Chapter 10

"So... what now?", Geo asked.

"I know!", Megaman said, "We'll have Protoman, Gutsman and Nuberman compete in a three-way free for all to decide who gets 4th, 5th, and 6th place."

"Sounds good to me, Guts!", Gutsman said.

"I'm in.", Protoman concured. Numberman merely nodded his acceptance, still glaring at Zero.

"How about you?", Megaman asked, "Dex, Chaud, Mr. Higsby?"

"We'll do it.", All three operators said simultaneously.

A few minutes later, the three competitors faced each other in a trianglular formation. Their operators were just as focused.

Protoman vs. Gutsman vs. Numberman: Start!

Dex moved fast, "Mega Guts Punch! Slot-IN!!"

Gutsmans fist grew three times its normal proportions, and the large navi launched himself at Numberman, "Eat this, Guts!"

The processing navi merely stepped aside, and Gutsman went crashing into the wall. "Custom Sword! Slot-IN", Mr. Higsby said. Numberman slashed at Gutsman, but this early in the fight, the Custom Sword wouldn't do much damage. Normally Numberman would question Mr. Higsby when such an amateurish move was made, but the lean, green, not-so-mean navi understood it to be a lure.

Protoman ran up behind Numberman, who turned and slashed at him as well. But Protoman didn't take the Custom Sword bait. As the sword made impact, Protomans entire template turned gray, and he disappeared. "What!", Numberman exclaimed.

"I'm right here.", Before Numberman could turn around, Protoman attacked, "Sonic Boom!" The sword wave hit Numberman.

Numberman: 6th place

"WHAT?!", Mr. Higsby exclaimed.

"One more, Protoman.", Chaud said.

"I'm on it.", Protoman turned around... and immediately met Gutsmans fist. The red navi went flying.

"Battle Chip, Vulcan! Slot-IN!", Dex said. Gutsman took aim, and fired. Except that Protoman was no longer there.

"Where did he?", Geo started.

"Chaud must have used a Panel-Out.", Megaman counseled, "Protoman's fast. But he's not faster than a Vulcan."

Just as Megaman had predicted, Chaud had, indeed, used a Panel-Out. Gutsman still hadn't registered the fact that the sword navi was no longer there, and said navi stepped out of a cyber door directly behind him.

"Gutsman! Look out!!", Dex cried. But the warning came too late. Protoman slashed downward with his sword.

Gutsman: 5th place Protoman: 4th place

"Not the most exciting battle I've ever witnessed, but at least we know who would win in a fight between the three of them.", Geo said, "Well, Megaman, looks like we're up next!"

Megaman nodded, "Come on, Zero... uh, Zero?"

"There he is!", Geo said, pointing. Zero was already on the field, waiting, calm as ever.

"Well, let's go!", Lan said, "Sorry, Rockman, but we're gonna win this one!"

Geo rolled his eyes. He suddenly got the feeling that he was going to be VERY tired when this was all said and done.