"It's not real?" Netto asked.
"That's what Obsidian said earlier," Enzan mused quietly.
"Nope, not real. Inside this stone that can't be penetrated by any X-ray, electromagnetic wave or any other surveillance equipment are two disks. These disks have information on every intelligence operation in every country in the world," he grinned. "I can sell this information to enemy countries and turn around and sell information to another country. Maybe I'll even be generous and sell the country its own information!" he laughed like it was a great joke.
"That would start a World War!" Enzan yelled.
The man shrugged, "So? I'll find a nice neutral country settle down, wait it out and spend all the money I make when it's over," he said.
"That's horrible," Laika hissed.
"So what? I don't care about the world; the world doesn't care about me. What on earth does it matter?"
"Millions of innocent lives," Netto said.
He looked at Netto, "Ah, how naive you are. Just like your father…" he said.
"Papa?" Netto asked. "How do you know…" Netto took another look at the man. He did look a little familiar.
"Which brings me to my next point," he said. "Hey Obsidian, done reprogramming yet?" he yelled.
"What?" Enzan asked.
"Oh, just a few re-writes. Nothing to be worried about," he smiled.
"What did you do…" Netto asked.
Before the man could say anything else, Obsidian came back into the room and she was followed by Blues, Searchman and Rockman. "She changed their programs," Enzan said.
/Rockman/ Netto called out but he received nothing but silence.
Obsidian smirked, "Oh that was entirely too easy. Navis are so easy to manipulate."
"What did you do?" Netto yelled.
"Just re-arranged a few things. Now they are entirely under my control " she said in an icy voice.
Netto narrowed his eyes but couldn't think of anything to say. Neither could Laika or Enzan.
The man walked over to Obsidian, "Good job," he said. Obsidian smiled at him sweetly then walked over to Nova. "Well?" he asked.
Obsidian yawned like it was all a huge bore. "Restrain them," she said in an almost bored voice.
Rockman was way too quick for Netto to follow and he felt his arms pinned behind his back and he didn't need to look around to know that the same thing happened to Enzan and Laika. Netto struggled but then he felt Rockman give his hand a squeeze, not unkind but more of a squeeze of assurance. Netto calmed down and hoped that Rockman was Rockman. /Will you answer/ he asked. There still was no reply so he figured he had to trust Rockman.
"You see?" the man asked. "Look how easy it is to manipulate a navi's programming. They're all slaves to it, as human like as we try to make them in the end we can just make them everything we want them to be."
"That's not true!" Netto yelled. "Navi's are sentient, and they feel just like any human."
"Well, if they're programmed to," he said. "Yes, yes they do feel. But there are humans that take away feelings or freedom. Why? Because they can. Because human like being in control and humans like knowing they hold the power over someone else. There is no such thing as a living net navi and there never will be. Why? Because humans are afraid and want the power for themselves."
Netto growled but he felt a small squeeze that made him calm down.
"Humans don't like the idea of navi's getting too smart or they'll rise up and take over? They're obviously more powerful then us and they can destroy the world if they want to," he said ignoring the increasing temper of the three boys. "Navi's have power, humans have more, that's the natural way of things," he said. "Which brings me to your and your older brother," he turned a hard gaze onto Netto and Rockman.
"What do you care?" he asked.
"I said I wanted you here for a reason. You know why? Revenge," he gave them a toothy grin. "You see, you two are that," he spat out the word 'that' like it was poison, "man's greatest work."
"Who are you talking about?" Laika asked.
"Yuuichiro Hikari of course, that damned man took everything from me. My glory, my funding, my sister…" he drifted off.
"Sister?" Enzan asked and gave Netto an incredulous look.
Something finally clicked on in Netto's head. "Uncle Jiro!" he gasped.
"Who?" Enzan and Laika asked together.
"He's mama's brother and Aunt Sakura's ex. They divorced about 5 months after Maki-chan was born, I was about 6 at the time," he said.
"How right you are," Jiro said. "You see, your mother and I went to one of the best technological colleges in Japan. I was one of the fastest rising scientists then your father came. Oh how perfect he was, he did everything right and showed me up every time we finished a project. Finally all the funding that went into my projects went into his and just as I hit rock bottom, he proposed to my sister. And you know what? She accepted! Ha! Just like that, and after that I left college. I do admit I hit a few rough spots but now I got it made! And no one can stop me anymore."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"M-maki-chan!" Dream yelled.
"What?" Maki asked. "What happened?"
"Ne-netto-chan and Rockman… they're in trouble…" she gasped out.
"What?" Haruka quickly ran over to where the small navi was about to collapse on the net floor from exhaustion. "What happened to Netto?" she asked.
"Papa said that you tried to experiment with human DNA and that's why you're funding was taken away…" Netto said who remembered being told this when he was younger.
"And your father is a hypocrite too," he smirked. "After his precious 'Saito' died he turned around and broke about every law of nature there was. Took DNA, made it into data and created a navi out of it. Amazing," he said shaking his head. Netto felt Rockman's grip tighten in what seemed like anger. "Then, after all that, when he was in danger of being taken away again, you actually re-synced your DNA!"
"I chose that on my own!" Netto yelled.
"A 12 year old boy decided something that would change his genetic structure forever…" Jiro laughed. "Do you have the slightest idea what you did?" he asked.
Netto paused and Nova and Obsidian smirked. "I don't care, as long as nii-san is alive," he said.
Jiro laughed. "Right, so you think you chose right?"
"I know I did!" Netto yelled.
"So stubborn, like my sister," he gave a soft smile as if remembering something nice. "Ah well," he said.
"Why are you so bent on revenge, it's not Netto's fault, I'm not even sure it's Hikari Hakase's fault," Laika said. "Why?"
"Because, that's why."
"You sound like your daughter," Enzan said.
He paused, then his eyes became cold and sharp. "Don't you ever mention my daughter like that again!" he yelled.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Mejin pulled up with WWW, Sakura, Maki and Haruka. Manabe and Kifune came behind in a second car. Manabe read something off of her handheld. "There is an underground dimensional area," she said. "About 10 feet down."
"Then let's destroy it," Mejin said. He pulled out a lap top and pulled up the dimensional area program on his computer.
Manabe nodded and three net officials plugged in their navi's.
"Find the source and destroy it!" Kifune said and the men started to scan the area with their PET's.
"I have found it sir," one man said after five minutes.
Mejin scanned the program for any viruses or traps. When it came up clear he gave Manabe an okay signal.
"Fire at will," she said.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Well kids," Jiro smiled. "It's been fun and I'm glad you were here to listen to my whole sob story but I think I'm going to move on now." Obsidian and Nova appeared in front of the threesome. Netto felt Rockman's grip increase but Netto could tell because he was nervous. He may not have been under the program control like Searchman and Blues but he could still be controlled, just as easily if not more so then Netto.
Before anything could happen though, the navis just disappeared. Or rather, they digitized and when Netto looked at his PET Rockman was there giving him a relieved smile.
Jiro looked horrified and looked around wildly only to find his perfect plan crumbling around him. Before anyone else could react he ran over to the crates grabbed the stone and ran to the elevator shoving Enzan out of the way with the huge rock. When the elevator opened though there was Manabe and three police officers waiting with her.
"Oh thank god," Netto said.
Enzan smiled weakly, "That was… interesting."
"I think what you are looking for is 'disturbing as hell,'" Netto said. "I can't believe that was Jiro…"
"Did you know him well?" Enzan asked as they went to the elevator where Mejin was waiting for them.
"No… not really," Netto replied. "Wait, what about Obsidian and Nova?"
"Don't worry," Mejin said as the doors opened again. "They were caught as they came back into the net."
Enzan, Netto and Laika all let out huge sighs of relief. "Wow… we really didn't save the day this time…" Netto said slowly.
Mejin laughed and clapped Netto on the shoulder. "Us adults have to do our job every once in awhile too you know."
Before Netto could answer he was trapped in a bear hug by his mother. "Oh my god, I was so worried when Dream came in and said…" she couldn't finish her sentence. Instead she hugged Netto even tighter and didn't let go.
"Jiro!" They all heard a voice snap and they turned to see Sakura looking at her ex husband with Maki clutching her mother's skirt.
"You just got lucky this time," he hissed at his wife.
"Daddy?" Maki asked and Jiro's gaze rested on her, softened and she gave his daughter a weak smile.
"Daddy's going away for awhile, honey," Sakura said while not taking her eyes off her husband.
"That's right sweetie, daddy won't see you for awhile," he said in a kind voice.
"Come on," Sakura said in a low voice and led Maki away before they could watch him be led into the police car. Maki was unusually quiet as they walked over to where Haruka was still holding Netto.
"Netto-chan?" Maki asked as Netto finally freed himself from his mom.
"Yes?" Netto said a little breathlessly.
Maki ran up and hugged him around his waist. Netto stood there, a little stunned then awkwardly patted her on the head. Then Sakura hugged her nephew. "I'm so sorry for what Jiro did," she said softly.
"It's all right," Netto tried to smile at her but he was stuck.
Enzan and Laika were about to walk away when Haruka placed her hands on their shoulders. "Are you boys okay?" she asked.
They looked at each other. "We're fine," they said.
Haruka smiled and did what everyone was expecting the least. She embraced Laika and Enzan in a tight hug. They were both so stunned neither one knew what to do. Haruka sighed, "You know, maybe you three should leave some stuff up to the adults every once in awhile."
"Mejin sent us!" Netto said in defense.
"Actually I didn't," Mejin said. "That was a trap."
"I was wondering why you didn't say, 'no need for the 'san''", Rockman mused.
"Well its over," Netto said huffily.
Haruka let out a breath and released Enzan and Laika who stood there looking a bit dazed. "Yes, it is," she said.
Mejin smiled, "Well, you three are off the hook for now. Enjoy your summer vacation, Netto."
"Yes sir!" Netto said happily. He was already planning on how late he would sleep in the next morning.
"Well, let's go home," Haruka said rubbing her head.
"Well then, I think I'll leave," Enzan said.
"No, actually, would you boys care to join us for dinner?" she asked.
Enzan and Laika looked at one another, "Sure?" he asked Laika.
Laika nodded, "Sounds good," he said.
Haruka smiled and started planning the dinner she was going to make in her head.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Back at Netto's house they were all sitting around the dinner table eating the large curry dinner Haruka had made. Sakura seemed to be having a hard time eating and Maki was quieter then usual but all in all it wasn't bad.
"I am sooooo glad that's over with," Netto sighed.
"Are you all right, Netto-san?" Blues asked.
Netto made a face, "I'm fine," he said.
Enzan and Laika looked at him but decided they would wait until later to ask him what was wrong.
The food was hot and delicious but the meal was spent mostly in silence. When it was done they went into the living room and, Netto, Enzan and Laika went to Netto's bedroom not long after that.
Enzan shut the door and Netto flopped on his bed. "You okay?" Rockman asked.
Netto stuck his tongue out and made a face. "I don't know," he sighed.
"What's wrong?" Enzan asked.
"Well, remember when Nova and Obsidian implied that I wasn't completely human?" Netto asked carefully.
"Yes," Laika and Enzan said slowly.
"Do you think that's true?" Netto asked.
Enzan and Laika exchanged glances. They both had no idea how to answer that.
Rockman sighed, "Netto-kun, you know how I have more powerful emotions and my programs are more complicated then other navi's?"
"Yes," Netto answered.
"Maybe," Rockman paused thinking of what to say. "Maybe it's a two way thing. Maybe you have some… other abilities because of the Saito.bat files. Least of which is being able to synch with my thoughts and apparently be controlled if we're hacked into."
"So, the answer is yes?" Netto asked.
Rockman looked up at nothing. "I… guess…"
"Maybe you should ask your father," Enzan said.
"Nah," Netto said picking himself up. "I think Rockman and I can figure this out on our own."
"Are you two going to be okay?" Laika asked.
Netto smiled and winked, "Of course!" he said in a bright voice.
Laika and Enzan gave him small smiles and they went down stairs. Maki was asleep in her mother's lap and Sakura was stroking her hair. "Oh, this is all so… difficult," she said. "I just don't know how to handle it."
Haruka smiled and patted her hand. "It's all right. Everything will be fine," she smiled.
"I…don't know what to do anymore…" Sakura said.
"You know what," Haruka said. "Maybe you should stay a little longer."
Netto froze in mid step on the way downstairs.
"Oh, Haruka, I… I couldn't."
"Sakura, you are in no condition to raise a child and you need time to overcome this…" she paused. "Shock."
"But…" Sakura protested.
"Please, I insist."
"But Maki will start school soon," Sakura said.
"You live only fifteen miles away from here. The only reason you don't visit is because you are so tired. You need to rest," Haruka gave her a warm smile.
Sakura smiled shakily back.
/Oh no/ Netto said.
/What's wrong/ Rockman asked.
/If Maki-chan stays…/ Netto let his mental voice trail off.
"Well, if you think it won't be too much trouble," Sakura smiled.
"Of course it won't!" Haruka said.
Maki moved a tiny bit and a smile creeped over her lips.
"I… need to think about it, but…" Sakura trailed off.
"You're welcome to stay at any time," Haruka said.
Enzan and Laika looked at Netto who was resisting the urge to hit his head against something. Not that he didn't love Maki-chan but…
And Maki was pretending to be asleep in her mother's lap listening to everything that was going on above her.
"Mama, we're going outside for a little bit," Netto said quickly.
"All right," Haruka said. "Be back before dark."
Netto, Enzan and Laika went outside and crossed the street into the park. "Oh man," Netto said. "Maki-chan during the school year?"
"Don't worry, after today it should be a piece of cake," Rockman said.
"Rockman…" Netto said. "I don't think taking care of Maki-chan is a piece of cake."
"Well, we'll be there to help," Enzan said.
Netto looked and Enzan and Laika. "You will?" he asked.
Laika cleared his throat, "What else are friends for," he said with the faintest hint of a blush.
Netto gave them a big grin. "Thanks," he said with relief.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
Back inside Haruka and Sakura were planning on how to get Maki to and from school while Maki started to drift off back to sleep. She held her new PET tightly in her hands and started to dream about being a super hero, just like Netto-chan.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
That's it people. The end, fini, owari. Now before you all bombard me with PM's and reviews lets spell out a few things,
YES, there will be a sequel. NO, it won't be soon. Coming up with good plots is hard and I need a break. I'll give you nice cuddly one shots to tide you over so don't worry. I have one planned right now. So, I know this isn't the review crazy fic like some of my others are but it gets a lot of hits so, tell me, good, bad? Horrible, or suggestions, questions, anything from you guys? Feel free to ask :3