I'm back from vacation and I sure am glad I am. Now I get to see all of you again. Well… maybe not actually see, but you know what I mean, don't you? I know that I have a sequel and everything now, but guess what? I have no clue where this fic is going to end. Maybe it'll come to me as I get further along, but for now this fic will go on indefinitely. (Or just sit here until I can come up with a good ending.) But don't you worry; I have at least another two or three chapters in me.

Jabber-Nut Foxypants: OK, don't overreact. Chaud is here, so just calm down and don't faint or else you'll miss him.

litod3vil: Thanks. No offense, but can you please tell me what you like about the story. What you're putting down right now isn't giving me alot to respond to.

the red 1: Yea,I guess that's pretty cool.

Lan wandered into the warehouse to find bleachers set up against the walls and Netbattling consoles along with a holographic projector in the center of the building. Because it was only temporary, wires ran all along the floor from the center of the arrangement. A huge board displaying the tournament brackets was hung on the far wall. Lan was surprised to find the place fairly crowded. "Does everyone know about this tournament except me?" he thought out loud.

"Maybe," replied Megaman. "Hey, is that Chaud over there?"

"Where?" Lan started to look around hurriedly.

"By the bleachers I think."

"Let's check it out." Lan headed over to where he thought Chaud was. He found him leaning against the wall practically underneath the bleachers, hidden from most of the crowds but he still had a pretty good view of the center arena. "Hey Chaud, what are you doing here? Got nothing better to do?"

"Actually, I'm here on Net Saver business," Chaud replied calmly, anticipating Lan's reaction.

"What! What's going on? Something I should know about?" Lan glanced around, looking for something suspicious looking.

"There's no danger, Lan. Chief Keifer just asked me to keep an eye out for any possible new recruits."

Lan slumped against the wall. "Oh, is that all? Why do we need more Net Savers? I thought that you and I were doing fine."

"Maybe, but with all the recent problems and us not knowing when they're going to end, we can use all the help we can get. After all, there are only two of us, Lan."

"Yea, maybe…" Lan suddenly grinned as he remembered something.

Chaud noticed him grinning and just had to ask, "What?"

"I found out who the mysterious navi is."

"Oh, really," Chaud answered, unimpressed. "And are you sure it's him or is this just another one of your farfetched guesses?"

"No, I'm sure. Completely, 100 percent sure."

"How do you know then?"

"He told me himself."

Chaud raised an eyebrow, still not convinced. "And he would do that, why?"

"Because he's not bad. And I can prove it. I'll introduce you to him later."

"You know him?"

"Yea, he just moved here and he's in my class at school. As a matter of fact…" He caught sight of Lee crossing over to the center arena. "There he is now."

Lee and another boy waited at their respective consoles while the announcer directed everyone's attention back to the ring. "Ladies and gentlemen, our next match is about to start. May I introduce, in the blue corner, making his first appearance in this tournament, Kyle Stone and his navi, Staticman!" Kyle waved enthusiastically to all sides of the crowd, obviously excited about being there and enjoying the attention. There was a polite applause and a light scattering of cheering. The announcer went on. "And in the red corner, representing Dentech City for the first time, your very own, Lee Jamison and Cypher!" The crowd went wild. Lee waved once calmly, acknowledging the crowd with the practiced ease of one who was used to this. Kyle looked across at him nervously. Lee meanwhile was totally focused on the upcoming battle. "Gentlemen, if you will please jack into your consoles, we can begin."

"Jack in, Staticman, power up!" A nervous looking navi appeared in arena system. The bottom half of his suit was yellow with dark blue boots, and was separated from the top, light blue half by a jagged line. His symbol consisted of a yellow lightning bolt branching out from the top of the circle on a light blue field, and was displayed on the back of his dark blue gloves as well as on his chest. His helmet was dark blue with shades hanging down in front and spiked blonde hair sticking out the back of it, much like Sonic the Hedgehog's spines.

"Jack in, Cypher, power up!" The crowd cheered as the familiar form of Cypher appeared.

"Begin!"

"Be ready," Lee whispered to Cypher. "Even though he's a new guy, we still have to be prepared for anything. Let him make the first move."

"Acknowledged."

For a while, they stood there. Kyle was also apparently waiting for them to make a move. Cypher stared calmly at Staticman, who was eyeing him nervously. Eventually, the crowd's booing at nothing happening scared Kyle into ordering Staticman to attack Cypher directly. "Bolt Cannon!" Staticman shouted as his primary weapons appeared on his arm. Cypher easily dodged several shots fired by the nervous navi, but still did not attack.

"Why doesn't he get it over with?" Lan asked impatiently. "If he knows he can beat him, why doesn't he just do it?"

"He's waiting for the right opportunity." Chaud answered.

Kyle realized that his navi's attacks weren't doing anything and decided to use a battlechip. "Boomerang, battlechip in, download!"

"Now he's gonna get it." Lan remarked. "I tried that on him and it didn't work, so a beginner using it won't make much of a difference."

Cypher dodged the initial throw of the Boomerang, calling to Lee. "NOW!"

"Alright! Air Shot, battlechip in, download!"

"What!" Lan sputtered in disbelief. "An Air Shot! What's that gonna do?"

"I think I know." Chaud commented.

As the Boomerang came back, Cypher dodged again but as soon as he was clear he fired the Air Shot. "Yes! Perfect angle!"

The burst of air caused the Boomerang to change path, sending it heading right back at Staticman. The navi froze up, surprised and scared. The Boomerang scored a direct hit. "Staticman, logging out."