Ri2, I doubt it. But hey, who knows?
M. Critic, actually, I chalk the quality of the Seto Kaiba rip up to my ignorance of the YGO realm.
And we're rapidly closing in on the end of this fic. I count one more battle and then we're all set to wrap this up.
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"Nice knowing you." MegaMan DS prepared to bring his blade down.
Roll's eyes jumped about, trying to find some way out of this mess. It was then that she saw it, the answer to their problems.
The wounded Ultimate Dragon, the beast had never been destroyed, just heavily damaged.
"Come on big guy." The pink Navi rushed over to the dragon, a small pink heart forming in her hands. "We've got a Navi to save…"
A short distance away, MegaMan DS's sword began its descent. In a matter of seconds, this meddling DracoMan would be no more…
"Lightning Strike!"
A blast of electrical energy exploded against MegaMan's frame, the huge impact sent him flying across the Network. And as a result he never finished his strike to delete the dragon Navi.
DracoMan twisted about, trying to find out just what had saved him. He got his answer when he spotted his Ultimate Dragon flying across the ground towards him, and there, seated firmly on the beast's shoulders was a familiar pink Navi…
"She stole my Dragon from me…" Otis' voice clearly identified the fact that he was not pleased with these developments.
With a groan, MegaMan DS slammed into the ground. Instantly he was back on his feet. With a battle cry, he formed his Mega Buster and sighted on DracoMan, he'd take this Navi out if it were the last thing he ever did! A split second later a burst of his firepower was racing across the Network towards his downed opponent.
"DracoMan!" Roll shouted a warning as she guided the wounded virus towards its former master. "Quick, jump on!"
The caped Navi had just gotten to his feet, when he heard that warning. As the Ultimate Dragon shot past him, the Sharrian Navi leapt onto the virus' back. An instant passed and the Dark Navi's attack ripped through the now vacant spot.
"This is impossible." DracoMan marveled at the events unfolding before him. "The White Dragons have never obeyed another Navi before…"
"I guess it just likes me." The pink Navi shrugged, keeping her 'Roll Control' ability a secret, and then turned to address her new 'pet'. "All right, boy, come in for an easy landing."
Obediently, the huge Dragon gently settled down on the floor. Once it had come to a stop, it lowered itself to all fours, and allowed the two Navi to dismount.
"And just how long do you intend to keep this up?" The Dark Bomber turned to face his opponents. "You are only delaying the inevitable. It's only a matter of time before I destroy you."
"Roll, I appreciate the rescue," DracoMan ignored the taunt coming from the Dark Navi; he had more important business to attend to. "But you shouldn't have bothered… I have failed again, and I am too injured to continue this fight. I have lost all of my honor now."
"Listen," The pink wonder turned away from MegaMan to face her new ally. "DracoMan, you've got this all wrong. Honor isn't about winning every match that comes your way, it's about carrying out your actions with dignity. You know; when you refused to use that Poison Pharaoh P. A., you showed a great amount of honor. You refused to make a move that would put others, who weren't your opponents, in danger, and that makes you an honorable Navi in my sight."
For a long moment, all was still as the Dragon Navi processed this idea. Then ignoring the idea, he changed topics completely.
"Roll, You've proven yourself worthy of my power, and so I pass it on to the better warrior."
Roll's eyes widened as her crest ignited for the second time that day.
"Use it with honor… your honor."
"I will, I promise you that."
"SOUL UNISON!"
Roll turned to face her opponent, as her new armor materialized. First, her boots switched to a deep brown color with a silver band running across her knees. As her bodysuit turned completely black, a brown form-fitting piece of chest armor locked into place, two large, brown shoulder-pads tipped with silver appeared. Next, her gloves shifted to bronze as a tattered blue cape rolled out from under her shoulder-pads. Finally, her helmet became chestnut, with two silver triangles decorating the front sides at 45-degree angles. "Draco Unison!"
"Alright, MegaMan, it's time to knock some sense into you!"
"So you've got a new look." MegaMan DS shrugged as he raised his Mega Buster. "But you'll never defeat me!"
Roll remained silent as the Dark Bomber fired his cannon; she had to wait for just the right moment…
The burst of energy rushed closer.
"Now!" The transformed Navi's hand shot up, palm open. Quickly she pointed her hand outward as a rush of data blew past her, and began forming another virus on the field. "Chibi Dragon!"
A roar split the air…
In response to her cry, a smaller, much more cartoonish, rubbery version of the White Dragon Virus materialized in front of Roll. With a high-pitched growl its mouth dropped open, expelling a burst of electrical energy that raced across the field. The dragon's shot exploded into MegaMan DS's, destroying both attacks.
"WHAT IS THAT THING?" Otis' voice ripped through the air. "What did you do to my dragon?"
"Isn't it cute?" Roll smiled back in reply, "It just makes you want to 'huggle' it!"
"Graaaw." The Chibi Dragon's face went beet red, as it ducked its head in embarrassment.
"That thing's a!"
"Careful how you talk about my dragon!" The unisoned Navi snapped, "I like him just the way he is."
"Ugh." Lan winced as he looked at the cartoon-virus.
"What's wrong?" Maylu overheard the Op's comment. "Is this about the dragon?"
"Let me put it this way." The brunette grimaced, "That Chibi Dragon can only be described as freakishly scary with intent to be cute."
Back in the Network, MegaMan was extremely unimpressed by the new player.
"We'll see how well that thing fares against this…" The Dark Navi raised his arm as a shadowy Dark Sword burst into existence.
"If you insist." Roll turned and vaulted back onto the Ultimate Dragon's back. At her command the beast lifted off of the ground, and began skimming the floor as it raced towards her opponent.
"Sword of Legends!" The caped female Navi raised her right arm as a handheld sword appeared between her fingers.
MegaMan hefted his blade, and rushed forward at his adversary.
Roll set her eyes in determination as she rode her virus closer to the renegade Navi.
The two battlers met in a shower of sparks. And then the two blew past each other continuing on their way. Neither one had landed a hit.
"Not bad, but useless." The Dark Bomber turned around to face his opponent.
"Alright, its time to end this and get you back." Roll circled her dragon around, and lined up with the Dark Navi. "Chibi Dragon!"
"Rah!" The miniature virus perked up as it heard its name.
"Attack MegaMan, Tiny Lightning!" The dragon master ordered her virus, before turning her attention back to the Ultimate Dragon. "Let's go, big guy!"
"And, forgive me MegaMan, but I don't have a choice." Roll pointed her blade at the Dark Navi. "Attack!"
The Chibi Dragon its electrical firepower.
MegaMan grinned as his Buster whipped up. A split second later, a burst of energy was exploding away from his gun barrel. "Dark Mega Buster!"
"And you forgot about this guy!"
The Dark Navi's head snapped around, to see Roll, still riding her Ultimate Dragon, approaching his attack at a right angle.
"Prepare to attack!" The Unisoned Navi instructed her beast.
A growl escaped the White Dragon, as it's mouth opened. A white orb of electrical power lit up the back of its throat as the Dragon waited for the order to proceed.
"Aim for MegaMan's Buster shot. Now! Lightning Strike Attack!"
An explosion of energy whipped through the air, as the Dragon cut loose its power. The colossal attack ripped through space, and continued on to shred the Dark Bomber's attack to ribbons.
And now that MegaMan DS's Buster attack had been neutralized, the way was clear for the Chibi Dragon's attack to race on, right into the Dark Navi.
As the Ultimate Dragon landed, and Roll dismounted, the Chibi Dragon's attack exploded around MegaMan, erasing him from view.
The pink wonder waited as her Unison dissolved; seconds passed before the Tiny Lightning had finished its course.
The disheveled figure of a battered MegaMan DS came into view, apparently he had taken a pounding from that attack.
"Well," The Dark Navi looked up, rearing himself back to his full height. "I'll give you credit for trying, Sugar."
"He still hasn't given up!" ProtoMan gasped in disbelief.
"Powerful attack." The Dark Bomber continued to address Roll. "But not nearly powerful enough. But like I said, nice try, Sugar."
A growl slipped from the pink Navi's throat, the next instant she was lunging forward through the air. Her right hand cocked back, palm open, as she stared into the look of bewildered horror appearing on MegaMan's face.
"DON'T CALL ME 'SUGAR'!" Roll's hand snapped around, feeling a small twinge of satisfaction as she slapped the Dark Navi's face.
"Huh?"
Roll snapped around, to see one her opponent looking completely bewildered. It took her a second to notice it: MegaMan's eyes had lost their sharpness, the REAL MegaMan was currently in control.
"What… what happened?" The Bomber glanced about at himself, his face twisting in disgust of his beefed up armor. "And what am I wearing?"
"He's back!" Lan's voice rang through the Network, "MEGAMAN!"
"Mega… you're really back?" Roll couldn't believe her eyes; this was the moment she had looked forward to…
"Yeah, I guess so- BurnerMan!"
The Pink Navi's head whipped around, to see the flaming Navi materialize behind her a short distance away.
And it was clear that the Nebular Navi wasn't pleased with this development.
"Well, well, you broke through his Dark Soul, impressive." The fire Navi raised a hand, twisting his fingers together. "But I'm afraid that it just won't last…"
BurnerMan snapped his fingers with an audible 'pop'. Almost in response, MegaMan's face took on a mask of pain as he threw his hands over his ear-guards.
"What- what's happening?" Roll, Maylu, and Lan shouted in unison.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" MegaMan screamed in reply. His frame began convulsing as he desperately fought the dark powers trying to emerge once again. "I can- I can't keep his back! He's trying to come back!"
"NO!" The brunette screamed into his P.E.T., he'd just gotten MegaMan back, he wouldn't loose him again!
"That's it, come back to your true allies, the world of Nebula." BurnerMan replied in a deceptively hypnotic voice.
"Fight it, MegaMan! You're stronger than that thing!"
"Too many voices!" The Bomber shuddered as he continued to press his hands against his ears, in an effort to quell the ideas racing through his mind. "I WANT IT TO STOP!"
"Come back to Nebula…"
"NO! MegaMan!"
"AAUGH!" The Bomber screamed against the ideals struggling within him.
"ENOUGH!"
Roll's voice shot through the air, bringing the shouting match to a complete stop, and silencing both Navi and Op. With determination written in her face, the pink Navi marched up to the quivering Bomber and stood her ground.
"THEY WON'T STOP!" MegaMan was still thrashing about, even though the Network was filled with silence.
"Mega…" As gently as she could, Roll took the Bomber's head in her own, and turned it so that she could look into his sickly red eyes.
"Don't listen to any of them." The pink Navi stared past the red surface of her friend's eyes; her green eyes peered through the mist, past the confusion, around the anger, searching for the real hero in her friend. "Listen to yourself, the MegaMan deep inside that knows who he is, and can decide his own fate for himself."
For a long moment, all was still as the two continued to exchange the look. Finally, MegaMan blinked once…
And his eyes became sharp and piercing once again…
"Thanks for the advice," The Bomber's cannon snapped up, and locked onto Roll. "But that MegaMan's long gone, sweetheart."
"What? But-" The pink Navi stuttered in disbelief, she had been sure that MegaMan was stronger than this…
"What's the matter? Didn't expect to see me?" The deranged Bomber grinned at her consternation.
"Excellent, welcome back to the dark side MegaMan." A grin materialized on BurnerMan's face as he walked up behind Roll towards his ally.
"Its good to be back." The Bomber snapped as he kept his weapon pointed at the pink Navi between him and BurnerMan. "Now, I think I'll waste this gal right here and now."
"Be my guest…" Thedark Navi replied.
"NOW!"
The flaming Nebular Navi never knew what hit him.
As MegaMan's Buster cut loose, Roll vaulted backward into a mid-air somersault. As a result of her maneuver, MegaMan's laser whipped over her tumbling body without even scratching her. His seemingly wild shot raced on, straight into BurnerMan who was standing directly behind Roll.
But the move didn't end there.
The pink wonder snapped about into a handstand, before vaulting up into the air. Once she had enough height, she spun around, unleashing a Roll Blast on the Dark Navi.
Completely stunned by this turn of events, the fire Navi didn't even try to raise a defense. He took the attacks at their full force, and was sent tumbling backward-
Straight into the waiting blade of ProtoMan.
"Not again!"
The flaming Navi vanished in a burst of pixilated data.
"Alright! The 'Good Cop/Bad Cop' move we developed for the Tag Team Tournament!" Roll pumped her arm in satisfaction. "We finally got to use it."
"So that's where it came from." The Raider shook his head in disbelief. He hadn't been in on the little plan, all he'd seen was a chance to take out BurnerMan when the others had attacked, and so he had seized the moment and ended the fight before it could begin.
"Yeah, I was hoping you could read my mind, Roll." MegaMan, no longer slave to his Dark Soul, chuckled. "That was a huge gamble on my part."
"But one that was worth it." The pink Navi grinned back.
"MegaMan!"
"LAN!" The Bomber spun around, to find himself staring through the com-link to his Op. "It's great to see you again!"
"Great to have you back, buddy." The brunette beamed at his Navi.
"And it's great to be back." MegaMan replied, "But what say we get back to SciLab so that I can get out of this crazy armor?"
Unfortunately, the scene wasn't over yet.
"DracoMan."
Everyone looked over to see a com-link window appearing behind the Sharrian Navi. Hiding a grimace, the dragon Navi turned around, to face his operator.
"My apologies, sir."
"I'm extremely disappointed with your actions." The Sharrion ignored his Navi's words. "You are due to be reprimanded."
"I- AAUGH!"
"What? NO!" Roll gasped as a burst of energy came from nowhere, and ripped straight through the caped Navi. As her eyes widened in horror, DracoMan's frame shuddered as his face registered complete shock.
"No…" The words slipped away from the Navi, as his frame suddenly morphed into the words: 'Deleted.' A split second later, he had reverted back into his Navi form, the dissolving process beginning.
There was nothing they could do, but watch as DracoMan slipped away forever.
On the other side of YumLand, a brown P.E.T. Advance crashed to the floor, its Op having been too stunned to keep his grip on it. The screen flashed, and then displayed the message no Op ever wanted to see. "Data Deleted."
"That…" Otis' statement dropped off, as the full reality of the events hit him. Slowly his eyes slid closed, blocking any hint of weakness from him. Any sign of weakness, except for one single tear that slipped away and ran down his face. The first tear that Otis E. Baka had ever shed.
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"I warned him," The shadowy form of Bass lowered his cannon, "And DracoMan ignored my warning, his fate was deserved."
"Excellent work, Bass." Another Navi, hidden in the shadows, appeared behind the Black Shadow. His voice was deceptively familiar… "Now, come with us, and learn your destiny."
"As you wish, ShadeMan." Bass turned and followed the Nebula leader as they logged out of the Network.
End Chapter.
Next: Betrayal!