Booyah! Welcome back to the Whale Pit. Thanks to everyone who reviewed Chapter 11 for me. Welcome to our "newest" members Prince Vincent Black (author bows), Goofy Monkey Child (author scratches armpits), Element07 (author pumps fist in the air and barks), and Irma 1 (author raises the roof and whoops loudly). Of course a big thank you goes out to the regular crowd: KiiroKrazyXD (sup K.K.), Visigoth29527 (yo, we'll play Squash later), Raven's Soul Sister (author bows and waves ecstatically), Invader Spyder (lovely to see all of your personalities again Sir), and Irma Rokz (WOOT). Virgin Margaritas all around! I appreciate all of your comments and I hope you'll keep 'em coming. I also love all the Private Messages, so anyone feel free to reach out and slap me anytime. Ask me anything; I will always answer truthfully. Right then; on with the story…
Chapter 12
Hay Lin's scream ripped through the air, startling Cornelia and Taranee. The Earth Guardian had just closed her eyes to rest; now she was wide awake and looking around wildly. Taranee, who had been sound asleep, awoke much less gracefully. She had gathered the unconscious Will into her arms and activated a sort of "heat shield" to keep her warm. Hay Lin's piercing scream had so startled the Fire Guardian that she had dropped her leader unceremoniously to the ground. Grimacing at her rude treatment of her friend, Taranee checked to be sure her pants were still dry before she looked to Hay Lin.
Hay Lin was roughly shaking Irma's shoulders, begging her to wake up. When Irma didn't respond, Hay Lin began to gather her powers. She was about to blow life-giving air into Irma's lungs, when Cornelia grabbed her wrists.
"Wait," Cornelia said calmly.
Hay Lin was bewildered, but did as instructed. Kneeling beside the Water Guardian, Cornelia gently took Irma's wrist and checked for a pulse. She laid her other hand on Irma's ribs and pressed lightly. She moved her hand to various areas around Irma's chest and stomach, each time pressing gently. After a few seconds, she looked at Hay Lin.
"She has no pulse and she isn't breathing. Her ribs are so badly broken CPR is going to be really hard, if not impossible. She's been coughing blood, so she may have a punctured lung as well."
Hay Lin's eyes widened and she began to panic. No way in Hell was she going to let her best friend, her sister, die right in front of her. In desperation, Hay Lin pounded on Irma's chest in an attempt to get her heart started; she had seen it work on TV lots of times. Her desperation turned to outright horror when she heard the sickening crack of bones under her fist.
Cornelia pushed the Air Guardian away. "Stop, you're going to hurt her!" Cornelia placed her hands near Irma's heart and pushed down hard. She tried to block out the crunch of Irma's ribs, as they loudly protested the abuse. She counted to herself while she pushed on Irma's chest.
"Hay Lin, I need your help over here." Cornelia said.
When Hay Lin didn't respond, Cornelia looked up. Hay Lin was sitting nearby, a blank, horrified expression on her face. Cornelia didn't have time for this; Irma was dying.
"Hay Lin," Cornelia said firmly, "I know you're traumatized and all, but if Irma's going to have any chance, I need your help. So get over your damage and snap out of it!"
Hay Lin jerked then and stared at Cornelia. The Earth Guardian was taking charge, and she needed Hay Lin's help. Still trembling inside, Hay Lin moved closer to Irma and glanced at Cornelia for instructions.
Cornelia nodded. "I need you to breathe for Irma. Go ahead and give her two breaths now. Be careful Air Girl; her lungs are already damaged, so don't overdo the breathing thing."
Hay Lin nodded. She placed two fingers underneath Irma's chin and her other hand on Irma's forehead. Tilting Irma's head back, Hay Lin gently blew two breaths into her friend's mouth. Irma's chest inflated twice, and Hay Lin pulled back.
"Perfect," Cornelia praised. "Now you'll need to do that whenever I stop compressions. Got it?"
Hay Lin nodded. She watched as Cornelia resumed compressions. The Air Guardian winced each time Cornelia's hands impacted Irma's broken ribs. She placed her hands over her ears and tried not to imagine the chaos occurring inside the rapidly fading Water Guardian. She was vaguely aware of Taranee's comforting arm around her shoulders. Hay Lin continued to breathe for Irma whenever Cornelia's hands stopped pumping.
After four cycles of pumping and breathing, Cornelia again checked for a pulse. "No pulse yet; Hay Lin, is she breathing?"
Hay Lin listened and watched carefully. After a few seconds she shook her head.
"Then we go again," Cornelia stated, resuming her compressions.
Hay Lin's eyes welled up. This can't be the end…
Don't give up on her yet Hay Lin; Irma's strong.
Hay Lin squeezed Taranee's hand gratefully. There's just so much damage…
Yes there is, but Irma has a lot to live for. She's never let us down before; she's not going to start now.
Hay Lin blew two more breaths into her best friend. I hope you're right Taranee. I don't think I could go on without her…
Another four cycles, another check for a pulse. Cornelia shook her head and looked at Hay Lin. The Air Guardian listened half-heartedly, not really expecting to hear anything. To her surprise, Irma was indeed breathing on her own.
"She's breathing! I don't believe it, she's breathing!"
"Good, our job is half finished," Cornelia stated as she resumed pumping on Irma's chest.
Hay Lin twisted around and grabbed Taranee in a hug. Hope sprang anew in her heart and she clasped Taranee's hand as she turned to watch Cornelia.
The Earth Guardian was getting tired. She was breathing heavily from exertion, but she kept going. In her heart she didn't have much hope. Every compression caused more damage to Irma's already severely injured ribs. Cornelia wasn't even sure she was doing any good at all for Irma's heart. Nevertheless, it was all she could think of to do. She continued pumping…and pumping…and pumping.
Two cycles later, Irma's heart still refused to beat. Cornelia stopped pumping. She looked down at Irma's unnaturally still form, then into Hay Lin's stricken eyes. Sadly the exhausted Earth Guardian shook her head. "I'm sorry, Hay Lin…she's gone."
Hay Lin stared at Cornelia, the reality of her words refusing to sink into her brain. Gradually, she realized what Cornelia was saying, and her face crumbled into grief. "No…….no……she can't be……it's not………she's not……………"
Hay Lin threw herself over her best friend's lifeless body and began to cry. Sobs shook her body violently as she held her best friend. Her sobs increased in pitch until her agonized wails filled the air.
Taranee remained kneeling where she was, her head bowed, her clenched fists hanging at her sides, her shoulders shaking.
Cornelia rose slowly and reached for Hay Lin. Then she thought better of it and pulled her hand back. She stalked over to the wall and placed her hand against it. She bent over a little and tried to fight off the emotions that threatened to crack her composure. Finally unable to fight it anymore, she leaned her back against the wall and slid down to a sitting position, her knees up near her chest. Burying her beautiful face in her hands, she surrendered to her grief and began to cry softly.
"Hay Lin, get back!"
The command ripped through the air with such authority that the three grieving Guardians looked up. Hay Lin's red eyes widened in shock and she immediately moved off of Irma.
Will stepped forward and knelt down on one knee next to the lifeless Water Guardian. She pointed her finger straight at Irma's heart and fired a thin bolt of lightning. Irma's back arched for a few seconds, then fell back to its original position.
Horrified, Hay Lin started to move towards Will. "Stop it, leave her alone!" she shouted.
Taranee grabbed her grief-stricken friend. "No Hay Lin, wait…watch."
Hay Lin fought to free herself from Taranee's grip. "No, what is she doing? Just leave her alone…!"
Cornelia joined Taranee in holding back the violently squirming Air Guardian. Like Taranee, Cornelia had seen what Will was trying to do; she only hoped it wasn't too late.
Will placed her fingers against Irma's neck, ignoring Hay Lin's pleas. Still not detecting a pulse, Will pointed her finger at Irma's heart and fired again. Again, the Water Guardian's back arched, then fell. Will laid her fingers on Irma's neck again and waited. Once more she repeated the process; once more Irma's body reacted similarly. After the third try, Will looked at the three struggling Guardians……………………and grinned.
"Got her," she said quietly. "I've got a pulse…"
Hay Lin stopped struggling; Taranee and Cornelia released her. The Air Guardian crawled swiftly towards her friend. Will caught her by the shoulders.
"Careful Hay Lin; she's still not in very good shape. Be gentle."
Hay Lin nodded and leaned down to hug her best friend.
Will stood and walked over to Cornelia and Taranee. The two Guardians stood to meet her. They caught their leader in a relieved hug. The three friends held onto one another for a minute.
"Feeling better?" Taranee asked.
Will grinned, "Yeah, thanks to the Heart of Candracar."
"Human defibrillator…nice," said Cornelia with a wink.
"I just hope I didn't cause more damage," Will sighed.
"You mean more damage than……………death?" Cornelia quipped.
So not what Will meant, but this wasn't the time to debate it. Instead she gave Cornelia a look and pointed a warning finger at the Earth Guardian. "What say we blow this joint?"
Taranee nodded enthusiastically. "Best idea I've heard in a long time."
The three Guardians walked over to where Hay Lin was still holding Irma's shoulders in her arms. Will held up the Heart of Candracar and created a fold. Then the four Guardians lifted Irma between them and stepped through.
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Elyon paced the throne room. The Guardians had been gone for nearly two days and she was way past antsy. She had sent a team of soldiers to their last known location just a few hours ago. They had reported discovering a massive cave-in and no sign of either the Knights of Vengeance or the Guardians. Elyon had immediately sent reinforcements with heavy digging equipment. Still, she knew progress would be slow; no one had any idea how stable the area would be after the cave-in. Elyon wanted so badly to just go and clear the rocks away with her magic; but she couldn't take the chance that she would accidentally "clear away" the Guardians in the process. Without knowing precisely where they were, she could end up causing more harm than good. She clenched her fist and growled to the empty throne room.
She was just about to vent her frustrations at her throne, when a fold appeared in front of her. Emitting a surprised cry, Elyon jumped back and readied her magic. If an enemy charged through that fold, he was going to have the worst day of his life. Instead, four bedraggled Guardians stepped into the throne room, carrying the fifth between them.
Gently, they laid Irma on the floor. Hay Lin knelt beside her and checked her pulse. Taranee stayed close to Hay Lin, while Will and Cornelia approached Elyon.
Elyon squealed with delight and rushed into the arms of her best friend. She hugged Cornelia tightly, hardly daring to believe she was really here.
"You're back; I was so worried! When I heard about the cave-in I feared the worst."
"Well we would've been here sooner but our fearless leader developed a case of mashed-brain syndrome. She couldn't remember how to use the Heart, and she called me………………Corndog." Cornelia sniffed.
Elyon blinked in confusion and turned to Will. The redhead held up her hand. "I'll explain later, but right now we need a doctor for Irma. We've already had to raise the dead once; we don't want a repeat performance."
Elyon nodded and yelled for a guard. After instructing him to fetch a doctor, she turned back to Will. "Let's get her to a room. Follow me."
The Guardians carried Irma to an empty guest room and laid her on the bed. It was only then that Hay Lin noticed the damage to the Water Guardian's wings. They were shredded and burned, twisted and bloody. Gingerly, she reached out and touched one of the delicate appendages. She shivered as she imagined what the Knights could possibly have done to cause this kind of damage. The other Guardians noticed the damage as well, and each showed various expressions of revulsion and anger. It was then that the doctor arrived, so the Guardians moved aside; he immediately set to work examining his patient. The five friends huddled together anxiously while the doctor examined Irma. Presently he sighed and stood up.
"My Queen, I beg your forgiveness, but there is nothing I can do for your friend. She is too badly hurt…it is simply a matter of time."
"Nothing? Are you sure?" Elyon asked.
"I am sorry, Your Highness………your friend is going to die ere the sun rises."
Hay Lin broke down again and rushed to Irma's bedside. Again she threw herself over her best friend and sobbed. Elyon quietly thanked the doctor, and he left. She turned to Will. "Can you use the Heart of Candracar to heal Irma?"
"I can try. Hay Lin, stand back."
Hay Lin again moved aside while her leader stepped forward. Summoning the Heart of Candracar, Will held the shining pink jewel above Irma's chest. The Heart glowed and bathed Irma in pink light. Irma was raised several inches into the air as the pink glow increased in intensity.
"I think it's working," Taranee breathed.
All of a sudden, the pink glow surrounding Irma turned black and angry. The glow spread from Irma's body to Will's arm and up her shoulder. Astonished, Will tried to pull away, but she was frozen. The black light continued to envelop Will's body until both she and Irma were surrounded by the angry black glow. Hay Lin rushed forward to help Will, but she was thrown back against the wall. After what seemed an eternity, Will let out a scream and crumpled to the floor. Irma was dropped back onto the bed and the black light finally dissipated.
Taranee ran to Will while Elyon ran to Hay Lin. Cornelia moved to check on Irma.
"Hay Lin, are you okay?" Elyon asked, as she helped the Guardian off the floor.
"I think so," Hay Lin replied, rubbing her shoulder.
"Will's unconscious," Taranee reported. "But other than that, I can't find any injuries."
"Irma looks pretty much the same to me," Cornelia said.
"What just happened?" Elyon asked.
"I don't know," Taranee answered. "I've never seen anything like that before."
Will began to stir and she sat up. Her hand went to her head and she moaned softly.
"Will! Are you okay?" Taranee asked.
"I think so," Will answered slowly. She looked around the room. "What was that?"
"We were hoping you could tell us," Cornelia answered.
Will shook her head, "I have no idea. But I'm guessing it didn't help Irma?"
Cornelia shook her head and Will sighed.
"Then we have to get her back to Earth. She needs a hospital," Hay Lin suggested.
Will looked at Hay Lin then lowered her eyes to the floor. "We can't do that Hay Lin," she said quietly.
"Why not?"
"Because that would require me to return her to her human form."
Hay Lin blinked; she still didn't understand. She gazed into Will's ever so expressive brown eyes and saw pain; not for herself but for her friends. "I…I don't understand…"
Will stood up and crossed the room to place her hands on Hay Lin's shoulders. She took a deep breath, "Hay Lin, as a Guardian, Irma barely survived the torture and the immense amount of damage it caused. What do you think that damage would do to a fourteen year-old kid?"
Hay Lin thought for a moment. "She would die before we made it to the hospital, wouldn't she…?"
Will nodded. "I'm sorry Hay Lin…"
Hay Lin's eyes filled with tears and she buried her head in Will's shoulder. Will closed her eyes and held her shaking friend. She patted her back and smoothed her hair, but could find no words of comfort.
"Will, you have to take her to Candracar," Cornelia spoke up.
Will and Hay Lin separated and turned to Cornelia. "Candracar?" they asked in unison.
"Yes Candracar." Cornelia stated firmly. "They may be the only ones who can help her now."
Will looked around at her friends, "But it didn't work the last time I tried to get there."
"Then try again," Cornelia enunciated, as if she was talking to a child.
Will took the Heart in her hand and closed her eyes. She concentrated on Candracar and silently communicated her need to be there. She felt the room spin briefly, then everything stopped. When she opened her eyes, she was still in Elyon's guest room. She looked at Elyon.
"Don't give up Will; it almost worked." Elyon said. "You all shimmered for a second, then nothing. It's as if the Heart has a low battery or something."
"A low battery!" Taranee snapped her fingers. "That's it! Maybe the Heart got drained after that black-light business. Will, try just transporting you and Irma."
"Okay, here goes…" Will again closed her eyes and concentrated on transporting Irma and herself to Candracar. Again the room began to spin, then stopped. Will tentatively opened her eyes and looked around at………
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Candracar; a place at the center of the universe. Here only harmony exists; here the source of all the magic in the universe resides; here the Council of Elders keeps watch over the Earth and Meridian. Nestled inside a huge pink palace, the Council was unsurprised to see the Guardian leader appear in their midst. They also were not surprised to see her accompanied by the mortally wounded Water Guardian. What they were surprised at was the Oracle's request for privacy. The Oracle was the Head of the Council; the omniscient being had ultimate charge over the Guardians. As the members of the Council vacated the room, the Oracle asked the Mage to stay, then looked serenely at the redheaded leader of the Guardians. "Welcome young Guardian. What brings you to Candracar?"
Will knew Irma would have made a smart remark, but this wasn't the time. "Oracle," she said, "Irma is badly injured; she is dying. We need your help. Please, can you heal her?"
The Oracle raised his chin a little as he regarded the young leader. There were times he regretted having to place so much pressure on such young shoulders; however, Will Vandom had proven to be a most effective commander, and her friends most effective Guardians. He nodded to the Mage, and the mysterious woman approached the dying Guardian.
She raised her hand and held it in the air over Irma's body. Her hand glowed with a soft blue light, and the Mage muttered unintelligibly. After a few seconds, she pulled her hand away as if she had been burned. She looked at her hand, then she turned to the Oracle.
"Her injuries are grave, Oracle," she said in a quiet voice. It was almost as if she had swallowed gravel and was trying to whisper though it. At nearly seven feet tall, the Mage was an imposing figure, and Will was grateful she was on their side. "But that is not the worst of it. She has been cursed as well. Tell me child, did you attempt to heal her with the Heart of Candracar?"
Will nodded, "Yes I did, but I was unsuccessful. Something happened and the Heart wasn't able to help Irma…I don't really know what it was."
"It was a curse," the Mage replied. "A very evil curse." She turned back to the Oracle. "The curse will prevent any form of magical healing, Oracle."
The Oracle nodded sadly, "Thank you Mage." He turned his attention to Will. "I am sorry young Guardian; we cannot help her."
Will felt rage and frustration building in her chest. "What do you mean you can't help her? She's dying because some evil old hag decided to get her kicks by torturing her. She's dying because she refused to give up the rest of us. She's dying because she's a Guardian; a predicament you put her in!"
The Oracle gazed sadly at Will. "I am aware of all this young Guardian; but the curse prevents us from helping your friend."
"Then lift the damn curse!"
"I am afraid it is not that simple; counteracting a curse takes time."
"I am confident I could lift the curse with time, but your friend will have long expired by then." the Mage said.
"What do you mean it takes time? Can't you just cast a spell and be done with it?" Will thundered.
The Mage narrowed her eyes dangerously and fixed Will with a withering glare. "Do not speak of things you know not! I do not have time to instruct you on the intricacies of curses and counter-curses. Suffice it to say that counteracting a curse properly is a difficult and time-consuming process!"
The Oracle held up his hand. The Mage fell silent, but continued to glare at Will. "The Mage is correct Guardian; I believe she could indeed counteract this curse, but not in time to save the Water Guardian."
Will clenched her fists as her eyes began to fill with tears of anger and frustration. "Then what do you expect me to do? I can't take her to an Earth hospital because a human teenager would never survive her injuries. Meridian doesn't have anywhere near the medical expertise to save her life; and now you're telling me that the most powerful beings in the universe can't help her either. Well dammit, that's just not good enough!" She yelled her last sentence as she gazed at the Oracle, just daring him to tell her to calm down.
Instead the Oracle simply smiled and opened his mouth to speak. He was interrupted by the Mage. "There may be a way Oracle……the Joining."
The Oracle's blue eyes registered surprise for a fleeting instant as he turned to the Mage. "The Joining has not been attempted in a very long time, Mage. I fear it could cause more harm than good."
"Nevertheless, should it not be put forth as an option?" the Mage questioned.
Will couldn't stand it. Irma was dying and these two were arguing. "What's the Joining?" she asked.
The Oracle turned back to Will. "The Joining is an ancient ritual that allows a Guardian to be temporarily "joined" with her corresponding Auramere. The Auramere can then heal the Guardian over time. It is an ancient form of magic that cannot be hindered by any curse known to us. But this healing comes at a terrible price."
"And that price is…?" Will prompted.
"It is twofold. One, the Auramere will be severely weakened for a time after performing the healing. How long and how weak depends on the amount of damage the Guardian sustained. During this time of her Auramere's recovery, the Guardian will have significantly reduced powers; if any at all. Mage, what is your estimate?"
"The Water Guardian has sustained significant mortal injury. I believe it would take several weeks for the Auramere to sufficiently recover." The Mage answered.
"Several……..several weeks?" Will said incredulously. "Without the power of Water?"
The Oracle nodded. "That is correct Guardian."
Will wasn't sure she wanted to hear the rest, but she screwed up her courage and asked the Oracle to continue.
"The other price is paid by the Guardian herself. In order to heal its Guardian, the Auramere will place her in a state of limbo, effectively suspending all bodily functions except those necessary to keep her alive. In addition, the Auramere will explore the Guardian's injuries via her own memories, which will be perfect and clear. The only thoughts she will have while in this state are those pertaining to her injuries. This means, she will be forced to relive her experiences over and over until the Auramere completes the healing process. She will have no sense of time or place; only pain and torture. The psychological repercussions could be……catastrophic."
Will's jaw nearly hit the floor. "So the only way to save Irma's life is to turn her into a raving lunatic?"
The Oracle merely gazed at Will and blinked his unreadable blue eyes.
"Oracle, the Water Guardian is fading." The Mage reported.
The Oracle raised his chin and looked at Will. "You have a decision to make young Guardian. And it would be wise to make it quickly…your friend is near death."
Will turned her back and walked away a few paces. How could she make this kind of decision? It shouldn't be up to her, it should be up to Irma and her family; neither of which was an option right now. Will closed her eyes and tried to think what Irma would want. This Joining could save her life, but at what cost? When did the price become too high? Will thought of the good times she had spent with her goofy friend. The time she had caused water from the drinking fountain to hit Uriah; all the sleepovers; the way she was the first of the Guardians to truly accept Will as her friend and leader; the way she had stopped thousands of gallons of water to save the lives of Phobos's guards in the Underwater Mines; how she had come after Will when the latter had been captured by Phobos. Irma was the most loyal friend anyone could ask for, and this was the price of that loyalty? She wished she could turn back time and force Irma into telling Nerissa whatever the hag wanted to hear; to do whatever the hag wanted done; then they wouldn't be in this mess. But Will knew Irma would do everything the same even if she knew the eventual outcome………and now Will had to choose that outcome. Did she let her friend go and thus end her suffering? Or did she save her life and possibly doom her friend to a fate worse than death? What would Irma's mind be like after being forced to relive her agony, fear, despair, and torment over and over and over for who knew how long? She wouldn't know that she was safe, she wouldn't know that it was over, she wouldn't know that her friends had already rescued her. All she would know would be agony and despair. What kind of a life would Irma have if she suffered catastrophic psychological damage? Would she even want to live like that? And yet, wasn't being alive better than the alternative, no matter what? Irma loved life so much; it was all a big game to her. She loved her friends, and she loved being a Guardian. Did Will have any right to take that from her? And then there was Hay Lin; would she ever be able to look Hay Lin in the eye if she chose to let Irma go? Would she ever be able to look herself in the eye? How would she explain to Irma's parents that her daughter had died the most horrible death imaginable at the hands of a supremely evil woman? How could she explain that their daughter had died a hero, protecting her friends, her loved-ones, and countless people she would never know on two worlds? And yet, how could she explain if Irma returned to her parents as an empty shell; a mere shadow of the daughter they loved? Will sighed heavily, feeling a tremendous weight pressing down on her shoulders. She turned back around to face the Oracle.
"Your decision Guardian?" the Oracle prompted.
Will closed her eyes and hoped with all her being that she was doing the right thing….
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Hope you all enjoyed Chapter 12. I realize I took some creative license here with the Auramere thing. I actually have no idea if an Auramere can do any of that crap, but this is my fic, so I make the rules. And in my world, an Auramere can do that. Let me know what you think! Thanks!