Chapter 48: All Ways Lead Back To Coronia

"Silly goose, people never love their rulers blindly. They love them as long as they feed and tend to their needs and, in your kingdom's case, whims."


A/N: We're tying loose ends at this point, one more chapter, and we'll be entering the second half of the fourth arc, the finale of the entire story. Things are going to get more climatic than ever, stay tuned! (also, a timewise reminder, this story began in September 2019, and the events of this current chapter take place in June 2020. Just to give you some outlines ;) )


Heatherfiled...

"You said you wanted to talk." – Sondra pursed her big lips and placed her hands with long bright blue coffin-shaped nails on the table in front of herself. "Then talk, I don't have much time. You haven't come to try-outs; you don't answer calls or reply to mails. I should've known you'd be like that when I hired you, but whatever, make it quick."

Cornelia blinked at her, going over what she was planning to say to her in her head. She had called the other woman at a café in the mall with the intention of busting her, but Sondra's behavior was unexpected. Was she…was she giving her a way out of this?

"Let me guess, you want to quit because you can't look after your son and be a serious model at the same time." – Sondra sneered. "Fine by me, you don't have to do any more work for TECAMPO, you only gave me headaches anyways, with that stupid prank then played on you, middle school much?" – she shook her head with that same scoff on her face. "You have some strange friends, Cornelia. I liberate you from all your duties with us. Just remember that we have a 24-month contract and therefore we will get 5% of every next modeling gig you have in the next two years. Everything that makes it public, of course, if you want to model on the black market, that's on you. But, judging by your frivolity, you will hardly have many gigs in the near future. Are we done here or do you want it black on white?"

"I…I didn't exactly."- Cornelia wanted to say, but Sondra waved her hand, interrupting her:

"You didn't exactly picture having such a tight schedule working with our brand, I get it, but you're supposed to be a professional, Cornelia. I didn't expect to have to spend so much time in Heatherfield either, but here we are."

"So…that's it?"- Cornelia double-checked. "We're just canceling our agreement. No strings attached? No consequences for me flaking off the contract?"

"No, Cornelia, nothing more than what I already said, geez! What can we do to sanction a young mother according to you?" – Sondra shook her head and stood up, gathering her stuff. "Anyway, please excuse me, I have an urgent meeting."

"I don't know."- Cornelia began coldly. "According to me, you're capable of a lot, keeping in mind you and your husband are involved in human trafficking and pimping."

Sondra stopped, dead in her tracks, and sighed deeply.

"You had to bring it up, didn't you." – she looked daggers at the blonde as she returned to her seat, facing her. She looked tense but determined, and that was putting the other woman off:

"Excuse you if you thought that you could talk over me and make me let everything slide, you're doing a disgusting and criminal thing with your models, Sondra, and you had chosen me for the same."- Cornelia bared her teeth, but Sondra was quick to assure her she had misunderstood.

Of course, classic.

Still and all, the way she did it, did make her be in two minds for a few moments:

"I'm trying to help you here, Cornelia, you were never intended for that purpose."- Sondra shook her head. "You think I didn't know something like this would happen once that laptop vanished and reappeared in the room?"

"I think that you knew you were screwed, hence you're trying to wheedle away."- the Earth guardian snapped.

Sondra sighed and tapped her fingers on the sides of her glass of ice tea:

"You know that stealing that laptop to use it as evidence is illegal, right?"

"Please, once the information inside of it goes online, the law will take itself in its own hands."- Cornelia sneered, leaning closer to the auburn-haired. "You're going down, Sondra. At first, I thought that I could simply make you leave Heatherfield, but post discovering the magnitude of your crimes, I was certain that you must be stopped. You're sick!"

"You think I enjoy forcing my models into this?"- Sondra hissed and looked around herself, cautious and wanting to keep a low profile. "It's not something I'm proud of, but the girls which we choose, which Todd chooses, eventually embrace it as an opportunity. It's not prostitution when it's not just about sex, I had a different idea, Todd is the one who wants to use the models as sex slaves and profit off of that!"

"What?!"

Wrap it up, Corny, she's going overboard. We got what we needed, she's going to jail! Irma told her in telepathy, but Cornelia was a little bit distraught.

But what if she's not in charge, the blonde demanded. It's possible, Irma, you saw that man, he's lewd! He might be forcing her into this-

The police and the judge will get to the bottom of that, zip it! My dad's coming, don't talk to her anymore!

And Irma knew what she was talking about, about five seconds post her utterance, Tom Lair and a few of his uniformed men invaded the café and even pulled their guns out:

"Sondra TeCampo, you're under arrest for participating in pimping and human trafficking with models of your own brand."- the man declared as Sondra jumped in her seat like scalded. "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say will be used against you in court!"

Cornelia pulled back, not wanting to be in the way of the police. She watched one of the female cops putting Sondra in handcuffs, but something didn't feel quite right:

"I want to speak to my lawyer!"- Sondra demanded, throwing glowers in all directions. "This is not fair, Cornelia Hale stole a laptop from me in order to gather evidence, but that evidence is not sufficient, I'm innocent! That's illegal!"

"All evidence we have against you has been put on the web. You haven't reported your device stolen, have you?"- Tom raised an eyebrow. "You can call your lawyer once we reach the station. Come on, boys, let's wrap it up faster."

"You're making a mistake, you're putting the wrong person in jail!"- Sondra screamed as they were escorting her out under the curious eyes of the entire cafe. "You made a mistake, Cornelia!"

"Don't listen to her."- Tom Lair said a few minutes later when the woman had been taken away. "You did the right thing by reporting the case, we may be talking about an international case of pimping around here. We now have green light to investigate things and get justice for these girls. We may need you at the station later, you may have to testify against her. I'll call you, or Irma will tell you."

"We'll handle it, dad, go. Bye, love you."- Irma had just walked into the café herself. She gave her father a peck on the cheek before he bid his adieu and went after his team, leaving the two guardians alone.

Irma waited a few seconds to go by before turning to Cornelia, who just stood there in her short denim skirt and sky-blue top, lost in thought.

"I know what's going on in your head and you better stop."- the Latina hissed rebukingly. "She's not innocent. We arranged everything to set things right."

"Yeah, but what if she's not the main culprit. That's very possible."

"That's for the police to determine."- Irma rolled her eyes. "We're guardians, not detectives! All we needed to do was tip the police and that's it. The laptop, the recording of Sondra's confessions from a few minutes ago, Martin took care of it, right? No trace of our intervention can be found anymore and the problem is no longer ours. Breathe and forget about it."

But Irma was very much aware that her friend wasn't about to listen to her. Cornelia wouldn't settle down before getting all the answers she wanted and that was a quality which most of them guardians shared.


Meridian, a couple of days later...

Hay Lin stirred in her place. It had been a long day, and it was still just noontime on Earth. She, however, was in Meridian today, flying around the capital and talking to different people, who were assigned with different duties. Elyon's soldiers had retrieved the Meridian palace as for the moment since her brother and Leonida had chosen the Edifice in Coronia to be their main home. That, however, didn't mean that it was permanent. Meridian found itself in the dawn of a new war, and everything was uncertain. In danger. Elyon's people no longer exceeded Phobos's alleged army in number; the Evil Prince and Leonida had successful conquests in other kingdoms too, and the army they were building was probably going to be something that Meridian people have never seen before. Something which the guardians have never seen before…

Hay Lin didn't want to think about how and what Miriadel, Raythor, and the rebels in charge would manage, especially without Caleb, Nerissa, and Julian, who were all fundamental parts of the court and structure of the Meridian forces, each in their own way. True, there were many other capable people among them, including the Coronians, who served Magana and her son, but were they really skilled enough to defeat Phobos's lurdens, slaves, and monsters? The air guardian went numb just imagining the warfare that would follow and the enormous damage it would inflict on so many kingdoms and innocent people.

When she returned to the Palace, Galgheita was in one of the saloons, giving last orders to the maids and cooks that were finishing off the tables outside. Elyon had decided to hold out free lunches and dinners for her people, trying to get them to stay calm. She had to, enough people had already fled their homes, scared of the events which were to come.

Galgheita noticed her and waved the maids away, shifting her entire attention to her:

"Hay Lin?"- she said. "How's the situation like in the town? Passable?"

"Passable, maybe even good. Better than the previous days." – as usual, Hay Lin was trying to look at things from the most positive of angles. "People are calmer…"

"…because of the food and because we don't have news. Disturbing news that are inevitable seem to have taken a short break and they appreciate it." – Galgheita finished thoughtfully and sighed. They had to be realists. Nothing was under control.

Hay Lin sighed in her turn, stirring in her place. She put her hands behind her back and looked down.

"In order to gain control over the situation, we have to find Phobos' s first child." – Galgheita said and Hay Lin had to agree she was completely right. "It's our only hope, really…"

"Well, Tara and Will are doing whatever they can to make that happen faster."

"It makes me wonder…"- Galgheita went on, her brain still nagged by the dire situation they were in. "…about the Coronians. As far as I'm informed, they've been desperate to have a Queen again, post-Magana's black rose transformation… I wonder how are they holding up in the dawn of these testing times when they're in the eye of the evil storm…"

Hay Lin shivered. Air was her element, but the nanny's words led her to imagine a storm she could never even begin to hold sway over.


A storm. A storm of confusion, fear, and hopelessness was slowly but surely engulfing the abundant planet of Coronia as word spread like a forest fire. The Queen had fallen. Queen Elyon was dethroned. Phobos Escanor and Leonida, the princess presumed dead for so many years, and their daughter now had the magical power of two kingdoms. Many were more than terrified for their lives.

Duchess Raina of Glided Timbers, a large province east of the capital, and her three carriages were flying towards the Aureate Edifice. Flying, quite literally; the duchess's carriages were pulled by kirins, flying dragon-like horse hybrids with golden scales, manes, and whiskers.

Duchess Raina was a middle-aged woman with dark hair pulled up in a braided bun. She had big blue eyes with heavy eyelids. Duchess Raina had been in charge of Glided Timbers for many years and she had almost been independent in the majority of meanings of the word. Now that the main first power in the entire Coronia was about to change radically, she was coming to get her share.

The carriages landed inside the enormous back yards of the Edifice, and almost immediately, the new royal couple's people noticed and encircled them. These soldiers, however… Among the ordinary Coronians, Raina spotted monsters, shapeshifters, and other outcasts that made her raise her eyebrows ever so slightly before getting in one of the royal carriages.

"So, it is true."- the duchess noted with a willy smile and tone.

"What is true, Duchess Raina?"- Leonida wanted to know. The older woman had gotten into her carriage as planned. They were heading for the "Square of Yellow Glory" where the new royal couple would give out a salutation of sorts. For the people of Coronia. It was more or less a power display, if Leonida had to be honest, but nonetheless. The duchess of Gilded Timbers was an honorable guest, having been the first aristocrat to show support for the new Queen, who was still in the mood to act diplomatically. Leonida planned to make people come to her willingly, but she wasn't going to waste too much time on that idea; if they resisted, she'd crush and enslave them as planned by Phobos. And he? Oh, she wished she could have more control over him like when in Gray Woods, but unfortunately it wasn't as easy anymore. He was sly and had an opinion of his own. On everything. That infuriated Leonida who didn't genuinely love or stan him at all…

"That your consort has introduced all these outcasts to your sentry and army in general."- the duchess smiled. "And that successfully. You must be proud. You both are achieving unimaginable things as a pair. You're making history."

"Indeed, he's famous for that."- Leonida snorted. "…please do not call him consort, if he hears it, he- "

"Oh, yes, by any means… forgive me."- the duchess quickly picked up on her mistake. "He's to be the full-fledged King of the United Dimensions, alongside you, your Majesty."

Leonida smiled awry.

No, no, he really isn't to be that… He simply needs to think that he shall become King, but the truth shall be utterly different.

Raina estimated the blonde with her sly eyes. There was something unspoken about her relationship with the infamous prince of Meridian, who had become just as infamous in Coronia too, over the last months. Phobos was dangerous. He was believed to be emotionless. Cruel and made of evil… But she? Magana's woeful daughter? Raina shook her head to herself, a tight shrewd smile coming to her lips. She was a mere pawn and she didn't even know it…

"And your darling baby girl? The princess- "

"She shall be presented in front of those who dare come, of course."- Leonida retorted. "You know me since I was presented in front of the people the same manner. I want my daughter to have the best of both worlds and be an infamous symbol for her people, because, ultimately, one day she will come to the throne. My daughter will have a much better life than I have had so far, Duchess Raina."

Duchess Raina just smiled in response as Leonida's carriage, pulled by ordinary horses, kept picking up speed. Perfect…


Susan Vandom-Collins was just coming out of the City Hall. She had a ton of errands to run and with her personal assistant on leave for the week, she wasn't picking up an enviable speed at all. In fact, this was the third stop she had to make, out of seven before returning to the office. Just immaculate.

Dressed in a beautiful, yet business-appropriate magenta silk and tweed dress, with elbow-length tight sleeves, and black stiletto Stella McCartney's, Susan was a true hustler. As usual.

"No, Amanda, you can't give me anymore Zoom calls today, it's impossible!"- she snapped on the phone while trying to get to her car as fast as possible. "I have enough to do as it is! Yes, I was just down the City Hall, I dropped all the papers personally because I had to talk to the representatives myself and get that lease. It's done, I'm now heading for the school, I need to pick up William. Yes, I know it's early, but you know they cut off school hours because of the- yes, hold on. I'm getting a call from the office; I need to take that."- Susan threw her hair back and moved her phone to the other ear. "Yes, Mr. McGruder. Yes, I will make it for the meeting, I promise. Thank you, you too. Bye. Bye-"

Overwhelmed by all her errands and business priorities, Susan didn't notice the man who she was about to bump into a few seconds after she disconnected her call with the office. When she looked up, it was too late – he caught her, otherwise, she would've ended on the hard ground post their collision:

"Oh, fuck! I'm, I'm very sorry, s-"- the mother of two began, but grew silent once their eyes met:

"Susan? You OK?" – Tony Vandom was looking down at her with his knowing amber eyes. His playful eyes…

Susan frowned. The odds of bumping into him again.

"I was until now. Unfortunately, every miracle last about three days-"

"Ah, Susie- Q. It must be serious; do you swear all the time or did you say "fuck" because it's me. Your best fuck."- he whispered in her ear and then laughed when she pushed him roughly:

"I'm just kidding, relax. What are you doing here, by the way? Why aren't you at your office?"

Susan sighed and rubbed her forehead in annoyance:

"Simueltech is taking up municipal properties for new depository… it's none of your business, actually." – she then looked at him with a cold mock. "But let me guess why you're here. On behalf of Linda's campaign? The upcoming elections, right? She's campaigning for her ex-husband. Marcus, Marcus Snowden? And you're there too, with them, in the campaign. In the Olsen - Snowden family. How does that work, Tony?"

He smiled almost mysteriously:

"Come and you'll find out. We'll have a foursome- "

"You're so ridiculous and cynical!"- Susan hissed and shoved him in the shoulders, trying to get past him. Chuckling like a college boy, Tony blocked her way and she stopped with a death glare. What was up with him again? He had finally appeared more unpresuming at the fashion show. Now he was back to being obnoxious, but she wasn't having it:

"Don't laugh at me, Tony, don't waste my time, don't even talk to me when you see me somewhere." – Susan's eyes were full of ice. Her voice too. "Of all the awful, unforgivable things you've done, this time it's beyond the pale. You put a knife in Will's back. You've betrayed us many times, but this time you openly declared how little we actually mean to you."

Tony twitched. He twitched and opened his mouth, but he didn't really know how to put it. He couldn't…

"You and Will mean the world to me."- he just said simply, making the woman roll her eyes to the back of her head.

Oh, how many, many times she had heard that. If only his actions didn't contradict his words each time.

"One day you may understand me better, Susan. I know how it looks, but- "

"I will never understand as to why you had to get together with Matt's mother." – she snapped. "Our daughter will marry that man one day, are you even considering what you're doing to her and Matt?! Not only is it abominable, but you also have nothing in common with that cold and heartless- "

"I want to show you something."- Tony interrupted her and grabbed her hand, starting to pull her towards his car.

Susan could only blink, but by the time she started protesting out loud, she was already in the front seat. She tried to open the door and get out, she wasn't about to dance to Tony's tunes…

"What the hell, Tony, I have work to do! My car is parked there, what are you- "

But he didn't allow her to leave, he locked the door and drove away, to Susan's indignancy:

"I will drive you back to it later. I just want to show you something first. This won't take long."

"Such unimaginable impudence! I don't want to look at anything with you, how dare you, Tony!"

But he ignored her, he just kept going. When the car had to stop at traffic lights, Susan would try to open the door. She tried to, but she was scared to try too hard, knowing that her ex-husband was an unpardonable vehicle enthusiast…. His driving didn't tolerate any runarounds, otherwise, both of them could die in some godawful car crush.

Susan glared at him but finally gave up. He was going to take her wherever he wanted to and she would have to listen because he'd never rest his case if she didn't, and she didn't have that much free time. That was something she had always hated and admired in him – his ability to have things his way and then act as if she was bossing him around.

When they finally arrived, over ten minutes later, the car stopped in the driveway of a house which Susan knew full well. The Olsen house…

"Come with me."- Tony said after he opened the door for her. "You need to see something. You need to know that I'm not just purposely toying with our daughter's future-"

But when Susan got out of the vehicle, she just attacked him. He held her hands, trying to push her away without hurting her, but she didn't mind getting him hurt. She released her hands from his grip and slapped him across the face, making his head turn abruptly…

"You are horrible!"- she screamed at him. "If you don't let me be right this instant, I will go to the police and file a complaint against you for each and every one of your transgressions to me! Get out of my way!"

Tony cursed quietly:

"Susan, I-"

"I SAID WHAT I SAID!"

"You're already here, why can't you come in for a few minutes, there's no one else here right now!"

Susan just shook her head and huffed in disbelief. Her ex-husband really was too much. He had always been, but now… Now she wasn't willing to listen, even for a few seconds:

"Don't walk after me."

However, before Susan could walk down the residential street and catch a cab or something, she almost bumped into another person, she didn't feel any desire to see. Ever. God, her heels had to be too high, that was why she was nearly colliding with just about anyone today!

Linda looked sullen at the sight of the other woman as she locked her car. But Susan's attention was drawn by the girl that she was assisting. A young girl around 20 with blonde hair and an overall unhealthy look to her. Linda almost hid her behind herself completely before turning her attention to Susan and Tony:

"Susan."- she said dryly. "What a lovely surprise. Why are you here?"

"I was just leaving."- Susan huffed in response and looked away. She didn't feel like spending time with these two, awful in her eyes, parents. But who was the blonde girl?

"I'll drive you back." – Tony murmured, but she cut him off:

"No, you won't. I said that I will be taking a cab."- she gritted her teeth and tried to get past Linda again, but her bitter voice made her stop again:

"I hope that you're not making yourself at home in my house while I'm not here."

Channeling all the inner calm she had left, the other woman turned around:

"I have boundaries, Linda. I would never intrude myself on people, what is left on you."

"Because I'm such a bad person?"- Linda smirked bitterly and shook her head. Susan just stared at her as if she was estimating what exactly mental deviation she suffered from.

"You're not a good person, that's for sure."

"Oh, I see. Has Will complained about me or is this about me and your ex getting together over a decade post your divorce?"- Linda raised a brow. "I didn't know that a woman can still be territorial after so much time."

Tony snorted from behind, where he stood with his hands in his pockets:

"This is getting stupid."- he said. "Just go, Susan."

But Susan wasn't leaving before setting things straight with Linda. No, her impudence was unnerving her. Linda was not OK.

"Yes, I am against your relationship with Tony for a lot of reasons, but being territorial is not one of them."- she declared icily. "As for the complaining, it wasn't Will, it was Matt who told me the truth about Will's sudden spoiled relationship with you. And I must say, it's more than disgraceful for a woman to say such a thing to another woman, who has lost a baby."

Linda sighed and made a face that suggested she was over this topic. She looked annoyed at the mentioning of it. She was well aware it would never be a completely closed page, but she had apologized for that mistake already… The Vandoms would hold it over her forever, that was what they were best at.

"Matt is really fond of you."- she noted instead. "So fond, he's willing to take a bullet or two not only for your daughter but for you too, that's what my problem is, Susan."

"I'm terribly sorry for your problems."- Susan tossed her head back and pinned her down with strict, burning eyes. "But if you blame or mistreat my daughter like that ever again you will see the worst of me."

"Susan, leave."

Susan turned around feeling very angry. What was Tony even doing? He was the one who had dragged her here against her will, now he was playing the role of the protective boyfriend. Her lips became a thin line as she added:

"You will also stay away from me and my daughter from now, Thomas Vandom. I don't want to see your face."

Tony grunted. She didn't understand anything, how could he begin to explain to her.

"Cut the crap, Susan, why are you so angry? Admit it, seeing Tony with another woman doesn't leave you indifferent. Not at all, just admit that's the reason for your behavior right now."

Susan glared daggers at Linda and her derision. Now she was really angry.

"…no matter if that woman is Serena Sanchez or me, you are never happy with it, because you want to keep Tony on a leash- "

"Enough already!"- the man barked, irritated.

"Hear me out very carefully."- Susan interrupted them loudly. "Both of you. If you ever cross the line like that again, you-"– and she pointed at Tony with a death glare. "- will be sent to jail, where you respectively belong after everything that you've done! And you!"- Susan shifted all her anger to Linda, who, unlike the nervous Tony, appeared unfazed, holding onto the unknown girl. "- you and your ex-husband's campaign and mayor aspirations will be halted before they've even made it somewhere. Oh, yes, Linda, I will see to that. Keep my daughter out of your twisted crap and never lash out at her again. If you hurt her, I will turn your public image into ash!"

"As you do well."- Linda smirked, even though the other woman's threat had undermined her confidence, and it had become evident. "I mean, you did it to yourself for a while before reclaiming this iron lady role-model status you have always aspired to have. Successfully or not. Not all of us can be in the public eye with so much drama and degrade, and still make it our victorious like you did, Susan."

"No, no you can't."- Susan was breathing heavily, but she had a very suitable answer to that low blow that commented on the trials and tribulations she and her family had gone through. "You, Linda, wouldn't last a day. So, I suggest you stay in your lane and keep what I told you in mind if you know what's best for you."

"Don't attack my aunt, lady."

But Susan paid almost no attention to the unknown girl, who Linda wrapped her arms around in a protective, but also jamming fashion. She turned around to glare at Tony, who was looking away. He had dragged her here and he was the reason Linda Olsen had enraged her with her insensitive and impudent lunacy. She remembered why she had started hating him.

Susan finally exited the scene with a huff, leaving the current egoistic villains of her life behind, without looking back.

"Arrogant bitch."- Linda grunted a few minutes later.

"Shut your mouth."- Tony barked, making the girl, who Linda held, jump in her place. She was scared of him. The red-haired man reminded her of a devil sometimes…Linda, however, remained unfazed:

"Why was she here?"- she demanded suspiciously. "You weren't planning on letting her in on the knowledge of certain things, were you- "

"It's none of your business."- Tony growled, making her laugh out loud, jeeringly:

"Oh, but it is. Listen, Tony, you agreed on my terms, if you start causing problems for me, we will start fighting, and if we start fighting, we both lose. I already endure enough with your impossible daughter; I CAN'T have Susan Collins in the picture too. I can't deal with her overbearing, dramatic ass so keep the bitch OUT of this."

"I love her, don't you get that?! I love her!"- Tony came in her face, startling the girl, who pressed herself in Linda even more.

"I don't care!"- the brunette exclaimed. "We had a deal. If you don't follow our agreement, you'll be out, Mr. Tony. You want the money, don't you? You want the best for Will, her life, your love for Susan? Then shut the fuck up and do as I say!"

"I'm too into everything for you to kick me out, and you know it."- the man hissed in her face.

"Don't attack my au-"- the girl repeated, but Tony just shoved her a few feet away,

"Shut up, nutjob."- he lashed at her. "Go inside the fucking house and try not to cause trouble for a change."

The girl stiffened. Linda glared at the man and slapped him:

"Don't talk like that to her!"

"Oh, please, you can't be defending her again? After everything… your fucking niece should be locked up in a nuthouse or the zoo."- the man spat, ignoring her expressions that were urging him to keep it down.

Linda bared her teeth. This man was too annoying at times.

Meanwhile, the said girl sat on the ground and hugged her knees, trying to isolate herself from everything. Tony just looked down at her with disgust:

"Your family, you really do have things twisted. Susan was right about that."

Linda curved her lips in an intimidating smile but then her face softened when she turned to the girl.

"Go inside, Sara. It's alright. Go inside."

Sara was hesitant at first, but eventually, she did as her aunt said. Then her aunt could return her spiteful look on the man, who was creating unnecessary problems in her plan:

"You think you know too much for me to kick you out, Mr. Tony? When we hammered our deal, I made it clear that I don't tolerate that. I won't tolerate you. You have quite the effect on women, you ruin their lives, but with me, you've hit rock bottom."- it was her turn to come close to him, getting in his face without any hesitation. Tony looked down, but he didn't speak. "If I feel like you'll make me fail, you will disappear. Disappear from the picture for good."

"Oh, what are you saying? Are you going to kill me, Lindy?"

Linda's face twisted in a grim expression, but she laughed:

"Oh, no, Tony. I just know that a criminal person doesn't go to rat out other criminal activities if they know what's best for them. And in our case, we have no reason to end things this way. You want a piece of the cake, don't you?"

"No, I'm in for your cold frigid ass."- Tony mocked her. He was beside himself. He hated it, he hated how she dominated him, but he was near powerless about him. Linda frowned and slapped him again. Tony roared and raised his hand at her, but stopped it midway.

"Neither am I Susan nor Serena, nor any other woman you've played with."- Linda raised her chin up. "I! I play with you. And you gave me consent to do so, don't forget it."

"You're such a sorry bitch."- he hissed maliciously as he watched her turn her back on him and head for the house. "After everything…how do you live with yourself-"

"Look who says."

Tony shook his head:

"I'm a piece of trash, I don't deny it. But you…"- he was unable to describe the way he was feeling about her. "- you don't even care about your son as much as you care about- "

"Shut up."- she replied simply.

Tony gritted his teeth.

"When this is all over, why don't you admit yourself for psychiatric evaluation, Linda Olsen? You need it."

"Why don't you fuck yourself."- and with that, Linda slammed the door of the house behind herself, unbothered, leaving Tony outside with his bottled rage.


"God, this girl is like some fata morgana. She has lived in hundreds of places over the years. I am starting to think some people are lying that they've seen her. We need something of hers to do a locating spell. There's no other way to know for sure."

Taranee was tired of looking for the woman, who had tricked Phobos all these years ago. It was beginning to rain outside. Again. She and Will continued with their quest of search – currently, they were in one abandoned house which was believed to have once been the residence of the woman they were after.

Will blew the hair away from her eyes:

"Yeah, you're right. But none of the things left after her seem like personal belongings."

"If she has really lived at half of the places we went to."- Taranee added and huffed. She had to think of something smarter. With this pace and lack of strategy, they would never find the heir to the throne.

"Isn't it ironic how every couple of years we're looking for the heir to the Meridian throne."- Will began, as if having sensed her friend's thoughts. "First it was Elyon, then we needed Phobos to stop Nerissa and free Elyon. Then Phobos had this freaking child that stole everything and now we need to find his older child that can steal it back. Just amazing."

"I've been thinking about something."- Taranee countered. They were officially done with this old house, they could leave. They had found nothing spectacular again. "Phobos's child has to be around how old now? If he was 15 when it was conceived… 20 something? 22? What if it refuses to give the powers back to Elyon, what if it and its mother decide they want to rule over Meridian and Coronia? It's going to be legal and possible… What are we supposed to do in that case scenario?"

"Taranee, you're thinking way ahead."- Will scolded her. "Let's find them first, before considering any such possibilities, shall we? It's tough enough as it is."

"Shall we, I'm asking myself the same."- the fire guardian retorted as they both flew up into the sky.

Will made a face. If they wanted to achieve something, they had to look deeper. So far, they really didn't have anything. Didn't even know the woman's name for sure. Some called her Zelda. Others said she was rather named Rosalind. Third groups of people believed her name had been Zelda-Rosalind. Whatever it was, the only significant things which the guardians knew about the mystery woman was that she had been a concubine in Phobos's harem, 22 years ago, and that she was around 35 with dark red hair, like Will's, only more vivid. No dyes, not even glamouring could change that appearance aspect of hers, because her mother had eaten a lot of enchanted red salad, a rare vegetable which some Meridianites cultivated, during her pregnancy. And that was about it. That was all confirmed which they had.

Aside from that, they had people's tales of Z. R.'s life. That's what they called her - Z.R, because they didn't know for sure. How Phobos had spared her and the child, but sent them away from Meridian, how they had switched planets and kingdoms until they returned to Meridian one day after Elyon had come to power. The woman that had claimed to have seen Z.R in this very village, which Will and Taranee had just been at, had seemed genuine. She wasn't after the gold, like most of the people who were entrusted with the knowledge of what the guardians were doing, but alas. They had ended up in deadlock yet again.

"Wait, what did Raythor say?"- Taranee suddenly stopped in the air. "He said he escorted Phobos and Z.R to the top of a mountain, where there was the last portal the kingdom saw for the next couple of years. Back then the veil was tight and opening portals was impossible, but Phobos drained enough life force to redirect the only open portal."

"Yeah, and Rayhtor had no idea what or why was happening, nor that Z.R was pregnant, that got revealed much later because the other concubines started gossiping with some of the guards, and?"

"We have the Heart, Will, the Heart! Remember the story Yan Lin told us about that map which we used to locate portals in Heatherfield with? Phobos used his map to redirect the other end of the portal."- Taranee said excitedly. She had finally figured it out. "Exactly 22 years ago, no other portals have opened in Meridian a couple of years post that event. If we can trace all the portals from that time period-"

"- we can locate the exact portal Z.R walked through, Taranee, you're a genius!"- Will finished her sentence, having caught her string of thoughts, and hugged her, happy. Finally, they had something promising. "The Heart is a skeleton key! But the location where the other end of the portal opened, how should we-"

"We will use a memory extracting spell, magical energy always saves up tangible memories, and this one is just that – it's a location which Phobos channeled, it's not an emotion or something that could evade the magical energy." – Taranee pushed her glasses back, determined. "It's there. We just have to look into it closely."


Cornelia walked in the Heatherfield pre-trial detention wing, the part of the police station which she had almost never set foot in before. She pulled her exquisite purple satin top down and smoothed it before running her hands down the sides of her black ripped jeans and resumed her walking. Her heels hit the floor which each step she took towards her jail cell. Sondra's jail cell. A few days had gone by since her arrest and Cornelia had made up her mind post some of the events she had been informed of. Usually, she wouldn't do this for a con person, but she did believe some of the things the auburn-haired woman had said. The latest news on her case had persuaded Cornelia to take this action.

"Sondra? It's me."- she said in a low voice, in order to attract the attention of the woman inside the cell. "I… I heard what happened to Todd. The police were building a case against him, they got an order for his arrest and he tried to flee town, but his car crushed. They found his body in the river down the road… I'm sorry."

"No, you're not. And you shouldn't be."- Sondra approached the bars. Her hair was straight and she had no makeup on, but her eyes were dry, hence the blonde believed her when she said: "I told you, Todd was ruining my idea, I wanted to set the girls, who are interested. with rich men to their advantage as well as mine. He wanted something different… Anyhow, I wanted to divorce him, a proper time just never came. There never really was any love between us. His death doesn't sadden me."

Cornelia looked around herself, not knowing what to say.

"Did you want me to be a part of your girls who make money with rich men too?"- she asked in the end, eyes cold.

"Sugar babies."- Sondra specified.

"Whatever. Did you? Is that why you selected me for your brand and gave me VIP treatment?"

The other woman shrugged:

"Had you been interested in it, why not? I've never made any girl be a sugar baby against her will. It was Todd who wanted to make them prostitutes, I told you. I told the police. Whatever I've done, it's been against my free will too. Todd selected you out of all the CVs, by the way. He used to pick up the girls who he personally felt attracted to the most. When he got to know that you have a baby, he lost interest. He didn't like children…As for the VIP treatment… Cornelia, I saw a possible friend in you. I like you, you're beautiful, smart, and independent, and still have your friends after so many years. I guess I thought you could teach me how to keep friendships and thrive with them."- Sondra admitted a tad reluctantly. That was the truth though and she had let it out there, refusing to maintain the image of a snarky bad bitch. She couldn't, she was no Miranda Priestly; she was too young to be that…

"My friends are one of my biggest reasons to live and be happy."- Cornelia admitted. "I…I didn't even think you might be feeling that way."

"Neither did I. Up until I realized that I want this in my life."- Sondra admitted in her turn and smiled wistfully.

"Sondra why didn't you…why didn't you become a model yourself?"- Cornelia finally asked something she had been wondering ever since they met in Paris. "It just feels like you're drawn to it rather than just managing other models and this entire sugar baby-sugar daddy thing that Todd took out of proportion and turned criminal. You have all qualities to be a model yourself- "

"But I can't."- Sondra interrupted her and it looked like the topic had brought her pain. She leaned against the bars and sighed, as a tear rolled down her beautiful face. "I..I am limping. I can't go on stage and be a professional model. It's like a disability and the business is merciless."

"What?"- Cornelia exclaimed, having expected anything but that. Limping? "No, you're not, you're always in heels! I've seen you walk, you never- "

"It occurs from time to time, but it might occur while on the fashion podium."- Sondra exclaimed in a bitter voice. "That's why I stay away from it. I have muscular dystrophy, it's a condition I was left with after Todd…after he…he used to beat me. Years ago. He broke a nerve; he triggered this condition of mine…then he stopped, but alas. I also have scars down my legs, so there's that."

"Oh, my God."- Cornelia exclaimed, visibly outraged and shocked. Todd Tecampo was a swine, she couldn't imagine that he had been like that behind closed doors. She had once liked that designer and his brand! "But you can still, you can model for your own brand at least, Sondra, besides, we live in times when the stereotypes are being uncrowned, people are looking for the beauty in every flaw, utter perfection is no longer a thing to strive for- "

"Yet we all do, don't we."- Sondra almost laughed. She had been through a lot; her eyes were exuding it. The pain. The hardships behind her glamorous life. "If I have a brand after this case gets closed…no, don't look at me like that, I don't blame you, in fact, I am grateful for your actions. If you hadn't involved the police and made it official, Todd's crimes wouldn't have ended and I would still be trapped in a relationship with him. I told you, I am glad he is gone and that his crooked versions of my initial idea will be demolished. As for the modeling."- she made a face. "All these plus-size models, models with disabilities…it's all cute and touching, but it's not what inspired me. What I looked up to. The models from the 90s, the perfect models are and always will be the symbol of this business. If I can't be like them, if I'm not perfect in every aspect, I have no right to defame the profession with my limping on stage."

Cornelia didn't say anything. She didn't know how to respond to that. She guessed they both had that in common – they both wanted to be perfect no matter what. It wasn't up to them; it was stronger than her, obviously stronger than Sondra too. Cornelia shook her blonde curls and changed the topic:

"I talked to your lawyer and Mr. Lair, he…he's my friend's father. About your bail."

"Yes, they said I need a bailsman figure."- Sondra sighed. "Otherwise, my lawyer would have taken care of that already."

"I became your bailsman."- Cornelia replied simply. "I paid your bail, they should come and get you to sign some documents, and then you'll be out."

Sondra looked a little bit surprised, but thankful, nonetheless:

"That's…that's very kind of you. Thank you, Cornelia. I will give you all the money back."

"Whatever, let's just get you out of here. You don't belong in jail."

"What changed your mind?"- Sondra was asking, more calculating than surprised if anything.

Cornelia, who had attempted to go call the police officers to speed up things, stopped in her tracks and looked back:

"Intuition."- she shrugged. "Plus, I talked to your models again. I…I had already begun asking them things when I suspected you. Some think of your best interest, others hate you, but they all agreed on one thing. They were glad that Todd Tecampo is out of the frame. You're telling the truth about him and the prostitution thing, and that's all that matters to me."

Sondra flickered her lashes and smiled:

"Cornelia?"

"Huh?"

"We can have coffee again this week if you think you can give me a chance to be friends this time. Openly. Without the police too."- she chuckled and Cornelia smiled back.

She wasn't even using her fake accent anymore; she wasn't pretending to be something she wasn't…She was being genuine and real.

"I'd like that."- the blonde replied sincerely.


The Square of Yellow Glory was full, despite the Coronians' initial fear. They all wanted to see the source of great power which Leonida was regent of. They all wanted to see the uncanny prince of Meridian and their baby, the future Queen of quite a few realms. That was a sight worth seeing, by all means.

The entire place was decorated with flowers and lanterns, surrounding the podium. Everything, from the tiniest piece of decoration to the big elements, was set in place and style just like at any other such ceremony when the newborn descendant of the royal family is being presented to the people.

This was a popular tradition that had been practiced for years. Leonida felt the need to do the same. Phobos wasn't as thrilled about it, he kept his distance from the entire ceremony. It was important to him that the people recognized supreme power and bowed down to it. Leonida, however, wanted her people to love their daughter.

I suppose that it is understandable since she does care about the Coronians herself, the prince mused as he watched all the rituals performed on the stage with the priest and everything. Coronain traditions definitely were pompous, even for newborns.

I guess it does make sense, since she technically wasn't betrayed by them but only by her mother, as opposed to me. Silly goose, people never love their rulers blindly. They love them as long as they feed and tend to their needs and, in your kingdom's case, whims.

What appeared to be the last of the rituals which the Coronians wanted to see Opal take part in was one involving three golden cradles that looked like golden pumpkins, hiding the baby almost entirely. The three pumpkins had different meanings, the first one was the prosperity of the kingdom, the second was to keep the spirits and magical beings happy and the third one embodied the everlasting greatness of the Golden Spring, the Heart of the realm. Placing the princess in each and every one of the pumpkins meant fulfillment for all entities and was overall a good luck superstition thing for the entire kingdom, but Phobos frowned upon it. It was stupid, it didn't actually mean anything. He was a person of power, after all, not superstition; he saw no sense in such rituals.

The priest moved her from the first cradle to the second and then left her in the third. The Coronians applauded and cheered; now the princess had to spend about fifteen minutes inside of it and the rituals would be completed. The priest was ready to leave the podium, pushing the other two pumpkin cradles away, ready to take them somewhere far away. Everyone was happy, distracted with the ceremony, even those who feared the new royal couple and the way they had come to power; Coronia finally had a Queen and a future Queen too, that was all its people truly cared about.

Phobos stood in front of the priest before he could get off the podium. When he saw him in front of himself, the man took a step back up. The prince's cold eyes turned his blood into ice…

"Pagan rituals and pointless superstitions have always made room for distraction. Distraction and crimes against the crown."- Phobos's voice narrated ominously; the entire Square grew silent. Leonida's smile quenched… "…distraction which you thought sufficient enough to take advantage and try to abduct the princess. You tried to abduct my daughter."- the prince repeated dangerously as he waved his hand and made the pumpkin cradle disappear, leaving only its bed, revealing the sleeping Opal. "You shall pay for that."

"No, I-I, I didn't- "- the priest stammered, seeing his life slip away, but it was too late.

The crowd gasped; the aristocrats, with Leonida and the duchess at the front, jumped up from their seats in the royal lounges, indignant, and stared at the other cradle, where they had believed the baby had been sleeping up until now, fooled by the priest. Visser looked as though he could suffer a heart attack; the baby, the power. They had almost lost it all …

Phobos was the only one who had noticed his crafty moves and had halted the abduction of their daughter, who was now back in his arms.

"How DARE you."- Leonida fumed, approaching the con-priest with lighting-like speed. "How dare you do such a foolish and vile thing!"

"Y-your Majesty, forgive me, I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to abduct the princess, I just- "

"SILENCE!"- Phobos yelled in his face and gave Leonida a pointed look. Opal opened her eyes and started crying… "Deal with your subjects or else."

But Leonida didn't need to be ushered. She was beside herself; transgressions. Betrayals. All her life she had suffered from that; she wasn't going to have her daughter go through the same. She wasn't going to fail as Magana had…

She lifted her hand and, in seconds, the priest's terrifying screams died down, as his disfigured from the black magic, body, fell to the ground, meters away from his previous standpoint. He was killed. Killed brutally in front of everyone who had gathered to greet the new royal family.

Phobos's ice grimace warmed up a little; not only was the person who had tried to take his daughter away from him now dead, the power display which he had wanted to make the Coronians see was also a fact. They'd all know better than to oppose them from this moment on…

"Anyone who tries such a thing again will share this man's fate!"- Leonida yelled at her people, her eyes flaming in mad light. "Do you all hear me? Don't you EVER dare to repeat his mistake if you value your lives!"

No one dared to utter a word, not even whisper. People exchanged glances, the aristocrats stirred in their places. Utter power and utter insanity were never a good combination, and God knew the new royal couple possessed both.


"Duchess Raina!"

The woman stopped dead in her tracks on the way to her flying carriages. Post the unsuccessful abduction attempt she had managed to flee the scene undetected. Nothing seemed to go unnoticed by Visser, however.

The old man and his son were behind her. Looking at her. Deathly.

"Duchess Raina, you couldn't have scooped lower, could you?"- Visser frowned. "You are greedy. You are a part of our society, why try to take the child away?!"

Duchess Raina made a face.

"Visser, you're growing unreflecting. Do you not see what lunatics the baby's parents are?"- she exclaimed. "Such power shouldn't be in the hands of destructive and abhorrent people such as the foolish princess and that manic man, Phobos. You saw the way in which they killed my subject. They're ruthless."

"That's exactly why we are able to manipulate and control them."- Emery barked. "Don't interfere, we can handle this-"

His father, however, made him a sign to be quiet. He just estimated the duchess and her crafty expression.

"You manage nothing. Soon, the prince and Leonida will break free from your weak manipulations."- she said calmly. "They've already begun to, actually. I observed Leonida. Both she and the prince love their baby. Leonida has what she has always been denied now. As far as legend goes, the same applies to Phobos. They have a family, twisted or not, created by your manipulation or not, the final result is what matters in actuality, and that final result is the three of them, the power source and the regents, having each other. Forming bonds and relations for a lifetime. That, unfortunately, is a threat to your plan and promises to our society."

"Not to Phobos it doesn't, he doesn't value family or love."- Emery hissed. He was furious. How dare this woman question them, they were the only ones actively doing something for the gold-blooded, the true aristocrats of Coronia. She, like many others, was just a passive element in the wait of the new order. "We know him, we have him studied like a- "

"What are you implying, duchess Raina?"- Visser interrupted his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. He locked eyes with those of the duchess, who just leaned forward as if amused.

"I'm not implying, I'm straight-forwardly saying what you already know, Visser. You're too old. Too weak. You've wasted years perfecting a single plan which is no longer secure. You're doing all this out of spite, for your personal vendetta with Icona. Our society needs a stronger leader. Someone more agile and brave."- Duchess Raina shook her head. "You are about to fail, Visser. Coronia will never be glorious again if we count on your plan to manipulate Leonida for the rest of her life because she is no longer alone. And we all know you're too weak to launch an attack if you haven't spent a few decades playing divide and conquer first."

"How dare you…"- Emery tightened his fists, but the duchess just turned her back on them and resumed walking towards her carriages with a smug expression.

"Stupid, insolent bitch… What shall we do now, father? If she draws more of the gold-blooded to her side and convinces them that we're to fail… We might lose our positions and all chances to get things for our homeland right."

"They're traitors."- Visser had a hard time speaking. He was shaking from anger and unfulfillment but mostly insult. He had spent his life worshiping the same cause as these people. He had created so many of them, including duchess Raina…Now they were to gang up on him and push him over? Because he was old? Weak? Uncertain?! Disgusting vultures… "…even they are traitors. Kill her. Kill her before she had returned to Glided Timbers."

"What?!"- Emery exclaimed, shocked. "But she is…"

"Just kill her, Emery."- his father ordered again. "If she does poison more minds, we will be discrowned and my legacy will be failed and defiled. Kill her. Kill that vulture Raina now."

Emery listened to his father and eventually nodded in agreement. He was right. They were too close to achieving their own to be failing now.


"Cornelia, hurry up!"

"I'm coming!"- Cornelia huffed one last time before parting with her son, leaving him in the care of a few royal nannies. "If you lose him from sight even for a second, I will strangle you."- she growled at them. "Was I clear?"

The two women shivered and nodded obediently. Elyon felt her jaw hang. They were in one of the Palace's sitting rooms, getting ready to inspect the magical map, which Taranee had been preparing, trying to learn more about the portal that Z.R had used, years ago.

But this inner crisis was something else. Elyon knew her friend was tense, she knew nothing was easy for her as of late, but this attitude towards her subjects was a little too much. Everyone was scared, everyone was in a bad place due to the circumstances. Cornelia didn't need to act like that on top of everything.

"Cornelia! Don't act just like- "

"Just like who, Elyon? Like Nerissa?"- Cornelia gifted the Queen with an ice glare. She wasn't in the mood today. She was about to get violent "Me and her are alike. Get over it."

"I just think that you can-"

"No, you can just shut up."- Cornelia interrupted her, bewildering her once more. "If you hadn't taken Phobos out the night of the Mage ball, none of this would be happening right now! If you had just executed him, years ago, fucking Leonida wouldn't have cursed MY fiancé, driving him away from me, his home, and our son! This is all your fault, yours and you incompetent subjects', so don't tell me to go softer on them either!"

"C-Cornelia…."

The two nannies were quick to leave the room with Killian. Neither did they want to be a part of this nor could they handle it… But Elyon was going to be the target of Cornelia's anger and she didn't have the luxury of choice.

"..So don't tell me to go softer on them, because the majority of them are just as useless as you!"

"How dare you talk to her like that, you're a worthless friend and a terrible woman."- Andan, who had heard them, barged into the room. And who wouldn't; Cornelia's loud voice echoed in the walls, but his anger didn't faze her. "I've watched your reactions ever since the engagement, you're always unsatisfied and hostile towards someone, it's not Elyon's fault that your mother-in-law agreed to Leonida's terms for her own sake."

"Andan, don't!"- Elyon cried, but Cornelia was already irrepressible:

"As if your opinions matter to anyone, prince Andan, prince of nothing."- she hissed spitefully. "Your mother lied to our faces for months for the sake of your fucking kingdom that I don't give a FLYING FUCK for, so don't start with me! I will chew and spit you out! You only married Elyon, because we convinced her to give you a chance, you can't even function without a queen! You're nobody to me and so are you, Elyon! You are liars and incompetent fools, that's what you both are!"

Elyon was left speechless and with tears rolling down her cheeks, but Cornelia wasn't finished:

"Save those crocodile tears for your darling Miriadel, or should I say Eleanor Brown. She's the only one you share with and listen to nowadays, anyway. You were the first one to throw our friendship away, to the point where you cover for your mother when she tries to ruin our life in Heathefield for good!"

Andan and Elyon just stared at her. How did she…

Cornelia nodded at their reaction, triumphantly, her blue eyes shining coldly:

"You thought that I'd never get to the bottom of it, didn't you? But I talked to Sondra and she did tell me she ran into a mature redhead after the "prank" but didn't give much thought to it. Neither did I, until I remembered you were in a rush to get back to Ladyhold that night, Elyon. You almost pushed us off the road in your haste to go and cover for your mother's unsuccessful attempt to annihilate our identities in front of our families and hundreds of people!"

"Cornelia, I didn't have a choice…"- Elyon struggled to explain, crying, but even she knew it was pointless. Nothing justified it and she was well aware.

"Wait, WHAT!?"

Irma and Will were standing on the threshold of the room, stunned. They had heard everything. Elyon sobbed.

"Your mother tried to rat us about being guardians at the fashion show?!"- Irma repeated, in utter shock. "What the actual fuuuck?! This is…This is… I can't even believe this. Why the hell would she do that?!"- Irma demanded, shaking Elyon up. "Why is your mother so insane and why did you try to hide this from us, you b-"

"Enough."- Will interjected and pulled Irma back. She had had a feeling that something wasn't right that night after the near accident on the road. Now it had all simply fallen into place. Everything was clear. "We don't have time for this right now. We have to go and learn more about the portal Z.R escaped Meridian through. Taranee's calling us. Let's go immediately."

Willingly or not, they closed their mouths and started following her on the awkward way to the map room. Elyon was sobbing the entire time while Andan was just silent. Will didn't say anything either; true, had Miriadel succeeded, they would've been fucked forever, but thankfully, nothing had happened in actuality. It was a sick betrayal and "prank", but it was in the past for her. They had much more serious things to handle and this could wait. It had to wait.

Irma pulled Cornelia aside just before they entered the map room after Will, Elyon, and Andan:

"OK, leave this crazy shit aside. About Sondra… You do know that you bailed her even though most probably she's the one behind her husband's sudden death, don't you? It's not like she's a saint, Cornelia. She knew that someone has taken her laptop and that's when Todd moved all his money to an off-shore account, coincidence, I think not! She conspired this and will now have all that illegal money at her disposal, we may have helped a criminal- "

"Nor is she a pimp."- Cornelia hissed defensively, pulling her hand free. "I talked to her. I know it. I believe her, OK? Leave me alone."

"Yeah, not a pimp, but possibly a murderer."- Irma rolled her eyes. "How is that any better?!"

"Her husband ruined her life, Irma."- Cornelia snapped. "Men like him and Jessie die because of their evil, they're not victims. Even if she did arrange his accident, he isn't a victim, he's the one who wanted to traffic the models, not she. He violated the girls! He's sick!"

"Yeah, but she doesn't seem to mind spending the money he earned by doing all that sick shit! And comparing him to Jessie? You can't be sure he was as evil as Sondra painted him, Cornelia."- Irma argued. "You're being naive and stupid."

"Whatever."- the blonde hissed. She was tired and angry already; she didn't need Irma's annoying quacking. "I don't care what she does, if she does violate the law again, she will go to jail, she's on bail, not out of the country!"

"For now."- the water guardian rolled her eyes. "I'm telling you this, because by becoming her bailsman, you might suffer from her actions one day, Cornelia. She's not your friend and she's definitely not to be trusted! I suggest you dump her and her bail deal before she shits over you like only she can."

And after these words Irma entered the map room, leaving the Earth guardian with her inner conflicts.

"Come on, guys!"- Hay Lin ushered her friends once Cornelia joined the other guardians, the royals, Raythor, and Alborn in the map room. "Taranee is done. We're waiting for the mapping system to locate the world which Z.R's portal led her to, all these years ago!"

"It's interesting that it's taking so long, does that suggest that she has left Metamoor?"- Raythor looked at the big map on the wall with arms on his chest. "I've seen Phobos operate this map before, it's usually a faster process."

"That plus the fact that we're trying to get to information put on this map 22 years ago." – Taranee nodded. "It's almost done."

"Even if we get to know where that Z.R person was sent to 20 years ago, what are the chances that she's still there with her child?"- Magana inquired.

"Slim."- Taranee frowned, not looking away from the map. "But still."

"At least it's something, Magie.."- Irma snorted. "We can't keep looking for a girl with insanely red hair across the Universe, that will take forever, we don't have forever, we need to destroy the cult, put the mastermind criminals behind bars and then take the baby and powers away from the two psychos that aim to usurp a bunch of kingdoms just for breakfast."

"Wow…"- Taranee whistled. It was done, the magic map had connected the portal to the place where its other end had respectively opened. "This is…"

"No way…"- Hay Lin exclaimed, interrupting her.

"Oh, my God."- Cornelia added with a frown. "Unbelievable."

"Well, shit"- Irma crossed her arms on her chest.

"Stinking horse shit…."- Raythor added.

"That's an uncanny coincidence…"- Elyon had to agree as Andan just blinked at the map in perplexity.

"Coronia…"- Magana immediately recognized her kingdom, just by its outlines. "Does this mean…"

"Yes."- Will and Taranee said in unison.

"22 years ago, Z.R exited her portal on Coronia. She has lived there and so has the elder heir to the Meridian throne."