Chapter 7: "Mission: Rescue Brandy"
They landed on the hard, cold ground. Jessi got off of Amber, "Thanks for cushioning my fall."
Amber shook herself, "Yeah, too bad you don't weigh less."
Jessi knew she was just joking, but she tackled the white furball anyway.
"Jessi!" Meg commanded, ruining their playfight, "We don't have time for fun. We need to find Brandy."
"What did Rachel mean when she mentioned Brandy's destiny? How come Brandy's become more important in these last few days than she was 6 months ago?"
Meg said silently, "You'll find out soon enough."
They heard a roar from the bushes. Soon a Shadow Kougra leaped into their way.
"I'll take this one. Neopian Crystal Power!"
NeoMoon Crystal quickly went on the offensive, "Burning Novas!"
The Kougra was easily defeated. "The Dark Prairie must be their home and they think we're invading it."
Suddenly, Sapphire barked and ran forward.
"He must have sensed Brandy. No, Sapphire, wait!" Meg yelled at Sapphire to stop but it was too late. When they caught up with Sapphire, they all stopped.
They saw Brandy tied to a tree and Nicholas hitting her saying, "Give me the Jewel Staff now, girl!"
"Never!"
"Ah! Dark Stars!"
"Burning Novas!"
The two attacks collided.
Jessi and Sapphire helped free Brandy. Brandy fell, her face bloodier than her body. She said weakly, "You... came?"
"Of course we did."
Sapphire said, "We couldn't let him take you like that and get away with it."
Brandy stood up, "Jessi, your mom needs your help."
Jessi looked up. NeoMoon Crystal was forced to the ground. Jessi transformed into NeoMoon Star to help her mother.
"Neonova Shine!"
The novas hit Nicholas but didn't even scratch him. "What? It didn't even harm him!"
Brandy struggled closer with the help of her Blue Gelert, "Jessi, he's strong... I probably would've died in a couple of hours if you hadn't come..."
"Shut up, girl! Night Shadows!"
"No! Brandy!" Star shouted. She dived in the way. She had guarded Brandy from the attack, "We can't let you die. After all, you're the NeoMoon Princess."
Star got up and advanced into battle.
"What did she mean by that?" Brandy asked Sapphire. Sapphire didn't answer.
Ruby quickly healed Crystal with Restore. Crystal attacked Nicholas, "Aqua Crystal Throw!" It didn't phase him.
"Needle Leaves!" Star yelled.
"Night Shadow!" The darkness overpowered Star's Earth attack.
Nicholas cackled, "Now it's time to finish you NeoMoon Scouts off. Hope you're not afraid of the dark!"
In an instance, the forest was enveloped in darkness. They could all see, but barely.
"Star? Sapphire? Amber?" Brandy called into the darkness, wondering where they were, "Crystal? Ruby?"
No one answered.
Then, she felt fur. "Amber?"
"No, it's Ruby. I can see everyone else. They're fine, just getting used to the light change."
"How can you see, Ruby?"
Ruby held Brandy steady, "I'm using my Nighttime Vision ability. I'll go make sure everyone else is OK."
"Neonova Shine!"
"Crystal Nova Glow!"
Star and Crystal's combined attacks lit up the darkness.
Nicholas growled, "No! Night Shadow!"
It hit Crystal and Star full force. It was so powerful, they had to transform back to normal. Nicholas laughed, "You're powerless! Now I shall destroy your bodies! Ultimate Darkness!"
Ultimate Darkness was Nicholas' strongest attack.
The dark attack was so powerful, they couldn't dogde it.
"No!" Brandy yelled, running toward the attack. As she was running, her heart was glowing. Or rather...
"The Jewel Staff!" Nicholas gasped.
Brandy stood in front of Jessi as the Jewel Staff magically appeared in her hand.
"Brandy..." Jessi breathed.
It was then that the darkness connected with the Jewel Staff.
Oh, a cliffhanger! Well, a little warning. The next chapter is the last, and you'll also find out what Brandy's destiny is and who "she" is!