Mental Trauma

Chapter 11 Fight for you

Laika piled his hands on top of each other, and placed them oh so delicately on his lap. He turned back and forth on his chair in the dark, as the curtains shielded him from the light of the day. He was suddenly regretting his leaving, and wished that he could go back; to make sure everything was okay. Hopefully Blues hadn't gone rogue and strangled Enzan to death or something. He blinked at the thought, and shook his head to the point of insanity. No! Thoughts of strangle is bad! Laika smacked his forehead with the ball of his hand, resulting in a loud clunking sound in his head.

"Damn…" Laika said, annoyed with it all. "If I'm going to leave like that, I better actually have something planned next time." The mint-haired soldier scratched his nose awkwardly. He soon brought it higher up and into his hair, careful as to not let the wedge get in the way of his scratching and whatnot. "Oh god…" he pulled his hand out of his hair, knocking off the wedge in the process. His eyes were rather wide with insurmountable shock.

"What is it?" Searchman said concerned, putting down the polish to his sniper rifle. There was a silence as Laika recollected his wedge and brushed it off, putting it back so delicately on his head. Searchman felt like falling over in the process.

"Searchman…" Laika said rather slowly and conspicuously. "Would it… come as a surprise to you… if I said I'm bored?" within seconds there was a loud clatter in the PET, and scuffling clickety clacks of a certain someone picking up their rifle, most likely doing something not short of a face fault. "Searchman, is everything okay?" Laika peered into the PET, as the green Navi didn't seem to be present. He watched the access button turn as usual in the background as he waited for a response, knowing that his Navi was tidying up his mess. He almost jumped when Searchman popped up quickly, rifle hooked on his back, and a hand over his mouth as he coughed. "I'll take that as a yes…" Laika said amused.

"Ahem, Laika-san would it… interest you if you made a stop at SciLab? I would like to see how Rockman is faring; I'm considerably worried." Laika straightened up in silence, staring hard at the green Navi. He just needed something to stare at; Searchman was there already. "It was quite a vital area; it's quite beyond obvious that you know that." The soldier nodded solemnly, his eyes moving into a different direction.

"I know, Searchman. I know." Laika said listlessly, but in such a way that Searchman could tell that Laika was reluctant. Who could blame him? It was a recent memory, and a horrible one, something that anyone would want to forget. The green Navi however, still wanted to be there for his young friend.

"Laika-san," said Searchman, "You know, they say that when you visit your… friends and wish them well they get recover faster right?" Laika blinked, and turned complete attention to Searchman. What did he just say? He never really thought that his Navi would ever say something like that, but then again there were lots of things that nobody would ever think of him saying but he said anyway. Laika smiled at his Navi.

"Searchman," Laika said fairly pleasant, the green Navi stood at attention, and awaited his superior's continuing. "Searchman, you're a good man."

"Uh—you mean Navi,"

"No, I mean man." Laika said as a matter-of-factly. He hadn't seen Searchman as a Navi for a long time now. Maybe he's seen him as one of his subordinates once every now and then, but hardly ever a Network Navigator and he never saw himself as an Operator. They were just two good friends, working as a team… with one of them of higher rank. He'd just add that in for fun in his musings. The two shared hapless grins at each other. "Now," Laika started, "Let's go see our friend." Laika got out of his chair with much clattering. He took a few steps forward… falling on his face in the process. "Where're the lights?" Searchman shook his head in embarrassment. Every weird phrase came with a weird incident…

---

"I'm… going to kill Netto… with my own… hands…" the dark Navi strained, pushing against his light, doing his best to plunge the sword deeper into him. He gasped as the one his light possessed crackled throughout his data and panted. Both Rockman and Rockman whimpered beneath their swords.

"Netto-kun…" the light groaned, "Watashi… Netto-kun o mamoru!"(I'm not too sure that I said this write, I didn't pick this up from anything, but I've been studying particles, and I tried to put together a sentence like this! It means "I will protect Netto" or something along those lines. Please I beg of you, correct me right away if I'm wrong!) He let out a cry, not sure whether it was of strength or of the agony of a blade in his stomach, either way, he did his best to push the blade further into his counterpart, as the other did him.

How long had he been like this? Since when did he ever want to hurt Netto? It was unthinkable! Yet somehow, something brought him to do more than think of it. For a while, he was more than ready to slice a hole through his little brother, and perhaps even have the gall to have a taste of his blood!

Okay, maybe not that far…

He just thanked god that he could stop himself at the moment, but right now he was focusing more on how to defeat his dark half, wherever he may come from…

However it seemed quite impossible at the moment… their strength was evenly matched, and it was as good as any stalemate could ever get... He was getting tired, as his doppelganger gave him a psychotic grin, and licked his lips teasingly.

"Netto-kun is mine." He wheezed. Rockman—the good Rockman—gritted his teeth in annoyance and pain.

"No! Chigau!" he howled, taking a deep toothy breath. (It means along the lines of 'I beg to differ', in this case I make it 'You're wrong!') "You won't lay a finger on Netto-kun! I WON'T LET YOU!" At very long last, he made a move, and sliced the blade to the side, pulling the sword out of his dark. He let out a cry of agony and torture, falling backwards, his sword slicing up as it pulled out, barely grazing his light's icon, who shrilled and collapsed to the floor. Blades dematerializing, Rockman lay helpless on the floor.

"Netto-ku…"

---

"Papa! What's happening to Rockman?" The brunette cried, watching as his Navi shrilled and writhed, his icon glowing a warning red. His body seemed to contort and twist in agony. "Rockman? Rockman, are you okay?" Netto's hands slammed against the glass, as he called for his brother. "Niisan!"

"NETTO-KUN," Rockman called, voice seeming to flux. "Netto-kun!"

"Rockman! ROCKMAN! H-hang in there! Papa," Netto took a violent glare to his father, who scrambled over the screen that sparked the Net Navi's data.

"I-Incredible! I've never seen anything like this!" The doctor seemed to glow as he ogled what he saw before him, which didn't exactly appeal to the brunette net savior at the moment. His father quickly caught one, "Oh! R-readings are way off the scale; his physical structure should've dematerialized by now!" Netto blinked, as he awaited a better explanation, "In other words… Netto," His father said with a rather surprised tone, "Rockman is… resisting deletion!" Netto's eyes flew open in radical surprise, was resisting such a thing even possible? It was like fighting ultimately death up to certain measures. In fact… it was just like facing death. Netto stood dumbfounded, at how his Navi could really fight back such a thing. It wasn't a disease; it was the fight between goings from this world, to the beyond.

"Rockman," Netto whispered. Suddenly, a new surge of energy ran through him, almost as a jolt. His face of worry and impending doom changed to a hysterical grin, as his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white. He gave a well motivated and powerful cry, "ROCKMAN," He shrieked, punching his fist into the air "Ganba, Ganba, GANBA!" He cheered (traditionally, when the Japanese cheer for each other, that's what they generally cry, "Do your best!" and the like ) this kind of miracle didn't come too often, so you'd have to let him have his share of whooping. His father, though feeling like his ears would explode, let the whooping continue.

"Rockman," He called quietly, "come out of this alive…"

---

"Netto-kun… it hurts! It burns so badly!" the blue Navi cried, clutching his icon, which had a piece torn off. It was hard to bear; the icy hot feeling was more than enough to send him to hell and back. His shallow breaths faltered as he felt a kick to the side, the wind getting knocked right out. He shrilled in agony. He cried out his operator's name, which seemed to give him some sort of solace to the pain.

"Weak…" a voice muttered close to his ear. It was dark and nerve racking. "You think you can beat me, and then you lay on the ground so helpless… when in fact I'm still here…" Rockman felt himself been pulled up by the neck, choking as he was lifted into the air. "You hurt me pretty bad little man, I'm going to make you pay…" Rockman's eyes slowly slid open, as it revealed his darker side again, he received a knee to the stomach.

---

The panels sparked and crackled, sending the professor backward for a few moments. "What the—" He returned to the panel, trying to peer thorough the smoke that came from the piece of scrap. ""It seems that Rockman's resistance is weakening! A part of his mental operating subroutines just froze on him!"

"What!" Netto whirled around, fist now at half mast, "Is that like brain damage?" the net savior asked stupidly. His father nodded nervously, pressing hard at the keys.

"It was one of the core programs, if anything else freezes it may leave Rockman as good as brain dead! I'm trying to send him a back up; it was vital, but not irreplaceable." As he pressed on the receive button, triple notes sounded, indicating, "Transaction failed! No! Not possible!" the doctor slightly panicked, and restarted the process of beeping and whatnot. The annoying sound came again, almost like a game show, Netto mused, except instead of money, a life was on the line, and this was the impossible question. "I can't see anything wrong! I should be able to access the main subroutines!" the doctor cursed under his breath and tried one more time, but only finding himself at another loss. "NO! Rockman let me in!" he cried, slamming his fists just beneath the keys. Netto turned back to watch his brother writhe and twist and cry. He clutched his heart tightly, and gritted his teeth.

"Rokkuman… Don't do this to me. Please don't do this to me…" he shut his eyes tight, and let out a painful wail, "ROKKUMAAAAAAAAAAN!

---

"ROKKUMAAAAAAAN!" A voice came in the crevices of his mind, a cry that shrilled in the very far end of it. It was a voice he knew well, better than anything. He could hear it echo in his mind, as he hit the floor hard. "HANG IN THERE!"

"N-Netto…kun… GAH!" he received a boot to the face, not that he could feel all that well anymore. He rolled further and further, finally coming to a sliding halt. He mumbled out groans of agony as he staggered to his feet. "Why—why should I h-hate Netto-kun? He's fa-hamily! He's… my little brother!" He wheezed, nearly tripping again. Her heard his counterpart cackle aloud, obviously amused with something he said.

"Family, hah! Is that what you call it now?" The darker half seemed to grin over the concept. Rockman took interest; curious as to what his dark side meant. His face fell stern and threatening, "Don't you think that you could be out there, experiencing all of those things that your… brother is? Instead of inside this worthless piece of data and scrap metal, you could frolic in the grass?" the dark said mockingly, but in a way his anger seemed to echo in the better Navi's mind. "It should've been he who died, instead of us!"

"No! It's not like that!" Rockman contradicted, it felt weird, because it wasn't the dark Rockman from the previous, he knew that. This was a part of him, separated from his consciousness. It hardly crossed his mind, but was this what his subconscious longed for? Of course one could dream about the real world, but he's been there before. Could he have truly longed for touching the earth from the very beginning? No, it couldn't be true; he could never be so selfish… could he? "Netto-kun and I… this way we… It's not like that!" Rockman stammered, feeling threatened. "Whether I… died or not doesn't matter! So long as I can be around Netto-kun in my own way, it doesn't matter what way I am! If Netto were the one to die…" He felt something squeeze his heart, and he collapsed to the ground, along with his counterpart. The two grimaced in pain. "Bad thought… bad thought…" Rockman said miserably.

"Exactly! If your dear little Netto-kun died, wouldn't you two be in the same boat? You two would be together in your own little way! It'd be you two, side by side in your own little world! Does it really matter where you are? " The dark said almost pleasantly. "If we kill Netto, his consciousness will be brought here by dear old Daddy!" He breathed heavy, and then pushed himself up with a groan. "I'm just as good as helping you!" He took a couple steps toward his counterpart, reaching a hand toward him. "Don't you think it'd be so nice that way? Here; take my hand…" he said in a low voice, almost teasing and seductive. (Can't get much more villainy than this!) Well, his father would probably do the same to save and preserve Netto-kun's mind. This way, they wouldn't be so far apart, and he always wondered what it would be like as a tag team… Rockman slowly reached toward the darker hand, "Yes… we can be together with Netto…in our own…little…way…"

"Netto-kun…" Rockman shut his eyes tight, and slapped the offering hand away. "I'd never do that to Netto-kun!" He pushed himself backwards, his left hand over his right forearm, "Rokku Bustaa!" (Rock Buster, Baby!) He cried, with his arm rematerializing into his lovable default weapon. Aiming towards his doppelganger, "I'm not like you! Not one bit! Chyaaj Shotto!"(CHARGE SHOT) The barrel glowed a bright red (Because I don't like pink) which grew large and sparked.

"Wait—what the hell do you think you're doing? Do you know the consequences of destroying me? I-I'm a part of you!" the dark Navi panicked, stumbling backwards from his better half, facing down the barrel of justice so to speak (Corny! CORNY/goes to wash mouth out with soap/). "A-Aim that somewhere else, you sniveling no good little gnat! (Ka)" he howled, kicking backwards nervously.

"You can't be me! You could never be a part of me! I know I'd never think of something so cruel about Netto-kun! It doesn't matter! IT DOESN'T MATTER!" He let the developed shot go, heading straight and fast toward his counterpart, who shrilled as he became consumed in the blast. Rockman began to feel his body burn, for even though the evil wasn't part of him, somehow they shared a link. He wrapped arms around himself and moaned, feeling his wound burn. He was partially lying, that was part of him… a tiny piece that grew in part of the infection that he received, and it hurt to know that he himself felt that desire at all, even if it was less than one percent. Deep inside were selfish thoughts, and that was enough to haunt him for a lifetime. His hand returned, and he collapsed to the ground, feeling his inner world darken, knowing that he would soon awaken…

"Netto-kun…"

---

"Rockman…" Netto sighed, as he saw that the blue Navi's screams weakened, his face softened, and the thrashing halted. Something had gone on inside of his Navi's mind, and Rockman had succeeded in overcoming it. His hands palpated the window that obscured his reach and smiled at his brother's contented face. He turned to his father, who leaned back in his chair, wiping smoke off of his glasses and face, which turned and nodded in his direction. The two shared grins and giggles, as one should always do after a time like this. No one really needed to say that Rockman's status was improving, for they could already tell. Netto slowly turned around, and leaned against the glass, letting himself fall down to the floor…

"Hello floor…" Netto said drowsily, rubbing the smooth surface of the laboratory, earning chuckles from his father. He went back to work after giving his son a gentle pat on the head, and perhaps if Netto was hearing things correctly, was beginning to mutter his prayers of thank you for the safety of the young blue Navi that he proudly called his son. N He smiled, closed his eyes and relaxed as he sat upon the cold tile floor. He was so tired he could sleep there… had Laika not suddenly barged in through the door with a crying pant. Netto frowned, not quite in the mood to open his eyes as it was the first time he got a chance at relieved sleep. Laika panted as he leaned against the now cracked doorframe. The doctor turned to the Sharo soldier in confusion, with a look that said 'what the hell did you do to my door and why' all over it.

"Netto, is everything okay? Netto," Laika said instantaneously when he saw Netto lay there. He darted toward the younger Net savior and put an arm around his shoulder and shook him. "Are you alright? Netto? Wake up! Netto?" He stopped as he felt the boy scramble out of his agitating grip.

"Alright, alright, enough already! I'm awake, okay? So rude you are!" Netto said in annoyance, rubbing at his eyes. "I try to take a nap and look what happens, Papa!" The doctor merely chuckled. Laika slightly embarrassed but not about to show it, looked around the room slightly dumbfounded; had he not recently heard that there was a power shortage within the area? He only assumed that meant Rockman was in danger.

"Netto," Laika said slowly, "What happened to Rockman? Is he alright?" the boy blinked momentarily, and then smiled, giving the other boy thumbs up. Laika sighed in relief and closed his eyes for a moment, opening them when Netto gave him a poke in the cheek. Startled, he blinked at the younger Net Savior. He felt slightly warm when he saw Netto pout. "Wah—what's the matter?" he asked, almost flustered. Netto crossed his arms and glared at Laika for a moment.

"Laika…" he said slowly and wining. The boy raised an eyebrow. "I…" Intent on the answer, Laika nodded slowly. "I want…" Netto said very slowly, he got onto his knees and smiled. "I want some curry." Laika face faulted so oddly with a groan that nobody got to hear all that often. Netto blinked and scratched his cheek in confusion. 'Was it something I said?' The doctor took notice of the occurrence and started laughing. Apparently, Netto wasn't too in on the joke.

"What's so funny?" Netto looked at the two and wined. Laika gave him an ominous smile and patted him almost affectionately on the head.

"And here we thought that you were going to say something important," Laika said knowingly, making Netto grow in frustration. He was hungry, so sue him!

"Of COURSE it's important! I'm starving and I might not live! So be of some help and get some curry for take out!" he shoved Laika playfully. The soldier grinned and gave him a mock salute out the door. Netto's father's laughter died down, and he sighed. "Papa is Laika going to come back?" he asked stupidly. His father was silent for a moment as he continued typing in some repair data. He chuckled, as he glanced down at his little son.

"I hope so," he said cheerfully, "I'm kind of hungry, myself!"

---

"Enzan-sama! You shouldn't be getting up!" Blues had his arm around his Net Op's waist as he collapsed into him. He was still pale and as thin as a sheet. As far as anyone was concerned, he was in no condition to be going out. "Please, just rest!" Enzan shook his head no with a weak smile, as he leaned into his supportive Navi.

"Blues…" Enzan said weakly, "I can't rest, I've missed nine days of work, and I know my father just won't stand for that." He let Blues lead him into a chair and set down gently. Blues stammered for a moment, knowing how important it was for Enzan's father to acknowledge him; no matter how ignorant his father was he still loved him. Enzan pulled himself toward the desk, rolling in his comfy office chair. He reached for the desk lamp and clicked it on, pulling out his laptop from god knows where. Blues put a disapproving hand on the back of the screen before it clicked open. Enzan looked pleading at the older-looking Navi. "Please, Blues, I need to do some work or I'll kill myself!" Blues frowned, and released the laptop unwillingly. Enzan smiled weakly and said "Thank you, Blues" quietly as his head leaned momentarily on the Navi's shoulder. He pulled away and began to turn on his laptop. Blues rolled his eyes in defeat, and for once, Enzan could see it. His smile broadened and he giggled lightly, "Your eyes are pretty…" Enzan said stupidly, he took in a sharp breath, realizing what he just said. 'I did not just say that out loud.' His face heated up, now doing his best to keep from making eye contact; he felt completely conspicuous at the moment.

Of course, Blues took notice of this and smiled playfully as the boy's face turned a healthy shade of red, head making sharp movements back and forth. At last he found something to focus on; the laptop had loaded, and as soon as he activated his programs, he began typing furiously, doing his best to keep what he said out of his mind. Blues frowned; he didn't like being ignored, especially by Enzan when he was trying so hard to do so. Blues smiled inwardly at himself, beginning to feel playful. He slowly reached toward the backing of the boy's chair, and in a sudden movement spun the boy to face him. Enzan yelped at the sudden motion, leaning backwards to keep a slight distance between him and Blues. Suddenly he felt embarrassed at his reaction, and put himself back into a normal sitting position, and recomposed himself. He stared curious at Blues, keeping the heat from rushing to his face, which was hard considering he was leaning in.

"You like my eyes?" Blues said coyly, his right hand still pinning the chair into one position, and the other running a finger around the boy's jaw-line. In teasing Enzan he was being a little mean, but what self-respecting love-struck Navi wouldn't take advantage of a moment like this, seriously! Enzan darted his eyes down as he made a barely audible sound that confirmed what he said. His face suddenly turned red at the location he just so happened to land onto. Blues' midsection was slim and curved, close to a female's but not totally. It rarely occurred to Enzan that Navis always wore plug-suits, because he never really took a good look.

Enzan's eyes darted away again, his head turning, only to be caught by Blues thumb and index finger. Enzan slowly guided his eyes into Blues, "I like your eyes." Blues whispered knowingly. The boy's face heated again, as he just couldn't look away any more; Blues had gotten too close. Enzan whimpered, and shut his eyes tight, having a feeling of what Blues was about to do. The red Navi stood dumbfounded for a moment and backed off, embarrassed at how Enzan had reacted. Did he not like it?

Enzan blinked as he felt the close aura fade away, he looked at Blues, who had a sad look on his face, and had backed away completely. The Navi smiled weakly, "I'll stop bothering you, then…" he said, reaching for the glowing chip that lay snug on his shoulder. Enzan was slightly shocked.

"Wait, Blues, what're you doing?" He panicked, knowing what Blues was doing, he asked anyway.

"I am deactivating the Holo-chip, that way in the PET I won't be such a distraction." The red Navi smiled toward his Net Op, as his fingers wrapped around the tiny contraption. He closed his eyes and began to glow. It suddenly came to a halt as Enzan dove into Blues, knocking him over with a loud thud.

"No!" Enzan said, pinning Blues' hands to the ground. "You're no distraction! Don't leave me, please!" the boy pleaded, breathing over the Navi's face. His hair hung loosely all over the place, creating waves in the carpet. The red Navi was wide-eyed at Enzan's immediate reaction, and smiled nodding. Enzan released Blues' hands returned the smile, and as he pulled himself up, Blues had grabbed the boy around the waist, preventing him from getting up. The boy stumbled and landed back into Blues, head into the side of the red Navi's collarbone.

"Stay with me," Blues said, "Just a little longer, hmm?" He stroked the boy's hair intently, pulling his hair out of the way; he gently pressed his lips over his forehead. Enzan sighed in defeat, but happily closed his eyes nuzzled Blues neck playfully. Blues purred in content; he had momentarily won the battle against work and play. They could've stayed like that forever…

If only Netto and Laika hadn't barged in on the two.

"Enzan! We bring you much curry to be share—d" Netto's voice faded as he saw the two lay on the floor before him. His eyes widened, as everyone was silent and still. Enzan turned red, and quickly stumbled off of Blues. He sat with his legs folded and out at his sides, while Blues just plain sat on his ass. Laika frowned and put a hand over his face, rubbing at his temple. Netto trembled momentarily, but got the better.

"Uh, I… we brought curry…"

End Chapter

Okay, you wonder as to why I did a segment on Rockman when this is a story on Blues? A friend needed a fillerupper… yeah… so… kind of a side story… did you notice?

Back on Riveting schedule D

READ AND REVIEW PLEASE.