Chapter Three: The Great Pretender
Author's Note:
Hey, guys! I didn't do an "Author's Note" earlier because I didn't have enough time to add it. It was late at night and my parents were ready to pull me out of my seat. Anyway, this is Chapter Three: The Great Pretender, featuring Jon Fredrick's "The Great Pretender" from "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie." Yes, I saw the movie. If you have a little sister or something, don't let them watch the movie. There are some scary scenes in the movie, particularly because it was made as a boy's anime from ages 6-16. Anyway, here's Chapter Three! Until Chapter Four: Unseen Forces, see ya! ;-)
-CelestialTime93
"Mom, dad, can we show Ryan our powers now?" Andy asked.
"Well, we have to transform anyway." Inez sighed, "Ready, Didge?"
"The Didge is ready!" Digit replied.
"Ready, guys?" Inez asked the others.
"Ready." they replied.
"The Crystal of Shangri-La, dad!" Andy cried.
Matt summoned the familiar crystal orb that was held in a silver clamp and cradled in an ore, with a silver chain holding it, from his palm. Then, he cried out the role call. "Inez! Water! Slider! Fire! Jackie! Earth! Digit! Air! Alizia! Andy! Energy Water! Crystal of Shangri-La, release your magic!"
The crystal that hovered above Matt's outstretched palm sputtered electricity, and shot out six raindrop-shaped crystals. Aqua blue for Water, Crimson Red for Fire, Emerald Green for Earth, Shimmering Silver for Air, and a Bright Pink and Goldish-Blue for the two Energy Waters. While the crystal orb itself, transformed into a crystal raindrop.
Each teardrop formed the same coloured coocoon for it's owner, transforming them each within.
This was a first timing for Andy. But, he was too excited to be scared.
Pressure was pushing against Andy's skin. He felt himself going through a magical metamorphisis. His sweater transformed into a white t-shirt, where the sleeves reached his elbows. His sneakers transformed into black shoes, his sweatpants turned into cargo pants, and he felt bird-like wings sprout from his back.
Andy clenched his fists, and kicked his legs back, making a breakthrough the coocoon, shattering it to pieces. He landed on the ground on his legs and hands. He twitched his eagle wings with excitement, as the others landed.
"Nice looking, sis." Andy smirked. He just grew a few years to a teenager, but his sister was still older.
Alizia laughed sarcastically in a sneer, as Digit's coocoon began to stretch.
The guardians looked up and waited.
Finally, the coocoon shattered, as Digit was in mid-air, arms and legs stretched out like a star, and cried, "Free at last!"
"What happened?" Alizia asked, as Digit crash landed.
"Had a little metamorphasis crisis, that's all." Digit replied, stretching his squished beak back to normal.
"Great, you're older than me now, Aly!" Ryan frowned.
"Please, daddy?" Alizia begged.
Matt sighed. "Fine. You know how to do it."
"Yes!" Alizia exclaimed.
"Aly!" Ryan cried.
"Hold on." Alizia said. She formed a teardrop from her hand and let it swirl around Ryan. It transformed him to an older boy. He was more handsome. He was wearing the same clothes as the boy from "Tuck Everlasting", and had angel wings sprouting from his back that were the colour of gold.
"Much better." Alizia smiled, "C'mon! Let's go!"
Motherboard opened a portal and said to the departing guardians, "Good luck! And be careful!"
Do you wander through this life
Like a child without a care?
Do you fear the things you love?
Do you seek the things you fear?
And when the world comes crashin' down
Do you just smile and say...
When Ryan and the Guardians landed on their destination, the portal closed behind them.
"Shangri-La?" Andy wondered out loud, "Why are we here?"
"Master Pai probably has a new mission for us." Slider said.
I am the great pretender
Oh, yeah
Willing to dream forever
Oh, I'll just run away
And let the waves keep pulling me in
I'll just stay out here
And watch the world pass over my head
Because I still believe in
All of the things you said
Oh, all of the things you said
"This place reminds me of China." Ryan commented.
"It's a Sanctuary of Peace." Alizia explained, "Whenever Hacker disrupted this place in the past, my parents would kick him out of here."
"Who in the world's Hacker?" Ryan asked.
"Oops." Alizia frowned.
"Nice going, sis." Andy frowned.
Why you searchin' for the truth?
When all you come across is lies?
Someone sabatoged your roof
With all the answers in disguise
And when the world comes crashin' down
Do you just smile and say...
"Hacker's the leader of the New Legacy that we told you about." Inez explained, "Along with Ms. Wicked Witch. God, I swear she's been a pain in the butt as much as Hacker was!"
"Guardians, you have arrived." Master Pai greeted, "And I see you brought a visitor."
"Master Pai, this is Alizia's friend, Ryan Willer." Matt introduced, "Ryan, this is Master Pai. Please show some respect for him."
"I will, Mr. Williams." Ryan replied.
I am the great pretender
Oh, yeah
Willing to dream forever
Oh, I'll just run away
And let the waves keep pullin' me in
I'll just stay out here
And watch the world pass over my head
Because I'll still believe in
All of the things you said
Oh, yeah
"But, you look much like a Guardian yourself." Master Pai said, studying Ryan's new form.
"What, this?" Ryan answered, "Oh, no, sir, this is all of Alizia's doing."
"Hey!" Alizia cried.
"Not that it's a bad thing!" Ryan defended.
Why, do I, try?
Whoa
Why, do I, try?
Yeah
Why, do I, try?
Master Pai sighed and turned his attention to the newest member.
"I take it you are Matt and Inez's second child." Master Pai smiled, "Andrew, isn't it?"
"I prefer - ow!" Andy was interuppted when his father elbowed him in the ribs. "Um... yes, sire."
I am the great pretender
Oh, yeah
Willing to dream forever
Oh, right now, I said
I am the great
I am the great
I am the great pretender
Oh, I'll just run away
And let the waves keep pullin' me in
I'll just stay out here
And watch the world pass over my head
Because I'll still believe in
All of the things you said, said, said
Whoa, right now, I said
"Very well." Master Pai smiled, "Guardians, this is your new task. The New Legacy is still under attack, and you have missed two portals in the past. Now, you must close three, before the New Legacy can break through to the Real World. The two previous portals are in the two previous locations you have visited. Tikiville and The Northern Frontier. The third, final portal, must be closed, after defeating the new army of The New Legacy. It is in the location of Aquari-Yum. Inez will be your strength point in this Quest, along with Alizia and Andrew. But, along the way, I must warn you, that your powers will constantly be tested. New threats will arise, and you will have to take on more control of your emotions and your thoughts. Sometimes, they will be needed. Do not let the spirit of Vengance and Anger cloud your mind. That is the weak point that Hacker and his army are looking for to defeat you. The battle will be harsh, but I advise you to do your best, and get along with each other. Protect each other when they are at their weakest point. You will die in honour if you fail. Good luck. Your first task will be closing the portal in Tikiville."
"Wait, Master Pai." Matt said, "I'm sorry, but, we didn't close a portal when we first got our powers."
"No." Master Pai replied, "You didn't. Your mother did."
"My... mother?" Matt asked.
"Dad, I thought you said grandma died during a battle with the Under World Serpent." Andy said.
"She did." Matt replied, "Master Pai, I don't understand. If the portal closed, then the Serpent wouldn't have come to my room in the first place fourteen years ago."
"She closed the portal when she was turned into CyberData." Master Pai explained, "She had enough mortal power enough to close the first portal for you. That's when she became a legend. Would you like to see her before you go?"
"Yes." Matt replied.
"Wow, this is great, Matt." Inez said, "You get to see your mother again after fourteen years."
"I know." Matt smiled, "I just, can't believe she did such a big thing before she disappeared for good."
I am the great pretender
Hey, you know that
I am the great pretender
Hey, you know what I'm saying is
I'll still believe in
All of the things you said...
"Here she is, Matt." Master Pai said, returning from the pond with a Lotus Flower. He handed it to Matt. "Use your magic to wake her up."
Matt accepted the Lotus Flower and waved a glowing hand over the closed bud.
The bud itself glowed and bloomed into an open flower. In a swirl of magic, a familiar woman appeared. She was sleeping. Fairy wings sprouted from her back. She was very tiny. The same size as Thumbelina.
"Mom?" Matt asked in a hoarse voice.
The woman woke up, and gasped when she saw Matt.
"Matthew..." Barbara smiled, standing up, her fairy wings fluttering, "Look how much you've grown. Fourteen years, and you're already on your fourth mission."
"Oh, c'mon, mom." Matt smiled, crying at the same time, "Saving Cyberspace and Earth isn't my only job. I have a part-time work job at dad's old office, I'm married and have two kids-"
"Kids?" Barbara smiled, "Huh... your father never told me about my grandchildren in his dreams. Well, aren't you gonna let me see them?"
"They're... not in their true forms right now." Matt smiled.
"I don't care." Barbara replied, "I have something that you don't have yet, Matt. I have something called The Guardian's Eye. I can see any being's true form and soul. So, just let them come over here and I'll put my magic to work."
"Okay." Matt said. Then he called to the kids, "Hey, guys! Wanna see your grandmother?"
"Really?" Alizia exclaimed, as she and her brother rushed over to the Lotus Flower with the others. Even Ryan joined in.
Barbara put her Guardian's Eye to work, and saw each of the Guardians' true forms. Even Ryan's.
Barbara gasped. "I can't believe my grandchildren are so beautiful! But... one looks like... Matt, don't tell me you..."
"I... did, mom." Matt replied, looking at Inez through the corner of his eye.
Barbara gasped. "I missed everything! Now, I thought you said you had two kids."
"Oh, Ryan's just my friend." Alizia said.
"Ryan... Willer. Right?" Barbara asked Ryan.
"Yes." Ryan nodded, "But, how did you know?"
"Alizia's grandfather mentioned you, but didn't tell me much." Barbara replied, "Just that you knew Alizia's parents."
"And godparents." Matt added.
"And, who are the godparents?" Barbara asked.
"Jackie and Slider." Matt replied, "You know Jackie, but, Slider, you only saw him. He's the new Guardian of Fire."
"Oh, Slider Metropolis!" Barbara exclaimed, "I met his father about 25 years ago. When Coop mysteriously disappeared."
"He was found." Slider replied, "For the second time."
"Leave it to Coop to always get lost." Barbara smiled, "But, he's a good man. Now, Matt, I didn't tell you this earlier, but, your father also knew Coop. They were the best of friends. I don't know how, but, those two went to college together."
The Guardians laughed with Barbara.
"I gotta ask that to my dad." Slider smiled.
"Guardians." Master Pai said alarmed, "You must go! The portals are becoming restless, and so is The New Legacy!"
"Matt, take me with you!" Barbara exclaimed, "I can ask Master Pai to reborn me as a Guardian, I can help you guys!"
"Now, Barbara, be practical." Master Pai said.
"Please!" Barbara begged Master Pai, "Matt is my son! And now I have two more children to worry about! Please, let me help them!"
Master Pai sighed. "Very well. You may join them. But, you will stay in that Lotus Flower! Matt, the Lotus Flower has been added to your inventory. Now go! The portals are becoming larger! You must close them before they fuse together!"
A portal opened in the pond, and the Guardians jumped in.
Oh, all of the things you said...