W.I.T.C.H.
"Arisen from the depths"
Disclaimer:I do not own W.I.T.C.H. and the worlds mentioned in this fictional Universe. They solely belong to the Disney Company and their respective authors. However the following story might include a few minor own characters, races and places imagined by me in order to give this story more depth and details.
Author's note:This story is based on both cartoon and comic events and is sort of a mixture of the two versions as I found many aspects beautiful in each and worthy to be explored some more. I will mention a few hints so you may understand at what time the story is supposed to be set and what I chose and what I ignored from the two versions.
- The main action is centered after the end of the comics of W.I.T.C.H., which means that our favorite heroines have already achieved their new powers and outfits, the ones seen in the "New Power Arc".
- The girls have just started college, each had chosen their own path in their ascension to adulthood, but keep in touch as a team, united as ever.
- Since no more issues of great importance appeared, they were given a well received break to enjoy their earth-lives they so missed and were granted the opportunity to improve on other plans as well.
- However…like any good moment that is not to last for too long, the peaceful air was soon replaced with the panicked one of devastating news. After finally gaining the harmonious life they so desired, a few years later a terrible nightmare unfolded over the Kingdom of Meridian, as spontaneous as a blast and more cursed than the very dark days under their previous usurper. None had anticipated something like this, not even the Council of Kandrakar, dumbfounded in shock for their unbelievable blindness. Before they could do anything, the new enemy, numerous and ferocious, gripped the string with great force, tightly holding the meridianites in line at the borders of the kingdom, gaining ground faster and faster, day by day. Everything climaxed when the mysterious threat caused the incredible disappearance of the young Queen of Meridian, who was ambushed with her troupes. Nothing like this has ever happened before, to know ones from Metamoor were stronger than the Queen was a story hard to swallow. Through tears and cries of despair the people turned to their only hope. The Guardians.
Chapter 1 : Second chance
PART I
Kandrakar: Heart of infinity and center of balance. The Fortress of light was animated with a stream of clamor; hundreds of murmurs ranging from the lowest to the highest pitch were resounding powerful from the heavenly insides of the temple. Closer and closer, through the softness of white clouds, marble columns could be seen better in the slight brilliant light, beaming from the fortress' own aura it seemed. They were adorned with ancient ornaments that not even in hundreds of decades were to lose their splendor.
Like ivy, the beautiful carved drawings were entwisted to the top of the columns, forever constructing new scenes of historical events that had to be told for eternity on the white walls. Allowed to enter the sacred temple of temples they followed their way, spreading through the windows along with mystic vapors of magical scent…however…today the entire harmony seemed dissipated in a feverish haze.
From the ceilings to the floors of the mighty corridors a medley of worried voices was pulsing untamed. Dozens of beings of all shapes were fussing around in little groups, some announcing others, some carrying objects of value but nonetheless all were discussing the same topic, with panic, shock or incredulous surprise on the edge of their voices. Some couldn't even believe it, they had to see it with their eyes and hear it with their ears and soon they were all about to be confirmed as they rushed to the Hall of Convocation. An event of great importance, if one can call something controversial great, was soon to take place under the eyes of the council. The wisest of the worlds. The wisest of Kandrakar along with the Oracle and high-ranked advisers.
The clutter didn't stop; not even in the round hall, on the contrary it only enhanced. As soon as the wise elders seated themselves they looked around for a nearby partner in conversation to bring the blasted topic of all confusion again.
"Is it true what they say? Could this rumor become reality?" one asked with a faint voice, gripping his beard in shaky movements.
"By the names of our Celestial Ancestors, I pray it's not! A terrible mistake would that be!" the other answered, his red skin now pale with fear due thoughts of possible continuations that came to his mind.
"Of course it's not true! The Oracle wouldn't permit it!" another one joined in with more confidence despite the doubt inside his own heart. "Even if so, there's nothing we should fear, if we're about to use himas our tool. A little good from the pest at least."
"But you know what they say of the sympathy law…the ones alike gather together. Pests with pests I would say… don't you fear it?"
"Fear what?" a cheeky voice asked nearby. When they raised their heads, their eyes enlarged surprised at the sight of a chestnut haired girl, with teal fairy-like wings that looked almost menacing combined with her questioning look: thick brows raised and a slightly arrogant mug with wrinkled nose along with pursed lips and crossed black gloved arms. She really tried her best to be serious.
"The Guardians!" they exclaimed but added no more. Instead every pair of eyes turned to the direction of the group of five girls, forming a free corridor through the crowd.
"What were you saying about pests? Is Kandrakar invaded by bugs or rats? You could call some exterminators, there are some good ones in Heatherfield, I know."
"Irma!" the red haired girl, Will, shoved her and tried to push her to move forward as she tossed a few apologies to the elders. She is the leader of the five and keeper of The Heart of Kandrakar, well respected in the Fortress for her role, just like the rest of the guardians, but from time to time the one with the power over water let the words flow without thinking them much.
"Though in a matter like this, if anything occurs, I guess we are the exterminators." Hay Lin, the guardian of air, added shyly to Irma's joke, following the others and trying to keep her optimistic nature by sharing smiles with everyone she saw in order to calm down the spirits.
As soon as they were seated in the front line of the colosseum-like room of the Council, they began to whisper to one another.
"Don't act dumb! You know exactly what's happening here." It was Cornelia the first to give Irma a lecture, while the others already left it like this.
"Slow down, Corny! I'm tired of seeing the same grimaces over and over again. If I wanted such a serious atmosphere I would've chosen a math class" talked back the water guardian.
Since the place was getting quite fiery, not a surprise since it's Irma and Cornelia, Will and Taranee sat between them before another comment could be thrown.
"It's alright, Cornelia. You know Irma; she was just trying to cheer the spirits up a little" was Tara's attempt to make peace.
"With that lame interpretation of a joke, totally!" bit Cornelia, pursing her lips and turned her head away, only giving Irma a critical gaze from the corner of her eye.
"Look I know this situation is serious. Very serious-
"Grave I would say" added Taranee.
-Yes!" continued Will "But we represent Kandrakar and we've all discussed this before. It's alright not to take things too seriously if nothing really happened so you don't stress that much. It's fine to be staid too, but not a lot Cornelia. We don't want you sober." She gave them both an encouraging smile, trying her best to tell them they should tolerate each other easier. After all, they've been through this so many times. "You think I'm not nervous? After all that has happened in Meridian how could I not be? And the task we're about to receive is a difficult one for sure, but we know the risks and we know his tendencies too. I'm sure we can face this, girls." But the more she thought about it, the more doubt she gained in her heart. Will lowered her eyes to the floor, not knowing what to say anymore, since the others went silent too.
They were all thoughtful. The tragedy of Meridian caught them off guard. Who would have thought that a heavenly paradise could fade away so easily? Who would have thought that Elyon would ever fade away? Such mysterious and dark circumstances were the ones of her disappearance as well as the beasts that seemed to come out of nowhere. With no queen to nurture them and no captain or leading warrior to organize strategies, the people of Meridian were in despair. Everything happened so fast, like a long time planned plot that unfolded in the most mechanic and darkest way possible. The inhabitants of the kingdom described them as ferocious and with a demonic demeanor, slightly humanoid others said. They moved fast and the ones that got close to them were dead and could no longer tell what they saw.
The strangest thing among them all was the resemblance between those creatures, lurking in the shadows, and the annihilators. Well at least in behavior, it could be said. Every time the guardians went to Meridian in order to join the fight along the troupes, the enemies were nowhere to be found. With sharp bestial shrieks they strike one more time before they disappear in the darkness. It's as if the ground eats them. Taranee came to think that they probably feel the presence of the Heart before they (the guardians) cross the veil between dimensions as a great amount of energy is gathering in that place even if not seen. Maybe they are sensitive about such things. Maybe Taranee is right. But if they couldn't fight them, at least they had to find their hideout. Where on hell were they going to each time they retreated? They asked the elders of Kandrakar to watch the battle before and after they cross the veil through a viewing stone or "reflecting water". The means they usually use in order to supervise events and observe the other worlds. But each time the creatures leave, the image gets blurred and darkened as if something is blocking them. They never dealt with something like this before. They have to find a way to stop them. If they had Elyon, it'll be only a matter of time before they took over the entire world of Metamoor and soon other worlds too.
That's why…that's why they had to use the least favorable plan. The only alternative they could come up with in the last minute and perhaps the one that'll bring them the most regrets later…
"Guys, it's starting!" pointed Hay Lin to the center of the hall. Through the crowd of elders that were all now looking for seats, Yan Lin could be seen making her way forward. Everyone bowed respectfully to her before getting back to their places. Yan Lin, grandmother of Hay Lin and former guardian of air, became Oracle of Kandrakar few years ago, after Himerish admitted he no longer deserved such a high position and recognized the wisdom and premonitory skills of his close adviser superior to his. Shortly after that he disappeared without a trait, but has returned some months ago from Basiliade, his home planet he went to visit once more, to reflect about life and be right there with the people when conflicts rise in order to have a different perspective and way of understanding of such events. Not objective but subjective this time. It helped him gain more experience as he forgot how it is to actually fight side by side with people and not from distance, since his decades as Oracle.
Himerish could be seen behind Yan Lin along with Endarno, both from Basiliade as the Oracle's closest advisers. When they reached their place in the middle of the room, on a few steps taller round structure they waited for silence from the audience, which quickly came. Discipline was very important and respected in Kandrakar and everyone was burning with curiosity for what was about to happen next.
"Honorable Council of Kandrakar and our all so dear and respected guardians and comrades" Yan Lin addressed them with her arms opened as if to reach all of them in an embrace. She dragged her voice a little and continued with a less evident smile over her features since she was about to bring up a serious topic.
"I venture to guess most of you know the reason of today's convocation, if not in detail at least you might've heard rumors. Most likely in a bad way. Well I have to confirm it. Yes." At this point most of the elders nodded stern and worried. "Have no worry about this, for this matter will be handled carefully by our guardians and supervised by us, as it would be absurd to let such a burden only on the shoulders of five blossoming girls." She eyed the group, trying to cheer them up a little, but quickly turned to the rest of the audience and continued much serious, holding her hands in a solemn position.
"We've thought about this plan in detail, as much as we could and I have to inform you it is our only alternative at the moment. If we notice that things seem to get out of our control we'll stop this before any incident would happen. I think we all have little trust in this plan, but we've got to work with what we have and also…solve certain mysteries. You know the say: sometimes solutions might come from those you expected less to know anything about it." She tried to encourage them with a warm smile as she stepped back to let Endarno talk.
Unlike Yan Lin's mild and sort of cheerful Chinese accent, Endarno's voice was deep and firm as he began his speech.
" Respected elders of Kandrakar, just as our luminous Oracle has said, we have to handle this task carefully since this way we might not only have a reason to worry twice but also work with a sharp knife. We must not cut ourselves. Still I want to add one more thing. This plan does not depend only on us but on the…subject as well. Whether he collaborates with us or not. It could as well be a temporary solution; if it is of no use, we'll search for another way as soon as we notice the first hints of suspicion so we may prevent another atrocity in time." before he finished he noticed one guard giving him impatient looks from the doors so Endarno tilted his head in his direction. Right after that the guard leaved the room.
Himerish went on to remind the Council of the events that took place in Meridian once more in order to strengthen the idea of how their plan could work and at the same time bring several answers to historical gaps, but left his last sentence unfinished as he heard hard footsteps coming from the corridor. One fact was clear as crystal water: there were more people approaching and the revelation was about to unfold itself.
"As for the key that will confirm your guesses and our plans…the one we're going to question today…"
Hm..who could it be? Who could it be? Stay tuned and you'll find out!
Thank you, for reading the first part! Because this is my first W.I.T.C.H. fanfic and also the first one I ever started to write, please be understanding with my storytelling and vocabulary. I'm trying my best to improve in order to give the readers a better perspective to what I write and also more depth :)
Second part of this chapter will come soon, and I hope you were not terribly bored by now. I know I've raised a lot of mysteries and left a few things in the air, as I combined both the cartoon version and the comic one, but everything will be explained in the following chapters.
As for a small hint for those who have more knowledge of the comics story arcs, that mysterious "race" actually exists in the original story, it's just they were only given small information and here I will unfold my imagination and present you the way I see them as ^^
