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 17
As Saito was flying behind Falzer he realized that he could sense his little brother once again. He glanced at the Cyber Beast in front of him and then looked back at the viruses following. "I have to be careful. If it doesn't appear as though I'm focused on flying, then who knows what this guy will do. You can do this Saito. You've done it before when your little brother's ego gets the better of him."
With the twins in the same world their bond was again at full strength allowing them to communicate with other once more. Reaching out across the link he found his little brother wide awake and doing something that really had him focused. It felt like he was fighting something, something powerful. His mind started racing with the possibilities and he didn't like any of them. "It's got to be Greiga. He's trying to kill Netto right now!"
"Netto are ok? What's going on little brother?"
'Saito? Saito is that really you?'
"Yeah it's me. Where are you? What's happening?"
'Nothing much...Woah! That was a close one. Sorry...Your never going to believe this but...Greiga's training me.'
"Why would he be doing that?"
Netto started explaining everything that he'd learned from Greiga. He told Saito about why the mighty dog navi had him kidnapped in the first place and told him that Falzer might be trying to do the same thing.
"Too late for that warning. Falzer's already got me and said something about returning our friends to Earth. Apparently the Cyber Beasts have sent more Zoanoroids into our world and they have no intentions of stopping."
'I know. Both of them, I think, are counting on us to defeat them and become the new Guardians. Greiga told me that he and Falzer had once been nearly inseparable. Now they just want the fighting to end, but they lack the will do so.'
"You think Falzer's going to train me too? Why can't end this themselves?"
-"I can answer that one for you."-
"Who said that? Was that you Netto?"
'No way. That wasn't me.'
-"I am Falzer. The navi directly in front of you Saito."-
'So why can't the two of you ending this.'
-'Because little one there is too much bitter resentment between us. Our feelings prevent the end that we all desire, so it's up to an outside party to do it.'-
'Greiga? You too?'
-"We need those with a strong will and pure hearts to take our place. We were corrupted by our Pride and our own powers. You two are our last chance to set things right. For the sake of both worlds you must both be properly prepared to face us in battle...and destroy us."-
"But you two are strong. Your wills control so many navis, why can't redirect that control to ending the war?"
-'We control them through fear. That requires a relatively weak will, but enormous power. We have power, but our wills have become weak. We are the past and you...you are the future.'-
-"You will be allowed to see each other once more before the training begins. After that until you are ready to take our place visiting with one another will be prevented...even telepathically. I'm sorry, but we must be sure that you are focused on the task set before you otherwise all is lost and more innocent people will die."-
True to their word the twins met up at an old ruin courtesy of the Cyber Beasts. Greiga and Falzer stared at each other while Netto and Saito hugged each other. Saito could the look on the Beasts faces and it looked like...love...then sadness...and finally raw, seething hatred. It didn't really make sense to him why would either Greiga or Falzer look each other with love in their eyes. It seemed familiar the way the looked at each other, but the hybrid couldn't place it.
"Did you just see what I did? Or my eyes playing tricks on me?", asked the younger sibling.
"No I saw it too...I think.", replied Saito as he remained close to his brother hoping the Beasts wouldn't overhear their conversation.
Falzer looked at the twins after he pulled his icy stare off Greiga and said, "You two probably want some alone time, so we'll let you have it." With that the two Cyber Beasts walked off leaving their replacements to their own devices.
"I remember when we used to be like that. So close to one another...and then 'it' happened.", said Greiga as soon as they were outside of the hybrid's hearing distance.
"I know...so do I...but there's too much hatred and pain between us now to go back. Some mistakes cannot be corrected.", said the red navi as he took a seat in one of the abandoned rooms. After he adjusted his wings he turned back to the dog navi and said, "I don't think that we should tell them the whole truth. I'm glad that you kept that to yourself when you capture Earth's Netto."
The dog beast shrugged and replied, "If I had told him then it would've driven a wedge between himself and Saito. There would be so much mistrust and fear of repeating our mistakes that it would increase their chances of falling as we have." He leaned against the stone wall and started remembering all the time that they had spent here before they became the monsters they are today.
Falzer grinned and asked, "So tell me...what was it like for you to be talking, in a sense, to yourself? Eh, (B)Netto."
The dark blue navi chuckled and replied, "It was...a unique experience. It's not every day your finding a parallel version of yourself to talk too, well kidnap and talk to actually." Then the feelings of sadness and regret returned, "Even though we are enemies...I still love you (B)Saito."
The bird navi nodded and returned the sentiment, "I still love you too brother, but too much has happened between us. In those two lies our last chance of correcting our great mistake."
The two Cyber Beasts continued to talk about the old times they spent together. The hardest part for both of them was knowing that there truly was no way to return to how their lives used to be. Despite the war between them Greiga and Falzer had maintained their link with one another and were well aware of how much emotional pain they were both in because of their fighting and inability to end the bloody civil war themselves. Perhaps their counterparts would avoid making their mistake and avoid the pain they were feeling now.
Back in DenTech city Eugene Hughes had managed to evade the police once more and he had setup shop underneath Enzan's mansion. The reporter was clever enough to have evaded all the security and now was just about five minutes away from the Hikari family. The exit he'd found would lead him directly into Ijuin's home so when the twins showed their faces he'd be able to get all the evidence he'd need to expose the Hikari secret once and for all.
His cell rang twice before he managed to answer it, "Hello."
The voice on the other side spoke with a deep Russian accent, "Is it true? Have you really found something as remarkable as you claim these twins to be?"
Eugene hastily replied, "Of course. I haven't let you down yet have I?" The reporter remembered all the times he'd worked for the man on the other end of the line and was pleased to have his attention once more. "Both boys are navi-human hybrid...and to make it even better the navi side of them is the Cyber Beasts we've been attacked by so frequently lately."
"I see. Those two will make a fine addition to our organization.", stated the mysterious man. "I want you to see to it that they are turned to our side. Use what ever means you find necessary and to aid you I'm sending some of my men to assist you. I assure you they are very good at what they do."
The reporter smiled and replied, "I understand sir and I'll make sure your wishes are carried out. We'll both get what we want."
"Indeed we shall comrade, indeed we shall.", the Russian muttered as he hung up the phone. He then turned to his men and said, "Once we have the twins...dispose of Eugene. He's out lasted his usefulness and after that incident when we took care of those that nearly destroyed our organization I can't depend on him anymore. Even though he denies it I know that he was the one that raped that young woman and he made her husband watch with a gun barrel to his head."
"We understand sir. When the time comes Hughes will die as you have ordered and the twins shall obey your every word.", said the leader of the five armed men.
In Enzan's mansion Yuuichiro was having a conversation with Kifune about him returning and hopefully bringing Netto and Saito back with him to the NetSaviors. Dr. Hikari had reluctantly agreed to provide assistance, but would not allow his sons to participate in the fighting.
The Commissioner was very annoyed with Yuuichiro's decision regarding the twins, but at this point he'd take anything he could get. "Very well Dr. Hikari I'll be expecting you at Sci-Labs tomorrow morning. Don't be late." With that Kifune hung up the phone.
Haruka entered the room carrying a sleeping Trill in her arms. She took one look at her husband and asked, "How did it go?"
The scientist smiled and replied, "Well I'm going to help the NetSaviors try to avoid the complete destruction of our world. Kifune already said he'd take care of everything at the lab so that I don't have to worry about any attacks on myself." The brunette looked at the facial expression on Haruka's face and knew what she actually meant. His smile grew and he answered, "It seems that the NetSavior Special Forces kept what they know a secret. They didn't tell a soul about the fate of Netto and Saito. They are safe for now, although I wished the Cyber Beasts had allowed the Special Forces to stay with our children."
"I'm sure everything will turn out ok. We've been through worse than this before and always come out on top. I know that the twins will come home safe and sound.", said the worried mother. While she had a lot of faith in her children she still couldn't help but worry about their safety. She recalled the message Falzer had sent with the Special Forces explaining why he and Greiga had kidnapped their children. "Please win this battle my little angels. I don't want to have to bury both of my boys this time."
Back in Beyondard Greiga and Falzer had finally returned to Netto and Saito telling them that it was time to go.
'Oh boy it's training time.'
"Netto be nice. We need this and you know it."
'I know. It's just...I don't like the fact that not only will I not be able to see you, but I can't use the link to talk with you either.'
"It's to help keep us focused. You can see it in their eyes, they want us to defeat them and restore order to this world."
'Doesn't mean I have to like it. At least I'll still be able to sense your emotions.'
"There you go Netto. Think positive, beside once we are ready to fight them we'll see each other again."
'I...I love you Saito, so don't you dare go and die on me.'
"I love you too Netto and the same goes to you. Goodbye for now little brother."
With one finally hug the twins were taken to their respective hosts domain were their training would soon begin.
At Greiga's stronghold the Cyber Beast watched as the Tretonin finally wore off. The young hybrid immediately became feral and extremely aggressive. In addition his eyes returned to being crimson and he reverted back to operating on pure instinct. Several of the dog navi's servants were deleted when they got too close to the enraged beast.
"Well it looks like I've got my work cut out for me.", thought Greiga as he quickly pinned Netto to the ground. This action only further agitated the hybrid causing him to growl and snarl loudly. The servants quickly left the room and used any excuse that they could to put as much distance between themselves and the rampaging hybrid.
The Cyber Beast held Netto down using technique over brute strength. He stared down directly into the snarling beast's eyes and after a few minutes he said, "I know your in there Netto. Your going to have to fight for control and until you get it you are going to stay right where you are."
Netto continued to struggle fruitlessly against Greiga's hold eventually wearing himself out. Sensing that his struggles were in vain the hybrid started listening to the other Beast's words. delving into his human mind Netto pieced together what Greiga was saying to him. Because of the physical exhaustion Netto's human mind was able to slow regain control of his body.
The Cyber Beast looked at the youth pinned beneath him and watched as the boy started using his human mind. Netto's eyes reverted to their, now usual, emerald green eyes. "Well it's about time you regained control.", he spoke to the young hybrid.
The young Hikari grinned sheepishly and said, "Sorry it took so long. Speaking of which how long have you been holding me down?"
Greiga shook his head and replied, "Only about nine hours. You've still got a long ways to go if you can only regain your humanity when your physically exhausted."
The hybrid groaned hearing both the time it took and how poor his progress was. Even now he could feel the Beast instincts fighting to break free, but he was now able to control them to a limited extent.
The dog beast told the young boy that every morning he would have his beast nature provoked then held down until he mastered control of his animal instincts. Netto obviously didn't like the sound of this, but knew that it would probably be the fastest way to get the control he so desperately wanted.
Greiga locked eyes with Netto and informed him how long his training would last. "Given how quickly you learn and adapt I'm going to train you for nine months. Hopefully that's enough."
At Falzer's fortress Saito was going through something similar to Netto. The bird had two metal anklets place around the hybrid's legs and connected with the floor preventing Saito from even trying to fly away.
When the Tretonin wore off Saito became aggressive and started reacting completely on instinct. Falzer stood outside of the hybrid's reach and stared him down deliberately provoking Saito's beast nature into attacking. Saito regained control of his body in only six hours which pleased Falzer greatly.
"Saito you've done well so far, but you still have much to learn. I shall train you as Greiga is training your brother for the next nine months and hopefully at the end of that time you will be ready to face me in combat.", said Falzer as he released the hybrid from his chains.
The young Hikari understood and like his brother wasn't exactly thrilled with the length of time he'd spend separated from his sibling. "This is for the best.", he thought as he rubbed his sore ankles.
