AshleySwift13- There was no doubt that I wouldn't have Will fighting back, I can't imagine she would be down for the fight completely, it just isn't in her character, sure she's hurting but she would never let her personal life and conflicts interfere in her guardian life. Not if people die because of it. Although things that happen in this chapter push her more and more.
ShivaVixen – Glad you liked it and I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations :)
Will awoke early the next morning, she no longer felt sick, her headache was barely there and her sore throat was now just a tickle. She stretched before padding to the shower, the hot water waking her up further. When she got out, her hair didn't start frizzing, instead it shaped itself nicely around her face.
When she had changed and packed her bag for the day, Will grabbed a slice of toast before walking slowly down the road. She had absolutely no reason for feeling as calm and happy as she currently did. Yan Lin was the only remaining guardian to stay out of Nerissa's thrall, Matt was still working for the old hag, Elyon had been absorbed into the heart of Meridian, Hay Lin was slowly going crazy over worrying for her Grandmother and all the current guardians were being pushed to their very limits.
But she felt happy, it was like there something inside of her, telling her that today would be a good day. The first few hours of that had seemingly proven it so. Taranee, Irma and Cornelia were all in the courtyard when she arrived. "Where's Hay Lin?" Will asked, looking around for her bubbly friend, who was normally one of the first to arrive.
"Oh she didn't tell you? Hay Lin has first watch." Irma said rolling her eyes slightly. "I'm looking after Mrs Lin tomorrow, Caleb's Wednesday, you're Thursday, Corny's Friday and Taranee's Saturday. No doubt Hay Lin will be keeping a close eye on her on Sunday's and whenever she has a free moment as well."
"Well can you really blame her?" Cornelia huffed, crossing her arms. "After all, Yan Lin is her grandmother. I think I'd feeling pretty protective of my Grandma if Nerissa was after her," Before the two could enter a full blown argument the school bell rung.
As everyone walked to classes Will couldn't help but help but whisper "Wow, literally saved by the bell," into a giggling Taranee's ear, before separating from her friends to go to English.
She was just over half way there when she felt a warm hand slip into hers. Unconsciously she squeezed back, before her brain caught up and she realised who's hand she was holding.
Matt Olson, now better known as Shagon to the guardians, the boy she loved and Nerissa's loyal servant.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed, pulling her hand out of his surprisingly tight grip.
"I'm walking my girlfriend to her English class, like I've always done. Problem?" He said coolly, raising an eyebrow.
"You know exactly what the problem is Shagon,"
Just before she could walk away from him she felt a sharp tug on her arm. Letting out a small yelp Will was dragged back into a small alcove.
"I really wouldn't do that if I were you," Shagon snarled, all at once the friendly façade he'd had up whilst he'd been in the public eye disappeared, reminding Will just how deadly he was, no matter what form he was in. "After you are my girlfriend,"
"Wrong. I'm Matt's girlfriend. You're not Matt. Nerissa has either enthralled Matt and created you or she's created a sort of alternate personality which is what you are."
"Denial is truly a beautiful thing. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Get lost Shagon, we know you've been spying on us for the last month, there's no way you'll be able to get any new information for your precious mistress,"
"And how exactly are you planning on getting to get rid of me? If I just disappeared then the police would get worried, and you'd be the top of their suspect list. After all we are dating and there was that whole issue with a certain missing Elyon Brown a few months back. If I remember rightly, the police were very suspicious of you and the other guardians."
"Fine, we won't make you leave," Will said through clenched teeth. "But you better stay away from me,"
"Cause that would really keep up appearances. I'm here for two reasons. To spy on you and to make sure no-one worries if I suddenly disappear. Just a few weeks back we were acting all lovey-dovey. Don't you think people will wonder why we split up so suddenly."
"No," Will snorted. "This is high school. People get together and break up all the time. If we split up people will shrug and get on with their lives."
"But we're not going to break up," Shagon said, his eyes flashing green. "You'll tell people one thing, I'll just tell them other,"
"You're going to play this game. Really? I thought you were Nerissa's angel of malice, this is just pathetic."
"I don't see how, I just want to check up on my devoted girlfriend. Walk you to your classes, listen to you. And if you ever feel the need to divulge any information to me, like the location of dear Yan Lin then I'll listen to every word you say."
"And what if I don't? What if I just ignore you, refuse to spend any time with you at school? What exactly will you do?"
"Do not push me."
"Or what? How are you going to force me to have a relationship with you? Tie a piece of rope around my wrist and drag me along whether you go?"
"Tell me Will, how's your Mother?"
"Why, what-" Realisation struck in. "Don't you dare come anywhere near my Mom. You've already hurt her before. If you come near her-"
"I won't. If you and I stay in this relationship then I won't go anywhere near her."
"Fine, I'll pretend like you're Matt and that we're together." The words made her feel sick, right down to the core. "No-one will be any the wiser."
"Good girl. Wait for me once you've finished English. I'll walk you to your next lesson."
"Can't wait."
"Neither can I. See you then," Shagon said, pressing a hard kiss onto her lips, before Will had time to react he'd pulled away and walked to his class. The last few lingering students didn't seem alerted in the slightest, why should they? Will and Matt had been together for months and although they had never been very big on PDA it definitely wasn't unexpected to see the young couple kissing.
W.I.T.C.H.
Will was dreading the end of English, knowing she'd have to keep her end of the deal up. She didn't doubt for a second that if she announced that she had ended things with Matt, Shagon would attack her Mom in next to no time. And Will just couldn't take that risk, sure her Dad was back in her life, but her Mom had always been there for her. She couldn't lose the most important person in her life. There was no way.
In what felt like just five minutes the bell rang, signalling the end of the lesson. Will took as long as she could, but soon enough she had to leave the classroom and get to her locker. Shagon was waiting outside the door and took her hand in his as soon as she had left the room.
"So where to next?" He asked, the amusement obvious in his voice.
"My locker, I have biology next. I get my books and meet the girls there. Matt doesn't usually walk me there."
"Fine, I'll come with you to your locker, and then I'll see you later."
"Fine," Will snarled.
"Fantastic,"
W.I.T.C.H
"Hay Lin text me during Math," Irma informed Taranee and Cornelia as they waited for Will to arrive from her English class. "Said no attacks so far, just that Yan Lin keeps nagging at her to relax."
"Sounds just like Yan Lin," Taranee said. "I'm assuming we're all still going down to Shell beach when school lets-" The other two girls looked at her curiously as she trailed off.
"T? You ok girl?"
"Turn around. Tell me I'm not imagining what I'm seeing."
"What do you mean?" Irma asked as herself and Cornelia turned around, their blood turning to ice. "Ahh. I'm guessing you mean the fact that Will's walking down the corridor hand in hand with Shagon of all people. Coz if that's it, then I'm seeing it too."
"And me. What the hell is going on?"
Will and Shagon made their way through the busy corridor, talking lightly. When they reached Will's locker, which was only a few down from where the girls were currently standing, Shagon pressed her to the locker, kissed her lightly on the lips before walking off.
"Ladies," he said coldly as walked past them.
The girls remained where they were for a few more moments before marching up to their leader.
"What the hell Will?" Irma screeched. "I know your memory is terrible, I mean just last week you brought out your geometry book for the test we had in geography, but I think even you'd remember that Matt's turned bad, or has been enthralled or whatever it is that has actually happened, because no-one has actually sat down and explained it, so frankly I'm still kinda confused."
"It's not what it looks like guys. Come on, I'll explain it to you guys as we get to class." As the four of them made it to biology Will explained to them how Shagon was blackmailing her, to make sure she didn't break up with him.
The girls were all raging when Will finished telling them what had transpired before English.
"I'm going to kill him!" Cornelia raged. "He's making our lives a living hell. I hate him!"
"Which is exactly what he wants," Will said sagely. "But Nerissa won't be getting any inside information any more, so this could work to our advantage. I imagine Shagon is demanding my constant attention so it's harder for us to talk tactics, which will be their angle. But this could also work out for us. If Shagon disappears from campus, we'll figure it out in no time. If that happens then we get to Yan Lin as quickly as we can. I can't imagine Nerissa would be too willing to launch an attack without her lead Knight.
"If she does do that however, whoever is guarding Yan Lin will instantly be able to warn us. If I'm with Shagon at that moment of time, I'll power you guys up and get back to him. That should hopefully give us more time."
The others agreed on the plan before settling down and starting on their work.
The rest of the day passed in a very similar manner. Shagon hunted Will down whenever possible and accompanied to as many classes he could. At lunch, Taranee managed to get Nigel and some of the other guys to drag him away, under the pretence that they wanted to have girl-talk. They checked in Hay Lin once more before making their way to their afternoon classes.
W.I.T.C.H
Tuesday was another very quiet day, although Hay Lin was calling Irma at every possible moment to check in on Yan Lin, much to the water guardian's chagrin. The others knew the young Asian teen had run into Shagon at one point in the day, if her shaken thoughts were anything to go by.
She refused to talk about what had happened between the two of them and had blocked the memory from Taranee, however it wasn't hard to guess what they had talked about.
Will had a go at him as they walked to one of their lessons, his only reaction was to quietly smirk and then brutally kiss her.
Every time Shagon moved in on her Will couldn't help but feel dirty and disgusting, which she suspected was the point. Although he hadn't done anything more than a few pecks on the cheek and closed mouth kisses, Shagon was slowly but surely tainting each and every memory that Will had with Matt.
If... no when she got Matt back, Will knew without a doubt it would probably take her a while to feel completely comfortable in his presence again. Something which she couldn't help but hate herself for.
W.I.T.C.H
"He better show up," Joel said, nervously tapping a quick beat on his drum set. Wreck 55 had organised another practice, the second one that week. Nigel, Pedro and Joel had been waiting in the drummers garage for the better part of ten minutes and were still waiting on Matt.
"Chill dude," Nigel said, cracking open a soda can. "Matt said he'd be here at lunch,"
"Oh and he's never not said that before. Matt didn't turn up on Sunday, and countless times before that."
"If he's not here in the next five minutes then we can-" Nigel stopped as he saw Matt walking up the road.
"Sorry I'm late." He said as he placed his guitar on the floor.
"No worries bro. Let's just get started." Nigel said hurriedly before Joel could say anything. The boy already looked dangerously close to throwing his drum-sticks at their lead guitarist's head.
Like every band practice Shagon gave Matt limited control over his body, even though he came from the boy, Shagon couldn't hold a tune to save his life. Something which had delighted Matt to no end.
Wreck played through a couple of new songs, before Joel and Nigel went into the house to get some sodas. Matt had been waiting for this moment and placed his guitar on the floor gently, before picking up a notepad and pen. Making sure Shagon hadn't noticed anything was up, Matt began scribbling down lyrics to a song he'd been planning for the past few days, ready to write down when he was allowed to control his own body. A song he liked to call the Demon in Me. If he could finish the song before Shagon took control back, and managed to get it to the band, they'd hopefully perform. And if the girls heard it, then fingers crossed they'd figure out what had happened to him. Sure the plan wasn't foolproof, Shagon may take control back before Matt could give the song to the band, or Wreck might not like it, after all it wasn't his best work.
But Matt couldn't sit back and do nothing. For the last month and a half he'd been trapped inside his own head and he had to try something, even if it backfired horribly.
When Joel and Nigel returned, Matt was writing the last line, they walked over to him and peered over his shoulder.
"New song? Demon in me, bit of a weird title," Their voices alerted Shagon and he started taking control back, but Matt was damned if the song wasn't getting to the band. Fighting for all he was worth, Matt muttered a quick "New song," before running from the garage, ignoring the cries of his friends.
"What have you done?" Shagon snarled at Matt as he took back full control. "What did you give them?"
"Bet you wish you'd been paying attention now, ey?"
"You will tell me pest!"
"Relax Shagon, it's just a new song for Wreck. If you're a good boy I might even sing it to you."
"You trying my patience boy. Just be glad I can't punish you at the moment. We have a Grandma to capture."
W.I.T.C.H
Even though Hay Lin obsessively checked the schedule she had written up at every spare moment, she seemingly forgot that Caleb was guarding Yan Lin on Wednesdays, after she saw all her friends chilling at Shell beach.
The Knights swiftly attacked, although they quickly retreated once it seemed like they weren't going to win easily.
Once they'd left Will revealed her plan to put Yan Lin in plain sight, after some discussion they decided that this was the best method and Yan Lin called up the school and got herself a temporary placement.
"We better head back girls," she said, cleaning away the bowls and the checkers set she'd brought with her. "I'd better start cooking now if I want everything to be ready for tomorrow lunchtime. I know how much you teenagers can eat."
They agreed and made their way to the Silver Dragon in one big group, whilst there they helped out Yan Lin in the kitchen for a couple of hours. When it turned dark, everyone but Hay Lin, Caleb and Blunk left to go to their respective homes.
"Tomorrows going to be interesting," Cornelia observed.
"Why do you think that Corny?" Irma asked.
"One; don't call me that. Two; Shagon will definitely get beyond annoyed, I mean the woman he's been basically stalking for the past few weeks will be right there in front of him, and there's nothing he'll be able to do about it. After all, in the mornings the other dinner ladies will be in the kitchen with Yan Lin, at lunch she'll be surrounded by the whole student body and in the afternoon at least one of us will be there during the various free periods we have."
"Best to make sure we keep watch on him," Taranee mused. "Although with Yan Lin being so close to him, I doubt he'll have time to walk you to many classes tomorrow Will."
"Small mercies I guess," Will sighed as they reached her apartment building. "See you guys tomorrow,"
Once again, Will's sleep was plagued with nightmares. But instead of being like previous dreams that centred mainly on Matt's betrayal/ enthralment, these new dreams were much darker, mainly consisting of her and Matt walking around Heatherfield after some sort of date, before his eyes started glowing green. When she would try and get away, Shagon would hit her, before forcing himself onto her. Every night it was the same thing. Every night she woke up screaming.
W.I.T.C.H
The next morning Shagon made his daily trip from Mt Thanos to Sheffield high in plenty of time the next day. Nerissa knew the guardians would be upping their game after the failed attack on Yan Lin yesterday and told Shagon so before he left. He entered the school courtyard and looked around for the girls.
None of the were there at the moment, but Shagon knew he could wait. And he wasn't disappointed. In just under five minutes the Silver Dragon delivery van pulled up, this didn't surprise him in the slightest after all Hay Lin would often get a lift in from her parents. What did surprise him though was when all of the guardians piled out of the van, all carrying piles of boxes; Yan Lin close behind them.
"What the hell?" he muttered, making his way to the van. "Need any help?"
"Get lost Shagon," Hay Lin, stepping defensively in front of her Grandma. "Don't you think you've done enough,"
"Not at all. I'm just wondering why you're all bringing boxes upon boxes of Chinese food into the-" He paused, the realisation hitting him. "Oh very clever girls. Hiding her in plain sight, after all we can't exactly attack her during school times. Too bad it won't be enough, Nerissa will get Yan Lin, just like she's got the others."
"And she won't get me," Yan Lin promised him darkly.
"We'll see." Shagon said, before walking away.
W.I.T.C.H
"They've got you dude," Matt said smirking. "There's no way you can get to Yan Lin now,"
"She will turn,"
"Yeah, cause that 24/7 guard that Hay Lin's set up is going to make it child's play for you and Nerissa."
"The guardians can't be there every minute of every day, soon enough Yan Lin will be unguarded, when that happens we'll strike."
"Oh change the record," Matt rolled his eyes. "All the time you just go on and on about the same shit. It gets old fairly fast."
"Then stop listening. You're not exactly thrilling to live with either. Always trying to figure out ways to escape and warn the guardians. You haven't managed it yet, you never will."
"I am getting stronger and you know it. It's scaring you, so you silence me, but even that doesn't have the same effect it once did. It used to take me almost a whole day to fight the effects off, now you're lucky if it works for an hour."
"An hour spent without your constant yapping," Shagon growled, flicking his hand silencing Matt once more. "Is an hour well spent,"
W.I.T.C.H
Shagon couldn't believe the air guardian had landed him in detention. She would pay for it, getting to her precious Grandma would teach her.
Mistress, we have a slight problem. Shagon explained the current situation using the physic link that the two had because of the Mage's ring.
This could work out for the best Nerissa said thoughtfully. No doubt the guardians will be staying behind after school to help Yan Lin pack away. If they are still there when you get out of detention then there's something we can do. Nerissa outlined her plan and they both agreed that it would work out for the best.
Get to detention Shagon, I'll gather the Knights and they'll be ready to meet you once you're free. If the guardians are still in the school we can herd them into the gym, if not we'll hunt them down accordingly.
Shagon gave an affirmative before leaving his last lesson of the day.
"Hey Matt," Nigel called. "You wanna hang out tonight?"
"Sorry, no can do mate. I've got detention tonight,"
"You and Joel both. He had one too many late arrivals to tutor. What about you?"
"Urmm just Knickerbocker being stressy like usual."
"Wait... were you that guy who was yelling abuse outside?"
"Abuse is such a strong word." Shagon said rolling his eyes.
"Respect man, although also really stupid of you. Like seriously, you've been acting... weird for a while now. Is everything ok?"
"Everything's fine, mate. I gotta go now, really don't need to get any more detentions," Shagon turned and walked down to the detention room, not bothering to see if Nigel was freaked out or annoyed.
As he entered the classroom, Shagon walked over to Joel.
"I've been thinking," he started, getting the other boys attention. "The demon in me isn't that good of a song. I can't imagine you guys even liked it that much,"
"Are you kidding? That song was pure gold, I think Nige is in love with it. Don't be so hard on yourself man. I can imagine we'll play that song loads,
"Great just great." Shagon muttered, taking a seat and fine-tuning the plan, although he didn't dare let Matt take control again.
W.I.T.C.H
Nerissa had captured briefly captured Yan Lin, however briefly it had been. Although unknown to the guardians and her Knights, the Yan Lin that had been rescued was in fact an altamere. The true Yan Lin seemed to be incorruptible, however the altamere had one single difference. This one thing would let Nerissa enthral Yan Lin when the time came. The desire to exist.
Even when Yan Lin had joined her, Nerissa had no intention of letting the guardians find out straight away. After all it was sometimes better to keep some of your cards hidden until the right moment.
The reason why the knights didn't know about the real Yan Lin being trapped inside seal? Simple. Although the four were loyal and got the job done, they were also nearing a looming expiration date. Once Yan Lin had been enthralled, Nerissa would be using her precious power to keep them powered up, there simply wouldn't be enough to keep the Knights alive as well. Whilst Ember and Tridart would return to their original forms of ice and lava respectively, Nerissa wasn't sure of what would happen to Shagon and Kor.
They would return to the forms of Matt and Huggles obviously, but she wasn't sure what their mental state would be and who would be controlling the other. Nerissa had felt Matt getting stronger in his own mind recently, he was arguing with Shagon and fighting him off as best as he could. She suspected this was happening because as each guardian became enthralled she was forced to fraction off more power to control them all.
The enthralment that she had placed on to Cassidy, Halinor and Kadma was very controlling and used up a lot more power than the spell she had placed on Matt and Huggles. With those two, she had used their emotions to create an alternate personality, however the less she was concentrating on them, the more Matt and Huggles were able to fight back. Nerissa has privately predicated that Matt would gain control of his body by the end of the month at the latest, from what she had briefly seen he seemed to be a very strong willed boy, who would never give up without a decent fight.
He seemed to be completely devoted to Will and Nerissa believed that their love for each would ultimately defeat Shagon. Kor/Huggles would obey Shagon/Matt no matter what, so if Matt gained control, so would Huggles.
Once this happened, Nerissa planned to stop fuelling her base power, without that Matt would just be a normal teenage boy again, physically anyway. Her overall doubt that Shagon would stay in control for much longer was another reason she hadn't informed the Knights about Yan Lin. Without a doubt, Matt would tell the girls everything he had learnt and it would be best if he never learnt about the former air guardian.
She was only going to instruct him to keep watch over Yan Lin and make sure he kept her as uncomfortable as possible, although he wasn't allowed to go out and attack her. Her Dark Angel would obey her, unlike her former Knights of Vengeance, the Knights of Destruction never disobeyed her, after all, they all owed their very existence to her.
First of all though, she needed to pay her 'old friend' a visit and tell her the truth about her creation.
