Chapter 13:
"We have to get to Metamoor now!", Elyon said.
"Then let's go!", Will said as they all ran into the park. "We can duck behind some bushes and go from there!"
Once in the park, they ducked behind some bushes and Elyon opened a fold for Metamoor which they all went through. What they didn't know was that someone was watching them go through it.
"Looks like, Crimson's plan is working.", Cedric said as he pulled out a green crystal shard. "Now to set his next plan in motion,"
Cedric then used the shard to open a fold and went through it. Once on Metamoor, Will and the other Guardians transformed and were ready to go.
"You're not transforming?", Will asked Matt.
"I'm going to see what I can do without my Regent powers.", Matt said. "You know, put all the training I did with the guys to the test."
"Um... where are we?", Nigel asked as he and Eric looked around the room.
"Elyon's palace.", Taranee said.
"That's right!", Hay Lin said. "You two haven't been here before! Wait until you see the place! It's huge!"
"The tour will have to wait.", Caleb said. "Right now, we have work to do."
"Caleb's right.", Irma said as she and Angelo took to the air. "The more the Lurdens roam free, the more damage they might cause."
"Then let's go Lurden hunting!", Angelo said as everyone flew out a window.
"Hold up guys!", Elyon said getting their attention. "When you find any Lurdens, just charge some of your energy in these and zap them with them."
Elyon then handed everyone a blue crystal shard.
"What will these do?", Eric asked.
"When you zap a Lurden with these shards, they'll be covered with an aura that will make them fly to an island Drake and Aldern discoverd while seeing how fast they could fly after training with Mr. Vanders.", Elyon explained. "After telling me about it, I decided to make it a home for the Lurdens. I have a larger crystal on the island that's like a beacon for them to go to."
"Lurden Island.", Irma said. "Home for Lurdens to be themselves."
"I wonder how they got free from the prison in the first place.", Caleb said.
"We can answer that."
Everyone turned to see Drake and Aldern flying up to them.
"Hey, guys.", Caleb said to his friends.
"Hey, Caleb.", Aldern said. "The Lurdens were freed by Cedric!"
"Cedric?", everyone questioned in surprise.
"It was so fast that, we didn't have time to react!", Drake said. "He came, blasted the bars of the cells, blasted a tunnel for the Lurdens to escape through and then left."
"We've been sending any Lurdens we find to the island using the shards you gave us, your majesty.", Aldern said.
"Good job.", Elyon said. "Where are Raythor and Vathek?"
"They're on north side of the kingdom searching for Lurdens.", Aldern said. "As well as looking for Cedric."
"He could be anywhere.", Caleb said. "But for some reason, I can't sense his enrgy."
"Me neither.", Angelo said. "And he should be full of juice."
"Maybe he learned how to keep his power low.", Taranee said.
"Maybe.", Angelo said. "And if he has, he's learned to strike when the time is right."
"Well, I say we go and hunt down the Lurdens first.", Will said. "We can look of Cedric afterwards."
"I suggest we go in teams of two.", Hay Lin said as she floated next to Eric. "And go in different directions."
"I agree.", Will said.
"I pick Caleb!", Cornelia said.
"No surprise there.", Irma whispered to Hay Lin getting a giggle out of her.
Everyone else picked their partners. Will went with Matt, while Taranee and Nigel partnered up. Hay Lin and Eric partnered up, while Irma and Angelo temed up of course. Elyon decided to stay behind and help any of the villagers with Drake and Aldern while the others flew off in different directions to find and send any Lurdens to their new island home. After about twenty minutes of flying around, most of them had found some Lurdens and were sending them to what Irma now calls Lurden Island.
Taranee & Nigel
"That's five Lurdens!", Taranee said as she zaps another Lurden with the crystal shard Elyon gave her.
"Make that seven! No eight!", Nigel said as he zapped two more Lurdens. "I wonder how many of these guys are out there!"
"Plenty.", Taranee said as they watched the three Lurdens they zapped fly into the air and towards the island they'd be living on. "So, how you liking Metamoor so far?"
"Besides the whole hunting down stange creatures?", Nigel questioned with a grin. "This place isn't half bad."
"Believe me when I say, this is better than fighting a major threat.", Taranee said as they flew around the area.
"So, this is a good day for you girls.", Nigel questioned.
"More or less.", Taranee said as she spotted a small group of Lurdens. "I see some more Lurdens!"
Taranee then dove down towards the Lurdens.
"Right behind you!", Nigel said as he flew right behind her.
Will & Matt
"How many of these Lurdens are out there?", Will questioned as she zapped three of them.
"No idea.", Matt said as he zapped two of them. "But I think we got ten of them."
"I wonder how the others are doing.", Will said.
"They're probably getting as many as they can.", Matt said as they flew through the skies of the kingdom. "What I don't get is why Cedric let them all loose in the first place."
"He may be trying to lure us here.", Will said. "Or at least Elyon."
"Either way, the Lurdens roaming around like this is a problem.", Matt said. "I say we find them, zap them, and send them to their new home. Before something goes down."
"Then let's get moving!", Will said as they continued their search for more Lurdens."
Cornelia & Caleb
"I think we hit the Lurden jackpot!", Cornelia said as she used her power over Earth to make some thick vines grow and catch some running Lurdens in them.
"They were heading for the mountains, where they normally live.", Caleb said as he zapped the Lurdens Cornelia caught in the vines. "I'm glad we got to them in time. Or else they'd be hard to find if they got into the mountains."
"I'm more worried about Cedric wandering around .", Cornelia said as she zapped a few more Lurdens. "Who knows what he's up to."
"Who knows.", Caleb said. "We know it isn't good. So, the sooner we finish this up, the sooner we can meet up with the others and see if we can find Cedric."
"To be honest, I hope it's just Cedric we have to deal with.", Cornelia said as they continued their search for Lurdens. "Who knows how strong Phobos and his other generals are after joining up with the Crimson guy."
"Not to strong I hope.", Caleb said thinking the same thing.
Irma & Angelo
"One, little two, little three little Lurden!", Irma sang as she zapped three Lurdens with the crystal shard.
"Four, little five, little six little Lurdens!", Angelo sang as he zapped three Lurdens.
"Seven, little eight, little nine little Lurdens!", Irma sang after zapping three more Lurdens.
"Ten little Lurdens zapped!", Angelo finished as he zapped the last Lurden in the area. "Well, that was fun!"
"Yeah!", Irma grinned as they flew through the skies. "But we only found like twenty Lurdens! I know the're more than that roaming around here."
"Well, I remember Caleb telling me that Lurdens mostly live in the mountains.", Angelo said. "So, most of them may of headed there."
"And you're telling me this now?", Irma questioned.
"I thought you knew.", Angelo said.
"No!", Irma said. "Taranee's the one who knows this kind of stuff!"
"Well, let's look around here for a bit and then head to the mountains and look for some more.", Angelo suggested as they continued their search for more Lurdens.
But suddelny, Angelo stopped flying the second he senced he felt a familar energy.
"Did you feel that, Irma?", Angelo asked as they both hovered in the air.
"Y-Yeah.", Irma said. "But how did Cedric get so strong so fast?"
"He's been training!", Angelo said as he looked in the direction of the energy he and Irma sensed. "I sense Eric and Hay Lin are getting close to him!"
"They should sense him by now!", Irma figured.
"They would.", Angelo said. "If they knew how to sense other beings energy!"
"Wait! They haven't learned to do that yet?", Irma questioned.
"Nope.", Angelo said. "Remember how long it took us to teach them how to fly?"
"Oh yeah.", Irma said.
"We'd better get to them quick!", Angelo said. "Before Cedric does!"
"I'll contact Taranee and have her warn them!", Irma said as they both flew towards the area Cedric was.
'Taranee!', Irma called out to her friend telepathiclly. 'We've got a problem!'
'Got to hurry and beat Cedric to them!', Angelo said as he and Irma flew as fast as they could to where Hay Lin and Eric were at.
Hay Lin & Eric
"I think that's the last of them.", Eric said as he zapped the last Lurden in the area.
"I think you're right.", Hay Lin said as she looked around. "I guess we got the small amount of them."
"So, do we go join up with one of the other groups?", Eric asked.
"Yeah.", Hay Lin said. "But first..."
Hay Lin they flew up to Eric and gave him a kiss. One that he returned happily as he wrapped his arms around Hay Lin's waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck. After the kiss, they looked into each other's eyes lovingly.
"Now isn't that sweet."
Eric and Hay Lin pulled away from each other and turned to see a man with long blond hair and blue eyes dressed in a dark green training gi with a yellow belt and black shoes. Eric didn't know who this man was, but Hay Lin knew him well.
"Cedric!", Hay Lin said in surprise.
"Hello, Guardian.", Cedric said with a smirk. "It's been a while."
"This is Cedric?", Eric questioned.
"And who might you be, boy?", Cedirc asked. "I sensed a powerful energy and figured that it might be the Seer. But I guess I was wrong."
"So, you're after Angelo!", Hay Lin said. "Well he isn't here!"
"But he's close by.", Cedric said. "I can sense his energy, as well as another, getting close. I'm guessing he's trying to get here as fast as possible to protect his two friends. To bad he'll be to late."
Eric then moved in front of Hay Lin to potect her from Cedric. Seeing thie made Cedric laugh.
"Do you honestly think you can protect her from me, boy?", Cedric questioned with a laugh. "I can sense your power, and it isn't much!"
"If there's one thing Mr. Vanders taught me it's this!", Eric said. "Never underesstemate your enemy!"
Cedirc then felt Eric's energy rise. Before Cedric knew it Eric moved so fast that it looked like he vanished.
"Impressive.", Cedric said to himself.
Then as quick as he vanished, Eric appeared above Cedric and kicked him in the side if his head knocking him down a few feet. He then followed that with a energy blast sending him crashing to the ground.
"Go, Eric!", Hay Lin cheered happily for her boyfriend. "Woo-hoo!"
"How do you like that?", Eric asked as he looked down at the spot where he sent Cedric crashing.
Eric looked down where Cedric crash to see the dust settle. Eric then saw Cedric stand up and look up at him with a smirk on his face.
"Uh-oh!", Eric said knowing the fight wasn't over.
Suddenly, Cedric vanished and quickly appeared right in front of Eric surprising him.
"Oh no!", Hay Lin said softly as she watch what was about to happen.
"I didn't like it.", Cedric said with a sinister smile. "I didn't like it one bit, boy."
Before Eric could react, Cedric punched him in his gut making Eric clutch his stomash. Cedric then brought his fist up and brought them together before bringing them down and striking Eric, sending him crashing into some trees.
"Eric!", Hay Lin cried as she flew down to where he crashed.
But Cedric appeared in front of her and grabbed her by the shirt of her Guardian uniform.
"Now the last time we were this close, I was in my larger form and about to eat you, little Guardian.", Cedric said with a smirk.
"Let! Me! Go!", Hay Lin demanded as she tried to punch Cedric with her right fist only to have him grab her wrist.
"Nice try.", Cedric said calmly as he held on to Hay Lin's wrist. "Now let me show you a trick I learned from Phobos."
Hay Lin then saw that hand Cedric was using to hold Hay Lin's wrist glow an eerie light purple. Hay Lin then felt her strenght weaken. She quickly figured out what was happening.
'He's draining my energy!', she thought to herself as she tried to break free of Cedric's hold.
But the more she tried, the weaker she got. Soon, the only thing keeping her in the air was Cedric as he held onto her wrist. Watching this, from the ground, was Eric as he slowly got to his feet.
"H-Hay Lin.", he grunted as he flew up toward her and Cedric.
"Oh look. Here comes the brave boyfriend.", Cedric said with a grin. "Let's see how brave he is after this!"
Cedric then took his free hand and formed an energy ball and was about to fire it at Eric.
"Eric.", Hay Lin said in a weak voice. "No."
Eric watched in horror as Cedric was about to fire his attack, when suddenly...
*BAM!*
Cedric was hit in the face by a kick, making him release his hold on Hay Lin, sending him crashing to the ground. Hay Lin began to fall, only to be caught by someone. Eric looking up at who hit Cedric and caught Hay Lin could only think of one thing to say.
"Took him long enough.", he said with a grin as he continued to fly up towards them.
As for Hay Lin, she slowly opene her eyes to see who caught her.
"Angelo?", Hay Lin questioned.
"We got to stop meeting like this whenever you run into Cedric.", Angelo joked.
"What can I say. It's a habit.", Hay Lin said with a weak smile.
"You okay, Hay-Hay?", Irma asked as she caught up with them.
"I've been better.", Hay Lin said as Eric flew up to them.
"Hay Lin! You okay?", Eric asked with concern as he held his right arm.
"Yeah.", Hay Lin said. "Are you okay?"
"I'll live.", Eric said with a smile. "I'm just glad you're alright."
Just then Angelo and Irma both felt a rise in energy below them. They looked down to see Cedric flying up at them with an aura of energy around him.
"Irma take Hay Lin and get out of here.", Angelo said as he handed Hay Lin to Irma, who hoisted her right arm over her shoulder. "Eric, you go with them."
"And leave you alone?", Eric questioned. "Fat chance!"
"I appreciate you wanting to help, but you're in no shape to fight.", Angelo said. "The others will be here soon and can back me up."
Cedric was now hovering several feet in front of them now and ready to fight, but didn't makle a move at them. Angelo then took a fighting stance ready to fight.
"Answer me this, Cedric.", Angelo said. "Will my foot in your face be the greeting between us whenever we run into each other?"
"Funny.", Cedric said. "Lucky for you, I'm not here to fight you."
"Say what?", Angelo questioned.
"I just wanted to see how strong your friends were.", the shape-shifter explained. "And I must say they're not so bad. But have a ways to go. Trust me when Isay, we will fight. But not today."
Cedric then opened a fold and went through it. As the fold closed, the others were flying up to them.
"You guys okay?", Nigel asked as they got up to them.
"Me and Angelo are okay.", Irma said. "Hay Lin and Eric are another story."
"What happened?", Taranee asked. "One minute, we can sense Eric and Hay Lin's energy, the next, we felt Hay Lin's energy drop."
"Cedric drained me of some energy, the way Phobos does.", Hay Lin said.
"What about you?", Matt asked Eric.
"Let's just say, I know how hard Cedric can hit.", Eric said as he held onto his arm.
"Let me see it.", Cornelia said as she moved towards him. "I think it's broken!"
"I think you're right.", Will said as she got a closer look at it.
"Can you heal him?", Caleb asked.
"I think so.", Cornelia said as she grabbed his arm gently.
Cornelia used her healing powers to heal his arm.
"So, why did Cedric cut and run?", Matt asked.
"No clue.". Angelo said. "He did say that we'd fight. Just not when."
"Well, I say we let Elyon know what happened and then head home.", Taranee said as Cornelia finished healing Eric's arm.
"That should do it.", Cornelia said as Eric moved his arm around.
"Wow! Thanks!", Eric said. "Can you help Hay Lin?"
"I just need rest.", Hay Lin said as Taranee hoisted Hay Lin other arm over her shoulder. "I'll be okay tomorrow."
"Well, let's head back to Elyon's palace and tell her what's going on.", Will said as they began to fly off to Elyon's palace.
As they made their way to Elyon's palce, Angelo had one thougth in mind.
'Things are going to get worse, before they get better.'
Meanwhile, Cedric had just gotten back to the world where he and his allies were hiding. He had just gotten to the palace they were staying in, where Crimson and the others were waiting for him in the main hall.
"So, what did you find out?", Crimson asked.
"The Guardians and their boyfriends have gotten stronger.", Cedric said. "They may present a problem."
"Excellent.", Crimson said.
"Excellent?", Phobos questioned. "How is them getting stronger excellent?"
"I agree with Prince Phobos!", Frost said. "Shouldn't we want them weak when we defeat them?"
"Trust me when I say them getting stronger is part of my plan, my friends.", Crimson said. "Soon, the next part of my plan will come into play."
"That is when you all will make yourselves known to the world.", Nerissa said.
"Yes.", Crimson said.
"I still don't see how that will benefit us.", Frost said.
"I do.", Miranda said with a smirk.
Frost looked at her with a "I don't get it." look.
"Don't you see Frost?", Phobos questioned. "With the people of Earth seeing us as peaceful visitors from another world, the Guardians and their allies can't touch us without exposing themselves."
"So, we can walk around without them bothering us?", Frost questioned.
"Now you get it.", Crimson said. "And the best part is, Kandrakar can't do anything to stop us!"
"Are you sure?", Cedric questioned.
"Positve.", Nerissa said. "As long as you introduce yourselves to the world in a peaceful manner they can do nothing to stop you."
"But what about when the Guardians came to Metamoor?", Miranda questioned. "They didn't come in a peaceful manner!"
"Actully, they didn't come as Guardians when they first came to Metamoor.", Phobos replied. "I had Cedric capture the Keeper, on Earth, while she was in her human form and bring her here."
"The other Guardians soon came and saved her.", Cedric added.
"That and Guardians can go to any of the Known Worlds with the intent of fighting.", Nerissa replied. "For they have the Heart of Kandrakar to back them up."
"But as long as we introduce ourselve to Earth in a peaceful manner, we're in the clear?", Frost questioned.
"Yes.", Crimson said. "And even after that, we must be on our best behavior."
"Why is that?", Cedric questioned.
"Because to get what we want, we must be paitient.", Crimson said with a smirk. "Very paitient."
"What are you up to?", Phobos asked.
"Trust me when I say, all of your training is a part of my plan.", Crimson said. "As I said before, we will be fighting our enemies. Just not the way you think."
Phobos somewhat understood what Crimson was saying as he took a sip of tea from his cup. He then looked over at Nerissa, who was reading some old book.
"And what of you, Nerissa?", Phobos questioned. "You choose not to join us when we intorduce ourselves to your home world. Why?"
"Simply put, I'm from Earth.", Nerissa said as she continued to read her book. "Do play an alien, would be a lie and may foil up Crimson's plan. Thus give Kandrakar a reason to act."
"I see.", Phobos said.
'Plus, I have plans of my own.', Nerisssa though to herself as she continued to read her book.
"Well, I'm off to do some more training.", Crimson asid as he turned towards a an open window. "I shall be back by sunset. The servants here should have our dinner ready by then."
Crimson them flew out the window to do some training some where. Phobos, along with Frost walked out of the main hall they were in while Cedric and Miranda went somewhere else.
"It seems that we have a chance for a take over, Frost.", Phobos said as he and Frost walked down the hall.
"Indeed we do, Prince Phobos.", Frost said.
"When the time comes, can I count on you to fight by my side to take Crimson down?", he questioned.
"Yes, my prince.", Frost said. "But what of the others?"
"Nerissa has plans of her own, no doubt.", Phobos said. "And as for those two shape-shifters, I don't trust them one bit! I'm sure they have their own plan cooked up! It seems that you're the only one I can trust, Frost."
"I will not fail you, Prince Phobos.", Frost said as they continued down the halls.
Elsewhere, Cedric and Miranda were plotting something as well.
"Once the Guardians and their allies are defeated, we take down Phobos and Nerissa and drain them of their energy.", Cedric said as they were walking down another hall.
"We then go after Crimson and do the same to him.", Miranda added. "And what of Frost?"
"He either joins us or faces the same fate as the others.", Cedric said. "Once they are beaten, we take the Heart of Kandrakar and take Kandrakar over! We'll rule the Known Worlds together my love."
"Like we planned before, my dear Cedric.", Miranda said before they shared a loving kiss.
A/N: Well, the Lurdens have a new place to call home now. A place far from people. But now our heroes have some major problems ahead! How wil they be able to handle their enemies when they can't even touch them? Looks like you'll have to wait and find out.
Please review.