Astra Blaze soared through the neon-lit cityscape of Nova City, the setting suns casting long shadows across the towering skyscrapers. The hum of her Prism Glider echoed off the buildings as she raced towards Prism Corps HQ, a familiar unease gnawing at her. Cygnus Vortex, her teammate and closest friend, had been acting withdrawn ever since their last encounter with Xanathar Prime.They had faced the Xandrosian tyrant together countless times, their powers complementing each other perfectly. Astra, wielding the Solar Prism, could unleash blinding beams of light and scorching heat, while Cygnus, empowered by the Gravity Prism, could manipulate gravity to crush Xanathar's forces or create impenetrable defenses. But this last battle had been different. A dark energy clung to Cygnus, a shadow that seemed to cloud his usual calm demeanor.Landing in the Prism Corps Landing Bay, Astra hurried towards the sparring arena. There, she found Cygnus, his normally vibrant blue suit dimmed, battling a holographic training dummy with a ferocity that bordered on desperation. Each gravity well he created seemed tinged with a sickly purple hue, and his movements were erratic."Cygnus!" Astra called out, her voice echoing in the vast chamber.He whirled around, his eyes blazing with an unnatural intensity. "Astra," he rasped, his voice strained. "You shouldn't be here.""What's wrong with you?" Astra demanded, landing beside him. "The Dark Prism's influence? It's getting stronger, isn't it?"Cygnus clenched his fists, the gravity around him fluctuating wildly. "I... I can't control it. Every time I use my powers, it feels like a piece of me is being chipped away, replaced by that darkness."Astra's heart ached for her friend. The Prism Stones were powerful, but they could also be corrupting. The sheer malevolence of the Dark Prism, wielded by Xanathar, was a constant threat, a siren song that could lure even the strongest Prism Corps member astray.Placing a hand on his shoulder, Astra channeled the warmth of her Solar Prism, a beacon of light in the encroaching darkness. "We'll fight it together, Cygnus. Remember why we joined the Corps. We fight for the light, for peace across the cosmos. We won't let the darkness win."Cygnus met her gaze, a flicker of hope rekindled in his eyes. He took a deep breath, and the purple tinge around his gravity manipulation began to fade. "You're right, Astra. We can't give in. Not now, not ever."For the next few hours, they trained side-by-side. Astra, fueled by determination, helped Cygnus hone his focus, reminding him of the power of his own Prism Stone. As they practiced, a sense of camaraderie, a bond forged in light and gravity, enveloped them.By the time their training session ended, Cygnus seemed more in control, the darkness receding. A weary smile touched his lips. "Thanks, Astra. I don't know what I'd do without you."Astra smiled back. "That's what teammates are for." She knew the fight against Xanathar and the encroaching darkness was far from over, but as long as they had each other, they had a fighting chance. The Prism Corps, united in their purpose, would continue to be the unwavering guardians of light in the vast expanse of space.