Ch36

Netto winced as he rested on his bed. "Netto-kun are you ok?" Rockman asked.

He looked at the navi and nodded. "Yeah." A small smile spread across his face as he looked at the blue navi. I thought had a secret. I can't believe dad actually made him out of my dead brother's DNA.

The idea was both interesting and made him partially feel uneasy about sending him on all those missions. In reality, he accepted him just as always even if he was still processing it. But Rockman is still my friend. I'll accept him no matter what and we'll continue to help people together.

"Rockman thank you for trusting me," he said looking over at the blue navi. "I'm glad to have you as a partner and brother. I always considered you and Slur family, we've been through a lot and I know we can overcome these trials together."

Rockman nodded. He could see relief in his eyes, he didn't what it was like to hold such a secret but he was honored to be able to hold it for him.

"Thank you Netto-kun," Rockman said softly. "That means a lot."

"Well now that we settled that issue lets go back to the task at hand. Slur have you heard anything from Duo?" he asked.

Slur appeared on the computer screen and shook her head her brow furrowed. "I have not." "I may speak with him tonight to see what is happening. He was interested in the concept of cross fusion."

He scratched his head. "Wouldn't your creators have already discovered it?"

Slur shook her head. "We haven't seen something like cross fusion. The closes thing I've heard of is wave beings who can take over a host." She folded her arms as if contemplating a serious problem. "But no we haven't seen anything like cross fusion, at least anything that I can recall."

"Well that's interesting," he said. A part of him was surprised that cross fusion wasn't something that Slur and Duo have come across.

Slur nodded and looked up at him. "My lord loves bonds. He cherished the relationship between him and our creators." She shook her head as pain filled her eyes. "When he eradicated them for committing evil it hurt him dearly."

"E-Eradicated?" Rockman asked.

Slur shivered. "They did unspeakable things. My lord had to act less they corrupt him." She gripped her crest. "Since then our mission has been to destroy evil. He has done it many times, eradicating worlds with a snap of his fingers.

She snapped her fingers for effect before looking up at him. "Netto-kun if Nebula prevails it will end badly. The sooner we defeat them the better."

"Don't worry we won't let them," he said firmly. "We'll take them out soon."

Slur nodded. "We defeated a lot of their darkloids but they might get desperate. Anyway cross fusion is a curious phenomenon, it tests the bonds between the operator and navi. I know it would be something my lord would be interested in."

We'll prove Earth's worth one way or another.

He sat up and took out the synchro chips. The one from Scilab and the one he and Shun worked hard on. "We'll do whatever it takes to win." He gripped the chips tightly as he went up to his desk and took out the dual card reader. "We'll show your lord what we can do."

Slur smiled at him and nodded. "I know we can. Netto-kun remember how I mentioned if you want to tell Enzan I would allow it?"

"Y-Yeah." He scratched his head, a part of him had thought about telling him but Enzan wasn't exactly flexible. "I mean I trust him, but are you sure?"

Slur looked him in the eyes and nodded. "I am. I understand your hesitation but I think having him as an ally now would be more beneficial to us in the long run."

He sighed and nodded. "Fine I'll go send him a message." He quickly sent a message to Enzan to quickly come over, surprisingly the dual haired boy responded quickly. "Alright he'll be here soon."

A part of him was antsy at the idea, Enzan was many things and while he did trust him he knew that he was more grounded and by the book when it came to enforcing internet policy.

But he is a good person deep down. I know it. It wasn't even to admit, he still had a rivalry and slight dislike of him but it wouldn't be smart to make more enemies than he needed.

He looked at his navis. "Slur should we tell him what happened with asteroid Blues?"

Slur looked at him contemplatively but slowly nodded. "It might be eating him up but if you are ok with it I'm ok with it. After all he may want some closure."

"True," he muttered. I would too if something like that happened to me.

Rockman's PET buzzed. "Netto-kun a dimensional area has appeared near Scilab, Meijin-san asks that we along with Enzan take care of the darkloid."

He stood up. "Lets go."

He raced to the location as he thought of Rockman. I always did see him as family, though I do kind of regret for all the times I was too lazy around him. I'll be better. He looked up at the dimensional area in the distance. I'll be the best brother and operator for both him and Slur.

Charging at the dimensional area he gripped Rockman's PET and slammed into it. "Cross fusion!"

Landing on the other side of the barrier he could feel Rockman's energy coursing through him. Dad was genius, Rockman is not like any other navi. A hoard of viruses appeared in front of him, he quickly fired his blaster and deleted them. No matter what I won't let anyone harm those I love.

A flash of red destroyed the remainder of the viruses. Enzan, cross fused with Blues stood in front of him. "You made it."

He grinned. "Of course I did. Come on lets find the darkloid quickly."

Enzan nodded, seeing his blue eyes sort of made his heart soften for lack of a better term. He loved his navis dearly and if someone played with his feelings for them he would be distraught. If he didn't truly care for Blues he wouldn't be as successful nor would he be so good at cross fusion.

Watching Enzan defeat the viruses along their path with ease made him think of how different he was from when they first met. Yeah he is still a dick but he does care about others.

He fired his blaster as they burst through the abandoned factory. "Netto look out!"

A sharp object flew at him, Enzan pulled him away and summoned a shield on his arm. "Thanks."

Enzan assumed a fighting stance as a familiar woman stood in front of them cross fused with Needleman.

"Yuriko operator of Needleman," Enzan said. "You're wanted for various criminal activities."

The woman laughed. "You both are boys playing with what you don't understand." She pointed at him. "Hikari Netto you of all people shouldn't be one to accuse others of criminal activity."

His blood boiled. "Oh yeah? Am I the one committing cyber terrorism?"

"Don't listen to her," Enzan said as he stepped forward. "Nebula has twisted vision of the world, we'll take them down one by one."

He looked at Enzan and nodded. "Lets do this."

Yuriko fired a needle canon at them which Enzan blocked with his shield.

"Vulcan slot in!" Yuriko dodged the attack only to be met by Enzan's long sword. He fired a few more shots as they managed to push her back.

"Ijuin Enzan you fight against evil yet you yourself have your own dark troubles don't you?" Yuriko taunted as swung a needle at Enzan.

"Shut up!" The anger and sorrow in Enzan's voice took him by surprise.

Yuriko laughed. "No one is clean even you." She fired her needle canon knocking Enzan back.

"Enzan!" he went over to help him up, surprisingly his body was shaking. "Calm down don't let her get to you."

Enzan took a deep breath and shook his head. "Sorry we got off on the wrong foot back then."

He stared at him in shock but shook his head. "You have to apologize for, I'll explain later. Right now lets defeat her."

The dual haired boy looked at him with his clear blue eyes and nodded. "Lets do this Hikari."

Yuriko fired her needle canon at them. Enzan protected them both with his shield. "This ends here. Sword! Wide Sword!"

Can't have him do all the work. "Bubbler slot in!"

He quickly fired the attack, Yuriko dodged it but the area around her fizzled with bubbles that impeded her movement.

"Long sword slot in!" Energy enveloped Enzan as he raised his swords up high. A column of light lit up the area as the attack was brought down on Yuriko.

Smoke filled the air as he felt cross fusion end. Looking up he saw the dimensional area begin to break down.

"Quick get her!" Enzan yelled.

He swore as he saw a figure make a run for it. They were about to run after her but the building began to shake. "This place is collapsing lets get out of here!" Enzan yelled as he grabbed him by the arm.

Next time. They ran for the exit. Enzan pushed the door open and dragged him out just as the place began to fall on top of itself.

"Thanks," He sighed. Looking up he saw a helicopter fly off. "She got away."

"Don't worry we'll take care of her next time," Enzan said as he offered him a hand.

He nodded and accepted it. Looking into his eyes made him push the doubt out of his head, it wasn't easy due to their rivalry but he had to let him know the truth. "Um you know I was wondering if we could about something in private."

Enzan raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Sure. What's it about?"

He shifted, outside the overcast sky reminded him of the time they fought in the abandoned arcade. "It'll make sense when I tell you," he said. "It's about what happened during the N1 Grand Prix." The dual haired boy's eyes lit up and for a second he saw sorrow in them. "I think you should know what really happened."

Enzan didn't say anything but he nodded and followed him home. It was awkwardly silent, his heart raced in his chest as he thought of how he was going to break it to him, but he knew it was the right thing.

If he is still haunted by Asteroid Blues he should get some closure. As soon as they got to his house he lead Enzan to his room and locked the door and closed the blinks "You see there is something more that Nebula wants than just spreading dark chips," he said

"What do you mean?" Enzan asked.

He sighed before looking Enzan in the eyes. "They want to delete Slur. Dr. Regal has been targeting her specifically."

"Well she is strong," Enzan said. "It is only natural that they would want to delete her."

He shook his head. "No there is something more than that." Taking a deep breath he looked Enzan in the eyes. "They see Slur as a threat to their plans of world domination because she isn't a navi from this world."

There was a pause as Enzan stared at him, his blue eyes did not betray any emotions. "Not from this world? What do you mean by that?"

He looked Enzan in the eyes. "She is an alien net navi, sent here to watch and guide Earth and to judge it." Tracing the mark on his hand he took a deep breath. "Remember that murky dream of that other Blues?"

Enzan nodded pain spreading across his face. "I always thought it was a dream." The dual haired boy shook his head. "Something about it felt off, it looked like Blues but deep down I could tell it wasn't."

"Yeah that was not Blues," he said softly. "It was an asteroid navi meant to test me and Slur." He looked up at Enzan. "It played on your emotions for you to want to harm us. Me and Slur had to take him down as part of our test, to test our bond."

Enzan's face paled. "I'm so sorry. I knew something was off but my mind was clouded."

"Don't worry it wasn't your fault," he said firmly. "I don't know if it will happen again but me and Slur are determined to defeat any one who gets in our way. We won't lose to anyone."

Enzan looked up at him and the two looked each other in the eyes. "A part of me is skeptical about this but I trust you."

"Really?" He looked and Enzan in surprise. "You do?" A part of him was expecting Enzan to reject what he said and call him crazy before leaving.

Enzan nodded. "I do. I always felt something was off about those days, something was right or normal." Enzan shrugged. "Your words make sense even if they seem farfetched. Besides, you wouldn't lie about this and I'm grateful that you trust me despite everything we've been through. I don't know about aliens but I know you would never put the world in danger."

"Th-Thanks," he said.

"Who else knows?" Enzan asked.

"Just my dad and Shun," he said. "Please don't tell anyone, especially the Kifune-san and the net police. I want to respect her boundaries and don't want to see her exploited."

"I understand," Enzan said firmly before extending a hand. "I trust you'll take care of her."

He smiled and shook the hand. "Thanks." A wave of relief hit him, despite their past differences he was glad to have Enzan on his side.

"If people ask questions I'll do my best get them off of your back," Enzan said.

"I'll hold you up to that," he said.

"So this Duo is coming soon?" Enzan asked.

He shifted in his seat. "I'm not sure to be honest. He might come soon but don't worry me will make sure humanity is saved. Cross fusion will be key I know it."

Enzan sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Well I know you'll find some way. Anyway I'll let you know if Nebula does anything."

"Thanks," He said.

The dual haired boy smiled at him, a genuine smile full of gratitude. "Thank you Netto-kun." The sincerity in his words made him smile, those blues almost seemed to water in the light.

"Come on we have to be prepared for Nebula. We'll defeat them together."

Slur blocked Forte's swords with her own. The black navi was getting better, she could see it in his gaze but she wouldn't let him get the best of her.

Forte dodged one of her swords and leaped back and fired a beam of purple energy at her. She quickly dodged it and summoned her chains only to have Forte break them with his swords.

"Not bad," she said.

Forte landed in front of her his gaze hard as ever. Yet despite the madness for power he saw in them there was something else, a tiny shred of respect.

If I were careless around him I could meet my end. It was a thought she didn't want to make, Forte was a strong navi but he fought like a caged animal with the intelligence of a predator when he needed to.

"You could do so much on your own," Forte said. "Why do you fight with humans?"

She shrugged. "It is my duty."

Forte's brow furrowed. "Why do you follow humans? You could do so much better."

Looking into his eyes she couldn't help but see a bit of her old self in them. The old Slur who hated everything and wouldn't hesitate to kill on command.

I've come far from that. She looked Forte in the eyes. "I was once thought that way yet my experiences in life taught me a hard lesson."

"Oh and what is that?" Forte asked, his voice hiding condescension.

She met his gaze, and a smile spread across her face. "There is always a stronger predator out there and while being self sufficient is good having allies can form bonds can make you stronger."

Forte laughed coldly and shook his head. "Slur you know nothing. Humanity will betray you and toss you aside." The navi gave her a look so cold that it made her hairs stand up. "I experienced it myself. Humans will destroy those they see as a threat."

"Not everything is black and white," she said. "There is good and evil in everyone. Judgment will come for all one way or another." She didn't expect him to understand, not too long ago she wouldn't have either.

Forte snorted and turned around. "I don't need bonds. Trusting others will just bring you pain."

"Well be that way," she said. I pity you in a way. Too bad you never knew anyone like Netto. "Oh keep an eye out for Nebula."

Forte stopped and turned around. "Those lowly cretins are nothing but insects."

"Well even insects can sting," she said. "Trust me though there may come a time when Nebula is the least of our problems."

Forte turned around and their gazes met before the black navi leaped off the building and into the city.

The next morning after trying and failing again to triple cross fuse they decided to let Dr. Hikari look at the chip. Nettto's father examined it with a fine eye his brow furrowing. "This is really complex did you both do this?"

"I helped," She said frankly. "Obihiro-kun is very smart and helped put it together, we just want to make sure everything is ok."

As she explained the use of the chip Dr. Hikari nodded. "To cross fuse with two navis, I honestly never thought about that. I don't know what technology you know but this is pretty decent work, I'll fine tune it and give it back to you both."

Netto nodded. "Thanks dad."

"Don't worry it will be our secret," Dr. Hikari said. "Nebula has lost a lot of their darkloids and most of their chip making facilities are destroyed. I fear they may try something drastic."

A smile spread across her face. "We'll handle them, whatever they throw at us we can take." Netto and Rockman nodded in agreement.

We'll rid the world of this evil. Regal you will face the consequences of your crimes.