ProtoMan.EXE

ProtoMan.EXE, known as Blues.EXE in Japan, is a NetNavi from the MegaMan Battle Network series operated by the ace NetBattler Eugene Chaud (Ijūin Enzan) and rival of MegaMan. ProtoMan specializes in swords and uses many sword-type BattleChips. ProtoMan appears in many stories of the Battle Network series, but the player can only play as him in MegaMan Battle Network 5, MegaMan Battle Chip Challenge, and MegaMan Battle Network 6 (using a hack or the Beast Link Gate).

History
ProtoMan is the elite NetNavi of Eugene Chaud (Chaud Blaze in the English anime, Enzan Ijuuin in the Japanese version). His Navi mark, a circle split with a thunderbolt pattern into two black and white sections, can be seen on ProtoMan's chest and gloves, as well as, in the games but not in the anime, on the back of Chaud's vest. Unlike his robot counterpart Proto Man, he normally uses a sword weapon instead of a buster, although he does carry a shield reminiscent of the original Proto Man's, and does have a buster weapon when he is player-controlled in MegaMan Battle Network 5.

ProtoMan, as a Navi for an official, is extremely well-trained by Chaud, who actually created ProtoMan himself. In Megaman Battle Network, Protoman fought alone and won every fight without Chaud operating him. This streak was considered to be a force to be reckoned to those who knew of them until he saw this downfall with Megaman during the Elecman scenario. With this defeat and before Chaud logged out Protoman, he (Protoman) asked Megaman how he fights so well and his connection to his operator Lan. When Megaman explained to Protoman what that connection was, this changed Protoman in a way and Chaud perhaps although he was arrogant to admit anything. With Protoman's great fighting skills and Chaud's natural talent in NetBattling (or so he says, it was actually revealed in MegaMan Battle Network 3 that he is not naturally talented, but has trained for 10 hours a day for years), this team is one of the few who can match Lan and MegaMan in strength, even occasionally defeating them.

In the anime, during Axess, Chaud gains the ability to perform Cross Fusion with ProtoMan. When the two find themselves unable to defeat ShadeMan, Chaud reluctantly provides his Navi with a Dark Chip. In doing so, he released the dark soul in ProtoMan, which allowed him to escape. ProtoMan would later return as Dark ProtoMan (Dark Blues), a Darkloid completely absorbed by the Dark Aura due to the tampering of LaserMan. As Axess reached its finale, Chaud was able to rescue his friend's spirit, returning him to normal by Cross Fusing with him, confronting him within the confines of his heart. Protoman has also appeared in all the MegaMan Battle Network games. As a friend and/or rival, Chaud and ProtoMan are always there to help.

Abilities
ProtoMan is one of the strongest NetNavis in the MegaMan Battle Network games. He has excellent potential with his sword and shield. His attacks and behavior differs in which game he is fought by the player himself/herself.
 * Delta Ray Edge: One of ProtoMan's strongest attack and techniques. Before ProtoMan attacks, he suddenly flashes and attacks with Wide Sword three times. Not only that, but he also effectively paralyzes MegaMan if he gets hit by one of these phases of the slashes. When all three connect or miss, ProtoMan creates a triangle. The Delta Ray Edge Giga Chip is available in MMBN 3, 4, 5, and 6. This attack, both by ProtoMan and the Chip can only be used properly when the opponent is in the middle row, in the front or center panel.
 * Shielding: ProtoMan's basic defense. In most cases, ProtoMan blocks all attacks when in the back row with a shield. He's less scrutinizing in later games, taking hits more often. In BN6, if he's struck when shielding, he will immediately speed at the opponent and slash them. A good way to take down the shield is to use a multi-hit chip in later games, as he'll walk right into the attack.
 * Sonic Sword: One of ProtoMan's rudimentary fighting attacks. He randomly shifts between the top and bottom rows, swinging a 3 panel wide sword attack that flies to the other end of the stage. He will sometimes strike consecutively, cycling between the top and bottom column, making the attack hard to dodge. He stops using this attack in later games.
 * Step Sword: Another of ProtoMan's basic skills. In previous games, he only used this when you shot at him, bringing up his shield. He'd then teleport in front, and use a widesword attack. He later begins using this over the Sonic Sword completely. If MegaMan is in the front rows, Protoman may also teleport behind and attack. This is present in later games. In the 5th game, where ProtoMan is playable, StepSword is a chip exclusive to him, and works like the previous games' stepsword chips, moving 2 panels ahead and using a widesword.
 * Fighter Sword: Used in later games, ProtoMan stands in the front row of his panels, and swings a Fightersword, hitting 3 panels ahead to the back row.
 * Samurai Sword: In BN6, he is capable of attacking in a + formation.
 * Blade Dance: Replacing his Delta Ray Edge in BN6, ProtoMan will zip around with the player's position as the center, first diagonally from the top left panel then the bottom left panel, then back and forth the middle row, hitting him several times, dealing massive damage. This attack cannot be executed if the player steps on the bottom or the top row when Protoman is about to strike (after the ding sound).

ProtoMan gains some new moves as ProtoMan DS/Dark ProtoMan. Note that he can't use Delta Ray at all in this form.


 * Shadow Shield:A dark sillouhete of ProtoMan replaces his shield to block attacks. Note that with any attack involving a clone, the clone will block all attacks like a regular obstacle.
 * Dark Sword:ProtoMan's normal sword has been replaced with a Dark Sword, which he uses in most of his attacks.
 * Shadow Slice: A dark sillouhette appears and uses a Fighter Sword. Protoman still moves while the clone attacks.
 * Dark Step Sword ProtoMan disappears. A clone will attempt to slash a Dark Sword behind the player. ProtoMan will then reappear and then use a Dark Sword in asimilar fashion to his normal Step Sword.

Trivia

 * In design, ProtoMan.EXE seems to be a combination of both the classic series' Proto Man, and X series Zero, despite there being a Battle Network equivalent of Zero.
 * Characteristics from ProtoMan include the visor, shield (only used in battles), rival/hidden helper to MegaMan, cold, professional attitude towards others, and habit of showing up at the last minute.
 * From Zero, he borrows the long ponytail (albeit gray), and affinity for blade weapons(not to mention he uses the Z-Saber Battle Chip in the anime). The red color scheme is taken from both characters.
 * ProtoMan also gets a rival in MegaMan Battle Network 5, Colonel.EXE, who was Zero's rival in Mega Man X4.
 * Using an E-Reader Card or hacks/cheats in MMBN6 allows the player to play ProtoMan as a Link Navi.
 * Additionaly, hacking shows that Proto Soul was supposed to be in MMBN6, but was scrapped. It works very fluidly though.
 * The Battle Card "Swordfghtr" in the Star Force series shows a sillouhette of ProtoMan dashing alongside MegaMan.
 * Protoman's emblem is similar to the Yin-Yang symbol, one side of cold indifference and the other of striking kindness.
 * In the first game there was a minor typo when Protoman talked to Chaud. When he says Chaud's name he says "Load Chaud" instead of Lord Chaud.