Dave didn't know what he could do that would harm Morgana. She wasn't even all in one place, just flickering everywhere like an image on a bad television. He had to start somewhere though, so he sent a plasma bolt at her, followed by another. To his disgust Morgana split, letting both of them pass through her.
"I'd have expected better from Merlin's heir," laughed Morgana, "Is that all you have?"
"Sure hope not," Dave replied.
Rocking on the balls of his feet he racked his brain for ideas. His mind immediately went to the Tesla coil attached to the car. He hadn't defeated Horvath through magic; he'd done it through science. His whole life had been spent studying both science and magic. Why shouldn't they help him now?
Glancing around the park he saw the lights and the matinence booth. Dave took this in within seconds and concentrated, thinking about how all the cables could be attached. Unluckily Morgana hadn't been as idle as he had during that time. He opened his eyes just in time to see a barrage of plasma bolts headed his way.
He threw up a shield to protect himself, still guiding the cables in his mind. They snaked over the grass, into the booth. The images of switches pounded in his head even as he saw his shield break under Morgana's attack. It was disheartening to see how quickly it disintegrated into nothing.
"You have all of Merlin's power," she sneered, "but none of his strength."
"Maybe," said Dave, straightening and grinning, "But I brought a little science with me."
Dave commanded the switch to be flipped. It did, and the park lit up with light. Plasma streamed from the lights and struck Morgana. She screamed as they pinned her down, held her viscous form in place. She was almost drowned out by the music the plasma made, a sound that was as encouraging to Dave as it was comforting.
Summoning up the last of his strength he sent out a barrage of plasma bolts at the suddenly solid Morgana.
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.
Stars start up as nothing special; just clouds of gas and dust. These nebulas will later turn into protostars, the first stage of a stars life. From there several things can happen; since stellar evolution is a tricky process. At the height of a star's brilliance though, it will do one of two things; turn into a black hole or go supernova.
Really, it just depends on the star. Yet, it is scientific fact that if a star does go supernova it is a sight to behold. The phenomenon can be seen galaxies away as the star lights up the night. Some can even be seen without the aid of a telescope. No matter what it is said to be a an amazing sight to behold.
Another scientific fact is that most of the objects near a star are caught up in the blast. The only option for any object that stands in the path of a supernova is to be utterly destroyed.
.
.
.
With a final plasma bolt the last of Morgana was whipped away to the winds. Dave coughed and stumbled. He rested his hands on his knees, panting.
"Dave, that was something else."
He chuckled and looked up. Balthazar stood there, his hand on Dave's shoulder. He hesitated with his next words.
"I'm proud of you," said Balthazar, "It doesn't say it all, but it's the closest I can come."
Emotions stuck in Dave's throat. He laughed them off, but they remained.
"Hey I learned from the best," said Dave.
Balthazar grinned and proffered a hand. Dave took it and got to his feet. They surveyed the park. For all that had gone on that night it looked surprisingly normal.
"Go figure," Dave said.
"What?" asked Balthazar.
"Just how normal everything looks," said Dave, "Like nothing at all happened."
"That's magic for you," Balthazar said, "It happens in the shadows of history."
"To me this place doesn't look normal at all," Veronica said, stepping beside Balthazar, "And now that this is over you have no excuse for not telling me about this world."
"Looks like I'm going to be busy in the upcoming weeks Dave," sighed Balthazar, "Look's like she's going to be a bit of a handful."
She smiled as he let go of Dave and wrapped his arms around her.
"I don't mind as long as it's me doing the handling though," said Balthazar.
Recognizing that they were having a moment Dave nodded and moved away. He didn't want to interrupt anything. Still feeling exhausted he started jogging towards the car. On his way there he saw Becky come running through the gate. He smiled, only to have the expression fall off when Drake came running behind her.
He started to summon a plasma bolt with his hand. Becky stopped and started to wave her hands wildly.
"No, it's okay!" she protested, "He did the parasite spell! The thing that separated Veronica and Morgana. It did separate them right?"
"Well, seein' how Balthazar's kissin' her I'd say it did," Drake said dryly, "Otherwise tha's just gross."
The plasma bolt died in his hand. Drake winked at him.
"I'd say we're even now, you an' I," he said, "Which means I can get back to me day job. And your girlfriend has a bloody good kick. That satellite nearly fell to pieces."
Drake hesitated.
"We are even, right?"
Dave sighed but smiled.
"Even," he said.
Drake sighed in relief.
"Good, 'cause I have to get back. My manager's probably havin' a fit wonderin' where I disappeared off to," he said.
With a slight bow he shoved his hands in his pockets and ran out of the park. As he went out he nearly stepped on a bowler hat that was lying in the street, not really taking much notice of it. Dave shook his head as Becky came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He returned the embrace and sighed.
"That guy was always kind of weird," he said, "He couldn't aim with his plasma bolts either. When we were both training-"
Becky put a finger to his lips.
"Dave," she said, "you've just saved the world and your family. You've got your girlfriend in your arms. Are you really going to talk about someone you were an apprentice with?"
He considered for a minute.
"Nope," said Dave, "I don't think I'm going to talk at all."
"Good choice," she said, leaning in.
In one swift movement he captured her lips with his. They still tasted like cherries.
A/N: And that's the end of the Stellar Evolution series! 153 pages on Microsoft word. A special thanks to everyone who reviewed, especially kenobigirlliz, Jem Yorke, and noamg!