Disclaimer: I don't own the EXE universe, Capcom does, yadda yadda, but I own every fan character in this story.

This is a sequel to my previous fic, The Link Between the Past and Present. I highly recommend that you read it first, otherwise you will not understand what is going on and will most likely be very confused.

Edit: Inserted scene dividers (----), because the asterisks I prefer to use like to go Houdini on me when I upload.

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Chapter 1: The Virus Man
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Metto Metto

'' Eat up my pets.'' Dr. Arman said happily as he hit a command on the keyboard, sending bug pieces to the metools' feeding bowls. The metools gleefully ran over to them, and began gorging themselves.

Arman smiled at his beloved pets. What wonderful creatures they were! They looked so cute, but they were not to be trifled with, when they weren't well fed at least.

'' What are you doing, hakase?'' a voice asked. Arman turned to find Hideki watching him. Hideki was a teenage boy who lived in the small town at the base of the mountain. He had tried to climb it on a dare, but had gotten lost and stumbled on Arman's lab. Since it was getting dark, Arman offered to let him stay overnight, and he said he would lead him back to the town once it was daylight again.

For Hideki, this whole experience was strange. He had stumbled upon some mountain hermit, who was absolutely obsessed with computer viruses. There were portraits of Metools, Killereyes, Gaias, and other virus species displayed on the walls. Also, what was a laboratory doing way out here?

'' I'm feeding my pets.'' Arman answered. '' If I don't, they'll fade away into deletion.'' He was an older man, with thin, gray hair and a stooped posture.

'' But, why viruses?'' Hideki continued. '' The grownups say that they're the reason that we have to live like this.''

'' Hmm. That may be true, but just look at them!'' Arman said, watching the Metools. One of them, having eaten its fill, had begun to march around the feeding area, proudly touting its pickaxe.

'' Viruses are fascinating creatures.'' he continued. '' There are so many different types, and they all have unique personalities and behaviors. I've dedicated my life to their study, which is why I've been called the ' Virus Man' by some.''

'' It's still weird.'' Hideki muttered.

Arman sighed at his guest's ignorance, and left the room. After he left, Hideki's eye caught something on the desk that the computer was on.

It was a set of three photographs. The first was labeled ' Stage One', and showed several depressed looking navis sitting in a containment field. The second photo was named ' Stage Two'. There were fewer navis in it, but the ones that were in it sported various disfigurements, such as horns, spikes, or pincers. Hideki took one look at ' Stage Three', and backed away from the computer desk, wondering what the monstrosity he had seen was.

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Tokyo's Internet City was undoubtedly the grandest in the world. Navis and Programs bustled this way and that, carrying out their duties or functions, while shoppers crowded the commercial district, which was bathed in the glow of neon advertising signs.

One tall, orange headed navi with white armor with orange stripes stood on a rooftop, watching the crush below. He turned to the security navis that had followed him. '' You are dismissed.'' he said in a clear, cultured tone.

The navis snapped a salute. '' Hai Solinar-sama!'' they said in unison, then they logged out.

Solinar waited for a few minutes, his hair blowing in the simulated breeze. Then a new, female navi logged in next to him. She had a silver headband while purple gray hair fell down her back. Her tight body suit was white, punctuated ever now and then with blue or gray stripes.

'' Hello Niichan.'' Solinar said, turning towards her.

Lunare moved closer to him. '' Why did you call me out here Brother? Why at a place like this, instead of at work?''

'' Because it is about the business my operator has been looking into. I trust you know about it as well.'' Solinar answered, brushing some of his hair out of his face.

'' Ah, that. How long will you be gone?''

'' A fortnight at most. A week at least. I hope that you will be able to handle the extra workload while I'm gone, correct? And if anyone gets suspicious of my absence, dissuade them. Tell them that my operator is sick or is visiting foreign countries to make sure that everything's running smoothly. Any decent excuse will suffice. They wouldn't dare question you.'' Solinar answered.

Lunare nodded. '' You can count on me. This will be easy compared to the aftermath of that Dimensional Chip fiasco.''

Solinar nodded in sympathy. While Lunare had taken out the mercenary Ace, whose '' brillant '' plan had resulted in the destruction of the Dimensional Chip factory at the hands of a rebel group, Mattel had caused quite a sink over the fund cancellation.

'' I wish you good fortune Niichan.'' Solinar said, logging out afterwards.

Lunare stood alone on the rooftop for a while, thinking. Her brother would certainly succeed against the unseen source... If his chosen tactic of deception and stealth worked, this whole affair would be over quite quickly. And if he didn't succeed, which was highly unlikely, she would finish the job herself if she had to.

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Hope you like this! Reviews welcome!