Aron's medical ward was silent, but the tension in the air was thicker than ever. The only sound came from the soft hum of the Resistance's spy monitors - grainy images of the ongoing battle in Soluna flashing across the screen.
Jim was holding his ground against Blooma, his Solun Lance clashing with her claws again and again. Every strike he landed, every blast he deflected - it all seemed like borrowed time.
Aron adjusted the screen, his jaw tight.
Aron: "He's pushing her back... for now."
Sheila, leaning against a table, her arms crossed, winced slightly from her lingering injuries.
Sheila: "But how long can he keep that up? Jim's strong, but Blooma's just... playing with him."
The screen flickered - Blooma's attacks were becoming more aggressive, tendrils of Void Energy spiraling and tearing through Soluna's defenses.
Jim was dodging, countering, striking back - but it was clear he was struggling as time passed.
That's when, Edward's voice crackled through the intercom, a direct line from his Celestic Justice squad stationed at the outskirts of Soluna.
Edward: "She can't be stalled forever. Jim's keeping her distracted, but she's getting serious now."
Aron exhaled sharply.
Aron: "We need Tim and Rei to finish their training - they're the only ones who can match Blooma's strength."
Sheila, her fingers tapping impatiently on her twin-sabers hilt, gritted her teeth.
Sheila: "They've been in that training for days now... but it's still not over."
Gravik, now comfortably settled into his new role as the Resistance's "guide," awkwardly cleared his throat.
Gravik: "Uh... just saying... I know they're tough, but are we sure they'll even make it through? I mean, that training's meant to break people."
Aron shot him a look.
Aron: "They'll make it."
But his voice carried a hint of concern.
The Final Trial
Deep within the Resistance base, behind reinforced walls and layers of Celestic barriers, Tim and Rei were locked in their fifth and final trial.
The training arena roared like a living beast - an inferno of Solar and Lunar energies colliding, spinning, and attacking them from every angle.
Tim, wielding his Solar Saber, was fighting an onslaught of blazing illusions - each one a shadow of himself, faster and stronger with every passing moment. Every strike he made seemed to spawn another opponent.
His muscles burned, his vision blurred - but he pressed on.
Tim: "I... can't... stop... now!"
Rei, on the other side of the partition, was in a storm of shimmering Lunar constructs - they darted and struck like silver lightning, testing her reflexes and endurance.
Her Lunar Crescent Hatchets spun like a deadly dance - slicing through illusions and deflecting attacks.
Her breathing was ragged, but her focus remained sharp.
Rei: "I will... finish this... for all of us."
There respective rooms somehow pulsed with Celestic Resonance even when they were apart.
Back in the Medical Ward...
The screen crackled again.
Jim was barely standing, detransformed, his green hair and face clearly visible. He supported himself on one knee - his Solun Lance planted into the ground for support as blood dripped from a cut on his cheek.
Blooma circled him, her Void energy spiraling more violently.
Blooma: "Still standing? Impressive - but pointless."
Heatsun and Moonsalt were watching helplessly from a distance, too weak to rejoin the fight.
Sheila clenched her fists.
Sheila: "We can't just stand here watching."
Aron placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
Aron: "We have to trust them - Tim and Rei are the only ones who can end this."
Sheila, biting her lip, nodded - but it was clear that waiting was tearing her apart inside.
Gravik, feeling the weight of the moment, muttered under his breath.
Gravik: "For once... I hope those two really are as strong as everyone says."
The clock was ticking.
Jim was holding the line.
Tim and Rei were fighting their final battle within themselves.
And Blooma's wrath was only growing stronger.
_ _ _
The sun hung high over Soluna, its golden rays battling against the dark tendrils of Blooma's Void energy that twisted through the air like a storm.
Jim was kneeling, bruised and bloodied, his Solun Lance digging into the cracked ground as he tried to push himself back to his feet.
His breathing was ragged, each inhale a painful reminder of how much damage he had taken.
Blooma towered over him, her cold smirk twisting into something even darker.
Blooma: "Is this all the so-called Grey Warrior has to offer?"
She lifted one hand - a sphere of Void Flames spiraled into existence, crackling with destructive energy.
Jim's mind raced. He had tried everything. Every strike with his Solun Lance, every burst of the Soluna Strike - none of it made a dent. It was like fighting a mountain - cold, unyielding, and merciless.
His parents - Heatsun and Moonsalt - stood a few feet away, still too injured to properly fight but refusing to retreat.
Heatsun: "Jim! Don't lose hope!"
Moonsalt: "You are the son of Soluna - never forget that!"
Jim winced, gripping his Lance even tighter. He knew the only way to stop Blooma - even temporarily - was his ultimate move: Solar-Lunar Finale.
But it wasn't ready.
It would take 15 full minutes to gather the combined energy of the Sun and all moons in range.
It was a move he had only used once - back when he faced Mega Sunburn and Mega Moonfreeze - and even then, it took 20 minutes to charge. His training had cut the time, but 15 minutes still felt like an eternity.
Jim's Thoughts: "I need time... but how? She's too fast... too strong..."
The Void Flames in Blooma's hand grew larger.
Just as Blooma was about to release the attack, Heatsun suddenly let out a loud, mocking laugh.
Heatsun: "Is that all you've got, Blooma? I expected more from Dark Void's so-called chief-commander!"
Moonsalt caught on quickly, smirking despite her injuries.
Moonsalt: "I've seen starved space rats hit harder than you."
Blooma's eye twitched.
Blooma: "You dare mock me?"
Her focus shifted from Jim to Heatsun and Moonsalt.
Jim's heart pounded.
Jim's Thoughts: "They're trying to distract her... but they can't take much more..."
Henry and Marie from the crowd immediately shouted to distract herself further. "Actually she is a coward who is acting tough!"
The Solunar people, helpless but determined, joined in.
Some banged on whatever metal scraps they could find, shouting insults and throwing small rocks - anything to keep Blooma's attention divided.
The people of Soluna, usually reserved and cautious, now roared as one.
Solunar People: "Protect Soluna!"
"Jim is our hero now!"
"You won't win, Blooma!"
Jim knew this was his chance.
He retransformed into Grey Warrior and raised both his hands to the sky - the Solun Lance planted in the ground beside him - and began gathering energy.
A brilliant aura of Solar and Lunar light swirled above him, a radiant sphere slowly forming - like a miniature star fueled by the power of Soluna itself.
It was just like before - pulling energy from the Sun and all moons that are in range - but this time, he could feel it gathering faster, more efficiently.
The training had paid off.
What once took 20 minutes was now down to 15.
But 15 minutes was still too long in a battle like this.
Heatsun and Moonsalt dodged Blooma's attacks, but they were slowing down. Each time they avoided a strike, it was a little too close.
Jim's Thoughts: "If I don't pull this off in time, they'll die..."
He felt a pang of guilt.
Even with the support of his parents, even with the Solunar people believing in him...
He wasn't sure if he could manage it.
Jim: "I can't... fail..."
The sphere above him grew larger, pulsating with raw Celestic energy - a mix of golden Solar flames and deep blue Lunar glows.
Blooma finally noticed the sphere building above Jim.
Her expression darkened.
Blooma: "Gathering energy, are we? You think you can stop me with this?"
She blasted Heatsun away with a flick of her wrist - sending him skidding across the battlefield. Moonsalt screamed his name, running to him.
Jim's heart lurched.
Jim's Thoughts: "No, no, no... I need more time!"
Blooma pointed a finger at Jim - dark energy gathering at her fingertips.
Blooma: "Let's see how long you last this time."
Meanwhile, in the Training Chambers...
Tim and Rei were still locked in their fifth trial - pushed to the edge of their limits.
Both of them were drenched in sweat, their Celestic Resonance flickering like a flame about to burn out - but refusing to die.
Tim gritted his teeth, his Solar Saber slashing through the final wave of enemies.
Tim: "Rei... we have to finish this... now!"
Rei, her Lunar Crescent Hatchets glowing brighter than ever, panted heavily.
Rei: "We're not done yet... but we're close."
They may have been separated from each other and may not have heard each other but there was some telepathic connection between them due to Celestic Resonance.
Their final trial wasn't just about power - it was about unity, about pushing their Celestic Resonance to a level they had never reached before.
Back at Soluna...
The energy sphere above Jim grew larger - now pulsing with a blinding light - but there were still 10 minutes left to go.
Jim's muscles ached. His vision blurred.
Jim's Thoughts:
"I have to endure... I have to protect Soluna... my parents... everyone."
The Solunar people continued to shout - their voices a beacon of hope - but Blooma only grew more enraged.
Jim's arms trembled as he held them high, the glowing sphere of the Solar-Lunar Finale growing larger and brighter with every passing second. The swirling energy of the Sun and the moons formed a dazzling spectacle above him - a beacon of hope and danger.
But he still needed more time.
Blooma's tendrils of dark energy surged toward him, crackling with unrelenting force - until a blur of movement intercepted them.
WHIP!
A sharp snap echoed across the battlefield as Jeromy's plasma whip lashed out, slicing through the tendrils and sending a shockwave of energy back at Blooma.
Jim's eyes widened in disbelief.
Jim: "Jeromy?!"
The ex-champion of Celestic Justice stood tall, his body glowing faintly with Celestic energy. His signature plasma whip crackled with a vibrant blue hue, the edges sparking with every flick of his wrist. His gaze was calm but fierce.
Jeromy: "You didn't think I'd miss the party, did you?"
Blooma's expression twisted into a sneer.
Blooma: "Another one? You Warriors really are like cockroaches - always showing up when you're least wanted."
Jim, still focusing on gathering his energy, struggled to speak.
Jim: "But... I thought you were training the Celestic Justice squad."
Jeromy didn't break eye contact with Blooma, his whip slowly swirling at his side, ready to strike again.
Jeromy: "I was. But news travels fast when you're with Celestic Justice. As an ex-champion, I still have a duty - not just to the squad, but to Soluna."
Jim felt a strange wave of relief wash over him.
Jim: "You came all the way just for this?"
Jeromy gave a small smirk.
Jeromy: "Of course. I couldn't let you steal all the glory."
Jim chuckled softly but quickly winced, the strain of holding his Solar-Lunar Finale growing more intense.
Jeromy's face hardened.
Jeromy: "Now, how much time do you need?"
Jim: "8 minutes."
Jeromy's grip on the plasma whip tightened.
Jeromy: "I'll buy you as much time as I can."
Without another word, Jeromy lunged at Blooma.
The Solunar people gasped as Jeromy launched his assault, a wave of awe washing over them.
Solunar People: "The Celestic Justice champion is here!"
"He's really fighting for Soluna!"
"Jim and Jeromy... they might actually stop Blooma!"
Blooma extended her hands, releasing a barrage of dark tendrils, but Jeromy's plasma whip danced through the air, cutting through the tendrils with precise strikes.
WHIP! SNAP! CRACK!
The battlefield lit up with every clash - Blooma's Void energy colliding with Jeromy's Celestic might.
Jeromy's Attacks:
Plasma Lash: A fast, single strike designed to sever Blooma's energy tendrils before they reach him.
Plasma Lightning Whip: Unleashing a powerful whip strike infused with lightning.
Jeromy smirked again, even as sweat dripped down his brow.
Blooma snarled, her frustration growing.
Blooma: "You're more of a nuisance than I expected."
Jeromy: "Good. That means I'm doing my job."
Meanwhile, Jim continued to gather energy, the Solar-Lunar Finale sphere growing even larger.
The light was so intense now that it cast a radiant glow over the entire battlefield - a miniature sun encircled by orbiting crescents representing the moons.
7 minutes left.
Jim's arms burned with exhaustion, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through.
The Solunar people rallied behind both Jim and Jeromy.
They pounded their fists against the ground, chanting:
"For Soluna! For Soluna!"
The combined voices of the people, injured but unyielding, echoed through the battlefield - a sound Blooma found grating.
She lashed out with a larger burst of dark energy, but Jeromy countered with a fierce Plasma Lash, creating a shockwave that sent sand and dust flying in all directions.
Jeromy knew he wasn't fighting to win - he was fighting to stall.
His attacks kept Blooma moving, kept her from targeting Jim. But she was stronger. Much stronger.
Every time his whip connected, it felt like striking a steel wall - her Void energy was dense, impenetrable.
But he kept going.
Jeromy's Thoughts: "I just need to hold her for 7 more minutes... I've fought tougher battles... I can do this..."
Blooma roared, releasing a Void Shockwave that blasted Jeromy backward - his feet skidding across the battlefield.
He coughed, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, but his whip was still glowing, still ready.
Jim, watching the scene, clenched his jaw.
Jim's Thoughts: "Jeromy's buying me time... but I have to hurry..."
The sphere above him shimmered - pulsating with Celestic power - but it wasn't ready yet.
Jeromy stood tall once more, facing Blooma with unyielding determination.
Jeromy: "I told you, Blooma... you're not taking Soluna. Not today."
Blooma's eyes darkened.
Blooma: "We'll see about that."
The battle raged on.