Author's Disclaimer: I, as author of this fanfic, assert that I do NOT, in anyway, own W.I.T.C.H. This story is purely fictional and for entertainment purposes. I, however, do own all of my Original Characters and Story Ideas. I accept constructive criticism, and will appreciate them just as much as they are worth.
Fallen Kingdom
Part 1: In Which Will faces a new enemy
The hellish, black substance had enveloped the entire castle, and in one swift movement, the castle crumbled into dust, much to the horror of Will as she watched.
Will Vandom woke up to the sight of incredible light.
She blinked in surprise. She didn't remember being here. All she remembered was coming home from another exhausting day and going to bed. Is she dreaming? What is it about?
Her eyes slowly adjusted to the light, and slowly, Will began to see the outline of crystal. She struggled up –her whole body aching- and saw that everything around her was made of beautiful crystal.
She recognized this place immediately. She had been here so many times with her friends.
She was in Kandrakar.
Confusion and Surprise boiled inside her. She didn't remember wanting to be here, so was she dreaming? And if so, why is she dreaming about Kandrakar?
Tentatively, Will started to walk. She passed large corridors and peered behind any open doors. Everywhere, Kandrakar was eerily empty. What's going on? She thought, apprehensive and curious at the same time.
Suddenly, Will felt the earth shook beneath her. She stumbled and steadied herself with the wall. She looked around, shocked by the sudden phenomena. She could hear the ground still rumble, and hear distant cries and roars.
Her heart began to hammer, and Will thought something was very wrong. Dream or not, she had to know what was happening. Steeling herself, Will began to run down the corridor, locating to source of the sounds she heard.
She ran for a while before she felt a second quake, this one stronger than the other and forcing her to the ground. She fell painfully and scraped her knee. The pain so real that she felt that she thought that she couldn't be in a dream.
Then she heard a growl, then another, then another. All around her, she began to feel oppressive eyes, staring at her hungrily. She looked up, and saw that everywhere around her was becoming dark.
A black substance was enveloping the walls and the floor. It moved from both sides at blazing speed, acting as though it was alive. Even though it did not emit heat, it felt like it gave an oppressive impression of heat and cold. It made everywhere look dark, and standing on it were monsters with white eyes and gleaming, sharp teeth, smiling at her wickedly.
Instincts immediately told Will to stay away from this approaching black area, which now had dark red veins that glowed brightly. But it was moving towards her. As far as these things thought, Will was completely defenseless.
Except she wasn't helpless at all.
From inside, Will felt a warmth that was comforting and peaceful. Immediately, the Black growths near her writhed, and Will heard a pained and agonized wail before the ground dissipated, leaving part of the crystal floors and walls near her unblemished. The Heart of Kandrakar had protected Will.
The black area did not advance, stopping at a rough sphere-like shape around Will. Whenever the thing moved close, it would suddenly retreat as it suddenly burned.
The White eyes and teeth suddenly turned into an expression of rage. No longer did they grin evilly, but they growled, and howled like wolves. They began to encircle Will, barking every so often.
Will looked around, preparing for any unwelcome surprises. She reached into her consciousness, and withdrew the Heart of Kandrakar. From her palm, a pendant melded out from her skin, glowing brightly pink. The glow enveloped Will, and she transformed.
Now clad in her Guardian Uniform. Will stood more confidently, meeting the glares of the angry faces with a glare of her own. The things seemed to falter, now not daring to near Will. She gave a smile as a few even backed away.
Suddenly, the Heart's glow flickered, and the things (for that was what Will called it now) saw that. They pounced, and Will felt a stab of tiredness as they were burned. But the monsters did not stop, they were now closer to Will. The eyes and teeth began to smile again, and they started to attack Will.
Will began to feel real fear, something she has not felt for such a long time. In her hand, the floating pendant suddenly faltered, and the Dark redoubled its efforts. Though burnt, the things managed to advance slowly towards Will, who was becoming quickly tired.
Taking a step back, Will felt the Heart and herself weaken again. Will did not understand. The Heart took energy from the aurameres, but why is it using her body's strength. It was then Will had a thought: The Aurameres must have been taken.
The vile thing were moving to attack her. Her shrinking patch of crystal was the only thing that was left distancing herself from them.
Suddenly, Will felt a stabbing pain. The Heart's glow sputtered, dimmed and then died. The pain was incredible, making Will grasp practically nowhere. She felt pain, but did not know where it came. She collapsed as the heart slowly dimmed and stopped glowing. Her uniform disappeared, and she was again in her pajamas.
The Dark seemed to react to this, its veins glowing brighter, and it lunged at the last patch Will stood. It covered the last of the crystal, and enveloped Will as well, partially binding her legs and arms onto the ground. It felt ashy, having a certain dirt-like quality. Will also felt her skin was being drenched in hot fire and cooled by ice, attacking her senses.
Though in pain, Will could still make out what was going on. She struggled to move, but could only move her neck. Her legs and arms were completely disabled, pressed down by the dark. She looked up to the things with white eyes and gleaming teeth, expecting them to attack her as well, but it didn't. Instead, now that she was immobilized, they stood away, circling her.
Behind them, Will saw a dark figure walking towards her. She struggled to see, but could only see the figure's feet as he came closer. The figure wore black boots, which gave resounding thumps as he walked towards her. He approached Will and bent down. Will could make out the face of a handsome young man, with blazing red hair. "So, the famed keeper of the Heart has appeared." He said, his voice cold and demanding of respect from all those around him, "Kandrakar had spoken much about you."
Will felt the dark release her, and she scrambled up to face the man. Immediately, the monsters that stood on the dark growled and barked, but silenced when the man held out a hand. "Stay." He said, before turning his attention back towards Will.
The man was very tall, and had blazing red hair. Though his features were smooth, his eyes and smile gave the impression of cold sarcasm. "You must forgive my pets." He said, as the things moved away. "They have a habit of being... rough... towards those who are they are unfamiliar."
"Who are you?" Demanded Will, she backed away slightly from the man. Like the dark, the man gave an impression of cold and heat at the same time. But his was much more powerful, and painful to endure.
The man's eyes narrowed. "You will do well to respect me, girl." He warned, "As you can see," He looked around the dark corridor, illuminated only by the glowing veins of the Dark, "The great council was no match for my Vile. Who knows what it can do to someone as weak as you."
Vile seemed to be the name of the dark, ashy substance, for when the man spoke its name, it reacted, shifting itself, and conjuring an imitation of malicious whispering.
The man continued. "Who I am is of no importance to you." He stared into Will's eyes, which Will saw nothing as but a bottomless pit, "But I am here to warn you..."
Suddenly, the Vile shifted, and the Things howled. The man looked up in surprise, "Impossible," He said, listening to the Vile as it whispered, "there couldn't be anyone still alive!" He turned to the right, which Will followed, and they saw a figure running away.
The Vile and Things started to move down the corridor. The man following them. Will wanted to stop them, wanted to give that person more time to escape. But suddenly, the man turned towards her, and said: "I shall deal with you, later." before raising a hand in front of her.
Suddenly, the Heart of Kandrakar glowed, and Will felt something invisible pulling her away. She closed her eyes shut as she heard the man yell.
There was a flash of light, and Will found herself staring at the castle from somewhere afar. The hellish, black Vile had enveloped the entire castle, and in one swift movement, the castle crumbled into dust, much to the horror of Will as she watched. But then then the Heart of Kandrakar gave another flash of incredible light, and Will felt herself falling.
Inside Will's bedroom, it was empty, when there was a flash of pink light, and Will fell from the ceiling and landed on her bed, just seconds before a very irritated mom entered.
"Will! Get up!"
Groggily, Will looked around her room. Everything was in its usual mess. She sat up and looked at her frog-clock: it read 8.00 a.m.. "What's the matter, mom?" She asked, rubbing her eyes, "Isn't today Sunday?"
"Yes, Will." Said her mother, Susan. "It's not School I'm waking you up for. Your friends are here."
Will's mind flashed towards her friends, and their promise to meet up and go out. "Shoot!" She exclaimed, jumping out of bed. "I completely forgot!"
"Well," Said Mrs. Vandom. "They're downstairs and waiting for you, and I'm running out of cookies for Irma to gobble down."
Will took off her pajamas, and put on her shirt and jeans. "I'll be down in just a second, mom." She said, brushing her hair furiously fast. But in her mind, she was also thinking over what had happened. Kandrakar is under attack! She thought wildly as she slammed her bedroom door shut. I have to tell the others!
She bounded down the stairs, and went into the living room, where her friends were sitting, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate..
"Morning, Sleepyhead!" Chirped Will's Chinese friend, Hay Lin. "What kept ya?" As usual, Hay Lin sounded hyper and enthusiastic. She was dressed in a small blue t-shirt and matching mini-skirt. Beside her, Irma Lair was staining her orange shirt with crumbs and a drop of hot chocolate. Cornelia Hale sat primly and properly, eyeing Irma with mild irritation, while Taranee Cook was quietly reading a book.
Irma swallowed and gave Will a grin. "Dreaming about Matt, are we?" She teased. Normally, Will would've blushed. It was no secret that Will Vandom and Matt Olsen was a couple, and recently, Matt had asked her out to a very, very posh restaurant at the outskirts of Heatherfield. But Will was now too preoccupied to retort nor notice.
"Something else," She said quietly, her appetite non-existent today. "Something much worse."
Bit by bit, Will retold what had happened to the others. Hay Lin widened her eyes, Irma Lair raised her eyebrows in surprise, Cornelia Hale frowned, and Taranee Cook placed her hand over her mouth, her book now forgotten, shocked.
Will was telling them about the destruction of Kandrakar when she heard her mother descend from the stairs. She glanced at her mother, and decided to stop, so her mother wouldn't hear.
"Will?" Susan called out, walking towards the door. "I'll be going out for the day. Will you be alright by yourself?"
Will was about to reply when suddenly: "Will! Tell us! What happened to-"
"Tell you what, Irma?"
The others quickly clapped their hands over Irma's mouth just as Susan Vandom entered. She was dressed for work, and had her handbag beside her. She looked at the girls curiously. "What on Earth are you doing to Irma?" Demanded Susan.
The others smiled widely and shook their heads. 'Nothing," Said Cornelia quickly, "We just needed her to stop chattering for a while so we-" She looked pointedly at Irma, who tried to nod valiantly, "-can have out turn to talk."
Susan Vandom looked at the girls in bemusement. "If you all say so," She said, and went towards the door, grabbing her coat on the way. "By the way," said Susan, turning towards the girls. "Be careful while you're out there, and be sure to go home by evening. Remember about the Kidnappers on the news."
Just last night, there were reports of a young girl, about the Guardians' age, kidnapped by a group of men near their school, Sheffield Institute. No suspects were reported, no motive. The girl seems to have been chosen at random.
"Yes, Mrs. Vandom!" (Irma only managing to give a muffled confirmation, as her mouth was still gagged by her friends) They chanted. Susan gave another bemused smile and waved before heading out the door. From the window, the girls watched Susan Vandom started her car, and drove off.
The girls released Irma, and Will slumped in her seat. There was a moment's silence before Cornelia spoke. "What then, Will? What about Kandrakar?"
Will looked at her friends, and suddenly felt the reality and seriousness of what had happened. "Kandrakar..." She said, looking helpless, "It's gone, it's destroyed. That man I talked about... He destroyed the castle..."
Kandrakar is gone...
"There's more bad news," Said Will. From under her shirt, she pulled out the dead Heart of Kandrakar. "The Heart of Kandrakar is not responding. I think it's..."
Immediately, Irma reached out and grabbed a glass of milk on the table. She screwed her face in concentration, but nothing happened. "Oh no..." Irma suddenly looked panicked.
Hay Lin tried conjuring wind, but again, nothing happened. Will ran to the refrigerator, calling out to it. "James!" She yelled, as though raising her voice would make the fridge alive.
"Our powers are gone too." Said Cornelia as the girls joined Will in the kitchen, frowning.
"And there are enemies out there."
It was then Will decided something had to be done now. So she tied the pendant around her neck, and then hid it under her shirt. "We need to find help." She said, and got up, heading out towards the door.
The others looked at each other and quickly chased after her.
"Where are you going?" Asked Hay Lin.
"We," answered Will, "are going to talk to Kadma."
A large red truck stopped in front of a small apartment in the less populated streets of Heatherfield. The door opened, and an old woman slowly alighted. She inhaled deeply and pulled her shawl closer towards her body. "This place is perfect," she said firmly.
To the average person, it would not be considered perfect. The air was cold and humid, instead of a garden; there was only a pathetic excuse of a patch, cracked with dryness, and the apartment was in an unattractive shade of hue. But the old woman looked satisfied.
She was unusually tall for someone her age and time, and very old. She wore a neat bottle-blue blouse, a long brown skirt that reached down and almost touched the ground. She also had on a thin coat, and her shawl. She looked like any stereotypical grandmother.
She glanced at herself from a nearby puddle. Her face was wrinkly and looked strict, and her hair was a dull gray. She sighed, massaging a bit of her face. She was a vain woman, but too proud to use those new-fangled 'Beauty Enhancers'. If nature planned her to look this way, well she will bloody well look it.
"Come out, Edward. The air is cool here." Called the old woman to the inside of the truck, she pulled her shawl around her a bit tighter. "Though, I must say, a bit too chilly for me."
"Alright, Grandma." Answered a young boy as he alighted from the truck too. "You sure you don't need a coat?" He asked as he saw his grandmother rubbing her hands.
"I am fine," Said the old woman with dignity. "It's that fangled air-conditioner in that truck. Chilled me to the bone, it did."
The old woman looked at her grandson. He wore a green T-shirt under a dark blue jacket, along with long jeans. His dirty brown hair were pressed at one side, as though he had slept and leaned his head against a the truck window. Rubbing his hands, Edward gave a sigh, before turning his attention towards smoothing his hair.
Two more trucks arrived, and the old woman with her grandson stepped aside.
The boy looked at his grandmother while moving quickly as the movers got off the trucks and started unloading. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, looking at his grandmother. "With leaving our home, I mean."
The old woman looked down at Edward. "Of course I am fine with it," she said. She glanced at her reflection on a nearby puddle, and dusted away some crumbs on her long skirt. "Well," She said briskly, turning toward the men. "Hurry up!" She snapped at the movers, who were unloading the furniture. "I have many things to attend to!"
"Jesus, ma'am," Muttered one of the movers as he unloaded a particularly heavy chest, "What the hell do you have in here? I could barely move it."
"That's because you're not holding it right!" she barked, moving slowly towards him.
Edward smiled, and turned to look up at the sun, frowning as he looked at the time from his watch. "10 a.m." He sighed, thinking it would be a long day.
He kicked a pebble on the road, and was about to go into the house when his grandmother held him by the shoulder. "Edward, I think you should go outside and have a walk." She said meaningfully as the movers walked past him. "Get to know the area."
"Should I look out for..."
"I am fairly sure that they won't know where we are so soon. No, just look for the usual things."
"Yes, Grandma."
"Edward!" His grandmother's tone sharp.
"Yes?"
"You forgot this." From one of the boxes, she pulled out an umbrella. "Just in case." She said, as Edward took it from her.
Edward nodded, gave his grandmother a quick peck on the cheek (a bit difficult, since she was quite tall), and walked down the street.
In the ruins of the once great castle of Kandrakar, The Vile pulsed around what remains of the crystal. The man who had faced Will was raving. Outraged by something, he tossed one of the Monsters and broke its neck. "How-" He roared angrily, "-could all of you missed ONE pathetic old councilman? HOW?!"
He turned, roaring at the whining monsters, their faces pained and frightened. "The Oracle falls with ease, yet all miss one lesser woman?"
The Vile's veins suddenly flared, and the man stopped. The glow immediately calmed him. "It seems," He spoke, now softly, "that all of you have the chance to undo your mistake. The councilwoman has appeared in Earth, along with our goals."
The monsters' faces began to growl, now angry and enraged. They looked to their master, waiting for his order.
The man pointed in front of him, and a black portal opened. "Chase."
The Vile spread itself into the portal, and the monsters followed, while from the portal came out two figures. The man nodded to them, in acknowledgment. "Good work, both of you. Our Lady will be pleased."