EDIT: Replaced "Atlantis" with "Lemuria"; hey, I get them confused, OK?
Kinda surprised no one has mentioned this one yet.
http://www.baen.com/princess-holy-aura.html
Baen Books released it last December. Available in hardcover and eBook.
Cthulhu Mythos, Mahou Shoujo, and supreme sacrifice to "Do The Right Thing."
Since the Fall of Lemuria, periodically the Stars Come Into Alignment, and Those From Beyond attempt to gain entry into our universe, via Earth.
The
Apocalypse Maidens were created as the last ditch defense of Lemuria. The Magic was such that it continues to function down through the ages, locating The Heart that is Sought, the Courage that is needed, the Will that is eternal, to become the First of the Apocalypse Maidens, around whom the other four will gather.
So far, each time they have been created anew by the Magic, and have succeeded in sealing The Portal prior to Azathoth manifesting in our world.
There is a Vessel for this Magic, the one who does the Seeking, the lone survivor of Lemuria maintained by the Magic for this purpose.
Long since he has come to question the ethics of asking a fourteen-year-old girl to be the first Apocalypse Maiden. After all, his own daughter volunteered to be the very first one. He has no control over who the others will be, but the first, he selects.
The greater the sacrifice involved, the stronger the Apocalypse Maiden.
So, this time, he seeks one who has the age, maturity, wisdom, and compassion required to truly make such a sacrifice.
Stephen Russ isn't so sure he should feel complimented about being selected. Although he'd already shown by his actions that his heart was in the right place, he really wasn't into the idea of becoming a fourteen-year-old girl, which would happen if he became
Mystic Galaxy Defender Princess Holy Aura.
Sure, it would only last until they Sealed the Portal, after which the World would be as if there had been no attempted Incursion [well, anyone who was killed by those attempting entry would remain dead...], but still, he was comfortable in his gender, and had no desire to be female, let alone a Freshman in High School.
But when push came to shove, when it was a choice between becoming
Princess Holy Aura or letting innocents die, it turned out to be no choice at all. You did what you had to do, after all.
Those From Outside, however, are patient. For the Apocalypse Maidens need fail but once, and they win.
Consider the ethics of constantly delaying the inevitable, rather than seeking to finish things once and for all time...
Once you take the high road, such things must be considered...