A Different Beginning: Chapter 14: Saito's Battle Pt. 1

[Kitty-Chan]

I must say, out of all the Rockman.EXE fics I've read, only two or three are as wonderful as this one. Heh, I'm always checking in hopes that this gets updated, & just wanted to say that I love this ficcy & cannot wait for more.
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Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Achie-san]

>.>; Um.... Update! :D *dies*

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Saito sighed softly as he finally opened his eyes, blinking once or twice to clear his vision of sleep. He just laid there motionless for a few moments, his mind slowly catching up with the events that occurred the day before. He felt bad for worrying Lan and the others, but at the same time he smiled to himself over his accomplishment. For once he didn't run and he stood by his navi until the very end. Not to mention they actually managed to win against all odds.

"Heh... All things considered, it was a good day," he mused softly under his breath and turned to his other side and froze when he saw the time. Before he realized what he was doing the boy was out of bed and trying to worm his way out of his pajama top.

"No, I'll be late for my match! What happened to my alarm? Why can't I have a navi that will actually wake me up?" Saito complained miserably to himself.

It took Saito until the time he had gotten his pants pulled up around his waist before he remembered what day it was. The boy blushed deeply at that, feeling ridiculous for forgetting that the operators and navis had a day off and the matches would resume tomorrow. He meekly swiveled his head around to check and make sure Lan hadn't seen. Saito would never hear the end of this.

Luckily for him Lan was fast asleep, snoring deeply inside his PET. With a sigh of relief Saito smiled and finished dressing himself, for once happy that his navi had the strange habit of sleeping late. While he had some time to himself Saito sat down at his computer to check his e-mail.

"Hm... Papa sent me something," Saito realized, eyes widening with joy when he saw the message and blinked when a window popped up informing him that a battle chip was attached and to slot in a blank chip. Curiously Saito obeyed the message, unable to help feeling somewhat giddy at the thought of getting a present from his father.

"Saito-kun... What's going on?" Lan grumbled drowsily from his PET before entering the computer monitor to see what his operator was up to.

"Papa sent me a battle chip," Saito said cheerfully.

"Did he have anything to say?" Lan asked, not seeming too terribly interested.

"I haven't checked yet," Saito said, "but I'm sure he'll congratulate us on our victory, don't you think? He must of been watching on TV, right?"

"Well, he is kind of busy..." Lan started then paused when he saw his operator's expression fall, "Don't get all upset about it! How should I know what Papa does or not? I'm not a mind reader."

"Sorry," Saito said quickly, "It's just been a while since I've had contact with him. I guess I'm a little anxious."

"Figures with you," Lan snorted, "Now you're going to be all sentimental about whatever battle chip he's sent..."

"I will not," Saito objected, blushing at that.

"Anyway, the chip's done," Lan said off-handedly.

Saito blinked and quickly turned his attention to the new present for his arsenal of chips. "Long Sword...?"

"That's it?" Lan gawked, "A sword chip? We have millions of those! He could of at least sent us something new or exciting! This is crap."

"There might be more too it," Saito said to himself, ignoring Lan's outburst as he checked the message attached to it.

Use this chip in a scheme.

Saito hesitated then reread the message and checked to see if there was more. "That's... all he had to say," he said softly to himself.

Lan frowned at the disheartened look on Saito's face. "At least he sent you something," he said, "That was nice, even if it's a useless chip."

Saito only sighed and nodded as he pocketed the chip. "I don't understand what it means to use a chip in a scheme..." he said then looked at Lan, "Do you?"

"Nope," Lan said with a small shrug then paused, "You just got a video mail. It's from Yaito."

"Really?" Saito said more than asked, perking up a bit at that, "Can you play it for me?" Lan only nodded as he started up the mail and nearly snorted with laughter when Glyde appeared on the monitor dressed in what looked like a cheesy tuxedo.

"Bonjour, Saito, Meiru, Tohru and lastly Dekao," Glyde's message started, "Yaito-sama is extremely pleased with your performance during the opening day of the N1 Grand Prix. Therefore, we would like to hold a celebration party at the Do-Re-Mi five star restaurant in Densan Town."

"A five star restaurant," Saito mused in soft awe, "Yaito-chan is really going all out."

"Nah, I bet with her pocket change this is like ordering fast food," Lan said, "So are you going?"

"Of course," Saito said with a small grin, "This should be fun."

"Hm... I just hope that fat cow doesn't ruin your appetite," Lan grumbled.

"You should really learn to be nicer to Dekao," Saito said with a weak smile, already knowing Lan wouldn't listen.

"Yeah right," Lan muttered, rolling his eyes, "And the WWW should learn to play nice with everyone too." Saito only laughed softly at that.

"You know, I'm not really sure where the meeting place is," the human boy said, "I should probably leave early to make sure I don't get lost."

"If you say so," Lan said, blinking at that, "I don't see what the big deal is about being late."

"Somehow I doubted you'd be too concerned with it," Saito muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lan asked with a scowl.

"Nothing," Saito said cheerfully with a smile before disconnecting the PET from the monitor and pocketing the device before heading out the door.

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"Saito-kun.... You suck," Lan grumbled after twenty minutes of roaming around through the streets, "Who gets lost in their own home town?"

"I'm sorry," Saito said meekly with a soft blush, "It's just I've never really gotten out much before you came, so I don't know where many places are."

"You're such a loser," Lan said, "You're lucky you got me when you did, or you might of become the worst sort of person ever: an anti-social teenager."

Saito decided not to comment on that, only sighing softly as he made his way down the street. The boy only perked up when he noticed a flicker of green hair out of the corner of his eye. "Look, it's Saloma-san," he said cheerfully, "Maybe she can give us directions."

"Who?" Lan asked, baffled by the unfamiliar name as he tried to get a peek of the woman in question.

"She owns a flower shop," Saito said, "Sometimes Meiru-chan and I go visit her and drink tea there."

"Sounds stupid," Lan commented. Saito decided to ignore it.

"Either way, she may know where to go," he said as he skated towards the flower girl.

"It's worth a shot," Lan agreed. Anything was better than randomly going down different roads in hopes of finding the right way.

"Hello, Saloma-san," Saito called politely as he stopped near the green haired woman's pink delivery van.

"Saito-kun." Saloma gave him a warm smile, her serene emerald eyes flashing happily. "I'm surprised to see you at this part of town."

"Well, I'm a little lost," Saito admitted, blushing softly.

"I see," Saloma said, "I guess you aren't used to being out of the house unless Meiru-chan is with you?"

Saito blushed even deeper at that. "Not really..." Saloma chuckled softly as his expression.

"Don't worry, I'll help you figure it out," she said.

"Thanks," Saito said, "Oh, and did you hear that I entered the Grand Prix?"

"Yes, I saw your match against Miyuki," Saloma said, smiling more at that, "You and your new navi were impressive."

"I like this girl," Lan commented, "She knows skills when she sees them."

Saito chuckled weakly. "Just ignore him and I'm sorry if he says anything to offend you," he said then smiled, "I didn't know you were interested in Net Battles."

"Oh, didn't you hear?" Saloma said, "I'm participating in the Grand Prix for a friend. I'm surprised Higure-san didn't say anything to you. We fought not too long ago."

"No way!" Lan gawked, "Someone like you took out Numberman?"

"I'll take that as a compliment," Saloma said with a soft chuckle, "Now, I'd better get back to work. I believe I saw Meiru-chan and Dekao-kun three blocks over a few minutes ago. Are you meeting with them?"

"Yeah," Saito said, grinning, "Thanks for your help, Saloma-san. Good luck!"

"Good luck to you too, Saito-kun," Saloma said before climbing into her van and driving off. Saito blinked when he noticed the van swerve twice down the road, but decided to ignore it, just relieved that there hadn't been a wreck.

"Crazy woman drivers..." Lan muttered.

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"Saito, you're right on time," Meiru said with a grin when Saito finally came running up to them.

"Thank goodness," Saito breathed out, "I thought for sure we'd be late..."

"Just be glad you didn't make my Meiru-chan wait or I'd make you pay for it," Dekao growled.

"With what?" Lan snored, "Your ugly face?"

"That's it!" Dekao snapped, "I've had it with this navi's mouth." That said he snagged Lan's PET right out of Saito's holster.

"H-Hey!" Lan yelped, shocked by this turn of events.

"No, give him back!" Saito objected, trying to reach up and grab back his PET which Dekao managed to keep just out of his reach.

"Come on, Dekao-kun, quit it!" Meiru scolded as the bickering continued to escalate to the point where none of them noticed when a long, black limousine pulled up in front of them. With a soft click the door opened and Yaito delicately stepped out, frowning at the sight and the fact no one had noticed her grand entrance or the fancy, maroon dress she had worn just for the occasion.

"What are you morons doing?" she finally snapped angrily, her face slightly red from frustration, "Can't you act civilized for a change?"

"Dekao stole Lan!" Saito blurted out as if telling on the bully to his teacher.

"The little blue rat started it," Dekao objected.

"You guys are hopeless..." Yaito grumbled as she rubbed her forehead.

"Dekao-kun, give Saito-kun's PET back this instant," another more authoritive voice demanded.

Dekao blinked at that before his eyes went wide with shock when he realized who was speaking. "Mariko-sensei," he squeaked out, quickly straightening himself. Saito took advantage of the situation and quickly snagged his PET away from the larger boy's sausage like fingers.

"I have fat germs on me!" Lan wailed.

"You're fine," Saito said under his breath before also turning his attention to their teacher, "Hello, Mariko-sensei. I didn't know you were coming."

"Yaito-chan decided to invite me," Mariko said with a smile, "I'm here to support my students. I want you all to know how proud I am of you all."

Saito only blushed softly and turned his eyes to the ground while mumbling a soft "Thank you" under his breath while Meiru smiled and Dekao adopted a cocking grin.

"Everyone, sorry I'm late!" Tohru's voice called to them as the boy ran towards the group, almost completely out of breath. He blinked then gaped when he realized that Mariko, Yaito and Meiru had all dressed up in their own fancy evening attire. "Wow, you guys look great," he said.

"Finally someone had the decency to notice," Yaito sniffed with a pleased grin on her face.

Dekao and Saito both blinked when they finally became aware of the fact they and Tohru were severely under dressed compared to their female companions.

Saito blushed softly as he glanced over at Meiru and gave her an awkward smile. "You... um... look ni--" he started then yelped as Dekao roughly shoved him out of the way.

"Meiru-chan, you're beautiful tonight!" he announced with a toothy grin.

"Uh... Thanks," Meiru said with a modest chuckle.

"Of course she looks great," Roll cheered from her PET, "I helped her pick what to wear!"

"What's the big deal?" Lan grumbled, "They're just going out to eat... Why bother dressing up when you'll probably just get food on your clothes?"

Yaito blushed and frowned at that. "A dumb thick-headed navi like you wouldn't understand," she snapped.

"You tell him, Yaito-chan," Dekao cheered.

"Anyway," Saito cut in before his navi could go on an insult spree, "Let's go celebrate and have some good food."

"Yeah," Tohru agreed, "I'm really hungry."

"Just make sure you all eat your fish," Masa piped up, shocking everyone when he popped his head out of the limo with a big grin.

"It's the fish freak," Lan announced bluntly, "What the heck is he doing here?"

"Hmph, your little demon sure is rude," Masa grumbled bitterly as he frowned at Saito.

"He's not a demon..." Saito said with a weak chuckle.

"Masa-san's been cheering you on as well," Mariko said, "And he and Higure-san both wanted the come celebrate with us."

"The battle chip freak is here too..." Lan seemed less than pleased by this.

"Lan, don't make me push the mute button," Saito hissed softly under his breath.

"I'd go anywhere to be with you, Mariko-sensei!" Higure called from inside the limo, earning a sharp kick from Masa that was followed by a yelp of pain.

"This is going to be a long night..." Meiru said with a soft sigh. Saito only nodded.

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Meh. Not that great of an update, but I tried. ^^;

I don’t know if we’d mentioned Saloma before or not, but when I reread our stuff I couldn’t find her anywhere... So she just got introduced. :D; (Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong and I’ll fix it.)
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Friendship is a promise made in the heart
Silent and unwritten
It's unbreakable by distance
and unchangeable by time.

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(*¬*) \/

(Thanks to Marisa for my Avitar. I love it. ^-^)

[Midnight]

Wow, nice to see you finally came back to the fic after such a long absence from it.

I like how you follow the anime so closely, and yet stray far enough away from it to distinguish between what has been actually shown and what could possibly result if the roles were reversed. Reading this also is a nice immersion into the first season of the anime, which many of us have probably forgotten or buried in our brains with the hype of Beast and Beast+. My only suggestion is that perhaps you should spend some time on the more minor characters, as they aren't focused on too much in the actual anime. That would stamp this more uniquely and still maintain ties with the anime by virtue of plot.

And for the record, 'Midnight' will suffice. Really.
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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

[Kitty-Chan]

YIPPEE!!!! My favorite fic has been revived. Thank you, Achie-san. ^_^ :D ^__^ Plus, it was a very nice update. I like this so much.
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Imagine.EXE]

Yay! My favourite fanifc has finally been update! Thank you! This has made my day :]

[RollSoul]

Update! Oh that gives me another fic to anticipate updates for...you and Neko right the best fics :D
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