Chapter 25: Rise of Dr. Vega: Melona and Gokoh Five's Last Stand!

Meanwhile… at Wilshire Hills…

"What! You really mean Airi betrayed us!" Melona gasped. "Yeah, there's no mistake, she is seen with MegaMan and his friends! I don't think she's trying to trick them." Menace frowned.

"Hmm… This could be a problem…" Hezakuaua rubbed her chin. "That's it!" Miya growled.

"That blue boy has humiliated us far enough! In a couple of days, this will be our last showdown with him, the Koi Koi 7 and their friends!"

A few days later…

Hyde presented the OOPArts to Lady Vega. "At long last, all 3 OOPArts are in my grasp. You have done well, Hyde…" Lady Vega approved.

"It was my pleasure." Hyde smirked. "Tell me… How is Hollow? Is he alright?" Lady Vega asked.

"His injuries are not life threatening. He is attending at his wounds as we speak…" Lady Vega was silent, so was Hyde.

"At any rate, the OOPArts are now mine. The dream I've held for years will at last be a reality." Lady Vega stated evilly. "You mean the rebirth of Mu?" Hyde asked.

"Yes… It took a long time to reach this point. To think it all began when I found those relics. They are all that remains of Mu… When I found the Ancient Star Carriers, I gave to all of you, that's when I knew… I knew the power of Mu surpassed anything we now possess. Mu was not just some ancient civilization. They have full mastery of EM waves, and they used this to conquer the known world… And now we will bring them back as… the Neo Mu Empire!" Lady Vega shouted evilly.

"And once you revive Mu, you'll able to conquer the world! And perhaps other worlds as well! Surely, you heard the legends of the Virus Busters of the Net Society Era, meaning those kids came from different worlds?" Hyde grinned evilly.

"Yes… I heard about the other worlds the Virus Busters came from. There are billions of fools, but a few with true intelligence. That is why the ones with true intelligence must rule over the weak. It is the only way they could be happy…" Lady Vega stated evilly.

"Heh-heh-heh, you write a beautiful script, Lady Vega." Hyde smirked evilly. "Perhaps it is time I reveal my true form to you…" Lady Vega stepped out of the shadows to reveal her true self.

She was maybe around 30 years old, she has black hair tied in a hairstyle, a crown on her head, wore a purple, and red robe with black shoes.

"Oooh…. It such an honor, Lady Vega!" Hyde bowed. "This is the final act. Are you prepared? I required only humans of intelligence. Do not disappoint me on this…" Vega asked.

"I won't disappoint you, my lady!" Hyde bowed again.

Meanwhile…

"…eo! Geo! Wake up!" Geo could hear voices in his head, he moaned as he slowly got up and saw Luna and his guests looking in concern.

"E-Everyone?" Geo muttered. "I'm… so glad you're awake, Geo…" Airi sniffled. "What am I doing here?" Geo wondered.

"You don't remember?" Miyabi gasped. "We all came back to Echo Ridge looking beat and collapsed on the ground. Luckily, Tetsuro and Rana managed to get Prez and the others to help us get into your house while Bud and Zack took Susie and the others back to the hotel."

Geo gasped. "Now I remember! Sonia! Where is she?" Geo asked. "She carried you here. She's in the hospital." Luna stated. "And to make matters worse, she's in worse shape than you…" Claudette frowned.

"She's in the hospital!" Geo gasped. "Is she okay?" He asked. The gang were silent.

"Tell me!" Geo demanded. "She's in critical condition…" Luna said sadly.

"No…!" Geo stammered in shock. "Zack and Bud are on their way to the hospital. We should be hearing from them now…" Reina stated. Luna's Star Carrier ranged.

"Maybe it's them?" Nanael guessed. "Browse!" Luna shouted as a Phone Display of Bud appeared.

"Bud! How's Sonia!" Geo pleaded. "Geo! You're awake! That's good. We're on our way to see Sonia now." Bud stated. Then Zack appeared on the Phone Display. "You need to turn on the TV right away!" Zack stammered.

"If it's a kiddy show, I swear I'm coming after you for making this up at a time like this…" Sakuya growled. "No! This is serious!" Zack pleaded. "I don't like the sound of this…" Mega growled.

Geo and the gang head to the living room and Geo turned on the TV. Vega appeared on the screen.

"Who is that lady?" Ymir wondered. "Greetings, simpletons… I am Vega. Also known as the future ruler of the universe!" Vega stated evilly.

"So that's Vega! That's Hyde's boss!" Elina growled. Geo switched to another channel, only showing Vega on the same screen. "No good… All the channels are the same…" Alleyne frowned.

"She must've jacked into the EM wave source…" Luna frowned.

"Of course, I don't mean to step into the role. I know you won't fall into line and do as I say from the get go. So I will convince you that resistance is fultie with a little demonstration that even the most simple of you can understand. I will unleash the power of that legendary civilization. When you weak and foolish creatures behold the power I wield, you will realize that you cannot resist me, and I shall rule over you all!" Vega raised her arm and slams it down as the signal cut.

"Called it! She's trying to bring back Mu!" Mega stated. Geo was silent. Suddenly, Geo's Star Carrier ranged. "…Browse." A Phone Display of Bud appeared.

"Geo!" Bud stammered. "Bud, how's Sonia?" Tomoe asked. "Well… she's still in pretty bad shape, but she says she wants to talk to you." Bud's display switched to Sonia.

"G… Geo…" Sonia said weakly. "Sonia! Are you okay!" Geo gasped. "I'm OK…. Don't worry about me… You have to listen, if Vega is able to bring back Mu… It'll be the end of the universe…" Sonia said grimly.

'F-Father…' Reina thought in shock and sadness. "Geo… only you… and your friends can stop her… You… are Lan Hikari's descendant…" Sonia smiled weakly.

"Ok! You've told me what you had to say!" Geo smiled at her. "Take a rest, Sonia. You earned it." Airi smiled. "Also… I think she took the OOPArts… deep inside the Bermuda Maze… You have to stop her… before it's too late… MegaMan… I…I…" Sonia passed out.

"Hang on, Sonia! We're going to get you some help!" Zack shouted as the Phone Display disappeared.

"I'm… I'm going to the Hospital!" Luna told them. "Alright… Please, Prez… stay by Sonia's side for us." Geo told her. "Alright… but come back alive, all of you!" Luna ran off to the hospital.

"But wait! Vega took the OOPArts. That means you can't use Tribe On or Triple Tribe On anymore…." Rana gulped.

"Heh! It's more like a curse than a blessing! We can still hear the voices of the 3 Tribes and Tribe King saying we still have their power! But they say once we stop Mu and defeat a certain person who I'm not sure who, they'll leave, knowing they can finally rest in peace. So it will make us strong to take on that Vega chick!" Mega boasted.

"Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Akiwo cheered. "Off to Bermuda Maze then!" Nowa smiled. "Alright!" Geo smiled. "Star Force, let's head to Bermuda Maze!"

"But what about Susie and the others?" Hifumi asked. "They need time to recover… I'm sure they'll come to our aid soon…" Otome stated.

Meanwhile…

Vega, Hyde and Hollow were on a floating device above where Mu should be.

"The time has come! The OOPArts will bring the continent of Mu before us!" Vega proclaimed. "How will you use the OOPArts to unleash Mu?" Hyde asked.

"Mu used EM waves for energy. To restore Mu requires EM waves, and for a continent it requires unlimited EM waves. And that is where the OOPArts come in!" Vega smirked evilly.

"I see! And the OOPArts have unlimited energy!" Hyde understands. Hollow was silent as Vega got out the OOPArts. "OOPArts! Now is the time to bring forth the continent of Mu!" Vega yelled as the OOPArts fired beams of light at the symbol.

With MegaMan and the gang.

Airi tensed. "What is it, Airi?" MegaMan asked. "This evil energy I'm feeling… No doubt it's Vega…. She's using all 3 OOPArts to bring back Mu…" Airi said seriously.

"We're running out of time… Let's hurry!" Mega shouted. "Hold it right there!" A voice shouted.

Airi gasped. "M-Melona?" She gasped. "You mean your former teammate?" Miyabi frowned. "Yeah… Maybe… we should try to convince her and Menace to leave the Swamp Witch as well…" Airi smiled nervously.

"Hey, you reformed and help me unlock Tribe King's power, so I bet we can reform Melona and Menace." MegaMan smiled as he puts his hand on Airi's shoulder, Airi blushed.

Then, a really huge robot crab landed on the huge battle arena, it looked like the one from MegaMan Legends 2.

"Oh not you losers again!" Sakuya frowned.

"Airi!" Melona shouted angrily. "What were you thinking, siding with Reina and her friends and that blue boy!" She demanded.

Airi glared at the machine. "I no longer work for that evil being, the Swamp Witch. Once I helped MegaMan save this world, the AM Sages and FM King will make me a normal human girl so I can live a peaceful life with no killing innocent people. MegaMan is helping me make that dream come true." Airi hugged MegaMan's arm which made MegaMan blushed.

"AM Sages…?" Chuko blinked. "FM King…?" Isuzu blinked as well.

"There is no way you can become a normal human girl! And I don't care on who those AM Sages and FM King are, what we want are the OOPArts and Tetsuro, now hand them over!" Miya shouted.

"Um…" Tetsuro sweat dropped. "How do we put this… We no longer have them…"

"Don't try to lie your way out of this!" Menace shouted. "I need those OOPArts to restore my kingdom!"

"If you do managed to get your hands on them, the OOPArts will corrupt you just like they did to the 3 Tribes!" Yayoi reasoned.

"I don't care! Once we have them, we will rule our world!" Melona growled. "But we don't have them anymore!" MegaMan reasoned.

"Don't try to lie again! Get ready for our final showdown!" Miya shouted as she prepped the Gokoh Melona Crab for battle.

"Heh! Time to go Tribe King on them, kid!" Mega smirked. MegaMan nodded as he transformed into Tribe King MegaMan.

"W-What the!" Kazuko gawked. "What is that form?" Menace wondered.

"Airi! Melpha, Sakuya, Risty, Nyx, I need your help on this one!" Tribe King MegaMan shouted. "Roger!" The five combatants nodded in agreement.

"Eat this!" Chuko shouted as the Crab fired missiles at the Star Force, they dodged it. Risty charged at the Crab and bashed it three times with her mace. The Crab tried to lashed its claws at Airi, but she dodged every swipe and slashed it three times with her scythe. "Take this!" Melona shouted as the Crab fired lasers at Tribe King MegaMan, he made a shield appear and deflected the attack. "Hah!" Nyx shouted as she flung a huge fire ball at the crab, giving it some heavy damage. Sakuya fired her machine gun at the Crab, giving it some added amounts of hurt. Melpha struck a pose as holy energy arrows hit the Crab for even bigger amounts of damage. "MegaMan! Remember, we can't waste any time with them, we have to stop Vega!" Reina shouted. "I know!" MegaMan nodded as he slashed at the crab with his sword. "Try to dodge this…" Hekusokazura stated calmly as she fired orange homing energy arrows at the Star Force, Tribe King MegaMan dispelled them with Mega's head. Sakuya fired a laser gun at the Crab, as it gave it some medium damage. "Okay, time to end this! Czar D Breaker!" Tribe King MegaMan shouted as he launched his ultimate attack at the Gokoh Melona Crab, destroying it in the process.

For once, Melona, Menace and the Gokoh Five didn't blast off or fell to the ground this time.

"Crap… bested by the blue boy and his friends…" Chuko moaned. "And-And now… here is the part where the hero finishes us off!" Kazuru gulped as they saw MegaMan coming closer.

"I'm too sexy to die!" Melona cried as tears fell out of her eyes in a funny way. "No! If I die, the bloodline of my kingdom will vanish forever!" Menace struggled to get up, but it was hopeless.

Tribe King MegaMan raised his sword up in the air, the Gokoh Five, Melona and Menace closed their eyes and waited for their demises, MegaMan slams his sword beside them, not killing them.

"M-Melona? Not that I want to put a gift horse in the mouth but, are we dead yet?" Menace stammered. Melona opened her eyes and saw MegaMan's sword beside them. The Gokoh Five and Menace opened their eyes and saw it too.

"Hey Menace, let me ask you something," MegaMan said, pulling his sword out, "If this Swamp Witch is as bad as you say she is, do you really think she'll show you any gratitude after you do what she asks? Do you really think she'll help you revive your kingdom?"

"Well..." Menace began.

"And what about you, Melona?" MegaMan added. "What has the Swamp Witch done for you lately?"

"Well uh…" Melona stammered.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She was just using us so she can rule the kingdom back in our world. When she does that, she'll toss the two of you like useless garbage or worse, kill you." Airi frowned.

"It's not too late, you two!" Reina shouted. "If I win the Queen's Blade tournament, Menace, I will help you restore your kingdom when I'm queen. I promised. As for you Melona, you will have to make up for all the people you hurt or killed. And maybe, Nanael's leader will go easy on you if you do that."

"That's right!" Nanael nodded in agreement. "You… You really mean it, Reina?" Menace gasped in shock. All her life as a minion of the Swamp Witch, no one has treated her with kindness. "I…I guess we should leave the Swamp Witch's army… Yeah, you're right. We should leave the Swamp Witch, she can find new help for all I care!" Melona nodded.

"As for the Gokoh Five…" MegaMan glared at the five troublesome girls. "Why did you spare our lives?" Miya asked in confusion. "Yeah, isn't it the hero's job to finish off the evildoers so they will no longer bother or harm people?" Isuzaru asked in confusion.

"If I do that, I would betray my dad's ideas on relationships. He always say there are kindness in evil people's hearts, meaning they have the will to make up for their evil ways. So Miya and your friends… I ask you to put aside your selfish goals for now and help us. You were brought to this world for a reason and that is to save it. So please, help us stop Vega." MegaMan smiled.

"That's right, big forehead!" Akiwo nodded.

"AUGHHHHHH!" Miya screamed, bouncing up and down and stomping her feet. "You goody two shoes make me sick! Fine, as soon as this is over, it's back to destroying the Koi Koi 7 for me!" She growled.

"We will help you and make up for what we did back in our world and this world." Menace smiled while Melona has tears of joy falling down her face.

"W-What? I'm not crying! Got a problem with that!" Melona sniffled.

"Glad that's over with." Elina smiled. "Alright then. Let's head to the Bermuda Maze and hope we're not too late to stop Vega." MegaMan smiled.

"Agreed." Otome nodded in agreement.

At long last, Melona, Menace and the Gokoh Five have finally joined the Star Force, but can they stop the evil Vega from revving Mu and use its power to conquer the universe?

To be continued…

Next time: Preparing for the Final Showdown: What Matters Most