Chapter 9- shock and darkness

"Wait, isn't Ameroupe Ultima Institute of Honours and Masters the highest-rated university in the country?" Blues asked, looking at Iris.
"Guess I didn't mention that." Iris replied, cringing.
"Then again, Ameroupe doesn't have the highest number of universities in the world."
"Yeah, you'd be surprised how many students from all over the world go to Kingsland for it."
"Now that I think of it, how did we get into one so close to home that easily."
Everyone looked at Blues.
"What? Meijin was behind it, told the administration that we needed to be close to home. That, and the fact that Ijuin-San insisted that we went to a close university, so he paid double the tuition fees."
"And Meiru?" Roll asked.
Blues shrugged, "Maybe he decided that Netto would like an old friend with him at least, don't ask me, I can't read the guy's mind."
"Never mind that now, we need to find Shademan!"
"Already on it!"
"But Iris, there's so much dark data around that it would be impossible to track him with a simple scan."
"Actually, we studied the Darksoul, turns out that each produces a unique signature for each navi, however, Shademan never really got infected, he was programmed to be that way without it."
"You could seriously take our jobs at this rate."
"I'm happy with the one I've got, besides, I'm smart, but then again, I read Sherlock Holmes a bit too much."
"So you'd be a good detective, but not much else."
"Unless push came to shove, although, you two would easily outclass me, although not without a sword."
"Meaning what?"
"I practiced martial arts on the sidelines."
"That reminds me of when Kendoman thought I was a student of his and sent me through one of his regimes."
"And it reminds me that I don't know what you and Netto do between classes."
"That's our business!" Rockman and Roll replied, looking at each other and flushed.
Iris wasn't paying attention, "Hey Nia, can you work up a sweep for us?"
"I can see what I can do." Nia replied, beginning to draw up a map.
"But don't we need permission from the Underking?" Netto asked.
"We're just looking for someone, which technically is legal, it's stalking that isn't approved of, trust me."
"The Undernet is different in a number of cases."
"Not in this one, in terms of Terrorism and looking for informants, the Underking is generally lenient, it is sweeping for the sake of it that gets on his nerves."
"How do you know?"
"The retail thing was last minute, I almost became a solicitor."
"What stopped you?"
"I got fed up with reciting all the different laws, but if it makes you feel any better, I'll send a messenger to the Underking."
"Even better, I'll phone him."
"You have his number?"
"Netsaviour matters." Blues replied in a bored tone.
"Right, thanks, bye." Rockman finished, hanging up, "He understands, but he says that you should only use it to find Shademan."
"That's what we were going to do anyway." Nia said, as the computer beeped.
"I was just saying what he told me."
"Well, we found him, but he's it will take you guys an hour on foot."
"Who says we need to walk?" Netto asked, slotting in a chip, which produced a sleek blue car.
"Move aside Rockman!" Iris exclaimed, "I know this place like the back of my hand."
"HOW CAN YOU?"
"Two reasons, one is that 963 gave me a map, the other is that programs break down so often that you just need to mention my name and someone will leave you alone."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO SOONER?"
"You never asked."
"Just don't damage the car."
"If I do I'll repair and upgrade it for free."
"And drive sensibly."
"We don't want to run anything over."
"Trust me, I haven't got a speeding ticket."
"Are we going to go?"
"Oh yeah, one thing I should warn you about."
"What?"
"There is no speed limit here, the speeding ticket comment was about Internet City, I'll limit myself, unless someone is going too quickly behind us."
"With these streets?"
"They're working on that."
"The map looks like a load of spaghetti."
"That's because that's a little girl's drawing that I was given as a thank you."
Blues looked at it, "Explains the blue."
"But there are some tight turns."
"What do you mean by some?"
"You'll see." Iris replied, kicking the car into life and driving off at a quick, but bearable speed.
Blues found the real map, and used it to hide the nervous wince that spread across his face he looked at it.

By the time they got there Rockman and Roll looked a tad pale, "You call those a few?""You should see the long route."
"We went through about 20 right angles!"
"I banged my head several times!"
"The wing mirror is missing."
That made Iris turn around, "What?"
"The lights are too."
"I used them not that long ago."
Rockman looked to see a navi trying to take off one of the tyres, "Hey you!"
The navi looked up, grimaced, muttered something that resembled, "Busted", he put the tyre back on, gave Rockman the rest and ran.
"Just a street punk, that's why the hoverboards have their security system."
"Why was he trying to dismantle my car?"
"So that he could sell the parts to earn a few zenny."
"I'd say that your car's parts would be quite collectable." Blues joked, only to get a punch in the face.
Roll rolled her eyes, "Boys and their toys."
"It's a point Rockman, think of how many girls would go collecting your car's parts."
"Well it won't be any way to win my affections."
"You are sounding like one of those car maniacs Rockman."
"Cars are the most expensive type of transport, and I don't want my no-claims bonus torn to shreds by people nicking the parts." Rockman replied, sending the car back before anyone could nick any more, revealing a hearse.
"Who died?"
"Shademan, this is so cliché."
Blues checked the car, "Blacked out windows, strong smell of those perfumes used to mask the stench and…" he looked at the number plates, "it's his."
"How do you know?"
He pointed at the plates, which read 'SHADE 123'.
"Are we going to get him before he goes to sleep?"

Iris pushed the doorbell with his icon, only to hear a cranky voice say, "Come back tonight, I'm about to go to sleep!"
"Shademan! This can't wait!" Rockman replied.
"What do you want?" he asked, opening the door, his head holding a pillow between it and his shoulder.
"Why do you have that pillow?"
"My neck has been killing me."
"Move it aside quickly."
Shademan complied, and Iris yanked out one of Nightmare's bugs.
"Yow!" the dark navi yelled.
"One of Nightmare's bugs."
"Why is everyone calling him Nightmare?"
"It's what he's been calling himself."
"I see, and I take it you want answers."
"You bet we do."
"You better come in then." Shademan replied, opening the door wider. It was a basic flat, although one door was firmly shut, no doubt his bedroom, and no one was particularly keen to see what was inside. Shademan took out a data patch and applied it to his neck where the bug was. "Well, where do you want me to start?"
"A little background information then work your way to how he became what he is now."
"What's in it for me?"
"Depends what you're after."
"If there's anything I need now, it's some good street credit."
"Have you ever thought of getting a few lights in here?" Roll asked.
"Light bulbs are hard to get around here, besides, bright light stings my eyes."
"I thought it was just sunlight."
"I can take it to some extent, but only direct sunlight does anything. But it needs to be concentrated."
"Like with the Piledriver?"
"Don't remind me of that infernal contraption! I still have burns from it!"
"Sorry."
"Ok, I'll tell everyone that you put me up to selling bulbs down here." Iris replied.

Next time:

At the chance of good credit, Shademan decides to tell the gang a bit about Nightmare's past, and a few other points.

So stick around and hang tight for chapter 10, 'The truth from a dark mouth'.

Author's note: That's it for now, but hang tight, because I did a few over my first week of summer to clear my head, and boy are we going to need entertainment over the longest weeks of the year.