chapter 2: Enter Protoman
It was, indeed, the dual haired boy. A Flareon tagged at his heels, snarling. Could that be Protoman?
"Can I help you?" said Professor Oak.
"You're Professor Oak, the Pokemon genius, right?" said Chaud.
"Yeah, he is," said Tracy.
"I was hoping you could take a look at my Flareon. He's been acting strangely..." said Chaud, nodding at the creature that now bobbed around his ankles.
"All right," said the professor, reaching out for the pokemon. It arched its back, fur on end as it went FIIITTZ! "Hm. Not very trusting, is he?" said Oak, glancing at Chaud.
"No, he's not. ANd that's helped us several times," said Chaud. Megaman hesitantly approached the Flareon.
"Protoman? Is that you?" he asked. THe Flareon smirked.
"Megaman... I suspected that, with Dr. Hikari and Lan here," he replied.
"It is you! Do you know what's happened? Where we are?"
"...I don't know anything about this situation," said Protoman. The humans understood none of this. "Well, it seems to get along well with Megaman," said Dr. Hikari. Chaud stood perfectly still, watching the two Eevee evolutions intently.
"So, does your Flareon have a name?" said Lan.
"Yes, Protoman," said Chaud.
"Protoman? That's a weird one!" Lan laughed. Chaud glared at him.
"Unusual, Lan. Not weird," corrected Dr. Hikari.
"Sure, whatever you say, Dad. Anyway, why'd you name it 'Protoman,' of all things?" said lan.
"Why did you name your Vaporeon 'Megaman?'" said Chaud. Lan looked over at megaman.
"I don't know. I guess it just...fit."
"Well, Protoman, you look different," Megaman observed, trying not to laugh.
"Yes, I know. I look like a cute orange and yellow puffball that wants to be cuddled. This is ridiculous... Do you think it's the big, watery black eyes or the 'puff' bit that makes strangers want to pick me up?"
"All strangers?"
"Yep. Watch." said Protoman. He stalked up to Tracy and looked us at the boy, eyes wide and tail flicking as he said, "Flare?" An immediate change came over Tracy as he went, "Awww!" He scooped Protoman up from the ground and held him close. "Cute!"
"See what I mean?" said Protoman, struggling to get free. Chaud rushed over and snatched the Flareon from tracy.
"I'm gonna have to say it was the adorable little 'flare' that did it," Megaman sniggered. Tracy took Protoman back and began to coo over him while Chaud hissed curses at him.
"Okay. I want out of this horror story. NOW," said Protoman, annoyed and squirming. Megaman smiled as he watched.
We may be some sort of weird creatures... But if Protoman and I are working together... I know we can set this right.
A scream split the air. Chaud and Lan, cross-fused, glared at a monstrous virus looming over them... Chaud stared at his hand in amazement as a purplish blue glow shone in the form of a crest on his palm... He held out one arm, making Anetta step back from the enemy before them... With a roar of rage, he few at Shademan, sword at the ready.... he was plummeting towards dark protoman, anger burning deep inside... He was staring at a window, where his reflection stared back. And suddenly a person with long silver hair, a red helmet and dark visor was staring back through that rain streaked glass....
Chaud sat up, gasping. It took him a moment to realize it had been a dream. He leaned back into the pillows and closed his eyes for a moment as he caught his breath. The image of the stranger with the visor came back to haunt him. That guy...whoever he was...was so familiar...
"I wonder what his name was..." he whispered aloud. "....Blues...?"
Lan woke up with a huge yawn, stretching his arms as he sat up in bed. Megaman noticed the shift in the covers and yawned too, standing up on the mattress and arching his back before shaking his head furiously. He followed Lan downstairs, into the kitchen.
"You're very loud on the stairs," said Chaud, lowering the newspaper so he could look at Lan. The younger boy scowled.
"You didn't have to stay for the night..."
"Lan, be a little more polite. Chaud is our guest," said Mrs. Hikari. Chaud brought the newspaper back up, while Lan gave a 'humph' of annoyance.
"I don't think we'll be able to convince them to work together," said Protoman, looking up from the bowl of poke-food Mrs. Hikari had set out for him.
"I'm gonna have to agree with you..." said Megaman, watching the two boys.
"What do you suggest we do?" said Protoman.
"Force them to somehow remember?" said Megaman. Protoman lost interest in food and let his gaze travel around the room.
"Hmmm...Let's see...what can I burn...?"
"You can't burn anything in Mom's kitchen!"
"Mom's kitchen...? You call her Mom?"
"Yeah. So what?"
"...Never mind..." Protoman walked over to his NetOp and put his forepaws on the edge of the seat. "Ch...Ch..." Chaud lowered the newspaper again to stare at Protoman. The Flareon continued in his attempt. "Ch...Ch..." He paused, and one eye twitched uncontrollably. He decided to return to the food bowl.
"Found out you couldn't talk, huh?" said Megaman, as the other stormed past.
"Shut up," he growled. He glanced back at Chaud, and seemed to see something in the boy's eyes. He looked at the Vaporeon. "Megaman... He knows something. I can tell." Megaman glanced over at Chaud, who was still watching them, looking slightly confused.
"What?" said Lan, following his gaze. Chaud turned to look at him.
"Do they seem to...be hiding something...?" he asked. Lan looked back at him, obviously confused. Megaman looked at Protoman, heart rising in joy. Chaud, however, shook his head, saying, "Just forget I said anything." Protoman sighed.
The older boy folded up the newspaper and put it on the table before standing up and saying, "Thanks for letting me sleep here, Mrs. Hikari. Protoman and I should go now."
"Go? Where?" said Megaman, glancing at at the Flareon beside him.
"I'm really not too sure," said Protoman.
"Hang on, can I get Protoman's data on my Pokedex? I'm trying to get more pokemon on it than that Maylu girl," said Lan, holding up a red object that slightly reminded Megaman of a PET. Chaud shrugged. Lan pointed the object at Protoman, and an electronic voice spoke.
"Flareon, the flame pokemon. Flareon's fluffy fur has a purpose- it releases heat into the air so its body doesn't get excessively hot. This pokemon's body temperature can rise to a maximum of 1,650 degrees."
"Vaporeon, the bubble jet pokemon. Vaporeon underwent a spontaneous mutation and grew fins and gills that allow it to live underwater. This pokemon has the ability to freely control water," said a similar voice. Chaud had taken out an identical pokedex and had pointed it at Megaman. Both pokemon stood there, confused by the sudden knowledge they had heard.
"I can live underwater...?" said Megaman.
"Come on, Protoman," said Chaud, walking toward the door. Protoman didn't move. Chaud paused with his hand on the doorknob. "Protoman, come here." A slight chill had entered his voice. Protoman hesitated, then followed, glancing back at Megaman as he went. The door snapped shut.
"Good riddance," said Lan. Mrs. Hikari rolled her eyes. Lan finished breakfast in a matter of what seemed like seconds, then raced upstairs to change. Megaman glanced at the clock, and his eyes widened. Lan was late again! But why wasn't Mrs. Hikari trying to rush him on his was way to school? And where was Lan supposed to have been for so long...? Lan came back down, fixing the position of his bandana as he spoke.
"I'm off. Megaman and I are going to do a little training."
"All right... But no pranks on the neighbors. and don't upset that poor girl down the block!" said Mrs. Hikari. Lan went out the door, grumbling angrily about Maylu. Lan paused in a little park and hid behind a tree. Megaman peered around the trunk to see what Lan had spotted.
Maylu was sitting on a bench, reading a book while stroking a pink, catlike creature absent-mindedly. Lan cackled evilly and pulled out his pokedex. If Megaman had an eyebrow at the moment, it would've been raised. Lan pointed the pokedex at the creature beside Maylu, and the electronic voice rang out.
"Espeon, the Psychic pokemon. Espeon is extremely loyal to any trainer it considers worthy. It is said that this pokemon developed its precognitive powers in order to protect its trainer from harm..." Lan cursed at it, trying to muffle the sound, but it was too late.
"Lan Hikari!" cried Maylu, spotting them. Her face was one of pure anger, and she jumped up when she saw them. She whipped out her pokedex and aimed it at Megaman.
"Vaporeon, the bubble jet pokemon..."
"Hey!" Lan cried indignantly. Maylu stuck her tongue out.
"Serves you right, jerk!" she cried. The pink pokemon looked up, stunned by the sight of the vaporeon standing next to Lan. Megaman noticed a necklace around its neck too, though this one had Roll's symbol.
"Roll!" he cried, running over. The Espeon leaped down with a shout.
"Megaman! Megaman, is that you?" THey skidded to a halt with their noses inches apart. "Megaman, what's going on? I woke up yesterday like this, and Maylu was insulting Lan nonstop..."
"I don't know. But Protoman looks like a living pompom that wants to be squeezed," said Megaman.
"Protoman's here too?" said Roll. He nodded.
"Hey! Don't you dare hurt Roll!" cried Maylu, scooping the Espeon into her arms and holding her tightly. Lan ran over and began to drag Megaman away. Both pokemon struggled with the NetOps.
"Is there a problem here?" said a stranger. It was a woman dressed in a blue police uniform, with long green hair.
"N-No, Officer Jenny. It's just..." Lan was cut off.
"We were on our way home," said Maylu, shooting Lan a dirty look before spinning on her heel and stalking away. Roll watched helplessly over the girl's shoulder as they rounded a bend in the path. Lan snorted and walked away, Megaman following quietly. They paused by a fountain.
"Okay, Megaman. Let's do some training," he said.