The Roses were trying to climb the ladder. Gabi had just reached the top and Bethany was climbing behind with Belinda behind her. The noise the Entrooper larvae made was ear-splitting! \u201cI\u2019M NOT SURE I CAN HOLD ON!\u201d called Bethany over the noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDON\u2019T GIVE UP!\u201d urged Belinda. \u201cYOU\u2019RE NEARLY THERE!\u201d Bethany reached up and\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cACK! A LARVA\u2019S GOT MY HAND!\u201d she yelped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNO! NO, THAT\u2019S ME!\u201d replied Gabi. \u201cI\u2019VE GOT A HOLD ON YOUR ARM!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBETHANY, I\u2019M GRABBING YOUR ANKLE!\u201d called Belinda. \u201cI\u2019M GOING TO PUSH YOU UP! GABI, YOU PULL AT THE SAME TIME! THREE! TWO! ONE! NOW!\u201d Belinda pushed Bethany up as Gabi pulled her to safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSAFE!\u201d called Bethany. \u201cCOME ON, GABI! LET\u2019S GRAB BELINDA AND-!\u201d Just then, the area shook and the Entrooper larvae fell to the ground. \u201cWhat the-?\u201d spluttered Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone\u2019s tampered with the gravity here!\u201d replied Belinda as she was pulled to safety. \u201cProbably saved our lives!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot for long!\u201d corrected Gabi. \u201cIf all the elements of magic aren\u2019t properly regulated at all times-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on!\u201d called Bethany as she got the door open. Flora and Miguel pulled all three Roses through, then shut the door behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMama! Papa!\u201d cheered Gabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGabi, mi bebe!\u201d sighed Flora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo it was YOU tampering out here!\u201d realized Belinda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSenor and Senora Morales,\u201d said Bethany, \u201cdo you remember which controls you pressed? It\u2019s vitally important!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, we pressed everything, to be honest!\u201d replied Miguel. \u201cWe were trying to get you girls out of there!\u201d The place then shook. \u201cOh, help! What have we done?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou saved our lives in the long run, Papa,\u201d replied Gabi. \u201cLet\u2019s have a look.\u201d Gabi and Bethany checked out the displays on the console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt looks like your folks set up a feedback loop,\u201d said Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImbalance ratio 91% and rising,\u201d warned Gabi. \u201cAny further and it\u2019ll blow the Pools wide open and us with it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me try something,\u201d said Bethany. She quickly came up with code in her mind, then put it into a magic circle she managed to create, then she thrust the circle into the crystal receiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Imbalance ratio falling!\u201d cheered Gabi. \u201cWhat did you do, Bethany?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI set up a counter frequency to stop the mana imbalance,\u201d explained Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you discover what was causing those surges from the Pools?\u201d asked Flora. \u201c\u2026And what\u2019s that slime all over your survival suits?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the reason for the surges,\u201d explained Belinda. \u201cThe Mana Pools have been converted into an incubation room for Entrooper larvae to accelerate their growth into full-fledged Entroopers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat must be why Dame Petrify is here now, to collect them,\u201d said Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow that we know what we\u2019re dealing with,\u201d said Gabi with new confidence, \u201cwe can start a Mana Pool purge to fry the Entrooper larvae and give Dame Petrify and her forces nothing! I\u2019ll set up the purging algorithms and\u2026Bethany, why are you looking at me like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe exterior console,\u201d explained Bethany, \u201cis solely dedicated to countering the imbalance until everything is reset and the Mana Pools are purged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?! B-But the only way to reset everything and p-purge the Mana Pools-!\u201d gulped Gabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs to go back in there and do it manually!\u201d finished Miguel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI-I don\u2019t th-think I\u2019m w-w-willing to g-go in there ag-gain!\u201d stammered Gabi fearfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWouldn\u2019t dream of making you,\u201d replied Bethany. \u201cI\u2019ll go alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo arguments, please,\u201d interrupted Bethany. \u201cBut if you can guide me via telepathy, that would be splendid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026B-Be careful, please,\u201d said Gabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will,\u201d promised Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me get you a new suit. That one\u2019s damaged,\u201d said Miguel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After she got her new suit, Bethany entered the Mana Pools and carefully went down the ladder. \u201cHead eastwards,\u201d directed Gabi through the telepathic field. \u201cYou should find a service walkway just glancingly at your left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see it,\u201d replied Bethany. \u201cMoving along it now.\u201d Bethany carefully walked along the walkway\u2026then an Entrooper larva saw her and leapt out of the pool it was in! Bethany heard it first, then summoned her shield and bashed it aside. \u201cFilthy thing!\u201d she shuddered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI saw the image,\u201d said Gabi. \u201cThey know you\u2019re there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLooks like it. Hang on, I see the access panel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll have to hit the master override switch to your\u2026to your left!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold on, let me project the image I\u2019m seeing. There\u2019s five switches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHit the green one, then get out of there as fast as possible!\u201d directed Gabi. \u201cIt will take ten minutes to build the reset charge!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGot it!\u201d Bethany hit the switch. \u201cAll right, ten minutes! I\u2019ll-!\u201d She heard a groan. \u201cWhat the-?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBethany?\u201d asked Gabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s someone in here with me,\u201d replied Bethany. \u201c\u2026It\u2019s an old woman with a cane and\u2026and some intricate shawl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me see,\u201d directed Gabi. Bethany projected the image of the old woman to Gabi\u2019s mind. \u201cMI ABUELA!\u201d shouted Gabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait, this is your grandmother, Rosa?!\u201d yelped Bethany out loud. That attracted the larvae\u2019s attention. \u201cDrat! Gabi, I\u2019ve got larvae swarming! I\u2019m bringing Rosa with me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHurry! You\u2019ve got nine minutes left!\u201d urged Gabi. Bethany slung Rosa over her shoulder, then held her shield out front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight then!\u201d she said to herself. \u201cCHARGE!\u201d She rushed forward to the ladder, the noise helping Rosa wake up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOogh. Wha-? \u2026The Mana Pools?\u201d she asked. \u201cHow did I\u2026? I was on Tanza\u2026right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour granddaughter, Gabi, will fill you in when we get out of here, Lord President!\u201d replied Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?! Who are-?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBethany Williams, Rose of Water from Earth!\u201d explained Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood heavens, young lady, you\u2019re going too slow! Put me down!\u201d Rosa jumped off of Bethany, spun her cane, and ran at speeds incredible for a YOUNG woman, much less an old one! Her cane acted as a buzzsaw, cutting down Entrooper larvae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Hot damn!\u201d muttered Bethany. Then she remembered the time limit and followed Rosa all the way to the ladder. Rosa was having some trouble climbing it. \u201cGet on my back!\u201d called Bethany. Rosa nodded and did so, then Bethany began climbing. The air was thick with larvae once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI-I CAN\u2019T-!\u201d called Rosa as a larva wrapped its tentacles around her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019M JUST AS BLIND!\u201d called Bethany. Just then, something grabbed her hand. \u201cHEY!\u201d she shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIT\u2019S ME AGAIN!\u201d replied Gabi\u2019s voice. \u201cI\u2019M GOING TO PULL YOU UP! HERE! WE! GO!\u201d Gabi pulled with all her might and got Bethany and Rosa to safety. \u201cCOME ON! ONE MINUTE LEFT UNTIL THE RESET!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGoodness! Another reason to run!\u201d yelped Rosa. Everyone made a mad dash for the door, then they shut it tight. The door heated up for a bit, making everyone step back. It then cooled down. Gabi went to check the instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Impurity purged!\u201d she said. \u201cThe Mana Pools have been reset and are back to normal!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, thank goodness!\u201d sighed Belinda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, with all that,\u201d said Rosa, \u201cwould someone mind telling me what\u2019s going on and how I ended up in the Pools in the first place?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt must have been to distract me and probably kill a Rose in the process,\u201d replied Bethany as she took her suit off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOoh, goodness! You really ARE a Cosmic Rose like my granddaughter!\u201d exclaimed Rosa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLord President-,\u201d began Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease, call me Rosa. Any friend of Gabi\u2019s is a friend of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRosa, the citadel is under attack by Entroopers and their masters,\u201d continued Bethany. \u201cPat and my friend, Ruby, helped the Lord Vice-President with evacuations while Opal and my other friend, Yazmyn, are fighting off the Entroopers with the Gaian Guard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019d better get to safety among fellow Gaians, Abuela,\u201d suggested Gabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVery well, dear,\u201d agreed Rosa. \u201cYou and your friends come back alive, you hear? That\u2019s an order from the Lord President.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill do, Lord President,\u201d replied Gabi. \u201cAnd welcome back.\u201d Gabi\u2019s parents helped Rosa along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, girls,\u201d said Belinda. \u201cWe\u2019d better lend our strength to the war effort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s give them a heads up,\u201d replied Bethany as she pulled out her Comms Compact. \u201cRuby, Yazmyn, come in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is Ruby,\u201d replied Ruby. \u201cWhat\u2019s the situation?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is Yazmyn,\u201d said Yazmyn, \u201cthe enemy seems angrier now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYazmyn, I have a theory,\u201d replied Bethany. \u201cThe enemy was using the Mana Pools as an incubation chamber to hatch and grow new Entroopers. It sounds like news of the Entrooper larvae\u2019s death and the retaking of the Mana Pools reached them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTh-there\u2019s more!\u201d interjected Gabi. \u201cTh-The Lord President is safe and sound and is on her w-way to the evacuation point!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can see her!\u201d called Pat\u2019s voice. \u201cWell done! The Lord Vice-President just helped her onto the evacuation shuttle! It\u2019s taking off now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s gone beyond the shield safely!\u201d cheered Grace\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYazmyn, you and Opal hold out for as long as you can!\u201d directed Ruby. \u201cWe\u2019re all on our way!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBetter hurry!\u201d called Yazmyn. \u201cThe Gaian Guard heard about the Lord President\u2019s survival and it boosted their morale to no end! I think we\u2019re about to run out of enemies for you girls to fight!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn our way, Yazmyn!\u201d replied Bethany. \u201cBethany out!\u201d She ended the call. \u201cWell, let\u2019s finish this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTogether?\u201d asked Gabi as she held her hand out. Bethany took Gabi\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTogether!\u201d confirmed Bethany. The two headed to the battlefield with Belinda smiling and following them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOU\u2019RE GOING TO REGRET RETAKING THE MANA POOLS!\u201d called Dame Petrify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomehow, I don\u2019t think we will!\u201d cackled Opal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOpal, just double-checking, you sensing a void from her AND her minions?\u201d asked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve all sacrificed their souls to Emperor Entropy!\u201d hissed Wilma. \u201cUnlike Lord Typhoon\u2019s minions, we can\u2019t hold back!\u201d By then, all the Cosmic Roses had arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSitrep?\u201d asked Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDame Petrify and her minions are soulless,\u201d reported Opal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we can destroy them with a clear conscience,\u201d said Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBethany, Belinda, you two have the greatest luck in taking on the tough minion,\u201d said Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI-I\u2019m going with her!\u201d declared Gabi. She then blushed. \u201cTh-Them! I mean them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood to hear,\u201d said Ruby. \u201cYaz, Wilma, you\u2019ve dealt with the weird one with the freaky powers before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSame as before, then?\u201d asked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the idea,\u201d replied Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go with them,\u201d offered Opal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcellent,\u201d praised Ruby. \u201cThat leaves Pat, Grace, and I to take care of the pretty one. Roses, let\u2019s show our thorns!\u201d The Roses then split off into their groups and attacked!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Roses were trying to climb the ladder. Gabi had just reached the top and Bethany was climbing behind with Belinda behind her. The noise the Entrooper larvae made was ear-splitting! \u201cI\u2019M NOT SURE I CAN HOLD ON!\u201d called Bethany over the noise. \u201cDON\u2019T GIVE UP!\u201d urged Belinda. \u201cYOU\u2019RE NEARLY THERE!\u201d Bethany reached up and\u2026 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7389,"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-7840","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\/7840","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=7840"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7840\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7841,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7840\/revisions\/7841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7840"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}