Dark Liger: "Hey MegaMan! ProtoMan! Roll! Medi!"
MegaMan: "Hey DL. We haven't seen you for a while."
DL: "Yeah, I know! Oh, a few days ago, I realized that I may have missed something very important about being a good fan fiction author."
Medi: "Really? What's that?"
DL: "Acknowledging hits and reviews!"
ProtoMan: "You can't miss something like that!"
Roll: "Yeah! Readers like it when the author acknowledges their comments! You know that, don't you?"
DL: "I do now. So I want take this time to greatly express my appreciation.
Thank you all who viewed and/or reviewed my story. I definitely want you reviews for your positive comments regarding this fic. I really thought I would get fan flames regarding certain pairings; but this shows me that you all are very mature (and I mean that in the best possible way). So I would like the following people:
Ri2 – Thanks for all the reviews throughout the entire story.
Mbbal-railracer – I really appreciate your help and support.
Erckie – Thank you so much! As you can see! This story had not died, and neither has the either one; I'm just waiting until I finish the next couple of chapters after this one, if that's what you're worried about.
X – Thanks for the comment.
ClampLover – I hope you're enjoying this story so far. If not, I would like to hear your suggestions.
And thanks to all of the readers who read this story.
ProtoMan: "I think that takes care of the reviews for now."
MegaMan: "Don't you feel better, now that you got that off your chest?"
DL: "Much Better."
Roll: "I got an idea. Since you're at the next chapter, why don't respond to the reviews from the previous?"
Medi: "Hey, that's a good idea, Roll."
Mbbal-railracer – Thanks! Actually, in Dex's case, he wanted to start out strong and other electric-types Navi can take the same damage from electric attack as if it was a normal attack. The problem was Circuit is a special electric Navi; she's the only one who can absorb attacks without a special technique. I will keep on writing! Believe it!
Ri2 – Yeah, I hated to do that to Dex, but don't worry… he'll still get a big role.
DL: So now that that's out of the way, on to the next chapter! Navis, take your places!
Navis: "Right!"
Disclaimer: You know the deal – I don't own Megaman… blahblahblah… belongs to Capcom… yatta yatta yatta – Let's just get on with it. --
MegaMan Network Transmission Hunter
Chapter 5: Savage Beast, part 1
-------------------
After Lan and his friends earned their Net Savior licenses, the Hikari's invited Kifune, Manabe, and Regal to dinner. Most of the time, they talked about certain things, like some of the other experiments that Yuichiro and Regal were working on, and what inspired Kifune to establish the Net Savior Core; while Lan was talking toMegaMan as the navi was right now in the real world. Afterwards, Kifune began looking through files of the Net Saviors…
"Lieutenant Eugene Chaud Blaze, Agent Lan Hikari, Agent Mayl Sakurai, Officer Dekao 'Dex' Oyama, Officer Yaito 'Yai' Ayanokouji, and Officer Chisao Oyama; the best Net Battlers of their generation," Kifune noted, "Do you really believe they can stop Dark Soul Bass alone? Dr. Regal?"
Regal rubbed his chin for a moment, "Honestly, I don't know. Wish I could say they could. Believe me, I've seen first-hand what they can do when they work together, especially Lan, but… for some reason, I can tell that DS Bass is very different from any other Dark Soul Navi I've seen… or commanded. What do you think, Manabe?"
"I believe that Lan, Chaud, and Mayl have the potential to defeat DS Bass, considering that they earned their Class-S licenses on their first try," Manabe said sternly, "All they need to do is refine their skills and adapt to Cross Fusion."
Kifune nodded, "And what about Jasmine Lao and Medi? They haven't taken the qualification exam yet."
Yuichiro smiled and spoke up, "They have a very close relationship with Lan and MegaMan. If anything their desire to help the boys will fuel them beat even the Class-S challenge. Who knows, she may even surprise herself? Well, it's good to know that we can depend on the kids so much. It makes me that I was out there."
"I know how you feel, Dr. Hikari," Dr. Regal added, "I know I'm doing the best I can to atone for my errors, but I feel that there's more that I could do."
"Don't worry, Dr. Regal," said Haruka, Yuichiro's wife, "If there's something that you know you can do later on, then don't let anything stop you, but right now we're all grateful that you've done as much as you and Dad have done."
Regal then smiled, "Thank you all. I appreciate it."
Kifune at that point remembered something that was on his mind for while, "Dr. Hikari, Dr. Regal, exactly how did you know that the incident that happened in Undernet was going to occur in the first place, as well as create the Synchro Chip?"
Regal and Yuichiro had to glance at each other for a second before looking back at the police chief who had an eyebrow raised. Lan, who was done eating his fifth helping of curry, finally decided to listen in on the conversation.
"Well you see, after Regal joined SciLab," Yuichiro began, "we began working on the Dimensional Chip as a means to build the bond between humans and Navis as the Soul Net project was first intended to be used… until a certain darkness-obsessed moron ruined it."
"Oh shut up," Regal growled then added, "Anyway, afterwards Four Eyes and I were then given a dream vision by an intergalactic Navi named Duo."
"Who?" Haruka asked.
"My master," said a voice familiar only to the two scientists. Everyone else who saw Slur gasped in surprise. She was sitting at the dinner table as if she were there the whole time. The strangest part was… she was even eating some the curry too, "Duo is the OS Navi of the asteroid that nearly hit Earth a year ago. And I, Slur, have been his assistant for a long time. By the way, this is some delicious curry, Mrs. Hikari!"
"Why thank you."
MegaMan asked, "So, if you were Duo's assistant for all this time, how come you weren't there when I fought him?"
"Fortunately for you, Master Duo had sent me to another planet."
"What do you mean by that?" Lan asked in suspicious tone.
Slur smirked and closed her eyes, "I mean I would have annihilated him."
"You want to prove it," the Blue Bomber raised his fist as asked. Slur sighed.
-------------
Outside…
smack "AAHHHHHH!"
MegaMan crashed through the window and landed on the front lawn of the Hikari house.
"MegaMan!" Lan shouted.
"I tried to warn him," Slur said from inside.
"Are you going to pay for that window?" Haruka asked.
--------------
After Lan finished his twelfth plate dinner, he and MegaMan went upstairs to Lan's room and the brunette boy jumped onto his bed, while MegaMan sat down in the chair in front of Lan's computer desk. Afterwards he took out his Synchro Chip and looked it at for a moment.
"Hey Lan!" MegaMan spoke up rubbing his cheek, "a penny for your thoughts?"
"I was just thinking about how you got slapped by Slur. Hahaha!"
"Hey! I didn't see you helping me out."
"Sorry, Hub," Lan stopped laughing, "I was kidding anyway. I was really thinking about what this Synchro Chip could really do."
"That's a good question," MegaMan replied thoughtfully, "Dad did said we could initiate Cross Fusion.
"But what is it?"
"Maybe it's related to Full Synchro, but I guess we'll have to find out… Wait! Did you just call me 'Hub'?"
"Yeah, and why not? Now that you can come outside the PET, we get the chance to be the brothers we always wanted to be."
"Wow! I never thought about it that way!"
"Agent Hikari."
"Huh?" he took out his PET, "Commander Kifune? What's up?"
"I almost forget to tell you that you will have your first mission first thing tomorrow mourning," he said.
"Really, you're joking?"
"I never joke. You will be sent to investigate the mysterious Navi appearances in Afrikku with Lieutenant Chaud and Agent Sakurai. We need to know how Takeo Inukai acquired his Dimensional Chip and, if possible, gather more information of his intentions."
"No problem, sir."
"Thank you, Lan," Kifune smiled, "You will need to be out of bed and at Okuden by 7:30 a.m. That will be all."
After Lan turned off his PET and placed it on its charger, he then reminded MegaMan to wake him up in the mourning and went into the bathroom to take a shower.
"You really need to wake up on time," said the blue Navi, "So I better stay out here to make sure you do."
"How? You don't have an internal clock. That's the PET job."
"When I'm in the PET I don't, but when I'm out here I do. It was part of the transfer programming Dad and Dr. Regal made."
"Ah, whatever."
Five minutes later, Lan stepped out of the bathroom wearing his blue pajamas and got in his bed.
"So Hub," he wondered out loud, "Where you going to sleep?"
The Navi thought about it for a second and then answered, "I'll sleep on the couch. I might as well until Mom and Dad decide to get a bunk bed, or something. Good night, Lan." He said and waved as he went out the door. "Good night, Hub."
-------------------
The next mourning…
"…! Wake up, Lan! This isn't working…" MegaMan shouted to his brother but then thought of a way to awaken the boy, so went downstairs for a brief moment, and then reentered the room with a cold glass of water, and… (I let you guess what happens next. )
From downstairs, Mrs. Hikari is making breakfast, while her husband is reading the newspaper. All of a sudden they hear a loud scream followed by sound of laughter, which comes from MegaMan as he comes running down the stairs and out the door followed by a dripping wet, yet extremely angry Lan, who sprints after him, ready to strangle him. When the parents the look on their brunette haired son's face, they could see a hint of happiness in his eyes.
Yuichiro and Haruka look at each other for a moment after their sons leave, and then start laughing as well. "It's good to see Lan so happy now," Haruka commented, "I know that seeing MegaMan face-to-face is something he's always dreamed of." Yuu nodded.
"It feels like our family's complete now," he replied, "MegaMan may be a Navi, but he's still Hub, our son."
------------------
Fifteen minutes later…
After Lan caught MegaMan and paid him back for the earlier stunt, he had changed his clothes and called the blue Navi back into his PET. And so after catching up with Mayl, the two are on the way to the bus stop.
"I said I was sorry, Lan," said the Navi trying contain his laughter, "I had to wake you up somehow."
"For crying out loud, MegaMan; you could have use a drier method," said Lan.
"You splashed him with a glass of cold water, didn't you, MegaMan," Mayl asked. The Navi in response said yes. To this Roll laughed, "Works every time!"
"Lan!" a familiar girl's voice was heard. When Lan and Mayl turned around, they saw Jasmine running towards them.
"I'll go ahead to the bus stop, Lan," Mayl said, "I'll wait for you wait for you there."
"Alright." Afterwards he turned around, and the little Chionese girl greeted Lan with a affectionate hug, to which he hugged her back, "Hey Jasmine."
"Hi Lan," Jasmine began, "How did it go?"
"How did what go?" he asked unwittingly.
"You know, the Net Savior Entrance Exam." Lan give her a cheerful thumbs-up and grinned broadly, and instantly realizing what he meant, she clapped her hands together and smiled as well, "You did it! That's wonderful! I knew you could do it!"
Jasmine was very proud of him, so much that she almost forgot about why she came in the first place, and when she remembered she had a bashful look on her face, "…Um…Lan?"
Lan suddenly sprung a look of slight concern, "Huh? What is it?"
"Well… I was wondering if maybe tonight we could go see a movie…" she was blushing, "just the two of us."
The boy smiled right away, "Sure, no problem."
"Big problem!" MegaMan interrupted with his arms crossed, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Lan; but don't forget, we have a mission to take care of."
"What mission?" Jasmine asked. Lan frowned and then sadly explained to her that the night after he became a Net Savior, he was assigned to a mission, and that he had to go to Afrikku. He didn't know whether or not he would be back on time for the date, and sincerely apologized for not telling her sooner.
"It's okay, Lan. I'm glad you told me anyway. Are you going alone?"
"No," he said, "Chaud and Mayl are helping me as well… What's wrong, Jasmine?"
"You're going to look for those Navis, CutMan and BubbleMan, aren't you?" she asked, and Lan nodded. "Can I help you? Please?"
"Sorry Jasmine, but it might be too dangerous for you," said Medi, although she didn't want to be left out either,"You don't have a Dimensional Chip or Synchro Chip yet – MegaMan told me about those. We may end up getting in the way."
Lan tried to reason with the Navis so that Jasmine could come along anyway, but to no avail, "Don't worry Jasmine, I'll be fine. I've been in tough spots before; you know that, and I've always come out okay in the end because I had MegaMan with me. This is no different…
Jasmine sadly looked down, "I… I know."
"I promise I'll make it up to you when I get back, okay?"
"You promise?"
"I promise. The bus is here. I have to go. Bye."
"Bye, Lan," she said softly as he went into the bus.
-------------------
As the bus arrived at Okuden, Lan and Mayl stepped off the bus and proceeded to the front entrance of Okuden Park where Commander Kifune and Chaud were waiting for them. Chaud seemed to have a very pleased look on his face at his friends' arrival; maybe because he was happy to see the red haired girl, or that his rival - for once - came on time for something important.
"Good mourning Mayl," he said while looking at her and then faced Lan, "Humph. Hikari, you actually came on time. I'm impressed."
"Put a sock in it, Eugene," Lan grunted, "I've been on time for plenty of things."
His response didn't seem to go over well with his white haired rival, as Chaud grinded his fists and glared at him, "I told you… don't call me by that name!"
"That's quite enough, you two," Kifune stepped in between the boys, "We have more important matters to discuss. Now, I suppose you're wondering why I asked you all to come here. You see the Afrikkan authorities in your mission area don't take too well to other officials coming uninvited into their territory. Therefore I've arranged for a civilian pilot to take you," he looked to his right, "You may step out now."
The young Net Battlers didn't know who would be taking them to their mission area, so they were very surprised that the pilot was none other than Mr. Match.
"You didn't to see me here, did ya?" he said with a grin. The kids just stood with there their mouths open. "Ha. I guess not."
"…Since when were you a pilot?" Lan asked out of the blue.
"I have a plane ever since I was a former JAF fighter pilot."
"I'll never understand you, Mr. Match."
Mr. Match took the kids to the plane that he would take them in, but… well… Let's just say they were a little disappointed.
"Are you kidding me?" Lan, Mayl, and Chaud said in unison. (Did I say 'a little disappointed?')
"How do you expect to get us anywhere in this old P.O.S.?" Chuad yelled. (Okay! So they hated the idea! Sue me!)
The plane was an old gray biplane, probably used in one of the old world wars. Its outside was dented in some place, rusted in others. The only things that looked like they withstood time were the windows and the engine; but it still didn't quite fly over well with Chaud and Mayl. Lan was too busy gawking at it.
"Watch what you call a 'P.O.S.', you punk!" Match said in outrage, "This baby's been in the Match family for generations! Besides, I fully restored her. Sure, the outside doesn't look like much, but she flies like a dream."
"sigh… I guess we have no other choice…" said Mayl, "but to get on the plane."
After the trio was seated aboard, Mr. Match started the engine, drove the plane on the runway, and finally took off into the blue sky. Kifune and Manabe looked on and waved goodbye.
"Do you think they'll find out who's sending those Navis into the real world?" Manabe asked her superior.
"I'm sure they will," Kifune replied.
Just then, as the plane was over a mile away, engine stalled and the plane started fall.
"AHHHHH!" Lan, Mayl, and Chaud screamed, "WE'RE GONNA DIE!"
Then the plane started back up, and Match pulled up just in time. "Sorry about it!" he shouted.
"I just hope they make it there at all," Kifune continued as he and Manabe sweatdropped.
------------------
"Well, here we are, Tiena, Nigeria," said Mr. Match.
"Oh thank God!" Mayl said in relief.
"And it seems the welcome wagon is here!"
On the ground were two dozen heavily-armed guards were standing behind a tall African man in a gray suit and a mean complexion. Once the plane landed its passengers stepped out and went up to the man.
"Welcome to Afrikku. I am the Kiyuna, the mayor of Tiena," the man said to Mr. Match with the same cold voice, "Who are you and why are you here?"
"I'm Hinoken Match, and these are my students," Match said gesturing to the kids, "Chaud Blaze, Mayl Sakurai, and…"
The man suddenly smiled, "Lan Hikari!"
"Huh?" Lan gasped, "How do you know me?"
The mayor smiled and then laughed, "Haha! Everyone knows who you are! After all, you are the World NetBattle Champion from Japan. Why are you suddenly visiting this land?"
Mr. Match stepped forward and began to explain, "My students here are working on a project, and so I decided to bring them here to experience Afrikku firsthand, so that they can be better equipped for the assignment."
"We are?" Lan asked, but Chaud elbowed him to keep him from messing up. "Ow… I mean, I thought you said we were only coming here to tour, Mr. Match."
"Come on Lan," Mayl added as she played along, "We all know you wouldn't come if work was involved."
"Oh yeah."
Kiyuna nodded and proceed to walk back to his town, but then stopped and looked behind him at the Net Saviors and spoke once again, "Enjoy your visit, and when you are finished, feel free to visit Tiena City."
"Thank you sir," said Mayl and Kiyuna left. Lan was scratching his head, "Hey guys, why didn't we tell him that we came to investigate."
"He was hiding something," Hinoken replied.
"You think so?"
"Aye. I could tell by the look on his face…," Hinoken sighed and closed his eyes for a second, "Well, anyway, Chaud, I could use your help checking the plane's engine."
"Okay."
"Maylu, I need you and Roll to get a map of the area."
"Sure."
"And Lan, you check the outside of the plane and make sure there's nothing wrong."
"Right."
A couple of minutes later, the others were done with their tasks, and Lan was finishing up his own task too. "Well MegaMan, seems like the plane's in good shape."
"Yep. All you need to do is check the right wing, and you're all done."
"It shouldn't take a few seconds-"
"NIHAO!"
"AAAHHHHH!"
Responding to Lan's yell, the others came from around from the other side of the plane to see what was wrong, only to stop and stare in bewilderment. Hanging from the wing of the plane like a chimpanzee was none other than… "Jasmine!"
"Hi guys!" the girl waved while still up-side-down.
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Mayl thought to herself before speaking up, "Jasmine, what are doing here?"
"I'm here to help."
Chaud replied, "What I want to know is, how you got here?"
"Hmm…" she hummed as she put her finger on her chin, "I rode on the plane."
Lan, Mayl, and Match's mouths hung open, while Chaud was sure that he would get a headache after today.
-----------------
Meanwhile, in the Cyberworld, MegaMan, Roll, ProtoMan, and FireMan overheard what was going on, and needless to say, they couldn't believe their ears either. MegaMan thought he was going to have a serious talk with Medi, but the thought was scratch as the nurse Navi logged in, shaking like a frightened puppy. She immediately ran to him and hugged him.
"Judging by the way you're acting now," MegaMan began, "I'd say this wasn't your idea."
"Good guess," said Medi, "I tried to talk Jasmine out of it, but she put the PET on mute!"
Roll couldn't help but chuckle, "This is what happens when your operator's boyfriend is Lan Hikari."
ProtoMan nodded, "I think some of his weirdness rubbed off on her."
"Thanks for stating the obvious, guys."
"YYYOU IDIOT!"
"Uh-oh, I don't think Chaud took it so well."
------------------
"I can't believe you would do something so insane!" Chaud literally screamed, "What were you thinking?"
"duìbuqi, xiōng," Jasmine said sadly, "I really wanted to help you and Lan, that's all…"
"That's all?" Chaud's expression softened, but not by much, "Putting yourself in danger would hardly be helping us."
"Did you think about what would happen if you fell off?" Mayl asked with almost the same intensity as Chaud. Jasmine shook her head.
Chaud sighed, "Get in the plane."
"Huh?"
"I said get in the plane. Mr. Match, take Jasmine home, please."
"Sorry, laddie. I can't," said the haired man.
"Why not?"
"My plane doesn't have enough fuel for two round trips."
"Now hold on a second," Lan objected, "How do you know Jasmine's just going to get in the way? She's a strong Net Battler. She helped us defeat Nebula, remember?"
"Lan, I know that; but this is something completely different. The reason why Commander Kifune chose you, me, and Mayl for this mission is because he feared we may be attack in the real world, and we're the only ones capable of handling it."
"If that's all, then she can use my Dimensional Chip or Battlechip Gate."
"I'm sorry Lan, but the answer is no."
"Chaud…" Mayl spoke up getting his attention, "Why don't we contact Commander Kifune and ask him whether Jasmine could stay or not."
The white haired boy sighed for the second time and finally nodded and took out his PET, "Come in, Commander Kifune. This is Lieutenant Blaze reporting."
"Yes Lieutenant Blaze," the elder man said,"What is it?"
"We have arrived at our mission area; however Jasmine has also shown up as well."
"Is that so? …Hmm, I see."
"I want to know if she may have permission to accompany us."
"She and Medi have been very helpful in eliminating Nebula, haven't they?"
"Yeah," said Lan, "and with all the Net Battles I've had with them, they're almost as strong as me and MegaMan."
"Then I see no reason as to why Jasmine shouldn't aid you on your mission," Kifune conclude, "however, Lan, she would have to be properly equipped, so she will need to use your Battle Chip Gate."
"No problem. Thanks Commander Kifune!"
"Anytime. Be careful, Net Saviors."
----------------
In his office, Mayor Kiyuna sat down in front of his PC and typed in some words on his keyboard, which opened a link to a video screen. On the screen, a person was shown; however, a dark shadow covered most of his face, leaving only his mouth and a white beard to be seen.
"Is everything going according to plan?" said the old man.
"Yes, there has not been any trouble from the Afrikkan government yet," Kiyuna replied, "But there is one problem."
"Oh, and what is that?"
"It seems that the Japanese government has sent their police force to investigate your experiments."
"Then kick them out," the mysterious man grunted, "It shouldn't be too hard."
"Nonsense," Kiyuna argued, "They don't know I'm involved, and they claimed to be a class attending a field trip. Kicking them would only make the situation even more complicated."
"You mean there are kids? How many are there?"
"Three. One girl with red hair, a boy with white and black hair, and the third one was Lan Hikari."
"What? White hair? Lan Hikari and Eugene Blaze are there? You better have some good news."
"Actually, I do," Kiyuna grinned, "Do you remember Inukai, and his Navi that can enter the real world?"
"You mean the man that is trying to keep you from tearing down the local rainforest?"
"That's right. It seems he uses a Dimensional Chip to substantiate his Navi. A week ago, he dropped his chip in a stream, so I gave him a little replacement gift with some… voluntary help."
"Huh? Oh really. Then if that's true then I think both our problems can be solved very soon. But make sure those brats don't come anywhere near my laboratory!"
"Understood," said Kiyuna before he closed the link, "Hahahahahahahahaha!"
To be continued…
-----------------------
Navi Profile
Name: ProtoMan.EXE
Navi Gender: Male
Physical Age: 15
Operator: Eugene Chaud Blaze
Element: Sword
Signature Chip: Step Sword
Attacks: Proto Sword, Proto Shield, Sonic Boom, Fighter Sword, Delta Ray Edge
-----------------------
duìbuqi - I'm sorry/forgive me (Chinese)
The Navis and there Net-Ops are in the lounge talking drinking sodas. Dark Liger steps in.
Dark Liger: "HEY! What are you guys doing!"
Lan: "What are you talking about?"
DL: "You shouldbe going over the preview for the next chapter!"
Chaud: "Why bother? Savage Beast isn't over yet."
Roll: "Yeah, you kind of had us go over it back in the last chapter."
Jasmine: "So it's really your own fault."
Dark Liger starts pouting: "Hey… That's just mean, Jazz."
Jasmine shrugs it off: "Sorry, but you should be more careful next time."
Mayl: "Isn't there else something else you wanted to tell the readers, DL?"
Dark Liger: OO?
Chaud: "Jeez… he's an even bigger idiot than you, Lan!"
Lan: "Yeah… (sips on drink, then spits it out) HEY!"
Since you all have been so helpful, I thought I could continue on the story by accepting reader requests! How does this work, you ask? Simple; just tell me what evil Navi from the EXE series or Maverick boss from the X series you want to appear in the next chapter… of course the character you choose will appear after 'Savage Beast' is finished.
It might be a good idea to activate the 'Review Alert' option for this. I'll post part 2 on Friday.
So until then, see ya!