Chapter 21: Hot duel
21:21 PM (Japan Time), Wednesday December the 21st…
Hmpf! Sneaking inside is WAY TOO EASY!
A figure crept around the hospital's hallways while making sure no – one spotted its presence.
They reached a room door and looked at the nameplate to the left.
"Room 1754:
Hikari Netto"
Found you!
The figure drew a gun with a silencer.
They softly turned the doorknob open and glanced inside.
They gasped when seeing Saito, sitting next to the bed and sleeping.
Damn. Rock Man! That's what those guys meant! Rock Man can come out of the PET and be in the real world! I've got no means to delete the guy! Damaging the PET might do it, but… I'm sure I won't be able to come any closer. Wait. The guy doesn't wear helmet… Dunno if this will work, but… It's worth a try.
The figure calmly aimed the gun towards the forehead.
RIP! Rock Man!
Someone grabbed its right wrist from behind and forcefully twisted it while another arm closed around its head and a hand muffled his voice.
The pain made the assaulter drop the gun, which the newcomer caught.
W-who the…! This guy is a pro!
"Don't move." Someone hushed.
The newcomer dragged the attacker to a storeroom at end of the corridor.
Let go of me, ya!
The attacker broke free and drew a scout knife.
"Useless." A man's voice calmly announced.
A kunai hit the knife and it flew off the attacker's hand, so the newcomer retrieved it as well.
"Turn on the lights." The newcomer commanded to someone else.
"Roger." A Navi's voice replied.
The lights turned on, revealing that the two persons inside the storeroom were Miyabi and the teen of some hours ago.
"Dark Miyabi…!" The teen cursed.
"Hmpf. I've read a file about you! Togakawa Emil: Stealth Man's Operator and skilled assassin…" Miyabi announced.
"In short! A neophyte." Shadow Man announced.
"Who are you calling a "neophyte"?" A Navi growled.
The Navi eyes irises' were red.
The helmet's forehead had three vertical purple stripes drawn.
His body used both gray and black
He also had purple scales all over his body.
"You lowlife are." Shadow Man icily shot back.
"Why, you…! What are you doing here of all places!?"
"I could ask you the same question, Togakawa." Miyabi replied.
"Sheesh! Damn!"
"If you were planning on deleting Rock Man by damaging his PET, you better give up! You have zero chances of succeeding. Rock Man has light sleep. He'd hear your footsteps crawling inside and, since he's a Navi, he could even hear the gun with the silencer on." Miyabi told him.
"Get out of my way, Dark Miyabi! This is personal!" He growled.
"I know that you were a "disciple" of sorts to Sgt. Sneaky… The author of the Habana Bank robbery over 10 years ago… And a freelancer who cooperated with Silver Arrow…" Miyabi calmly exposed.
"And I'm gonna avenge him! Those guys tossed him on the brig!"
"Wrong. It was the Hong – Kong authorities the one who caught him after he fled there because he abducted a civilian on Japan."
"What need had he for such antiques? He was a genius!" T
"Hmpf. The man was short in money and hoped to gain some by demanding a ransom! He failed and ran away from the Hong Kong hotel until the SWAT team cornered him. So?" Miyabi replied.
"I can't believe my master had to steep so low…!" He hissed.
"Hikari was never involved in any of those. Your master spied on him but I intercepted him! His employer bailed him outta there." Miyabi added.
"But that guy's an eyesore which needs to be taken out! Aren't you an assassin as well? Why quit?" Togakawa replied.
"You don't need to know, Togakawa. Were it not for him, we wouldn't have a Network by today or live as we live! "Nebula" would've ruled it all or the "Super Cybeast" would've. Or else, "Cache" would've turned all of us into data to merge with his body and feed us a "reality" shaped according to his own ends! A world where no PETs, no Cyber World and no Net Navis existed… Or, worse! Duo would've erased Earth long ago. Would have you liked to go back and lose all the progress society made?"
"… I don't give a crap for that! All I know is that I'm gonna kill that bothersome Navi and that guy as well!" Togakawa growled.
"Not in my watch."
He drew the katana and used it to keep Togakawa at bay, so the guy hissed and stepped back.
"I told you and you didn't pay heed… But since you may be "useful", then we'll get you out of this pinch…" A resigned voice rang out.
Miyabi grumbled and saw Sidier, who appeared in a corner of the room.
"You're the guy named Sidier, then!" Togakawa growled.
"Explanations will come later. Togakawa."
He snapped his right hand's fingers, and a "Dimensional Converter" popped out of the ground, warping the foe away.
Sidier shrugged and directed a dull face at Miyabi.
"Tell Hikari and Rock Man that they'll experience we Demon Tribe's ultimate execution method! The Infinite Naraku."
"Damn. The Infinite Naruku again…" Miyabi cursed.
"Motto – thief." Shadow Man told him.
"Patent it, Ninja Man." Sidier shot back.
He drew that sword of his and swung it in a 360º angle before vanishing and leaving no trace behind.
"Ninja Man… Hmpf. Pathetic." Shadow Man scoffed.
"Guess we'll have to reinforce security on Hikari! This guy will waste no time on trying to creep into his house. And now it'd seem they've suddenly found a use for him, too." Miyabi growled.
"Neophytes… Let their own fanatic behavior turn them against each other and slay each other." Shadow Man dramatically announced.
Miyabi stored the katana and stuffed the weapons on a small leather bag.
"They obviously won't try again tonight. But let's be careful."
"I'll keep watch." Shadow Man announced.
"I need some rest."
"Beware of the Greek Envoy." Shadow Man warned.
"Hmpf. Those robots won't show up around here, either."
"Of course… They're afraid of my curse!"
13:45 PM (Spain Time)…
"… Where the hell is this at?"
"I can't tell you."
"Aren't ya in charge?"
"No, I'm not."
"Who's in charge? I wanna speak with the guy!"
"It's too late on the night."
Togakawa was discussing with Sidier inside of a small bedroom.
"Sheesh! I was going to make you guys a favor!" Togakawa cursed.
"My Lord doesn't believe in pointless killing. He has plans for that guy. And he will see to it that they come to fruition." Sidier calmly replied.
"He just wants to keep the glory!" Stealth Man exclaimed.
"It could be. That doesn't concern you two! Be glad we bailed you of there. You will have a job. But there'll be no killing and no bloodshed on it. You can't refuse it, either. He who warns a traitor is not." Sidier warned.
"You're outdated, then!" Togakawa growled.
"Be rational and cool off. You will have food and accommodation here! The Net Police will soon post a warrant on your head and make it impossible for you to properly hide in Japan." Sidier told him.
"So this place is really somewhere in Spain, then."
"Hmpf. Whatever. I won't give you any specifics. Cool it off and be sharp for a new mission."
He exited the room and locked it from the outside.
Togakawa growled and sat down on the bed.
"I'll remember this, Dark Miyabi!" He threatened.
"Damn you, Shadow Man!"
09:33 AM (Japan Time), Thursday December the 22nd…
"… That's a good one, Nenjirou!"
Rokushakudama was working on fireworks simulations with Napalm Man.
"I AIN'T NENJIROU~!" Napalm Man yelled as he heated up the monitor.
"YIKES!"
Rokushakudama stepped back from the heated up monitor and blew air into his hands to cool them.
Napaln Man growled something under his breath next.
An explosion echoed in the workshop.
"What the heck?"
"Crap." Napalm Man muttered.
Rokushakudama turned to see a cloud of smoke where the door had been.
There was a figure standing there, making mechanical buzz-like sounds as it stepped forward.
"Unit Thanatos – One: acquiring targets. Targets ID: Rokushakudama Nenji and Napalm Man EXE. Orders: annihilate."
"Is this a hidden camera show?"
"It's for real! Call the Science Labs and ask for a "Dimensional Area"!"
"Yikes!"
Rokushakudama ducked to avoid a shot that made a hole in the far wall along with a cloud of dust.
He covered his head with both hands and ran behind the desk while he looked at the PET.
"Science Labs! I'm Rokushakudama Nenji! I need a… What was the word again?"
"A "Dimensional Area", Nenji!" Napalm Man yelled.
"A "Dimensional Area", I need one!"
"Roger! Dimensional Area: Engage!"
The "Dimensional" Area formed around the district and he rummaged into his pants' right pocket to take out his "Synchro Chip" model.
"Slot this thing in and yell "Cross Fusion"!" Napalm Man told him.
"Sheesh! I'm not senile yet!"
"Then hurry it up!" Napalm Man urged.
"Synchro Chip, Slot In! CROSS FUSION!"
Rokushakudama and Napalm Man performed "Cross Fusion" sans a flaw.
"Vulcan Arm!"
An inclined cylinder-shaped gun appeared and began to shoot at the robot.
"Battle Chip, Aqua Tower."
The Aqua Tower absorbed the shots from the gun.
"What the heck is that?" He asked.
"It's a robot that knows your form of attacking and counters ya! Rock Man told me 'bout 'em!" Napalm Man replied.
"That thing can guess how I'm going to attack it?"
"Dodge!"
"Battle Chip, Bubble Side. Slot In."
"Yikes!"
"CF" Rokushakudama used his jetpack to jump out of the way.
"Battle Chip, Fire Punch!"
"Battle Chip, Tsunami. Slot In."
He tried to punch the robot but he met with a big tsunami that stopped him from making contact.
"Fire Bomb!"
"Battle Chip, Ice Seed. Slot In."
"CF" Rokushakudama dodged the Ice Seed.
"Sheesh! Napalm Bomb!"
"Battle Chip, Triple Bomb."
The robot threw various Triple Bombs at him, causing explosions and forcing "CF" Rokushakudama to shield himself.
"Shit! I'm not getting anywhere!" "CF" Rokushakudama cursed.
"That's why I said these things were no joke!" Napalm Man insisted.
"Damn it!"
He shot several volleys with his shoulder-mounted guns at the robot.
"Battle Chip, Curse Shield. Slot In."
"Heck! Damned machine!"
The shots bounced off the Curse Shield and he had to jump out of the way to avoid them.
He cursed under his breath and tried to take aim for it again.
"Mag Missile!"
"Tornado Arm!"
"Battle Chip, Dream Aura. Slot In."
"CF" Airstar and "CF" Tesla made it to the scene.
"You guys! Thanks for the extra hand!"
"Finally! I wanted to teach this stupid machine not to laugh at my face! That of lady who isn't even 30 yet!" "CF" Tesla exclaimed.
"Let's fight together!" "CF" Airstar rallied.
"Sure!"
"Three targets detected. Common battle patterns analysis mode will now start. Orders: annihilate all targets." The robot announced.
The robot ignited the jetpack and drew its machineguns.
"Tesla! We'll be bait. Try using your magnetic attacks on that thing!"
"You jerk! Come at me!" "CF" Rokushakudama challenged.
"Okay, darling!" "CF" Tesla replied.
"Tornado Arm!"
"Battle Chip, Heat Side!"
Both attacks hit the Dream Aura and forced some cracks on it as if to signal that it was reaching its limit.
"Battle Chip, Super North Wind!"
"Battle Chip, Super Vulcan!"
"CF" Airstar's attack cut through the Dream Aura, and "CF" Rokushakudama shot the Super Vulcan rounds, which bounced off the armor.
"Enemies are powerless. Powerless." It intoned.
"I wonder about that! Mag Ball! Mag Ball! Mag Ball!" "CF" Tesla shot back.
She threw several Mag Balls in a row towards the robot's back, so it tried to ignite the jetpack and fly out.
However, it only managed to crash against the ceiling's steel beams and fall into the ground.
The Mag Balls hit the jetpack and caused it to frizzle.
"Warning! Low ceiling! Limited maneuvering! Jetpack malfunctioning! Recalculate pattern." The robot announced.
"Battle Chip, White Web!"
"Battle Chip, Salamander. Slot In."
The Salamander shot skywards and drew a curve trajectory towards "CF" Tesla, who jumped to the right and the robot took out the right wall.
"My workshop…! My workshop…!" "CF" Rokushakudama gasped.
"That'll come later!" "CF" Airstar replied.
"Mag Missile! Mag Ball! N – S Tackle!"
"CF" Tesla shot several Mag Missiles and Mag Balls at the robot before dividing into two and drawing Long Swords.
"Let's go~!"
The robot rolled across the ground and jumped but some of the projectiles hit that area.
A Mag Missile and another Mag Ball hit the jetpack, causing it to smoke.
The heat formed by the magnetism started to melt its components.
"Warning. Jetpack malfunctioning. Level: 3."
"CHARGE~!"
Both "CF" Teslas dashed towards the robot from left and right.
"Battle Chip, Long Sword. Double Slot In."
The robot drew both swords and held them at bay.
"Program Advance! Hi Cannon, Triple Slot In! Giga Cannon!"
"Me too! Program Advance! Hi Cannon, Triple Slot In! Giga Cannon!"
"GO~!"
Both attacks shot and blasted through the robot's rear while it was busy dealing the two "CF" Tesla.
The core became visible, glowing and turning into an expanding plasma fireball that consumed the robot.
The explosion knocked Rokushakudama's desk and the LCD screen, keyboard and mouse into the ground as well as the computer terminal.
"My workshop…! My workshop…!" He gasped.
"Calm down!" "CF" Airstar told him.
"Did that do it?" "CF" Tesla wondered.
This time, however, most of the legs below the knees had survived and so had the forearms along with some other scare components but over 80% of it had been vaporized by the brutal explosion and a wave of heat lingered around the devastated area.
"My workshop! My workshop!"
"Cool it, Nenji! At least you're still alive!"
"My workshop! My workshop!"
"Tesla lost a big chunk of her old HQ and never complained."
"Hmpf! I've been busy. But one day I'll lawsuit Umbra's ghost!"
"Sheesh. Why not lawsuit Twilight's ghost instead?"
"Good idea! Get ready! I'll bring an exorcist to deal with them!"
"Sure, sure. And they'll scam you…"
"What!? Then I'll use my might to bring them down!"
"Might? Sure, sure."
"Nenjirou! Who's the rascal behind this!? I'm gonna beat 'em up!"
"I ain't Nenjirou! And even if I explained it to ya, I'm sure that you'll mix it up with something else!" Napalm Man grumbled.
"Wha~t!?"
"Oh boy… This can't end up well!" Gyro Man sighed.
"Obviously enough!" Magnet Man grumbled.
"I'm gonna avenge my workshop! Nenjirou~!"
"Stop saying nonsense, Nenji~!"
02:51 AM (Spain Time)…
"… Thanatos – One is gone. However! Given our extra hours, we already have two new and fresh replacements. It was a bad strategy to have it fight inside of a low-height space."
"But it was a prototype, so… We needed to study how it reacts to different environments. And hadn't it been for those two, that fireworks guy wouldn't have been able to hold on before Thanatos – One beat him to a pulp and then fled…"
Death Shadow was arguing with Hunter Man.
"Limiting the amount of mass the core needs by 5% worked. More fragments survived. Let the Science Labs have them! They shall shed no information."
"Guess so…"
"We should make sure one of those can roll out of the production line! We'll need it for the strategy Emperor S – sama came up with."
"I'll check on it, Sidier. It should be about 90% complete by now: I don't expect it to take more than 50 minutes." Hunter Man announced.
"Let's get on the move: Thanatos – Two won't be able to keep the distraction up for long even if it gets to fight just one enemy. We'll give that one an opportunity. But if he tries to go outside of his commands, then we'll ditch him and have him handle on his own."
"I see there is no drop in morale. Nothing shall stop our cold as ice determination. Let us crave a future of conflict in which humanity shall eventually succumb to their deadliest weapons and self-destroy! Only a selected few will survive! Only the strong ones will!"
"Yikes." Both Hunter Man and Sidier gulped.
"T-true…" Obihiro gulped as well.
"Hmpf. I overdid it. Let us focus on the task at hand!"
"S-sure… Man. Death is TOO scary!"
