Little Will

On the way back home, Star's thoughts switched from the mission to her personal life. Despite all the talk of aliens, none of it reached her head. Her brain was full. Her visible eye was to the ground, filled with thoughts. "What is it?"

Star gasped and looked up to Melissa. That smile would always make her smile. To appease her worries. Star sighed and whispered, "Nothing."

"Yeah right. Start talking, sweetheart, I always know when something's on your mind."

Melissa pulled Star over into an alley to have some peace and secrecy. Secured with an arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"It's just..." Star sighed and looked Melissa in the eyes. She was beginning to twiddle her thumbs. The thing she does when she's really nervous. "Things at home are amazing. Our home, I mean. Our Guardianships are going great. We've... Settled down. But..."

Melissa turned her full body to Will's. "But what?"

"Melissa, we're finally settling down. But there's one thing I want. And I'm not sure if you'd like it."

"And what exactly is that?"

"I... Melissa, I want to start a family with you."

Star witnessed Melissa's first ever freak out. It was... Pretty much just a staring contest. Melissa staring into Star's red eyes who in turn stared into her quivering brown ones. "We..." She finally spoke. "Need to talk about this a little bit more."

Star took a deep breath and immediately nodded. "Of course. I just wanted to get it off my chest. You know... Anger issues."

Melissa smiled and grabbed Star's hand. Then led her back into the light of Heatherfield. She shrugged and said, "I don't think you have to worry about your anger issues. You've mastered them a very long time ago."

"I still like to be safe."

Melissa kissed the top of her head and whispered, "I know. Hey... You look like a teenager."

"What?"

Melissa pulled her over to a nearby store and took a closer look at her wife. She wasn't like this yesterday. Today she looked much... Younger. Smaller even! She had the looks of a teenager before. But not this much. It was like she shrunk down and was sixteen again. No wonder these boys keep looking at her!

Melissa turned Star towards the glass windows and ordered, "Look at yourself. That's not normal."

Star gasped at her reflection and felt her face. "What the hell?! Th-This isn't good!"

"You weren't like this yesterday. Something must've happened."

Star sighed and relaxed. Albeit with uneasy eyes trained on the glass window. On herself. That was her exactly how she left Earth so long ago. Take it easy, she thought. "I have to read the tome," she whispered. Then started walking again with Melissa. Somehow she was turning young again. Not unwelcome, but she got used to her more adult body.

The second she and Melissa were alone, Star sliced open a rift and stepped off Earth onto Kandrakar. Something was wrong.

~TLO~

GU was in some trouble. Matthews and the rest of them had a problem just walking out the building. There were just too much press. Cameras constantly clicking, questions constantly flying. And they weren't only asking Matthews.

They were also asking his assistant. Patricia Simp was a small woman. Caucasian with light blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, dark blue eyes behind a pair of round prescription glasses. Nervous, she kept her mouth shut and moved for the doors of their SUV. But her mind was yelling other things.

They just spoke with aliens. ALIENS! But they looked like humans. Completely human. Apart from the glowing eyes and attitude, they spoke english and were clearly normal. Where did they come from? What system? What the hell was a veil?

Patricia jumped into the same SUV as her boss. Then the door was closed. The press' voices were shut out and the interior was quiet. Matthews hummed and looked back to the stadium. Queen Elyon. Kandrakar. He hasn't heard that name in a long time. Those girls were back. "The Guardians," he whispered.

He turned to Patricia on his right and asked, "Why did they want to speak with you? Would it not have been better to speak with me?"

Patricia shrugged and joked, "I guess I'm good looking."

"Well you're not going in there tomorrow alone. They said they wanted to speak with you for explanations. But they didn't say come alone."

Matthews pulled an expensive phone out of his pocket when the trucks started moving to make an important phone call. A few partners of his in the past. He put the phone to his ear and waited for the line to pick up. After it did, he greeted, "Hey, Donnel. I need you and your team over here by tonight... Of course I will, you know I have it. I know you saw the news. She's not going up there alone... Yeah, I know. I'll see you tonight."

He hung up the phone and faced Patricia. "So I secured your security. They'll be here tonight to escort you tomorrow morning. Now I have to call Mary."

Patricia just looked out the window while he did so. Her mind was filled with more important things. What was a veil? And what we're they talking about? Playing a dangerous game? A fiery death? Patricia wasn't sure if she could wait for tomorrow.

"They're already here."

How big does this thing go? Their specialists were already here? She had a bad feeling about these guys. But everything would hopefully come to life tomorrow.

~TLO~

The change of Kandrakar was non-existent. It still looked exactly the same as before. The sky was blue, the stone structure was untouched, and the air was silent and peaceful.

Save for the footsteps of Star and Melissa as they treaded the shining and sparkling marble floors. The large stone columns held up the high ceiling.

While they moved, Melissa had to actually tilt her head down to smile at Star. "Don't. Start," Star scolded.

"You're so cute. All small and mean."

Star huffed through her nose and started the walk across the bridge for the chamber doors. "Don't push it. Something's wrong. This has never happened before."

"Maybe it's because you're on Earth."

"Then why haven't you shrunk with the others? And turned sixteen again?"

When they reached the door, Star stopped and raised her right fist to knock. But her eyes trained on the glowing Remnant of Fire. She locked eyes with Melissa for a moment. Worry was evident. And they were maybe even thinking the same thing. Star decided to buck knocking to the side and just pull the doors open. Then stomped her way in.

The only one in there right now was Cassidy in the most relaxed position they've ever seen in her in. Sleeping. In the Oracle's seat. How exciting. Star called out, "Hey Cassidy!" Cassidy yelped awake and stood up straight like a soldier ready for battle. She must've been expecting Himerish or someone. Well she wouldn't be able to see him since her red hair flipped over her face.

"Yes, yes, yeah!" She replied. Then locked eyes with Will and Melissa below. "Hey, Melissa. Who's... Will?!"

Star raised her hands out and asked, "Look, can you help us figure this out? Being sixteen and this small causes issues."

"I'll say, look at you~! Awww!" Cassidy floated out of the stands down to Will. Then gripped her cheeks and fawned with her eyes burning into hers. "You're so adorable~!"

Star slapped her hands away and gripped Cassidy's own cheeks. Then yanked her down into her face. Glaring straight into her eyes. "Cassidy?" She snarled. "As of this moment, I am smaller than everyone. I look like I did back in school. You. Must. Help. Not dress me up."

"Alright, alright." Cassidy backed off and gestured with her hand to follow her back out the doors. "So what do you guys think it is? I'm sure you have your own theories."

They both immediately answered, "The Remnants."

"Yes, I'm thinking that as well. Good work on Earth by the way. We've been watching. I guess it's time to come out to everyone now, right?"

Melissa shrugged and pushed the doors open for them all. Then answered, "Well there's a madman on Earth who possibly wants to converge the worlds and introduce them to each other. Now that Humans are focused on the 'Aliens,' it gives us time to investigate GU LABS."

Star added in a younger voice, "More specifically their leader. Owner. Whatever. He's not from Earth. Fix my voice!"

Cassidy led them towards the middle of the bridge and stopped. "Yes, Queen Elyon informed us of his presence. She's going to go to Northton and ask about him. She can't wait for Glint this week. So she has to go to him."

Star gripped Melissa around the waist and jumped off the edge of the walkway with Cassidy. At least she was still as strong as before. She slowed her descent to a pleasant landing down below on a much bigger floor. The library was only a few yards away. They could walk the rest.

Melissa sighed and stated, "Well that's going to be fun. For him and her. What about it, Little Will? Ow! Hey!"

Star withdrew her fist from Melissa's shoulder and asked, "Any idea about the Remnants? Your own theories?"

Cassidy led the way to the library and answered, "Personally? The Remnant of Quintessence is using your life strength to keep itself up to par. Remember, Quintessence is life itself. Just a bunch of life. Before you had it, it wasn't using any of the life inside because it was dormant. It may be really strong, but even it has its limits. So to keep the right level of energy it restores itself by stealing the life of its host. Making you..."

"Younger or older," Star muttered. "So basically... I'm wearing a literal 'Fountain of youth.'"

"Eh, pretty much." Cassidy walked into the library and raised her hand to summon the book she needed. From the top shelf, it floated down and into her palm. It was the same book Star stole so many years ago. Cassidy used her own powers to flip it open and rapidly shift to the Remnant of Quintessence catalogue. Then pointed and decreed, "Yep, I was spot on. 'Many believe that the Remnant of Quintessence was the legendary Fountain of Youth. It is believed to use an age as a form of energy against one's will to supply its power.' What that means is when it runs out of Quintessence, it uses your life to fill itself back up. So the larger the spell, the faster that time approaches."

Star raised her hands and yelled, "Wait, wait, hold on!... Are you telling me... I'm stuck like this?!"

~TLO~

Samuel could barely believe what he and Lillian just saw. Mom and Dad were actually more calm about it than anyone else in this house. Since they were like best friends and family, the Vandoms like to hang out across the street at the Cordeau's, or they would come to their house. William liked Samuel. He exercised a lot anyway.

While the adults were in the Cordeau's kitchen, William and Lillian decided to go out back and play some basketball. Apparently Melissa was into sports in the past. What type? Any type.

In the middle of the court made of grass, William used one hand to keep Lillian back away from him and the other to throw the ball up and through the net. He let her go and shot his hands in the air in triumph. "Oh yeah, short stuff! Try me!"

Lillian scoffed and slapped his shoulder. "You're cheating."

"Because I can." Lillian ran over to the goal and grabbed the ball. Then threw it back at him.

It was suddenly snatched out of the air by Cornelia, surprising both of them. She definitely wasn't there a second ago. She was wearing an outfit similar to what Taranee was wearing that morning. Although more discreet. It was a long brown dress with a v-neck. Her hair was put into a braid hid in the back.

She smiled and observed the ball she was holding. "Well this is... A nice time-killer, I suppose," she muttered.

Lillian smirked and pulled the ball out of her hold. "Yeah, it would be if William wasn't cheating."

Cornelia grinned and asked, "Oh really? Pass me the ball." Lillian shot the ball into her outstretched hand. Now in her grip, Cornelia pulled her arm back, and flicked her wrist. The ball went sailing through the air, angled down, then swished straight through the net.

Cornelia threw her hands up and slowly backed away with a serious look on her face. "And ladies and gentleman, that is how it's done."

William walked onto the concrete that made up the backyard patio—as well as their makeshift court—and snatched the ball up. Then playfully accused, "You cheated, you used the air."

Cornelia chuckled and asked, "Actually, no. That's Melissa's niche. I use the ground, so I didn't cheat since the ball never touched the dirt. Pass it back."

William shot the ball over to her. Then stepped in to guard her. There was no way she was going to get past him this time. Cornelia watched him dance around in amusement. Did he seriously think he could stop her? She placed her hand on his forehead and held him at bay two feet away. Then used her other hand to shoot the ball.

It sailed through the air and angled down for the net. Almost there before a red thing came out of the literal blue and slapped it off its trajectory. Small Will landed on the ground far away and raised her hands in triumph. Now she looked like she was fifteen. Even had the voice like it. At least her hair was the same. Long and bright red.

Will raised both her hands to the side and swiveled on the ball of her foot to face the three confused expressions. "Uh huh!" She cheered. "Oh yeah, come on clap!"

None of them did. Except one. Melissa walked out of the home's back door guffawing, clapping loud and hard. She pointed at Star and said, "Guess who that is!"

Cornelia followed her finger at the teenager blowing raspberries at Melissa and answered, "No idea."

"It's Star! The Remnant of Quintessence is stealing her life force and dwindled her down to fifteen years old."

Cornelia looked to Star slowly shaking her head. "No way... No fucking way, seriously?"

Star flicked off Melissa then focused back on Cornelia. "Yeah... I'm stuck like this. Which means—"

"Hey, girls!" Melissa pinged. "Star's fifteen again, come to my place!"

Star placed her hands on her hips and turned to glare at Melissa. "Seriously?!"

She just shrugged innocently. Complete with a grin. "What? They were going to find out anyway."

"What's with all the yelling? Holy—Will?!" Susan ran out the back door and up to Will. She mashed her cheeks together and looked down into her eyes. She knew her daughter when she saw her. Besides, who else has a burned eye. "What happened to you?! Is this more of that Guardian mumbo jumbo?! Melissa, start explaining why my daughter's fourteen!"

Melissa walked past Susan over to Star and flicked the Remnant on her chest. "It's this. The Remnant of Quintessence gives her her powers. Along with the other four. But they eventually run out of Quintessence. So to keep them full, the Remnants steal the life force of its host. She's literally wearing the Fountain of Youth."

Hay-Lin skipped out from behind Cornelia and over to Star with stars in her eyes. "Awww, she's adorable!" She swooped Star into her chest and stated, "Now you can wear your old clothes again!"

Star struggled to get out of Hay-Lin's grip. Finding it pointless, she just jabbed her ribcage and darted over to hide behind Susan. "I forgot how much she likes children," she groaned. Then was pulled back into a hug by Irma next. "Seriously?! Girls, I'm still thirty one!"

Taranee peeked over Melissa's shoulder amused and stated, "You sure don't look like it."

Star casually lifted her palm and created a fireball. "I will burn you."

Melissa stifled down her laughter and grabbed Star's hand. "Okay, fine, we're sorry. We'll stop teasing you now. Although this does changes things a little."

But William just had to let one slide. There was no way in hell he was going to let this moment pass. "Hey, I have a little sister! I'm older now."

Star shot her sights over to him and retorted, "Nope, I'm still older than you. I may look like a shrimp, but being small definitely makes me even more faster to beat your head in."

Hay-Lin crossed her arms and pinged, "Which is why you're meeting with the girl tomorrow morning instead of Irma. Alone."

What?! Star pointed an accusing finger at her and yelled, "No way!"

"Yeah, way. You're much smaller and can definitely put her at ease. Moreso than any of us. So you're taking this one now."

"Ah, come on Hay, no fair!"

"You're still doing it. Whine all you want to, this is your solo mission."

Star stomped her foot and crossed her arms. "Ugggh, fine! But if someone tests their luck, it's not my fault what happens next."

"Yeah, sure. Now let's get a look as to what's going on right now."

Taranee raised her hand and said, "I'll do it. I don't really have anything to do today."

Star shook her huge head of red hair around and relented, "Wait, no, you still have to hang with your family, I guess. I'll do it."

Melissa frowned at Star's blush and visual avoidance. She new exactly what that meant. Melissa turned to the others and motioned them away with a slight wave of her hand. Including William and Lillian. This was she-and-her time.

Cornelia quickly grabbed William and Lillian's hand. Then led them inside with the others. Whatever was bugging Star, Melissa could handle it. When they were finally alone, Melissa walked closer to her wife and grabbed her hand. Ripping her attention away from the grass.

Whispering, Melissa asked, "What's up? You're doing it again. Blaming yourself."

Star growled and retorted, "I'm not blaming myself." Melissa sighed and just stared at her. Wait for it... Any second... Star let Melissa's hand go and turned around. "I'm just... None of this would be—"

"Don't do that." Star felt Melissa wrap her arms around her from behind and whisper, "It's not all your fault. This guy, this... Weird man not from Earth wants to just do what you wanted to do. This is his problem, not yours. You're doing the right thing to try and solve it. He's doing the wrong thing to try and cause it. So let's just beat his face in and call it a day, okay?"

Star sighed and let a small smile grace her face. Melissa always knew how to make everything better. Even when they weren't really supposed to be. Star grabbed Melissa's right hand and placed a small kiss on it. "Thanks, Double Dees."

"Anytime, Bitty Bees. And I can actually say that now." Melissa playfully flicked Star's little right tit before it was slapped away.

"You pervert. Stop molesting me, I will have you charged." Star swiped her hand and sliced open a rift. She had somewhere to be and information to retrieve. "I have to do some research on our little friends at GU."

Melissa crossed her arms and asked, "You're stalking them, aren't you?"

Star stopped just shy of entering the rift and smiled over her shoulder. "I'm stalking one. Don't wait up." Then zipped through out of sight. After it closed, Melissa was left in her old backyard alone. With a basketball and a goal. What is a girl to do?

~TLO~

Mary wasn't having a good day. GU was going through a crisis and potential stocks were being lost in the market. A few of the international representatives who attended their first ever live demo have already said their countries were backing out. Three out of five. The other two had pending decisions.

Then Doctor Matthews showed up at her office and demanded an immediate Press Release as soon as possible to appease their potential consumers. She went with the basics out in the front of the laboratories. An investigation was currently underway, the "Please stay calm" bit, and more details will be released tomorrow. Which means a possible full inbox.

Mary's dark blue casual suit was ruffled by the time she made it home. A two story ranch style out in Rural Heatherfield. Away from all the fan fair she shared with her sisters. The driveway was big enough for all three of their cars if they didn't park them in the two-door garage. Everything inside was fancy too.

Having the business side of things, all three held high paying jobs and were fortunate enough to make more than three hundred thousand a year combined. They had enough to live on their own and start families.

But they chose to stick together. Mom and Dad would have been proud. After Mary parked the car next to Stacy's truck, she turned off the engine and sat back. Staring at the dangling necklace dancing around the rear-view mirror. It was a small five by five photo of their family as a whole. Mom, dad, Stacy, Cecelia, and herself. All in one photo. They would've been so proud.

Mary let out a huff of hot air to push her issues to the side and popped her car door open. Then stepped out to face Cecelia. Still wearing overalls. Gardening was her past time when she wasn't prettying herself up for a potential date. Her light blonde hair still held her blue highlights. And her height from High School remained the same. Five foot nine.

"What the hell happened out there today?" Was the first question she asked.

Mary closed the door and sighed. Then started the walk back to the house with her. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Well, I'd like to." They whirled back around towards Stacy's truck and stared at the familiar teenager eating a Hershey bar peeking out of the bed at them.

Mary immediately asked, "Who are you, kid? Get out of here!"

Will popped up into full view with a scowl and replied, "Dammit, I'm thirty-one! Do I seriously—you know what? That doesn't matter. You girls seriously turned out good. The last time we were around, you were being escorted out of school by the police."

Cecelia stared at her for a moment. Then gasped and yelled, "WILL?! WILL VANDOM, IS THAT YOU?!"

Will sighed begrudgingly and answered, "Yes, it's me."

"Why do you still—"

"It's a side effect!" Star jumped out of the truck and walked up to Cecelia with open arms. The two shared a deep hug before Mary piled on. "I'm so happy you girls turned out okay."

"What happened to you guys though?" Mary asked. "Are you and Melissa still..."

"We're actually married." Star pulled away and added, "And I'm actually thirty-one. Long story short, I'm immortal. Anyway, I'm here for information."

Mary sighed and crossed her arms. "Let me guess... The alien thing."

"They're not aliens. Not exactly. As a matter of fact, I know Queen Elyon personally. I'm only here for info. You tell me what I need to know, and I'll reciprocate."

Mary and Cecelia shared a curious glance then trained back on Will. They already knew about her powers. But how far does this really go? So a few minutes later, a soda can was slid across their marble countertop into Star's open hand.

Since the living room was the whitest thing Star's ever witnessed, they held their sudden meeting in there. A sixty inch flat screen sat dormant on a brick wall while sliding patio doors lined the space behind the couch. A marble dining table sat between Star and the Vanhooven sisters, currently in use for a box of pizza from last night.

Mary took a bite out of one and leaned back, eyes on Star. "So... Where have you been all this time?"

"On another world." Star took a pleasant bite out of her pizza and moaned pleasantly at the taste. "I honestly forgot what pizza tasted like. There isn't any on Meridian. I'm an interdimensional bounty hunter who lives there."

Stacy bounced her eyebrows and commented, "How nice."

"Yeah, I guess. We're currently in the middle of an investigation here on Earth. Someone has been opening portals without our consent. That's illegal."

Cecelia pointed to Star accusingly and stated, "'Our?!' So you are behind this! Everyone thinks aliens are real, come on Will, what the hell!"

"Oh what happened at the thing? Yeah that was real." Will took two more bites and set down the pizza so she could explain better. "GU LABS is illegally opening portals. They're extremely unstable if not handled correctly. So a friend decided to scare them for us."

"That's what I don't get." Mary set her own slice down and turned into Business Vanhooven. "How exactly are they dangerous? It's harmless radiation."

"Well for one, that's not radiation. Who came up with that?"

"Doctor Matthews."

"Yeah, he's lying to you guys. There's no way in hell Radiation can open a doorway. That's not possible. He's using Quintessence or an artificial compound of it. I'll lay it down for you like how I'll do it again tomorrow. This is good practice. What do you see around you?" Will waved her hand around through the air, gesturing to all their fancy belongings

"...do you seriously want us to answer that?" Stacy inquired.

Star nodded and took a small sip of her drink. "Yeah. What do you literally see in front of you?"

"Well... Alright. I see a girl I'm slightly afraid of. I see a bunch of white furniture, the afternoon sun shining, the kitchen... And everything else."

"Right. But there are other things you can't see. Like... Let me show you." Star wiped her hands off on her dress. Then sliced her hand through the air, creating a rift. The second Star reached in, something grabbed Cecelia's hair.

She yelped and whirled around to face... Will's hand?! She screamed and leapt up off the couch in fear. There was a disembodied hand grabbing her hair! Mission accomplished, Star pulled her hand back and closed the rift. "You saw me put my hand through there and disappear. But it was actually behind you. My hand traveled through time and space, just how your GU Portals do. I traveled through what is called 'The Veil,' which is used to protect you from any physical threats.

"But it also works as a stabilizer. Earth isn't really alone like this. You just can't see the other worlds around you."

Mary quickly asked, "Then why haven't we detected them? Radio signals should have picked them up by now."

Will dropped back down into her seat and answered, "Because your waves travel with the veil. Not through it. You can't detect what's not in that specific time and space. In that dimension. Now how does this relate to the Portals? Well for one thing, they create paths through the veil and to those worlds first before hitting their target location. 'Warming up,' they call it. That is illegal. No one on Earth except me, Hay-Lin, and the other Guardians are authorized to do so. Any other will be arrested. It also endangers the worlds. All of them.

"Even though the veil seems strong, it's actually very fragile thanks to time. Myself and other artifact holders are all trained on how to open portals correctly without permanent damage. We open, then close them shortly after. If we leave them open and open more, it begins to fall apart like an old wet curtain, revealing the worlds. And if there are enough portals open, then it will disintegrate, exposing everything to everyone."

Cecelia leaned on her right arm and said, "That sounds... Really cool actually."

"No. Not cool. Because everything is so close together, gravity begins to take over and... They collide. A huge fiery death. Everyone will die. All for a stupid profit. GU LABS wants to keep the portals open for traveling, and that's a no no. I want to know about GU LABS. Teach me."

Mary clapped her hands together and answered, "GU Labs is a 'Future Electronics' company. With a vision of bringing a fantasized future to the reality."

"So GU is literally a bunch of middle school nerds, got it. Now what do you know about Matthews? Anything?"

Mary shrugged and answered casually, "He bought the company. No one knows how. Paid over thirteen billion dollars just to be the head."

"Is that even legal?"

"Yeah. But no single person just... Buys a company either."

"Yeah, you're right." Star tapped her fingers against against the table. Thinking. This Doctor Matthews guy just buys a company. "So... What has he created ever since he's been in charge?"

"Uhhh... The GU Phone, the GU Display, and... That's it."

"How long has he been the head?"

"Maybe four years now."

Red flag. Everyone is buying his electronics and such. But they are certainly eating up his GU Portals. "Do you have a sample of what is used to open the Portals?" Star asked. Maybe with that the Guardians can compare them to the rest of their electronics.

Mary shook her head and answered, "I'm not authorized to that stuff. And I have no idea where it is."

"Damn, okay. This man is up to no good."

Cecelia asked, "What are you talking about?"

Star stared at her with one eye for a moment and decided not to say anything about him. This guy has the nation under his belt. Who knows, she could possibly tell "Samuel Matthews" about their plotting. Star shook her head and replied, "Nothing, don't worry about it. But do me a favor, will you Mary?"

Mary stood up with Star and answered, "Sure, what is it?"

"Keep a close eye on Doctor Matthews and stay on your toes. From what the girls and I have experienced, guys like him have a completely different side." Star slashed open a rift and stepped through. Then it was closed once more, leaving them with her warning.