Sunflower had gone off to meet with all the other sunflowers to prepare for the battle. As combat medics, they were essential to the Plant militia, and they knew that they could not afford to die. As a countermeasure, Mystic Flower, the prophetess sunflower, developed a form of medical treatment known as Solar Therapy. Solar Therapy worked by having each sunflower meditate and enter a temporary state of Zen, after which they achieved incredible abilities such as rapid regeneration, enhanced healing via Heal Beams, and even self-resurrection.

Sunflower met up with the other sunflowers at operating station, a small area with an operating table, an IV, a counter with various surgical instruments, first aid kits, heart rate monitors, and many other devices for emergencies where a Plant required minor or intensive surgery.

The sunflowers were all huddled around Mystic Flower, awaiting her further instruction. Mystic Flower was in deep meditation, channeling mystical energy from the heavens to her body. She intended to share this energy among the other sunflowers so that they could possess the powers of Solar Therapy. Sun Pharaoh, an Ancient Egyptian sunflower that had been sleeping in a sarcophagus for over 4000 years before being discovered by expeditioners, was sitting in a chair with her head hung, as if bored or half-asleep. Alien Flower, an extraterrestrial flower that visited Earth as a tourist until deciding to assist in the war, appeared just as bored, as she was doing nothing except blowing Xenospore mist in her leaves and collecting it. Metal Petal, a sunflower that decided to replace its petals with metal pieces like Tin Man, was brushing her petals with her leaf, causing light to reflect off of them and create a glimmer.

The only sunflowers that were not present were Shadow Flower, Fire Flower, and Power Flower. Shadow Flower, a stealthy sunflower with unknown origins, was currently on an espionage mission to retrieve some intelligence from the Zombies. Fire Flower, the daughter of Fire Pea and Solara, was relaxing in her "room", a cubicle with photos and other personal belongings strewn about. Power Flower, a sunflower that gained electric powers as a result of tanning for too long, was tragically MIA, and it was unknown if she was still alive or had died in the field.

Sunflower approached the circle and greeted everyone:

"Hello everyone!" Sunflower chirped.

"Hello Sunflower." Metal Petal replied.

Alien Flower responded by signing a reply with her leaves, one that the others understood perfectly, despite never having seen a language like hers. It was as if she were communicating both verbally and telepathically.

"Greetings and salutations." Alien Flower signed.

Sun Pharaoh heard what was happening and quickly perked up, having awoken from a catnap.

"Oh, uh…hello Sunflower. I…I wasn't asleep at all!" Sun Pharaoh stammered.

Sunflower giggled, her fellow medics were as lively as they always were, even in the midst of war.

"Where's Fire Flower? She needs to be here for the Solar Therapy session." Sunflower asked.

"She's in her room, I think…she's probably busy with…whatever." Sun Pharaoh responded, still drowsy from her nap.

"Thanks Sun Pharaoh!" Sunflower said.

Sunflower left the group to see Fire Flower, leaving Sun Pharaoh, Alien Flower, Metal Petal and Mystic Flower to themselves.

"I am not surprised to see such behavior from a queen who slept for 4000 years!" Alien Flower signed to Sun Pharaoh.

"I would like to see you do better…" Sun Pharaoh said with a smirk.


Sunflower went to Fire Flower's cubicle to find her reclined in a swivel chair, shuffling through family photos. Fire Flower had a somber look on her face, for she was reflecting on the memories of her parents and her current situation. Sunflower spoke up to get Fire Flower's attention.

"Hey there Fire!" Sunflower said.

Fire Flower turned in her chair to face Sunflower and instantly smiled upon seeing her.

"Hey Sunflower!" Fire Flower beamed.

"I just came over to check on you. We should go see Mystic Flower so she can teach us all Solar Therapy." Sunflower told Fire Flower.

"Yeah, I know. I was just looking at some old pics of me and my parents." Fire Flower responded.

The photos showed many stages in her parents' lives along with her growing up under their care. There were moments of her birth, taking her first baby steps, discovering her ability to spit fire like her father, and many other milestones.

"Sunflower…I miss them so much…" Fire Flower said with teary eyes.

Sunflower felt a sudden wave of sadness wash over her as she saw Fire Flower tear up. She could still recall, as if it were only yesterday, the day when Fire Pea and Solara both lost their lives. They were captured and imprisoned by the Zombies, and later interrogated for intelligence. When they could not give the Zombies the information they wanted, they were executed. Shadow Flower was the first to discover their bodies, and reported it to the others. She described their condition in gruesome detail, Fire Pea and Solara had been beaten, cut, burned, and electrocuted before being shot in the head by a Super Commando soldier. When Sunflower told Fire Flower of her parents' death, she could practically hear Fire Flower's heart shatter. Fire Flower's response to the tragedy was nailed into Sunflower's memory:

"My…my parents are dead?!"

It had been 4 years since the event, and since Fire Flower was all grown up, she decided to train to fight in the war. She hoped to perhaps someday find the Zombie that executed her parents and kill him, avenging their cruel death. Fire Flower took one final glance at the photo she hung on the wall of her cubicle, a mugshot of a Super Commando soldier, and glared at it with teary eyes.

"I promise mom and dad…I'll make sure this Zombie bastard gets what he deserves." Fire Flower spat angrily.

Sunflower wrapped her leaves around Fire Flower, attempting to comfort the distressed girl.

"Please don't swear Fire. Your parents would've wanted you to be safe. Don't try and take revenge." Sunflower pleaded.

"That Zombie's only going to kill more Plants. If no one's going to stop him, then I will." Fire Flower sternly responded.

Sunflower sighed, knowing that Fire Flower was extremely hurt by her parents' murder. There was simply nothing she could do to fix such emotional scars.

"If you really want to help us fight, then come and learn Solar Therapy from Mystic Flower. It'll improve your chances greatly." Sunflower told Fire Flower.

"*sigh* Ok then. I'm coming." Fire Flower replied.

Fire Flower stood up from her chair and began to follow Sunflower to where Mystic Flower and the others were gathered until suddenly, her smartphone made a notification sound.

"Oh, hang on a minute. Let me check that." Fire Flower said.

"Is it really that important?" Sunflower asked.

"Of course it is. It's my friend on Grapevine." Fire Flower responded.

Fire Flower opened the Grapevine app to see a message from her friend, who went by the username Stuffleupagus.

Stuffleupagus: Hey girl, what's shakin ;)

Fire Flower instantly smiled upon seeing the text and replied immediately.

Blazechick: I'm chill, just gettin ready to ride inta battle!

Stuffleupagus: OMG, really? Be careful out there! O_O

Blazechick: Relax! I got dis! ;)

Stuffleupagus: KK, good luck. Text me back as soon as you can. :-*

Fire Flower's face lit up like the sun, her mood having been rejuvenated by her online friend.

"Man, she's such a cool girl!" Fire Flower jubilantly cheered.

"Yes, it sounds like you're great friends." Sunflower concurred.

"Ok, let's get going." Fire Flower said.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: As of writing this chapter, this story has accumulated over 2000 views. That's roughly 2000 more views than I ever expected the story to get. To those that read my story and enjoy it, thank you so much. Your support means more to me than I can put in words.