W.I.T.C.H. Au

By: FunahoMisaki

A/N: I own nothing and read last chapter.)

"So then any questions?" Will asked an hour later as she sat back in her office chair looking at the four women that she had just finished briefing about the Guardian Army.

"Just one right now." Halinor asked causing Will to look at her.

"How did you find this place and start up the Guardian Army?" Halinor asked causing the other three to nod, that was a fair question.

"That's a very good question, one I don't hear often." Will said smiling at her grandmother who smiled back.

"About a month after me and the other girls became Guardians, some Lurdens tried to ambush me when I was walking home taking a new route since my old one was under construction. I lost them in the woods but got a bit lost myself. I knew my way back alright, but the Lurdens did too somehow and blocked it. That's when I stumbled through a thick blanket of vines and found this place, The Clearing it's called when out in public around those unaware. The buildings were in decent shape but needed a good cleaning and I thought that this place would be a good safe heaven for me and the girls to just get away from everything. When I bought them here and we began cleaning though we noticed that there was room for a lot more people and almost everything we need to be entirely self sufficient. So I began to think, why not invite a few others here? At first it started with those that were homeless and needed a place to stay till they got back on their feet. We invited them here, helped them, and then made them promise to keep it a secret because we weren't in it for glory or fame we just wanted to help. They appreciated that and one of them, a military veteran that now has a job as a security officer at the county library, made a comment on how this place was as large as a military base. So after that me and the girls talked about it and thought it would be a good idea to have a second line of defense for Earth against Phobos, in case we were to fail. That's when the Army began." Will said reaching out and taking a sip of the grapefruit juice on her desk for a second.

"We started recruiting from those we trusted a bit, the homeless people we helped, others who needed help like they did and were often ignored by everyone else, and eventually it went into those around my age. It started with those that the others knew, Elyone, the Grubbers, Martin, and a few others from our school. Slowly as our numbers grew so did the need for more order and structure. It was the veteran that gave us the idea to separate the troops into different specialties, some of Irma's group called the different groups Tribes a few times as a joke and it stuck. That's when we started training, both us and the other troops. We all began training, began supporting ourselves here, and as our troops grew talented we expanded a bit more. We now have an office full of different Tribe members that focus solely on recruiting and possible recruits." Will said swirling the contents of her cup a bit.

"We have many that live here full time aside from their jobs or school. Despite appearances to the contrary, there aren't that many people here my age much less younger. The youngest members are Cornelia's little sister Lillian, who is the Heart of Earth, and Irma's little brother Chris, who proclaimed that he is Lillian's protector and Guardian. Most of those here are college students or those out of school, many are fully grown adults that just couldn't find or get the help they needed anywhere else. We gave them that help. We gave them a home, a family, when they had none or theirs wasn't there for them. In return they gave us their loyalty, their faith, their trust. I like to think that we're using that faith and trust to do what's best for everyone, us and them." Will said smiling slightly as she thought of her troops, causing there to be two laughs to be heard as two little kids ran into the room and tackled Will in hugs.

"You do boss lady! You help all of us and keep us all feeling like we have a home and family that always has time for us! I love my parents and Cornelia but sometimes they're just too busy but now thanks to you I have a lot more older brothers and sisters to spend time with!" The small blond girl said hugging Will who laughed and hugged her back.

"Yeah! Irma's always busy with the radio show and Guardian business while mom and dad almost always have to work! But here there's always someone free to spend time with me or help me when I need it!" The brown haired boy said hugging Will as well and causing the red head to laugh while the former guardians got their first good look of the two little kids. They were both young, only about seven or so, and while the girl had blond hair and green eyes, the boy had straw brown hair and blue eyes… they actually looked like a young version or Cornelia and a young male version of Irma.

"Haha. You two. How long have you two rascals been listening in?" Will asked with a laugh as she hugged the two kids.

"Not long. I just got curious what took so long when I thought that you would just be introducing the new recruits to the whole thing. I wanted you to play with me." The girl said pouting and causing the boy to nod in agreement. The former guardians quickly noticed that whereas the girl was wearing the Earth Tribe colors, the boy was wearing Water Tribe colors. They also had titles on their shirts. The girls was 'Earth Princess' and the boys was 'Water Guard'.

"Besides these are no ordinary new recruits. These are the former guardians me and the other Leaders told everyone about, they're younger than they usually are because they are still hooked up to a Heart." Will explained causing the two kids to detangle themselves from her as they turned and looked at the four women curiously.

"Allow me to do the introductions. Lillian, Chris, these are the good former guardians. The red head is former Water Guardian Cassidy MacLean." Will began causing Cassidy to wave at the two kids.

"Altermere of the former Air Guardian, Yan-lin who Hay-lin has named Mira." Will said causing the two to look at the young Chinese woman shocked.

"Please treat me well." Mira said smiling shyly at the two.

"The blond one is former Guardian of Fire and a member of the Council of Kandrakar, Halinor Durano-Starlighter. She's also one of my grandmas." Will said causing Halinor to smile softly and kindly greet the two children.

"And the tall one here is the former Guardian of Earth and the Queen of Zambala, Kadma Starlighter-Durano who is my other grandma." Will said causing Kadma to grin as she greeted the two kids.

"You four these two here are the youngest members of the Guardians Army at the moment. This little lady is 'Earth Princess' a.k.a. Lillian Hale. She's Cornelia's little sister and the Heart of Earth although her regents hold her power for now." Will said placing a hand on Lillian's head while the girl grinned.

"Hi!" Lillian chirped happily.

"And this little man here is 'Water Guard' a.k.a. Christopher Lair but he prefers Chris. He's Irma's little brother and Lillian's self-proclaimed Guardian." Will said putting a hand on Christopher's head and ruffling his hair, causing him to laugh as he swatted her hand away.

"Knock it off boss lady! What's up ladies?" Chris said grinning as he fixed his hair, nodding at the four women.

"You two, I was just about to ask them if they had anymore questions. Who are you two supposed to be with right now?" Will asked looking at the two kids who grinned sheepishly.

"We're supposed to be with Cornelia but Irma was setting up a prank sooo…." Chris said trailing off and causing Will to sigh at a loud enraged scream that she knew was Cornelia's.

"Okay you two. I'm a bit busy at the moment so go find Taranee and hang out with her for a while until everything calms down and I'll make time to play with you later. Now scram scamps!" Will said causing the two to pout but nod as they ran off out the door.

"They're adorable." Cassidy said once the two were gone, causing the others to nod.

"Yeah and as long as they aren't in a mischievous mood then the two of them are the Tribe sweethearts. Now then back to business. Anymore questions?" Will asked her face turning from a soft smile into a serious frown as she stared at the four. Looking at each other the four were having a mental conversation before they all nodded.

"Just one last question." Mira said smiling.

"Go ahead." Will said raising an eyebrow when the woman didn't continue almost immediately.

"Where do we sign up kiddo?" Kadma asked grinning and causing Will to slowly grin as she leaned back into her chair.

"I was hoping you would say that. Technically by being Guardians, former or not, as long as you avoid the clutches of evil then you are already classified as members of the Guardian Army. If you like then you're Tribes have already been decided and I can call some off duty members to direct you to your new rooms." Will said with a grin as the four nodded, Halinor and Kadma entwining their fingers.

"Tides, Swan, Solar please come to my office." Will said into an intercom on her desk that the others hadn't even noticed earlier, earning an affirmative back as three grown women entered the room and saluted Will. One was an Air Tribe member with the number six on her outfit, one a Water Tribe with the number three on her outfit, and the last was one of the Life Tribe with the number five on her outfit.

"Tides, Swan, Solar. Thank you for coming. I'd like you three to meet the new recruits. Tides this is Cassidy MacLean, former Water Guardian position 'Advisor' and new recruit codename is 'Monsoon'. Monsoon this is Tides third-in-command of the Water Tribe." Will said doing the introductions after the three ranked members dropped the salutes.

"Yo nice to meet you. All of us at the Water Tribe were looking forward to meeting you. Welcome to the madhouse." Tides said grinning as she raised a hand in greeting to Cassidy who grinned back.

"Swan this is Mira, former Air Guardian Yan-lin's Altermere, she will be a new recruit and an 'Advisor' codename 'Tornado'. Tornado this is Swan, Sixth-in-command of the Air Tribe." Will said causing the two to exchange waves.

"Please take good care of me." Mira said causing Swan to nod.

"We will. If you're anything like Yan-lin's granddaughter, Air Leader, then you'll love the Air Compound." Swan said smiling.

"Solar this is former Fire Guardian Halinor and former Earth Guardian Kadma, codenames 'Hestia' and 'Grass Blade' respectfully and both are 'Advisors'. They'll be in the married quarters of the Life Compound. Grandmas' this is Solar fifth-in-command of the Life Tribe and the medic teacher for new recruits. When you get to the compound Solar, do me a favor and make sure someone wakes up Energy for lunch in… one hour. I have to see about that scream from Cornelia earlier and then keep my promise to play with Lillian and Chris." Will asked causing the young woman to nod with a salute.

"It's a pleasure to have you both in our Tribe. Allow me to be the first to welcome you both to the Life Tribe, led by your granddaughter Queen Leader." Solar said saluting the two who stumbled slightly but saluted back.

"Thank you but do you mind if I ask why you all call Will 'Queen Leader'?" Halinor asked curiously and causing the woman to smile, her answer shocking the four women since Will forgot to mention that little tidbit.

"That's easy Hestia. She's called Queen Leader cause she's the 'big boss' if you will of all the Tribes. She is our Queen and Leader."