Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! And here we'll be moving into canon as Lan receives MegaMan and the confrontation with Mr. Match and TorchMan, though with some changes. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
"Lan. Lan. Lan! Hey, Lan Hikari!"
Naruto groaned as he slowly opened his eyes at the sound of an unfamiliar voice in the room before he sat up and looked around for where it was coming from.
"Ba-Forte? Was that you talking?" Naruto asked while turning to Bass, wondering if he was the one talking and just didn't recognize his voice as he's waking up.
Though he managed to catch himself from saying his actual name, never knowing when they could be too careful.
"No. That would be him." Bass said while pointing towards Lan's PET, making Naruto turn towards the other PET only to be surprised at what he saw.
"Hey, you there. You're Naruto, right. You think you could help me out?" The voice asked, which was coming from a NetNavi on Lan's PET.
No longer seeing the brunette's NormalNavi anymore, instead he saw a new and definitely custom NetNavi on the screen.
With the Navi having the appearance of a young boy, appearing to be the same size as Bass and Roll, with fair skin, green eyes, and what looked like dark blue hair with it spiking out behind his head in four spikes. With him wearing a navy blue suit with lighter blue stripes going down his sides and legs, blue boots with navy blue soles, yellow shoulder, blue gloves, and a blue helmet with a yellow square on the front and a yellow line above it going down the middle of the helmet along with two ridges on either side that came to a stop at the helmets base. While the Navi Emblem was the Hikari Family Emblem, a red circle with a black line running diagonally through the center which ends in two triangles, all of which are surrounded by a gold ring.
"Uh…are you…Lan's new NetNavi?" Naruto asked in surprise at seeing Lan's new NetNavi.
"That's right, I'm MegaMan, Lan's new custom NetNavi programmed by his dad." MegaMan said, introducing himself as Naruto nodded in response to the greeting.
"Nice to meet you, MegaMan. Though how did you know my name?" Naruto said, wondering how MegaMan knew his name.
"I've got the data and memories from Lan's old NormalNavi after it was reprogrammed into me, so I know who you are. Though it's nice to officially meet you and you too, Forte." Replied MegaMan, smiling at the NetOp and NetNavi.
While Bass narrowed his eyes at MegaMan, trying to get a feel for this new NetNavi and the power he has. Though he couldn't tell much with them being in separate PETs, the Black Shadow could still feel there was something different about him compared to other NetNavis he's seen.
"Nice meeting you too, MegaMan. I'm sure Lan will be excited to meet his new NetNavi." Said Naruto before he sighed when he saw that Lan was still fast asleep in bed and looked back at MegaMan.
"I take it you're trying to wake Lan up." Stated Naruto, making MegaMan sigh and nod in response.
"Yeah. I didn't expect him to be this heavy of a sleeper. Hey Lan! You really need to wake up now!" MegaMan called out only for Lan to remain asleep, while Naruto smirked at this.
"I think I can help get him up." Naruto offered, knowing just what to do to get Lan out of bed.
"Thanks, I could really use the help." Said MegaMan with an amused smile, already knowing what he planned to do from the NormalNavi's memories.
Naruto's smirk grew as he left the room and got another bucket of cold water, enjoying the fact he'll have another chance to wake Lan up like this.
'Maybe I should set up something to pour more water on him in the morning when he sleeps through his alarm. That'll certainly make sure he wakes up on time.' Naruto thought, chuckling wickedly at the idea as he returned to Lan's room.
Entering the room, Naruto held the bucket up before he threw the cold water on top of Lan, causing him to shoot out of bed with a scream only to tumble onto the floor.
"Why?! Why did you do that again?!" Screamed Lan as he tried throwing his covers off of him, while Naruto laughed.
"Because it's funny! And if the alarm can't wake you, then this certainly will!" Naruto said in between laughs, much to Lan's chagrin as he managed to get his covers off and stand up.
"I swear, one day I'm gonna-" Lan said, swearing that one day he'll get his revenge, only to stop when he heard someone else laughing besides Naruto.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh man, that was even better seeing it for myself!" Said MegaMan, finding it even better to see his NetOp being woken up like that, rather than just having the memory of seeing it.
This making Lan look at his PET in surprise and confusion at the sight of the unfamiliar NetNavi rather than his NormalNavi.
"Huh? Who are you supposed to be?" Questioned Lan, wondering who the new NetNavi is, while MegaMan worked to get his laughter under control and smiled at Lan.
"I'm MegaMan. Nice to meetcha." MegaMan introduced while Lan still looked at him in confusion.
"MegaMan?" Lan said, testing out the name.
"You bet, the one and only! I'm your new custom NetNavi programmed by your dad." Said MegaMan with Lan sitting down at his desk.
"My custom NetNavi? I don't get it." Said Lan, feeling underwhelmed that this is his new NetNavi his father gave him.
"What's wrong with him, Lan?" Naruto asked with a raised brow, seeing Lan looked disappointed and underwhelmed.
"Dad and I made a deal that he'd get me my own custom NetNavi when I got into high school. But…" Lan said while looking at MegaMan.
"But…" Said MegaMan, wondering what the problem was.
"You aren't what I was expecting at all. I was expecting a NetNavi with a bigger body, a really strong warrior. I want my old NetNavi back!" Said Lan in disappointment, making MegaMan smile sheepishly and scratch his face.
"A bigger NetNavi is merely a bigger target to hit, human." Bass said in annoyance, taking offense to Lan's words given he wasn't that big compared to other NetNavis either.
"Forte does have a point, Lan. Size doesn't really matter, especially in a NetBattle. Just look at how he ran circles around GutsMan." Added Naruto, knowing a NetNavis size doesn't matter if they either can't hit an opponent or rely on brute strength to win.
"Yeah right! That's just an excuse used by men and women with small-" Lan retorted, still rather salty at being woken up like that again, only for the brunette to be cutoff when they heard a screaming coming from downstairs, making their eyes widen as they recognized their mothers' voices.
"Lan! In the kitchen quick!" MegaMan said, seeing something happening through the Net downstairs.
Not needing to be told twice, Naruto and Lan quickly grabbed their PETs and rushed downstairs, stopping momentarily in shock when they saw the oven with fire exploding out of it.
"Mom!" Naruto exclaimed upon seeing his mother trying to put the fire out with the fire extinguisher, only for them to keep burning.
"Lan! Naruto! Stay back, it's not safe!" Said Haruka, not wanting them to get hurt.
"Mom, what happened?!" Lan asked as they ran over.
"It's the oven! We tried putting it out, but nothing's worked!" Haruka replied as they tried smothering the flames with towels before it got too big, only for it to keep growing.
"Let me!" Said Naruto, taking the fire extinguisher from Kushina and quickly began spraying the entire oven, much to their relief at seeing the fire being suppressed before they all quickly moved back when the oven began sparking as it burst into flames again, being even bigger than before.
"The flames are too strong! The extinguisher doesn't work!" Lan said, seeing it's not just a normal fire.
"It has to be the same Virus that's caused all the other fires!" Said Naruto, knowing it has to be the Virus causing all the fires.
"Lan! Naruto! Jack me and Forte into the oven! If it's a Virus we'll deal with it!" MegaMan said, seeing they needed to get into the Net to deal with whatever Virus was doing this.
"What?! There's no time!" Said Lan, knowing they wouldn't be able to get close enough with the fire.
"Unless you want this entire placed burned down, then send us in!" Said Bass with a scowl.
"We can get close enough to jack-in while the fire is suppressed!" Naruto said, with Lan frowning but nodded in agreement.
"Okay, let's do it!" Said Lan pulling out his PET and got ready to jack-in to the oven.
Spraying the fire again, Naruto kept it up for a few moments until he and Lan saw their chance to get in close and rushed forward.
"Jack-in! Forte!" Naruto said, plugging into the oven.
"Jack-in! MegaMan!" Said Lan, doing the same as they sent their NetNavis into the oven's mainframe.
*CyberWorld*
Appearing inside the oven, Bass and MegaMan looked around to see a swarm of CanDevil and Mettaur Viruses hacking away at the mainframe.
"A swarm of Viruses. We better act fast, otherwise they'll hack apart the entire mainframe and then everything will go up in flames." MegaMan said before seeing Bass turn his hand into his Shooting Buster.
"Then less talking and more Virus Busting! Buster Rake!" Said Bass, unleashing a volley of shots that deleted multiple Viruses.
"Right! Mega Buster!" Said MegaMan said, turning his arm into his Mega Buster and began firing several shots, deleting a Virus with each hit.
Seeing the two NetNavis attacking them, the Mettaurs all rushed forward to surround them only for Bass and MegaMan to jump out of the away.
"Air Burst!" Bass said, charging up and firing a powerful green shot, impacting and wiping out the Mettaurs that tried surrounding them.
"Watch your back!" MegaMan said, firing three shots behind Bass and taking out three CanDevils that flew at him.
Grunting in annoyance, Bass formed his other Shooting Buster before jumping up and spinning in the air, releasing multiple blasts at the CanDevils. While on the ground MegaMan made quick work of the Mettaurs, releasing a stronger, charged shot at the last group. Before Bass landed on the ground, firing one last shot at the last CanDevil behind him.
"Looks like we got them all. But where did the Viruses come from?" MegaMan said, looking around to see if the Viruses left any sign of where they came from.
Bass frowned as he looked as well, only to stop when a message flashed across his eyes from Naruto.
Bass, absorb the Bugs left behind by the Viruses, they should help in repairing the damage done to you.
'Now why would he suggest that?' Bass thought, narrowing his eyes at why Naruto would suggest he absorb the Bugs from the Viruses.
Though he knew the whiskered blonde was right and they would help in repairing him, Bass found it suspicious he'd suggest it. Given that absorbing Bugs is what's needed to help repair an Ultimate Program.
A rare program found in only a few NetNavis with the only ones that Bass knows of who have an Ultimate Programing being himself, PharaohMan and Serenade, having sensed that she has one from his brief clash with her, which allows them to adapt and evolve for certain situations. Giving them the potential become the "Ultimate NetNavi" as they have no limits to what their abilities can become. Bass's Ultimate Program is also the source of his Get Ability Program, allowing him take the abilities of Viruses and other Navis for himself.
And thanks to that Virus ShadowMan used on him, his Ultimate Program was corrupted and required a large amount of Bugs in order to repair it.
'So how would he… No, there's no way he'd no about the Ultimate Program.' Bass thought before shaking his head, knowing only a select few people were aware of the Ultimate Program's existence and he found it unlikely that Naruto could've met any of those that knew, let get them to alone tell him if he did.
The former Solo NetNavi not knowing that after he was excommunicated, Dr. Cossak had managed to keep a few of his journals and notes he had hidden away. Which Naruto used to help in his search for Bass, resulting in him also learning about the Ultimate Program and how to repair it if it's ever damaged.
'But this will help my recovery and the sooner I've regained my full power, the better.' Bass thought, holding out his hand as he began absorbing the Bugs left by the Viruses.
"What're you doing?" MegaMan asked, looking at Bass in confusion at why he's absorbing data.
"I'm making sure to absorb the Bugs left by the Viruses so the data doesn't begin decaying from the damage nor begin spreading. And if we're lucky, the data left by the Viruses could help me trace it back to where they came from." Said Bass, giving an excuse, while breathing deeply as he felt the Bugs begin repairing him.
'More, I need so much more.' Bass thought, knowing he'll need a lot more Bugs to finish his repairs, but it's good that he'll soon be restored to what he once was.
"Oh, good thinking." Said MegaMan, nodding at the response, only to tense when he saw some flames nearby and what looked like a figure standing in them.
"Forte! We have company!" MegaMan said, aiming his Mega Buster at the figure, while Bass finished absorbing the Bugs and quickly turned with his Shooting Buster.
"Blazes! What have you meddling NetNavis done?!" Demanded the figure before they disappeared into the flames, making Bass and MegaMan frown.
"That was no Virus." Bass stated, narrowing his eyes with MegaMan nodding in agreement.
"Yeah. Come on, let's go tell Lan and Naruto we dealt with the Viruses." Said MegaMan before the two logged out.
*Real World*
Back in the real world, Naruto, Lan, Kushina and Haruka sighed in relief as the last of the flames died out.
"Thank goodness the fire's out." Haruka said, relieved they were able to stop the fire in time.
"Jack-out." Said Naruto and Lan as they jacked Bass and MegaMan out of the oven.
"That was great! You were great, MegaMan! Forget what I said earlier about you being too small!" Said Lan, smiling happily at his NetNavi as he lost any skepticism he had before, making MegaMan chuckle lightly at his enthusiasm.
"And you know what else? Naruto, we're having a rematch today! Only this time me and MegaMan are going to be the winners!" Lan said, smirking at the whiskered blonde, eager for a rematch now that he has MegaMan.
"I'm fine with a rematch, but after school. And don't forget I'll be starting my job at Sal's shop, so it'll have to be after that." Replied Naruto, not minding having a rematch, but knew it'd take a little while before they could, with Lan nodding in response.
*Later*
"Thank you both so much, MegaMan, Forte. I'm glad you two were able to stop that fire before it could get any worse." Haruka said, smiling at the NetNavis, as they all sat at the table for breakfast.
After cleaning up the kitchen and getting ready for the school, the four had sat down for breakfast with MegaMan being introduced to Kushina and Haruka.
"No problem, Mrs. Hikari, I'm glad we were here to help." Replied MegaMan, returning the smile, making Haruka pause for a moment at the smile.
'It…looks so familiar. But why? And MegaMan himself…' Haruka thought, unable to help but feel like she's seen that smile before, and how it seems like MegaMan should also be familiar to her.
"Well it seems like now both of you have very strong and reliable NetNavis." Kushina said, smiling at Naruto and Lan.
"Oh yeah! But once we have our rematch, MegaMan will show he's a lot stronger!" Said Lan with a smirk, which Naruto returned.
"You wish, Forte will still win." Naruto said, with Bass looking at MegaMan with narrowed eyes.
"Before that, what's this about you getting a job at Sal's shop?" Asked Kushina as she looked at her son, curious to hear he'd be working at Sal's.
"A part-time job since I'm going to have a lot of free time after I finished working on Forte. I figured working at Sal's shop would be a good idea and get me some extra money." Replied Naruto, making the redhead smile proudly at him.
"I'm happy to hear that, as long as you don't overwork yourself again for another five years." Kushina said, happy that he'll be outside more and helping Sal.
It wasn't long before Naruto and Lan finished breakfast and headed out to school.
"Heys guys. There's something you should know, after me and Forte dealt with the Viruses, we saw something. A figure that looked like they were completely interlaced in the cyber fire." Said MegaMan, with Naruto and Lan looking at their PETs in surprise.
"A figure interlaced in the cyber fire. Was it a NetNavi?" Naruto asked, with Bass and MegaMan nodding in response.
"That's what it looked like, it wasn't any Virus that's for sure. It's likely the NetNavi who's been sending the Viruses and starting the fires." Said Bass as the blue NetNavi nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. And going by how it was standing in the fire and everything it's done so far, I'd say this NetNavi is a really strong Fire-type Navi. Meaning that World Three is most likely behind this." MegaMan added as Naruto's and Lan's eyes widened at this.
"So that means all these fires are caused by this NetNavi and their NetOp. But where could they be?" Lan said, wondering where the NetOp for this Fire NetNavi could be.
"There's no telling where they could be. If the NetNavi has control over fire that means the NetOp could be anywhere in the city, jacking-in and simply letting their Navi run loose, sending Viruses anywhere to start fires while they stay hidden. If we want to stop them, then we'll need to hope we can catch the Navi and force them to logout." Said Naruto with a frown, knowing it's easier said than done.
"So we just have to hope a fire starts nearby for us to jack-in and that the NetNavi sticks around long enough for us to battle it." Stated Lan with the Uzumaki nodding in agreement making him sigh.
"Don't worry, once that Navi shows their face again, we'll be ready." MegaMan said, wanting to take down this NetNavi and their NetOp before anyone gets hurt.
Naruto and Lan nodded in agreement as they made their way to school.
*Later*
It wasn't long before Naruto and Lan had arrived at school with Ms. Mari doing rollcall once class began, only to stop when she didn't see Dex anywhere.
"Has anyone seen Dex?" Mari asked, looking at the students to see if any of them saw Dex.
"He's at home, Ms. Mari." Replied Naruto with his hand up, making the teacher frown that Dex was seemingly skipping school.
"Is he sick?" Said Mari, not wanting to immediately assume anything in case he had a reason.
"No. Though he needed to do some repairs and upgrades on GutsMan after a NetBattle he had with Naruto." Lan said as Naruto and Mayl nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, he told us yesterday when he didn't show up to hangout." Added Mayl, given they had called Dex when he didn't show up only to learn he was working on fixing and upgrading GutsMan.
"I see, well as long as he's prepared to make up for what he misses today." Mari said before he finished rollcall and began the days lessons.
*With Dex*
"Don't worry GutsMan, you'll be re-armed soon enough! HAHAHAHAHA! Get it!" Dex said as he worked on repairing GutsMan after his NetBattle against Bass.
With it having been a lot more damaging them he originally thought, as Bass's last attacks hadn't just logged GutsMan out, they also cut off both his arms.
"GutsMan not think that's funny, guts! GutsMan just wants arms back, not unfunny puns! Hurry Dex!" Said GutsMan waving what remained of his arms around as he took exception to his NetOp's pun.
"Come on, where's your sense of humor? You'll be fixed soon enough and even better than before with this new Customization Program to give you a serious speed boost. That way the next time we battle Naruto and that Forte, we'll be the ones coming out on top." Said Dex, confident with the new upgrades he and GutsMan will be able to defeat Naruto and Bass without any problem.
"Oh, GutsMan not so sure about this. GutsMan built to be strong and battle long, not move fast." GutsMan said, unsure it's a good idea to try and make him faster when he's built more for strength and endurance.
"It'll be perfectly fine, once you're fixed up and upgraded, you won't just be the strongest Navi you'll be the fastest." Dex replied, waving off his NetNavis concern as he continued working on the repairs.
*DenTech Academy - CyberWorld*
Back at DenTech Academy, Bass, Roll and MegaMan were all jacked-in to the Net while their NetOps were in class.
"Hey, are you supposed to be Lan's new NetNavi?" Roll asked, curious at seeing MegaMan rather than Lan's NormalNavi.
"That's right. I'm MegaMan, Lan's dad sent the data disc with me last night and his NormalNavi was reconfigured into me. It's nice to meet you." Replied MegaMan with a smile, which Roll returned as they shook hands.
"You too, MegaMan. I'm Roll, Mayl's personal NetNavi." Said Roll, glad that they'll have a new NetNavi around.
"We did also technically meet already, but it's nice to officially meet you too, Forte." MegaMan said, turning to Bass only for the Black Shadow to grunt in annoyance.
"Just try not to annoy me and we'll be fine. And don't get in my way during a battle." Bass said, causing MegaMan to blink in surprise with the pink Navi smirking at him.
"Awww, what's the matter, Forte? Are you still upset that I was going to beat you, yesterday?" Roll asked, making Bass narrow his eyes at her.
"It's nothing to be upset over, it was just a NetBattle. Unless you're upset that you got beat by, what did you call me? A "pet" NetNavi you didn't think could fight." Said Roll, crossing her arms while her smirk grew.
"You got lucky and I underestimated you, last time. It won't happen again." Retorted Bass with Roll continuing to smirk at him.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night. But by all means, I don't mind finishing our match then you'll see how strong a "pet" Navi can be." Roll said, the former Solo NetNavi gritting his teeth in annoyance.
"I will crush you!" Bass said, only for the pink NetNavi to shrug.
"Maybe in another battle. But it still doesn't change the fact that I was going to beat you in our first match." Said Roll, relishing that even if Bass beats her in another NetBattle, she'll always remind him that she was going to in their first one if it wasn't for Mayl's lessons.
"…What do you want?" Bass asked through gritted teeth, knowing that she wanted something.
"How about you taking back what you said and promising to never call me a "pet" Navi or insinuate it, ever again." Roll said with a smirk, making Bass's eye twitch before he took a few deep breaths to calm down.
"…I…take back what I…said the other…day…about you being…a pet…Navi. And I…will not…call you that…again. Happy?" Bass said reluctantly, much to Roll's pleasure as her smirk grew.
"See, was that so hard?" Roll asked, enjoying the fact that she got him to take back what he said.
While MegaMan couldn't help but chuckle nervously, having half-expected Bass to start attacking Roll rather than apologize.
"And if you really feel the need to get on people's nerves then try learning a thing or two from Naruto. He doesn't hold back from insulting people, but only those that deserve it or mess with anyone he cares about. But he never does something to hurt his friends, whether unintentionally or not. And he's always willing to help anyone that needs it, showing how kind and considerate he is. Not to mention he's also really determined, no matter what he sets his mind to he won't let anything stop him from doing something." Said Roll, making Bass and MegaMan look at her at everything she just said about Naruto.
"Huh, you seem to really have a lot of good things to say about Naruto, Roll." MegaMan stated, curious of where all the high praise came from.
"Yes. You seem to hold him to a high regard despite how he's not your NetOp. Why is that?" Bass asked, wanting to know why she'd praise a human that isn't her NetOp.
"It's nothing really, I'm just saying what a great and reliable friend Naruto is. But if you want to know why, it's because he's always been willing to help Lan, Dex and Mayl with repairing and performing maintenance on me, GutsMan and Lan's old NormalNavi. Even when he didn't have a Navi of his own and was working on you Forte, he was still willing to help us when we needed it. So why wouldn't I compliment him?" Roll replied, waving it off as just telling them how Naruto's such a good friend to have.
"Oh yeah, he did do that. Naruto really does know his stuff when it comes to programming and Navi Customization. But I guess it's not really surprising with how his dad and grandfather used to have high-ranking positions at SciLab." Said MegaMan, seeing the memories of the times Naruto helped Lan with his NormalNavi, along with knowledge of who his father and grandfather were.
"What?!" Demanded Bass, narrowing his eyes at hearing Naruto's family was connected to SciLab.
"Yeah, Naruto's dad and grandfather used to work at SciLab before they left." Said Roll, with her and Mayl not knowing everything, just that Naruto's father and grandfather were no longer affiliated with SciLab.
Though Bass still couldn't help but scowl at the mention of SciLab, as well as feeling more suspicion toward his NetOp at this new information.
'You're hiding something from me, human, and I intend to find out what.' Bass thought, having no intentions of staying in the dark and will find out if Naruto's tricking him.
*Later - Real World*
"Mayl, we'll be heading to Sal's so I can get my schedule." Said Naruto, looking at the redhead.
"And then we'll be going to the arcade for a rematch!" Lan added, eager to begin their rematch NetBattle.
"Do you wanna come?" Naruto asked, only for Mayl to shake her head.
"Sorry, not today guys. I need to get home for my lessons, but good luck to both of you in your NetBattle." Replied Mayl, waving at the boys as she rode away in her scooter with Naruto and Lan waving back at her.
The two then made their way to Sal's shop so the whiskered blonde could learn what his schedule would be and what he'll be doing. With it not being long before they arrived and went inside, being greeted by Sal waiting for them.
"Glad to see you Naruto and you too, Lan. Here, I've already written up a schedule for you." Sal said, handing Naruto the schedule.
"Three-four hours every day after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and five-six hours on Sundays. This seems good." Said Naruto while smiling at the greenette.
"I'm glad to hear that, since it'll only be part-time I won't have you working all day every day. Now as for your duties, you'll mostly be taking care of the plants, making sure they're watered, getting enough sun on them, putting them in new pots and planters, along with serving tea to customers. And when I'm out on deliveries, you'll be manning the counter and helping customers with finding what they need." Explained Sal, with Naruto nodding along at what he'll be doing while following her as she showed him around the shop.
"Sounds easy, enough. When do I start?" Naruto asked once Sal finished showing him around, wondering if he'll be starting today.
"This Wednesday, and if you want you can stop by tomorrow so you can start getting settled into your duties and be prepared." Sal replied as the Uzumaki nodded and smiled in response.
"Thanks Sal, I'll be sure to stop by tomorrow to get started and be here on Wednesday." Said Naruto, making the greenette smile in response before Naruto and Lan took their leave.
*Later*
After leaving Sal's shop, Naruto and Lan headed straight for the arcade, going to one of the free arenas as they got ready.
"Ready Lan?" Naruto asked as they stood across from each other.
"We're ready to win! Jack-in! MegaMan, power up!" Said Lan while plugging into the arena.
"We'll see who wins. Jack-in! Forte, power up!" Naruto as he jacked in as well.
*Arena*
Bass and MegaMan appeared across from each other in the arena, both of them ready to battle.
"Alright, go MegaMan!" Lan said with MegaMan smirking slightly.
"Yeah. Mega Buster!" Said MegaMan, turning his hand into his Mega Buster and unleashing a barrage of blasts at Bass.
Only for the Black Shadow to quickly jump to the side, avoiding the blasts with MegaMan moving to keep firing at him.
"Here's how it's done! Shooting Buster! Buster Rake!" Bass said, creating his own Shooting Buster and fired a volley of blasts towards MegaMan.
"I don't think so! Buster Guard! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said, inserting a Battle Chip as a yellow shield with a Green Plus Symbol at the center formed on MegaMan's forearm with Bass's blaster shots being repelled back at him as shockwaves, forcing the Black Shadow to jump out of the way.
"That won't work for this! Area Steal! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Naruto while using his own Battle Chip, causing Bass to vanish from sight, dodging the following blasts from MegaMan.
"Where'd he go?" MegaMan said, looking to see where Bass would appear, only for his eyes to widen as Bass appeared behind him.
"You're done! Heat Blade!" Said Bass, creating his Heat Blade and slashed at MegaMan.
Before Bass was surprised when MegaMan quickly turned and raised his shield, blocking and deflecting his Heat Blade just before it could hit him.
"Oh yeah! Way to go MegaMan! Now here's this! Buster Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said, using another Battle Chip as his shield was replaced with a sword extended from MegaMan's Mega Buster.
"Let's see how you like my sword!" Said MegaMan, swinging his Buster Sword at Bass only for the Black Shadow to jump back avoiding the slash.
Though MegaMan didn't stop there as he rushed after Bass, surprising the former Solo NetNavi at how quickly he closed the distance. Before Bass had to start dodging MegaMan's rapid slashes, not expecting him to be this fast.
"Forte! Step Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said, inserting a Battle Chip, with Bass gaining a purple sword in place of his Heat Blade.
Bass then quickly jumped back before blitzing MegaMan, slashing him with his Step Sword and throwing the blue NetNavi back, grunting as he hit the ground.
"Hell's Rolling!" Bass said, creating two wheels of darkness and launched them towards MegaMan.
"You aren't the only one that can disappear! Area Steal! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Lan, using his own Area Steal, with MegaMan vanishing before the wheels could hit him.
"Now for this! Shotgun! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said putting in a second Battle Chip while MegaMan's arm turned into a blaster similar to his Mega Buster, aiming at Bass and unleashing dozens of shots straight at the Black Shadow.
With Bass jumping high up into the air to avoid the blasts before turning both his arms into his Shooting Busters.
"Air Burst!" Said Bass, firing two green shots down at MegaMan, making his eyes widen at the high-speed projectiles coming at him.
"Dash Attack! Wide Sword! Battle Chips in, download!" Lan said, using two Battle Chips, allowing MegaMan to escape the blasts as they impacted and exploded where he was standing.
MegaMan reappeared in the air above Bass with his arm turning into a Wide Sword before he blitzed straight Bass before he could react, slashing the former Solo NetNavi across the back. Bass grunted in pain at the hit as he crashed into the ground, with MegaMan landing nearby.
"Dark Arm Blade!" Bass said, jumping back up and creating his Dark Sword, rushing straight at MegaMan who did the same.
The two NetNavis swung their swords at each other, only for them to collide as they tried pushing the other back. With neither of them gaining any ground, making Bass grit his teeth at how MegaMan was able to match his strength.
"This should help! Invisi-" Naruto said as he prepared to insert another Battle Chip.
"Stay out of this! This is my fight!" Said Bass, refusing to let Naruto interfere any further, not with how it seemed MegaMan's as strong as him.
"Seriously?! Are you really going to do this again?!" Said Naruto, not believing Bass was doing this again.
"This is my fight and I won't have you getting in my way, again!" Bass retorted before breaking the stalemate as he sidestepped MegaMan.
"Hell's Rolling!" Said Bass, creating a wheel of darkness that sped towards MegaMan.
"Barrier! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said, putting in a Battle Chip, creating a barrier around MegaMan that blocked the wheel.
"Mega Buster!" Said MegaMan as he released a charged shot at Bass, which he dodged after jumping to the side.
"Variable Buster Rake!" Said Bass, creating his Shooting Buster and running in a straight line as he fired several blue shots that began moving in a figure-eight pattern at MegaMan.
Seeing the moving blasts coming at him, MegaMan quickly moved back to avoid getting hit only for Bass to appear behind him.
"Heat Blade!" Bass said, swinging his Heat Blade at MegaMan, only for him to bend backwards avoiding the slash.
"This should get him! Heat Sho-" Said Naruto as he went to put in a Battle Chip.
"I said stay out of my way!" Said Bass, scowling that he tried interfering again.
"You really should just take the help! Like this! Spreader! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said, sliding in a new Battle Chip as MegaMan's hand transformed into a blaster before releasing multiple shots straight at Bass, leaving him no time to dodge.
With Bass gritting his teeth as each blast crashed into him, pushing him further back before he slammed into a wall and hit the ground.
"And here's a repeat! Shotgun! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Lan putting in another Battle Chip, while MegaMan took aim at Bass before shooting out a volley of blasts at him.
"Reflector! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said, much to Bass's anger as a shield appeared in front of him that the shots hits before being reflected right back at MegaMan.
"Why do you insist on interfering when I don't need your help?!" Bass demanded, only to see Naruto glare sternly at him.
"That's enough, Forte! I get it, you want to fight on your own to show you don't need help to win! But we are partners now, that means we help and look out for each other, that includes me sending you Battle Chips when you need it! You don't have to like it, but you do have to accept that I will help you when you need it or when I see you need assistance!" Said Naruto, refusing to keep dealing with Bass's pride getting in the way of them working together.
"I don't need you to do any-" Shouted Bass, feeling angrier that the Uzumaki would dare try and tell him what he needed to do.
"I can also log you out right now and forfeit the NetBattle! If you won't accept my help then there's no point in continuing this, unless you're eager to actually lose this time like you almost did to Roll, yesterday!" Naruto said, causing Bass to grit his teeth at the reminder of his near loss against Roll.
Along with unwillingly remembering Naruto's words on why Roll was able to overpower him, because she and Mayl trusted each other and worked together.
"…Fine! If you want to help so badly, then do it and it better ensure we win!" Bass said, reluctantly accepting to work together and swallow his pride, but only as long as they win.
"Glad to see you guys are working together, now. But don't think that means this battle is over! Spreader! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Lan, sliding in another Battle Chip while MegaMan formed another blaster.
"Spreader!" MegaMan said, shooting a volley of blasts at Bass.
"This battle's just getting started! Area Steal! Invisibility! Battle Chips in, download!" Naruto said, inserting two Battle Chips with Bass vanishing and dodging the blasts.
While MegaMan tensed and tried looking around for where Bass was, but couldn't see him due to the Invisibility Battle Chip.
"Air Burst!" Bass said firing a powerful, high-speed shot that slammed right into MegaMan's side and exploded, making the blue NetNavi cry out before grunting as he slammed into a wall.
Though he didn't stay down for long as MegaMan kept his back to the wall and began firing dozens of shots all around him, hoping to either hit Bass or keep him back.
"Heat Shot! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Naruto, putting in another Battle Chip while Bass turned visible again, showing he jumped into the air.
"Heat Shot!" Said Bass shooting several fiery blasts at MegaMan.
"Area Steal! Cyber Sword! Battle Chips in, download!" Lan said, sliding in the Battle Chips, allowing MegaMan to teleport away.
Appearing below Bass, MegaMan's arm turned into a blue sword before he let out a shout and leapt up at Bass.
"Long Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said, using another Battle Chip while Bass's hand turned into a long purple sword.
Bass swung his sword just as MegaMan swung his, resulting in the blades colliding and releasing a shockwave from the force of the collision, sending both NetNavis flying away from each other. With Bass and MegaMan managing to land on their feet as they skidded back and looked at each other.
"Looks like the real battle's about to begin." MegaMan said with a smirk as he held up his sword.
"And I'll be the one to end it." Said Bass, holding up his own blade before the two charged at each other again.
*With Mayl*
Meanwhile, Mayl was in her room practicing the piano, smiling as she played, only to sooner frown as she sniffed the air causing her to stop when she smelled something strange.
'Is something…burning?' Mayl thought, smelling what she knew had to be smoke before crying out when she heard an explosion downstairs.
"Mayl! The oven just exploded downstairs and is on fire!" Roll said in worry, causing the redheads eyes to widen in shock before she quickly ran out her room and downstairs.
Stopping for a moment and gasping in shock at seeing the oven with flames shooting out of it before running over and grabbing the fire extinguisher to try putting it out. Spraying the fire with the extinguisher, Mayl felt relief as the fire started going out. Only to scream in panic when the flames exploded to life again.
"Mayl, it must be a Virus doing this! Jack me in, quickly!" Said Roll, seeing it wasn't a normal fire and was likely being caused by a Virus.
"Right!" Said Mayl, spraying the fire again so she could get close enough before quickly pulling out her PET.
"Jack-in! Roll, power up!" Mayl said, jacking into the oven and sending Roll into it.
*CyberWorld*
Appearing in the ovens mainframe, Roll's eyes widened at seeing all the CanDevil and Mettaur Viruses hacking away at the oven's mainframe, as well as the fire burning around her.
"Time for some Virus Busting! Roll Blast!" Roll said, kissing her fingers and releasing a wave of hearts at the Viruses, taking out some of them and getting their attention.
Jumping into the air away from the Viruses when they tried swarming her, Roll created a longbow on her arm and pulled the bowstring back.
"Roll Arrow!" Said Roll, shooting several bolts out at the CanDevils when they flew at her before charging up a final shot and fired it down at a group of Mettaurs, taking them out.
"Here Roll, this should help! Aqua Tower! Battle Chip in, download!" Mayl said, inserting the Battle Chip while Roll landed on the ground and slammed her hand down.
"Let's douse these guys! Aqua Tower!" Roll said while creating a pillar of water that moved forward, deleting any Viruses it hit and putting out some of the fires.
"Let's see you douse this, little girl! Fire Bomb!" Shouted someone before Roll cried out when several bombs crashed into her and exploded into rings of fire around her.
Grunting in pain, Roll got back up and looked around for who hit her only for her eyes to widen at seeing figure in the flames.
"Who are you?!" Demanded Roll just as the fire opened up, revealing the figure was a NetNavi.
With them having a grey torch for a head with fire burning on top of it, connected to their body which looked to be covered in a red suit, large red square shoulders, two grey arm cannons in place of hands with a blue ring around them and yellow ends, and grey boots with blue soles. While the Navi Emblem on the front of their chest.
"TorchMan, little girl, and I'm about to bring things to a boil! Fire Arm!" TorchMan said, unleashing jets of flames from his cannons.
"Roll Dance!" Roll said, turning her body into golden dust, letting her pass through the flames and put some distance between her and TorchMan as her body reformed.
"Mayl! A NetNavi is the one causing the fire! I need Battle Chips, now!" Said Roll, knowing she'll need help to beat this guy.
"Right! Yo-Yo! Battle Chip in, download!" Mayl said, inserting a Battle Chip, while Roll gained a large, bladed Yo-Yo on her arm.
"Let's see how you like this! Yo-Yo and Roll Blast!" Roll said, launching the Yo-Yo at TorchMan before following it up by kissing her fingers and releasing a wave of hearts at him.
"Flame Tower!" TorchMan said, slamming his cannon into the ground, creating a large pillar of flames that rushed towards Roll, incinerating the hearts and Yo-Yo.
"Barrier! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Mayl, putting in another Battle Chip, creating a barrier around Roll shielding her from the flames.
"Roll Dance!" Said Roll, turning her body into gold dust that flew up into the air as it solidified back into her.
"Now for this! Wide Shot! Battle Chip in, download!" Mayl said, sliding in a Battle Chip with Roll gaining a Wide Shot blaster on her arm.
"Take this! Wide Shot!" Said Roll, shooting a wide line of water towards TorchMan.
"Use any attacks you want; I'll incinerate them all! Fire Bomb!" Said TorchMan while shooting out several fire bombs that exploded against the Wide Shot, blocking his and Roll's view of each other.
"Then how's this for an attack?! Roll Flash!" Roll said as her body reformed behind TorchMan and struck him with her antennae, knocking him back.
Only for the pink NetNavi to cry out when several CanDevils rushed her from above and crashed into her, clawing and biting at Roll.
"It seems my friends didn't like that, and neither do I! Flame Circle!" TorchMan said, slamming cannon onto the ground, creating a pillar of fire that split into two and circled around towards Roll.
"Cannon! Battle Chip in, download!" Mayl said, using a Battle Chip and creating a Canodumb, having it blast the Viruses attacking Roll and allowing her to quickly jump back before the Flame Towers hit her.
"Thanks for the save, Mayl! Roll Arrow!" Said Roll, creating her longbow and shooting multiple bolts at TorchMan.
"Oh please! Fire Arm!" Said TorchMan, shooting blasts of fire that burned through Roll's bolts and rushed towards her.
"This should cool things off! Aqua Tower! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Mayl while sliding in a Battle Chip.
"Aqua Tower!" Roll said, slamming her hand on the ground, creating a water pillar that doused TorchMan's fire jets.
"Trying dousing this! Burner Bomb!" Said TorchMan, launching more bombs at Roll, making her quickly jump back before they exploded.
Only to be confused when the bombs didn't immediately explode and just sat there, before Roll's eyes widened when she saw Mettaur Viruses rushing at her from all sides.
"Roll Dance!" Said Roll, turning into golden dust and escaping the Viruses, reforming a short distance away from them.
"Roll Blast!" Roll said, kissing her fingers and unleashing a wave of hearts at the Viruses, deleting them once the hearts exploded.
"I guess those bombs were just duds to serve as a distraction." Said Roll, only to freeze in shock as TorchMan appeared behind her.
"Not quite. Burning Body!" TorchMan said, releasing a large amount of flames from his body, throwing Roll through the air as she cried out from the fire.
Though the pink NetNavi then saw she had landed right in the middle of the Burner Bombs, screaming in pain as they soon exploded around her in a ring of fire.
"Time to put your fire out! Flame Tower!" Said TorchMan, slamming his hand on the ground creating a pillar of fire that moved towards Roll.
"R-Ro-Roll! A…Ar-Area S-St-Steal! B-Ba-Battle Chip in, d-do-download!" Mayl said as she worked to put a Battle Chip in, only to begin coughing as the fire from the oven grew more intense and filled her house with smoke.
But was thankfully able to insert the Battle Chip in time to get Roll out of the way of the Flame Tower, only for the pink NetNavi to have trouble standing after the damage she's taken. With TorchMan laughing wickedly at the sight as he approached Roll while the Viruses surrounded her.
"You should've learn little girl, mess with fire and you're bound to be burned! Fire Arm!" TorchMan said, shooting a blast of fire at Roll.
"Roll Dance!" Said Roll, turning into golden dust and avoiding the flames, only to cry out as she was attacked by more CanDevils.
"R-Roll…y-yo-you…you n-ne-ne-needed to…ge-get away…f-find…help." Mayl said as she covered her mouth and nose.
"N-No way! I'm not…leaving you here!" Said Roll, refusing to leave her NetOp while the fire was still burning and letting out more smoke.
"Y-you n-ne-need to! E-Escape! B-Ba-Battle Chip…in, do-down-download!" Said Mayl as she quickly put in an Escape Chip.
"Mayl!" Roll said before she was forcibly teleported away.
'Good.' Mayl thought, relieved she got Roll out of there in time, now she just hoped she'd be able to bring back some help soon.
*Arcade*
Back at the arcade, Naruto and Lan were both still locked in their NetBattle, the two actually beginning to feel winded from how long they were going.
"If you want to give up, I won't hold it against you." Naruto said with a smirk, which Lan returned.
"Not a chance! Keep going MegaMan! Shotgun! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Lan, inserting a Battle Chip.
"You too, Forte! Don't give up! Step Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said putting in a Battle Chip as well.
*Arena*
While in the arena, Bass and Megaman were now speeding around and clashing against each other, before they both jumped back once the Battle Chips were activated.
"Shotgun!" MegaMan said, aiming his blaster at Bass and shooting a volley of shots at the Black Shadow.
"Step Sword!" Said Bass, speeding forward and phasing through the shots before swinging his blade at MegaMan.
"Wide Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said, using a Battle Chip, with MegaMan blocking Bass's sword with his own.
The two NetNavis were locked in a stalemate as they tried overpowering the other, until Bass created his Shooting Buster.
"Air Burst!" Bass said, firing a point-blank shot straight at MegaMan, resulting in them both being thrown back from the explosion.
"MegaMan, take this! Dash Attack! Buster Sword! Battle Chips in, download!" Said Lan, activating the two Battle Chips as a sword extended from MegaMan's Mega Buster.
"Use this Forte! Air Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Naruto said, putting the Battle Chip in and giving Bass an Air Sword.
"Right! Heat Blade!" Bass said, forming his Heat Blade from is other arm before swinging both swords releasing energy waves of wind and fire, forcing MegaMan to jump into the air over them.
"Now Dark Arm Blade!" Said Bass, turning his Heat Blade into his Dark Sword and leapt at Megaman.
"Cyber Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said as he quickly slid in the Battle Chip, giving MegaMan a second sword.
Just as MegaMan's Buster Sword collided against Bass's Air Sword, with the Black Shadow thrusting his Dark Sword forward only for the blue NetNavi to block it with his Cyber Sword. Before the NetNavis pushed each other back and landed on the ground. Only to rush each other again, slashing their blades at each other as they passed by one another.
Both of them panted lightly as their swords vanished and faced each other.
"I gotta say, this is definitely way more fun than Virus Busting, any day." MegaMan said with a smile, enjoying the tough battle.
"Yes…you are certainly…far more challenging than I expected." Said Bass, having completely forgotten his pride, anger and reluctance to work with Naruto.
Now all he's feeling was the thrill of battle, that he's challenging someone that could match him blow for blow, not remembering another time he's ever fought someone on equal footing. All his other battles he's easily overwhelmed his opponents, the only time he was ever truly beaten was against Serenade. Now though, he's found someone as strong as him, that could fight him with ease, helped by the fact there weren't any life-or-death stakes involved.
"I'll take that as a compliment. But I don't think we're done yet!" MegaMan said as he rushed forward.
"No, we aren't!" Said Bass, charging at the blue NetNavi as well.
"Here we go! Cyber Sword! Battle Chip in!" Lan said, preparing to activate the Battle Chip.
"Let's show them what we can do! Wide Sword! Battle Chip in!" Said Naruto, just about to slide the Battle Chip in.
"Somebody help!"
But just before the boys could insert the Battle Chips and their NetNavis could clash against each other, they stopped at the sudden cry for help. Only for Naruto, Lan and MegaMan to be shocked and concerned when Roll appeared in the arena and the state she was in. Seeing she was burnt and bruised, with bits of data coming off her body as she gripped one of her arms while looking close to collapsing.
"Roll?! Are you alright?!" MegaMan asked as he and Bass went over to her with Roll looking at them, pleadingly.
"It's Mayl, she needs help!" Said Roll, only making them more concerned.
"What happened?!" Said Naruto, worried about what could've happened.
"It's the oven, it exploded at her home! She tried putting it out but it kept burning, so she jacked me in and it was filled with Viruses! But there was a NetNavi there too, TorchMan! He's the one causing the fires and Mayl is still stuck inside while the oven's burning!" Roll explained, much to their shock and concern.
"MegaMan! You cyber link there through the Net, I'll meet you there!" Lan said, with MegaMan quickly nodding in response.
"On my way, Lan!" Said MegaMan before he traveled through the Net to Mayl's house.
"Forte, you go too!" Said Naruto, with Bass nodding while feeling slightly annoyed at the interruption.
"The Navi will be deleted by the time you arrive." Bass said as he followed after MegaMan, intent on deleting this NetNavi that got his fight interrupted.
"Roll, I'll jack you out to my PET so you can rest and recover!" Naruto said, much to the pink NetNavi's gratitude.
"Thank you, Naruto, and please hurry." Saud Roll as she logged out into Naruto's PET.
"Roll logging out."
*Arcade*
Unplugging their PETs from the arena, Naruto and Lan rushed out of the arcade, getting their skateboard and roller skates respectively as they moved as fast as they could towards Mayl's house.
*With Bass and MegaMan*
As Naruto and Lan rushed to Mayl's house, Bass and MegaMan soon arrived within the oven's mainframe, only to see everything was on fire around them.
"Oh man, talk about a firewall! Let's clear out these Viruses! Mega Buster!" MegaMan said, creating his Mega Buster and began firing at the Viruses, deleting one with each hit.
"Buster Rake!" Said Bass, turning both his arms into his Shooting Busters before unleashing a large volley at the Viruses, deleting a good amount of them from the onslaught.
The NetNavis continued the attack on the Viruses, until soon only two were left before MegaMan deleted them.
"That's the last of them. So that just leaves TorchMan, wherever he-" MegaMan said, looking around for TorchMan.
"Move!" Said Bass, jumping out of the way with the blue NetNavi quickly doing the same just as a large fireball crashed down where they were standing.
"You're the same meddlesome NetNavis from my last fire! It's time you went up in flames! Fire Arm!" TorchMan said, shooting a blast of flames that forced Bass and MegaMan to jump out of the way.
"You first metalhead! Mega Buster!" MegaMan said, firing multiple blasts at TorchMan.
"Fire Bomb!" Said TorchMan, launching several bombs that impacted the shots triggering several fiery explosions.
"Take this!" Said MegaMan as he fired a charged shot through the explosions.
"How pathetic! Flame Tower!" TorchMan said, slamming his cannon onto the ground and creating a pillar of fire that charge towards MegaMan, burning away the charged shot and forcing MegaMan to get out of the way.
"Let's see how you like me, then! Hell's Rolling!" Bass said, creating three wheels of darkness he launched at TorchMan.
"That won't stop me either! Fire Arm!" Said TorchMan, shooting jets of fire out of his arms and incinerating the wheels only for his eyes to widen in shock at seeing Bass was now above him.
"Then how about this?! Dark Arm Blade!" Said Bass, creating his Dark Sword and slashed TorchMan, making the Fire-type NetNavi cry out as he was thrown back.
"Now this! Air Burst!" Bass said, forming his Shooting Buster before releasing a green energy blast at TorchMan, which exploded on impact and sent him crashing into a wall.
"Nice one, Forte! Though, I don't know how much help I'll be without any Battle Chips." Said MegaMan, not liking that he can't do anything to help with just his Mega Buster.
"Just stay back and let me handle this." Said Bass, before getting ready as a large amount of flames exploded off of TorchMan.
"You pests are really burning me up! Fire Bomb!" TorchMan shouted, launching multiple bombs at the two NetNavis.
"Buster Rake!" Bass said, firing a volley of blasts that collided against the bombs triggering several explosions in the air.
*With Naruto and Lan*
Back in the real world, Naruto and Lan arrived at Mayl's house and immediately rushed inside, coughing the moment the smoke hit them before covering their mouths and noses.
"Mayl!" Naruto said, seeing the redhead leaning against the counter to stay standing, before they rushed over and supported her.
"Mayl?! Mayl, are you alright?!" Asked Lan in concern, with Mayl looking at them in relief.
"I'm okay." Mayl said, glad that they're here now.
"Come on, let's get you out of here." Said Naruto as he and Lan guided Mayl out of the house and set her down on the ground.
Before Lan heard his PET beeping and looked at it, his worry growing at seeing MegaMan being attacked by TorchMan while Bass fought him off.
"We gotta get in there to help MegaMan and Forte!" Lan said, with the Uzumaki nodding in agreement before looking at Mayl.
"Will you be alright here for a few moments?" Naruto asked as the redhead smiled reassuringly at him.
"I'll be fine, go." Said Mayl, nodding in response Naruto and Lan rushed back into the house.
Coughing from the smoke, the two covered their mouths and faces as they made their way over to the oven before inhaling deeply as they quickly jacked-in.
*CyberWorld*
MegaMan gritted his teeth as he held his arms up to shield himself from TorchMan's assault.
"Give up now and face the fire you meddlesome little-" TorchMan said as he kept shooting fireballs at MegaMan, only to gasp in shock when Bass descended down on top of him with his hands sparking as he grabbed TorchMan's head.
"Got you." Said Bass, smirking wickedly, while TorchMan cried out as he felt his data being absorbed.
"B-Bu-Burning Body!" Yelled TorchMan unleashing a blasts of flames from his body, only for Bass's smirk to widen as he didn't let go.
"Let's see you handle my fire! Flame Tower!" Bass said as he held out his hand and flicked up two fingers, causing a pillar of black and purple flames to shoot up around him and TorchMan, making the Fire-type NetNavi screamed as his flames engulfed him and Bass.
Before Bass jumped into the air and held his arm out as black and purple flames burned in the palm of his hand.
"Fire Arm!" Said Bass, unleashing a blasts of flames at TorchMan.
"F-Fi-Fire Arm!" TorchMan said, shooting out his own jet of fire that collided against Bass's.
Only to be shocked when Bass's flames overpowered his own, making TorchMan cry out as his flames were burnt out while Bass's Fire Arm blasted into him, sending the Fire NetNavi skidding across the ground.
"How did you-" Said MegaMan in surprise at seeing Bass somehow take TorchMan's Pyrokinesis and overpower him with his own fire.
Only to stop when the yellow on his helmet flashed, along with the gem on Bass's helmet as Naruto and Lan jacked-in.
"Ready MegaMan?!" Lan said, making MegaMan smile seeing they could finish the battle now.
"It's Mega Time!" MegaMan said, ready to end this.
"Time to finish this, Forte!" Said Naruto as Bass landed on the ground with a smirk.
"Gladly, I got what I wanted." Said Bass, pleased at the new ability he's gained.
"Alright, then let's do this! Shotgun! Battle Chip in, download!" Lan said, sliding the Battle Chip in.
"Shotgun!" Said MegaMan, firing off a volley blasts that impacted TorchMan.
"Your turn now, Forte! Step Sword! Battle Chip in, download!" Said Naruto, inserting the Battle Chip with Bass's arm turning into a purple sword.
"It's over!" Bass said, blitzing TorchMan and swinging his blade, making TorchMan cry out as his left arm was sliced off.
"Oh no! Logout TorchMan!" Said Mr. Match, seeing his Navi was overwhelmed and in danger of being deleted, with TorchMan quickly doing so.
"TorchMan logging out."
"Looks like TorchMan won't be causing us anymore problems for a while." MegaMan said with a smile, glad that they were able to put a stop to any more fires in the DenTech City.
"He escaped, meaning he'll be back eventually." Stated Bass as he held up his hand absorbing the Bugs left behind by the Viruses and TorchMan, feeling his repairs progressing even further.
'And if the rest of World Three's NetNavis cause problems like this, I won't just be getting new abilities with each one I defeat, I'll be repaired in no time and stronger than ever.' Bass thought with a smirk, feeling eager for who World Three will be sending next.
*Later*
After dealing with the Viruses and defeating TorchMan, Naruto called an ambulance to come take Mayl to hospital to make sure she's alright. With the whiskered blonde going with them since he still had Roll in his PET, while Lan stayed behind.
"I'm really glad Mayl's alright. And it looks like we have you and Forte to thank for it, MegaMan." Lan said, smiling at his NetNavi which he returned.
"Hey, we can't take all the credit for defeating old smoke'n'choke. You and Naruto gave us the moves we needed to finish it. Though I get the feeling Forte probably could've handled it himself, if he wanted to. I'm feeling excited for when we'll get to battle again to see more of what he can do." Said MegaMan, eager for the chance to NetBattle Bass again.
"Yeah, we'll still need to finish our battle. And MegaMan, you're going to always be there to help me, no matter what?" Lan asked with MegaMan nodding in response.
"Just ask." MegaMan replied, wanting to help Lan in any way he can with anything he asks.
"In that case you can do my homework for tomorrow, and make it snappy!" Said Lan with a grin.
"I don't think so. You'll never be an adventurer or a scientist if you don't do it, yourself." Said MegaMan with a smirk.
"Hey! Have you been talking to my mom or what?! I don't have to take this from you! You can be reprogrammed!" Lan said, making the blue Navi chuckle lightly.
"Hahaha. Nice try Lan." MegaMan said, knowing he won't be tricked that easily, much to Lan's chagrin.
*With Naruto and Mayl*
"Naruto, you really didn't need to come with me. I'm fine, really." Mayl said, smiling reassuringly at the Uzumaki, only for him to shake his head.
"Yes I did Mayl, even if you say you're fine, I want to make sure you're alright myself. This way I can also tend to Roll while you're being treated, so both of you can see each other against that much sooner." Said Naruto, making Mayl and Roll smile at him in gratitude.
"You really know what to say to make a girl smile, don't you Naruto." Roll said, thankful for his help.
"Yeah. And thanks for bringing Roll with you, I'm glad to know that she's safe with you." Added Mayl, knowing she didn't have to worry about Roll as long as Naruto had her.
"Both of you will be safe as long as I'm around, I promise." Naruto said, smiling and patting Mayl's hand before she turned it over and held his.
"Yeah, I know we are." Mayl stated, with the pink NetNavi nodding in agreement.
"Good. Though I should call my mom and Sal, since she's now my boss, to let them know where I am and what happened." Said Naruto, making the redhead nod before letting go of his hand so he could call Kushina and Sal.
*Later-With Dex*
"Alright! You're all patched up and better than ever, GutsMan! And I hope you're ready, Naruto, you and that puny pile of pixels are going down!" Dex said, grinning as the last of GutsMan's repairs and upgraded were completed.
"Now GutsMan will be the one that beats, Forte!" Added GutsMan, ready to have a rematch and win this time.
Though Dex stopped celebrating when he heard something knock over his books, making him turn only to be confused at seeing a black robotic cat jump onto his table.
"Huh? Where'd that cat from?" Dex said in confusion at where the cat came from, only for the cat to hiss at him with its fangs glinting in the light making Dex pale.
"Vampire cat! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Screamed Dex when the cat lunged at him before it soon shifted into a scream of agony, so loud that it could be heard from outside his house.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto waking up at the sound of someone's voice, leading to him and Bass meeting MegaMan, offering to help him in waking up Lan, with Naruto pouring more cold water onto him. Though before Lan can attack, he sees his new NetNavi only to be underwhelmed at how small MegaMan is, having hoped for a bigger Navi.
Only for them to rush to the kitchen after hearing their mothers scream, seeing the oven burst into flames, before jacking in Bass and MegaMan to clear out the Viruses. Which also leads to Bass absorbing the Bugs left behind to begin repairing his Ultimate Program, before he and MegaMan see a figure in the flames. While Lan is now excited at how strong MegaMan is and is eager for a rematch against Naruto and Bass.
Then we see MegaMan officially meeting everyone, with their being hints that he's familiar to Haruka, but she isn't sure why. Before Naruto and Lan head to school, while learning about the figure their NetNavis saw in the fire, as they soon arrive at school. Where we see Dex isn't around and is home repairing and upgrading GutsMan, showing a brief look at the two.
Next we go to the end of the day with Mayl heading home for her lessons, while Naruto and Lan stop by Sal's so Naruto can get his schedule and learn about his duties. Before they go to arcade and start their rematch, with Bass and MegaMan showing they're equally matched, until Bass's pride gets the better of him leading to Lan and MegaMan getting the advantage. Though some stern words from Naruto and reminder of his near loss against Roll makes Bass reluctantly accept his help, making the fight even again.
We then go to Mayl's home where TorchMan starts another fire, with Roll working to delete the Viruses only for TorchMan to attack. With Roll managing to hold her own for a while, only to soon be overwhelmed by TorchMan and the Viruses, leading to Mayl using an Escape Chip to send her away to get help.
Back at the arcade Bass's and MegaMan's fight has grown more intense, only to be stopped when Roll arrives and tells them what happened. Leading to Naruto and Lan sending their Navis ahead, with Naruto also jacking Roll out to his PET so she can rest. While Bass and MegaMan delete the Viruses before TorchMan arrives, leading to him and Bass fighting while MegaMan stays back due to not having any Battle Chips to use, with Bass also using his Get Ability to take TorchMan's Pyrokinesis.
Finally, Naruto and Lan soon arriving, leading to them taking TorchMan down with a coordinated attack, forcing Mr. Match to jack him out before he's deleted. With it then showing Lan and MegaMan playfully bickering after Mayl's taken to the hospital, with Naruto going with her, while also showing how close the Mayl and Roll are to him.
Before seeing Dex finish work on GutsMan, only to be attacked by the robot cat. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out