Last time, Harry and Co. encountered Bloom's arch enemies, the Trix Sisters. They have followed Bloom to Harry's Earth to kill her and deliver her heart to a group of demonic extremists. Jill Sparrow, Steve Austin, Laura Hurst and Virgil Blake decided to attack them head on, while The Guardians plus Harry, Ron and Herminoe would defend Bloom. Bloom disagreed, so a new plan was formed. And now, on with the Show!

Chapter 22: Frozen Dreams

"What do you want me to do?" asked Harry. "Just stay with Bloom and keep each other alive." Replied Jill. "I'll go along with this plan for now," said Bloom, "Under one condition; Leave Icy to me." "Okay, sounds fair." Said Steve. Our heroes then turned back to Icy, Darcy and Stormy who were still arguing. "So, are we going to do this or not?" said Jill. The three witches stopped arguing to gaze at her. "Of course we're going to do this." Said Icy. "And when we're done with you, Bloom will be all ours."

"Over my dead body!" exclaimed Virgil. "You sure talk big for a cripple," spat Stormy, "And just what is it with your eyes? Or lack of eyes?" "None of your f#ck$ng business bitch!" Virgil's eyes glowed bright orange as energy beams shot out from them. They struck two of the Stichlings, which then promptly exploded. The area around the former minions were showered with what appeared to be mud.

"I might have known," said Steve, "You're using living mud." "Living mud?" asked Harry. "Yes. Living mud." Said Virgil. "We've seen something like this before. Nothing we can't handle." "Remember the plan," said Jill, "Us Ramblers will attack them head on, you Guardians attack from the air. Harry and Bloom, you stay alive." "What about us?" asked Herminoe, indicating herself and Ron. Jill paused before answering, "Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." "Thanks a lot." Said Ron, sounding annoyed.

"Now," said Jill, "Would you do us the honor of leading the charge, Steve?" "Thought you'd never ask." Said Steve, as he vanished from where he was standing. He reappeared on the other side of the fiend, and began pummeling Stitchlings with his power-pole. "Good God, he's fast!" exclaimed Cornelia. "I've seen faster," said Virgil as he ran towards the fighting, blasting Stitchlings with his eyes. "Will, wait about sixty seconds, then attack from the air." Said Jill as she charged the Stitchlings, hacking away with her cutlass. "I wonder what Virgil meant by someone faster than Steve?" asked Hay Lin, "Because that's that was the fastest I've ever seen someone move." "Max Kildare is much faster," said Laura. "If you live long enough, you'll see for yourselves." She calmly walked over to the fight, Stitchlings being blasted from her with her mind.

"Okay Girls," said Will, "Let's get them!" The Guardians took off and attacked the Stitchlings. "I don't care what Jill said," said Boom, "If I get the chance, I'm gonna take out Icy." "What is it between you and her?' asked Harry. "It's all three of them," replied Bloom, "But Icy is the worst one." "Say that to my face why don't you?" Harry spun around to see Icy floating above him. Below were several of the Stitchlings. "Stupid pixy, you fell for my plan hook, line and sinker." "What plan was that?" asked Herminoe. "Simple, divide and conquer."

"You know Icy," said Bloom as she flew into the air, "You and your sisters have really set a new standard for evil." "Praise will get you nowhere," smirked Icy. "I'm not praising," said Bloom, "You really have sunk to a new low. Making deals with soul stealing demons, what were you thinking?" "Mostly about revenge." "I hope your revenge is worth the price of your soul, because you three have really crossed the line."

"What do you mean?' asked Icy. "When my friends and myself were at Cloud Tower for that exchange program, we learned about Witches who sell their souls for power and greed, which is what you've done. You're not Witches, you're Warlocks!" At this, Icy had a real look of shock on her face. "You take that back!" she yelled. "No!" replied Bloom. "Take it back!" yelled Icy. She formed a huge ball of ice in her hands. "No I won't!" replied Bloom. "TAKE IT BACK!" screamed Icy as she threw the ice ball at Bloom. She tried to move out of the way, but it hit her dead on. She fell to the ground, unconscious. "Bloom!" cried Lockett who was hovering out of the way. She flew over to Bloom.

"Is she dead?" asked the pixy portals. "She still alive," said Herminoe, feeling for Bloom's pulse, "Just knocked out." Icy landed in front of the unconscious Bloom. "I'm going to so enjoy watching you die, and then cutting out your heart." Said the Ice Witch as she powered up another attack. Harry raised his wand, shouting, "Enjoy this! REDUCTO!" Instinctively, icy raised an Ice shield, but reducto is designed to blast through solid barriers. Harry's curse broke through the shield, hit Icy square in the face, and she fell to the ground. Just then, Virgil ran over to Harry. "What happened?" "Bloom's down, but she's still alive," Said Harry, "What's going on with the others?" "Steve and Laura are moping up the Stitchlings, while Jill's having fun with Stormy." True enough, Stormy was slashing at Jill with her fingernails. Jill, however, kept avoiding the attacks, and she was grinning like she was having the time of her life. Meanwhile, Will and the other guardians were keeping Darcy at bay.

"Listen," said Virgil, "Let's get Bloom out of here, we've done enough." Harry meant to disagree, but was interrupted by Icy. "You," she said as Icy stood up. Harry saw that his curse had left a long gash on the left side of Icy's face. Blood was flowing freely. "You made me bleed my own blood!" "Yeah, I did." Said Harry grimly. "And if you want, I'll cut you on the other side of your face, give you a match pair." Icy then realized where the blood was coming from. "My face! My beautiful, perfect face!" "Not any more!" exclaimed Virgil. "I'd say it's an improvement." Said Harry. "That does it!" yelled Icy, "ICE COFFINS FOR EVERYONE!"

There was a flash of dark blue light, and Harry suddenly felt colder than he ever felt in his life. He tried to run, but couldn't move. The cold increased, and he knew no more.

DREAM SEQUENCE

Harry found himself walking down the strange corridor in the strange castle again. He passed the three tapestries he saw earlier. Well, he thought, now I know what they mean. "I'm glad you've figured it out, Harry." Harry turned, and there was The Stranger, with his hidden face, and glowing blue eyes. "Who are you?' asked Harry. "I wish I could tell you," said the Stranger, "But I can't." "Cant or won't?" asked Harry. "Well, a bit of both."

"Well that's just great!" exclaimed Harry. "I'm stuck in a dream while my friends are fighting for their lives." He looked at the Stranger, "This is a dream, is it? I'm not dead?" "No, you're not dead. And no, this is not a true dream. It's just a more convenient way to talk to you." "Well, I'm here, so talk." "I have only this to say: Stay true to your resolve, and never give up."

"That's all?" asked Harry. "It's all I have time for," said The Stranger, "You'll be waking up any moment." "But what is it you want me to do?" "That, I'm afraid, you'll have to work out for your self."

END DREAM SEQUENCE

"Another moment, and they would have froze to death." Said a distance voice. Slowly, Harry opened his eyes to see Herminoe talking to Professor McGonagall and Max Kildare. "Well I only thawed everyone out Professor," said Herminoe, "If It weren't for Laura, I wouldn't have had a chance." Harry turned to se Laura Hurst sitting on the ground, panting for breath. There was Fay Valentine besides her, rubbing her shoulders. But what Harry saw was that there were strange red symbols on Laura's skin. The symbols were quickly fading, until they were gone.

"What happened?" he asked. "Harry! You're awake!" exclaimed Herminoe. Harry tried to stand up, but stumbled back down. Max helped him to his feet. "You okay kid?" asked Max. "I think so," replied Harry, "But what happened? And where are those three Warlocks?" "They're gone." Replied Herminoe. "I know," said Harry, "But what happened?" "You won't believe it." Said Cornelia as she walked up. She and the other Guardians had powered down. Harry saw Will with Bloom, who had also returned to her normal attire. "Try me." Said Harry. So Herminoe told him.

FLASHBACK

"ICE COFFINS FOR EVERYONE!" screamed Icy, as Harry, Ron, Jill, Steve, Virgil, Will and the Guardians were frozen in place. Jill was frozen in mid-slash, Steve in mid-swing, and Virgil in mid-blast. The Guardians were in slightly better shape, being that they could still see and hear. "Nice freezing Icy." Said Stormy. "Naturally," replied the ice witch. "Oh my, your face!" exclaimed Darcy. "Yeah, this one is going to pay." Said Icy, pointing at Harry. "First things first, kill Bloom." The three advanced towards Bloom who was still knocked out.

However, Herminoe stood in their way, her wand raised. "Look Icy," said Darcy, "You missed one." "Easily taken care of." Said Icy. "You keep away!" exclaimed Herminoe, alternating her wand at Icy, then Stormy, then Darcy. "Oh look, it's a Wicca Wannabe!" the three laughed at Herminoe. "It's so pathetic, a witch trying to protect her friends." Taunted Stormy. "If being a witch means being cruel and heartless like you," said Herminoe with determination, "Then I'd rather be a squib." "I don't know what asquib is," said Icy, "But you'll be a dead one for sure."

"Hold It!" exclaimed Laura. She was standing behind the three, her amber eyes blazing. "That's two you missed Icy." Said Darcy. "Well, I was rather upset." Replied Icy. "But it doesn't matter. Two little girls are all we need to take care with." "I'm more than just a little girl." Said Laura grimly. "And you know what? I'm tired of hearing your voice. So shut it!" Icy tried to reply, but found that she couldn't open her mouth. "What is it? What's wrong?" asked Stormy. "It think I know." Replied Darcy. "Another thing," said Laura, "I'm tired of looking at you!" Laura snapped her fingers, and Icy was hurled into the air, and came slamming down with a smack.

"Well, well. Just as I thought." Said Darcy. "What?" asked Stormy. "You just stay with Icy, I'll take care of her, one Psyco-Flexor to another." Said Darcy. The two faced off, then attacked, each one trying to break the other's mental defenses. All this time, Herminoe was thawing out the others. "Not bad!" yelled Darcy. "Like wise!" replied Laura, "But how about we take it up a notch or two?" The air around the two battling telekinetic women crackled with the mental energy being expended. This went on for several minutes. Soon, Darcy was panting for breath. "What's the matter?" asked Laura, who wasn't even sweating. "Can't take it? Well let me finish it for you!" Laura's skin suddenly lit up with red symbols as her attack increased with power. Darcy was overwhelmed and was forced to the ground.

"So you've reached your limit." Said Laura. "I on the other hand have only just begun. Now, let's try some pain by nerve induction!" Darcy howled in agony as Laura activated Darcy's pain receptors. "Stop it!" yelled Stormy, "You're killing her!" "It's no less than what she deserves after what she did!" "Stop it right now!" yelled Stormy. "No, and you're next!" exclaimed Laura. But Stormy had other plans. She blasted Laura with a Dark Lightning spell that broke Laura's hold on Darcy. "You bitch!" cried Laura as Stormy blasted her again. This one knocked Laura out. Stormy then grabbed Darcy and helped her over to Icy. "Let's get out of her!" exclaimed Stormy. "But what about Bloom?" asked Icy who had just recovered? "We'll get her next time, no come on! Before that lunatic comes back!" The three teleported away, and were gone.

END FLASH BACK

"As soon as they were gone, I thawed everyone out." Said Herminoe. "The next thing I knew, Max and the other Ramblers had teleported down. Soon after that, Professor McGonagall and the Aurors had also arrived."By then, Ron and everyone else had recovered. "I swear, I never want to feel that cold again." Said Ron. "When I get my own place," said Cornelia, "I'm moving to Florida." "Not me," said Irma, "I'd rather move to Nevada." "What's so bad about Florida?" asked Cornelia. "Hurricanes for one thing." Replied Irma. Harry then saw that Jill was holding her arm out to D.P., who was putting a bandage on her forearm. "You should have that looked at, Boss Lady." Said Skeater. "I am having it looked at, Zarnald." Jill said scornfully, "It's just a scratch. And I've also told you to stop calling me that."

"So now what?" asked Harry as he looked at Professor McGonagall and Max Kildare. "Well," said Max, "I see no reason why we can't all work together openly. I mean, we are all on the same side."

The end of Chapter 22. Next chapter, Max explains how The Ramblers can do what they do. See you next time!