Upgrade- AA[G{K+9} very small X8, BN5 & Stream spoilers]

[TheWebbuilder]

I'll try to get this back up to speed ASAP.

Summery: Trouble follows the Hikari's everywhere, even to the next generation.

Begin Chapter!

Two creatures were locked in battle.

One of them was a tall black and red robot-like thing that was built like a tank; it also kind of resembled a huge ape. A small circle was set in it’s chest, showing a small green ‘+’ over a black field.

The other looked like a human, it was wearing gray gloves that reached its elbows, and gray boots over a white bodysuit, it had a round gray helmet and mouth guard. The human also had a crest; its design was a red circle cut by a diagonal black line.

“Bring it on Brawn.” The human eyed his opponent; the robot was huge. Its forearms and forelegs were red, and its body was black. It’s barreled chest wrapped in red armor, and its helmet was squared and rectangular.

“I’m bringing it, NetMan.” The huge ape rumbled as it started running toward the little human.

“We’re ready for him!” A brown haired fourteen-year-old girl watched the ape move closer to the human. She was dressed in a light red shirt, pink vest and blue skirt that in some unknown way all managed to go together. She held two things in her hands, one was a cell-phone like device, and the other was a rectangular card with a magnetic strip running down the side, like a debit card. When she judged that the distance was correct, she slid the card down a slot set in the phone’s side. “Blaster Card, Scan, Activate!”

“Thanks!” The card must have had some kind of effect on the human like creature, because it’s right hand transformed into a round cannon of some kind.

“Hiiiaaa!” Brawn hauled back his fist, and sent it tearing through space toward the human.

NetMan jumped backward, and just cleared the huge fist; he pointed his new cannon at the ape, and fired.

“You just don’t learn do you?” The robot chuckled.

The human’s laser slammed into the ape, and it fizzled out of existence, doing no damage whatsoever.

“I don’t believe it!” NetMan gasped.

“Believe this!” Brawn’s huge fist morphed into it’s own version of a huge cannon, which he aimed at his opponent.

“No! Get out of there!” The brunette screamed.

“I don’t think so!” The ape fired.

A huge laser sped through space, and slammed into NetMan, who shuddered violently.

NetMan Damage: 30%

Brawn kept his laser firing and trained at his adversary, this guy was through!

NetMan Damage: 50%

“There’s got to be something we can do!” The girl rifled through the cards in her hand, but didn’t find anything that could help them.

NetMan Damage: 80% Damage Level Critical, Net Armor Critical, NetMan Logout.

“Not again!” The brunette watched as NetMan vanished off the screen.

There was a glow of light from a nearby computer jack, and a-thirteen-year old redheaded boy appeared next to the girl. He was dressed in black shorts, a blue short sleeved shirt, and a gray unzipped vest.

“I’m sorry, May.” The boy apologized, “I wasn’t fast enough.”

“It’s not your fault, Hubert.” The brown-haired girl replied, “it’s this old Net Armor, you just can’t move fast enough in it. I wish we could get the bugs out of our armor program, then we’d really shock them!”

“C’mon, call me Hub like everyone else.” The redhead corrected.

“Sorry, little bro.” May chuckled, “Maybe we’ll get them next time.”

“Like that’ll ever happen.” A chunky blond kid materialized next to the duo. “Nobody’s ever going to beat Rex and Chase. Right?”

“Right!” A slightly smaller blond kid nodded, “You’re the best Netbattler ever!”

“And you’re the best Net Op ever, Chase.” Rex walked over to his partner. “We’re the best!”

“If you two are done now.” A tall black-haired man strode up to the quartet; “We’ve got a class to run, so take your seats, please.”

“Oh man.” Hub muttered under his breath, “here I go again, it’s time to make a fool out of myself.”

May looked at her brother, he was really pretty smart, but he struggled in classes that weren’t hands on. If he couldn’t see it, he couldn’t follow it. “But it’s Net History this period, so it shouldn’t be that bad.”

“I hope not.” The redhead plunked himself down in his seat.

“Now then.” The teacher strode to the blackboard in the front of the schoolroom. “Who can tell me how much the Internet has changed in the past thirty years?”

The teacher surveyed the rows of silent students, well, if no one would volunteer, he’d just have to give them a volunteer. “May?”

“Uh,” The brunette thought back over the past few days of class. “Twenty years ago, it was not even possible for humans to enter the Internet, instead, they had to rely on an Internet Navigator, or Net Navi, to assist them in living in the networked world. This system worked fairly well, as a Net Op would often bond with their Net Navi, but unfortunately it also opened the door for all sorts of cyber-crime.”

“Correct, and how did we get to our present state of technology?”

“Well, the first case of a human even entering cyber-space was when SciLab invented the ‘Full Synchro’ process, but the project was abandoned as it was too dangerous for humans to enter the cyber-world, any damage that they took couldn’t be repaired. But when Mr. Wily stole the creation and used it to enter the cyber-world, a Lan Hikari-“

“Her dad!” An unruly student called out. “The ever popular Lan Hikari and MegaMan.”

“Jones, that’s enough!” The teacher snapped.

“Sorry, Mr. Stewart.”

May’s cheeks burned, sometimes it wasn’t easy having a well-known Official for a father, oh well; there was nothing she could do about it. “Lan Hikari used the process to merge with his Net Navi and stop Wily, therefore becoming the first human to successfully enter and return form cyberspace. This inspired a Dr. Doppler to try an experiment, he used a modified ‘Full Synchro’ process to physically enter the cyber-world. And then he created a suite of armor made up of computer data, the experiment was a success, and he was able to stay in cyber-space indefinitely in absolute safely. At least, until his armor took enough damage that it was rendered useless, or until it defragmented to the point it was unsafe. Now, humans may enter the cyber-world through the use of P.E.T.’s Person, Electronic Transmitters, and Battle Cards, the modern version of Battle Chips. And they may stay in the cyber-world for two hours at a time as after that the defragmentation becomes too great, but they still need someone on the outside world to act as a Net Operator. So now, most people go directly to the cyber-world, instead of relying on Net Navis, although Navi still exist and are essential for daily life.”

Hub stared at his sister in amazement, how could she remember all of this? True, he tried in school, but he just wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. But if there was one thing that Hub could do, it was blast his way through the Net, even their teacher had said he showed great promise. At least, he would be if he had a decent suit of armor, he and May had been working on it for the past year, and hadn’t even come close to perfecting it. And without it, he would just keep on getting his clock cleaned by Brawn, Rex’s armor.

“Hubert!” a voice brought Hub back to reality.

Uh oh, Mr. Stewart had just used his real name; he was in big trouble now. “Sir?”

“This is not a time for daydreaming!” Stewart snapped.

“Sorry, sir.” The Net Navigator shrank as far back as he could.

“Since you are enjoying this so much, I’ll see you after class, for some extra assignments.” The teacher announced, right before turning back to his lesson.

“Great.” Hub stared at his textbook, what else could go wrong?

10101010101010101010101010101

May walked out of school, leaving Hub behind. Because of some rule or regulation, she couldn’t stay inside of the building after hours, so she’d have to wait for him out here.

Outside she found two of her close friends waiting on her, Eugene, Yani, Lana, and Tony.

Eugene was pretty much the class genius, you give him a problem and before you can say: “Reader Card, Scan, Activate.” He’s got the answer. Unlike his dad, Chaud Blaze, he had straight jet-black hair, gray eyes, and was slightly shy, but he shared his father’s lanky build. He acted as the Navigator for his sister, Yani. His usual attire were black pants, with a green shirt under a red vest.

Yani, was, well, Yani. If you looked up ‘Pride’ in the dictionary, you’d see her picture. Her blue eyes were accented perfectly by her strawberry blond hair, and she was a little on the short side for her age, but nothing major, and she was, in her eyes, a perfect Net Op. She preferred a straightforward yellow dress.

Then there was Lana; she was fairly quiet. Somehow, she was looked to as one of the popular girls in the school, with blue eyes and fairly long brown hair, but she never really let the fact that she was ‘popular’ interfere with her life, because secretly, she hated it. She was the Navigator for her and her friend Tony.

Tony, small but tough; the little guy was a regular at the local gym, and so everyone knew not to mess with him, his brown hair somehow matched his green eyes. He worked perfectly with Lana as a Net Op. He liked his blue shirt, and darker blue pants.

“Hub got himself into trouble again.” Yani didn’t bother to phrase her statement as a question. “He’s such a troublemaker.”

“He’s not that bad.” May spoke on her brother’s defense. “He just zones out once in a while.”

“She’s right,” Tony agreed, “Hub’s a great kid, unlike Rex…”

“Still, I hope Mr. Stewart, isn’t too hard on him,” May glanced back at the school building, “Our Dad’s supposed to come home tonight, and I want to be there for him.”

“Where did he go this time? BrightLand?” Eugene inquired.

“No, YumLand, he’s been there for the past month,” The girl corrected her friend, “His work as a Official really keeps him busy.”

“And away from home.” Yani stated in her blunt way.

“At least he E-mails me every day.” Lana retorted.

“Still, I think parents should spend more time with their kids.” The blonde shot back, “It keeps them from becoming delinquents like Hub.”

“He is NOT a delinquent! He’s-”

“I’m FREE!” Hub blew out of the school; completely oblivious to the argument he had just prevented. “Come on, May, let’s get home before Dad does!”

“What about-“

“Don’t worry about it.” The redhead shrugged, “All I’ve got to do is write a 10,000 word oral report on the history of the Internet, due next week. No sweat.”

“If you say so.” May shook her head at her brother’s carefree manner, “let’s go.”

“We’ll walk with you.” Eugene got a nod of agreement from the others, and so together they all headed through the streets of Dan Tech City.

“So,” Hub turned to his favorite topic of discussion, “Any idea what the problem is with our Net Armor?”

“I don’t know for sure.” May trudged up the street, “But I feel like the problem’s in the data sector.”

“Don’t be silly.” Yani disagreed. “It’s got to be the processor routine.”

“Any thoughts, Eugene?” The redheaded battler turned to his friend, as he skated on. “You’re almost always right.”

“Frankly, I don’t know.” The raven-haired youth walked along, “it’s got me stumped.”

“Uh… Sorry to ask again, but I didn’t catch that.” A look of genuine puzzlement appeared on the redhead’s face.

“No problem, it’s a little noisy out here, so I don’t blame you if you didn’t hear me. I said that I don’t know what the problem is.”

“Great, if you can’t figure it out, we’ll never do it.” May quipped. “We may as well just buy one.”

“Don’t you dare suggest that!” Hub looked horrified, “Are we Hikari’s or aren’t we? We’ll figure it out, it might just take forever to do so.”

“Well, my dad has always said that the Hikari’s were too stubborn to quit.” Eugene shrugged, “but that Mr. Hikari always saved their bacon because of it.”

“Speaking of bacon.” Lana pinched her nose; “Does anyone else smell something burning?”

“I do now.” Tony grimaced at the smell, “Who’s the chain smoker?”

“Ugh,” Yani wrinkled her nose; “Some people have no manners…”

“Uh, guys,” May stopped and pointed across the street, “I think we’ve got a problem!”

Everyone looked over and gasped in shocked horror. Smoke was billowing out from the windows of a nearby building, and here and there, flames could be seen leaping up from the roof.

“Come on!” Hub shouted as he broke away from his friends and dashed across the street towards the flaming building. “We’ve got to do something!”

“Hub, wait!” The sister called after him, “Are you sure- he’s right, we can’t just stand here. Let’s go!”

Encouraged by their friend’s actions, Eugene, Tony, Yani, and Lana rushed over to the building.

“Why do I get the feeling that this is something Dad would do?” May wondered silently.

The group of friends arrived at the smoking structure, just in time to catch a man as he came staggering out of the smoke-filled doorway.

“Take it easy.” Tony and Hub grabbed onto the man, supporting him as his strength gave out. “You’ll be alright, we’ve got you.”

“Don’t know what… happened…” The man gasped. “Flames, just… appliances blew up… Others still in there.”

“There’s still more inside!” Tony repeated the man’s message to the others; “We’ve got to get them out!”

“But we can’t go in there!” Yani replied, her first thought was for their own well-being. “We’ll suffocate!”

Realizing that someone had to take control of the group, Eugene put his mind to work trying to come up with a plan. And the second he spotted a nearby doorway, a strategy came to mind.

“Listen! There’s a port right here, if we can get into that building’s Network, then we can find out what’s causing this mess and shut it down, it’s the best route of action!”

“Right!” May agreed as she, Tony, Yani, and May all pulled out their Terminals. The boy’s plan made a lot of sense.

Hub, Eugene and Lana got ready to dive through the portal, which would take them to the cyber world. The portal was a metal doorframe, sort of like the metal detectors at the airport, just much thicker, set into the building’s wall. Normally, a building’s Network was restricted from public access, and the link locked down, but in an emergency, anyone could open it. And this was definitely an emergency.

“P.E.T. in!” Yani whipped out the wire connected to her Terminal, and slapped it into an exposed jack.

The portal began to glow with a faint green light as it activated.

“Engage Transmission!” Eugene stepped through the door, and into the cyber-world.

Light surrounded him as his Net Armor activated; a pair of medium red boots, with a white stripe running up the front, appeared around his legs, while he gained a gray bodysuit. A red belt appeared on his waist along with a piece of red, white and yellow chest armor as red gloves with a white band running up the side materialized. A red visored helmet appeared over his head with white fins sweeping across the sides, and finally a yellow bandana materialized around his neck. “BreakMan Activate!”

“P.E.T. in!” Tony connected his device.

“En Trans!” Lana leapt through the doorway, and emerged in the digital world dressed in her armor.

She now wore pink tapered boots that ran up to her knees. Her black bodysuit worked well with her light red vest-like chest armor, and pink gloves. She had round purple shoulder pads which were the exact same shade of color as the markings on her light red helmet, two ribbons hung down from the back of her headgear to her waist. Brown hair flowed from an opening in the back of her helmet. “Alia Activate!”

“P.E.T. in!” May slapped her wire home.

“En Trans!” Hub entered the portal, and emerged as NetMan. “I can’t wait to get rid of this thing... NetMan Activate.”

“Look out!” BreakMan stared around the Network. “This place is crawling with viruses!”

“Then let’s take them out.” NetMan formed his default Buster and went to work, blowing viruses into the next millenium.

“Like the net-man said.” Alia raised her palms, and activated her default attack, sending several rays of light through the air, deleting any virus in their path.

“When in doubt, blow something up.” BreakMan formed his blaster and fired. True, he preferred swords, but he found that a buster worked better against viruses that his blade would.

“You’re doing great!” May encouraged her brother.

“Thanks.” The Navi blew away a Mettaur.

It didn’t take long to dispatch the viruses, and soon they had the Network cleared of the troublemakers.

Except for one.

As the last virus dissipated, a tall red Net Navigator appeared in front of them. He wore yellow boots and chest armor, as well as a yellow glove; his right hand was permanently frozen as a cannon of some type with a cable running from the blaster to a tank attached to his back. His bright yellow helmet was styled like leaping flames, and his freezing green eyes studied the others.

“Who are you?” This Navigator didn’t at all intimidate NetMan.

“I am PyroMan.” The human Navigator rumbled in a deep voice, “You have interfered with my plans, prepare to be burned.”

“Stop this!” BreakMan switched weapons, and his cannon transformed into a hilt, with a sharp blade projecting from it. “Interfering with the normal routine and processes of a computer system is illegal hacking, so stand down, and don’t make trouble.”

“I know this is illegal!” PyroMan muttered, “But who cares? It’s such fun, and destroying you three will be even more amusing! Pyro Blast!”

The renegade Navigator raised his gun hand a fired. A stream of flames shot from his weapon and arced through the air; aimed straight at the allies.

“Watch it!” NetMan hurled himself to one side, causing the attack missed him by inches.

BreakMan and Alia also leapt to one side, avoiding the attack.

“Let’s take him down!” May swiped a card through her P.E.T. “Spreader Card! Scan, and activate!”

“Share and share alike!” NetMan quipped as his blaster morphed into a new shape. He raised his gun so that it was pointed at the pyromaniac and fired.

The laser sped through the air, and split into nine smaller lasers, before crashing into the tiles around the flaming afterburner.

“Our turn!” Yani grabbed a Battle Card. “Aqua-Sword, Scan, Activate!”

BreakMan raised his standard sword as the hilt became a water tank, and a moist blade replaced the old one. He ran forward, charging toward PyroMan.

“Oh? No you don’t!” The flaming renegade raised his cannon. “Pyro blast!”

Columns of fire flew through the air toward the red Navi.

“Bubbler Card, Scan, Activate!” Tony shouted.

“Time for your bubble bath!” Alia watched as her hand transformed into the Bubble blaster; she pointed her weapon at PyroMan and let loose.

The maniac never saw it coming.

Water bubbles from Alia’s cannon crashed into PyroMan, dousing him with their cooling liquid. The attack gave the flaming Navigator a serious damage reading and distracted him from the Red Raider’s charge.

The red Navi ran in and slashed his blade before passing his enemy by. With a grunt, BreakMan landed on the ground and spun around, getting ready to strike again.

“I’ve had enough!” The flaming hacker shouted as Alia’s Bubbler, NetMan’s Spreader, and a flood of water from BreakMan’s sword assaulted him.

“Berserk Blast!”

PyroMan’s cannon fired so fast and furiously that it covered the field with its flames, and no one could keep up with him.

BreakMan stopped his attack and ran in a wide circle around the pyromaniac; keeping ahead of most of the attacks, and leaping the few that could have nailed him. He continued to duck and dance around the balls of fire.

Alia was flipping around in tight gymnastics, avoiding as many blasts as she could, and using a barrier to protect her from the ones she couldn’t. All things considered, she avoided the bulk of the blasts untouched.

NetMan had more trouble due to his clunky armor. While he could dodge one or two blasts, his suit slowed him down too much to avoid all of the firepower. After jumping a blast of heat and fire, he had no choice but to throw his arms over he head as he was caught by an attack of flame. The impact hurled him backward, and he crashed to the ground.

“NetMan!” May screamed.

PyroMan noticed his downed opponent. While keeping his other two opponents as bay with a few well-timed shots; he focused most of his firepower on the downed Navi, and continued to pump his cannon.

“Area Steal, Scan, Activate!” The Op slid her card down the slot.

NetMan used the power up to warp away from the deadly barrage, and to temporary safety.

“Are you alright?” Alia bent down next to her ally, who was on his knees struggling for breath.

“Yeah,” The Navigator panted, “just give me a moment.”

“You’re damage levels are at 65%” The pink Navi muttered, “You should get out of here.”

“Until the Auto Logout Function kicks in, I’m staying.” NetMan got to his feet. “We’ve got to take this guy down, and I know how. I need an Area Steal!”

“If you say so!” The brunette scanned her card, “Coming you way!”

NetMan activated the chip, and vanished from sight, using the power of the Battle Card, he teleported over directly behind PyroMan.

The fiery renegade never saw him.

NetMan latched his arms between Pyro’s arms and torso then over his shoulders, and pulled him tight, restraining him from moving.

“Hey! Let me go!” The pyromaniac struggled and twisted, trying to break free of NetMan’s grip.

“I don’t think so!” The Navi replied, holding on tighter. “Come on, someone get this guy!”

“Cannon, Hi-Cannon, M-Cannon, Scan, Activate!” Yani shouted. “Program Advance: Zeta Cannon!”

The charged cannon replaced BreakMan’s sword, which he aimed it at his adversary. However, he stopped before he fired as he realized that his ally was still in the line of fire. “NetMan get out of the way!”

“You’ll only have one shot.” The Navi strained against the renegade as he kept him trapped in place. “Make it count!”

“Get out of there!” Alia demanded, what was Hub thinking?

NetMan locked his jaw, and held tight.

“For crying out loud, shoot already!”

The Red Raider sighted, and unleashed his firepower.

The titanic blast of energy from the cannon exploded across the Network, and washed over the renegade and his captor.

NetMan strained to keep his grip; he could feel the Auto Logout function about to kick in. But he refused to leave, if he let go, then PyroMan could escape the Program Advance, and he wouldn’t let that happen!

BreakMan continued to train his blaster on his opponent as his Zeta Cannon kept pouring out its energy.

Alia watched in horror as NetMan remained behind PyroMan. How could Hub take this kind of a pounding?

“About time!” The Navi watched as PyroMan vanished in his arms; transforming into the words ‘Log Out’ before disappearing, and just in time too because NetMan’s Logout function kicked in, forcing him too to withdrawal.

May watched as the portal activated, and Hub materialized.

“You-!” The Op fumed, “What were you thinking? That was the most foolhardy thing I’ve ever seen!”

“Hey it worked didn’t it?” The redheaded Navigator shrugged.

End Chapter!
_________________

[TheWebbuilder]

Here we go again...

Begin!

“Terry Watt, report!”

“Almost done…” A tall, lanky youth with spiky blond hair and brown eyes looked away from his computer monitor and into his nearby P.E.T. “We’ll have this viral invasion ready to launch by tomorrow afternoon at the most.”

“Excellent, remember, our goal is not to do anything too major, but to make our presence known in the World.” The shadowy image residing on the P.E.T.’s screen replied. The image was very dark, obscuring all but the basic details about the caller, the blurred outline of his tall rectangular face was just barely visible, as were a few wisps of white hair poking out from behind the man’s ears. Not much else was visible.

“And find out who this PyroMan was.” The image continued, “He might make a perfect ally in our little enterprise.”

“I will do so.” Terry nodded.

“Very good.” With that, the blurred image vanished off of the P.E.T. screen, almost as if it had never been there…

101010101010101010101010

“We’re home!” May and Hub burst through the front door. Eagerly, they scanned the front rooms of the house; they were empty.

“Maybe they’re just upstairs.” Hub tried to keep up his fading hopes.

“I’ll go look, you check the back rooms.” May headed for the stairwell.

“Maybe.” The redheaded Navigator walked through the dining, laundry, and spare bedroom. Nothing was there but a note on the refrigerator.

“Empty.” May reported back, “Did you find anything?”

“This.” The boy’s voice was empty as he handed his sister the note, before grabbing his backpack and heading for the stairway, “I’d better get moving on this report.”

The brunette watched him shuffle away, and then turned her attention to the note.

‘May and Hub:

I’m sorry but I got called into work at the last moment, I should be back about an hour after you get home. Call me ASAP.

(signed)
Mom.’

May sighed as she headed for the phone, obviously their Dad had been detained again, their Mom wouldn’t have dreamed of going to the hospital otherwise. She could have just used the phone feature on her Terminal, but that would have been too simple, and she wanted to walk off some disappointment. She never really blamed her Dad for being away most of the time, his salary as a full time Official pretty much kept them on a comfortable financial cushion, and her mother only worked because she wanted to, but still, it would be nice to have him around more often.

The brunette reached the telephone and hit the speaker phone and speed dial button.

“Hello?” her mother answered on the first ring.

“Dad’s not coming is he?” May didn’t bother to say ‘Hi’, the Caller ID would’ve told her mom who was calling.

“I’m sorry, but there was a hack attack at the last moment, and he missed his train home.” Her Mom explained, “There won’t be another for about a week.”

“Oh,” The girl acknowledged the statement. “I see.”

“Did anything happen at school?”

“Just the usual, Hub daydreamed and got slapped with an extra report,” May didn’t really feel like talking, “I’d better get started on my homework, it needs to be done before tomorrow. Bye.”
“But it’s Friday-“

May cancelled the call and went upstairs, so much for their weekend.

As she headed for her room, she decided that she might as well check in on her younger sibling. She found Hub seated at his computer, the information from his disk in Net History on the screen, but she could tell that he wasn’t really reading it. “Want to talk?”

“What about?” The redheaded kid kept staring at the screen.

“Anything.”

“No thanks,” The Navigator miserably punched in a few commands, and scrolled through the information on the screen. “I’ve got to get this done.”

“You must be upset. You’re doing your homework.” May’s attempt at humor fell flat. “Well, I’ll see ya.”

“Alright.” Hub saw her move away out of the corner of his eye. When he was sure that she was gone he leaned back in his chair and closed the school program; he just couldn’t concentrate.

The Navigator stared at the blank screen for a few seconds before standing up. He might as well burn off some of his emotion.

“Wait.” Hub stopped in his tracks. A small idea was forming in his head, he went over to the shelf where he kept all of his software, and skimmed the disks. After a few seconds he located the one he wanted and pulled it down. It was a micro-disk, only about half the size of most CDs, but it had been custom burned, a fairly expensive thing to do. He’d found it when he and May had been drafted into cleaning the attic, and since his mom hadn’t known what it was, she’d said that he could hang onto it.

“Alright my little disk.” The redhead slipped the cartridge into his drive. “What are you hiding?”

The screen glowed as the disk drives deciphered the code.

“Huh?” Hub stared at the screen, “‘Navi Updates Extracted, Total Install Time Remaining: Three Hours’?”

The youth tried to close the program but found that his computer had locked up.

“Wonderful.” Hub hit ‘Reset’ button several times without result. “I’ve fried the thing. What else can go wrong?”

The computer just sat there, spinning its CD drive, and doing nothing.

“May? Hub? I’m home!” His Mom’s voice came from downstairs. “Can I see you for a minute?”

“Oh well, I’ll mess with this later.” The redheaded kid left the computer, and trudged downstairs.

A new window opened, and the unmanned computer began compiling data…

101010101010101010110010

“Well, what should I do today…” May studied her alarm clock, it was 6:30 on a Saturday morning, no one else would be up for another two hours yet. “I guess I can always work on our Net Armor. Maybe I’ll find out what the problem is.”

That decided, the brunette booted up her networked computer and pulled up the codes for their customized Armor.

“WHAT!” May stared at the glowing screen, “This can’t be. It can’t be!”

The girl studied her screen, their work was still there, and she could recognize Hub’s style in the processes and functions. But the entire program had been compressed, streamlined, and debugged.

“Brilliant…” May looked over the information; the armor should work perfectly now. “Brilliant! Hub’s a genius!”

Despite the fact that it was now 6:42 on a Saturday morning, one very overjoyed May dashed out of her room and down to Hub’s door. She threw it open and shouted at the sleeping figure, “Hubert, you are a genius!”

“I did no such thing!” The redheaded Navigator’s eyes snapped open and he threw himself upright, “I didn’t- I am?”

“Yes!” May ran to her sibling and dragged him to his computer system. “All that coding you did last night, it was brilliant! I had no idea you could do that! Just wait’ll they see our new armor, we’ll show them a thing or three!”

“What coding?” Hub finally got a word in edgewise, one minute he was sleeping peacefully, the next he was being called a genius, and now he was being given credit for something he hadn’t done. Which come to think of it, might not be such a bad thing…

“This coding!” The brunette pulled up the program, “I don’t know what you did last night, but it was terrific, can you believe this?”

“No.” Hub stared at the screen, “May, I didn’t do any of this.”

“You- didn’t.” The girl stared at her brother.

“No, I didn’t.” The redhead took advantage of her shock to free himself from her grip. “This is way beyond anything I could do… unless, that disk!”

“What disk?”

“The one I found in the attic, remember? I downloaded it yesterday… it must have bonded to our armor program and fixed it.”

“Odd, we’ll have to ask Dad about it sometime.” May looked over the code, a grin spread across her face. “What do you say we try it out? I know Rex is at the arcade today.”

“Oh yeah.” Hub grinned back, “Payback, we’ve waited quite a while for this!”

101010101010101010101010101

“I got to tell ya, you two must like loosing.” Rex shook his huge head. “Challenging me and Chase again, that’s just asking for it.”

“Humor us.” May raised her P.E.T.

“Fine, I’m always up for an easy win.” Chase agreed, “P.E.T. In!”

“Ha! Get ready to loose!” Rex jumped through nearby portal, and emerged in the digital world, decked out in his robotic armor. “Brawn, Activate!”

“You ready?” The brunette asked.

“I’ve waited years for this.” The redhead nodded, “Let’s do this!”

“P.E.T. In!”

“En Trans!” Hub stepped into the doorway, and entered the Internet.

Rex, as Brawn, crashed into the Network and glanced around, trying to locate that puny Hub as NetMan… But NetMan was no where to be seen, the only other Navigator in the Network was a customized blue guy, and that definitely wasn’t NetMan. For a long moment all was still, until finally Brawn’s impatience got the better of him.

“Hey! Did you chicken out or something? I thought we were going to battle!”

“Ha, that’s a laugh, I got here before you did.” Hub’s voice came through the air.

It took Brawn a moment to realize that Hub wasn’t the old NetMan anymore, instead he was that blue guy that Rex had noticed earlier.

“What is that?” Brawn stared at his opponent.

“You like it?” Hub’s voice came from the armor, “I do.”

Instead of the expected NetMan, Hub was dressed in his new Net Armor. His bodysuit was a blue, almost black, color. Which highlighted his medium blue boots and gloves well. The gloves had red pads about the elbows, and his boots had matching red pads around his knees. His shoulder pads were circular and blue with red trim, and his helmet was a dark blue with a wide yellow stripe cutting up the center, in the center of that stripe rested a thinner red one.

“Like I said, this is the MegaMan Trigger armor.” The human stated, “or just MegaMan.”

“Either way, we’re going to beat you!” Chase swiped a Battle Card, “Guts Hammer!”

Brawn grinned as his right hand was replaced by the head of a hammer. The brute slammed the mallet into the ground, and caused an earthquake to speed across the arena. “Dodge that!”

“With pleasure!” MegaMan grinned, just before leaping to his right. The aftershocks passed him by harmlessly.

“No way!” The ape gasped. “He’s much faster now!”

“Glad you think so.” May grinned as she fed a card through her terminal. “M-Cannon Card, Scan and Activate!”

“Hmm,” MegaMan watched his hand morph into the blaster. “This’ll be interesting.”

“I’ll say, once I pulverize you!” Brawn’s Hammer transformed into his Buster, which he aimed and fired a brown stream of energy at his opponent.

“Get out of there!” May screamed.

“Or not.” The Bomber pointed his cannon at the approaching assault, and released its power.

The Blue Navigator’s shot ripped the brown one to shreds, and continued on until it slammed into Brawn, knocking him off of his feet.

“Cyber-Sword Card, Scan!” The brunette slammed a card through the gate.

“Rock Cube, Activate!” Chase screeched.

“On Guard!” MegaMan raised his cannon as it transformed into a slim hilt and a glowing blade sprang to life. Without hesitation he ran toward his opponent.

Brawn activated his power up, and sent it plummeting down toward the Bomber.

“MegaMan, Above you!”

“I see it!” The Navigator took a running jump and sailed upward, heading for the plummeting obstacle.

The cube shattered into two halves.

One half fell to MegaMan’s right, while the other fell to the left while the Bomber raised his blade to swing again.

“Watch it!” Chase rifled through his cards, “Iron-Body, Scan, Activate!”

“Look out!” May shouted.

MegaMan brought his sword down, just as Brawn’s entire armor turned into an indestructible metal. His blade snapped in two, and dissipated.

“Too bad!” The heavyweight muttered as he brought his huge fist around to knock his adversary into the next century.

The blue Navigator saw it coming in plenty of time, in his old armor he’d never have avoided it, but he dodge backward with seconds to spare.

“No way!”

“Yes way!” MegaMan dove forward, his fists flying at all angles. “My turn!”

The robotic Navi tried to block the flying barrage, but the smaller pest was much too fast. The Navi’s blows pelted him mercilessly.

“Hiyah!” The Bomber’s foot lashed out and caught Brawn in the chin, knocking him to the floor.

“I’m not done yet!” The heavyweight got to his feet.

“No, but you will be soon!” May grinned.

“I hear you.” MegaMan agreed.

“Now check this out,” The redhead swiped one final card, “Spreader, Scan, Activate!”

“No way, Shock Wave Card, Scan, Activate!”

MegaMan gained a Spreader Cannon, while Brawn slammed his oversized fist into the ground. A wave of energy appeared from the spot and spread out to fill the arena.

“Nice,” the Bomber ran directly into the approaching wave, before leaping over it, and clearing the attack.

“No way!” The heavyweight stared in shock. “How’s he doing this?”

The Blue Navigator landed in a crouch, his gun leveled. “Say Cheese!”

The Blaster fired its load, which ripped through space.

“NO!” The energy crashed against Brawn, who’s Logout kicked into gear.

The armor morphed into the words: Log Out, right before it vanished from sight.

“Alright!” May and MegaMan did a high five through the computer monitor.

“I LOVE this thing!” The Bomber announced.

“Alert!” An unknown voice blared across the Internet, “ALERT! Viral attack in sector 43, all on-line Navigators are requested to assist in containment.”

“Did you hear that?” MegaMan spoke into his com-link, “There’s a virus attacking the Internet Square! Let’s go help them out!”

“Right.” The Op nodded, “We’ll show them what we can do!”

“I’m on my way!” The Navigator transferred himself into a data stream, and took off for Internet Square.

“I’ll have to find a broadband connection.” May announced, “So that I can send you cards. Got that? Don’t do anything too reckless until I’m back on-line.”

“Got you.” MegaMan replied, “I promise not to take on any evil Net Navi until you find a decent connection.”

“Good. I’m jacking out now.” May broke the connection.

“I hope she doesn’t take too long.” The Bomber muttered, “I don’t want to get myself killed.”

His reflections were cut short as he beamed into the Internet Square. Once inside, he scanned the area, Internet Square was a pretty minor place in the network, as it was fairly empty; the attack was pretty small, but there nonetheless. It shouldn’t take that long to clear things up.

“Mega-Buster!” The Navigator raised his cannon and went to work, busting viruses left and right.

About the only things giving him trouble was when he would occasionally get double-teamed, but most of the time, another Navigator would come to his assistance, and then the viruses would give up pretty quickly.

“Hub?” A familiar voice said from his left. “Hub, is that you?”

“BreakMan!” The Bomber dispatched a Mettaur as he identified his comrade. “Yep, we finally worked the bugs out of our Armor program. I’m now known as MegaMan Trigger. Or just MegaMan.”

“Like your dad’s Navi huh?” The Raider fired his buster in rapid succession, deleting any virus that got in his path.

“Is that a problem?” The Blue Navi continued firing, before making a startling observation. “What under the sun? The viruses are deleting themselves!”

“It’s true!” BreakMan watched as the last of the attackers mysteriously vanished from the Network. “They’re gone!”

“That was easy.” The Bomber said in disappointment, he’d been hoping to give his new armor a better workout.

“Too easy.” The Raider muttered, “stay on your toes.”

“How very perceptive.” A new voice rang through the Network. “But I should expect no less from the famous Blaze intelligence.”

“Show yourself!” MegaMan raised his cannon defensively. “NOW!”

“With pleasure!” A new Navi appeared in the Network, he was black with gold trim, and an orange chest plate. His helmet was windswept, and sparkled with energy. “I am ShockMan!”

“ShockMan?”

“Yes, and you two have interrupted my viral attack, now,” The Navi raised his hands, and energy appeared in his palms. “You must face me!”

“Watch it!” BreakMan leaped to the right.

“I see it!” MegaMan jumped to the left, the two split up. Dividing the targets that ShockMan would have to aim for.

“Electric Shocker!” The gold Navi slammed his fist into the ground, and a sparking pillar of electricity erupted from the floor. It raced across the Network, aimed right at BreakMan.

“I don’t think so!” The Bomber pointed his buster at the electric tower and cut loose, pumping the pillar full of his buster’s power. The column swelled under the assault, and then exploded.

“Electric Blast!” A glowing ball of energy appeared in the Navi’s hand, which he hurled into the air. The sphere reached the apex of its flight, and exploded, raining lightning bolts down the two allies.

Raider and Bomber dodged left and right, trying to avoid the hailstorm of electrical power, but there was just too much of it. Several bolts crashed into BreakMan, and hurled him backwards; he slammed into the ground, and skidded to a stop. Likewise, MegaMan got caught by the explosion and was hurled to the floor next to his partner.

“Spark Ball!” ShockMan thrust his hand forward, and released a blast of power at his opponents.

“Barrier, Scan, Activate!”

A wall of energy appeared around the two allies, and deflected the deadly projectile away, it spun out into space, and exploded harmlessly.

“Right on time, May.” The Blue Navi go to his feet, “Now, let’s blow this guy to the moon!”

“MegaMan, you promised not to get into any fights!” The Op teased, “Crossfire, activate!”

“That’ll do!” The Bomber raised his new weapon and fired several times.

ShockMan dodged the first two blasts, but the third caught him in the chest, and hurled him backward.

“My turn!” A Wave Sword appeared around BreakMan’s wrist, in one swift motion, he swung his weapon, and released its power, sending a wave of energy streaking through the air.

The renegade Navi couldn’t dodge in time.

“Crossfire, Battle Chip in, Download!”

“May?” MegaMan Trigger glanced around, “was that you?”

“It wasn’t me.” The Op explained, “Yani?”

“Nope.”

“It’s time to megamize!” A purple laser shot through space and collided with ShockMan, driving him back.

A black and blue Net Navi dropped into view, MegaMan Trigger recognized him at once. “MegaMan?”

“Dad!” May stared at the newcomer in her Terminal’s display, as she watched, a dialogue box popped up on her screen, showing her Dad’s face.

“Hi!” Lan Hikari greeted his daughter, “Long time no see!”

“But, you’re here? In Dan Tech?” The girl blurted out.

“I am.” Lan grinned, “Drove all night to get here. I’ve got to say, you and Hub make a great team, now, how about blowing this sparkplug?”

“I’m ready to rewire this light bulb.” May grinned, “ready MegaMen?”

“We’re ready.” The two Bombers said in Unison. “Let’s do it!”

“Spreader, Scan and Activate/Battle Chip in and Download!”

MegaMan and Trigger both raised their right wrists as the weapons activated. “Say Cheese!”

The two fired, sending eighteen powerful blasts through the air, and nailed ShockMan with ease.

“Spark balls!” Two glowing spheres appeared in the Navi’s hands, and he hurled through the air toward his opponents. “Take that!”

“With pleasure!”

“Cyber Sword, Scan, Activate/Battle Chip in, Download!”

Both Bombers raised their cannons as they transformed into a glowing sword. Together, the two ran forward, and cleaved through the electric balls of energy.

“NO! It can’t be!” The gold Navi blurted out.

“It is!” MegaMan glanced at Trigger, the guy was mirroring him perfectly, “Let’s blow this fuse!”

“I’m ready to blow this circuit breaker!”

Both MegaMen passed ShockMan, their blades cutting through space. The renegade howled, and then vanished.

“Alright!” Trigger raised his blade, which MegaMan clanked with his own.

“What do you think Lan?” the original Bomber spoke into his com-link, “do you think these two have what it takes?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Lan feigned disappointment. “I wasn’t all that impressed.”

“Well for our second battle, we didn’t do that bad!” May protested. “Did we?”

“Like I said, I’m not impressed.” The Op shook his head; “I’m thrilled! Great job you two!”

“Welcome to the club.” MegaMan shook Trigger’s hand, “I think you guys will do fine.”

10101010101010101010101010

May practically tore down the stairs, what could be better? Dad was home for the next month if all went well, it was a beautiful Saturday, and best of all, her homework was finished for the weekend!

“Hi, Mom!” The brown-haired girl blew into the kitchen, and spotted her mother fussing with the coffeepot, her P.E.T. resting on the counter next to the device.

“Hello yourself!” Maylu Hikari turned and greeted her daughter; “You’re awfully chipper this morning. Although, I’m a little surprised that you slept in so late, normally you’re up at the crack of dawn.”

“I know, but I guess I was a little worn out from all the Netbattling yesterday, now that we’ve got some decent armor, we’re coming along great!” May popped open the refrigerator door and grabbed the orange juice. A quick glance at the clock made her realize just how late it really was, 10:30 A.M. “Where’s Dad and Hub? I didn’t see them upstairs.”

“Hm? Oh, they had an early morning appointment, but don’t worry, they should be back soon.” The redheaded woman replied, before an idea struck her. “Roll, would you mind checking in on them? Maybe find out what time they’ll be back?”

“Of course not.” The pink Navi smiled, “I’ll go right now.”

With that, Roll vanished off of the P.E.T.’s display as she accessed the Internet.

“I keep telling you,” The brown-haired girl decided to leak into their favorite pseudo-topic as she poured herself a glass of the drink. “You and Dad really need to update your equipment. I mean, Dad’s still using those ancient Battle Chips, even though the Battle Cards pack more punch…”

“May,” The mother shook her head, “Someday you’ll understand why your Father and I hang onto the old ways more than you and Hub do. Loyalty can be a powerful thing.”

“True.” May conceded the point, although she really didn’t understand it, “So… are there any special plans today?”

“Oh, not yet.” Maylu replied, “maybe when your Dad and Hub get back we’ll think of something, but as of now there’s nothing on the table.”

“Except the tablecloth.”

“True.” Mrs. Hikari chuckled.

“Maybe Dad can help us work on the Program Advance.” May mused. “Eugene and Yani have already mastered the Zeta Cannon and Elemental Sword, and it’s saved them more times than I can count.”

“I’ll say this much, Eugene and Yani really inherited their Father’s Netbattling skills.”

“Oh, did they?” May raised an eyebrow, “What about us? Didn’t we get anything from Dad?”

“Of course you did, I heard about your battle with ShockMan last night…” A trace of sadness crept into Maylu’s voice. “May, please don’t get involved with this type of thing.”

“What thing?”

“Don’t play ignorant with me.” Mrs. Hikari smiled slightly, “Net Crime, its nothing for you and Hub to be involved with, at least not at your age.”

May but her lip to keep from blurting out that her Dad had been foiling Wily’s schemes when he was even younger than they were. Not that it really mattered to her, she and Hub had just been at the right place at the right time, it wasn’t like they were out infiltrating WWW island or anything. And there wasn’t all that much Net Crime to worry about, sure two attacks in one week were a little odd, but it didn’t mean that World Three was returning.

“Sure, we won’t mess with it, but you know that if we come across anything we’ll try to help out.”

“That’s all anyone expects of you, so for now, just be kids.”

“Oh, we will.” The brunette finished gulping down her juice, “Well, I’d better get moving, I don’t want Dad coming back and then have to wait for me to get ready!”

Maylu smiled as her daughter left the room. Oh, how history could repeat itself.

“I’m back, Maylu.” For someone who had just gotten back from visiting MegaMan, Roll seemed awfully downcast. “They’re about forty minutes away.”

And it didn’t take Maylu a second to notice the change in her Navi’s behavior.

“Roll, is anything wrong?”

“It’s not looking good.” The pink Navi admitted. “It’s…”

Her voice trailed off as the familiar form of MegaMan materialized on the P.E.T. screen.

“Hi.” The blue Navi waved a weary hand. “I hate to bring this kind of news, but unfortunately, it’s the truth.”

“The results came back didn’t they?” The red-haired mother guessed; she had a feeling that she knew where this was going.

“They did.” MegaMan nodded, “And it’s really not good, I don’t know how Hub’s taking it yet. They’re giving him a year at the most…”

1010101010101010101010101010

“Lan, can I see you a minute?”

From his position in the Doctor’s office waiting room, the brown-haired official nodded, before turning to his son and telling him that he’d be right back. Lan stood up, and then walked over to the doctor, leaving Hub behind.

Parent and Doctor stepped around the corner to the privacy of an examining room.

“Alright, Sean, what do we have?”

“I really hate to be the one to tell you this, but I think it’ll be easier coming from me.” The gray-haired doctor admitted, “Lan, we’ve known each other far too long for me to beat around the bush, so if its alright with you, I’ll just be blunt.”

“Fine by me, just give it to me straight.”

“Alright then, the tests came back. And they’re not good, he’s deteriorating at a rate that’s downright scary, and so far as I know there’s nothing we can do about it-”

Lan Hikari shook his head, banishing the recent memory from his mind. He couldn’t concentrate on it right now; he needed to focus on driving the family car.

The older brunette turned to steal a glance at Hub, who was just sitting in his seat staring out the window at the passing scenery.

“Penny for your thoughts.” Lan broke the vehicle’s silence.

“Where’s the penny?” Although his voice indicated that he really didn’t feel like joking, Hub proceeded to make his age-old quip. “Not much really, I guess that it won’t help to keep brooding over this...”

The adult remained silent as he waited for his son to continue.

“So instead I’m going to fight back.” Hub looked up in determination. “I can’t stop this disease, but at the least I can make things difficult for it!”

“Now, that’s the Hikari spirit.” Lan nodded his approval, “But remember, this is only the beginning, things will get worse before they get better, but one way or another, we’ll beat this thing.”

“I just hope that it won’t kill my Navigating…” The redheaded boy glanced out the window, “We’re just now starting to make progress.”

“We’ll make it, one way or another.”

101010101010101010101010101

“Misty.”

“Yes?” In response to the previous statement, a black-haired, gray-eyed teenager decked out in an ice blue shirt and dark, black pants raised her P.E.T. gate and looked into the display.

The shadowy figure of a square face stared back. Not a lot could be seen about it, aside from the shadowy outline of spiky hair protruding from behind the face’s ears.

“I have a new mission for you.” The face continued, “And when you carry it out, be warned that an extremely powerful Net Navi may try to stop you. Eliminate him.”

“Now this is the kind of action that I’ve been aching for.” Misty glanced at the information scrolling across her screen. “You can count on me, I’ll get the job done.”

“But I want you to have some reinforcement.” The figure continued, “So, another operative will meet you at the attack site-”

“Wily, I don’t need a babysitter.” Misty’s eyes narrowed in dislike of the idea. “I’m perfectly capable of doing this myself.”

“In case you don’t remember, you work for me. Therefore, you will do what I say, if not, I can always find another member to replace you...”

“…I’ll do that.”

“Good.”

The conversation over, the face vanished off of the screen.
_________________

[Mega Man.EXE]

Hmmm, are you typing all of these out over again? I have all of the chapters saved on my computer, I could just PM them to you or email them as a word document if you would like me to do so. :V
_________________

[TheWebbuilder]

Mega Man.EXE, I've got all of the old chapters and several more unpublished ones (This one's going up an F.F. as soon as it wraps up). So thanks for the offer, but I've got it covered.

Begin Chapter!


“We’re back!” Lan shouted as he pushed the doorway to his home open.

“Hello, I’ve been waiting.” Maylu stepped out of the kitchen to greet them. “MegaMan’s already told me… Hub, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” The redheaded Netbattler shrugged, “Its just one of those things that happen. But I’m not giving up, we’re going to fight this thing with everything we’ve got!”

“Stubborn, just like your dad.” The mother smiled softly. “But remember, this is only the beginning, things will only get harder from here.”

“Bring it on.” Hub set his face with determination. “It’s either fight this, or just sit back and do nothing, I’m not going to sit still.”

“Brave words.” Lan placed a loving hand on his son. “Just do your best to live up to them.”

“I will, you can count on it.”

“Good, now, go get May, and let her know that I need to talk to her.”

“Right, I think I’ll let you tell her.” Hub’s face fell slightly, “I just hope that she doesn’t take it too hard.”

“If she’s half as stubborn as you are, she won’t be intimidated.” Maylu replied as her son headed out of the living room and up the stairs.

For a long moment, all was silent as Lan replayed the past few hours in his mind… he’d never suspected that anything like this would happen.

“He’s just like you were at his age.” Maylu interrupted her husband’s thoughts. “Right down to his schoolwork.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” The father nodded, “But at least he’s not involved in any Net Crime, at least, not like I was. That’s a relief. I never really understood why my parents worried about me so much whenever I raced off to save the world… and now I am one and I understand completely.”

Before Maylu could reply, her brown-haired daughter entered the room.

“Yes?” May glanced about in obvious confusion at the bewildering events of the morning.

“May, you know how Hub always zones out in school?” The adult brunette began his explanation. “And gets quiet whenever there’s a lot of noise around?”

“Yeah, I know.” The girl nodded, “He’s always getting extra homework because of it.”

“Well, it turns out that there’s a reason for it.” Lan recomposed himself for a moment before continuing. “May, Hub’s loosing his hearing.”

“What? He- He can’t be!”

“I’m afraid that it’s true.” Maylu spoke in a quiet voice. “I thought I recognized the signs of hearing loss in your brother, so when your Dad got back last month… he and Hub went in for an examination. The results just came back.”

“I can’t believe this… Hub’s always been normal!” May refused to accept this idea, it just couldn’t be true! “He’s not deaf!”

“No, he isn’t,” Lan replied calmly. “And they don’t know if he ever will. But he’s… Hub’s got a rare disease known as Auto Immune Inner Ear Disease, or AIIED, and well, basically, it destroys his ability to discern between one sound and another.”

“You mean that he wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a jackhammer and my voice?” The young brunette found this impossible to believe.

“IF they’re occurring at the same time, then yes.” Maylu clarified that statement. “If its reasonably quiet, then he could tell what you were saying, but if there are several sounds going on at once, well, he wouldn’t understand you. But May, he’s still in the early stages. It’s fortunate that we caught this when we did, because now we can prepare for it.”

“I see…” May didn’t look convinced. “So what’d we do now?”

“A couple of things.” Lan took control of the conversation again. “I talked to Sean about this, and what we need to find a Sign Language course, that way when he can’t hear, we’ll still be able to communicate.”

“I just can’t believe that we’re talking about Hub like this.” May shook her head.

“And, Hub wants to start learning how to read lips.” The father continued, “Lip reading isn’t entirely accurate, since the best lip readers in the world can only understand about 35- 40% of what’s being said around them, but its better than nothing.”

“Okay,” May shook off the last of her bewilderment, “whatever needs done, I’ll do. But I guess this is the end of our Netbattling days…”

“Hardly, Hub can still navigate.” The adult brunette replied, “Remember he’s not deaf, just hard of hearing. Because of the direct link between the P.E.T. and Navigator, he’ll still be able to hear anything you say to him while he’s in the Net we’re not sure about hearing the others in the Net, but I know you guys can work around that.”

May just nodded.

“Now, run along, I think Hub needs to see you, and I need to talk to your mother.”

“Right.” The girl nodded and left the room.

1010101010101010101010101

“I don’t know about this.” May shook her head as she and her brother entered the schoolyard. “I mean, I can understand you not wanting to spread this to the world, but not telling Lana, Yani, and Eugene?”

“I’ll tell them, just not yet.” Hub shook his head, “My hearing’s still at a level where I can understand what’s being said around me, so I don’t want them thinking that I’m some kind of… weirdo.”

“You know they wouldn’t think that.”

“Maybe not Tony and Eugene, but Yani would react like I’ve been abducted by aliens.” The redheaded Navigator made a wry face. “So for the moment, I’d like to keep this between ourselves.”

“If you say so, but they’re going to want to know why we’re leaving school early two days a week…”

“We’ll make something up. Special classes, visiting Dad those days, whatever works.”

“If you say so.” May shrugged as she pulled the doorway open and the two slipped inside, as usual, they were about fifteen minutes early. But this time something was different, about the second that they entered the building, they were assaulted by a group of students and kinds, each one shouting wildly.

“Whoa, Nelly!” Hub shouted over the noise, “What’s going on?”

“Yeah, you’d think we’d brought doughnuts to school or something.” May shouted back.

The cheers and shouts continued until Hub couldn’t take it anymore; finally he placed his fingers to his mouth, and cut loose with an ear-piercing whistle.

The move had its intended effect, quieting the unruly mob.

“Now, what’s going on?” May demanded an explanation.

“We heard that you finally got your Net Armor working.” One of the students called out.

“And that Hub beat Brawn with it!” Another shouted, “Come on, let us take a look! We’re dying to see it!”

Hub cast a glance at May, who shrugged and waded through the crowd up to the blackboard. When she reached it, she connected her Personal Electronic Transmitter into the teaching aid, causing the schematics of their new Net Armor to appear on the ‘chalkboard’.

‘Ohs’ and ‘Ahs’ filled the air, as the crowd took in the armor’s look and detail. For a long moment all was still, as they stared at the new armor…

And then they went scrambling to their seats as the bell rang.

“Good morning class!” An unusually cheerful Mr. Stewart entered the room, a soft grin on his face.

“Uh oh…” Lana hissed to May across the aisle. “A smiling teacher means one thing.”

“Pop quiz.” The brunette nodded in reply.

“As you all know, a pop quiz was scheduled for this morning over Mathematics.” The teacher paused as a chorus of groans split the air. “Now, I know that this is just going to break your hearts, but I’m afraid that we’ll have to postpone that quiz-”

The students all breathed a sigh of relief.

“Because at the last moment, we’ve had a special offer that is too good to pass up.” Stewart was clearly enjoying the ‘game’ he was playing, “The local engineers of the Den Tech Nature Dam have offered to give us a tour today. And thanks to the e-mails from your parents we’ve received, you are all allowed to go, so… surprise field trip today!”

A round of cheers erupted from the students; a day off from schoolwork was always welcomed.

“But we don’t have much time, so line up and we’ll all get down to the bus.” Mr. Stewart launched into a tirade of instructions as he prepared from the coming trip.

1010101010101010101010101010101

“Chaud, Sir, I think you should see this.” ProtoMan’s voice came though the air.

Chaud stopped typing into his office’s computer system and turned his head to look into his P.E.T.

“What is it?”

“This message just arrived from Mr. Famous.” The Red Raider displayed the information on his Terminal’s screen.

The head of IPC almost groaned when he heard that. Whenever Famous called, it meant that something was about to go wrong and that he needed the grown Official to lend a hand. The problem was that playing Official was seriously cutting into the time that he had to run his business.

In fact, Chaud was almost tempted to ignore the message.

Disregarding his traitorous feelings, he quickly scanned over the information being given to him. And when he did so, his jaw dropped in shock.

“The… Nature Dam, but Eugene and Yani are there!” The double-haired man gasped. A split second later, he had regained his composure and was in motion putting a stop to it.

Quickly he jammed the button on his office phone, getting his secretary on the line. “Gina, this takes priority: cancel all meetings for the rest of the day. If anyone calls, tell him to call back tomorrow. I’ll be out of touch for the rest of the day.”

With that, the Official, business president, and father closed the connection, snatched up his P.E.T. and went racing out the door.

1010101010101010101010101

“Wow, was that neat or what?” Tony as practically bouncing off of the walls as they stepped out of the control room and back into the hallways.

“I don’t get it.” May whispered to her brother, “Tony’s just as much into waterworks as his grandfather was, its like all of this runs in the family or something.”

“Or that somebody somewhere just wants it like this.” Hub shrugged, before loosing some of his carefree spirit. “What’s they say about the main computer? I missed that.”

“You did?” May’s eyes widened slightly, “I didn’t notice.”

“Yeah well, those are the breaks.” The redhead shrugged.

“He said that-”

“Hikari!”

“Yes, Mr. Stewart!” The two siblings jumped as their teacher snapped at them.

“Please try to keep up.” The teacher indicated the fact that they had been lagging behind the rest of their group. “The last thing I need is for some of you to get lost.”

“Yes, sir.”

101010101010101010101010101

“Oh, this reminds me of MY first scheme.” WackoMan glanced about the Network, reminiscing on his scheme to freeze all of the water in Den Tech. “Things haven’t changed a bit around here, its still just as easy as before to hack in here...”

“Can it.” The Navigator next to the clown muttered. She was definitely not in a good mood at having to share the glory of this assignment with a goofball clown. Her boots were a dark blue color, while her bodysuit was a very light, almost transparent, azure. Her chest was wrapped in turquoise armor, which displayed a white crest with speckled black triangles arranged so that it resembled a snowflake. Her gloves were white, and her head was encased in a square blue helmet.

“Oh, do be such a stiff, CryoGirl.” The clown folded his arms in annoyance, “Why, this is the fun part, let’s do it!”

“Whatever...” The human Navigator turned and set their plan in motion.

1010101010101010101010101

“And in there,” The student’s guide pointed through the glass of the observation room, down to the spinning turbines below. “Is where we transform the motion of water into the electrical power that goes out to Den Tech City. Basically, the force of the water shooting through the outlets turns the generators, the generators them manufacture the energy that we all use.”

“How are you doing?” May whispered, drawing a look of annoyance from her brother.

“I’m making it, May, please don’t keep asking, if I can’t understand what’s being said I’ll ask you.”

“Oh… I see, I was just trying to help.”

“I know, but while it’s a nuisance, I can still understand most of what’s going on, if I can’t, I’ll ask.”

May nodded her agreement, just as a loud thud echoed through the building. Before anyone could ask what was going on, a violent shuddered ran through the building, causing the students to brace themselves and grab onto things in an effort to stay upright.

“Mr. Stewart!” The brunette girl shouted, as their teacher lost his footing and tumbled to the ground. His head striking the cement floor with a sickening thud.

“What’s going on?” Yani yelled as the ground bucked beneath her feet.

“It’s an earthquake!” Rex whimpered as he scrambled around on the floor, trying to get to his feet.

“Don’t be silly!” Eugene shouted, as the tremor faded away. Once things had settled, he pointed across the room to the video display of the Internet. “The dam’s systems are being attacked!”

Everyone looked across the room to the computer monitor; sure enough, a dozen viruses could be seen wiping out the last of the Network’s defenses…

“Someone’s attacking the dam!” Lana gasped as she watched the viruses destroy the last of the security Navi, “If they shut it down, then all of Den Tech could be plunged into a blackout!”

“That can wait!” Tony bent over the still form of their teacher. May quickly joined him and together they examined the adult.

“I think he’s unconscious.” May gave her prognosis. She was fairly sure that he wasn’t hurt too badly, but she didn’t like the way he had hit the floor. So be safe, she ordered no one to move Stewart until the medical personnel arrived.

Meanwhile, Hub and Eugene were staring at the computer monitor, trying to make sense of the attack.

“There goes another one!” Hub pointed to the vanishing Navi, “There’s only two Net Navi left now!”

“And there they go.” The raven-haired kid muttered as the viruses wiped them out. “The entire Network’s at the mercy of those viruses.”

The two continued to watch as their classmates started talking in one grand mass of confusion. Each one was trying to be heard over the other talking students, causing general chaos to ensue.

“This is not good.” Eugene spoke in a loud voice.

“Huh?” Hub hated to ask, but he hadn’t heard that sentence.

“I SAID, THIS IS NOT GOOD!” The kid roared back, clarifying his statement.

The redhead kid nodded slowly, he didn’t like it either.

But he didn’t have time to respond, before their eyes, the video screen winked out, and then clicked back on to show the face of a human Navigator, equipped with full armor. Her blue helmet had a fake sparkle to it, and her cold gray eyes bore through the screen.

“Greetings,” The woman spoke, quieting all of the students in the room. “My screen name is CryoGirl, and I now have control of your pathetic Network.”

“CryoGirl?” May looked away from their wounded teacher, and up at the screen, “I’ve never heard of her.”

“Me neither.” Hub replied, before the hacker continued her speech.

“Thanks to a nifty little device I planted in your building, all of the water being held in the dam’s reservoir’s is slowly but most assuredly freezing. Already some 45 percent of the waters are solid, effectively halting your operations. Your security forces have provided no challenge to me, and have demonstrated that you are incapable of stopping me. Now, unless you want this entire factory to transform into one big ice cube, you will promptly wire one million Zenny to the bank numbers I will provide in one hour. I look forward to doing business with you.”

With that, the Navigator vanished off of the screen.

“Why that low down excuse for a lady!” Yani launched into a temper tantrum, “If I ever get my hands on her…!”

“Simmer down.” Hub snapped. They didn’t have time for this, “We’ve got to do something to help! We can’t just stand here while she plunges Den Tech into a blackout.”

“I’m afraid it’s much worse than that.” Eugene muttered, “As water freezes it expands, meaning that the freezing water will soon expand to a size too great for the vats to hold. Once it freezes over completely, the ice will break the reservoirs and shatter the inner machinery, this entire dam will be completely destroyed!”

“I’m not going to let that happen.” The Hikari boy clenched his fists; “We’ve got to find a port and jack-in! We can take this gal, I can feel it!”

“I’m with you.” Tony agreed, as did Lana. “We’re with you.”

“As are we.” Eugene and Yani nodded, “Let’s do it.”

“You guys can go get yourselves killed.” Rex folded his arms, “But I’m not!”

“Whatever, Rex. Now, where do we find a port?” May glanced around, before her eyes lighted on a familiar silver doorway. “There!”

“Go for it!” A member of the student body called out from the crowd, “you can do it!”

“Right.” May completely forgot about her promise to her mother, and walked over to the port. Yani and Tony also stepped over to the entrance. “Let’s do it!”

“P.E.T. In!”

“Engage Transmission Now!”

Eugene went flying through the doorway, into the Dam’s Internet Network. As soon as his foot crossed the threshold of the entrance he felt himself going into a familiar skydive plunge. The Navigator spread his arms and legs out, spread-eagle, as he began to don his armor. Bands of energy moved up his arms, legs, and torso creating his gloves, boots, and chest armor as they moved up his body. Once those pieces had formed, his iron gray bodysuit materialized, as bits of data appeared about his neck forming a bandana. A crimson helmet appeared around his head. The second the transformation had finished, he slammed into the ground in a crouch. The Navigator stood upright, and nodded in satisfaction. “BreakMan Activate!”

Lana leapt through the doorway, into the Network beyond. As she fell downward, she summoned her armor. The brunette girl cupped her hands in front of her as a glowing, white sphere of energy appeared in her palms, after a second, she spread her arms out wide, allowing the energy to cover her completely. For several seconds all was still, before the glow burst away from her, revealing her black bodysuit, pink gloves and boots materialized, as her helmet appeared with her hair plunging out of the back. She too landed in the Network, ready for battle. “Alia, Activate!”

“MegaMan Trigger Activate!” Hub launched himself into the Internet. As he fell feet first, bits of data flew together forming the Hikari crest over his chest, before a black bodysuit spread out from the crest. Blue and red gloves and boots came together over his arms and legs, as chest armor materialized around his torso. His blue helmet formed just as he hit the ground; the young Bomber got to his feet and pumped a fist in the air.

“I can’t believe the number of viruses in here.” Alia glanced around, sizing up the size of the task at hand. “There’s so many!”

“Then we’ll just have to thin out the numbers.” BreakMan formed his Buster, and hefted it to chest level.

“And fast, we can’t let that water freeze.” MegaMan Trigger summoned his Mega Buster and went to work, firing rapidly at anything that moved. “Mega Buster!”

“Break Cannon!” The red Navigator leveled his gun and cut loose, blowing viruses to the next century.

“Ray Claw!” Alia swept her arms around in front of her, unleashing a crescent of energy that whipped away from her and across the field. The attack destroyed any virus it touched.

MegaMan Trigger fired rapidly, taking out anything in his path. A burst of firepower later, and a Mettaur had been dispatched, the second his cannon had reloaded, and he was firing again at a Spikey.

“Get back!” Alia swept her arm, unleashing another Ray Claw on the advancing viruses.

BreakMan dropped his blaster, and summoned his sword instead. Instantly he was attacking wildly at anything that moved.

“Looks like you need a serious power boost.” May selected a card from her deck and prepared to scan it.

“Anything you have, I want.” Trigger fired repeatedly at the Dragon blocking his path. The huge beast didn’t even seem phased by the attacks as it formed a crackling fireball in its mouth and prepared to strike. “And the sooner the better!”

“Mega Cannon, Scan, Activate!”

The Dragon sighted on his small opponent and fired a stream of flame from its jaws.

A ripple of energy formed around MegaMan Trigger’s Buster, before the much large Cannon appeared around his wrist, instantly he cut loose, sending his own attack through the air. The energy from his weapon whipped through the fireball, destroying the flaming attack completely, and then rocketed into the Dragon.

The huge beast toppled under the attack.

“Don’t cut it so close next time!” The young Bomber dropped his cannon to arm level and fired away, nailing viruses left and right.

“Fire Tower!” Tony fed a card into his hungry P.E.T., “Scan, Activate!”

“Fire Tower!” Alia cupped her open hands, as a seed of flame appeared between her palms. The next second she had slammed the miniature fireball into the ground. For a second all was still until a column of flame burst out of the tile before her and raced across the Network, destroying anything in its path.

“Hmph, a cheap shot.” Sliding her own card home, Yani marked her disapproval of the move, “Aqua Sword, Activate!”

Instantly, BreakMan’s old weapon was lost as a water tank appeared about his wrist, and moist blade shot out of the tank. Swiftly, the Raider slashed with his sword, unleashing a tidal wave of water that swept through the Network, destroying anything in its path.

“What’s going on?” Hub wondered as a virus vanished before his attack touched it. Before his eyes the massive numbers of viruses in the Network began dwindling as the attacking programs vanished into deletion. “Uh oh, I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”

“Snow Fang!”

MegaMan Trigger’s eyes swept around, to see a silvery white snowflake spinning through the air towards his ally. “BreakMan, duck!”

The young Raider headed his cry, and hit the floor just as the razor-sharp snowflake whipped through the spot his head had been occupying seconds ago.

The attack boomeranged around, until it vanished from sight next to a familiar female Navigator.

“You.” Alia recognized the blue Navigator; “You’re the one behind all this, CryoGirl!”

“Correct,” The icy Navigator purred. “I am, and you three are becoming a major nuisance to my plans.”

“You don’t realize what you’re doing do you?” BreakMan leveled his Aqua Sword at his opponent. “If you don’t stop the water from freezing, the expanding ice will completely destroy the dam!”

“Oh, but you see, I will stop it.” CryoGirl muttered saucily, “Once they pay the ransom. That’s the beauty of working for .COM, you get to keep all of your profits!”

“. COM?” MegaMan Trigger tried to puzzle out that name. “Who’re they?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” The icy Navigator replied, her voice suddenly going cold. “Or, you would have, if I weren’t about to delete you!”

“Just try it!” Trigger’s cannon snapped up, unleashing its firepower. “Mega Cannon!”

“Fire Tower!” Alia slammed her hand into the ground, discharging another towering inferno.

“Aqua Sword!” BreakMan fired off another tsunami.

CryoGirl smirked as the attacks raced at her; she wasn’t worried in the least. “Ice Crystal!”

The Fire Tower, Mega Cannon’s blast, and the tsunami crashed into their opponent simultaneously, and erupted into a cloud of smoky dust as they struck home.

MegaMan Trigger remained tense; something about this didn’t feel right. GryoGal hadn’t even tried to dodge the attacks, why?

He got his answer when the smoke cleared.

As the flying dust dissipated, everyone noticed that instead of their opponent, their attacks had struck a large, bluish white, ice-crystal. And the huge icicle hadn’t even been scratched by their attacks. Before their eyes, the stalagmite of ice began to crack and crumble. The tower of ice shattered away, revealing an untouched CryoGirl.

“She formed an ice wall to block our attacks!” The answer to the events they had witnessed finally dawned on Alia.

“Then this isn’t going to be as easy as we thought.” MegaMan Trigger muttered.

“Pathetic, you’re the best they have to throw at me?” The icy Navigator smirked, “In that case you’ll never defeat me and save the dam. Since you only have seven minutes left before its too late…”

“Then we don’t have time to play around!” BreakMan shouted back to his Op.

“Right, let’s take her down hard and fast.” Yani agreed.

“Program Advance!”

“Cannon, High Cannon, Mega Cannon, Download!” The rich blond sent her chips through the reader. “Program Advance:”

BreakMan brought his arms together as one massive blue cannon appeared about both arms. “Giga Cannon, -“

Before he could finish his command, a blue speckled white ball came rocketing through the air. With an audible ‘thud’ the spinning orb whizzed into the mouth of the Giga Cannon’s barrel and stuck fast, embedding itself in the massive buster.

BreakMan had already pulled the trigger; there was no way to stop his attack.

A blindingly white glow built up over the Giga Cannon, as it continued to pump its firepower into the plugged barrel. Because the gun was capped by the ball, there was no place for the energy to go, and so it continued to build up inside of the weapon, it was only a matter of time before the stored energy became so great that it would explode…

“Log out!” Trigger hollered at his friend, if BreakMan didn’t get out of there soon, then he’d be blown sky high with his disrupted P. A.

With a growl of frustration, BreakMan vanished from sight, just seconds before his faulty Giga Cannon erupted into a blast of energy and ceased to exist.

Back in the real world, the doorway to the Cyber World lit up with a purple glow as Eugene materialized. The raven-haired youth stumbled out of the door, a split second later he had collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

“Eugene!” Instantly, Yani was at his side, desperately trying to see what she could do to help.

“I’m fine.” The kid gasped weakly, “It just took a lot out of me…”

“You rest,” May called over to their friend. “We’ll take it from here.”

“Fine… get her good for me will you?”

May and Trigger nodded in Unison.

“We’ll take her out.” Trigger muttered, “This one’s for you BreakMan!”

End Chapter!
_________________

[TheWebbuilder]

“Now, that was fun!”

The young Bomber’s head snapped up to see a crazy looking Navi that vaguely resembled a clown settling itself into position beside CryoGirl. Trigger didn’t think that he was human, but had to admit that it could be hard to tell at times.

“Wait, I know that guy!” Alia pointed to the clown; “He’s WackoMan!”

“Ah, you’ve heard of me.” WackoMan chuckled before snapping back and kicking his spotted ball through the air, “But I don’t believe that we’ve met… Oh well, I’ll delete you anyway! Wacko Ball!”

“Stay out of my way, clown! Ice Line!” CryoGirl slammed her fist into the ground, causing a row of icicles to spear out of the floor and race towards her opponents.

Trigger watched the attacks race in towards them.

“Alia, watch it!” The Bomber hurled himself to his left, just barely brushing past the Wacko Ball.

The pink wonder heeded his advice, and leapt to her right, avoiding the Ice Line.

“Let’s take them out!” MegaMan Trigger shouted as he came out of his leap into a crouch.

“Fine by me.” Alia agreed as she reached the top of her jump.

“Lightning Battle Cards, Scan, Activate!” May and Tony slid their cards through the P.E.T.s.

Trigger hefted his right arm as a sparking sphere of electrical energy appeared in his palm. Without a second’s hesitation, he chucked the orb into the air, where it erupted into a lightning bolt that raced down towards WackoMan.

Alia also summoned her lightning bolt, and sent it racing down on CryoGirl.

“Nah, Nah, Nah! You can’t catch me!” WackoMan laughed as he bounced backward out of the attack’s way. He swiftly cleared the electrical tower, and then sent his ball rocketing away towards Alia.

The pink wonder caught sight of the attack out of the corner of her eye, just in time she flattened herself on the floor. The sphere whipped over her head, missing her completely.

CryoGirl smirked as she sidestepped the lightning, and then sent another Ice Line racing towards MegaMan Trigger.

“Mega Buster!” The young Bomber summoned his weapon and fired rapidly at the advancing wall of ice. Four rounds later he had managed to stop it completely.

“Trigger, listen!” May shouted into her Terminal. “You’ve got to end this fast, there’s only five minutes left before this entire place comes down!”

“I’m doing my best.” The Blue Navigator back flipped away from another Wacko Ball. “But that’s not good enough!”

“I’ll take from here.”

“Huh?” Trigger turned his head to see ProtoMan and Chaud standing in the Network. “ProtoMan! Am I glad to see you!”

“Mr. Blaze!” Alia’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw the Operator standing in the Internet next to his Navi. What was he doing here without any armor?

Although the two allies were shocked, their surprise was nothing compared to WackoMan’s.

“No! Not you!” The clown was so terrified that he was practically shivering. “Anyone but you!”

“That’s right, it’s been a long time since I’ve had to stop you.” Chaud muttered, “But evidently, you haven’t learned your lesson… ProtoMan.”

“I’m ready.” The Red Raider nodded in response.

“FULL SYNCHRO!”

Before their eyes, ProtoMan’s frame broke apart into pieces of digital data. Swiftly the data swirled around, and then began settling around Chaud’s body. ProtoMan’s red boots formed over the Op’s legs, as two red gloves encased his arms. The Raider’s swept armor appeared around his chest as the Blaze crest materialized. The black and purple bodysuit slid over Chaud’s clothes, and finally, the visored helmet formed over Chaud’s face and head.

“May, you want to fill me in on what just happened there?” Trigger gasped at the sight before him.

“Its Full Synchro, when a Net Op merges with his Net Navi.” The brunette girl explained. “Dad and Mr. Blaze are one of the few Net Ops to successfully pull it off. And the system never came into popular use because of the high degree of difficulty in attaining it.”

“I see…”

“Now, Sonic Boom!” ProtoMan Full Synchro leapt forward through the air, his saber slashing through space. A wave of energy erupted from the path that his blade traveled, and sailed across the Network towards WackoMan.

“Whoops…!” The clown slipped to one side, allowing the beam to shoot right by him. “You can’t get-!”

His smug remark was cut off as a Sonic Boom rammed into his chest.

The force of the impact sent WackoMan tumbling to the floor.

“Cheater!” The ball-bottomed clown grumbled as he tried to sit up.

“Oh, grow up.” CryoGirl muttered, before slamming her gloved fist into the ground. “I’ll show you how it’s done, Ice Seeds!”

A wave of ice crystals erupted from her hand, and raced across the ground. The attack whipped past ProtoMan FS’s feet, forming a block of ice around his legs, and preventing him from moving.

In desperation, the Raider tried to pull himself free, but he wasn’t succeeding. Quickly he summoned a Fire Sword, and held it over the block of ice trapping him in an attempt to melt the crystallized water. It didn’t work.

“Just what I love, a stationary target!” WackoMan grinned as he prepared to launch his ball. “Homing Wacko Ball!”

The spinning sphere ripped away from the clown, and shot through the air towards its red target.

That is, until MegaMan Trigger took matters into his own hands.

With an aura of determination, Trigger placed himself between the attack and its target.

“May, I need the biggest boost you’ve got!” Trigger watched the sphere rocket towards him.

“You got it, there’s only one way out of this mess. The Program Advance!”

“Right, on three. One… Two… Three!”

May quickly stacked five of her battle cards, one on top of the other, and whipped the five disks through her P.E.T. at once. “Five Arrow Battle Chips in, Download! Program Advance: Activated!”

The young Bomber snapped his arm out as a blue elongated bow appeared about his right arm. A split second later a golden arrow materialized in its place. Six other arrows appeared, forming a circle around the center one.

“Omega Arrow…” Hub looked across his site. Drawing back the string, he leveled his weapon on the WackoBall and WackoMan. “Go!”

The seven arrows ripped away from the bow, and shot through the air. The deadly projectiles whipped through the Wacko Ball, popping it into thousands of rubber pieces, and then continued on towards the clown.

Trigger’s heart sank. Before his eyes, the Program Advance was fading away; they hadn’t done it correctly.

“Sorry May, we didn’t pull it off.” MegaMan Trigger watched as his arrows continued to vanish.

“I know, but we’ll get it sooner or later.”

Amazingly, the weak Program Advance held out just long enough to rip into WackoMan, causing some serious damage. With a howl of rage, the crazy Navi shuddered, and then vanished from sight in a burst of pixilated data.

“Weak P.A. or not,” Trigger pumped his arm, “we nailed him!”

“And forgot about me in the process.”

The young Bomber whipped around, to see CryoGirl already unleashing an Ice Tower at them. The crystal stalactites raced across the field, shooting out of the ground and advancing towards them.

“And YOU forgot about the girl in pink. Ray Claw!”

Out of the corner of his eye, the blue Navigator saw Alia fire off a wide beam of energy that shot through space. The light edge slashed through the block off ice holding ProtoMan FS in to the floor, shattering the crystalline structure in the process.

Without a word, the Red Raider ‘blinked’, vanishing from sight, and simultaneously reappearing at another spot. And the spot he chose was directly behind CryoGirl.

“Electro Sword!”

CryoGirl had time to gasp once, before she was forced to log out.

ProtoMan FS deactivated his sparking sword, and allowed his normal hand to reappear.

“The dam!” Trigger suddenly remembered the reason behind their visit. “May, tell that we’re in the clear!”

“We’ll know in thirty seconds!” May glanced at the clock on her P.E.T.

Everyone tensed, waiting for the impeding disaster.

“Three… two… one.”

But none came.

“So, we won?” MegaMan Trigger glanced around, hardly daring to believe it true.

“We did.” ProtoMan FS nodded, “Good job there.”

101010101010101010101010101

“So what you’re telling me.” Lan placed his elbows on the conference room table, and then dropped his forehead into his cupped hands to signal his exasperation. “Is that the dam was chosen as a target because May and Hub were there?”

“Unfortunately yes.” Chaud stared past the brunette Official and out the window. “The e-mail ordering the Nature Dam management to offer a the field trip didn’t come from the higher-ups, it came from outside the company. Someone wanted the Den Tech Academy sixth grade class there when the disaster struck.”

“And since Hub and May have been there both of the other times to stop them, it follows that .Com wanted them there.” Lan spoke from behind his hands, “Whoever they are… Any ideas?”

“Nothing concrete. This is the first we’ve heard of them.” The double-haired executive replied, “We knew someone was trying to muscle into the underground, but nothing of this magnitude.”

“And, unfortunately, May and Hub are already involved.” The brunette looked up, “How ironic that history can repeat itself.”

“I know, I don’t like this any more than you do.” Chaud replied in determination. “This puts Eugene and Yani at risk as well. That’s why I’m going to do everything I can to put an end to this before it gets too far out of control.”

Lan just nodded, he really didn’t care to say anything else.

“Hey, Lan?” MegaMan spoke up from his P.E.T., “We’d better get a move on if we’re going to make it to… you know.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” The brunette nodded as he stood up, preparing to leave the room.

Chaud arched an eyebrow at his companion’s behavior. “Going somewhere?”

“Yeah, Sign Language class.”

101010101010101010101010101010

“Beaten!”

An older teen rammed his hand into his table, drawing looks of disapproval from the other customers. His flaming yellow hair spiked up, and had been dyed yellow in places to give it the appearance of leaping flames. His cold, green eyes flicked about, taking in his surroundings.

The other customers of the sidewalk café quickly lost interest in the punk, and turned back to their own meals and conversations.

“I lost.” The teen growled at his tablecloth. “I don’t get it! I’ve got more talent in my finger then they do in their whole body, and I lost to him. All because of that NetMan with attitude.”

The blonde growled as he remembered that pathetic NetMan latching onto him, and then that BreakMan guy blowing him away with that Program Advance…

“But I’ll get him, somehow…”

“You look like you’ve got problems.”

The teen’s head snapped up, to see a black-haired girl, about his age, seating herself at his table. As his eyes scolded her for barging into his thoughts, the girl leaned back in her newly taken chair and peered across the table at him. “Name’s Misty. Care to talk about it?”

“Why should I? I don’t even know you.” The hotheaded teen snapped. His chair then fell over backwards as he stood up at a fast clip.

“Simmer down, flame-boy.” Misty’s gray eyes lashed up and connected with the teen’s eyes, causing the enraged Op to pause his exit for some unknown reason. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”

Intrigued, the teen righted his chair, and then sat back down at the table.

“The name’s Fred Sparks.” The blond teen commented, “But I go by Sparks.”

“Whatever, Sparks.” Misty looked her companion over, “I know that you’re the one behind that viral attack a few days ago.”

“But don’t panic,” The raven-haired girl felt a twinge of satisfaction as her companion’s face went white. “I’m not going to turn you in, in fact, I want you to join us. I want you to come and work for Com.”

“Com? I’ve heard of them…” A small smile appeared on Sparks’ face at the thought of joining such an organization. Only one small thing bothered him. “But how do I know that you’re on the level?”

“You see the newsreels this morning?” Misty abruptly changed the subject, as he fingers trailed down towards the P.E.T. hanging from her belt.

“Yeah, but- that dam attack…”

“Bingo, evidently there’s some flame in your mind.” The girl brought her Personal Electronic up to rest on the table. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it skidding across the tabletop. The device slid to a stop, inches away from the blonde’s hand.

“Take a look at that.”

Sparks picked up the P.E.T., and then deactivated the sleep function. A split second later he whistled in surprise.

“You’re that- CryoGirl.” Sparks slipped a glance at his companion.

“Right, you’re really on fire right now.” Misty nodded; her boredom was clearly evident. “Like you, I used to be a nobody, but then I was enlisted by Com, you can’t begin to imagine the power they can give you. Plus, you get to fight alongside some pretty impressive hackers of the past, like WackoMan, FreezeMan, HeatMan, and TorchMan.”

“TorchMan… I like the sound of that…”

“I thought you might.” The girl replied in her dull voice. “So, do we have your cooperation?”

“I don’t even have to think about it.” Sparks nodded eagerly, “Sign me up!”

10101010101010101010101010101

“So who’s the boss of this outfit?” Sparks glanced about the dim basement, a few ancient computer systems were hiding here and there, and the checkered floor had obviously seen better days.

“Look, I brought you to Com’s headquarters to get signed up,” Misty glanced at the fiery teen. “Not to play twenty questions, so can it.”

Sparks’ reply was cut off as a new voice entered the conversation.

“I think someone needs to cool off.”

Annoyed at the interruption, The redheaded teen turned to see another man, hardly any older than himself, leaning his back against the wall a few feet away. The man’s hair was a pale, almost white, yellow, and his blue eyes flicked about the area in an unending pattern, they were the only life-like features on his face, the rest were frozen in a passive stare. He was dressed in a black tuxedo and matching bow tie, two large cufflinks hung from his wrist, and a single rose had been pinned to his jacket’s lapel.

Not at all intimidated by the newbie, Sparks immediately lashed out. “And who asked your opinion?”

“No one, but I offered it anyway.” The man shot back, his manner made it clear that he wasn’t impressed by the other teen. “And if you’re wise, you’ll heed it.”

“That’s enough, Ace.” Terry Watts appeared beside the tuxedo-wearing individual.

“Excuse him, he’s new.” The blonde noticed the other new arrival. “And you are?”

“Sparks.”

“Sparks, right, I should have known you from the attack you pulled,” Terry shook his head in disbelief. “Man, we are going to have to overhaul your armor big time.”

“And what’s-!”

“Quiet everyone!” Misty cut them all off, “The boss is coming!”

Sparks snapped his head around, and then his eyes widened in fear as he took note of the aged man entering the room. It couldn’t be! This guy couldn’t still be alive at this day and age! But it was true; the figure entering the basement was none other than…

“Mr. Wily.” Ace’s face remained a frozen statue as he identified the old man.

“But how’s this possible?” Sparks sputtered in disbelief. “He’s got to be over one hundred years old!”

Wily ignored the outbursts, and trudged across the room to stand in the center of the front wall. With a gravely voice and a disposition to match, the aged scientist began his speech.

“So, these two want to join our cause…” The man glared at the two newcomers.

“I can’t speak for him.” Ace’s stone face shifted slightly as he spoke his reply. “But I’m willing to take on any job, any time, any place.”

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“Hey, Eugene!”

The raven-haired kid turned to see May and Hub rushing down the hallway toward him. Yani also turned about to face their friends.

“Man, I’m glad that day’s over with.” Hub commented as he slid to a stop before his companions. “They really need to shorten the school day.”

“Never mind him.” May shrugged over her brother, “How’s the arm?”

“What arm?” Eugene glanced about in mock bewilderment, before looking down at his new cast. “Oh, that arm. Well… I’ve been better, but I’ll be back in the Netbattler’s circuit before long.”

“That’s got to stink.” The brunette girl replied, “WackoMan really did a number on it when he fouled up your Giga Cannon huh?”

“Tell me about it.” Eugene shrugged, “I’m the one who was on the receiving end.”

“But enough about that clown.” Yani broke into the conversation. “I think its time to move on. So, in honor of my brother’s valiant efforts to save the dam, I’m throwing an after school party next Monday.”

“You are.” Although it was supposed to be a question, Hub couldn’t keep it from becoming a flat statement. Given Yani’s character, this was just the sort of thing that she’d do.

“Oh, don’t worry, you’re both invited.” The blonde shrugged in reply, “Well, we’ve got to get a move on. So, we’ll see you later!”

Eugene shrugged helplessly as his sister herded him away.

“Why am I not surprised?” Hub chuckled to himself as he watched Yani drag her older brother away.

“Surprised about what?” May inquired as they started down the steps to head home.

“Oh, nothing.” The redheaded kid flicked off the question, “It’s not important…”

Sensing that her brother wanted to change the subject, May quickly obliged. “So, what did you think of yesterday’s Sign Language class?”

Hub’s face fell, as he shoved his hands into his pockets. He really didn’t care to keep bringing up the fact that he was going deaf. “Um, it was all right, I guess. I just… never realized how different ASL is from English.”

“I know, its almost like it’s a completely different language.”

“That’s because it is.” The redheaded kid replied. “They don’t use prepositions or conjunctions… Like ‘you old?’”

“Nice try.” May shook her head at her brothers mistake, and began twisting her hands in response. “But it’s… ‘old you ?’”

“Oh, right.” Hub corrected his signs. “But then that’s the other half of the problem. Sign Language is not a standard language like English. The signs and their meanings vary from one place to the next. So what means ‘birthday’ here could mean something completely different twenty miles away.”

“Tell me about it.” The brunette nodded her agreement. “But that’s why they say: ‘If they don’t understand the way you sign, sign the way they understand.’”

“Or die trying.” Hub quipped uneasily. Abruptly he changed the topic. “Hey, let me see the P.E.T.”

“Sure.”

After taking the device, the redheaded kid clicked over to the Navi Editor and began adding a line of code.

“You’re still not satisfied with our armor?” May couldn’t believe her eyes, her brother was still messing around with their armor program, even now that it was working.

“Uh, yes and no.” The Navigating boy replied, “It works, yes, but it’s also a touch on the weak side. I mean, now that we’ve gotten involved in fighting Net Crime, its only going to be a matter of time before we bite off more than we can chew. And when we do, I’d like to have an ace up our sleeves.”

As they stopped at a red light, May glanced over her brother’s shoulder to see what he was working on. “You’re building a Met?”

“Huh?” Hub glanced up and looked at his sister. “What’d you say?”

“You didn’t hear me?”

“What?” The redheaded kid spoke in an overly loud voice. “I can’t hear you!”

“You can’t?” The girl raised her voice to be heard.

“I can now…” Hub clarified his statement, “But I couldn’t understand what you said.”

“Oh…” May raised her hands and began finger spelling the words as she spoke, not wanting to annoy her brother any more than he was, she spelled out each word in Sign Language as she spoke it. “I said… ‘You’re… building a… Met?’”

“Oh, not just any Met.” Hub’s fingers began twisting about as he spoke and signed his reply. “This one’s a lot more powerful than most. I’m also working on a Spikey and a couple of others, they should give us a real power boost when they’re done.”

1010101010101010101010101001010101010

“Official HQ, Special Crimes division.” The brunette Netbattler answered his phone. “Lan Hikari speaking.”

“It’s been a while hasn’t it, young Hikari?”

Lan’s hand instinctively clenched about the phone, as the hair on the back of his neck literally stood straight up. That voice! It couldn’t be after all these years! He’d seen-

“Although I assume that you didn’t expect to hear from me again, eh?”

“What do you want?” The adult brunette demanded, “Or did you just call me up to gloat?”

“Much worse than that, I’m afraid.” The voice continued, “I was back in town, and I thought that I’d drop by to visit… Maylu’s really grown hasn’t she? I bet she’s a fine wife at that.”

His eyes widening in fear, Lan couldn’t keep his voice from rising. “So help me, if you hurt her…”

“Ah! Your wits have grown over the years!” The voice took on a mocking tone. “And yes, I do have possession of her, so prepare to do as I say.”

“Wait a moment.” The adult snapped, “Before this goes any farther, I want assurance that Maylu’s alright. Unless I know that for a fact, you get any cooperation from me.”

“I expected as much… here… Say hello to your husband.”

Lan’s throat locked as it constricted. A familiar voice had just come on the line.

“Lan?”

“Maylu!” The brunette desperately wished that his ears were lying to him. “What- Are you alright?”

“I’m… fine, just shaken up. Lan, don’t-”

“That’s enough of that.” The original voice came back, “As you can hear, she is perfectly healthy, and if you want her to stay that way, you’ll cooperate.”

Stifling a growl, the brunette admitted to himself that there was nothing else to do. “All right, you’ve got me, what do I do?”

10101010101010101010101010

BRING!

“What- Who?”

Tony Froid’s eyes exploded open, as a deafening squeal pierced through his peaceful slumber. Scared senseless by the resounding noise, he threw himself forward…

And wound up sitting on the hardwood floor, the painfully hard hardwood floor.

“Oh…” The emerald-eyes kid shook his head in an effort to clear it. “I’m going to be feeling that one for a while…”

A split second later, he realized that the noise was still flooding the air. Then, he placed it. That was the sound of his P.E.T.’s ringer, someone was calling him.

“Hold your Mettaurs, I’m coming…” Tony groaned, wobbling to his feet. Once he had gained his footing, he snatched up his Terminal from his dresser and hit the ‘Answer’ button. “H’llo?”

“Tony!” A familiar voice flooded the line; “It’s me, May. You awake?”

“I am now…”

“Good, listen, we’ve got trouble!” The brunette girl rushed on with her explanation. “Mom and Dad haven’t come home yet!”

“Maybe they just went out for a late supper.”

“At three in the morning?” May shot back, “Even if they had car trouble or something, the would have called. Tony, something is seriously wrong here. I can feel it.”

“So… what do you want me to do?”

“Hub’s on his way to the hospital’s homepage via the Internet.” May explained. “Can you get Lana and come over here? We’re going to launch a search.”

“Sure, are Eugene and Yani-?”

“No.” The redheaded girl cut him off, “Eugene still hasn’t recovered from his battle with WackoMan, and I can’t raise either of them on the wire. So it’ll just be us.”

“Fine then, give us about fifteen minutes and we’ll be right over…” Tony stopped short as he realized what he was promising. “Uh, that is, if I can get my parents to agree…”

1010101010101010101010101010

“Find anything?” May glanced into her P.E.T. as Hub, as MegaMan Trigger, reported back.

“Nothing helpful.” The redheaded Netbattler admitted. “Mom left her job about an hour early, and that was the last anyone had heard of her. There’s no trace of Roll on the Network, and I can’t pick up any cyber-trail of her leaving the homepage.”

“I see…” The girl processed this information. “Well, I got Tony and Lana’s help, they’re supposed to be over here sometime soon-”

Her sentence was interrupted as soft ding-a-ling filled the room.

“And if I’m not mistaken, that’s them now.” May placed her P.E.T. on the table and hurried out of the room. A few moments later she returned with Lana and Tony.

“Any sign of them?” Tony directed his question towards MegaMan Trigger.

“None, not so much as a digital footprint,” Trigger replied, “I’m about to head over to SciLab and see if we can pick up Dad’s trail. You want to come along?”

“That’s why we were woken up at 3 A.M.” Lana rolled her eyes. “Let’s go, Tony!”

“P.E.T. In!”

“Engage Transmission Now!” Lana launched herself forward, into the waiting portal. “Alia Activate!”

Eight-tenths of a second later, Lana, as Alia, was standing in the cyber-world decked out in her digital Net armor.

“Great to see you, Trigger.” The blonde bounded over to her friend. “Although I wished that it was under different circumstances.”

“Likewise.” The Young Bomber nodded, “Before we start, I want you to meet someone, or rather, something… Treble no!”

Alia never knew what hit her.

The next thing she knew, she was lying on the digital floor, with some large blue object sitting on her. Upon closer inspection, she realized that a Spikey virus was pinning her to the floor with its paws!

Alia looked on in growing horror as the viral beast opened its mouth…

And then flicked its wet tongue out to lick her face.

“Bleh! What the?” The blonde winced and gagged as the viral canine continued to wipe its tongue over her. “Hey! Cut it out!”

“Treble!” MegaMan Trigger seized the virus by its mane and began pulling it backwards, and off of Alia. “Sorry, he’s a little friendly.”

Completely bewildered, Alia shook her head in an effort to clear it. When her senses overcame their shock, she finally began asking questions. “You made that thing?”

“Treble? Yeah.” Trigger shrugged as he rubbed his hand over the Spikey’s head. “I figured that we might need some help at times so I programmed a pet Virus. His name’s Treble, and as you found out, he can be very friendly.”

Shaking her head in disbelief, the pink Navigator stretched out and patted the canine.

“Nice to meet you Treble.”

The viral beast barked in response.

“He’s supposed to be able to track any Navi across the Internet.” Trigger finished his explanation. “And I guess we’ll find out what all he can do when we get to SciLab.”

“Right, we have to find your parents.” Tony nodded his agreement.

“So what are we waiting for?” May’s patience was at an end. She wanted to know where her parents were, and she wanted to know now. “Let’s go!”

101010101010101010101010

“And welcome to SciLab.” Trigger swept his arm out to indicate the Network.

“Wow…” Alia glanced about the Network. Data files were hovering all over the place and an amazing volume of Net Navi scrambled about their tasks, here and there, a smaller mini-Navi could be seen. The mini-Navis, or ServBots, were short blue robotic style Navi with big yellow heads, which ran about doing menial chores in the Network. And each ServBot was given a limited amount of intelligence. “This is amazing.”

“I agree…” Tony stared into his P.E.T. in amazement, “This is… fantastic.”

“Don’t get too blown away.” May cautioned them. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

“Right, we’ve got to see if anyone knows were Dad went after he left work…” Trigger glanced around, trying to find someone to help. After a few seconds he located someone that would do, ServBot number 2.

“Hold it!” The young Bomber snapped his open hand up. Causing the mini-Navi to screech to a halt.

The ServBot just stood there, not making a sound, waiting for an order.

“We need to know where MegaMan or Dr. Hikari is.” Alia spoke to #2. “Can you find that information for us?”

“I would like to, most assuredly.” The ServBot nodded, “however, the restrictions on my programming forbid me from divulging the whereabouts of any member of SciLab without proper certification or password.”

“A password, I’ve got.” MegaMan trigger shot back, “Password: Sakurai.”

“Processing…” The ServBot nodded as it began checking the password against its directory.

Alia turned to Hub, query written in her eyes. “Sakurai?”

“Mom’s maiden name.”

“Oh.”

“Password match confirmed.” MegaMan Trigger nodded.

“Accepted.” The ServBot squeaked. “Level four access granted. Okay, uh, I can tell you what you want to know, let me ask around.”

With that, the ServBot began the excruciatingly long process of dialing up all other thirty-nine Servbots and asking them if they had seen MegaMan.

There was nothing that the Navigators could do but wait.

Finally, the ServBot was done and reporting back. “According to our records, Dr. Hikari entered the Internet at 6:48 yesterday, and fused with MegaMan. Upon completion of Full Synchro, they set out from the East Portal, and that’s the last we saw of them.”

“All right,” Alia smiled at the mini-Navi, “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” #2 turned, and scurried away to help elsewhere.

“O.K., let’s get this search started.” Trigger began heading towards the aforementioned portal.

Upon arrival at the East Gate, Treble immediately out his nose to work. Using his highly developed sense of smell, he quickly sniffed over the area and tried to pick up the ‘scent’ of MegaMan.

A process that only took about four point nine seconds.

“He’s got it!” Trigger commented as Treble reared back and gave a long howl.

“He found it that fast?” Alia expressed her disbelief, “Are you sure that he’s right?”

“The nose never lies.” The Young Bomber explained, “At least, it doesn’t in theory, but ultimately, there’s only one way to find out.”

With that cryptic sentence hanging in the air, MegaMan Trigger dashed over to the Spikey and effortlessly vaulted onto the beast’s back.

“Hurry, climb on!” Trigger called back to Alia.

“If you say so…” With evident doubt, the pink Navigator slowly climbed up onto the virus’ back, and grabbed onto its thick mane to steady herself. “If anyone had ever told me that I’d be riding a Spikey around the Internet at three in the morning, I’d have said that they were crazy…”

“Thanks for the complement.” MegaMan Trigger turned his attention back to his pet. “All right, Treble, seek and uncover!”

With a ‘bark’ response, the viral canine began running; tracking MegaMan’s every move with his powerful nostrils. Seemingly oblivious to the two riders on its back, the viral canine rushed about the Internet, closing in on the object of its search.

1010101010101010101010

^_^ And we're finally caught up! To celebrate, I'll have the next chapter uploaded tomorrow afternoon, as soon as the 24 hour time frame passes.
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[Megawoman.EXE]

Yay! You're finally caught up on your fict. I can't wait for the next chapter Webbuilder! *Shakes in puter chair in anticipation* Must read it.
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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

[TheWebbuilder]

Megawoman.EXE, thanks!

Begin Chapter.

“Are you sure that this will work?” Tony expressed his doubt over letting a virus guide Trigger and Alia across the Internet.

“If Hub says that thing will track MegaMan,” May defended her brother’s programming skills, “Then it’ll track him. He’s always had this way with Viruses, it’s almost as if to him they’re just animals and not psychopathic destruction programs.”

“You have such a nice way of putting that.” Tony rolled his eyes in disbelief.

May just shrugged, and watched her brother race along the Internet on the back of Treble. She had to admit, she’d been skeptical as well, but she had faith in her brother.

“So what else has he been working on?” The Net Op inquired, he knew Hub well enough to know that the redhead never worked on one project at a time, he always had several going on at once.

“Just wait and see.” The brunette girl replied, “Trust me, what he’s designed is really a shocker.”

101010101010101010101010101

Trigger continued to grip the Spikey’s mane as Treble bounded across the Internet. If they kept going in this direction much longer, they’d run into a dead end…

Shifting his attention from their course to his companion, he decided that he’d better check on her.

“You okay?”

“Just peachy!” Alia grimaced as Treble made a long bound, finishing with a very rough landing. “Are you sure that we’re going the right way?”

“Not at all!” MegaMan Trigger shouted back, “But I’ll check! Treble, how’s it going?”

Almost in response to that query, the viral canine abruptly screeched to a stop, and began looking around in obvious confusion.

“Huh?” The Young Bomber slid off of the Spikey’s back and stared at the virus. “He’s never done this before… what’s wrong, boy?”

The viral canine just shook its head, and whined in confusion.

“It’s the trail…” The realization popped into the blue Navigator’s mind. “MegaMan’s trail just stops here.”

“But if that’s the case, where is he?” Alia wondered as she dropped off of the virus and down to the ground.

“I don’t know…” Trigger glanced about, “I’m going to do a data scan, maybe we’ll find something that way…”

As his eyes closed in concentration, the Bomber dropped to his knees and placed his right palm on the ground. Working in silence, he scanned the area for all traces of data and sent the information back to his P.E.T.

“Let me know what you find, May.”

“Will do…” The brunette began examining the information.

“Uh, Trigger?” Alia tried to get her friend’s attention. “Is Treble all right?”

The Blue Navigator glanced over to see his viral pet still whining in evident confusion.

“Hey, you okay, boy?” The Bomber turned his attention back to the virus.

As he started to walk over to his pet, Trigger stiffened, something about this just didn’t feel right…

The Bomber’s sixth sense was tingling like mad. Not quite sure what was setting off the alarm bells in his mind, the Navigator glanced over his shoulder.

The next second his eyes widened in surprise…

A blast of white-hot flame was barreling towards him!

“Look out!” Trigger screamed a warning as he threw himself to his right, causing the attack to miss him by inches.

“We’ve got trouble…” Alia summoned her default cannon, which bore a strange resemblance to the boomerang launcher, as her eyes roved over the field. She wasn’t sure how, but somehow a mass of viruses had materialized around them! Swiftly she looked over the field, and counted at least four different kinds, Shrimpys, Candles, Mettaurs, and Elebees.

“Right here in River City.” MegaMan Trigger mumbled as he formed his Buster.

“Come again?” The pink Navigator risked a look at her companion, as Trebled growled in anticipation of the upcoming fight.

“Line from an old movie.” Trigger explained, “Now for the big question, who’s going to make the first move?”

He got his answer as the Mettaurs unleashed a devastating shock wave.

Without a word, the trio of allies sprang into motion. The Young Bomber launched himself up into the air, clearing the attacks. While airborne, he leveled his cannon and went to work, blowing viruses away.

“Ray Claw!” A crescent shaped beam of energy appeared between the teeth of Alia’s Buster, at her command it ripped away and shot through the air, cleaving through the shock wave and continuing on to destroy several Mets.

“GROWL!” With an audible growl of fury, Treble leapt over the attack. His jaws snapped open to discharge a blast of intense blue energy that exploded across the arena, any virus that touched the attack was instantly encased in block of solid ice.

“We don’t have time for this!” May fished through her folder and selected a pair of Battle Cards. “Boomerang Battle Card, Scan, Activate!”

“Hey you!” Trigger addressed his comments to a nearby group of Spikeys, “Let’s play a game of catch!”

Instantly, a Boomerang Launcher burst into existence about the Bomber’s wrist. Without a second’s delay he snapped his arm about, sending the curved stick spiraling through the air.

The Boomerang slammed up against the viruses, deleting them instantly. Its work done, it wound back around to Trigger, who caught it with his launcher.

“Don’t forget about us!” Tony whipped two cards through his Terminal. “Area Steal, Tornado, Battle Chips in, Download!”

“Area Steal!” Alia spun around as the card’s powers took effect, teleporting her away from her current position to a spot of her choosing. And the spot she chose was directly above a group of Candles. As soon as she fully appeared above the viruses, a rush of air whipped about her, transforming into a mighty cyclone that wiped out the lot of hostile programs.

“Let’s end this!” May slid a card home, “Bubbler, Scan, Activate!”

“Fine by me…” Trigger glanced up at his ally’s tornado, as a Bubbler Cannon appeared about his wrist. Abruptly, a rush of movement drew his attention. Glancing to one side, he saw Treble landing beside him. “Ready to finish this, boy?”

“Grawf!”

“Double Attack!”

A blast of water power exploded out of MegaMan Trigger’s cannon, and raced up into the tornado. Right behind him, Treble unleashed another icy surge of energy at the cyclone.

The second that the two attacks slammed into the tornado, they were torn apart by its power. The spinning winds snatched up the shredded fragments of the two attacks and sent them flying through the air at all angles. Conveniently striking any and all viruses that happened to get in their way.

And fortunately for them, it also wiped out the remains of their opponents.

“Not bad…” Trigger nodded in satisfaction. “Great job, Treble.”

The viral beast barked in cheerful response.

As Alia rejoined them on the ground, a slight ‘swish’ sound caught her attention. It almost sounded like someone logging onto the Network…

“Full House!”

“What in the hard drive?” Alia gaped as five objects that resembled playing cards came whipping through the air towards her and her companions. Not quite sure what they were, but definitely positive that it wouldn’t be good to find out, she leapt away.

Trigger vaulted to the right, as Treble bounded over the flying cards.

“Who’s there?” The Young Bomber demanded an answer as he set his eyes flicked about, searching for their attacker.

“I am…”

Trigger took in their new opponent; he was a strange Navi, obviously human. His shoes were colored a cobalt black, and the Navigator's bodysuit was a cobalt-black. His chest armor had been designed to resemble a tuxedo with a single card, the Ace of Spades, sticking out of his chest pocket. his gloves were purple with a white hand area, and his helmet had been styled to resemble a violet top-hat with the Queen of Hearts sticking out of the hatband.

Treble growled as he surveyed the newcomer.

“I don’t have time for this.” MegaMan Trigger snapped as his Buster burst to life. “Who are you and what do you want?”

The Navi’s shoulders heaved slightly as he chuckled silently.

“I am DeckMan.” The tuxedo-sporting bandit replied, “And I have information that you want. I know that you’re looking for you parents…”

“Do you know where they are?” The Bomber kept his cannon at the ready; he really didn’t trust this guy.

“They are currently guests of Com.”

“What?” Disbelieving her ears, Alia gasped at the thought. “They’ve been kidnapped?”

DeckMan’s eyes slid over to rest on Alia. “Something to that effect.”

“But I’m willing to guess that you aren’t going to just tell us where they are.” Trigger broke back into the conversation.

“Precisely, if you want to find them, then you must defeat me!” DeckMan snapped as he settled himself into his combat position.

A growl broke from Treble, as a bluish-white glow lit up the back of this throat. He would do whatever it took to help his master.

“Bring it on!” MegaMan Trigger leveled his Buster and let loose, filling the sky with his power. “Mega Buster!”

“Ray Claw!” Alia joined the fray, by firing off her default weapon.

Treble’s jaws snapped apart, as he fired off another blast of icy energy.

“Don’t try to out to out-play me,” DeckMan drew a card from the device on his left glove. “I’m the master at all forms of card games! Card Guard!”

As he spoke, the Navigator slammed his new card into the ground. Almost in response, a much larger version of the same card sprang up out of the ground in front of him. This new card was as tall as he was, and almost as wide, it also served as a very handy barrier.

The three attacks rammed into the card and exploded, without so much as scratching their opponent.

“Told ya.” DeckMan grinned as he drew another card, bringing the total number of cards in his hand to five. “Three of a Kind always looses to a Full House!”

Laughing wildly, the tuxedo-sporting Navigator whipped his arm about, throwing all five cards through the air towards his opponents.

“I’ve got it! Mega Buster!” Trigger leveled his cannon and fired off several times, only to watch his shots reflect harmlessly off of the playing cards. “No way!”

“AUGH!”

Trigger was sent crashing to the ground, as the card-attack rammed into him. With a sickening thud, he slammed into the floor.

“Trigger!” Alia screamed in horror.

“HA!” DeckMan laughed wildly. “Is that the best you’ve got? Wildcard!”

The renegade Navi whipped a card out of his deck and sent it flying through the air towards Trigger.

“GROWL!”

The Young Bomber had just struggled to his feet, when he caught sight of the card flying at him. He wasn’t sure just how powerful this attack was, but it obviously wasn’t a good idea to find out. Fortunately, he was spared from the experience as Treble froze the playing card solid with a blast of his icy breath.

“Thanks, boy.” The Bomber stood up, and refocused his attention to the task at hand. “Let’s take him down, May!”

“It will be a pleasure!” The brunette girl whipped her own Battle Card through her P.E.T. “Gold Fist, Battle Card Scan, Activate!”

“Bring it on, blue boy!” DeckMan drew five more cards from his deck.

“I’m bringing it!” Trigger charged towards his opponent as his right hand became encased in golden riveted armor. “The question is, can you handle it?”

“I never back out, no matter what the stakes!” The card-wielding Navigator snapped, “Full House!”

“Got you covered!” Tony slid his Battle Card home. “Mega Blast!”

A powered up blaster appeared about Alia’s wrist, which she promptly locked, loaded, and readied to fire. Swiftly she lined her weapon up on the cards flying towards Trigger, and fired. Her shot ripped away and sailed through the air towards the card-attack.

With a flashy explosion, both attacks erupted into smoke and flames as they canceled each other out.

Trigger raced in, his golden fist ready to strike.

“Pathetic!” DeckMan chuckled, “Don’t you know a Bluff Attack when you see one? I wasn’t attacking with a Full House, I’m attacking with a Royal Flush!”

Without warning, five new cards appeared in the air before the Bomber, each one more powerful than the last round.

“So you disguised your attack.” MegaMan Trigger cocked back his fist, and prepared to obliterate the flying cards. “I’ll still shred them!”

The Bomber sent his armored fist flying forward into the swirling cards. Only to wind up laying flat one his back. The second that his knuckles had touched the cards, they had exploded into a mass of flame, effectively knocking MegaMan Trigger backwards.

May sighed slowly, trying to puzzle this out. “O.K., I think I’ve got it. His Royal Flush attack explodes, the Full House is just a handful of razor sharp cards thrown at you, and his Bluff Attack lets him disguise one attack as another. I’m guessing that his basic attack, the Wildcard, is when he just throws a playing card at you.”

“So in other words.” The Bomber panted as he struggled to his knees; “the strength of his attack relies on the cards in his hand.”

“Now that we know that, we’ll attack!” Tony whipped a card through his Terminal. “Heat Shot, Battle Card scan, activate!”

Alia stretched out her right arm as a fiery blaster materialized about it. Quickly she sighted onto DeckMan and fired.

“Oh, nice try.” The card-wielding Navi chuckled, “But no good! Card Guard!”

A giant playing card burst out of the ground before DeckMan. The Heat Shot rammed into the life-sized card and exploded harmlessly.

“Now for your boyfriend.” The tuxedo-wearing Navi turned to face his real opponent. Deftly he pulled the top five cards out of his deck; a frown crept over his face as he looked at them. “No good… Oh well, Wildcards!”

“Trigger, look out!” Alia screamed a warning as DeckMan unleashed four of his playing cards on his opponent.

But it was no use, MegaMan Trigger had just reached his knees, there was no way that he could dodge this round of firepower. He braced himself and waited for the impact…

Seeing his master in trouble, Treble decided to take matters into his own paws.

“Treble, NO!”

“ARRR- nnnnnnnnn…”

Trigger scrambled to his feet, and rushed over to his pet virus. He still couldn’t believe that the Spikey had thrown himself in front of the attack, saving the Bomber from the attack, but at what price?

“Treble, hold on…” MegaMan Trigger ran a hand over the Spikey’s hide as he examined the damage, things did not look good… Treble was breaking apart fast, if he didn’t do something soon, the viral canine would be gone…

“May, log him out!”

“You got it!” The brunette girl pounded the buttons on her P.E.T., she knew how much Treble meant to Hub, and she’d do everything possible to save him.

“Hang in there,” Trigger addressed the beast, “As soon as this is over I’ll get you patched up.”

Treble whined in response, before vanished in a burst of light.

Resolve filled MegaMan Trigger’s eyes. That was the last straw. He’d had it with this Com organization messing with his life and family. It was time to take them down once and for all.

“Let’s do it, May.” The Bomber’s mouth-guard slid over his face, as he turned to face his opponent.

“Right behind you.”

The Young Bomber turned to face DeckMan; determination set on his face.

“So your little doggy got hurt.” The tuxedo-wearing bandit shrugged, “But you’re next on my list! And then I’ll take out your ‘girlfriend’, and then you parents…”

“Not if I take you out first.” Trigger clenched his fists; “Do your worst!”

“Not that you had to ask,” DeckMan whipped out cards and sent them flying. “I’d have done that anyway! Full House! Royal Flush! Wildcards! Three of a Kind!”

MegaMan Trigger glanced at the cards flying towards him.

“Cyber Sword Battle Card, Scan, Activate!”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” DeckMan laughed in amusement. “You’re going to defend yourself against my large attacks with that puny thing?”

The bomber didn’t reply, he just raised his fist skyward…

A blast of light ripped through the air, followed by a wave of intense energy and wind. The energy exploded across the Network, sweeping through the card attacks and passing on…

Leaving a path of exploding playing cards in its wake.

“What- what’s that?” DeckMan shielded his eyes from the intense light, as power and energy continued to fly across the Network.

“I’ll show you.” Trigger spoke calmly, as the energy began sweeping around him and gathering above his head. A few seconds later, everything fell calm as the swirling power materialized into a large, bluish-white Cyber Sword.

“Wait…” A light bulb clicked in the card-wielding Navigator’s mind. “No, wait! That can’t be!”

“As a matter of fact, it is.” MegaMan Trigger broke into a run, heading straight for his opponent. “Program Advance: Tri-Cyber Sword!”

“NO!” DeckMan started shaking in his boots, “Not that! ... Card Guard!”

“Time for you to face my ‘Three of a Kind’!” The Bomber slashed his sword through the air, effortlessly cleaving through the barrier. Without a second thought he closed in on DeckMan and drove his Tri-Cyber Sword home. “This is for Mom and Dad!

DeckMan didn’t even have time to gasp. In a split second his armor had gone from full power to nothing. With a burst of pixilated data, he vanished from the Internet and was forced back to the real world.

“Man, that was exhausting.” Trigger’s voice was weak; his Program Advance shattered as he dropped unceremoniously to the floor. That had been one tough fight, and he didn’t want to repeat the experience if he could.

“But you beat him.” Alia moved over to her companion. “And that’s what matters.”

“Maybe…” MegaMan Trigger’s eyes hardened, as he glanced about the Network. “That rat! He said that he’d tell us where Mom and Dad where if I beat him! And he left without so much as giving us a hint!”

“Maybe not…” May’s eyes strayed across her screen to her Inbox. “It looks like a new message just came in… And I don’t recognize the sender.”

“Let me check.” Trigger worked his way to his feet and then pulled up the mailbox. True to May’s word, there was a letter waiting on him.

The Navigator pulled out the letter and skimmed over it.

“Well?”

MegaMan Trigger sighed before responding. “Its from DeckMan, he says that if we want our parents, then we have to get Mr. Blaze to take us down to the Under Net. Whatever that is…”

“Uh oh…” Alia broke out of the conversation, as her eyes widened in fear. “Tony, we’re in serious trouble!”

“Why?”

“Dad just called, he’s not too happy with us sneaking out in the middle of the night!” Alia quickly logged out of the Network, and reappeared in the physical world as Lana. “He says that if we’re not home in the next five minutes, we’re going to be grounded for the next two years!”

“Whoa!” Tony disconnected his P.E.T. and broke into a run for the door. “See ya, guys! And good luck!”

“They didn’t tell their parents where they were going?” Trigger and May spoke in disbelief.

End Chapter!

Next: The Underling meets the Under King!
_________________

[Megawoman.EXE]

Ooooo! This one was interesting. I really liked how you had Treble have an ice attack instead of the normal fire attack that spikies usually have. I really like this fict Webbuilder keep up the good work.
_________________
"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

[Lido Azn Girl]

Yay! You caught up, Webbuilder! :D Great chapter! Keep up the good work!
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Thanks for the sig, DrkX~! ^^ You're the best!!! <3

[gameman]

i was wondering who are some of the other pranets
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i am the game master

[TheWebbuilder]

Megawoman.EXE and Lido Azn Girl, thanks, I really appreciatet that.

gameman, we've already got a thread about that over in the Anime & Magna section. EDIT: Now I feel like an idiot, you meant in the fic. I've never come right out and said, but I've hinted here nad there. Here's a breif overview.

Hub and May: Lan and Maylu.
Eugene and Yani: Chaud and Yai. (Anyone see a pattern here?)
Rex and Chase: Dex and an unknown.
Tony: Tory and an unknown (Could be [spoil:bf0f1a247f]Jasmine [/spoil:bf0f1a247f]later, I'm not sure yet).
Lana: The Cossacks, I haven't gotten to that one yet.

Those of you who saw this coming (the Met), give yourselves a cookie.

Begin Chapter!

“Absolutely not!” Chaud Blaze slammed his fist into his desk. “There is no way I’m taking you into the Under Net.”

“But, Mr. Blaze!” May tried in vain to change the Official’s mind. “Mom and Dad are counting on us! If we don’t go, then who knows what the Com organization will do with them.”

“Listen,” Chaud looked the two kids straight in the eye. “The Under Net is no place for kids, it’s too dangerous. Lan would kill me if anything happened to you.”

“What are we supposed to do? Just stand here?” Hub’s fists clenched in frustration.

The Official shook his head.

“No, I expect you to go home with your Grandparents, I’ve already called them, and let me handle this. Hub, you’ve got skills, but you’re not ready for the Under Net. In fact, you should have called me right away instead of going off after this DeckMan character.”

“But-”

“No ‘buts’.” Chaud stood up, indicating that this discussion was over. “The decision’s made. And, if I’m not mistaken, here come your grandparents now. So, if you’ll excuse me…”

Hub stared after the adult in shocked disbelief. Didn’t Mr. Blaze understand? They had to get to this Under Net place and free their parents! Not that he doubted Mr. Blaze, but this was something that he had to do.

“Hi, Gramma.” May turned and gave a weak welcome to her Grandmother. “It’s good to see you.”

“And good to see you too.” Haruka Hikari nodded back, and then hugged her grandchildren. “Now, don’t you worry about any of this. I’ve known Chaud for a long time, if anyone can rescue your Mom and Dad, its Chaud.”

Haruka had aged gracefully over the years, although he hair had turned silvery-white with age, she still retained her old attitude of helpful compassion.

“I hope so…” Hub cast a wistful glance after the retreating executive. Although he’d have liked to be out there, doing something to help his parents; but he didn’t have a choice right now. So, reluctantly, he turned and followed his sister and Grandmother out to the car.

As he seated himself in the vehicle, the redheaded boy pulled out his Sub-P.E.T., the backup Terminal that all Net Navigators carried, and pulled up the Navi Editor. He needed something to distract him from this whole mess, so he began working on his upgrades to the armor and his viruses. He had pretty much repaired all of the damage that Treble had received in his fight with DeckMan, although unfortunately Treble would always be scarred in spots from his injuries, but under Hub’s careful repair work, the wounds had been covered up so that they were barely noticeable.

Satisfied with his work, Hub quietly asked the virus how he felt.

He received a cheerful cyber-bark in response.

That done; he opened another file and began working on his latest project, the EleBee. He’d already finished the Mettaur he had been working on, and had named it ‘Harry the Hard Hat’, after Treble, Harry just might be his favorite virus yet. He just hoped that ‘it’ would work when the time came, he was fairly certain that it would, but he’d like to be sure.

Oh well, the next time he was ‘in the ring’, he’d take Harry with him and let the little Met have at it.

“Whoa!”

Hub jumped as something slapped him on the shoulder. With a gasp of panic his eyes swung around to rest on May, and she was looking at him curiously.

“HUB!” The brunette girl practically screamed at him. “Didn’t you hear us?”

“Uh, no… I guess not.” Hub framed his reply, in ASL and words, taking care to be extra precise as he spelled out each word. He desperately wanted to get learn some of the more advanced signs, if for no other reason than to speed up his communications skills. “What’d you say?”

“Gramma wanted to know what you wanted for dinner.” May repeated herself, signing her words as well. “But whatever it is, it has to be something quick, we’ve got ASL class tonight.”

“Oh, I don’t know… whatever I guess…”

Haruka glanced at the redhead through her rear-view mirror as she navigated the city streets. “Hmm… Don’t worry Hub, Chaud will find them.”

“I hope so…”

10101010101010101010101

“So,” Dr. Hikari sat down on the couch next to Hub, who was pecking away at his Sub-P.E.T. “What are you working on?”

“Upgrades…” The redheaded kid made a one-word answer, never taking his eyes off of his work.

The adult just sat there, looking over his grandson’s shoulder.

“I just can’t take it!” Hub snapped his P.E.T. closed, as his self-control gave out. “I can’t just sit here doing nothing while Mom and Dad are somewhere in that blasted Under Net. There’s got to be something that I can do!”

For a long moment, Dr. Hikari stared at his grandson. It was almost as if history were repeating itself, he could almost envision Lan sitting there saying the same thing…

“Listen,” The grandfather addressed his grandson, “If Chaud hasn’t found anything by tomorrow night, I’ll show you how to get to the Under Net.”

Hub started and looked at the adult in complete disbelief. “You… you’re serious?”

“Lan went down there when he was younger than you were.” Dr. Hikari explained, “In fact, I’d think he’d be disappointed if you weren’t the one to rescue him.”

“So, tomorrow night, you’ll show us the way to the Under Net.”

“I promise.” Changing the subject, the adult took the Sub-P.E.T. from the redhead’s hands. “Now, what’s this I hear about viruses and Style Changes from May?”

“Nothing much, just a test program that I’ve been kicking about. I don’t think its all that practical though.”

Dr. Hikari studied the information on the device’s screen. As he did so, amazed admiration began to creep into him, the programming on this idea, albeit amateurish, was extremely clever. Hub would make a brilliant programmer some day.

“I disagree.” The grandfather replied, “I think its brilliant, makes me wish that I’d thought of it.”

“You really think so?”

“I do, now, let’s see if we can’t get this thing to work. If you’re going to go to the Under Net, you’ll need all the help you can get!”

1010101010101010101010101

“Are you ready for this, Hub?” May glanced at her brother from the corner of her eye.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” The younger Hikari stared at the portal, the portal that would take him to the Under Net. True to his word, Dr. Hikari had taken them to his old office at SciLab, and activated a link to the Under Net, the rest was up to Hub.

“And remember, keep your Met with you at all times,” The grandfather gave one last word of advice to his grandson. “Harry is sure to be a great help, and I’m certain that you’ll activate it soon. You did a great job designing him.”

“Well, I never would have gotten him finished without you.” The redheaded kid replied, “All right, let’s do this!”

“P.E.T. in!”

“En Trans!” Hub launched himself forward, and into the cyber-world. “MegaMan Trigger, Activate!”

Trigger’s armor materialized over his body as the redheaded Netbattler plunged towards the ground, just as the last piece of his suit snapped into place, he slammed into the cold ground of the Under Net.

A few feet away, a small yellow spark of light exploded against the ground, depositing a tiny Mettaur next to Trigger. The only visible difference between this Met and the others was that he had a silver arrow sticking out of his yellow helmet.

“How are you feeling?” The Navigator turned to his companion.

“Just fine.” The Met nodded, his words coming out in a gruffly medium voice.

“Good, what the-?” Sensing something behind him, Trigger snapped his body backward, just as a powerful burst of laser energy exploded through the now-vacant spot. The Bomber’s eyes flicked about, taking in the scene before him.

This had not been the best place to land; the entire area was in chaos. At least two hundred Net Navi were fighting it out in a full blown war, each individual Navi attacking whoever happened to be nearby, but carefully avoiding other Navi that Trigger guessed to be on that Navi’s ‘team’.

“It looks like we dropped into the middle of a gang war!” The Bomber leapt backward, narrowly avoiding another attack.

“Tell me ‘bout it.” The Met’s small feet propelled him out of the way of another laser shot. “We need da git out of here now!”

Trigger ducked as another stray round whipped through the spot his head had been seconds ago. So far he hadn’t been noticed, but that could change at any second. “May, we need to get out of here!”

“Not so fast, pretty-boy!”

Trigger spun around, to see a massive thuggish Navi rushing him.

“You ain’t leaving without a fight!”

“I’ll take him!” The friendly Met slipped around in front of Trigger, his hard hat tipping down to cover his eyes. “You bedda leave my buddy alone, or I’ll clobba ya!”

“I’ll do what I feel like!” Thug’s fist transformed into a silvery-blue sword as he rushed towards his declared opponent. “Out of my way, small fry!”

“Don’t call me ‘small fry’.” The Met announced, his helmet coming up to reveal his eyes. “Da name’s Harry. Harry da Hard Hat, I’m da Met wid attitude.”

“A dead Met with attitude!”

A soft glow lit up both sides of Harry’s domed helmet, as his eyes locked onto his opponent. The next second, the glow exploded away, to reveal two fully charged pistol-like weapons attached to the sides of his hat.

“And two powerful guns.” The arrowed Met announced, “Rapid Shot!”

The guns flared to life, carrying out their owner’s command. Under Harry’s excellent marksmanship, the pistol’s fire slammed into the Thug Navi repeatedly, knocking him backward under their power.

Harry continued to rain his firepower onto his opponent.

Finally, Thug gave out, vanishing in a burst of data.

“Don’t diss da Mets.” Harry tossed a comment after the Logged Out Navi.

“Not bad!” Trigger commented as he slashed his Cyber Sword repeatedly. While Harry had been clobbering one random Thug, three more had attacked the Young Bomber. But it wasn’t anything that he couldn’t handle; he was rapidly clearing them out. “May, we don’t have time for this!”

“Right, Panel Out, Battle Card Scan, Activate!”

As the card whipped through the P.E.T., the tile before Trigger’s feet exploded. An empty hole gaped at the two allies as the piece of flooring shattered into oblivion.

“It’s been fun!” The Bomber dispatched one final Navi, and then dropped into the newly created hole. “But I’m out of here!”

“I’ll double dat!” Harry nodded his agreement, before following his friend down the opening.

Trigger plunged downward, heading to wherever the Panel Out would take him. That was the problem with that card, you had no control over where it took you. Harry flew alongside him, racing towards the ground.

The Bomber’s eyes scanned the hole, trying to find the exit… Abruptly, he spotted the end of the abyss below them, and it was coming up fast.

With a grunt, Trigger somersaulted about to crash into the ground right side up. His feet slammed into the ground as his legs absorbed the impact, as soon as his body had come to rest, he straightened and examined his surroundings.

A few short feet away, Harry hit the dirt as well.

“Who’s in charge of the layout around here?” Trigger’s eyes roamed around his surroundings, they had landed in a blank room with four pillars set in each corner. The gray tiled floor beneath their feet was stone cold, and the sky above them was an inky black, no doubt about it, this place screamed: ‘freaky’.

“Dunno.” Harry’s eyes looked over the Network, “But dey need a bedda one.”

A small rush of movement caused the Young Bomber to look over his shoulder- and not a moment too soon as he caught sight of a spherical yellow orb of white-hot energy racing towards him.

“Watch it!” MegaMan Trigger threw himself backward, but barely squeaking past the attack. Right on his heels, the arrow-speared Met jumped away, evading the blast.

The Bomber’s right hand hastily transformed itself into his default Buster. His free hand lashed out to steady his landing as his feet slammed into the rough ground.

A few short feet away, Harry also came to rest, his guns locked and loaded.

“Who’s there?” Trigger shouted off into the shadowy surroundings. “Show yourself!”

“This is no place for you…”

The Bomber’s head swiveled around, trying to trace the eerie voice that had answered him. But his search was unfruitful; he couldn’t find a trace of the Navi.

“You have no right to be here…”

“Maybe so.” The Bomber snapped back, trying to lock onto his unknown opponent’s location. “But I’m not leaving until I find-”

“Hate to interrupt,” The Met cut his friend off, “But we’ve got trouble!”

Trigger’s face was instantly enclosed in his mouth guard, as he noticed four more of those orb-like attacks flying at him…

“Blaster, Battle Card Scan, Activate!”

“Perfect.” The young Bomber’s Buster was instantly powered up to a high-powered state. With experience driving him on, he thrust his weapon out and rapid-fired. Powerful bursts of energy exploded out of his Buster, taking out the attacks with ease.

“Now den.” Harry’s voice indicated that he was fed up with this. “How ‘bout stoppin’ this game a ‘Hide an Seek’? I’m ready da battle!”

“Brave words from one so small…” The voice continued, “It appears that I must show you the truth… you have to reason to be in the Under Net, therefore I must remove you.”

“Wait a moment…” Dr. Hikari gasped under his breath; “It can’t be…”

“I cannot allow you here.”

Trigger finally spotted their opponent, standing a fair-sized distance away. She (he?) was a Navi of about medium height, a pair of shoes styled to look like sandals ran up into a puffy, white oriental style pantaloon, a golden belt had been locked about the Navi’s waist, and above that its suit was black. A white helmet with golden trim was resting on its head, with two yellow ribbon-like things trailing down towards the ground. Although he wouldn’t admit it, the Bomber couldn’t figure out the gender of this particular Navi.

“I am Serenade, a male,” The Navi answered Trigger’s unspoken question. “Rank 1 Guardian of the Under Net. You have no reason to be here, therefore, I must remove you from this realm.”

End Chapter!
_________________

[Megawoman.EXE]

'Respect da mets' that was funny. ROFL. Keep up the good work Webbuilder.
_________________
"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

[Zodiac]

Well, this is pretty cool. I don't think I've seen so many pieces of the Megaman franchise mixed together. Classic Protoman. Trigger from Legends. Alia from X. Spider (I hope he starts siding with Trigger). I guess you're going off of the Mangas what with the Full Synchro and the Arrow Helmet Mettaur. Although, Hub ended up the son instead of the brother for this. Oh, and Classic Gutsman in this too, before I forget. Well, let's see what happens next.
_________________
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

[Blue Bommer]

Funny, Funny. Heep it up! ^_^

[Lido Azn Girl]

[Mega Man.EXE]

Excellent work once again. This story just keeps getting better and better. I like how the plot is advancing.
_________________

[TheWebbuilder]

Megawoman.EXE, thankies!

Zodiac, We'll also see Tron, Harpuia, and Elpizo later.

Lido Azn Girl, -anime fall- Speaking of which, I want to thank a friend of mine, Laura, for wording his accent, since I can't.

Mega Man.EXE, I'll seriously try.

Begin Chapter!

“I am Serenade, a male,” The Navi answered Trigger’s unspoken question. “Rank 1 Guardian of the Under Net. You have no reason to be here, therefore, I must remove you from this realm.”

“Sorry to disagree,” The Bomber raised his Cannon to illustrate his point, “But I’m not going anywhere until I find my parents, so trying to make me leave is a waste of time.”

“It is for your own good that I’m ejecting you.” Serenade studied this pint-sized Netbattler before her. “You are far too weak to survive in this land.”

“We’ll just see about that.”

“As you wish, I must show you how weak you truly are.” The Under Net Guardian stared straight at MegaMan Trigger. “You win and you may stay; you loose and you return to your world.”

“I won’t loose.” Trigger lined up his cannon, “So bring it on!”

“Hub, listen to me!” Dr. Hikari screamed into the connection, “Serenade is way out of your league; don’t do this!”

“I’m sorry, Grandpa.” The young Bomber kept his eyes glued to his opponent. “But I don’t really have that much to say on the matter.”

“The time for words is over.” Serenade held up her open hand as energy began to gather in her palm. With a cry of “Saint Light!” the Under Net Guardian sent the sphere rocketing through the air.

With a grunt, Trigger launched himself out of the way of the attack. As soon as he had cleared the energy orb, his Blaster went to work, raining firepower down on his opponent.

“Rapid Fire!” Harry’s pistols exploded into action, filling the sky with his power.

The two attacks rushed into the air, and Serenade. As the bursts of energy rammed into the Under Net King, they exploded into clouds of dust and debris.

“That was easy.” The Bomber slammed into the ground. His work over, he deactivated his Buster.

He immediately wished that he hadn’t. MegaMan Trigger wasn’t sure what had happened, but round after round of energy was flying out of the swirling dust, and all of it was coming at him!

The Bomber threw his arms in front of his face; there was no way to dodge this…

“Got you covered! Shadow, Battle Card Scan, Activate!”

Immediately, the card May had inserted took effect, phasing Trigger’s body out slightly and allowing the attacks to rip right through him without causing a shred of damage.

“I don’t believe it!” The Blue Navigator returned to his normal mode, his eyes locking into his opponent. By now the dust had settled, revealing an untouched Serenade! “It didn’t even scratch him!”

Without a word of explanation, the Guardian slammed his palm into the ground. “Holy Shock!”

A feeling of warmth beneath his feet caused MegaMan Trigger to glance downward, his eyes widening. The tile he was standing on was glowing with some unknown energy! Acting on instinct, he leapt forward. His left the panel, just as a sparking sphere of power exploded out of the ground beneath the said tile.

“Let’s take him down!” May whipped a Battle Card through her Terminal. “Yo-yo!”

“Let me show you my favorite toy!” A brownish-white launcher formed about the Bomber’ rights fist. With minimal delay, he snapped his arm around, sending his yo-yo rocketing through the air towards his opponent.

“And I’ll gladly share dis!” Harry dashed around behind his opponent and began firing.

The Under Net Guardian glanced at the Yo-yo and then at the energy erupting from Harry’s cannons. With a defiant toss of his head, Serenade lifted his open hands and pointed his palms at each attack.

Trigger’s eyes filled with amazement as his Yo-yo slammed to an early stop, almost as if it had hit a brick wall. What kind of power were they dealing with?

Harry growled in frustrations as his attacks shattered in mid-flight in some unknown way.

“Have you seen how weak you are?” Serenade turned to MegaMan Trigger. “You are not fit for this realm, leave now while you still can.”

“How many times do I have to tell you?” The Bomber’s Yo-yo Launcher shattered as his normal fist reappeared. “I’m not leaving without my parents! They’re somewhere in this place, and I’m not leaving until I’ve looked everywhere!”

“Nothing we throw at this guy is working.” May thought over the past few moves of their battle. “Maybe we need to kick things up a notch.”

“If you’re thinking the P.A., I’m right with you.” MegaMan Trigger nodded.

“Three Cyber Sword Battle Cards Scan, Activate!” The brunette girl stacked the required cards one on the other, and then slid them through her gate simultaneously. “Program Advance!”

His eyes filling with determination, MegaMan Trigger raised his right hand skyward as a single Cyber Sword appeared about his wrist. Without a word, he swished his sword downward to rest near his left knee. Raising his sword to point to the left, the Bomber felt his second Cyber Sword activate, turning his Cyber Sword a fiery red color. With a battle cry, Trigger slashed horizontally, bringing his right arm out to extend away from his body as the final Sword activated.

With a burst of energy, the three swords merged into the Tri-Cyber Sword; a larger, bluish-white, glowing sword locked in place around Trigger’s right hand.

“Time to end this!” MegaMan Trigger rushed forward, his sword prepared and eager to strike. With a battle cry, the Blue Navigator came in close, and slashed with his blade- only to have it slam to an early stop.

“No way!”

The Bomber looked on in horror; Serenade had caught his Tri-Cyber Sword with his bare hand! But how? What kind of power was he fighting here?

Before the stunned Bomber could react, the Guardian made his move. The Under Net King tightened his grasp on the blade and swept his arm around, sending Trigger flying backwards through the air.

With a sickening thud, the blue Navigator crashed into the ground, skidding to a halt as his Tri-Cyber Sword shattered into a thousand pieces.

Enraged over Serenade’s actions, Harry leapt into the fray. His pistols hastily locked onto the Under Net King and fired away, decimating everything in their path. “Nobody treats my pal like dat!”

Serenade didn’t even flinch as the pistol shots rebounded off of her.

“Have you accepted the truth yet?” Ignoring the lasers bouncing off of him, the Under Net Guardian turned to face his opponent. “That you are too weak to survive here?”

Trigger was panting hard as he fought to his feet. “And have you accepted the fact that I’m not leaving without my parents?”

His eyes widening a bit in wonder, the Under Net Guardian stared at the Navigator before him. Perhaps the rumors were true; this one did seem different from all others that had challenged him. All others except for one…

“Then I must finish this for your own good.”

“My thoughts exactly!” Trigger snapped upright, his Buster leveling out to bear on his opponent. “Charged Shot!”

Serenade’s eyes flicked to rest on his shoulder-pad, as the attack whipped by him. Amazement filled him as he realized that this Navigator had done the impossible, he had scratched Serenade’s armor.

“Now!” May shot several cards through her P.E.T., “Laser Blast times 2, Battle Card Scan, Activate!”

“Now this’ll rock your socks.” MegaMan Trigger snapped his arms out wide as two blue blaster cannons slid into place about his wrists. With a battle cry, he launched himself forward, gunning for Serenade.

“Saint Light!” The Under Net King summoned several more sparking spheres and sent them hurling through the air.

“Nice lights, let’s put them out.” The Bomber’s cannoned arms shot up, and flared to life. With precision unparalleled, he blew the Saint Lights away as he closed in on his opponent.

Slightly taken aback by the fact that Trigger was regaining control of their battle, Serenade slammed his palm into the floor. With a cry of ‘Holy Shock’, he unleashed his next attack.

The Young Bomber immediately caught onto Serenade’s plan, and pushed himself harder. With a burst of speed, he flew forward, just barely avoiding the sparking orb that came exploding out of the ground.

MegaMan Trigger glanced up, gauging the distance between him and the Under Net King. Ten more feet and he’d be in position to strike.

“Impossible…” The Guardian hastily sent more Saint Lights flying through the air in an effort to stop his adversary. “He’s pushing himself past his farthest limits… and exceeding them…”

Racing onward, the Bomber lined up his twin cannons and fired repeatedly. His shots hit home, destroying the approaching orbs.

Five feet.

MegaMan Trigger never stopped, he pushed himself harder. A few more feet and he’d have this won…

The Bomber hastily dropped his two blasters, he was within four feet now…

“Saint Light!” The Under Net King made one last attempt. With a roar, he formed another electrical sphere and hurled it at his opponent.

The Bomber took a flying leap, vaulting up and over the Saint Light. Turning a mid-air somersault, he flew over Serenade’s head.

With a ‘thud’ his boots crashed into the ground, but MegaMan Trigger never felt the impact. Instantly he did and spun around to face the Under Net Guardian, who now had his back to Trigger.

“Five Omega Arrow Battle Cards Scan, Activate! Program Advance!”

Serenade whipped around, to find himself facing a golden arrow resting in a jeweled bow- A jeweled bow that was locked in place about MegaMan Trigger’s right arm.

At such close quarters, there was no way he could dodge in time.

“Omega Arrow:” The Bomber’s fingers released the string, allowing it to snap forward and discharge the arrow. “Go!”

Seven other arrows appeared about the Omega Arrow as it traveled the short distance from MegaMan Trigger’s bow to Serenade. The attack his home, and exploded into a cloud of dust and debris.

“We got him.” The Bomber peered through the swirling dirt and grime, “We had too.”

“I hate to break id do ya.” Harry waddled over to stand next to his friend. “But I don’t dink dat he’s done yet.”

“You would do well to listen to your Met.”

Trigger’s eyes widened in disbelief as the dust began to settle. There, standing in the exact same spot he had been moments ago, stood Serenade. Although it was obvious that the Guardian had taken damage from the attack, it was also plain that he was a long way from gone.

“What’s it take to stop this guy?” The Bomber wondered silently.

But the Under Net King’s next move surprised Trigger beyond words.

Serenade admitted defeat.

“You win.”

“Huh?” Trigger and Harry spoke in exact unison.

“Wadda you mean?” The arrow-pierced Met mumbled. “We ain’t beat you yet.”

“I see that I underestimated you.” The Guardian explained his actions. “I was concerned that you were not ready to enter the Under Net, but you have proved otherwise. Although you are inexperienced, you and your Net Op have great trust in each other, your potential is limitless as long as you work as a team. Go; you have my permission to explore the Under Net in your quest.”

His eyes filled with complete bewilderment, the Mettaur turned to his companion. “Did you understand any a dat?”

“A little,” The Bomber shrugged in reply. “But that doesn’t matter now, what does matter is finding Mom and Dad, so let’s go before he changes his mind.”

“Right…”

May breathed a sigh of relief, the battle was over and Hub had won. Things were looking good at the moment.

At least, they did until her eyes landed on the ‘Inbox’ displayed on her P.E.T.

The folder showed one new message, and the subject was marked ‘COM’.

Quickly, she opened her E-mail, and skimmed over the message. It expressed congratulations on reaching the Under Net, but that wasn’t all. It also gave instructions for reaching a hidden section of the Under Net, claiming that if they went there, they would find their parents.

That was all well and good, but what concerned May was the signature on the message. The E-mail was signed with a Navi Symbol showing a blue field cut by three inverted yellow and red triangles designed to look like leaping flames.

The mark was the exactly the same as the one of the pyromaniac who had attempted to torch the Internet a few weeks ago.

“Rats…” Trigger’s voice split the air.

“What?” The brunette girl shifted her focus back to the P.E.T.

“We’re out of time.” MegaMan Trigger lifted his right arm to indicate what he meant.

It was then that May noticed that the armor covering his arm was beginning to fizzle and crack.

“I’ve been in the digital world for too long.” The Bomber sighed an explanation. “The Net Armor’s going to fragments, I hate to say this, but I’ll have to Log Out for a while.”

“Don’t forget to set a bookmark,” The brunette girl instructed the Navigator. “We’ll need to jump right back to that spot. Plus, we need to talk to Yani, Eugene, Tony, and Lana, I just received another E-mail from Com; and we may need their help.”

END CHAPTER!
_________________

[Zodiac]

Neet battle. Ooo, and Tron Bonne shows up later? Cool. I only ever played Legends 2 and the scenes with Tron were great. Hmm, and I wonder just which Ultimate Program Serenade was referring to there?
_________________
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

[TheWebbuilder]

Zodiac, Serenade refered to an Ultimate Program?

Begin Chapter!

“So let me get this straight,” Tony thought back over the past few minutes of conversation. “You’re telling me that you want Lana to go to the Under Net with Hub?”

“And that you want me and Yani to stay here and work the observation equipment?” Eugene followed up the emerald-eyed kid’s question.

“Yes.” May glanced at her Grampa, who nodded his approval, and then expounded on her answer. “Even with Harry and Treble’s support, Hub’s going to need all of the help he can get. Plus, this E-mail from Com might very well be a trap, and I’d appreciate it if we had someone watching the ‘net from the outside.”

“All right, I guess.” Eugene glanced down at his cast-encased arm. “I still wouldn’t be any good in the Net with this arm…”

Hub nodded, and then looked into his Sub-P.E.T. to check on his viruses. Treble was back to full health and ready to rumble, Harry was going along for the ride. EleBee, an EleBee, and Slash the Bamboo Swordie weren’t ready to go anywhere yet, so they were out of the question. He just hoped that when the time came, he and his viruses were strong enough to win this war…

“All right, let’s do this!” The redheaded Netbattler turned to the Under Net Portal. “You guys ready?”

“I’m always ready!” Tony announced as he pumped his fist.

“We’ll be right here keeping an eye on you.” Eugene and Yani nodded.

“Be careful.” Grampa, of course.

“O.K.,” May took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “Let’s go.”

“Jack in: Harry, Treble!” Hub slapped his Sub-P.E.T. into the gate. “Power up!”

“Now its our turn.” Tony and Yani spoke in perfect unison.

“P.E.T. In!”

“Engage Transmission now!”

Lana launched herself through the portal, and vaulted into the digital world. As she descended, her Alia armor settled over her body, shielding her and powering her abilities up. With a light thud, she hit the ground nodded in satisfaction. “Alia activate!”

“P.E.T. In!” May slammed her device’s connector wire into the gate.

“Engage Transmission now!” The redheaded Netbattler shot through the doorway, and into the cyber world beyond. As he plunged into the Internet, his Net Armor activated, transforming him from Hub to MegaMan Trigger. “MegaMan Trigger activate!”

A sharp bark came from behind them, causing Trigger and Alia to turn around.

“Treble!” Trigger threw his arms open, just as his viral canine bounded into his arms. The Spikey’s tongue lashed out, flicking across his master’s face. “Great to see you again, boy!”

“Sheesh.” Harry mumbled as he watched the scene before him. “Can we gid any mushier here people?”

His comment caused Alia to notice the small Met.

Instantly taking a liking to the tough-guy virus, Alia walked over to the arrowed Met and knelt down beside him. “You know, you’re kind of cute for a virus.”

“Hey, don’t call me cute.” The Met grumbled, his cheeks flaming in embarrassment. “It ain’t in my job description.”

The moment over, Alia and MegaMan Trigger got down to business. Using the Bookmark that the Bomber had placed earlier, they quickly backtracked to the last place Trigger had been in the Under Net.

“All right, Eugene,” Trigger called back to his guide. “Where do we go from here?”

“Just a moment.” The raven-haired kid examined the instructions on the E-mail. “O.K., from your current position, go digital North fourteen units or until you come to a stone pillar marked with an X.”

“An ‘X’?” Yani expressed her disbelief as she looked over her brother’s shoulder. “Come on! Would a little originality hurt here people?”

Ignoring the outburst, Trigger helped Alia climb up onto Treble’s back. After giving the unwilling Harry the Hardhat a boost, he too vaulted up onto his Spikey’s back.

“Let’s go, boy.” The Bomber grabbed his canine’s mane in a tight grip.

With a bark of a response, Treble turned and began racing North. He’d help his master find his parents if it was the last thing that he did.

101010101010101010101010101

“I guess this is it.” Trigger slid off of Treble’s back and hit the ground. After helping Alia off and leaving Harry to fend for himself, the Bomber headed over to the marked column and examined it closely. “What’d we do now?”

“It says to destroy it,” Yani replied, her eyes roving over the note. “And then the way will become clear.”

“I don’t know about this.” Alia looked the marker over, “This doesn’t feel right, and it could be a trap.”

“There’s only one way to find out.” The Young Bomber shrugged, and then hefted his Buster up to point at the column. “May?”

“Laser Blast, Battle Card Scan, Activate!”

Almost instantly, MegaMan Trigger’s Buster had transformed into a light blue blaster. Without a word he cut loose, sending his cannon’s power into the marked column.

With a very audible explosion, the marker collapsed into a pile of digital dust and debris.

No sooner had the column vanished, than the floor began to rumble and buck beneath their feet. As the two Navigators tried to maintain their balance on the bucking ground, a beam of light exploded out of the ground, in the spot that the marker had stood seconds ago.

Before their eyes, the beam widened to form a nice sized square of pure light. And then it faded away, revealing a previously hidden flight of stairs that led even deeper into the Under Net.

“I guess that we follow them.” Examining the new pathway, Trigger mumbled to himself.

Alia shrugged in response.

“So, let’s go.” Harry pushed his way past the two Navigators and began waddling down the steps.

After exchanging a glance, Alia and MegaMan Trigger headed after the Met, with Treble right on their heels.

“O.K.” Eugene’s voice flooded the Internet. “I’m picking up some readings, evidently at the bottom of the stairwell there’s a four energy readings. Two from Net Navi, and two from humans.”

“In other words, Mom and Dad!” Encouraged by the news that his parents might be nearby. The Young Bomber sped up, practically flying down the stairs.

Alia, Harry, and Treble were forced to run just to keep up with him.

“They’ve got to be here…” Trigger panted as he crashed down the stairwell. In the back of his mind, he knew that there had to be another fight coming when he reached the bottom. But that was the least of his worries, right now he just wanted to know that they were alive and well.

At last, the bottom of the stairwell came into view. Speeding up the process, the Young Bomber pushed off of the stairwell and leapt the last few stairs; with an audible ‘thud’ his feet slammed into the cold ground.

“MOM! DAD!”

Trigger couldn’t believe his eyes. On the other side of the Network were his missing parents and their Net Navi. Ordinarily, that would have caused some relief, but the problem was that they’re eyes were closed, and they weren’t moving.

The fact that they were in a locked file, a transparent, gray cube that offered no way in or out, didn’t help matters any.

“Hang on!” MegaMan Trigger shouted as his Mega Buster burst into existence, “I’ll get you out of there!”

“FRY!”

Alia gasped as she caught sight of a mass of flame barreling towards her companion. Instantly she was screaming a warning. “Trigger!”

The Bomber glanced over his shoulder, his eyes widening as he noticed the fireball racing towards him. Without another second’s delay, he spun around to face the attack as his Buster began to glow ominously.

“Charged Shot!”

The burst of power exploded out of MegaMan Trigger’s gun barrel. His attack whipped through the air, destroying the fireball in the process.

“Who’s there?” The Bomber glanced about, trying to find his opponent.

“Hub, I’m picking up new energy readings!” Eugene scanned over his instruments. “A human and a Navi are heading your way!”

“I see them.” Trigger looked over, to see the familiar figure of TorchMan.

Besides the old hacker was another Navigator. This one was human, his boots were a dark yellow color and had red kneepads set into them; his bodysuit was a dark red. A dark mustard metal shell protected his chest, with two circular orbs serving as shoulder pads for his yellow-gloved arms. A flame-thrower had been set into each shoulder-pad, but they were pointed upwards to blow flame skyward. The Navigator’s yellow helmet had red fins sweeping upwards to give it the appearance of a burning inferno.

“Is that… PyroMan?” Alia gaped at the new fire Navi.

“No.” The pyromaniacs muttered his response. “PyroMan is my old name, and my old Armor. New armor means new name. Prepare to face the devastation of PyreMan!”

The Network dropped into silence as everyone stared at the fiery hotshot.

“Okay…” Trigger rubbed the back of his helmet with his right hand. Talk about a ridiculous name change. “I guess it gets points for some originality.”

“Not much.” Alia stared at the flaming Navigators in disbelief. “Hey, whoever you are, do you work for ShoPro?”

“What? It’s a perfectly good name!” The flaming Navigator shrieked, “Allow me to define it for you pea-brains! Pyre: N. fire, bonfire or torch.”

“True,” Eugene couldn’t help himself; he had to point this out. “But those are all secondary definitions, ‘pyre’ really means ‘a burning heap of trash’.”

At this point, Trigger lost it. With a sharp guffaw, he burst into laughter. “He named himself after the trash heap!”

Alia chuckled, and then joined her friend in a brawl of laughter.

PyreMan’s face turned as red as his crimson armor. “O.K., O.K., I’ll be FlareMan.”

“Whatever…” The Bomber tried to regain his self-control. It FlareMan didn’t delete him, the rotten names would.

Quickly, MegaMan Trigger sobered, and began shooting out his orders. “Alia, Harry, get Mom and Dad out of that file. Treble, you’re with me; we’ve got some fires to put out.”

The viral canine barked in response, and then leapt over to stand next to its master.

Alia and Harry rushed away, heading for the locked file.

“Now then,” TorchMan raised his cannon and pointed it at his opponents. “Let’s roast them! Fire Arm!”

“Double Flare!” The flame-throwers on FlareMan’s shoulders rotated downward to point at Trigger. The next second they flared to life, sending two bursts of white-hot flame rocketing towards the Bomber.

“Divide and conquer!” MegaMan Trigger shouted his instructions to Treble.

With a whine to show that he understood, the Spikey leapt to the right. His momentum carried him past the Double Flare and to a safe spot a few feet away. As soon as his feet hit the floor, his mouth had parted to expel a blast of icy energy aimed at FlareMan.

With a grunt, Trigger rocketed around the Fire Arm attack. As he set his sights on the human Navigator, he heard May send him a Bubbler.

The second that the water-based weapon had materialized on his wrist, the Bomber aimed his cannon at FlareMan and fired. By targeting FlareMan at the same instant that Treble had, they now had the flaming Navi pinned in-between the two different water based attacks.

“Now bad, but nowhere near good enough.” The flaming Navigator pointed his open palm at Treble’s Ice Breath. “Fire Storm!”

A blast of flame ripped away from the hotshot’s palm, and sailed through the air to collide with the Spikey’s attack. The second that the two attacks met, they exploded, canceling each other out.

TorchMan’s arm cannons shot out and fired a white-hot burst of flame. His attack easily destroyed Trigger’s Bubbler shot.

As the Young Bomber landed from his flying leap, he cast a glance over to Treble, who was growling in frustration. This was not going to be easy; he and the virus would have to be in perfect synch if they wanted to pull this one off.

“You call that an attack?” TorchMan scoffed at his opponents’ attempts to douse their flame. “I’ll show you how it’s done. Flame Thrower!”

“And I’ll assist.” FlareMan chortled, “Fire Wall!”

TorchMan slammed his cannon into the ground, and fired. As a result, towers of fire began exploding out of the ground all around Trigger and Treble. Nearby, FlareMan shot a blast of fire from his flame-throwers into the ground, causing a wall of flame to burst out of the floor before him and race across the Network towards his opponents.

“We can do this Treble!” The young Bomber stared at the wall of flame rushing towards them. Because of the flaming pillars surrounding them, there was no room to dodge, if they were going to escape, it would be by brute force.

“Get ready…” The Bomber hefted his Bubbler, and prepared to strike.

Treble growled in response.

MegaMan Trigger stared at the fireball racing towards him, gauging the distance on the fireball.

“Now, Ice Ball, Battle Cards Scan, Activate!”

“Now this is more like it.” Trigger’s Bubbler vanished, and the next second several spherical blue balls appeared in his hands. With a shout he pitched them forward, straight into the approaching fireball.

With a roar, Treble’s jaws parted, discharging a blast of elemental ice that ripped across the Network towards the flaming attack.

The Ice Balls and Elemental Ice collided with the fiery attack, with a sharp squeal; they exploded into a mass of steam. The vaporized water dissipated across the Internet and then vanished.

“Now then,” The Bomber went into a fighting stance, “Let’s kick things up a notch!”

“Whatever you say, kid.” FlareMan seethed, “I’ll show you that when you flame with the best, you get burned!”

“Charged Shot!”

Trigger snapped his cannon up and fired at TorchMan.

“Nice try!” FlareMan slammed his palm into the ground. The next second, a pillar of flame erupted out of the tile before him and shot across the ground. “Fire Tower!”

The Fire Tower raced on, and collided squarely with the Bomber’s attack, easily destroying it and continuing on.

“Move!” MegaMan Trigger bounded to his left, evading the flaming column.

Treble followed suit, leaping to his right he avoided the attack.

“You know, it’s been fun.” FlareMan glanced at his ally.

“I haven’t had this much fun since I roasted MegaMan.” The furnace faced Navi nodded his agreement. “But all good things must come to an end.”

“Right-o.” The Com agent agreed, with a scream he whipped his arm back and sent it plunging into the ground. “Ring of Fire!”

FlareMan launched a devastating blast of fire into the ground. Then, almost in response, a burst of flame erupted in front of Trigger and Treble.

As the two allies shielded their faces from the heat and flames, the wall of fire spread. The flaming barrier grew around to trap the two in a perfectly circular, flaming ring of fire.

“Not good…” The Bomber looked over his fiery prison. Because of the leaping flames, he couldn’t see what was happening on the other side of the firewall. That meant that TorchMan and FlareMan could strike from any angle, and he wouldn’t see it coming.

In short, things were really looking bad. So bad that there was only one way out of this mess… but would that really work?

Beside him, Treble whined softly. Because he knew the viral canine’s language, MegaMan Trigger knew that the Spikey wanted to try, but Trigger wasn’t sure that he wanted take that risk.

“Fire Sword!”

The Bomber gasped as he felt a fiery blade rip across his armored back. Quickly he spun around trying to locate his attacker, but the flaming Navigator was already gone.

“Fire Arm!”

A blast of flame ripped through the firewall, heading straight for Trigger. Deftly, the Young Bomber slipped aside, just narrowly avoiding the blast.

They were in real trouble…

A few short feet away, FlareMan chortled to himself as he launched round after round of flaming fireballs at his opponent. A smile spread over his face as most of his attacks hit home; this firewall idea of his had been the best ever!

“Do the honors, TorchMan!” The flaming Navigator turned the reigns over to his opponent.

“With pleasure. Fire Tower!” TorchMan slammed his cannon into the ground, unleashing a burst of flame into the tile before him.

In response, a column of fire exploded out of the ground- in the exact center of the Ring of Fire- where Trigger and Treble were trapped. There was no way they could have escaped that move.

“HUB!” May frantically screamed into her Terminal. As soon as TorchMan had launched his Fire Tower move, her screen had gone blank. And that normally meant that… but no! It couldn’t end like this! Her brother couldn’t really be- could he?

“Ha!” FlareMan howled in laughter as his Ring of Fire blazed in the background. “Now that he’s out of the way, we’ll go get that other kid, and then the entire Net’s ours!”

“Right-“ The flaming Navi cut his reply off as he stared across the Network in disbelief. “What in the name of pyromania?”

FlareMan whipped about, his eyes widening in amazement. Was his mind playing tricks on him, or were there a few rays of light shooting out of his bonfire?

A high pitched squeal sliced through the air.

The Fire Navigator’s jaw dropped, as he took in the scene before him. To his disbelief, his Ring of Fire was swelling at the base, getting bigger and rounder!

“What the-?” FlareMan was forced to shield his face with his arms as his bonfire exploded. Sparks and small fires shot through the air at all angles as his Ring of Fire literally went pieces.

“I thought it was a little warm in here.” Trigger’s voice broke through the air, “So I decided to cool things off!”

“No!” FlareMan shielded his eyes from the flying remains of the Ring of Fire and the occasional bit of flying ice, as the untouched Bomber stepped into view. “It can’t be!”

“What the-?” TorchMan took notice of the fact that MegaMan Trigger’s armor had changed.

Trigger clenched his gloved fist, as the others studied his new armor. His boots had transformed into a blockier style similar to SpikeMan’s and become light blue with a dark red, pointed kneepad running down the front of his the boots. His bodysuit had become black, with just a tint of yellow to the color. His chest was encased in a blue piece of armor with two ridged, azure triangles running horizontally across his chest. Cobalt shoulder pads clung to his chest armor, and swept down his forearms to stop at his spiked, elbow-padded gloves. His helmet had turned black, with a blue plate sitting on his forehead that ran back into three different fins.

“What happened to him?”

May supplied the answer as her screen flared to life, displaying her brother once again. “He did it! Trigger and Treble fused! They’ve gone Viral Fusion: Spikey Fusion!”

“Run that by me again?” Eugene stared at the Bomber in disbelief.

“Hub built Treble to merge with him, sort of like a Double Soul, except that Treble was designed to do this from the beginning.” The brunette explained, “And it looks like they’ve pulled it off!”

“Cool enough for you yet?” The Bomber quipped as he clenched his fist.

“So you’ve got a new look.” FlareMan grumbled, “I can still wipe the Network with you! Double Flare!”

“We’ll see about that…” MegaMan Trigger threw himself to his right, evading the twin blasts of flames.

FlareMan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The Bomber’s speed suddenly increased, as he dashed away from the attack. Blurred after-images trailed behind him as he shot around behind the flaming Navigator.

“He’s fast!” The Com agent spun around to face his opponent.

“Thanks for the complement,” Trigger brought his arm back as a bluish white mist surrounded his fist, the next second a silver sword surrounded by an ice blue mist locked about his wrist. Using his increased speed, he rushed forward towards his human opponent. “Ice Sword!”

The breath whooshed out of FlareMan’s lungs, as MegaMan Trigger’s swept past him, dealing some serious damage with his Ice Sword. But it didn’t end there, the icy power surrounding the Bomber’s sword surged into the flaming Navigator. As the cold energy flooded through him, FlareMan found himself becoming encased in a layer of thick ice.

“HIA!” With a battle cry, Trigger finished his attack. His left fist shot upward, sending his opponent flying backwards through the air.

All of this was too much for the Com agent to handle. His frame shattered in a burst of pixels as FlareMan logged out of the Network.

“Now to ice this thermostat!” The Bomber whipped around to face TorchMan.

“You think you can freeze me? Dream on!” The fire Navi’s right cannon shot up and began blowing flames. “Fire Arm!”

The Young Bomber’s arm snapped skyward, as a Buster resembling Treble’s open-mouthed head burst into existence. Trigger brought his new cannon down, a bluish-white glow building up in the back of his Buster’s throat.

“Ice Breath!” A stream of blue ice energy erupted from the Treble-shaped Buster, and whipped across the Network. Effortlessly, the icy attack smashed through the Fire Arm.

“No! Impossible!”

TorchMan vanished in a blast of data. He never stood a chance against the Ice Breath.

“And that, as they say,” Trigger smirked, “Is a wrap.”

The Bomber’s body stiffened as his armor broke apart. The pixilated data swept away from him, revealing his old blue and red armor, and reformed into Treble.

The Spikey barked in encouragement, letting Trigger know that he was all right.

“Not bad.” The Bomber smiled, “Now, let’s get Mom and Dad out of that file and end this adventure!”

End Chapter!

Next: A look at the enemy...
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[Zodiac]