A/N: This chapter was mainly made for a bit of comedy, and I hate Cedric so don't be surprised to see him run like a bat out of my home.
Disclaimer: The elephant lamp next to me has told me to tell you guys I don't own W.I.T.C.H. or its characters in any form. I just control their fate in this story. This is the last time, dammit. You should've gotten the picture by now. This is just wasting words in the story. I will stop wasting those words… now.
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The week went by pretty slowly for Joe. The Guardians hadn't seen Caleb since before school started this week, so they had no need to request Joe's help. Even Inferno hadn't bothered him much. The only Guardian he talked to, unless he was receiving a bit of class help from Taranee on Thursday, was Hay-Lin, who wouldn't stop bugging him. By now Joe was used to going to his locker and seeing Hay-Lin trying to get to know him. What's her deal? She knows what I am, she knows how dangerous I can be, and she won't leave me alone. Joe often shrugged it off and dealt with it though. By the end of the week, he was so used to having her around him that he'd find it strange if he wasn't hearing her voice in the halls. It was Saturday now; Joe had recommended the Silver Dragon to his grandma, who wanted to celebrate a mostly normal week. She was so happy at the moment she didn't bother to ask how he knew the food would be good there. "I must have been right about this," she commented, about to bite into an egg roll. "Moving here was a good idea." I wish my friends at home were here to see this. To bad Chad burned the day after I said we were moving. I miss visiting his grave. It used to calm me down every now and then. Joe's giddy grandmother didn't have time to notice Joe's sudden change in mood at these thoughts. Hay-Lin was coming up to see him.
In the basement, Caleb had called a meeting upon his return. The Guardians and Blunk, who had been forced to get a bath this morning so he wouldn't stink up the restaurant, were gathered around him as he gave some astonishing news. "On my way here, I saw Elyon." After answering the assortment of questions about how she was doing and why he didn't get back sooner after this, Caleb shut them up. "She's ok. She says she wants to meet with us now, and she also seems to want to meet 'Inferno'. Who or what is Inferno?"
"Joe," Hay-Lin started upon getting to his table, "do you remember your promise?" Joe looked quizzically at Hay-Lin, wondering what the hell she was talking about. "You said you were going to help me out with the science homework from yesterday." Joe knew this was a lie and left with her. The class they had together was not science. Excusing himself, Joe followed Hay-Lin to the basement. His grandma looked disappointed at having her grandson leave, but happy that he seemed to have friends.
"Who are you?" Caleb and Joe asked each other at the exact same time when Joe entered the basement. "Joe, this is Caleb, rebel leader. Caleb, this is Joe, a.k.a. Inferno. We'll explain later." Will stated simply. After that was over, the Guardians transformed just in case something would happen on the other side. Joe was left gawking as they left through a portal created by Will in the basement. "I know, they don't leave much to the imagination." Caleb chuckled behind Joe. "Aren't you supposed to be a responsible leader?" Joe inquired. "Hey, I can think whatever I want about Cornelia as long as I don't do anything stupid. And trust me; I was raised well enough to know not to do anything stupid." Not wanting to know what Caleb thought about Cornelia, Joe quickly jumped into the portal, followed by Caleb and a confused Blunk.
Caleb had told Elyon before hand where and when to meet them. So it came as no surprise to her when a portal had opened behind her and the Guardians, followed by Caleb, Blunk, and a young boy, came springing out. Elyon got bombarded with hugs from the Guardians and Joe just sat there rolling his eyes. This could get annoying quick. I wonder why this chick wants to see me. Almost as if Elyon had been reading his mind, she began telling them why they were called. "I've been spying on my brother all week. Even the guards and Cedric haven't seen me snoop, though I think they may know of the presence of a spy. You guys were right; he is evil. I'm sorry I didn't trust you." The traditional "apology accepted" and "no need to apologize" followed from the actual group. More eye-rolling from Joe followed. "I will continue watching Phobos," she reported after everyone calmed down. "I will occasionally send a trustworthy guard with news." Turning to Joe, Elyon smiled. "A new member of the team, huh?" Joe shook his head. "I'm just an acquaintance. I'll help if they need it, but I'd prefer if the Guardians don't need it." Ok. Maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusions. Elyon thought while apologizing. "If I had known, I wouldn't have wasted your time." "I was bored anyway. And did anyone else hear that twig snap?"
Cedric's first job after recovering was to find out who was constantly spying around. Cedric had seen Elyon leave this morning, and followed her in human form. He nearly panicked as he lost her in the woods. "This could be a dire situation for me if she is harmed now." he told himself, and began searching harder. He finally found her talking to the Guardians and the rebel leader. His thoughts were happy at finding this until he noticed who else was with them. The boy had heard him and was walking towards the place where Cedric was snapping twigs with his feet. The boy found him, and Cedric began cowering. "Please, I'm just recovering from last time."
I say you should terrorize him.
You haven't talked in a while.
When I took your body to beat him last time, it took some energy turning your body into mine. I needed to rest.
Whatever. You are actually useful here.
Joe created a small fireball on his palm and lowered it to the cowering man's face. "Go back to the castle and tell no one, not even the Prince, what you may have seen or heard here. Otherwise I will not hold back." Cedric ran so fast only the birds could keep up with him as he headed back to the castle, afraid of the burns. "Don't burn me! Don't burn me!" "That was very odd of Cedric." Irma said aloud.
A few minutes later, the meeting was over and they were inside the basement again. "Joe," Yan-Lin called as he came up from the basement, "your grandma told me to tell you she's already paid and to tell you to have fun with your friends. She's even odder than me, of course she's younger." Joe said he was going to go for one of his usual random walks around town. Inferno's talking again, so the calm should stop soon. Before Joe could get out the door, Caleb had a proposition. "Joe, how would you like me to teach you to fight? It could teach you some self control, which might help with whatever problems are obviously involved with your powers." "I'll contact you when I decide." was Joe's response. I swear things will be fun around here if Inferno would just leave!