In the morning as usual Brooklynn just finishes getting dressed. This time she is wearing light green cotton shorts and a matching short vip up vest. It has a purple and pink tie dye design splashed over it putting a white tank underneath. She puts her hair up in two ponytails today with a matching pink headband. Noticing her friendship bracelet on the dresser that she hasn't wore since Cheryl's death. She debates then fastening the colorful charm bracelet on her wrist before heading out.
Just as she's stepping out her partner is also. Sonny having on a red shirt with sleeves past the elbows. The print reading 'The great outdoors' with a brown bear and mountain picture on it. Along with blue shorts and matching red shoes. Since they'll only be in school one period, even shorter than usual being a two hour delay, those on the field trip aren't required to wear uniforms.
Normally she'd just say some kinda greeting, but today she can hardly give a simple morning. Flashbacks of what conspired last night coming back to her again. "G-Good morning...Your shirt really speaks camping."
"That's why I choose it for today, considering our final mission doesn't be right now. They already called so we should head out front." Even with them talking like this it's far from pleasant. Sonny definitely almost kissed her last night, and she wasn't even doing anything to stop it. If Josef hadn't interrupted like he did who's telling what might've happened.
Josef saw us yesterday. What am I possibly going to say when I see him?
...
The limo rides on while the four sit in silence. Jerry glances from driving at the center mirror with a questionable gaze. "Hey, why you two so quiet? I know we don't usually go on a mission this ealier, but aren't you use to getting up at this time for school?"
"Oh, I'm not tired! I feel just fine," Brooklynn answers.
"As do I," Sonny adds. With that conversation dies again the detectives exchanging looks.
Arriving at the fifth ruins this one is quite big like the previous. Laid out in a dark blue color not looking so rundown. She wonders what kind of monsters are in here and is that chest. "This is the next ruin..."
"Stay safe as always both of you. The magic is definitely locked away in one of these last two," Ron says.
After casting the spell and receiving their weapons they head inside. The ruin is covered in blue crystal with many unique symbols covering the wall. One of the first things to greet them is a large staircase leading up towards a narrow path. The other side is a cliff that's so deep she can't see nothing but pure darkness. It's honestly more intimidating than the drop distance from the last ruin. "We need to be extra cautious in here. Watch your step," Sonny says, going off ahead.
Reaching the end of the staircase it's a small gap from in between. Possibly can be jumped though rather not take any risks. "Should we transform to fly across?"
"No, not so soon. I think I have a better idea." Sonny using his elastic on a crystal point hanging from the ceiling starts to swing. Luckily it holds his weight as the boy gets enough momentum to safely land across. Now waving her over to do the same. "Come on, just use the rope like I did."
"Okay..." Thinking on it Sonny could have used his beyond gravity to definitely jumped across. Only choosing this route to make sure it would work for her. Copying his action she joins him on the other side. The two continuing further down the pathway.
There's many rooms that are closed off, and approaching the end a door is tightly sealed shut. A flower pattern carved in the middle is the only clue on how to open it. "There isn't even any handle. It could be another lever though I doubt it's that simple."
The ginger runs his hands across the
engraving carefully. "It feels like something's supposed to fit inside here. I'm sure if we find whatever it is the door should open up."
Parting ways to scope out the area she spots a glowing pink jewel stuck into the wall. Scraping at it with her nails and manages to pry the object out. "Hey, Sonny! Take a look at this!"
"Lemme see it." Examining it for a moment before he tries to fit the piece into one of the open spaces. Sure enough the jewel snaps right down into place. "Okay, seems like it works."
"So we just have to find the other five petals to form this flower. They're probably scattered throughout the rooms we passed on our way here."
Now left backtracking the only converasation being exchanged is work wise and it's killing her. Brooklynn doesn't want things to stay like this with the little time he has remaining. She needs to find a way to clear up the air. "Well, it's a shame Finn couldn't come with us again today. He was a big help."
I'm not surprised after what happened he didn't bring him along. At least if he was it wouldn't be so painfully awkward.
"He's a much skilled fighter now, though I'm glad he isn't here," he mumbles, frowning a bit. Given the events she shouldn't even mention anything related to yesterday.
"Here's the first room," he announces, as they both go inside. It's practically empty but the large puzzle on the back wall. Many puzzles pieces are jumbled around with one free space in the corner.
"I've saw these kind of puzzles before, but I have no idea how to solve them. You have to shuffle the pieces around and form a picture, without being able to pick them up."
"That's right. Based on the branches and this wing I think it's supposed to be a bird of some sort. In any case it has to be here for a reason." Sonny volunteers to play around with it first. The picture coming out to be a bird sitting among the branches. Once it is solved the wall completely fills over revealing another pink shard.
"Good job. You solved that in no time."
"I guess Finn nagging me to do puzzles games with paid off. I'll hold unto this one so let's look somewhere else."
Walking to the room across from them and once she passes the threshold the door slams shut. Quickly trying to pry it open with Sonny locked out on the opposite side. "Brooke!"
"I'm alright!" She hears him casting a fire ball against the door, but even magic doesn't seem to damage it one bit. "Nothing's working on my end either!"
"Do you see anything in there that could help you?!"
"I'll look around!" Brooklynn replies, sighing softly to herself. Of course she is the person that gets trapped inside of here. Really the only thing in the room is this stand with a pink shard placed on it. Most likely a trap but she needs the petal and an exit. "Here goes nothing..."
Taking the piece out several spiders suddenly come up from beneath the floor. Brooklynn not wasting any time to ready her blades. "Yup, right on point. Luckily bugs doesn't freak me out." Cutting each down that tries to strike the monsters are fairly weak. Even when one does land a hit she isn't too worried. The sticky substance leaves her trapped to the wall though before it can bite she teleports. Appearing behind it and slicing the last two down. With every spider dead the door opens by itself.
"You're messing with a girl that has telekinesis! Now we only have two shards to go."
Jogging outside to share the good news only to be greeted with absolute silence. Sonny is nowhere in sight as she anxiously starts looking for him. "Where did he take off to?"
Brooklynn's fast pace walking quickly changes to running. Calling his name when hearing loud noise up ahead. She peeps inside the next room in her view to find him surround by monsters. "Sonny!"
"Oh, there you are. Another piece is in the bottom of that large beetle monster over there. We have to get it."
"Right-wait why are you here?"
"I was searching for crystal shards obviously."
"What about me?! You're my guardian and you just left me trapped in that room?" she lectures, while burning a monster to ashes. The ginger continues to cut through them with his lance.
"There was nothing I could do to open the door. Besides I figured you would find a way out eventually."
"You're a piece of work you know."
"Takes one to know one." She can't believe they're actually holding an argument during a fight, but also glad the earlier awkwardness is starting to fade. When the little beetles are out only leaves one larger bug standing.
"So that's the one holding the crystal. Seems like it'll be a tough one though." Brooklynn did say she isn't scared of bugs, but anything three times it's normal size is an exception.
"Time to transform then." Both changing and uses a combination of their powers to knock the beetle flat on its back. Not fully dead yet but it will be in a matter of minutes. Joining Sonny who's silently gazing down at its twitching body.
"Do you see the crystal? Um, Sonny?"
"Heh, you still have some life in you, huh? You don't know when to die." Rising the lance up high he starts piercing it over and over again. Even as it's corpse starts fading away his hacking simply escalates. "I'd like to see you try and move now!"
"Hey, that's enough..."
"Surely you have more fight in you than that!"
"Stop it, Sonny! You're going to break the crystal!" Brooklynn tries gently pulling him back but he pushes her off.
"Don't touch me!" His glowing red eyes are missing the usual warmth, causing her breath hitches unable to move. After a second the rage leaves him and his expression falls. "Brooke, I..." Stumbling a few steps back he changes out of his Duclen form. The burnette quickly picking up the shard left behind on the floor.
"Down to one piece. We should hurry and go get that door open." Sonny looks as if he wants to say something, but she hurries past out the room. That back there definitely wasn't the partner she knows. It hurts her heart to face the fact he's really changing. Brooklynn doesn't want it to ever come a time when they'll be pinned against each other. She's already sealing his fate by destroying the chest.
The two don't get far down the hall when noticing another sound of footsteps. Both coming to a stop as a single silhouette approaches. She's expecting it to be Gores or perhaps even Isabelle, however an unrecognizable female walks into the light. "You're looking for this, right?"
A pretty young woman presents herself before them. She has shoulder length violet hair that matches her gentle eyes. A short lialic colored summer dress with sandals. She holds up a shard in her hand. "Auntie, Primrose..."
"I said don't call me auntie. It makes me feel old you know. I'm only twenty-one," she replies.
This is a Duran's youngest child and only daughter. The last FDO member that she hasn't met until now. She hates he's forced to fight another relative of his family.
"I came here today to stop the Felixa with my own hands." Despite her declaration with the petty look and calm atmosphere it's hard to believe. Brooklynn doesn't sense any hostility from her at all.
"I knew you'd come eventually. Still I thought out of all people you would understand..."
"With what? Throwing my life away? There's things I want to do, Sonny! Like design clothes and get married maybe even have a child. I have dreams I want to accomplish and can't let them die here. Why does the Erebus chest have to be destroyed anyway? Duran has no way in ever reaching it."
"Right now yes though it might not stay this way forever. Besides, he must be stopped at all costs. He's been causing havoc literally everywhere and has went into hiding. Even the SP still can't find his whereabouts. The only way to finish this for good is by her casting that spell."
"That...may be so but I can't idly sit by and accept this fate."
"Does that mean you're going to give the chest to Duran if it's in here?"
"I would never! I'm not aligned with any of them, only fighting for my own survival. I heard you killed Akira too now, so you must've gotten quite strong, Sonny." He falls silent as she takes out a curved sword. The female transforming into her Duclen form right before their eyes. Primrose gorgeous dress fades being replaced with black pants. A matching off the shoulder top that's traced in purple similar to the others.
"I know you were fighting them for what you believe is right, just like your father. I don't wish to harm either of you but there's no other option. I want the rest of us still alive to live out our days peacefully together. And I plan to make that a reality once she is gone. Holding no ill will against your decision, but this is the path I've choose. I'm sorry, " she says softly. No longer just talking to her nephew anymore but Brooklynn too.
"I can never truly understand the pain you're feeling, however I must complete my mission no matter what." The Felixa readying her blades for battle. She made a promise to him after all.
"Let the strongest prevail then, Primrose," Sonny says. Tightening the grip on his lance.
Brooklynn striking first sends the swords flying towards her, though she knocks them down before any can reach her. "I never seen a sword like that..."
"Dark butterflies." Several butterflies form and come right her direction, only to pass behind towards Sonny and carry him off into the air.
"Sonny!"
"Focus on her, don't worry about me!"
With him out of the way she sends a dark ball at Brooklynn. The girl manages to block this with her light barrier. Quickly shooting another attack of her own. "Light blast!" A force of light is aimed right for her refletive shield. Though it should've been strong enough to break through, instead ricocheting at the back wall until the spell runs out. "How is her powers so strong?"
"I've had much practice beforehand so I wouldn't come unprepared today." A black mist suddenly appears under Brooklynn's feet slowing down her movement. Throwing the fire ball it takes so long in reaching her that she has plenty of time to avoid it. Now the girl shooting a worried glance at the corner where Sonny is still trapped.
It seems she isn't trying to deal with him at all and only focus on me. This stupid mist is even slowing my attacks down. At this rate...
Unfortunately in a live action battle you're not given much time to think. Primrose freezing her legs with a strong ice attack, then snatches the girl closer to her using the elastic.
(Sonny POV)
"Brooklynn!" He struggles to get free as she is barley able to avoid Primrose's blade. The flash ability isn't even working, though there's one option he could use. She can't deal with his aunt by herself, still Sonny is a little hesitant to turn again. Regardless he's Brooklynn's partner and of no help stuck up there. If things go sour in the least he'll just transform back.
(Brooklynn POV)
After another hit sends the Felixa tumbling across the floor. Looking up to see Primrose standing right in front of her. "I don't want you to suffer going out, so I'll end this quickly. As long as you die, Aine will be sent back to the light ruins. I don't know how long she'll remain, but at least this grants me peace for some time."
The violet haired female gathering magic on her curved sword to excute one final strike. A similar situation again to the one in her dorm room that stormy night. Regardless what struggles she does the girl can't break free from her grasp.
No way can I allow that to happen! I have to get up and fight!
Just when thinking this someone else fires from behind instead. Knocking Primrose off balance just before she can attack. Sonny slides between them both now in his Duclen form. "You're never killing her while I'm still around to stop it."
"I was so close too. Originally I was going to avoid combat with you, though if you wanna protect the Felixa this badly you can die along with her! Confusion!" Brooklynn pushes back on her feet preparing for whatever special ability she just activated.
"Hey, what does her spell do? Sonny?" He isn't answering rather grasping his head in pain. When finally facing her the ginger is totally emotionless. Speeding up to attack at not his aunt but herself. She barley evades it and unlike in training he's not holding anything back. "So that's what it does. Sonny, snap out of it! It's me!"
"Call out to him all you desire. Right now Sonny believes he's fighting against me and not you. Let him end the girl he's been protecting all this time with his own hands." Primrose taking a step back to observe the battle from a safe distance.
Brooklynn very well can't keep staying on defense, and is going to be forced to attack at some point. All she needs to do is wait for an opening like in practice. Using her light shield to block his attempts with a dark ball, and rolls to miss another ice strike. Extending a hand she tries something she's never done before. If Brooklynn can lift one heavy object at a time, then a human should be no different. Dropping her swords she lifts up Sonny and throws him across the hall. Leaving her partner no room to recover she flys over activating the next spell.
"Blinding light!" The sharp rays pierce his vision and while down is the perfect chance to reach out again. "It's me Brooke, Sonny! Please wake up!"
As Sonny slowly looks up she casts a light shield between them. Just in case he does try something again. Rubbing his eyes the delusion of Primrose begins to flicker away. Meeting with the burnette as her worried gaze comes into focus. "Brooke..lynn, but I thought I was...No, Primrose's hypnotism..."
Getting back on his feet he turns to face the real enemy who's not looking too please right now. A flicker of remorse crossing his face. "Brooke, did I hu-"
"No, I'm okay. I'm assuming you're back to normal?"
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"I didn't train this hard all for nothing! I'll bring this whole ruin to the ground if I must!" Primrose swinging with her sword with a combination of magic skills. Her once gentle eyes are filled with fury just like when the others started to change. Attacking more recklessly than earlier can work to their advantage.
"When took a lot of damage so we'll move better if you heal."
"Got it! Just cover for me." As her guardian protects from Primrose's nonstop attacks, she gathers up magic for the spell. "Healing circle!" A green light appearing under their feet that heals wounds all over the body. Feeling more energized than before now is the time to finish this battle.
"Alright, let's wrap this up. Dark trap!" Sonny freezing the female in place as she follows up doing her light rays. Multiple hitting the woman at a time, Primrose crumbles to her feet.
"I refuse to let you win. Just you wait I'll you both here and now!" she threatens. Still using every ounce of strength to stand up. Sonny face turns grim and she can already tell what that looks means.
"The dark magic has taken over her head too much. If we let Primrose escape now she can attack at a time we're off guard, or end up hurting somebody else..."
Similar to Cheryl there is only one way to deal with her for good. Though Sonny raises his hand to give the final blow she extends an arm out. "Don't worry. Allow me to take care of this."
"But, Brooke..."
"You have enough blood on your hands. Please let me bare a tiny bit of that guilt." It's the single thing she can offer him really. Brooklynn can't just stand by while he's forced to kill his own auntie. Gathering up light energy she readies to execute her final blow. Only to have the power vanish and clothes suddenly change back to normal. Faintly hearing a familiar voice in her head.
"Brooklynn, you mustn't! If you kill her she can never be saved!"
"What...?" Dropping down on her knees Sonny quickly runs up to the girl.
"Brooke, what's wrong?"
"I don't know...my Duclea form just left on it's own..."
What was that just now? It sounded like Aine speaking to me again. Those words, what does that mean?
Facing his aunt still laying on the ground he slowly approaches her. "Thank you for trying to help but I need to do this by myself. The Felixa should remain pure, right?"
"Sonny..."
Reaching her he does one last attack to zap the last bit of life from her. Primrose dull eyes returning to normal now filled with tears. "I thought...if I trained hard enough I could grasp ahold of my power. This proves that wasn't ever possible for me. In the end...I'm just like him. Maybe it's our twisted fate things worked out this way, Sonny." Straining those words out with a sad smile before she speaks no more.
"I apologize, Primrose. You didn't deserve this fate. No of us should be suffering from Grandfather's mistake..." It's total silence for a moment until he finally turn to face her. "I got the last petal she was holding. Let's go get that door open. I'm sure that'll be the center of this ruin. " The girl slowly nodding as she glances back at Primorse again before following down the hall.
When arranging all the crystal shards the flower is complete. Glowing a bright pink the large silver doors open up just a crack. They exchange looks both pushing their way through. Brooklynn can't calm her anxious heart rate as they are lead inside a single room. This place has several barren chests but not the one on their list. "This place is empty, right?"
"Yeah, looks like it. I kinda had a feeling we weren't going to find it here. All well, it must be in the only one we haven't searched yet...What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing really, I'm just happy. Better hurry up or we'll never make it to school in enough time." Brooklynn already running off ahead as the ginger hurries after her.
Leaving the ruin the two report everything that happened. Chooing to keep her guardian's small meltdown to herself. If they felt Sonny was the least bit unstable who's telling what they'll do. Hopping in the limo Jerry insists to get the kids back before they miss their field trip.
A/N End of another chapter. I know these past few have been more heavy but bringing back some humor next update^^