Last time Will and the others learned the source of what made Nerissa evil in the first place. Apparently 40 years ago Nerissa was infected with what Martin named a Chaos Spore. Within Nerissa's brain was a small fungal mass of living darkness that fed off of her negative emotions. Thanks to some positive emotions from Caleb, (who acknowledged Nerissa as his mother) and with a boost from The Heart of Candracar, Will was able to destroy the infection in Nerissa's brain. Yet it wasn't over, for a small speck of the darkness survived, a Chaos Spore. The Spore then infected Elyon's heart, almost instantly taking control of her. Cornelia and her fellow Guardians appealed to Elyon's heart, and thanks to some handy stunning from Christopher and Lillian, removed the Spore from Elyon. She then honored Lillian and Christopher for their help in saving her. On with the show!

Chapter 25: Taking A Stand part1

The next few days were unusually quite, considering all the usual excitement Will and her friends were used to. With no sign of The Krawl within the scanning range of Martin's invention, our heroes were enjoying the lack of enemy activity. Yet they knew that it was only a matter of time before The Krawl struck again.

Where the enemy would strike next was not known, so being the smart people they were, Martin and Taranee had begun improving his Krawl detector. "How far are we intending to look for the enemy?" asked Taranee.

"As far as we can," said Martin as he made an adjustment to the scanner, "The Krawl swarms could be anywhere in the galaxy, the universe even."

"Which is why we need to strike back at them," said Will, "We need to get to their next target and stop them before they destroy it."

"We still haven't figured out how to achieve our Elemental forms," said Hay Lin, "If we go up against the enemy now, we probably won't last long."

"We can still try," said Cornelia, "If we don't do even that, then we should just give up."

"Never!" exclaimed Matt, "If we give up, then we're no better than sheep. I'm not gonna be lamb chops for giant amoebas!!"

"Me neither," said Nigel, "I'm gonna try."

This lead to nods of agreement from the rest of the gang.

Just then Ashley and Hunter came in, their arms laden with small computer components. "This is what we could salvage from our ship," said Ashley, "What still works that is."

"You don't want to know about the stuff that doesn't work," said Hunter, "And I don't know if this stuff could help."

"No," said Martin as he examined one of the parts salvaged from the crashed transport, "This could work. Yes, this could definitely work!!"

"While the smart people are working," said Irma to Ashley, "Have you thought about it?"

"About what?" asked Ashley before realizing what Irma was talking about, "You mean my grandfather's glove. Yes, I have thought about it."

"And?" asked Irma, "Are you going to put it on?"

"The glove is a symbol of leadership for our people," said Hunter, "Not anyone can wear it and be acknowledged as High Protector. The Heart of Nahani VII can only be worn by someone who is worthy of its powers and responsibilities."

"And since Nahani VII has been destroyed," said Ashley, "The glove's powers were destroyed with it. It's just a glove now."

"Don't say that, child!!" As it so happens, Megumi was in earshot of Ashley's words, "Even though our homeworld has been destroyed, The Heart of Nahani VII still has its power. As long as a Nahanian wears it, our people have a future."

"Your grandfather wanted you to have The Heart of Nahani VII," said Hunter to Ashley, "He obviously believed you were the right person for the job."

"My grandfather believed in many things," said Ashley, "Many of which I didn't agree with. This is one of them. I'm sorry Megumi, Hunter, but my grandfather is, was wrong. I'm not worthy."

"I think you are worthy," said Cornelia, "And before this mess with The Krawl is over, I hope you'll think the same."

It was then that Martin and Taranee cried out in success. "It works!!!" exclaimed Taranee, "We've increased the range of the scanner by a factor of 50!!"

"52.1408 to be exact," said Martin, "But who's counting? Anyway, we should know where The Krawl are heading to next pretty soon enough." Three seconds later the scanner beeped as it located a large Krawl swarm. "Here we go. The Krawl are heading for a planet called Ix."

"Ix," said Irma, "What kind of name is that for a planet?"

"A most appropriate name for that planet," said Halinor, "Since that planet is the ninth planet in that star system."

"Ix is a world of advanced technology," said Cassidy, "Nearly all of the planet's surface has been converted into manufacturing plants. They can make anything mechanical that you ask for. From coffee brewers to fusion powered automobiles, from toy robots to long-ranged starships. I spent many days on Ix, during my first life. They're good people, the Ixians; they need to be warned of the coming destruction."

"This concerns more than the people of Ix," said Kadma, "That world manufactures goods for hundreds of space-fairing worlds. If Ix is destroyed, the economy of the galaxy could destabilize, even collapse."

"The what are we waiting for?" asked Will, "Let's get everyone together and go save Ix!"

"We're coming with you," said Ashley, "Hunter and I owe you our lives, it's time we paid that debt."

"You owe us nothing," said Taranee, "It's our pleasure to help others."

"Still," said Hunter as he hefted a long spear, while Ashley took up a bow and quiver full of arrows, "We want to help."

"Where did you get those?" asked Caleb.

"We brought them from Nahani VII," said Hunter, "They're some of the few things that we could bring with us. My spear has a spell on the blade, it can cut through anything."

"And my arrows," said Ashley, "Can pierce even the thickest armor. They're enchanted to kill on impact."

"What if you miss?" asked Hay Lin.

"They're also enchanted to avoid anything I do not whish to harm," said Ashley, "Only what I aim at. If some innocent accidentally steps in the path of the arrow, it'll go around. Even if my arrows weren't enchanted so, I never miss."

"That's a bold statement," said Caleb.

A few minutes later our heroes arrived on Ix. The legendary manufacturing planet was everything Cassidy said it was. Almost the entire surface of the planet was covered by factories, yet there was little, if no pollution. The energy requirements for the worldwide factories was met by a mixture of solar and fusion power. All waste from the factories was recycled back into raw materials.

Yet none of that mattered now, for it was obvious to our heroes that Ix was preparing for siege.

After making contact with the locals, Will and the others were taken to the executive district, where all the financial and economical decisions for the planet were made. There our heroes were greeted by the leader of Ix, President Chris Baxter. He looked to be in his late 60's, wore glasses and walked with a cane.

"I remember you," said President Baxter to Cassidy, "I was a lowly office clerk back then. I'm so pleased that The Guardians have arrived to assist this world in this dark hour."

"We're glad to be here to help," said Will, "But how did Ix know that The Krawl was coming?"

"We were warned," said President Baxter, "By some survivors of a world destroyed by The Krawl."

Just then air raid sirens began howling across the planet. "They're coming," said Nerissa, "The Krawl."

To be continued. Next chapter the battle to defend Ix begins. Also, one of The Guardians will achieve her Elemental form. Guess which one it will be. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!