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 18
During the last nine months both Netto and Saito had been trained by their respective Cyber Beast counterparts. Greiga's methods had been a little more brutal in Netto's opinion, but then again he hated being provoked into fighting and then held down until resisted the urge to retaliate. Falzer's methods had merely left Saito with two raw ankles and a really grouchy attitude that resulted in several Beastized Viruses being deleted.
Near the end of the nine months the twins were thrilled at the prospect of seeing each other again. Especially since, as the Cyber Beasts had warned, the link had been blocked off so that telepathic communication was impossible. The were allowed to sense each other's feelings and that was the most that they were allowed.
"We'll see each other again soon Saito.", thought the Greiga hybrid as he reverted back to his human form and wiped the sweat from his face. He and Greiga had just finished another intense workout and it was one of the few were Netto had actually managed to score several good hits on the blue Beast.
"You've been an excellent apprentice Netto. Tomorrow we are going to meet up with your brother and Falzer at the old ruins. There the two of you shall prove yourselves as our successors...or you'll die.", said Greiga before he walked away. "I hope you two are ready for this. Tomorrow you and Saito will either be granted your full powers or be viciously ripped to shreds."
Netto stood were he was for several minutes knowing that tomorrow would be the day that he had to kill the current Greiga and take his place. It was going to be really hard after all the time that he'd spent with the Cyber Beast. Greiga had been a good friend and an excellent instructor. The Cyber Beast managed to teach Netto a number of new moves and helped the youth master control of his wild instincts.
Greiga had taught him to use technique and intelligence instead of rushing in head first and using brute strength. For the most part Netto did as the Cyber Beast had taught him, but every once in a while he just wanted to wing it. Of course he got scolded for it when Greiga found out and the dog navi ALWAYS found out.
Deciding it best to get some rest for tomorrow Netto went to his run in the Northern wing. Greiga had given him a large luxurious room that the hybrid was certain was even larger than any of Yaito's. "I wonder what she'd think of that?", he thought with a smile.
The hybrid grabbed a quick shower and on the way out he passed by a large mirror meeting emerald green eyes instead of the usual crimson red. Gazing into his reflection Netto felt that he could see that his own maturity had grown over the past nine months and he couldn't help but feel proud of himself. He knew that sleep would allude him tonight, but his body was going to need it for the battle tomorrow. "I only wished that Greiga and Falzer could put the past behind and start over. But you can see it in their eyes...their past has already determined their future and there's nothing that I can do about it.", he thought remembering that he would have to kill his new friend tomorrow or else he and Saito would die.
In Falzer's stronghold Saito was having an identical train of thought about the coming battle. He had finished his sparing session with his counterpart sooner than Netto and was currently flying around in the sky while trying to enjoy the cool night's breeze. Since being separated from Netto this seemed to be the only way to calm his worried soul.
Gaining control of his wild nature was difficult, but thanks to the giant red bird Saito had achieved excellent control by the fourth month. The competitive nature between Greiga and Falzer had shown itself again when the bird navi had told Saito that he had beat his younger brother in mastery of his instincts by a month and a half.
"It's weird actually, they almost seem like brothers. Me and Netto behave that way all the time when there is some kind of contest or challenge we could both face on our own.", the bird hybrid thought as he came back into view of his host's base of operations. Gently he landed on his balcony and walked into his room shutting the door behind him.
He reverted back to his human form and threw himself onto the soft bed. To Saito being able to sleep on a real bed was great, but to sleep on one this soft and comfortable was pure heaven for him. "I wonder how things are going back on Earth? Hopefully Enzan and others are holding down the fort. We'll be back as soon as we can.", he thought.
The elder Hikari twin had been thinking a lot over the past few months over his and his brother's decision to quit the NetSaviors. Part of him still held considerable resentment towards the humans that had called the Hikari family friends at one point while the other part of him wanted to go back and save them from the Zoanoroids. The urge to protect his world and people was growing stronger everyday and through the weakened link he could feel the younger Hikari felt the same urges. "What should we do?", he asked aloud not really expecting an answer.
"Well what's the problem? Then maybe I can help.", said a friendly voice.
While the hybrid couldn't see the other guy in the dark Saito knew that Falzer was there listening intently. With a sigh he began his story about everything that had happened nearly a year ago. He covered the whole HBD problem, being reborn as a navi, the ethics his father disregarded to save his son, and the reactions people had to the Hikari family's big secret.
Falzer considered the reaction he himself would've had, but knew that it was best not to give those suggestions. "Ripping those people a new one wouldn't swing public interest in their favor.", the bird navi thought before offering a possible solution, "When you return to Earth tell them the truth. Don't let them get too hooked up on the ethics part of the situation, make them consider how far they themselves would go to save someone they care about. Remind them that it's human nature to protect one's young by any means necessary."
Coming into the light where Saito could see him Falzer continued, "Once that's done if they are still unable to accept what was done, then remind them of all the good you and Netto have been able to do because of Yuuichiro's actions. From what I've learned of you and your past I know that Pharoahman, Gospel, Laserman and Regal, and ultimately Duo would've destroyed Earth if not for you two. Your father's decision created a chain reaction that has saved thousands perhaps even millions of lives." The red navi shifted his stance and said, "True he did do it to keep you alive, but it benefited so many other people in the process."
"I see your point. Play on there desire to protect themselves if all else fails.", Saito said processing the offered suggestions.
"Whatever works...", replied Falzer before the Cyber Beast walked over to the door. Before leaving the Beast said, "Get some sleep. Tomorrow is your final test and it's the life or death type."
After his host left Saito curled up and whispered, "I know. I wish that there was an alternative solution however."
Back on Earth the hunt for Eugene wasn't going very well. The NetSaviors and local police were pulling out all of the stops to contain this dangerous man. Jenrya of DNN news even went as far as to pull up all of her old files on former employee. "You sick sadistic bastard. You have better hope that the police find you before I do or...(I'll leave it to your imaginations. Too graphic for my tastes.)
Laika and Enzan had just returned from dispatching another hoard of Zoanoroids when they spotted Jenrya carrying a mountain load of paperwork. Being the gentleman he was taught to be Enzan rushed to her side and offered to take some of the papers. "Thanks. This stuff will kill ya if the Zoanoroids don't.", she joked handing some to the IPC Vice-President.
When Laika didn't make a move to assist Jenrya shoved the young businessman aside and marched right over to the blue haired teen. "Here, since you're such a noble gentleman you can carry these.", she snapped before forcibly depositing the remaining files into Laika's hands.
The soldier held the weight of the files with ease, but still chose to glare at the owner of DNN. He was about to snap at her when Meijin walked up to them and greeted the three people. "Come on now. We've got work to do and those files may help us locate that lunatic Eugene.", he said sensing the frustration that Laika was about to vent on Jen. "It's not like she can't or won't put him in his, but we do need the NetSaviors focused on something productive.", he thought surveying the scene carefully.
Meijin lead the way to the labs where Dr. Hikari was upgrade the power of the NetSavior's PETs. Thanks to the data he'd taken off of his son's he was able to come up with a new design that would shift the balance of power back to the people of Earth. The advancements were designed to transfer data and flesh between NetOp and Netnavi. In effect creating more hybrids that could easily move between the Cyber world and Human world without Copyroids or Dimensional Areas. The perks included enhanced strength, regenerative capabilities, and the ability to shift between human and navi form whenever they wanted. The only downside besides possibly being considered a freak was that the process was going to be painful for both navi and human.
Meiru had given Yuuichiro a long and convincing speech as to why she should be allowed to be the first test subject. Of course he knew that her real motivation was to be like Netto so that they could be together without him pulling away from her. When Meiru had first crossfused it brought her and Netto closer together, so in Meiru's mind becoming a hybrid would almost guarantee that her crush would be her's.
Meijin lead the way into the lab where Yuuichiro was running the final tests before Meiru would be allowed to attempt this new version of crossfusion. The two NetSaviors set the files on a nearby desk and they started searching them for a better understanding of Eugene's behavior. Laika got to the fourth file in his stack before he froze. Not even a second had passed before he started to bend the file because him balling his hands into fists. He started gritting his teeth and turned to Jen. "What is this!", he said in a voice that gave the businesswoman chills down her spine.
Meeting the seething NetSavior's eyes she could see barely contained rage and the intent to kill in cold blood in the boy's eyes. Gulping she managed to pull her eyes to the folder in favor over Laika and replied, "That's the genetic profile on Eugene. When he worked for me...well I have all of my employees tested for any kinds of diseases and drug abuse. I thought it was a good idea and the employees like the free testing. Gives most of them a peace of mind. Why?"
Enzan glanced over and recognized that look immediately. "That's the same expression he had on his face when...Oh my God, no! Don't do it Laika!", he thought remembering what happened months ago.
Laika looked at Jen and said, "Just idle curiosity."
Neither Enzan nor Jen believed those words and Ijuin knew why Laika had the look of murder in his eyes. Eugene had been lucky once before, but now Enzan knew without a doubt the Sharo NetSavior would not be stopped from hunting Hughes down, torturing, and then killing the reporter. "I've gotta stop him from doing this. But the question is how to do so without destroying his reputation in the process.", he thought quickly trying to find a solution before a body popped up in a sewer somewhere.
The blue haired teen excused himself and headed for the door knowing that Enzan was going to be in hot pursuit. When he made it outside of Sci-Labs he felt his fellow NetSavior place a hand on his shoulder. Laika shrugged if off and turned cold eyes on Enzan.
The business had truthfully never been so afraid in his entire life as he was now looking into the eyes of someone who was prepared to commit a brutal murder. Finding his voice he stammered out, "Laika please don't do this. Don't destroy your life and career because of this bastard. Once you start down that road there's no turning back."
For a second the blue haired NetSavior smiled before turning around fully. Enzan didn't have time to think before Laika buried his fist into the businessman's gut and he could tell that the soldier held nothing back as darkness consumed him. Before losing complete consciousness Enzan heard the other boy whisper in his ear, "...I'm coming back."
Laika pulled the other NetSavior behind some bushes off to the side and was greatful that he'd left out of the rear exit, so no one saw what had transpired there. He quickly took the PET which contained Blues and shut it off before the navi could log out. Laika then threw it into the bushes knowing that it would take Enzan time to find Blues thus allowing him time to get his hands around Eugene's throat. "I've got you now you bastard. You are the one that raped my mother all those years ago. After that I memorized your DNA pattern so that if I saw it again I'd recognize it and would then kill you.", he thought taking off towards the warehouse district where the syndicate his family helped destroy typically had their operations setup. "Who would've thought that Jenrya would've given me the one thing I desire more than anything else?", he asked himself.
"Laika please don't do this. Allow me to do it for you, so that you can't be prosecuted. I'll take the blame and be deleted as mandated by law while your parent's deaths are avenged.", pleaded Searchman from his PET.
Laika shook his head and replied, "No Searchman. This is personal and my family will be avenged by my own hands."
At this point Searchman knew that there was nothing that he could do to persuade his NetOp otherwise and if he kept pushing it then he would join Blues in bushes somewhere. Against all logic Searchman stated, "Whatever you do Laika I will be by your side until the end." The green navi heard a grunt of approval and knew that there really was no turning back now.
In Beyondard Falzer and Saito were waiting for the other two to show up. Both always woke up sooner than Netto or Greiga so naturally they had been at the ruins much sooner.
After two hours of waiting two smaller versions of Greiga's beast form came running into the ruins and ended up falling into a pile. The bird hybrid and Cyber Beast watched as the two small dogs transformed into Netto and Greiga's human form. "Hey guys. Sorry we're late.", said Netto trying to sound happy. Everyone knew that the dog hybrid was anything but happy given what would soon happen.
Greiga and Falzer moved away from the hybrids leading them to a wide open area within the ruins. The two former NetSaviors realized that this must've been a beautiful city at one point, but was reduced to ash long ago.
Greiga spoke first catching their attention, "Now is the time for the final test. If you succeed then the transformation will be completed and you can return home...but if you fail then you will both die here today."
The next to speak was Falzer, "We only ask that you two save our people from this civil war. Stopped the fighting and if you win our battle then all of our respective followers will obey you. I...We believe that you two can do this, but understand that we are going to fight you with everything that we've got."
Netto and Saito nodded in understanding and bent down into attack positions.
"I can't believe that you taught Netto how to assume a purely beast form already."
'Like you wouldn't have done the same? Besides I wanted to give him something to hold over his older brother. He accomplished something before Saito did.'
"That's a low blow even for you."
'Whatever...We'd better begin before they get suspicious.'
"I know...Let's do this."
"Prepare yourselves for the greatest challenge of your lives.", said Falzer as he and Greiga fell into their own attack positions.
On the remains of a tall building Iris in her navi form stood watching the Cyber Beasts and their successors crouch down ready to attack. "The battle to determine the fate of two worlds is about to begin.", she said. After being brought here she was released after Falzer extracted the promise that she wouldn't intervene in the battle about to unfold and she had reluctantly agreed. Now she would find out whether or not she'd made a grave mistake.
