Hey! Time for number four. Enjoy, and don't forget to review!

Rollblast 4

Meddler Medi

Bang! Crash!

Roll screamed as a fiery blast flew right past her shoulder.

"Watch it, Roll!" Protoman shouted.

Roll, Protoman, and Mega Man were fighting a group of viruses that had entered Lan's HP. Mega Man had been hosting a get-together party with Roll and Protoman, and Alphaman had been sent on an errand by Maylu to go order some more Battle Chips. Tori said that he had too much homework and didn't have time to hang out with them that night. Roll, Protoman, and Mega Man had been interrupted by swarms of viruses that had gotten through the firewall.

"Megabuster!" Mega Man shot down three Spikey viruses with shots from the cannon on his arm.

"Sonicboom!" Protoman took down four Cannodumb viruses.

"Rollblast!" Roll hit two Mettuar.

Not much later the area had been cleared of all the viruses.

"Why did they attack here?" Roll asked. "There's nothing valuable in Lan's HP."

"Except for three Net Savers," Protoman said.

"I don't think those were Nebula viruses," Mega Man said. "They weren't as powerful as the last group we defeated."

"Perhaps that's what they want us to think," Protoman said. "Why else would viruses suddenly attack Lan's HP?"

"Who knows," Mega Man said, "But we were having fun until they got here, so let's worry about it later."

Roll, Mega Man, and Protoman were practicing their Net Saver skills so Protoman had something to do. All of Roll or Mega Man's other suggestions seemed to bore him. Roll finally said that they should practice, because the last fight they had seemed to last much longer than it should have.

"All right," Protoman said. "Roll, see if you can hit me while I'm moving at top speed."

The Navis were currently working on moving targets. It wasn't as easy, Protoman pointed out, to hit something that wouldn't sit still.

Protoman ran around Roll in a wide circle while Mega Man stood to the side. Protoman's top speed was around mach five, so Roll was unable to pinpoint exactly where Protoman was.

Soon she figured out a way that she knew wouldn't miss. "Rollblast!" she said, and threw her attack in all directions around her.

Protoman was hit in the side and he stumbled. "Good," he said. "That hurt. I guess it was supposed to."

"No!" Roll said. "I didn't mean to hurt you! I just wanted to make sure I hit my target."

"It's fine. You're turn, Mega Man."

Roll and Mega Man switched places, and Protoman did the same to Mega Man as he had done to Roll. Mega Man fired straight ahead with his Megabuster, and hit Protoman in the same place Roll had.

"Ow!" Protoman shouted. "That is going to be sore."

The Navis practiced for a long time, until Alphaman got back. Then they changed their goal to Alphaman being able to hit a target at all.

Unknown to the Navis, someone else was watching them.

"That blue one is especially good," the spy said. "And he's cute."

"Oh, you're not supposed to be looking for cute Navis," the spy's Net Op said. "Get down there and introduce yourself. You're supposed to be looking for someone who can help. They got past our all of viruses without any casualties, and there are only three of them."

"But I was having fun," the Navi said. "Those red and blue Navis are highly skilled, and they don't look to bad, either. It's fun to spy on cute Navis."

"In case you haven't noticed," the Net Op said, "they're hanging out with a girl. One of those 'cute Navis' has a girlfriend already, and you don't know which one it is. I'm guessing it's not the gray one. It's best not to fall in love and then find out he's taken."

"Whatever," the Navi said. She stepped out from behind a column in the HP and strode out into the middle of the training session, where a light gray Navi was currently firing shot after shot at the red Navi, but was missing horribly, even though the red Navi was standing in one spot, looking bored.

"Hey, guys!" the Navi called.

Roll, Mega Man, Protoman, and Alphaman turned around to see the Navi walking towards them. She looked around the HP as if she was slightly impressed at the damage Alphaman had done.

"Do you do this every day?" Mega Man asked, "Because you sure look like you do. Stride into people's HPs."

"No," the Navi answered. "I was sent by my Net Op to find a decent group of Net Savers to help us."

"How did you get past the firewall?" Protoman inquired.

"It wasn't too hard," the Navi replied. "Just a few Battle Chips and it opened right up."

"That's illegal!" Alphaman pointed out.

She strode right past Roll, Protoman, and Alphaman and stuck her hand out to Mega Man. "Hi," she said flirtatiously. "My name's Medi."

"Hi," Mega Man said, but his arm was still replaced by his Megabuster from his earlier mock battle with Protoman. "I'm Mega Man." He pointed with his free hand to all the others. "That's Roll, that's Protoman, and that's Alphaman."

"Nice to meet you all," Medi said, walking over to Protoman. "You're really fast," she said. "Protoman, was it? The Navi of Chaud Blaze, the best Net Saver that the world has to offer?"

"Yes," Protoman said, "but I'd have to admit that my place as the world's best Net Saver is quickly being replaced by those two Navis." He pointed to Roll and Mega Man.

"Oh, really?" Medi asked. She sauntered over to Roll and said, "I've never even heard of you. Roll, was it?"

"Yes," Roll said, fists clenched at her side. "And I'm not the best, he is." She flicked her eyes to Mega Man. This is weird, Roll thought. She tries to shake Mega's hand and now it's like I hate her. I shouldn't hate anyone! She frowned to herself. What if Mega chooses her over me? she wondered suddenly, her anger turning to worry. She's pretty, and she's flirting with him!

"Oh, yeah," Medi said. "You said you're Mega Man. I've heard of you. You're pretty popular. Lan Hikari's your Net Op, right?"

"Yeah," Mega Man said.

Alphaman crossed his arms and tapped his foot. "Can you please tell us what you want?"

"Oh, yeah," Medi said, "About that. My Net Op, Jasmine, wanted to find some good Net Savers to help her with an errand she needs to run."

"And what's that?" Roll asked, imitating Alphaman.

"We need to get into the Undernet," Medi said.

"No!" Alphaman immediately wailed. "I just went in there not too long ago, and I don't want to have to go back so soon!"

"Why do you have to go to the Undernet?" Protoman asked, suddenly interested.

"Jasmine heard that Nebula is meeting there," Medi said. "She and I both want to go there, even though we're not Net Savers. We couldn't contact Mr. Fortune or whatever his name is because we knew he'd just say, 'Don't worry, we'll take care of it.' We don't want them to take care of it! We want to take care of it."

"You're right about Mr. Famous," Roll said. "That's exactly what he'd say, and we agree. Nice meeting you, Medi, and thanks for the heads up, but we'll take care of it." Smiling, she looked at Mega Man. "What do you say? I'll call Maylu."

"Wait," Protoman said. "Don't worry, Medi, you can come along. But we do need to contact Mr. Famous. We just won't mention you to him."

"Good idea," Mega Man said, not seeing Roll's surprised face. "Let's call our Net Ops. Is Jasmine nearby?"

"She's in Higsby's Chip Shop," Medi answered. "I'll call her after you talk to your Net Ops."

While Roll, Mega Man, Protoman, and Alphaman spent time together, Lan had invited over Maylu and Chaud. Lan's parents were out for the day. Lan spent the whole time eating, and Maylu and Chaud had chatted about previous Net Saver missions and wondering about what was yet to come.

"Lan! Maylu! Chaud! We need to talk!"

"Yeah, Mega Man?" Lan asked picking up his PET. He was surprised to see an extra Navi in it. "Who's that?" Lan asked.

"This is Medi," Mega Man said. "She needs our help."

Maylu and Chaud had picked up their PETs, too.

"She doesn't really need our help," Roll insisted. She and Alphaman had gone back to their PET. "She just wants to tag along on a mission we need to go on."

"We need to contact Mr. Famous," Protoman said from Chaud's PET. "And, Chaud Blaze, sir, may I have permission to do the talking?"

Chaud looked a little surprised, but said, "Yeah, I guess."

Protoman dialed up the Net Saver Headquarters and explained about how he had heard that Nebula was meeting in the Undernet. Mr. Famous tried to assign the mission to someone else, saying that Roll, Mega Man, Protoman, and Alphaman had gotten the last mission and were probably tired. Protoman insisted that they were okay, and he finally gave the mission to Maylu, Lan, and Chaud.

"I'll go get Jasmine," Medi said to Mega Man.

--

"Jasmine!"

Medi appeared back in her own PET, and Jasmine looked down and said, "Well, what's the news?"

"They agreed," Medi said. "And up close, that blue one is really cute. His name's Mega Man. His Net Op's cute, too." She smiled.

"Neat," Jasmine said. "Lan Hikari's house, right?"

"Right."

--

When Medi had left, Mega Man explained to the Net Ops everything that had gone on.

"Medi and her Net Op wanted to go on the mission," Mega Man said, "but they knew that Mr. Famous wouldn't let them, so they looked for Net Savers that could accompany them on the mission without letting Mr. Famous know."

"I see," Chaud said. "I get it."

"So they're sort of sneaking their way into going," Maylu said.

"I don't think they should go!" Roll agreed. "They're not Net Savers!"

Just then, the doorbell rang. Lan got up and ran to answer it.

"Hi!" Jasmine said. "I'm Medi's Net Op, Jasmine."

"Hi!" Lan said. "Come on in! Our Navis are ready to go!"

"You must be Jasmine," Chaud said, getting up from the couch as Lan and Jasmine came in. "I'm Chaud Blaze."

"Hello," Jasmine said. "Yes, I'm Medi's Net Op." She looked at Maylu. "You must be that one pink Navi's operator. Hi."

"Yeah, hi," Maylu said.

Maylu, Lan, Chaud, and Jasmine jacked all their Navis into Lan's computer. They all stood in the HP, waiting for instructions from their Net Ops.

"All right," Lan said. "You guys head into the Undernet, and contact us if you have any trouble."

"Shouldn't we take any chips with us?" Roll asked. "Just in case?"

"Nah," Lan said. "We were fine last time. Hopefully Nebula won't try to mess with the communication, since they don't know we're coming."

"Um, wait, m'lady," Alphaman called to Maylu. "Do I really have to go on this one? That last fight was very intense, and I am a little tired—"

"You'll be fine," Chaud snapped.

"You can stay here," Maylu said. "I understand."

Alphaman sighed with relief and appeared back in the PET.

Chaud snorted.

--

"Here we are," Medi said happily, as they stood outside the eerie entrance to the Undernet. "Thank you all so much for coming with me."

"You're not going to drop us off here, are you?" Mega Man asked.

"Why not?" Medi inquired. "I can go alone."

"But you said you needed us to go with you into the Undernet," Roll pointed out.

Medi shrugged. "I just meant that I didn't know the easiest way get here. But I guess you guys can come along."

"I guess we can come along, too," Protoman said, "and we were going to whether you like it or not."

"Well, sorry!" Medi said. "I wasn't aware that you were the leader here!"

"He kind of is," Roll said. "Whether he denies it or not, he's still the best."

"What area did you hear Nebula was meeting in?" Mega Man asked Medi.

"Area Four," she answered. "I heard all the Darkloids would be there."

"Where did you hear this?" Roll asked, but no one answered.

"We'll be fine as long as they don't use Darkchips," Protoman muttered.

"Then let's get going," Mega Man said.

--

"We're almost there," Protoman said. The Navis had followed Protoman all the way to Undernet Area Three.

"Will you slow down?" Medi pleaded. "I'm about to die!"

"Slowpoke," Roll said jokingly. She had gotten used to Protoman's speed, since she'd run with him before.

"Yeah, Protoman," Mega Man said. "You are going a little fast."

"Fine," Protoman said. "But we're on a mission, and missions need to be completed as soon as possible."

"Well, sorry!" Medi said again.

"You should have known that one," Roll said lightheartedly. "That's just common sense. Or do you not have any of that?" She laughed. "Wow, Mega Man, I'm thinking there was a lot of sugar in those Cyber-cookies we ate. I'm getting a little loopy."

"Excuse me!" Medi exclaimed. "I'm sure I have much more of that than you do!"

"What?" Roll said, surprised that Medi couldn't take a joke. "I have common sense! Well, a little…"

"Calm down, Roll!" Mega Man said. "She's just tired. Protoman is a really fast Navi."

"Whatever," Roll snapped, to her own astonishment. "I say she's out of shape."

When the Navis finally reached Undernet Area Four, the tension between Roll and Medi had quickly reached a surprising maximum. Mega Man had to step between them to stop them from strangling each other.

"Here we are," Protoman said. "Now, they're probably hiding somewhere, so everyone keep an eye out."

"I'll bet Pinky over there couldn't spot them if they were right in front of her tiny little face," Medi jeered.

"Yeah, I'm almost as useless as you!" Roll shot back.

"Shut up!" Protoman ordered.

The four Navis searched the area until finally Mega Man announced that he found a path that led deeper into the area. With both Mega Man and Protoman between Roll and Medi, the Navis followed the path.

The tiny path led into a wide-open area, and Protoman held his sword out to stop the other Navis from going any further. Up ahead, a giant group of Darkloids was standing in the middle of the area, listening to someone talk.

"I know that voice," Mega Man whispered. "It's hard to forget. Shademan."

"Isn't he the big vampire guy?" Medi asked.

"Yes," Protoman said. "Everyone, contact your Net Ops. We're going to need Battle Chips."

Soon the Net Ops had all focused their attention back to their PETs.

"Okay, Protoman," Chaud said. "Move all the Navis into a circle around the Darkloids and ambush them. Delete as many as you can. Target Shademan."

"Yes, Chaud Blaze, sir," Protoman said.

The Net Ops downloaded an Invisible chip for each of their Navis.

"Hurry!" Lan said. "Invisible has a time limit!"

The Navis hastily surrounded the Darkloids. Roll listened to Shademan's voice speaking of something called Nebula Gray. It was to be launched soon. She wondered what it was. She tried to get Protoman's attention, thinking that maybe they should listen in, but then she realized she was invisible. Oh, well. Protoman knows what he's doing.

As soon as the Invisible chip ran out, Protoman signaled his sword and the Navis ran in for the attack.

"Aqua Tower, Battle Chip in!" Maylu cried.

"Cybersword, Widesword, Longsword, Battle Chips in!" Chaud said.

"Mega-Cannon for you, Mega Man!" Lan said. "Battle Chips in!"

"Vulcan!" Jasmine said. "Battle Chip in!"

Every one of the Darkloids turned around, a scowl on their faces. "Net Savers!" some of them said angrily. "The fools!"

"Attack!" Chaud ordered.

All at once, the four Navis fired their weapons at the Darkloids. They managed to knock four of them out of the fight, leaving still too many.

"Imbeciles!" Shademan hissed from his place in the middle of the circle. "Darkloids, get rid of them!"

"Run!" Medi said. "We found the Darkloids, I was right, now let's get out of here!"

"No!" Roll shouted. "You brought Net Savers with you, and now you have to do as a Net Saver would! Fight! Why else would you bring us here?"

Medi glared at her, trying to hide her fear. How would they win against this many Darkloids?

Mega Man fired his Mega-Cannon a second time before switching back to his Megabuster. Protoman sent a Sonicboom flying at the nearest Darkloid, and then slashed at one that was coming up behind him.

Meanwhile, Medi and Roll were arguing, and getting very close to ripping each other's heads off.

"Why do you want to run?" Roll taunted. "Scared to fight?"

"No!" Medi screeched. "Why would I be scared? Those Darkloids are a bunch of wimps!"

"Then go fight them!" Roll ordered.

"Fine!" Medi yelled. "I will! But only after you shut up!"

"You can't order a Net Saver around!"

"Yes, I can!"

"No you can't!"

"I just did!"

"Maybe, but I'm not going to—ah!"

Medi had thrown three of her capsules at Roll, and they had exploded around her, leaving her on the ground, stunned.

"That's what you get for talking back to me, Shorty!" Medi said triumphantly. "Now watch while I delete these Darkloids and steal your man!"

Roll tried to get up, but she couldn't move. Mega! she cried silently.

Mega Man and Protoman were too busy fighting to ever look back at the feuding girls. Medi ran to Mega Man's side and threw a capsule at a Darkloid that was running towards him.

"Hi, Medi," Mega Man said. "Thanks. Where's Roll?"

"I don't know," Medi lied. "I think she's somewhere over there." And she pointed in the opposite direction of Roll's true location.

"Oh," Mega Man said. "I hope she's okay."

"Me, too," Medi said.

"Roll's down," Protoman said a few seconds later, leaping over to Mega Man and Medi. "It seems she's been hit with a Thunder, or something of the sort."

"Where's Flashman?" Mega Man asked immediately. "Is Roll okay?"

"I haven't seen Flashman," Protoman said. "I spotted Roll farther over there, away from the battle. I thought I'd best tell you first, Mega Man. I'll go get her."

"No, I'll get her," Medi volunteered. "I'm a nurse Navi. I'll help her." Medi had no intention of really hurting Roll. In fact, she was surprised that her paralysis attack hadn't yet worn off.

"Okay," Mega Man said uncertainly as he dodged a blast from a Darkloid's cannon. "Just hurry. Whoa!" He aimed his Megabuster as another shot barely missed his face and fired at the Darkloid.

Medi left Mega Man and Protoman to fight while she went back to Roll. When she arrived at her side, she put her hands in front of her.

"Healing Pulse," she said.

What? Roll wondered.

--

After the Net Ops had each downloaded their Battle Chips for their Navis, they sat on Lan's couch and watched their Navis fight, ready to help if they needed to.

"Mega Man and Protoman are pretty good," Jasmine commented. "It's too bad that Alpha Navi backed out."

"What do you think about Roll?" Maylu asked.

"I don't know," Jasmine said. "Where is she?"

"She's fighting the Darkloids," Maylu said. "No, wait...She's arguing with Medi."

"She is?" Jasmine asked. "It's very unlike Medi to get into an argument."

"It's not like Roll, either," Maylu said worriedly. "Roll! What are you doing? Go fight the Darkloids, not the ally!"

When Maylu's screen had popped up in the Undernet, Maylu had enough time to see Medi throw a capsule at Roll before her communication was jammed.

"She just attacked Roll!" Maylu cried.

"Oh, dear," Alphaman commented quietly.

"What?" Lan asked, turning his attention from his conversation with Chaud to the two girls.

"Medi wouldn't do that," Jasmine argued.

"Wouldn't do what?" Chaud inquired.

"She just attacked my Navi!" Maylu told him.

"Medi just threw a bomb-thing at Roll!" Alphaman cried.

"It would have been a Medi Capsule," Jasmine corrected, "And no, she didn't."

"Protoman!" Chaud said. "Go find Roll."

"Yes sir." Maylu saw on Chaud's screen Protoman leaving Mega Man's side to search for Roll.

Soon Protoman popped into Lan's screen and said to Mega Man and Medi, who was now fighting alongside him, "Roll's down. It seems she's been hit with a Thunder, or something of the sort."

"Where's Flashman?" Mega Man asked quickly. "Is Roll okay?"

"I haven't seen Flashman," Protoman answered. "I spotted Roll farther over there, away from the battle. I thought I'd best tell you first, Mega Man. I'll go get her."

"No, I'll get her," Medi volunteered. "I'm a nurse Navi. I'll help her."

"See?" Jasmine said. "Medi wouldn't hurt Roll. She's going to help her."

"Then explain why she cut off my communication!" Maylu shouted, staring at her messed-up PET screen with Alphaman standing timidly off to the side.

"She'll explain herself," Jasmine answered as she watched her Navi heal Roll. "See? She just healed her."

"I can't see!" Maylu argued. "My communication's down!"

"You've said that enough," Lan told her.

--

"What's with you?" Roll cried as she jumped up, ready to fight.

"I didn't really mean to hurt you," Medi said.

"Then why did you throw a bomb at me?" Roll asked.

Medi sighed. "I thought there was a Darkloid behind you, but it was just my imagination." It wasn't the truth. Medi really just wanted Roll to shut up.

"Yeah, right," Roll said. "You did it on purpose." Then she yelled, "Maylu!"

"Communication's down," Medi said when there was no answer. "We're in the Undernet, you know. I guess it's just you and me. No Net Ops."

"I think you're a Darkloid," Roll said suddenly.

Medi first showed an expression of surprise, but it quickly changed to anger. "You just hate me, don't you?" she asked. "How about you fight me, and I'll show you that I don't fight like a Darkloid! Because I'm not a Darkloid!"

"I can't fight you!" Roll shouted. "We're supposed to be on a mission!"

"And the boys are doing fine," Medi said. "If it's a Net Saver mission, then you should be deleting the Darkloids, right? Come on, scared to fight?"

"Why would I be scared?" Roll fumed. "You're just a wimp!"

"Then come fight me!"

--

Not far away, Mega Man and Protoman were left picking off the real Darkloids, one by one.

"Where are the girls?" Mega Man asked between shots of his Megabuster. "We haven't seen them in a while."

"I don't know," Protoman answered. "Darkloid behind you."

Mega Man spun around and shot straight through the middle of a green Darkloid, causing him to log out.

"I hope they're okay," Mega Man said.

Yeah, Protoman thought, though he didn't voice his concern. Where are they? I really hope Roll's okay. Well, Medi, too.

"I just thought of something else, too," Mega Man brought up. "Where's Shademan? Don't you think he would have attacked us by now?"

"Maybe he's waiting until we let our guard down," Protoman guessed.

"He could have just gotten scared and left as soon as we showed up," Mega Man laughed.

Protoman shrugged. "You're probably right."

--

Shademan appeared back in his castle. He indeed had been afraid and had fled to the safety of his throne. He sat in his special seat and waited for a consultation with the "Mysterious Man."

He didn't have to wait long. Soon the panels below his throne began to give off and eerie glow, and the shadow of Laserman appeared. "Shademan, why are you hiding back here?" Laserman hissed angrily.

"Awaiting your orders," Shademan said plainly.

"This time they're simple," Laserman said. "Disable the communication between the Operators and their Netnavis. What's a Net Saver without a Netnavi?"

"I'll send Flashman to do the job," Shademan said in a bored tone.

"You'd best not fail," Laserman said menacingly before his outline disappeared.

Shademan muttered something rude before summoning Flashman from the battle to his throne.

--

"Mega Man, have a Spreader," Lan said, putting another Battle Chip into the PET. "That'll be easier than your Mega-Cannon."

"Protoman, NeoVariable Sword," Chaud said.

"Medi, take Fire Tower." Jasmine downloaded the Battle Chip. She leaned closer to the speaker and said, "Medi, leave Roll alone."

"This battle is really long and really boring," Lan commented. "Where's the action?"

"I'm fine without any action," Chaud muttered. "I think I'll take easy for once."

Maylu wasn't paying attention. She was talking to Alphaman.

"You saw it, didn't you?" she asked. "You saw Medi attack Roll?"

"It was as if she saw your screen," Alphaman said, "and blew up the communication so you couldn't operate Roll."

"You're right," Maylu said. "She attacked at the very same moment I contacted Roll. Coincidence, or did we just find out that Medi's a bad guy?"

"I don't know, m'lady," Alphaman said.

Just then the other Net Ops let out cries of shock. Maylu turned around to see Lan, Chaud, and Jasmine all staring at their PET screens. All three of the screens were fuzzy, like a broken TV. Lan and Chaud looked at each other in shock, but Jasmine moved her angry gaze to Maylu.

"It was her!" she said. "She thinks I cut off her communication, so she turned around and disabled ours!"

Chaud saw the look of surprise and anger on Maylu's face and quickly defended her. "She has no way of doing that."

"Yes, she does!" Jasmine argued.

"How?" Chaud challenged.

Jasmine glared. "I don't know!"

"It doesn't matter who cut it off," Lan said, not taking sides. "All that matters is now we can't talk to our Navis. They'll have to win the battle and come back on their own."

--

Flashman appeared in the back of Undernet Area Four, away from the fight. He laughed to himself. The Net Savers were all alone. Flashman was a bit surprised that they had beaten all the other Darkloids, especially that quickly.

To his surprise, he spotted a Navi he didn't recognize. "Ah!" he said aloud. "A new Net Saver. No wait, she's fighting with that pink puppet. Friend or foe, I wonder?"

--

"Then come fight me!"

As soon as Medi had finished her sentence, she threw a capsule at Roll. Roll was quick enough this time to jump into the air and land behind Medi.

"I knew we shouldn't have trusted you!" Roll shouted. "You are a Darkloid!"

"No, I'm not," Medi said, preparing another capsule. "I truthfully want to be a Net Saver, but you're getting in the way."

"How am I in the way?" Roll asked, leaping to the side as she dodged another capsule.

"I can't ever be a Net Saver if the girlfriend of one of the greatest hates me!" Medi answered. "If I get rid of her, then maybe I'll have a chance! Hey, maybe I'll even be his partner!"

Roll swallowed, but she didn't want to admit that she wasn't Mega Man's girlfriend. "You'll never be a Net Saver," she said instead.

"Whatever." To Roll's surprise, the next attack Medi threw was a Fire Tower. It came to fast for Roll to dodge, so Medi made a direct hit and left Roll with some bad burns.

"Rollblast!" Roll shouted, throwing her attack at Medi. Medi jumped straight into the air, avoiding any damage.

"No, stop!"

Mega Man and Protoman were running at full speed towards Roll and Medi. "What are you doing?" Mega Man shouted.

"Medi's a Darkloid!" Roll cried.

"I'm not a Darkloid!" Medi said as Mega Man and Protoman reached them.

"All the other Darkloids are gone," Protoman said. "While you two were fighting each other, Burnerman ordered a retreat."

"Good," Roll said. "Now all three of us can make Medi retreat."

"I'm not a Darkloid," Medi repeated.

"I've never seen a Darkloid that denies it," Mega Man pointed out. "Roll, I think you're just paranoid."

"Paranoid?" Medi laughed. "She's got to be insane!"

"She cut off my communication with Maylu!" Roll argued.

"I really don't think she did, Roll," Mega Man said.

"I do!" Roll shouted. "She's the insane one!"

"Stop arguing," Protoman ordered. "Okay, Roll. What proof do you have that Medi cut off your communication?"

"She smirked when Maylu didn't answer my call!"

"I just said that communication was down," Medi said. "I didn't smirk."

"Then how come ours isn't down?" Protoman asked.

"I don't know," Medi lied. "But I didn't cut off her communication!"

"Chaud!" Protoman called.

Nothing happened.

"Lan!" Mega Man yelled.

No reply came.

"See?" Medi said, trying to hide her own surprise. She hadn't known everything was cut off, either. "It's all down."

"It's just us, now," Mega Man said. "Roll, Medi did not cut off your communication."

"Yes, she did!"

"What proof do you have?" Medi shouted, repeating Protoman's words.

No one said anything.

"What now?" Protoman grumbled in frustration. "We've got two members of the team that don't trust each other, we have no Net Ops to help us, and we're stuck in the middle of the Undernet."

"Can we not jack out?" Roll asked.

"I say we just make our way back to Lan's HP and hang out there," Mega Man said.

"All that way?" Medi complained.

"You shouldn't have cut off the communication if you didn't want to walk back," Roll said.

"I didn't cut it off!" Medi yelled.

"How about you both cut it out," Protoman demanded.

Roll and Medi glared at each other.

Protoman started walking. He knew that they could jack out if they wanted to. But he wanted to spend as much time near Roll as possible, to try to straighten out his thoughts. And he was curious to see how the Roll-Medi argument unfolded.

--

It didn't take long for the Navis to get to Undernet Area Three. Mega Man and Protoman once again had stepped between Roll and Medi to keep them from deleting each other.

"Are we there yet?" Medi complained.

Roll would have shot a rude remark, but Mega Man quickly turned and gave her a warning look.

"We only have three areas to go in the Undernet," Protoman said. "Then we have to go through the rest of the Net to get to Lan's HP."

Medi moaned. Protoman turned his head so no one saw his amused smile.

Roll lagged behind the other three, and her mind drifted away. Why was Medi suddenly interfering with her and Mega Man? Why did Roll hate her? Why did she hate Roll? Why did she have to come? Meddler Medi, Roll muttered silently.

And how did Medi find out that Darkloids were meeting in the Undernet? She has to be a Darkloid. It's not like Shademan hangs up posters telling where the Darkloids are!

"Roll, look out!"

Roll turned around at the sound of Protoman's voice to see a tall Navi standing behind her. He was looking down at her, his arms folded across his chest. "Hello, pink puppet," he said. "We meet again."

"Flashman!" Mega Man said angrily. "What do you want?"

"So that's Flashman," Medi said.

Protoman released his breath. Perhaps it would have been better if they'd just jacked out when they had the chance.

"I was sent by Shademan," Flashman said. "He told me to disconnect your Net Ops, but that wasn't enough for me. I decided to come after you, too."

Roll's stomach flipped. She had blamed Medi for something that was Flashman's doing.

Roll kicked her leg at Flashman's chest in attempt to knock him over. He only stumbled backwards and laughed as Roll ran to stand beside Mega Man.

"Aw, you think he'll protect you!" Flashman jeered. "But think again! I'm going to delete you once and for all!"

"You said that last time," Protoman pointed out, his hand converting to a sword.

"You there!" Flashman said, pointing to Medi. "Whose side are you on?"

"Me?" Medi asked in confusion. "Obviously I'm on their side."

Flashman chuckled. "But you were fighting her." He pointed at Roll. "And winning, I might add."

"She was not winning!" Roll shouted.

"She thinks I'm a Darkloid," Medi answered. "Proof, Roll! Flashman doesn't know who I am, so I can't be a Darkloid!"

"It could all be an act," Roll said, "but I don't care. Come on, Mega, let's get Flashman!"

"Right with you, Roll!" Mega Man answered, readying his buster.

"Neon Light!" Flashman said. He held out his hand, and a bright light began to shine there.

"Medi Capsule!" Medi yelled, and she quickly threw it at Flashman. Flashman released his attack at that time, stopping the capsule in mid-air. The explosion sent all five Navis flying in opposite directions.

Protoman was the first to recover. He brought his sword down in a quick motion and shouted, "Sonicboom!"

Flashman scooted to the left, dodging Protoman's attack by inches. "Neon Light!" he said again.

"Rollblast!" Roll cried. She aimed her attack at Flashman's head, but he ducked just in time and sent his ball of electricity hurtling at Mega Man, who was standing in front of Medi.

"Megabuster!" Mega Man said, and shot straight through the Neon Light. The result was another explosion, but not one large enough to hurt the Navis. However, it did create a smokescreen. Roll looked around helplessly, not able to see clearly through the thick fog.

Suddenly Roll was knocked forward onto her knees. "Ow!" she shouted before she twisted around to see Protoman standing over her.

"Sorry," he said. "I was running and I didn't see you."

"It's okay," Roll said as Protoman offered her his hand.

"Maybe you should let Mega Man and me handle Flashman," Protoman offered as Roll stood up. His heart fell when Roll let go of his hand. Why couldn't she hold on forever?

"No way!" Roll replied. "I can help."

"Okay," Protoman shrugged. He should have known Roll wouldn't back down. But he felt so helpless. Protoman wasn't a nurse Navi, so if she got hurt he would have no way of helping her. And his trust for Medi was dwindling. "Whatever you say. Just be careful."

Roll smiled. "I'll be fine," she said. "Thanks."

Protoman returned the grin. Roll had such a beautiful face.

"Oh, how cute," came Flashman's voice. "Two puppets flirting with each other."

"We're not flirting!" Protoman yelled without thinking.

"And we're not puppets!" Roll added.

"Yes you are," answered Flashman. "Explain why you let humans manipulate you like they do."

"They don't manipulate us," Roll answered in a low voice. She turned to Protoman. "Activate your shield," she said. "You'll need it."

Protoman did as he was told.

Roll didn't know where Mega Man was, but she hoped he was far enough away that her next move didn't affect him.

"Rollblast!" she cried, throwing her attack the same way she had with Protoman. She heard the clink of Protoman's shield, but didn't hear any sound from anywhere else.

"Did I get him?" Roll asked. "I don't hear him."

"I don't know," Protoman answered. "Where's Mega Man and Medi?"

"I'm not sure," Roll replied.

"Uh!"

Protoman's shield vanished, and he fell forward.

"Protoman!" Roll cried just as she saw Flashman standing behind him. "Are you okay?"

Protoman didn't answer.

"Ooh, down in one hit," Flashman said. "Too bad."

Roll glared at Flashman. She knew Protoman would be okay. "Where's Mega?" she asked.

Flashman shrugged. "I don't know. I think he was over somewhere flirting with that one girl Navi."

"Rollblast!" Roll shouted. Her attack missed him by centimeters when he leaped into the air and flew over her.

"Neon Light!" Flashman countered. Roll jumped over the ball of electricity, taking time while she was in the air to look around.

The smokescreen was beginning to clear, and she spotted Mega Man a little ways away, back to back with Medi. He had his Megabuster ready, and she was standing in a fighting pose. Mega Man said something over his shoulder, and Medi giggled.

Roll's stomach suddenly twisted in a strange manner.

She went down with the next attack Flashman threw at her, Sparkarm. She cried out, nearly paralyzed by the powerful attack.

"Pokey, pokey," Flashman jeered. "You were a lot faster the last time I fought you. Oh, let me guess! The last time I fought you, your boyfriend wasn't cheating on you."

"He's not my boyfriend!" Roll cried, struggling to get off her knees. "I don't care that he's talking to Medi!"

"It sure seems you do," Flashman pointed out. "Crybaby."

Roll fell back down to the ground and covered her face with her hands. Flashman was right. Mega, why are you doing this to me? Why? What's she got that I don't?

Flashman heard the sobs from the tiny pink Navi. "Awww," he said, putting his hands on his hips. "Is wittle pink puppet sad?"

The tears were escaping from her eyes and falling down her face. "Shut up," she said quietly.

"Aw!" Flashman repeated. "She is!"

"Leave me alone!" Roll yelled. She raised one hand and sent an Aqua Tower careening towards Flashman. She had forgotten that she still had it.

Flashman was caught by surprise and had no time to dodge it. He was sucked into the tower and thrown farther away.

"Ow…Roll?" Protoman was starting to get back up. He looked up at Roll. "What happened?"

"Flashman attacked you," Roll said. "He was hiding behind your shield."

"Why didn't I catch him there?" Protoman asked aloud. "He would have been so obvious! I guess my mind was too clouded by—" He stopped.

Roll was suddenly full of curiosity. "Clouded by what?"

Protoman covered himself by saying, "Just wondering where Medi and Mega Man were."

"Oh," Roll said, shrugging. "Okay. I saw them over there." She raised a hand and pointed in that direction. She wasn't surprised to see herself shaking.

"Are you okay, Roll?" Protoman asked. Apparently he had seen it, too.

"Just fine," Roll said, dropping her hand to her side. "Tired. Flashman's somewhere around here…"

"There!" Protoman said. He brought down his sword in the air, creating a Sonicboom attack. It hurtled past Roll and into Flashman, who had evidently been behind her.

"Yeowch!" Flashman yelled, caught by surprise by the quick attack.

"Roll Arrow!" Roll said as a bow materialized on her arm. "Say goodbye, Flashman!"

Flashman didn't say goodbye, but logged out as the arrow pierced his middle.

"Well," Protoman said, "now that that's taken care of, let's go find Mega Man and Medi."

They found them still standing back to back, chatting and giggling, neither one in their battle stance. When Roll and Protoman came up to them, they stopped talking.

"Lost him," Mega Man said. "Sorry."

"We just defeated him," Protoman said. "Did you not hear us shouting at him?"

"Nope," Medi said. "Apologies. Mega's jokes are too funny."

Mega? Roll found herself unable to move. She stole my nickname for him!

"Jack out," Protoman ordered dryly. But when he tried to follow his own order, nothing happened.

"I thought we couldn't," Medi said.

Protoman was puzzled. Nebula must have done something different this time. "Oh," he said, hiding his confusion. "I forgot." He frowned and switched back to the previous topic. "You should pay better attention. Even if you're not a Net Saver, it's still common sense to know that you have to be attentive when fighting an enemy. Or do you not have any of that?"

Mega Man and Medi were caught off guard by Protoman's comment. Roll looked at him. He'd used her comment from earlier, only this time he meant it.

"Well, sorry," Medi said, but her apology was only half-hearted.

--

"Okay," Lan said. "We know that there's got to be some way to restore the connection. Chaud, any ideas?"

Chaud shook his head. "They should be able to jack out," Chaud said, "but I guess not."

"I believe I know a way."

Maylu picked up her PET and looked at Alphaman. "You do?" she asked. "Fire away!"

Alphaman cleared his throat. "Okay, it's my big moment! Now I get to rescue everyone!"

"Just tell us how," Lan sighed.

--

"We're stranded." Medi threw her head back.

Roll, Protoman, Mega Man, and Medi were now standing in a circle, trying to figure out what they should do about their situation.

"I really don't feel like walking all the way back," Mega Man said. "I say we camp out here until Lan and everyone fixes the connection and then we can jack out."

"I'm pooped," Medi said.

Roll almost said, "You're a poop," but she managed to restrain herself.

The four Navis plopped down onto the ground. Roll sighed. Medi turned to Mega Man and started chatting about Net City. "I heard they were going to rebuild it," she said. "After, you know, the Darkloids blew it up."

Roll stood back up and walked to the other side of Protoman, away from Medi and Mega Man.

"What's the deal?" Protoman asked. "Why aren't you sitting next to Mega Man?"

"Because of Medi," Roll muttered. "She likes Mega, and I have a feeling he likes her back."

"Why would he like her?" Protoman questioned. "She's annoying. Sure she's nice, sort of, but I'm just gonna have to say that I'm really surprised you'd think that he'd pick her over you. You're cute, smart, nice, and even a good Net Saver. And your size, that makes you even cuter. He has no reason to choose anyone else."

"That all sounded a little prepared," Roll pointed out, a sly smile on her face, "almost as if you were planning to tell me later."

Protoman felt his face turn slightly scarlet. "Uh, no," he said. "I'm…I guess I'm just a good talker."

Roll laughed. "Don't worry," Roll said. "I believe you."

Protoman sighed. She doesn't have any clue, he thought. She thinks I've never even considered having her as a girlfriend.

Roll sighed. He doesn't have any clue, Roll thought. Mega thinks I've never even considered having him as a boyfriend.

Suddenly there was a flash of light, and in front of the Navis appeared Alphaman. "Greetings," he said, smiling.

"Hi!" Roll said happily. "How'd you get here so fast? Is the communication back up?"

"Yup," Alphaman said. "I just wanted to come see you myself."

Immediately two screens appeared behind Roll and Protoman, and the faces of Maylu and Chaud appeared in them.

"Better jack out now," Chaud said, "before any viruses find you. Or more Darkloids."

Lan and Jasmine had appeared in the screens behind Mega Man and Medi. "Come on!" Lan said. "I'll order more Cyber-cookies!"

--

After all the Navis had safely gotten back into their PETs, the Navis jacked into Lan's HP. Lan called Higsby's Chip Shop and ordered a box of twenty-five chocolate chip Cyber-cookies, and the Navis each munched happily.

At least, most of them were happy.

Roll, Protoman thought, why do you chase after Mega Man so much? Have you ever considered anyone else? Why not me? I need to find out what's so cool about Mega Man.

Mega, Roll thought, why is Medi so neat to you? What is it that she's got that I don't? Why do you talk to her, but for the past few hours have been completely ignoring me? What happened to our friendship?

Alphaman scooted over to Roll and Protoman. "What is up, m'lady?" he asked.

Protoman frowned. "Don't ever say that again," he said in a bored voice.

"Yes, sir!" Alphaman said loudly, saluting.

Protoman snorted.

"These are really good," Roll said, taking another cookie out of the package. "I'll have to give Lan my compliments."

"No, I don't think you want to," Alphaman said. "He tried to order cookies from Grandpaman's Sweets Shop. It was I who persuaded him to buy from Higsby's."

"Oh," Roll said. "Then, thanks, Alphaman!"

"Grandpaman's?" Protoman echoed. "What kind of a name is that?"

"I didn't choose it," Alphaman said.

Roll smiled. It was hard to be sad around Alphaman.

It used to be that way with Mega Man. Mega Man used to always make her happy, no matter what mood she was in. Now, she couldn't help but wish Mega Man was back in his PET, and that Roll was at home. For some reason, she wanted Mega Man gone. And she knew it was Medi's fault. Medi was ripping them apart. Meddler Medi.

"What's wrong, Roll?" Protoman asked. "Why are you crying?"

Roll wiped her hand across her eyes. "Tired," she said. "I should get back to the PET."

"I don't think that's it," Alphaman said. "I think it's something different."

"No!" Roll snapped. "Really, I just need to be left alone!"

"Okay!" Alphaman said, surprised at her sourness. "Okay, okay."

Protoman didn't say anything. He knew exactly why she was crying. Mega Man. He was ignoring her. Suddenly he felt a wave of anger at the blue Navi. They used to be nearly best friends, but now he didn't think he wanted to be around him anymore, either.

Roll stood up and logged out, tears starting to stream down her face.

"I hope she's okay," Alphaman said.

Protoman said nothing. Mega Man was ignoring her. He was talking to Medi instead.

"Then Lan Crossfused," Mega Man was saying. "He slashed at Burnerman and said, 'Ha, you call that aim?' He was pretty easy to beat."

"Wow!" Medi giggled. "You and Lan are so cool!"

Protoman frowned. He hadn't been there, but Roll had told him about their battle with Burnerman. According to her story, it was Maylu who had taken out Burnerman, not Lan.

"Do you want to hear about the time I beat Vineman?" Mega Man asked Medi.

"Sure!" Medi said. "Your stories are so neat."

Protoman's scowl deepened. He had been there to know that it was Maylu who defeated Vineman. Mega Man was telling stories that he had bent just to impress Medi. Wonder what Roll would say if she knew about this, Protoman thought. I'll bet Lan is a jerk enough to be bragging to Jasmine, too, about how easily he had beaten my dark self. He laughed bitterly. Maylu had risked her life to save Protoman just for Chaud. Maylu had ended up in the hospital, and Chaud had told Protoman that he still didn't think he had thanked her enough. He couldn't bear to see Mega Man taking credit for what Roll and Maylu did.

Protoman stood up.

"Are you leaving, too?" Alphaman asked. "The time is currently nine hours, seven minues, and fifty-four seconds, so maybe we should be getting to bed."

"I've gotta talk to Mega Man," Protoman replied.

"Oh, okay," Alphaman said. "I'll jack out and go to sleep, now. I'm a bit tired."

As Alphaman jacked out behind him, Protoman made his way over to Mega Man and Medi.

"I should be going," he heard Medi say. "It's getting nearer and nearer to my Net Op's bedtime. She'll be cranky if she doesn't get to sleep on time."

"Okay," Mega Man said. "I'll see you soon, then, I hope."

The two Navis stood up, and Medi stepped forward and gave Mega Man a hug. Mega Man's face turned red, and he smiled. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back.

"It was so cool to meet you, Mega," Medi said. "I'm pretty sure I'll see you soon."

Medi stepped back and waved as she logged out.

When Mega Man turned around, his face was still red. "Wow," he said, smiling at Protoman. "She's really cool."

"I'll bet," Protoman muttered. "I'll be seeing you later."

Protoman jacked out, leaving Mega Man red-faced and confused.

The End

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