Phew, things have been crazy lately, but for some reason, I'm still able to keep writing on a daily basis. Ok, so for this chapter, another returning character from 1st Wave appears. Read on to find out. I'd also like to note that if you've noticed some changes in either characters, weapons, etc. then it's probably because I've changed them. Example, the clothing of Belle. I've made it purple instead of her original colors (which i think are yellow and green). Well, if you have any other concerns, feel free to post em', okay?
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Shooting Star Rockman Celestia: 2nd Wave
Chapter 8: Uncertain Past
A soft breeze blew through the city of Echo Ridge as everyday people lived their everyday lives; however, there was yet one boy who couldn't do so, or rather, was unable to do so, for a deep hibernation had prevented him from speaking or moving, and thus placed him under medical attention in the vicinity of a hospital room. Since four days ago, he'd been in this state, only worrying his friends more as each day went by.
As Mega and the woman who'd raised Geo herself stared at her sleeping son, she could only hope that maybe sometime, he would finally awake. But Mega, no longer able to stop himself, finally spoke out.
"I'm...really sorry, Hope" The AM-ian said, his head tilted down in shame and his mind filling up with anger and regret. "I said that I'd keep him safe...and then this..."
"It's not your fault, Mega. You've always done your best to protect him" The brunette woman replied with a genuine smile. "This is...probably how I've brought him up, or rather, what he's become thanks to all of you. Risking his life just to protect those he cares about...is a really big change in him. In the past, he just used to ignore everyone he'd meet, but now...he's so much different"
"Hope..." The blue-armored alien muttered, his guilt feeling a little lighter than it had before. And then, the adult continued with her words.
"As his mother, it's my duty to believe that he'll be alright. And besides, he's Rockman after all. A little sleep like this can't be much of a problem for the boy who'd saved the world countless times, right?" And with one last smile, she'd made her AM-ian companion smile a bit as well. Hope's qualities as a mother were worth much praise in many eyes, including her own son's.
Just outside the hollow room, a certain music-loving teen had prevented herself from opening the door upon hearing their conversation. As she listened in with sharp ears, and as her hand stayed still on the door knob, her thoughts contemplated on everything she'd heard. She thought deeply about those words...until Mega had sensed a presence right outside the room...
"Yo, mornin' Sonia!" He quickly greeted just after sticking his dog-like head out the door like a ghost. At that, Sonia immediately responded with a short scream as she fell from the shock of being greeted by a floating head. Who'd ever said situations like those only happened on movies?
"Owww...you really shouldn't scare people like that..." The pink haired girl said as she stood up from her feet and rubbed her hurting limbs still painful from the fall.
Mega laughed, "Sorry, sorry, my bad. I guess you could say it's a kind of habit" And with the gentle swing of the door, Hope had finally noticed what all the loud commotion was all about. "Oh, Sonia, good morning. You're much earlier today. Is something wrong?"
"N-No, I just wanted to come by early..." Sonia shyly replied, "It's just that...it's a weekend, so there's no school...and I thought I'd drop by" Although she'd said that, her loitering eyes and her cherry painted face told a sort of different tale.
Hope giggled, "Thank you, Sonia. I'm sure Geo would be glad to have a friend like you by his side"
"But...why is your face turning all red?" Lyra bluntly interrupted with a grin. "Are you feeling well? Maybe you've got a fever. If you'd like, you could check in this hospital too. I'm sure it'd make visiting Geo muuuuuuch easier, don't you agree" Lyra wasn't usually the type to tease her partner like that, but in this case, she just couldn't help herself.
And from that sentence, the pink haired teen's flustered face had only reddened up like a fresh picked apple. "C-Cut it out!" She finally yelled, although it would've been better if she'd thought about making noise in a building filled with patients who more or less required some peace and quiet. Finally realizing that fact, mainly because everyone in the hallway was now staring at her, the girl's blushing face stayed that way for a little while longer.
"I-I'm sorry!" She said, bowing her head in apology before quickly entering the room. Now that she was inside, she felt a little better, judging by the fact that she leaned her back on the door with a great sigh echoing the hollow room. But as soon as her eyes had caught sight of an unconscious Geo, her embarassment, along with her pink-turned face, had disappeared.
"I guess...he hasn't gotten any better huh...?" She mumbled, clasping her hands together in front of her.
Hope replied, "Yes, the doctors haven't made any progress whatsover, but don't worry, he'll come around. I know he will" And once again, she'd displayed that strong quality of hers that was something to be taken note of and looked up to. Sure there was that part of her that still worried, as all mothers should, but her other traits had more or less outshun that worry of hers.
As Sonia thought about that, her focus was suddenly distracted unto the sound of a few knocks on the door behind her. Slowly swinging the door open, a child about 6 years younger than her could be seen. The little girl wore a white cloth, signalling that she was a patient. She had aqua blue hair and her face was slightly pale. In her small hands she carried a square case with the picture of a much younger Sonia etched on it. On the top of the album cover, the name of Sonia was colored with a cheerful pink.
"Umm...excuse me?" The child softly said. "You're Sonia Strumm, aren't you?"
For a moment, Sonia paused, but eventually she smiled a warm smile. Bending over to the child's height, the teen happily nodded. "Yup, in the flesh! What can I do for you?"
"Well...I was hoping you could sign this for me" The little girl replied, "I really really love your music, and I wanna be one of the first people to buy your new album when it comes out"
Hearing those words, a sudden flash of nostalgia had suddenly hit the pink-clad girl. In that instant, she remembered her days as the 11 year-old music prodigy whose fanbase numbered as far as it could go. And now, she was about to start a new chapter in her career, and she already had a big fan in the form of a little smiling girl.
"Sure, I'll sign it for you" Sonia replied with a smile just as big. "It's the least I can do for a fan" Upon taking the album and a thin pen, she began writing her personalized signature on it, as well as the words 'all the best to you'. When she'd given it back to the fan, she hugged the cover in her arms, that big smile on her face still present.
"Thanks a lot! Oh by the way, my name's Nina. I'll be rooting for you all the way!" Finally, the girl had ran off, leaving happy footsteps as she ran along the white corridor.
Hope started, "You've got quite a fan, Sonia. Make sure you do your best okay?"
Nodding in reply, Sonia turned around and gazed at her still sleeping friend. It was also because of this boy that she was able to go back to singing all those years ago, and even after she'd temporarily quit, he was one of the reasons she'd gone back to her career.
"Yeah...I'll make sure I do my best"
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Meanwhile, Luna, Bud, and Pat had gone to Ace in the hopes of gaining new information, as well as a means to awaken Geo. In that same familiar room filled with monitors, computers, and gadgets of all sorts, they stood behind the officer who was currently typing on his personal monitor.
Bringing up a few pieces of analyzed data on the screen, Ace started to speak. "From what we've gained from doing a scan on Geo, I can more or less say he's in a coma...but at the same time, it's also like he's in hibernation. That being said, he doesn't respond to physical contact, but it's not like any of the nerves in his head have been messed with. Also, we've found that the source of his state is his Enigma Waves. Right now, they're running his whole body in a low-powered state. His digestive system, his nervous system, his respiratory system...they're all being run with just a tiny speck of functions"
Luna asked, "But, doesn't that mean a serious problem for Geo?"
"Nope, not one bit" Ace replied, "Right now, they're being operated at minimum efficiency; just enough to keep Geo breathing. Now, I think the reason why his Enigma Waves are doing this is because Geo used up a ton of wave energy just transforming into that 'Ace' form, so now, they're trying to recover what was lost during that time. But..."
"But?" Pat repeated, hoping the reason wouldn't be negative. Unfortunately, that wish wasn't about to come true.
"But they're having a pretty tough time recovering. With just one scan, you can already tell that the Enigma Waves aren't acting rationally. It's almost as if...they're panicking or something like that. It seems there's something wrong...but i just can't put my finger on it"
"So, is there anything we can do?" Bud said, "I don't plan on lying around and hoping he gets better by himself"
"Yeah, I agree with you" Ace replied, "But, it's easier said than done"
At that point, Acid had appeared from the man's MP-Hunter and hoped to shed some light on the situation. "Ace, perhaps we should show them the results of our research first? I think It'll help them understand the current situation a bit more"
Ace nodded, "Can't argue with that. Bring up the security camera for the testing room, will ya?"
And at once, another virtual monitor had popped up, this time depicting a wide empty room with just a single small captured mettaur at the center. At the very end of the room hung a machine shaped as a giant laser emitter.
The Satella officer explained, "What we have here is a mettaur virus that we managed to catch just for this experiment. See that machine over there? That thing's been plugged with the energy that Geo captured from absorbing that manikin during the first WBG Studio incident. After some research, we found out that they not only absorb many other types of wave energy, but they can also give that energy back, although the simpler the wave patterns of the taker, the less harmful effects it'll have on it. This is why we chose a mettaur. It's energy scale is the lowest of the low. Catch my drift?"
"That's pretty high-tech stuff..." Bud mumbled, lifting his beanie and scratching his dark blue hair "I only got about half of that"
Luna sighed in sarcasm, "Well there's something new..."
Loudly clearing his throat, Ace had gotten their attention and asked them to focus on the projected screen in front of them. "Okay, Acid, let it loose!" The man excitedly ordered, making his EM partner operate the machine and start it up with a colorful array of blinking lights and flashes. Slowly, an energy started to build up in the large gun, which was aimed right at an unconscious helmet-head virus. In a few moments, the emitter was fully charged, causing it to let out a yellow beam that struck the similarly colored virus at the center.
"Whoa, that's quite a light show" Pat muttered as he kept his calm face and continued to observe what was taking place. Slowly, the mettaur began to change its form in a flash of light. There was something happening to it, but it was too early to say exactly what it was.
Checking on the little test subject, Ace eventually confirmed, "I think that should be enough. Lower the beam now, Acid"
Finally, the flashes of lights had disappeared, leaving everyone to behold the new being Ace had created with the simple use of advanced technology. Through the screen, they could without a doubt see features that a mettaur would have; however, it also carried qualities that put it on a much different level. Now, the tiny virus had actually gotten to at least a six year old's height. Not only that, but it was now complete with arms and fully functioning legs. He had light skin, dark grey hair, yellow eyes, and wore his signature construction helmet along with small pieces of yellow armor just like an EM fused human. All in all, it looked like a small boy wearing a costume who was currently looking around the room with a curious smile.
Seeing this, Bud and Luna couldn't help but drop their jaws in complete and utter surprise. "Y-YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING!" they both exclaimed. Pat was pretty shocked as well, but managed to keep himself from completely freaking out like the other two. Ace on the other hand, was rather impressed at himself for being able to run the experiment all as planned.
Sitting up from his chair, Ace smiled, "So, you wanna go down there and meet-" But before he could finish, Bud's curiosity had already gotten the better of him and he'd dashed off like a rocket right out of the room, leaving a trail of dust to float around.
"Geez..." Luna mumbled as she rested her palm on her face, "It's really amazing he can move like that..."
"No kidding..." Pat agreed, a confused smile present.
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As all of these events went along, there was still one more significant part that this day had to play, specifically for one white haired Murian by the name of Solo. On his black MP-Hunter, his eyes loomed over a projected screen that was currently playing back a video message he'd received a short while ago. The message came from a person he hadn't heard of in a long time. On the screen, a teenage girl with light pink hair, a white dress, and sky blue eyes began to speak. It was none other than the Celestia member and former priestess of Mu: Aurora. Before he'd met her, Solo had thought that he was the only remaining survivor of Mu, but it turned out he was mistaken.
"Solo, if you're receiving this message, please meet me at the place where our land had once existed" She said with that soft and solemn tone of hers that was immediately recognizable in Solo's ears. "There is something I need to discuss with you. I promise that I will not act hostile towards you, so please come alone"
And at that, Solo had ended the message by closing the green floating screen. "...Laplace, what do you think?"
"It could be a trap..." The black EM being silently replied. Laplace rarely talked, and on those occasions, he would never actually start a topic. In a sense, he was just like his partner.
Looking up, Solo's eyes rested on the remnants of a piece of land he'd once called home. It was but a tiny portion of the continent of Mu, for everything else had already been blown away like the wind. His deep red eyes continued to stare for about a moment more before he snapped himself out of his own trance.
"Tch...such a bother" He muttered as his feet started moving in the direction of his choosing. Up in the sky, rain clouds had started to form, just matching the sight of the wasteland filled with crumbled rocks and things alike. Although...there was but one place that was still glowing with life, a place that Solo knew Aurora would be waiting.
Deep beneath the broken ground of Mu, lied an area filled with green crystals that shimmered their glow all throughout the hollow cave. Inside, Solo's footsteps echoed as they walked along to the spot he remembered most, and in the distance, he could now see it. A small cliff-like elevation which gave a view of the whole cave and the green shards of light within it. Just as he'd expected, Aurora was there, sitting by the peak and her legs hanging over it.
"So, you came" She said, not even taking a look to know that it was him.
Solo stood beside the sitting girl with his arms crossed and his mind waiting for answers. "Why did you call me out here?" he asked, almost sounding like an interrogation.
"Because, I need to talk to you about something important" She repeated. "Your sister...her name was Rinea, am I right?"
Suddenly, Solo's deep eyes had widened slightly at the name Aurora had spoken. He hadn't heard that name in awhile, nor did he remember ever speaking that name out to any other except his partner, Laplace.
"I never told you that" Solo said, now looking at her with suspicious eyes.
"Yes, I know you haven't" The white formally dressed girl replied. "I know this because...I had a dream; a dream about your sister. In that dream, I saw a glimpse of her past as a priestess just like I am now. How much she loved her people, and how much she cared about you as well-"
"Get to the point" Solo impatiently demanded, his eyes looking over at the green crystals once again.
After hearing his displeased tone, Aurora continued again. "I think I've finally figured out...what this place is. You're familiar with how the continent of Mu came to an end, right?"
Solo replied, "...There was an explosion that was caused by our own foolishness. Because of that, no other survivors were left" He didn't know the exact details of what happened during that fateful day, but he at least knew the gist of it all.
"But...that's where you're wrong, Solo"
"What...?"
"There are still plenty of survivors..." Aurora explained. "And they lie...right here in this cave. All those crystals contain the life force of at least a thousand people; all of which belong to Mu"
When she'd said that, Solo's eyes zoomed in on the vast amount of crystals that emitted their never-ending glow. To think that survivors were actually kept inside of those things; it was just unimaginable, but the question was, why and how exactly were they sealed there.
"That last dream you had...what exactly was it about?" Solo said with a slightly curious tone. Right now, the stream of information was interesting him even more.
The light pink haired girl replied, "It was...about her last moments. It was rather vague, but I could hear what she was saying, and what she was about to do. I think they were right here in this cave although it was more of a shelter back then. Right before the explosion, she casted something. At that point, my vision was getting blurry, but I think it had something to do with protecting the people that were in that shelter. I could...also hear the people crying; their fear, sadness, and regret, I could hear it all. But, just before my vision had finally blacked out, Rinea said something. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear it anymore. Her lips were moving, but I just couldn't understand what she was saying"
After hearing all that, Solo pondered for awhile. There was still a truck load of things he didn't know about his own race and continent because it'd been destroyed when he was very young. Things like the OOParts or the technology that Vega had used was just the tip of the iceberg. There were just too many unknown facts about the lost continent.
Finally, Solo had closed his thoughts and started to slowly walk away from the peak, but before he could get far, Aurora had caught his attention.
"Please wait!" she begged, "why don't you join Celestia? I know for a fact that they have the means for resurrecting Mu. If you just ask them, I'm sure they-"
"Not interested" he coldly replied, resuming his footsteps off the heightened peak. As Aurora watched the silent boy walk off, her eyes welled up with disappointment.
"Why...? I just don't understand...don't you want to revive Mu...?" She sadly thought to herself, but that sadness soon turned into desperation. Because of that overwhelming emotion, the girl had finally revealed her projectile weapon: A white bow with five strings instead of one single thread. From behind, Solo had sensed her hostile intention and reflexively turned around, catching an arrow with one hand.
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"I thought you said you wouldn't use force" He said, breaking the thin line in two. Aurora was no longer in her former dress, but instead was gowned with a sparkling white dress, pink floating ribbons, and hair ornaments mixed with other different articles of clothing that made her seem like a princess. In this form, EM energy could now be distinguished from her.
"I'm sorry for doing this...but i really require your strength" She said as another arrow had suddenly appeared in her hands. "For Celestia's goals...and for the people of Mu, I need to fulfill my duty!" fastening the arrow, she infused it with a deadly energy, turning it into a quick beam shot.
If Solo were to try catching it again, it wouldn't help much seeing that this one wasn't as normal as the first. Quickly realizing that, the Murian immediately wave fused and sliced the beam-arrow in half with his signature black sword. In a flash, Aurora had fired five more, but were either dodged or destroyed by Rogue, and even before he could move, another shot was already coming at him. With a strong swing, he aimed at the incoming projectile; however, the arrow had suddenly split into five independent shots upon impact with Rogue's blade; moreover, the beams had suddenly sprung into five different directions, planning to attack from those positions.
After cutting one of the five, Rogue ducked the second and slashed the third right behind him. Jumping into the air, he'd caused two more arrows to collide with each other, exploding upon impact and leaving the last arrow to bear the same fate by the pitch black sword.
Unfortunately, it didn't mean he could rest just yet, for another set had been ejected at him. But now that he knew how they worked, he decided to take a shortcut and use his violet EM enfused arm to stop the single arrow and disintegrate it before it could divide; Furthermore creating a blinding light that Solo had used to his advantage to sneak up on Aurora. When the light faded, that was the only time she'd realized that a sharp black piece of metal was inches away from her slender neck.
"Now, leave me alone before I change my mind about driving this through your neck" the black armored teen threatened, finally forcing Aurora to relinquish her weapon as well as her battle form and drop to her knees. Likewise, Rogue had also disengaged his wave form and once again walked away as silent as a shadow. Still sitting on her knees, the girl clenched her fist with tears starting to dwell in her crystal blue eyes.
"In that dream...I saw my mother..." She said, stopping Solo once again although of his own accord this time. "If my mother was one of the people there, then that also means she might be trapped in one of these crystals...that's why...I..."
After giving that some thought, Solo decided to speak, "I'll find my own way of reviving Mu. I don't your help...or anyone else's help"
At that, Solo finally got off the peak and landed on the lower ground below; however, he was about to be stopped one more time, this time the reason being a loud crash along with the shriek of a young girl. Hearing this, Solo alertedly turned his head to a cloud of dust that originated from the peak.
When the wind had swept the dust away, his vision counted about three yellow wild manakins that had popped up out of nowhere. As Aurora grasped her arm in slight pain, she'd noticed from her slipping foot that she was already cornered, her only way out being to jump off a ten-story cliff; either that or fight back, but she already knew what the manikins were capable of.
That didn't mean Solo wasn't going to try though. If they absorb wave attacks, then use nature against them instead, or so he planned.
"Get off the cliff!" He yelled, now in his Rogue form. At first, Aurora hesitated, but thought that maybe her fellow Murian had a trick up his sleeve, and he did. As soon as she'd jumped off, Rogue immediately drove his violet arm into the cliff at maximum force, cracking it like an avalanche in mere seconds. As it quickly crumbled, it took down the peak, and the manikins, along with it. After moments of bouldering noises and tumbling rocks, there was nothing left of the hostile enemies.
Down below, Solo could be seen with Aurora in his arms, signifying that he'd caught her as soon as he'd brought down judgement upon the manikins.
"Y-You can let me down now..." the maiden shyly said and Solo did as requested although a bit roughly and with not much concern. But, that was how he was, and that was more or less how he'd been programmed to be.
And in a moment, he would display that attitude yet again, "Lose some weight. Catching you from sixty feet wasn't easy" He bluntly said, causing Aurora's face to change color as fast as a chameleon would change its disguise. "G-Geez, at least show some respect..." She mumbled, revealing that shy side of hers. "Being part of a royal lineage, you really should act like one..."
"Hmph...I never said I wanted to be" Solo replied, making the girl give up with a great sigh.
"Fine, be that way"
But suddenly, just as the conversation had seemed to reach a conclusion, Solo had sensed another ominous presence at the corner of his eye. Quickly turning into Rogue once more, he immediately protected both of them with his own personal barrier, deflecting a large yellow shot that only spelled more manikin trouble for them. Unfortunately, those last three weren't alone.
In truth, the ones that were now buried under piles and piles of rocks were merely decoys to their true plot. Rogue cursed at himself for letting things go this way. For some reason, these wild manikins were much smarter than the ones that Celestia and Dealer had captured.
And now, a few of them proceeded to carry out their plan while the others held off the two Murian teens. Eventually, Aurora had realized what their true intentions were, but it was too late, and all she could do was widen her eyes in despair.
"N-NO! THEY'RE AIMING FOR THE CRYSTALS!!"
Even though she'd realized it, the manikins were already aiming, and with precision and accuracy, they opened fire...
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Sonia: And that about does it for this week's chapter. Unfortunately, my partner's called in sick again, so I've brought someone different again...
Solo: ...........
Sonia: Come on, say something
Solo: ...Hey
Sonia: O~kay...anyway, what's your take on today's chapter, Solo?
Solo: ...Alright, I guess
Sonia: Any views on what'll happen next?
Solo:...Not really
Sonia: You know what, this isn't really working. Let's just move on to the terms of the week...
Filename: Aurora
The 'current' priestess of Mu whom Solo's sister, Rinea, had passed down the title to before she passed away. In her wave state, she carries a bow with five strings which can fire arrows that perform various tricks, one of them being the ability to split into five independent beam arrows. She has a slightly shy personality which is rather unbefitting of her status. Currently, she works with Celestia in order to bring back the civilization of Mu in exchange for her power and assistance.
Filename: Mu
A lost civilization that is said to have wielded great technology that even surpasses the technology at present. This civilization had perished due to a colossal-scale explosion that had occured long ago. The reasons for the explosion are still unknown. Since Solo and Aurora were very young during the time, they do not know much about the events that had taken place. It'd seemed they were also protected by Rinea during the explosion, but they weren't transformed into crystal, unlike the others.
Sonia: And now, here's the clue words for next week's chapter!
*Virtual screen appears*
The words turn out to be 'awakening', 'black', and 'hole'
Solo: ...Are these words even supposed to tell us anything?
Sonia: Actually, they usually do.
Solo: Hmph...whatever.