Queen Amber seethed in her chair, her nails dragged along the arm rest, leaving claw marks in the metal. The Gem Girls knelt in utter silence, their eyes darting about nervously.
"Again...again...." she mumbled.
"Again!" She screamed, leaning forward in her throne, the base shaking once more. She leaned back, bursting into tears as Beryl draws near.
"Oh Beryl....I know not what to do," she said, voice cracking.. He took her her hand, rubbing it gently. "Don't worry, my queen. Let me reprimand them," he assured her.
She nods and the Gem Girls stand up, shuffling themselves outside of the throne room.
Outside, Beryl exits through the door and closes it. He turns around, his eye stern and condescending. "You have have one job," he said, a strained smile spreads across his face. "And you can't even do that."
Quartz scoffs, flipping her hair. "We've been trying out best!" Quartz snapped, stepping forward. Angelite's eyes widen as Lepidolite face palms. "Quartz no," Serpentine hisses, her brows creased in worry and eyes wide in horror.
"We have been slaving away, trying to summon an Echo—and she has the nerve to yell at us?" She points at the closed door.
"Instead of building an army, unleashing our wrath and fury on the this piece of rock and conquering Magicka, we waste time trying to free our Queen's beloved because she misses him, aw," she spat mockingly.
Beryl narrowed his gaze, his smile becoming a thin line.
"I'm tired of our frivolous queen. She might as well step down. She is weak, obsessive, and too in love to see—"
Beryl grasp Quartz by the throat and lifts her off the ground before slamming her into the ground. The ground splits beneath them as cracks snake out from under Quartz. Dust rains from the roof as pieces of rocks break loose.
Serpentine and Angelite put their hands up, stopping Jasper and Lepidolite from helping. They turn away, Serpentine squeezing her eyes shut, whispering "I'll be over soon."
Quartz clawed at the arm, gasping for air. Beryl gazes down at her in disgust.
"I'm sure whatever next that comes out would have been interesting but I've just had enough of your whining mouth," he gritted out, tightening his grip. "Insult anyone here but not our Queen. You're lucky you're even breathing in her presence still."
He stands up, his gloved hand letting her neck go. He fixes his pink tail coat as she sits up, coughing and rubbing her throat.
He strolls towards Serpentine, leaning close to her ear. "Keep your sisters in line or I will do it for you."
Serpentine nods, sweat pouring down her cheek. "Yes...Master Beryl," she answered, voice shaking. Content, he turns around and heads for the door, opening it and entering. The doors slam as Quartz is hoisted to her feet harshly by Angelite.
"Never do that again!" She yells at her. Quartz nods and Angelite shoves her away. Serpentine flashes Quartz a glare as the girls turn and head down the hallway, Quartz meekly following.
-
Lonnie frowned as the splashing from the pool echoed loudly in the vast, humid pool room, the distinct smell of chlorine made him turn up his nose. "I can't believe you spend your Wednesday at the local pool," Lonnie complained.
Felix fixes his googles with a wide, smug grin. "I thought your kind were adverse to water," Lonnie teases.
Felix glared at him. "You're hilarious sometimes," he mumbled—before launching into a flawless back flip, landing with a loud splash into the blue waters below.
Trevor casually deploys an umbrella, shielding himself from the spray. Carl sidesteps out of the way in time but Lonnie got drenched.
Felix swam forward like a cannonball, sending another wave of water crashing into the poolside. Lonnie wiped the water from his face with the towel Trevor handed him. "Very funny," he grumbled, glaring at the two. Carl snorted, trying—and failing—not to laugh.
Felix swims back, shaking his head, as he flashes Lonnie another smile. "Can we go? I don't want to drown here," Trevor asked, deadpanned. Felix let out a laugh before diving back in.
"I'm late, or what?" Scott asked as walking up to them, dressed in swim trunks.
"Dude, you too?" Lonnie groaned. "What? No—I just changed. I mean we're going to the pool. Clearly neither of you got the memo—Carl what are you wearing?" He asked, eyes widened.
The two boys turned to look.
Carl glances down. His blue shorts contrasted his far too large white T-shirt. His white socks reached his knees, and his sandals brought this unfortunate outfit together. "This? It's what I had left in my closest," he mumbled, blushing heavily.
Felix swam back to the edge, and climbed out, water puddling instantly underneath him. Trevor handed him a towel, and he wiped his face.
"You couldn't take anyone else with you?" Lonnie huffed, pretending his shirt wasn't wet.
Felix sighed, raising his chin. A hint of sadness in his gaze.
"I used to bring someone. He was best pal. We'd used to hang out here every Wednesday. Then... he moved," Felix admitted, sighing. "But I met you guys—and you filled my dark heart with darkness again."
"Uh...I'm glad I blackened your soul?" Lonnie replied hesitantly.
"That's terrible," Trevor said, pinching Lonnie's arm. Lonnie yelped.
"We're deeply sorry," he added.
"It's fine. I'm goth. I'm supposed to get over it," Felix said with a smile, before heading towards the changing room.
"I have no idea what he said after that," Lonnie confessed, earning him another pinch.
Scott watched Felix head towards the changing room, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.
"I don't know about you guys but he doesn't seemed over it," Scott murmured.
"How would you know?" Lonnie snorted, tossing the towel into Carl's face. "I just have a feeling," Scott said with a small grin. "Speaking of which, you ready to play a game."
Lonnie's face broke into a smile.
"Now, you're speaking my language," he nodded, rubbing his hands together.
"Come on out and get this work!" Lonnie shouted at the screen, his character crouched in digital foliage.
"Man, I hate this game!" Trevor groaned, hunkering down in a virtual house, hiding from two other players.
"Help..." Carl said as gunfire rained down from every direction, his health being depleted with every shot. "Help me."
"Guys, relax," Scott said as he began building with swift clicks. "I thought going back to our roots—Fortnite—will remind us that we, the Uncanny Squad, have come so far."
"All this reminds me how much I hate this damn game—what!?" Trevor yelled as his loot exploded across the screen.
His assassins began dancing over it.
"GUYS, I DIED!"
Dot floated up as Scott shook his head, scratching his ear with his finger.
"Trevor," she began calmly, "quick reminder—your teammates are wearing headphone."
Trevor groaned, rubbing his face in frustration.
Meanwhile, Lonnie licked his lips in anticipation as a player sprinted toward to his hiding spot. "Gotcha!" He shouted, leaping out of the bush like the boogeyman and landing a hit.
The player's loot dropped to the ground.
"Yes!" He cheered, snatching up their stuff.
But his victory was short lived. His character got a major hit.
"What the hell—oh shit!" Lonnie yelled, immediately high-tailing it as more players charged his way.
"Help! She had friends!" He cried out, the rapid sound of gunfire echoing as he zigzagging it across the map.
"Hold on," Carl muttered, his eyes glued to the screen as he exchanged fire with his opponent. "I'm in the middle of a 1 v 1."
"Make time!" Lonnie said, button-mashing in desperation. "I'm in the middle of a three v 1!"
His eyes darted to his rapidly shrinking health bar.
"And I'm losing!"
Carl leapt out and landed a hit on his opponent. The player dropped their loot.
"Okay," Carl muttered, his keyboard clacking as his character sprinted towards Lonnie. "I'm coming."
"Come faster!" Lonnie screeched.
"Sus," Trevor muttered, smirking.
Scott shook his head, a small chuckle escapes his lips. "Come on, guys," he pleads. "Get serious."
"I'm here, I'm here," Carl said coolly. He boxed the players in, tossed a grenade—and BOOM. Loot littered the ground.
"Thanks man," Lonnie said, wiping his sweaty forehead with a slice of bread. "You saved my ass. You're the MPV."
"What did I say about cursing—you're done!" Scott shouted, as he sniped the last opponent.
The banner flashed: #1 Victory Royale.
The boys erupted, tossing off their headphones and leaping around in celebration.
Dot hovered nearby Scott, avoiding him. Arms crossed, her expression somewhere between confusion and despair.
"I don't get it," she sighs. "Why do you get so excited over taking fictional lives?"
Scott paused mid-celebration, half-way through his bottle. "It's not...about that," he said It's about the win."
Dot shrugged. "Still don't get it."
"Man, that was epic!" Lonnie laughed, turning to his Ladybug poster and mouthing, thank you.
"Too bad Felix couldn't play with us," Carl said, frowning as he took a swig of Monster. "He said he got homework to do," Trevor explained, settling back in his seat.
"Aren't you guys in the same class, Treffy?" Lonnie teased.
"No, stupid," Trevor snapped, glaring at the screen. "And didn't I tell yo ass to not call me that? Just wait for tomorrow—I'm beat yo ass."
The boys broke into laughter while Dot frowned, still not understanding the appeal of gaming.
The next day, the boys hung around the no-go table, waiting for Felix.
"He's not supposed to be this late," Lonnie said, glancing worriedly to a frowning Scott. "You don't think he's hurt by the 'goths hate water' joke, do you?"
Scott patted his shoulder. "Felix got thick skin, Lonnie. I doubt that even scratched him."
Sydney looked up from her book, curiously flickering in her eyes. "What's going on with Felix?"
"Oh, yesterday," Carl jumped in eagerly, "he was reminiscing on his friend who moved away years ago."
"Oh," Sydney nodded. "Maybe the memories were too sad so he couldn't come today."
Lonnie snorted. "I lost my best friend. "Do you see me crying about it?"
Trevor snorted louder. "Bro. Don't compare. His friend was real. Yours was a one-eyed, three legged frog. You were so obsessed, you got him taxidermized."
"I got over it," Lonnie muttered, blushing through clenched teeth. "He's buried in my backyard now."
"You held a whole-ass funeral for it," Trevor deadpanned.
"He need a proper send-off," Lonnie argued. "What'd you want me to do? Toss him in a hole and just—shovel dirt on it."
Trevor raised an eyebrow. "Uh...yeah? That's burying what is. The mourners and shit was unnecessary."
Lonnie waved him off and the others snickered.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Felix sprinted in, huffing with excitement. He skidded to a stop, slamming his hands on the table. Sweat dripped down his forehead. His chest heaved.
His black sabbath layered-look T-shirt was drenched and his Cargo pants had splashes of water, meaning he ran through puddles. He adjusted his beanie hat, adorned with with button pin.
"I saw him!" He shouted, beaming.
The others blinked, exchanging confused looks.
Did they just hear him for once?
"Huh?" Trevor leaned in, frowning. "Ripetere?" Lonnie asked, brow raised.
"My best friend," Felix said, eyes wide. His grin stretched from ear to ear. "I saw him!"
Carl peeked around the corner, narrowing his eyes at the boy sitting alone on the bench. He had black hair swept in a perfect emo swoop. His lips were studded with piercings, and leather pants clung tightly to his skinny legs. A dull Metallica T-shirt hugged his frame, and both wrists were decked out in spiky bracelets.
He bobbed to the music only he could hear through the earbuds.
"Well?" Felix whispered behind him.
Carl turned back to the group "Coast is clear."
All five leaned out together, craning their necks. "Of course," Lonnie sighed. "Your friend is edgier than you."
Felix shot him a sidelong glance. "He and I are not emo. I told you this."
"What?" Lonnie blinked.
"He said—" Carl began, adjusting his spectacles.
"He knows," Scott cut in. "Let's move."
The boys crouched down, sneaking forward like a budget spy team. But the goth boy on the bench looked up—and they froze.
He blinked and then slid out one earbud.
"Felix?" He said, lips curling into a sideways smile.
Felix straightened, trying not to sniff. "Cody."
The two goths ran towards each other and exchanged a rapid-fire secret handshake.
The others stood dumbfounded, watching.
"They have a secret handshake?" Lonnie gasped.
"Cody, how's it been?" Felix asked, a small smile spreads across his face. Cody shrugged. "Nothing much happened to be honest."
"Hi," Lonnie cut in, practically shoving himself between the two. "I'm Lonnie Alexander and that is Scott, Carl and...." he drawled, a sly smile etched on his face.
"Treffy."
Trevor flipped him the bird.
"Practically his new friends who uh...didn't abandon him long ago," Lonnie grinned.
Felix shoved him aside, puffing his cheeks. "Ignore him," Felix smiled briefly. "Why are you back?"
Cody chuckled, but his eyes flicker briefly to the others. "Let's go to the store down the street," he said. "You still like black licorice?"
Felix grinned. "Best candy ever."
"Okay," Cody grinned, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. He and Felix strode down the street.
"Can we come?" Carl called after them. "No? Okay, we'll wait here...."
Trevor and Scott leaned against the wall as Carl kicked at the ground. Lonnie stared, eye twitching. "We all saw Felix shove me right?" He pointed as the goths crossed the street.
Inside the store, Cody knocked on the counter. "Hey," he said, deadpanned. The cashier sauntered over, brows tight in annoyance. "How can I help you?" The cashier asked, murmuring something after.
"Two black licorice please," Cody demands, raising up two fingers.
The cashier slaps two on the counter. "That'll be five dollars," he said, raising five fingers. Cody let out a whistle and shoved his hand into his pocket. "They've gotten so...expensive."
Cody smacked the cash down and the cashier grabbed it. Felix fists the licorice and the boys spun on the hells. "'Preciate you dude," Cody said, raising up the devil horns as they exited the store.
"Let's dip," Cody muttered, shooting the loitering boys a side-eye. "They're killing my vibe."
Felix glanced back at the others, hesitating. "Uh...yeah. Sure."
"The hell?" Lonnie muttered, glaring at the two as they strolled away from them.
"We should let him have some alone time with his buddy," Carl gave a small smile. Trevor leaned off. "I guess it's Fortnite for us," he shrugged. "Yeah...." Scott narrowed his eyes a knot forming in his stomach. Something about Cody didn't sit right.
The boys let the bench area and crossed the street, heading for their homes.
-
The next day, Felix spotted his friends chilling at the base of the stairs.
"Hey guys," he waved.
"Hello," Lonnie grimaced.
Felix paused, blinking. "What's wrong?"
"You ditched us, yesterday," Lonnie muttered. "Huh?" Felix looked around.
"You don't it like when I mutter, huh? I thought we were friend too," Lonnie snapped, but Trevor pulled him back.
Trevor placed a firm hand on his shoulder, calming him down. "What he means is..."
"We don't like this Cody dude," Scott cut in. "We think he's bad news."
Felix glanced away, the corner of his mouth twitching. "He's my friend," he muttered, arms crossed. "You may not know him but he's cool."
"And that's the problem," Lonnie growled, his face inches from Felix. "We're not cool with him."
Scott stepped between the two boys, pushing them back. "Okay," He said, his brows tight with worry. "We'll take your word for it, Felix."
Felix nodded, shooting a glare at Lonnie.
"Are you free this afternoon?" Scott asked.
Felix's attention turned to Scott. "Sorry," he apologized. "I promised to hang out with Cody at the pool."
Lonnie scoffed and Scott nodded. "Okay."
The boys turn and march up the steps. "So...how was Fortnite?" Felix asked. "It was...okay," Lonnie stiffly replied.
Felix looked down. The others said nothing.
The silence followed them all the way up the stairs.
"This is stupid!" Lonnie whined into the mic, tapping his pencil's eraser against the empty notebook page. "Sorry," Scott said, grinning at the screen, "but Mom insisted that we study first and play later."
"You are so lucky your mom's a catch," Lonnie groaned, spinning in his chair. "Or she'd have to see me for the ones."
"Like you're capable of beating someone in a fight," Trevor snorted. The boys burst into laughter as Dot floated nearby. The door to Scott's room swung open and Muriel strode in.
"And what's so funny—" Dot popped into confetti, stunning the girl. Scott turned slowly to the camera, grimacing. His friends mirrored the expression, all equally stunned.
Muriel blinked. "Uh..." she began, her voice laced with confusion. "What was that?"
"That was me," Scott hurriedly said, raising up a popped confetti cannon.
She nodded slowly, Scott and his friends mimicking the gesture. She slowly exited the room backwards, shutting the door. Scott let out a sigh of relief, a sentiment his friends copied.
"Man," Lonnie straightened, a teasing grin plastered on his face. "Imagine if your sister found out."
"I'd rather be turned to stone Medusa-style," Scott said flatly.
"My granny ain't never gonna look at me the same," Trevor jabbed his finger at the camera.
"My parents wouldn't mind, especially my father," Carl shrugged. "He'd probably just say in Ordnung."
Lonnie groaned, pinching his nose. Trevor made a face. "We get it, Carl. You're...European."
-
Felix gasped, his head breaching the surface. He wiped the water from his face, smiling at his friend. Cody smiled back, bobbing his head to some music. Felix dove back down, splashing in the pool.
"Felix," Cody shouted.
Felix emerged to the surface once more. "Yeah?"
He grimaced at his surroundings. "They renovated the pool?"
Felix looked around and nodded, as he kept himself afloat. "Yeah. You didn't think things would stay the same, did you?"
Cody huffed, leaning back with a distant look. "I was kind of hoping—yeah."
Felix shot him a small smile before diving back down. Cody whipped out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth. He lights the butt and exhales the smoke. Felix emerges and frowns.
"Cody," He said, swimming to the poolside, "no smoking."
Cody flashes a glance at the 'No Smoking' sign and snarls. He drops the cigarette and stamps it out. He shot a glare at two mothers staring at him in disgust. Their whispers only make his scowl deepen.
"This pool's too crowded," Cody muttered, his eyes locked on the mothers before turning back to Felix.
Felix climbed out, water instantly puddling underneath him. Cody stiffly handed him a towel. Felix wrapped it around his body, slightly shivering.
"This pool used to have, what—three, four people occasionally," Cody muttered, his eyes scanning the crowded area. "Remember that?"
Felix nodded, drying his face. "It felt big back then," he said with a soft grin.
"But they had to make it bigger," Cody sneered, clenching and unclenching his fist.
His eyes slid to Felix. "Kind of like you and your friend group."
Felix froze mid-wipe. "What?" He muttered.
"You already had me," Cody said, standing now. "But that wasn't enough. You had to get more. Am I right?"
Felix's gaze dropped to the ground. He cleared his throat. "I missed you when you moved," he said quietly. "But I couldn't be sad forever."
Cody let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. Felix glanced around, looking nervous.
"Oh, that's rich," Cody spat, wiping his eyes mockingly. "You couldn't be bothered to miss me!"
He grabbed Felix's arm, hard. The goth hissed in pain as Cody's painted nails dug into his skin.
"I forgive you," he whispered, leaning in. "But you're gonna have to dump those other friends of yours."
Felix yanked away, heart ponding "I can't."
"Why?" Cody growled, stepping in closer. "Because you think playing games is fun? I hate gaming. You hated it too. What changed, huh?"
Felix's eyes darted past him, then back. Their gazes locked.
"What changed!" Cody shouted.
Felix's gaze sharpened. He jabs a finger into Cody's chest.
"You're scaring them," he hissed.
Cody glanced sideways at the swimmers. A few stared back—some with confusion, other with disgust, and a few with thinly veiled amusement.
He scuffed and brushed past Felix.
"Then our friendship is over," he muttered.
Felix exhaled, tension leaking from his shoulders—yet his chest ached in sorrow. The darkness inside him was back.
And it gnawed at him.
Far away, Quartz opened her eyes, lips curling into a smug smile.
"I sense it, sisters. Negative emotions."
Serpentine patted her head approvingly.
"Excellent."
-
Cody bit into the licorice, fury gnawing at him.
Felix has changed so much. He used to be malleable—easy to mold. Now he had a spine? Not cool. Not cool at all.
The truth? Cody hadn't actually moved. He left for a bit, sure, but he came back years ago. He just...stayed away. Watching. Waiting. Hoping that Felix would stay the same.
But like the pool....he changed.
And all for the worst.
The light above Cody flickered once, then it died with a pop.
He turned—just as the licorice fell out his mouth. Five women clad in cutout leotards stepped from the portal.
"Woah," he gasped.
Angelite approached, seizing him by the collar and lifting him with ease. "Is this anger I sense?" She purred. "Hatred?"
Cody scoffed. "Felix changed too much," he spat. "He's not the friend I used to know."
"Good," Angelite smiled, lowering him to ground. "What's your name?"
"Cody Grimm."
"Such a lovely name," she said, pressing her hand to his chest. "I'm sure your Echo will be lovely as well."
"What—?"
His body seized mid-sentence. He choked, teeth gritted, tears welling in his eyes as something ripped from within. He crumpled.
Angelite stepped back, a swirling black ball in her palms.
"Ah," she sighed. "Black. My favorite color."
"I thought it was blue-grey," Jasper teased.
Angelite shot her a sidelong glance. "Oh, shut up." But smile tugged at her lips.
The four formed a circle as Angelite stepped into the center.
"Grow, grow, big and strong," she chanted. The orb pulsed, swelling with power. "Become the threat we know you are!"
The orb sprouted three thin arms on each side—each one brandishing a scythe. Long, black hair spilled down in a jagged mullet. Dressed in a black leather vest, black pants, and spiky boots, the Echo rose.
"What is your name?" Angelite asked.
The creature sneered, "My name is Grimm, mistresses."
Angelite strokes his cheek.
"I knew it would be lovely," she smiled.
"You can take your revenge on this Felix," she instructed. "But if the Lumen Knights interfere..."
"Send them to their graves," Grimm finished.
"Exactly," she smirked.
-
Pulling his layered shirt over his head, Felix poked his head through the collar with a grunt. He grabbed his beanie and adjusted it snugly, and tapped the large button pin on the side.
His thin smile faltered.
He sat down heavily.
Lonnie was right. Cody wasn't cool with them at all.
Humming Rammstein's Sonne under his breath, his thoughts drifted to simpler time—better ones.
A memory surfaced:
He and Cody, both seven, sat on a rusted bench, sharing dark chocolate and slice of chocolate cake. "This is delicious," Felix mumbled through a full mouth.
Cody gave him a sidelong glance and snorted. "Silly," he teased, handing him a handkerchief. "You eat like a child."
Felix puffed his cheeks and accepted it with a small green. "Duh. I'm eleven!"
The two boys burst into laughter—
A tremor rocked the ground, ripping Felix from his reverie.
He swung the door to the changing room open, poking his head out—and his blood ran cold.
A towering figure stood near the pool's edge. Deathly pale skin. Six scythe-wielding hands. He loomed over two mothers shielding their children.
People were scattered. Some dived into the pool to escape.
"Give me your soul!" Grimm roared.
He raised his scythe and slashed downward. The women gasped then crumpled like broken dolls. There was no blood.
Their souls stood in their place, drifting in translucent panic. Their eyes darted, confused. Terrified.
Their children wailed, reaching for them. The women turned, trying to hold them—but they were sucked into the Echo's chest.
Grimm laughed—a low guttural sound that echoed across the tile. He turned his attention to a fleeing pair near the exit.
"Come back!" He bellowed. "Give me your soul!"
Felix slammed the door shut, chest heaving.
His fist clenched.
He's seen enough.
-
The boys sprinted towards the pool house, Dot fluttering close behind.
"You sure it's an Echo?" Scott panted.
"I'm certain," Dot said, firm and fast as bounded up the steps. "It'd better not be," Lonnie groaned, shoving the door open.
Inside the changing room, Felix stood tense. He exhaled sharply and shouted:
"By the constellation of Leo, transform me!"
A burst of light enveloped him.
He slid his hand over his beanie—vanishing it—revealing a cascade of long, violet hair. Dark eyeshadow boomed across his eyelids, lashes thickened, and glimmer of plum lipstick tinted his lips.
Felix mouthed softly, "Tonight will that I will fall for you,"
A midi, sleeveless halter white dress shimmered into place on his body. Matching boot materialized on his feet. He brushed off his bare shoulders—arm sleeves spiraling into existence on each arm. With a flick of his wrist, his wand appears, which he twirls like a drumstick before striking a sharp pose.
Then—with a kick—the door swings and stepped into the poolroom.
Grim turned. His lips curled into a crooked grin. "L-Let them go," Lumen Aurora whispered, leveling his wand at the monster.
Grimm only chuckled.
"You must be that Lumen Knight they mentioned," Grimm grinned. "You're nothing but child's play."
Lumen Aurora swallowed, legs trembling.
"But hey...." Grimm raised his hand, fingers forming the horns sign. "Rock on."
Lumen Aurora's breath hitched. His eyes widened.
"Cody?" He gasped. "No..."
"Oh...yes," Grimm sneered.
The door swung open—SLAM—and the rest of the boys skidded to a stop. Grimm and Lumen Aurora turned towards them in sync.
A beat of silence. Then—
All four boys screamed, Lonnie being an octave higher than the others as Dot promptly exploded into confetti. Without hesitation, they spun around and bolted for the men's room, scrambling inside and slamming the door shut behind them.
Lumen Aurora blinked, then shrugged—failing to hide his knowing smile.
His friends were here.
His real friends.
Inside the bathroom, the boys leaned against tiled walls and stall doors, panting as adrenaline coursed through them.
In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger," Trevor huffed, pressed against the door, "that's one ugly mother—"
"Safe it," Scott cut in. He turned to Dot, now reforming in a puff of sparks.
"That's the Echo, Dot?"
Dot nodded, grinning. "Give him that work, fellas."
The boys exchanged a nod. No more running.
"By the constellation of Sagittarius, transform me!"
"By the constellation of Pisces, transform me!
By the constellation of Cancer, transform me!"
"By the constellation of Taurus, transform me!"
Each boy lit up in a blaze of light as their Lumen Knights forms began to emerge.
Scott spun sharply, his ginger hair flashes bubblegum pink as it lengthens and curls into soft waves. A white midi, sleeveless halter frill dress materialized around him in a shimmering sweep of light. Pink blooms in his irises, his brows reshape to match, and glittering eyeshadow, pink lipstick, and lashes complete the look. With a cheeky dab, his arm sleeves appeared, flowing with soft sparkle. His boots slammed onto his feet, and he caught his star winged wand in mid-air, twirling it before striking a dramatic pose.
Lonnie followed, 'hair turning a brilliant electric blue, as it reshaped in a sharp, stylish bob. His irises turn sapphire, and his lashes, brows and lips match in bold, vivid blue. As he performed the floss, a white halter frill dress spiraled around him, slipping into place like water wrapping his frame. Arm sleeves snapped onto his arms with a shimmer of light. He tapped each leg and a boot appeared on each step. He caught his star winged wand mid-spin and smirked, striking a pose like a fashion icon mid-runway.
Trevor shadow punches, his arm sleeves appearing. He does some shadow kicks, each kick makes his boots appear.
Doing a spin kick, his short, sleeveless halter frill white dress appears on his body and he grabs his wand, his hair turning orange, twisting into dreads before being self-styled into a ponytail. His eyelashes, eyebrows, eyeshadow, and lipstick being orange.
Carl stood tall and whipped his head back, green light bursting from his crown as his hair shot up and then fell into a slick, leaf green ponytail. His glasses vanish in a flash. With a snap of fingers, his frilled halter dress and arm sleeves swirled onto his body like vines wrapping around a tree. He swept an open hand dramatically across his face, mouthing: "You can't see me." Green glitter lit up his lashes, eyes and lips as he summons his star winged wand and held up a glowing peace sign, planting himself firmly in place.
-
Grimm lunged at Lumen Aurora, scythes gleaming. Aurora braces—then FOOM. A pink energy shield flared around him, catching the strike with a crackle.
Grimm leapt back, looking around, confusion written on his face. Grim snarled and skidded back, stunned.
What—?!"
"Plasma shield. I know you're slow big guy."
The voice came from Lumen Vespera, standing nearby with his wand aglow and smirk intact.
"What's the matter?" he teased. "Your evil mistresses didn't tell you?"
Outside the pool—
"It's them!" Quartz pointed at the glowing crystal ball.
Cody groaned weakly, blinking through his blurry vision—but even in the haze, he can see the Gem Girls standing there.
"They've transformed," Serpentine said coolly, arms crossed.
"But it won't save them."
-
The other Lumen Knights lined up shoulder to shoulder, each one striking a dramatic pose as Dot fluttered beside them, her dragonfly wings working overtime.
"Dot," Lumen Vesper said firmly, twirling his wand. "Get the civilians to safety."
Dot nodded and zipped off, shooting towards a a crowd of terrified bystanders. "This way!" She commanded, voice firm but still kind. "Follow me!"
The frightened humans scrambled after her. Dot headbutted the door open, her eyes sweeping across the panicked group, counting them. Once the last straggler stumbled through, she flew back inside, the door lamming shut behind her.
The survivors stood outside, trembling, unsure of what the just seen.
"Hey..." a man said, pointing at the door. "Wasn't that the creature on the pyramid in Mexico?"
Another man turned to him. "You're lying."
"No," The man insisted. "That's it."
"Oh my God," a woman gasped. "My mother was right! Aliens are among us."
"It's a good alien," a kid sniffed. "It helped us."
The survivors murmured in agreement.
Back inside, Lumen Vespera pointed his wand towards Grim. "Lumen Knights!" He barked. "Let's get this joker."
Lumen Orion and Lumen Caelum darted around the pool's edge, both skidding to a stop in perfect sync.
"Pisces!"
The pool's water surged upward like a living beast, siphoning towards Lumen Orion. A great orb formed, floating above his head in a shimmering, rippling mass. He spun and aimed his wand at Grim.
"Aquatic Fish Blast!"
The water shot forward from the bubble in a high-pressured stream, which quickly morphed into dozens of fish-shaped projectiles, each one glimmering before slamming into the Echo. Some, after hitting him, flopped onto the tiled floor as puddles before vanishing.
"At least it's toilet water...or sewer water," Lumen Solus muttered.
"Baby steps," Lumen Vespera replied with a grin.
Grimm stumbled back under the fishy barrage, snarling as the magical fish evaporated.
"Taurus!"
Green energy surged around him, outlining his frame, then it snaked around Grimm, keeping him trapped. The moment he pointed his wand, the energy flared brighter.
"Gravi Slam!"
With a deafening crack, Grimm was slammed into the ground, flattened by an invisible weight that trembled the tilted floor beneath them. The Echo growled, clawing at the ground as if to push himself up—but the gravity magic held him fast.
Outside, Jasper face-palmed in frustration. "Don't fail me," Angelite muttered.
"Yo," Lumen Orion shouted. "Treffy, finish him off!"
"That's not—nevermind," Lumen Solus groaned, stepping forward and inhaling deeply to prepare his next attack.
"Wait! No!" Lumen Aurora suddenly shouted. "Caelum. Solus. Stop!"
Lumen Caelum froze-mid step, turning to his friend with a furrowed brow. "Huh?"
Orion pointed at Aurora. "He shouted...again."
"That's—" Aurora swallowed hard. "That's Cody. Cody's Echo."
The silence was deafening.
In that moment of hesitation, Grimm lunged—too fast for Caelum to react. The Echo's scythe slashed through him, and Caelum collapsed to his knees before pitching forward, unmoving.
A soft glow rose form his body—his soul.
The boys and Dot gasped in horror as Caelum's translucent soul floated in place, staring back at them in confusion and fear.
Then, without warning, his soul was sucked right into Grimm's chest. Aurora reached out, a helpless, silent plea caught in his throat.
"What the hell—" Solus began, but was cut off when Lumen Vespera launched into a soaring drop kick.
Grim dodged effortlessly.
Vespera landed on both feet, fists clenched, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Solus!" He barked. "Hit him with your power now!"
Solus blinked. "But...the pool—won't that destroy—"
"Don't argue. Just do it!" Vespera snapped. Solus exhaled sharply. "Okay."
He ran forward, raising his wand, and yelled, "Leo!"
The ground trembled violently. The tiles cracked beneath their feet as the earth split open.
-
Outside, civilians huddled near the exit, gripping each other in alarm. "What now?' Someone whispered.
The Gem Girls leaned against the wall. Jasper's fingers digging into the barrier.
"Erumpunt Volcanus!"
From the cracked earth, lava erupted, a glowing wave bursting forth with molten rage. Grimm leapt into the air, grinning—until his eyes locked to Dot, hovering above.
The tiny creature's expression hardened. She fired a blast yellow, glittering energy from her forehead, striking Grimm mid-air and sending him plummeting back into the lava.
The molten rock swirled and hardened around him, sealing him in a cocoon of stone.
"I'll finish him off," said Lumen Vespera, raising his wand.
"Sagittarius!"
He spun on his heel, striking a pose as pink energy arrows shimmered into existence behind him, all aimed at the Echo.
But Lumen Aurora rushed up, grabbing his arm.
"Wait," he whispered. "What about the souls he's captured?"
"When I destroy his physical form," Vespera said through gritted teeth, "the souls will return."
"But you don't know that."
Vespera turned, his face inched from Aurora's. His eyes burned.
"Thanks to you, we're in this mess."
Aurora lowered his gaze, guilt sunk into his bones.
Beneath the hardened lava, the Echo began to twitch. Cracks spread across the igneous shell. Grimm was still fighting.
Orion's eyes widened. "Guys..." He warned.
Solus gripped his wand tighter. "He's breaking free."
Lumen Vespera turned to Grimm, fury in his gaze.
"Plasma Arrow Barrage!"
Lumen Aurora grabbed his wrist, forcing it upward. The barrage of energy arrows fired upward, striking the ceiling. Debris rained down as the other flipped and dodged. Lumen Solus managed to grab Lumen Caelum's limp body, shielding him as he rolled to safety.
Vespera yanked free from Aurora's grip. "Have you lost your mind?!" He shouted.
Dot fluttered down, her expression unreadable but her voice edged with concern. "What's the meaning of this?"
"There has to be another way," Aurora insisted, breathing heavily.
Vespera jabbed a finger into his chest. "You didn't hesitate with the last three. What changed?"
Aurora looked away, voice low. "He's absorbing them. Wrath was a scream king. Reverbia made people sad. Martyr froze them. That's reversible."
He paused, chest heaving.
"They're—"
Grimm landed behind them with a thunderous crash. Aurora gasped, eyes wide as Vespera spun on his heel.
"Dead," Grimm growled. "As are you."
The Echo brought one of his scythes' down.
Lumen Vespera's breath caught—then he fell forward, lifeless.
Lumen Aurora caught him, lowering him gently to the ground. Vespera's soul lifted from his body, stunned and transparent. He mouthed, "No"—before Grimm reached out and absorbed him into his chest.
-
Outside, the Gem Girls watched from the orb, grinning.
"Our victory is at hand, sisters," sneered Serpentine.
Cody stirred weakly, dragging himself to a sitting position against the wall. He was pale, drenched in sweat.
"What's...happening?" He murmured.
Quartz crouched beside him, flashing a fake smile.
"Your Echo—" she purred, "made of your soul, your negative emotions—is aiding our victory."
"Will I...get it back?" He whispered, barely audible.
"No," she smiled sweetly.
-
Grimm raised his scythe, preparing to finish off the frozen Lumen Aurora. But at the last second, Solus tackled him away, dragging behind a pillar.
They tumbled into cover, Aurora dazed and limp in his grasp. Orion pressed against the pillar, panting and wide-eyed.
Dot fluttered beside them, visibly shaken.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It's not your fault, nor anyone else's," said Lumen Solus, gripping his wand tighter. He looked at the others, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Now how do we defeat this thing?"
Lumen Orion spotted his trembling form—his knuckles white from how tightly he gripped his wand, his eyes unfocused, glassy. Tears clung to the corners. A sob escaped his lips.
"Hey!" Orion's voice cut through his panic. "Scotty boy shouldn't have yelled. And I'm sorry...for earlier."
Aurora shook his head, tears springing free. "No...Caelum is dead because of me."
"Enough!" Solus snapped.
Aurora stared at his boots, shame flooding his features.
"It absorbs souls. How do we fight that?" Solus asked. Dot fluttered beside them, her pink face pale.
"I...I don't know. It seems to be growing stronger."
"Like Cell[1]," Lumen Orion muttered under his breath.
Solus stepped closer and rested a steady hand on Aurora's shoulder. "Then, we'll do the Hail Mary."
Aurora's head snapped up. "No."
Dot blinked. "What...What's the Hail Mary."
"You can beat this thing," Orion said. "You got this."
Aurora laughed bitterly, voice cracking. "That's what you guys said last time when we played Warzone...and I got jumped."
"Yeah, but you still clutched once," Solus grinned. "Now lock in."
Releasing his hold, each drew a breath—and charged.
Solus hurled his wand straight into Grimm's face. Orion dropped low, and kicked the monster square between the legs. Grimm reeled back with a twisted snarl, then swung. HIs scythe slashed across Solus' chest. The Knight collapsed—his soul rising in a shimmer of white light.
Solus turned and gave Aurora a wink.
Then he was gone.
Absorbed.
Orion leapt forward and kicked a scythe from Grimm's sixth hand, sending it skidding across the tiled floor. But Grimm was faster. He slugged Orion in the chest, sending him sprawling. Before he could move, Grimm grabbed him by the throat, lifted him up—and slashed him.
Orion's limp body hit the ground with a dull thud.
HIs soul hovered briefly, looked to Aurora—and gave a short, confident nod.
Then he too was consumed.
Grimm turned, eyes glowing with cruel delight.
Aurora ducked behind the pillar, his chest heaving. He cradled his head, gasping. "No, no, no," Dot whispered frantically, hovering above him. "You heard your friends. Lock in!"
Grimm's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"Your friends...were fools. Throwing themselves for someone like you. Pathetic."
Aurora stilled.
Then slowly, he stepped out from behind the pillar. His wand trembled in his grip. "No," he breathed. His eyes changed—sharp and clear. "They're misguided, alright," he said, voice steady. "But they filled my heart with darkness again."
Crackling energy lit the air. Aurora's violet hair rose, suspended in the charge of raw power.
"It's time I send you back there."
Dot hovered behind, her dragon tail swaying.
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"Trust me. My friends did," Aurora replied, raising his wand towards the Echo.
"Leo!"
The sky darkened in an instant—angry, black clouds swirling, lightning crackling. Thunder boomed overhead. Outside, panicked humans sprinted from the building. The Gem Girls looked up, brows furrowed.
"He thinks lightning will save him?" Sneered Jasper.
The wind howled, shattering windows and throwing the front doors open, filling the room. Dot blinked through the strong gale.
Grimm cackled, unimpressed.
"You think this will scare me—" His voice cut off.
His eyes widened.
Lumen Aurora was gone.
Grimm spun, searching frantically.
Behind him—a flash of violet.
Aurora fired a purple lightning bolt from his wand, striking Grimm's wrist—forcing him to drop one scythe. He struck again, and again. The second, fourth scythes clattered across the floor.
Snarling, Grimm lunged at him—but the wind surged harder, pushing him back across the tiled floor.
Dot grinned. "Yes, Lumen Aurora!" She cheered, wings fluttering in the wind.
Aurora, jaw clenched, grunted with the strain, his violet whipped against his face. He fired again, knocking the fifth scythe loose.
Grimm stumbled—then stepped forward. Another. And another. He advanced, outstretched claw hands towards the Knight but Aurora stood firm.
Grimm hesitated. The look in Aurora's eyes gave him pause.
"Tempestas Vocarre!"
The clouds twisted into a vortex overhead, a funnel of storm. Wind screamed like a living thing. Water from the pool rose in droplets, indicating an oncoming strike. Outside, Cody and the Gem Girls tensed as hair on their arms stood on end.
Aurora floated inched from the floor, eyes glowing purple, arms spread wide. Purple energy blazed around him.
"It's over," he declared, pointing his wand at Grimm. "Wait!" Grimm cried, panic creeping into his voice. "What about the souls within me?"
"You've grown weaker, Grimm," Aurora said, eyes hard. "Your scythes let you consume souls. Without them—you're nothing."
Grimm's brows twisted. His eyes gleamed with something Aurora hadn't seen before.
Fear.
"Dust to dust."
"Lightning Spear!"
From the heavens, a blinding bolt of purple lightning tore through the funnel. It pierced the roof—morphed mid-air into a gleaming, jagged spear.
It struck—a brilliant light. A thunderclap.
Explosion.
Dot shielded herself from the blast as debris flew past. Smoke billowed through the chamber.
Outside, a deafening silence fell.
"No!" Angelite shrieked as the crystal ball flickered, then vanished in a burst of light.
Serpentine stared at it, then turned to the others. "It's over for us," she muttered, grim.
A portal behind swirled to life. One by one, the Gem Girls stepped through.
Cody, sickly but alive, leaned on the wall.
"You'd better run..." he rasped, smirking. Shortly after, he lost consciousness.
-
The souls scattered, streaks of light shooting across the room, entering the bodies they once belonged to. One by one, they gasped back to life—Lumen Vespera, Orion, Solus and Caelum all sitting up with wide eyes. The mothers, the couple, and several other stirred to life, relieved.
Aurora ran to them—then slowed. He stopped a few steps away, breathing caught in his throat. "I..." he began, voice trembling.
The boys surged forward and wrapped him in a hug. "I'm sorry, bro," Vespera whispered. "You did good."
Aurora's lips quivered. He bowed his head, smiling through the sting in his eyes.
Dot joined them, slipping into the group's embrace.
"Thank you," Aurora said.
-
Cody blinked as his vision adjusted— blurry outlines shaped into five Lumen Knights standing around him, Dot fluttered above.
"He doesn't deserve it," Orion muttered, arms crossed.
Solus shot him a sharp look.
"It's true," Orion insisted.
Aurora knelt, ignoring the jab, and gently nudged the black orb toward Cody. It hovered for a moment before entering his chest. The color returned to his cheeks, and Cody breathed easily.
Solus helped him up, brushing the dust from his knees.
"Thank you..." Cody said, voice raw.
Aurora gave him a tired but sincere smile. "You're welcome.
The boys turned to leave.
Cody hesitated.
"Is... Felix okay?"
Aurora nodded. "He is."
The sky flashed purple and pink, a beam broke from the sky, bathing the Lumen Knights. In a flash of blinding light, they vanished.
-
The next day at school, the boys strolled towards the steps. "So you're telling me—" Lonnie asked, waving as his cousin drove off, "you knocked out all of his scythes?"
"Yes," Felix replied, shrugging. "I followed your lead."
Lonnie blinked. "What?"
"He said—" Carl began.
"We know what he said, Carl," Scott interrupted
"Yes, we did," Cody stepped towards the group.
The group paused.
"What I said and what my Echo did," Cody said, eyes cast down. "I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."
Felix gave a small smile. "I appreciate it."
Cody offered a courteous nod, and spun on his heel.
"Wait," Felix called, voice soft with hope. "Come to the arcade with us."
Cody paused, his back still to them. He glanced over his shoulder, sadness flickering in his gaze. "I've gotta do some soul searching," he said. "Figure who I want to be. Till then...your friends can take acre of you."
Without another word, the goth walked away—his hair caught in the wind, sneakers echoing against the pavement.
Felix exhaled, watching him go. He nodded to himself, a faint smile tugging his lips.
"You do that."
He turned back towards the others, and together they marched up the steps to their school.
"Soul searching?" Lonnie snorted.
"Shut up," Felix replied, grinning.
[1] Cell is the big bad of the Cell Saga. Basically a Dragon Ball reference.