The Power Princesses

by Phantom-Dragon

The Owl and the Bell Part 1 – The Bell and the Belle

Somewhere

A team of archeologists were hard at work, under the boiling heat of the sun, digging and unearthing some relics that have long been forgotten by the world through a course of time and history. Among the archeologists is a young apprentice by the name, Terra Lunar.

In appearance, Terra Lunar was about the typical age of a high school student, roughly 16 by appearance. She wears a pair of thick glasses, while wearing an archeologist's hat on her head, covering her brilliant amaranth hair with moderate purple and grayish violet highlights.

The girl was hard at work, brushing the dirts aside, unearthing a strange bell.

"Egad!" Terra exclaimed, as she holds up the bell for closer inspection.

In appearance, the bell was about the size of an average cowbell, but with cracks, and it looked as though it has an eye on the front.

"This is an amazing discovery!" Terra exclaimed. "I've got to show this to Professor Fossil!" The girl was about to get up and go to meet with her professor, when something happens to catch her attention.

She looked down to see what appears to be an hourglass, with a gold chain attached to it.

"Hmmm, doesn't look so special," Terra shrugged, deciding to pocket the hourglass away, before she left to meet with her professor.

---

Meanwhile, back in Maretropolis
Lupinranger vs Patranger - Opening Full

"There she goes!" Hum Drum shouted as he and the Power Princesses followed in hot pursuit.

"You're not getting away this time, Night Owl!" Zapp snarled as she surfs in the air, with her blade, Thunderer, at the ready.

The thief the heroes were in hot pursuit of is the infamous master thief, Night Owl. In appearance, the Night Owl appeared to light and slender, in a dark tight suit, clad in a dark sleek mechanical armor that gives her the appearance of an owl. To further her owl-like appearance, the Night Owl has large metal wings equipped with built-in jetpacks, and propellors to help her fly fast, and her boots are adorned with razor sharp claws, which she uses to carry her latest loot. A large golden alicorn statue.

The Night Owl was flying through the city, above the car fill streets, with the grace and intense ferocity of a bird of prey. She zipped through alleyways. She would fly over buildings and make sharp turns, all to throw Hum Drum and the Power Princesses off of her tail.

"Whoa nelly!" Mistress Marvelous exclaimed, narrowly stopping herself from falling off a rooftop of a building.

"AAAAH!!!" Fili-Second screamed, right before she crashes into a brick wall.

*BOOM*

"Owie," Fili-Second groaned, peeling her face away from the wall.

"I got her!" Hum Drum shouted as he spring-jumped towards the flying thief.

In retaliation, the Night Owl quickly turns to the side, evading the boy's pounce, before she thrusted her wings at the young hero-in-training, firing knife-like projectiles from her wingtips. Reacting fast, Ken started to duck, flip, jump, and do all sorts of acrobats he could muster, as he struggles to avoid the Night Owl's sharp projectiles, until he was suddenly pinned to the wall.

"She's pinned me!" Hum Drum wailed.

A crack of thunder got the Night Owl's attention as she turned around to see an angry Zapp, coated in an electric aura, with her sword unsheathed.

"You ain't gonna make a fool out of me this time!" Zapp swore as she lunges forward, slashing her blade at the master thief, who seemed rather unfazed, as she hovers in the air and dodges to the sides, evading every swing of the blade from Zapp.
"Quit moving!"

Zapp slashed her sword towards the Night Owl, whose wings immediately blocked the attack, shielding the thief from the attacks. Undeterred and fueled by her determination, Zapp proceeded to slash her sword, firing more bolts of lightnings, with the Night Owl blocking most of her attacks with metallic tips of her wings. Zapp thrusted her leg out for a kick, catching the Night Owl in the chest. With another burst of lightning, Zapp launched herself into the air, where she did a front flip, for an axe kick, followed by a downward slash at the Night Owl, who manages to block and slip away from Zapp.

Zapp proceeded to chase after the Night Owl, who turned her head and let out a bloodcurdling, earsplitting screech, like that of a barn owl.

"AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!" Zapp groaned as she immediately covered her ears, failing to look where she was going and crashes onto the billboard of the Daily Mendacium, on the face of Buried Lede.

To add insult to injury, it looked as if Zapp was kissing Buried Lede...

"ARGH!!" Zapp screamed in disgrace, as she peels her face away from the board. "Where's she?!"

Zapp held her sword up, ready to give the master thief a piece of her mind. But much to her dismay, the owl has flown the coop.

"That's the second time she's made a fool of me!" Zapp snarled.

"Actually, that's three times in a row, Zapp," Fili-Second pointed out. "There was the first time with the jewelry store."

"She made me look like a criminal," Zapp frowned. "She was throwing that bag of loot. I had to catch it."

"And the second time was with the bakery," Fili added.

"I'll never like pies so long as I live," Zapp scowled.

"And now, she made you kiss Buried Lede...on the lips?!"

"ARRRGH!!! I don't need any reminders, Fili! I swear, sooner or later, I'm so gonna get that Night Owl if it's the last thing I do!"

"You'll get your chance, Zapp," Masked Matter-Horn sighed. "Let's spread out and find her. She couldn't have gone far."

With that, the Power Princesses proceeded to spread out as they begin their search for the master thief, the Night Owl. Unfortunately, they forgot something, or someone.

"Uh, girls?" Hum Drum called, still pinned on the wall by the Night Owl's daggers. "A little help, please?"

End of Song

---

The Next Day

The Maretropolis Museum of Natural History has unveiled its latest exhibit to the public. The Bewitching Bell – an old bell that was rumored to grant wishes, of Celtic Origins.

Among the people gathered to see the Bewitching Bell on display for the first time in history are Ken Heathespike, together with his classmates from school, Mei Ling and Gwen.

"Wow! This is so awesome!" Gwen squealed excitedly. "This bell looks so cool! And can it really grant wishes?"

"I think it's just a story they tell to superstitious people," Mei Ling shrugged. "Besides, if this bell does grant wishes, then the first thing I'd wish for is to be a movie star."

"I'd wish to have a superpower to help people, all around the world with all sorts of problems!" Gwen squeal excitedly, before turning to Ken. "What would you wish for Ken?"

"Uh...I'd wish to be the greatest superhero to ever lived. Duh?" Ken shrugged.

"Oh you and your superheroes, Ken," Mei Ling rolled her eyes playfully.

"Hey! It could happen," Ken said in his defense. "Besides, we've got the Power Princesses and their boy wonder, Hum Drum. Right?" The boy backed away, and happens to bump into someone. "Oh! Sorry," He apologized.

"Oh, you're forgiven," The person replied, revealing herself to be Phoenix Dawn. "Oh, hi Ken! Hey Gwen, May!"

"Phoenix!" Ken smiled. "What brings you here?"

"Uh, checking out the bell, same as everyone else?" Phoenix replied.

"Oh, right," Ken blushed, mentally berating himself for asking a seemingly dumb question.

"Hey Phoenix," May greeted. "Or should I say, konnichi wa?"

"Shouldn't you be at Kirin's Care?" Gwen asked.

"Mom's taking care of the shelter," Phoenix answered. "She told me to just go out and see the city and meets some people, so here I am," The fiery girl then walks over to the display case, containing the famed Bewitching Bell. "So this is the bell that grants wishes? What's the trick? Is there a genie inside, or something?"

"I'm not quite sure," May replied, as she and her friends walk beside the fiery girl. "I'll have to do some deep research on the legend when I get home."

"What about you, Phoenix?" Ken asked, curiously.

"Pardon?" The girl asked.

"What would you wish for?"

"Oh... Uh, hmmmm. I really can't say."

"Can't? Or won't?" Gwen asked.

"I can't tell what'd I wish for," Phoenix shook her head. "Because then it won't come true."

"Aw," Ken and the other two girls moaned.

"So...I'm not going to be the greatest superhero?" Ken frowned.

"I won't have superpowers?" Gwen whimpered.

"I guess I won't be a movie star, so easily then, huh?" May looked down sadly.

"Sorry," Phoenix chuckled nervously. "I didn't mean to dampen the spirit," The girl claps her hands together as she decided to get out of the awkward moment. "Well, I'll see you guy and gals around then, huh? I think I'll be...checking out in the pop art exhibit."

"Okay, Phoenix," Ken nodded. "I think we'll hang back here to check out more of these collections of Celtic antiquities. Maybe we'll see you around later today?"

"じゃあね (Jaa, mata ne)," Phoenix said, which is Japanese for, "See ya later."

"See ya Phoenix," The group of friends waved.

Ken was about to turn and leave. But then, for a brief moment, in the corner of his eyes, Ken couldn't help but notice a sad look in her eyes. To him, it looked like a tear and she was about to cry or something.

"Are you okay, Phoenix?" Ken asked.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine," Phoenix replied. "Why? Why do you ask?"

"Uh...well, for a moment, you looked like were about to cry," Ken shook his head. "I guess my eyes were playing tricks on me. Sorry."

"No, it's fine..." Phoenix replied softly, as she wiped her eyes. "It's just an allergy..." With that, the fiery Japanese girl makes a hasty retreat as she walks away, disappearing into the crowd.

Ken almost wanted to run after the girl to help with whatever was ailing her. But decided not to, as he turns around to rejoin with May and Gwen.

---

For about half an hour or so, Ken spent most of the afternoon with Gwen and May, exploring more of what the museum has to offer.

They visited the Prehistoric Halls to gaze and marvel at the dinosaur fossils on display.

"Wow, these dinosaurs are scary," Gwen smiled in amazement. "But awesome at the same time! Do you think they're just as awesome as they were in the movies?"

"It's anyone's guess," Ken shrugged, before he turns his attention towards some Deinonychus fossils. "I wonder if these guys are really as smart and formidable than they were in the movies?"

"These are Deinonychus," May explained. "You must mean the Velociraptors."

"Yeah, well, same difference," Ken explained. "The writer, Michael Crichton, based his Velociraptors off of the Deinonychus, down to the last details from head to tail. But he chose the name, Velociraptors, because they sounded more dramatic."

"Fascinating," May nodded in acknowledgement.

After they were done checking out the dinosaurs, they went to the exhibit of pop arts. There, Ken and his two girl companions couldn't help but feel themselves mesmerized, taken in by the vibrant display of colorful artworks, depicting a variety of pop cultures in their own extravagant and unique way.

"Wow!" Ken and the girls exclaimed together.

"I feel almost like I'm...I'm in Stan Lee's comic works!" Ken said.

"Don't worry, I won't judge you, Ken," Gwen replied. "Even I feel like in the 50s."

"You can say that again," May smirked. "This place is loaded with pop cultures."

“That’s where the arts get their ‘pop’,” Ken smirked.

Ken proceeded to look back at the artworks on display, when he happens to see Phoenix Dawn, in the corner of the exhibit, looking in a longing gaze.

Getting the feeling that something is really wrong, Ken walked over to check up on Phoenix.

“Hey Phoenix,” Ken greeted, startling the girl from her gaze. “Wow, how long have you been here? You looked as if you’ve been here for an hour.”

“Oh? Is that the time?” Phoenix asked, pointing to the clock. “I must’ve lost track. Sorry, I’ll just…”

“No, it’s okay,” Ken reassured as he pointed at the spot next to Phoenix. “Is it alright if I sit next to you?”

“いいですね (ii desu ne),” Phoenix scooted to the side and gestures, “Go ahead. No one is stopping you.”

Ken sat down besides Phoenix, as he turns to see what she was looking at.

Painted on the wall, at the bottom depicts a city on fire. Rising from the flames, however, is a beautiful bird, carrying a beautiful city above its wings, with smiling people painted in a big heart, in front of its chest.

“It’s beautiful!” Ken commented. “That phoenix, I mean. Kinda like you, huh?”

“What?” Phoenix asked, with a blush.

“Well, phoenix is your name, and phoenixes are beautiful birds of myths, aren’t they? They represent how the end of life is another beginning for a new life. And that even in the darkest of time, there’s life. Amazing, ain’t it?”

“…Hai. Amazing…but also sad,” Phoenix sighed.

“…Why’s it so sad?” Ken asked. “Is something wrong?”

Phoenix looked as if she’s got a lot on her plate. Finally deciding to vent, she sighed.

“…Truth be told,” She began. “A lot have been on my plate, lately. I can’t get into too much details… one moment, I feel like I’m ready to take the initiative. But then again… I hesitated, and I can’t…but then I…I…I don’t know.”

Phoenix looks up at the painting.

“I really want to be like that phoenix,” Phoenix continued to vent. “Be this city’s savior, when the Power Princesses and their boy wonder, Hum Drum, can’t…I love this city and it’s people, but…will I be successful? And what happens if I fail?”

Ken nodded in understanding. In a way, he can relate, with how difficult it was for him to juggling his personal life and heroic duties. There have been times when the pressure of protecting the city and his loved ones get to him, and he begins to doubt himself.

“In a way, I see where you are coming from,” Ken began. “You’re stressed because of how much burden you’ve got on your shoulders. And you wanted to get out of the work, but you feel you can’t because you know it’s your responsibility to world, and you owe it to your family. Right?”

“Hai,” Phoenix Dawn confirmed. “Wow, how do you know all that, Ken?”

“…My dad would often talk about how hard it is, being a police, and how upholding the law can be tricky business. Especially when no one trusts you to do your job.”

“Wow, that bad, huh?”

“Yeah. But still, my dad just takes it like he always does. He kept a calm mind and moves onward. With no fear, no hesitation, just jump right in.”

“…Jump? Just like that?”

“Yeah. It’s what we call a leap of faith.”

Phoenix smiled at Ken’s words.

“Your dad sounds like a great man,” Phoenix commentary. “If only I had a father like him.”

“Don’t you know your father?” Ken asked curiously.

“No,” Phoenix shook her head. “My brother did…once. But not anymore.”

“Oh,” Ken looked down. “I’m sorry I asked,” He expressed his condolences, while berating himself, mentally, ‘Stupid, stupid, STUPID!’

Wanting to get out of the awkward moment, Ken offered, “Hey, the day’s still young. And me and the girls have a lot more exhibits to cover. So any chance…you want to come?”

Phoenix looked up with a sad, but grateful smile.

“That’s sweet of you to offer, Ken,” She said. “But I wouldn’t want to…impose.”

“C’mon, it’s the least I can do to get ya out of this rut you’re in,” Ken persisted.

“That’s sweet of you, Ken,” Phoenix smiled. “But I’ll be fine…really…”

“Ok, if you insist,” Ken shrugged as he took his leave. “I just thought it’d be nice hanging out and getting to know more about each other.”

Ken walked away, counting, “1, 2, 3, 4…”

“Hold on, Ken!” Phoenix cried.

---

For the rest of the afternoon, Phoenix tagged alongside Ken, May, and Gwen, much to the latter’s dismay and jealousy.

Nevertheless, the two younger girls and Ken were able to form a bond with Phoenix Dawn as they got to know more and more about her.

“Wow, a life-sized wicker man?” Phoenix Dawn commented, standing before a replica of the said object, in the Celtic exhibit. “And they lock people and animals in here to be burned alive for sacrifice?”

“That’s what they say,” Ken shuddered. “Ugh, scary…and creepy.”

“I’d hate to be locked in there,” Gwen frowned.

“I doubt anyone is a fan of being sacrificed, when they’re still alive,” May said.

"I'm no expert on cultural beliefs or past customs..." Ken began. "But that one remake with Nicolas Cage's looks convincing enough. I hope Kara wasn't in a fate worse than that..."

At the mention of the missing girl's name, Phoenix's curiosity was piqued. Her interest was furthered when Gwen and May both join in on the talk.

"Don't give up hope, Ken," Gwen reassured. "I'm sure Kara's in a better place. Besides, she's strong. She can take care of herself, wherever she is."

"Yeah," May replied. "She's one tough firecracker. Don't forget, she's like an olympic athlete!"

Ken nodded, touched by his childhood friends' reassurance, "You're probably right...though, for some odd reason, I can't help but get the feeling she's not that far away..."

Later, the friends were in the Norse Exhibit were they marvel at the antiquities on display. Especially an idol regarding the Winter Goddess, Skadi.

"She's called the goddess of winter," Ken reads on a tablet. "Her symbols are a bow and arrow, and her linked animals are wolves."

"She sounds impressive," Phoenix commented.

"I just wished Kara was here to see this," Ken frowned sadly. "She would've flipped just to see this giantess. And wolves are one of her favorite animals."

"Do tell, do tell..." Phoenix turned to look at Ken in curiosity. "So who is this Kara you speak so highly, for the last few minutes or so?"

"Hmmm? Oh, Kara..." Ken sighed as he took a seat. "Well, where do I begin?"

"Well, you can start with how special she means to you," Phoenix advised.

With that, Ken went on to telling the story of how he and Kara became friends, how they were like brother and sister, and how she was his favorite babysitter, whenever his cousins can't come over to keep him company. All leading up to her disappearance, when Ken turned 11 years old.

"And that's the story..." Ken concluded sadly, with tears pouring from his eyes.

Needless to say, Phoenix was shock and sadden to hear the story, with a look of sympathy. Though, it would seem she too had went through a similar experience.

"I'm sorry, Ken," Phoenix frowned, putting on hand on Ken's hand. “I’m sure your sister was a great person.”

"She is," Ken nodded sadly. "Or was..."

"...I lost my brother when I was the same age as you were..." Phoenix admitted. "Before we met mom, he's all I have for a family....he'd always knew what to do, and he was like a father to me...but then, he...he's in a better place."

"I'm...I'm sorry for your loss," Ken replied, even more remorseful.

"It's fine, really," Phoenix tried to smile, but her tears gave away her inner turmoil. "I've moved on...a little. It's just that, there's some big part of me that's willing to give up everything, just to have him back...but that's silly, isn't it?"

"No, not at all," Ken replied. "I'd do the same for Kara, or at least to know what happened to her..." Ken turns to look at Phoenix, and for a brief moment, he sees Kara in her place. "Do you want a hug?"

At first, Kara looked rather against the idea, but then her image changes to Phoenix Dawn who nodded and accepted the offer.

"Hai," Phoenix held her arms out, welcoming Ken's embrace.

Little did either of them knew, this is the start of a beautiful relationship. The two stayed that way, until Gwen and May came over to break up the tender moment.

"KEN! PHOENIX!" Gwen shouted, startling the two bonding teenagers. "You will not believe this! IT'S HAPPENED!"

"What? What is it?" Ken asked.

"You gotta come and see this!" May exclaimed. "It's the Bewitching Bell! It's been marked!"

"Marked?"

Before long, the four high schoolers return to the said bell to find a calling card, with an insignia of an owl.

It's a calling card...from the Night Owl. The Bewitching Bell has been marked!

Comments

[Magic135]

Hope the girls will get Night Owl next chapter.

[Scarlet Scribe]

Ask not for whom the bell tolls...

[Wildcard25]

This Night Owl is one crafty thief, Ken and the girls are having a tough time catching her. And it's nice seeing Ken and his friends get a little culture in them at the museum.

[Hungry Hero]

I think i see where this is going...

[DavisSentoV5]

I like that this Night Owl has become bit of Zapp's Main arch enemy and I'm very curious to see what will happen, when/if she steals the bell and what she'll wish for. Also that whole moment with Ken & Phoenix was just so heartbreaking and touching at the same time, to the point where I almost wanted to give them both a hug as well, especially Phoenix.

All little jokes aside, I cannot wait for the next chapter and I also found a small error;

With that, the Power Princesses proceeded to spread out as they begin their search for the master thief, the Night Owl. Unfortunately, the forgot something, or someone.

Pretty sure that was meant to say "they" I think that was the only one, I found I didn't see too many errors with this one.

[Phantom-Dragon]

10887141
OOPS! Sorry.

[DavisSentoV5]

10887143
It's okay, like I said it's just a small one. I hardly found any more. Plus I must say again, that you did a fantastic job with the emotional scene between Ken and Phoenix.