The Spectrum Force by Heather Ray (good inspirational books .TXT) 📖

magical properties of the prism that contained the Nightfall."

Spectra blinked. "An interesting hypothesis, but if the Nightfall is allowed to gain energy, then it can free itself from the colored fragment. Can it not?"

"Not if the fragment is placed somewhere where there is no penetrating light. If we can find a vault for it, to keep the Nightfall, we can buy ourselves time to find another White Stone, and capture it for good! We've already seen that the Denebians somehow managed to get the Nightfall from the core of a Sun. It'd be safer if you hid it here, so long as they don't know where it was hidden. Like, how about deep within the surface of a planet?"

Spectra then rose from her throne, clasping her hands in front of her, "There is another significant difference between a shard and the entire White Stone. The geometric design of the White Stone is formatted so it actually can suck darkness into itself, like a vacuum. That property is practically disabled in the shard. The Nightfall won't be forced into the crystal, as it was in the White Stone centuries ago."

Tamara huffed with exasperation, letting her body drop to the floor. She sat on the cold golden tiles, tipping her chin to the large window stretching nearly completely across the eastern wall. From her vantage point, she gazed into the thick darkness that was created by the black Nightfall. However, unlike normal evenings, there was no moon to cast its gentle light to the Earth. Without the sun, the moon had no light to reflect. The sun was the energy source that powered all the immediate light in the solar system. It was the source of life, supporting everything that lived on Earth.

Just then, an idea occurred to the former Yellow Enforcer.

"Spectra," she said, tilting her eyes towards the mentor of the Spectrum Force, "The Nightfall is attracted to energy, right? That's how it finds the stars to consume."

Spectra nodded. "The Nightfall is attracted to life and light energy like a moth responds to a flame."

"Then, maybe a shard could attract the Nightfall!" Tamara declared, rising to her feet with newfound optimism.

"But, the White Stone does not have any life energy within it," Spectra pointed out, "Its energy is magically generated. There's a difference."

"But I can use it to reflect my own life energy, right?" Tamara pointed out, "A Spectrum Stone is capable of a lot. It takes in the power of the sun and transforms it into magical power. Can it somehow feed off life energy in a similar way?"

Spectra's inquisitive expression collapsed into a deep frown. "Such an action is extremely dangerous and ineffective. That is why I never informed the Spectrum Force of this ability. Yes, the Stone can reflect the life force of an individual, but the amount of energy within a single human being is so weak in comparison to a star, that it can only sustain a single energy burst."

"Could that energy burst lure the Nightfall into the shard?" Tamara asked, locking her eyes with Spectra's in a demanding manner.

Spectra's brow wrinkled in thought, and she turned away from Tamara to glance at the six Spectrum Stones.

"To be honest, Child... I do not know. That faint energy burst would have a different source than your usual powers, and it would be impossible for a person to sustain for longer than a moment. However, since it does originate from a living being, instead of a lifeless star, then it would be probable that the energy would be attractive to the Nightfall." Spectra then descended the row of stairs, and stood beside the pensive Yellow Enforcer. "The plan of action that you are considering is inadvisable, Tamara. It is extremely dangerous for the harbinger of the Spectrum Stone, and while it is possible that it will work, there are many hypotheses that must be true for it to work out. We cannot be sure that the Nightfall will enter the stone, or that it will be trapped within. There are properties of a shard that are not true with the whole. The effect of the combination between the Nightfall and the gem, as well as the connection between the Nightfall and the holder of the gem, are completely unknown."

Tamara swallowed, stepping away from Spectra and wrapping her arms tightly around herself. "I... I know it may not work. In fact, it probably won't work. But, do we have any other options that don't leave us with a dead planet?"

Spectra met Tamara's demanding gaze, and shook her head. "You are right. This is the only option we have that gives Earth a chance."

"Then it's what we're gonna do," Tamara decided, "I'm flying into the Nightfall, and I'll flash my life energy with the help of the stone. Hopefully, that flash will attract the parasite to investigate the crystal, and then its own momentum will push it into the crystal."

"Once the Nightfall is within the gem, you will automatically be reverted back into your human form," Spectra said quietly, "You will not be able to sustain the transformation into a Spectrum Enforcer with that darkness in the core of the gem. You'll be killed in moments."

Tamara's mouth opened slightly, and her lips began to tremble. She then pursed her rose lips together, and took a deep, calming breath. "If I die, will you be able to transport the yellow shard back here? Will you be able to contain it somewhere, so the Nightfall will be under control?"

Spectra nodded solemnly. "I am the one selected by Luminous to guard this White Stone. When the individual I deem worthy of holding a shard perishes, the shard automatically returns to me. The bond between the gem and the Enforcer breaks, so it becomes mine again."

Tamara smiled weakly. "So, if I don't make it, the gem will return."

"It should," Spectra corrected, "Once the Nightfall is within the gem, I don't know what the consequences will be. Still, I should be able to find it through my bond to the shards."

"So, is this plan a go?" Tamara asked, biting her lower lip as she awaited Spectra's response.

The ancient White Denebian descended the stairs, and placed her hands on Tamara's shoulders. To the young human's amazement, a smile crossed Spectra's ivory visage. "I must admit, I am impressed by your ingenuity, selflessness, and bravery. Like I said before, I am not your commander, so I cannot force you to make any plan of action. While your plan is risky, and while the costs will be great in your loss, the chances of it working are high enough that the plan grants consideration. If you can get the Nightfall into your gem, I can make sure it stays there."

Tamara sniffled quietly at the vote of confidence, and wrapped her arms around the stoic alien. Although she was slightly unraveled by the display of affection, Spectra returned the hug with almost maternal warmth. After a few moments, Tamara pulled away. Slowly, and with tears streaking down her pale face, Tamara walked up the stairs, and took her stone from the circling ring. She then found her silver band, which was lying on a pillar next to the throne. The gemstone connected to the ring immediately, and she slid it onto her finger.

"For the last time," she whispered, "Spectrum Sync... YELLOW!!"

In a bright flash of light, Tamara was once again the Yellow Enforcer. She descended the stairs, and stood in front of Spectra.

"Can... can you do me a favor?" she asked.

"Certainly."

"Tell Keith, and the others, that I had to do it. And tell them that I love them all."

"I will. Farewell, Tamara Fox."

"Bye," Tamara whispered, her body trembling as she floated off the ground. She waved, and passed through the window. After a wistful glance at Cloud Castle, and the city below, she flew into space. She moved as quickly as she could, streaking towards the Sun. She could feel her energy lowering, since her Spectrum Stone had only a little left. Still, she was determined she would reach her destination.
Chapter Twenty

"Sheesh," Jocelyn muttered, glancing at her watch, "how long has Tammy been in the bathroom? It's been fifteen minutes."

"Maybe she got lost," Matt offered, the scowl on his face freezing his features.

"I'll go look for her," Rachel said, "She's probably really upset."

Chris watched as Rachel left the waiting area towards the restrooms. He turned towards the doors leading into the actual hospital, and saw Keith walk through them, his hands in his pockets and his ocean eyes bloodshot and dull. All four teens hurried to meet him.

"What's happened? How is he?" Craig pressed.

"He's alive," Keith said in a voice barely above a whisper, "Fortunately the arrow missed any major organs, but it was a hair's length from puncturing his heart. Still, he's lost a lot of blood. He... he may not make it through the night..."

Keith's voice died as he pushed through his friends, and sat down heavily on a bench, holding his face in his hands. He then ran his hands up his flushed face and through his blonde hair. "My mother's still with him," he revealed, "and Connie is waiting there too. I... I don't know... I just couldn't... take it anymore!"

Keith's voice quivered once again, and fresh tears welled in his eyes. The confident, hot-headed Red Enforcer was replaced by a broken young man, who gazed down a path of endless night. "Why did this have to happen?" he asked no one in particular, his voice shuddering as he gasped for air, "What if he doesn't make it? We never got along well, but I... I always thought we'd straighten out our differences eventually..."

"Oh Keith," Jocelyn whispered, sitting beside him and wrapping him in a warm hug, "I'm so sorry..."

Keith let his hurt and depression overwhelm his senses, and he returned the hug with near desperation, as if he was trying to hold on to some sense of comfort by clutching Jocelyn's small frame.

Suddenly, however, something just felt wrong in the pit of his being. He quickly pulled away from his friend, and glanced around at the others. "Hey," he said quietly, "Where's...?"

"Guys," Rachel called at that moment, running towards the congregation, "Tamara's gone."

Keith turned to Rachel, his eyes wide. "What do you mean 'gone'?"

"She's not in the bathroom," Rachel clarified, "A nurse said she saw a young woman go into the bathroom about fifteen minutes ago, but she didn't see anyone come out. And she's not in the bathroom now."

"Then, where is she?" Chris asked.

"Do you think she went to see Spectra?" Matt offered.

"Without telling the rest of us?" Rachel asked skeptically, "That's not like Tammy."

Suddenly, all