Chapter 21:

Once in the Dining Hall, everyone sat at the long table that was set with plenty of food. After saying grace, everyone went to eatting the food. Well, all but Irma and Angelo, who weren't that hungry. Well, they were hungry for something, but with them watching Chris until next Friday, they weren't going to be able to get what they wanted. But then Irma who, of course, was sitting next to Angelo realised something.

"Can you guys do me and Angelo a favor?", Irma asked everyone as she stood up.

"What kind of favor?", Cornelia questioned.

"Watch Chris for us, while Angelo and I head back home and take care of something.", Irma said.

"Take care of something?", Angelo questioned. "What do we have to take care of?"

Irma then whispered something in Angelo's ear. Angelo's eyes went wide after she was finished.

"Um... yeah.", Angelo said. "W-W-We... We have to take care of something important."

"And that something is...?", Nigel began to ask.

"Something that would of made sure we didn't have all the energy we had today.", Irma said.

"What she said.", Angelo said.

Hearing that caused Susan to giggle along with the others, except for Chris, Lillian, and Elyon, who didn't know what they were talking about.

"What are you guys talking about?", Elyon asked.

Cornelia then whispered something in Elyon's ear that made her cheeks turn pink.

"Oh.", Elyon said as her cheeks returned to their nowmal color slowly.

"Go on, you two.", Cassidy said with a grin. "We can keep an eye on Chris."

"God bless you, Cassidy!", Angelo said as he pulled out his fold crystal and opened a fold. "We'll be back in an hour."

Angelo then looked his wife up and down as she held his hand.

"Maybe two. I make no promises.", Angelo said as he looked back at the others before heading through the fold.

They others couldn't help but laugh as the fold closed.

"You do realise that they'll be hungry when they come back.", Susan said.

"Don't worry.", Elyon said with a small laugh. "I'll make sure they have something to eat."

"What are they goimg to be doing that'll make them hungry?", Chris asked.

"Um... You'll find out when you're older, Chris.", Taranee said with a nervous smile before she went back to eatting her food.

Chris and Lillian, who were sitting next to each other, looked at each other and then shrugged their shoulders and went back to eatting their food. Meanwhile, on the world Crimson and the others were hiding on, Crimson was in the garden of the palace, they had taken over, meditating to focus his mind more. He was also thinking about the allies he had on his side.

Crimson's POV

It's obvious that Cedric and Phobos each have their own plans once we defeat the Guardians and their allies. Only question is when will they act on their plans? My guess is they wait until they battle is over. I may not be at full strenght then. But I'll have a little surprise for them. As for Frost and Miranda, I know Miranda is in love and loyal to Cedric. So, I know I can't turn her to my side. Frost is another matter. For now, he's loyal to Phobos. But from what I'v heard, he did turn on him when Cedric was in power years ago. He may be a possible ally. And then there's Nerissa. Former Guardian and mother to one of the allies of the Guardians. What is she planning? Like Phobos, she is a cunning one. She might find the chink in my armour and try to enthrall me. And if she tries hard enough, she just may find it. I'll have to watch myself around her. Not to mention try and find out what her plan is.

Normal POV

"But for now, I must plan on how we shall reveal ourselves to the people of Earth.", Crimson said to himself as he picked a piece of blue fruit from the tree he was standing under. "Soon, I will be able to free my family from the prison Kandrakar's council put them in. And then we shall have our revenge!"

Crimson then bit into the fruit while walking off. Watching him, from one of the balconies of the palace, was Nerissa who was enjoying the day at first. Then she saw Crimson down in the garden.

'What did your family do to get locked away, Crimson?', Nerissa thought to herself as she watched him walk around the garden. 'I will say this. You're going to great lenghts to get them back. Which is what I plan on doing to get my son back.'

Nerissa then looked down at her hands as her eyes began to water.

"I will get my son back!", Nerissa said with determination as electricity crackled around her. "And I won't let anyone get in my way!"

Nerissa then left her room to get a snack to calm her nerves. As for Cedric and Miranda, they were away from the palace for some privacy. They were sitting on top of a hill, enjoying the quiet after a morning of training. But that wasn't the only reason they were there.

"So, when will we put our plan into motion?", Miranda asked Cedric as she had her head rested in his lap.

"Well, we know that there will be a huge battle between us and the Guardians and their allies.", Cedric said as he stroked Miranda's hair. "And one of those allies will be Elyon."

"I think I know what you're thinking.", Miranda said with a smirk. "You plan on tiring the young queen enough for you to do to her what you did to Phobos a few years ago."

"You'd be right.", Cedric said with a smile. "Once I eat her and gain control of her powers, I'll give you half and then we'll finish off the others and take their powers and go after Kandrakar! And then the Known Worlds shall be ours!"

"But to pull this off, we'll need a way to keep the others busy while we go after Elyon.", Miranda said.

"During the main battle, there will be innocents that will be put in danger.", Cedric said with a smirk.

"Which means that the Guardians and their allies will be busy trying to get them to safety.", Miranda figured as she sat up. "The perfect distraction!"

"Just what I was thinking.", Cedric said as Miranda looked at him with a smile. "If we do this right, we'll have everything."

"I am with you all the way, my love.", Miranda said as she gently touched the side of Cedric's face.

"And I with you. my beloved.", Cedric said as he gently touched the side of Miranda's face.

The two shape-shifters shared a loving kiss, knowing that they'd be there for each other. Back at the palace, Frost had just finished forging himself a new sword. He may of learned to fight better, but he didn't feel right without a sword.

"Now this is a blade!", Frost said with a smile as he examined the finished sword. "It's been a while, but I do know how to make a good blade!"

Frost then walked up to one of the dummies he had set up and began to slash at it with his sword. The blade made short work of the dummy as it cut through it like a hot knife through butter. Impressed with the blade, Frost went after the other dummies.

"It seems you're finished making your blade."

Frost stopped and turned to see Phobos land a few feet from him.

"And it is a fine blade.", Frost said as he admired his work.

"And are you done with my sword as well?", Phobos asked.

"Yes.", Frost said as he went to a table he had a bunch of blades on and grabbed a sheathed sword. "It took a while, but it's finished."

Frost then handed the sword to Phobos, who took it with a smile. Phobos then unsheathed the blade and marveled at it's beauty. It was a long sword with a black hilt. Phobos then went up to one of the dummies and slashed at it. The top half of the dummy slowly fell to the side.

"I have to say, Frost. You make a fine blade.", Phobos said. "This may be one of the finest swords I've ever held."

"Thank you, Prince Phobos.", Frost said with a bow.

"No, my friend.", Phobos said. "Thank you. For with this sword, I shall cut down all of my enemies and take Kandrakar along with the Known Worlds! And you, Frost shall have a few worlds of your own to rule for your services!"

"I thank you, My Prince.", Frost said with a smirk.

"Yes. I shall have my revenge on those blasted Guardians and those cursed rebels!", Phobos said as he sheathed his sword. "Oh, yes! Vengence shall be mine!"

Back on Earth, an hour had passed since Angelo and Irma came back and did what married people do. The both of them were still laying in bed with the covers on them. Irma had her arms wrapped around Angelo on his left side, while he was laying back while gently playing with Irma's hair with his left hand. Both had smiles on their faces after doing what they did.

"Wow, Baby!", Angelo said. "Who knew we had that much built up tension?"

"Who knew we could do it that many times?", Irma said with a grin.

"Please! We've done it more times in one night before.", Angelo said.

"True.", Irma said. "But we had a whole night to do all that. What we just did, in an hour, was something I didn't think we could pull off."

"That's because we're on a time limit.", Angelo said. "We have at least another hour before we have to go back to Metamoor."

"I don't wanna go!", Irma said in a mock childish voice as she held on to Angelo a bit more. "We can spend a little more time together."

"As much as I would love to do that, we made a promise to your parents.", Angelo said before kissing his wife on her forehead.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I know.", Irma said as she slowly sat up. "The things you do for family."

"See it like this, Irma.", Angelo said as he sat up next to her. "There will be times when Chris might want to train with Uncle John or Grandpa Joe."

"And when he does, we can have some fun.", Irma said with a smile.

"Now you're thinking!", Angelo said as they got out of bed.

"But for now, we have to head back to Metamoor, so the squirt doesn't worry about us.", Irma said as she was about to grab her clothes and get dressed.

"Hold on now.", Angelo said as he took his wife's hand and pulled her closer to him.

"What is it?", Irma said as Angelo wrapped his arms around her bare waist.

"Well, seeing as we're a bit sweaty from what we've just did, maybe we should take a quick shower.", Angelo suggested.

"Really now?", Irma questioned as she wrapped her arms around her husbands neck.

Angelo then ran his hands down to Irma's bare behind and squeezed a little making her jump with yelp and a giggle.

"Oh, yes!", Angelo said as Irma jumped up and wrapper her leggs around Angelo. "Most certainly, yes!"

Angelo, then walked out of their room and to the bathroom, while still carrying Irma, who kept her hold on Angelo as he was moving. Once in the bathroom, they took their shower together, enjoying their time together, knowing that it may be a while before they had time like this, with Chris staying there with them for the next week. Once done they got dressed and headed back to Metamoor. Once there, they saw that the others were still in the Dining Hall waiting for them.

"So, did you two get done what you needed to get done?", Cornelia asked with a smirk.

"You dang straight we did!", Angelo said as he and Irma sat down in the seats they were in before they left.

"And we thank you all for watching Chris for us.", Irma said before she and Angelo began to eat what was left of the food, which was plenty. "Man, am I hungry!"

"Me too!", Angelo said as he and Irma began eating.

"I would think so.", Susan said with a grin knowing what they did.

"So, where's Chris?", Irma asked before biting into a piece of meat.

"He and Lillian are playing with a few children, from the village, and Sandpit.", Elyon said. "He's really so good with kids."

"Who knew?", Cornelia said with a grin.

Now seeing as Taranee was sitting next to Irma, she could sense what Irma was thinking without using her telepathic powers, seeing as Irma was still happy after all she and Angelo had done. Which meant that her happy thoughts were hitting Taranee like radio waves to a radio. So, it didn't take long for Taranee to feel what Irma was feeling. As well as hear her friends thoughts as she was drinking some juice. Once she did, Taranee did a spit take and looked at Irma and Angelo in surprise.

"Four times?", she questioned in shock causing Irma and Angelo to look at her as well as having the other teens, Susan, and Yan Lin look at them in surprise.

Before she could say anything else, Irma quickly put her hands over Taranee's mouth.

'Not another word!', Irma said to Taranee, who opened a link to her.

'Sorry!', Taranee said with a slight blush. 'But your thoughts were..."

'I know! I know!', Irma said as she removed her hands from Taranee's mouth. 'Broadcasting like radio waves. Sorry about that. But four times in an hour is a good thing! A REALLY good thing!'

'I bet it is.', Cornelia said to them telepathiclly.

Irma looked at Cornelia who flashed her a smile. Irma then looked at Hay Lin and Will, who were doing their best not to laugh. Angelo saw Cornelia smiling and Will and Hay Lin trying to hold back their laughter. He then figured that Taranee accidently read Irma's thoughts.

"How much do they know?", Angelo asked Irma.

"Enough.", Irma said in a dull tone.

"Figures.", Angelo said as he saw Will and Hay Lin still fighting back their laughter. "Go ahead and let it out, you two. You know you want to."

Will, Hay Lin, and everyone else but Chris, Lillian busted out laughing as Irma and Angelo simply rolled their eyes with a grin. Yan Lin only giggled a bit along with Susan.

"You guys done yet?", Irma asked as the laughing died down.

"Sorry, Irma.", Will said with a small laugh. "But, wow! Four times?"

"What can I say?", Angelo questioned a he shrugged his shoulders. "Me and Irma had a lot of tension in us."

"And you guys have a whole week with Chris.", Peter said.

"Woo-Hoo! Lucky us!", Irma said in mock excitment as she spun her right index finger in the air getting some more laughes out of the others.

"We'll be okay.", Angelo said. "We just need to show will power."

"Do you actually believe what you're saying?", Irma asked her husband.

"Somewhat.", Angelo said with a grin that made Irma giggle a little.

"So, do you think Mr. Williams will continue with the project he has us doing?", Caleb asked.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he did.", Nigel said.

"I could care less.", Cornelia said. "It's not going to make a big differance."

"I'll say.", Hay Lin said. "It's like they're trying to prove a point or something."

"If they are, it's not going to happen.", Eric said. "This is to much fun!"

"It may be fun, but you know that Williams will be watching for any of the students in his clsses to mess upso he can report it to the School Board.", Susan said. "You all have to be careful."

"Don't worry, mom.", Will said as she looked at her mom. "As long as we stay focused and show Mr. Williams that all the couples are happy together, he'll have no choice but to back off and give us our good grade."

"At least we hope so.", Matt said. "But with our luck, we may be able to pull it off."

"If Crimson doesn't pull something.", Cassidy said.

"If he does, he does.", Yan Lin said. "The important thing is that you all stand against whatever he does."

"Easier said then done.", Will said.

"We'll be okay.", Hay Lin said. "We've faced all kinds of dangers and pulled through."

"Hay Lin's right.", Irma said. "Let Crimson try something! We'll kick his butt and the butts of those that are with him!"

"We're all stronger than we were before we first faced him!", Angelo said. "And even if he's stronger now, we'll still take him!"

"I like how you and Irma are all pumped up and confident.", Cornelia said. "Are you two hiding something?"

"Let me ut it to you like this, Corny.", Irma said with a smirk. "We didn't spend those eight years, in an alternate Earth just running a business."

"That's right.", Angelo said. "We've also been busy working on a few moves. And trust us, they're some good ones."

"What moves?", Caleb asked.

"Yeah, man!", Matt said. "Don't tease us! Spill!"

"Well...", Irma began to explain.

Meanwhile, on Earth, Tony Vandom was in his office on speakerphone with one of his bosses, Nick Manson.

"Are you sure this big plan of yours will make good business for us, Vandom?", Nick questioned. "You say it's big, but you're not telling us anything!"

"I can assure you, sir, this will be big!", Tony said. "I'd tell you more, but the ones that are aprt of this want to keep it under wraps."

"Very well.", Nick said. "But I'm warning you now, Vandom! If this big plan of yours goes bust, you'll be out of a job so fast, it won't even be funny! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Mr. Manson.", Tony said. "Very clear."

"Good.", Nick said. "Good day, Vandom."

Nick then hung up the phone on his end as Tony hung up his phone.

"You and the board of directors may be running this company now, but if things go as planned, I'll be running things!", Tony said with a smirk as he sat in his chair. "And then you'll be the ones out of a job so fast that it won't even be funny!"

Also in Tony's office, was Crimson who heard the whole conversation. He shook his head with a grin at what just happened.

"I must say, you Earthlings are an interesting race.", Crimson said as he was leaning against the wall. "If it's not one trying to stay on top, it's another trying to make it to the top to out do the one on top."

"In the business world, it's survival of the fittest.", Tony said with a smirk. "And I plan on being king of the mountain someday."

"And through us, you think that can happen?", Crimson question as he looked at Tony.

"I believe so.", Tony said as he walked up to Crimson. "Once we present you and your friends to the world, things will be different."

"On that we can agree, Tony.", Crimson said in agreement. "On that we can agree. Are things going along as planned?"

"Ready, willing, and able.", Tony said. "All you have to do is be here on the day we planned."

"Do not worry, my friend.", Crimson said as he used a fold crystal to open a foldback to the world he was hiding out on. "We shall be here on the day chosen. Until then, Tony Vandom."

"See ya.", Tony said as the fold closed behind Crimson.

Tony then walked up to one of his windows and looked down at the streets below with a smile on his face.

"So far, so good.", he said. "If this works, I'll be running this company! Heck! I just may leave this place and start a business of my own! The sky will be the limit!"

Tony then walked out of his office, to take his lunch break. But in the bck of his head, ran thoughts of being rich and famous. If only he knew that he was being used by one who wanted to destroy his daughter.

A/N: If only he knew. Oh well! No use crying over it! What's done is done. Our heroes just have to be strong for what's to come. Only question is, what's coming and how bad will it be for them?

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