Chereads / Galactic Guardians: The Prism Corps / Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Prism Prime

Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Prism Prime

Astra Blaze soared through the neon-lit cityscape of Nova Prime, the headquarters of the Prism Corps. Her Solar Prism pulsed with a vibrant golden light, casting long shadows from the towering chrome skyscrapers. A distress call from a remote Vorlaxian mining colony echoed in her mind. Strange energy fluctuations had been detected, disrupting their hyper warp engine production."Vega," Astra muttered into her holo-communicator, "Anything on those energy readings?"A holographic projection of Vega Specter shimmered beside her, her cerulean form crackling with static. "Weird energy signature, Astra. Not Xandrosian, but powerful. More like..." she trailed off, her spectral form flickering."Like what?" Astra pressed, concern gnawing at her."Nebula," Vega gasped, the static intensifying. "She's back!"The transmission abruptly cut out. Astra's heart hammered against her ribs. Nebula Vortex, the rogue Prism Corps member with reality-warping powers, was a ghost from their past. The last encounter had been a near-catastrophe, leaving a scar across the cosmos.Astra veered towards the Prism Corps Landing Bay, a massive circular platform bathed in an ethereal glow. Below, a sleek Prism Glider awaited, its wings pulsating with golden energy. Beside it stood Orion Shield, his burly frame clad in his crimson battle suit. His Celestial Prism, dormant within his chestplate, cast a faint blue aura."Nebula?" Orion boomed, his voice filled with disbelief. "Thought we locked her away in the Null Dimension.""We need to get to that mining colony, now," Astra said, urgency lacing her voice.They piled into the Prism Glider, Astra taking the pilot's seat. With a flick of her wrist, the cockpit dissolved into a holographic interface. She punched in the coordinates, and the Glider roared to life, propelled by the power of her Solar Prism.As they hurtled through the neon-streaked void, Astra briefed Orion on the situation. "The Vorlaxians mentioned strange energy readings messing with their hyper warp engines. Could be Nebula messing with their dimensional anchor.""Or worse," Orion added grimly, "She might be trying to open a rift to the Null Dimension, freeing whatever horrors are trapped there."The Glider pierced the atmosphere of the mining colony, a desolate rock riddled with shimmering tunnels. Buildings lay in ruins, their windows shattered. Power lines crackled with erratic energy. On the ground, a lone Vorlaxian engineer, his six eyestalks wide with terror, pointed a trembling claw towards a distortion in the air.From the swirling vortex stepped Nebula, her form cloaked in shimmering purple energy. Her once kind eyes glowed with a menacing violet light."Nebula," Astra called out, landing the Glider nearby. "Stand down!"Nebula chuckled, a chilling sound that echoed through the ruins. "Astra, Orion. Such a warm welcome." Her gaze flickered to Orion. "Still trying to play hero, big guy?""This isn't a game," Orion growled, his hand tightening on his energy sword.Nebula's smile widened. "Oh, but it is, dear Orion. And the prize? Control over the entire dimension!"She raised a hand, and a wave of energy erupted from the vortex. The surrounding buildings began to crumble, their very atoms ripped apart by the dimensional strain. Astra reacted instantly, unleashing a torrent of solar energy from her Prism Stone, creating a force field that shielded them from the destructive energy."Orion," she yelled, "I'll hold her off! Find a way to stabilize the dimensional anchor!"With a determined nod, Orion charged into the ruins, searching for the source of the energy fluctuations. Astra braced herself, the force field straining under the onslaught of Nebula's dark power."You haven't changed a bit, Astra," Nebula taunted, her voice dripping with malice. "Still clinging to your precious order. But order crumbles in the face of true power!"Astra gritted her teeth. She couldn't hold the force field forever. But giving up wasn't an option. She had to find a way to reach Nebula, to break through whatever darkness had consumed her former comrade.As Nebula prepared to unleash another wave of chaotic energy, a figure emerged from the ruins. Orion, his battle suit glowing with celestial energy, held a pulsating orb in his hand – the dimensional anchor, ripped from its housing."Got it, Astra!" he bellowed. "Just need a few seconds to stabilize it!""I'll buy you some time!" Astra cried, channeling all her power into the Solar Prism. A blinding beam of light erupted from her hand, striking Nebula with blinding force. The rogue Prism Corps member stumbled back, momentarily stunned.