Hello everyone. This is the sequel to my fic 'Regents: An Ancient Incursion'. If you haven't read it yet I suggest you do before reading this.
I do my upmost to check the spellings (all of which are in British English) in my work but I apologise if one or two have gone unnoticed.
I don't own W.I.T.C.H.
Please leave a review and enjoy.
An Ancient Onslaught
"Why?" Was the only question that ran through Elyon's mind. She chocked from her sobs and the thick smoke that filled the air. The stench of burning wood and to her horror flesh stained her nose. The only sounds other than her whimpers were the cries and screams of people. Her people.
"It's all my fault." She thought over and over. "It's all my fault. It's all my fault."
Today started as a day of celebration but would be remembered as the darkest in Meridian history. Even Phobos' reign of terror and suffering couldn't match the hour of horror, death and destruction which that monster caused, the monster that defeated Elyon and left her a powerless shadow.
Colourful flags and banners fluttered throughout Meridian. Banquets were laid out on tables in the streets as adults and children alike prepared for the celebrations. Thousands lined the main streets hoping to see there queen as she rode through before the grand party at her palace. Today was the first anniversary of Elyon's coronation and victory over Phobos and today all of Metamoor would be celebrating.
"So, how do I look?" Elyon asked as she twirled around showing off her new gown with a great smile on her face.
"Wonderful." Her adoptive mother Eleanor said.
"Yes, truly beautiful." Her adoptive father Thomas replied.
"Wow! I've definitely got to meet your dress maker." Cornelia said, happy for her best friend but she couldn't help but worry. It has been two days since Hades attacked her house looking for her sister Lillian. What made it worse was that he escaped. He could try again and what if no one was there to protect her? 'No, she'll be safe.' She reminded herself. Kandrakar was keeping a close eye on her. They'll know if anything happens.
It's also been two days since Lillian and Irma's family discovered about magic and the Guardians. So far they've taken it well. Tom Lair was proud for his daughter and was greatly thankful for saving his life. Irma's mother on the other hand wasn't happy about it being kept a secret and being put in such great danger at such a young age but Tom managed to talk her around to it. Irma's younger brother Christopher was just as amazed as Lillian was discovering magic. He began pondering all the things that he could use his sister for but also complained about the fact that he didn't have any powers himself.
They entered the palaces main hall which was awash with servants, courtiers and all manner of people preparing of the celebrations. Derogations were being hung, the floors were being swept and the paintings cleaned. As Elyon and the others walked down the hall she was kindly greeted by people with choruses of "Good morning your majesty" and similar acknowledgements. She kindly returned all.
"You majesty, your charge awaits." A young man said with a bow as they approached the palace door.
"Thank you Caleb, and yes you can escort Cornelia." Elyon said with a smile.
"How did…"
"Are you questioning your queens orders Caleb?" Elyon said with a sly smile.
"No, I'd never your majesty." Caleb replied smiling before turning to Cornelia who was trying to keep a straight face. "Lady Cornelia, would you do me the honour?" He said with an outstretched hand.
"I would be honoured, Sir Caleb." Cornelia replied as she took his hand and followed Elyon into the palace guardians towards the lager golden carriage drawn by four unicorns. 'Today will be perfect.' She thought to herself as she took a seat opposite her best friend, grasping her love's arm.
"Matt! It's time to wake up." Matt's mom shouted through the door. He groaned as he attempted to raise himself from bead.
"Mom… please I'm tired." Matt moaned.
"It's nine in the morning! Aren't you supposed to be going to a party today?"
"Oh yeah… Ok… I'll try…" He groaned and forced himself up.
"What's got into you and your pet? Ever since you babysat two days ago you two have been sleeping all day and night."
"It's hard work."
"I've been looking after you for sixteen years and I've never been this tired."
"Fine! I've got it." Matt groaned as he slipped out of bed and pulled himself to his feet, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. It wasn't babysitting that made him tired; it was getting almost all his energy and thus life sucked out of him by a mythological god. Luckily the effects are only temporary but in the meantime, it's very annoying.
"Your luckily you can just sleep all day." He said to the snoozing Mr Huggles as he left for the shower.
"So Irma, this party you're going to, where is it again?" Anna Lair asked her daughter.
"Yeah, it's acutely Elyon's." Irma answered as she finished wrapping a present.
"Elyon? You told me she moved to Australia." Anna asked with a raised eyebrow. Irma chuckled.
"Well she did move away but not to Australia. She just went back to her own world."
"Oh come on Irma. First I discover you're a magic superhero thing but do you relay expect me to think Elyon is an alien?"
"I'm a Guardian Mom and Elyon's not an alien, she's human. She just wasn't born on Earth."
"What's this about aliens?" Tom asked as he walked into the kitchen and kissed his wife.
"Irma was just saying that Elyon wasn't born Earth."
"Yeah, her home world is called Metamoor, and not only does she live there she's the queen of the whole planet."
"Of course she is Irma, and Christopher is the King of Earth." Anna sarcastically said.
"No, Lillian's the Queen of Earth, and if you don't believe me about Elyon why don't you come to the party." Irma said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Anna and Tom's minds tried to process what they heard. They couldn't work out whether they were shocked at Cornelia's little sister being the Queen of Earth or that their daughter invited them to a party. They later decided it was the latter. "A-are you sure… You want us to come to a party with you?" Anna asked.
"Yes. It's open to everyone. The whole planet's celebrating, it'll be great!" Irma said her voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Well… okay, but how can we get to another world, you don't have a secret spaceship do you?" Anna mockingly asked.
"Come on Mom!" Christopher said as he took a seat at the table. "It's magic! You can do anything. Show her Irma."
"Ok." Irma said with an evil smile. She pointed a finger at Christopher's face and before he realised a stream of water shot out of her hand and squirted him in the face.
"MOM! Irma got me wet!" Christopher sulked.
"Irma!" Her mother scolded as Tom and Irma laughed.
"No, no, no!" Will muttered to herself as she rummaged through her wardrobe. She always had this problem when it came to parties, and this time was by far the hardest choice. All her dresses either didn't suite the occasion or were too 'un-Meridian'. "George, what do you think?"
"I've been searching the internet, mam, and I do believe that that particular item you're holding would be the best." The computer answered. Will pondered the idea but before she could decide the printer spoke up.
"Oh come on! Purple is the colour of royalty, only Elyon would be the one wearing it."
"But how do you know it's like that in Meridian?" But this time it was her phone who spoke. Will groaned as her room fell into a bustle of arguing voices from her appliances.
"Quiet!" She shouted, the room fell silent, that was until the knocking at her door.
"Will? What's going on in there?" Her mother, Susan, questioned through the door.
"Then why were you shouting?" She asked as she opened the door, fully expecting it to be slammed in her face. "Come on Will, aren't you supposed to be going to a party in thirty minutes?"
"Yes Mom… But what can I wear?" Will asked sadden as she sat in her bead.
"What kind of party is it?"
"Well… It's kind of strange… It's it kind of like a royal party. So it has to be smart but not to modern or outlandish."
"Hum… Who's 'royal party' is it, Cornelia's?" Susan asked as she picked through her daughters cloths, both chuckled. "What about this?"
Will looked at the red gown her mother had chosen. She smiled, "Yeah that will work."
The buzzing sound of a door bell suddenly shot through the apartment. "Just in time too. You know red is Matt's favoured colour."
Meanwhile Matt was standing outside the apartment's door with a gift under his arm as he straightened his black tailored suit.
"Hello Matt. Will's still getting dress but you can come in a wait."
"Thanks Miss Vandon." Matt said as he walked into the apartment's living room.
"That's a very charming suit you've got there, Matt."
"Thanks Miss Vandon."
"I told you just to call me Susan." She said as she took a sip of Tea. "So whose party is it? Will hasn't told me a thing. And it must be very important to be dressed up like that."
"Well… It's um, it's a party…" Matt rubbed the back of his neck in nervousness as he tried to think of an excuse. "It's a party for…"
"It's Cornelia's surprise party!" Will suddenly said as she walked out of her room. "We're all going to a fancy restaurant. Hi Matt, that's a nice suit."
"And you look beautiful, Will." Matt replied. Will blushed furiously, she almost completely turned red. Her mother chuckled.
"Well, have fun you two, and be back by ten."
"Have fun little sis."
"Thanks Peter." Taranee replied as she waved off her older brother before entering the Silver Dragon restaurant through the back door.
"Good morning Taranee." A kind elderly voice greeted her.
"Morning Mrs Lin. Am I the first one?"
"Oh yes Taranee, Hay Lin's already downstairs waiting, go ahead."
"Thanks." Taranee said as she turned to the basement where Hay Lin was waiting expectantly.
"What do you think?" Hay Lin asked as she raised her arms showing off her light blue silk Chinese gown with elegant embroidery.
A small laugh escaped Taranee's mouth. "Wow, it definitely suites you but don't you think it will stand out in Meridian?"
"That's why I'm wearing it! Why should I blend in to the crowed?" Hay Lin said. Before Taranee could reply however the sounds of voices and opening doors came from upstairs.
"But this is just a basement!" A young whining voice said.
"Shut it Christopher! I'm taking you to another world. Do you know how many people on Earth have done that?" Irma said as she led her family down the steps and towards the confused expressions of Taranee and Hay Lin.
"He's got a point Irma. How does this basement lead to this 'Meridian' place?" Her mother asked, still unconvinced.
"The basement doesn't, it's just a safe and secret place we can travel between." Irma answered before turning to her friends. "What?"
"Irma, I know they know about us now but why are they here?" Taranee asked.
"To prove a point. Where's Will and Matt?" Irma said. Just then a bright flash appeared behind them making them all jump.
"Sorry we're late…" Will said as she and Matt now stood in the basement they then noticed the stunned faces of Tom, Anna and Christopher Lair.
Christopher was the first to speak. "COOL!" He shouted as he hopped up and down excitedly. Irma let out a long sigh before explaining to the two new arrivals. They both nodded kindly.
"Right, so let's get going." Will said with a smile as she waved her hand. An unnatural blue light appeared as a fold in the fabric of time and space ripped through the air of the Silver Dragon's basement.
"Wow, that's the best impersonation of a guppy fish at feeding time I've ever seen Christopher." Irma whispered to her bother who quickly forgot his stunned, jaw-dropped amazement.
"Hay! I'm not a fish!"
The other guardians and Matt sighed. "Come on, Elyon's awaiting." Will said.
"It's it safe?" Anna asked in fearful disbelief. Everyone chuckled.
"Of cause it is." Matt said as he took Will's hand and entered the fold, they simply vanished into the blue leaving a stunned Lair family.
Hay Lin and Taranee took it upon themselves to guide the Lair's through.
"Come on Mrs Lair, this way." Hay Lin said as she dragged her through the fold, Taranee did the same with Tom lair.
Irma turned to her brother. "So are you going or do I have to drag you?"
"No way!" He said as he leaped through the fold with Irma following close behind.
In Kandrakar the Oracle was meditating in his chamber. Here he could see everything there is, there was and there shall be. But this time was different. The future was clouded. All he could see was a wave of great pain and suffering sweeping across Kandrakar and all the dimensions. A threat the likes of which the universe hasn't seen for millions of years. And to be truthful, for the first time in just as many years, he was freighted of the darkness to come.