A/N So this is something of a sequel to TTigerz's amazing story "Everything is fair, in love and war." It focuses on the characters rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the war, and dealing with the things that happened during it. Since there are so many characters, and therefore so many potential stories about them, I am leaving this story open for contributions. Just PM me if you have written anything.

W.I.T.C.H. Belongs to Disney

G.E.N.I.E. are TTigerz's OC's. Angelo is Lexvan's OC

In Kandrakar

After the new Guardians had been inaugurated, there was still more business to attend to. Will called Elyon to step forward again.

"Queen Elyon, as you can see, you still have the loyalty of most of your people, and your knights." She said, gesturing behind her. Turning around, Elyon saw a cheering crowd of Meridianites in the stands. Then she saw Drake, Aldarn, Raythor, and Tynar kneeling on one knee, swords pointing toward the ground. "However, I need to speak with you and the two of your knights who were forced to serve Hay Lin."

Elyon nodded. She opened a wide fold. "Raythor, Tynar, lead my people back to Metamoor."

"Yes, my Queen." They answered. The whole crowd of Meridianites filed out of the stands and walked through the fold. It took a while, as there were many. After they were gone, the fold remained open.

Will turned back to Elyon and her remaining knights. "Drake, Aldarn, you may stand now." They stood up, behind their queen. "Queen Elyon, since you awoke today you have no memory of your enthrallment to Hay Lin. Nor do you wish to remember any of it, is that true?"

Elyon hesitated for a few seconds. "…Yes."

"As the Oracle, I can make sure of that, but you are aware that this is nearly four years of your life."

"Yes…" She said, then took a deep breath. "…I'd like to pick up where I left off, if that is possible."

Will nodded. "Drake, Aldarn. You also have no memory."

"We will follow the decision of our queen." Aldarn answered.

"Very well…" Will waved her hand over each of their heads. Irma looked at them with jealousy. *Lucky* she thought.

"You may return to your people." Will said. Elyon bowed her head and walked through the fold with Drake and Aldarn. Phobos followed them, with Nerissa.

Will then opened many folds. "The people of Earth, except those who had already been called forward today, and the families Hale and Lair, may return. Each fold leads to a different location on Earth, but from there you will have to find your way home." Gradually, the stands emptied out as more and more people walked through the various folds.

Those who knew they were to remain did. Cornelia had to leave Angelo and Ehren, and walked over to Bess, tears flowing freely. Looking at her, she could barely speak. "…I...I..." She tried to speak, but could only make a teary moan. She was almost breaking at the knees. A crying Bess rushed to embrace her, not saying a word. She managed to whisper "I'm ssso sorry..." Irma was close behind.

Will addressed the remaining earthlings. "As I told some of you before, healing will take a very long time. It will be a long, hard road…" she said, looking at their faces, full of conflicting emotions. "…but you will heal." Taranee and Ilana found that Nigel was no longer standing with them, but standing next to Uriah, a hand on his shoulder. Matt and Mandy were still sitting together, Matt apparently too weak to stand for an extended period.

After Cornelia and Bess regained their composure, Will spoke again. "Will the appointed watchers of Hay Lin come forward again." Irma and Cornelia again stood in front of Will and the council. She put on a smirk. "I had you going there for a while, didn't I?" She asked.

"Yeah, you got us." Irma admitted. "Couldn't you have just told us that right away?"

"Believe me, I wanted to, but I couldn't reveal Hay Lin's fate prematurely." Will answered. "I also wanted to acknowledge your role in the rebellion during the trial, but the rest of the council did not consider that appropriate. I agreed, after I realized that if I were talk about all the things you did for our side, we would be here all day." The Hales and the Lairs couldn't help but smile at that. "But you should know, the council and I consider the two of you to be among the greatest heroes of this war." They looked at the council members behind Will, who all nodded.

Orube then spoke. "You improved morale in the rebellion. On the battlefield, you met Hay Lin head-on, protecting the rest of the rebels from her power, and ensuring there would be no interference in Will's fight with Yan-Lin. But perhaps most importantly of all: you passed on your knowledge to the new Water and Earth Guardians, and taught them to believe in themselves." Ehren and Edeline couldn't help but fly upwards when they heard that.

Will continued. "The task ahead of you is a challenging one, but I wouldn't have chosen you if I didn't think you were up to it." Irma and Cornelia took a deep breath, still trying to take in their new role, and still relieved that they didn't have to guard a prison cell. "However…I have seen inside your minds. Nearly four years of enthrallment has left much damage to be repaired…" They looked at Will, knowing what she said was true, but still confused. After a pause, she continued. "…I know about your nightmares." They both gasped, Irma gulped, preparing for the worst. Cornelia looked at the ground, knowing what she was about to say, after the revelation about Courtney's fate. Angelo was shocked, Andrew less so. "Unfortunately…they are all real. I am also afraid that it's going to get worse before it gets better."

Cornelia sunk, surprised, but at the same time, not surprised. Irma gasped, and started to shake. Will was still not finished. "You will have to make peace with your memories, but this is a burden that you should not have to bear alone. Fortunately, you don't have to. Will Andrew Hornby and Angelo Vanders come forward?" They both did, Andrew took Irma's hand, and Angelo took Cornelia's. Will floated over, standing up, and put a hand on the men's shoulders. "I am giving the two of you the power of hypnosis, so you can reach the deepest regions of your lovers' minds."

Angelo was surprised and confused. "Wait, you want me to control Cornelia, after all this?"

"Far from it." Will answered, addressing him and Andrew. "Where Hay Lin hurt them the most, you will comfort them."

"Well, how are we supposed to do that?" Andrew asked.

"Search your hearts." Was all she would say. She knew that phrase was vague, cryptic, and never immediately helpful, but it had always worked so far.

"Now, will the new owners of the Silver dragon come forward?" Will asked. Martin and Alchemy joined the two couples in front of the council. "Hay Lin will arrive back on Earth in three days. Use that time to prepare the restaurant for re-opening. Irma, Cornelia, use that time to rest and prepare for your task." She bowed her head, signaling for them to move back. They all bowed their heads as well.

The new oracle looked over at the remaining Earthlings. All friends of hers, none of them were strangers. Not just friends, but the most important people in her life. This time it really hit home that she was going to miss them all. She knew that the next words she said to them could be her last for a very long time. "This is the end of a long, dark chapter for all of us. We will not forget what we lost, but it is time for you to return home, and rebuild your lives." She then broke out of her 'regal' tone and said "And I'm gonna miss you all." She then opened a fold to Heatherfield. Looking at the new Guardians, she smiled and said "And I predict interesting times ahead for the five of you…"

They all walked through the fold, each saying their goodbyes. Soon there were only two left. "Go on ahead…" Caleb said to Natasha. She nodded and walked through. He walked up to her. "Will…"

"Caleb…" she said back, looking into his eyes. "…I think I'm going to miss you most of all…" she said, tears almost forming. Then she did something the council members still didn't expect. The Oracle kissed Caleb! Passionately, no less. Some of the council members gasped, but Orube smiled.

"Am I going to see you again…you know, often?" He asked, afraid for her answer.

However, Will only smiled and said "I predict…interesting times ahead…rebel boy."

So that's the first chapter. Again, as there are so many characters, contributions are welcome. Thanks again to TTigerz and Lexvan for writing their stories, and for their permission.

Please review! I love to hear what readers think!