L&L:S.2: Misadventures of Lyne and Bass: Episode 26

[Zodiac]

[Megawoman.EXE]

Episode 12: Mall Server

~Dentech Mall~26 Aug 200X~

Once Lyne and Jackie hit the Data Stream that lead to the Mall Server, Jackie laughed as she looked at her surroundings.

“This is great. It’s nothing like I imagined it would look like!” Jackie exclaimed in an excited tone.

“Yeah, it’s pretty neat I guess,” Lyne said solemnly, shrugging her shoulders as they traveled down the DS, still holding onto Jackie’s hand.

“What do you mean ‘you guess’? You’re part navi. This should excite you more than that tone you gave me.”

“When you disturbed me, I was running a diagnostic on myself.”

“What’s wrong Lyne?” Jackie asked, concerned.

“I have a flashing spot on the back of my right hand and don’t know what’s causing it. Plus I’m a little edgy,” Lyne said as her stomach grumbled silently. She put her arm across the front of it and scowled.

“What’s wrong Lyne?” Jackie asked as she observed Lyne’s expression.

“Meg’s hungry,” Flash said, his voice projecting from the cross-fused navi and NetOp, as he observed through Jackie’s eyes, “and she don’t like either.”

“Why not Lyne?” Jackie asked as they exited the Data Stream. Lyne remained silent.

“She won’t answer you. She’s too low on energy. She has to recharge, and the only way to do that for her is consuming nutritional data,” Flash said as Lyne leaned against Jackie for support so she wouldn’t fall down.

“Oh! Well, lucky for you Lyne, we logged in at the Food Court, so that won’t be so hard to find. In fact, this place looks similar to the Food Court in the real mall. So…,” Jackie said as she sat Lyne at one of the cyber Food Court tables, “You sit here while I go get you some data,” Jackie said cheerfully.

“Ughhhh…,” Lyne complained as Jackie left her at the table, Why me? I shouldn’t be online, and I know it. This only happened because I was majorly tempted by Jackie, but it wasn’t entirely her fault; there’s something else. I felt drawn to jack in this time. As if there is someone I have to meet, but who? This has been a strange day so far, Lyne thought as she shook her head and brought up her file directory to continue the diagnostic she’d started earlier.
_______________________________

“Do you see them Sonata?” DJ asked his navi in a quiet tone.

“I’m looking for them right now. Ummm…. I see one of them. I think. I’m not sure. Do you know what they look like?” Sonata replied to his NetOp as he peeked out from a shadowy place in the food court.

“Just scan for the same signature you found earlier,” DJ said in an impatient tone.

“OK!OK! Scanning…. Yeah the one I spotted earlier is one of them. In fact, she’s the one with the signature I found earlier. She looks like she running a diagnostic of some sort.”

“I wonder what’s wrong. Can you get closer without being detected?”

“As long as I don’t have to talk to her, I can do that.”

“As I said earlier, you won’t have to talk to her. Just observe them. Are you that dense?”

Sonata shook his head, not replying as he casually walked from his shadowy spot to the table closest to Lyne and sat down.
_________________________________
~Undernet~

Bass had finished up the repairs per Serenade’s orders. “Whew! Done. I hope Queen Pushy Wench likes this because I’m not doing any more,” Bass said as he paused, feeling something familiar. He then smiled, “She’s online. I told the girl’s navi I would be back. I’ve got to keep my promise,” he said as he logged out of the UnderNet.

“That doesn’t sound too good. I’ve got to tell Serenade.” Blade said as she also logged out of the UnderNet, vanishing from the shadows she’d hidden in.
___________________________________

Wow, she knows more then I thought, Serenade thought to herself as she watched Lyne run her diagnostic from her perch above the cyber Food Court. I’m going to talk with her. I don’t care what her father says about her not getting involved, Serenade thought as she teleported down in front of Lyne’s table. Lyne jumped up in shock at Serenade’s sudden appearance.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Meg. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just want to talk to you. Can I have a seat?” Serenade asked politely, gesturing to one of the chairs at Lyne’s table.

Lyne just stared at her, still a little shocked, before she could ask, “Who are you? How do you know my name?”

“You should know who I am Meg, or should I call you Lyne?” Lyne’s eyes widened in greater surprise, “Yes, I know your human name. I should because I’m Serenade, Queen of the UnderNet.”

What?! Serenade!! This navi person must be really important to attract the Queen of the UnderNet, Sonata thought as he listened in on their conversation.

“Oh! I’m sorry for not recognizing you your highness,” Lyne weakly said as she tried to get up and pay her respect to Serenade, but Serenade forced Lyne to sit back down by pushing her back into her seat.

“Save your energy until your friend gets back. Besides, I’m not on the UnderNet right now, so don’t bow please,” Serenade said as she took a seat next to Lyne, “What are you trying to do?” she asked as she pointed to Lyne’s program directory. Lyne deactivated her right glove armor and showed Serenade the back of her hand.

So that’s what’s wrong with her. Very odd thing to be happening to her right now. There’s no danger in the mall, Sonata thought as he looked around his surroundings not finding anything odd.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I guess your programming had picked me up. Well as a danger, this is really odd; it shouldn’t. Do you want me to fix it for you?”

Lyne nodded as she reactivated her glove armor.

“First you scroll down…… then you click here on this program to open it up and click on this option…. And, voila! no more embarrassing flashing spot,” Serenade gestured to Lyne’s right hand, “You can check it later if you want. So how are you doing? It’s been a long time since I saw you last. Wow! nine years if I’m not mistaken,” Serenade said as she leaned on the palm of her left hand reflecting on when she last saw Lyne.

Lyne nodded in agreement. It had been a while since she had seen Serenade, and it wasn’t a pleasant time either.

“What’s wrong Lyne? Why aren’t you talking?” Serenade asked as she placed her hand on Lyne’s shoulder, “Oh! That’s why. You’re really, really low on energy. You poor thing,” Serenade said as she rubbed Lyne’s back gently.

Jackie then arrived at the table, “You owe me some zenny Lyne. This stuff is expensive here,” she said as she placed the data she had bought for Lyne on the table. She then turned and noticed Lyne’s company, “Who are you?”

Flash immediately recognized her as Jackie looked at the stranger, “Bow Jackie. That’s Serenade,”

Lyne shook her head in warning against what Flash has just said, “Who?!” Jackie asked surprised.

“Consume Lyne. I’ll introduce myself,” Serenade said in a stern tone as she pointed at the data on the table, “Hello, I’m Serenade, Queen of the UnderNet,” she said as she extended her hand out to be shook, “Nice to meet you. And you are?”

Jackie took her hand and shook it, “I’m Jackie Yang.”

“And I’m Flashman,” Flash exclaimed.

Oy! Flashman. At least he has a NetOp now. Wait a min! “Wow! You’re Cross Fused. You must be a programmer Jackie, and really good at it,” Serenade commented, surprised .

“Uhhh… Well, you can say that,” Jackie said as she rubbed the back of her neck, a little embarrassed. Then she sat down at the table as Lyne just stared at the data that was bought for her.

“Come on Meg. We’re going to be here all day if you don’t start consuming it,” Flash complained, “Or do I have to show Jackie and Serenade how to force feed you?”

Lyne shook her head and grabbed the data. She placed it in front of her, broke off a piece and popped it in her mouth. She had learned throughout the week that this method was easiest on her, mainly because it missed her tongue completely. Plus it didn’t take her very long to finish the data and feel recharged, “Ahh… That feels better.”

Interesting. She doesn’t like data, but is willing to consume it, Sonata thought as he sat there, still listening in on the conversation.

“Don’t threaten me like that again Flash,” Lyne said as she crossed her arms and glared at Jackie, knowing Flash would see, “It was very rude.”

“Hey, it got you to consume the data. Didn’t it?” Flash stated from inside Jackie.

Lyne slouched forward, “How much was it Jackie?” she asked as she brought out a zenny pouch.

“About 500 zenny. When I get Flash his, it’s usually 100-200 zenny, depending on the company that makes it and availability,” Jackie said as Lyne got 500 zenny out of her little pouch and handed it to Jackie.

“You know, that’s kinda’ funny how you consumed the data,” Serenade reflected again, “That’s how Bass used to do it when he was able to. Now he’s one big bug magnet. It’s been really sad to have seen him fall so far.”

Lyne realized she was right and hung her head in concern, “Is he OK? Alpha had really hurt him badly.”

“Why would you be concerned about him?” Jackie asked blatantly, “He’s caused you nothing but harm,” Jackie stated, concerned about Lyne’s change of heart towards Bass.

“That’s only because he’s broken, and a little mixed up on the facts!” Lyne exclaimed, defending herself, “Dad told me there’s no way to fix him, but I know there’s a way. I just know there is,” Lyne said as she crossed her arms and started to try and figure out a way to fix Bass.

“Too true. He’s OK, Lyne,” Serenade said as she placed a reassuring hand on Lyne’s shoulder, “I’m his guardian after all. He actually managed to delete me once, so you know he can handle himself,” Lyne looked at Serenade, shocked, as Flash laughed at her from inside Jackie.

Serenade glared at Jackie, knowing Flash was watching, “Flashman! That was uncalled for,” she said in an angry tone and then returned her attention to Lyne, “The NetSaviors and Famous brought me back after Bass deleted me, so don’t worry. Plus, I’m a lot stronger than I was when he did so. Bass learned this the hard way when he challenged me last.”

Flash laughed again, “Doggie Boy got his butt handed to him. That’s funny!”

Lyne knew that the nick name that Flash had chosen for Bass was sort of correct. He did look something like a cyber wolf with his helmet on. At least, he had the ears of a cyber wolf. Just then, a female navi with silver hair and clad in black and silver armor appeared behind Serenade. Serenade turned to face her.

The navi started to whisper in her ear, “Bass has finished his repairs on the UnderNet,” Serenade nodded in understanding, “I think he’s up to no good. When he finished, he mentioned a female NetOp’s navi being online and was going to find the navi.”

That’s so funny. He doesn’t even know what’s happened to Lyne, Serenade thought as she stood up and started walking away, “I’m sorry Lyne. I have important business to attend too. See you around the net,” she said as she paused beside the next table, where Sonata was sitting, almost ready to go to sleep out of boredom. I suggest you and your NetOp get out of here, she thought to him, getting his attention.

What’s wrong with me sitting here, your highness? Sonata thought sleepily.

If you don’t leave, they’ll find you both. Nina told me about your predicament and I’m willing to help out to the best of my ability. Plus, I saw Sharkman close by, Serenade paused and turned to look at him, And the Half-Navi is no concern of yours either. She is nothing like what you are. Leave her to me. Now go! Serenade commanded him as she and the other female navi logged out of the Mall Server.

Sonata stood up and looked at Lyne, noticing she looked back at him as well, and then logged out of the Mall Server.

“I wonder who that was,” Lyne pondered as she watched Sonata leave.

“Never mind that Lyne. Lets go shopping,” Jackie suggested as she got up from the table.

Lyne stood up too, “Let’s window-shop for a bit. I don’t really need anything at the moment anyway. Then we’ll explore NetCity. Sound cool?” Lyne asked.

“Awesome! Why not go now?” Jackie asked excitedly as she bounced on her feet.

“Jackie, please stop it. No more tempting me,” Lyne said as she pointed at Jackie, “I’m surprised my father hasn’t found out I’m on the net!” Lyne then lowered her hand, “Even though it feels great. Ohhh… alright let’s go to NetCity now,” Lyne said as she grabbed Jackie’s hand and logged out of the Dentech Mall Server to NetCity.
___________________________

“We have to get out of here now!” Sonata exclaimed to his NetOp.

“Why? What happened?” DJ asked as he looked around himself. He then noticed what his Navi was talking about. He noticed Commander Beef not too far away from his location with his PET jacked into the wall. “Oh scrap! Let’s book it,” DJ said as he removed his jack in plug from the port he put it in and managed to get out of the mall quietly.
___________________________
~Undernet~

In Serenade’s Royal Chamber, two navis were watching a vid window.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. That navi is…” Blade said as she trailed off, in shock at what Serenade told her.

“Yep,” Serenade nodded while on her throne, “The only one of her kind now; a Half Navi. Duo was stupid. She’s the best gift given to the net. Created by Alpha, Tadashi, Cossack, and, unknowingly, Bass. The NetAngel!” Serenade smiled as she watched the vid window.

“Wow! But are you sure about this Serenade? She could get hurt with Bass on the loose,” Blade said, concerned for Lyne’s safety.

“Don’t worry. If it gets really serious I’ll break it up. Trust me. I promise,” Serenade said in a reassuring tone that shut her lieutenant up. She then returned her attention to the vid window.
______________________________
~IPC~Famous’s Lab~

“Lyne left the Mall Server Mr. Famous,” Searchman said as he watched Lyne’s coordinates change from the Mall Server to NetCity.

“Oh great! No need for formalities,” Famous said as he put his report down.

“You’re going to have to call her father now, before she gets hurt.”

“I know, but he’s not going to like it,” Famous said as he walked over to his phone and dialed up Yuu’s SciLab number. When Yuu answered, Famous said, “Umm… Yuu, I have something important to say. Lyne is on the net with Jackie.”

“WHAT?! Lyne is where?” Yuu Shouted on the other end of the line, “With who?”

“She’s on the net with her friend, Jackie,” Famous said as he cringed at the sound of the irate parent’s voice.

“Lyne is so going to get grounded when we find her. Get over here to SciLabs, and bring Chaud with you. I’m going to have my son and Raika brought over here as well,” Yuu said as he hung up the phone.

“Told you he wasn’t going to like it,” Famous said as he returned his attention to Searchman and Combit, “I suggest you log out and join your NetOp,” Famous said as he grabbed his PET and walked out the control room door. Searchman complied with Famous’s suggestion and Combit followed.

Once he was out of his control room, one of his staff members called to him, “Sir! Bass’s navi signature has been detected in NetCity!”

Oh scrap! “Keep me posted. I’m gong to SciLab,” he said as his staff nodded and he ran out the main door of his lab. As he continued to run down the hall, he brought out his cell phone and dialed up Chaud’s private NetSavior line.

“NetSavior Chaud Blaze,” came a voice immediately after Famous had dialed the number.

“Chaud, I need you to come with me to SciLab, pronto. It’s an emergency!”

“I’m on it. Dr. Hikari already called me. I have my helicopter coming to pick me up right now. I’ll wait for you to get here before it takes off,” Chaud said as he hung up his phone.

Famous made a mad dash up the stairs that lead to the roof of the IPC building.
_____________________________

Meanwhile in Downtown NetCity, Lyne was running around not too far away from Jackie, having her check out things she found, vendors, and points of interest. Shortly after that, they stopped in the NetCity Park.

“What do you think Jackie? Isn’t this place neat?” Lyne asked excitedly as she sat on one of the benches, “This is the main hub of the internet. Everything in the world links up here,” Lyne stated as Jackie grabbed a seat beside her.

About an hour ago, she wasn’t this excited about being logged into the net. I wonder what made her change her mind? Jackie pondered as she observed Lyne, “Yeah, it’s pretty neat. You must have been here lots of times in the past week to know where all those vendors and places are.”

“Well, actually no. I’ve only been here once, last night, with my brother program, Megaman, and his friend Roll,” Lyne said as she blushed out of embarrassment. Just then a small, child-like, green navi with blonde hair and bright blue eyes tugged on Lyne’s arm.

“Come play soccer with us Meg,” he pleaded as he continued to tug on her arm, getting Lyne’s attention, “You promised you would next time you came on,” he continued to plead, batting his bright blue eyes at her.

Lyne got up from her seat on the bench and rubbed the little boy navi on the top of his head, ruffling his blonde hair, “Of course I will Wally. I did promise after all,” she said as she turned to Jackie, “You want to play with us Jackie?”

“No, go ahead. I’m too much of a klutz when it comes to soccer. I’ll watch from here,” Jackie replied as she pointed at her seat.

"OK!" Lyne said as she started to play navi soccer with Wally and his friends.

"You are not," Flash said, realizing Jackie lied to Lyne, "Wassup?"

"Flash, do a scan of Lyne's system. I've got to figure out what's wrong with her. She's acting way too cheerful."

"Can do. Scanning…… Oy! Her security program is active. That program gets on my nerves. Why didn't she delete it yet?"

"Let me see," Flash brought up the scan information he had just acquired, "Hum… This is why. She can't remove it, but I can," Jackie said as she started to type for a few minutes on the scan window Flash had brought up, "And delete security program," she said as she typed the final code and pressed enter. The scan window then sparked and closed out.

"Oww! I guess it has an anti-hack code in it," Jackie said as she shook her hand, which was throbbing with pain from being shocked. She then started to feel sorry for her best friend, mainly because there was nothing she could do to help her. She returned her attention to Lyne playing soccer with the group of little navis.

"Try again Jackie. Please," Flash pleaded.

"No! She looks too happy out there. I'm not going to try again. My hand hurts too much to even try. Besides, it looks like nobody can remove it, so she's stuck with it."

"NO!!" Flash complained in a tone of horror.

"It's alright. It looks like it’s tied in with how she feels, kinda’ like a dimmer switch for lights, so she should be fine."

"You better be right, Jackie," Flash said as Lyne came back to the bench that Jackie was still sitting on.

"I've got someplace to show you. It's really neat," Lyne said as she grabbed Jackie's hand and teleported onto the roof of one of the tallest buildings in NetCity.

When they arrived, Jackie looked around, "Where are we?" she asked as Lyne started to guide her to the edge railing to show her the great view of NetCity.

"This building is one of the oldest on the net. It used to be SciLab's Server. Isn't the view great?" Lyne asked as she looked out over NetCity, "This place has changed so much. I remember what the net used to be like, but that was so long ago it seems."

"That's right. You were a Mind Jumper. What was the net like back then?"

"Peaceful and calm. No net terrorism or crime. Of course there were viruses, but not as nasty as some of the ones that live on the net right now," Lyne sighed, "Navis looked different back then too. There were more civilian navis than combat navis, and the combat navis were all owned by the NetAgent Agency, SciLabs, and the Military. Except one: Bass," Lyne then sighed in admiration as she crossed her arms on the railing and rested her chin on her arms, "He was the first independent navi. Free to go anywhere on the net and do anything he wanted to do. When Alpha was created, he was assigned to be head of his elite guard. Plus, he was my friend," she sighed again, but now sadly, "Serenade was right; it’s really sad to see him like this."

Bogus. I wouldn't serve anyone, even Alpha, Bass thought as he watched from the shadows, *Posh* I'm not even her friend, and she talks like her human operator.

"What happened to him Lyne? You know, to make him all evil and stuff?" Jackie asked out of curiosity.

I'd like to see her explain that one, Bass thought as he folded his arms.

"I'd rather not talk about it," Lyne said as she turned away from the railing and hung her head. Jackie knew not to ask any further questions when Lyne said that.

Ha! She couldn't. That's because she doesn't know. Or does she? She did have an Alpha program embedded inside her. Hum… Now I'm curious about what she knows about me.

Lyne then brought her head up as she got a really great idea, "Let's go to the Mall of America," she said excitedly, "I've always wanted to go there. Please Jackie?" she begged.

"I'm running low on energy Jackie. We need to jack out so I can recharge," Flash stated.

"Maybe next time, Lyne. Bring up a link to the Mall Server."

Why is that navi calling her by her operator’s name? She's Megawoman, not the brat.

"OK," Lyne said sadly as she opened a NetPortal that lead back to the Mall Server.

When she finished, Bass appeared beside her and pushed her away from the opening of the NP. "You're not leaving yet. I have a few answers to take from you and your NetPower as well. Link Lock," Bass said as he placed his hand in front of the NP Lyne had created and locked it with an energy barrier.

Lyne backed off from him a little bit, "Hi… Bass. Didn't expect to see you here. We were just…"

"I know. I heard the whole thing. You know something about me, don't you?" he asked as he came closer, causing Lyne to retreat from him. Pretty soon Lyne was pinned up against a wall, cowering, with no room to escape, and with Bass looming over her. "Tell me if you don't want to be deleted female navi," he said, grinning evilly as he lifted Lyne's chin to look at him.

I hope this works. Backup Program activate, Lyne thought as she stared into Bass's cold red eyes, Wait a minute. Female navi??!! she thought indignantly.

“I have a name blockhead. It’s Lyne,” she said as she pushed her aggressor, making him back off in confusion. As she did so, she felt something strange on Bass’s chest. What’s that? she pondered as she grabbed his cloak and flung it over his right arm. She paused in shock as she noticed the terrible scar that crossed his icon and chest diagonally. She then tried to reach out her hand and touch it as Bass regained his senses, bringing his cloak back and covering it.

“Don’t think so. Nobody touches my icon!” Bass said, angrily pinning Lyne back against the wall.

Lyne then recognized a familiar odor in the air, coming from Bass’s cloak. She held her nose, closing it off from the sickly stench. “Why do I smell dog?” she thought out loud. An angry mark appeared on Bass’s helmet as Lyne stared at him, “Pew, Bass you need to take a bath. You stink really bad,” Lyne commented while still holding her nose.

“I do not stink,” Bass said even more angrily, I thought I was the only one who could smell that stupid Grave Virus Beast.

Lyne picked up on his thought, realizing what he was talking about, “His name is Treble! I knew I smelled dog. How could you? You made bulgoki out of Treble,” Lyne cried out as her eyes misted.

“What?!” Bass asked confused as she still pinned Lyne against the wall. She can read my thoughts! Wait a min… “His name is Grave!” Bass argued back.

“Treble!”

“Grave!”

“Treble!” Lyne and Bass argued getting up in each others faces.

As they continued to argue over the rightful name of the virus beast, Jackie stood there, pondering on the best way to break them up.

“I got an idea. Call him Doggie Boy. That should get his attention,” Flash suggested to her. Jackie nodded in agreement and took it one step further as she placed two fingers in her mouth and whistled.

“Here Doggie Boy!” Jackie said and then whistled again.

Bass turned to face the insult directed at him and let go of Lyne, “What did you call me navi?” Bass rumbled in a low, angry tone.

Jackie didn’t answer his question, but instead activated one of Flash’s abilities, “Hypno Flash!” Bass stood there, mesmerized by the bright orb of light Jackie held in her hand. Lyne almost fell for it too, but shook her head so she could concentrate on the task at hand: releasing Treble from inside Bass.

As Bass stood mesmerized and drooled a little with his back to Lyne, she put her hand on the back of his helmet, Scan…Yep he’s still intact. Extract Treble Virus Program, she thought as she started to extract a purple orb of energy from Bass. I can’t stand by and watch this happen to you both Bass. This is best for the both of you, Lyne thought as she finished extracting Treble from Bass, placing the orb to her side to allow the virus to reform into his original state.

When she did, Bass broke free of Jackie’s attack. He then turned to face Lyne again as Lyne responded to his threatening glare with a Geyser Cannon attack, knocking Bass off the building, “I said take a bath,” she shouted as she signaled to Jackie to join in her attack, “Use Neon Lights,” Lyne suggested. Jackie complied, adding an electrified charge to Lyne’s attack.

This majorly pissed Bass off as he used his Dark Aura to break their attack. After he did so, he felt strange - as if something was taken from him. “What did you do to me Brat?!” he said as he scanned over his system trying to figure it out. After a few minutes of scanning, he gave up and charged at Lyne enraged.

The dark purple virus wolf with ruby red eyes awaked beside Lyne as Bass charged. *Yawn, Stretch* Where am I? Treble thought as he got up and looked around himself. He noticed Lyne standing beside him with a look of horror on her face. Why is Light Element Master looking like that? he thought as he looked in the direction she was, Oh! They’re fighting again. I guess I better break it up, he thought and he stood in between the two navis. As Bass attacked Lyne, Treble realized that Bass wasn’t going to let up from his attack. He growled at Bass and blocked his attack by jumping in his way and grabbing Bass’s arm.

“What?! You did not do that to me!” Bass shouted at Lyne as he shook the virus wolf off of his arm, “You’re worse then a Brat!! You’re a Cyber Witch!!” Bass said as he attacked again, smacking Treble out of his way.

“I think I made him really angry,” Lyne said as she made a break for the NetPortal with Jackie.

“And you just realized this when?” Flash said sarcastically from inside Jackie. Before Bass could come after them, Treble tackled him from the back, pinning him down on the ground and allowing Lyne to escape.

Good. Treble will keep him occupied as I unlock this NP, “We’re getting out of here. Unlock!” she said as she quickly unlocked the NP she created, “Change IP address to SciLab Console 001!”

“What are you doing Lyne? That’s your dad’s computer console at work!”

“I’m having you get help. I can handle Bass. Go!” Lyne shouted as she gestured to the now open NP.

“But Lyne!” Jackie complained, “I can’t just leave you. You’re my BF and BF’s stick together, and protect each other.”

“I know. I’m doing this for your own protection,” Lyne said right before she whistled, getting Treble’s attention, “Treble take Jackie to SciLab right now!” Treble obeyed without hesitation, leaving Bass on the ground, grabbing Jackie’s hand with his mouth, and dragging her through the NP. It closed behind them. “Whew,” Lyne sighed in relief.

“You little witch!” Bass said as he got up off the ground, “How dare you sick my own program on me!” he exclaimed as he charged at her with his Dark Blade drawn.

Lyne barely avoided his attack by jumping off to the side, “Can we talk this over? I didn’t mean to hurt you,”

“Too late for that. I’m going to beat you to a digital pulp and get what I want,” Bass said as he doubled back to attack Lyne with his Dark Blade again. This time Lyne dodged more easily. This started to really irritate Bass, “Stand still witch! This isn’t a game,” he said as he made contact with Lyne, knocking her off the top of the building. As she fell, Bass grinned evilly, That felt really good. That brat was getting annoying, plus the fall should do enough damage to her. Now to retrieve her NetPower, he thought as he plummeted after her. He didn’t fall far before he stopped in mid air. Huah?! Where’d she go?! Bass thought, puzzled, as he started to scan for his victim.
______________________
~SciLab~Dr. Hikari’s Lab~

“Why isn’t she fighting back?” Yuu exclaimed as he sat in front of his console.

“Where’d she go?” asked a concerned Tony, who had come to visit Dr. Hikari about a part time job at SciLab. He watched with expanded eyes the huge monitor that had Bass and Lyne’s fight on it.

“Don’t know. I’m scanning for her right now. When she jacks out, she’s so grounded for the rest of her life!” Yuu said as he ran his console’s scan program and franticly searched the screen for his daughter. Just then, a bright light shot out from one of the jack in ports on Dr. Hikari’s console. It hit Tony squarely in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

When Tony sat up, he noticed Jackie on top of him, holding onto her PET, and a strange looking dog sitting off to her side. “Jackie! How’d you…?” Tony asked, shocked.

“No time to explain. Lyne needs help. Bass attacked us, and now Lyne’s fighting him,” she said as she got up off of him and helped him to his feet.

“Not from what we’ve seen. She avoided all of his attacks except the last one. He sent her plummeting off the roof of that building,” Tony said in a mater of fact tone.

“Found her!” Yuu exclaimed, “She’s right above him on the roof. SDM1!”

“Yes Sir!” his navi replied.

“Make me a to-do list. 1) Ground Lyne. 2) Review Sister Program again, and ……”

“Dr. Hikari, don’t ground Lyne please. It was my idea to jack into the net, not hers,” Jackie pleaded.

“I’ll consider that when she jacks out,” Yuu said as he turned to look at Jackie and noticed a strange, wolf-like creature standing between them, “Don’t tell me Lyne extracted Treble from Bass,” he said as he recognized the virus wolf.

“Umm… I think that’s what she called him,” Jackie said, recalling the yelling match between Lyne and Bass.

Treble then jumped up on Dr. Hikari and licked his face. “Down Treble…. Sit!” Yuu ordered Treble. He obeyed Yuu’s command, “If only Lyne was that obedient,” Yuu sighed as he returned his attention to his monitor.
_________________________

Lyne was breathing heavily as she recovered from her fall, He just tried to kill me. What’s wrong with him? *Pant, Pant* I’m lucky I remembered to teleport, or I would’ve become street pizza! she thought as she watched Bass, who was still looking down, scanning for her.

Bass then looked up as his scanner directed his attention towards the top of the building and stared straight back at her. How’d she do that? She couldn’t have. Possibly… Bass thought angrily as he teleported in front of Lyne. Lyne ran away from Bass and entered the old SciLab Server building. Noticing the reaction he got from Lyne, he smiled smugly and began to chase her.

As they went through the hallways, Bass was throwing Hell’s Rolling, Dark Boomers, and Dark Buster blasts. Lyne was way ahead of each of his attacks, which irritated Bass again. Then he paused as he thought of an idea and stopped his pursuit of Lyne for the moment.

Lyne kept running for a bit until she realized that Bass had stopped his attack. I wonder what he’s up too? Lyne thought as she slowed her pace and paid more attention to her surroundings, I really don’t want to fight Bass. I want to fix him. Alpha is gone now. Our lives can return to normal. Lyne thought as she shrugged her shoulders, Well, at least his can.

Lyne then paused her thoughts as she peeked around a corner to check if the coast was clear. Seeing nothing, she walked around it into a stairwell and went down one flight of stairs. When she finished descending, she opened the door a little bit and peeked through it.

Nobody here either. Where did he go? she thought as she slipped quietly thorough the door. She then walked down the hall and hid in one of the digital cubicles to catch her breath. “*Pant, Pant,*” I’m low on energy. I need to get to father’s lab, but how? Bass is still after me. I can sense his presence. Lyne then shuddered in fear of Bass, Why am I afraid of him?

He quietly appeared behind Lyne without her noticing how close he was. “I’m evil. Fear me,” he said in a scary tone that made Lyne jump out of the cubicle. She then turned to confront him and noticed the look on his face. He had attempted to make a scary face to go with his tone.

Lyne couldn’t help but laugh at him, “You call that evil? That’s ridiculous. Nobody would fear you with that look on your face.”

What’s wrong with this girl? Bass thought as he looked at her, confused. He then noticed his reflection in one of the mirrors that hung on the side of the other cubicles, What’s wrong with me? I’m one of the most evil navis on the net and I’m acting foolish, he thought as he changed the look on his face to a more serious one. Lyne was still laughing at him, helpless to fight back as he picked her up and shook her, “That’s not funny.”

“What? It looked funny. “I’m evil. Fear me.”,” Lyne said mimicking what he had just said and the look that he had on his face as he still held onto her. This really made Bass angry, causing him to throw Lyne like a rag doll further down the hall. “Oww… That hurt! What’d you do that for?” Lyne complained as she got up off the floor and got ready to defend herself.

“I don’t have to explain myself to you witch. I had my reasons.”

An angry mark appeared on Lyne’s helmet, “Man I wish your father was still alive. He’d ground you for fighting with me and calling me names,” Lyne stated as she crossed her arms and held her head high.

“You have no right to talk to me like you know me or my f- creator,” Bass said in an angry tone as an angry mark appeared on his helmet as well, “You don’t know me ‘cause I don’t know you witch!!” Bass yelled at Lyne.

These words really hurt Lyne. She fell to her knees, and started crying. Usually, a crying navi made Bass feel really happy to see their torment, but Lyne’s crying actually made him feel awful. “Stop crying!” Bass shouted at Lyne, demanding her to stop, but she wouldn’t. This made him feel even worse.

This is too confusing. She’s making me feel like crap. I don’t like this feeling, “Stop it, stop it, stop it!!!” Bass shouted, covering his ear armor to drown out Lyne’s crying, but it didn’t work. “That’s it!” he exclaimed as he picked her up and broke through one of the windows, taking her with him.

They floated there for a little bit. Lyne had somewhat stopped crying, but was still sobbing softly. Bass looked at her, noticing this, “I said stop it!” he exclaimed again as he threw her into the nearest building with all his might. Upon impact with the building, Lyne let out a loud scream of pain.

This sound echoed throughout NetCity and inside Bass’s helmet. He teleported quickly to get away from the terrible sound she made. All, around the navi city, sounds vanished as navis ceased their activities, some looking around, wondering what the sound was, while others simply froze as if they’d been put in stasis. After Bass was gone, Lyne fell out of the dent she caused in the building and plummeted towards the ground.

Teleport… Come on, Teleport… Lyne thought as she continued to fall. She then got an idea, “Angel Wings Program activate,” she said, activating one of her chip programs. She started to regain her balance so she could land on her feet. Realizing that she had some control of the wings, she spread them out as far as they could go to slow her decent to the ground.

After what felt like forever, she gently landed on the ground. “Ahhhgh…” Lyne cried as her right arm throbbed in pain. She then tried to move it, but it hung there limp, He broke my arm. What did I do to make him do that to me? she thought in a hurt tone. Just then a dark purple NP appeared behind her.

“Lyne!” a familiar voice called from the other side of it.

Serenade! Oh, thank the net! Lyne thought as she approached. She paused before the NP, looking around for any sign of Bass. Coast’s clear, she thought as she disappeared through the NP leading to the UnderNet.
________________________________________
~SciLab~

Raika, Lan, Chaud, and Famous arrived almost all at once. “What took you so long?” Yuu shouted at all of them, “Lyne could have been deleted by now. Jack in! I’ve got the address all set.”

“Megaman, Jack in, Power up.”

“Protoman, Jack in, Power up.”

“Searchman, Jack in, Power up.”

“Flashman, Jack in, Power up.”

“Sandman, Jack in, Power up.”

Treble then howled and digitized into the net. When he appeared by the navis that had just jacked in before him, he sat still. All the navis looked at the virus, confused.

“Mega, you can use him to find Lyne. His name is Treble,” his father said as he appeared in a vid window in front of Mega.

“Uhh… He looks like the Grave Virus, but smaller. Are you sure?” Mega asked as he watched the virus scratch his chin with his rear leg. Treble’s nose then picked up something. He ran up to the access door on the roof and barked at it.

“I think you should listen to your father,” Protoman said as he ran up to the door and scanned it with his visor. Mega shrugged his shoulders and followed after him, along with Searchman, Flash, and Sand.

“She entered this door alright. Followed by Bass,” Protoman said when he finished his scan and opened the door. Once it was open, Treble bolted inside, howling. They followed him through about five floors of destruction.

“Man, Bass really did some damage to this place,” Mega said in concern as he commented on the destruction around him, “I hope Lyne’s OK.” The group went down one more floor to find no damage done to it.

“What did they do, just disappear?” Flash asked as he looked around the empty floor of the building.

“Sand, go down one more floor, and Searchman, scan the rest of the building from the floor below that,” Mega commanded the other two of his navi friends, “We need to find Lyne.” After they complied with what Mega had said, Flash slipped on something wet, “Oww… What did I slip on?” he asked as he got back up off the ground.

Protoman scanned the puddle of liquid-like substance that Flash slipped in. “Hum… That’s odd,” he commented, “My scanner says salt water,” he said as he looked in Mega’s direction.

Salt water? Tears?! Mega thought to himself, But why did she cry? he continued to think to himself as he walked down the hall with Treble not far from his side. Once Mega got to where Flash was standing, Treble started to sniff around.

“You know, that virus is really creepy-looking,” Flash said as he watched the virus sniffing around.

Just then, Sand returned from his search. “There’s no sign of Lyne on the floor below,” Sand reported.

“Or the rest of the building,” Searchman also reported as he joined up with the rest of the group as well.

“Where did she go?” Mega asked, starting to sound worried as Sand laid a hand of comfort on his shoulder. Just then, they heard Treble whine terribly. They noticed him moving anxiously by a broken window. Mega brushed off Sand’s hand and walked up to the window, looking out of it. He noticed a huge dent in the neighboring building. “Look!” Mega exclaimed as he pointed at it.

“Ouch!” Flash commented as he looked at the dent. He turned away from it, saying in a sad tone “Why didn’t she let Jackie stay?”

“Scan….” Protoman said as he tried to scan the dent, “Damn it’s too far out of my scanner’s range to pick anything up.”

“Watch out! Grappling Buster,” Searchman said as he activated one of his specialized busters. The others backed off to allow him a clean shot. He aimed his first shot slightly above the dent and fired his buster. A spear-like projectile connected to a rope shot out from the buster and impacted right above the dent. After it impacted, Search pressed a button on the buster and activated the first shot’s hooks, securing the spear. “First shot secure. Nobody better be behind me,” Search said in warning.

Mega grabbed Sand, who was standing behind Searchman when he fired the first shot, to get him out of the way of what looked like was going to be a second. Searchman then fired a shot behind him, sending a similar rope-trailing projectile into the back wall and pressed a button, which activated that spear’s hooks. Satisfied with the shot he had just made, he said, “Second shot secure.”

He tugged on the line to make sure it wouldn’t give. Searchman then activated the winch on the buster and went out the window. The others watched as he approached the dent in the building. When he got there, he stopped the winch and scanned the dent.

Flashman was right. Ouch! Poor Lyne, he thought as he shook his head. Search then noticed something moving below him on the ground. Wonder what that is? He thought in question as he zoomed in on the object, Oh man. It’s Bass. He seams to be scanning for something. Maybe it’s Lyne. I bet he lost her. Way to go Lyne. I better get back and tell them what’s going on, Searchman thought as he watched Bass disappear from his sight. Search activated the reverse winch function on his buster and started back to the others.

When he returned, he deactivated his buster, making the hook lines disappear from where they were fired.

“Is my sister OK?” Mega asked as Searchman did so.

“She might be OK, but not for long. Bass is still in the area,” Search said as he pointed down towards the ground outside the window.

“Then we’re going down there,” Mega said in a calm tone, “He will pay for trying to hurt my sister.”

The whole group looked at him like he was crazy, except for Treble, who howled in agreement.
_____________________________
Next Episode Preview

~Author’s House~

Author: Did you find anything Honey?
Editor: *Leaning into a barrel, looking for something.* I’ve got… going on unexpected vacation when we have to start a new chapter.
Author: Done it.
Editor: Umm… Dex talking about a match against Lan.
Author: Done that too.
Editor: What about Combit torturing Searchman.
Author: I think we used that twice now.
Editor: *Scrapes the bottom.* Ungh!
Author: What is it?
Editor: Riding on a motorcycle and dodging traffic. *A pause.*
Both: *Shuddering.* Never again.
Author: We need some fresh ideas for the chapter previews.
Editor: Well, grr, *Pulls himself out of the barrel.* I guess we could just do a simple one this time.
Author: *Sigh* OK, just try to dig up a fresh one for the next chapter of Lan and Lyne.
Editor: Episode 13: Undernet.
_________________
"NetAngel Style Change Activate"
Megawoman (Lyne)

Avatar made by Serenade.exe

And feel free to post here too artists if inspired
Lan and Lyne Art Thread

[sandman exe]

This was a cool chapter I remember when they went to look for lyne. Keep up the good work, I hope any new people to the fic like it.
_________________

main site http://www.megamanexenetwork.cjb.net/indexright.html

[Megawoman.EXE]

Episode 13: UnderNet

~NetCity~26 Aug 200X~

The whole group looked at him like he was psychotic for even suggesting to go after Bass, except for Treble, who barked in agreement with Mega’s plan.

“You’re Crazy! This is Bass we’re talking about!” Protoman exclaimed in Mega’s face.

“We have to find her before he does,” Mega said in a serious tone and with a really serious look on his face to go with it, “Take me down there Treble!” Mega commanded the virus wolf.

As you wish. I’m doing this for my Light Element Master, Treble thought as he grabbed Mega and threw him on his back, Because my Dark Element Master went crazy, he continued to think, even though Mega didn’t hear a word, as he jumped out the window with Mega hanging on for dear life.

“Um… Guys. I just thought of this,” Sand stated to get the others attention, “But how are we going to get down there? We don’t have viruses.” he asked as Protoman rolled his eyes behind his visor and Flash fell over, realizing how stupid the question was.

“Idiot,” Searchman muttered under his breath as he made a link to the ground below them.
________________________________
~CCC~Mr. Wiley’s office~

“Amazing! I must have that navi,” Wily said as he observed what was going on in his vid screen, “It’s a real pity she hasn’t fought back. I would be no good if she were deleted. Mr. Match I have a job for you,” Wily said into his intercom to his hired head of security.

“I’ll be right up Sir!.”
_____________________________
~NetCity~

Back on the net, Treble jumped back and forth between the buildings as he and Mega descended to the ground. Once they made it there, Treble started to growl at something in front of them. Mega peeked over the top of Treble’s frill to see what he was growling at. He recognized who it was instantly. It was Bass, floating in the air slightly above the ground, looking around for something.

“Damn it, where’d she go? Ahhgh…” Bass said as he held the sides of his head, “Stupid witch she will pay for that. Augh… I can’t think straight,” Bass said as Treble walked up right behind him, growling all the way. Bass then heard the growling sound behind him and turned to face its source, “Oh crap!” Bass exclaimed when he saw the virus wolf. Treble, noticing this, snapped at Bass making him back off, “I don’t have to deal with you Grave. You aren’t in my way of finding that Hikari Witch.”

“My sister is not a witch,” Mega piped up as he stood on Treble’s back, “She’s a navi, like both of us Bass, and his name is Treble.”

“Treble…. Shmeble… Both of you can’t stop me from finding your sister and taking the NetPower she holds inside her programming,” Bass said as Treble snapped at him again and managed to tear a piece of his cloak off, “Gimme that!” Bass shouted at the virus wolf while taking the torn piece of his cloak from it and then disappeared from their sight.

“Good boy. I have Bass insurance,” Mega said as he petted Treble. Treble licked Mega’s face in return. Mega chuckled as he felt the wolf’s tongue touching his face.

“What happened to “We have to find my sister before he does,”?” Protoman asked, using Mega’s words against him as he approached.

Mega turned to see the rest of the group standing there, staring at him. Mega hung his head, ashamed that he got distracted, as the rest of the group started searching the area.

“Hey guys, what’s this stuff?” Sand called to them as he pointed at a strange shiny substance, “It kinda’ makes a trail going further down the alley.”

Protoman walked up to the substance and scanned it, “Not this stuff again. Bass needs to hold himself together,” he commented on the substance, noticing it had a similar signature to Bass’s.

Mega bent down and touched it, “No. Not Bass, Lyne. This stuff is emitting her Backup Program. She must have got really hurt up there and left behind a trail of data, not knowing it. So this stuff should lead us directly to Lyne. Let’s go,” Mega said as he followed the trail of Lyne’s data. He stopped a short while later, noticing the trail came to a dead end. “Look around, she couldn’t have gotten far,” Mega commanded his friends again.

The group then searched around the area as Mega barely noticed a closed NP close to where the trail of data ended. He then approached and opened it to reveal a dark purple NP. The others joined him as he recognized where the NP lead, “Guys, she’s in the UnderNet,” Mega said in a now dreadfully worried tone.
__________________________________
~UnderNet~

Run, run, “*Pant,pant*” Lyne breathed hard to get her wind back while running through the UnderNet.

“Well, look what I’ve found,” a deep husky voice said behind her as she stood there.

Please don’t let it be Bass, Lyne thought as she turned to face the owner of the voice. It was a tall navi with flames coming out the top of his head like a torch. “Who?!” she barely managed to ask due to the loss of data and energy.

“Am I? I’m Fireman and you’re coming with me.”

Lyne shook her head and backed away from him.

“Oh yes you are,” Fireman said as he grabbed Lyne’s hurt arm and pulled on it to make her come with him. Lyne let out a scream of pain, causing Fireman to let go of Lyne and hold the sides of his head. Lyne then ran away from him as fast as her little navi legs could manage.
___________________________________
~CCC~

“Damn!” Mr. Match exclaimed angrily, “Fireman, Jack out.”

“Uhnn… What kind of navi is that? My head…” Fireman groaned in complaint.

“Don’t know. What kind of navi was that Sir? I’ve never seen one like it.”

“The interesting kind simpleton!” Wily said as he placed his chin on his hands in thought, “We can use that ability to capture other navis,” Wily paused for a moment as he imagined using Meg to capture navis to be used for his organization’s evil purposes. He then hung his head, disappointed that they didn’t get her “It’s your navi’s mistake to make her scream. Now we lost her!” Wily fumed with anger, pointing at Mr. Match, “Out of my office you incompetent fool!” Wily angrily said as he then pointed to the door of his office.

“Yes, Sir!” Mr. Match said as he quickly exited Mr. Wily’s office.

“Blast it! So close to capturing her. So close.”
______________________________________
~Undernet~

Lyne was still running as fast as she could until she tripped over something that looked like a small square pillar. “Owww!!... That hurt!” Lyne exclaimed as she got back up quickly, streaming tears as she rubbed her shins with her good arm.

She then stood up and looked around, Where am I? This place looks familiar, but why? she wondered as she walked around the ruins. “Uhhgh…” This is too painful, Lyne thought as she cradled her wounded arm. She felt a smooth, slick substance on her shoulder as she cradled it.

What?! I’m bleeding!! Lyne thought in shock as she ran the substance over her fingers, observing it, No, this is too rough to be blood. This must be data, but how am I losing it? Lyne thought, inspecting her shoulder again and finding a deep cut beneath where her shoulder armor ended, about an inch long, That must have happened when we went through the window. Yep, there’s a piece of glass in my wound.

“Uhhgh…” Lyne groaned as she dug the piece of glass out of her wound and threw it aside. There. Much better, Lyne thought in relief as she continued to explore the ruins, Why does this place look so familiar though?
_______________________________
~Serenade’s Royal Chamber~

“Serenade please break it up, or I will!” Blade pleaded to her Queen.

“You don’t have the strength to Blade. Please calm down. I’m trying to figure out where she is,” Serenade said as she was searching for Lyne’s navi signature, “Hum…. She’s in the Old NetCity Ruins around…… Oh my! I’m going to her right now. Go to SciLab and tell her father I found her and wait for me there.”

“Yes, my lady,” Blade said as she logged out of Serenade’s Royal Chamber to SciLab.

“Bass you’ve pushed my patience over the limit this time. It’s time I invoked my right as your guardian,” Serenade said as she linked over to the Old NetCity ruins.
_________________________________
~Old NetCity Ruins~

“Cough, cough,” Lyne coughed as she fell after tripping over another square pillar, “Uhgh… Ahgh…,” she moaned in pain as she tried to get up, but she didn’t have the strength. She then collapsed to the ground to rest.

Why didn’t I fight? I don’t understand, Lyne thought angrily, laying there on the ground, I just let him attack me and didn’t do anything. Why? she thought as she started to cry out of confusion, I didn’t fight back, and now I’m going to get deleted.

“Don’t think like that,” Serenade said in a gentle tone as she walked up to Lyne after she appeared before her, “It’s alright. I’m here now,” she said as she cradled Lyne in her arms, drying her tears.

But Bass hurt me! Lyne thought as she started to cry again, And I didn’t fight back, and I wanted to fight. Plus he called me a *sniffle* witch. He’s never done that before, Lyne thought, crying as Serenade propped her up against one of the pillars in a sitting position.

“Oh you poor thing. My, my you look a mess,” Serenade said as she dusted Lyne off and inspected her, “I’m going to fix you up a bit, at least patch up that wound,” she said as she ran a recovery chip over the wound, “There that oughta’ do it. You won’t be losing any more data.”

Thank you, Serenade. Can you take me to my father? He can repair me. I don’t care if I get grounded.

“This isn’t your fault, Lyne. You just need to practice some self control, and not give in to urges,” Serenade said, placing a reassuring hand on Lyne’s shoulder, “Plus I need you as bait for a sec.”

“What?!” Lyne shouted in protest and shock, “Why?” she asked quietly as her energy level lowered a little more.

“I’m going to teach Bass a lesson he’ll never forget,” Serenade said as she hid behind the pillar she had leaned Lyne against and waited for her prey.
________________________
~SciLab~

“She’s where?” Yuu shouted at Blade, who had just appeared on his console screen.

“Serenade says she’s in the Old NetCity Ruins. She went to go help her.”

“Serenade is going to help Lyne? How’d she find out about her? FAMOUS!!!!”

“I didn’t say anything I promise,” Famous said, waving his hands in front of himself to deter the guilt that Yuu launched at him.

“*Sigh* She was going to find out sooner or later. Where are your navis now guys?” Yuu asked the group of NetOps.

“About 2,000 navi meters from the ruins, Dr. Hikari,” Raika answered for the group.
_____________________________
~Old NetCity Ruins~

Bass finally appeared, not too far from the ruins, after he had looked practically everywhere else, “Where is that witch?” he said as he quickly looked around until he noticed a trail of data leading into the ruins. He cracked a smile at the sight and followed it to its ending point, noticing Lyne just sitting against a pillar, not moving.

“Well now, you’re a tough one to delete,” he said, teleporting from the shadows to in front of Lyne, “I haven’t had this much fun in a while. In fact, since I last fought your brother program, Megaman. It must run in the family.”

Why did you hurt me? I didn’t do anything to you, except make you take a bath.

“You think I’m mad at you for spraying a little electrified water at me? Well a little, but not as much as that strange crying of yours. That made me feel weird and I didn’t like it. It caused me to hurt inside.”

I’m sorry. I apologize for any pain I caused you, Lyne apologized to Bass.

Oooo… Interesting. Lyne hit Bass’s soft spot, Serenade thought to herself in the shadows of her hiding spot.

“It’s a little too late for apologies,” Bass said as he came closer towards Lyne, causing her to try and move to get away from his presence, “You’re too week to get away. Now I’ll have your NetPower if you don’t mind,” Bass said as he reached his hand towards Lyne’s face. When he got a few inches away from her face, he touched something solid, though it wasn’t visible.

Just then, something that resembled a jar surrounded his hand, “Huah?!.... What kind of trick is this witch?” Bass asked in surprise as he tried to shake his hand free from being trapped.

“Well, well. Look who got his hand stuck in my cookie jar. Being a little power hungry again Bass?” Serenade asked as she came out of her hiding place.

“S-s-s-Serenade!” Bass stammered in shock as she stood in between himself and Lyne. He then shook his hand even harder, “I’ll get you for this. Once I…”

“What? Take her NetPower. I don’t think so. Not as long as I rule the UnderNet. You are going to get severely punished for attacking her,” Serenade said in a sure tone, pointing at Bass and getting him to back off from Lyne.

“But she started it!” Bass said as he pointed at Lyne with his free hand while still shaking his other out of anger towards Serenade.

“I watched the whole thing. You started the fight,” Serenade said, poking him in the chest, “You either face me, or the wrath of an angry father.”

“So be it!” Bass exclaimed impatiently as he jumped backwards away from Serenade and then charged at her.

“*Sigh* He never learns. Detainment Program (DP) Activate!” Serenade stated as she activated a program that looked like a barrier in front of herself and Lyne.

“That little barrier won’t stop me!” Bass said as he swung his trapped hand at the barrier in hopes that it would be freed upon impact. Serenade snapped her fingers causing the jar around his hand to disappear right before he made contact with the DP. “Oww…!” Bass complained in pain, holding onto his hurt hand as the DP reversed its direction and enveloped him, allowing him no way to escape.

Please don’t hurt him Serenade, Lyne pleaded in thought.

“Oh don’t worry about it. I won’t hurt him. If he tries to escape, he’ll only hurt himself.”

“SERENADE!!!” Bass shouted as he realized he wasn’t in control of the match, “What did you do to me?” he asked angrily as he pounded his fists against the DP.

“I only detained you in a barrier with a child-proof lock,” Serenade said in a sarcastic tone to make Bass even angrier, and, surprisingly, it worked. He started to attack the DP with all his might. As he did so, the search party of navis that included Mega, Protoman, Searchman, Sand, Flash and Treble arrived on the scene.

“Wow! So that’s Bass.” Sand commented as he watched Bass attack the program that confined him.

“Lyne!” Mega cried out when he saw her sitting behind Serenade and ran up to her.

“Yep. The one and only. He’s really a wuss once you get to know him,” Serenade commented towards Bass, making him attack even harder.

“That’s easy for you to say. Lyne are you alright?” Mega asked her as he held her hand.

Hub, take me to father. I’m hurt, she thought back to him as she watched Bass attacking DP in front of Serenade.

“Sere... nade!... *Pant*… I’m… Going to *Pant* delete you… when I get out… *Pant*… of here,” Bass called out from inside the now smoke-filled DP.

“I’d like to see you try,” Serenade called back, “5…4…3…2…1,” Serenade counted. When she said one, Bass’s attacks stopped. Shortly after that the smoke cleared to reveal Bass, lying on the bottom of the DP with dizzy circles in his eyes. The guys all laughed at the sight, except for Mega, who watched Lyne shed a tear for Bass.

“Don’t worry, Lyne. He’s fine,” Serenade said as she noticed the tear as well.

Why Lyne? Why care for him? He’s nothing but net trash, Mega thought to himself angrily as he stared at the knocked out Bass. Lyne started to cry even harder.

“Oh, Mega. You made her cry. Be careful what you think around Lyne,” Serenade scolded, Mega making him feel ashamed for thinking what he did earlier. “*Sigh* You should take her to your father now. Those are also tears of pain,” Serenade said as she made a NP link to SciLab.

Mega picked up Lyne and walked through the NP, followed by the other navis, who were still laughing about what they saw. As they approached the end of the NP, Lyne held onto Hub tightly. Once the group exited the NP, they returned to their PETs. Except for Mega.

“Dad! Mega and Lyne disappeared!” Lan said, horrified. Just after he said that, Mega materialized next to him, holding Lyne, and with a very confused look on his face. “M-Megaman! How’d?!...” Lan stammered in shock as he saw his brother stare back at him, also in shock.

“That doesn’t matter, Lan,” his father said, getting everyone’s attention, “Mega, put her on the table so Famous can look at her.”

Mega, understanding the urgency of the situation, ran up to the table in the middle of the room and placed Lyne on it in a sitting position. He was about to back off and allow Famous some space to look at Lyne, but Lyne stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.

Don’t leave me! Lyne thought to him in a hurt tone.

“What do you mean Lyne? I’ll be right here,” Mega said as he pointed downward, towards the ground beside him.

Not if I let go. You’ll return to your PET. I’ll be alone out here, she thought in a sad tone as her eyes misted.

“OK. I’ll sit on the table with you if that’s what you want me to do,” Mega said as he jumped up on the table and sat beside Lyne, realizing what she had meant.

Thank you, Hub, Lyne thought thankfully as she rested her head on his shoulder, almost ready to pass out.

“Should he even be on the table?” Yuu asked, concerned that his son would be in the way of his friend’s exam.

“He’s not in the way. She only has him there for support, Yuu. No worries,” Famous said in a reassuring tone as he approached the table to check Lyne out. “Uh oh! Lyne, don’t go into sleep mode on me. I need you to be responsive,” Famous said as he shook Lyne gently, trying to make her stir and become more responsive.

Ask him if thinking counts as telling. Lyne thought sleepily to Mega.

“Um… Mr. Famous she wants to know if thinking counts as telling?” Mega asked in an uneasy tone.

Famous shook his head as he reached into his lab coat and pulled out a subchip. “I hate to do this to you Lyne, but you leave me no choice,” he said as he placed the subchip into her right hand. Once he did, Lyne’s copy ability absorbed the chip. After she absorbed it, she stirred, feeling more awake and energetic.

Noticing her reaction to the chip, Famous started his exam of her right arm by lifting it gently. Lyne winced as he did so, “Is this the only place it hurts?” he asked as he felt the arm for broken data structure, since Lyne was in navi form. Lyne nodded in response, wincing at every probing touch Famous made.

“Hum… No broken data structure. Deactivate your right shoulder armor,” Famous commanded his patient. Lyne did so, making her right shoulder armor disappear, exposing the skin tight body armor that was underneath. Famous noticed right away what the problem was. In the background he could hear his friend sweat and wring his hands nervously.

“Well Yuu, I have some good news. Lyne’s arm isn’t broken, but her shoulder is dislocated. This is going to be an easy fix,” Famous said as he got ready to start the procedure to relocate Lyne’s shoulder, “Wait. Is her security program still active?”

Yuu looked at the monitor that had Lyne’s status on it, “Yes. Why?”

“Great,” Famous said as he rested her arm on the table and walked over to the first aid cabinet, grabbed a bite stick from inside it, and returned to the table with it.

“What’s that for?” Mega asked curiously, pointing to the stick that Famous held in his hand.

“To prevent her from activating her Siren Scream. It a part of her security program I don’t want to deal with right now. Besides, you don’t want to experience it. It will mess up your coordination, balance, thought process, ect.,” Famous said as Lyne accepted the bite stick in her mouth.

That must have happened to Bass before I saw him in NetCity. He said he couldn’t think straight and he was holding the sides of his head. Lyne’s scream must be really loud in order to do that, Mega thought as he watched Lyne try to relax.

“Hold this in place like this,” Famous demonstrated by placing on hand on the back of Lyne’s helmet, and one on the sides of the stick that hung out the sides of her mouth. After he finished demonstrating, Mega did as he was instructed, holding the bite stick in place.

Famous then lifted Lyne’s arm again, “Ready Lyne?” Lyne breathed heavily as she nodded in response, making it difficult for Mega to do his job for a sec. The sound of her breathing also started to worry Mega as he looked at her face bracing for what was ahead.

“OK, here it goes,” Famous said as he finished raising her arm level to her shoulder. He then pulled back on the arm, allowing her shoulder to realign itself back into its socket. As it did so, both Famous and Lyne felt it go back in. Lyne tried to scream, but the stick in her mouth prevented it from happening. Famous then gently lowered her arm, feeding the rest of the joint back into the socket. Lyne bit down really hard on the bite stick due to the pain she felt, causing it to crack in the middle.

“There you go. All better,” Famous said as he let go of Lyne’s arm and took the broken bite stick from her mouth. Lyne then moved her shoulder and her arm around a bit to see if her arm would stay in place. Once she was satisfied with the results of Famous’s job, she went into sleep mode, resting her heavy head on her brother’s shoulder.

A sweat drop formed on the side of his helmet, “Well, I guess I’m not going anywhere soon.”

“Yeah, looks like you’ve become her designated pillow for now,” Famous said as the others laughed at his comment, causing Mega to blush.
_____________________________
Next Episode Preview

~Doghouse~

Rush: Aou, aou!
Treble: We’re in a chapter preview Rush. You can talk now.
Rush: Oh great. It’s such a relief to be able to communicate. You’re lucky, you know? You get lines in the regular script.
Treble: Yes, but there are only a couple of characters who can understand me.
Rush: Well, I guess that’s too bad. Say, what are you doing here anyway?
Treble: Well, they weren’t expecting my arrival yet. Due to a script revision, I’m here about ten chapters early. Right now, they’re getting the place ready that I’m going to be staying at for the next month.
Rush: Oh, that’s cool then.
Editor: *Crawls in and sighs.* Hey guys. How’re you two doing?
*Both viruses look at him quizzically.*
Rush: OK then, I know why he’s in here, but why are you here?
Editor: Author was annoyed that I couldn’t come up with anything new, so I’m in the doghouse until the end of the next chapter.
Rush: Doesn’t that usually mean that you have to sleep on the couch?
Treble: I think they were trying to make a joke. A bad joke.
Editor: *Hangs his head in shame.* Well, jeez. I’m trying, but it’s just hard to come up with new ideas.
Rush: *Pats Editor on back sympathetically.* You’ll be alright. Well, shall we do the announcement for the next chapter then?
Treble: Yes, let’s. Next time on Lan and Light Element Master…
Rush: You just can’t say her name, can you? I’ll do it. Next on Lan and Lyne…
Treble: Episode 14: Grounded.
_________________
"NetAngel Style Change Activate"
Megawoman (Lyne)

Avatar made by Serenade.exe

And feel free to post here too artists if inspired
Lan and Lyne Art Thread

[Midnight]

Cute.

[sandman exe]

This chapter was suspenceful because I wasn't sure what was going to happen to lyne.
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main site http://www.megamanexenetwork.cjb.net/indexright.html

[Bug.EXE]

The story is getting more and more interesting. :D

[Megawoman.EXE]

Episode 14: Grounded

~SciLab~26 Aug 200X~

After the laughter at Megaman’s predicament had died down, the group watched Lyne as she slept on her brother’s shoulder. Mega was defiantly feeling even more embarrassed as he soon became the center of attention. He had only been outside of his PET in the real world a couple of times, but not this long. Plus, those times were with the aide of a Dimensional Area. This time was different. Lyne had brought him out of the digital world, into the real one to support her as she was being repaired by Famous.

Lyne then slid backwards off his shoulder and laid flat on her back on the table. She shuddered and mumbled, “It’s cold,” as she reactivated her shoulder armor. “Much better,” she mumbled again as she rolled away from her brother, no longer having physical contact with him.

Mega closed his eyes, expecting to feel himself rush back to his PET as data, but it didn’t happen. He opened his eyes to see he was still on the table by Lyne’s side. Mega was now even more confused, But, Lyne said that I’d return if she let go of me!

Famous then placed his hand on Mega’s shoulder, “Don’t worry about it Megaman. This is a part of the Backup Program that Lyne installed into you. Lyne doesn’t fully know how the Backup Program works for the navis she gave it to,” Famous said in a quiet tone so that only Mega could hear, “Consider this a gift your sister has given you and enjoy it,” Famous said as he walked up to the first aid cabinet again, now grabbing a pillow and a blanket from it. He then returned to the table and used them to make Lyne more comfortable.

“Am I late?” Serenade asked as she appeared on Yuu’s console with her prisoner, Bass, who was moping inside Serenade’s DP.

“What are you doing here Serenade? Let alone with him?” Yuu asked in an angry tone as he pointed at her prisoner.

“I’m here to see how Lyne was doing, and was going to make Bass apologize, but I see she’s in sleep mode.”

“Only weaklings sleep after being severely injured,” Bass commented arrogantly as he looked at Lyne from his prison, “Why’d I even bother? I’m surprised she’s not deleted.”

“Ooooooo! If any navi is going to get deleted today, it’s going to be you Bass,” Yuu shouted angrily at Bass as Famous held him back from trying to ring Bass’s digital neck. Lyne sat up when she heard this and stared coldly at her father.

“Don’t!” Lyne shouted at him, “The light will always find refuge in the dark, and the dark will find refuge in the light. Don’t delete him!” Lyne pleaded as she cried.

“Tut, tut, Yuu,” Famous waved one of his fingers at him, “She quoted Cossack on you: Law of Elements.”

How does she know that? My creator only told that to me, Bass thought in shock as he heard the familiar words, Why does she even care about me anyway? I almost deleted her, Bass thought as looked at Lyne even more closely while still moping inside his prison.

Yuu hung his head in defeat, knowing that Lyne was right, “Famous, Serenade, I want a word with you,” he said as he walked away from the group, towards a private room marked ‘Conference’ on its door. Famous followed as Serenade prepared to link over to the room.

“Keep an eye on him for me please, NetSaviors. I’ll be right back,” Serenade asked right before she disappeared from Yuu’s console.

“Not like I can get out, wench,” Bass mumbled in annoyance as she left and as Raika, Chaud, Jackie, and Tony jacked in their navis while Mega and Lan walked up to the console to observe with the NetOps.
___________________________________
~Conference Room~SciLab~

“Oooo! He makes me so angry sometimes,” Serenade said hotly as she appeared in the conference room on one of the monitors, “but not as much as you have Yuuichiro. Why did you install a security program inside Lyne?”

“It’s for her protection,” Yuu shouted back at her as he stood up from his chair.

“For her protection? It almost got her deleted!” Serenade now shouted even louder, “And she wanted to fight! Why are you holding her back? And don’t just tell me ‘it’s for her protection.’” Yuu hung his head, “Figures you don’t hold your sons, Lan and Hub, back, but you hold Lyne back. Shame on you, Yuuichiro,” Serenade said, unfolding one of her crossed arms from her chest to shake her finger at him, “Well you ought to know one thing, Yuu: she’s involved with the net now, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Uninstall the security program.”

“I can’t, Serenade,” Yuu said in a quiet, saddened tone.

“Can’t or won’t?” Serenade’s voice had gone from hot to cold in her anger and frustration. “There is a difference Yuuichiro.”

“Can’t. Alpha designed the program. I just modified it a little,” Yuu said sheepishly.

“Modified it! You modified the security program!” Serenade exclaimed in shock, “What did you do to it?”

“I installed an anti-hack, and a program filter into it. I was going to install a security switch, but it already has one.”

“You mean Lyne could’ve fought if she switched her security program off herself, and you didn’t tell her she could. See? You are holding her back,” Serenade shook her finger at Yuu again, “Let her learn. Have her stay in the UnderNet with me for a while until she learns to cope with her programming. Please Yuuichiro,” Serenade begged.

“UnderNet is too risky for her right now, because the security program is controlled by her emotions and mood. Plus, you know that barrier of yours won’t hold Bass forever. He’ll get out and go after Lyne for sure if she stays on the net with you.”

“Not if I off-line him in his robot body. IPC is still holding it after all. That’s why I caught him. We just need a place for him to stay,” Serenade pondered as she placed her chin in her hand.

“Why would you want to off-line him now?” Yuu asked curiously.

“I’m his guardian. This is for his protection. I saw some really shady activity on my UnderNet this morning. There were some navis hanging around where Bass usually hangs out gathering DarkNavi Souls. The navis all were wearing this icon.” Serenade held up a hologram of a white icon in the palm of her hand. It’s center was filled out in a stylized Z. “With Lyne’s programming complete, Bass is also in danger now, even though he might not realize it. I need time to investigate this without Bass being in my way.”

“That does sound legitimate for off-lining Bass, but how are we going to teach Lyne how to NetBattle? And no UnderNet,” Yuu said holding up his finger, stopping Serenade from suggesting the UnderNet again. She then hung her head in disappointment. The two scientists and the UnderNet Navi Queen all sighed as they thought of a way to teach Lyne how to NetBattle other than the UnderNet.

“I got it!” Famous exclaimed as he pounded his fist into his empty hand, “Why doesn’t she learn here? You’re a virus researcher after all, Yuu. Just put her in lock-down on SciLab Server for a month.”

“Whoa! Wait a minute. Lyne has school starting on Monday,” Yuu exclaimed. He felt shock that he actually remembered his children started school soon.

“What about Montana’s boy? He’s a teacher right? He can bring her assignments from all her classes and Lyne’s friend, Jackie, can be her tutor,” Famous suggested to his friend, trying to make him feel better about Lyne’s education problem.

“And I’ll offer the assistance of my Top Lieutenant, Blade, to teach her how to NetBattle,” Serenade said as she smiled at her suggestion.

“OK, that works. But where to keep Bass so he won’t get into too much trouble or draw too much attention?” Yuu said as he put his hand on his chin and pondered on a location for Bass to stay.

“I’ll have to do some modifications to the robot first,” Famous said as he looked over his report of the robot body, “but I suggest you use Chaud’s guest house. It has an automated security system. I can also assign Raika to watch him, to ensure he won’t go running off, wreaking havoc in public.”

“Are you sure Raika is going to be able to handle him? Bass can be a handful, especially when he can put up a good fight,” Serenade said, concerned for Raika’s sake.

“I plan on modifying the strength inhibitors so he can’t cause any harm if he tries to do so and moving the jack in port to the back. The modifications should take about a half hour, since my staff has been working on these since this morning,” Famous said as he pulled out a piece of paper from his report with all of the modifications on it, “I couldn’t help but experiment on such a nice piece of Wily’s work,” Famous said as he rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.

“That’s always typical of you Famous,” Yuu commented on his friend’s little quirk, “Something interesting comes along, you have to experiment on it. Well now that’s settled, we’ll wait until those modifications get completed. I want Raika, Chaud, and Blade briefed about this before we start Lyne and Bass’s ‘Grounding’,” Yuu said as he relaxed in his chair.

“Agreed,” Famous said as he got up and headed to the door.
_________________________
~Yuu’s Lab~

“You know, this is so cool!!” Flash exclaimed as he poked the exterior of Bass’s cell, “Bass, the navi that could put fear into the hearts of many,” he said while standing in a boastful pose, “has been trapped in a little bubble,” Flash finished with a winked eye while holding his index finger up in the air.

“That’s getting old Flashman,” Protoman said in an irritated tone, “What, that’s like, the millionth time you’ve said that.”

“Grrrrrr,” Bass growled at Flash for insulting him as he sat inside his cell. He was getting really irritated by Flash tapping on the cell wall.

“Flash, leave him alone!” Lyne pleaded from where she lay on the table, underneath the blanket Famous had given her.

“Yes, listen to the Hikari Witch,” Bass said as he stared coldly at Flash, actually glad that Lyne was helping him out. An angry mark appeared on Lyne’s helmet.

“On second thought, keep tapping,” Lyne said as she rolled away from the monitor and went into sleep mode.

“Hey!” Bass complained as Flash went back to his little habit of tapping on Bass’s cell.

“I wonder why Serenade captured him?” Lan asked, pondering on the her action.

“Maybe it has to do with Lyne’s NetPower,” Mega said, throwing out a suggestion as he stood by his brother, “or maybe with what Lyne had said. What did Famous call it? Oh yeah! The Law of Elelments.”

“Does it sound familiar to you Mega?”

“No. Actually this is the first time I’ve heard of it, Lan. I’m as curious as you are about what it is. I know that there are different elemental properties on the net and some navis are programmed with them, but I didn’t think there was a scientific law for them.”

“We need to capture this moment on film,” Flash said, interrupting Lan and Mega’s little conversation, “Where’s Videoman?”

“He was a DarkLoid, and got deleted, remember numbskull?” Protoman said, reminding Flash.

“Oh right! Well if I don’t have a camera, this will have to do,” Flash said as he made a blinking orb of light in his palm.

Bass then covered his eyes to protect them from the flashes of light the orb created. Flash, noticing Bass’s reaction, started to move the orb and say, “Oooo. Ooooooo! Dooooggy boy can’t take the liiiiight!”

Bass was really irritated. He stood, shaking in frustration with clenched fists over his eyes and gritted teeth as several angry marks popped out on his head. “FLASHMAN YOU BASTARD!!” Bass shouted at Flash, “What a nuisance,” he muttered under his breath as he sat down on the cell’s floor and pulled his cloak over his head.

“Aww… He’s not being any fun,” Flash said as he resorted to finger drumming Bass’s cell, this time out of boredom.

Blade grabbed Flash’s hand to stop his finger drumming, “I request you refrain from the finger tapping…” Blade said in a serene voice before adding, “or - I’ll – hurt - you,” through clenched teeth. She morphed one of her hands into a cyber sword and lifted his chin with it, “Get my point?” she asked as Flash gulped in reaction to having a cyber sword at his throat.

“I like her style,” Protoman commented, tilting his head toward Mega as he watched Blade and Flash, “You can never go wrong with a sword on hand.” Mega rolled his eyes at his friend’s comment.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Flash said as he held up both of his hands, surrendering to her request to not bother Bass’s cell.

Famous then poked his head out of the conference room, “Raika, Chaud, Blade, we need to talk to you,” he said, then withdrew back out of the doorway. The two boys walked to the door as Blade linked into the conference room. As they reached the door, Famous’ head appeared again. “don’t forget to bring your navis.” Raika and Chaud froze in mid-step and swiveled around to go back to the terminal and jack out their navis. They were able to get into the other room without any further incident.

Not even a minute had passed before Flashman said, “Man, I’m bored.” Everyone in earshot winced at these words, sensing that they didn’t indicate anything good. Flash crossed his arms and leaned against Bass’s cell, rocking it slightly. Somehow, he managed to convey a self-satisfied smirk, despite his face mask, as he continued to rock the cell. Angry marks were clearly showing through the cloaked form sitting on the bottom of the cell, a new mark for each nudge Flash gave the wall behind him.

“That’s it!!” Bass exclaimed as he jumped up and charged at the barrier of his cell, managing to hit it with enough force that it rolled over the top of Flash, causing him to log out.

Ouch that’s gotta’ hurt. I’m not messing with him, Sand thought as he backed off. When Bass’s glare turned towards him, he decided to log out, He’s one really angry navi. Never seen a navi like him. Must be one of the legendary navis, but his name is so familiar. I wonder who created him? I think I’ll talk with Tony about this later, he thought as he watched Bass relax and go into sleep mode. That’s not a bad idea, Sand thought to himself as he also went into sleep mode.

“Man, that was rude,” Flash said when he returned to his PET.

“What do expect when you pick on someone for an hour? Do you expect them to be nice to you?” Jackie asked her navi in a scolding tone.

“But he’s always like that,” Flash said as he rubbed his back, in pain from being run over by Bass.

“Maybe he wasn’t always like that. Lyne talked like she had admired him once. It makes me wonder more about what Old NetCity was like,” Jackie pondered, reflecting on what Lyne had said earlier.

“What did Lyne say exactly?” Mega asked out of curiosity.

“Something about Bass being the first independent navi and him being assigned to Alpha’s elite guard right before the net malfunctioned the first time.”

Bass being the first independent navi I already know, but him having a job I didn’t. Bass must be older then I thought. And Lyne knew him back before the net malfunctioned, but for how long? Mega thought as he paced around.

“Mega what are you doing?” Lan asked his brother.

“I’m processing and thinking at the same time. Hang on a sec,” Just when I think I get close to figuring Lyne and Bass’s relationship out, something else pops up. My sister is just one big puzzle that has yet to be solved. Plus, how do I get back in my PET? Just like Lyne jacks into the net? Maybe… Mega thought as he started to waver in the steps he took.

“Mega, you’re starting to look like you’re about to go into sleep mode,” Lan said in a tone of warning.

Mega leaned against the table Lyne was laying on and held his head, “You’re right bro. I do feel tired,” Mega said as he gulped, touching his PET. Here it goes, “Megaman, Jack In,” he said as he turned into data and returned to his PET, “Ahh… Much better. I’m going to sleep, Lan.”

“OK, Mega. Have a good rest,” Lan said as his brother went into his sleep mode, and as Famous’s staff from IPC arrived with Bass’s robot body on a hand truck. I wonder what they’re up to, Lan thought as they wheeled the inert form to its resting spot beside the table Lyne was sleeping on. The staff members then left the room as everyone came out of the conference room and congregated in the middle of the room.

“You two understand,” Famous said as he addressed Raika and Chaud, “This is really important.” They both nodded, letting him know they understood. “Oh, you’re going to need this,” he said, handing Raika a piece of paper with some instructions written on it. Raika took it, looked it over, and then pocketed it. As he did so, Famous pulled a long cord out of the robot’s back and plugged it into Yuu’s console.

“Hey, Chaud. What’s going on?” Lan asked his friend curiously.

“Just watch. You’ll see,” Chaud said with a slight smirk on his face, making Lan shut up and watch.

“Ready when you are, Serenade,” Famous said, signaling to Serenade that he was ready for Bass’s transfer.

Serenade appeared on Yuu’s monitor and beside Bass’s cell. She then linked them both into the robot. Once inside she gently touched the top of the cell, deactivating it and linked out of the robot, quickly reappearing on Yuu’s console screen, “He’s in and ready for transport. Be careful; he’s sleeping.”

Famous unplugged the link cable and pulled tight on it, causing it to retract into the robot’s body. Once it fully retracted, Famous put a jack in port cover over the top of it.

I want to go with him, Treble thought to Serenade as he watched Famous do so.

Are you sure? Serenade thought back in question as she looked at the virus.

Yes that’s what Light Element Master would want me to do. Besides, he’s still my master, even though he’s crazy, he thought as Raika and Chaud were about to take Bass away.

Serenade shrugged her shoulders, Then go with him. I’m not stopping you.

Thank you for understanding Queen of the UnderNet, he thought as he jacked out and appeared beside Bass, wagging his tail happily.

“You’re not serious! Bass will be enough to handle, but his virus too. Come on!” Chaud complained vocally

“He wants to go with him. I see no harm in it,” Serenade said, supporting Treble as Chaud rolled his eyes.

“You better be house trained,” Chaud addressed Treble, “Or you’ll be outside.” Treble nodded his head, understanding his request.

“Shall we go?” Raika asked as he grabbed the hand truck with Bass and started to wheel it out of the lab.

“Sure,” Chaud said as he looked at Treble. Creepy K-9 virus, he thought, turned away, and followed Raika out of the lab with Treble following by his side.

So they off-lined Bass. Interesting way to do it too; but what will happen to Lyne? Lan thought as he watched his friends walk away with Bass, and then looked at Lyne who was still sleeping on the table in the center of the room with Jackie sitting in a chair beside it.

“Hey, where’d Dad go?” Lan wondered out loud just as his father came out of the conference room, talking with what looked like Blade or someone in a Blade costume. As he watched the Blade look-alike come closer, he noticed her hair was silver, which wasn’t a natural human color. This made Lan very confused as he watched Blade walk up to the table and pick Lyne up gently as his father stood by his console, “Did Lyne….?”

“No she didn’t. Your father did by installing a copy of the program Lyne copied from Rush,” Blade said as she turned her head to look at him, “I see your brother has figured out how to get back into his PET. Good for him; he really looked tired,” Blade noted as she saw Mega sleeping on his PET screen.

“Heh, heh, yeah he was really tired. What are you going to do with Lyne, Blade?”

Blade looked down at Lyne, “She’s going to be on a server lockdown for a while.” Lan started to look worried about what she said, “Don’t worry; she’ll be fine. The navi I’d be more worried about is Bass. He’s going to be really PO’d when he wakes up.”

“It’s for his own good. It’ll teach him not to mess around with your sister,” Serenade stated from Yuu’s console screen, “Blade, I’ll see you around. She’s yours to keep an eye on. Do a good job.”

“Yes, My Queen,” Blade bowed her head as Serenade logged out of the SciLab server back to the UnderNet.

“Wait a min. What about school Dr. Hikari? It starts Monday,” Jackie asked as she stood up from her chair.

“Yeah, Dad!” Lan said, agreeing with Jackie.

“I know. That’s why she going to need your help, Tony and Jackie.”

“Can I help too, Dad?” Lan asked in a left-out tone.

“Yes, Lan, of course you can. Tony,” Yuu addressed the student teacher.

“Yes, Sir,” Tony replied in English.

“I need you to get her assignments and e-mail them to me when school starts. Understand?” Tony nodded, “Here’s my address. And Jackie, I need you to come here after school every day while Lyne is on server lockdown to be her tutor.”

“Cool!! That sounds great,” Jackie exclaimed excitedly as Flash inside his PET crossed his arms in protest to being a tutor.

“What do I get to do?” Lan asked, still feeling left out.

“Just to be here for her and come visit as often as you can, Lan. That’s what she’d want. You guys’d better go get some rest. I have to talk with Lyne in private,” Yuu said as he pointed to the door of his lab. Tony, Jackie, Lan, and Famous walked towards the door. “Famous, where do you think you’re going?” Yuu asked causing Famous to stop in his tracks.

“Taking Lan home,” Famous said with a cheesy smile on his face as he stood behind Lan.

“Tony can take Lan and Jackie home. I need you here to help with the server lock,” Yuu said as he pointed to his console. Famous slouched forward as he walked over to the console and sat down in one of the chairs in front of it. Tony then ushered Lan and Jackie out of the room.

“Shall we start?” Yuu asked Famous as he nodded and as Blade walked up to the console, touching one of the jack in ports, “Ready Blade?” She also nodded.

“Blade, Megawoman, Jack In!” she said as she and Lyne digitized and entered the console. Once they appeared on the monitor, Blade put Lyne down and backed off as Yuu and Famous activated the navi and server lockdown program on Lyne while she slept.

After a few minutes of programming, they were finished. Famous yawned and stretched in his chair in victory.

“Go home and get some sleep, Famous,” Yuu said as his friend got up from the chair, “and thank you for the help.”

“Anytime, Yuu. See you later,” Famous said as he left the Lab for his apartment located in ACDC.

After he left, Yuu returned his attention to his monitor, “Blade, you can wake her now.”

Blade gently shook Lyne to stir her out of sleep mode saying, “Meg… Meg… Time to wake up Meg.”

Lyne fluttered her eyes, opening them to see one of the navis she had seen earlier at the Mall Server. “Who are you?” Lyne asked as she sat up, stretched, and rubbed her eyes.

“I’m Blade, Serenade’s Top Lieutenant. Pleased to meet you Meg,” Blade said as she helped Lyne up off the ground.

“It’s ….” Lyne said as she tried to correct Blade using her human name, “It’s ….” Lyne tried again as her eyes started to mist.

“I know what your human name is Meg, but you’re on a Navi lockdown, which means you’re a Navi, like me, until your father sees fit.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lyne asked out of confusion as she sniffled.

“You’re on Navi lockdown until you learn how to NetBattle properly. Plus, you are also on a SciLab Server lockdown, which means you can’t link or log out to anywhere on the net except inside this server,” her father said, answering her question.

“But, Dad!” Lyne protested.

“No buts,” her father said as he held his finger up to halt Lyne, who opened her mouth to protest again, “Don’t argue with me. I know it wasn’t your fault, but you need to learn, and Blade will be your teacher,” he said as he gestured towards Blade. Lyne slouched forward and frowned in disgust at his decision.

“Don’t be that way Lyne. I’m going to be going home shortly. SDM1 will be in charge while I’m away, so if there’s any problems, get with him and he’ll contact me. OK Lyne?”

“OK,” Lyne mumbled, hanging her head.

“What was that? I didn’t hear you.”

“I said OK,” Lyne said in an angry tone as she lifted her head, streaming tears from her eyes.

“Good. Now that’s settled, I’ll see you in the morning. Good night, Lyne,” her father said as he left the console behind, grabbing his bag and exiting the Lab. After the door shut, it got really quiet in the lab and on Yuu’s WorkPage (WP).

Just then SDM1 appeared on the WP, “Oh, hello Meg! How are you?” he said as he walked up to Blade and Lyne, who was still staring at the vid window with pleading eyes.

“He left me!” Lyne cried, hiding her face in her hands.

“Who?” SDM1 asked as he also looked at the vid window, “Oh! Dr, Hikari. Don’t worry he’ll be back in the morning,” he said, rubbing Lyne on the back, calming her down a little, “You should get some rest. You have a big day ahead of you,” he said, looking at what resembled a clip board, “7am - 12pm: Virus Busting with Orientation, 12pm – 1pm: Data Break, 1pm - 4pm: NetBattling with Blade,” he said, reading from the clip board, “and from 4pm on, you’re free to do what ever you need to. For example: homework,” he said as he raised his eyes up from the clipboard and looked at Lyne.

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Lyne exclaimed in protest, “Dad wants me to do all that stuff and do school work too!”

“It’s called multitasking Meg. You’ll get very good at it by the end of tomorrow. Trust me. Here, take this and get some rest,” SDM1 said as he tossed Lyne a data cube and left the WP.

Lyne caught it and started to roll it nervously between her palms, Why does he have to sound so mean, like Dad did? she thought as she hung her head.

“Come on, it’s not that bad. At least he didn’t off-line you,” Blade said, leaning against Lyne’s shoulder, “Let’s get you settled in for the night. This way Meg,” Blade gestured to Lyne to follow her as she also left the WP. Lyne quietly followed her as she snacked on the data cube SDM1 gave her. They entered a room where a bunch of navis were sleeping in what looked like glass-covered chambers. Blade opened two empty chambers as Lyne looked around.

“Wow! I didn’t realize how many navis worked here. Must be thousands,” Lyne commented as she looked further down the room while Blade was setting the alarms for both of their sleep chambers. When she finished, she tapped Lyne on the shoulder.

“Now’s not the time to be curious. Sleep,” Blade said as she pointed at the chamber next to her. Lyne hung her head and walked slowly up towards the chamber, dragging her feet. This really annoyed Blade, “Get in the chamber right now!!” Blade shouted at Lyne, causing her to jump. She quickened her pace and got inside the chamber without hesitation.

“*Sigh* Good. This chamber will activate your sleep mode and recharge functions. So when you wake up you should be energized,” Blade explained to Lyne about the chamber she was in as Lyne nodded in understanding, “If not, there’ll be enough time for you to get some data in your system before your orientation starts. Good night, Meg,” Blade said as she closed the chamber Lyne was in.

Lyne tried to fight the sensation of her sleep mode function being forced to activate, since it felt awkward to her, but her fight didn’t last long as the sensation took over, causing her to pass out inside the chamber. After she did, her chamber filled with what looked like a glittering gas which was composed of powdered data. Blade shook her head as she entered her own chamber, “She’ll learn not to do that. She’s going to be really dizzy in the morning,” she said as she closed her chamber and went to sleep as well.
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~Chaud’s Guest House~

“We’re here Raika,” Chaud called to the back seat of his limo.

Raika got out of the car and stretched, getting ready to haul Bass inside, “Remember Chaud, you need to show me where that weight room is. Serenade wasn’t kidding when she said Bass was going to be a handful. Couldn’t they’ve picked something lighter to stick him in, like a PET?” Raika said as he carried Bass’s robot body out of the car and up the steps leading to the guest house, followed by Treble.

“He could easily get out of a PET. Besides, I think this way is more fun too,” Chaud said as he unlocked his guest house and opened the door.

“Why?” Raika asked as he entered the house.

“Because it will teach him some respect for people, since Famous turned off his teleport function and reduced his strength inhibitors to a human level,” Chaud said as he watched Raika place Bass on the couch in a sitting position and as Treble was getting ready to jump up on it, “Don’t you dare Treble. No pets or viruses on my furniture,” he said. Treble responded by hanging his head and making a weak whimper, but he obediently sat down where he was and then laid on the floor at Bass’s feet. He looked up at Chaud and cocked his head, “Much better. Thank you.”

Bass then stirred on the couch, waking up, “Ughh… Where am I?”

“In my guest house, Bass,” Chaud answered, getting Bass’s attention really quickly, “You’re my guest until Serenade sees fit to allow you back on the net.”

“Until she sees fit. Likely story, human. I don’t plan on being here long anyway,” Bass said as he got up off the couch, Teleport… Teleport… What’s going on? This should work, Bass thought in confusion.

“Famous did some modifications to your robot body since you abandoned it in ACDC Park last week. You like them?” Chaud asked sarcastically as he sensed Bass’s confusion.

“Why you little…” Bass said as he charged at Chaud.

“Don’t think so Bass,” Raika said and tackled Bass, knocking him to the ground. Treble covered his eyes with his paws where he lay on the ground as Bass made a muffled, metallic thud on the floor.

“Don’t get in my way, human. The little one deserves to die!” Bass said as he shoved Raika off of himself and got up, ready to charge at Chaud again. Raika grabbed his feet causing him to fall to the ground again and then got up himself.

“I suggest you be nicer to your host. They could have locked you in that cell at SciLab, you know,” Raika said as he offered to help Bass up off the ground.

Bass shuddered at the thought of being stuck inside Serenade’s DP again. He then batted at Raika’s hand as he got himself up into a sitting position, “I don’t need your help human. I can take care of myself,” he said as he crossed his arms and turned his head away from Raika.

“Raika, I’m going up to the main house right now to get some rest before my meeting in the morning. Have fun. Oh! And Raika, the weight room is downstairs in the basement,” Chaud said as he left Raika and Bass behind, exiting his guest home.

“Thank you,” Raika called after him.

“Good riddance, brat,” Bass muttered under his breath as he sat on the ground.

“Lifting weights actually sounds good about now,” Raika said as he took his coat off, hung it up on a coat rack in the entryway, and grabbed his luggage. He then went to the bedroom located on the first floor, deposited his luggage, and closed the door behind him.

Foolish human. He left me alone. Now to find a jack in port so I can escape, Bass thought as he got up off the ground. He noticed one on the wall in a light switch, Perfect, he thought s he placed his hand over the top of the light switch, Jack in…? Not again! Another malfunction!! “JACK IN!!” Bass shouted very loudly in an angry tone as he pressed his hand against the light switch.

Raika exited his room in his workout clothes at the same time Bass shouted. “That’s not going to work Bass,” Raika said as he noticed what Bass was trying to do, “Famous moved your jack in port too.”

Bass then tried to figure out where his jack in port was moved to by taking off the robe he wore, revealing the robot’s external skin that wasn’t all one color, as it used to be. It was, for the most part. the color of human flesh except for the section between the waist and mid thighs. That section was black, making the skin of the robot look like it had boxer briefs on. He noticed the skin of the robot was also seamless, revealing no sign of a jack in port anywhere. This made Bass really angry. “I refuse to be trapped here with you two… HUMANS!” Bass shouted as he started to run for the door, but collapsed before he could even open it.

“Heh, heh. Forgot to warn you about something,” Raika said as he dragged Bass back to the couch and laid him on it, “Ughhh… Damn you’re heavy. Well anyway your robot frame requires to be recharged about every… Umm…” Raika took out his little piece of paper that Famous had given him and looked at it, “7-8 hours, so you can’t get too far away from here, and Dentech City is about a 9 hour walk from here,” Raika said as he pressed a section on Bass’s right tricep, which opened to reveal a cord with a plug on the end. Raika pulled it out and plugged it into the wall by the couch.

“I hate you, humans,” Bass said weakly as he laid on the couch, staring at Raika. Raika just ignored him as he left Bass on the couch, going to the basement to work out like Dr. Hikari had suggested that morning. Bass tried to get back up so he could settle this with Raika, but it was no use. His robot frame didn’t have enough juice to even move an inch.
“Humans suck,” Bass said as he listened to Treble snoring from where he slept on the floor. The gentle noise lulled Bass into sleep mode.
__________________________________________
~The Hikari household in the evening~

Dr. Hikari was sitting at his desk at home, quietly going over the training program that his daughter would be going through. He wrote out a few notes on paper and then spoke without looking toward the screen on his desk. “Did you want to discuss something, Serenade?”

“Oh, you noticed?” the Queen said, appearing in a small pop-up on the screen.

“I had this feeling like I was being watched. I just guessed it was you,” he replied as he looked up at her. “So, what did you need?”

“Hmm,” she paused before answering, “I just wanted to know why you won’t allow Lyne to train under my care. Certainly, the Undernet is a dangerous place, but it’s my domain. Don’t you trust me to keep her safe?”

Yuuichiro stared levelly at Serenade a moment, then dropped his eyes back to the paper he’d been writing on. “I know it’s your domain, but even with Bass off-line, I still have my concerns.” Yuu paused a moment before adding quietly, “that icon you showed me,” He picked up the paper to show serenade the copy of the icon he’d doodled while he was thinking. “Do you think it’s…?”

He looked back up at Serenade, who met his gaze grimly. Silence stretched between the two for a moment, then the Queen of the Undernet linked out without a word.

“No,” Yuu said in a quiet, worried tone, “I don’t suppose I would have answered that one either.”
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Next Episode Preview

~Lounge at break time~

Lyne: *Looking over the scripts.* 11… 12… 13…
Lan: Um, what are you doing.
Lyne: I was just looking over these and I realized that we’ve been stuck on the same day since chapter 11.
Blade: Don’t worry about that. We’ll be starting a new day tomorrow, and you’ll be all mine. *Cracks knuckles and grins.*
Lyne: *Sweat-drops.* Hey, come on. We’re all just actors here, right?
Author: Blade’s a part-time actor, but I hired her full-time for this job. She’s really a professional trainer.
Sandman: *Walks up and stands next to Blade.* Really? A professional trainer. So, um, *Rocks back and forth on his toes with his hands behind his back,* What could you train me anyway? OW!
Scorpion: *Holding one of Sand’s arms in a strong grip and dragging him off.* Manners, hopefully!
Blade: What was that about?
Lyne: Don’t worry about it. Scorpion can keep him in line.
Lan: So, is it about that time?
Blade: Yeah. Let’s get training!
Lyne: That’s not until the next time on Lan and Lyne.
Blade: Oh, of course. We don’t start until tomorrow in Episode 15: NetBattling 101.
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"NetAngel Style Change Activate"
Megawoman (Lyne)

Avatar made by Serenade.exe

And feel free to post here too artists if inspired
Lan and Lyne Art Thread

[sandman exe]

That is weird how lyne is stuck in that place, it seems weird. lol you had sandman hitting on blade in the prwview? Keep up the good work.
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main site http://www.megamanexenetwork.cjb.net/indexright.html

[Megawoman.EXE]

Everything from this point is pretty much the way it was origiinally posted on the old forum. Enjoy.
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Episode 15: NetBattling 101

~SciLab~Sunday, 27 Aug 200X~

In the morning, Lyne’s chamber opened when the alarm that Blade had set went off. Man, I don’t like this chamber thing, Lyne thought as she started to look around at her surroundings, I’m all blurry eyed, my head hurts, and I feel like I can’t walk, Lyne continued to think as she grabbed one of the sides and hauled herself onto it.

“Good to see you up, Meg,” a voice said, startling Lyne and causing her to hold onto the side of the chamber for dear life.

“Who’s there?” she asked the navi that addressed her in a scared tone.

“SDM1. Are you ready for your orientation?”

Lyne looked at him with an exasperated expression, “Does it look like I am? I’m too disoriented to be ready. Woo… Why am I so dizzy?” Lyne asked as she placed one of her hands on her forehead while she hung onto the side of the chamber.

“First time in a sleep chamber, huh?” Lyne nodded in reply, causing her to lose balance and fall back into the chamber, “That’s natural and it means you’re recharged. Come on. Let me help you get reoriented,” SDM1 said as he grabbed Lyne’s hand and helped guide her out of the chamber. Once she was out, he slung her arm over his shoulder and walked her around a little bit until she came to her senses.

“It’ll be easier tomorrow morning. I’ll push the orientation back to 7:30 so you can fully wake up. I’ll be waiting in the Virus Holding Chamber on you father’s console, Meg,” SDM1 said as he disappeared from her sight.

Lyne looked around, noticing most of the navis that were there last night were gone. I guess everybody went to work, and the night shift is sleeping now. She then looked up and noticed how high the room was, filled with rows of sleep chambers, Scratch thousands; must be millions of navis that work here. I wonder how they get up to the higher chambers anyway? she pondered as she looked up, counting the rows of chambers. 100 rows. Wow! Hum… I wonder what time it is? Lyne thought as she looked for a clock. She then stopped herself and slapped her forehead, Stupid! I have a clock program installed, she thought as she brought it up, noticing it was 6:30 AM, “Wow it’s early! Hum… What should I do until I have to be over at Dad’s console?”

“Maybe you should get your chip programs ready,” Blade said as she leaned against the doorway, “in case he’s going to have you fight some viruses after the orientation.”

“Why is my father having me do this? I can NetBattle properly,” Lyne asked as she got her chip folder out and started copying chips from it.

“You call what happened yesterday NetBattling? That was pathetic.” Blade scolded Lyne, “He’s having you do this because of what happened yesterday. You need to learn how to control your security program. That is what prevented you from fighting back against Bass.”

“Oh,” Lyne said quietly as she finished copying the chips she had selected from her folder. She had selected most of her element chips, and a couple sword chips to even things out. “But I did get one good hit in, I think. I felt weird attacking Bass though. Maybe if I fight viruses it will be different.” Lyne said as she put her folder away.

“You’re going to have to understand one thing about Bass. He’s different now and there’s no changing it. You also need to learn how to fight if you’re going to be any use to the net. That might mean you have to fight Bass in the future to protect it.”

Lyne didn’t like a word Blade said and hung her head in sadness, “Don’t worry about it. That’s how the net works nowadays. Let’s go get that orientation over with, shall we?” Blade said as she walked out the doorway of the sleep chamber room. Lyne sighed and then followed behind her, really dreading the long lecture that awaited her in the Virus Holding Chamber (VHC).
___________________________
~VHC, SciLab~

When they arrived, Lyne was amazed at how many viruses were stored inside the chamber. She recognized most of them, and remembered in what parts of the net they were mostly found. For the ones she didn’t recognize, she just gawked at them.

“Oh! Meg! You’re early,” SDM1 said as he looked up from the desk he was sitting at. “Are you ready for the orientation?” Lyne just looked around the VHC, not paying any mind. SDM1 sweat-dropped.

“She’s all yours until noon. I’ll come get her then. Good luck,” Blade said as she linked out of the VHC. Lyne continued to look around in a weary daze. SDM1’s sweat drop fell lower as she did so.

“*Sigh* Meg pay attention please. I’m about to start,” SDM1 requested of her as he stood up from his desk chair.

“Are we going over all of these viruses today?” Lyne asked as she looked at him in a quizzing manner.

“No, only the basics today, Meg. Like Mettuars, and other simple viruses. Don’t get too anxious.” SDM1 said as he grabbed his clipboard and a teaching baton from his desk.

“Alright. I’m ready to start,” Lyne said as she stood there, waiting for his instruction.

“We’ll start here,” SDM1 said as he stood by one of the virus enclosures, “These are Mettuars. There are 6 varieties…”

Blah, blah, blah, I already know this. Boring! Oooo… this Mettuar is so cute! Lyne thought as she tapped the enclosures side, trying to get a Mettuar2’s attention. Just then she got hit on the head with the teaching baton SDM1 held. “Oww!” Lyne complained, rubbing the top of her helmet.

“Pay attention or I’ll hit you again. This is important information. Carrying on. Next virus,” SDM1 said as he walked to the next enclosure.

Lyne followed him as he led the way, still rubbing the top of her helmet to get rid of the pain he had caused. By the end of the lecture Lyne figured out that SMD1 was going to have her go up against all varieties of Mettuars, Billys, VolGears, and Shrimpys.

“Meg, come over here,” SDM1 said as he stood by a strange platform. Lyne came over, kind of intrigued by it.

“What is it?” Lyne asked, pointing at the platform that floated a good foot off the ground.

“It’s a Virus Simulator, Meg. This will be used to train you how to fight different kinds of viruses. Get on and prepare for the first sim,” SMD1 said as he activated the platform. Lyne climbed up on it and got into a fighting stance.

It’s about time I got to do something. His lecture was putting me to sleep, Lyne thought as she nodded to SDM1, letting him know she was ready.

“Basic Virus Simulation #1,” he said, activating the sim. Three Mettuars appeared in front of Lyne.

*Posh* These are easy, Lyne thought as she activated her buster and fired it at the first one deleting it instantly, and then did the same to the other two.

Impossible! She shouldn’t have a buster shot that powerful yet. Meg was activated just over a month ago. It took Mega about a year to get that good, SDM1 thought in shock as he watched Lyne take out the Mettuars in less then a second. Each with a single shot.

Lyne turned to face him, “I’m ready for the next sim, SDM1,” she said, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Basic Virus Simulation…” What should I do? 4 or 9… “Um… 4,” he said as he activated a little more difficult sim.

Lyne also easily took care of that virus sim, and the many hours of sims after that. SMD1 was really flustered at this. He even activated sims with current viruses that were plaguing the net, and she had no problems with them either. Soon enough, noon rolled around and Blade came to take Lyne to go get some data.

“Meg, come on. It’s time for break,” Blade called to her from the door of the VHC.

“Yay!” Lyne exclaimed as she jumped off the Virus Simulator. Blade looked in concern over at her instructor, SDM1, who looked a little winded.

“Meg, ask one of the SecurityNavis to take you to the cyber café. I have to talk to SDM1 in private for a sec,” Blade said as she gestured to one of the navis in the hall.

“OK,” Lyne agreed as she walked out of the VHC and up to the navi Blade pointed out.

Blade then walked up to SDM1, who was breathing heavily as he sat in front of the Virus Simulator’s controls, “What’s wrong? Meg doesn’t look like she even broke a sweat.”

“*Pant* She’s stronger then I thought. She went through basic sims, normal sims, intermediate sims, hard sims, and current sims in four hours. Four hours, Blade." SDM1 stated as he held up four fingers in front of her face, "There’s no doubt in my mind that she can fight. She shouldn’t have any problems with her NetBattling this afternoon.”

“I think she will,” Blade said as she crossed her arms and leaned against the Virus Simulator control panel.

“Really? How do you figure that?” SDM1 asked in a curious manner as he folded his hands and leaned against the control panel too.

“Call it a hunch. And if I were you, I’d increase the number of viruses in the sims and mix in complementary virus types to support the other viruses weaknesses. You know, to try to make it more challenging for her.”

“Why didn’t I think of that before!” SDM1 said as he slapped his forehead, “Thanks for the suggestion, Blade. I’ll try that tomorrow. She’s yours for the rest of the day,” SDM1 said as he looked down at the control panel, noticing a flashing light on it, “He’s calling me. I guess he wants a report on her progress. I don’t know how I’m going to tell him what happened.”

“Just tell him the truth. You can’t exactly lie about it. Well if that’s all, I’m off,” Blade said as she got up off the panel.

“Actually, there’s one thing. Here. Meg, will want this in a few minutes,” SDM1 said as he tossed her a chip program.

Blade looked at it in shock, “No, she didn’t!”

SDM1 nodded, “I guess she couldn’t help it. Plus, the viruses in the sim are real after all. I suggest you hurry before the change happens,” he said as he linked out of VHC.

“Oh, Meg. *Sigh* Damn that security program,” Blade said as she linked over to the cyber café.
__________________________
~Cyber Café, SciLab~

Once Blade arrived, she found Lyne sitting down at one of the tables in the cyber café with her friends Flash, Sand, Scorpion, and their NetOps, who appeared on vid windows.

“So how’d you do?” Scorpion asked curiously, “Did you get hurt, Lyne?”

“No, it was really easy actually,” Lyne said as she snacked on a cube of data, “SMD1 said I was doing basic viruses. I ended up doing most of the sims today. I even fought the Neko virus,” Lyne said as she stuck out her chest with pride. And as a tail, ears, and paws of a cat formed on her armor, and whiskers grew on her face. She then heard muffled chuckles from her friends.

“Why are you guys laughing at me, nya?” Lyne asked, confused, causing Flash to fall off his seat at the table and roll on the floor, laughing out loud. “Tell me what’s going on pleasef nya!” Lyne pleaded to her friends. She then felt something being pulled behind herf causing her yelp in pain and stream tears from her eyes.

“You had to pet the Neko virus didn’t you?” Blade said, still holding onto Lyne’s newly formed tail. “This is what that virus does to you if you touch it,” Blade exclaimed as she pointed to the changed places of Lyne’s armor, causing her to hang her head in shame and hide her face in her paws.

“I thought they were sims, Blade, nya,” Lyne said as she looked at Blade with misty eyes, “I didn’t think they were real, nya.”

“You learn something new every day. Are you going to go playing with them again?” Blade asked, yanking on Lyne’s tail even harder, making her start to cry again.

“Noo… I promise, nya. Let go please nya, Oweee… nya,” Lyne begged, streaming tears of pain. Blade let go of her tail, allowing Lyne to cradle it to make the pain she caused go away.

“I think I’ll let you stay like that for a while. Maybe until your NetBattling lesson with me after your break. Even though I do have the vaccine right here,” Blade said, holding up a chip program with the picture of the Neko virus on it.

“You’re mean, Blade, nya,” Lyne cried as she glared angrily at Blade.

“Serves you right for messing around this morning,” Blade said as she stored the chip in her program storage and leaned against the pillar next to the table.

Lyne sniffled, “It’s OK, Lyne. You’re learning,” Scorpion said as she comforted Lyne by giving her a hug. Alexa nodded, agreeing with her navi.

“She’s right, Lyne,” Jackie said as she appeared on a vid window in front of Lyne, “We’re here to support you. No matter what happens. I hope you’re not mad at me. I’m really sorry I you got into trouble.”

“That’s OK, Jackie, nya. It wasn’t entirely your fault; it was mine too, nya,” Lyne said, sounding a little more cheered up.

“You better believe it. Taking on Bass without knowing your program restrictions,” Tony scolded Lyne.

“Yeah, you could have been majorly hurt, or deleted,” Alexa said, also scolding Lyne as Scorpion and Sand nodded in agreement with their NetOps. Lyne then hung her head again from being scolded by her friends.

“From what I heard from SDM1, you performed exceptionally well in your Virus Busting lesson,” Blade said, causing Lyne to perk up a little and smile due to the praise from her father’s navi, “Except the Neko incident.” Lyne hung her head again. “I know you thought that lesson was easy, but don’t think your NetBattling lesson will be as easy as that, Meg.”

“Yes, Blade, nya,” Lyne replied in a quiet, solemn tone as she tried to consume the data cube that she hadn’t touched in quite a while. Flash then batted it off the table to see if Lyne would chase after it. Which she did. Flash chuckled.

“Flash! Apologize!” Jackie, Alexa, and Scorpion exclaimed at him.

“What? She’s fine with it,” he said, pointing out that Lyne was playing with the data cube on the floor, “So, Blade, you’re designated as Lyne’s babysitter,” Flash said, getting Blade’s attention, “Did Serenade have nothing better for her Top Lieutenant to do on the UnderNet?”

Several angry marks appeared on Blade’s helmet as she stopped leaning against the pillar and leaned forward, her fists quivering at her sides, “It is an honor to serve my queen. Don’t insult her decision. Meg, stop playing with your data and use this,” Blade said angrily as she threw the vaccine chip at Lyne. Lyne caught the chip in her pawed hands. “I’m going to start my lesson soon. I want you over in the Practice Arena in five minutes,” Blade addressed Lyne as she stormed out of the cyber café.

“You had to make her angry didn’t you, nya?” Lyne said as she glared at Flashman. She then used the vaccine chip on herself, returning back to normal, and left, following after Blade. The other two navis and all the NetOps also glared at him as Lyne left.

“What?” Flash asked, shrugging his shoulders with his palms face up.
____________________________
~Practice Arena, SciLab~

Lyne arrived at the Practice Arena and noticed Blade was waiting for her on what looked like the platform in the VHC. She also noticed that Blade was really angry, so she decided to enter the room very quietly so she wouldn’t make Blade even madder.

As she did so, Blade noticed her, “Come on. Let’s start. Then you can have the afternoon to yourself,” Blade said as she tapped her foot in frustration.

“Are you mad at me?”

“I’m not really mad at you, Meg. I’m angrier at Flash. That pompous, old, sarcastic fool,” she replied loudly as Flash and the others entered the room. Lyne turned around, noticing them, and started to feel nervous about doing her lesson with Blade.

“Come on, Meg. Get in the arena now!” Blade said, pointing down towards the platform she was standing on. Lyne complied by climbing up onto the platform and got into a fighting pose. Blade started to pace back and forth in front of Lyne, not taking her eyes off of her, “This is going to be a swords match. All the matches will be set on the practice setting. So don’t expect any pain; this is for your education,” Blade said as she turned and faced Lyne, “Dual Silver Swords,” Blade said as she got into a fighting stance and both of her hands morphed into swords.

“Cyber Sword,” Lyne said, morphing her right hand into a one of her chip programs. This feels awkward. Will I ever get used to this? Lyne asked herself as she got into a fighting pose that didn’t quite feel natural, due to the fact that Lyne was used to dual-handling physical swords, not single-handedly wielding digital swords. The sword made her arm feel stiff, with no freedom to move it like a physical sword.

Blade charged at Lyne the second she felt she was ready, “NetBattling is different from Virus Busting,” Blade said as she attacked Lyne with her swords. Lyne blocked, “Good. Viruses aren’t smart like navis are,” Blade stated as she jumped back from her blocked attack and attacked Lyne again. This time Lyne dodged gracefully by jumping off to the side, “Good, but defense isn’t the only part of NetBattling. Attack me!” Blade said as she stood facing Lyne with the Dual Silver Swords drawn across her chest in a position of defense.

*Sigh* I can do this, Lyne thought as she drew her sword across her chest and charged at Blade ready to strike. When she approached, Blade sprang at Lyne. This surprised Lyne, causing her to hesitate on her strike. Blade tapped Lyne’s armor in three places, which glowed after she tapped them. Lyne touched the spots with her unmorphed hand, confused.

“And most importantly, don’t hesitate! Those spots on your armor are delete strikes. I suggest you focus more Meg. Reset Match,” Blade said, causing the spots on Lyne’s armor to disappear.

That was mean. Tricking me like that. I’ll show her, Lyne thought as she got into another fighting pose and Blade continued her lesson. They continued to NetBattle for a few more hours before Blade tried something. She stood still in front of Lyne, looking a little winded.

“You’re getting much better, Meg, but can you handle this? BassSim Activate!” Blade commanded as she linked out of the Practice Arena, and in her place stood a NaviSim that looked exactly like Bass. Lyne paused and stared at the sim in shock. “Meg, remember, don’t hesitate. Attack the sim,” Blade coached from the side.

Lyne just stood there with her sword drawn across her chest, He could be real. Just like the Neko virus was. I can’t, Lyne thought as stared into the sim’s eyes.

“Attack the sim, Meg, or I’ll have it attack you,” Blade scolded from her spot beside the Practice Arena.

I have to do this, Lyne thought as she took a step towards the sim.

She might actually do it. Amazing, Blade thought as she watched Lyne approach the sim.

Lyne gulped, I can’t do it! I’ll hurt him, she thought as she backed down from her charge.

Damn, “Suit yourself. BassSim attack,” Blade commanded the sim to attack Lyne, Maybe now she'll fight… Jackie, Alexa, and Scorpion held their breath as they watched the sim attack Lyne. She easily avoided its first attacks, but when it got its hands on her, she didn’t even struggle in its grip.

“Blade! Stop the sim please!” Jackie pleaded from her vid window, “She’s going to get hurt!”

Dang blasted security program, “Stop,” Blade commanded the sim reluctantly. After the sim disappeared, Lyne laid on the top of the platform quietly, “*Sigh* Pathetic, Meg. You can do better then that. You let your security program get the better of you and lost control of yourself,” she said as she got up onto the platform and went to check up on her. “Concern isn’t needed in NetBattling. Neither is sympathy,” Blade said as she picked Lyne up and put her into a sitting position. Lyne sniffled and started to cry because of what Blade had said, “Scan… And you’re in no condition to continue. This ends the lesson today,” Blade said as she left Lyne on the platform and headed for the Practice Arena’s entryway. As she passed by Scorpion, Scorp gave her an angry glare. Blade held her head high as she left the room.

“What’s her problem?” Flash asked as he watched the last of Blade’s silver hair float out of the room. Scorpion and Sand went to check up on Lyne.

“Are you alright Lyne?” Scorp asked as she helped Lyne into a standing position.

“She’s wrong Scorp! I’ll show her,” Lyne replied as she started to bolt after Blade, but was stopped by her friend.

“She’s not worth it, Lyne,” Scorpion said in a calm tone, “I know she sounded mean, but she’s trying to teach you. Besides, she was right about you being in no condition to fight. You’re low on energy.”

“Come on,” Sand said, gesturing for the group to follow him out of the Practice Arena, “Let’s go back to the cyber café and chill,” he suggested as Scorpion helped Lyne down from the platform. She nodded in agreement. The whole group of navis then walked out of the Arena.
_______________________
~Chaud’s Guest House ~ Evening ~

“*Whew* What a work out!” Raika exclaimed as he came upstairs from the weight room in the basement. He washed up and put on some clean clothes. Once that was done, he looked around his room for a moment, then walked out, puzzled. “I wonder where my Gameboy QS went?” Raika asked aloud as he searched the guest house for it. After a few minutes of searching, he found it on the kitchen table.

“Good! I thought I lost it,” he said as he turned it on, “What?!” What happened to my saved game? I was at the end, Raika thought to himself in shock as he noticed his game had been reset. I wonder where that navi ran off to now. I have a question for him, Raika thought as he looked around the dining room, scanning for any sign of Bass.

Just then, Bass walked in from outside through the back patio screen door with Treble. “Stop following me you Mangy Mut!” Bass exclaimed as Treble caught up to him, “I bet that witch made you come and keep an eye on me. *Humph*” he said as he held his head up high away from Treble, who just sat there beside him.

“Actually, Serenade said he wanted to come on his own accord. Bass, do you know who played my game?” Raika asked as he held his GBQS in plain view so Bass could see it.

Bass looked over at Raika and the device he held in his hand, “Oh, that thing! I did. I had nothing else better to do today. You two humans are boring,” Bass stated as he turned around to go sit on the couch. As he did so, Raika tackled him, causing Bass to fall face forward onto the floor. “Are you looking for a fight human? You can’t win against me,” Bass said as he started to get off the floor. Raika then pinned Bass by applying pressure to Bass’s robotic back. Bass felt a sharp pain in his back that was very uncomfortable. “Oww… That hurts, human! Get off!” Bass complained as he struggled against the pain that Raika was causing.

“You were saying? It seems I’m winning, doesn’t it? Let this be a reminder. Don’t play my Gameboy QS. Got it?” Raika demanded as he pinned Bass’s head against the floor. Bass still decided to struggle for a bit, trying to escape from Raika’s grasp, but to no avail. “Got it?” Raika asked again as he started to apply pressure to where Bass’s robot head met its neck.

“Guahh,” Bass cried out in pain, “I got it! I got it! Get off!”

“You better have,” Raika said as he got up off of Bass, allowing him to get up on his own.

“I hate you,” Bass hissed as he glared angrily at Raika.

“The feeling’s mutual. Why didn’t you try something else to entertain yourself this morning instead of playing my game?”

“Oh, I had plans. I planned on breaking stuff. Lots of it, but the Pipsqueak left me a note,” Bass said as he pointed to a piece of paper on the coffee table.

Raika walked over to the table, picked up the note, and read it.

__It read__

Bass,
If you plan on breaking anything, you’ll be paying the amount of zenny that the item currently costs. And don’t think I’m kidding. I have prices on everything in the guest house, and they’re catalogued.

Chaud

__End note__

Raika then picked up a glass that he had left on the table earlier, noticing a sticker with a price on the bottom of it. Chaud wasn’t kidding. Damn this thing is expensive. Maybe I should use my own stuff, Raika thought as he looked at the price. He then placed the glass back down on the table.

“I hate the kid too. You two really suck!”

“Oh! Shut up and recharge or I’ll tackle you again,” Raika threatened Bass.

Humans suck, Bass thought as he sat down on the couch and surrendered his recharge plug to Treble, who plugged it into the wall.
_________________________

~SciLab~ Yuu’s Lab~Late evening~

“She’s really amazing Dr. Hikari. I’m surprised at how much power she has for a navi. Almost equivalent to Bass’s power,” SDM1 said, starting on his end day report.

“Is equal to Bass’s power,” Famous said, appearing in a vid window and causing Yuu to jump.

“How do you figure? Their matrixes are different,” Yuu asked his friend.

“Yes, they are each unique, but she has Bass’s programming incorporated into her system as well, making them both equal,” Famous said as he noticed his friend’s confusion, “We have almost an exact copy of the original Bass. Only female.”

“Don’t compare my daughter that way Famous. She’s not Bass, and never will be.”

“I’m sorry Yuu, but that is what her programming is telling me. Plus, guess what I found.”

“What?” Yuu asked, perking up one of his eyebrows, curious as to what his friend had found.

“This!” Famous said as he brought up an icon that looked familiar.

“No way! That’s impossible! How’d…?” Yuu exclaimed as he recognized the icon.

“Don’t know, but it’s one of the oldest files in her programming,” Famous said as he closed the icon file, “It’s only a copy of what it looks like. The file is locked up tighter then my hacking abilities are able to crack. So you know what that means.”

Yuu hung his head, “Yes I do, and I don’t like it. She could get hurt again.”

“Lyne is smart, Yuu. She’ll think of something before she tries to mess with him again.”

“I hope you’re right, Famous. I hope you’re right.”
__________________________
Next Episode Preview

Protoman: What's a glitch? *Scratches head, confused.*
Mega: Something wrong with a program. It can be either good or bad.
Protoman: Do you think Lyne has glitches in her programming?
Mega: Don't know. Maybe. You can never tell. I know I have some.
Protoman: Yeah, me too.
*Searchman jacks in*
Searchman: Me three. Next time on Lan and Lyne, Episode 16: Glitch
Mega: Hey! That's my line! *Throws script at Searchman*
Searchman: Oww! *Looks at script* Oops! Sorry! *Jacks out*
_________________
"NetAngel Style Change Activate"
Megawoman (Lyne)

Avatar made by Serenade.exe

And feel free to post here too artists if inspired
Lan and Lyne Art Thread

[sandman exe]

Lol bass was a real pain in the ass wasn't he? I like all those parts because it was funny.
_________________

main site http://www.megamanexenetwork.cjb.net/indexright.html

[Megawoman.EXE]

Episode 16: Glitch

~SciLab~Sunday, 25 Sep 200X~

“Ughh… This problem is too hard,” Lyne complained as she smacked the sides of her helmet in frustration, “and it’s due tomorrow. Aguhh…” she said as she stared at the seemingly impossible-to-solve trig problem in front of her on a popup window.

“You’ve already done one like this. You can do it Lyne,” Jackie said from the vid window in off to the side of Lyne to cheer her up, “Are you ready to go to school tomorrow?”

“After I solve this problem I will be. Oh! So that’s what the answer is. 39,” Lyne said as she wrote the answer down on the popup window, “And print. *Whew* That one had me going for a while,” Lyne said as she drew her hand across her forehead in relief.

“I bet it did. So how was Virus Busting and NetBattling today?” Jackie asked curiously.

“I didn’t have long lessons today. Dad and Blade took me school clothes shopping, and someplace special,” Lyne said as she closed the homework windows in front of her.

“You got to jack out! That’s cool, but I thought you weren’t able to do that on your own, while you’re grounded.”

“I’m not for about another…” Lyne said as she brought up her clock program, “ten minutes. Dad had Blade jack me out.”

“Oh! That’s cool. So what do you want to do when you jack out again?”

“I’m going to take a long bath. I might even go to the bath house to do it. Want to come with me?” Lyne asked as she stretched.

“Sure! We haven’t hung out together since your grounding started.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” Lyne said as she stood up from the digital chair she was sitting in.

!!!BUZZ, BUZZ!!! An alarm on Dr. Hikari’s console went off. Blade appeared shortly after it started.

“Come on, Meg,” Blade said beckoning Lyne to come with her, “This isn’t a drill.”

“What’s going on, Blade?” Lyne asked, startled.

“There are a lot of viruses and two navis attacking the SciLab Core System,” Blade said as she grabbed Lyne by the hand, dragging her away from the desk she was sitting at, and linked them over to the SciLab Core.

“Man, she’s one tough cookie,” Jackie commented as they left, “Well, if it isn’t a drill, you think we should help?”

Flash shrugged his shoulders, “Why not? I haven’t seen any action in a while.” Flash said as he stretched on his PET and got ready to link to the SciLab Core. He stopped, puzzled.

“What’s wrong, Flash?” Jackie asked, confused by his action, “Why’d you stop?”

“I don’t know how to get to the Core form here,” Flash stated, making Jackie fall to the floor in embarrassment.
_________________________
~SciLab Core System ~

“There’re viruses everywhere, Blade,” Lyne said as she shot her buster at the hordes of viruses attacking the core, “Do you see the navis yet?”

“Less chit-chat! More Virus Busting. Put those skills I taught you to good use,” Blade said as she slashed a virus that was about to attack Lyne’s back.

“Thanks, Blade. Wait a minute. There they are!” Lyne exclaimed as she noticed two shadowy figures standing by the Core. She immediately recognized one of them because of the flames shooting out the top of his head. Fireman, from the UnderNet! What’s he doing here? Lyne thought, but stopped her thoughts, startled, as a large, round ball was shot at them from the other navi.

“Target located. Proceeding as planned, Mr. Match,” Fireman stated as he saw Lyne fighting the viruses and nodded to his partner to keep attacking Blade and draw her away from Lyne.

“Damn! I’m going to take out the clown. Meg, attack the hot head!” Blade commanded her as she morphed her arms into her Dual Silver Swords and charged at the colorful, clown-looking navi.

I want some information first, Lyne thought as she fought her way through the horde of viruses over to where Fireman was standing. When she was close, she deactivated her buster and activated her security program, acting innocent.

“Attack him, Meg!” Blade yelled at her once she saw that Lyne was too close to the fire elemental navi for her comfort. Lyne just ignored her as she acted oblivious to the navi beside her, within grabbing distance. I sure hope you know what you’re doing Meg! Blade thought as the clown navi attacked her, getting her attention back to her own fight.

Too, too easy, Fireman thought as he reached out for Lyne.

She looked at him sweetly and asked, “Why are you attacking SciLab?”

This stopped Fireman from grabbing her, “We are here to get you, Megawoman. So you can serve Mr. Wily’s purposes.”

Wily huh? “I don’t like that answer. Why?” Lyne asked as she leaned forward in a cute pose. Blade rolled her eyes as she continued to fight the other navi.

“I just told you why we’re here!!” Fireman shouted at Lyne, showing an angry mark on his forehead.

“I don’t like that answer. Why?” Lyne asked again as she bounced on her feet with her hands balled up in front of her chest as her eyes misted.

“Stop saying that! Wackoman, I need your help with this navi. You handle cute better than I do,” Fireman called out to his partner.

“Ughh… Heh, heh. I’m a little busy at the moment.” Wackoman said as he blocked one of Blade’s attacks.

Good job Meg. Now I can strike. He’s distracted, Blade thought as she went in for the final blow.

“You’re on your ooo…!!” Wackoman said as Blade slashed at him across his waist, causing him to log out.

“Meg, quit goofing off. Attack him!” Blade called out to her as she headed for the Core to get rid of the viruses attacking it.

“Like she can. You won’t be able to stop those viruses on your own. They’ll crash it before you can delete them all,” Fireman called to Blade as she attacked the viruses, “And my mission is a success,” he said as he grabbed Lyne’s arm.

Lyne’s expression went from innocent to serious as he grabbed her arm, “Let go of me,” she demanded of him, “NetAngel Style Change, activate!” she called out, starting to glow. Fireman let go in surprise. When she finished changing, she formed two orbs in her hands, one white and one blue, and said, “I’ll stop you myself, and make the viruses go with you, Holy Water!” she exclaimed as she forced the two orbs together, creating a huge blast of water that shot at Fireman, causing him to log out and deleting the viruses all at once. “That’s what you get for touching me and attacking my father’s work place!” Lyne shouted at him as he left.

Lyne then turned to face Blade, who looked at her angrily, “Never do that again! You could have been hurt by doing that,” Blade scolded Lyne as she unmorphed her hands.

“I’m sorry. I was just curious,” Lyne said in a soft, quiet tone as she deactivated her style change.

Blade rubbed her temples, “Just jack out and get some rest. You have school tomorrow.”

“Yes, Blade. See ya,” Lyne said as she concentrated on logging out. Shortly after that, she disappeared form Blade’s sight.

*Sigh* I swear that girl will give me a processor ache one of these days, Blade thought as Lyne disappeared, Well, whatever. She got the job done. Now to do what I was planning on doing before the disturbance, she continued to think as she jacked out of the SciLab Core into a room marked with the word ‘Private’ on the door.
___________________________________
~Chaud’s House ~

“Man, I’m bored,” Protoman said as he watched his NetOp sleeping in his room. “He’s been asleep since he got home. Bass and Raika are also sleeping. Searchman is nowhere to be found. Man this sucks. Well, nothing else to do but go over my program and check for updates,” he said as he brought up his program directory and sat down in front of a digital desk. “Darn. No updates. Hum… lets see… new programs. Search…” he said as he went over his directory, “Wait, here’s one! Wonder what it does? No better way to find out. Program activate!”

Once he said that, he logged out of Chaud’s Home Network and appeared on the floor of some other location. He sat up and he held his head as he looked around the room dizzily. “Where am I?” he asked himself as he began to regain his focus. He started to recognize some of the objects in the room as he did so, “It’s a bedroom. I think. Ughhh…” he stated as he got up off the floor, confused, I wonder what happened to me. Who’s that? he thought as he approached a figure who was sleeping on the bed he had recognized a few seconds ago.

“Snore… snore… score,” the mysterious figure breathed heavily as he rolled over to reveal his face, eyes still closed.

Protoman instantly recognized who the figure was, Chaud! But how? he thought as he fell backwards onto the floor in shock, “Oww…,” he yelped, That hurt! Wait! Where’s my armor? he thought in panic, realizing that he didn’t have it on.

Chaud rolled over again, facing away from him, “Keep it down, Protoman. I’m trying to sleep,” he mumbled quietly, returning to his semi-oblivious sleep, “Sigh… snore.”

“Yes, Sir!” Protoman responded out of instinct to his NetOp, I can’t let him see me like this! Where’s his closet? he thought as he quietly got back up off the floor and looked around the room again. There it is, he thought as he walked up to it, opened it up, entered, and closed the door behind him. “Man this sucks,” he said in an angry tone as he searched through Chaud’s clothes, “I’m too big to fit Chaud’s clothes. This didn’t happen to Megaman when Lyne brought him off the net. I need help, even though I don’t like to admit it. Megaman is my best bet at the moment. Here we go, Mr. Blaze’s robe will do. I’m glad he kept it,” he said to himself as he put on the large, red and black robe.

“This is so embarrassing to have to do this,” Protoman said as he approached the closet’s jack in port and manually dialed Mega’s IP address.

A popup window appeared shortly afterwards with Mega’s face and torso visible on it. “Wassup, Protoman? *Yawn*” Mega asked, rubbing his eyes in the manner he did when he woke out of sleep mode

“I have a question for you. How’d you get back into your PET when Lyne brought you off the net?”

“I just jacked back in. Why?” Mega asked as he finished rubbing his eyes. He then noticed something strange about his friend, “Hey! What happened to your helmet?”

“Long story. Do you think you can meet me at SciLab? I need to talk to your father.”

“Uhh… Sure. I’ve got to make an excuse first. I’ll meet you there. Later,” Mega said as he closed the popup window on his side of the conversation.

This better work, or I’ll pound you black-and-bluer when this gets fixed Megaman, Protoman thought as he touched one of the jack in ports and said, “Protoman, Jack in!” He then felt a sudden rush as he returned to the CHN. He stood there for a few minutes inspecting his armor, making sure it wasn’t an illusion. Once he was satisfied with the results of his inspection, he logged out of the CHN and linked over to SciLabs
__________________________
~SciLab~Yuu’s Lab~

Mega showed up at the same time as Protoman.

“I was having my doubts about what you told me, but it worked. So what was your excuse for your brother?” Protoman asked his friend.

“Oh, I told him we were going to play chess,” Mega said as he rubbed the back of his helmet, “I’m surprised he fell for that one, heh, heh. Dad! Where are you?” Mega shouted, waking a sleeping person in one of the chairs next to the table in the middle of the room. The person stirred to reveal it was Mr. Famous. “Mr. Famous! What are you doing here?” Mega asked in shock.

“*Yawn* How many times do I have to tell you and your brother? No need for formalities,” Famous snapped at Mega as he took a blanket off of himself, and then regained his composure, “Anyway, I came here to talk with your father about something dealing with Lyne’s Backup Program. The one she installed in both of you, Searchman, Flashman, and the virus Treble. Searchman brought it to my attention,” Famous said as he turned towards the chair next to his, drawing both Mega’s and Protoman’s attention to it. They could barely see an armor-clad arm with multiple shades of green on the glove and shoulder armor and a black body suit. They also noticed some lose red-orange hair. Mega snickered.

“It’s not funny, Megaman,” a voice called from the other chair while it was still facing away from them.

“I’m sorry, Searchman. I didn’t think that it’d effect you both like that too.”

“Well then, why don’t you come out here so I can give you a pounding?” Searchman challenged as he turned the chair to face them on Yuu’s console, cracking his knuckles.

Just then a popup appeared on the screen with Yuu showing in it. “Famous, we’ll have to talk tomorrow about the Backup Program. I’m going to be monitoring Lyne all night to see if there are any side effects from being logged on too long.”

“There shouldn’t be any problems, Yuu. She checked out fine earlier today. Well then, I’ll talk to you later. Bye, Yuu,” Famous said as his friend closed his popup window, ending the conversation, Oh well, I wanted Yuu to see this, “Are you two ready?” Famous asked Mega and Protoman.

“For what?” Mega asked, confused.

“I’m going to activate both of your Reality Jump Programs at the same time,” Famous stated as he brought up some program windows and as Searchman cracked a smile.

“Sure, I’m ready!” Mega exclaimed excitedly. He then looked at Protoman, noticing that he looked a little uneasy. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to jack out,” Protoman said as he hung his head.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Activating Reality Jump Program,” Famous said as he activated one of the windows on Yuu’s console.

“Why not, Protoman?” Mega asked as he felt the same rush he had felt when Lyne had brought him off the net a month ago. When the feeling subsided, he heard someone laughing really hard and his vision was blurred.

“Oh my! I didn’t expect this to happen,” Mega heard Famous say as he felt something being wrapped around his shoulders.

“Huh?” Mega asked as he felt the wrap on his shoulders, confused. As his focus returned, he noticed his friend Protoman sitting with his back facing him, Famous typing on Yuu’s console, and Searchman completely helpless with laughter on the floor.

“It’s not funny!” Protoman shouted at Searchman while he continued to laugh. Mega then looked down at himself. Where’s my armor? he pondered as he pulled his wrap tighter around himself, starting to feel embarrassed, and Protoman doesn’t have his armor on either. What’s going on? Mega thought, confused.

“*Hmph* Come on, Megaman. There’s no point in hanging out on the floor,” Protoman said as he helped Mega up off the floor while wrapped in the blanket that Famous had been sleeping under.

“So this is what you meant by long story and why you didn’t want to jack out,” Mega said as he pulled his wrap even tighter around himself and stood up.

“Yeah,” Proto said in an embarrassed tone, “Why didn’t this happen to you, Searchman?” Searchman shrugged his shoulders as he got up into a sitting position on the floor and stopped laughing at them.

“Because he’s not an Ultimate Program like you two. He’s a normal navi, but…” Famous said as he turned from the screen, “He too can shed his armor if he so chooses. It’s just more difficult to do.”

“What?!” Searchman exclaimed in shock. Both Mega and Protoman snickered at his reaction. Searchman slouched forward as he sat on the floor. I hope he doesn’t make me take mine off. I don’t want to be as embarrassed as my friends are.

“Ahem… Protoman, Megaman,” Famous interrupted, getting their attention, “This glitch is based off of Lyne’s Backup Program. According to this, if Lyne doesn’t have it active, you won’t have your armor active when you activate this program to log out of the net. And there’s no way to fix the glitch in the program. I just tried.” Mega and Protoman both hung their heads, saddened by hearing this.

“Wait! Doesn’t Blade also have the Reality Jump Program? Wouldn’t she have the same problem too?” Mega asked curiously as he lifted his head back up.

“No, I don’t,” a voice said behind them, “You both look like you need a little help.”

The three navis turned to see a blonde-haired female with silver blue eyes, wearing a long black trench coat, white t-shirt, black bellbottom jeans, and black and white tennis shoes, holding onto a pair of cat eye shades.

Protoman’s jaw dropped as he looked at her in amazement, “Who’s that?” he asked as he looked her over.

“Idiot! That’s Blade,” Searchman said as he got up off the floor.

“Cool!” Protoman exclaimed, “Maybe this glitch isn’t that bad after all,” Protoman whispered to Mega. Mega rolled his eyes, realizing what his friend was talking about.

“How come you look different from your net form?” Searchman questioned Blade.

“Oh! That’s a simple program fix,” Famous said, “With the RJP, your program matrixes split, allowing for a secondary appearance. I made hers look more human so she wouldn’t draw any unwanted attention. I’d think her silver hair and eyes would give her away as a navi or a robot. Wouldn’t you agree?” Famous asked the group. They nodded in agreement “And I see I really don’t have much to talk to your father about, concerning this program glitch. Here Mega,” Famous said handing him a mirror, “Never thought he’d be ahead of me on this one.”

Mega took the mirror and looked into it, “When did this happen?” he asked, shocked, as he noticed his hair color had changed from its normal color of blueish, black to brown like Lan’s, but his eyes remained green.

“Probably the last time you got updated by your father,” Famous said as he threw out a suggestion to Mega, who nodded in understanding.

“Well Famous, if that’s all, I’ll be going,” Blade said as she turned to leave the Lab.

“Blade, take them with you,” Famous said as he turned away from the console.

“*Erk*!” Blade came to a halt, and turned to face Famous, “All of them?!”

“Yes, all of them.”

“But I have plans!” Blade argued with him as he glared at her in a commanding way, making her give in, “Oh fine. You three in here,” she said as she pointed to the open door beside her, “Make it quick. I don’t have all night.”

They all shrugged their shoulders at each other and entered the dark room. When they were inside, Blade closed the door behind them.

“Hey, it’s dark in here!” Protoman complained.

“They’re in,” they heard Blade say through the door.

“OK. Activating Program,” they heard Famous reply.

Searchman felt strange all of a sudden, What’s going on? Just then, the lights slowly came on, revealing what had happened to Searchman, “Famous. This isn’t fair!” he exclaimed as he realized that he was now in the same predicament as his friends. They snickered at him.

“It’s fair,” Mega said, “I wonder where we are. Wow look!” They all noticed what Mega was talking about. The room was filled with clothing of many different colors and styles. Understanding what the clothes meant, Searchman quickly scanned for anything that resembled a military uniform of some sort. Surprisingly, he found a set of green Sharo BDU’s.

“Perfect,” he said as he grabbed it, a pair of what looked like combat boots, black t-shirt and socks, blousing straps, and a BDU hat. He then started to put the acquired clothes on. Getting the idea, Protoman also looked through the clothes to find a similar outfit to what Blade was wearing as Mega made a quicker decision on what to wear. He chose a dark pair of blue jeans, white t-shirt, a light-blue, long-sleeved, button up shirt, and a pair of shoes that looked like his brother’s.

He then went to the back of the closet and put them on, mimicking the way his brother wore his clothes. Man, this is kinda’ difficult. How does Lan make this look so easy? he thought to himself as he pulled on the pair of jeans.

!!!BANG!!! “Hurry up in there!” Blade called through the door as she pounded on it, getting the guys attention.

“Can’t she hold her horses? I’m still looking!” Protoman complained, “She’s really stubborn.”

“Remind you of anyone we know, Mega?” Searchman asked as he finished donning his acquired clothes. Mega snickered in reply as he put on his shoes, knowing who Searchman was talking about. Protoman huffed at them as he chose a black leather jacket, red t-shirt, blue jeans, and black cowboy boots. He then put the clothes on quickly and opened the door before Blade pounded her fist on the it again.

“Oh! Well it’s about time. And I do have to admit, you guys have taste,” Blade commented as she withdrew her balled up fist and slung her black leather backpack over her shoulder while turning away from them and putting her shades on, “Come on. This way,” she said as she led the way out of the lab. They followed her down many corridors which led out of SciLab to the company’s parking garage.

When they got there, Blade walked up to a silver Toyota Echo 200X and unlocked it by pressing a button on a set of keys that she’d had in her pocket. The guys gawked at the sight as Blade walked up to the car. “Hey, don’t stare like that. It’s rude,” she said as she noticed their looks of disbelief, “Get in!” she said as she pressed a button that unlocked the other doors and opened them, “Searchman, Protoman, sit in the back. Megaman sits up front with me.”

“Why does he get to sit up front?” Protoman complained.

“He’s smaller than you two,” Blade said as she glared at them in a demanding manner.

“She’s right. Come on, let’s go,” Searchman stated as he shoved both of his friends toward the car, forcing them to get in. Once they were inside, Blade pushed a button that closed the doors and buckled them in. She then started the car with her keys.

“Is this car yours Blade?” Mega asked curiously as he adjusted the seatbelt strap that came across his chest.

“Heh, heh!!” Blade laughed nervously as she rubbed the back of her neck, “Yes it is actually. I bought it with my own zenny. Being an UnderNet Lieutenant has its perks,” she said as she drove her car out of the parking garage, “It only cost 160,000 zenny, brand new,” she said with a tone of pride.

“If you don’t mind me asking, Blade, where are we going?” Searchman asked as he relaxed in the backseat of her car.

“Well, first to get some sustenance,” Blade said in a semi-cheerful tone, “and then to Dentech Cherry Blossom Temple. I have something to do there,” she said in a more quiet tone.

CHERRY BLOSSOM TEMPLE!! What could she possibly want to do there? Mega thought, shocked and puzzled, That’s where the local cemetery is. I should know this. Lan goes there every year to my grave, Mega thought solemnly as he shuddered in his seat, remembering the yearly trip.

“Well guys, where do you want to eat?” Blade asked, getting everybody’s attention.

“We can consume human food like this?” Searchman asked, somewhat surprised by Blade’s question.

“Of course we can. It gets converted into data once we consume it. At least that’s how Famous explained it to me. Plus, we can taste the food we eat,” Blade said cheerfully as she drove across the Dentech Bridge, “This RJP is really neat, isn’t it?” she asked, but wasn’t heard due to the fact that the three friends were arguing on where to eat. Blade sweat-dropped and sighed as she returned her focus to driving her car, “Ahem, please don’t take forever. The temple closes at 2100, it’s 1930 at the moment,” Blade stated, stopping the argument.

They all settled into their seats when Mega noticed a yellow coupon on the dash board in front of him. He grabbed it and took a look at it. His eyes widened with excitement, recognizing what the coupon was for, “We’ll go here,” he said, holding it up so everyone could see it.

“Cool! That’s my favorite place,” Blade smiled in agreement, “and it’s not to far from here. Plus, they don’t take too long to make the food,” Blade said as she made a right turn off of the bridge. Shortly after the turn, they were in downtown ElecTown, parked in front of a restaurant.

When they entered the restaurant, Zap was standing at the counter, drying some glasses. He looked up at his guests, recognizing one of them, “Well, well. If it isn’t one of our new favorite customers. How are you doing Ms. Alina?” Zap asked Blade as she walked up to him, “What would you like to order?”

“Alina?” the guys responded, confused at the name he had called Blade, but didn’t seem to want to question it.

“I’m fine Zap,” Blade replied, “I’ll order four ramens. We don’t have much time to hang out and chat tonight.”

“Yes Ms. Alina. Coming right up,” Zap said as he left the front counter and entered the kitchen. After he left, Blade turned to look at the shocked navis.

“What? I had to come up with a human name in order to blend in,” Blade said as she sat down on one of the barstools, “You shouldn’t expect me to stay at SciLab and hold Meg’s hand all the time. I have to have my personal time.”

The guys shrugged their shoulders and also sat down on stools beside her as their ramen was brought up. “Come on, eat up,” Blade said as she started in on her bowl of ramen. The guys decided to watch how she ate it for a bit before digging in themselves, eating in the same manner. Surprisingly, they finished theirs before she even finished hers. Noticing this, she got up from her seat to pay the bill with her zenny card.

“You have a nice night Ms. Alina,” Zap said as he returned her card to her after swiping it through the zenny card machine.

“You too Zap. See you around. Come on guys,” Blade said in a commanding tone as she gestured towards the door of the restaurant.

“Thank you Count Zap!” Mega said as he bowed in respect to Zap before he was dragged out of the restaurant by Protoman and Searchman to Blade’s car.

“Welcome! Man that was really quick. She wasn’t kidding,” Zap commented as he watched them leave.

“Who was that?” Yahoot asked, coming out from the back, drying his hands.

“Oh, Ms. Alina.” Zap replied as Blade’s car left from in front of their restaurant, “She brought company tonight.”

“That’s nice of her to bring in more customers. I hope they enjoyed the ramen I made.”

“Looked like it. They wolfed it down before Ms. Alina finished hers. She also seemed a little rushed tonight. I wonder why. She’s usually calm.”

“Hum… Well, not time for wondering. Time to clean up. We’re closed,” Yahoot stated as Zap looked at the clock, noticing that is was 8 pm.
___________________________
~ Blade’s Car ~

“Yum…” Mega stated in appreciation as he relaxed in his seat, feeling reenergized.

“You can say that again. I could’ve had 20 of those,” Protoman said with pride.

“That’s not a good idea,” Blade said, “If you eat too much, the same thing happens to your system as when you consume too much data. I should know; I’ve been doing this for about a month now.” These words made the guys sit quietly, knowing what that felt like.

That’s the last thing I need right now, to leak data in public. That would defiantly give us away as navis. Plus, it’s embarrassing, Mega thought as Blade’s car came to a halt.

“Here we are: Cheery Blossom Temple,” Blade said as she pressed a button that opened all the doors to her car. They all got out of the car and looked at the temple in awe, except for Mega, who actually felt nervous about being there. Just then, there was a loud slamming noise that went off behind them, causing all of them to jump. They turned around to see Blade holding a small bouquet of flowers, a box of incense, and a lighter.

I knew she was up to something, but I didn’t expect this. I wonder who she’s come to see, Mega thought curiously to himself as he watched Blade start her assent up the stairs.

“Megaman,” Protoman said, shaking his friend, making him lose his train of thought, “Come on, it says here they have a dojo. Lets spar.”

“Umm… I’d rather stay with Blade if you don’t mind,” Mega said in a quiet tone.

“She’s not going to want you to go with her. Come on,” Protoman said as he started to drag his reluctant friend up the steps, towards the dojo.

Blade paused for a moment, “I don’t mind if he comes Protoman. He’s free to do as he wishes,” she said as she started to climb the stairs again. Mega shook free of his grip and followed behind her.

“Man that sucks. Oh well,” Protoman said as he shrugged his shoulders, “Hey Searchman. Want to spar in the dojo?” he asked the cammo-clad friend behind him.

“Sure, why not. I haven’t done hand-to-hand in a while. I guess I could use the practice,” Searchman said, accepting the challenge from Protoman.

“Then let’s go. Last one there is on Bass duty,” Protoman said as he bolted up the steps before finishing his statement.

“You punk! Get back here! No fair cheating,” Searchman exclaimed as he chased after him.
________________________________
Next Episode Preview

~Author’s Computer Break room~

Lyne: There. Royal Flush. I win! *Lyne shows everyone her cards*
Protoman: Not fair. She wins again. *Throws in cards*
Mega: That’s because you try to cheat. *Throws in cards*
*Searchman throws in cards*
Protoman: I do not. It’s just because we’re not playing Black Jack. *Crosses arms*
Mega: Right… Whatever you say Protoman.
*Lyne chuckles*
Protoman: *Sigh* You’re both brutal.
Searchman: Plus you don’t know the rules. A 2 of diamonds, 5 of spades, 3 of hearts, Jack of diamonds, and a 6 of hearts will not win the game.
Protoman: Boot to the Head! *Protoman attacks Searchman*
Lyne: Heh, heh. *Lyne sweat drops* This doesn’t look good. I wonder what the author would think of them fighting in the break room.
Mega: Don’t know. But we better get out of here before we get dragged into it.
Lyne: Oh right! Next time on Lan and Lyne Episode 17: Homage and Prank. See ya!
Mega: That was good. *Sweat drops at the sight of his friends still fighting* Let’s go.
*Both Mega and Lyne jack out.*
_________________
"NetAngel Style Change Activate"
Megawoman (Lyne)

Avatar made by Serenade.exe

And feel free to post here too artists if inspired
Lan and Lyne Art Thread

[sandman exe]

Good job lyne. This is the 3rd time reviewing this one and it is pretty cool. *attempts to jack blades car but gets busted*
_________________

main site http://www.megamanexenetwork.cjb.net/indexright.html

[Megawoman.EXE]

sandman.exe: lol Car jack Blade's car. I bet she didn't like that at all.

Well anyway on with the posting of the fict.

PS: Don't forget the klenex box.
_____________________________________________

Episode 17: Homage and Prank

~Dentech Cherry Blossom Temple~30 Sept 200X a Sunday Evening~

At the top of the stairs to the temple, Mega was feeling a little winded and nervous now that he was close to the temple itself. He stopped to rest for a moment as Protoman, followed closely by Searchman, sped past him. “Hey watch where you’re going!” he complained as they almost ran him over.

“Sorry Megaman,” they called to him as they entered the Dojo.

Actually, sparring wouldn’t be a bad idea right now, but… Mega thought as he looked in the direction that Blade was going, I’m curious to see why Blade is here. Ooooh! he thought as he stood there, holding the sides of his head in frustration, trying to figure out what he was going to do. Then, giving up on thinking, he followed Blade.

Blade opened the gate ahead of them that lead to the cemetery and held it open for Mega to come through. Once the gate was closed, Mega came to his senses, realizing he had made a decision without thinking.

Oh man! Why’d I do this? Mega thought as he heard the gate close behind him, This place gives me the willies every time Lan comes here. I hate being reminded that I’m dead. Even though I’m a navi now and kinda’ alive, I still hate the fact I’m physically dead. Blade suddenly stopped in front of him at a grave marker with the name ‘Alina Nautikus’ on it.

Mega looked at it in shock as he read the name on the marker, “Blade! That’s your human name. Are you a …?”

“No, that’s my NetOp’s name, and no I’m not a SoulNavi like you,” Blade said as she looked at Mega, “She died of cancer about 12 years ago,” Blade said quietly as she kneeled in front of the marker, “She would’ve been 23 today. My, look at this mess. Her parents must’ve not come this year” Megaman could barely hear the last sentence she spoke. It was only a whisper, but the sadness in her voice was unmistakable. Blade started to remove dead leaves from around her NetOP’s grave marker. As she did so, she uncovered an older style PET that was jacked into the marker’s base. She unplugged it and examined it for a bit before she started to cry.

This actually surprised Mega, I never thought she could cry. She’s usually tough as iron nails when she’s around Lyne and me, “Are you OK?” he asked as Blade dried her tears and put the PET down.

“*Sniff* I didn’t think that memory would hurt so bad. I really miss her Megaman,” Blade said, hanging her head, “I mainly miss the friendship we shared.” She then returned to removing leaves from the marker, “After she died, her mother couldn’t bear to have another NetOp use me, so she had my NetOp code removed and I became a LoneNavi. I really hated her for that the first day I became one.”

“Why?” Mega asked as he also bent down and helped remove leaves from the marker.

“I got lost on the Net for the first time ever and ended up in the UnderNet.”

“I understand. The UnderNet can be a really scary place the first time.”

“I got surrounded by navis and viruses. I had no idea what to do without my NetOp, so I panicked. Luckily, Serenade came to my rescue. She took pity on me and trained me to be a LoneNavi. Shortly after my training, I became her Top Lieutenant. My NetOP’s mother rigged this PET so I could come here every year to pay my respect to her, but about 5 years ago, the PET broke and I couldn’t come here anymore until earlier today.”

“You came here earlier!” Mega exclaimed, “Why come back here then?”

“I noticed this marker when I came here earlier with Lyne. Your father made me bring her. I came back to pay my respects to Alina in private, but Famous made you guys come along. So please, have a little respect for my decisions,” Blade said as she lit the incense and placed it in the incense bowl in front of the marker before she bowed her head in respect. Mega also did the same, respecting Blade’s NetOp. After a few minutes of silence, Blade raised her head and got up off the ground with Mega following suit.

“Why was Lyne brought here today, Blade?” Mega asked her curiously.

Should he know? Umm… Why not? Lyne shouldn’t keep secrets from him. He’s her brother after all, Blade thought to herself, “I’ll show you. This way Megaman,” Blade said as she gestured for him to follow her further into the cemetery. He followed her without hesitation, curious about where his sister had been taken. A few minutes went by as they walked silently though the cemetery. Blade then stopped in front of another grave marker. She pointed at it and Mega read the name on the marker.

It read ‘Connor A. Cossack’. Mega looked at it in shock and stammered incoherently.

“Yes, it’s who your Grandfather told you about,” Blade said, placing her hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

“H - How’d you know my grandfather told me about this person?” Mega asked her with a confused look on his face.

“I know your Grandfather, Tadashi, really well. He told me you were playing detective with a picture he gave you,” Blade said as she turned to face the marker, “This boy died 11 years ago today. The same date that is on the picture right there, and the one you hold in your program storage,” Blade said as she pointed at a picture frame that was face down in front of the marker, next to the incense bowl with incense still burning inside it.

Mega bent down and reached out for the picture, but hesitated. If it’s the same, why do I want to look at it again? he pondered to himself as he paused.

“Go ahead and look at it Megaman. You might be surprised,” Blade said, coaxing him to look at it.

“OK,” he said in a shaky tone as he lifted up the picture. He noticed one thing different about the picture right away. It was in color, but he was right about it being the same as the one he had in his storage. That’s defiantly Lyne right there, he thought as he looked at the little girl in the picture, but the boy doesn’t look right, “This can’t be Dr. Cossack’s son!” Mega exclaimed as he examined the picture more closely.

“Why not?” Blade asked as she looked at the picture too.

“Because Dr. Cossack had brown hair. This boy’s hair is purple,” Mega said as he pointed at the obvious feature in the picture.

“Oh that. He got that from his mother, Marian,” Blade said as she got up and moved over to the grave marker to the right of Connor’s, “She’s right here. Died when she gave birth to him, and Dr. Steven Cossack is here,” she said as she moved one more grave over, “Don’t know how he died, but his death was a major loss to the NetDevelopers at SciLab and Chip Net Industries.”

Mega hung his head, feeling sympathy for the Cossack family. “Wait! How did Connor die?” Mega asked as he put the picture back the way he found it.

“He died of pneumonia, poor thing. Painful way to die according to some medical reports on the net, especially for little children his age,” Blade said as she hung her head and gently sang a quiet song.

As my tears keep overflowing;
I can’t see your last smile through the blur.
Don’t go! Don’t go! Stay with me!
Light breaks through the sky.

I’m so insignificant but
I loved you with all my soul, more than anyone.
Thank you for… all of the
precious feelings
that you gave me.

At that time, I just…
watched for ages as the vapor trail vanished.

Don’t forget…
you’re not alone.
Even if we part, our hands are still linked.
It was my first love, when I first
learned of sadness like this.

Even if something fades away, something
will live again.
The smile you gave was we parted, was
your message for me to triumph.

Someday surely we’ll meet again
and be together.
No matter how far, we’ll stare into each other’s eyes.
Bet all our hopes and dreams.
Let’s promise each other
that we’ll hold on to the intensity
of that day,
and live in the future that blooms in tomorrow.

Blade ended her little song, shedding a tear.

“That song was really pretty. Where did you hear that song?” Mega asked with misty eyes.

“Your sister sang it earlier today when we were here,” Blade said, wiping away her tear, “Plus she sang it better then I did. It felt really sad. I’ve never heard such a sad song like this one before.”

“Me neither,” Mega said as he got up off the ground and bowed his head for a minute in silence, respecting Connor. She really cared for you to sing you such a pretty song. You must have been a really good friend for her to care so much. I wish I could’ve met you, he thought as he raised his head, Come to think of it, Lyne did look sad when she came home. She disappeared into her room with Mom shortly before I left to go to SciLab to see if Dad was there. “*Erk!* I’ve got to get back or Lan will start to worry about me!” Mega exclaimed, realizing it was late.

“We should. I hope this helps your little hunt a bit,” Blade said in a cheerful tone.

“No, I think it ended it Blade,” Mega said as he looked at Connor’s grave before turning away from it.

“I don’t think so. I’ll let you in on something,” Blade said as she started to walk towards the gate of the cemetery. Mega followed, his curiosity once more aroused. Noticing she had his attention, Blade went on, “Lyne actually attacked the BassSim today, but she didn’t delete it, and I know why.”

“Really! Why?” Mega asked as he got in front of her to make her stop and tell him.

“I’m not going to tell you. You need to figure that out on your own,” Blade said as she bonked him on the nose and skirted around him, exiting the cemetery.

What does she man by that? I’m confused again. Not fair! Mega thought as he stood on the other side of the gate, dumbfounded and streaming tears of confusion.

“Let’s go get Protoman and Searchman, before they deicide to destroy the dojo without realizing it,” Blade said as she tugged on his arm, getting his attention.

“OK,” he said as he followed her out of the cemetery.
_________________________
~Cherry Blossom Temple Dojo~

*Pant, Pant* Bob… weave… duck… Punch!… Damn blocked! “I mean it. I’m going to get Bass back tonight!” Protoman said as he jumped back from the blocked punch he’d aimed at Searchman.

“What? Just because he had Treble shake your PET when you insulted him?” Searchman asked as he swung his left fist in Protoman’s direction.

“Yeah, wouldn’t you? That was humiliating,” Protoman said as he dodged the first of Searchman’s punches, “I have virus drool all over my PET and Chaud won’t touch it,” he said, blocking Searchman’s second punch.

Searchman called for a timeout by placing his hands into a T shape. “I might, but then again, I’m not you. *Whew* What do you plan on doing to Bass anyway?”

Protoman nodded and accepted Searchman’s timeout as a gong rang in the background “Push him in the pool!”

Searchman looked at his friend in shock, “The pool. Why not the maze? That’s entertaining.”

Protoman shrugged his shoulders, “Maze is too boring.”

“I like the maze better. I have an idea. You game?” Searchman asked.

“Shoot,” Protoman said, perplexed by Searchman’s idea.

“Let’s spar for the option. Winner’s option chosen. Deal?” Searchman asked him as he cocked one eye up in amusement.

“Deal… You’d better be ready. I’m not going to go easy on you Searchman,” Protoman said as he stood ready to fight.

“Oh! I’m bringing it on punk!” Searchman said as he got into a hand-to-hand fighting pose. Protoman just stood there calmly as the Dojo Master rang the gong. Searchman charged at Protoman, starting off the fight with a good clean hit to Protoman’s lower jaw.

OK! I wasn’t prepared for that. I wonder how he likes this, Protoman thought as he swung his foot in a high, wide arc, making contact with the side of Searchman’s face. This caused Searchman to lose balance and fall to the floor. The Dojo Master rang the gong, signifying end match.

Searchman held the side of his face where Protoman hit him with his boot as he got up off the floor, “Ughh… You cheated. That’s not a martial arts move. That’s like high sticking in hockey. Illegal!”

“It’s legal. It’s a move from Thai-Kuan Leap called Boot to the Head!” Protoman said with pride as the Dojo Master rolled his eyes in the background.

“Those are words in a stupid song that Raika listens too once in a while. Trying to pull the wool over my eyes,” Searchman mumbled as he sat there on the ground.

“But I still won. The gong rang, so we push Bass into the pool.”

“*Huff* Fine, but since this is your idea you get to do it by yourself,” Searchman said, pointing at Protoman.

“That’s fine with me, but you get to watch,” Protoman said as he crossed his arms.

“Don’t drag me into this. It’s between you and Bass. Oww… That really hurt,” Searchman said as he rubbed the side of his head. Note to self. Cowboy boots + Protoman = dangerous, he thought to himself as he got up off the ground. Blade and Mega walked into the Dojo as he did so.

“Come on you two. Time to go!” Blade called to them when she noticed they saw her and left the Dojo. Mega just stood at the enterance, waiting for his friends

As they approached, he asked, “How did the match go?”

“Don’t ask. Oww…” Searchman said as he passed by Mega, still holding the side of his head and following Blade to her car.

“What’s wrong with him?” Mega asked Protoman as they started down the stairs.

“Oh, he’s a sore loser. How did things go with Blade out there?” Protoman asked, pointing in the direction of the cemetery as they continued down the stairs.

“She paid homage to her NetOp. I also found out Lyne came here earlier today.”

“Really, why?” Protoman asked, intrigued by what his friend had told him.

“Blade told me that she came and visited Connor Cossack’s grave.”

“So, the boy who died in the picture you showed me. How old was he?” Protoman asked as he crossed his hands behind his head.

“Five. There was also a color picture at the grave exactly like the one I have in my program storage,” Mega said with a furrowed brow.

“Is there something wrong with the picture? You look kinda’ puzzled by it,” Protoman asked as he took his hands down from behind his head and paid more attention to his friend.

“Tell me about it. Connor’s hair was purple in the picture. Dr. Cossack was a brunette, like my dad is.”

Protoman paused for a moment and shook his head, Purple hair? Couldn’t be…, Protoman thought as he took a step forward, Naa! Not possible, but could be quite possible if Dr. Cossack did a…

“Come on Protoman; beat you to Blade’s car,” Mega interrupted his friend’s train of thought.

“You’re on!” Protoman exclaimed and bolted at the same time Mega did. Mega was the winner and stood, leaning on the car as he watched his winded friend come in second. “*Pant* I guess the match took most of my energy with it. Man I’m tired,” Protoman said as he bent over and leaned against his knees for a second to catch his breath.

“Come on you two,” Blade called to them, “We have to get back pronto. Famous just called.” They quickly got into her car without hesitation. Blade started it up shortly after they entered and took off towards SciLab.
__________________________
~At the top of the steps of the Cherry Blossom Temple~

Those two navis need to practice more on being silent when they fight, a mysterious figure in a elegant robe thought to himself, Zodiac could’ve been listening in on where my master elements hide. The stranger looked around cautiously for a moment and then regained his composure, I know SciLab has both of them. No safer place at the moment. I’m sorry I marked you both, but it is for the future of mankind. My prayers go out to you both, wherever you may be right now. May the NetSaviors protect you until you are needed. Actually…, he thought as he pixilated and disappeared from where he stood.

The Dojo Master saw this and rubbed his eyes in disbelief, “A ghost?” he asked himself as he watched the stranger disappear.
___________________________
~SciLab ~ Yuu’s Lab ~

The door to Yuu’s lab creaked open and the foursome entered the lab, chatting about what they’d experienced.

“Welcome back you guys. Did you enjoy the outing?” Famous asked them when they came within earshot. They all nodded.

“Hey guys,” Protoman said, getting his friends’ attention, “Should we tell Flashman about this program?” he asked them curiously.

They all looked at each other for a second, and then glared back at him, “NOO!!!” they all said in unison, causing him to fall over in embarrassment.

“That’s the last thing we need. Flashman wandering around in the real world. He’s loony enough as he is,” Searchman mumbled as he placed his hand on his face.

“Are you guys ready to go back to the net?” Famous asked as Protoman regained his composure.

“Yeah. The sooner the better. I need to recalibrate my system,” Searchman said as he glared at Protoman, holding the side of his face. Protoman gulped as he realized that Searchman was still mad about losing the fight

“OK. Then all you have to do is jack in,” Famous stated, getting their attention. Searchman started looking for a jack in plug or something like it on his visible skin.

Mega noticed his confusion, “Like this Searchman,” he said as he walked up to a jack in port and touched it, “Megaman, Jack In,” he commanded as his body pixilated and disappeared from their sight. He then reappeared, smiling and waving on his father’s console screen.

“Man, that’s easy,” Searchman said as he and Protoman did the same thing, “Searchman, Jack In!”

“Protoman, Jack In. Ahh… Much better.”

“Good evening Mr. Famous. See you later,” Mega said as they left his father’s console returning to their respective places.

Famous hung his head, “No need for… formalities.”

“Armor activate!” Blade said as her silvered suit started appearing around her, “I’m glad you didn’t tell them how to activate their armor. That would’ve been a disaster waiting to happen. Especially with Protoman.”

“Heh, heh, you judge too quickly, Blade. You did find out you were wrong about Lyne after all,” Famous said, waving his forefinger back and forth in a ‘tut, tut’ way.

“She kinda’ grows on ya’. You know it’s her element after all. *Sigh* Pure light. I’ve never seen anything like it. Plus, it’s one of the master elements that makes up everything. The other element’s caretaker, I’m not too fond of right now. Couldn’t we delete him and give the element to someone else?” she asked as she leaned against the wall next to the closet in the shadows.

“Don’t worry about him Blade. Plus, you know we can’t delete him because of the fact he’s a master element barer. Once an element is installed, it cannot be removed without being destroyed. It can’t even be copied,” Famous said as he got up from the chair in front of Yuu’s console, “I’m going to be going home. See you round, Blade,” Famous said as he exited Yuu’s lab.

“I might as well get going too. Serenade is going to want a report,” Blade said as she jacked into Yuu’s console and logged out of SciLab and to the UnderNet.
__________________________
~ Chaud’s Guest House ~ Evening ~

Bass was standing outside on the back patio, by the pool, staring up at the starry night sky.

My last night as a prisoner in this wretched place. He, he! Then I can wreak havoc once again. Except I’m forbidden to be near that Hikari Witch. Stupid Serenade! I hate her, Bass thought to himself as he slumped down into one of the living room chairs he managed to drag outside to sit on. He was too heavy to sit on the plastic lounge chairs that were around the edge of the pool. Of course, he’d felt the need to test the chairs and find out if there were any strong enough for him. Bass glanced around in satisfaction at the ruined piles of flimsy plastic and aluminum as Treble placed his head in his lap and whined.

“You wanting attention again? Why me? You could have stayed with the Hikari Witch for all I care. Oww…” Bass said as Treble bit his hand for insulting Lyne, “Let go Mutt! My hand isn’t a chew toy!!” he exclaimed as he felt Treble’s teeth press against a pressure point on the back of his hand.

Take back your insult against the Light Element Master, Dark Element Master! Treble thought to Bass as he bit down harder on his hand and shook it a little.

“Aghhah… What are you talking about you crazy canine? Who’s the ‘Light Element Master’?” Bass asked as he tried to remove his hand from Treble’s mouth, but to no avail.

The one you call Witch, Dark Element Master, “Grrrrr” Trebled growled as he continued to apply pressure to Bass’s hand.

“Oww…! Megawoman?!” Bass asked in shock as Treble bit down on his hand even harder, “OK, OK! I’ll take back what I said about Hikari! OK! Let Go!” Bass pleaded as the pain was becoming unbearable. He resorted to beating on Treble’s muzzle to make him let go. After a few minutes of Bass beating him, Treble let go of his hand. Treble growled at him angrily before he turned and held his head high as he walked off, leaving Bass in his chair.

Bass stood up and inspected the hand that Treble had decided to chew on. It was fine except for a few indents created by Treble’s teeth. “Mangy Mutt Virus,” Bass muttered, shaking his hand as Treble started growling at something close by the pool. He decided to check out what upset the virus wolf. When he got there, he noticed nothing unusual.

“You’re stupid. There’s nothing over here,” he scolded Treble. He then turned to leave the virus there and go into the guest house. Before he even got a chance to leave the pool area, he got attacked by a white blur and was thrown off balance beside the pool. “Who?” he asked in shock as he wildly waved his arms to keep from falling into the pool, but it wasn’t helping. Treble, sensing his distress, grabbed onto the back of the robe Bass was wearing to also help him out, but Bass’s robotic body was too heavy and they both fell in with a big splash.
______________________
~CHN~

“Damn virus almost gave me away,” Protoman said as he appeared beside Searchman, “See? Much more entertaining than the maze,” he said as he gestured to the vid screen Searchman was watching.

“*Sigh*” Searchman breathed wearily as he sweat-dropped and released a puff of air, I can’t believe I let him do that, he thought as he linked back to his PET, leaving Protoman behind to watch Bass trying to get out of the pool.

That was so cool, Protoman chuckled.
_______________________
~Chaud’s Guest House~

!!!SPLASH!!!

!!!!AROUUUU!!!!AROUUUU!!!! Treble bellowed while swimming in the pool, calling for help.

“What was that?” Raika asked in shock as he looked up from the strategy guide he was reading for Boktai 2. He got up from his seat on the couch and went outside to investigate. Once he was outside, he noticed Treble swimming up to him. Treble got out shortly afterwards and shook himself off, drenching Raika.

“Hey, cut it out,” Raika said as Treble did so, holding his hands out to try and block the water from hitting him, “Hmm? Where’s Bass, Treble?” he asked the virus. In response to his question, Treble ran around the edge of the pool to the deeper end and barked at it. Raika looked at where Treble was barking and noticed a dark figure at the bottom of the pool trying to swim out. “Oh great!” Raika exclaimed as he took his shirt off and dived into the pool. He noticed that Bass was getting nowhere and was basically stuck down there. He returned to the surface shortly after his assessment of the situation, “Burrrr… You better be thankful for this Bass. Here goes nothing,” Raika stated as he took a deep breath and dived down once more.

Damn, he’s even heavier under water, Raika thought as he started to shove Bass towards the shallow end of the pool. It took about 10 to 15 air trips to get the job done.
“*Whew* What happened Bass?” he asked his rather upset charge as he helped him out of the pool.

“I got blindsided, that’s what,” Bass responded in an angry tone as he shook himself free from Raika’s grip, “The security here sucks!”

“Did you see who it was?” Raika asked, concerned if there was a breach in the security of the guest house.

“No! I would’ve choked them if I did,” Bass demonstrated by pretending to choke something, “All I saw was a white flash and the attacker was gone.”

“I’m going to have to beef up the security tonight to ensure that nobody does this again.”

“Do whatever you want, human. What you do is no concern of mine,” Bass stated as he started to wring his robe out. Raika rolled his eyes as he clumsily did so and unzipped the back of the robe, causing it to fall heavily off of Bass’s robot body. “What’d you do that for?” Bass demanded as he glared at Raika, feeling violated.

“You’re doing it all wrong,” Raika said as he grabbed the soaked robe off the ground. He then started to twist it tightly, “This is how you do it,” he said, demonstrating what he was doing to Bass. Once he was done wringing it, he took it over to an antique clothes wringer and finished wringing the excess water out of it. After he was done, he shook it out, “Now it’s ready for the dryer,” he said as he walked back to where his shirt was and wrapped it around his wet shorts.

Bass just stood there, staring at him, the human who had been one of his major providers of torment for the past month, confused, “Why help me? You’re as confusing as the Female Hikari is.”

“This happens to be part of my job. If I didn’t help, I wouldn’t be doing it, right?” Raika asked, nudging him in a friendly manner with his elbow before taking Bass’s robe inside. This gesture confused Bass even more as he followed Raika toward the house, still dripping water from his soaked wig. “Stay out here until I bring you a towel. Chaud would have a fit if he finds his carpet wet in the morning.”

Bass crossed his arms in protest as Raika closed the glass patio door behind him, leaving Bass outside with Treble. “This isn’t fair! Whoever attacked me might still be out here, you know!” Bass shouted through the glass at Raika.

“Treble’s out there with you. You’re fine,” Raika called back as he disappeared from Bass’s sight, down the hallway.

“Fat lota’ help you are,” Bass muttered to the virus that sat beside him, “You didn’t even try to stop me from falling in.”

Well excuse me, but I’m not the one who weighs over 400 lbs, Fatso! Treble replied smartly.

“I’m not fat!!... My form was well built. That’s all,” Bass said, holding his head up high as Raika returned, wearing dry clothes and carrying a huge pile of towels. He then started drying Bass’s hair, even though Bass protested to Raika’s human hands being in contact with his robot body. After a while, Raika was getting sore from drying all of Bass’s hair.

“Didn’t you ever think of cutting this robot’s hair?” Raika asked as he finished drying Bass’s hair.

“No!” Bass exclaimed, pulling away from him suddenly, as if Raika had a hidden pair of scissors in his hand, “I like how it looks,” he glared at Raika, “Leave the hair alone,” he hissed angrily making Raika back away from him.

“It was just a suggestion,” Raika said waving his hands in front of him, “No need to bite my head off,” he said as Bass turned his back to him, “I also have to do an inspection of your external ports too,” Raika said as he forced Bass to sit down in the chair he’d brought outside.

“Leave me alone, human!” Bass protested as he was forced to sit down, “I’m fine!”

“Well then don’t blame me if the scientists at SciLab can’t get you out of there when we take you back,” Raika said and turned to leave him there, causing Bass to stop him, “So you want to be inspected now. Funny, I know what to say to make you understand,” he said while he crouched on his knees and inspected all of the external ports for any signs of water getting into them, “You’re lucky this time Bass. This was too strange to have been a simple-minded prank. It must have been planned. Hum… I’m going to have an investigation done to find out what happened out here. That might mean you’ll be here longer then expected.”

“What?! You mean I have to stay here longer?” Bass exclaimed in shock, “I don’t want to stay here any longer then what was agreed upon.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s how investigations work,” Raika said as he got up and opened the patio door. Bass crossed his arms in protest to what Raika had said, “Don’t act that way. It should only take a week,” Raika said as he made him get up out of the chair, “That’s if they don’t find any thing. Come on. Time to recharge,” he ordered as he shoved the groaning Bass through the open door.

“I don’t like you,” Bass said as he went straight to the couch and brought out his recharge plug. He handed it to Treble, who plugged it into the wall behind the couch.

“I know,” Raika said as he watched him switch into sleep mode while the robotic form recharged. He then walked into the kitchen to use the vid phone. He opened up the address book he had his pocket and looked up a number he hadn’t had to use in a while. He dialed it up and waited for the person on the other end of the line to pick up. Shortly, after about three rings, a woman with black hair streaked with flaming red and blazing blue eyes appeared on the screen wearing her blue and white PJ’s.

“*Yawn* Yes Lt. Raika. What do you want?” she asked rubbing her eyes.

“My charge got attacked tonight. I’m requesting an investigation. If you’re not too busy Commander Nina.”

“*Yawn* Huh?” she asked as she sat up more erect, “What? Bass got attacked? By who?” she asked as the words registered in her mind.

“Don’t know. That’s why I’m requesting an investigation of the incident. Can you come over tomorrow?”

Nina stretched for something, “Checking… Sure. I’ve got no major plans tomorrow.”

“Ahem,” a voice from her PET called out, “You have a meeting with Commander Beef tomorrow at 1400.”

“Oh right!” Nina said as she slapped her forehead, “Thanks for reminding me Pyra. Well we’ll have to schedule our meeting for early in the morning. Is that fine with you Raika?”

“Sure that’s fine. Just remember to bring breakfast.”

Nina rolled her eyes, “I’m already doing this investigation as a favor. Breakfast is pushing it. Good night Lt. Raika,” Nina said as she hung up her phone, causing Raika to sweat drop.

It was worth a shot. Well whatever. Time for bed, he thought as he inputted a code into the main security panel and went to the guest room to sleep.
_________________________
~Outside Chaud’s Guest House~

That long-haired navi is irritating, the elegantly clothed stranger thought after he watched the whole thing, I need to teach him a lesson one of these days. Now isn’t the time. Actually, I’ll leave that to you my dark one. Your time of restoration will be soon, he thought as he materialized what looked like a book in his hands, I’ll give my light one a gift to give her a nudge in the right direction. God’s speed to my light one’s room, he commanded the book and it vanished from his hands, Good night my dark one. Until we meet face-to-face, he thought to Bass as he pixilated, disappearing into the night again.

Bass sat up abruptly, “Whu’ was that?” he asked as he looked around the dark living room to see if he could find the source of the mysterious voice.

I didn’t hear anything, Treble thought sleepily as he raised his head to look at Bass, Go back to sleep. You’re safe. Security system is on. *Yawn* he finished as he laid his head back on the ground and started snoring.

“Maybe he’s right. Must’ve been my imagination,” Bass said to himself as he too laid back down on the couch and went back to sleep.

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Next Episode Preview

~Author’s Kitchen~

Lyne: *Sniffle* I wasn’t in this one, and…*Lyne starts to cry* I don’t think I’ll be in the next one. *hides head in arms and lays it on top of table while sitting in chair*
Jackie: Why not Lyne?
Lyne: *Lyne lifts head* *Sniffle* Because I saw the title of the next chapter. It’s about more boy characters. *Lyne starts to cry harder*
Jackie:*Picks up script from table in front of Lyne, and shakes head* You cry over nothing. Here take this. *Hands Lyne a soda and Lyne stops crying*
Lyne takes soda and opens it**POP**FIZZ*
Lyne: Thanks. *Drinks soda*
*Nina enters kitchen with a groggy look on her face*
Nina: Why do guys have to be so imposing? I was sleeping. Baka Raika. *Walks up to fridge and opens it*
Lyne and Jackie in unison: *Shrug shoulders* Don’t know.
*Nina closes fridge with a milk jug in her hand, and pours herself a glass of milk.*
Nina: *Adds shot of hot water to milk* Well that’s guys for you. *Sigh**Drinks milk, and notices Lyne’s soda* You know you have school tomorrow, Lyne. You shouldn’t be drinking soda at this hour.
*Lyne hides soda can behind her back*
Lyne: Soda what soda? Heh, heh, well time for bed.*Heads towards door of kitchen, dragging Jackie along causing her to sweat drop.* Next time on Lan and Lyne Episode 18: High School Boys See ya! *Both exit kitchen*
Nina: *Shakes head* Seriously teenage girls these days. *Gets up and walks out of the kitchen to go to bed*
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"NetAngel Style Change Activate"
Megawoman (Lyne)

Avatar made by Serenade.exe

And feel free to post here too artists if inspired
Lan and Lyne Art Thread

[sandman exe]

Lol haha bass got knocked into the pool. Oh well at leat he knows what water feels like.
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main site http://www.megamanexenetwork.cjb.net/indexright.html

[gameman]

bass got what's coming to him I wounder who the guy in the shadow's was
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i am the game master

[Megawoman.EXE]

gameman: The stranger is a secret charater I made at the last minute when I first typed up this chapter oh my... about 5 months ago. I figured I needed a suprise character at that point in the story to help introduce another character in a later chapter. Plus it keeps up the suspence of the story line. I hope this helps a little.

:grr: :stonecube: *Bricked*
Bass: Stop doddling and get on with the story Author!!!

Oww why me? *rubs head nursing second navi inflicted bump* OK fine well I only have a few more days before the posting of Season 2 of Lan and Lyne. * :grr: Bass rasies another stonecube over his head even larger then the one he threw in the first place* OK I'll stop rambling. Enjoy the chapter.*Makes mad dash for the door with Bass hot on my heels.* AAAAHHHHHH!!!!
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Episode 18: High School Boys

~ACDC Neighborhood~Friday, 5 Oct 200X~

Lyne had her nose in a book while walking out of her house to meet Jackie, who was waiting for her on the sidewalk. The book had mysteriously appeared in her room earlier in the week and she hadn’t been able to put it down in her spare time.

“Your nose in that book again?” Jackie asked as Lyne joined her and started walking in the opposite direction, away from school, “Lyne, look where you’re going. School is this way.”

Lyne looked up from her book and looked at Jackie, “Oops! I’m sorry. I guess I’ll put this away,” she said as she put the book in her backpack.

“Seriously Lyne, I’m surprised you even get your homework done… You know, between NetBattling and reading that strange book.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Being a half-navi is going to take some getting used too,” Lyne said as she brought out her PET, “but with Combit by my side again, my transition back to school has been easier. She’s been a real life saver this past week.”

“I’m still a byte though,” Combit piped up from her PET, “Your Dad couldn’t fix that. And it really sucks. I can’t use battle chips without your assistance,” Combit said, hanging her head along with Lyne.

I end up having to use my power to help Combit look like a normal navi that could use battle chips. And I end up coming home drained. There’s got to be a better way before I get found out by my classmates, Lyne thought as she walked silently beside Jackie.

“It’s OK, Combit, Lyne, I made a few chips last night that should work for you guys,” Jackie said as she pulled them out from a side pocket on her backpack. “They took all night to program.”

“Cool! Can I see them Jackie?” Lyne asked as she held out her right hand in front of Jackie. Jackie then placed the chips in Lyne’s hand, “Scan…… Awesome! These will work great!” Lyne exclaimed as she smiled, holding the chips in her hand. She then placed them in her backpack.

“Lyne, are you sure you should be using your powers in public. We’re almost to school.”

Lyne looked rapidly around in shock, “OOPS! Did anyone see me do that?” she asked as she turned to look at Jackie who shook her head ‘no’. Lyne let out a puff of air in relief.

“Your Father said you have to be careful. There are still NetTerrorism groups out there that might have you as a target,” Jackie said, causing Lyne to feel ashamed. She then placed her arm around Lyne’s shoulders, “I’m concerned for you Lyne, that’s all. You’re my BF. Maybe Combit should change right now.”

“Good idea, Jackie. Meg Morph,” Combit said, morphing her appearance to look like Lyne’s navi form. She crossed her arms when she finished, “I hate this form. I shrink a good foot, maybe more,” she said. She also sounded like Lyne.

“Don’t worry about it. You won’t be in that form long,” Lyne said, a little uncomfortable about Combit’s comment.

“Excuse me. School hours are from 8:30 am. - 3:30 pm. That’s 7 hours, Lyne. You know I don’t really have to be doing this for you.”

“I’m sorry Combit. I apologize, but today is early release Friday, remember?”

“Oh that’s right! Silly me.”

“Uh Oh!” Jackie exclaimed, “Look who’s waiting for you at the gate, Lyne!” Jackie said as she pointed at the gate to the school where an attractive teenager with short black hair, blue eyes, light tan completion, wearing a black t-shirt that had the word ‘Atticus’ written on the front of it, blue jeans, and skater-style shoes.

Lyne’s eyes widened in shock as she recognized the male teen, “Not again! That guy will try anything,” Lyne said as she hid behind Jackie, “It’s bad enough the other guys in class hit on me, but this guy is impossible.”

“Consider yourself lucky Lyne. At least you have guys wanting to go out with you,” Jackie said as Flash silently chuckled inside his PET.

“It’s kinda’ hard when I like someone else,” Lyne mumbled quietly as she continued to hide behind her tall friend.

This surprised Jackie, “Who? Please tell me Lyne!” Jackie pleaded, moving around to look at Lyne, which left Lyne exposed.

“No. That’s private,” Lyne said, trying to turn her friend around to hide behind her again.

“I know!” Flash piped up from his PET, “It’s… Oww!” he exclaimed as Lyne hit his PET really hard.

“I said that was a secret,” Lyne said as she glared at him. Flash gulped, getting her point and shutting his big yap.

“That’s OK Lyne. I understand. There are some secrets friends must keep from each other,” Jackie said in a calm tone as she nursed the bump on Flash’s head.

“You better remember that Flash or I’ll…” Lyne said as she passed by the teen at the gate.

“Good Morning Ladies!” he said with a charming smile.

“Good Morning Ken. How are you?” Jackie asked back.

“Jackie! What are you doing?” Lyne whispered to her in shock as they suddenly stopped in front of him.

“I’m being nice,” she whispered back, “Something you should practice on.”

Ken sweat-dropped as they whispered in front of him, Man am I nervous. Well now to ask them, “Ahem! I’m fine. Would you beautiful lasses want to join me for lunch today?” he asked in a charming voice.

“That’s really sweet of you. Of course I’ll join you,” Jackie said, getting a humph out of her PET as Flash crossed his arms in disagreement.

“I won’t,” Lyne said as she started to walk away from them.

“Why not, Lyne? He’s nice,” Jackie called to her as she continued to walk away.

“I have my reasons!” Lyne called back as she started to run off deeper into the campus.

“Lyne, LYNE! Wait up!” Jackie called as she chased after her, leaving Ken behind.

Once he was alone, he scratched his head, “Man, strike #30. A new record. That girl hasn’t fallen for my charm at all. I’ve never met a girl that hasn’t fallen for my charm,” he commented as he watched Lyne run off.

“Maybe you’ve lost your touch, Ken,” a voice called out from his PET.

Ken crossed his arms, “I have not, Kid. I’ll get her to go out with me by the end of the day,” he said as he looked down at the PET on his side.

“500 zenny says you can’t,” his navi bet him.

“You’re on,” Ken accepted as he ran onto the campus as the bell rang for classes to start.
__________________________

Throughout the morning classes, Lyne did surprisingly well, despite the fact that all her male peers were watching her every move and drooling at her beauty. After her first four periods, Trigonometry, Chemistry, Band/Choir, and PE, it was time for lunch. She decided to sit with her brother and his friends since they shared the same lunch period. Jackie also joined them.

After eating in silence for about 2 seconds, Lan got bored, “So Lyne, how’s High School?” he asked out of curiosity.

“It’s OK so far. I just don’t like being eyed by every boy in my class,” she replied as she played with her school lunch.

“That’s because they’re all pervs, Lyne,” Yai stated as she drank her milk.

Mayl muttered what sounded suspiciously like, “Takes one to know one.” Yai sneezed. Shortly after that, Ken walked up to their table in serene grace. He then leaned against the table beside Jackie, making her blush. Flash noticed this and started to blow steam out his ear armor, though nobody noticed his anger.

“Well, are you ladies going to take me up on my invite?” Ken asked in a charming tone, “I have a table reserved just for us.”

Jackie turned to Lyne, who looked rather disgusted with Ken as usual, “Come on, Lyne. It’s not like he’s going to bite.”

Lyne stood up abruptly, “I’m going to recharge my PET,” she said as she stormed off, leaving her halfway eaten meal behind at the table.

Lan looked at it with interest for a moment before he started to eat what was left.

“Oh man, she got away again!” Ken said as he watched Lyne leave in a hurry.

“Strike 31… he, he, he,” Kid stated quietly from his PET so only Ken could hear him.

Ken looked at his PET, “Sushh… Why was she sitting here with you anyway Lan? Does she have a thing for NetSaviors?” he asked as he elbowed the preteen gently after coming to his side of the table.

“Mumph!...” Lan tried to speak as he held up his finger in a ‘one sec’ pose. “*Swallow* She’s my sister.”

“Really?!” Maybe Lan can hook me up! Ken thought as he grinned, standing beside Lan.

“Yep! She got back from America in July,” Lan said with a smile before he finished wolfing down Lyne’s lunch.

“In July you say. Humm… Why wasn’t she in school when it started?” Ken asked Lan as he leaned against the table on his side, starting to make Lan feel nervous.

“Um…” Lan hesitated as he looked around, trying to think up an excuse as Mayl balled up her fist behind his head. He then thought of a great excuse, “She was in the hospital for a personal matter,” he said, smiling convincingly as his friends and Jackie nodded in agreement.

“Oh, sorry to hear that,” Now down to business, Ken thought as he sat in Lyne’s seat beside Lan, “Do you think she would talk to me ever? She won’t talk to anyone in her class except for this fine lady,” he said as he gestured to Jackie, making her blush brighter and Flash even more furious, “and the teachers.”

Lan sat there pondering on what Ken had asked for a second, and then, without thinking about his sister’s feelings, he suggested, “Maybe a NetBattle would get her to talk to you.”

“Of course!” Ken exclaimed as he pounded his fist in his hand, “Thank you Lan. See you later,” he said as he patted Lan’s back and got up from the table, heading off in the direction Lyne had taken off.

Mayl let her balled fist hit Lan in the back of the head, “LAN! Why’d you do that?” she asked angrily.

“OWW…!” Lan cried in pain.

“Yeah, Lan,” Mega piped up from his PET, “You have to consider sis’s feelings too before making outrageous statements like that,” he said, causing Lan to hang his head in shame for practically telling Ken too challenge Lyne.
____________________________________
~Closest Recharge Station in ACDC School~

Lyne was standing in front of the RS fuming with anger, “What is with that guy?” she asked Combit.

“Maybe he really likes you, Lyne. Why don’t you talk to him instead of brushing him off like that?” Combit suggested as she returned to her normal appearance for a break from her Meg Morph.

“Quit trying to sound like Jackie. I don’t want to talk to him at all,” Lyne exclaimed as she crossed her arms and held her head high.

“Why not? He’s kinda’ sweet,” Combit asked, “but not as sweet as Searchy is,” Combit said as she blushed, thinking about her cammo-clad navi guy.

“He’s always waiting for me at the gate so he can invite me to lunch. Plus he hits on me in the hall going to class,” Lyne exclaimed, almost shouting at Combit, “He’s also an underclassman for crying out loud. Plus, he’s got girls that follow him everywhere around the school. Why doesn’t he chase one of them?” Lyne asked her, practically crying out of her anger towards Ken as her stomach started to growl.

“That’s what you get for leaving your lunch behind,” Combit stated as Lyne scowled at her, “Come on, jack in and consume some data before class starts.” Lyne looked at her digital watch to check how much time was left before class started. Her watch said it was 12:30 pm. She had about 15 minutes left before 7th period started, since it was early release Friday for teacher meetings.

“Sure, I have time,” Lyne said as she touched one of the other jack in ports. She paused for a moment and looked around for anyone spying on her. Once she had determined that the coast was clear, she commanded, “Megawoman, Jack In!” She then digitized and logged onto the ACDC School Server. Shortly after she did, Ken arrived at the RS.

“I swear, she said she was going to recharge her PET. This is the closest one to the cafeteria,” he said as he noticed there was no sign of Lyne. He then spotted her PET still hooked up to the RS and her navi on the monitor. “Well hello Meg!” he said in a cheerful tone as he addressed Lyne unknowingly.

“*Erk!*” Lyne exclaimed in shock as she recognized his voice, and slowly turned to face its owner, He found me. I hope he didn’t see me digitize! That would be a disaster, she thought as she let out an uneasy breath, “Uh… Hello Ken,” she replied back nervously.

“Hey, do you know where Lyne is?” he asked in a concerned tone, “Hey, who’s that?” he asked Lyne, noticing a second navi with her.

“Oh, this is Combit. She’s one of my online friends,” Lyne said, introducing Combit to Ken. Combit waved hello to him.

“Um… How are you going to cover for yourself?” Combit asked, whispering quietly so Lyne could hear her.

“Uh… And Lyne went to… the bathroom. Yeah! Just a minute before you got here,” Lyne said as she smiled convincingly, covering for herself. Noticing the look on his face, she realized it worked; he believed her. She wiped the back of her hand in relief across her forehead.

Good cover Lyne, Combit thought to Lyne.

Thanks! she thought as she smiled at Combit, accepting her complement.

“Darn. I wanted to challenge her to a match during class next period. Do you think she’d accept my challenge?”

Ooo… NetBattle. Ye…, Lyne thought as she shook her head, realizing she was falling for one of her urges, No… Yes… No… Yes… No not against him… Yeah! No, she thought, finally deciding against it.

Just as Lyne was about to say ‘no,’ a familiar voice spoke, in English, “Of course she will. Won’t she Meg?” Lyne looked up and noticed Tony standing behind Ken, “Won’t she?”

Lyne hung her head in defeat and kicked the ground, trying to make a dent or hole in it and weakly said, “Yes she will,” in Japanese.

“Cool thanks Meg, Mr. Tony. See you in class,” Ken said as he ran off with a big cat-like grin on his face.

After he left, Lyne glared at Tony, “You evil! Under handed…!” Lyne paused for a sec while she boiled over with anger, “I’d rather go out with Sand instead of that loser.” Sand smiled at the complement.

“Lyne ease up. I know you don’t like him, but you have to learn how to interact with boys, especially at school, and you know I’m right.” Tony stated as he watched Lyne breathing heavily, still sounding really angry.

“Japanese boys are all pervs and don’t take a hint. At least American boys know the meaning of the word no!”

“True, but we’re not in America now are we? Besides why are you jacked in? Your father…”

“I know what my father said, but he chased me away from my lunch by being annoying,” she said as her stomach grumbled.

“Oh. So you’re recharging. Why not do it in my class room? Megawoman, Combit, Jack Out,” he said, removing the PET as he jacked Lyne and Combit out of the ACDCSS, “I don’t want anyone to see you jack out here in the hallway. Plus, you’ll have some privacy,” he said as he walked down the hallway, by about three classroom doors, and entered the fourth.

“Thank you, Tony,” Lyne said a calmer tone as she entered the safety of his class room.
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~ Tony’s Classroom ~

Time for class shortly arrived. Juniors and Sophomores flooded into the classroom, filling all of the seats. Lyne had already jacked out and was saving a seat for Jackie beside her. They started to text type each other.

FJYang16: So did you get found by Ken?
MLHikari0713: Yes! Don’t ask for any details either.
FJYang16: Oh! OK. From the sound of that I’m guessing it’s bad, so I’m going to leave that subject alone. Speaking of subjects, let’s get ready for class.
MLHikari0713: Agreed.

They both got their books out as Alexa and Tony entered the classroom and walked to the front of the room. Alexa got designated as the teacher of this class because she knew how to speak Japanese properly. She stood in the front of the class and tapped her laser pointer on the board getting the class’s attention. Tony sat at the desk in the corner, correcting assignments from the other classes that he and Alexa had taught earlier in the day.

“OK,” Alexa said once she saw she had their attention, “Welcome to today’s lesson in International Virus and NetBattling. Today we will be learning about the Stripes Virus, native only to Sharo. Did anyone do their homework assignment last night?” she asked as Lyne and Jackie raised their hands.

“Lyne, tell me what the Stripes Virus is and some of its abilities,” Alexa addressed Lyne, “and please stand when your answer.”

Lyne stood up, bringing out a collective sigh from some of the guys, which made her feel nervous, “Ahh… It’s an ice elemental that looks like a Bengal Tiger. The most common ability it has is called Freeze Slash, which freezes their opponent in place. Plus they are quick, and have sharp claws,” she answered quickly and then sat back down in her seat.

“Correct, Lyne! Nice to see somebody does their homework,” Alexa stated as she glared at the rest of the class coldly, causing them to sink down in their chairs in shame, except for Jackie. “*Sigh* We won’t fight this virus until Monday, so the rest of class will be free for NetBattling against each other. My teaching assistant says there’s already been a challenge made,” she said as she paused momentarily, scanning the room, “Would Lyne Hikari, and Ken Taro come to the front of the class.”

Jackie looked over towards her friend as she noticed an angry glare on her face aimed at Tony, “Uh Oh! Looks like Lyne is pissed, Flash,” Jackie whispered to her navi as Lyne got up out of her seat.

“Heh, heh. That punk is going to get what he deserves,” Flash whispered to himself and cracked his knuckles as he watched Lyne approach the front of the room.

At the same time, Ken was smiling as he came up to the front of the class room. Once they got there he whispered to Lyne, “If I win, you go out with me tonight at 7PM.”

Lyne puffed her cheeks in anger, “You challenged me so you could see if you could go out with me!?” Lyne shouted at him as he nodded with a big grin on his face. The guys in the class cheered for him.

They shouted various things like: “Go Ken!” “Whoot, whoot!!” “Ken can do it!” “Alright!”

“He’s dead meat,” Jackie commented as she noticed Lyne starting to fume with anger and Flash nodded in agreement with a happy look in his eyes.

“I’m no prize to be won and I’ll prove it!” she shouted above the cheers, making things quiet down, as she readied her PET.

“My you’re one fiery fox. I really like that in women. Kid, Jack In, Power Up!”

Lyne said nothing, but still jacked in her PET. The Navi and the Byte appeared in the arena in fighting poses. Combit looked like Megawoman once again. Kid was wearing a loose orange jumpsuit with a dark blue skintight body suit, gloves, and belt tied around his waist, and black navi shoes. He had a Caucasian completion with spiky black hair that pointed forward and curved down, almost covering the fact he had blue eyes like his NetOp.

That was an odd jack in for her navi, Kid thought as he stood there observing his opponent, I don’t like the feel of this fight. Not one bit, he thought, looking a little uneasy.

He looks nervous, Lyne, Combit commented with a calm look on her face, Any weaknesses I can exploit to make this match quick?

“Match Start!” Alexa called out.

Let’s show this guy what we’re made of. Try some head shots. He has no helmet to protect him, Lyne thought to Combit.

Alright! “Megbuster!” Combit called out, bringing up a copy of Lyne’s buster. She then aimed and fired three shots at Kid’s head. He avoided the first two shots, but got hit by the third, his hair taking the main brunt of it.

Noticing his front bangs pixilating he became angered, “Don’t mess with the doo,” he fumed as his NetOp slotted in a Golden Punch battle chip. He activated the chip program and charged at the Byte. Combit jumped off to the side gracefully and managed to pull off a charged elbow slam to his back, knocking him to the ground.

“Urk…!” he complained in pain as he tried to get up, but couldn’t, due to the fact that Combit had one of her feet on his back, pinning him down.

“Do you surrender?” Combit asked as he started to wave his arm with the Golden Punch wildly. As his arm morphed back to normal, Combit stated, “That’s not going to help you down there.” Lyne slotted in one of the Byte chips that Jackie had programmed for her, and Combit activated it, “Cyber Sword… Surrender,” she demanded as she tapped the sword gently under Kid’s chin where he lay pinned to the ground.

This doesn’t look good, Ken thought, rubbing his throat and looking onto his PET screen, where Kid was gulping nervously at the feeling of the sword against his throat. He then looked up at Lyne to see how determined she was to win the match. I’ve never seen such determination in a girl’s eyes before, he thought in shock.

Lyne also looked at her opponent; Ease up a little. They’re synchronized, Combit, Lyne thought to her.

“Yes, Lyne,” Combit said, obeying Lyne’s command and allowing Kid a little breathing room.

Man, she could’ve ordered Megawoman to delete Kid just then, Ken thought as he still rubbed his neck, but I see she’s not above honor, he thought as he nodded his head so Kid could see he was willing to surrender.

Kid nodded in response, About time. He definitely owes me that zenny now, “I surrender the match to Meg.” After he said that, Combit helped him up. He felt something different about her as he held her hand, Scan… What is she? I’m not detecting a navi signature, but she used Battle Chips. How can she not be a navi? Kid pondered as he let go of Combit’s hand before they were jacked out by their NetOps.

“I’ve never had a determined opponent like you, Lyne. Thanks for the match,” Ken said with a tone of gratitude as they left the front of the room to sit down in their respective seats. Time after that flew by quickly as about 10-15 matches were held before the end of class bell rang.

As everyone got up and left to go their respective ways, Alexa called out, “Remember to do your homework for Monday!!!” in a singsong voice, but with a steely glare in her eyes.
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~Somewhere close to ACDC Neighborhood~

After school, Ken walked up to what looked like an abandoned building, but was actually a safe house. He knocked on the door.

!!!KNOCK!!!KNOCK!!!

“Who’s there?” a voice demanded from the other side of the door.

“Come on DJ! Who else visits you out here?”

“Ken, but you could be an imposter,” DJ said in a sly tone, “Prove it to me.”

“*Sigh* I’m Ken Taro NAID#21361. Password… *Sigh* Bond, James, Bond.” After Ken said his password, DJ opened the door to the safe house, snickering. “Seriously, DJ, that’s getting old.”

“I know, but it’s funny,” DJ replied as he closed the door behind Ken and locked it, “So, are you here to deliver me another message from our wonderful Commander, Nina?” he asked as he slumped down on the couch with a can of soda after he threw Ken one.

“Nope, not today,” Ken said as he opened his and also sat on the couch, “She’s going to deliver this one herself, but… I did bring you this,” he said as he handed DJ a picture.

DJ took it and questioned, “Who’s this?”

“Oh, just the most talked about girl in school, Lyne Hikari,” Ken said as he flicked his hair while DJ glanced over the picture briefly.

Lyne? That name sound’s familiar, but why? DJ thought as he looked at the picture more closely, No Way!!! he thought as his eyes widened with shock, recognizing the girl in the picture.

“Thought you’d recognize beauty, but fat chance trying to go out with her. Believe *sip* me I’ve tried all week,” Ken said right before his finished his soda.

“All week? That’s a new record for you Ken,” DJ said as he glanced at Ken slyly and finished his soda as well, smirking at his friend’s predicament and snickering when Ken glared at him.

“Har, har. Really funny, DJ. I’d like to see you get her talking, but that’s right; you don’t go to school, so fat chance,” Ken said angrily as the door was unlocked.

The door opened and closed quickly, revealing a woman in her early 20’s with long black hair streaked with flame red, held back by a white headband with a small icon that had a red background and a blue flame in the center, and wearing shades, a long black trench coat over the top of a black t-shirt that had the same icon as the headband, only larger, black jeans, and a red armband with the Japanese symbol of fire on it.

“Why haven’t you been at school?” she demanded as she glared at teen in the glasses.

“Ah… Hi Commander Nina,” both Ken and DJ replied at the same time.

“DJ, tell me why you haven’t been at school,” she demanded again as she locked the door behind her, “That was my agreement with Commander Beef, so he wouldn’t arrest you. ‘If he goes to school, he’ll have immunity from my NetAgent Team’,” she said quoting what Commander Beef had told her in a gruff voice.

“I know, but I don’t trust him Commander Nina. He almost caught me at the Dentech Mall,” DJ said in a stressed tone.

“I know. Calm down,” she said as she placed her hands on his shoulders, “Look at me. I need you to go to school, that’s all, and it will get him off my back and yours.”

“But what if on my first day, they arrest me anyway? All your investigations will be for nothing, and you still have no proof Zodiac did it,” DJ cried, starting to really tense up.

“Calm down ol’ chum or you’ll… ” Ken said, trying to stop DJ as he started to glow, “Cross Fuse.” DJ now had the appearance of a gun slinger, wearing a long tan trench coat and a black hat, but still had his brown hair, done in Sonata’s hair style, and his dark brown eyes.

“Oh, DJ. I’m sorry,” Nina said in a gentle tone, giving him a hug as he streamed angry tears, “I didn’t mean to make you angry.”

“I know,” DJ said as he tried to calm down, but he could feel his navi’s uneasiness, “What’s wrong Sonata?”

“I’m picking up something strange, DJ. I don’t know what it is. I’m being jammed.”

“DJ! WE HAVE THE PLACE SURROUNDED! COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!!!” a loud husky voice shouted from outside the safe house.

Nina stood up abruptly, “No way. How’d they find this place?” she wondered in shock, “DJ, you have to run.”

“WE”LL GIVE YOU 5 SECONDS TO SURRENDER!!!” the voice shouted once more from outside.

“Go DJ! We got your back,” Ken said, patting his changed friend on the back in encouragement.

“I can’t let you guys take the blame for my sake. I want to stay and fight.”

Nina looked at DJ imposingly, “Now is not the time. I am still your commander, and you will do what I say. RUN NOW!”

“*Gulp* Yes Ma’am!” DJ said as he teleported out of his friends’ presence.
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After several minutes of being chased, DJ ran into an alleyway as fast as he could with the NetAgent Team 000 hot on his trail. Shortly after the chase began, he defused to try and lose his pursuers, but it didn’t work. As he exited the alleyway, he bumped into someone, knocking them to the ground.

“Oh! Hi DJ! Wassup?” a familiar voice greeted him as DJ, out of breath, got up off of the person he’d knocked down, “Long time no see.”

“Ughh…” the person on the ground groaned as he did so. DJ looked and noticed a short brunette boy standing over the both of them on the ground. He also noticed he had knocked over a girl with similar but slightly taller stature and hair color to Lan.

“Uh… Hi Lan,” he said as he helped the girl he’d knocked over up off the ground, “I apologize, but I have to go,” DJ bowed humbly as he held her hand.

Lyne felt a familiar navi signature coming from inside of him as he held her hand, “Do I know you?” she asked out of curiosity.

“Hands up, DJ. Turn yourself in before you hurt someone,” a husky voice said from the alleyway.

“Commander Beef,” Lan said in shock as he recognized the husky-sounding voice, “What’s going on DJ?” Lan asked as DJ turned to face the alleyway.

“Never. I’m innocent,” DJ said as he Cross Fused and teleported away from their presence.

“How’d he do that?” Lan asked as Lyne gawked at the sight.

He’s like me! Trace Teleport! “Wait! I want to talk,” Lyne cried out as she followed after him, using her teleport ability.

“Lyne! Dad said not in public,” Lan called out as she disappeared too and as the NetAgents exited the alleyway in confusion.

“Drat, we lost him!” Commander Beef grumbled when he noticed DJ was gone.

*BEEP* “Sir we found him,” Black Rose stated as she looked at her PET, “He must be low on energy, because he didn’t get far with that last teleport jump.”

“Then let’s get moving before he teleports again,” Beef commanded as they ran off, following DJ and, unknowingly, Lyne.

“Wait for me!” Lan called out as he followed them too.
__________________________
~A few blocks away~

DJ appeared close to an alley. Noticing he had lost the NetAgents, he let out a sigh of relief, “Whew!”

Lyne chuckled behind him, “I do know you,” she said with a smile on her face.

DJ turned around to see the girl he had knocked down behind him, “How’d you follow me?” he asked her in shock, “Wait, you’re the half-navi!” he exclaimed as he recognized her.

Lyne backed away from him when he said that, “How’d you know that? Nobody knows that except for my friends and family unless… You’re the navi I saw Serenade tell off at the Dentech Mall last month. ‘Cause you look a lot like him, did you change your hair. I swore it was blue,” Lyne said as she came in close, examining his appearance.

DJ was now starting to get nervous, “She saw you Sonata?” he asked the navi that was inside him.

“Uh… Yeah she did, heh, heh,” his navi replied.

“Oh,” Lyne said in disappointment, “So you’re Cross Fused. I thought you were just like me,” she said as she hung her head. Just then, one of the NetAgents approached with a set of hand cuffs meant to be used on DJ, but Lyne got in their way and slid a Battle Chip across her right hand, “Barrier!”

“AHH!!” the Agent exclaimed in shock.

“What?! How’d you…?” DJ asked in surprise as he watched her activate the Barrier.

“As you said before… Armor Activate!” Lyne commanded as her purple armor started to appear around her. Once it did, she turned to face DJ, “I’m a half-navi. If you're a friend of Serenade's you're a friend of mine. And as my friend, I’m going to prove to them you’re innocent of any crime. Memory Scan!” she said as she placed her right hand in front of his face.

“Wha..?” DJ started, but trailed off, suddenly sleepy, but still standing, as Lyne filed through his and Sonata’s memory bank. Shortly after she started, Lan, the rest of NetAgent Team 000, and Nina and Ken arrived on the scene.

“Oh, Man! Lyne’s going to get in trouble with Dad again,” Lan said weakly when he saw his sister in her navi form. “Lyne!!!Stop!!!” he called out to her as she finished up her scan.

“No!” Lyne called back in defiance, “He’s right. He’s innocent. It’s written in his memory.”

“Wait, that’s Lyne?” Ken asked Lan. Lan nodded. “Is she Cross Fused too?” he asked her brother. Lan didn’t respond to his question.

Nina stepped forward, towards the barrier, “If what you are saying is the truth, send me the proof,” she told Lyne. Shortly after she asked, her PET went off alerting her to an e-mail being received. She then opened it up and noticed it was a media file. She played the file and couldn’t believe her eyes when she watched it. “Here Commander Beef. This is your proof that DJ’s innocence,” she said as she showed him the media file once she had watched it.

He looked at it for a bit, also in disbelief, “Are you sure it’s real?” he asked in a gruff tone.

“My sister wouldn’t lie, Commander Beef,” Lan said as he watched her begin another scan on DJ.

Beef looked at Lan, surprised, “That’s Lyne?” he asked Lan as he nodded.

“I said that earlier, Commander Beef.”

“Stand down Black Rose, Mystique,” Beef commanded his NetAgents.

“You should be fine now,” Lyne said in a gentle tone to DJ, “You’ve proven your innocence,” she said and deactivated the barrier she created once the NetAgents backed off. DJ then passed out due to the loss of energy. Lyne caught him as he fell to the ground and defused again. “Oh you poor thing. You’re sick,” she said as she held her hand against his forehead. Nina ran up and took DJ away from Lyne.

“How can I ever repay you young lady?” Nina asked as she lifted DJ and carried the limp boy in her arms.

“He’s sick. Please take care of him,” Lyne stated as she deactivated her armor. Ken just stood there and gawked at the sight. Lyne then noticed a silver car approach. She turned to catch up with the car, followed by Lan.

“Before you go,” Nina said, getting Lyne’s attention, “What is your full name?”

“Lyne Hikari!” Lyne answered in a cheerful tone as a blonde woman wearing a long black trench coat exited the car parked not to far away up the street.

“Come on Lyne, or you’ll be late for your challenge,” she called from where she was standing beside her car.

“Yes Ma’am! I’ll be right there,” Lyne called as she left Nina behind, running towards the car with Lan following behind her.

She looks kinda’ familiar, Nina thought as she shook her head and walked to her car with DJ in her arms.

“Commander, will DJ be OK?” Ken asked in concern as Nina placed DJ in her car and placed her hand on his forehead.

She’s right. Amazing. She must be the half-navi he told me about, and a Hikari too, she thought as she nodded, “Yes, he’ll be fine. Our team is restored thanks to Lyne Hikari. Get in. We’re going to HQ!” Nina commanded as she started her car.
___________________________
~Blade’s Car~

*BEEP, BEEP, BEEP* an e-mail notice went off in her car.

“Great. I’m trying to drive. Accept. Audio only,” Blade commanded her e-mail program.

“Aw man, Blade. Why no visual?” a male voice came over the speakers in her car.

“Because I said so, Sphyer. Why are you e-mailing me?”

“Because Serenade said to get over to SciLab, pronto,” the male navi responded in a cheerful tone.

“Is that Blade? I wanna’ see,” a female voice interrupted, “Oh man, no visual.”

“Kitangel, knock it off. I’m talking to her,” Sphyer stated and it sounded like he pushed her away from the audio box. They then heard muffled sniffles in the background.

“You know, you don’t have to be mean to her,” another female voice said.

“This is my e-mail not hers Angel,” Sphyer said in an angry tone, “Well, anyway, Serenade says to get over here right now.”

“Yeah,” two more male voices agreed in unison.

“Cool, Zac and Razor are there too!” Lyne exclaimed excitedly from the back seat.

“Hello Meg!” the navis replied in unison.

“Hold your horses. I’m about 5 minutes away from SciLab right now,” Blade responded in a stern tone, “End transmission.”

“What’s going on?” Lan asked out of curiosity, “I don’t understand,” he stated in confusion, “and what challenge were you talking about, Blade?”

“She’s talking about the one I’m having against Bass,” Lyne said with a smile on her face. She brought out her strange book and ignored the look on Lan’s face as she started to read again.
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Next Episode Preview

~NetAgency HQ ~ Break Room~

Ken: Wow! Didn’t know that Lyne could do that!
DJ: *Blows nose into tissue* Do what?
Ken: You know, turn into a navi.
DJ: *Sniffle* You didn’t read the script, did you?
Ken: *Evasively* Well, I looked though my parts, and sorta’ more like skimmed the rest. *says in an embarrassed quick tone* But I read the next one, and I’m all ready for it!
*Nina brings DJ a glass of Orange juice.*
DJ: *Sigh* You’re not in the next one. *Starts to drink OJ*
Ken: But I thought it was about you, and if you’re going to be in it, I should be too.
DJ: I’m not in it either! *sip* What made you think it was about me?
Ken: But I thought it’s…about you being redeemed from the crime they thought you did.
Nina: *Takes scripts and shoves them into Ken’s arms* Read these-NOW! *Staring Ken down with a smoldering glare*
*DJ hangs his head*
DJ: *Sigh* Next time on Lan and Lyne Episode 19: Redemption
*Noise of flipping paper in the back ground.*
Nina: Read, Ken! Not skim. Read! *Sound of flipping slows down*
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"NetAngel Style Change Activate"
Megawoman (Lyne)

Avatar made by Serenade.exe

And feel free to post here too artists if inspired
Lan and Lyne Art Thread

[Elementalman.EXE]

Now how is it that I missed this on the old forum? I'm not really finding the plot to this, but that's just me. I started to read the second season, but I couldn't find the first season. -_-;

[Zodiac]

Well, Megaman's hair is very dark, so it's hard to tell if it's blue. I've always thought it was black. Heh, starting with the second season must have been confusing. We did put a link into chapter one of the second season that would take you to the first season, but that shouldn't be a problem this time since season two will stay in the same thread.
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Church: Are you following any of this?
Caboose: I think so. That guy Tex is a robot, and you're his boyfriend. So that makes you... a gay robot.
Church: ... That's right... I'm a gay robot.

Red Vs. Blue

[Midnight]

Que?

I'm trying to follow the plot as well, but now the thicket has gotten quite thick. Hell, I can't rmemeber who's who anymore. Nonetheless, it's still quite good.
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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