Before Lan even had a chance to blink Skullman brought his arms back in his special attack, "Bone Boomerang!" he called out in a voice that sent chills down Saito's spine.
His forearms flew off and spiraled towards Lan's head. He jumped back, trying to avoid them, but as they arced around Lan knew he wasn't going to make the second dodge.
"Lan!" Saito yelled, seeing his friend get caught by the attack.
Lan stood up, his breathing heavy, "Saito, shut up and send me battle chips if you want to help," he said.
Saito didn't need a second bidding, "Sword, battle chip in!" he called.
A bright blue sword materialized on Lan's forearm and he went after Skullman in a head on attack. Skullman saw him coming and jumped smoothly out of the way, then bringing his bony leg up in a roundhouse kick catching Lan in the stomach.
Miyuki looked at Saito with her glassy eyes focused in the heat of battle, "You can not win," she said in a silvery voice. "If you don't plug out now your friend will be deleted."
Saito looked at Lan with a worry he never felt before. It had just hit him that if he made any mistakes, he might loose Lan forever.
Lan stood up and coughed, "Hey! Don't listen to her, we can beat her. We can win this, understand! Don't you dare start getting soft on me again," he said.
Saito nodded and adopted a resolute look on his face, "I won't let you down."
Lan smiled, "Good, cause I wouldn't accept anything less, now let's do this!"
"Aqua tower, battle chip in!" Saito yelled, shoving the small chip into his PET.
The water went careening towards Skullman, but he disappeared and reappeared on the other side. "To slow!" he called.
Lan growled and Saito prepared to use another chip. "What's the use?" Miyuki asked. "We'll just defeat you anyway."
Lan had just about had enough, "Okay, listen lady, I know I'm 'just' a net navi, but will you please shut up and let my operator concentrate?" he asked.
Miyuki glanced at Lan in the net, his human aura briefly appeared to her and was gone before she could get a closer look. His existence puzzled her, but she couldn't do anything about it, not while she was in battle.
"Thanks Lan," Saito said gratefully.
"Thank me later, win now," said Lan.
Saito pushed another chip into his PET, this time an aqua sword. Lan once again flew at Skullman only to miss by a long shot. Skullman came up on Lan's left side and used his bone boomerang to send him on the other side of the field.
Saito watched the battle, 'Something isn't right," he said to himself. 'No navi can just disappear, how is he…'
Skullman disappeared again to reappear above Lan. Lan dodged getting his head cut off by mere centimeters.
'Speed! Why didn't I think of it before! No wonder we can't touch him, we've been going about this the wrong way!' Saito thought excitedly.
"Stupid ghost navi," Lan muttered, holding his arm.
"Lan stop, we need to change tactics. Brute strength isn't going to work here," Saito called to his navi.
"Well then, what do you propose we do?" asked Lan as Skullman prepared for another attack.
"Do you trust me?" asked Saito.
"Of course, what kind of stupid question is that?" Lan snorted.
"Then do exactly as I say, understand?" Saito said.
Lan nodded, and dodged another attack, loosing a bit of speed.
"Okay then, mini bomb, slot in!" Saito shouted.
A mini bomb appeared in front of Lan and he took it. "That's your plan!" he screeched.
"Lan shut up and throw it!" Saito said.
Lan threw it and missed Skullman by a mile. "I can't hit him," he said angrily.
"I know, just trust me okay?" Saito said.
Lan sighed and nodded.
"Okay, Mini Bomb slot in!" he yelled.
Yet another mini bomb appeared before Lan and he threw it. More and more mini bombs came and Lan threw every one until nothing could be seen because of all the smoke.
"Oh! I wonder what Lan and Saito are trying to do!" Kero yelled excitedly.
"Yeah, me too," Lan muttered.
"Just watch," Saito said and slotted in a sword chip. "And when you see something, strike."
Lan looked in the thick plumes of smoke and saw a blur appear right in front of him. His eyes widened in realization on Saito's plan. He thrust his arm forward and caught Skullman through the chest, sending him flying back.
"Using the smoke as a detector, Saito, you're BRILLIANT!" Lan cheered.
Skullman laughed and stood up, "Yes, but can you do it again?" he asked.
Miyuki smiled and pulled the plug on her PET, logging out Skullman. She walked by Saito and smiled, "So, you're Saito. Nice work, I never saw that."
Saito blushed, "Thank you. Miyuki-san."
"So! First timer's Saito Hikari and his navi Lan have defeated Miyuki and her mysterious navi Skullman!" Kero cheered from her post.
The crowd roared its approval and Saito and Lan smiled and waved back.
In the shadows, they were watched by Enzan and his navi. "Luck," he muttered and stuck his hands in his pockets. "That girl threw away the match," he said.
"Yes, Enzan-sama," Blues said.
Saito gave a sigh of relief as he and his friends sat around waiting for the next match ups to be presented.
Meiru latched onto Saito's arm and said, "That was so cool! You and Lan make a great team."
Dekao growled at them, but didn't say anything.
In the net Roll latched onto Lan's arm much in the same way Meiru did with Saito. "Yeah, you two are great together."
It was a peculiar thing to see Lan blush, but blush he did and glared furiously at Iceman and Glyde as then laughed silently.
Gutsman was also mercifully silent.
The monitor beeped and Lan said, "Hey, look the match ups are being posted!" and returned to his PET before any more of his dignity could be taken away.
Everyone crowded around the monitor and looked for their names, "Ah! I'm against someone named Madoi?" Meiru said.
"Hinoken…" Saito read out loud. "Wait, isn't that Fireman's operator?" he asked alarmed.
"Yes!" Lan jabbed a fist into the air. "It's pay back time!" he said.
"Who's Madoi?" Meiru asked.
Yaito shrugged, "Who knows, who cares. Do you want to go look at stuff in the gift shop to kill some time?" she asked.
"Sure!" said Meiru, "Anyone else want to come?" she asked.
Saito, Dekao and Tohru all smiled and shook their heads nervously.
Meiru and Yaito turned around in a huff, "Well, they obviously don't appreciate our company, let's go Yaito."
"Yes, let's," said Yaito.
"A-ah, we didn't me…" Saito started but Dekao clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Don't, they just want the attention. Besides they could make us go if we do," he said.
Lan nodded, "As much as I hate to admit it, blubber butt is right. Just let them go, Saito."
Saito sighed, "All right," he said doubtfully. But he couldn't shake the sense of impending doom.
Meiru and Yaito were in the shop giggling as they tried on hats. "Hey, do you like this one?" asked Meiru putting on a baseball cap.
"Yeah!" said Yaito, "You look really cute in it."
Meiru giggled and started to say 'thanks' when she felt the hat be lifted off her head. She turned around angrily, "Hey! That's my hat!"
A girl with large reddish pony tails and questionable fashion sense put the hat on with a wink. "I think I look much more beautiful in this hat then you."
Meiru glared at her. "You…"
Madoi overlooked her with an almost sad expression, "Awww, I'm so sad to say my competition isn't much, Coloredman. Not even a teenager."
"Don't worry Madoi, I'm sure you'll meet a worthy opponent next time," said Coloredman.
"I do hope so," said Madoi.
"Watch what you say, old hag!" said Meiru.
"O…. did you just call me an old hag!" Madoi screeched.
"You bet I did! Now give me back my hat!"
"I think I'll keep it. As a memoir for when I beat you!" she said.
"Old hag, old hag!" Meiru and Yaito sing songed at her as she left the shop with the hat.
"Don't worry Meiru, I'm sure you'll win," said Yaito.
"I know I will," said Meiru.
Meiru and Yaito went back to where to Saito and everyone else was staying. Meiru seemed to have an aura of fire around her and she looked really miffed to say the least. "H-hey Meiru," said Saito, feeling slightly intimidated.
"That woman! How dare she say such a thing to me!" said Meiru, ignoring Saito's greeting.
"Ummm, did I miss something?" asked Dekao.
"Don't worry Meiru, you'll beat her!" said Yaito taking her hands. "You won't let her get away with insulting you like that!"
Meiru nodded and together they made an imposing aura, Saito and the other's slowly backed away.
"Roll, what's up with your operator?" Lan asked.
"Ooooh, man what a mean person!" said Roll, also ignoring Lan.
Glyde nodded in agreement, "Yes, Yaito-sama should never hear such insults."
Lan and Gutsman exchanged puzzled glances but didn't say anything.
The time of the battle drew near and Meiru stood up from where she and Yaito were silently exchanging battle strategies. "Good luck Meiru!" said Yaito. "Beat that ugly old hag."
"I will, don't you worry!" said Meiru and she marched off down the hall.
Saito, Dekao and Tohru stood there silently very confused as to what was going on. Yaito rounded on them as soon as Meiru was out of sight, "Well! What are you waiting for? Let's go watch Meiru beat that bad woman!"
Lan chucked, "I can't argue with that," he said silently.
Saito said "Shhhh," quietly but silently agreed. Even though he had to get ready for his own battle in the main dome. Hopefully he could finish it fast enough to see the end of Meiru's battle.
They followed Yaito to their seats and sat down just as Kero began her commentary. "And here we are, with the newest battle starting in the sub arena! The main arena battle will begin in ten minutes and I will now introduce the competitors in this battle. On the right we see Meiru and her lovely navi Roll!" She was greeted with tremendous applause and cheers. "And on the left we see Madoi and her navi Coloredman!" she was greeted with a smattering of applause and a few boos.
"Hey! I got this far didn't I?" Madoi yelled.
"Oh?" said Meiru in a superior voice, starting to feel a little more confident about going up against a person that was easily ten years older then her. "Not very popular are you?" she asked.
"Shut up! Well see what's what when this match is done!" said Madoi in a loud voice.
"Go little girl, kick her butt!" yelled someone from the crowd.
Meiru appreciated the comment but still face faulted from being called a little girl.
"Ready, and battle start!" Kero yelled out.
Roll ran forward and yelled out, "Heart Flash!" summoning a pink heart to her hand and throwing it at her foe.
"Oh no!" Coloredman squeaked in pretend surprise. "Madoi save me!"
"Che, a navi yelling out for an operator's help," said Meiru.
Madoi just smiled.
As the heart came in to hit Coloredman he took his big hands away from his face and gave roll a silly grin, "Not!"
Roll landed on the ground after throwing her attack and Coloredman smashed the small pink attack in his hands.
"Do you want to try that again?" he asked.
"Meiru-chan?" asked Roll, who was at a loss of what to do.
"Don't worry, aqua tower, slot in!" said Meiru pushing the chip into her PET.
"Aqua Tower!" yelled out Roll slamming her hand onto the ground, palm first where a jet of jet of water went up into the sky.
"Oh? You can do that too?" asked Madoi.
Coloredman brought forth his hands in a sweeping gesture and two smaller Coloredman's appeared. One of them yelled out, "Fire Tower!" and slammed his hand into the ground where a pillar of fire instantly sprang up. The second one yelled out, "Aqua Tower!" and an attack identical to Roll's came out.
The first tower ran into Roll's aqua tower immediately canceling out both attacks and giving a free place for the second aqua tower that was fired to head straight for Roll.
"Yahhhh!" she screamed out as the attack hit her and sent her flying into the far side of the arena.
"Hahahaha!" laughed Coloredman. "Do you really think you can beat me?" he asked.
"See, you are just a bratty little kid," Madoi jeered. "You're way in over you head, girl."
"Oh no! Roll has just taken a serious hit from Coloredman! Can the small navi hold on?" Kero's voice boomed overhead.
Roll shakily stood up holding her right arm and breathing heavily. "Yes," she panted.
"Good work, Roll!" Meiru cheered. "You can do it!"
"Oh, so you think you have a chance now that your navi is up?" Coloredman asked.
"How pathetic," said Madoi.
"Go!" yelled Coloreman and his two small cloned once again threw their attacks at Roll. She barely managed to dodge both but Coloredman had another trick up his sleeve. "Tama!" he yelled out throwing his large blue spotted balance ball at Roll where it scored a direct hit on the poor navi.
Meiru watched as once again her navi was sent flying. "Roll!" she yelled.
"Face it, you can't win!" said Madoi.
"Yes," Roll struggled to her feet again. "Yes we can. Don't listen to her Meiru-chan."
Meiru nodded. "I know we can win. Come on Roll! Are you ready to show everyone what we've got?" she yelled.
Roll nodded and stood up straight.
'I hope Saito is watching,' Meiru thought.
In the main dome, waiting for his match Saito sneezed.
"Don't be getting sick on me," Lan growled.
"Don't worry, I'm not," Saito said.
Back in the sub dome match Roll had launched herself on the offensive.
"Oh, going out with a bang?" asked Madoi. "Fine with me!" she yelled and gave Coloredman the necessary chips to pull of his devastating attack once again.
"Now Roll!" Meiru yelled.
"Hear Flash!" Roll yelled and threw twin hearts at the small Coloredman's.
"You really think that will work, after it failed you the first time?" Madoi asked.
"What makes you think this attack is the same?" she asked.
"What?" asked Madoi and watched in horror as the two hearts hit and were absorbed by the two clones.
Hearts appeared in their eyes they looked at Roll with admiration. "Oh beautiful Roll, what can we do for you?" one asked.
"Yes, how can we help?" the second one nodded.
Roll giggled cutely, "Well, you can attack that scary looking navi over there for me," she said and pointed at Colored.
They turned around and looked at Coloredman with twin glares. "You're scaring Roll!" said one.
"N-n-now wait a minute!" said Coloredman holding up his hands.
"You leave Roll alone!" the second one said.
"What?" screeched Madoi.
"Fire Tower!" the first one yelled and a fire attack came out.
It hit Coloredman square on and burned the navi badly.
"I think he needs to be cooled down, care to do the honors?" asked Roll to the second one.
"Ah Roll, what a caring person you are," he said, blinded by his affection. "Aqua Tower!" he yelled and sent the second attack at Coloredman.
He was hit by the rush of water and sent flying across the arena. "Score!" cheered Roll.
"Care to do the honors?" asked Meiru.
"Would I?" asked Roll. She jumped up into the air, "Heart Flash!" she yelled and sent the now deadly heart attack at Coloredman.
"Ah noooo!" he yelled out and was consumed by the light that came from the attack hitting him.
'Coloredman, log out,' the screen read.
The crowd roared its approval of the pink haired girl's victory.
"And in a stunning upset, Roll and Meiru pulled a miraculous come from behind win!" Kero commentated.
Yaito, Dekao and Tohru all came down to congratulate Meiru on her win. "Now we need to go see what's happening with Saito and Lan," said Yaito.
Meiru nodded and they all headed for the main dome.
OOOOOOO
Thanks for your reviews people, do realize that half this fic isn't mine, but Achie's. Also, I'm now shouldering the whole thing myself since she no longer write's Rockman.EXE fanfiction.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!