Irma walked slowly towards Will's apartment deep in thought about two different women in her life. First there was Anna, the woman she knew would be marrying her father soon and though she wasn't sure what to think of the elder woman at the moment Irma knew that her opinion had drastically changed. For one, her father could do infinitely worse than the woman but Irma wasn't sure where the woman would fit into her life.
Chris, the little spore that he was, loved Anna and thought of the woman as a mother but before last night that was something Irma never even considered. When she got home her dad and Anna were in there room but Irma could hear their conversation as she got close to the door causing her to stop and listen as she heard Anna crying.
"Why does she hate me, Tom? I'm not trying to replace her mom but is it too much to want to be like a mother to her?" Anna cried.
"Honey, Irma doesn't hate you, she's just still trying to deal with her mother's death. It was hard on all of us, it still is sometimes and if it wasn't for you I don't know how I would be able to go on." Tom said in a gentle voice, Irma could see them in her mind, Anna crying into her dad's shoulder.
"I want to be a part of this family but I can't if I'm going to end up destroying it." Anna sobbed, "I love you Tom, I love Chris and Irma, I love all of you way too much to mess up what you have."
"You won't honey." Tom said though Irma could hear his voice crack a little. She couldn't take any more and had retreated to her room to think about it. Would it be so bad to accept Anna, the woman had calmly and openly accepted Irma when she found out her darkest secret that not even her father knew about. Anna had even gave so much just to help Will's family and by the look Anna gave her a few times she was sure the woman knew Irma's feelings toward Will.
Will, the other woman in Irma's life was somewhat an enigma but Irma was sure she was piecing together some of the redhead' past. Apparently a cop had something to do with Will's father being killed which explained the hostility towards Irma's father and in extension the nervousness around Irma herself. The fear to get close to Irma and the other girls was apparently because after Will's dad died people pitied the redhead and was nice to her for awhile making the girl believe that they were her friends. They must have got tired of the pity game and more or less stabbed the girl in the back.
Irma knew it was going to take some work to earn the redhead's trust on all their parts but it was going to be harder for Irma especially because of who her father was. It wasn't really fair towards Irma but she wasn't going to just give up, Irma Lair never gave up.
"Hey muffin." Martin's nasally voice said from behind Irma startling the girl, she so didn't want to deal with the boy right then. True she no longer hated the boy, she got over that a few years earlier and realized he could be a good friend. The key words was 'could be' as the boy refused to get it to his thick skull that she wasn't attracted to him in the least and stopped hitting on her. Heck, she no longer even crushed on Andrew Hornby anymore as her tastes had shifted over the last year.
"Martin, I'm not in the mood this morning." Irma growled as she looked over the boys shoulder and saw a bald boy with beady eyes watching the two from not far away.
'Go away, go away, go AWAY!' Irma screamed in her mind over and over toward Martin and was shocked to see his expression blank for a minute before he started to turn away.
"I'm sorry sugar bear but I have to go away." Martin said emotionlessly before returning to normal as he walked away. Looking up Irma saw that the bald boy was gone which relieved Irma as he gave her the creeps even worse than Uriah and his creeps.
"I have you now." A gravely voice snarled into Irma's ear as an arm wrapped around her waist and another covering her mouth as whoever it was dragged her into an alley. She couldn't see who it was as she struggled to break his hold but it was too strong and became painful the more she fought. The hand holding her mouth grabbed her by the back of the neck and slammed her against the wall knocking the breath out of her. She felt him slip some kind of collar around her neck before yanking her wrists behind her back and tied her arms together.
"Let me go!" Irma screamed before a cloth was shoved in her mouth and a piece of tape over it gagging her. He took another strip of cloth and used it as a blindfold cutting off her vision making the world go dark to her.
"If you are good guardian no one will have to get hurt, I give you my word of honor on that." The voice growled, "I don't want to hurt you, all I want is my princess and the heart, if I get those then no one will have to suffer."
Irma struggled against her bonds before being picked up in a fireman's carry as she tried to call upon her powers but they wouldn't work. Even in her normal state she still had some control over water as well as her other abilities but they just refused to answer her plea for help.
"Try all you want guardian, that collar blocks all forms of magic. If you try putting to much power in it,. it will backlash on you." The voice snarled, "That is your only warning girl."
WITCH
"I should have known she wouldn't have shown." Will grumbled two hours after Irma was supposed to show up. Will had finally given up on waiting for the girl and decided to get some fresh air and maybe stop off at the Silver Dragon for lunch since her mother was out with, ick, Mister Dean Collins. It probably wouldn't be so bad but Will already knew that she would be having him for her history teacher.
Opening the door to step outside Will saw a piece of paper sitting on the ground with the end slid just barely under the door. Maybe it was a letter from Irma but if it was then that meant the girl had been there so why didn't she knock? Will hadn't went anywhere and would have heard her if she did.
Sighing Will bent down to pick up the paper but her head started pounding and her world seemed to shift violently for a few moments causing her to just drop to the ground sitting there. Breathing heavily she clutched her head until the throbbing pain stopped minutes later and the world finally stopped spinning erratically. Shaking her head in confusion she stretched her hand out and picked up the note and looked at it gasping in shock.
Keeper of the Heart,
I have the Water Guardian at my mercy.
If you want her back safely come alone and bring the heart
As well as any information you have on the Princess.
I'll be waiting at Shell Beach.
"Irma!" Will gasped, crumbling up the paper and climbing shakily to her feet. She had to help the girl, she had come to rescue her from that damned pit and Will was going to return the favor but how? She wasn't even sure where Shell Beach was but she couldn't ask the other girls because if they decided to follow it could put Irma in danger since Will was told to come alone.
"I don't have a choice." Will sighed setting off a little unsteadily in search of the beach
WITCH
Irma sighed into her gag as she tried to work her hands free again but it was useless as she lay on a cold hard floor of some kind. She had spend who knew how many hours crying as she realized she would probably never see her family and friends ever again. She would never see her annoying little brother or her overbearing yet wonderful father or Anna…Her mother ever again.
She would never see the girls ever again, fight with Corny or share a laugh with Hay Lin or listen to another of Taranee's lectures about how she should study more. She would never get to see the red haired girl which was starting to take up so much of her thoughts lately. She would never get the chance to tell her the truth, any of it.
Footsteps echoing through the floor caused Irma to stiffen a little in fright though she drove that out of her mind. If this thing was going to hurt or kill her she wouldn't give it any satisfaction of being afraid. No amount of determination stopped her stomach from grumbling as the smell of fast food wafted to her nostrils.
"Girl, I am going to untie your hands and remove your gag and blindfold. Do NOT try to escape and do NOT scream or they go right back on. Nod if you agree." The gravely voice said from earlier and continued after Irma nodded after deciding it was better than being completely bound like this, her arms were really starting to hurt. "Good girl, I must warn you I am not a human and look a little different but do not be afraid."
After a few moments Irma was sitting up, her legs still tied together to keep her from running and the collar was still in place but everything else was removed leaving her to rub her wrist trying to get her blood circulating again. She was shocked when a bag of McDonald's food was dropped on her lap and a cup of something sat down beside her. Looking up she saw that the thing wasn't kidding about not looking human. He was a bulky blue man with what she thought was shards of bone in his head and face. He wore a ratty black overcoat over a black turtleneck sweater and brown leather pants.
"You must be hungry." The thing said moving to a rock and sitting down on it looking at Irma curiously.
"Y-Yeah, thanks." Irma said confused, slowly opening the bag to find an order of fries and a Big Mac. She was a little cautious about even thinking about eating it.
"Relax girl, there is nothing wrong with it." The man said giving her a soft smile but it looked a little warped on his visage. "My name is Vathek."
"Well little boy blue, what do you want with me?" Irma asked, blushing a little as her stomach rumbled again.
"I'll make you a deal, you eat and I'll talk." Vathek said, smiling in amusement as Irma pulled a fry out and made a big production of eating it. "Kid, you have spunk, I like that."
"My name is Irma." Irma grumbled as she ate another fry.
"Well, Irma, I don't want to hurt you or any of your friends, all I want is the Heart of Candracar and my Princess. All of you can go back to your normal lives and I can go back to my home and none of us will ever have to see each other ever again." Vathek said as Irma opened the sandwich and take a couple bites.
"No offense tall, dark and gruesome but what makes you think I'll believe anything you say? You work for the Prince of Evil after all." Irma asked, "Do you honestly think I believe that you are going to just let me go?"
"I am a man of honor kid, and I swear to you that no harm will come to you as long as your friend shows up and surrenders the Heart to me." Vathek said.
"And what if she doesn't show?" Irma asked, gulping nervously.
"I…I don't know, kid." Vathek sighed rubbing his face, "I really don't like the idea of hurting a kid, much less a cute girl."
"Sorry buddy but you are so not my type." Irma said in a monotone voice glaring at the blue skinned man.
"You really amuse me, girl!" Vathek said giving a hearty laugh while slapping his knee, "Kid, I am already promised to someone on Meridian and you may be cute but she is beautiful. In a way, you remind me of her though. A strong, fierce spirit full of mirth and a silver tongue. In fact, given a few years and some pink dye you may even look like her."
"Wow, you have a girlfriend?" Irma asked in shock.
"Don't look so hocked kid, on Meredian I'm actually what you would call, I believe, a hottie." Vathek said smirking a little, "And no she isn't my girlfriend, she is my fiancée. As soon as I finish my mission and fulfilled my obligation to my Prince we plan to get married."
"Wow, congratulations." Irma said completely floored by this revelation. She had a picture in her mind of the people on Meridian, minus Caleb, being huge scary monsters who didn't give a damn about anything. Instead they were just as human as she was.
"Thanks kid…Look, no one knows of this." Vathek sighed, shaking his head. "I just wanted to get this over with but I won't do it if it means hurting an innocent child. If your friend doesn't show up by sundown I'll release you."
"You know, I think I believe you." Irma said after a few minutes of silence, "You really aren't such a bad guy."
"Thanks, to bad we had too be on opposite sides but I am honor bound to carry out this mission." Vathek sighed, "While I will let you go tonight when we meet again I will be forced to fight you as rivals but I hope for a more peaceful resolution."
"Irma!" Will's voice cried from outside.
"Your friend has come." Vathek said handing Irma a small crystal. "Take care kid, when I finish my business with your friend you are free to go."
"Please, please don't hurt her." Irma begged.
"Even if I end up having to do battle with her I will not cause her permanent harm." Vathek said smiling down at her, "You love this girl, don't you?"
"WHAT!" Irma cried out blushing brightly while shaking her head in denial.
"Kid, life is too short to throw away what could be very special just because you are afraid. Of admitting it." Vathek said, "Aria taught me that."
Irma couldn't bring herself to answer the strange man before he turned to leave the cave with an amused expression on his face. However he failed to notice another shadow coming from deeper in the cave which scared Irma. This man was also bluish, had long blonde hair and large rippling muscles and where Vathek had a kind, gentle look in his eyes this man had a cold, hard hatred in them.
"What do we have here?" The man snarled causing Irma to drop the crystal in shock. Almost faster than she could follow this man drew a sword from his waist and plunged it through the jewel shattering it into several pieces causing a bright flash of light. "We wouldn't want you removing your collar no would you, my new little pet?"
"Screw you!" Irma snapped before he grabbed her hair and yanked her to her feet, using his sword to cut the rope binding her feet.
"Not yet, my dear pet we have a traitor to take care of first." The man snarled.
WITCH
To say the least Will was shocked at seeing the bulky blue skinned man walking out of the cave with a stone like expression on his face. She knew immediately that this thing was from Meridian though she pretty much already guessed that.
"Did you bring the Heart?" The man asked, his voice calm yet rough.
"Where's Irma?" Will demanded giving the thing her harshest glare while trying to hide how scared she was.
"She is safe and you will get her back as soon as you give me the Heart and tell me where my Princess is." The thing growled.
"I don't know your who your Princess is but if you want the Heart here it is!" Will said pulling it out and thrusting it out in front of her.
"I don't think so." The man said lightning arced from his eyes striking the jewel and knocking it away from her. "I can't allow you to do that."
"Where's Irma?" Will demanded moving toward where the Heart was but the blue creature beat her to it.
"She is safe in the cave and is free to go, all I want is for you to give me this willingly." The thing said, "It won't do any good if you don't give it of your free will."
"WILL!" Irma screamed causing both the blue thing and Will to look up at the origin of the voice with a look of anger and hatred growing on both of their faces.
"Frost! How dare you stick your nose in my business?" The bulkier blue thing demanded sounding very upset as he put his hand behind his back stepping between Will and the one he just called Frost who was holding Irma's hands behind her back.
"Bring me the Heart, Vathek." Frost demanded angrily, "It doesn't matter if she gives it freely, if they can't change into Guardians then they can't interfere with our Lords plans."
"You dishonorable bastard." Vathek snarled as Will eyed the heart waiting to make sure the thing was distracted before trying to grab it but before she got the chance he flicked it at her before moving toward Frost as if he still had it. "Here is the damn Heart now let the girl go."
"Let her go?" Frost laughed, "I don't think so, I already destroyed the key so there is no way of removing the collar which makes her powerless. She will be a good little pet, I'm sure I'll have some great fun with her and maybe if I get tired I'll even share her."
"Here Frost." Vathek snarled reaching up his empty hand causing Frost's eyes to widen in shock before Vathek punched him hard in the jaw causing him to lose his hold on Irma and go flying back. "Take your friend and go, I have to teach this trash a lesson."
"Will." Irma cried throwing herself at the redhead.
"Come on, Irma, lets get out of here." Will said.
"We have to help Vathek." Irma said as Will said returning the other girl's embrace, supporting her weight.
"Irma, we have to get out of here before they decide to come after us." Will sighed as Irma reluctantly nodded as she looked over at the fighting and could tell that Vathek had the upper hand.
"Okay, let's go." Irma sighed as she let Will help her hurry away from the beach.
NOTES:
Hope this chappie turned out good, I kind of wrote it the last couple nights when I couldn't sleep so hope that didn't affect it too much.
I had a PM asking me why I didn't answer most of my reviews but I answer all of my reviews. I use the reply link and send a PM for signed reviews and answer unsigned ones here because I do want to answer them and since there isn't a reply link for Unsigned reviews I have to do it here so I hope that settles that question for anyone else who wonders about that.
kurisu7885: Thankies, I'm glad you like it even though you aren't a huge fan of W.i.t.c.h. I try to do my best at character development but sadly I'm no expert but thankies, I'm really trying to improve as I go. I really hate people like Tony Vandom and that is something I never understood how they always seem to get out of trouble. I'll try harder to catch any typos.
Riot: Glad you enjoyed it, I'm glad that the girls and their families helped Will and Susan out and it ended better than I was originally thinking about. Truthfully, I was debating having Will stay angry for a day or two but I liked what did happen much better. I don't remember in the cartoon it being mentioned that Anna was Irma's stepmother and not birth mother which I could be wrong but that is one of the things I pulled from the comics which in a way I like better (Though I don't have anything against the toon either, LOL). Ana isn't married yet to Irma's dad yet but will be marrying him soon in the future, maybe. I do want Matt to be an important part of Will's life but not as her boyfriend in this story which I'm glad so far most everybody seems okay with. Will will have the same hobbies as in the comics and will be joining the swim team when she starts school. LOL, don't worry about the size of the reviews or questions, I love both so no big. I'm glad it turned out okay, I'm really trying not to rush it but I'm not really very good with pacing. There will be more attacks from Meridian and there will be some Cornelia and Caleb in the upcoming chapters for fans of that pairing.