Hello all Storm here with another new and unique story! I've recently posted my first Digimon story and now here's another first, as it's time to jack-in and power up! As we'll be doing MegaMan now, specifically the Battle Network era, in celebration of the soon-to-be released Battle Network Legacy Collection, along with the first two seasons of NT Warriors being uploaded on YouTube for a limited time. And here we'll be seeing Naruto getting a very special NetNavi. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
'Where…where am I? Who…am I?' Thought a being, not knowing where they were or who they even are, only having the feeling of floating through the air.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. I'm right here." Someone said, confusing the being at the sudden voice.
But despite not knowing who was speaking or where they were, the being couldn't help but feel…safe from the hearing the voice with how friendly it sounded, that it didn't need to worry about anything.
'I…hear a voice… A voice so gentle and friendly…' The being thought, wondering who was speaking and why they seemed so friendly.
"Here, open your eyes. My beloved child." Said the voice, surprising the being this time at what they said.
'Child? Their…beloved child? My eyes…I needed to open them.' Thought the being as they slowly began opening their eyes to see who it was that was speaking.
"There you go, it's alright." The voice said encouragingly as the being soon saw a screen in front of them, showing a person.
They were an adult man with fair skin, messy, spiky orange-blonde hair, a matching colored beard, and green eyes. With his clothes consisting of a green jacket, green pants, brown sweater, yellow undershirt, dark green shoes and a pair of glasses.
The man was also smiling kindly at the being, much to their surprise, seeing it was just as friendly and gentle as the voice was.
"Who…are you?" The being asked, pausing at the sound of their own voice, hearing how raspy it sounded and that it sounded like the man's.
'Does that mean I am a man as well? Or what's the other word…boy? Yes, am I a boy?' Thought the boy, while the man's smile widen at his question.
"Yes, I'm sure you do have questions. As for who I am, my name is Dr. Cossak Namikaze. I'm the lead scientist of the Independent Navi Project, here at SciLab." Introduced Cossak, making the boy look at him.
"Dr. Cossak… Then who am I?" Questioned the boy, with Cossak reaching to grab something.
"You are a Network Navigator or NetNavi for short, one that I personally created. Here take a look at yourself." Cossak said before holding a mirror up to the screen, allowing the boy to see himself, much to his amazement.
He was a boy or a young adult with fair skin, unique red eyes, and purple markings on the sides of his face and around his eyes. With him wearing a skin-tight black body suit with a yellow ring and black circle that had symbol in it, one he somehow knew was the symbol for "Forte", a musical term for "loud" or "strong", with two purple triangles on top of the circle resembling horns and crooked purple lines extending down his body and legs, golden shoulder pads, black boots with large gold bracers around his lower legs, white gloves with black and gold bracers around his arms as well, which also had small blade-like protrusions coming out the back.
And over his head was a black helmet with a blue cross-shaped jewel on his forehead, silver pieces attached to the sides, and large straight fin-like protrusions that extended over his face and over his head, while splitting at the bottom showing a second pair of smaller fins.
"That's…me?" The boy said, looking at his image in wonder while Cossak nodded in response.
"That's right. And your name…is Bass." Revealed Cossak, getting Bass's attention.
"Bass…my name is Bass, a NetNavi. And you are my creator, Dr. Cossak." Said Bass, with Cossak smiling at him.
"Yes. But you see Bass, you aren't an ordinary NetNavi. Normally, NetNavi's can only operate with…well an Operator, also known as a NetOp, with them residing in their NetOps Personal Terminal or PET for short. The NetNavi would then require their NetOp to "Jack In" to any computerized device, sending the NetNavi into CyberWorld. But you Bass, you are one of the first two NetNavi's that don't require the help of an Operator, you are completely independent. Known as Solo NetNavis." Cossak explained, much to Bass's surprise before focusing on one piece of information.
"You said I'm one of two…Solo NetNavis. Who's the other one?" Questioned Bass, curious about the only other NetNavi like him.
"That would be PharaohMan, created by my colleague Dr. Tadashi Hikari. PharaohMan's purpose is to monitor and guide data across the Net, so I'm sure you two will be seeing each other once you both get settled into your roles." Replied Cossak, with Bass nodding in understanding.
"I see. Then doctor, what is my purpose? If PharaohMan is meant to monitor and guide data then what will I be doing?" Bass asked, wondering what his purpose was going to be, while Cossak smiled kindly at him.
"That's the thing Bass, you don't have one. You were created to help in the development of NetNavi. But that's what makes you special, you weren't programmed or designed for a single purpose. While you and PharaohMan are the first Solo NetNavi in the world, you are the world's first NetNavi capable of wholly independent function. The only purpose for you Bass, is one that you yourself will decide on." Cossak said, making Bass's eyes widen before he looked down at himself.
"I…can decide what my own purpose is?" Said Bass, not sure what to feel about that, given how he'd only just awakened.
"Yes, you can choose to be whatever you wish, Bass." Said Cossak before the NetNavi looked up at him.
"Then I wish to help you in whatever it is you need of me, doctor. So that I may repay you for my creation." Bass said, making Cossak's smile widen.
"You don't need to repay me for anything, but if you truly wish to help then it'll be appreciated. I believe we can build CyberWorld into something truly great, together, my son." Cossak said, with Bass soon smiling as well.
"I hope to do just that, doctor." Said Bass, desiring to make that goal a reality.
*Timeskip*
"Where'd he go?!"
"He's moving too fast!"
"How can one NetNavi be this strong!"
"He's her-AHHHH!"
The NetNavi was cutoff when a black blur appeared in front of it, smashing their fist through the NetNavi's chest before they were logged out. Before the blur rushed around the area, tearing apart multiple NetNavis without hesitation. Each of them falling to the ground and logging out of the Net.
Until the blur came to the stop in the middle of the Navis, showing it was Bass with him looking at them coldly. Feeling disgust and anger at how easy it was to tear through them.
"So, you're Anti-Virus Battle-Type NetNavis?" Bass said, having been expecting more from the NetNavis meant to protect the SciLabs.
"If you weren't so pitiful, I'd laugh." Sneered Bass, not believing these weaklings were meant to fight off viruses and other NetNavis trying to get into the labs.
"Oh yeah?!" A NetNavi shouted, rushing at Bass from behind, intending to tear the Solo NetNavi apart.
'Pathetic.' Bass thought, feeling insulted that the fool believed such an attack would work on him.
Before the NetNavi could even react, Bass vanished from sight just as their arm was snapped in half, much to their shock, while Bass reappeared behind them.
"How can the likes of you hope to defend the Network? When you can't even defend against me." Bass said crushing the NetNavi's arm, making them scream in pain before he made them log-out as well.
Though before Bass could leave, several screens appeared showing several SciLab scientists all glaring at him in annoyance and anger.
"Good grief, Bass!" A scientist yelled at the sight of all the NetNavis that were made to log-out.
"Not again?!" Said another scientist, not believing Bass did it again, no matter how many times they've tried stopping him, he keeps attacking the NetNavis.
"Why do you keep doing this?!" A third scientist demanded, wanting to know why one of their own NetNavis kept attacking their systems.
While Bass glared coldly at the scientists, always annoyed whenever they try butting in to his business.
"This world has too many defects, systems with…too many holes, too many incompetent NetNavis! I'm only demonstrating all that." Bass stated, simply desiring to show them how worthless their security system is and how weak their NetNavis are.
Given that he's yet to actually try against any of the security systems he's broken through or the NetNavis he's logged out. All of which only makes him angrier that they aren't making them better. Since if he can deal with them without even trying, then what hope did they have against actual threats.
And he refused to have the development of CyberWorld be ruined because of incompetent fools.
"Bass! You will stop this now!" Shouted a familiar voice, pulling Bass from his thought and saw Cossak looking at him with an angry and disapproving expression.
"Dr. Cossak…" Bass said, wondering when he showed up.
"And apologize to everyone!" Cossak added, only for the scientists to glare at him.
"This is the last straw, doctor!" Said a scientist, having enough of Bass's behavior.
"He thinks he's so right about everything!" Another scientist added, hating how the Solo NetNavi always believes he's right all the time.
"And shows complete contempt for us!" Said a third, given how every time they try reprimanding Bass and getting him to stop he either just ignores them or insults their work and abilities.
"I'm sorry, guys…" Said Bass, looking down in embarrassment, not liking it when Cossak gets upset over his actions.
With the sudden apology causing all the scientists to fall down with how it contradicted everything they just said. While Cossak laughed light-heartedly, happy that Bass still had his manners.
"That's the right spirit, Bass! Let's all forgive and forget!" Cossak said, knowing Bass didn't mean anything truly malicious behind his actions.
'That…didn't go how I expected it would.' Thought Yuichiro Hikari, Tadashi Hikari's son, looking at the scene with a sweatdrop.
Given he'd only started working at SciLab a month ago, he was still learning everything there is to do and about the different NetNavis, including Bass. So when he heard that Bass had suddenly started attacking NetNavis and breaking through their security. He thought Bass had been infected with a virus or something.
Leading Yuichiro to go find Cossak to try and find out what happened, and how to stop Bass if it came to that. Only to be surprised when Cossak simply scolded Bass and had him apologize to the scientists for his actions, even more so that Bass did so.
'It kind of reminds me of when father used to scold me.' Thought Yuichiro while looking between Cossak and Bass, seeing that perhaps their relationship was more than just a creator and his creation.
"It's not as if Bass wants to cause trouble. He's simply trouble-shooting our systems. I know Bass!" Cossak said to the scientists, wanting them to understand that Bass was simply doing things his own way in helping SciLab, even if they were rather violent ways.
"If you were out of control Bass, you'd wreck real havoc, right?" Questioned Cossak, smiling and winking mischievously at Bass, with the Solo NetNavi smiling and nodding in response.
"That's right, doctor." Bass replied, given if he was out of control then things would be a lot worse.
"Then everything is settled. The only thing to do now is work on improving the security and upgrading the Navis." Cossak stated before taking his leave, while the scientists still glared at Bass warily.
*Timeskip*
Despite Cossak's hope that the rest of the scientists would come around to Bass and accepting him, his actions only made people fear him. That a single NetNavi could be so powerful, even more so that Bass didn't require an Operator to use his full power, he simply had no reason to use it. Making him even more feared with everything he's done.
All of this made Bass stand out among NetNavis. Even PharaohMan, the only other Solo NetNavi in the world and possessing unrestricted access to the entire Net, didn't have the same potential Bass had. And that potential only increased the fear and distrust others had in him. Combined with the growing number of incidents involving Bass.
"So far, Bass has defeated 75 NetNavis! And brought down 15 major programs!" A scientist yelled as they all sat in a meeting room, having finally reached their limit with Bass's behavior.
"That's the limit! Bass must be deleted!" Said a second scientist, believing the only solution is delete Bass for good.
"I agree!" A third scientist said, agreeing that deletion was the only thing left to do.
"His usefulness is over!" Added another scientist, knowing Bass's only purpose was to show they could make NetNavis that didn't need Operators, while at least PharaohMan hasn't caused any trouble and did his job.
Only for them to silenced when Cossak slammed his hands down on the table and glared at them all.
"How dare you?! Because of Bass, our systems have been purged of countless dangerous defects!" Cossak said, knowing thanks to Bass SciLabs system security has improved dramatically, and it'll keep improving with how he's able to find the defects and mistakes before anyone else would even notice.
"You all know Bass is different from other NetNavis! He thinks for himself! He makes his own decisions and acts on them! Bass is more than just some program! He's a living being!" Said Cossak, hoping that they'll see Bass is more than just a normal NetNavi.
Only for the scientists to scoff at the idea, with some even laughing that he'd claim Bass is a living being.
"Interesting assessment…" Said a scientist.
"…Of a mass of compiled data!" Another added while snickering.
"But this is no time for sentiment!" Another scientist said.
"It's also no time to be making such rash decisions like deleting a one of the only two Solo NetNavis in the world." Someone said, getting everyone's attention, seeing Tadashi and Yuichiro had both arrived.
"Dr. Hikari you can't really be about to defend Bass?! Look at all the trouble he's caused, the NetNavis he's deleted, the programs brought down! If something isn't done then who knows what he'll do next!" A scientist said, with Tadashi frowning and looking at everyone.
"Perhaps Bass has caused some problems, but it seems like to me that the benefits are starting to outweigh any issues. After all CyberWorld is still in development, there are still numerous problems that could arise, but thanks to Bass we've managed to deal with several defects and mistakes that likely would've gotten worse if they were ignored. Even with PharaohMan monitoring and guiding all the data in the Net, it's always good to have someone getting a closer look at the smaller things as opposed to the bigger ones." Said Tadashi, much to Cossak's gratitude that he's speaking in Bass's favor.
"I have to agree. While I may not be as experienced in dealing with Bass as the rest of you, from what I've seen so far, he really doesn't seem like he's doing anything maliciously and is just trying to make sure CyberWorld develops safely. And while maybe he could go about it better, what better way is there in learning to defend against attacks from viruses and malicious NetNavis than having one of our own NetNavis attack. With everything Bass is doing, we'll be able to greatly improve CyberWorld's security and defenses, which is better than waiting for real attacks that would be truly disastrous." Yuichiro added, believing while Bass could use better methods, the end results speak for themselves in how he's helping to improve things.
Cossak looked at the gathered scientists, seeing that while none of them looked happy, some at least seemed to be thinking about the benefits of not deleting Bass, much to his relief. Knowing he wouldn't be able to stand by and do nothing if they tried deleting him.
"Then what would you have us do? Nothing!" A scientist said in annoyance.
"There's nothing that needs to-" Said Cossak, only to stop when Tadashi put a hand on his shoulder.
"If it will put everyone at ease, then how about a compromise. Bass won't be deleted; however he will need to be imprisoned and have limiters placed on him, limiters that Cossak will create and place himself. And should there be a time when Bass is needed, he will be released, but the limiters will remain." Tadashi said, with Cossak looking at him in disbelief and some anger.
"Dr. Hikari, you can't expect me to do that! Locking Bass up, but having to weaken him as well! It will only make him resentful!" Cossak said, being reluctant to accept just doing one of those things, but imprisoning Bass and putting limiters on him was too much.
"Either Bass is deleted or he's imprisoned and have limiters placed on him. Since he's your creation Dr. Cossak, you can decide what happens." Said another scientist, making Cossak clench his fists before looking down in resignation.
"I'll get to work on the limiters." Said Cossak before leaving the meeting room, knowing he'll need to tell Bass what's happened and what needs to be done.
*Later*
Bass sat in his holding cell with his legs pulled up to his chest while around his wrists and ankles were large limiters made of energy with electricity bouncing within them.
The Solo NetNavi hadn't said anything since Cossak told him of the ultimatum and what would happen, having simply resigned himself to being locked up and having the limiters put on. Despite knowing he could easily escape; Bass didn't want to cause any more trouble for Cossak than he already has.
"Ah, the mighty Bass…locked inside a holding shield." Said a NetNavi, pleased at seeing Bass locked up after how he humiliated so many of them.
"And those limiters suppress his power to one-tenth normal, even if he somehow got out, there's nothing he could do to stop us from taking him down." Another NetNavi said, before the two laughed.
"Heheh…it's a sad, sad sight." The first NetNavi said, making Bass grit his teeth.
'Be thankful you aren't in here with me. You'll see who gets taken down.' Bass thought, knowing even with these limiters, he's still more than strong enough to delete the two weaklings.
"How are you doing, Bass?" Someone asked, with Bass turning his head in surprise as a screen appeared showing Cossak looking at him sadly.
"Stupid question. I'm sure you're miserable." Said Cossak, closing his eyes, already knowing Bass must be miserable being locked up.
"But understand, it was this…or deletion." Cossak said, not sure who he was trying to make understand, himself or Bass, feeling like he betrayed Bass for not trying harder.
"I understand, doctor." Said Bass before he stood up.
"So…do they suit me?" Bass asked, with Cossak opening his eyes, only to be surprised to see Bass posing and showing off his limiters.
"The bracelets and anklets? Do they suit me? I hear humans think such things are fashionable." Said Bass, hoping it'll cheer Cossak up if he sees he really doesn't mind.
"…So, am I stylin'?" Questioned Bass while smirking, the sight made tears well up in Cossak's eyes.
"Yes…Bass… You're…stylin'…fit to…kill…" Said Cossak, wiping his eyes and smiled gently at Bass.
"Bass…I know you. I know you are trying your hardest…you believe in a future for CyberWorld more than anyone. It's why…no matter what happens…my son…remember that I will always believe in you." Cossak said, much to Bass's surprise before he smiled at him.
"Doctor Cossak…" Bass said, thankful for his words and swore that he'd try to be better, so he didn't have to worry anymore.
Though unknown to Cossak and Bass, just outside the room where Cossak was talking to Bass were Yuichiro and Tadashi, having heard everything the two had said.
"Is this really for the best, father?" Yuichiro asked, looking to his father in concern, unsure if it was really the best decision to imprison Bass, seeing Cossak really cared for him like his own son.
"I'm afraid so, son." Said Tadashi sighing wearily, knowing how much Cossak cared for Bass.
And while he was being honest in speaking in Bass's defense, Tadashi also wasn't blind to the danger Bass could pose if he ever went rogue.
"I created PharaohMan so that CyberWorld would have a NetNavi monitoring it without the need of an Operator, he has unlimited access to the entire Net, which also grants him unrivalled power. But Bass…Bass possesses revolutionary potential, the more he fights the stronger he becomes, there's no limit to just how strong Bass could become, he could surpass any other NetNavi in existence." Tadashi explained before frowning gravely.
"But at the same time, he presents incalculable danger… Because he has no limits to how strong he can grow, there's also no limit to how dangerous he could become. If there ever came a time when Bass went rogue, then I fear for not just the Earth, but the universe itself." Said Tadashi, believing that should Bass go rogue then there'd be nothing capable of stopping him.
He just hoped that such a day never came or worse, that nothing happened that'd drive Bass down such a destructive path.
*Timeskip*
Bass sat in his cell, having tried thinking of ways to occupy himself, only to find all he could really do is train himself, improving his power and abilities. The only reprieve he had was when Cossak was able to find time to visit and talk with him, much to Bass's relief at the contact. But like always he eventually needed to leave, leaving Bass nothing to do but train and sit around.
'I feel like I'm gonna go crazy at this rate.' Bass thought with a frown before he tensed when he heard a buzzing sound.
Looking at where it was coming from, Bass was surprised to see the bars of his cell melting away around him until soon they were completely gone.
"The shield…it's dropped!" Muttered Bass in shock, confused at why the cage disappeared like that, before he looked around to see if Cossak would appear.
"Dr. Cossak? Have I been set free?" Bass asked, wondering if this mean he was finally being released.
Before the NetNavi stumbled slightly when the ground began shaking and heard explosions going off in the distance.
'What's that? What's happening?!' Thought Bass before he rushed off to find out what was happening.
Though it wasn't long before Bass arrived to see parts of CyberWorld in pieces or ripped apart showing the data underneath. The sight made Bass frown at what happened to cause all of this, and if it had to do with his cell opening.
"Seems to be some serious system malfunctions." Bass muttered looking around, only to tense when he heard something behind.
Bass then quickly jumped away, doing so just in time to avoid several blasts hitting where he was once standing before he saw numerous NetNavis running at him with weapons.
"Bass! For the crime of system destruction…you are to be deleted!" Said a NetNavi as they aimed their weapons at him, much to Bass's shock.
"This won't take long! The limiters have rendered him nearly powerless!" Another NetNavi said before the ones with blasters open fired on Bass, while the rest charged towards him.
"System destruction!" Said Bass in disbelief that the system was being destroyed, before grunted as a NetNavi slammed into him.
While he could still take them on, Bass would prefer resolving this peacefully to show he wasn't responsible and to avoid making things worse for himself and Cossak.
"No! It isn't me!" Bass said, only for the NetNavis to not listen to him as they continued attacking, forcing Bass to simply try running.
"Don't let him get away! Eliminate the traitor!" A NetNavi shouted as they chased after Bass, shooting at the Solo NetNavi.
"Just wait and listen! I never betrayed anyone!" Shouted Bass, grunting as he was blown back from an explosion and sent skidding across the ground.
"Dr. Cossak! Please stop them! This is all a misunderstanding!" Bass said, hoping Cossak would hear him and show them he wasn't a traitor or a threat.
Bass kept running from the NetNavis, seeing they weren't willing to listen and he couldn't stop or else he'll end up being deleted.
'Why is this happening?! Why won't they listen?! I didn't cause this; I didn't let myself out! Why?! Why?! WHY?! Why isn't Dr. Cossak here?!' Thought Bass while gritting his teeth.
Before he grunted in pain when a large flail slammed into him, sending the Solo NetNavi to the ground with Bass quickly getting up, only find himself surrounded.
"We got him!" Said a NetNavi as they all aimed their weapons at him.
"You've had this coming for a long time, Bass!" The NetNavi with the flail said, swinging the weapon in the air to strike Bass again.
The sight only made Bass's anger grow, that they thought they could judge him for simply trying to make CyberWorld safer, blaming him for something he had nothing to do with. And now they thought they could ever delete him?!
Without warning Bass let out a rage-filled shout and vanished in a burst of speed, reappearing right in front of the NetNavi with the flail.
"You peons!" Bass shouted swiping his arm through the air, cutting straight the Navi, much to the shock of the rest.
With Bass ripping the flail away from their deleting body before swinging it around and throwing it at a group of Navi, smashing straight through them. Before the Solo NetNavi jumped into the air and slamming his foot through several more NetNavi.
"Get off my case!" Yelled Bass before rushing towards more NetNavi, running and tearing his way straight through him, much to the remaining Navis shock and growing horror.
"Even with the limiters, he's…he's too much!" A NetNavi said in horror, not believing that even with the limiters on, Bass was still tearing them apart.
"No he's not! He's going down!" Said another NetNavi, firing a blaster at Bass only for him to dodge each of the shots.
Before the Navi cried out when Bass appeared in front of them, tearing their arm off and stabbing it through their head, deleting them as well. With Bass bending backwards and avoiding more blaster fire, gritting his teeth as he rolled to the side and charged forward. Delivering a spin kick that ripped through the Navis before they could even react.
"Dr. Cossak! You must know the truth! Why haven't you intervened?!" Bass demanded, wanting to know why his creator wasn't stopping them, why he wasn't here to help him.
Sidestepping a sword slash, Bass quickly chopped off the Navis arm and grabbed it, using their own sword to decapitate them. Before he threw the arm through the air, stabbing it through more of Navis before jumping back.
"I'm innocent and you know that!" Yelled Bass, trying to find any sign of Cossak coming to help him and clear this up.
But he didn't see any sign of his creator, much to Bass's shock that he wasn't here, that he wasn't coming to help.
Dr. Cossak…why…why? Why aren't you here?!' Bass thought before his entire body froze as a terrible thought entered his head.
"I believe we can build CyberWorld into something truly great, together, my son."
'Oh no…' Bass thought, shaking at the idea.
"That's the right spirit, Bass!"
'No, you didn't…!' Thought Bass, not wanting to believe it, but if Cossak wasn't here, if he wasn't coming to tell them he's innocent.
"It's why…no matter what happens…my son…remember that I will always believe in you."
Bass cried out as he was pulled from his thoughts when a NetNavi got in close and slashed him straight across his chest and through his Navi Emblem, leaving a long diagonal cut.
"Give it up, Bass! Your deletion was a joint decisions by all the scientists!" Said the NetNavi, much to Bass's shock.
'A-al-all…the sc-scientists…th-that means…' Thought Bass as he fell to the ground, gritting his teeth in pain.
"You sure gave us a lot of trouble! But my Heat Blade took the fight outta you, though!" The NetNavi said as they soon closed in on Bass, with the Solo NetNavi not making any move to get up.
"That limiter was a good idea too." Added another NetNavi, making Bass grit his teeth at the reminder of the limiters and who made them.
"Yeah, Dr. Cossak knows his stuff." Another NetNavi said, causing Bass to go still at their words.
'Dr. Cossak…he made the limiters…knew how much they would weaken me… My deletion…all the scientists agreed on it… And you…you never showed up…you never tried to help… You…you…YOU… TRAITOR!' Bass thought as he felt nothing but white-hot rage fill his entire body at realizing Cossak had really betrayed him.
Though before the Navis could finish Bass off, they were all thrown back by a powerful explosion, with a few being damaged enough to either logout or be deleted.
"Alert! Destruction continuing in the Alpha Area!"
"Wha…?!" Said a NetNavi in shock that the destruction was still going on, even when Bass was right here.
"The source is now believed to be PharaohMan!"
"So it's not Bass's doing?!" A NetNavi said, not expecting Bass to actually be innocent this time.
"Attention all units, jack out!"
"We copy!" Said the Navi as they all logged out to get to PharaohMan and stop him before any more destruction could be unleashed.
'You're next, PharaohMan!' Thought Bass, swearing that he'll delete PharaohMan for doing this to him.
"Bass…if you think you've been let off, think again!" Said the NetNavi with the Heat Blade, making Bass glare at them, gritting his teeth in anger at seeing the fool hadn't left with the others.
"Solo NetNavis like you, you're nothing but a blight on the CyberWorld, no different than viruses. No one to keep you in line, no Operator that can jack you out and keep you from doing whatever you want. You and PharaohMan are just proof, you after attacking so many Navis and ruining so many programs, getting away with nothing but a slap on the wrist. And now PharaohMan trying to bring down the entire Net! I won't stand for it and make sure you both are deleted!" The NetNavi yelled as he rushed towards Bass.
"The order for deletion still stands and I'll see it carried out! You're done, Bass! Nothing can save you now!" Said the NetNavi, thrusting his sword to finish Bass off.
But before he could delete Bass, an explosion of energy from Bass threw the Navi back before he quickly recovered. Only to look in shock when he saw the limiters began twisting and distorting, until they seemed to actually…merge with Bass.
"The limiters, they're…they're…rewriting his programming?!" Said the NetNavi in shock as Bass began standing up.
"How?! What's changed their function?! Who?!" The NetNavi said, not believing what he was seeing.
Then before the Navi could react, Bass's left hand transformed as a burning red sword emerged from it, with the NetNavi crying out in agony when Bass slashed in half diagonally. With the NetNavi looking in shock at the sword as his body fell to the ground.
"H…Heat…Blade… H…He…has…my…power! But…?" Said the NetNavi before he hit the ground and began fading away.
Though Bass let out a shout and a powerful blast of energy, vaporizing the Navi's body in a massive explosion. With the Solo NetNavi stepping through the explosion, growling lowly, uncaring for the heat, only feeling the burning rage and hatred within him.
"I…am…through…with this! With everyone!" Bass shouted loudly, swearing he'll never let himself be tricked into trusting another person ever again.
*With Tadashi*
Meanwhile, within the real world, Tadashi and several other scientists were working as fast as they could to seal PharaohMan away.
"Have the Navis hold him a little longer! I'm almost done creating the prison!" Said Tadashi, gritting his teeth as he was close to finishing creating the digital prison that'll place PharaohMan in a, hopefully, endless sleep.
"None of you humans or your weak Navis can hope to stop me! I am PharaohMan, the Ultimate NetNavi!" PharaohMan said, unleashing a blast of electricity through the machinery, causing the scientists to cry out in pain before they began falling to the ground either severely injured or dead.
Though Tadashi managed to catch himself on the table, breathing heavily as he forced his body to keep moving and finish the prison.
"All…most…there… Just…a few…more…got it…" Tadashi said, entering the final sequences and completing the prison.
"Tadashi! You cannot do…this…to…me…!" Said PharaohMan as he was sealed away and forced asleep, much to Tadashi's relief.
"Be at rest, PharaohMan." Muttered Tadashi before grunting in pain and clenching his chest, letting out a breath of air as he began falling to the ground.
'Yuichiro, my son…live well and long, cherish your family. Haruka, make sure that boy of mine…doesn't overwork himself, he's too much…like his father. Lan and Hub…my grandsons, do your best…in anything you put your minds to…look out for each other and…help make the world a better one, even in the smallest of ways. And Wily…my colleague, my friend…take care of yourself, wherever you are…continue to share…your genius with…the world.' Tadashi thought, thinking of his family and his best friend, before the last of his life left him.
*Later-Unknown Location*
In an unknown location, Dr. Wily sat down after just learning about the death Tadashi, his best friend and former colleague. With the two having originally worked together at SciLab and developed SoulNet, a way to link human emotions through a network, as a means to bring peace to the world. Unfortunately they did all they could with the technology of their time. Instead entrusting their research to their sons to finish in the future, when the technology would hopefully improve to let them complete their work.
However, Wily left SciLab after they cut off his robotics research, instead putting all their support into Tadashi's research into the network. Something that made Wily furious and leave, along with being cut off from the science community entirely due to his newfound distaste of Net society.
Though that didn't mean he hated Tadashi for his work, Wily still considered him a good friend, he just didn't like or trust the idea of having all technology connected together through one single network. Believing that robots were a better, and safer, option. While a connected network would be far too easy to destabilize and destroy.
But he still kept up with Tadashi and his work, wanting to see how his old friend was doing and if he would end up getting too in over his head. The last thing Wily expected to hear though was of Tadashi's death, something that shocked and devastated him.
'I always believed I would be the first one to go. Tadashi…' Thought Wily gripping his cane tightly as tears streamed down his face, mourning the loss of his long-time friend and colleague.
But as Wily's body shook from crying, he suddenly began laughing lowly before soon Wily threw his head back letting out a mad laughter.
"If they want a connected network so badly! Then I'll give them all a network of chaos and destruction! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Wily laughed, swearing he'll burn the entire Net down if it's the last thing he does.
*Timeskip-Ten Years*
*Undernet*
Bass roared as he swiped his arm through the air, ripping apart several NetNavis before becoming a black blur as he smashed through more of them. Stopping and grabbing one by the head, before tearing it straight off their body, absorbing the data of all the deleted Navis around him.
Before he turned towards the only Navi he saw was still alive, going over to them Bass stepped on their head and began applying pressure, making the Navi grunt in pain.
"Are…are you…the…Black Shadow…who ravages the Undernet?" The Navi asked weakly, only to grunt when Bass pressed down harder.
"Tell me. Where is the "King of the Undernet"?" Demanded Bass, wanting to know where the King of the Undernet is, while the NetNavi looked at him in disbelief.
"You couldn't possibly…be thinking of…challenging the king…could you?!" Said the Navi, knowing only a fool challenged the UnderKing.
"Give up…not even you…even you…would never…stand a chance…against the king!" The Navi said, only to cry out in pain when Bass began pressing down even harder on their head.
"Answer me!" Bass growled, not caring how strong the UnderKing was, only that he learned where they are.
"I…I don't know! A Navi like me…wouldn't know!" Shouted the Navi, having no idea where to even begin searching for the king.
"Then you're useless." Stated Bass, lifting his foot slightly, much to the Navi's horror.
"He…help…" The Navi said before Bass brought his foot down crushing the Navi's head.
"Tsk, this pointless. No matter how many ranked Navis I kill, it seems I'll never get her attention." Bass said in annoyance that he's yet to force the UnderKing to fight him.
After the betrayal from Cossak and SciLab, Bass fled to the Undernet to recover before he began massacring any NetNavis and viruses he came across. Taking their power and abilities for himself to grow even stronger as that was now his only desire, getting more power so he can one day take his revenge.
With Bass looking the same as he did ten years ago, the only difference being the white diagonal scar going across his Navi Emblem, which was also changed to a simple black circle. Along with him wearing a long, tattered light brown cloak over his body and covering his lower face.
Bass turned to leave, only to stop when a bright light appeared behind him, making narrow his eyes and smirk wickedly.
"How cruel…so this is how you do things…" Said a female voice, with the Black Shadow turning and covering his eyes from the light before a NetNavi soon appeared.
The NetNavi looked like a young woman with dark skin and platinum blonde hair. With her attire consisting if a long-sleeved black shirt, block gloves, golden shoulder pads, large gold bracers around her arms, baggy white parachute pants, a large gold belt with her Navi Emblem and two green jewels one above and one below her emblem, and black shoes with gold straps around her heels.
While on her head was a gold helmet with two green jewels on her forehead, along with three long strands of her hair coming out, two coming out from the top and framing her face, while the third came out the back and curved upwards. And behind her were two pale pink streams of data resembling ribbons floating around her.
'Finally!' Bass thought eagerly.
"The Black Shadow who has been roaming the Undernet, destroying anyone in his path…Bass!" Said the girl, while Bass's smirk grew as he lowered his arm.
I never would've thought… you would be the one to face me! The King of the Undernet, Serenade!" Said Bass, pleased that Serenade has come to him rather than him needing to hunt her down.
"What is that you want from me?" Serenade asked, looking down at Bass.
"Isn't it obvious…" Bass said before vanishing in a burst of speed, reappearing right in front of Serenade.
"I'll destroy you! And take your power!" Said Bass, thrusting his hand to grab her only for Serenade to easily block it, before blocking his other hand as well.
"I see…you have the Get Ability Program." Said Serenade, opening her eyes and showing their black color, smirking slightly at seeing what Bass intended.
Growling at her blocking his attack, Bass twisted his body to slam his foot into her head, only for Serenade to close her eyes and lean back, avoiding the kick.
"Fight!" Bass shouted, thrusting his hand toward her with it glowing yellow as he unleashed an energy blast, which Serenade deflected.
"Destroy!" Yelled Bass while swiping his other hand up to tear her head off only for Serenade to lean back, avoiding it.
"Deprive!" Bass said, jumping back and unleashing another blast of energy, with the UnderKing simply leaning her head to the side and actually pushed the blast away.
"I will become stronger!" Roared Bass as he began rapidly attacking Serenade, his anger only growing as no matter what he did, she either dodged or deflected his attacks.
Sighing at the attacks, Serenade suddenly thrust her hand forward and poked Bass's chest, launching the Black Shadow back before opening her eyes.
"How long…are you going to keep this up?" Serenade asked, given how it's obvious he won't be able to land a hit on her no matter what.
"Until the day when my hunger…my thirst is satisfied…" Bass said, holding his hands back as they sparked with energy.
"Until the day arrives…WHEN I HAVE MY REVENGE ON HUMANITY!" Yelled Bass, thrusting his arms forward, unleashing two massive blasts of energy that curved towards Serenade.
Hearing this, Serenade frowned before throwing her arms out towards Bass just as his attack reached her, only for it curve around the UnderKing and rush back towards Bass much to his shock.
'What?! My attacks been reflected?!' Bass thought in disbelief, before he quickly moved to avoid getting hit by his own attack.
Only for the blasts to impact the ground, triggering a large explosion that engulfed Bass. With the explosions soon fading, showing Bass managed to survive, but not unscathed, gritting his teeth in anger and pain as he tried standing.
"No…not yet! My revenge…I can't…let it end here!" Said Bass, refusing to be deleted, not until he's gotten his revenge.
"Bass, I haven't come here to fight." Serenade said as she floated to the ground and held out her hand.
"I've come to show you a message from a person you know very well." Said Serenade before a holographic screen appeared in her hand, with Bass's eyes widening when Cossak appeared on it.
"Doc…tor…Co…ssak…" Bass muttered, not believing what he's seeing.
"My dear child. Please listen to my story." Said Cossak, much to Bass's shock.
"I cannot ask you to forgive me. But…there is one thing that you have to know. That day…when I freed you from SciLab, my plan was to jack you out and take you to a safe place. But as I was trying to access you, I was caught. They called me a traitor… For a long time, people made me believe that you were deleted… How delighted I was when I knew you were alive…!" Cossak said, with Bass looking at him in shock before the image turned into program orb.
"Bass…here is a program that Dr. Cossak told me to take care of. By using this, you will be able to jack out to Dr. Cossak's PET." Said Serenade, holding the program out to Bass, much to his shock.
"Here, take it. Take back your lost bond." Serenade said, with Bass looking at it and shakily making his way over to her.
"Bond…?! Will…I be…able to…return…to…" Muttered Bass, stumbling over to Serenade and taking her hand, making the UnderKing smile.
"Now jack out." Said Serenade, only for her eyes to widen when Bass suddenly gripped her hand tightly and crushed it, lifting his head and glared at her.
"I have no need for bonds anymore! The only thing I need are the flames of hatred that fuel my power!" Bass said, refusing to let himself be tricked again.
Before pulling his hand back and charging up a large amount of energy, while Serenade's eyes widened.
"I have you now, Serenade! You can't defend yourself this close, now take this! Earthbreaker!" Bass yelled, thrusting his hand forward, unleashing a gigantic explosion straight at Serenade.
With both NetNavis being engulfed as the blast rushed forward, destroying everything in its path, until soon the attack began dying down. Only to reveal Serenade was completely fine, while Bass's entire body looked to have been blown apart.
"Impossible…my close range… Earthbreaker attack didn't even work…?!" Bass said before falling to the ground while Serenade floated into the air, looking at him in sadness and disappointment.
Only to be shocked when Bass kept moving, not believing he'd actually still be alive after that attack, that he wouldn't be deleted.
"You haven't seen…the last of me…Serenade…you'd do well…to remember…someday…I will claim your power as my own!" Bass swore as he fell to the ground.
Looking at him for a few moments, Serenade sighed before flying off, though didn't doubt she likely would see Bass again, one day.
*Timeskip-Three Months*
*DenTech Hospital*
Cossak breathed heavily as he laid down in a hospital bed with several machines hooked up to him, unable to help but see some cruel irony in this. With it not having been long after he was excommunicated from SciLabs, that he had been diagnosed with HBD. The same disease that had cruelly taken away one of Tadashi's grandsons, Hub Hikari.
'Now it seems it intends to take me as well. Fitting I suppose after all the time Bass suffered alone, being attacked and hunted, now it's my turn to suffer for not being better.' Cossak thought, thinking over his regrets and failures, how he didn't do more for Bass.
Blaming himself for not doing more and his colleague for being so close-minded, as well as PharaohMan for causing the situation in the first place. Then the pain and despair at believing Bass had been deleted, only eventually learn he was still alive when he learned SciLabs still had a standing order to delete him. Something relieved Cossak that Bass was still alive and angered him that they were still trying to delete him.
Leading him to try searching for Bass, getting the help of the UnderKing Serenade to help find him, knowing Bass would believe he had been abandoned and betrayed. Which would cause him to hunt down other NetNavi to absorb their data and power to grow stronger. And aside from Bass and PharaohMan, Serenade is one of the strongest NetNavis in the world.
While he could've gotten help from Yuichiro in finding Bass and calling off the order to have him deleted, he had taken a leave of absence after his father's death and then one of his sons dying as well. The last thing Cossak wanted to do was bother him after such tragedies.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Bass was too consumed by his hatred and desire for revenge as when Serenade contacted him, Bass refused the chance to jack out to his PET. Much to Cossak's sorrow that Bass could no longer trust anyone.
"Hey gramps! Check it out!" Someone said, pulling Cossak from his thoughts and turned his head, smiling when he saw who it was.
A ten-year-old boy with bright spiky blonde hair, lightly tanned skin, ocean blue eyes, and three unique whisker markings on his cheeks. With him wearing a burnt orange shirt, black pants, black shoes with purple soles, and a black jacket with red trimming and lines going down the sleeves and a red swirl on the back.
This was Naruto Uzumaki, Cossak's grandson through his son Minato Namikaze and his daughter-in-law Kushina Uzumaki.
"What do you have there, my boy?" Cossak asked while seeing Naruto holding a notebook out to him, taking it and flipping through it seeing different drawings of what looked like NetNavis.
"They're my designs for my future custom NetNavi! Everyone at school has been getting custom NetNavis and I want one too! But not just any NetNavi, I'm gonna make sure the one I make will be the strongest and coolest!" Said Naruto, eager to get his own custom NetNavi, making Cossak chuckle lightly.
"Well from the looks of these, you have a good idea on the kind of NetNavi you want, I'm sure when the time comes you'll have a truly powerful one." Said Cossak, handing the notebook back while the whiskered blonde nodded and grinned.
"Yeah! It'll be better than any other!" Naruto replied, before he looked at his grandfather curiously.
"Hey, didn't you used to make NetNavis?" Naruto asked, having heard his grandfather used to work at SciLabs and create NetNavis.
"Yes…yes, I did. I was actually the lead of the Independent NetNavi Project, a project that focused on creating NetNavis who didn't require Operators. I was actually the one that created one of the very first Solo NetNavis." Cossak replied, much to Naruto's amazement.
"Wow, that's really cool. Where is the NetNavi? Are they in your PET or out in CyberWorld?" Questioned Naruto, with Cossak sighing sadly and leaning back in bed.
"They…he is gone, I'm afraid. Not deleted, but…it's unlikely anyone will ever find him." Said Cossak, making Naruto frown in confusion.
"Why? Did something happen?" Naruto said, wondering why no one would find the NetNavi.
"Yes, I'm afraid something did happen, something terrible. The NetNavi I created…his name is Bass, one of the strongest Navis in the world. He was one of the first two Solo NetNavis, the other being PharaohMan created by my colleague Dr. Tadashi Hikari. Bass was…beyond any other NetNavi, he was a true living being…but my colleagues didn't feel the same. They only saw Bass as a troublemaker, it even got to the point where they wanted to delete him, but I refused to let that happen. Instead a compromise was made, where Bass had to be imprisoned and had limiters placed on him." Cossak explained, sighing sadly at remembering what happened.
"Things only got worse when PharaohMan had been infected with a virus that caused him to go rogue, causing chaos and destruction across the Net. And I knew Bass would be blamed for it given how everyone viewed him, so I tried saving him by freeing him from his prison and planned to jack him out to my PET, but before I could I was captured and branded a traitor. I believed Bass had been deleted until I eventually learned he was still alive, having hidden himself in the Undernet. I tried to help, tried to tell him I didn't abandon him, but…now Bass has buried himself in hatred and anger. And now I don't think he'll ever trust another person again, human or NetNavi." Said Cossak while Naruto looked at him with wide eyes.
Before the Uzumaki went up to his grandfather's bed and put a hand on his arm, making Cossak look at him, only be surprised at the determined look in his eyes.
"Then I'll find Bass and help him. I'll show him he can trust others and make sure that no one hurts him ever again. I promise." Naruto said, shocking Cossak at his declaration before he smiled tiredly.
"You don't know how good it does me to hear that. Thank you, Naruto, I know of there's anyone I can trust to look after Bass, it's you." Cossak said, knowing the best person to find and look after his son was his grandson.
"Yeah! And we'll be an awesome team too, and take on anyone!" Said Naruto smile, making Cossak chuckle weakly.
"I'm…sure…you both…will…be…" Said Cossak, feeling his eyes slowly close as he let out a final breath while the heart monitor flatlined.
"Gramps…hey gramps. Come on, don't fall asleep now. You can tell me more about Bass, what he's like." Naruto said while looking at his grandfather in concern, shaking him gently only to not get a response.
"Gr-Gramps…" Said Naruto, backing away just as doctors and nurse burst into the room and surrounded Cossak, checking his vitals and trying to see if there's still a pulse.
With Naruto slowly backing out of the room before his back hit a wall which he slid down to the floor. Pulling his legs up to his chest, Naruto lowered his head, holding his notebook of NetNavi designs tightly.
*With Bass*
After recovering from his battle with Serenade, Bass had continued moving through the Undernet, searching for more Navis to delete and absorb. Intent to grow even stronger so that the next time he finds Serenade, he'll crush her and take her power for himself.
Though Bass suddenly stopped and looked around with a frown, having felt a suddenly strange feeling just now.
'I don't sense any NetNavis, nearby. What was that?' Thought Bass only to look down in confusion when he saw drops of water hitting the ground.
'Rain? In the CyberWorld?' Bass thought, looking up only to feel further confused when he didn't see a cloud in the sky.
Only to soon feel a strange wetness on his face and eyes, reaching up and wiping his eyes, Bass frowned at seeing his hand was wet.
'Tears?' Thought Bass, scowling in annoyance and wiping away any tears on his face before continuing on his way.
Pushing aside the strange feeling and even stranger reason at why he would have tears in his eyes, unaware of what's happened or what he's lost.
So, what did you think, good. Yep first we start out with seeing the creation of and meeting his creator Dr. Cossak, following the manga with his origins along with the father-son relationship between Bass and Cossak, while also incorporating the anime with Tadashi Hikari creating PharaohMan. Only for things to start turning bad as the rest of the SciLab scientists only see Bass as a troublemaker with him constantly fighting other Navis and ruining programs, despite Cossak's defense of him.
Leading to the scientists desiring to delete Bass after reaching their limit with his behavior, though Cossak gets help from Tadashi and his son Yuichiro in defending Bass. Before reaching a compromise that Bass wouldn't be deleted, but he would be imprisoned and have limiters placed on him, something Cossak reluctantly agrees to.
Only for things to get worse when PharaohMan is infected with a virus and becomes corrupted by his power, with Bass being blamed and attacked by NetNavi to be deleted, leading to him also getting his trademark scar over his Navi Emblem. While Bass believes that Cossak betrayed him after he doesn't come to help, leading to him to leave and hide within the Undernet, refusing to ever trust anyone again.
While we also see Tadashi sealing PharaohMan away, at the cost of his life, while thinking of his family and Wily. Before then seeing Wily learning of Tadashi's death, leading to his fall into madness and eventual rise as one of the most notorious Cyber Terrorists in the world.
We then get a timeskip seeing Bass hunting down the King of the Undernet, only for none of the Navis he defeats to know where she is. Until Serenade herself appears, leading to a fight between her and Bass, before she reveals the message Cossak wanted her to give to Bass, much to his shock, along with the program that'd let Bass jack out to Cossak's PET. Only for Bass to be consumed by his hatred and anger, refusing the offer and attacks Serenade, only for it to fail and instead injure Bass, who swears he will take Serenade's power one day.
Finally we see Cossak has been diagnosed with HBD, the same disease that killed Tadashi's grandson Hub Hikari, while lamenting his regrets and failures. Before seeing his grandson, Naruto, who's making designs for his future NetNavi, leading Cossak to telling him about Bass and what happened to him, and what he's now like. Something that leads Naruto to promise to find and help Bass, much to Cossak's gratitude, before taking his last breath, much to Naruto's sorrow.
While Bass unknowingly feels something has happened, though is unsure what, even more strangely when he starts crying, before brushing it off, not knowing what's happened. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out