Irma Rokz…you totally rock! Thanks for all your reviews and your advice; as a first-time Fanfic writer, I appreciate all the advice, opinions, etc. I can get. Now on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own W.I.T.C.H.

Disclaimer 2: WARNING: Yet more graphic violence in this chapter.

Chapter 6

Darkness…everything was dark and quiet; she barely registered her own shallow breathing. She wasn't afraid of the dark; quite the contrary, she found it…comforting, like a soft blanket. She didn't feel angry, she didn't feel happy, she didn't feel afraid or sad…she felt….relief, like she had just completed her last final for school; all those weeks of study were finally finished and now, at last, she could rest. Then, suddenly, an acrid odor and the darkness left her. She was disappointed at the interruption of her wonderful darkness. Now she did not feel relieved…she felt terror and hopelessness. She felt fatigue and helplessness. She felt alone…oh so alone. Then she felt…pain; a crippling agony that threatened to overwhelm her senses. She heard a sharp crack and her cheek burned. From somewhere far away, she heard voices, cruel and cold. She heard malicious laughter. A flash of silver and her vision turned crimson. Another flash of silver, another splash of crimson. Again and again, silver, crimson, silver, crimson. She felt a stinging pain in her face, her chest, her stomach. Her vision turned a darker shade of red with every silvery flash. Then an intense heat from behind. She screamed as flames engulfed her body. She writhed but couldn't escape the murderous heat. She kept screaming and screaming…and screaming, until…..

"Hay Lin wake up!"

Someone was shaking her shoulders and shouting her name. Hay Lin opened her eyes and gasped. She was lying on a bed, the covers torn to shreds. She was curled into a fetal position, clutching the pillow to her chest. Taranee, in her nightclothes and without her glasses, was shaking her and imploring her to wake up. Hay Lin was sweating and shaking violently; she couldn't breathe and couldn't reconcile the fact that whatever had just happened was only a dream. She kept shaking and clutched the pillow tightly, as if it would protect her against the pain and the terror.

Taranee reached out and pulled Hay Lin to her own chest. She held the shaking Guardian tightly and murmured words of comfort in her ear. "It's ok, Hay Lin, it was just a dream. You're safe, I'm here…it's ok."

"N-no…N-no…" Hay Lin murmured. "Make it stop…please…"

"Shhhh…." Taranee whispered. "Shhhh…it's ok, it's ok."

Taranee noticed then that her friend was not just shaking, but also shivering. The Fire Guardian called up an aura of heat to surround her and her terrified friend. This was just another role Taranee played in the group: Mother Hen. Maybe it was due to her gift of telepathy, but somehow Taranee could feel the other Guardians' distress. This empathy made Taranee the natural choice for psychiatrist to her friends. It was a role she didn't mind, and was always glad to play; Taranee had that natural maternal instinct. Now as she held the sobbing, shivering Air Guardian, Taranee looked around at the bedroom. The bedclothes were scattered around the room, torn and shredded. The bed-table lamp lay shattered on the floor, and even the pillowcase sported a few rips.

Taranee let Hay Lin cry for several minutes; gradually, the shaking subsided and the tears dried up. Taranee was surprised no one else had heard Hay Lin thrashing around and screaming. Still, everyone had had a really trying day…maybe the others were just really zonked out.

When Hay Lin had finally stopped shaking completely, Taranee pulled back a little to look her friend in the eyes. Those almond-shaped brown eyes were red and swollen…and filled with terror. Taranee's own eyes narrowed with concern and she tried to read Hay Lin's thoughts…but something was blocking her. That's strange…why can't I read Hay Lin's thoughts? Taranee wondered. She figured she would have to settle for doing things the old-fashioned way…listen.

Taranee cupped Hay Lin's chin in her hand and used her thumb to dry the Air Guardian's cheek. Hay Lin smiled at her friend gratefully and placed her own hand over Taranee's.

"Wanna talk about it?" Taranee asked.

Hay Lin cast her eyes downward, and explained all about her nightmare. Taranee listened raptly, never interrupting until Hay Lin brought her eyes shyly back to the Fire Guardian's face. Hay Lin wrapped her arms around herself and started shivering again. Taranee extended her right hand and created a small ball of flame that wouldn't burn, but still emitted heat and warmth. She placed the little ball in Hay Lin's lap to keep her warm and offer a small amount of comfort.

Hay Lin smiled at the gesture. "Taranee, you always know what to do; I don't deserve a friend like you."

"Where did that come from? You're a good person Hay Lin…never think otherwise. It wasn't your fault either that Irma was captured."

"Reading my thoughts again?"

"I don't have to. You're Irma's best friend; you're bound to take this the hardest. You're always the cheerful one; you think it's your job to keep everybody else cheerful, positive and happy. But who makes the happy one happy when the happy one isn't happy? I would also be willing to bet you promised Irma sometime in the past that you would always be there for her, right? Now she's been captured and you didn't prevent it. So here you are torn between your self-imposed duty to always be cheerful for the sake of everyone else, and your alleged betrayal of your best friend, which makes you angry, scared, and tad bit uncertain. You're wondering how you can be cheerful when Irma is in potential danger, yet you feel you have to be; otherwise everyone else will just fall apart. How close am I?"

Hay Lin's mouth dropped…Taranee had to be reading her thoughts to figure all that out. That pretty much summed up how Hay Lin felt…with one small exception.

"You're right on Taranee, but there's one thing you missed. My dream, it didn't exactly feel like a dream…it felt more like….like….something real."

"You mean like a vision? Like the one you had of Elyon and the throne?"

"Yeah, exactly! Only this time, it's not Elyon I'm dreaming about; it's…it's…"

Hay Lin's eyes welled up again and she collapsed onto Taranee's shoulder. Taranee patted her back and tried to comfort her friend.

"Oh Taranee…I felt so much pain and loneliness. If that was a vision, and that was Irma, then she's in real trouble. There was just so much pain……!"

"Shhh, shhhh…it's ok now; we'll find her. We're not giving up; Irma's strong, she'll be alright."

But Taranee couldn't help wondering who she was trying to convince…Hay Lin or herself.

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Irma was getting weaker from her multiple injuries and the loss of blood. Miranda seemed to be an expert with a knife, and she knew just how deep to cut to inflict pain without actually endangering life. Irma now had dozens of little cuts all over her face and body. Blood dripped to the floor from myriad wounds, and Irma felt sure she would pass out any second…at least she hoped she would. But every time she would start to feel faint, Raythor would come along with his blasted smelling salts. Who knew you could still smell anything through a broken nose? Well, now Irma knew you could. Every time she would be jolted awake, only to experience more "bloodletting." At Miranda's instructions, Frost would occasionally "cauterize" some of the cuts with his "torch;" to keep her from bleeding to death no doubt.

The worst had been when Miranda had started cutting her back. Irma had cried out when she felt the blade slice into her burns. She had writhed then, trying to get away from the blade and the pain. But it was no use; the manacles held her fast…there was no escape. By Irma's best guess, it had been two or three days since she had been captured. She had expected her friends to rescue her by now; but they hadn't shown. Irma was starting to feel desperate and hopeless. She knew the Knights would never let her go, and they would never stop hurting her. Somehow she knew that even if she did call for her friends, she still wouldn't be released. The only thing that would change would be that Irma could listen to their pain-filled cries instead of just her own. She was having trouble thinking of anything but the pain; she was just about ready to give up.

Miranda sliced into Irma's stomach again; this time much deeper than the rest. Irma gasped and groaned; she let her head fall back and prepared to welcome the relief of unconsciousness. But that relief never came, as Frost delivered a hammer blow that smashed her collarbone. Irma cried out, no longer caring if they knew they had hurt her; mostly because they already knew. Her head pitched forward from the force of the blow, and she coughed violently. Frost punched her in the mouth, and this time Irma spat out teeth. She moaned in pain and dropped her head to her chest, too weak to hold it up anymore.

Raythor stepped forward and cupped Irma's chin in his hand. He forced her head up so he could look in her eyes. He was pleased to see those eyes had lost much of their sparkle and mischievousness; now they held only reflections of agony. Good, he thought, she's almost broken. "It's in your power to stop all this, Guardian," he told her. "Just call to your friends and all this pain can end."

Irma stared into Raythor's eyes; she knew he was lying but his offer was tempting nonetheless. Maybe, just maybe, her friends could overcome whatever trap the K.O.V. had laid for them. And if they could do that, then they would be able to rescue her from this hell. She thought about it…but only for a few seconds. She couldn't deliberately lead her friends into a trap that might kill them; Sergeant Lair's daughter was no traitor! The world needed the Guardians of the Veil and Irma trusted her friends to get the job done even if they were a member short. If the world required the Water Guardian's blood, then Irma was prepared to give it. If the world required the Water Guardian's pain, then Irma was prepared to endure it. And if the world required the Water Guardian to make the ultimate sacrifice, then Irma was prepared to offer it. Her dedication to her duty as a Guardian and as a friend far outweighed anything else; and Irma found new strength to hold on just a little longer.

"Well Guardian?" Raythor demanded.

Too weak to speak, Irma let her hands do the talking. She fixed her lips into what she hoped was a defiant growl and extended both middle fingers.

Raythor smiled. "Very well…it continues then."

Miranda came forward with a pair of pliers and fixed them onto one of Irma's fingers. Irma barely had time to panic before Miranda squeezed and twisted the pliers, breaking her captive's finger. Irma screamed in pain; two fingers later and she was unable to hold the tears back any longer. Me and my delusions of grandeur…!

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Morning dawned in Meridian bright and clear. The Guardians had gathered in Elyon's throne room, ready to come up with a rescue plan. Now all they needed was a location from which to rescue…

"Everybody here then?" Will asked. She looked tired but determined. "Alright, good. Elyon and I have been up all night trying to combine our powers into something helpful; unfortunately, we were unsuccessful. The Heart still only shows that smoky stuff, and we're no closer to finding Irma."

The faces of the other Guardians fell; they had been hoping that the combination of powers would help.

Will continued. "We're not leaving Meridian until we find Irma. With this in mind, I created Astral Drops of everyone and sent them back to Earth. They can pinch-hit for us while we do more important things."

Cornelia nodded approvingly; Will was thinking exactly as a good leader should…always focus on the task at hand. She hadn't let her emotions control her logic and had taken steps to ensure the Guardians wouldn't be missed back on Earth.

"Maybe we're going about this all wrong," Taranee spoke up. "Maybe we shouldn't be trying to enhance the Heart of Candracar; maybe we should try enhancing something else."

"Go on…" Will encouraged.

Taranee glanced at Hay Lin, who nodded. The Fire Guardian took a deep breath, "Hay Lin had a dream last night; but we both think it was more like a vision. Remember when Hay Lin was having that dream about Elyon and the throne, and Yan Lin told us the Air Guardian can often sense stuff like that? Well I think this time Hay Lin was Irma and she was experiencing some of what Irma may be experiencing now."

Hay Lin went on to describe her nightmare and the pain and hopelessness she felt. Taranee finished by describing Hay Lin's condition when she finally managed to wake her up. "Hay Lin was sweating and shaking all over. Her bedclothes were shredded and the lamp was smashed. It took fifteen minutes before she could stop crying and shaking."

Hay Lin looked at the floor, embarrassed at being such a wuss. Presently she looked up to gauge the others' reactions. Cornelia had folded her arms and her eyes looked as if they could melt steel. Taranee had moved closer to Hay Lin to offer support. Will was rooted to the spot, her eyes wide with horror. And Elyon…Elyon had sat back down on the steps and covered her mouth with her hand. Tears streamed freely down the young queen's cheeks.

"I can't even imagine that kind of pain let alone think of anyone being forced to endure it. It makes me sick…!"

Cornelia sat down next to Elyon and put a comforting arm around her best friend's shoulders.

Will finally shook her head as if coming out of a trance. "So Taranee, you think we should try to enhance Hay Lin's dreams and try to get Irma's location that way?"

Taranee shrugged. "It's worth a shot isn't it?"

Will closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. It sounded like the last dream had really done a number on Hay Lin; now they were talking about enhancing them! Will had no doubt that Irma was in serious trouble, but was she willing to put another of her friends in danger for the sake of finding her? Was it worth it? Will knew what Hay Lin's answer would be; after all Irma was her best friend and Hay Lin would probably die for her if she thought it necessary. Cornelia would probably disagree with the plan in principle, but with the lack of other strategies...Will sighed…she couldn't, wouldn't make this decision alone; she needed advice from her most trusted "advisor."

Taranee, can you hear me? Nothing…Will looked at Taranee and tried to contact her again. Still nothing. Now Will silently yelled to Taranee. Taranee jumped slightly and looked at Will, surprise on her face.

What? She answered.

What the heck was that T? I had to call you three times before you heard me; and even then I had to yell.

Sorry Will; my telepathy has been on the fritz lately…too much sand in my head I guess. What's up?

Are you and Hay Lin exaggerating at all about Hay Lin's dream and her condition when you found her?

No, Will…not even a little. She really did a number on her room.

Sounds like it. What would cause her to rip the bed clothes and attack her lamp like that? Was she angry?

Will could almost "hear" Taranee thinking before she replied. I don't think so…no definitely not. My guess is she was in an unbearable amount of pain.

Pain?

Yeah; you know how if you're hurting then you grab somebody's hand and squeeze it? Well, Hay Lin didn't have any hands to squeeze, so she shredded the sheets instead.

Do you think it's possible that Irma is really experiencing that level of pain?

Will, I've learned that if I can sprout wings and throw fireballs…then anything is possible.

Good point; so what do you think? Is it worth the risk to Hay Lin to enhance her dreams?

Are you asking for my opinion or my advice?

Is there a difference?

Well, my opinion would be to take a chance. If this was a vision, then Irma is in a serious amount of pain and probably can't hold on much longer. My advice would be to discuss it with Hay Lin and make sure she understands what we're asking.

Come on Taranee, you know Hay Lin won't care about the consequences to herself…this is Irma we're talking about here.

I know, but ultimately it should be up to her…shouldn't it?

Will sighed again. I suppose…alright, thanks for the advice.

Anytime, Will.

Will broke the mental connection and turned to Hay Lin. Will took the Air Guardian's hands in her own and looked into her eyes. "Hay Lin, do you understand what could happen if this goes wrong?"

"I don't care…Irma's my best friend…more like a sister really. I'll do anything to bring her back!"

"But you're putting your mind at tremendous risk by agreeing to this; do you really think Irma would want you to do that?"

Hay Lin's eyes hardened. "Well she's not here to vote now, is she!"

Will opened her mouth to replay, but Hay Lin held up her hand. "Look, we don't have any better ideas right now. Irma's in terrible danger and we need to focus on her not me. The only problem now is…I'm not sleepy."

Cornelia stood up, "That's actually not that big a problem; I can take care of that when the time comes."

Will bit her lip and sighed; there was no talking Hay Lin out of this. "Alright, then let's get you settled in a bedroom and see what happens."

Everyone followed Elyon down a hall and into a spare bedroom. Hay Lin settled in the middle of the bed and looked up at Cornelia expectantly. Will sat down on the bed.

"Now listen, if things get too weird, we are totally waking you up, got it?"

Hay Lin gave her leader a thumbs-up. "Got it chief!" she grinned.

Will stood up and nodded to Cornelia. The Earth Guardian raised a glowing green hand and conjured a bouquet of white and yellow flowers. Standing right over Hay Lin, Cornelia shook the flowers briskly. Yellow powder descended onto Hay Lin's face.

"Aaachoo! Oooh, bless me!" said Hay Lin. She giggled a little; some of her old cheerfulness was starting to return. Finally, they had found a way to help Irma; Hay Lin couldn't help but be a little happier.

"Count back from one-hundred," Cornelia instructed.

"One-hundred…ninety-nine…ninety-eight…ninety-sev…" Hay Lin was soon asleep, snoring softly.

Cornelia stepped back and made the flowers vanish. Will raised an eyebrow.

"Poppies," Cornelia explained. "I saw it on the Wizard of Oz."

Will grinned and shook her head. "We ought to take turns watching over Hay Lin. If things turn really ugly, do whatever is necessary to wake her up. I'll take first shift, then Taranee, then Cornelia. Let's do every four hours for now. Good?"

"Ummm…excuse me, but when is my shift?" Elyon asked.

"You have a kingdom to run Ellie; let us handle this." Cornelia answered.

"Hay Lin is my friend too, guys," Elyon protested. "I want to help!"

Will turned to Elyon. "You are helping by providing a quiet, safe spot for us. Look, if we need another watchdog, we'll come get you. For now, it's important that the people of Meridian believe everything is perfectly normal."

Elyon looked unconvinced, but she relented nonetheless.

"Alright, Cornelia, Taranee, why don't you two see if you can find any clues back at the site of the battle. It's a long shot, but maybe the Knights left something behind."

Cornelia nodded, "Sure thing Will. If there's anything to find, we'll find it."

Taranee and Cornelia left the room and Will sat down in a chair next to Hay Lin's bed. All they could do now was wait…and hope.

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Hay Lin gazed around the area; she saw Raythor and Miranda looking at her in satisfaction. She noticed the rock all around and heard dripping water; am I in a cave of some sort?

She noticed some kind of machine set against the wall across the way, but what it did, she had no idea. She couldn't see any knobs or dials, or anything else that would help her figure out what it was. As she contemplated the big metal box, she suddenly felt the pain. Horrendous, unbearable agony took her breath away. She moaned…or was that Irma who moaned? Hay Lin still wasn't exactly sure who was who, but she knew she was somehow inside Irma…at least in spirit.

I wonder where the other Knights are. Hay Lin had just started to notice their absence when she felt her (Irma's) head wrenched back. She heard Irma grunt and noticed her breathing become shallower. Frost leered down at her (them?) and brought his huge fist smashing down onto Irma's chest. Hay Lin and Irma cried out as pain shot through Irma's body.

"Come on Guardian," Frost taunted, "where's that biting wit now? It's only been three days and you're beat already? They told me you were tough!" He smashed her chest again, and Hay Lin's vision began to blur. Her head pounded, and blood roared in her ears. Every bone in her body screamed in pain…Hay Lin knew she would be in trouble if she "stayed" much longer. But she couldn't bring herself to leave Irma alone; to force her friend to endure this punishment alone. Hay Lin tried to talk to Irma, to comfort her friend somehow…to offer her some hope.

Irma, can you hear me? It's Hay Lin! We're coming to get you, we just need to know where you are! Come on, help me out a bit…where are you? She heard Irma moan again as Frost let her head fall back down to her chest. Irma coughed and Hay Lin's sides protested vehemently. Now Hay Lin could see the massive amount of blood pooled on the floor; she became agitated and frightened. Irma! She called desperately. Irma you've got to hear me! We can help you, but we can't find you. Please, tell me where you are!

Hay Lin saw Frost's fist connect with Irma's stomach and both young women grunted. Three more times, Frost beat Hay Lin's dearest friend, and three more times Irma and Hay Lin endured it together. Hay Lin's head was reeling and she felt herself fading. She was becoming confused, and was having trouble remembering what she was doing there. Then she heard a voice in her mind.

Hay Lin, you…you c-c-c-can't be here…you have…..t-t-to go…NOW!

Hay Lin knew it was Irma, though she sounded weak. Irma! You can hear me! Please tell me where you are!

No Hay-Hay; you…..have to…..get…… outta here. She'll…..k-kill you…

I won't leave you; not until you help me find you!

It's t-t-too late……f-for me……I can't……I can't……UGHN!

Irma cried out as Frost punched her in the kidneys.

Irma! Irma! Come back, please! Irma…!

G-go Hay-Hay……I n-n-need you……to-to b-be safe…

And I just need you, Irma…you're my best friend, my sister. I won't leave you!

Just then an old woman in a brown cloak strode into the room. Still unable to hold her head up on her own, Irma lifted her eyes enough to allow Hay Lin to see the hag.

Oh no…s-she's here…Hay Lin…GO N-N-NOW!

I know her…that's the old woman from our nightmares! What does she have to do with this?

N-no time……g-g-get out…

Hay Lin could tell that this woman scared Irma a lot…but why? The old woman raised her hand and Irma grunted as her head was forced up from her chest. Irma's breathing became more and more labored until she started to gasp for air. Hay Lin gasped along with her and started to feel light-headed.

The old woman spoke. "Who is it Guardian? Is it your leader?"

Irma remained silent. The old woman slowly began to close her fingers; as she did so, Irma's chest started to constrict. She felt as if she were being crushed in a vise. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth against the pain. Still, she did not answer the old woman…

Blood began to seep out of Irma's ears, eyes and broken nose. She began to whimper a little as the pressure built. Hay Lin was near to passing out, but she fought the sensation; she fought for her best friend…she would not abandon Irma now!

"Tell me who it is!" the old woman thundered.

Again, Hay Lin heard Irma's mental plea. "F-f-forgive me…Hay-Hay…I l-l-love you!

An enormous force pushed Hay Lin away. She felt herself hurtling backwards and she fought to stop it; but the force was too strong. The last thing she heard before her mental link was broken was Irma's inhuman scream of agony.

Thus endeth Chapter 6. I hope you enjoyed it. Please send some reviews and let me know what you think. Thanks!