Welcome back to da Pit, my friends. Thank you to all of you that reviewed: Lost Prince; XV Dragon; Zestychicken; Cartoonloverfan101; Daydreamer9; Sportsman; Spyder; Darev; Starwin; Nemrut; Nerd 4 Eva; Krystal of Nol; and Shocklance. You guys totally rock and you keep me going. Thank you all so much.

Just want to do a quick shout out to Ice Silver Crystal and GlitterP. Hope you two ladies are doing okay.

Thank you also to Visigoth again for encouragement and for letting me bounce my crazy ideas around. You are the best...

Thanks to all who have been reading this and What Price Loyalty. I'm enjoying the stories and I enjoy the interaction as well. So thank you all for your support and for believing in me.

Now wothout further ado, may I present, for your reading enjoyment:

Chapter 5

Luba stood in the Chamber of the Aurameres, seething quietly. The Oracle had just taken away everything she had worked for; everything she had bled for. She had been a member of the Council of Candracar for eons and now she had lost that position. Not only that, she had lost her home. The cat felt she did not deserve such a harsh penalty.

And yet, a part of her believed she did.

Luba knew she had deliberately placed Yan Lin, Halinor, and Irma in danger just because her pride would not allow her to make the correct decision. She had been blinded by rage at the Oracle for indirectly putting the Water Guardian through the most horrific experiences imaginable. By not taking more definitive action against Nerissa so many years ago, he had allowed events of the past weeks to occur. True, it had been a Council decision to banish and imprison the witch instead of executing her, but Luba still blamed the Oracle for showing mercy to an obviously evil seed.

Luba closed her eyes and recalled that fateful day when Nerissa had been sentenced. She remembered how the former Keeper had begged for lenience and for mercy. It had been an accident, so she claimed. She hadn't meant to use that much power against her teammate. She hadn't meant to hurt Cassidy, much less kill her. It had been a proverbial crime of passion, and Nerissa believed she was as much a victim as Cassidy. After all, she had to live with what she had done for the rest of her life.

The Oracle and four others had agreed that day. Though the Guardians were not, technically, a part of the Council, they had been given a voice due to the nature of the incident. Kadma and Halinor had voted for clemency, along with Althor, Tibor, and the Oracle. Grief-stricken, Yan Lin had walked out of the proceedings, and so had abstained by default. Only Luba had cast a dissenting vote; a vote that would have ended the Keeper's life. In the end Luba's dissent did not matter; Nerissa was imprisoned on Mount Thanos and escaped years later to wreak havoc on the current Guardians.

Luba didn't even know if the young Water Witch knew she had died at the the Knights' hands. She knew she would have died if not for the Joining, but did she know she had actually expired before then? If not for the quick actions of Cornelia, Hay Lin, and Will, Irma would be just a memory now.

Luba could feel rage building anew, and she struggled to control it. For too long, the Caretaker had been a prisoner of her anger; the Oracle had taught her to bridle it, but she was far from heeding his advice now. With a loud growl, she turned and punched one of the gleaming, silver walls. The structure remained staunchly undamaged, while Luba's hand took the brunt of the abuse; but she didn't care. She punched the wall with the other paw, and again her hand took the damage. Frustrated at her inability to harm the Fortress, she growled again and turned back to her duties.

Seething less quietly now, Luba thought about her past, and how it had shaped her. She came from a race of creatures where honor was everything; and to die in combat was the greatest honor of all. A war-like people, in-fighting with one's own clan was a common occurrence. When Luba was very young, her family had been killed in an ambush by the leader of her clan, Traver. Though she never knew for sure, Luba believed it was because her mother had been seen as a threat to her leader's power. So, like an annoying bug, she and all her supporters had been swept away. Luba survived only because she had been covered by one of her uncles when the slaughter had begun. The killers did not find her.

From that day on, Luba had relied on her instincts and the meager skills her father had taught her. Later, as a young woman, she joined another clan and learned the ways of the warrior. Consumed by her desire for revenge, she knew nothing but rage towards her former clan. Years later, she went to her former leader and offered her services as a slave and concubine. She was an attractive woman, and Traver did not recognize her. He took her in instantly and set her to work the mines. Eventually Traver grew lonely for companionship and he ordered his newest slave to his bed. Luba meekly obeyed.

When he tried to take her, the cat buried her claws in his neck and tore out his throat.

The element of surprise on her side, it did not take but an hour to decimate the entire clan. Her thirst for vengeance slaked, Luba returned to her new clan and received the highest honors. But the cat felt empty inside. Her act of revenge had not brought back her family, nor had it made a difference in the politics of her world. It was simply one less clan to battle for supremacy.

Over the years, Luba grew more and more empty, and tired of the constant fighting. An excellent fighter, Luba often found herself on the front-lines of battle, where she sustained many life-threatening injuries. She still carried the scars of claws and other primitive weapons. Weary from injuries and constant fighting, Luba left her clan and searched for a quiet spot to settle down.

It was during this search that she had met the Oracle. Never having seen anyone or anything like him before, she followed her instincts and attacked him. He had powers she had never seen and he easily subdued the big cat. Defeated, Luba bowed on one knee and offered the stranger her neck, as was custom among her people. When the killing blow did not come, the cat looked into the stranger's eyes.

He spoke and his voice was soft and gentle. "Rise, Luba. I mean you no harm."

Luba swallowed; how did this thing know her name, and how did he speak her language? Nonetheless, she obeyed her conqueror and stood. She was much taller than the stranger, but her imposing height did not seem to cow him at all.

"I come from a world known as Candracar. I am known as the Oracle. I am your friend, and I have come to ask for your services."

Luba narrowed her eyes and remained silent. Who was this Oracle, and how did he know her? What could she, a warrior, possibly offer this powerful being?

"I know you have grown weary of fighting, and I offer you a realm of peace. I need someone to care for some things very important to me and all of Candracar. The very universe hinges on the safety of these things. Will you help me, warrior?"

Luba narrowed her eyes even more. "I am no nursemaid, stranger."

"These things are objects, not people," the Oracle smiled. "Though they are sentient, they are not beings, as you know them."

Luba shook her confused head. "I do not know of that which you speak. Why should I assist you?"

The Oracle raised himself to his full height. "I have defeated you in an honorable duel. If you force me, I will impose that task as your price for defeat. But I hope you will simply look into your heart and see that what I ask is honorable and good."

"I have blood on my hands."

"You are not evil, Luba. You have done what you needed to do to survive. Your desires for vengeance have been slated. I am here to show you there is another way of existence. There are other honorable purposes in the universe than open battle."

Luba was close to panic. This Oracle seemed to know everything about her life. Every deed, every battle, every scar. What was he?

She was about to be taken from the only home she had ever known, and onto a different world at that. Luba had never known there were other worlds nor did she understand this concept of universe. And how could an object be sentient and yet not alive? She was confused and her head started to hurt.

"Come with me," the Oracle said, holding out his smooth hand. "I will show you beauty beyond your imagination. I will show you peace beyond your hopes. You will not have to fight for survival anymore. Please, Luba, come with me now."

Luba did not want to go with this stranger, and yet what choice did she have? He had defeated her in a duel; by law, she was bound to do his bidding. The custom was to give up one's life, but this stranger had not asked for her life. Instead he had imposed a different penalty; one of servitude.

Luba was nothing if not honorable. She would not tarnish her character by refusing her conqueror's wishes. She was honor-bound to obey, no matter what. So she nodded and gave in to the Oracle's request.

That had been a long time ago, and Luba had, indeed, learned to find peace on Candracar. The life suited her tastes after so much killing and nearly being killed. Still, the warrior in her sometimes longed for the familiar sensation of battle.

Her hardened exterior made it difficult to call her friend; but one young woman had managed to break through that wall and had changed it all. Luba had come to see the young Water Guardian very much as a cubling. She felt protective of the girl and realized she would do anything to protect her. Hence, the bitterness towards Nerissa and the Oracle. Though he had rescued her from a life of war and pain, the Oracle had become Luba's enemy of late.

And enemies had to be eliminated.

Luba growled and knocked herself along the side of her head. The Oracle was her leader, and had always shown her kindness. He had been the first being since her parents and uncles to do so. Even her new clan only saw her as a means to an end, and that end would have eventually resulted in her death; most likely from the hand of someone inside that clan.

The Oracle had used his magic to heal her of her scars, and to grant her immortality. The other members of the Council had taken her in despite her gruff exterior and uneducated ways. They had taught her to speak a variety of languages, and to conduct herself in a civilized manner. How could she have fallen so far out of favor?

Her thoughts turned to what she had done, and she was forced to admit that she did deserve some kind of penalty. But why banishment? What other home did she have now? Where would she go? She couldn't go back to her world; she had changed too much. Honestly, she didn't even know if it still existed after so many eons. She had come to regard the Aurameres as her sacred responsibility; she would never let anything happen to them as long as she drew breath. She feared she would go through withdrawal were she not allowed to perform her duty.

Somehow she had to get the Oracle to reconsider.

--

Will, Cornelia, Hay Lin, and Taranee stood outside the Lair home. A locksmithing van and a plumbing truck were parked near the curb.

A great rainstorm pounded Heatherfield and Cornelia couldn't recall a heavier one. She worried about flash-flooding...and other things.

"Ugh, this rain is going to ruin my hair!"

"Too late," Hay Lin quipped with a good-natured grin.

Cornelia shot the smallest Guardian a withering look. "Tonight while you sleep..."

Will knocked on the front door before the banter could get out of hand. Sergeant Lair was just pulling on his police jacket as he opened the door.

"Hi girls," he said gruffly. "I'm afraid Irma has been grounded until further notice. She won't be able to see you today."

"Until further notice?" Will said, shocked. "Mr. Lair, what happened?"

"I'm sorry, girls, but I really have to go. There have been several incidents of flooding and every police officer has been called in to help with the fallout. Suffice it to say Irma needs to learn when she's pushed things too far."

As Will moved aside to let the big policeman through, the locksmith came down the stairs. She could hear him talking to Mrs. Lair.

"Alrighty, ma'am, one new lock on the bedroom door. I'm all finished here, if I could just have you sign this for me please."

Anna placed her signature on a clipboard full of papers. The locksmith tore off a copy and handed it to her. "Thanks kindly, ma'am. This is your copy and here's the key."

Anna nodded and sighed. "Thank you."

"Yes ma'am. Have a good day."

The locksmith excused himself leaving Anna Lair looking sad and defeated in the living room. Seeing the girls on the front stairs, she came to the door.

"Would you girls like to come in for a few minutes? You look like drowned rats."

The girls thanked the woman and trooped inside.

"Would you like some hot chocolate?"

"Mrs. Lair, what we really want is to see Irma."

Anna sighed. "I'm sorry, Hay Lin, but that's just not possible today. She's been grounded and can't have any visitors."

Will spoke up. "Mrs. Lair we're worried about her. We just want to know she's okay. Please can't we-"

"No, Will, you can't. Irma is in trouble and she needs to learn that there are consequences to her actions."

Taranee looked pensive. "Is this about her grades? Because we can help her-"

"It's not about her grades, Taranee. Not exactly, anyway."

"Then what is it?" Cornelia asked.

"She disrespected me and her father. For that, she's being punished."

The room was quiet for a moment, then Anna motioned for the girls to sit down. When they did, Anna sat next to Hay Lin and took her hand.

"The truth is, girls, that Irma has changed and we don't know why. She won't talk to us; it's like she's hiding something and doesn't trust us enough to tell us what's wrong. Do you have any knowledge of what it is? Anything that could help us help her?"

"What kind of changes have you noticed, Mrs. Lair?" Taranee asked.

"Well you already know about her grades, apparently. She's never been a Straight-A student, but we're not accustomed to seeing D's and F's. She completely ignoring her schoolwork, and spends all of her time in her room; which is a mess, by the way. When she's not listening to heavy metal, she's soaking in the tub. She said she had a nightmare last night and I can tell she hasn't been sleeping well of late. It's night and day. Our daughter has always been so confident and bubbly. Now she's withdrawn and reclusive. We just want to know what's going on so we can help her."

Hay Lin squeezed Anna's hand. "Mrs. Lair, we don't know what's wrong. That's why we want to talk to her."

Anna shook her head. "Not today, Hay Lin. I'm sorry."

Hay Lin sighed sadly. "Well then, would it be okay if I used your bathroom real quick?"

Anna nodded. "Sure. You know where it is."

Hay Lin nodded and stood up. She proceeded down the hall and when she was out of sight, she turned herself invisible. Quietly, she crept back to the stairs and began to climb. She saw Taranee turn her head slightly towards the stairs but there was no stopping Hay Lin now.

The smallest Guardian proceeded to Irma's room...and was disappointed to find a shiny new lock on the door. Not surprisingly, the lock was in perfect working order and entrance to Irma's room was denied. Frustrated, Hay Lin crept back down the stairs and down the hall. Quickly she flushed the toilet and washed her now visible hands. She returned to find the others standing in the living room and saying their good-byes to Mrs. Lair.

"Tell Irma we stopped by, would you?"

"Yes, Will, I'll tell her."

"Thanks," the redhead said sadly.

The friends waved goodbye and left the Lair home. As the door closed, Taranee looked up at Irma's window. For a moment, she thought she saw movement behind the curtains, but it didn't happen again.

"Guys," Hay Lin said, "I tried to get to Irma's room. There's a new lock on the door. I couldn't get in."

"You went snooping around the house?" Cornelia asked, shocked.

Hay Lin looked at the ground and nodded.

"Good girl," the blonde Guardian complemented.

"What do you mean there's a new lock on the door? They've locked Irma in her room?"

"Yeah, Will, it looks like it," Hay Lin answered.

"Whoa, she must have really done something bad," Taranee mused.

"Yeah, but to lock her in her room? That's barbaric," Will said, clenching her right fist.

"That depends on the room," Cornelia replied, flipping her hair.

"No it doesn't," Hay Lin responded quietly. "What are we gonna do, guys? Irma needs our help and we can't get to her."

"Maybe we can," Taranee answered. "Let me try telepathy again."

Irma, can you hear me?

The silence in Taranee's head was deafening.

Irma, please, we just want to talk to you. We're worried about you.

After a few minutes, "She's not answering."

Will narrowed her eyes. Why wouldn't Irma answer Taranee?

"Are you being blocked, or is Irma just being stubborn?"

Taranee shrugged. "I don't know, Will. All I know is she's not answering me."

"Then we break through her window and force her to listen to us," Hay Lin demanded.

Will shook her head. "We can't risk her parents hearing us. Besides, how would Irma explain the broken window? It would look like she was trying to sneak out and then where would she be?"

"But we can't just do nothing! Her parents are being jerks," Hay Lin cried.

"Keep it down, Hay Lin," Cornelia advised.

"You keep it down, Corny. It's not your best friend that's being held hostage," Hay Lin retorted.

As Taranee listened to Hay Lin and Cornelia go at it, the irony of the situation was not lost on her. Usually it was Irma and Cornelia that argued like this. Also, Irma had come from one prison to another. First Nerissa, now her parents. When would this all end for her?

"Guys," Taranee interrupted, "we need a new plan." The four friends began to wander down the street.

"Got a suggestion?" Will raised an eyebrow.

"Well, she has to go to school on Monday. Let's confront her then. Something tells me she's not as alright as she claimed."

"Irma wouldn't lie to us," Hay Lin said.

"Sure she would; she's Irma," Cornelia retorted. "She's lied to us about her mental condition before, why stop now?"

Taranee saw the slap coming and caught Hay Lin's hand before it could strike Cornelia's porcelain cheek. "Not the way to solve things, Hay Lin."

"I don't care; she has it coming!"

"Maybe, but this isn't the time," Will said. "For the record, Cornelia is right. She shouldn't have said it like that, but she is right. Irma has lied to us before about her mental state for whatever dumb reason. We have to at least entertain the possibility that she's lying now."

"But we're the only ones that can help her," Hay Lin's lower lip quivered. "Why wouldn't she let us in?"

"Because she has a lot of pride," Cornelia answered. "You know how private she can be; especially lately. She likes to keep her problems to herself."

"Well I'm tired of being shut out. I'm her best friend...where does she think she gets off?"

"I think it may be time for us to interfere a little," Will said. "If Irma's parents are noticing changes big enough to lock her up, then something is seriously out of whack."

"How about an intervention?" Taranee suggested.

"You mean like on TV? Those always end up seriously messy," Cornelia said.

"I wouldn't know, but I think it's the only way we can do things."

Will looked hard at Taranee. "We would take a huge chance of alienating her."

"I think it's worth it, Will. We have to get Irma some help before she hurts herself."

"Hurt herself?" three voices said together.

Taranee shrugged nervously. "I'm worried she might. Have you seen this storm? Three guesses what caused it. She's angry and cornered; and now her parents are treating her like a criminal. All these changes in her personality...we'd have to be blind and stupid not to know why. I don't think any of us signed up for this when we became Guardians. We have to do something drastic or Irma's gonna go completely off the deep end. I just hope we're not too late."

Will pinched her nose and closed her eyes. "Alright, Monday after school then. We kidnap her and haul her to the Silver Dragon's basement. We should involve Yan Lin; she's the only adult on earth that may be able to help. We should also get Elyon to help; Irma's her friend, after all."

Cornelia nodded sarcastically. "Good idea, you two. Let's tackle her, drag her kicking and screaming to a cold basement, then beat the emotional hell out of her. Yeah, she'll really want to be our friend then. We'll be lucky she doesn't shoot us with her dad's gun."

"Cornelia!" Hay Lin yelled.

"I'm just saying..."

"Well you can stop just saying," Hay Lin fumed.

"Look, none of us knows how Irma is likely to react to all of this, but you can bet it will be colorful. I think she's probably had enough of people in her face telling her what to do, no matter their intentions. This will get ugly real quick and I'm not sure we're all equipped to handle that."

Hay Lin opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped by Will's interruption. "Cornelia's right about that. We don't know how Irma will react, but I think we can all predict it won't be rosy. She's not likely to want to open up about what's going on. We may have to force it out of her."

"Hasn't she had enough of people trying to force her into crap?" Hay Lin asked, defensively.

"It's for her own good this time," Taranee replied. "We have to get to the bottom of what's happening to her before we lose her completely. If forcing her to talk is the only way, then we have to do it. You want to help her don't you?"

"Yes of course, but we're all standing her talking about forcing her to talk. That's what Nerissa tried to do...force her to ask for help."

"We're not Nerissa...and besides that old bag is gone forever. She can't hurt anyone anymore," Cornelia said.

"I know, but what if-"

"What if, nothing," Cornelia said impatiently. "There is a huge difference between us and Nerissa. We're trying to help Irma; that bitch just wanted to hurt her. We're her friends; Nerissa was her mortal enemy. We're perfectly sane, well except for Will; and Nerissa was sick and demented. Are you seeing a pattern here?"

"Hay Lin," Will said, "Irma needs help now. If this may do it, then shouldn't we try?"

"Yes of course; I just don't like the idea of ganging up on her."

"Only to help her," Taranee answered.

Hay Lin nodded and stared at the street as the friends walked along.

"Why don't we go let Elyon in on the plan right now?" Will suggested.

"But what about my hair?" Cornelia wailed. "I can't go to Meridian looking like this!"

"Get over it, Earth-Girl; we're going," Will said.

With that, the redhead pulled the Heart if Candracar from inside her shirt and created a fold to Meridian. The four friends stepped through.

--

Irma heard her friends in the living room. Their voices were muffled, and she couldn't hear what was being said, but she could guess. She hoped they would be able to get through her mother and get up to see her.

But that was not to be.

She thought she heard the door handle jiggle once or twice, but by the time she looked out through the keyhole, there was nothing there. She attributed it to her imagination, and went to her window to look out form her new prison.

What were her parents playing at? Locking her up in her room like this was hardly the way to build trust. Her dad going through her room and her things...who did he think he was?

She saw her friends on the porch and realized they were leaving. They sure didn't try very hard, Irma thought. In disgust, she threw herself onto her bed and pulled her on headphones. She flipped her stereo on and closed her eyes. The strains of death metal filled her ears, and made it easy to ignore Taranee's telepathic pleas.

Irma, can you hear me?

The young Water Guardian allowed the heavy music to consume her.

Irma, please, we just want to talk to you. We're worried about you.

Irma did not answer her so-called friend. Worried? Not very much; they didn't even try to get past my mother.

For a little while, Irma continued to listen to the awful sounds of the music, then she dropped her headphones on the bed. Angrier than ever, she stripped and climbed into the bathtub. At least the plumber has finished his work up here, Irma thought as she turned on the water. Once again, the liquid drove her fears away...if only for a little while.

--

Four Guardians arrived on Meridian, albeit in human form. As the ascended the steps of the palace, Taranee could feel something was wrong.

"Uh, Will? There's something weird. I don't know what it is, but I can sense something's not right. I think we should Guardian-up."

Will looked hard at Taranee but finally nodded.

Holding the Heart in her hands, Will said, "Guardians Unite!"

Instantly the four young girls were transformed into four young women with wings and smashing, multi-colored tights.

"What do you feel, T?"

"I really don't know, Will. It's just a strange feeling, that's all."

"Let's find Elyon and see what's going on," Cornelia suggested.

The Guardians flew to the top of the steps and were immediately stopped by the guards.

"Guardians," one of them said, "you're here. Thank the Queen, you're here!"

"What's going on?" Cornelia asked, worried.

"It's the queen...she's very sick. She may be dying. No one has seen her for two weeks. I overheard the royal physician say there was nothing he could do for her."

Cornelia gasped. "We have to get to her!"

The other three nodded and echoed concern. They flew along the corridors to Elyon's bedchamber. The doors were locked, but Cornelia quickly took care of that, as she blew the doors off their hinges.

They found the young queen lying unconscious on her bed, sweating profusely and looking ashen. Cornelia rushed to her side and placed a hand on her forehead.

"She's burning up. Will, we have to do something!"

Will nodded and summoned the Heart of Candracar. She held it tightly above her head for a few seconds, then extended her now open palm towards the young queen. The room was soon bathed in rose-colored light, as the Heart attempted to heal Elyon.

After a few seconds, the light faded and Elyon stirred.

"It worked!" Cornelia breathed excitedly.

But the Queen of Meridian did not wake.

"Taranee-"

"I'm already on it, Will."

After another few seconds, "I can't contact her. I don't think she can hear me."

"Can you tell what's wrong with her?" Cornelia asked anxiously.

"I don't know, but she's obviously pretty sick."

"The Oracle," Hay Lin suggested. "Maybe he can help."

Without another word, Will opened a fold to Candracar. Hay Lin used her powers over air to create a cushion for Elyon. Slowly and carefully, she floated the young queen towards the fold.

Arriving in the Central Chamber, the Guardians were unsurprised to find Tibor and the Oracle. Will immediately stepped forward.

"Oracle, something's wrong with Elyon. She's sick and we can't wake her. Not even Taranee can contact her telepathically. I tired to heal her with the Heart, but it didn't work. Please can you help her?"

The Oracle walked quickly towards the group and placed a comforting hand on Elyon's forehead. He closed his eyes and was silent for several minutes. Finally, he spoke.

"She has been poisoned. The toxin is native to Meridian and is very rare. Even more so, it is difficult to mix and to administer. Only an expert could have done this."

"Does it have a cure?" Cornelia asked breathlessly.

The Oracle shook his bald head. "Sadly, it does not. Without our aid, the Queen of Meridian will surely die."

Cornelia gaped stupidly, as if she were unwilling to accept such a diagnosis.

"What should we do?" Will asked.

"You must command the Heart and I will command my own magic. Together, we may be able to turn back the toxin. Are you ready, young Keeper?"

Will nodded and held the Heart tightly in front of her.

The Oracle smiled and held his arms out to his sides. A soft blue glow enveloped his hands as he knelt and placed them on Elyon's forehead. Will simultaneously opened her palm and directed a rosy light at Elyon's chest. Azure and coral lights bathed the feverish girl as Will and the Oracle worked together to purge the poison form Elyon's body.

Presently, the lights faded and Elyon took a rattling breath.

But she did not wake.

"Did it work?" Hay Lin asked.

The Oracle had his eyes closed and his hands remained on Elyon's forehead. Presently he spoke.

"The toxin has been purged, but the damage is severe."

He removed his hands and stood up straight. "I am afraid she has fallen into a deep coma...one from which she may never wake."

--

Thank you everyone for reading. Please leave a review and let me know what y'all think. Until next time, take care and have a good life!