Due to a request from my Beta reader, who is really nice to me, I will shorten Protoman to Proto. That will be how it is for the rest of forever!

Begin chapter

Lan and his friends were enjoying a wonderful day eating ice cream while their Navi's were out hanging out in Net City. Gutsman and Iceman took Ring on a tour, while Mega and Roll were taking a nice walk. Lan and Dex were having an ice-cream eating contest, and everyone was waiting for one of them to either pass out or throw up. "This is the best!" exclaimed Lan as he finished his fifth chocolate ice-cream cone. "I'm still going to beat you Dex!"

"Yeah right," said Dex as he finished his fifth too, "there is no way you can eat more than me. You're just too small."

"So you have to be big and fat to eat a lot?" whispered Mary to Maylu. The two girls started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" asked Dex as he looked at the girls like they were crazy. "He can't eat as many as me because he has no where to put it." This comment sent the girls into peals of laughter.

"Dex," said Tory as he finished his first ice-cream and sat back in his chair, "I think that you would like to know that Lan just went to get his sixth ice-cream."

"WHAT, GET BACK HERE LAN HIKARI! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BEAT ME!" yelled Dex as he took off after Lan and to the counter.

"Are they always like this?" asked Mary.

"Yes, they are. Well, they were before what happened after the race. But Dex said he was sorry and he served his time and he obviously learned his lesson, so we have decided to put that behind us," said Maylu as she pulled out her PET. "Roll, how's everything in the net?"

"Everything is fine here. Have Lan or Dex thrown up yet?" Roll asked while Mega, who was barely visible from the screen, tried not to laugh.

"No, not yet, but I think that Dex will barf soon. I have seen Lan eat twelve ice-cream cones without getting horribly ill, but I don't know about Dex," said Maylu as Lan and Dex returned to the table with their ice cream. "They just got back with their sixth ones."

"Tell Lan that he needs to get home soon," said Mega. "Chaud is coming over and he might already be there."

"Ok, you two have fun," said Maylu as she ended the transmission and put her PET away.

"Uggh," said Dex, who looked a little green. "I…. have…. to…..finish…..this…..ice-cream." Dex shoved the last bit of cone in his mouth, and ran to the trashcan and tossed his cookies.

"I win," said Lan who had finished his sixth ice-cream barf free. "I got to go home now. Bye!"

"Bye!" everyone, except Dex who had just run into the bathroom to throw up again, said as they watched Lan get his stuff together.

"Maylu, can you tell Mega to go home when he is done with whatever he is doing?" asked Lan as he headed towards the door.

"Sure, and if you need help on the homework, call, or Mega will do call me," she replied as Lan left the ice-cream parlor.

"Can do," said Lan as he started skating towards his home. He took a shortcut through the park, and was at his home in no time at all. "Mega, time to go home," he said as he pulled out his PET and opened a window.

"Ok, let me finish what I was doing. I'll be home in a minute tops," he said. Lan closed the screen and crossed the street to his home.

MLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLML

"Sorry Roll, I have to go," said Mega as he and Roll neared the ice-cream parlor's page.

"Thanks for going on a walk with me," she said with a small smile.

"I guess I'll see you tonight because I know Lan didn't pay a bit of attention," he replied. He then pulled Roll into a tight hug and gave a quick peck on the cheek. "Bye."

"Bye," replied a blushing Roll, who was just about to enter the page. When she did, Mega logged out.

"Lan, I'm back," said Mega. When he looked out of his PET, he saw that Lan was in his living room talking to Chaud.

"Ok, why don't you get in the house system and chat a bit?" asked Lan as he turned towards his PET.

"You need to get started on your homework," said Mega as he entered the home link.

"I'll do it later. I'm talking right now," he said as he got back to his conversation.

"Is he always like that?" asked Proto as soon as Mega appeared.

"Yes, unfortunately, he is. Are you ok?" asked Mega back. Proto sighed and sat down on one of the chairs.

"I'm just really worried about Chaud. I wasn't there when he was attacked, and I feel like I can't do anything to help. I'm really worried about what will happen to Chaud when Mr. Blaze finds him here," said Proto with another sigh.

"Hey, you and Chaud are safe here," reassured Mega. "And if Mr. Blaze does come, Lan can sneak him out of the house. It's not like Lan doesn't have practice doing that."

"Why does he sneak out?" asked Proto with a look of confusion on the part of his face that Mega could see.

"Well, he sneaks out to do net saver things, and to take up bets with Dex," said Mega, stifling a laugh. Proto did one of his famous half smiles.

"What did you just tell him?" asked Lan who had appeared on the screen on the wall of the page.

"Nothing," said Mega sarcastically.

"Is Maylu going to help me with my homework soon," Lan questioned, "because I'm clueless."

"Don't you pay attention in class?" asked Chaud, who was looking at Lan like he was a space alien.

"Um," began Lan as Mrs. Hikari walked into the room, "Of course I pay attention. I just have trouble understanding it. Why don't we go to my room so I can start my homework?" Lan grabbed his bag and ran up the stairs with Chaud following, but walking instead of running. Mega and Proto followed in the net to Mega's homepage.

"Here is my room," said Mega as Proto entered his room.

"Nice. I figured that your room would be blue since mine is red," Proto commented as he walked over to Mega's desk (A/N: the rooms are furnished). "So what do you do while Lan is doing his homework?"

"I make sure that he is doing his work. Most of the time he slacks off," he replied. "But when Lan is done with his homework, or is just putting it off, I go to Net City or I watch TV with Lan."

"Ah, I usually organize the folders on Chaud's computer," said Proto.

"What are you two talking about?" asked Lan as the screen on the wall turned on.

"Lan," said Mega, slightly annoyed.

"Yes,"

"DO YOUR HOMEWORK!" yelled Mega. Lan rolled his eyes and opened his book.

"Mega, can you see if Maylu is home yet? I really need her help," said Lan as he looked at the page of problems.

"Why don't you get Chaud to help you?" asked Mega. "He's right there."

"I also need to copy Maylu's notes from class. We have a note check tomorrow," Lan said sheepishly.

"You didn't take notes in class?" asked Chaud, who was looking at Lan like he was crazy.

"No, not really," said Lan as he pulled out his notes page. It was a sheet of notebook paper with doodles and a few notes on it. "If I turn this in, Ms. Mari will know that I don't pay attention, and then I'll get detention."

"I told you to pay attention three times during that class," sighed Mega. "The bad thing about Lan getting detention is that I have to stay too, and it is very boring," he whispered to Proto.

"Maybe his teacher will let you off the hook, and you can go and do something," suggested Proto.

"Maybe. Lan tried to use the fact that I get stuck in it too to get me to take notes, but I told him 'hell no, you need to learn it, not me'. I swear he is going to get in major trouble one of these days," said Mega, shaking his head.

"So Maylu offered to tutor him?" asked Proto as he watched Chaud try to explain the problem to him.

"No, I asked Roll, and she asked Maylu. I REALLY hate detention," said Mega.

"Why don't you go and see if Maylu is home now so she can come over and help. It looks like Chaud is only confusing him more," said Proto as he took a look at the screen where Lan and Chaud were discussing the book.

"Ok, I'll be back soon. Could you tell Lan where I am if he asks?" Mega asked as he opened a link to Roll's homepage.

"Sure," said Proto. Mega went through the link and arrived outside of Roll's page. He rang the doorbell and waited for a response.

"COMING!" came Roll's voice through the door. "Hey Mega, come in." Mega smiled and followed Roll into her room. Maylu had been chatting with Roll, and so the screen was on.

"Lan is trying to figure out the homework, and can't," said Mega to Maylu. "Chaud is trying to explain it, but I think that he is confusing Lan more. Could you come over now?"

"Sure, why don't you and Roll go back through your link, and I'll be over there in a second," said Maylu as the screen turned off.

"Is Proto there?" asked Roll.

"Yeah, he is staying in the guest link while Chaud is staying in the guest room," said Mega as he went through the link with Roll. They arrived in Mega's room just in time to see Maylu arrive. Proto made a signal for them to be quiet and to go over to the screen. When they came over, they saw Maylu smack Lan over the head, and Chaud shake his head.

"Hell no Lan. I WILL NOT LET YOU COPY MY NOTES!" screamed Maylu, while Lan flinched. "You need to pay attention IN CLASS! Now, you are going to pay attention while I try and beat this into your thick skull, or else." Lan and Chaud gave each other a look of "I really don't want to know what the 'or else' is." Maylu began to teach Lan, and Mega turned off the screen.

"So Mega, what do you and Roll usually do while they are working?" asked Proto.

"We usually go to Net City and hang out. Why don't I ask if we can go right now?" asked Mega as he turned the screen back on. "Lan, can Roll, Proto, and I go to Net City?"

"Sure," answered Maylu, "Just be back by four."

"Thanks," said Mega as he closed the window. "Well, let's get going then." And with that, the three went to Net City to hang out.

MLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLML

"Mr. Blaze, is something wrong?" asked the secretary. She knew that Chaud was taking a vacation, but she didn't know why Mr. Blaze was so angry.

"No, everything is fine. My vice-president is just being annoying," he replied.

"Did you finish reading the memo he sent you? He asked me if you could write your response, but only after you had read the memo," she replied.

"No, I have had other things on my mind than his memo, but I will read that now. Thank you Sandra," he said as he shooed the secretary out of the room. "I wish that my secretaries weren't so intrusive when it comes to personal matters. What has my worthless son sent me this time?" Mr. Blaze opened the memo and read the beginning of the paper. The beginning was a letter written from Chaud to his father.

Father:

I know that you may think that I am rash and that I am being a delinquent, but I just want you to know that no matter what you say, I will always have what's best for the business first. IPC is what you care about most, therefore IPC is what I care about most. I will never compromise what I want for what is best for our, no, your company. I know that you will probably think I am crazy when I pitch the idea, I thought that Jena was when she told me, but it would truly revolutionize the PET business if we partnered. I am not trying to explain why I am suggesting this here; I am trying to tell you that I will not sacrifice IPC for any personal gains.

Chaud

When Mr. Blaze finished reading this, he stopped and thought about what his son had written. "He knew that I was going to get mad at him. He knew that before he even left the safety of his office. He understood that I would probably disown him, and yet he followed through with this idea of a partnership. I had better read what he wrote in the memo. I hope that this is worth my time." With that he opened up the folder and began to read.

MLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLML

"Dr. Hikari," came Chief's voice over the telephone in Dr. Hikari's office. Dr. Hikari had gone back after the house was clean and lunch was over. Famous had come over and they were having a nice chat about the going on's of the day.

"Yes sir. What do you need?" the Dr. replied.

"I need to know why one of my Net Savers is not responding at his home or office," came Chief's annoyed reply.

"Sir," said Famous, "Chaud has just had a family tragedy, and he will be staying with the Hikari's for a while until things settle down again in his family."

"Well, tell him that I am sorry for him and that I hope that he is ok," said Chief as he hung up.

"Now Famous," said Dr. Hikari jokingly, "I didn't know that you are such a good liar. I will have to watch for that."

"Well, better lie than have a huge civil case that neither Blaze is ready for. I think that if Chief found out, he would ruin Chaud's father, and therefore the company. If Chief destroys the company, he will destroy Chaud," replied Famous as he shook his head and sighed. "I think that his father acted rashly, and didn't know what he was doing. It would be best if we let Chaud and his father work this out."

"I guess you are right. Well, I had better get home," said Dr. Hikari as he picked up his briefcase and walked out of the office. "Goodbye Famous."

"Goodbye Dr. Hikari" said Famous as he watched Dr. Hikari get in his car and drive home. "And good luck."

MLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLMLML

Dr. Hikari arrived home to find his wife cooking dinner, and his son, his son's best friend, and his son's partner watching TV. "Hello everyone," said Dr. Hikari, "How is everyone today?"

"Fine, Dr. Hikari," said Chaud, looking at Dr. Hikari for a second, before turning his attention back to the TV. They had finished helping Lan with his homework an hour ago, and their Navi's had returned a few minutes after they were finished.

"I'm okay, Dad," said Lan, "And how are you?"

"I have had an okay day," said Lan as he stood up and went to the kitchen. "Is dinner ready yet, Mom?"

"It will be ready in a minute, Lan. Be patient," said Mrs. Hikari as she shooed Lan out of the kitchen. Lan returned to the sofa and sat down by Maylu.

"I should get going now," said Maylu as she stood up and headed towards the door. "Do you get homework now?"

"Yes, thanks," said Lan as Maylu left.

"Does she always help you with your homework?" Chaud asked.

"No, sometimes Mega helps," Lan replied as Dr. Hikari walked into the kitchen.

"What's for dinner tonight honey?" asked Dr. Hikari as he went over to look in the pot of soup that his wife making. "Beef stew. Looks good."

"And it's ready. Come and get it," she said as she put the stew on the table. Chaud and Lan sat down at the table while Dr. Hikari and Mrs. Hikari brought the rest of the silver ware and the rolls that she made to the table. Once everyone was seated, they served themselves and began dinner. Ten minutes later, they were all done.

"Thank you Mrs. Hikari. This was delicious," said Chaud as he took his bowl and spoon to the sink along with Lan.

"Yeah mom, that competes with your spaghetti," commented Lan as he left the kitchen for his room.

"I'm glad you think so, but bedtime. You have school tomorrow, and I know that you won't wakeup on time if you stay up," said Mrs. Hikari as she pointed towards Lan's room. "Go to bed now. Chaud, I'm not your mother, but it would be best if you went to bed now too."

"Ok," said Chaud as he followed Lan up the stairs and caught up with him. "Is your mom always so pushy?"

"Not always, but most of the time," said Lan as he got to his room. "'night"

"'night," said Chaud as he went to the guest room. "So Proto, how was your afternoon?"

"It was ok Chaud. And yours?" he asked again.

"It was fine after Maylu hit Lan over the head with the book," he said. "I can't remember the last time that I had a bedtime."

"Me neither. So I guess that you should go to bed though. You have had a long day," said Proto as Chaud got ready for bed.

"Thank you," Chaud said.

"No problem," said Proto, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," said Chaud as he turned off the lights and went to sleep, feeling safe for the first time.

End Chapter