Ch3
Django summoned his motorcycle and immediately got on. "Come on!" he motioned for Netto to sit behind him. "I can drive us and you can show us a cool place to chill."
Netto's eyes widened. "Cool!" The brunette got onto the bike behind him in the motorcycle and wrapped his arms around his waist.
He shifted as he felt Netto's body against his. He's definitely heavier than I thought. Gripping the handles of his motorcycle he immediately started his motorcycle. "Hold on tight!"
The motorcycle's engine roared to life and quickly sped onto the roads of Akihara. "Wow this is fun!" Netto said as they road through the city. The bright lights of the city glistened around them as they drove through the city. It was a calm cool evening as he carefully scanned the area around them as he drove.
"Hey there's a club up there that I hear is cool!" Netto said pointing to a building with neon lights in the distance.
He nodded and quickly pulled up into the parking lot and parked the bike. "Alright lets go."
The club throbbed with loud music as bright lights flashed all around them. Sitting in a corner booth, he swirled the amber liquid in his glass, watching it catch the flicker of a nearby strobe. Across from him, Netto sat, leaning back with his drink in hand.
"Yeah this place is cool when we aren't raiding it for cyber criminals," Netto said through the loud music.
He nodded, taking a measured sip. The liquor burned on the way down, sharp and grounding. "Been to worse," he muttered. His gaze flitted over the crowd, his instincts keeping him alert despite the casual atmosphere.
"Cyberworld's been relentless lately." Netto sighed.
He raised an eyebrow. "Do you have any teammates to help you?"
Netto shrugged. "I do but I don't always get along with them, they're a bit too stuck up to put it nicely."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Well your world seems peaceful so far, no need to hide from the creatures of the night."
"Like vampires?" Netto raised an eyebrow.
His grip on the glass tightened, the memory of fangs and screams flashing briefly behind his eyes. "Exactly like vampires," he said, voice low. His gaze unconsciously scanned the room, an old habit of his since vampires could hide in any and all places.
"You've been doing this a long time, haven't you?" Netto asked.
He nodded slowly. "Too long." His gaze shifted to his drink. "I lost a lot of people to them…too many."
The brunette gave him a sympathetic look. "Sorry to hear that," Netto said softly. "I mean I get why you do it, but still… it must be hard"
He didn't answer right away, his eyes scanning the crowd again. "It needs to be done," he said finally. "That's all there is to it."
The younger man started to reply, but a shadow fell across their table. They both looked up to see a large man looming over them, his bulk cutting into the glow of the neon lights. His face was a mask of disdain, his lip curled in a sneer.
"What are you boys doing in my seat?" the man asked, jerking his thumb toward the brunette.
He set his glass down carefully and looked the man in the eyes. "Move along we were here first."
But the man didn't move. Instead, he leaned in closer. "What are you gonna do about it?"
Oh boy I hate it when my night is interrupted. He was on his feet in an instant, towering over the other man despite his leaner frame. "You've had your fun," he said evenly. "Now leave."
The man laughed, a harsh, guttural sound. "Or what?"
He didn't answer. When the shove came, it was clumsy and telegraphed, the kind of move you saw coming a mile away. Still it made his training immediately kick in. He caught the man's wrist in midair, his grip like iron, and twisted. The man's eyes went wide, but before he could react further, he found himself airborne. The crash of his body hitting the floor silenced the music, all eyes in the club turning toward the scene.
"Don't screw around with me," he said firmly. "Or you'll regret it."
The brunette was already on his feet, grabbing his arm. "We're leaving," Netto said as two bouncers came their way.
Well so much for a nice drink.
He let himself be pulled toward the exit, his pulse steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Outside, the night air was cool and sharp, a stark contrast to the heat and chaos they'd just left behind.
"That was cool!" Netto laughed as they quickly got on the bike.
He smirked, brushing a hand through his hair as he started his motorcycle. "I know." He quickly started the bike and drove off as the bouncers tried to chase them in vain.
After stopping by an electronics store to pick up a PET they returned to Netto's house. "Alright I'll set it up," the brunette said as he turned on the lights.
The house was as empty as they left it but something deep inside of him instantly was on edge as they went up stairs towards Netto's room. "Rockman how is everything?" Netto asked.
Rockman appeared on the screen and nodded. "Everything is almost is done, the navi will be ready soon."
Netto set the PET box on the desk. "Good."
It was then that a faint prickle ran up the back of Django's neck, his instincts honed from years of hunting. His hand hovered over his holster, and his voice was low but firm. "Netto-kun be careful."
Before Netto could respond, the door creaked open, the sound slow and deliberate. A figure emerged, pale and gaunt, with crimson eyes that glowed like embers in the dark. The vampire moved fast, lunging toward Netto, claws outstretched and teeth bared.
"Look out!" Django shouted, his body already in motion.
Netto didn't flinch. Shadowbyte reacted instantly, a black tendril lashing out and striking the vampire mid-air. The creature hit the ground hard, its hiss sharp and guttural as it scrambled to its feet.
"Oh god," Netto gasped as the vampire let out an inhumane shriek.
"Netto-kun!" Rockman said as he came to the screen. "Are you ok?"
"Don't worry we got this," he said
He drew his sword in one fluid motion, the blade catching the faint light. Beside him, Netto rose to his feet, Shadowbyte flowing over his body, forming sleek, bladed appendages along his arms.
"They're fast," Netto muttered as he pushed one back with a symbiotic tendril.
He smirked, his confidence almost unsettling. "So are we."
The first vampire rushed forward, its claws aimed for his throat. He sidestepped, bringing his blade across its chest in a clean arc. The creature screeched, its flesh smoking where the blade met its skin. Without hesitation, he followed up with his Gun Del Sol, firing a concentrated beam of sunlight into the vampire's torso. It disintegrated in seconds, leaving behind nothing but ash.
Another leaped toward Netto, but Shadowbyte morphed into a shield, deflecting the attack. The symbiote then extended into a jagged spear, piercing the vampire through the chest and pinning it to the wall. Netto twisted his wrist, and the weapon retracted, leaving the vampire to crumble to the floor.
The room was chaos. One vampire darted toward him, its movements erratic and hard to track. He parried its claws, the clash of steel against bone ringing out. He shifted his weight, dropping low and slicing upward, severing its head in one clean motion.
Behind him, Netto fought with an almost feral grace. Shadowbyte transformed fluidly—one moment a blade, the next a whip—each form striking with precision. When two vampires attacked in unison, he ducked under their swipes, the symbiote forming spiked gauntlets that slammed into their torsos, sending them flying.
"Nice work," he called over his shoulder, his tone gruff but approving.
"Not bad yourself," Netto shot back, grinning as he spun to deflect another attack.
One of the vampires, seemingly larger than the rest, charged toward them with a blood lust look in its eyes.
"Oh no you don't!" Firing his Gun Del Sol to force the vampire back. As it stumbled, Netto followed up, Shadowbyte forming a massive, serrated blade along his arm. He swung with all his might, cleaving the creature in two. The body dissolved before it even hit the ground.
The last vampire snarled, realizing it was outmatched. It lunged at Netto in desperation.
"Look out!" He quickly grabbed his sword. The blade flashed, cutting through the creature's side, and Netto finished it off with a spear-like strike from Shadowbyte. The room fell silent, the only sound the pair's heavy breathing.
Django sheathed his sword, his movements deliberate. Netto flexed his arms, the symbiote retreating into its usual tendrils. The two turned to face each other, their expressions a mixture of relief and satisfaction.
"That was intense," Netto said, raising his hand.
He smirked, meeting the high five with a firm slap. "You kept up with me well."
Netto laughed as the symbiote retracted into his body. "Guess we make a good team, huh?"
He shrugged. "Guess so." His gaze drifted around the room. "Must have followed us, tricky little bastards. I'll check around the house later."
They turned to the computer screen where Rockman was staring at them with his mouth agape. "Netto-kun…You two were amazing."
He patted Netto on the back. "Well your operator is smarter than he looks."
"Hey!" Netto pouted just as the PET beeped. "Oh looks like your netnavi is done!"
He quickly went over to the PET and saw his navi, he had to admit he was kind of nervous and thought it was cool to have a navi just like Rockman.
The navi stood tall and was clad in gold and white armor that seemed to be as bright at the sun. It wore a sun themed core on its chest while bright orange highlights ran along his arms. "Greetings I am Solaris," the navi said with a polite bow.
"Uh hey," he said. "I'm Django your operator."
Solaris nodded. "I will serve you diligently sir."
Deep down as he met the navi's gaze he couldn't help but feel an understanding with it. I hope we can be as good as Rockman and Netto are.
Netto's chest heaved as he struggled to push away the vivid images: claws tearing through the air, hissing echoes, and the cold grip of terror as the vampires invaded his home.
"Ahh!"
The dim light of the early morning filtered through the curtains, casting a faint glow across the room. He jolted upright, his breath coming in shallow gasps, the remnants of his nightmare gripping him tightly.
"It was just a dream," he muttered to himself as his body slowly calmed down.
Above him, Shadowbyte materialized, its featureless face hovering just within his line of sight. "What happened?"
He swallowed hard, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Just… a bad dream." His voice was rough, barely above a whisper. "I didn't think they'd come here. My house—" He shook his head. "They got too close."
Shadowbyte tilted its head, the motion inquisitive. "They won't harm you here. I'll make sure of it."
A faint smile tugged at his lips despite the lingering unease. "Thanks, Shadowbyte. That… that actually helps." He hesitated, looking directly at the symbiote. "Why are you here? Why me?"
The symbiote's form rippled. "I didn't choose this world. I was seeking safety. A place where I could have… fun." Its tone shifted, a note of pride creeping in. "You, however—I chose you. You have a strong heart, a righteous will. You want to fight for justice, and so do I. Together, we're stronger."
His smile grew, the weight on his chest lifting slightly. "Guess we make a good team."
Shadowbyte's tendrils curled in what might have been satisfaction before retreating into his body. The room grew silent again, save for the faint hum of the PET on his desk. Sliding out of bed, he stretched, his muscles tight from the restless night. The thought of a hot shower was enticing.
As he made his way to the bathroom, the door opened, and Django stepped out. His tanned skin glistened faintly with moisture, a towel slung low around his hips. The hunter's muscular frame was impossible to ignore broad shoulders, a defined chest, and a firm six pack abs along with various scars from past battles.
Nice. True he had his own muscles now thanks to Shadowbyte but looking at Django he couldn't help but admire Django's physique.
They froze as their eyes met. Django's face reddened slightly, his usual stoicism faltering. "Uh… good morning," he muttered, his voice gruff as he stepped aside.
"H-Hey," his gaze lingered for a second too long on Django's retreating figure. The hunter's back was just as impressive as his front. Shaking his head, he muttered to himself, "Focus," before slipping into the bathroom. But he does look good.
"Well isn't he an athletic young man," Shadowbye said in his head.
He sighed and ignored the symbiote as he turned on the shower. The warm water helped clear his mind, the steam enveloping him as he leaned against the tiled wall. The nightmare still lingered at the edges of his thoughts, but Shadowbyte's reassurance and Django's presence offered an odd sense of comfort.
After cleaning up, he joined Django in the kitchen. Django avoided eye contact, focusing intently on his plate, while he tried and failed to make casual conversation.
"So uh we should talk about these vampires and the missing people," he said.
Django looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah lets do that."
He breathed an internal sigh of relief as they finished breakfast without any awkwardness and headed to his room.
Django leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his expression serious as he looked over the various police reports of missing people. "The attacks are too coordinated. They're hunting, but not just for blood. People are going missing."
He frowned, pacing the room. "And they're getting bolder. Coming here means they're not afraid of the light anymore. That's a problem."
Django nodded. "They're at their weakest during the day. If we want to get ahead of them, we need to act while the sun's up. Gather information, find their lair, and strike before nightfall."
His gaze shifted to the PET on his desk, an idea forming. "If they're this bold, there's got to be chatter in the cyberworld. Rockman and I can search for leads there, navis have been going missing too; Solaris can also join."
Django's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It's worth a shot. Vampires don't just attack randomly. There's always a pattern. Find it, and we find them."
He nodded. "Let's do it. If they think they can bring this fight to us, we'll show them what they're up against."
Django smirked faintly, the tension between them easing into their familiar camaraderie. "About time you said something smart."
He rolled his eyes, a grin tugging at his lips. "Just wait until we're in the field. I'll show you who's smart." With that they both shared a laugh.