Author's Note: I have decided that, in the interest of time, I will simply upload the entire story once it is finished. That way I do not have to worry about keeping up with updates. I hope you enjoy this.
Chapter Three: Independent
Netto stared at her in shock. He tried fruitlessly to form words, but nothing came out. He swallowed and tried again. "Why tell me this?"
Ami looked a little upset. "I wanted to get your permission to fulfill Rockman's request."
Netto nodded. "Okay, and what would that be?" He asked, turning to where his brother was watching them. Apparently the door had finally become boring.
Rockman faced him with a very serious look. "I wanted to be made temporarily independent so I could help track down the ones who poisoned you."
Netto looked less then pleased, but he nodded. "I would be happier if you were able to do something rather than just sit here, but I don't like the idea of you being out there alone." He looked away from his brother momentarily before turning back. "You promise to come back every day if possible. I'm going to be bored without you." He smirked on this last line.
Rockman nodded happily. "I promise."
Ami smiled at the two of them.
It was early morning and Rockman waited in Hikari-hakase's office while the scientist and Ami worked to complete the independent programming for him. Hikari-hakase was tailoring the program for him, while Ami was watching for any anomalies. He and Netto had discovered Ami was a navi programmer in her spare time, so she was qualified for being an assistant. Ami was chosen as the human partner because the less people knew of this project; the less likely it was for the enemy to discover his independency.
As promised, he had gone to see Netto every day for the past two days they had been working on his program. Today they were ready to implement the program. Rockman wished he could say he was pleased, but fighting without Netto seemed wrong considering the partnership they held for so long. Rockman sighed. One couldn't have a partnership without a partner. With Netto-kun in danger because of that virus, it was his duty, as both a battle partner and a brother, to find the cure for Netto's recovery.
'I'd be bored without you too, Netto-kun.' Rockman thought. 'I'd miss you too.'
Rockman looked up as Ami walked over to him. "We're ready to implement the program."
Rockman nodded.
Rockman made his way to his friends. They had told him they would wait for him today since his new program was being installed to let him search. It was now nearing ten in the morning and they had delayed six hours beyond their normal start time. Out of the entire group, only Blues and Enzan had been informed of his new independency, and that was only because they were his and Netto's partners. They had just arrived as well from their earlier searching. Roll, Gutsman, Iceman, Glyde, and Blues were traveling with him as he searched for a way to help Netto. The other Net Saviors were traveling their own routes, while Blues had opted to travel with Netto's crew. Enzan preferred them to the treatment his age usually got him with the other Net Saviors.
Every Net savior and friend to Netto was unified by one thing. One way or another, they were going to find that cure. For those who did not know Netto, the danger behind the virus was what made them fight. For those that knew him, they fought for a true friend and comrade that you could always count to back you up in times of crisis. Netto was a prankster and a bit of a delinquent, but he never abandoned those he fought beside.
Rockman knew that better then most. He had been beside his brother in every battle they fought, and Netto hadn't even turned away to protect himself. Their second battle with Forte was the best proof of that. He clenched his fist. 'No matter what, you will be saved Netto-kun.' He followed his friends as they traveled the path Blues had discovered. 'I'll make certain of that.'
Half an hour later, Blues stopped outside a system that was heavily guarded. The system was not on the Net Savior list of highly guarded sites, so it seemed as though they might have found the proper place. Blues lead the group to a small crack in the wall surrounding the digital compound. Enzan downloaded a small beam gun for Blues to use, and Rockman waited to pull loose the rocks that were shifted. After what felt like an eternity, Rockman and Blues had shifted enough rocks for them to slip through. This firewall would need to be repaired after what they had done to it, but that wasn't their problem.
The small group of friends stole quietly through the crack and into the site. Blues and Rockman instantly went to the data area and began to sift through it to find anything that had something to do with the virus that Netto had been given. They all worked together with Rockman and Blues searching for information, Roll and Gutsman standing watch, and Glyde and Iceman seeking any signs for the enemy near their vicinity. Silence held firm as the six of them searched for the answers that would help save their friend.
The first data room held nothing about viruses or even Netto. They turned away from this spot and headed to another, running into a security navi in the process. The navi blinked, then spun around. "Master Hao! There are intru-"
Blues sliced through the navi to silence him. "Damn!"
Rockman grinned. "So much for being quiet." The intruders bolted from the area trying to find a place to escape from the site. Blues and Rockman led the pack while Iceman and Roll remained in the back to ward off any tails. Rockman jerked back as he sensed an attack coming straight for him. Beside him, Blues followed suit. A blast of energy blew them off their feet even as they got away from the attack. The crew groaned and pushed themselves up as the face of a young man came into view.
He snarled at them. "So you're the ones prancing through my sister's computer." He smiled nastily. "Well we'll see how much further you get, you interlopers." Rockman pulled himself up and reached over to assist Roll to her feet. She smiled her thanks and stood beside him to glare at the view screen. A navi appeared beneath the view screen catching everyone's attention. He resembled a human lion, complete with the mane and claws.
The man-child smirked at them. "Meet my navi, Stalker."
Rockman looked over the navi, then focused on the operator. "I am assuming you are the one known as 'Master Hao'."
Hao nodded. "You know my name, but I'm afraid I don't have all of yours."
Before anyone could respond, a female voice sounded behind Hao causing him to turn. "Hao-chan! What's going on? I thought I told you to stay out of my room!"
Hao flinched, making Rockman snicker. Hao glared at him, but pulled Stalker from the net and his view screen winked from sight. They heard the woman scolding him before the link cut off. Iceman stared after Hao; then turned. "Well that was different." Rockman nodded and followed after Blues who was taking the opportunity to get away. They made it only a few meters when a second blast flung them all off their feet for the second time.
Blues and Rockman rolled back to their feet ready to face Stalker. The others were a little less agile as they scrambled back to their feet. Watching his surroundings warily, Rockman moved in front of Roll and Glyde, while Blues moved to backup Iceman and Gutsman. Laughter echoed from surrounds seemingly from everywhere at once, and seond attack flew at them. Blues and Rockman were forced to block the assault from their friends, who were unable to sense it. Roll out a startled yelp as the barrier that was flung up was struck.
"Where is he!" Enzan hissed.
Blues frowned as he scanned the surroundings for signs of an attacker. "I can find no one, Enzan-sama."
Rockman searched as well. The laughter echoed again, this time from one place. Everyone's eyes shot to that area. A blue and white navi walked lazily into view. He had emerald green hair with silver-green eyes that were currently dancing with mocking amusement. He smiled cruelly at them. "So you are the companions of that idiot boy. I thought we would be meeting you soon."
Rockman snarled viciously, only to be yanked back by Blues. He glared at the one who stopped him. Blues didn't even react. "I think it would be in your best interest to sit this one out, Rockman."
Rockman knew what Blues was saying. He nodded reluctantly and moved behind Blues as the others got ready for battle. The navi laughed. "Yes, protect the helpless one. What can a pathetic Net-Opped navi do without his operator?" Rockman snarled again, and Blues began to wonder just how much more it would take before Rockman decided to snap under all the strain.
"Who are you!" Roll shouted at their assailant.
The navi looked at her with a bored expression. "Oh, why not?" He stretched disinterestedly before answering. "My name is Amit Ratri, or as she usually calls me, I am Endless Night."