Chapter 26: The Skyan's Challenge & Alliance Leaders
Later that night, after everyone left her room, Hay Lin got ready for bed and was laying in the comfortable bed trying to get some sleep. But she couldn't sleep for something was on her mind.
Would she lose Eric by going along with Nigel's plan?
Hay Lin's POV
Am I doing the right thing? I mean sure, I may beat Sorleen. But what if I drive Eric away by doing this? I mean, he didn't even look at me when he left earlier tonight. Is all of this worth losing Eric? Sure the others have my back in all of this. Well, Taranee and Caleb don't like it and Will doesn't know about it, but I don't want to lose to Sorleen! I mean there's a part of me that wants to make it clear that Eric is my guy. But she didn't try to turn him from me. And now she has her own boyfriend. So is it really worth doing all of this just to beat her? I mean sure, me and the girls have beaten a lot of bad guys in the last few years, but Sorleen isn't an enemy. I'm the one who struck the first attack. But I can't let the others down. I just have to pray and hope everything turns out okay.
Normal POV
Hay Lin then let out a yawn befoe letting sleep come over her. The next day at Noon, all of the royals along with Angelo's royal guard, the Guardians, Matt, Caleb, John Vanders, Susan Vandom, Joe Vanders, and C.H.Y.K.N. had gathered in the stands that were set up along side of the training grounds the Skyan's Challenge was to take place. Standing in the middle of the training grounds facing each other were Hay Lin, who was in her Guardian form, and Princess Sorleen. In Hay Lin's hands was a wodden sword, while Sorleen had a pait of wooden battle batons. Olec was also standing there with them ready to get the fight started.
"We are gathered here, to witness a Skyan's Challenge between Princess Sorleen of the Skyan Kingdom and Hay Lin the Guardian of Air", Olec announced. "Both have already picked their weapons and are ready to begin. They both know the rules and are ready when King Angelo gives the word.", he finished as he backed away from them, knowing that they needed the room to take off.
Hearing that, Angelo stood up to address Hay Lin and Sorleen.
"I want to see a good clean fight.", Angelo said. "Any cheating will not be tolorated one bit."
Hearing that made Hay Lin gulp as she got ready to fight. Angelo then unsheated his sword and raised it in the air.
"Begin!", he said as he lowered it so that he had it pointing at Sorleen and Hay Lin.
Both Sorleen and Hay Lin took to the sky at great speed and began to fight each other as their weapons clashed against each other. Angelo calmly sheathed his sword and sat down. Will who was sitting next to him couldn't help but grin at him.
"And what's so funny?", Angelo questioned.
"Any cheating will not be tolorated one bit.", she repeated in a deep voice mocking Angelo.
"Very funny.", Angelo said.
"I know.", she said with a smile. "But do you think they got the message?"
"I hope so.", Angelo said. "But I doubt it."
"I think you;re right.", Will said as she looked down at Elyon who was sitting with the other girls who were two rows in front of them.
"Don't worry.", Angelo said. "I already have a plan set to counter their little plan."
As for Elyon, she had already read Falco's mind without him knowing it and was feeding Hay Lin the info she needed. As she was doing this, she remembered the plan, Nigel came up with.
Flashback, last night in Hay Lin's room...
"So what's your big idea?", Irma asked Nigel as they and the others were all gathered in Hay Lin's room.
"Simple.", Nigel said. "During the challenge, Elyon can use her telepathic powers to read Falco's mind and send what he knows about Aveon combat to Hay Lin giving her the edge she needs to go toe to toe with Sorleen. Heck! She even maybe able to beat her!"
"That'll bring Sorleen down a peg or two.", Irma said with a smirk. "Right, Hay-Hay?", she questioned nudging Hay Lin putting a small smile on her face.
"Hold up now,.", Nigel said. "If this works and you do manage to beat Sorleen, Hay Lin, you can't just go and rub it in."
"Why not?", Irma questioned.
"Because Hay Lin is a Guardian.", Cornelia said. "Duh!"
"That's right.", Nigel said. "There is a thing known as winning with grace."
"So if I win, I just shake her hand and be happy.", Hay Lin figured.
"Bingo.", Nigel said. "But it all rides on Elyon being able to read Falco's mind."
"No pressure.", Elyon said sarcastilly.
End Flashback
'I just have to focus and read Falco's mind and send what he knows to Hay Lin.', Elyon thought to herself as she kept sending Hay Lin the info she needed.
As for Sorleen, she was surprised at how well Hay Lin was fighting. Hay Lin was able to counter every move she threw at her.
'How is she able to fight this well?', Sorleen thought to herself. 'From what Falco told me, he was only able to teach her the basics as well as a few moves! So, how come she's this good so suddenly?', she thought as she dodged one of Hay Lin's attacks.
'I just may be able to beat her!', Hay Lin thought to herself as she kicked Sorleen in the stomach only for her to counter with a elbow to Hay Lin's gut. 'Then again... maybe not!', she thought as she backed away grunting from Sorleen's attack.
"Looks like Falco taught Hay Lin well, given the time he had.", Angelo said.
"Well, we Guardians are fast learners when we need to be.", Irma bragged as she turned to look at Angelo with a smirk. "I wouldn't be surprised if Hay Lin wins this Skyan's Challenge."
"Don't be so sure.", King Avos said. "The challeneg isn't over yet."
"And our daughter still hasn't pulled out her best moves yet.", Queen Arela said proudly thinking of her daughter.
"We'll see about that.", Irma said under her breath. "It's time to end this, Elyon.", she whispered to the Merdian queen.
"Right.", Elyon said with a nod as she began to telepathiclly send Hay Lin some moves Falco knew.
Seeing this, Eric just shook his head.
'I can't believe Hay Lin is going along with this!', he thought to himself. 'I thought she was better than that. I guess I was wrong.'
"I think it's time to end this battle.", Sorleen said as she flapped her wings, hovering in the air. "Prepare yourself, Guardian of Air!"
"Bring it on, princess!", Hay Lin said as she getting telepathic images from Elyon about Falco's moves.
But they weren't complete, so Hay Lin had to wait until the full images came to her. To bad it wasn't going to happen. For King Angelo had other plans.
'Time to end this, Nara.', Angelo said to Nara, who had a telepathic link up between the two fo them.
'Took you long enough.', Nara said with a grin getting a grin from Angelo before she cut the link she had with him. 'And now to end this!', she thougth to herself as she began to focus her telepathic powers to block Elyon's link with Hay Lin. 'There you are, sister of my beloved Phobos! Time to end your cheating!'
Before Elyon knew it, she felt her connection with Hay Lin suddenly break! She then looked up at Hay Lin knowing that she was in trouble.
"Oh boy.", Elyon said.
"What's wrong?", Cornelia asked.
"My link with Hay Lin has been cut off.", Elyon said whispered to the girls.
"What!", Irma questioned. "But how?"
"I don't know.", Elyon said. "One minute it was there. The next,... Poof!"
"Well, can you make a new link?", Matt whispered.
"I tried.", Elyon said. "But something keeps blocking me."
"This isn't good.", Nigel said as they all looked up at the battle between Hay Lin and Sorleen to see Sorleen gaining the upper hand.
'I'm in trouble!', Hay Lin thought to herself as she was trying to get a hit off of Sorleen only for her to misss each time and get hit herself. 'What happened to the link me and Elyon had?'
'What gives?', Sorleen thought to herself as she was kicked Hay Lin in her side followed by a knee to the gut. 'She was giving me a good fight a minute ago! Is she trying to toy with me? Well I won't stand for it! This ends now!'
Sorleen then sheathed her battle batons and flew at Hay Lin ready to end the battle. Before Hay Lin could do anything, Sorleen laid into her with a strong ten hit combo which sent Hay Lin falling to the ground.
'So much you Nigel's plan.', Hay Lin thought to herself as she was falling to the ground.
"Hay Lin!", Irma, Cornelia, Taranee, and Elyon cried out as Hay Lin fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Eric was about to run out onto the training grounds and try to catch Hay Lin, but stopped when he saw Sorleen dive after the young Air Guardian. As for Hay Lin, she had closed her eyes and braced for her impact to the ground only to feel a set of arms wrap around her waist and slow her fall.
"W-What's happening?", Hay Lin questioned as she opened her eyes to see that she was a few inches from the ground.
"Just because I'm angry at you, doesn't mean I want you to die.", Sorleen said as she set Hay Lin on her feet.
Once Hay Lin's feet touched the ground, and Sorleen let her go and landed next to her, Angelo stood up and to announce the winner.
"And the winner of the Skyan's Challenge is, Princess Sorleen!", Angelo announced getting cheers from all that enjoyed the battle.
"Well, that was exciting.", Will said.
"It's not over yet.", Angelo said before he began to address the royals there. "I have something to say that concerns the Allaince.", he said getting the attention of everyone there. "Now some of you want Queen Elyon to lead the Alliance, while others of you want me to lead. Well, I believe that neither of us can lead alone.", he said surprising everyone. "Which is why I suggest that Queen Elyon and I both lead the Alliance."
"Okay. Didn't see that coming.", Taranee said.
"But it can work.", Caleb said. "With both of them leading the Alliance, all of Metamoor will see that if the two of them can work together, then all of us can."
"I agree.", King Leonos said.
"As do I.", King Aquas agreed.
"Here, here!", King Tamor said smiling.
"I believe that we all are in agreement.", King Avos said to the royals. "Right, Queen Helina?", he questioned looking at the Florinian Queen.
All eyes were on Queen Helina waiting for her to answer. There was a part of her that still thought that Elyon should lead, but with all the other royals agreeing with both King Angelo and Queen Elyon leading the Alliance, she had to admit that it was a good idea. So after taking a deep breath, and swallowing her pride, she looked towards King Angelo and...
"Who am I to disagree with such logic.", she said with a kind smile. "I too agree with you idea."
"Then it it settled.", King Tamor said. "Queen Elyon and King Angelo shall lead the Alliance in the war against the Claynan invasion."
Everyone cheered in agreement happy that they finally had a leader or should I say leaders for the Alliance. But King Angelo wasn't finished yet as he raised his right hand getting everyones attention.
"I'd also like one more person to help lead the Alliance, making it a Tribunal of leadership.", Angelo said.
"And who would this person be?", Queen Hydrana asked.
"The Keeper of the Heart of Kandrakar.", Angelo said surprising everyone including Will, who looked at Angelo with wide eyes.
"Something tells me that Will didn't know about this.", Susan said to John.
"I think you're right.", John said.
"M-M-Me?", Will questioned.
"Yes, you.", Angelo said.
"Oh, no! No! No! No! No! No!", she said as she had her harms held out on front of her while shaking her hands and head. "I have my hand full leading the Guardians! A whole army is to much!"
"But you won't be alone.", Angelo said. "Me and Elyon will be there leading as well. Besides. You know how Zanora and Froxx think when they were posing as Nerissa and Phobos. That knowledge can come in handy."
"You have a point.", Will said. "But I once school starts, I'll have more stuff on my plate."
"I already figured that part out.", Angelo said. "Me and Elyon can handle the heavy stuff during that time. "Besides, you can come here and do whatever homework you may have."
"You're not going to stop nagging me until I say yes, are you?", Wil questioned.
"No.", Angelo said surprising Will. "It's all your choice. Whatever you decide, I'll respect."
Hearing that put a small smile on Will's face before she looked around at everyone there. The royals looked as if they approved of her being part of the Tribunal. And the girls looked happy for her. Her mother had a look that was saying 'whatever you decide, I'll be there for you', which made her smile even more. Then, she saw Elyon's face. She looked as if she wanted Will help form the Tribunal of Leadership, yet would understand if she didn't. She then looked within herself and saw the answer. She then turned to Angelo and...
"I, Will Vandom the Guardian of Quintessence, and the Keeper of the of the Heart of Kandrakar accept your offer to be apart of your Tribunal of Leadership.", she said proudly getting cheers from everyone there.
"And for that, I think you.", Angelo said as he bowed to her while taking her right hand and kissing the back of it, making her blush a bit.
"Sweet-talker.", Will whispered to him.
"Thank you.", Angelo said smiling as the sound of a bell was heard. "And that sound means it's time for lunch. And I'm hungry! So let us all go and eat and fill our bellies.", he said as he offered his arm to Will who of course took it and walked with Angelo into the palace to have lunch.
A/N: Well the Skyan's Challenge is over and Sorleen won. And now three leaders have been choosen to lead the Alliance. Now they just have to prepare for the war that's coming. Here's hoping that things go well.
Please review.