Throughout their last period, the girls' minds were preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming mission. Pearl and Darling found themselves in gym class, while Marvella and Paris were in a class taught by Principal Dean. 

 

To pass the time and perhaps to vent some of their pent-up tension, Pearl and Darling decided to spar in their gym class. Such physical activity not only served as a distraction, but it also helped them prepare for any physical challenges they might encounter during their mission.

 

The air was charged with tension as Darling and Pearl stood facing each other, their weapons at the ready. Pearl's Aero-Gauntlets shimmered in the afternoon sun, while Darling's Frostbite Grimoire glowed with a cool, icy light. There was a certain thrill to these sparring matches, a dance of power and skill that challenged both of them.

 

"Ready?" Pearl asked, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. She was still working through her feelings for Darling, but she was determined not to let it interfere with their friendship... or their training.

 

"Ready," Darling replied, a competitive glint in her eyes. She couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that surged through her every time she sparred with Pearl. It was more than just the thrill of the fight; it was the fire in Pearl's eyes, the way her muscles moved beneath her skin... Stop it, Darling, she chided herself. She had Xavier. She was happy with him. Yet, she couldn't help but blush at her own thoughts.

 

Their battle began with a flurry of movement. Pearl lunged, her Aero-Gauntlets slicing through the air, but Darling was quick to react. She raised her Frostbite Grimoire, summoning a wall of ice to block Pearl's attack. The ice shattered against the force of Pearl's gauntlets, but Darling was already moving, countering with a blast of frost from her grimoire.

 

Pearl deflected easily, her gauntlets creating a gust of wind that swept away Darling's frost. They circled each other, their movements a dance of anticipation and reaction. Each strike, each block, each parry was met with a counter, their skills evenly matched.

 

They were so engrossed in their fight that they didn't notice Xavier walk in. He watched them for a moment, a smile tugging at his lips. He had seen them spar before, and he knew how competitive they could be. He didn't think much of their flushed faces, attributing it to the physical exertion.

 

As the match continued, Darling and Pearl found themselves closer than ever, their faces mere inches apart. They were both panting, their cheeks flushed, their eyes locked onto each other. The tension was palpable, their hearts thundering in their chests. But they quickly pulled away, both of them blushing furiously.

 

"I... I think that's enough for today," Darling stammered, turning away to hide her crimson face. Pearl simply nodded, unable to trust her voice. As they walked away, they both couldn't help but wonder about the strange fluttering in their stomachs, the heat that rose to their cheeks. They were moving on, they were friends... but it seemed their hearts hadn't quite received the memo.

 

You two fight pretty good. Xavier said handing Darling a towel. Thanks. Darling said. She drunk some water and her and Xavier went walking. 

 

Meanwhile, in Principal Dean's class, Marvella and Paris were doing their best to pay attention to the lesson. But Paris' thoughts kept straying, her gaze often landing on Marvella. The way Marvella's brow furrowed in concentration as she took notes, the way her lips moved as she silently read along with the text... Paris found herself captivated.

 

She had always admired Marvella, respected her, but recently, she'd been feeling something more. A warmth that spread through her chest whenever Marvella smiled at her, a flutter in her stomach when their hands brushed. But she also knew that Marvella only saw her as a friend, a fact that was confirmed when she overheard Marvella's conversation with Mia.

 

These feelings, though new and confusing, were not unwelcome. Paris cherished her friendship with Marvella, and if that was all Marvella wanted, then Paris was content. But she couldn't shake off the pang of longing that hit her whenever she saw Marvella.

 

So, as Principal Dean droned on about history and timelines, Paris let her mind wander. She thought about Marvella, about their friendship, and about the strange feelings that had taken root in her heart. For now, she decided, she would keep these feelings to herself. She would be there for Marvella as a friend, as a teammate. And if, one day, Marvella's feelings changed... well, Paris could only hope.

 

Back in their dorms, the girls began preparing for the gala. Paris chose a dark purple dress paired with matching heels and styled her hair in a curly ponytail. Darling opted for a leather tan crop top and pants with silver heels, deciding to sport her natural short hair. Marvella wore a black and white dress with black heels, while Pearl donned a tan suit with black shoes.

 

Everyone was ready except for Darling, who was still perfecting her makeup in the bathroom. "Do you guys want me to turn on some music?" Marvella offered, hoping to lighten the mood.

 

"Yeah, sure. Anything to pass the time while Darling takes forever," Paris teased.

 

"Shut up!" Darling retorted from the bathroom, her voice filled with mock irritation.

 

Marvella approached Pearl's speaker. "You guys do know SZA, right?" Marvella asked.

 

"Who doesn't? That's my wife!" Pearl exclaimed, revealing herself as a big SZA fan. The rest of the girls burst into laughter at her enthusiastic response.

 

Marvella then put on "All The Stars," a song that not only was her favorite, but the others' too. The room instantly filled with their voices as they sang along and laughed. 

 

Moments like these were the best for the girls. Moments of pure friendship, devoid of romantic tension or villainous threats. They were simply four friends, enjoying their time together and making memories.

 

As the last notes of "All The Stars" drifted away, the girls found themselves in a fit of giggles, feeling lighter than they had in weeks. The tension of their impending mission was momentarily forgotten, replaced by the simple joy of friendship and shared laughter. For a few precious moments, they were just regular girls, singing along to their favorite songs and teasing each other.

 

But as the last echoes of their laughter faded, reality came flooding back in. They had a mission to prepare for, and it was time to get serious.

 

The girls made their way to their meeting point, their earlier laughter replaced with a determined silence. They found Gary waiting for them, his stern face a stark contrast to their earlier merriment.

 

"Girls," he greeted, his tone serious. "It's time."

 

He laid out the plan once again, making sure each girl understood their role. They were to enter the gala as guests, blend in, and gather as much information as they could. Avoid confrontation at all costs, and if discovered, use their communication devices to alert the others and get out immediately.

 

As each girl nodded in understanding, Gary couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. They were young, yes, but their determination and courage were beyond their years. They were ready to face whatever the gala had in store for them.

 

With a final word of caution, Gary sent them off. As they moved away, their dresses glinting under the moonlight, Gary couldn't shake off a sense of foreboding. But he cast it aside, reminding himself that they were prepared. They were ready for whatever lay ahead.

 

The girls made their way to the gala, their hearts pounding in their chests. As they caught sight of the grand venue, lit up under the starry night sky, they couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. This was it. The mission was starting, and there was no turning back.

 

The gala was in full swing when the girls arrived. The venue was a grand, opulent hall filled with people milling about, engaging in hushed conversations, and occasionally throwing suspicious glances their way. They were in enemy territory, but they kept their heads high, blending in with the crowd as best they could.

 

They split up to cover more ground, each girl tasked with gathering as much information as possible. It was going well, until Pearl ran into an obnoxious guest. He was loud, rude, and was making derogatory comments about Queen Mary death and how he is happy she is dead. Pearl tried to keep her cool, she really did, but the anger bubbled up inside her until she couldn't contain it any longer.

 

She confronted the man, her voice loud and clear, echoing throughout the hall. Heads turned, conversations stopped, and before they knew it, they were the center of attention. Realizing their cover was blown, the girls quickly retreated, finding a secluded spot to hide.

 

"What were you thinking, Pearl?" Marvella hissed, her usually calm demeanor replaced with frustration. "We were supposed to blend in, not cause a scene!"

 

Darling chimed in, her voice equally stern. "We could have been discovered, Pearl. We're lucky we got away in time."

 

Pearl looked down, guilt washing over her. She hadn't meant to blow their cover, but she couldn't just stand by and listen to that man's comments. "I... I'm sorry, guys," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

But there was no time for apologies. They could hear footsteps approaching, their hiding spot about to be discovered. They readied their weapons, their hearts pounding in their chests. They were no longer undercover guests at a gala. They were fighters, ready to take on whatever came their way. They had a mission to complete, and they weren't going to let anything, or anyone, stand in their way.

 

Gary had managed to slip away from the main event of the gala, seeking out the quieter, less populated areas of the venue in his attempt to gather more information about Morrisa's plans. His Eclipse Staff was securely hidden beneath his suit, a reassuring presence against his side. 

 

His heart pounded as he crept through the shadowy corridors, the muffled sounds of the gala drifting in from the grand hall. He was deep in enemy territory now, and every shadow could be a threat, every noise a potential alarm. 

 

Suddenly, he turned a corner and found himself face-to-face with Morrisa herself. Her chilling smile sent shivers down his spine, and her Siphoning Scepter glinted menacingly in the dim light.

 

"Gary," she drawled, her voice echoing in the empty corridor. "What a pleasant surprise."

 

Without wasting a moment, Gary drew his Eclipse Staff, its familiar weight a solid reassurance in his hands. "Morrisa," he responded, his tone icy.

 

Their battle began with a flurry of movement. Morrisa attacked first, her Scepter sending out a wave of dark energy. Gary was quick to respond, using his Staff to deflect the attack. He retaliated with a blast of his own, the bright light from his Staff clashing against her dark magic.

 

They moved in a deadly dance, each attack met with a counter, each move anticipated and responded to. Gary fought with a fierce determination, his every strike aimed to disarm his opponent. But Morrisa was a formidable opponent, her Scepter a deadly weapon in her hands.

 

Their fight took them through the shadowy corridors, their magic illuminating the darkness. But just as Gary was about to land a decisive blow, Morrisa disappeared. He was left standing alone in the corridor, his heart pounding in his chest.

 

His opponent may have vanished, but he knew this was far from over. With a final glance at the spot where Morrisa had stood just moments ago, Gary turned and made his way back to the gala. He had information to share, and a team to regroup with. The night was far from over, and they still had a mission to complete.

 

The girls had barely managed to regroup when the villains descended upon the gala, their sudden appearance causing a wave of panic among the attendees. But the girls were ready. Their weapons were drawn, their hearts steady.

 

Darling and Pearl found themselves facing off against a pair of villains. Pearl's Aero-Gauntlets glowed with a fierce energy as she delivered powerful blows, her anger from earlier fuelling her determination. Darling, with her Frostbite Grimoire, summoned a barrier of ice, protecting them from incoming attacks.

 

In the heat of the battle, Darling found herself looking over at Pearl. There was a fierce beauty about her, an unyielding strength that made Darling's heart flutter. Amid the chaos, Darling found herself reaching out, squeezing Pearl's hand in a silent show of support. Pearl glanced at her, a small smile playing on her lips, her hand squeezing back. It was a fleeting moment, but one that filled Darling with a warmth that radiated through her.

 

Meanwhile, Paris and Marvella were locked in their own battle. Paris wielded her Verdant Staff with skill, her movements graceful and precise. She summoned vines from the ground, entangling their opponents and giving Marvella the opportunity to strike.

 

Marvella, with The Obsidian Phoenix, struck with a fierceness that left their opponents reeling. She moved with a deadly elegance, her weapon a blur of motion as she fought. Paris couldn't help but admire her, the strength and determination she displayed. But she also felt a pang of longing, a reminder of the feelings she was trying to forget.

 

As the battle raged on, the girls held their ground, their combined efforts overpowering the villains. One by one, their opponents fell, until the girls were left standing, victorious.

 

They breathed a sigh of relief, their hearts pounding in their chests. They had done it. They had won. But as they glanced around the now silent gala, they knew their night was far from over. They had a mission to complete, and they would see it through, together.

 

After the epic battle, the girls found themselves exploring the basement of the gala venue. The air was thick with dust and the scent of old papers. The only light came from a small lantern that Pearl was holding, casting long shadows on the stone walls.

 

As they ventured deeper into the basement, they stumbled upon an old, ornate chest. Curiosity piqued, they opened it to reveal a radiant gem, its glow illuminating their faces. It pulsed with a strange energy, an energy they recognized all too well - it was similar to the energy they’d felt from Morrisa's Siphoning Scepter.

 

"Hold on," Marvella said, her eyes wide as she stared at the gem. "This... this could be connected to Morrisa's powers."

 

There was a collective gasp among them. They looked at each other, realization dawning on their faces. If they could control this gem, they could potentially weaken Morrisa's powers, giving them an edge in their upcoming battles.

 

With a nod of agreement, Paris, wielding her Verdant Staff, carefully lifted the gem from the chest. She wrapped it in a protective cloth before safely stowing it away in her bag.

 

They made their way back to the main floor of the venue, their hearts pounding with the thrill of their discovery. As they emerged from the basement, they found Gary waiting for them, his face etched with concern.

 

"We've got it, Gary," Darling said, her voice filled with a newfound determination. 

 

With a nod of approval, Gary led the way out of the gala, the girls following closely behind. As they walked away, they couldn't help but feel a sense of achievement. They had not only survived the gala but had also managed to secure a potential weapon against their enemy. This night had been a victory, and they were ready to face whatever challenges awaited them next.

Author Note:

Hope you enjoyed! I just want to say be prepared for next week chapter and the rest of the four chapters left in the volume!