Chapter 7: A Guardian's Wish
Hey everyone! It's me, sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! I know that it's been a while since the last update, but hey, I'm here, and ready to roll! Anyways, let's get moving onto the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: Keybladeauraofpie and I don't own W.I.T.C.H., just our OC's
Enjoy!
Thankfully, for the guardians, it was the weekend, so they were relaxing and doing different things all over town. Mei-Xing was in the park with her art class while McKenna, Tina, and Rene were at the mall looking at clothes. Harmony was back in Meridian running some jobs for the resistance. As for Naomi, she was at Taranee's house drawing some pictures of a tree when she saw a dove flying by, but then she saw that the dove was being chased by a bigger, angrier, and meaner hawk. It kept chasing after the dove when Naomi concentrated on one of the tree branches in front of her and whacked the hawk. The hawk now looked scared and flew away while Naomi raced into the backyard and saw that the dove had a broken wing.
"Oh, you poor thing. Come on, I'm gonna take you to the vet. One of the people there can help see what's wrong with your wing. It's okay; you don't have to be scared." Naomi said as she crouched in front of the bird
The dove obviously looked scared, but when it saw the kindness and concern in Naomi's eyes, it held its right wing close to its body and hopped over to Naomi's palms, which were on the ground. It hopped over to her left hand, and Naomi slowly stood up before the dove held its feet on one of Naomi's fingers.
"Don't worry. You'll be fine. I promise." Naomi said before walking to the local vet's office
The other girls had met up with each other while Naomi was talking with the dove, and were walking back to Taranee's place when they saw Naomi enter the vet. They followed her inside, and saw her talking to the receptionist, and seeing that she was the only one there, the vet immediately saw her. They snuck inside and placed their ears on the door to listen in.
"Is this your pet?" asked the vet
"No, it's not. I saw it getting chased by a hawk before it landed on the ground. It tried to go after this bird, but it ran into a tree branch before flying away." Said Naomi
"I'll have to take a quick x-ray before I can make a diagnosis." Said the vet
"Okay." Said Naomi
The girls all hid in the bathroom as the vet walked into the x-ray room, and checked on the dove before returning to the room Naomi was in.
"The bird is a female dove, and its right wing has a fractured bone. I'm going to give it a cast to wear, but it can't fly until the cast comes off. It may be a wild bird, but still, you're going to have to make sure that it doesn't strain itself during its recovery." Said the vet
"Don't worry. I have some friends who can help me out." Said Naomi
The girls all looked confused before they hid again and both the vet and the doctor came out of the room.
"Do you think she was referring to us?" asked Rene
"Maybe." Everyone else said in unison
Later…
"So tell us exactly what happened to the bird." Said Tina
"Some big bird, I think it was a hawk, was chasing this poor thing. I used my powers to whack the bird, the hawk, not the dove, and scare it away. I think sometime during the chase, the dove got attacked on the wing, and the hawk broke its wing. I would've felt terrible if I just left the bird there." Naomi said while looking at the bird, which was currently eating bird seed
"Did you even think it through? It's gonna be a lot of responsibility." Said Taranee
"I know it is. I only wanted the bird to get better. If it's out there with a broken wing, it could get run over, or worse." Said Naomi
"She does have a point. How's this, we all take care of the bird, together." Said McKenna
"Do you wanna name it?" asked Rene
"Huh?" asked Naomi
"Since you're gonna be keeping it for a while, you should give it a name." said Mei-Xing
"Well, the doctor said that this dove is female, but I don't know what to name it." Said Naomi
"Well, why don't you think back to when you first found it?" asked Mei-Xing
"When I first saw her? Hmm…" Naomi started before closing her eyes
She was clearly deep in thought while thinking about the situation she found the dove in. The others looked at her in silence before Naomi opened her mouth saying:
"Sora."
"Huh?" everyone else asked in unison
"I said 'Sora'. I think that would be a good name for her." Said Naomi
"Why Sora? Kingdom Hearts much?" asked Rene
"No. I was thinking about how she flew in the sky to try and avoid that hawk, so then then name 'Sora' popped into my head, because in Japanese, Sora means 'sky'." Said Naomi
"Whoa. I'm part Japanese, and even I didn't know that." Said Rene
"When did you learn that?" asked Mei-Xing
"Uh… Kingdom Hearts." Naomi said while nervously scratching the back of her head
That caused the other girls to sweat-drop. In Meridian, Harmony and Phantom were working together to plan a new attack on the supply houses in Meridian with many of the resistance members in their lead.
"There aren't a lot of guards. Let's hope this is a piece of cake." Said Harmony
"As long as we remain undetected, we'll be okay." Said Alyssa
"Be prepared to message the resistance if something weird happens." Harmony said as Alyssa pulled out a piece of paper
"Got it." Said Alyssa
The members of the resistance got into their positions, and when the coast was clear, Harmony picked the lock, and everyone made their way inside, where to their surprise, there was nothing here.
"This smells like a trap." Said Harmony
"I agree. Too much of a trap." Said the Phantom
"Uh, that's because it is idiots!" exclaimed a female voice
Everyone in the room turned to see Cornelia standing on the second floor.
"Cornelia!" exclaimed Harmony
"Like the empty storehouse? I cleaned it out yesterday. You resistance members are becoming so predictable." Said Cornelia
"We'll show you predictable!" exclaimed Phantom
Harmony and Phantom were the first to be on the attack, but Cornelia used her magic to send them flying through the storehouse and onto the dry land of the marshes surrounding the storehouse. More members followed their lead when it came to being forced out of the storehouse, but that didn't stop them from trying. The battle between Cornelia and the resistance continued for what seemed like a long time, until Cornelia pulled out a strange horn, but before she could play it, Harmony and Phantom tried to attack her, forcing her to push them into the swampy waters of the swamp. With the other members of the resistance distracted, she played the horn, and everyone, except for Alyssa, Phantom, and Harmony were affected. Harmony managed to pull herself out of the water, but unfortunately, Phantom got a few cuts from some thorns, and the water was only making it worse.
"I can't heal him like this, and I don't have the right tools to disinfect his cuts." Said Harmony
Harmony was about to ask for help when she saw her former resistance members walking like zombies towards her and Phantom. She then saw the horn Cornelia was holding and widened her eyes in shock.
"The Horn of Hypnos. Plan b. Run." Said Harmony
She picked up Phantom and bolted for the portal to Earth. After she passed through, the guardians were already there to seal it.
"Guys, you have to help me!" exclaimed Harmony
"Oh man, this is so not my day." Groaned Naomi
Harmony just looked confused as they brought Phantom to Taranee's house. Taranee and Naomi worked together to help disinfect the wounds, but Phantom was out like a light while Harmony was looking at Sora.
"Man, these are bad. What happened?" asked Taranee
"The Horn of Hypnos happened." Said Harmony
"The Horn of Hypnos?!" exclaimed Taranee
"What's that?" asked Rene
"It's this object that the old guardians and I saw before. If the person points it at you and plays it, you become a person called a Trance-Marcher, and follow the orders of whoever played the horn." Said Taranee
"There has to be a way to reverse it." Said Naomi
"There is. You have to play a series of notes to reverse the spell." Said Taranee
"Do you know them?" asked Tina
"I would, but I'm no musician. However, I do know someone who does." Said Taranee
Everyone looked confused, until the doorbell suddenly rang. Taranee went to answer the door and had a look of shock when she saw who was there. She promptly came back into the room with the former Earth Guardian, Cornelia Hale and her husband, Caleb.
"You five must be the new guardians. I've heard from the Oracle about all five of you. Don't have those shocked looks on your faces. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cornelia Hale. I was the former Earth Guardian." Said Cornelia H.
"If you're the old Earth Guardian, then that means that he's…" started Mei-Xing
"Yep. My name's Caleb, at your service." Caleb said in a mock bow
"We have a problem." Said Taranee
"What is it?" asked Cornelia
"The Horn of Hypnos." Said Harmony
"Guys, this is Harmony. She's the second-in-command of the resistance in Meridian." Said Naomi
"And that's Phantom. He's our leader." Said Harmony
"And we have a problem." Said Naomi
Harmony then saw a huge cut on his face.
"I can't disinfect that with the mask in the way. I know that you and the rest of the resistance have this thing where you don't question, but if we want to minimize the chances of blood poisoning, I have to remove this mask." Said Naomi
Everyone then looked at Harmony, seeing that she was the only one with the authority to make the decision.
"It's his life. Do it." Said Harmony
Naomi carefully lifted the mask off his face, and everyone except for Cornelia and Caleb had looks of shock on their face when they saw Prince Caleb's face.
"No way. It's Prince Caleb!" exclaimed Harmony
"Why is he in the resistance?" asked Tina
"Did you have issues with a spy?" asked Rene
"No. Cornelia never knew what we were up to. I guess he really hates her just as much as the rest of Meridian." Said Harmony
"Still, enemy or not, he's still hurt, and I'm still going to do my best to make sure that he's okay. I'm no doctor, but I can at least apply first aid." Said Naomi
With both Taranee and Naomi working together, they managed to bandage the Prince's face, and Sora hopped up next to him, and seemed to give the others a look that seemed to say 'What's wrong with him?' while looking like she could trust the prince.
"Right, you were saying about the horn?" asked Caleb (A/N: From now until the end of the chapter, I'm gonna address Prince Caleb as Phantom to prevent confusion)
"It's back. It turned some of the resistance's best men into Trance-Marchers." Said Harmony
"Thankfully I know the melody." Said Caleb
"You know it?! You gotta teach it to me, stat!" exclaimed Naomi
"I don't know…" Caleb started to trail off
"Okay, I'll say it in a different way; I know how to play the piano." Said Naomi
"You can play piano?" asked Cornelia H.
"I've known since I was in the third grade. I haven't given up lessons since, even though I'm trying to find a part-time job so I can pay for lessons." Naomi said with a sour look on her face
"In that case, I'll be happy to teach you the song. We're gonna need Matt's help too. Come on." Caleb said before walking to the door
"Will and Matt are at the school preparing for the school fair that will happen in a few hours." Said Taranee
"That should be enough time for me to learn the notes." Naomi said while putting on her jacket
"We have to hurry." Caleb said as he and Naomi hurried out the door with Sora perching herself on Naomi's shoulder
"That bird seems to like her, despite being hurt." Said Harmony
"Yeah. In the meantime, let's get to Meridian and stop Princess Evil. Guardians, Unite!" Rene exclaimed as she held the Heart of Kandrakar in the air
"Water!" exclaimed McKenna
"Fire!" exclaimed Tina
"Air!" exclaimed Mei-Xing
"Quintessence." Said Rene
Harmony led the girls to the portal she went through while Caleb and Naomi arrived at the school to see Matt and Will setting up the band equipment.
"Caleb? Naomi? What's going on?" asked Will
"Princess Cornelia *pants* used Horn of Hypnos *pants* on Meridian resistance. *pants* We've got *pant* a huge problem." Naomi said while catching her breath
Before Caleb could ask what was going on, Naomi took her inhaler while Sora began hopping around the room.
"Where did you get the bird?" asked Matt
"I didn't buy it. It was hurt and I'm taking care of it until it gets better. It's a wild dove." Said Naomi
Before they could ask, what seemed to be a full-grown dormouse appeared, and sniffed Sora before playing with her.
"Looks like Huggles the third likes her." Said Matt
"Huggles the third?" Naomi asked with a confused look on her face
"Matt once gave me a dormouse for a gift, which preferred him over the other girls, and well, let's just say that dormouse's have grown on me since." Said Will
Before anyone could react, Huggles the third made it way up on Naomi before it found its way behind Naomi's hair, causing her to shriek when she felt its fur on her neck.
"You don't like dormice?" asked Matt
"No, it caught me off guard." Admitted Naomi
In Meridian…
The girls and Harmony all watched as the controlled Meridian resistance began working on the palace with Cornelia watching over them, while the Horn of Hypnos was being safeguarded in the castle.
"How are we going to sneak past the Trance-marchers and Princess Evil without setting off the alarm?" asked McKenna
"I could cast a glamour on myself to make me look like I'm one of the guards to sneak into the castle while you girls could cause a distraction." Said Harmony
"Okay, just make sure that we don't get the rest of the resistance members hurt." Said Rene
"And if I can't get the Horn of Hypnos and she uses it, get out of the path Rene. We can't let her get the Heart of Kandrakar." Said Harmony
"Got it. Ready guardians?" asked Rene
"Ready." Said Tina
"Always." Said Mei-Xing
"You know it!" exclaimed McKenna
"Let's do it." Said Rene
For Cornelia, she was watching over the palace reconstruction when a watery-fiery explosion that originated from the river caught both hers and the trance-marchers attentions. When the water died down, Tina was in full fiery fury with two fireballs in her hands.
"Trance-marchers! Get the Fire Guardian!" exclaimed P. Cornelia
The trance-marchers cried out a battle cry before rushing for Tina while Harmony successfully snuck into the castle. As the trance-marchers rushed for Tina, Mei-Xing flew in front of her, and blew a strong gust of wind, forcing them to stand their ground while fighting against the wind. Just before Harmony could get the Horn of Hypnos, Cornelia picked it up, and blew it in Tina's and Mei-Xing's direction, causing them to fall under the Horn's spell, leaving a hiding Rene, and now-infuriated McKenna to be the only guardians left.
"Rene, get back to Heatherfield! See if Naomi and the others need help with set-up!" exclaimed McKenna
"What about you?" asked Rene
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. The others need you more than I do! Go!" exclaimed McKenna
Reluctantly, Rene flew back through the portal with McKenna in the air, throwing water balls at the ground to turn it into quicksand, until when Harmony tried to get the Horn again, Cornelia blew it, not only getting both Harmony and McKenna, but it also caused Harmony to revert back into her human form, also a trance-marcher.
"What a surprise. The resistance's leader makes an appearance. No matter. Where's the guardian who guards the Heart of Kandrakar?" asked P. Cornelia
"She has gone back to Earth, your highness. She is headed to the school we go to." A hypnotized McKenna said
"Excellent. Take me there guardians. It's time the Heart of Kandrakar belonged to me." P. Cornelia said while smirking
Back with Naomi…
The two boys and Earth Guardian finally taught her the notes, but were even more surprised when she had interlaid harmonies and intervals within the notes.
"And how long have you been playing piano?" asked Matt
"A few years, but I never did anything like this!" exclaimed Naomi
Rene then burst into the room, in her normal attire.
"Princess Evil's on her way!" exclaimed Rene
"Where are the others?" asked Naomi
"Well, Princess Evil's got them under her spell. Before I pulled out of Meridian, I pulled the plug on their powers. Is there anything else that needs to be done?" asked Rene
"Naomi's got the notes down, solid. Now all that's left is to rig the intercom system so it can work." Said Matt
"Will's in the principal's office. Go then and make sure she doesn't need any extra help." Said Caleb
"I'm on it." Rene said before running for the doors
As she opened them, she had a horrified look before she closed it.
"On second thought, no can do. Trance-marchers on the loose!" exclaimed Rene
"We need a plan b." said Naomi
"And what's that?!" exclaimed Caleb
"I have no idea!" exclaimed Naomi
The doors then flew off their hinges, to reveal Cornelia.
"So this is where you've been hiding, Earth Guardian. No matter. Soon you two will be under my control." Said P. Cornelia
Before they could react, Sora dive-bombed towards Cornelia, distracting her long enough for Matt, Naomi, and Caleb to play the notes to free the trance-marchers and make the Horn of Hypnos disappear. Outnumbered, and out-manned, Cornelia teleported herself back to Meridian.
"You did it!" Caleb exclaimed before giving Naomi a high-five
"We did it you mean. If you didn't give me the notes, I would've never have learned them, and if you two weren't here to support me with it, I would've froze up when Cornelia came bursting through that door with the Horn of Hypnos. The only thing I don't get is how in the world was Sora able to fly with a broken wing?" Naomi wondered out loud
"That would be me. I have this habit of healing people whenever I see them hurt, well, in this case, an animal." Harmony admitted as she and the other guardians walked through the door
"In that case, thanks Harmony for healing Sora, and Sora, thank you for helping us." Naomi said while smiling
Sora gave a satisfactory bird call at being praised. A week later, after making sure that Sora's wing was back in perfect shape, Naomi stood at the balcony of Taranee's home.
"I'm gonna miss you Sora. A bird like you shouldn't be cooped up in a place like this. You belong in the wild, not with me. You're a nice bird Sora, and you have two strong wings. Use them to keep flying, and rising into the sky. Thank you for helping me last week. Good-bye Sora." Naomi said before releasing Sora into the air
Sora flew into the air and left behind a single white feather. Naomi picked it up, and set it down on the desk in the room closest to the balcony. Just as she was about to return into the house, she heard a birdcall, and Sora was on the balcony, holding an olive branch, as if it was saying 'I don't want to leave either'.
"Sora… you want to stay?" Naomi asked in disbelief
Sora just cooed as if saying 'yes.'
"Well, then I'm happy that you want to stay Sora." Naomi said while smiling
Sora perched herself onto one of Naomi's fingers before she returned to the room Taranee gave her to stay in, where the stuff Sora had grown fond of was. As Sora flew into the large cage that was big enough for her to fly freely in, the Heart of Kandrakar replica on Naomi's desk started to glow mysteriously.
Done and done! Man, this one took me a while to write, but I'm glad I finished nonetheless! Please review, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Kan dao ni!