W.I.T.C.H. Dreams of Lusteria
By Galistar07water
Disclaimer: W.I.T.C.H. is owned and copyrighted by the Walt Disney Company Italia and is in no way affiliated with the fictional works of Galistar07water.
Author's note: If you would like to see drawings of W.I.T.C.H. Dreams of Lusteria, please visit my page and click the "W.I.T.C.H. Dreams of Lusteria" folder in the gallery section.
Author's 2nd note: I apologize for the long wait. A lot of happened since the last chapter. I had to attend another funeral, take several exams, work, and I was suffering from another author's block.
Chapter 03: To Have and to Hold Back pt. I
After the Guardians discovered the Celestial Warriors were the ones who were inducing spirits and people with their Deadly Sins, they rushed back to Kandrakar to report their findings. Oracle Yan Lin decided to lower a new Veil over Lusteria, forcing it to go into isolationism and keeping all the growing evil and the Darkness contained. Since then, there were no more monsters leaking through unauthorized portals onto any planets under Kandrakar's protection.
However, Taranee and her friends had to go round up the other sin-inducing monsters that remained on some of those planets before the Veil came down. Other than Earth, they only had to go to Basilíade, Arkhanta, Metamoor, and some weird purple planet with lots of trees called Zamballa. For the last five days, the Guardians had to visit these worlds and destroy monsters (or at least throw them back to Lusteria through an authorized portal). They ran into a few demon-liked creatures that provoked wrath and other wickedness which Kimi called them amanojaku. Others include water creatures called kappa, which Taranee didn't particularly like because they reminded her of the reptiles and amphibians she had to dissect in biology class.
But the one she hated the most was the hairy creatures that were attacking Elyon's palace on Metamoor. Apparently, Miranda was not the only hairy beast remaining because once the Guardians left, a few thousand hairy creatures swarmed the castle. They looked like an army of cute hair-balls at first, but the way they moved was spider-liked in nature. They were hungry from Gluttony and were after Elyon's flesh. Taranee had to roast a hundred of them while the Guardians were helping Caleb and his men to protect the castle. Unlike the other creatures they've fought the last four days, these hairy ones were endless, no matter how many Taranee roasted.
It was then that Will got an idea and ordered Hay Lin to suck them all up in a tornado like a vacuum cleaner. Once that was done, Will opened a portal with the Heart and Hay Lin threw them back into Lusteria. It was one of the strangest scenes Taranee had ever seen, but at least they were able to free Metamoor and Elyon was feeling better. In fact, Taranee and the other Guardians had been feeling better since the Veil came down. Without the Darkness, the strength of their magic was slowing coming back.
"That was exhausting," Irma declared, sinking back into the couch once they got back to their headquarter. "At least we haven't had another run-in with those Warriors. We should definitely kick back and relax before we fight them again."
"But we have training with Lady Ngọc Long here starting tomorrow morning," Taranee reminded her.
Everyone moaned. "Great…more homework," Irma crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "As if school wasn't enough! Why do you have to go and ruin the moment?"
"It would be helpful to our missions," Orube stated. "The Jade Dragon expects you all to be awake by five in the morning tomorrow. We'll be training for several hours for four days a week—"
"WHAT?!" Irma protested, sitting straight in her seat. "We have other things to do, you know?!"
Orube placed her hands on her hips and spoke like a reprimanding older sister. "It is mandatory, Irma. You will all be here before sunrise whether you like it or not."
"Great," Irma grumbled sarcastically, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "This is gonna be fun."
Early the next morning, Will got up and groggily changed into her gym clothes. Poking her head out into the quiet hallway, she wanted to make sure that her family was still asleep. Will wished she could follow their example and jump back into her own bed, but she would rather not give the Jade Dragon an excuse to torment her with a fireball.
Placing her two forefingers together, Will focused her magic and teletransported herself to Ngọc Long's house. Since there is a magical barrier around the borders of the building, Will and the others appeared in front of the gates.
"Morning, girls," Will greeted and yawned. "Are you ready for our first day training with a dragon lady."
Cornelia yawned herself, feeling tired and grumpy. "Does it look like we're ready? I was having a pleasant dream going on a picnic with Peter, but then my alarm went off."
"Yeah, and I had to stay up until past midnight so that I can get as much homework done as possible," Taranee added, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "That way, I won't have to stress out about it the next time we're here."
Together, the four of them walked past the gate and into the house (the doors were already opened as if the house was expecting them).
"You know before we get started, I think we should wash our faces again…Irma, a little water please?"
"Hey, where's Irma?" Hay Lin asked. The other girls looked around but there was no sign of the Guardian of Water anyway.
Taranee raised an eyebrow. "You mean she isn't here yet?"
"Don't act so surprise, Taranee," Cornelia smirked. "I bet she forgot to turn on her alarm clock and is sleeping in."
"So the lily-liver can't even handle a little early morning session?" said a voice behind them.
The girls turned to see Kimi and Orube coming down the stairs. They were both dressed in their traditional training attires and unlike the Guardians, both aliens were wide awake.
"Gee, a hello and good morning to you, too," Cornelia greeted sourly. "At least the four of us are here, right?"
"We're about to start our warm-up running," Orube warned. "You girls should get Irma here quickly before—"
"Good morning, Guardians, and welcome to your first day of Lusterian training," said Lady Ngọc Long as she appeared behind them in a burst of green fire. Unlike all of them, she was wearing an elegant silk robe with golden embroiders of dragons breathing fire. She walked around them gracefully with one hand behind her back and one hand holding a cup of herbal hot tea.
"I see that one of you is missing," the Jade Dragon noted, her tone mellow and calm. If she was angry, she was doing a very good job of hiding it. "May I ask where Irma is?"
"All I can hear from her is something about Stephen," Taranee said, trying to concentrate on her telepathy image. "I think she's still dreaming at home."
The Jade Dragon snapped her fingers and the next thing they all knew, Irma suddenly appeared on the couch, and sure enough, she was still in her pajamas. Hugging a pillow, Irma's face was drooling ridiculously as she continued to dream.
"Oh, Stephen, sweetie. You are the best boyfriend in the world!" Irma said. "I can't believe you've made all of these chocolate cream puffs just for me!"
"Wow, must be a really delicious dream if she can't wake up early as requested," Hay Lin giggled. Will, Taranee, and Cornelia couldn't help but giggled, too.
Snapping her fingers again, the Jade Dragon caused a column of cold water to fall from somewhere above them, drenching Irma and shocking her out of her dream.
"AAAGH!" she screamed. "What the hell did you do that for, Chritospher? I was in the middle of a dream! Wait until I tell Mom and Dad on you—"
"I'm afraid your sibling is not responsible for the rude awakening, Irma," Ngọc Long replied, smiling slyly.
Irma blinked at the Jade Dragon and rubbed her eyes. She noticed her friends standing at the corner of her eyes, most of them trying to hide their laughter. She realized how embarrassing her situation was and clamped her mouth. Hay Lin went over to her and summoned a small current of hot air, drying her friend off.
"It is not healthy for you to oversleep too often, Guardians," said Ngọc Long, pacing down the room like a lieutenant. "I sense that your chi is imbalanced."
"Our cheese?" Irma asked, raising an eyebrow. Using her magic, Irma quickly changed into her jogging outfit.
"Chi, Irma," Hay Lin corrected her. "The Chinese believe it is the life force of all living things."
"So it's like energy, isn't it?" Will asked. "Like my powers."
The Jade Dragon nodded. "Yes, it's the life force energy that flows throughout your body," she confirmed. "It is a part of our lives."
Waving her hand, the sliding doors to the backyard shifted. To W.I.T.C.H.'s surprise, the backyard was now a vast field of grass at the base of three mountains. The Jade Dragon stepped outside with Kimi and Orube following suit. The other five Guardians gave each other looks of curiosity before they stepped outside as well.
"For thousands of years, the natives of Lusteria and Basilíade learned to harness their chi. Eventually, they can accumulate it into large amount."
"Yeah, we get it," Irma interrupted. "That Kenji boy and his goons said it gave them super strengths. We don't need you to rub it in our faces again just because we're from Earth."
"Irma, don't interrupt her!" Hay Lin elbowed her to the side. Irma winced, but at least she was silent now.
"True, accumulating a large amount of chi eventually became second nature for the people of our two worlds, giving them more strength, endurances, and longer lives. However, Earthlings were able to harness this ability, too."
"If Earthlings can accumulate this energy, how come it isn't common?" Will asked curiously.
"Nothing is impossible. Not even here on Earth, Will," Ngọc Long replied. Turning to Hay Lin, she said, "In your world, many Shaolin monks and those who practiced rigorous martial arts learned to accumulate their chi to demonstrate feats of strength. Orube, would you like to demonstrate?"
Orube bowed respectfully before she walked over and stood in front of a giant boulder. Breathing deeply and slowly, Orube concentrated and ran forward with her right fist high and slamming it heads on. Any novice would have broken their hand, but Orube was no beginner. She had many years training under Luba in the art of combat and discipline. The boulder cracked and crumbled at the sheer force of her punch, leaving nothing more than a cloud of dirt and a pile of rocks.
Will and her friends shuddered, knowing very well that they wouldn't be able to do what Orube or Kimi could have done, at least not without magic.
"It is important that you learn how to build up your chi and conserve it for what matters later," Ngọc Long instructed. "First, we will build up your endurance and your physical strength. Now I want you all to run up that mountain," she pointed to the closest and smallest mountain behind them, "and come back here. We will then continue with more exercises upon your return. I expect you all to be back here in half an hour…and W.I.T.C.H…no magic."
Five girls moaned at the thought. They hadn't even started and already the thougt of it exhausted them.
"It is official, girls," Irma pouted. "Mornings are evil!"
"I HATE doing things without magic!" Irma said about a week later.
"Oh, you think you're one to complain?" Cornelia added. "All of these physical training sessions are ruining my hair! I can't keep combing it at the last second before school starts!"
Ever since they started training under Lady Ngọc Long, Will and her friends were forced to wake up early, run up a small mountain and back, beat giant urns of freezing cold water until their arms and hands are numbed, doing perfect splits, carrying heavy poles with sandbags at each end while running up another mountain, squatting and holding their positions for half an hour, and various other grueling exercises. Although Will and her four friends had some experiences with sports and fighting skills, the Lusterian training method was making them feel like novices. Orube and Kimi, on the other hand, weren't even breaking a sweat. Only Hay Lin was able to grasp the rudimentary concept of training. Will could only guessed that it was thanks to Hay Lin's small amount of martial art that gave her a slight advantage over the other four Guardians.
Will turned to Taranee and asked her what she thinks of their training.
Taranee eyed her sourly and replied, "Honestly, Will, I thought this was going to be fun and educational. The idea of learning how to defend ourselves through the Lusterian ways was interesting at first, but these grueling exercises are starting to convince me otherwise. My thighs are getting so sore that I couldn't concentrate on my dance routine at Jensen's!"
"And all of these sleep deprivation is killing me!" Irma noted. She yawned loudly, not caring who's watching as they all exit the school building. It was Friday and everyone was looking forward to their weekend. For W.I.T.C.H., they're too tired to even consider the thought. "If I fall asleep in the middle of a battle the next time we fight, I am blaming our new caretaker and trainer. I mean look at me! I'm getting bags under more bags under my eyes! Would it kill everyone if I get a break?"
"Oh, c'mon, girls. It's not that bad! It's only been a week," Hay Lin chirped. "I'm sure you'll get used to it in no time."
"Easy for you to say, Hay Lin," Irma sneered. "You're better off than the rest of us because your parents let you learn dodo—"
"It's called judo, Irma, and I wasn't always good. I had a hard time starting out, too," Hay Lin corrected her. "Look, I know it's painful but you gotta know that when you first start off in martial art, the first week is always the hardest."
"Geez, that's an understatement," Irma rolled her eyes sarcastically. "As if school wasn't hard enough."
"Things are going to taste bitter before they are sweet," Hay Lin noted. "The basics will help us endure pain and suffering."
"Hay Lin, please, not another one of your grandma's Chinese proverbs," Cornelia said, rubbing her aching shoulders. "We're all really tired."
"If you're tired, then why don't you and your friends just take a nap?" said a voice.
The girls looked down to find Lilian Hale, Cornelia's little sister. Judging by her backpack and the ice-cream in her hand, they guessed Lilian decided to stop for a snack after school.
"Mom said that you should go to bed earlier," Lilian suggested. She took a lick off of her ice-cream. "She said that if you stay up late too much, you're going to grow older and look like Grandma!"
Irma and the others burst into a fit of laughing, saved for Cornelia who was not amused at the idea of herself having old skins and looking like her snobbish grandmother. "Lilian, what are you doing here?" she demanded. "Wasn't Mom supposed to pick you up?"
Lilian continued to lick her ice-cream. "She was, but then Daddy said he's taking her out to see a movie."
"Listen here, you little monkey, you are NOT coming with me," Cornelia warned. "I have things to do after school."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah…with your friends as usual, you never have any time for me and we're sisters," Lilian shrugged. "It's always like this. You're supposed to play and take care of me but you always ditch me for your stupid friends."
"My friends are not stupid, Lilian," Cornelia objected. "We just have important things to take care of and you'll only get bored following me. Just go home!"
Lilian stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry. "You meanie! I hate you!"
Before Cornelia or any one of her friends could calm her down, a soft voice from behind Lilian spoke up. "You don't mean that, do you, Lilian-chan?" The girls looked over to find another girl around Lilian's age. She was wearing a coat over her purple dress and rubber rain boots. Her eyes were brown but her hair has a similar bluish shine like Kimi's wavy locks. Like Lilian, she also had an ice-cream in her hand, although it was slightly melted.
"Who's this, Lilian?" Hay Lin asked kindly.
"This is Kohane Kishimoto, my new best friend," Lilian cheered proudly. Kohane nodded but didn't smile. "Unlike my own big sister, she's interested in playing with me all day after school."
Cornelia was getting irritated. It's already bad enough that her little sister tattled on her to their parents at home, but to humiliate her in front of her friends is another thing. "Listen here you little—"
"You're hiding a secret," Kohane interrupted. Her tone remained stoic and her face expressionless and indifferent. "Are you going to another dimension?"
The Guardians' jaws dropped. They were all speechless as they looked at one another. Is this child magical, too? Does she know about our secret?
"Um…secret? What are you talking about, little one?" Will asked innocently.
"I knew it! You're just ditching me to play space aliens, but you can't fool my friend here! Kohane said that she can see invisible stuff!" Lilian cheered. "Isn't she cool?!"
Cornelia and her friends laughed nervously. "Um…yeah…that's really…special."
"What's special?" asked another voice. They all turned to see Orube smiling behind them. To her right was Kimi and her presence brought nothing but chagrin to Irma and Cornelia. Kimi exchanged glares before Orube interrupted them with a mental message.
Stop it, you three. Don't make a scene in front of these two children.
"Hi, you're that girl who used to work in Mr. Olsen's pet shop!" Lilian smiled, pointing at Orube. "My sister went there one time to give our kitty a shot!"
"Looks like Lilian remembers Oru—Rebecca!" Taranee noted.
"Ah, yes…Napoleon," Orube remembered fondly. Now that she was back on earth, Orube had to revert to reusing her old Earth name. "Yes, he's a good cat. Is he doing fine?"
Lilian nodded proudly. "I take good care of my kitty, unlike my big sister here!"
Looking up at the others, Orube asked, "So what's so special?"
Before the others could explain, Lilian shoved Kohane in front of her eagerly. "This is my friend, Kohane! She can see invisible stuff!"
"Konichiwa, Rebecca-san," Kohane said, her face remained emotionless. She studied Orube and Kimi for a few seconds before saying, "The both of you are strangers."
Orube blinked in surprise. "Of…of course not," Orube insisted, trying to sound as if she doesn't know what Kohane was talking about. "This is my cousin, Kimi. We've known each other for years."
Kohane shook her head. "No, that's not what I've meant. You two are not from around here…you're strangers from places very far away."
Hay Lin laughed nervously. "Well, sweetie, Kimi here just transferred in from—"
"Kohane-chan is correct. I'm from the Kingdom of Nihon," Kimi nodded, unfazed by the child's perceptive awareness.
The others gave her a look of disbelief. How could the Guardian of Light be so careless? She was supposed to hide the fact that she came from a different planet. Lilian's eyes grew wide with curiosities and wanted to ask more. But before Hay Lin could come up with another excuse to put them off the scent, a male voice spoke up.
"Kohane-chan!" said Kishimoto. "There you are! I was looking all over for you. You were supposed to wait for me at the front gate."
The girls turned around to see the boy whom they bumped into before. Save for Orube, the Guardians remembered him immediately. The two little girls turned around as Kishimoto ran up to Kohane, panting while holding onto a violin case in one hand.
"Nii-chan," Kohane greeted. "You're here."
"This is your brother?" Hay Lin asked, her eyes a bit widen. "You're that boy from the other day."
Kishimoto looked confused. "I'm sorry? Who are you again?"
"You've ran into our friend here," Irma grabbed Kimi by her shoulders, "Kimi, the other day and she totally freaked out at you. Remember?"
"Oh, that's right," the boy bowed. "Forgive me, but I didn't recognize you earlier."
"Kimi-chan says that she's from Nihon," said Kohane.
"Oh, no! What Kimi actually means was that she's from—" Will interrupted.
"Japan," Kishimoto replied with a smile. "My sister and I are from Nihon as well," Will blinked. "Nihon is what we called Japan in our native language," Kishimoto smiled gently. "It's been years since we've moved here to Heatherfield. I didn't think I would see another person from our homeland. What city are you from?"
Instead of bowing, Kishimoto placed out a hand for Kimi to shake in the western custom. However, instead of taking it, Kimi slapped it away and glared at him as if he was covered in disease.
"Don't touch me!" she cried. "You reek the dark stench."
"Kimi!" Taranee declared. "That wasn't polite."
"Sheesh, what's your problem?" Irma asked, clearly not the least bit surprised.
Kimi didn't answer them right away. Instead, she looked a bit guilty while Kishimoto looked a confused at her sudden outburst.
"Sumimasen," said Kishimoto, "I didn't mean to offend you, but—"
Kimi cut him off and shook her head. "Just stay away from me," she replied and walked off to their headquarters, leaving the others to look on with puzzled expressions.
Lilian was the first to break the silence. "She's weird."
"What the hell were you thinking?!" Irma screamed once they've reached Ngọc Long's house.
Luckily, Lilian didn't have to come with them because their parents showed up. They said something about the tickets being sold out at the box office and canceled their evening out early. By the time they arrived at the headquarter, the house was empty leaving Irma to suddenly burst at Kimi for the conversations they had earlier. Kimi on the other hand, didn't seem to care what Irma and the others had to say.
"Why did you have to tell people that you're from Lusteria? You were supposed to be pretending to be a transfer student, not blow your cover, you idiot!"
"Irma's right," Taranee said. "If people found out the truth, they're going to notice us, too! We have to keep our magic a secret."
Kimi scoffed. "I never told those girls I was from Lusteria, but from the Kingdom the Nihon."
"Yeah, but—" Cornelia started.
"And if I recall correctly," Kimi continued. "The Elders of the Gemini Council said that Nihon is like your Earth's version of Japan, is it not?"
Hay Lin glanced at her friends before nodding in agreement. "Well, that's true…"
"Do not think for one moment that I am that careless," Kimi pointed out. "As much as I hate staying on this wretched planet of yours, I would never reveal my magical abilities to just anyone, unlike the five of you."
"What does that mean?" Will demanded.
"I've read your auras before, remember?" Kimi reminded her. "I saw parts of your history: you've used magic in front of people recently and even taught their own children how to control their magical abilities. You're telling me not to reveal myself as a light-wielder yet it's acceptable for the five of you to do it? Perhaps you should take your own advice."
Everyone stared at her before Will decided to speak up. As calmly as she could, Will sat down and hoped to straighten things out without any more bickering. "Okay, fine. You're right. I admit that lately, the girls and I have been using our magic in public a little too carelessly—"
"Right, like that time when you convinced us to transform so that we could go to a party!" Hay Lin spoke up without thinking.
"You did what?" Orube shot her a surprised look. "You've revealed yourselves as Guardians at a soiree?"
"You're not helping, Hay Lin," Irma said, elbowing her friend in the ribs.
"It was a costume party, Orube," Cornelia explained, holding her hands up defensively. "Everyone thought we were dressing up as fairies. No harm was done."
"Ahem! As I was saying," Will cleared her throat. "We may have been a bit careless with our magic lately in public, but we're still careful in revealing them to certain people. We had to tell those parents we were magical, too, so that we could get their permissions to teach their magical kids on our W.I.T.C.H. bus."
"Will's right," Taranee nodded. "That little girl, Kohane, seems to be getting on to us. It's as if she knew who you and Orube really are. She might tell Lilian…and Lilian might tell other people."
"You girls don't think Kohane's magical, too, do you?" Cornelia asked. "I was sure we got all of the special people to enroll in our magic school."
"No, Kohane-chan is not magical," Kimi stated. She folded her arms and lean back against the frame of the kitchen doors. "Auras can also tell me whether or not people have magical abilities."
The others blinked. "But back there, it sounded as if she could read your thoughts and see through our lies," said Will. "Lilian even said that she can see invisible things. How can that not be magic?"
"I would have to wager that Kohane-chan has a sixth sense and a spiritual connection to see things that normal people can't," Kimi answered. "On my planet, we have many Lusterians who have those abilities. However, it doesn't mean that all of them are magical. Most of them are priests and monks."
"I still think we should be careful around her," Will replied. "Kohane may not be magical as you claimed, Kimi, but we can't be sure, especially if she tells her brother about you and us."
"Speaking of Kishimoto," Irma interrupted. "Why the hell were you so freaked out by him again? Last time you two were having a little spat when he teased you."
"I have nothing to say to you about him," Kimi snapped, getting irritated.
"Oh, c'mon! You were acting strange when he showed up," Cornelia pointed out. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind and a smile began to curl on her lips. "You wouldn't be crushing on him by any chance, were you?"
Kimi raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "I beg your pardon? I haven't crushed him with a light construct."
The other five Guardians burst out laughing while Orube grinned slightly.
"Crushing on someone is an expression that means that you like him," Irma laughed. She folded her arms as she couldn't resist the urge to join in the teasing with Cornelia. After all, Kimi deserved it. "I bet you're giving him a hard time because you really like him."
"Not that we blame you," Tranee giggled. "After all, Kishimoto is kinda cute."
"Are you suggesting that I find Kishimoto attractive?" Kimi glared.
"Well, what else could it be?" Hay Lin asked.
"If you think I am fond of him, then you are all fools," Kimi declared. "His very presence is the bane of my existence here." Her fist clenched tightly as the thought of him made her shake with frustration. "Why must there be someone on this Earth be a reminder of that which is closest to me?"
The comment made the others stopped their laughter. Will and her friends glanced at each other in confusion. They only meant to tease Kimi lightly like they always do to each other when it comes to their love lives, but from Kimi's reaction, they might have accidentally hit a sour note.
"What do you mean by that?"
"What does it matter to you?" Kimi asked sadly.
"Of course it matters to us," Hay Lin insisted. She turned to her friends and said, "How could we not realize it sooner? Kohane still has her older brother with her while…"
"Does this Kishimoto boy remind you of Kyochi himself?" said a voice. The girls looked over their shoulders to see a burst of green fire. When it died down, Ngọc Long appeared.
"Lady Ngọc Long!" Orube bowed respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Guardians," Ngọc Long greeted. Turning over to face Kimi, Ngọc Long gave a small gesture of understanding before she said, "Tell me, child, what is it about this boy that reminds you of your twin?"
"If you have met him, you would know," Kimi replied.
The Jade Dragon looked on and wisely said, "I know that you have the ability to show them what's in your heart, but there is something that you are holding back and you should learn to let it out."
"I have nothing to hide, Ngọc Long-dono," Kimi shook her head.
Ngọc Long's eyes flickered, showing a discreet sign of disappointment. "Bitterness has always plagued your life and it will continue to darken your heart if you prolong to hold everything back," Ngọc Long said. Looking up at the other Guardians, Ngọc Long stood up taller than all of them. "Let us continue with your training. Come with me."
The other four Guardians groaned, obviously not looking forward to any more physical labor.
Ngọc Long led them into another room and to no one's surprise, it was bigger than what was on the blueprint (if the house actually has one). It was a dojo for training, both traditional in style but futuristic with a few magical interfaces floating around to monitor and analyze each of their fighting skills and physical capabilities. The most surprising was Matt leaning against the corner.
"Matt!" Will cried, running up to her boyfriend and giving him a welcoming hug and a kiss. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd come by to see you," Matt replied, smiling. "Plus, I wanted to make sure that you and the girls are keeping up with your training."
"I didn't realize that we need a neophyte like him as a babysitter," Kimi crossed her arms.
"I'll have you know that I have been trained in Kandrakar under the order of the previous Oracle, Kimi," Matt retorted. "I know how to defend myself."
"Says the Matt-boy who got himself frozen in a block of ice by a non-magical Earthling," Kimi smirked, leaving him dumbfounded.
"How…How did you know about—" Matt began to asked. He never told her anything about his past adventures. Most of them he still kept to himself, even from Will.
"Kimi can read people's auras when she's standing close to them, Matt," Irma said. "It's like she can see your whole history." Irma started to laugh and slapped Matt on the back. "Don't worry, Matt. We're annoyed by it, too!"
"Enough idle chatter," Ngọc Long ordered. Snapping her fingers, all seven girls' attires changed from their school clothing into something more fitting for combat practice. "Now that you have accumulated a large amount of chi through physical labor and hardship, we will now proceed to actual combat practices."
The monitors on the magical interfaces lit up, scanning seven of the girls and readied themselves to monitor and evaluate.
"Now, martial art is the expression of the divine elements within an individual," Ngọc Long stated. "It is our ways of life on Lusteria and Basilíade. In battle, you would only have split seconds to analyze and study your opponent's movements. You must be able to be the one to dictate the terms of the—"
"I don't mean to point out the obvious, my Lady," Matt shrugged, somewhat rudely, "but Will and the girls already know all of these things. You're teaching them what I've already trained them."
"How dare you talk to an Elder like that, Matt?" Orube demanded. The Matt she knew before was never this cocky. Obviously, he had changed a lot since she left. "Matt, you shouldn't—"
Ngọc Long held up a hand to silence her. Smiling at Matt, she didn't seem offended at all. "Is that so, young man? Forgive me, but I am unaware of this myself. The Elders of the Gemini Council were not aware of the Oracle's five Guardians being trained under the illustrious Captain Matt."
Matt began to blush at her praises (much to Will's annoyance) and sheepishly smiled. "Well, I would—"
"Since we are so fortunate to have Captain Matt here, why don't we have him do a few demonstrations for us?" Ngọc Long suggested, smiling sweetly yet beneath that smile is a cunning plan. "Let's have Matt spar with one of you girls with and without magic. Orube, would you like to be his sparring partner."
"I…would be honored," Orube bowed.
"Um…fine, sure. Why not?" Matt replied nervously, remembering all too well that Orube had punched him in the jaw the first time he met her.
"Don't worry, Matt," Orube assured him sweetly, "I won't hit you in the same place as last time."
"Orube if you hurt him, I'll—" Will warned her.
"Quiet, it's starting!"
"Position!" Ngọc Long declared as Orube and Matt readied themselves.
Whoever strikes first may be at a disadvantage, so knowing what to do, Matt smiled as Orube punched to the left of his ears. He blocked the punch with his arm like a shield and used his other free arm to strike her in the face. He almost made contact but Orube quickly ducked and spun her leg, swiping him off his feet. Before he even hit the ground, she used her other foot and kicked him to the side, knocking him far away. When he landed on the mat, one of the interfaces read: "MATT OLSEN: FAILED!"
"Matt!" the girls cried, saved for Kimi who was smirking with pleasure. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine!" Matt insisted, holding his side. "Orube just took me by surprised."
"I'm sorry, but I thought I wasn't supposed to be going easy on you," Orube said.
"It was a good block, Matt," Ngọc Long stepped in. "You did manage to analyze Orube's strike quickly and counter it with a block. But does anyone know why he failed?"
"He was too confident?" Hay Lin suggested.
Ngọc Long shook her head. "By giving Orube the chance to strike first, he allowed her to dictate the terms of the field. Orube didn't plan on striking him from under his feet. She only had a few seconds to realize what he was doing and she countered it when he blocked her. Now, since Matt is now magical, let's see if he can go up against a more magical opponent…Kimi?"
Kimi stepped into place and cracked her knuckles. "C'mon, little Matt-boy, are you afraid I'll skewer you again like last time?"
"I'll admit, you're good, but you're not that good!" Matt declared. This time, he charged and quickly appeared behind her. He aimed his swinging kick at her head, but she quickly dodged. Even so, a tip of his feet brushed against one of her bangs. Quickly, she disappeared.
"Cheater! She can't turn invisible! Can she?" Cornelia called out.
"I said this was going to be a magical demonstration," Ngọc Long pointed out. "Kimi is allowed to use her Light magic."
"Even if you are invisible, I've been trained in this situation before!" Matt declared. Listening for the sound of footsteps, he quickly swung his leg after hearing something at the back. "You can't sneak up behind me, Kimi!"
Sure enough, Kimi reappeared when Matt swung his kick at her. But to his surprised, it went right through her as she flickered like a broken record.
"What?" Matt gapped.
"As a light-wielder, I can control light particles to create holographic specters," Kimi declared. Still invisible, she grabbed him by the arm and threw him across the room.
"MATT OLSEN: FAILED!" said one of the interfaces.
"So this is all the great Matt-boy-taichou could offer?" Kimi asked, reappearing in front of him as he got up. However, there were several Kimis surrounding him.
"I know this game," Matt retorted. "Only one of you is real. All of these are fake—"
Suddenly two of them kicked and punched him in the gut before he could finish his sentence. They dragged him up and shoved him towards the other Kimis and they knocked him to the ground.
"Matt!" Will cried.
"MATT OLSEN: FAILED!"
"Will you shut up already?! I get it!" Will snapped.
"Will, you're yelling at a magical computer system," Irma pointed out. "I don't think it can talk back to you."
Matt groaned and looked up to see seven Kimis looking down at him. "I can make light solid, stupid. When I want to, my holographic specters can become corporeal." She snapped her fingers and her six copies disappeared.
"Again, you've lost because you've allowed Kimi to dictate the terms of the battle," Ngọc Long asked. "She was able to use what you think you know about her skill to her advantage and turned your strength into your own weakness. Now, is there anything else I should teach the Guardians? Or are they too palpable for you?"
Matt sighed and got up to brush himself. "Fine, I get it! Obviously, you know how to do your job."
Again, the Jade Dragon did not take into offense of what he said. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Ngọc Long replied gently, "I understand why you're feeling this way, but your duty to train the Guardians is now over. If you presume to think that you know more than what needs to be taught, you would only ensure your downfall as well as theirs."
Holding out one hand, Ngọc Long showed him her tea cup that was full to the brim. Suddenly, it magically overflowed and spilled onto the floor. "How can I teach them if you think your cups are full? If you wish to learn more, then you must empty your cup and be ready to fill it up again."
"Matt…" Will said, trying to comfort him. But then she hesitated. Looking back at the others, Will sighed. "Matt, you've been a great help to us with Dark Mother and the other villains since, but these Celestial Warriors are nothing like we've faced before. Our new missions are important. If we want any chances to defeat Lusterian demi-gods, then I think we should learn how to fight from a Lusterian dragon."
"Will…" Matt began but Will put a finger to his lips. "We should really get back to our training, Matt. But it would be nice if you could stay and support us."
Matt wanted to say yes, but he saw Kimi watching them from the corners of his eyes. He hated feeling useless when he found out that his girlfriend was magical and wanted to become more of an asset. When Oracle Himmerish offered him to come to Kandrakar and train in the art of magic and combat, Matt took the offer, vowing to never be useless again. He felt confident enough to become the Guardians' trainer when they received their New Powers and he continued to support them after they defeated Dark Mother. But today, Kimi had shown everyone that he was once again…a liability and he hated her for that.
"No, thanks, Will," Matt said.
Will gasped, her eyes wide opened. "But…"
"I'm sorry, Will. I'd love to be here to support you, but not if she is here, too," Matt glared at Kimi. The feeling was mutual. "This doesn't mean that I'll think less about you. I'll continue to support you, but from a distance."
With that, Matt went to pick up his things and left.
"You see what you've done?" Will snapped, glaring at Kimi. "Why did you have to go and do that?"
"He brought it on himself," Kimi pointed out. "He was the one who insisted that you don't need to learn anything new and when Orube and I finally showed him differently, his pride was hurt. Auras don't lie, Vandom. He only left because he wants to go and lick his wounded pride."
"Enough bickering, Guardians," Ngọc Long declared, her eyes stern. "It's time to resume our training. Kimi and Will are going to spar first, then Irma and Orube."
Taranee's right, Will thought, preparing herself to face Kimi. This isn't going to be fun at all.
The next few days, a pattern grew: the Guardians would wake up early in the morning for an early training session before school. Once their public educational hours were up, they had to return to their headquarter for combat practices by sparring with Orube and Kimi. Often times, Will asked Matt to come with her so that he wouldn't feel left out, but he stubbornly insisted on avoiding Kimi. By the fourth day, Will gave up and went straight home.
Lying in bed, Will began to ponder what's been going on lately. Although they had the next three days off, her entire body was sore all over. Every time she and her friends sparred against Orube or Kimi, they always lose. Will was getting tired of being thrown onto the floor but Ngọc Long assured them that they were improving, despite their constant defeat. For the past two weeks, they've done nothing but train and building up their chi. Ironically, Will didn't felt any more powerful and she wasn't sure if she was actually accumulating chi.
Will took a quick glance at her frog-shaped alarm clock which read 3:20 in the afternoon. She decided to close her eyes and take a short nap.
Things have been so tensed between all of us lately, Will thought to herself. None of us can't stand Kimi and her twisted attitudes. She takes every chance she can to condescend us and we don't even know why.
Suddenly, the other four Guardians' voices popped in her head. Apparently, Will was not the only one who decided to go straight home and relax and chat via Taranee's telepathic channel.
You said it, Will, said Irma's voice. If the Guardian of Light is this nasty, I'm actually afraid that the Guardian of Darkness might be a lot worse.
What kind of parents would raise someone like Kimi to be so twisted and cruel? Cornelia thought.
Have you met Kimi's families so far? Her cousin was even worse! Taranee thought. The only person who was nice to us so far was her uncle, the Chancellor.
Lusterians don't seem to like us Earthlings that much, do they? Hay Lin asked. Even Kimi said that she hates living here.
If she hates it here so much, then I think she should go back to her parents! But if they don't want her, I wouldn't be surprised, Irma shrugged.
Will sighed. I know that Kimi's a pain, but we have to work alongside her if we want to win this war against the Celestial Warriors.
I'd rather shave my head than have that selfish, condescending witch throw me across the training room again! Cornelia objected furiously. Seriously, her bitterness is starting to rub on all of us! The last things I want to think about are fighting with her against the Warriors and find her missing brother.
I don't want to talk about Kimi, wars, and evil Celestial Warriors on our days off! Hay Lin said. Can't we talk about something else…like boys?
It's is kinda important, Hay Lin.
Will you relax, Will? Irma thought. We haven't heard a peep from the Celestial Warriors in days!
Suddenly, Ngọc Long's voice rang in their heads. Guardians, report to our base at once. The Western Earth Kingdom of Zhong-guo is under siege from the Sin of Gluttony!
Her voice disappeared and the five Guardians groaned.
Great, we didn't even get a chance to relax our minds! Let's get this over with.
"The Western Earth Kingdom of Zhong-guo is the largest nation on Lusteria," Ngọc Long stated as the interfaces behind her showed everyone a digital map.
Once the other five Guardians arrived, the briefing began. Orube and Kimi were already dressed and transformed and were waiting for Will and the others.
"The Gemini Council had sent magical eyes as scanning probes and they have detected a rising amount of tension in this kingdom. Lord Byakko, whom you have encountered before, is our main culprit. As the Celestial Warrior of Earth, he wields the devastating power of the planet itself."
Snapping her fingers, the largest interface showed an image of Byakko, his eyes covered with a dark-colored blindfold. Another interface displayed an image of an army of soldiers looting and devastating towns and villages. A third interface revealed several faces of people who seemed to be either noblemen or royalties.
"Byakko is also the Lord of Gluttony," Ngọc Long continued. "We've discovered that he's inducing his Sin into the weaker hearts of the members of Emperor Sheng-tsu's royal court. These corrupted noblemen and women are demanding that the peasants and their citizens pay tributes to them by force."
"It looks like they're ordering their soldiers to steal the people's food, and if they don't comply they'll be terrorize. That's horrible!" Hay Lin cried.
"And the Emperor is doing nothing about this?" Irma demanded.
"The Emperor of Zhong-guo is a great man, but I fear that Darkness has found a way to cloud his thoughts," Ngọc Long said. "Guardians, we cannot allow Byakko to usurp the Emperor. The first part is a reconnaissance mission: you will infiltrate Zhong-guo's capital by landing near the base of one of the Sacred Mountains. Then you must find out what Byakko's plan is for this kingdom. Your second mission is to find a way to defeat him and save the Emperor and his people."
"How do you expect us to fight off an entire army?" Cornelia asked.
"There is a growing resistance who are rebelling against Byakko," Ngọc Long noted. "Perhaps some of these rebels might be able to assist you."
"Alright, let's get going," Will exclaimed.
"Wait, before you go, you should be aware that Byakko can hear and sense anything for miles through the earth. Although he is blindfolded, it does not mean that he is blind. Beware the petrifying gazes of his eyes should you face him up close."
"We'll keep that in mind, Ngọc Long," Will assured. "Open the portal because we're ready."
"And this time, not in the broom closet, please," Cornelia suggested.
Ngọc Long smirked and nodded. She snapped her fingers and a portal appeared right behind where they were sitting. "As you wished," Ngọc Long smiled as the couches flipped backward, hurling them all into the portal.
The Guardians and Orube tumbled into the portal and the next thing they knew, they were rolling down a giant grassy hill. Once they came to a stop, they got up on their feet. Some of them lost their balances as their head was still spinning.
"I think I'd rather take the portal in the closet than the one behind the coach," Will stated, trying to stop herself from stumbling.
Irma huffed. "You just had to tell our caretaker that, don't you, Corny?" Irma placed her hands on her hips.
Orube raised a hand to interrupt them and pointed to something in the distance. "Girls, look!" she said. Standing at the top of the hill, she and the Guardians can see smokes and fire in the distance as hundreds of peasants are screaming and running from ruthless soldiers with swords and pikes. Those with magic bended the water at the fleeing people, hosing them down while others used vines to snatch and drag them back into the fold. A few soldiers with fire magic started to set flames to the buildings.
"We have to do something!" Hay Lin insisted. "C'mon, let's go down there and help them!" Hay Lin went airborne and readied herself to fly in to the rescue.
"Wait, Lin," said Kimi, using the ribbons around her arms, Kimi pulled Hay Lin back. Pointing to small, black and translucent shapes moving about, Kimi warned, "Dark spirits from the mountains. Byakko must have induced them with Gluttony and now they're aiding the soldiers."
Sure enough, dark spirits, both translucent and solid began to terrorize the villagers. One of them looked like a giant lizard as it used its tongue to grab two people, ready to gobble them up. Before Hay Lin insisted on helping them again, a giant rock landed on the lizard spirit's head, causing it to let go of its victims.
"Warriors! Keep the soldiers and these monsters back for as long as you can!" cried a booming voice who threw the giant boulder.
Orube and the Guardians looked on as hundreds of people in armors appeared, either aiding the fleeing villagers or holding back their opponents with their own weapons and magic.
"They must be the resistance Ngọc Long was talking about," Taranee said.
"Let's take a closer look now," Will declared and started to fly down the hill.
As the seven of them got closer, they could see that despite the numbers of resistances, they were still being overwhelmed by the soldiers and the dark spirits. Once they carried the last fleeing family out, the rest fell back.
"After those traitors! I want them drawn into quarters and their entrails gutted out!" cried one general on a horse.
"Sir, they're making their way across the bridge and into the Song Mountains!" A soldier reported.
"Good, they'll have nowhere to hide from us! Spirits, unleash your hunger on the treacherous peasants who thinks they can hoard the Emperor's food for themselves!"
Hearing this, Hay Lin reported what she heard to the others as she could tune into messages from air waves. Once notified, the others did their best to pick up the pace and soon enough, they were right behind the fleeing villagers' tails at a giant wooden bridge.
"This way," Hay Lin said, but when she tried to fly towards the bridge, a giant gust of wind blew her back. She knocked into the others as they tried to catch her. "What was that?" Hay Lin asked. She was pretty sure that she didn't summon up the wind herself.
"You're not getting pass me!" bellowed a voice.
The Guardians and Orube looked up to see a giant figure in armor at the other side of the bridge. He was wielding a lance and with it, he summoned another gust of wind and threw it at them. Orube and Kimi quickly summoned their chi and light magic to form a wall to block it.
"So that's what you wanna play, huh?" said their opponent. To their amazement, he made a giant leap over the bridge and landed right in front of them, causing the ground beneath their feat to tremble. Up close, they saw just how intimidating he looked with a tiger-liked black beard around his face, round eyes sharpened with rage and intensity, as well as a muscled imposing stature of around eight feet tall.
Irma gulped. "That is one big, nasty looking man."
"I am Zhang Yide!" the man declared, his eyes focusing on the seven of them with great intensity. "I have enough of you spirits attacking my people!"
"Look here, mister!" Cornelia insisted. "We're not spirits! We're Guardians!"
"Do you take me for a fool?!" Zhang Yide snapped. "Everyone on Lusteria knows that there are two Guardians, not six!"
Irma rolled her eyes. "Oh, great! Here we go again!"
"Um, guys!" Hay Lin interrupted, sounding a bit panicked. She looked behind them and said, "We really don't have time for this! There's an army of dark spirits and angry soldiers catching up to us!"
Zhang Yide grunted and blocked their effort to push past him with his lance, the bladed end nearly touching Hay Lin's heart.
"Not another step, spirits!" Zhang Yide warned, the tone of his voice dangerously low. "Lord Byakko may have been able to corrupt you, but he has yet to turn me and my family! I'll not let his witches harm my villagers! THE TOLL TO CROSS THIS BRIDGE IS DEATH!"
The Guardians stared at the frightening warrior with concern and looked back behind them to see five thousand angry soldiers marched closer with hundreds of dark spirits flying and crawling with a thirst for human fleshes.
They were trapped.
To be continued…
Cultural references:
Zamballa: This purple nature planet of living trees (Ents) only appeared in season 2 of W.I.T.C.H.
An amanojaku is a demon-liked creatures in Japanese folklore (often depicted as a small spirit) and is thought to be able to provoke a person's darkest desires and coax him into doing wicked deeds. A perfect spirit to be victims the Warriors' Deadly Sins.
A kappa is a river imp in Japanese folklore. They are often told to scare children from playing too deep in the waters. They're usually not antagonistic towards humans.
The hairy creatures attacking Elyon's castle are called keukegen and they're also in Japanese folklore.
Kishimoto is back and I've decided to introduce his little sister, Kohane. Kohane's name means "little feather" in Japanese. She's Kishimoto's little sister with a sixth sense and a spiritual connection…however, she's not magical.
-dono is a Japanese honorific meaning "Lord/Lady" so when Kimi called Yan Lin "Oracle-dono" or the Jade Dragon as "Ngọc Long-dono", she's showing them respect. In truth, -dono doesn't really mean that one has nobilities.
-taichou is a Japanese honorific meaning "Captain" since Matt was dubbed a "Captain" by Kandor in one comic issue of Saga 8: Teach 2b WITCH.
There are several reasons why Kimi has such a twisted attitude which the Guardians find detestable. It won't be revealed until later and so far, Ngọc Long hinted that it has something to do with the bitterness in her life.
Emperor Sheng-tsu is based on a real historical figure called the Kangxi Emperor who ruled China during the Qing Dynasty from 1661 to 1722. Historian would refer to the Kangxi Emperor as one of the greatest rulers in Chinese history.
Zhang Yide is based on a famous general from Romance of the Three Kingdoms named Zhang Fei. His stance to defend a bridge was historically legendary.