"Along time ago before the Internet was invented," Z began. "There was a study on robotics. I was one of the first designed by the government to infiltrate enemy territory and performed serious damage for the military, which is why I look like a human. But unlike other robots I developed a conscious. When my creator discovered this, he decided to keep me and abandon this research instead of deactivating or reprogramming me. So he brought me somewhere else to assist him in his new interest. Biology. He became a respective professor in a university and made me his assistant. Later on he had another assistant."
"Ryuko?" Rockman guessed.
Z nodded. "The one and the same. We did not reveal my true identity to him during that time. We were studying genetic engineering and discovered how to combine different species of animals with cloning. The professor and I agreed it was inhumane and not ethical. We thought it would be wise to abandon the research, but Ryuko disagreed. He argued that it was a great discovery and we should pursue it. Soon Ryuko and the Professor had a heated argument at the end Ryuko left. He was gone for a long time and we did not see him again. Until one day I left the lab for an errand. I came back to find it a mess with the professor dead on the floor in a pool of blood and Ryuko, standing over him with the files the professor was about to destroy. I realized that Ryuko what had happened when I was gone. I was about to call the police, but Ryuko tackled me on the ground. I managed to wrestle him down and when I thought he was defeated, I took out my cell phone to dial 911. Before I could say anything to the operator, Ryuko pulled out a scalpel and stabbed me over here."
Z tilted his head back and pointed at his neck. Netto covered his mouth and quickly turned his head away.
"But he actually destroyed my voice box. Frightened, I hit him hard and ran away. Eventually I came here. I since I couldn't communicate I was forced to hide for a long time. Then I was found by the children living in this town and they helped me to adjust to my new life by providing me supplies and equipment they borrowed from their parents. They thought it was fun to keep me as a secret. Whenever I decided to visit town, I pretended to be a babysitter, friend or a distant relative." He smiled at the memory, "Sometimes I even helped them with their homework or played with them. Most of the time I was keeping them out of trouble."
"And then?" Netto asked quietly.
"Ryuko somehow learned that I am here." Z's eyes clouded in pain. In a halting voice he continued. "He asked the residents about me." Z choked, "When he couldn't get any answers he took one of my closest friends."
"Oh Z," Rockman whispered.
"Ryuko assumed that I am hiding in town. After I proved him wrong, he directed his search outside of town. He knows he couldn't fight me single handedly and send his monsters instead. Sometime he would let them roam freely at night."
As Netto listened to Z's story. Something clicked in the back of his mind.
"So you were there on our midnight hike with Ryuko."
"Yes, it was the anniversary of Dawn's death. I was on my way to the cemetery until I saw Laika with Ryuko. During that time I didn't know if you are trustworthy or not and so I followed them in order to investigate. When I saw that I was wrong, I went to another path, and almost ran into Pride. She didn't see me because it was so dark or the monster following her. I had to destroy that monster first and followed it's tracks back to its brethren. Two were attacking Enzan, while the third carried you away. After Laika and Pride caught up with us, I had to blaze a trail to town."
"Is that why you were in town?"
"Yes, I-I wanted to make sure you are alright."
"You killed that monster at the mountain?"
"I had to because Ryuko feeds them with the residents of the town."
"You were the one getting that snake off me last night!"
"Yeah! And you gave that device to Papa at the hospital."
"So all of these things happening to us were aiming at you. Right?"
Z nodded.
"But why did Ryuko wanted to hurt Netto kun?" Rockman asked him.
"Because Ryuko discovered that I have special weakness. Like everything else I can be destroyed, but unlike other machines I have the ability to take care of myself and find other resources to survive and…I have a heart. Netto, when I first met you in town. Our meeting reminded me of Dawn. She had a big heart, caring, kind, compassionate and she was honest and strong willed. She was my first and very best friend. She was also a great comfort to me after the death of the Professor and losing my voice. She was like the first appearance of light in the morning. What happened to her made me realized that it was my fault that I couldn't prevent Ryuko from hurting everyone. If I didn't stop him then all of this would not happened to you or anyone else. If I do revealed myself then everyone will be convinced that it was my fault. There is nothing that I can do to prove that I am innocent. And how can I? I have no voice and if I choose to stop hiding. Who will stop Ryuko and his monsters?"
"I know how you feel," Rockman said.
"It's not your fault Z. If Dawn were alive today, she would have said the same thing."
Z smiled sadly at them. "Thank you Netto. I am done recharging and it is time to take you home."
END OF FLASHBACK
"Then Netto almost gave Z a heart attack when he collapsed from hunger," Rockman laughed, "Z had to carry him all the way back to town where he had to eat."
Netto grinned sheepishly despised himself.
"But how did Ryuko managed to lure Z to his house?" Laika asked.
"Morse code," Netto answered him, "We saw a light from a tower flickering on and off. I don't know what it means but Z does and he did not want me to tag along, but I managed to convince him and we planned the rescue."
"Yogotta." Kageki muttered.
Netto turned to Kageki, "By the way, how did you know Z is a robot?"
"I used to live here before I moved away," Kageki answered, "I was one of the children who found Z. It was Dawn's idea to name him Z because his original name was hard to remember. When I came back here to visit Dawn, I discovered a lot has changed when I was gone. Like you, I heard rumors about a monster killed a girl. I asked around the neighborhood and I learned about a strange man inquiring about a robot. To understand this better, I visited Ryuko's house to ask him some questions. Ryuko made up a story which is entirely different from what he told you. I suspect Ryuko did not tell me the whole truth because I knew Z would never do something like this. I became a diplomat major to uncover the truth behind Z's past in order to find out the real cause of Dawn's murder. I know Ryuko is a scientist but I didn't know he was performing an inhumane experiment until now."
"What does politics have to do with this?" Netto asked him.
"It's a code for secret intelligence officer or CIA," Kageki explained to him. "A robot like Z would be made from the upper brass. In order to find the truth behind Ryuko's story, I had to become one of them. I came back in order to find Z. I had to follow you because he couldn't reveal himself to the townspeople or else they would ask him some questions he could not answer. At first, I did not understand why he is friends with you, but now I do."
"What about the animals?"
"They are all taken care of," Kageki assured Netto.
"And the monsters?"
"Destroyed," Kageki answered, "Too dangerous to live in public."
Hikari entered the living room.
"Papa how is Z?" Netto asked his father.
Dr. Hikari sat down on a chair. He closed his eyes, he rubbed his face tiredly. "Well I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is I couldn't help Z. His body was damaged beyond repair."
"And the good news?" Kageki asked anxiously.
Dr. Hikari opened his eyes, he smiled warmly at him, "Thanks to Netto and Rockman, they managed to save Z's data and memory files from his computer brain just before he shut down, permanently. With it and the program that Z used to turn himself into a Navi I am able to transformed him into a NetNavi."
Kageki jumped up from his seat.
"Can we see him Papa?" Netto asked, also jumping up from his seat. "Please?"
Dr. Hikari gestured to the basement with his hand, "Be my guest, Z will be waking up soon."
"Thank you," Netto grabbed Kageki's hand and raced down the stairs. Followed by Enzan and Laika.
They found Z's body lying on a table, next to his head was Dr. Hikari's laptop computer with a couple of wires attached to his head. On the screen showed the dapple gray colored Navi floating in cyberspace surrounded by data.
Netto pulled his PET out from his holster for Rockman to see their friend.
Z's eyes fluttered open.
"Wha-"
"Z!" Rockman called out to him. "It's alright." Then he quickly explained to him what happened while he was unconscious.
"Thank goodness," Z muttered.
"Why are you so calm?" Rockman asked, "You can't return to your body."
"If my body is fixed, then I would still be hunted," Z explained to them, "My experience with Ryuko made me realized that I won't be treated like a human being by the society."
"But you are going to be arrested in the cyberspace anyway," Enzan said.
Netto and Rockman were horrified.
"What?" Netto cried out in alarm, "After all that he has done for us, why?"
"To be examined by the scientists at the Sci-labs. He isn't a normal NetNavi."
"That's not fair!"
"I agree, but that is the way things are."
"Wait."
Everyone turned their attention to Kageki.
"Z didn't do that, in fact I did."
"Nani?" Netto cried out. "Demmo, I thought Z developed the ability to reprogram himself. That is what he told me."
"I made him swear not to tell because I didn't want anyone to know how smart I am." Kageki explained to him. "When I was your age, Netto, tinkering with technology was one of my favorite hobbies. Z is my friend and I wanted to give him the best." Kageki turned to Enzan.
"Enzan, if Z is my Navi, then I will take responsibility for him."
Z noticed the man for the first time.
"You are…"
"Soryu Kageki. I-I know that I am different now. A little older perhaps, but I am still the same person."
"Yes, I remembered you moved to another school. Dawn cried her eyes out after you left."
"I remember I cried to, but I didn't let her see that."
"Kageki san. I am sorry that I couldn't protect her. I wanted so much to tell you…"
"Ssh. It's alright Xeon," Kageki said soothingly. Wishing he could hug him and cry with him. Instead, he touched the screen. "I understand why you couldn't talk and why you disappeared. I know how you feel. Believe me, I missed her too. It's not your fault that she is gone. You wanted to protect everybody and the only one who is at fault is Ryuko."
"But I am the only one who can stand up against him. If only-"
Kageki's eyes locked into Z's. Z closed his mouth.
Laika interrupted them, "I think we should ask the Chief first."
Commissioner Kifune read Laika's report. He put the papers down on his desk and leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
"So did they have a good time?"
Kifune looked at Manabe leaning against the doorway to his office.
"I am not sure. But I received this from Laika." He held up the papers for her to see.
Manabe took the papers. She scanned its contents.
"You know, I thought a vacation would help them relax. Sending Pride with the Hikaris would fool Laika and Enzan. But I never thought something like this could happen."
"Well what are you going to do?"
Kifune leaned back in his chair. "I think we have enough room in our organization for one more," he said with a broad grin. "This…program will be a great addition to our organization. I heard Soryu is a great detective. What do you think?"
Manabe smiled, "I think that is a great idea."
