So, this is an fic that kind of came into play after "No Thanks for the Memories" premiered, and I'm sure after mutually agreeing Mephisto needs to wear more civilian clothing, we wondered what would happen if the roles were reversed. Thus, this roller coaster. Enjoy!
Crystal flew in clouds about the training room as rosy pinks collided with violet and a glowing orange. After scraping the barrel in their fight with Gramorr, the princesses of Ephedia began to amp up their training sessions and look into more beneficial spells. Talia was being harder than ever, holding a new responsibility over her teammates. While her sister would carry the burden back home of leading the resistance on Ephedia, the younger Xerin royal would train their front-runners. They had definitely carried their weight, but after being encased in dark crystal, the blue haired beauty found it more important than ever to make sure they could work together and persevere when she wasn't there.
"Crystal Colighdom!" Iris shouted, sending a rain of pink crystals at Auriana and Carissa. Smirking and sharing a mutual nod, Carissa joined Auriana behind a newly formed shield.
Carissa quickly leaped over the edge, landing swiftly behind the started pink Ephedian. Carissa charged her with her twin batons, causing Iris to stumble back.
"Crystarmum!" Iris quickly shielded herself, but neglected to keep an eye on Auriana, who quickly called on her ribbon.
"Whoa!" Iris dodged the attack, only to be thrown back as Carissa uses her magic to shatter her shield. She lands with a groan, holding her head from the slight throbbing of the impact.
"Whoa! Iris! Are you okay?" Auriana pauses, her eyebrows furrowing in concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Honest! I just got distracted. I forgot how strong Carissa's attacks can be." Iris smiled as Carissa extended her hand to aid her.
"Well, we Calix are pretty powerful." The violet haired warrior grinned with pride, "You put up a valiant effort, Iris, however, I am mighty."
Iris and Auriana let out amused giggles at Carissa's smug grin.
Talia nodded in approval, "Next time just keep your head in the game. Unlike us, the twins won't quit attacking you because you're down. They're whole goal is to destroy us."
"Head in the game, got it." Iris winked, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs up.
The group quickly left the training room, entering the main library where Lyna was brewing an unusually sparkling concoction.
"What is that vile scent!" Auriana squeaked covering her nose.
"That, my friend, is the smell of victory!" Carissa smirked, relishing in the feeling of the sweat on her brow, "Nothing's better than a good workout."
"How about a bath!" Lyna smirked, waving away the stench.
Carissa rolled her eyes at her teammate and went to retort before Talia interrupted her, "What exactly are you doing, Lyna?"
"Oh! I'm so glad you asked Talia! I figured that there are more ways than one to water a flower! Instead of having to endure an attack from those horrible twins, what if we could stun their magic!" Lyna grinned, clasping her hands together.
"You can do that?" Iris' baby blue orbs grew wide in amazement.
"Mmhm. I was able to have a few things sent from back home that I could work with that might prove helpful. What you were smelling was the smoke that came from these beauties!" Lyna gave a prideful smile as she held up a pot with a large blooming flower. The edges were a deep bloodied shade of purple and the petals a golden honey. The center was a vibrant crimson which held a few ripe sea-foam green bulbs.
"It's so pretty!" Auriana beamed, "What is it?"
"Its called Iridessa Memoralis. It acts as a sedative and can only be found at the highest points of Borealis because it needs the proper balance of moonlight and sunlight to prevent it from being toxic. We usually use it as a sleeping aid."
"What will it do to the twins?" Iris questioned, a look of concern crossing her innocent features. Regardless of what side they were on, Iris found herself not wanting to do anything rash. Mephisto and Praxina may be cool with hurting others, but she certainly didn't want to do so.
"It would cause their magic to go dormant for an amount of time depending on how much we use. That, and they may be a tiny, teensy bit dazed." Lyna gave a nervous smile, causing the three pop stars to share looks of uncertainty.
"I suppose it could be worth a try..." Iris tapped her frosty pink lips in thought, "They won't get hurt too bad, right? It's not gonna kill them, will it?"
"No! No! Of course not...really...no." Lyna frowned, "I don't think so."
Auriana and Talia exchanged unconvinced glances.
Carissa rolled her eyes, "Always trying to avoid getting your hands dirty. Sprinkling them with sparkly dust is great, but it doesn't bring the same satisfaction. Did you see Mephisto's face when I-!"
Lyna rolled her eyes, blowing a small sprinkle of dust in Carissa's face.
"W-wait, what was I talking about? What are we doing?" The her blue eyes widened as she looked around the room in confusion. The princesses giggled in response, causing Carissa to scratch her head, unsure of what was going on.
"I think you were saying something about how great a smoothie would be to celebrate my win against you and Auriana." Iris grinned, tapping at her chin.
"Iris!" Auriana laughed, with Talia shaking her head.
"Ya know, I know you're playing me, but you're right, a smoothy sounds awesome right now." Carissa smirked.
"It was worth a shot." Iris smiled, bubbly laughter escaping her.
"Alright, smoothie break it is. You guys deserve it." Talia grinned. Lyna nodded and poured the powder into a green satchel and following them out.
"Looks like the princesses are getting serious." Mephisto frowned, rubbing at his chin.
"Hmm..." Praxina's eyebrows turned upward in concern. Despite their front, the twins were dependent on their powers. It was all they really had and the only reason Gramorr kept them around.
"What are we gonna do, Prax? I don't know about you, but I like having my magic." Mephisto crossed his arms, a scowl evident on his pale features.
"Hm. It would be a shame to lose our powers. But would it be if the princesses were to lose theirs?" Praxina turned to her brother, a devilish grin on her raspberry lips.
"Um, yes? No, wait, no?"
Praxina rolled her eyes before yanking him closer by his collar, "We have to get that magic powder! If the princesses don't have their magic, and can't defend themselves, we can finally destroy them!"
"Ooh! Hey! You're right!" Mephisto grinned as she crossed her arms, relishing in the praise, "If we get rid of their magic, the Gramorr might-"
"Gramorr might what?"
The twins flinched as the Grand Lord of Chaos glared from the throne, his ominous presence sending a shrill shiver down their spines.
"We finally figured out a plan to stop the princesses, Your Darkly Evilness!" Mephisto bowed, his sister quickly following suit.
"And what, per say, is your plan? Or should I just mark this down as another one of your many failures?" Gramorr growled, scratching at Banes' chin with a clawed finger. The beast purred in approval. The twins shared looks of embarrassment before straightening up.
"The princesses have created some kind of magical powder from a plant Princess Lyna brought back from Borealis." Praxina clenched her fists tightly, choosing her words carefully.
"Yeah, and apparently they can take away people's magic too! Of we get it from them, we can take away their magic!" Mephisto grinned, becoming much more enthusiastic than his twin.
"Easier said than done." Gramorr sneered, though he didn't dismiss them.
"But, Master," Praxina smiled sweetly, "If we can get rid of the princesses magic, they won't be able to fight back. We can bring them back to Ephedia where they'd be your prisoners! No one would stand in your way!"
Gramorr paused in thought. Their last plan of bringing them to Ephedia had failed when Izira and Xeris Resistance got involved. Shattering their crystals had left them weak, but powerless? It was an opportunity too enthralling he was almost afraid to leave it in the hands of bumbling twins. Sighing, he set out his order, "You are to retrieve the magic and destroy the princesses. It's too big of a risk to bring them back to Ephedia. On Earth they'll be completely without magic. Do NOT fail me! I think you know exactly what the consequences will be..."
"Yes sir!" The twins bowed, squeezing their eyes shut until Grammar's presence faded and his image disappeared from the rushing falls.
"Is it just me, or did he seem kind of tense?" Mephisto frowned, raising an eyebrow.
"Ugh. Come on!" Praxina snapped, disappearing in a flash of light, her brother not far behind her.
The girls laughed as they made their way from the smoothie bar. After a long practice it was nice to just hang out and take a break before Lyna and Carissa had to return home, and each of the girls relished in the growing friendships they'd been able to form.
They had taken a route to the park, sipping on their drinks as they found a place to relax.
"I can't believe it! You were so close, Iris!" Lyna squealed happily, clasping her hands together.
"I know!" Iris groaned, "Stupid, Missy. Why is it that every time I try to talk to Nathaniel, somebody's always there to mess it up?"
The girls shared a laugh as she pouted, laying her head on the table.
"I'm sure Nathaniel feels the same way, he seemed pretty upset when we left." Talia smiled, patting her on the back
"Yeah, besides, there's always next time." Carissa gave her a reassuring smile.
"Besides, we all know he's like, totally into you." Auriana smirked, twisting her straw between her fingers.
"You really think so?" Iris' crystal eyes gleamed at the thought, her face brightening at the very thought.
"Of course! And if not, Earth has so many cute boys! Like that guy over there, and that one, and that one!" Lyna pointed out, excitedly.
"I know, I know, but Nat isn't just any other guy! He's honest, and open, and-" Iris gasped as the a rosy glow began to emanate from the crystal in her pendant, "Someone needs help!"
"Look!" Carissa pointed at the guys playing in the field, now trapped within dark crystals.
"Oh no!" Auriana gasped, "We have to help them!"
Iris nodded in agreement, "Iris, Princess of-!"
The ground trembled and erupted an array of vines rippled through the ground, sending the girls flying. Lyna gasped as she realized the bag of Iridessa powder had escaped her protection. A vine came to twist around it before dropping the bag into Praxina's hands.
"Looks like you're not the only one with an eye for plants." Praxina smirked, tossing Mephisto the bag as the princesses glared at them.
"But as usual, we're much better!" Mephisto grinned as he and Praxina extended their arms, "Aturodara!"
The ground shook as their dark crystal creature woke their beast, a tree like creature connecting to the vines around them. The twins laughed darkly as it attacked them, the girls leaping to get out of reach.
"Iris, Princess of Ephedia!"
"Talia,, Princess of Xeris!"
"Lyna, Princess of Borealis!"
In a flash of light, the princesses donned their magical apparel, their powers increasing under their free-flowing magic.
"Auriana, Princess of- WHOA!" Auriana let out a scream as she dodged a thick vine arm.
"Auriana!" Carissa ran to help her teammate, but the creature wrapped its vines around her.
"Carissa!" The girls gasped in horror.
"Hey! Let go and fight me like a warrior, you coward!" Carissa yelled, struggling in the gripping greenery. The creature merely grinned before letting out a foul screech.
"We have to save her!" Iris shouted, a tinge of panic crossing her features.
"We need to get that powder away from the twins!" Lyna added, "Who knows what they'll do with it!"
"Then we need to use it first! Iris and I will take the monster and get Carissa. Auriana, Lyna, you two take on the twins and get that bag in the open. If you get a clear shot at the twins, do it, but keep it off of yourselves!" Talia commanded, earning a nod from the girls. With Auriana finishing her transformation, she quickly summoned her ribbon, latching on to the twins ankles and dragging them to the ground.
Talia and Iris took to the monster, summoning their sword and staff, slicing through the thick limbs. Iris ran at Talia, the bluenette lowering her staff and pulling it up as Iris used it for leverage, flipping out of the monsters reach and sliding down its arm to the joint and dragging her blade across the leafy limb. The arm fell swiftly, releasing Carissa, who was caught by Amaru.
"Thanks!" Carissa grinned as they landed, "Carissa, Princess of Calix!"
With the whole team finally in place, the girls took to their plan, keeping the monster off of Lyna and Auriana, who were battling it out with the twins.
"Crystal Demeta!" Lyna shouted, launching light green shards towards Praxina, who creates a shield to protect herself. Mephisto dodges Auriana's ribbon, joining his sister.
"Is that the best you can do?" Praxina taunts, crossing
"No, this is! Crystal Levitus!" Lyna shouts, her magic summoning the bag and lifting it from the twins.
"Hey!" Mephisto shouted, "That's cheating!"
"Quick, you fool! Don't let it get away!" Praxina yelled, reaching for it.
"Not so fast!" Auriana smirked, catching the twins by the waist and pulling them out of reach of the bag, "Do it now, Lyna! Hurry!"
Lyna summoned her chakram ring, spinning it around her finger, coating it in her magic before tossing it at the bag, its contents bursting in a sparkling ruby and teal cloud before it covered the twins. They went into a coughing fit, with Praxina screeching in anger at their failure.
"Hey, maybe it doesn't work!" Mephisto grinned, still able to keep flight.
"Plan B?" Auriana gave Lyna a smug smile.
"Plan B." Lyna returned the smile before Auriana pulled at her ribbon, tossing the twins into a nearby tree and bush before running to help their team.
"Did it work?!" Iris asked, sliding out of the creature's reach.
"No, they still have their magic!" Lyna frowned, an apologetic look on her face.
"It was worth a try, Lyna! Let's ace Mr. Green and Mean and end this!" Iris smiled encouragingly, with the girls nodding with determination.
"Xeris!" Talia called out, her wand returning to its natural state.
"Volta!" Auriana joined in, her ribbon spiraling around her.
"Calix!" Carissa shouted, raising her batons above her to form an 'x'.
"Borealis!" Lyna's ring glowed before her.
"Ephedia!" Iris called out, her sword returning to her scepter and glowing with power.
"CRYSTAL QUINTA!" They exclaimed, a burst of light enveloping them before striking the beast, who dissipated with a final cry.
The girls let out a sigh of relief before freeing the people in the park, releasing their transformations with a sigh of relief.
"Oh, man! That was a scary one!" Auriana sighed, exhaling dramatically.
"Ugh, nothing's worse than their random attacks." Carissa groaned, picking up Amaru and following the rest back to their table.
"So the flower had no effect on the twins? Not even a teeny tiny bit?" Iris questioned, a bit disappointed.
"Not that I could tell. Mephisto even voiced feeling no effect. Maybe next time it'll work." Lyna smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Talia frowned, stopping in front of them. Her eyes were wide and her lips parted in a jumbled mix between annoyance and frustration.
"What is it, Talia?" Iris stepped forward before turning to look towards two teens picking themselves off the ground. The group let out a gasp of surprise.
The girl was around Talia's height, with long bangs over her deep greyish-blue eyes and icy pale skin. Her lips were a rosy pink and her hair a light reddish orange. She wore a floor length blood red gown with that darkened with the skirt's layers and a black and gold corset with a red butterfly engraving around the bust. The sleeves were fitted and hooked around her exposed fingers and the back had a layer of lush red silk that reached the floor. She took the hand of the boy next to her, who wore his hair parted down the center. It was the same hue as the girl, as was his complexion, but his eyes were a deep emerald. He wore a black high collared dress coat with gold and green pendant at the collar and a serpent like design wrapping around the torso. On his shoulders laid golden armor and a short pine green cape. His sleeves were long and parted to reveal the sleeve of a white undershirt and he wore black pants and his black and green riding boots were gold at the tips. He had a look of fear on his face as the girl next to him struggled to stay standing, quickly collapsing in a his arms.
"Could it be…" Iris frowned, her eyes wide with wonder.
"No way…" Auriana murmured, unable to take her eye off the two. The two gasped as Iris' necklace began to glow.
"Iris! Your necklace!" Lyna gaped, looking between her and the red headed duo.
"I think they need our help…" Iris' eyes widened and she bit her lip as Talia's scowl deepened, the dark skinned teen raising a hand to halt the nervous princesses behind her as she slowly approached the magical beings.
"Who are you?" Talia frowned, calling on her magic, "State your name!"
The boy's head snapped up from his sister, and Talia nearly flinched at the tears in his eyes, the panic in his features.
"M-my sister... I think she's hurt! I tried to wake her up but she won't wake up! I need to get her to a healer!" He stood abruptly, startling the girls, but the way he swayed made the brunette leap forward as he toppled over, pulling his sister with him.
"Oh no!" Iris gasped, ignoring Talia's warning, her concern and protective nature outweighing her cautiousness, with Auriana not far behind.
Talia's eyes widened in surprise at the collapse teen in her arms, looking over the two in confusion before the ornaments in their hair caused her mouth parted in realization, "M..Mephisto?"
The boy's eyes fluttered open slightly as he struggled to keep focused, "Y-yeah.."
"It is them!" Iris declared, "But I don't understand, what happened? Why are they like this?"
"Their magic is down." Talia frowned, patting at Mephisto's cheek to keep him conscious.
"Oh no! We used too much! This is really bad!" Lyna cried, her hands flying to her cheeks in horror at the realization. The group gasped as Auriana and Iris rushed to try to wake Praxina. The villainess made no movement other than faint breathing, causing Auriana to start checking her vitals.
"She's out cold and really weak. We need to get them to wake up before they get worse!" Auriana looked to Talia, a stern and urgent look in her gaze. It startled the Xerian, as Auriana's tone had taken on a much more drastic change than expected of her usual self.
Talia's golden orbs widened at her panic, "Mephisto! Wake up! It's me, Talia! Look at me!"
The boy grumbled at being shaken before his eyes drifting shut as his eyebrows furrowed, his voice coming out in a hushed whisper as he began to lose consciousness, "W-who..?"
She froze before snapping to her senses, "Talia! Princess of Xeris!"
"Stay awake, we're gonna try and help!" Iris put her hand on his shoulder, but his body began to go limp under her touch and his head began to slouch.
"Who.." He whispered, the magical concoction finally working its way through his system, "Who are you guys..?"
More to come soon!
Keep an eye out for art on tumblr!