A/N: Sorry folks, but I had to do this chapter before they went back to school.
Chapter Thirty-Four: Vulnerable & Acceptance
Well time passed and Cornelia and Irma kept their cool seeing as they were busy with work trying to make enough money to finish their school shopping with the budget they were on. They didn't try anything seeing as they already had a plan in motion. Of course the other girls were wondering if Cornelia and Irma had finally stopped with their attempts at payback on the three guys-turned-girls or if they were just waiting for the right time to do something. Either way, they were enjoying the peace. For soon it would be time to go back to school. Which brings us to now as it is only two weeks before the first day of school. And the girls are called to Metamoor for once again Phobos, Cedric, and Miranda have escaped from their cells. All of them were transformed or in Clarissa's case powered up and down in the Infinite City Prison trying to find out what happened.
"How did they get out this time?", Will questioned.
"Believe it or not, they... teleported away.", Vathek said.
"Really?", Clarissa questioned.
"I know it sounds strange, but that's what happened.", Tynar said.
"Maybe Phobos has some followers left out there.", Alchemy suggested.
"You never know.", Elyon said. "Either way, they need to be captured. And I have something that'll make it a whole lot easier.", she said as she made three silver braclets with a diamond in the center of each appear in front of her.
"What are these?", Cassidy asked.
"These bracelets will nullify one's powers.", Elyon explained as she gave Will and Clarissa a bracelet and took one herself. "I'll be going after my brother."
"I'll go with.", Maddie said to which Elyon nodded in agreement.
"Cassidy, Alchemy, Angela, and myself can take Cedric.", Clarissa said.
"That leaves Miranda for W.I.T.C.H.", Will said as they left the prison and splitted up to find the three criminals before they got to far.
Now as for Phobos, Cedric, and Miranda, they were putting as much distance between them and the prison. But as they were making a run for it, one thing kept running through their minds.
"How did we end up out of the prison?", Miranda asked as they were running through the forest.
"I do not know.", Cedric said. "One minute, I'm in my cell the next a hooded figure appears and hits me with a green beam, from his staff, and I'm in the Great Forest."
"The same happened to me as well.", Phobos said.
"As with me.", Miranda said.
"Perhaps it is one of our followers.", Phobos said as they continued to run through the forest.
"Then where are they?", Miranda questioned.
"A good question.", Cedric said.
"Indeed.", Phobos said. as they stopped by a river to get a drink of water. "They should have been with us. Something isn't right."
"May I suggest we think about this later.", Miranda said. "You both know that the queen's "friends" will soon be after us."
"And they're are plenty of them.", Cedric said. "No matter what happens, we'll end up back in our cells."
"Well I don't plan on going back withotu a fight!", Phobos said.
"Maybe we wojn't have to.", Cedric said with a smirk.
"What are you thinking about?", Phobos asked.
"That we get an advantage.", Cedric said.
"What kind of advantage?", Miranda asked.
"A live one.", Cedric said.
As for our hereos, they had splitted up in to their teams and were searching for the three villians. Which brings us to W.I.T.C.H. as they flew through the Great Forest looking for Miranda.
"She couldn't of gotten far.", Taranee said. "Even with her powers, she wouldn't leave Cedric and Phobos behind seeing as there's strength in numbers."
"Maybe they're hiding in a cave or something.", Hay Lin said.
"Maybe we should split up to cover more ground.", Will said as they came to a fork in the path that ran through the forest.
"And wait for them to get the jump on us?", Cornelia questioned. "That's nuts!"
"I'm with Corny on this one.", Irma said.
"It can work if we do it right.", Taranee said.
"Okay, but how do we split up?", Hay Lin asked.
"Taranee will fly above the forest while keeping our link open.", Will said. "As for the rest of us, Cornelia and Irma will take the left path while Hay Lin and i take the right."
"I guess that can work.", Irma said.
"Don't worry.", Will said. "Everything will be okay.", she said as she and Hay Lin headed down the right path.
"Notice how she plit us up?", Irma questioned as she and Cornelia flew down the left path."
"Yep.", Cornelia said. "Think they're still upset with us?"
"Does it matter?", Irma questioned with a smirk.
"Not a bit.", Cornelia said as they continued down the path.
As for the group of Clarissa, Cassidy, Alchemy, and Angela, they were in another part of the Great Forest searching for the three villians but had no luck.
"They have to be here somewhere.", Cassidy said.
"We'll find them.", Angela said. "It's only a matter of time."
"Did you hear that?", Alchemy questioned as she heard a noise.
Suddenly, a little girl came running out from some bushes. Once she saw Angela and the three Guardians of Metamoor she ran up to them and grabbed Clarissa's hand.
"Please help!", the little girl cried. as tears ran down her face. "Two bad men and a girl have my mommy and daddy!"
"Where are they?", Cassidy asked.
"That way!", the girl said as she poitned in the direction she came from. "One grabbed my mommy and she fainted!"
"It must of been Phobos.", Clarissa said.
"The bad prince!?", the little girl questioned in fear as she held onto Clarissa's arm.
"Don't worry.", Clarissa said as she knelt down to the girl. "He and his friends won't get away with this."
"Yeah!", Angela said. "We'll stop them."
"We better hurry, if we're going to catch them.", Alchemy said.
"What about the kid?", Angela questioned.
"I"ll stay with her.", Clarissa said. "You three can fly. It's better this way."
"Okay.", Cassidy said. "We'll be back as soon as we can.", she said as she along with Alchemy and Angela flew off after Phobos and company.
"Will my mommy and daddy be okay?", the little girl asked.
"Of course.", Clarissa said with a smile. "Your parents will be fine. They are in good hands."
"Okay.", the little girl said.
"My name is Clarissa. What's yours?"
"Miranda.", the little girl said.
"What?!", Clarisa questioned as the little girl jumped away from her.
The little girl, who was really Miranda, then smirked as she slowly transformed into her spider form surprising Clarissa.
"You've got to be kidding me!", Clarissa said as she unsheathed her sword ready to fight the shape-shifter when she felt a energy blast hit her from behind. "Ahh!", she cried as she dropped to one knee.
"Now. Now. We won't be having that, my dear.", came a familiar voice she knew all to well."
Clarissa looked behind her to see Phobos walking up to her with a smirk on her face.
"Phobos!", Clarissa snapped as she got ready to charge him only for Miranda to shoot a web as her sword and yanked it out of her hand. "Crap!"
Seeing this, Phobos charged at Clarissa only for her to hit him with a sweep kick knocking him down. But he reacted quickly and grabbed Clarissa's ankle and began to drain her of her energy which was plenty with her being fully powered as a Guardian of Metamoor. The last thing Clarissa saw was Phobos and Miranda standing over her with smirks on their faces. As for Angela, Cassidy, and Alchemy, they were flying through the forest searching for Cedric when they came upon the shape-shifter who was in a clearing in his snake-man form.
"Okay, Cedric, where are the man and woman?", Cassidy questioned.
"What man and woman?", Cedric questioned with a smirk. "So that's how Miranda got you to split up."
"Miranda?", Alchemy questioned before figuring things out. "The little girl!"
"Aw, crap!", Angela said as she was about to fly back to help Clarissa.
"You won't get there in time.", Cedric said stopping Angela. "By now, Miranda and Phobos have captured you friend and Phobos has drained her enough to teleport them somewhere."
"And yet you're here.", Cassidy said. "What do you want?"
"For you all to let us escape from the kingdom.", Cedric said. "Once we are far enough away, we'll let your friend go. Try anything, and she is finished!", he said before he dug a hole to escape.
"We could follow him.", Angela said as they walked up to the hole Cedric dug when ti suddenly collapes. "Or not."
"Let's get back to where we left Clarissa.", Cassidy said. "Maybe she's hilding them off."
"I hope so.", Alchemy said as they flew back to where they left Clarissa hoping she was okay.
But when they got back to the spot, they only found Clarissa's sword on the ground.
"They got her.", Alchemy said.
"I'll contact Elyon and tell; her what happened.", Alchemy said as she contacted her telepathiclly.
'Elyon! We have a problem?', Alchemy said to her.
'Is it Clarissa?', Elyon asked. 'I sensed her power going weak a few minutes ago.'
'Yeah.', Alchemy said something happened. 'Something bad.'
'What happened?', Elyon asked.
Alchemy then filled Elyon in on what happened.
'That's not good!', Elyon said. 'We have to find them!'
'We'll begin searching now.', Alchemy said.
'Good!', Elyon said. 'I'll contact Taranee and fill her in on what's going on.'
'Okay.", Alchemy said as Elyon cut the link.
"Elyon is going to contact the others while we start searching for Clarissa.", Alchemy said.
"So where do we start looking?", Angela asked.
"I say we search any and caves abd caverans.", Cassidy suggested.
"Then lets get started.", Angela said as they began their search.
Meanwhile, Elyon had contacted her other Guardians of Metamoor and had them begin their search for Clarissa. She then contacted Taranee and filled her in on what was going on before she and Maddie began their search.
"So now we've gone from a man hunt to a rescue misson.", Will said.
"Looks like Rebel-Girl has gotten a bit sloppy.", Irma said.
"Really?", Hay Lin questioned. "You're doing this now?"
"Just trying to lighten the mode.", Irma said.
"Now isn't the time for that.", Will said. "We have to find Clarissa. If we find her, we find Phobos and company. Cornelia and Irma will search the caves and caverans while the rest of us continue to search the forest."
"Why do we have to search the caves and caverans?", Irma questioned.
"Because of your powers.", Taranee said. "Cornelia can use her powers to do a quick search of any caves and caverans while you can sense the water in any and tell if wny one is in there as well.", she explained.
"Oh yeah.", Irma said. "Good thinking."
"Now get going.", Will said. "Who knows what they'll do with Clarissa.", she said as they plit up.
"Who knows indeed.", Cornelia said with a small smirk.
As for Clarissa, she slowly woke up to find herself hanging from some webbing with her arms extended outward and upward while her legs being held downward by some more webbing.
"Well this is just great.", she said in a deadpan tone.
"Look who's awake.", came Phobos' voice as he walked up to her. "And who might you be, my dear?"
"Like I'd tell you.", Clarissa snapped.
"Now don't be like that.", Phobos said. "After all, I am your prince."
"Fallen prince.", Clarissa said with a smirk. "One that will be captured soon."
"That's what you think.", Cedric said. "For you are our key to freedom."
"A very lovely key.", Phobos said with a smirk as he looked Clarissa up and down. "So I'll ask again. What is your name?"
"I don't give my name to criminals.", Clarissa said.
"That's funny. You gave it to me, Clarissa.", Miranda said with a smirk. "Of course, you thought I was a scared littl girl.", she said as she turned into the little girl from before.
"Clarissa. What a nice name.", Phobos said.
"We have company.", Cedric said as he sensed someone at the cave entrance.
"Go check it out.", Phobos said. "Both of you."
"And if it's any of our enemies?", Miranda questioned as she transformed into her spider form.
"All of Meridian is our enemy.", Phobos said. "But if it's our more powerful enemies, just remind them of their friend here and they'll back off. And take the Lurdens we found with you just in case."
Cedric and Miranda said nothing as they had the Lurdens follow them leaving Phobos alone with Clarissa. Once they were gone, Phobos turned to look at Clarissa with a look in his eyes as he slowly walked up to her.
"And now it's just you and me, my dear Clarissa.", Phobos said with a smile that sent a chill up Clarissa's spine as she glared at him.
"Be glad that this webbing is holding me here.", Clarissa said.
"It's not only that.", Phobos said as he touched Clarissa's forehead with his right index finger and began to drain some more of her power and strength. "I've been draining some of your power as well. You, my dear, are powerless against me and at my mercy.", he said with a sinister grin.
"Crap.", Clarissa moaned as she felt some of her strength leave her as she blackout again.
Outside the cave that led to a bunch of caverans were Cornelia and Irma who were waiting for the others to show up.
"Looks like we're about to have some company.", Cornelia said as she had her hands on the side of the cave enterance sensing what was going on inside of the cave. "I sense Cedric and Miranda and soem Lurdens coming our way."
"And Phobos?", Irma questioned.
"He's deep in the caveran with Clarissa.", Cornelia said with a smirk. "Who is bound by some of Miranda's webbing!", she said with a small laugh.
"Oh! Now that's priceless!", Irma laughed. "I say that we be the ones to go in and save her sorry butt."
"Couldn't agree more.", Cornelia said just as their fellow Guardians along with the Guardians of Metamoor, and Maddie showed up.
"So what's going on?", Will asked.
"Cedric and Miranda are heading our way with some Lurdens.", Cornelia said. "Phobos is deep within the caveran with Clarissa who they have webbed up."
"Where's Elyon?", Irma asked.
"In the Infinite City Prison with Halinor who brought something to keep Phobos, Cedric, and Miranda from being able to teleport from their cells unless she does it.", Taranee explained.
"Now we just have to capture them and take them back to their cells.", Alchemy said.
"Well I bet that once we beat Cedric and Miranda, the Lurdens will run off to where ever they found them.", Aldarn said.
"It's Phobos that we have to worry about.", Hay Lin said.
"Irma and I can go after him.", Cornelia said. "I can find him with my powers."
"True, but what about Irma?", Alchemy said.
"What about me?", Irma questioned.
"I don't sense any water in the caveran. At least not where Phobos is.", Alchemy said as she touched the side of the cave and used her power of earth to seek out Phobos. "You wouldn't be of much help to Cornelia."
"I can just focus the moisture of the air and fight with that.", Irma said.
"No. Alchemy's right", Will said. "You're better off out here with us fighting the Lurdens. Cornelia and two Metamoor Guardians can go after Phobos and rescue Clarissa."
"I'll go.", Julian said. "And so will Aldarn.", he said as he places a hand on the young Galhot's shoulder.
"Agreed.", Aldarn said with a nod.
"Okay then.", Maddie said. "You three will sneak in while we keep Cedric and Miranda busy."
"Right.", Julian said.
"Here they come!", Hay Lin said as she heard some noices coming from within the cave.
"Hurry and hide!", Vathek said to Julian, Aldarn, and Cornelia who hid behind some bushes just as Cedric, Miranda, and a lot of Lurdens came out of the cave.
"Well look at what we have here.", Miranda said. "Looks like we have quite the escort out of the kingdom."
"The only escorting you'll get will be back to prison!", Tynar shouted.
"Now. Now. Don't forget that we have one of your friends.", Cedric said with the wave of his finger. "Try anything and she'll pay the price!"
"Now see you made a big mistake, Cedric.", Drake said.
"And what's that?", Cedrid asked.
"You're out here while Clarissa is in there.", Drake said with a smirk.
"Gving us a chance to beat you and take down Phobos.", Maddie said.
"Lurdens attack!", Cedric commanded to which the Lurdens charged ready to attack.
Both sides went on the attack giving Julian, Aldarn, and Cornelia their chance to sneak into the caverans and find Clarissa and defeat Phobos.
"Which way?", Julian asked as they came to a series of tunnels.
"We can go through three different ways to get to Phobos.", Cornelia said remembering the way to Phobos from her using power. "One of you can take this tunnel while another one of you takes that one.", she said as she pointed to two tunnels. "I'll take that.", she said as she flew towards the tunnel she picked for herself/
Julian and Aldarn said nothing as they each picked one of the two tunnels Cornelia picked for them hoping they would get to Phobos before he did anything to Clarissa.
'Hang on, Clarissa.', Julian thought to himself as he made his way through his tunnel.
'I'm coming, Clarissa!', Aldarn thought to himself as he ran through his tunnel. 'I'm coming, my friend!'
As for Cornelia, she was flying through her tunnel with a smirk on her face.
'This is to easy. I sent Julian and Aldarn down the two longest tunnels that led to Phobos and Clarissa while I got the shortest.', Cornelia thought to herself. 'I'll be the first to get to Phobos and Clarissa. I'll rescue Clarissa and then help Julian and Aldarn kick Phobos' butt and when all is said and done, Clarissa will have to admit that it was I who saved her butt.', she thought to herself when she almost flew ito a thing of webbing.
"Whoa!", she shouted as she stopped before hitting it. "Looks like Spider-Freak set up some traps.", she said as she looked past the webbing and saw that there were more webbing set up along the tunnel to slow down anyone who went through the tunnels. "Good thing I can fly.", she said as she flew around all the webbing Miranda had set up. "Can't say the same for Julian and Aldarn."
Speaking of whick, Julian did run into some webbing as well. Good thing for him he was quick enough to cut through the webbing with ease. The same is to be said for Aldarn as he slashed through the webbing of his tunnel. Now as for Clarissa, she was coming to to see Phobos sitting on a rock looking right at her.
"Look who's up.", Phobos said with a smirk.
"Look who's annoying.", Clarissa said with a glare.
"That's a sharp tounge you have there.", Phobos said. "I just may have to do something about that."
"You'll try.", Clarissa said with a smirk. "But you'll be back in prison soon."
"Is that so?", Phobos questioned. "Cause I see something different happening.", he said with a smirk.
"You mean your little plan to escape the kingdom?", Clarissa questioned. "Yeah right! The others will stop you!"
"Not with you as our little hostage.", Phobos said. "Which will give us plenty of time together.", he said as he walked up to Clarissa. "Plenty of time indeed.", he said as he began to look Clarissa up and down admiring her figure. "I must say that you would make a fine fisrt lady of my new harem."
"Yeah right!", Clarissa said. "That'll never happen!"
"You say that now.", Phobos said with a smirk. "But you'll change your mind. The others in my past haren have.", he said as he grabbed Clarissa by her chin and licked the side of her face.
"You're sick!", Clarissa snapped.
"And you're the kind of girl I like!", Phobos said with a hungry look. "Nice lovely legs.", he said as he ran his hand up Clarissa's left leg. "Slender yet strong arms. Beautiful green eyes with a lovely face. Curves in all the right places.", he said as he reached behind Clarissa and grabbed her rear with his left hand. "Firm buttocks and an ample bosom!", he said as he ripped open her shirt and ripped open her bra exposing her breast and grabbed them and began to massage them causing Clarissa to panic at his touch.
"Get your hands off me!", Clarissa demanded as she glared at Phobos.
"Oh! I'm just getting started, my dear!", Phobos said with a smirk. "I haven't been with a woman in a long, LONG time! You and I are going to have some fun!"
"Let me go!", Clarissa shouted as she tried to fight Phobos off as he kept groppiing her chest.
It was then that Cornelia came to the end of her the tunnel she flew through and ended up on a ledge that was high above where Phobos and Clarissa were. Of course, she kept herself hidden so she wouldn't be spotted, but she had a great view of what was going on.
'This just keeps getting better and better!', she thought to herself. 'I save her now and will really look like a hero! The other will have to take my side after this and Clarissa won't be able to insult me ever again!'
"Let me go!", Clarissa demanded as a few tears began to form in her eyes.
"That right! Keep fighting and yelling!", Phobos said with a smile. "I like them when they put up a fight!", he said as he used his powers to make a blade of energy and cut her shorts off leaving Clarissa in her underwear and trench coat. "It makes it better when they give in knowing that I've broken their spirits!"
"Then you're going to love this!", came a familiar voice that Clarissa knew all to well.
"Aldarn!", Clarissa cried out.
"Aldarn?", Phobos questioned when he felt himself get thrown away from Clarissa.
"Aw, crap!", Cornelia said to herself knowing that her plan was a bust.
As for Aldarn, he ran up to Phobos and began to beat the crap out of him not giving him a chance to fight back.
"You monster!", Aldarn snapped as he continued to beat on Phobos. "You'll pay for what you've done!", he said as he finished with an uppercut sending Phobos flying.
Phobos ended up on his back knocked out. It was then that Julian entered and saw Aldarn standing over Phobos.
"Nicely done, lad.", Julian said before he saw Clarissa hanging from Miranda's webbing half naked. "My Lord! Clarissa!", he said as he ran up to his son-turned-daughter. "Come help me, Aldarn!"
As for Clarissa she was just hanging there with her head hung low. She didn't notice Aldarn cutting the webbign with his sword or Julian catching her and covering her up with her coat and darrying her out of the caveran while Aldarn put one of the bracelets on Phobos and drag him out with him. For all that ran through her mind was what happened earlier with Phobos and how he could have had his way with her. For at that moment, she saw how even someone like her could be vulnurable. As for Cornelia, she was flying back through her tunnel thinking of an excuse to give the other as to why she wasn't there to help Clarissa.
'What do I do!?', she thought to herself as she flew trhough the tunnel while dodging the webbing Miranda had set up. 'The others will think I did nothing to help Clarissa! Well I didn't do anything, but they don't need to know that! And it's not like I wanted that to happen to her! I was going to jumjp in when Aldarn beat me to the punch! Now I have to come up with an excuse!', she said when she almost flew into a thing of webbing.
"Whoa! I need to be more careful!", Cornelia said when she stopped flying and hovered in front of a thing of webbing. "Or do I?", she asked herself as she stared at the webbing.
Outside the cave, the others had defeated Cedric and Miranda and had the bracelets on each of them. The Lurdens had ran off back to where ever Cedirc had found them.
"Well that was easy.", Cassidy said.
"Like Aldarn said. Once we beat these two the Lurdens would run off.", Raythor said.
"Now we just have to deal with Phobos.", Taranee said just as Julian cam out of the cave carrying Clarissa and Aldarn came out dragging Phobos.
"Or not.", Will said. "What happened?"
"This monster tried to have his way with Clarissa!", Aldarn said as he tossed Phobos next to Cedric and Miranda.
"Looks like he got a good beating.", Irma said as she looked down at Phobos and his battered face.
"How's Clarissa?", Angela asked.
"Not sure.", Julian said as he held Clarissa. "I showed up after Aldarn defeated Phobos. I covred her up after we cut her down and brought her out here."
Angela saw the look on Clarissa's face and knew somethinjg bad happened to her.
"She needs some rest.", Angela said. "Maddie and I can take her back to the palace if you'd like."
"Thank you.", Julian said as he handed Clarissa over to Maddie seeing as she was big enough to carry her.
"See you all at the palace.", Angela said as she and Maddie teleported away with Clarissa.
"So had bad was it?", Drake asked Julian.
"She was hanging by Miranda's webbing in her underwear and coat.", Julian said causing all but Aldarn to gasp in shock. "If Aldarn hadn't showed up, I don't know what Phobos would of done.", he said before glaring at the fallen prince. "I should castrate him for what he tried to do, but it would solve nothing."
"No one would stop you.", Raythor said.
"Let's just get him back to the prison where he belongs.", Vathek said.
"Hey! Where's Cornelia?", Hay Lin questioned as she looked around.
"Good question.", Aldarn said.
Just then Cornelia came out of the cave with some webbing on her.
"What happened to you?", Taranee asked.
"I got caught up in some webbing Miranda had set up in the tunnels.", Cornelia explained as she pulled some webbing off of her shoulder.
"I ran into some, too.", Julian replied. "Had to cut through it to get by."
"Same here.", Aldarn said. "I'm just glad I got to Clarissa in time.", he siad.
"What do you mean?", Cornelia asked playing dumb.
"Phobos tried to... have his way with her.", Aldarn said.
"Is she okay?", Cornelia asked.
"Not sure.", Will said. "Angela and Maddie took her back to the palace."
"And we'll be taking these three back to the prison.", Vathek said as he picked up Phobos and Cedric and hoisted them over his shoulders while Raythor grabbed Miranda.
"And off we go.", Will said as they teleported back to the Infinite City Prison.
Back at the palace, Maddie and Angela had teleported to Clarissa's quarters with Clarissa and sat her on her bed and saw that under her coat she was only in her underwear and boots.
"Aw, man.", Maddie said. "You okay, Clarissa?"
Clarissa said nothing as she sat their going over what happen with Phobos. Each time she did, she became more and more angry with herself.
Clarissa's POV
Why did this happen? How could this happen to me? I'm one of the great heroes of the rebellion. No. Caleb Hart was the hero. Not me. I'm Clarissa Diamond now. Someone who thought they was strong yet almost got raped by Phobos. I'm not strong! I'm weak!
Normal POV
"Clarissa?", Angela questioed as she knelt down to face her friend. "You okay?"
Clarissa then looked at Angela as tears began to form in her eyes. Seeing this, Angela transformed back to normal and sat next to Clarissa and hugged her. Once she did this, Clarissa broke down and cried as she held on to her friend. Seeing this Maddie transformed back to normal and sat on Clarissa other side and hugged har as well. Clarissa welcomed it as she continued to cry.
"It's going to be okay, Clarissa.", Angela said. "You'll get through this."
"And we'll be here for you.", Maddie said.
Clarissa said nothing yet was glad to have her friends there for her as she let out her fustration. In another part of the palace, the other girls were with Elyon telling her what had happened from what they were told by Julian.
"Poor Clarissa.", Elyon said. "I hope she'll be okay."
"Me, too.", Hay Lin said. "And then there's Julian."
"Yeah.", Taranee said. "I know he wishes he could of gotten there sooner."
"Good thing Aldarn got there when he did.", Alchemy said. "Who knows how far Phobos would of went if he had more time."
"I'm more worried about Clarissa.", Cassidy said. "Who knows what she's going through right now. She may not be going to school anytime soon."
"She may not want to be around any men either.", Irma said.
"Maybe.", Elyon said.
"Maybe it'll be best of she were to stay here for a while.", Cornelia said. "You know. Until she's up to going to Earth again."
"Good idea.", Elyon said. "I really want to see if she's okay.", she said as he headed for Clarissa's chambers with the others behind her.
Now in Clarissa's chambers, after she was finished crying, she had gotten dressed in a pair of sleeping pants, a tank-top and got some sleep. Letting her get some rest, Angela and Maddie left Clarisa's chambers just as the others showed up.
"How's Clarissa doing.", Elyon asked.
"She's getting some sleep.", Maddie said.
"She needs it after what happened.", Angela said.
"Think she'll be returning to Earth anytime soon?", Hay Lin asked.
"No idea.", Angela said. "We asked her about it and she said that she wanted to stay here for a while."
"I was hoping to talk to her, but I'll let her get some rest.", Elyon said. "I'll stay here with her until school starts."
"Alright.", Will said as she opened a fold to Earth. "We'll be back in a day or two."
"See ya.", Elyon said as her friends went through the fold.
Elyon then headed for her chambers to get some rest as well. But before she went inside, Aldarn came walking up to her.
"A word, Your Majesty.", Aldarn.", he said getting her attention.
"Yes, Aldarn.", Elyon said.
"I know this may sound bad, but something has been running through my mind after what happened with Clarissa and Phobos.", Aldarn said.
"What's that?", Elyon asked.
"Well it's about the Earth Guardian, Cornelia.", Aldarn said. "Please don't be angry, but I believe that she saw what was happening to Clarissa and did nothing."
"How can you say that!?", Elyon questioned. "I know she and Irma have been giving her a hard time, but to think she would even allow something like that to happen is just wrong!"
"I know but..."
"No buts!", Elyon said getting upset. "I will not hear anymore of this!", she said as she walked off.
"What if I find proof?", Aldran asked stopping Elyon in her tracks.
"If you find any proof of what you say, then we will take it from there.", Elyon said as she headed inside of her chambers. "By the way. Why bring this up?"
"Because what I was fighting Phobos, I sensed someone else was there before Sir Julian showed up.", Aldarn said.
"I see.", Elyon said. "Very well. Search for your proof. If you find anything, we'll go from there. But if you find no proof, then you shall drop this matter. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty.", Aldarn said with a respectful bow before he walked off.
Elyon said nothing as she headed inside her chambers and sat on the couch that was there. She then looked at a picture of her, Alchemy, and Cornelia sitting at the beach together smiling. A sad smile grew on her face as she looked at the picture.
"Oh, Cornelia.", Elyon said sadly as a tear ran down her face. "What's happened to you?"
Back on Earth, the girls headed back to their homes hoping that Clarissa would be okay. Well... all but one.
And we all know who that is.
'What do I do now?', Cornelia thought to herself as she was walking home alone. 'If the others find out about what I did, they'd hate me for sure. Good thing I did what I did with the webbing. Hopefully no one will question me about not getting there to help Clarissa in time. I just have to play nice for a while. That all.', she thought as she continued her way home.
Dream
"Clarissa."
"Wake up, Clarissa."
"Come now, my dear. Wake up for yor prnce."
Clarissa suddenly woke up to find herself in her bed with Phobos standing at the foot with a smirk on his face and no shirt on.
"Phobos!?", Clarissa questioned in shock.
"Yes, my dear.", Phobos said. "Did you think that cell could keep me from you?"
Clarissa tried to get up but she could. She looked to see her wrist tied to rope that were tied around the head board of her bed. She then felt that ankles were tied as well. It was then that her blamkets and spread came off to reveal that she was naked and her ankles were bound to ropes that were tied around the foot of her bed.
"Now let's have some fun, shall we.", Phobos said as he crawled onto the bed and reached out to Clarissa before everything went black.
It was then that Clarissa woke up with a scream sitting up in her bed. She felt around herself to find that she was dressed in the same clothes she had on before she went to sleep. Sweat ran down her face as she breathed heavily. She looked around and found that no one was there. Suddenly, a knock came at her door causing her to jump a bit.
"W-W-Who's there?", she asked as she stared at the door.
"It's me, Aldarn.", came her best friend's voice from the other side of the door. "Can I come in?"
"Y-Yeah.", Clarissa said not wanting to be alone at the moment.
Aldarn entered the room dressed in a pair of blue sleeping pant that he got from Earth. Once he saw the look on Clarissa's face, he knew something was wrong.
"I had just come from getting something to eat in the pantry when I heard you scream.", Aldarn said. "Are you okay?"
"I was just having a bad dream.", Clarissa said. "A real bad one."
"Phobos?", Aldarn questioned getting a nod from Clarissa.
"I felt so vulnarable when he did what he did to me.", Clarissa said as she hugged herself. "I didn't like it."
"I'm sorry you had to go though that.", Aldarn said as she sat next to her and wrapped an arm arund her. "I'm just glad that I got there before he could do anything else to you."
"Thanks, by the way.", Clarissa said as she rested her head on her friend's shoulder.
"You're welcome.", Aldarn said. "You going to be okay?", he said as he was about to get up.
"Wait! Don't go!", Clarissa pleaded as she grabbed Aldarn's wrist. "I know that this is asking a lot, but can you stay with me for a while?"
Hearing this surprised Aldarn, but he then remembered what Clarissa told him about her starting to be more feminine sooner or later. And this was it. I mean after all that happened, who can blame her for not wanting to be alone? So with a deep breath, the young Galhot simply nodded his head making Clarissa smile as he got in bed with her. Clarissa then laid down with Aldarn and rested her head on his chest. Not knowing what to do, Aldarn wrapped an arm around Clarissa letting her know that he was there with her. And with Aldarn there, Clarissa soon fell asleep and didn't have any nightmares of the fallen prince coming after her. As for Aldarn, it took him a while longer to fall asleep seeing as he was sharing a bed with his best friend-turned-female. But he did end up falling asleep. The next morning, Elyon woke up with a yawn and decided to go see how Clarissa was doing.
"I hope that she is okay.", she said as she neared the door to Clarissa's chambers.
Elyon slowly opened the door hoping not to wake Clarissa only to find Aldarn in bed with her. The Meridian queen was shocked to see this and was frozen in place in place for a few seconds as she stared at the two as they slept in bed together.
'What the heck is going on here!?', she thought to herself not sure of what to do. 'Why is Aldarn in bed with Clarissa!?'
But then the sound of Clarissa waking up snapped her back to reality as she closed the door and headed back to her chambers.
"Do I tell the others or keep this to myself?", she asked herself as she neared her chambers. "No! I have to confront them about this!", she said as she turned to go back to Clarissa's chambers but stopped as she had to use the bathroom. "But first I have to go to the bathroom.", she said as she headed for the bathroom she had in her chanbers.
Speaking of which, as she woke up, Clarissa let out a yawn while stretching her arms. She then felt someone next to her and saw that it was Aldarn sleeping. Surprised at first by this she began to panic. Then she remembered what happened last night and how Aldarn did as she asked. A smile grew on her face happy to have a great friend like Aldarn. I mean he has done so much for Clarissa since she went from Caleb to Clarissa. From posing as a guy she was dating to even agreeing to being her boyfriend if she did start to be more feminine. And she knew she was starting to change in. She knew that she was becoming more feminine. She knew she was still Caleb. She had her memories as the young warroir, but she also felt herself becoming more girl than guy. And with her wanting Aldarn to spend the night with her to feel more safe after her encounter with Phobos, Clarissa Diamnod knew it was coming sooner than later.
"I guess it's happening.", she said as she looked down at her hands with a small smile. "Who knew?", she said as she felt Aldarn stirring awake.
As for Aldarn, once he woke up, he let out a yawn of his own while stretching.
"Good morning, Aldarn.", Clarissa said.
"Good morning, Clarissa.", Aldarn said before he realised he was in bed with Clarissa. "Clarissa!?", he questioned as he turned to see Clarissa looking at him with a smile. "Whoa!", he yelled as he jumped away from his friend only to slip and began to fall out of the bed. "Whoa!"
"I gotcha!", Clarissa said as she grabbed Aldarns's hand and pulled him back towards her only to have Aldarn fall on top of her. "Whoa!"
There Aldarn and Clarissa were on the bed with Aldarn holding himself up over Clarissa. The both of them said nothing as they looked into each other's eyes not knowing what to do.
"Ummm... thanks for pulling me up.", Aldarn said as his cheeks turned a darker shade of green.
"No problem.", Clarissa said as her cheeks turned pink. "Maybe we should get up. This is feeling a bit..."
"Awkward.", Aldarn finished getting a nod from Clarissa.
The both of them got into a sitting position and breathed a sigh of relief before looking at each other and sharing a laugh.
"By the way, thanks again for being here last night.", Clarissa said with a smile. "It meant a lot."
"Don't mention it.", Aldarn said with a small smile. "I mean after what you've been through, you needed a friend."
"Yeah.", Clarissa said as she hugged herself while thinking about what happened to her. "I felt so powerless. He drained me of most of my strength. Twice! Try as I did, he had the upper-hand. After all I've been through, I almost get raped by him."
"But you didn't.", Aldarn said as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He didn't get what he wanted and you're safe. "I don't know what you're going through right now, but know that you have family and friends that are here for you."
Hearing that made Clarissa feel better as she turned and hugged her best friend.
"Thank you.", Clarissa said with a smile as a tear or two ran down her face. "That means a lot."
"You're welcome.", Aldarn said returning the hug.
It was then that the door opened with Elyon standing there surprised at what she saw. Of course this caught the attention of Clarissa and Aldarn as they ended their hug and saw their queen standing there.
"Good morning, Your Majesty.", they said.
"G-Good morning.", Elyon said still surprised.
"Are you okay?", Clarissa asked.
"Am I okay?", Elyon questioned. "What about you two? What's going on here!?"
Clarissa and Aldarn looked at each other and realised that they were still in bed and figured what might be running through the queen's mind and decided to fill her in on what was going on.
"It's not what you think, Your Majesty.", Aldarn said as he and Clarissa got out of bed.
"Yeah! We can explain everything.", Clarissa said.
"Please do.", Elyon said as she sat in one of the chairs that was in the room.
And so Clarissa and Aldarn explained what happened what happened last night and how Aldarn ended up in bed with Clarissa. Afterwards, Elyon breathed a sigh of relief.
"Okay. That makes sense.", Elyon said. "For a minute there, I thought that you went all woman on us and hooked up with Aldarn, Clarissa. Not that it would be a bad thing. It would just be a pretty big shock."
"I can understand that.", Clarissa said.
"So... how are you feeling right now?", Elyon asked.
"I... really don't know.", Clarissa said as she looked down at her hands. "I feel mad, angry, sad. Part of me wants to stay in my room yet part of me wants to go pound Phobos. I know that I have to be strong, yet I know that there may be times that I'll have flashbacks of yesterday."
"Well I don't know what to tell you to do.", Elyon said. "But know that if you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you. And so are the others."
"All of them?", Clarissa questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Now. Now. Even those two aren't bad enough to pick on you at a time like this.", Elyon said knowing who Clarissa was talking about. "And if they even try to, leave them to me."
"Thanks.", Clarissa said with a small smile. "Now I think I'll get cleaned up for breakfast.", she said as she got up and headed for her closet.
"Will you be heading back to Earth?", Aldarn asked.
"No. I think I'll stick around her for a while.", Clarissa said. "I need to work on sharpening my skills. Mind giving me as hand with that?"
"Sure. We haven't had a good sparring match in a long time.", Aldarn said with a grin as he and Elyon let her chambers.
"See you at breakfast.", Elyon said witha smile.
"Okay.", Clarissa said as she began going through her closet deciding what to wear.
Once out of Clarissa's chambers, Aldarn noticed the look Eloyn had as they were walking down the hall.
"Are you okay, Your Majesty?", Aldarn asked.
"Yes. I'm just worried about Clarissa.", Elyon said.
"As am I.", Aldarn said. "She's trying to get over what happened. And training is how she does it."
"What do you mean?", Elyon asked.
"Well when she was Caleb, he did this when we all thought that Julian had died years ago.", Aldarn explained. "It was how he got through the pain. When ever someone he knew died during the rebellion, he just trained and trained to get through the pain."
"And she plans on doing the same now.", Elyon figured. "Well please watch out for her, Aldarn. Don't let her over do it."
"I did the same for her back then.", Aldarn said with a smile. "Now will be no different.", he said as they split off to head for their chambers to get cleaned up for breakfast.
As for Clarissa, after picking what she was going to wear, she went behind her changing screen to get washed up. She grabbed the pitcher of cool water that was sitting on the stand next with the wash bowl and poured the water in it. she then stripped out of her clothes and grabbed the wash cloth and began to wash herself. As she was washing herself, she came up to her chest and paused. It was then her mind went back to what Phobos did to her. She began to tremble as the memories came back to her. The feeling of being helpless and weak before him as he laughed at her while gropping her body. It was a feeling she never wanted to feel again.
"Never again.", she said to herself as she finished washing. "Never again."
Moments later, Clarissa was cleaned up and dressed in her regular attire and heading to the dining hall for breakfast. It was a pretty quite breakfast seeing as there wasn't much to talk about and that everyone was being careful around Clarissa not wanting to say anything that would upset her after what she been through. After breajfast, Calrissa excused herself to go do some training. She knew why the tothers were so quite around her and appreciated it for she needed time to get over what happened. Which of course was why she decided to do some training. Now back on Earth, her friends were, of course, worried about her yet decided to give her some space.
"Think she'll be coming back soon?", Hay Lin asked as she sat with Will, Cassidy, and Angela at a table in the Silver Dragon having some tea.
"To be honest, I have no idea.", Cassidy said. "I mean she's been through a lot."
"She's going to need some time.", Yan Lin said as she came up to the table with a thing of cookies. "None of us knows what she's going through right now."
"I know but it's Clarissa we're talking about here.", Will said. "I mean we all know that deep down she's still Caleb."
"That's my point.", Yan Lin said as she sat with them. "Think about it. To go from being a guy to a girl was bad enough. Now, after going through what she went through with Phobos, she feels angry about what happened. She feels that if she was Caleb, she would of been able to avoid what happened. So she'll need time to get through this. And we'll have to be there to support her when or if she returns."
"If?", Hay Lin questioned.
"She may decide to stay on Metamoor.", Angela said. "And if she does, we'll just have to support that."
"Oh.", Hay Lin sadly said.
"It'll be okay, kiddo.", Yan Lin said as she patted her grad-daughter's head. "You all will still be friends. And that is the important thing.", she said as she got up and went to handle other matter in the resturant.
"You don't really think she'll stay on Metamoor, do you?", Will questioned.
"Maybe.", Cassidy said. "Maybe not. In the end it'll be her choice."
"I hope she comes back.", Hay Lin said.
"We all do, Hay Lin.", Angela said. "We just have to hope that she does."
For the rest of their time there. the four of them talked about other things while enjoying their tea and cookies. Back on Metamoor, Clarissa and Aldarn were getting ready to do a bit of sparring. They decided to work with battle staffs instead of swrods seeing as they were good with the weapon and needed to work on their staff skills.
"So you ready?", Clarissa asked as she spun her staff a bit.
"Funny. I was going to ask you the same thing.", Aldarn said with a smirk as she took a battle stance.
Soon the two of them were going at it getting the attention of those that were doing some training as well. Before they knew it, Aldarn and Clarissa were getting into their sparring match and were giving each other a good workout. They were able to predict each others move from their training in the past when Clarissa was Caleb. Which made for some fun. But then Aldarn began to get the upper-hand due to Clarissa being... well Clarissa and not Caleb. At first, Clarissa was holding her own. But then as Aldarn was gaining the upper-hand, Clarissa started to flashback to what happened with Phobos. She remembered how he laughed at her when she tried to get free. How he laughed at her struggle against his touch. It was then that she didn't see Aldarn anymore. Now she saw Phobos. And she wanted to hurt him bad.
"Monster!", Clarissa snapped as she gained newfound strength and swung her staff against Aldarn's almost knocking him off balance. "You'll pay!"
"Clarissa?", Aldarn questioned as Clarissa came at her in blind fury.
Aldarn went on the defencive as Clarissa came at him with all her strength. Each swing was wild and powerful as Clarissa attack Aldarn who blocked her attacks. But then Clarissa got ina good hit as she hit Aldarn in the gut and then in the chin. Stumbling, Aldarn did see when Clarissa sweeped his legs with her staff knocking him to the ground. Gaining his senses, Aldarn looked up to see Clarissa looking down on him with a look of fury as she raised her staff ready to swing it down on him.
"Die, Phobos!", Clarissa yelled as she swung her staff down at Aldarn only for it to get blocked by someone else.
"Calm yourself, Clarissa!", Julian shouted as he was the one who blocked her attack with his staff.
"Hearing her father's voice, Clarissa snapped back to her senses to see Aldarn on the ground and her father looking at her with concern.
"Aldarn!?", she questioned in shock. "But I thought you were... I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!", she cried as she dropped her staff and ran off.
"Clarissa wait! Argh!", he grunted as he tried to get up only for the pain from getting hit ion the gut stopped him.
"You okay, lad?", Julian asked as he helped him up.
"I've been better.", Aldarn said as he stood there with Julian. "What happened?"
"I don't know.", Julian said.
"She said 'Die Phobos' before she swung down at me.", Aldarn said. "Do you think that she had..."
"A flashback of what happen.", Julian said. "I believe so."
"Do we tell the queen?", Aldarn asked.
"No. She has enough on her plate as it is.", Julian said. "Let me deal with Clarissa. I think I know what to do.", he said.
As for Clarissa, she ended up in her chambers where she threw off her coat and curled up on her bed crying. Try as she might, she knew that wasn't just going to get over what happened to her. Phobos has harmed her in ways no blade could do. He made her vulnerable and she had accepted that. No matter how hard she tried to fight it.
A/N: Well folks, I know that most of you are wondering why the heck did I do this to Clarissa? I'll tell you why. Because with all the fun she, Angela, and Maddie were having, there had to be some bad times. And Clarissa was the first to go through them. I mean out of the three of them, she's the warrior. Don't get me wrong. Angela and Maddie are warriors, too. But Clarissa is the one you'd least expect to break down after all she's been through as Caleb. This chapter shows that even the best of us can break down. Now she has to get back up and show that she can be strong. And that will happen. Oh! Don't think I'm done with this. Angela and Maddie will get a taste of this as well. In later chapters. See you next chapter!
Please review.