AAN: the last chapter, this one is going to follow the path of the final episode fairly closely but it won't be as detailed. But continues on after that final scene.

Phoenix Rekindled
Mu Released?

When Mocchi finally woke he found his friends surrounding him. They all looked both proud and concerned even though he felt lousy for losing.

"Mocchi you did great out there."

"But Mocchi lost… now we never get Holly's father out of mystery disk…" he pouted.

"Its alright Mocchi, you did your best and that's all that matters. Besides there is always next year, right?" Mocchi's Mud brightened now.

"Mocchi train hard and get stronger so I can win."

"That's the spirit Mocchi!" Genki and Holly both gave him a hug. Genki knew Holly was sad inside a bit but wasn't about to let that ruin her Mud. He took her hand showing her his support in his own away. Holly smiled again then watched as Mocchi tired to stand. He seemed all right but they knew he would be exhausted for a while. Leaving the stadium Genki and Holly lagged behind so they could speak.

"Holly, I know you're worried, it'll be alright."

"But what if we can't win the tournament…."

"We will just have faith. We'll do it next year. Just look at Mocchi, he's already fired up and it was a very close fight."

"I guess you're right. Thanks, I know this is hard on you as well."

"It is but part of being with you and helping you bare things right?"

"Yeah…" he pulled her into a one armed hug he knew she was still upset but he also knew she would come around in time. Tiger noticed the couple and he knew Holly was worried about putting a strain on their relationship by waiting a year before getting her father back. It was a concern but he also knew that Genki would wait, knowing how important this was to her. Little did they know they would get a reprieve, Most was searching them out after dealing with the baddies. He found them easily as the group had taken their time in leaving.

"Mocchi, you told me awhile ago you were in the tournament for the magic stone."

"Yeah chi." The others watched, Most had broken the winners plate now he handed the stone over to Mocchi.

"Take it. The baddies were after it earlier, I'd rather you use it for good then the baddies to get it and use it to bring Mu back."

"Are you sure chi?" Most just nodded, "Thank you so much Most!" the two shook hands then Mocchi handed the stone to Holly.

"Now we just need a shrine that can use the stone." Hare pondered on how to find one.

"When I was flying in the south the stone reacted to something, I marked it on the map in my iron bird."

"Really?" Most went and retrieved the map and showed then where it was.

"But this is north, how do we get to south?" Golem asked, he didn't like the idea of walking all that way.

"You guys can take my iron bird"

"Most we couldn't that's…"

"I don't really need it. Besides I want you to save your father and seal Mu away for good." Holly nodded. They group hefted all the excess cargo out of the iron bird then set off towards the marked spot on the map they were given.

Genki was thankful that Hare could fly the ship. Though he himself had an idea of how to do so he preferred not to try in this case. Holly seemed content to stay in the back with Golem and Suezo even though there was room up front. Genki assisted Hare best he could, Hare knew Genki was smart enough to know something about the iron birds even if he didn't know everything. Soon Holly's stone began to react; they knew they were getting close. But after being attacked by the baddies they were lucky to even make it to the ground in one peace. Once there they entered the shrine, Holly noticed that the doors opened for her and the magic stone when they wouldn't budge for the others. Once at the bottom of the corridor they found the shrine. It seemed different then most. Genki took the disc and placed it on the platform. Holly placed the stone in the pedestal after firing the machine back up. Soon the magic stone spoke to Holly, using her power to speak to the others.

"It's asking what we want to do."

"So our emotions can determine who is released?" hare asked.

"What do you mean, there is no way we'd want to release Mu." Suezo spoke agitated the stone would even think that.

"Just focus everyone." Genki spoke calmly.

"Genki's right we want to seal Mu away and set only my father free." The stone responded accordingly. Soon they saw Holly's father fighting with a black serpent like spirit. The stone using its energy to forced the black spirit to release Holly's father. Soon he was free, and the spirit was back in the disc. Holly ran up to him calling to him. Genki noticed a distant and confused look in her father's eyes though. He felt ill just then, something was wrong.

Soon the group was back to a safe place away from the shrine. They discussed what to do with the disc while Holly's father rested. Genki pulled Holly to him whispering,

"I'll be alright. Give it time; his memory will come back in time. He's been through a lot." He felt her nod as a few more tears fell. Holly had shown him her tears freely, she seemed no longer afraid to cry.

"He might be better off this way." Tiger stated coolly from behind.

"What are you talking about?" Genki turned to them.

"Just think about it."

"Yeah, he might be better off how he is."

"Just think of how horrible it'll be when he remember all the things he did…" Holly spoke softly.

"That's ridiculous! Some memories are hard to handle yes, but its better then not having any. Besides I know Holly's father is strong enough to handle them." He glanced back to his love now. "Holly don't you want him to know who you are when he looked into your eyes? To be proud of you and be able to give his approval of your marriage to me?"

"Yeah." She smiled simply to him. He always had a simple way of putting things into perspective, but it was his simple view that helped in most cases.

"You have a simple way of putting things." Tiger glanced over at him. He knew just as Genki did that Holly wanted her father to get his memory back. Genki looked back at the others.

"Now we just need to know what to do about the disc."

"Lets break it!" Tiger blurted out.

"No we might accidentally release the evil soul!" Hare protested.

"Maybe we can use the magic stone to seal it permanently?" Genki asked unsure if it was even possible. He stared at what was left of the stone, knowing it didn't have much power left.

Just then some slippery vines snatched the stone from his hand. He looked up to see that weed was the one behind it and now he had the disc as well. "Hey give that back!"

"No, we finally have what we have been waiting for. I'm not giving it back now. General Durahan its time."

"Yes, now I will be the supreme ruler of this world."

"No, that evil soul is a lot more dangerous then you think!"

"Time for some payback I'd say." Mum Mew smirked. The rebels had just enough time to protect themselves before they were struck by their foes attacks. When the smoke cleared the baddies were gone and so were the stone and disc.

"Come one we have to get to the shrine!" Hare called running toward it. The others followed, Holly leaving her father at the campsite for his own safety. Part of Genki wanted Holly to stay behind, but he wouldn't ask that of her. They got there just in time to see weed making the final preparations. Attacking the baddies they did their best to stop the release of the soul. But in the end they failed. The baddies they attacked not only helped weed push the button but they broke the pedestal. With the machines controls gone it went haywire. Genki realized that attacks were useless now; the power of the machine was too strong for an attack to penetrate. The rebels could do nothing more then watch in horror as the other four baddies were forcibly taken into the merger by the malfunctioning system. What was left was a monster with a mostly Durahan form with Golbi's size. He laughed at them as he launched an attack. He knew exactly who they were and why they were there. The evil soul remembered it all. And though Durahan was in charge for now the evil soul feared them and would do anything to eliminate them.

"We need to get outside to fight him." Genki agreed, he knew they had to fight even though it was a slim chance of winning. The group hurried outside to ready themselves.

"Holly, go take your father to safety."

"Leave you?"

"We'll be fine." She saw the look in his eyes and understood. Soon she was off heading to get her father and hide. Though she wasn't sure about leaving them, she knew Genki wanted her safe. With their attention diverted they were knocked off their feat by another wind assault. Soon they recovered, Genki standing and gathering the power he needed, he then skated forward with Mocchi, Mocchi using his cannon. Mu merely blocked it though. Even when attacking together using Genki's courage as a catalyst they could do no damage. Genki knew giving up wasn't an option, but he also knew they would probably die trying to kill Mu again.

Unknown to the group Holly's father had heard the commotion and come to investigate. He felt drawn to the source of what he felt. But he wasn't sure why.

"Father, no it's too dangerous."

"Something is calling for me…that's creature… I know him…" it was all he could utter before his head began to hurt. Sinking to his knees holding his head the words the monster spoke were starting to make sense. It didn't take long before his memory began to come back section-by-section. After a frustrated and mournful cry he looked over at his worried daughter.

"Father what's wrong? What is it?"

"Where am I? Holly?" Holly's eyes tearing up hearing him utter her name. Even after all this time he finally knew her.

"Father…" she began to sob, "You remember me…" he held her gently realizing the pain it had caused her for him to not know her.

"The evil soul has possessed that monster. Soon it will take full control."

"No you can't"

"Holly please, I have to finish this. Even if it's the last thing I do. I can't let the evil soul exist any longer." He noticed she wore his blade and took it from its ornate sheath. Holly took off after him as he charged forward ready to face the evil soul that had tormented him. The group getting blown back as he did leaving them sprawled on the ground.

"Father!"

"Holly!" Genki rose somewhat painfully, his leg and back injured. Unfortunately Holly's father wasn't even close to a match for the reborn Mu. He grabbed him, then glanced back at Holly as she stopped.

"No father…"

"So this is your father is it?" the monster knew he could use her grief and hatred to fuel his power.

"Its obvious you don't remember me." He father blunt stated.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm a ruined man that was possessed by the evil soul. No one will weep for my soul after your done. Not with all the horrendous acts I committed to stranger sand loved ones alike."

"You were Mu? Well isn't this a coincidence."

"You will lose control soon. The evil soul will take you over just as it did me."

"Don't think I am as weak as you." He glanced back at Holly now. "Now come young woman let me steep in your loathing."

"Stop. Holly, I, and the others will never let hatred live in our hearts. A heart that contains love can never contain hatred."

"Yeah we don't hate anyone."

"Hating bad." All the monsters agreeing with their leader, Genki had always shown them the correct path.

"You just want me to hate you to make you more powerful but its not going to happen!" Holly yelled, as she shed a few tears. Holly's father felt the shift and knew what was about to happen. The evil soul soon took over Durahan, and spread its evil veil over the rebels.

Within the evil souls heart they saw the five monsters that made up the reborn Mu struggling to keep control. Durahan seemed confused as to how he could be losing control now. With a pep talk form Holly's father the group summoned up the phoenix. They were determined to not only defeat the evil soul but free the baddies from it as well. As the battle ensued the baddies watched in awe and confusion as the group fought to save them. They couldn't fathom the reason behind such actions; this wasn't some that normally happened. Both the group of humans and the phoenix fought to protect them. After seeing such loved, determination, and courage they couldn't deny its power. Finally understanding and coming to their own decisions on the matter the baddies gave their own courage to aid the phoenix in the battle. With the added strength of five, the phoenix ripped the soul apart from the inside out. Once done the group found themselves back in the real realm, the baddies losing their crests and having the bodies healed in the process. The last thing the group saw of the soul was it shooting into the air and bursting into millions of bright sparkling rays of light that healed the land and turned the baddies into good monsters again.

The battle had worn everyone out. Durahan's group had said their thank you and good byes, and headed out to see what they could make of themselves. The group retired to their makeshift campsite. Holly tending to her fathers wounds then to everyone else's. Genki had gone and fetched water for her to make some tea for them. They all knew they'd be sore in the morning. Genki came to sit next to Holly,

"You alright?"

"Yeah, its fine Genki." She smiled to him, "the injury isn't that bad. You were much worse off." he rubbed the back of his head and just grinned.

"What can I say? I get injured a lot."

"Yeah you seem to." Holly's father noticed their connection and smiled. His smiled grew when he was the ring on her finger and the matching one on his. * So she's in love huh? I wonder if they are married? * He frowned and glanced to the sky, * I have missed so much of her life… it was foolish of me to leave her. *

"Father?"

"Hmm?" she stirred him form his thoughts.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." He took her hand examining the ring, Holly watched waiting for him to say something. "So you found a nice young man to wed?"

"Yes, Genki and I have cared about each other for years now." She smiled, "Genki agreed to wait till we got you back to have the wedding. I wanted you to be there."

"And he I was afraid I missed it."

"No… I couldn't let you miss something so important." She smiled to him as he returned the smile.

"Thank you" he then glanced to Genki, "And thank you for being willing to wait." Genki nodded,

"It wasn't a problem. I'd do anything to make Holly happy." He nodded,

"Holly, I'm proud of you. You have been so brave." She began tearing up again, and buried her face in her father's chest crying in shear joy.

"Thank you, I had hoped I would make you proud."

"You have my blessing. From what I know of him and what I have seen today. Genki seems to be a remarkable young man and he'll take good care of you." Genki nodded to her father, he was glad for the blessing. He knew Holly would feel a whole lot better now.

"Thank you so much father."

"You're welcome Holly." Genki and Holly's father spoke that night the two getting to know each other better. Holly listened in for the most part, talking to her father about what had happened with her after a fashion.

When the group had eaten dinner for the night and settled down to rest, Holly joined Genki to speak with him alone.

"Genki… now that he's back we can marry anytime you want." He glanced over at her with a smile.

"I know. Lets marry in a few weeks. Give your father time to adjust and get to know you and me as well. He has a lot to catch up on; I don't want to overwhelm him." She nodded then gave him a hug and a kiss.

"Thank you so much Genki. You have been so supporting and patient over the past few months. I'm not sure I would have gotten through this with out you." He affectionately stroked her cheek before leaning into kiss her. The couple kissed for a few minutes then snuggled up with each other.

"You could have gotten through. I know you are strong enough. It just would have been harder. But I'm glad I was of help. Lets get some rest. After all we have a lot of decision making and conversations ahead of us."

"Yes we do." She smiled to him before letting herself begin to drift off.

* Things will be different this time. I will stay here and make my life. And this time there will be no fear of Mu returning to taint this world. All thanks to my friends. * Genki glanced one last time and the brilliant night sky before letting his self drift off into the realm of dreams.

AAN: well this one is finally done. Only took me till 4:45 am to complete it lol. But that was after a long day of cleaning my room and what not. Hope you all enjoyed it and it didn't feel too rushed. More Monster World Digitized on the way, don't worry.