Megaman Battle Network – The Greatest Challenge
Chapter 4 – Friendship
Mamoru came down the corridor. "I'm sorry Lan, after that last attack we'd like to keep him in the hospital until the operation can take place."
"How long is that?" asked Mayl.
"Three years I'm afraid," said Mamoru, "We can operate sooner but he stands more chance of success after he reaches his fifth year. Still, that's nothing compared to how long I spent here."
"I bet you never expected to come back when you were cured either did you?" said Lan.
"That's the Lan Hikari I call my friend," said Mamoru, "Keep smiling, Hub's in the best of hands."
From there on in it was a constant vigil by the Hikari's. If Lan or Mayl weren't by Hub's side, Sarah or his grandparents were. His only constant source of comfort was Una who stayed by his side day and night. For three years there was always someone by his side.
A hand shook Sarah awake.
"Huh," she as she focused and recognised the two faces, "Yai and Blu."
"How is he?" asked Blu.
"Sleeping," said Sarah, "He goes into surgery tomorrow. They didn't want to do it now but his last attack was his worst yet."
Blu nodded and placed a teddy bear next to him.
"Blu," said Yai, "But that's your favourite."
"He needs him more," said Blu.
"I'll tell him in the morning," said Sarah, "You'd best go to bed Blu. You can come and see him tomorrow after the operation."
Sarah smiled, Hub was only a couple of months older than Blu, no more than the gap between Mayl and Lan.
"History may repeat itself, but who's history is repeating," whispered Sarah. She looked over at the PET by Hub's bedside. "And you'd best become one of the greatest netnavis ever." She slowly drifted back to sleep.
The next day Lan and Blu paced up and down the corridor waiting for Hub to come out of surgery.
"Will you pair just sit down," said Sarah, "This is the third time I've been here with you and you're pacing again Lan. And you sit down too Scyler," she said to her navi, "You're all making me even more nervous."
"Sorry," chimed three voices. Lan and Blu sat down, Lan sat next to Mayl and put his arm around her.
It was a long and difficult wait, Sarah was just about to go get some drinks for everyone when Mamoru walked out of the operating theatre. Everyone looked at him waiting for the results.
"The operation went well," said Mamoru, "We just have to see how he responds to the treatment now."
The five of them crammed themselves into Hub's room. Blu made her way up to the top of the bed where a groggy Hub lay.
"Hey forehead," said Hub.
Blu just shook her head. Sarah thought more about that part, apart from one time where her old navi had called Megaman 'Mega', if any other navi but Roll called him that then they'd be looking down the barrel of the MegaBuster, and the same if anyone but her called him Hub. If anyone else had called Blu 'Forehead' they'd have been lucky to get away with her screaming at them.
"Shh," whispered Mayl, "You need your rest."
"Let's go Blu," said Yai. The two of them left and Sarah followed.
"Go to sleep now Hub," said Mayl. Hub grabbed the teddy that Blu had left him and held it whilst he went to sleep.