Sunflower and Fire Flower met with the other sunflowers once again to find them standing around Mystic Flower, who had just finished her meditation and had her eyes wide open. Mystic Flower turned to look at Sunflower and Fire Flower and grinned. She spoke to them in a voice that had a peculiar echo and seemed to come from many directions in the bunker, as if her voice were detached from her body and resonated throughout.
"Come into the circle my fellow Sunflowers! I have acquired the energy we need to initiate the Solar Therapy stratagem!" Mystic Flower called.
Sunflower and Fire Flower abided Mystic Flower's instruction, and stepped into the circle alongside Metal Petal, Sun Pharaoh and Alien Flower.
"Perfect. Everyone join leaves now, clear your mind of all concerns, and let the mystic energy flow through each other and fill your chakras." Mystic Flower instructed.
The sunflowers obeyed Mystic Flower and held leaves, sealing their eyes as Mystic Flower began chanting in a strange tongue. Each sentence of the chant sent a surge of energy from Mystic Flower to the sunflowers in the circle, filling everyone with vitality and power. Sunflower felt the effects of the ritual the most, as she sensed a strong heat developing in her core.
"Bathe in the aura of the almighty sun!" Mystic Flower chanted.
As she said the last line of the chant, several beams of sunlight cast down on each sunflower, sealing the mystical energy they collected within themselves. The ritual finalized with a blinding flash of light from Mystic Flower. The sunflowers opened their eyes and looked around, satisfied with the results of the session. Mystic Flower addressed the group one last time, in a voice far less echoed than when she was collecting mystical energy.
"The process is complete. You all now possess the powers of Solar Therapy. Utilize them without abandon, and bring a definite end to this war." Mystic Flower stated.
The sunflowers cheered in unison and began leaving the circle to meet with the other Plants waiting for them outside the bunker. Mystic Flower stopped Sunflower and Fire Flower to tell them one last thing.
"Sunflower, since you have already undergone one of my Solar Therapy sessions in the past, you have experienced more profound effects of the ritual. You have collected more mystical energy than the others, and as a result have acquired even greater powers." Mystic Flower informed Sunflower.
"What does that mean for me?" Sunflower asked.
"Well, your Heal Beam revitalizes far faster than what is normal, and your overall resilience is strengthened as well. Beyond that, I am not certain of your capabilities. You will have to discover the extent of your power on your own. I have faith that you will carry us to salvation." Mystic Flower told Sunflower.
"Thank you Mystic! I will do my best!" Sunflower replied.
"Fire Flower…" Mystic Flower addressed Fire Flower.
"Yeah?" Fire Flower said.
"You are a youthful being. Undergoing the Solar Therapy session has brought great power for your disposal. You too have collected a large amount of mystical energy, and it shall serve you well in the battlefield. I foresee great fortune awaiting you." Mystic Flower told Fire Flower.
"Cool! Thanks Mystic!" Fire Flower replied.
Sunflower bowed to Mystic Flower before speaking with Fire Flower.
"Fire, you go meet with everyone outside. I have to go say goodbye to someone." Sunflower said to Fire Flower.
Fire Flower nodded and left the bunker, leaving Sunflower to make one last visit to an old friend.
"Hi again Mary. Do you want some stomach medicine before I go?" Sunflower asked Marigold.
Marigold nodded weakly, prompting Sunflower to prepare a dosage of medicine to be tube-fed.
"I hope the medicine stays down this time…" Sunflower muttered.
Sunflower carefully threaded the tube through Marigold's throat and began delivering the medicine. After Marigold took her medicine, she lay on her back and slowly exhaled.
"I promise I'll be back very soon. Then we can all go home together. We'll have better access to medical supplies so we can cure your stomach flu. Sound good?" Sunflower assured Marigold.
Marigold nodded once more, and Sunflower left with a smile.
Every Plant in the bunker had gathered outside, prepared for a grueling battle and determined to make the most of it. The Peashooters had their ammunition ready, and all 4 of them silently prayed for each other's survival. The Sunflowers, charged with mystical energy, readied their Heal Beams and Heal Flower seed packets. They planned to split up and support one teammate each, increasing their effectivity. Cactus, along with the other cacti (Future Cactus, Camo Cactus, Bandit Cactus, Fire Cactus, Ice Cactus and Jade Cactus), sharpened her spikes. The cacti planned to camp in different locations to spread out sniper and drone support. Chomper stuck close to Sunflower, having been instructed to never leave her side unless told otherwise. To solidify preparation, each Plant was equipped with a communication device, a small headset that connected to the side of their head that allowed them to speak to each other at any point. Advanced signaling technology prevented overlapping of voices from multiple Plants.
"Testing. This is Sunflower. Can you all hear me?" Sunflower asked via her headset.
"Loud and clear Sunflower." Peashooter responded from his headset.
"We will target point A." Agent Pea said.
"I'll go for point B" Law Pea continued.
"Point C is mine!" Commando Pea yelled through his headset.
"Ow! Whoever's yelling into their mic, stop it!" Cactus responded to Commando Pea.
"Sorry…" Commando Pea profusely apologized.
"Cactus, keep a distance madam. Only move up when we have cleared the way. Same goes for the other cacti." Agent Pea instructed Cactus.
"Roger." Cactus replied.
"Ready everyone?" Sunflower asked the team.
"On Crazy Dave's signal…" Agent Pea responded.
"Let's rock! YAHOO!" Crazy Dave shouted through his headset.
At that moment, the Plants advanced toward Zomburbia in the formation they planned. They were not without fear, but they would not surrender now.
Crazy Dave sat in front of his computer, which displayed the positions of every Plant on the battlefield, confident in his leadership. Under normal circumstances, he would fly above the field in his RV, assisting the Plants more directly with Heal Flower drops and Cherry Bomb airstrikes. However, Zomburbia was heavily fortified, and had large robotic sentries guarding every section of the city, making aerial support too risky. Instead, Crazy Dave had to resort to simply monitoring the battle and warning the Plants of incoming danger.
"Hey Penny, you got any more tacos from the past?" Crazy Dave asked.
Penny was an old RV remodeled and installed with AI to be a time travelling device for Crazy Dave and the Plants. Besides being able to traverse the fabric of time, she was also quite knowledgeable with an extensive database of history and time concepts. She often felt annoyed when trying to explain something to Crazy Dave when he clearly did not feel like being logical, but remained patient due to her being programmed to act in the best interests of the Plants and Crazy Dave.
"User Dave, I would recommend abstaining from tacos until the battle is over. You require focus when you are leading the Plants." Penny responded to Crazy Dave's request.
"But Penny…my taco!" Crazy Dave pleaded.
"*electronic sigh* Very well User Dave. One taco from circa 2014 coming through." Penny said.
Penny produced a bright blue flash of light as she transported herself through time and space to retrieve a taco for Crazy Dave. Since 2014 was very recent, she returned in only a matter of seconds with the taco.
"Here it is, a taco from the past. With the hot sauce still on it." Penny said, sounding bored.
"Thanks a plenty, Penny." Crazy Dave thanked Penny as he ate his taco in one bite.
"Whoa! That was amazing! I want to eat that taco again! I need my time machine!" Crazy Dave cheered.
"User Dave, please. The Plants need you. The world needs you. I feel sick to say this, but you are their only guidance. You must focus on the crisis at hand." Penny pleaded.
"You're right, Penny. I helped save the world once, and with you and the Plants by my side, we can do it again." Crazy Dave replied.
"In the meantime, User Dave…" Penny started to say.
"These Plants were made for planting…or uh, leading." Crazy Dave said, finishing Penny's sentence.
"Indeed." Penny concurred, beeping somewhat cheerfully.
