Mental Trauma

Chapter 8; The Scorned Dreams

Okay, I've been getting reports that my writing Japanese has confused and angered some of the readers, from which I thank you all for reading this hunk of junk.

So, when I write Japanese in this, I'll hold up some translations. Yes… Yes I will…

IN OTHER NEWS!

I'm so sorry I haven't updated in two weeks. Sadly, this chapter isn't even all that now is it… However, indeed I have reached the climax of my story, I wish I could make it so much longer, but if I'm lucky I can squeeze in 3 or 4 more chapters. Doubt it though…

Anyway! Here we go!

"Netto…Wake up…" A dreary eccentric yet dead voice called. One he was rather familiar with, but chose to ignore. "Netto. Wake up…" The monotone voice came again. The brunette spoke in tongues as his eyes slowly slid open. He observed his surroundings of darkness, not caring about how numb he was feeling, or that the pillow he lay on felt like skin and bones (AND MUSCLE! CAN'T FORGET MUSCLE! (Drool)) All he knew was it was night, and not time for him to wake up yet.

"Rockman… It's not morning, and my back is killing me. Don't wake me up." Netto nearly only mouthed, and closed his eyes again.

"Netto," the voice said almost warningly. "Plug me into Enzan-sam… Enzan's house system… I want to take care of something…" The young Net Savior grumbled a few monotonous words, pulled on his PET, and let the beam do its work. "Thank you…" supposed Rockman chuckled.

Netto mouthed some more random things, and his arm folded over his 'pillow', falling into a very short sleep.

Waiting after a few breathtaking minutes of grace…

"Enzan! Wehhhh!" A voice called the voice hollow and distant, leaking into the crevices of his skull. It was a voice of alarm and terror. The ground seemed to vibrate and tear into his blissful sleep. "Enzan!" The voice cracked and shrieked in another effort to enter this tiny dream world. "It's a serious honest to God emergency! WAKE UP!"

An emergency, it was an emergency… yes… an emergency. The information ran through him like a snail through a rocky desert. No not even; more like a rock in the dirt. It was an emergency, and like in all emergencies you must be awake, alert and off to the nearest escape route…

Enzan groaned, rolled over and pleaded for another five minutes…

Apparently he decided to bend the rules…

There left two seconds grace, two seconds and no more.

"ENZAN! GET UP RIGHT NOW!" The boy howled. Enzan himself yelled in a panic, shot up, wide awake with a crippled mind and sore back. He blinked and he surveyed the area of his humble home. He turned to his right to meet a frantic looking Netto. He was nearby in fretful tears, and his fists shook in front of his face. Enzan stared, waiting for an explanation, fiddling his fingers around his PET still in hand.

Netto's lips moved, but all that came was wheezing and squeaks. Apparently it was Netto's turn to face the evil of a very, very sore throat. Either that or he was petrified. He didn't need an explanation though; shortly after, the ground shook tremendously, and clatters of randomly tumbling things rang in the air. Enzan pulled himself and Netto to their feet, and bolted in the darkness to the desk, and flicked on the incandescent desk-lamp. He peered around at the dark surroundings of mess and minimal obstruction to the door.

"What the hell?" Enzan said bluntly, his restive mind seeming to hit its unresponsive mark, its importune desire to get moving. Nonetheless, Netto got the urge to keep going; he took Enzan's hand and led him toward the impalpable shadows of the door. He swung the door open, and peered out in a state of paranoia. Enzan took a few trotting steps out, and looked from side to side. There was a dark silence, immiscible with any other. The ticking of clocks shrilled in his ear, and a feeling of impending doom sang in his surroundings, with the darkness molding around it.

Yes… how comforting…

At last the ineluctable shockwave of sound made the two jump and be brought to near goose bumps. It was a hissing sound from one of the rooms, a quick and disturbing one. Enzan turned to the door and reluctantly tiptoed toward the sound. Enzan blinked when he realized what room it came from. It was from the Dimensional Area; the door had been opened. The teenager took an unsteady breath, and walked as calmly as possible, PET grinded into his palm.

At this point Enzan feared the worst of whom or what it could've been, and his heart pounded. What would he do if it were a rabid monster from the virtual world coming to attack Enzan and Netto as revenge by WWW that would tear out their eyes, pin them to the wall and eat their organs one by one while they were still breathing? Enzan bit his lip. He really needed to cut back on those Friday Horror movies.

Finally reaching his horrifying destination, he took a deep breath of good ole oxygen. Netto was right behind him, and twitching as he made a motion with his hand urging Enzan to go first. He rolled his eyes and made a swift movement toward the front of the door. He paused as he saw the empty rainbow-framed room.

"Who…" Enzan started. "Who turned it on?" There was a silence other than the humming of the DA emitters working around the room. He felt his heart pounding in his head, feeling like he was trapped in a horror movie. Proverbial twists and turns awaiting him to pull back the curtain and scream. He took his gradual steps in, and heard Netto's follow up in a steady pace. "Who… what happened…?" Enzan muttered.

"Wah, Enzan!" Netto cried in an uncertain panic. Enzan swirled around in a moment of heart-stopping silence, as he feared the worst of worst. At first he almost thought his life was flashing in his eyes. Instead it had been an artificial one; around Netto's hands glowed an ominous blue, and it hued out both of their faces. "No!" Netto cried, as he was thrown afar from an unusual blast of light, the PET hanging in the air—the source of the glow.

"Netto, no!" Enzan yelled, and his heart raced and thrummed the melody of evil. In moments he himself felt a pulsing in his hand of insurmountable strength, throwing him back in a red flash. He winced in pain as he fell head first into the ground. He lay there for only a few good moments, waiting for the pain to subside enough that he wouldn't tumble getting up. He let the buzzing and vibration go away, and slowly got to his knees. Letting everything come back into focus, he saw Netto sitting straight up, and gazing toward something. Enzan was silent, and then looked where Netto's eyes focused on.

His eyes fell upon two dark figures in front of him, one hunched over and back turned, little hair standing right at the tip of the back of his neck. The other was on one knee, a dark red so close to black that it could be mistaken for a shadow. In moments all four of them stood straight and in front of each other. Enzan's eyes widened and his weak fingers trembled to do something. His lips moved numbly, as if frozen in the barricades of ice. At last the sneers from the two dark ones sank in to the boys.

"Rokku…" Netto said slowly.

"Burusu…" Enzan's fist clenched at last and his heart sank. "Yami… Kokoro no Burusu…" (Dark Soul Blues is his name! I'm sorry, Japanese isn't my first language. I bow in apology)

A wry chuckle was his response. "Iie (No) just Blues would be fine…" His blackened crimson fist clenched before him, and the sneers became darker grins. Blues' armor was darker than even that of Dark Soul Blues.

How much hate could he have?

"Rockman…" Netto called. "Rockman, is that you? How—when—!" he stared at the smaller dark figure. What was assumed to be Rockman looked with blackened eyes full of hatred and distaste. After a few moments notice it changed to a sluggish smile. "Rokkuman…"

Rockman laughed half heartedly, or non-heartedly at all. It was the same voice that called him in his sleep, the same one that the boy was afraid of… but it was he knew… he knew… "Hmm… Netto-kun…" There was a silence, and Netto was pulled into a near false hope. "Netto-kun… deshitake? (It's just slang for "was it" or something along those lines Japanese use)" The brunette was speechless, and his arms went limp, staring into what was supposedly his Net Navi.

Enzan's eyes shook wildly, scanning the dark figures from heads to toe. There was a pause until the supposed 'evil' Blues grinned wildly yet again.

"Speechless, Enzan-sama?"

"…"

Blues snickered. "I don't have time for idle chat with you… how about we… get this over with…" His beam sword rose, and he chuckled darkly. It crackled with black sparks. Blues took a step forward and under his footsteps bloomed black lilies that seemed to laugh in Enzan's face. He was motionless, and full of a back lashing fear. His shoulders trembled violently, and his eyes went conspicuous, darting back and forth. At one point his eyes had met Netto's petrified figure, and it pulled him back to his senses. He took a shaky breath, and his eyes darted to the floor.

He knew what he would do… But wasn't sure it was right.

"Netto…" He called. The brunette shakily turned to the other.

"Enzan…" His tone was high and questioning. There was a silence as Blue's mockingly slow footsteps cackled in their ears.

"Run…" Netto's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped. He was speechless, and didn't know what to say. Confused at how all of this happened as well. He opened his mouth to argue, but Enzan cut in with a loud "RUN!" he grabbed Netto's hand with an iron grip, and led him out of the room. Blues leapt to the sky and his sword went for a swing. His fangs were bared as he was ready to kill his prey.

"You're not getting away that easily!" Blues shrilled with an unknown fury. "DIE!" He felt the sword apply a slight pressure against his palm, a pressure that could only mean he made contact. The beam saber hit the floor with a crackle at the very tip of the exit, and he watched the two dart away. "DAMN!" The dark Navi screamed with anger. "I HIT HIM! I KNOW I DID!" He heard a dry laugh come from behind him. He swirled around and put his hand to his side, the beam sword reforming into simple data, his dark hand revealed. "What's so funny?"

"Hmm… it's possible that you never hit him. You just hit the dimensional barrier…" The dark Rockman chuckled. "You come to anger much too quickly… Calm down Blues… the game's just begun…" There was a pause on Blues, and he sighed with aggravation.

"Humph… I didn't infect you so you could mock me Rock… I've used you to all I've needed you for. I don't need to kill you, go about your own business. I won't harm you unless you get in my way." He gave a near sinister laugh. "Though I do think it'd be hard to return to you're dear little Netto…" He said coyly. Rockman flinched, and stumbled for a minute, he held his head in an attempt to bring his dark self into control. Blues blinked behind the black visor. "Didn't completely infect you did I..." He gave a wry smile "Think you have the need to save your dear Netto now?" The crackle of the dark sword began to shrill in his ears. "I'll stop you… And tear that child to bitter shreds while I'm at it…" Rockman bent forwards and pleaded for balance.

"Gah… Netto…ku…" Rockman's voice had returned to what you'd call the original, but quickly returned… to what ever… whatever he was now… "Netto-kun… will die… with non-other than my wrath—gu!" His eyes widened as he felt the agony of pain burn in his abdomen. Blues did not respond, and watched the smaller dark Navi suffer. He merely laughed at the other's suffering.

"I see… your pathetic 'goodness' is rising to save the day… To be honest I almost saw it coming…" He made a tsk sound with his tongue, as he saw Rockman's dark colors lighten into what they once were. "Do me a favor; don't move…" Rockman only chuckled… well chuckled darkly. Blues scoffed, "idiot… You're holding me up; settle those problems of yours on your own… Hell I even thought you'd last a little longer than this!" He turned around and looked past the dimensional area, blocking his way. "Enzan-sama…" His voice was low, "about how long will it take to find you now?" His eyes turned to the corner of the colored room, where glimmering chips lay in a neat stacker. "Not too long…" He took his steps toward his destination.

Now we move on to the runners—go Enzan, go Netto!

"Enzan, where are we going?" Netto shrilled, hoping his voice would hold up as long as it could. "Enzan?" That was a good question. Where Enzan was leading the two he himself knew not. All he knew was that it was away, as far as Netto needed to be to stay safe. He'd handle the problem himself. There was one question remaining though.

"Netto," Enzan called between huffs "how did Rockman get involved in this? Did he get infected with the virus as well?" He spoke quick enough to be in near tongues, and his words slurred from exhaustion.

"I—I don't know! It could've been during that rain… it could've… Blues may have somehow infected Rock…" Netto said tiredly. "He—he touched the PET when it was soaked… Maybe… it transferred the remaining data…"

"Blues must've linked with him through it…" Enzan bit his lip hard. "Netto, I'm sorry…" At that point in time the brunette didn't have a response for the apology, but a light grunt in response. He heard the crunching of the fresh blanket of snow as they ran.

"Right now we have to talk to papa, but Blues and Rock became out PETs! How do we make contact with him now?"

"Netto! Enzan," An extended cry came in the distance. The two looked ahead and saw the familiar soldier run toward them.

"Laika," Netto huffed. "Uwaaah! Hidoi, hidoi something horrible happened!" (Technically just horrible) "Blues and Rockman—"

"I know, a partial amount of Blues was still there right?" Laika said, and came to a halt. Netto and Enzan followed suit, heavily run down. "The e-mail came from Enzan's PET. What's this about Rockman?"

"Blues infected Rockman and we entered the dimensional area, it turns out they messed with the systems and lured us there so they could be brought to the real world." Enzan took his last breath and sighed. "So now they're probably coming after us, or feel like tearing my home apart for shits. You take a guess." Laika raised an annoyed eyebrow. "We need to talk to Hikari-hakase; he might be able to help us—whoa!" Enzan fell startled, as Netto came out of nowhere and shoved him to the ground. He gasped in pain, wind almost knocked out of him—a searing pain running through his back in a long line that trailed along his body.

"Enzan, look!" Netto cried pointing. Enzan gasped for air, and with all his might pulled himself up. Looking past Netto's hovering body, he could see before them, one dark figure, weapon raised high in the air.

"Blues…" Enzan groaned, barely able to stand the pain. A fall couldn't do that.

"Enzan, you're bleeding!" Laika called, immediate terror rising from the voice. Enzan turned his head slightly, and then turned his body quickly and looked at the bleached ground, with a new dye of thick, fresh blood. He turned back painfully as he heard a dark howl of laughter. He glared into the darkness with a feeling of rage and remorse.

"I'm sorry, that must've been my fault…" what could be seen of Blues' face glowed with a near glee. Had he really enjoyed hurting Enzan so much? "Would you like me to end your misery? Netto may have protected you from that one, but it won't happen again… and I can guarantee it…"

Enzan slowly pulled himself to his feet, Laika holding him for support. This was going to prove considerably difficult.

"Enzan…" Laika whispered. "What can we do? He has a total advantage against us, we can't fight him." Enzan's head lowered; he was right, they couldn't do anything at the moment. A dry laugh raised his head and got his attention.

"Are you really that stupid? Fine, here…" He tossed something in Laika's direction. He caught it in hit white gloves, and clenched his fist, slowly unfolding it to reveal a chip. "Use the holo-chip or what ever it's called; I wouldn't want you going out without a fight…" Laika looked up suspiciously, but then what choice did he have? Trap or no trap he had to do something. He took a deep breath.

"Holo-chip, slot in!" Sliding the chip into the PET nervously, it began to glow, and pushed him away. "Searchman!" He cried on impulse. He got up quickly and walked quickly toward the light of where his Net Navi would be. "Searchman, are you…" the light faded, and his worst fears came into him. Searchman looked little changed, though he was still frightened. Searchman turned around and raised his weapon onto his shoulder.

"Laika-san, that wasn't quite thought through now, was it?" Searchman said with a smile. Laika sighed with relief, and looked back toward Blues, whom merely grinned.

"What's a kill without a fight?" came the blunt response. Blues raised his crackling sword, and pointed it toward the green Navi. "This'll be fun… Searchman… do you have the willpower to actually shoot me?" There was a pause, until Searchman raised his rifle to Blues. "Hmm… interesting…" Searchman snarled, and pressed gently on the trigger.

"Dame yo Searchman!" ("Don't") Enzan cried. "Don't kill him!" He took his steps close and in front of the weapon, so close that it grazed his shirt. Searchman grimaced, and turned his head to look at Laika. The soldier nodded, and Searchman backed off. Enzan made a head motion to acknowledge the two, and turned to face Blues.

"Oh… you ruined my fun…" Blues said with a rather obnoxious tone. "But I suppose I can suffice with completing my… original goal…" His sword pointed directly Enzan's neck level. "I'll swipe your head clean off." He gave a stark raving mad grin. Enzan tilted his head up and swallowed hard. The dark Navi's arm winded back, "Any last words, Enzan-sama?"

"Blues…" Netto whimpered. "You don't have to do this… You really… really don't…"

"Actually… as a matter of fact… I do… So quit your belly aching. I want to know what my dear conniving Net Op has to say." Blues' left hand coldly caressed Enzan's numbed face. "Well? I want to hear it. Have any complaints, commands, wishes, desires you want me to fulfill?" For a moment his voice when demonic and full of the hate that Enzan feared. He twitched at those words.

Could these thoughts really have crossed Blues mind before?

Did it ALWAYS cross his mind?

There was nothing, and Enzan's expression turned blank. There was a silence as Blues tried to read him, but there was nothing. "Humph…" Blues scoffed. "Putting on a brave face I see… Hmm?" Blues was surprised for a minute, as he saw tears rain down Enzan's pale cheeks. He felt something twist within him, but instantly burned the thought away. "Ja… Enzan-sama…" he chuckled darkly. "Sayonara… DIE!" (Must I really translate that…?) He thrust forward his arm, ready to sever the head from the body.

The Ijuuin's arms gently lifted from his sides, as if to welcome his fall.

"ENZAN!" Netto screamed, watching horrified as it all went by slowly.

"NO BLUES DON'T DO IT!" The soldier shrilled, 'I didn't think he'd really… it…' "SEARCHMAN!"

"HAI!" Searchman in a heartbeat raised his weapon and poised to shoot.

"Blues…" Enzan said quietly. He could almost hear his voice echo as the crackling blade made a deafening sound in his ears.

"Blues…"

"Have you always hated me…?"

Chapter 8 End

I just love cliffhangers, it drives you guys' nuts, but it makes me squeamish and hyper! Which is weird, but whatever.

Read and Review I hope. I really, really hope. I will love you if you do. Then I will glomp you, and write more... not faster... but I'll write more