Chapter 26:
"Will!", Susan cried as she ran up to her daughter.
"Mom!", Will cried happily as she ran towards her mother.
"Oh, Will! John told me everything that happened with that Cezza woman!", Susan cried as she hugged her daughter. "I'm so happy to see you again!"
"I missed you so much, mom!", Will cried as they held on to each other. "I wish I told you about me being a Guardian a long time ago!"
"Why didn't you tell me about all of this?", Susan asked as they pulled away from each other.
"I wanted to. I really did!", Will said as tears flowed down their faces. "I just didn't know how you'd take it all. So, I said nothing."
"You're my daughter, Will Vandom.", Susan said as she cupped Will face in her hands. "I'll love you no matter what. Do you understand?"
"Yeah. I do", Will said as she hugged her mother. "And I love you too, mom."
"Welcome home, my pink, poofy, perky, pumkin.", Susan said as she held her daughter close.
Will couldn't help but laugh at what her mom said. She actually missed her mother calling her that. Seeing the happy reunion between the two Vandom women, Angelo couldn't help but smile as he shedded a few tears of his own. Then without warning, Susan reached out and pulled Angelo into the hug, in which she and Will hugged him.
"Thank you for keeping your promise, Angelo.", Susan cried. "This means so much to me."
"You're welcome, Aunt Susan.", Angelo said as he hugged them both.
'Will? Angelo?', Taranee called out through their telepathic link causing them to end their hug.
'Taranee?', they both questioned surprised that she was contacting them right now.
'Sorry to enterupt, but we want to know something.', Taranee said. 'So, can you all come back here please.'
'Give us a minute.', Angelo said.
'Sure.', Taranee said before cutting the link.
"What's wrong?", Susan asked.
"Taranee just contacted us.", Will said. "She and the other girls want us to come back for something."
"Um... Okay.", Susan said as she went to get her coat. "I'll come with yiou."
"Don't worry about that coat, Aunt Susan.", Angelo said as he and Will walked up to her. "We have a quicker way."
"Granted, you may feel a bit dizzy afterwards.", Will said with a small smile.
"What do you mean?", Susan asked as Will placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You'll see.", Angelo said.
Before Susan said any thing else, Will teletransported away with her in tow. With a grin, Angelo teletransported away as well. A few seconds later, all three of them were at the Vanders residents, where friends and family were waiting for them.
"Whoa!", Susan said as she began to feel a bit dizzy as she began to fall backwards.
"Easy, mom!", Will said with a grin as she and Angelo grabbed her hands and pulled her back up. "You'll be okay in a few minutes."
"You weren't kidding about being dizzy.", Susan said as Will helped her to the couch.
"It's never fun the first time.", Angelo's grandfather, Joe, said with a grin.
"You should know, oh husband of mine..", Kadma said with a grin of her own.
"You get use to it after a while though.", Angelo said as Cornelia walked up to him. "Hey."
"Hey.", Cornelia said as they shared a kiss. "Now, how did you guys rescue us even after our exacution?"
"This was the big thing you wanted to know about?", Angelo asked.
"Yes!", Cornelia, Hay Lin, and Irma said at the same iime.
"So, start talking!", Taranee said as she and the other girls sat with their boyfriends and family.
"I'm letting Martin do this one.", Angelo said as he and Cornelia sat with the other Hales. "Seeing as part of it was his idea."
"Should of know you were behind it.", Irma said with a smirk.
"Only part of it.", Martin said.
"So, what happened?", Hay Lin asked.
"Well, it all started the week before your exacutions.", Martin began to explain. "I had just discovered that Matt was the spy, because of Cezza enthralling him."
"Which only kicked in when he went to sleep at night.", Angelo said. "Once he fell asleep, his enthralled side kicked in and he went and told Cedric any plans we had to attack any shipments of supplies, or weapons."
"So, how did you break it?", Cornelia said. "Let alone find out."
"Thank Napolean.", Matt said. "Once he figured out that I was enthralled, it was easy for Lillian to break it."
"Way to go, Sis.", Cornelia said as she smiled at her little sister.
"Thanks.", Lillian said smiling proudly with a flip of her hair. "It was nothing."
"Oh boy.", Irma said rolling her eyes. "If it isn't Corny, it's Lilly doing the hair flip."
"Don't call me Corny!", Cornelia said.
"And don't call me Lilly!", Lillian said.
"Priceless!", Angelo said with a laugh along with the others.
After a few minutes, everyone calmed down so Martin could continue with his explaination.
"Now where was I?", Martin questioned. "Oh yeah! I had called Angelo, Orube, and Caleb over to tell them about Matt. Afterwards, we had to come up with a way to rescue you girls. I had thought of a few ways, but one really stuck out the most."
Flashback, a week before the exacutions...
"I can't believe this!", Caleb said in anger. "When I get my hands on him, I'll..."
"Caleb wait!", Angelo said. "Let's not do anything. Not yet anyway."
"Why not?", Caleb questioned. "Give me one reason why we shouldn't go after him right now?"
"Because we can use him to our advantage.", Angelo said. "Once we find out which of the girls will executed, the day before it happens, we make up a false plan of how to rescue them."
"The traitor will then go and tell our enemies about it and they'll prepare for what their little spy told them.", Orube said. "But we'll be going along with our real plan to rescue the girls."
"Speaking of which.", Martin said as he pulled out a book and opened it to a page that he marked. "I think this might be able to help us with that."
Caleb, Orube, and Angelo looked at the page Martin had the book opened to. On one of the pages was a plant that Angelo and Orube never saw before. Once Caleb saw it, he recognized it right way.
"What is that?", Angelo asked.
"It's a plant from Metamoor.", Caleb explained. "The plant is called the "False Death". A plant that has pollen that call knock a person out and make it look like they're dead."
"But in reality, the person's heartbeat is brought down to a crawl.", Martin explained. "I found that out in this book Caleb let me borrow months ago. Because with this book, I was able to discover the other plants that we were able to use against Cedric, Miranda, and the Lurdens."
"Like that powder that we made that neutralized Cedric and Miranda's shape-shifting powers.", Angelo said. "To bad we have to wait for more of the plant, we made the powder from, to make some more."
"So, how does this "False Death" plant fit into your idea?", Orube asked Martin.
"Well, let's be honest.", Martin said. "With all of the Lurdens and Mogriffs Will and Phobos have, it would be an all out battle to save even one of the girls."
"So, what's your idea?". Caleb asked.
"Simple.", Martin said. "We kill the girls, before they get exacuted."
"The "False Death" plant!", Angelo, Caleb, and Orube said at the same time figuring out where Martin was going.
"Bingo!", Martin said with a sly smile.
"But how do we get it to them?", Angelo questioned.
"And how will this all work without Will reading the minds of the girls?", Orube qiestioned. "If we smuggle the plant into the prison, and the girls take it at the right time, Will still might read their minds and find out what's going on."
"Then we don't let the girls know what's going.", Angelo said.
"And as for the "False Death", we can have it slipped into the drink of whoever is getting executed on Monday and go from there."
"And with the spies we have in the palace, that can be easiliy done.", Caleb said.
"All we have to do is make the pollen of the "False Death" into a fine powder or liquid to be mixed into the drink of which ever Guardian is being exacuted.", Orube said.
"The petals as well.", Martin said. "According to the book here, the petals can be used with the pollen to make a liquid that can be mixed into other liquids."
"So, once they drink it, it take a bit longer for it to kick in.", Caleb figured., "Thus, making it look like they're dead."
"But Will's going to have someone checked for a pulse.", Orube said. "What do we do about that?"
"If only we could make them think the one being exacuted is dead.", Martin said.
"Lillian!", Angelo said.
"Lillian?", Martin questioned.
"As the Heart of Earth, she can have the power of mind control.", Angelo explained. "So, why not have her use that on the person who checks the girl's pulse at the time. From a safe distance tht is.
"And with the powers she got back from Mr. Huggles, before he was killed, Lillian just might be able to pull it off.", Orube said.
"Okay.", Angelo said. "So, far so good. But what then? The effects of the "False Death" only last for so long."
"We have Frost make thw suggestion tossing the girls into the Abyss of Shadows.", Martin said. "With Sandpit back, we can have him dig a tunnel from the rebel base into the Abyss of Shadows. He can then be there to catch which ever of the girls get tossed down there at the time. So, what do you guys think?", Martin asked.
"This could work.", Angelo said. "It's risky. But it could work."
"It is a sound plan.", Caleb said. "But how can we pull it off? Not to mention, get what we need for our plan to work."
"Leave that to me.", Angelo said. "I know what to do."
"But what will we do with the girls once we rescue them?", Orube said. "We have to hide them from the spy until the time is right."
"Again, leave that to me.", Angelo said. "I know a place where we can hide them."
End Flashback.
"And that was how we came up with the plan.", Martin said.
"So, bascilly put, you guys drugged us.", Hay Lin said.
"In a way, yes.", Eric said. "And thanks to Kadma, we were able to hide you, Irma, and Cornelia on Zambala until the day of Taranee's exacution."
"Where Gargoyle was living until it was time for the final battle.", Orube said.
"That was a pretty risky plan.", Will said.
"Hey, it worked.", Irma said. "We're alive, aren't we?"
"True.", Cornelia said. "But how did you guys figure out that Alchemy was the one that could wake Elyon from her slumber?"
"Actually, Nigel help us figure that one out.", Angelo said. "When we were trying to figure out who was the one that could wake Elyon, Lillian mentioned Alchemy. Then Nigel said that she along with you and Elyon are the best of friends."
"And that's when you guys figured that Alchemy was the one that could wake Elyon.", Taranee said.
"Yep.", Nigel said.
"Where is Alchemy anyway.", Hay Lin asked.
"On Metamoor.", Cornelia said. "She and Elyon are hanging out. I plan on going there in a few days. But until then, I'm going to enjoy being back home."
"On that we can all agree.", Irma said smiling. "I miss sleeping in my own bed. I miss TV! As well as music, video ganes, cars, the beach. I miss it all!"
"I miss some Silver Dragon cooking!", Hay Lin said.
"I'm up for some egg rolls!", Irma said.
"I figured as much.", Yan Lin said smiling. "Which is why I had the cooks prepare a something for all of us. Think of it as a victory/homecoming feast."
"And off we go!", Irma said cheerfully as she got up and grabbed Martin's hand. "Move it, Tubbs!"
"Whoa!", Martin said as he was being pulled along. "I'm coming! I'm coming!"
"That girl is never going to change.", Tom said with a laugh.
"I wouldn't have it any other way.", Anna said with a smile.
"Shall we, Ms. Vandom?", John said as he offered his hand to Susan.
"Yes we shall.", Susan said as she took his hand.
"Ever wonder when they finally get married?", Angelo questioned as he walked with Cornelia.
"I hope it's soon!", Will said as she walked with Matt. "Uncle John has been there for mom ever since we found out that the priest's, who performed her and dad's wedding, marriage licence expiared."
"That was something else.", Angelo said as the other girls walked with their boyfriends. "But Aunt Susan and Uncle John got together and are now engaged."
"Now they just have to get married.", Will said. as they all exited the Vanders' home and headed across the street to the Silver Dragon.
"Speaking of getting married, when will you two be tying the knot with you signifigant other?", Susan asked Angelo and Will as they entered the resturant.
"When we're good and ready.", Will and Angelo said at the same time.
"Oh really?", Cornelia questioned with a smirk. "And who will you be marrying?"
"No idea..", Angelo said.
"What?", Cornelia questioned.
"Sorry, Baby.", Angelo said. "But for all we know, you and me may not be together after college. We may break up and I could end up with someone else. Heck! I could get with one of the girls."
"He has a point there, Cornelia.", Elizabeth said.
"Mom!", Cornelia said.
"Well, it's true.", Elizabeth said as everyone sat at the tables that was set for them.
"Hmmmm.", Irma said while tapping her thumb. "Irma Vanders. It could happen."
"Or Taranee Vanders.", Taranee said with a grin.
"Hay Lin Vanders.", Hay Lin said smiling. "It has a nice ring to it."
"I think Will Vanders is a whole lot better.", Will said joining in on the fun.
"It's going to Cornelia Vanders and that's final!", Cornelia snapped as she jumped up from her seat.
Everyone was silent as Cornelia stood there. All around the returant, people were staring at Cornelia. With red cheeks, Cornelia sat back in her seat and ducked down a little. Soon family and friends were laughing.
"She's a fiesty one, Angelo!", Joe said while laughing.
"And I wouldn't have her any other way, Grandpa!", Aneglo said as he wrapped an arm around Cornelia and pulled hr a little closer to himself and kissed her on the forehead making her smile a little.
Cornelia then turned towards Angelo and...
"I love you, Angelo Vanders.", Cornelia said to Angelo.
"And I love you, Cornelia Hale.", Angelo said before they shared a kiss.
"I love you, Taranee Cook.", Nigel said to Taranee.
"And I love you, Nigel Ashcroft.", Taranee said before they kissed.
"Martin Tubbs, I love you.", Irma said.
"And I love you, Irma Lair.", Martin said before sharing a kiss.
"Hay Lin, I lo...", Eric began to say before Hay Lin kissed him, cutting him off.
"I love you too, Eric Lyndon.", Hay Lin said with a smile making Eric smile as well.
"Peter, I...", Orube began to say before Peter cut her off by placing hie right index finger on her lips.
"You don't have to say anything, Orube.", Peter said with a smile. "I feel the same way."
Orube smiled back before they shared a loving kiss.
"I love you, Matt Olsen.", Will said to Matt.
"I love you, Will Vandom.", Matt said as they shared a kiss.
Susan and John said nothing as they shared a kiss. No words were needed for they knew they love they had was strong. Everyone then looked at Lillian and Chris.
"What?", Chris questioned. "We just got together!"
"Things like this take time!", Lillian said getting a laugh out of the others.
But when no one was looking, Lillian and Chris shared a quick kiss, while holding hands under the table. For the rest of the evening, everyone enjoyed the feast as they were all happy that everyone they loved and cared for was safe and sound.
A/N: Everyone is happy again and love is in the air. Plus, the girls now know how the guys were able to pull off their rescues. Pretty smart plan. Next up is the Epilogue! Hope you all enjoy it!
Please review.