The new chapter is here.
But wait, guess what... THIS IS THE FINAL CHAPTER!?
Get ready to be excited. And be sure to read the last of the comment section.
Previously on 'The Guardian of Mu: Solo':
All of the people from the party had evacuated, save a few. However, inside the building, Rogue, Megaman, Lyra Note, and Capricorn Kid appeared and exited out of their wave forms. Geo was confused from the new face in the group.
"I'll ask later, but first things first. Rogue, what's going on? How are you still here, I thought that you…" Geo failed to finish.
"Yes, I thought so too, but something happened back there," Solo started.
"What is it?" Sonia asked.
"To sum one thing up, the world is once again in danger from the wrath of the Continent of Mu…"
Chapter 25:
Geo and Sonia were staring at Solo in shock. Kidd looked indifferent. There was silence in the air until Cancer, who had arrived in time to hear the warning, started making a ruckus.
"WHAT!? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME. HOW DID MU COME BACK? I THOUGHT THA-MMPH," Cancer was silenced by Omega-Xis, who had held his hand pressed on Cancer's mouth.
"Quiet you," Omega-Xis growled.
"Cancer is still the same, isn't he, my old friend?" a being that came out of Kidd's Star Carrier. The EM being had a white body with hooves on the end of it arms. It had a small silver armor on its chest and wore a silver helmet with two horns growing on it. Omega-Xis, Lyra, and Cancer were shocked to see the being.
"It can't be… Capricorn," Omega-Xis said.
"It has been a long time, my friend," Capricorn said.
"Who's Capricorn, Lyra?" Sonia asked.
"Capricorn was an FM-ian that was supposed to be one of the warriors sent to attack the space station back then. However, Capricorn refused and was exiled for treason," Lyra explained. The news was shocking. So Capricorn was supposed to be one of the EM beings that were sent to attack Geo's father's space station.
"I never thought that I'd see you again. What made you come to Earth, Capricorn?" Cancer asked.
"I decided to come shortly after the FM King had left this planet. When he had found me wandering the cosmos, he told me of what had happened and how my exile was lifted. I could return whenever I wished, but I chose to first visit this planet that had changed my King so much. I had met Kidd here not long after entering," Capricorn explained gesturing toward his partner.
"Alright, the reunion is done, but we have an important matter to discuss. Cancer's right about what he said about Mu being back. I thought I sealed the continent away during our last encounter?" Geo questioned.
"That's right… but then, how are you here? I mean, you were also sealed away when Megaman unleashed that attack on Le Mu," Sonia said.
(Meanwhile, a few feet away from the discussing group)
"What do you think they're talking about?" Bud asked hiding behind the table
"I don't know, but I don't like the guy with the white hair. He looks dangerous," Zack whispered.
"Hey guys," a voice whispered behind the two friends. Bud and Zack almost jumped at the sudden voice before they saw that it was Pat.
"Pat, what are you doing here?" Zack asked.
"Well, I couldn't really escape with all the viruses and people running amuck. But I'm wondering what Geo, Sonia, and those other two are talking about?" Pat said.
"Boys," another voice called. The trio turned and saw Luna behind them. "What are you doing? We have to go now before the Satella Police arrives. Then we'll have a lot of those ridiculous questions of theirs to answer."
"But-"
"No 'Buts' understand. Now let's go," Luna said dragging the three guys away. But while she dragged them away, she looked back at the people talking.
"It's better if we don't interfere. Solo finally found Megaman, so I shouldn't try to distract them. I hope that whatever the case is, everything turns out okay…" Luna sadly thought.
(Back to the main group)
"The reason I'm here right now is because of what happened after you had sealed the gate of Mu away," Solo began explaining.
(Flashback)
Le Mu was sent back to the other dimension after Megaman Tribe King used Czar Delta Breaker, along with Rogue. The gate had once more closed off and vanished. Le Mu let off a roar from witnessing the gate vanishing.
"History has repeated itself once more, Le Mu," Rogue said as he flipped up and charged at Le Mu with his sword risen into the air, "And once more you shall be sealed. IT ENDS HERE."
With that, Rogue plunged his Guardian Sword into Le Mu's forehead, just like he had done 12,000 years ago.
MMMMMMMMYYYYYYYGGGGGGGYYYYYY AAAAAHHHHHH
Le Mu roared in pain as he began to lose his strength once more and vanished into its slumber.
Rogue once more found himself in the inner sanctum, where he was after sealing Le Mu 12,000 years ago. Rogue couldn't help but feel the irony of the situation. He exited his wave form and looked at Le Mu's statue once more.
"Le Mu… I wonder how long it shall be until the seal breaks once more…" Solo said, "Hopefully never again, even if that means living in eternal darkness for me. But no matter what happens, I will never allow you roam free. You will never be allowed to see the light of day."
As Solo turned to leave, he suddenly felt a presence.
(Back to present)
"What was it?" Kidd asked, interested.
"It was the human that remained within the continent after sealing it," Solo answered.
"Vega…" Geo answered, looking sad. He never understood how the woman that he respected ended up only using him. Solo then continued.
"Yes. That human remained, so I…"
(Flashback)
Solo found himself standing face to face with the woman that had dared to undo the seal of Mu and threatened to destroy the world.
"So you stayed within this world, human?" Solo asked.
"Yes… to think that my plans were ruined by the very pawn that I was using," Vega answered bitterly as she was referring to Megaman.
"You were a fool. Do you have any idea of the threat that Le Mu poses to the world?" Solo growled.
"Foolish watchdog. You couldn't understand the greatness that Le Mu presented this world, and how it could've completely changed the functions of the Wave World," Vega explained.
"I never would've believed that humans could have such twisted plans. What is it that drove you to think of such a plan?" Solo questioned.
"You could never understand such a thing. This world needs a ruler to control over the weak and foolish humans. And who better than I," Vega explained. Solo was silent for several minutes, looking down on the ground.
"Very well…" Solo said before transforming into Rogue and pulling his Guardian Sword out and pointing it at Vega, "If you threaten the stability of this world that my people had sacrificed themselves for, then I, as the last Guardian of Mu, shall see to it that you are eliminated."
As Rogue prepared to attack Vega, several armored warriors appeared and attacked Rogue. Rogue, shocked to see them, instantly jumped to avoid the attacks, before slashing the warriors with his sword. As the warriors were deleted, Rogue turned to see how the warriors came. Vega looked equally as shocked.
"How did…?" Solo wondered.
"Heh heh heh. It has been a long time, Solo. I see that you've changed from back then," a voice said. Rogue turned to the source and saw a large figure of a warrior riding a chariot. The being wore golden armor on his upper body with purple armor on the edge of its arms and body. The figure also had double plated armor on its shoulders with a blue orb on each plate. The being also wore a gladiator-like helmet and had a silver metallic mustache on its face. The chariot the being rode on was actually an attachment, as the being seemed to have no legs. The chariot had two wheels with spikes on each wheel guard. The front had the appearance of a jaw with a large blue orb on top of the chariot.
"Who… are you?" Rogue asked.
"My my my, have you already forgotten me?" the being asked, "Well, perhaps my name will ring a bell. Does 'Auriga' help jog your memory?"
Rogue wondered for a moment before his eyes widened in realization.
"But… I… I thought I-"
"You thought that you had destroyed me, correct?" the being, Auriga, interrupted, "Well, you nearly did, but I survived."
"That's impossible. The only way you could have survived is if…" Rogue trailed off.
"Is if I had converted my own flesh into EM waves, right?" Auriga finished for Rogue, "That very day, after I fell at your hand in battle, I turned myself into an EM being to survive. Then I immediately went to acquire a power to help me best you, and serve my master well."
Rogue wondered what Auriga was saying, until it finally dawned to him of exactly how Auriga had obtained his new appearance.
"You… How dare you," Rogue growled at the realization. "How dare you place the 'General's Armor' upon yourself."
(Back to present)
"Pause for a second," Omega-Xis interrupted. All eyes turned to the voice. However, Geo needed to put on his Visualizers, while Sonia and Kidd needed to use their Star Carriers.
"I have three questions for you, buddy. First, who's Auriga? Second, why do did he have the ability to turn himself into EM waves? And third, what the heck is the 'General's Armor'?" Omega-Xis asked.
"To answer your questions in order, Auriga is a traitorous Murian that I thought I had battled the very first time I performed an EM Wave Change. The second question, we Murians, who are hold mastery over EM waves, can choose to convert our matter bodies into EM waves if we choose to. However, such an act is the same as surrendering our wave forms. You last question will require some explanation," Solo answered.
"The 'General's Armor' is a sacred armor that belonged to a legendary Murian generations before I was born. His real name was lost in history, so it is unknown. He was a warrior that so powerful that he could match the power of several Tribes at once. He was a masterful tactician and warrior that earned him the title 'General'. One day, the planet Earth faced a calamity. There was a large meteor that was going to collide with the Earth, and thereby destroying it, so the General went alone and attempted to stop the meteor. The meteor was as large as the continent of Mu and quite dense. The other Tribe heads went to assist the General, but he told them to stay back. The General then used every ounce of his power and collided with the meteor, destroying both the General and the meteor. All that the Tribe leaders of that generation could salvage out of the field was his armor, that damaged seemed to have remained unscathed. The armor was then preserved into a temple that was built in his honor."
Geo and the others were moved from hearing this tale.
"That's why to see some lowly traitor of my people to be wearing the armor was infuriating."
(Flashback)
"Ha ha ha. I'll admit, it was quite difficult," Auriga explained, "When I placed the armor on myself, I didn't become stronger. Instead, I felt myself become absorbed into the armor. It was that powerful, and I drifted within it that had me fighting for my life many times. But soon, I felt my strength and will grow so strong to the point that taken control of the armor and evolve into it. But to fully merge myself into it, I fell into slumber for as long as you have. Now I have emerged as… General Auriga."
With that said, Rogue instantly charged and slashed at General Auriga. However, General Auriga blocked the attack easily and knocked Rogue back.
"You won't get away with what you did. To think that a lowly scum like you would take the armor of such an honorable Murian is… is…" Rogue couldn't even finish.
General Auriga laughed at that, "What a fool you are, Solo. But I am not your only worry. Did you think that I was alone?"
Rogue, who was about to charge at General Auriga again, suddenly stopped, "What do you mean?"
"Let me explain. When do you think I had awoken from my slumber?" General Auriga asked. Rogue began wondering that.
"Since you don't know, I'll tell you. I had awoken pretty much the same time as you did. When the seal had broken, and you escaped from this realm," General Auriga explained.
Rogue was going to question just what Auriga was getting at, when another question popped into mind that he spoke instead, "What… what were you doing the entire time?"
"Good question. What WAS I doing the entire time you were gone from here? And even after you returned?" General Auriga seemed to grin as he restates the question.
"If you don't tell me, then I'll…!" Rogue was about to charge again, when he suddenly felt a familiar presence. A presence that he thought was gone.
"I see that you sensed me… Solo. It's so… good to see you again," a voice that Solo hadn't heard in over 12,000 years said. Rogue turned to the where the doorway is and saw the being he thought was sealed away. Apollo looked just like he did back then.
For the first time in a long time, Solo felt fear dwelling within him. He could already feel a drop of sweat fall down his face.
"A… Apollo, how did…?" Rogue questioned.
"It was I who released Mater Apollo. I, his loyal servant, worked greatly to free him from the seal. It was difficult, but with my new powers, I succeeded at last," General Auriga explained.
"Yes, to have such a loyal servant is heartening, don't you think, Solo?" Apollo asked. Rogue didn't understand it, but he felt something different from Apollo. Something terrible.
"What have you become? You are not the same being that I had faced back then," Rogue demanded.
At this Apollo started to let out a bone-chilling laugh.
"I'm glad you noticed, Solo. You see, just like how you and Auriga had changed into a new form, so have I. I obtained this new power from the very seal that has kept me in at bay… Want to see?" and with that, Apollo let out a mighty shout and the entire room, no, the entire continent started to shake, as Apollo was being covered in flames.
"Witness my new power as I have been reborn…" Apollo began, as he spoke through the flames that were starting to reveal his new form, "…as Apollo Flame."
With that, most of the flames vanished, as Apollo revealed his new form. He wore red armor that seemed to cover his entire body. He had spike stream in a flame pattern on the side of his arms and legs. He wore black rings on wrists and legs. He wore a red helmet that had a flame figure on top, looking like a crown. The helmet also had a white circular symbol at the center of the helmet. His silver hair was now flowing down the side of his helmet. He also had a ring of fire on his back and two more fire rings surrounding him.
Rogue could feel the amount of power that Apollo Flame had. He felt himself tremble from the fearsome power. It felt equal, perhaps even greater, than Le Mu, or the Tribe King.
"Do you fear my power, Solo? Or should I call you Sentinel still?" Apollo Flame asked.
"It's Rogue," Rogue answered getting into his battle stance. He didn't even know why he even answered.
"Well… it matters not what you call yourself now. Your fate and suffering shall end soon," Apollo Flame said as he raised his arm in front of him. Suddenly, a large snake-like flame emerged from the ground suddenly and hit Rogue and throwing him out of the building.
Rogue couldn't believe that amount of power that was behind one attack. And he suspected that it was only his weakest attack. He panted as he was on the staircases that lead to the inner sanctum. Apollo Flame walked out of the building with General Auriga and Vega, who didn't say anything and went with the super powered beings, and stood in front of Rogue.
"Are you already done from that one attack? I'm sadly disappointed in you. Where's all that power that you had back then?" Apollo Flame asked.
"Shut up. You want power? Then I'll give it to you. Flying Knuckle," Rogue cried out and fired his attack at Apollo Flame. The fists struck their target and smoke covered the area. However, when the smoke cleared, Apollo Flame was there without a scratch on him. The two rings of fire that surrounded Apollo Flame had shrunk a bit though.
"Wh-My attack did nothing? Then how about this, HHAAAAAHHHH," Rogue cried out and continued to attack.
(Back to present)
"But try as I might, I couldn't even lay a finger on Apollo Flame. He had those two rings of fire blocking my attacks. They could reform a short time after being destroyed. And all of his attacks held major impact," Solo explained, "As much as I hate to admit it… I was powerless against him, so I was defeated."
Geo, Sonia, and Kidd were greatly worried by what he just described, their EM partners included plus Cancer, who was trying to scream but was muffled by the others. If Apollo Flame was that powerful, what can they do?
"What about Vega?" Geo asked.
"She is working together with Apollo Flame. He probably believes that her knowledge and intelligence will prove to be useful," Solo explained.
"Hold on. That doesn't explain why you're here?" Kidd argued, "Also, the seal of Mu is still there, and I doubt that Apollo Flame could break it, so how-"
"Because he knows of a method to force open the gate of Mu," Solo interrupted. This silenced everyone.
"How…?" Geo asked.
"I was able to hear them while they were trying to keep me alive from my wounds…"
(Flashback)
Nearly a month after Solo's battle…
"So, how does he fare, doctor?" a voice that resembled General Auriga's spoke.
"He is stable at the moment. I must say that I find it a miracle that he was even breathing after his battle with Apollo Flame," Vega's voice answered.
"Yes, even I must admit my surprise there. He is resilient. Either way, his life still remains for a temporary time," General Auriga answered.
"You mean that Apollo already found them?" Vega asked.
"Yes, Master Apollo managed to retrieve the relics of Angel and Pirate. The security to guard them were great, but Master Apollo was able to get by no problem," General Auriga laughed at that.
Solo's damaged body slightly shifted inside the capsule that had him in stasis with silver liquid.
"I see that our prisoner has started to move again," the voice of Apollo Flame was heard as the being entered the room.
"Yes, it seems so, Master Apollo. Shall we begin the operation?" General Auriga asked.
"Yes… before the fool decided to become trouble for us again," Apollo Flame stated.
A few minutes later…
Although Solo was unconscious, he was still somehow aware of what was happening. He could tell that his body was tied to a wall. He could also feel Apollo Flame's energy in front of him.
"It's time for the third piece to come to our grasp. Reveal your Tribe's treasure, Solo. Give me the Guardian Sword," Apollo Flame said as he held his hand in front of Solo's left hand.
Pain. That was what Solo felt as he suddenly screamed in agony when Apollo Flame attempted to forcibly remove Solo's Guardian Sword from him. Solo felt as if his hand and arm was being drilled into with fire. Solo's body was already greatly injured, and now his left arm was getting more damaged from the torture. He could feel the Guardian Sword begin to emerge from his left hand. As soon the sword completely left Solo's body, Solo lost his regained consciousness again.
"… It was difficult, but now we have the third piece. However, it is not enough. It needs to be at the same level of power as the relics," Apollo Flame stated before leaving with the sword being carried midair with his fire.
Several hours later…
Solo started to feel something wrong with his body as he regained conscious again. He could feel his EM wave frequency behaving erratically. He started to feel as if he was being absorbed. He could hear Apollo's voice speaking to Vega and General Auriga for some reason.
"Remember, once the sword achieved its full power, place it and the other two relics into their alters to reawaken Le Mu once more," Apollo Flame ordered as he sat on a throne.
"Yes, Master Apollo," General Auriga said as he then took his leave. Vega stayed behind.
"Apollo, what are your intentions?" Vega asked. Apollo looked at Vega and smirked.
"You are curious I see. Very well, I shall tell you," Apollo began his explanation.
"During my slumber in that accursed seal, I began to devise any methods or ways to open the gate of Mu. I've had so much time on my hands, so I made use of them. I then realized that if the three keys of the original Tribes are on Earth, then if we were to use the other relics of the other two Tribes, that hold similar powers t them, then we could cause a reaction with them, and allow a temporary gate to open for us. However, that only applies if we only hold the two pieces. We need the thirds and final piece, the Guardian Sword. Then after reawakening my master, Le Mu, I will be able to open the gate of Mu and once more be free to conquer the Earth, and then… beyond. But the sword's power is difficult to unleash, as Solo only did it once, and it faded once again. So I intend to force the power out… by sealing Solo away into the sword."
With that, Solo finally became aware of himself again. He saw the Guardian Sword in front him inside the capsule. The sword was indeed trying to absorb him, as Apollo said. Solo started to struggle, but his wounds stopping him.
"NO! I won't let it end this way. I refuse to give up," Solo screamed inside his head, "Not after everything that I've suffered, what my friends suffered. I WON'T LET IT END HERE."
Solo continued to struggle and then noticed the Anchor of Pirate and Crossbow of Angel in a capsule next his own on each side.
"Apollo said that he could try to open the gate using their power. Maybe I can too," Solo thought as he tried to connect his mind with the two relics. However, he felt a barrier around each one and couldn't get through them. Suddenly he remembered, "Of course, they would be protected so that their powers don't get misused. But I can reach them…" Solo then began to call to the relics.
"Ancient powers of water and light, I ask of you to lend me your strength. Give me the power to find the one who holds the answer to our crisis. With your true names I hold, open yourselves to me."
The two stones started to glow and Solo started to feel their power welling through him. This seemed to have caused the Guardian Sword to stop what it was doing to Solo and vanish once more into Solo.
"I must find the one that holds the answer… the one that can help stop the threat… the answer… Megaman."
(End Flashback)
"After that, I tried to locate you with through any EM wave frequency I could find that had undergone an EM Wave Change. However, I was unfortunately unable to find you and ended up… deviating from course. Although I managed to enter this world again, I needed to spend time recuperating from my injuries. I had just managed to recover enough strength today, the same time when Apollo Flame could launch his first assault," Solo finished explaining.
Geo, Sonia, and Kidd, along with the EM beings were silent, trying to take in all that they've learned. It was a while before Geo finally spoke.
"So… now that you found me, what happens next?" he asked.
"As you are now, you cannot defeat Apollo Flame. You can't even use your Tribe King form, can you?" Solo asked. Geo remained silent.
"The reason you couldn't use the Tribe King was because you haven't mastered the other two relics. Only Zerker," Solo explained, "And it worked back in Mu because of a chain reaction with the taking the relic back from them."
Geo finally understood. That would explain why he could only activate Thunder Zerker, and not the others. Along with how the first time he transformed into Tribe King was merely a fluke.
"Even if that's the case, how will we win?" Sonia asked unsure.
"The fact remains that you are all weak. You need to train greatly for you to be a match against the threat," Solo answered, now walking out onto the balcony and seeing all the Satella Police there. Solo turned back to the others.
"The battle has already begun…"
(In the Continent of Mu)
"The plan was a success, it seems," Apollo said.
"Yes, it seems so, Master Apollo," General Auriga said.
"But, how will this all end, I wonder?" Vega asked.
"Worry not. It shall end with the rebirth of Le Mu, in its ultimate form," Apollo answered before laughing into the air, as he saw billions of viruses begin to swarm at the continent, ready to heed orders. Outside, on a Wave Road, a robed figure of a being that was recently revived stood there looking at the sky.
"… Is this really how it should be?"
Well, there you go, the FINAL chapter of the story.
But why you say? Simple. Because this story was more about explaining Solo's past than anything else.
But does that mean...? Yes, yes it does. I intend to write a sequel. But not for a while now.
But just cause the story is done, doesn't mean that I won't post another chapter on it.
I'll have a special BONUS chapter that contains a SNEAK PEEK of the sequel.
So for now, tell me what you think in a review.