Megaman Battle Network - New Generation
By Zelloss
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay... but that was a LONG chapter... and they're not about to get any shorter, trust me. Disclaimer: Listen. I don't claim ownership to anything related to Megaman Battle Network. Now go away... ... ... I MEAN IT!
Chapter 3 - Missions
Juru looked at me slowly. Words caught in his throat, I think.
Finally, he opened his mouth and muttered something out. "I've worked for the ONBA for quite a while. That's why I had to leave, I have incredibly important buisness to take care of. As it turns out, you coming here was quite lucky. I'm sorry I never told you."
After forgiving him, I looked around again. That really hadn't helped. Being the youngest one in the room didn't help that much either, to tell the truth. I took a look around. Aside from Otoyo, most of these people were around 30-40, I'd say.
My uncle took the chair directly across from Shinju, who stood up and went out of the room through a side door. When he came back, there was a large monitor, similar to one at a school.
Shinju hooked his PET into the screen. A large blurry image of the net appeared on the screen.
"Please, transmit your Navi into the ONBA's system. This is a private area, do not worry about viri." Shinju told us. Seeing everybody else, I jacked into a small port near the edge of the table. Dynast and a bunch of other navis appeared. I could see my uncle's generic-looking navi, Quint. After that, continuing around,was Jen's navi Geminiman. Then Merra's duck-like Navi Reggae. Next was a weird, nearly hawk-like version of the famous navi Megaman. Then, was the heroic-looking HeroSaber.
Continuing on, I could see Ark at the end. Then Otoyo's familiar Navi, Silver. Next was the navi of Nemo, the strange-looking Magician, and the samurai-like Yamatoman was beside him.
"It's been a while, Dynast" said Yamatoman, turning towards the blue navi. Dynast simply smirked.
"Yes it has, Dynast. It has been quite a while. Four years at least, I believe. Am I right, Magician?"
The strange Magician nodded. "Yes, at last check."
"Shall we get on with it?" spoke Quint. He twirled something around his finger.
"Please, don't be hasty," Shinju spoke. "This is very important, so we must explain everything to our guest here."
It took me a moment to realize it was me. I looked up and nodded.
Freddy stood up. "Hayato Grausherra. This is the World Netbattlers Association, made up of the world's best. Normally, your spot would be filled with that of your father, Hayato. However, we have not heard word from him for at least 10 years. 'Tis a sad loss. However, Hayato, exactly how did you come by your father's PET?"
I looked up to the sky. I hoped I wouldn't have to say this, I didn't want to get their hopes up.
"When I was a child, I believe I met my father," I slowly explained. "He gave me the PET and his folder of battle chips. It wasn't until recently, however, that I was able to reactivate Dynast."
Murmurs broke out around me. Freddy continued to speak.
"So, then, it may be possible that your father lives. Unfortunatly, that ruins every possible theory that we have as to the problem. Zennith, I believe you can explain this best," Freddy spoke, taking his seat again.
Zennith rose next. "The current situation, to review, has begun with the series of bugs experienced on the Metroline, which began three weeks ago. They seemed to be keeping people away from one location, Okuden Valley. So, we sent a team down to Okuden Valley to find out what was going on. As it turned out, somebody was trying to keep people away before the dam split from natural causes, which it did two weeks ago. We're currently rebuilding it."
"Then came the next problem. Somebody had programmed the light system in Den Town to protect against jack-ins. It turned out the data core had been removed, causing the network to warp the day after. It's now sealed off."
"Third and finally, came the event in Netopia. Somebody reopened the passage from the tower in Netopia Castle. As we discovered, it led to a bomb. Obviously, somebody is trying to help us out, possibly without realizing it. On the other hand, it could be possible that they intend to help us. We need to find out who this man is, and his motives behind this."
Zennith finished speaking and sat back down. The entire room was silent for a moment, before Nemo stood up and took his turn. "The only sightings of something was at Netopia Castle. A man cloaked in black, with an old-style PET, was seen coming from the top of Netopia Castle, before the passage was discovered open. The man described him as having a 'strange black... glow'."
"We could only expect it to be your father. However, he no longer has a PET, so this theory is now gone. We need everybody to be on alert. Aside from our own personal alertness, Juru, Hayato, we have a mission for you."
I stopped short. I was getting a mission from the World Netbattlers Association? I didn't even have a City Netbattler's license...
"We believe that this man was spotted recently in the area, not far from here. In fact, at the fire station. We're unknowing of what he's done to help us. Please, you must go there."
I looked at my uncle from the corner of my eye. He was doing the same. We both timed our nods in unison.
"Thank you," Ark spoke. "It's good to see even the young people on jobs."
I slightly blushed. What a responsability!
* * *
It only took us a few minutes to get from the conference room to the fire station. I looked around at the people inside of it. It was nearly empty, mostly metallic walls and empty rooms for meetings.
I went up to one of the firemen. "What can you deduce that has changed around here?"
The fireman simply smiled. "Hmm.. a kid who thinks he's got a role in this job. That's kinda funny."
Juru-chan walked up behind me, taking something from his pocket. He held it up, showing the World Netbattlers Association symbol.
"We're both working on here. If you don't think so, I suggest you go talk to the officials. Now answer the question," Juru pressured. He was in his 'serious' mode now.
The fireman stopped short, before beginning to apologize profusly. "Sorry, sir, I didn't know. Nothing has really changed around here. I don't think anything has, anyway. We've checked all jack-in ports and every inch of this place and the system. Nothing wrong at all."
I looked at my uncle and smirked. "He's lying, uncle."
My uncle looked down at me, before staring straight at the fireman. The poor man quaked in his boots.
"What is wrong? I know you're lying!"
The quivering man whimpered. "I... I-I-I don't... alright, fine. I do know. There is a diffrence in the system. The entire system has shut down completely. We've discovered the data core was missing.
I looked at my uncle and nodded. We could speak immense plans with a nod of our head.
"Take us to the control room of the system" my uncle spoke. We were quickly led to the PC that controlled the entire system. It was in a dim room. The entire screen was dark.
"Complete shut off..." Juru noticed. "The entire system has shut down completely. There's obviously got to be a reason for it."
"We don't know how it could be completely shut off. I still think there's a way to get into the system" the shaking fireman said.
We barely had time to think this over before my PET beeped. I looked it over.
"You've got mail!" said Dynast, pulling up a file onto the screen. I looked down the message.
"Looks like our mysterious somebody's been spotted somewhere else. Namely, the aquarium. Let's go!"
Juru nodded, quickly following me. We used Dynast's map to find our way towards the aquarium.
* * *
I looked around the dark aquarium. Yes, dark. The lights had been turned off completely. We both activated the lights on our PETs, although they weren't much better then flashlights. Everybody had obviously left.
"Any sign of anybody?" I asked to Dynast. He shook his head.
"Not a signal of any navi anywhere. I wonder if something is blocking the tracker program."
I shook my head. "It's impossible. Nothing can block it" I spoke, shaking my head. I gave a look around. Even the automated fish were shut down completely.
"What is going on here?" I muttered. I took a few steps forward. "You got any clue, uncle?"
I waited for a response. Nothing. I looked back at where the light from Juru's PET was. There was nothing now. I ran back to where I had been.
"Juru?" I yelled out. Dynast's tracker wasn't picking anything other then us up.
I walked down the dark hallways. Mabye I could find him. I carefully noted each turn, to silently make a map of where I was.
"Juru???" I yelled out again. I turned another corner and walked right into a wall. I felt around it, feeling a handle, and I turned it and pulled.
It was just as dark in the new room, except for the glow of a computer screen. I realized I was in the control center. I searched for a jack-in port. Finding one, I pulled the plug in my PET and reached for the port.
"STOP!" Dynast shouted. I stopped immediatly. "That Jack-In port won't work right, it's sealed. Do you know what happens to Navis that are jacked in to sealed ports?"
I shuddered. The last thing I wanted was a damaged Navi. I stood there for a few moments.
I started to turn around, when I felt something pinch the back of my neck. I shot a kick backwards, hitting something. I used Dynast's light to see the black-cloaked man, lying on the ground. He had a PET, but it wasn't activated, which explained the lack of signal.
I moved towards him, but I felt funny; like I hadn't gotten any sleep in a long time. I took two steps before falling over forward, unconcious.
* * *
"Where... where am I?" I asked, looking around. Wherever I was, it was completely dark here.
"That's something I cannot tell you" spoke a voice. My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I could see myself in something like a jail cell. The man in black stared at me from between two of the bars.
"What are you doing? I order you to release me, by order of the World Netbattlers Association!"
"I care not for the World Netbattlers Association" the man spoke. "I've got a grudge that goes back many generations. I don't want to have to imprison a kid, but you've shown too much talent.
"Let me go!" I demanded. "I demand it!"
The man was obviously smirking under his black hood. "I can't. You should know that. Even if you did, I wouldn't give you your Navi back!"
My eyes opened wide, and I looked at my arm. It was true. My father's PET was completely missing, as was my chip folder.
"Besides, those chips would do us a lot of good!" the man cackled. "They will be returned to you, of course, as will your PET, but only when I see fit. So you'd best be a good little prisoner!"
With that, the shadowy figure left my view. I sat down on the hard stone floor, trying to figure out where I was. Even if I wanted, Dynast had the tracker program, so I couldn't do it. Who knows what had happened to Juru.
Minutes droned on like hours, hours like days, and days like weeks. I kept track of time by when my skimpy meals were brought. Although, I found myself losing track a lot.
* * *
"Yo, you! Wake up!"
I slowly woke up and looked around, my eyes trying to readjust.
"Comeon, kiddo, I'm here to break you out!"
That caught me. I stood up immediatly and looked around. I could see somebody standing in the doorway.
"Who?" I asked, but I was sushed by the shaking of the bars. They swung open quickly.
"Amazing what you can do with lockpicks these days..." muttered the voice. I barely recognized it.
Before I had a chance to ask, I was dragged off down the dark corridors.
"Wait!" I said. "I'm missing my Navi and my chips!"
"There's no time for that..." the man muttered. Or rather, the boy muttered. I could see his figure as we entered a light corridor. The boy was Kiro Netto.
"HOLD IT!" I shouted, as we came to a small, well lit hallway. "I am not going anywhere with my Navi and my chips!"
I pulled my hand free of Kiro's grip. He grabbed for my hand again. "Comeon, we have to get out of here before security activates!"
I pulled my hand back, clenched my fist, and landed one straight on the netbattler's jaw. He reeled back a few steps, before crying out "What was that for?"
"I'm going back to find my Navi. You get yourself out of here. I'll be fine this time, trust me!" I harshly commanded, before turning and walking back.
Kiro dashed for me and grabbed my shoulder. I turned and chopped him in the side of the neck. "I told you I'm going back!"
I left the world-class netbattler stunned, as I dashed down the hall. I gave a quick look around. I had to find my PET!
"I'm down the hall!" came a familiar voice in my head. I looked down both.
"Which one is it?" I thought back.
"It's the one with the wall that's closer" Dynast's voice replied. I checked each one and dashed down the one on my left. I turned the corner at the end, going down a lavashly decorated hall. "Next door" Dynast said. I grabbed at a door on my left and opened it quickly.
"What are you doing here?" said a strange-looking man. He wore a black cape around himself, with a long grey shirt and pure-white jeans. At his neck was a circle with a symbol of a W and a three.
I looked around. I could see an empty room, except for a device in the center. I stared hard at the man, and then beyond him at the weird, floor-to-ceiling computer. I caught a PET sticking out of the side.
"Oh, you're here for the PET?" the man asked. "Sorry, no can do. I'm afraid we haven't had time to correctly copy the data of your Navi yet!"
I stopped cold. Copy my Navi? That was impossible... Well, I thought it was impossible.
"Oh no, we're not trying to copy the Navi, we're just getting the programming we need from him!" the man cackled maniacally. "Welcome to the new age of World Three!"
I took a couple steps back. World Three was a Net Crime organization famous for the creation of the Life Virus. They later returned, but was stopped cold soon into their operations. They're natural enemies of the ONBA. I looked over the man again.
"My name?" he asked me. I was shocked at how he knew I was going to ask that. "It's Kushada Wily. Oh, and yes, I am the great-grandson of Proffesor Wily, the creator of World Three!"
"Give me my Navi!" I demanded. Kushada shook his head, making a tutting noice with his tounge.
"Sorry, no can do, kid! I'm afraid I can't give you the Navi until I've gotten the bit of programming. Then I am free to let you take him!"
"Kid?" I whispered threateningly. I'd show him!
I dashed forward, shooting a devestating punch forward. Kushada didn't even flinch, as his open hand grabbed my right fist only inches in front of my face. I never hesitated, shooting my left hand to his side, and doing a circle kick towards his right side.
"Nice try!" Kushada whispered. His head backed up, dodging the fist easily, and he chopped the center of my leg, sending me off of balance. I swivled for a moment, and he socked me with a strong punch to the jaw, sending me flying.
I tryed to recover my vision. I stood up, my jaw bruised bad from the punch.
"Still got some fight in you?" the leader of World Three mocked. I dashed for him. He simply circled around in front of the door. I watched him for a moment. There was no way I could hit this guy!
I slowly moved backwards towards the device, reaching for my PET. I grabbed it in my hand, and I took an electric charge right down my arm. I grabbed it as it fell limp at my side.
"I told you I couldn't give you the PET!" Kushada smirked. "Feeling a bit... shocked?"
Koushada laughed. He was right. I couldn't possibly hit Kushada. I heard him laughing and laughing.
Suddenly, his laughter stopped as he fell forward. Behind him stood Juru, his hand right down the middle of where Koushada's back had once been. The door was wide open. Koushada's laughter had covered up the sound.
Juru dashed over to the system. "You okay, kiddo?" he asked me.
"My arm was paralyzed" I muttered. "Don't try to grab the PET."
Juru walked over to the computer. "Mmm... quite the work. Well, I guess this is easy enough to fix!"
Juru looked around until he found a strange slot. He grabbed something from his right pocket and stuck it in. It was a program of some sort. Juru pulled out the disk, and backed up. The computer's monitors shut off only moments later. The hum of the computer stopped at the same time.
"Instant Corruption!" Juru said. "Courtesy your father... I guess I never told you about the incident with the Mother Computer, did I?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Tell me later. Can we grab the PET now?"
Juru nodded, and he grabbed a chip folder. Giving it a look through, he proclaimed "Here's your chips!"
I grabbed Dynast's PET from the slot and looked it over. I heard Dynast's voice again. "That program. So familiar..."
Juru grabbed me, leading me off. I had lots of questions to ask, but now wasn't the time. We headed out the door and down the hall, leaving Kushada behind.
We used Dynast's map to find our way back through the halls. We climbed up a few stairs, and went through a variety of hallways, before leaving the large building. I looked behind us to get a shock.
Where we had come from was a cavern carved in a mountainside. The area nearby was a pure forest, with a waterfall running down the steep cliffs near the side. Juru led me down the cliffside.
"So that's where I've been this whole time" I muttered. "What exactly was the program you used?"
Juru continued moving, while trying to explain to me. "Your father was once responsible for the corruption of the Mother Computer of Electopia. As you know, the Mother Computer runs the entire system and internet of a country. He used this program like a Time Bomb while working for Gospel."
Gospel is another NetCrime organization, but it is long gone. It created the Multi-Bug Organism known as Gospel. According to the stories, it was deleted by Megaman.
"I was able to recreate that program a while ago. It's incredibly powerfull, but it can do harmfull things when used wrong."
I nodded. "So, how exactly does it work?"
"It corrupts the network and all the files on a system, basically rebooting it to the extreme basics. Of course, it takes the network a couple days to reboot..."
I gave a small laugh. Even Dynast was laughing in my PET. "I remember working for Gospel. Of course, don't think bad of me and your father, Hayato. We later did a 180 and smashed Gospel into tiny pieces."
"Well now. Next question" I began as we climbed down the cliffside. "What happened to you inside the Aquarium?"
"I am not sure, to tell you the truth. I simply found myself here. However, Kiro Netto released me, and I got sent on while he found you. He must have gotten out okay."
I nodded. As we reached the base, we headed through a path in the forest. I saw somebody not far ahead. Dynast informed me, and we quickly caught up to Kiro Netto.
"Thanks for helping me out back there" I said. Kiro glared at me. I could see a pair of bruises where I had hit him. He obviously didn't like that. "Sorry about that. I wasn't about to leave without the PET and my chips!"
That didn't help much, but at least I didn't get a smirky remark about it. We traveled together out of the forest, to a metroline station. Yeah, that's right, a metroline, or subway, station out in the middle of nowhere.
* * *
"So it's the World Three?" Ark spoke from the large monitor.
"Yes. The new leader is Koushada Wily, great-grandson of Proffesor Wily of the original World Three" I spoke.
"It makes me wonder why they tried to do things for good. Unless Koushada was, of course, being stupid when he made those mistakes" spoke Reggae.
"I ran the Time Bomb program in their main computer" Juru spoke. Shinju and Zennith exchange glances.
"I expect it was for a good reason, you should know that we forebade the use of the Time Bomb. Spare us the details for now" Freddy warned. "Do you remember where the Metroline link was?"
"Yes," Kiro said, but he stopped for a moment to think. "I doubt that Koushada would remain there though. The World Three headquarters is probably elsewhere, though."
Murmurs broke out among the navis and the netbattlers. Otoyo stood up, and everybody shushed.
"It seems to be decided that World Three is a major issue. We have to stop them before they do something serious. Hayato, what can you say were their plans from the brief time you spent there?" Otoyo questioned.
"I cannot say. However, they seemed quite interested in copying a bit of programming from Dynast" I explained. Dynast took off speaking right there.
"Although I'm not sure what Koushada is up to, I know he was after one of the basics of a truly strong Navi, a program you all know well, the Hub.bat. I've looked in on the matter. It seems that Hub.bat is something well known, but very rare. All of the navis here have a slightly diffrent version of the Hub.bat. He was trying to copy that part of Hub.bat."
Nemo was deep in thought. "Perhaps this pertains to... no, I'm thinking too much. I wish for this counsil to be dismissed."
Everybody nodded and left the room, around me and uncle Juru.
As Shinju passed by, he stopped and smiled at me. "Hayato, you're just like your father, you know. You're just like your father."
With that, he left. I looked at Juru. We nodded and left the room together.
We walked down the hall and passed a couple doors. As we passed the third one, we heard whispers coming from the room.
"What do you think it is, Nemo?" said the voice of Zennith. There was a moment of silence. We both peeked inside.
"I don't know. Using Hub.bat sounds so familiar to me, though" Nemo's voice spoke slowly.
"Are you sure you don't know about this?" Zennith questioned. Nemo's voice didn't respond.
"Of course I do. Well, not too much, but I have one theory. Perhaps it pertains to the notes of the X Prototype Models."
I looked at Juru. His eyes were wide open, a look of pure fear engraved on his face.
"The X Prototypes? You can't seriously believe that!" Zennith's voice spoke, in just as much disbelief as my uncle's face.
"I'm afraid that's what I think right now" Nemo said. "There are still three of the Prototype Navis. Megaman still exists, although he now works as security for Electopia..."
"One of the others is Bass, isn't it?" Zennith said. "What about the sixth design?"
The voice of Nemo paused for a second. "That design... I don't know why, but I seem to remember seeing it all the time. That is beyond the point. Weren't the Hub.bat used in all those Navis?"
I looked at my uncle, curiously. He wasn't paying attention though.
"Yes. All five of them. Even the sixth project had the Hub.bat in it. I doubt this has anything to do with the projects, though."
"Which were the two NetNavis that still exist freely?" Zennith's voice asked.
"Err... Prototype X002 is deactivated, and Prototype X005 has not been seen since the days of it's defeat by Hikari Netto. Please, I don't want to think of this. We should turn our minds to other matters."
That obviously ended the discussion. Without thinking, I ran down the hall towards the file library, not bothering with my stunned uncle.
Two questions raced through my mind. What are the X Prototype Models, and what did this have to do with Koushada and the Hub.bat?
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay... but that was a LONG chapter... and they're not about to get any shorter, trust me. Disclaimer: Listen. I don't claim ownership to anything related to Megaman Battle Network. Now go away... ... ... I MEAN IT!
Chapter 3 - Missions
Juru looked at me slowly. Words caught in his throat, I think.
Finally, he opened his mouth and muttered something out. "I've worked for the ONBA for quite a while. That's why I had to leave, I have incredibly important buisness to take care of. As it turns out, you coming here was quite lucky. I'm sorry I never told you."
After forgiving him, I looked around again. That really hadn't helped. Being the youngest one in the room didn't help that much either, to tell the truth. I took a look around. Aside from Otoyo, most of these people were around 30-40, I'd say.
My uncle took the chair directly across from Shinju, who stood up and went out of the room through a side door. When he came back, there was a large monitor, similar to one at a school.
Shinju hooked his PET into the screen. A large blurry image of the net appeared on the screen.
"Please, transmit your Navi into the ONBA's system. This is a private area, do not worry about viri." Shinju told us. Seeing everybody else, I jacked into a small port near the edge of the table. Dynast and a bunch of other navis appeared. I could see my uncle's generic-looking navi, Quint. After that, continuing around,was Jen's navi Geminiman. Then Merra's duck-like Navi Reggae. Next was a weird, nearly hawk-like version of the famous navi Megaman. Then, was the heroic-looking HeroSaber.
Continuing on, I could see Ark at the end. Then Otoyo's familiar Navi, Silver. Next was the navi of Nemo, the strange-looking Magician, and the samurai-like Yamatoman was beside him.
"It's been a while, Dynast" said Yamatoman, turning towards the blue navi. Dynast simply smirked.
"Yes it has, Dynast. It has been quite a while. Four years at least, I believe. Am I right, Magician?"
The strange Magician nodded. "Yes, at last check."
"Shall we get on with it?" spoke Quint. He twirled something around his finger.
"Please, don't be hasty," Shinju spoke. "This is very important, so we must explain everything to our guest here."
It took me a moment to realize it was me. I looked up and nodded.
Freddy stood up. "Hayato Grausherra. This is the World Netbattlers Association, made up of the world's best. Normally, your spot would be filled with that of your father, Hayato. However, we have not heard word from him for at least 10 years. 'Tis a sad loss. However, Hayato, exactly how did you come by your father's PET?"
I looked up to the sky. I hoped I wouldn't have to say this, I didn't want to get their hopes up.
"When I was a child, I believe I met my father," I slowly explained. "He gave me the PET and his folder of battle chips. It wasn't until recently, however, that I was able to reactivate Dynast."
Murmurs broke out around me. Freddy continued to speak.
"So, then, it may be possible that your father lives. Unfortunatly, that ruins every possible theory that we have as to the problem. Zennith, I believe you can explain this best," Freddy spoke, taking his seat again.
Zennith rose next. "The current situation, to review, has begun with the series of bugs experienced on the Metroline, which began three weeks ago. They seemed to be keeping people away from one location, Okuden Valley. So, we sent a team down to Okuden Valley to find out what was going on. As it turned out, somebody was trying to keep people away before the dam split from natural causes, which it did two weeks ago. We're currently rebuilding it."
"Then came the next problem. Somebody had programmed the light system in Den Town to protect against jack-ins. It turned out the data core had been removed, causing the network to warp the day after. It's now sealed off."
"Third and finally, came the event in Netopia. Somebody reopened the passage from the tower in Netopia Castle. As we discovered, it led to a bomb. Obviously, somebody is trying to help us out, possibly without realizing it. On the other hand, it could be possible that they intend to help us. We need to find out who this man is, and his motives behind this."
Zennith finished speaking and sat back down. The entire room was silent for a moment, before Nemo stood up and took his turn. "The only sightings of something was at Netopia Castle. A man cloaked in black, with an old-style PET, was seen coming from the top of Netopia Castle, before the passage was discovered open. The man described him as having a 'strange black... glow'."
"We could only expect it to be your father. However, he no longer has a PET, so this theory is now gone. We need everybody to be on alert. Aside from our own personal alertness, Juru, Hayato, we have a mission for you."
I stopped short. I was getting a mission from the World Netbattlers Association? I didn't even have a City Netbattler's license...
"We believe that this man was spotted recently in the area, not far from here. In fact, at the fire station. We're unknowing of what he's done to help us. Please, you must go there."
I looked at my uncle from the corner of my eye. He was doing the same. We both timed our nods in unison.
"Thank you," Ark spoke. "It's good to see even the young people on jobs."
I slightly blushed. What a responsability!
* * *
It only took us a few minutes to get from the conference room to the fire station. I looked around at the people inside of it. It was nearly empty, mostly metallic walls and empty rooms for meetings.
I went up to one of the firemen. "What can you deduce that has changed around here?"
The fireman simply smiled. "Hmm.. a kid who thinks he's got a role in this job. That's kinda funny."
Juru-chan walked up behind me, taking something from his pocket. He held it up, showing the World Netbattlers Association symbol.
"We're both working on here. If you don't think so, I suggest you go talk to the officials. Now answer the question," Juru pressured. He was in his 'serious' mode now.
The fireman stopped short, before beginning to apologize profusly. "Sorry, sir, I didn't know. Nothing has really changed around here. I don't think anything has, anyway. We've checked all jack-in ports and every inch of this place and the system. Nothing wrong at all."
I looked at my uncle and smirked. "He's lying, uncle."
My uncle looked down at me, before staring straight at the fireman. The poor man quaked in his boots.
"What is wrong? I know you're lying!"
The quivering man whimpered. "I... I-I-I don't... alright, fine. I do know. There is a diffrence in the system. The entire system has shut down completely. We've discovered the data core was missing.
I looked at my uncle and nodded. We could speak immense plans with a nod of our head.
"Take us to the control room of the system" my uncle spoke. We were quickly led to the PC that controlled the entire system. It was in a dim room. The entire screen was dark.
"Complete shut off..." Juru noticed. "The entire system has shut down completely. There's obviously got to be a reason for it."
"We don't know how it could be completely shut off. I still think there's a way to get into the system" the shaking fireman said.
We barely had time to think this over before my PET beeped. I looked it over.
"You've got mail!" said Dynast, pulling up a file onto the screen. I looked down the message.
"Looks like our mysterious somebody's been spotted somewhere else. Namely, the aquarium. Let's go!"
Juru nodded, quickly following me. We used Dynast's map to find our way towards the aquarium.
* * *
I looked around the dark aquarium. Yes, dark. The lights had been turned off completely. We both activated the lights on our PETs, although they weren't much better then flashlights. Everybody had obviously left.
"Any sign of anybody?" I asked to Dynast. He shook his head.
"Not a signal of any navi anywhere. I wonder if something is blocking the tracker program."
I shook my head. "It's impossible. Nothing can block it" I spoke, shaking my head. I gave a look around. Even the automated fish were shut down completely.
"What is going on here?" I muttered. I took a few steps forward. "You got any clue, uncle?"
I waited for a response. Nothing. I looked back at where the light from Juru's PET was. There was nothing now. I ran back to where I had been.
"Juru?" I yelled out. Dynast's tracker wasn't picking anything other then us up.
I walked down the dark hallways. Mabye I could find him. I carefully noted each turn, to silently make a map of where I was.
"Juru???" I yelled out again. I turned another corner and walked right into a wall. I felt around it, feeling a handle, and I turned it and pulled.
It was just as dark in the new room, except for the glow of a computer screen. I realized I was in the control center. I searched for a jack-in port. Finding one, I pulled the plug in my PET and reached for the port.
"STOP!" Dynast shouted. I stopped immediatly. "That Jack-In port won't work right, it's sealed. Do you know what happens to Navis that are jacked in to sealed ports?"
I shuddered. The last thing I wanted was a damaged Navi. I stood there for a few moments.
I started to turn around, when I felt something pinch the back of my neck. I shot a kick backwards, hitting something. I used Dynast's light to see the black-cloaked man, lying on the ground. He had a PET, but it wasn't activated, which explained the lack of signal.
I moved towards him, but I felt funny; like I hadn't gotten any sleep in a long time. I took two steps before falling over forward, unconcious.
* * *
"Where... where am I?" I asked, looking around. Wherever I was, it was completely dark here.
"That's something I cannot tell you" spoke a voice. My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I could see myself in something like a jail cell. The man in black stared at me from between two of the bars.
"What are you doing? I order you to release me, by order of the World Netbattlers Association!"
"I care not for the World Netbattlers Association" the man spoke. "I've got a grudge that goes back many generations. I don't want to have to imprison a kid, but you've shown too much talent.
"Let me go!" I demanded. "I demand it!"
The man was obviously smirking under his black hood. "I can't. You should know that. Even if you did, I wouldn't give you your Navi back!"
My eyes opened wide, and I looked at my arm. It was true. My father's PET was completely missing, as was my chip folder.
"Besides, those chips would do us a lot of good!" the man cackled. "They will be returned to you, of course, as will your PET, but only when I see fit. So you'd best be a good little prisoner!"
With that, the shadowy figure left my view. I sat down on the hard stone floor, trying to figure out where I was. Even if I wanted, Dynast had the tracker program, so I couldn't do it. Who knows what had happened to Juru.
Minutes droned on like hours, hours like days, and days like weeks. I kept track of time by when my skimpy meals were brought. Although, I found myself losing track a lot.
* * *
"Yo, you! Wake up!"
I slowly woke up and looked around, my eyes trying to readjust.
"Comeon, kiddo, I'm here to break you out!"
That caught me. I stood up immediatly and looked around. I could see somebody standing in the doorway.
"Who?" I asked, but I was sushed by the shaking of the bars. They swung open quickly.
"Amazing what you can do with lockpicks these days..." muttered the voice. I barely recognized it.
Before I had a chance to ask, I was dragged off down the dark corridors.
"Wait!" I said. "I'm missing my Navi and my chips!"
"There's no time for that..." the man muttered. Or rather, the boy muttered. I could see his figure as we entered a light corridor. The boy was Kiro Netto.
"HOLD IT!" I shouted, as we came to a small, well lit hallway. "I am not going anywhere with my Navi and my chips!"
I pulled my hand free of Kiro's grip. He grabbed for my hand again. "Comeon, we have to get out of here before security activates!"
I pulled my hand back, clenched my fist, and landed one straight on the netbattler's jaw. He reeled back a few steps, before crying out "What was that for?"
"I'm going back to find my Navi. You get yourself out of here. I'll be fine this time, trust me!" I harshly commanded, before turning and walking back.
Kiro dashed for me and grabbed my shoulder. I turned and chopped him in the side of the neck. "I told you I'm going back!"
I left the world-class netbattler stunned, as I dashed down the hall. I gave a quick look around. I had to find my PET!
"I'm down the hall!" came a familiar voice in my head. I looked down both.
"Which one is it?" I thought back.
"It's the one with the wall that's closer" Dynast's voice replied. I checked each one and dashed down the one on my left. I turned the corner at the end, going down a lavashly decorated hall. "Next door" Dynast said. I grabbed at a door on my left and opened it quickly.
"What are you doing here?" said a strange-looking man. He wore a black cape around himself, with a long grey shirt and pure-white jeans. At his neck was a circle with a symbol of a W and a three.
I looked around. I could see an empty room, except for a device in the center. I stared hard at the man, and then beyond him at the weird, floor-to-ceiling computer. I caught a PET sticking out of the side.
"Oh, you're here for the PET?" the man asked. "Sorry, no can do. I'm afraid we haven't had time to correctly copy the data of your Navi yet!"
I stopped cold. Copy my Navi? That was impossible... Well, I thought it was impossible.
"Oh no, we're not trying to copy the Navi, we're just getting the programming we need from him!" the man cackled maniacally. "Welcome to the new age of World Three!"
I took a couple steps back. World Three was a Net Crime organization famous for the creation of the Life Virus. They later returned, but was stopped cold soon into their operations. They're natural enemies of the ONBA. I looked over the man again.
"My name?" he asked me. I was shocked at how he knew I was going to ask that. "It's Kushada Wily. Oh, and yes, I am the great-grandson of Proffesor Wily, the creator of World Three!"
"Give me my Navi!" I demanded. Kushada shook his head, making a tutting noice with his tounge.
"Sorry, no can do, kid! I'm afraid I can't give you the Navi until I've gotten the bit of programming. Then I am free to let you take him!"
"Kid?" I whispered threateningly. I'd show him!
I dashed forward, shooting a devestating punch forward. Kushada didn't even flinch, as his open hand grabbed my right fist only inches in front of my face. I never hesitated, shooting my left hand to his side, and doing a circle kick towards his right side.
"Nice try!" Kushada whispered. His head backed up, dodging the fist easily, and he chopped the center of my leg, sending me off of balance. I swivled for a moment, and he socked me with a strong punch to the jaw, sending me flying.
I tryed to recover my vision. I stood up, my jaw bruised bad from the punch.
"Still got some fight in you?" the leader of World Three mocked. I dashed for him. He simply circled around in front of the door. I watched him for a moment. There was no way I could hit this guy!
I slowly moved backwards towards the device, reaching for my PET. I grabbed it in my hand, and I took an electric charge right down my arm. I grabbed it as it fell limp at my side.
"I told you I couldn't give you the PET!" Kushada smirked. "Feeling a bit... shocked?"
Koushada laughed. He was right. I couldn't possibly hit Kushada. I heard him laughing and laughing.
Suddenly, his laughter stopped as he fell forward. Behind him stood Juru, his hand right down the middle of where Koushada's back had once been. The door was wide open. Koushada's laughter had covered up the sound.
Juru dashed over to the system. "You okay, kiddo?" he asked me.
"My arm was paralyzed" I muttered. "Don't try to grab the PET."
Juru walked over to the computer. "Mmm... quite the work. Well, I guess this is easy enough to fix!"
Juru looked around until he found a strange slot. He grabbed something from his right pocket and stuck it in. It was a program of some sort. Juru pulled out the disk, and backed up. The computer's monitors shut off only moments later. The hum of the computer stopped at the same time.
"Instant Corruption!" Juru said. "Courtesy your father... I guess I never told you about the incident with the Mother Computer, did I?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Tell me later. Can we grab the PET now?"
Juru nodded, and he grabbed a chip folder. Giving it a look through, he proclaimed "Here's your chips!"
I grabbed Dynast's PET from the slot and looked it over. I heard Dynast's voice again. "That program. So familiar..."
Juru grabbed me, leading me off. I had lots of questions to ask, but now wasn't the time. We headed out the door and down the hall, leaving Kushada behind.
We used Dynast's map to find our way back through the halls. We climbed up a few stairs, and went through a variety of hallways, before leaving the large building. I looked behind us to get a shock.
Where we had come from was a cavern carved in a mountainside. The area nearby was a pure forest, with a waterfall running down the steep cliffs near the side. Juru led me down the cliffside.
"So that's where I've been this whole time" I muttered. "What exactly was the program you used?"
Juru continued moving, while trying to explain to me. "Your father was once responsible for the corruption of the Mother Computer of Electopia. As you know, the Mother Computer runs the entire system and internet of a country. He used this program like a Time Bomb while working for Gospel."
Gospel is another NetCrime organization, but it is long gone. It created the Multi-Bug Organism known as Gospel. According to the stories, it was deleted by Megaman.
"I was able to recreate that program a while ago. It's incredibly powerfull, but it can do harmfull things when used wrong."
I nodded. "So, how exactly does it work?"
"It corrupts the network and all the files on a system, basically rebooting it to the extreme basics. Of course, it takes the network a couple days to reboot..."
I gave a small laugh. Even Dynast was laughing in my PET. "I remember working for Gospel. Of course, don't think bad of me and your father, Hayato. We later did a 180 and smashed Gospel into tiny pieces."
"Well now. Next question" I began as we climbed down the cliffside. "What happened to you inside the Aquarium?"
"I am not sure, to tell you the truth. I simply found myself here. However, Kiro Netto released me, and I got sent on while he found you. He must have gotten out okay."
I nodded. As we reached the base, we headed through a path in the forest. I saw somebody not far ahead. Dynast informed me, and we quickly caught up to Kiro Netto.
"Thanks for helping me out back there" I said. Kiro glared at me. I could see a pair of bruises where I had hit him. He obviously didn't like that. "Sorry about that. I wasn't about to leave without the PET and my chips!"
That didn't help much, but at least I didn't get a smirky remark about it. We traveled together out of the forest, to a metroline station. Yeah, that's right, a metroline, or subway, station out in the middle of nowhere.
* * *
"So it's the World Three?" Ark spoke from the large monitor.
"Yes. The new leader is Koushada Wily, great-grandson of Proffesor Wily of the original World Three" I spoke.
"It makes me wonder why they tried to do things for good. Unless Koushada was, of course, being stupid when he made those mistakes" spoke Reggae.
"I ran the Time Bomb program in their main computer" Juru spoke. Shinju and Zennith exchange glances.
"I expect it was for a good reason, you should know that we forebade the use of the Time Bomb. Spare us the details for now" Freddy warned. "Do you remember where the Metroline link was?"
"Yes," Kiro said, but he stopped for a moment to think. "I doubt that Koushada would remain there though. The World Three headquarters is probably elsewhere, though."
Murmurs broke out among the navis and the netbattlers. Otoyo stood up, and everybody shushed.
"It seems to be decided that World Three is a major issue. We have to stop them before they do something serious. Hayato, what can you say were their plans from the brief time you spent there?" Otoyo questioned.
"I cannot say. However, they seemed quite interested in copying a bit of programming from Dynast" I explained. Dynast took off speaking right there.
"Although I'm not sure what Koushada is up to, I know he was after one of the basics of a truly strong Navi, a program you all know well, the Hub.bat. I've looked in on the matter. It seems that Hub.bat is something well known, but very rare. All of the navis here have a slightly diffrent version of the Hub.bat. He was trying to copy that part of Hub.bat."
Nemo was deep in thought. "Perhaps this pertains to... no, I'm thinking too much. I wish for this counsil to be dismissed."
Everybody nodded and left the room, around me and uncle Juru.
As Shinju passed by, he stopped and smiled at me. "Hayato, you're just like your father, you know. You're just like your father."
With that, he left. I looked at Juru. We nodded and left the room together.
We walked down the hall and passed a couple doors. As we passed the third one, we heard whispers coming from the room.
"What do you think it is, Nemo?" said the voice of Zennith. There was a moment of silence. We both peeked inside.
"I don't know. Using Hub.bat sounds so familiar to me, though" Nemo's voice spoke slowly.
"Are you sure you don't know about this?" Zennith questioned. Nemo's voice didn't respond.
"Of course I do. Well, not too much, but I have one theory. Perhaps it pertains to the notes of the X Prototype Models."
I looked at Juru. His eyes were wide open, a look of pure fear engraved on his face.
"The X Prototypes? You can't seriously believe that!" Zennith's voice spoke, in just as much disbelief as my uncle's face.
"I'm afraid that's what I think right now" Nemo said. "There are still three of the Prototype Navis. Megaman still exists, although he now works as security for Electopia..."
"One of the others is Bass, isn't it?" Zennith said. "What about the sixth design?"
The voice of Nemo paused for a second. "That design... I don't know why, but I seem to remember seeing it all the time. That is beyond the point. Weren't the Hub.bat used in all those Navis?"
I looked at my uncle, curiously. He wasn't paying attention though.
"Yes. All five of them. Even the sixth project had the Hub.bat in it. I doubt this has anything to do with the projects, though."
"Which were the two NetNavis that still exist freely?" Zennith's voice asked.
"Err... Prototype X002 is deactivated, and Prototype X005 has not been seen since the days of it's defeat by Hikari Netto. Please, I don't want to think of this. We should turn our minds to other matters."
That obviously ended the discussion. Without thinking, I ran down the hall towards the file library, not bothering with my stunned uncle.
Two questions raced through my mind. What are the X Prototype Models, and what did this have to do with Koushada and the Hub.bat?