Summary: In the history books, the age of the Navis said to have almost brought destruction to the world. Hence, the world demanded the deletion of every navi. Some ran to hide from their demise and the world forgot about them overtime. That part of history has been long buried under the advances of the EM Waves. Of course, nobody cared about the past until history repeats itself in the future. RnR/EXE

Repetition

Together forever, right?

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Eventually, everybody dies. There is no 'why' or 'how,' it's just how humans are. Net Navis understand that but that doesn't mean they like it.

"Netto…" Rockman – no, Saito - muttered as he called out his brother. He held onto his brother's hand tightly, tears threatening to fall down on his face despite of his efforts to hide it. Netto is no different than the others as the passage of time wore down his body. The once youthful appearance was replaced with wrinkles and crinkles, innocent curiosity was replaced with an air of maturity, and the shadow of death approaching the man. How long has it been since their first meeting as navi and operator? Sixty? Seventy? It's been oh so long for the both of them. Tired brown eyes look back at the youthful green eyes with a hurricane of emotions –sadness, guilt with a possible mix of happiness and pride?-.

"Nii-san…" The old man murmured. Netto gripped back Saito's hand tighter to reassure his brother he's fine –and failed, seeing his older brother can be a psycho mother hen, no amount of comfort will get through Saito-.

It's been so many years ago when Papa and Netto built a fake body for Rockman. It was a bit different from a Copyroid – Papa managed to add a program to allow Saito to choose between looking like a navi or human in the real world – but still similar nonetheless. It was weird at first; Saito was exactly a mirror image of his twelve year-old brother, but his raven black hair and emerald eyes remained the same. That didn't stop the navi twin from being happy. To be in the same world has always been a dream for Saito and Netto, it was after the Cybeasts incident when that dream finally came true.

The only problem was that the aging program didn't seem to be compatible with the navi, so Saito remained looking like a twelve year-old while Netto grew up –hugs got weird after a while, especially that one time when somebody called the police-. Saito dropped the '-kun' suffix a long time ago while Netto picked up 'nii-san' after that. It was a silent agreement between the two brothers, and despite of the obvious age appearance.

Peace lasted for a long time, Saito and Netto cherish their time together, and Saito got to see his brother grow up from outside the PET. No longer will they be separated by both worlds with only a window to look through. No longer will the small contraption separate them ever again. Netto got married, had a family, and became the next major scientist just like Papa. Only a few knew about Saito/Rockman's journey to the outside world, and only those few Netto could trust in keeping that secret to their grave. Time passed as they enjoyed the peace...but, life is cruel and fate decided to toss a new challenge into their life.

It was a huge event. The news talked about it for years. There was an incident sometime around 206X revolving around the loss of seventy-five percent of the world's data was deleted. Economy failed, businesses were lost, and the world was thrown in a massive panic and confusion for a very long time. Viruses were naturally blamed, and later on, navis were blamed for the fault. Add in all the years of terrorists attacks by both navis- curse you, Darkloids and every other evil navis that was ever created- and viruses, the type of incidents that could have happened should those attacks have succeeded, and you have all of humanity demanding for blood –data, technically-. Rockman was no different, they demanded for his deletion as well –he is powerful and always adapting to his environment, therefore, he is dangerous-. Netto tried –tried very, very hard with everybody that believed in what he believed- to convince he world what they're doing is wrong…but to no effect. Saito couldn't escape to the human world, then the whole world will discover Papa's invention and navis will fight over the invention to escape the cruel net. Without a fight, Saito surrendered as Rockman and waited for his deletion. That was, until Netto went as far as busting him out of his cyber prison -along with every other navi he possibly can- and dragged his brother out of the net. Literally.

"I'm sorry, Nii-san," Netto apologized. "I don't have that much time left." Saito shook his head; tears were ready to fall down the boy's face. No…he can't in front of Netto, he doesn't want the tears to be the last thing Netto sees before leaving this world –and his older brother – behind. "But please understand…"

Understand why your little brother broke the DNA bond you two had just so you can live, Saito. Going so far as to reformat your program to be independent navi just so you can survive. He loves you so much.

No, Saito never understood Netto. He was furious –as furious as he could be. He could never stay mad at Netto for too long, it wasn't in him to do so, even after all these years- and hurt. Hurt because he can't feel the presence of his brother in his head anymore. He doesn't feel complete anymore. It's not the same and Saito figured it was time and age that changed his brother, while he remained the same. Saito was so stupid to realize it.

"I want to save you." Netto said.

"I know, Netto," Saito shook his head. "You don't have to apologize." A part of Saito wanted to shake Netto by the collar and screamed 'I don't understand why the hell are you're doing this to me!? To us!' Netto only smiled sadly back.

"You're a bad liar, nii-san," Netto pointed out.

"I'm not," Saito replied.

"You're lying right now, Nii-san," Netto said with a teasing voice. "You don't have to act tough, you know."

"You don't have to apologize still," Saito informed. Netto grinned in response.

"Heh, don't ever change, for me?" Netto asked.

In translation, Saito knew Netto is asking him not to blame humanity: The mass deletion –genocide- of navis, locking his friends and family up like criminals, and having Netto and his friends to bail them out. Only two other navis other than him made it out alive –of the cyber prison where many waited dreadfully for deletion row-. The police caught Netto and his friends and placed all of them under surveillance watch for their crazy stunt while Saito, Blues and Searchman escaped through the net and into the real world with Netto's Copyroids as their median –they were also given a program to blend with the humans similar to the one Saito received years ago-. The authorities was furious and found it was useless to look for the escapees now they are among them.

"…I won't," Saito said. "Promise." He sealed his fate with those words, those words left his mouth, he closed his eyes and leaned down next to Netto to hear his brother's heart –it was beating slower than the last he heard it…somewhere near the fifties now. It's so slow; Netto is almost out of time. He'll go to sleep soon…and he'll never wake up again-.

"Rockman," said a familiar voice. Saito turned to see Blues in his Copyroid body, –Netto built those extra bodies, he was bored and he had the whole week to himself one time. How he managed to make six bodies in such a short time and by himself with just his hands was a mystery to Saito- standing behind the door frame. Searchman stood near the edge of the window, looking out for any unwanted guests.

Out of everybody else, the three of them are the only ones left –though, Forte was questionable-. Nobody else made it out alive -And Saito remembered the terrified screams of his friends, he couldn't save them, it was already too late. He's the one to blame-.

"I know," Saito whispered. Saying goodbye was the worst thing that he could do. The world is after their existence. They knew the danger of seeing their former operators one last time, Netto and the others are in so much trouble already, and authorities are keeping a close watch on them.

"You have to go, Nii-san," Netto said.

"But you'll be alone…" Saito said. Meiru-chan died long ago and Raito wasn't allowed to see his father, by the order of the authorities, only because they believe the boy would give the father something that would aid Netto in helping Rockman again –if only they knew-. The world is too cruel. Netto merely smiles and offers it as comfort for his brother.

"I know, Saito Nii-san," Netto paused. "I wish I could see the future with you." Despite of his crinkly features, Netto managed to look innocent, and it made Saito remember the past –before that goddamn incident- and the emotions attached to those memories. "Will you see the future for the both of us?"

"…I will, Netto," Saito promised, his voice was barely a whisper. He could never say no to Netto too, even after all these decades; he couldn't muster the strength to say that one stupid word –save for homework and paperwork-. The raven-haired boy could feel his cheeks wet. He couldn't hold it back anymore. With one hand, Netto wiped those tears away from Saito's face.

"Crying? You're such a baby," Netto teased. A simple joke that reminded Saito so easily of the past and immediately, the tears fell faster.

"I'm not a baby," Saito said, wiping those tears away with his own sleeves.

"Rockman," Blues called again.

It was time to go. A police squad will be coming in to check up on Netto's room soon. If they don't hurry, they'll be caught.

"Goodbye, Saito nii-san…Rock," Netto said. Tears were falling down the old man's face, his little brother's emotion has finally surfaced. "Please…please, be safe."

"I will," Saito paused. "Goodbye, Netto." With that, Saito left with Blues and Searchman. Out of the house and into the darkness of the night, they ran and never once looked back –Saito was afraid he'll turn back if he looked. A promise is a promise, he'll keep on running-.

Had the twin's bond remained, Saito would have heard Netto's last thought.

'Goodbye, Nii-san.'

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Author's Ramblings: This is my first / Ryuusei no Rockman crossover and my first Rockman fic. I really shouldn't be doing this. I'm also doing a Naruto/BLEACH crossover, but I read one too many angst stories, played both RMEXE and RnR games on the DS and well…I felt like doing a crossover. Another reason why is because of the upcoming came, Operate Shooting Star! It's a likely crossover and a remake of the first Battle Network game. Looking at the trailer now…I swear, if Capcom used the same VAs in BN5 remake, I swear, I might just actually throw my DSI across the room.

I really hope my readers waiting for my other crossover doesn't find out about this fic. . Give me your thoughts about this and leave a review? I would like your opinion about this. I will have a mix of the anime, game and manga elements in it, so don't complain!