After Ruby and I managed to prevent Yev from pouncing on Sapphire, Yev started to give us our mission plan.

“While I would like to train Sapphire now, I think it might be best to let one of you watch her, while I and the remaining person fight.” She scanned mine and Ruby's faces when she found whatever she wanted, she continued. “Manx are pack animals, so while they are small, about the size of a prairie dog, they can easily overwhelm us with sheer numbers. We need to stay together and fight back to back so we don’t get swarmed, also, don’t feel the need to chase any fleeing Manx, we are only trying to stop their encroachment, rather than defeat them. Understood?”

“Understood!” Somehow I and Ruby managed to speak in unison, normally we clumsily speak a half-beat off.

“I’ll keep an eye on Sapphire. You two gal pals can fight.”

“Oh, how gracious of you.” Yev said rolling her eyes. “If anyone has anything else they’d like to add, then I think we are off.” She didn’t wait for anyone to pipe up, as she disappeared in wisps of platinum smoke. Ruby turned and smiled at me and Sapphire.

“Well, I guess we better follow her then. Sapphire let me explain how transportation works.” As Ruby demonstrated for her, I could see the excitement rushing through her eyes. Her fear was gone for this moment at least. I wondered why this had excited her so much. I know she said that this gave her a purpose, but what was her life like back home that made her think that way? When I looked up, the two had vanished, so I quickly skedaddled before Yev could scream at me for being late.

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The field next to the daycare was brimming with dark energy. It was enough to make your skin crawl. Yev and Ruby stood back to back and I got ready to shield Sapphire. Once the Manx could feel human presence, they would attack. Suddenly, the dark energy vanished, and there was a stillness in the air. The Manx manifested in a great black flash. Tens of small, snarling creatures charged at us, or at least that’s what it seemed like at first. Ruby whipped at them with roaring flames that singed their shadowy fur. The affected Manx cowered, as the remaining still charged and lept into the air baring their fangs. Yev shot at them with orbs of light, blinding them, and causing them to attack themselves in panic. The fight seemed easy, and so I took my gaze off of Sapphire. Big mistake. More Manx appeared this time in the hundreds, from portals of soot and smoke. The lunged at Sapphire, one had managed to sink its fangs into her leg, and her scream sent shivers down my spine. I knew my help wouldn’t be enough, so I yelled some instructions as I ran to her side. “Imagine yourself transforming into any costume you’d like.” My words were shaky as I sent blasts of sound at the sniveling beasts. “Your power can make anything you want out of sapphire. Just think!” One by one, Manx were struck down, but Sapphire was still being swarmed.

Out of the putrid sea of Manx, a bright blue light emerged. Sapphire stood up, blood still flowing from her thigh, but she had managed to transform. Her strawberry blond locks were now a blazing blue, and her lilac dress was replaced with blue shorts, a crescent chest plate that’s end wrapped around her left leg encrusted in jewels, and her sandals were now black combat boots. I’ve got to hand it to her, even in a crisis she still has great fashion sense. A large crystal buster sword sparkled into existence into her hands and came crashing down onto some Manx, slicing them in two. She struggled to lift the sword, but as the Manx recuperated and were ready to attack again, Icicles flew at them, puncturing their skin, and they dissolved into wisps of smoke.

“Are you two alright? Sapphire, I see that you’ve-” She stopped as the noticed the wound on her leg, still dripping blood. “Oh my god! We need to get you help immediately!” She snatched up Sapphire and took her away. Yev and I followed soon after her.

By the time we had gotten there, Ruby was dabbing antiseptic on Sapphire’s leg while she was doing her best not to wince in pain. Yev stared at the wounded girl and her facade cracked for a second, her eyebrows knitting in concern, but the mask was soon repaired as she stormed off in a flurry of anger. Sapphire didn't say anything but looked down. Once her wound was healed, Ruby told her to go home for the day. The two of us stood in silence for a moment.

“Did you notice it?” Her voice was laced with worry.

“Notice what? Yev?” She shook her head solemnly.

“No, it’s just...The Manx. More appeared once they saw Sapphire. Do you think that maybe...?” She trailed off, not wanting to think about it. I sighed

“Possibly. It may explain why Yev was so upset. If Manx are attracted to her, then that means one of two things, and both you and I know neither of those options are good.” Our conversation ended there, as there was nothing we could do without talking to her first. We both went home, and as I drifted off to sleep, I felt I pang in my chest. I knew, somewhere, she was crying.

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A/N Hello! As always I would love any and all feedback you may have.