Ch35

Dekao threw the soda can into the trash with such force that it almost fell over. "Damn Netto thinks he is better than me," he grumbled as he walked down the street.

He was sick of it, of always being in his shadow of Meiru always praising him and looking up to him. Meiru should be looking up to me I'll show them. He had been training himself with ex WWW to get stronger and improve his net battling yet no one else could see it.

He thinks he is so great because he can crossfuse and helps people. I'll show him who is better. Exiting his house has he noticed a small package addressed to him. Upon opening the package he saw a strange chip in it with a note "If you want to show Hikari Netto who is stronger use this to cross fuse."

A smile spread across his face. "Ah yeah I'll show him who is boss now."

He stuffed the strange chip in his pocket and quickly headed over to find Meiru. I'll show her I can cross fuse too. A grin spread across his face as he arrived at the park and found his crush along with Yaito.

"Meiru-chan!" He yelled as he ran up to the girls. "Meiru!"

"Dekao what is it? We are busy studying," Yaito said with a frown.

He adjusted his sunglasses and took out the strange chip. "Look! A synchro chip just like Netto!"

The two girls looked at each other and back at him. "So?" Yaito said rolling her eyes. "Netto has one too and can already cross fuse with it."

He frowned. "I'm just as good if not better than Netto now! Meiru-chan now will you go out with me!"

Meiru shifted in her seat. "Dekao I don't know I'm busy with other things."

"What do you mean!" He yelled his blood boiling.

"Dekao calm down she isn't interested," Yaito said calmly.

"Grr," he clenched his fists glaring at the girls. It wasn't fair that she wouldn't repay him for his kindness, he was a good guy and in his opinion, he was as strong if not stronger than Netto.

The ground rumbled as a large dimensional area appeared around them. "What the hell?" He looked around in surprise as the park was surrounded by a dimensional area.

"Oh no!" Yaito and Meiru stood up. "Meiru call Netto right away."

"On it!" Meiru said, grabbing her PET.

"No!" he yelled. "I can protect you Meiru-chan."

He took out his PET and synchro chip. "Meiru-chan I'll show you that I can protect you just as well if not better than Netto!"

"Dekao stop fooling around this is serious," Yaito said as a hoard of viruses appeared around the park.

"Shut up!" He yelled. "I can do this!"

"Dekao please just wait for Netto to get here," Meiru said.

Her pleas made his blood boil. It isn't fair that she counts on Netto all the time. "Synchro chip slot in!"

A strange purple aura enveloped him. A strange power enveloped him, a power that made his blood run cold as his consciousness became more jaded. I'll save you Meiru-chan. His vision blurred as he saw Yaito and Meiru look at him with fear in their eyes. They both screamed and ran from him.

He wanted to scream and cry out to them but his mind was covered in a wave of darkness. Meiru-chan.

Netto looked at Shun's computer as his friend worked on the model for the chip. "Everything going alright?"

They were in the abandoned Gospel HQ. The building was mostly vacant though Shun still did have some of the equipment that was returned to him by Kifune-san in an effort to foster goodwill.

"Alright so far," Shun said. His friend was wearing goggles and other protective clothing as he worked on the synchro chip. "A bit tedious but I'm working through it."

He nodded when suddenly his PET started buzzing. "Netto-kun it's Yaito," Rockman said.

Upon answering the call he was greeted by his friend's frantic face. "Yaito-chan what's wrong?"

"Netto it's Dekao," Yaito said breathing heavily. "He used some sort of weird synchro chip and went berserk."

"What?" He stared at his friend in shock. "I didn't give him any synchro chip, what happened?"

"Dekao started bragging about how he was going to surpass you. He said he found the chip outside his house," Yaito stopped to regain her breath. "Then at the park a dimensional area appeared, he used it and went berserk."

He swore. Damn it Dekao what did you get yourself into? "Where is he now?"

Yaito's face paled. "A dark portal opened and he went through it. Netto he took Meiru with him."

His blood ran cold. "What?"

"Please save her I don't know where they could've gone," Yaito begged.

"Fine I'll do what I can," he said clenching his fists. Yaito nodded and ended the call.

"Netto do you need my help?" Shun asked.

He sighed. "No keep working on this. I'll call Enzan and Misaki."

Shun gave him a concerned look but nodded. "Alright let me know if you need anything."

"I will," he said looking down at Rockman. "Call Enzan and Misaki and alert them to the situation. You and Slur start tracking Meiru's PET right away."

"Got it," Rockman said.

He quickly ran out of the building and headed towards Scilab. Meiru-chan please be ok. "I didn't think Nebula would stoop this low," he said softly. "Meiru, she is innocent."

"Wicked people will do anything when they are desperate," Slur said from her PET. "Just be prepared it is definitely made to trap us."

He nodded. Nebula. I don't care what their issue with Slur is I won't let them get away with this. As soon as he arrived at Scilab he found Enzan and Misaki waiting for him.

"Netto-kun did something happen?" Misaki asked.

"Yeah my friend Meiru was kidnapped by a friend who is most likely being brainwashed by Nebula," he said looking at both of them. "Shun is busy can you both help out?"

Enzan looked him in the eyes and nodded. "Of course. Do you have any idea where she is?"

"Rockman were you able to trace her PET?" He asked.

"I did," Rockman said. "Her PET says she is out in the middle of the ocean not far from here."

"Come on I have a helicopter," Enzan said summoning his car.

"Thanks," he said as they quickly got into the car.

His heart raced in his chest as they got into the helicopter and flew off into the sky. "Her position isn't moving," Slur said.

"Damn Dekao I can't believe he did something so stupid," he said shaking his head.

"Don't worry we'll find her," Enzan said firmly.

He smiled at him. "Thanks."

"No problem. We are in this together," Enzan said. "I want to make things right with the world."

"What do you mean?" Misaki asked. "You are a great net battler."

Enzan sighed his gaze turning downward. "I once did something horrible against Netto and his friends, something I regret to this day."

A pang of guilt hit him. Yeah Enzan was a bit of a prick and a snob but it wasn't exactly his fault. "It's alright I uh forgive you," he said softly. "Things happen that are sometimes out of our control." Looking up he saw Enzan's blue eyes which for once did not have their usual pride in them. "I'm sure my friends will eventually forgive you too. We all make mistakes, you shouldn't dwell on the past."

Enzan gave him a small smile. "Thank you Netto-kun."

"You've also helped a lot of people," Misaki said. "I know your heart is in the right place."

Enzan nodded and gingerly held his PET in his hand. "When I lost Blues it was as if my world had gone dark." The dual haired both shook his head. "I honestly still have trouble remembering the details of what happened but I know it wasn't good."

He swallowed a lump in his throat. Would you even believe that the Blues you fought me with wasn't actually yours but created from an alien? Shifting in his seat he looked out the window into the water just as a voice came over the intercom. "We are approaching the coordinates."

"Is that it?" Misaki asked pointing to what looked like a medium sized tanker in the water. The ship had faded paint and no one on board. "Looks abandoned."

"Lets go," Enzan said. "Bring us in closer. When we get off stay close."

"Roger that," The pilot said as the helicopter flew close to the ship.

His heart raced in his chest as they got closer. Meiru-chan hold on. As soon as they were close enough the three of them leapt off the helicopter and onto the ship's deck.

"Netto-kun Meiru's PET is giving off signals from inside the ship," Slur said just as a dimensional area activated around them.

"Got it," he said eyeing the area cautiously.

"Well well look who came here," said a familiar voice. Turning around he saw his friend Dekao. His gaze was gaunt and his skin paler than before.

"Dekao you bastard what are you doing?" he yelled.

His friend laughed. "I'm showing you who is the better one of us." Dekao took out his PET and a weird synchro chip that looked like a dark chip mixed with a synchro chip..

"Dekao don't!" But it was too late. His friend put the weird synchro chip into his PET and let out a scream. In a flash Dekao stood in front of him cross fused with Gutsman. However, Gutsman's armor was tinted a dark purplish just like navis that use dark chips.

He clenched his fists and stepped forward. "Guys I got this. Go save Meiru."

"Are you sure?" Enzan asked.

He nodded. "I am. This is personal." Taking Slur's PET out he looked at his navi. She is down there, if there is a trap I know she can take care of it. "Can you help them find her?"

Slur looked him in the eyes her gaze calm. "I will if you want me to."

"I can handle things here," he said. "Slur I need you to find my friend and keep her safe." His navi looked him in the eys and nodded as if understanding his meaning.

He handed Slur's PET to Enzan. "She'll be able to help you I know it."

Enzan's eyes widened. "Netto."

He smiled at him. "Don't worry I have Rockman. Keep her safe ok? A lot of people want to get their hands on her."

Deep down he knew that Enzan wasn't a bad guy even if he was a bit of a prick. Right now they needed to defeat Nebula and he knew Slur would easily be able to fight through any trap.

Enzan nodded and took the PET his gaze firm. "I'll keep her safe."

"Appreciate it," he said as he took out Rockman's PET and his synchro chip. "Synchro chip slot in!"

In a flash of light, he was cross fused with Rockman. "Both of you go now!"

"Be safe Netto-kun," Misaki said as he and Enzan ran towards the door.

Dekao charged at him. "Guts Smash!"

He jumped out of the way, Dekao's attack rocked the boat and created a big hole in the ship. "Canon slot in!" He fired the cannon at his friend. Dekao was knocked back but still stood up.

"Dekao snap out of it!" He fire the canon again but Dekao only laughed and took the attacks.

"I'll show you who is better," Dekao said as he assumed a fighting stance his gaze maddening.

"What the hell is up with you and trying to prove you are better than me!" He activated his Rock Buster and fired it as his friend charged at him.

Dekao merely swatted the blasts away with his fists. "Guts Hammer!"

He jumped out of the way of the large hammer. "Vulcan slot in!" The sound of the Vulcan pierced the area as the attacks made contact with his friend. "Dekao please your my friend don't make me do this."

Dekao glared at him. "Everyone looks up to you it isn't fair. Meiru-chan always talks about you, even my younger brother cares about you!" Dekao hit the ship causing it to shake. "I'll end it here!"

Damn it this ship is old it can't handle this sort of action. "Electro Sword slot in!" He met his friend's gaze. Dekao's eyes had little sanity in them. Whatever they did to him they will pay.

He charged at Dekao. His friend's movements were wobbly, he didn't have this synchro chip for long and he wasn't used to cross fusion. His sword met Dekao's hammer. "Don't worry I'll save you," he said looking his friend in the eye.

"Vulcan slot in!" Activating the Vulcan on his other hand he fired it point blank at Dekao's crest. His friend yelled in pain as he was knocked back. "I never thought less of you and neither did Meiru but you can't do this, please come to your senses."

Dekao screamed. "Guts hammer!"

He jumped out of the way and fired his blaster. "Come on snap out of it!"

Dekao's body tensed in Gutsman's armor. "It isn't fair, why does everyone prefer you? I'm nice and yet Meiru won't give me the time of day, even my own brother looks up to you more."

"Respect is earned you can't force it. I'm sure your brother loves you and Meiru even if she doesn't see you in that light cares about you too," he took a deep breath. "Come on Dekao, please fight it."

His friend screamed and charged at him with his fists. "Guts punch!"

He swore. "Area steal!"

Dekao hit the side of the ship with his fists making it shake. I have to stop this now. Teleporting to the side he fired his blaster at his friend. Sorry Dekao I really am.

"Grr you think you're better than me!" Dekao growled as he stumbled back from the shots.

"Bubbler!" He fired the bubble round square in his friend's insignia. His friend screamed as the attack made contact and fell to the ground as his transformation was terminated.

He looked down at his friend whose unconscious body was shaking on the ground. "I'm sorry Dekao, I'll do my best to help you."

As the dimensional area dissipated his own transformation ended. Meiru-chan.

Slur worked with Blues and Prismman to defeat Shademan. This navi is evil. I've never met something this vile in a long time.

Most of Shademan's viruses were deleted leaving the vampire navi on his own against the three of them.

This bastard is quick. But I'm quicker. She blocked his claw with a sword before kicking him back. Snapping her fingers she summoned spears to hold off the hoards of viruses coming at them.

Shademan flew through the cyberspace launching a series of sonic booms at them.

He's trying to put pressure on us. Too bad he is still too slow. Shademan dived at her and she blocked his claw with her sword. She went on the offensive, the darkloid dived back as she swung her sword and chopped off a few fingers.

Shademan seethed as Blues slashed at Shademan causing the darkloid to leap into the sky.

Oh no you don't. Summoning her chains she ensnared the navi and electrocuted him. "Blues lets end this now!"

Blues nodded summoning a sword in his hand. Using her own light sword the two of them charged at Shademan and pierced him in the chest just as her spears pierced him from the ground.

The vampire navi howled as he was deleted. "Good job," Blues said extending a hand.

She nodded and shook it. "Likewise. Is Meiru secured?"

Enzan's face appeared on a screen next to his navi. "Don't worry she is safe. Do you mind helping us clean up the mess on this ship? We shouldn't let these dark just roam around."

"No problem." Dark chips disgusted her, just being in their presence made her want to destroy something. "I'll gladly help you get rid of them."

Blues nodded and with that, they both proceeded to find and destroy the remaining dark chips on the boat along with saving some evidence for the police. It was weird working with Enzan and Blues but a part of her was warming up to them, even if she didn't want to admit it.

The next few hours were intense as Netto's friends were hospitalized. With Shademan gone Nebula lost one of their best agents and despite everything they managed to defeat Nebula at their own trap.

"The fight was close thank you for the support." Blues did a small bow.

"No problem. Shademan was an evil navi, the world is better off without him." She watched as her operator talked with his friends in the hospital. "You and your operator are pretty close, you both fight well together."

Blues nodded. "Enzan-sama is everything to me. I will make sure he isn't harmed."

"We all want what is best for our operators," she said. "To make this world a better place for them." Looking up she saw Dr. Hikari doing his best to help rebuild Gutsman, the care, and precision in his eyes as he hunched over the computer made something inside of her stir.

There is so much here that I don't know, good and bad. I never would've thought humans could be so complex.

That night as she watched over Netto's PC she noticed Rockman pacing his brow furrowed. "Rockman what's bothering you?"

The blue navi scratched his helmet anxiously. "Slur I want to tell him."

She raised an eyebrow. "You mean about your secret?"

Rockman looked up at her his gaze determined. "Yes. Dr. Hikari said I could do it when I feel ready and I do."

"Well you have my support," she said. "I never had in choice in what I did, all I did was to serve my lord."

Rockman frowned. "But you've been making your choices all along."

"In a way yes," she sighed as she looked down at her hands. Her heart weighed heavy as she thought of all the ways she had changed since meeting Netto. "To be honest my own will was to serve Lord Duo and even though I could have bits of agency I always followed him."

"But you are here now." Rockman came up to her. "Slur you should make the choices that make you happy and follow your own desires."

A small smile spread across her face. "I'll try to. Now come on lets practice on what you'll say to Netto."