X is for Xanadu

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It was total chaos on Meriden as Phoebus laid siege to Elyon's palace. Outside Phoebus forces did battle with the guards. Drake, Aldar, and Vathek led the charges trying to push the Leardons back. "Get back you filthy beast! You will not take the palace!" Aldar shouted swinging his sword and mortally wounding more of the creatures, but still they came.

"There are too many! We have to fall back and protect Alborn and Meridell!" Vathek commanded. The two teenagers looked ready to argue, but when they saw the sea of Lurdens and Phoebus loyal servants swarming towards them they heeded the blue giant's warning and rushed inside the palace barricading the door.

"That won't hold them long! Where are Julian, Blunk, and the Guardians?" demanded Drake angrily as they felt Cedric ram the door. It splintered under the attack, but stood firm. How much longer it held was anyone guess.

"They're guarding Alborn and Meridell, which is what we should do! Come on hurry up!" Vathek shouted as they raced towards the throne room. When they entered the found that the Guardians and friends were under attack by a group of guards loyal to Phoebus who had snuck inside.

"Glad you guys could make it to the party! Water!" Irma shouted trying to flood room, but failed as a bolo wrapped itself around. She struggled briefly as she fell towards the floor.

"Irma! Air!" Hay Lin screamed using her powers to create an air cushion to break Irma's fall. She was so concerned for her friend she almost missed the snake arrows fired at her.

Taranee and Cornelia intercepted them with the powers but it still taxed them greatly. Blunk and Julian were doing everything in their power to keep Elyon's parents safe, but anyone could see they were losing the fight and that's when they all heard the palace doors explode. It could only mean one thing, Phoebus was here.

"We have to abandon the castle if we're to have any chance of survival! Quintessence! That takes care of the guards. Blunk double fold time!" Will order opening a fold to Earth and Blunk quickly opened a fold to the Infinite City inside that one. "Everyone go, go! Will regroup later and figure out what to do next!"

"We can't just abandon the palace! This is Elyon's home!" Alborn argued.

"It still will be love, but right now we need to save ourselves if we are to have any chance at saving Elyon. As the Regents of Meridian the rebels need us to survive. Come along now," Meridell urged as everyone escaped through the fold just as Phoebus burst inside the throne room. He aimed a blast of energy at them, but missed just as the fold closed.

"Typical rebel tactic. They retreat once their weakness is exposed. Now then it's time for me to assume my throne, but first," he said acidly raising the Seal and the air. It glowed brightly and there was a flash of black light that engulfed the palace restoring it to its former Gothic style. "There now I am home. Ha, ha, ha!" he laughed along with all his serpents. Meridian had fallen just like Candracar and Zamballa. What world was next?

Meanwhile the Guardians were returning to Earth after making sure that the rebellion was safe in their new hiding spots. Moral was low and everyone was angry at the Guardians for causing this mess in the first place. It had taken Julian, Alborn, and Meridell's combined efforts to quell the group's anger before they rose up as an angry mob. After telling them they'd return as soon as they got some rest along with dealt with school they folded back to the Silver Dragon.

"I can't believe it! Meriden is under Phoebus thumb again! I feel so bad!" Hay Lin exclaimed.

"At least the rebels are out of harm's way for now, but I don't see how they can handle Phoebus now that's he's super charged. We should go back and lend a hand to them!" Cornelia protested.

"I don't think they want our help right now seeing as how they're ten seconds away from forming an angry mob. Face it they hold us responsible for what come to pass to them and their right. If we want to help them we need to let them cool off," Irma pointed out.

"Not to mention we need to focus on our families and school for awhile. We let things slide to much recently and I don't want my mom breathing down my neck if I bring home a B on my next examination," Taranee added at the same time as she flicked her long hair tail over her shoulder.

"Guys do you hear that?" Will asked them abruptly. They looked at her strangely. They hadn't heard anything. "I thought I heard someone moaning. Hey what's that on the window? It looks like blood I wonder. Help me move the couch guys. One, two three," she said, but try as they might they couldn't budge the ancient couch. It seemed to be stuck.

Finally they'd Cornelia move the couch with her powers and they were all stunned by what they saw. There lying in a heap covered in dry blood and nursing a sprained wrist was Caleb. "CALEB!"

"I was wondering when you girls get back here. I had to drag myself halfway across town after my wings failed. Are you going to just stand there gawking or are you going to give me some medical attention because my wrist really hurts," Caleb stated calmly.

Everyone just stared at their former friend in shock unable to speak. After weeks of fighting Caleb too see him in this state was just a shock. They didn't know how to act at all. They could've just finished him off yet all of them just felt pity for him.

Cornelia was the first to go in close proximity to her former lover. She crouched down till their eyes met. He gazed his greenish hazel orbs into her soothing periwinkle ones and said in a hoarse whisper, "I'm sorry for everything Cornelia," before he passed out in her arms.

Crying hard she held him tightly to her bosoms. All that had passed was forgotten for now. Right now for a single moment her boyfriend was back and he needed help, "Don't worry Caleb will get you some help, I promise you. Hay Lin go upstairs and get your mom. Tell her that a friend of your got mugged and needs to get to the ER, go now!" snapped the blond at the pigtail lass.

"OK, Irma could you come upstairs with me, please? I really need some support right now. Dad been like freaking out big time since Grandma went AWOL," Hay Lin said as she looked at her cerise ankle boots that she had just add some impressive rhinestones that morning too.

Just at that moment they all heard a loud hysterical conversation going on upstairs. Two people talking and neither one seemed to be talking with any coherently.

"Oh I hate lying!" Hay Lin said as she kicked a box of old Christmas lights in frustration. "I told my dad that Grandma had emergency family crises back home in China and that she can't be reached by phone, so now anytime the phone rings at its not her he blames me for forgetting the responsibility of the phone! What was I supposed to tell him? The truth that she was brainwashed then sucked in a magical jewel?"

"C'mon on honey let's get this over with as quickly and painless as possible. I don't think Evil Boy Wonder going to last much longer if we don't get him to the hospital ASAP!" Irma told her friend as they hurried up the stairs to talk to Hay Lin's mom.

As they neared the kitchen where Hay Lin parents were arguing once more about her grandmother she kept trying to shrink in her clothes. "I can't do this! I just can't!" she hissed to Irma who looked her in the eye and said bluntly "Tough it up! Now C'mon!" at the same time as she yanked her reluctant friend into the kitchen.

"She is my mother! She should've told me what this crisis was back in our homeland! I didn't know we had any family left back there! But still I'm her son so I'm family therefore I should…"

"Chen Lin, please would you stop ranting like a loon for a moment? Our daughter looks like she has something she wants to say!" said his wife Joan forcibly as she removed the cook's knife from his hands and began to chop the veggies herself.

"Hay Lin honey, you need something?" she asked as she quickly diced up some zucchini.

"Um, yeah Mom. I need a big favor. My friend Caleb you remember he bussed tables a couple of times?"

Chuckling with amusement from the memories of the handsome boy her mother-in-law had come work a few shifts surfaced. He seemed to be a very nice boy from what she could tell. "I remember him. Nice young man. Hard worker a bit clueless at times but very nice young man just the same. Didn't you say he moved away with his mom for awhile?"

"Yes that true, Mom. Um he dropped in unexpectently though to see us at the Halloween Carnival but missed us. So he was on the way to see us and he got mugged and he in badly need of seeing a doctor. Could you take me and the girls with him to the ER please?" she squeaked nervously to her mom.

Her mom didn't need any further prompting. Rushing downstairs she saw the mess Caleb was in and hurriedly loaded everyone into the car and they sped off the hospital. After getting him admit she started filling out some paperwork for him. "I can't believe you didn't just rush in and tell us what the matter was. Your friend could have died if you had just stood around listening to us argue. I know you hate when your father and I fight, but if someone is in need of medical attention you drop everything and get us understand?"

"Yes Mom I do. Will Caleb be okay?" Hay Lin asked anxiously as she gazed over at the curtain hiding the boy from her view. The other Guardians were taking turns keeping an eye on him to make sure the hospital staff didn't ask any questions that might lead to discovering their secret.

"He'll be fine in day or two. He's lucky considering the mess he's in. He needs some stitches and his wrist is severally strained. Considering the amount of bruising and cuts he received he's lucky he doesn't need a transfusion. Once he's discharge he can stay with us until his parents get back. He told the doctors that his parents are having a temporary separation and neither at this time have access to a phone. So I told them he could stay with us till we can reach them. I hope that you don't mind helping taking care of him. I know you're busy with your Xanadu painting," Her mother commented. She didn't wait for an answer, but hurried to give the front desk the paper work.

"Oh man how could I forget my painting? It's due in two days and I don't even have an idea!" she moaned as she joined the girls.

"What are you crying about now?" Irma asked tiredly.

"Yeah and what's going to happen to Caleb? The doctors won't tell us anything," Cornelia exclaimed.

"Personally I think there amazed that he's so healthy taking into consideration the thrashing he received from Phoebus. Guess having Cosmic Energy as a power has health benefits. For the most part of the damage he received from Phoebus has healed with the exception of what we saw," Will comment as she sipped some coco.

"The doctors told Mom Caleb's going to be fine. He just has to take it easy for a few days. He'll be bunking with me because we can't exactly get either of his parents here. He told the doctors that his parents are going through a temporary separation thing and neither have accuse to a phone at the moment, which if you think about isn't a lie. What I was moaning about was the Xanadu painting I forgot to do. The competition is in two days and I haven't even started. What am I going to do?" she moaned just as a nurse wheeled Caleb out in a wheelchair. He looked a lot better and he smiled graciously at the Guardians and mouthed the words thank you.

When they got back to the Silver Dragon they all helped get Caleb settled in the guest room. As much as they wanted to question him about Nerissa and everything that happened it wasn't the time or place. In fact keeping him in bed was just as much as a challenge. "You can't go rushing off to Meriden! You nearly died a few hours ago!" Cornelia protested trying to force him to stay in bed.

"I can't just sit here and do nothing! Phoebus is attacking my home, threatening my father, and holding my mother prisoner! You can't expect me to sit here an ah," Caleb winced as pain shot through his body.

"Take a look in the mirror Caleb. You may be a powerful Regent, but you're also an injured one. If you don't rest Phoebus will be able to steal your powers from you. In your weakened condition you be a burden rather then a help," Will tried to explain to him, but he continued to fight with them.

"Why don't you help Hay Lin with her painting? I'm sure you have lots of ideas on what Xanadu is. I mean considering that Meriden is pretty close to a paradise," Taranee suggested.

"Yeah good luck with that Hay Lin. But I got to get going. My mom will ground me until I'm thirty if I don't get home by curfew. Well see you later," Irma called out as she hurried down the stairs followed by the others leaving Caleb alone with Hay Lin. "Alright I'll rest, but don't expect me stay in bed for long."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Hey Caleb do you have any suggestions for my painting?"

"If you're asking me what Xanadu is to me then it's when at the brink of disaster hope shines through and good triumphs. My parents both told me that they have the same opinion on this subject. To them a true paradise isn't something that is perfect forever. A true Xanadu is when everything is perfect to you in that moment in time. No matter what else is going on for paradise is different for everybody. Now good night, Hay Lin and could you've your mom bring up some food later? Thanks," as he rolled over and fell dead to the world.

Hay Lin giggled seeing how Caleb was more tired then he cared to admit. Still she did start to really taken in the meaning of his words. The other girls all had their own kind of paradise but he also had been saying something really deep and profound with what he had said. She thought about this all the way downstairs as she got him some dinner for later. Then with a quick kiss and hug of her photograph with her boyfriend sitting on the edge of a marble angel fountain with cascade deep turquoise waters casting rainbows high in the azure heavens above them, for luck began to paint a real Xanadu.

Working nonstop she was able to finish an hour before they'd had to go to the contest. She barely had time to finished and, get cleaned up. She so didn't want to look like an idiot when she met her idol Lee Lee Quinonolz. It took awhile to get everyone in the car because Caleb insisted he felt fine enough to attend the gala and refused to be left behind. After several minutes wasted arguing the Lins agreed to let Caleb come.

Hay Lin had just finished setting up her exhibit when the girls arrived with their dates. "Hey guys I'm so glad you could make it!"

"What did you think we would miss something as important as this? Besides it was a slow homework night and Martin agreed to help finish mine later if I took him with me right?"

"Right passion flower. Wow Hay Lin this is a great painting. I love it. Hey Caleb good to see you again. Sorry to hear about you getting mugged," Martin said.

"It's no big deal. I'm fine really it only hurts when I breathe. It's great to see you all again," he replied as he nodded at Martin, Nigel, Matt, and Eric in turn. He really meant what he said.

"So what inspired you to paint this scene anyways Hay Lin? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see what this has to do with paradise," Taranee commented off hand.

"I don't know about that Taranee it reminds me a bit about Xanadu," Nigel said.

"Well were about to find out aren't we? Here come the judges. Good luck Hay Lin," Eric whispered squeezing her shoulder. The others all stood off to the side so the judges could get a look at the painting. When Hay Lin saw the looks on their faces she got nervous.

"Excuse me Ms. Lin but you seem to have misunderstood the assignment. You were supposed to paint what Xanadu was to you. This painting clearly doesn't show that," the male judge said.

"But it does! Xanadu like any paradise is a mind set, a fantasy. To me I dream about a peaceful paradise at the dawning of a new day when anything seems possible. The image shown here displays how no matter dark things get happiness, hope, and love exist if you keep fighting," Hay Lin informed them patiently.

"I don't know if I agree with that analogy Ms. Lin. I can see that you worked hard on this, but..." the female judge started to say before Matt interrupted her.

"Is this a contest or an inquisition? You asked every artist here to paint his or her idea of paradise. Look around you and you'll see that no one, but Hay Lin has followed the instructions to a T."

"Yeah her image should be recognized for its difference. I happen to agree with my friend's assessment about her work," Will added.

"And if you can't see the truth then maybe Hay Lin shouldn't have entered the contest in the first place," Cornelia stated matter of factly startling the judges. They talked amongst themselves for a while before going off to see the other paintings. Only Hay Lin's idol stayed behind to chat with her.

"Hello Hay Lin is it?" asked the young woman to the nervous girl.

"Ms. Lee Lee Quonzle! It's an honor to be your presences. You're my art hero!" she stammered as the woman smiled kindly. Her warm eyes gazed at the painting of W.I.T.C.H. along with all their friends fighting at dawn in a darkened Meriden.

"I love your painting and that you can read between the lines. Your painting reminds me of something from long ago. When I was 6 my class was asked to draw a picture of how we saw are selves. Everyone else drew a picture of themselves I drew a butterfly. My old art teacher yelled at me for not doing what I was told. But that same day my grandmother went to see her and explain I did do what she told me. I saw myself as a free and happy spirit a butterfly so that what I drew. All of the other paintings I've seen tonight show common ideas of what well know paradise are or what most folks thing one is. You're really the only one who truly understands what we asked for. I'll make sure the judges understand that. See you around Hay Lin you've a great gift," as she smiled at her and walked away.

Soon it was time for the judges to make their decision. The old male one began to drone on and on about a lot of stuff before the guest of honor tapped him on the shoulder and made him move. Getting behind the podium Ms. Quonlze spoke to the audience.

"We welcome all who've come tonight. All of the young people here have great talent and I'm impressed by all that was present tonight. You've all shown a lot of promise and I do hope to see you all again in the future,"

"The assignment for tonight contest was to create a "paradise.' But what is a paradise? What is a real Xanadu? All of you seem to think its form must be something of great beauty without flaw. However that isn't paradise at all. Quiet the opposite. You see since no one and no thing is perfect then how can we really have a paradise?"

"Only one artist tonight truly understands what I was asking for. That a paradise is just when things are perfect at that moment in time and there is hope that it will remain good. Life isn't a fairytale and since all but one of you render something of a fairytale I can't really say you did the assignment at all."

"That is why the winner of the contest is Ms. Hay Lin. For she was the only one to really truly understand what a paradise is and also was able to really show true artist talent by not take things so literality. Ms. Hay Lin would you please come up here?" asked Ms. Qunziloe to Hay Lin who was in shock. It took Will giving her a small charge and Eric dragging her to get her on the stage.

"Congratulations Ms. Lin. I present to you with this first place trophy, the five hundred dollar check, and lastly I would like to offer you a seat in my exclusive highly advance art students held at Heatherfield Community Collage. I hope to see you there," she said shaking Hay Lin's hand. The poor girl had lost all ability to speak and Eric had to help her off the stage.

"I can't believe it, I won! We should go celebrate!" Hay Lin exclaimed. The others all agreed and they were about to go celebrate when Caleb stopped them. He had a strange look on his face and he was wincing in pain. "Caleb are you okay? Do you need to rest?"

"I'm fine, but our friends in the painting are in trouble," he replied startling the girls. Quickly extracting themselves from their dates and promising them they meet up later the girls, Matt, and Caleb rushed outside to see Blunk waiting for them.

"Blunk sent to get you! Phoebus attacking headquarters! Everyone in danger! Need Guardians help now!"

"Come on girls its time we erase Phoebus out of the picture. Caleb you should stay here and," Will started to say.

"No I'm coming with you Will and don't try to argue with me. I may be weak and injured, but I'm the only one who can match Phoebus for power and can get the Seal of Nerissa away from him for a few minutes. Plus my friends and father are in danger and if you think I'm just going to sit here and do nothing your crazy!" Caleb told her defiantly as he transformed into his Regent outfit along with Matt and the girls Guardian up.

"I'll stay with him and make sure nothing hurts him. Will we don't have time to argue we have to get going," Shagon told her.

"Fine, but if I give the order to leave you obey it got? Let's go," she hissed opening up a fold to the Infinite City. They all flew through and arrived just as the Knights of Vengeances and Cedric broke through the wall. "Blunk start folding people to Candracar and watch out for Miranda! Hay Lin, Cornelia see if you can take care of Tracker and Frost. Taranee Sandpit is all yours. Irma take care of Gargoyle. Shagon, Caleb help the rebels out against Cedric. I'll handle Rathor. Go!"

"Blunkiboo help us!" Belva screamed as Miranda shot a gooey web at her. Meridell tackled the female Passling out of the way and hurled a spear at the shape shifter forcing her back. "Thank you thank you!"

"Your welcome, but be more careful. I'm sure your son can take care of himself. Right now we need to buy him some time to open up a fold," Meridell told her gently as they both rose to their feet. With one quick glance at the evil shape shifter they started gathering up people to fold away.

Meanwhile Hay Lin and Cornelia had combined their powers and had sent a tornado with huge chunks of ceiling at their targets. Frost managed to dodge the first assault, but soon found himself buried alongside Tracker who moaned in anger at being buried.

"That's for ruining my celebration!" Hay Lin informed them.

"Worry about that later! Have you seen Phoebus anywhere?" Cornelia demanded scanning all over the cavern for the malevolent prince.

While this was going on the other three Guardians were in fierce battle with their own opponent. Every attempt Taranee made to melt Sandpit failed, and Irma was getting nowhere with her attempts to erode Gargoyle and all Will was doing was making Rathor mad as she shocked him again and again. It all looked hopeless until Shagon blew them away with an eye beam. "Thanks for the assist, but aren't you suppose to be helping Caleb?"

"He doesn't need any help if you take a look," Shagon called out as he dive bombed some Lurdens. Using the sword Caleb had given him back in the mall battle he cut down a dozen Lurdens down as he flew among them.

It was true about Caleb. He had rushed into battle when he saw Cedric attacking his friends when he saw Cedric attacking his father and friends. A deadly rage filled his body as he swooped down and buried his sword into Cedric's thick tail. "No one threatens my family you snake!" he yelled as he pulled out his sword to avoid the lashing tail and landed in front of everyone. He was aware of the looks he was getting, but decided to ignore them. "Hey would you guys stop gawking and help me take care of lizard breath before his master shows up?"

"Right! For Queen Elyon charge!" Aldar shouted firing his bow. A barrage of arrows struck the snake man who had no chance to recover as Vathek and Drake drove their weapons deep into his skin. The snake man thrashed about in pain and managed to knock the three men over towards the fold where Meridell and Alborn were helping everyone evacuate.

"Caleb, how are you…" Julian started to ask when a cold cruel laughter filled the cavern. Everyone stopped their fighting when Phoebus made his grand entrance by using the Seal's power to blast the entire mountain top off. Madness had invaded his eyes and when he spoke his voice was magnified by his stolen powers.

"Your pathetic attempts to resist me have been futile. Not even your precious Guardians have the power to stop me. I, whose powers have been magnified by two Hearts and the elements of nature, have become invincible. If you refuse to swear your loyalty to me then perish!" Phoebus commanded firing a huge blast of elemental energy at the rebels. Everyone froze in their tracks to afraid to move and just waiting for the end to appear.

"NO! COSMIC ENERGY!" Caleb shouted at the top of his lungs as he rose into the air and hovered in front of his friends and family. Emanating from his body came a sparkling rainbow colored force field that absorbed some of the attack. It crackled and shook, but didn't break. "I won't let you hurt anyone anymore!"

"The son of Nerissa believes that his powers are strong enough to resist me? You will pay for your insolences. Die!" Phoebus shouted increasing the power behind his attack.

Caleb winced and screamed in pain, but refused to give up. He had to hold the shield for a few minutes longer. Once everyone was safe he could fold out of there with the Mage Ring. "GO get out of here! I'll hold him off!"

"Caleb no!" Cornelia screamed as Julian and Will dragged her through the fold. Her voice echoed in his mind. He saw Blunk hesitate for a moment and in one swift moment he closed the fold trapping himself on Meridian. "Blunk stay with best friend!" he shouted.

"Thank you Blunk," Caleb whispered as he dropped the shield and let the attack wash over him. He screamed in agony as his body and mind were assaulted. His injuries worsened and he dropped like a stone into the shallow pool of water. Blunk quickly fished him out and the two attempted to fold away when one of the trackers bolos caught them. While Blunk struggled to free himself Caleb fell unconscious.

When he came to a little while later he felt someone tearing his Mage Ring off his fingers. Ignoring the nausea he looked up to see Phoebus playing with both Blunk's Tonga Tooth and the Ring. "So this is the end of the Rebel leader and his pet Passling. Now that I have your relics I can conquer the universe after I have taken your power boy. I think I'll start with Zamballa."

"Pardon me my lord, but why waste your time on the Purple Planet. Thanks to the boys mother the Heart of Infinity is wide open for attack. If you took control of Candracar you will control the universe," Rathor suggested.

"Excellent idea Rathor. We shall begin plans at once for constructing a gateway to Candracar. In the meantime take the prisoners to the dungeon and make sure they don't escape! And whatever you do don't let the boy die! I need to absorb his powers!" Phoebus commanded not noticing the flash of light coming from the Seal.

"No, Phoebus can't win! What will happen to Meridian?" Elyon whispered.

"What will happen to Candracar if Phoebus gets there?" Halinor demanded.

"Or Zamballa, my people won't be able to stop him!" Kadma exclaimed.

"The people of Earth will be slaughtered including my mother!" Cassidy shouted.

"We must not despair," Air Yan Lin said.

"The Guardians arraigned this for a reason. They must have a plan to defeat Phoebus and set us free," Yan Lin added.

"Yes, but will it be in time to save my son's life or will I lose him and Julian forever?" Nerissa asked quietly as she gazed outside her prison longing to comfort her hurt child.