Summary: This is an alternate ending to "The Key" and commences just before the Final Battle. Lorian bestows Matt with formerly unknown powers; Lathenia leaves the battlefield abruptly when her daughter Soraya is kidnapped by the Guard. Soraya cannot earn the trust of the Guard until unexpectedly Rochelle starts to befriend her and stand in for her. Traitors are revealed and fates changed. Will the battle's conclusion bring a new era of peace or total chaos when Lathenia reveals a shocking truth which may change the course of History forever. Main PoVs: Arkarian, Matt, Rochelle, Soraya

Also, this is my very first fanfic as I just found out about the website a week ago :P

Anyways hope you enjoy and I'll probably update this once a week.

Disclaimer: I do not OWN the Guardians of Time Trilogy, and I respect and admire Marianne Curley's works

Just to fill in here, Lady Arabella was just revealed to be a traitor; Matt, Rochelle and Ethan have returned from Atlantis and the battle is approaching, Veridian has not yet been attacked

Matt

Lorian is shattered.

His bright, piercing eyes darkened since I have last seen him and the fierce aura which had radiated from him since the beginning of time is fading.

I can't bear looking into his eyes, but he has called me forth, his sunken eyes and tired expression penetrating my mind. I flinch and look up at him. His eyes find mine and emit strength. How could I ever have mistaken in believing him weakened. The power is still raging inside of him, but a broken heart cannot be mended easily. I glance away quickly, not wanting to read what his eyes are screaming out at me.

"I was told you wanted to see me, sir" I say slowly, not daring to meet his eyes.

"I have a request to make" Lorian commences thoughtfully, "it will alter not only your life, but those of the entire Guard. And it will take a great deal from you."

"If it does not only concern me, then I believe the entire Guard should be present in this discussion" I say carefully and respectfully, focusing on a point directly above Lorian's eyes.

"Matthew, it is not a decision which you are to make today, therefore there shall be no discussion" Lorian's voice is firm. I don't dare object.

He carries on, "You have revealed a traitor within our lines, and for that I thank you. I am responsible for this treachery which was caused by my own mistakes which have proven me unworthy…"

"Sir, I object," my voice sounds harsher than intended, "No one saw Lady Arabella as a traitor and no one could have foreseen it."

Lorian cringes at the sound of her name. I have never seen the immortal show emotion. Lorian's posture stiffens and the color drains from his face.

"How dare you question my judgment Matthew?!" He booms, his face tightens, but instead of the fury I expect, he falls back against his chair, looking wearier than ever.

He continues in a thoughtful tone "You have the right to question my judgment, as I do. I see now where my mistakes lie, I believed I could be non-judgmental in choosing to be genderless, in ignoring the love which strained me every day and has turned to treachery in my presence. Therefore I have decided to step down, and for lack of a better word 'retire'. In doing so, I will pass on my leadership to you."

I am completely stunned. This is definitely not what I had expected when walking in through Lorian's doors and I stare at him in disbelief. How could he simply "retire"? How could he trust me enough? And what about Dartemis? I open my thoughts to Lorian.

"Dartemis never strived to be a leader. He is a trainer and intellectual and will support you in your task. Your leadership qualities have proved to be beyond my own and the only thing you lack is wisdom and experience which I am here to pass on to you." Lorian speaks with faith in his voice, and doubts started to cloud my mind. I have made fatal decisions before. They have caused friendships to shatter and distrust amongst the guard.

Will I have to choose to be genderless, like Lorian?

"Matthew," Lorian says and I look up, torn away from the war raging in my mind. "You would lead with Neriah by your side. Her judgment and fairness will help you make impartial and open-minded decisions. Do you not understand the one fatal mistake I have made in choosing to be genderless? You and Neriah complement each other like nothing I've seen before." Relief washes through me as I start to understand.

Lorian continues, "I have spoken to Neriah previous to this meeting and assure you that she has all the faith in you and is willing to stand by your side and lead the guard. I summoned you not only to pass on leadership to you, but also power. I choose to strip myself of my immortality and become ageless like my son and other members of the tribunal. In this I will strengthen your power beyond that of any other immortal. You will need time and knowledge to adjust, and for that I have sent Lord Penbarin to Atlantis with you to retrieve the only books which will give you the ancient knowledge you will need," He makes a gesture to a stack of books beside him. "I also warn you that although your powers will exceed those of Lathenia in battle, she is more skilled than Dartemis and I combined. Her knowledge comes from books she has retrieved in her escapades through time and recklessness simplifies magic as you don't have to be careful who is affected. In addition, a grave warning, we have had reports of Lathenia having a daughter of the same spirit as her. She has been reported to be wild and reckless like Lathenia. However, Lathenia keeps her locked away, perhaps to protect, perhaps even out of sheer fear for her own power."

I am still utterly bewildered and overwhelmed by the flow of Lorian's words, and only gradually realize he has stopped speaking.

"Are you willing and prepared for the task ahead of you" he finally asks

I let his words sink in and ask, "Do I have a choice?"

He gives me the honest answer "No, you don't Matthew", but he says this calmly and kindly.

I look up at him and meet his gaze. His violet eyes firmly look though me. Gathering my courage I answer, holding back a sigh "Can one ever be ready for such a task? I will do my best. I will devote myself to the Guard wholeheartedly with Neriah by my side and lead us into battle and… hopefully into a new era of peace."

Lorian looks content and swiftly stands up. Exhaustion no longer surrounds him and a gleam of pride flashes from his eyes, for me? He starts walking down towards me.

"It may well be that we will face the destruction of the Guard and with it that of the entire world in the near future. However, in the case of our triumph, an evil which has existed since the beginning of time will be defeated once and for all. We, the Guard will no longer need to guard the past as we have done for thousands of years when Lathenia's ancient instruments are destroyed. It will lie in your hands to lead the guard then, into a new battle, the battle for the present. The Guard will face a new task of fighting evil in the present, for otherwise, our powers will have no use and will go to waste where we could fight for a better world and rebuild the realms destroyed by Lathenia. Jimmy has reported the possibility of a new prophecy and the Guard will need better leadership than ever to adapt and fulfill it."

Lorian comes to a halt right in front of me and I look up into his eyes.

I swallow and briefly nod my head, signaling I am ready, as ready as a completely overwhelmed individual could be for carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Lorian stands before me, his tall figure radiating a power beyond what I've ever seen. He raises his arms to the sky. The air starts to thicken around him. Silence surrounds us. A golden gleam penetrates from Lorian's chest and becomes brighter as the golden air around Lorian begins to revolve around him and gain momentum. Lorian's outlines begin to blur from the power he is generating. I am mesmerized and abruptly realize the golden streaked air is now surrounding us both, resembling an immense dome of light and gold. Lorian lowers his hands above my head and a surge of violet and green light spreads around me like a second skin and slowly sinks in. My skin is glowing and a warm feeling fills me. Knowledge of thousands of years floods my mind and I begin to faint with the strain. Lorian steps out of the golden dome and the gold gushes towards me from all sides. The power overwhelms me and the world goes dark.

Lorian

I have done what had to be done. A weight lifts off me and I sit down on the cool stone of the Palace waiting for Matthew to come to his senses.

Matthew is lying on the floor. I know he will make a good leader, better than I could ever have been. Neriah will judge situations better than anyone else could and will stand strong beside him, although an uncomfortable feeling fills me at the thought. I was not as content as my words may have sounded, Neriah is new to the Guard and I cannot put a finger on what disturbs me about her.

Matthew stirs and sits up slowly. A dim glow radiates from him and I will have to inform him it will never go away. He looks up at me and I am startled. He sees the shock in my eyes and asks "What is it?"

I look at him, still amazed. It is almost impossible to look him in the eyes, which are piercing blue, they penetrate though every bone in my body and I almost shiver.

"Your eyes," I say, and (again) almost chuckle, "I didn't see this coming. You may have to wear contact lenses for the time being."

Matthew steps to a mirror and looks at himself. He staggers back as if afraid of his own reflection and looks at me completely stunned. "I guess I'll have to get used to that as well," he stutters and hesitates, then grins widely, "Neriah will go crazy when I practice looking myself in the eye in front of a mirror two hours a day" My face breaks into a smile and Matt looks taken aback.

I place my hand on his shoulder.

"Good Luck" I say simply.

He looks at me and nods.

"I am sorry Matthew, but this has drained me and I wish to rest for a while if you allow it."

Again, Matthew grins, as it was formulated as a question rather than a command.

"You will get used to it, just trust in yourself"

He nods and turns to the door. His hand outstretched to open it; he halts and turns once more. His eyes find mine and again I am taken aback by the sheer power of the glance.

"I know you loved Lady Arabella and I respect your choice or retiring. However, you should know that we're all grateful for your unconditional leadership which has brought us as far as we've come."

"Thank you Matthew, I appreciate your faith. If possible, could you not mention what has happened in these chambers until my formal retiring in two weeks at most? Neriah and Dartemis are informed and I will talk to the tribunal in due time. Until then, wear these."

I hand him a pair of contact lenses Arkarian brought me once. They will suffice for the moment in dimming his stare as long as Matthew is not going to focus on a person for too long.

Matthew leaves and I sit down on a chair in front of the mirror and stare at myself, not seeing my reflection. The vast pressure and anxiety of responsibilities is gone, I could not have planted my trust in anyone more worthy. I am content Matthew will lead well, and for the first time in my life the safety of the Guard is not foremost on my mind.

My mind is wandering somewhere far away and at last I am alone to my thoughts.

Neriah

I am waiting

As I stand in the courtyard of the Palace thoughts rush my mind. I think of Matt.

Before me stands the empty cage which had housed my trapped companions only days ago. An air of sadness surrounds this place. I walk to the door and step out into the nothingness of the dark land. I still cannot believe Lady Arabella to be a traitor; it just doesn't fit into the picture. I will visit her sometime soon and talk to her. Matt is plagued by grief for uncovering her and I can simply not understand how I haven't seen it before, she was full of love for Lorian, she wouldn't have turned her love into hatred. Rochelle looked into her heart…Rochelle

The traitor will die for all we know. Isabel's visions have always spoken the truth. Rochelle is not aware of her fate, while everyone else is. She wore the robes of self-sacrifice for her initiation and understands the implications; however the pictures Isabel recalls portray her death and seal her fate. She should know of this, for it is her life, and not ours to manipulate, although I have sincere doubts of Isabel's capabilities in changing fate by staying close-by. I should have discussed this with Arkarian. Whatever the plan, she will die, and Matt will forget her.

I draw two birds into the air with my brush and watch them as they come alive with motion. Their wings are sparkling in the complete darkness surrounding us, golden dust falling from their beautiful feathers. I whisper to them and they fly off towards the palace.

A warm shiver creeps down my spine as I suddenly feel the presence of someone behind me. The crystal clear air of evil, silence before the storm tells me who has come for my rescue. I turn and before I can utter a single word at the ravaged face before me, a veil darker than the night sky wraps around me and I cast a last glance back at the gates of the palace, a smile spreading across my face.