Sparks by Nightfall : Maple's Starlight
[Giveaway prize for @lonebraixen featuring my Magic Girl AU. Trigger warning for loss of mental autonomy]
I don't think I've had this type of dream before …
I look around and see an aerial view of the skyscrapers and lights of a place I haven't seen in a long time.
Sinnoh …
I've always loved the place wherever I visited and I've been thoroughly reminded to return there.
Only … I don't seem to be in a plane or something but rather, I seem to be … falling … plummeting downward like a meteor in the night sky.
I look behind me and see an icy blue light trailing in my path, actually … I am surrounded by this icy blue light as I seem to plummet towards … somewhere …
I try to avert my gaze elsewhere as I see some other lights falling with me … two lights that look like they're holding each other's hand … one a deep cerulean and the other a bright scarlet …
I take a closer look at the two as they both seem to be sleeping peacefully as if they aren't at all aware of what is happening. I can only make out a few distinctive features, a strange-looking Gardevoir and a Braixen just like me …
My Protector senses are tingling again as I try to remember their faces. I wonder if I will meet them at Sinnoh High? I guess there is only one way to find out …
~~~
My alarm went off just as I thought I was trapped in that seemingly endless dream. Stretching my arms a bit and yawning, I look around my cozy den just to see the morning sky as I look outside or at least … what is currently visible in my surroundings. I can only ever see the sky as a way of knowing whatever routine I should be doing.
I spotted Syrup curled up beside the spot where I slept, peacefully slumbering. I gently stroked his fur just a little bit so as not to wake him up and I can feel him purring as he seemed to not mind me doing that.
I better get ready, but first …
"Sinnoh Region. Present-day."
My surroundings suddenly shifted as I feel like the den is en route to somewhere, as fast as it can possibly be. I sat on the bed while I waited for my destination, humming to myself just to pass the time.
The trip took a while as I felt a sudden jolt on the bed signaling the arrival. I get up from the bed and immediately open the door towards Sinnoh.
As I went outside, I was greeted with the same apartment room I was in the last time I went there. Funny how this didn't seem to change one bit but I am not really complaining. The steel-framed windows were still there providing a perfect view of the sky and the surrounding area while the bed was still in its pristine condition. I guess the landlord thoroughly cleans this place and keeps it in check.
I felt someone nuzzling my leg as I looked down and saw Syrup, who had just woken up as he gave his cute yawn. I picked him up immediately and gave him a snuggle as I felt him licking my cheeks in retaliation.
"Good morning, Syrup! Hope the vibrations didn't wake you up …"
"Not at all, boss … I barely even felt it. I just woke up on my own, don't you worry." He smiled as he jumped onto my shoulder and looked around. "Sinnoh? It's good to be back here … I missed this place."
"Me too, Syrup … me too"
With that, we finally settled in to see what Sinnoh needs us for … right after doing some other things of course. It's been a while since I lifted up my trusty Protector staff so I figured some practice before class starts wouldn't hurt.
~~~
"Come on now, Maple … you've been practicing this all morning and school's about to start … Just unleash in one fell swoop, and …"
"Astral Pulse!"
The attack finally worked as the starlight materialized from my sapphire jeweled staff and shot out a pulse of light, hitting a makeshift target Syrup was holding and completely disintegrating it into oblivion … or to a few shreds of paper to be exact. I immediately removed my headphones and gave my Nickit partner a thumbs up as I picked him up and cuddled him as thanks for helping me.
“I should probably get ready for school so … mind waiting for me, Syrup?”
“Not at all, boss! Take your time …” He smiled as he perked his ears up and wagged his tail before curling up on the bed. He is just so cute when he does that.
“I promise this will be quick.” I gave him a wink before quickly heading up towards the bathroom for a quick shower. I was wearing a loose shirt and some yoga pants and something tells me those aren’t what you should wear to school.
“This should be good enough”
After a while, I exited the shower wearing a cardigan and some jeans. I have to admit, I’m really glad this type of fashion hasn’t been discontinued yet otherwise I would look out of place. Wrapping a towel over my head, I go back to my room where my companion is waiting for me.
“How do I look now, Syrup?”
“Woah … so pretty ... “
“Oh come on, you’re making me blush ... we must hurry now though, school’s about to start. Won’t wanna raise some suspicion by being late!”
I held Syrup in my arms as we headed towards the apartment exit and onward towards Sinnoh High.
~~~
The train ride towards campus is as nostalgic as ever, even though it's more of a scenic ride rather than a joyride because of the music that was playing. Syrup was tucked inside my bag, peeking through a slightly opened space as he watched the world go forward.
<Now approaching Jubilife Station.>
I immediately got myself ready and exited the train, passing by a sea of commuters on the way and some heading in the same direction I did. Seeing the familiar building towards the distance, I immediately ran towards it as anticipation and excitement got the best of me.
"Easy, boss! It's like an Earthquake inside here … slow down!" Syrup flinched as I immediately stopped running when I arrived at the gates to Sinnoh High, panting a bit as that impromptu jog made me just a bit tired. I pet him from inside my bag and giggled. "Sorry … I'm just way too excited you know? Alright let's just go on ahead, people will think I'm crazy talking to a bag."
I breathed a sigh of relief as I made my way through, readying my identification card just in case. There are a lot of Braixens here in this world to even raise any suspicions but I am not taking any chances just to be extra safe.
I passed by seemingly with no consequences, no alarms, or double j
checks from security probably because they were too occupied with the other students. That's a good sign that I should proceed, to me at least, and just continue to where I should be going.
"Same schedule as always … got it. Cool! They have an Astronomy Club now. Probably wouldn't hurt to join just one club …"
I passed through the hallways filled with various students going out and about to someplace else, minding their own business altogether. Sometimes I just envy their innocence, having to quell many interdimensional threats makes you really alert of your surroundings I tell you.
I eventually came into my classroom after a while of walking down the halls. It took me quite faster than I expected considering this isn't really a new place to me after being here so many times.
"Good Morning!" A Gardevoir greeted me the moment I stepped inside the classroom, she had a white lab coat and thick-framed sunglasses. Looks like she's the teacher here, and a new one too. I must act natural so as not to cause a way too good of a reputation.
"Good morning! Pleased to meet you, Miss …"
"Memento. Ionix Memento. I will be your professor for History. You can take your time being seated. Classes haven't started yet."
"That's great! I mean … pleased to meet you Miss Ionix." I immediately took one of the empty seats and sat down. Luckily she didn't sense anything unusual for now at least. I really should stop being paranoid and just focus on why I am put here again.
~~~
Lunch sort of came along faster than I expected, it was kind of a breeze even. I was in deep thought as I walked the halls again, my mind suddenly reminding me of that dream I had earlier this morning.
What could all of this mean? Does it even involve me? Is Syrup also a part of this …?
Unfortunately for me, my train of thought was interrupted as I bumped into someone while I seemingly walked aimlessly through the halls. In a split second, I can sense a book that was about to fall down and upon instinct, I caught it before it even fell to the floor.
"Sorry about that. Here's your … book."
I look up to see a Lucario, wearing a simple purple shirt and blue pants and holding a duffel bag. She giggles in response to what I said and smirks, her hand reaching for the book she just dropped.
Ok … now I feel infatuated… I-Is this what I should be feeling …?
"It's fine! I do say I'm impressed by that trick you did. You must be a baseball player or something?"
"Oh no no no. I'm just … good at catching things that's all!" I giggled as well, hoping not to sound too nervous about it. As I gave her the book, I can sense … something from her, an odd sense of knowing something as I touched her paw a bit.
Ok first I seem to like her a bit and now … I seem to know her a bit too all of a sudden? Who is this girl?
I immediately retracted my hand back from her and smiled, feeling like I should get to know her a bit more. Well, it does give me more people to know in this school so I probably should introduce myself.
"So … Hello! Name's Maple by the way and it's a pleasure to meet you by accident. You are?" I reached out my hand again, this time for a handshake. "Figured we can be friendly with each other and get to know each other too."
Why did I say that part !?!
"Pleasure to meet you too! I'm Lucia and don't worry… I don't have a lot of people to confide with either." As both of our hands shook, I can tell from her expression that she also had this feeling of having known me a bit. This was a little awkward but it's a friendly gesture still. "Wanna sit with me during lunch?"
I immediately blushed, internally at least … I wouldn't want to look too embarrassed to draw concern from her. With a nod, I respond with my usual cheery self. "I would love to! There's only an hour or two before lunch ends anyway …"
~~~
The cafeteria is bustling with students going about their usual business, some walking hurriedly and some just taking their time, we were the latter. Lucia led the way, presumably towards her favorite spot in the cafeteria as I followed her, my heart beating a bit faster than usual.
"You have a special spot here?" I asked, breaking the silence between us and hoping to get some small talk. I did notice we were walking by a few empty spots so I figured that was the case.
"Yes. I usually happen to sit with a couple of freshmen for consultation and just to chat in between classes. Strange how we seem to be in the same spot every single day so we just went with it."
Lucia then suddenly faced somewhere distant and her smile widened as she grabbed my hand, immediately pulling me as she ran towards something. "Come on! I wanna introduce you to them!"
"Woah-kay! I'm already excited from the looks of it!" I giggled as I responded back at her trying to scan the cafeteria for that special spot Lucia was talking about.
"Good to see you again, Lucia! Who's the new fella?" I heard someone exclaim in front of us. I looked back at them and noticed one was a Braixen like I was, his gaze towards me was a bit neutral but I can see in his eyes he had a mix of awe and wonder. Another was a hybrid of sorts, a symmetrical mix of a Kantonian Vulpix and Gardevoir.
Must be my braids I guess … wait a second … they looked familiar … were they … the ones from my dream?
"Hello! Please call me Maple. I'm just a transfer student trying to make Sinnoh my home." I gave the two an immediate wave and a smile hoping they wouldn't see through what I actually meant. I looked at them closely just to be sure if my suspicions were correct and there was no doubt that they were the ones who appeared in my dream.
Could they be … Protectors too?
"I'm sure we'll get along just fine." Toby smiled while the one beside her patted him on the head much to his dismay as he flinched a bit. "Please call me Toby, as you probably have guessed my name by now … and this here is Jenna! A very close classmate of mine!"
"Charmed to meet you, Maple. Hope we can get along just fine too. Always fun meeting some new friends!" She smiled cheerily and waving at me as I sat with them for lunch. For a first impression, I would say it's a decent one although I'm a bit cautious when making friends in other worlds.
As I attempted to start some small talk among them, I heard a crash from somewhere within the cafeteria and it was a very loud one at that. Students started panicking while some took no time to run out of the exit of the cafeteria.
"Weird Bug Pokemon! It's eating the tables and chairs! Run! Get out of here quick!"
A cacophony of distressed screams echoed from the students who were just enjoying a nice lunch and was now running or taking cover from the sudden attacks. I immediately went on high alert as I stood up, clutching my duffel bag, and ran towards the source of the attack, looking back to them as I call out.
"Evacuate immediately! Save yourselves!"
I had no time to see their reactions as I quickly looked forward to the direction of the bug swarm, as someone was poking out of my bag. Syrup immediately jumped out from the bag and right into my shoulder.
"Ready when you are, boss. Let's take 'em down!"
Small talk can wait … Right now, this is an emergency.
I kept running with Syrup in tow and that's when I saw it, a large swarm of what looked like Anoriths and Mothims gathered around the kitchen scurrying and buzzing everywhere. They all had this toxic greenish hue and leaked purple ooze, covering wherever they went with a sticky, corrosive liquid.
That wasn't the only issue though, right by the kitchen where the other students were supposed to line up to get lunch, was the kitchen staff cowering in fear. They looked to be subdued by green sticky webs, too afraid to attempt an escape in fear of the one in front of them.
This must have been String Shot … but … why the strange color …?
The one who was presumably causing all this chaos was a Vespiquen, she had her back turned to me and was probably doing some kind of monologue. I wasted no time trying to sneak through the area using the tables and chairs that were all over the place. With me sneaking around, I noticed my assumption was correct and she was indeed monologuing and caught most of what she was saying as I peered from behind a table.
"Finally! This Entomology Course is starting to get a bit handy … my army is finally growing!"
The Vespiquen cackled, she looked to be a senior and was hovering around as she spoke as if she was a teacher. She looks back over at the kitchen staff and crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow in a sort of disapproving glare and a look of disgust over her captives.
"Why do you three have to be in my way? I had just started releasing a few of my precious pawns and one of you just had to set off the smoke detector … so I have no choice but to punish you with an Attack Order."
The student already had a swarm of Mothims behind her, all she had to do was send the command and they would all attack at once. Wasting no time whatsoever, I readied a surprise attack and hoped I aimed directly at the swarm.
"Stars from the sky above, I seek.
Your power, to protect the weak
To quell the darkest night.
I unleash my Astral Burst of Light!"
With a wave of my staff, the swarm was vanquished just as they were about to strike at the kitchen staff. Just as I expected from what I've done, the Vespiquen immediately turned and hovered towards me, her face now a more irritated expression as she clenched her fists and cursed a bit. Clutching the staff in my hand and with Syrup resting by my shoulder, I was now anticipating a full-on attack from her.
"I didn't realize there were other Protectors here in this school, much less a meddling one! … I thought I was the only one here." She sighed as if she was disappointed by the fact.
"Why are you even doing this? This isn't what a Protector should be doing..." I snapped back, looking up at her in a tone way calmer than I should have been. I was trying to keep my cool after all, even though this was all getting into my nerves.
"Protector? You might have been mistaken there, darling … I'm no longer part of the likes of you! I serve someone else. Someone more capable of making me achieve greatness."
"Greatness? What part of that is you summoning a swarm of deadly creatures?"
"Don't you dare call my babies, 'creatures'! These babies are my army and this school would need something of power and someone to help recognize our queen."
"Queen? What nonsense are you talking about?"
"You see, meddler … the great being you so lavishly call your Empyrean isn't actually what you think they are. On the other hand, Kat'ze grants us power beyond this world … something of … greatness"
I can hear her cackling again, that irritating laugh as she started to transform with a light illuminating her while she did so. It was like the light I see from the stars only, they were devoid of any light and warmth. Instead, only a dark purple void that looked cold and empty just by looking at it.
As the light vanished, it revealed her Protector form or rather, a corrupted version of it. There was an evil twinkle in her right eye like a purple star in the same cold and empty aura from earlier. Her delicate wings became elongated as it rapidly flapped about and her hands formed clawed fingers, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Her school uniform was now an ebony black blouse, lacking any sparkle and shimmer as a Protector's would.
How could someone completely invert such power and use it for evil …? Just focus, Maple … the school's safety is at stake …
"Syrup … looks like it's our time to shine."
I looked back at my companion, determined as I also activated my transformation. My staff glowed with starlight as I channeled it towards myself, transforming into my cerulean dress studded with some sapphire crystals. I also had some midnight blue gloves on just to match my entire get-up.
"Attack Order!"
Another swarm emerged from behind her and darted towards me, making some nasty clicking noises as they approached. I immediately hovered from the ground and swerved to my right, making an angle to use my Astral Burst towards her. It didn't her as she immediately used some of her bugs as a shield against my attack as they all vaporized upon impact.
"Hah! It'd take more than THAT to stop me, Stargirl! You have to try harder!"
She taunted as the swarm was in hot pursuit while I immediately hovered somewhere else, trying to lose sight of them while looking for another angle to attack. Syrup, wasting no time, hopped off of me and scurried someplace else. I tried to call out from him but he was already gone, my sight of him slowly disappearing from the cloud of bugs that were on my way.
Just as I was about to aim at the swarm, I sensed a sudden pulse of energy coming towards us and a rather powerful one at that. I instinctively stood back a bit as the swarm was suddenly flooded with a pulse of purple starlight, vaporizing them within moments.
"Anything alright, Maple? You sure need some backup right there~"
I turned around to see Lucia, clad in an indigo dress and lavender shawl smiling towards me. I also noticed she had silver armbands and a stone pulsating with light like a small beacon. Over on her shoulder, I see her companion, an Azelf waving towards me as I only managed to nod my head back as a response.
"Surprised? Looks like we are both pleasantly so. I did suspect something when we met by the hallway." Lucia smirks as if she was revealing a little secret between the two of us.
"I can't say I didn't. You didn't have to get some backup for me but I do appreciate it!" My eyes then turned back towards the Vespiquen, still with that irritated tone as she gritted her teeth at us.
"More of you meddling Stargirls!?! That's it! I've had it with your cruel treatment towards my army! I think it's time I fight you head on …" Her scowl then turned into a sinister grin as the claws in her hands elongated into sharp, lightless protrusions. Within a split second, she immediately dashed toward us in an attempt to catch us off guard.
Luckily, both of us had the same idea to where we evaded the attack in opposite directions, she towards the left and me towards the right. We immediately turned around as it is really easier for her to attack us with our backs turned to her.
Instead of lunging at us again, she flapped her wings vigorously, creating a huge gust of wind in our direction. The wind was clearly there to obscure our vision as bits of cafeteria debris were flying with it. I shielded my eyes as it was getting harder and harder to see my surroundings, with Syrup nowhere to be seen, I was left with no option but to try to brave the howling tempest in front of me.
Just then, I suddenly felt a foreign but calming presence nearby, a soothing aura that was refreshing and revitalizing. I open my eyes a bit and I can feel the aura near us and the source was from someone I met a bit earlier.
"J-Jenna?" I called out as I completely opened my eyes again and there she was, clad in a scarlet dress and white gloves and channeling a Calm Mind with a Psychic Terrain to counteract the relentless wind that was blowing her. She turned around and gave me a wave, now holding it in one hand as she spoke.
"Yes, that's me! Glad we could join the fight! Lucia did have a hunch that you were a Protector so we went ahead and got here as fast as we could." She giggles and smiles at me, as the wind slowly clears away and all that's left is a revitalizing pink mist. "Well, I guess you should get back into action. We'll be right behind you~"
"Yeah! Let's go then!" I gave her an approving nod as we went towards the Vespiquen we were trying to fight earlier. "Where's Toby?" I added, dusting off some of the debris from my dress and readying to move.
As if to answer my question, Toby was nearby fighting our nemesis head-on in a duel. He looked to be dressed in a scarlet suit with a purple vest and matching dress pants while on his paws he held a two-pronged spear in which he is currently using as a dueling weapon against the Vespiquen.
"Insolent brat! I'll vaporize you into pathetic stardust for interrupting my Ominous Silver Wind!" The Vespiquen snarled, clawing at him with fervor as her relentless attacks were barely being parried by Toby. I could tell he was really having a hard time trying to keep up but was still trying his best.
"I got you, love! Umm … Mint, it's your time to shine!" I saw her pull up a secret compartment from her backpack and out comes an Alolan Vulpix happily jumping into Jenna's head and visibly excited with their tail wagging.
"So cute! I gotta show my companion too! I'm sure they will get along!" My eyes sort of lit up upon seeing Mint and I can feel my heart melting. We stopped and we noticed there was another cloud of that Ominous Wind from earlier and the clashing seemed to stop as we couldn't hear signs of parrying and clashing.
"T-Toby?" Jenna went in closer to the windy fog where a few bugs were aimlessly fluttering and circling around it. Mint wasted no time and blasted it with a direct Ice Beam, almost dissipating the swarm immediately and making it clear away.
"Boss! Good to see you!" Syrup was there on top of Toby's head where a green barrier had formed in between them and the now exhausted and scruffy Vespiquen who was trying to break through it with empowered claws. Her focus now shifted towards us having been done dealing with Toby as a smile formed on her face and cackled.
"Heal Order!" With just that command, she was immediately healed up as if this entire facade never even happened to begin with. In a split second, she rapidly dashed toward us at such a high speed and had her claws ready to strike at both of us at the same time. I knew I had to do something this time other than dodge the attack.
I instinctively moved Jenna along with Mint away from the grasp of the claw attack and was preparing my staff to strike when I felt a gash on my left arm. I winced over in pain as I looked towards her with a glare, clutching the wound with my right arm while I was holding my staff.
"What's the matter … afraid of some corruption? You haven't seen anything yet~" She walked over to me slowly as I suddenly felt a mysterious aura emanating through her, trying to take control of this Vespiquen. I struggled and stumbled back but I managed to get my act together and hold my weapon firmly in my hand.
"What's wrong, Maple? Afraid you are going to fade away? They always do …" Her voice was still the same but the tone, it pierced me through my soul as they seemed to know my name. The evil twinkle in her eye was now getting into my nerves as I saw her lunge forward at me. I was lucky I had my staff ready in a split second.
"Light Comet!" A projectile of glowing yellow starlight shot out from the staff and hopefully directly towards her. When it didn't, I shot out more and more comets as I tried to angle them and to predict where she might dodge to get at least a few hits.
"Pathetic child! You are no match for the likes of me!" She cackled more and more as if to taunt me into losing my cool and going out of control. I was about to aim another one when I felt cold again, the same icy mist that protected me and Lucia from the Ominous Silver Wind earlier.
"Hey! Don't you start the fun without me and Mint! That would be a bummer …" Jenna was channeling her Psyshock, trying to disrupt the Vespiquen's movements as she gave a confident smile. Mint, on the other hand, started to pelt her with numerous Ice Shards. "Now, Toby!"
Toby lept from behind Jenna and immediately lunged forward, inflicting quite a few cuts from his spear while the Vespiquen desperately retaliated but to no avail. "Heal Ord- Gah!" She was interrupted mid-sentence from her attempt at healing herself as it seemed she was hit by someone from behind. It was Lucia, holding a rapier that looked like it was crafted from a purple aura and she seemed to hit her with the blade's hilt.
"Hope I'm not too late…" Lucia sighed and smiled back at us, looking towards me immediately as she deactivated her blade and vanished from her grip entirely. "I had to evacuate everyone in the area and Syrup here just happened to scurry towards them too. He was a great help!"
"We companions have to stick together too after all~" Someone climbed onto Lucia's shoulder and made herself seen by us, an Azelf who I assume was Lucia's companion. She had quite the bubbly type of energy already after saying a few words.
Unfortunately, the reunion was cut short as the Vespiquen got back to her feet again and I didn't hesitate to use one last attack to make sure she was taken down. "To the worst of the worst … I cast Astral Star Burst!" Admittedly I didn't have to make that rhyme but it was too good of an opportunity not to use it as a hopefully final attack to this surprisingly sturdy and annoying "queen bee".
The attack hit her directly, but she didn't disintegrate into stardust just like the swarm of bugs she herded into the cafeteria. Instead, we heard a guttural scream coming from her mouth as it opened wide and a green light glowed from inside until it died down as suddenly as it appeared.
The Vespiquen suddenly came into her senses, the evil twinkle in her right eye was still there but her expression was like coming out of a trance. She eyed us around and made a snarling expression, with her teeth visibly gritting against each other.
"This isn't the last you'll see of me, Flutterby Quazi! I will rule this school and raise myself to greatness!" She quickly attempted to get out of the cafeteria but she was stopped by Lucia, grabbing her by the arm and tugging at it slightly with some retaliation from Quazi. "I'll handle this … guess I'll have to see you guys later."
The Azelf from earlier followed her close behind but not before looking back to me and smiling. "You did a good job back there! I'm Mai, pleased to meet you and Syrup!" Shortly after she said that she waved at us and immediately retreated towards Lucia's backpack as Lucia and Quazi changed back to their school uniforms.
"Just another day at school, huh, Boss?" Syrup jokingly said as he jumped on my head and I uttered a sigh of relief and nodded to myself, transforming back into my school uniform. "It sure does, Syrup. Come on, we still have some cleaning up to do."
"Me and Jenna will help too." Toby spoke up from behind me as Jenna was already rearranging the tables. I walk up to them and smile back. "Thanks! I'd appreciate that~" This has to be one of the most tiring first day of school I had in a long time but I am not really complaining, besides, I think I will be here more often.
For those who are unaware, I'm trying to start a multiverse. The world that Toby, Jenna, Mint and Maple as we know live are in the Aipom world.
This story is about the Braixen world Maple. More details on my site, bit.ly/LoneBraixen uwu
