Ch14
Shun Obihiro sat at his computer his eyes glued to the screen as he made the final preparations for his plan. Gospel will rise soon. A smile spread across his face. The world burn and suffer just like I did.
"Freezeman alert all members to begin their tasks," he said.
His net navi bowed. "Yes sir. Princess Pride still has not accepted our offer, how shall we proceed?"
He frowned and sat back in his chair as he looked at his navi. "She'll know the consequences of defying. For now lets just focus on our plans." Princess Pride was just a side project, he still had others who could cause the chaos he needed.
His PET beeped as he noticed an email form his benefactor. "Sir it is Lord Wily," Freezeman said.
"What does he want now?" he sighed as he opened the email. Dr. Wily was his benefactor who provided him with both money and other things in exchange for his services when he needed it.
Usually Dr. Wily left him alone so it was a surprise to see an email labeled as urgent from him. Opening it he read the email to himself. "Start your operations as soon as possible and be careful of Hikari Netto and his navi Slur, if possible delete them. You may need extra resources to deal with them."
Sitting back in his chair he looked at the email contemplating its words. A part of him was curious as to why Wily warning to be cautious, he had done worst things in the best. Hikari Netto. He remembered seeing him and his navi on TV winning the N1 Grand Prix, a part of him knew that he would eventually be a threat to him but they couldn't be that strong.
I don't care how strong he is I'll take care of him along with everyone else. "Freezeman send my orders to the other navis, they are to delete any navi without hesitation that gets in their way."
Freezeman bowed. "Understood sir."
He clenched his fists as he looked at the images of his supporters. I assembled a team of the best. Gospel will survive and cause destruction upon this cruel world.
"Oh sir I have news regarding that navi Forte," Freezeman said.
"Supposedly he disappeared into the Uranet a long time ago," he sighed. "What have you found out?"
"Apparently news of a super powerful net navi have been coming from the Uranet," Freezeman said. "Apparently there is a navi slaughtering anyone who bothers him."
He looked at his navi and nodded. "We are doing our best to recreate him but even the data Wily gave us is complete. Keep an eye out on things relating to him, the sooner we can recreate his programming the sooner we will be victorious."
Freezeman smiled at him and bowed. "As you wish sir."
He sighed and looked at images of Forte. "The world abandoned him too, in a way it would be interesting if he could join us." Yet deep down he knew that Forte didn't want anything to do with him. Doesn't matter though I'll destroy this world one way or another.
Enzan sat emotionless next to his lawyer as they spoke with a representative of the net police. "Ijuin Enzan you may leave but are under parole," the officer said. "You are stripped of your title as an official netbattler and will be monitored."
"Understood," he said softly. He hadn't been locked up for long, only a few days before his dad sent a lawyer. In that time he only cried at the memory of losing Blues again. It was a miracle that he came back and now he is gone for good.
He could feel the tears begin to well up but he ignored them as he watched his lawyer fill out forms and sign them. He didn't know who to be angry at, a part of him was still angry at being humiliated by Hikari Netto while another part realized he had only himself to blame.
If only I had been stronger and pushed him harder. We could've won if I just hated them more. Yet those words rang hollow in his ears. As much as he disliked Hikari Netto he still didn't know what possessed him to attack him with a letter opener. That incident alone was a stain on his record and caused him to be mentally evaluated.
His battle against Netto and Slur was a bit fuzzy all he remembered were a bunch of emotions hatred being the chief of them that drove him to want to defeat and harm his enemies. Could I have done it though? Could I have taken his life? He shuddered as he remembered how he tried to stab Netto and how hard Netto fought back. I did want to take his life, where exactly did I get that idea from?
As soon as his lawyer finished signing his papers he was free to go. His PET was to be kept in the police station pending future investigations. He wanted it back but there was nothing he could do. I am a criminal. He cleaned his face as he exited the jail and was ushered to a car. In his ruthlessness he had become the thing he hated the most.
As soon as he got into his car his lawyer sat across him. "Enzan-kun just to let you know I am delivering this message on part of your father," the lawyer said as he showed him his PET. "It is a prerecorded video."
He gulped and nodded pressing the play button. His father appeared at his desk as intimidating as always. "Enzan you have disappointed me," his father said coldly sitting in his chair. "Having your navi run lose like that and nearly killing someone? As of now you are stripped of your title as vice president of my company. I don't need your embarrassing antics to ruin what I've spent my life building."
The words hit him like a punch to the gut. Tears fell down his face as the video continued. "You are to remain home and not leave the mansion without my permission. Do not disappoint me again or I'll have you locked up for good. Goodbye."
The video ended and the lawyer handed him a tissue. I deserved this. His insides were hollow as he cleaned his face. The car sped off as he shook in his seat. I disappointed father, I embarrassed him and the company.
"For what its worth your father immediately told me to go find you," his lawyer said softly. "He is angry but I know he cares for you deep down."
He said nothing and only nodded as he rested on his seat. The ride home was a blur, as soon as the car was parked he was let inside and guided to his room. "Your father said to contact me if you want to leave," his lawyer said as he entered his room.
"Thank you," he muttered as he fell on his bed. The lawyer nodded and closed the door to his room before leaving the house.
As soon as he heard the car leave he let out a sob. Blues. He let the emotions inside of him run as the tears fell down from his face. I've lost you twice, I'm sorry. I should've been stronger.
Clenching the blanket with his fists he let out a sob. "Blues I'm sorry." Anger and sorrow swam inside of him as he slammed his fist into the bed. If only we were stronger then you would be with me.
The next few days blurred together. He didn't eat much and mostly stayed in his room. Occasionally the house keeper or the family lawyer would check up on him but he didn't care, he honestly didn't feel like doing anything.
All he could think of was what he lost. Not only did he lose his job as vice ceo and his title as an official net battler but he lost the closest thing he considered a friend. Blues to him was more than a tool, deep down he was his best friend.
We should've trained harder. He sat at his desk and scoured the computer. The police had taken it as evidence and basically wiped it clean removing any traces of Blues that might have been left. I shouldn't have underestimated them.
The memory of Slur and Hikari Netto beating them repeatedly made him feel worse about himself. How could a normal citizen possess a navi like that? How could a boy with average grades beat a prodigy like him?
I should've won. I should've curb stomped them. Why did it turn out the way it did? What was I missing? He tried hard, sometimes spending many nights awake training and pushing his navi and himself to their limit. What were we missing?
He sighed as he sat in his chair and turned off the computer. There was a knock on the door before it opened. He turned around and saw his family lawyer accompanied by a family with spikey hair and goggles. The man wore a white lab coat over an orange shirt and black pants.
"Enzan this is your parole officer," his lawyer said. "His name is Meijin and he will be responsible for you."
"Nice to meet you," he said looking the man over.
Meijin smiled at him. "No need to be too formal. Here I got something for you."
To his surprise the man took out Blues' PET and handed it to him. He nearly grabbed it out of his hand as he realized what it was and hugged it close to him.
"Don't worry I'll deal with him from here," Meijin told the lawyer who bowed and exited the room. "Now then I have a proposition for you."
"What do you mean?" He asked looking up at the man.
Meijin smiled at him. "I'll help restore Blues for you."
He stared at the man in surprise. "Really?" He was taken aback by the offer, he wanted to say yes but also wanted to be cautious after all he didn't want to get his hopes up. "Why?"
"Because I know you are a good person deep down," Meijin said with a smile. "Now come on get a shower and get changed we have work to do."
Rockman landed on the internet next to Slur. "Alright guys Yaito-chan is in there we have to save here quickly," Netto said through his PET.
They were planning on visiting Yaito but apparently her house was being locked up by some unforeseen threat. Glide begged them for help saying some navi had taken over the main computer controlling Yaito's mansion and would soon kill her.
"Roger Netto-kun," he said before turning to Slur. "Come on lets go."
Slur nodded and followed him deeper into the computer. This is our first time working together. His stomach felt like a cage of butterflies had been released in it. While he and Slur had some practices together this would be their first chance working together in a critical situation.
Hopefully there is enough trust between us. He couldn't put his finger on it but something felt off about Slur. He knew she and Netto had a secret between them, a part of him was a bit upset at that but he knew that they had worked a lot together so naturally they would have some things between them.
Hopefully me and Netto-kun can get close too. I want us all to work together as friends and family. A few viruses appeared from around the corner, he blasted them with his blaster but a few managed to dodge and lunge at him.
Slur quickly summoned her chains and tore them to pieces. "Thank you," he said.
The female navi turned to him and nodded. "No problem lets go."
They continued deeper into the mainframe of Yaito's house and encounter more viruses. "Rockman Vulcan slot in!" Netto said. "Slur Canon slot in!"
He fired his Vulcan at the viruses taking them out alongside Slur. The female navi summoned a series of spears from the ground to clear the way. "Come on the main control room is this way," Slur said.
"Got it. Lets save Yaito-chan," he said.
Slur nodded. "Lets do this."
He had to admit Slur was strong, very strong. The female navi took out viruses with ease and during the few sparring sessions she never once broke a sweat. I have a lot to learn about being Netto-kun's navi but I'll prove my strength and show that I can protect him too.
Slur cut through some more viruses before entering the mansion's mainframe. Inside they found a large blue net navi with a turbine that covered most of his body.
"Halt!" He said pointing his rockbuster at the navi.
The navi turned to them and laughed. "Who dares interrupt me?
"Cease your activities at once," Slur said summoning a pair of swords in her hands.
The navi laughed. "I am Airman a proud warrior of gospel. You all shall meet your end and this house shall perish."
"Lets go guys," Netto said. "We have to save Yaito right away. Battle routine set!"
"Execute!" he and Slur said at the same time. It felt weird to say it, but it was fun they were a team and now this net navi would know their strength.
Airman turned to them and blasted a series of tornados at them. "Area Steal double slot in!" Netto said.
He and Slur were both teleported away from the attacks. Netto-kun only has so many battle chips, we'll have to be careful.
"Canon slot in Vulcan slot in!" Netto said.
Slur fired the Vulcan while he fired a canon. They managed to land hits on Airman who recoiled before blowing gusts of air at them. "I'll blow you both away!" Airman yelled as he blasted them with a powerful torrent.
He let out a yell as he was thrown back. His body nearly crashed against the wall but Slur grabbed him by with her chords. "Thank you," he said.
Slur nodded. Her legs were held tightly to the ground by her chords. "No problem. Netto-kun if you want to prioritize Rockman with the battle chips I can manage more independently than he can."
Netto appeared on the screen next to them and frowned. "Well alright but if you need anything I'll you too ok?"
Slur smiled. "I know but right now we need to save your friend. We can't afford to waste time."
For a second he saw the two of them exchange a glance as if having some internal conversation. He frowned and said nothing as Netto looked at him. "Alright come sounds good. Lets do this."
Airman fired another series of tornadoes at hem. He and Slur both dodged the attacks before Slur summoned a series of spears from the ground that stabbed at the enemy man.
"Super Vulcan slot in!" Netto said.
He fired the shots of the Vulcan at Airman. Each hit landing as Slur's spears held him in place. "Alright guys lets end this!" Netto said. "Rockman Long Sword slot in! Slur Water Sword slot in!"
Slur summoned some more chords as Airman tried to break free. The enemy navi was screamed as the chords pierced his body and was left wide open. He and Slur stabbed Airman with their blades just as more spears appeared from the ground. Airman screamed as he was logged out.
"Good job guys!" Netto said. "I'll quickly check on Yaito-chan."
He nodded and turned to Slur. "Thanks for helping."
Slur smiled at him and nodded. "No problem. Come on lets make sure there is no more damage."
He nodded and went to help Slur. This group named Gospel had been causing some trouble lately, this had been their first time fighting one of their navis though. "Slur what was it like fighting WWW?" he asked.
Slur turned to him, "It was an interesting task. Netto-kun is very brave and we managed to defeat them."
"I see," he said as he helped Slur with the repairs. "Slur I'm glad to be working with you."
"As do I," Slur said giving him a cautious gaze. "I know you were supposed to be Netto's navi but I hope to be able to work well with you."
"Well Netto-kun thinks highly of you so I hope we can get along," he said extending a hand.
Slur smiled at him and shook his hand. "I look forward to working with you too. I hope we can cooperate on many things."
He sensed something else in her words, something was definitely off about her he could feel it. Whatever it is I'm sure they'll tell me when they can.
AN: For you anime only people Shun/Sean Obihiro was the mastermind behind Gospel in Battle Network 2. I don't like how the anime handled Gospel and turned it into a filler arc so I decided to incorporate Shun along with some elements from Battle Network 2.
The problem with doing a lot of the anime's timeline is that there is a lot of filler so I'm cutting back on it and trying to make it more streamline.
As for Princess Pride I decided to go with her portrayal in the anime since she is mostly nice in all the games except for the second one where she is a bit dark.
For this arc I'll showcase Rockman and his relationship with Netto and Slur.
