A. N.'s: O.K., I made not one, but two of my famously huge mistakes in that chapter. Because I received some bad information, and didn't bother to double check it, I had DracoMan use a Dark Program Advance in that last chapter. Well, we can't have that can we? So I went back and changed it to the light version of that Advance.
And Lan now has a reaction to the HBD issue. Sorry, to all.
"Foolish Navi…"
Roll tensed as she heard that sickeningly familiar voice drift through the air, it was the grating voice of KendoMan DS. By her side, ProtoMan formed his sword and raised it to his face, evidently remembering his previous fight with the Dark Navi.
"Do you really think that you can defeat us?" KendoMan appeared a few short feet away, along with MegaMan DS.
The pink Navi gasped as she caught sight of her friend; it was evident that Nebula had completely fused MegaMan with his Dark Soul, as his entire appearance had changed. MegaMan's frame was now more muscular, and his blue tones were much darker. The tapered parts of his boots now had small spikes jutting out at various angles, as did his dark blue gloves. The knuckles on his gloves were tipped with steel and spines. And the two light blue lines on his helmet were now razor sharp.
"What have they done to you?"
"Nebula has taught me true power." The Dark Bomber folded his arms across his chest, "And in return, I am glad to serve them."
"MEGAMAN!"
"Quiet, human!" The dark blue Navi snapped in response to his former Op's outburst. "You disowned me when you inserted that Dark Chip, you knew what it would do to me, yet you did anyway. What kind of Operator are you!"
"You know that's not the truth." Roll took a step forward, causing MegaMan DS to form his Buster. "You told Lan to insert that chip to save me. And while your dark side may not want to admit it, the real MegaMan knows that… The MegaMan that we want to come back…"
"Enough talk." The Dark Bomber leveled his weapon at the pink Navi. "I know well and good what happened, now, either fight me, or get out of here!"
"KendoMan's ours." Chaud's voice exploded through the Network; "We owe him one for the last battle."
"FINE!" MegaMan DS snapped, "I'll destroy that pink pest myself! Dark Buster!"
Roll gaped as her former friend fired at her. Not so much in shock at being attacked, but because of the size of the Bomber's attack. Unlike in the past, the energy exploding out of MegaMan's cannon was massive; at least five times the size of his normal shots.
"Roll, move!"
Snapping out of her daze, the pink wonder tossed herself to her left, just as the blast of firepower whipped through the spot she had just vacated. Without breaking her momentum, the pink Navi tumbled out of her leap and was instantly shooting back into the air.
At the apex of her leap, Roll suddenly blew a kiss, forming a small pink heart. The next second she had plucked the heart out of the air and sent her arm whipping around in front of her, causing a hailstorm of pink heart-shaped lasers to flood the sky and rain down on her opponent. "Roll Blast!"
"Huh, pitiful..." The Dark Bomber leapt upward, easily vaulting over the heart attack. The next second he had his Buster pointed at Roll, and was cutting loose with intense rounds of Dark Rapid Fire.
"Shadow, Battle Chip in, Download!" Maylu sent a card whizzing into her Terminal.
The chip's properties took effect, and dimmed out Roll's frame as she began plunging to the ground below. The move allowed the attacks to race through her without causing a shred of damage.
The second the pink Navi hit the ground, she had her bow formed about her right wrist.
"MegaMan, remember who you are!" Roll shouted as she lined up her weapon to fire. "I know you're in there somewhere! MegaMan!"
A smirk appearing on MegaMan DS's face, the Navi hit the ground as a sharp purple blade exploded out of his Buster's barrel. Before Roll could react, the Dark Bomber was directly in front of her, his blade coming down…
"I hate to break it to you, but MegaMan's gone, sugar."
10101010101010101010101010101010
"HIA!"
The two blades met and retreated as the two battlers leapt backward, putting some distance between them.
ProtoMan hit the ground, his sword already cutting through space and unleashing a crescent of energy on his opponent. "Sonic Boom!"
The purple attack shot through the air, KendoMan slipped to one side, allowing the beam to snip past his shoulder. Instantly the dark Navi was on the move, racing in towards his opponent with sword upraised.
The Raider vaulted away, avoiding the thrust of KendoMan's attack. Once he had enough distance, the red Navi spun around in place, unleashing another Sonic Boom attack. His shot ripped through the air, but again failed as KendoMan slipped away.
"That's it, don't fight a pitched battle." Chaud nodded his approval to his Navi. "Keep KendoMan off guard and moving… we can do this. Now, Long Sword, Battle Chip in, Download! And Delta Ray Edge, Battle Chip in, Download!"
One second, a red hilt had appeared around the Raider's wrist as a blue tinted blade sprang to life from the hilt. The next, a blurred red triangle appeared around KendoMan as ProtoMan teleported directly in front of the DS Navi and then raced around him slashing repeatedly. Once the maneuver was finished, the Red Raider used the chip's power to 'blink' back to his starting point.
ProtoMan kept his blade raised as he focused on his opponent.
KendoMan merely smirked; his defensive barrier had effectively saved him from the attack.
"Blast, that Dark Aura."
"He blocked our attack, true, but we did manage to weaken it slightly." Chaud noticed a lessening in the barrier's intensity. "Good work."
"Nice try, but let me show you true power!" KendoMan snapped as he lunged across the Network. His frame became nothing more than a red blur as he shot across space, sword ready to swing, at his opponent.
"Now! Elec. Blade, Battle Chip in, Download!"
ProtoMan held onto his Long Sword, as a silver sword trimmed in a sparking blue glow appeared about his left wrist. The Raider crossed his blades across his chest, tensing in anticipation of the Dark Navi's arrival.
The two swordsmen met in a shower of sparks. Then KendoMan continued his charge past his rival.
ProtoMan turned slightly so that he could see his opponent out of the corner of his eye.
"Not bad, you deflected my attack." The fencing master's voice was filled with venomous approval. "But failed to harm me again. When will you learn that my Dark Aura can't be defeated?"
"AAHH!"
"Roll!" Maylu screamed into her Terminal. She wasn't sure just what had happened, but from the sounds of that, it couldn't be good.
"I'm… fine…" The pink Navi gasped as she cradled her wounded arm with her left hand. MegaMan DS's blade had just barely missed her torso, and instead ripped into her right arm. Now she was fighting a DS Navi with a serious handicap, not the best position in the world to be in.
"Hm, I wonder what your old MegaMan would say about this?" The Dark Bomber studied his handiwork, a satisfied grin appearing on his face. "Admit it, sugar, you can't beat us, so why not join us?"
The pink Navi's head snapped up, determination was filling her eyes. "Don't call me sugar. And I'll never give into Nebula. MegaMan, I know you're in there somewhere, somewhere inside of that monster. You can beat him! MegaMan, you're the strongest Net Navi the world has ever known, are you going to let one little chip destroy you like this? You can stop him, I know it, MegaMan!"
"You finished?" The Dark Navi folded his arm and sword over his chest to show his annoyance. "Face it, your MegaMan's gone. I'm the new MegaMan now."
"No, you're just some cheap chip with his frame. You're not MegaMan, the real MegaMan still exists, and he's going to overthrow you!"
"Dream on, sugar." The Dark Bomber unfolded his arms, "Last chance, join us or get deleted."
"Never." Roll set her jaw, and prepared for the inevitable. But if she was going out, she was going out fighting, without hesitation she formed her Bow…
"See you." MegaMan DS raised his blade for the final strike.
"ROLL, NO!"
"MEGAMAN! Cut it out! That' s Roll, you can't do this!" Lan screamed frantically into his P.E.T.
"Just for that, its Deletion City for her." A wicked gleam appeared in the Dark Navi's eyes as he began to drop his blade.
"I don't think so, Roll Arrow!" The pink wonder's arms hot up, bringing her weapon to bear on the Dark Navi. With a look of regret, she 'pulled the trigger', sending her arrow into MegaMan DS with full force. Her shot hit home, and under its tremendous force, the Bomber was hurled backward through the Network for five full seconds before he hit the ground with a sickening thud.
"Uh…" Roll's strength gave out, as her wound continued draining her energy away. She didn't know how much longer she could keep this up as she crashed to her hands and knees…
A sharp cry drew the pink Navi's attention, and she snapped her head up to see ProtoMan crash to the ground as he took a critical hit from his opponent. Before she could react to his distress, she felt two rough hands grabbing her from behind, and the next instant she was flying through the air.
"There, KendoMan," MegaMan DS dusted his hands off from tossing his adversary through the air. And he gave a satisfied smile as he watched Roll crash to the ground next to her ally. "Finish this up."
"With pleasure…" The Dark Fencing Master replied as he moved to tower over the two downed opponents. "Which one should I take out first?"
"Ah, get rid of the pink one."
"Fine by me." KendoMan DS raised his blade, preparing to delete Roll once and for all…
"NO!" Maylu rifled through her folder, desperately trying to find something to help. "Roll, I can't loose you!"
"Maylu, I'm sorry." The pink Navi's head dropped as she closed her eyes and waited for her life to end. "I wasn't strong enough…"
KendoMan brought his sword down…
He never finished the strike.
What Roll could only describe as a spiked red Frisbee came flying through the air, and collided solidly with KendoMan. The force of impact knocked the swordsman backward, and made him miss his intended victim.
"What was that?" The pink Navi wondered as she struggled to her feet, still cradling her injured arm.
"I know that move." ProtoMan muttered, as he too stood upright. "That belongs to Punk!"
"Punk?"
"One of Famous' many Navi." Chaud explained for both Maylu and Roll's benefit.
"But if Punk's here, that means Famous is too!" Lan's eyes narrowed as he thought about the scientist. "We don't need his help, he's already done enough!"
"So we screwed up," Punk, a spindly Navi with red spiked boots, chest armor, and titanic circular shoulder pads, stepped into view as he addressed Lan's comment. "But we're gonna put things right. We owe you kids that much."
The brunette bit his lip, apparently holding back an angry outburst. It was plain to everyone that he still hadn't forgiven Famous for deceiving them.
"Now then," Punk joined his allies, and turned to face the two Dark Navi. "It's time for round two!"
"And this time, it's a whole new Netbattle. Recovery 50, Battle Chip in, Download!" Maylu announced. Her move sent waves of energy down to Roll, boosting her healing abilities and repairing the damage done to her Navi's arm.
"Right." Roll nodded as she flexed her repaired arm, working the kinks out of it. "As you, MegaMan, once said: 'This battle isn't over yet!'"
"And this time, we won't stop until we free you!"
"Ring Unison, Battle Chip in, Unite!" Maylu slid the disk home.
A shadowy form of Ring materialized over Roll, before a burst of light hid her from view. The next second, Roll was standing resolute, her armor changed to match Ring's frame.
"Dark Buster!" MegaMan DS went back on the offensive, filling the sky with his intense firepower.
"I don't think so, Ring Zap Rings!" Roll whipped about in place, and then swung her arm out wide, unleashing several sparking bands of electricity. Her attack shot through space, ripped through the Dark Navi's shots, and continued on to crash into the Dark Bomber's arm cannon.
MegaMan howled in misery as a wave of electrical current flooded his arm. As soon as he was able, he hefted his cannon and tried to fire, only to find his weapon useless; the Zap Ring had shorted it out.
"Sit tight, I'll take her out." KendoMan DS snapped to his ally. Instantly he was vaulting through the air, sword raised, and heading towards his small opponent.
"Not so fast, Area Steal, Fighter Sword, Download!"
Before KendoMan could finish his strike, the determined ProtoMan appeared before him as the Raider teleported across space with the Area Steal. The next second a long arrow shaped sword had burst into existence on his right arm. Quickly ProtoMan hauled back and cut loose, slicing his blade through the air in front of him.
KendoMan didn't even have time to shout, or more importantly, to raise his Dark Aura. He took the attack full force, and was sent plummeting backward across the Network.
"My turn." Punk tensed his silver arms, "Punk Fist!"
The spindly Navi's arms shot out as they extended, colliding solidly with the two Dark Navi. His punches succeeded in knocking the wind out of them, and decking the two dark allies.
"Not bad." A smirk appeared on MegaMan DS's face; with a grunt, the Dark Bomber righted himself.
"But not good enough." KendoMan finished the statement as he got to his feet.
Before the other's eyes, another Dark Sword appeared about MegaMan DS's hand, which he raised defensively.
"But let's see how you handle this…"
Roll screamed as her Unison shattered.
ProtoMan gasped he felt the force of the attack.
Punk merely moaned and dropped to the floor.
The trio of light Navi never knew what hit them. The next second they were lying on the ground, moaning, as the two Dark Navi appeared behind them and deactivated their swords.
"Pitiful…" The Dark Bomber grinned at his opponents.
"It doesn't matter what we try," Roll gasped as she rolled to her knees. "We always end up decked, and they haven't even broken a sweat."
"But we can't give up." Maylu commented, "Not until MegaMan's back with us."
"But at the same time, we can't get ourselves deleted." ProtoMan spoke his opinion; "It might be better if we retreat for a moment."
Punk growled in frustration as he flipped upright; he wasn't going to give up. Not now or ever! If it were the last thing he ever did!
"NO." The pink Navi snapped as she too righted herself, "I'm not giving up, not until we get those two back."
"Me neither." The spindle Navi snapped, "KendoMan, you can resist all you want, but I will knock some sense into your thick head!"
"And you might as well accept it too, MegaMan!" The pink wonder announced, "Because I'm going to keep hounding you until you remember just who you are!"
"Here we go." ProtoMan shook his head; he knew where this was going. "Cue up the guitar music…"
The crest on Roll's chest sparked for a second, and then exploded into a sea of light.
"We can't defeat 'em separate." Punk nodded, "But we can clobber 'em together!"
"Like we're going to give you the chance!" MegaMan DS snapped, as he reformed his Buster and sent his plasma attacks ripping through the air rapid fire, "I'll destroy you first!"
Before anyone could react, his shots hit home. The Dark Bomber's firepower exploded against Roll and Punk, burying them under the waves of energy pouring out of MegaMan's Buster.
"Let's see you Unison when you're deleted!" The Dark Bomber laughed wildly as he continued to fire a steady stream at his opponents.
The attacks continued crashing into the duo, exploding into flame, dust, and smoke that obscured the two Navi from view.
"ROLL!"
"PUNK!"
Finally, MegaMan stopped firing, satisfied with his handiwork.
And then his jaw dropped in shock. This couldn't be!
The smoke was thinning out, allowing everyone to see two Net Navi standing unharmed in the flames: Punk and Roll Punk Unison.
Roll's boots were now a deep red color and ran up to cover her knees, a small steel pearl was set in the kneepad of each. Her bodysuit had turned black, and her chest was now encased in thick red vest with silver trim. Two decent sized shoulder-pads hung from her vest, each one tipped with gray trim. Her gloves were red with silver markings, as was her helmet.
"We told you." Punk snapped as he hauled back his arm, "We ain't stopping until you're free!"
"And there's nothing you can do about it!" Roll agreed as she cocked her arm.
"Don't worry about a thing." KendoMan smirked to his ally as a sickish purple mist surrounded them. "We're protected by my Dark Aura."
"Yeah, but the Dark Aura didn't work out so well for PlantMan." The Dark Bomber pointed out.
Acting together, Roll and Punk went racing across the Network as they closed in on their opponents.
"Pathetic, they'll never get past my Dark Aura." The fencing Navi smirked in satisfaction.
"We'll see about that!"
"Huh?" KendoMan turned his head to see ProtoMan leaping at them from the right.
The Raider raised his sword, and began his descent towards the two Dark Navi.
"North Wind, Download!"
"North Wind!" The Raider swept his blade through space, unleashing a powerful gust of air that exploded down onto the two dark allies.
Before his eyes, KendoMan watched his Dark Aura begin to seep away and dissipate. He couldn't believe it! That puny little Battle Chip was eroding his barrier away, and ProtoMan wasn't letting up! The red pest was sending more of that wretched wind away, destroying his Dark Aura and leaving them defenseless.
"Double Punk Fist!"
"AAHH!" KendoMan felt a rock hard hand slam into his stomach, he had been too preoccupied with his failing defense to dodge the attack. The next thing he knew he was sailing through the air, and then he slammed into the ground, head first.
The world went dark as he lost consciousness.
Following Punk's lead, Roll rammed her fist into MegaMan DS. "Sorry, MegaMan…"
The Dark Bomber went flying across the Network, and crashed to the ground, hard.
"KendoMan's out like a light." The spindly Navi nodded in satisfaction, "Now I can take him back to Famous, and he'll be as good as new."
"Yeah, but we'll have to get past MegaMan first." Roll pointed to the Bomber, who was getting to his feet. "What's it take to stop him?"
"A lot." ProtoMan rejoined his allies.
"No kidding." The unisoned Navi shook her head.
"This ends now!" MegaMan DS lifted his Buster and fired at his opponents.
"Lightning Strike!"
A burst of electrical power came out of nowhere, and obliterated MegaMan DS's Buster shot.
"That move." Maylu gasped as her mind registered the voice. "It belongs to Otis and DracoMan!"
"DracoMan!" Roll glanced up; to see the blue cloaked Navi beam into the Network, a White Dragon at his side.
Without a word to the trio of allies, DracoMan turned to the Dark Bomber, and launched into his speech.
"MegaMan, I have come to do battle, and reclaim my honor."
"NO!" Lan screamed into his P.E.T., certain that Otis could hear him through the Network. "Otis, I won't let you delete MegaMan, no matter how renegade he is!"
"Tough." Otis' voice snapped back, "You put your Navi into Dark Soul, now I have every right to delete him. Say good-bye to the Navi. Do it DracoMan!"
"Yes, sir. Lightning Strike!"
At his master's command, the White Dragon by DracoMan's side opened its mouth, and sent a blast of lightning exploding across the Network at his opponent.
"Air Burst!"
"Oh no…" Roll Punk Unison gasped.
A purple orb of power rocketed through the air, and collided solidly with the Lightning Strike, destroying it completely.
"That means, BASS!" ProtoMan spoke the obvious.
A gagging sound caught everyone's attention; quickly they looked over to see Bass standing behind MegaMan DS…
The Black Shadow's arm was locked around the struggling Dark Navi's throat, and he showed no signs of letting go of the Bomber's neck anytime soon.
"NO!" Roll refused to just stand by and watch Bass destroy her friend, "Let him go!"
"DracoMan," Bass ignored the order, instead focusing his attention on the brown virus-summoning Navi. "Forget your plans."
Having issued his threat, the Black Shadow turned his attention back to MegaMan DS. "Come with me."
With that, the two Navi vanished in a burst of data, leaving the others behind.
"NO!" Roll screamed after them, what did Bass want with MegaMan?
"My apologies, sir." DracoMan ignored the girl, and turned back to his operator.
Otis didn't reply, but just logged his Navi out of the Network.
"I… I don't get it." The pink Navi's unison dissolved as she turned back to her companions, "Why did Bass want MegaMan?"
Unfortunately, none of them had any answers to that question.
Next: (Did you think I'd forget, Vokteren?) StarMan!