“Well, we can't stay out here forever. What we need to do is come up with a plan. So we better start thinking if we want out,”  Rose directed. They curled up along the tree trunk, shivering. Shivat leans in on Rose's lap as Rose lays her head on Queen Stellina's shoulder. “I don't know,” Mare muttered. Amos fought the urge to sleep by blinking repeatedly, until he finally closed his eyes. Melody narrowed her eyes and pecked at his face. Amos shooed the bird away laughing lightly. “Stop that! Let me sleep,” he said turning away. Shivat tilted her head and began nibbling at his finger. Amos pulled his hand away. “Really? Is this ‘against Amos day or something?’” Rose turned and poked his arm. “Hey, stay awake. It isn’t the best idea to sleep right now, especially after hitting your head.”

Amos smiled at her then paced around the tree to keep himself occupied.  Rose glanced down, pursing her lips. Smoothing out her pants, she then felt a small bump. Surprised by the bump, she dug into her pocket to find the Tangingerine stone still glowing as it reflected the falling stars. Rose’s eyes widened as she stood up. She glanced up as the white stars fell through the clouds. “Get up!” she called smiling. “What is it?”, Queen Stellina asked, hope burning in her eyes. “I got a plan. You might think I’ve lost it, but we are going to run through the forest and get to Flames. After we deal with him, we launch our attack on Queen Spina. You ready?”, she said pumped. Mila gaped at Rose, as well as Melody and Shivat. “Are you crazy?! There are stars falling from the sky! Literally, anyone one of us could get striked!”, Mila said gesturing to the sky. Fiama stood up, her eyes glowing bright orange. “I have an idea and Amos, don’t call me stupid, but I can make a barrier like Celeste did, but mine is fire.”

“Wait, what if I wrap my vines around the treetops, as a roof while we’re running through. It can protect us a little so we’re not in direct contact with the stars. It will be like a double layer under Fiama’s fire,” Mila added. Mare then took sides with Mila. “And I will add a layer of water. So vines first, water, then fire. I think it will do.” Rose nodded her head in approval. “This is good. Alright, Mila, work your magic!”

Mila took a few steps backward and lifted her arms, vines coming out through her fingertips, the vines wrapping around treetop after treetop. Making a long vault of vines above their heads, down the forest. Then as the vines extended, little flower buds came into bloom such as pink and blue topaz, purple scapolite and citrine. Mare took Mila’s place, pouring a pool of water onto the vines without the water slipping through. Finally, Fiama climbed onto a branch and extended her arms, fire shooting out from her palms. Rose nodded as she examined the vault of elements above her head, in awe of their amazing capabilities. “We need to go,” Queen Stellina said as she lead the way to the darkness once more. 

They dashed through the forest, in fear of what would come next. Then unexpectedly, a bright white star came crashing onto the fire, making an explosion of heat and light above them. They began to pick up their pace as a swarm of stars clashed with the fire, breaking through to the water. They sprinted so fast that they beat the speed of the elements dispersing above them, losing their protection. “ALMOST THERE!,” Rose called behind her shoulder. Stealing a glance up at the sky, Rose gasped. A large star was coming her way. Just when the star was about to strike her, she shot a ray of light in its path, repelling the star. Rose laughed in relief, then stopped short.

“Oh my stars! We made it!,” Rose cried. Queen Stellina and the rest of the group stood beside her breathless. Fear filled the atmosphere as Queen Spina’s castle grew thicker in iron and thorns. Rose faced them all with determination on her face. “Tonight, we are done with her. I need someone to be the bait.” Before anyone could speak, she began again. “Thanks, Amos. Alright, you go and search for Flames, just like Fiama said. Right before Flames jumps you, Mila will wrap her vines around him. Got it?”

Amos bit back a smile and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” Rose hugged him for a brief moment. “I promise he won’t hurt you. Good luck.” Amos ran into the castle without caution. Rose turned back to the rest of them. “Mila, Fiama and Shivat go in right after Amos.” The girls acknowledged their que and chased after Amos. Rose then faced Melody and Queen Stellina. “Now we wait.”

                                                                      🌹

Amos walked into the dark throne room, only using the moonlight as his guide. Shuffling noises were heard in the distance, then flashes of lighted eyes. Amos backed away from the eyes, grasping the throne of iron and thorns. Amos squeezed his hand as blood dripped on the floor. Amos whipped out his sword as Mila's and Shivat's shadows were visible. Flames grinned as he walked toward Amos, bloodthirsty. Then Flames tackled Amos, nearly biting into his shoulder. He cried out in fear as he slashed his sword across his face. Flames howled in pain just as Shiavt knocked him down, howling in triumph. “Good girl Shivat,” Mare said as she ran to Amos. “Are you hurt?” she asked embracing him. “I'm fine.”

“Minus one,” Mila said as Flames tried to escape his leash. Amos wiped the blood of his hands as he turned away. “Amos, your hands, they're bleeding.” Mila pointed out concerned. “It's from the thorns, it's fine.”, he explained shrugging. Mila nodded, pursing her lips. “Let's take him to Rose.” As they began to walk out of the castle, a chuckle echoed. They all turned in suspense. Amos squinted as he prepared for another battle. 

Flames barked loudly in attempt to draw attention. “Shut up!”, Mare whispered into his ear, pulling his leash. As Amos walked deeper into the dark, moments later a sharp thud was heard. Mare and Mila gasped as Shivat ran into the shadows. “Shivat, no!” An ear piercing scream rang throughout the dark room. Then a burst of light behind appeared behind the girls. “Stay back! Where's Amos?”, Rose yelled. “He went into the dark!” Mare answered. Rose cut through the dark to reveal Amos with a bloodied sword, panting, Arian cornered with a gashed and bitten forearm as Shivat shook of her sweat. “Oh, thank the stars!”, Queen Stellina said with a hand to her heart. Rose sighed with relief as she walked towards Arian. She then unleashed a blinding light as she came face to face with Arian. “Now tell me where she is”.  

Arian exhaled furiously. “No”. Rose nodded her head as her bolt of light came closer to his face. “Spill it. Where?” Arian growled as the warmth of the light radiated onto his skin. “Just don't kill me or her”. Rose raised her eyebrows in amusement. “I'll do what I have to do”. Arian hit his head on the wall as he spoke. “She's near you”. Frustrated with his vague answer, Rose whacked over the head with the bolt of light. “He'll wake up. But I noticed he refuses to learn, huh?” she said as she gathered them all near the doorway. “So, I'm assuming she's out in the forest. I'll step in first. She will be to occupied with me while you can all surround her. Got it?” They all nodded their heads in agreement. “This is it. This might be our last one with her. We'll make it. I promise - no, I star promise”. she said remembering Celeste's words in the practice room. Queen Stellina hugged Rose tightly. “We got this. Don’t cry”. Rose smiled as she blinked back tears. Then they made their way out, braving their way into the storm. 

They all stopped short as their fear stood in front of them once more. “I'm just as persistent as you”, Queen Spina said as Arian appeared at her side. 

“I know you didn't expect me to be waiting for you, but I did! Aren't you happy to have such a loyal person by your side, Rose?”, she pressed, her beautiful mahogany lips curving into a sly smile. Rose and Queen Spina strode closer to each other, their noses only centimeters away. “Like I said once before, but you can't seem to get it through your hollow head that you're weak,” Queen Spina whispered, her eyes narrowing. Rose's breathing became irregularly fast. “I am not weak, but you are a coward for running away countless times,” Rose said pointing her finger to the queen's chest. Queen Spina's dark eyes widened at her insult. “How.. DARE YOU CALL ME A COWARD?!” she screamed into Rose's face. Rose staggered backward, her ears ringing. As Rose fell to her knees, her allies charged to Queen Spina. Mare unleashed a flood of water, Mila with her endless vines, Amos swiped his sword at Arian, Shivat howled as Flames escaped his leash. Rose fell down completely to the ground, the ringing filing her head. A tear slid down her face as she silently watched them all fight her battle, unable to move. Suddenly the ringing was cut short with a delicate whisper. “Rose, you will rise. You are not a quitter so get up!”  Rose gasped at the whisper. She wanted to run, to attack Queen Spina, but she still couldn't move. But the voice spoke again. “Get up! Get up! GET UP!”  Rose grunted loudly as her body spasmed with energy.

Rose ran right through the middle of the battle, aiming for Queen Spina's heart. Queen Spina swiveled as she unraveled a long line of thorned, black petals flying in the mist. Rose cried out in agony as they cut her in all directions, piercing her skin. Rose still attempted to push through the thorns. “NO!”, she cried out as the thorns suffocated her. “I win,” Queen Spina declared. Rose began crying hysterically. This was it. But then the miracle came. 

A loud bang echoed throughout all of Uniclandia, causing them to all stay dead still. Arian froze, his fist in mid air, Flames ready to claw Shivat, Mila and Mare about be swallowed by thorns. Then miraculously, all the stars that had fallen shot back up into the sky, forming into a tornado of stars, swirling as the wind picked up making debris fly into the air. The stars began twirling faster and faster-BAM!

The tornado of stars exploded into a feminie figure, landing hard behind Rose. Queen Spina gasped as Rose swiveled around on her heels, gasping.

“CELESTE!” Celeste sprinted toward Rose, exploding the relentless thorns. 

Celeste shoved Rose away from Queen Spina’s aim. “RUUUN!!!” Rose cried as she ran away from her aim. Amos knocked Arian into a tree trunk, gaining the upper hand. Mila ripped the thorns apart as Mare turned to Shivat, clashing hard to the point they shattered her paw. Queen Stellina shot a blinding silver light, aiming for Queen Spina’s foot. 

“Go find Rose, I’ll cover for you!” Queen Stellina yelled over the chaos. Celeste dashed off the find Rose conjuring up a storm of light. “Rose!” Rose dropped the light and ran to Celeste. “I thought you weren’t coming back!” she said pulling her into a quick hug. Then Celeste pulled Rose away. “I wouldn’t abandon you guys,” she said speaking fast. “Look, this isn’t a time to talk. They need us,” she said as they ran back to the battle. “Good luck, Rose.” Rose nodded as they took off. Rose joined Queen Stellina, both of them pouring silver and gold light as they fought the wicked queen’s fire and thorns. Queen Spina screamed as the light pushed farther away from her. Rose jumped forward, forcing the light into her face. 

“YOU WILL NEVER WIN THIS WAR!!!”, Queen Spina shrieked, her fire blasting Rose and the queen away. Rose fell to the ground hitting her head. She quickly glanced at Queen Stellina who was knocked out. “QUEEN STELLINA!” she screamed, trying to get up but Queen Spina had knocked her down again. Rose crawled backward and stood up. “Now this is the end!”, she said. Raising her slender arms in the air, she blasted a large cloud of deadly black mist and fire at Rose. Rose gasped and screamed as it bolted her way. “NOOOOOO!!!” As the fire
inched closer to her body, Celeste jumped in front of her, taking the blow. Queen Spina backed away in shock as Rose screamed. “NOOO! CELESTE!”

Rose kneeled down as Celeste struggled to breathe. “No..” Rose cried. Celeste sobbed as she watched Rose’s devastated face. “I’m so sorry,” Rose cried out. Celeste gave her a half-smile as she motioned her hand to lean in. Rose knitted her eyebrows as she still sobbed. “The stars, they are calling my name. It is time to pass on my powers… to you,” she said, then spoke one last time before she took her last few breaths. Rose stayed still, trying to absorb her last words, her eyes pleading her to stay alive. She then reached for her pulse… nothing. “NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!”, she screamed. Rose dropped her head next to her hand, crying uncontrollably. As her head rested on Celeste's hand, all the power and energy she owned absorbed into Rose, draining Celeste's precious gift as she turned into stardust. Then her head shot up as she remembered Queen Spina. 

“YOU WITCH! Look what you did! YOU KILLED HER!!” Queen Spina’s breathing rapidly increase as Rose stormed closer to her. Then Rose began to tremble as her veins pulsed with light and the stars, spreading to her neck and her eyes. Her entire body illuminated the night as she took in Celeste's powers. The power of them both were immensely bright that it blinded everyone. Rose let out an ear piercing battle cry as she struck Queen Spina with a bolt of energy so huge that the Amazonite Forest rattled. Queen Spina screamed as it plunged to her chest, making her unconscious. Staggering backward, the Tangingerine stone was lodged onto her chest, the warm light dancing on her hand, clutched to the stone.

They all watched as Rose sobbed, watching Queen Spina laying down, defeated. Queen Stellina and all the other rushed to her side. “Rose! Rose, you did it! You won the war!” Eyes glued to her hands, Rose cried harder than she ever had before. “I am so sorry, Rose,” Queen Stellina said holding her. “She’s gone, she died because of me,” Rose sobbed, hyperventilating. “Rose, honey, I know but we’ll get through it.” All of a sudden, Rose felt weak and closed her eyes. “Rose? Rose?!” the queen yelled. “Rose, wake up!” 

What do you think happened to Rose? If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider giving this a vote and don't forget to share your thoughts on our upcoming chapter. Thank you!⭐