Future Mysticons

Showdown

           The new Mysticons crept through the ruins of Queen Necrafa's old lair. Despite the years that had passed, the stones remained undisturbed and lifeless. It almost seemed that not even the plants dared to grow there.

          Kaddy led the way, her phone in her hand, checking it every so often to ensure that they were going the right way. Kyle was close behind her, sword and shield held at the ready. Everyn uncertainly trailed after him, clutching her staff so tightly that her pale knuckles had turned completely white. Mystica brought up the rear, no weapons in sight but ever on the alert.

          "Are you sure we're going the right way?" Everyn worked up the courage to whisper.

          "Positive." Kaddy murmured back as they arrived at an opening in the rubble. A circular portion had been cleared and a dome had been sloppily erected over it. The bodies of all the people who had disappeared lay sleeping on one side of the room. Tazma and Captain Kaos stood bickering on the other side of the room.

          The four new Mysticons quickly ducked behind a conveniently placed low wall of rubble to discuss their next move.

          "So... who's in charge, anyway?" Everyn whispered.

          "Traditionally that's the Dragon Mage's job." Kaddy whispered back.

          "I was afraid you were going to say that." Everyn pouted.

          "Kyle has the most leadership experience." Mystica pointed out.

          "Only if by experience you mean a lifetime of doing what Mom tells me to." Kyle replied.

           "What about you? You're great at fighting, responsible, a princess and the Mysticon Ranger usually seems to be the second-in-command." Kaddy told Mystica.

           "What usually? We're only the third generation of Mysticons." Mystica replied.

           "But Kaddy did make some good points." Everyn acknowledged.

           "You're just worried that you'll be picked." Kyle teased.

           "And you're not?" Everyn retorted. Kyle thought for a moment.

           "Good point; all in favor of Mystica being our leader?" He raised his hand and Everyn and Kaddy quickly followed suit.

           "All those against?" Mystica added, raising her hand. The others all dropped theirs.

           "Sorry Mysti, outvoted." Kaddy told her. "So what's the plan?"

           "You know you guys have input to." Mystica muttered.

           "Then you should call for ideas." Kyle told her. She gave him a look.

           "I thought you didn't have any leadership experience." She mocked.

           "Sorry, I was just giving my input." He returned with an innocent smile. Mystica rolled her eyes.

           "How about we keep it simple. You three go distract Tazma and Captain Kaos. I'll dissolve whatever spell they're using on the others and then... we'll just... play it by ear."

           "Works for me." Was all Kaddy said before vaulting over the wall, running over to the bad guys and flinging her hoops every which way.

           "Well... that's definitely distracting." Kyle mused before following his sister. Everyn just sat there, quivering with fear. Mystica shook her head, grabbed Everyn and yanked her out, literally tossing her towards the battle. Everyn sat up, observed Captain Kaos standing menacingly above her, let out a terrified squeak and put out a shaking hand to ward him off.

           Said hand immediately let out a massive fireball, which hit Captain Kaos square in the middle of the chest and knocked him backwards. Mystica shook her head in disbelief before darting over to the unconscious forms. She frowned, it would take way too long to dissolve the spells individually.

           She sighed; she'd never tried using her magic like this before, but it was worth a shot. She reached out a hand, closing her eyes as she reached out with her magic. It was like she was drifting in a black void, swirls of magic eddying around her. The harder she pushed, the more magic she sensed.

           She kept pushing until she could sense the very magic that held everything and everyone around her together. She opened her eyes, which were white with a glowing blue aura. All she could see everywhere was magic. It fascinated and pulled her. She struggled to stay focused; at this stage, if she let herself go she would never get herself back.

           She found the spell that Captain Kaos and Tazma were using on the others and began to pull it apart. Ripping the very foundation of the spell into little bits of magical energy that she fed to her friends to increase the power of their Mysticon attacks.

           She barely noticed once she'd gotten the last vestige of spell. In fact, the only reason she stopped at all was because Vivyan suddenly appeared, just a blurry silhouette amid the swirling eddies of magic.

           "It's all right sis. You did it. We're all free. You can stop now." Vivyan's voice kept repeating that, over and over again. As she did Mystica started focusing more and more on her and let the magic go. Vivyan just kept getting clearer and clearer until suddenly Mystica was aware of the realm again and no longer trapped in her own mind.

           "Thanks sis." Mystica sighed in relief as she embraced Vivyan.

           "No worries. I'll always be there to pull you back." Vivyan told her. Mystica smiled as she let her sister go, then looked around. The battle seemed to be over. Tazma had disappeared, but Captain Kaos was rather singed and restrained by Striker rings with Kyle keeping a close eye on him, sword and shield both at the ready.

           Arkayna, Zarya and Kitty all seemed to be deep in conversation on what to do about Captain Kaos. Em had pulled her entire family in for a rather tight group hug, which Chrysy didn't look too pleased with. Piper was congratulating Kaddy and Everyn; Shaylia was sitting off to one side, looking rather sulky.

           "I think Shaylia's actually jealous of Everyn." Vivyan remarked.

           "She wanted to be the next Mysticon Dragon Mage." Mystica replied.

           "I can't say as I blame her; I'm a little jealous of you getting to be the next Mysticon Ranger." Vivyan teased. Mystica suddenly felt very weary; using her magic really took a toll on her.

           "Don't be." She replied, suppressing a yawn. "It's a very tiring job." Vivyan laughed, putting an arm around her. Mystica smiled, leaning on and against her sister.

           "Come on hero; let's go home and get you to bed."

           "I guess it doesn't matter what I become; you'll always be my older sister." Mystica murmured, slipping into unconsciousness and falling. Vivyan crouched down and gently caught her before she hit the floor.

           "Always." Vivyan whispered, cradling her younger twin sister in her arms.