Epilogue

Only a week after the whole episode had been resolved, ProtoMan and Starfire were back where it all began, in NetCity Park. With both Sam and Chaud looking at them through communications screens, they all summed up what had happened in the past week.

"So," Chaud began, "Star, you've mastered your Ultimate Program, but don't want to use it."

"Only for very special circumstances." Starfire added quickly.

Nodding, Sam continued the tale. "Bass has proven his innocence and joined the Net Police as a freelance, where he's currently in the Undernet searching for ShadowMan."

With a sigh, ProtoMan leaned back into the grass. "Yeah. I'm just disappointed that we never got to finally put him away for good!"

To everyone's surprise, Chaud shrugged. "There's always next time, isn't there? I mean," he looked at Sam and Starfire, "With you and Star around, he doesn't have a chance."

Both Navis looked at each other and smiled.

"Yeah." Sam was smiling as she slung her book bag over her shoulder. "C'mon Chaud. We've got to get to the library if we're ever gonna finish our project in time!" Almost as an afterthought, she turned to Starfire. "Are you two going to be okay alone like this?"

At the same time, both Navis glanced at Sam and spoke.

"Oh, Sam! We'll be fine…!"

"Sam, don't worry. I'll take care of anything that goes on here."

When Sam and Chaud had gone, the orange Navi smiled at Proto. "Quite the adventures we've had, eh Proto?"

The red Navi stared at the clear blue sky, feeling very sick at the thought of what he was about to do. "Yeah…" Finally he propped himself up on an elbow, staring directly at Starfire. "Star, I wanted to ask you something."

Curious, Star rolled over to look at him as well. This, she reflected, was the position they were in when it had all started. Proto asking a question, and they were laying in the soft grass. "Well, ask away."

Unconsciously toying with a blade of grass, the silver haired Navi began to stutter. "Well…I was…. you know, just curious if…. if you'd… I mean, a Navi like you probably wouldn't want…." Screwing up his face in determination, ProtoMan felt more nervous than he had ever been in his life. Amazing how asking what seemed like a simple question scared him more than a whole army of Bass clones. "Will you go out with me?"

Once the words were out of his mouth, ProtoMan instantly wished ShadowMan would come along and kidnap him. His face burned, and he knew that he must have turned a shade of red that would shame his armor. Then, he felt a hand rest on his, and he looked at Starfire.

She was smiling, blue eyes sparkling with happiness. This was the happiest ProtoMan had seen her since getting back. "Proto…Of course I will!"

His heart leapt. "You mean it?"

"Of course I do! I just wish you'd have asked me sooner!" Starfire cried, laughter barely hidden behind her voice.

As they lay there, ProtoMan smiled, staring again at the sky. He knew now that it was going to be all right. ShadowMan might strike again, that was true. But now he knew that he didn't have to face it alone.

He would do it with Starfire right by his side.

The End

Yes, it's finally over. Both brother and sister are reunited; ProtoMan finally got the guts to ask Star out…all is well.

Or is it?

What has happened to ShadowMan, who escaped into the Undernet? Will he still attempt to take over the cyber world and take the Ultimate Program? Only time (or another fan fic) can answer these questions. In the meantime, our heroes will live the quiet life.

Thank You Time! Thanks to HydraMan. EXE, SithKing Zero, and all others who reviewed. I'm not that good with names. My next project is something I'm calling The Story, and you'll just have to keep yourself posted on that one, it's gonna take a while. In the meantime, I'm also working on a story about ProtoMan's past. Where he came from and such. After that, maybe a MegaMan X fic, who knows! Thank you all!

Blitz Chick