Ch4
Rockman stood across from Solaris and observed his sparring partner stood tall, golden hues radiating from his frame like the morning sun as they faced each other in Netto's PC. Well he definitely gives off a sunny disposition.
"Ready for this?" Solaris asked.
"Always."
"Alright you two don't go too hard on each other," Netto said from a small screen. "Now begin!"
Without warning a searing beam of solar energy streaked across the space between them, forcing him to dodge sideways. The heat left faint scorch marks on the ground where he had been standing, a reminder of how serious this match was. He retaliated, firing a series of precise energy shots from his buster.
Solaris immediately summoned a bright yellow shield to block the attacks before charging at him with a sword made of solar energy in his hand. "Cyber sword slot in!" Netto said.
The sword appeared on his arm and he countered Solaris' attack.
The clash of energy and steel echoed across the field as the two closed the distance. His cyber sword met the solar blade with a brilliant flash, sparks cascading with every strike. Well this guy is strong that's for sure. They continued to exchange blows, Solaris was quick and his attacks were precise making him go on a defensive.
Well he is no ordinary navi that's for sure. He weaved around the arcs of light his opponent unleashed, countering with swift slashes and shots designed to keep the solar warrior on his toes.
"Why are you holding back?" Solaris asked as his blade glowed brighter as he swung again.
"Just pacing myself," he replied, parrying the strike and following up with a quick thrust aimed at the other's side.
The solar warrior dodged, his golden armor catching the light of the digital horizon. "Good," he said with a grin. "I'd hate for this to be over too quickly."
A sudden barrage of solar blasts followed, each one forcing him to pivot, block, or deflect. He countered with a charged shot from his buster, the energy bolt streaking toward his opponent. It connected, causing the golden figure to slide back, though the solar aura surrounding him absorbed much of the impact.
"Not bad," the solar warrior said, shaking off the hit. "But can you handle this?"
He raised his hand, summoning a dome of intense light that burst outward. The wave of energy was overwhelming, forcing him to leap high into the air to avoid being consumed by it. Landing gracefully, he wasted no time charging forward, his sword cutting through the fading remnants of the blast.
The solar warrior met him head-on, their blades colliding with a resounding clash. Each strike was calculated, every move designed to test the other's reflexes and adaptability. The two warriors pushed each other to their limits, neither willing to yield.
"You're getting slower," he said his cyber sword grazing the edge of the solar blade.
"Slower?" Solaris shot back, twisting to deliver a sweeping kick that forced him to backflip out of reach. "You're the one who can't keep up."
They exchanged a smirk before diving back into the fray, the sparring session turning into a whirlwind of energy and skill. The golden warrior unleashed another solar burst, but this time he deflected it, redirecting the attack toward the ground with his sword. The resulting explosion sent debris flying, creating a smokescreen that gave him a brief opening. He darted forward, landing a glancing blow on his opponent's shoulder.
"First blood," he said with a satisfied grin.
"I'm not done yet," Solaris replied, his aura flaring with renewed intensity.
The battle continued for what felt like hours, each warrior pushing the other to adapt and evolve. By the end, they were both panting, their systems taxed but their spirits high. The golden warrior lowered his blade, the light dimming as he extended a hand.
"Call it a draw?" he offered.
"Fine by me," he replied, shaking the offered hand. "You're not half bad."
"Neither are you," the other said with a smirk. "But next time, I'm taking the win."
He smiled at the navi. "We'll see about that."
They high-fived, the sound sharp as Netto appeared above them in a small screen. "Good job you guys. Recovery double slot in." In instant both of them were recovered.
"So what are we fighting against?" Solaris asked.
Netto looked at both of them. "There have been strange incidents in Net City. Rockman take Solaris with you and check out for anything suspicious. There have been strange reports from Net City and I think it'll only be a matter of time before the Net Police decides to fully get involved."
He nodded. "Roger. Come on Solaris lets investigate tighter." The sun themed navi nodded and followed him out of the PC's homepage and into the cyberworld.
The digital corridors of Net City seemed unnervingly quiet. Neon lights from the towering data streams flickered intermittently, casting eerie shadows on the glowing pathways. While there were still navis out he couldn't help but feel that something was off. He scanned the area carefully with Solaris by his side looking for anything unusual?
"What are we looking for?" Solaris asked
"Suspicious activity," He replied. "Reports say navis have been acting strange—berserk. They're attacking anything and anyone without reason." He paused and looked down the street. "There have been reports of dark chips again but so far we haven't found any leads."
Solaris nodded, his golden armor glinting faintly in the ambient glow. "And you think it's connected to those chips you mentioned?"
"Possibly," he said cautiously "It wouldn't be the first time we've seen something like this. The dark chips have a way of corrupting navis, warping their code." He thought of the previous times he encountered navis on dark chips, it wasn't pretty especially if they corrupted someone you once knew.
As they moved deeper into the less-traveled parts of Net City, the environment grew more decrepit. The data walls were cracked, pixels flickering erratically. This part of the network had been long forgotten, a shadow of the once-thriving digital metropolis. His sensors were on high alert, every faint sound and flicker drawing his attention.
They stopped in front of a derelict building, its structure sagging under the weight of corrupted data. Solaris stepped forward, his stance cautious. "This must be the place."
He nodded. "The reports say these strange navis came from this area. Stay close."
The air felt heavier as they entered, the faint hum of corrupted code resonating like a heartbeat. Inside, the shadows seemed to cling to the walls, resisting the faint light from Solaris's aura.
What was going on here? He looked around at the destroyed landscape, it was as if a tornado had passed through the area.
Then came the sound: a low growl, guttural and unnatural. It echoed from the far corner of the room. Both navis turned sharply as figures emerged from the darkness. Their forms were twisted and jagged, their once-sleek designs marred by chaotic spikes of data. Red eyes glowed, unblinking and hungry, as the corrupted navis advanced.
"Vampires," Solaris muttered, his voice grim.
Close. They were regular navis but looked corrupted.
The first of the corrupted navis lunged, its claws slashing through the air. He sidestepped and retaliated with a burst from his buster, the shot connecting with a sizzle of corrupted data. Solaris wasn't far behind, summoning a blast of solar energy that lit up the room. The beam tore through one of the attackers, disintegrating it into fragments of broken code.
"They're fast," He said, pivoting to deflect another attack with his cyber shield. "And aggressive."
"Keep them off balance," Solaris replied, striking another navi with a glowing solar blade. "Solar shield!" A golden aura enveloped them as the corrupted navis hissed at the light.
The corrupted navis didn't relent. They came in waves, claws slashing and teeth bared. Rockman summoned a cyber sword, engaging one of them in close combat. "Vulcan slot in!" Netto said.
A Vulcan appeared on his hand and he immediately fired it at the navis tearing them to pieces.
"Solar Flare!" Solaris raised his hand and a wave of solar energy incinerated a row of the enemy lines.
One of the navis attempted to flank him, but Solaris anticipated the move, spinning around and delivering a powerful solar blast that sent the enemy flying into a wall.
"Netto-kun I need a fire sword!" Rockman called out, dodging another swipe."
"Got it! Fire Sword Slot in!" Netto said.
A moment later, a glowing blade materialized in his hand, its fiery edge illuminating the room. He used it to cut through another corrupted navi, the flames consuming its unstable code. The heat from the blade radiated through the room, forcing the remaining enemies to hesitate.
"Let's finish this!" Solaris shouted, channeling his energy into a massive solar strike. The room was bathed in light as the attack annihilated two more enemies, leaving only one standing.
The last corrupted navi hissed, its movements frantic as it tried to retreat. He didn't give it the chance. With a final slash of his fire sword, he struck the navi down, its data disintegrating into the digital ether.
The room fell silent, the echoes of the battle fading into the stillness. Rockman deactivated his weapon, his systems still humming from the intensity of the fight. Solaris stood nearby, his golden aura dimmed but steady.
"Good teamwork," Solaris said, offering a nod.
"Yeah," he replied, his gaze sweeping the room. "But this isn't over."
Near the center of the room, something caught his eye—a small object lying amidst the scattered remains of the corrupted navis. He approached cautiously, picking it up. The chip was dark and foreboding, its surface etched with strange, jagged patterns.
"What is it?" Solaris asked, stepping closer.
"A dark chip," Rockman said, his tone grim. "This must be what corrupted them." Yet something was off, it looked a little different than the dark chips he had encountered before. For one it had the sigil of a bat on it and two just holding it made his insides turn.
Solaris frowned, his golden eyes narrowing. "And whoever made this… they're still out there."
"We need to find out who's behind this," he said as he gripped the chip tightly. "And stop them before it's too late. Lets go back now."
Impressive. Django had watched his newly made netnavi operate and he couldn't help but feel impressed by Solaris' strenght and power. We'll definitely make a good team.
Across the desk, Netto leaned forward, his brow furrowed as he analyzed the data pulled from the chip. The glow of the monitor cast sharp shadows on his face, highlighting his determination. "This is similar to the dark chips I've encountered before," he said, breaking the silence. "But… it's darker. The energy signature is more corrupt, more volatile."
He nodded, his jaw tightening. The mention of dark chips pulled at a thread in his memory. "There was a vampire navi I fought before," he said, his tone low. "He distributed something like this to others, twisting them into monsters. Do you think he could still be around?"
Netto frowned, his gaze never leaving the screen. "Shademan?" His voice carried both recognition and doubt. "He was deleted a long time ago. But… I wouldn't rule out anything. If someone's replicating his methods, we need to figure out who and why."
The tension between them hung heavy as Netto leaned back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll make a call. Someone I trust might know more." His voice softened, a quiet resolve replacing the earlier tension. "You should get some rest or… whatever it is you do to unwind."
With a nod, he picked up his PET and left the room, the faint buzz of energy from Solaris following him down the hall. The device felt warm in his hand, a constant reminder of his new companion. Once inside the privacy of his room, he set the PET down on the nightstand and activated it. The screen flickered on and Solaris appeared, his golden figure as radiant as ever.
"How was your first day?"
"Great!" Solaris grinned "Those corrupted navis put up a decent struggle. I hope we see more like them."
He leaned back against the bedframe, his expression guarded. "You enjoyed that?"
"Of course," Solaris replied, crossing his arms. "A good challenge sharpens us. Besides, what's the point of all this power if we don't use it?"
"I don't fight for fun," he said finally, his voice quiet. "I fight because I have to. Because if I don't, someone else pays the price."
Solaris tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "And that's why you're strong," he said. "But strength isn't just for protecting others. It's for improving yourself, too. Don't forget that."
The words lingered as he sat in silence, the glow of the PET casting faint light across the room. He had fought countless battles, defeated enemies both human and not, but there was always another threat. Always another fight.
"Do you think whoever's behind this is connected to your world?" Solaris asked, breaking the quiet. "The vampires you told me about?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. But it doesn't matter where they come from. If they're a threat, we deal with them." He had told Solaris the gist of himself and his own world, it was only right since they were now partners.
Solaris smirked, a faint edge to his expression. "Spoken like someone who's seen too much."
He was about to get some rest when Netto knocked on his door. "Come in."
The brunette popped his head through the door. "Hey uh a guy who I work with at the Net Police is coming by, he might have a lead."
"Good. Is he a friend of yours?"
"Eh you could say that," Netto said awkwardly. "He's kind of a dick you'll see for yourself, but he's reliable."
He shrugged. "I get that." Of course not everyone was easy to get along with but you had to do with what you had when dealing with delicate situations.
About an hour later he heard Netto go and answer the door. Alright lets see who this friend of yours is. As he descended the stairs he saw Netto talking to a guy around their age with dual white and black hair, a red vest, and long camouflage paints.
"Uh Enzan this is my friend Django. Django this is my coworker Enzan," Netto said.
He looked the guy over as he felt Enzan's blue eyes examine him cautiously. "A pleasure to meet you." He bowed politely.
Enzan bowed as well. "Likewise. Netto was saying you were helping him out?"
He nodded. "Yeah." Unlike Netto Enzan gave off a colder almost condescending demeanor mixed with arrogance. Just looking into his eyes he could tell this would be a tricky individual, but hey he probably could flip him over a table if he annoyed him.
"Hmp I see." Enzan turned to Netto. "So you found another one of those weird dark chips?"
Netto nodded as they all sat in the living room. "Yeah we did." The brunette gaze a light explanation of what had happened while Enzan eyed them cautiously with his deep blue eyes.
"I see." Enzan folded his arms. "These dark chips may have to do with the killings that have been going on. Just a theory but they have started appearing when the first killings appeared. Whatever's responsible, it's targeting specific individuals in areas with high net activity. It could be connected to the dark chip you found."
Netto's gaze looked down at the table. "Any clue on how they are made?"
Enzan shook his head. "No."
Yeah I don't think I should reveal that I'm from some other world yet. He knew Netto and Rockman, this guy not so much.
"Whatever is going on its targeting warehouses in the area." Enzan stood up. "I'll keep you informed try not to do anything stupid."
Netto frowned. "I don't do stupid things." The brunette paused as if conflicted about something deep down.
Enzan rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Whatever. I'll give you the coordinates of some of the warehouses to check up on, if you find anything let me know."
"I'll let you know if I find anything." Netto said as he got up and showed Enzan the door. "Well what do you think?"
He folded his arms. "Yeah I can tell he's kind of a dick."
Netto laughed. "True." The brunette sighed. "But he'll be useful if we need it. How about we go and check out some warehouses tomorrow?"
He nodded. "Sounds good." The sooner we find that damn count and take him out the better.