AN: Hello everyone, here's another new chapter. I try not to post them all the time, but at least one arc per month. The next one will be in two weeks. Pay attention once again, the first part of this chapter may be a bit bloody... But well, you're starting to get used to it. However, it's a very chill chapter for our heroes, although the ending will tease something, haha!
Chapter 36: You and I on the wheel
The round of glances ended quickly, the table remaining unchanged with no new arrivals. Every month, a council meeting convened to anticipate the upcoming developments in Variety. Enzan and Blues, as representatives of the Iijuin lineage, invariably took part in the assembly. During these meetings, the boy adopted an almost total reserve, speaking only when necessary.
Sherrice, the one orchestrating these gatherings, was a completely different presence, with Rideman proudly standing behind her. Although hesitant to admit it, the heir of the great family felt a slight intimidation towards the High Master's daughter. Despite her young age, Sherrice, the president of these councils, exuded a maturity well beyond her teenage years. Enzan had the intuition that she had probably received a similar education to his own, noticing similarities between them despite their possibly divergent origins.
As time passed, Enzan felt the fatigue settling in during this seemingly endless meeting. Then, a topic emerged, finally capturing his interest. Sherrice announced news about an almost completed project of crucial importance to them.
"A serum chip?" inquired one of the council members.
She nodded. "The chip will be integrated into your Navi, imparting the effects of the Beast Factor without transforming it into a Zoanoroid."
A ripple of excitement ran through the assembly, and the eyes of the black-and-white-haired boy widened in surprise. Behind him, Blues, usually impassive, showed a slight frown, momentarily breaking his stoic posture.
"Furthermore, since the disappearance of the priestess, we have strong reasons to believe that she has betrayed us. This serum could also interfere with her technopath powers," she added, maintaining a neutral and composed tone.
Enzan's pupils dilated, his jaw clenched. Despite the emotional turmoil bubbling within him, as a representative of crucial importance, he had to conceal his true feelings. Unbelieving of the idea that Iris would betray, especially after their recent conversations, he had grasped that she no longer wished to return to Variety. He understood the existence of other secrets, but the darkest ones, he already knew. After all, he had sworn to his father to keep them. However, the idea that a weapon against the priestess could be implemented sent shivers down his spine.
Sherrice, observing his reaction from the corner of her eye, was aware that she had elicited something from him. "Also, Iijuin, I must remind you of your duty to find the priestess. Don't forget the High Master's project," she added.
He inclined his head without uttering a word, his eyes betraying a smoldering anger as he stared at her.
"So, our Navis will finally be protected not only from the influence of the Cybeasts but also from Iris-sama's control?" another council member asked, seeking to clarify the young teenager's words.
"That's correct," Sherrice confirmed with a nod.
Almost everyone expressed their joy, except for the two representatives of the Iijuin family who remained in the background. While elation seemed to reign among the present adults, one man stood out by clearly showing his reluctance. Leaning against the table, annoyed and brimming with anger, he smashed a glass against the floor, startling the entire assembly to turn towards him. The constant growling of the man suggested he was not in a good mood.
"Hey! Why are you ruining the mood?" exclaimed another man.
"Shut up, it's not like you're all being manipulated like watchdogs!" he retorted angrily.
Sherrice tilted her head, observing the man with barely concealed disdain. "Koji-san, is there something troubling your mind?" she asked in a calm tone, a striking contrast to the man's mood.
He turned towards her, manifesting his disgust towards the young teenager. "As if there wasn't already a problem," he began in a more composed tone before leaning on the table. "You're turning this country into a hell it already wasn't, humiliating it further; and worst of all, letting a dirty Yankee like this girl lead us!" He shouted, pointing at her.
Sherrice did not respond, maintaining an impassive stoicism as all eyes were fixed on her, shocked. Rideman growled in the corner but remained still, while Enzan, anticipating the turn of events, observed closely.
"My past...has nothing to do with this country," she replied, preserving the neutrality of her voice.
"I don't care if a gaijin like you can have nobility," he exclaimed, waving his right arm frantically, demonstrating mood swings. "But you don't have to make us believe that you know better what we can do! You and your bastard of a father, whose origins are unknown. We have no desire to endure humiliation like we did sixty years ago!"
Without uttering a word and with lightning speed, Sherrice pulled out a pistol, quickly pointing it at the man's arm. She fired, creating an explosive hole that almost instantly separated it from his body. The man screamed in pain, almost in agony, and the assembly watched, shocked, as blood spurted from the wound. Behind her, Rideman, an attentive spectator, smirked. In contrast, Enzan and Blues opened their mouths, a sign that her gesture had deeply shocked them.
"Y-you bitch!" the man shouted again.
Sherrice stood up and climbed onto the table, dominating the assembly. She approached the man slowly, still holding her gun. "You can insult me, criticize me. You have the right to challenge all the choices we will make, but there is one rule to follow," she declared, standing in front of the wounded man. "Never disrespect the High Master in any way, or I will deprive you of all your limbs." Her tone was icy.
The man continued to scream but did not respond to her statement. The other council members nodded, understanding the warning. The young teenager lifted her foot back and delivered a powerful kick to the head of the same man who had insulted her. He was propelled backward into his chair, eyes lowered in pain.
"Is that clear?" she repeated, still with the same coldness.
He eventually nodded, head lowered, while his other hand clutched his severed arm.
"Good." Sherrice turned around and walked back to her seat, stepping down from the table. Ignoring the injured man in his place, she regained her smile and placed her hands on the table, looking at the others. "Let's continue."
The sun slowly slid towards the horizon, tinting the sky with a warm palette of colors. On a train platform, Iris and Netto waited for the next train heading north. Saito joined them later, warmly greeting their reunion. Together, they waited, saving their discussions for the upcoming journey.
The first to startle as the train approached was Saito, who almost fell backward. He wasn't used to seeing a train suddenly slow down when his brain expected it to rush towards him. However, the surprise didn't end there. The one piloting the train was a Navi, taking the form of a dark red locomotive. Iris explained that many train operators used Navis specially designed to resemble locomotives.
Once on board, they found a seat for four and settled in. Netto sat near the window next to Saito, while Iris took a seat across from them. As they watched the landscape pass by, a concern overwhelmed Netto, prompting him to take out his PET and stare at the black screen with sadness, feeling helpless. Saito glanced at him and leaned in, trying to offer an understanding smile, discerning the cause of his distress.
"Don't worry," he began, "Rockman will find us."
Netto quickly turned his head, staring at him with eyes full of concern. "How?"
"It's simple, he must be on the roof of the train," the older boy replied, pointing upwards.
Netto lowered his gaze, blinking, realizing he had been momentarily distracted by his worry. He nodded, and Saito sighed while continuing to smile, aware that it was quite easy to reassure Netto when it came to Rockman. Iris observed the scene, her eyes fixed directly on the older boy, which he noticed, causing a slight sweat to form on his forehead.
The girl in pale pink moved her head, averting her gaze. She bit her lip as she recalled past events. Lifting her head again, the female Navi fixed her gaze on the little boy in front of her, tilting her head slightly.
"Netto-kun," she began, drawing the young boy's attention. "Do you remember when you told me about the woman who kidnapped Saito-san?"
The older boy turned his attention to her at the mention of his name. Netto tilted his head, trying to remember, although violence was the main memory that surfaced.
"Yuriko-san?" he asked. "I think..."
"You were talking about the one from your world, you said she was manipulated by a man... Doctor Regal, right?" she continued, seeking the exact terms.
The child jolted and nodded while furrowing his brows. "That man is undoubtedly one of the worst scoundrels we've encountered! He's far more terrible than Wily himself!" he added, eyes narrowed, then widened them upon realizing what he had just said. "I..."
"Continue," she said without showing any other reaction.
"Well..." He lifted his eyes. "Doctor Regal wanted to control the world. He first created a dimensional area around the world so he could merge with his Navi, and he was way too powerful... But with Rockman's help, we blasted him!" he exclaimed, raising his fist.
"Netto..." Saito began, trying to make him understand to be less noisy.
The child lowered his fist, a bit embarrassed but still maintaining his smile, looking at the young girl with pride.
"It was stressful but awesome. I never thought Rockman and I could be so strong," he commented nostalgically.
Saito leaned forward, elbows on the train table, lost in thought. "Yeah, you guys were like...synchronized," he uttered.
"Yeah, exactly! Rockman and I are the most harmonious NetOp and Navi! That's how we beat him!" continued Netto, oblivious to Saito's reaction. "Too bad we didn't have that power against Duo..."
Iris didn't take her eyes off the child and words escaped her mouth without her really realizing it.
"Identical twins..." she murmured as if having a revelation.
Netto gasped at hearing that, rather confused, but Saito gave her a scrutinizing look, almost sending mental spikes. Iris averted her gaze and looked elsewhere.
"I mean, you look like identical twins," she explained in a louder tone. "They're the most harmonious type of twins. Colonel and I were often compared to that because I was created from his DNA."
The child blinked, placing his hands on the table. "What are identical twins?"
Saito raised his finger, offering an explanation in the way he used to when he was Rockman providing explanations to the boy. "They are twins from the same egg; essentially, it's as if they were originally one person before separating."
Netto opened his mouth wide. "Ah! That's why Mariko-sensei and Yuriko-san look alike! They're identical!" he exclaimed.
The older boy nodded, watching Netto chew his words, fiddling with his hands while narrowing his gaze.
"Anyway, even though with this power I managed to defeat Regal, he didn't disappear," he began with a softer voice, returning to the initial topic. "He kidnapped my father for a horrible project, and he cloned Rockman to create an evil version of him." He eventually dropped his head into his hands. "This monster, we never managed to beat him. Duo himself had to kill him because he wanted his power."
"Playing God," commented Iris, lowering her eyes. "It was the same here."
Netto abruptly looked up at her. "Do you know him?"
"Regal was Dr. Wily's biological son, but the two didn't necessarily get along," she explained to the child. "Wily considered Barrel-san much more as his son, seeing human redemption in his eyes."
So, Wily and Regal were connected, father and son? However, in their world, Regal had no connection with Wily, except for the fact that he had undergone experiments with Yuriko. Saito furrowed his brows and immersed himself in his thoughts, while Netto tilted his head in surprise.
"How was he?" he tried to ask.
Iris hiccupped for a moment, seeming hesitant. "I...didn't like him," she admitted with difficulty. "That man was vile," she finally let out those words as memories resurfaced.
The young brunette remembered every moment when Regal would come to their house, asking for private matters with Wily. When he met her, he treated her like an object, seeing her as a mere doll in his eyes. She bit her lower lip and frowned.
"A few months after his father's death, he tried to take up the mantle, but later disappeared with one of his colleagues," she announced more soberly.
Both boys looked up, Saito a bit more composed, raising an eyebrow. Netto simply opened his mouth, trying to understand. "And since then, nothing?"
"Nothing," she replied.
No response from the two boys. Iris let the silence settle, then looked at the landscape passing by, her gaze also thoughtful. "At least, not since the arrival of the High Master," she added softly.
Upon uttering that word, both boys blinked. "The...High Master?" Netto repeated.
"Who is he?" Saito asked, joining the conversation.
"No one knows who he is," she replied, turning her head towards them. "He wears a helmet that covers his face. He appeared out of nowhere a year before the destruction of the Cybeasts and showed how this country could become a power on its own. He created Variety, and today, he is the one leading Japan."
Netto slammed the table with both hands. "It must be Regal!"
But Iris shook her head gently. "No, I don't think it's him. His plans go against Regal's logic. Regal loved to show off; he is discreet."
The young child tried to bring a hand to his chin, trying to think, even making a contemplative noise.
"What are you doing?" Saito asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm trying to figure out who it could be based on my knowledge, but apart from Wily and Regal, I don't see who could be as diabolical... Unless it's Tesla, but uh..." Netto explained, still lost in his thoughts, making an embarrassed noise.
Saito chuckled softly and patted the young child's back. "Did it ever occur to you that it could be someone you don't know? That it could be... Nobody?"
Netto looked up, surprised. Saito continued confidently, scrutinizing the child's face.
"I know you know a lot of people in your world," he reassured, "but that doesn't mean you know everyone. Maybe this time, it's just a stranger to you."
Gradually, a glimmer of resignation appeared on Netto's face. He lowered his head, seeming almost defeated. "I... Yeah, probably," he admitted, his voice betraying a hint of disappointment.
Iris, in the background, did not react to the conversation. She gently closed her eyes, absorbed in her own thoughts.
"The only person who undoubtedly knows his face is his daughter, Sherrice-san," she said, letting the words hang in the air.
Netto abruptly looked up at her, his eyes widened in surprise. "What?!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his emotions.
The young girl gently opened her eyes, carefully observing his reaction. "So, you know her?" she asked, seeking confirmation.
"I don't know her in my world. I met her here! She seemed nice, but then I saw her helping those guys kidnap children!" he cried out, his voice revealing a mix of disbelief and shock. "I can't believe it..." he murmured finally, his voice fading into a breath.
Iris stared at Netto with an intense gaze, while Saito remained dumbfounded, incredulous at the strange encounter the child had had. Netto clenched his fists, determined to face the truth unfolding before him, then raised his head.
"She had no remorse when I saw her last... I thought she was..." Netto began, his voice almost broken, revealing the pain tormenting his mind.
"Sherrice-san, being the daughter of the High Master, is of a very cold nature. I'm not surprised that she's been involved from the beginning," the young girl admitted in a calm, almost detached tone.
"She told me...to join my Navi, to be careful. She shared with me how to pronounce her name since she was Ameropean," he continued, seeming to ignore Iris's words.
"Sherrice-san...is really not that kind of person, Netto-kun," Iris intervened, trying to convey the nature of the High Master's daughter.
Netto raised his head, his eyes reddened by holding back tears. Saito placed a comforting hand on his back before turning to the female Navi.
"So...this man, the High Master, is from Amerope?" he asked, seeking clarification on what Netto had just revealed.
"No," Iris replied confidently. "Sherrice is his adopted daughter. He adopted her five years ago, shortly after the disappearance of the Cybeasts."
Saito nodded, assimilating the information. He lost himself in thought, looking at Netto with deep understanding. He sighed, realizing how easily manipulated he had been. Perhaps he had seen something in Sherrice, something that had made him doubt. However, suspicion dominated his thoughts. If this girl was involved, he had no choice but to consider her an enemy.
The small group disembarked from the train upon reaching their destination, the city they sought to reach just a few steps away. They only had to continue on foot as the city stretched only a few meters from the train station. Saito grimaced as he looked at the sky, dark despite the late hour. The journey had taken about an hour, and it was already late, past eight o'clock. Winter was approaching, shortening the days, which meant that his Rockman form wouldn't last long.
As they walked, Netto heard various noises, including music. Looking up in a direction on the side, he discovered a place flooded with light, with several attractions like an amusement park. Surprise overwhelmed the boy, his mouth wide open at the spectacle.
"Netto?" called Saito, noticing that the child had stopped. He also turned his head, trying to see what captivated the boy with the bandana. "What's wrong?" he asked.
The young boy stared at his elder, his eyes shining with excitement as he pointed towards the amusement park, the source of all the lights.
"Saito, what if...we go there!" he exclaimed, carried away by a sudden wave of enthusiasm.
Saito emitted a hiccup while furrowing his brows. "Netto... We don't have time..."
"Oh, please!" he insisted, his arms clenched against him like fists. "With everything that has happened to us, we could take a moment to have some fun!"
Saito grimaced, arms crossed, half-closing his eyes. He observed Netto, whose eyes were still filled with stars and wonder. Somehow, he wondered how he could resist him so much.
"Netto, I don't think it's the right time," he replied, now in the same tone.
"Please! You could have a good time while you're here, after all..." Netto interrupted, adopting a slightly more serious expression that hid a hint of mischief. He approached his elder, turning his gaze away and partially hiding his head. "When you go back, you'll be in your old state, right?"
Saito stepped back, growling slightly as his foot tapped the ground. This kind of behavior was all too familiar to him. The young boy had already used this tactic on him when he had been Rockman, and even during their childhood it was the same story. Netto was truly a child with a dark side, a side that Saito knew all too well because he shared the same facet.
"I'm not sure we can go," he continued, trying to maintain control over himself. He turned to their female companion. "What do you think, Iris? We should go on, right? The journey continues tomorrow!"
Saito sought an ally against this somewhat capricious child. Iris watched them without much emotion, simply following the conversation without expressing judgment. Her gaze then fell on Netto, who responded with his sparkling eyes, where Saito invited her to join his side.
"You humans, after all, need entertainment, don't you?" she suddenly said, breaking the silence.
As if he had been hit with an anvil on the head, Saito was almost knocked over hearing Iris's remark. In contrast, Netto wore a more sincere expression.
"Yes, that's true!" he confirmed enthusiastically.
Saito felt like he was trapped in a cartoon gag. He almost wanted to ask Netto to be quiet, but Iris was watching both of them attentively.
"If it can make you feel a little better, I suppose having a good time will do you good, right?" she continued.
Netto quickly nodded, and Saito sighed. "Damn..." he muttered, resigned to finding himself somewhat in the minority.
"Oh, you'll see, Saito, we're going to have a great time!" exclaimed Netto, giving his elder a big pat on the back, followed by a teasing laugh, accentuating his childish side. Saito glanced at him with an annoyed expression.
"So let's go," declared Iris without giving a clear order, but the invitation was evident.
Netto nodded, and Saito followed them without showing any particular reaction. The group headed towards the amusement park. Upon entering, the lights dazzled them; whether on the poles or the attractions, they created a profusion of colors all around them. All kinds of profiles were present, humans and Navis joyfully mingling. Netto observed children holding their parents' hands, asking them to go here or there and the parents happily agreeing. A pang of heartache crossed the young boy; he terribly missed his own parents. He let out a sigh, then focused on an attraction that caught his attention with screams. A roller coaster, just the way he liked it.
"Iris! Saito! Come on, let's do this!" he exclaimed, pointing towards the attraction.
Saito looked at it warily. Even though he had experienced something similar, he wasn't entirely convinced. In contrast, Iris showed no reaction.
"If you want..." replied Saito without enthusiasm.
The trio headed towards the attraction, but their progress was quickly interrupted by a security guard who inspected Netto.
"Hey, there's a height limit for this attraction!" he announced with authority.
The three looked at him with surprise, but Netto approached. "What do you mean?"
"You!" the man pointed at Netto, making him uncomfortable. "You're too young!"
Netto felt insulted but tried to keep his calm. "But come on... I'm twelve years old," he said as an excuse, unable to tolerate his condition any longer.
The man grunted and grabbed him by the arm. "I don't care about your age; it's about your height!"
He was dragged towards a measuring stick, leaning against a wooden board. The young child found himself back to back with this measurement, checking whether or not he exceeded the height limit. At first glance, Saito and Iris had thought it was a new enemy, but no, it had nothing to do with that. With the potential threat of the situation cleared, Saito relaxed the disheartened expression on his face. Netto, on the other hand, stressed, eager to participate in this attraction! How tall was he again? About one meter three, right? That's what Ann Elecitel had told him. After several analyses, the man let him go and stepped back.
"It's okay; you can go."
Netto sighed in relief and joined his two elders. Saito patted his shoulder, reassuring him. The child recalled a time when he had teased Chisao because he couldn't do certain attractions due to his small height. Today, he felt a particular bitterness.
They headed towards the entrance, the train waiting for them. Luckily, the rows were in threes, allowing them to stay together. They settled in the first row and secured the restraints.
Netto looked at Saito with a big smile. "You'll be okay? You're not going to be scared, right?"
Saito chuckled humorlessly. "Netto, I'm not afraid of—" He didn't have time to finish his sentence as the train started abruptly.
The train shook them in all directions. While Netto screamed with joy, arms outstretched outside the train, Saito held tightly to his restraint and screamed with tears in his eyes. Iris, on the other hand, was surprised, her hair dancing with the movements of the air.
The train finally came to a stop, and the first person to get out was Saito. He hurriedly left the train, walking with difficulty. Holding his hand firmly against his chest, he knelt in a corner, trying to recover from his emotions.
"My...heart..." he mumbled.
Netto and Iris exited as well, looking at him. The child shrugged.
"It's sensitive; we can't do anything about it," he declared.
"Maybe we should try something slower?" suggested Iris, expressing her concern for Saito.
Netto nodded, approaching the boy who seemed worse for wear. He patted his back, patiently waiting for him to feel better.
Once Saito had recovered, they resumed their journey towards a gentler ride, probably a carousel, to help him regain his composure. After a few rounds, the older boy realized that he quite enjoyed it, and his mind had finally settled properly. Once outside, he strangely felt a slight disappointment that the experience hadn't lasted longer. Netto glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, aware that Saito had spent a significant part of his life in the hospital. As usual, witnessing Saito discover these little things in life was amusing in a way.
"Hey, you three, are you a small group?" asked a voice as they walked leisurely.
Turning their heads, they saw a man with a camera.
"Do you want a photo? I don't charge much! It's worth it for memories!" he insisted.
Netto quickly smiled and nodded, dragging his two other friends with him, although Saito made a few small noises.
They all huddled together, with Netto in the middle, sporting a big smile and proudly giving a thumbs-up. Initially shy, Saito raised his hand and showed two fingers, taking some time to get comfortable. Iris, on the other hand, did absolutely nothing. The photographer tried to adjust his camera, and once ready, he gestured.
"Miss, could you smile a bit more? Aren't you happy to be with your friends?" he asked Iris.
The female Navi hesitated for a moment, and the two boys looked at her, waiting for her response. She tried to improve a bit and gave a small smile at the corner of her lips.
"Very well, perfect," declared the man, adding nothing more.
Clicks from the camera echoed with multiple flashes. Netto wore a wide smile, and Saito felt a bit prouder. Iris leaned slightly, delicately placing her hand on the child's arm, surprising him to the point of losing his smile, his face turning as red as a tomato.
"There you go! I think it's good!" declared the photographer, lowering his camera.
They waited for a moment while the man developed the photos. Eventually, he handed them three different shots, the "best" according to him. Each of them took one, and Netto ended up with one where the trio seemed normal, but of course, he was the most vibrant in the photo. Saito was trying to get comfortable, while Iris had a slight smile. Saito had one where he looked a bit more confident, and Iris had the last one. She noticed that she had touched the boy's arm, and he made a strange expression, blushing as if his blood rushed to his head. She tilted her head, trying to understand this reaction. Netto brought out his bag, ensuring that the photos would be safe there and that they would likely find them at the end of the journey.
One photo for each, so that no one would be forgotten when everything returned to normal; that's what Netto thought, unaware of the truth for some.
This time they stopped in front of the entrance to the Ferris wheel, seeking a moment of respite. With a cabin reserved for the three of them, the two boys sighed softly. As the cabin ascended, Netto observed the surroundings with a wide smile, the city lights they were heading towards just a few meters away. The vibrant colors illuminated the sky, combined with the Dimensional Area, making the landscape even more beautiful. Saito, in turn, gazed at the sky, but he couldn't discern any stars, no light coming from behind the area. He sighed sadly, touching the pink bracelet on his wrist.
The child readjusted and observed Iris, who had barely changed her position. She sat normally, her head slightly tilted, waiting. Netto approached while remaining seated, making small jumps towards her, intrigued by her expression.
"Are you enjoying your evening?" he asked timidly, feeling Saito's gaze on him.
Iris lowered her eyes, fixing them gently. "Yes," she simply replied.
Netto sparkled, displaying a benevolent smile. "Is this the first time you've been to an amusement park?" he inquired.
"Yes," she answered again with the same calm tone.
He waited for an additional response, but no other sound came from Iris's mouth. Netto slowly opened his mouth but closed it, not having any idea what he could say. Finally, he frowned, seeking an idea. However, just as he thought he had found one, Iris turned her head.
"And you, Saito?" she asked, looking at the boy in question, startling the other two. Saito didn't expect to be singled out, and Netto frowned even more.
"What about me?" he asked.
"Are you enjoying the evening? You didn't want to come here," she said softly.
The concerned boy nodded and forced a smile. "Yeah...but in the end, I'm having a good time," he admitted.
At least Netto was delighted to learn that Saito was having a good time after all. However, with half-closed eyes, he turned his gaze to his older friend and then to Iris before opening them wide. He found the topic he had in mind and gave a smile to the female Navi.
"You know..." Netto began, choosing his words intelligently. "There's a play where a woman is forced to be sacrificed so that her father can carry out his war? It's quite...macabre...but interesting," he said with an air that suggested he was imitating the intelligence of his class.
Iris tilted her head. "It's Iphigenia, isn't it?" she asked.
Netto sighed but didn't let himself be discouraged. "Yeah... I remembered that play. Mariko-sensei talked about it once in class."
"It's one of my favorite plays," declared Iris, looking at him, offering a big smile.
"Really?" Netto exclaimed.
"Ah, that's the book you started in the village the other day, right?" Saito asked, looking at him with a smile as well.
As if he had been stung by something, Netto groaned. His eyes were half-closed, and his face expressed total annoyance. Slowly, he turned his head towards his elder, who had just spoken, unable to express how disgusted he was with this situation.
"What? Isn't it true?" Saito continued, unaware that he was shattering the young child's ego.
Netto made a disgusted facial expression, waving his arms in all directions without saying a word. Saito looked at him, filled with confusion, to the point of widening his eyes. Even though he had been accustomed since their childhood to always understand his brother due to their connection—even when being Rockman—he had to admit that, at this moment, was one of the rare moments when he couldn't understand him. The child stopped and started crossing his arms and sulking. The older boy looked at him, then raised his eyes to Iris, equally lost by what had just happened. Then, like a bell ringing in his head, he finally understood.
"Ah," was his only reaction. Then, he furrowed his brows and looked at the child, judging him with his eyes at that moment.
The Ferris wheel ride concluded, and the trio walked in silence. Netto led the way, but he was still sulking. He turned his head, noticing a closed building where people were lining up to enter. He understood it was another attraction, and when he read the name, a mischievous smile appeared on his face. He stopped and looked at his two older companions.
"What if we go on the haunted train!" he announced.
A shiver ran down Saito's spine at the mention of this proposal. "Haunted?" he muttered.
Hearing this word, the child looked at him with that same little smile. "What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Saito could feel sweat dripping down his temple, but he grimaced, especially thinking about recent events. He closed his eyes and turned his head to the side.
"Not really, I just don't like ghosts...even though I know they don't exist," he concluded as an excuse.
Netto approached him with a sigh. "Again, with that talk, I might start believing you're Rockman!" he admitted, patting him on the back, head bowed.
The older boy gasped, looking at the child with dilated pupils, where Iris had suddenly joined. Netto hadn't noticed either reaction and just looked up at him, still under a much more mischievous tone.
"But of course, you're not the same person; one of you is much more annoying than the other," he declared with a viper-like smile.
Saito gasped, furrowing his brows at hearing this. "Ah...really?" he asked in a voice that held back his inner turmoil.
The child backed away and shrugged, still with the same smile. He turned around, heading towards the attraction building. The elder caught up with him and took him by the shoulder.
"Wait, Netto!"
He stopped and looked at him.
"I'm not coming; I'll wait for you guys," declared Saito, then leaned towards Netto's ear, "So you'll be alone with Iris."
Suddenly, like a switch being flipped, the young boy interrupted his annoyed glances, and his cheeks took on a rosy hue. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the boy by his side. On the other side, the latter sported a strange little smile. Netto stared at him intently before redirecting his attention to Iris, standing motionless beside him. His heart raced. He recalled the moment when, with Meiru, he had imagined a similar situation when they were in a haunted train at the amusement park. He had dreamed that she would cuddle up to him, scared. However, that moment had been ruined by Dekao, a habitual chatterbox who had spoiled the entire ride.
He swallowed, wondering if he was exaggerating in imagining the same thing with Iris. Maybe there was a chance she would be surprised and hide against him?
"Well..." he began, choosing his words carefully.
Saito nudged him with his elbow, accompanied by a wink. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. I'll just enjoy other things. We'll meet at the exit."
Netto nodded slowly, then approached Iris, slightly blushing. "Well... Are you coming, Iris?"
The designated one simply nodded without saying a word, heading towards the attraction's queue. Saito gave them a final wave, bidding them farewell. Once far enough away, his expression turned to annoyance. He sighed, releasing the grumbling he had been holding back against Netto.
"You'll see, when everything returns to normal, I'm going to make you regret this," he muttered.
He slid his hands into his pockets and turned on his heel, moving away in another direction. He strolled, observing the festivities and people around him. Many seemed happy, a welcome change.
Saito passed by a large booth where very few people had stopped. He paused as he read the banner: "Circusman, the Funniest Clown Navi in the Region." Examining the scene, he discovered an imposing Navi that resembled a clown, juggling balls. However, the expression on his face and the slowness of his movements gave off a strangely depressing atmosphere. If Saito had been already devastated, he would probably have succumbed to death in front of this clown. The children present moved away, hand in hand with their parents. The hybrid boy sighed softly and walked away, unaware that the clown had lifted his head to watch him.
Continuously scanning his surroundings, Saito noticed a poster featuring a familiar face. There was the joyful expression of Mariko, Netto's school teacher. An idol here, at the amusement park. The poster announced that she would be present, offering a special concert tonight. Saito found it strange that a supposed big star would perform in such a setting. He also wondered if Yuriko was present. The last time, the two sisters were also in the same city. Were they close, experiencing similar situations in their world without actually being together? Or maybe they were indeed close, but Mariko was unaware of what her little sister was doing?
All these questions began to give him a headache. He grimaced and continued on his way. He sincerely hoped not to run into Yuriko. Now that she knew his face, he might encounter problems.
In his resumed walk, Saito abruptly stopped upon seeing a silhouette not far from him, completely unaware of his presence. His initial reaction was to slip to the side to avoid being noticed. Needleman moved a bit further, from left to right, through the human crowd. Fortunately, he didn't seem to notice the boy, who let out a sigh of relief. Now that he had spotted him, Saito knew what he had to do. Once he found Netto and Iris, they should leave the place as soon as possible.
Hardly catching his breath, he felt a presence behind him, pricking him like a needle in the back, preventing him from moving.
"Good evening, Saito-senpai!" a voice emerged.
Turning slowly, he saw the boy in question, looking at him with a mysterious smile. Hands in the pockets of his pants, strands of his blue hair concealing half of his eyes. Saito could feel a surge of fear in his body, mixed with anger.
Netto stood in line with Iris by his side. A gentle smile adorned his face, and his cheeks displayed a slight blush. It was a somewhat peculiar moment at first glance, even though they had spent time together before. Before boarding one of the cars, the child softly gazed at Iris.
"You'll see, it's really funny," he murmured gently.
Iris didn't respond, and eventually, they settled into a car that started moving into the darkness. The atmosphere was dark, with flashing lights illuminating every corner. Netto tried to focus on what might happen, but some passages genuinely made him shiver. A luminous monster emerged, causing him to startle to the point where he involuntarily leaned against Iris. He quickly moved away when he realized it, his cheeks turning red.
"S-sorry," he stammered. "I'm usually not scared!"
"There's nothing to be afraid of, Netto-kun. You can see that it's just plastic, and some are—" she didn't have time to finish her sentence as something behind her startled her, emitting a high-pitched scream.
Netto remained dumbfounded, his cheeks becoming even redder, his pupils slightly dilated.
"C-cute..." he murmured.
Iris lowered her head, her hair hiding her eyes, frozen like a statue. Concerned, Netto sincerely hoped that she hadn't glitched or something similar.
"Iris?" he questioned.
She quickly raised her head and looked at him with her green eyes.
"It's nothing, I just got surprised," she replied.
At the end of the ride, they got off, and Netto stretched before sighing.
"Well, it wasn't that terrifying. Saito could have come," he declared.
Iris didn't respond, observing the child expressionlessly.
"Did you enjoy it?" he asked this time.
She simply nodded to please him. Netto didn't notice and preferred to offer a big smile.
"You're not scared, are you?" he continued.
"My programming prevents me from being scared in general," she replied more officially.
"Ah?" the child exclaimed. "But Rockman can be scared of ghosts."
She raised an eyebrow, having an idea of the reason behind that. "Have you ever asked him why?"
He furrowed his brow, realizing his lack of insight. "Not really, but maybe it was a glitch? I should have talked to Papa about it."
Iris didn't respond, looking away. "We should find Saito-san," was her only response, before starting to walk in a direction.
Netto remained still, frozen for a moment, then suddenly bit his lip. As he thought about everything unfolding, he realized that Iris wasn't afraid due to her special programming as a Navi. Rockman and Saito were simply afraid of ghosts. When the question of his own fears crossed his mind, he couldn't help but feel a terrible chill, especially thinking about nightmarish memories.
"I'm scared of the Cybeasts," he confessed.
Iris stopped and looked at him, observing his very sincere gaze. His eyes were glazed as he stared at her seriously. He had to lower his gaze to the ground, his mouth retracting.
"I'm scared of Gregar, and I'm scared he'll control Rockman... I'm scared of losing him," he admitted softly, recalling the painful memories of the day Rockman lost control after Meiru's death.
Iris tilted her head, restraining any visible expression. Instead of verbalizing her thoughts, she held back her words. The temptation to reach out to him crossed her mind, but she ultimately lowered her head.
"These are human reactions, entirely normal," she replied softly.
Netto gasped and lowered his eyes, nibbling on his lip. "Now that I know... Every other time he was violent..." he paused, thinking back to the beginning, to what happened the day Meiru died. "I know it wasn't him, just Gregar's influence... But..." He shook his head, refusing to admit something. "I'm scared he'll become like that again, that Gregar will influence him again... And that he'll do something horrible again," he murmured.
Iris scrutinized him with intrigue. He sighed, releasing a moment of his sadness. The female Navi looked at him gently without saying anything, letting her gaze speak volumes.
"As long as I'm here, Gregar's control can't do anything," she asserted without flinching.
Netto blinked. While a glimmer of reassurance appeared in his eyes, it wasn't enough to elicit even a smile. He simply nodded and approached her, staying close.
Continuing their walk, Netto abruptly stopped upon seeing a poster on a pole. Iris noticed, turning her gaze to the poster featuring a very familiar idol.
"Oh, it's..." he began, examining the poster closely.
The image depicted Mariko, an extremely famous singer in this country, far from her role as a school teacher on Terra. The child approached, intrigued by a curiosity that was hard to grasp.
"I didn't know idols could perform at small amusement parks," he commented.
Iris also approached, scrutinizing the poster with a doubtful look.
"Is she the twin sister of that Yuriko?" she asked to confirm.
Netto bit his lip at the mention of Yuriko. The two young women had been in the same city during the Virus Hunt. He recalled the violence she had displayed towards Iris, but especially towards Saito.
"I wonder if she's here too," he murmured, lowering his head. "I don't even know if they're close."
Iris observed the child and then the poster, staring at the smiling woman holding a microphone. "If Yuriko is here, I'm afraid she's planning something like last time."
Netto's eyes widened, and he let out a breath.
"So..." he began.
"No, Netto-kun, you must not intervene," she cut him off, looking at him firmly.
"But..." he tried to continue.
"Please," she insisted.
Flashbacks surged in Iris's mind. As a priestess, she possessed the power to control Navis, but Yuriko wielded a formidable weapon using orichalcum. Saito had endured atrocious torment, and the only one left standing had been Netto. She didn't want to relive that situation. Yuriko represented an enemy far too strategic for them.
Netto lowered his head, containing his frustration at the idea of constantly being sidelined. He clenched his fists, a gesture noticed by Iris. She slid her hand behind his back, encouraging him to move.
"Come, Netto-kun, we must..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she turned her head upon hearing a shrill laughter. Even Netto froze, his eyes widening. Before them, Needleman observed them, standing there. On reflex, Iris positioned herself in front of the young boy, acting as a barrier between them. She was ready to raise her hand towards the Navi, prepared to deflect any attack.
"Oh, Priestess, do you want to fight in front of everyone and show who you really are?" he asked, punctuating his question with several snickers.
The female Navi gasped, realizing they were not alone, and hundreds of innocent people were present, not really concerned about their face-off. She bit her lip, while worry etched on Netto's face.
"What do you want? Kidnap this child?" she asked with a slightly weakened but venomous voice.
Needleman slowly shook his head while closing his eyes, maintaining his smile.
"Even though I could take both of you, it's not my mission. I have something else to do... However, I could ensure you're out of my way," he replied playfully.
Iris lowered her head while keeping her eyes fixed on him, her hand halfway raised. However, Netto positioned himself in front of her, momentarily surprising Needleman but not destabilizing him.
"I'd like to ask you a question," he began with his innocent voice, looking the Navi straight in the eyes. "Does Mariko know about all this?"
Suddenly, Needleman's smile vanished, and his eyes widened upon hearing the complete question. He stared at the boy, visibly thrown off.
"What are you talking about?!" he asked in an irritated tone.
Iris, noticing Needleman's reaction, understood that Netto wasn't going to defuse the situation. She took him by the shoulder, forcing him to stay behind her.
"Netto-kun—"
"Mariko!" he insisted louder. "That singer, she's Yuriko-san's twin sister, right?"
Almost stepping back, his eyes widened by what he had just revealed, Needleman seemed almost off balance.
"How... How do you know?" he asked.
"They look alike, and I just know, that's all. Now tell me, is Mariko-sensei aware of her sister's actions?" he continued louder, attracting the attention of passersby who turned to look at him.
Needleman remained frozen, even ignoring why the child had added "sensei" to that woman's name. He growled, filled with resentment, frowning like an angered entity.
"Don't talk about Mariko-san, you have nothing to know! How do you know they are sisters?! Yuriko did everything to keep them from being associated!" he almost shouted.
Netto stepped back for a moment, feeling lost. Besides mentioning their resemblance, he didn't have concrete proof to support his knowledge of their sibling relationship. He had put himself in a deadlock, and the boy felt his heart beating faster. The Navi raised his arm towards him, filled with anger.
"Never mention that name again!" he shouted.
Just as they thought he was going to charge at them, Iris was also preparing to raise her hand towards Needleman, ready to use her powers. However, just as he was about to move, a piercing sound froze everyone around. A sudden scream, which could have been drowned out by a kaiju, echoed, accompanied by a sudden, dark and terrifying aura that filled the air. Netto stared at the source of the scream, which repeated as if getting closer. It was all too familiar.
"Rockman...?"
AN: It's not a long chapter compared to what I've written before, 16 pages on my end compared to 23 pages for Chapter 33, for example. The beginning is inspired by a scene from Kill Bill, yes, for those who will ask, lol.
There's a bit more teasing between Iris and Netto, with Netto showing a lot of interest in her, but Iris doesn't seem to truly understand (then again, she has never experienced it, whereas Netto has had these feelings for Meiru or Pride in the anime, and even a bit for Shuuko). Saito has become the third wheel. It's funny.
A bit more of Yuriko and Needleman—I love Yuriko in the anime; she is probably the best female character in the anime! And of course, the snake has made its appearance, haha. Well, we leave off on a cliffhanger, until next time!