Serenade.EXE

"How keep of you to notice my power even before we begin. You mentioned that I am different from other Navis? That is because the source of my power... is mercy. (MegaMan.EXE: "Mercy"...?) Correct. I love and respect my enemy and thereby win. Come now. Let me show you."

- Serenade.EXE

Serenade.EXE is an autonomous NetNavi of unknown origin and a major antagonist in Mega Man Battle Network 3.

Biography
Serenade is referenced many times in the game as either "S" or the holder of Rank 1, with nearly everyone in the Undernet harolding and fearing even the mention of his real name. Until the encounter of either BowlMan.EXE or MistMan.EXE, the game does not even disclose his real name at all, nor does it disclose information on how to reach him. Until that point, the only clue to reaching this mysterious figure is the cut-throat ranking system. When his server is finally found, he hands the Forbidden Program to MegaMan.EXE, warning him that only a Chosen One can wield it, with all others being eternally frozen should they attempt to wield it. MegaMan decides to risk it all and attempts to wield it, doing so successfully. MegaMan tries to use the Forbidden Program to permanently stop Bass.EXE, though Bass is able to stop it, indicating that he too is a Chosen One. Deep into the post-game, Serenade's domain, the Secret Area, can officially be entered. Before then, Serenade does not allow MegaMan to enter, though after meeting the right requirements, MegaMan is able to enter. The Secret Area is split into three domains, with the first two being guarded by two of Serenade's most powerful underlings, DarkMan.EXE and JapanMan.EXE. After clearing both areas, the third and final area can be accessed, and after completing a certain trial, MegaMan can finally challenge Serenade in a battle, one of the most difficult in the game. Serenade shows himself to be an honorable warrior, as he thanks MegaMan for acknowledging his immense power before the battle, and claims that the source of his power is mercy. After his defeat, Serenade mentions that this is his first defeat in a long while, while mentioning also that the last battle of nearly this intensity was against Bass. According to him, that battle lasted for days, with Serenade just barely winning. The player is rewarded with a Serenade S chip in White version, and a DarkAura A chip in Blue version.

Though the game never confirms it directly, it is indirectly indicated that Serenade is Mamoru's NetNavi, as Mamoru is shown to be the administrator of the Secret Area, and while Mamoru does express a desire to battle against Lan and MegaMan, this never happens unless Serenade is indeed Mamoru's NetNavi.

In addition, Serenade is referred to with feminine pronouns in the Japanese version, and male pronouns in the English version. Capcom responded to this discrepancy in localization by stating that Serenade is a perfect being beyond gender.

Role in the Anime
MORE INFORMATION NEEDED