Disclaimer: I don't own W.I.T.C.H ok.

Hay Lins funeral was a grim affair. Irma's normally upbeat self had been very sombre for the past few days and her emotions swung between intense sadness and extreme anger at Nerissa. Her friends had tried to console her, but she pushed them away. For Hay Lin's parents it was even worse and they talked about selling the Silver Dragon and moving elsewhere. Heatherfield held far to many memories for them.

As soon as the funeral was over, Will grabbed Irma and dragged her to a secluded part of the churchyard.

"Right now listen up Irma. We are going to Candracar and see if Hay Lins there. After all if her grandmother went there, then Hay probably did as well. You in?" Will said to her in a commanding voice. Irma nodded.

"I hope you're right Will, I really do. I can't stand the fact that I've lost her." Irma said.

But when they reached Candracar, Hay Lin wasn't there. The Oracle told them that their friend hadn't made the crossing to Candracar.

"Unfortunately the death of Hay Lin means that a new air guardian is needed. There is a student at your school who fits the category. Her name is Alchemie. A new girl at Sheffield, Alchemie has no close friends at all. You must befriend this girl and bring her to Candracar. Only together can you fight Nerissa." The Oracle paused. "And Guardians, be careful. Nerissa seeks to isolate Will to try and force her to hand over the Heart. Do not give her that opportunity."

The girls nodded. But he didn't realise that Irma had no intention of waiting. She wanted revenge and she wanted it now. Will and the others were prepared to wait, but Irma was going, with or without them.

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Hay Lin on the other hand was closing on her target. Throwing a circle of magic around him, she landed in the circle. The man in front of her seemed harmless enough, so why did death insist that she was the only one who could handle him? As she approached however, he threw some kind of dust in her eyes. Then the flashback began.

Flashback

"I'm almost there guys, see you soon." Hay Lin said into the phone. At the other end, Irma and Cornelia let out an exasperated sigh.

"Hay, when you say soon, do you mean five minutes or half an hour like last time?" Irma asked in a slightly annoyed voice. "You're already late."

"Soon, soon. Trust me" Hay Lin reassured her friend. "See ya!" she said and put down the phone.

As soon as she put her phone away, Hay Lin turned down the alleyway towards Cornelia's house.

As she walked down the alleyway, a wall of fire engulfed her and she felt a terrible burning sensation all over her body. The last thing she ever saw was Nerissa and Ember standing over her.

End flashback

"I am going to kill that witch!" Hay Lin yelled angrily. It was then that Hay Lin noticed the man was gone. Brilliant, she thought angrily to herself. He's gone. Taking to the air once more, Hay Lin began her search yet again. Next time, she thought, I won't give him a chance to come quietly, I'll just pound him.

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"Right does anyone have any ideas how we're going to get Alchemie to Candracar?" Will asked Taranee and Cornelia.

"Well I know she's in a band. Perhaps we might be able to reach her that way." Suggested Taranee.

"I'd be more worried about Irma at the moment. I get the feeling that she's likely to do something stupid and the last thing we need is to loose another guardian." Interjected Cornelia with a quiet voice. "Hay Lin and Irma were almost inseparable since kindergarten. There's no way she'll do nothing."

"That's why she's not here. She doesn't even want to consider Hay Lins replacement, she thinks it's some kind of betrayal to her memory that we're moving to replace her so soon." Replied Will.

"I suggest that we keep a close eye on her. We really can't afford to loose another member of W.I.T.C.H." said Cornelia.

"And a new member will need training. I know we were able to wing it before but Nerissa is not Phobos. Or Cedric for that matter. All of us are pretty proficient with our powers, but Alchemie won't be." Added Taranee.

Will took command. "Your right. Cornelia, you watch Irma and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid. Taranee you're with me." Will barked, before continuing in a quieter voice "Here's the deal. We're going to get Alchemie to meet us somewhere private and reveal our secret to her. Not ideal, but we're kinda short on options right about now."

"I'll keep an eye on her, don't worry." Said Cornelia. "Good luck with Alchemie." Little did they know that it was already too late.

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"Nerissa!" Irma screamed into the howling winds of Mount Thanos. Had Irma been in a more rational frame of mind, she wouldn't be here on her own. Will, Taranee and Cornelia would be with her. But Irma wasn't in a rational, intelligent frame of mind at all.

"Nerissa" she called out again. "Are you afraid to face me you coward? Attacking and murdering people without warning more your style?"

"My, my" Chuckled Nerissa. "Such anger. It seems you're determined to fight. So fight we shall."

"You're going to pay for what you did to Hay Lin, witch!" Irma screamed at her with such anger and venom that Shagon actually flinched.

Nerissa looked at her knights of vengeance. "Stay out of this. I'll deal with this pest myself." She ordered. And so, the battle began.

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Hay Lin found her quarry. Or more accurately, he found her. Diving out at her from above, he attacked without warning. Turning to face her opponent, Hay Lin saw that the man now had a pair of golden wings on his back.

The sky turned black, as the two of them pulled their magic in.

AN: I haven't forgotten Irma's battle with Nerissa, it's in the next chapter. As always read and review.