Hi again! Thanks for reviewing my last chapter; I appreciate all your comments. Originally, I was going to make the following chapter part of the last chapter; but then the chapter would have been way too long. I think it's just about time for some payback; besides, Irma's done enough, don't you think? So let's see how it goes!
Disclaimer: Y'all know by now that I don't own W.I.T.C.H.
Disclaimer 2: Y'all know by now as well that my chapters can tend to get a little violent. This is the last time I will post this kind of Disclaimer; mostly because I'm tired of posting it. You have been sufficiently warned…
Chapter 9
"STOP! You FOOLS! What do you think you are doing!" Nerissa had heard Irma's horrible screams and had returned to see what was happening. It wasn't that she particularly cared about the Guardian's well-being, quite the contrary; however, she didn't want her captive killed…at least not yet. Those kinds of screams thus far had been reserved for Nerissa's lightning attacks; the old sorceress knew Irma was tough and stubborn…she wouldn't scream like that unless she couldn't help it. Thus, Nerissa had been concerned that her lackeys were getting a little too overzealous in their "work." And she was right…
Frost and Miranda immediately ceased ravaging Irma's wings. Frost stepped out from behind his captive and gazed at Nerissa questioningly. "Beg pardon Mistress; we were just trying to separate the Guardian from her wings."
Nerissa felt like blasting Frost into a million flaming particles for his incredible stupidity; but she controlled her temper enough to allow the big man to live. "Fool!" she repeated. "You may as well pull her arms off! A Guardian's wings are every bit a separate appendage as an arm or a leg; they are as inseparable as a finger to a hand! Had you managed to succeed in your endeavor, the Guardian would have died from shock or massive hemorrhaging! My entire plan would have been ruined!" she screamed the final sentence to punctuate her anger.
Frost's eyes widened in fear. "I'm sorry Mistress…I didn't know…" he stammered.
"That is abundantly clear," Nerissa growled. She walked over to Irma and raised her captive's chin with two fingers. The Guardian was unconscious and Nerissa saw no reason to change that………yet. She rubbed her thumb across her captive's fresh tears, and for a moment a shadow of memory passed over her ancient eyes. So much like Cassidy…she thought; then Nerissa shook herself free of such useless nostalgia. She dropped Irma's chin and turned to Raythor.
"Has she been thoroughly broken then?"
"Aye Mistress, she has indeed." Raythor answered. "I imagine she'll do anything you want right now."
Nerissa turned back to Irma and cocked her head. Good, she thought, stroking Irma's bloody and swollen cheek. The time is near, little Guardian. Soon this will all be over…
"I must prepare…send word when the Guardian has awakened." Nerissa ordered. "For now, let her sleep; let her hope; it will make the final blow that much sweeter." With that she turned and stalked out of the room.
Frost looked disappointed, but he didn't dare defy Nerissa. He contented himself with popping Irma in the back of the head with his open palm. He thought he heard a soft moan, but decided quickly it was only his imagination. He stalked over to stand beside Raythor.
Raythor, registering his companion's gloom, placed a hand on Frost's big shoulder. "Cheer up Mate; it won't be long now…"
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From somewhere far away, Irma heard an angry voice shouting. She didn't know what the voice was saying, but she knew the voice belonged to Nerissa. Not again! Please not again! Irma thought to herself desperately. She had dimly noted that Frost and Miranda had stopped abusing her wings; and for that small miracle she was grateful. She guessed that Nerissa was angry with Frost and Miranda for trying to pull her wings off; if the old woman truly was a former Guardian, then she certainly understood a Guardian's relationship to her wings. Most likely, she had become angry because she knew the resulting trauma would have killed Irma! Wait a minute, how come I can think clearer all of a sudden?
Irma decided to take a chance. Hay Lin…?
Nothing. Irma released a few tears at the extreme disappointment. She had been so sure Hay Lin had returned; it was the best explanation for her sudden mental clarity. Irma had known nothing but unbearable agony over the last…she didn't know how many days. That level of pain made it virtually impossible for her to put two coherent thoughts together, much less reason out a situation. But when Hay Lin had suddenly popped in the first time, Irma had felt better. The pain wasn't as intense, and her mind felt clearer. Hay Lin's second appearance had had a similar effect; although it wasn't quite as effective as the first appearance, owing to the fact that Irma had endured significantly more abuse between "visits." Now she had experienced a moment of clarity, but she could already feel it fading; she was again swallowed up in agony.
Irma sensed the old hag close to her. The Guardian pretended to be unconscious as Nerissa lifted Irma's chin. The Water Guardian fought not to cringe from revulsion as she felt a dry, withered thumb wipe her tears. She felt the hand leave her face and drop her chin. She heard the old woman's voice again, but couldn't make out her words. Then she felt a dull pain in the back of her head. She moaned and then caught herself. You're supposed to be unconscious you dimwit! She hoped no one had heard her. When nothing else happened, she relaxed a little.
Then she felt it………a small tickle at the back of her brain. She struggled to remember what that tickle meant. But the pain had descended on her in full force once again. She was having trouble remembering her own name at this point, much less what that tickle at the back of her brain meant.
Irma…can you hear me? It's Hay Lin; I'm back!
Irma did not answer and Hay Lin became frightened. No, I can't be too late! IRMA!
Still no answer. Hay Lin mentally kicked herself for her cowardice. She had returned, only to shy away from the intense pain she felt. It was so intense that she knew Irma couldn't be blocking anything this time. However the Water Guardian was doing it, Hay Lin hadn't experienced as much pain as Irma because the latter claimed she was blocking the worst of it from reaching Hay Lin. Although Hay Lin had appreciated her friend's gesture, she had also been angry that Irma was still trying to keep her friends from being hurt. Irma had more than done her part…it was time for someone else to take the pain for a while. Hay Lin had been fully prepared to do that for her best friend…but when she had arrived, she had found the pain to be much more intense than she was expecting. She had not been prepared for that level of sheer agony, and as a result, she had shied away. She had heard Irma mentally cry out for her friend, and for that reason, Hay Lin had returned. If Irma can take it, then so can I! Hay Lin was determined to stick by her friend no matter what…
IRMA ANSWER ME! Hay Lin "shouted." Why wasn't she answering! Hay Lin would never forgive herself if her moment of weakness had cost Irma her life or her sanity. Hay Lin started to cry, her fear overcoming her emotional control.
Hay Lin?
IRMA! You're alright…thank goodness!
D-d-define….alright……
Hay Lin would have laughed with relief under different circumstances. You're still alive. I was so worried when you didn't answer…
Th-th-th-thought…you…w-were………………hallu…cin…a…tion…
Well I'm really here; and the Guardians are coming. You have to hang on. Hay Lin had no idea how Irma was still hanging on; the pain the Air Guardian was experiencing already threatened to overwhelm her senses. But if Irma could hang in, then so could Hay Lin; she wouldn't fail her sister again! She steeled herself and tried to block out the worst of the pain. Irma was talking again, and Hay Lin listened closely to the barely whispering Guardian.
M-m-machine……no……powers…
Machine? You mean that ugly boxy thing in the corner?
Ughn…
I'll take that as a "yes." What about the machine?
P-p-powers……
Machine, no powers…let me think………Oh do you mean the machine blocks your powers?
Yes…
Will it block all of our powers?
Y-yes…
Well that could be a problem…
T-t-trap…M-m-machine…T-trap…
Yeah Will already figured this whole thing is a trap. I wouldn't worry too much about it; Will's pretty smart…
Ughn…Irma felt herself fading.
Hey don't you go anywhere! Irma stay with me please…I can't handle this alone!
N-n-not……a-alone…Hay-Hay…
Hay Lin knew appealing to Irma's protective nature would succeed. You're not alone either Irma. I'm here…it's going to be okay. We're gonna get you out of here and get you some help. I need you to believe that; to believe me.
I………do…
Hay Lin wracked her aching brain for something to say. She figured it would be a good idea to try some normal conversation; maybe it would take Irma's mind off the pain for a little while. How are you feeling? Hay Lin could have kicked herself!
F-f-fan…tas…tic………y-you?
Sorry, it was the first thing that came to mind…I didn't mean to be insensitive. Seriously, how are you doing?
Too…much…………c-can't………can't………ughn…
Irma please try to hold on! What will I tell Martin?
Ughn………
Irma just let it go. I know you're still trying to be a hero, and I appreciate it. But I can't help you if you don't let me!
D-d-don't……under……s-s-stand…
Don't give me that; you know exactly what I'm talking about! Stop trying to protect me; I'm a big girl…I can handle it. You can't do this alone; I'm here to help you. Do you have any idea how hard it was to convince Will to let me come back? She didn't cave until Cornelia, of all people, convinced her I was right. You need me Irma…and I need you! Please………let me help you carry this.
For a few seconds, Hay Lin felt and heard nothing. Then it hit her…the most intense pain she had ever felt! She felt as though her skin was on fire, and her whole body had been crumpled up and tossed around like a basketball. Son of a bok choy! What in the hell have they done to you!
Welcome to my……world Sis...
Thanks! I think……And don't you even think of taking it back Irma Lair!
Irma knew it was selfish of her, but she really didn't want to take it back. By giving Hay Lin half of her suffering, Irma felt so much stronger. Still, she felt guilty for caving to the pressure. Are you okay Hay Lin?
I'm holding up alright…geez, your back is killing me!
Sorry…I never wanted this for you…
I know, I'm just trying to keep the mood light.
I'm glad you're here Hay-Hay…you have no idea how glad I am.
I couldn't leave you all alone here. Listen, can I…………can I ask you something?
Anything.
When you called me your sister, and you said that you loved me, did you really mean it? I mean, it wasn't just the desperate ravings of a soul in more pain than any twenty-three people should have to bear? Hay Lin wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer. What if Irma had just been so grateful to hear a friendly voice that she said something she didn't mean?
Hay Lin, you and I have had this…………… connection since the day we first met. I know we've both felt it; and neither one of us can really explain it. All I know is I would do anything…anything…for you. You are as close to my sister as you can get without actually sharing my mother. I love you as my sister Hay-Hay. So, yes, I meant every word I said………
Hay Lin knew she was about to cry with joy. She started to reply, when she heard footsteps. She felt Irma's increased fear. Hay Lin knew this was bad…
Irma what is it?
It's her…Nerissa!
Who's Nerissa?
The old hag from our nightmares. Not her again…please not her…!
Hay Lin was about to ask Irma what she feared so much about the old woman, when she felt herself fading. NO! Not yet!
Hay Lin?
Irma!
Hay Lin, don't go…please…I need you!
But it was no longer up to Hay Lin; she was being forcibly ripped away from Irma. As she felt herself hurtling away from her best friend, the last thing she heard was Irma's cry of desperation.
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Will and Taranee had been checking the areas Elyon had indicated as quickly as they could; still it wasn't fast enough for Will. She and Taranee had hardly spoken since their search had begun; both of them knew the urgency of the situation, and words were fairly unnecessary at this time. They had already checked three of the seven areas and had come up empty. Now the two Guardians landed in the fourth area. Will let Taranee walk around a bit, just listening. While her friend "listened," Will kept a sharp eye out for any sign of an ambush.
Suddenly Taranee groaned and grabbed her forehead with her hand. She turned in place and winced. Her shoulders shot up to her chin, and her face became a mask of pain. Grabbing her head in both of her hands, she staggered a few steps towards Will, then collapsed to her knees.
"Taranee!" Will screamed, rushing to the Guardian's side.
By now, Taranee had curled up in a fetal position, holding her head. She was moaning and shaking as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Will fell at Taranee's side and put her hands on the Fire Guardian's shoulders. "Taranee, talk to me! Taranee! Taranee!"
When Taranee still didn't answer, Will grabbed her under the armpits and took off into the air. She flew about two miles then landed as gently as she could with Taranee's extra weight. Looking into her friend's face, Will searched for a sign that Taranee was okay.
Taranee sighed and gradually stopped shaking. Will pulled the Guardian's hands away from her head and grabbed her in a relieved hug. Taranee winced a little, but eventually returned her leader's hug.
Will pulled back and placed her hands on Taranee's shoulders. "Are you alright?"
Taranee grinned shakily, "Yeah, I'm okay Will."
Will pushed Taranee's hair out of her eyes. "You don't look okay. Look at you; you're sweating…what happened?"
"I'm not really sure…all of a sudden I just felt a wave of pain and despair. I wasn't prepared for it; I guess I just lost it for a second." Taranee shuddered and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and dropped her head wearily against Will's shoulder.
Will supported Taranee as she rested. Her friend's reaction had scared the redhead more than she would have liked to admit. As Taranee rested, Will voiced the question she knew Taranee was expecting. "Do you think that could've been Irma?"
"Yeah, I think that's a pretty good possibility." Taranee replied. She lifted her head and started to stand up. Will helped Taranee to her feet and steadied her winded friend. Taranee smiled gratefully at Will.
"We have to go get the others Will."
"I know. Do you feel okay?"
"I'll be fine; let's go!"
Will nodded and produced the Heart of Candracar. Swiftly she created a fold, and she and Taranee returned to the Palace.
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Nerissa strode into the room and Raythor immediately bowed before his mistress. She ignored her field commander and continued straight to where Irma hung. She dragged her finger across the Guardian's forehead and Irma jerked awake.
"Time to wake up child; we're about to have company." Nerissa cooed.
She turned to Raythor and Frost. "Prepare yourselves…the Guardians have arrived."
Yes, let the butt-kicking begin! I know I promised a rescue, or an attempt, in this chapter, but at least it's kind of begun. Let me know what y'all think. Thanks for taking the time to read. Ciao!