Sovereign

"The sovereign is called a tyrant who knows no laws but his caprice."

-Voltaire

Chapter 2: Fish and fowl out of water

The Guardians are caught off-guard and fight a new threat.

It was so dark underwater.

Irma Lair swam with all her might down the Pond, squinting through the cold water as it stung her eyes. She saw Will's body laying at the bottom. She looked lifeless; she wasn't even struggling.

Irma swallowed her panic; she knew she needed to be fast. Already she could feel her body craving for air, and Will had been down there seconds longer. With a burst of energy, she powered herself down to the bottom, kicking up dirt as she landed softly on her feet.

With one hand, she grabbed onto her friend's weightless arm. Got'cha! She pulled, and Will's body reluctantly obliged. With a single swift motion, Irma hooked her own arm around Will's armpit, and began to kick her way back towards the surface.

Her progress was impeded by the drag of the water. The seconds... seemed... to... S-T-R-E-T-C-H into minutes as Irma tried desperately to pull herself and her friend towards the surface. All the while, Irma's mind was screaming at herself, Will'snotbreathingWill'snotbreathingWill'snotbreat hingI'mnotbreathing!

The surface looked so tantalizingly close. She could almost feel the warmth of sunlight on her... Just a few more inches, and her head will reach air-

Irma felt a sudden jerk, causing her to lurch backwards, deeper into the water. The shock didn't even register in her. By instinct, her hold on Will's arm tightened; she felt something tugging at Will. She looked down, and saw that there was something around Will's foot.

Some-Goddamned-thing was wrapped around Will's fo-

AIR!

Irma felt her body spasm and her mouth opened involuntarily to draw a breath; she was out of time.

In her panic, she did the only thing that made sense: She pushed the water around her away.

W.I.T.C.H

At the surface. Hay Lin froze in place as she stared at the still figure at the distance. How long had he been there?

She opened her mouth, ready to call out to it when she felt a pull at her shoulders. "Hay Lin!" It was Cornelia; she looked near hysterical. "We have to do something!"

Hay Lin's attention snapped back to the emergency at hand. "There's nothing here!" She cried in panic. She turned away, and rushed back to the edge of the pond. Taranee was kneeling at the edge, calling out to the girls below. "WILL!" She shouted, "IRMA!"

The water erupted with a sound like thunder.

The girls were hit with the force of a hurricane, which threw them back several feet. Dirt and foliage around the pond were shredded as bullets of water ripped through the air. The mixture rose into the sky, blossoming into a brown cloud of dust, plants and water. A shadow fell as it blotted out the sun.

It took Cornelia moments to realize that she was still alive. Her body shook as it willed itself to cough. She felt her throat clear and her lungs expand as she took a deep, painful breath. She opened her eyes but saw nothing except a white blur. There was an unpleasant hum in her ears as she allowed herself time to adjust. Slowly, she formed a thought about shaking her head to clear her disorientation, but her dizziness made her decide against it. She opened her mouth to call out to Taranee and Hay Lin, but only managed another cough.

The Pond was shrouded in mist; all the dust and plants had fallen back to Earth, leaving the evaporated water in the air. It had fallen to a chilly temperature, which helped coax Cornelia's senses back to life. She felt her arm tingle, and discovered that she had landed on it. Grimacing, she forced herself through her soreness and sat up, cradling her numb arm. She blinked several times, trying to regain her bearings. She was soaked to the bone; there were mud and plant-life clinging on to her hair, and her clothes were absolutely ruined; none of it mattered right now.

From the mist, she could make out the silhouettes of Hay Lin and Taranee. They too were beginning to stir awake. "Hay Lin, Taraneee!" She finally managed to rasp. Hay Lin was prone on the dirt, clutching her head. Taranee was struggling to sit up, her nose was bleeding.

"We're fine." Said Taranee. She was coughing as well. "I think."

Cornelia approached Hay Lin and pulled her head onto her lap. Hay Lin groaned softly and was clutched her head in pain, but she was alive.

"Hay Lin?" Said Cornelia, using her hand to tuck Hay Lin's hair away from her face.

Hay Lin muttered a reply, "Where's... Will?"

Taranee got up and stumbled towards the hole where the pond used to be. She cupped her hands to her mouth. "Will? Irma?"

"Girls?" Irma's voice was a squeak. The girls scrambled up and tried to locate the source. "Irma? Where are you?" Hay Lin called out.

"Over here!" It was coming from where the pond had been. "Help!"

GYPSYN

Edward Gypsyn felt like he was punch by a giant fist as the shockwave came at him. It was strong enough to force him to take a step back to steady himself.

He watched in awe as a mushroom cloud ballooned upwards.

Noone can survive that.

As the cloud slowly settled back down, he ran in the other direction.

W.I.T.C.H

Irma was too exhausted to scream; all of her muscles hurt from the explosion. Oooh, that was not a smart move. She admitted to herself. The ensuing vacuum she created had caused the water to collapse violently. Lesson learnt. She turned her attention back to Will. She had spotted the opening of a pipe that looked just big enough to fit both of them. She began to haul her towards the opening "Will, wake up." She shook Will anxiously. "Before it does."

It was too late.

At the center of the hole, emerging from the mist, a black mass stirred to life. It started out small, but the blob had grown to the size of a giant gorilla. To Irma, it looked like a gorilla. The blob started to form four limbs, each with a diameter that was the size of her head. Red veins began to pulse across its surface as it formed knuckles and claws. A small bulge emerged at the top, slowly shaping itself into a flat snout. The jaw formed afterwards, as did several rows of white teeth.

The beast stumbled as it tried out its new feet. It began to move its jaw, creating made a curious sound that was a cross between a sharp click and a purr. Its body swung softly with the air, as if enjoying the slight breeze in the fog. Its jaws were curved upwards in the shape of a smile, but Irma was sure that if it was smiling, it was not a friendly one.

Irma felt an unfamiliar sense of terror; this was something she never faced before. She doubled her efforts, hauling Will into the pipe. They tumbled in just the thing turned its attention towards them.

Irma stared as a single red eye poked out of its "head" and blinked. Its brighjt crimson veins pulsing rapidly.

The beast pounced in silence. It took a swipe with its limb, barely missing them. Irma could feel incredible heat as the limb darted towards them. She screamed. Will screamed.

Will screamed?!

W.I.T.C.H

All that Will remembered was seeing vivid visions of red eyes and white teeth. She felt heat pulsating from streaks of bright-red liquid, heard the sound of clicks as teeth gnashed with teeth at alarming speeds. She then heard a singular whisper, growing in volume until it was all she could hear, all she could comprehend, all she could think about.

"I've come to claim what is mine."

She felt something large and powerful stab into her chest and squeeze at her heart. She wanted to gasp for air, but her lungs refused to move. She felt herself being picked up like a ragdoll and thrown into limbo. She was now falling, falling, falling-

She woke up to find herself in a pipe, with Irma screaming right beside her ear. She raised her head towards the mouth of the pipe, and stared back at a smiling red eye.

She screamed as well.

Irma's head snapped towards Will. She's awake! Will was gasping for air, grimacing as she clutched her ankle. It was bleeding from a wound that ringed around her ankle, from where the thing had grabbed onto her.

Irma squirmed into the pipe, pulling Will along with her and putting distance between them and it. The Beast seemed to be amused by this, making three short sounds that sounded like a chuckle. Another limb darted towards the pipe, but it was too big and rammed against the edges instead. There was a sharp clang and the pipe vibrated. Loose bits of slime and dirt fell onto Will and Irma.

Will aimed at the opening with an open palm, willing a surge of energy. A ball of lightning crackled at her fingertips, and exploded towards the beast. It slammed against the massive thing and streaks into streaks of energy that surrounded and delivered powerful current into it.

The Beast writhed and made a series of rapid clicks. It took several steps back and disappeared into the fog.

Irma seized her chance. Focusing her remaining energy and feeling the world through the mist, she found the Beast as the water shifted to make room for it. She exhaled, and willed heat to leave from the mist. The air cooled to below freeezing in seconds, causing the mist to freeze and encase the monster in solid ice.

Irma released the spell, and began to quiver from exhaustion. She could barely keep her eyes open now, and barely realized that Will was speaking to her, "What's going on?" Will's voice sounded high-pitched with fear and confusion. It sounded eerie as it echoed inside the pipe.

"I don't know." Irma managed, "You... fell into the water, and then this thing grabbed you... I'm so tired."

Will grabbed Irma's arm. Together, they squirmed their way out of the pipe.

The black Beast's body was still frozen in ice, making furious and rapid clicking sounds. As they emerged from the pipe, cracks started to appear on its icy prison. Will and Irma watched in apprehension as the monster began to struggle and break free. Shaking off the ice crystal, it clicked at Will and Irma and began to advance towards them.

It had barely taken three steps when suddenly, a large earthen pillar exploded from the ground and slammed against it, throwing it to the far end of the pit. The Beast crashed into the edge of the pit, denting the loose soil. It slumped onto the ground, momentarily stunned by the sheer force of the attack. Irma and Will turned around and saw a furious Cornelia standing above them, grunting with effort as she conjured another giant pillar of earth at the beast. She motioned a punch, and the pillar was brought down against the Beast again, pinning it to the wall. "Stay there!" She growled, raising the pillar and dragging Beast upwards. The Beast clawed at the Earth, making furious clicking noises.

Taranee and Hay Lin appeared behind her and jumped down, rushing to Will's and Irma's aid. "You're okay!" Hay Lin cried with joy as she and Taranee lifted the wounded Guardians with their shoulders. "Get us out of here, Hay Lin!" Said Taranee.

There was a rush of air, and the girls were launched into flight. Hay Lin carried them gracefully out of the hole, and they landed right beside Cornelia. "Are they okay?" asked Cornelia worriedly, helping Taranee with Irma, whose head was lolling to the side. "What happened to Irma?"

They were caught off-guard by a blast of sound. It was a sharp whine that sent them flying back several feet. Will landed on her side and rolled onto a soft patch of grass. Her ears rang painfully, and she was sure it had begun to bleed. She hastily scrambled to sit up just as the Beast broke free of Cornelia's vice-grip.

The monster scraped off the remaining dirt and landed heavily back on its feet. It was visibly injured. Its eye was glassy and there were more bright-red veins visible on its body. One of its front limbs was twisted at an odd angle, causing it to lose balance as it tried to walk. It didn't seem to be in pain, nor care about the inconvenience. As the Beast put pressure on it, the limb made ugly snapping sounds as it further fractured from inside.

Will's eyes widened in fear. What is this thing?

The Beast's jaws began move, and soon it made a series of clicking sounds, getting higher in pitch as it increased in the frequency of its clicks.

Will caught on immediately. "Spread out!" She shouted, struggling to get up, but she could hardly even hear herself.

The Guardians were too slow, and ate another direct sonic blast. The shockwave sent them flying towards different directions. When Will landed, the pain in her ears threatened to destroy her sense of hearing. She was essentially deaf.

She felt the ground below her cheek shake, and saw a black mass just barely enter her field of vision. She turned, and found herself staring face to face with the Beast. It moved its jaws with frightening speed, bringing its teeth down to create the clicking sounds. It was the only thing Will could hear, and for a brief second, she wondered if it would be the last thing she would hear.

The monster's open jaws widened, and Will could feel its intense heat as the monster prepared to deliver another sonic blow...

W.I.T.C.H

Taranee struggled to get up. She couldn't hear a single sound except for a painful ringing in her ears. Her glasses had been blow away from her; she couldn't see very clearly without it. She felt around for her glasses, and her fingers closed around a lens. She quickly put them on, just in time to see the Beast standing over Will. Her heart raced, and she felt a surge of energy, enough to scramble back on her feet.

Stay away from her! Her mind roared at the thing. She could feel heat begin to build up in her body, and her vision was filled with images of fire. She rushed at the monster, shouting with all her might.

The monster turned just in time to get blasted by a stream of Taranee's flame. It moved back, its jaw moving rapidly, just as Taranee conjured a fireball the size of a small car and hurled it at frightening speed. It hit the Beast square in the face, charring its white teeth and melting off part of its snout.

The Beast reared itself upwards and made slow clicking noises at Taranee, though it sounded muffled to her damaged hearing. It started making its way towards Will, but Taranee rushed forward to protect her friend. "Stay..." Taranee warned the Beast. "AWAY!" Another fireball exploded from her hands and raced towards the beast, slamming against its charred body and melting off part of its skin to reveal several red veins pulsing underneath.

Seizing her chance, Taranee grabbed Will's hand and pulled the disoriented girl up. "Thanks." Said Will, giving Taranee a grateful pat on the arm. They turned to face the Beast, which was making the same series of clicks, preparing for another sonic blast.

At that moment, Will's fear and confusion were gone, replaced with a sudden clarity and anger. She reached into a deep recess of her mind, and willed the Heart of Kandrakar into existence.

A pink glow emanated near her chest as a beautiful crystal pendant faded into being on her palm. She felt a surge of energy return to her body and the burning sensation on her foot disappear. The other Guardians transformed in brilliant flashes of light, emerging from the light clad in their uniform, their injuries healed and themselves recharged for a real fight.

The monster released another blast, but Hay Lin was faster. She pushed against the air, causing the shockwave to dissipate harmlessly. She puffed her cheeks out and blew, creating a strong burst of air that hit the Beast in the eye, blinding it.

Irma, now re-energized, raised her hands and willed the mist to collect around them. It cleared from the air and began to pool into a large body of water over her head. She brought down her hands, and the torrent of the Pond rushed towards the Beast. The water slammed against the Beast and carried it off, but it managed to leap high away from the flow and high into the air. It landed heavily in front of the Guardians and raised a limb to blindly swipe at them.

Cornelia flicked her hand, and the Beast was suddenly swatted away, landing right back into the pit. Irma redirected the water and it crashed onto the Beast, knocking it off its limbs with sheer pressure.

Taranee stepped in afterwards, tensing her body as blue flames began to form and lick around her body. She channeled her rage and threw the fire at the Beast.

It was a direct hit; the Beast didn't have time to react. It made a series of clicks as the water around it turned to steam. Taranee's Fire began to lick at the Beast, melting away more of its body. It tried to leap away and escape, but Irma swept powerful swats of her Torrent under its feet, never giving it a chance to recover. Finally, with a whine of pain, the Beast relaxed, smoke drifting from its writhing and charred body as it floated on the surface of the water.

The Beast was washed onto the bank, an undulating black blob of goo. Will walked up to the remains of the Beast and touched it lightly with her fingertips. There was a crackle of pink energy, and the blob fried into dust.

There was a moment's silence as the Guardians stopped to recuperate. They formed a ring around the spot of dust that floated on the water. It was Cornelia who spoke first "What the hell was that?" She demanded.

Hay Lin turned towards her, shocked. "Cornelia, don't swear-"

"Was this Phobos?" Taranee asked Will.

"I don't know..." Will stared at the patch, her mind whirling with questions.

"No way!" Hay Lin interjected, "Phobos is gone..."

"Then what the hell was that?" Cornelia repeated as she stabbed her finger at the dust.

Irma suddenly screamed, causing the others to jump in surprise and turn towards her. She was kneeling on the ruined ground, staring down in front to her.

Will and Taranee got to her first, "What's wrong?" Taranee asked.

"They're all over the place..." The words tumbled from Irma's lips, she seemed barely in control of herself.

The girls looked at the ground, and groaned at the sight. The Earth was strewn with the dead and dying. Fish were scattered throughout the ground, motionless. There were a number of ducks with wings or feet bent out of shape, quacking weakly in agony.

"What have I done?" Irma asked in horror. She rose up, and began to frantically pick up the bodies of any surviving creatures.

The Guardians quickly followed, helping Irma to collect the bodies of the injured animals. Hay Lin used air to carry fish to the pond, while Cornelia, Taranee and Will tried to catch the waddling ducks. But it was pointless: the fish floated motionlessly on the surface of what remaining water was left in the pond, and the birds' wings were bent in ways that looked painful.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no..." Irma looked close to tears.

"Irma..." Will placed a hand on Irma's shoulder, "It wasn't your fault-"

"What wasn't?" Irma said, "The part where I caused a nuclear explosion? Or the part where I almost got us killed?"

Will was surprised, "You SAVED us! You saved me! I would've drowned if it weren't for you."

"Look at them, Will." Irma's voice cracked. She grimaced and gave a silent scream. "I didn't mean to... I just-"

"Irma, it's not your fault." Cornelia said gently, "I'll try my best to heal them. They're not dead yet."

"I'll help." Said Will.

Cornelia nodded, and they gathered up the remaining survivors. Drawing upon Will's reserve of energy, Cornelia focused her attention to the warmth of the Earth, willing it to travel towards the injured creatures. She felt the energy of the Earth crawl along their bones, and felt each snap and each scar as the bones and flesh were realigned and reformed.

Irma, Taranee and Hay Lin watched as a couple of the birds started to flap their wings and take flight into the air. Some of the fish began to sink into the water and started to wriggle back to life.

But not all of them could be saved. Most tried to struggle, but their injuries were too severe.

It was only a slight consolation for Irma to see 6 fish and 4 birds healed and moving around, weak but alive.

Once Cornelia and Will were done with their last attempt, they sat on the dirt, feeling winded and dejected. "We're sorry, Irma." Said Will, "We tried."

Irma nodded and buried her head in her hands. "Thank you." was all she said.

Taranee and Hay Lin tried to comfort Irma while Cornelia turned to Will. "We have to see the Oracle." She said steadily. "We need answers."

Will nodded in agreement. "I'll open the veil."

"Be quick," Cornelia said, shivering. "It's starting to freeze here."

Hay Lin was sitting beside Irma when she suddenly remembered about the lone figure before the fight. She quickly stood up and whirled around, looking for it. But it was already long gone.

"We're way out of out league right now." She said under her breath.

GYPSYN

Edward Gypsyn arrived home to the sound of static. His grandmother was at the kitchen counter, turning the dials on her radio. "How was your walk to the pond, dear?" She asked.

Edward decided to choose his words very carefully. "Granmama, there's something strange with this place."

Grandma Gypsyn's fingers continued to twist the dial, "What do you mean?"

"I just saw-"

She raised a finger, "Just a minute," The static was changing into a more coherent sounds. Without a gentle turn, she was tuned in to the news report from the local news channel.

"...called to the scene following an anonymous tip-off of suspicious behavior at Gatestaff. Some eye-witness accounts report of an explosion that resulted in a mushroom cloud that was visible from as far as 30 miles away. A bomb squad has been initiated to investigate the incident. The Mayor of Heatherfield wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control, and that there is no immediate threat to the public. She also wishes to remind residents that Gatestaff, though undeveloped, is private property, and the land and its pond is strictly off-limits to the public..."

As Lady Gypsyn listened, her eyes widened, and she turned to stare at her Grandson. "What did you do?" She asked quietly.

Edward turned the radio off. "Granmama," He said, putting his hands on the table, "We weren't alone..."