A DEFENDER REBORN: CHAPTER XI
Darkness swirled around Mike as he watched the pit's opening speed further and further away until only the darkness remained. His body ached all over and he was beginning to lose consciousness. Images began to swirl in his head as he fell deeper and deeper into the abyss. He saw himself and Leo growing up in California, learning martial arts from their father, his first kiss from a girl named Amber, a brutal fight with some bullies in high school involving him and Leo, high school graduation, him joining the GSA, launch day for Terra Venture, Mike in the others pulling the Quasar Sabers from the rock on Mirinoi, his fall into the chasm and being saved by Magna Defender, his release from the Defender's body, him receiving the Defender's power, various fights with Trakeena's monsters, and finally, his own sacrifice of his powers in order to save Terra Venture.
Mike's eyes snapped open at this memory. All seemed lost that time, too, but Mike never gave up and believed in the Defender's powers to pull him through. He did not have the powers anymore, but Mike would never quit on himself or the people of planet Bree. There has to be a way out of this. Mike thought.
Suddenly, a ball of red and yellow flame appeared below him directly in his path. Almost instantly, the ball of flame expanded to fill the massive hole. Mike closed his eyes and threw his arms up in front of his face just before hitting the wall of fire. Leo! He thought and gritted his teeth for the forthcoming pain and inevitable death, but it never came. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and realized he had stopped falling and floated within the globe of flames. Mike scanned the fire all around him not understanding what was happening. While searching the flames, he realized there was something hovering about ten meters in front of him, camouflaged within the flames, but just out of sync. Mike looked up and met the green-eyed gaze of the Phoenix.
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Lorde Chrome paced back and forth in front of his throne room's large porthole, which looked down on the planet of Bree. The intergalactic warlord waited for news about the current attack on the village of Carsha. His son, Golde, Torque, and an army of TACS should have been more than enough to take the Carshans and obtain the Phoenix Flame, but something did not sit well with the tyrant as he continued to pace.
What is it? He asked himself. Why do I feel so uneasy about this mission, all of a sudden? Lorde Chrome stopped and peered out the porthole and down at the planet. Could it be...the off-worlder?
Just then, the incoming communication alert sounded breaking him out of his concentration. Lorde Chrome strolled back over to his throne and tapped a button on the right armrest.
"Lorde Chrome here..."
"Father, its Golde. We've taken the village and the temple and are moments away from acquiring the Phoenix Flame." Master Golde explained from within the Chamber of Flame.
"Excellent, my son. And what of the interloper, the off-worlder." Chrome asked hoping for even more good news.
"HA HA HA! Torque has dealt with the interloper. The Phoenix Flame shall be yours in a matter of minutes."
"Well done, my son. Tell Torque he shall be rewarded, but do not linger too long. I am eager to get on with our plans for universal domination. Chrome out."
"It shall be done, father." Golde stated and was gone with a beep of the console.
Lorde Chrome descended the chrome stairs and headed back to the large porthole. So...the off-worlder has been dealt with. I hope his death was one of excruciating pain. Chrome thought and smiled at the notion of the interloper dying an extremely painful death.
"Now, my conquest of the universe can begin and no one shall stand in my way. MUWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!" Lorde Chrome boasted and let out a maniacal laugh that traveled throughout the Dreadnaught.
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Welcome, young warrior of Earth. I am Charron, Keeper of the Phoenix Flame. The giant bird of flame told him directly to his mind. It was composed of a body of red and yellow flames just like the surrounding sphere, but its eyes were an intense green and burned with power.
"Where am I? What's going on? Am I dead?" Mike asked patting himself all over and reminding himself he was just in an explosion as a tendril of pain shot through him.
No, young Magna Defender, you are not dead, but merely embraced by the Phoenix Flame, which is no small feat. Only a noble warrior with courage and honor could be embraced by the flame and not be utterly consumed, but I knew you would survive, for it was I who brought you here. The mystical bird said inside Mike's head.
"How...how did you know I used to be the Magna Defender and why did you lure me here?" Mike asked in astonishment after noticing Charron's words.
Ha ha ha ha ha! It is not the first time the Defender and I have crossed paths. The Magna Defender once freed me from Scorpius's prison. His powers still lingers on you and are unmistakable. How did this happen? The phoenix explained. Mike told the ancient creature about the loss of his powers and of Kendrix's findings.
Most unfortunate. The Defender's powers are some of the greatest in the universe and it would be a devastating blow to the forces of good if they were lost forever.
"But why did you bring me here? Was it to help the Carshans?" Mike asked.
Yes. The Carshans are in need of help because Master Chrome seeks the Phoenix Flame to augment his already formidable powers. The Carshans are in his way and, I believe, he would destroy them to get what he wants. So in order to help the Carshans and to pay an old debt, I ask you to protect them in my place. I would do so myself, but I cannot leave this chamber so close to my time of rebirth.
"But I can't! I would if I could, but the aliens are too powerful! If only I had my powers!" Mike blurted out in frustration. He felt helpless and could not help but think of what was happening to Juna and her people while he was stuck down in the pit.
But you forget, young one. I am Keeper of the Phoenix Flame and its power should be enough to restore your powers, but not to full power. This I can do. What say you, Mike?
Mike let this new information sink in. His powers could be restored! Although not at full power, this would definitely be a start. Mike thought briefly before answering.
"I accept. If you can restore my powers, even in the least bit, I'll do whatever I can to help the Carshans."
Very well. You do the legacy of the Magna Defender well.
This was all the Phoenix said as it nodded its head and Mike's morphers appeared before him. The great flaming bird wrapped its wings around the devices and pulled them close to its body. The bird's flaming aura flared wildly as all the flame rushed in towards the morphers. After about a minute, the bird's aura dissipated and the flames subsided.
Its flame spent, the Phoenix was now just a mass of dark red muscle, but starting to slowly turn gray. The Phoenix opened its wings and Mike's morphers floated over to him surrounded by a sphere of flame. The sphere suddenly burst just as it reached him and the morphers dropped into his hands.
A wave of heat washed over him and all his wounds were healed. Mike studied the morphers closely. They were no longer melted and charged and seemed to be in pristine condition. Mike wasted no time in strapping on his morphers, and once he did, he felt better than he had in the past few years. Just having them back on his wrists, he felt a tremendous weight being lifted off his shoulders. He had not failed the Magna Defender and his legacy, which he would carry on for the rest of his days.
"I'm ready and ...thank you." Mike thanked the great fiery bird.
No, Magna Defender, thank you. Although your power is not at full strength, I'm sure you will do what needs to be done. May the Defender's legacy live on.
With that, the Phoenix changed completely to gray and started to crumple into ash. Mike began to slowly rise higher and higher until he had floated past the flame bubble and back into the pit. A red aura had appeared around him and his speed had begun to increase when he heard the Phoenix's voice in his head once more.
Mike...there is only one way to restore your powers to full strength. Seek out the Gem of Tauros. Only it can restore your powers to what they once were. Good luck.
Mike looked down at the fire below him and nodded, and then it was gone as if it was never there. Mike turned his gaze back upward and concentrated on the task at hand. With that, there was a burst of speed and Mike soared towards the opening like a bullet.
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"TELL ME! TELL ME, NOW! HOW DO YOU OBTAIN THE PHOENIX FLAME?"
Master Golde screamed at Juna as he held her off the ground by the neck.
"I-I DON'T...ARRRGH!" Juna tried to speak, but was hit with a surge of green energy from Golde's hand.
Torque smiled to himself as he listened to young girl scream. He silently wished he was the one making her scream, but at the moment he was staring down the massive hole, to make sure he had killed the human. Unfortunately, this time when he peered down the hole, he was met with a black, steel-toed boot to the face, which sent him flying back towards his master.
"WHAT!" Master Golde said angrily and turned his gaze toward the pit. To his disbelief, Mike was standing at the hole's edge surrounded by a red aura, which quickly began to fade. Golde quickly turned to Torque, who was just getting back on his feet, then back to Mike. Who is this human? How did he escape the pit?
"You're too late. We're fresh out of Phoenix Flame. How about a knuckle sandwich or two?" Mike quipped.
"Insolent human. We'll destroy you for this! Torque, destroy him! Destroy him, now!" Master Golde yelled angrily as he let Juna drop to the ground. She hit the ground with a thud and Mike gritted his teeth in anger.
"I'll destroy you." Torque said his voice filling with rage.
"I don't think so. MAGNA POWER!" Mike yelled as he unlocked and connected the rings on his morphers, then threw up his right hand as he was surrounded by bluish-green energy followed by an explosion. The Magna Defender now stood in Mike's place ready for action.
"Now, who's first?"