Author’s note: This was my first completed fanfic. It’s based off of the Mega Man cartoon series (with a little of my own added stuff), ‘cause at the time I didn’t know enough about the games to do anything on that.This means that Proto is built by and working with Wily, and thus Mega's enemy, quite unlike the games (a fic of that version is coming soon).Of course, some of these characters aren’t my own (duh), they’re Capcom’s. This is just a little homage to a favorite game character of mine. Also, as to the characters that are mine (Zatana, Zantar, ect.) I humble request that you don’t use any of them or their concepts in any other fanfics, because I have used them in a regular story series of my own which I plan to publish professionally someday (when I can get the blasted publishers to listen to me). If you do want to use them (or if you just like the story and want to comment - no flames) E-mail me and ask me, okay? Put ‘story’ for the subject of something like that, so I’ll know. Okay, that aside, here we go and I hope you enjoy reading!

Chapter 1: A Chance Meeting

It was Christmas time in Mega Man's hometown just outside of New York City, and each of the other three members of his "family" were in a holiday spirit. His sister, Roll, Dr. Light, and Rush, his robot dog, were all busy preparing for Christmas Day, which was approaching fast. There were gifts to buy, decorations to put up, and the tree to decorate. The only thing Mega could've wished for was for his older brother, Proto Man, to be there with him as a brother. But he well knew that was impossible, for they fought on opposite sides of battle.

"So," Roll asked one day teasingly, "what are you getting me for Christmas?"

"You know I can't tell you," Mega reminded her as he tried to find the decorations box in the attic of the laboratory home.

"Not even one little hint?"

"No." She made a face at him, then laughed. They always went through the same ritual every year, and the result was always the same. Mega grinned himself.

"Well then, will I like it?"

"I think so."

"Good. And I think you‘ll like yours" She helped him look for more decorations. Soon they were carrying down various boxes. The two robots were met in the hall by Dr. Light, the good scientist who had built them both and helped them in their battles against the evil Dr. Wily. To them he was like a father. He took a box himself and went with them into one of the rooms where a large tree had been set up.

"This will be one of the best Christmases ever!" Roll said as she set her box down.

"It most certainly will be," Dr. Light agreed. He opened one of the boxes. "And here's the tree ornaments and tinsel." They began the decorating in earnest. For Mega, this was one of the best times of the year, when he really felt good. Although he and his sister were robots, they were almost human, for Dr. Light had given then emotions and the same senses humans had. They could reason and dream and learn and understand.

Rush came in dragging another box behind him. This one was filled with the decorations that would be scattered in various places throughout the building.

"Thanks," Mega said to the robo-dog, beginning to sort through the box. Rush peered in to help, barking in his classic style, which included Mega's name every so often and a 'yeah' or two.

"Look at this," Roll said in concerned tones. The others turned and saw in her hands the broken remains of one of the Magi from their Nativity set.

"That's a shame," commented Dr. Light. Mega thought for a moment.

"I saw a Magi just like that at the holiday store just yesterday. I'll go see if they still have it." And he darted out the door, his faithful dog at his heels.

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At the holiday store, Mega saw that he wasn't the only one that had last-minute Christmas decorations to buy. He smiled at some of his friends that he saw, and quickly spotted out the Magi that he needed. There were still four left. A quick purchase later, and he was strolling back towards home. Normally he would've driven, or let Rush fly him home in jet board mode, but, even though there was snow on the ground, he was only a little chilled and thought that a walk would feel rather good. After all, robots can tolerate the cold for longer periods that humans, and if he got to feeling too cold, Rush would still fly him home. He whistled a carol as he passed through the busy streets.

Just then he heard cries of surprise and fear, and a powerful blast from not far away. Running to the scene, he was two of his enemies: Bright Man and his own brother, Proto Man.

"Well, well. Look who's here," Proto Man teased.

"I thought that even Wily would honor the Christmas season," Mega countered, prepared for the upcoming battle.

"Why don't you just go on home," Bright Man called. "Save us the trouble of finishing you off."

"You haven't been able to do that yet." Bright Man lit up the huge light bulb on his head, trying to blind Mega, who shielded his eyes with his arm just in time. Then Proto attacked, and the battle was joined. It was quite a harrowing fight. Proto had ordered Bright Man not to join in, wanting the pleasure of destroying his goody-two-shoes brother all to himself. But they were too evenly matched in strength and skill.

"Why don't you give up your evil ways, Proto," Mega said as they were paused for a few moments, each trying to feel out the situation.

"I don't think so," Proto replied. "I was programmed this was, and this is the way I shall stay!" Frustrated that he couldn't defeat Mega using his blaster, Proto leapt at Mega, locking the two face to face in a bitter struggle of sheer strength. They rolled over and over, sometimes with Mega on top, sometimes Proto, but neither being able to gain the upper hand.

Suddenly, just as they rolled once again, Mega heard a yelp of surprise and warning from Rush. Both he and Proto glanced over to see a strange oval of green light open up right in front of their path, and they were too close to stop their momentum. With a dual cry of surprise, they both fell in and vanished from sight. Rush was too far away to reach the oval before it shut, separating him from Mega Man. He quickly went to board mode and flew back to Dr. Light to tell him what happened.