The screen on the phone showed the ASG doing more destruction around the city as well as fighting the Dark Star minions and absorbing their powers. People already feared those monsters but now with the `Star Guardians´ becoming a threat to normal people it was time to put a halt to the activities of those girls.
The actual guardians were beyond pissed; they weren't there when the monsters appeared and whenever they tried to help the bystanders did nothing but to try to attack the girls or even run away in fear. This generated a debate within the group and it led to trying to change a lot of things, with a stricter training schedules and faster response to attacks from the evil creatures. This all led to the guardians becoming more tired than usual, having to sneak in the middle of the night to defeat the Dark Star or even during classes, this of course affected their performance both during trainings, combats and even in the academy; their grades were slowly going down but unfortunately none of them felt as if there was any progress to what they were doing, the public opinion still considered the magical girls a threat.
¨I hate HER!¨ Sophie yelled, giving the phone back to Taliyah before she threw it away in this tantrum ¨She doesn't care what happens after this war, as long as we are out of the equation Katarina won't stop¨
¨I know… you tried everything but what can you do now? Returning the fire will only make you as bad as them, even I could fear there would be a backlash where you could hurt an innocent person¨
¨We won't, I know that, not even Jinx would do it¨ Sophie looked at the main courtyard, her back facing the other student.
The two girls were on the rooftop of the academy where the `bird club´ would often meet, Taliyah asked Quinn if they could be there and the latter gave them the green light. Club hours were done but they wanted to stay there before going back home and returning after the weekend.
¨Jinx and I are getting better with the others' powers… but this is not my style, I don't look like someone who would destroy everything¨
Both Shiro and Kuro came out of Soph's bag and looked at her ¨But you are doing so well!¨ The white fur creature spoke first.
¨Clearly Jinx is more experienced but you are still rocking us!¨
¨Thanks but I just want my powers back….¨
¨Soph…¨ The three of them looked back at Taliyah who was mostly focused on the two flying creatures ¨What happened to your powers?¨
¨Oh… yeah, I never mentioned it¨ The guardian turned ¨Remember when I told you we found this artifact on Katarina's home?¨ Taliyah nodded ¨Well it switched the powers Jinx and I had and now not only I have two familiars instead of one¨ She pointed at both Shiro and Kuro ¨But also the weapons I use, my outfit, literally everything changed¨
¨Oh… so I guess it's a bad time to give you something¨ This was confusing at first but then the tan-skinned girl opened her bag and pulled something out of it; once out raven haired girl did nothing but to be extremely surprised. It was a crochet doll of the original version of Sophie's transformation, it had a staff sewn with the hand, a small pair of white wings and turquoise pins for eyes ¨I knew how things are going right now and how you might need people supporting you… sure I can't fight but I still believe you are good people, that you are doing the best for the city… for all of us¨ She gave the doll to the other student who held it as if it was a baby ¨Though I guess that if you changed that thing is no longer `exact´… which makes me wonder, how do you look now?¨
¨Do I have to?¨ But Taliyah shrugged ¨Guess there's no point in telling and not showing¨ Sophie sighed and stepped back.
The usual procedure for her, the clothes changed, the hairstyle went from her regular one to the long two ponytails to each side and both familiars turned into the two weapons.
Taliyah did nothing but to stay amazed at the transformation, especially that this time her friend looked different, even if the original outfit belonged to a student that was insane ¨That is awesome… not just the transformation but the fact that you look better in that than Jinx¨
¨Thanks…¨ The weapons returned to their original form of the fuzzy flying creatures who flew to the outsider ¨If you think this is amazing you should see Jinx, she had a hard time getting used to how I was¨ But her friend was not listening ¨Tali?¨ The girl was completely dazzled by the two familiars up to the point that she was snuggling with them as if they were some pets.
¨I don't understand what they are saying but they are so CUTE!¨
¨She seems nice… just as likeable as Jinx¨ Shiro had its neutral look as Taliyah was rubbing her cheek against the soft white fur.
¨Too bad we'll have to destroy her for knowing the secret¨ Kuro was trying to fly away but the student had a tight grip around the creature.
¨No! We won't do that. Besides Taliyah is a person I trust, she knew my secret for months and no one in the academy knows my true identity, even the rest of the team doesn't know¨ Sophie crossed her arms and frowned, it was still uncertain if the two flying creatures had that attitude because of Jinx or it was the other way around.
¨Your friend is kind of special¨ The comment from the white familiar certainly attracted Soph's attention.
¨What do you mean?¨
¨She feels… warm, similar to when I'm close to you or Jinx¨ Kuro answered, still attempting to escape.
¨Well yeah, human bodies are warm, especially if we can dress like this in a very cold winter¨ Soph sighed and the two creatures returned to her after Taliyah released them ¨Anyway… you told me your club got some advancements, right?¨ The guardian initiated the transformation process to return back to normal; after a few seconds the academy uniform reappeared once again.
¨Oh, yeah. Ez told us he found a book in Lux' home and it had symbols from both the Star Guardians and the ASG, no doubt he means the one you found¨
¨This could be troublesome… anything else?¨
¨Nothing that you already don't know¨
¨Then it's time we part ways¨ Soph fully opened her bag and let both familiars ¨Maybe we shouldn't meet in these places, I don't want you to get injured because of this battle¨
¨You do know I'm not going to let you do all the work, right? There are some people out there who still support the Star Guardians. Even if the majority of the people seem to bring hate, don't listen to them, the investigation club still supports you, Ahri probably supports you, and I wouldn't doubt that a lot of the students still cheer for the Star Guardians¨
¨Best we can do now is hope for the best and prepare for the worst…¨ The guardian opened the door to the staircase but before leaving she smiled at her friend ¨… but thanks anyway, things are not going too well lately¨ With those words Sophie left, on her way to another training session.
Small chapter and also filler (Come on, what kind of stories don't have filler, eh?) From this point I'll start making some fast forward to spring that will later go to summer. The whole arc will end up in summer and build everything up for the next one which will feature some new and old characters, I mean, everyone can figure out what this third `season´ might be about, more on that as the arc finishes.
Shredder8: YEAH! And your story is really good by the way meant to mention it in last post.
Thanks for the review, I'll keep working to improve it!
Chapter late in the week, I'll go to bed now and keep grinding in WoW; are all of you ready for this week's announcement in the PBE? Riot already mentioned two new skins releasing next week as well as the Cosmic, Braum and Aurelion one (Talon and Irelia) but that with tuesday's update they will bring even MORE skins so now comes the waiting game.
What skins do you think they will announce? New skin line, maybe an old one? It might be arcade, Omega Squad introducing new Yordles? Maybe a certain skin line that is very popular in League and that could certainly help a certain story because a certain character would look amazing in that skin.
But enough rambling, I want to go to bed. Don't forget to fav, follow and drop a review, all of them make me happy (Maybe the angry ones don't, but nonetheless I'd like to talk). With that done I'm off, don't forget to complete your Pool Party quests and as always:
See you in the next chapter ;)