Z0: So we're still kinda making these one after another in a sense…so…uh…we don't have a bit lined up yet. Uh…no yeah I'm running out of doomsday weapons…
GT: Eeyup. Some of them Z0 signed a contract to not use until later, so…may have to dip into my old nonsense. So, as usual, we do not own Gundam nor Megaman. And as such…*puts a sign up on the curtains, reading 'Kamiki Sekai has a girl that isn't you.' Sends the photo off* And now, we make haste for shelter because no one wants to fight a furious female with amazing Gunpla skills…let alone three at the same time.
Z0: Prepare the super dimensional bunker made to protect us from the ultimate danger to mankind…literally…. *secret door opens only for beams to shoot into it and destroy it* Brother…it is an honor to have known you.
GT: Likewise. *ties a white bandana over the eyes, take a shot of eggnog, and puts a candy cigarette in mouth*
Z0: We who are about to die, Salute you! *Multiple explosions send us both flying away Team Rocket Style*
"Okay…Let's review again…" the Game Master spoke, looking at his people in Administration as the battle replayed on the screens in the area, "The boy called 'Megaman,' which we all agree is ironic since he is a child that looks no older than eleven or twelve but calls himself Megaman, can don an armor that actually messed with the AI to make it 'confused' for several moments before making all the debris go to attack the Sazabi. When that failed, he then somehow linked to the ZZ Gundam and caused…" he pointed at three screens, showing the sword, the instant repair, and then the moments before the beam struggle, "...these."
"Yes," Gate nodded, "Sir…how did the Sazabi avoid that? Because…that defies all logic!" he coughed, "Sorry, but I was so hoping that last attack got him."
"I've checked the data on that last part. That ice…it seems to have been held back," Alia noted.
"Held back? How so?" the Game Master asked.
"I've done a simulation…and apparently…" she grimaced, "If that ice was let loose without control, it could theoretically freeze over the entire internet."
"What?!" everyone exclaimed, some of the people freezing up due to the humans operating the avatars having disconnected by accident from the shock.
"Why would someone make a program like that?!" Gate asked in shock, "Did…Did they think the internet would turn sentient and devour all the data in the world or something?" he rubbed his chin, "Do you think it was meant for Alus and Cuadorn never knew of it?"
"No, the coding is different from the ancients of Eldora," Alia replied.
"Sir! Diver Lio is requesting access. He has Megaman along with Diver Alex and EL-Diver Rhyme with him," another member called out.
"Grant them access," the Game Master ordered before looking at a freeze frame of Megaman on ZZ Gundam's shoulder, "Well…time to see just how bad of a patch we'll need to make."
"Game Master," Lio spoke as they all flashed into the room, "I'm sorry for the delay, but I was able to bring Megaman here without trouble."
"He says after dicing the S-Class Sazabi down to the cellular level…and burning it…" Gate muttered, "What would be considered difficult for these types…just the idea of ever facing one is scary…"
"Shh…" Alia elbowed him.
"What…we were just…and then things got inverted…and then…did we move through the very code?" Megaman gawked, looking around.
"Not many notice that. It's how we keep the Administration safe from hackers and people who would otherwise try and do things we frown upon," The Game Master explained, "It also allows us a better metaphorical view of things happening in Metaverse."
"Ah!" Megaman yelped, spinning around…before blinking a few times, "A…A SD Gunpla?"
"That's just how his Avatar looks. Megakid, this is the man in charge of GM's Administration, the Game Master," Lio introduced.
"Oh! H-Hello," Megaman greeted before mumbling, "Megaman, not kid…"
"Greetings, Megaman-kun," he bowed, "Now…what are you?" he bluntly asked.
"Hm? Isn't he an EL-Diver?" Alex asked.
"In many senses, yes, he is indeed an Electrical Lifeform," The Game Master explained, "He looks, acts, and seems just like the other EL-Divers. However, upon scanning him…He lacks any data at all from either GBN or GM. A sign of the EL-Diver's age and Birthdate, if you will."
"Huh…So EL-Divers are different from NetNavis?" Megaman asked.
"Net…Navi?" Rhyme looked up at Megaman.
"It's short for 'Network Navigator,'" Megaman explained, "I was created by the Ministry of Science, specifically by the head of it Dr. Yuichiro Hikari, for my NetOp, Lan Hikari."
"Hah! I knew that glitch was a name!" Gate cheered before Alia dope-slapped him, "Shuttin' up."
"So…you are from another world," The Game Master spoke before he took a deep breath of relief, "Thank goodness…you're just an alien program."
"Huh? A-Another world?" Lan pondered as Megaman nodded.
"It sounds like you've had experience," Megaman noted.
"We've met Aliens from another world at least twice," Lio explained, "The first was a human…Mmm…no, properly said, he is a human from space." he shook his head, "He and others from his home colony have appeared here and either helped…or caused unintended trouble."
"The second was a misguided AI who had a duty to protect his homeworld, but took it too far and refused to back down, even coming to GBN and causes us to do emergency patches to swiftly repair what he damaged before he was taken down by Force Build Divers and Force BUILD DiVERS," the Game Master added.
"Uhm…" Megaman began.
"It makes sense spelled out rather than spoken," Lio assured, "Trust me, it's a story for later." he assured, patting his shoulder, "But given you aren't an evil warmongering AI misguided by horrible loneliness, you are far from the most dangerous being to pay us a visit. Believe it or not, but that very being had technology that allowed the latter Force's Gunpla to become Very Real on an Alien world several lightyears away. We actually triangulated the distance based off an EMP we detected from said world to be 30 lightyears."
"R-Really?!" Megaman gawked.
"Young Rhyme-kun here resembles the natives of that world," Game Master added, gesturing to the EL-Diver…who was gnawing on his rope toy.
"E-Eh? Rhyme is an…Alien?" Megaman asked.
"Nom?" he was able to mumble out, tilting his head in confusion.
"No, no. His data is likely based upon them from the linking of our worlds through GM," Game Master assured, "He just looks like one of the natives of Eldora." he shook his head, "But we are getting sidetracked." he displayed the footage of the two times Megaman engaged a Gunpla, "Just how were you doing these acts?"
"Oh! Lan was giving me BattleChips to help me fight them," Megaman explained, "In our world, everything is connected to the Internet or Network as we NetNavis call it." he noticed the Mettaur in the containment field, "Often we have to bust Viruses like the Mettaur you have under quarantine when they're causing problems for everyone or are being used by NetTerrorists such as WWW or Grave. But we also enjoy NetBattling against one another, sometimes even having one as a form of greeting."
"Net…Battling?" Alex repeated.
Megaman nodded, "It's a bit like Gunpla Battle, but we don't use Gunpla but ourselves. Our NetOps, short for 'Network Operator,' sends us BattleChips to allow us to fight with programs in them, such as making weapons, objects, even changing the ground to different elements such as grasslands, desert sands, and even beds of blazing hot coal. Often, this is done by inserting a BattleChip into the PeT or Personal Terminal that a NetOp has."
"And the armor since you didn't include it?"
"Oh, that's because it's something only I can do," Megaman replied, "It's called DoubleSoul and sacrificing a BattleChip of the same Element allows me to don an 'armor' made from a copy of the 'soul' of a NetNavi that I resonated with." his smile softened, becoming a bit somber as he looked at his use of JunkSoul, "JunkSoul…was from a NetNavi made of junk data that passed away after we NetBattled in a tournament a few weeks ago. His lonely soul touched many hearts, including my own, that day." he shook his head, "He never got a chance to have a friend or NetOp since he was born of Junk Data that was breaking down, but he was really grateful and happy to have spent some time pretending to have one in Lan when he took my body for a bit before the battle."
"Wait, what?" Alex asked.
"It's a bit of a confusing story and I swear it felt like I had a lot of deja vu during the whole time," Megaman muttered before shaking his head and looked at the Game Master, "So…my being here is…is causing these bugs that made that message go out?"
"Potentially, or something about a NetNavi in general is causing a bug due to the world not being able to properly understand you," The Game Master explained, "If you will allow me time to examine your abilities, and whatever data I can have access to, I might be able to find out what is causing the bug…And create a patch that will prevent it." he explained before seeing the worried look on his face, "Don't worry, so long as we take our time to do this properly, the Patch will just nullify the trigger and allow you to visit again. Though…my best guess is…you won't be able to use your combat abilities next time."
"...I'm alright with that," Megaman replied, "If it means this place isn't hurt anymore by me just being here, then not being able to use them is alright with me."
"Same here! It's way too cool-looking and you seemed to really like piloting that Core Base," Lan agreed.
"Thank you for your cooperation. Then we should get to work. Hopefully, the idiots are all distracted; and by that, I mean the mob of people who got upset at the events' hiatus. I feel no pity for the dumb."
"...Wait, there's a mob after me?!" Megaman gawked.
"Someone leaked information…incorrectly…" The Game Master groaned, "Now they all have the wrong idea, and they all are getting demoted…to D-Rank." he assured.
"Gate sent them on a wild goose chase," Alia explained, "That way, we could get more time to find you to come here."
"Indeed. Hopefully, they're all handling the mobile suits we deployed to keep them distracted at a modest enough pace to give us time to do all we need to keep GM working smoothly," Gate nodded.
"Where did you send them, anyway?" Game Master asked.
"Here," Gate replied, showing a set of coordinates.
"...Gate…That's just barely outside the territory of Force Hyakki…Ogre's base of operations," Alia recognized, "That's not a wild goose chase, that's sending them straight to the gates of hell with an angry, roided out Cerberus guarding it…with rabies!"
"..." Lio blinked behind his mask a few times, "I always miss the fun parties…" he muttered to himself.
"Hoo boy…" Gate muttered, "Er…it…it may not be that bad."
"...Bring it up," Game Master ordered, a deadpan expression on his face.
"It will take a few minutes to switch from the current state to allow us to view a live feed," Alia informed.
"Then while we wait, I can get the initial scan of you done," Game Master spoke, looking at Megaman.
"Please lead the way," Megaman spoke, "I don't want to cause more trouble by just being here than I should."
"Right this way. Don't worry, this is in no way intrusive. It was specified to help EL-Divers and determine if they have any quirks," The Game Master explained, gesturing Megaman to follow him.
"..." Alex raised her hand.
"The only quirks Rhyme-kun has are his Eldoran heritage, his nicknaming habit, and his biting things he shouldn't bite."
"Oh thank goodness…" Alex sighed in relief.
"Nom?" Rhyme looked up at her before giggling happily at the headpats she gave him as Megaman followed after Game Master.
"...This Lan Hikari can hear us, yes?" Game Master quietly asked.
"Oh. Um…yes, sir," Megaman replied, "For some reason, he just can't communicate normally here."
"Likely an incompatibility with this 'PeT' and GM," Game Master hypothesized, "While it allows you to use these 'BattleChips,' it just interferes with other programs in it such as communication."
Megaman nodded before frowning, "Why do I have that screen when I come here?"
"The menu? With how GM and its predecessor, Gundam Battle Nexus, work, the system likely registered you as a Diver like it did for EL-Divers," he explained as he brought Megaman to a circular pad that the NetNavi stepped on, "Starting scan." The circle glowed before a green ring emerged from it, going up and down Megaman, "Don't touch it. You'll get shocked and have to stay there longer."
"Understandable," Megaman nodded, "I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused."
"Don't be. If I blamed you for something you had no control over, I'd just be repeating the same mistakes I made a few years ago with Sarah-san," the Game Master assured, earning a confused look, "Back then…we never knew EL-Divers existed and her existence was breaking down GBN. If not for Build Divers and Ms. Tori, one of the top programmers of the system, creating the Mobile Doll System to let EL-Divers live outside of the system…" he shook his head, "Your data is interesting. It matches how old you look."
"Oh, that's because I am that age," Megaman replied, "I was born the same time as Lan."
"Soka…you're older than any EL-Diver," he noted in surprise, "Meaning your Network is older than GM."
"Well…That's because it was developed by Grandpa."
"Grandpa?"
"Tadashi Hikari. He's mine and Lan's grandfather. Our Papa, Yuichiro Hikari, took over his role after his passing, further developing NetNavis and giving them actual emotions."
"And now the son has, through his family's creations, made first contact with another world entirely," he chuckled.
"Sons, but I get why he thinks otherwise," Lan muttered.
'I think it might be hard to explain…or not, this world has shocked us more than we have shocked it…' Megaman pointed out.
"That we know of. I mean, did you see how that guy in all that armor under that lab coat was looking at you?"
"Hm? Why are the scanners sensing two signatures?" the Game Master asked, looking at the data.
"Oh! It's detecting FullSynchro?" Megaman pondered.
"Full Synchro?"
"It's…kinda like the Alaya-Vijnana System from IBO," Megaman recalled the comparison he had made when he learned about the system from Lio, "Where the wall between [Command] and [Action] is dropped, greatly boosting my abilities with Lan."
"Y-You actually have the means to put implants into humans to connect with NetNavis?"
"Huh? Impala-Oh, no, no, no!" Megaman quickly shook his head, "It doesn't use the cable like Lio does. It's more of a…spiritual thing. A connection formed between NetOp and NetNavi that synchronizes us together. It's why I don't need to be near the area I came into Metaverse to use BattleChips because Lan is directly connected to me through our 'souls.'"
"I assume the limits of our views on Science Fiction would be tunnel vision compared to what seems to be your world's advancements on cyber technology. The human brain is, in itself, a very complicated computer in its own right. It can actually be used to increase the signal range of certain electronic signals, so it stands to reason it could allow such a feat. Here we assumed only the Plavsky particles could allow a similar phenomenon."
"Plavsky particles? Mmm…I think Ms. Alex mentioned those once when we were heading to the Musou Mission," Megaman tried to recall, "They're what originally made Gunpla able to move before the Metaverse's predecessor came into being, right?"
"It was originally a technology brought to our home world by an Extraterrestrial thief who stole a rare gem which produced the particles. He used them to make the Gunpla Battle business boom, with the special plastic made for Gunpla being the only one compatible with it. However, keeping it a secret for business reasons meant that the parent company of Gundam ensured it only worked for their products. Such was born the vast popularity of Gunpla itself. But even after that story closed, a genius discovered the particles in space allowing Gunpla Battle to continue for several years. And still to this day, it could be called the Pro-Circuit of Gunpla Battle, allowing the high level fighters around the world to compete in person. However, GBN and its 0 damage to the Gunpla became popular, as well as the anonymity of Internet Accounts. Eventually, it grew to become more commonplace for casuals and professionals alike. It allowed the best of the world to challenge each other without having to fly out to meet in person. I guess in comparison, we have only recently begun to catch up with what you view as a modern internet."
"That's amazing!" Lan gawked.
"Lan and I are really surprised by that, sir," Megaman noted, "Though…you also have some things in GM that are more amazing to us as well. Such as the fact that humans can be in here through the use of avatars and not through utilizing NetNavis. Honestly, the closest thing we have is a dangerous device called the Pulse Transmission System where the mind is fully brought into the Network."
"Which would be dangerous with things like a dangerous Virus attacking the human's mind," the Game Master noted, earning a nod from Megaman, "Yes. When we came up with the concept, we had much the same concerns. It's why we built the world the way it is; we closed off the full access to the internet and built the world strong, as if a very real one." he explained, "From there, we ensured the safety of the Divers, along with a 'Game Over' mechanic so the Diver's Avatar may 'die,' but really it will just boot them out to prevent any damage. Believe me…many people used popular anime to bring up concerns with the technology. Some…really hyper focused on one with a similar plot…but the scary element that the technology could fry one's mind." he shuddered as Megaman gave a worried gulp, "Weirdos…"
"Fry someone's mind? Yeesh…Papa and the people in SciLab should take a page out of this page's book, huh."
'Perhaps,' Megaman agreed before the Game Master pointed at his emblem, "Huh?"
"Why is most of yourself focused here?"
"Oh! That's where my Core is. If my NaviMark is destroyed or ripped off, it would disrupt the core and be a near-instant Deletion if outside interference isn't performed in time," Megaman explained, "I've…had it happen once. If not for my friend Roll using her Recov Element to keep me alive long enough for a program to be installed, I wouldn't be here today."
"Perhaps…our worlds could share information," The Game Master offered, "Our data for the Game Over mechanic could help prevent such catastrophes."
"It'd honestly be a blessing," Megaman noted, "Lan and I can try to get things rolling on our end. Even if we're kids, we do know a few people considering Papa is the head scientist at SciLab."
"We've become used to odd happenings and guests. The least we can do is share the few things we developed that you haven't and vice-versa," The Game Master offered, "A peace offering, considering last time we met some other world visitors some of our own saved their world from an Evil AI, this seems much more…normal." he sheepishly scratched his avatar's metal face.
"This world has had its share of amazing adventures, hasn't it?" Megaman chuckled.
"Far too many for me to count, frankly. It's been difficult on me in my own ways…but thankfully you have been so helpful." the Game Master nodded as he looked over the data, "Yes, I think with this I shall be able to make a patch that will undo the bugs. Thankfully they caused no actual damage to the core data, but it was very confused by your combat ability data. Divers should have no such powers. Granted the Divers can perform amazing feats, those are unintended benefits. And none of them would ever be able to challenge an S-Class combat Gunpla like the Sazabi piloted by Char."
"I'm honestly excited to watch more. Ms. Alex gave me a copy of G Gundam and Lan and I really loved it," Megaman noted, "Though, I did have to turn on the Translation tool in the PeT for Lan to understand it."
"Fair warning if she gave you the English Dub; many of the names in it for the Gundam units were altered, the two key Gundam being the God Gundam and Devil Gundam being renamed Burning and Dark respectively," the Game Master warned as the scanner went back into the ground, "Alright. If we work on it fast enough, the patch should be good to be applied in half an hour."
"That fast?" Lan pondered.
"Really?"
"It'd be quicker if a good friend known as 'Ms. Tori' was feeling well, but she has a bit of a flu going around her place," he admitted, "Be warned the next time you're on here and see a small bird of sorts that's taken an interest in you. That's her Avatar." he motioned for Megaman to follow him back to the others, "I'll make sure you have the original dub of some of the other shows before you leave today. What is the language you normally speak in?"
"Electopian. The dub used for G Gundam was a perfect Netopian," Megaman replied.
"Such coincidences have happened before," the Game Master muttered, "Somehow, both our Alien friends speak perfect Japanese, the language I'm natively fluent in."
"Oh," Megaman blinked a few times in surprise.
"It's why we can only assume your people are in fact just…humans on another world," he went on, "I guess Space…is not as drastic as we assumed. Ironic given the plots of Gundam and such…"
"It's both a worry and relief, I suppose," Megaman noted, "We're not alone out there, but at the same time it's as if the other life out there is just as human as us."
The Game Master nodded before looking ahead as they walked, "I'm worried now."
"Why?"
"It is too quiet," the Game Master explained, "Ever since I took in a few EL-Divers into the Administration, it has never been this level of quiet." he picked up the pace, "Best to hurry then."
"R-Right," Megaman agreed, picking up his own pace before they arrived in the main area of the Administration's space, seeing everyone staring at a screen, "Huh?"
"Alia," the Game Master spoke, startling the blonde and making her look away to him, "What?"
"We…We just finished switching the systems around to let us watch the feeds again and went straight to where the Divers were supposed to be," Alia recapped, looking worried, "A-And…"
"Ogre went on a rampage, didn't he?"
"No…it…" Alia inhaled deeply before moving to the side, letting the two see the screen…and Megaman froze with a look of fear on his face.
On the screen, the cloaked figure floated above the GP-Rase-Two-Ten…torn heavily into. Its guns were missing with the bulky objects attached to the shoulders in pieces around the field. Half of the head was caved in with the entire right arm and left leg missing. The torso was ripped open, exposing a defiantly glaring Ogre within his preferred cockpit setup.
"S-Scary…" Rhyme whimpered, hiding behind Alex's legs as his tail refused to go down from its fluffed out state, the fox girl covering her mouth in shock and fear as her own tails were in the same state as Rhyme's.
"O-Ogre is in this kind of state…?" Gate asked in disbelief.
"Bass?!" Megaman shouted in shock.
"Ack! D-Did he follow us?!" Lan panicked.
"Another NetNavi, I presume," the Game Master spoke, trying hard to remain calm.
"Yes. The world's first AutoNavi, a NetNavi that doesn't need a NetOp," Megaman explained, "He's known all over the Undernet as the Messenger of Darkness and the Black Shadow…and I always end up running into him at some point or another down there."
"Given your reaction, you are extra surprised to see him," Lio noted, "Did you assume you were done dealing with him?"
"He…I thought he self-destructed in the SecretNet due to fusing with the Virus Beast," Megaman explained, "It…" he grimaced, "This is bad. Very very bad."
"Considering he's ripped apart a SS-Rank Diver's Gunpla with his bare hands? Yeah," Gate agreed, yet he kept his focus still on the floating figure.
"You have to get everyone near there as far away as you can," Megaman spoke, "If he finds someone interesting enough, he'll…"
"...He'll what?" Alia asked.
"...He can copy their power to the fullest extent using a program called GetAbility. The time before our last fight, I had access to a form called HubStyle," Megaman explained, "It let me overpower him…and he copied it with me delivering what I thought was the finishing blow. He not only overpowered me, but I had to focus every single bit of my power into one finger in order to break his empowered Earthbreaker and pierce him in the Core…and he still came back a few months later when I gained the GigaFreeze to stop our Internet's prototype from being released."
"Can you still go into that form?" Alia asked, earning a headshake from Megaman.
"I lost the program that let me access StyleChange before I fought him the last time," Megaman explained, "It's why DoubleSoul came into being; to fill in that void."
"He's doing something!" Gate called, making everyone look at the screen again.
"In the end…you were no meal…" Bass scoffed as he raised a hand…before a sphere of darkness appeared in the palm of it and swiftly expanded to the size of a medium-sized building, "...all you were…" he narrowed his eyes, "...was a pitiful crumb! EARTHBREAKER!"
"HAH!" a beam sword swung and deflected the attack away, letting it explode a distance away, "I stood back out of respect and interest, but such sayings are not welcome in this world." Kyoya spoke as his Gunpla lifted the sword up, "In this world, we expect respect to those who put up their best; if you have no such respect, please leave." his Gunpla swung its hand and knocked Bass away when he appeared behind it, leaving the AutoNavi surprised by its speed and reaction, "Come now…sneak attacks like that are rude as well. Who raised such a naughty child?"
Megaman groaned, facepalming, "He did not just ask that. Please tell me whoever that guy is did not just push Bass's biggest berserk button."
"That is Kyoya Kujo, the Champion and strongest in the world," The Game Master explained, "You can count the number of times he's ever lost…with one hand."
"Better add another finger," Lan gulped.
Bass floated in the air, his eyes wide…before they narrowed as a dark aura began to seep off his body while the area began to quake, "You…" he swung his cape to the side…and the head of a snarling wolf seemingly made of a strange fragmented data with a jagged mane howled and snarled in place of his right gauntlet.
"What?" Kyoya tensed.
"DIE! VANISHING WORLD!" Bass roared out before a beam erupted from the wolf's maw, causing Kyoya to quickly parry with his sword.
"GH!" Kyoya grunted, "Hold on, Try Age Gundam…"
"Sir!" Kyoya glanced up to see his fellow pilots flying down at Bass.
"Stay back!" Kyoya shouted as Bass cut of the beam and grabbed the swinging javelin of the first Gundam and the beam saber of the other in his bare hands, "No!" the Try Age Gundam suddenly appeared and punched Bass away, taking him by surprise again, "Leave this to me, Emilia, Karna. Whatever he is, it's too much for any of you."
"Are you sure you're not just hogging this fight for yourself?!" Karuna demanded.
"..." The Try Age Gundam found a random star in space interesting at that before all three avoided a blast of energy.
"What the…?!" Karuna yelped, seeing Bass's gauntlet was replaced with an exact copy of his Gundam's large blaster, "Is that…my Impulse Gundam Arc's Arc Rifle?!"
Try Age Gundam was quickly upon Bass, swinging down to slice through it…only for a duplicate of Emilia's Gundam's javelin to replace it and parry the Gundam's blade, sending out sparks and a shockwave from the impact.
"My Impulse Gundam Lancier's Lancier Javelin…" Emilia gasped.
"Omoshiroi," Bass noted, "The data of these steel titans…it's quite the taste!"
"You can duplicate weapons?" Kyoya pondered, "...I am Kyoya Kujo. Just who are you?"
"Ore wa Bass!" he declared before a familiar pair of armaments formed over Bass's shoulders, "The Ultimate NetNavi!"
Try Age Gundam quickly moved away, dodging the gatling fire of missiles that Bass let loose. Bass was quickly upon him, making Try Age swing a kick to knock away the Arc Rifle before stabbing at him with his sword, forcing Bass away. Inside of Try Age, Kyoya scowled before activating a command.
=GET READY! TRYAGE SYSTEM!=
On the Try Age's back, a gray piece popped off and flew around to be grabbed by Try Age with both hands by a handle that extended from it. Inside the cockpit, the screen before Kyoya shifted, displaying three slots with three cards above them that slid down into the slots.
=PLEASE SCAN YOUR CARDS=
"What is this?" Bass blinked, sensing energy from the very world around them being focused into the Try Age Gundam, "This giant…it's drawing in data and power from the world around it…molding and shaping it? So much data for one attack? Or is it multiple?" he cackled and swung his arms out, "Show me! Show me what comes from this, Kujo Kyoya!"
=DRAW!=
Kyoya shot his hand out and pulled out the middle card. He pulled his hand back and the card was pulled along, held in place between his pointer and middle fingers and his thumb. In Try Age's hand, the card materialized as well. In unison with its pilot, both flipped the card around and exposed the image of it to be of a Gundam resembling the ZZ Gundam, yet it was far more stylized with a golden lion head on the torso.
=GUNDAM TRYON-3=
Try Age tossed the card into the skies above where it glistened for a moment…before storm clouds engulfed the area. Lightning rumbled and crackled before racing down and slamming into the device in Try Age's arms, causing a massive version of the card to slide into place in it.
=BURST OCCURRENCE=
Inside Try Age, the screen switched to a roulette that rapidly spun before settling on an option: 'Attack Burst 200 Percent.'
"You wanted me to show this, Bass?" Kyoya asked as Try Age's optics lit up before raising its weapon into the air.
=IGNITION!=
The card glowed before turning into a massive golden blade of light that pierced into the clouds above.
"THEN LET ME SHOW YOU!" Kyoya roared as he and Try Age swung.
"This level of energy output…it…actually surpasses anything I've ever seen?" Bass gasped in surprise, "This level of power is possible here in this world? Fantastic…" he grinned as the clouds above swirled and exposed a massive hard light version of Tryon-3's torso before its eyes gave a glint and the area was filled with a swirling blast of blue and red mixed within a lion's roar, "Simply fantastic!"
"HAH?! Wh-What is that?! What did he do?!" Alex gawked.
"The TryAge System," Alia explained, "It's a Perfect Rare reward that can be incorporated into a Gunpla. This system enables the summoning of numerous types of armaments and abilities from Gundam-type and other Mobile Suits using designated cards."
"You can borrow Famous Powers from other Mobile Suits, like a Hero in an Anniversary Season," Lio explained.
"It's like Mega Class BattleChips," Megaman compared, "Often, they're BattleChips that summon digital copies of a NetNavi to perform a special attack."
"Getting an attack from data in a card? That sounds kinda familiar…" Lan mumbled.
"Nom?" Rhyme tilted his head in confusion.
"Well at least one boy didn't instantly understand all of that," Alex chuckled sheepishly.
"It was complicated?" Megaman blinked.
"Not at all," Lio shook his head.
"Remember, she's from America and they don't have the card-related arcade games typically found in Japan," the Game Master reminded…before shaking his head, "What a pity, too."
"Indeed. They probably don't even have Extreme VS," Lio nodded.
"There's video games, too?!" Lan gawked.
"Video games as well? If it wasn't for Bass being here…I'd be more focused on being excited for that," Megaman noted.
"Matte, Game Master! Your Patch would inhibit Megaman's combat abilities, right? Could it also inhibit this Bass character's powers?" Lio asked.
"I thought it'd be best to make it general for NetNavis, yes," the Game Master replied, still working on it, "In theory, if I can get this up and running, this should stop even this rampager."
"Oh! I get it. Without any powers, Bass would be left helpless. He'd probably just be a kid here!" Megaman realized.
"Maybe without all that power of his, he can cool it and actually listen to someone for once," Lan added as the lights faded from the screen.
Bass panted, his cape gone and exposing his body. Kyoya raised a brow in interest, seeing the NetNavi still able to stay in the air. He paused when he spotted the scar on his torso and recalled the images of Megaman having a similar one on his torso.
"What's with that scar?" Kyoya pondered to himself.
"Why do you care?" Bass grunted, startling Kyoya as he realized the speaker was still on before shaking his head and went with it.
"Given your reaction, you're not accustomed to kindness, are you? Given your appearance…you look like a child, but act like a harmed animal, scared of anyone extending a hand to you. So you bite with powerful fangs and slash with sharpened claws," Kyoya spoke, "You are a very distrusting being. You have been hurt many times, and now all you wish is to hurt others before you are harmed again," he aimed his weapon forward, "However…understand, this world you are in, our world of Gundam Metaverse, is a world that brings people together. I can't allow you to run wild in this world. As Champion, I must stand before dangers to it. In this world, people can live the life they always wished, you are not an EL-Diver, this I can tell. So respond to my question: Why have you come here?"
"...People…?" Bass repeated, "You…are a human?"
"Of course," Kyoya replied…before his eyes widened as the aura erupted off Bass once more.
"You want to understand this? You humans are why I am this way!" Bass snarled, "You saw me as a threat! You bound me in limiters and accused me of problems you all caused!" the aura warped and twisted, meshing with the storm clouds above, "You tried to execute me just for existing!" the two Impulse Gundam moved further back, seeing the aura-infused storm give shape into a twisted howling dragon of darkness with the wolf's head adorning it, "This scar is proof of your foul existence!"
"I see now," Kyoya spoke, making Bass stop at his tone, "You are what could have become of the EL-Divers had that faithful loss not happened. No one came to your side, when the world called you wrong, no one fought for you. I see now, I see you," he replied simply, his eyes for a moment softening, "You are not a beast, you are a hurt being, you were betrayed by those who made you…like we almost did. It hurts…to know that this so deeply mirrors our own past and mistakes. You did nothing wrong…and everyone just decided it was best to be rid of you." Kyoya looked down inside of his cockpit, "I'm sorry…Believe me as one who was unsure what he had to do, it was wrong…"
"W-What are you speaking of, human?" Bass couldn't help but ask, never had he felt this…feeling from another, let alone a human.
"Once upon a time, a wonderful miracle was born to this world we humans made, an Electrical Life form born of our emotional data. Not understanding her…we feared her, we feared what she could do to our beloved world. As Champion…everyone expected me to do what had to be done. Even when deep in my heart…I hated it, myself, the feelings everyone forced on me, on her…" Kyoya explained, "It…it was horrible, what we did, never in all my life…was I glad to lose, then to that young man who saved her. I bet it all, on that young man's spirit and dedication to save that small little life, like I should have," he looked back up at his screen to look at Bass through his Gundam's eyes, "You…you are the horrible path that could have come from that battle had it all gone wrong. You are a result of humanity turning their backs to the life they made."
"..." Bass had no words, it was odd, he could tell this human; he was powerful, strong, truly strong, a being who could match him.
Yet the words he said, they felt even stronger, he'd heard it before, from those weaker than him. Empty words of compassion to appeal to him, those who tried to make him see things their way. But to hear it from one with such power, why did they make him pause? Why did this human's words hit so hard? What was this? Was it because unlike so many others, he never denied the crimes of other humans? He accepted those horrible things, he didn't turn his back to the ugliness of humans.
"Bass," Kyoya spoke, getting his attention again, "I shall not deny you! I see you, and I see your power! You are strong. If you need to take out your hatred towards humanity, I shall stand in their place! Fight me to your heart's content; I am strong enough to match you! For I am the Champion! And I have vowed to never fall again 'till one who loves Gunpla Battle more than I faces me! So by that regard, I am truly unbeatable, for no one in this world loves Gunpla Battle more than me!"
=DRAW!=
From his screen, Kyoya drew and the card appeared in Try Age's hand once more, "Come at me, Bass. Let loose this dragon that embodies you…" he flipped the card around, showing a golden Gundam upon it, "And I will show you the dragon that embodies a new road you can take!"
=SUPERIOR KAISER=
The lightning slammed down upon Try Age's weapon once more. He trusted upwards and the card turned into the 'blade' of light once more…before it exploded, transforming into a layered series of circles nestling the emblem of a unicorn within an array of eight different colored rings with either an arrow pointing away or a triangle pointing inward. Rising out of it, rivaling the size of the twisted serpentine dragon of darkness, was a golden Gundam, adorned with hints of a majestic ruby. Unlike other larger Gundam, its head was like that of an SD Gundam, its emerald green eyes focused upon its counterpart. Upon its back, two large wing units spread to the sides…before golden wings erupted from them, dispersing the storm above as Bass swore he heard a roar echoing from the jade orb-filled maws of the dragon heads that acted as its shoulder armor.
"Prepare yourself, for this amazing power embodies miracles and love for Gunpla itself," Kyoya spoke, raising his right arm up as his glove began glowing, his Try Age Gundam doing the same as its arm began flashing gold from the inside before it all shone pure gold, "In this world, humanity's love for Gunpla and Gunpla Battle has given form to wonderful small life forms whom we have vowed to live with and protect, for they embody all we value and care for. And since that day, where I chose to bear those sins, I will stand as their guardian, as Champion!"
"What…What is that?" Alex whispered.
"Kirei~" Rhyme awed, closing his eyes as he put his hands to his chest, "I can feel it…the warmth of this Gunpla from all the way here."
"Alex, remember SD Gundam Force?" Lio spoke up, earning her attention, "In Zero's world, his old friend had an evil plan to merge Feather and Steel Dragon together to summon a Dragon to grant his wish. You recall this, right?"
"Of course," Alex replied, Lio simply motioned to the Gundam that Kyoya just summoned.
"Behold, Superior Dragon in its Superior Kaiser Mode," Lio introduced.
"W-What?!" Alex gasped, "This…This is what Deed wanted to create from Steel Dragon and Fenn? It…It's so beautiful."
"It…It's weird…" Megaman whispered, "This Gunpl-…This Gundam…I…" he put a hand to his emblem, "It feels like…like I can hear something when I look at it."
"What do you think you hear?" the Game Master asked.
"'It will be alright. Let my wings be yours, my scales your shield, my claws your sword. I will disperse that which brings calamity to the soul,'" Megaman replied.
"Superior Dragon can be considered…an actual God to Gundam," Lio explained, "It is the very representation of good, of hope and wishes within souls. It came from an SD Gundam series, but it has become something that represents our love for Gunpla. No one knows how but the Try Fighters special move, somehow…programmed him into the system."
"He has appeared before, when people are able to replicate the emotional state, the intense sensation of Gunpla Battle, they have been able to somehow activate his data," The Game Master spoke, "Ms. Tori let it stay…and I see no reason to do anything about it." he admitted.
"IKE!" Kyoya roared as he, Try Age, and Superior Kaiser reeled their fists back as the titanic Gundam's fist erupted with an emerald light.
The dragon of darkness howled as power built up and welled within its jaws, its neck swelling as the power coiled and chambered itself within. Superior Kaiser swung and its fellow behemoth unleashed an unrelenting blast of all it could hold within upon it. Superior Kaiser's fist struck the beam…and the beam dispersed along the fist. The dragon of darkness was swiftly struck through and a wide-eyed Bass met its divine strike…and the world turned to white.
Kyoya looked as the impact of the blow left a flash that just began to die down. He looked around frantically before spotting Bass floating before him. He sighed as he made the Try Age float forward and catch the AutoNavi in its hand. He looked over the AutoNavi…before sighing in relief, seeing his chest slowly rise and fall, while true their current local was space, it's not like the game actually forced all the laws of physics upon those within.
"Unconscious…" he noted before looking towards Superior Kaiser as it dissipated into motes of golden light, "Even protecting this one despite being the creator of that beast of malice…truly a Gundam beyond any other, Superior Dragon."
"Sir!" Emilia called as she and Karna flew over, Ogre in Emilia's Gundam's hand.
"Since when could you do that!?" Karna shouted in awe.
"It's a rather recent discovery, but truth be told, making him appear is not as easy as others. Hahahaha! It was honestly a gamble~" Kyoya sheepishly chuckled, "I hoped my love of Gunpla would reach him!"
"So…this could've been what we might've made without those kids," Ogre noted, looking upon Bass, "...The purple's gone."
"Hm?"
"He's missing the purple on his face," Ogre pointed out, "Don't any of you pay attention to details? Tch…"
"Interesting, maybe it will mean something later," Kyoya replied, "For now, let's consider this chapter closed."
"Hai!" Karna cheered, making his Gunpla clap its hands dramatically.
"Ikken Rakuchaku janai!" Ogre complained, "How do you know more bugs aren't happening?! You are such a happy go lucky Champion…"
"I'm sure the Game Master would have…" Kyoya paused as a screen showed the Game Master shaking his head to warn him not to finish that taunt to Murphy's Law, "...Eh-heheheh…Well…" he looked at Bass, "We'd best get him to Administration to see if they can't figure out a patch for him. I don't know what a NetNavi is…but I know that he needs someone to be there for him. He's powerful…but also hurting inside." he rubbed his chin, "...You think he'd like a Master Gundam base for his Mobile Doll?"
"Gh?!" all three nearly fell over.
"Are you kidding me?!" Ogre snapped.
"You're right. Later I'll show him a catalog," Kyoya and Try Age nodded in unison as he opened up the entrances to Administration.
"Why did I pick the katana over a kanabo…?" Ogre growled, his eye twitching in frustration with GM's Champion.
"Game Master, we've arrived, an-oh, I see it's a full house today," Kyoya awed as they all appeared in the Administrations area with Bass slung over the Champion's shoulder in a fireman's carry.
"He really did knock Bass out! I never thought I'd see such a sight…" Megaman awed, "The Champion is no joke."
"Hm? Oh! You're the kiddo who took down a Mobile Armor a little bit back," Kyoya realized before looking at Lio, "Guess you managed to find him, eh, Lio-kun?"
"I was able to finish up my club activities and rushed here," Lio explained, "...I might be in trouble later. I was forced to take some drastic actions to finish up my matches."
"Matches?" Megaman asked.
"I am part of my school's Kendo Club. I needed to beat everyone in the club to be excused early…" Lio explained, "At the same time…"
"Speed Eating's not healthy," Ogre stated bluntly.
"It was an emergency…" Lio grumbled.
"H-Horns?" Lan gawked.
"Well…the good news is that the Patch will be ready today, disabling the Bugs caused by NetNavis and the Viruses from their world in trade for their abilities being disabled while in Gundam Metaverse," the Game Master informed, "But the bad news…" he gave Gate a flat look as he looked away, whistling badly while trying to turn down or turning off the latest stream from a popular EL-Diver streamer showing more regular Divers panicking.
"Ah…the hysteria must have gotten worse when Ogre and Champion got involved and a giant battle was witnessed…" Lio pointed out, "Way to go, Mr. Gourmet…"
"Bite me, little lion cub," Ogre huffed as the feed showed Patrick Colasour-having been thrown through the air-land headfirst into a trash can shaped like a Haro, "No one told me it was meant to distract 'em from finding brats like these two."
"Well he's new. We only cared for Megaman," the Game Master admitted, looking at Bass, "He's a recent discovery. But I guess the Champion is keen on keeping him…"
"Yes!" Kyoya smiled.
"No!" his Force mates snapped.
"I have not been allowed to keep one yet. This one is mine!" Kyoya declared.
"Considering you managed to do something I've barely managed, I think it'd be best for you to keep an eye on him, sir," Megaman noted.
"Oh? You've fought this kid before, too?" Kyoya asked.
"He's older than me by a good few years," Megaman replied, "But…we have fought a lot."
"We sunk a cruise ship!" Lan beamed.
'Lan, you know they can't hear you!' Megaman scolded.
"I know, hence I enjoy giving my commentary," Lan snickered, causing Megaman to facepalm.
"...Oh! Maybe we can calm everyone down with an easy enough solution," Alex spoke up.
"Hm?" everyone looked at her.
"Is Ms. Fumina online?" Alex asked, her smile perfectly matching the species she was mimicking.
"Honto no kitsune…." Lio muttered in Japanese as those who understood it nodded.
"I like where this is going," Kyoya smirked as he looked at Megaman.
"Who's Ms. Fumina?" Megaman asked.
"Hoo…" Riku sighed, entering the EL-Diver school, "So many panicking Divers…and too many EL-Divers being silly and just streaming and helping fan the panic…"
"Riku!" Sarah beamed, causing him to look to see her over at a nearby couch with Nana.
"Oh! Sarah! Any chance he came here?" Riku asked.
"No, but there is something better," Sarah replied as Nana broadcasted her screen to the nearby television on the wall…causing it to turn on and show Fumina sitting in a comfy chair across from a confused Megaman looking around in interest about the place they were broadcasting from, "Come watch," she patted the seat next to her.
"O-okay…I guess things are settled?" he asked, sitting next to Sarah who proceeded to lean against his shoulder, "Please tell me it's settled…I've been stressed since you called me."
"Yes. Now shh. Just watch," Sarah assured, "Game Master-san is broadcasting this on all the screens he can."
"Oh, this is that level of crazy…" Riku realized, his eyes going wide, "I'm oddly glad we're not at the center of it this time."
"Feeling nervous?" Lan asked.
'I've never been good when there are cameras if I'm not focused on NetBattles or Virus Busting! You know this! Both from the Jobs we've done and from the N1!' Megaman argued, squirming a little in the comfortable chair he was in before flinching when Fumina placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey now…It's alright," Fumina assured, "Remember that this is going to help calm folks down…and probably keep you safe from Sekai-kun and his interest in fighting you because of a certain someone…" she glared over at Lio, "...sharing that video of you fighting that Mobile Armor with him after they had a spar."
"What? Alex said it was fine with her to do anything I wanted with the vid," Lio defended himself.
"We're live," Emilia informed, standing beside Karna who was behind the camera.
"Hai~! Hello~, Gundam Metaverse! It's your roving Diver Reporter, Fumina!" Fumina greeted with a wink at the camera, "Now, I know you're all roaring out in dismay, but fear not! The Bugs are being patched!" She gestured to Megaman, "And you have this adorable little addition to the Metaverse for helping resolve it."
"Mmm…" Megaman blushed, 'Why does every reporter I meet call me that?'
"I asked that question when Maylu acted that way when she spent the night in our hotel room in the tournament in Netopia while you and Roll were having fun in the Network. You are apparently very adorable when you get shy," Lan snickered.
'Lan~!' Megaman mentally whined.
"Mmm…I understand, it's hurtful for a boy to be called cute once he reaches a certain age," Lio nodded simply in understanding.
"Eh, really?" Rhyme asked.
"You are not there yet," Lio responded.
"Mmm…" Rhyme pouted.
"Anyways…" Fumina gave Lio an annoyed look once more before smiling at Megaman, "Care to introduce yourself to everyone watching out there in Gundam Metaverse?"
"Oh, my name is Megaman, I'm an Electrical Lifeform…but not from Gundam Metaverse." he explained, "This is so amazing for me to realize that you all are just used to visitors not from your world…but I am one of them. I'm called a NetNavi."
"NetNavi?" Fumina pondered.
"Uhn. It's short for 'Network Navigator.' We're digital lifeforms created in our world's Network."
"My my. Quite an interesting reveal," the purple-haired person noted, setting down a fancy-looking drink before the male in a cloak and the taller black-haired female.
"That could be why Sarah-san described how he felt like that," the woman noted before looking at the male, "Hiroto, do you think…?"
"I don't think he's like Alus," he replied, keeping his eyes on the NetNavi on the screen.
"Ah, he just looks adorable being all shy like that," the bartender noted, putting a curled finger to their lips, "I wonder if I couldn't request him to be a model for some cute new outfits I've been working on~"
"Magee-san…" Hiroto muttered as the two gave the person deadpan looks.
"What? He's just an adorable little kid, what's the harm?" Magee smiled in response, "Did you expect me not to? I mean, look at what I do to May-chan on the daily~" the woman pouted at that as Hiroto stifled a laugh, "Ara so cute~"
"So you come from a digital world that connected to ours? How did that happen?"
"Ah…well…"
"Where I'm from, Viruses aren't just lines of programming and coding with malicious intent behind them; they are living beings just like a NetNavi is," Megaman explained as a popup appeared, showing the caught Mettaur, "My NetOp, Lan, and I were doing Virus Busting where a NetNavi works to Delete Viruses to protect the systems of the Network and, in turn, everything on our world for our NetOps' side of it. We ended up in a Virus Swarm of Mettaur like the one that was caught by the Administration here and, while we were getting the last of them, I got knocked back by a sneak attack and fell into one of their holes that they tend to dig that connect to all over the Network. I ended up, well, underneath the Network in what we call the 'Undernet.' I…ended up getting lost and the next thing I know, I found an end of the path that had a large 'crack' in the air and Lan convinced me to go through it. I did and…" he gestured to everything, "Here I am."
"Ooh~ Undernet sounds kinda creepy…" Nana shuddered.
"Is this like what you meant once about the unknown aspects of the internet?" Sarah turned to Riku, "That 'Dark Web' thing?"
"It…kinda sounds like it," Riku replied, thinking about it, "A part of the internet that's deep beneath what you normally go onto…but this is the first I'm hearing that it could possibly connect to other worlds."
"Well maybe it's just our world?" Sarah offered, "Like how May and Hiroto-san met the Eldorans."
"So Gundam Metaverse is…a link to other internet-like systems across the galaxy?" Riku nodded, "...That's kind of insane even for us…"
"Stranger has happened," Sarah argued with a smile as she grabbed Riku's hand.
Nana giggled, "Oh, you two look so sweet." she looked back at the screen, ignoring the startling looking Riku looking at her and the confused Sarah, "Hmm…Sarah-san, do you think we could convince him to come to the school? A trading of culture of sorts between EL-Diver and NetNavi?"
"That would be nice, he's like us, but from a different place." Sarah smiled, "It might help people get used to him as well."
"Th-That's a good idea, Nana-san," Riku agreed.
"Wait…NetOp? What's that?"
"A NetOp is a NetNavi's Network Operator. They're humans who live on their world that created our Network," Megaman explained on several screens in the main area of GM, "My NetOp is named Lan Hikari. He's important to me and I'm important to him…though I really wish he'd go back to when I was gone for a few months and wake up on his own and not having me shout at him for a good hour or so. But he's the same age as me, so I can't really blame him for backtracking on that."
"Oh…so it's sorta like when we humans take in an EL-Diver?" Fumina pondered.
"Maybe. I'm still learning about this place…though…" he bowed, "I'm really sorry that I've been causing the issues everyone's been having. I really hope the patch the Administration is making will help solve those." he smiled fondly, "This place is just amazing from the two times I've been here. We don't have things like this in the Network, the amazing scenery, the scents of things like the flowers from the Flower Picking Mission, the really good food…"
"What was that last one?"
"The nice atmosphere," Megaman replied, "Really…it…it's all just amazing to me. Especially how humans can be here without real risk to themselves." he brought a hand to his emblem, his smile still going strong and as honest as before, "Everyone I've met in this place has been nothing more than kind and open. Ms. Alex, Rhyme, and Lio were some of the first I've met here and I'm really happy to know them and everyone else that I've met so far here. You're all so welcoming to the unexpected. I just really hope that people didn't panic too much over the message the administration sent out; b-but if anyone did…" he bowed to the camera, "I'm really sorry that I caused so much trouble without realizing it to everyone."
"Please, Gundam Metaverse, once more understand and accept," The Game Master pleaded, "Show your potential once more."
"It appears the rioting is dying out," Gate noted, looking at a few areas.
"Oh thank goodness, it's working," Alia sighed in relief.
"That's quite sweet of you to apologize, Megaman," Fumina noted, petting his head, "It's alright. I know you didn't mean to. After all, a situation like this has happened before and they were able to be spared a bad fate as well."
"R-Really?" Megaman asked.
"Yep. It's why EL-Divers can live and thrive here in the Metaverse and outside of it thanks to Mobile Dolls," she replied before tilting her head, pondering for a moment, "Though…what exactly do you think is the reason you were causing bugs."
"Ah, well…the Game Master and I think it's because of my combat abilities," Megaman replied.
"You mean these moments?" Fumina asked, bringing up the footage of Megaman fighting the II Neo Zeong and Sazabi outside of a Gunpla.
"Yes. NetOps provide NetNavis with programs known as BattleChips. With them, we can effectively fight off dangers like Viruses and even other NetNavis in NetBattles," Megaman explained, "They're a bit like Gunpla Battles, but instead of Mobile Suits it's us NetNavis and our NetOps providing us with BattleChips at times to turn the tide of battles. A lot of NetNavis also have unique attributes and abilities, often divided between several different elements like Fire, Aqua, Elec, and Wood. I'm known as a Null Element, meaning I have no attribute, but I can obtain one through the use of a unique power of my own at the cost of a BattleChip."
"It sounds like its own very complex mechanic, truly its own thing." Fumina awed, "So the explanation is that your abilities were so alien, they caused bugs within the world of Gundam Metaverse. But the patch for the bug will fix that, but you simply won't be able to use your abilities while visiting."
"Yes. And, honestly? I'm kinda glad for that," Megaman replied, "I've really been in awe with Gunpla Battle and Gunpla themselves ever since I arrived. I don't want to cause any troubles with that now that I know I was causing issues."
"Oh, you are just so sweet," Fumina giggled, "Well…I do hope you keep enjoying Gundam Metaverse. Maybe one day, we'll be able to see your Network in return, ne?"
"M-Maybe," Megaman replied, "There are dangers there that would make me worry about everyone who goes there, even with the 'Game Over' the Game Master explained to me about."
"Well you don't have to worry, some Divers have learned to do their own silly things with the fact that our Diver bodies don't feel any pain or fatigue." Fumina giggled, "I know a few." she gave a flat look at the camera, "And you know very well that I refer to you."
Megaman laughed sheepishly, a drop of sweat going down the back of his helmet, 'Sounds like she's left annoyed at those few…'
"Well, I think that's all the time we have before the patch is ready for loading," Fumina noted, turning back to Megaman, "I'm really glad to have had you on here, Megaman. And welcome to Gundam Metaverse."
"Thank you, Ms. Fumina. I'm really hoping to see more of this beautiful world and learn more about Gundam. I've only seen one show so far with Lan in the form of G Gundam, but already we both love the franchise."
"Yes! Score another bond through Gundam~!" Fumina cheered, pumping a fist and causing Megaman to stifle a laugh behind a hand, "Anyway~ Until next time, folks~!"
"And you're good," Karna spoke, ending the feed.
"Oh thank goodness…" Megaman sighed in relief, "I was so nervous…"
"You handled yourself well," Lio spoke, "I'm sure you got through to them. And if any still have a problem…" he reached to his side and put his hand on the katana at his side, "I am willing to listen to their complaints."
"Hah…Today has been nuts," Karna muttered, "One scary boy that our boss wants to take in and one really nice boy that unintentionally made bugs break out…"
"I'm really glad you seem to be an honest fan and not just trying to butter us up, Megaman," Fumina noted, "Though…was it the English Dub or the original Japanese?"
"Ms. Alex gave it to me, so English?"
"Understandable. Some things about that one left me confused, but I will give it points for being a near-faithful dubbing of the original dub," Fumina noted, putting her hands to her cheeks as she swooned, "The final episode and the last attack from Burning Gundam from Domon-san and Rain-san was just so moving~"
"I know! The Sekiha Love-Love Tenkyouken was just an amazing finisher!" Megaman agreed.
"It's a good start," Lio chuckled, "Tons of fun to be had with it. Though from here on, the shows might get a bit more mature…I'll try and make a list of the less intense ones…"
"Thank you," Megaman thanked, "I'm looking forward to seeing more of what this place offers."
"There is much more to see, you've yet to see how amazing battles can be, the fun of Events where you can explore Gunpla in a different way. Or just spend a day with friends." Lio offered, "Now, let's get ready for the Patch, we will have a whole world of adventure to explore, your partner as well. Maybe one day, you'll both be able to be here."
"I'd honestly like that," Megaman noted, smiling fondly at the thought.
"Same here!" Lan beamed, "It looks so amazing!"
"I wonder how that edgy boy will respond to his powers no longer working here," Lio pondered, "And given he has no one to log him out…he'll be stuck here."
"I'd offer to bring him with me to put into a SubPeT, but…I feel like him being here would be the best for him," Megaman noted, recalling the battle he witnessed, "Mr. Kyoya…he's a really good person."
"Ah, he's a great man, strong, kind, but by no means perfect." Lio spoke, "He is everyone's ideal, a Champion who one wishes to be like." He looked at his hand as his Gunpla formed in it, "The reason why I want to become strong. To become a champion like him."
Megaman nodded, "I'd like to fight him one day as well. N-Not like I am now, I mean. I-I mean maybe with a Gunpla o-or…mmm…" he blushed as he found his boots interesting suddenly.
"..." Lio chuckled as he dismissed his mask and helmet to let his Diver forms silver hair fall down, "I understand," he put his hand on Megaman's head, "Believe me, no one could understand more than me." he assured with a chuckle as Megaman looked up at Lio's face, "When you love something, you just wish to pursue it, against stronger people, against rivals, to just enjoy it, for no one loves it more than you, hai?"
"Y-yeah!" Megaman nodded.
"Ah!?" Karna gawked, walking past and seeing the moment, "Emilia! He took it off! He took it off!" he called out as Lio swiped his hand over his face to make his helmet reform.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, turning to see Lio adjusting his mask, "...You're an idiot."
"No one will ever believe you," Lio replied as his mask closed into its mono-eye form.
Fumina giggled, "Lio-san is quite shy."
"Is that why he wears that mask?" Alex asked.
"It's not important…" Lio turned his head away.
"Hehehehe, I guess even someone as strong as Lio has his quirks," Megaman chuckled.
"Hmph…" Lio crossed his arms over his chest, "Still, after all this, maybe it's time to call it a day, I bet you and your partner Lan have had a lot of excitement today."
"We have," Megaman agreed, "It was a really busy day here. Especially with that fight against Char."
"Hey…I'm not…" Lan began before yawning.
'Oh yes you are,' Megaman countered.
"Next time, we'll go on a really fun Mission together." Lio assured, "I'll show you just how amazing a Gunpla Battle can be; plus, I'd like to show you some of my favorite places to eat. I know a place with the best yakiniku, almost as good as the real deal."
"Ohh~" Megaman awed before nodding eagerly, "I can't wait for that, Lio!"
"Rock-nii can stay?" Rhyme asked, looking up at Alex.
"Yes. He gets to continue to come here," Alex assured.
"Yay! I…" Rhyme began before yawning, "Mmmn…"
"Aww…You're all tuckered out," Alex giggled as she picked up Rhyme.
"Not sleepy…" Rhyme mumbled, yet did nothing to struggle and simply cuddled into her.
"Easy there. Don't go to sleep yet, Rhyme-kun," Lio advised, "Do you remember what your teachers taught you about when you got your own Mobile Doll or Gunpla to stay in?"
"Mmm…" Rhyme nodded.
"He can rest his mind in his mobile doll," Lio explained to the confused Megaman, "The EL-Divers might be electrical life forms but they still need some form of sleep to refresh their minds. Sadly, the technology that lets us rest in our bodies and be here does not translate over to beings without a physical brain that needs to enter REM sleep."
"I'll be right out there to greet you, Rhyme," Alex spoke, gently putting Rhyme down, "Remember those pictures I showed you so you wouldn't be startled, right?"
"Uhn…" Rhyme nodded.
"Good," Alex giggled, petting his head before gasping, "Oh!" she turned to Megaman, "I almost forgot." she opened her screen and a digital email appeared and went over to Megaman, "Nearly forgot to give you the videos."
"Ah! I forgot about those with all the stuff that happened!" Lan realized.
"Thank you, Ms. Alex," Megaman thanked, earning a giggle from her.
"I've been meaning to ask about that. You mind just calling me 'Alex,' Megaman?" Alex requested, "Ms. Alex makes me feel older than I am."
"Oh, okay, Alex!" Megaman smiled.
"Americans are incredibly casual…" Lio chuckled.
"Of course we are," Alex smirked with a wink before petting Rhyme once more and logged out.
"So what does Rhyme do to go to this Mobile Doll thing?" Megaman asked.
"All he needs to do is click 'Log Out,'" Lio replied as the two watched the sleepy Rhyme rub an eye while doing that, causing him to vanish in a green light instead of the normal blue, "And looks like it worked."
"So that's how it looks for an EL-Diver," Megaman noted.
"Your's is pretty different as well," Lio replied, "It took us for a shock the first time."
"R-Really?" Megaman pondered before blinking as Lio sent him an email with attachment, "Huh? More videos?"
"The original dub of Mobile Suit Gundam where Char comes from," Lio explained, "Fair warning? You and Lan are gonna cry at points."
"Hah?! No way am I crying!" Lan argued.
"Lan cried when Master Asia died, so I'm sure there'll be moments that happens again," Megaman noted.
"Megaman~!"
"Oh! Um…if you see him before you log out, can you give the Game Master these?" Megaman asked, sending Lio an email with attachment, "They're copies of some basic BattleChips. A Cannon, Recov10, Sword, Bubbler, and one for the Mettaur Virus line so he has more information on their data. And, yes, you can make BattleChips based on Viruses thanks to a Virus Breeder in SciLab. You just have to bring them Viruses that don't want to cause any trouble like that Mettaur they have in Administration."
"I'm sure he'll have fun studying this over the weekend," Lio chuckled, "Kami above knows he needs a good weekend to himself after another bit of nonsense like this." he then pondered, "I wonder what Kyoya-san did with that Bass kid?"
"Whatever he does, I hope he can help Bass," Megaman noted, adopting a concerned look, "He…He's been hurt a lot by humans. I'm really hoping that this world will give him a chance that ours hasn't been able to."
"If anything can, it's Gunpla," Lio chuckled, earning a smile from Megaman.
"Until we meet again," Megaman waved before Logging Out.
"I can't wait 'till next time, Megaman. I have so much more to show you of this world," Lio spoke, "There is so much more to enjoy in battle when its just for fun, and so many weird things I think you'll enjoy." he began walking, he summoned his screen and used his key to the Administration to drop off the data., 'Hope Rhyme-kun's handling things with his new place.'
The Gunpla glowed for a few moments before it settled. The stickers that made up its eyes glowed before they blinked. The SD Gunpla looked around, seeing a modest basement bedroom with the walls painted a forest green with several shelves filled with Gunpla and books. A giggle made the SD Gunpla spin around and look up.
"Ah!" The Gao Lupes yelped, jumping back to try to look at the woman in her early twenties with lightly-tanned skin with long black hair and hazel eyes, "...Alex-nee?"
"Yep," she replied in Alex's voice, "Welcome to Earth, Rhyme. How are you doing in there?"
"In where?" Rhyme tilted his head before she held up a pocket mirror, "Ah! Eeeee~! Boku wa SD da~" he then let out a yawn, "Mmmn…"
"Sleepy?"
"Uhn…" he nodded as she gently picked him up and walked out of it into the other half, revealing more shelves with toys on them until arriving at a desk that had been cleared, revealing a Gunpla-sized bedroom setup with the bed looking more like a doggy bed.
"I am so glad Lio introduced me to Maiya to make sure this was authentic enough," she noted, gently putting the SD Gunpla down on it, letting him crawl under the covers, "Now you get some shut-eye, okay? I may not be home when you wake up, so stay right on this desk, ok?"
"Hai…" Rhyme nodded before yawning again and the eyes of the Gunpla closed, "Oyasumi, Alex-nee…"
'Oh you are just so precious~' she thought, mentally squealing so as to not awake the child as she went off to get ready for her job, 'This is going to be quite the interesting life, huh?'
"WHAT IS THIS?!"
"Well…it…it was pretty much the only Gunpla I had that I felt would fit as a temporary thing…" a man with slicked back brown hair and violet eyes chuckled awkwardly in Kyoya's voice, trying hard to feel intimidated by a hopping mad SD Master Gundam.
"You grabbed it because it was the first thing you saw, wasn't it?!" the Gunpla demanded in Bass's voice, pointing a finger at him with a burning rage in its eyes.
"Well, I at least had one I painted in gold to match a famous Builder's custom Master Gundam. I even did a quick paint of the horns to match yours," the man chuckled sheepishly, "It might take a bit to finish drying, since I was in such a rush. But we didn't have time to make you a custom body. It is only temporary, Bass-kun. Once we return to Gundam Metaverse, you'll be yourself again." he put his hands together to plead forgiveness from the AutoNavi now trapped in an SD Gunpla.
"I better be back to normal when I get back in there!" Bass growled, "I swear if you tell anyone about this, I will take a permanent marker to the other ones in here!"
"Ah! No, please!" Kyoya panicked, "Many of these are extremely rare! Don't worry! Don't worry! We can go to the Gunpla Base and pick out some models to build you a perfect one!"
"Two."
"...Eh? …Ah, don't tell me the wolf head wasn't just an attack, but…"
"His name is Treble and he enjoys devouring Bugs to grow stronger from."
"Well, I know a young man who's really good at sculpting and designing animal features," he explained, "I'll give him a call to send me some runner designs to print out. Then we can use some good models for a base. Oh~ a BuCUE might be helpful for that…"
"Mistakes may have been made…" Bass sighed, seeing him go off into his own little world, "Such an odd human…" he looked at his reflection in the computer screen before collapsing to his knees with a blue aura, 'The former Undernet King and that Blue Bomber must never know…'
GT: *chuckles* Hoo boy…Was not expecting that to happen at the end.
Z0: Nope, but good changes all around. We are really getting to some fun stuff here.
GT: Eeyup. This is becoming quite the amusing time, so we hope you're all enjoying this.
Z0: Well next time we shall have the plot happen from another place, if you catch my drift. We have this all planned out, so we know what the idea is, and the flow works for us. And again we are writing like most of these one after the other within our limited time to work together. Thankfully we have a sort of sweet spot for length.
GT: Indeed. So until next time, please read and review~!