Unholy alliance - Chapter 5

Unholy alliance - Chapter 5

Nebulon, still licking his wounds, watched Bass create a digital gadget and start welding it onto some kind of large piece of machinery, which was hidden under a black sheet.. Quite a surprising sight, to say the least.
“You are a weird navi.”
The ultimate turned and lifted the blue, digital goggles he was wearing.
“Why do you say that?”
“First you're all about destruction... and then you start creating things?”
“Hey, I got the inspiration from you. And I never knew it could be so much fun. Anyway, tell me more about the battle.”
“What can I say? He gained attributes of some predator. Tail, claws, spikes on his head. And he was green. He struck with incredible speed and ferocity. I just couldn't keep up with him.”
Bass had a grin on his face as he continued welding.
“Well, well, well. It seems the Cybeasts have returned.”
“The Cybeasts?! But I thought those were destroyed!”
“I thought so, as well. But I assure you, I know them. And not just because I have some of their abilities.”
“So, we're up against some powerful forces, eh?”
“You could say that. However, this little thing I'm building could provide us with a means to make the sides more balanced.”
“How? Say, what are you building, anyway? And why don't you just make it appear? We are in the digital realm, after all. Would save some time.”
“This is more fun. Also, I had to test that army yours somehow. They're good at making stuff.” and with a last welded plate, he lifted the goggles again, “there, finished.”
“WHAT is fini...?!” Bass incinerated the black sheet with a blast of flame, revealing the machine beneath, “oh, wonderful!”

******

Somewhere within SciLab's inner Net, more precisely, what was left of it, Megaman floated within a rejuvenating tube, which also doubled as an advanced scanner, Roll and the others around him, just sitting there. Well, two heads kept flying above them, trying to bite each other.
And three figures watched them from the real world, via a monitor. An operator and two scientists. Lan had his bandana and almost trademark orange vest, while the other two were stereotypically wearing white labcoats. One of them wore glasses and had short brown hair. Doctor Hikari and his son could be identified by mere sight, no need for DNA tests or whatnot.
The other scientist, who was also an ex-madman and ex-world conqueror, was doctor Albert Wily, who had taken a break from his, self-proclaimed, 'revolutionary secret project' to check up on an ex-enemy.
“So, you're saying Dark Megaman has used the program from our server to edit his very base coding and alter his appearance and has also formed an alliance with the single most dangerous navi on the Net?”
“Indeed, Albert. Lan and his friends can confirm this, along with several Officials, including Chaud.”
The doctor scratched the bald parts of his head.
“And... these two then showed up again?”
All three looked at the screen. The falcon and wolf kept flying in every direction, shouting insults and general threats at each other.
“Indeed. And it seems they still don't get along.”
“Well, the hostility was part of Falzar's base programming and Gregar is, well, Gregar. No real surprise in that field.”

“Get back here, turkey!”
“Why should I listen to a stupid pup?”
Below the two great foes, several navis were losing patience.
“Head hurts from them, guts.”
“I concur, they are quite annoying and loud.”
At that moment, Roll got up and shouted:
“Knock it off, you idiots! You're the reason Mega's like this!”
The two stopped and looked at her. The wolf spoke:
“Not our fault he grew outta' shape.”
“At least do something useful! Like tell us how come you still exist!”
“Sorry, missy, but, as we mentioned before, that is a trade secret. So... no.”
“You can be such an arsehole.”
“Oh, yeah, feather brain?”
“Yeah!”
And the chasing resumed. This time, not even Roll's shouts could stop it.

The two scientists spoke, but Lan did not listen. His eyes were locked on the part of the screen showing data about his best friend. All readings were nominal, with a twenty minute timer in the corner. That was the expected time until the navi would be operational again. Which still seemed like an eternity.

But then, an alarm sounded. And with it, came flashing red lights. The screens of three operators appeared close to their respective navis.
“What's going on?!” they shouted like one.
Both scientists took out their PETs and gazed at the screens. Wily spoke:
“A virus signal! But this one's massive! I can't imagine how many viruses it must be! They're heading for Net-HUB! The defences are still weakened from last time! The defending navis won't hold for long against such a force.”
“Indeed. Listen, you three go and give some support! Once Megaman wakes up, he'll join the fight! I'll send messages to any Official not present in the area already! Go!”
Before the two male navis could react, Roll shouted:
“Okay, we'll do it! You two keep an eye on Mega!”
“You can count on me and feather brain, ma'am!”
And with that, the three navis ran to the exit ports, while two heads started floating around Megaman in circles.

******

A group of guard navis was already set up at the very edge of one of the HUB's entry ports, ready to slow down the virus assault. They were all green, with shields for their left arms and cannons for the right ones. All green, save for their blue leader.
“Okay, boys. Remember. As soon as you spot the first, don't stop shooting!”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
They stood there in their wall formation, awaiting an endless onslaught of small viruses. But then, the ground beneath them trembled. And again. And again. And then, a shape came into sight on the horizon. It grew larger and larger and soon, it seemed like a green behemoth of death.
The comander's communication module beeped and he answered:
“Yes?”
“This is Roll.EXE! We have arrived from SciLab to help against the virus army. What's the situation?”
“There is no army... there's just one.”
A red ray shot from the thing's only eye and obliterated the group, ending the transmission. At the other side of the entrance, Roll and many other different navis around her listened to the terrifying silence. Not a scream, but endless static.
“Hello? Anyone? Answer me!”
But there was no answer, only static. But another of the guards soon spoke:
“Something is using the entry module! It'll be here in a few seconds. Battle positions, everyone!”
Every single navi readied their most powerful chips. But none of them could expect what was to come. For through the entry port, came a monstrosity.

Its data slowly started forming from the ground, beginning with metallic, clawed feet, which had the size of battle tanks. Its full body rose to the height of fifty yards, towering above some of the surrounding buildings. Its armour dark green and seemingly impenetrable. The massive fists on its arms concealed countless types of weaponry. In its helmet-like head, a single, red eye shone.

The navis below stared in awe, their operators as well. The monster then raised its arms and two massive gattling cannons appeared. They started rotating and panic spread. A single guard shouted:
“Scaaateeeeeerrrr!!!”
Roll and Glyde almost immediately caught Gutsman and flew. Those that did not leave in time, however, were destroyed by a barrage of navi-sized, explosive bullets. Along with the streets and buildings too close for comfort. Its arms then lowered and it continued with its slow, unstoppable walk, making the ground shake at the same time.

But one navi was determined to do his best. From the roof of one of the skyscrapers, a red, sword-wielding hero jumped and landed right on the thing's shoulder with a loud metallic clang. Protoman's blue visor watched the thing's head and he charged. But his attack was cut short by bolt of electric energy, which sent him crashing to the ground. He looked up to see the mechanical beast's armour glowing in a golden hue.
“An... aura?!”
One of its feet rose and hovered above him. But he could not move, the two fall had damaged too much. Before the foot could crush the red swordsman, a yellow and black navi swooped in and flew him to safety.
“You really should be more careful.”
Proto looked right into Glyde's eyes.
“Yeah... if only to avoid awkwards moments like this one.”

******

Two conquerors watched the situation via the machine's camera, enjoying the destruction.
“Oh, that was so close!”
“Indeed, Bass. Now, will you tell me what that thing is?”
The Ultimate's eyes flashed
“Let's just say... I edited the Life Virus data I still had in my system.”
“More like threw it in a blender of awesome and then remade it.”
“That is quite possible. Now, we just need our blue friend to enter the area. Then, the true mission shall begin.”
“Indeed.
And they watched on, laughing at the pitiful efforts to stop the colossus.

******

Back at SciLab, the three were just staring at the thing.
“What is it, dad?”
“Well, our initial scans, along with the aura we see, indicate this is an upgraded version of the original Life Virus.”
“Indeed. Heavily modified and much more powerful. I have to say, our two enemies have outdone themselves.”
Lan looked back at Megaman's readings. Still five minutes.
“Come on, Megaman. They need ya.”

Inside the digital realm, the two cybeasts seemed to be resting. Still hurling obscenities at each other.
“Good for nothing pup.”
“Featherless reject!”
But the one in the tube suddenly whispered:
“Knock it off, you two.”
“Wha? Boss is up!”
“At least you're good for hearing stuff with those oversized, pointy ears.”

“He's back online!”
“Four minutes early, too.”
“He always did have habit for surprising others, eh, Albert?”
“Indeed.”
Lan took out his PET and spoke:
“Megaman, ready to go?”
“Why? What's wrong?”
“The HUB is under attack again! Some kind of massive upgraded Life Virus is destroying everything. Roll and the others are already there!”
“On it!”
The tube burst and the blue bomber ran towards the closest port, after adjusting his helmet, two heads floating behind him.

******

He could see it from afar. The humongous virus towered above any defender and brought annihilation with its countless weapons. The navis didn't stand a chance. One by one, they were mercilessly deleted by exploding rounds, lasers or the aura.
But Bass and Nebulon wouldn't win today. Not if he had anything to say about it.

“Gregar, come on!”
The heads responded in their way:
“Awooooooo!”
“Aaaah, no fair!”
The wolf united with the blue navi and the beast was ready to strike. Surprisingly, Falzar seemed to have vanished, as well. Megaman ran towards the massive construct with frightening speed.

And his approach did not go unnoticed, for the machine sent a message back to its masters. A deep, computerized voice sounded in their command centre:
“Primary target spotted. Beginning data acquisition.”
“Excellent, my warrior! Remember, it's all about endurance now. Unleash your might only once you gather enough info on one form.”
“Understood.”

Hatches on its shoulders opened, releasing uncountable small laser beams at the assailant. Mega strafed from left to right, ran up buildings' walls and jumped in every direction, earning the gazes of many astonished navis. He then ran straight up the side of one such wall, while the virus sent volleys of missiles after him.
“Data acquisition, twenty percent.”
“Excellent!”
The beast jumped from the wall and, with an orb of energy in his hand, dived straight at the machine. Its aura dissipated and he, like Protoman, approached the head. Metallic tentacles suddenly shot from beneath his feet and caught him.
“Data acquisition, fifty percent.”
Even the navi's operator could hear that.
“Data acquisition? What's it talking about?!”
Before the beast-merged Mega could even think of an answer, an armoured fist grabbed him and held him tightly in front of the eye. The aura materialised again and he felt electric energy course through his whole body.

“Look at him scream!”
“Indeed, Bass. Quite a sight, heheheh.”
“Data acquisition, eighty percent.”

It looked bad for our hero. Good thing, that in this reality, heroes always had others helping.
“Barrier! Download!”
A green field appeared around him for a split second and then collided with the primary aura. The two shields turned against each other and overloaded.

“That was unexpected. I've never experienced an aura getting hit by things other than projectiles and blades. I guess I never really held someone while being encased in the aura...”
“Data acquisition complete.”
“That's better news! Now, make him change form!”

“Quick, before it comes back! GoldFist!”
The chip, with the beast's strength, was enough to free Mega from the metallic grasp. He ran along its arm and then jumped, ready to punch it directly in the eye. But the red ray shot again, sending the merged one falling to the hard digital floor many feet below. A few missiles greeted him even down there.

“Mega!” screamed a pink navi from the crowd.
Smoke rose around the area of impact, and there was silence.
“Searching for target.”
Suddenly, a pillar of red light shot into the sky, a similarly red entity with it. Mega spread his wings, his gem-like knee-pads shining, along with his claws.
“Alright! Megaman, show him what ya got!”
A loud screech filled the skies and he swooped in for the kill, his buster firing explosive feathers in volleys of three. Before the first ones could touch, the aura was back again.
“Data acquisition, thirty percent.”
Lan knew this would not be that easy.
“Megaman, keep it busy!” a growl was his answer. The operator then contacted another, “Chaud!”
“Here. What is it?”
“Megaman can damage the thing, but he needs time to charge an attack and he needs to get that aura down.”
“Roger that. Leave it to us. You heard him, Protoman.”

“Indeed.” the red swordsman looked at Roll, Gutsman and Glyde, “ Megaman needs a distraction. We're gonna' provide it.”
“Okay!”
“Guts!”
“Understood.”
“Okay, listen up...”

High above them, the beast-navi flew around his foe at incredible speeds, making targeting nigh impossible.
“Data acquisition error. Target's agility preventing efficient scanning.”
“Just do it, you lummox!”
“Affirmative. Data acquisition, sixty percent.”
Small antennae suddenly appeared all around its body and started shooting bolts of lightning. Even with his speed, they were hard to dodge. Then, an arrow destroyed one of the antennas and a large, orange navi started punching the giant's foot. The thing's gaze moved downwards and its foot went upwards, ready to crush the fool.
“Glyde, now! Guts!”
“On it! AquaTower!”
The pillar of water rose from the ground and kept the huge foot in the air, making it impossible for the colossus to move.
“Movement prohibited.”

“How dare they do that to my perfect machine?!”
“Calm down, they can't actually damage him! Right?”

On the ground close to the large thing, Protoman was getting ready to deal one of the decidive blows. Chaud was, as well.
“Okay, Protoman! Sword, WideSword, LongSword! LifeSword program advance!”
“The thing won't know what hit it.”
The green light again appeared in his hand and he slashed. The arc of energy impacted its chest and negated the aura.
“Beings' efforts are futile. Unit is unstoppable. Resuming tracking of target.”
As its view turned higher, it could see Megaman, glowing in a green hue. And both conquerors knew it was not good.
“Megaman! Now!”
“High power levels increasing speed of data acquisition. Eighty percent.” the beast blasted off like a missile and headed straight for the head, “ninety percent.” it tried to stop him with its hands, to no avail. And just before he crashed straight through its head, “data acquisition... complete.”

And the machine filled the area with bright light upon its destruction. Navis rejoiced, when they saw the blue hero and a pair of floating heads come from the rubble. Roll threw herself around his neck, squeezing the living daylights out of him.


Little did they know, that that day was not a victory for them... but for the conquerors, who were grinning within their base.
“My construct fulfilled its purpose, it seems.”
“Indeed, Bass. And soon, the Net shall tremble before our ultimate wrath. But first, we need to gather some essential resources. Heheheheh.”