fanficWorld| JayBird -- Action/Romance -- Posted: 15/07/2009 -- Updated: 03/10/2012 |
*_**_**_**_**_**_**_**_*
Jaycacia Thornbyrd stood in the Committee Room and breathed deeply. "All right," she said. "I'm ready."
Do you truly understand what is asked of you? a mental voice said out of the darkness.
"I do," Jaycacia replied. "The survival of the entire PPC rests on my actions here and now - on my sacrifice."
There will be no going back, another voice told her. Once you do this, you will never be able to return to who you were.
"I know," Jaycacia affirmed. "But if I stop now, what life I have will be one of misery and suffering under a cruel master."
It will be incredibly painful, a third voice said gently, both during and after the transformation.
Jaycacia smiled grimly. "Death is more painful," she said. "Death is forever."
Then so be it, a fourth voice said, one she knew very well. Beloved, your sacrifice will be remembered.
"I know, husband mine," Jaycacia told the Sunflower Official. "Thank you."
Let us begin, a fifth voice said with grim finality. Please enter the circle, and prepare yourself.
At least, as much as that's possible, said the second voice quietly. Jaycacia took a deep breath, gave a small smile, and stepped forward.
The assembled Board of Department Heads (less the Sub Rosa, of course, and Doctor Fitzgerald, who as a human didn't have any of the powers the Flowers possess, and the Clover, who had been tragically killed in what Jaycacia now realised was the Sub Rosa's first sneak attack) closed the circle, twining their tendrils together. As Jaycacia closed her eyes they began to hum softly, the first 'real' sound they had ever made. A soft, shimmering light began to glow above the circle, shifting through the spectrum before finally settling on a combination of soft pink and vivid orange.
Power of the Origin, be upon us, said the deep, slow voice of Hornbeam - the first voice.
Grant us Your strength, that we may grant it onwards, intoned the Floating Hyacinth - the second voice.
Let fire and water, earth and air, bend to the will of this Chosen One, the Tiger Lily spoke - the third voice.
Let her light be a beacon in the darkness that engulfs us, came a new voice - the Queen Anne's Lace.
Let her enemies burn, said the Marquis de Sod simply - the fifth voice.
Jaycacia Thornbyrd, said the SO with a quaver in his voice, you have been Chosen. Will you receive this power?
"Yes," Jaycacia whispered, and the humming rose to a fever pitch.
I ask a second time, the SO said. The power is yours, if you take it. Will you?
"Yes," Jaycacia said, her voice strong. The light above the circle blazed now, brighter than the sun.
One last time for all, the Sunflower Official declared. Jaycacia, will you take up this power?
"Yes!" cried Jaycacia Thornbyrd. "For all the PPC, I will!"
Then so be it! declared the Flowers as one, and their combined power flung itself into Jaycacia, who...
... didn't even scream, though her eyes blazed with agony. The coruscating light flooded into her, filling her - transforming her. Her golden hair flew out from her head and kept going, becoming a radiant orb of brilliance. The blue fire in her eyes blazed ever hotter, spreading to consume her face - or rather to glorify it.
Even as her lissom limbs moulded themselves to her sides, stunning silver leaves grew from what had once been her hands. Her toes spread across the floor, becoming graceful roots - and then the power pouring into her lessened to a mere torrent, then a river, and finally a simple, trickling stream before it stopped.
The Board of Flowers looked upon their work in awe. The Starflower, the Floating Hyacinth whispered. Even now, I can barely believe it.
Believe, said the Sunflower Official simply, and stepped forward, one leaf extended. Oh Chosen One, he said, bowing his blossom, radiant Starflower, we beseech your aid in this time of our most desperate need. Around the circle, the other Flowers bowed, each in their own way. The Starflower watched them calmly, and then...
... laughed, a high, pure laugh. Oh, husband, she said, in velvet tones of sheer pleasure, why so solemn? I'm still me - still Jaycacia - just... better.
~
Acacia snorted, prompting Jay to break off her contemplation of the mosaic floor. "Something's funny? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Not funny so much as tragic," Acacia replied, waving the sheet of paper. "Miss Jaycacia has decided she'd be better off as a Flower."
"Clearly she's never met any Flowers," Jay murmured. "The idea is pretty amusing, I'll give you that."
"It's not so much that," Acacia said, scanning the page again. "It's just... like you said, she's got decent spelling - even with the long words most Sues wouldn't even know existed - and she's clearly trying, but..."
"But the harder she tries, the more she fails," Jay agreed. "It is a bit tragic - but still hilarious."
"Oh, well, obviously," Acacia said, throwing a date at her friend. "I figured that went without saying."