Damn it!

RideMan punches the wall next him... Or so he would if there was any. But there isn't. So he's just punching the air.

Why'd that guy have to show up when we were so close to finding a lead!? Thanks to him, all the time we spent building street cred has gone to naught!
It's not all bad. In the process, we found something perhaps eve more interesting than would lead on.
...Yeah. "Omega", his Operator called him.

---

---

We should keep an eye on him.
Why? So he'll end up fryin' me for real?
No. Because I have a feeling losing our place as 7th to him was the start of something very sinister. His reaction to being told about the Undernet's ranking system said it all.
Regardless, the megalomaniac was right about one thing: We can't stay at our current level forever. We need to improve --and fast.
...

RideMan looks off to the distance, spotting a vast horde of Viruses coming at him simultaneously.

Well...
...How about we start with some target practice?

Shake King comes toppling down by the uppercut received, struggling to get up, though eventually rising nonetheless.

Stay down already!

Charging at Shake King once more, Wario goes in for a slap in the face, unprepared for Shake King to duck into a bridge position, before quickly turning and mule-kicking Wario in the chest, knocking him into the selection of drinks!

...WHAT!

Walter stretches, heading upstairs with his PET device.

I have to say, Omega, I expected this last bit to go a little... differently. Like, "The Slap Part 2" different. Except after getting slapped everyone explodes. You willingly let two people go!
Hnh. Count your blessings they were under very specific circumstances... and besides... I have found myself a new interest at the moment.
Peony?
Yes-- no! My descension into the Undernet hierarchy!

Walter enters the bathroom, slides some toothpaste into a toothbrush and begins brushing his teeth.

Vh. Vght. Vhw voo vho vhink vhe vzould vo avout vhis? (Oh. Right. How do you think we should go about this?)
In spite of the truth, we hold the role of 7th. Should we slowly, yet surely, climb our way down the ladder, we will make our presence not only more known... but feared.

---

Walter exits the bathroom.

You're really taking this seriously, huh?
Didn't I already tell you?

---

---

...Is swagger synonymous with the ultimate power?
In a sense.
Then yes. But that is not what I said.

---

---

This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. First the Undernet... then the Topside... All will recognize my power.
/shrug

Walter falls flat on his bed.

*muffled* Oh, if only you were a netnavi, sweet comfort... I could spend time with you all day long.
Pshaw. Humans and their inferior levels of sentience. A Navigator would get nothing done if they were as reliant as you are.

Tiredly, Walter lifts his head from the pillow.

Hey... *yawn*... don't hate the player... hate... thhhhuh... gh.... *snorrrrrrrreee*....

Quickly, Walter falls fast asleep.

...Heh. Sleep well... for dawn brings the start of a revelation.

Omega scoffs, before being Jacked out seconds later.

---

Of all of the-- now what!?

RideMan cocks his Revolver at a front-paneling Mettaur... before a beast-like blur dashes ahead of him, slashing it into an explosion.
Oh, great. Not you...
Did you really think you could run away from a challenge so easily?
First of all, I do zoning, not running. Second... sorry, BeastMan, but if you wanted to take a crack at trading rank... You've been beaten to the punch.
What!?
It's true. A guy nailed me in 2-3 moves, tops. I didn't stand a chance. And truth be told... I don't think you would, either. That said... if you feel he hasn't been through enough warming up... you can go right ahead. But us? We're out... unless you still want a piece of this revolver...

RideMan leaves, though the gunshots still ring out in the distance.

Grh... that does it... some newbie thinks he can steal my kill and get a way with it? I'll teach that menace a lesson... One he won't *live* to regret.

...
...Hey... Omega... look, there are plenty of opportunities you can take to establish dominance over others, this really isn't necessary.
Hnnnn...

Omega pulls out his arm.... immediately activating his buster.

...
She's offering to be useful! We barely know anything about this place yet, why punish innocent Navis because of it when there are so many others who have done worse? What do you want her to do!?
...Disappear.
OMEGA COME ON--

Omega without hesitation immediately shoots... exploding a group of viruses behind Peony.

*exploding noises*

...

Omega slaps away Peony's hand, walking past her... shortly stopping soon after.

Prove to be any less useful than you claim, and I will see to it you are deleted.
...Huh... what's the big deal?
You've Jacked In after coming late from work, correct?
Yeah... *y-yawn*... so?
I am done fighting for today. I refuse to be dragged down by your fatigue-born incompetence.
B-but we just met some--
You will rest early, and rise early. For tomorrow... the building of a new empire will begin.
Aw, what? I have to slave away on the weekend?
Yes... One by one, those who claim to be above shall plummet below. No one will be safe from Omega's wrath. For there are no gods...
...Other than myself.

Well... we'd better take our business somewhere else, Sherrice... I think we've seen... enough... for today.
Definitely. Either way, we won't be walking out of this empty-handed.
You literally are, though.

RideMan walks away, leaving Omega on his own.

......This would be the part where I tell you what you're thinking is a bad idea, right?
A--
No, actually. I was going to say that we've got company.
...

Omega turns around, at the direction the Navi in the background is floating towards.

I think we should let 'em go.
If you can give me ONE reason as to why we should spare these sniveling fools--
You want a challenge... right?
...
Like it or not, they've lasted longer than anyone else we've battled. They're pretty strong-- for them, anyway. If they go their own way, chances are they'll come back stronger... thus giving you a greater challenge.
...

Omega suddenly backs off, the hologram disappearing. RideMan dusts himself off.

I need the guidance of no other to know my strength! Victory shall be mine forever!

Omega folds his arms.

However... come to me with that same lowly prowess again and I'll annihilate you before you can think of selecting the 4th Pokemon Battle option.
Dammit, how much harder do you intend on making what I'm about to do next?

RideMan pulls out something from his pocket before slinging it to Omega, who catches it with one hand, before observing it.

As much as I hate to say it, you won fair and square. Congrats on ranked 7th on the Undernet.
Ranked?
It means you've just bumped yourself up the ladder. Defeating someone with a numbered rank means that you can take their place and their number.
You don't say...
(Aw, crap, I know that tone anywhere...)

Quickly! We'll finish this before it starts!
Yes, ma'am!

RideMan quickly blasts all two rows above and below Omega with two seperate TrplCrak!

Huh. You limited our movement pretty quickly..
...But in the end, it's nothing but a meaningless gesture if damage is still dealt.
You won't get the chance!

Omega begins spraying rapid-fire buster shots, which RideMan sways past, moving up, down, left and right.

Too easy! Are you even trying to tag me, or have you realized how hopeless you are?
RideMan! It's time to counterattack.
I'm on-- AAAAAUH!

Rideman is suddenly grazed by a powerful Omega Beam, doing a very large portion of damage.

If it was my intention to hit you with my buster, I would have; You've fallen right into the enemy's hands.
Damn you...!
RideMan!
*ugh...* I'll live, but that attack sure packed a wallop. If I had taken the full brunt of the attack...
Now's not the time to worry about that, we need to hit them before he does it again!
You bet I will!

a strange barrier appears around Omega as RideMan fires a RevBlitz straight at him, followed with a ChainStr and two TumblWds, finishing the barrage with a power charged shot!

Urgh! Not being able to tell whether that worked or not makes this a whole lot harder...

The barrier suddenly dissipates.

Yes, it indeed worked. Quite well, actually.

Huh?
You bet I will!

A hologram immediately appears to Omega's side, taking RideMan in surprise as holo-versions of the moves he had just used begin to assault him!

What!?

RideMan tries keeping away with his buster, but the attacks only go through the hologram, who knocks him on the panel-ground with his first TumblWds!

Gah!

Before the hologram can pursues further... RideMan puts his hand up.

That's enough.. We yield.
Hmm?
You have proved your superiority. There's no point in fighting further. The victory is yours.
...

---

TrpCrack (Null, Break)- RideMan.EXE scatters explosives onto enemy territory, destroying 3 squares in front of him. The explosives can't be on the same row as anyone already on there.
Omega Beam (Null, Modifier)- Omega.EXE fires a large, plasmatic beam of energy that takes up an entire vertical row for it's active time. Increases attack on hit.
Omega Scan (Null, Guard)- When attacked, a crimson barrier automatically surrounds Omega.EXE for a slotted amount of time, absorbing battle data and creating a Navi/Virus hologram of the attacker, at the end, replicating the same attacks at the target used while the barrier was up. The hologram, being a hologram, cannot be hurt, and all attacks will merely phase through.
RevBlitz (Null, Cursor)- RideMan.EXE quickly shoots 3 extremely fast consecutive revolver shots, swiftly warping to random uninhabited panels during the short intermission.
ChainStr (None, Break)- RideMan.EXE uses his chain as a melee weapon, swinging it back and force three panels ahead. If both hits connect, inflicts stun.
TumblWds (Null)- RideMan.EXE summons tumbleweeds to attack the opponent in a row of 3. Each of them carry a random Element.

Omega.EXE walks along.

Hmph. Anywhere I would like, and you send me to such a drab place?
What, you want me to wire you to someone's school? This place is pretty big, plus everyone else is probably so crummy you may actually be doing this place a favor.

Quickly though, as Omega travels through the terrain, looking for other signs of life, he is immediately swarmed with other Undernet Rankers.

This guy... you're a topsider, aren't you?
What I am is an entity outside any of your comprehension. Be blessed that you have managed to lay your eyes on perfection so long with yet so little reprehension.
Oh, great... another one of these showboat Navis who love sticking their noses into part of the big W they have no business being in.
Listen, if you and your Operator know what's good for you, you'll beat it as soon as possible. Besides... we don't take too kindly to your kind. Head back to wherever you softies love to hang around so often before you get hurt.
Wow. Surfisct.
Hurt...? And who will be the one to--
(???): Oh, great.... more of these guys... and they're on *my* turf.
Huh!?
Damn! Not that guy again! He wiped out almost everyone last time!
Let's just scram for now. That know-it-all'll get what's coming to it... but not yet.

The other Navis all warp away. Omega doesn't move from his spot.

Huh.
(???): Heh... all bark and no bite. They'll stay out if they know what's good for them.
...
(???):Although... I don't recognize you from around here. And the way those guys were huddled around you... I think you can see where I'm going with this. Sorry to say, but I'm the alpha male around this block. What I say, goes.
(???): And I say... you should tell me who you are and what you think you're doing in this Area...
...before I make you.
...You dare... deprive me of my prey, and approach me with the gall to make questions??
(???): He's not asking.
Say wha?
It's best you comply with RideMan's desires. He isn't particularly known for his tolerance.
Yeah? Well, neither is Joe.
Is that right? And who might Joe be--
Dammit, Sherrice!
ENOUGH!

Look. Let's just cut ACDC short. They're "weaklings", right? Better to look for a challenge somewhere else.
...I am listening...
Having a Virtual Private Network means that as long as there's service there... you can be anywhere at any time.
You don't say...
(I don't like this, but sooner or later we WILL be caught if we show up to the same place over and over again.)

Oh. Ooooohhh, me, have I had WAY too much to drink.

Wario suddenly pauses at the comment, turning to where it came from.

Eh? Wait a seco--

Shake King uses Wario's distraction to grab the chairs and snap them apart with his bare hands, then headbutt Wario into a wall.

AGH!

Shake King rapidly beats Wario down, nailing him with an unrelenting barrage of fists slamming into him. The bar rumbles. Debris fall from the shockwaves coming from Shake King's punches, with Wario slumping over from the ceaseless pummeling.

Your resilience holds nothing against me!

Shake King raises his hands in a double-hammered position, ready to slam them down.

Cease delaying the inevitable and fall!
WAH!

As Shake King brings his fists down, Wario scurries in between his legs, quickly grabbing him from behind and shoving him into the wall, getting his helmet stuck in the process!

Urgh!
AAAAAAAAAAAAGH!

Wario blasts Shake King with a Thunder Shock Surprise, before grabbing and chucking three consecutive barrels of alchohol at Shake King!

Ngh... Grrr....
...U-ugh...

Shake King, too... influenced... to maintain his previous state, with his helmet's horns still keeping him in the same position, is then kneed by Wario in the face several times, with each individual knee strike doubling in strength.

*YOU!* *BIG!* *DUMB!* *FREAK!* *WHY!* *CAN'T!* *YOU! *JUST!* *STAY!* *OUT!* *OF!* *MY!* LIFE!*

The last knee breaks the area keeping Shake King stuck, forcing him back on his feat, though extremely dazed...

Whuh... where'um I...? How'd.... this... *hic*...

Wario hits Shake King with a devastating uppercut so powerful it shatters the roof above them!

all i'm hearing is reddit > forums

make the full switch happen ageman

The person from before hangs their head down on the counter, seemingly asleep...

*snoring noises*

Immediately Wario crashes through one of the walls!

Ah, that smarts...
EH?! WHUH? WHAT'S GOIN--

Shake King immediately bursts through, trying to catch Wario with a lariat, only for him to grab his arm and slam it onto the ground, shattering a large fraction of the floor!

PEST!

Shake King, still literally floored by the attack fires a Shake Beam from his mouth, catching Wario, and then grabbing his head once more, slamming it onto the bar counter repeatedly!

OW! OW! OH! OOF! AH! WAHAH! UGH!

Wario abruptly stops himself, placing his arms on the counter as well, before kicking Shake King in the chest from behind.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Wario grabs two different chairs, one on each side, and infuses them with electricty. When Shake King is no longer stunned, Wario bashes him with them multiple times ad nausuem!

URGH! AGH! OOF! HNGH! OUCH! OUGH!

Hold on, I'm sending you your stupid goddamn Chi--
I do not need them.
...Huh?
I. Do not. Need. Them. I'll terminate these gnats with one weapon and one alone.
...weird flex but okay

♫ Mega Man Battle Network 3 OST - T13: Incident Occurrence! ♫

I hope you like the taste of MegaaAAAAAAAAAAAA WAITWAITWAITNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

HeelNavi1 explodes.

(He took him out with regular buster shots in seconds!?)

HeelNavi2 instinctively moves up, equipping a Super Vulcan and firing.

(I'd better)AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

HeelNavi2 explodes.

...

---

What was that!? H-how'd he take 'em out so q-quickly!?
You... worthless scum... You have the NERVE to disrespect me and battle with that puny level of power?
L-l-look man, this was a misunderstanding...w-we can go--
You may "go" to the Graveyard! I've had enough of your babble worthless! Prepare for complete destruction!
Nothing personal, bro. Just doing what I gotta do.

Hmph...
...Now then... who to become my prey today...?
Omega, there are four Navis surrounding you.
Hmmm?

The view expands, revealing four different HeelNavis around Omega.EXE.

It figures... infinitesimal... like an overgrown speck of dust in my presence.
You heard us the first time, didn't 'cha!? Fork us over a healthy sum of Zenny... otherwise we'll wipe your data from ya clean as a whistle!
Yeah! Best do as he says!
How pathetic. Fools. You have sealed your fate. If it was possible, I would take on the four of you... but it seems I'll have to settle for two separate rounds.
So you wanna do this the hard way, eh? Fine by us!

(I say "never lost a single battle" so lightly... but this isn't normal... is it? Omega... all he cares about is fighting, fighting fighting... Unless it's something like Battle Chips or whatever. NetNavis are supposed to be friendly to their operators, right? How come I got stuck with the berserker?)

The man suddenly walks in the direction of an ordinary house, pulling out a key in his pocket and unlocking the door. Walking in, he immediately takes off his suit and chucks it on a couch facing a flatscreen TV.

(Then again... I guess he's just like that. God, if not for VPNs...)
...So, ready to enter the ol' net?
As ready as you are feeble.
Have it your way. Jack in. Omega.EXE, let's go.

The man plugs a device from the TV's side, causing the monitor to change...