Chapter 2: Faith to Fight

It had been two days since Chaud's accident. Protoman stayed by his side, day and night. He was wide awake and never felt like giving in. Roll, Megaman, and the other net navis tried to convince him to have some fun in Net City. But, Protoman gave no response to that. He was just waiting. He was just waiting…for his master to return…

"Master Chaud," Protoman said finally.

Chaud's condition hadn't improved but it hadn't worsened either. Protoman wanted to never leave his side until he was better. Then Protoman looked at Chaud's email. He saw that one of the emails was mailed to himself. Usually Chaud doesn't waste email space like that so Protoman opened the mail and felt like crying again.

"Protoman are you okay?" asked Roll.

"I just found this…" said Protoman.

1. denial

2. bargaining

3. anger

4. depression

5. acceptance

Protoman printed out a copy of the email and handed it to the other net navis. They were confused for they didn't know what it meant.

"I don't get it," said Spoutman bluntly.

"It's the five stages of dying," said Protoman.

"But…you're not dying…Chaud is?" asked Roll.

"I don't know…" said Protoman.

"Oh please. You will be all right," said Megaman.

"How do you know? How are you sure that something bad isn't going to happen?" asked Protoman.

"I don't but if you have a good attitude and a will, then everything should be okay. Some things bad can happen but there is still the factor of trying," said Megaman.

Protoman didn't say anything and then everyone left. Protoman was motionless for many hours. But then he finally returned to his PET and so did Megaman.

"Please Chaud, don't die…" said Protoman.

Chaud's condition wasn't improving, in fact, it was going the other way. Protoman looked out onto the tired and suffering Chaud Blaze. Then his eyes darted out the window. Dark and gloomy, just like the feeling in his heart. He was in anguish…

"If there is one thing I would want, it would be for you to get better, nothing else," said Protoman.

Protoman waited, and again he waited. What he was waiting for he barely understood himself. But he knew it was important. Was he waiting for a miracle? Although, Chaud's life has mostly been filled with grief.

"Rest yourself," said a voice.

"No, I'm waiting for Chaud…" said Protoman sleepily.

"Be at rest," said the voice again.

"No…I…can't…" said Protoman.

Protoman's POV:

Flashback

"Really?" asked a seven year old Chaud.

"I am all yours," said Protoman.

Then Chaud smiled and put Protoman's PET close to his heart. Never letting go and never backing down from the fight. They made each other the silent promise for helping those in need who can't stand for themselves.

"Program Advance!" shouted Protoman and Chaud together.

"Sword, slot in!"

"Wide Sword, slot in!"

"Long Sword, slot in!"

"Beta Sword!" shouted Protoman and Chaud in unison.

With a blinding flash of light, the stadium's cameras were taken out and their enemy was deleted. Gone. Annihilated. Chaud then left feeling a surge of pride and faith in Protoman. They both shared this feeling.

"Ready, Protoman?" asked Chaud.

"As always," replied Protoman.

"Synchro Chip in! Cross-fusion!" shouted Protoman and Chaud together.

Then they never felt this amount of power and skill within each other. They had never been so close and now they were. Their body, mind, and spirit were joined together. They had felt like they could have accomplished anything. With a little help from the battle chips, Protoman and Chaud cross-fused destroyed their enemy…

"Forgive me Protoman!" shouted Chaud. "Dark Chip, slot in!"

"Chaud, I really enjoyed being your net navi…" said Protoman.

Then he couldn't stand the darkness and rushed off recklessly in a dark aura. Protoman had never felt so much power but neither did he feel in a betrayal of his master.

"Protoman," said Chaud.

Chaud was cross-fused with the Dark Loid. He hugged the Dark Protoman tightly and was reaching deep inside to take out the darkness in his soul. Then the good Protoman broke out of the stone statue. Chaud went over to him and had tears in his eyes. Tears of happiness and with that hope, he touched Protoman's helmet and started to heal him…

End Flashback

Then Protoman closed his eyes. He reopened them and saw a world like none other. The sky was very majestic. There he saw Chaud running up to him. Protoman couldn't believe it and ran up to Chaud as well.

"Master Chaud!" shouted Protoman.

"Protoman…" said Chaud.

"Are you okay now? Are you better?" asked Protoman frantically.

"I'm sorry Protoman. I am dying, we are speaking in dreams right now. I waited a long time for you to come. A very long time. I am glad that you are here," said Chaud.

"What? Please Chaud, I beg you…don't die. Not this early…" said Protoman.

"I can't stop this Protoman. But I have been fighting it. Because I wouldn't have lived so long if I had the will to die," said Chaud.

"But Chaud! You can get there! You have a chance of living!" shouted Protoman.

"No, I can't. I saw the chart Dr. Wilson was holding. I have no chance to live. He just told you all some numbers so you wouldn't get all emotional around me. So they didn't have to deal with you all," said Chaud.

"Chaud, just hear me once more. You cannot die, can you promise me that?" asked Protoman.

"I can't make the promise. I'm sorry, but I know what is going to happen. I just wanted to tell you something," said Chaud.

"What is it?" asked Protoman.

"I want you to look over Yai when I'm gone," said Chaud finally.

Protoman was stunned. Chaud wants him to protect Yai and didn't ask anything about himself. Chaud was stubborn but the most kind of stubborn that you could ever find. Protoman couldn't hear this, he just couldn't.

"No! Stop! You will still be able to be around to protect Yai!" shouted Protoman.

"Protoman. You received the email. I feel your melancholy Protoman, but can you do this for me?" asked Chaud.

Protoman looked upwards and saw Chaud holding him up. Chaud's kind sapphire eyes told Protoman that this was no lie. It was just so unfair. Chaud didn't deserve this...no one did.

"I can't do it. Not without an operator…not without you," said Protoman.

"I should tell you know. But I had someone make you an independent net navi a while ago. You were still able to be operated by me but then you couldn't have whatever you wanted. It was your present from me," said Chaud.

"But I don't want to live in a world without you," said Protoman softly.

"All living thingscome toan ending. This is mine…" said Chaud.

"I don't want to wake up then. I want to stay asleep forever always able to see you. Don't you want to see me?" said Protoman.

"Yes I will miss you, terribly, but I will always be with you no matter what."

"Still, I want to see you."

"Won't you miss your other net navi friends?" asked Chaud.

"No," said Protoman.

"We can talk all night long. I really want to hear what you have to say. Tell me everything, from the day you were my net navi to this very moment. I especially want to know how you feel about me being your net operator," said Chaud.

"First of all Chaud, you are the only net operator that I want. And I don't like you as a net op. I love you as a net operator," said Protoman.

Chaud smiled and listened to the rest of what Protoman had to say. The night went on and they never got bored of each other. It was amazing how they were both alike in many ways. Chaud listening intently to Protoman hanging on every last word. As Protoman did to his sapphire-eyed net operator.

Yai went to bed with a sad conscious on her mind. She loved Chaud and too much to be able to let go that easily. He couldn't die…

"Can you get me some strawberry milk?" asked Yai.

"Yes," said the servant and left the room.

"Glyde? I love Chaud, I have finally received my answer but, I don't want Chaud to die," said Yai.

"I doubt that he will," said Glyde.

"But what will happen if he does?" asked Yai.

Then she heard her father in the other room. Her father did not know of her crush on Chaud and if he did, she would probably be forbidden to see him ever again.

"Yes, I have heard. Mr. Blaze was in an accident. I know…this will give us a chance to beat Blaze Corp. once and for all," said Yai's father.

"How could you say that?" said Yai indignantly.

"What? This isn't your business. We are at close rivalry with Blaze Corp. and with Chaud out of the picture…maybe we might get the lead," said her father.

"Don't blow your cover," whispered Glyde.

"Well, so you want him to die?" shouted Yai.

"No, but if he does, we can use that to help us," said her father.

"I don't care if we are run into the ground by Blaze Corp. I'd still rather have an innocent boy that did not deserve to have his life taken away, alive!" shouted Yai.

"Yai?"

"But still, if he doesn't deserve to die, why should he?"

"He doesn't deserve to die, but that doesn't matter right now. Don't worry about this business stuff, Yai," said her father and left.

"Yai?' asked Glyde.

Yai was just so angry at her father. She just went up back into her bed and pulled the covers over her head. The servant came in with the strawberry milk and placed it on the bedside counter. Yai then looked outside and saw that it was dark gloomy and about to rain.

"It's about to rain…" said Yai

"Yes, it is. What does that mean to you?" asked Glyde.

"It's dark. The world is cruel, Glyde," said Yai.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm rich and well off, right? So is Chaud, but he's near death right now. Being rich doesn't always ensure you being okay right?" asked Yai.

"Exactly, Ms. Yai," said Glyde.

"I sometimes feel like I am about to cry without Chaud…I love him," said Yai.

"And he loves you," said Glyde.

"I've got some mail?" asked Yai.

She popped open an email. It was from Chaud Blaze. It was sent a couple days ago…right before his accident. Then she read it silently to herself. Tears came streaming down her face as she did.

Dear Yaito,

This is my second time I have ever written this kind of letter. Don't worry for the other one was no meaning. It is difficult to know where to begin, but here goes. I love you. I know this must sound corny and you must probably hate me for even thinking about writing this.

The light burns with reason and hope

I burn with darkness and gloom

Only you shall only be able to brighten my gloomy world

And let there be peace among our hopes

It's a poem I've created. I know its a bit weird…Man I'm really bad at this.

-Chaud Blaze

"Wow Chaud, that's amazing," said Yai.

"It's time to go to sleep, Ms. Yai," said Glyde.

"This is just so confusing, I'm going to bed…" said Yai.

"Goodnight," said Glyde.

After a servant turned off the lights, Yai pulled the covers over her again. Then she could have swore she heard a voice. It was a warm voice and happy as well. They said, 'While you are asleep, have good dreams.' Yai then knew that was Chaud. He was speaking to her, he had loved her back. After all this time, she had finally got an answer. A happy ending. But a short one…

"Protoman, I have loved you as well. Without you I am nothing," said Chaud.

"You mean that?" asked Protoman.

"Yes, I have cried many times when you became Dark Protoman. It broke my heart seeing you as the enemy. But fortunately, we were able to bring you back."

"I was broken as well. I haven't told you this but I had power at my mercy. I could have anything I wished for…but now I know that I wasn't complete when I was Dark Protoman. Only when I was returned normal, was I complete."

"Protoman, never forget that I will be by your side. In spirit and in heart. Please don't be sad, I will be okay. You will be okay," said Chaud.

"Chaud…I will miss you so," said Protoman.

"There, that wasn't so bad was it? The fifth stage of dying. I will miss you as well. Please don't forget me," said Chaud.

"I would never. But I can't live without you…"

"Yes you will. You can get on your own now."

"But I don't want to."

"Yes you do, your heart does not lie to me. You have wanted to be free for a long time. I was just containing you…" said Chaud sadly.

"No! I fight for you! I only work for you, how could you say that?" asked Protoman.

"Because I know what every net navi wants."

"Net navis love their net operators no matter how badly they are treated. You haven't treated me at all bad anyway," said Protoman sternly.

Chaud then hugged Protoman and then looked at the background behind them. It was dawn, the morning was crisp and fresh. The bright patches of orange and yellow tainted the sky. It was as if it was magic and Chaud had never felt so happy in his entire life. He then had tears streaming out of his eyes.

"Master Chaud? Are you all right? You are not hurt are you?" asked Protoman.

"No, I am okay. Happy to see you. Does this remind you of anything?" asked Chaud.

Protoman turned and saw the sunrise that Chaud had pointed to. It was familiar to Protoman and Chaud. The sun was coming up. Truth, light, and reason filled the morning air and flowed around Chaud and Protoman.

"It does remind me of something. That time you rescued me from my own dark soul…" said Protoman.

"The sun rose and I hugged you even more dearly. I felt the darkness in your heart. I pulled it out and corrected my mistake," said Chaud.

"It had to be that way. Or else you would have died even earlier. That would have been worse than ever," said Protoman.

"As a last request…can you take off your helmet?" asked Chaud.

"What?"

"I mean, I just longed to see your true face, behind the helmet. Please, will you? But first…can you?" asked Chaud.

"Of course Master Chaud, if only you told me sooner. It does not matter," said Protoman happily.

Chaud smiled and watched as Protoman took off his helmet. Chaud felt a surge of happiness for he longed to see Protoman. But then the moment was cut short when Protoman turned around. Chaud fell to the floor gasping for breath. Protoman rushed down to his side to hold his hand…

"I'm dying," breathed Chaud.

Then Chaud looked up to Protoman. He had the most beautiful long silver bangs rush over his head. His net navi had the deepest blue eyes just like his except a more navy blue than sapphire. His gentle spirit… were all net navis this great underneath the battling, navigating, and companionship? Chaud then smiled with the strength he had left to show that he had cared for his net navi…

"No, not now!…" said Protoman.

"I love you," said Chaud with his last ounce of breath. Then he passed out…and disappeared. Protoman couldn't stand it. He woke himself up and saw Chaud through his PET…

Then somehow, Yai woke up at three o' clock in the morning. She was gasping for air because she just had a nightmare of Chaud dying. He was in pain and Yai needed to find out what happened. She felt the feeling or pain and depression. Yai screamed and then Glyde woke up as well.

"Ms. Yai?" asked Glyde.

"Chaud! I felt his pain! No! He can't have!" shouted Yai.

"Yaito, please. Calm down. Recollect yourself. You have just woken up from a bad dream and you might have been imagining Chaud…" said Glyde worriedly.

"Well, you think that I'm crazy! Well, I am serious! I'm going to see him right now!" shouted Yai and got out of bed.

"Yai!" said Glyde firmly. "I am only worried about you, but if you feel that it is necessary to find Mr. Blaze, then I will help you. I've called a limo at the door right now. I can operate it."

"Thanks Glyde," said Yai.

Then Yai grabbed her coat and tiptoed out to the front of the house. Glyde had to disable a couple cameras on the way to avoid getting caught. Yai went into her limo and Glyde immediately drove it to the Den Tech Hospital. During the ride, Yai had to have the feeling confirmed…

"Chaud! Chaud!" shouted Protoman.

"I'm so sorry Protoman," sobbed Lan.

"No, he can't! I just…" said Protoman.

"Let go, Protoman, he's dead," said Megaman sadly.

Author's Note: So depressing when I wrote it. I read over it and felt like I was about to cry…I wonder if anyone else would to? Oh yeah, thanks about helping with that Yai, Yaito, and Yaoi thing. Tell me what you think about this chapter! I really want to know! Thanks.