Disclaimer: I do not own Rockman.EXE sadly.

Zero: A Legend Reborn

Thoughts "blah"

Chapter 9

After four hours of interrogation Kifune had made no progress with Jesse or Zero. Finally getting fed up with the teen's stubborn behavior the Commissioner left the room for a breath of fresh air and to check on the other two. "The boy's Crossfusion should be wearing off any minute now and Dr. Hikari still can't find a way to prevent him from overloading the chip."

The Commissioner walked down the hall to Ciel's interrogation room and looked in. Enzan had the pleasure of handling her, but from the looks of it he wasn't doing any better. Enzan looked like he was about ready to pull his hair out. He could see a vain pulsing on the side of the boy's forehead. "I thought for sure that he would've got something out of her. I wonder just what she's doing to him?"

After a few more minutes of observation Enzan stood up and left the room. When he was outside he walked over to the Commissioner and said, "Can't we make some compromise and just shoot her."

Kifune chuckled dryly and asked, "What did she say?"

"She kept turning everything around making me look like the criminal here. Ciel has politely refused to answer virtually every question I ask her and turned the questioning on me. She started asking me about my life and childhood. According to her I've got insecurities and daddy-issues." It was true that Enzan wasn't on the best of terms with his father, but he didn't think that he had 'daddy-issues'.

The Commissioner made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snicker. "Sorry…allergies," he lied. "Let's go see if Laika's doing any better."

Ijuin nodded and followed down to the last interrogation room. Blaze's PET was on the table next to Searchman's. The phoenix navi had projected herself onto the table and was glaring at Laika.

Enzan walked up to the intercom and pressed a black button. "Laika could we see you for a moment?"

The soldier glanced away from Hinata to the one way window for just a second before turning his eyes back to the girl. "We'll finish this later."

"Anytime Liki-chan," sang Hinata. She put on her best Russian accent and added, "Ta-ta love."

Upon exiting the room the blue-haired teen he leaned against the wall and asked, "What did you need?"

The Commissioner nodded towards Hinata and said, "What have you learned from this one?"

"She likes Pepsi, loves cats, and has given me this annoying nickname of Liki-chan," said the soldier. Every time that he asked a question Hinata had gone out of her way to call him by that vile nickname.

Just then Dr. Hikari came running into the holding area. The scientist was grinning ear to ear. He obviously had something very exciting to tell them, but from the looks of it his excitement would prevent that for a few minutes.

"Yuuichiro gets so excited so easily sometimes," thought Enzan. He decided to be blunt and grabbed a hold of the elder to get his attention. He then said nice and slowly, "Dr. Hikari…calm down and talk very slowly so that the rest of us humans can catch what you are saying."

Yuuichiro listened to the teen and forced himself to settle down. "I've got good news."

"You found a way to stop Zero from overloading the new Synchro-chip," guessed Laika. When the scientist shook his head the boy asked, "Then what has you so excited?"

"I figured out what was so special about the can the Dr. Wily gave to my son and Enzan. Inside were nanobots imprinted with design schematics. They're plans for a Dimensional Area project array. Once finished we can create DA's anywhere on Earth...with the use of satellites of course, but we will still be able to create DA's from here." Dr. Hikari was beaming with excitement about this 'gift' from Wily. He'd checked the plans many times before coming to the Commissioner and they were exactly what they appeared to be. There were no back doors, hidden traps, or doomsday weapons hidden inside.

"This is excellent news, though it is very surprising considering who it was that gave us the plans," commented Kifune. Before giving the Doctor permission to build the array he'd have Meijin give it a thorough looking over.

Enzan started walking down the hall and said, "We should be getting back to the boy. Crossfusion should be wearing off sometime soon. Maybe we can use this to get him to cough up the chip?"

"I doubt it. The young man seems to be very persistent." Kifune had spent four hours with the kids and had only received a headache from the encounter.

When they reached Jesse's room the four men stopped outside and began to discuss possible ways to get what they needed from the boy.

About that time Netto showed up with Rockman. "Hey dad. What did I miss?"

"Not much. Netto you know this boy better than the rest of us, what would you think would be the best course of action?" Yuuichiro smiled at the confused look on his son's face and added, "Do you what you think is best."

"Well I think that deep down he wants to help people just like we do. I think that we should offer him and his friends jobs with the NetSaviors." Netto saw the disapproving looks on his teammate's faces and said, "Think about it...they finally showed what they could really do when they fought us and it three against two. You could also get them to do it by making this their punishment...community service working by our side."

"Interesting idea Netto, but you're forgetting one very important detail...the new Synchro-chip." Enzan knew that he had the younger NetSavior there.

The brunette shrugged and said, "Not really. He'll be working for us so we know that the chip won't be in the hands of any criminals. We know that they are much better at fighting than they let on, so with Duo here we need all the help that we can get."

"I don't like the idea of leaving that chip in the kid's hands, but...as long as someone keeps a close eye on them I have no objections," said Laika. He stood in front of the window and watched Jesse stare at the glass. The soldier knew that the teen couldn't see through it, so he wasn't concerned.

After a few more minutes of arguing they decided to have the three kids 'drafted' into the NetSaviors. They would carry out missions just like the rest until the Commissioner deemed that they had served their time or until Jesse relinquished the chip.

"I'll tell him the 'good news'," said Laika. It was obvious that he just didn't want to have to go into the same room with Hinata again, but they let it slide.

Laika calmly entered the room and sat down. Jesse quirked an eyebrow and said, "Don't tell me...you're changing interrogators because the large guy wasn't getting anywhere?"

The soldier didn't even smile at the attempted humor. "Commissioner Kifune sent me to give you certain terms for the release of you and your friends."

"Let me guess. He wants the chip in exchange for our freedom." Jesse sat back and could feel that Crossfusion was about to fail. His glove covering his hand kept breaking apart into data and then reforming. Zero was giving it everything that he had to keep it together, but even the 'Red Demon' had his limits.

"That is one way out of this, but there is another. You should be thanking Netto for this one." The blue-haired teen set his PET on the table when something caught his eye. Zero's helmet had parts of it break off into data and then pull itself back together. "So he's reached his limits. Maybe they're not a complete waste of time after all."

"What's the catch," demanded O'Neil. He knew that organizations like this didn't just allow you to go free and given that he had something so enticing they were not likely to just let him go even if he did destroy the chip. Most likely the NetSaviors would post 24-hour agents to watch his every move and wait for him to make another. They'd then move in and seize it at the first opportunity.

"The catch as you so elegantly put it is this, you and your friends will work with us. You'll be assigned missions and be expected to fill out reports just like the rest of us. The Commissioner informed me that you may also keep your advanced Synchro-chip so long as it's used for NetSavior purposes. If we suspect that you have been selling them to anyone then we will place the three of you in a maximum security detention facility for children and take away your navis." Laika could see the anger in the teen's eyes. He knew that the boy didn't like being bossed around and would probably just destroy the chip out of spite.

"And what if I just destroy the chip," asked Jesse venomously.

The soldier didn't flinch at the tone of voice and just answered, "Then you straight to the detention facility. Do not pass go, do not collect two-hundred Zenny. Are we clear?"

"I choose the detention facility. There's no way that I'm going to help you." Jesse saw a huge chunk of his body come apart and pull itself back together. "This isn't good. I'm down to seconds here."

"Fine th-" Laika was cut off by the door flying open.

"Wait," said Netto bursting into the room. He turned to his fellow student with concern. Netto couldn't understand why the boy was throwing the deal back into their faces. It made absolutely no sense to him. "I've gotta give it a shot."

"Jesse will you please reconsider? I'd like for you guys to join the NetSaviors, so please think it over." Netto seemed desperate to avoid sending anyone off or taking their navis away. He knew the bond that could form between human and navi and he didn't want to destroy that if he could help it.

O'Neil looked thoughtful for a few minutes. He could see that the brunette NetSavior was pleading with him. The green-eyed boy just smirked and replied casually, "Ok. I'm in."

"WHAT!" shouted Laika. "Why did you agree with him but not when I offered it?"

The smirk grew into a full-blown smile and Jesse said, "I don't like you. You are an ass. Netto's friendly, likeable."

The twins couldn't help but snicker after hearing Jesse's reason. No one had ever said something like that to Laika and it was unusual for anyone to smart off at him like that.

"Do you think that you could talk to your friends and get them to agree," asked the young Hikari.

"I might be able to, but only if you let me talk to them," replied Jesse.

The Commissioner allowed the teen to speak with his two friends with his supervision.

"Jesse what is going on," asked Hinata. Enzan handed her back her PET and as soon as he did she stomped on his foot. "Keep your paws off of my PET or else you'll get it again."

"Now, now there is no need for that. Mr. O'Neil here has agreed to join the NetSaviors and we would like to extend the offer to you two as well." Kifune noticed the exchanged looks between the three kids. He decided not to ask about it, but he would have Laika and Enzan keep an eye on them.

Jesse sat down with the other two and said, "The deal is that we work for them until we've served our time. Our alternative is a maximum security detention facility and they seize our navis, not that that's a problem for you Ciel."

"Why did you agree to those terms? That's not like you." Hinata knew that her brother was up to something.

The boy replied, "It's not like we have much choice. Besides I get to keep my Synchro-chip and I can't very well argue with that."

Ciel, Blaze, and Hinata all shot the teen a look that said otherwise.

Ciel muttered, "You're usually the first one to argue with anyone about anything."

Kifune looked expectantly at the teens. "So which option will with the rest of you take?"

Hinata growled, but agreed to the arrangement so long as she was partnered with her brother. She made it perfectly clear that she wanted to stay with someone that she was familiar with.

Ciel sighs and says, "I don't know how much help that I'll be, but I will do it." The scientist meant that she was only going to assist Jesse and Hinata. She didn't feel comfortable sharing advanced technology with these people. In fact if it hadn't been for Zero she wouldn't have taught Jesse anything.

"Good," said the Commissioner with a smile, "Now that that's settled you may return home. I'll have some of my people escort you back."

"We can walk and if you're concerned about us trying something then you can send Netto with us," said Jesse.

As expected the Commissioner sent Netto to escort them home. While they were walking Hikari stopped them and turned to Jesse. "Why did you ask for me to escort you guys home? Why me specifically?"

"Because you're a nice guy Netto. The other two that Kifune was likely to send are…difficult to deal with." Jesse walked past him and kept going. "There may even something that we can do for you."

"For me? I don't respond to bribery." He felt angry that this kid was playing with him like this. "I try to help them and then they try to bribe me. Some people disgust me."

Jesse shook his head and replied, "Not bribery. I just want to help, you are right about that, but I do have my own reasons for keeping secrets from you and the NetSaviors."

"O'Neil what are you doing," demanded Hinata. She was really hoping that her brother wasn't about to spill their secrets to the young NetSavior. She didn't even want to think about the consequences of these people learning the truth about them.

"Hey, he went to bat for us and now I think that it's time that we return the favor," said Jesse. He then turned back to Netto and said, "All that I'm asking of you is that you keep our secrets and we'll keep yours."

"And what secrets could I possibly have," asked the spiky-haired brunette. He had the feeling that he didn't want to know the answer, but his curiosity made him ask anyway.

"Well for starters we know that Saito Hikari is your twin brother or should I call him Rockman.EXE," said Zero's NetOp.

Netto paled and stopped dead in his tracks. With some mental prodding from his twin the boy mustered a poor response. "You're out of your mind. There is no way that…a navi…could be my brother. That kinda thing only happens in comic books and anime."

Rockman knew that his brother had to try to hide the truth, but Netto's words still cut deep into his heart. He quickly buried his feelings before his twin could sense them and get distracted.

Hinata grabbed a hold of Netto and rubbed his shoulder trying to calm him down. "It's alright. We're not going to tell anyone about it. I think what Jesse is trying to say is that he may have a few ideas to let your brother walk around with you in this world."

"The new Synchro-chip?" The NetSavior found it difficult to believe that after all of the hassle earlier that Jesse would just change his mind. He looked at the other brunette trying to figure out his game.

"No, that wouldn't help you Netto…atleast not very much. I don't want to get into details yet, but between me, Ciel, and Zero we maybe able to let you see your brother again face to face." O'Neil could see the hope flare upin both Netto's and Rockman's eyes.

Blaze linked herself to Netto's PET as did Zero and both navis appeared behind the blue navi.

Zero smiled and said, "This bunch may be very secretive about certain things, but I promise you that you can trust them. They are good guys and only have good intentions in mind."

The phoenix navi nodded in agreement and added, "With those three you'll be able to hold Netto again someday soon."

"Do you really think that they can do it? I mean even papa hasn't been able to do much for me in that regard. The most that I could do is protect my little brother while in Crossfusion or from within the Cyber World." Rock doubted that they could actually honor that promise, but there was a glimmer of hope. One of them had created an advanced Synchro-chip, so just maybe they could reunite him with the human world.

Blaze nodded again and said, "Don't doubt these guys. They know what they are doing, but it may take a while."

"I don't care," said Rockman. "I've waited this long and I can wait just a little bit longer assuming that you are being level with us."

"Oh we are Rockman," said Jesse as he and the other humans watched their navis. "We can't tell you everything because of the 'Judge' watching us. Ciel and I have been wracking our brains trying to find a way to delete that guy, but so far we've come up nothing…"

"You look like you may have something that could work," said Netto when he saw a pained look on O'Neils's face.

The boy looked up and barked, "That idea isn't usable and even if it was I seriously doubt that it'd make a difference. Just trying it would bring back too many painful memories for one of us and I'm not about to do that to him. I won't even consider asking him to make that kind of sacrifice."

Zero perked his head up and pieced together the cryptic message. "Jesse thinks that might be able to use 'that'? Thank you for not asking…I couldn't do it. I just can't…"

Jesse looks down at his netnavi and could see the emotions passing over his digital face. "Even if it might work Zero I couldn't ask you to do something like that. I know the kind of pain that it's caused you in the past and I don't wish to cause you more."

The red navi nodded and said, "Thanks for that one kid." He smiled weakly knowing that his NetOp hated being called kid especially since he was actually over 20 years old.

"I don't wanna know," said Hinata even though she already had a good idea and Ciel knew exactly what they were Jesse and Zero were talking about. The former 'Resistance' leader knew that the best thing to do was keep quiet on the issue and hope that Netto didn't press it. The last thing that they needed was for Zero to have a mental breakdown.

"So what do we about Duo?" asked Netto.

Ciel looked up sadly and answered, "I don't know. I honestly don't know."

"Well if we don't do something soon we're probably going to be marked like Netto and really don't like the idea of Duo's crest being imbedded in my hand," commented Jesse bitterly.

Hinata smirked and said, "Yeah now that we're NetSaviors we'll be pulled into his tests and maybe even marked as well. I do take comfort in the fact that Duo will go after you first bro and it's all thanks to your advanced Crossfusion."

"It doesn't hurt," said Rockman's NetOp. "Getting dropped on my face hurt, but being marked just tickled."

Rock shook his head and said, "Little brother I think thatfor him it's the principle of the thing."

O'Neil and Zero both nodded in agreement.

"AHHHHH!"

Everyone turned around to see what had made Hinata scream. The brunette was staring down at her hand and Jesse had to fight back a smirk. Sure enough Duo's crest glowed in the palm of her hand.

O'Neil looked at his sister and said, "You know normally I'd say something, but I'm not going to risk it. Besides I'm sure that you could guess exactly what I would say."

"Master Duo, do you really intend for those three to participate in the tests," asked Slur.

The white giant nodded and replied, "Though they are not from this universe they are still citizens of this world. Watch them closely Slur and report your findings immediately."

The smaller white navi nodded and disappeared to prepare for the first test and observe the humans.

"Interesting…a human reborn as a netnavi. I must learn more about their bond and the new comers."