A big thanks to The Crazy Talk Kid (thanks for the characters too), minipower (I'm glad that you are enjoying the surprises, CP (thanks my anonymous friend), daydream53 (wow new fan, woot), and thank you donki-shouben (those ideas were brilliantly thought out) for the reviews and support, and I hope you all enjoy Chapter Eleven because it's time for the Guardians to start fighting back. So here goes.


"Are you sure you're alright," Hay Lin asks Cornelia as the two walk into the Sheffield courtyard. The three of them had walked from Hay Lin's house after their impromptu sleepover.

"For the last time Hay Lin," Cornelia responds angrily, "I'm fine."

"I just have a question," Taranee asks as the three of them approach the front doors, "what's to stop Dark Enigma from attacking us here at school."

"We'll just have to hope they won't attack with all these people around." Cornelia answers.

"Well," Hay Lin says happily trying to change the subject, "aren't we getting a new teacher today."

"Ya," Cornelia says, "they say she's from Japan."

"Well then lets head to the auditorium to get our seats," the three nod to each other and walk quickly down the hall.

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"Something is wrong," a water snake with five heads says to Mizu in one collected voice.

"Like what," Mizu yawns.

"A spirit youkai," the water snake snarls as it ripples, "it is about to go active."

"Which one," Mizu says as a start, "water, earth, maybe air."

"The one you should actually worry about," the snake hisses, "a quintessence beast is about to emerge."

"What the hell am I supposed to do about it," Mizu says in an annoyed tone, "I can't just leave to go to the hospital."

"But I can," Morphea whispers calmly, "just tell me what I need to do."

"Well," Mizu says, "I can only think that it is the Guardian's spiritual energy trying to break the Kokuangyou that's causing it to emerge prematurely."

"So you want me to seal her energy," Morphea asks.

"That would be the best," Mizu says calmly, "no go." Morphea then slowly melds back into the shadows. "Meanwhile I gotta play nice little teacher."

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"Wilhelmina," a voice that sounds like a human combined with a snake floats into the red haired guardian's darkness. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes," Will says opening her eyes. In the distance of her blackness she can see what looks like a snake with wings flying towards her. Within moments the beast is close to her. Its twelve foot long serpentine body, that appears to be made out of electrical current, gently wraps her body. She giggles a bit as the current seems to enter her yet stem from her. The winged creature then places its shimmering white wings across her chest and covers its and her body.

"Do not be afraid little one," the serpent speaks softly as if talking to a child, "I am the representation of your true spiritual energy. A spirit youkai. Your spirit youkai."

"What is a spirit youkai," Will asks.

"A spirit youkai is a being of immeasurable power," the serpent coos, "I have taken the form of a Couatl, or a feather winged serpent. If you accept me in this form," a whisper like voice is heard in the room. "Then I will help you to see through this darkness, and give you the strength to defeat them."

"Them," Will asks, "do you mean this Dark Enigma?"

"Yes," the couatl responds, "but make your choice quickly. They have sent an agent here to destroy us."

"What's your name," Will asks quickly, "you seem to know mine."

"It is your job to assign me a name, Wilhelmina," the serpent says calmly, "but that's only after you have accepted my form."

"Fine," Will sighs, "I'll call you Quint. So are you ready to do this."

"Of course, Wilhelmina," Quint responds as he seems to finish merging with Will's body.

"Hey Quint," Will says calmly. "Call me Will."

"Yes of course," Quint says.

"Let's do it." Will says.

The red haired guardian quickly sits up and avoids Morphea's first attack. She turns quickly to stare at her attacker through her afflicted eyes that are pitch black in color, but now two lightning bolts form a cross in the darkness of those pools. The center of the cross then opens to form two circles one within the other.

"I can see," Will says happily, but yet she can only see pulses that form the outline of the shadow maiden's body. "But it's so different."

"Yes," Quint explains as she begins to effortlessly dodge attacks, "while utilizing my power you can see by seeing the electrical impulses put off by the opponents nervous system. You can also predict an opponent's moves through this. You'll also be able to move with increased speed to avoid enemy attacks."

"Like I'm doing now," Will says.

"Yes," Quint says as the two adversaries separate and stare each other down.

Morphea looked at the Guardian Leader. She was definitely too late to do any harm to the redhead, but thankfully her shadow magic was creating an illusion that everything is fine inside the room despite the female being removed from her machines and standing across from her.

"So you can see me," Morphea whispers softly, "that still doesn't mean you can beat me."

"We'll see," Will says with a smirk as she fires a blast of electrical current at the woman. Morphea barely dodges, but Will's new ability allows her to see the activation of nerves on the creature's skin.

"But I missed," Will questions thinking she scored a blow.

"Yes, but it appears the woman has a detest of light," Quint responds, "it is possible that it was the mere flash that caused her harm."

"Then she's going to loathe this," Will says grinning as she avoids another attack. Morphea was now between Will and a curtained window. "Quintessence."

The curtains shoot into the air quickly coating Morphea's back in the morning sun. She hisses as both of Will's palms glow and then fire a large ray of light into Morphea's chest.

"Damn it," Morphea whispers as her body is dispersed. Seeing that the threat is now over Will deactivates her new found power. It seemed to take a lot of energy for her to see in that way, but it was worth it as she collapses to the ground.

"Miss Vandom," a nurses voice rings in, "what are you doing out of bed, and how did you unhook all those machines by yourself?"

"I woke up and just wanted to wash my face," Will says with an innocent grin.

"Well," the nurse says checking to make sure the girl was alright, "let's get you back to bed."

"Okay," Will says allowing the nurse to help her up. On her back is the image of a snake with two wings extending to match the position of her guardian wings. The body of the snake then extends down her spine and then wraps around her waist two and a half times before ending in a lightning shaped pattern.

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"I wonder where Irma is," Hay Lin asks looking around the auditorium as the student body enters.

"She's probably running late," Cornelia says calmly, "I was surprised when Taranee was able to get us up on time."

"But you didn't get up on time," Taranee says, "we had to dumb a couple of buckets of water on you two just to get you guys conscious again."

"It isn't our fault that we had to fight Dark Enigma last night," Cornelia responds.

"Ya, so don't complain," Hay Lin says in a huff.

"Attention students," Mrs. Knickerbocker says into the microphone to get the student to quiet enough to be heard. "As you all know we have been looking for a new Physical Education teacher for some time, and now I am proud to introduce her. Miss Mizu Suiton."

"It is a pleasure to meet you all," Mizu says after she gets to the podium. Her long brown hair touching just above the wings that, though hidden, still extended from her back. Her blue almond shaped eyes quickly zoned in on the three guardians. "And I'm looking forward to getting to know you all." She smiles a friendly smile as she gives the student body a polite bow.

After a couple more seemingly irrelevant announcements, the three girls split up and head to their classes.

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"Hey Irma," Hay Lin yells with a wave to the brunette as she casually walks to class.

"Hey guys," Irma says a little shocked to see them, "are you late, too."

"Of course not," Taranee responds as her face turns to one of concern, "there was an assembly this morning. We have a new gym teacher."

"Really," Irma says, "hope he's a good one I guess."

"Actually, it's a girl," Hay Lin says, "she's from Japan."

"Interesting," Irma says with a grin as she walks into the classroom. Taranee on the other hand holds Hay Lin back.

"What's wrong Taranee," Hay Lin asks calmly.

"That's not Irma," Taranee says as the two walk into the room.

"What makes you say that," Hay Lin questions.

"I couldn't read her mind; well actually I couldn't sense her mind," Taranee responds, "I think that might be the imposter that attacked Matt and Elyon."

"So do you want to confront her about it," Hay Lin asks.

"Ya," Taranee says sending the telepathic message to Cornelia, "after school once everyone's left."

"But we were going to go to Candracar after school to investigate," Hay Lin says.

"We can do that later," Taranee says, "think about it if she's here."

"Then Dark Enigma has Irma," Hay Lin says in fright.

"Ya," Taranee responds, "so let's keep an eye on her."

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Mizu checked to see if everything in the girl's locker room was good once the last class of the day ended.

"Let me guess," she says with a smug grin hearing movement in the corner, "she kicked your butt."

"What makes you say that," Morphea whispers as she steps out of the shadows only in the body of a five year old.

"Do you want me to say it," Mizu chuckles.

"Be quiet," Morphea growls, "it will take about three days for me to return to full power. Plus while I'm like this I can't return to headquarters or fight. Looks like you'll be on your own girl."

"Ya, ya," Mizu says as she finally removes the t-shirt and lets her wings spread out of her turquoise colored guardian top. "I can take care of myself. You just go recharge." Morphea sinks back into the shadows at this statement.

"To be able to do that to Morphea," Mizu says to herself as she finishes getting out of her human disguise and putting on her Dark Enigma outfit. "That girl's spirit youkai is far superior to some."

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"So who are you really," Cornelia says as the three guardians confront Irma, "imposter."

"Guy's it's me," Irma says in a confused tone.

"Then what am I saying to you right now," Taranee says throwing mental messages at Irma.

"What you just said," Irma responds even more confused.

"Wrong," Hay Lin says staring angrily at the person pretending to be her best friend, "she was saying the name of her element with telepathy."

"Oh fine then," a voice is heard from behind them. The doppelganger Irma then waves before it disperses showering the three. They turn to see Irma only in her nymph state. "Guess after I got rid of that goody to shoes my clones don't share my traits."

"Your traits," Hay Lin screams, "who are you? What have you done to my friend?" Tears began to well up in the Air Guardian's eyes.

"Why Hay Lin," Irma responds in a comforting tone, "I am your friend."

"That can't be true," Hay Lin says tears streaming down her face, "what have you done, you monster."

"Fine," Irma says with a smirk, "I'll prove it to you, Hay Lin. You are five seven in your Guardian form, your favorite subject in school is art, you're in love with Eric Lyndon."

"Common knowledge," Cornelia interrupts.

"Fine then," Irma says, "how about this. Hay Lin's favorite alien plushie's name is Greyton, and she hides him under her pillow when she's not around. She cuddles with him when she's feeling lonely or sad, and he has a stitch on his right leg from when I and Hay Lin first met."

The two girls looked at Hay Lin. Her eyes were wide with fright, and she was speechless. The person before them was definitely her best friend Irma Lair. After all, she had only told the other girls about Greyton, but nothing that specific.

"She's telling the truth," Taranee says after hearing Hay Lin's confused and mumbled pleas for this to be a dream.

"W…Wh…What happened to you, Irma," Hay Lin asks shyly putting on a friendly grin.

"I evolved," Irma says, "something you four could never understand, but I am still incomplete."

"So," Cornelia says, "what do you want us to do about it?"

"All you have to do blondie," Irma says calmly walking towards them, "is say Guardians Unite. After all we don't want anything to happen to that Caleb of yours. I mean he doesn't exactly have Matt's endurance."

"Why you…" Cornelia says as her hair begins to rise.

"Wow," Taranee says as Hay Lin's hair does the same. "There's a lot of static in the air."

"Static," Irma questions before hoping out of the way of a snake head made out of electricity. Irma then flies and lands safely on the roof of the school. "I have no intention of fighting a spirit youkai. You win this round, but from now on we are enemies Guardians." She points a clawed finger at Hay Lin and then back flips over the building and takes off.

"Now what's this thing," Cornelia says as the snake turns to look at them.

"Lady Will," the snake says turning to the field's entrance, "your friends are uninjured."

"That's good," Will sighs before grabbing a pole for support, "thanks for showing me how to do that Quint." The snake nods a 'you're welcome' before disappearing.

"Will," Taranee and Cornelia say as they run over to the redhead and leaving Hay Lin alone in the field.

"I'm fine guys," Will says regaining her strength, "just needed a breather." She starts to walk the two of them back over to a sobbing Hay Lin, but mostly because she deactivated her eye technique.

"Are you okay," Will asks taking a knee and putting a hand on Hay Lin's shoulder.

"I…Irma…" that was all the little Air Guardian could muster before she couldn't stop crying.

"It's okay," Cornelia says rubbing Hay Lin's back, "I'm sure it's just a spell. Like the one Mira was under." This made Hay Lin cheer up a bit. Then with her friends' help she is standing and the four of them head for the Silver Dragon. Along the way Cornelia gives the heart back to Will, who told them that she'd explain the serpent thing when they got there.