Last time, The Guardians returned to Metamore to help stop whoever was taking the children of Meridian. As it turns out, a group of demons, named the Naz'Riak, were the ones responsible, taking the children for their Empress. Will and the others fought the demon/robot hybrid minions of the demons, called biots. Taranee cornered one of the demons, but a second demon disabled her, while the first one disrupted Taranee's powers. On with the show!

Chapter 3: Situation: Not Good

"What do you mean you can't use your powers?" asked Elyon. Back at the castle, Will was trying to explain to Elyon what happened. "That's what I mean," said Taranee who was sounding rather depressed, "That demon did something to me. Now I can even produce a single spark." "This is not good." Said Irma. "Oh really!" snapped Cornelia, "Is that all you can say? Do you realize what this means for us?"

"Yes I do!" snapped back Irma, "It means that they can disable our powers!" "Enough!" shouted Hay Lin, "If we keep fighting amongst ourselves, they win." At this, Irma and Cornelia calmed down. "I'm sorry," said Cornelia, "I shouldn't snapped at you." "It's okay," said Irma, "I'm used to it."

"So what do we do?" asked Hay Lin. "They won't be back until tomorrow," said Will, "So we've go enough time." "For what?" asked Taranee. "To ask the Oracle to help you." Answered Will as she pulled out the Heart of Candracar. "We're going to Candracar to get you cured of this curse." "I'll come with you," said Hay Lin." "Okay then," said Will, "Irma and Cornelia will stay here."

Five minutes later, Will, Taranee and Hay Lin were in the halls of the Temple of Candracar, waiting to see the Oracle. "I feel awful." Said Taranee. "What is it?" asked a concerned Hay Lin, "It the curse making you feel sick?" "No, I just feel so helpless without my powers." "It happens to all Guardians eventually." There stood Hay Lin's grandmother and former Guardian Yan Lin. "Grandma!" exclaimed Hay Lin as she rushed to embrace Yan Lin. "I came as soon as I heard," said Yan Lin, "What happened?"

"That's what we'd like to know as well." There stood the Oracle and his ever-present aide Tibor. Will then spent the next hour explaining what happened from when Elyon asked for help to just after the demons left. "If the demons can block Taranee's powers," said Will, "They can block the rest of ours." The Oracle pondered this dilemma for a moment before asking to see the burns on Taranee's back.

"I must confess," said the Oracle, "I have never seen such a curse inflicted on a human." "I have," said Yan Lin, "Or at least I've heard of such an affliction. You said that the demon shouted 'Five-Pronged Seal,' just before it cursed you?" "Yes," answered Taranee, "And its fingers were burning with purple fire." "What we have here," said Yan Lin, "Is a forbidden Shinobi technique."

"What's a Shinobi?" asked Will. "Ninjas, said Hay Lin, "Shinobi is another word for ninjas." "This curse stops the flow of charka, or energy in the body, sad Yan Lin, "And I know just where to get the curse lifted." "Where's that?" asked Taranee, sounding more than a little nervous. "Konohamaru," said Yan Lin, "'The Village Hidden in the Leaves.' There are several powerful ninjas there who can also help fight the demons. I happen to know the current Hokage, or head ninja there. He'll lend us some help."

"While we're on the subject of gathering help," said Tibor, "I believe the time has come for me to 'call in a favor.'" He then turned to face The Oracle. "With your permission of course." "It is granted Tibor." Said The Oracle. "I'm gonna head back to Metamore to help keep things under control," said Will, she thenasked Taranee, "Are you going to be alright?" "She'll be fine," said Hay Lin, "I'll go with her to get her cure."

At this, Will and Taranee embraced each other. "Good luck," said Will, trying to fight back her tears. "You to," said Taranee who was equally emotional. "We'll see you later than." Said Hay Lin. Just then, Will remembered something she wanted to ask. "Oh, Irma wanted to know, can we, The Guardians control time?" The oracle smiled and answered, "If you are referring to the speeding up and slowing down of time, then the answer is no."

"I'll tell Irma that." Said Will. She then used the Heart of Candracar to return to Metamore, while Taranee and Hay Lin went with Yan Lin to Konohamaru for the cure. "Good luck Guardians," said The Oracle, "I fear you shall need it more than ever now."

Meanwhile, in the lair of the Naz'riak…

The demons, (about 20 in all) irritated from the night's interruption, were anxiously waiting for nightfall, when a loud klaxon sounded. "The Empress calls." Hissed the lead Naz'riak. The demons bowed before a stone platform, where a 3D image of a hooded figure appeared. Around the neck of the image was a red stone. On it was very distinct facial features, yet they were out of place for a face.

"All hail the Empress! All hail the Empress!" chanted the demons. "Speak," said a female voice from the hologram, "My most loyal Naz'riak." "My Empress," said the lead demon, "I fear I have bad news to report. Tonight's culling was interrupted by five teenage female humans." There was a moment's pause from the image before speaking, "So no.1," referring to the lead demon, "The fabled Guardians dare to interfere in my affairs." "There is some good news, my Empress," said the demon that attacked Taranee, "I have sealed the powers of one of the interlopers."

"Well done no.6," said the Empress, "However, there are still four more. We cannot afford to take chances. You are to eliminate the remaining Guardians as soon as the sun sets. The culling must be completed in time for the ritual." "It shall be done, my Empress," said no.1, "The Guardians shall die tonight." "Make sure that they do," said the Empress, "Failure is not an option." The image flickered, and faded.

The end of chapter 3. Next chapter, Taranee is cured of the curse. Please read and review. See you next time!