Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Rockman.exe or any of its characters.
Mark of the Beasts
Netto's telepathic communication 'blah'
Saito's telepathic communication "blah"
Chapter 15
In the abandoned warehouse Eugene continued to search NetSavior channels for any sign of the twins, but so far had come up empty-handed. "Damn them. Where are those brats hiding?", he thought getting frustrated at his lack of progress.
Police had started searching this district and it was now only a matter of time before they flushed him out of his hiding place. "I've got to get indisputable proof of what those abominations really are?", he said standing up and walking over a map that had been pinned to the wall. On the map were pins with red tips at the ends of them. Each pin was placed over the homes of family and friends of the Hikaris and NetSavior safe houses that Hughes had bought from a dirty NetSavior. "Now where would I stash two freaks of nature?", he muttered.
Eugene heard a chime from his computer and walked over to it. Reading the screen the former reporter found that his old boss was pulling out all the stops trying to locate him. Jenrya was going on National TV and was preparing her own statements:
-News begins-
"Good afternoon. For those of you that don't know me, my name is Jenrya. A short time ago our station was caught up in a hoax perpetrated by this man (shows recent picture of Hughes) Eugene Hughes."
"As a result of this hoax the Hikaris lost nearly everything in the violent mobs that went after them. This act of terror lead to the resignations of Netto Hikari and his navi Rockman. Their surprising move was made just one day after the tragedy nearly claimed the lives of the Hikari family."
"I'm here today to ask that anyone who has information on Eugene's whereabouts call us here at the station. Furthermore I am offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the capture of the villain responsible for this horrible tragedy."
-camera zooms in-
"You heard right. I am offering $5,000 to anyone with information leading to the capture of this vile man. Please make the call and make a difference."
-News ends-
Eugene turned the monitor off and covered his mouth. "Oh shit!", he thought before he started packing his equipment. "There's no way I'm going to let you bury me like this you little witch. You can't hide the truth forever and I'll be the one to expose it!", the delusional reporter started rambling.
At Enzan's mansion the group had finally gathered everything that they could need while in Beyondard. The NetSavior Special Ops quickly gather back in the dinning room to see Iris adjusting the device. The young girl looks at them and says, "We're ready to go on this end."
Adding his own opinion to the matter Saito stands up and grumbles, "About time. Let's go. The longer we wait here the more likely that the Beast navi has killed Netto."
Enzan walked over to the hybrid and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's going to be ok. We'll get your brother back safely, I promise.", the young businessman said boldly leaving little to no doubt that they would succeed or die trying.
"Then let's go. Dr. Hikari please keep watch her in case anything happens.", said Iris as she pressed a small red button on the side of the device. It flew out of her hand into the air and was surrounded by a golden glow. Above the glow a tear appeared which quickly grew until it started sucking everything in the room inside of it. Yuuichiro had already left the room with those that would be left behind in order to avoid being dragged in as well.
The only problem occurred when Charlie and Dingo were given peeks up Tesla's and Meiru's skirts. "Hentai!", both girls shouted clobbering the two men before being pulled into the tear themselves.
Saito being right next to Iris looked back at his friends with concern etched on his face. "Hang on little brother. I'm coming for you"
In Beyondard Shadowman had left to attend his usual duties leaving Greiga alone with the young hybrid. The great dog navi had been watching for even the slightest sign the boy had awakened and so far had yet to see anything. As the Beast continued to watch his replacement he noticed the hybrid's tail move slightly. "Hmmm...So he's playing dead is he? Well I won't have any of that." Greiga quickly barked for one of his servants to come fulfill his needs. Minutes later the servants brought in several huge plates of food. "That will be all.", he said quickly dismissing them.
The scent of the food reached Netto as he dangled from the ceiling. "Mmmmmm...No! I can't give in to temptation...but it smells so good." True to his character the former NetSavior couldn't pass up the opportunity to devour so much food complimented with such an enticing aroma. He cracked his eye just enough for him to see the food below and he instantly regretted it as it made it that much harder to resist temptation even in the face of certain death.
Greiga had noticed the slight movement in the hybrid's eye and smiled to himself. "Well glad to see that your awake.", the great dog beast paused and then offered, "Perhaps...you are hungry?" He waited for a response, but didn't receive one. "He knows he's been caught, so why doesn't he...fine. Have it your way." Reaching up to the chain that secured Netto with his powerful jaws Greiga snapped it in two with ease.
Netto was unable to do anything to prevent himself from landing face first on the floor because of the chains. "Ouch! That hurt!", he complained knowing that he'd been busted. "No point trying to play dead now." Looking up he saw the enormous Beast navi staring back at him and Netto swore the giant dog had a grin on his face, but he really couldn't be sure.
Greiga laughed at the infuriated young hybrid and said, "Oh look...he's awake." He then did something the young Hikari had not been expecting...Greiga's form began to shrink until he was the same size as Netto. The only differences between their appearance was Greiga had deep blue eyes and lacked the Hikari emblem on his chest.
Netto sat up as best he could and glared at the now humanoid Beast navi smirking at him. "I'd like to wipe the smug grin off his face!" True enough he'd like to attack, but was prevented by the strong chains. Netto had already tried to break free and found his bindings to be much to strong from him to break through. "Fine, so I'm awake! Now what are you going to do with me?", he growled at the Beast.
He was genuinely amused at the hybrid's defiance and it showed as he chuckled softly. Giving a look of innocence he said, "I just brought you here to meet you...and talk."
"Talk? About what? About how your going to kill me perhaps?", Netto growled back.
The current Guardian of Beyondard shot the teen a look of annoyance and replied curtly, "If I wanted to kill you, then you would already be dead. Don't assume to know my will little boy."
The NetOp was frightened by Greiga's response to his questions and decided that it was best to back off...FAST. "Man that tone...that voice. Jeez this guy is scary and I just had to piss him off."
Sensing the fear emanating from his prisoner Greiga took a few minutes to regain control of his temper. "I apologize for that outburst little one, but I don't like having someone make assumptions about my intentions." He knew what the boy was thinking, "Probably something alone the lines of 'Did he actually just apologize to me? Why?'" Sure enough on the boy's face was a look of surprise mixed with curiosity. "Don't look into too much. I don't usually apologize to anyone for any reason."
The prisoner nodded and then asked, "Why did you apologize to me then and what did you want to talk to me about?"
Greiga offered a pleased smile and answered, "For your first question I did so out of respect for you. I have learned a lot about your past from my spies in your world and I'm impressed." Reaching the chains the Beast broke the lock holding them on and continued, "Your only a teenager and yet you've saved your entire species many times over. Most never accomplish such a thing once in their short lives let alone the number of times you have."
"So you didn't have me kidnapped to kill me then?", the teen asked cautiously not really sure he would wanted to the truth. Despite being in enemy hands he was getting the feeling that Greiga wouldn't lie to him, at least not intentionally.
"No, little one. That is not my intentions, but do not fool yourself into believing that that day is not coming.", the Beast replied. Helping the young boy up Greiga led him over to the food and offered, "Here eat. You must be hungry and this will give us a chance to talk." He noticed the teenager's hesitation and reassured, "I promise you that the food is not poisoned. You may die at my hands, but I can assure you that it won't be today."
"Why? Is this talk really that important to you?", asked Netto. He was trying desperately to figure out what was going on inside Greiga's mind, but so far he'd come up empty handed.
"It is fate young one. I've known this was my Destiny for centuries now." said the Cyber Beast sounding like he was focused on something far, far away. Snapping himself back to the conversation he asked, "Do you know why you are what you are now?"
Netto nodded his head and said, "Yeah, I'm like this because of an accident that occurred while I was trying to help Sai...Rockman control 'Beast Out'. We got forced into that situation when Falzer tried to kill both of us like you have in the past." Locking eyes with his Host he was surprised when Greiga raised a questioning eyebrow. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Shaking his head Greiga spoke, "No young one. It was no accident, it was fate running it's course."
"What do you mean?", asked the teenager. "My life is becoming even more complicated by the second."
Greiga explained to Netto everything that has happened in Beyondard. He told the boy about the great wars that had nearly annihilated the people of this world and how an unnamed entity bestowed this world with two Guardians. The dog navi then told him about the current fighting and how it had inadvertently spread beyond their own world. He then told the 'young one' about who Trill is and what he'd started. "Your becoming what you are wasn't just a result of your 'link' with Saito."
Netto's head shot up, eyes widened. "How did you...know?"
The Cyber Beast saw the look of fear and said calmly, "My spies uncovered the information not too long ago. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a human child being reborn as a navi and then developing such a strong bond with his human sibling." Little did Netto know but part of what Greiga said was actually a half-truth, "He wouldn't believe me any way and there's no sense bring 'that' up now."
"Oh! Well that explains it.", the hybrid said plainly. "Can I ask you something?", he asked before finally taking a bite of the food in front of him. When his host nodded he continued, "Why do you and Falzer fight each other? You told me that the two of you were close at one point, so why fight him now?"
Greiga immediately looked away hoping desperately that his replacement hadn't seen his face once his mind had registered the question. He got out of his chair and walked over to one of the nearby windows trying to regain control of his anger...and remorse. Finally he got control of himself and replied, "I...I don't even...This war between us has raged on for so long even we don't remember what started it anymore. The war has taken on a life of it's own just as it did thousands of years ago only now who's to stop the fighting when it's the 'Guardians' causing it?"
Netto considered Greiga's words carefully and thought of what he'd been told so far. The answer finally hit him bringing with it a feeling of disgust, "Me...me and Saito are...we're supposed to kill both of you." He'd quickly become attached to Greiga and truth be told he didn't think that he was really that bad. "Just a victim of circumstances." He started to gag and fought to keep the vile from rising in his throat. "Greiga's wanting the fighting to end, but neither have the will to do it, so fates decided to do it for them...using us. I have to kill him someday soon." He understood what the Cyber Beast had brought him for and the real purpose behind the talk.
The dog navi started rubbing Netto's back careful to avoid the two spines sticking out of the center of the boy's back. He whispered just loud enough for the young hybrid to hear, "You will do. You are my last chance at redemption."
The NetSaviors landed in Beyondard right next to the ocean. Iris quickly did a head count to verify that everyone had made it through safely, "Good everyone's here. Now the hard part begins."
Saito agreed with her while Laika and Enzan started searching for nearby settlements. The others gathered around Iris trying to find out where they were. She replied, "There's a village of fishermen not far from here. We should head there first and find out any information on Netto's whereabouts. Usually villagers have lots of useful information, but are too afraid or ill equipped to do anything with it."
Laika and Enzan rushed back over to the group as they started their walk to the village. Saito still kept himself right next to Iris since she was vital for their safe return to their world.
Back on Earth Jenrya had received a tip from someone claiming to know where Eugene Hughes was. She quickly informed the police that the informant wanted to meet with her alone at a local bar and she had reluctantly agreed. Arriving at the bar she found several drunk people making out on top of nearby vehicles, "Uh...Get a room please. I'd rather not have to claw my eyes out."
Once inside she sat at the bar waiting for her informant to make his/her appearance. "This had better be worth it or I'll skin them alive.", she thought before the bartender set a drink in front of her. Looking down at the offered beverage she hastily replied, "Oh no, I don't drink."
The man shrugged and said, "It's on the brunette at the end of the bar." With that he walked off to attend other patrons.
Looking in the direction the bartender had indicated she found what she could only describe as a biker wannabe. He winked at her and motioned for her to come over. Thinking this to be her informant she walked down to him, "Yeah, he seems Eugene's type." She snickered at her private joke before asking, "Do you have something for me?"
In a gruff voice the man said, "You want to know about Hughes, right? Well he's packing to get the hell out of here right now."
Jen said, "And you know where he is right now. Ok, well if the information does drop Eugene in my hands then you get the money...if I get nothing, then you get nothing."
"Change of plans.", he said suddenly pulling a gun out just enough that she could see it, "Now your going to be a good little girl and give me the money."
Jenrya casually regarded the gun and then looked back up at the informant. "Wow...a gun. I should be afraid shouldn't I?", she said way too carelessly for his taste.
He pulled the hammer back and demanded, "Just what the hell are you up to little girl? I've got the gun here so your going give me what I want."
She bent forward and said, "Oh really?" The smile on her face would haunt him til his dying days.
-30 minutes and several broken bones later-
Meijin arrived at the scene as the local police were taking Ms. Jenrya's statement. "Oh dear God! What happened this time?", he thought as he asked the paramedics what had happened.
Before Meijin could get his answer two officers brought a severely beaten man out of the building in cuffs. "What happened?", he asked one of the officers.
The instant the man saw Jen he started shouting, "She beat the hell out of me. She isn't human, she's the Devil I tell ya."
Meijin said, "I take it you didn't find Eugene, but from the looks of it you had fun." Looking over her should he could see the bartender crying over the nearly destroyed bar.
The young woman said innocently, "This is why you never hold a woman hostage. We're not as weak as we may look." She got into her car and drove off leaving her old friend to survey the results of her 'fun'.
In her car the businesswoman said, "One ass-kicking step for me, One giant leap for women kind."
Author's Note: Be sure to leave a review. They encourage me to update faster.
