Chapter II: Dinner Chat & Body Swap
"You want to what?", Elyon questioned Avis.
"I wish to court you, Your Majesty.", Avis said with a bow. "And hopefully wed you in time.", he said as he reached out for Elyon's hand and was about to kiss it when Elyon pulled her hand away from him.
"With all due respect, Duke Avis, I'm already with someone.", Elyon said. "And we're very happy together."
"I see. Is this man royalty?", Avis questioned before he got a good look at Elyon and what she was wearing. "And why are you dressed like that?"
"No he isn't royalty.", Elyon said. "And I just returned from training."
"Then this one that you are with is of no importance.", Avis said. "For it is proper that you marry one of royalty."
"Okay. One, you are not one to tell me who I can or can not marry.", Elyon said. "Second. Marriage isn't even on my mind right now."
"You are in your sixteenth year are you not?", Avis questioned. "You will be in your eighteenth year soon. And you will have more suitors coming to court you."
"And you think that it is in my sister's best interest to be courted by you.", Mia figured.
"Indeed.", Avis said. "I am after all the nephew of King Avos & Queen Arela. If Queen Elyon and I were to get married both Meridian and Skyan will become stronger from it."
"In other words, you'll have the Heart of Metamoor to protect your kingdom as well.", Raythor said.
"That... will be a bonus.", Avis said.
"Well let me tell you something, Duke Avis.", Elyon said. "I use my powers for the benefit of all of Metamoor. I have traveled this word and spoke with the rulers of each kingdom and told them this. And as I said before, I am with someone. So you've come all this way for nothing. So, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Good day.", she said as she turned to go to her chambers.
"Then may I ask if I can at least stay the night?", Avis asked stopping Elyon in her tracks. "I have traveled a long way from my kingdom and could use a rest before I return."
"Very well.", Elyon said with her back turned to Avis. "You can stay here for one night. Dinner shall be later in the evening."
"I thank you for your hospitality, Queen Elyon.", Avis said with a bow.
"Aldern, please escort Duke Avis to one of our guest room.", Elyon said as she walked out of the throne room.
"Yes, Your Majesty.", Aldern said as he motioned for Avis to follow him.
As for Elyon, she said nothing as she headed for her chambers. Mia had Miranda go with her while she and Cassidy stayed in the throne room.
"Well that was interesting.", Cassidy said.
"Yes. But I figured that something like this would be happening soon.", Alborn said. "Avis won't be the only one to come courting for Elyon."
"Many will come and try to win her hand.", Raythor said. "After all, who wouldn't want to have the Heart of Metamoor keeping their kingdom safe?"
"Very true.", Mia said. "Most of those who will be coming to court Elyon will only be doing so for the benefit if their kingdom."
"Okay. But what about any of the nobles of Meridian?", Cassidy questioned. "Won't any of them be trying to court Elllie?"
"Only those who weren't loyal to Phobos.", Raythor replied. "And I kow of those that were loyal to him. So we don't have to worry about them."
"It's all the other suitors that we have to worry about.", Drake said just as Angelo and Alchemy came flying through the opening in the balcony.
"Hey, guys!", Alchemy said as she and Angelo landed among them. "Did we miss anything?"
"You have no idea.", Cassidy said to which Angelo and Alchemy looked at each other before looking back at the others in confusion.
As for Aldern, he had just showed Duke Avis to the guest room he would be staying in.
"Nice room.", Avis said. "I only hope that royal chambers are as nice.", he said as he walked inside.
"With all due respect, Duke Avis, the chances of you being married to Queen Elyon are very slim.", Aldern said. "She is in love with someone else. And he loves her."
"And what is this man like?", Avis asked.
"He is a brave warrior who has not only helped saved our kingdom but all of Metamoor.", Aldern said. "He is not one to take lightly."
"We shall see.", Avis said as he sat his bags down next to the bed. "You may leave now. I would like to get some rest before dinner. But may you send someone to inform me when dinner is."
"Yes.", Aldern said. "May I ask what food you would like for dinner?", as Avis took off his headband and sat it on the stand that was next to his bed.
"Fish, vegetables, and rice with white wine.", Avis said as he removed his bracers and sat them in a chair. "I would like some fruit for dessert.", he said as he unstrapped his sword and leaned it on the chair his bracers were on.
"Very well. I shall inform the cooks.", Aldern said with a respectful bow. "Good day to you, Sir.", he said before closing the door behind him.
"One way or another you shall be mine, Queen Elyon.", Avis said as he kicked off his boots and sat then next to the bed before laying on the bed. "Oh yes. You shall be mine."
Now once in her chambers, Elyon let out a frustrated groan before she went behind her changing curtain to change into her royal attire.
"Well this is an interesting turn of events.", Miranda said with a grin as she sat on Elyon's bed.
"Tell me about it.", Elyon said as she was changing her clothes. "Bad enough I have the Trials to worry about. Now I have to worry about guys trying to marry me!"
"Well... If things don't work out between you and Angelo, you'll have plenty of guys to choose from.", Miranda said with a grin.
"That's not helping.", Elyon said as she finished getting dressed and came from behind the changing curtain dressed in a violet gowns with matching shoes. "Me and Angelo are happy and don't need some guy trying to ruin that."
"I'm only kidding, Elyon.", Miranda said with a smile that Elyon returned before she stood in front of her full-sized mirror.
"I know.", Elyon said as she used her powers to make her brush float over to her from her dresser and began to brush her hair. "But that Avis has some nerve saying what he said. I'm not stupid! I know that he wants to use me to protect the Skyan Kingdom more than the other kingdoms."
"Well, he'll be leaving tomorrow, so don't worry about him.", Miranda said. "Of course, he may return in the near future."
"In know.", Elyon said as she continued to brush her hair. "I only wish I could find a way to get him to back off."
"Well you could always have Angelo fight him.", Miranda suggested.
"What?", Elyon questioned as she turned to face her friend. "Why would I do that?"
"Well... Even though you two aren't getting married anytime soon, Angelo is still courting you.", Miranda said. "So to speak."
"Go on.", Elyon said wanting to hear more.
"Well Angelo can face Avis is a duel.", Miranda said. "If Angelo wins, then he can have Avis back off for good. And we know that Angelo is a good fighter."
"True. But I don't like the idea of using Angelo to solve me problems.", Elyon said as she went back to brushing her hair.
"I kind of figured that.", Miranda said as she walked up to Elyon. "But don't you think that you should at least run it by him?"
"Maybe.", Elyon said with a somewhat sad sigh when there came a knock at her door. "Come in!", she said to which the door opened and a detransformed Angelo and Alchemy came walking in. "Hey, guys."
"Hey.", Angelo said as they walked up to Elyon and Miranda. "We heard about what happened."
"So you have suitor, huh?", Alchemy asked getting a nod from Elyon. "Wow! Better watch out, Angelo! You have some compitition."
"Very little.", Elyon said as she hugged Angelo. "It'll take a lot to break up up."
"You got that right.", Angelo said as she returned the hug.
"Then may I suggest we find a way to make sure Duke Avis leave and doesn't come back.", Alchemy said she and Miranda sat on Elyon's bed while Elyon and Angelo sat on the couch she had in her chambers. "And to that I suggest a duel."
"You too!", Elyon said while rolling her eyes. "First Miranda. Now you."
"Well it is a good idea.", Miranda said. "That's how things are done here. A duel between two men or women to settle things."
"If Angelo wins the duel, then Duke Avis leaves and you won't hear from him anymore.", Alchemy said. "Unless you and Angelo break up and you want to give him a shot."
"Hey! Sitting right here.", Angelo said. "Besides. We don't know a thing about this guy. He may have some kind of power that will give him the edge."
"Then we'll have the duel be a no powers duel.", Alchemy said.
"You do realise that if I allowed this duel and Avis wins, I'll have to marry him.", Elyon said.
"Not really.", Miranda said. "We can say that if he wins then he can stay around for a while."
"Giving him some false hope of getting with me?", Elyon questioned. "I don't want to do that to him."
"I agree with Elyon on that.", Angelo said. "That's just mean."
"But once he sees how much you two love each other, he'll leave knowing that he doesn't have a chance with you, Ellie.", Alchemy explained. "If he wins that is."
"She does have a good point there.", Miranda said. "And if he's like any other noble, then he'll challenge you to a duel any way."
"Good point.", Angelo said. "We may not like it, Elyon, but I may end up dueling Duke Avis."
"I kind of figured that.", Elyon said as she leaned her head on Angelo's shoulder. "Well if you do end up dueling him, kick his butt."
"As you wish, My Queen.", Angelo said getting a giggle out of Elyon before they shared a kiss before a knock came at the door.
"Come in.", Elyon said to which the door opened and Miriadel came into the room.
"Elyon. It is time for your daily meetings with the people.", Miriadel said with a kind smile.
"Thanks, mom.", Elyon said as she got to her feet. "Maybe seeing the people will help get my mind off of this whole thing.", she said as they all left her chambers. "I'd like it if you came to dinner.", she said to Angelo.
"I think I can be here.", Angelo said with a smile that she returned.
"I'd like that.", Elyon said before they shared a quick kiss.
Elyon then left with her mother to head to the throne room and handle her royal duties while Angelo. Alchemy, and Miranda walked in the opposite direction.
"Poor, Elyon.", Alchemy said feeling for her best friend. "Bad enough she has these Trails to worry about. Now she has to worry about guys wanting to marry her."
"She can always turn them down.", Miranda said. "Only problem is that they'll always come back."
"To bad she can't simply banish them away.", Alchemy said.
"She can only do that if said suitor does something to endanger her or the kingdom.", Miranda said. "And I don't think they'll do something so stupid."
"You know, you're being awfully quiet.", Alchemy said to Angelo.
"That's because I'm not all that worried.", Angelo said.
"And why is that?", Miranda asked.
"Well... For one, we can't just stop suitors from coming here and trying to court Elyon.", Angelo explained. "They're going to come and we can't do anything to stop them. Second, as long as Elyon and me are together, all those that come for her hand will be turned away. And if any of them want to duel me for her hand, I'll take them on and do my best to beat them."
"Do your best?", Alchemy questioned.
"We don't know how well Avis or any future suitor can fight.", Angelo said. "So I'll have to keep my game up."
"Well good luck.", Miranda said. "For there will be a lot of suitors coming. All wanting Elyon's hand in marriage."
"That's comforting.", Angelo said.
"Those are the things that come with being with royalty.", Miranda said. "Now if you two stay together and end up getting married, then the suitors will stop coming."
"And that's a long ways from now.", Alchemy said. "Looks like you'll be having some fights coming."
"Joy.", Angelo said in an annoyed tone getting a laugh out of Miranda and Alchemy.
Meanwhile, after checking out the secret room under the bookshop, the Guardians along with Caleb and Matt and arrived in the marketplace, of city that was here the palace. Caleb had led the others to the shop that made furniture for the palace. Once inside, they saw some of furniture that was already made for other customers. Some was just wood while others were apostrated. All of the work was of great design.
"Wow!", Will said looking around the place. "This is some fine work."
"Yeah!", Hay Lin said. "The fabric used is nicely done."
"I'll say.", Matt said.
"Now this is what we can use in our base.", Cornelia said. "It's way better than what the almighty Battle Warriors have in their base."
"So when can they get started on our furniture?", Irma asked.
"As soon as we place an order.", Caleb said a one of the workers came up to them.
"And how may I help you?", the man asked with a kind smile.
"We would like some furniture made.", Caleb said to the man. "Soon if possible."
"Very well.", the man said. "Just tell me what you need and we'll get on it as soon as possible."
"Let me handle this.", Hay Lin said as she stepped forward with a notebook and pen. "First, we'd like a round table that can seat at least eight to eleven people.", she said as she wrote it down.
"Eight to nine?", Irma questioned.
"Yeah.", Hay Lin said with a smile. "The seven of us. Plus Elyon, Peter, Joel, and Cassidy."
"Elyon, Peter, and Joel I understand.", Cornelia said. "But why Cassidy?"
"Well, she is Peter's girlfriend.", Taranee said.
"And a Guardian.", Matt added.
"Not like us.", Will said. "Her powers are hers alone."
"Besides. I don't see you ordering chairs for Martin, Nigel, and Eric.", Cornelia said.
"That's because it's us against them.", Hay Lin said. "And the more we have on our side the better."
"Good point.", Caleb said.
"Fine.", Will said. "Cassidy gets a chair. But she better side with us!"
"Okay then.", Hay Lin said before turning her attention back to the man who was taking their orders. "Next, we'd like to have the eleven chairs with arms on them. As well as having the seat, back, and arms cushioned. And on each of the chairs we want one of these symbols.", she said as she drew each of the Kandrakar symbols of the elements. "We's also like the Meridian symbol on two of them and an "R" on one and an "A" on two and the same symbol for water and air on the final one."
"Will that be all?, the worker asked.
"Can you make two sofas?", Taranee asked getting a nod from the worker.
"And some stands to put on each side of the sofas?", Matt asked getting another nod from the worker as Hay Lin wrote it all down.
"Oh! We'll need a bed for a cat and dormouse.", Hay Lin said as she wrote it down. "That way Huggles and Napoleon can have a spot to relax."
"It that all.", the worker asked.
"That's it.", Hay Lin said as she ripped the paper from the notebook and handed the paper to the worker.
"Very well.", the worker said as he overlooked what Hay Lin had wrote down. "This will take about a week or two."
"Very well.", Caleb said. "When you are done, send word to me at the palace."
"Will do.", the worker said. "We expect payment when you come for your items."
"I will have the money.", Caleb said. "Thank you for your services."
"You are welcome.", the worker said as he and Caleb shook hands.
"And with that settled, I say we go to the palace and see how Elyon is doing.", Cornelia suggested.
"Maybe not.", Caleb said. "If I'm right, she is attending to the people and their needs."
"Then I say we head back to Earth and work on our new base.", Will said as she opened a fold to Earth. "The furniture may not be ready, but we can at least clean the place."
"The sooner we get it done the better.", Taranee said.
"Besides. We can set up other things there.", Cornelia said as they headed through the fold.
Back on Earth, Nigel had arrived at his father's shop to help him out. And just as he suspected, his older brother wasn't there.
"Why an I not surprised?", Nigel questioned to himself as he walked up to his dad who was behind the register. "Hey, Dad."
"Hey, son.", Mr. Ashcroft said. "Thanks for coming in to help."
"Sure thing.", Nigel said. "Is Danny here?"
"He's..."
"Not coming, huh?", Nigel questioned to which his father nodded. "Don't worry about, dad. You're doing your best with him."
"I only wish I could do better.", Mr. Ashcroft said with a sad sigh.
"You can only do so much.", Nigel said to his father. "The rest is up to him whether he wants to do better."
"And when did you become so mature?", Mr. Ashcroft questioned with a grin.
"I have good parents.", Nigel said making his father smile before they got to work.
Later that evening, in Meridian, dinner was being served in the palace. Sitting at the head of the long table was Elyon and sitting on her right was Angelo while Miranda sat on her left. Her father sat on the other end of the table with his wife on his right and Raythor on his left. Sitting along the table were Aldern, Drake, Tynar, Vathek, and one Duke Avis who would rather be sitting next to Elyon but Angelo and Miranda beat him to the punch. Speaking of which, Miranda was dressed in a green dress and shoes while Angelo was dressed in a pair of black pants and shoes with a white dress shirt. Everything was going great until...
"So I hear that you are from Earth.", Avis said to Angelo before drinking some of his wine.
"Indeed I am.", Angelo said. "I am a Mystic Battle Warrior. It is the duty of me and my team to help fight any and all evil in the Known Worlds."
"I have heard of what you and your fellow Battle Warriors have done for Metamoor.", Avis said. "You have my thanks. Yet do you not think your duties conplicate things when it comes to your relationship with Queen Elyon?"
Elyon was about to say something when...
"Every relationship has its problems, Duke Avis.", Angelo said before he reached for Elyon's hand. "But we've found a way to make ours work.", he said to which he and Elyon smiled at each other.
"Perhaps. But are you willing to give up your life on Earth to spend the rest of your life here?", Avis asked.
"That is a lot to ask of anybody, Avis!", Elyon said.
"But one day he will have to make that choice.", Avis said. "Better to ask it now than a few years from now. Is it not?"
"No it isn't!", Elyon said. "Who's to say what the future holds for me and Angelo. Sure, I'd love for us to be together for a long time. But anything can happen."
"And this is why there will be more suitors to come after I am gone.", Avis said. "Your relationship with Angelo may not last. And more and more men will come hoping to seek your hand. To which I ask again, Angelo. If you and Queen Elyon are meant to be and become husband and wife, would you be willing to give up your life on Earth?"
"You want an answer, Duke Avis?", Angelo questioned. "Here it is. I don't know. To be honest, I wish I could have both. But I know that if the love Elyon and I have grows and we are to be husband and wife, then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.", he said making Elyon smile. "But for now, we'll live in the moment and be happy with what we got, while hoping that what we have grows into something more."
"Well said.", Alborn said. "You can not rush things. I have seen what happens when you do.", he said to Elyon and Angelo. "Take your time and enjoy what you have. Only good things can come from doing so.", he said as he and his wife gave Elyon a smile that she returned.
"And with that settled, I suggest we finish our meal and get some much needed rest.", Raythor said.
'This is far from over.', Avis thought to himself as he went back to eating hs meal. 'Make no mistake about that.'
Later that evening, Elyon had taken her evening bath and was now dressed and ready for bed as she slipped on a white, silk, thin-strapped nightgown that went down to her ankles. She was about to get into her bed when a knock came at the door to her chambers.
"Who's there?", Elyon said as she walked up to her door while slipping her robe on.
"It's me.", came a familiar voice that made her smile.
"Me who?", she questioned as she rested her back against the door.
"So one who cares about you and would like to see you before they go to sleep."
"That's a lot of people you know.", Elyon said smiling.
"Maybe so. But nobody can say goodnight like I do."
"Hmmmmm... Now you have my interest.", Elyon said.
"Do I know?"
"Yes. You do.", Elyon said. "How would you say goodnight to me?"
"Why not open the door and find out."
"Maybe I will. Maybe I won't.", Elyon said with a smirk.
"Oh well. If that's how you feel about it, then I'll be on my way."
Having her fun, Elyon opened the door to find Angelo standing there smiling at her.
"Good evening, Your Majesty.", Angelo said with a bow.
"Good evening yourself.", Elyon said with a curtsy before letting Angelo inside her chambers. "Thanks for being here tonight. That Avis guy is a piece of work."
"He is, but at least he did challenge me to a duel.", Angelo said. "Maybe he saw how much we cared for each other and decided to back off."
"Maybe.", Elyon said. "But from what he said tonight tells me different. I don't think he's going to give up that easily."
"Well he's going to be disappointed in the end.", Angelo said as he walked up to Elyon and wrapped his arms around her. "Cause you won't be losing me that easily."
"I'm counting on that.", Elyon said before they shared a kiss that was intrusted by the sound of someone knocking on the door. "You've got to be kidding me.", she said as she and Angelo pulled away from each other. "Who is it?", she asked.
"Duke Avis, Your Majesty."
"Oh brother.", Elyon said to herself. "Is there something wrong, Duke Avis?", she asked as she opened the door.
"I just wish to apologize for earlier tonight.", he said when he noticed Angelo in the room. "I see that you have company."
"Yes. I do.", Elyon said. "Angelo came to wish me goodnight."
"I see.", Avis said. "Then I shall leave you two alone.", he said with a bow when suddenly a shadowy figures suddenly flew though the open window of the room.
"What the heck!?", Angelo questioned as he got into a fighting positon while charging his fist with energy.
"What is that!?", Elyon said as she was by Angelo's side with her fist charged energy.
"No idea. But they must be pretty bold to just come barging into here!", Angelo said as the figure was above them circliing around.
Suddenly, the creature shined a light down at Elyon.
"Look out!", Avis shouted as he flew towards Elyon.
Thinking on instinct, Angelo wrapped his arms around Elyon and ducked down with her to keep her safe. Once the light faded, the figure flew out the window leaving Elyon, Angelo, and Avis knocked out on the floor. Soon Mia, Miriadel, Alborn, and Miranda came running into the room with Aldern and Drake to see them unconscious in the floor.
"What happened?", Miriadel questioned as Avis slowly woke up.
"What happened here, Duke Avis?", Alborn asked as he helped the Duke u.
"I... I don't know.", Avis said as he looked down at himself. "T-There was this creature that came in here and attacked us. It flashed this light on us and that's all I remember."
"Whoever or whatever it was is long gone.", Miranda said as she looked out the window.
"Is the queen alright?", Avis asked.
"I think so.", Mia said as she checked on her sister. "We need to get her and Angelo to the infirmary."
"We got Angelo.", Drake and Aldern said as they hoisted his arms over their shoulders.
"I'll take Elyon.", Alborn said as he scooped his daughter up.
"Maybe you should go get some rest, Duke Avis.", Miriadel said before she left with the others.
"Yes.", Avis said as he left the room. "Some rest will do me good."
Once in the infirmary, Elyon and Angelo were laid down next to each other so the doctor could check on them.
"Well, they're both okay physically.", the doctor said. "They just need some rest. I'll come check on them in the morning."
"Thank you, doctor.", Mia said.
"I'm just doing my job, Your Majesty.", the doctor said as Alborn showed the doctor out.
"Sleep well, daughter.", Miriadel said before kissing her daughter on the forehead before she and the others left the room.
Soon morning came and Elyon woke up to find that Miranda was sitting in a chair that was between the beds she and Angelo were laying in. Miranda, who was awake looked over at her a smiled.
"At least one of you is awake.", Miranda said with a smile. "You two can be some heavy sleepers when you want to."
"Well it's not everyday that you get hit by something you don't know about.", Elyon said in a voice that wasn't her own. "What the... What happened to my voice!?", she questioned as she placed her hand on her neck.
"You sound the same to me.", Miranda said. "Are you okay, Angelo?"
"Angelo?", Elyon questioned while looking at Miranda before she looked down at her hands to see that they were not her own. "What the heck!? What happened to me!?"
"From what Duke Avis told us, you three were attacked by some shadowy figure that hit you all with some beam that knocked you all out.", Miranda explained. "Avis got hit by the least of it and woke up when we arrived in Elyon's room. We then brought you two to the infirmary."
"Why are you talking about me in second-person?", Elyon questioned.
"What are you talking about?", Miranda questioned when the figure in the other bed woke up.
And much to Elyon's surprise, she saw that it was her that was in the other bed.
"What the heck!?", she questioned in shock.
In the other bed, Angelo sat up in the bed and let out a yawn as he stretched his arms.
"Aw, man. My head.", he said before his eyes went wide. "What's wrong with my voice?", he questioned as he looked around and saw himself. "Why am I over there!?"
"I was going to ask the same question?", Elyon said.
"Are you two okay?", Miranda asked wondering if her two friends were okay.
"Miranda? Who do you see when you look at me?", Elyon asked.
"I see you, Angelo.", Miranda said causing Elyon to gasp with wide eyes.
"And you see Elyon when you look at me, don't you?", Angelo asked.
"Yes.", Miranda said. "Who else would I see?"
"Miranda. I'm not Angelo. I'm Elyon."
"And I'm not Elyon. I'm Angelo."
"Wait! What!?", Miranda questioned as she looked at her two friends.
"I think we somehow switched bodies.", Angelo and Elyon said.
"Oh boy.", Miranda said not believing her ears. "This is not good."
A/N: Well this just got weird! Bad enough Avis is there trying to win Elyon's hand, they along with Angelo get attacked and Angelo and Elyon end up in each other's bodies. This should be fun! Something tells me that they're going to learn a bit about each other than they thought they would. Only question is, who or what is the shadowy figure that caused the switch? And can it be undone?
Please review.