Last time our heroes watched in shock as the voice and face of Ashley's father spoke from one of The Krawl drones. Dr. Cager wanted his daughter to join him in the collective of The Krawl. Ashley flatly refused. Taranee and Nigel slew the talking drone, while the rest of the gang destroyed the remaining drones, saving Metamore once again from The Krawl. Meanwhile, Martin determined the next world the enemy is heading to, Zamballa. On with the show!
Chapter 21: Kadma's Pride
"Are you sure the enemy won't reach Zamballa for at least a day?" Caleb asked Martin.
"At least 23 hours, 58 minutes and 30 seconds," said Martin, "starting now."
"A day," said Will, "We can use that day to rest up then. But still, Zamballa should be warned. Somebody needs to tell Kadma that The Krawl are coming."
"It should be someone Kadma would listen to," said Cornelia, "Someone she can relate to, someone like me."
"And what makes you so special, Miss Oh So Blonde and Pretty?" asked Irma.
"First of all," said Cornelia, "Both Kadma and I share the same element. We both listen to the Earth, and we both love fashion, end of discussion."
"I'll go with you," said Caleb, "Those walking trees of Zamballa can be pretty nasty sometimes."
Cornelia and Caleb were getting ready to Fold to Zamballa, when a different Fold appeared, this one from Earth. Out came Cassidy, former Water Guardian. "Sorry I'm late," she said, "I had a few things that needed to be done that couldn't wait." Cassidy looked to be an older version of Irma, but with bright red hair.
"So," said Cassidy, "What did I miss?"
"For starters," said Martin, "Several dozen planets have been destroyed by The Krawl, at least two of those planets had human civilizations on them. The only species that is immune to the adapting ability of The Krawl are Spectrobes."
"Ignore the brain," said Nerissa, "I'm just glad you made it. And once again, I'm sorry for what I did to you."
"No need to apologize," said Cassidy, "You may have killed me, but that's all water under the bridge, pun intended. Thanks to you I'm alive again. Of course I had to be your mind slave for a while, but that's all water under the bridge, pun again intended. So, what can I do to help?"
"I know exactly what you can do," said Yan Lin, "The Krawl are on the verge of attacking Zamballa, and we need to warn Kadma. If there's anyone she'd listen to, it'd be you, old friend."
"Consider it done," said Cassidy eagerly, "When do we leave?"
"Right now if you want," said Will as she pulled out the crystal. She made a Fold to Zamballa, and Caleb, Cornelia and Cassidy went through.
"Oh damn!" exclaimed Yan Lin as the Fold closed up, "We forgot to send a message to Kadma. She doesn't know that they're coming!"
"Well," said Hay Lin, "We'll just have to hope for the best. I mean seriously, how upset can Kadma be?"
The answer is: very upset. The minute Cornelia, Caleb and Cassidy were cleared of the Fold, they were set upon by the walking trees of Zamballa. They fought back as best they could, but were soon incapacitated by purple vines. The trees then took their captives to Kadma's pyramid.
"So," said an enraged Kadma, "Nerissa still won't give up, will she? She still wants me to be her slave, does she?"
"Well if you were to stop seeing with hate clouded eyes for a second," said Cassidy, "You'd realize that Nerissa didn't exactly send us here."
"Cassidy?" said a shocked and surprised Kadma, "Is that really you?"
"Well I'm not Barbara Streisand, that's for sure," said Cassidy.
Overjoyed at seeing her friend again, Kadma used her Earth powers to remove the binding vines. She embraced Cassidy, while Caleb and Cornelia rubbed their wrists to get the circulation going again.
"Cassidy, you haven't changed a bit," said Kadma, "I mean, for someone who's been dead for 40 years, you look fantastic."
"You don't look half that bad yourself," said Cassidy.
The two former Guardians chatted for several minutes on 'the good old days.' Finally, Cornelia decided it was time to cut to the chase. "As much as I hate to interrupt the reunion, we're here on business."
"The Krawl are on their way to Zamballa," said Caleb, "They'll be here in less than a day."
"I know," said Kadma, "I knew they were coming, but I appreciate the warning anyway. You can go back to the others and tell them that they need not worry about me."
"Didn't you hear what Caleb said?" asked Cornelia, "The Krawl are coming to Zamballa."
"I heard him," said Kadma, "You can rest easy. Zamballa and myself will be ready for the enemy."
"No offense," said Cornelia, "But I doubt that you can handle those slimy bastards." She then informed Kadma on all that has happened since The Guardians first fought The Krawl.
"This is serious," said Kadma, "I hadn't realize so many had already perished."
"That's why we came here," said Cassidy, "Not only to warn you, but to offer our help. I haven't seen what The Krawl can do as of yet, but from what I've heard, they're extremely nasty critters. You're in for one raw deal if you intend to defend Zamballa alone."
"So you are here to get me to join up with Nerissa again!" exclaimed Kadma, her rage rising.
"Just think of it," said Cassidy, "All five of us, together again, one last time. Won't it be fun?"
"I think when Nerissa brought you back to life," said Kadma, "She forgot part of your brain. Or have you always been this clueless? I can't remember."
"Cassidy's brain has nothing to do with this!" said Cornelia, "Believe me, Kadma, if you try to fight The Krawl alone, you and all of Zamballa will die."
"I think you and your friends have worn out your welcome," said Kadma, "Oh successor of mine. So go back to where you came from, before I have the trees rip you to pieces."
"Oh we're going!" said Cornelia, "I know when I'm not welcome. So you just stay here, all alone. It's your funeral, stupid old bitch." Those last three words she muttered.
"What did you say!?!!!" raged Kadma.
"She said she had a back itch!" said Caleb hastily.
"Oh," said Kadma, "Well then, get going."
Cornelia and Caleb started for the flight of steps leading down the pyramid, but Cassidy remained behind for a few final words. "Do you know what your sin is, Kadma?" she asked.
"My what?" asked Kadma.
"Your sin," said Cassidy, "What allowed Nerissa to take control of you. For me it was a mixture of gluttony and lust. I hungered and desired to be alive again, and Nerissa used that desire to gain control over me.
"For Halinor is was desperation, which isn't exactly a sin, but Halinor's lack of self courage was what allowed Nerissa to control her. As for Yan Lin, well, Nerissa had to clone her in order to control her.
"As for you, Kadma, your sin is pride. You think yourself better than others. It's that 'holier than thou' attitude is what made you Nerissa's mind slave. Think about it, you might just learn something about yourself."
"Are you quite finished?" asked Kadma coldly, "Or have you other nonsense to speak of?"
"I'm done," said Cassidy, "But remember this when The Krawl descend from the sky: you choose to stand alone." With that she used a small crystal to make a Fold back to Meridian. She and Caleb stepped through, but Cornelia remained behind for a few more words.
"I used to admire you," said Cornelia to her predecessor, "I thought you were really great. Now I just pity you." Turning her back on Kadma, Cornelia stepped through the Fold. As the Fold closed, the full weight of Cornelia and Cassidy's words hit her. Despite being the protector of an entire planet, despite having an army of walking trees at her command, Kadma was alone.
A few minutes later…
"That stubborn bitch!" exclaimed Halinor, "it would serve her right if she and all of Zamballa were devoured by The Krawl!"
"There's no need to blow a gasket over this," said Nerissa, "If Kadma doesn't want our help, it's her decision, despite her stupidity."
"We can't just stand by and let The Krawl destroy Zamballa," said Taranee, "It's just plain inhuman."
"If Kadma doesn't want out help," said Neji, "Then who are we to disrespect her rights?"
"Kadma and all of Zamballa will be destroyed if we don't help," said Hay Lin, "So it's either help Kadma and anger her further, or do nothing and allow another world to be destroyed by The Krawl."
"I say we vote on it," said Matt, "Just for the sake of being formal."
"Okay then," said Will, "All those in favor of abiding by Kadma's wishes and leave things be on Zamballa, raise your hand." Neji, Nigel, Cornelia and Halinor voted to stay away from Zamballa.
"All those in favor of helping anyway…" With that everyone else voted to go to Zamballa. "Majority rules," said Will, "We're going to help Kadma."
"Count us in as well." Cornelia and Irma were surprised to see their siblings enter the room.
"What are you doing here?" asked Cornelia.
"We finished our training," said Lillian, "Chris and I are mages now!"
"Where are those Krawl creeps?" Christopher asked eagerly, "Let me at them!"
"I don't think so," said Irma, "If mom knew that you were fighting giant, planet eating amoebas, she'd freak. It's bad enough that I'm doing it."
"Irma has a point," said Will, "I know you two have worked hard to develop your powers, but this is a little big for you."
"You think we can't handle it," said Christopher, "well we'll just have to show you big kids that us little kids can handle it." He then said a few words that Will and the others couldn't understand. Suddenly a large stone block appeared from thin air. He then aimed his hand at the block and a bolt of blue energy shot from his hands, blasting the stone to pieces.
"Still think I can't handle it?" Chris asked.
"Not bad," said Irma, "But you're still a little squirt."
"My turn," said Lillian. She aimed her hand at the stone pieces, which soon rose into the air and exploded like fireworks.
"Impressive," said Nerissa, "You have much potential for someone so young."
"You think that's cool," said Lillian, "Then check this out!" She then pointed her right index finger at her sister. Cornelia suddenly rose into the air.
"Hey!" exclaimed Cornelia, "Put me down, you little troll!"
"Just for that," said Lillian, a sly smile on her face, "I think I'll take you for a ride!" She moved her finger back and forth, causing Cornelia to move rapidly in the air until she began to turn green in the face.
"Stop!" exclaimed Cornelia, "You've made your point! You can come with us!!"
"Cool," said Lillian as she lowered her finger, causing Cornelia to land onto the floor like a sack of potatoes.
"I've got one question for you two," said Taranee while Caleb helped Cornelia up, "How are you explaining to your parents where you've been?"
"That's easy," said Christopher, "I told my parents that I was at Lillian's place,"
"And I told my parents that I was with Chris," said Lillian, "They seem to think it's a good idea that we spend a lot of time together."
"Looks like Cornelia and Irma are going to be in-laws after all," said Hay Lin.
Five minutes later all of our heroes were ready to go to Zamballa. Will pulled out The Heart of Candracar and made the Fold. What they found on the other side would shock and appall them all; The Krawl had already arrived on Zamballa.
The end of chapter 21. Next chapter our heroes must save Zamballa from the wrath of The Krawl, while dealing with the rage of Kadma. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!