The Flux's Flower

Power

As Shadow went to retrieve the apple, a cold wind blew through, carrying a voice.

Thank you for defeating the guardian. You've made my task that much easier.

"No!" Nano cried out, creating a magic barrier to keep Mother out. However, Mother simply chuckled as the barrier shattered. "Foolish child. I taught you everything you know. However, that doesn't mean you know everything I know."

Nano was blasted back by a wave of force as Mother stepped onto the clearing in Nano's body. "I had originally intended to abandon this body to rot. But as I found that you were going to find the Garden of Eden, I needed it."

"Get out of my body!" Nano cried, blasting Mother "Its not yours!"

Mother smirked, dissipating the blast with a flick of her hand. "I gave you a chance dear. You would have had infinite power."

"Nice offer, but I'd rather have my friends over infinite power, if you don't mind." Nano created a barrier. "Lalna's company is more appealing than ruling the world."

"Then perhaps I should remove him from the equation." Mother outstretched her hand, made a fist, and Lalna collapsed, struggling to breathe.

"Stop!" Nano blasted Mother again with no avail "Please!"

"Oh, its please now, is it?" Mother chuckled and closed her other fist, and Nano felt her throat constrict. "I have no need for either of you now that I have the apple's magic within reach"

"Do you really now?" Shadow's voice called out. Mother looked up to see he had the apple in one hand, and had prepared a massive barrage with the other. "Because that's not what it looks like" Shadow unleashed the barrage on Mother, who's barrier crumbled under its power. Nano felt the grip on her throat loosen as her physical body was tossed away by the force of the barrage. She looked over at Lalna, who'd lost consciousness from the lack of oxygen. She tried to stand, but spots danced in her eyes and she collapsed, her breathing ragged.

Shadow knelt over her and Lalna, a golden light shining on his hands. He placed them on both of their chests, and Nano felt her astral bones beginning to mend. "I've got the apple. Mother's not dead, but hopefully stunned long enough for us to escape. As he mentioned Mother, Nano saw Daedalus beginning to stand, his eyes purple. She tried to issue a warning, but only managed a weak wheeze.

"Don't exert yourself. You may not have an entirely physical form, but you're still susceptible to injury."

Nano shook her head and wheezed "Mother...Daedalus...Alive..."

Shadow put the pieces together too late. He whirled around just as Daedalus slammed into him. Shadow flew back as Daedalus picked up the apple "Finally."

"No!" Shadow flew at Mother, but it was too late. "Grisiaia, hear my wish! Give me back my physical form that was taken from me so many centuries ago!"

A column of rainbow light blasted out from where Daedalus stood. His body dissolved and a new one began to take shape. The beam turned purple and black, and a wave knocked everyone further back. Nano gasped as she flew back into her body, the pain overwhelming. She looked up at the monstrous form Mother had attained, but only saw purple eyes glimmering within a shadowed form. "It's too bad. You could have stood beside me and helped me rule. Unfortunately for you, I don't need your help anymore." Nano's vision was dimming despite her best efforts to fight the impulse to pass out, but Mother passed a clawed over Nano's chest, and she succumbed to the clutches of sleep.