The Tales of the Legendary Mimic : Momo

Strives and Tribes

Chapter 5: The Awakening

Max sat in the dimly lit room, his eyes scanning the holographic interface before him. Sir Lorne, somewhere in the back, was muttering unintelligibly amidst the sharp buzz of lasers and the grating whine of a drill. The air was thick with the scent of oil and metal—a blend that clung to the cold walls of his father’s hidden lair.

A labyrinth of forgotten tech and memories, the lair was equal parts ancient mystery and cutting-edge marvel. Strange devices hummed softly, their purposes long lost, while newer contraptions flickered with synthetic life. This place wasn’t just a hideout—it was a relic of a man who once ruled an empire but left only fragments behind.

Max’s fingers grazed the edge of the console, his mind teetering between awe and unease. He had so many questions but no idea where to begin.

Suddenly, the sharp tick! of a door unlocking jolted him from his thoughts.

Sir Lorne entered, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. He was dressed in an odd mix of a butler's uniform and a lab coat, holding an enclosed prism-shaped container shrouded in a white veil.

“Phew... that’s all done,” he sighed.

“Sir Lorne,” came the crisp, synthetic voice of IX-69, the AI assistant hovering nearby, “isn’t it about time we enlighten our young master? He should already be en route to the academy.” The AI’s tone held a faint reproach as it glanced at the veiled prism.

“Academy?” Max’s voice shot up an octave, echoed immediately by Sarah’s, both kids staring at Sir Lorne in disbelief.

“What academy?!”

Sir Lorne sighed, clearly already drained by the day. “Keep it down, Master Max, Lady Sarah. And could someone please get Momo off the console before he breaks something we can’t afford to repair?”

The room’s collective attention turned to Momo, who was perched precariously on a mechanical stand, his fluffy paws fumbling with a pair of shiny goggles.

“Googly... so sparkly... Momo likes Googly!” the little Mimic chirped as he caressed the item.

“Momo, stop!” Max’s suspicious tone came too late.

The goggles emitted a sudden spark, followed by a sharp pew pew pew! as beams of light shot across the room, narrowly missing the group. Momo yelped and flew backward, landing in a smoldering heap.

Smoke rose lazily from the little bear cub, now sprawled on its back with its tongue hanging out comically.

“Oh boy,” Sir Lorne muttered, rubbing his temples. “I really can’t have you kids here for long.”

He walked to a seemingly blank wall, tapping a hidden panel. The surface shimmered and transformed into a detailed map.

“This,” he began, “is the central area of our region. We are here, at the northern edge. Now listen closely because I’ll only say this once, um pretty sure you already know the world is….degenerating.”

“What?” Max and Sarah exchanged confused looks.

“Actually, we didn’t know that,” Max said flatly.

“Yeah,” Sarah chimed in. “Definitely news to us.”

“Wuuu... burns me...” Momo mumbled weakly.

“Best you pay attention then.” IX-69 cut in, its gaze sharp. “This critical.”

Sir Lorne nodded. “Strange anomalies are emerging worldwide—extinct beasts, disasters of old, even creatures from the abyss. Worst of all are the Xerions—a vile insect race that consumes and corrupts resources, leaving planets in ruin. It’s a time of peril, yes, but also opportunity. Your generation is different—gifted, yet endangered.”

“Gifted?” Sarah raised an eyebrow.

“Indeed. Every genius of your generation is born with the potential for greatness, but only if they survive the trials ahead.” Sir Lorne gestured to the map. “Now for the tests, first test is to make it to the academy. The second is to find your assigned exam. The third, while not mandatory, is to exceed all expectations—a feat necessary for true greatness.”

Max frowned. “And how are we supposed to do all this?”

“With these.” Sir Lorne pulled the veil from the prism, revealing an oval-shaped metallic object gleaming with faint blue energy. He held it out to Max. “This is yours, but it will only activate in your hands. Go on.”

Max hesitated, then reached for the object. As his fingers brushed its surface, it suddenly flared to life, sprouting mechanical legs like a spider. The device skittered across his arm before fusing with his chest, leaving behind a smooth, orb-like plate.

“What the—?!”

Before Max could process what just happened, Sarah folded her arms. “And what about me? Don’t I get something?”

Sir Lorne smirked. “Come with me.”

A few minutes later, they returned. Sarah now wore a sleek, fitted suit with metallic accents, a mini case strapped to her back, and daggers glinting at her sides.

“Whoa,” Max muttered.

Sarah grinned, her confidence palpable. “This isn’t all.” She tapped a button, summoning a mini-tech nitro bike that revived to life beside her.

Max’s jealousy was instant. “Why does she get all the cool stuff?”

“Patience, Master Max,” IX-69 said. “Your path is unique, and your time will come.”

Unbeknownst to the others, the orb on Max’s chest pulsed faintly, as if alive.

*Flash..trrnng..~~!*

[Establishing and synchronizing bond…..!]

[Host has acquired a supportive system binded to assist his abilities and according to second order protoc-(Boost Mimic devs)]

[Host should activate the Bond with soul Bond..

Beep*

Host should complete ritual with Mimic Monarch-Momo..

Beep*

[Skipping all Prompt ..shifting to Norm mode..]

^System Interface^

HOST: Max Broderick Kingdergale

Rank: Unranked>[lesser prun]

[New System Detected]

Initializing…

Connection Established

Mother board Aqua as bonded interface with Cyan(system) a minor control as ensued on system..

Benefits entails..:

Beep*

●Serves a Core Database

●Access To all Data (Note goes both ways)

●Easy communication between the interface

●Mother board serves as a node for Frequency read amd data storage to save a copy of The system in case of “Death”

【..... Prompt complete …】

---

Max jerked his hand back as the interface materialized in front of his face. The voice continued, but it wasn’t clear whether it was inside his head or spoken aloud. Panic surged through him as he looked around.

"What it this thingy?" Max's voice was shaky, his heart racing in his chest.

The system's screen flickered in the air before him. He instinctively reached out again, and this time the screen zoomed in, displaying a series of strange icons and data he didn’t understand.

Status: Max

Core: Nil

Strength: F

Constitution: F+

Spirit: F

Agility:ð

Sense:ð

ð-(stands For degenerate rank..lowest and Most impure)

---

Max froze, his breathing shallow, hands trembling. "Wow..this a... system ..oh huh why is it a system?" he asked in cconfusion.

“Well, your father wanted me to be able to keep tabs on you, so he developed the best masterpiece so far.One has To know that your father was renowned as the best inventor of Ceptan ever yet.”sir Lorne said as he floats on Air..after stepping on a sort of pavement which seemed Like a Circular overboard only thicker and seemed more like a part of the floor and lab.Giving a signal To the synthetic. Sir Lorne then proceeds to do technical stuffs as he floated about the huge screen that covers the whole wall..which was pretty huge Since the Lab itself was like a Hall.

“You should put this on..both of you” IX-69 Brought a pair of watches which had hourglass in place of screen.

Max picked it up as studies it..The watch had a hourglasses film like image on it's screen,then edges of it gave out a Metallic shine as the hourglass would slant to its sides from time to time.

“Looks cool"Sarah grinned ,picking up the redish pink watch and putting it on.Max did thesame too as he wore the blue.

“These are Academy Mecbands ,you can just call them Mecs. The hourglass shows the time left to make it to Campus.you have less than a Month and be late if you want to be in Scum students settings..yh sure you can.”Sir Lorne said flatly not even checking on the pair

Of disgruntled Youths

“We move by dawn,but first let's visit yout father’s old lair.he said I should bring you there the moment he leaves

And also that's where you would get your own gear..well that's if you can.” The synthetic said as he brought away the duo.

“Wait..for Lil Momo master!” A lil cub scurried over pretty flustered and still dizzy but eventually managed to land on his Master’s shoulders

“Alright,let's go!”

…

“Hahhaa catch me..!”

In a woody and tree filled environment. A place one could only call a civilised jungle as tho

the trees stood tall, draped in vines, with walkways carved into their massive trunks. Platforms and wooden bridges formed a network in the canopy, while faint glimmers of bioluminescent flora painted the ground below in subtle hues of green and gold. Children’s laughter echoed through the air, blending with the rustling leaves and chirping of exotic birds.

A boy darted through the trees, leaping effortlessly from one branch to another as if gravity had no hold over him. His bare feet barely touched the bark before he sprang again, his movements fluid and untamed. He was clothed in little more than Royal fabric stitched together from leaves and vines, his hair wild and his sharp eyes gleaming with a Regal primal light.

“Is that all you’ve got?” the boy taunted, a wide grin stretching across his face.

From below, a hulking silver-furred gorilla watched him with an almost amused expression, pounding its chest lightly. “Tazan,” it rumbled in a deep, guttural voice, “stop messing around. Fight me!”

Tazan laughed as he spun mid-air and landed gracefully on a branch. “I’m not showing off, Goruk. I’m training and guess the name I call this one..it’s “safe away from silver monkey.”” His voice carried a playful nonchalant defiance, but his gaze sharpened as his body tensed all of a sudden giving the silver gorilla a suspicious look as it fist were about reaching him.

“It’s Never safe anywhere!”Goruk grinned as he tried to grab the kid who evaded his second punch,crouching low. With a sudden burst of power, the gorilla leaped into the air, aiming for Tazan who already built a gap, with surprising speed.

Tazan’s grin widened as he dodged, flipping over Goruk’s massive frame and landing behind him. “Too slow, old man!”

Before Goruk could retaliate, the ground below began to tremble. The vibrations were faint at first but quickly grew stronger, causing loose leaves and dust to scatter.

“What’s that?” Tazan asked, his playful tone replaced by wariness.

Goruk’s nostrils flared as he sniffed the air. “Something unnatural,” he growled. “Stay close, this gives me a disgusting feeling..ugh..gross..just my thoughts.”

Goruk turned to a particular part of the forest where tremors intensified, and a low, guttural roar reverberated through the jungle. Birds took to the skies in panic, and the once-cheerful atmosphere turned tense. From the shadows of the dense underbrush emerged a massive creature, its body a grotesque fusion of jagged chitin and sinew, with glowing crimson eyes and mandibles dripping with viscous black fluid.

“A Xerion…!” Goruk snarled with his nose held in his huge hands. his body tensing as he positioned himself protectively in front of Tazan.

The Xerion hissed, its segmented body undulating as it advanced, each step leaving a trail of corrosion on the forest floor. It paused, its glowing eyes locking onto Tazan.

“I thought they didn’t come this far,” Tazan whispered, his voice trembling slightly. But despite the fear creeping into his tone, his body moved instinctively, his fingers curling as his nails elongated into sharp claws.

“Don’t be weak Tazan!” Goruk turned to Tazan and grinned before laughing out his next words.”You.. don’t expect..~ me to~ cough*.. cheer you on these one,right champ?”

Tazan ignored him, his instincts screaming for action after the cheqp gorilla remark. His body shimmered faintly, his muscles shifting beneath his skin as his form began to morph. Within moments, he stood taller, his frame bulkier, his features taking on the distinct characteristics of a panther—sleek, powerful, and predatory.

“Goruk,” Tazan said, his voice now a low growl, “cut the svkin and watch me beat some parasite , ok!.”

The Xerion screeched and lunged, its mandibles snapping. Tazan moved with inhuman speed, dodging the attack and slashing at its side with his claws. The creature shrieked in pain but retaliated swiftly, its tail whipping toward him like a spear. Tazan barely managed to dodge, the tail grazing his shoulder and leaving a deep gash.

“Tazan, fall back already. .how disappointing…”

*few moments later....

“Damn it, Tazan!” Goruk cursed, as he watched Tazan who had been battling the Xerion make away to the forbidden regions as the Xerion that neared deaths door ran off “It isn’t time to exit the woods yet! You might be in danger, to this I thought you weren't it's match..cunning bastard!!”

Tazan leapt effortlessly from one branch to another, if not for his hands that clench on his rib with the easily discernable blood scent in the air one would think he was really fine. “Relax,Cough*.. What’s the worst that could happen,huh ? A couple of rabbits giving me the stink eye? Huh..? U bet!”

“You’re too cocky for your own good,” Goruk growled, but his tone held more concern than anger as he tried to catrch up to the fleeing rebellion.

The air seemed to shift as the two continued deeper into a deserted part of the jungle, the once vibrant atmosphere growing eerily still. Tazan paused mid-step, his heightened senses picking up faint movements.

“Something’s here,” Tazan muttered, his voice low and serious.

Goruk sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring. “Scavengers?..sniff*..Sniffff* …could it be..?,” he rumbled. “Its giving me the chills.We need to—”

Before he could finish, a sinister cackling echoed through the trees, followed by a chorus of guttural laughs. From the shadows, humanoid figures began to emerge. Their bodies were lean but muscular, covered in patches of fur. Their heads resembled those of hyenas, their jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. Each wielded crude but deadly weapons—spears, axes, and claws reinforced with bone.

Were-Hyena!

“Well, well,” one of the Hyena Men snarled, stepping forward. “What do we have here? A monkey and his pet gorilla?”

Tazan smirked, his posture loose and relaxed as he tried look vulnerable in the least here. “Nice joke. Did you practice that in front of a mirror?”

The group burst into mocking laughter, but their leader growled, silencing them. “You’ll regret mocking us, boy.”

Goruk stepped in front of Tazan. “You lot don’t want this fight. Leave now.”

The Hyena Men encircled them, their cackling growing louder. “You’re surrounded,” one sneered. “Think you can fight your way out,this ain't flora Seal u flank Monkey?”

Hahahhaaha” the rest of the Hyena meen burst into laughter even Tazan coughed awkwardly but changed to a plain look under Goruk fearsome gaze

Tazan chuckled while scratching the back of his head“Well, at least Goruk here isn't a hunted specie that has nowhere to call home..hehehe. and as for your other sassy talks..save it for the tears later…it’s fun watching swear and curse when you already got broken by hero.”

Goruk couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’ve got a smart mouth for a kid.”

With a deafening roar, the Hyena Men attacked.

Tazan moved like a blur, his body shimmering as he shifted into his panther form. His claws tore through the nearest enemy, his movements fluid and precise. Goruk joined the fray, his massive fists crushing any foe foolish enough to get close.

The battle was chaotic, but the duo moved in perfect sync. Tazan leapt from foe to foe, his claws and fangs a blur, while Goruk’s raw strength cleared large swathes of enemies with every swing of his fists.

“They just keep coming!” Tazan yelled, laughing despite the chaos.

Goruk smashed two Hyena Men together and grinned. “Good. I was getting bored.”

Eventually, the last of the Hyena Men fell, their broken bodies littering the forest floor. Tazan shifted back into his human form, breathing heavily but grinning.

“Not bad,” Goruk said, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Not bad? I carried that fight,” Tazan shot back, his grin widening.

But before the duo could celebrate, a slow clap echoed through the trees. A new figure emerged from the shadows, his presence exuding malice. He was taller than the others, his fur dark and matted. His eyes glowed with a sickly green hue, and his claws dripped with an ominous black substance.

“Rotten Fang Clan,” Goruk muttered, his tone grim.

The newcomer smirked, revealing jagged, rotting teeth. “So this is the infamous Tazan, heir to Flora seal.A child playing at being a warrior.”

Tazan stepped forward, his confidence unwavering. “You want to find out just how dangerous this child is?”

“Tazan, no!” Goruk barked. “This one’s different. Let me handle him.”

Tazan shook his head, his eyes blazing with determination. “The Battle of Genius is a norm, Goruk. I won’t back down.”

The Hyena Genius chuckled darkly. “Very well. Let’s see if you’re worthy of the title.”

The fight began in a blur of movement. Tazan launched himself at his opponent, his claws slashing through the air. But the Hyena Genius was fast—faster than anyone Tazan had ever faced. He dodged every attack with ease, his counterattacks precise and brutal.

Tazan shifted into his panther form, his speed and power increasing. He managed to land a few hits, but each time, the Hyena Genius retaliated with devastating force. His claws left deep, festering wounds that sapped Tazan’s strength.

“You’re strong,” the Hyena Genius said, his voice mocking. “But you lack control. You’re nothing but a wild animal.”

Tazan roared in defiance, pushing himself to his limits. He summoned every ounce of strength he had, but it wasn’t enough. The Hyena Genius was relentless, his attacks merciless.

With one final blow, the Hyena Genius struck Tazan down, his claws digging deep into his chest.

“Tazan!” Goruk roared, rushing forward.

The Hyena Genius stepped back, a cruel smile on his face. “Remember this pain, boy. It’s the price of weakness.”

Tazan fell, his body battered and broken. Goruk caught him before he hit the ground, cradling him like a father would his child.

“Tazan! Damn it!”Goruk cursed ,his body trembling.as he lept and caught Tazan before fleeing in Flora Seal Direction.

Tazan’s eyes fluttered open, his voice weak but determined. “I’ll… get stronger. I swear it…”

“Let's get to safety first,I would deal with those vermins After..Grrrwa!!!”

ςศར