Summary: This story takes place ten years into the future. The girls have grown up and married, hoping to live happily ever after. But sadly, as reality tells us, there is never a happily ever after. Now the girls must live without a husband and an unborn child. Can they deal with this and still find true happiness? Or is their world forever lost in darkness?
PS: This is for my good friends, Cassidy the Water Sage, Cassidy Herrera, DREAMCOLE, and mizunderstood247.
Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H., nor do I own the children to be born or the boys Cole or Edward. Cole belongs to DREAMCOLE. W.I.T.C.H. and party belong to Disney. The rest belong to Cassidy the Water Sage.
Chapter 8: The Oracle's knights in shining armor
—this chapter takes place two weeks after chapter 7
The Oracle crossed the large room to a smaller room with six young men sitting at a table.
"Oracle," one acknowledged. The others merely nodded their heads in brief greeting.
The Oracle sat down. "Gentlemen, we are in a dark time. The Guardians, as you may know, have lost their husbands, and their hope. They need that light restored, or they will fail as Guardians and as Protectors."
"Then why come to us?" a young man with wings asked.
"Because, I believe you all hold the key to their happiness."
Another young man, a red skinned muscular man with fire hair, asked, "And what is that key, Oracle?"
"You can get close to them, help them recover their lost spark, and rekindle their inner fire."
"Rekindling is my specialty," grinned the fire man.
"Just don't torch her hair off, okay?" another man with fish scales said with a smirk.
The fire man frowned at his companion, but a quick glance from the winged man told him to shut it. And he did.
"Now," the Oracle said, clearing his throat, "back to more important matters. I need you boys to go to Earth, and bring them out of their depression."
"Don't know," a wolf-like young man said thoughtfully. "What if it doesn't work?"
"Then we can kiss the known worlds buh-bye," said a raccoon man.
"Correct. Remember, this mission is important. You must succeed."
"We'll do our best, Oracle," promised the fish man.
The Oracle nodded and left the room.
With Taranee:
Taranee placed a hand on her swollen belly. She was eight months pregnant, expecting a child that would never meet its father.
Thinking about Nigel again brought a tear to her brown eyes. Sniffing, she wiped the tear aside and reached for the remote.
Her parents, bless their hearts, had insisted that Taranee stay home to prevent stress.
After all, having news given that your husband died brings a lot of stress.
The woman rested her head against the arm rest of the couch. She flipped on the TV and started mindlessly channel searching.
Nothing but soap operas were on. Taranee frowned as she switched the TV off and closed her eyes. Those TV shows never showed what reality was like.
That it could swipe away your family in a matter of seconds, or destroy your house in a flash.
No, they never showed that stuff.
People don't want to see reality, Taranee thought scuffly. They just like more and fuzzy feelings, and want to run away from what reality is.
She sighed and soon fell asleep.
With Irma:
Irma set the grocery bags down in the back of the car.
Anna slammed the truck shut and went over to the driver's seat.
Irma followed and shut her car door shut before the car roared to life and drove off.
Resting her chin on her palm, Irma gazed blankly at the scenery as they zoomed by.
Life's like that, she thought sadly. People go on with their lives, everything fast and blurry. Sometimes, they need to slow down or they gonna crash.
Irma knew how that felt.
She crashed . . . and burned.
With Cornelia:
Cornelia held up the dress for Lillian to try on. She was going on a date with some guy, and she expected the 'Fashion Queen' Cornelia to help her pick out an outfit.
But Cornelia could sense that her sister was only doing this for Cornelia's sake, not her own.
You see, after hearing the news of Caleb's death, Cornelia had thrown herself into depression, choosing not to eat or sleep.
Lillian must have figured that if she could make her remember her keen sense of fashion, Cornelia would get out of depression.
But so far, all her efforts were in vain.
Lillian took the dress and looked sadly at Cornelia dull blue eyes. "Maybe you should get some rest. It'll do you some good," she reassured.
But can it bring Caleb back? Cornelia thought miserable.
But she did what her sister requested, sending hope flashing through her eyes.
Cornelia sighed and sat down on her bed.
Lillian's just trying to help, a little Voice said gently. She only wants the best for you.
But she can't bring back Caleb, Cornelia argued.
True, the little Voice said. But who's to say you need Caleb to survive? Many people have lost loved ones, yet they get up and move on. You should too.
But I miss him!
I know you do. But crying over it won't bring him back. Grieving helps relieve the pain and loneliness, but you can't stay in that state forever. It isn't healthy.
And who are you to say I can't? Cornelia asked the Voice.
The Voice sighed gently, and Cornelia suddenly felt a wave of love and compassion wash over her. Cornelia, it pains me to see you in this state. I understand how you must feel about this, but it is time you moved on. Your friends need your strength now more than ever.
Cornelia frowned as she demanded, Who are you? What are you?
Myself, the Voice answered.
With Will:
Will shut her computer and walked into the kitchen.
Susan held out a can of tomato soup. "Hey, you hungry?"
Will shook her head. "I lost my appetite a long time ago." She turned around and began to walk away.
"Will," Susan said, reaching out to her daughter's shoulder.
Stupid! Will thought angrily as she flopped onto the couch.
Susan sensed that her full grown daughter needed to have some time alone, so she set the can down on the counter and went into her bed room.
I'm supposed to be full grown, fully mature, and yet I made the dumbest mistake anyone could have made! Will thought. How could I have been so idiotic?!
You're not stupid, someone said.
Will's head jerked up, and her brown eyes darted around the room for the source of the voice. Who are you? Show yourself!
If I did, you would surely die, the Voice said calmly.
O-kay. So, why are you here?
To help the lame walk and the blind see.
Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not lame or blind. Just foolish.
You did make a terrible mistake by marrying Matt, and that was indeed foolish. But you mustn't beat yourself up for it.
Oh? What am I suppose to do, Mr. Smarty-Pants?
You mustn't take yourself seriously. You need to let go of your mistake, and move on. Forgive and forget. Understand and repent.
It doesn't sound easy, Will reasoned.
Child, the Voice chuckled, nothing ever is, when you walk the path of righteousness.
With Hay Lin:
Why me? Hay Lin thought sadly. What did I do to deserve this?
She turned her head to stare at a photo that hung on the wall.
In it was Eric in his army uniform and next to him was Hay Lin.
Oh, how she missed him.
People just don't understand, Hay Lin thought. Even with an experience like this, they still can't understand the pain someone's in. They try ensuring things, comforting, and even joking around. But sometimes, it's good just to be silent.
A tear fell down her cheek. Eric knew. When I was hurting, he'd just wrap his arms around me and hold me close. He would hold me like that for hours, maybe even crying with me. Only he understood. No one else does.
With Cassidy:
Cassidy sighed and rolled in her covers, trying to find a soft spot on her bed.
Words and memories haunted her sleep, keeping her from closing her eyes and resting her head.
He said he loves me, Cassidy thought. But now that he got what he wanted, he threw me out like trash, like something expendable.
Why are people so cruel and selfish? Cassidy asked herself. Why do they only care for themselves and no one else? If a man was dying on the ground, no one would come and help him. They'd just walk on by, not having a second thought of glance.
And I'm the person on the street, Cassidy thought bitterly. I'm in pain, and no one can see that. They just want to live their lazy lives, ignoring the ones who need companionship.
Cassidy curled into a tight ball, forcing her eyes shut. But how can they understand? They're only looking out for themselves.
Owch! This stuff is hard core. It can really get you thinking, huh? Well, anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed my story! I love you guys!