INT. NOVA BASE – COMMAND CHAMBER – NIGHT
The team was still tense after Synkris's final words. Lyra stood in front of Zevor, fists clenched, Daiki by her side.
LYRAYou knew.(her voice cracks) You knew something about our mother.
Zevor's holographic eyes dimmed slightly.
ZEVORThe Nova Force archives indicate that your mother, Ayaka Mave, was once a candidate for Sentinelship. She vanished during a mission against Karnex nearly 15 years ago. Her shard signature was never recovered… but faint traces remain within Karnex's inner stronghold.
LYRA(taking a step closer)So she could still be alive.
ZEVORIt is… possible. But pursuing this without preparation would be reckless. Karnex does not leave loose ends without purpose.
Lyra's knuckles tightened. Daiki's eyes burned with determination.
INT. ORION CITY – SHOPPING DISTRICT – DAY
The weekend crowd was bustling. The Sentinels were on light patrol when a distorted ripple cut through the air.
From the shimmer stepped a strange creature — half toymaker, half magician — holding a golden rattle.
MONSTER(in a playful, mocking tone)Playtime, little Sentinels! Karnex thought you might like a… younger perspective.
The monster swung its rattle — beams of warped light shot out. Several nearby civilians instantly shrank into five-year-old versions of themselves, clothes comically oversized.
JETT(drawing his weapon)That's creepy on so many levels.
The monster grinned and fired again — this time hitting Jett and Daiki.
A flash.A puff of strange glittering dust.
Where Jett and Daiki had stood… were now two bewildered kids — around eight years old — in shrunken versions of their clothes.
DAIKI (child form)Hey! What the—? My voice sounds weird!
JETT (child form)(looking down)Oh, great. I'm adorable. I hate it.
Lyra grabbed Daiki protectively, while Kael covered Jett.
LYRAWhat did you do to them?!
MONSTER(twirling away)Oh, don't worry — they'll get their turn… just like all of you will.
With a swirl of ribbons, the monster vanished, its laughter echoing through the air.
INT. NOVA BASE – LATER
Miniature Jett sat cross-legged on a console, sulking, while kid-Daiki poked at Zevor's hologram.
KAELWe need to figure out how to reverse this — fast.
ZEVORI will begin analysis immediately. But be warned — such transformations often weaken mental focus… and lower combat ability.
DAIKI (child form)I can still fight!
LYRA(kneeling to meet his eyes)No. Until we fix this, you stay out of the field.
Daiki frowned but didn't argue — though the worry in his eyes wasn't just about himself.