Ch34

Barrel frowned as he sat across from Regal and Wily while Yuriko sat silently next to him. "They still are managing to hold off Nebula," Yuriko said. "Those darkloids and dark chips haven't been much help and they out number us in users who can cross fuse."

"The numbers mean nothing," he said firmly. "Hikari Netto is a child, a foolish one at that. I could take him given the right opportunity."

A bright boy. It's a shame he has been deceived by the devil. Pity was something he rarely felt yet he would not let it getting in the way of the world's safety. I will defeat him and delete Slur if it's the last thing I do.

Regal nodded. "I don't doubt it. But Slur is very cunning, who is to say she won't come up with a strategy to defeat you." The scientist clenched his fist. "That brat and his allies have managed to fend off all we throw at them."

"We have to try another tactic," Wily said. "He values his friends and allies. Perhaps we can turn them against each other?"

"Divide and conquer that does sound good," he said folding his arms. "How do you suggest we go about that?"

A smile spread across Regal's face that made him unnerved. "By this," Regal took out a chip he assumed was a dark chip but instead looked like a synchro chip. "I present the dark synchro chip."

"What can it do?" Yuriko asked curiously.

Regal smiled. "It allows for cross fusion with the power of the dark chip. Things such as bonds are not required when using it. It can corrupt the user just like a navi."

"You think they would be foolish enough to use them?" He asked. "Obihiro Shun and Ijuin Enzan are both intelligent, I doubt they would be fooled easily."

"Hikari Netto has other friends he cherishes dearly," Wily said. "My old acquaintances in WWW have taken one of them under their wing, apparently this friend is tired of being in his shadow. All it could take is the right push."

"Well if it can take down Slur I don't care what we do," he said. As much as he hated to involve innocent people it was worth the risk. Earth will perish if Slur gets her way. Duo won't hesitate to destroy this planet. I must stop them at all costs.

"So we'll plan this operation well," Yuriko said. "Regal can you manage the darkloids? Perhaps encourage them to target Slur more?"

"I can," Regal said. "Shademan in particular wants revenge against her it won't be hard to convince him and the others to go after her."

He nodded. The darkloids could be vicious when they put their mind to it. As much as he disliked them and found Shademan repulsive the current crisis required all of the help he could get.

"Good. Lets act fact," he said looking at an image of her on the board. "The last thing we need is for Slur and Duo to start acting against us." They all nodded their faces tense. I will save this planet from them no matter what.

Netto sat next to Shun as they looked over the blueprint Slur and Rockman put together. "Looks good," he said looking over the details which were a bit too complex for him.

Slur nodded. "I also made suggestions on how to upgrade both of your PETs to better suit the needs of Cross Fusion." His navi pulled up a file of design plans that showed how to better modify the PET.

"It all looks great," Shun said analyzing the details intently. "The modifications to our PETs could be done easily but this new synchro chip won't be easy to make."

"I figured so," he said folding his arms. "Could we do it though?"

Shun looked at him and nodded. "We can it would just take time. I could use some of my old equipment from my Gospel days to make it."

"Great appreciate the help," he said.

"No problem. Nebula obviously knows more about Slur and her creator than they let on," Shun said as he looked over the blue prints. "I'll do the work in secret, it shouldn't take a while but if they hirer stronger opponents we'll need all the help we can get."

"True," he muttered. The memory of yesterday's fight with Colonel and his operator still made his blood boil. She isn't evil. I'll stand by her and defeat them. He would show them one way or another.

"Oh Netto-kun dad sent a message," Rockman said. "He wants to show you another visitor at Scilab who apparently is going to help on the dimensional areas."

"Let him know I'll be there shortly," he said. Hopefully he isn't as bad as the last guy he tried to introduce me to.

"I'll go check on my old equipment to see what I can salvage," Shun said standing up in his chair. "Then if I can I'll start working on it. Be safe."

"I always am," he said as he got up and grabbed his PETs.

As soon as they left his house they went their separate ways. He was heading towards Scilab when he noticed a familiar figure approach him. "Yo Netto lets battle," Dekao said.

He did his best to not roll his eyes. "Not now Dekao I have to go help my dad." His friend was wearing a pair of black glasses and a black leather jacket that didn't hide his weight. What is with you and trying to always one up me these days?

"I get it you're a chicken," Dekao said pointing an accusatory finger at him.

"No I am busy and have better things to do goodbye," he said before activating his rollerblades and skating off while his friend yelled at him.

"My god what is with him? He's been acting like this ever since he got back," he muttered. "Even having ex WWW be his mentors."

"Maybe he just wants to hang out with you and is upset that you are always busy?" Rockman suggested.

"I don't know," he sighed. "He honestly is starting to get on my nerves a little but hopefully this wannabe gangster phase of his goes away soon."

As soon as he arrived at Scilab took a deep breath and entered the building heading towards his father's office. "Hey dad!"

He walked inside and saw his father talking to a man with long black hair and a lab coat. "Hello Netto this is a colleague from overseas Dr. Regal."

He froze his heart stopping as the man turned to him. Regal only had one eye but the look in it sent shivers down his spine. "Ah you must be Hikari Netto, a pleasure to meet you." The man's voice was as cold as a snake and his eyes was anything but friendly

Swallowing the lump in his throat he nodded and did a small bow. "Likewise." Oh god he is the one, the other disciple Duo chose. His palms began to sweat and as much as he wished he could be optimistic that it was just a coincidence the look in the man's eyes was more than enough to let him know that this was the Regal Slur told him about.

"Well then Dr. Regal lets continue our tour," his father said. "Netto lets show him around."

He swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded. A shiver went down his spine as he walked next to his dad. What could he want? A million thoughts ran throughout his mind but all he could focus on was forcing himself to walk and try and not appear to suspicious.

"Here is where we keep our dimensional areas," his dad said as they entered the main part of the laboratory. Inside they found a few scientists working on the computers.

Regal nodded and looked around the room in approval. "I've heard you made great progress with cross fusion. How many people can perform it now?'

"Four," his father said. "My son was the first to do it with his navi Slur."

His heart stopped. Regal froze as he looked at one of the dimensional areas they captured. "I see." Dr. Regal turned to him his gaze hard. "Tell me Hikari Netto what do you think of cross fusion? About the bonds that bind a human and a net navi?"

He swallowed a lump in his throat as his palms became sweaty. "It is through teamwork that we can overcome anything." His body was shaking but he forced himself to look Regal in the eyes. "Anyway is capable of forming a bond with another person under the right circumstances."

Regal chuckled. "Is that so?"

He nodded. "Yeah I believe so. Me and my navis have fought a lot of opponents and through our teamwork we have been able to defeat our enemies."

"Enemies. The world sure does have a lot of them," Regal said as he looked out the window in the sky. "Some of them are threats mankind cannot comprehend." The doctor turned to look at him, a flicker of malice passed over his eye. "Some are threats that involve the entire planet."

The sound of an alarm snapped him out of his thoughts. "A dimensional area has been activated," A voice said over the intercom. "Incoming darkloid. All staff retreat to the bunker."

"Dr. Regal come on the bunker is this way," His father said. "My son can take care of this."

"Can he now?" Regal smiled at him. "Good luck Hikari Netto."

He frowned at the man as he and his dad left the room. "Netto-kun this may be a trap use me," Slur said her voice a mixture of frustration and worry.

"Got it," he said grabbing her PET and his synchro chip. "Slur is it really him?"

His navi furrowed her brow and nodded. "It is. He is a snake be careful. I doubt he'll go directly after you dad, we have to outmaneuver him somehow."

He nodded. "Synchro Chip Slot in!"

In a flash he was cross fused with Slur. Snapping his fingers he summoned some chains. to delete the viruses that appeared around the room.

He heard a crackle of electricity around him and quickly leaped out of the way of a lightning bolt. "HAHAHA Nebula shall win!" Said a small electrical-themed navi. "I am Sparkman. Sorry little boy but your time is up."

"We'll see about that," he said as he summoned chains to attack the navi. Sparkman quickly dodged his attacks and headed for the dimensional area generator.

So that's your target. He snapped his fingers and summoned a wall of spears around the generator.

Sparkman swore as he fired a lightning bolt after lightning bolt at it but to no avail.

Lets end this. He summoned his light swords and charged at the darkloid. Sparkman summoned an electro sword to block his attack and the two began to exchange blows.

The darkloid was quick and was barely keeping up with his swords. Using his light sword he blocked the attack just as he summoned some spears from the ground.

Sparkman leaped into the sky to avoid the spears. "Those can't stop me!"

"Well lets try this!" He summoned his chains in the air.

Sparkman was taken by surprise as he was captured and electrocuted. Lets end this. He lunged at the darkloid with his sword and plunged it into his chest. Sparkmand cried in pain as he was logged out.

Landing on the ground he noticed the viruses were gone but the dimensional area was still up. Are there more opponents? His blood ran cold as he looked around the room. Dad I have to find him!

He was about to run when the sound of glass breaking caught his attention. Looking in the distance he saw a needle fly at him. "Damn it," he swore as he rolled out of the way.

Cross Fusion Needleman landed on the ground in front of him with a needle pointed at his throat. "This ends here," She said coldly.

He summoned his light swords. "You know I think we should."

She charged at him with a large needle. He blocked her attacks trying to find an opening. "I won't let you hurt Slur or anyone else," he said through gritted teeth as he blocked her needle.

"Foolish boy she is nothing but evil," Yuriko said as he fired a needle at him.

He blocked the attack and summoned a series of spears which she easily avoided. "Like you're one to talk, I won't listen to an agent of Nebula."

"At least Nebula won't destroy the world," Yuriko said as she fired her needle blaster at him.

"Barrier!" he blocked the attack and countered with his chains. Yuriko was thrown back against the wall but she stood up defiantly. "I won't let you hurt her or anyone else again."

"Netto!" He turned around to see Enzan run through the door cross fused with Blues. "You alright?"

He nodded. "Hey I have a favor to ask you?"

They both cornered Yuriko with their weapons drawn. "What is it?" Enzan asked.

"Watch over her I need to get to my dad," he said.

Enzan nodded. "Go ahead I got her."

Yuriko's eyes widened as she lunged at him but was blocked by Enzan. "Go Netto!"

He nodded and raced through the hallway. Dad be safe. His heart raced in his chest as he glided through the hallway defeating any virus that cross his path until he made it to the emergency shelter. He pounded on the door. "Hey is my dad in there?"

A voice came over the intercom door. "He and Dr. Regal never entered."

His blood ran cold. "Wh-What?"

He heard a shuffle from the other side. "Dr. Regal said that he wanted to check something with the dimensional area and left with your dad. We haven't heard anything from them."

No. "Where did they go?" He yelled.

He heard mumbles on the other side of the door. "I heard them go upstairs," one man said.

Dad be safe. He quickly turned and ran towards the stairs. Using all of his energy he made it to the top and kicked the door down.

"Dad!" He yelled as he entered the rooftop.

Looking around he paused at the sight of a figure on the rooftop. Dr. Regal had his dad bound and gagged while resting against the edge of the building.

"I wouldn't move if I were you," Dr. Regal said as his dad tried to make words through the gag around his mouth. The scientist pulled a small knife out of his pocket. "One wrong step and I'll cut his throat and let him fall"

"Regal you bastard," he spat ready to summon his weapons. "Let him go!"

Dr. Regal laughed. "Foolish boy there is a greater evil and you have her with you." His dad gave him a confused look. "I know about Slur and what she is really after. So how about this, give her to me and I'll take care of her, or else your father takes the fall."

He gritted his teeth as a cold breeze passed by him. Netto-kun don't listen to him this man is pure evil," Slur's voice reverberated throughout his head calming him down. "With my power you can save your father. Do you trust me?"

Swallowing a lump in his throat he slowly nodded. Of course I do.

"Then let's defeat this fool," Slur said.

"I'll give you to three," Regal said resting his hand on his dad's shoulder. "One."

He stepped forward one hand on Slur's insignia and the other at his side. "Nothing funny now. Two," Regal said.

Looking at his dad his mind raced on how to prevent him from falling. "Here you go," he said snapping his fingers.

Regal's eyes widened as the chains enveloped his dad holding him in place. "Why you little-"

He cut the scientist off with a slash of his light sword, grazing his arm. Regal barely got out of the way and leaped onto the edge. "This isn't over Hikari Netto!"

His eyes widened as Dr. Regal leaped off the side of the building. "Wait!' he yelled just as he saw Needleman break through a window and catch him. Damn it. The dimensional area dissipated as the two got into an unmarked car and drove away.

"Dad!" He quickly ran over to his father's unconscious body. "Dad!" Tears fell down his face as he hugged him.

His mind blurred as a hospital was called. He didn't leave his father's side as he was brought to the hospital.

"Netto-kun," Slur said softly.

"What is it?" he asked as he watched his father's face. The paramedics said he would be ok but right now he wanted to get back at Regal for all that he did.

"You can tell him," Slur said.

He was so shocked he did a double-take and looked down at his PET. "What ?"

Slur looked him in the eyes. "You can tell your father and if you trust him, Enzan."

He didn't know how to react but he slowly nodded. "Thank you. Are you sure though?"

Slur nodded. "Your father is a good man, just explain my boundaries. As with Enzan, he is making an effort to reconcile if you trust him you can tell him."

"Thank you," he said softly. Taking a deep breath he winced as tears formed in his eyes. He didn't know how he would do it but he wanted to tell his father the truth along with keeping Slur's privacy.

His mind raced on what to do as he stayed by his father's side. How would he say it? Hey dad Slur is actually an alien sent by a being who may want to destroy the world. But hey there were weirder things in this world.

He stayed by his father's side as the doctors took a look at him. Luckily his father didn't sustain too much damage. After an hour of watching his father rest in bed he stirred.

"Dad!" He quickly went to his father's side. His dad opened his eyes and smiled at him. "Netto I'm glad you're safe what happened."

He cleaned the tears from his eyes before explaining what happened. His father listened calmly as he finished explaining what had happened. "Also there is one more thing I want to talk to you about," He said softly. "But it has to stay in the family for now."

"What is it?" His father asked.

"It's about Slur," he swallowed a lump in his throat. "She isn't really a navi from around here, she is an alien net navi." The words came out of his mouth easier than he thought, surprisingly his dad didn't laugh or call him crazy.

"An Alien?" His father raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

He took a deep breath and explained what had happened, all about Slur and Duo and their mission to prove humanity's worth.

His father remained silent the entire time but his gaze showed understanding. "And that's that," he said.

His heart raced as his father nodded. "I believe you."

"Y-You do?" He asked.

"I do," his father said. "She always seemed special, I doubted a regular person could make her."

He smiled at his dad, he felt as if a weight had been lifted off of his chest. "Thanks dad. That means a lot. Please don't tell anyone, Slur doesn't want to be an experiment."

"I won't," his father said firmly. "I'll respect her boundaries. As much as I would like to take a look at her, I will respect her wishes unless she gives me permission."

His father sighed and rested in the bed. "Nebula. So I guess the net police aren't their only target."

He nodded. "Don't worry we'll defeat them." Looking down at his PETs. "No matter how hard I try I'll fight harder."

Slur watched as Dr. Hikari recovered, the scientist was sipping some coffee as he listened to her. "Anyway, that is how I would personally modify the dimensional area to make its core stronger." She folded her arms. "Your programming was superb but strengthening the core will make for a more reliable flow of power."

Dr. Hikari nodded. "Wow that sound like a reasonable theory. I have wanted to make improvements to our core structure. Frankly some of our networks are outdated and could be upgraded."

Yeah they could. "Your work is interesting, not as sophisticated as what I am used to dealing with but still intriguing."

"Was your world much more advanced than ours?" Dr. Hikari asked.

"In some ways yes in some ways no." She traced her insignia. "My creators eventually succumbed to their own evil and greed."

"I see. That's unfortunate," Dr. Hikari said. "Thank you for sharing your information with me, I understand you wish it to be secret. You have my word that no one will harm you and what you share with me won't be used for malice."

"Thank you. You are as bright as Netto says. He looks up to you a lot." Feeling her insignia a wave of relief hit her, talking with Dr. Hikari was strangely entertaining. The man asked good questions and she had to admit he made for good conversation.

Dr. Hikari smiled. "Thank you. All I do is for my family. I want to make the world a better place for them." The scientist rested in the hospital bed and looked up. "I would do anything to protect them."

The sincerity in his voice made something stir inside of her. She could feel how much he loved and cared about his family just as much as he cared about his work. Netto is really lucky to have a father like him. I never thought I could have a conversation with such a person on this planet.