's not good to have a torn family."
I looked around, completely confused. What was going on? I turned to Shinju, my face looking desperate for an answer.
"I'm sorry," Ark said from Shinju's PET. "I can't tell you until it's time, and even then, it's not right for me to tell you."
The door opened. My uncle walked out, dressed up in a suit, looking tidy.
"What's going on here, uncle?" I asked.