Written by: Jumper Prime
For Disclaimers see Chapter 1.
Last time on Guardians of Good: The witches' attempts on the lives of Grace's baby and Charity were foiled by Grace's latent powers, which then erected a shield around the house which could not be penetrated by evil. After the attack, Jessica discovered that her powers had awakened as she had begun seeing things that normal people could not, the effect was slightly disorienting for her. At the Youth Center, Sheridan recognized Jessica's discomfort for what it was and helped her gain control of her ability to see the unseeable. Kay and Jessica then welcomed Luis and Sheridan into the Guardians of Good, though Tabitha, Hecuba, and Diana were aware of their new enemies immediately. Finally, Matthew Sorenson was visited by the angel girl and was not surprised in the least by her appearance.
Chapter 7: Surprises
In Matthew Sorenson's study, the angel girl stood in mid-air before Matthew, who seemed quite calm at her sudden appearance.
Hello Matthew. the angel girl greeted him
Matthew said as he put down his book I was wondering when you were going to show up.
I thought it best to wait until you had taken care of the mundane details of your move to Harmony before I intruded.
I've finished with those for now. I assume you're here to brief me? I'm still quite curious what was so important that I was pulled off the chalice retrieval to handle it.
It relates to the events of your most recent visit to Hell.
Wait a second. This is punishment for putting all of Hell on alert a few days ago? I couldn't just ignore those screams! I'm proud that I helped get that girl out of Hell.
And well you should. Charity, the girl you rescued, is very important to the forces of good. The chalice is of lesser importance and a mission is now in progress to retrieve it. The events soon to transpire in Harmony are critical to everything. You are the best choice for the job here.
I am? You say everything depends on what's going to happen? I've done a few missions, but I'm not sure if that kind of confidence in me is warranted.
You have always been too humble, Matthew. Trained since childhood to battle evil in its many forms. You have performed countless missions since you entered service at 16 years old. Earned the right to be a Silver Knight by the time you were 17. Long family lineage, all your ancestors in the line giving exemplary service in their time, including your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who were themselves Silver Knights. It sounded like she was reading off a service record Prevented incursion by the Second Archduke of Hell by singlehandedly fighting your way past the cultists and demons guarding the sanctum where the summoning ritual was being conducted and slaying the black magus responsible. Numerous successful retrieval missions from Hell, rescuing important artifacts and prisoners. Stopped a number of minor incursions cold, some by neutralizing the summoning loci and others by neutralizing the enemy forces themselves. The list of your accomplishments goes on.
But I couldn't save Dad. Matthew said sadly He died from a blow meant for me.
But you stopped the invasion. You were able to slay the enemy forces already come through the gateway and smash the keystone, sealing the portal for all time. Your father knew the stakes, he knew that backup could not arrive before the demons exited the mine. Two Silver Knights were all that stood between Earth and damnation, and any sane strategist would balk at putting only two Silver Knights against the forces he knew to be coming through that portal, elite warriors or not.
I know, but part of me can't help but think I should've been able to save him.
Do not blame yourself, it was Michael's time. But we're getting off the subject. You know of the prophecy of the Guardians of Good?
What Silver Knight doesn't? Can't be an elite warrior in The Army of the Lord without knowing the most important prophecy known to exist. Dad drilled it into my head from when I was old enough to start learning to interpret prophecies.
A warrior has been chosen to be the soldier of the Almighty' mentioned in the prophecy. That soldier is you, Mordecai Devilslayer. Matthew nodded respectfully at the mention of the name he used when wearing his armor.
I remember when Dad gave me my warrior name. I felt honored to have such an auspicious name emblazoned on my soul. I will do all I can to be worthy of the task I have been given.
Now that's more like it. The Guardians of Good have nearly finished assembling. The Warrior, the Seer, and the daughter of darkness have already awakened to their powers.
What about The Savior? Without them, it's all for nought.
Charity's powers have been close to the surface for some time, but she has always stopped short of manifesting.
Charity...? The same girl I rescued from Hell? You'd think being thrown into Hell would kick one's powers into high gear. Especially if they were already close to the surface.
You know as well as I that no two sets of powers are exactly the same. She will manifest when she truly needs them. And it will be soon.
That sounds ominous.
Evil is concentrating around Harmony. Only last night an attempt was made to destroy the Harmony church. Fortunately, Kay was able to foil Hecuba's plan.
And Kay is...?
The Warrior. Not too long after the attack on the church, Sheridan and Luis, the daughter of darkness and her destined love, were nearly killed by a Dire Wolf released by her own father. They would have been killed had Sheridan not remembered her powers and used them to save them both.
Last night was the Devil's Night. When one of those goes down, evil is like a rainstorm. When I realized I'd be in transit on the darkest night in half a century, I must admit I was a little worried.
There was no reason to be. Last night, the forces of evil had massed to bring about Hell on Earth but the failure of the attack here in Harmony forced them to abort their entire plan. Evil creatures throughout the world waited all night for a signal which never came. It was the least eventful Devil's Night in a millennium.
That's a load off my mind. What about the true love of one of the Three?'
Miguel and Charity are on a date at this very moment. Their love forms a protective barrier that shields her from evil's power, but evil will soon find a way to breach that barrier.
Let me guess, the method they'll use is need-to-know information and I don't need to know. the angel girl gave an apologetic shrug Y'know, sometimes the big guy's info distribution policy can be real frustrating. I have never been able to figure out why we never get all the info. Some critical stuff always gets left out.
All is according to God's plan, and it works.
Not always, remember the Dark Ages?
Some things, not even God can control. Remember that his opposite number has near equal power, though more limited in the paths he can channel it through.
OK, OK, I know better than to debate divine policy with an angel. Getting back to the Guardians of Good, besides me, it sounds like there's only one left to find. One who combines alchemy with the magic of machines.' Problem is, nobody's ever been able to do it. Magic and technology are fundamentally incompatible. They either refuse to mix or the product is highly unstable, prone to a messy dissolution like nitroglycerine on a rollercoaster.
Difficult, but not impossible. There is one who has accomplished it already but does not know it yet.
I'd certainly like to meet him. I've made a few tries at Neo-Alchemy, but they've all been dismal failures. I just couldn't get the right mixture of alchemical reagents and technological components. My attempts either fizzled out or blew up in my face. Everyone says Neo-Alchemy is just a pipedream, that there's no such thing as a Neo-Alchemist, but if someone has done it, he could touch off a new age for the arcane arts.
One thing at a time, Matthew. He achieved his success while thinking it was straight science. All their lives, the others have lived thinking magic was not real, that legends were only stories. Even Sheridan, who recently recovered the memories of her many lessons in magic, has no concept of the eternal battle between good and evil as it exists. In addition to fighting alongside the other Guardians of Good, you will need to guide them in matters arcane.
I guess the wheel has turned. Dad taught me about the great war between good and evil, and now it's my turn to teach new heroes the way things really are. At least I already know what most of them look like. Two of the girls in the room when I came through the portal had a definite family resemblance to Charity.
Make yourself ready, Matthew, for though you shall not do battle this day, battle will come soon and you must be prepared.
So saying, the angel girl turned into a ball of white light which flew up to the ceiling right before disappearing. Matthew stood up and walked out the door of his study, then going to a nearby flight of stairs and down to the basement, where a workshop of sorts was set up. Jacob, having traded his tuxedo for a set of overalls, was hammering a piece of gleaming metal into shape with a strength belying his apparent age.
How're the repairs on my armor coming, Jacob? Matthew asked
Most of it is finished, sir. Jacob said, pausing his hammering to point out most of a suit of silver armor lying on a nearby table I'm working on the replacement pauldron now, no way to restore armor melted like that piece was, you know.
Yes, I shudder to think how tough that witch would be at full power.
The last time I saw armor with damage as bad as yours came back with a few days ago was when Master William came home after the Tunguska incursion in 1908.
Great-Grandpa's journal didn't say much about that one. Did he say anything about it to you before or after?
All I know is that he was leading a group of soldiers, including some other Silver Knights, to stop an invasion from Hell. There was some sort of massive explosion during the battle that all but wiped out both sides. Master William came back in approximately the same condition as his armor. For weeks afterward, he would cry out something about a black symphony' in his sleep. I think it had something to do with the explosion. Later on, he would say the Tunguska incursion was the closest we ever came to having the veil of secrecy ripped away from the war. Even today, very little grows on the site where the explosion happened. Despite the lack of a crater, the public thought the destruction was due to a meteor strike.
Jacob, exactly how long have you been serving the family, anyway?
I'm not really sure, sir. The decades tend to blur after a while. Whichever of your ancestors it was who helped me get to Earth, I'm glad I decided to help him escape from that prison cell in Kezuza's palace. Despite my birth, Hell simply was not for me. Jacob's eyes momentarily glowed green as he spoke.
You've chosen to serve my family for generations to repay the debt for helping you escape from Hell and you've been free to leave for I don't know how long, yet still you stay at my side as you were at the side of my father and grandfather and I don't know how many who came before. Why?
I do not yet consider the debt paid. And where else would a half-demon like me go?
You're an excellent butler, I'd gladly give you a reference, much as I would hate to lose you.
But I would always have to hide my true nature from my employers, and I would have to change employers every few decades to try to hide the fact that I am more or less ageless. Not to mention that my talents as a blacksmith would go completely to waste under any other employer.
Matthew smiled Never let yourself think I don't appreciate you.
Perish the thought, sir. Neither you nor any before you have given me reason to think that. Oh yes, after I finish with your pauldron, I'll start on your new dagger.
Dagger? What new dagger?
The replacement for the one you lost in Hell a few nights ago. When you came back, your dagger sheathe was empty and I didn't find it anywhere in your cloak or backpack.
Matthew groaned, placing his hand over his eyes I gave it to Miguel to improve his chances against the demons holding Charity and I never asked for it back. Rather absentminded of me.
Everyone makes mistakes, sir. We're only human... Well, I'm half, but the concept is sound. this elicited a small chuckle from Matthew
Hold off on the new dagger. I should be seeing the guy I loaned it to soon.
As you say, sir.
Jacob resumed hammering on the metal as Matthew exited the workshop and headed upstairs. Meanwhile, Harmony's resident witches were hard at work making Tabitha's house psychically inconspicuous. Hecuba was casting a spell to put a cap on the negative energy pouring out of the portal in the basement, Diana was outside, casting a spell to imitate what a house inhabited by ordinary people would look like to psychic senses, and Tabitha & Timmy were searching the inside of the house for a ring that would keep Tabitha from being found out by those same psychic senses.
Timmy said as they searched This ring Timmy and Tabby are looking for will keep Jessica and Sheridan from seeing that Tabby's a witch, but what about Timmy?
What about you, dollface? Tabitha asked as she continued searching
Won't they be able to see that Timmy's alive if they look at him with that... Magesight thing they can do now?
Not if you stay in doll mode around them. I took this sort of thing into account back when I was sewing you together. As long as you don't start talking or moving around on your own in front of them, they won't have a clue that you're anything but an ordinary doll.
Whew! That's a load off Timmy's mind.
What there is of it, now keep looking.
Soon, the searchers were in the attic, Tabitha checking some shelves and Timmy searching closer to the floor. Timmy saw something glinting on the floor under a table and picked it up. It was a small gold ring with a blood-red stone shaped like a triangle.
Timmy called Timmy found it! Timmy found the ring!
Good work, Tim-Tim. Tabitha praised the living doll as she came over and took the ring from his hand. Now I'm completely invisible to radar, so to speak, just as the house will be once Diana and Hecuba get done, let's go celebrate with some Martimmys.
Sure thing, Tabby!
Tabitha put the ring on her finger and the semi-dynamic duo headed downstairs where Timmy prepared his signature drink. After a few minutes, Hecuba returned from the basement and Diana came back inside, both looking a little tired from their spellcasting. Timmy poured Diana a Martimmy, which the young witch graciously accepted and when Hecuba complained about not getting one, Timmy poured her one as well, after Tabitha told him to. Now secure in the knowledge that their covers could not be blown nor their headquarters discovered, the witches relaxed a bit, each trying to figure out how they could manage to kill Charity.
It's too bad the shield around Charity isn't generated by an angel instead of the love between her and Miguel. Tabitha thought out loud
Why is that, Aunt Tabitha? Diana asked
Well, I've got a web of spells all plotted out that could neutralize a shield created by an angel. I know it works too, used it to get at Grace for an attempt on her life two decades ago. Fat lot of good that did, what with Sam saving her from the fire I set.
But it's not generated by an angel, Hecuba said So let's try a different tack here.
Perhaps not, Diana replied But the shield around Charity and the kind of shield generated by an angel aren't all that different.
You're thinking we could modify the spell web to strip away the shield around Charity like it stripped away the one around Grace! Tabitha smiled as she realized the direction Diana was going
Yes. We modify your spell web to pierce the love-generated shield around Charity, then destroy her before the web collapses.
We'll have to think hard about how to do it. We might only have one shot before Charity manifests. And then there's Kay to worry about. If she manages to put herself in the way, the wrong method could get knocked off track by her.
I know just the thing! Hecuba crowed
That would be a first. Diana deadpanned
Quiet brat, you'll change your tune in a moment. Kay's got the Power of the Warrior, so we use something her strength and skill are useless against: a Shadow Demon!
But Kay's a lot tougher than a demon. Timmy countered She'll just kick its butt.
A Shadow Demon isn't your everyday run of the mill demon, Tim-Tim. Tabitha replied A Shadow Demon is just that, shadow. It has no real physical substance for a warrior to hurt, though it can sure hurt others rather well. Even if Kay is right there, the only thing she'll be able to accomplish will be to get herself killed.
But if Charity manifests, her holy powers will blow it to pieces. Diana added
So, we just make sure the demon understands that Charity is its priority target. If Charity's dead, she can't exactly manifest, now can she?
Timmy doesn't want to hear any more of this! Timmy cried out It's too painful to hear Tabby and Diana and Hecuba talking about how they're gonna kill his sweet Charity. so saying, the living doll ran out of the room
How the heck did you end up with a sidekick who can't stand the thought of killing the enemy? Hecuba asked with a hint of bemusement in her voice You ARE the one who made him, aren't you?
Yes, I did. Tabitha sighed He seemed to have a heart of gold almost from the moment the spells coalesced and he came to life. There's only one explanation I can think of, really. Around the time I was sewing him together, a gold ring of mine went missing. It could've ended up mixed in with Timmy's stuffing and ended up in his chest.
Y'know, I think I could manage a bit of surgery to remove that offending gold heart.
And completely disrupt the enchantments which make him alive? I think not. Getting a little stuffing knocked out of him by the odd mine cart is one thing, but if that ring is functioning as some sort of misplaced moral center, removing it would be like cutting out a piece of a person's brain. For all we know, he could end up like Diana's efforts at homunculus crafting, barely able to do the simplest of tasks. No offense to your skills, dearie.
None taken, Aunt Tabitha. Diana replied I recognize your vast superiority in this aspect of our art.
Anyway, I certainly do not intend on allowing Timmy to be lobotomized when he's proven so useful as he is now.
Fine, fine. Hecuba sighed You're the boss, much as I'd like a recount.
We should start modifying the spell web at once. Diana declared
Tabitha agreed But there's one snag: The specifics for the spell web are in the same spellbook as the Tac-Nuke spell. Said spellbook was borrowed by Hecuba two or three days ago and she STILL hasn't returned it.
Diana looked at her fellow witch crossly Every witch knows that proper etiquette when borrowing another witch's spellbook is to hold onto it just long enough to copy the spell or spells you're interested in, and then return it to the owner. Every witch except you.
Hecuba was indignant I've been pretty busy y'know.
Yes, busy botching your assignments and drinking yourself into a stupor.
Ladies, ladies! Tabitha once again got between the two before a fight could erupt Fighting amongst ourselves will do nothing to further our goals. Hecuba, if you would be so kind as to return my spellbook?
Hecuba replied civilly as the aforementioned tome appeared in her hand Not like I got much use for that Tac-Nuke spell now. The shield around the Bennett house might even be able to withstand that.
Tabitha took the spellbook from Hecuba and leafed through it until she found the page she wanted. She laid the spellbook down on the coffee table. The pages it was open to were covered in diagrams and arcane symbols, as well as some magic words.
Alrighty now, Tabitha practically cackled, remembering how effective this spell web had been the last time she used it, completely neutralizing the shield protecting Grace from her magic I'll handle the protection-suppression aspect, Hecuba, you take the offense-focusing aspect, and Diana, you take the energy-modulation aspect. Once we've each finished our respective parts, we'll check each other's work and consolidate the whole thing into a coherent spell web. Timmy! We need some paper and pencils. there was no sign of the living doll, causing Tabitha to frown Where did he go? He just had to have a temper tantrum now. Looks like I'll have to get them myself. Tabitha put down her Martimmy and stood up, as did Diana.
Please let me, Aunt Tabitha. the younger witch requested
Oh, and do you know where I keep my paper and pencils?
Well, I... uh...
Didn't think so. C'mon, I'll show you where I keep them.
Tabitha and Diana retrieved some paper & pencils and the three witches were soon solving magical formulae to alter the spell web that would open the way for their plan to kill Charity to go forward. A little while later, Matthew, now wearing a casual blue shirt and pants, was walking along the sidewalk, getting a feel for the town of Harmony.
*Man, this town has a higher concentration of psychic energy than any other place on Earth I've been, not counting incursion sites.* he thought to himself *I'm pretty sure I felt a tiny vibe from that Chinese restaurant, too. Probably just a Latent but it has been a while since I had Oriental food, so tonight I can kill two birds with one stone.*
After a bit more walking, Matthew was standing in front of the church. Matthew gazed at the majestic stonework and stained glass window. He glanced around and, seeing no one around, pulled a circular piece of crystal out of his pocket and looked at the church through it. Through the crystal, Matthew saw a shimmering wall surrounding the church, with the section in front of the newly repaired doors glowing an angry red.
he muttered to himself Definitely been breached and then repaired. He put away the crystal and walked into the church, his passage through the barrier feeling somewhat like a person would feel as they walked through a light waterfall. Time to pay my respects.
Matthew walked down the aisle between the pews to the altar and knelt down, bowing his head in silent prayer. As he prayed, Father Lonnigan walked into the church from the rectory. The blind priest stopped short as he felt the presence of someone he had met under unusual circumstances a few days before.
Mordecai Devilslayer. he said Matthew was startled and stood up, turning to face Father Lonnigan
You have me at a disadvantage Father...
I'm Father Lonnigan. the priest extended his hand, which Matthew took and shook firmly I must say, I had not expected to meet you again so soon.
I go where the Lord sends me. Oh, please call me Matthew, Matthew Sorenson. That's my real name, in this life anyway.
Why did you give a different one when you helped Miguel rescue Charity from Hell?
Because Mordecai Devilslayer is my warrior name. The name I answer to when I'm wearing my armor.
I had noted that I did not hear the clanking of armor when you stood up. But why use a different name?
Every human being is born with a name etched onto their soul, one that usually has little in common with the name given to them by their parents. For Silver Knights such as myself, it's procedure to be known by that name and it is the name by which we are referred to in all official Army of the Lord reports and communiques. It's sort of like a fighter pilot's callsign or a secret agent's codename, but much more meaningful.
Interesting. Please, tell me more of the Army of the Lord. I am quite intrigued, and what is a Silver Knight?
Well Father, it's like this...
As Matthew began to explain a little about the Army of the Lord, evil things were afoot back in Tabitha's house.
Finished at last! Tabitha crowed as she drew one last line on a piece of paper as Diana and Hecuba looked on. The page was covered with mystical diagrams and incantations, the end product of all the work the three witches had done.
I'll summon up the Shadow Demon. Hecuba announced as a bubbling cauldron appeared with a wave of her hand and she started chanting Creature of Shadow, creature of darkness. Creature of evil, creature of menace. Send forth a demon of blackest night! A demon to smother the light! A demon to end what is right! A cloud of darkness billowed out of the cauldron and formed into a humanoid shape with glowing eyes.
You summoned me? the creature rasped
Yes, we did. Tabitha answered, bringing a frown from Hecuba We need you to do a little job for us. An execution.
My favorite kind of job.
I was hoping you'd say that. Now, the target is a teenage girl with blonde hair. You'd best be expedient when we set things in motion since she has quite a bit of power sleeping inside her. If she manifests before you kill her, well, it won't be pretty for you.
When you set things in motion?
We will set up a pocket dimension where you will lie in wait for Charity, Diana explained She's the girl you're to kill. We will shunt her into the pocket dimension and then you will kill her.
Very well. Send me to the pocket dimension, but do not keep me waiting too long for the girl.
You're gonna love the place. Hecuba smiled Black as pitch, plenty of negative energy to sustain you while you wait. You won't even notice the time. Hecuba waved her hands in a spellcasting motion Place of darkness beyond time. Place of darkness for me and mine. This demon shall wait to do his job, and there Charity's life he will rob! Hecuba cackled as the Shadow Demon was sucked back into the cauldron.
So much for the preparations. Tabitha smiled Now for the target. Diana, if you will?
With a silent nod, Diana waved her hand at the mirror and the reflection changed to a view of Charity and Miguel walking together. After a moment, the background came into focus, showing that the young couple was down on the docks.
Alright, phase one. Tabitha rubbed her palms together in anticipation as she gave the order
Diana spent a moment looking over the newly written anti-shield spell and then started moving her hands in the motions prescribed as she chanted the words of the spell. A glowing shape started to form in the air in front of her.
At that moment, in the Youth Center, the game was over and the last of the kids were in the process of being picked up by their parents. As she watched a young boy being led off by his mother, Jessica's vision suddenly changed. She no longer saw the boy being led off, but a vision of Charity and Miguel. Charity was being cruelly choked to death by a dark figure with glowing eyes. Jessica was frozen solid by the horrific sight.
Jess? Jess! Kay shook her sister and the youngest Bennett girl snapped out of her trance Are you OK?
Charity... She's in trouble. Jessica gasped out, still in shock from what she had just seen
What!? Where is he?
I'm not sure. It was all so overwhelming. Seeing Charity being choked by that guy...
Jess, you can do it. Charity's life depends on your making sense of the vision. Now concentrate. Where is she?
I... I'll try. Jessica closed her eyes in concentration, focusing on her vision. Slowly it started to become clearer. Down on the docks... Jessica's eyes snapped open as the vision came into crystal clarity Three blocks west of the old warehouse we all used to play pirates in when we were kids!
Tell Sheridan and Luis to meet me there! Kay called as she dashed out the doors
Kay! Wait!
But Kay was already gone. As Jessica turned to find Sheridan and Luis, her older sister was running through the streets of Harmony at a speed that could only be matched by an Olympic sprinter and she was maintaining her speed over a distance more suited to a marathon runner, Kay was pushing herself to run as fast as she could but she feared she wouldn't be fast enough to save her cousin.
While Kay ran as she had never run before, Diana was nearly finished casting the spell that would leave Charity vulnerable to attack. The young witch continued to chant and move her arms in arcane patterns, a complex shape made of lines of blue light floated almost complete in front of her. Diana chanted the last few lines of the spell and it was complete, as was the light construct. She continued to have a look of concentration on her face as she held the spell in place.
Hecuba, phase two. Tabitha ordered
Time to send that brat on a one-way trip to her doom! Hecuba cackled The best part is that with the anti-shield spell in place, it doesn't matter that Miguel's right next to her. They could be making out and she'd still be defenseless!
Just... do it... Diana spoke the words with effort This... is not... effortless.
Kids today, always complaining. Hecuba sighed and then started chanting and waving her hands over her cauldron. Realm of darkness, envy the light. Place of evil, swallow the right. As Hecuba started casting her spell, a figure could be seen in the mirror running towards Charity and Miguel Portal of darkness, open wide. Portal of evil, suck those goodies inside. Transport them to a place black as night, where evil lurks and will be their last sight! A ball of darkness began to coalesce in Hecuba's hands as Tabitha recognized the figure fast approaching.
Oh no! the elder witch frowned It's Kay! Hecuba, throw the spell now! Hecuba held the black orb in her hands, her eyes fixed on the image in the mirror. Hecuba, I'm making this a direct order. Throw the spell NOW! We can't risk Kay throwing a monkey wrench into the works somehow!
Without saying anything, Hecuba reared back and threw the orb into the mirror. It passed through the glass and a globe of darkness surrounded Charity and Miguel. They both looked up in surprise as day seemed to turn to night around them.
Charity! Miguel! Kay shouted as she ran into the rapidly deepening darkness We gotta move!
They heard the squealing of car tires at that moment, but before either Charity or Miguel could open their mouths, everything went black and they were falling through darkness. Luis, Sheridan, and Jessica climbed out of Luis's car and stared at where Charity, Kay, and Miguel had been standing a moment before. They walked from the car towards where the three teens had disappeared.
What happened to them? Luis wondered aloud
Evil has them. Jessica said grimly
Sheridan, that was obviously magic. Can you bring them back?
I don't think so. Sheridan responded as she peered at the space formerly occupied by Charity, Kay, and Miguel If they were still in transit that might be possible, but it looks like the spell completed itself in a matter of seconds. All that's left is residual energy.
How about us following them and then getting them out of wherever they are?
It's nowhere near that easy. First of all, Druidic magic doesn't include teleportation, or at least Martin never taught me any spell that could produce that effect. Then there's the fact that the teleportation spell is all snarled up with another spell that I can't make heads or tails of. I have no idea where they could have gone.
I know exactly where they are. Jessica said softly as she stared unblinking at where Charity, Kay, and Miguel had been standing I also know what that other spell is. It's all clear as day to me. The spell neutralized a shield that was protecting Charity, so the other one could snatch them away.
Where are they? Luis asked
Far away, yet close. Jessica peered closer and her sight made it seem to her that she was hurtling down a starlit corridor and then she was looking at Charity, Kay, and Miguel, who were standing amidst total blackness, though they were quite visible. I can see them! Suddenly, she saw a black shape detach itself from the surrounding darkness and move towards Charity, Kay, and Miguel. Oh no! What's that!?
That, was the Shadow Demon creeping towards the still unaware teens.
Alright, that was weird. Miguel declared
This place... Charity said softly It feels evil.
Kay, have you got any idea about this? You had to have been running for a reason.
Jessica had a vision that Charity was in danger. Kay answered Something about a guy choking her.
I'd say her vision was a little off.
Oh, I don't know about that. came an evil voice Strangulation seems a perfectly delicious mode of death.
All three teens turned to face the voice and saw a pair of glowing eyes and an indistinct figure who was the same color as the surroundings.
A demon! Charity gasped
How very astute, girl. The demon rasped And this time you have no protection whatsoever. Your death is assured.
No protection, eh? Kay said as she stepped between Charity and the Shadow Demon You've got one chance to go away before I kick your butt back to Hell myself. This elicited a laugh from the Shadow Demon
You? HAHAHA! You cannot hurt me. I am a Shadow Demon!
I don't care if you're a lava demon, you're going down!
I invite you to try, girl.
Kay charged at the Shadow Demon and leaped into the air, leg extended for a flying kick. Her execution was perfect, but a flaw immediately became evident as she passed right through the creature as though it were made of smoke. Kay managed to land on her feet and immediately spun to face the laughing demon's back.
You see? You cannot harm me! The Shadow Demon cackled as Kay swung a foot right through its head without it even noticing.
I get it now. Kay smiled as she walked around the demon to once again stand between it and Charity You're just an illusion. You can't really hurt anyone.
Is that what you think?
The Shadow Demon swung a fist at Kay, connecting with her face and sending the girl flying. The demon just continued to laugh. Miguel charged at the Shadow Demon, intent on tackling it but he too passed right through it as Kay got back to her feet. She and Miguel quickly got back between Charity and the Shadow Demon, standing side by side.
Any ideas? Kay whispered to Miguel
Miguel whispered back It had to be solid when it hit you, which means it has to make itself solid to attack. If one of us hits it at the same time it hits the other one, we should be able to hurt it.
Sounds like a plan. I can take more punishment than you, so I'll be the decoy.
You can also hit harder than me and we may only have one shot at this. You've got to take it out with one hit or it might get wise to what we're doing. I'll be the decoy.
But what if you get hurt, or even killed?
If it saves Charity, it'll be worth it, no matter what the cost.
Are you done with your little huddle? the Shadow Demon taunted Because I really want to get this over with. I've got so much more chaos to spread, and with this pocket dimension as a home away from home, as it were, I'll be able to do so much over quite a long period. I just have to remember to pay tribute to she who summoned me every so often so she'll allow me to stick around, and the first installment is Charity. Now stand aside and I'll make your deaths painless, try to delay me, and I will make you both suffer.
Kay said with venom in her voice
It was not necessary to know her name, only that I take my orders from her while on your plane.
Well, I'm afraid your account is gonna be in arrears, Miguel quipped Because there's no way we're letting you kill Charity. Now Kay!
Miguel and Kay charged the Shadow Demon, putting their plan into motion. Kay dodged around the dark creature while Miguel made a frontal assault. Miguel threw an ineffective punch and the Shadow Demon swung its fist at him. At that same time, Kay started her hand in motion, aiming a karate chop at the back of the demon's neck. Kay timed it perfectly, her karate chop struck the demon's neck at the same time that the its fist struck Miguel and sent him flying through the air to land in a heap at Charity's feet. Kay's timing was perfect, but her hand still passed through the demon's neck, the creature of darkness no more solid than the other times she had attacked it.
The Shadow Demon spun and backhanded Kay away from it, laughing all the way. Also laughing were Tabitha and Hecuba, who were watching through the magic mirror, and even Diana managed a chuckle despite her discomfort from keeping the anti-shield spell active.
Obviously, those brats know nothing about demonology. Hecuba cackled
A serious flaw in the modern educational system. Tabitha nodded They just don't teach kids the classics anymore.
Such a disgrace. Hecuba clucked her tongue If they did, those brats would know that even though Shadow Demons can affect physical objects as though they were solid, physical force is completely useless against them. Even the Power of the Warrior provides nothing useful against Shadow Demons. You need REAL magic to hurt one, which Kay doesn't have!
And with Charity's powers still asleep, she's doomed!
The witches cackled some more as the image in the mirror showed the Shadow Demon advancing towards the defenseless Charity.
End of chapter 7
Sorry this one took so long but this month I didn't have as much time to write as I usually do. At the start of the month, I went on a week-long vacation to Disney World and the file with the makings of this chapter in it was on my home computer. Then I started going to classes at the Chubb Institute and my schedule went into full hecticness, and is only now starting to stabilize(For those who know about my Monster Rancher fic which I posted not so long ago, I wrote most of that on my Aunt's laptop. I started it during the plane ride to Florida, and during the plane ride back, a week later, I was almost done. It was a pain to convert from Microsoft Word to something my WordPerfect could interpret, but thanks to my sister's computer acting as a translator, I finally managed to get it into something usable and then I just couldn't stop until it was finished. Apologies to all the Passions fans who felt I was ignoring them)
I'll bet the Mordecai/Matthew thing surprised a bunch of people, though anyone who knew me and knew I was the writer of this story might not have been. Heh, lemme explain: My given name is Matthew, but my Hebrew name is Mordecai so it seemed natural when I was coming up with names for that character.
Don't worry, this is NOT turning into a self-insertion fic, Matthew Sorenson is nothing like me(my last name isn't Sorenson, either) I just needed a name for the character. Actually, Matthew Sorenson is slightly different from my original conception of the character. Rather than go into it, I'll just say there were too many inconsistencies with that vision so I scrapped the problem parts and used the remainder as a framework to rebuild the character around and I think it's quite a sturdy construction that holds up part of the structure of the story(ack, listen to me, I sound like a literary carpenter)
Well, that's enough out of me. Unfortunately, with Fanfiction.net currently suffering from technical disaster(technical difficulties doesn't begin to cover it) as I finish this chapter I can't post it immediately as I would like to, but since you're reading this, it means the staff finally got their act together. Geez, an outage lasting 3 or 4 days is inexcusable, in my opinion.