A week later, it was a special ceremony for the Cosmic Roses. They arrived at a warehouse that was being converted into their base of operations and sanctuary for their families should their civilian homes be attacked. The girls, Daichi, Heather, and Bill arrived to see a ribbon at the door with the girls\u2019 mentors standing by. One was a tall woman with white hair and dark skin, the second was a tall woman with pale skin and black hair, the third and finally was slightly shorter than the other two and plump with gray hair. They looked to be 21. \u201cWelcome, welcome!\u201d greeted the woman with white hair, Wilma Lux, the Rose of Light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou girls ready to check it out?\u201d asked the woman with gray hair, Grace Grayson, the Rose of Balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see it!\u201d urged Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m eager myself,\u201d agreed Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen, Ruby, if you please,\u201d directed the woman with black hair, Belinda Umbra, the Rose of Darkness. Ruby then summoned a fire-themed broadsword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI declare Cosmic Rose: Earth HQ\u2026OPEN!\u201d called Ruby as she slashed at the ribbon with her sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBit much, don\u2019t you think?\u201d asked Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, we DO need to keep up our training in little ways,\u201d replied Wilma. \u201cIf we\u2019re gonna expand like Supers-man\u2019s Avengers team-.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou read those comics!\u201d interrupted Yazmyn. \u201cYou\u2019re doing that on purpose!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust to get a reaction out of you, my dear,\u201d replied Wilma. Yazmyn grumbled to herself. \u201cNow, let\u2019s get started!\u201d She opened the door and everyone stepped inside to see a huge monitor screen, various consoles, and seven rings that people could step through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is the main command center,\u201d said Belinda. \u201cWith it, we can monitor for any crimes being committed. Those rings connect to the other Cosmic Rose bases on the other planets we traveled to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that why you\u2019ve been vanishing at times?\u201d asked Ruby. \u201cTo train our sisters?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d replied Wilma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re all at the rank of Lady like you three are,\u201d explained Grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNice! I wanna see them!\u201d cheered Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, given the current fight with Emperor Entropy,\u201d replied Belinda, \u201cyou might do so. They\u2019re keeping his minions at bay for now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo they\u2019re not slouches,\u201d said Ruby. \u201cThe enemies are just a little stronger than Lord Typhoon was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the idea,\u201d replied Belinda. \u201cNow, to continue!\u201d The mentors led the group to another area. \u201cThis is the commons area, where we can do our various hobbies! I believe you Earthlings put it best in that \u2018all work and no play\u2019 saying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLooks comfy,\u201d remarked Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, looks like\u2026wait, are those arcade games?!\u201d yelped Yazmyn when she saw the cabinet. \u201cI was so torn up when the arcade closed during the Christmas season!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, we managed to buy your favorites,\u201d replied Wilma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026With what money?\u201d asked Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith ours. We\u2019re official farmhands for the Jacobsons,\u201d explained Grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThose things aren\u2019t cheap,\u201d remarked Bethany. \u201cAnd there\u2019s no way Bill pays you that much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho cares?!\u201d laughed Yazmyn. \u201cLet\u2019s see\u2026oh, no coin slot or card swiper?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe modified it so you can just scan your Comms Compact,\u201d replied Belinda. \u201cTry it.\u201d Yazmyn went over to the pinball machine and waved her comms compact where the coin slot would be and the machine lit up, ready for its player!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSweet!\u201d cheered Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd, of course,\u201d said Belinda, \u201cwe DO have a training area. Yazmyn, Bill, while it was nice to use your farm, we need to train without disturbing the animals. I still remember that kick your cow gave me.\u201d She put her hand to her stomach and winced, recalling how hard a cow kicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow you\u2019re still alive, I have no idea,\u201d remarked Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnhanced durability does NOT mean painless,\u201d remarked Ruby. \u201cNow, what DOES the training area look like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis way!\u201d bid Wilma. The group ended up outside, behind the warehouse, to reveal a football-field-sized clearing with devices around the perimeter. \u201cHere we are!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese devices,\u201d explained Belinda, \u201care solid light hologram projectors, able to create training dummies or field conditions. What say we break it in?\u201d She, Grace, and Wilma then held up their own Transformation Seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s been a while since we sparred,\u201d replied Ruby. \u201cGirls, let\u2019s do it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, heck yeah!\u201d agreed Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s show them we\u2019ve still got it!\u201d said Bethany. With that, the girls held up their Transformation Seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRed Lady Rose of Fire\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlue Lady Rose of Water\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYellow Lady Rose of Lightning\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI desire to bloom!\u201d The three girls then transformed into their outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhite Empress Rose of Light\u2026\u201d said Wilma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGray Empress Rose of Balance\u2026\u201d continued Grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlack Empress Rose of Darkness\u2026\u201d Belinda went on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI desire to bloom!\u201d Their transformations were very similar to the girls\u2019. Their Transformation seeds grew and surrounded them, then became rosebuds, then opened into giant white, gray, and black roses. The three mentors leapt out of the roses and were in their outfits. While they followed the same theme as their students (white leotards, tights, skirts, flats, opera gloves, and roses in their hair), there were distinctive differences. They had puffy shoulders, a necklace with a gemstone, their skirts had a huge amount of petticoats, were lined at the hem with roses, had bows on the backs of their waists, had royal cathedral trains, and the roses in their hair had two leaves and pearls in them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShow us what you\u2019ve got!\u201d challenged Wilma as she summoned a lantern, Grace summoned a spear modeled after scales, and Belinda summoned a scarf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou asked for it!\u201d replied Ruby as she summoned her sword, Bethany summoned a shield, and Yazmyn summoned a lightning pistol in each hand. The mentors and their students then rushed at each other with Ruby taking on Grace, Yazmyn taking on Wilma, and Bethany taking on Belinda. The combatants were creating a dazzling display of color for the observers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGO YAZ!\u201d called Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGET HER, BETHANY!\u201d cheered Heather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTAKE HER DOWN, RUBY!\u201d urged Daichi. \u2026A pity that the Comms Compacts all buzzed and flashed, stopping the sparring session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat in-?\u201d muttered Ruby. Belinda opened her Comms Compact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026It\u2019s from the planet of Gaia!\u201d she said. \u201cFrom the Cosmic Rose base there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an SOS,\u201d said Grace as she checked her Comms Compact, \u201cbut it IS a request for help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019d better check the details at the command center,\u201d said Wilma. \u201cSorry girls, sparring\u2019s on hold.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDang it!\u201d complained Yazmyn. She and the others still followed their mentors to the command center. Belinda keyed in a few commands and the details popped up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026It looks like there\u2019s a conference going on at Gaia\u2019s capital citadel,\u201d she said. \u201cThey\u2019re inviting us as guests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Just us?\u201d asked Wilma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, officially, yes,\u201d replied Belinda. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d she looked at the girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You\u2019re taking us to another planet?!\u201d asked Bethany excitedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait a minute, how would our girls breathe?\u201d asked Daichi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll the planets that have Cosmic Roses,\u201d explained Grace, \u201chave atmospheres like our old homeworld. Similar gravity too. Your girls will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026How about we check with our spouses first?\u201d Heather suggested to Bill and Daichi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProbably a good idea,\u201d replied Daichi. The three of them then made their calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOoh boy!\u201d said Yazmyn as she vibrated excitedly. \u201cCan\u2019t wait to see another planet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHang on,\u201d said Bethany. \u201cOur folks didn\u2019t say yes yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think they will,\u201d remarked Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do you figure that?\u201d asked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur parents trust us and trust our mentors,\u201d explained Ruby. \u201cThey know Wilma, Grace, and Belinda wouldn\u2019t make the offer unless they were sure we were gonna be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, but what about any other crime stuff?\u201d asked Bethany. \u201cWe\u2019re local superheroes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think they\u2019ll tell the cops, firemen, and ambulance guys that we\u2019re gonna be off-planet,\u201d replied Ruby. Just then, she noticed the adults hanging up. Daichi had a smile on his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRuby, Bethany, Yazmyn,\u201d he said, \u201cyou girls stay safe on that new planet, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen-?!\u201d asked Yazmyn excitedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, you can go!\u201d confirmed Bill. The girls hugged their folks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBe safe, you hear?\u201d asked Heather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLoud and clear, Mom!\u201d replied Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be back!\u201d promised Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGirls, let\u2019s power down,\u201d said Wilma. \u201cWe\u2019d rather not go in guns blazing, Gaians get a little nervous about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGot it,\u201d replied Ruby. The Cosmic Roses then held up their Transformation Seeds. \u201cRed Lady Rose of Fire\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlue Lady Rose of Water\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYellow Lady Rose of Lightning\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhite Empress Rose of Light\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGray Empress Rose of Balance\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlack Empress Rose of Darkness\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet my petals fall!\u201d the Roses all said at the same time. Rose petals in their respective colors then swirled around them and vanished to reveal them back in their civilian identities. Grace then keyed in a command in the computer console and one of the rings created a portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo Gaia!\u201d she called. The Cosmic Roses then entered the portal, then it vanished behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood luck, girls!\u201d wished Daichi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A week later, it was a special ceremony for the Cosmic Roses. They arrived at a warehouse that was being converted into their base of operations and sanctuary for their families should their civilian homes be attacked. The girls, Daichi, Heather, and Bill arrived to see a ribbon at the door with the girls\u2019 mentors […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7390,"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],"class_list":["post-7824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cosmic-roses","category-stories","tag-magical-girl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7824","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=7824"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7825,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7824\/revisions\/7825"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}