(A Wish Rewrite) On Wings of Happiness Chapter 42
(*(Chapter Forty Two)*)
“VORTEX!!!!”
A vicious and turbulent wind began to blow, which sought to suck in everything that was not fixed to the floor. Asha fought hard against it. She hugged tightly one of the columns that gave the chamber structure, along its outer rims, which fortunately concealed her from view, but couldn't stop Magnifico's elemental assaults.
Her muscles ached, and her nerves strained against the pressure of the wind that whipped into her, lifting her off her feet, as it tried ruthlessly to tear her away.
Biting her lips, as she squeezed her eyes shut. Asha focused everything into her arms, desperate not to lose concentration, for if she did even a moment, it would truly be the end of the people of Rosa's future!
Then, to Asha's terror, she could feel her fingers begin to lax. Her arms were coming away, as the wind started to overwhelm her. She gasped in fright, but she still tried hard to hold on, pushing herself to please not give up, to not give into-!
“Urgh...!”
She heard Magnifico's loud groan and quickly-!
“Agh!” She fell to the floor.
Shaking from the impact and the terror of what could have happened. Asha fought hard to catch her breath, her body aching from the strain. She regained some control and shakily stood up. Holding her satchel bag close to herself, she wondered what had caused Magnifico to stop? Why had he-?
“This is getting me nowhere! Asha should have been brought out here ages ago!”
Appalled, she couldn't believe him. He simply stopped because he became impatient!?
However, there was no time to dwell on his reasoning; she had to do something for a counterattack! But what though?
Her mind raced as she tried hard to think, then, as she remembered the moments she'd shared with Asterix over the whole week they'd been together. She looked at her bag, and then, quickly opening it, she saw what she had inside.
Seeing what was available for her to use, she gripped it harder and whispered, “This could work!” With that thought in mind, she moved forward. She could only hope that Asterix was doing well against Amaya.
“Well, if the wind won't work, I'll have to flush her out with water instead!”
Trembling now, as she heard Magnifico's next plan of attack, Asha hurried as she hastily tried to enact her idea that might give them the fighting chance they needed!
X X X X X X X X
SHINE!!!
“GET BACK HERE!!!!”
Asterix wouldn't! After some fast work, he'd finally found an opportunity to transform. Now in the shape of a fox, he raced about the transparent magical glass floor, with Amaya in hot pursuit as she tried to snap at him with her sharp jaws.
“Oi! Whoa!” Asterix barely managed to stay out of the way of her savage fangs, but as she continued her desperate attempts to devour him, he looked up at Amaya, and seeing her savage, salivating lips, he gritted his own teeth as he quickly decided on his next course of action.
Again, she launched straight at him, and he darted left and right, but then, as she turned her head to face his direction, Asterix took his opportunity and jumped, then quickly scurried up her head!
“Hey!” Asterix didn't care for her outrage. Instead, as he made it to the top of her neck-!
SHINE!!!
he swiftly transformed once more and took on the guise of a flying squirrel. He did it just in the nick of time, as Amaya then rapidly tried to shake him off her back. However, his small, strong paws held onto her white fur fast, and despite her ferocious struggles, it only seemed to aid him as he sped across her.
Before she could turn again to see what he was doing, he made it down one of her legs. Then, quickly baring his own sharp teeth, he immediately bit up and down her hind leg rapidly!
“OOOWWW!!!”
He bit into her with everything he had; he only hoped it would be enough to-!
GLOW!!!
However, much to his distress, she began transforming too, and before he could inflict one more bite-!
“KEE -EEEEE-ARR!!!!”
Spooked, he saw her leg narrow suddenly, and as he held onto her fast, he turned to see what she'd become when-!
WHOOSH!!!!
“Whoa!?”
They both took off into the air, and holding on to her fast, he saw the terrifying height they were reaching. Then, seeing her legs, despite the black that stained them, he recognised the yellow, scaly, black, sharp-taloned feet. Looking up, he saw her now as a hawk. Her ferocious olive-green burning eyes bore into him, as she uttered ferociously with her sharp beaked mouth, “So you want to play rough do you!?”
Silent at first as he clung on, Asterix though bit back, “As if you ever played fair to begin with!?”
Amaya didn't wait for a reply. Instead, she began rapidly trying to tear into him with her sharp beak.
Asterix dodged left and right fast, but as he clung onto Amaya, he knew in the shape he was in. He wouldn't be able to keep this evading up forever, as he thought fast, he knew what to do. He released his hold on her and-!
WHOOSH!!!!
He opened his arms, and his flaps extended, which quickly let him glide through the air!
“YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE!!!!”
Turning, Asterix then saw her diving straight down towards him. He shook. However, seeing his Sister's necklace on Amaya only made his determination burn brighter. Focusing fast, he chose his next shape and-!
SHINE!!!
his arms shone with gold light as they became long, and strong, with an array of shining feathers. Then, as soon as Amaya was upon him-!
“SCREEEE!!!!”
he fully became a glittering eagle. Fiercely, both birds in the night sky began to tear into each other with their sharp talons. As one viciously, while the other desperately tried to secure their victory, so they may aid those precious to them.
X X X X X X X X
“Creui!!!!”
SPLASH!!!!
“Ah!” Gasping, Asha saw Magnifico had acted faster than she'd anticipated. She'd barely managed to climb up onto one of the experimental tables before the raging waters came charging at her, the spray from the ice-cold water almost blinding her as it tried to force her over the edge.
However, it only managed to soak her. Shivering against its piercing temperature, as the waters surged underneath her unsteady feet, she did her best to stay calm as she focused on her plan. Putting her hand into her satchel, she quickly grabbed some of the remaining seeds she had left. Placing them before herself, she moved her wand over them and-!
GLOW!!!!
she focused her magic and began to chant, “Please my seeds, hear my plea! Please help me!”
Immediately, under the light of her enriching, glowing enhancing magic, the seeds began to sprout and turn into long, sturdy green vines. Relieved at the sight of this, Asha smiled. However, she decided to add more to the spell and continued, “Aid us against these nasty, lordly beings! Enrich and save us, let them behold, that goodness can triumph over all!”
Their growth increased, and her plants evolved rapidly, climbing over each other, over and over again like a tangle of living threads, that quickly began to sprout small buds here and there, along with new leaves. She was sure they could feel her desire to stop Magnifico and Amaya, and then, quietly, one of the latest big-leaved vines reached over to her.
She was at first startled, but it wasn't rapid or violent like the beanstalks she'd accidentally made first. It moved gently and reached out to her, like an extended hand. Silent, at the sight of it, she couldn't help but smile slightly, then she brought it close to her cheek and felt its softness, then in return she laid a gentle kiss on it.
In turn, the plant curled around the unsteady table she was on, stilling it. She saw to her delight that it really was now going to help her. She and Asterix now had a good ally on their side! She smiled brightly, as her heart beat with elation.
“There you are Asha!”
Spooked, she turned, and then, much to her horror, she saw Magnifico was peaking at her, kneeling amongst the tall waters as he spied her on the table.
Asha shuddered as she saw his enormous lips curved into a sinister grin as he declared, “And now you're mine!” With that, he tried to reach and grab her with one of his terrifying, massive, black gloved hands!
She couldn't let that happen! Quickly, she moved her wand and immediately chanted, “Get back you maniac!”
FLASH!!!!
“AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!”
Fortunately, her light magic had worked, and it blinded him, making his hand retract, then, despite the waters reaching up to her legs. She knew she needed to get out of the way, so he wouldn't grab her plants and go after them; they needed more time to grow.
She shivered within the cold waters, and as she waded through, she heard the plants try to reach out to help her. However, turning back to them, “All of you please no!”
They stopped.
“You need to keep growing! Become as big and strong as you can! Stay out of sight until then! Seek out any light that might aid you in doing that!”
“ASHA!!!!”
Hearing her former Master's outrage, Asha knew her time was limited; she needed to reach another surface and fast. With that, she turned to her creations again and instructed them, “Please hurry! Asterix and I need you!”
The plants all stayed still for a moment. But then, following their instructions, they quickly went farther into the back, seeking any nook or cranny they could use to secure themselves and gather the elements they needed to fulfil Asha's desire.
She was glad, but then, remembering her own predicament, Asha began wading through the cold waters again to seek out somewhere she could stay safe until everything was ready for the villain's take-down!
X X X X X X X X
“KEE -EEEEE-ARR!!!!”
“SCREEEE!!!!”
Fighting viciously in the skies above, Asterix and Amaya were caught in the throes of their vicious bout. Both had slashed into each other with their talons over and over, causing feathers to fall in the air, some dark while others glittered gold.
As Asterix raced in the air in his vibrant form, though it was powerful, it wasn't as fast as he'd like it to be. As he rode on a new gust of wind that carried him high up, he prepared again for another assault against the sinister Queen.
Then, as he turned to face her, feeling her shadow come over him, he looked up and-!
GLOW!!!
he saw to his alarm that she transformed again, but before he could fully comprehend her-!
“HHHIIISSS!!!!”
“Huh!?” To his alarm, she fell right on top of him and wrapped herself tightly around his feathery body, in a form that chilled him to the bone. A long, vile, hideous snake with a white body and a black diamonded pattern that ran up her back.
As her green eyes peered into him, her reptile face widened into a sinister grin, as she asked, “Enjoying my coils?”
Appalled, he couldn't believe her! Immediately, he tried hastily to dislodge her from his body, flapping at her hard, hoping he would hit her or-!
“Agh!” She bit into his right wing, and quickly, the sting of her fangs plunged deep, making him gasp and lose his concentration. They fell through the air as he ceased flapping his wings.
The rush of gravity made the wind whip into them both viciously, and even Amaya couldn't hold on with her fangs alone. Then, finally, her grip on him loosened.
Feeling this happen, despite the awful sting of her bite lingering, Asterisx took this moment and finally, with one swing, he threw her off him, just before they reached the ground, and quickly, using what strength he had left, he brought up his wings. He curled them around himself, until-!
SHINE!!!
he transformed again, becoming a small hedgehog. His bristles endured the hard impact, letting him roll safely onto the transparent glass.
Gasping from the impact, he ached as he uncurled himself. Looking at his right side, he saw the bite marks in his small form that had been left behind. He could feel his skin swelling, and the awful twinge and oozing of his essence. This was bad, for her bite could be-!
“Sss...sss...sss!”
On high alert, he turned and saw Amaya grinning and slithering slowly in his direction. As her graceful, yet creepy body glided over the glass, he gritted his teeth and demanded, “Did... did you poison me!?”
She stopped. However, her grin didn't leave as she answered, “Oh, I would if I could!” Then, with a shake of her head, she continued, “But sssadly no! Sssince originally I'm human, I can't create sssomething that's not a part of my original being!”
Hearing this, that was a relief at least. Asterix, then holding himself tight, knew then that he would just have to endure for a little longer. If he could just think of one shape that could finally trounce her, he and Asha could finally-!
“However, though my body has limits, my imagination doesn't!” Hearing those dreadful words, he quickly looked back at Amaya and-!
GLOW!!!
immediately, she began transforming again.
However, her new shape became bigger, monstrously bigger, and her vile shadow towered over him, as the wisps of her vile green magic finally faded away into the night.
Revealed to him now was a tall, muscled mythological creature that he never thought he'd see. Amaya was twice the size of a ferocious lioness, and her main body resembled the creature he was familiar with, though her fur was a chilling white sheen.
Her piercing olive green eyes burned with her furious magic, as white mists escaped her sharp fanged lips, a pair of black twisted horns pierced through the side of her head, and quickly, a couple of bulges emerged over her shoulder blades that then quickly-!
UNFURL! UNFURL!
burst open, revealing a pair of broad white wings, with trailing longer feathers along their ends, that resembled the long-eyed stalks of a peacock's tail.
Asterix shivered in his small hedgehog form, and it only increased more, as he saw the long, dark, pronged, scorpion-like tail that peaked overhead of her. Looking at her, he asked, taking a step back, “You've chosen a manticore?”
“Oh, yes! My own unique variation!” Amaya confirmed, pleased, then her creepy face grinned menacingly, as she revealed, “Which I'll now use to tear you to pieces!” With that, she moved her tail and-!
“Hey! Whoa!” Asterix quickly got out of the way and-!
SMASH!
her heavy tail impacted the space he once stood in.
Turning back to look at it, Asterix saw the blow was so heavy that Amaya had even cratered the magical glass. If that hit him, he'd be-!
However, he wouldn't allow the despairing thought to finish. Instead, he turned and-!
SHINE!!!
he transformed again, becoming his favourite shape of a small mouse, and he darted ahead.
“YOU WON'T ESCAPE ME!!!!”
Asterix had no intention of that; he just needed some time to think. What could he become to thwart this creature?
The list of mythological creatures he knew was quite limited. He couldn't become anything reptilian, so a dragon was out. He needed it to be strong, something preferably that could fly, with muscle on its side and speed. He also knew it couldn't be something too new in shape; it would take too much time to adjust to a new creature altogether, as his mind raced through the lists he knew-!
“I HAVE YOU!!!”
He turned, then saw somehow overhead that Amaya had flown over him and was now preparing to tear into him with her black, sharp claws.
However, as Asterix saw her up in the sky over him. Quickly, he thought of one powerful shape that could aid him then, which also had sharp lion claws. Gritting his teeth, as Amaya dove down to get him, he knew he'd only have one chance for this, as she got closer and closer, Asterix kept his eyes focused on her, and then-!
SMASH!!!!
her heavy claws struck the floor, shattering the glass and sending shining shards into the air.
But Asterix, in that moment, had fortunately jumped barely just out of the way, but then, using her bulky arm, he quickly scurried up her.
“Don't you climb me again!” With that, she tried to grab him fast.
However, he darted about fast and got out of the way of her touch, then made it up to the top of her-!
SHINE!!!
he transformed fast into a small bird and flew fast high into the sky.
“YOU DARE RUN AWAY BOY!?”
“I'm finished with running!” Asterix replied, then, turning in the air, he looked down at her and continued, “Because you're not the only one who can turn into mythological shapes!”
Amaya stared at him in disbelief, but before she could say a word-!
SHINE!!!
Asterix began his transformation. Focusing, using all the courage, all the confidence he'd grown in his time with Asha and her friends. This energy immediately made his body bigger. But unlike Amaya, it was sleeker, and his long, feathery wings shone in the night with radiant gold.
He quickly formed four legs. The back was lion-like. However, his front became feathered, with black, sharp-taloned feet, and then, as it came to his face, it became eagle-like, mixed with feathers and fur, and then, as his long lion tail peaked out behind him-!
“SCREEEE!!!!”
Asterix released his mighty bird-like cry, which pierced the air.
Feeling the strength of this form, along with the his love and courage fuelling his jewel, which shone with his resolve, Asterix stared at Amaya with fierce determination.
As she stared up at him, the evil Queen scoffed and asked, “Ha! So a griffin is it?” Then, with a smirk, she continued, “You think you're the king of the beasts?”
He didn't answer her. Instead, he charged down, using his wings to give him the push he needed, as he readied his talons.
Amaya didn't lose her smile and said, “Well let's have some fun boy!”
With that, she took off into the air too, and quickly, both legendary beasts continued their fierce bout, as the creature of tyranny and the shining one of courage continued to try and furiously overcome each other.
X X X X X X X X
Holding her wand tightly in both hands, hiding behind another pillar, Asha shivered. The water, fortunately, had lessened now and was only reaching around her ankles. However, the ghostly chill still bit deeply into her bones, and she could only hope her chattering teeth wouldn't draw Magnifico's attention.
“Hmm, what spell should I do now?”
Asha didn't like the sinister mocking tone that Magnifico used. She could imagine the horrible sneer across his face. As small as she was, she wouldn't be able to wipe it off him even if she tried.
She didn't have the confidence to enlarge herself, doing that to something like her plants and objects would be safe enough, but for a living being like herself or anyone else, she wasn't sure she could-!
“Ah, I think I'll use lightning this time!”
“Oh, no!” She uttered. For in her soaked state and with the water around her feet now, she'd be doomed for sure!
Her mind raced fast as she tried to think of something, to get out of the water or-!
“Fulgur, crescere and-!”
There was no more time!
“Glow my image, as we go and delude, Magnifico!”
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
Immediately, multiple glowing magical images of Asha emerged, and as they all stood around her, she ordered, “C'mon let's go!” With that, she raced ahead, and the rest of her numbers followed quickly after her.
Escaping from under the arches that had concealed her, Asha ran ahead, as her multiple duplicates did the same, all of them running in random directions as they desperately tried to dupe Magnifico and stop his devastating spell.
“Oh?”
Hearing his curious utterance, as she ran by his feet, Asha didn't bother to look up at him. Instead, she concentrated on getting behind him.
As her feet pitter-pattered in the water, making splashes everywhere, and despite the weight of her wet dress, dragging her down. Asha didn't let this stop her, for she had to do her best to give her plants and Asterix the chance to thwart their opponents.
Then, looking at her right hand, engraved with the limiting magic from the duelling star that continued to shine above them, right now she really wished she could cast levitation magic. With a shake of her head, she couldn't believe she was even missing that now, considering how terrified she used to be.
As she ran, she then took her chance to look above to see how Asterix was doing. It was then that she saw the crazy, intense battle taking place. Seeing the mythological beasts that Asterix and Amaya had become, Asha couldn't believe it.
However, as Asterix struck Amaya, she hit back just as hard, and it hurt to see this happen to him, as his golden feathers fell through the air. Asha wished she could get up there and help him, to aid him somehow against-!
“Venti procella et flatus!”
WHOOSH!!!!
“Agh!” Asha had to stop, as the wind blew so fiercely that she had to shield her face against the unforgiving, whipping currents.
It almost felt enough to lift her, straight off her feet. However, she wasn't, and she was left momentarily perplexed, asking, “What was-?”
“There you are!”
Asha stopped in fright, then as she turned, she saw Magnifico's monstrous giant hand reach straight down to ensnare her! “No!” She cried, and quickly, she tried to evade him, but-!
WHOOSH!!!!
“Urgh!” However, the wind blew too fiercely again, and she was stopped in her tracks as it blinded her and in that one moment-!
“GOTCHA!”
“AGH!”
Asha was snatched up by Magnifico's nasty, black-gloved hand and whisked into the air. “No, stop it let me go!” She cried as she smacked into his massive digits with her hands. However, it was pointless, she had no strength against his grip, which moved and-!
SQUEEZE!!!!
he gripped her fiercely, making her take in a sharp breath as she fought against the heavy pressure of pain from his awful touch.
If he held her any more tightly, she wouldn't be able to breathe anymore. Taking cautious breaths, she turned to look at him.
His malicious, triumphant grin met her eyes as he told her, “That was real cute there Asha!”
She dared not say anything.
“Using duplicates of yourself to try and fool me.” With that, he shook her slightly, and the rumble and rocking from this simple action made Asha feel like a rattle toy. She almost became dizzy from the rocking and terrible pressure. If she wasn't careful, she'd pass out.
As he moved her though, Asha felt the drops of water that soaked into her drip pitifully through the air, and as they did, Magnifico continued, “However, unlike them, you made steps in the water creating splashes and ripples, you're still not there yet in the arts of illusion!”
Hearing his critique, Asha wasn't in the mood for it. But, if she spoke out of turn, it could spell her and Asterix's end; she couldn't let that happen. Though what was she to do against-!
“Now, I'm going to show you a real nightmare that will make you think twice before you ever try to go against me again!” Magnifico declared, and all Asha could do was stare at him in terror, as he prepared the malicious spell he had planned for her next.
X X X X X X X X
SLASH!!!
“Ah!” As Amaya gasped in pain from the attack he inflicted against her, he quickly moved again and bit into one of her shoulders with his sharp beak.
He was doing his best to pierce into her tight, white, furred muscles. However, she was more durable than she looked, and, in turn-!
“Why you!” Amaya screeched and then, in turn, she moved and bit hard into him too-!
“Urgh!” Immediately, he had to back off and let go, as she got him on his right side that had already been harmed.
As he released her, he found it hard momentarily to keep his focus in the air. However, determined, he gritted through the pain and, gliding fast, he followed the wind's current and flew higher. Looking down at Amaya as she stared at him venomously, he quickly calculated and then dove straight down to begin his next attack.
Amaya, seeing him come, then bared her teeth and-!
“RRRROOOOAAAARRRR!!!!”
Asterix wasn't intimidated by this, as he raced ahead, he saw Amaya aim with her claws at him and-!
SLASH!!!
she tried to get at him with her sharp claws.
However, he immediately evaded and quickly rounded up and around her. He made it towards her back and-!
GRIP! GRIP!
he took hold of her on either side. Sinking his sharp talons into her.
“RRRRAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!”
Ignoring her rage, he used the wind's turbulence to ride up with her, then, moving fast, circled with her over and over again, somersaulting in the sky together. He desperately tried to make her dizzy or hopefully nauseous from the propulsion.
Then, as he moved, he took whatever chance he could to stab his sharp beak into the back of her bulky neck. He couldn't pierce her flesh. However, he could see that he was at least marking her, and maybe if he kept this up, he could-!
“ENOUGH!!!!”
As she roared, Asterix felt her thrashing against him. However, he was sure there was nothing she could do against him. He had her pinned, and all she could do was-!
STAB!!!
“Urgh!” However, to his horror, Amaya had somehow manoeuvred her long scorpion-like tail to move and strike him straight in his back!
As he fell from the sting of the attack, he released his hold on her and, in turn, as he looked up at her monstrous body, he saw her ready her sharp claws against him again.
Urgently, he moved and tried one last time to get an attack in!
PIERCE!!!
He struck his sharp beak straight into the left side of her neck!
“AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!”
He'd hurt her, he was glad, but in turn-!
SLASH!!!
she struck him straight back, causing him to plummet to the floor.
As he crashed down, Asterix felt more of his feathers flee his aching form. He'd lost so much strength now, he wasn't sure if he could keep going anymore. He'd tried to move himself to keep going. He needed to do something, or-!
“Urgh!” However, he couldn't. He had to stay still; it all hurt too much. The scratches, the bites and the deep sting in his back, along with his agonising right side, he couldn't maintain this form any longer and-!
DIM...
Quickly, he returned to his normal human guise. As he lay on the cold, magical floor, he breathed heavily, trying desperately to stay conscious, for if he succumbed. Amaya and Magnifico would win for sure!
“You're really something you know that?”
Baffled, he then turned his tired eyes to look in Amaya's direction. He saw to his surprise that she had reverted too.
She looked just as beaten as him, covered in just as many scratches and marks. She was also holding the left side of her neck, where he could see a trace of red under her fingers. However, despite all the damage she incurred, she continued with a smirk, “You gave me one of the toughest games I've ever had!”
Asterix said nothing.
“You're definitely more fun than Estelle ever was!” Amaya smirked, and with that, she put her hand to her necklace, which contained his trapped sibling. Then, as her repulsive, dark nails circled around her, the evil Queen added, “I must thank you for sharpening my claws, but now!” With that, she then brought her right arm out and-!
FLARE!!!!
it burned with her dark magic, covering it in thick black fur with sharp claws.
She then informed him with a sinister grin, “The game is over!” With that, she stepped forward in his direction.
Turning away from her, Asterix could hear the click and clack of her shoes, stepping across the glass. With each step, he could feel his doom slowly approaching. There was no chance for him anymore. What could he do now?
He didn't know. He couldn't think of anything anymore. Everything just hurt, not just from the damage he incurred, but from knowing the awful truth. He'd ultimately failed. The wizard duel hadn't helped at all. Rosa would be lost, and he'd never get his Sister back now. It was over, entirely over, gripping his hand, he hated this. For even though he'd finally been able to transform into bigger shapes, what good had that done him, when he couldn't subdue Amaya at all?
Closing his eyes, he knew there was nothing he could ever do to make up for this. For hurting and getting his Sister trapped in a never-ending nightmare, to Asha losing all she treasured. He really was a pathetic little star, for what could he ever do?
Nothing, that was the only answer now. Asterix trembled as he waited for the end to come...
RUSTLE!
Then, he felt the wind blow and as it did so-!
FLUTTER!
Asterix felt something gentle and small land on his clenched fist. Baffled by it, he opened his weary eyes, still, he couldn't quite understand what he was feeling, when-!
FLUTTER! FLUTTER! FLUTTER! FLUTTER!
he saw more of the strange things. They were tiny and purple, but so soft and gentle. Looking at them, he couldn't help but remember Asha. The comforting memory of her couldn't help but bring a smile to his face, but he almost felt he didn't deserve to think of her. He couldn't help but utter, “I'll miss you Asha...”
However, as he looked at the small petals that had somehow landed on his clenched hand. He couldn't help but stare at them, as he felt their softness. But then, as he continued to do so-!
GLOW!!!
Each of them glowed with enriching white light. Startled, Asterix recognised this. Healing magic! Then, as the petals stayed on his harmed form, he felt their effects quickly work their way through him. Their glittering white entered through the cuts on his hand and face, and he felt it all join and connect with him, healing him quietly from the inside out, as it reached his jewel core.
All the stinging immediately left Asterix, and the awful heaviness faded too. He almost gasped in surprise, however, keeping himself still, as the weariness fled from him altogether. He cautiously looked to where these petals had come from. He then saw, in the distance, a tall beanstalk shoot that had grown all the way to the far side of the tower. It was curling around the open roof, and its purple blossoms had managed to drift his way.
He couldn't believe it. Asha had helped him even now! He almost let out a chuckle, then, looking down, he looked to see what she was doing.
However, in horror, Asterix quickly saw what had happened. She was now in Magnifico's gigantic hold, being toyed with helplessly. He felt his core almost stop, then, gripping his fist, he knew he had to finish this match with one move right now. He had to get to Asha and fast, for he could hear it now. Amaya was almost right on top of him!
Gripping his fist, his mind raced and raced, as he thought hard of what to transform into next. What creature would be enough to defeat Amaya now? How could he-!
“You have to be tricky sometimes to get what you want!”
Remembering Asha's words, Asterix thought of one creature that would work. One that he'd met on his travels throughout the world, while searching for Estelle. One of the strangest he'd ever encountered, with a unique trait.
Now, realising his plan of attack, he stayed silent as Amaya finally reached his position.
“Farewell...!”
He heard her move and, in turn-!
SMASH!!!!
Amaya's attack impacted the floor. But he'd moved swiftly out of the way!
“What!?”
SHINE!!!
With a flip of his cape, Asterix immediately transformed, and in his new shape, he extended out a sharp spur from behind one of his hind legs. He swung forward and-!
SLASH!!!
“AGH!” He struck Amaya, straight across her normal skin, on other arm, leaving an angry, deep, penetrating cut across her.
Landing fast on the floor, he patted his beaver-like tail hard on the floor behind him and stared up at her with his fierce, beady little eyes, as he clenched his duck bill tightly. He braced his flipper-like feet to run if she tried anything else.
Gasping from the wound he inflicted on her, Amaya demanded, turning to look at him, “You, what did you-!” Then, as she stared at his new form, she looked baffled and uttered, “What on earth are you supposed to be!?”
“ A creature from a land you'll never see!” Asterix answered, then he added, “One that's toxic!”
Amaya blinked and uttered, “What?”
“For you might not be able to make venom when you shapeshift, but I can!”
She immediately paled, but before she could say a word, “Urgh!” Quickly, she collapsed, holding her left arm, where Asterix had struck her. She began to writhe and twist, as Asterix's venom swiftly travelled through her body.
“Normally what I am, doesn't secrete venom, but when it fights to protect those it loves it becomes lethal!” Then, focusing, he called upon his power and-!
SHINE!!!
he returned to his original human form and finished, “Which is why you should never underestimate even the smallest, or oddest of all creatures!”
Gasping, against the excruciating pain he'd unleashed on her. Amaya gasped as she tried to speak, shivering from the terrifying venom, “You... you've...killed me! I-!”
“It's not lethal to humans!” Asterix informed her. However, he did add, “But it will incapacitate you severely, for who knows how long, especially when its been enhanced by my powers.”
Amaya gritted her teeth, then told him, scratching her nails into the glass floor, as she drag herself towards him, “You... I'll never forgive-!”
GLOW!!!!
Asterix then raised his hand and aimed it at Amaya and told her, “I don't need your forgiveness!” With that, he finished his spell and-!
SPARKLE!!!!
he threw it straight her way, and immediately the evil Queen succumbed to his sleeping magic, becoming deathly still as she lay on the floor.
…
Staring at her, Asterix then released a sigh of relief. It was finally over. Then, walking to her, he finally reached Amaya's position and, bending down quietly, gently removed her necklace.
Then, holding it in his hands at last. He stared at it, then, stroking the red jewel in its centre, he uttered cautiously with worry, “Estelle?”
There was no movement from the jewel, then, as Asterix looked at it hurriedly all over. He wondered if he'd somehow hurt her in the fight, it was then-!
SPARKLE!
It lit up with life, then quickly Asterix asked her urgently, “Estelle can you hear me, can you see me!?”
SPARKLE! SPARKLE!
She responded quickly to each of his questions. He was filled with so much relief that he gasped and then, cupping her small, warm form, close to his cheek, he told her, “I'm glad, I'm so glad I finally got you back!”
SPARKLE! SPARKLE! SPARKLE!
Feeling her respond warmly with light, he couldn't help but release a small laugh, as he wondered if she was saying something similar to him. However, this wasn't the time to think about this, so taking her away from himself, he told her, “Look, we haven't got much time, I need to help Asha so we can stop Magnifico from-!”
FLASH!!!!
Then, suddenly overhead, the duelling star that had been monitoring the match surged with mysterious power. As it did, Asterix turned and asked, “It's recognised I've won now?”
SPLINTER! SPLINTER! SPLINTER! SPLINTER!
Spooking him, the magical glass floor beneath him cracked and splintered all over. Staring at it, Asterix uttered, “Huh, what's-!?”
SHATTER!!!!
“Whoa!?” Then, suddenly, the whole floor collapsed as it all disintegrated, and Asterix began to fall with it, along with Amaya's helpless, unconscious body...
