Note from Laura: The account's acting really weird, so if this isn't formatted right, don't blame me!

Yep, you guys are stuck with me again. -evil grin-

Cloud Strife Omega, -dodges phoenix attack- let's think about the logic here for a few seconds. -thinks hard- Webbuilder's the author; he and I are the only ones who know the ending. So, by killing us with your phoenix, you effectively remove the only people who can finish this fic. As a result, you'll be left hanging forever. Uh, that doesn't sound too smart to me.

Spector Von Baron. Actually, Webbuilder was going for the irony of Chaud using Blind Mode against someone who's, well, blind. But that is a coincidence.

Vokteren, considering the fact that neither of us has ever seen Battle Chip Challenge, that's not too bad is it? -thinks- So... what did we tie into? I'd like to know. Webbuilder's fine, he's just out of town right now, so I'm making the updates.

Bluedarkyugi, Webbuilder can relate.

Why's everyone so hard on Chaud? I mean, sure he can be a jerk sometimes, but he's going to have more than enough problems with Proto-Man DS when Axess gets to the U.S.

Begin Chapter

Wednesday 3:15 PM.

With Roll's help I was making my way along the streets of Dan Tech City.

At first, everyone had been very protective of me, but now that I had proven to myself, along with everyone else, that I wasn't helpless, they were slowly allowing me to live my life again. Even Lan had accepted the fact that I could be independent, at least, he had after Mega-Man had drilled it through his thick head.

I really wasn't out here for any special reason, I just felt like walking, listening to the sounds of the world and imagining the changes that had occurred over the past six weeks. It didn't really seem that long, but it had been.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by a familiar voice, it took me a second to place it. "Hi, Mary!"

"Hello Maylu." She replied timidly, "Congratulations on winning the Tournament."

"Well, thank you." I tried to pinpoint exactly where she was. "I didn't hear you competing out there, did you enter?"

"No, I thought we'd wait until the next Tournament before we went back into competition." I had it now, she was in front of me, and slightly to the right.

"I told her we should've entered." Mary's Navi, Ring, spoke up, "But she didn't think we could find a partner in time."

"Well, maybe next time we can team up." I was amused by the two's difference in personalities.

"Why not?" Ring asked. "It couldn't hurt."

"I don't know..." Our friend sounded hesitant.

"I'd look forward to it." Roll tried to sway Mary. "We'd make a great team."

"I suppose we could..."

"Great, it's settled then." I didn't give her a chance to change her mind. "We'll just have to find out when the next tournament is. But for now, would you like to walk with me?"

"I would," Mary seemed to be brightening a little. "But were are you going?"

"Anywhere." I replied, "I just felt like walking today."

"Well, I'm really on my way to the Deli down the street."

"Then that's were we'll go." I nodded for her. "Is the way clear, Roll?"

"There's one intersection about ten yards away," My Navi replied, "Aside from that, your cane should do."

"Thanks," I held out my hand, and Mary took it. Together we headed up the street, the intersection was no problem, because Roll and I had learned to work together on such matters. She subtly let me know when the way was clear. And together we entered the Deli.

As I let Mary take care of her business, I allowed my mind run a little, recalling the various events of my life. A few moments later, my friend was done and we turned to leave, only to discover that the doors were closed and locked tight.

"What's going on?" I pressed on door as hard as I could.

"It won't open!" My friend agreed.

"Neither will this one!" The clerk behind the register shouted, I assumed he was talking about the 'Employee's Only' door.

"Then let's find out why." I held up my P-E-T, "Roll, do you see any place to jack in at?"

"Here's a place." Mary answered before Roll could.

"It looks like we're going to be partners a little early," I gave her a wry smile, "Ready?"

"I don't know..."

"We're ready." Ring interrupted, "Let's go!"

I stretched out and found the connection, "Jack in, Roll!"

"Jack in, Ring!"

"We're in!" My Navi informed me, just before she cried out and a loud crash sounded. "Maylu! Help!"

"What's going on?"

"I'm gonna delete her, that's what!" Turbine's voice shot through the Network. "We're back for revenge!"

An explosion poured out of the computer's speakers, Roll and Ring cried out as a crash sounded.

I snapped my folder open, "Hang on!"

"Well, well, if it isn't little Ms. Maylu." Roy's voice greeted me, "and another weak Net Op too. This time I'm

going to wipe the floor with you!"

"That's what you think!" My Navi shouted. "Are you ready?"

"I'm set." I agreed, "Heater, Battle Chip in, Download!"

"Heater!" Roll cried as she fired.

"Ring Shot!"

"Missiles!" Our opponent roared, I heard his shots connect with something and explode. Our attacks had never reached him.

"Try again, Aqua-Tower! Battle Chip in, Download!"

"Cool it!" My friend quipped as she released the chip's power.

Turbine chuckled, and I heard the Tower cancel out without hitting anything. He had dodged.

"Seeker Missiles!" Our attacker shouted.

"Popup! Download!" I sent the chip home.

"Barrier, download!" Mary cried.

An explosion erupted, and a few seconds later Roll assured me that she was alright, "The missiles couldn't track me

while I was invisible, so they just blew up. And Ring's barrier worked perfectly."

"Let's show him the power of Wood-Shadow Style!" I instructed.

"I'm ready!" She agreed.

I activated the move, and Roll began to transform.

"Knock her out." Roy shouted, "Time-bomb! Battle Chip in, Download!"

"Roger!" Turbine agreed, "This should blow just as they finish changing!"

I had a sinking feeling, they were right.

The Bomb blew.

"Now to make certain that we delete her." Roy shouted.

"Let me have it!" Our opponent cried out, "I need the power!"

"Good-bye annoying Navis," Roy said, the hate lacing his voice. "DARK STAGE! Battle Chip in, Download!"

"Is he crazy!?" Roll, Ring, Mary, and I exclaimed.

"The power!" Turbine roared. "Dark Stage!"

My hands were shaking, Roy had just sent Turbine one of the most powerful Dark Chips in existence. All Dark Chips were dangerous, but this one was the worst, Roll gasped as her side of the field became a murky swamp, we weren't in that much danger because Roll's ability to heal herself pretty much canceled out the swamp's destructive power, but Ring was another story.

"Now, I summon, Torch-Man! Air-Man! And Freeze-Man!" Our opponent cried, "Destroy Them!"

"I don't think so!" We cried, "Program Advance!"

"Typhoon, Hurricane, Cyclone, Download!" Roll and me cried in perfect unison, "Program Advance: Desert Storm!" The driving wind swept over the field, crashing into all four Navi. The attack swept past them and then

vanished.

"Nice try." Turbine smirked, "But not good enough!"

"They're still standing!" Ring cried in panic.

"Fire-Arm!" Torch-Man screeched.

"Tornado!" Air-Man exclaimed.

"Amazon Spears!" Feeze-Man chimed in.

A deafening explosion poured out of the speakers, Roll and Ring screamed before falling to the ground.

"Maylu," She gasped, "I'm... sorry... I'm not strong... enough."

"Roll, you're one of the strongest in the world!" I corrected her, "If you need to logout, do it, I don't want to loose you."

"I can't." She continued.

"You can't, this is a deletion battle." Roy stated, "So it's good-bye, Roll!"

"NO!" I shouted, "Roll, we've got to get you out of there!"

"Sorry, but no can do." Turbine mocked us, his voice dropping deeper and deeper. "Finish her off!"

"ROLL!" I shouted. "Please, no!"

"Uh," I heard her groan.

"Allow me..." Torch-Man rumbled, "Fire-Arm!"

"I'm not giving up!" My friend cried as Torch-Man unleashed his power.

"Not so fast, flambé," I slammed a chip into my terminal, "You forgot about our Area-Steal!"

"I've got you, Ring!"

With a barely audible hiss, the chip took effect, warping the Navis to temporary safety.

"Tornado!" Air-Man tried to outdo Torch-Man.

"Leaf-Shield!" I cried.

"Stay behind me!" Roll instructed her comrade.

The shield worked fine, and protected them.

"Amazon Spears!" Freeze-Man called out.

"I've got this one!" Mary said, "Area-Steal, Battle Chip in, Download!"

"You fools!" Turbine screeched, "Work together!"

"Right," The three dark Navis announced before firing off again.

There was no defense that would work.

Ring and Roll tumbled to the ground, things didn't look good, the Style Change was long gone, and we couldn't even put a dent into Turbine's plan.

"It's been fun, Roll." Ring slowly said. "But we're through."

"Don't give up," My pink friend chided, "We can beat these guys."

"I'd like to see how." Turbine sounded overjoyed, "Finish them off!"

The dark Navis released their firepower again.

"I'm not going to make it!" Ring moaned, "Good-bye, Mary."

"NO!" I could hear the tears in her voice, "Please don't go!"

"RING!" Roll shouted just as a deafening explosion poured out of our terminals.

End Chapter

Next: Did Ring get deleted? Can they stop a souped up Turbine? Why am I asking these ridiculous questions? You'll hopefully find out Firday. And Webbuilder'll be back! Yes!