Oh yeah, I do not own W.I.T.C.H. or any of the characters, the plot is totally a work of my twisted little mind...

Busted #16: Seeds of Malice

Elyon's POV

I almost couldn't stand still, I was so excited as I rang the bell.

Then I held my breath.

"I'll get it!" I heard Cornelia say from inside.

When the door swung open, I could resist jumping up and down, making my long braids bounce and thump along my back.

"Cornelia!"

"Ey! Elyon!" Cornelia and I screamed each other's name as I rushed into her arms giving her a big hug.

I think the world of all the girls. Not only did the Guardians save me and my world but they're really good friends. But Cornelia is my VERY best friend and nothing will ever change that.

"Oh Cornelia it's so good to see you!" I absolutely gushed.

Cornelia screamed again and gave me another quick hug before dragging me through the door. I saw the smiles on Caleb and Irma's faces and I don't think they minded our joyful reunion. Behind them, I heard Chris mutter, "Girls...why do they have to scream all the time?"

"Hush Chris," Mrs. Lair said.

Yep, we'd all made the trip to Cornelia's house. If what Caleb suspects is going on, it could extend to all of the girl's families.

"Aw, mom. Can dad at least take me home if they start to cry?"

Caleb smiled and ruffled the small boy's hair, "Dude, suck it up. They're girls, they're allowed to cry – it's in the rules."

Chris looked skeptical as he asked, "Is it really?"

"Yep, it really is. It's also in the rules that we have to be strong for them when they cry. So you better start practicing."

Chris dubiously at Caleb, then shook his head as he was the last to enter the apartment and said, "Just to be sure, I'm gonna ask my dad about that. That rule just sucks."

We all laughed as Cornelia closed the door.

Before Cornelia could escort us into the living room the doorbell sounded again. Cornelia opened the door to find Matt and Eric, Hay Lin and Will standing in the doorway.

The girls rushed in past Cornelia and gave me a double team hug with huge smiles.

"All we need now are Taranee and Nigel and we'll have the whole gang here," I chimed happily.

That's when Mrs. Lair spoke up, "I should tell you girls that Taranee and Nigel are on the way to the hospital right now."

That news shocked us all. The room was filled with gasp and several of us asking questions at the same time.

Over the noise, "What? What happened," Will's voice demanded as she released me from our hug and headed towards the door.

"Will, come back," Mrs. Lair said, Taranee is will be okay. My husband is with her and he'll bring her here once the doctor's say she's okay."

"But- but- but what happened," Hay asked her voice and bottom lip quivering as she fought not to cry. I didn't miss the way Eric took her hand in a silent show of comfort and support.

Even Mrs. Lair pulled Chris a little closer...the way protective moms do...you know the way they keep you close not so much for your comfort but for theirs...just to know that you're safe.

"Its a long story, but it seems that her mother flew out of control and attacked her."

Caleb pulled Irma into his arms, placing his hands protectively over her belly. Matt walked over to Will, pulling her hand from the doorknob and pulling her to him until her chin was pressed against his chest.

"Hello, everyone," entering the hallway, Mrs. Hale's song-like voice cut through the depressive silence. She was obviously surprised to see so many visitors.

Heck I'd thought it would be just me, Caleb, Irma and Matt coming over. So I can't blame her for being surprised.

We all greeted Mrs. Hale. Mrs. Lair walked up and gave her a hug and said, "Hi Liz, sorry to barge in like this but it's important. Can we come in and talk?"

"Of course. Let's go into the living room, I'll get Lillian and Harold." Then she added, "And why don't I order some take out for us all."

"Oh no worries Mrs. Hale," Hay Lin, "my parents and grandmother are on the way and they're bringing food from the restaurant."

Just then Lillian skipped into the room and with a bright smile waved at everyone and gave me a special greeting of, "Hi Elyon! Are you spending the night?"

I blushed, having not thought that far ahead but grateful that she had invited me so that I wouldn't have to ask.

Cornelia, echoed her sister's sentiment, "Oh yes! Elyon you have to stay with us!"

"Um, Okay," I replied, "But first things first. We need to tell you all what's going on or at least what we think is going on."

So while we waited for Hay's family to arrive, Mrs. Lair caught us all up on Taranee's situation. No one really knew where Peter was or how to reach him to tell him what was happening, because the Cooks had taken his cell phone after on Friday night.

Caleb's POV

After Mr and Mrs. Lin and Yan Lin arrived everyone dug into the food they'd brought. I'm pretty sure Will, Hay and Cornelia probably hadn't eaten all day from what Irma told me as we were driving over.

Once everyone was settled with their food in various spots throughout the Hale's living room. I shared my theory.

"It started this morning after we picked up Will and her mom. For just a moment in the car it seemed like she almost regretted what she was doing. Then Tom said something, that seemed like another piece of the puzzle...He said 'she wasn't herself' and it seemed like she couldn't help herself."

I turned to Matt and asked, "Sound familiar?"

Matt replied, "Yeah...maybe...but it's such a stretch..."

Irma punched my arm and insisted, "Don't leave us out! Tell us what you're talking about."

"Babe, don't you remember what Matt was like when Nerissa took him over?"

"So you think Mrs. Vandom's been taken over?" asked Cornelia. I nodded, and she added "But Nerissa's imprisoned in the Heart."

"Actually," interjected Elyon, "Nerissa's spell was a variant use of a common magic in Meridian. She manipulated the natural effects of a plant we call 'the seeds of malice'. They're hard to grow and not a lot of people know how to use them.

"But when you think about it, what Nerissa did with that spell, it's not too hard to believe this could be another version of a hate/control spell," Irma said. "Just look at all the stuff Will's mom, and Taranee's mom just did. And we know a lot of bad guys that can work some really powerful spells."

"While I was in Meridian, I checked on all our captured foes, the bad news is both Cedric and Miranda found a way to escape. When I arrived there were glamours in their cells, so we have no idea how long they've been loose."

"Man that really stinks! Matt anger obvious in his voice, "I know from first hand experience how that spell pushes you to do things you'd never normally do."

"That's why we're all here. Elyon helped me realize that the best opportunity for a spell to be cast on both Will's mom and Taranee's mom-"

"Oh my god," Elizabeth Hale exclaimed, "was when you all revealed the truth to us and we visited Meridian!"

"Exactly. Cause neither of them possess the power to travel to Earth on their own, so they'd need to wait until we were on Meridian."

"No..No..No!" Mrs. Hale was escalating to full scale hysteria. "You fix this and you fix this now! I will not hurt my kids!"

Anna, stood up and walked over to the couch where Mrs. Hale sat and took her hand. In a soothing voice, she told her, "Calm down Liz. I was as worried as you, but Elyon explained that this type of magic needs a root to bind too. It's strength is its able to magnify and twist fear and hate and use it against whomever the target is."

Mrs Hale didn't look entirely convinced, but she visibly sighed as her husband put his arm around her.

"And don't worry Mrs Hale, with us all working together, I'm sure we can fix this."

I think the room heaved a collective sigh. The Lins were quiet but worry etched their faces, Hay Lin is their pride and joy. Being told that you've been spelled to hate and possibly harm the thing you love the most is a truly scary thing.

"Okay, I'll help," Lillian's little voice squeaked. Her offer was no surprise since she now knew that she is the Earth Queen. Then she asked "What can I do?"

With that we were ready to take the first step to see if my theory held up.

After about a half an hour, we came to the disappointing conclusion that Lillian was still to young to focus her powers for the task. We needed her to combine her power with Elyon's, then they both would amp up Cornelia – supercharging her powers over all growing things so that it encompassed magical 'seeds' too.

The poor kid looked really upset that she couldn't do it.

Then Matt went and sat next to her and said, "Hey Lillian, how about if I help you?"

Lillian's big blue eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously, then asked, "But how?"

"I think it's as easy as you saying out loud, 'Come to me, my regents your queen calls.'"

Lillian asked, "Is that it? I just say: 'Come to me, my regents your queen calls'?"

Matt's a freakin' genius. No sooner had the words escaped her mouth, than Matt transformed into Shagon standing before her with Khor and Napoleon.

"Thank you Queen Lillian," the eight-year old beamed at being called Queen Lillian.

"Okay, let's do this," Shagon said.

This time when the regents and Elyon focused their power it worked. Cornelia transformed into her guardian self, this time her appearance was just a little different: there were two long braids formed a crown around her head, holding back her flowing blond hair. Interwoven in the braids and throughout her hair were several small green vines with tiny leaves.

"Nice upgrade, Corny!" Irma said walking around her taking in the new look. I have to agree it fit Cornelia to a tee.

The 'upgraded' Cornelia used her powers to probe us one by one for the presence of of the magical seeds of malice. It was a long shot but we need to start somewhere. I don't think any of us would ever be able to fully accept that Susan Vandom and Theresa Cook could turn so completely against their daughters without fowl play.

Cornelia started with me, then Irma. We were both clean and I breathed a sigh of relief that there was nothing that could potential affect our child.

Then Cornelia moved to the rest of the Guardians and the guys: Will, Hay, Eric, then Matt. They were all clear too.

Next were the kids, Chris and Lillian, followed by Yan Lin, then her son and daughter-in-law. Everyone came up clean. I was starting to doubt my theory.

Mrs. Hale was clean, but when Cornelia move to her dad tiny green veins spread across his arms and neck.

Cornelia stopped, focused and the veins receded like creeping spider towards his chest. Then Mr. Hale began to cough like he was choking.

When his face started to turn blue, I grabbed him and performed the Heimlich twice before a glowing red ball popped out of his mouth. It was fuzzy and about the size of a raisin.

Mrs. Hale rushed to her husband, enveloping him in an embrace. "Oh my god one of those evil things was inside you! Oh my god."

She held him tightly rocking back and forth, repeating, " Oh my god, Oh my god., Oh my god."

Why didn't being right make me feel any better?

Yan Lin scooped it up with a plastic spoon onto a empty plate, then handed it to Hay Lin and said, "Take this into the kitchen and burn it Make sure nothing is left. Be very careful not to touch it or inhale the vapors. Capture its smoke in a bubble. Once its gone send the bubble up into the atmosphere. Make sure it goes up to where the air is the thinest, the ultraviolet rays there should render it harmless. Elyon go with her – just in case something goes wrong."

"Okay," said Will as the two headed out of the room, "now we need to get to my mom, Taranee's parents, my dad, Nigel and Taranee."

That's when Elyon asked, "Hey what about Peter? Shouldn't he be here? Or is he with Taranee."

Crap!

Peter's been acting weird lately too.

Cheers!