Ch10
Django woke up next morning feeling completely recharged. Alright today is the day. He didn't know how today's operation would play out but he would give it his all. As he got up and stretched Otenko-san appeared in the ground.
"You ready Django?" Otenko-san asked.
He nodded as he got dressed. "I am." Strapping his sword to his side and his Gun del Sol on the other he looked himself over in the mirror. "I'll give it my all like always, but this time we won't be alone." He went over to his desk and grabbed his PET where Solaris greeted him. "You ready?"
Solaris nodded. "Yes sir."
"The Count is a tricky bastard we'll use all our skills to defeat him."
He had been practicing cross fusion with Solaris in private with Netto's help and this time he'd face the Count and Shademan with the help of his newest ally. After doing some stretches and getting ready for the day he and Netto sat in the living room.
The brunette pulled up some plans on his PET along with a map of the warehouse. "Ok so this is how we'll do it."
"We hit the warehouse as soon as night falls," Netto said, tracing a finger along a map displayed on the screen. "It's isolated enough that collateral damage shouldn't be an issue, and the Count is sure to show up with Shademan to secure the shipment."
"Think they'll have backup?" He asked.
"Most likely," Netto pointed to the likely entry points. "We can expect smaller Navis running interference, maybe some Darkloids. But if we keep our focus on Shademan, the rest will scatter without a leader."
You're definitely smarter than you look. It honestly surprised him how Netto would be so carefree and relaxed one minute and an excellent fighter the next. He nodded. "Good. We'll need everyone at their best. Any updates from Rockman?"
"Hey's been keeping an eye on the network and so far nothing unusual," Netto said.
Rockman appeared on the screen. "Netto-kun all the preparations are ready."
"Good. I'll make sure my Gun del Sol is fully charged for tonight," he said.
With that they continued with their preparations for the day. He spent his time outside absorbing as much sunlight as he could while Netto focused on double checking their plans and the various programs they would be using.
When evening came they both left the Hikari residence. "Alright you ready!" He revved his motorcycle to life as Netto climbed on behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist.
"Go for let!" Netto said.
A smile spread across his face as he hit the accelerator. The two took off, the city blurring past as the engine roared beneath them.
They road through the city passing by various cars as they made their way to the warehouse. However, as they road he noticed the black car in his rearview mirror. Its tinted windows hit whoever was in it. Who could be following us?
He frowned as he hit the accelerator. "Hold on."
"What's up?" Netto asked
"Just a detour, can't be too cautious."
He twisted the throttle, the bike surging forward as he veered down a narrow alley. The car tried to follow but got stuck behind a delivery truck, and he took the opportunity to lose them by weaving through a series of back streets. When he was confident they were no longer being tailed, he eased the bike back onto the main road.
"Everything okay?" Netto asked.
"Just a precaution," he replied, keeping his tone casual.
They arrived at the warehouse just as the last traces of daylight disappeared. The building loomed ahead, its silhouette jagged and uninviting against the night sky. As they dismounted the bike, a ripple in the air signaled the activation of a Dimensional Area.
Netto glanced at him as he readied his PET and synchro chip. "You ready."
He nodded as he grabbed his PET and the synchro chip. "As I'll ever be."
"Synchro chip slot in! Cross Fusion!" They yelled in unison.
Immediately he felt the feeling of Solaris enveloping him. It was like being blanked in another layer of sun and the next thing he knew he was covered in Solaris' steel armor.
"Looks like we have company," Netto said as viruses appeared in front of them.
He stepped forward and raised his hand. "Solar Flare! A flash of fiery light enveloped the area as the viruses were deleted. "Lets not waste time on these small fries."
Netto nodded. "Lets go!" Extending his arm he summoned a large symbiotic fist that knocked down the door.
The two of them stood just inside the entrance and that was when they saw them. The Count and Shademan stood over a bunch of viruses that were clearing the warehouse of its contents.
Netto raised his blaster, the weapon glowing faintly as it powered up. "That's far enough! Drop everything and back off!"
The Count laughed coldly his very presence chilling the area. "Do you really think you can stop us? Fools, you're already too late." The count held up a very familiar object, it was a PET. "I too am learning of this world's technology."
"Is that Shademan's PET?" Netto asked.
Shademan smirked. "Like minds think alike."
Before either of them could react, the Count slotted a dark looking Synchro Chip into it and bellowed, "Cross Fusion!"
A vortex of energy erupted around the Count and Shademan as a dark energy enveloped the area. When the light faded, the Count stood transformed. His new armor gleamed in bright, malevolent purple, and four sets of wings stretched out behind him, each feather razor-sharp and glistening. His eyes burned with crimson light, and his voice carried an almost supernatural resonance. "Now, let's see how long you last."
"Well this is a first," Netto muttered as he readied his blaster. "No worries we'll end this either way."
He always had his own tricks. He looked the Count over his blood boiling at the memoires of the loved ones he had lost. Luckily I'm not alone.
The Count's wings unfurled, and with a single beat, he launched into the air. "Let's see if the light you cherish so much can save you now!" His voice reverberated, and a sonic blast erupted from his outstretched hand. The shockwave ripped through the air, shattering nearby crates and sending fragments flying.
"Move!" Netto called, diving out of the way. He quickly jumped, rolling to his feet just as the shockwave pulverized the spot where he'd been standing. Well he's faster that's for sure.
Countering quickly, he summoned his Gun del Sol and fired a concentrated beam of light toward the Count. The beam struck the Count's wing, sending sparks flying but doing little to halt his momentum. The Count sneered. "Is that all the famous Gun del Sol can manage? Disappointing."
He smirked. "Oh don't worry there is much more I can do. "Solar Flare!" A blast of solar energy hit the Count.
"AAHH!" The count recoiled from the attack.
Netto then fired a series of rapid shots from his blaster at the viruses swarming the area. Shadowbyte's voice echoed in his helmet. "Let's take out the extras. No way we're letting them walk away with anything!"
The coordinated attack thinned the virus ranks, but it left them briefly vulnerable. The Count took advantage, swooping low and swiping at Django with claws that glinted like obsidian. Django brought up his Solar Sword just in time, the impact reverberating through his arms as their weapons clashed. Sparks flew as they pushed against each other.
"You think your pathetic light can stop the inevitable?" The Count snarled, his claws grinding against the glowing blade.
He frowned as they exchanged blows. "You won't eliminate mankind while I'm here." With a sharp twist, he broke the deadlock and stepped back, unleashing a blinding Solar Flare. The burst of light forced the Count to shield his eyes, his wings folding protectively around him.
"Fire Sword!" Netto shouted. The weapon's heat was palpable even from a distance as he drove it into the Count's side. The Count let out an inhuman scream, his form flickering as if unstable.
The Count reeled, blood seeping from the wound, and for a moment, the entire warehouse seemed to hold its breath. Django stepped forward, his weapon ready. "This ends now."
Together, they struck a coordinated assault of light and fire that exploded in a dazzling display of power. The Count staggered, his armor cracked, and his wings drooped as he fell back. Blood dripped onto the warehouse floor, pooling around his feet. He glared at them, his crimson eyes dimming but still defiant.
"This ends now!" He readied his Gun del Sol preparing to end this when the warehouse shook..
Suddenly, the wall to their right exploded inward and what looked like a grenade flew in between them and the count. Smoke filled the room as dust and debris filled the air, and a deafening crash shook the warehouse. Through the haze, three figures emerged, their armor gleaming in the dim light.
Three cross fused navis and their operators appeared; Dingo, Enzan, and Laika. "What are you guys doing here?" Netto asked in confusion.
Searchman's visor scanned the room with mechanical precision. Blues stood tall, his blade already drawn, while Tomahawkman loomed at their side, his axe glinting ominously.
The Count sneered. "This won't be over."
"What the hell is this?" He snapped, stepping back instinctively as Netto tensed beside him. If we needed their help we would've asked for it.
Enzan raised Blue's sword. "Stand down, both of you. We're taking over from here."
The Count wasted no time. While everyone's attention was divided, a swarm of viruses surged toward him, forming a barrier of chaos. With one last, mocking laugh, he melted into the shadows, the dark energy pulling him away from the confrontation.
"No!" Django yelled, lunging forward, but it was too late. The Count was gone, his retreat covered by the rampaging viruses. He swore his body shaking. "He got away."
The dimensional area was turned off and cross fusion ended for all of them. He turned and faced Netto's teammates. Enzan and Laika had calm expressions on their faces while Dingo awkwardly avoided their gazes.
"We almost had him!" Netto yelled. "How did you even know we were here anyway?"
Laika frowned. "You were too reckless to charge here alone, why didn't you tell us what you were doing?"
"Yeah you shouldn't be so reckless," Enzan said.
"Oh I'm reckless?" Netto's posture turned rigid his body shaking. "It's none of your business." With that the brunette stormed off.
"Hey wait up!" He followed Netto outside.
Netto avoided his gaze as he walked up to the motorcycle. "Lets just go."
"We'll get them another time."
Netto looked at him and nodded. "Yeah next time."