Lan's POV

I followed Dex and Arnie all the way back to my house, Mega Man behind me. He was biting his lip and looked as if he were making a decision that held stake over his life, but I passed my human-Navi a thumbs-up sign and slowed down slightly, allowing the others to be ahead so I could talk to Mega Man.

"Lan, I'm not sure I should believe you," said Mega Man before I could even speak. "No offense, but wherever you go, crazy adventures just seem to follow."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I shrugged and kept by him, neither of us talking. "Look, Lan," Mega said in an effort to get an answer out of me. "I don't mean to be mean or anything, but knowing you, you're probably gonna jack me in when their backs are turned."

You have to hand it to Mega. He knew what he was talking about. After fifty-something (crazy) adventures, you get to know what your Net Operator is really like. And he was right, too. I'd been planning get him into the Internet; how I would do it didn't matter. So, I didn't answer, but you'd better watch out, human Navi Mega Man.EXE. When Lan Hikari has an idea, you'd better watch out.

----------------------------------------------------

"Well, here we are," I sighed a few minutes later, the picture of dejected-ness as I put my hand on the doorknob, pushing the door open slightly so that it swung open on its hinges. Speaking of which, why have we never asked Yai to buy state-of-the-art alarm systems? I mean, she's rich, my best friend's best friend, and a fellow crimefighter.

"If you want to get a glass of water, Arnie, the bathroom's the third door on the right," I continued, turning around to face my cousin.

"Thanks, Lan," Arnie said gratefully, disappearing into the house and bounding up the stairs. Once Dex had ambled up after him, I turned to Mega.

He gave me an approving look.

Good. Phase one of Operation Humanized Navi accomplished. Once he believed I wouldn't try anything dangerous, it would be better for me to carry out my plan.

"Well, Lan, I hope you've learned a lesson here."

Oh, great. A lecture. From my own Navi to top it all off. And then there was me, thinking he was made with kid-type AI. Well, I guess I should listen to what he's saying before we run smack-dab into another crazy adventure.

"What's the lesson?" I asked, wondering what my Navi could possibly up to because I realized a smile was flickering around his lips.

"Never try to get past me, because it won't work."

Just then, Arnie and Dex came back down the stairs, and I, as fate would have it, I pushed Mega Man farther into the hallway before bounding after the twosome. "Jack's in the bathroom right now, but he won't mind if we start NetBattling without him," I said, whipping out my sky-blue PET as we made our way over to the built-in plasma screen computer on my hallway wall. I found a catch on the side of the screen and threw it open to reveal for Navi jack-in slots.

The others jacked in. I sighed inwardly with relief that they didn't see Mega, who, as it was, was creeping up behind us.

Arnie turned around just in time, and I could from Mega's face that he hadn't been expecting that. "Should we start now?"

"Yeah, I'm getting kind of bored here. If Jack doesn't have a Navi, I want to fight Arnie's," Dex stated.

"Sure, why not?" I agreed, practically yawning as I carefully pulled the black extension cord from the side of my PET.

A single cry rent the air, thanks to yours truly.

"Jack in, Mega Man, power up!"