The Betrayal Saga
Book One
Trials Of The Queen & King
By: Lexvan
Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. for they belong to Disney. I only own my OCs.
Warning: This is the sequel to my "Secrets, Secrets, Secrets" story. If you haven't read it yet then I suggest that you do before you go any further.
Enjoy the story!
Chapter I:
Ten hours.
Ten hours until morning. The morning when Queen Elyon Escanor will begin the trials she must take to prove herself a true queen of the Meridian Kingdom. Normally, she would be getting the sleep she needed to begin the trials. But for some reason she couldn't get any sleep.
"Why can't I sleep?", Elyon asked herself as she paced back and forth in her chambers. "I can't be that nervous! Can I!?", she questioned when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in.", she said to which her boyfriend, Angelo Vanders came into the room.
"I was hoping not to hear anything.", Angelo said as he walked up to Elyon. "How can you still be up?"
"I don't know.", Elyon said as she sat in one of her chairs. "I guess I'm still nervous."
"Understandable.", Angelo said as he grabbed Elyon's robe and handed it to her. "Come on. Let's take a walk."
"Now?", Elyon questioned as she put her robe on.
"Yeah. The fresh air may do you some good.", Angelo said as they left her room.
And so the couple began their nice little walk around the palace grounds. As they did this, Elyon saw how the servants and guards were doing what they normally did around the palace. As she did this, she said her hellos to everyone knowing that it would be a while before she saw them again. Soon Elyon and Angelo were in the Royal Garden sitting together under the tree they normally sat under to be alone. As they sat there, Elyon began to feel at ease as she moved closer to Angelo.
"Thanks for bringing me out here tonight.", Elyon said with a smile. "It feels good to get sone fresh air."
"Glad it helps.", Angelo said as Elyon let out a yawn. "And it seems that you're getting tired.", he said with a grin to which Elyon gave him a tired smile.
"I guess your right.", Elyon said. "But let's stay out here for a while longer. It's a nice night."
"Sure thing.", Angelo said as he wrapped an arm around Elyon. "You deserve it with what you're going to face."
"That's not helping you know.", Elyon said with a grin.
"Sorry, but it's the truth.", Angelo said. "The others and I read about the trials the past rulers had to go through and they weren't easy. We actually took a bit from them to create your trials."
"Now I wish I had read those books.", Elyon said.
"Don't worry about it.", Angelo said. "You trained as best as you could. You've got nothing to worry about. You can do this."
"Thanks.", Elyon said as they shared a loving kiss before they went back to looking up at the stars.
But before she knew it, Elyon had fallen asleep leaning on Angelo. Seeing this, Angelo slowly and gently scooped Elyon up in his arms and carried her to her chamber so she could get the rest she needed. Soon he was in Elyon's chambers and had her in her bed. He then covered her up in her bed and kissed Elyon on the forehead to which she slowly smiled. Seeing this made Angelo smile before he left the room only to run into Cornelia who was surprised to see Angelo coming out of the room.
"And what were you doing in Elyon's chambers?", the Earth Guardian asked. "You do know that she needs her rest for the Trials."
"Of course I do.", Angelo said. "Earlier she couldn't sleep so I had her take a walk with me to get some fresh air. And it worked for now she's asleep."
"A warm glass of milk would of worked faster.", Cornelia said.
"Maybe.", Angelo said. "But right now, she's asleep. So let's drop it.", he said as he walked off towards his chambers.
"Whatever.", Cornelia said as she headed for her chambers.
"What is your deal?", Angelo asked as he turned to face Cornelia.
"My deal is that you've turned my best friend against me.", Cornelia said glaring at Angelo. "You sit there and act like you love her and want to be with her forever but we both know that in the end, you'll leave her heartbroken while you live it up back on Earth."
"You really think I'd do that, huh?", Angelo questioned.
"I don't just think it.", Cornelia said. "I know it.", she said as she narrowed her eyes at Angelo
"Well your wrong.", Angelo said. "I love Elyon. With all my heart. And I'm willing to leave Earth for her. You may not believe that and quite frankly, I don't really care. You can think what you want, for I know what's in my heart. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some sleep, for I want to be there to see Elyon off when the trials begin. Goodnight, Cornelia.", he said as he headed for his chambers leaving Cornelia standing in the hallway alone.
Yet she wasn't alone for she soon felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Caleb standing behind her with a small smile on his face.
"Looks like he truly loves her.", Caleb said.
"Good.", Cornelia said. "Then they can be together on Earth when we do what we have to do.", she said as they headed for Caleb's chambers. "Mind of I spend the night with you? I need the comfort."
"I was hoping you'd ask.", Caleb said as they held hands while walking to his chambers making Cornelia smile.
Soon morning came and Elyon woke up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. But as she got out of her bed, she remember what the day was. Day one of the Trials. So she got out of her bed only to see her sister sitting on a chair holding a thing of clothes.
"Mia?", Elyon questioned.
"Good morning, Your Majesty.", Mia said as she stood up. "Today is the first day of the trails."
"I know.", Elyon sdaid as she removed her robe and nightgown. "Which is why I'm getting cleaned up."
"You bath tub has already been filled.", Mia said as Elyon removed the rest of her clothes.
"Thanks.", Elyon said as she walked up to the bath tub and dipped her toe in it only to pull it back with a shiver. "It's cold!"
"Sorry.", Mia said. "But you get no special bath today. You get cold water to bathe in. And as for your clothes...", she said as she set the clothes she had with her on Elyon's bed. "These will be what you'll be wearing. So get washed and dressed for breakfast, sister. The Trials will begin soon.", Mia said as she left her sister's chambers.
Elyon said nothing as she slowly got in the bath tub and shivered as she began to take her bath. And boy was it short as she got cleaned up and dressed as fast as she could. Once she was dressed, she got a good look at herself and saw that she was in common Meridian clothes. She was in a pair of brown pants and boots, with a tan short-sleeve shirt with leather bracers. Elyon then headed for the dining hall where her family was waiting for her. A smile grew on her face as the scent of the good food hit her nose.
"Eat up.", Elyon's adoptive mother, Miriadel, said with a smile. "It will be a while before you have a meal like this."
"Quite a while.", her adoptive father, Alborn, said with a grin.
Wasting no time, Elyon sat with her family and ate her breakfast enjoying the moment knowing that it would be a while before she would be with them again.
"So what will my first trial be?", Elyon asked as she ate some toast.
"Sorry.", Mia said. "But we can't tell you. It's against the rules."
"Figures.", Elyon said before she drank some juice.
"Sorry, Elyon.", Miriadel said. "All we can do is send you on your way and wish you luck."
"Which will be soon.", Alborn said. "So finish your breakfast.", he said as they continued to eat.
After finishing her breakfast, Mia gave Elyon a brown hooded cloak to wear so no one could see her as they rode through the city in a wagon. Once they got through the city, Elyon and her family came to a tall tree where she saw Angelo and Alchemy waiting there for them with Elder Pran.
"Is it just you guys here to see me off?", Elyon asked as she got off the wagon.
"Well those testing you have left to prepare for your arrival.", Alchemy explained.
"And the Guardians are off on another mission with my grandparents.", Angelo said.
"And I am here to start you on your way.", Elder Pran said.
"You mean strip me of my powers.", Elony figured.
"Yes.", Pran said as she held out a crystal orb. "Please touch the orb with both your hands, Queen Elyon."
Doing as Pran said, Elyon touched the orb. Once she did this, Elyon began to feel her powers drain from her and into the crystal orb. Once her powers were gone, she looked to see the orb glowing a bright white.
"Wow!", Elyon said softly. "That's all my power?"
"Indeed it is, child.", Pran said with a kind smile. "And it shall be returned to you when the trials are over with. I wish you luck. For the first trial begins now.", she said. "Just follow the path and you will reach your first trial. You will have until sunset to complete the trial. One more thing. And this is important, child. No matter what, do not accept any help from anyone during the Trials. ", she said before teleporting away.
"Well that was fast.", Angelo said.
"I guess this is it.", Elyon said before she shared a hug with her parents and Mia.
"Be safe.", Miriadel said.
"Stay strong.", Alborn said.
"And good luck.", Mia said.
"I will.", Elyon said with a smile.
"See you soon.", Alchemy said as she and Elyon shared a hug.
"You bet!", Elyon said with a smile before they ended their hug.
Elyon then walked up to Angelo who gave her a smile that she returned before they shared a hug followed by a loving kiss.
"Good luck.", Angelo said.
"Thanks.", Elyon said with a small smile before she turned to the path and began to follow it.
All Angelo and the others could do was watch Elyon run down the path hoping that she would be okay. Now as for the Guardians, they were on the world of Erutan with Joe and Kadma Vanders who needed an escort for some peace talks. Granted they wanted to be on Metamoor for the trials.
"I can't believe we have to be here when we could be helping with the trials.", Irma complained.
"We should be the ones in charge of the whole thing.", Cornelia said.
"Are you saying that your friends aren't good enough to do it?", Joe questioned surprising the girls.
"N-N-No!", Taranee said nervously. "We just wish that we could of been involved in the trials."
"But now you are here.", Kadma said. "Take pride in your duties as Guardians. For what you're here for is important."
"What is going on here?", Will asked.
"Peace talks.", Kadma said. "The nations of this world are on the brink of war and Kandrakar asked if Joe and I could come here and conduct the peace talks in hopes of avoiding war."
"So why are we here?", Hay Lin asked.
"Because you five are the Guardians.", Joe began to explain. "You five get your powers from the same source. The Heart of Kandrakar. If you five are not in harmony, then you are powerless."
"But seeing as we are in harmony, we're at full power.", Taranee figured.
"So we're a symbol of peace and harmony.", Will said getting a nod from Joe.
"That and this will be a learning experience for you five.", Kadma said. "For sooner or later, you may be called on to over see some peace talks."
"That'll be something.", Irma said as they entered the room for the peace talks.
"And here we go.", Kadma said as she opened he door the room.
Once inside, they all saw the leaders of the nations sitting there waiting for them. Male and female. Young and old. The leaders turned to face Joe, Kadma, and the Guardians as they entered the room ready to begin the peace talks.
"Why do I feel so nervous?", Will questioned.
"Because the fate of a world depends on us keeping our cool.", Taranee said.
"Calm down, girls.", Kadma said. "Everything will be fine."
"Welcome leaders of Erutan.", Joe siad. "Thank you for meeting with us on this day. Hopefully, when you leave, it will be in peace.", he said as the peace talks began.
Now back on Metamoor, Elyon was walking the path that Elder Pran set her on hoping the reach the tester before sunset. As she was walking down the path, one thought kept running through her mind.
"Which trial will I be taking first and who is the tester?", she said to herself as she continued her way.
"Help! Help!", came a voice that got Elyon's attention as she ran in the direction of the voice.
Following the sound of the voice, Elyon found a man trapped under a collaped wagon.
"Oh my gosh!", Elyon said as she ran to the man.
"Help me!", the man said to Elyon as she came running up to him. "Help me please!"
"Hang on!", Elyon said as she was about to try and use her power to move the wagon but remembered she didn't have her powers at the moment. "Now what?", she asked herself when she saw that there were some boards and boxes in the wagon. "I got it!", she said when an idea came to her.
Wasting no time, Elyon grabbed one of the boxes and set it next to the man and then grabbed a board and sat one end under the wagon while setting the rest on the box.
"When I lift the wagon I need you to try and crawl out!", Elyon said to the man. "Okay!?", she asked getting a nod from the man. "Okay! One! Two! Three!", she said as she jumped up and pressed down on the free end of the board.
As she did this, her weight on the other end of the board was enough to bring it down while lifting the wagon with the end that was under it. Seeing this, the man began to crawl out from under the wagon. Once he was from under the wagon, Elyon let the board go allowing the wagon to fall back down. She then helped the man sit up and sat him against the wagon.
"Are you okay?", Elyon asked the man.
"Yes. Thank you for helping me.", the man said.
"You're welcome.", Elyon said just as some men came running up to them in another wagon.
"Ah! My friend has returned with help.", the man said.
"Are you okay?", one of the men asked.
"Yes. Thanks to this young lady.", the injured man said as the other men carefully put him in the other wagon.
"Thank you for your help.", the man said. "But how were you able to lift the wagon?"
"I used something I learned when I was younger.", Elyon said with a smile.
"It was quite amazing.", the injured man said. "Please allow me to repay you for your help. Have dinner with me and my family tonight. We can even put you up for the night."
"Thank you, but I have to be somewhere before sunset.", Elyon said with a bow.
"Then allow us to escort you to where you need to be.", one of the men offered.
"Thanks but I'll be okay.", Elyon said with a kind smile. "I have plenty of time to get there."
"Then I wish you luck.", the injured man said with a kind smile that Elyon returned before she went on her way.
Once Elyon was far enough away, the injured man jumped out of the wagon feeling perfectly fine as he snapped his finger in which enveloped him in a flash of light which faded revealing him to really be John Vanders in his Mystic Battle Warrior form. The other men did the same in which they were really the Mystic Battle Warrior team of Leonas, Sam, Malcom, and Marcus Vanders.
"Looks like she passed the first part of this Trial.", Sam said.
"Looks like.", John said as he pulled out a communicator. "She passed the first test and is on her way.", he said as he turned the communicator off. "Thanks for the help, boys."
"No problem, Uncle John.", Malcom said. "From what Grandpa and Grandma told us, she's going to be family."
"Yeah! We saw how Angelo is around her.", Marcus said with a grin. "Those two are in love big time."
"Let's just hope she can get through these Trials Angelo told us about.", Leonas said.
"She'll get through them.", John said. "She comes from a long line of great rulers. She'll be just fine.", he said as he opened a fold back to Earth that they all went through.
Watching what just happened through a pool of water were the four Elders of Meridian who were in their temple.
"So far so good.", Elder Zorram said. "Soon she must face her tester who will not be easy on her."
"Let us hope she does not give up.", Elder Yerra said.
"She will do fine.", Elder Pran said.
"I agree.", Elder Forren said. "She is a strong one. She just needs to see it for herself.", he said as the four of them continued to watch Elyon through their viewing pool.
As for Elyon, she tried to make up for the time she lost hoping that she wasn't to late to reach her goal before sunset. And lucky for her, she wasn't. For after running up a hill she saw one Nigel Ashcroft standing in a large circle.
"Hey, Elyon.", Nigel greeted as Elyon walked up to him. "Welcome to your Trial of Strength."
"And you're my tester?", Elyon questioned.
"You got it.", Nigel said.
"Oh boy.", Elyon said knowing that she was in for it.
"Now. Now. Don't worry.", Nigel said as he transformed back to normal to which he was dressed in a pair of red sweatpants and a white tank-top and white sneakers. "I won't be using my powers.", he said as he took off his Battle Warrior ring and put it in his pocket. "Your goal is to come at me with all you've got.", he said.
"Okay then.", Elyon said as she stepped into the circle.
"Ready?", Nigel said as he took a fighting position.
"Ready.", Elyon said doing the same thing.
"Then begin!", Nigel said to which Elyon charged at Nigel.
Now above them was one a drone with a camera attached to it viewing the whole thing. And watching the trial go down through a monitor that was set up for them to see it all was Mia, Miriadel, Alborn, Julian, Caleb, and Aldarn. Each hoping that Elyon would pass the trial.
"You can do this, sister.", Mia said to herself.
Now on Erutan, the peace talks had ended for the day. So Joe, Kadma, and the Guardians decided to head to Metamoor and see how Elyon was doing with the trials. Once at the palace, they found the others watching Elyon taking on Nigel.
"So what did we miss?", Cornelia asked.
"I thought you all were on another world.", Caleb asked happy to see Cornelia.
"The peace talks are done for the day.", Kadma said. "We'll be heading back tomorrow. How's Elyon doing?"
"She fighting Nigel.", Mia said.
"What!?", Taranee questioned as she looked at the monitor and saw Elyon fighting Nigel.
"Now how is that fair?!", Irma questioned.
"Seriously!", Cornelia said. "How can Elyon beat Nigel with his strength?"
"Well he isn't using his powers.", Aldarn said.
"Sure he isn't.", Irma said.
"He right.", Caleb said. "He's facing Elyon on a even playing field."
"I still don't like it.", Cornelia said as she crossed her arms. "He can still fight. And is a better fighter than Elyon.", she said as they saw Nigel flip Elyon on her back. "See! How can she stand up against that!?"
"By remaining strong.", Miriadel said. "And not giving up."
"I still say that it's not right.", Cornelia said.
"Then let's hope she can beat Nigel.", Will said as they all watched the fight unfold.
As for Elyon, she was giving it her all against Nigel, but he was just to good of a fighter. She used everything she learned from her training, but he was able to counter everything she threw at him. Sure she got a few good hits in, but Nigel was still standing. Elyon then noticed that the Sun was setting and knew that she had to beat Nigel before it was to late. So she tried to tackle Nigel out of the ring. So she ran at him and wrapped her arms around him and began to push him with all she had.
"Not bad! But that won't work!", Nigel said as he grabbed Elyon by her waist and tossed her aside letting her fall on her side. "You'll have to do better than that.", he said as Elyon slowly got to her feet ready to continue.
Try as she night, Elyon couldn't get Nigel out of the ring and time was running out as the Sun was close to setting. But she was getting tired as sweat ran down her brow. But Nigel was sweating a bit as well. But he was still good to go as he stood his ground.
"It's over, Elyon.", Nigel said. "You only have a few seconds of sunlight left. It's time to call it quits."
Back at the palace...
"Your boyfriend is a real jerk, Taranee!", Hay Lin snapped as she and the others were watching wat was happening. "He knew he was stronger than Elyon even without powers."
"How could he do her like this?", Taranee questioned sadly.
Back at the Trial...
"I'll never give up!", Elyon said as she charged at Nigel fist swinging. "I can't give up! Never!", she shouted as she kept on swinging even when the Sun went down.
"It's over, Elyon.", Nigel said as he caught the queen's fist stopping her from fighting on. "The Sun has set."
Back at the palace, everyone there was sad that things ended the way they did.
"Poor, Elyon.", Will said. "She gave it her all."
"He could of did something different!", Caleb snapped. "When I get my hands on him, I..."
"Before you finish that sentence, keep watching.", Joe said as he pointed to the monitor.
Back at the Trial, Elyno stood before Nigel defeated. She had given it her all and had failed. She was about to turn and take her long walk back to the palace when...
"And where are you going?", Nigel asked.
"Back to the palace.", Elyon said as her eyes began to water. "I failed the first Trial. After all that work, I failed. I could even get you out of the ring."
"Yeah. So?", he questioned. "I never said that you had to get me out of the ring.", he said surprising Elyon.
"But you said that I had to..."
"Come at me with all you've got.", Nigel said. "And you did. You didn't give up. You pushed on with all you had. Now that is true strength."
"What!?", Elyon questioned.
"You had two test today, Elyon.", Nigel said. "Your first test was the man trapped under the wagon. That was a test of your strength of mind. You used your head to think of a way to help the man. Speaking of which, the man was really a glamoured John Vadners. The men that came to help were Angelo's cousins glamoured.", he said surprising Elyon. "As for your test against me, it was a test to see if you would give up or not. And you didn't give up. A test of true inner strength. So congrats, Queen Elyon. For you have passed your Trial of Strength.", he said with a smile.
As much as Elyon wanted to smile, she dropped to her knees tired from what she went through. Seeing this, Nigel said nothing as he let her get some rest as he sat down in front of her.
"Please tell me that the other Trials aren't this hard.", Elyon said.
"No idea.", Nigel said. "But as long as you stay strong and don't give up, you'll be fine.", he said getting a smile from Elyon. "So you ready to get something to eat?", he asked as he got to his feet.
"You have no idea.", Elyon said as her stomach growled.
With a chuckle, Nigel offered his hand to Elyon knowing that she may need some help getting to her feet. She accepted it as she got to her feet. Nigel then led her to a campsite that had a tent set up and a campfire going. Also there were four soldiers standing guard. Once at the campsite, Elyon sat on a log as Nigel gave her a bowl of beef stew that was cooking over the campfire along with a can of ice tea.
"This is so good!", Elyon sai as she ate some of the stew.
"Eat up.", Nigel said. "The tent is for you to sleep in. The soldiers are here to keep watch over you while you sleep. Just in case if any bandits are roaming around. When morning comes, your next Trial will begin. Use this to find your next Trial.", he said as he handed Elyon a device that had a screen on it.
"What is this?", Elyon questioned.
"A tracking device.", Nigel said. "It'll guide you to where you need to go."
"Thanks.", Elyon said before yawning. "Man! I'm I tired."
"Then I suggest that you get some sleep.", Nigel said as she put his Battle Warrior ring back on. "You have a long road ahead of you."
"You can say that again.", Elyon said as she headed for her tent. "Later."
"Later.", Nigel said. "And good luck.", he said before teleporting away.
"Thanks.", Elyon saod as she got in her tent.
Once in her tent, Elyon kicked off her boots and got in the sleeping bag that was in there for her. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. As for Nigel, he had teleported back to the palace where the others were.
"Not bad.", Joe said to Nigel. "I didn't expect that kind of test."
"Hey, anyone can fight.", Nigel said. "It's having the strength to keep fighting that matters."
"Well said.", Julian said. "And I believe that Her Majesty has seen this strength in herself as well."
"Of course Elyon is strong!", Cornelia said. "And she'll beat the rest of these Trials, too!"
"Got that right!", Hay Lin said. "She so got this beat!"
"Bold words when you don't know what's to come for the queen.", Aldarn said.
"Bold nothing!", Irma said. "We just know that Elyon has got this in the bag!"
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch, kid.", Joe said. "Anything can happen."
"That's not helping.", Taranee said.
"But he's right.", Kadma said. "Who knows what's in store for Elyon during these Trials?"
"I remember what mother told me about her Trials.", Mia said. "They were not easy. The ones testing her tested her in mind, body, and spirit. She said that the last three really tested her."
"How so?", Will asked.
"All she told me was that when all was said and done, she was changed from it all. Yet she did become stronger from it all.", Mia said.
Hearing that didn't sound to good to the Guardians, but they couldn't do anything about it. So all they could do was pray and hope for the best. Hours later the Sun rose and Elyon was up and ready to go. After slipping her boots on, she got out of the tent to find that a small breakfast had been cooked for her by the soldiers. Thanking them for the food, Elyon ate it and then said her goodbyes to the soldiers as she used the tracking device to find her next destination. After traveling for a good three hours, Elyon followed the tracking device to a large town full of people. But what caught her attention was the face of a friend.
"Cassidy!?", Elyon questioned. "You're my next tester?"
"That's right!", Cassidy, who was dressed in normal clothes, said with a cunning smile. "Welcome, Queen Elyon, to your Trial of Cunning!"
A/N: Well Elyon has passed the first Trial. And what a Trial! Bet you all didn't see that coming! HA! And now she has to face Cassidy in the Trail of Cunning. What was the Ice Guardian have up her sleeve? Read on to find out!
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