To Be Alone: PG-13 A/AA

[Neko]

Lesse... I found this on my computer and I thought... huh this isn't bad. So, tell me what you think and whether or not I should continue X3

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

An angry young woman stormed into Yuuichirou’s office one day in the morning and slammed a sheaf of paper onto his desk. “What is this!” she screeched.

Yuuichirou looked up from his paperwork, startled. Exhaustion was written all over his face and it was apparent he had not had a decent night’s sleep in months. “What is what?” he asked.

“This!” she yelled pointing to the papers. “Saito.bat? Are you insane, Dr. Hikari?” she snapped.

Yuuichirou gazed open mouthed at the papers then at the woman. “How did you…” he started.

“Never mind that,” she said. “What were you thinking? Are you trying to play god?” she asked.

Yuuichirou shook his head, “No, nothing like that. I was just… overcome with grief.”

She shook her head, “That is no excuse. You can’t do this!” she said.

Yuuichirou coughed uncomfortably. “Ivana, those documents are 12 years old,” he said softly.

Her face changed from that of rage to indifference, “Fine,” she hissed. “But so help me god if anything happens because of that,” she said pointing to the papers. “I’m keeping my eye on you.”

Yuuichirou nodded, “I understand.”

Without another word she turned on he heel and slammed the door shut, leaving a half asleep and very confused Yuuichirou sitting at his desk.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/

“Understand?” Rockman asked after explaining a relatively complicated math problem to Netto.

“No,” Netto muttered.

Rockman sighed, “Please try a little harder Netto-kun, I can’t always explain everything to you.”

Netto waved his hand, “Yeah, I know.”

Rockman shook his head, “Please take this seriously Netto-kun?”

Netto groaned and picked up his pencil, “Okay, go over this again?”

Rockman sighed and pulled opened his mouth to go over the math problem yet again when the PET began to ring loudly. Trill giggled loudly and began to copy the ringing noises. Even Netto couldn’t resist smiling as he picked up his PET and let the connection come through. “Hello?” he asked.

“There’s a new mission,” Enzan said. “Please meet me and Laika at the West Point apartment complex.”

“Okay,” Netto said.

Enzan nodded and the screen went blank. “Yes!” Netto cheered while pumping his fist into the air.

Rockman sighed, “We’ll have to finish this when we get back,” he warned Netto.

“I know, I know,” Netto said happily. “But for now, let’s go kick some bad guy butt.”

Rockman let himself have a small smile, “I wonder who it is?” he asked while picking up Trill.

Netto shrugged, “Who ever it is, they’re no match for us,” he said with an exaggerated pose then he put his PET in its holder and ran out the door making sure to call a hasty good bye to his mother before leaving the house.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

“Hey,” Netto said as he walked up to Enzan and Laika.

The two boys turned around, nodded their greetings then returned to their vantage point. Netto followed their gaze to see the entire building crackling with an alien energy, presumably net spawned. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“No idea,” Enzan muttered. “Neither us nor our navis can get anywhere near the building. Whatever that is, it’s acting like a force field.”

Netto frowned, “Are there people inside?” he asked.

Enzan shook his head, “We can’t tell. There may be, or maybe not, or maybe…” he let the rest of the sentence trail off.

Netto rubbed his head, “Lovely thought,” he muttered and looked back at the building. “Rockman, can you scan the energy?”

“I can try,” Rockman said doubtfully.

“Do you think that will work?” Enzan asked.

Netto shrugged, “It’s certainly worth a try,” he pointed out.

Rockman nodded, “Yeah,” he said and handed Trill to an unwilling Blues before opening a couple of windows to begin scanning the area.”

Laika and Enzan peered over Netto’s shoulders to see the readings on the energy. “Wow…” Netto muttered.

“Its source in the internet,” Enzan said while pointing at the lower part of the screen.

Netto blinked then nodded, “Who is causing it though? Who can dispel this much energy?”

Rockman looked up, “I know one person,” he said through gritted teeth.

Netto gave an uncomfortable laugh, “Forte?” he asked.

Rockman nodded, “We haven’t seen him for awhile, it makes me wonder if he’s still out there, just biding his time.”

Enzan and Laika both shifted uncomfortably, even they knew the power that Forte possessed. “So? Why this then?” Laika asked.

“Why not?” Netto pointed out. “Forte hates humans, so why not attack a building where a lot of humans live. It also shows off how powerful he is. And if he’s sending out an invitation for someone, this is the perfect way to do it. Something that is sure to get attention.”

Rockman nodded, “Yeah, Netto-kun has a point.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions quite yet, we’ve yet to verify what the energy is,” Enzan reminded them.

Netto shrugged and looked around, “So, what is it then?”

“It’s… really strong, but other then that I can’t tell anything,” Rockman said while he shut down the program.

“Damn,” Netto hissed.

Enzan and Laika looked back at the building, “Any other plans?” Laika asked.

“Well, we could…” Enzan started but he was cut off by a large explosion behind them at the police scanner blew up. Something inside it flashed and appeared by the main computer set up to monitor the energy.

“Hello,” Forte said with a grin. “Long time no see, Rockman.”

Netto unconsciously took a step back and pulled out his PET. “Rockman?” he asked.

Rockman nodded, “It’s all right,” he said quietly.

Netto nodded in reply and plugged Rockman into the net without uttering a word. Enzan and Laika followed suit while Trill was left behind in the safety of Netto’s PET.

Netto shut his eyes and pulled out the power of Full Syncro, knowing that they didn’t stand a chance otherwise. Enzan and Laika followed his example, and Forte watched as the navis turned to face him. “Three on one?” he asked.

Rockman’s eyes narrowed, “Is it not fair?”

Forte laughed and launched himself at Rockman, “I only need to take you down,” he said viciously. “It doesn’t matter how many there are, no one can save you.”

/Netto-kun, full syncro!/ Rockman hissed to Netto.

Netto received the command and stepped it up a little. Enzan and Laika were forced to back off a little as their friend entered into Full Syncro, calling forth the legendary Saito Style.

Forte’s grin widened. “Oh, aren’t you clever,” he hissed and jumped back, “Earth Breaker!” he yelled and threw the massive ball of energy at the navi. Saito Style Rockman looked at it and used a thin jet of concentrated power to cancel it out.

Forte dodged it and landed a ways from them. “So, no old tricks then?” he asked. “Fine with me!” he said as he ran at Rockman with a murderous intent in his eyes.

Rockman backed up then vanished. Revealing Blues behind him, who pulled out his sword and pushed it through Forte’s arm. Forte yelled out in anger rather then pain and backed away.

“You forget that there’s three of us!” Rockman yelled. “And we work as a team.”

Forte smirked and pulled his hand away from his injured arm revealing no injury. This was expected of course and so the three navis were not deterred from their attack.

Rockman and Forte parried off one another’s blows for a few minutes before Rockman backed off, allowing Searchman a clear shot at Forte. Forte was expecting this, but took it then took the momentary opening to grab Rockman from behind. Rockman yelled out and Netto felt the pressure on his own body. “Rock…man…” he hissed and collapsed to his knees.

“Netto-kun,” Rockman gasped out and tried to throw Forte away from him but the power hungry navi was just too strong.

Forte smiled, “I’ve waited for this moment for a long time,” he whispered into Rockman’s ear. “Good night, Rockman.”

Rockman screamed out loud as Forte electrified Rockman with the same strange energy that was encasing the building. Enzan and Laika turned to Netto who was also screaming out in pain as the energy destroyed files and programs that made up Rockman. Finally Rockman’s eyes went blank and when Forte let him go he logged out then fell off line entirely.

Forte laughed mercilessly and disappeared, leaving Blues and Searchman to return to their PET’s to see what the damage was.

Netto was on his knees, the wind of the perfect syncro was still radiating off of him even though Rockman was offline completely. Netto was still connected to the internet in some way but it wasn’t quite obvious as to how.

Enzan reached out to try and haul Netto to his feet but he was forced back when Netto shivered and his wristwatch sparked. “Netto?” he asked.

“It won’t… stop…” Netto gasped.

“What won’t stop?” Laika asked him. “Netto, what’s wrong?”

Netto shook his head, and by the looks of things it appeared that he was trying to take control of something. However it was a lost battle and when Netto gave up on trying to contain it, he lost complete control of his connection with Rockman and the net as a whole.

Laika and Enzan were forced to back away from Netto as various instruments and objects that were hooked up to the internet around them exploded. He yelled out as people started to run around trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Laika and Enzan were intent to try and help Netto but there was just no way to get near him.

Finally, the last thing that went was the building that was covered in the energy from Forte. The energy seemed to intensify for a few horrible minutes as Netto’s cries got louder and all the windows shattered, raining glass on the ground below. Then it slowly started to disappear until after one last weak crackle it disappeared.

Enzan and Laika watched this with a horrified fascination then turned to Netto who was finally beginning to settle down.

Laika ran forward when he collapsed completely and caught him in his arms. “Netto?” he asked tentatively.

Netto looked up at Laika with a pained expression, “Laika… I…” he coughed. “Rockman, where is he?”

“He’s in your PET,” Laika said. “He’s offline though.”

“Oh,” Netto said simply and closed his eyes.

Laika picked him up and looked at Enzan. “What the hell was that?” he asked.

Enzan shook his head, “I have no idea,” he said softly.

The two boys made their way back to where the Net Police was set up. Manabe ran over to them with a terrified expression on her face. “What happened? Is Netto-kun all right?”

Enzan shook his head, “Forte attacked them in Perfect Syncro and forced Rockman offline,” he said. “We’re not sure what happened after that.”

“Not sure?” Manabe asked.

At that moment Yuuichirou ran over to them with a worried expression on his face. “Netto!” he gasped. “Then… Rockman, are they all right?” he asked.

Laika shook his head, “We don’t know. We don’t know what happened.”

Yuuichirou frowned and took Netto from Laika. “I’m going to Sci-Labs then,” he said and gave Enzan and Laika a small smile, “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine soon.”

“We know,” they said and turned to Manabe.

“I’ll go fill out a report,” Enzan said softly. Laika nodded and they both left.

“They’re upset…” Manabe said. “I wonder what happened.”

Yuuichirou looked down at his unconscious son, “I don’t know, but we’ll know soon enough.”
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[YaminoMiko]

This is interesting.

Please continue!
_________________

I wanna sleep, but I don't wanna sleep at the same time. @_@.
Repetition(RnREXE)

[Midnight]

Well...this is certainly fascinating. I believe that this is one of the rare few fics that I have read that bases itself, at least in part, in the manga universe.

You certainly spare no expense in describing the scene--it appeared QUITE vivid in my mind's eye, and it seems that you have done an excellent job in integrating aspects of both the anime and manga.

I must say, that opening is eerily similar to that of an idea I had...it's creepy, actually.
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[Neko]

Yuuichirou typed away on his keyboard as Rockman hung in stasis mode on the screen in front of him. He chewed his lower lip nervously as he noted the severe damage that had befallen his son. With a heavy sigh he set about to fix the files to at least get the poor navi back on line and out of pain.

“Hakase?” a voice asked behind him. Yuuichirou blinked and turned to face the unknown voice.

He gave a small smile to Ivana, “Hello,” he said softly.

Ivana sighed, “You’ve been in here for hours, sir. Maybe you should rest for a little while.”

Yuuichirou looked at the clock and blinked. He hadn’t realized so much time had passed by. He looked up at Ivana and shook his head, “Sorry, but I’m going to pull through with what I started.”

Ivana looked up at Rockman’s still form on the screen. “So that’s… the subject of the Saito.bat files.”

Yuuichirou nodded, “Yes. He is.”

Ivana’s lips twisted in an unhappy frown, “Just like the child in a near coma in the clinic?”

Yuuichirou sighed, “Once Rockman is back online then Netto will be fine. That’s why I’m fixing him.”

Ivana growled, “Hikari-hakase, I’m not going to let this continue. He,” she said while pointing at Rockman, “and the child in the clinic are dangerous and you know it. Everyone does now, at any rate. I’m not going to stand quietly by and let this happen again.”

Yuuichirou stood up suddenly, wincing at the pain in his knees. “Ivana, you can’t,” he protested. “They can’t be separated, it’s not fair to them.”

Ivana sighed, “I’m sorry, but I must act on how I feel. I merely came by to tell you that.”

Yuuichirou looked very unhappy as he took off his glasses and polished them on his coat, “Ivana, you can’t just de-activate Rockman. Netto’s life is connected to his, be it for better or for worse. Getting rid of one won’t take care of the problem.”

Ivana pushed a manila envelope into Yuuichirou’s hands. “I’ll find a way. I refuse to let today’s incident repeat its self.” With that, she gave him a curt nod and walked out of the room.

Yuuichirou opened the envelope and read the documents that outlined her complaint and sighed. “Very well,” he murmured and returned to his computer.

Three hours later Netto groaned in his makeshift bed in the clinic and sat up groggily. “Ow,” he hissed while rubbing his head.

“Netto-kun?” Rockman murmured as he too slowly came online.

Yuuichirou breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at his son. “Good morning.”

Netto blinked, “It’s 3:34 in the morning papa, what are you doing up?”

Rockman sat down on the floor of the net and cradled his head, “I remember fighting with Forte…” he murmured.

Yuuichirou nodded sadly. “Yes, you two had a big fight, and when Rockman was knocked off line you didn’t handle it very well,” he said to Netto.

Netto fell back onto the pillows, “Is that why my head hurts so much?” he asked grumpily.

Yuuichirou laughed and ruffled his hair, “Probably. I suggest you two don’t fall into full syncro for a little while. You make some people edgy after what you did.”

“After I did what?” Netto asked.

Yuuichirou shook his head, “Never mind. I’ll explain what I think happened tomorrow. You two get your sleep now.”

Netto took his PET from his dad and laid it next to his pillow. He then laid down on the pillows with a yawn and curled up, “All right.”

Rockman smiled out of his PET, “Night, papa.”

Yuuichirou nodded, “Good night,” he said with a kind smile and left the room.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Netto woke up the next morning, fairly early because of how much he was asleep the night before. Rockman was of course, already awake and laughing as he watched the sleepy Netto clamber his way off the poor excuse for a bed. “Morning,” he said cheerfully.

“Mornin…” Netto replied sleepily. He covered a yawn with his hand and re-adjusted his bandana. “Let’s go find papa.”

Rockman nodded, “Yeah. I have a feeling something big happened yesterday.”

Netto nodded. “Too bad I don’t remember anything past going into full syncro.”

“I know. Same problem with me, I guess something big did happen or we would remember huh?” Rockman asked.

Netto nodded, “Yeup. I bet papa will tell us what’s wrong though.”

They walked into Yuuichirou’s office to find their father drinking a large cup of coffee and looking quite bedraggled as he glanced over a small sheaf of papers. “Papa?” Rockman called out softly.

Yuuichirou looked up, slightly startled. His features melted into a smile as he set the papers down and covered them with the envelope they presumably came it. “Hello, boys,” he said with a smile. “Sleep well?”

Netto walked over and sat across from his dad with a small grin on his face, “Oh we slept fine. How about you?” he teased.

Yuuichirou coughed uncomfortably, “Sorry. I have a lot on my plate right now. Are you two okay?”

Netto and Rockman both nodded, “We’re fine,” Netto began.

“But, we want to know what happened yesterday,” Rockman finished for his brother.

Yuuichirou sighed, “I see. You don’t remember then?”

Netto and Rockman shook their heads.

“Well, simply put Netto couldn’t control his connection with the internet once Rockman was forced offline so there was a bit of damage,” Yuuichirou explained.

“Huh?” Netto asked.

“You were connected, to the internet through your navi and by perfect syncro, once Rockman was forced off line you could no longer sustain your connection on your own and you lost control,” he said. “It’s perfectly all right, there was no lasting damage and you’re both fine. That’s what matters.”

Netto and Rockman both gave him blank stares as he tried to laugh it off. “Papa?” Netto asked with some concern.

“Don’t worry about it,” Yuuichirou said easily. “Just go home before you make your mama come after me. She’s worried sick.”

Netto stood up, “All right. Are you going to be home tonight?”

Yuuichirou nodded, “You can count on it. I promise I’ll be there tonight.”

Rockman chuckled, “Spaghetti night?” he asked.

“You know me well, son,” Yuuichirou said with a smile. “Now go.”

“All right, see you later!” Netto waved at his dad while Rockman nodded from his PET. Yuuichirou watched as they both left and sighed.

Ivana walked in ten minutes later. “Your hearing is in twenty minutes. I suggest you get ready,” she said softly. “I’m sorry if this hurts you, but I will always stand firmly by my ideals.”

Yuuichirou gave her a small smile as he picked up his papers from earlier. “I’m aware. That’s the kind of student you always were.”

Ivana’s eyes became sharp, “I honestly thought you had more sense then trying to play god, sir.”

Yuuichirou nodded, “It is not in our right to question the morals of others before we ourselves are sure of our own,” he quoted from somewhere Ivana couldn’t place.

She glared at him and left the room without another word.

“I knew something like this would happen someday,” he said to himself quietly. “Someday.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Come on forum!
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[Midnight]

Very nice.

Ivana seems like the perfect antagonist to this fic--she's sharp-witted, rather impulsive, and quite vehement in her opposition to Yuu's "experiment." She's the perfect allegory for the other side of the coin. I suppose all of those theology classes you take will help you immensely here, no?

I still can't believe it--I had an idea similar to this, and I was planning to spend on chapter on the ethical consequences of having such a link, and it seems you are trumping me before I can even do so...

Anyway, I look forward to seeing how and what arguments you bring up.
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[DjangoSP]

:O ...This is great. That's all I've got to say. I hope more of this comes up soon, Neko!! ^_^
_________________
I am Solar Boy Django! TAIYOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!



Credit goes to X-Zero EXE for the uber-cool sig!!! :D

[Roll Soul]

Poor Yuu... This is a very good fic, and I sat with absolute rapt attention while reading it. So much so that I almost burned something I was cooking XD;; But that just means I can't wait to read more of it! ^^ I agree with what Midnight said about Ivana. And I will say that I don't like her, but she does fit well into the fic. As usual, all of it just fits into place ^^ I love your mix of elements from all sources-- anime, manga, and games. Very nice, and once again I can't stress how much I can't wait to read more of this ^^
_________________



| DeviantArt | LiveJournal |

[DarkMega]

Oh, interesting fic. You definetely need to keep up on this one. I'm curious to see what action Ivana plans to take. Please keep this fic going. ^^
_________________

Justice has many faces, but this one just happens to be hilarious.
Thanks for the siggy, Hikari Angel!

"I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before."

"He who thinks by the inch and talks by the yard deserves to be kicked by the foot."

My livejournal- http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=dragon_denae (Knock yourself out.)

[Kitty-Chan]

Oh, this will be good. Are the scientists going to haul Netto & Rockman in & experiment on them? :O
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Neko]

Netto slurped up his spaghetti happily while Rockman told their mom about the day that had just passed, toning it down enough so that she wouldn’t get too upset. Still, Haruka could tell that something serious had happened that day and she made a mental note to ask Yuuichirou about it later.

“Papa hasn’t come home yet,” Netto said with a frown as he took another bite of spaghetti. “We left about 4 hours ago. What’s keeping him?”

Rockman shrugged, “Maybe he started a new project, sometimes that happens.”

Netto shrugged and ate another bite. “I just feel nervous for some reason,” he said softly. He wasn’t quite sure why either, it just seemed to him that something happened beyond what his father told him and he wanted to know what.

After he finished eating, Netto took his PET and went into the living room to lounge and watch TV until their father came home. Finally, an hour later Yuuichirou came through the door looking half dead.

“Dear!” Haruka gasped as Yuuichirou walked in. “What happened?”

“I need to talk to Netto and Saito,” he said softly. “Something… happened. I’ll tell you later but right now…” he took in a deep breath as his voice cracked. Haruka knew better then to try and get information from her husband when he was so obviously upset so she nodded and kissed him on the cheek then walked away.

Yuuichirou went into the living room where Netto was sitting upright, staring at him with a concerned look on his face. “Hey,” Yuuichirou said weakly.

“What happened?” Netto asked suddenly.

Yuuichirou sighed, there was no hiding something so obvious anymore. “Yesterday, I told you what may have happened but I didn’t outline it all, Netto.”

“Hm?” Netto asked.

“What do you mean, papa?” Rockman asked suddenly appearing in holographic form on Netto’s shoulder.

Yuuichirou sagged into a chair and took off his glasses. He rubbed his eyes for a minute before continuing, “Netto, the link has changed you just like it changed Rockman. I have no idea if you noticed it or not, but it has. Rockman is more emotionally developed then most navis, and more importantly he has DNA. It’s most certainly data but it is DNA and its linked to yours.”

“We know that papa,” Rockman murmured. “What’s wrong?”

Yuuichirou placed his hands over his nose in a steeple position and took in a long breath. “It was foolish to think that when I activated the Saito.bat files that even though Rockman was so obviously affected nothing would happen to Netto. I think yesterday proved me wrong. Netto, do you ever notice that when Rockman isn’t dominating the link and you’re angry or upset that things around you… change?”

Netto blinked, “Ah…” he frowned. “Well, kinda maybe,” he said slowly. “But it’s only when we’re in full syncro.”

“Full syncro is certainly the key but your talents surpass it,” Yuuichirou said gently. “I think, like a navi, you have the ability to manipulate data. That’s why when the link was cut off so abruptly yesterday you couldn’t control the impulse, the human body isn’t just meant to control something on such a huge level. I also think that’s why you two made so many people nervous.”

“What?” Netto and Rockman asked together.

“Rockman is very powerful,” Yuuichirou said, choosing his next words carefully. “And… I’ve been told that it might be in the best interest of the people to put him under a temporary Suspended Animation state.”

“WHAT?” Netto yelled loudly. Rockman didn’t even say anything, he just stood there unsure of what to say or do.

“I was sent to a hearing earlier today,” Yuuichirou said, continuing with the little momentum that he had generated. “And in light of what happened yesterday that was their decision. I’m sorry boys, I tried.”

“B-but… Netto-kun…” Rockman said softly. “What about Netto-kun?”

“What about me??” Netto screeched, obviously scandalized. “What about you! What on earth are they thinking? We’ve saved the world at least four times over! How is that fair!?”

“We’re just going to have to find a way to keep Netto’s mind disconnected from the internet for the time being,” Yuuichirou said softly. “A temporary separation, if you will.”

“But…” Netto said weakly. “No!” He shut his eyes, “NO!” he yelled. “I won’t do it! I’ll… leave or something but, no one will take away Rockman! No one!”

“Netto-kun…” Rockman said softly.

“Can you hear yourself?” Yuuichirou asked Netto quietly and Netto stopped yelling. Yuuichirou stood up and sat next to Netto on the couch, gathering his son in his arms and holding him in a tight hug. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I never dreamed that this was how things would turn out to be.”

“It’s temporary,” Rockman said, his voice breaking but a tiny optimistic smile remaining on his face. “It’ll be over soon enough, right? Just give them time to realize that we’re good people and we won’t hurt anyone, unintentional or otherwise. It’s not goodbye, right?”

Yuuichirou nodded, “Right,” he said softly.

Netto buried his face into Yuuichirou’s chest and didn’t reply.

“I’m so sorry,” Yuuichirou said again. “Really.”

“It was our decision, papa,” Rockman reminded him gently. “And we made it knowing full well the risks we were taking. I don’t regret a thing.”

“Me neither,” Netto’s muffled voice came.

Yuuichirou smiled and ruffled Netto’s hair and smiled at Rockman. “I promise this will be over soon. Just bear with the decision for awhile, all right?”

“Yes,” Rockman replied calmly. Netto remained silent in his father’s arms.

“Netto?” Yuuichirou asked his son.

“Yes, papa,” Netto replied and didn’t say a word for the rest of the night, mental or otherwise.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

The next day Netto and Rockman went to Sci Labs with their father where Enzan and Laika waited silently outside for their friend. “Netto…” Enzan said softly.

Netto shook his head and gave him a fake grin. “It’s just for a little while right? Try not to get too far ahead, I still want a rival.”

Enzan’s look of concern hardened into a frown. “Netto,” he said sharply.

“Sorry,” Netto mumbled as he looked at the ground. “I…”

Enzan patted him on the shoulder, “It’s all right,” he said kindly. “You’re allowed to be upset, Netto.” Laika nodded over Enzan’s shoulder and Netto gave them a tiny grin in response.

In the net Rockman was talking with Searchman and Blues. “I still don’t remember what happened two days ago, but I’m sure it must have been pretty bad, considering what is going on.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Blues told him.

“I know,” Rockman said while looking at the floor. Trill cooed in his arms but didn’t offer any other speech as if he knew that something serious was going on.

“Rockman, are you sure you’re okay with this?” Searchman asked him.

Rockman nodded, “I’m not running away, and neither is Netto-kun. We’ll take it, we knew something had to snap the day we accepted the link. Can I just… ask a favor?” he said suddenly.

“Anything,” Blues replied and Searchman nodded his consent.

“Watch over Netto-kun,” Rockman told them. “We’ve made enemies and I know we’re not popular, if I’m gone then Netto-kun may become an easy target. Especially because I know they’re going to do something to keep him from being connected to the internet. It’s the only way to negate Saito.bat without hurting us.”

Blues and Searchman both nodded their consent to the small blue navi. “Don’t worry, I doubt our operators will let him out of their sight anyways,” Searchman told Rockman with the barest hint of a sad grin on his lips.

Rockman smiled and then rubbed his eyes on the back of his hand. “Thanks,” he murmured. “Thank you so much.”

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Netto, Laika, Enzan and Yuuichirou stood in the silent room where navis who were deemed to dangerous or otherwise to be put in a drawer and forgotten about were kept in suspended animation. Wordlessly he handed his pet to a scientist while fixing the woman with the most icy glare he could give. She shivered but took the PET all the same.

/Don’t give everyone too much grief while I’m gone,/ Rockman told him kindly.

/I won’t I promise,/ Netto replied.

/Netto-kun?/ Rockman asked while his PET was loaded.

/Yes?/ Netto replied.

/I love you./

Netto paused, and right before the PET was frozen in time he replied, /I love you too, nii-san./

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/

Wordlessly Netto followed the same scientist down a hallway on his own. She kept on glancing at him but didn’t offer any explanation as to where they were going. None was really needed.

Finally they went into an average laboratory where Netto sat in a chair she motioned too as she went to a drawer. “I take it you’re the twin known as Netto?” she asked.

Netto nodded then realized she couldn’t see him, “Yes,” he muttered.

She sighed, “I’m not the bad guy,” she murmured. “I’m concerned. And don’t yell at me I feel bad enough already,” she snapped.

Netto clamped his mouth shut but continued to glare at her.

With a sigh Ivana turned around holding five thin circlets of metal in her hands. “Look Netto-san, I know you’re upset and I would be too but this is something that I deem as dangerous and I will and did go after it. I refuse to let what happened two days ago happen again.”

“What are those?” Netto asked, changing the subject abruptly.

“These are bands that have neural implants in them that will connect to your nervous system and keep your impulses to the net from reaching it. I discovered that when you yourself connect to the internet it’s through an electronic impulse of some kind. Once we understand more about what make you and your navi so special I promise you’ll have your navi back.”

“Once you can control us you mean!” Netto snapped.

Ivana’s eyes flashed, “Don’t be coy with me child. I’m being kind here.”

Netto crossed his arms, “I’m sure. I’m getting sympathy because I’m a twelve year old kid and Rockman isn’t because he’s nothing more then a pile of data that is a little too strong in your eyes.”

“And I was told you weren’t all that quick. Looks like I was told wrong,” Ivana told Netto while motioning for him to hold out his wrists.

Netto snorted, “I’m not an idiot if that’s what you heard.”

Ivana shook her head, “Far from it. However it seems that you only notice things when you want to and you pretend not to notice things when it’s to your benefit.”

Netto bristled, “I don’t think you’re someone to pass judgment lady.”

Ivana put the remaining bands around Netto’s ankles and neck. “No I suppose not,” she murmured. “But I’m not some kind woman who will coo over someone and allow them to get what they want because they’re special. I don’t work that way.”

Netto rubbed the bracelets, “I see this,” he growled.

“You’ll begin to notice them working soon enough. You might be tired for a little bit too because you can’t draw on your navi’s strength. Keep that in mind. You are free to go,” she said turning her back to him.

Outside Netto took in a deep breath as all traces of Rockman and the net in general were erased from his mind. Everything, for the first time in a year was silent. He was completely alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm in something of a bad mood so I decided to vent in my only angst fic. Enjoy, or whatever XD
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[YaminoMiko]

T_T T_T T_T

Poor, poor Rockman. I reeally pity him right now. He's in prison!
_________________

I wanna sleep, but I don't wanna sleep at the same time. @_@.
Repetition(RnREXE)

[Ginrei]

...
WOW that's sad. Dear GOODNESS Neko, you know how to do good-byes!
Uhg man, I thought this chapter was going to end on a totally depressing note, but then Netto talks to Ivana.... and I must say Ivana's got Netto down quite well, he's very perceptive when need be. I like their relationship; they're not enemies, they just don't like each other. Not all bad people are evil, and it takes a talented writer to get that difference across! I am very impressed! You need to be in bad moods and write like this more often. XD

[Kitty-Chan]

I say she's a bitch. I hope someone (preferably Netto or Forte) kills her. Forte should come help Netto while Rockman's gone; that will give the SciLab bastards something to chew on. The eliminate Rockman as a threat, & that causes Forte to move in. *cackles*
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Midnight]

I must say, Neko, I am quite impressed. I didn't think you'd make it so dramatic.

Ivana becomes more of the dominatrix-esque antagonist in this chapter--her vehement opposition to the link becomes even more clear this way. It wouldn't surprise me at all if she were affiliated with some crime syndicate and was bribed to do this. Even if I'm overextending it a bit, it's clear that she has some sort of ultterior motive.

I'd never think that they would be so ignorant as to let the proposal proceed--it's...practially inhumane. The board seems to fail to realize that they are toying with a human here, and that this basically is a thinly disguised attempt to turn Netto into a specimen.

Great job--it was certainly an eye-opener for me, and I think this fic needed an angsty turn.
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[Ginrei]

Hn. Midnight Critic, I'd be very suprised if she WERE being bribed by an evil organization to do what she's doing. I think she's just a scientist with a strong sense of duty and what she thinks is a superior sense of ethics. In fact, I very much believe she will switch sides and help Rockman at the end, or simply just loosen up a little. (Unless Neko decides to make her just a mean character, which is entirely possible....)
(cookie point = ln(|x|) )

[Midnight]

As I've said before, I may have exaggerated a bit, but the way Ivana was portrayed, one would think that she at least has some sort of ulterior motive driving her pursuit to sequester Rockman away from Netto. However, your thoery does seem to be quite plausible.

Secondly, Midnight will suffice.

And thirdly, hooray for knowing your calculus! You just forgot your constant of integration.
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[Neko]

Sorry kids XP My lips are sealed.

However I will give you this, Ivana is NOT evil. She's not a 'bad guy' as portrayed by saturday morning cartoons. Her charachter will change, but in different ways.

This fic is more about Netto trying to survive without Rockman. And also, Rockman will apear I can't give up on him quite yet X3 Just in unorthodox ways.
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[RollSoul]

I love ur work Neko^^
Angsty..poor Rockman.
_________________


NOTICE: This user no longer uses this account, they made a new account cuz they dont like the name of their account anymore =3

[Neko]

I was in a pissy mood when I started this chapter, but it wore off.

Anywho, here's the next part.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Netto walked into his room and fell onto his bed. He landed face first into his pillows and just lay there for a few minutes, listening to the world go on around him. Finally, his silence was broken by Trill who was gazing out at him from the monitor on his desk. “Netto?” he asked.

Netto turned his head so that he faced Trill. “Hm?”

“Where’s Rockman?” Trill asked.

Netto blinked away a sudden burning sensation in his eyes. “Rockman is… going to be away for awhile,” he explained while trying not to let his voice crack.

“Oh,” Trill said knowingly. He frowned and looked at the miserable boy. “Netto?”

“Yes?” Netto asked.

“Are you all right?” Trill inquired, obviously concerned for the human.

Netto sat up and nodded, trying to force himself to smile for Trill’s sake. “I’m fine, Trill. Why don’t you get some sleep, I still have school tomorrow.”

Trill gave him a skeptic look and frowned. “Netto, what’s wrong? Where’s Rockman?”

“Rockman isn’t here,” Netto said quietly as he got up from his bed. “He’s not going to be here for awhile.”

“Why?” Trill asked.

Netto walked over to the door. “I don’t know,” he said softly and left his room, leaving a very confused and unhappy Trill behind him.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Later that evening, Netto soaked in his bathtub taking in the hot water and trying to relax a little. He was on edge and he knew it. For some reason, not having his navi or the link left him feeling defenseless and vulnerable. While trying to shake himself free of his thoughts he took a deep breath and went under the water allowing himself to soak it in before coming up for air.

He took in a deep breath and leaned back in the tub. He heard a metallic ring as the band around his neck hit the porcelain of the tub. He winced and sunk in deeper to make sure it wouldn’t happen when he sat back up.

It wasn’t fair, he thought. Rockman didn’t do anything to any of the people that had condemned him. Yet they still easily just thought it was easier to lock him away rather then think of some other alternative.

He knew that because Rockman was just a navi they found it more morally accepting to do such a thing. In their eyes he was a lump of pixels held together by programs and data and he himself was a human being, which was why he wasn’t with his navi.

In the blue bath-salt colored water, Netto drew his knees up to his chest and sat there in the tub, listening to the gentle lap of the water echo in the bathroom. For the first time in months he couldn’t hear anything or feel anything in his mind. Rockman wasn’t there to assure him or to talk. There was no gentle presence of the navi and there was no comfort in the silence of his mind.

With a sigh he stretched out again and held his hand over his head, gazing at the bracelet around his wrist. It glistened innocently with droplets of colored water beading on it. Netto glared at it and stuck his hand under the water again creating a small tidal wave of water that splashed onto the floor.

Netto tilted his head back and looked at the ceiling of the bathroom, entirely unsure of what to do. On the one hand, he obviously needed to move on with his life. Even if his navi was in suspended animation, he wasn’t and so time continued on its march as far as he was concerned. On the other hand, it just wasn’t fair. None of it was! Not in Rockman’s case, or his own.

The silence pressed on his ears like needles. He couldn’t stand it. It was quiet and loud all at the same time. With a growl he stood up in the tub and got out, wrapping a towel firmly around his waist and escaping his soundless bathroom.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

Netto wandered into his room and rooted out his pajamas from the usual mess scattered about his floor. A side glance at the darkened monitor told him that Trill had already gone to bed. He sighed and pulled on his pajamas while trying to ignore the silence that continued to press onto his ears.

Finally he pulled out his now empty PET and plugged his headphones into it. He went through the small device’s options until he found his store of music and pressed play. After that he laid down onto his bed and gazed at the ceiling, listening to the music in his PET and trying to will himself to sleep but it was no use. He was wide awake and unable to do anything about it.

Netto had no idea when he finally drifted off to sleep. It was probably somewhere around dawn because he had gotten through a good number of songs before he could no longer remember hearing the music.

All he knew was that when his alarm clock rang it was way too soon. Soft strands of some kind of classical music came to his ears through his headphones and he realized that he had been listening to Rockman’s mediation music. With a sigh he turned off his PET and pulled the headphones out of his ears.

“Morning, Netto!” Trill said in a happy voice from the PC.

Netto rubbed his tired eyes and groaned. “Morning,” he replied sleepily. After registering the alarm clock in his brain he reached up and tried to turn it off. Then he realized that it had been so long since he last used the alarm clock that he had forgotten how to turn it off.

“Loud,” Trill told him.

Netto looked at the clock, obviously irritated. “I know,” he growled. “Give me a second.” He pressed several buttons, but all he managed to do was to turn on the radio on top of the loud beeping that had been triggered to wake him up.

After pressing buttons for several minutes, Haruka came into his room and gently pulled the clock out of Netto’s tightening grip. “Breakfast is downstairs,” she told him kindly. “Why don’t you go eat?”

Netto looked up at her then nodded, “All right.” Without any other words he walked out of his room and walked downstairs to where breakfast was waiting.

Haruka sighed and turned off the alarm clock. It was going to be a hard few months, she could tell.

~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~/~

After an unusually silent day at school, Netto wandered out of the building to where Enzan and Laika stood at the entrance, waiting for him to come out. Netto’s eyes brightened up as he saw his friends stand there, waiting for him. “Hey,” he called out.

Enzan and Laika saw him exit the school building from a distance. They noted that as he came out his head was down and he stared at the ground as he walked. Seeing that in their normally hyperactive friend was enough to make Enzan chew his lip in anxiety and for Laika to look vaguely concerned. However, when he looked up and looked genuinely happy they too became more relaxed and walked forward to greet their friend.

“Hey Netto,” Enzan said softly. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I’m fine,” Netto said easily, trying to make light of it, even though he knew it was in vain.

“I’m sure,” Laika said dryly.

“I’m just tired, that’s all,” Netto said softly. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Even after he told me to go to bed early!” Trill pouted as he appeared on Netto’s shoulder.

Netto gave Trill a half smile. “I still went to bed around the same time you did. I just never really fell asleep.”

Trill crossed his arms, “You always sleep. Rockman even says so.”

“Heh,” Netto said softly while falling into step between Enzan and Laika. “I’m sure he does.”

“Netto?” Enzan asked.

Netto shook his head. “It’s all right. I’m okay.”

Enzan and Laika exchanged worried glances. It seemed that just the mention of his missing brother was enough to bring down Netto’s mood. “Hey Netto?” Laika said.

“Hm?” Netto asked.

“You want to get some take out and talk?” he inquired his friend.

Netto looked from Enzan to Laika and back again, then he smiled. “I’d like that, I think,” he replied.
_________________
Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[Midnight]

Oh my, oh my.

I felt that this was a lot more well-written than that of your usual chapters, since your words seemed to more effectively paint Netto's forlorness and his painful reality of being alone. Much of this flowed along quite reasonably, and it makes the reader sympathize a lot more with Netto as he adapts to his new situation.

Great work, Neko. This has quickly become one of my favorites under your penmanship (or woman, in this case, I suppose...) o_o
_________________
Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3