The navi under the cloak
It was a great spring sunny Friday in DenTech City, the bird were singing, the children were playing outside because it was a school holiday. Well, almost all the children because some of them were in the video arcade playing video game or doing some NetBattle. Some kids and teenager were gathered around one single NetBatlle console where two teenagers, a boy and a girl were having a friendly match. The girl was dress in a white T-shirt and a pink skirt. She wore white shoes and a red bandana like the one of a ninja. She looked like Maylu except her hair were brown, long and end in the middle of her back, her eyes were also brown and she have an red and pink PET in her hand. The boy she was facing was big and bald. He wore a grey T-shirt and black short pants with black shoes on his feet. His eyes were black and he was holding a black and grey PET. On the T-shirt, their was the image of a fist giving a punch to a plate of steel. The NetBattle console show the holographic image of a green commercial model net Navi of the side of the bandana girl and the one of a big sumo-like Navi twice the size of the commercial model in front of him. His whole body was in an black armor with grey boots, grey gloves and the icon on his chest have the same image the bald boy have on is T-shirt.
«Cannon battlechip in, download!», said the bandana girl and right after she insert the ship in is PET, a cannon replace the right hand of the commercial model Navi. He took aim and fire at the sumo-like Navi how took the blast who explode, creating a smoke screen.
«OOOH YEAH! Looks like I win this time Max.» Said the girl with an happy look on her face.
The bald guy only answered with a grin on his face.
«That what you think Mia?» Max asked.
When the smoke disappear, the big Navi was still there with only some burn mark on his belly, no visible crack could be seen.
«That why I'm called HardMan, my armor his so though that I can take lots of attack without worries.» said the big Navi while tapping in belly with his right hand.
«Now HardMan, finish her off.» ordered Max.
«With pleasure!»
HardMan, run toward the green Navi with his right fist ready.
«Hard Punch!»
He then give a powerful punch that send the commercial Navi on the other side of the arena, then after the hard landing, he transformed into the word LOG OUT
«NET NAVI, LOGGING OUT!»
HardMan start slamming his feet on the ground like a sumo wrestler.
«Oh man, I can't believe Mia lose again against Max.» said one boy.
«Yeah, and she is the daughter of Lan Hikari, it might be a shame to have the name if you don't have the NetBattler skill of the father.» answered an other boy.
« (Sigh) Thank you Max to humiliated me once again.»
«Hey, don't worry, the day will come when you going to be a winner like me. But it's not going to come soon. Right HardMan?» Asked Max with another grin on is face. He was now in his PET.
«You said it Max.»
And the two of them start laughing. Mia, after placing her PET back in the holster on her right side, leave the arcade with a sad look on her face. She then start walking on the sidewalk. After a few minutes, somebody was catching up with her.
«Hey Mia, What up?» Said a boy voice. Mia turned around and saw the boy who was talking to her. He was dress in light brown T-shirt, loose-fitting dark brown pants and a pair of white sneakers. His hair were black and short, his eyes were green and on the center of his T-shirt, their was the image of two handgun forming an X inside a star.
«Oh, hi Daniel. Nothing special.» Answered Mia while hiding her sad expression. Sam came closer to her and that make Mia blush.
«Wha… what? Did I have something on the face?» asked Mia nervously. Daniel move away from her then close his eyes with his hand under his chin like he was thinking.
«Well, you can't hide anything from inspector Daniel and from the look on you face, I'll say that you once again lose against Max and HardMan.»
Mia was speechless.
«Am I right?» asked Daniel.
«Yeah, you right.» answered Mia with a surprising tone in her voice, «But just because you a real maniac of historical show, movie and novel with detective, private inspector and police inquiry don't means you can call yourself inspector Daniel.»
The black haired boy sweatdropped after hearing that, then he place his right hand behind his head. «Can't blame me to be like that.» He then start laughing nervously.
Mia then took a serious look on her face telling Daniel she not impress.
«Well anyway,» begin Daniel, «With the NetNavi you have at the moment, it's almost impossible to defeat a custom model, especially when the custom model his HardMan.»
«I know, I know!» Answered Mia, «But this time, it wasn't me who challenge Max, it was him. Talk about a day.»
After saying that, she turn her glare at Daniel.
«By the way, do you know what today his?» asked Mia with an happy face.
«Well, hum…» He then took his brown PET and place it in front of him so he could see his NetNavi. «Say Hawkeye, what is the date of today?»
Hawkeye was a male netNavi dress in a long dark brown coat who was open to reveal his light brown body suit with the same image of the two handgun forming an X inside a star in the center of his chest. Inside the coat, there was two gun holsters with two white handguns inside of them. He wore white gloves and boots. He got black hair, no helmet and blue eyes.
«The date? Oh! Hum…»
«Come on Hawkeye, think of something.» Thought Daniel while switching his glare between his PET and Mia.
«OH!» shouted Hawkeye, «Did you see what time his it? It's 4:51 pm and it's almost time for you favourite show.»
«Hey, you right!» Answered Daniel while putting his PET back in his holster. He then face Mia. «Sorry Mia, but hum… But I'm in a hurry sooo… See ya later!» He then start running after he wave his hand at her.
«WAIT!» Shouted Mia while watching Daniel move away in a big hurry. She then resume her walk with another sad look on her face. «Great, first mom and dad this morning, then two of my best friend.» She then raise her head to watch the sky. «His there anybody here who remember that today his my birthday?» She continue her walk with the same sad expression on her face.
After fifteen minutes of walk, she was in from of her house. It was the same house where her father grown up. She then notice that there was no car in front of the garage door and their was no light in the house.
«(sigh) Look's like mom and dad are out.»
Arrive at the door, she use her key to unlock it and went inside. After she closed the door, she switch on the light. She then make her way into the living room and then, the light open on his own.
«SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIA!» Shouted a group of people and Mia look at them with a surprising look on her face. She then saw her mom, dress in her usual clothe like when she was the age of Mia except the skirt was like the one Lan mother was wearing but pink, with her hand on the light switch. On her left side, their was Daniel and Max. And on her right side, their was a boy and a girl about the same age then Max and Daniel. The boy looked like Tory with the same clothe except he got a small moustache. The girl looked like Yai with the exception that she was taller and her hair were blue and in a single pony tail. On the wall behind them, their was a banner were their was wrote in big letter HAPPY BIRTHDAY and on the table, their was a cake covert with white cream, strawberry and with fourteen candle.
«Mom, Daniel, Max, Tommy, Anna, I…» Said Mia while she wipe away a tear, «I though that everyone has forgot my birthday.»
«Don't say that Mia,» said Maylu, «Me, your dad and your friends, we all have to do our part so you may not have any ideas of what we were planning.»
«Maylu's right Mia.» added Roll from Maylu PET, she looked older, more adult, like a women of the same age then Maylu.
«Yeah, your mom ask us to keep you busy while she prepare every thing for tonight.» Said Anna.
«That's why I challenge you to a NetBattle.» said Max with a grin in his face.
«You only thought about that.» Commented Tommy, «That why she looked more down that I expected, you beat her again.»
Max then start to laugh nervously.
«For me, I didn't have any idea to keep you busy so, I had no other choice but to improvise.» Said Daniel.
«And Tommy and I were ready just in case but, you mom call us here to surprise you.» Added Anna.
«Thank you guys, thank you mom.» Mia look around the room then noticed something. «Hey mom, were is Dad?»
«Still working at SciLab, but don't worry, he'll be back for tonight.» Answered Maylu.
«Now, it's party time.» Shouted Max.
«YEAH!» Shouted the others as an answer.
The party started with everyone eating the supper that Maylu cooked, then Mia blow out the fourteen candle of her cake after making her wish and before anyone can eat it. Right after everyone took a piece of the cake, it was time for Mia to open her presents. From Anna, she receive a Kung Fu movie on DVD, from Tommy, a music CD, from Max, a LongSword battlechip and from Daniel, a new watch. Right after that, the sound of the front door could be hear along with the footstep of someone.
«I'm home!» shouted a man. That same man enter in the living room and everyone could see who he was.
«I Lan!» said Maylu.
«I honey.» answered Lan. He still have his blue bandana on his head but this time, he was dress in a lab coat. He then look around and saw Mia and her friends. «I kids.»
«I mister Hikari.» Said all the teenager except for Mia. Lan then come closer to his daughter so he could give her an hug.
«Happy birthday, Mia.»
«Thanks, dad.»
«Happy birthday, Mia.» Said MegaMan from Lan's PET. He to looked older like Roll.
«Thank you, MegaMan.»
Lan then broke the hug then look all the wrapping paper on the floor then turn his glare to his daughter.
«Tell me,» asked Lan, «Did you open all you present?»
«No!» answered Mia, «I didn't receive mom present or your.»
«That because it's a present from both me and you father.» said while holding the arm of her husband.
«You're serious?» asked Mia.
«Yep but before that,» answered Lan, «open you hand.»
«Ok!» She then open her right hand. Then, Lan took something from his lab coat pocket and place it in the hand of his daughter. Mia took a look at the object in her hand and saw that it was a battlechip with the image of a boot with tree arrows pointing up. «What is that battleship?»
«That one of the three UP battlechip that was developed at SciLab.»
«UP ship?» asked Mia with a confuse look.
«Those are support chip that give a certain boost to Navis.» answered Lan.
«What kind of boost?» Asked Mia.
«The chip that you holding right now his the Speed UP, it boost a NetNavi speed for a few moments,» answered Lan, «The other two are Attack UP who boost the attack power and Defence UP who boost the defence ability of the NetNavi.»
«That to cool.» commented Mia.
«Here Mia,» added her mom while giving her a box covered in pink wrapping paper, «Like I said, It's from me and you father but, it also from Megaman and Roll.»
Mia took another confuse look on her face while she took the box. She then unwrapped the box and open it to find a CD-ROM. She then look her parents with wide eyes. «His that…»
«Yes Mia,» Said Lan, «It's your custom NetNavi that I have programmed with the help of you mom, MegaMan and Roll. For that last part, you'll see and learn that when the installation is completed.»
«Thanks mom. Thanks dad.» Mia then hug her parents.
«Hey, don't forget us!» Shouted MegaMan.
«He's right Mia.» Added Roll.
«Oops, sorry. Thank MegaMan. Thanks Roll.»
«Hey Mia.» Asked Max.
«Yes?» after she broke the hug, she turn herself to watch Max.
«When you NetNavi will be installed, send him to the Net Coliseum, I want to see what he can do against HardMan.» Answered Max.
«You already challenging her to a NetBattle before she can complete her netnavi.» Commented Anna.
«It's alright Anna.» Interrupt Mia, «Say the time and I'll be there.»
«Come for 1:30 PM.» Answered Max.
«And we will send our NetNavi to sheer you up.» Added Daniel. Anna and Tommy nodded after what Daniel said.
«Thanks guys.» Said Mia
Soon after that, the party resume itself with everyone watching the movie Mia receive from Tommy. At 10 PM, Daniel, Max, Anna and Tommy left and returning to their home. All the light in the Hikari's house were close except for the one in Mia room. It was the same room Lan used in his youth, but it was now the room of his daughter. Their was 3 posters on the walls showing pretty ninja girl. One with a red outfit, long blond hair and armed with one sai in each hand, another was in a blue outfit with short brown hair and armed with a katana and the last one in a white outfit, short black hair and throwing three shurikens. Their was a shelf fill with Kung Fu DVD and martial arts trophies. Mia was in from of her computer installing her new NetNavi. The door of her room was slightly open. Outside, their was Maylu in her night robe watching her work but, she decide to let her work alone, she close the door silently then went to her room where Lan wait her in his pyjamas under the blanket on the left side of the bed.
«So, how it is going?» asked Lan.
«She doing fine,» answered Maylu while she enter under the blanket on the right side.
«Happy that I ask you to take a look for me,» Added Lan, «I didn't want to create a scene if you see what I mean and beside, I'm sure she will love the result tomorrow.»
«Hope you right Lan.» Said MegaMan from Lan's PET who was place on the desk.
«I think about something.» Said Maylu.
«What is it Maylu.» Asked Roll who was on the same desk then MegaMan.
«You and MegaMan going to be parents tomorrow.» She answered with a small giggle. Both MegaMan and Roll turned red after what Maylu said.
«You… You can't be serious Maylu?» Asked Roll.
«Yeah, you know NetNavi cannot have child.» Added MegaMan.
«Maylu right,» replied Lan, «because is thanks to you two that I could completed Mia NetNavi and beside, if I was you, I would be nervous because you two never saw what the NetNavi looks like.» Said Lan while closing the light on is night table. «You will be surprise for tomorrow. For now, good night, MegaMan. Good night, Roll.» He then give a kiss on Maylu cheek. «Good night, Maylu.»
«Good night, Lan.» Answered Maylu while closing the light on her night table.
«Good Night.» Added Megaman.
«Good night.» Finished Roll.
The next day, in the streets of Net City, the NetNavis were doing their usual shore like taking care of a shop, doing errand for their NetOp or chat with each other. Hawkeye was walking with his hands in the pocket of his coat.
«Hurry up Hawkeye, if you don't get to the Net Coliseum on time, we'll never see the match between HardMan and Mia NetNavi.» Said Daniel trough the microphone of his PET.
«Don't worry Daniel,» answered the coated Navi, «Beside, it's only 1:10 PM and we still have 20 minutes ahead of us.»
«Yeah, luckily we receive that notice warning us of the update of the link,» Added Daniel, «Now we have no choice but to go their the long way.»
After what Daniel have said, Hawkeye saw a strange looking NetNavi. His whole body was covered with a brown cloak, a hood over his head and a mouth guard who covert almost his face so, Hawkeye could only see the sky blue eyes of the Navi and the red boots below the end of the cloak and the hilt of a sword and a part of the sheath could be seen over his right shoulder and it pass trough the cloak. His hands and arms were hidden inside the cloak and he look in every direction.
«Who is that NetNavi?» Asked Daniel while watching the monitor of his PET.
«Don't know but, he seams to be lost.» Answered Hawkeye. Then, he saw a big NetNavi wearing a yellow armor bullying the cloaked Navi.
«Hey, you're in my way.» Said the big Navi with a furious tone in his voice but, the cloaked Navi didn't answer. «Hey, I said you're in my way.» Added the big Navi with a tone much more furious. The cloaked Navi remained silent. «Hey, are you listening to me?» Before the big Navi could act, the cloaked Navi quickly draw his sword with his right hand and place the edge under the big Navi neck. Hawkeye then saw that the sword was a katana and that the Navi wore red gloves. The angry face of the big Navi change to a scary one. «O… ok! Tha… that mean don't bo… bother me, right?» Asked the big Navi with fear in his voice.
The cloaked Navi only answered with a nod and the Big Navi start running away from him. He then resheathed his sword and turn around to see Hawkeye in front of him.
«You know,» begin the coated Navi, «If you stay in the middle of the street like this, things like that will keep happening.» The cloaked Navi didn't answer. «Forgive my rudeness, my name his Hawkeye.» he added, «And you, what is you name?» The cloaked Navi reveal from under his cloak his left hand, he then made a small window appeared and give it to the coated Navi.
«What his that?» asked Daniel.
«It's a text file.» replied Hawkeye.
«Well,» begin Daniel, «Scan it and read it. We might know something about him.»
«I'm on it.» Answered Hawkeye while he took the sphere. He then begin to scan it and after 3 seconds, he gave his diagnostic. «It's clean and It say's : My name his Tak and I'm looking for the Net Coliseum.» He then look the strange Navi after giving him back the message. «Well, it's you lucky day Tak because, I'm going there to so follow me and you'll be there in no time.»
The nodded and begin to follow Hawkeye.
Hawkeye look closely the strange NetNavi while they were walking together. «I think I've discover why you didn't say a word from the beginning.» Said Hawkeye.
Tak then turn his glare to him.
«I think it's because you're shy and that why you're under a cloak. Am I right?»
Tak only nodded has an answer.
«Can't hide that from inspector Hawkeye.» added the coated Navi.
«Hey, that my line.» shouted Daniel.
«Sorry Daniel.»
It was almost 1:30 PM when they arrive at the Net Coliseum. Inside, there was at least an hundred of NetNavi inside the Coliseum to watch some friendly NetBattle. Hawkeye then saw two NetNavi he knew in the front seat. He and Tak went to met them.
«Hi PolarMan. Hi Maria.» Said Hawkeye to the two NetNavi who turn around to see him and Tak coming their way. PolarMan his a Navi who looked like IceMan with the difference that he was twice taller. Maria his a female NetNavi who wore a dark blue maid outfit with a white apron. Her eyes and hair were dark blue and the logo of Gabcom was on the apron.
«Hi Hawkeye.» answered PolarMan.
«Good to see you again.» added Maria.
Both of them look the cloaked Navi behind Hawkeye with a suspicious look.
«Say Hawkeye,» begin Maria, «Who his that Navi?»
«Oh! This his Tak, he was looking for the Net Coliseum so I lead him here.» Answered Hawkeye who saw that Tak was looking at something. He then follow the cloaked Navi gaze to see that he was looking at HardMan who just logged out a NetNavi.
«That the third one he log out in 10 minutes since he arrive.» Commented PolarMan.
«The third one,» said Hawkeye with surprise, «I don't know how Mia NetNavi's going to beat him.»
Right after he said that, Tak jump over the edge, land gracefully inside the arena and start running toward HardMan.
«Tak, come back, he's to tough for you.» shouted Hawkeye but, he was stopped by a blue hand. He then look to who this hand was and saw MegaMan with Roll by his side.
«Don't interfere, it's Mia match after all.» the blue Navi said.
Hawkeye was confuse then it hit him. «You mean that's Mia NetNavi» said Hawkeye with surprise in his voice.
«You right.» added Roll, «Now watch.»
Tak stopped himself in front of HardMan.
«Well, well, well,» started the sumo-like Navi, «Another one who want to be pulverize.»
Right after That, a small window appear behind Tak to show the face of Mia. «Hi! Did I make you wait to long?» she asked.
Another window appear behind HardMan to show the face of Max and it was the same for Hawkeye, PolarMan and Maria with the face of their respective NetOp in the windows.
«Mia, that's you NetNavi?» asked Max.
«Yep!» replied Mia, «The name's Tak for now.»
«Why for now?» asked Max.
A small window appeared on the monitor of each one PET except for the one of Mia and her parents with her face on it.
«Here's the deal, if I win or if you win, Tak will remove the cloak and you will all learn his full name and it's real appearance.» Said Mia, «Same thing if HardMan can remove the cloak during the fight. So, do you accept the condition Max?»
«Sure that I accept.» replied Max, «Okay HardMan, try to remove the cloak during the fight.»
«Okay Max.» answered HardMan while taking a battle stance.
«Tak, get ready.» said Mia.
Tak answered with a nod and took a battle stance.
«Why Mia doing a deal like that?» mused Anna.
«Maybe…» begin Tommy.
«What?» asked Daniel.
«Maybe she want them to battle at full strength.» replied Tommy.
The BATTLE START pass across the floor between the two navis and HardMan run toward Tak with his fist ready.
«Hard Punch!»
Tak did a rear somersault to avoid the punch. HardMan try again and Tak avoid the second one with side roll jump. He then avoid other punch and grab attempt with ducking, side jump, rear somersault jump, salto jump and jumping over HardMan head. Everyone who were watching the battle were impress by the agility of Tak. Especially Hawkeye and the others. HardMan start getting exhausted.
«Huff.. Huff.. Can't land him a single punch or grab him.» complained HardMan while watching Tak who was far from him.
«Don't worry HardMan,» replied Max, «I have a ship combo for you.»
«Ready to receive the data Max.» said HardMan after taking back his breath.
«Rocket Punch Battlechip in, Download!» As soon that Max slid the chip in the PET, the right forearm of HarfMan flash white.
«Rocket Punch!» HardMan then give a punch straight at Tak and a copy of the forearm launch itself like a missile.
«Area Steal Battlechip in, Download!» HardMan disappear went Tak avoid with ease the rocket punch who explode after hitting the ground behind him. HardMan reappear by is side just in time to grab him by the scruff of the neck with him left hand and put him on the ground.
«I finally got you.» said HardMan with a grin.
«Now HardMan,» shouted Max, «Finish him off.»
HardMan hold his right ready to strike.
«Mia, do something of you're going to loose again.» said Daniel while watching the match on his computer screen.
«Area Steal Battlechip in, Download!» said Mia as she slid the chip in her PET.
«Hard Punch!» When the punch made contact with Tak, it created a dust screen and after the dust fall, HardMan could only see that he was holding an empty cloak.
«Were did he go?» though HardMan after he dropped the piece of cloth.
«Over here you big bully.» said a cute girl voice.
HardMan turn himself to face the one who say that. He then saw a few feet in front of him an extremely beautiful girl NetNavi. She wore a dark pink body suit with red gloves and red boots. She also have a red bandana on her forehead, her eyes were sky blue, the sheath of the katana was on her back with the hilt over her right shoulder and that same sheath was under long blond hair who goes down to the knee level. On her bandana and in the center of her chest was her insignia who represent a katana over a shuriken. The cyber wind in the arena blew her hair.
«That the true appearance of you NetNavi?» asked Max with a surprised look on his face.
«Yep,» replied Mia, «And her full name his Taki.»
«Wow, that a surprise.» said Daniel.
«I'm speechless.» added Tommy.
«Never though that Mia father create a NetNavi that pretty.» comment Anna.
«Come on HardMan, don't go easy on her just because she a girl.» ordered max.
«Okay Max,» replied the sumo-like Navi. He then look Taki while cracking his knuckles. «Don't worry pretty girl, I won't harm you. Well, not to much.» he added with a smirk.
«Well, don't underestimated me just because I'm a girl.» replied Taki and then, a dark pink mouth guard like scarf appear on her face to covert her mouth and nose like a ninja. She then took a battle stance. «Ok, round two.»
She start running toward HardMan. Then after she was close enough, she jump and kick him on the face. The impact force HardMan to move two step backward. Taki, in the mean time use the impact to do a somersault and land gracefully a few feet in front of HardMan.
«Alright, that it. No more mister nice guy.» said HardMan with rage in his voice.»
«Bright it on big boy.» replied Taki under her mouth guard.
TO BE CONTINUED…
