Chapter Forty-Five: Powerless & Pagent Challenge
There Clarissa Diamond, Angela, Starlighter, and Maddie Olsen stood with their friends surprised at what Tibor just told them. Cornelia Hale, after all the crap she pulled since Caleb Hart dumped her sorry butt, wants their powers stripped from them for she fears the "threat" they pose.
"Are you serious!?", Maddie questioned. "What threat do we pose!?"
"How about when Clarissa grabbed me during our so-called talk?", Cornelia questioned.
"Did I hit you?", Clarissa asked.
"No, but you could of.", Cornelia replied.
"You would of deserved it.", Clarissa said.
"You see!?", Quan said. "How can the Earth Guardian function normally with the threat these three pose to her."
"They pose no threat!", Irma said. "And you know this, Corny! So cut the crap!"
"How can you stand against a fellow Guardian?", Quan questioned. "Where is the bond the five of you suppose to have?"
"Ask Cornelia that.", Will said. "When Taranee, Hay Lin, and I decided not to have her and Irma stropped of their powers, we thought that they would see the error of her ways and make a change for the better. But it seems that Irma was the only one to do so."
"But I have!", Cornelia said. "I know that I messed up. And I'm trying to make things right. But all of you are against me!"
"No one is against you, Cornelia.", Alchemy said. "We just wish that you would have respected Clarissa, Maddie, and Angela's wish for you to back off of them."
"And yet, you go and try to get us on your side when none of us turned against you.", Taranee said.
"You want things to go back to the way they were, yet you know that will never happen.", Elyon said.
"I know that now.", Cornelia said. "But I also know that I can not walk around town with the threat those three pose to not just me, but the rest of us if they were to go off.", Cornelia said pointing at Angela, Clarissa, and Maddie.
"Which is why we are here.", Councilman Quan said before turning towards the Council of the Known Worlds. "My fellow councilmen and councillwomen. You know of what has happened within the lives of the Guardians. I know that the Earth Guardian has done wrong. But you also know that the Water Guardian had done wrong as well. And yet the three allies of the Guardians, that they have wronged, had no problem forgiving the Water Guardian. And yet, they can not find it in their hearts to forgive the Earth Guardian?"
"Actucally, we forgave them both a long time ago.", Angela said.
"We just didn't want anything to do with them at the moment.", Maddie said.
"We wished to keep our distance from them to avoid a fight.", Clarissa said.
"That may be, but when all is said and done, I believe that you three do pose a threat to the Earth Guardian.", Quan said. "As a matter a fact, I believe that you pose a possible threat to all the Guardians."
"Are you serious!?", Will questioned.
"Let me explain.", Quan said. "Let's say you all were to spend more time with the Earth Guardian in hopes of making your bond stronger. What if your three allies were to see this and grow with anger and envy?"
"And you think they would attack us us of anger and envy?", Hay Lin questioned. "No way!"
"But it is a possiblity.", Quan said. "One I do not wish to have happened. For you Guardians are the responsibilty of Kandrakar. We are to aid you in your fight against evil in anyway we can."
"Are you calling us evil?", Maddie questioned.
"No. I'm calling you a threat to the Guardians and all of Kandralar!", Quan said. "A threat that can be stopped by the Council of he Known Worlds!", he said as he turned to the Council of the Known Worlds. "I beg of you, my fellow council members. Vote with me to have the powers of these so-called allies stripped from them."
The council then began to talk among themselves, which included Elyon, who did her best to convince the council not to have Maddie, Clarissa, and Angela's powers taken away from them. But the look on her face as she returned to her friends was on of defeat.
"We have voted.", Quan said. "And with a majority vote the ones known as Clarissa Diamond, Maddie Olsen, and Angela Starlighter are to be stripped of their powers."
"Unbelievable.", Joe Vanders said. "You all sit up there being all high and mighty passing judgement on others."
"You had you chance to speak, Delta Warrior.", Quan said.
"When I know what the outcome would be?", Joe said. "Why waste my time? Besides. I can let Angela keep her powers. And you can't stop it."
"You wouldn't dare cross, Kandrakar!", Quan said.
"You don't scare me, boy!", Joe said with a smirk.
"Please my friend. For the sake of peace between our organizations, please go along with this.", the Oracle said to Joe.
"For the sake of peace, I will go along with this.", Joe said to the Oracle.
"A wise choice.", Quan said with a smirk which got him a look from the Oracle that told him to be quite.
"I'm sorry about this, Clarissa.", Elyon said sadly.
"Don't be.", Clarissa said. "This isn't your fault.", she said as she took off her necklace that gave her her powers.
"You will be getting this back.", Elyon said. "I promice you that."
"Looks like I'm next.", Angela said as she walked up to her grandfather. "So how we doing this, Grandpa Joe?"
"Give me your ring.", Joe said.
Angela said nothing as she gave Joe her Delta Warrior ring. Joe then held the ring as he recalled all of Angela's powers. Angela felt the energy rush out of her body and into the ring. It was a lot as she almost dropped to her knees only for Will and Hay Lin to catch her.
"Thanks.", Angela said with a smile that Will and Hay Lin returned as she helped Angela to her feet.
"I guess I'm next.", Maddie said. "So how are you all going to pull this off?"
"We can store your powers in this.", the Oracle said as he made a small crystal ball appear in front of Maddie. "Simply place your hands on the crystal ball and it will absorb your powers."
"Here goes nothing.", Maddie said as she touched the crystal ball.
Once she did this, she could feel her powers being drained from her and into the crystal ball. Once it was finished Maddie just stood there powerless as the crystal ball floated towards the Oracle wo made it teleport away.
"Your powers shall be with the Auramere. Where it shall be protected by Luba.", the Oracle said.
"What of the other two powers?", Quan questioned.
"I believe they shall be safe with the ones who have them.", the Oracle said as he looked over at Elyon and Joe. "Of course, you can try to take them from their holders."
"Please try.", Joe said with a smirk.
"I wish you would try.", Elyon said giving Quan a glare that made him stand where he was.
"There will be no need.", Quan said.
"Smart move.", Joe said as Will opened a fold back to Earth.
Everyone then headed through the fold. Well almost everyone. Cornelia was about to go through the fold when...
"I don't think so.", Will said stopping her.
"Then how am I suppose to get home?", Cornelia questioned when Will opened another fold.
"That's how", Will said. "We really don't want to be around you right now."
"Whatever.", Cornelia said as she headed through the other fold.
Will then closed the fold and went through the first one she opened.
"This isn't right.", Halinor said as the fold closed.
"You may not like what has happened today, but it was for the best.", Quan said as he walked off to attend to his duties.
"Do not worry, Halinor.", the Oracle said. "This is far from over. Things will work out. Just wait and see."
Halinor said nothing as the Oracle walked off. For she knew that when he said something like that, something big was going to happen. The only question is, what it was and how big was it going to be. Back on Earth...
"I can't believe Cornelia did this!", Hay Lin said getting upset.
"I can.", Alchemy said. "When she wants something, she will find a way to get her way.", she said just as Elyon's cell phone rang.
"It's a text from Cornelia.", Elyon sid as she checked the text. "She says that when we're ready to talk, call her."
"I have a few things to say to her.", Clarissa said.
"Leave her to us.", Will said. "She may think that she got her payback, but she's about to learn the downside of all this.", she said as she took out her cell phonoe and texted Cornelia. "There."
"What did you do?", Taranee asked as Will put her cell phone away.
"I texted, Cornelia that the five of us will be having Guardian training in an hour.", Will said.
"Just the five of us?", Hay Lin questioned.
"Yes.", Will said. "I think it's time that we talk to her. Just the four of us."
"You're going to give it to her hard, huh?", Angela asked.
"Yup.", Will said.
"No argument here.", Maddie said.
"Just don't go to far.", Elyon said. "The last thing you need is for her to go crying to Kandrakar about it."
"We make no promises.", Taranee said.
About an hour later, Cornelia showed up at the usual spot they did their training and saw that just her fellow Guardians were therer and no body else.
"So it's just the five of us?", Cornelia asked as she looked around the area.
"Yep.", Hay Lin said.
"Good.", Cornelia said. "I missed training like this."
"We won't be training today.", Will said.
"Then why call a training session?", Cornelia asked.
"We need to talk.", Taranee said. "Why did you go to Kandrakar behind our back?"
"Because I knew that you wouldn't take me there!", Cornelia said. "You would of taken their side! Like you have been doing from the begining of all of this.", she said before she turned to Irma. "And you! I thought you were on my side!"
"It was all fun until the dance.", Irma said. "What happened to Maddie showed me how wrong we've been. Why can't you see that?"
"Oh! For the love of...!", Cornelia said.
"Let me ask you something, Cornelia.", Will said. "Are you even sorry about what happened to Maddie and Clarissa? Not to mention what Ralos and Salos did to them and Angela."
"You want the truth? Fine! No! Yes! Yes! Yes!", Cornelia said confusing the girls. "No, I'm not sorry about what Irma and I did.", she said surprising the girls. Yes, I'm sorry about what Phobos did to Clarissa. Yes, I'm sorry about what Danny tried to do to Maddie. And yes, I'm sorry about Ralos and Salos kidnapping Clarissa, Angela, and Maddie and turning them into their mind-controled slaves. That is my answer!"
"So why couldn't you just give them their space?", Taranee asked. "Why was that so hard to do? Irma did it."
"Well maybe I didn't feel like babying them!", Cornelia said. "I know that things can't go back to the way they were because of all that has happened, but couldn't they at least try to be friends with me again? They did with Irma!"
"That's because Irma respected their want for you two to keep away from them.", Hay Lin said.
"Oh please! If they're willing to forgive Irma, then they can forgive me!", Cornelia said. "This is just Clarissa getting her revenge on me for all the crap I did. And Angela and Maddie are helping her."
"Wow! It all comes back to you being the victim. Doesn't it?", Irma questioned. "You know, when Caleb dumped you, I felt sorry for you and was willing to help you get a little bit of payback. Then when Matt broke up with me, I was so angry and hurt, yet glad that you were willing to help me get some payback on him. And I didn't want much. A small prank here and there, along with a few insults. And I could of stopped, but somehow you got me to do things I never would of done to anybody."
"Please! You could of stopped a long time ago, Irma.", Cornelia said. "I didn't hold a gun to your head."
"No, you didn't.", Irma said. "You just kept reminding me about how Matt hurt me and that even though he was now Maddie, she still had to pay and how I was the victim. I get it now. You have this strange way of bringing out the worst in others.", she said to which Cornelia began to glare at Irma who didn't show any fear. "But I've also seen you help bring out the best in others as well. You could of put aside your anger towards Caleb and helped Clarissa, Angela, and Maddie when they needed it as they were adjusting to being girls."
"I don't think so!", Cornelia said. "They could of seriously hurt me when they had their little talk with me."
"But they didn't.", Taranee said. "You got angry and wanted them to pay.", she said to which Cornelia said nothing as she let out a huff. "Cornelia, we have been friends for a long time. We've had our good times and we've had our bad times. But in the end, we have remained friends. Now when Caleb broke up with you, I felt bad for you. We all did."
"Then where was that support when it happened, huh!?", Cornelia questioned. "All of you forgot about me when Caleb and Angelo became girls!"
"Okay. First, Irma was one of the first people there for you when Caleb broke up with you. Remember? Then Elyon spent most of the same day with you when it happened. After that, it was Irma helping you get some payback.", Hay Lin said. "As for the rest of us, had you and Irma been helpful with helping Clarissa and Angela adjust to being girls, then we could of been there for you before Matt became Maddie. Heck! For all you know, if you had decided to help, maybe it would of helped you and Clarissa become closer as friends and maybe, just maybe, helped you and Caleb get back together when he got turned back to normal. But you didn't think about that. Did you?"
Cornelia opened her mouth to say something but stopped as she thought about what Hay Lin had just said. Which made a lot of sense. Had she played her cards right, she could be closer to Clarissa right now. But she screwed up any chance of that up. But she wasn't going to admit that.
"I... I can do a whole lot better that Caleb!", Cornelia said as she turned away from Hay Lin with her arms crossed while pouting.
"I seriously hope you fine a great guy someday, Cornelia. I truly do.", Will said. "But right now, you really need to take a good look at yourself and ask yourself one question."
"And what is that?", Cornelia asked.
"Have I been a good friend?", Will said. "Cause right now, you've hurt a lot of people. Why do you think it's just the five of us here? Elyon and Alchemy are not happy with how you've been acting."
"Well I'm not to happy with how they haven't been there for me.", Cornelia replied. "And the same goes for the rest of you! There I was hoping that you all would be there for me when Caleb dumped me. And when he became a girl, I figured that you all would be there tp help me get a bit of payback on her, but instead you all decided to help her and Angela adjust to being girls while forgetting about my pain. Maybe if you all had helped me get a bit of payback on Clarissa back then, then things would be different now."
"So you wanted us to help them in the wrong way to make you happy?", Hay Lin questioned.
"Well... yeah!", Cornelia said.
"Now that's selfish.", Hay Lin said. "Very selfish."
"Why am I even still here?", Cornelia questioned as she turned to leave. "I'm so out of here!"
Taranee was about to stop her when...
"Let her go, Taranee.", Will said stopping her friend. "Nothing we can say is going to change her mind."
"Sad but true.", Irma said.
"Let's just hope that she makes a change before it's to late.", Hay Lin said.
Later that night, after having her dinner and getting ready for bed, Cornelia laid in her bed thinking about what to do about Clarissa, Maddie, and Angela.
'With them powerless, I don't have to worry about them attacking me. But I can get them.', she thought with a smirk. 'Of course, the others will be there to stop me. Oh well! I'll just have to get them whenever I can.', she thought as she slowly feel asleep.
The next day, Cornelia was walking towards school feeling better about herself. She felt pretty proud thinking that she struck a major blow against Clarissa, Angela, and Maddie. And to be honest... she did. I mean she had their powers taken from them leaving them pretty vulnerable to her if she decded to mess with them. But right now, her attention was drawn as she walked onto the school grounds only to see the cheerleaders, in uniform, doing one of their cheers to get the students revved up for the game later in the day. And of course Angela was there with her fellow cheerleaders along with Taranee and Hay Lin who formed a human pyramid with Hay Lin in top.
'A good push of telekinesis would make that pyramid into one heck of a pile.', Cornelia thought to herself. 'Nah! Not worth it.', she thought as ahe headed into school only to spot Elyon and Alchemy sitting together on a bench.
"Mind if I join you two?", she asked as she sat inbetween her two best friends.
Elyon and Alchemy said nothing as they calmly got up and began to walk away.
"Come on, you two!", Cornelia pleaded. "We're best friends, for crying out loud!"
"Then why did you do it?", Alchemy asked.
"Forget about those three.", Cornelia said. "Let's not let them get in between our friendship."
"You did during my birthday party.", Elyon said. "Remember? You wanted me to chose between them and you when I wanted you all to be there. You went and made a happy evening all about you."
"No. I wanted it to be a great evening without them around for a change.", Cornelia said. "I was thinking about the three of us. Elyon, Alchemy, and Cornelia. BFFs! Remember?"
"Well what kind of best friend goes and has one of my Guardians stripped of their powers just for some revenge for dumping her when she was a he?", Elyon questioned low enough so only they could hear her.
"First off, it wasn't for revenge. It was to keep me me safe from her.", Cornelia explained. "Second, last I checked, the great Clarissa was a great fighter without powers. And third, you can always give her powers to someone in your ranks. Like... that Leden guy. I'm sure he has what it takes to be one of your Guardians of Metamoor."
"There are some that are qualified.", ELyon said.
"See! There you go!", Cornelia said.
"That's not the point!", Elyon said. "You wanted your payback so bad, that you went to Kandrakar to get it."
"I didn't do it for..."
"Stop. Just stop.", Alchemy said cutting Cornelia off. "Don't lie to yourself, Corny. Be honest. You went to Kandrakar to have Clarissa, Maddie, and Angela's powers taken from them to get even with them. If you're our best friend, then please be honest about why you did what you did. Please."
"Okay. Maybe... I did get their powers taken away from them for a bit of payback.", Cornelia confessed. "But I mainly did it because I feared what they could do to not only me but to the rest of us if they got mad."
"Keep telling yourself that.", Alchemy said. "You're still trying to get whatever payback you can."
"Only this time, it has effected you and the rest of W.I.T.C.H. as a team.", Elyon said.
"What are you talking about?", Cornelia questioned. "We're still just as powerful. We don't need them."
"You think so?", Elyon questioned. "You'll find out sooner or later."
"You know, I thought that my two best friends would be there for me when I needed them.", Cornelia said. "But you two showed me different at your little birthday party. But I'm not worried. For I have other friends outside our magical little circle."
"Then maybe you should go hang with them.", Alchemy said surprising the Earth Guardian.
"You don't mean that.", Cornelia said.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't.", Alchemy said. "But right now, I know one thing. You're not the Cornelia Hale that I used to know. But I'm hoping that she comes back before something happens that she'll regret."
"I hope that wasn't a threat.", Cornelia said. "I would hate for Elyon to have to take the powers from another of her Guardians.", she said with a small smirk before she turned and headed inside the school.
"Did she just... threaten me?", Alchemy questioned.
"She sure did.", Elyon said. "It's official. She's on the warpath. She's out to take down anyone that stands in her way."
"So what do we do now?", Alchemy asked.
"We warn the others and hope for the best.", Elyon said. "But I do know one thing."
"What?", Alchemy asked.
"What goes around, comes around.", Elyon said. "I think we should have a small ball at the palace."
"Really?", Alchemy questioned.
"Really.", Elyon said as the bell rang signaling the beginning of the school day.
"What are you up to?", Alchemy asked as they entered the school.
"You'll see.", Elyon said with a smile as they walked down the halls of the school.
Soon the days passed and none of the others talked to Cornelia. And she couldn't care less seeing as she hung with her new friends, Donna and Lolita and their boyfriends. Which brings us to now. It's Saturday evening, around 5:45 and Cornelia has decided to go and see Elyon hoping that things were okay between them. Once at her house, Cornelia was about to knock on the door when she saw a note on it.
"What's this?", Cornelia questioned as she removed the note from the door and began to read it. "To whom it may concern. Due to certian events, we have moved to a new place. Our address is on the bottom of this paper, in case if you were wondering. Please leave this note on the door for anyone else who may come up to the house. Thank you and have a nice day. The Browns.", she read as she checked the new address. "Really!? They're living there!? Well that's just great! When did they move there?", she said as she put the note back on the door and headed for where Elyon and her family were now living.
Ten minutes later, Cornelia entered the Vanders' apartment building home and headed for the elevator that would take her to the higher floors. Yet once at the elevator, it opened with Kadma and Halinor standing inside of it.
"And what are you doing here?", Kadma questioned giving the girl a look that told her that she wasn't welcome there.
"I came to see Elyon.", Cornelia said. "May I please go see her?"
"Very well. She is living with Cassidy.", Kadma said as she and Halinor left the elevator. "Don't make me regret letting you into my home."
Cornelia said nothing as she got in the elevator and pressed the button for the fourth floor. Once the elevator doors closed and began to go up to the fourth floor. Once on the fourth floor, she headed for the apartment Cassidy was now sharing Elyon. But when she went to knock on the door, she found that it was slightly opened.
"That's werid.", Cornelia said as she slowly opened it all the way. "Hello? Elyon?", she called out as she walked inside the apartment. "Where is she?", she said as she headed for the room she figured was Elyon's. "What the...!?", she questioned as she saw a fold in the middle of the bedroom. "I guess she headed for Metamoor. Or maybe she's in Kandrakar trying to get Clarissa, Maddie, and Angela's powers restored to them. Well not on my watch!", she said as she headed through the fold only to find herself in the stables on the palace grounds of Elyon's palace. "Okay. I'm on Metamoor.", she said as she looked towards the palace and hear music coming from it. "What the heck?"
Being curious, Cornelia headed up to the palace only to be stopped at the doors by the two guards there.
"I'm sorry, but you can not enter, Miss.", one of the guards said.
"Excuse me!?", Cornelia questioned. "I am one of the Guardians of Kandrakar! If it weren't for me, then none of you would have a queen today! Now let me pass!", she demanded as she tried to get pass only for the guards to stop her.
"We have orders from Her Majesty to not let anyone pass during the ball.", one of the guards said as he stood his ground along with the other guard.
"Ball!?", Cornelia questioned. "There's a ball going on in there!?"
"Indeed.", the other guard said. "And from what we've saw, the Guardians are already inside."
"What!?", Cornelia questioned. "But... But... But..."
"Please leave before we're forced to throw you off the palace grounds, ma'am.", one fo the guards said.
With an angry huff, Cornelia turned to head for the fold that was in the stables but decided to leave through the palace gates. She then headed for the side of the walls of the gates and ducked behind a tree.
"There's more than one way inside.", she said with a smirk as she tried to teleport inside but couldn't. "What gives!?", she questioned as she tried a few more times and failed each time. "She must of put up some kind of barrier to keep Fredes out. Good thing I know about the secret entrances.", she said as she headed for one of them.
Once she found one of the secret entrances, Cornelia went inside to avoid any patrols around the palace gate walls. Once inside, Cornelia used her cell phone as a light and made her way through the passage which wasn't so clean.
"Eeeewwwww!", she complained as she made her way through the dirty, web decorated tunnel. "Elyon so needs to keep these passages clean!", she said as she continued her way through the passage.
As she made her way through the passage, Cornelia could hear some music playing which told her that she was close to the end of the passage. Minutes later, Cornelia came to the end of the passage where she saw light coming in through the cracks of the hidden doorway.
"Finally!", she said to herself as she slowly and carefully opened the peephole to see what was going on.
And what she saw surprised her. She had a good view of the ballroom where there were plenty of people there having a good time talking amoung themselves or dancing to the music. Everyone there was dressed for the ball. The men were dressed very proper while the ladies were dressed in very elegant dresses.
"Wow! Now this is something I should be at.", Cornelia said to herself when she noticed Elyon and the others. "What the... No way!", she said as she got a good look at the friends.
There they were. The girls and their guys. Well... those that had boyfriends. There was Elyon who wore the elgant white dress from her coranation with matching shoes and her tiara on her brow. Taranee who was in a dress like Aurora's from Sleeping Beauty only it was green with matching shoes while Nigel was in a black suit. Hay Lin was in a white Chinese dress with a blue flower pattern tht went around the dress with blue shoes while Eric was in a white suit. Alchemy was in a dress like Cindrella only it was red with matching shoes while Martin was in a black suit. Cassidy was also in a dress like Cindrella which was the actual color with matching shoes while Drake was dressed in a pair of black pants with matching leather boots and a white shite with frills going down the front. Will, Irma, Clarissa, Maddie, and Angela each were wearing the same dress like Belle from 'Beauty and The Beast'. Only Will's dress was white, Irma's was violet, Maddie's was dark blue, Clarissa's was green, and Angela's was yellow. All of them had matching shoes. As for Aldarn, he was dressed the same as Drake.
"So it's like that, huh?", Cornelia questioned to herself as she continued to snoop on her friends and listen in on what they were saying.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into wearing this dress.", Angela said to Will as they stood together.
"Oh come now! You look great!", Will said. "Try to enjoy yourself."
"Believe me. I'm trying.", Angela said. "At least, Cornelia isn't here to poke fun at me or Maddie and Clarissa."
"Don't worry about Cornelia.", Cassidy said as she walked up to them. "Elyon didn't invite her to this ball knowing that if she did, she'd try to do something like try and get some guys to ask you to dance. So relax and have some fun."
"Figures.", Cornelia said as she looked around and saw Clarissa dancing with Aldarn. "Well look at what we have here.", she said with a smirk as she watched the two of them dance together.
"Thanks for stepping in when that guy asked me to dance with him.", Clarissa said as she danced with Aldarn.
"Just be glad that I wasn't dancing with any other girl.", Aldarn said. "By the way, you look... nice."
"Thanks.", Clarissa said with a slight blush. "But I'd rather be anywhere but here in this thing."
"Of course you do", Aldarn said with a grin as they continued to dance.
"Well don't they look nice.", Irma said as she and Maddie were watching Aldarn and Clarissa dance together.
"They do, don't they.", Maddie questioned. "I wouldn't be surprised if those two were to get together. If Clarissa was to be like this for mucj longer."
"You never know.", Irma said with a smile that soon turned into a sad frown.
"What's wrong?", Maddie asked.
"Nothing.", Irma said. "It's just that... I really did some messed up things to you, Angela, and Clarissa. Things that should of cost me to lose all of my friends."
"But you're sorry about what you've done.", Maddie said as she held Irma's hand gently. "And you've proved it. So no worries. Okay?"
"Okay.", Irma said with a smile that Maddie returned before they shared a hug.
"Well good for you, backstabber.", Cornelia said as she narrowed her eyes at Irma.
And then it happened. Slowly a small spider lowered it's way down in front of Cornelia who got scared as she let out an ear-peircing scream as she swatted at the spider. It was then that she tripped and knocked the secret door open and tumbled into the ballroom surprising everyone causing the music to stop.
"What the heck!?", Alchemy quesioned. "Cornelia!? What are you doing here!?"
"I got a better question!", Cornelia said as she got to her feet. "Why wasn't I invited!?"
"It's quite simply really.", Elyon said as she stepped up to Cornelia. "I wanted to avoid any trouble from you."
"Come again?", Cornelia asked.
"If I were to invite you, you would cause trouble for some of the people here.", Elyon said. "And you know you would. Do not try to deny it."
"So you decided to invite all the Guardians of Kandrakar but me?", Cornelia questioned.
"That's right.", Elyon said.
"Had it not been for me, you wouldn't be here right now!", Cornelia snapped. "Or have you forgotten that, Your Majesty!?", she questioned to which most of the guest began to mumble in disgust at Cornelia's behavior.
"You may of saved the queen, but it was your fellow Guardians along with us rebels and solders that gave you the cover you needed to do so.", Drake said. "Try not to forget that."
"Oh please! You rebels were nothing before we came to help your sorry butts!", Cornelia snapped earning a gasp from the guest there.
"Cornelia!", Elyon said getting the Earth Guardian's attention. "Before you say anything else, you should know that all the guest here are the very rebels you just insulted."
"What?", Cornelia questioned as she looked around at all the people there.
"That's right.", Elyon said. "This is one of four balls I decided to have in their honor for all they've done for our kingdom. Which is why you were not invited. With the way you've been acting as of late.", she explained.
As for Cornelia, she got a good look at the guest as they glared at her for her little insult.
"We may not of been much against Phobos, Guardian, but we held our own.", Leden said proudly getting nods from those of the rebellion. "I'd like to see you hold your own in a fight without all your powers."
"How did you get here anyway?", Will asked.
"Through the fold in Cassidy and Elyon's apartment.", Cornelia said. "The door to the apartment was open."
"I see.", Elyon said. "So you just decided to go inside like you owned the place."
"No! I was looking for you cause I wanted to talk.", Cornelia said. "I then found the fold in your bedroom and went through it."
"So why didn't you just go back through it when my guards didn't let you in?", Elyon questioned.
"Because she wanted to crash the party.", Maddie said.
"You need to mind your own business!", Cornelia snapped.
"And you, girl, need to go take a shower and wash that hair of yours.", Angela said which got a laugh out of all that were there.
Cornelia then looked in one of the wall lenght mirror and saw that her clothes were dirty and that her hair was a mess from going through the secret passage. Seeing this, Cornelia pushed her way through the crowd and made her way out of the palace. Seeing this got a laugh out of Elyon and the others glad to be rid of Cornelia.
"Good riddance!", Clarissa said.
"I'll say.", Cassidy said. "But you know that she'll try to get even."
"Leave Cornelia to me.", Elyon said. "Right now, I say that we go and enjoy the rest of the ball.", she said as she and the others went back to doing just that.
As for Cornelia, she made her way out of the palace and to the stables where the fold was and she ran through it. Once through the fold, she teleported to the alley that was next to the apartnment building where she lived and headed up to her apartment to take a nice long shower. Afterwards, she headed into her bedroom and got ready for bed.
"They'll pay! So help me, they'll pay!", she said as she cried herself to sleep after being humiliated the way she was.
The next day, Cornelia had made her way to school and to her locker. Once she got what she needed from it, she closed it only to find Elyon standing behind her.
"You wanted to talk. So let's talk.", Elyon said.
"Oh so now you want to talk.", Cornelia said. "Well maybe I don't want to talk."
"Suit yourself.", Elyon said as she shrugged her shoulders. "You know where to find me when you want to talk.", she said as she walked off.
"Why do you hate me?", Cornelia asked causing Elyon to turn around to face her.
"I don't hate you, Cornelia.", Elyon said. "I hate what you've become. The old you wouldn't of done any of the things you've done as of late. And the fact that you wanted me and Alchemy to be apart of it really hurts. And I can still see the anger in your eyes. I mean, you threatened to have Alchemy stripped of her powers. When are you going to stop this?"
"When Caleb admits how wrong he was for dumping me.", Cornelia said.
"Are you serious?", Elyon questioned.
"I think it's a rather simple request.", Cornelia said. "All Clarissa has to do is admit that she was wrong for dumping me when she was Caleb. She does that, and it all ends."
"So you want Clarissa to admit that she was wrong for dumping you when she was Caleb.?", Elyon questioned.
"That's right.", Cornelia said.
"Even though it was you who was the cause of the break up?", Elyon questioned.
"Hey! I tried to apalogize for attacking him, but he woldn't let me!", Cornelia said.
"Have you apalogized for attaking Caleb?", Elyon asked to which Cornelia said nothing. "Uh-huh. You haven't apologize for what you did to Caleb, yet you want Clarissa to admit that he was wrong for breaking up with you. You know something, Cornelia? You are unbelievable. This is why I didn't invite you to my ball last night. You would of tried to make a scene while trying to make Clarissa, Maddie, and Angela look bad. And don't say yo wouldn't cause we both know that you would have."
"Maybe I would have, maybe I wouldn't.", Cornelia said. "The question is, will you tell Clarissa what I said."
"Here's my question.", Elyon said. "If Clarissa does what you ask, will you truly end your quest for payback?"
"If she along with Maddie and Angela stay in their place, then they have nothing to worry about.", Cornelia said.
"Stay in their place?", Elyon questioned.
"That's what I said.", Cornelia said. "No trying to be popular, like I am. "Sure they can play their sports and be popular in that department, but I'm the one who stands out in this school.", she said as the bell rang. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a homeroom to go to. Be sure to tell Clarissa my demands.", she sid as she walked off.
'Wow! Unbelievable.', Elyon throught to herself knowing that it was going to be a long day..
Soon lunch came and Elyon had met up with Alchemy, Cassidy, ANgela, Maddie and Clarissa.
"She said what?", Clarissa asked Elyon after the young queen told her about what Cornelia wanted.
"For you to admit that you were wrong for dumping her when you were Caleb.", Elyon said.
"Wow. After all that's happened, it all comes back to this.", Will said. "Unbelievable."
"So what are you going to do?", Maddie asked Clarissa. "If you do this, she just may stop with what's she's doing."
"True.", Clarissa said thinking about what Cornelia wanted.
"And she wins.", Angela said.
"There's also that.", Clarissa said.
"So what will you do?", Alchemy asked.
"I honestly have no idea.", Clarissa said. "On one hand, I'm willing to swallow my pride and give her what she wants."
"But...", Cassidy said knowing there was a but coming.
"But on the other hand, I don't want to give her what she wants.", Clarissa said. "It'll be like saying that everything she did was okay. And that's not right."
"Well whatever you decide, I got your back.", Angela said.
"Same here.", Maddie said.
"Me too.", Cassidy said.
"Ditto.", Alchemy said.
"You know how I feel.", Elyon said. "And I'm sure the others will feel the same way."
"Question now is, what will you do.", Angela said.
Clarissa said nothing as she sat there thinking about what she was going to do. She could give Cornelia what she wanted or stand her ground. Either way, she knew that she didn't have long until Cornelia was going to want an answer. Speaking of which, Cornelia had met up with her fellow Guardians and...
"Are you serious!?", Taranee questioned. "Do you really think that Clarissa will actually admit to that?"
"Well it is a simple request.", Cornelia said. "Seeing as it's true."
"Really?", Will questioned. "You're going to sit there and tell us that you believe that Caleb was wrong for breaking up with you when it was you who attacked him."
"Hey, I tried to apologize yet he wouldn't let me.", Cornelia said. "Had he let me apoligize then things would have been different."
"But you had plenty of chances to apologize yet didn't", Hay Lin said.
"Details. Details.", Cornelia said with the wave of her hand. "The important thing is that if Clarissa admits to being wrong for breaking up with me when she was Caleb, the all will be well and we can all be friends again. Now won't that be a good thing?"
"That depends.", Irma said.
"On what?", Cornelia asked.
"On whether or not you'll rub it in.", Irma said.
"Well... I may rub it in just a little.", Cornelia said with a smile as she brought her index finger and thumb together a little.
"Of course you will.", Will said as she rolled her eyes.
"Hey! I'm trying to settle this peacefully.", Cornelia said. "I figured that you all would be behind me on this. After all, don't you want us to be united again?"
"Yes, but not like this.", Will said. "You could of settled this a lot differently that how you've done things. And you know it."
"Maybe.", Cornelia said. "But then I would be admiting that I was wrong in all of this."
"Well... Yeah!", Will said earning a look from Cornelia that she ignored. "But you would be the bigger person in all of this. Thus earning our respect."
"Yeah! Well I like my plan better. See ya!", Cornelia said as she walked off to which the girls shook their heads in dissapointment.
"So what do we do now?", Irma asked.
"Hope for the best.", Hay Lin said. "That's all we can do."
"But you know, it would be nice if this were to end.", Irma said. "To much has happened."
"I feel the same way, but not the way Cornelia wants it to end.", Taranee said. "Her way has her coming out on top."
"Taranee's right.", Will said. "After all that's happened, Cornelia does not deserve to come ot on top."
"Well let's hope that Clarissa does what's right.", Irma said.
A few days have passed and Clarissa avoided Cornelia as she thought about what to do. But soon Cornelia got tired of waiting and decided to confront Clarissa and get her answer. Which she figure would be what she wanted. So she headed for the gym that was on the first floor of the Vanders' apartment home. And sure enough, Clarissa was there with Angela and Maddie working behind the counter. And the only ones there working out were Will, Cassidy, Alchemy, and Elyon. But Cornelia didn't pay them no mind as she walked up to the counter.
"Hello, Clarissa.", Cornelia said with a happy little smile. "I believe you have something to say to me.", she said just as the others came walking up to them.
"Seriously? Here, Cornelia?", Elyon questioned.
"What's wrong with it being done here?", Cornelia said. "She doesn't have to shout it out loud. Just loud enough so that you all can here here."
"You want me to say something? Fine.", Clarissa said to which Cornelia braced herself thinking that she was going to get what she wanted. "I'm sorry."
"For what?", Cornelia asked thinking that she had finally won.
"I'm sorry that breaking up with you, as Caleb, has caused you to become some petty, angry little child who decided that she had to get some sort of revenge that has turned you into something worse than you used to be.", Clarissa said which earned her a glare from Cornelia. "And now after everything that has happened, you think that you can get me to admit that I was wrong for breaking up with you when I was Caleb? I don't think so. Now I see that you aren't sorry about the hand you played in all that has happened. For if you were, you wouldn't of done what you did after you claimed to be sorry. And that is why I will not be admiting to being wrong for leaving you. For now I see that it was the right thing to do."
At first, Cornelia said nothing as she stood there letting what Clarissa said sink in. But then she looked at her ex-boyfriend-turned-girl witha glare that could kill if looks could kill and...
"Fine. If that's how you want to play it.", Cornelia said. "I tried to end this in a nice way in which we could possibly be friends. But you just had to be stuborned. So it's come down to this!"
"Come down to what?", Clarissa questioned.
"Next year, in February, there will be the Annual Miss Teen Heatherfield Pagent.", Cornelia said. "All the girls in the city will be entering it, but only the best of us will make it to the main event."
"Like you?", Clarissa questioned.
"Of course.", Cornelia said with a proud smirk. "I've won it for the last four years."
"So what does this have to do with me?", Clarissa asked.
"I got an idea where this is going.", Maddie said.
"Well remember when you and Angela challenged us to going after Fredes without our powers when you two were Caleb and Angelo?", Cornelia asked.
"And we all kow how that turned out.", Angela said with a grin only to get nudged by Will who had a small smirk that Angela returned.
"Yes well, now, I have a challenge for you", Cornelia said. "Enter the Miss Teen Heatherfield Pagent. And if you win, then I shall admit how wrong I was about all I did and all will be well. But if I win it, and I will, then you shall have to admit that you were wrong when you dumped me."
"Wow! Talk about stacking the odds.", Cassidy said. "The way you have it, you'll have a guaranted win."
"Now, now. For all we know, Clarissa may be able to win it.", Cornelia said. "Anything can happened. So what do you say, Clarissa? Do yo have the guts to accept my challenge?", she asked as she held out her hand.
"You're on!", Clarissa said as they shook hands.
"Good luck.", Cornelia said with a smirk. "You'll need it. A lot of it.", she said just as Cammy, from the photo shoot, came into the gym.
"Well isn't this a surprise.", Cammy said as she recognized the girls.
"I remember you!", Will said. "Cammy, right? From the photot shoot."
"That's right.", Cammy said with a smile.
"How are things?", Elyon asked.
"Pretty good.", Cammy said. "So good that we got we were doing two shoots."
"That's great!", Alchemy said. "What kind will they be?"
"Well the first one we're doing is for some of the stores in the mall.", Cammy said. "They want to put out a big catalog for the holidays. The other shoot is for a magazine that we're doing for the holidays also. Only it'll be for fun. We'll be sending out letters to all of you that were in our last photo shoot. So keep an eye out."
"This'll be fun.", Cassidy said.
"So what should we wear for the shoot this time?", Cornelia asked getting Cammy's attention.
"First off, you should be lucky that we're even letting you and your friend there be a part of thie after the crap you two pulled with your boyfriends.", Cammy said referring to not only Cornelia but Irma as well. "But some of us believe in second chances. So count your lucky stars. But so help me, if either of you try that crap again, I'll personally toss you out. You get me!?"
"Yes, ma'am.", Irma and Cornelia said.
"Good.", Cammy said. "Now. I would like to sign up for membership to your gym.", she said to Angela.
"You got it.", Angela said as handed Cammy a form to fill out.
"Thank you.", Cammy said as she went to sit down and fill out the form.
"Talk about holding a grudge.", Cornelia said. "She really needs to let it go."
"Wow! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.", Cassidy said. "You really need to take your own advice."
"Excuse me?", Cornelia questioned. "Her issues are nothing compared to mine with HER!", she said while pointing at Clarissa. "And as for you! You have at least three and a half months to prepare for the pagent! I suggest you use each day wisely!", Cornelia said before leaving the gym.
"Looks like you have your work cut out for you.", Maddie said to Clarissa.
"Lucky for you, there is one that can help you.", Cassidysaid.
"Who?", Clarissa asked.
"You'll see.", Cassidy as she took out her cell phone and dialed a number.
A few mihutes later...
"So let me get this straight.", Kadma said as she stood before the girls after Cassidy had called her. "Cornelia has challenged you to enter the Miss Teen Heatherfield Pagent. And if she wins you'll have to admit to being wrong about breaking up with her."
"Yes.", Clarissa said.
"But if you win, then she'll have to admit how wrong she was about all that she did.", Kadma said.
"That's the idea.", Will said.
"And you want me to train you for this?", Kadma asked Clarissa.
"Yes, ma'am.", Clarissa said.
"Interesting.", Kadma said. "Okay then. I'l do it. But on one condition."
"What?", Clarissa asked.
"That I train the rest of you.", Kadma said. "And for those of you who do good, will enter the pagent as well."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on there, Grandma!", Angela said. "Why the rest of us?"
"Cornelia challenged Clarissa to enter the pagent because she thinks she has it made.", Kadma explained. "And to be honest, she is good. We've all seen how well she can carry herself when the need arrives. And ten to one, she has everything planned out for the pagent."
"So where do we come in?", Will asked.
"She needs to learn that she isn't the only beauty in this group.", Kadma said. "Each of you is a beauty in your own way.", she said getting a smile out ofthe girls.
"So what do we have to face in the pagent?", Elyon asked.
"Let's find out.", Alchemy said as she took her tablet our from her gym bag and brought up information on the upcoming pagent. "Says here that there will be three parts to break it down to the final five. And evening gown compatition. A swimsuit compatition. And finally, a talent compatition. And finally the final five will have to answer the same question."
"Sounds simple.", Maddie said.
"Yes, but with the evening gowns there will be a theme this time.", Alchemy said.
"Which is?", Clarissa asked.
"Disney Princesses.", Alchemy said after reading it on her tablet.
"Guess which one Cornelia is going to bust out?", Irma questioned.
"I could care less.", Clarissa said. "I just want to get ready for this pagent and give her a run for her money."
"Now you're talking!", Kadma said. "We shall begin your training this weekend. That goes for all of you. So inform the others."
"Something tells me that we're in for some long hard training.", Will said.
A/N: Well it happened. Our three guys-turned-girls are now powerless thanks to Cornelia. But boy did she get hers when Elyon didn't invite her to her ball. But now Corny done went and challenged Clarissa enter a pagent. Can Clarisssa get ready in time for it and possibly beat Cornelia at her own game? Find out in future chapters!
Please review.
