Chapter 10: Searching

Mega slowly opened his blue eyes. He saw Roll and Rush standing at the bedside and Dr. Light at the window, peering out into the wintry world with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"He's awake!" Roll announced happily. Dr. Light came instantly to Mega's side as Rush bounced up to lick at Mega's face.

"Rush!" Mega laughed. "Stop with the lickin.'" He gently shoved the dog's head away and petted him. Dr. Light put a hand on Mega's shoulder.

"You gave us quite a scare," he said. The robot smiled. The warmth of the kind scientist's hand was very reassuring. It had been a long time since he had called his creator 'father,' but he did so now as an expression of his relief that they were okay and how frightened for them he had been.

"I'm glad you're all okay, father, sister, Rush." Rush barked once again as Mega sat up. "Is everyone else all right?"

"Yes," Dr. Light answered. "Just a little shaken up. I believe Zatana is sleeping off her shock. How do you feel?" Mega sighed, the smile fading from his face.

"Physically I feel okay, but otherwise…" He let his sentence fade out. Dr. Light gave Mega's shoulder a squeeze, or at least as close to one as he could.

"Mega, Proto didn't betray you. Do you recall any of what happened?"

"Not really. It just all seems like a horrible dream." He put his head in his hands. Roll sat down next to her brother and hugged him. Dr. Light sat down next to him as well. Mega looked up, his eyes a bit big and imploring. "Please tell me I was dreaming it all."

"I can't tell you that you were," Dr. Light said gently, "but I can tell you that your brother is your brother still. Proto Man was acting. The shot that supposed to destroy you freed us instead. He helped us to escape."

"Are you sure?"

"As sure as I am that the first name I gave you was Rock." Mega smiled then. Before he'd been re-modeled and re-named Mega Man, he and his sister had been quite a pair; Rock and Roll.

"Is Proto here?'"

"No. He hasn't returned yet." A concerned look crossed Dr. Light's face. "And to be honest, I'm a bit concerned about him. He was right behind us, and should've been back by now." That was all Mega had to hear. He sprang from the bed.

"I'm going to go look for him."

"Just be careful," Dr. Light cautioned. "I almost lost you once today; I'll not lose you again." Mega gave Dr. Light a smile that said everything and a quick hug before darting out, calling back that he was watch out for himself.

The good scientist went to the window and watched as Mega ran out of the building and into the woods. Roll came to stand at his side.

"He'll be okay," she reassured him as well as herself.

"I know." A gentle snow began to fall.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Mega ran through the woods heedlessly in his search for his brother. The only thing that caused him to pause was when he heard Rush's bark. The blue bomber turned to se his faithful companion chasing after him, a backpack on his back.

"Did Dr. Light send you after me?" Rush nodded. Upon opening the backpack Mega found two thin but functional blankets. "Good idea. We'll stick to the ground so we won't miss anything. Let's go!"