Papa bass 4
Some time had passed as Forte held...Roku. The small, child-like Navi...thing...
Rockman reborn in innocence.
He fitted surprisingly well in his arms as if he was meant to be there... his little, delicate head resting by his emblem.
It once again gave the dark Navi some soft and fuzzy feelings. But it did almost nothing to shake away the dread he felt.
What if...what if Rockman's amnesia was but temporary? What if...
He had called him Papa...but how would he call him now?
Would he call him Forte? Would he...
No...the black Navi closed his eyes... he didn't even want to entertain this notion.
And then he paused...would taking care of Roku make him weak?
'Nah...it'll just give me some extra challenge and...a bargaining chip if things go south.'He was Forte, taking care of Roku... Rockman, while he reached his true potential, was not a sign of being a wimp; it was a sign of intelligence
brute force didn't seem to bring Forte closer to his ultimate goal. And having a partner meant that it had to be an independent Navi, a little less powerful than forte.
But with Rockman...oh, Forte struck gold.
He just needed to raise him right, to raise him to be as loyal as possible to him...just as he had done with Gospel.
Well, he had first fought against the cyber-wolf-bug for his freedom. But by the end of it, both had been in a pretty rough shape; it was only due to his amazing self-healing ability that he managed to get the upper hand. But instead of ending the wolve's life, the dark Navi began to take care of him...
Yes, his conquest and his power search were what made Forte tick despite the incredible odds against him. But loneliness was not cured by being alone all the time.
And Gospel was a pretty sweet abomination... a huge bug in the system... and Forte liked his style.
Still.. he was still too animalistic for Forte's taste.
He readjusted his grip on the small...
'huh...He doesn't feel like a Navi.' he realized. 'It's like...an avatar? A program?!' Oh, this would be terrible. It meant that the true God of the net got downgraded to something that had no sentience and that would only repeat the same things.
Oh, some could easily pass for a Navi, but Forte, being the tester he was, could easily break the glamour spell and see them soulless bunnies for what they truly were.
He just...he just hope this would not be the Net God's fate.
It would be...it would be a horrible way to disappear.
Suddenly, he felt Roku stir, hugging him closer as he rubbed his face on his chest. Effectively snuggling.
Something, something, warm and fuzzy feeling something...
Then the blue, translucent child emerged from under his cloak; he was rubbing his eyes for sleep still hung to him.
'Oh...by the first source code...that's like the most precious thing ever.' No, Forte was not into the cute and cuddly thing but this!
Well, Forte was more than willing to tolerate it...as often at it would happen.
"Hmmm...Morning Papa." Roku mumbled with a voice so sweet; it shamed those Miku voice program. And...
He had called the black reploid 'Papa'...not Forte.
His lips stretched in a grin. "Morning...Son." he greeted the Prototype god. The word...causing his grin to widen and caused something in his chest to expand.
The tiny, tiny Roku got to his feet and, using Forte's thigh (ouch), bolster himself up so that he could hug the dark Navi around his neck and planting an innocent kiss on his cheek.
Once again, warm fuzzy feeling burned brightly in Forte's core program...and pain down below the belt; it was as if ha pair of stakes almost pierced his thighs.. but Roku's arms around his neck and the affection he gave was enough to make it all worthwhile.
'Huh...I could get used to that.' So far, Roku was not acting like a brat...
Oh sure, The dark Navi may be on an eternal quest for power, but it didn't mean he didn't take the time to peruse his target, humanity at large.
As expected, humans were a bunch of useless fools no better than animals. They were envious, destructive of their environment, exploitative of others and had nothing to give to the world ultimately they lived in...
And Kids were cruel, snotty, demanding little imp.
...he just hoped Roku would not be like a human...he was better than that. For he was the true god of the net, and soon, his dominion would extend to the real world. And then...
And then the reckoning would commence.
He felt Six's spindly arm release his neck and mercifully jump of his lap, freeing the dark Navi from his surprisingly sharp heels. The little...Godling then stretched again and began to look around in the room curiously.
"Papa...where are we?" He asked the dark Navi. "Is it home?"
"Yes, Roku, it's our home. Don't you remember?" better he starts removing his son from whatever he had before his reformatting.
Roku shook his messy head of hair. "No...It doesn't look like a home," He spoke as he began to walk around the room, his little feet not touching the ground. "Home...our home was bigger. It had two floors..." The little blue god began as he wrinkled his nose. "and it smelled nicer."
Forte got up from the ground and sat on his bed, stretching his legs out.
As a Navi, he did not have to suffer the embarrassing numb legs as a human would have...still, having his lower limbs folded under his and Roku's combined weight was not a very pleasant experience. Save for the fact that he was holding Roku...his...
Son.
"So...you don't like how it smells?" Forte shot back as he took pleasure watching the Goddling looking around his safe-house. "How does here smell anyway?"
Six scrunched up his little face as he crossed his arms. "hmm...it smells...like static."
"static?" Forte repeated. To which Roku emphatically nodded.
"yes, Papa. It smells like static and... copper...it doesn't smell nice." He stated.
"Huh...if you say so. I can't smell shi..." suddenly, his cursing habit slapped him in the face...
Figuratively speaking, of course.
Did he want Roku to curse like a sailor? It would be both hilarious and oh-so edgy to have the God, once back at his full power, rain divine cyber-reckoning over the unworthy humans while he cursed a storm...
But on the other hand, Forte would rather keep Roku's mouth pure and sweet a little while longer.
"You can't smell what?" speaking of the cyber-God, there he was staring at Forte like a curious little metaur.
"I can't smell...I can't smell what you smell." he avoided the verbal goof expertly.
Roku gave a wide, satisfied smile. "Oh...OK. By the way, thank you for not saying Shit; Mama never liked bad words." the little God replied without batting an eye. Cementing Forte's opinion about what should and should not be in his blue boy's mouth.
"Alright, thank you for the compliment, rook, but this better is the last time you curse like that." Forte scolded as he sat cross-legged on his bed, drilling Roku with his disproving glance.
The Godling shrunk in shame. "Sorry, papa, I won't do it again."
"Well, you can curse, but...you better have a damn good reason to do it." Forte conceded...he didn't want a foul-mouthed abomination...but some cussing here and there would emphasize his wrath.
Cowed under the older Navi's hard glace, Roku meekly looked down. "Sorry, papa, I won't do it...unless there's a good reason."
"Good...I make the rules here. And you better listen to me, or else."
Once again, Roku meekly nodded, and Forte wondered if...maybe he was a bit too harsh.
His own...Doctor Cossack had told him the same thing, but the way the scientist had spoken to him had been...kind and loving.
Even if his affection had been faked. Obliviously.
Forte got up and walked to the awkwardly floating Roku, kneeling in front of him so that they may be...more or less at eye level.
It felt wrong to loom over his little Goddling...and it felt wrong to have this particular NetNavi cow under him.
"What I mean is...I've been living in Uranet for decades, and let me tell you, Roku, it's a dangerous place," he explained gravely. "There are so many viruses that would eat little boy like you as a snack...and other Navis that would love to hurt you." Forte warned his little blue boy as he gently put both hands on his shoulders. "and then there are the humans...terrible creatures that will try to enslave you, forge a false friendship before discarding the moment you're not what they want." he warned his little boy.
"And I...I don't want that to happen." he ended.
Oh, Forte knew the power that lurked in Rockman's core programming, for nothing was hidden once fused with him.
It was something...out of the cyber-world. And Roku had the power to wipe the entirety of cyberspace would he wished it.
This wealth of power...was not Gone. And Roku could delete whatever obstacle came in his way...
And yet.
And yet, he felt so small and fragile, so innocent and sweet. This...this child had triggered some programs that...
That made Forte care for the little Goddling...and fear for his safety despite the world ending power he possessed.
Something took over Forte, and he engulfed Roku in his arms...realizing that he would not be safe here.
"Papa...I'll be OK. I'll listen to you." His papa's cape muffled Roku's voice "Mama won't be happy if I don't listen to you."
And then Forte realized... "Wait...Mama?"
Roku nodded as he patted out of Forte's protective embrace and to the pictures of his Waifu. There, he took his favourite and pattered back to papa. Showing him the PNG data lifted from a bank security camera.
On the picture was someone whom most of the population would think looked quite unremarkable. Her makeup was very simple, her brown hair was cut rather short, and she wore a simple T-shirt. It had no brand, and there was a small stain from the detergent she used. She had a white pseudo bag slung over her shoulder. And she had very kind eyes...Tired and sad...but oozing with a certain type of kindness that would melt anyone's heart.
And determination... plenty of determination.
She was staring forward, probably staring at her bank balance...actually, she was looking at what was remaining at the end of the month.
Then...Forte's tough processor finally booted.
"Wait...she's your Mama?..." Then Forte bit his tongue...
If Roku saw Forte as his Papa and this mysterious woman as his mama, then...
This mysterious woman was...his wife... in Roku's fragmented mind, that is.
Roku nodded, either ignoring or..not minding the fact that his Papa didn't know his mama... "That's my mama..." he looked down. "I miss her..."
"Roku...You..."
"Papa...can we bring her here?" The little godling asked, and Forte started to feel a migraine coming.
"Netto-Prabhu."
Netto buried his face deeper in his talking pillow. He didn't hear his alarm ring twice, and Rockman didn't yell at him to wake up yet...meaning it was still time to sleep.
"Netto-Prabhu...I need to pee."
His pillow sounded like Bhuta...Netto mumbled something about five more minutes...he had this amazing dream about Forte taking his mother on a date in Cyberspace...and treating Netto and Saito nicely...calling them his precious sons.
"Netto...I don't have five more minutes."
Netto could hear someone else snickering.
"Need some help Bhu?"...this sounded like Partha.
"Yes...please."
"Utishta!" Partha-Sharathi declared, and Netto awoke, his previous laziness sublimating like methane meeting a flame.
And with his full mental faculty, the young Netsaver could now fully appreciate that he had been sleeping practically on top of Bhuteshvara...said the waifish boy was quick to get out of bed and right into the bathroom, leaving Netto with Partha.
"Ah...Good morning?" Netto ventured, now regretting his previous decision.
Well, once with Bhuta and his cult mantra, his sleep had been deep and restful... and the dream he had!
He wanted to be back with Papa Forte and his mama...and Saito. As weird as it was.
'Saito...'
He felt the bed shift; Partha had just sat beside him. "Hey...Netto. What's wrong?" the usually boisterous redhead asked his friend with a subdued tone.
"I...I miss S...Rockman." he hugged his knee. "I...Do you think...to you think well be able to save again him this time?" He asked Partha.
The youngest yet stronger boy wrapped his right arm around Netto's shoulder. "It's up to God, but... My siblings and I will do whatever it takes to get Rock back." The redhead assured.
"But...what if...what if he's..." He could not even bring himself to say it... even if this was the second time he had lost him.
Well... Third time, really.
"He's your brother, right?" Partha asked. "Like...your real brother?"
Netto started and then realized that, yes, he had told Bhuta about it. "Y...Yes... His name's Saito, and...he died when he was very young."
"He did?" Partha raised a brow at that statement. To which Netto nodded.
"yeah...that's what Mama and Papa told me...but...Papa didn't want him to die."
"Obliviously."
"So he... he uploaded his consciousness in a specialized PET and made him a NetNavi," Netto admitted. "I...Papa told me...when I received my PET and him...Papa told me it would be like having a brother and that I had to treat him as such."
"and you did."
"Yes..." Netto gave a wry smile filled with tears. "I learn he was my brother...my twin a few months ago, during the Alpha incident." He opened his heart further, knowing full well that Partha could be trusted. Sure, he had a big mouth and was incredibly loud, which is why no one would expect the fiery youth to be such a great secret keeper.
"The alpha Incident? The second time?" Partha parroted. " cheese...what did you and your bro do?"
"We saved the world a few times...and Rock...Saito and I got too much power through a perfect-synchro once and..." He shuddered.
Partha's eyes grew wide, and his mouth fell open.
"We...managed to save him... it was either that or..., or we would both die," Netto mumbled as he leaned onto the very warm boy. "...I...I like being a Net-saver. I got to save the world, fight powerful enemy...make friends with different people but." He clenched his jaws. "Bit it...it really sucked sometimes. Like...like staying up all night in boring talk...not having time to hang out with my friends and...and sometimes...people die."
Partha hugged Netto closer, letting the oldest boy leaned on his shoulder.
After some time, Netto began to talk again. "The cyber-world had an Alpha version. But the alpha got crazy for some reason and had to seal it."
Partha made a sound of disgust. "Why does the previous generation have this weird fascination with locking problems away for the rookies to deal with." he huffed.
Netto shrugged. "Rockman...Saito...we were both there in the cyber-world, in Alpha." he shuddered, remembering the horrible feeling of walking of pseudo-flesh of Alpha, inside his big brother. Completely missing the look of utter surprise on Partha's face. "We...We defeated it...but...Alpha almost ate me." he shuddered again.
"Saito...Saito...He." Netto couldn't finish his phrase, the terrible feeling of disconnection from his twin still too raw for him.
No... not disconnected, once again, Rockman's presence, Saito's link was always there, but it went dormant...
"He almost died saving me...he was...I thought he had died..." Netto tried to keep his tears to himself.
"And then?" Partha asked as Bhuta came back in from his shower, his frail body wrapped in nothing by a very colourful towel.
"And then...when we were in the Net together, we found the personal data of...of grandpa." A slight smile light Netto's lips, his Grandpapa looked like Santa... he seemed to be a very kind man too. "He...He had a message for papa to decode." Netto paused as he watched Bhuta redress...
The reason why he stared with interest was twofold. One...he was really frail and white, even if he ate more the Parta, Priya and himself. And his Ghost-like friend was changing in his usual dhoti and wrapper without exposing anything.
Netto had tried...but it took forever, and there was no way he would ask his Mama for a dhoti. As cool as those pants were, the risk of Dekao pulling them off was very real.
...actually, now that he had other friends, Netto had to wonder why he was still hanging out with the older teen.
"Park-" Bhuteshvara began, and Netto could just hear the warning edge in his voice.
"Sorry..."
"Yeah, ok. But what happened after that?" Partha prodded. "what was the message?" he asked impatiently.
"Grandad's message...it was about were Saito's original Data was. It was hidden in a place were Alpha had no access to." Netto related. "It took papa some time to decode it...but in the end." He smiled sadly. "Saito...Rockman was back." SDespitehis best attempt at keeping them in, some sobs escaped and two pairs of arms wrapped around him.
Both brothers let their friends cry for a bit, soon joined by their sisters as they stood by Bhuta's door.
Finally, his hiccups stopped. He felt safe...he felt...surrounded by friends who would not call him weak for crying over a Navi.
Over his dead brother...
Bhuta gave Netto a wet hanker chief, and the young boy cleaned his face. After that, Lavanga walked in with a glass of freshwater...with a Tulasi Manjari this time.
Netto gingerly sipped it. It was cool, and...he was thirsty. Eventually, he spoke again, unable to keep this heavy secret anymore.
"Papa...He told me...he told me Rockman was unstable...that he could..." he could not finish his phrase; he felt his tears well up again. He felt the arms of Bhuta and Partha squeeze him comfortingly.
"It's alright, Netto, were here. Well, save him." Partha-Sharati assured his friend. "Nothing impossible for us Vaishnavas, especially if Bubu's around." he grinned, showing off some fangs.
"Parata! That's not true!" Bhuta protested. "You the one who gives all success."
"No, I'm not...it's our saintly sister!" The fiery red boy gestured to the said sister, who blushed and did their best to deny their sanctity by praising their father and mother...and the Lord of, course, as if they had five mouths.
This escalated until Hari-Priya began to wrestle with Partha-sharathi in his shared room. Unwilling to have Netto being caught in the cross-fire of his mother's wrath. (wrestling was to happen outside the house lest there was a storm.) Bhuta dragged Netto out of his room as Lavanga grabbed their sacred Pet Rock.
Since yes... they had a Rock from a hill called Govardhana, and Bhuta and Lavanga were the ones taking care of Giri-Raja.
"Sorry, Netto-Prabhu. Hari and Part...they love to fight." Bhuteshvara apologized.
"Yeah, I noticed," Netto mumbled as he entered the bathroom. He wanted to pee...and shower. "Say...what time is it?" he asked.
"It's seven-thirty...I think you missed roll-call." Lavanga informed the boy who, for a moment, felt fear.
And then...he realized that he didn't really want to go to school...he didn't want to tell his other friends about what happened to Rockman again, and he didn't want to hear the dreaded 'you just need to get a new Navi...
Enzen could deal with them...
He went to the bathroom and washed up, and once he was done, he exited the room to find a fresh set of cloth...his cloth. 'oh...someone must've gone home to get them.' he had no idea who it was, but whoever it was, he had his sincere thanks. Then following his nose and stomach, he went down to the living room. There, he saw Moiya, dressed in a red Sari...and only a red sari with nothing on the top. In her arms were two bundles of joy, both of them sleeping.
Moiya noticed Netto and send a warm, motherly smile at him as she readjusted her opulent red sari. "Ah, Netto-Prabhu. Glad to see you awake. How did you sleep?" she asked as she handed Prometheus her two bundles of love. Rising to greet him.
Now without the two babies in her belly, it was clear she was a slim woman, in the waist area, that is...despite the extra...crepe-like skin and fat that hung from her belly...she also had an outer button.
For his part, Prometheus was more than a little pleased to hold the two newborns. He was glowing with love and bliss...and the super-grateful smile he sent Netto was not lost to the hero.
"I slept OK; I had a weird dream, though." He admitted.
Moiya's face fell. "oh no...I'm so sorry, Netto-Prabhu. I..."
"Hmm? Oh, no. It wasn't about you just...just this Navi who has Saito now. I dreamt he was dating my Mama and all that." Netto spoke, dismissing this concept entirely.
Forte had...he had been at the right place at the right time, and he now had Saito in his grip.
Suddenly. Netto realized he was now the centre of attention again.
"Ah.."
"And who is Saito?" She asked.
"Saito... that's Rockman," Netto revealed... this secret now out to an adult. An adult he only knew for a bit more than a week. "And... Saito was... is my dead twin also."
There was a moment of stunned silence.
Moiya took Netto's hand and made him sit in front of her. "Please, Netto-Prabhu," Moiya asked, exuding the same presence of General craft and his Mama. "Tell us everything you know about the disappearance of your Brother." She asked as she kneeled in front of the boy, her eyes not leaving his."And Forte...spare no details."
Now that Netto could see her close, he could see that those were not human eyes.
Humans didn't have mother-board etching in their eyes.
"...And that's what I know." Haruka finished. Addressing her friend.
She was curled up in a new sofa from a new pent-house in downtown Dedene...the home of her friend.
The independent Navi had bought everything online...just so he could talk to his new friend n a place less public than an internet cafe .and had even paid an interior designer to make the place as cozy as possible...without sacrificing for style and elegance.
Haruka had told him that it was way too much for a place where both could speak. There was a spa-worthy bathroom, a kitchen... even though Lumine would always Order something online. And Haruka also knew there was a hot tub in the back so she may relax.
It was extremely thoughtful of Lumine...especially considering his background.
The Lavander-haired Navi hummed as their elegantly crossed their knee's, rubbing their chin. "I...see. And this happened after the terrorist strike." The elegant and angelic Navi Murmured. "It is quite unfortunate for Rockman...but I doubt our latest Problem had anything to do with his...flashback, reversal?"
"General craft called it a Spontaneous hard reset." She gently corrected the independent Navi.
An indescribable look crossed Lumine's flawless features. "Hmm... I see."
"And...what about the terrorist cell?" Haruka asked. Ready and willing to go on a warpath so that her son could remain a child a little while longer.
At eleven, her Netto had already lived and seen too much. It was a wonder he was still this optimistic about life.
Lumine waved a hand aloft. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about them. Another friend of mine had already caught Their leader And after combing through their numerous computer and server...well, I'll let the FBI and Interpol have fun with them, I can always watch the firework later." The lavender Navi smirked.
Haruka let out a sigh... a piece of good news after the terrible event.
And yet...all was not as good as the mother of 'two' would've liked.
"Lumine...so you really have no idea of what could've happened to my son... to my Son's Navi?" She asked, sipping from some high-grade herbal tea. Letting the warm and frequent drink soothe her nerve.
She knew Rockman was not Saito, despite the same eyes. But could one blame a grieving mother for latching onto a child-like being?
Rockman looked and sounded like she would imagine Saito; he was also the same 'age' her oldest would be, had he lived long enough.
And she was... she didn't know what would happen to him, but it was clear that this SHD was serious enough for the cyborg to give her the number for the child councillor...again.
Unfortunately... if Netto were to see this particular man, then her credit debt would grow more than what she could deal with.
She had to choose between the mental well-being of her child, his continued education or having enough food to feed him. And No, looking for a full-time job was not an option since she had to drop out of university after falling pregnant with twins...
And while Yuuciro's paycheck was not to sneeze at... Taxes, bills and a plethora of other things kept draining her funds.
She barely had enough to spoil her son sometimes. And this particular councillor was... well beyond her mean.
The only thing she could realistically do for her son was to be there for him whenever possible, shower him with as much love she could and listen to him when nightmares... and hide her feeling of being a worthless mother the best she could as she learned how to net battle and not be as useless as she felt.
The dark blue and purple Navi smiled at the filial connection. But this smile didn't remain for long." No...this is completely unheard of in the net; I will try asking some of my friends about this, but... don't expect anything, my dear." Lumine admitted.
"I see." Haruka had hopped the Navi would've known more, for it seemed Lumine had many contacts and... Oh, she had never been good with technology, only her husband seemed to know how to use it.
He had tried to teach her but...she was never on the level he wanted.
"Haruka dear?" Lumine asked. "You...is everything alright?" the independent Navi asked his human friend.
"No...No, Lumine, nothing alright." She sat back on the couch, Lumine had made the penthouse a little paradise for Haruka, a place were she could relax away from her adulterous husband, her son's life-threatening adventure and...and this was were she would train with Lumine and Serenade in Virus busting, Hacking and counter-terrorism.
The last time...during the Alpha incident, her husband had proven to be as impotent as he was in bed. Letting her baby son face an abomination...
Rockman didn't come back, and Netto...should not have survived. He had to be isolated for a week and take iodine pills until the Geiger counter stopped screaming each time he walked close to one.
The doctors had been baffled...
Her only surviving son...was too resilient for his own good.
So far... Haruka had lost two sons... One was barely a toddler when his heart failed, and the other was eaten by the alpha-net.
It was then that Haruka had sworn to whatever power was there that she would never let her remaining son face this type of danger ever again.
As she empties the content of her heart to a Navi she had randomly met on Facebook, Lumine nodded and listened to her making sure there are human friends knew that she was safe and that they, the Natural Cyber-fae, would do everything in their power to find Rockman and save him from Forte's grip.
"Thank you...thank you, Lumine. You...I expected you to be another creep on the net, you know." Haruka whipped her tears. "I never expected you to be...to be such an exceptional friend." she praised. Causing the elegant Navi to avert their eyes.
"Please, Haruka, you know full well what I was planning with you." They shamefully reminded the fearless woman in the earth-based world.
Haruka nodded. "Yes...but how bad can someone be if all it took was for me to show you some family pictures?" She gave her friend a bright smile, which caused Lumine to blush.
"It takes an exceptional woman of great integrity and character to sway a would be murdered with a bunch of family picture and the love she had for both sons," Lumine admitted. "Please, Haru-chan, stay here and rest. You've been running yourself ragged during those last few days." the purple Navi spoke gently as he closed the blinds and lowered the light.
She curled on the couch, taking the surprisingly warm throw blanket Lumine had gotten just for her. As she drifted off, her mind reminded her of where Netto would probably be.
At first, she disliked the Family because they were a part of a cult... and who would worship god nowadays? But After meeting Moiya and her Husband, Haruka knew she had another ally to keep her last baby safe... As weird and incomprehensible as they were.
She just needed to keep the whole 'don't speak to our weird neighbours' charade up for a bit longer...just to make sure Netto was well and truly ingrained in the immigrant's family.
After Breakfast, once again a vegetarian feast of filling, nutritious and delicious food, Netto explained to all who Forte was and how this independent Navi was extremely powerful and short of Saito...Rockman, any other Navy was just spare Data for his to consume.
The whole family had taken note of it, thanking Netto for the fair warning.
He had also asked them how exactly they would save Saito without the assistance of NetNavies.
To this, the Family of Vaishnava's had explained that...they didn't need Navi's.
Since that's what they were in the first place.
"So you... you are not human?" Netto...didn't quite blurt out. But it was clear that this new development had taken him by complete surprise.
Ekachakra shook his head. "No, we are humans, but of a different type." He began to explain. "You see Netto, in our holy scriptures, it is said that there are eight billion's four thousand different forms of bodies or species in this universe. And out of those, four thousand are in the human categories. Meaning hairless biped with an opposable thumb that walks on their toes and heels... except monkeys, since they are also considered humans by the Vedas."
Netto awed and nodded. This was probably the most technical description of a human he had heard.
"and, Cyber-faes are among this categories. We are humans...Just more powerful. And we can go into the net,...either through television or by ...phasing in." Moiya explained as she moved her hands. "I don't need to tell you to keep it a secret since envious 'vanilla' humans can't take to have a 'race' above them in power and abilities."
Netto nodded. While he may hate history with a passion, the one he had picked up was how most wars started over one race having better stuff than the creamlander and other civilization.
"Good." Moiya gave a kind smile. "You're a good boy Netto. And we considered you and your brother a part of our family." The blond Cyber-fae went and hugged Netto, kissing the top of his head and eliciting a warm fuzzy feeling in his heart. "Meaning we will do everything in our power to retrieve him."
He thought those feeling were meant for him mom and his mom alone, but Moiya was now better than his mother at the moment.
She didn't run off to meet friends Netto never heard about, not coming back to cook breakfast and not even telling her son were she was.
Not... Netto was not worried about his Mama...not at all...
He was extremely worried about his Mama. His mama should not be with strange people; she should not stay all nights out, coming back exhausted and tired.
"Netto?" Moiya asked, feeling his anxiety. He was sure she could do that she was a mom and...you know...magical and all that.
"Mama...my Mama's not back."
"I know, sweetheart. She contacted me a bit earlier; she's with a friend right now...I friend I happen to know." She revealed. "It's another Cyber-fae. Now come, let's pray to Gaura-Nitai for permission to save your big brother, shall we?" She asked as she led him to the family's Altar, Gaura-Nitai, dressed in gold and blue, and they wore garlands of dandelion and other fragrant flowers.
Moiya knelled in front, bowed down and began to pray. Netto emulated the action...and soon enough, everyone had their head...or whole body to the ground. Getting up, they began to pray.
In the week that Rockman and Netto had befriended the Vaishnava Family, they had been taught how to pray. Technically, one could ask the Lord anything and everything, and the Lord would arrange. But...He was the one with the last word.
God knew past, present and future, and He, being the best friend of all, also knew what would be the best. Like how Netto's Mama knew it was best for him to eat his green and not just the meat. And how eating too many sweets would lead to cavity and stomach ache.
It was the same thing with the Lord...but he would still listen, and knowing what his living entity wanted for real, he would arrange for them accordingly.
At this point...he had nothing else to lose.
And thus Netto prayed as Ekachakra had shown him, whit palms folded and with sincerity.
'hey...God? Netto here. I'm...I'm not really sure if you will listen to me since... it's my first time and all, but. I heard you can do the impossible...and that you like to protect your devotees.'
'You protect Prahlad from his evil father, and you also protected your friends for numerous demons...' He paused, realizing that all of those were already devotees.
'Krishna...Gaura-Nitai just...just save my brother...I'll do whatever you want as long as my Brother and mama are safe.' Despite himself, some tears fell from his eyes.
The family got up, Ekachakra patting Netto on the back, smiling at him with a love and affection Netto only thought his mama could give him. His Green eyes unnaturally bright with a very slight X shaped marking that decorate them; they were warm, filled with affection.
As the young boy had learned, papas could be as affectionate as mamas, even if they were not always there.
"Alright." He got to his feet. "Prometheus, you come with me, Bhuta, Lavanga, Partha-Sharathi. You stay here with Moiya, Pandora, Croire and Netto in case something happens." His kids gave a salute, and Prometheus went to the couch and pulled out a stick.
"Ah! Pappu, please don't activate your scythe in the house!" Moiya warned her adopted son.
"Yes, mother." He inclined his head and...tapped the middle of his chest.
There was a flash of light. And the next thing Netto knew, a NetNavi was standing in the middle of the living room.
He had a tall helmet that resembled a skull. Long, darkish purple Navi-hair flowed from it, almost touching the floor. His Navi skin was black, and the insignia in the middle was a stylized eye...and it was slashed like Forte, but unlike the single, diagonal cut, it was X shaped.
He wore a pair of dark red pants, like Serenade...and his red eyes were but mere pinpricks, giving him an almost ghoulish appearance.
Netto starred...he remembered hearing a Navi that fitted the description.
Actual, he had not been alone...a blue, angel-like Navi had been with them...
Netto thought those were just some rogue game programs, but now... there he was, the reaper.
Moiya walked close to her adopted son, who kneeled in front of her, touching her feet. Then, touching different parts of his body with an ornamented wooden stick, the Vaishnavi began to sing an ancient chant of protection.
Once that was done, she lifted her adopted son off the ground and embraced him, blessing him with good health and success. Then...he climbed the little piece of furniture under the smart-TV and entered it like one climbed in a window.
Netto openly stared.
"Yeah...We can all do that." Partha lazily stated as he leaned onto Netto's shoulder. "But dad won't let us do dangerous missions yet, just errands and things like that." Then he grinned. "Yesterday, we got caught up in a cyber attack... It was so fun." He whispered.
It was clear he would not mind another such event in the near future.
Then Mister Eka went in the middle of the living room, stretched a bit and tapped his hidden emblem twice.
"Reboot!"
Once again, light filled the room...and in the middle stood a blue Navi that resembled Rockman...but different.
He was as blue as the open sky; a red gem shone on his blue helmet, right under a halo. And a pair of majestic angel wings hung from his back. He wore the same types of pants Prometheus wore but white. His emblem was an X; the same emblem shone in his kind and benevolent eyes. He turned to his wife.
"So...Did I killed a lamp?" He asked humorously. To which, Moiya gave an annoyed huffed that his a chuckle.
"No...no dead lamp this time. We made sure nothing would get into your wingspan again." She crossed her arms, a slight smirk on her face.
"Great...we should be back before you know it," Ekachakra assured his wife.
"Meaning?" She asked with a tilt of her head.
"meaning when either Pro and I find Saito and Forte and rescue our sixth son...or were forced to come back-"
"because you're too injured to continued." Moiya finished as she crossed her arms and tapped her feet on the ground, making her ankle bell sing. "Prabhu...that's my shtick. Not yours...and definitely not our son."
"But as Kshatriyas, our duty is to fight for those who can't or to the death."
"Please...you're a Vaishnava, not a Kshatriya." Moiya argued back. " a Kshatriya may die in battle and go to swarga, but I would rather you return home like a 'coward' and get ready for Goloka...same for you Pappu." she addressed the reaper, who was still waiting in the TV.
He gave her a salute, putting a fist to his chest and bowing. "Yes, mother, I will."
"Alright...time to go then," Eka stated as he went to the TV, only to be stopped and hugged by his four children...and then by his wife.
And after that, he somewhat managed to enter the TV, despite his amazing wingspan, scratching the top and bottom parts.
'Oh...so that's how the TV got scratched.' This...somehow made sense.
After her husband and son were gone, Moiya went to the altar and began to pray again. And then...Croire began to cry, which caused Pandora to become fussy.
Moiya sighed as she went to calm her two newborns. "Alright...everyone, please go get your exercise books and work from there...I'll be there if you need me...I just don't know how good of a teacher I can be at the moment, though. You too, Netto-Prabhu."
Netto pulled a face. Then he felt Bhuta's hands on his shoulder. "It's alright, Netto; I'll help you out." He assured the somewhat older boy. "Don't worry about Saito; He's in Krishna's hands right now."
Netto was about to reply how he was in Forte's claws when he realized that even Forte could not face Krishna. Sure he may be a powerful Navi, but Krishna was God.
And nothing was impossible for him.
Besides, Forte never lifted a mountain for seven days and nights as if it weighed nothing.
Knowing there was nothing more he could do...and that his useless homework awaited, the Navi-less fetched his school books and sat beside Partha and Bhuta...
In the end, he was too distracted to focus, but he still managed to finish his work despite his wandering mind. Usually, Netto would rush out and find a way to save the situation; he could not stay in one place and let useless adults mess things up more...
Now, he could not help but think that staying with Moiya and letting Pappu and Eka deal with Forte would be what Saito would want him to do.
And thus, in Saito's honour, he would.
Six happily tottered beside his Papa. Sure, he was scary. And Six had no idea where he was. But His papa was there, so why should he be scared, right?
His papa had given his cloak like him and had even wrapped it around six, saying how one should not go out naked.
Papa was right; he felt better in his coat.
They were flying through cyberspace at high speed. They were in a place were everything was broken and old...forgotten and somewhat deleted, Papa had called it Uranet. The place where abandoned Navi lurked.
It was a very dangerous place... filled with big Viruses and crazy Navis.
But Six knew his Papa was stronger than all of them combined. He was the Herald of darkness, after all.
No...he had no idea what a herald was...but his Papa was dark...like, his bodysuit was black and purple.
Oh...and he also had no idea where his Papa was taking him. But he seemed worried.
Like...like he was running away from someone.
Why was his papa running away from someone meant that this someone was more powerful than his papa...but his papa didn't have to worry, Six was strong too, and he would protect his papa!
But...he would still like to know where they were going. "Papa, where are we going?"
"Another safe place...it's further in cyberspace," he said as he dragged his son behind him. "Are you tired?" he asked.
"Um...a bit, but...that's normal, right?" he asked. He had always been a bit sleepy.
Forte stopped and gathered Six in his arms. And words departed.
"Papa?" he asked again. " will you bring me were mama is?" Six asked. He missed his mama...a lot.
Forte remained silent.
"Papa?"
"I...will try," he admits.
"Huh?"
"Papa...Papa may be very strong, Roku...but he can't go to the real world yet." His papa admitted, shocking Six to no end.
"Huh? Why?"
"Because Papa's a Navi..."
"Why?"
"Huh..."Oh, it seemed he had stumped his papa.
Roku remained quiet in the arms of his Papa, mulling things over.
"Papa... when will you be able to go there?" he asked.
"Soon."
"To see mama?" Six asked innocently.
"Y...Yes..."
Six smiled...he would see his mama again.
In the privacy of his mind, Forte was freaking out.
Gospel, his ever-loyal pet, had warned his master that a pair of hyper-powerful independent Navis were searching for him and Roku.
This was not good...oh, he could just wait for those fools and delete them...but with Roku around?
It would scare him...he would be afraid and..., and he could run away and get lost and...
'what the hell's happening to me?' He wondered as he followed a hidden pathway to another private domain.
He had to toughen up Roku... but at the same time, he was so innocent, it may... it may turn him off from his true destiny.
Nevertheless, He had to reach Gospel turf; the most powerful of bugs own him. And it was Forte's most secure safe-house.
Forte would always drop off some bug fragment to the beast...and scratch his belly sometimes...
Which meant every time he would see him.
Oh, Gospel was still the most terrifying and awesome virus out there...he just like Forte for some reason, nothing wrong with that. 'I just hope Roku won't panic when he sees him.'
There was also the fact that Roku wanted his very human, very real mama...
Now, it was clear the SHR was not as thorough as he had once thought, for Roku still remembered some of his past but...
His past implied that he used to be a human...
A human... with a human mom and a brother.
Used to be a human...
Forte had tried to get more information out from his impromptu son...without much success. What Roku remembered was fragmented at best and completely gone at worst.
'Well...at least he doesn't remember me. That would be awful.' With how Forte had acted with him, the taunt, the treat, the murder attempt...
His vow to kill humanity.
'Nah... humans have to go...but, maybe I could try and find this woman and...keep her as a pet for Roku.' It was a terrible plan, he knew.
But...there were some OK humans here and there...those...didn't have to die.
Maybe.
Finally, Forte arrived in a place that was overrun by nasty looking bugs and the worst of viruses. This was Gospel's territory.
He smirked...it felt like coming home.
"P...papa?"
"Don't worry, Roku were just gonna meet a good friend of Papa." Forte tried to soothe his little one's fear. "He's not a Navi tough...and you'll need to promise me that you will behave."
"Papa...is he...is he a gh...ghost?" Roku began to shake with very real fear.
Forte paused his flight... Roku was scared of ghosts... Note to self, unlock his true power and have him face an army of ghosties. That oughta get that fear out of his system.' "No, Roku, it's the most powerful Bug in the entire network." He spoke aloud with pride. "He's friendly enough..."
To him.
He landed in front of a huge cave-like structure. The inside was dark, and he could hear a growl from Gospel.
"Oi! Bug bag, it's me!" He yelled at the cyber-wolf. "I'm with a young friend, so pipe it down!"
Hearing the voice of his master, Gospel began silent, and Forte entered the cave with his quaking son.
What could go wrong?