Chapter Two
Monique caught a ride with Kim in the Roth SL Coupe the next morning.
"I'm surprised you haven't talked to Wade about this," said Monique, "Turn left here."
"He and his parents are on vacation," explained Kim, "And they made sure he didn't take anything that would interfere with everyone relaxing. You should have heard the protests."
"So who's running your website?" the dark-eyed girl asked, grinning.
"No one. He put up a notice we were unavailable for the time being, but we've got contacts that can get us if it's urgent enough," was the reply. "After the invasion, the villains seem to be taking a break."
"Good, that means more time to hang out with me. Here it is," said Monique, pointing to the house on the left.
Kim was still smiling at her friend's comment while she parked. "I don't see Bonnie or Tara's cars."
"Well, we are a little early," was the reply.
Just as they got to the door, Bonnie's convertible, with Tara as a passenger, pulled in behind the Roth. They waited until both girls had joined them on the porch.
While Bonnie and Kim glared at each other, Monique rang the doorbell.
"Any idea what's going on?" Tara asked her.
"Nope," replied Monique, "BIGWATFO."
Tara never had a chance to ask for a translation of the 'Monique-speak', because Yori opened the door.
"Konnichiwa!" she said with a bow, "Come in!"
Kim stepped in and took off her shoes. A half-second later Monique and Tara followed suit. Bonnie rolled her eyes and started to protest, but Tara took her arm.
"Be polite, Bonnie," she murmured, "I don't think we're in any danger, since Kim is here, so let's just relax and find out what's going on."
Bonnie muttered under her breath and added her shoes to the others.
kpkpkp
A minute after they were seated in the living room, Sensei came in. Following Kim's lead, they stood briefly and bowed. The old man returned the gesture and took his place in the recliner in the corner while Yori stood by the door.
"Possible-san, it is good to see you. If the circumstances were not so grave, I would be happier," he said.
"Thank you, sir," said Kim, brushing a stray lock of auburn hair out of her face, "What's the sitch?"
"Signs and portents abound," he said, "A prophecy is in play, and you girls are keys to victory over a great evil."
"What did you do now, Kim?" asked Bonnie. "As *fascinating* as I'm sure this is, I don't have time to get involved with your so-called world saving."
Yori suddenly appeared in front of the tanned girl. "Rockwaller-san," she hissed, "It is in your best interests to be quiet and listen."
"Hey, you can't talk to me like that! Do you know who my boyfriend is?" asked Bonnie, outraged.
"I do not care," snarled Yori, "He will be dead, like everyone else in the world, unless you let go of your hedonism and listen." The heat in her voice made Bonnie sit back and nod. Yori glared, but stepped aside, so Bonnie could see Sensei again.
"It's that big of a threat, Sensei?" asked Kim, smirking to herself.
"I'm afraid so, Possible-san," said the old man.
He gestured, and the room grew dark. "This is your Mount Middleton," he said, and a vision appeared. "Something has stirred a great evil that has slumbered under it for millennia. It is waking, and already senses the world outside. As it gathers its strength to break free, it will be sending minions out to test the inhabitants, and judge how big a threat humanity is to its plans."
Yori had seen this before, but the other four girls were stunned at the creatures that poured out of a cave, destroying trees and rocks and anything else they could find. Nothing was spared from the visions as the monsters found the ski lodge and attacked the humans there. Blood and limbs were flying, and they could not take their eyes from it.
"Is- is that really going to happen?" asked Kim in a small voice as the vision faded.
"It will, unless something is done to stop it," was the reply.
"Ulp," said Bonnie, "S- sounds like your cue, Kim."
"There's no way I could win against that, even with Ron's help," she answered.
"I think I'm gonna catch the first flight back to the Senior's island," said Bonnie.
"Hiding will do you no good, Rockwaller-san," said Sensei, "They will find you eventually, even there, and kill you and anyone with you. Every human is a target."
Kim narrowed her green eyes. "Sensei, I know it's not hopeless. You wouldn't have called us here if it was."
"You are correct, Possible-san," was the reply, "There are other Powers in the world who can win in battle against them, but only for a short time. All will eventually be overcome and the end will come for humanity."
The old master stood and raised his hand, and a fuchsia light spilled from his fingers. He opened his hand, and a jewel the size and shape of a ping-pong ball surrounded by a silver holder lifted, hovering just above his hand. A cord attached to the top drifted aimlessly, but did not drop with gravity. Everyone stood up.
"This is the Heart of Kandrakar, an ancient mystical artifact containing the Powers of the Elements, used by a team of Guardians many times over the centuries," he said, and the object lifted higher, spilling its light over five stunned teenagers. "You five can be given the power to win against this evil, as the new Guardians. Will you accept?"
Yori looked stunned. "Five? I- I am to be included?"
Sensei nodded. "You are the answer to the final riddle."
"I am honored, Sensei, and I accept," she replied, and gave a deep bow.
"I'll take whatever help I can get," Kim said without hesitation. The sitch was beyond weird, but she trusted Sensei.
Monique looked at her best friend, throwing herself into danger without a second thought. 'Can I do any less, considering what's at stake?' she thought. Out loud she said "I'm in."
"I- I'm scared, I can't deny that, but I've always admired what Kim does. If I can help her, I will. Count me in," said Tara. They could see she was trembling just a bit.
Bonnie scowled. Who did they think they were fooling, with this cheap light show? If this was some kind of joke, it would be over with that much quicker if she agreed to help. On the other hand, if by some remote possibility it was real, this might be a chance to show up Possible. "All right, I guess I'm in too."
"Possible-san, you will be its Keeper," he continued, and Kim nodded. She couldn't find her voice. "Robinson-san, you will have the Power of Earth, Matthews-san will be Air, Rockwaller-san Fire, and Takana-san Water."
Kim lifted her right hand, and the Heart flew over to her. She stared at it for a few seconds as it hovered over her palm, and then moved by something she didn't understand, raised her hand even higher. "Guardians Unite!"
Four blobs of different colored energy left the Heart, and one targeted each girl. Bonnie got the orange one, Tara the gray one, Monique the green one, and Yori the blue one. A burst of light surrounded them, and slowly faded away.
Stunned, they looked at themselves and each other.
Physically they didn't look any different, still girls in their late teens. But their clothes had changed to skin-tight outfits of dark green and purple. Each was unique. All wore gloves ranging from fingerless athletic gloves to arm length evening gloves. Their footwear ranged from comfortable shoes to tall boots. All were wearing stockings with alternating wide stripes of blue and green ranging in size from ankle socks to the tops of their thighs. The symbol of their element was in the middle of the top, but none of them recognized the symbol-set.
They also had wings. A thick black cord emerged from their backs, tapering to a point two feet from their bodies. Each cord had four large blue and green feathers.
"Wow," said Tara, softly.
"WHAT is this fashion disaster, and how did you get it on me?" said Bonnie. "Where are my clothes?"
"Actually..." said Monique softly, "I like it."
"You would," snarked Bonnie, rolling her eyes.
"It is... not what I expected, based on the drawings," said Yori. She reached over and gently touched one of Kim's wings.
Kim turned them away. "I felt that!"
"You couldn't have, K, they're not real!" said Bonnie.
"Yes, they are, I can feel the air moving around them." said Tara, "Let's go outside. I want to spread my wings."
"NO!" said Bonnie, "I want my clothes! I've had enough of this joke! It's over!" Suddenly she burst into flames. "AAAAHHH!" she screamed, and tried beating them off her. But after a few seconds she stopped. She held up an arm, and looked at it closely. "I- I'm not being burned..."
"The Power of Fire is yours, Rockwaller-san," said Sensei, "It cannot hurt you."
"Then how do I shut it off?" she asked, for the first time starting to believe what she was seeing.
"Will it to do so. It will follow your commands," was the reply.
Bonnie scowled briefly, and the flames vanished. "I did it..."
"You must practice control of your powers," said Sensei, "And learn of the other abilities you have been granted."
"Sensei," said Kim, "Exactly what is my power? The four elements have been covered."
"As Keeper of the Heart, you have the power to unite and strengthen the others. To do so, you control Energy. You are also the leader of the Guardians," was the reply.
"WHAT!" yelled Bonnie, "That's so not fair! I should be leading this little group!"
Kim scowled at her. "You lasted twelve days as cheer captain."
Bonnie started to reply, but was interrupted.
"We must forget the past, and stand united," said Yori, "Otherwise we will fail."
Bonnie threw up her hands and turned away. "Uniting with Possible is the last thing I wanted to do today."
Yori started toward Bonnie, but Kim stopped her. "We're going outside and see what we can do. Join us when you're ready."
Tara nodded at Kim, and put her arm around Bonnie.
"Follow me," said Yori, and led Kim and Monique out of the room.
Sensei sat down quietly, and observed the two young women remaining.
"Bonnie, what's wrong? You don't like Kim, but this is way beyond that," said Tara.
"Look at me, Tara, I'm a freak! I've got wings! I control fire! All my life I've tried to avoid stuff that would make me different. Better, yeah, different, no. And now it's hit me full force," she replied. She looked down at herself. "This has to be Kim's fault, somehow."
"Bonnie, I've got wings too, and I control air! If you're a freak, I am too!" said Tara. "Don't you realize how cool this is? We've got powers! We can do stuff nobody else can! We're gorgeous! I feel stronger than I ever have! I can't wait to try it out!"
"That's fine for you," said Bonnie, not looking at her best friend, "But Junior will break it off in a heartbeat if he sees me like this."
"You don't know that," said Tara, "And I wouldn't worry about it until it happens."
Bonnie made no reply, but looked down. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Tara grew serious. "Bonnie, this is a group you will fit into perfectly. Heck, we can't do without you. Like Yori said, we will be united, we'll support each other, and watch each other's backs. It's what you wanted, just very distilled."
"And I still don't get to be in charge," the teal-eyed girl muttered.
"Look, Bonnie, you proven you've got what it takes to lead, but not the drive to sustain it. It's better if Kim leads. We'll talk to her about you being second in command. I'll support you," said Tara.
Bonnie was silent for nearly a minute. "Okay, Tara, you're right. I do feel... connected... somehow to the others. I'll do my best to be part of it. I just wish Kim wasn't involved."
"She is involved because of her relationship with Stoppable-san, and is a key figure in several prophecies," said Sensei.
Bonnie looked at the old man. "I still want to know where my clothes are."
"When you change your appearance to what it was, they will return," was the answer, and Bonnie nodded, satisfied.
"Uh, sir," said Tara, "I remember reading that the elements in Asian magic are different from Western..." she thought for a few seconds, "Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Stone."
Sensei nodded, "That is correct, Matthews-san. But experiments proved the Western elements have certain advantages, which is why they are used."
"I see. Thank you sir. We're going to go join the others," Tara replied. She took Bonnie's hand, and led her unresisting friend out of the room.
Sensei watched them go. His face was passive, but his mind worked furiously over what he had just witnessed.