Chapter 17: Homeward Bound

Proto was up and about later that evening, when there was just enough light to remain outside. The two bro-bots stood by the door for a few minutes, watching the younger Half-Kins play in the snow, enjoying their new gifts and each other’s company.

“Mega Man! Proto Man!” a voice called. They looked over to see some of the kids by a huge sled. Alcor waved, calling out again. “Can you give us a push?”

“Sure,” Mega replied. The kids cheered and piled onto the sled as the robots approached. The forward end of the sled was pointing towards a slope that the brothers knew well, where someone had created a snow bank to stop the sled. They braced their hands against the back edge of the sled and in unison gave it a gentle push, sending the kids sliding down the slope. It was fun to watch the kids as they laughed and shrieked as they rode the sled, tumbling off when it hit the snow bank. Instantly they pulled themselves from the snow and grabbed their toy, pulling it back uphill.

“That was great!” Twitch laughed. Celene laughed too.

“We were flying!”

“You wanna try too?” Wroul’s little brother Tundra asked the brothers as they reached the top of the slope.

“Yeah! You could ride in place of some of us,” others encouraged. Shrugging, the two agreed. The kids cheered as Mega and Proto climbed on the sled and were quickly followed by about five kids.

“We’ll help push off,” said Mega, planting one foot in the snow. “After all, we’re heavy.”

“On three. One, two, three!” they pushed, and the sled glided down the slope. all aboard laughed and yelped as the sled plowed into the snow bank, tumbling them all off.

Mega sat up and shook his head to dislodge the snow. Across the sled from him Proto climbed into a sitting position and plucked Alcor out from the snow next to him.

“Thanks.” The cub shook his head cheerfully. Working together they pulled the sled back up the slope. This time the bro-bots gave the rest of the kids a shove.

“Hey guys!” They turned at Zatana's call. She and Zantar jogged over to them. "I can send you home. My ability is working again."

“Really?”

“Yeah. Look.” She closed her eyes and began to chant in that language of her people, moving her arms slowly. Before her the green glowing light that had brought the bro-bots there in the first place appeared. Rush bounded over. Mega rubbed between the canine’s ears.

“Guess it’s time we return home.” Rush’s ears drooped disappointedly.

“Don’t worry,” Zatana said. “You can still visit. Here.” Zantar held out a slender crystal rod.

"What is it?"

"It can make the portals," Zatana said. "My mother gave it to me, and showed me how to make it work. I want you to have it."

“Wow," Mega said gretafully. "Thank you."

“We’ll get our gifts and be on our way.” So a few minutes later they were saying farewell to their new friends, the Half-Kins, with both parties making many promises to keep in touch and to visit someday. Then Mega Man, Proto Man, and Rush passed back through the portal and reappeared in Dr. Light’s lab. And it was Christmas Eve.