Ch39

Slur stood solemnly in her PET. It is done. Nebula is defeated.

The aftermath of the fight was swift. Dr. Regal, Yuriko, and Barrel were taken away by police. Netto and his allies had been busy helping clean up and making sure everything that was owned by Nebula was confiscated while all the remainder of those dark chips were thoroughly destroyed.

Yet despite all that. Something isn't right I can feel it. An uneasy sensation spread throughout her body, every fiber of her being was telling her to be prepared.

Netto. Rockman. We've been through a lot together. I would be lying if I said you both didn't mean anything to me. She winced and took a deep breath. For the first time in her life she had people that looked after her, she had a family.

The familiar sensation of her lord hit her. She winced and took a deep breath. "Lord Duo what is needed?"

"Slur what happened?" Duo asked his voice barely holding back anger. "That dome around the Earth and that sensation of evil. What do you have to say?"

She took a deep breath. "Those traitors have been punished and their evils eradicated." She still was proud at the fact, as her lord required it she would destroy all evil.

"Slur now is the time for your final test," Duo said his voice solemn.

She looked up, her body shaking. "M-My lord-"

Duo cut her off. "Such evil happened here on this planet and you took care of it. I believe now is time for you to report to me personally."

Her body shook as she fought the desire to tear up. "My lord I will do as you command." Her voice was calm and hollow, she feared the repercussions.

"Fear not Slur. I know you are down you are loyal," Duo said his voice reverberating throughout her body. "You have changed. I am curious to know why."

"Forgive me sir," She said softly her body shaking. Changed. She had to admit she did change, even if she didn't want to admit it anymore, the time she had here along with the bonds she made had made her different.

Duo laughed. "Change isn't always bad Slur. Evil can become good and good can become evil. I am proud that you are changing if it is for the good."

She took a deep breath and cleaned her eyes. "Thank you sir." I hope my change is pleasing unto you.

"Eradicating evil is my job," Duo said. "You have been my herald for many years. I am pleased that you are discovering happiness."

She didn't know how to respond to his words. Her happiness was never a priority, her duty was to serve her lord and while she did have joy in it she always considered it a part of her duty.

"I believe you have discovered agency," Duo said. "You have made me proud. For now a warning, your final test shall arrive soon."

Her eyes widened as she slowly nodded. "Understood sir."

As soon as the connection with her lord had ended she let the tears fall. It will end soon. The memories of her time here passed through her head. I've been through so much and changed. I am still his loyal discipline but I also am the net navi of Hikari Netto a title I am also proud of.

She discreetly left her PET and the PC and quickly flew through the internet. The lights of Net City flashed beneath her as turmoil fought inside of her.

Landing on a rooftop she rested on the edge and looked over the city. How could I leave them? She winced at the thought of Netto in despair over her. Lord Duo's commands are absolute I can't just disobey him.

She never had the choice before, it was always to follow and obey. Duo was the only person that mattered to her, his orders were absolute and she happily ordered them.

But now I have a bond with Netto and Rockman. Her insides turned. How could I chose one over the other?

Of course there was the idea that maybe Duo didn't like Earth and decided to enact his judgement on it. Worse case scenario I can beg him to spare Netto and Rockman.

Who am I fooling they would never agree to that? She shook her head, her mind trying to figure out something. I can convince him it will be the hardest thing I've done in my life.

Thinking of Netto and Rockman she looked up at the sky. She had never fought for anything she wanted before but if she were to be in front of her lord she would argue for them, for Earth with all of her might.

My lord you spoke of agency. Then with my agency I wish to convince you that Earth is worth preserving.

Cleaning her eyes she heard the flutter of a familiar cape. Turning around she saw Forte staring at her.

"What is wrong?" The black navi asked.

She sighed and got up. "Personal issues."

"Let me guess did the humans finally catch on and decide to kill you?" Forte asked.

She frowned. "No nothing like that. Earth may soon face another threat." Looking up at the black navi an idea came to her. "By chance do you know how to materialize in a dimensional area?"

Forte snorted. "Why would I need to?"

Looking up at the sky a shiver went down her spine at Duo's last words to her. "There may be a threat coming. If you really want to prove your strenght a strong being will come sooner or later."

The two looked each other in the eyes. Forte slowly nodded. "Fine. I'll see what this threat is. Humans are so pathetic to think that they can defeat things by themselves."

"Humanity has learned to work together to achieve their goals," she said. "Anyway it would be nice to see you again. If I don't goodbye."

As she turned around she swore she saw sorrow in Forte's eyes, the type of sorrow of a friend leaving.


Netto only had to look at Slur to know that something was wrong. "Did Duo talk to you?"

Slur avoided his gaze. "Our judgment may come sooner or later." Her voice was soft almost melancholy.

His heart sank. "I see." He never thought it would come this quick.

"What kind of judgment will it be?" Rockman asked.

Slur's gaze became downcast. "The judgment of whether Earth is worth or not. With all that is going on between WWW and Nebula, I don't know how my lord will take it."

"Oh," Rockman said. "But we defeated them. Won't that make us look good?'

Slur sighed. "It may or may not. Even I cannot always assume my lord's will. Netto-kun we should be prepared for whatever is to come. I'm sure we'll have another trial sooner or later."

He rubbed his head his mind racing on what to do. "We'll through it one way or another." Hopefully whatever it is we can overcome it.

"Oh Netto-kun Meijin-san sent an email about a meeting with the other net savers," Rockman said.

He sighed. "Fine lets go."

It was overcast outside as he made his way to Scilab. His heart raced in his chest as a cold wind brushed past him. Duo what exactly are you planning. Anticipation slowly was building up inside of him as he brainstormed on what exactly was going to happen.

If this is really the end what will happen to us? His heart sank as he thought of Slur. He didn't want to leave, she was his navi and more importantly his friend.

When he arrived at the meeting room he found Kifune and Meijin sitting at the head of the table while his father, Shun, Enzan, and Gorou Misaki sat on the sides.

"Hey sorry I'm late," he said as he sat down next to Shun.

Kifune nodded his gaze rigid. "No problem. With Nebula defeated, we have been destroying the remainder of the dark chips along with rounding up the last of Nebula's agents."

"Has Wily been caught?" Shun asked.

Meijin shook his head. "He has disappeared but Yuriko and Barrel are currently in custody."

He felt Kifune's gaze turn to him. "Netto-kun while in custody they spoke about you."

His posture stiffened. "Wh-What do you mean?"

Meijin turned to him. "Netto-kun by chance do you know why they would be so interested in Slur?"

The atmosphere in the room shifted as he felt both of them focus their gazes on him. "I don't know and don't care," he said firmly. "But they along with anyone else who wants to get their hands on either of my navis will suffer the consequences."

The tension thickened as he met their gazes. Luckily his father cleared his throat. "Kifune-san my son and his navis fought hard these past few months against Nebula, it is obvious that Regal and his henchmen would have a grudge against him."

"That maybe true," Kifune said. "However, the man Barrel is a decorated soldier and an honorable man. How could he work with an organization such as Nebula?" Kifune shook his head. "What is going on with Slur? What exactly are you two hiding?"

He clenched his fists but Shun placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "Kifune-san I'm sure the Hikari family isn't hiding anything," Shun said. "They've been nothing but helpful in fighting Nebula."

Enzan nodded. "I agree. Netto has done a lot to help us we shouldn't question them. Netto has a right to keep his own private life and what he does with his navis is his own thing."

He breathed an internal sigh of relief. Thanks guys. Frankly, he had enough to worry about at the moment and he didn't want Kifune and Meijin sticking their noses into his business.

His father nodded. "I know Slur well and know that my son trusts her with his life. As for how my son modified that synchro chip, I helped them. Now I think we should focus on more pressing issues."

Kifune frowned but nodded. "Fine. We'll focus on-"

The ground shook as the sound of screaming outside made them all stand up. Manabe burst into the room. "Kifune-san viruses!"

They looked out the window and saw various viruses outside terrorizing the city. "Impossible there is no dimensional area!" Kifune said.

His heart raced in his chest as he looked up at the sky and saw a large comet. He swallowed his body shaking as he stared at it. Our test is here.

"Meijin-san fire up the dimensional area we'll take care of them," Shun said.

"On it. Everyone move out!" Meijin said.

As they ran out Enzan and Shun stopped him. "Netto does this have to do with Slur?" Enzan asked.

He sighed and nodded. "It does. Consider this our trial."

"We'll help you," Shun said firmly.

Looking at both of them he nodded. "Thanks. I'll have to face her boss now, can I trust you guys to take care of things down here?"

Enzan nodded. "Don't worry do what you have to do."

"Thanks." Upon exiting the building they found Gorou Misaki already cross fused battling a group of viruses.

"We'll take care of these," Shun said.

Enzan nodded as the two stepped in front of them with their synchro chips in hand. "Cross fusion!"

In a flash Shun and Enzan were cross fused. However the ground shook as a robed figure landed in front of them.

"Is that Forte?" Enzan asked as the robed navi glared at them.

"Netto-kun that isn't him," Slur said. "That's an asteroid navi."

He swore. "Guys be careful. That Forte is much stronger."

"We'll hold him off go!" Enzan said.

"But-"

Shun summoned a wall of ice to block the asteroid navi. "Don't worry about us you have your own fight!"

He winced but nodded. "I'll be right back."

With that he ran just as Forte broke through the ice and charged at his friends. "Be safe guys," he said as he ran through the streets.

"Nett-kun we are being summoned go to a secluded area," Slur said her voice hollow."

It all ends here.


Forte watched from the cyber world the carnage that was going on. Slur what was wrong with you?

He had never found a navi so intriguing as Slur yet the way she acted the other night felt wrong. You don't need anyone, why were you in such distress?

He looked through the images in the feed when he froze. On one of the images he saw a group of those cross fused humans battling him, except it wasn't him.

His blood boiled. Who dares clone me?

Looking at Slur's colleagues he could tell that they were barely holding the fake him off. A strong clone I'll give him that. Lets see how he handles the real one.

He quickly stormed off. Slur one day I'll show you that I am the strongest.

Of course he knew the basics of the dimensional area, after all, he kept an eye out on all things made in the Scilab since they tried to kill him and he wanted to always be on top.

Deep down he didn't want to admit it, but Slur was the first person he saw as a challenge. The first he had seen as an equal.

You would make a great solo navi. Humanity doesn't deserve you.

With ease he broke into Scilab and quickly find the dimensional area.

I'll do this for you.

There was a flash of light as he charged at the program. He felt himself transported through its processor, frankly he was a bit nervous about being in the human world but he wasn't going to let that stop him.

The next thing he knew he materialized on the roof of Scilab and saw the human in red battle his clone. This ends now.

He charged up his attack and leaped off the roof. "Earth Breaker!"

His attack took the clone by surprise as it made impact. Smoke filled the area, the humans behind him stared at him in shock while his clone glared at him.

"You dare impersonate me," he growled looking at the clone.

"F-Forte," one of the humans behind him said.

He summoned his blades and charged at the fake. The fake lunged back only to be hit by an ice wall.

"A faker like you dares to challenge me? You'll know true pain."

The fake charged at him with an Earth Breaker.

Dark energy crackled around him. "Darkness Overload!"

Pushing all with his might he thought of Slur. A worthy opponent. Wherever you are I wish you luck.

A spear of ice hit the fake sending it back. He summoned his blades and thrust them into the fake's chest.

"Earther Breaker!"

He brought the attack down on the fake's head with all of his strength just as the humans fired their attacks.

The faker fell but slowly got up with a malevolent grin on its face. "Foolish worms."

He summoned his swords. "I'm just getting started."

Looking up at the sky he sighed. Come back if you can.