They were soon at Mayl's house. Smoke was pouring out the windows that were open, the area around the house hot.

Lan cursed a bit under his breath at seeing the fire department had yet to arrive.

What's taking them so long!?

He shook his mind of this, not hesitating to bolt towards the house.

"Lan! Wait!" Yai shouted. "It's not safe!"

"Don't make yourself a victim too, man!" Dex reasoned.

"Mayl's in there and I'm not going to leave her there for another second!" Lan took off his head band, wrapping it around his mouth, quickly putting on his net batling visor as well. "You guys wait out here! I'll be back!"

"LAN!"

Lan zoomed right into the house, ignoring his friends entirely.

His visor and headband helped provide protection for his mouth and eyes, but the heat of the area still seeped into his being. He ignored it though, looking around the area.

Near the staircase, barely conscious, was Mayl. She was wheezing, still trying to make her way to the front entrance by crawling but to no avail. She didn't have the strength.

Lan's eyes widened in alarm before bolting to her side.

"Mayl!"

She looked to him, a dazed look in her eyes, reaching up at him, coughing up a storm.

He lifted her up, looping an arm over his shoulder.

"I'm gonna get you outta here, okay?" He told her, hurrying for the door.

She's in rough shape… Whoever did this, they're gonna pay now!

"L-Lan…?"

"Don't talk. Wait till we're outside for that."

Mayl closed her eyes, her head slumping forward a little. Lan picked up the pace, nearly throwing themselves outside as he did so.

"M-Mayl! Don't do this to me! Stay awake!"

Within seconds, they were outside, smoke pluming out the door they exited through.

Their friends rushed over to them soon as they were far enough away from the house, coming to their aide.

"Oh, thank the maker you guys are okay!" Yai covered her mouth at seeing Mayl. "She is okay, right?"

"Yeah, just…" Lan coughed a bit, lowering his headband from his mouth. "A little roughed up is all." Lan looked down at her. "Right, Mayl?"

Mayl opened her eyes, nodding a little.

"M'okay…" She coughed a little, relieved to just be outside and away from the smoke. "Just really outta it."

"You're lucky Roll found us so fast."

She smiled tiredly.

"That's Roll for ya." She looked to Lan. "You okay?"

"Yep! Takes more than that to take me down." He pulled his PET out of the holder. "You rest up. I got something to finish."

"Make them pay. My piano's gonna reek of smoke now if it doesn't burn."

Lan nodded, handing Mayl to Dex.

"Take care of her, guys."

"Wait, Lan what-"

Lan brought his headband over his mouth again, heading back inside.

"That idiot." Yai muttered. "What is he doing!?"

Lan hurried to the kitchen area, stumbling back a bit at how wild the flames of the oven were. They were starting to spread to other areas of the kitchen.

We need to act fast.

Lan looked to his PET, seeing Megaman was locked in combat with another net navi.

Who the heck is that!?

Lan shook his head.

Nevermind, I'll find out sooner or later. Right now, Megaman needs help!

Lan pointed his PET at the oven's jack in port, connecting instantly with Megaman.

Hang on, I'm coming!

oooooo

Megaman was sent flying by a blast of fire, the navi rolling across the digital space floor. He groaned, getting up on one knee.

He glared back at his opponent, a growl building up in his throat.

Torchman smirked, tossing a ball of fire up and down in hand.

"Come on, I know you're better than this, Blue Boy." Torchman chuckled. "What happened to the excellent net battler from last time?"

Megaman growled.

"Shut up."

I don't have my netop, that's the problem!

Torchman smirked.

"I'll make your deletion quick."

He threw the fireball at Megaman, the flame growing in size as it rushed at him.

Megaman braced himself, lowering his head.

Lan!

"Barrier! Battle chip in! DOWNLOAD!"

The barrier rose up around him in the nick of time as the fireball fizzled out against it. Megaman heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, Lan!" He forced himself to his feet, panting a little. "Ready to finish this?"

"Born ready. Let's make it fast."

"Oh, so it's gonna be interesting now?" Torchman grinned. "Finally. Let's turn up the heat!"

Torchman's arms both shifted into fire blasters, pointing them at Megaman.

"Oh no you don't." Lan quickly loaded more battle chips into the PET. "Area steal and cyber sword, battle chips in, download!"

Megaman's right arm shifted to a sword as he moved out of the range of the fire blasters, disappearing from plain view.

"What!?" Torchman looked around, trying to spot the net navi. "Show yourself you coward!"

"As you wish!"

It was a split second before Megaman reappeared, slicing one of Torchman's arms clean off, the arm dissipating into bits after hitting the ground.

"AUGH!" He growled. "Why you-" He fired another blast at Megaman. "You'll burn for this!"

Megaman dodged, rolling out of the way.

"Hm, nope!"

"Let's finish this! Blaster battle chip in! Download!"

Megaman's arm, transformed from his sword back into a blaster, firing at Torchman aiming for his remaining arm.

"This is for my house and for Mayl!"

Before it could hit, Torchman disappeared from view.

A brief "logout" icon appeared as he did so.

Megaman frowned, lowering his blaster.

"That… was weird."

That was a fast logout too. Maverick navis can't do it THAT fast.

The flames around Megaman disappeared, along with the flames in the system.

It was all quiet now.

"Megaman!"

Megaman nearly toppled over as he was tackled hug by Roll.

"You did it! You're okay!"

He smiled, bringing his arms around her, spinning her around.

"Aww Roll!"

She giggled, keeping close to him, relief in her eyes.

"Thank you so much."

His gaze softened, hugging her tighter.

"Anything for you and Mayl. I mean that."

I just wonder what the heck this was all about… This is getting dangerous.

For now, he was just glad it was over.

Outside, Lan headed away from the house, pulling his headband away from his mouth.

"Whew!"

"Lan!"

He hurried over to his friends, yelping as Mayl threw her arms around him.

"You idiot!"

"H-Hey!"

She gave him a look before hugging him tighter, hiding her face a little.

"Thank you…" She whispered. "For saving me and my home."

"A-Anytime, Mayl." Lan brought his arms around her. "Anything for a friend…"

"Though next time, try not being so reckless, hm?" Yai smiled.

"Yeah, no need to go all Mr. Hero on us." Dex gave a slap on the back. "Save that for a different time."

"Or never." Tori commented.

Lan grinned sheepishly.

"Right, right." He kept Mayl close, taking a glance at his PET to see Megaman was alright, getting the same treatment he was from the other navis.

All could hear the sounds of firetrucks and ambulances heading their way.

Lan relaxed, closing his eyes.

Let this be the end of this whole crisis.