Welcome to the Jungle (Zafaria - Prologue)

(I did some of the screenies long before I got everyone to Zafaria, but I used a little teleportation to get Grace to that spot in Zafaria. Enjoy! Also, I changed a few things.)

"Wow, you look like..." I began to say, but then I shut my mouth out of civility, she didn't need to hear her friend she had met after being away from so long insult her. Her hair was messed up, her face was scarred with bloody scratches as if a tiger had mauled her, and her eyes were bloodshot. Penny was weeping softly and clutching a card to her chest.

My fears were realized. Something bad had happened to them in Zafaria. I recalled Reginald Baxby the zebra explorer telling me about need for Grace to help him with a field trip to her world, Zafaria.

Suddenly Christina appeared in a flash. "I'm here!" she said. "I heard you were back so I booked it after doing something in the Pet Pavilion..."

"What's that, your Hydra?" I asked as we took some red tea. It was very bitter but Grace liked it.

"Nope, meet Sir Riley, my Hydra's son!" said Christina. "Amy hatched that shield and sword with my old guy and gave me this, which gives me some resistance! Now I can tank better, woo! Or at least, I will once I get some more mega snacks in his maw... I need to bone up on my gardening..." (I was going to hatch Amy's Colossus with it to get a Hydra hybrid but changed my mind - this pet got Spell Defying as its teen trait! Woot! I need to find a way to get someone to garden because everyone in that file is not even Level 12 yet.)

 "The Dark Queen has returned." Grace's sudden interruption shocked me.

"What Dark Queen?" asked Christina.

"Morganthe."

Our tea cups shattered on the floor. All of our eyes doubled in size. "You know her?" said Grace.

"KNOW her?" shouted Christina. "We SAW the witch!!!"

We explained what had happened in Celestia in the Chancel and she fell on her desk, sobbing. "I cannot believe you met her. I have only heard of her in stories... until now... my home is in danger."

We gasped. I got up and comforted her. "Tell me more. What happened when you went home as a student tour guide for that field trip..."

"I must speak to Rra Ambrose," she whispered. "He must know... the field trip was a disaster."

We hurried to the Headmaster's office and Grace explained what had happened to her. "I met with Mma Falmea and Rra Baxby, who gave a key back to my home world. I asked for a few hours of leave before the trip started, to spend time with my daddy's cousin. She had raised me when I was young and I needed to revisit her and catch up on the time I was away. They let me. They gave me a photo and told me to meet the group in Baobab Market when I was ready."

She showed us a photo but something was wrong... there were black shadows instead of pictures. "I can only make out shapes, there are..."

"That is what happened when I escaped and returned here, the pictures of the field trip group were blacked out by the Dark Queen's magic," sighed Grace

I gasped. "Are they okay?"

"I was going to call you earlier," said Ambrose. "I fear that the group has been lost. Professor Falmea knows more about this situation."

"Who is that on the far left?" asked Christina. "I've never seen him in school!"

"That is Tziri Silvertusk, Prince of the Olyphant Tribe," said Grace. "He was accompanying us."

"Tribe?" I asked.

"There are several tribes; we humans live amongst them. I was raised in Stone Town with my daddy's cousin and the elephant tribe. There are also the zebras, lions and greyhorn rhinos and, deep in the Drum Jungle, the gorilla tribe. You saw Jabari Longspear, he was a friend of my late mother and had sworn an oath to protect me when she died. The flute was a signal to him."

We nodded. "You gave that flute to me in the vision with Ra," I said. "I know because it saved my life - had it not been for that, I..." I shook my head. "You wouldn't have seen me summon Medusa."

"I am glad Jabari helped you, you are as much his debtor as I am," said Grace.

"So what happened?" asked Christina.

"I walked back to Stone Town, breathing in the air of my land. I was glad to be back, but I felt a dark shadow over the land... and then I was kidnapped. I do not recall what knocked me out, but I was knocked out as I was walking to the  pier to Stone Town. I heard a chittering as if a giant locust was nearby seconds before I was brained over the head and collapsed." She smiled. "I am fine now."

"When I awoke, I found my hands bound and mouth gagged and standing before one of the gorilla tribe, in a spider-web covered hut. It chilled me with terror. He spoke in a mocking voice.

"Ho ho, if it isn't the little child who used to play in the Drum Jungle when her father took the cattle out to graze! What a foolish girl you were to come back! Why did you return, come to mourn your dearest daddy? Well, you'll soon be joining him!"

 
"Why? What do you mean?" "I asked, and then what he said filled me with terror beyond terror..."

"The Dark Queen has told me about how you caused a lot of trouble for her allies in Wintertusk and how your little friends caused some problems with Sailor V in Celestia. Now I will send your bloodied head to them as a reminder of what happens to those who oppose Morganthe! Ho ho! It doesn't matter, your people will be destroyed in the war to come and we will take over as the true rulers!"

"I begged for my life! That was all I could do!" Grace sobbed. "I realized I couldn't save myself."

"What happened next?" I asked, scared.

"They locked me up in a cage which they sent through a portal to Dragonspyre, where one of those hideous bug-creatures I met in Mooshu, a Shadow-Weaver, was laired. Penny recognized that creature, who called himself The Hoarder."

"It was HIM!" screamed Penny, sobbing. "HE was the one who kidnapped my sisters and sealed them in a card! I can call them to aid me, but..."

I gasped. "The Hoarder! He stole spells we were going to learn and..."

She held up three cards. "I believe your professors have mentioned these creatures to you."

I nodded. It was the Baslisk and Chimera! "Thank you," I breathed. Now we didn't have to fight the Hoarder ourselves! I was amazed. "How did you...?"

"I do not recall what happened, but I do recall Jabari breaking me out of the cage. Between him and my Storm Elemental, I barely survived. I was luckily I got Satyr, or else I would have died." (The Hoarder is someone all the schools must fight to get their Level 68 spell and he is accompanied by a Blackrock Guardian which is Balance and spams the triple shields. He has no cheats... EXCEPT HIS CRITICAL RATING IS 300! Yeah, he got criticial TWICE on Grace and she failed to block, nearly dropping to 38 health! That was the closest I ever got to a wipe. I had to buy Jabari, the Level 70 Life Hench, to save her butt. Storm probably has the worst luck with solo boss battles as their health is the worst in the game. Luckily I got a Treasure Card Satyr to work and the Hoarder began focusing on Jabari after getting smacked by Forest Lord.)

 

"The only thing I remember was your book appearing and unleashing blades and traps that allowed my Tempest to destroy him." (I used the Treasure Card Tempest and got to max pips before using it. I also used a Treasure Card Supercharge at four pips and a regular one at five. Grace didn't have Feint yet, but that damage you see was real and one-shot the Hoarder EVEN THOUGH the Guardian got an Elemental Shield on him before going down to two Forest Lords from Jabari. Infallible is a life-saver, I tell you. Sierra and Christina didn't need help - Christina powered through and Sierra I had the wisdom to use an old spell - Ether Shield, which deflect 70% of a Death spell's attack. Also, both of the white-skinned girls had better Death critical block.)

"His dying words made me terrified," said Grace. "I was stunned when I heard about this Umbra Queen attacking Celestia... what did she want?"

"The Astral spells," I said. Grace grew ill.

"She desires magic, and she probably saw our new spells as powerful magic," she said.

 

"This is worse than I had thought, Mma," said Grace. "I found spells of every school, including yours. I got the spells and gave them to the others... the Hoarder had sealed the power of those monsters and others in those cards to prevent students from getting the ability to cast them... Morganthe knows we're a thorn in her side and is trying to cripple the students of Ravenwood to prevent them from getting strong enough to defeat her."

"Well, she failed," said Christina, smirking. "The Hoarder is dead and..."

"We can free my sisters at long last!" sobbed Penny. Grace hugged her gently.

"I... I am sorry, Rra Ambrose," said Grace, bowing her head in shame. "I wasn't able to meet with the group. I apologize for not being able to return to see if they were okay and to here they have not returned... I have failed you."

"We should go there immediately and see if they are okay!" cried Christina. "If your world is at war, then the exchange program MUST be cancelled ASAP!"

"I agree, Christina," said Ambrose. "This is most dreadful news. Professor Falmea and Mr. Baxby were responsible for planning the event. You should speak to them."

I nodded and held my head. Great, I had desired to visit my best friend's home, but NOT under THESE circumstances. Oh well, a heroine's work is never done.

"Wait," said Ambrose. "I must inform you... Zafaria is Morganthe's home world as well."

"What?" I said. "How? She doesn't have dark skin like Grace!"

"I will explain everything once you have ensured that the group is back safe in Wizard City," said Ambrose with a sigh. "As I said, I had visited Zafaria a long long time ago..."

Christina cocked an eyebrow. "You're holding stuff from us, old man... pardon my disrespect, but we want answers as soon as we get back!"

I didn't applaud Christina's bluntness, but I agreed with her - what secrets about our new enemy did the Headmaster have in his closet?

"As I said, I will explain all when you get back and make sure the exchange students return safely."

"Wait," said Penny. "What about..."

Grace nodded. "Mma Fairyfriend, Mma Dawnblade, it would be an honor if we witnessed the awakening of our spells again like we did last time, in our dreams."

I nodded. "And you're staying with us FOREVER, you know! If we had kept you from leaving, we would have gotten through the whole of Celestia in half of the time it took us with that Sailor Venus! Not that I am insulting my idols, but... ugh." I rolled my eyes.

"I am guessing my substitute had a hard time," murmured Grace, smirking.

"She was Myth too, not fun," muttered Christina. "One puking frog is enough!" She laughed and nudged our ribs. "Together forever, right? Pinky swear?"

Grace smiled and held out her pinky as did I. We linked them together. "Together until the Dark Queen is defeated," she said.

I won't bore you with the summonings but I saw Penny's eyes get bloodshot and wet as she saw her sisters freed from their imprisonment. They promised to serve Grace as well.

"I have decided that it is time for me to retire from assisting you, Mma," said Penny. "Now that my sisters are free, I want to..."

"I understand, you have so much to catch up on, Mma," said Grace, smiling. "Very well, I will find someone else to accompany me."

 
"I am ready to work now, I will work hard to ensure your clients will get their cases heard." I am sure that is what Penny said when she returned to the office and began her secretarial duties. (Yep, time to retire the mermaid - now that Grace has an enchantable Sirens that trumps Storm Lord in power [the pet spell is a weakened version for less pips, but this one does 880 damage base!] with the same awesome effects of blade destruction, we don't need the Sirens pet spell. I'll get a nice healing pet in the future. Of course, only one Sirens is going to be used in the mob deck due to it being costly - 9 PIPS. Also, it's cool that you can put a pet on a desk!)

It was my turn. Professor Cyrus was annoyed but I have gotten used to his asinine behavior by now.
(He also mentioned the skies of Empyrea, maybe I will go there someday?) (I know this is probably just a passing mention but the fact Cyrus said 'you have not been there yet' is too broad a hint that the world of Empyrea will be a world in the future!)

I was sent to Golem Court, near Dragon's Mouth Cave. I did feel braver with my friends nearby when the giant six-legged creature emerged from the ground and growled at me. I looked away...

And got vomited upon. YUCK! I'm sending Cy the cleaning bill!!! :( (Missed the shot of the leer, it was really creepy!)

I nearly died there, you jerkwad! *sigh* Oh well... at least I got a powerful new spell. (Basilisk is a damage over time spell, the only Myth one. It'll be useful against a certain annoying boss halfway through Zafaria that will be almost impossible to survive against without using Damage Over Time...)

 

Amber: "OH MY AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"

{Hey, no spoilers! ;)}

Finally, we watched Christina summon the Chimera and it was just as terrifying but she wasn't scared at all. "Who's a big pussy-cat, hmmm? Hey, Doc! I've got a little PRESENT FOR YA, ya ha ha!" she cooed as she was zapped by its attacks. (Chimera is the Spiritual counterpart to Hydra - it attacks with three attacks of Myth, Life and Death, which ALL boost on Balance. This will replace Hydra in the anti-Balance deck, nine pip cost be cursed! ^_^)

 

Professor Falmea explained a few things, and we spoke to Baxby near Golem Tower. Falmea's assistant professor, Umilio Sunchaser, was also from Zafaria and would have been responsible for taking care of the students, but contact had been lost with the exchange group.

She handed me a photo of the exchange group and I got a glimpse before it was suddenly consumed by dark flame. "This is an omen," said Falmea worriedly. "The Ice Professor, Lydia Greyrose, mentioned that she was part of a group that opposed this sorceress long ago. If she has used this power to destroy the photo from here, I fear that she is trying very hard to stop you from reaching them. Be wary, students."

"We will," I said, but I did recall some details: There were six students - equal boys and girls, the flamingo guy had to be Umilio, and the elephant prince was to the left. Ha, Morganthe has to mind wipe me to make me not know that! ^_^

Baxby handed us the Spiral Key to Zafaria, which I had duplicated for Christina. "This is a bitter homecoming," said Grace sadly.

"We'll make things right," I assured her, but even I wasn't sure of my words. If Morganthe was causing trouble in Celestia, how much more dangerous could Zafaria be? And Ambrose told us that Morganthe was born there... why did she seek to hurt her own home?

No time to question it. On to Zafaria!

 
We're here... Grace's home world... Zafaria. I was in LOVE. :)

[TBC...]

Astral Physics (The Chancel and the Trial of Spheres - Celestia Finale)

(I am cramming this update into two parts because the Trial is really short and most of the dialogue in the end of the Chancel was made up by me to set up for the debut of Morganthe.)

"Sailor Mercury?" I gasped. "Why you? Don't you have worlds to save? Exalted?"

"Yes, I have become the greatest Ice Wizard in the Spiral," said Amy. "Well, not technically but I have reached the highest level of training I can achieve at the present time. Mindy has been recalled because two Myth Wizards working together was a problem as I soon found out - those Centurions were a bit difficult to fight, right?"

I nodded.

"Besides, Grace needs you and the sooner you unlock the power of the Grand Astrolabe, the better. Also, I have business in the Chancel, you need my power."

"Is Grace okay?" I asked.

"She... is safe," said Amy. "I can't say any more. She will tell you herself when the time comes. For now, let us go to the Chancel and get the Sun of Celestia before Morganthe gets it."

"Is..." I began to say but Amy was off like a shot on her white stag mount. I shook my head.

Sharks. Why did it have to be sharks again? I thought I was rid of them. *sigh*

"What was THAT?" cried Christina.

"That was Mithraya, the Sun Goddess of Celestia and the Avatar of Sun Magic," said  Amy.

"The Sun is missing," I said, seeing the empty pedestal. "So much for an easy grab and go!"

"The Pisceans have taken it," said Amy.

"No," I said. "We must get it back before they bring it to Morganthe!"

We fought the Pisceans and, while Amy fizzled, Christina picked up the slack with Ra.

"You've gotten stronger," said Amy, smiling at her.

"Well, Sierra DID weaken them with her puking frog," giggled Christina. I think she wasn't using the nickname because she wanted to be polite around this Exalted Thaumaturge.

Christina found a slightly wounded Piscean and put her blade to its fleshy neck. "TALK! WHERE IS THE SUN OF CELESTIA!!!!?"

"Mercy," croaked the shark. "Our boss, Big Salgio, has it! He's locked himself in the back of the Solarium, he told nobody to go in!"

"Mostly likely where he's going to rendevous with our enemy," said Amy. "We must hurry there post-haste or we're lost." We nodded and hurried deep into the halls.

I cussed. "We're stuck, this wall of energy is impassable."

"I've been here before," said Amy. "There are six obelisks that open the way, but..."

"Let's split up, Christina," I said. "The quicker we bring down this wall, the better."

We split up and activated the obelisks...

Only for these goons to spawn. "Really? We have to take them out?" I moaned.

"No, you'll only waste resources, you've already consumed one potion each," said Amy. "I can take out these guys quickly. When the barrier falls, I'll join you."

I watched her fight the Stellar Protectors and noticed a glowing aura of Star magic but it was not like the ones I was used to... what was it? (Oops, didn't realize I had put Reliquary in Amy's side deck!)

"You should have gone ahead," Amy said.

"I know, I just wanted to make sure you were okay," I said.

"I am Exalted, I was fine," said Amy. "You won't be Headmistress of Pigswick Academy in the future if you worry so much." I was about to ask but I got a beep. "Is that your Professor on the beeper?"

I sighed. Cyrus, you will have to wait. I have more important matters. I made a note to visit him and plead mercy to him for being late once we got the Sun of Celestia. (Yep, guess who hit Level 68! I had to invoke this to get rid of the icon. I could have canceled it but meh.)

I found yet another Zodiac tome past the wall and quickly took notes from it for later.

"We have to defeat these three Optios," said Amy. "I will defeat them myself, you go and activate the Stones." She ran into battle.

"Can we trust her to be safe?" I asked as the first Optio unleashed Orthrus on her.

"She's a Sailor Wizard," sighed Christina as her cart workers fought each other. "Let's go."


But I stayed to watch Amy again... and she cast her ice magic... but this time things appeared...

First was a great lion-man in a mighty ship. From his armor and crown, he was royalty. "Greetings, young Wizard of Myth. I am King Artorius, ruler of Avalon. Or former ruler until Morganthe stuck her claws into me and cursed me with a most vile form. I know you and your friends have been shown worthy to wield the ways of the Astral Spheres... no doubt you will be strong enough to defeat the dragons of my world and save me and Avalon from darkness." He made a sword rise from the waters and it turned into a serpent that slammed into the shark-man.

He vanished and I was stunned. I recalled one of the exchange students in Pigswick Academy saying she was from Avalon and I had visited a cave there briefly through a magical portal, but... me? Save Avalon from darkness?

(Sorry for the HUD, I didn't press Ctrl-G in time.)

A giant mammoth emerged as Amy cast another spell. "Jambo, young wizard. I am the spirit of Zafaria. Your friend Grace was born there but now her home is in danger. Blood will flow across the lands if you and your Balance wizard friend do not aid her... Morganthe is connected to the world as well, she has roots there."

This was getting weirder and weirder...

(Again with the HUD)

 A mouse-man wearing armor with a horned helmet emerged and attacked the shark but whispered to me. "I am the spirit of a dark world. You will not visit this world for a long time, only once you are strong enough to learn the dark secrets of the shadows and only when you have witnessed a great tragedy - the death of a world. It is there that Morganthe's power is greatest. You will be tested again and again, but you and your friends must never lose hope, for despair is Shadow's greatest power."

Again!

And then this...

"I am the spirit of a doomed world. Do not try to fight fate that cannot change. Your destiny alone is your own to change. Morganthe's prophecy will come to pass, you cannot change its course. She has planned it years before you began life as a wizard. But you can prevent her from changing the destiny of the Spiral."

"You saw them, the visions," said Amy. "I'm sorry, I should have not used those spells. They come from the future and they are types of spells you will not learn for a long time."

"Even that fog at your feet?" I asked.

She sighed and nodded. "Even that... that is a type of magic that Merle Ambrose forbids in Ravenwood, but eventually that magic will be yours. I cannot say any more. To tell you your future would change it and we Sailor Wizards are honorable and don't want to sway your decisions."

I shook my head and smiled. "I'm fine."

 
Christina rode up. "The way is open, guys! I activated the obelisks as soon as those sharks dropped. Let's go and stop Morgie!"

I was still in a daze. What were those visions? It had to be left behind for now - we were close to recovering the Sun of Celestia. Just a little further...

I found the shark and... a woman. She was dressed like a cross between a goth and a hooker and wore a black crown, but I felt chills as I saw she was holding a giant spider in her hands like a cat!

"Morganthe!" screamed Amy. "In the name of the Sailor Wizards, I hereby arrest you!"

"Oh dear, if it isn't the almighty Sailor Mercury," chortled the sorceress. "I'm scared... not!"

I paled. "You're... Morganthe?"

"Indeed," said Morganthe. "I recognize you and your little friend. It was amusing seeing you take out the Coven in Wintertusk. I gave them some of my power but they botched its use. What idiot birds. I had expected that fool Ambrose to send a wizard to try to stop me, but I didn't expect you kitty cats."

"Grrr, take that back, you witch!" snarled Christina.

"Where's your little friend, Grace?" said the dark sorceress. "Oh yes, she's back home in Zafaria. Hope something NASTY doesn't happen to her, ha ha ha!"

I freaked out. "You harm one hair on her head, you answer to ME!"

"I have better things to do than waste my time with kittens," sneered Morganthe. "Go my pet, kill them all and then bring the Sun of Celestia to me. I won't be denied Celestia's magic any longer!"

She teleported away. I hated her at once.

"Let's get the Sun back," I snarled.

The fight was easy - Big Salgio was all talk and with the power of Sailor Mercury on our side, we wiped the floor with him by summoning that spell with King Artorius again. (No minions, only 4240 health, and he's Fire against a Level 100 Ice. Yeah, this was a massacre. :p)

I had a feeling those words rang very true and that Morganthe's evil was far more powerful than that of Mad Malistaire's. What sort of power could she wield with the Astral spells? I shuddered as she recited the prophecy again. "The mirror will break, the horn will call, from the shadows I strike and the skies shall fall!"

"Well, she ain't getting the magic now," said Christina, holding up the Sun disc. "She forgot to grab this when she was mocking us."

"She probably has what she wants from this world by now," muttered Amy. "I fear this is only the beginning. I've been into the future... it is not pretty. Let's go install that and finish up the Grand Astrolabe and see where that leads us."

I nodded slowly. No point dwelling on the future now.

 

I stayed briefly to watch Christina install the Sun. There was a bright light in the back area.

"Thanks," said Christina. "But what was that light?"

"It was a portal opening," said Edith. "That portal in the back was inert until you activated the Grand Astrolabe by placing the three discs in it. Thurston had some notes and we learned that beyond that portal is what the Celestians called 'The Trial of the Spheres.' If you want the greatest challenge of your life, go try it out!"

"We'll do that, but first I have put Professor Cy on hold long enough," I said. "He'll have my hide if I don't respond. BRB."

I winced. "I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to, you know, save the Spiral and neglect my studies."

He smirked. "I was only half-joking. I admit that you have advanced far in power beyond any student I have taught, and you have obtained spells that the other students only dream about, save that Sailor Venus character you were with earlier. Mindy Goldheart is a bother."

"Uhm..." I said.

"The way you helped with the matter of my brother was noted," said Cyrus, frowning again.

"Thank you," I said. "But I didn't do it alone."

"Oh, then you won't take credit?" asked Cyrus. "Well, then I guess it would be pointless to teach you a new spell..."

"Okay, that's not funny," I said with a scowl. "Of course I'd be willing to study new magic."

"Very well," said Cyrus. "You must now seriously study the ethos of Myth - the creatures as well as the magic. I'm going to teach you a new spell - The Basilisk. Krokotopia is home to all sorts of scaly desert creatures so I can think of none more knowledgeable in the nature of the Basilisk than Alhazared, the Professor of Balance."

"You're sending me to another Professor?" I asked. I quickly answered myself. "Okay, I'll go see him."

Alhazred greeted me and told me all he knew about the Basilisk. It was very educational and I realized that that creature that had appeared once in one fight - six legs and green skin - was the legendary Basilisk. Its power was amazing - it inflicted poison that slowly killed the victim and paralyzed with its gaze, just like Medusa!

I returned to my Professor and, as expected, he was going to make me sweat for the spell. :(

Then Milos had more bad news. I returned to Celestia and told Christina.

"This is no coincidence," muttered my friend. "The Hoarder has my spell as well. I feel that he's stolen magic from EVERY school of magic!"

"And he works for Morganthe," I muttered. "This is really bad. We need to defeat him and..."

"The Hoarder is a powerful foe," warned Amy. "You must be ready for him. I suggest we go through the Trial of the Spheres to prepare you for such a battle."

I nodded. No point in not accepting the challenge, I felt ready enough.

We entered the portal and began the trial. First were a bunch of puzzles which Amy, in all her genius, figured out easily.

Then we met Astraeus, the Star God.

(Astraeus is the first boss and his gimmick is this: He throws up a Guardian Shield[-75% to all damage] which instantly refreshes if you destroy it with an attack. He then summons clones of himself which you must take out to prevent him from refreshing his shield. Luckily his mooks only have 1000 HP and can be taken down quickly. All the bosses in this gauntlet have a rare chance of dropping Sandstone, Sunstone and the Sea Dragon pet egg. Grace got it from this guy.)

The portal lead to the next chamber, which had moons in various phase. We figured out that pushing the buttons rotated the hologram of that moon phase. We had to move one of the moons to point at the direction of platforms where Stellar Protectors were lurking.

We had to defeat them to make chests appear and inside the chests were giant shields which we fit over statues flanking the door onwards.

 

 

Inside was Ptolemos, the Moon God. He told us we were not charming but Judgement begged to differ. We defeated him with Judgement.

(Ptolemos's gimmick is this: He will immediately throw up a Guardian Shield[-80% damage] and will insta-refresh it if you break it... UNLESS you cast a blade or charm on yourself! Then he'll say "You've charmed yuor way into my heart!" and dispel his shield. Get it? Charms? Other than that, the battle is straight-forward. Just have someone use an area attack to take out the Stellar Protectors and you're golden.)

We also found the final Zodiac Tome, the Warden sign. I finished my notes and noted to find that journalist as soon as we were done here. (I foolishly forgot to get Grace that book so she has to go back through Astraeus to get it. SIGH!)

"This is a simple puzzle," said Amy as we entered the last chamber, which was as bright as the sun itself. "I'll sneak by the guards, you grab the chests, and use the swords on the statues. I have been here before on my own journey. Trust me, it's not hard as it looks, but my partner got AFK and I was stuck for an hour waiting for him." She grinned.

Knowing here, she was telling the truth.

 

It was like we said, teamwork worked - we fit the four swords that we got from the chests onto the statues. It was nerve-wracking, we were almost done here.

It was here, the Sun Goddess we had heard in the Chancel. I gulped.

"I'm ready for this," said Christina. "I'll go in first and..."

But Mithraya wasn't having it, she pulled ME in first! Yikes! P_O

(You enter battle in the order which you finish reading the dialogue, so your tank should speed through the text box first and the hammer should read slowly until the others have closed it.)

She slashed Amy with her fiery sword but Sailor Mercury shrugged the damage off. I was amazed - would I become that powerful as an Exalted Wizard?

We then were blinded by smoke which made us choke and gag and fizzled our spells.

 

"This is nuts!" coughed Christina. "We'll never get a spell off at this rate!!!"

Just then, her Piggle cast Balanceblade on me...

The smoke cleared. I summoned Talos and prayed for days.

Then I saw the thing again, the dinosaur on the pyramid.

"Do not fear being unable to catch up with the Dark One," it roared. "You will succeed in defeating her in the end, but only if you never give up hope and work together - you, Christina and Grace, who are blessed by the Raven Goddess. Grandfather Spider fears you."

Then it destroyed the Stellar Protector and I was confused.

Here went...

EVERYTHING!!!

 

It was over. Mithraya was gone.

(Quick guide here: Mithraya's gimmick is casting Smokescreen[-50% Accuracy] on anyone who does anything but pass. HOWEVER, if you plant a trap and a blade of the same school together, she'll stop using that gimmick cheat. Christina had gotten through a Hex and Balanceblade is also Balance, so Mith did not do her cheat anymore. The best best is to trap her up the butt with various school traps and blade up to stop the cheat and then one-shot kill her.)

"We won, we won!" cried Christina, dancing in glee.

"I am impressed," said Amy, smiling. "Mindy's right about you guys. Anyways, I have to return to HQ and put down the report on our blog. The Morgantine forces should be retreating now that the Trial has been conquered - they won't be getting any Astral Magic now."

"Thanks," I said.

"Sierra... you and your friends are honorary members of the Sailor Wizards now, our allies," said Amy. "I fear this is not the end. Morganthe is a dangerous sorceress, she won't stop until she gets her magical fix. She is obsessed with powerful magic, and she's more immune to diplomacy than Malistaire was. Yes, we saw you defeat him but did not intervene, we knew you could handle him. Morganthe... she needs a lot more attention."

"Well, we'll see," I said. "We'll take whatever she throws at us!"

"Even bugs?" said Amy with a smirk. I cringed.

"Grace's world is in danger, I know this much," said Amy. "I have seen the worlds you will visit and trust me, you will not be able to stop Morganthe until you face her in her own territory. But don't worry about that now, go save Grace's world. Grace is okay... go speak to Halston and he will let you know that she's safe back in her home."

I sighed in relief. "Thanks again."

"In the name of Mercury, I salute you, Sierra and Christina! Fare well!"

And with that, Amy vanished in a puff of mist. I sighed in relief.

"Wish I had a better pet," muttered Christina.

"Hey, this is a note from... omg! I have to go now!" Christina ran off. "I'll meet you back in Ravenwood, carrot fairy!"

She waved good-bye and entered the portal out to the Base Camp. I smiled.

I lingered briefly, looking out over the horizon. All the adventures I had in Celestia rushed through my head, and I knew one thing... I had to get my Celestial Observatory! It would look as awesome as this place was... but with that, I was outtie.

...EPILOGUE...

 
Finally remembered that journalist's name! I gave Deidre Parker the notes I had taken and she promised to credit me with the assistance. I quickly told her about the Spiral Gate and I could take her back to Marleybone but she refused politely. "There is still much to write about here," she said.

Journalists, what weirdos! 9_9
 

"Thanks, I will," I said. "And thank you for all of your assistance, Edith. Without your guidance we could have been lost. Tell Thurston we made it through safely and we'll see him around if we come back to visit. Ciao for now!"

"Good luck on your future adventures, young Sierra!" said Edith, saluting with her wrench.

I paused at the Gate. I knew there was a lot I was missing, but for now I had to tell Professor Balestorm that his colleague was fine and Celestia was safe. I took one last long look at the underwater dome protecting me from drowning underwater and then left. (Yes, she's missing a ton of side quests but I'll do them on my own time.)

As I flew back to the Storm School, I was still wondering about those creatures and their words to me. I wanted to meet King Artorius for real and visit his world, Avalon, but also the doomed world and the world in shadow... the focus of Morganthe's power. I had a feeling those would be world I would visit... and great tragedy would beset us. And Grace... if she wasn't okay, I would never forgive myself. I wouldn't say I 'loved' her in the way I would be romantically attracted to a boy, but it was like Grace said herself: We are all connected, we are all brethren in the Spiral.

Professor Balestorm was glad to see me and hear the good news about his colleague. "You have done so much to help the Spiral Geographic Society and Sir Thurston Plunkett, but I must admit the return of Queen Morganthe is..."

"Hold on, how do you know about Morganthe?" I interrupted. "We just met her!"

"Grace told me!" said Halston. "She's in her 'office' now and asked me to send you to her when you got back from your adventures. She is also sorry that she couldn't help you past the Survey Camp but she... well, you should see for yourself!"

I bolted. Something bad had happened, I knew it!

And it was Grace's home... something evil had happened and we had to save it!

[To be continued...?]