My own Battle Network story.
Yo! My name is Dex Oyama! The best Netbattler in ACDC!
Last time, it was the worst time of the year for Gutsman and me… The Dencity regional exam. I had my bets on Thori for first place, but looks like that new boy Oscar showed up having first place by a single point!
Thori wanted to show that He was better at Netbattling, so he challenged Oscar. Oscar's Netnavi, Bookman looked easy, but he is a complete badass! He was setting traps in the blink of an eye!
Iceman fought hard, but Bookman's traps left Iceman in the worst condition ever! Thori logged Iceman out before the final blow… He admitted defeat.
Thori just asked us to leave him alone for a while… I felt a need to help him… but Lan and the others left him alone too…
Damn that Oscar! Just who the hell he thinks he is? But he is powerful…
Chapter 27. – "I believe"
A day passed after the exam results and Thori's battle against Oscar and Bookman. Thori hasn't been talking for a while, but he just tries to avoid contact with Oscar. I never seen him this depressed.
He hasn't been paying attention to class lately… can this be that he is giving up on his studies?
BGM: "Wandering" from Final Fantasy X
I stood next to him as he looked to the window. I was early, Lan was still asleep and the others weren't there yet.
Thori is the first one of us who gets to school. So it was my chance to talk to him.
Aldo: Thori?
Thori: ………
Aldo: Thori… Is it because Oscar?
Thori: …… Leave me alone…
Aldo: Oh no young man! Look, I may not be a long time friend like Lan and the others, but I know when a friend needs some encouragement!
Thori: …… How?
Aldo: I dunno… I just… I remember I was in your place a long time ago. I was also a Rookie Netbattler in my 12's. I was completely bad, my folder sucked and everyone kept beating me. Of course it was a beating for Frogashi, but you now what he said?
Thori: …… What did Frogashi said? Did he… complained… or something?
Aldo: No… He said…
Frogashi.Exe: …I told him to never give up and always try again.
Aldo: I guess he told me that.
Frogashi.Exe: Yes. With each defeat, he learned from his mistakes. And each thing he learned made us stronger. And with the time, we were beating Netnavis and saving lives.
Aldo: Yeah! Frogashi's right! You just gotta keep trying, never give up and believe!
Iceman.Exe: Listen to them Thori! We can do it too! Don't give up! The Thori I know never gives up in tests, so why not doing the same in Netbattles? We'll become stronger and you'll have the same Netbattling skills as your intellect!
Thori: …… Just believe… Thank you Aldo, Frogashi, Iceman… I now what to do…
Thori stood thoughtful for a second reviewing Bookman's strategy.
Thori: Bookman uses every available moment to set a trap… like a counter attack when a Netnavi is busy doing something… we need something to avoid those interruptions…
Iceman.Exe: I think I know what might help…
Thori: That's it! Everything makes sense now! Iceman! Get ready to activate the Navi Customizer for the rematch! I think I know what to use!
Iceman.Exe: Copy that! Activating now!
Thori: Good night Iceman.
Iceman.Exe: Good night Thori… program me well…
Iceman fell asleep into stand by mode for Navi Customizer programming.
Thori: I think I need some time to finish this programming. Can I have a second?
Aldo: Sure! I gotta check some files on my PC-Desk.
I turned leaving Thori alone to do his programming alone… Maybe he figured something out…
I sat and typed on the Keyboard as I searched through files.
Frogashi.Exe: Do you really think Thori figured it out?
Aldo: He's very clever. He surely figured it out already… now its all up to his programming skills.
Frogashi.Exe: Oh! I just got a newsletter from the N-1 Grand Prix committee!
Aldo: Could you read it?
Frogashi.Exe: Sure. It says, "Dear contestant, just a friendly reminder that the eliminatory will begin in three weeks. Please assist to the Dendome in that time. You'll be given further instructions by then. Hope to see you there."
Aldo: Well, at least the N-1 Grand Prix is getting closer.
Frogashi.Exe: I know! Aren't you excited?
Aldo: So excited I can kill myself right now.
Frogashi.Exe: Geez, crude humor.
A little after that, Lan and the others got here.
Lan: Hey! Why didn't you woke me up if you woke up earlier?
Aldo: I tried… but with all that snoring…
Megaman.Exe: Cruel truth Lan, he tried to help me… but I thought you were dead, so…
Lan: Why are you two picking on me?
Aldo: We aren't!
Megaman.Exe: Just trying to make you see the truth!
Lan: Geez…
Dex: It isn't your fault Lan… it is the twilight zone midnight marathon!
Maylu: Still watching those midnight shows, Dex?
Dex: They're fun!
Lan: How about the Drew Carry show?
Dex: Oh man! That's hilarious!
Maylu: Right… Hey! What's with Thori?
Aldo: I had a little encouragement speech with him. He feels better know, he knows what to do and he's programming Iceman for a rematch with Oscar and Bookman.
Dex: Isn't that too much? I mean, Bookman almost deleted Iceman last time…
Aldo: Thori's a clever boy. I bet he already figured a strategy based in Bookman's moves.
Lan: Right!
Maylu: He will surely do it!
BGM fades
So we have faith in Thori that he would do well. And class time was there… during the middle of Math class, the A.P. resonated with a female voice.
Speaker: "All top 20 student of ACDC elementary of the Dencity regional exam, please go to the special conference room.
Ms. Mari: Well, looks like Thori will be missing the pop quiz we got on trigonometric angles.
All: Oooh…
Thori stood up as he went through the door. Thori was on his way to the special conference room. But Iceman was quite nervous.
Iceman.Exe: Thori…
Thori: What's wrong Iceman?
Iceman.Exe: I don't know… but I got a bad feeling about this…
Thori: What can be wrong?
Thori reached the room, all the nineteen students were there… but the only available spot was at the right of Thori's nemesis… Oscar. Thori stepped to the available seat as he pulled it over to sit.
Thori: Mind if I sit here?
Oscar: …… I don't mind…
Thori: Hey, I'm not whining about yesterday, but I can challenge you to a rematch!
Oscar: Another lost for you? Your Netnavi can't even control his emotions during battle…
Thori: Hey! Iceman's not perfect like Bookman, but at least he is himself!
Oscar: As you say…
The room's light faded away as the main big screen flickered to life showing the shadow of a face… Thori had bad memories of such moment when Mr. Higsby worked for World Three.
Thori: There's something weird here…
???: Good morning, the brightest minds of ACDC are gathered here. You have been called for the chance of a lifetime… Join Xavier corp. and you shall prove your brightness to the lower minds behind you!
Thori: That voice! It's Harpuia!
BGM: "Trouble" from Megaman Battle Network 4
Harpuia.Exe: Look what we got here. One of Megaman's friends… then in that case, you shall be locked here forever!
The kids in the room turned from confusion to panic as they screamed.
Iceman.Exe: Harpuia will leave us locked here if we don't do something!
Thori: Get ready Iceman! We gotta fight her! Remember, she's a guardian, so stay in guard!
Iceman.Exe: Got it!
Oscar: Ikawa…
Thori: Yes?
Oscar: …… You'll need Bookman's help.
For the first time, Oscar sounded friendly and ready to offer really good assistance.
Thori: Right! Let's do it! Jack in! Iceman.Exe! Freeze!
Oscar: Jack In! Bookman.Exe! Execute!
Both Netnavis got into the door mechanism network. It didn't have a scratch, besides a gel-like virus splattered on the lock system.
BGM fades
Iceman.Exe: That is the virus messing with the door system!
Bookman.Exe: We have to delete him to open the door!
Harpuia.Exe: Nice of you two to stop by…
BGM: "Seymour's ambition" from Final Fantasy X
Iceman and Bookman stood in guard as Harpuia's feet touched the ground. Looking straight to both Netnavis. Harpuia raised her arms releasing pulse blades from her wrists.
Iceman.Exe: What are you scheming?!?
Harpuia.Exe: This is the perfect bait to get Megaman. And looks like I'll have to delete you my icy friend to attract his attention…
Iceman.Exe: In your dreams!
Bookman.Exe: She is no normal Netnavi… she has a special code that makes her faster, stronger and more powerful than any other Netnavi. Her scan reveals that she has the power of Virus summoning…
Iceman.Exe: And you tell me that?
Harpuia.Exe: So you can check and analyze data? Can you analyze the way you are going to be deleted?
BGM fades
Harpuia lifted her arms, and the pulse blades turned into energy whips. She slapped the whips against the ground. Each hit made viruses appear from the impact areas. In a few seconds, there was an army of viruses ready to attack.
Iceman.Exe: Oh boy…
BGM: "Festival of Servants" from Castlevania" Symphony of the night
Harpuia.Exe: Go! Delete them!
The multitude of viruses rushed against Iceman and Bookman.
Thori: Right! GrabBnsh! BattleChip in! Download!
Suddenly, the squares of floor under the incoming viruses flashed as the energy being releases raised the viruses and slammed them on the ground. The slammed viruses were instantly deleted.
Oscar: Bookman! Activate Mine!
The sudden underground burst expanded in a wide area deleting incoming viruses.
Thori: Is that all you got? Viruses to fight for you?
Harpuia.Exe: Very impressive… let's see how you do with me!
Harpuia leaned forward ad she sped up in a swift move for Iceman.
Thori: Areasteal! BattleChip in! Download!
Iceman disappeared in a flash, but Harpuia followed the data trace of Areasteal, and when Iceman appeared she delivered a fast kick-launching Iceman away to a wall.
Thori: Iceman!!!
Then, Harpuia wielded her blades about to slice Bookman.
Oscar: Activate AntiSword!
Bookman's hands were covered by a special strength enhancing energy that stopped the blades.
Harpuia.Exe: Impressive… bu you cannot see this one coming!
Harpuia was fast too, so she delivered a quick hit against Bookman's stomach with her knee.
Oscar: Bookman!
Harpuia kicked Bookman's face as he rolled backwards.
Harpuia.Exe: No one stops my blades. Now your deletion will be nice and slow…
Bookman's status after that fierce kick was unstable. He wasn't able to counter attack at all. Harpuia was too fast.
Harpuia walked slowly with a sexy pace as grabbed Bookman's neck curling her fist and hitting Bookman on the stomach a few times. Bookman's expression was eyes wide open as he tried to muffle the pain.
Harpuia.Exe: Now time for deletion…
Harpuia curled her fist as she charged her pulse blade… but before she could, Iceman stood holding his left arm behind her.
Iceman.Exe: You forgot about me!
Harpuia.Exe: Uh?
Harpuia turned, but the first thing she felt was the wet slashing of an AquaBlade on her right arm. Her right arm fell to the ground releasing Bookman from her left arm as she backed away holding her de-razzing arm.
Harpuia.Exe: You little…
Iceman.Exe: Are you all right Bookman?
Bookman.Exe: Uh… Yes…
Oscar: Ikawa… I…
Thori: Later! We gotta take care of her first!
Harpuia.Exe: You did wrong in treating a lady like this! Next time we meet, I won't be so merciful by letting you live!
"Harpuia.Exe logging out."
Thori: Now! You know what to for the lock virus!
Iceman.Exe: Cyber Blizzard!
Iceman's blizzard attack froze the gel virus solid.
Thori: And Cannon! BattleChip in! Download!
The cannon blast shattered the gel virus into shards of dust, which vanished in deletion. By doing so, the lock system went back to normal. The door opened to the hall where the entire school was waiting for response.
BGM fades
Ms. Mari: Oh my god! What happened there inside?!?
Thori: A virus appeared… and I… no. Oscar and I took care of it.
Dex: Say what?!? You teaming up with Oscar?!?
Lan: That's a good beginning…
Aldo: I'm glad you gave him a chance to know him better.
Thori: But the virus that invaded the lock system… Harpuia was there…
Maylu: Harpuia? How did you?
Thori: She was distracted… but she wasn't giving her full potential…
Lan: And Bookman…
Thori: He'll fine. Also Iceman will be fine. So Oscar, should we have our rematch?
Oscar: You saved Bookman's life… but we know who's going to win the rematch… You.
Thori: Uh? Why you say so?
Oscar: Bookman made a scan of Iceman during the battle. Synchro point increased during your attack, and you were equipped with AirShoes, right?
Thori: Well yes!
Oscar: That was Bookman's weakness. Basically, most of his power is based on traps, mostly ground traps. And how would be Iceman able to activate them if he floated with AirShoes?
Thori: Oh…
Oscar: You might not say so, but you are an experienced Netbattler. And of course I'll fight with you someday… I learned from you that sometimes you have to believe in hope and in your Netnavi. Bookman! We'll start from Zero! From now on, we'll believe.
Bookman.Exe: Quite illogical, but it works. Thanks Iceman.
Iceman.Exe: No problem!
So Bookman and Oscar learned the real meaning of a Netbattler team. Now Thori has a rival, but a friendly rival who will make a very good friend.
Meanwhile at Xavier corp.
Xavier stares at the window blocking him from the Electown nighttime landscape. Buildings surrounded by blinding lights trying to compete with the moonlight.
As he stares, a window pops on his desk screen. It is Harpuia. Without turning, Xavier greets his guardian… maybe not.
Xavier: …… You failed…
Harpuia.Exe: I'm sorry master. He was stronger than I thought.
Xavier: Harpuia, you are the best of my guardians. You can try again when you are ready. But still, I cannot stand being here anymore. Get me Megaman… Soon.
Harpuia.Exe: Maybe we should get ready for that tournament…
Xavier: Yes… it shall be quite fine…
Harpuia.Exe: … Just a question if I may…
Xavier: Yes?
Harpuia.Exe: The other time you said something about Megaman… something about "Being One…" What did you meant exac…
Just by hearing these words, Xavier curled his right fist as he turned to the screen with rage in his system.
Xavier: That is no concern of you of the other guardians! The only concern for you is to bring me Megaman alive!
Harpuia.Exe: Yes sir!
No concern? Why is Xavier so obsessed with Megaman? What s his real plan with Megaman?
Next day, it was weekend, so we didn't go to school. We decided to spend some money in some BattleChips and new PET Software at Higsby's shop. For our surprise, we found someone familiar… besides Higsby.
Aldo: Look at this! This increases the loading speed!
Lan: Check it out! There's a new PET Model coming next year!
Maylu: There's in interview with Lan's dad in this month's Netbattler magazine!
Brandon: There's a candy machine that only needs quarters!
Aldo: That's the only thing you figured out?
Brandon: What? It is food!
Aldo: Give me a break…
Dex: Back-ups at 50 percent discount!
Maylu: Dex… Gutsman will be overloaded with Back-ups if you buy one more…
Dex: Aww…
Yai: I'm gonna buy this while store…
Thori: Please don't!
Yai: Just kidding! Not too shabby. A new wallpaper for my HP.
When we were going to pay our new stuff, there ws a new face at the register. But it was familiar for Thori.
Thori: Oscar?
Oscar: Oh! Hi guys.
Bookman.Exe: Good morning.
Thori: What are you doing here? And why do you have a pin that says, "Hi! My name is Oscar. How may I help you?" on your shirt?
Higsby: Let me explain. Oscar decided to use his skills to help and to learn about people in harmony with their Netnavis not by learning it by books. So he asked me for a job. He's now my assistant.
Thori: Wonderful!
Oscar: I already helped a few customers today and fixed some stuff. So, my break will be in five minutes. And Bookman has been tuning up the Netbattle Machine for the free tournaments. Would you like to Netbattle?
Thori: Sure!
Oscar: Mr. Higsby, mind if I take my break?
Higsby: There are no customers right now, so why not? I can take care of the rest of you.
Oscar: Thank you! So Thori, Shall we?
Thori: You're on! Jack in! Iceman.Exe! Freeze!
Oscar: You're going down! Jack in! Bookman.Exe! Execute!
OCC: Well, this makes it for Bookman's appearance in the story. But don't worry! Oscar and Bookman.Exe will keep appearing in further chapters as Higsby's assistants and maybe a few Netbattles, and of course Oscar learning about mutual feelings of NetOp-Netnavi.
From now on, these will be their musical themes!
Oscar's theme: "Angel intro song" from Angel.
Bookman.Exe's theme: "Beautiful Day" by U2
So this is a reason to make Bookman happy for his birthday! ! This chapter was written in November 7 2004, so Happy Birthday Bookman!
Everyone brings a cake for Bookman's birthday.
Aldo: Hope your wishes come true!
Frogashi.Exe: Have a nice day!
Lan: Keep up the good work!
Megaman.Exe: Yeah! Enjoy your day!
Maylu: Happy birthday! "Kisses Bookman on the cheek"
Roll.Exe: Yeah! Let's Rock and Roll!
Brandon: Are you gonna eat that cake?
Foxman.Exe: Oh please… Happy birthday!
Dex: You might look wimpy… but I have respect for ya!
Gutsman.Exe: Guts guts guts!
Yai: I wasn't able to get a gift… Aldo! Give him some Zenny!
Aldo: Uh? Why me?
Yai: please?
Aldo: Sheez… Okay.
Yai: Thanks!
Glyde.Exe: I feel as Lady Yai does. We're very grateful of having you around.
Thori: You surely are some competition with the brains!
Iceman.Exe: Why don't we turn that cake into an Ice Cream cake?
Thori: Iceman…
Iceman.Exe: Okay… No Ice Cream cake…