The Bit Bucket

A Transgender Paranormal Romantasy

From the Paranormal Visitor Universe

Chapter 17: The Anticipated Crisis

By Sasha Zarya Nexus

What will be the outcome of Aislinn's Cup and will Team Bronwen win?
How will Morgana's forces attacking the college effect Aislinn's College for the Blessed??

Copyright 2025 by Sasha Zarya Nexus.
All Rights Reserved.

The discovery came at dawn, when the crystalline spires of Aislinn's College caught the first light of the cosmic sunrise and transformed it into something that made the very air sing with power. Meda stood in the college's deepest vault, her hands trembling as she held an artifact that pulsed with the rhythm of her own heartbeat—the Stellar Prism, first of Andromeda's legendary creations.

The Aislinn's Cup Victory

The Great Hall fell into hushed anticipation as President Aislinn's ethereal form materialized above the central platform, her presence commanding absolute silence from the assembled students and faculty. The four competition banners—Community, Scholarship, Athletics, and Spirits Magic—hung suspended in the air around her, each glowing with the magical energy of the contests that had defined the academic year.

"Students of Aislinn's College for the Blessed," President Aislinn began, her voice carrying the weight of millennia, "we gather tonight to conclude this year's competition for the most coveted prize in our institution—the Aislinn's Cup."

Dean Bronwen stood with her team in their designated section, her silver hair gleaming in the candlelight as she maintained her characteristic composure despite the tension radiating from her six team members. Meda felt Eva's hand slip into hers, while Wanda leaned forward from her position with the older students, her eyes fixed on the floating scoreboard that had just materialized beside President Aislinn.

"The scoring system," Aislinn continued, "awards points based on both individual excellence and team cohesion across all four categories. Let us review this year's remarkable achievements."

The Community banner pulsed with warm golden light. "In Community, Team Molli Rose claimed victory through Aria Moonwhisper's legendary dedication to her peers, earning them twenty-five points. Team Bronwen's strong second-place finish, led by Eva Nightingale's exceptional leadership development, awards them twenty points. Team Yseult earned fifteen points for their collaborative spirit."

Meda squeezed Eva's hand supportively as her sister's cheeks flushed with pride at the recognition.

The Scholarship banner blazed with brilliant white light. "In Scholarship, Team Bronwen achieved a decisive victory through Wanda Hartwell's revolutionary theoretical framework, earning them twenty-five points. Team Yseult's innovative approaches secured second place with twenty points, while Team Molli Rose earned fifteen points for their practical applications."

Wanda's face lit up with quiet satisfaction as her teammates beamed at her from across the age divide.

The Athletics banner shimmered with dynamic energy. "In Athletics, Team Bronwen dominated through Eva Nightingale's extraordinary integration of physical discipline and magical enhancement, earning them twenty-five points. Team Yseult's strong showing earned twenty points, while Team Molli Rose received fifteen points."

Eva's competitive spirit glowed as she accepted the acknowledgment with characteristic grace.

Finally, the Spirits Magic banner erupted in cascading starlight. "And in Spirits Magic, Team Bronwen achieved an unprecedented victory through Nada Blackthorne's channeling of ancient wisdom and power, earning them twenty-five points. Team Yseult earned twenty points for their transformative displays, while Team Molli Rose received fifteen points for their harmonious spiritual connections."

The scoreboard blazed with the final tallies:

Team Bronwen: 95 points
Team Yseult: 75 points
Team Molli Rose: 70 points
"Therefore," President Aislinn announced, her voice ringing with ceremonial authority, "this year's Aislinn's Cup is awarded to Team Bronwen, under the guidance of Dean Bronwen, for their exceptional demonstration that true strength lies in wisdom, preparation, and the courage to protect others."

The Great Hall erupted in applause as the magnificent Aislinn's Cup—a crystalline chalice that seemed to contain swirling galaxies within its depths—materialized before Dean Bronwen. Her team members rushed together in a moment of pure triumph, the three sisters embracing as their older teammates surrounded them with congratulations.

But even as the applause continued, President Aislinn's expression grew grave. The celebration that should have followed—the traditional feast, the ceremonial presentations, the joyous revelry that marked the end of the academic competition—would not come to pass.

"However," Aislinn continued, her voice cutting through the celebration, "these achievements, magnificent as they are, must be set aside for now. The spiritual attacks we have endured throughout this competition were merely the prelude to a greater threat. Morgana's forces gather strength with each passing hour, and war approaches our sanctuary."

The mood in the Great Hall shifted instantly from celebration to solemn determination. Dean Bronwen stepped forward, the Aislinn's Cup floating beside her as she addressed her victorious team.

"We have proven that defensive magic, strategic thinking, and mutual support can triumph over any challenge," she said quietly. "Now we must apply those same principles to protect everything we hold dear."

Meda felt the weight of her recent display of power settling on her shoulders like a mantle. The Spirits Magic competition had announced to every dark force in the known dimensions that Andromeda had returned. The celebration they had earned would have to wait—the real test of their unity and strength was about to begin.

As the students began to file out of the Great Hall, the Aislinn's Cup remained floating beside Team Bronwen, its crystalline surface reflecting not the joy of victory, but the determination of those who had won the right to stand as the college's champions in the darkness that was coming.

The war that would define their generation was about to begin, and they would face it not just as students, but as the proven defenders of everything Aislinn's College represented.

Major Artifact Discovery

The Cosmic Locator had led them through dimensional pathways that folded space like origami, bringing them to a hidden chamber beneath the college that existed in seven dimensions simultaneously. The Stellar Prism hung suspended in a matrix of pure light, its crystalline structure containing what appeared to be captured starfire.

"It's beautiful," Eva breathed, her empathic abilities picking up the emotional resonance embedded within the artifact. "I can feel the love that went into creating it—not just power, but hope. Andromeda made this to heal, not to harm."

Wanda circled the suspended artifact, her own fragment pulsing in harmony with the larger creation. "The resonance patterns are incredible. This isn't just a tool—it's a philosophical statement made manifest. Andromeda believed that light could overcome any darkness if it was focused properly."

But even as they marveled at their discovery, Meda felt something else stirring in the depths of her consciousness. The moment her fingers made contact with the Stellar Prism, Andromeda's memories flooded through her with unprecedented clarity. She saw the artifact's creation—not just the technical process, but the emotional weight behind it.

"She made this after Morgana's first fall to darkness," Meda said, her voice carrying the authority of ancient memory. "It was meant to be a beacon, a way to call her sister back from the shadows. But Morgana saw it as a weapon pointed at her heart."

Morgana's Direct Challenge

As if summoned by the mention of her name, the temperature in the chamber plummeted. The protective wards that surrounded the college flickered ominously, and through the crystalline walls, they could see shapes moving in the cosmic void—not the corrupted spirits that had been testing their defenses, but something far more substantial.

Morgana herself materialized in the chamber, not as a physical presence but as a projection of pure will and malevolent power. She was beautiful in the way that a supernova is beautiful—terrible, magnificent, and utterly destructive. Her form seemed to be carved from living shadow, with eyes that held the cold fire of dying stars.

"Sister," Morgana said, her voice carrying harmonics that made the very stones of the college tremble. "How touching to see you playing with toys from our childhood. Do you remember what happened the last time you tried to 'heal' me with your precious light?"

Meda felt Andromeda's memories surge in response to Morgana's presence—not just the final battle, but millennia of sisterly love slowly poisoned by jealousy and competing visions of how to use their power. The weight of that ancient relationship pressed down on her like a mountain.

"You were never evil," Meda said, her voice steady despite the cosmic forces swirling around them. "You were hurt. Afraid. You thought I was trying to control you, but I was only trying to—"

"To fix me," Morgana finished, her laughter like breaking glass. "To make me into your image of what a sorceress should be. You never understood that some of us were meant to walk in darkness, that shadow has its own beauty, its own purpose."

Eva stepped forward, her empathic abilities reaching out toward the projection of the dark sorceress. "You're in pain," she said softly. "Even now, after all these centuries, you're still in pain. The darkness you've embraced—it's eating you alive from the inside."

Powers Revealed

Morgana's attention shifted to Eva, and for a moment, something almost like surprise flickered across her features. "Interesting. The little empath sees more than she should. Tell me, child, what do you sense when you look at me?"

Eva's face went pale, but she didn't back down. "Loneliness. Rage. And underneath it all, love—love that's been twisted into something unrecognizable, but it's still there. You still love her, don't you? You still love Andromeda."

The admission hit Morgana like a physical blow. Her projection wavered, and for an instant, they saw not the terrible sorceress of shadow but a young woman whose heart had been broken by betrayal and misunderstanding.

But the moment passed, and Morgana's form solidified again, more terrible than before. "Love is weakness," she snarled. "I learned that lesson when my dear sister chose the cosmic balance over our bond. When she decided that her precious light was more important than our sisterhood."

Meda felt the Stellar Prism responding to the emotional turmoil in the chamber, its crystalline structure beginning to resonate with frequencies that made reality itself hum. Without conscious thought, she began to channel power through the artifact—not to attack, but to understand.

The light that erupted from the Prism wasn't the harsh glare of a weapon, but something softer, more complex. It revealed truth—not just what was, but what could be. In that illumination, they all saw the same vision: two young sorceresses, twins in power if not in blood, working together to heal a wounded universe. They saw the moment when that partnership began to fracture, when fear and misunderstanding drove them apart.

"This is what you've forgotten," Meda said, her voice carrying the full weight of Andromeda's ancient wisdom. "We were never meant to be enemies. We were meant to be balance—light and shadow working in harmony, not opposition."

Stakes Raised

Morgana's projection flickered with rage and something that might have been hope. "Pretty words, sister. But words won't undo millennia of separation. Words won't heal the wounds we've inflicted on each other."

"No," Meda agreed, "but love might. The kind of love that chooses healing over vengeance, understanding over judgment."

For a moment, the chamber hung in perfect silence. Then Morgana laughed, and the sound was like the death of stars. "You always were naive, Andromeda. Love is what destroyed us in the first place. Love made you think you could save me from myself. Love made me think I could trust you with my heart."

The projection began to fade, but Morgana's voice remained, echoing from everywhere and nowhere. "I'm coming for you, sister. Not as the broken girl you remember, but as the sorceress I've become. When next we meet, it will be in the flesh, and one of us will not survive the encounter."

"Wait!" Meda called out, but it was too late. Morgana's presence vanished, leaving only the lingering scent of ozone and the memory of cosmic forces barely held in check.

Point of No Return

In the aftermath of Morgana's challenge, the three sisters stood in the artifact chamber, each processing what they had witnessed in their own way. The Stellar Prism continued to pulse with gentle light, but its power felt different now—not just a tool for healing, but a responsibility that weighed on all of them.

"She's coming here," Wanda said, her voice tight with fear and determination. "Not just sending spirits or projections, but actually manifesting in our reality. The college's defenses won't hold against her full power."

Eva nodded, her empathic abilities still reeling from contact with Morgana's tortured psyche. "The pain she's carrying—it's like a wound that's never been allowed to heal. Every year, every century, it's gotten worse. She's not just angry anymore; she's become pain incarnate."

Meda held the Stellar Prism up to the light, watching the way it refracted the chamber's illumination into patterns that seemed to show glimpses of possible futures. "Then we have a choice to make," she said quietly. "We can prepare for war, gather our artifacts and allies and meet her force with force. Or..."

"Or?" Wanda prompted.

"Or we can try to heal the wound that created this conflict in the first place," Meda finished. "But that would mean risking everything—not just our lives, but our souls. If we fail, if we can't reach the part of her that still remembers love, then we'll have given her exactly what she needs to destroy not just us, but everything we're trying to protect."

Transformation Complete

As they stood in the chamber, surrounded by the artifacts of ancient power and the weight of cosmic responsibility, Meda felt the last barriers between her current self and Andromeda's memories finally dissolve. She was no longer Fred trying to become Andromeda, or even Meda carrying Andromeda's legacy. She was something new—a being who honored both her human origins and her cosmic destiny, who could love butterflies and wield stellar fire with equal passion.

"I know what we have to do," she said, her voice carrying the certainty that comes from perfect integration of purpose and power. "We're going to save her. Not defeat her, not destroy her, but save her from the darkness she's wrapped around herself like armor."

Eva's smile was radiant. "Together?"

"Together," Meda confirmed, taking her sister's hand. "Whatever it costs, whatever we have to sacrifice, we're going to prove that love really can conquer hate, that healing is stronger than vengeance."

Wanda looked between her transformed sisters, seeing in them not just the legendary sorceresses they'd become, but the family they'd chosen to be. "Then we'd better start preparing," she said. "Because when Morgana comes, she'll bring everything she has. And if we're going to save her instead of destroying her, we'll need to be stronger than we've ever been."

The Stellar Prism pulsed once more, its light seeming to approve of their decision. In that moment, the three sisters felt the weight of destiny settling around them like a mantle of starlight. The real battle was coming—not just for their lives, but for the soul of the universe itself. And they would face it not as conquerors, but as healers, armed with the most dangerous weapon in existence: the unshakeable belief that love could triumph over any darkness.

The anticipated crisis had passed, and they had chosen their path. Now all that remained was to walk it, whatever the cost.