Story Quest 18 verB - Can't Catch a Break!

For @CrystalAnimamates 

Story by @AlexLyre 

Sketch and Lines by @MadRiku 

Color by @MamaLantiis 

After the fiasco with the doppelgängers in the training room, Tae just needed a day to relax and get away. She had been cooped up in the med bay after being found by Lurdes & Kat. There’s really not a whole lot she remembers from the fight after her innate ability kicked in.

After getting out of Medical, she went back to check out the taped off training room only to see all the damage. ‘Man, did I do all that?’ She thought to herself walking away. Rubbing the back of her head, she returned to the main floor of the caverns to meet up with Celeste, Theodora, Brisa, Railee & Althea for a relaxing coffee shop outing in Japan.

Meeting up with the girl, they chatted a bit about their destination, picked by Tae herself. Stepping on the teleport pads, the girls found themselves at Zenkoji Shrine, a ten minute walk from Blue Bottle Coffee in Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo.

Arriving at the shop, the girls order some delicious drinks and just have a relaxing day. Tae brought her tablet to work on some small animation projects whilst chatting with Theodora & Celeste about coffee house etiquette & brewing, Brisa & Railee are relaxing to the ambient music while Althea does some online shopping.

While the girls enjoy an easygoing and relaxed afternoon, at one point or another, each of the girls have felt a pair of eyes watching them. As they brush it off, the uneasy feeling starts to grow a bit more as the day progresses. Finishing their sweet treats, the group says goodbye and leaves the coffee house.

While the girls share conversations and jokes, the dark presence of those piercing eyes continues to grow more and more. Tilting her head, Tae was silently directing the group to a more abandoned area near them, unsure of what could unfold. As they enter a construction zone, a rich, deep velvety voice calls from above.

“Younglings! Who are you? Who are you to dare take one of my feathers from me? Tell me who you work for and how you came to be!”

Confused, the girls looked around before their eyes became fixated on the winged senshi above them. She was dressed in a very ornate fuku with the same feather found at the volcano, donned around her sailor collar and skirt. Her wingers were of the same feather.

“A mythic?” Railee said softly.

“Who are you calling a youngling you oldling?” Celeste called back with a huff.

“How dare you mock me, you insolent child!” The winged senshi growled. Raising their arm, their feather-like blade was pointed in the direction of the girls. “You shall return what you have stolen from me.”

“We don’t have the feathers with us. They are currently locked away with the Trinity.” Theodora starts to explain. “They are in a safe space, we promise.” Brisa added.

“Trinity? Is this the organization you work for? Tell me youngling, who is this Trinity and why do they want my feathers?” The mysterious senshi questions

“The Trinity are the ones that summoned us, Crystal Animamate senshi. They are our mentors & leaders.” Althea mentions.

“Diamond Unicorn. Moonstone Kirin. Amethyst Dragon. They are the Trinity we speak of now.” Tae adds.

“SILENCE!” Their deep velvety toned voice rang. “Enough of your lies. There are no senshi by those ridiculous names you speak. How dare you try to deceive & trick me. I shall ask again, return to me what is rightfully mine or I shall take it by force.” Their voice had become sharper.

“We speak no lies.” Railee cries out.

“This is all the truth. If we can just act calm for a moment, we can take you to them & you can see that they are very much real.” Theodora tries to calm the situation but to no avail.

“Your words are empty & have no validity to them. Your lies end here. Those you speak of are no longer with us in this world. They were eradicated by their own kin but, if this evil still stands, then it is you who are my enemy. You shall breath your last breath here. Prepare yourselves to meet your end.” Steadying their blade, with their turquoise eyes locked on to the group, ready to attack.

“This is ridiculous. We don’t want to fight you.” Celeste yells.

“Then your deaths shall be swift.”

“Zircon Anima Power, Make Up!”

“Vanish from this world.” The mythic swing their sword at the group.

“Ice Blossom!” Zircon calls. In a flash, a large crystal flower type shield appears and blocks the swing of the sword.

“I see you have chosen to live and fight back. I shall triumph and get what is mine”

“I’ll do what I can to hold her off. The rest of you go back to the cavern and get one of the Trinity. They’ll know how to help.” Mammoth shouted.

Pheonix’s sharp blade bounced off the shield, knocking her arm back, but giving her enough range to swing again, this time wedging itself in the ice.

“I can’t keep this up much longer. They are gonna cut right through it with another swing.” Mammoth cried.

“This is suicide if you stay here by yourself.” Theodora yelled, trying to reason with Mammoth.

“I won’t let any of you get hurt. What good am I as a tank if I can’t take a few hits before being knocked down.”

“Not everything is meant to be done alone, especially against someone like them.” Celeste added

Standing her ground, Mammoth wouldn’t listen. Protecting her sisters is top priority, especially when Railee is still a Shining Tier.

“Please, get back to the caverns.” Mammoth shouted. Stomping her foot into the ground, she started to push back against Phoenix. She could feel the difference in the power, but that wouldn’t stop her.

Mammoth gives one last push before her shield breaks, giving her an opening to counter attack. “Falling Snow Lights.” The ice shards that came from the broken shield, sharpened & began to shoot at Phoenix. With their guard down, Mammoth took off in a sprint, jumped into the air, wrapped her arms around Phoenix's waist & forced to the ground, pinning her.

Frustrated, Celeste & Theodora led the trio out to the street, planning their trip back. Theodora stood still for a moment before turning around & running back towards Mammoth, as Celeste guided the others away.

“Radiant Prehnite Power, Make Up!”

After a bit of struggling, Phoenix was able to throw the other off of themselves & become airborne again. Giving above the other, her turquoise eyes glared

“Falcon’s Endless Pursuit!” Leaping into the air, Falcon drives back down sideways with both legs straight. A purple energy forms around her legs, making the silhouette of talons on her feet as she comes dashing down on to Phoenix.

With a heavy grunt, Phoenix springs back at Falcon, grabbing her by the leg and throwing her into the sky.

“Flight of Heaven’s Starling, Make Up!” After a bright light, Starling takes off into the sky to catch Falcon. After landing, the trio gather.

“What are you guys doing here?” Mammoth asks

“We can’t let you take her on alone. Again, that’s suicide.” Falcon answers.

“I made sure the others got far enough away to avoid danger. We three got this!” Celeste says proudly.

As the three turn, their eyes fall upon Phoenix staring them down. Whipping her blade behind their back, Phoenix rushes the trio.

“Ice Blossom!” Another crystal flower shield appears before them. “Here they come. Be ready to move!”

Swinging their blade, it crashes into the shield, shattering it instantly. Mammoth jumps back with Falcon as Starling takes flight.

“Shrieks of a Dying Star.” Starling cups her mouth with one hand, letting out a howling shriek that produces enough sonic energy that disarms Phoenix of their blade. Using their wings to try and deflect some of the energy, their eyes begin to turn red.

“Magma Monolith.” Their deep, velvety voice calls. After a moment, large towers of magma sprout out of the ground, in a spray of hot sparks. Starling does her best to avoid the sparks, but some land on her wings, causing her to lose altitude.

“Hunter’s Dance.” As Falcon’s gems start to emit a soft glow, she starts to move with grace and alarming speed, avoiding the falling sparks but landing successful hits on Phoenix. Wrapping themselves with their wings, Phoenix found a way to protect herself from Falcons onslaught.

Seizing the moment, Celeste & Tae dash in and get close to Phoenix, giving Falcon a chance to back off and recharge. In this split moment, Phoenix opens her wings ready to attack, unaware.

“Shrieks of a Dying Star!”

“Falling Snow Light!”

Both attacks strike Phoenix, pushing them backwards. Digging their feet into the group, Phoenix flaps their wings aggressively. “ENOUGH!” Their velvety voice rang deep. “Volcanic Fissure.” Their turquoise eyes begin to glow a fiery red & the ground under the girls starts to crack open, as lava starts to seep out. The trio jump back, but are met by Phoenix who managed to get behind them. “Burning Tail Whip.” Their tails ignite into flames and start crashing into the girls, sending them flying forward through a wall of an abandoned building close by.

Pushing herself free from rubble, Mammoth began to dig out the others. As the trio get to their feet, they see the fiery Senshi approaching.

“You are strong as three indeed, but your resistance is for not. You have no chance in beating me. Surrender & let your deaths come swiftly.”

“We need to get away. We can’t win, nor do I think we’ll survive long enough for help to arrive.” Falcon suggests

“Agreed. She’s WAY too strong for us to overcome.” Starling adds.

“Then we need an exit plan.” Mammoth mentions. “Starling, if you could hit her once more with your shriek, but know you can really make it strong. That should definitely work.”

“You got it.” Starling agrees.

Taking a deep breath, the trio emerge from the rubble, letting Starling take the center forward spot. Taking a deep breath, she exhales. Placing both hands to her mouth, she smirks. “Shriek of a Dying Star!” With a larger output of sonic energy, it disarms Phoenix once again, causing them to retreat within their wings for protection.

As their wings start to open, their turquoise eyes dart around & can’t locate the girls. “Tactful I see. I shall end them one day & take revenge for my fallen sisters.”

—-

Meanwhile, the girls make it back to the caverns, exhausted. Meeting up with Brisa, Railee & Althea, they share their experience fighting Phoenix. The group goes on the hunt for one of the Mythics before a visit to the infirmary for treatment.

FEATURING My Senshi

Taaffeite Starling: toyhou.se/2311925.taaffeite-st…

FEATURING OTHER SENSHI

Zircon Mammoth by AlexLyre 

Prehnite Falcom by @MadRiku 

Mythic Phoenix by @SailorAlcyone

-------------------------------------

PREVIOUS STORY QUEST