Belinda\u2019s scarf appeared in an abandoned warehouse, then curled around to make a dome, then returned to Belinda\u2019s hand once everyone arrived. \u201c\u2026What was that?!\u201d gulped Yazmyn\u2019s grandmother, Hannah as Ruby and her friends freed their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUmbra-teleportation,\u201d explained Belinda. \u201cMy family has had powers over darkness since we crawled onto the lands of our home-world of Angela.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, let\u2019s heal you all up as we explain what\u2019s going on here,\u201d said Wilma. She used her lantern to bathe everyone in a warm light. Their wounds were slowly mending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026This feels nice!\u201d said Yazmyn. She was then bopped on the head by Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t have NEEDED to all be healed if you were just patient!\u201d snarled Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBethany, be fair,\u201d said her mom, Heather. \u201cHer parents WERE as tied up as us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have to side with your daughter on this one, Mrs. Williams,\u201d said Daichi, Ruby\u2019s dad. \u201cThat bomb would have killed us all if those monsters pressed the detonator a little too early and they were also stronger than all of us combined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHer heart WAS in the right place,\u201d said Grace, \u201c\u2026it\u2019s just that her head needs to be there as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou, button it!\u201d snapped Yazmyn. \u201c\u2026Actually, no. Spill! What WERE those monsters?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFootsoldiers of an interstellar empire,\u201d replied Belinda. \u201cThe Entroopers, genetically engineered to obey Emperor Entropy without question.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs for who we are,\u201d said Wilma. She and her friends then performed their introductions like they were in a Magical Girl anime! Wilma started the routine with a pose. \u201cI, Wilma Lux, the White Empress, am the Rose of Light!\u201d Grace then posed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI, Grace Grayson, the Gray Empress, am the Rose of Balance!\u201d Belinda then finished with her pose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI, Belinda Umbra, the Black Empress, am the Rose of Darkness!\u201d The three then posed together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlooming wherever evil lurks so we may defeat it; we are the Cosmic Roses!\u201d they all said together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Nice routine, Your Majesties,\u201d remarked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s flamboyant, I admit,\u201d said Belinda, \u201cbut it\u2019s necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Cosmic Roses,\u201d explained Wilma, \u201care girls chosen by the elements of magic to defend their worlds from evil. For a while, we all defeated wicked creatures easily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut we were too complacent in our victories,\u201d continued Grace. \u201cOn our home planet of Angela, a man enslaved the creators of our universe, Old Lady Life, Madame Scythe, and Mister Resurrector. The man is called Emperor Entropy and he desires to keep all life in a state of permanent decay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026How does that\u2026?\u201d muttered Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid we mention he\u2019s insane?\u201d asked Belinda. \u201cEntropy is a big part of change, as you correctly guessed, Young Lady. We tried to stop him, but his Entroopers and minions were too powerful for us. We had no choice but to find new Cosmic Roses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve traveled to six other planets so far,\u201d explained Wilma, \u201cbut we landed here to get away from the Entroopers. \u2026Sadly, we were duped by Emperor Entropy\u2019s general and his minions along with their Entroopers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy land here?\u201d asked Hannah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause Earth is supposed to be an obscure enough planet that no one would notice,\u201d replied Grace. \u201cBut now we brought the fight to your world and we have to end this. Alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHang on, it\u2019s OUR planet!\u201d protested Yazmyn. \u201cYou don\u2019t know how it works!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Yaz, you barely know how this particular STATE works,\u201d remarked Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBesides, we AREN\u2019T Cosmic Roses,\u201d reminded Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t say Yaz\u2019s point was wrong, just mis-worded,\u201d said Ruby. \u201cWilma, Grace, Belinda, you need help in navigating our home. If your enemies want to conquer Earth, you HAVE to keep the fighting contained here. \u2026On top of that, you saved our lives. We owe you. Maybe we can\u2019t fight like you girls can, but we CAN help out somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026One minute,\u201d requested Wilma. She, Grace, and Belinda went to a different part of the warehouse to discuss their options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Ruby, I hate to sound like I\u2019m questioning you, but I have to ask,\u201d said Bethany, \u201care you sure we can support them? What if those Entroopers attack again soon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026We do what we can,\u201d replied Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRuby,\u201d said Daichi, \u201cI know you and your friends are capable of many things, but you three are just 14! You shouldn\u2019t have the burden of war on your shoulders!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOto-san, war\u2019s just been dumped into our laps,\u201d countered Ruby. \u201cNot through the fault of anyone here, not even the Roses over there. The only ones to blame are the Entroopers and their masters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEveryone, we can\u2019t make the decision for your daughters,\u201d called Belinda once her conversation with Grace and Wilma was over. \u201cThat is their choice. \u2026Even if they decide not to be on the front lines, I would know their names so I may defend them properly and at least teach them enough combat to help them and you out of sticky wickets should we not be there in time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe speaks for all three of us,\u201d said Wilma. The girls\u2019 families discussed amongst themselves, then Daichi revealed their decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVery well, Your Majesties,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll accept that should our daughters accept.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026I\u2019m Ruby Kobayashi,\u201d introduced Ruby. \u201cThese are my parents, Daichi and Hannah, and my brother, Mako.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHello there,\u201d greeted Mako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Bethany Williams,\u201d said Bethany. \u201cThese are my folks, Robert and Heather.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust call me Bob,\u201d offered Bob.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m Yazmyn Jacobson,\u201d finished Yazmyn. \u201cThese are my dad\u2019s parents, my legal guardians, Hannah and William Jacobson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOr Bill, if you prefer,\u201d said Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwo Hannahs,\u201d remarked Wilma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can use our surnames if we\u2019re both in the same room,\u201d said Hannah Kobayashi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOr Old Lady Hannah, if you want!\u201d cackled Hannah Jacobson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRuby, Bethany, Yazmyn, even if you are not chosen by the elements,\u201d said Wilma, \u201cwe will still teach you how to defend yourselves against Entroopers. We will take care of their masters when the time comes for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut if you\u2019re truly willing,\u201d offered Grace, \u201cthen simply place your hands on these.\u201d She pulled out three gems; red, blue, and yellow. \u201cThese are Transformation Seeds, created by the very elements themselves. The red gem holds the element of fire, the blue one contains water, and the yellow one wields lightning. If you feel something, like static electricity, or a fire in a fireplace, or water in a bathtub, then that element believes you are a worthy partner. It\u2019s whether or not you get your uniform that determines if you\u2019re a Cosmic Rose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo even if we DO get powers,\u201d summed up Ruby, \u201cthese things still want to test to see if we ARE worthy to wear uniforms like yours?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d confirmed Belinda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Well, I suppose we pick our favorite colors out of these first,\u201d mused Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, that\u2019s easy,\u201d said Yazmyn. \u201cYellow\u2019s always been mine!\u201d She touched the yellow gem and\u2026 \u201cHOLY-!\u201d She pulled her hand back. \u201cIt zapped me! I mean, it didn\u2019t hurt, but-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeriously?\u201d asked Bethany. She touched the yellow Transformation Seed. \u201c\u2026I\u2019m not getting any zap. Maybe it\u2019s yours, Yaz?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me see,\u201d interjected Ruby as she touched the gem. \u201c\u2026Nope. Yaz, you sure you felt a zap?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah!\u201d Yaz touched it again. \u201c\u2026Now it\u2019s a constant buzz of electricity.\u201d She fully grasped it in her hand. \u201c\u2026I think this is mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s just these two left,\u201d said Bethany as she touched the red gem. \u201c\u2026I\u2019m not feeling anything. Maybe\u2026\u201d She then touched the blue gem. \u201cWhoa! \u2026It\u2026it\u2019s like I just took a dive into the ocean\u2026and I don\u2019t NEED to come up for air!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Then\u2026does that mean\u2026?\u201d quizzed Ruby. She reached out for the red gem. \u201c\u2026It\u2019s warm!\u201d she said when she touched it. \u201cIt\u2019s like I\u2019m near a fire in a fireplace!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen you\u2019re on your way to becoming Cosmic Roses!\u201d praised Belinda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll right! When do we start punching bad guys?!\u201d asked Yazmyn excitedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow about tomorrow?\u201d suggested Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not now?\u201d quizzed Mako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWilma, Grace, Belinda, how long has it been since you three had a change of clothes?\u201d Ruby asked the three original Cosmic Roses. Belinda was about to say something, then she thought about it. She then sniffed her armpit\u2026and gagged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve ignored too many baths!\u201d she gasped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBunk with us,\u201d offered Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrandpa?\u201d asked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got nothing but room at the farm,\u201d replied Hannah Jacobson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, but-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA farm?!\u201d asked Grace, looking happy. \u201cYes! Back to my roots!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d quizzed Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Aren\u2019t you royalty?\u201d asked Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Wilma was confused a bit, then realized where they were coming from. \u201cOh! No, no, no! We\u2019re not royalty! \u2018Empress\u2019 is just the maximum rank a Cosmic Rose reaches! I, myself, was a woodworker back home!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was born a farmgirl,\u201d said Grace, \u201cbut I had a hobby in architecture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m a computer programmer,\u201d finished Belinda. \u201cMagic doesn\u2019t really choose those that were born into power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026So\u2026magic is sentient?\u201d asked Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cErm\u2026semi-sentient,\u201d replied Wilma, a bit lamely. \u201cLook, how about we explain more tomorrow after we\u2019re all rested from that horrible attack this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSounds like a plan,\u201d agreed Ruby. She turned to her friends. \u201cSorry, girls, but we\u2019ll have to postpone today\u2019s arcade stuff and tomorrow\u2019s museum visit.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Belinda\u2019s scarf appeared in an abandoned warehouse, then curled around to make a dome, then returned to Belinda\u2019s hand once everyone arrived. \u201c\u2026What was that?!\u201d gulped Yazmyn\u2019s grandmother, Hannah as Ruby and her friends freed their families. \u201cUmbra-teleportation,\u201d explained Belinda. \u201cMy family has had powers over darkness since we crawled onto the lands of our […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1061,1063],"tags":[1060,283],"class_list":["post-7455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cosmic-roses","category-stories","tag-magical-girl","tag-rose"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7455"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7456,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7455\/revisions\/7456"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}