Chapter Text
“Let’s see…orange jumpdrive…orange jumpdrive…Aha! Here it is!” Haruka chimed as she pulled it out of the drawer and handed it to Lan. “There’s a document that your father has in there but he forgot it.”
“Dad can be such a scatterbrain sometimes.” Lan sighed as he tossed in the air and caught it.
“I know the sun is beginning to set but would it be too much to send Mega Man to run it to him?”
“Not at all! You here, that, Hub?” Lan asked as he looked down at his PET.
“It’s not a hassle at all! Leave it to me, mom!” The small NetNavi said as he tapped on his NaviMark. In Lan’s room, Lan inserted the jumpdrive into his PC, which caused some files to surround Mega Man.
“Hmm, recipes…family pictures…” He hummed as he sifted through the files. “Ah! Here it is, dad’s file!” Mega Man chirped as he pulled the file and condensed into his arm via small, blues particles. “This shouldn’t take too long!”
“Too long?” Lan hummed with his eyebrows raised.
“Hey, I can relax too, you know! Since you’re on summer vacation, that goes double for me!” Mega Man huffed.
“So, that means you can’t give me grief when I stay up late, right?” Lan said with pleading eyes which caused Mega Man to turn his nose up.
“Not too late that you sleep your vacation away or the few assignments escape your mind!” Mega Man scolded him.
“I got it, I got it! I won’t falter!” Lan laughed nervously. “Now, go on! And say, ‘Hi’ to dad for us!”
“Don’t shoo me away, Lan Hikari!” The blue bomber said with his cheeks puffed as he disappeared from the computer screen. Mega Man appeared in his homepage as and went to the link panel that had SciLabs’ logo on it. “All right, express route to dad’s work!”
“Metto! Metto!” A voice cried happily. Mega Man turned to see one his tamed viruses, a blue-helmented Mettaur, hopping towards him.
“Hey, little guy! Wanna join me in running errands?” The Blue Bomber asked as he crouched and rubbed the small virus’ head. The Mettaur purred and trilled before hopping on Mega Man’s shoulder. “I’ll take that as a yes! Let’s go!” He exclaimed before stepping on the link panel and disappearing from his homepage. Instantaneously, Mega Man arrived at SciLabs' PC. The small NetNavi were greeted with sight of many Mr. Progs and NetNavis going to different areas of the facility or chatting with their colleagues. “I keep forgetting how busy dad’s work can be. It’s like a mini city. Let’s head to his PC, little one!”
“Metto!” The Mettaur replied happily. Mega Man went to one of the homepage's links which brought him to another section of SciLabs. As he finally arrived at his father’s PC, the Mr. Progs looked up and their eyes lit up as they swarmed the Blue Bomber.
“Mega, Mega!” One chimed as they hopped up and down.
“Nice to see you again, Mega! Are you staying for a while?!” Another asked.
“Catch me!” Another Mr. Prog said as he landed in the Blue Bomber’s arms, which caused him to land on his behind and laugh at their excitement.
“It’s nice to see you guys too! Is Dr. Hikari in?” He asked as he rubbed Mr. Prog’s head.
“Hmmm, unfortunately not. He stepped out not too long ago.” Mr. Prog answered.
“I see. Well, I have a file for him that he forgot at our house and I’m delivering it for him. Can you make sure he gets it?” Mega Man asked as he made the file appear. Mr. Prog clapped his antenna before grabbing the file from the small NetNavi.
“We’ll make sure it’s delivered safe and sound!” Mr. Prog chirped happily. Mega Man patted their head with a soft smile.
“Thank you! We’ll take our leave—”
“Nooo! Please don’t go!” Mr. Prog said as they swarmed the Blue Bomber again. “Stay for an hour or two? Please?!” Mega Man looked at the Mettaur on his shoulder before laughing nervously as the small virus sighed with a sweat drop.
“I have to go home but…I’ll visit soon! I’m off for summer vacation!” Mega Man laughed softly.
“You promise?” One Mr. Prog asked excitedly.
“If you lie, you’ll have to swallow 100 needles!” Another one huffed.
“I promise, I promise!” He said as he raised his hands in assurance. The Mr. Progs looked at each over before giggling and jumping up and down. A sigh of relief escaped from Mega Man as he waved at them as he left. “Bye, little guys! Be good and take care of my dad!”
“We will!” A few Mr. Progs chimed happily.
“Don’t forget to visit us soon!” Another one hummed. Minutes later, Mega Man was back on Lan's PC. He tapped his ear comm which caused him to turn into his domestic form, which was a plaid, blue poncho, over a white, fleece sweater, shorts, dark leggings, and blue boots with small green gems on the sides.
“How about a treat before heading back home? What Lan won’t know, won’t hurt him.” Hub smiled as he winked at the Mettaur.
“Metto!” The small virus replied as it crawled into the poncho’s hood and nestled in comfortably. Hub laughed softly as he gave a soft skip towards the access link that led to Net City. Within a few seconds, the small NetNavi was in the high-technical marvel, Net City. As the young Hikari NetNavi walked around the city, he looked up and saw the city’s skies change into the twilight colors of sunset from the real world’s forecast.
Slowly, the lights from buildings came on as well as the street lights. The scenery captured Hub’s green eyes and caused him to hum as he made his way to his destination. “I wonder what the flavors of the day they’ll be. Hopefully, it’ll be something with white chocolate.” The NetNavi hummed with a swooning expression on his face. The Mettaur tilted their head before giggling at Hub.
“Hey, don’t tease me, little guy or won’t get—OOF!” The small NetNavi bumped into someone and stopped in his tracks. Hub groaned as he rubbed his face to relieve it. “I-I’m sorry! I didn’t see where I was going!” Suddenly, he heard a garbled and glitchy barking as a response. He looked down to see a Multibug organism that took the form of a small wolf pup. Hub blinked as he crouched down and softly tapped the wolf bug on his nose, which an energetic bark escaped as its response.
“Gospel? What are you doing—?”
“Hmph, nice seeing you too, little mouse. Learn to say, ‘Excuse me’ next time.” A gruff voice said which caused Hub to tense up. He looked up to see a light blonde boy with purple streaks, dressed in deep purple jacket and jeans, with lighter purple accents on his pants, hoodie strings, and sleeve.
“Bass, you’re here, too?!” Hub said in shock.
“Why not? I’m allowed to freely traverse anywhere like any other being in the CyberWorld.” Bass responded as he crossed his arms.
“Sorry, it’s just Net City is the last place I expected to see you and Gospel.” Hub hummed as he fed Gospel a BugFrag. The small Multibug ate the piece of junk data as his tail swayed, happily.
“Well, no one approaches or bothers me. And I find quiet places for me and Gospel escape to. So, for a noisy metropolis…it’s not too bad.” The Dark Shadow explained to his small rival. “But what about you, little mouse? It’s a rare sight to see you without your human connected to your hip.” An insulted expression came across Hub’s face as he turned his nose up from him. “What? You know it’s true?” The Dark Shadow huffed softly.
“If you want to know…” Hub huffed in a crossed tone. “I’m finished running an errand and spoiling myself.”
“Isn’t that always?” Bass asked as he tilted his head.
“Details, details! It’s summer vacation so it’s warranted!”
“Uh-huh…” Bass hummed with an unamused expression. “For a NetNavi, your sense of logic makes no sense. But who am I to judge?”
“Exactly!” Hub hissed.
“Metto!” The Mettaur added, which causes Bass to give a small smirk and dry chuckle.
“Well then, don’t let me interrupt your spoiling. We’ll take our leave. Come on, Gospel.” Bass said, which Gospel barked at Hub before following his master. He didn’t get too far until Hub grabbed his arm, causing to stop dead in his tracks. “W-what?! What is it?!” He exclaimed in an annoyed tone.
“What’re you doing for the next few minutes?” Hub asked.
“Minding my own business, why?”
“Join me! Come on…!” The Blue Bomber whined which caused a look of shock on Bass’ face. “We’re just going to the ice cream parlor, it won’t kill you!”
“I despise human food, especially confectionery. Besides, we don’t need to consume such garbage.” Bass huffed. He tensed up as he felt Hub pushing against him to the path he wanted to go.
“Don’t be….such a killjoy…! Where’s your…sense of fun…?!” Hub strained as Bass used his weight against the small NetNavi. “You don’t have to eat there, just hang out with me…!”
“So, I’m your entertainment? You’re truly cruel, little mouse.” The Dark Shadow said as he used his hand to push against Hub. “Besides, I don’t do public places.”
“We can be in a quiet area…! Stop being so stubborn, you brute!” Hub said as he pried his rival’s hand away from his head. Bass groaned as his eyes lowered as he let out a defeated sigh.
“I get the dreadful feeling that if I resist further, you’re not going to back off, are you?” He said softly. Hub’s green eyes widened a bit before he looked to the side and didn’t respond. There was an awkward silence between the two NetNavis before the ice was broken. “Let’s go. I’ll humor you…for once. Consider it a freebie.” Bass said. He side-glanced to see Hub’s eyes lit up as his smile went to his eyes. He cried out when he was being pulled ahead by his small rival. Minutes later, the two arrived at a virtual, sweets parlor.
The candy-colored decor was very pleasing to those who entered the area. Bass looked around the area and sighed to himself. “I don’t get the appeal of this. ” He thought to himself as continued walking. He stopped until one of the flavors caught his eyes: dark chocolate. Gospel looked up and watched as a sprinkle of intrigue came across his fiery, red eyes. Gospel gave a soft bark, which caused Bass to snap out of it and look at his companion. “What is it?” Suddenly, a mischievous smirk came across the multi-bug wolf’s face, which caused Bass to tense up. “I don’t need your judgment!”
“Hm? Who’s judgment?” Hub asked as he walked up to the Dark Shadow with a concerned expression. Bass turned away from his face and huffed.
“Don’t make such a face. I’m fine. So…did you get your order?” Bass asked. Hub nodded as revealed a waffle bowl with vanilla ice cream, white chocolate chips and peanuts decorated on it, and a few strawberries on it. “Can you even…consume all that?” Bass said with some shock in his eyes.
“I eat this all the time when I visit!” Hub beamed with a blush. “Besides, I'm going to need all the energy for this summer!”
“Ah yes, a season where humans have too much time to waste for their own good.”
“Hmph, if you don’t look at it in such an analytical way, you’ll see how fun it is!” Hub huffed as he and Bass took at a booth near the window. The small NetNavi pulled out two metal spoons and offered one to Bass. The Dark Shadow took the utensils and twirled between his fingers.
“I said I’ll humor you but not that much, little mouse.” He hummed softly.
“Your loss is my share! Time to eat!” Hub hummed happily as he took a bite. His green eyes lit up and began swaying side to side in bliss. He looked up and saw Bass, still twirling the spoon but looking outside the parlor window with a distant expression on his face. “I’m…sorry if I took you away from any plans you might’ve had later on.” Bass’ red eyes shift towards him before turning back to the window.
“You didn’t. I can get up and go, anytime and anywhere.” He replied softly.
“Is there any place in the Cyber World that you frequent? Besides the UnderNet, I mean.” Hub asked.
“Anywhere….I can easily blend in and get lost. Netopia’s netscape is one of them, though compared to here, they’re subpar.” Bass said as he leaned in his seat.
“How? I’ve been there a few times. It’s nice.” Hub asked.
“Even though this area is nothing but data, it feels as close to a human city. Netopia’s area feels synthetic.”
“Huh. I guess I never looked at it like that.”
“Because you’re the type of tourist they attract: a curious, doe-eyed little mouse.”
“You brute!” Hub hissed as he stuck his tongue at him. Bass, lowly, huffed at his small rival as he heard a ‘whatever’ escaped from his mouth.
“Also…I’ve been visiting…Sharo.” Hub’s eyes widened a bit when he heard the familiar country.
“So, how do you like it? It’s been a while since I’ve been.” Hub asked with some eagerness in his voice.
“I think it’s…pretty…” The Dark Shadow said as his fingers danced on the table in a descending fashion. “They have it programmed to snow there, even in the summer. Good thing it doesn’t have the freezing power as the real weather occurrence.”
“Hehe, still that’s pretty neat! Maybe one day, I can go there…and try ice skating! Lan makes skating easy, I always wanted to try it!” Hub laughed a little. He blinked as he saw Bass cross his arm as his red eyes lowered as he looked directly at the Blue Bomber. “What’s…wrong…?”
“Say it. Stop acting coy about it.” Bass huffed. Hub tensed up a bit as a chill went up his spine from the Dark Shadow’s glare. He sighed as stroked the sleeping Mettaur’s head.
“Do you…ever visit…Dr. Cossack whenever…you’re there?” The Blue Bomber asked meekly. Bass looked away as he gripped his sleeve and a tense expression came across his face. “A-ah! You don’t have to answer that! I’m sorry! That’s too personal!” Hub panicked. A few patrons noticed his outburst, which made Hub’s face red in embarrassment.
“Try not to dredge up too much attention to us, little mouse.” Bass hummed as his face was a soft red as well. His expression became soft as he looked down and back at Hub. “I visit him…indirectly. No one thinks twice when I say I’m a NAvi delivering something for him and not his…lost creation. I go as far as the entrance leading to his homepage, and if I’m lucky, I’d see one of his Mr. Prog and intercept them.”
“You don’t terrorize the little guys, do you?” Hub asked with a sweat drop. Bass had an insulted expression on his face.
“I’m a brute but not a menace!” He growled and sighed. “I give them something to give him and I take my leave.”
“Hm? What do you give him?” Hub asked with curiosity in his eyes. He tilted his head as Bass had a blush on his face and rubbed his shoulder. His red eyes looked away from the small NetNavi.
“Some images…from the past from my memories.” He softly answered.
“I see.” Hub said as a soft smile grew on his face as he rubbed Gospel’s head who hopped by him. “I think it makes him happy that you still think about him. That means you still love him as the father you saw him as years ago.” Bass’ eyes widened a bit from Hub’s words. He didn’t say anything as he turned back to the window. Gospel’s ear flicker as he barked at the Blue Bomber.
“Hm? Hungry?” He asked. Gospel barked happily as the Mettaur jumped up and down in the same energy. Hub grabbed the small plate that was on the table and filled it with BugFrags, which the two began eating happily. He looked up from his spot, only to be surprised when he saw Bass take a bite of his sundae he had. He felt a jolt go all over his body as he, begrudgingly, consumed it.
“What’s wrong? Is it too cold?!” Hub asked.
“Too sweet!” Bass hissed. “To think you eat this stuff constantly, I’m pretty sure you’d have cyber-cavities if they existed!” Hub did his best to stifle his giggling until he interrupted into a full laughter. “Stop laughing!” The Dark Shadow hissed again as his face was now blushing in embarrassment.
“S-sorry! I never knew that the big bad Dark Shadow’s weakness was sugary sweets! I’ll have to keep that in mind!” Hub laughed again. Bass growled and sulked from the small NetNavi’s joyful laughter. Minutes later, the two left the parlor, Hub still having an elated smile on his face to Bass’ dismay. Suddenly, Lan’s image appeared by Hub’s side.
“Heya there, bro! I was wondering what was taking—” The youngest Hikari stopped when he saw Bass, whose eyes lowered from laying eyes on him. “Oh? Who’s this? I have never seen him before.” Hub laughed with a sweat drop as Bass sighed with a dumbfounded look.
“Good thing he’s not the brightest bulb in the pack.” Bass thought.
“Ah! He’s a travelin NetNavi…! I was showing him around until I lost track of time!” Hub lied with a nervous laugh.
“Oh? Really now? Sounds awesome! I’m Lan, Mega Man’s operator! How do you like Net City?” Lan introduced.
“It’s nice…though I’m not used to sweet things…it tingles all over me.” Bass huffed. Lan snorted at his expression, which caused Bass to become annoyed and glared.
“Then, maybe we’ll show you around the city more! Just say the word and we’ll hang out, uh…what’s your name..?”
“...Forte. That’s the name I go by and I’ll take you on that offer.” He hummed.
“Awesome! Oh, Mega! We should head back! Movie night is beginning soon!” Lan added.
“Eh?! Don’t start without me! Oh…! Nice to meet you again…’Forte’! Let’s hang out soon!” Hub winked as he waved at the Dark Shadow before disappearing in a flash of blue light. Bass huffed as he gave a weak wave back. He looked at the parlor and stared for a while. A few minutes passed and Bass was holding a dark chocolate parfait, licking some that got his finger.
“This isn’t too bad.” He hummed. Gospel laughed as he walked beside him, while Bass huffed and glared at him. “I don’t need your judgment, you pooch!” He would look at the sky, that had finally turned dark and starry, as the street lights started to pop on.
I think it makes him happy that you still think about him. That means you still love him as the father you saw him as years ago.” Hub’s words echoed in his head. Bass would huff with a dry laugh as he looked to the side.
“Your words are haunting me, little mouse. I’m slipping.” Bass hummed. “Gospel…how about we get lost for a few days?” The multi-bug organism barked in agreement as it hopped on his master’s shoulder. He began sniffing the frozen treat, which Bass tapped his nose in protest. “Haven’t you had enough to eat, you glutton?” Gospel huffed as he laid on Bass’ shoulder. The Dark Shadow walked into a crowd and seemingly disappeared among the sea of NetNavis, only his footsteps echoing throughout the area.
-END-