NOVA BASE – TEST CHAMBER – MORNING
The platform shimmered with blue energy. Sparks of stardust circled the team as Zayn calibrated the device from his console.
ZAYNCoordinates locked. Launch sequence in five… four…
DAIKI(grinning)Hope we don't end up in a volcano.
JETT(mocking fear)If I lose another pair of boots to lava, I'm billing Zevor.
ZEVOR (through speakers)Confirmed: nearest magma risk is statistically low. Margin of error… 4.3%.
KAELReassuring.
With a sudden hum and flash of light—WHOOSH!—the platform activated.
NOVA SKIP ONLINE
The six Sentinels vanished.
EXT. ORION CITY – ROOFTOP – CONTINUOUS
In an instant, they reappeared on a rooftop overlooking the city skyline—flawless jump.
RAYNA(checking wristband)Three-meter variance. We're within target range. Solid.
LYRA(to Daiki)See? Told you Zayn's math wouldn't kill us.
DAIKI(grinning)Still worth the drama.
ZAYN(dryly)Next time you teleport to detention.
INT. ORION HIGH – TEACHER'S OFFICE – LATER
Lyra sat across from Mr. Tanabe, Daiki's science teacher, with Daiki awkwardly slumped beside her.
MR. TANABEHe's brilliant, no doubt. But he hasn't submitted a single assignment this week. When asked, he said—and I quote—"I'm building quantum gear with my space friends."
LYRA(deadpan, to Daiki)Really?
DAIKI(muttering)…It was technically true.
LYRAWe'll handle it. Thank you, Sensei.
EXT. SCHOOL STEPS – MOMENTS LATER
Lyra marched ahead, Daiki trailing behind.
DAIKII said I'll catch up! I was almost done with that history project anyway.
LYRAYou don't get to skip your real life just because you're a Ranger.
DAIKI(grinning)C'mon, just one hour. Let me hit the base, do a little—
LYRA(stopping cold)No. Homework first. Training after.
DAIKI(puppy eyes)Okay… but maybe Shin-nee-san can convince you?
He turned toward Kael, who had just arrived nearby.
DAIKIShin-nee-san! Tell her I deserve battle time!
KAEL(smirking)Sorry, kid. If Lyra says 'no,' that's the final boss right there.
DAIKITch. Betrayed.
INT. NOVA BASE – COMMON ROOM – MINUTES LATER
The team was just settling in when Zevor's voice crackled to life through the base.
ZEVORAlert. Multiple Class-B monster signals detected in Sector-12. Immediate response required.
KAEL(snapping into focus)Gear up, now.
DAIKI(rushing to grab his morpher)Alright! Let's go!
But Lyra stepped in front of him, holding out her hand.
LYRANo. Not today.
DAIKI(blinking)What? Why not?!
LYRA(firmly)You're behind in school. You disobeyed a teacher. And you're not ready for live combat without focus.
She reached into his jacket and snatched his morpher and Nova Skip band.
DAIKI(outraged)That's not fair!
LYRAFair would be you taking your responsibilities seriously.
DAIKI(hurt)So now I'm just a kid again?
LYRA(softly, but with edge)No. You're my brother. And that means I won't let you get hurt because you thought it'd be cool to skip a history essay.
The team stood in silent respect as Lyra turned toward the teleporter.
LYRA(to the others)Let's move out.
They vanished.
Daiki stood alone in the base, fists clenched, a quiet storm brewing behind his eyes.
TO BE CONTINUED…