Chapter 3: A New Power is Born

"So tell me young traveler," the Elder said as she walked beside the Phoenix, "who you are, where you come from, and what brings you here. It's not often we get visitors."

"I am the Phoenix, guardian of hope and life. I was born in the Cygnus Loop and became its protector after my mother died. For many years I protected my home and lived in peace until he showed up...Trimascus. He came from out of nowhere and attacked me..." here she paused as she swallowed hard and looked away as she continued, "I was badly wounded and forced to flee from my home...that's when Adrianna came and saved me."

"And you are welcome to stay with us for as long as you want." The Elder said warmly as she put her hand on the Phoenix's shoulder. "Come with me and my sisters will take care of your wounds." So she followed the Elder into the palace and allowed the attendants to clean and dress her wounds.

"I couldn't help but notice that your sisters are all about the same age and there are no men or children here, with the exception of Adrianna. Why is that?" the Phoenix asked as she gazed across the room.

The Elder was silent as she looked away and began to tell their story, "My people, the Sacred Guardians, came into existence when the universe was brand new. We were commanded to protect the cosmos from evil outside forces and for many years we lived in peace. Then one day, the male guardians became very sick and nothing we did could help them. About a year went by with no change or improvement in their conditions and one by one they all died. Thousands of years passed before our bodies evolved so that we could bear a daughter once every 500 years. But, many of our daughters are stillborn and those that survive must now fight the curse that killed the male guardians."

"I'm sorry..." the Phoenix said softly, "I didn't know."

"It's not your fault." The Elder said gently as she slowly walked over to a dimly pulsing sky blue orb. "My only regret is that my people will fade away unless the new generation finds a way to defeat the curse. But it can't be done...nothing can be done."

"Wait...there just might be a way to save your daughter and her sisters." The Phoenix said after a moment of silent thought. "But I must warn you, it is extremely dangerous."

"What is it?" the Elder asked hopefully.

"In order to drive the curse from them, I must join with one of them and drive the curse away from within." The Phoenix said solemnly as she gazed deeply into the Elder's eyes.

"You may join with my daughter on one condition." The Elder said seriously as she looked at the Phoenix. "Once you drive the curse away you must leave and find a new world to live on."

"Yes of course." The Phoenix said as she bowed deeply before the Elder and disappeared. Then suddenly the sky blue orb lit up with a brilliant light and several orbs lit up across the city as she drove the curse away. But then light faded away until the glow could barely be seen. "I'm losing strength...I must find a way to conserve my energy..."

I need a sign to let me know you're here
All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere
I need to know that things are gonna look up
'Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup
When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head
When you can feel the world shake from the words that are said

As her daughter hovered next to her mother shivering for warmth and comfort and still just a star, her mother called for help, "Please male guardians hear me wherever you are. If any are still alive, send me your youngest and bravest warriors so that they may guard our daughter."

And I'm calling all angels
I'm calling all you angels

And she waited...and waited...and waited...but none came. As if aware of the grave situation at hand, the young star trembled and began to cry softly when suddenly a voice was heard "Please don't cry little one. I'm the 'Guardian of Wildfire' sent here to protect you. I will always be at your side."

I won't give up, if you don't give up

I won't give up, if you don't give up

I won't give up, if you don't give up

The Elder smiled in relief, one guardian was better than none. But what was this? Another star was slowly approaching them; this one was a bright green and pulsed with a gentle rhythm that calmed the crying young star. "I am the 'Guardian of Halo sent from the nearest sun to protect you. I'll always be at your side young one."

I need a sign to let me know you're here
'Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear
I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me

Would any more come? Only time would tell, so they waited and waited and waited some more. Then suddenly not one but two stars, one a brilliant sea blue and one a deep orange, suddenly darted through the heavens toward them, playfully chasing each other and both were unaware of the others until the dark orange star bumped into the new young star who'd just settled down to sleep. "Look at what you just did! You just woke her up!! You should be ashamed of yourself!" the ocean blue star scolded the orange star, which hung just behind it, sulking. "I'm so sorry about that, please forgive my friend Hardrock. He's always been this way. I am the 'Guardian of Torrent' and my friend here is the 'Guardian of Hardrock'." "Uh, sorry about bumping into you. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." The young star said nothing in return, but blushed and smiled shyly as they waited for the next guardian to arrive.

And I'm calling all angels
I'm calling all you angels

So they waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...but none came. The eldest guardian was preparing to send them off when suddenly a dark blue orb darted towards them and bowed before the queen, "I'm sorry I'm late. I just got here and I'm the last one to come. Because I hail from the farthest edge of our galaxy they call me the 'Guardian of Strata'. I'm here for you starlet."

When children have to play inside so they don't disappear
And private eyes solve marriage lies cause we don't talk for years
And football teams are kissing Queens
and losing sight of having dreams
In a world where what we want is only what we want until it's ours

Then for the first time, the young princess of the guardians spoke softly and pulsed with a silver light, "Thank you for coming to protect me Wildfire, Halo, Torrent, Hardrock, and Strata."

I'm calling all angels
I'm calling all you angels

Then the queen looked at the six nestled together and smiled warmly, "Now my children the time has come for you to be sent to Earth, our most precious planet to guard the last princess of the guardians. You will find that the people on earth fight with and hurt each other without reason. It is your duty as princess to deliver the message of peace, hope, and love to them and help heal the wounds in their land. I love you all, farewell."