Ch28
Netto watched as Gorou Misaki continued to try and cross fuse. The older net savior was still trying his best but just couldn't seem to get it. There was a flash of light and for a second he thought he saw the procedure activate but in the end Gorou Misaki failed cross fusion.
"Sorry Netto-kun I just can't do it," Misaki said shaking his head his gaze looking downwards.
"Don't worry you will eventually I know it," Netto said. They've been practicing for a few weeks, constantly net battling and helping him get in sync with his navi Prismman. The progress was slow but he could feel it was there.
Shun who was next to him watching the procedure nodded. "You probably just need the right environment. Maybe if you find yourself in a high stress situation you would have better results? Sort of like a sink or swim approach."
"Maybe," Misaki sighed. "I've had Prismman for a few years now, we've fought together for a while. However, this net savior thing is our first major project." He avoided their gaze looking down at his PET. "I don't want to lose it."
"You won't," he said reassuringly. "I know you'll eventually master cross fusion. Don't give up I know you can do it."
Misaki gave him a small smile and nodded. "Thanks."
"This group Nebula they've been using dimensional areas to get their work done," Shun said as he went over to pick up a synchro chip and examine it. "I believe many more will have to master it in the future. The work you are doing now will definitely give the background for future net savior candidates. Whatever Nebula is after we have to stop them"
He nodded his stomach almost turning. It's Slur they are after. Deep down he couldn't shake that feeling, I'll protect her at all costs, they have dark chips and we have our bonds. I'll show them one way or another what happens when you mess with my navis.
The news that some green military navi tried to assassinate Slur and Rockman while he was asleep made him furious. We'll have to be careful and build allies.
"Netto-kun you have an urgent message from Mariko sensei," Rockman said.
"What is it?" He picked up his PET and looked at the email. "Netto-kun these people from Nebula kidnapped me, I'm stuck in a container by the port please help me." His eyes widened as he read each word. "Mariko sensei is danger!"
"Wait I'll go with you," Shun said discreetly pocketing the synchro chip. "You never know who you can face."
"I'll meet with you guys shortly I'll reports to Meijin quickly," Misaki said.
He nodded his heart racing in his chest. "Thanks guys."
Shun followed him as they ran out of Scilab and took a taxicab. "Do you think it could be a trap?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Could be but Mariko sensei has been good to me, I don't want to risk it."
"Netto-kun the email is not from her PET," Rockman said. "It appears it was sent from another PET."
"Could be that she was captured and is getting in contact with us through another or it could be a trap," Slur said cautiously. "Either way we must be prepared."
As soon as they arrived at the warehouse he opened the door and found it locked. "Plug in Slur!" Mariko sensei we are on our way.
Slur quickly unlocked the door from the network. Something isn't right. She eyed the network carefully as she entered the mainframe.
"Alright Slur we are in the building and going to look for Mariko sensei. Keep an eye on things there," Netto said.
"Fine but be careful," she said as she walked through the network. It's quiet, too quiet.
She carefully looked up at her operator and saw that he and Shun were going through the warehouse looking for his teacher. She helped him unlock some doors until they found their way to a room. "Slur can you open it?" Netto asked.
"On it," she said as she opened the door from the cyberworld. She found herself in another area of the mainframe, it was abandoned except for her.
"Mariko sensei!" Netto said from his PET.
She looked up as she saw her operator and his friend undo the bandages around his teacher just as a dimensional area activated. So it was a trap. However, what surprised her was the woman, she looked like her operator's teacher but she recognized the face. Oh no. She is one of Lord Duo's test subjects. "Netto it's a trap!"
However, movement in the distance caught her attention. "Screen Divide!" She summoned a wall of spears to block the attack as the masked navi appeared. Damn it we fell for it.
She summoned her light swords and blocked the masked navi's attacks. Damn it. This was a trap.
"It ends here Slur," The navi said coldly as she heard her operator scream.
She watched as Netto and Shun struggled with the fake teacher as she tried to overpower him. "Slur are you ok?" Netto asked as Shun tackled the woman to the ground.
"Don't worry about me cross fuse with Rockman," She said avoiding the attack. "This attack is well planned I want to be safe."
Netto gave her a worried look but nodded. "Be safe."
"I will." Her senses were on alert as she carefully scanned the area, her years of training were telling her something wasn't right.
The sound of a bullet caught her attention. She leaped backward as a bullet hit the ground where she was standing. "Looks like you have backup," she muttered as she summoned a barrage of chains to attack the black navi. Out of the corner of her eyes she detected the movement of a green navi. I'll deal with you in a bit.
"Slur Flashman and a group of viruses are here. We'll try to help as soon as we can. In the mean time Area Steal Slot in!" Netto said as he and Shun tried to fend off the fake Mariko.
She found herself teleported on the upper ledge not far from the green navi. Snapping her fingers she summoned a barrage of spears piercing the sniper navi who yelled in pain as he was pierced from the ground.
"Search Satellite!" The navi yelled just as the black one lunged at her from the ground.
She swore as two satellites appeared in the sky and fired beams at her. This navi also a military one. The way he watched an analyzed her and the way he took her attack wasn't like some civilian navi, Great just great.
Summoning her chains she gripped the satellites and sent them down on the navis. The green one took the hit while the black one just slashed it to pieces with his yellow sword.
She laughed. "You know it has been a while since I had a real challenge." She summoned her swords just as the green navi broke free of her spears with the help of his compatriot. I won't go all out yet but lets see what you both can do.
Meanwhile Netto was busy handling this fake Mariko with the help of Shun. "I won't give her to you," he yelled. He was cross fused with some viruses as he dodged an attack from Flashman.
"Surrender her if you know what's good for you," the woman said as she took out a synchro chip. "Synchro chip slot in!"
She has one too? He fired his blaster at a virus and dodged another attack from Flashman. Hang on Slur we'll get to you soon.
The woman was crossfused with her navi it looked needle themed. "Don't worry I can help," Shun said as he took out the synchro chip he had. "Synchro chip slot in!'
There was another flash of light, Shun's transformation was slower but he successfully merged with Freezeman. Shun's body was encased with dark blue armor with spikes made out of ice around his legs and arms.
Flashman sent a wave of lights at them
"Ice Wall!" Shun said as he summoned a wall of ice to block the attack. "Come on let's do this."
He nodded. "We don't know this woman's strategy we should work together."
Shun nodded. "Ice Floor!" His friend slammed his hand to the ground causing ice to envelop Flashman and the woman.
The woman swore and broke the icicles with her needles. "You fools have no idea what you are messing with."
"You're right you don't," he growled as he fired his blaster at her. "Anyone who hurts my friends and navis will regret it."
"Ice Tower!" Shun said as a tower of Ice hit Flashman. However, the woman leaped out of the way. "Oh no you don't. Amundsen Spear!" Shun fired a large shard of ice at her.
The woman swore as she fell to the ground. "You are a fool for keeping her," she spat before firing her spear gun at her.
"I got it!" Shun quickly summoned a wall of ice to block the attack.
"Canon!" he countered the attack and met her gaze defiantly. "No one hurts my friends and gets away with it. If you want her you'll have to go through me!
"Amundsen Spear!" Shun summoned a series of spears that impaled Flashman
Now one left. He watched as the woman broke the ice shard that pinned her to the wall. He fired his blaster at her but to his surprise, she leaped out of the window. "Oh no you don't!" He and Shun quickly followed her out of the warehouse but then the dimensional area began to close. He swore as cross fusion ended for him and Shun.
"She can't be far," Shun said as they raced to the back. As they arrived at the part facing the water the sound of a boat engine caught his attention.
"Damn it," He swore as he saw the boat carrying the woman speed off into the evening.
"She got away," Shun said. "We'll get her next time. "Lets support Slur."
He nodded as he looked down and saw Slur was still holding her own against the two net navis. "Rockman you and Freezeman help her!"
"Roger," Rockman said.
These insolent fools will perish. Slur summoned a barrage of chains and spears at her opponents. The green sniper navi was already on the ropes but the black one was still keeping up with her attacks and lunged at her.
"Rock Buster!"
"Amundsen Spear!"
The black navi recoiled while the green one got hit square in the chest with icicle and was logged out.
"We won't let you hurt Slur," Rockman said as he and Freezman stood by her sides.
"You are fools for defending her," The masked navi said. "If you wish I'll send you all to an early grace."
"Recovery slot in," a male voice said as Colonel recovered his energy.
The black navi stood firm as he pointed his sword at them. "I will make sure to end you here."
"I would like to see you try," she said coldly gripping her swords tightly in her hands.
It was then that she more movement from the corner of her eyes. "Earth Breaker!"
Her eyes widened as she saw another black navi draped in a brown cloak his arm crackling with energy as he brought it down on her enemy.
The masked navi swore as he blocked the attack. "Forte?" Rockman asked in confusion.
"Never mind we'll take care of him now," Netto said.
"Lets end this," she said as she summoned spears to pierce the enemy. Rockman and Freezeman assisted her firing their attacks. The masked navi swore as he was hit by all of them.
"I'll be back," He said before logging out.
Forte turned to her and Rockman his gaze hard. "Don't ever forget I'm the strongest navi and won't let anyone get in my way."
"Th-Thank you Forte," Rockman said.
She looked at the navi and nodded. "A pleasure seeing you again. I take it you want to fight?" Frankly she had the energy to but something deep down told her it was time to rest. Either Netto is rubbing off on me or I'm becoming less arrogant. She decided on the second option, if there was one thing she learned here it was humility. Navis can injure me and this mad dog escaped many people and lived on his own for ages.
"I'll come for you when I'm ready," Forte said turning around. "I want you to be at your strongest when you fight me. That way when I beat you I can prove to all that I'm the strongest navi."
A smile spread across her face. "I look forward to it." Looking into Forte's eyes she felt a warm spark deep down. A desire for some healthy competition in this world among other things. I think I understand another reason why Netto likes to fight.
