Disclaimer: I do not own Rockman.EXE sadly.

Zero: A Legend Reborn

Thoughts "blah"

Chapter 8

Ciel looked at the site where the two NetSaviors had been just moments ago and then looked back at Jesse. "If Duo's so interested in Crossfusion then why didn't he take you too?"

Jess looked thoughtful for a second before looking offended. "Ya know I don't understand that one either. Maybe he knows that we're not native to this version of Earth?"

Hinata shook her head and said, "I bet that it has more to do with the little detail that we don't work for the NetSaviors. He wants to test our worthiness to survive, so he'd naturally take those two first. Duo will probably come back for us later," she leaned in towards her brother and added, "And he will most likely take you first."

"Wonderful…" Jesse hadn't thought of that, but realizing that the white giant would soon find out, if not already know, that he had developed the new Synchro-chip. "Let's get out of here before Duo changes his mind and takes me too." He knew that running away wouldn't really stop the 'Judge', but what else could he do?

"Let's get out of here before the NetSaviors come to check on their missing agents," suggested Zero.

They immediately went to the edge of the Dimensional Area dome and waited for the barrier to be shut down. As soon as it went down Hinata and Blaze were forced out of Crossfusion while Zero and Jesse remained.

Jesse could see the bitter look on Hinata's face and knew better than to brag about his current advantage. Opening his mouth would've resulted in a very painful death. "I wonder how long she's going to stay angry at me for keeping this from her? Atleast she isn't taking it out on Zero or Ciel."

"You know you don't have to stay in Crossfusion ya know?" Hinata knew that she was being a little rough on her brother, but she hated being left out of the loop. She figured that after a few days she might be able to forgive him. "Let's go home."

After being returned to Earth Enzan and Netto were too exhausted to chase after the three kids. Netto caught a glimpse of Duo's crest on his hand before passing out.

Enzan was able to remain awake and wondered what the future would hold for them. "Somewhere out there those kids are running around with the power to Crossfuse without DA's. If that power falls into the wrong hands then we're all finished. Could this be part of the trial that Duo was talking about?"

According to Duo during Dr. Regal's rampage he'd shown just how evil and wicked humanity was. The 'Judge' was willing to give them the opportunity to prove that they were not hopelessly evil. Dr. Hikari's Crossfusion, which brought navi and human together, and the NetSavior organization had given pause to Duo's judgment.

If the NetSavior failed to prove that their race was worth saving then Duo would commence 'planetary erasure'. The entire world would literally be erased from existence. To make the test even more challenging Duo would be tempting the hearts of man by giving them powerful navis and seeing how the world responded to it.

After a full day of rest Netto and Enzan had fully recovered. Now they had a meeting with Commissioner Kifune. Kifune had been briefed on everything that Duo had said to them, but today he was going to find out about the new Synchro-chip.

"Please be seated and we'll start the meeting," said Manabe.

Dr. Hikari and the two young NetSaviors sat. Meijin and Manabe were already seated and ready to hear what the two agents had to say that was so important.

"As you know we brought three kids here the day of Duo's arrival. What we found out was something quite interesting…they have Synchro-chips," said Enzan.

Dr. Hikari gasped in surprise while Manabe and Kifune were disturbed by this news.

"How did they get their hands on these chips," asked the Commissioner. If someone was distributing these chips it meant trouble on top of what they already had to deal with.

Blues answered, "We don't know for sure, but it's likely that they got them from Forte. Netto saw one of his classmates drop a Synchro-chip the day of the factory raid. He was investigating it trying to find out just who the boy and his siblings are working for."

"Why didn't you say anything about this sooner Hikari," asked an angry Kifune. It was a mistake for Netto to withhold information like this and he wanted to make sure that the boy understood that.

Rockman watched his brother knowing that he couldn't really say or do anything to justify his actions.

"He acted with my support," said Enzan. When the Commissioner's attention shifted to him the boy continued, "We believed that we could handle this alone and I take full responsibility for 'our' actions."

Kifune knew better than to believe that. He knew that Enzan would've blown the kids out of the water if he had seen what Netto had. He sighed and accepted the teen's confession. "I expect you to be more careful in the future. I don't want a repeat of this. Now what did you find out about them?"

Netto jumped in saying, "Jesse claims that Forte gave the chip to them, but he doesn't know why. He also states that he only wanted to be able to Crossfuse like we can."

"Do you really think that they can be trusted," asked Manabe. She knew that Netto had a tendency to only see the good in people. Despite being able to turn his enemies into allies they couldn't risk a repeat of Nebula with these kids.

They had to find out what the kids and Forte was up. Even though Forte had been defeated by Slur and dropped into the Ura Net they couldn't take chances with this especially as long as Duo was around.

"I do believe that they don't work for a Net Mafia, but I don't know who else they might be working for." Netto readjusted himself in his seat not feeling comfortable with the stares. He had a good idea what they were thinking and knew that he'd made a big mistake. "There is one other thing that is of importance…"

Yuuichiro asked, "What's that?"

Netto looked away from his father and said, "Jesse has a new kind of Synchro-chip. He can Crossfuse outside of Dimensional Areas." He looked around the room at the expressions of disbelief and shock.

"Netto that's impossible," said Yuuichiro.

"That's where you are wrong Dr. Hikari," said Enzan. "I saw it with my own eyes as did your son. Jesse was standing in front of us Crossfused without a DA."

The adults in the room were extremely alarmed hearing the capabilities of this kid. They couldn't believe that someone had created something like this without their knowledge.

"Find him immediately," demanded Kifune. He immediately dismissed the meeting and sent his two agents after the children. On route to the listed home for the children other NetSavior agents joined the pursuit just to be safe.

The first place the Net agents checked was at their listed home. Sasuke and Ayame were alarmed by the presence of so many police asking for their children. The two troubled parents were assured that it was just a follow up to their questioning of the factory incident.

"They are probably at school. I dropped them off this morning." Sasuke was sure that his kids were still at the school, but now he wasn't sure.

The next stop of their search led them to the school while the other agents were searching abandoned chip factories. Twenty minutes after they began their search the two net agents found the kids that they were looking for.

Jesse, Ciel, and Hinata were all gathered in one place, which made it easier for Enzan and Netto.

"Look Hinata I promise to get you your own advanced Synchro-chip as soon as I can get enough rare metal to do the job," said Jesse completely unaware of their guests.

Hoshi grumbled saying, "You and Zero have been tearing the Ura Net apart earning Zenny. How much longer is this going to take?"

The blonde scientist answered for the boy. "Probably about five or six months given the rate at which he's been saving money. You could cut that in half if you and Blaze would help them out."

"So Zero is the navi that I've been hearing about. To be able to delete so many Ura Net navis he has to be extremely powerful and skilled." The dual-haired teen nodded and the two boys approached. "So you can make more of these chips? I'm sure that the Commissioner will be very pleased to hear that."

"What are you doing here," snapped Hinata. She knew the answer already, but she still felt like making them say it anyway just so she didn't feel as bad when she kicked their butts.

Jesse just watched the exchange with what appeared to be complete indifference. "If he thinks that I'm parting with my hard work just because the NetSaviors say so then he's more insane than I thought."

"Please Jesse, Ciel, Hinata just come back with us and we'll work everything out. The school is surrounded by now so you have no chance of escape." Netto really hoped that they didn't call his bluff. "All that they have to do is use that chip and we've had it. Those trucks better hurry up…just in case."

The green-eyed boy moved forward and said, "I have no intentions of giving you my chip so you can get that idea out of your head right now. I don't want to have to hurt you, but I will if I have to."

"Netto what do you think that he has in mind," asked Rockman.

The younger Hikari responded, "I guess that he just plans to fight his way out. Why?"

Rock shook his head and replied, "I don't think that it's that simple. If that's what he had in mind then he wouldn't have simply kept coming to the school as usual. They have some ace in the hole that we don't know about. Be careful little brother."

"Always Saito, always." The spiky-haired brunette walked up to Jesse with his hands held up in a non-threaten manor. "We're not leaving here without the three of you and your navis, so please just come along quietly and don't make a scene."

Jesse leaned in and said, "Not a chance."

Enzan growled and charged at Jesse considering that he was currently their biggest threat. Hinata intercepted giving her brother the opening that he needed.

"Synchro-chip in, Download! Begin Crossfusion!" When the light vanished the boy leapt forward and grabbed both of his sisters. He jumped clear of the NetSaviors and headed towards the entrance.

"Zero, Jesse…you two had better not drop or else," threatened Hoshi. Her brother wouldn't deliberately drop her, but how often would someone intentionally drop their sister while fleeing from the NetSaviors?

Before Jess could make it out of the school the DA generator trucks arrived and enclosed the school in the giant dome. "What the hell are they thinking? Are they trying to provoke a fight in the middle of a school? They are insane, completely insane."

"O'Neil put me down so that I can Crossfuse," demanded his sister. As soon as she was down she too Crossfused and turned around to wait for their pursuers.

Enzan flew over a nearby building and he went straight for Jesse while Netto tangled with Hoshi.

"O'Neil you're opponent will be me," declared Enzan brandishing his Cyber Sword.

The boy just smiled and drew his Z-saber. Ijuin jumped into the air and brought his sword down on the saber. The smile grew and O'Neil looked down. Enzan's eyes followed and he saw a Mini Boomer at his feet.

Jesse jumped back while Enzan was caught in the blast. The dual-haired teen was only mildly injured by the explosion.

Netto was having trouble with the phoenix navi due to her flight abilities. "If I'm going to beat her I need to clip her wings," he thought as he watched her fly out of reach of his weapons again. "Rock Buster! Charged Shot!"

"Oh no you don't! Life Aura, battlechip in! Download!" Hinata sighed in relief as her barrier blocked the NetSavior's attack. "That was too close. Time to get serious." "COMET STORM!"

"Area Steal! Elec Sword! Battlechips in, Download!" Netto disappeared and then reappeared right over Hinata. "Take this. Hiyah" To his surprise Hoshi grabbed his forearm preventing him from striking her.

"Welcome to parlor said the spider to the fly," she said before lifting herself and her attacker higher into the sky. "Rest assured, this is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me," she said just before dropping him.

"I'm not that easy to get rid of," stated Hikari before latching onto her leg with both arms. "I can't attack her now without risking both of our lives. I've got to get her to descend."

"Buster Shot!" CF Zero pointed his gun at CF Blues and fired away. Several shots blasted the parking lot uprooting the pavement. "Zero set the EX Skill for the Buster Shot on the Time Stopper."

"Done," replied Zero.

"Time Stopper!" Jesse fired the shot directly at Enzan and caught the boy in the small stasis field. "That was easy enough, but I don't know how long it will last. Better make this quick." He leapt into the air and brought his Z-Saber down on the other boy.

"Scope Gun!" A purple beam tore through the school and knocked the sword out of Jesse's hand. CF Searchman came out of the shadows and addressed his teammate, "Sorry that I'm late. Traffic slowed me down. Enzan are you alright?"

"Yeah, but I can't move." Enzan was trying to move, but the stasis field held strong. "Get me out of this," he said just before getting dropped on his rear. "Never mind."

"Fifteen seconds…not bad Zero," commented the navi's NetOp. He had guessed that Time Stopper would've last for a shorter period of time, but this was a very helpful surprise.

"So it's three against two? We're still not backing down." CF Blaze fired her Comet Storm at the source of the interruption however due to the teen hanging from her leg her aim was a little off. She glared down at Netto and demanded, "Let go of my leg. You're not my type."

"I already have a love interest," growled back the dangling teen. As soon as the words left his mouth the brunette instantly regretted it.

"Ah…isn't that cute. Wittle Netto-kun likes Meiru." She just loved teasing people and this one was exceptionally easy.

The NetSavior's eyes bugged out and he started stuttering, "Meiru…Me…she isn't my girlfriend. We're just friends…and she's a girl, but we're not a couple!"

Jesse who had been fighting the other two and losing stopped. He looked at his sister and her opponent and then looked back at his two and said, "Only Netto would stop fighting just to argue about whom he likes."

Laika nodded and added, "He's not that good at admitting his feelings, but he is a decent fighter."

Ijuin decided not to comment and resumed his fight with CF Zero. "Sonic Boom!" His attack threw Jesse into Ms. Mariko's new car leaving a huge dent into the hood and breaking the windshield. "Oops! The Chief's going to rip me a new one for that."

O'Neil used his dash ability to put some distance between himself and the two net agents. "Time to play dirty." He smiled and then ran towards Enzan. "Bloody Quartet!" Jesse used Blue's Anti-Forte finishing move knowing how the dual-haired teen would react.

"Why you little…you stole Blue's move. You're going to pay for that." The Vice-President of IPC knew that he couldn't carry out the threat after being hit with one of his own moves. He was lucky to still be in one piece after an attack like that. "How did he know about that move? We've never used it in view of the public. It doesn't make any sense."

While O'Neil was distracted with Ijuin Laika was given an opening to strike. He pointed his Scope Gun at the back Jesse's head. The soldier moved forward until his enemy felt the gun barrel at the back of his head. "At this distance I can't miss. Give up now and I won't shoot you."

"You'd shoot me for self-defense," the green-eyed boy asked. "He's got me. I can't move without getting shot."

Zero was outraged that someone would threaten his operator like this. "Jesse if you've got any bright ideas I suggest that you use them now."

"All that I've got is a something to hold over Netto's head. It won't help us with Laika." It made the NetOp's stomach that he would even consider using that kind of move against someone, but right then he didn't have much choice.

"Laika watch out," warned Searchman, but it came too late. A flowerpot was smashed into the back of his head. It didn't KO that soldier, but it did give him a massive headache and allow Jesse to slip away. When he turned to see who had so cowardly attacked him from the rear he saw Ciel holding another pot ready to bring it down on his head.

Before she could attack Laika snatched her wrist and held it above her head. He looked at CF Zero and said, "Stay where you are." He then looked up into the sky at CF Blaze and demanded, "And you…put Netto down and come down here yourself."

Knowing that they didn't have a choice they both complied somewhat. Hinata 'put Netto down' by kicking him in the face and letting him fall onto Ms. Mariko's already battered car. The roof of the vehicle was now much lower than the factory had designed it to be.

The red NetSavior was still recovering from his own attack and walked up to Jesse. "Exit Crossfusion now."

Jesse shook his head and replied, "I can't. A little defect that I found in the chip…I can't exit Crossfusion until Zero runs out of energy. I'd say about…four or five hours from now."

At first the Vice-President of IPC thought that the kid was lying, but one glance at Ciel made him believe otherwise. "That's quite a defect."

The creator of the new chip glared and spat, "I'm sorry that it doesn't please you. I didn't get the chance to work out all of the kinks before Forte blew up the factory and your raid."

"Easy Jess," said Zero trying to calm his operator down. The last thing that they needed was for something to spark another fight.

The students of Densan Elementary School all came out of the hiding and watched. Netto finally rolled out of his impression in the car and onto the ground. For the most part he was alright, but his pride had taken a nasty blow. "I can't believe that she'd kick me in the face like that."

Hinata and Ciel were transported separately from Jesse because he was still in Crossfusion and they didn't want to risk him trying anything.

When the kids arrived at NetSavior HQ the two girls received many disappointed stares. Jesse's arrival brought about total confusion and curiosity. Many believed that he was just wearing some kind of suite and didn't realize the truth of his current state.

For the comfort of others O'Neil was forced to wear handcuffs and escorted by several armed guards while his two sisters were just escorted by four unarmed guards to separate interrogation rooms.

"Divide and conquer," thought the boy. He had expected as much from the Net police. Naturally he'd be seen as the biggest threat for obvious reasons. "Ciel's got me beat there. Her knowledge alone makes her the greatest threat out of all of us."

Commissioner Kifune entered with four more armed men. "So you are the young man that's caused such an uproar? It's nice to finally meet you in person."

Jesse looked up and said, "I can safely say that the feeling isn't mutual. You're wasting your time and more importantly mine if you think that you're getting your hands on my Synchro-chip."

Kifune arched an eyebrow and inquired, "And what makes you say that?"

CF Zero smiled and said, "The instant Crossfusion wears off Zero will create an overload inside the chip and that will destroy it beyond repair. I'm not turning my creation over to you...I won't do it."

"This child isn't bluffing. He'd do anything to keep us from getting that chip." The large man sat down and tried not to look angry. "And what exactly did you intend to do with that chip anyway? You can't run off and go about vigilante justice my boy. Netto said that you claim not to be willing to work for a Net Mafia, so where does that leave you?"

"Ask as many questions as you like, I'm not turning it over to you or Dr. Hikari. That took months of work for me and I'm just going to hand it over because you say so." O'Neil figured that the old man was playing mind games hoping to get the chip, but the kid wasn't about to allow that. "I gotta figure out a way out of this mess."