I'm back again. I hope the last chapter didn't scare you off. Now why did i say that? If it did scare you off you wouldn't be reading this so it is a pointless statement.
Ok, enough of my complaining. I had better start this chapter before I lose my mind.
About a week and a half has passed since Steve and Zero first arrived at ACDC and they had been accepted into gang quickly. Zero and Ciel were rarely seen apart and as a consequence Steve and Sam were often together, much to the disliking of Dex. Their first week had been spent providing information to the town guard, getting to know the gang and getting used to staying in a town again. Once the town guard had extracted all of the information that thought Steve and Zero had, the pair offered their services to help protect the town. Before they could be of any use, in the minds of the Guard leaders, their combat skills had to be tested.
Steve, who had been staying at Lan and Maylu's house, was walking with Lan to the Guard Training grounds to be tested. Steve was still puzzling over something he heard the previous evening about Zero.
"So why is it that I have to be tested as a 'New Recruit' and Zero has been accepted into the guard straight away." Asked Steve.
"That's down to Protocol. Netnavi's all have a purpose they were programmed for, and in Zero's case they have recognised he is a warrior and can be put to use." Answered Lan turning to face Steve. "With people they have to test the abilities of every applicant to make sure they don't send them to certain death in battle."
"Oh," came Steve's response. "And what is this test going to consist of then?"
"Just a fight against a training navi. Nothing for you to worry about if you have been learning from Zero." Lan finished turning away and looking at his watch. "We had better hurry up or we are going to be late!"
The pair began to run towards the training grounds at high speeds. Coming up to a busy road they saw the lights had just turned to let them cross and they sprinted past barely missing a Red and Purple couple turning the corner.
"Typical Lan, always rushing around because he is late." Sighed Ciel turning to look at Zero. "I wonder where they are going?"
"Probably the Training grounds, Steve has his test today." Said Zero watching the pair disappear into the distance. "Come on, let's go watch. I think it could be fun." Turning to cross the road, Zero and Ciel began to follow them.
Standing at the entrance to the training ground was Yai waiting for Steve to arrive. Seeing Steve and Lan running to meet her she looked at her watch and smiled.
"On time for once Lan." Mocked Yai. She turned to Steve and said "Its good to see you again Steve."
"Nice to see you again too." Said Steve shaking Yai's hand.
"If you would like to follow me I will take you to the testing area." Yai said turning round. "And Lan, now you really are late."
"Huh, oh yeah. Good luck Steve, I'll see you later." Lan said taking off at a run again.
"Thanks" Steve replied as he turned to follow Yai.
Reaching the testing ground Steve saw that it was a large open space with a raised platform to one side. Looking at the around there were scorch marks and gouges that suggested that training often occurred in the area. Steve followed Yai over to the platform where 4 older men were sitting behind a desk and a standard navi stood beside them. Motioning for Steve to stand in front of the stand Yai went and sat down at the desk as one of the other men stood up.
"Welcome Mr Omega, This will be a simple test of your abilities. I see you have brought your weapon with you. If you are ready we will begin." He said. As Steve stretched the standard navi made its way to the field and took up position before Steve and took up an offensive stance. Steve also took up an offensive position, steadying his war hammer and prepared for the confrontation.
Sitting on a rooftop in the compound close to the training ground, Zero and Ciel were watching Steve prepare for his test.
"I hope he does alright. I don't want to see him get hurt." Ciel said.
"He doesn't stand a chance" Replied Zero in a definite tone. This worried Ciel slightly but she kept quiet, watching carefully so she could get over there if Steve got hurt.
Once both of the competitors had taken up offensive positions one of the men on the platform shouted "GO!" and the test began. The standard navi moved first raising its sword to attack. Steve took his opportunity and struck quickly with a heavy blow to the side of the navi's head, sending it flying into the wall behind the platform. Ciel gasped at this, not quite believing what she had seen.
On the platform the only one without their mouth hanging open in awe was Yai who had gone to check on the downed navi and begin repairs. Steve turned to the platform with a disappointed look and said, "I think that navi's defective."
"Eh… umm… right." Said one of the men regaining his composure. "That navi was set to basic level. I think we need to raise the level." Taking out his P.E.T he sent a message for a higher level navi to be sent to the training field. After a few minutes wait another standard navi exited a door the opposite side of them and made its way over to the group.
"This is one of our highest level training navi. I believe that if you can defeat this navi you will be the first new recruit to do so." Said the same man who called for the new navi. "Now if you are ready we will start again."
Getting into a fighting stance again, both Steve and the standard navi waited for the signal to start. When one of the men shouted "Go" both of them lunged forward to attack, Steve coming from below and the navi from above. Stepping back from the attack both swung again from their right and their weapons collided again. This time the navi was pushed back and forced onto the defensive. Bringing his hammer round from the left Steve struck again from the left knocking the navi off balance. As the navi fell over Steve swung the hammer in a downward arc aimed at the navi. Just before the hammer hit home the navi disappeared leaving the hammer to dent the floor.
Standing up slowly Steve whispered "Battlechips, This could get interesting." Getting into a defensive position he closed his eyes and waited for the chip to wear off and the battle to continue.
After the navi disappeared the men on the platform started whispering among themselves.
"I didn't know that the training navi's could use battlechips." Said the man who called for the navi.
"It's a recent enhancement we had to make for out top level guardsmen. They said they needed better training navis so our scientists upgraded them." Said the man next to him.
"Oh." The first man replied. "I think we better stop this before he gets hurt."
"I think we have to worry about the navi and not Mr Omega there." Said the man on his other side turning back to the action.
"Fine" replied the first man. "But if anything happens it's on your head." When he finished he turned back to Steve just before the fight restarted.
Up with Zero and Ciel the two were in visibly differing states. Ciel was still in shock from the first navi and the start of the second test. On top of that she was worried that Steve would be hurt when the test resumed. Zero, on the other hand, was calm and relaxed. He had sat there watching the fight confidant in the fact that Steve would be triumphant.
"To the Left" mouthed Zero predicting the navis moves.
Seeing that Steve hadn't moved since he stood up the navi moved in to attack before the chips effect wore off. Bringing his sword back ready to strike the chip wore off just as he started his swing. Having believed that his strike would hit its target he was startled when Steve's weapon moved to block the attack.
Steve wasted no time after blocking the attack from his left and lunged into another flurry of attacks. Three swift blows took the navi to the floor where Steve pinned him using his hammer. Looking to the men on the platform Steve saw that they were again gaping at what they had seen. Deciding to gain their attention again he said, "I guess I pass then."
"Now I see why the alliance are after you" said Yai, recovering quicker than the others on the platform. "That was amazing."
"I think we can safely allow you to join the guard." Said one of the men pulling him self together. "If it is possible we would like to put you to work as quickly as possible."
"That's fine with me" replied Steve.
"Good, we will contact you when we need you. Now if you will follow Miss Ayano, she will take you to meet your new training partners." Finished the man furthest to the right. He turned and led the rest of the men out of the training area into the guard HQ. Making her way up to Steve, Yai motioned for him to follow her and started to walk towards the opposite side of the complex. Once they entered a door Ciel and Zero made their way down from their perch and left the grounds to find something to help Ciel calm down.
In one of the training rooms two blades collided in a large explosion, sending the wielders flying into opposite walls. After a few groans from the combatants the door to the room opened and an orange blur sped over to the blue navi. His immediate question was "Are you alright?"
"I think so." He groaned in reply. " I'm taking the pain in my limbs as a good sign."
"It's a good thing that you are still in one piece as I'm sure Roll would have someone head if you weren't." the orange figure offered his hand to help the blue one up.
"Thanks Lan." Said Megaman as he stood up and stretched his aching limbs.
As Megaman stood up another figure with black and white hair strolled into the room and made his walk over to the red navi on the other side of the room. A quick exchange of worry was made before they both turned and headed for the door. Before he left the red navi turned to Megaman and said "Nice work kid, I think you are improving." This being said he left the room.
"I wonder what's up with Chaud lately, it seems since Steve turned up he has been moody and arrogant, well more than usual." Complained Lan, scratching the back of his head.
"No idea, but I hope it is finished with soon, we never know when the alliance will attack and we will need his help." Reasoned Megaman as he to headed for the door. As the pair exited the room they heard a shout.
"LAN, MEGAMAN WAIT UP!" Yai shouted from down the corridor. Turning to look they saw Yai and Steve walking down the corridor. When they were closer Yai spoke again. "We were just looking for you."
"I hope its good news" replied Megaman. "I've just put that training room through its paces and I'm to tired for bad news."
"Oh really, how did the modifications hold up." Asked Yai, her interest sparked.
"Well. Even my Mgabuster only left scorch marks."
"So why were you looking for us then Yai?" interrupted Lan.
"Oh yea, we have some new training partners for you."
"Who's that then?" questioned Megaman, mentally guessing whom it could be.
"Steve here and Zero." Yai answered.
"Congratulations" grinned Megaman shaking his hand.
"I take it the test went well then." Said Lan, stating the obvious.
"Piece of Cake. You were right, nothing to worry about." Steve grinned. The group then moved on to attempt to find Chaud and tell him the 'good' news.
Another chapter done and more questions raised than answered I think. For anyone wanting to see more of Chaud and protoman they should feature more in the next chapter.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and will see you next time.