Last time, The Oracle used his powers to block the memories of Nerissa so that she doesn't remember going power crazy and turning evil. With Yan Lin's help, Nerissa was given a second chance to make something of her life. Jaden told Will and the others how he received the card that won him his Duel. Meanwhile Naruto, Luffy and their friends went back to their respective worlds. Then Will and her friends went back to Heatherfield. On with the show!

Chapter 17: Moving Forward

August had rolled into September, and with it, the first day back to school. Will and her friends met up at the front gates of that 'sweathouse,' The Sheffield Institute. "So how's Jaden doing?" asked Taranee. "He's more than fine," said Will, "He's all pumped up to be back at Duel Academe."

"I wonder if we'll ever have need of his Dueling skills again?" asked Cornelia, "I have to admit that I enjoyed watching him Duel Nerissa." "Speaking of whom," said Hay Lin, "My grandma told me yesterday that the memory block The Oracle put on Nerissa is holding, she won't be bothering anymore."

"Well that's good news if I ever herd any," said Cornelia. "Grandma told me that Nerissa started playing the flute again," said Hay Lin, "She was a musician before she went all power crazy." "Good for her," said Will as she and her friends headed for the front door of the school, "It's safe to say we can close the book on Nerissa."

"Now all we got to do," said Irma, "Is find Pai-Mey and stop her before she can cause any more chaos." "That," said Taranee, "And find this Fullmetal Alchemist we were told about." "Well putting the Fullmetal Alchemist aside," said Hay Lin, "I've got this funny feeling that whatever hellish dimension Pai-Mey fled to, she's in big trouble."

"Oh, I've been meaning to ask," said Cornelia, "How's it going with you and Matt?" "Yeah," said Irma "Have you two been doing any 'extracurricular activities' lately? Nudge-nudge, grin-grin, wink-wink, say no more!" "Even if Matt and I have been getting our groove on," said Will, "It's our business to do so, and if I find out he's been bragging, I'll skin him alive." With that, the five Guardians entered the building to start another year of torture that is High School.

Meanwhile…

Sweat ran rivers down the forehead of Pai-Mey as she stood in a large chamber. She was sweating not just from the heat, for it was really hot in the nightmare world she arrived in, but also out of fear. Standing before the former ninja from Konohamaru were five individuals: the five demons that made up The God Hand.

On the far right stood the gigantic creature known as Void: He stood at least 50 feet tall, wearing a long black cape. His face was light brown; huge teeth were protruding from his mouth. His head bulged form the pressure of his enormous brain. Next to Void was the small floating form of Ubik: his head was almost the entire form of his blue colored body, his arms and legs atrophied from lack of use, he wore dark sunglasses.

On the far left stood the female demon called Slan: She had very pale skin and long green hair, which flowed past her shoulders. Protruding from her back were large bat-like wings. Pai-Mey couldn't tell if Slan was a Vampire, a Succubus or a mixture of both. Next to Slan was the obese, purple form of Conrad: His hands grasped together as if praying; his eyes always close from the amount of fat on his face; his mouth always open. In the middle was the red skinned demon Femto who once offered to make Pai-Mey his bride not too long ago.

Pai-Mey continued to sweat as The God Hand talked amongst themselves after she informed her masters of what happened with Nerissa and what happened at Candracar. It was the tall brooding Void who spoke first: "We have listened to what you had to report, Pai-Mey," said Void in his deep rumbling voice. "Yes my masters," said Pai-Mey, trying her best not to show any fear in her voice, "And?"

"And we have just agreed amongst ourselves," said the female, Slan, "That this current generation of Guardians are to be upgraded from 'flies in our ointment,' to 'thorns in our sides.' You should consider yourself lucky that they haven't been elevated to the level of 'pain in the ass,' otherwise you wouldn't be standing here in one piece." "Twice they have interfered in our plans," boomed Conrad, "And twice they have foiled said plans." "Perhaps what is needed is a total evaluation of our plans," said the floating Ubik.

"Forgive me for asking," said Pai-Mey, "But what is to become if me?" "We cannot deny the serious of this matter," said Conrad, "For each plan the Guardians foiled, you were in charge of carrying out said plans." "This time," said Slan, "One of our servants, Nerissa was turned away from the path of chaos, now she walks in the cursed light."

"Nerissa was no great loss," said Ubik, "She was unable to control her greed, her lust for power. She won't be missed." "If the chosen Duelist hadn't been involved," said Void, "The situation would have occurred differently. That interloper Allen Shockley and his meddling comrades are to blame." "He shall be dealt with in time," said Femto as he finally spoke, "But what to do with young Pai-Mey here?"

"She is not to be punished," said Slan, "Not this time. However Pai-Mey, if you fail one more time, your suffering shall be legendary, even in Hell. Now go before we change our minds." "As you command," said Pai-Mey as she bowed and left the room, making sure she didn't walk too fast, for to walk too fast would show fear.

Once outside the chamber, and making sure the door was closed, Pai-Mey breathed several sighs of relief. Collecting herself, she went down the many corridors that made up the hellish world of The God Hand. The walls of the corridors Pai-Mey walked down were decorated with the stuff of nightmares, which I won't write about, or maybe I just don't want to.

Upon reaching her personal chambers, Pai-Mey saw that she had a visitor who was waiting for her return. The creature standing before her was dressed in a long red cloak with the hood turned up. Under the hood was a face with feline features and dark purple eyes. Black cat paws grasped a long gray staff, which was carved with demonic symbols. This creature was the upper level demon known as The Dadga Khan.

"What happened with the masters?" asked The Dadga Khan in a raspy voice like sandpaper. "I'm not to be punished yet," said Pai-Mey as she sat down in a chair, "My century of loyal service still carries merit. However, even though the masters didn't say it, I'm on thin ice. One more failure and I'll wish I was never born."

"The Guardians are to blame for your failures," said The Dadga Khan, "Not you." "Perhaps," said Pai-Mey, "But right now I need to think. I need to come up with a way of destroying those disgusting little brats before the masters decide to have me skinned alive, and my flesh served on a silver platter." "I would be more than happy to assist you in your venture," said The Dadga Khan, "You'll find me a much better associate than Nerissa."

"That's a generous offer," said Pai-Mey, "I am in need of a partner who isn't driven by personal greed. Such people are more easily destroyed, or in Nerissa's case, more likely to defect. She was driven by her own agenda, and look what happened to her. You, my dear Dadga Khan might just be what I'm looking for in terms of a partner in chaos. So, any ideas on how to permanently remove the Guardians from existence?" "I believe I do," said The Dadga Khan, "And with it, an idea on how to reduce several realities to total chaos. Tell me Pai-Mey, have you ever heard of an object called The Philosopher's Stone?"

Thus ends Heart of the Cards. However, the journey of Will and her friends is far from over, for they shall once again clash with Pai-Mey Matoya in 'Fullmetal W.I.T.C.H.' coming soon. See you then!

AndrewK9000