Nightfall

Part One

"Keith," said Tamara, glancing at the young man sitting next to her on the row of cushioned seats, "are you okay?"

Keith glanced up at his girlfriend, a weary smile on his tan face. "Sure I'm okay. Why do you ask?"

"Because if my parents were visiting me for my birthday, I'd be ecstatic!" the energetic teen stated, tossing her long ebony braid behind her back, "But you seem... anxious. Aren't you looking forward to seeing your family?"

"Well, I haven't seen them in a while," Keith admitted, "Since... I left for Japan for a semester abroad. I am looking forward to spending some time with Mom and Connie, but Dad..."

"You don't get along with him, do you?" Tamara inquired. Keith sighed, shaking his head in the negative.

"He's been on my case for years, ever since middle school. He thinks I'm a slacker, with no direction in life. He also thinks I don't care about anything but myself, and that the word 'responsibility' isn't in my vocabulary."

"You're exaggerating," Tamara said, a smirk on her face, "I'm sure he loves you."

"I'm not," Keith mumbled, folding his hands tightly, "He always finds a way to criticize me. It makes it really hard for me to tell him anything, or even be in the same room with him."

"Well, I hate to admit it, but you did slack off a little..."

Tamara smiled at Keith's reaction: a surprised and displeased raised eyebrow. "..but you've changed," she finished, taking his hand. She brushed her fingers against the silver band on his finger, with a fiery red gemstone encrusted on the elegantly-designed ring. "Ever since you've become a superhero, you've learned levels of responsibility most people will never even know exist! I mean, the entire world is resting on our shoulders!"

"It's not like I can tell Dad I'm the Red Enforcer," Keith said grimly, "After all, we all decided to keep our identities a secret. Besides Chris, and the Power Rangers, no one has seen the Spectrum Force without their masks."

"True," Tamara admitted, "but you're a different person. I'm sure your father will see how you've grown up since you saw him last."

"I doubt it," Keith muttered, "My Dad only sees what he wants to see."

"Keep your spirits up!" Tammy said, tightening her grip on her boyfriend's hand, "Be respectful to him, and he'll see you've matured. And remember to keep your temper in check... no matter what he says."

Keith chuckled, and gazed at Tamara in amazement. "You know me better than anyone, Tammy. What would I ever do without you?"

In answer, Tamara kissed Keith gently on the lips. "Let's hope you'll never have to find out."

^Flight 345, direct from Austin Texas, now arriving at Gate 13,^ the intercom signaled. Keith glanced up at the gate, where people were already congregating, excited to greet friends and family members. Keith rose to his feet, not letting go of Tamara's hand. Tamara followed, and together, they walked to the gate. Keith's grip tightened as he saw three familiar people walk into the airport.

"Keith!" called a tall woman, apparently in her late forties, with sand-hued hair streaked with a few strands of gray. "Happy Birthday!!"

"Hi, Mom," Keith said, hugging his mother tightly. Tamara stepped away from the reunion, a sentimental smile on her face. After a few moments, his mother let go, and kissed him on the cheek.

"We've missed you so much!" she declared.

"I've missed you too," Keith replied.

"Hey, Big Brother," called a slender girl dressed in blue jeans and a baby-tee. Her vibrant ocean-blue eyes glimmered past the blonde bangs that hung over her forehead, and the dark eyeliner she wore only made them look larger. She grinned widely at her older brother, and spread her arms open to greet him as he stepped closer.

"How are you, Runt?" he asked, hugging his little sister tightly.

Constance Maloy sighed, rolling her azure eyes dramatically before focusing them on Tamara. "How on Earth do you put up with him?" she exclaimed, "He's three years older than me, but I'm more mature!" She then turned her potent gaze upon her brother. "And for your information, I'm not a runt! Five foot three is a perfectly respectable height for a young woman."

"If you say so," Keith said, his grin widening.

Connie then smiled, punching her brother in the shoulder. "So, how does it feel to finally be old enough to drink legally? That should keep the campus cops off your back, eh?"

Keith groaned. "Don't make me tickle you in public," he warned.

Connie stifled a giggle as she stepped out of arm's length from her brother.

Keith then looked up, and his grin fell sharply. Standing a few feet behind Connie was a man in his early fifties, with a full head of graying blonde hair, cut short and neat. He was dressed in a navy blue blazer, button down shirt, and jeans, and he stood tall and straight, with his hands behind his back. His expression was a deeply entrenched frown, as if it was the only expression his face could display. Keith stood up, and walked over to greet him.

"Hello, Dad," Keith said quietly. He suddenly felt extremely nervous, as he always did when he met his father's scrutinous gaze.

Stephen Maloy III nodded in response, and walked around his son in a circle, examining his appearance carefully. Keith practically held his breath, virtually frozen by the feel of his father's cold ice-blue eyes on his back.

"So, you're letting your hair grow," Stephen observed in a brisk voice. He shook his head at the short golden blonde ponytail, reaching the base of Keith's neck.

"Um, yeah," Keith responded, "I... I like it long, Dad."

"Are you some kind of Hippie?" Stephen practically barked, "Keith, you're a business man! How will anyone take you seriously with that ponytail?!"

"Dad, I'm not a business man!" Keith yelled, turning to face his father, "I'm a college student! And it's fine to have a ponytail in college!"

"It's rebellious and immature," Stephen replied in an equally loud voice, "It is not fitting of a Maloy!"

"I'll wear my hair how I want to!" Keith yelled, his ocean blue eyes flashing.

Tamara gazed at the two Maloy men in shock. She then glanced at Connie and Monica, who stood quietly to the side, frowning. They weren't the least surprised by this tense argument. Tamara finally decided to intervene, and tapped Keith on the shoulder.

"Keith," she said, "you haven't introduced me to your family."

"Oh," Keith said, grateful for the intervention. He suddenly felt embarrassed for having argued with his father in front of her. "Um, Dad, this is Tamara Fox, my girlfriend. Tammy, this is my father, Stephen Maloy III."

Stephen's expression remained harsh and enraged, but it didn't phase Tamara. She flashed him her most brilliant, disarming smile, and extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mister Maloy."

"Hello," he said gruffly, shaking her hand. Keith then took Tamara's hand, and walked away from his father to the rest of his family.

"Tammy, this is my mother Monica, and my little sister, Connie."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Tammy," said Monica with a warm smile.

"I'm glad to finally meet you, Mrs. Maloy."

"Please, call me Monica."

"Hello, Tammy," Connie said, shaking the taller woman's hand.

"Hi, Connie," Tamara greeted warmly. She then turned to Keith. "So this is your whole family?"

"No," Keith answered, "my older brother Stephen couldn't come for the weekend. He's at Johns Hopkins University studying to be a neurologist, and he's got a presentation to prepare for Monday."

"Yeah," Connie piped up, "fortunately for Keith, one of his siblings was sacrificing enough to bring her books with her, so she could study for her classes without missing his birthday. I told you about that nightmarish microbiology exam I have this upcoming Wednesday, right?"

"You only mentioned it about four times," Keith said with a grin.

"Microbiology, eh?" Tamara said, grimacing slightly, "I think Matt took that class. He said it was murder, and that he would never had taken it if he didn't have to."

"Well," Connie said with a shrug, "I'm a bacteriology major, so I don't really have choice on the matter."

"Wow," Tamara gasped, "that's an unusual major."

"I guess I'm just an unusual person," Connie responded with a humored smile.

"So," said Stephen, interrupting the conversation, "shall we leave the airport and get settled in the hotel?"

"You took the words out of my mouth," whispered Keith, as he and Tamara led the way to the baggage claim. As Keith's family searched for their luggage, Keith turned Tamara to face him, and lightly brushed his lips against hers in a delicate kiss.

"What was that for?" she asked, somewhat surprised.

"For saving my life," he said with a smile, "I told you, he always criticizes me!"

"Is there a reason why he's so hard on you?" Tamara asked.

"Yeah. My brother, Stephen Maloy IV, is everything Dad wanted in a son. He's smart, resourceful, obedient... you name it. But Stevie didn't want to inherit Dad's company. He wanted to be a surgeon, meaning I'm next in line. I guess Dad's trying to make me into Stevie, so he can be confident enough of me to let me have the company without worrying. I just wish he'd just accept me for who I am. I may not be the most scholastically accomplished man on Earth, but I do get decent grades, even with being an Enforcer. I guess he'll never see me as anything but a jock."

About a mile above Earth, circling in geo-synchronous orbit above LA, was an asteroid-shaped alien ship, easily as large as a city. However, it was cloaked, to prevent detection from human technology. Inside that ship was an entire army of alien beings: soldiers, scientists, magicians, intellectuals, and servants. In the exact center of the ship was a group of chambers specifically for the royal family of Denebia. Inside the throne room, Acheron marched pensively on the cold ground. His velvety cape followed behind him, and his forest green hair hung around his face. He looked up as he heard the circular door iris open, allowing someone to enter. Phaedra, the empress of the Denebians, stepped into the throne room, her own emerald hair woven intricately around her royal crown. She fixed her blood red eyes on her husband, her body wrapped by her own cape.

"You wished to see me?" she asked him, tilting her head inquiringly.

"I have prepared the Phoenix energies for their use," he announced, approaching her, "I shall cast the most powerful spell ever to exist!"

Phaedra saw the cold excitement in her husband's eyes. She frowned skeptically. "And what spell is that?"

Acheron smiled at his queen, and opened his hand. A tiny crystal, about the size of a marble, appeared. Phaedra stared at it, and noticed the swirling black mist inside the clear gem.

"This is the Nightfall," Acheron said proudly. Phaedra's eyes widened in amazement.

"The Nightfall?!" she declared, looking up at her husband's ash-colored face, "Impossible! It was destroyed by the White Denebians eons ago!"

"No, it wasn't," Acheron said, "The Nightfall cannot be destroyed. It can only be contained. The White Denebians managed to encase the Nightfall mist into one of their White Stones, trapping it and preventing the evil mists to drain the energy of the star Rigel. Once the Nightfall was encased, they threw the gem into Rigel, presumably preventing any Black Denebian to retrieve it, since we cannot survive the light of a star."

"So how did you get the gem?" Phaedra asked, "Very few races can enter the core of a star and survive!"

"True indeed. Do you remember hearing of the White Denebian Quislin?"

"He was the only member of the Council of Light to ever turn evil," Phaedra recalled.

"Exactly. Quislin was the cousin of Luminus, the leader of the Council, and the keeper of all four White Stones in existence, since the fifth and final stone was already used to encase the Nightfall. One day, Quislin decided that he would be the greatest wizard, and that he wanted the magical powers of the White Stones. He tried to steal all four gems, but he only managed to steal two when he was discovered. He fled the Council, who chased him across the cosmos. Quislin knew he was in danger, for even with the two White Stones, he couldn't defeat the rest of the Council. He came to me, begging me to send him somewhere far away. Apparently, in his haste to escape the Council, he didn't bring a Hyperspace Controller with him, so he couldn't use the Hyperspace Portals scattered throughout the universe. I agreed-- on the condition that he retrieve the Nightfall for me. He agreed, and did as I asked. And I kept my word. He needed to escape as far away from the Council as he could. So, I programmed the nearest Hyperspace Portal for a distant star system-- this one. He fled to Earth, but the Council soon found him anyway. It doesn't matter to me, though. He gave me the Nightfall. That is all I wanted of him."

"Why haven't you used the Nightfall before?" Phaedra asked in disbelief, "If memory serves, Quislin was captured and executed by the Council of Light nearly a thousand Earth years ago. You have had the Nightfall for a millenium?!"

"The Nightfall was encased in the White Stone for eons," Acheron explained, "In fact, the whole reason the White Denebians banded together against the Empire was to stop the Nightfall from destroying every star in the universe. They created the five White Stones using all the magic they could muster, and used one to capture the Nightfall. The crystal is White, and therefore it reflects all energy that touches it. The Nightfall feeds off light and life energy. It has been starved. The only way to revitalize it enough for it to break free from its crystalline tomb is to nourish it with as much life energy as can be mustered. The Phoenix is the only force in existence with enough raw energy to do that task. Come with me."

Phaedra nodded, and followed as Acheron marched through the hallways of the ship, carrying the crystal in both hands as if it were as fragile as an egg. As the royal couple passed, each Denebian they encountered bowed deeply, and stepped to the side, allowing them to pass freely. Soon, they were inside the storage chambers, in which Acheron kept the batteries containing Phoenix's stolen energy.

"Help me pool all the energy together," Acheron said. Phaedra nodded, and sealed the door to the chamber, containing the royal couple, the Nightfall gem, and the batteries within. Then, both Denebians opened each battery, allowing the contained energy to flow freely into the dark chamber. The chamber began to glow with the pale fiery light. Once all the batteries were emptied, Acheron stepped into the glowing mist that coated the ground, and placed the Nightfall gem within it. He then clasped his hands in front of him, and they began to spark with black energy.

"We must create a crack in the gem," he instructed Phaedra, "Then, at least some of the energy will be able to pass through, allowing the Nightfall to absorb it, and grow strong enough to break completely free. Only black energy can damage the White Stone-- all else is reflected back."

"Is there any way we can free Nightfall without destroying the White Stone?" Phaedra asked, her own hands beginning to glow from concentrated black energy, "I'm sure we can find many uses for a White Stone. After all, if it reflects all the energy that touches it, it can even protect a Denebian from the rays of the Sun!"

"The only way to free Nightfall is to destroy its prison," Acheron huffed with exertion, "Once Nightfall is free, it shall suck the life out of the Sun in a matter of days. Only another White Gem can stop it, and Quislin was kind enough to lose two of the four! That means only two remain in all existence-- one is being used by the Spectrum Force, and the other is used by another team of heroes. If the Spectrum Force rejoins the Spectrum Stones into a White Stone, then that means Earth will be unprotected. They have no way to save themselves."

"Once the Nightfall blocks the Sun, we shall begin our invasion," Phaedra declared, "We shall start by sending a creature to Langstrum Alps, to finally defeat the Spectrum Force, and force them to deplete their stored energy. Without the Sun to replenish the stones, they will lose."

"And once the Spectrum Force has been defeated, we can conquer the entire planet, and forge a foothold in this sector of the galaxy for the Denebian Empire!" Acheron added, pointing his two index fingers at the stone containing the Nightfall. A tight beam of black energy flew at the White Stone. Phaedra added her own beam to his, and the two struck the exact point. After over ten minutes of constant firing, the gem began to glow. Then, the two Denebian rulers witnessed the orange aura of Phoenix energy suddenly begin to be sucked into the crystal at the point they were firing. Both stopped their energy barrage simultaneously, and watched as all the Phoenix energy entered the crystal. Then, the crystal suddenly exploded, leaving a cloud of black mist hanging in the air.

"Is that the entire thing?" Phaedra asked, clearly unimpressed.

"Volume means nothing for the Nightfall," Acheron said, approaching the dense cloud of blackness, "It can fit inside a pinhead, or blanket an entire star. And that is exactly what it is going to do."

Acheron snapped his fingers, and the Nightfall mist vanished from the chamber. He then turned to Phaedra, who had a pleased smile on her face.

"The Spectrum Force has two options," she said, "They either combine their Spectrum Stones into a White Stone, and absorb the Nightfall, or they let Earth freeze over when the Sun vanishes."

"And if they do form the White Stone to capture Nightfall, nothing can stop the Denebian armada from launching a planetary attack!"

A young man in gray sweats and a plain white T-shirt dodged a stream of five purple energy blasts that streaked towards him. He then leapt to the side as another blast of energy, this one more massive, flew in his general direction. After somersaulting along the golden floor, he rose to his feet, and focused his eyes at his attacker. Two tight beams of bright white light shot from his eyes, plowing at her. But she was already gone before the beams struck, leaving a spark of purple energy in her wake. She rematerialized behind the young man, her fist glowing with purple light. She then hurled that energy toward him in the shape of a javelin, which he attempted to avoid. But he wasn't fast enough, and the javelin struck his ankle, and dissipated. With a muffled grunt, he fell to the floor.

"Do you yield?" the Purple Enforcer asked, her silver Lightning Saber taking shape in her hands.

"No," he said indignantly, firing another optic beam at her. She deflected the searing white energy with her sword, but he took advantage of her momentary distraction to roll out of harm's way. However, he soon found himself with his back against the wall.

"Last chance," she repeated, "Do you yield?"

Instead of responding verbally, he grinned cunningly, his eyes glowing with white light. Rachel's visor protected her eyes from the intense light, but she was still awestruck at the focus of power. As she watched, a pair of white wings, composed of bright energy, erupted out of her opponent's back. The wings stretched to full span, and then wrapped around his body. Then, they unfolded, releasing a powerful showering of white energy. Rachel tried to block the onslaught with a Spectrum Shield, but it didn't help. She was flung across the chamber, and crashed against the wall.

"Not bad," she said, rubbing the back of her head, "Not bad at all."

She glanced up, and noticed that he was kneeling on the ground, panting heavily.

"Chris?" she asked, running to his side. Her blue visor vanished, revealing concerned deep brown eyes.

"I'm... fine," he responded, taking a deep breath, "Just give me a minute."

"It still hurts when you form your wings," she observed, helping Chris Greyson to his feet. He nodded, and squeezed his eyes shut.

"It's not as bad as it was at first," he said, opening his eyes again, "Every time I summon my energy wings, the pain lessens. I can handle it."

"I still don't like the idea of training you to fight," Rachel uttered, crossing her arms, "It's true that you have these powers, but you don't have a Spectrum Stone to protect you! Your abilities don't include heightened durability, and one of Phaedra's creatures can cause a lot of damage."

"Yeah," Chris said, "that's why I need the training! I'm not planning on joining the Spectrum Force or anything, but you may need some backup." He grinned. "It's sweet that you're worried about me, though."

Rachel blushed slightly, and shrugged. "Well, ever since that encounter with the Phoenix, all I've done is worry about you."

Rachel's admission was followed by a long silence, which was broken by the sound of teleportation. Both turned around, and smiled at Spectra, the mentor of the Spectrum Force.

"You have both done well in your exercise," said Spectra, approaching the couple, "According to my observations, your mutation has given you marginally increased agility and speed, telepathy, as well as psionic energy blasts that can be thrown from your eyes or hands, and a focus of psionic energy in your back, allowing you to concretize your energy in the shape of wings. Your psionic abilities also allow you to somehow register memory energy within objects, causing you to experience memories of objects contacted tactilely. Christopher, perhaps you should deactivate your wings. Maintaining their energy depletes you."

Chris nodded, and the wings disappeared into his back. Rachel smiled with amusement when she noticed Chris' T-shirt had nearly been ripped to shreads.

"You're going to run out of shirts if you keep forming your wings, Chris," she said.

"That's definitely a problem," Chris said, looking down at his shirt.

"I believe I can remedy that problem," said Spectra, her eyes beginning to glow. Chris' clothes began to glow white, and suddenly, they were replaced by a solid white bodysuit, covering his entire body from his chin down. It fit just like a second skin, and moved with Chris' body.

"What's this?" he asked.

"It is a uniform made of unstable molecules," Spectra explained, "Your psionic powers can control it, reshaping it into whatever shape or color you choose. Since you focus your energy through the material, any energy blasts you throw, or even your wings will pass through the garment unimpeded. However, although your own energy can pass through, nothing else can."

"So it's like a body armor?" Rachel asked, examining Chris' costume with interest.

"Essentially," Spectra replied, "but it isn't quite as durable as the Spectrum Force's uniforms. The principles behind them are somewhat similar, though."

"Let's give this a shot, then," Chris said, closing his eyes. Rachel stared in amazement as Chris' uniform glowed and rippled on his body. The sleeves flowed up his arms like water, and the legs loosened, and the final product was the T-shirt and sweats he was wearing moments ago. Once the transformation was complete, the eerie glow subsided, and the clothing stabilized. Chris opened his eyes, and smoothed his shirt with his hands.

"If even feels like cotton!" he marveled.

"Let's just hope it's machine wash," Rachel quipped.

"It can weather the elements without damage, and protect from extreme heat or cold, as well as energy or kinetic assaults," Spectra highlighted.

"Great!" said Chris, grinning widely, "So now I have a uniform, to protect my identity and stuff. But do I need a superhero name?"

"I thought you said you weren't going to be a superhero," Rachel pointed out.

"Well, not full-time, anyway." he answered, still smiling with excitement.

"Fine," said Rachel, "but if you want to fight with the Spectrum Force, you have to follow my orders."

"Don't I anyway?" he joked. Rachel raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, Spectra's eyes widened, and she pivoted her head, and stared upwards and to the side, as if she had heard something from that direction. Rachel and Chris noticed her actions, and followed her gaze. But all they saw was the high ceiling of Cloud Castle's lower training room.

"Spectra?" Rachel asked, "What's going on?"

"It's... impossible," Spectra whispered, more to herself than her young companions, "After all these centuries... it's back."

"What's back?" Chris inquired. Spectra locked eyes with Chris and then Rachel. Rachel shuddered at Spectra's expression. It was the first time the Purple Enforcer had ever seen the usually calm and collected sorceress display fear. And the fear in Spectra's ancient, wise eyes was fathomless.

"I'll be back," Spectra said, stepping backwards away from them, "Do not leave Cloud Castle."

Suddenly, in a brilliant pulse of white light, Spectra's form vanished. Chris and Rachel looked at each other in confusion and surprise. Rachel immediately began pacing across the metallic floor, and Chris followed her around the room with his eyes. Then, Rachel stopped, and looked up at Chris, a pensive frown on her face.

"Are you as scared as I am?" she asked quietly.

"Definitely," he answered, "Whatever could scare Spectra that badly can't be good for Earth."

Meanwhile, on the Hamilton Walkway in the center of the UCLA campus, Craig Gillis, Jocelyn Armand, and Matthew O'Conner walked towards the cafeteria for lunch after a long morning of classes.

"I can't believe I got a C on that Clinical Psych midterm!" Craig growled, a bitter scowl on his face, "That means I'll have to get an A on the final if I'm going to pull a B in the class!"

"It's not the end of the world," Jocelyn said. Craig frowned at her.

"Like you ever got a C, Brainiac," he muttered.

"I'm trying to cheer you up!" she shot back, "Besides, with all the attacks the Denebians have been sending, its no wonder your grades are slipping. That whole mess with Phoenix and Acheron was a nightmare!"

"It's not like I can tell my advisors why my grades are slipping," Craig remarked, "My chances of getting on the Dean's List are shot."

"Come on, Craig," Matt said with a smile, "Once Doctor McNeil curves the exam, you'll probably end up with an A."

Craig looked at Matt, his eyebrow arched. "She already curved the exam. That's how I got a C."

Matt's smile fell. "Ouch."

"Exactly."

Suddenly, the sky grew darker. Matthew blinked, and glanced up at the sky. His dark green eyes widened. "I don't believe it..." he muttered.

"You mean it's not a passing cloud?" Jocelyn said, turning from her friend to the sky. A frown crossed her delicate features when she saw a black shape slowly block the Sun. "Not again!" she fumed.

"Why would Phaedra try to eclipse the Sun again?" Craig pondered aloud, "I mean, it didn't work the first time. Spectra managed to dispel the black cloud, before she even summoned us to be the Spectrum Force."

"We'd better get to Cloud Castle," Matt said, walking off the walkway between two buildings. Jocelyn and Craig followed, and the three college students held up their rings. At once, they all transformed into beams of orange, green, and blue light respectively, and streaked through the darkened sky to the clouds above.

"Here we are," Keith said, parking Rachel's minivan right in front of the Ramada Hotel on the UCLA campus. He borrowed his friend's car because his car, a tomato red Porsche, wasn't large enough to fit the entire Maloy family, and their luggage.

"Good," Stephen said, getting out of the passenger side. Keith sighed inwardly, and turned off the car. During the entire drive from the airport, neither Maloy man spoke a word to each other. Connie and Monica, however, were enjoying an animated conversation with Tamara in the back. Keith had almost asked Tamara to drive, so she could sit by Stephen. But that would probably seem obvious, so he decided to just deal with it.

At least we didn't argue, Keith thought grimly, opening the fifth door and pulling out some luggage. Suddenly, a shadow passed over the parking lot. Keith paid no attention, until he heard a shriek from next to him. His sister had just climbed out of the car, and stared in horror at the black cloud covering the Sun.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Oh no," Tamara uttered, following Connie out of the automobile. She looked questioningly toward Keith, who met her gaze immediately. He had a concerned expression on his face. They both knew what was happening.

"Is it some kind of eclipse?" Monica asked, unconsciously leaning against her husband.

"I... I don't know," Stephen replied, awestruck.

"Oh!" gasped Tamara, "I forgot, we have to pick up Rachel from the museum!"

"What?" said Stephen.

"Right," Keith said, "She... lent us her car so we could pick you guys up, so she asked us to pick her up from the museum across town, since she won't have a car."

"Why didn't you lend her your car?" Monica asked her son. He blinked.

"Rachel can't drive a stick-shift," Tamara answered quickly, "C'mon, Keith! Ray's probably steamed!"

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Keith told his family, "Um, maybe you should stay in your hotel room? Just until the Sun comes out again?"

Stephen's eyebrow rose. "Why? Do you think an eclipse is something dangerous?"

"Well, who knows what it could be," Tamara said, "Rather be safe than sorry."

Stephen shrugged, and the rest of the Maloy family collected their luggage and entered the hotel. Keith and Tamara hopped into the minivan, and drove it out of the parking lot, and down the street. As soon as they were a bit away from the hotel, they parked along the street, and hurried to a secluded spot amongst some trees.

"To Cloud Castle!" they both exclaimed, their bodies glowing with red and yellow light, respectively. They transformed into sleek beams of light, and streaked through the darkened sky to a tangible cloud. Atop that cloud was the majestic Cloud Castle, a magical construct hidden within the clouds. They sailed through the large window on the second floor, and landed inside the throne room. Once they materialized, they noticed that Jocelyn, Craig, Chris, Matt, and Rachel were already there. But someone was surprisingly missing.

"Where's Spectra?" Tamara inquired, glancing at the empty throne.

"She just up and left," Chris said, "about fifteen minutes ago. Rachel and I were downstairs, in the training room, so we came up here when Jocelyn, Matt, and Craig appeared. It was then that we noticed the eclipse."

"Why would Phaedra create another eclipse?" Keith pondered, "It didn't work the first time."

"This is different," Rachel said, "Spectra recognized whatever evil spell the Denebians cast, and she nearly panicked."

"Spectra?" said Matt in disbelief, "Spectra nearly panicked?!"

"Yeah," said Chris, "and we don't know why."

Suddenly, in a flash of white light, Spectra appeared on her throne, her face cast downward. She glanced up at her Spectrum Force, and all the humans present gasped at her expression. Her pale features were creased with anxiety, and her muscles appeared tense.

"What's going on?" Keith demanded.

Spectra drew a long breath, and gazed intently at the hot-headed young man. "Acheron and Phaedra have released the Nightfall... the most evil, lethal magical creature in existence. That is the cloud that covers the Sun as we speak."

"What does it do?" Jocelyn asked.

"It feeds off the light and energy of stars. Once it has consumed its fill, the entire Sun will be reduced to a dead star, giving off no light or heat energy. And then the Nightfall will continue on, consuming every star it comes near without ever stopping."

The Spectrum Force gasped. "So how do we destroy it?" Matt asked.

Spectra closed her eyes tightly, and paused for a moment. "You can't."

"Excuse me?" Craig said, blinking.

Spectra gazed intently at the team, her eyes expressing a creeping feeling of hopelessness. "I said you can't," she repeated louder, "The Nightfall cannot be destroyed. Earth, as well as all the planets circling the Sun, are doomed. And there is nothing you can do to prevent it."