Chapter 1:

SciLab Security Camera Data
July 12, 2112
/RUN
QUOTE (Log File One)
We started our latest project today and have decided to create a log of our progress, a series of short entries.

We began by crafting his body. It's lean and supple, designed to strike fast and hit hard. We've decided to give him a dark skin tone, to set him apart from other navis.

He turned off the audio recorder immediately after finishing the log entry for the week, rubbing his eyes wearily. The body had taken far too long to complete, and it still lacked the destructive power the government wanted. They would never finish this navi before the deadline at this rate.

QUOTE (Log File Two)
Today, we crafted the custom boots he has. They're approximately twice the size of an ordinary navi's and are super-enforced to survive anything, as well as dealing massive damage with one blow. We stored his data in a lab with our other projects to keep him from being corrupted.

The recorder light faded as the switch was pressed. He sighed again and turned back to his monitor. It had taken days to create those specially designed boots, and there still wasn't enough destructive power to satisfy his employer. It looked like it would be rough going for him and his team if they didn't hurry up.

QUOTE (Log File Three)
Today began with an incident. We had to fire one of our employees for tampering with the data of one of our other navis. The navi he attempted to alter is meant to be a guardian of some sort, so any alteration to her system could be devastating. It appears that he was trying to corrupt her data to turn her against humans. Thankfully, he was caught in time to prevent any harm.

We're beginning to create his Intelligence unit. He will be kind, yet ruthless toward enemies, a combination that seems to work well in navis with tremendous power. We have given him a few more attacks, but these are different from his normal ones. These two require his arms, and cannot be used immediately.

Luckily, it had only been about two or so days since his last log entry. Everything was on schedule now, his Intelligence unit being a modified version of one created by the son of one of the prominent scientists in another department. Though the boy was young, he had created quite a complex system with no flaws. It was clear that his name would be known worldwide by the time he was an adult.

QUOTE (Log File Four)
We've finished his Intelligence program. He is now the perfect navi in terms of personality. With the addition of the Humor program, which is still in development by Meijin in another lab, he will be perfect. We've added two new attacks to his arsonal, and he is now becoming the weapon of war he was designed to be. We also gave him a cloak to cover his boots and hide his power so as not to frighten any ordinary navis as he walks by.

They had finally tweaked it, fixed the last couple bugs that were created when they made the alterations to little Hikari's program. They had decided that the addition of the Humor program would indeed be humorous, so now they were just waiting for it to be completed.

QUOTE (Log File Five)
Today, we are finishing work on him. We have given him one final attack, one that is as strong or stronger than any attack from a currently existing navi. He has truly grown to be fierce, and I feel sorry for anyone who will meet this navi in combat.

The log file held all the truth in the world. A single attack that could level armies, destroy buildings, all at half power. When unlocked and at its maximum potential, the amount of damage it could do... would be catastrophic.

QUOTE (Final Log File)
God have mercy on us all! The employee that we fired weeks ago has broken into the lab and messed everything up! Dark Destiny has been corrupted, his kindness removed, leaving only cold ruthlessness in its stead. Thankfully, the guardian navi we were working on was testing a new net area, so she is unharmed, but I'm afraid that Dark Destiny is beyond our control. This is a serious breach of security, and law states that those who know about classified projects must be terminated if the project were to escape. I have lived a long, happy life, so I shall sit here to calmly await death. I have no doubt that it will be a skilled assassin, and no doubt in my mind that I will never see death co-

His body slumped forward, his eyes with no fear or shock as he had never seen the small knife blade descending upon his exposed throat.

???: Is that all you have on him, sir?
?: Yes, unfortunately. It happened all those years ago and we are still no closer to capturing him.
???: What about the statue in the ACDC Square?
?: That is him, but no one can get close enough to it to do anything. The only time he's vulnerable is when he's out in the open, and even then he's too damned powerful to bring down.
???: And the scientist who was writing the logs?
?: Found dead in his chair, mouth and tongue still forming the word "coming".
???: Such a terrible twist of fate... Is that policy still carried out today?
?: No, thankfully. We nearly lost Cossack because of the policy, and he got off on a mere technicality. I believe that Dark Destiny's creator was the last scientist to ever fall under that clause of the SciLabs contract.
???: Well, thank you for showing me his history and allowing me to find his weakness. This may make my job a bit easier...
?: A weakness? You found one?
???: Yes, I believe I have... I will need to test my theory, though.
/END

Chapter 2:

BOOM.

The entire Net was shaken by the sudden release of power as the statue broke open, its inhabitant stepping calmly out of the debris. He put one hand into the air, turning the Net skies red across the world. Then, as suddenly as it began, it ended. The sky returned to normal, the Net stopped shaking. It seemed that the Net had undergone a lot of changes since he was last free. He looked across the small area he was in. There... over there was his rival... But not now. For now, he must explore this net.

He stepped out of the area through a small warp, vaporizing a couple viruses as he went. He saw one plant-like navi look a little confused; it seemed she could not see him... His cloak appeared to be making him invisible to ordinary navis.He strode silently through, savoring the freedom. He was walking toward a place that seemed to be calling him, that place that had been created long ago at the sime time he was. He wondered if the lovely navi would be there, or if she had been deleted, or sent to guard another area. Only one way to find out...

He stepped into the Undernet, allowing himself to become visible. This place felt like home...

Into the next area. This one had two different paths; he chose to enter Undernet 3. There was a large gash in the ground a good bit away, one that would halt the progress of an ordinary navi. He did a bacckflip over the gap, clearing it easily. Up ahead was a platform... This one showed the signs of two battles, one of them very clear, the other faded and obscure. He stepped forward.

BAM.

As though he had been struck with a large hammer, his vision went white. It returned to normal, but the area was different now; he was seeing a vision of the most recent of the battles. A small blue navi was about to take on a large red-colored one that obviously carried a good bit of power... That fool, he could never hope to win. He found himself commending the blue navi's bravery, though, as the blue navi was putting up quite a fight, finishing the battle in under a few minutes, easily defeating the larger one... Perhaps there was more to this navi than he originally thought. Then... A crushing feeling of power as a new navi flew in. He was wearing a cloak, but his carried no power, it was merely a thing to hide behind. He challenged the small blue navi to a battle after destroying the red one in a single blow. The blue navi was defeated quickly and with ease... This newcomer was quite strong, and seemed to be older than Dark Destiny... Very interesting indeed. The vision ended.

BAM.

A new one began, one from long ago, on that fateful day when Dark Destiny had been attacked in the lab... She walked in to make sure the area was secure. It was much brighter back then, he noticed, and then looked back at her. Four navis warped in to surround her. She looked scared for a moment, called out his name, then was attacked by the navis. As though a change had come over here, her expression hardened. Two bright pink bands formed from nothing like semicircles, floating just behind her. The navis were blown away in an instant. Her expression remained gard for a few moments, then she sank to her knees and began crying softly, alone in the dark once more. He heard her utter his name once more, as though begging for help...

The vision over, he sank to his knees, helmet in hand. He should have been there, should have been able to protect her... The guilt overcame him. He felt as though he would cry, though he did no such thing. She had been hurt, he saw that, and it was his fault... He could never forgive himself, because in that instant, when she fought back, part of her had died... And it was all because of him.

Chapter 3:

After what felt like hours(or was it only minutes?), he stood up. He walked into the nearby square, hovering over to a hidden platform at the back. He lightly stepped into the pit he found there, appearing in a brightly lit area. His body tensed, his muscles stiffening. There. He could sense it. Somewhere, deep in this area... He could feel her presence. Or something that felt like her presence. Quickening his pace, he began to go through the area. He needed to make sure. He needed to make absolutely sure that she was still alive and fine.

He was nearing the end of this area. He had tried to leave the labyrinth of a path, but something stopped him from entering the water. Swearing under his breath, he had found his way thorugh, and was now staring at a blank purple gate. It seemed to be asking him for something, something he clearly did not have. Aiming a kick at it, he shattered the pathetic defense, stepping through. A navi appeared, blocking his path.
????: Hsss... Only three more... After you, only two!
One punch and the navi was unconscious, slumped at the edge of the paltform. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have killed this navi, but not now. He was in too much of a hurry.

Next area. More labyrinths. Worse, the path wasn't even visible in some places. He made his way through, another purple gate staring back at him. This time, it opened without effort, briefly flashing a picture of a chip in his mind. The chip was red, and he recognized the picture on it... It had been given to him years ago, a way to share his ultimate attack with someone. He still kept the data, but had never had time to give it away. And another navi appeared. This one was also hit hard, though the armor he wore seemed to have softened the blow and left him healthy enough to fight back. Great. More complications to delay him. He tore the chestplate off, swept a few smaller soldiers from his cloak, and planted a vicious kick to the navi's exposed undershirt. He heard a groan and continued.

There. He could see her now. She was there. Sitting on top of a mighty platform, reigning as Queen over the entire Net. But dammit, there was another maze in his way, hindering his path. And worse, there were obstacles now. He smashed through one of them, as was apparently intended, but was somewhat surprised by the number of viruses that came out. He fought his way through them, sustaining almost no injuries. He continued on, arriving at the base of the staircase that led up to her platform. He ventured close to her. As soon as he was within a few dozen meters, she became aware of his presence. He catiously ventured forward...

And was waking up almost an hour later. Her attack had been so fast, he had never even seen it coming. She had slammed him to the ground, knocking him out. He stood up and rubbed his head, looking around for her. Then, his mind seemed to begin working again. How had he rubbed his head? Where had his helmet gone?

A cool female hand was suddenly ruffling through his hair. He looked down. His sense of feeling must be totally gone, he realized, because he was still sitting. He looked behind him. SHe was standing there, a harsh scowl on her face. Glancing behind her, he saw the pink floating half-rings behind her. A frown from him. Had she really changed herself that much?

DD: I liked them better when they were blue.
S: And I liked you a lot better back then, but apparently, you didn't, did you? DID YOU?

A groan of pain escaped him for the first time in his life as she planted a punch on the back of his head. With surprising speed and strength, she had lifted him into the air, tossed him, and slammed him into the ground. He was truly feeling pain for the first time. He tried to stand, but felt weak. He tried to run, but the area wouldn't let him. He looked up. There was still anger in her face, but there were also tears.

S: Now go! Leave, get away from this place and never return! Because next time, next time you won't be able to leave. I will hurt you. I will kill you and groind whatever's left into fragments so small that they can never be found. I will end you. Now GO!

With a kick that was highly reminiscent of his own, she had slammed him from the edge of the platform to the beginning of the area. He quickly made his way back.

EPILOGUE

????: He has a definite weakness.
?: And what might that weakness be?
????: As with most men, it's a woman.
?: You don't mean... You couldn't possibly mean her?
????: Yes. We managed to lure him into her domain, and from what we saw, something about her weakens him in the same way that kryptonite weakens Superman.
?: Didn't he try to fight at all?
????: Yes, Superman did, he always fought back and always won, somehow.
?: Not Superman, Destiny! Did he even try to fight her?
????: He did, but was beaten badly and easily. Something about her seems to frighten him, and yet at the same time she intrigues him, piques that curiosity that lurks in all hearts.
?: So... He's weak to women?
????: Not all women, just her... Though she no longer seems to hold the same spell over him as she did when they were created. Back then her appearance was quite different, and that darker clothed version of her seemed to attract him more. Now that she's gone to pure light, she's just not the same to him... But sooner or later he'll realize that now she's different because she's cast out her dark side completely... And soon enough he will seek that dark side out... And if he does, he will be truly unstoppable...


*static*
??: Sir, we've picked up his signal.
???: What's he doing now?
??: He's engaged in battle. With a most interesting foe.
???: Who is it this time? Gateman? Kendoman? Roll?
??: First, sir, he doesn't fight women. Second, no. He's fighting a nameless navi who merely calls himself the "Reality Master".
???: Sounds entertaining. Bring it up on the monitor...

The camera cut over to Dark Destiny just as the fabled "Reality Master" altered their world. Two knights stood on opposite sides of a valley. One in shining silver armor, the other in black. The silver one had a glowing white sword, the black one had a cruel-looking blade that matched his armor.
DD: How cliche can you get?
RM: Vile fool! You will never beat me!
DD: *sigh*
RM: What? You doubt me?
DD: Yes. And with good reason.
RM: wat
DD: JUST FIGHT ALREADY DAMMIT.

With superhuman speed, the two navis had their swords locked. They continued their battle in silence, one concentrating hard, the other merely blocking. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, the white knight slowly gaining the upper hand. A black blast of... nothing... ripped him apart out of nowhere, data fragments drifting into the sky as reality returned to what passed for normalcy.

RM: You said you'd... fight fairly...
DD: I also said you could beat me.
RM: Cheating bastard...
DD: Hey, you're the one who made me the dark knight. Also, let me take care of a small nuisance.

A small blast of energy destroyed the camera as the two men watched.
??: That was over rather quickly.
???: What do we know about the navi he fought?
??: Very little, sir. We know that he can alter reality as he pleases, and that he held Rank 10. That's all.
???: What? He was ranked?
??: Yessir. I assume you know what this means?
???: Yes... He's searching for her and has found the best way to draw her out...
*static*


Months later...

*static*
??: Sir... He's found... her...
???: What? How? We had all monitors on him! They said he had been destroyed by Forte!
??: We... We aren't sure... He... We... But... I don't know!
???: Are we absolutely sure?
??: Yes... We are. Both of them appeared on our sensors. For now, they aren't causing any major trouble, but they might start at any time.
???: Well, send your best men after them!
??: We did.
???: And?
??: They're dead.
???: ...
??: ...


DS: And I'm doing this why?
DD: Because you owe me for waking you up!
DS: There's a bit of a difference... I thought maybe you'd want my help in a fight or something... But this, no. This is too much.
DD: Just shut up and do it already!
DS: I don't wanna!
DD: I said to!
DS: But... I can't... I don't know how!
DD: Just follow your instincts.
DS: But... Just cause I'm a woman doesn't mean I have such things in my data from creation!
DD: But you do. I know you do. It's why you were created.
DS: Dammit all, you're right. So when?
DD: Right now.


DS: Gah. There's too much light in here.
DD: I know. But you can handle her better than I can. Trust me.
DS: And why can't you fight her yourself?
DD: I told you, I tried that. I got beaten badly.
DS: ... Wow...
DD: Let's just hurry up and get there!

???: What of them now?
??: They're going after... her...
???: What? How high is the possibility that they'll succeed?
??: Quite high, sir.
???: Dammit. If they do, it'll be constant chaos. SHe's what keeps the entire place under control...