[bamthedoc]

Act II
Search for Clues

After getting the ominous message from Chaud and Blues, Netto and Rockman head straight to every Message Board they can think of. They both want to find out what Red X is and who, exactly, is after them. Mairu, Deako, and Yai decide to help him, too.

Netto: There isn't anything here, Rockman...
Rockman: You don't need to worry too much, Netto. We'll find something. You have to remember; your friends are helping you, too.
Netto: We're done here, so let's join up with the others... Where'd Mairu send Roll, agian?
Rockman: *sighing* We went the furthest, remember?
Netto: Yes...
Rockman: Guts and Glide are in ACDC...
Netto: Oh yeah! Roll's in Den City! Want to head over there?
Rockman: Sure.

Rockman.EXE makes his way to the Undernet Square, housing the Message Boards he was investigating. He looks around as he exits the Square. Netto is busy looking over his Battlechips to ensure he's ready for any virus attacks, or Navi challenges. Rockman.EXE is careful of his surroundings, being deep in the heart of Net Crime. He stops when he hears something, and looks around to see a band of virii and a Navi at the center.

Rockman: Uh-oh... Netto! It looks like another Virus Navi may have found us...
???: You've noticed me, have you? I am MagmaCore.
Netto: You notice anything strange about him? He's a Fire/Wood type!
Rockman: What is is with these Red X guys and type mixtures?
MagmaCore: I suppose that interfering Chaud told you about us.
Rockman: I'm ready for you creeps!
MagmaCore: Oh? Are you? LavaCreeps! Attack!
Rockman: *seeing most of the virii approach* Lava...Creeps? Can't they be more original? Ready, Netto! Let's show them a thing or two!
Netto: With Fire being one of their types, I doubt the Wood part is weak to Fire. Let's use Aqua type Battlechips! Aqua Sword, Battlechip In! Download!

The Aqua Sword appears in Rockman.EXE's hand, and he stares down the approaching virii. A single sweep of the blade takes out the first line to approach. Rockman.EXE doesn't waste anytime as he attacks the oncoming army. Before long, all the Fire/Wood Type virii are deleted, and MagmaCore has sent the rest to die. Rockman.EXE dispatch them with ease. MagmaCore then approaches as if Rockman.EXE were nothing.

MagmaCore: You are strong. I'm glad the rumors are true.
Rockman: It's more than that!
Netto: Fire Sword and Elec Sword Battlechips, In! Download!
Rockman: Program Advance, Activate!
Netto and Rockman: Dream Sword 2, Activate!

MagmaCore takes a slight step back, as this version does much more damage. MagmaCore, however, calls his own PA in response -- Lava Sword. Rockman.EXE and MagmaCore charge eachother. It isn't long before MagmaCore shows to have the advantage. Rockman.EXE is forced to disperse his PA as he looks at MagmaCore, enraged.

Netto: Don't get mad, Rockman! I still have plenty of Aqua Chips.

Netto rumages through his Battlechips, soon coming to one he was looking for. The Navi Battlechip, Sharkman, brings a smile to Netto's face as he plugs it into his P.E.T. Sharkman.EXE, or his facimile, appears. MagmaCore tries to get away, but Sharkman is too quick and delivers massive damage to MagmaCore. MagmaCore's data begins to fluxuate and become corrupted as it disperses.

P.E.T.: MagmaCore Deleted!
Rockman: He was strong...
Netto: He wasn't strong enough!
Rockman: Yeah... I guess... I did manage to deal damage to him, and that Sharkman Battlechip finished him.

Rockman.EXE doesn't waste any more time. He makes haste to get out of the Undernet, but he doesn't realize he is being watched from the shadows. An Aqua/Wood type is standing where he can remain from view.

Nathanial X: Well, Submarinus. What do you think?
Submarinus: He is strong to defeat MagmaCore like that. Typhoon was a fool to not expect Blues. I will not fail like my brothers!
Nathanial X: Good! I did not add the Wood type to you three to have you defeated so easily!
Submarinus: I will ensure he does not find the entrance to the Red X homepage. He will not step foot anywhere near Project SIGMA.
Nathanial X: He better not. If we allow Rockman to see Project SIGMA, it may decide you are no longer worthy of its code. Project SIGMA may well delete you.
Submarinus: I deleted all the clues at the Undernet Message Boards. Did MagmaCore do his job? I know Typhoon removed the Den City clues.
Nathanial X: I don't have an answer for that. I have allowed the three of you to act independently up until now. I'm going to be watching you very closely.
Submarinus: I will not fail you.

~~Side Story Begin~~

Two female Navis are running from an attacking Virus Navi. They don't have the power to stand up to it, and they both look very basic. They are obviously Customized, but they don't look like they have the Customization to actually fight against another Navi, let alone a Virus Navi.

???: Tsuka! What should we do?
Tsuka: I don't know, sis... We have to get our Navis out of there!
???: I'm scared, big sister!
Tsuka: Huh?! Oh-no! They're cornered!
???: Why can't they Jack-Out?!

The two female Navis look to have taken quite a beating, and the unnamed Virus Navi is standing before them, aiming a Buster at the two of them. He prepares to fire, but the younger looking of the two Navis jumps up in front of him.

Younger Navi: Run, Tsuka`basic! Run!
Tsuka`basic: I just can't leave you here!
Younger Navi: Tsuka! Jack your Navi out now!
???: No! You don't have to do this!
Younger Navi: Yes I do... You can make another me. Tsuka`basic has data on this thing.

The younger Navi begins to transfer some of her energy to Tsuka's P.E.T. and Tsuka`basic. Tsuka takes her cord out of the jack-port as the Virus Navi fires off a fully charged Buster Blast at the already critically damaged Navi.

P.E.T.: Tsuka`basic, Logging Out.

There wasn't even enough time for the P.E.T. to announce the younger Navi's deletion. Tsuka's little sister was crying as Tsuka, herself, picked her up and ran as far away as possible. She ran straight home, hoping the owner to that menacing Virus Navi was nowhere near and hadn't seen them. She runs, and she runs. She does not want to risk losing Tsuka`basic, nor was she willing to let such an evil man find them.

Little did they know that the mysterious Virus Navi was rogue, and it had been infected with the Zero Virus -- among others that they hadn't heard of, yet. Project SIGMA has morphed the, once, peaceful Custom Navi into the ferocious Virus Navi they saw. This Navi was also one Tsuka would see again, but only after some very important events.

~~Side Story Over~~

Rockman.EXE finally made it to Roll in Den City. She informed him that she had had no luck as Rockman.EXE reveals the same. Both sigh as Glide and Gutsman come into view. They look confident, and positively estatic.

Gutsman: We found something!
Rockman: That's the first good news I've heard all day!
Roll: You mean defeating MagmaCore wasn't enough?
Glide: Excuse me?
Rockman: I promise I'll explain. Now! What did you find?
Yai: So rude! Oh well... It appears that somebody saw some wierd Navis coming from an "invisible door" near the Undernet.
Netto: "invisible door"?
Mairu: What is that supposed to mean?
Blues: It means your off this case! I thought Chaud told you to stay out.
Rockman: What are you talking about? They are targetting Netto, his friends, their Navis, and me!
Dekao: We can't just sit back and do nothing!
Chaud: Bah! Let the children play. They did get us some useful information.
Netto: Wait...

It was too late as Blues Jacked-Out. Netto looked at his P.E.T. screen, quite angry. He can't believe how Chaud is acting, and after he and Rockman.EXE shut down the WWW and saved Blues!

Netto: We've got to work harder now!
Rockman: You've got it!
Mairu: Roll! We're about to have another adventure!
Roll: I'm ready.
Dekao: Gutsman and I are ready, too!
Gutsman: Guts!
Yai: I'll help!
Glide: I'm sorry, miss, but I must think of your safety.
Yai: I don't go with them! I just want to help!
Netto: It's settled! Glide, you can work with Yai to compile and sort through data we gather.

To Be Continued...