Sacrifice - PG-13 AA/Angst For Sol

[Neko]

This is a 'Forte accepts Netto and Rockman' fic. No romance but some general tough themes. Also, this takes place in Neko's 'WTF is going on here' universe. There's manga, anime, game and my own stuff in it but returning readers should know that. Enjoy the fic and...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOL! :D

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Netto rammed his shoulder against the locked door and cried out when he fell backwards into the ground. “Dammit, this is not happening,” he hissed as he pressed his hands against the cold metal.

Rockman pushed a few buttons in the net and shook his head. “I think it is,” he said with a growl. “We’re trapped, Netto-kun. Nothing can get out but on the other hand, nothing can get in either.”

Netto shook his head and slammed his fist angrily against the wall. “No,” he yelled. “We need to be out there. Helping them. Laika and Enzan can’t take on Forte by themselves.”

Rockman sighed and started to put in new override codes. “I know,” he said in a tight voice. “I’m as worried as you are. But you know Forte only wants a battle with me. Maybe he’ll go easy on them?”

Netto gave Rockman a skeptical look and Rockman shrugged. He managed to give Netto a weak smile before he turned back to the key lock inside the net. “Rockman, I doubt it,” Netto said finally as he pressed his hands back up against the door.

“Me too,” Rockman admitted with a sheepish chuckle. “But Blues and Searchman are strong and so are Enzan-san and Laika-san. They’ll manage fine without us, I think.”

Netto nodded and began to feel around the door, pushing on the crevices and trying to find something he could use. Rockman noticed this and looked down at Netto. “You won’t be able to use our link to break through the program,” Rockman told him gently. “There’s nothing for you to grab a hold of.”

Netto sighed disgustedly and took a few steps away from the door. “It’s like Forte knew we were gonna be here and did this on purpose.”

Rockman raised an eyebrow and abandoned the key lock. “Netto-kun, I think he did. This is obviously a trap you know.”

Netto crossed his arms and glared at the ceiling. “I knew that,” he said quickly. “But why?” he asked while looking around, as if hoping to find a clue or possible another device connected to the internet that he could exploit.

“Well, he probably wants a fight,” Rockman said with a frown. “I’m more worried about the fact that he seems to be perfectly aware of all our strengths, including our link. You have to admit, Netto-kun, that’s not something a lot of people should know about.”

Netto nodded. “Yeah, that is bad. I hope Enzan and Laika are okay though,” he said softly.

“Rest assured, your pathetic human playmates are alive,” a voice said coldly. Netto and Rockman jumped to their feet and glared in the general direction that the voice came from. “As are their useless chunks of data that they pass off as navis.”

“Take that back,” Rockman yelled.

Forte stepped out of the shadows and gave Rockman his best insane smile. “Well, you know it’s better for you if you fight me first, before making demands like that.”

Netto pulled out a battle chip and took a step back, shivering as Rockman took in Forte’s presence. /He’s gotten stronger,/ Rockman said softly.

/Yeah, no kidding,/ Netto snapped back. /I can feel it. What did he do?/

Forte’s eyes flicked from Rockman to Netto then back to his adversary’s face. He smiled and relaxed from his fighting pose. “Even your human operator is uneasy when confronted with my awesome power, Saito,” Forte sneered.

Netto and Rockman’s eyes widened at the use of Rockman’s human name. Rockman recovered first and glared at his foe. “So you did find out,” he hissed.

Forte laughed and nodded. “I have free time,” he admitted. “And Sci-Labs is so easy to get into. A few broken firewalls here, a snapped code there. You can never really tell, until it confronts you.” Forte vanished from where he was standing and reappeared behind Rockman. “Like this,” he whispered into Rockman’s ear.

Rockman’s green eyes widened as Forte grabbed his shoulder and squeezed hard. A dark purple energy rippled through Rockman, shocking every fiber of his being. Dimly he heard Netto crying out in pain as well and after a minute he heard Forte chuckle softly. Finally he let the blue navi go and Rockman fell heavily to his knees, a buzzing in his ears and Netto’s thoughts very far away. “Who knew you were so weak?” Forte asked with a sneer.

Netto lay panting on the ground, still clutching the battle chip that he had pulled out earlier. “W-why?” he asked.

Forte snorted. “My rival, the strongest navi I have ever fought is part human,” he said quietly. “Not only that but he was born a human. I would have thought such a strong adversary would be better then that,” he spat.

“Because…” Rockman said softly. He pushed himself to his hands and knees and held an arm around his stomach in an effort to make the pain go away. “Because,” he started again, “I was born a human you think I’m unfit to battle you?” he asked. “Why? I’m still as strong, and the only reason I’m as strong is because I have Netto-kun with me. You know that. The only reason I’ve survived against you this long is because he’s there with me. What does it matter, Forte?” Rockman yelled, staring Forte straight in the eye.

Forte recoiled as if he had been hit. He took a step back and glared at Rockman. “Living with the humans has made you soft,” he hissed. “Just because you were once a human doesn’t mean they see you as one anymore. You are a navi. Nothing more then a lump of pixels to please the masses. The only reason your human is so worried about you is because if you die then he dies too.”

Netto’s eyes widened and he stood up in a flash. “You’re wrong,” he yelled. Rockman turned and gave Netto a small smile as his operator’s face appeared on a screen behind him. “The only reason we have the link in the first place is so I can be with Rockman. If you really did read about Saito.bat then you know what it does.” Netto pointed an accusing finger at Forte and glared at him. “Don’t pretend you’re the victim, Forte. Rockman and I never even wanted to fight you, so what’s it to you if Rockman is my older brother? He didn’t do anything wrong and neither did I.”

Forte glared at the human who dare accuse him of being the one who sought pity. “Maybe I didn’t make my point clear,” he hissed and vanished again. Netto quickly reacted and slotted in the battle chip in his hand. Rockman recoiled and brought up his sword, catching Forte on the shoulder just before the navi caught him again.

“The same trick doesn’t work twice,” Rockman said dully as he jumped back. “And Netto-kun and I are not here to amuse you,” he hissed. “We make our own decisions for ourselves, we don’t wonder if you’ll like it or not. We don’t live in the past, Forte.”

Forte glared at the navi and then smiled. “Such strong words,” he said softly. “But are your words as strong when the tables are turned?” he asked.

Netto and Rockman blinked as Forte vanished. They both looked wildly around to see where the navi had disappeared off to and then Rockman felt a ripple in the impulses in the net. “He… logged out,” he said confusedly.

“Merely changed positions,” Forte said in a smooth voice from over Netto’s shoulder. Netto jumped as Forte grabbed him and held a glowing hand to his neck. “Checkmate.”

“C-copyroid,” Rockman gasped from his new position on the floor. “But how?”

“These useless things are everywhere,” Forte said. “And I figure if you two are so willing to give your lives for one another then perhaps you should,” he said and inched his hand closer and closer to Netto’s throat.

“Do you really want to finish it like this?” Netto asked. Forte’s hand stopped and the boy rushed ahead, trying to calm his wildly beating heart. “Forte, we know you hate humans. Fine, whatever. But you also want to fight Rockman. Rockman is strong and I know you two like to fight, even if it hurts like hell. If you kill me then that’s it, and you know that. Rockman can’t live without me, and he can’t fight you if you do this.”

Rockman picked up on Netto’s vein and took over. “He’s right, Forte. I know you want to fight, and to be honest I thought you were a more honorable fighter then this. Please, don’t end it this way.”

Forte chuckled coldly and Netto felt a shiver go up his spine. He knew that trying to appeal to Forte would do nothing but it was at the very least worth a try. “Do you honestly think that talking to me will work?” he asked. “This is low, I do not grant life to mongrels begging for it. You earn your survival from me,” he said softly.

Rockman pushed himself against his PET. “Forte, please…”

Netto sighed and actually grinned. /Rockman, you knew he wasn’t going to listen,/ he said softly.

/Netto-kun…/ Rockman shook his head. /No, it can’t end this way. Not because he’s upset over such a dumb reason./

Forte eyed Netto. “What’s so funny human?” he asked.

Netto looked back and then looked at Forte’s glowing hand. “Well, you asked it, didn’t you?” he said aloud. “Do you think talking will work? No, not really. But at least we can get our two cents in before you off us like this.”

Rockman, in spite of himself, groaned and cradled his head in his hands. “Only you,” he sighed, but he was happy. If Netto wanted things to end on his terms then he most certainly was allowed.

Forte’s grip on Netto loosened and then he roughly shoved the human away. “You think this is funny?” he hissed.

Netto fell forward into the floor and lay there for the second time. “Not really,” he said dryly as he grabbed a hold of his PET and stood up. “Actually, I’m terrified, but you should know that too much emotion in a navi can hurt. If I let myself give into my fear then Rockman won’t be able to handle it then we really have no chance. As long as I’m calm then Rockman can help. Always,” Netto said.

“Netto-kun,” Rockman looked up at his younger brother with grateful eyes and took in a small, choked breath. “You just don’t know when to quit, do you?”

Netto smiled wryly and nodded. “Stating the obvious again,” he said with a laugh.

Forte growled and rushed forward. Netto had one time to take a step back before he knocked Rockman’s PET out of Netto’s hands. Netto watched as the device skidded across the floor and reached out for it before Forte hovered over it and stepped on it hard enough to crack the screen. Netto winced and curled up into a little ball as he felt Rockman’s data corrode inside the ailing PET. “Jerk,” he hissed.

Forte smiled and picked up Netto by his collar, pulling him to his feet and letting him hang a few inches above the floor gasping for breath. “What is it with you, human? Why? We’re all just programs to you, there’s no need to give up your life.”

Netto tugged on Forte’s hands in an effort to breathe and shook his head. “That’s what you think,” he snapped. “Rockman is my best friend and older brother and even though you may not like the fact that he was born like that, he’s also Saito Hikari. Your rival, my navi. Deal with it.”

Forte slammed Netto against the wall and he smiled as the child cried out in pain. He watched Netto blink slowly and dropped him, letting him fall to the floor. Netto felt his feet touch the ground, then felt his legs collapse underneath himself. He gasped and stayed propped up on his hands and knees, trying to regain his bearings.

Forte reached down again and pulled Netto back to his feet, this time letting his toes touch the ground. “Is it worth it?” Forte asked.

“Always,” Netto gasped.

“Stupid human,” Forte growled and let Netto stand on his own. Netto growled and lashed out, catching Forte by surprise and landing a punch on his cheek.

“Stupid?” he asked. “You think I’m stupid because I just want him to be around with me? Because I actually care for something else in this world besides myself? You’re the idiot, Forte. You can’t even see what’s in front of you because you’re so upset by one little detail.”

Forte growled and retaliated, punching Netto back and sending him against the wall. Forte grabbed him again and threw him into the ground and walked over and pinned him too the floor. Netto strained against the navi but he knew it was futile. “You honestly think you know me, human?” Forte hissed. “Keep your mouth shut about things you don’t know.”

Netto glared back. “Same can be said to you.”

“Oh? I don’t know? I think I know plenty. You are a human. You accepted Saito.bat for selfish reasons, all like the rest of you humans. Wanting power and strength. I read your father’s notes. He says that you gained data manipulation abilities similar to a navi’s and that you were stronger. You also kept Rockman by your side. You’re just another selfish…”

“What the hell do you know?” Netto yelled loudly. Forte was shocked into silence by the tone that had crept into Netto’s voice. “Papa only wrote those things because that’s what Rockman and I said happened. Do you know what its like to never have your own thoughts? Or to not be sure whether or not you can keep control of something to make sure it doesn’t destroy a device? Rockman and I keep a lot of things from papa so we don’t worry him but trust me, the link has a lot more to do with a mental link then anything physical. We hear each other, that’s why Rockman has to worry about what he says and why I have to worry about my emotions. There’s more to everything then you think.”

Forte was silent, then he stood up. “Then why?” he asked.

Netto lay on the floor and glared at the ceiling. “Because I love him,” he said quietly. “He’s my big brother and even though he’s annoying sometimes, and bossy, I don’t want to be without him. Even if it means I really don’t have a lot of privacy and I have to watch what happens when I get angry and stuff it doesn’t matter because I know that at least he’s there.”

“Stupid human,” Forte muttered. “You and your brother. You’re both morons.”

Netto’s lips quirked in a smile. “Are you mad about that too?” He got to his feet and stood across from Forte.

Forte sighed. “You better be prepared for next time,” he said cryptically.

Netto nodded and held out his hand. Forte stared at it and then back up at Netto. Netto raised an eyebrow. “I’m part of him you know. When you’re fighting with Rockman you’re also fighting me.”

Forte took Netto’s hand and squeezed it tightly. “Don’t die, human. Keep your brother alive for our next fight.”

Netto nodded and watched as Forte vanished. He heard the door unlock with a hiss and sighed as he sat back down on the floor, his head pounding. “You didn’t have to break the PET,” he muttered and looked at the unlocked door hoping that someone would come soon because he sure as hell wasn’t going to make it out on his own.
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[Midnight]

Hm.

On the whole, the fic turned out quite well--as always, you do a great job of setting up the emotions that discharge throughout. It was certainly a good read. However, I noted that even though you had Forte's anger rising fairly steadily through the course of the work, he reaches a climax nears the end, and he seems almost to drop the matter altogether immediately afterwards. There was nothing wrong with how it was executed, but it seemed somewhat anticlimactic.

Other than that, it was quite nice. Way to go.
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The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

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

[Kitty-Chan]

I really enjoy the interaction between Forte & Netto; even if it's not ForNett, there's just so much potential. Netto is a complete contradiction to Forte's view of humans, & he doesn't like being proved wrong.
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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)*

[mi]

Interesting. Forte's presence in the human world has been rather limited after all (that robot doesn't count for much in my books), so I'm glad that you incorperated that into this story. It's definately more threatening this way

I really liked the feel of this story... it's kinda hard to explain what I mean. ^^; I really liked it anyways, so well done! ^_^
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"There is no coincidence, only Hitsuzen" Yuko, xxxHolic

Banner's done by me.
Awesome Japanese Rockman.exe fanart site that I found!! http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~yurikago/

[Neko]

Thank you very much ^^ Forte's one of the harder characters to write to be honest because he's just a dynamic chara from the games to the anime to the manga. It's hard to actually choose a personality to use consistently because it changes so much.
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Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

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