Chapter III:

There Elyon and Eric stood by the beacon that was now turned off. The both of them gave it their all in the race and now they just needed to know who had won seeing as how it looked like it was a tie.

"So how do we find out who won?", Elyon asked.

"The drone that saw the whole thing.", Eric said as he pointed upward.

Elyon looked up to see that there was indeed a drone hovering in the air.

"Has that been in the air the whole time?", Elyon questioned.

"When each of your Trials started yes.", Eric said as the drone flew down towards them and landed in front of them. "It helps us keep an eye on you as you go through the Trials. And in this case, it helps us see who won.", he said as he checked the footage from their race. "Well what do you know."

"What?", Elyon asked.

"It's a tie!", Eric said as he showed Elyon the footage in slow-motion.

"Wow!", Elyon said impressed with herself. "So what does that mean?"

"Nothing.", Eric said. "You passed the Trial of Speed."

"Please explain.", Elyon said.

"There were two parts to this Trial.", Eric said. "The first part was you getting to me in time. Which you did by taking the best path for you. The gorge was to dangerous while the valley was to long."

"Yet the center was just right.", Elyon figured.

"Bingo.", Eric said.

"So what was with the race?", Elyon asked.

"That was to test your want to finish even though you may not win.", Eric said.

"So even if you had beaten me, I would of passed as long as I didn't give up.", Elyon figured.

"Yes.", Eric said. "And now you can get something to eat and get some much needed rest. Come on. The campsite is already set up for you."

"I'm all for that.", Elyon said as she followed Eric to the campsite.

Once at the campsite, Elyon saw that like the last one she was at there was a tent set up for her as well as a campfire going and two soldiers standing guard. For her dinner, Elyon had some more stew with some bread and water. Afterwards, she was ready for some much needed sleep.

"Well this is were we part.", Eric said. "Be sure to get as much rest as you can. For tomorrow you'll have to pass not one but three Trials."

"THREE!?", Elyon questioned in shock.

"Three. You'll be tested big time tomorrow.", Eric said as he put his Battle Warrior ring on and opened a fold for Earth. "Good luck.", he said before going through the fold.

"Thanks.", Elyon said as the fold closed. "I'm going to need it.", she said before going into the tent to get some sleep.

As for Eric, once home he had arrived at the park and decided to go to the Silver Dragon to get some egg rolls and see Hay Lin. Once there, he ordered his food while wondering where Hay Lin was. Once he got his egg rolls to go, he was about to leave when Hay Lin entered the resturant along with the girls.

"There you are.", Eric said happy to see his girlfriend.

"Hey!", Hay Lin said as she gave Eric a kiss. "We saw the end of the today's Trail."

"And just as I thought, it ended with a race.", Cornelia said.

"Oh brother.", Eric said as he rolled his eyes. "If you were paying attention, it was more than just a race."

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.", Irma said with a wave of her hand. "You were seeing if she would go on even if she was going to lose."

"But it was still a race.", Cornelia said. "Now I would of had Elyon get from one point to another as fast as she could."

"Well if you were paying attention, that was what the first part of the Trial was.", Eric said. "And I know you know that because Mia had to of told you."

"Then why have the race?", Irma questioned.

"I already told you why.", Eric said.

"Well I still say it was pointless and silly.", Cornelia said.

"I really don't have time for this. I need to get home.", Eric said before turning to Hay Lin. "I'll see you when you're finished with the peace talks."

"Funny you should mention that.", Hay Lin said with a beaming smile. "The peace talks are done!"

"Wow!", Eric said. "And in just three days."

"I know! Right?", Hay Lin said smiling. "The Vanders are good at what they do."

"Well they did start a powerful business here on Earth.", Taranee said.

"And now we can help with the Trials.", Irma said.

"If the others need your help.", Eric said.

"Well I'm sure that Martin will let me help.", Irma said.

"I don't know. From what he told me, he has it all set up and ready for Elyon.", Eric said before giving Hay Lin a kiss and heading for the door to the Silver Dragon. "Later.", he said as he left.

"We'll see about that.", Irma said. "I'll just talk to Martin tomorrow.", she said just as Yan Lin came walking up to them.

"Good luck with that seeing as he's on Metamoor.", Yan Lin said.

"What!?", Irma questioned.

"That's right.", Yan Lin said. "The testers must be at their post waiting for Elyon to show up and begin the Trial.", Yan Lin explained. "Once the Trial is over, they can return home."

"Aw man!", Irma whined.

"Sorry, girls. But it seems that you'll just have to sit back and watch what happens like the others.", Yan Lin said as she went back to doing what she was doing.

"Well that sucks.", Irma said.

"Not exactly.", Cornelia said. "All we have to do is fly around until we find the next tester."

"If we do this, we'll have to do it early in the morning so we can get ahead of Elyon.", Taranee said. "Do we really want to do this?"

"We said that we wanted to help.", Will said. "So let's do it."

The next morning, Elyon woke up and had some breakfast that was made for her and began to follow thw path to the next Trial after thanking the soldiers for the breakfast. Now way ahead of her, in the skies of the Meridian Kingdom, were the Guardians, Matt, and Caleb being carried on a slab of stone by Cornelia hoping to find the next tester before Elyon did.

"How will we know who it is?", Hay Lin asked.

"Well we know who the other testers are. So we just fly around until we see one of them.", Taranee said.

"There! I see Drake!", Hay Lin said as she spotted the young warrior.

"So that means that the next Trial is one of the Trials of Combat.", Matt said as they dove down towards Drake.

Needless to say that Drake was surprised to see them all show up when Elyon was on her way there.

"What are you all doing here!?", Drake questioned. "Her Majesty is on her way here!"

"We know, my friend.", Caleb said. "We're here to help you in anyway we can."

"Thanks but no thanks.", Drake said. "I have everything under control."

"But we came all this way to lend a hand.", Irma said.

"Which I do not need.", Drake said. "I have it all planned out. So please leave."

"Come on now. We came all this way to help.", Cornelia said.

"Well I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing.", Drake said.

"Drake, I'm asking you as one of my closest friends to let us help.", Caleb said.

"And as one of my closest friends, I'm asking you not to doubt me.", Drake countered when suddenly, Mia teleported before them.

"What are you all doing here!?", Mia questioned not to happy.

"We came to help with the Trials.", Will said.

"Do you need their help, Drake?", Mia asked.

"No. I do not.", Drake said.

"Then you all should leave.", Mia said.

"But..."

"Now.", Mia said cutting Hay Lin off before teleporting away with all of them in tow leaving Drake to wait for Elyon to show up.

"Thank goodness.", Drake said to himself just as Elyon came walking up to him.

"Drake!?", Elyon questioned.

"Greetings, Your Majesty.", Drake said. "Welcome to your first Trial of Combat."

"So what do I have to do?", Elyon asked.

"Take this.", Drake said as he gave Elyon a pouch. "You have to make it through the forest, while keeping that from me."

Elyon opened the pouch and saw that there was a glass goblet inside.

"So I have to keep this from you while making my way through a forest.", Elyon said.

"That's the plan.", Drake said. "Now the question is, can you do it?", Drake asked. "And by the way, you are being timed."

"What!?", Elyon questioned.

"That's right.", Drake said as he pulled out a remote with a red button and pressed it. "Now that I pressed this button, an hourglass at the finish line has been flipped over by a machine that Martin brought from Earth. You have to get to it before the sands runs through. I'll give you ten minutes before I come after you. Start running!"

Wasting no time, Elyon took off running towards the forest knowing that she can't out run Drake knowing how good of a tracker he is.

"I'm going against time and Drake!", Elyon said to herself. "Not good! Not good at all!", she said as she picked up the pace."

Back at the palace, everyone else was watching what happened on the monitor that showed the view of the drone that was showing the Trials.

"That's it?", Cornelia questioned. "That's what he has planned out?"

"That's lame!", Irma said. "If we were there to help, we could of made it a whole lot better."

"Oh really?", Julian questioned. "And what would you do?"

"We would of made some obstacles and traps for Elyon to get past.", Taranee said.

"Trust me what I say that Drake is the only obstacle needed.", Aldarn said.

"Yeah right.", Matt said as he rolled his eyes.

"Just watch.", Alborn said. "You shall see."

The girls and Matt said nothing as they continued to watch the monitor. Back at the Trials, Elyon had gotten to the forest knowing full well that the ten minutes have passed and Drake was hot on her trail.

"I have to keep going.", Elyon said. "Drake is coming and he's one of the best trackers I know.", she said as she kept on going.

As for Drake, he was making good time following Elyon knowing that she was giving it her all.

"Better hurry, Your Majesty.", he said as he wasn't to far from the forest.

Back at the palace, Mia was using her powers to sense Drake.

"I can sense Drake.", Mia said. "And he's making good time. Very good time."

"No way he's that fast!", Matt said.

"Yes, he is.", Caleb said. "During the war, he was one of our fastest scouts and trackers."

"Even on a bad day, he's hard to keep up with.", Aldarn said.

"He'll catch up to Her Majesty soon.", Julian said. "That's when the Trial will begin."

"So is there a way for Elyon to win?", Hay Lin asked.

"Yes.", Aldarn said. "But it's not through combat."

"Say what now?", Irma questioned.

"You'll see.", Aldarn said.

As for Eyon, she was making her way through the forest when a sound caught her attention. She looked around and saw nothing. Not taking any chances, Elyon decided to make a run for it. It was then that Drake jumped out from some bushes scaring Elyon.

"Aaah!", Elyon screamed as she did a tuck and roll avoiding Drake who landed on his feet.

Drake then turned his head looking at Elyon with a smirk to which she took off running knowing that she had to get to the finish line. Saying nothing, Drake ran into a thing of bushes knowing he was going to catch up with Elyon sooner or later. Back at the palace, the Guardian, and Matt were shocked and amazed by what just happened.

"When did he catch up with Elyon!?", Taranee questioned.

"Told you he was fast.", Aldarn said.

"But you didn't say he was ninja fast!", Matt said.

"Come on, Ellie.", Cornelia said as she kept watch everything unfold. "You can do this."

As for Elyon she was getting through the forest while dodging Drake when ever he jumped out from no where. The poor girl did her best to duck, jump, or dodge the tracker as he jumped out at her from random places. And it all paid off as she exited the forest and found the finish line where the hourglass was. Happy with herself, Elyon calmly walked towards the finish line only for Drake to jump out from no where and stand between her and the finish line.

"Did you really think I was going to just let you cross this line?", Drake asked with a smirk.

"I was hoping.", Elyon said as she took a fighting stance. "Let's do this!"

"Very well then.", Drake said taking a fighting stance. "Let's see what you got, Your Majesty!", he said as they charged at each other.

And thus, the fight began! For every move Elyon made, Drake was able to counter. Yet Elyon was able to keep Drake away from her pouch. But the more they fought, the more time that went by as the sand in the hourglass went from one end to the others. And as that was happening, Elyon began to worry while Drake wasn't worried in the slightest. Getting frustrated, Elyon pushed Drake away from her hoping to find a way passed him.

"Time's running out, Your Majesty.", Drake said as he stood in her way. "All I have to do is wait for the time to run out. But you know, I think I'll take that goblet from you before then."

"Never!", Elyon snapped. "I'll never let you take this goblet!"

"No offence, but you're getting tired while I still got some steam left.", Drake said. "I can just give you a good hard flip and you're done. How will you stop me from taking the goblet then?"

"I... I... I...", Elyon said trying to think of a way to beat Drake when something came to her.

Flashback

"You burnt the map!?", Elyon asked Aldarn he was escorting Elyon around the nearby city.

"Sort of.", Aldarn asid. "You see, Your Majesty, Drake and I were trying to get a secret map of the Infinite City back to base where we could use it to find a better spot to make our base. But we were being chased by soldiers and we were getting tired from running all night. We had to think of something, and fast. It was then that I came up with an idea."

"What did you do?", Elyon asked.

"Well we hid and waited for the right moment to strike.", Aldarn said. "Soon the soldiers came passed our hiding spot. Drake and I got the jump on one of them and took the torch they had. I then told them to stay back or I'd burn the map. The soldiers called my bluff, so I burnt the map. Or at least they thought I did."

"What do you mean?", Elyon asked.

"Well I took some lamp oil I had and poured it on a piece of paper and rolled it up.", Aldarn explained. "The soldiers didn't know the difference as it burned up quickly. Drake and I got a way while the soldiers were watching a old piece of paper burn."

"And you got the map back to the rebels.", Elyon figured.

"That's right.", Aldarn said. "But if I really had to burn the map, I would have."

"But the rebels needed it.", Elyon.

"True, but sometimes you have to make hard choices for the greater good.", Aldarn said.

End Flashback.

"The greater good.", Elyon said to herself as she took the goblet out of the pouch.

"What are you doing?", Drake questioned.

"Passing the Trial!", Elyon said as she threw the goblet at a large rock shattering it. "Now you don't get the goblet!"

"Well what do you know.", Drake said with a gran. "Very clever, Your Majesty. You've passed the first Trial by Combat. Well done."

"Thank you.", Elyon said.

"You may pass on to your next Trial.", Drake said as he stood aside allowing Elyon to pass.

Elyon nodded to Drake before moving on to the next Trial. Once Elyon was far enough away, a figure landed next to Drake who turned to a smiling Alchemy who was in her Battle Warrior form.

"I knew Elyon could do it.", Alchemy said with a beaming smile.

"Well to get pass the next Trail, she will have to do something she does not like to do a lot.", Drake said as Alchemy placed a hand on his shoulder and teleported back to the palace where the others were waiting.

"Nice job.", Julian said to Drake.

"Thanks.", Drake said. "I planned the whole thing off of the map mission Aldarn and I completed during the rebellion."

"Clever.", Aldarn said. "Now Her Majesty is about to face a Trial that will test her true power."

"What do you mean?", Will asked.

"You'll see.", Mia said as they all went back to watching the monitor.

As for Elyon, she was now walking up a hill hoping to reach her next Trial soon. And she got her wish for as she reached the top of the hill, she found that Vathek was at the top.

"Vathek?", Elyon questioned.

"Greetings, Your Majesty.", Vathek said. "Welcome to your Trial of Power."

"Power?", Elyon questioned.

"Yes. Power.", the blue Galhot said as he stood in a large circle. "All you have to do is get me out of this circle.", he explained surprising Elyon.

Back at the palace...

"Is he nuts!?", Cornelia questioned. "How can Elyon possibly do that!?"

"Have you suddenly lost faith in my sister?", Mia asked.

"No, but there's no way she can move Vathek.", Cornelia said. "I say that we put a stop to this! NOW! Help me out, Will!"

"You got it!", Will said as she used the Heart to sense where Elyon was before teleporting away with Cornelia.

"Oh no you don't!", Mia said as she teleported after them.

"This should be good.", Alchemy said as she and the others watched the monitor to see what was going to happen.

Back at the Trial, Elyon didn't know what to do as she stood there looking at the large form of Vathek.

'How do I get him out of the circle?', she thought to herself when Will and Cornelia suddenly teleported before them.

"What are you two doing here!?", Vathek questioned.

"Stopping this stupid Trial!", Cornelia said as she marched up to Vathek. "You know full well that Elyon can't take you without her powers! And yet you pull this! Who's side are you on!?"

"Who are you to question my loyalty to the queen!?", Vathek snapped as his voice boomed causing Cornelia to back away from him. "You two aren't even suppose to be here!"

"We just feel that this Trial isn't fair to Elyon.", Will said.

"And who are you to judge?", Vathk questioned. "I'm the tester. Not you two. So leave!"

"Make us!", Cornelia demanded with a glare.

"Gladly!"

Will and Cornelia turned to see Mia standing with Elyon not looking to happy.

"How dare you interrupt one of our most cherished traditions!?", Mia snapped a she walked up to the two Guardians. "Leave now! Or I'll make you leave!"

Suddenly, Elder Forren teleported before them all.

"What is the meaning of this!?", Forren questioned. "This is the second time you Guardians have tried to interrupt the Trials!"

"Second time?", Elyon questioned as she looked at Cornelia and Will.

"Yes.", Forren said. "First was when they along with the Earth Regent and the lad known as Caleb tried to get involved with your last Trial. Thankfully, your sister stopped them."

"We just wanted to help.", Cornelia said.

"But you are not needed!", Forren snapped. "Now please leave."

"But..."

"Please leave.", Elyon said cutting Cornelia off.

Before Cornelia could say anything, Elder Forren teleported away with her in tow along with Will and Mia.

"Now where were we?", Vathek asked with a grin getting a small smile out of Elyon.

"I do believe that I was thinking of a way to get you out of that circle.", the young queen said.

"Then let the Trial of Power begin.", Vathek said as he walked up to a old tree trunk that had a large hourglass and turned it over allowing the sand to fall . "You have until the last grain of sand falls to complete this Trial."

"No pressure.", Elyon said knowing that she had her work cut out for her.

Back at the palace, Elder Forren had just teleported there with Cornelia, Will, and Mia in tow and was now happy with the two members of W.I.T.C.H.

"I'm only going to say this one time.", Forren said with a serious face. "If any of you try to interrupt the Trials like some of you tried to do, there will be a price to pay."

"Oh really?", Cornelia questioned as she glared at Forren.

Suddenly, Forren pointed his staff at Cornelia and shot a beam at her and in a flash of light she was the size of an actual fairy in a golden cage.

"Yes really.", Forren said.

"What the...?", she questioned as she looked down at herself and freaked out. "Change me back you old fart!", she demanded as she grabbed the bars of the cage and shook them.

"Change her back!", Caleb demanded before Forren gave him a look that made him back off. "Please.", he said in a humble tone.

"Please change my friend back, sir.", Alchemy said to Forren. "She and the others won't interrupt the Trials anymore."

"You can not promise that, child.", Forren said. "I want their word that they will not try to force their way into the Trials."

"You have our word.", Will said. "Right, girls?", she said to which Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin nodded.

"And what of you, Earth Guardian?", Forren asked the caged Cornelia.

"Yeah whatever.", Cornelia said getting a look from Forren. "Okay. Fine. I promise!"

"Very well.", Forren said as he freed Cornelia from the cage and transformed her back to normal. "Remember your promise.", he said before teleporting away.

"Why that little...", Cornelia said getting angry.

"Be careful with you next words, Cornelia.", Julian said. "You don't want Elder Forren returning and putting you back in that little cage."

"Not funny!", Cornelia said.

"I didn't say that it was.", Julian said. "The Elders will do their best to make sure the Trials are not interrupted. So stay out of them unless you are asked to help.", he said as he went back to watching the monitor with the others members of the Honor Guard.

Saying nothing, the others watched the monitor hoping that Elyon would pass the Trial of Power. Speaking of which, try as she might, Elyon couldn't force Vathek out of the circle. She tried to push him. She tried to pull him. She even tried to flip him. Nothing worked. Soon, Elyon was getting tired as she stood there looking at Vathek who wasn't even breaking a sweat.

"I can't do it.", Elyon said.

"Yes you can.", Vathek said. "You just aren't thinking the right way."

"Are you kidding?", Elyon questioned. "You're bigger and stronger than me, Vathek. If I had my powers, I could move you, but without them, I'm can't do squat!"

"But you're not powerless.", Vathek said. "You still have power, Your Majesty. You just don't see it yet."

"What power?", Elyon questioned confused.

Back at the palace...

"What is he talking about?", Irma questioned.

"You really do not see it?", Alborn questioned.

"I do.", Alchemy said.

"Then what is it?", Cornelia asked.

"The power that she has without her powers as the Heart of Metamoor.", Alchemy said.

"Which is what?", Hay Lin asked.

"You'll see.", Alchemy said.

Back at the Trial, Elyon was thinking about what Vathek said. Yet nothing came to her. And time was running out.

"Times running out, Your Majesty.", Vathek said as he looked ovr at the hourglass.

"I know. I know.", Elyon said looking over at the hourglass. "This Trial is a lot harder than it looks."

"I can give you one hint.", Vathek said.

"Really?", Elyon questioned. "What is it?"

"A question.", Vathek said. "Who are you?"

"That's it? That's the hint?", Elyon questioned. "Who am I?"

"That's it.", Vathek said. "And I suggest that you hurry."

"Who am I? Who am I?", Elyon asked herself. "I'm Elyon Brown. A girl whose been through a lot in the last few years. And I mean A LOT.", she said as a leaf blew passed her catching her attention.

Elyon then looked over at the land from the hill she was on with Vathek. The land was beautiful and it was hers to rule. All of it. And that's when it hit her about who she really was.

"I am Queen Elyon Escanor of the Meridian Kingdom.", Elyon proudly said. "All of Meridian is mine to rule.", she said when something else came to her. "Rule. Rule!", she said looking at Vathek who saw that she now understood what she had to do.

"Do it, Your Majesty.", Vathek sid with a smile.

"Sir Vathek, of the Meridian Kingdom! I, your queen, order you to step out of the ring.", Elyon ordered.

"As you wish, Your Majesty.", the large Galhot said with a proud bow before stepping out of the ring. "Well done, Your Majesty. You have passed the Trial of Power."

"And with time to spare.", Elyon said looking at the hourglass seeing that there was a good amount of sand left.

"Indeed.", Vathek said. "And now you see how much power you truly have as queen."

"Yeah but, why have me go through that?", Elyon asked.

"Because as queen, you must be able to give orders to even the youngest of your people.", Vathek explained.

"I know this.", Elyon said.

"But have you truly used that power?", Vathek asked. "I know that you try to be nice to your subjects, but your word is final. If you want two warring farms to stop fighting, you don't have to be nice and ask them to stop. If you tell them to stop, they must stop or face the consequences."

"I know.", Elyon said. "It's just that, I don't want the people to see me as some queen who barks out orders all the time like a tyrant."

"No one said that you had to be that kind of queen.", Vathek said. "This Trial was to show you that there will be times that you will have to give orders to your people and be firm about it. Do you understand?"

"Yes. I do.", Elyon said. "Thank you, Vathek.", she said with a smile.

"You are most welcome, Your Majesty.", Vathek said returning the smile. "And now you must keep going. For the last Trail, of the day, lies ahead.", he said pointing forward. "And good luck. You'll need it."

"Thanks!", Elyon said as she took off running towards whoever was her next tester.

As Vathek stood there, Cassidy suddenly landed next to him.

"Well that was interesting.", Cassidy said. "Nice job there, Big Guy."

"I thank you.", Vathek said with a smile. "I just hope that Her Majesty is ready for him."

"You and me both.", Cassidy said as she placed a hand on Vathek's shoulder and teleported back to the palace where the others were waiting.

"Most impressive, my friend.", Julian said to Vathek.

"Thank you.", Vathek said before turning his attention towards Will and Cornelia.

"Now Vathek. Before you say anything, let me just say that..."

"Silence!", Vathek said cutting Cornelia off. "What you two did was very disrespectful not only to me but to Her Majesty."

"But we thought that..."

"It doesn't matter what you thought!", Vathek yelled cutting Will off. "What matters is that you two almost ruined the Trial! I have shown you Guardians plenty of respect after all that you have done for our kingdom. So why is it that you couldn't of shown me that same respect?"

"That's enough, Vathek!", Caleb said as he walked up to him.

"No it isn't.", Mia said. "First, you think that you should be the ones in charge of the Trials and get jealous when you're not picked to be the testers. Then, you try to force your help when it is not needed and almost ruined not one but two of the Trials. Where is the respect for our ways?", she asked the Guardians and Matt. "And then there's you, Caleb. Even you go and try to get Sir Drake to let you help with the first Trial of Combat knowing full well that he had it under control. What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty.", Caleb said. "It won't happen again."

"I truly hope not.", Mia said. "A lot is at stake. I wish not for the Trials to be ruined by one of our own.", she said as she went back to watching the monitor to see what was to come for her sister with the others.

As for Elyon, she had traveled pretty far when she suddenly came upon a small group of soldiers. And among those soldiers was none other than Raythor.

"Greetings, Your Majesty.", Raythor said. "Welcome to you second Trial of Combat."

"Oh boy.", Elyon said knowing that she was in for it.

A/N: Well that's two Trials down and four more to go. And the next one is against Raythor. This will be fun. Let's hope that the Guardians, Matt, and Caleb don't try to interrupt anymore of the Trials. They almost ruined two of them, let's hope they've learned not to cross the Elders. Later, readers!

Please review.