Mm, I'm glad you two liked this chubby OC. I think the red hair was probably unconsciously inspired by Chris from Sonic. Odd, huh?

Rose Kistune.EXE: He is cute! (winks playfully) About the beer thing, though… An unusual observation, to say the least. Not the sort of thing I'd note myself. :D

Jhvh777: Everyone likes Chris, it seems. And while you're happy about that, I'm happy about the soon-to-appear Moogle. Everyone scream for fanfics! XD

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Mega Man's POV

I could see what Chris meant about the kids who made fun of him as soon as we crowded the entrance of the school. Lan caught my eye and mouthed something; I shook my head firmly back and gave him a little push to indicate that I knew what I was doing and it was fine.

Suddenly, the bullies appeared. Silent and flitting as shadows, their figures materialised into view after a period of eight point five seconds. They were a ragged bunch, comprising-to be precise here-of four roughhousing roughnecks: one blondie, one black-haired, one redhead, one brunette. Such a colourful assortment, I thought with distaste as they immediately shoved Chris to the side and prised a thick golden-coloured chain from his pocket, grinning evilly all the while. They cackled as nastily around him as a flock of witches' black crows around a bone-filled graveyard.

"Hey, Richardson! You finally found a friend? What is he, some sort of nut who thinks that golden necklaces are cool?" the blond-haired boy, who appeared to be the leader, taunted Chris. "Or are you hanging out with someone who's actually dumber than you for once?"

Behind him, the other three laughed. The one with the red hair, a tall guy of about thirteen years, laughed cruelly at the cowering Chris. "Wow, he'd have to be pretty thick to be hanging out with you!"

One of the remaining two cohorts, an African-American boy with short curly hair, smiled in such a way that his braces glinted in the half-light. "Are you just gonna hide, Chris, you crybaby? Or are you going to face us like a man?"

Chris whimpered and took a step back. The last bully, an incredibly short ten year-old with oaken hair-he was about four feet high-took a step and stumbled purposefully forward, shoving Chris with his palms at the same time. The older boy careened into me and fell to the pavement, almost knocking me down in his haste.

I had had enough. I helped Chris up to his feet, staring down the bullies; I knew my vibrant green eyes were sparkling dangerously, just as Lan's had every time he had faced the baddies of the Real World. I was human now, but that didn't mean I, Mega Man EXE, former NetBattler Navi supreme, would neglect those in need.

I stared at the bullies. My green-eyed glare.