A.N.: 3rd part of this episode. And the only thing that I can say to you is that things will be revealed (some secrets, not all of course). Just read to find out.

Anyway, I don´t own WITCH cartoon or comic, just this story.

INSERT COIN TO CONTINUE!

Trial and trap

Part 3

"Okay, I understand Will. We will meet later." said Taranee, closing her cell phone.

The four friends were walking early morning on the street, heading to the Silver Dragon. Although still weak they were felling better after a night rest.

"You are not going to believe what Will just told me. She has a little sister." said Taranee, gaining the attention of all the Guardians.

"Really? Way to go Ms. Vandom." said Hay Lin in excitement.

"And the dad of said baby is?" asked Irma.

"Mr. Collins of course. Who else could it be?" said Cornelia.

"Actually there is no baby, for you see, Will new sister is an 8 year old." said Taranee.

"Do babies grow that fast?" asked Hay Lin confused.

"Of course not you dimwit. But I am confused. How can Will gain from night to day a 8 year old sister?" asked Irma.

"Adopted 8 year old sister. Apparently Will´s mom got close to one of the Goodwill orphans and decided to give her a family." answered Taranee.

"That is so sweet of her." said Hay Lin in admiration.

"And how Will has taken the news?" asked Cornelia while she smirked.

"I think that she is still in shock, since she was gagging a little. But I think that the round one of her talk with her mom will just start." said Taranee.

"I smell that we have a new member for AOSA." said Irma.

"The what?" asked Taranee.

"The Angry Older Sisters Association." replied both Irma and Cornelia laughing.

"Don´t say that. I wish I had a little sibling too regardless of being a girl or a boy. Imagine the fun we would have." said Hay Lin almost daydreaming about it.

"Yeah right." replied Irma and Cornelia at the same time again.

Before the discussion could continue, Cornelia cell phone called for an incoming message. As she reads it, her eyes widen in surprise.

"What is it?" asked Taranee in a worried tone.

Cornelia showed them the message on her cell phone screen which said:

I AM HERE ON EARTH. BLUNK HELPED ME ESCAPE WITH THE TOOTH OF TONGA. COME TO MY HOUSE, THE REST ARE STILL IN DANGER. PLEASE HURRY.

ELYON

"So what are we waiting for? Lets go." said Cornelia.

"Not so fast. Remember what happened yesterday? What if it is a trap, again?" said Taranee.

"This time it may be true. Look, it´s Elyon number. Who else could have sent it?" said Cornelia.

"I think the only to solve this is going to Elyon house and see for ourselves, right?" said Irma.

"But what about Will?" asked Hay Lin with a worried tone.

"Let first be the four of us for now. In case it is a trap then we can warn Will to rescue us." said Taranee.

The four girls changed course and headed for the Brown state again.

A blond short haired girl closes a cell phone, looking at the now ruined house of her friend.

"Thanks for the borrow Elyon, since you don´t need it for the moment." said Alchemy as she smiles maliciously.

"What were you thinking?"

In a division of the palace, the group of Fallen where all gathered in a circle, surrounding two of them, the ones who talked to Miranda. Addressing them was another Fallen who by voice sounded to be a woman.

"What give to you two in almost spilling our secret? Your actions almost revealed to them who we are. Thank goodness that Phobos can only hear and see what the divine one permits, otherwise he may have figured out everything." said the female Fallen in an annoyed tone, making the pair bow their heads almost in shame.

"We apologize, but being here and seeing her triggered many things, including memories and emotions of long ago, some very unpleasant ones and others…" said the female of the pair.

"What we are trying to say is that it is starting to get to us being here. Our past, what things were and could have been are still fresh in our spirits, like in yours perhaps." said the male.

The other female sighed and with her hands moved a little her hood. It didn´t reveal her face but two long braids of blonde hair fall almost reaching her feet. Braids very similar to the ones used by Phobos or Elyon.

"You are right in that. It is starting to affect me how our beloved home was twisted by that stupid conflict. Do not forget that my own son send me to the Abyss without a second thought and I had my daughter in my arms for an instance before that. I couldn´t even name her. How do you think that I feel?" asked the braided female Fallen.

"And the same can be said to all of us. Being here reminds us of what we lost, what we suffered and what we have become." said another Fallen in the circle.

"That is why we are here. To completely erase the vestiges of past horrors. To finally cleanse Meridian, something that the Rebels and the Guardians failed to do." said the braided female.

"Those bastards hurt her in ways they could never imagine, like Phobos and Elyon did. How it hurt me to watch her suffering by their hands and without the possibility of aiding her." growled the female Fallen of the pair.

"And if it makes you two feel better, if something happens during the ceremony you two will intervene. And I have the feeling that the Rebels will not stay put seeing their families being sent away from this world without doing something." said the braided female Fallen.

"What do you want us to with them if they interfere?" asked the male Fallen of the pair.

"What would be necessary for us to take the prize of the divine one. If you have to kill them, do it." said the braided one without a hint of mercy.

"I do hope that they are stupid enough to interfere." said the female Fallen of the pair smirking maliciously.

"This charade is almost to an end. In 24 hours the Heart of Kandrakar and Zamballa will be in the hands of the divine one and for this forsaken world it will be time to purge it of all vestiges of war, regardless of who started it or not. All of their intervenients will pay for their crimes against us and all Meridian." said the braided one.

Unknown to them, another pair was listening to every word that they say. Cedric in his human form and Frost were spying unnoticed to the Fallen.

"I told you that they couldn´t be trusted. They are using us for whatever purpose their master wants. We have to inform Phobos…" started Frost but Cedric interrupts him saying:

"I don´t think that we have to do that. Think Frost, they said that their master controls Phobos more or less speaking, so what do you think that we can do about it?"

Frost had to admit that Cedric had a point. There is nothing that they could do in these circumstances.

"So what do we do?" asked Frost.

"The only thing that we can do, leave this world as soon as they made their move." said Cedric.

"Are you talking about treason Cedric?" asked Frost.

"And if I am? We never gained much with Phobos, so why not leave him and the rest of this world behind?" said Cedric glaring at Frost.

"I don´t run away like a coward Cedric. I stay and fight to the very end." shouted Frost.

"Even if this world truly ends?" asked Cedric with a challenging tone.

"They wouldn´t…" started Frost but Cedric interrupts him saying:

"They would, especially if they are who I think they are. To them all of those who actively participated in the war between Phobos and the Rebels need to be destroyed. And that includes us. I don´t know about you, but I for one don´t intend to be destroyed." said Cedric.

"And do you think that they can really do it?" asked Frost, more submissive to the idea but still uncertain.

"If their master is really the Forgotten, then yes I think they can do it. And before they do it we have to be ready to leave." said Cedric.

"But how?" asked Frost.

"With this." said Cedric as he opens his arms, revealing the Tooth of Tonga.

"How did you get it?" asked Frost.

"When I grabbed the passling during our attack. With this we can hightail from here anytime we want to any of the Infinite worlds." said Cedric smirking.

"Then why not do it now? We could go to Earth or any other place than here." suggested Frost.

"Not now my friend. Phobos or better yet the Fallen may notice our absence not to mention that Kandrakar could detect us opening a fold. Let us wait until the Guardians show up and we take advantage of the confusion and escape. Not to mention that I plan on taking the Heart of Kandrakar." said Cedric.

"The Guardians are alive? But how?" asked Frost in complete disbelieve.

"I am not sure, but I have the feeling that they are. Why in the world would they try to get the Heart of Kandrakar if the Guardians are not alive?" asked Cedric.

Cedric stares at the Tooth with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"And to think that I yelled to Miranda about escaping this world. Perhaps she was right in the first place. I may or may not get any Heart for the moment but at least all of my enemies will meet their end if all goes as expected. Either way we win." said Cedric smirking.

"And speaking of her, do you want me to warn Miranda?" asked Frost.

"What for? She already revealed to be useless and weak. She will only hold us if she comes with us. Let her stay here to see the end of this world." said Cedric smiling cruelly.

Drops of water falling to the ground, spider webs in every corner, the smell of humidity present as Miranda descends the long staircase right to the dungeons.

"Brrr… this place gives me the creeps. I truly hate dungeons and its crawling bugs." said Mira shivering a little as she floats alongside Miranda.

"Funny, a ghost afraid of dark places. Now I have seen everything." said Miranda sarcastically.

"First of all, I am no ghost, a wandering spirit at most. Second, I am not afraid of dark places, I just don´t like cornered spaces like dungeons or holes. It is good for snakes or spiders. Oh, no offense." said Mira.

"You know, I also don´t like holes or dungeons despite my second nature." said Miranda slightly annoyed.

"Who does anyway?" said Mira smirking in a joking manner.

"Whatever. Let us just do what we came for." said Miranda.

"Correction, you do it and I will stay out of it. Aside from you and Elyon nobody else can see me and I don´t want them to have the impression that you are mad. They have already a not so good impression about you." said Mira.

"Like I care. My only concern now is to know all about my parents. And if Raythor can help me, then I will make him talk." said Miranda in a threatening tone.

"I don´t think that will be necessary. Despite all he really upholds honor and his word above all else. I think he will help you." said Mira.

They reached the end of the stairs and Miranda opens the dungeons wooden door. As it opens, the sight that befalls on them was not pretty. Not at all. In a hallway where dozens and dozens of cells, many filled with dozens of prisoners. And not just the Rebels. Wives, kids, old people, every Meridianite that ever defied Phobos were here. There must be more than a thousand all together.

"And that is the main reason why I hate dungeons." said Mira frowning at the sight.

Miranda never realized how many they were. Mostly women and children. And they are about to be sent to the Abyss. Why those hooded figures want to send them there?

"For two reasons mostly: payback against the Rebels and most importantly to save them." said Mira.

Miranda looks at Mira with a surprised expression, like saying that doesn´t make any sense. Mira realizes it and says:

"Many things contradict and complement in many ways. The Fallen are just like that. Deep down their true intentions really are noble but years of pain and suffering dulled their spirits and hearts. Now they only see their master salvation as the only thing that matters, regardless of what is necessary to achieve it."

As they advance, Miranda notices the looks that they gave at her. Many were of fear, others of anger, and others only had pain and despair in their eyes. She wonders if she and the others looked like that when in the dungeons of the Infinite city.

Miranda stops at one cell, where it was only a single person. She didn´t have to guess to whom it belong to.

It was Elyon cell.

Elyon was sitting in a corner, head rested in her knees, looking at nothing. Although Miranda could not see the tears, she guessed that Elyon may have been crying silently for a long time. Or at the very least at the verge of it.

Miranda wanted, she truly tried to feel pleasure and satisfaction in seeing this scene. Elyon sadness and despair should be her joy, and yet it wasn´t. Why? Why she felt sorry for her? Maybe because she also knows how it feels to be imprisoned? No, that can´t be the only thing.

"Maybe I am really changing." thought Miranda.

Elyon looks at the front of the cell, sadness present in her eyes. And yet, seeing Miranda give her a small relief and happiness. She goes close to Miranda and asks:

"Miranda, what are you doing here?"

In an instant in the cell opposite to Elyon came to its front Caleb, Blunk, Aldarn, Raythor and the other Rebel leaders along with Elyon parents.

"Great, you are here. I suppose that you came to gloat at us, hum?" said Caleb with a venomous tone, which makes Miranda to glare at him. That was someone that she didn´t mind in seeing thrown at the Abyss.

"I came here to announce that in an hour most of you will be sent to the Abyss of Shadows, as accorded between King Phobos and the Fallen." said Miranda sounding as neutral as she can.

"What do you mean most of us?" demanded Aldarn while he glared at the shapeshifter.

"Only your families will be sent there. All the Rebel Leaders and former queen Elyon will be put on trial." answered Miranda.

"For what? We haven´t done anything wrong." shouted Caleb in outrage.

"It depends on how you look. War crimes are committed by both sides, even I can see that." said Miranda.

"You little snivel…" Vathek shouted as he tries to reach Miranda, his hand mere inches of her face. But Miranda stays rigid and unnerved.

"Don´t try to take on me, I am just the bearer of these news. Just a messenger." as Miranda finishes her sentence her eyes widen in surprise.

The Messenger of Light.

Why those words ring something in her being? Miranda looks at Mira who just smirks at her in response.

"Anyway, I came here for other businesses. More precisely with you Raythor." said Miranda while she looks at Raythor.

"If Phobos still wants to recruit me back then he can forget it. I will never serve him again." said Raythor in a harsh tone.

"This is not about that. The business that I have with you are more personal." said Miranda.

"I think that I have nothing to discuss with you." said Raythor as he turns his back to Miranda.

"What happened to them?"

That sentence made Raythor to face Miranda back in surprise. Is she meaning…

"I want to know what happened 8 years ago. You were the last one with them so only you can tell me what I want to know." said Miranda.

"What happened? What are you…" Drake was interrupted by Raythor who says:

"Could all of you please give me some space to talk to her? It is only for a moment, don´t worry." said Raythor.

"Are you sure? If she is threatening you with something maybe we can help." said Caleb.

"No, it is nothing like that, just something that I need to do on my own. Now please let me have a word with her." said Raythor.

The others still looked doubtful in doing so. Then Elyon says:

"Let us respect Raythor will. If they want to talk in private, then we must respect that wish."

"Are you sure Elyon?" asked Miriadel.

"Yes Mom. It is best for them to deal with this on their own." said Elyon.

All the others backed away into the interiors of the cells, Elyon included. Now it was just Raythor and Miranda.

"Before I say anything, I need to ask why now? You had 8 years to ask me that, so why now?" asked Raythor.

Miranda sighs and says:

"I think is because I dreaded the answer. I know what were your functions back there, either send the condemned to the Abyss or…"

Miranda couldn´t continue as a choke forms in her throat. She tries to hide it but it didn´t escape Raythor´s eyes.

"I see. But still why or what changed your mind?" asked Raythor, gaining the attention of the surprised Miranda.

"It seems that you saw through me. Very well then. Something very recent made me doubt about their fate. I need to be certain, only then I may have some peace. Please tell me. Please." pleaded Miranda.

Raythor could see the sincerity in her plea. Enemy or not she was still a kid concerned for the fate of her parents. It is time to end this, not only for her but also for his own peace of mind.

"Very well. 8 years ago it happened like this…"

Flashback:

Raythor was directing the tied parents of Miranda to a small cage above the opening for the Abyss. Only a rope sustained the cage. The pair enters and Raythor closes with door with a loud clang.

"You know that you may have doomed your daughter, right? Prince Phobos is not gentle and will brutalize her, more in spirit than in body. So why you do it?" asked Raythor.

"I think you already know that answer. All parents want what is best for their children, especially in bad times." answered the woman.

"Besides, it is always better than death or sent to this place." said the man.

"I suppose. But still, she will lose whatever innocence she may still have. In time she will become like any of us who serve under Phobos." said Raythor.

"We know that, but as long as she is alive and well we ask for nothing else. And please tell her this…" asked the woman as she whispers something to Raythor ear.

"I see. Don´t worry, I will tell her what you asked when she is old enough." said Raythor.

"We thank you. Now you can do your job. It is time." said the man.

Raythor raises his sword, ready to cut the rope. Still he hesitated. He really don´t want to do this, regardless of them accepting their fate.

But the remembrance of his vow to Phobos won in the end.

Raythor cuts the rope, making the cage to fall in the endless pit below. Their screams echoed for an instant until all fell silent once more.

End flashback.

The others heard sobbing sounds of a girl. At first they thought it was Elyon like she cried until sleep last night, but to their surprise it was Miranda who was crying. Tears flowing freely in her cheeks, as she sobs without restraint.

"Then they…they are gone. Truly gone. Nobody escapes from the Abyss." sobbed Miranda.

"Wrong, I escaped." said Raythor.

"With Nerissa help. Who could help then?" said Miranda still sobbing.

"There are others who can." said Raythor making Miranda to stop crying and to look at him with questioning eyes.

Raythor glances at Elyon, who nods her head as if she knows what they were talking about. Then he says:

"The Fallen can move as they please inside the Abyss. In fact, the Abyss is a portal to their base."

Miranda mind was processing this. So if the hooded people use the Abyss as they please, then this means that those two are really her parents? It is possible that they or their master have saved her parents somehow.

It gave her hope that thought, but at the same time she dreaded it. She dreaded thinking that her parents joined the ranks of these people, becoming that cold and heartless. And what she dreaded more is the thought of her parents falling prey to that red eye. She could tell that it was a master worse than Phobos for some reason. If Phobos took from others, that eye seemed to have a never ending desire to consume all that it sees, all that it reaches.

Never ending darkness that will consume all.

"They wanted me to tell you this: Try to live as best as you can. Don´t let hatred and grudges blind your eyes and close your heart. Try to find the happiness that they couldn´t give it to you. That was their most profound wish." said Raythor.

Miranda felt the tears coming back. That last message touched her so profoundly that she couldn´t contain them again. Even at their seemly end they still wished and hoped for her. All they wanted was for her to be happy, that´s all.

And yet that was not what happened. The separation broke her heart so badly that no happiness could ever repair it. Worse, she let her heart be filled with hate and resentment, from Phobos to Elyon. Cruelty and egoism became her companions. It is her own fault to turning in what she is now.

A monster.

"You know, I think that I should have told this a few months back when we formed the Knights of Vengeance. But to tell you the truth even I was blinded by my own hate back there. I am sorry." said Raythor as he bows his head.

"No, it is not your fault. Or Elyon and Phobos even. It is all my fault that I became a monster." said Miranda as she bursts in tears again.

She turns and walks away as fast as she can. She wanted to get out of this place. She needs it.

Mira watches Miranda go and shakes her head in sadness. Then she disappears in thin air, leaving behind very confused Rebels.

"What you said to her? She was not pretending, that´s for sure." said Vathek.

"I only told her the truth."

A group of Fallen was directing to the dungeon door, preparing to take the prisoners to their one way trip to the Abyss. More than dooming them, they were about to save them, making them close to the infinite mercy of their master, the divine Forgotten.

Before they could enter Miranda exits in a hurry, still crying as she leaves without looking at who was coming to the dungeons. The Fallen noticed that but didn´t care for that, as they continue on their march.

All except for two, the same pair that talked to Miranda, looking at her departure.

"I can´t take this anymore." said the woman as she touches the hall with her hand.

"I know that it is hard, but we must endure it. It is so long since we saw her…" the man was interrupted by the woman who says in an almost desperate tone.

"No, it is not just that and you know it. You know why we sacrifice ourselves all those years ago, a sacrifice that was for nothing in the end. It pains me seeing her like this, all alone and miserable. What is worse, we can´t do a thing about it."

"I know, but like you said we can´t do anything for now. If all goes well we will be reunited sooner than expected. If not, then when the divine one returns and salvation will be at hand for all beings. Either way things will go back as they were." said the man.

That seemed to diminish the pain in the woman, although a new feeling started to take over her. Anger and hate.

"It is their fault you know. The divine one may want to save all beings but I think that they don´t deserve that. Phobos, Cedric, Elyon, the Guardians and Rebels. All of them hurt her in the end. I truly hate them." said the woman in a snarl.

"It is not our place to decide who deserves to be saved or not. But I agree with you. They all deserve to pay for what they did to our daughter. Her pain, her suffering, her despair, all needs to be paid by blood. Their blood." shouted the man in rage as he punches the wall hard, as his hand turned to a black scorpion claw.

"Do not forget that the Keeper and Elyon cannot be too harmed. They wouldn´t want that. After all they have the same priorities as we have. And Phobos is to be shared by all of us." said the woman.

"True, but the others are fair game. We will start with the Rebels if they get out of line. Either way, imagine what they will feel once they lose what is most important to them." said the man smirking slightly.

"Yes, that would be most acceptable. And when the Guardians intervene at the trial I want to clap their wings personally." said the woman as her right hand turns to a mantis claw, clapping with a resounding noise.

"Before we can reunite with her, we will have vengeance in her name. An eye for an eye and pain for her pain. That is what the divine one promised to us." said the man in a harsh merciless tone.

Both head back to join the rest of the group, their eyes flaring anger and desire for blood and revenge.

Continues in part 4