Chapter 10:
Once on Metamoor, everyone saw that everything was okay.
"So where are they?", Irma questioned.
"Maybe they're at the palace.", Hay Lin figured.
"I have Riddle's scent!", Fenrir said as he sniffed the air. "They're in that direction. And it's more that just Cedric and Riddle."
"Do they have soldiers with them?", Angelo questioned.
"They do have some soldiers with them.", Fenrir said. "But they also have "them" with them!", Fenrir said with anger in his voice.
"No!", Kenji said with worry. "He perfected it!"
"Perfected what?", Taranee asked as Angelo and Miranda hopped on Fenrir's back.
"We'll explain on the way!", Fumiko said as Leviathan flew off in the direction Fenrir, Ixion, and Shiva ran off into.
Seeing this, W.I.T.C.H., Elyon, and Matt flew after them. Soon they caught up with them as they were running across a field.
"Okay Dr. Hiroshi.", Angelo said as Miranda held onto Angelo as they were riding on Fenrir. "What's going on here?"
"It all started after I discovered the world Fenrir and his friends come from.", Kenji said. "Once Riddle's spy told him about it, he came and ask me to come work for him."
"I take it you told him no.", Angelo figured.
"I did, but then after two more tries he decided to make an offer I couldn't refuse.", Kenji said thinking back to the day things changed for him and his wife.
Flashback
"Like I told you the last time, Riddle!", Kenji said as he and his wife were standing next to each other, in their home, facing Riddle. "My answer is no! Now please leave!"
"I'll leave.", Riddle said as a smirk grew on his face. "And you and your wife will be coming with me."
"And why is that?", Kenji questioned getting fed up with Riddle.
"Because if you don't, I'll use my telepathic powers to put your wife in a coma that only I can wake her from.", Riddle said with a smirk.
"Are you crazy?", Fumiko questioned as she began to laugh.
Riddle said nothing as he used his telepathy to make Fumiko drop to the floor unconscious.
"Fumiko!", Kenji yelled as he knelt down to his wife and propped her head up in his lap. "What did you do to her?", he questiioned as he glared at Riddle.
"I use my telepathic powers to put your wife in a coma that only I can wake her from.", Riddle said. "And please don't waste my time by going for your stun gun in your cabinet. It'll do you no good."
"How...?", Kenji began to question.
"Telepathy, Kenji my boy.", Riddle said as he tapped the side of his head. "Now you have a choice. Come work for me and I'll wake your wife. Refuse and she'll remain that way for the rest of her days. So what do you say?"
End flashback
"I of course said yes.", Kenji said. "It was the only way to save Fumiko."
"It's understandable, doctor.", Elyon said. "He used your wife to get what he wanted."
"A cowardly move.", Caleb said.
"Indeed it was.", Ixion said as they neared a forest.
"So, what did Fenrir mean by "them"?", Will asked.
"He meant, Riddle's personal experiment.", Fumiko said. "He revealed it to us a few weeks ago."
Flashback
"Nanometal?", Kenji questioned as he and Fumiko looked at the chamber of liquid metal.
"Yes.", Riddle said. "It is a titanium-steel alloy full of nanobots. The nanobots allow the metal to keep it's liquid form until it is ready to take a form. Which I'll need for my experiment."
"What experiment?", Kenji asked.
"One that invovles your friends in the lower levels.", Riddle replied.
"What are you going to do to them?", Fumiko questioned.
"Do not worry, Ms. Hiroshi.", Riddle said. "No harm will come to them. I only need a bit of their DNA."
"For what?", Kenji questioned.
"For making nanometal clones of those creatures.", Riddle replied. "And with the Cedric's DNA mixed in with the nanometal, I can now create my clones of your creatures. Not to mention use the portal device to go into their world and find other creatures to clone!"
"No!", Fumiko said fearing the worst.
"Soon the US... no... The world will have an elite fighting force to keep it safe from any and all threats to it!", Riddle said as he pressed a button sealing the chamber behind a hidden panel. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to take care of.", he said as he left the lab.
"What will we do now, Kenji?", Fumiko asked.
"I don't know, Fumiko.", Kenji said. "But somehow, we have to put a stop to this."
End Flashback
"So as we speak, Riddle and Cedric have copies of you guys attacking some area?", Cornelia asked Shiva.
"I'm afraid so.", Shiva said as she ran through the forest with her friends.
"Guys!", Miranda said as she looked around the forest they were moving through. "I know where they are!"
"Where?", Hay Lin asked.
"Dargen Village!", she said. "I know this forest anywhere!"
"Dargen Village?", Fenrir questioned.
"It's Miranda's home.", Angelo replied when he figured out something. "That's what Cedric meant by something to do with his home! He must of came from Dargen Village!"
"He never mentioned that!", Miranda replied.
"We have to stop him and Riddle!", Will said.
"You up for going back home?", Elyon asked Miranda. "Again?"
"I have no choice.", Miranda said. "They may not like me, but that's still my home! And I won't let Cedric or Riddle destroy it!"
"That a girl!", Angelo said with a smile as he looked back at Miranda making her smile.
"We're getting close!", Fenrir said getting everyone's attention. "Be ready for anything."
"No need to tell us twice.", Will said as she and the others were getting ready to fight.
A few minutes later they had arrived in Dargen Village to see that in deed was under attack by Cedric and Riddle along with some soldiers. But what shocked them the most was that they saw a smoke-gray version of Shiva, Fenrir, Ixion, and Leviathan attacking the people of Dargen Village. Knowing that there was going to be a major fight, Caleb jumped off of Ixion, Kenji and Fumiko jumped off of Leviathan, and Angelo and Miranda jumped off of Fenrir. Once they did that, the four Eidolons charged at their nanometal counter-parts. Seeing them charging, a smirk grew on Riddle's face.
"So they've escaped.", Riddle said. "Let us see which is stronger. The originals or the clones."
Riddle then raised his right hand showing a strange looking glove that was the same color of his nanometal Eidolon clones. He then snapped his finger which got the clones to turn towards him.
"Attack my beauties!", Riddle ordered while pointing to the Eidolons. "Show them how powerful you are!"
Following his orders, the clones charged at the Eidolons. Once they clashed, they all were going at it in full fury! As for the others, they went to work fighting the soldiers that were there, as well as freeing the captured Shape-shifters, that were put in cages that held their powers at bay. Taranee used her powers to melt the weapons the soldiers had, while Cornelia used her telekinisis to knock some soldiers into one pile and Hay Lin blew some in the same pile. Once they were in the pile, Will and Irma hit them with a combo of water and electricity which knocked the soldiers out cold. Elyon then opened a fold under the soldiers sending them back to the underground facility on Earth.
"Well, that was easy!", Irma said proudly.
"Once Taranee took out their weapons, they were easy pickings.", Cornelia said.
"And now for Riddle and Cedric!", Elyon said as they flew towards the two in question.
"I think Cedric is taken care of.", Hay Ln said as she and the other looked to see Matt and Miranda fighting Cedric.
"Then we'll take care of Riddle!", Will said as they landed surrounding the man in question.
"Will you know?", Riddle questioned. "Then come children. Show me what you can do."
"Gladly!", Irma snapped as she prepared to fire a stream of water at Riddle.
But suddenly, she stopped. Seeing this surprised the others as they watched Irma drop to her hands and knees.
"Irma?", Cornelia questioned.
"Irma what's wrong?", Taranee questioned as she saw the stunned look on Irma's face.
"I... can't... move!", Irma said as she tried to get up.
"And the same is about to happen to you all!", Riddle said with a smirk.
Suddenly, one by one, the girls began to drop to their hands and knees. Even Elyon dropped to her hands and knees!
"What's... happening?", Will questioned as she tried to get to her feet but couldn't.
"Simple my dear child.", Riddle said. "With my telepathic powers, I can make a person do what I want. So long as I'm strong enough to do it."
"You... won't... win!", Elyon said glaring at Riddle.
"Funny. It looks like I am.", Riddle said with a smirk.
Suddnly, Kenji and Fumiko were about to attack Riddle from behind. And seeing as Kenji's glasses and fumiko's hairband could block Riddle's powers they had the advantage. But Riddle saw them out of the corner of his eyes and was ready for them as he dodged their sneak attacks.
"Nice try, you two.", Riddle said. "I may not of sensed you but I was able to see you in time. Now I wonder how you two were able to get so close without me knowing."
"That's our little secret!", Kenji said as he noticed Hay Lin stand to her feet.
"A secret I will soon find out!", Riddle said as he noticed the small case Kenji had strapped to his side. "And what's that you have with you, Dr. Hiroshi?"
"Something that'll help stop you from taking over this or any other world!", Kenji said. "But then again, you're about to feel some pain right about now!"
Kenji and Fumiko ducked down as Hay Lin sent a burst of air flying at Riddle! Not seeing this, Riddle was more than surprised when he was sent flying towards a water fountain that was in the village. Once Riddle was out of the way, the others were able to move again.
"Man! I'm I glad that's over!", Irma said as she stretched her arms. "How was he able to do that to us anyway?"
"He has strong telepathic powers.", Taranee replied. "It was like he put a mental suggestion in the back of our heads to do what he wanted us to do."
"So, how was Hay Lin able to break free of it?", Cornelia questioned.
"I still had the headbend Dr. Hiroshi gave me.", Hay Lin explained. "So, before we entered the village, I slapped it on just in case."
"Smart thinking.", Will said. "Now we just have to take care of Cedric and the clone Eidolons."
"That'll be fun.", Irma said sarcasticlly.
As for Cedric, he was getting beat by Matt and Miranda who transformed into her spider form and tied Cedric up with some webbing which allowed Matt to blast him with his eyebeams.
"I've had my fill of this game!", Cedric snapped as he slapped Matt with his tail sending him flying a distance away.
Suddenly, Miranda took her chance and jumped on Cedric's back surprising him.
"So have I!", Miranda said before she bit Cedric on his shoulder making him roar out in pain.
Miranda then jumped off of Cedric and changed back to normal.
"That's a special venom of mine!", Miranda said. "It won't kill you! Just weaken you!"
Sure enough, Cedric began to feel weak as he transformed back to his normal form. Then he transformed into his gray form.
"Wow!", Matt said. "When you said that venom would weaken him, you weren't kidding."
"I want him to pay for his crimes, like I had to.", Miranda said before she transformed into her spider form and tied Cedric up in some webbing.
"Well, he will now.", Matt said as Miranda grabbed Cedric and dragged him along.
As for Caleb and Angelo they had freed all of the Shape-shifters that were caged. One of them being Miranda's brother, Zorlen, who looked pretty banged up.
"Thank you, my friends.", Zorlen said as he walked out of the cage. "Cedric is here with humans that have strange weapons that fire darts that weaken us. Along with strange creatures with the power of the elements. My troops had to surrender in order to protect the innocents."
"Don't sweat it.", Angelo said. "Ten to one, they're being taken care of. Miranda is here as well."
"Figures.", Zorlen said with a grin. "It will be good to see her again."
"Sir! Everyone is free of the cages!", one of Zorlen's troops said.
"Good.", Zorlen said. "Tend to those that are wounded. And make sure everyone is safe."
"Yes, Sir!", the soldier said before running off to tend to the wounded.
"I take it we're off to help fight.", Caleb said.
"Indeed.", Zorlen said. "This is my home! I will not let the likes of Cedric destroy it!"
"We're with you.", Caleb said.
"For that I thank you,", Zorlen said as the three of them headed towards the battle at hand.
Once they got there, they saw that the only fight left was the Eidolons fighting their clones. And with Riddle a bit dazed, the Eidolons were winning.
"I take it the the soldiers are gone.", Aneglo said.
"Yeah.", Will said. "Weird thing though. They had dart guns."
"They used them to knock out or weaken us.", Zorlen explained. "They then used these devices that took some blood from some of us."
"They came here for more Shape-shifter DNA!", Kenji figured.
"And we just sent them back to Earth with it!", Elyon said.
"And for that I thank you!", Riddle said as he got out of the water fountain.
Riddle then pulled out what looked like a fold crystal from his pocket.
"How did he get a fold crystal?", Angelo questioned.
"I have my ways.", Riddle said with a smirk as he opened a large fold. "To me my Nanobeast!", he called out to the Eidolon clones.
The clones then broke off from their fight with the Eidolons and ran towards the fold.
"Come back here, and fight!", Fenrir demanded.
"Another time, my friends!", Riddle said as the clones ran through the fold. "And trust me when I saw that this isn't the last you've seen of me!"
"Do not leave me, Riddle!", Cedric yell in a demanding voice.
"I'm sorry, Cedric, but your services are no longer needed.", Riddle said as he went through the fold.
"Sucks to be you.", Irma said as the fold closed.
"And now you shall pay for your crimes, Cedric.", Zorlen said getting a sneer from him.
Zorlen then turned to look at his sister as she changed back to normal.
"And it's good to see you again, sister.", he said as he and Miranda shared a hug.
"It's good to see you again too, Zorlen.", Miranda said with a smile as they pulled away from each other.
"So, what's going to happen to Cedric?", Hay Lin asked.
"Well, thanks to Queen Elyon's knights who came here the other day and told us of Cedric's escape from his cell we've contacted the Council of Shape-shifters who should be here within a few hours.", Zorlen explained.
"Your knights?", Cornelia questioned Elyon.
"I had Blunk bring Draken and Aldern here the other day to warn the Council of Shape-shifters about Cedric.", Elyon explained. "I figured that they would be more than happy to deal with Cedric."
"Indeed they are.", Zorlen said. "But they had other matters to tend to before coming here. But we got a message yesterday saying they'd be here today."
"Hear that big guy?", Irma asked Cedric who was still tied up in Miranda's webbing and still weak from her venom. "No more Shape-shifting for you soon!"
Cedric only grunted as he glared at Irma and those around him. He put on a brave face but he knew that deep down it was over for him. Once the council came, he'd be judged and stripped of every creature he can turn into. And then if he was lucky he'd be locked up for a long time instead of being sent to the Frostlands.
If he was lucky.
"I hate to break up this moment, but we must return to our realm to rest and reunite with our friends.", Shiva said.
"But we know that Riddle will try and cause you all trouble with his clones of us.", Leviathan said. "So we shall leave you with these orbs to use to call upon us if and when you need us."
The Eidolons then called up some energy to form some small orbs to give them.
"Take this, young warrior.", Fenrir said as he gave Angelo a small green orb that was as big as a quarter. "You will be able to not only call upon me but communicate with me while I'm on my home world as well.", he explained as the orb floated in front of Angelo.
"Thanks.", Angelo said as he took the orb. "I shall use it wisely."
"I give you this, young one.", Ixion said as a yellow orb floated in front of Caleb. "Use it well."
"I will.", Caleb said as he took the orb.
Everyone then looked at Shiva and Leviathan waiting for them to make an orb to give.
"We are sorry, but we've decided to wait and give our orbs to someone we think we can work with well.", Shiva said with a kind smile.
"We do not mean to insult any of you.", Leviathan said. "But who ever calls upon us forms a bond that can help give us strenght in battle."
"So you want that bond to be with one that you can work with well.", Angelo said.
"Indeed.", Shiva said.
"That makes sense.", Taranee said. "I mean look who Caleb and Angelo are related to."
"Nerissa and Kadma.", Will replied.
"Which explains why Ixion picked Caleb and Fenrir picked Angelo.", Taranee said.
"It is time for us to go.", Ixion said as Shiva opened a potal. "Until we meet again, my friends.", he said befiore he and the other Eidolons went through the fold.
"See ya!", Hay Lin said happily as the portal closed behind them.
"Well, this is an adventure I won't be forgetting anytime soon.", Angelo said as he held the green orb in his hand.
"Well, it's not over yet.", Will said. "We still have Cedric to deal with.", she said as she looked down at the sinister Shape-shifter.
"Not to mention that Riddle guy and his Eidolon clones.", Cornelia said.
"Ha!", Cedric said with a smirk. "That's the least of your problems!"
"How so?", Elyon questioned.
"Let's just say that the next time you see Riddle, he won't be looking the same.", Cedric said keeping his smirk up.
"Meaning?", Irma questioned.
"He means that Riddle injected some of his nanobots into himself.", Fumiko said.
"And that'll do what?", Cornelia asked.
"The nanobots were first made to repair damaged tissues.", Kenji explained. "But Riddle found a way to use them to use them to repair the aging cells in his body."
"Hence why he will be looking different the next time you see him.", Cedric replied.
"And with a younger body plus his telepathic abilities, he'll be a real problem.", Will said.
"And I bet it's the nanobots in him that help him control the Eidolon clonrs.", Taranee figured.
"You may be right.", Kenji said. "Which is why I brought this with us.", he said tapping the case he had with him.
"What is it?", Angelo asked.
"Something that'll help even the odds against Riddle.", Kenji. "I'll explain what they are later. But right now, I need some long overdue rest."
"You and me both, Kenji.", Fumiko said with a yawn.
"You can stay at my place.", Angelo said. "There's plenty of room.", he said as Will opened a fold to Earth.
"For that we thank you.", Kenji said as he and Fumiko bowed ti Angelo who returned the bow.
"Will it be okay if we come back here for Cedric's trial?", Will asked as some guards came and took him away after putting the same kind of collar they put on Miranda when she first came there.
"Of course.", Zorlen said with a kind smile. "Cedric's trial will begin when the Elders are ready to start it. So, I think you should be here as quick as you can tomorrow."
"Gotcha! See ya tomorrow.", Will said as she and everyone but Elyon and Caleb went through the fold.
"And we're heading back to the palace.", Elyon said as the fold closed. "But we'll return for the trial tomorrow."
"Until tomorrow then.", Zorlen said with a bow before Elyon teleported herself and Caleb back to the palace.
Zorlen looked around his village and smile.
"Today was a good day.", he said as he went off to see if there was anyone who needed his help.
A/N: Well, Cedric is finally captured and awaiting trial. But Riddle got away with his Eidolon clones and is getting younger by the minute thanks to his nanobots. Looks like our heroes' work is never done. Wish them luck folks!
Please review.