Wow I always wondered why we hid here, Joint mused as he looked about the cave.

It's not much, Irma admitted. We're just sitting on it till property values rise.Enough chit-chat it's time to practice! Will ordered. With that She took the Heart of Candracar from her pocket and presented it in front of her. Guardians Unite!

Never tire of seeing this, Joint said to himself. In flash of light they changed from the girls he had seen to the Guardians he knew, kinda. There were a few differences. Best if I change to huh? Joint took out the Heart from the future and held it in front of him. Lurden Form! He changed from looking like the beaten time traveler to more of a special needs werewolf in a loincloth. He held in his right hand a rough forged Meridian sword. The left held the future Heart.

To be fair you don't look that mega to me, Hay Lin pointed out.

You were right on the smell though, Taranee replied holding her nose.

Wait till we get outside, Joint responded. The five some followed him down by the river bank. Mega form! he yelled holding the seafoam orb above his head. He grew to about twenty feet tall. Each symbol of the four Elements was placed on a quadrant of his torso. Now, attack me!You heard the monster! Will pointed out. The Guardians flew around Joint ready to attack. He circled waiting for what was to happen.

Ready for this future man? Fire! Taranee yelled as she summoned a column of flame she directed straight at the time traveler. He stood there as the flames lit his body hair.

Taranee, I don't think the flames are doing much for his smell. Irma complained.

Cornelia summoned. Vines shot out of the ground and for a split second seemed to hold Joint down. But he simply ripped them out of the ground and used one as a whip to knock Cornelia back in the air. The fire started to grow over his body.

Hay Lin beckoned as she flew by the inflamed monster. This only seemed to fan the flames and make them grow bigger.

Irma called forth. It snaked it's way toward Joint were it doused the flames. Still he stood firm, now stinking and wet as opposed to stinking and burning. Joint grabbed her by the leg and and skipped her like a stone across the river. Waaah! I wasn't expecting this today!Time out, Will ordered. The others flew around her. I think we've seen what a Mega-Lurden can do. How can we beat it?Ironically the joints are the weakest point on any Lurden, Joint explained. Specifically the knees.Work the knees like a dirty pro-wrestler, Irma chuckled as she punched the air. She was dripping wet.

All Mega-Lurdens protect this point, Joint continued. He pointed to the spot in the direct middle of his abdomen. Hit it as soon as possible! As he finished a large dirt ball hit him the spot knocking the wind out of him. Nice shot! he gasped.

Not a problem, Cornelia replied. At which point Irma snuck behind him and gave him a swift kick to the left knee. He fell to the ground. His four quadrants started to peel away from each other and change. Now instead of one econo sized Lurden, they now dealt with four of the regular sized variety. Each had an Elemental symbol on their chest and was colored differently: Yellow for Earth, Red for Fire, Blue for Air, Green for Water.

These are Elemental Lurdens, the voice of Joint spoke from the red one. The same rules apply, the voice shifted to the green one. Except the vulnerable middle. Attack me. bellowed the yellow one. Each Lurden squared off with the Guardian of the corresponding element. Will flew around trying offer assistance any way she could. The Guardians threw their best stuff at the mock Lurdens. The Lurdens responded by absorbing the attacks and defending their vulnerable joints.

Nothing seems to phase them! Hay Lin exclaimed.

How are we supposed to beat them? Taranee asked as she traded fire with the Fire Lurden.

It won't be by wearing them out, Hay Lin grunted as she traded blows with the Air Lurden.

This one knows what I'll do before I do, Cornelia yelled as she tried fighting off the Earth Lurden. Ow Ow Ow, Not the hair!I swear I brought my A-game today! Irma exclaimed. As she and the Water Lurden hosed each other with river water.

Guys I have an idea fall back, Will demanded. As they flew up and around trying to avoid elemental missiles they listened to Will's Plan. Taranee you and I will try and distract the Earth, Water, and Air Lurdens , the rest of you attack the Fire, Will commanded.

We won't be able to hold them off for long, Taranee mentioned.

It won't come to that, Will assured. They split off. Will held the Heart of Candracar up to the Eyes of the Earth Lurden blinding him. He ran into the river swinging blindly

Taranee commanded. The Water and Air Lurdens quickly drew their attention towards her. Guys! You want to hurry that up a little? Irma summoned. A column of water rose from the river and drenched the Fire Lurden. Steam rose from him.

Hay Lin conjured. The steam blew of his body and left him in a daze.

Cornelia commanded. With that a great chasm opened up and swallowed the Fire Lurden whole. Is that it?No we still got those three left on our dance card, Irma gulped. The Earth Lurden went directly At her. A fresh bout of river water snaked its way toward the Earth Lurden, splashing him in the back and knocking him down.

Hay Lin evoked. The wind scoured a nice hole for him.

Cornelia got out before being interrupted.

Will ordered. He draws his strength from the Earth. Taranee get over there! she called forth. Flames solidified the Lurden in the hole. She swung around to the last two Lurdens. They started to burn and seize up in agony.

Cornelia finally got out. Vines shot out of the ground and secured the Lurdens in their places.

Hay Lin and Irma shot out at the two opposing elemental Lurdens. The Air Lurden disappeared in Irma's shower. Hay Lin's wind blew against the Water Lurden until pieces starting flying off revealing the form of Joint inside.

Well that was fun, he sighed. You learn fast.It's kind of a prerequisite for the job. Will panted.

So no hard feelings? Joint asked. A clod of dirt hit him in the face answering his question.

0.0.0

Late in the evening a waxing crescent was setting over Heatherfield. In the cave by the bank of the river Joint had set up his camp. He lay out a bed roll in front of a fire while he looked outside at the moon.

I've got a delivery for a Mr. Joint, Caleb shouted.

In here, Joint yelled back. Caleb entered the Cave holding a bag.

You forgot these today at the restaurant, Caleb mentioned.

The great Caleb bringing me food, Joint bemused.

Caleb asked in an interested tone. He handed the bag over to Joint.

Yeah your exploits are legendary, Joint boasted. The raid on the Storehouses of Hrothgar is still talked about in the future. Caleb returned.

There are so many little boys named Caleb in the future we had to give them all surnames like the Red, the Brave, the Quick. Caleb touched on.

Well all the good ones were taken, the time traveler let out. He dug in the bag and found an egg roll. He started to eat. It doesn't seem right to me that I should meet the women I looked up to as young girls. Somehow they don't seem ready for the tasks fate has in store.They kicked your butt didn't they? Caleb pointed out.

That they did, Joint chuckled. Handed it to me on a silver platter. He dug in the bag again. He found a fortune cookie and cracked it open.

What's it say? Caleb asked.

'You will make your mother proud,' Joint read. I can only hope that's true.