So, this story was something I had been working on ever since... I think 2013. It had already gone through one rewrite and now it goes through a second one.

While the first version took place after MegaMan Battle Network 6, the second and this version takes place in the MegaMan NT manga continuity, albeit with some changes/additions. Also, I haven't read Forte -Time of Reunion-, but I am aware of the story. I'm not completely sure whether I'll make it part of my story or go with my original plan. I guess we'll see.

Enjoy!

Entry 0

The Black Shadow

''It's like – the moment soon after I started my own journey…''

– Forte. EXE, Rock & Forte: Their Journey (Rockman. EXE)

xXxXxXx

This feeling…

He was staring ahead at the darkness, observing the glowing particles of data as they blinked in and out of existence. He knew that the data was just scrap that had been thrown here in order to be either deleted or consumed by the various entities that lived in the Undernet. He had no need for that, though, considering his own strength. He was above those who were desperate to feed on any data they could get and only sought to challenge those who were strong enough to oppose him, deleting everyone who stood in his way.

Tch… This is a waste of time.

He continued walking down the dark path, with his long, light brown cloak fluttering lightly behind him. He had been on a search for a while, feeling the hunger slowly growing inside him over the past years, itching to finally satiate it. He was waiting for a battle that would exceed his expectations and he believed that the time finally came for him to make his move. He smirked.

I can't wait for it.

Suddenly, he turned around, his eyes narrowing as he had a feeling that someone was watching him. Dark energy was crackling in his hand as he prepared to blast away the intruder, but whoever was there, they decided not to show themselves. However, he already had an idea who might've been watching him, feeling irritated by their presence. It didn't help that they considered him a rather interesting companion, having followed him around for a while.

He closed his hand, letting the dark energy to disperse and simply walked away, deciding to ignore his stalker. He figured that if he acknowledged them, they would start to follow him around once again, something he certainly wanted to avoid. He didn't need any company and unless they wanted to challenge him to a battle, he didn't want to interact with them at all.

I had told you not to follow me, Serenade.

He left, feeling irritated. Despite the fact that he was used to seeing them every so often, it still baffled him that they were alive, especially considering how he had personally deleted them. On the other hand, they had been quite persistent and powerful, so there was a possibility that they had been capable of reviving themselves despite being completely annihilated.

Bass himself certainly wasn't a stranger to survival from near-death experiences, having found himself battling opponents who were capable of destroying not only the Cyber World, but also the world of humans. Even though he relished in the idea of observing all of the humanity being destroyed by some kind of calamity, standing on the sidelines was never an option because of one reason – MegaMan.

The NetNavi's determination and will to continue fighting against all odds was something that had drawn his interest, sometimes even shocking him. Eventually, they developed an intense rivalry, with Bass promising MegaMan that he would be the one to delete him and that he should stay alive for their final confrontation.

Until then, both of them vowed to become stronger, anticipating the day they would battle against each other once again.