AN: Hello! Another week again, and today the new chapter is posted on a Saturday. Why? Because September 10th is the anniversary of my One Shot "What could have been," and I wanted to celebrate that!
In this chapter, our heroes will have to meet a man that a lot of people love, I think, and I do too, I really like him... And Smoke, who knows nothing about BN, well, he loves him too.
Winter is not here for us yet, so enjoy the warm days!
Chapter 29: The School in the Snow
Netto was moving slowly, his thoughts swirling around the night before. Worry for Saito weighed heavily on him, and he felt burdened by guilt. Walking alongside him was Iris, who had picked him up early that morning after spending the night outside. She was unaware of what had transpired between the two boys the previous evening because Netto had chosen to remain silent about it.
Rockman stood nearby, visibly restless, and Netto couldn't determine the reason behind his agitation. Perhaps he was simply hungry, as he always had a voracious appetite when he was in a bad mood. With a sudden movement, he kicked a pebble, eliciting an annoyed sigh from himself. Iris turned her attention to him, tilting her head.
"Is there a problem, Netto-kun?" she asked.
Netto reacted quickly, running his hand through his hair and forcing a smile. "No, don't worry! I'm fine!" he replied with a bright smile, displaying all his teeth.
Netto let out a deep sigh as he struggled to hide his emotions regarding Saito. He wondered if he should at least apologize tonight for his behavior. He felt genuinely guilty for pushing him like that, all for something he kept secret. Maybe things were meant to take their natural course, he thought, as he continued to contemplate the situation.
Without a word, they continued walking, Rockman agilely moving from tree to tree until there were no more trees in the deserted plain. Grunting slightly on his own, under the watchful eyes of the other two, he eventually approached them slowly.
"Tell me, Netto-kun," Iris began out of nowhere, almost surprising the child. "What was your first impression when you arrived in this world?"
Netto looked up at her and then gazed at the sky, observing the dimensional area. "Well...it was strange. I had never seen a dimensional area like this, and seeing Navis mixing with humans is weird, but...it's cool."
"It's 'cool'?" Iris repeated, intrigued.
"Yes! Most Navis are our friends. I've long dreamed of being alongside Rockman! Even if it's in a different way..." The child glanced at the Navi behind him, who had his eyes half-closed as he watched the scene, ready to intervene at any moment. "But if we could create powerful dimensional areas that would allow Navis to appear in our world, it would be great for them!"
"Do you think...your world would accept Navis?" Iris asked softly.
Netto nodded with determination. "Of course!"
The female Navi looked away, deep in thought. "It's strange...in the thirty-five years of having this dimensional area, Navis and humans have always struggled to coexist."
Caught off guard, Netto let out a silent gasp. He remembered vividly how he had seen people keep their distance from Navis and often treat them as mere slaves. Yet, he had also observed Navis and humans living in harmony during his journey. He gave Iris's hand a gentle tap to regain her attention.
"There are plenty of Navis and humans who coexist perfectly well. Look at Rockman and me...and then there's us too..." He trailed off, scratching his temple and blushing slightly.
While she glanced sideways, Iris flashed a faint smile, which the young child greatly appreciated.
"It's quite amazing how much you resemble a human," he commented.
Iris's only response was to stop smiling.
"I was created this way," was her simple reply.
As they continued on their way, Netto kept a slight blush on his cheeks, stealing quick glances at the female Navi. Later on, he began to feel the cold creeping in. He grabbed his cloak and pulled it tightly around himself, sneezing abruptly. Iris looked at him upon hearing the sound, but he reassured her it was nothing. However, both of them were startled when they heard another sneeze, this one coming from none other than Rockman behind them who was rubbing his nose.
Iris looked around, notably at the whitish sky, and a bit further ahead she spotted a layer of white. She approached it slowly, as if to analyze it, but was abruptly interrupted when the young boy ran towards it and almost threw himself into it.
"Snow!" he exclaimed with joy, surprising her with his enthusiasm.
The female Navi looked up and saw that the snow was accumulating more and more as they progressed. It seemed they had entered an area where the white flakes were gradually falling. Netto approached a big pile of snow, and despite the cold seeping into him, he managed to forget it thanks to his excitement.
He touched the frozen powder, letting it slip through his fingers, before finally shaping it into a snowball in his hands. Curious, Rockman approached this strange white substance, sniffing at it until his mask disappeared to reveal his tongue, which he dipped into the snow. However, this didn't last long, as something hit him hard, causing him to roar expressively. Netto sighed and then launched another snowball at the Navi, who growled in response.
Rockman tried to defend himself with his arms, but Netto was much too fast. He growled again, then finally turned around, taking some snow in his hands without forming a snowball and throwing it towards the child. Netto burst into laughter in response. Meanwhile, Iris watched the two without passing judgment. However, as she seemed to be simply waiting, she became the target of a snowball right in her face, quickly raising her arms in dismay.
Netto panicked, regretting throwing that snowball at Iris without thinking that she might not appreciate the gesture; just as he had done with Rockman, who continued to send snow relentlessly.
"I'm sorry! Iris, I'm really sorry..." he cried out in panic.
The young girl then bent down, scooping up some snow in her hands and forming a snowball, which she silently launched at Netto, hitting him on the shoulder. Brushing off the snow, he began to smile, while Iris gave a mischievous little grin. Each of them started attacking the other, even Rockman, who threw everything he had in his hands, only to end up receiving two snowballs right in the face from the other two. This sent him tumbling backward, letting out a disgruntled growl, which made the child laugh.
The cold intensified as Netto huddled, his teeth chattering violently. Rockman, who had also stopped, instinctively huddled up for the first time. The two partners shivered as Iris watched them, feeling the same sensation going down her spine. She wore an expression of absolute seriousness.
"I feel this cold too," she murmured with a voice filled with concern.
Netto raised his head, showing his surprise. In light of what she had revealed to him the previous day, there was only one possible explanation.
"Is this artificial cold?" he asked.
She nodded and scanned their surroundings. "It can only mean one thing," she commented.
Netto made a sound, and suddenly, the wind picked up, causing their skin to shiver. Dense fog quickly settled in, accompanied by snowfall.
"We need to leave this place as soon as possible," Iris declared, approaching the child and gently pushing him by the shoulder.
Netto followed closely behind Iris, but in the thick fog surrounding them, it was possible they could get lost at any moment. Every step they took was a challenge, and the young boy pressed against Iris to find some comfort. Then, a fast and terrifying sound froze them in their tracks, followed by a piercing scream from the wild Navi who was on the verge of stumbling forward. Alert, Iris managed to catch him just in time.
The young boy moved closer to the source of the sound, his eyes filled with horror as he discovered a river of blood spreading on the fresh snow. Netto scanned the source of this horror and realized that Rockman was in agony with his mouth wide open, eyes wide, and struggling for every breath. He noticed three cruelly embedded ice spikes in the left side of his Navi's abdomen.
Iris widened her eyes as well upon seeing the severity of the injury, and suddenly, she sensed something. "Get down!" she shouted, forcing the two to crouch suddenly in the snow.
Netto was the first to raise his head, a worried gleam in his eyes, and Iris joined him immediately. Rockman, on the other hand, remained almost motionless, overwhelmed by pain. Carefully, Iris tried to get him to stand up, putting her arm around his shoulders to support him. He glared at her and let out a low growl.
"Not the time..." she murmured softly, aware that this hybrid Navi still didn't fully trust her.
Netto took the initiative to keep moving, but he kept a vigilant eye on the two Navis following closely behind. While he remained cautious, the icy cold seeped into him, numbing certain parts of his body. Through the fog, he spotted a building in the distance and pointed toward it.
"There!" he yelled, and Iris finally caught sight of the place he was indicating.
Iris remained cautious but had no other choice. She carefully repositioned Rockman against herself and then followed the child towards the large building, quickening her pace. As they approached, Netto realized they were entering a vast courtyard, and the structure in question was actually a school building. He managed to open the massive front door, and the three individuals successfully entered, quickly closing the door behind them.
They stood for a moment, leaning against the door, relieved to no longer feel the cold but, more importantly, aware that they were likely safe. Netto breathed heavily, scanning the surroundings and noting that the school was in complete darkness with no lights and no sign of human activity, completely deserted. This realization sent shivers down his spine. Iris looked at Rockman, whose condition was deteriorating, his blood continuing to flow down his leg.
"We need to find a place to take care of him," Iris said. Netto raised his head and looked in one direction.
"The best option would be to head to the gym. There's usually heating there, and we can set up Rockman there," he replied.
The female Navi nodded, and they made their way through the darkness, feeling their way to avoid bumping into anything. Uncertain about the presence of other individuals, they chose to remain silent. Eventually, they entered a large room that resembled a gymnasium, various types of mats arranged around the floor. The room was significantly smaller than the one in Akihara Town's school. Iris gently laid the Navi she was supporting on a thick, cushioned mat that was intended to soften falls during jumps.
Rockman remained lying down, eyes closed, completely tense. Netto and Iris examined the wound, observing the slowly melting ice shards that were mixing water with blood. They knew they would spare Rockman from suffering by removing the shards, but it would take time. Netto moved away, searching for the heating device in the room. He located it, but he couldn't figure out how to turn it on.
"What is this?" he muttered to himself, annoyed, his eyes narrowing.
Iris approached with a grimace, powerless as a Navi to act automatically. Everything had to be done manually. They turned their attention back to the weakened Navi, seeing no other option but maybe removing the shards themselves.
"We need to find the infirmary," Iris said and Netto nodded.
Rockman opened one eye and slowly sat up, attempting to touch the shards in his abdomen. Netto's eyes widened, and he approached in panic.
"No, Rockman! Don't touch! We'll take care of it!" Netto pleaded.
The Navi didn't react but emitted a faint growl. Netto felt uneasy at that moment, then stepped back towards the exit.
"Netto-kun, where are you going?" Iris asked.
"Well, we're going to find the infirmary, right? I can't leave him like this," he replied.
She approached him. "I'll come with you. I'd rather not leave you alone. You never know if someone is here, after all."
He nodded and cast one last hopeful glance at Rockman. "We'll be back, Rockman, I promise."
Rockman didn't react; he gently closed his eyes to rest, while the other two left the large room. They found themselves in a long corridor. To their left, doors led to empty classrooms, while to their right, the windows bravely resisted the icy storm.
"Is this the first time this has happened?" Iris asked.
"It's happened before when he got shot by these strange bullets; it shocked me to see he could bleed," Netto replied.
Iris opened her mouth, slightly wide-eyed, and then Netto realized something.
"Iris, do you know what those things were?" He was quickly interrupted when the wind violently swung open a window.
Iris rushed to the window, struggling to close it, a task she eventually accomplished successfully. Netto sighed with relief, but suddenly, a strange sound—distinct from their own movements—echoed. They froze, swiftly pivoting to locate the source of the noise, which seemed to come from one of the classrooms. The girl put her hand on the child's shoulder, forcing him to stay behind her, and together with apprehension, they moved toward the sound.
Opening the door with some hesitation, Iris stepped in first to discover what was hidden inside, while Netto managed to position his head to see as well, still remaining hidden behind Iris's dress. As they scanned the room in front of them, they made out a male figure lying on a desk, arms stretched beyond the surface. The snores emanating from the man suggested he was deeply asleep. Right next to him was a small glass bottle that held an orange-yellow liquid. They concluded that it wasn't an ordinary drink and that this substance was likely responsible for his "fatigue," given the smell it emitted.
Netto felt a deep disgust towards this individual, but he suddenly caught sight of the man's long red hair, an incredibly familiar feature. He approached slowly to get a better look, but Iris tried to hold him back with a soft sound.
"Netto-kun, what are you doing?" she asked.
However, Netto paid no heed to her warnings. The red hair, shining with a fiery glow, was unquestionably that of a person he never would have imagined seeing again. He made an involuntary noise, which caused the man to grit his teeth as he finally began to stir. He slowly sat up, weariness evident in his eyes, and placed a hand on his head, indicating he had a headache. The young boy's eyes widened as he finally saw the man's face.
Hinoken, a former member of the World Three who had once taken a job as a deliveryman at Maha Jarama's curry restaurant, stood before them. However, like all the people he had known and met here, there was something notably different about him. Firstly, he wore eyeglasses that seemed ill-fitted on his face, and his beard was unkempt. Though he wasn't radically different from the person Netto had known, he sported a white shirt and black pants with a jacket draped over the chair behind him. With a mix of surprise and questioning, Netto furrowed his brows, wondering if he had become a teacher.
The red-haired man finally raised his head, discovering the two others staring at him with eyes as wide as saucers, though Iris assumed a defensive posture. Curiously, he didn't seem surprised by their presence and simply ran his hand over his forehead, rubbing it.
"What are you doing here?" he muttered almost, his voice betraying an annoyance tinged with sarcasm.
Iris abandoned her defensive stance while Netto closed his mouth.
"We..." Netto began, but Iris hushed him by placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry, school's closed," he declared, still annoyed with that lingering hint of sarcasm.
Netto tilted his head, ignoring Iris's warning.
"We were just looking for shelter from the storm," he replied in a small voice.
"Netto-kun," Iris murmured softly, but Netto responded with a smile and a wink that made her tilt her head back.
Hinoken said nothing, just rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"We don't want to disturb you," Iris added, thinking that might annoy the man.
Hinoken finally managed to lift his head and focused fully on the two children.
"Do you really want to stay here?" he asked in a slightly sarcastic tone. "It's not like there's nothing to do... Well, I can give you a math lesson if you want."
Netto froze, feeling a shiver at the mere mention of math, his teeth clenching involuntarily. Iris stepped closer, showing no intimidation.
"We're only here until the storm subsides. We were attacked," she explained in a more serious tone.
Hinoken looked at the child and then the young girl and let out a small chuckle. "Well, stay here, but I'm not sure you'll ever leave."
Sensing a threat in this man's words, the female Navi pulled Netto closer to her.
"What do you mean...?" she asked in a chilling tone.
Netto managed to free himself from her grasp and approached the teacher's desk, trying to ease the building tension.
"Come on, Iris, don't get worked up like this!" he said softly, sporting a smile. "I don't think...this man is responsible for the storm; he seems to have a fiery spirit, doesn't he?"
The red-haired man looked at him, one eyebrow raised, and then he noticed Iris's suspicious expression, which made him burst into laughter.
"Ah! Did you really think all of this was a trap to lure kids like you here?" he chuckled between fits of laughter.
Iris opened her mouth but said nothing. Netto turned completely, facing the former member of World Three, who continued to laugh as if he had just heard a joke.
"This kid's got it right," he tried to calm down. "I'm more of a fiery spirit!"
Netto smiled and nodded in agreement. Hinoken tilted his head, focusing on his two "guests."
"So, why are you here?" Iris asked, still filled with suspicion.
Hinoken wiped his glasses without looking at the young girl in front of him. "I'm here to hunt, which is quite tricky when you're on enemy turf."
"If you tried listening to me from time to time, maybe you'd succeed," a voice came out of nowhere, shocking the other two.
Hinoken took a PET from his belt, not even bothering to look at the screen.
"Shut up. I didn't ask for your opinion on this."
Netto swallowed nervously, realizing he was dealing with a Navi; although it didn't seem to be Fireman, at least not based on the voice.
"The Zoanoroid..." Iris stated without elaborating.
Hinoken looked at her and raised his finger, "Exactly." Then he turned his gaze to his bottle, hesitating to take it. Eventually, he got up heavily and approached the people in front of him.
"That's why I'm asking if you're sure you want to stay here…especially with a child," he said, looking at Netto out of the corner of his eye, the boy biting his lip. "So I'm not sure this storm will ever end... Unless I erase it."
Netto approached, trying to maintain his optimism. "We'll find a way out, and my...friend will recover in time."
Hinoken raised an eyebrow. "Well, kids are often filled with naivety. But I don't mind having roommates; just don't annoy me."
Iris approached Netto, taking his shoulder and forcing him to stay close to her.
"I just want to know, is there an infirmary?" she finally asked.
"At the end of the hallway," he answered, pointing his thumb backward. "You should check if what you're looking for is still in good condition."
Iris nodded in thanks and pushed the boy outside. Netto gave one last sad glance inside, a strange expression of sorrow in his eyes. As Iris searched for what could help Rockman in the infirmary, the boy remained lost in thought.
He wondered how the red-haired man had ended up there. Sure, he was tracking a Zoanoroid, probably out of revenge, but why did he seem so "lost"? especially after hearing the Navi's voice and realizing it wasn't Fireman…
Once Iris had found what could be useful, they returned to where Rockman was waiting, passing by the classroom where Hinoken was. Netto looked at him sadly and then continued on without looking back.
"Hinoken-san!" the Navi called out from the PET. The red-haired man held a glass bottle firmly, looking annoyed as he raised his head toward the square device.
"What do you want...?" he said, his tone filled with irritation.
"I don't know where these kids are hiding, but they might catch a cold. He must be aware of their presence here, and he could show up at any moment," the Navi expressed from its electronic box, almost vibrating the device.
"Well, that would make excellent bait..." he muttered in a half-asleep voice, showing little interest in the situation.
"Hinoken-san, I'm serious! Get a grip!" the Navi exclaimed louder and louder.
Hinoken grunted as he raised his head, his eyebrows furrowing even more.
"You don't need to dictate my actions, leave me alone," he ordered firmly.
"You'll never achieve justice!" the Navi declared.
The red-haired man lowered his head, almost banging it against his desk. He was growing increasingly exhausted, amplified by his stupid Navi adding more to his annoyance as he tried to drink his tightly held beverage.
"It's not justice I'm seeking... I just want...it to end," he replied weakly.
Silence hung in the air, allowing the sound of the wind battering the windows to be heard. Hinoken took another sip from the bottle, then wiped his mouth.
"Let me out, I'll go see those kids," the Navi continued, trying to remain calm.
The man banged the bottle on the table, glaring angrily at the PET. "Fine, alright, just so you'll leave me alone!"
He pressed a button without taking his eyes off the device, and a red line appeared in front of him, summoning a Navi of rather unusual shape.
"Well, I've had enough of your old-timer antics," the Navi responded, without even glancing at its operator, as it headed towards the door.
Netto watched with a tired expression, his lips curled in a slight frown. It had been over ten minutes that Iris had been struggling with Rockman, who was acting like a rabid dog. All she was trying to do was remove the ice spikes embedded in his abdomen. However, the Navi, filled with pride and pain, vehemently refused to let her touch him. Netto clenched his teeth from watching them.
"We have to remove them, you understand? You'll never heal otherwise!" she tried to explain regardless, even though the wild Navi responded with a guttural roar that made her bite her lip. "Don't make me do this..." she added in a softer voice.
Rockman was still acting violent, continuing to growl without caring about the noise he was making. Netto finally approached more calmly, first glancing at the Navi, then at the girl.
"Wouldn't it be better if I try? Maybe he'll be calmer with me," he suggested, hoping to ease the tension.
However, Iris shook her head. "No, Netto-kun, he's far too violent." She glanced at the Navi who continued to growl, agitated. "Even with you, he won't let it happen..."
Netto made a sad grimace and looked at the Navi with deep dismay. He did nothing but tighten his hands against himself under the growing stress he felt towards Rockman.
"Please, Rockman, let it happen. We're doing it for your own good," he pleaded softly, almost inaudibly.
Once again, the Navi growled like a threatened cat. The two of them instinctively backed away, expecting a claw swipe as his eyes expressed pure rage.
It was then, behind them, a noise came from the door. They quickly turned around, mouths agape, waiting to see who was behind it. However, Rockman displayed an even more enraged expression. At the door stood a strange Navi resembling a yellow lighter, with two long arms and flames in its eyes and mouth. For some reason, this Navi seemed familiar to Netto, although he couldn't recall where he knew it from.
"Hello," began the yellow Navi in a rather calm voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you, but..."
He abruptly stopped when he finally noticed Rockman, who was growling like a furious beast. "A Zoanoroid?!"
Despite the growing tension of the situation, Netto let out a fearful sigh. Rockman, on the other hand, growled even louder, trying to rise despite the pain, ready to attack. The fire Navi conjured flames on his arms, also wearing a much more serious expression.
"Wait!" cried Netto, hoping that both of them would calm down, but to no avail.
Rockman was the first to charge towards the yellow Navi who was waiting, igniting his arms. However, Iris stepped in between them, raising her arms towards each of them. Thinking that an attack was imminent, Rockman abruptly halted in his tracks, forced to stay on his knees. The opposing Navi, likewise, lost his flames and found himself immobilized on the ground.
Netto's mouth hung open, completely bewildered. Iris was looking at both of them; her two hands seemed to control the two Navis, preventing them from attacking. He almost gasped in fear when he realized what was happening. What did this mean? Was she capable of controlling them? Was this some kind of telekinetic power?
"What...are you..." growled the lighter-shaped Navi, his voice tinged with anger as he remained completely immobilized.
Seeing that both Navis had calmed down, particularly Rockman, who had managed to place a hand against his wounds, Iris lowered her arms. Both Navis suddenly felt released from this strange grip, and the fire Navi slowly raised his head to look at the young girl. Meanwhile, Netto approached Rockman to make sure he didn't lose control further.
Iris then turned to the intrusive Navi, and her body began to glow. A turquoise outfit appeared with her helmet, hiding any expression. The yellow Navi almost jumped back, nearly throwing himself to the ground.
"P-Priestess Iris?!" he exclaimed, almost shouting.
Iris remained impassive, looking down at him, preventing him from saying anything further.
"This Navi behind me is not an enemy," she declared with a powerful voice, full of grace. This statement sent a shiver down Netto's spine. "I know you're not a bad Navi, my dear, but I would kindly ask you not to interfere in this matter. I have it under control."
The lighter-shaped Navi looked at the young girl, then at the Navi behind her, who was still giving him a suspicious glare with eyes distorted by the same rage. He glanced back at the priestess and made an unconvincing expression.
"I'm sorry, Iris-sama, but...this...thing surprised me," he stammered.
Iris eventually turned her head toward the wild Navi behind her, who had his mouth wide open in a threatening posture. Meanwhile, Netto was trying to calm him down, although he didn't attempt to approach his wound. The female Navi lowered her head, still trying to appear convincing.
"This Navi is special, that's why I'm with them," she suddenly declared, surprising the yellow Navi. "I would kindly ask you not to speak of this to anyone, is that clear?"
The lighter-shaped Navi made a fearful sound and nodded, accepting the situation. Iris reverted to her initial form under the intrigued gaze of the same Navi, then she approached Rockman again, who growled louder as she got closer. She raised her hand, but Netto stood between them, looking at her with a sad expression.
"Wait, what are you doing? How can you do this... I'm not sure it's good for Rockman," he tried to explain, his words sounding confused due to his bewilderment.
Iris tilted her head and gently lowered her hand while whispering the child's name.
"I mean..." Netto continued. "How do you do this? What's this power?"
The yellow Navi had gotten up and approached them, a surprised look on his face directed at the child.
"What do you mean, kid? You're with Priestess Iris, and you don't know about her technopathic power?" he exclaimed.
The female Navi turned her head toward him, her lips frowning, and an annoyed look on her face. The yellow Navi gasped in surprise and apologized for his intrusion. Netto blinked, while Rockman continued to growl.
"Technopathic?" he repeated.
She sighed softly, lowering her head slightly with an expression of shame.
"That's my power. I was created with it... I can control any form of technology, just as I can with Navis," she explained, clenching her hand against her arm.
Netto's eyes widened as he realized this, pointing at her, almost shocked. "Wait, the day we first met when I saved you from those robotic dogs... That was you..."
She responded with a nod, and the child let out a surprised cry, his voice betraying disappointment. He felt somewhat bad now that he knew he hadn't actually done anything during their initial encounter, knowing that she could handle the small robots without his help.
"That's...disappointing," he commented with a voice tinged with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry," she replied softly, feeling bad for him.
Netto shook his head and then offered a small smile. "But.. it's still a pretty cool power!"
However, Rockman growled so loudly that both of the other Navis widened their eyes. The pain was unbearable for him.
"I need to heal you," Iris stated emotionlessly, raising her hand towards Rockman.
Netto swallowed hard as he saw what she was about to do. Although he could acknowledge that it was quite an impressive power, he looked at Rockman resisting this authority and moved closer to the two, a more worried expression on his face.
"I... I know you don't have another choice, but... I don't know if..." He couldn't find the words, not really knowing what to say in this situation.
"We're not going to wait for these ice spikes to melt, Netto-kun, he needs immediate care," she interjected with a rather stern voice, surprising the child.
"Melt?" the fire Navi asked this time, observing the scene in silence.
Netto gasped, and then a lightbulb seemed to go off above his head. With a small smile, he approached the fire Navi, thinking it was a great idea.
"Since you're a fire Navi, wouldn't it be easier if...you could melt these ice spikes? Rockman wouldn't feel any pain!" he suggested hopefully, while Iris looked at him with her mouth agape and Rockman suddenly began to calm down.
The lighter-shaped Navi looked at both of them and made a puzzled expression, but he placed a hand on his own side.
"Well, I'm pretty good at melting something," he replied.
Netto jumped for joy and approached Rockman again, who had stopped appearing angry, his red eyes returning to normal. The child placed a delicate hand on his shoulder, forcing him to lean over to show the wound.
"Right here!" he called.
The yellow Navi also approached, looking at the wound and was shocked to see traces of blood everywhere. He gave the two others a questioning glance, but Netto didn't say anything and Iris shook her head to indicate they wouldn't provide any explanations. The fire Navi made a sigh-like noise and raised his hands, forming a small fireball.
Due to the sudden heat, Rockman initially widened his eyes but quickly calmed down, finding the warmth more soothing than painful. He could feel something cold running down his hip, followed by something that seemed to dissolve more gently, making him grit his teeth. The fire Navi stopped, and Netto and Iris approached to see the result. Nothing remained except three large red, almost black, holes in his abdomen.
The female Navi stood beside him, taking advantage of the momentary calm of the wild Navi, and took out the items she had found in the infirmary to disinfect the wound. Before she even had time to place an alcohol-soaked cotton ball on the wound, the Navi almost screamed in pain, shocking the other three. The child approached him with a sigh.
"You're really making a fuss..." he commented.
Rockman continued to growl as the cotton ball rubbed against his wound, causing him to widen his eyes. Netto tilted his head towards him, raising an eyebrow.
"You know, with those battles against the Asteroids, I've had broken ribs, remember?" he expressed, clearly tired of his behavior.
However, Rockman didn't react further, just closing his eyes. Iris finally managed to wrap a roll of gauze around his torso to cover the wounds, hoping it would work to protect them. The Navi finally calmed down and collapsed onto the soft mat, desperately seeking rest.
"Well... He's really a strange Navi," the lighter-shaped Navi commented again, still perplexed.
Netto turned to him, wearing a big smile. "You're Hinoken's Navi, right?"
The yellow Navi jumped violently, while Iris also emitted a small gasp of surprise. Even Rockman, lying on the carpet, raised his head to look at Netto with annoyance.
"H-how do you know his name, he didn't even introduce himself," the Navi stammered, almost shocked that the child knew his operator's name.
Netto jumped as well, his eyes wide, sweat forming on his face. He quickly averted his gaze, blushing with embarrassment.
"I-I saw it written..." he stammered, trying to appear convincing.
The fire Navi found himself in a delicate situation, hesitating on how to respond. The other two observed the scene in their own ways, their irritation with the child's impulsive actions evident on their faces. Netto felt an uncontrollable urge to let out a nervous laugh but bit his lips to restrain it.
Finally, that same Navi broke the silence by saying, "I'm Heatman, his Navi."
This response startled Netto, and a smile appeared on his face as he momentarily seemed to forget what had just happened. He clapped his hands. "That's right! Heatman!" he exclaimed to himself, leaving the Navi puzzled.
An oppressive atmosphere settled in, and the child felt uneasy. He decided to sit on the mat, simply watching Rockman's head as it lay down, seeking rest. Netto couldn't shake recent events from his mind. He stared at the lighter-shaped Navi for a moment before asking the question that had been on his mind for a while.
"Tell me... what happened to your operator?" he finally inquired, avoiding mentioning Hinoken's name due to what had happened just minutes ago. Rockman raised his head, growling firmly, while Iris frowned in Netto's direction.
"Netto-kun, I don't think..." she began.
"No, Iris-sama, don't worry. I don't mind," Heatman replied in a gentler tone, silencing Iris. He turned to the child, who was still looking at him with curiosity. "It's going to be a delicate subject, but I'm ready to explain, even though I've only been his Navi for five months," he said, turning his head, arms crossed.
Netto was shaken by hiccups, evidently shocked. He felt there was something more to it, and he was almost certain that Fireman was a part of it.
"Hinoken-san was...a thief, I believe. He would commit a whole series of shady acts, especially in Jawaii," Heatman began, as Netto bit his lips to repress a teasing smile. Even though World Three didn't exist in this world, things seemed to remain similar. "But he got tired of all that, and he wanted to take some sort of retirement."
Iris listened in silence as the child, still captivated by the story, blinked.
"A retirement? He was never caught for what he did?" he asked.
"He was never caught. That's actually why he came here, to a place that was the opposite of what he was exposed to," Heatman explained. He tapped his lighter-shaped head and glanced toward a corner of the room. "He settled in the mountains to become a teacher at this elementary school," he revealed.
"Eh?!" Netto exclaimed at this news, which even seemed strange to Iris.
"Yeah, I know," Heatman replied with amusement. "It's quite surprising, but he never told me why he wanted to end up like that. Maybe it really was to avoid being found."
The child couldn't help but find it extremely suspicious. Hinoken wasn't at all fond of kids, so how did he end up in a place filled with them? Was he secretly planning to propagandize his dark exploits? And what if Hinoken had been on Variety's side all along? No, it didn't make sense. Now that he knew Variety was working in conjunction with the cults, why would he seek to confront a Zoanoroid?
"Why is he still here then?" the child continued to inquire. "And why does this school seem so...abandoned?"
Heatman put a hand against his chin, wearing a thoughtful grimace.
"As I said, I've only been with him for five months. I'm just a replacement Navi, after all," he began.
Netto widened his eyes upon hearing this information; it struck a chord with him.
"Hinoken-san had another Navi before me, and together, they did everything they could to protect this school from the Zoanoroid responsible for this storm," he continued. "They did everything to defend and save the children. Unfortunately, many of them were kidnapped, especially the younger ones, and the school had to cease its activities. So, Hinoken-san and his previous Navi took it upon themselves to destroy that Zoanoroid that still haunts the place."
Netto let out a sigh of understanding, and Iris lowered her gaze upon hearing this story. The child clenched the fabric of his shorts tightly, his lips pursed, seeming to have an idea of what had happened.
"And his...first Navi... It was deleted by that Zoanoroid, right?" he asked with a trembling voice.
Heatman remained silent, his previous words already an implicit answer to the young boy's question. Rockman, who had been listening to the entire conversation from the beginning while staring at an empty corner of the room, slowly began to tighten his fingers on the mat, memories of Fireman coming back to him.
"Somebody created me and sent me to him. I don't know who my creator is, but anyway, Hinoken-san was surprised to have me. Now he wants to use me in his revenge, but look at what he's become," Heatman continued.
Netto hung his head as he thought about all of this. It was evident that Hinoken was in no condition to do anything coherent in his current state of apparent exhaustion.
"He and I just can't get along. That guy refuses to listen to me because I'm not like his previous Navi, just a simple replacement, and he thinks he should have the final say," he sighed heavily. "Even though I'm a Navi just trying to do my job, but damn, it's exhausting to have an operator who makes his own rules."
Netto opened his mouth. The child was utterly bewildered. In his world, Hinoken had managed the transition from Fireman to Heatman appropriately. Iris then turned her head, displaying a rather furious expression.
"I think he should go home," she suddenly declared.
Heatman and Netto raised their heads, visibly shocked by her words. She didn't look at them, choosing to stay on the side, but she was aware of their sudden confusion.
"This man is wasting his time. Seeking revenge will do him no good. Even if he does it for the children and for his Navi, he will simply be consumed by the hatred that I wish to see disappear," she expressed, allowing Netto to ponder her words.
"With all due respect, Iris-sama, Hinoken-san is also doing it for justice, so that this Zoanoroid leaves the other children alone," Heatman retorted.
Iris let out a weak chuckle, surprising Netto with her laughter. "Justice," she began in a low voice. "What's the difference between justice and revenge? Both are means to make our adversaries pay for their crimes."
"Iris..." Netto murmured, concerned for her, seeing how broken she seemed.
"Iris-sama, while I understand your perspective, I can also understand Hinoken-san's. Who else will take care of the Zoanoroid if no one does?" Heatman asked.
She lowered her eyes, her hands clutching her skirt. She appeared deeply disheartened by what she was about to propose, even though she firmly believed it was the best solution.
"Destroy the generator, and thus, the Navis will return to where they belong: in the Cyberworld," she declared, causing gasps of surprise from the fire Navi.
"But... The generator... No one can destroy it! And then the Cyberworld... We don't know what it's like! We don't know how it is!" he exclaimed.
Rockman turned his head, intrigued by the conversation, while Netto raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Oh really?" was his only response.
"Yes, the Cyberworld has been abandoned for over thirty-five years, we have no idea what it has become," Heatman explained.
Wide-eyed, the child looked tentatively at Iris, anxiously awaiting her reaction.
"We can rebuild it in our own way, there's no issue with that, especially with the help of human coordination and expertise," she stated, looking them in the eyes.
"But, Iris-sama, what about all these humans and Navis living together, who care for each other, and even have deep feelings for one another?" Heatman asked.
The female Navi displayed an almost vacant look and lowered her eyes, while Netto anxiously awaited her response, growing increasingly concerned about what she might say.
"They will get used to it," she finally declared. "There must surely be a world where Navis and humans live separately, and I'm sure they would adapt just fine."
Netto remained silent, his eyes filled with emotion, confronted with the harsh reality of what Iris was considering.
With a different expression on his face, the fire Navi showed a sense of sadness. The flames inside his head seemed to weaken with his declining mood.
"Iris-sama, it's not that I think it's a bad idea, but I was created recently," he began with a slightly trembling voice. "I've never known the Cyberworld. The short life I've had has been in the real world; that's the world I come from, and I'm probably not the only one."
Iris didn't reply, but Netto felt strangely moved by his words. Rockman also watched him from his corner.
"I'm not really afraid of the unknown, but the Cyberworld is not my world," the Fire Navi concluded.
The child lowered his head, comparing his life to the one he lived now. This world was not his either, and he struggled to return home. He looked at Iris, wanting to show that he understood Heatman.
"And there are other Navis who have known the Cyberworld; the real world is not theirs either," Iris added, her eyes fixed on the floor, searching for arguments. "Coexistence between humans and Navis has become impossible because of what's happening. If everything goes back to how it was, then there won't be a problem anymore. Zoanoroids will be easier to control in the Cyberworld."
Netto found himself speechless, while Rockman seemed lost in thought for another reason. Heatman, on the other hand, sighed sadly.
"And then... You'll still be connected, humans and Navis," Iris explained gently. "There will just be a screen between you."
The fire Navi simply looked at her, a faint flame escaping from his mouth.
"Iris-sama, I apologize for asking this, but isn't there a human you are close to? Wouldn't you be saddened to see them through a screen?" he inquired.
She took a moment before responding, closing her eyes. "There is one... But... He already has another Navi for him. It's better that he stays close, even through a screen, with that Navi rather than with me."
Without saying a word, Netto took Iris's hand, and she looked up at him. She observed the child's sad expression towards her. She didn't know how to interpret his reaction, but instead, she forced a weak smile to comfort him.
"Don't worry, Netto-kun. There's no need to worry about that... As for you, just tell yourself that you're going home," she expressed gently.
The child bit his lip as the fire Navi displayed some confusion. He tightened his grip on the girl's hand, lowering his head with a slight blush.
"If that's the only solution you have..." Heatman commented weakly after hearing the discussion.
Netto raised his head to him, his expression becoming more serious.
"The sects probably won't stop, especially if they have Variety's support!" he declared with determination.
Heatman widened his eyes upon hearing this, almost stepping back. "What? Variety?"
Netto nodded. "They've been working together from the start. Everything they want—" he was interrupted when Iris quickly placed her hand over his mouth, shaking her head. For some reason, she didn't want the truth to be revealed, probably out of fear that it could go awry.
"Well," Heatman began, "that's much more significant than I would have imagined... But, after dealing with this Zoanoroid, I don't even know what Hinoken-san would want to do. Even if I know that if he destroys it, it will lighten a burden in his heart, he will probably never fully recover from losing his Navi."
The child looked on sadly, feeling helpless. Unfortunately, he couldn't offer a solution to the red-haired man. There was nothing he could do. He turned his head to Iris, pondering what she had said. Would she be willing to make such a significant sacrifice to restore normalcy, he wondered? Perhaps they could succeed in creating dimensional zones like those in his own world and bring the Navis back to the real world? It would be a sweet dream.
"Otherwise, I don't know how you're going to get out of here. The Zoanoroid won't move, and if it managed to attack this...Navi, there's a good chance it's targeted you too," the Fire Navi explained.
But Netto raised his head, displaying a more determined smile. "Don't worry! When Rockman is back on his feet, I'm sure he'll find a way to get us out of here!"
A fake bead of sweat appeared on the briquette-shaped Navi's face.
"Eh..." Netto simply uttered while looking at the floor, realizing that the situation was much more complicated than he had initially thought.
If Iris had intended to add something, she was interrupted by a loud noise, as if something had forcefully entered the school. The cold became much more intense than before. Heatman quickly turned around, his face tense, while Rockman growled, his eyes fixed on the door. Iris also stood up and placed a hand on the child's shoulder to keep him close.
"Is that..." Netto began, but Heatman silenced him with a hand gesture.
They waited in silence as the cold grew more intense. Minutes passed as they all stared at the door, wondering what would happen. However, Netto felt rising concern. He touched one of the large hands of the yellow Navi and hastily asked a question.
"And what about Hinoken?" he asked hurriedly.
The Navi seemed to swallow something upon hearing his operator's name.
"He'll be fine... I'm sure of it," he replied, trying to reassure him.
However, at that moment, the door suddenly swung open, allowing a freezing gust of wind to rush into the room.
Hinoken was completely dozing off at his desk. He had very little awareness of what was happening around him, except for some strange noises he had never heard before, but they didn't seem concerning enough to wake him up. His mind was immersed in the past, reminiscing about the moment it all began, back when he still had his faithful friend by his side. He relived memories of their adventures, their successful capers, the discovery of magnificent treasures. They enjoyed playing with fire but were mindful enough to avoid causing devastating infernos.
He and Fireman formed one of the most sought-after duos in Jawaii, where they operated most frequently. It was like a game between two best friends, akin to teenagers exploring a junkyard for treasures and having fun blowing things up. A risky but adventure-filled life. Until a young boy, passionate about what they did, was fatally affected by their actions.
His name was Atsuki, a kid who had managed to find him, although he couldn't fathom how it had been possible. Just like him, Atsuki had a passion for fire, but in a much more intense way. A genuine pyromaniac in stark contrast to Hinoken. The boy's determination had shocked him, as well as his almost violent fascination with seeing things burn. His Navi was just as impetuous as the young boy, and despite Hinoken's attempts to send him home, arguing that it wasn't a place for kids, they stuck around, waiting for the right moment to have fun.
Unfortunately, one day, Atsuki had broken the rules by igniting a fire in a warehouse, despite Hinoken's unequivocal prohibition. The boy's Navi had become infected by the Beast Factor, and instead of coming to his aid, he had cowardly abandoned him while he was trapped amidst the flames with no planned escape route. Hinoken had done his best with Fireman to find Atsuki and get him out of that hell. Just when they thought they had succeeded, something had fallen on Atsuki, plunging him back into the flames. This moment haunted Hinoken, he distinctly remembered the terrified look on the boy's face, realizing how foolish he had been.
That incident had been the turning point that led Hinoken to give up his small-time criminal activities and return to his homeland in Japan. He had chosen to settle in a small mountain village rather than a bustling seaside city, a decision that had surprised his Fire Navi.
"What? Becoming a teacher?!" Fireman reacted to this news.
Hinoken nodded, displaying absolute seriousness as he packed his things to take the certification exam.
"But why?" the same Navi asked again.
"Because I don't want kids ending up as delinquents... Especially not like me," he replied solemnly, causing slight ripples of shock in Fireman.
The fire Navi hadn't verbally responded to Hinoken's decision, but he had clearly understood his operator's determination to change his life. Once he passed his certification exam, Hinoken had been hired as a teacher at the elementary school in this small village. Although the beginnings were challenging with classes and student management, he eventually came to appreciate his role. Children could be exasperating, but over time, he had learned how to understand them, identify their weaknesses, and help them overcome them. It was somewhat akin to finding a secret passage when preparing for a heist. Every child had their vulnerabilities, and he saw himself as the tailor responsible for mending them, working with their parents, and understanding their situations. The class under his charge was his responsibility, and he refused to let his students go astray in life.
If Hinoken had successfully integrated into this new life, Fireman, as a Navi, had also found his place as a class monitor and support. Navis could act as teachers without operator intervention, but when the operator took full control, Navis transformed into dedicated assistants. Thus, every conflict among the children became a major concern for the fire Navi. In his presence, the students were curious, even wondering if the flame on his head could actually burn them, although it was an experience they definitely didn't want to test.
Then, a violent snowstorm had struck the school, plunging the institution into icy chaos. An ice-themed Zoanoroid had emerged, kidnapping several students, including those from Hinoken's class. Unbridled rage had seized him. With his fire Navi by his side, Hinoken had not hesitated to send his Navi into battle. Even as the number of students attending the school dwindled, the man had remained, going so far as to sleep on-site, his only desire being to rid himself of this monstrous creature.
But it was a devastating blow to him when, taking advantage of Fireman's vulnerability, the Zoanoroid had succeeded in breaking him, leaving him with no chance to continue. Hinoken's heart had been overwhelmed by an unquenchable hatred, driving him to self-destruction with alcohol as his solace. He had even attempted to confront the Zoanoroid barehanded, although it had only lasted a very short time.
A few weeks after losing Fireman, Hinoken had received a brand new PET from an anonymous sender. There was only a simple note, wishing him success in his fight. Initially, he had thought it might come from a parent of one of the students, but he had never received answers to his inquiries. Inside the PET, he had discovered a brand new Navi in the form of a lighter, Heatman. Heatman couldn't provide any information about his origin, but he was ready to fight alongside him.
At first, the relationship between Hinoken and Heatman had started relatively well. However, over time, Hinoken grew increasingly irritable, rejecting Heatman's advice and services. He insisted that Heatman wasn't the Navi he had known, refusing to grant him any opinion. The tensions between them were so palpable that they hadn't managed to develop any camaraderie.
Hinoken didn't want a new Navi; he simply wanted it all to end.
The room was starting to grow colder, and the sound of a door slamming suddenly pulled him from his stupor. The red-haired man slowly got up, his head still foggy. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and stretched while still holding his bottle. Hinoken's eyes locked onto the classroom door, which opened slightly. He took another sip of his drink and began to walk out of the classroom, determined to find the source of the problem and bring Heatman back into the room where it was warmer.
Hinoken had heard several screams, possibly from the kids he had seen earlier, but his head was still clouded, preventing him from caring too much. He walked while leaning against the wall to stay upright. A noise from behind a door caught his attention, and he opened it abruptly, causing the lighter-shaped Navi to fall, holding a child with a blue bandana on his head. The Navi's arm was covered in frost. Hinoken nearly stumbled back, his body swaying like a wave.
"Are you playing hide and seek?" he asked, not taking the situation seriously.
Heatman quickly raised his head at the sound of his voice and stood up straight, making sure the little boy was also on his feet.
"Hinoken-san!" he exclaimed, still holding Netto. "The Zoanoroid entered the school, tried to go after the kid, but his Navi and the girl fought valiantly, and now we're separated. I have no idea where they are!" he explained quickly.
Hinoken felt his headache worsening and raised his hands to urge the Navi to calm down, which almost drove him crazy.
"Hey, slow down, will you?" he said, annoyed.
Netto approached, frowning impatiently.
"Hinoken! We need to find my friends! My Navi is injured, I have to find him and Iris!" he rushed.
Hinoken looked at him for a moment, then a wave of nausea hit him, almost making him let go of the child. He quickly put his hand over his mouth and gestured an apology. He then turned to Heatman and took on a darker expression.
"Alright, Heatman, take him out of here and put him in the care of someone who can look after him," he stated before lowering his gaze.
"But Hinoken-san!" Heatman exclaimed, his eyes widening.
"Rule number fourteen in the schoolteacher's handbook: in the event of a Zoanoroid attack, the priority is to get the children to safety," he quoted.
Netto growled and clenched his fists. "I'm not a student in this school! I won't leave without my friends!" he shouted.
"Listen, kid, I'm trying to protect you by acting like a responsible adult. You could at least let me do something good before I find that bastard and take him down myself, right?" he said firmly.
Netto widened his eyes, pulling his head back, incredulous at what he had just heard. His anger surged, and his expression turned into pure rage.
"I can't believe you've come to this! Don't you realize the harm you're causing yourself? Would Fireman have wanted this?!" he yelled with all his might.
Hinoken widened his eyes upon hearing those words, letting out an inaudible sigh, but Netto didn't let go.
"You shouldn't seek revenge; you should live for him!" he yelled again, then turned and quickly walked away, distancing himself from the two.
"Hey! Kid!" Heatman called out, concerned to see him leave, but Netto took a different path and disappeared.
Hinoken didn't do anything immediately; he simply started to think. This kid had spoken to him as if they knew each other, which seemed strange to him. Instead, he shrugged and sadly looked down.
"Another kid I couldn't save," he commented sarcastically.
"Hinoken-san, can't you see that you're spiraling as he said?" Heatman added.
"I don't need to hear that," replied the red-haired man.
"Do you want to let that kid get kidnapped?"
"What was I trying to do two minutes ago?" Hinoken replied, annoyed.
Heatman growled, his fists clenched in frustration.
"Hinoken-san," he began in a dark voice that sent shivers down the man's spine, "Is this your solution? Fighting alone?"
Hinoken remained silent, running a hand through his hair to adjust it.
"What is your ultimate goal, after all? If you truly want to destroy this Zoanoroid, why do you want to end up like this?"
Hinoken sighed, realizing he had no choice but to address the topic he had long avoided.
"Is it too much to ask for closure? I'm simply tired," he replied wearily.
Heatman growled in response, glanced in the direction Netto had gone, then sighed himself. Hinoken noticed and thought back to the child's last words before his departure, furrowing his brow.
"Did you mention Fireman to him?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"I thought I didn't mention his name," Heatman replied.
Hinoken glanced to the side. What if it was...a message? He looked at the Navi in front of him, hands in his pockets, trying to appear more serious.
"Would you be willing to try...one last time? And then, we'll see what happens," he suggested hopefully.
The Navi stared at him, wide-eyed, while the red-haired man continued.
"After that, if you want, I could still allow you to move on to another operator who might take better care of you."
But Heatman didn't respond immediately, leaving doubt hanging in the air.
Netto ran through the hallways, desperately searching for his two companions, while the shrill cries of the female Navi echoed. He called out her name as he quickened his pace, determined to find them. Finally, he found himself in the snow-covered schoolyard, the wind swirling around him.
He spotted a weakened Rockman and Iris dressed in her Navi attire, her sword in her right hand to support herself, both facing the Zoanoroid towering in the skies. Netto's eyes widened as he recognized the silhouette of the enemy Navi—blue and purple, adorned with ice crystals. It was Freezeman.
Freezeman slowly turned toward the child, flashing a maniacal smile when he saw him, causing Netto to gasp in fear.
"Well," he began in a soft, suave voice, "I'll take care of Gregar's soldier first, and then I'll deal with you," he said in a manner that was meant to be reassuring but only heightened the child's anxiety.
Netto stepped back abruptly, his face contorting with dread as he watched Rockman on the ground, having little strength left to defend himself. A simmering anger welled up within him, causing his hands to tremble. He quickly took out the PET from his bag and retrieved a recovery chip, which he inserted hastily, hoping the healing effects would aid the weakened Navi.
Meanwhile, Iris managed to distract the ice Zoanoroid, launching a swift attack with her fiery sword. She managed to raise her arm toward him, gritting her teeth, but received a sharp ice spike in the back, causing her to scream in pain.
"Futile, Iris-sama, your powers won't harm me..." taunted Freezeman, but he was suddenly seized by a sharp headache, which he could only endure by clutching his head between his hands. Iris had managed to take control of her powers to manipulate him.
As he stood frozen in place, he heard a child's voice.
"Battle Chip! Heat Cross, slot in!" Netto shouted, his PET firmly in hand, the chip inserted into the blue case.
Rockman leaped closer, his arm transforming into a red buster, sending a series of flames directly into the face of the ice Zoanoroid. The ice Navi screamed in pain, trying to resist the fire. However, he then turned toward the child and used his ice power to violently push him away, causing Netto's PET to fall to the ground.
Then, turning toward Rockman, he attacked him with sharp ice spikes, just as he had done with Iris. The battle was fierce, and Netto needed to find a way to regain control of the situation.
Netto felt a searing pain in his knee and found himself on the ground, his PET at a distance, while Freezeman intensified his assault against the other two Navis. The child desperately tried to crawl toward his device, but his legs stubbornly refused to move. Horror overcame him as he realized they were trapped in a block of ice, completely immobilized. Uncontrollable panic gripped him, his hand reaching out towards the PET, almost hoping to move it telepathically.
A blast of icy cold struck his back, Freezeman had violently pushed the other two Navis away. Rockman lay on the ground, unable to get up, ice encasing him. The Zoanoroid's attention quickly turned to the child, a wicked smile distorting his face. Netto felt a chilling shiver run down his spine as the threat drew inexorably closer.
A sudden sound of a door caught Netto's attention, and as if the temperature had reversed, the ice binding his legs began to melt. The child raised his head to see that Hinoken had approached, his fire Navi standing by his side. Both of them watched the Zoanoroid with palpable seriousness. Contrary to what he might have expected, Hinoken remained calm, and his gaze was fixed on the ice Navi, PET in hand, concentrating all his attention on the enemy.
Freezeman let out a small chuckle. "You've finally arrived. Ready for your new beating?" he asked sarcastically.
Neither Hinoken nor Heatman replied. They remained silent, immersed in their concentration. Freezeman furrowed his brow and quickly rushed towards them. "So, we'll finish this!" he declared with determination.
Quickly, Hinoken raised his PET and inserted a chip inside it without taking his eyes off the Ice Navi. "Battle chip, Fire Tower!" he shouted, followed by the appearance of a massive tower of fire rising from the ground, formed by Heatman's hands, and rapidly hurtling toward the opposing Zoanoroid.
Freezeman was caught off guard by the attack and couldn't dodge it, screaming in pain as he was engulfed in flames. He managed to break free by creating an ice aura, resuming his icy fury. However, Hinoken showed no intimidation. He inserted another chip into the PET without looking at it.
"Battle chip, Heat Spread!" he shouted again.
An explosion of flames erupted in front of him, created by Heatman. The ice Zoanoroid was once again trapped, screaming in agony. The flames spread, devouring the enemy. The man with red hair continued to insert chips, again and again, ensuring the flames grew until the creature finally began to melt. Through the flames' shadow, an ice spike rushed straight toward Hinoken. Heatman didn't have time to react, only to shout to his operator.
However, Hinoken had not moved, actually waiting to receive the fatal blow. It never came though, as the attack halted abruptly just in front of his face, suspended in the air.
The flames faded away, revealing the outcome of the ice Zoanoroid. Data leaked from his partially destroyed body. He stared at the human, almost wearing a prideful smile, satisfied to have finally been defeated by his rival. However, Hinoken did not respond, looking at him with a neutral, even indifferent, eye.
Freezeman let out a chuckle before dissolving into the background. "I would have loved for you to destroy me with that hate-filled face of yours... What a shame," he said before disappearing completely.
Silence descended, broken only by Hinoken's gaze fixed on the spot where Freezeman had been. The cold subsided, the clouds covering the sky finally dispersing to give way to the sun. It was strange; he had finally managed to defeat the Navi that had haunted him for so long. His heart felt a sense of relief, but what to do now? Of course, it would never bring back the loved ones he had lost. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists, disconnecting from the world around him.
"Rest in peace at last, my friend," he whispered to himself.
"Hinoken-san..." He heard that voice as he opened his eyes again. Heatman was looking at him, an expression of concern tinged with a smile.
"Tell me, Heatman, do you think you can handle kids?"
The Navi gasped upon hearing the question but eventually smiled, understanding what he meant. On the side, they noticed the child running in one direction, and Hinoken found himself gasping as well. He had headed toward a weakened Navi who, nonetheless, resembled Gregar. He stepped back, a horrified expression on his face, followed by one of anger, pointing his PET in a defensive gesture.
"Heatman..." he began, but his Navi quickly cut him off.
"Wait, Hinoken-san! This one isn't a Zoanoroid!" he replied hastily.
Hinoken blinked, looking at the child helping the strange Navi to stand, followed by the familiar-looking female Navi who was also assisting. Netto turned towards him, noticing his expression sought for an explanation, and tried to stay calm while raising his arms to the sides.
"He's my Navi, Hinoken, and my best friend!" he responded with a wink.
Iris didn't reply, struggling to support Rockman, who groaned slightly. Heatman stepped into Hinoken's field of vision and also tried to convince him. "Priestess Iris is taking care of him; he probably poses no threat to us," he said in a softer voice.
Hinoken looked at each of them and then at the Navi who was struggling to stay upright. First he blinked, then he sighed, almost letting out a sarcastic laugh.
"So, it really is destiny..." he murmured softly, leaving his Navi perplexed.
The man approached the child and stopped in front of him, looking at him with a smile.
"So, you have quite a powerful ally there, I suppose," he commented. "I don't understand anything about this story, but if that thing is your Navi, never stray from him."
Netto took a moment to understand, then his face lit up with a smile. In the meantime, Iris began to move forward with Rockman on her shoulders, watching the child.
"Netto-kun, we're going now," she said, waiting for him in place.
The boy nodded and turned to the man in front of him.
"What are you going to do now, Hinoken?" he asked, showing concern for him.
Hinoken sighed deeply, stretching and cracking his neck.
"I'll start by correcting the schoolwork for the students I have left, and when school resumes, I'll continue my duty with my new partner," he replied, straightening up.
He then turned to Heatman, who nodded, and then focused on the child.
"And you?" he asked.
"I'm going home," Netto replied with a simple smile.
Hinoken nodded in approval and made a simple statement, "Good luck to you, kid, and never stray from the path."
Netto's heart warmed, and he gave a big smile to Hinoken. Then, he started walking towards Iris and Rockman, who were still waiting, waving one last time to the man and his Navi before walking away in the slowly melting snow.
Hinoken sighed, his arms crossed. Everything could have remained calm a little longer if his PET hadn't suddenly beeped, signaling the reception of a message.
"Who's that?" Heatman asked.
Hinoken looked at the device, saw the message, and then chuckled while wearing a half-serious expression.
"Oh really, so it truly is...destiny, isn't it?"
It was starting to get dark, and Iris had returned to her human form. Behind them, Rockman was trailing weakly, and Netto watched him with worry, fearing that what Freezeman had done to him might be more serious than usual.
"Are you okay, Rockman?" he asked nonetheless, approaching him.
Rockman shook his head vigorously, his eyes tight, almost as if he was in pain. Although his face was hidden by his mask, Netto could tell he was somewhat flushed. Iris turned around, observing the Navi, then looked up at the sky.
"We need to find shelter or a village," she commented, thinking out loud.
Netto nodded slowly, but his concern for Rockman persisted; especially since the Navi seemed to be withdrawing into himself, clutching his arms. Then, Rockman's eyes widened, and he suddenly began running in a direction so fast he almost seemed to disappear. Netto called his name, trying to catch up.
"Rockman?! Rockman!" he cried, worried, looking around. Iris approached him, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Netto-kun, don't go too far!" she warned.
"But Rockman..." he began, still worried.
"He..." she began, but was interrupted when she heard a noise behind them. Emerging from the bushes, Saito approached them, almost adopting the same posture as Rockman—his arms wrapped around himself, his breathing heavy. He slowly moved closer to them, his head jerking in a disjointed manner, like a broken puppet.
"Netto..." he managed to articulate before taking another step, then falling forward, his body trembling.
"Saito!" exclaimed Netto, rushing toward him, kneeling to try to keep him awake, but he couldn't keep him conscious. The older boy felt the world blur, and finally, he closed his eyes, his body wavering between cold and warmth due to the sweat he was trying to produce.
To be Continued…
AN: Is this how it ends? Well, yes! I really enjoyed writing Hinoken in this story. Don't worry, he'll be back (after all, I've been teasing that something is going to happen with him). Did you like it? Hinoken is probably my favorite member of World Three! He's one of those characters that the anime really helped in terms of development...just to throw him away in Axess... (He's not the only one anyway...). But there you go, I'm happy to let our Hinoken be very cool (even though he's hot! Bad pun). Now, I wonder what's going to happen with Saito...