Super Nova Genesis - Evolution of the Phoenix

It’s the first day of sports practice. Phoenix, Andy, Eden, Vivy and Logan arrived at the Baseball field. Logan and Vivy were the only ones carrying a kit bag.

“You know, you’re looking surprisingly okay now, Lilywhite,” Andy noted.

“Uhh, yeah, I got some…mental therapy.”

“Oh, really?”

“We're here!” announced Logan, she’s unexpectedly lively this morning.

"I can't wait to get started, “cried Vivy.

Right now was the girls practice time, about 12 of them signed up as compared to the boys who have about 20. The five of them weren’t the first ones there as two girls beat them to the chase.

A girl with light blue hair and a Hispanic girl with pink hair.

“Ah, you guys made it,” said Logan who immediately approached the two girls. “This is my roommate and these two are my neighbours and, well, ou know.”

"Hey you guys!" greeted Vivy.

“Ohayo, nice to meet you,” the blue-haired girl held up hand. “I'm Hikaru Mita.”

“Hola, my name is Bonita Torres,” said the other girl. “I am from the Dominican Republic.”

“Yo, what’s up, the name's Andromeda Williams,” Andy greeted. “But just call me Andy.”

“O-oh, hello, I’m Phoenix Lilywhite.”

“I'm Eden Green.”

“We actually know you all ready,” said Hikaru.

“The ones who saved the people at the shopping Centre and stopped the villain,” said Bonita.

“It was nothing,” said Eden nonchalantly.

“I-it's just the duty of a hero.”

“Anyway, how are you acquainted with Logan and Vivy?” asked Andy.

“We attend the same High School,” answered Hikaru.

“Ah, I remember now,” said Andy. “Logan actually told me about you guys.”

“Do you play Baseball in school?” asked Eden.

“Si, that’s right,” said Bonita. “Hikaru is our second batter and first baseman, I'm sixth batter and short stop while, Vivy is seventh batter and center field Logan is our clean up hitter and pitcher.”

“Y-you pitch and bat higher up the order?” said Phoenix.

"She sure does!" said Vivy.

Logan gave a wink and thumbs up.

“Well, besides that, what are your powers?” asked Andy.

"Ooh, you're going to like these ones," said Vivy.

“Eh? Oh, my Enigma is the Book of Luck,” said Hikaru. "When I activate my powers I summon 7 books. Each book will contain a random fortune that will always come true for whoever picks one out. But, the fourth book is the only one than grants bad luck, unfortunately, all of the books look identical so you'll never know which is which."

“Wait, if they all look the same, how did you know it was the fourth book?”

"I'm Japanese."

"Well darn, that definitely answers everything," said Andy while snapping her fingers. "So, you say anyone can just pick a book?"

Hikaru immediately waved her arms around and then suddenly green orbs emitted from her body. The orbs spiralled around her and slowly formed in to the shape books. The books didn't seem to be made of paper or cardboard but rather of some kinds of tangible glowing light.

"One book per person every three hours. Only I can choose more than one. Every time a single book is picked there'll be one less until the three hours pass by."

"What happens if one person picks two?" asked Phoenix.

"It simply dissapates immediatley and doesn't return until the time limit so it's basically a waste," Hikaru explained. "Anyway, if you manage to pick out book number 7 you can actually choose your fortunate. However, as you can see I only have six books hovering around me right now that's beacuse lucky number 7 only appears once a month. It should be returning next week."

"Interesting," said Eden as she placed a hand to her chin.

"How do you know which book is chosen."

"When a person opens one that's when it activates and the good luck or misfortune will be written on the page except for book number 7 which will always be blank."

"And how about you?" Andy asked Bonita.

"Hers is quite romantic," said Vivy.

“Mine is Towers of Love,” said Bonita. “I can make any two people or animals fall madly in love with each. It is temporary but there have been times when the two lovers actually developed real feelings for each other. I've currently led 12 couples into marriage. Unfortunately, I have one recorded double suicide due to a couple being from rival gangs.”

"Damn. that's both beautiful and terrifying."

"They say love and death are not far off," said Eden.

"Why did you make the last two fall in love anyway?"

"It was actually a request by a family friend of theirs in attempts to unite the feuding houses. But things got worse, it led to the tradegy, but at least the family's rivalry ended after that."

"I'm not sure if you're telling the truth or if you just gave us the plot of Romeo and Juliet," said Eden.

"Or the plot of Nisekoi," said Phoenix. "No wait, that was inspired by Romeo and Juliet."

“Good Morning!” someone called. “Welcome, welcome.”

A woman carrying a clipboard and wearing a cap while her hair was in a ponytail was heading their way. She wore a tracksuit and despite this being the Baseball team, she had a whistle.

Logan pointed at her. “That my friends is our coach, Mrs. Portman, dorm mother of building 4.”

“Hiya,” she greeted.

“Good morning, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” everyone else said together.

"I look forward to having a great try out with you!" said Vivy as she enthusiastically shook her hand.

”Ooh boy, we’re gonna have so much fun today, I hope you guys are ready.”

“Yes ma’am!”

Vivy let go of her hands. "I'm not sure you remeber, but my mom and you attended camp at the same time, Scarlet Gable."

"What, really, your mom is Scarlet? I haven't seen her since camp."

"You speaks about you a lot actually, but you both work far apart so never kept in contact since then."

"I'm glad to hear she still thinks of me."

The other five girls came soon after. They were now going to begin the try outs.

“Okay listen up!” called Mrs. Portman. “We of course need to figure out our fielding positions, batting placement as well as choice of Pitchers and Catcher! First off, let’s begin with some on-field catches!”

Everyone spread out in to different positions. Eden stood at center field, Andy at second base, Phoenix at Right Field, Bonita at short stop, Hikaru at first base, Vivy at Center field and Logan at the pitcher's mound. All the other girls filled in the gaps.

“Let’s go third base!” Mrs. Portman hit the ball.

“Got it!” called a girl with brown hair, she easily caught it, she had her glove on her right hand, so that means she’s left-handed.

“Nice call, Pamela! Next, fourth base!”

Mrs. Portman hit towards the Catcher’s area, the girl fielding there wasn’t wearing the protective gear though. She still caught the ball.

“Good take, Camille! This one’s yours, Vivien!”

Vivy's flying over her, she ran back, dove and caught the ball just inches from the back fence.

“This is getting too easy, how about something low for our self proclaimed pitcher!”

Mrs. Portman hit the ball dead straight towards Logan, however, she didn’t even flinch. With a smug look on her face, she held up her hand and let the ball collide easily into her glove.

“It seems someone's cocky! Now then, Eden!”

It was another sky ball, Eden looked at it, held up her hand and took the catch without moving from her spot.

“All right! Now, Sloane!”

The African-American girl in left field got one moving away, but just as the ball was about to land she dove and took a screamer.

“Brilliant reflexes! How about you, Andromeda!”

Andy took the catch as easy as she spoke.

“Y'all are making it too simple out there!”

Bonita and Hikaru took their catches that only left Phoenix, one girl with light green hair that covered most of her eyes and lean girl with red hair.

“Stay alive, Jordan!”

“Uhh,” said Jordan, she moved around, forwards, backwards, sideways and when the ball came, it was completely off course.

“…”

“Well, maybe next time! Phoenix!”

The ball goes her way up

“Here I go,” muttered Phoenix. Umm.”

Phoenix adjusted herself, got ready and as soon as she knew where the ball would land she put her hand in that position. It landed on her head, she stood there in frozen silence, finally, she collapsed.

“Uhh, you okay?” asked Mrs. Portman.

Phoenix lifted up her arm and held a thumbs up.

“So, that just leaves you, Jessica!” Mrs. Portman hit another flat one. “Oops, I think that’s a bit too far…”

Jessica sprinted like the wind and took an absolute blinder of a diving catch.

“Sensational! I can see you’re a member of the track team as well!” said Mrs. Portman. “Anyway, let’s continue.”

The try outs went on. Camille was the only one who opted to be Catcher, so she got the job. Logan easily got the first pitcher role while Jessica will be relief. The rest of the fielding positions were Hikaru at first base, Andy at second base, Pamela at third base, Bonita at short stop, Vivy in centre field, Jessica in right field and Sloane in left field. Phoenix, Eden and Jordan had unspecified positions.

“All righty then, we’ve got to figure out our batters!” said Mrs. Portman. “So three of you will get ready while the other nine field at a time. Logan, since you’re all ready our pitcher you’ll go last. So, first up we’ll have Hikaru, Vivien and Pamela!”

The field was set up differently since some of the main fielder were about to bat. That left Phoenix at Centre field, Eden at first base and Jordan at third base. Hikaru stood at the plate first up, she batted right-handed. Despite only meeting for the first time, Camille was all ready signaling to Logan, but little did the former know, Logan most likely knew her High School teammate's weak spots and vice versa.

“If we’re all in position,” called Mrs. Portman. “Then play ball!”

Logan rubbed the ball on the her palms. She held both hands close to her head, lifted her left leg high in the form of an arabesque and as she brought it down, her throw was destructive. That has to be more or less 80 miles an hour, that’s crazy fast for a girl, she didn’t even use her powers.

Hikaru must all ready be used to her pitches, but she decided to leave the first one for the catcher.

“Strike one!”

Logan pitched another, once again, Hikaru let it pass.

“Strike two!”

Third pitch is up, Logan delivers a corker, Hikaru takes a deep breathe and goes for her first swing, she gets a hit. The balls passes Jordan at third base, she runs after it to pick it up but Hikaru reaches first base.

Vivy batted, she must also be used to her pitching. Logan pitched the first two in quick succession. Vivy gets used to the speed on the third and makes a hit. Unfortunately, it’s straight to first base, Eden barely even has to move to get her out.

Pamela was worse off as she hit a fly ball on the first pitch which got caught by Andy, Hikaru makes it third base however, it’s now or never, she continues running for home plate. It did not matter, Andy had enough time to throw the ball back to Camille, Hikaru gets tagged out.

“Next to bat will be Jessica, Sloane and Eden.”

The previous batters did not stand at their assigned fielding positions but just took the spots of the new batters, except Hikaru, who reclaimed first base. So then, first is pitcher vs. pitcher, who will come out on top. Logan's first pitch was a fast ball, Jessica attempted to swing but pulled back at the last second to get a strike. Logan pitches her second to Jessica, the latter gave a determined look, swung, and found the sweet spot. It wasn’t high enough to clear home, but it’s gets far enough that Jessica reaches third.

“A Triple?!” yelled Mrs. Portman in amazement.

Sloane batted, it was underwhelming though as she struck out with three simple pitches. Now is Eden's turn. Phoenix seemed more nervous than her roommate. She batted left handed, which was odd since she throws with her right.

Logan pitched her first, Eden swung but missed. This was probably going to be hard to watch. Camille signaled to Logan, she thinks it’s time for the first curve ball. Logan grinned, Eden may be her neighbor and now teammate, but she will not hold back. Logan readied her pitch and with that, delivered the iconic swerving pitch. But, Eden kept calm, her eyes solely on the movement of the ball. She swung gracefully and connected.

The ball passes right field, Jessica had already finished the home run while Eden reaches second base. Everyone were too stunned to react, literally the smallest girl there just outshone some of the big girls, well, when she’s her normal size that is. Phoenix looked more excited for Eden, she clapped merrily.

“Nice one, Eden!” said Mrs. Portman.

Next up went Bonita, Andy and Jordan. Eden stood in Jordan's place on the field. They continued with the new batters, Bonita managed to hit the third pitch to reach first base. Andy went up, she also batted Left-Handed. On the first pitch, she let it go by. On the second pitch, Logan went for a medium to fast paced curve ball. Andy clipped it, it was a foul ball. Logan pitched again and it was another foul ball. Camille signaled, she wants a slow ball, Logan nodded. Logan pitched, Andy seemed as if she were going to swing too early but held back at just the right moment to connect bat on ball. It makes it’s way to right field, Bonita ran two bases a well as Andy.

So now that left Jordan to finish things off for them. Nobody waited, Jordan got ready to bat and Logan pitched a simple one. Unexpectedly, Jordan hit it, unfortunately it went directly upwards. The catcher stood underneath, had to wait a few seconds and then she caught it. Bonita made it to home base in time, Andy attempted to go for two but was tagged out after Camille caught the ball.

“The last group of batters will be the catcher, Phoenix and the pitcher!” announced Mrs. Portman.

Phoenix nervously trudged forward to the dugout, she put on a helmet, wore gloves and picked whichever bat, it was a metallic one. She also added elbow pads just in case. In the meantime, Jessica took the pitcher's mound while Hikaru opted to fill in as catcher.

Camille walked to the plate, she had really well built muscles for a girl.

“Play ball!” announced Mrs. Portman.

Jessica pitched, Camille swung and missed, strike one. Jessica pitched again and Camille missed a second time, strike two. On the third pitch, Jessica went fast and straight. Camille readied herself, connected, and it seems to be travelling far. But, her connection wasn’t as sweet, the ball dipped and the catch was taken by Vivy in the far center field.

Phoenix went up next, she was stiff as a board. She stood by the plate and didn’t even check her surroundings before getting into her stance. Jessica took a moment to think, should she go easy or give some nasty throws. Jessica readied herself, then pitched a fast ball first up, Phoenix swung too late, the ball all ready reached the catcher's glove.

“Uhh, strike one.” said Mrs. Portman who had to take a second look because Phoenix swinging after the ball was caught looked almost cartoonish.

Jessica put a hand to her mouth to hold back her laughter. She didn’t take her time for the next pitch. She threw another fast one and once again Phoenix missed for the second strike. Jessica pitched the third, Phoenix finally got bat on it but it’s a foul ball. Jessica pitched, Phoenix realizing it’s a fast ball readied her hit, she makes contact but her hit was so badly judged, the ball simply glided in the air. Jessica looked up at it, held up one hand, took her eyes off the ball, yawned and then the ball landed in her glove. No respect.

Now is the moment everyone is waiting for. Logan stood confidently at the plate, Hikaru gave a signal, it must be a curve ball. Jessica nodded, Logan got ready and the pitcher is on the way. She throws and its swerving from left to right, straight down the middle. Logan stood there without swinging, actually it seemed she never intended to hit the ball at all.

“Strike one!”

Jessica pitched slow ball next hoping for Logan to go for it, but no, she intentionally let’s this one go as well. Jessica is not going to let her toy with her. She’s going to give everything she’s got on the last pitch. Jessica prepares a big windup, lifts her knee before also performing an arabesque, she thrusts her arms and throws her fastest ball. Logan grinned, she took one big step, held her bat far behind and swung with all her might, she connects sweetly. The ball is travelling, Jessica doesn’t look back, she just closes her eyes, grips the peak of her cap and smiles.

“That’s into the troposphere!” cheered Mrs. Portman. “Homerun!”

"Yaaaay!" cheered Vivy as she whistled.

Logan basically took a lap of honor from plate to plate. Each fielder swallowed their pride and applauded.

“This girl,” said Andy.

Once at home base Logan placed her hand on Phoenix's shoulder then muttered. "No one disrepects my friends."

Later on they continued with more batting try outs which included punting and squeeze plays. After all was complete, the official batter order was decided. Jessica is first while Hikaru is second followed by, surprisingly, Eden at third. Logan is the clean-up hitter, while Andy got fifth, Bonita is sixth, Vivy at seventh, Pamela at eighth and Camille at ninth. Phoenix, Sloane and Jordan got no specific batting placement.

“That was quite the day we had, huh?” said Mrs. Portman. “It's great to see some wonderful talent and I hope we do well moving forward. So, we play our first game next weekend. It will be against the girls from another local hero institution, Maverick Academy.”

Mrs. Portman had a bit more to say until practice was finally over.

“All right, I’ll you all again for the next practice session. Goodbye everyone.”

“Thank you very much!” everyone said together.

Many of the players took their leave, Mrs Portman began gathering the gloves balls, bats and other equipment.

“Now then, let’s get these back into the store room.”

“W-would you like some help, ma’am?” asked Phoenix.

“No need,” Mrs Portman picked up everything with one hand.

Phoenix’s eye widened.

“So long.”

She continued, Logan, Andy, Eden and Phoenix along with Hikaru and Bonita walked back to the dorms together.

“You’re such a great player,” said Eden.

“Really, didn’t notice,” said a smug Logan. “Though I’m surprised you’re such a good batter.”

“I actually do play for my school.”

“And you girls were great too,” Andy said to Hikaru and Bonita. “Logan told me all about you guys, you’ve proven yourselves.”

“I-I-I tried my best, but I just couldn’t compete,” said Phoenix.

“Don’t sweat it, there’s always time for improvement.”

“Didn't you say you played Baseball before?” asked Eden.

“Y-yes, not that I ever was any good, the team kept me on just because of my physical prowess.”

“Just make sure you utilize that physicality moving forward,” suggested Hikaru.

Before anyone could say anything else, someone of stood ahead of them.

“Oh, Diana,” said Andy. “This is quite surprising, you to approach us that is.”

Andy spoke so casually to her which thoroughly surprised Bonita and Hikaru who were stuck in place by the sight of the prodigal child.

“Lilywhite,” said Diana.

Phoenix yelped. “Y-yes.”

“Come with me.”

When someone says “Come with me.” It usually involves stepping away for a moment to discuss a certain matter. But what Phoenix didn’t expect was that the two of them literally left the camp and found themselves by the ocean.

“I-I-I don’t really get why we had to come all the way here!”

Diana was checking through a binoculars. “That’s because we’re on a mission.”

“M-m-mission?”

“Yes, we're on a mission to rescue Anabelle Curtis.”