Chapter 9
Rey and Ben were in their human forms as they stood in front of Palpatine and Umbridge, who were also in human form.
Palpatine and Umbridge were glaring at them.
"So!" Palpatine's fists clenched. "You dare approach us with the five Orbs, only to deny handing them over?!"
Umbridge's nostrils flared. "BOTH your colonies will be denied our healing powers!"
"Oh, that's fine," said Ben, narrowing his eyes at them. "We don't your healing powers."
Rey nodded. "These five Orbs-- when merged together-- may grant you the ability to transform into any hoxian animal species without bonding with them via blood transfusion, but that's because when they merge, they become equipped with regenerative powers for all hoxian species. Including regenerative powers that are HEALING."
She took her handbag and tossed all five Orbs in the air. She transformed into her Sunbeam Mustang form, and released a ray of light that made them all merge with each other. The Orbs coalesced into a vaguely-multicolored sphere that was the size of a bowling ball. Then Hermione, in her Whirlpool Otter form, landed in a nearby tree and released a gust of water to wash the Orb away. Draco, in his Snowfur Ferret form, released a snowy wind to maneuver the water and the ball in various directions, leading it over the territories of the Shadowbreath Wolves and the Sunbeam Mustangs. Various colors of beams emitted from the Orb, and each Genomorph it touched was instantly healed.
Palpatine and Umbridge let out furious shouts and transformed into their Toxicspot Leopard forms. They let out roars for the other Toxicspot Leopards in their colonies to attack the other Sunbeam Mustang and Shadowbreath Wolf Genomorphs, while Palpating and Umbridge fought with Rey and Ben themselves.
Ben turned into his Shadowbreath Wolf form and fought alongside Rey against Palpatine and Umbridge, while Draco and Hermione sent various whirlpools, snowstorms, ice-blades, and water spurts to defend the colonies from the other Toxicspot Leopards.
Then Rey transformed into an Elastic Greyhound, and caused the grounds to shift around. Umbridge and Palpatine were swallowed up into a pit. Ben transformed into a Rainfeather Owl, and sent a wave of water from his wings to fill up their pit.
Draco landed behind them, transforming into a Flametail Fox, and his tail sent a burst of flames that surrounded the water-filled pit. The water boiled and became sizzling hot. Palpatine and Umbridge transformed back in their human forms as the agonizing pain became too much for them to stay in their animal forms.
Then Hermione landed by Draco's side and transformed into a Translucent Giraffe. She released mist that congested all around the pit. The mist revealed all of Palpatine and Umbridge's secret fears, suppressed memories, and anything they wanted to keep hidden from each other. The two of them screamed in agony, both from the boiling, swirling water, and from the revelation of their most embarrassing secrets from each other. Especially the image of Umbridge spying on Palpatine when he showered.
Then Draco, Hermione, Ben, and Rey transformed into Sky Ferrets. They released a strong gust of wind that surrounded Palpatine and Umbridge, rendering them unable to leave the boiling water. Each time they tried to climb out, the wind would blow them back in.
Behind them, the Toxicspot Leopards were cheering.
"Oh thank you!" Cried one of the leopards as she transformed back into human form. "We were so sick of their awful reign!"
Draco, Hermione, Ben, and Rey then modified the air quality of the encircling winds so that the water dried up, the sandy pit dissipated so that they were on flat ground, and the mist and flames dissolved. Palpatine and Umbridge were left coughing and groaning, surrounded by the encircling gusts of winds around them. The winds became mixed with some of the flames, mist, water, and sand that were leftover, so that it appeared as if Palpatine and Umbridge were trapped in a floating ball made of wind, flames, mist, water, and sand.
Then Draco, Hermione, Ben, and Rey transformed back in their human forms. Han and Leia ran up to Ben and embraced him. And Finn ran up to Rey and did the same. Yoda approached them from behind, smiling gratefully.
Draco and Hermione exchanged triumphant smiles and then turned to the floating ball where Palpatine and Umbridge were trapped in.
"That should remain as long as we need it to," said Draco.
Hermione nodded. "They'll be stuck in there for a while. Perhaps even forever."
Harry and Ron suddenly raced up to her, hugging her tightly.
"Hermione! You did it!" Cheered Harry. "You're an Elite! I knew you could do it!"
"Congrats, Hermione!" Shouted Ron.
Hermione smiled. "WE are Elites," she grabbed Draco's hand, and then turned to nod to Ben and Rey.
Harry and Ron flashed a confused glance in Draco's direction, then turned to Hermione. "Did you at least beat Malfoy at it?" Asked Harry.
"Nope," Draco said sarcastically. "As if she could ever best me at anything," he gave her a playful poke on the nose.
Hermione swatted his hand, though she fixed him with a mischievous smile. Then she turned to Harry and Ron, looking sincere. "Honestly, I could not have become an Elite if it wasn’t for him. And them." She nodded toward Rey and Ben, who were now holding hands while laughing with Han, Leia, Yoda, and Finn. Hermione finally added, "We needed to work together as a team. To care for each other genuinely, without any selfish motive. That was honestly what completed the Elite Quest…for all of us."
And the four Elites couldn't be more grateful. They celebrated the completion of their Quest together, in Draco's giant mansion and manor. They had such a wonderful time, that it became the norm for the four of them to hang out together, whether it was at Draco's fancy mansion, at each others' colonies, at a resort on another part of the planet, or anywhere they wanted to visit. Even the Five Elite species allowed them to hang out in their territories every so often.
Eventually, Draco and Hermione began officially dating, which happened shortly after Ben and Rey were officially dating. And that only strengthen the bond among the four of them even more.
After a year passed, the four of them were taken aback by an unexpected surprise: they had maintained their abilities to morph into the Five Elites. Something that had never been accomplished before. Even more surprising-- they found that it had gotten easier to morph into the Five Elites, as they felt less de-energized after the transformation.
When they were hanging out at Ben's place, disclosing their shock to Yoda, Yoda gave a humored smile.
"Sustain life, love does," said Yoda. "The most powerful force of all, love is."
And when another year passed, Draco and Hermione got married, which happened shortly after Ben and Rey got married. It became even easier for the four of them to morph into the Five Elites.