AN: A new week, a new chapter. Did you know that by the time I post this chapter, Chapter 30 is already written? It's funny to write a chapter and then go back to correct an older one and see how it's completely different now, hehe!

Some characters make their return in this chapter, and here is also my vision of Cyber City for Beyondard!

However, this chapter will contain some graphic elements at the beginning, so I'm letting you know for those who are more sensitive.

Chapter 22: The Giant Navi City

Netto opened his mouth, incredulous at the scene unfolding before him. It was beyond unreal. Was it really possible, or was he still trapped in a dream? He couldn't determine it. Staring intensely at the large rift in front of him, he slowly stood up and approached, unable to suppress the tears welling up in his eyes. Despite his lingering doubts, a glimmer of hope ignited in his chest.

Abruptly turning around, Netto quickly scanned the horizon behind him, calling Saito's name repeatedly. Then, with a more fragile voice, he uttered Rockman's name. But neither of them responded. With his gaze fixed on the rift once again, mouth agape, he clenched to hold back the overwhelming emotions washing over him.

"Netto!" he heard from the rift, although the sound seemed distorted.

Wide-eyed, Netto rushed toward the rift, crossing its boundaries eagerly.

"Papa!" he exclaimed, his heart pounding with excitement upon hearing his father's voice. Without waiting for his friends, the young boy plunged into the rift, letting himself be engulfed by the dazzling light. Suddenly, he found himself in a strange place devoid of any presence, and in front of him was another rift, emitting an intense glow. Once again, he heard his father's voice calling him. Eyes brimming with hope, Netto started running fast, convinced he could cross this second rift...but he encountered the impossibility of traversing it.

Blinking his eyes, Netto noticed that the substance he was trying to pass through resembled a soft wall, like a water-filled plastic ball. He struggled with all his might to pass through, but it was almost impossible. With determination, the boy used his right hand to force his way through, screaming in pain in the process. Eventually, his hand managed to go through.

However, the outcome was far from what he had hoped for. As his hand went through, it seemed to shred into multiple pieces, splattering blood everywhere. The pain became unbearable, and Netto screamed from the depths of his being. The rift started shining more and more intensely, his father's cries blending with the radiance. Unfortunately, the rift eventually caused a devastating explosion, violently throwing the child backward. He found himself back in the world where he was imprisoned, while the first rift disappeared.

Netto's mouth remained open in pain, horrified as he stared at the spot where the rift had been. He observed his right hand, which had returned to normal as if nothing had happened, except for the blood staining it. His eyes widened as he still felt the pain in his hand, even though there was seemingly no injury anymore. He started sobbing, clenching his fist and screaming repeatedly.

"Netto!" he heard a voice almost in panic behind him. Saito ran as fast as he could, slightly slipping upon seeing Netto sitting on the ground, curled up. "Netto, are you okay?" he asked, approaching him.

Netto lifted his head, devastated, his eyes filled with tears. "Saito..." he murmured, raising both of his hands, one of which was covered in blood.

At the sight, and especially the smell of blood, Saito widened his eyes and quickly stepped back. He raised a hand to cover his nose, avoiding looking directly at the child. Netto didn't immediately understand and lowered his right hand. Saito turned his gaze toward him but remained frozen, terrified by the presence of blood.

"W-what happened?" he asked in a trembling voice, his voice becoming weaker as he covered half of his face with his hand.

"There was a rift..." the child responded in a similar fearful voice. "I heard Papa... He was calling me... I tried to cross over to the other side!"

This information shocked the former Navi so much that he managed to lower his hand from his face, mouth wide open.

"We could have gone back home..." the child continued with difficulty as tears continued to stream down. "But... I was stopped when I tried to pass..." Netto looked at his blood-covered hand and clenched it tightly. "I couldn't... My hand… It almost..."

Saito found the courage to look at the bloodied hand and bit his lip, devastated to see his friend in such distress.

"It'll be okay, Netto... It was just a trap..." he tried to reassure, attempting to reach out without touching him. "We need to...clean up the blood now..."

Netto slowly nodded and bit his lip, agreeing with the older boy's suggestion. They fell silent then, waiting for a moment. Then, with considerable effort, Saito turned toward the child and attempted to take his arm.

"I'll clean it for you," he said, his lips tightly pressed together.

The child pulled his hand back toward himself, sensing that Saito was still uncomfortable.

"No... I'll do it... After all, you don't like...this," he hesitated to pronounce the last word. Saito furrowed his brows but forced a smile.

"That's true, but if I do it, it will make me more comfortable," he continued, seeking to reassure himself.

Netto didn't respond, and finally, they made their way to the river where Saito had fallen the day before. Wetting the child's hand several times, the older boy did his best. He took a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. He vigorously rubbed the hand, striving to restore it to its original color. Finally, the hand regained its normal appearance. Saito displayed a satisfied smile, but Netto didn't react.

"And if...we never go back home…" the child suddenly said, catching Saito off guard, and he almost let go of Netto's hand, his eyes slightly widened.

"What are you talking about?" he responded, maintaining his composure.

Netto looked at him, his eyes expressing a certain emptiness. "And if, in the end, it's impossible to go back home? Maybe once we arrive in this Hokkaido City, there will be nothing. What if Duo has trapped us here?"

Saito quickly shook his head and tightened his grip on Netto's hand. "Don't say such things! We will go back home! I'm convinced that Duo is waiting for something from us, he will reward us for surviving here!"

Netto raised an eyebrow at these words, then slowly opened his mouth. "And he's...supposed to grant one of our wishes?"

"That's very likely," Saito replied as he continued to rub the young boy's hand. He had finally finished and let out a sigh of relief.

Netto lowered his head, biting his cheek. "So, do we carry on as we were supposed to?"

Saito nodded. "Yes, we continue our journey, we don't change our habits... And most importantly, we must avoid getting too close to other people. You know why."

Netto didn't respond immediately, but a terrifying thought crossed his mind. "So, I will be...alone with Rockman?" He looked Saito directly in the eyes, his panic growing. "Please, don't leave me alone with him! Not after what happened!"

"Netto!" Saito quickly approached, trying to grasp the young boy's shoulders. "Rockman won't harm you! If you continue to keep your distance like in the beginning, everything will be fine!"

Netto tried to calm down but lowered his gaze, his voice weak. "Don't leave me..." was his only response.

Saito tried to appear gentle, biting his lip as he looked at the child with kindness. "I know these words may sound strange...but Netto, I will never abandon you. I will always be there for you."

Netto slowly lifted his head, eyes wide open.

"Netto-kun, I will never abandon you! I will always be there for you!" Rockman's voice echoed in his head. A strange shiver ran down Netto's spine, but he simply ignored it and moved closer to the boy, embracing him. Saito wasn't surprised and also tightened his embrace, stroking his back.

"We will go back home, Netto. Don't lose hope," he declared, seeking to reassure the child. Deep down, he doubted those words.

Netto slowly woke up, the sun shining on his face. He felt both warmth and coldness. His body was covered in sweat while the wind made him shiver. He looked around and placed a hand on his stomach, realizing that he still hadn't eaten anything and that he and Saito hadn't found any food. Damn it.

Scanning the surroundings, he realized he was alone and felt tears welling up in his eyes. Wiping them away, he stood up and grabbed his belongings. Taking a few steps, he noticed something that made him jump at first sight. Rockman was perched on a tree branch, half-closed red eyes staring at him. A shiver ran through Netto's body, and he grabbed a stick in his hand to draw a line between them.

"We'll do as before," he declared in a voice that tried to sound firm, although the effort of facing Rockman's gaze almost made him falter. "We keep our distance..."

Rockman didn't react, he continued to stare at him as Netto turned around to continue his journey. "I'm sorry, Rockman... But I... Not now..."

He set off, unsure if his Navi was following him or not. Still holding the stick, he used it to walk and to draw lines on the ground. He noticed that the surroundings became less wooded. The ground became devoid of grass and the trees became scarce, replaced by abundant rocks. An acrid smell filled the air, causing Netto to grimace.

Netto continued to follow the path, hoping it would lead him to a town. However, he became intrigued by the duller nature surrounding him, which raised some questions in his mind. Eventually, he stopped when he saw a large dilapidated building in the distance. Despite its state of decay, the child could see people gathered around the building. The statues standing before him indicated that it was a temple dedicated to the Cybeasts, with imposing representations of the two monsters.

The young boy stood still, trying to figure out what he could do now. The people at the temple gates began to stir, and he noticed that they were undoubtedly Navis, recognizable by the emblems on their chests. However, their appearance was somewhat unusual, with a touch of religiousness. They formed two columns in front of the gate, allowing another person who seemed of special importance to come out.

Netto blinked as he observed this person, who was also a Navi. He could see from their form that they were a female Navi dressed in a long turquoise coat, black boots, and knightly shoulder pads. Her helmet seemed to take the shape of a blossoming flower, covering her eyes and revealing only her nose and mouth. The child gasped as something emanated from this Navi, a strange mystical aura.

The Navi, followed by her companions, boarded several cars. These vehicles were narrow and had a very old-fashioned appearance with large wheels. Netto didn't move, watching them leave...until the Navi in question finally noticed him, her mouth opening in surprise.

The car immediately stopped, and the Navi in the turquoise coat hastily got out amidst the shocked calls of the people around her.

"Priestess! What are you doing?!" they exclaimed.

Netto tilted his head, perplexed, as she approached him. First hastily, then slowing down as she got closer. The child took a step back, slightly frightened by this person's intentions, even though her emblem seemed normal and didn't correspond to any particular sect.

"Are you...all alone?" she asked once she was face to face with him.

The child's eyes widened slightly upon hearing her voice, which sounded familiar to him. A benevolent aura seemed to emanate from her, which eased his fears and diminished the worry in his mind.

"N-no," he replied, looking away, fixating on the place he came from. "My Navi is not far."

A rumbling sound from his stomach interrupted them, and Netto blushed with embarrassment, lowering his head. He said nothing, but the desire to hide was palpable. The female Navi tilted her head and then crouched down to his level.

"Are you lost?" she asked again, her voice filled with calm.

Hesitant to respond, Netto nodded, still not looking at her, still consumed by shame. The female Navi turned to the cars, then pointed at something with her finger.

"You can follow us, we're going to Cyber City, it's not far," she replied. Netto turned his gaze in her direction.

"Oh..." he responded, although a certain joy began to take hold of him. "Thank you."

She turned her head and then noticed the bloodstains on the child's sleeve. She said nothing at the moment, but her expression slightly tensed.

"Priestess, please! What are you doing?!" she heard from behind her.

She opened her mouth to reply, and Netto looked at her with wide eyes. A priestess? Yet, she didn't have the appearance of a miko. Intense curiosity took hold of him, thousands of questions running through his mind. The young Navi lowered her head and took off a pendant she wore around her neck, passing it to the shocked-looking child.

"Take this, use it if you have nothing else," she told him. Then she stood up, glanced at the boy one last time as he stared at the pendant bearing the same symbol as the Navi's, and turned on her heels to return to the cars. She entered one of them and looked at the boy one last time, who was equally perplexed by what had just happened. She finally got inside the car completely and it started moving.

As Netto watched the cars drive away, he took one last look at the pendant, wondering what had truly happened and why that person had helped him.

The child eventually shrugged instinctively and began following the tire tracks left by the cars, heading towards the city. Cyber City... The name was familiar to him, as he had heard it mentioned many times. It was a city that aimed to be revolutionary in terms of technology, or at least that's what he understood. He had never had the opportunity to visit it himself, but he knew that his father frequented it.

As he got closer and closer, Netto could behold a city that was indeed much more modern than anything he had seen before, whether in his own world or here. The buildings were not mere towers like he was used to, but rather rounded and futuristic structures. From where he stood, he noticed that the roads were actually bright blue glass bridges. Upon closer inspection, he realized that these roads were actually illuminated screens, sometimes displaying directions to guide people in the right direction.

Netto stood in awe, but shook his head. Mixed feelings flooded him when he thought about Rockman. Despite the discomfort he felt, he couldn't simply leave him without a word. His gaze swept the surroundings in search of the Navi in question.

"Rockman?" he questioned, scanning the area. "Rockman?"

With a thud, Rockman suddenly landed out of nowhere, causing Netto to startle. Netto winced, but he tried to calm himself and adopt a detached attitude, keeping his distance.

"Rockman, we're at the foot of a gigantic city... I'll probably stay here for the day... I'm so hungry and exhausted from everything that's happened..." His stomach rumbled. He couldn't wait any longer.

Rockman didn't respond, simply staring at him.

"So... You have to stay here... You know why... It pains me a little to be separated from you, but... I know you can handle it," he sighed. He didn't like feeling this way towards him, but he had no choice, especially given the circumstances and previous events. "If I find something to eat, I'll bring it to you, don't worry." He nodded as he spoke.

With his hand pressed against his stomach, he couldn't wait any longer.

"I'm leaving you... But I'll come back... I promise..."

Netto finally left, leaving the Navi alone, who scrutinized him with an almost inhuman gaze. Yet, the Navi's only reaction was to tilt his head. Netto approached the city in search of the entrance, which turned out to be a platform. He stepped onto it and was transported onto a bridge, while a voice from a speaker welcomed him to the city. Timidly, he placed a foot on the blue bridge, triggering an illumination. He watched in awe as each step of the people walking on the bridge illuminated the ground, only for the light to disappear once the foot was lifted. It was a mesmerizing sight.

Netto paced back and forth, the lights on the ground fading behind him like imprints in the sand washed away by the sea. A soft laugh escaped him. Finally, he put an end to his childish behavior and surveyed his surroundings, searching for a place where he could find food in this city. He chose a random direction, trying to find any leads. He ended up in a wide, closed alley lined with various shops and restaurants on both sides.

At the moment, he didn't notice that the majority of the occupants were Navis and few humans. However, the only customers present in these establishments were indeed humans, as he had previously noticed. If he could have conducted a search about this city, he would have, but his hunger was too intense to allow him to do anything else. So, his choice was quickly made: he headed towards a fast-food restaurant in hopes of getting food more quickly. Upon entering, he was surprised to see that the entire staff of the fast-food restaurant consisted of Navis with no humans in sight. He shrugged and ended up ordering more food than he actually needed... His hunger was too strong, he couldn't help it.

Netto devoured everything he could, savoring each bite. It felt so good, especially after such a long period without burgers and fries. Once he felt satisfied, he put the leftovers in a paper bag. He planned to give all of it to Rockman, hoping it would calm him down.

Quickly exiting the restaurant, he began to run towards the place he had come from, eager to bring the food to Rockman. The people around him were surprised to see a young boy in a cape running at full speed. He finally reached the bridge he had arrived on and descended it to leave the city. He continued to run, scanning the area for his Navi.

"Rockman!" he exclaimed, turning around.

A noise caught Netto's attention from behind. He then saw the Navi in question standing there, still wearing that same piercing gaze. Forcing a smile, Netto placed the bag of food at his feet, then took several steps back.

"There, I brought you something to eat... There's a lot, I hope it satisfies you..." he said with sincerity in his voice.

He turned around, giving one last glance to the Navi. "I'm leaving you now... We'll see each other tomorrow... Let Saito know that I'm in this city..."

The Navi approached the bag, and Netto set off, resuming his path towards the city.

Netto began to grasp the story of this city, which claimed to be a haven of peace between humans and Navis. The leaders were exclusively Navis, a response to the discrimination they often faced due to the Zoanoroid phenomenon. It was a place where they could finally feel accepted. The humans who lived here seemed to fully understand this reality. He was surprised to see a Navi and a human holding hands, walking together while gazing intensely into each other's eyes.

That kind of gaze immediately reminded him of Saito and Meiru. He bit his lip and shook his head.

He continued his walk, trying to find a hotel for the night, but to his surprise, the prices were exorbitant. Would he have to spend the night under the stars, like he had to do yesterday because he was in a too expensive place? Or should he...

"Netto-san?!" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

He quickly turned around and faced a familiar blonde head, accompanied by a tall brown Navi.

"Y-Yai...to...chan..." he stammered, overwhelmed with emotion.

The braided girl blinked upon seeing him, placing her hands on her chest. A slight mischievous smile appeared on her face. "So, you came all the way here? It's funny to meet in such a random way..."

She paused as she noticed Netto starting to sob, desperately trying to hold back his tears. Despite her joy at seeing him, he was clearly disturbed to be face to face with a familiar person still alive.

"Eh? Are you so happy to see me?" Yaito said, visibly awkward.

"Yaito-sama, please, can't you see he's not doing well? Be kinder to him," commented Glyde, who stood behind her.

Yaito then felt ashamed as the child in front of her wiped his eyes with his hands. She thought for a moment.

"If you want...you can come to my place and rest," she offered, looking off to the side.

Slowly, he nodded, accepting her proposition. Yaito took his hand and led him along. "Come on, let's go."

Netto sniffed one last time and then let himself be guided. They arrived at a brightly colored building with windows that prevented seeing from the outside. Netto found himself in a spacious apartment with the living room and kitchen forming a single space. Yaito's bedroom must be located elsewhere.

The young boy sat on the couch, and Yaito brought him some tissues to help him, a gesture he accepted gratefully. She settled down next to him, looking at him with seriousness.

"Do you want to explain to me what happened to you?" she asked.

Netto froze as he recalled the events. He wiped away his fresh tears and then slowly shook his head.

"Come on, you could tell me—" Yaito began.

"Yaito-sama! Please respect his choice!" Glyde intervened, with a slightly stricter tone than usual.

She stopped, looking down at the floor again, visibly ashamed and blushing. Netto said nothing. Once he managed to calm down properly, he looked around the room with astonishment.

"You have a nice apartment," he commented, trying to change the subject in the hope that it might help. Glyde nodded while Yaito continued to look elsewhere, filled with shame.

"Yes, I managed to get this apartment thanks to my new job in this city! I became the butler of a Variety prefect. Fortunately, this man has no negative influence on the cause of Navis," he explained, turning his head towards his ward who hadn't moved an inch. "Thanks to that, I can provide a home and food for Yaito-sama, even though I worry about what she does when I'm away."

Yaito suddenly looked up at him. "I can take care of myself just fine!"

Glyde wore a thoughtful expression, ignoring her words. "I'm hesitant to hire a nanny just in case... But I'm afraid she'll scare her away after two days," he commented in his thoughts.

Yaito was seething, her fingers almost clenching the fabric of the couch. These two reactions made Netto smile gently, as he sniffed one last time.

"I see you're feeling better now, Netto-san," Glyde continued, happy to see the child regaining some color.

Netto nodded while Yaito widened her eyes.

"What are you doing here in Cyber City?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I'm looking for a hotel for the night, I'm really exhausted."

She crossed her arms. "Sleeping in a hotel in Cyber City is really not a good idea, believe me. When Glyde found this job at first, the prices were exorbitant!"

Netto gritted his teeth. If even someone like Yaito could say such a thing, then she must be right. He sighed heavily. Suddenly, Yaito had a brilliant idea. "Oh, but you can stay here tonight! After everything you did for me in Akindo City, I could never properly repay you!"

Netto blinked, and Glyde hit his hand with his fist, visibly delighted.

"That's an excellent idea, Yaito-sama! We can accommodate you for the night. You can sleep here, in the living room," he suggested.

"But uh..." protested Netto, disturbed. The last time he had been hosted by someone, it hadn't gone well, and besides... "I'm also waiting for a friend, so there will be two of us, so we might..."

"That's not a problem! I insist that you stay here as a repayment," Yaito insisted, shaking her head.

Netto grimaced while Glyde felt uncomfortable.

"Please accept, Netto-san. I've already told you, but it's very rare to see her this kind," he added.

The little girl stuck her tongue out in response. Netto didn't really know what to say, he felt both touched and lost.

"Alright," he simply replied, slumping onto the couch.

Yaito looked at him with sparkling eyes, observing how exhausted the boy was.

"You know, since you're in Cyber City, you should make the most of it!" she added. "If you need anything, I can take you to any computer store to help you. A setup for a Navi, and you have it within minutes!"

Netto listened, his eyes slowly closing. Then, when the information sank into his mind, he sat up abruptly as if he had had a revelation. He grabbed his bag and quickly searched for what he needed, taking out his PET and staring at it with his mouth agape. Yaito, filled with curiosity, looked at the object and furrowed her brow.

"Is that your PET? But look at its condition!"

Glyde felt uneasy seeing the PET in such a state, still hoping that the Navi it belonged to was alright. Netto looked at Yaito with determination.

"Is there a place where I can get it repaired?!" he asked, his eyes very serious.

Yaito looked at Glyde, who returned her gaze before nodding.

They found themselves on the street, on one of the many blue glass bridges. Yaito pointed out several buildings, telling him their history and function. Netto found it very interesting, delighted to have a little guided tour of the city. They arrived on a street that was no longer a bridge but rather a separate neighborhood. In the distance, Netto could see a building that stood out from the others. It was a more traditional and much older structure. He noticed the symbols of Falzar and Gregar on the building, dismayed by this discovery.

A deafening noise filled their ears, a symphony of celebration mixed with drums. Netto felt Yaito's arm slip around his and guide him to the side of the street. A majestic parade passed by them. People strolled, mostly Navis, dressed in costumes similar to the ones he had glimpsed earlier in the day. He looked around, noticing the joyful excitement that animated the crowd.

"What's going on?" Netto asked, trying to make sense of the passing vehicles.

"It's the procession of Priestess Iris!" replied Glyde, visibly delighted.

Netto looked up at him, eyes wide open. "Priestess...Iris?" he repeated, as if it defied all logic to him.

Yaito nodded. "She's an extremely powerful Navi, representing Navis for Variety. Unlike humans, she is adored by everyone! She embodies hope!"

Netto blinked several times, perplexed.

"But why...is she called Iris?" he asked, his voice strangely curious.

"Why wouldn't her creator have the right to name her that?" retorted Yaito in a slightly harsh tone.

Netto remained silent. In reality, the name Iris reminded him of that girl he had met just after leaving Yaito in Akindo City. He remembered her distinct green eyes, so different from others, but above all, her wonderful smile. What could have become of...that Iris?

A car passed by them where a female Navi stood outside—the very same one he had glimpsed that morning. She gracefully greeted the passersby, and then...she noticed him, and Netto almost gasped. He could see her lips part softly, and a faint shy smile formed. Netto swallowed hard, feeling his cheeks flush. He lowered his gaze. He had to admit that he was extremely grateful to her for helping him earlier in the day.

"Priestess Iris is undoubtedly a Navi, but look how beautiful she is!" Yaito exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration.

"Yaito-sama, we can only see half of her face..." Glyde replied with a hint of morality.

"Well, I say she must be stunning under her helmet!" the little girl continued enthusiastically.

Netto paid no attention to their conversation, continuing to stare at the Navi disappearing into the crowd. She seemed so familiar.

After the interruption, the three entered a shop. The vibrant colors and overall appearance of the shop—focused on selling chips—reminded the young boy of something familiar. This impression was confirmed when he spotted the owner of the establishment.

"Hello!" greeted Glyde, accompanied by his operator.

A man sitting at a workstation, surrounded by boxes of chips in all directions, turned towards them. He wore glasses and his hair was disheveled, but he exuded a calm aura.

"Hello to you!" replied the famous owner.

Netto's mouth fell open upon seeing Higure here. The three approached the merchant with the boy being the most timid.

"What can I do for you-demasu?" Higure asked.

Glyde was the first to speak. "This young boy has a problem with his PET, could you repair it?" he asked, pointing to the child.

The man with glasses turned his face towards the child. Netto, initially surprised, grabbed his bag and took out his PET, presenting it to the man. Upon inspecting the result, Higure almost let out a scream.

"Oh my goodness, what happened to your PET?! Was your Navi deleted?" he quickly asked, trying to appear more sympathetic when he posed his second question.

"No," Netto replied, shaking his head. "It happened several weeks ago. My PET underwent an explosion while I was using it, and since then, my Navi...is forced to stay outside. I can't do anything anymore..." he explained, filled with disappointment.

Higure calmed down and continued to carefully examine the machine and the young boy. He turned the PET, trying to see more details.

"Well...it's a type of PET I've never seen before...it has nothing to do with the official models-demasu," he commented while scrutinizing the device.

Netto startled, remembering that his PET was different from the ones used here. Yaito took out hers that had Glyde's colors, a simple square with a small screen to view the Navi if they were inside.

"Where did you get it?" Higure still asked, seeming interested.

Netto hesitated before answering, biting his lip. "It's... A friend made it for me..." He raised his head, looking Higure straight in the eyes. "Please, don't tell anyone!" he added anxiously.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Of course, I won't say anything. I'm just intrigued," Higure said in a reassuring tone. He seemed calmer than his counterpart in the other world. "Actually, I'm rather fascinated. It's genuine craftsmanship-demasu. But unfortunately, since it's an unknown PET, repairing it will be a very complicated task."

The child's mouth fell open, disappointed to hear that. He lowered his head, showing his disappointment. "So...you can't repair it..."

"I said it would be a complicated task, I never said it was impossible. It will just take me more time-desu," Higure clarified.

Netto suddenly regained hope, raising his head with shining eyes. "How long will it take?"

Higure played with the PET in his hands. "I could probably return it to you tomorrow, once I figure out how it works."

A broad smile lit up Netto's face, Yaito also smiled, and Glyde nodded several times. "Thank you! You can't imagine how much you're saving me!" he replied, completely happy.

"That's good to hear. But as for the price, it will cost you seventy thousand zennies-demasu," Higure stated in his usual calm tone.

The trio froze in place. The joy they felt instantly vanished. Netto's eyes began to tremble as he stared at the man holding his PET.

"That... That's too expensive," Netto replied, his voice trembling.

"I'm sorry, but since it's a model I'm not familiar with, I prefer not to take any risks-demasu. If it were an official PET, I could even repair it for free thanks to the warranty," Higure explained, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I... I don't have enough money," the child started, lowering his head, disappointed.

The man with glasses sadly tilted his head. Yaito and Glyde looked at him with compassion, feeling his sorrow.

"I'm sorry," Higure began, but then his eyes landed on the child's necklace. "Wait... You could sell me that necklace!"

The three blinked, and Yaito finally noticed the necklace that Netto was wearing and was shocked by the design on it.

"Hello, everyone!" came a cheerful voice from behind them, entering the shop.

Glyde turned around and greeted the person in question. "Oh, Counselor Numberman! What a pleasure to see you!" he said as if the presence of the green Navi was completely normal. Once he realized who was before him, the Brown Navi's data went haywire. "Counselor Numberman?!"

Netto looked up, showing no particular reaction to the presence of this Navi here. Even Yaito almost stepped back.

"Yo, Numberman!" Higure chimed in. "How's the politics going-demasu?"

Numberman let out a heavy sigh. "If you only knew, it's so boring... Sometimes I feel forgotten..." He turned his head, surveying the surroundings. "Where are Shuuko and Aquaman?"

"She took the day off, and Aquaman still hasn't returned-demasu," the man with glasses replied.

The green Navi made a simple sound in response. Netto continued to watch this facet-ball Navi, surprised at how imposing he was in the real world.

"Counselor...Numberman?" Netto said, visibly surprised by the presence of this green Navi.

"Yes?" Numberman replied, looking at the young boy.

Netto didn't respond immediately. He hadn't really called him; he was just trying to understand why he was called that.

"This boy is not familiar with this city, he must be wondering why you are a counselor, right?" Glyde interjected, trying to defend Netto, who was also uncomfortable in this situation.

"Oh!" exclaimed Numberman, the lights in his ball blinking. "Indeed, I am one of the most important counselors. I work with some of the prefects in this city."

Netto flinched and almost stepped back. He felt uneasy, fearing at any moment that Prosecutor Roppo would arrive to take him away.

"I..." he responded apprehensively.

"I became a counselor because of my tactical calculation abilities. And my dear operator here didn't want to follow me; he preferred to stay in this shop," Numberman explained, not noticing the child's reaction.

"We're almost a married couple-demasu," Higure sarcastically chuckled.

"I must say that, even though we have to live together, I'm the more independent one!" Numberman retorted.

"Come on, my job brings in just as much," the man with glasses added, looking again at the child in the blue cape who was equally shocked by what he saw. "Tell me, Numberman-demasu, doesn't that child's necklace look like a genuine gold necklace?" his operator asked.

The multi-faceted Navi turned to the child and examined the necklace, causing Netto to take a step back. Then, the Navi's yellow eyes seemed to almost glow.

"Oh my goodness!" he exclaimed. "This necklace looks like the one worn by Priestess Iris!"

This time, it was Yaito who finally exclaimed, "What are you doing with a necklace from the priestess?!"

Netto brought the pendant to his eyes, examining it closely.

"This morning, I ran into her, and she gave me this necklace," he simply replied.

"What?! How could you encounter the priestess without even knowing who she is?!" exclaimed Yaito, growing increasingly excited, while Glyde tried to calm her down.

"It doesn't make any sense! Why would the priestess give one of her belongings to a human?!" added Numberman, hands on his head.

Netto didn't say anything, just watched the two around him panic about it.

"Oh, that means it's worth a lot more-demasu," Higure chimed in, very interested, stars in his eyes.

"Absolutely not, Yamitaro, you're not keeping a treasure from the priestess! I'll return it to her!" Numberman almost attacked.

"Or not, she gave it to him, and he could use it to pay for his PET's repair-demasu," retorted the man with glasses.

Numberman didn't respond and turned to the boy, still in a panicked state. "Please, kid! Don't do that! He's an idiot who doesn't know how to use his money!"

Netto looked at the pendant, then glanced at his PET. He remembered the priestess's words earlier. Squinting his eyes, he took the necklace off his neck and approached the shop owner.

"She probably gave it to me to help... I want my Navi to return to normal and operate properly," he declared, placing the object on the table without any resentment. "I entrust it to you. I truly hope you succeed."

Higure nodded. "Don't worry, kid. I'll do my best-demasu!"

Numberman was almost moved, though he couldn't cry, seeing what the child had just done. Yaito patted his shoulder, nodding in agreement, sympathetic to his situation. What an idea to pay with such a valuable piece of jewelry!

They made their way back home, Netto wearing a radiant smile on his face. He was happy because his PET would finally be repaired, and he hoped that Rockman would return to normal. Yaito sighed, still shocked by Netto's decision. Her Navi tried to reassure her, explaining that now Netto would have a functioning PET, and that was what mattered most.

The sun was slowly setting in the sky, and the city lights began to illuminate gradually. Netto almost believed they were like scattered mini suns throughout the city. Before heading back, he wanted to wait a little longer, convinced that Saito would show up any minute now. They waited eagerly, even though Yaito was somewhat annoyed by it. How could he expect to find a specific boy in such a vast city without the help of his PET now?

Netto wandered around the area, continuing his search for the boy. And then, suddenly...

"Netto?" he heard from behind him.

A wide smile lit up Netto's face as he turned around and saw the boy in question.

"Saito!" he exclaimed.

Netto quickly approached Saito, greeting him with joy, but the older boy looked up and noticed the familiar Navi and his operator, causing his heart to skip a beat.

"Who... Who are they?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.

Netto looked at them, forcing a smile. "They are...well, friends. I met them in Akindo City!" he quickly explained, getting closer to his elder, with one hand concealing their conversation. "I also knew them in my world, they are good people!"

Saito furrowed his brows, hands on his hips.

"Don't look at me like that!" Netto continued, slightly nervous. "They agreed to accommodate us for the night! The hotels here are terribly expensive!"

Saito let out a heavy sigh, but he didn't notice the blonde girl who was approaching, on edge.

"What audacity to behave like this!" she exclaimed, pointing her finger at Saito, who widened his eyes. "We're doing him a favor, and you're not even grateful!" If Yaito had been a dog, she would have probably bitten him.

Saito felt a few drops of sweat on his forehead as Glyde approached, taking the young girl in his arms and stepping back, apologizing repeatedly. He had never imagined he would be confronted with Yaito's strong character. Glyde had already explained to him many times how important it was to be patient.

Gradually, Yaito calmed down in her Navi's embrace, then she eventually pointed her finger at the older boy. "By the way, who are you? His brother?"

Saito widened his eyes while Netto growled and turned his head away, fists clenched.

"We're just friends," Saito simply replied, forcing a strained smile.

The young girl and her Navi remained silent. Shortly after, they arrived at their apartment, where Glyde prepared the sofa to turn it into a bed. Both boys felt awkward about having to sleep here, but they didn't have a choice after all. They waited in silence, and during dinner, it was Glyde who took care of the preparation as well. They sat at the table on chairs and enjoyed what was on their plates. They were satisfied with the meal. It was surprising to see a Navi who knew how to cook. Glyde explained to them that he had to learn cooking in order to take care of Yaito properly.

The evening went smoothly, except for Yaito monopolizing the conversation, once again explaining the city to the others. Saito was at least fascinated by what he had seen. He had to admit it was a beautiful city, he couldn't deny it. At the end of the meal, the young girl bid them goodnight and went to her room to read on her own.

Finding themselves alone, Netto turned to Saito, who was sitting on the bed. He approached him, words stuck in his throat.

"So... How was your day?" he asked, even though he knew he probably wouldn't get the truth.

Saito looked up, surprisingly looking at the child.

"It was fine, not much happened," he replied. He couldn't really tell him, but when Netto brought him fast food, he had eaten well and took a long nap.

"I see," Netto said, looking away.

Saito tilted his head, observing him with curiosity.

"And you?" he asked in return.

"I... I'm fine," Netto replied in a low voice, then he remembered something. "Oh, I found someone who will repair my PET!" he announced with more enthusiasm.

Saito's eyes widened upon hearing this news. He gave a small smile, but he didn't know if it would be good news or not. "That's great!" he replied. The concern lay in how the PET would react once it was repaired.

"Do you think Rockman will be back to normal?" the child asked again.

"I don't know," the other boy replied. "We'll see tomorrow!" He felt uneasy.

Netto nodded. He hesitated to talk about the priestess he had met during the day, but he shrugged. After all, he had already shared the most important information.

"My PET will probably be repaired tomorrow," Netto affirmed. "We'll leave this city once my PET is back."

He settled in and got rid of his belongings, taking off his boots and sweater before laying down on the sofa bed. Once on the pillow, Netto simply whispered, "I can't wait." Then he closed his eyes for good.

Saito followed suit, slipping into the bed quietly. He looked at the child next to him and smiled. Perhaps things would indeed go back to how they used to be.

To be Continued…

AN: I may have already said it, but I love writing Yaito, I think writing characters with that "gremlin" side is fun. She's probably not the fandom's favorite character, but damn, she's fun to write. I'm glad Iris is finally back once again hehe, but don't worry, she'll come back again! So now what are your theories? Will the PET still work? Will Rockman act differently? Or will Yaito steal the necklace from Higure? lmao

As for Netto's PET, please know that from the beginning, he has his Stream PET, specifically the Progress PET, not the latest one. The Link PET is the official PET from the world of Beyondard. I hope that helps!