The Tales of Sol 76 By Joe at3unit3@yahoo.com
This is a fictional story it is not intended to imply that any members of the Backstreet Boys, Nsync, or 98 Degrees are gay, or any of the other celebrities mentioned are homosexuals. If you are not old enough to read these stories do yourself a favor and don't get caught. The same goes for those people whose countries have these sites made illegal. And for everyone else enjoy
Captain Planet and related characters were created by R.E Turner and copyrighted by AOL Time Warner Company and Trademark by TBS Productions
Babylon 5 and all related characters and props were created by Michael Straczynski and copyrighted by Warner Bros.
Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount
Transformers and all related characters, and props are trademarked by Hasbro Inc. Copyright Rhino Home Videos and AOL Time Warner Entertainment CO
He-Man, She-Ra, related characters, and props are trademarked by Filmation 1980s
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox.
Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros.
X-MEN and all related characters were created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox.
To those who've been reading Tales of Sol. I want you to know that while there is sex in this story. That is not is sole purpose and yes I do hope the sex sense makes you all hard and gets you off.
Sol is an adaption from my childhood favorite show Captain Planet and the Planeteers, The cartoon showed us that the world can be a better place if we took a few moments to care for it.
Tales of Sol is meant to express hope.
It also shows how music can have an impact in our lives. While I don't know if my favorite bands 98 Degrees, Backstreet Boys, or Nsync have ever read this. They saw me through some of the hardest moments of my life and offered in their own way hope. To them, I say thank you.
I dedicate the Tales of Sol to all of my brothers and sisters of the US Armed Service past, present, and future.
I like to thank my friends whom I had the privilege of showing these chapters with. They helped with editing and inspiration,
John Rivera, Albert-Russ Alan Rivera-Odum, Derbe.D. Hunte Yvette Ortiz Samuel Diaz Jr for all their help in Making The Tales of Sol an enjoyable story to write.
And I have a few other names starting with the beginner of this universe.
James is the author of Tales of a Real Dark Knight. I still hope to reconnect with you dear friend and all the rest of this series.
Blake the author of Tales of a New Phoenix
Jeremi author of the Tales of Young Mutants
I am adding a few more remarks. I have entered into the 21st century of AI editing, I have been using various AI programs to help with grammar checks, clarity, and improvements to my story.
This story was edited with the help of GPT Workspace, Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot, and Quillbot AI software.
AI Use Disclosure: I used GPT Workspace to generate some text for my story, Grammarly to check my grammar and spelling, Microsoft Copilot to write some code snippets, and Quillbot to paraphrase some sentences. I verified the accuracy and originality of the AI-generated content and cited the sources that I used for reference.
References:
GPT Workspace. (2024, January 9). Version 1.0. [AI tool]. GPT Workspace Inc. https://gptworkspace.com/
Grammarly. (2024, January 9). Version 5.6. [AI tool]. Grammarly Inc. https://www.grammarly.com/
Microsoft Copilot. (2024, January 9). Version 2.3. [AI tool]. Microsoft Corporation. https://copilot.github.com/
Quillbot. (2024, January 9). Version 4.2. [AI tool]. Quillbot Inc. https://quillbot.com/
The Tales of Sol 76
Hot Works
In a flash of light, I materialized at the foot of Mauna Loa. Standing at 13,681 feet above sea level--just the summit of a 30,000-foot mountain that virtually formed Hawaii--it was an amazing sight.
Mount Krakatoa came to mind when I looked up at this sleeping dragon, the last time a volcano of this size erupted. That cataclysm that obliterated it was of mythic proportions, it had global consequences that led to a planet-wide drop in temperature of .9 degrees Fahrenheit. The transformation of the familiar into something wholly unrecognizable, leaving only its ghostly vestige, an entire island was lost and is now an atoll. My senses told me that Mauna Loa wouldn't go that far, but that does not make it any less dangerous. Even a minor eruption had the potential to change everything I saw at its base. Before me, the landscape was serene, untouched by the pulsing threat beneath. But this tranquility was a fragile veneer. The imminent eruption I sensed would reshape everything here, an irreversible metamorphosis set in stone, ash, and lava.
Time was not on our side as much as I wanted to I didn't have time to sightsee this landscape. I had to get to the bottom of this. Turning away from the forest I saw the rocky side of Mauna Loa getting down to business I placed my hand on the rocky side of the volcano, closed my eyes, and opened my senses to it. I pushed deeper, ignoring the cool touch of the surface. I noticed a slow but steady rise in temperature in the rock's subsurface. The subterranean warmth hinted at the restlessness buried in the depths--a story of fire and brimstone slow-cooking beneath the surface.
My connection with the Earth as a conduit, channeling through my fingertips, seeking answers, seeking time. The steady climb of heat was a harbinger of an unfolding geological event. A deep breath steadied my resolve as the search for understanding continued. Mauna Loa had a voice, and I was here to listen, to interpret, to act upon whatever truths she was preparing to unveil.
It was a hint, but it was not enough. I needed to go deeper, literally. I opened my eyes and looked around to make sure no one was nearby. "It is time to play mole," I said, Elevated off the ground, my body twisted into a human drill as I burrowed towards the extraordinary heat of the magma chamber. The dance between my elemental transformation and natural instincts guided me surely. Soon, I lingered at the threshold of a world alight with molten fire.
I was just above the magma chamber. The heat was the first to hit me. It was abundant in the chamber, which was not surprising given what was beneath my feet. The cavern was lit up by the glow of the bubbling magma, and the intense heat could melt steel.
The searing environment raged with a ferocity that would consume most--but I was not most. The Earth had blessed me with the ability to withstand her most extreme embrace. Not that I had time for a super-heated mud bath. I flew around inspecting the magma chamber, hoping to gain some insight. However, its light was insufficient to illuminate the entire chamber. Some sides were still completely dark. Aside from the heat, the pressure inside this ticking time bomb was what struck me. I could not possibly miss it if I tried.
Mauna Loa was clearly about to blow its top. During my investigation, no sign of water intrusion presented itself; the smoldering pressure was born purely of Earth's deepest forces. La'Tola's selective disclosures flirted at the edges of my thoughts. He knew, and now I knew--Mauna Loa was a slumbering giant on the cusp of waking.
The only remaining question was "When?" I spoke aloud. I sighed in frustration as I returned to the surface, sealing the hole I had created. There is no reason to add to the looming disaster. I still needed an answer as I returned my gaze to the sleeping giant. Returning my gaze to the landscape, the trees that surrounded the volcano appeared to be the next best place to look for answers. That is when I realized what was missing from this picturesque scene. There was silence I never noticed before. I should have heard the gentle sounds of native birds singing in the trees as I looked around, Where the harmonies of nature should have flourished, only silence lingered. The absence of fauna, the quietude of insects--it was as if life itself had recoiled from Mauna Loa's whispering fury.
This unnatural hush was a stark warning this was the point I had made to AJ when we were discussing events such as this. The Earth's creatures had heeded the call to flee, a primal understanding that something monumental was stirring. They listened to the warning the Earth had sent them and obeyed her subtle beckoning to safety--instincts humankind too often ignored.
"This is bad," I thought. I was alarmed by what I saw, but I still had no answer and was unsure how to proceed. I was filled with dread. I knew this volcano would erupt, but the crucial question remained unanswered. I huffed, unable to find an answer. The sense of urgency crystallized--Mauna Loa was more than stirring; she was readying to burst forth, and it was my duty, my calling, to ensure that when she did, we would be prepared to face her wrath.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on me snapping my fingers I materialized back in our room at the hotel. I needed to finally speak with the one person who knew the answer.
You would think that after my encounter with the mad wizard Count Mullack, I would have done this sooner. I huffed in frustration as I looked around our room as if the luxury suite was going to tell me when Mauna Loa was going to fill it with lava.
When I entered the common room, I noticed that not only had the Backstreet Boys returned, but they had also brought Rob Thomas back with them to join us. Seeing the Backstreet Boys and their celebrity guest would normally be a welcome sight. When they saw me, their faces changed from a joyful expression to a glum expression, Rob's puzzled expression only made matters worse.
I went back into my room, unable to face them. I fell rather than sat on the bed, making an audible plopping sound as I hit the mattress.
My mind was a whirlwind of data and dread. The plush comfort of the bed offered no solace as I pondered the pieces of information I had gathered. I finally decided to turn to the one person who could assist me in piecing everything together.
"Gaia, I need to know, do I need to get Brian and the rest out of Hawaii?" I inquired with the Earth Spirit.
Gaia responded, "It's too late for that now, Mike."
There were many ways Gaia could have answered, but this was not one of them.
"What do you mean, too late?" I stumbled over my words. Trouble was inevitable, but not this quickly.
"By the time you get Brian and the rest of the Backstreet Boys to the airport, it will be too late," Gaia explained.
"I knew something was wrong. Will Mauna Loa erupt soon? I gasped.
"It will," Gaia assured.
"How come we were not warned?" I asked. How could I have possibly missed this? Had I known, I would never have placed them in danger--especially in the event of a volcano erupting. "How come the Earth did not warn me?" I scowled.
Gaia's voice was equal parts comforting and direct. "The Earth did warn you, Mike, and you listened. You've followed each hint to its logical end."
"If I had known," I grumbled, "I would have insisted the Backstreet Boys stay at home."
Gaia's wisdom offered a balm and a directive. "Your presence is required there. You felt the signs, and you validated them. Now, you must prepare."
The revelation sent chills through me. I wished I had connected the dots sooner, but there was no time for regrets. I had to stand as Sol and Guardian and do whatever I could to protect lives, properties, and precious moments. There was little time and much to safeguard. I rose from the bed, steadying myself for whatever came next.
Brian entered with a naughty smile as the door opened. That quickly changed when he noticed the solemn expression on my face. Sex was the furthest thing from my mind. He came to a halt and asked, hesitantly, "Mike, what is it?" The clock was ticking, and they all needed to know what I had discovered.
Every second felt precious as I processed the information weighing on me. "Is everyone out there?" I asked, my tone as heavy as the reality we faced.
Brian confirmed, "Yeah, they're all there."
Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for what needed to be shared. "We have to gather everyone for a meeting. It's urgent, we have an explosive situation," I impelled him.
Together, we stepped into the common area where the stillness was instantly palpable. Anticipation lingered, sharp as cut glass.
Kevin was the first to ask, "What is wrong?" when we sat down."
"It is too late," I said solemnly, not seeing the point in sugarcoating it.
"What do you mean, it is too late?" AJ inquired, taken aback by my candor.
"Since our arrival to Hawaii, there had been three subtle tremors, none of which originated from Mount Kilauea -- a fact confirmed during our tour of the renowned volcano. Last night, needing further insights, I called Dave. With his assistance and the resources of BEATTI, we obtained concrete evidence corroborating the subtle warnings from the Earth that I'd sensed. Despite this, it was imperative to consult with the USGS for a clearer understanding of the tremors' origins and, crucially, the timing of the expected eruption -- this time from Mauna Loa. Dave had cautioned me about La'Tola, and his concerns were valid. However, my quest for information hit a snag when the director began evading my inquiries regarding Mauna Loa," I narrated. Turning to AJ, I probed, "You recall our earlier discussion, don't you?"
AJ shook his head slowly, his face moody. "I sent you a police officer, a firefighter, and a helicopter," AJ exclaimed.
"What has that got to do with a raging volcano?" Howie urged.
"Mike and I were discussing how the Earth sends us warnings and how frequently those warnings are ignored," AJ growled.
I nodded solemnly. Every tremor was a warning. Mauna Loa wasn't whispering; she was shouting. But we didn't hear from her until now. It's about to erupt, and Gaia has made it clear there's no time to evacuate. We need to prepare."
The band processed the gravity of my revelation, understanding dawning that the idle tremors were harbingers of a dormant giant's awakening, and the time to act was upon us. This meeting wasn't just about what was coming--it was about uniting to face it together, as a family that had grown beyond the confines of the stage. And as their gazes met mine, I knew they were ready to stand alongside me in whatever lay ahead.
AJ's voice, now laced with frustration, cut to the chase of our earlier dialogue. "Mike and I talked about the importance of heeding Earth's warnings--warnings that all too often fall on deaf ears."
Rob chimed in with his keen insight. "And this La'Tola guy, he didn't exactly heed your advice, did he?"
"No, quite the contrary. La'Tola seemed terrified, almost desperate to conceal the looming calamity. The deeper my queries went, the more he tried to sidestep," I replied. As they all turned to face me, I could feel a shift in their confidence, a flicker of doubt. "That's why I opted to bypass the bureaucracy and head directly to Mauna Loa," I explained, and it was then that the gravity of the situation truly sank in.
Nick interjected, his curiosity evident, "What did it tell you?" His focus was not on the anecdotal aspects of my trek.
"The interplay between the volcano and its environment," I began to unravel.
Howie, prioritizing brevity and acuteness, pressed further. "What did you find out?" he asked, urgency sharpening his tone.
Realizing the critical nature of the moment, Fresh from my earthen communion I cut to the heart of the matter. "Mauna Loa is going to erupt, and soon--possibly even today." I dispensed with any preamble.
Upon my revelation, Howie sprang to his feet, "We need to evacuate at once!" Howie's voice was charged with a mix of concern and command. My returning look, firm yet reassuring, prompted him to reconsider, and with a gulp he slowly took his seat again, the weight of the situation resting heavily in the air
"Are we even going to make it to the airport?" Rob, who had been silent the entire time, finally inquired.
Denying them false hope."No. I had to turn to one person who could finally answer the damn question of when," I grumbled.
"I went straight to Gaia, and she confirmed that it would not matter if we got you all to the airport. We would be stuck there waiting to get on the first available flight out," I answered.
"How much time do we have?" Nick asked.
I could hear the beats of anxiety and trepidation between his words, and I felt the gravity of our collective fate. "This..." was all I could say before the room along with the rest of the hotel trembled with unforgiving force, its structure groaning against the titan's rage below. Instinct took over; I formed the Guardian costume and threw myself over Brian, protecting him from falling debris as anything that was not bolted down fell all around us.
Lighting fixtures and lamps, including the framed pictures gracing the walls, tumbled to the ground. Bookshelves and other towering pieces of furniture keeled over, compelling everyone into a crouch for safety as glass shattered and electric sparks crackled. Plaster and dust billowed, casting a dusty haze throughout the room.
A thunderous splitting sound tore through the chaos, accompanied by an ominous groan. Then, abruptly, a forceful draft swept through, whisking away the particulates and revealing a stark beam of light. This newfound clarity exposed a stark reality -- a massive fissure snaked along the floor, scaling both walls and converging at the ceiling. The hotel was splintering, with a section beginning to succumb to ruin. Brian, Kevin, AJ, and I found ourselves cut off from Nick, Howie, and Rob as the chasm yawned wider, rending the room -- and our group -- asunder.
My enhanced vision wasn't necessary to witness the unfolding terror--Nick, Howie, and Rob were poised perilously in the part of the hotel that was on the brink of collapse. Their faces were portraits of sheer terror. Without hesitation, I sprang from Brian's side and vaulted across the gaping chasm to rescue them.
When I landed on their side of the room I wasted no time. "The Backstreet Boys must stick together," I declared, seizing both Nick and Howie.
"Not to sound dirty, but Sir, if you would mount me, we can not let our guests depart!" I yelled over the collapsing floor. Rob jumped on top of me and wrapped his arms around my neck.
Ensuring everyone's safety in my grasp, I leaped back across the fissure, reuniting our divided group. As we regrouped, Kevin and AJ relieved me of Nick and Howie, while Brian helped Rob down from my back. Our brief moment of solace was shattered by a louder, more menacing groan, drawing our collective gaze. Instinctively, I placed myself over the huddled group, poised as a human shield, ready to safeguard my friends from the crumbling ruin as it surrendered to gravity's call.
The hotel yielded to the forces tearing at its foundation, a portion of the structure succumbing and descending into rubble, taking with it whatever and whoever lay in its path--casting a cloud of dust and debris into the air. When the dust settled, the devastation had unwittingly opened up a panoramic vista of Hawaii's sprawling yet still-shaking landscape, all thanks to the violent, earth-shaking alterations that nature had inflicted upon the hotel.
"I doubt the brochure intended 'fantastic ocean views' to be quite so... literal," I quipped, as tremors continued to undulate through the ground--a testament to the volcano's might. The remainder of the hotel seemed to be on the brink of following suit.
With a wry chuckle, I added, "You guys really do know how to bring down the house, don't you?"
"Mike, we can't take you anywhere!" AJ exclaimed, his voice laced with a blend of humor and trepidation. He jokingly chided, "Next time, remind us to leave you off the guest list!"
Setting aside the levity, the urgency of the situation was clear. "Everyone, hold on tight!" I commanded, as Rob clutched onto my neck and the others grasped my outstretched arms. With powerful thrusts, I propelled us from the precariousness of the crumbling room, soaring towards the relative safety of solid ground outside.
Upon touchdown, they released their grips, the firmness beneath their feet providing some respite, despite the tremors that persisted. The hotel behind us deteriorated rapidly, with cascades of dust and debris marking its inevitable demise.
Without sparing a moment, I addressed the group, "Please excuse me, gentlemen, but Guardian's duty calls." There was no time for farewells or for lingering; lives were at stake. With that, I turned and flew back towards the ill-fated hotel, ready to save those still trapped within.
Diving into the chaos of the lobby where debris cascaded like an unforgiving storm, I spotted a clerk trapped under her desk. With strength bestowed by the very earth itself, I heaved the desk away with ease, casting it aside as if it were no heavier than a feather--clearing the surrounding wreckage in an instant. I hoisted the clerk to safety and, spotting a man in a headlong sprint to escape, I called out to him, "Take her; I must prevent this structure from meeting its end!"
Wordlessly, he took the clerk into his arms and bolted. Now alone, I leaped upward, my hands pressing firmly against the groaning ceiling. It was a race against time and gravity--I had to muster the resilience of the planet beneath us to fortify this faltering hotel long enough for a full evacuation.
As cries pierced the turmoil, the hotel groaned and buckled. Yet amidst the foreboding shadows of collapse, my resolve deepened. Here and now, it was Guardian who must stand firm, shielding life from the jaws of calamity. Sol's might would be summoned in due time, but for now, every second counted, every life was precious, and every effort was mine to give.
Judging a momentary lull in the stream of evacuees escaping the crumbling edifice, I released my hold on the ceiling, darting from the lobby just as the structure gave way behind me. I carved through the air back to where Rob Thomas and the Backstreet Boys awaited, touching down beside them with measured precision.
There we stood, a collective witness to the hotel's demise, each of us silent observers of its disintegration beneath the weight of its own skeletal frame.
As if the island itself were succumbing to the fury of the underworld, the earth shuddered violently beneath our feet. It wasn't only our former refuge that succumbed to the onslaught; surrounding buildings mimicked its fate, collapsing into heaps as clouds of dust and remnants billowed into the skies--a conflicted scene of destruction and raw, unbridled power.
"Holy Shit!" Nick exclaimed, his arm outstretched, finger pointing towards the origin of the devastation.
The once stoic Mauna Loa, in the distance, was indeed blowing her top. A monstrous beacon of raw power, its summit a churning cauldron of molten rage. A towering plume of ash and smoke reached thousands of miles into the sky, dominating the atmosphere with its ominous presence. Charged with smoke and heat, lightning bolts danced violently across the column, striking the earth in the volcano's fierce embrace. The scene unfurled as both a majestic and horrifying display of nature's might. From our vantage point, rivers of lava spilled forth in vibrant hues of destruction, painting the mountain with strokes of fiery red. In the face of such an unstoppable force, no man-made object could halt one of nature's most destructive forces. the futility of human efforts to control it cast a humbling shadow upon us, a stark reminder of our fragility in the grand scheme of existence.
Kevin's plea resonated with the collective trepidation that was palpable among us. "What are we going to do?" he yelled, as the volcano's ferocious roar punctuated his scream.
"There is only one being who can shield everyone from Pele's fiery outburst," I explained with conviction.
Without a moment's delay, Brian urged, "Hurry! Sol's might is what we need at this moment, my dear!"
Wasting no time for discussion, I distanced myself from the band and sprinted towards the enraged volcano with supernatural swiftness, shouting, "Your presence is crucial now more than any time, my steadfast companion!"
In the face of Pele's ferocious onslaught, there stood one sole protector. With authority, I declared, "Let the Powers Combine!" and the earth heeded my summons. Volcanic ash surged toward me, the vanguard heralding Sol's advent. The mounting ash coalesced into a shell, within which a tempest of electricity brewed, its might catapulting me across the island at breakneck speeds, the ocean's surface shattering my earthen casement.
A luminous beacon rocketed skywards, arcing over Hawaii, then materialized into a sentient shape. In the resonant depths of Sol's timbre, entwined with my own, we proclaimed, "By the Powers Combined, I am Sol!"
The assembly on the shoreline erupted into spirited cheers. I soared towards the land, gliding past Rob Thomas and the Backstreet Boys, my focus unbroken as I headed for the incandescent peak of Mauna Loa.
"It's imperative I address Mauna Loa's volatile mood, lest her tantrum reshapes the island drastically," I declared, perceiving the imminent transformation as a dire threat.
With Sol's resolve, I readied myself to confront the volcanic menace, aware that the balance of the island rested in the hands of the combined powers I now wielded.
Brian, joined by the rest of the Backstreet Boys and Rob Thomas, thrust their fists towards the heavens. Eyes fixed on the ascending figure of Sol, they rallied with a chorus of support that sliced through the tension-laden air, "Go! Sol!" their voices united in fervent encouragement.
As the island trembled relentlessly, Nick's resolve was clear. "We've got to help!" he insisted, while a chunk of the volcano's crater crumbled, unleashing a new torrent of lava that snaked its way down the mountain's flank.
Howie's skepticism was palpable as he looked on at the fiery display before them. "What the hell can we do against a volcano?" he questioned, the inquiry tinged with a mix of disbelief and earnest concern. "Throw rocks at it?" his words carried a hint of dark humor amidst the gravity of their situation.
"I don't know," Nick replied, his tone carrying the lightness of humor as a counterbalance to the direness of their predicament. "Perhaps a lullaby might soothe it," he quipped, offering a momentary chuckle in the shadow of the looming giant.
"How about those?" Brian's gaze was drawn to the formidable lineup of heavy machinery idling nearby. A spontaneous plan seemed to take shape in his mind as he suggested, "What about using those bulldozers?" He tilted his head towards the hefty vehicles, offering a glint of inventive strategy amidst the unfolding chaos.
"Talk about going big," Rob remarked with a wry smile, eyeing Brian's suggestion. He layered his approval with a playful jab, "What's next, Brian, auditioning for an action movie role? Trying to sweep someone off their feet with your heroic ideas?"
AJ turned his weary gaze to Brian and, ever the realist, aired his concerns, "Brian, do you even know how to work one of those things?" His voice carried both skepticism and practicality as he questioned the logistics of Brian's proposal, "Does anyone here actually know how to operate them?"
Unfazed by AJ's practical concerns, Brian responded with confidence, breaking into a stride towards the equipment, "No, but I'm a quick learner," he called out over his shoulder. A hint of determination laced his words as he added, "I'll get the hang of it. How hard can it be? It's basically like driving a car, right?"
Spurred on by Brian's initiative, the group dashed to the nearest bulldozer. As Howie turned the ignition, the machine growled to life, its engine thundering a gruff welcome. "Who the hell leaves the keys in these things?" he grumbled under his breath, torn between deeming their find a stroke of serendipity or a setup for further peril. "This is either our lucky day," he continued, "or one heck of a setup."
"Are we even licensed to operate heavy machinery?" Nick queried with a touch of humor as he clambered into the cab of a bulldozer, fumbling with the controls. In the driver's seat of his newfound behemoth, he couldn't help but quip about the situation's irony. "If the volcano doesn't get us, what are the odds we end up in handcuffs for commandeering these things?"
Amid the jokes and uncertainties, they rallied together, commandeering bulldozers to the edge of Hilo, driven by an impromptu plan fueled by sheer adrenaline. "Let's just hope we don't end up barbecued. Or crispy fries--man, why do I always think about food at the worst times?" Nick remarked, his nerves coloring his attempt at levity.
As I flew toward the erupting volcano, a singular thought prevailed: gratitude for being Sol, for without this power, such a situation would surely fray the edges of sanity. Below, I observed ash, steam, and lava being expelled from newly formed fissures etched along the mountain's ridge. The air was thick with the pungent scent of sulfur, and a pervasive haze of smoke, while the earth beneath roared and convulsed in its upheaval.
Surveying the chaos, I noticed several individuals cut off by the yawning chasm that now marred the Earth's surface, lava creeping into its depths. Rising to the occasion, I descended toward those stranded, offering aid with a touch of levity in my voice. "Does anyone need a taxi?" I inquired, hovering just above the trembling ground, ready to lift them to safety.
"You might say that," came a voice, heavy with irony. Turning, I found, to my surprise, Director Steve La'Tola amongst the group. His face bore a laceration, and they were all coated in a ghostly layer of volcanic ash. The terror in their eyes spoke volumes of the ordeal they'd endured, looking every bit as weary and spent as one could be. Among them were those who sported injuries or bore the marks of burns, a testament to the volcano's indiscriminate wrath.
Leveraging Director La'Tola's ignorance of my true identity as Sol, I delivered a reprimand that harbored the sting of reproof. "Mike Pennock conveyed your assurances that this was merely a pressure release from Mount Kilauea. Well, surprise--Mauna Loa is exhibiting its own form of pressure release, and it's monumental," I couldn't mask the contempt in my voice, my disdain for the oversight impossible to conceal.
As Director La'Tola opened his mouth, presumably to offer some defense, I directed his attention to the ever-expanding fissure tearing through the ground. "Save your excuses for later; this is a rescue operation," I interjected brusquely. Prioritizing those most at risk, I began airlifting people to safety, navigating the increasingly treacherous terrain as swiftly as my abilities allowed.
Another violent quake shook the earth, rupturing it further. Great clods of earth and stone erupted skyward, creating an immense pillar of dust and debris. The volcano let out a deafening bellow, expelling an enormous cloud of ash and gas into the atmosphere. As I watched the lava surge down the volcano's western and northern slopes, its pace and intensity gathering, the urgency was clear--we had to act fast to evade the relentless advance of the molten onslaught.
My return was timed with the onslaught of a pyroclastic cloud--an onslaught no mortal could withstand. Gratitude surged through me for the mantle of Sol; it shielded me from harm where my human form would have surely faltered. I emerged unscathed, but the summit told a grimmer tale.
Those less fortunate bore the full brunt of the volcano's fury. The scene was one of devastation; individuals I had strived to protect were caught in the eruption's merciless path. The sight of limbs and bodies cast skyward was a harrowing testament to nature's indiscriminate force. Overcome by a wave of anger and grief, I steeled myself against the devastation, a resolve forming amidst the chaos: to save as many as I could from the mountain's wrath.
Within the maelstrom, La'Tola was a sole figure teetering on the brink of disaster, narrowly evading the fate of his colleagues by clinging precipitously to the fissure's edge above the lava. The terror was evident in his eyes, a stark contrast to the once-composed director.
Swooping down, I extended my hand, clasping his with the secure grip of Sol. Just as I hauled him from peril, the earth shuddered once more, our precarious foothold crumbling into the fiery abyss. With no second to spare, I soared upwards, carrying us both away from the jaws of death.
Back on firmer ground, La'Tola's relief was palpable. Between sobs, he wrapped his arms around me tightly, murmuring a heartfelt "Thank you."
"You're welcome," I assured him. "And after we survive this, you and I are going to have a serious talk. But for now, you need to get as far from here as possible," I urged him, before launching back into the sky.
Time was running out, and I was resolved to save every reachable soul from the tenacious grasp of the erupting volcano.
Tracing the path of a relentless river of lava, my eyes caught a school perilously perched atop a modest incline--safe for the moment, yet unquestionably in the path of impending doom. Steam began to wreathe the building, a haunting prelude to what was to come. "Uh oh, a school," I voiced aloud, my concern redirecting my flight.
I reached the school just as the hill transformed into an island amidst a sea of molten stone. "This definitely wasn't in today's curriculum," I quipped, lightening the gravity of the moment with a dash of humor.
With no time to waste, I burrowed deep beneath the earth's surface and resurfaced directly under the school. With the might of Sol coursing through me, I hoisted the entire structure, guiding it to a safe distance from the encroaching inferno.
"There's no time to argue," I declared, my arms steadying the base of the school as I elevated it from its perilous perch. With a powerful thrust, I ascended into the air, just as the once secure hill succumbed to the unrelenting lava flow. "We have to get out of here," I said, more to myself than anyone else, as I navigated the school to safety.
Gently touching down a safe distance from the school's original location, I placed the building down with the utmost care. Turning to the bewildered faces peering out from the windows, I offered a reassuring presence. "Consider this a temporary reassignment to a new district," I announced. "Embrace this change as a chance to learn in new ways, free from harm," I added with a smile, hoping to inspire calm amidst the uncertainty. "Don't worry, you're in good hands," I concluded before taking off once more, soaring back into the fray to continue the rescue efforts.
"There is no time for debate," I said as I lifted the school. Taking to the skies just as the hill vanished beneath the lava. "But we need to escape," I commented, landing several yards away from where I picked the school up. I set the school down and said, "Your school is being transferred to a new district." "You have a great opportunity to learn new things, so do not worry," I smiled and said.
"One hurdle crossed," I remarked as I launched skyward from the school now out of danger. "Yet, our troubles are far from resolved," I mused, assessing the full extent of Mauna Loa's upheaval. From the crater's wrath, diminutive shapes were catapulted skyward, which on closer inspection, revealed themselves to be enormous boulders--the largest rivaling the size of homes. "Pele doesn't hold back when riled," I observed, as I zoomed towards the soaring projectiles, intent on intercepting them.
Head-on, I met the first airborne boulder. My fist, guided by Sol's strength, met the rock, reducing it to a spray of insignificant fragments. "You've got to admire the scale of Pele's fury," I admitted, as I grappled with the next barrage of stones, launching them back towards the earth to plug the fresh cavalcities spewing lava, sealing them off to avert further destruction.
Caught off-guard by an unexpectedly large boulder, I was sent plummeting from the sky, straight towards a relentless torrent of lava. My body may have shattered the stone, but the collision cost me a precious breath. "Lava baths are not on my agenda," I joked, swiftly dodging the molten menace encroaching upon me. "Next time, I should bring marshmallows and hot dogs," I quipped, hoping to dispel some of the tension.
"Though I've heard the heat can wreck your complexion," I continued in jest, soaring back into the air. "Lucky for me, my skin's already the perfect shade of crystal blue." With a sense of urgency, I veered towards Hilo, acutely aware of the peril my friends faced as they stood their ground against nature's fury--they were relying on me, and I wouldn't let them down.
Perched atop the mighty summit of Mauna Loa, Brian and the rest of the crew primed their bulldozers, set against the backdrop of encroaching lava. As the fiery glow signaled urgency, they ignited the engines and began their critical work, the bulldozers' heavy blades carving an alternate route for the molten streams, each push a strategic endeavor to divert disaster from the city's heart.
Howie, vigilant as ever, noticed the lava obediently diverting into their makeshift trench. The sight prompted a triumphant roar from AJ, "We did it! We saved the day!"
Yet amidst the celebration, Nick's wit resurfaced. "That's fantastic," he replied dryly, "now if someone would just come and save us, that'd be great."
At Howie's cautioning reminder to hasten their efforts, urgency kicked in anew. Throttles deepened, engines rumbled louder, but the lava's pace was relentless, threatening to overtake them.
Amidst the chaos, the ground itself seemed to join their crusade, granite bursting forth in tandem with the perilous kiss of lava against metal. And then, like a hero born from the very earth, Sol appeared, his grin as luminous as the power radiating from him. "Ingenious maneuver, gentlemen," he complimented. With a nod to his friends, he declared, "Now, allow me the honor of elevating your plan."
Kevin watched, awestruck, as Sol plunged back into the fray, his formidable might carving a new, safer channel that led the lava to Hilo's shoreline. Rock met ocean, steam clouded the skies, and a cacophony of elemental forces echoed the might of Sol's intervention.
Resurfacing from the steaming battlefield, Sol took flight once more, bound for Rob Thomas and the Backstreet Boys, ready to lead them away from the brink and towards safety, away from the singing embrace of Mauna Loa's fiery temper.
"My apologies for the delayed arrival," I announced, alighting gracefully beside my compatriots, "I was otherwise engaged with a bit of a heated situation."
Wearied from the exertion yet relieved, AJ offered a tired grin, sinking into the confines of his bulldozer's seat. The rush from their collective endeavor waned, leaving a heavy stillness in its wake. "Better late than fashionably absent," AJ remarked, his voice a blend of fatigue and jest. He leaned back, drawing in deep breaths to steady himself. "Thank you, Sol."
As Mauna Loa continued its fearsome spectacle, I resolved that the time for diplomacy with the elements had come. "Enough of Mauna Loa's fiery temper," I asserted with resolve. "It's time to quell her wrath."
With a sense of purpose, I soared towards the vast expanse of the ocean. "I've faced Pele's inferno; now, I must seek an audience with Namaka," I mused, invoking the names of Hawaii's revered deities of fire and water respectively. I dove into the sea, seeking the embrace of the water goddess to counterbalance the relentless fire above.
The Backstreet Boys watched, rapt, as Sol--Brian's extraordinary, empowered partner--plunged into the ocean, his entry into the deep stirring the waters into a frenzy. The undulating waves swelled, amassing strength, until they towered skyward, reaching the magnitude of a formidable tsunami.
"Ah, Hawaii -- where the sunlight dances, the sands glisten, volcanoes command reverence, and now, evidently, the surf surges to protect," Sol's voice reverberated triumphantly as an immense wave surged forth from the sea.
"Ride this one out, Mauna Loa," I declared with a sly chuckle, as the colossal wave crashed with unstoppable force upon the rivers of fiery lava. "Time for a bit of a cooldown," I quipped, as the exultant crowd watched the thermal assault transform into solid land.
The wave cascaded high, veering back, before reshaping into the familiar figure of Sol, who emerged serene and sturdy from the mist. "Behold, the birth of a new seaside attraction," he proclaimed, a broad smile gracing his features. Facing Brian and the band, he added, "And it's all natural -- pristine, unmarred by waste. It's the ultimate blend of geology and heroics; no plastics, no pollutants, no complications to mar this newly forged piece of paradise."
As the previously molten earth took on a newly solidified state, I made my way back to the sea--with one final task to accomplish.
Rob Thomas nudged Brian, curiosity in his tone, "What's your boyfriend doing now?"
A quiet murmur of caution from Brian, "Keep it down, Rob. That's not for everyone to know," but his attention remained transfixed as Sol captured the ocean's essence with an aerial dance, rousing a lofty spire of water.
Brian felt a surge of pride. "He's wrapping things up," he said, watching the uprising swell soar.
With a commanding posture, Sol addressed the mountain, "Okay, Mauna Loa, time to clock out." With a mesmerizing fluidity, he directed the airborne geyser towards the torrid slopes, releasing a triumphant "Cowabunga!" as the deluge made its impact--silencing the fiery torrent with a hiss, subduing the once rampant destruction.
As the downpour quenched the raging beast and peace settled over the island, the assembly roared their approval. "And that's how it's done!" Sol declared amidst the jubilation.
Drifting back to his companions, Sol descended against the backdrop of gentle steam, which caught the day's light, casting a subtle rainbow across the sky. "Now that Mauna Loa has been tucked in for the night," he quipped with an exaggerated yawn, "it's time for this hero to hit the hay."
With a wave and a wink, he added, "Until we meet again, remember--the power is yours!" In a sparkle of radiant light, Sol disappeared from sight, leaving behind a band of brothers marveled by the might and heart of the hero they'd just witnessed.
To be continued
And thus concludes this chapter. One very unhappy volcano and unsuspecting island Sol is their only hope when this natural disaster decides to come true.
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I also recommend the following stories it was because of them I got into writing in the first place.
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"Marvel Knights" also by authorjames
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"Tales of a Superhero Band" by Leo
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