20: Place

Within a large pale green room filled with a verity of flowers in different colours around arches and lining the walls there was a large golden throne at one end with a large wooden door at the other. Around the room several different types of people stood dressed in brown robes awaiting to be called as on the throne sat a 5 foot 9 woman with long dark blond hair wearing a short sleeved orange and gold dress, she also had pale hazel eyes. Standing to the side of the throne stood a large dark green mechanical lizard-like creature about 10 foot high with a 3 foot long tail. The pair of them were talking only to be interrupted when a fold opens in the middle of the chamber and then all those who left Kandrakar walked out of it, Undia leading them up the chamber before stopping before the throne and kneeled down.

"Queen Miriam, commander Grelan. May I present to you the new chosen of Kandrakar" Undia spoke as she raised her head while she remained kneeling. "Guardians, this is Queen Miriam of Meridian and commander Grelan, ruler of the Mechanax."

"Thank you Undia" Miriam replied in a soft gentle voice as she then looked at the 6 girls while Grelan just gave a nod to them. "I see that there was 6 of you chosen already, leaves a few spots not taken it seems unless they are currently unavailable."

The girls looked at each other a little confused as they all gave a bow to the queen, not certain by what she means by other spots. After a few moments Emma spoke up. "It is an honour your majesty, but only 5 of us were chosen as the new guardians and that was all we know of in positions as chosen of Kandrakar."

There was a moment of confusion on both Miriam and Grelan's faces as they looked at each other a little suppressed by what Emma had told them before Grelan spoke, clearly a male voice and it had a deep tone. "If only five of you were chosen why have six of you come?"

"I am here as I wish to help in what way I can" Janet spoke before anyone else could. Speaking in a determined voice so she could show she was not afraid to join them or face these threats.

"If the Oracle didn't stop you then who are we to stop you" He replied to her with a smile.

"I too don't see reason to prevent her if she has been allowed to come, and Undia you may stand, sorry for keeping you down there for this time" Miriam giggled a little realising that Undia had been kneeling for longer them she needed to, which she responded and slowly stood up. "Now then, I am certain you are wondering why I wanted to see you all before you go to Frakill."

"That is correct you highness" Holly spoke, her mind however was a little more focused on what Will had told her directly before they left and still dwelling on the message she received that morning back home.

"For a long time Kandrakar's guardians have both helped and protected Meridian, forging a strong bond between Kandrakar, Meridian and those from earth who were the chosen ones, and as such I wished to see the new ones that have risen as sadly it was on this world that the previous ones were lost." Miriam spoke to them before giving a nod to Grelan to continue.

"Just over two earth weeks ago we had been working with your predecessors looking into a strange magical spike near Torus Filney. The search consisted of all 5 guardians and only 5 of the Toa as at that time we only had 6 available and the other one was on duty as royal guard at the time and the seventh one, fire hadn't chosen it's new Toa at that time. During the search a storm caused them all to get separated into a group consisting of one made of the guardians and one for the Toa. Both were then attacked by a unknown attacker who we now know was Demal. Due to the separation and the attack the guardians seemingly decided to make their way to our fortress in the mountains based around mount Threbe. On their way they were attacked again and got separated from each other, this seemingly allowed Demal to take them out one by one. The Toa in this time managed to return to the fortress also, having had to come a longer way to the fortress due to they are unable to fly like you can so they had to walk the long paths back. They returned and found that the guardians hadn't arrived and we were all concerned, but remained hopeful they had just taken shelter from the storm that was raging and would arrive soon as the storm had cleared due to is was dangerous enough in the storm for the Toa to return so a immediate search was not a option. But once we got a message from the Oracle as to what they had learned we dispatched all Toa and our other magic users to check the surrounding area, as we didn't know if the attacker was still around and still with the storm going, but fortunately it had eased off a little. Sadly we were unable to find the body's of any of the guardians but there were burn marks as if something was flash fired in 5 locations." Grelan took a moment to pause before continuing, the 6 girls were all listening closely to what he was saying. "Upon the report back to us of the finds we sent the newly chosen Toa, Undia here to report to the Oracle of our find as well as take her oath of service to Kandrakar. We just returned to normal life here, but still kept everyone on alert until we got the message for Demal's return and began preparing for full combat."

"We have tales of him from the past" Miriam took back the telling of the tale. "When we were told of his return I spoke with the archivists who have had the tale of what happened over 500 years ago past down from one to another, never recorded in the archives to protect the door from those who would seek to try and open it like Demal does. Anyway, once I was fully told of what happened in the past I summoned Grelan who had already received the request to begin searches of the Frakill mountains and was already moving out his forces, beginning to start the searches. Once he arrived here and we discussed things I also dispatched Meridian's main army to join them."

"We had found nothing till when the sun started to rise today, some of the mountain paths have shifting passageways that are not recorded due to they appear and disappear throughout the year with no pattern to them, plus they never reappear the same. While following them we found marking on rocks that matched the design of the key for the door that Kandrakar showed us, it seemed to be leading our people to the top of the highest mountain. We now have sentries posted there, but while it doesn't seem to be the location to access the tunnel to the door, we believe that from there when the tunnel appears you will be able to see it from that point. So we sent Undia to Kandrakar to inform the Oracle of this discovery and to get you here quickly." Grelan spoke again when Miriam stopped.

"My request to see you was overall to only apologise for dragging you into something we started with the previous team" Miriam sounded a little sad while saying her apology.

"Queen Miriam, we are all proud to have been chosen" Terri softly said. "And each of us will do what we can to end this today, and not to leave something for anyone else to try it."

'Terri, if only I could tell you, my closest friend of what is coming for me but it will break you deeply, after all we did when younger messing around and having fun together, that is what I want you to remember me for, not for being someone who was living on very limited time.' Holly thought to herself sadly, as she was listening to her speaking. 'Proud we all may be at being chosen as these guardians, but that doesn't change the fact I won't be around for long which means I shouldn't have been a guardian, it just makes my fate harder to accept that I am chosen to be something special only for everything to be taken away. Aunt, you would have known all this time that this was a possibility, so was everything you taught me about helping others just your way of coping with not being able to help me have a full life.'

"Heck I just go along with this as I get a good reason to hit something that is causing problems" Amy joked only for her sister to give a scolding stare at her.

Miriam laughed a little at Amy's comment. "It has always been said that the earth guardian can be stubborn one mentally and I can see she is the type who isn't easy to change her method of sorting problems quickly by hitting them so I must take it you are the new earth guardian then."

"I am indeed your majesty, Amy the guardian of earth" Amy replied as she then looked at her sister and gave a cheeky smile.

"I am the air guardian Emma" Emma introduced herself.

"Rachel, fire" Rachel nervously spoke, while she was now comfortable being around the other girls, she wasn't quite confidant opening up to other people, tho those in Kandrakar always seemed to give her calm feeling.

"Terri, I carry the power of water" Terri smiled. She then waited for Holly to introduce herself but she didn't, seemingly lost in thought, Terri gave her a little nudge with her tail and whispered to her. "Hols you up."

"Oh, sorry, I am Holly, quintessence power and carrier of the heart of Kandrakar" She spoke trying to not look too silly because Terri had to alert her to she needed to speak.

"As for me I am Janet, no powers but I will do my best to help how I can" Janet jumped in quickly.

"May quickly I ask who these other chosen would be Queen Miriam" Emma asked having been confused by the mention of others earlier.

"I think Grelan would be best to know that, he is much older than I am and due to Mechanax working closely with Kandrakar he would know those things better" Miriam smiled back at the girls.

"Only by 14 years am I older, and not the best, but defiantly know a fair bit about the chosen of Kandrakar" Grelan laughed a little. "Apart from the heart of Kandrakar, there is a few other magical items Kandrakar has available to grant powers to people, but with 3 of them are all linked directly to the heart of Kandrakar while also having their own magic. 1 of those that are linked is an extension of the guardians that was said to hold the power of a ancient sage along with a dragon he had, and is used at the same time as the heart to bring the team to 7 members, but that apparently hasn't chosen new users for about 10 years now. While there is also stories that the 2 other major items they have had for over 450 years they have never used since they were given them, apparently those items were held by 2 powerful warriors on earth that the Overseer was saved by one time and helped witch again, and each of their devices they left to Kandrakar contains the power of mystical beasts along with the heart link that was added due to the way the magic on them worked it wasn't going to be safe just to pass them on as they were."

"So seeing 6 of us come you thought one of these extra items had been used" Terri commented.

"Yes, but still even with extra members around tales of the guardians is that the 5 chosen who are directly linked to the heart were the strongest of Kandrakar's chosen" Miriam spoke as a large shadow past the room around windows that only then the girls noticed, each covered most of the walls and seemed to blend into them. "Seems it may be time for you all to move to stop Demal."

"Before you go, Undia I have something to pass you" Grelan spoke as he signalled to some of the people standing at the side of the room, immediately 6 of them came across carrying a large wooden box that they opened, inside was a sword, 2 solid silver-like blades that was about 6 inches apart at the hilt and hollow between them before the tips merged together about the length of Undia's arms above the hilt, the handle seemed to be made up of a dark silver material. "This weapon was carried by the Toa of fire when he fell to Demal all those years ago, while his body had lost its power when he died it seemed his sword had not, however it was in a state of what could only be described as sleeping, it's power was there but no-one was able to use it, however just after you left for Kandrakar and the sun's rays touched it today in the fortress our mages sense it awaken, almost as if it was waiting for this event to come around again to finish what was started."

Undia walked forwards to the box that was now carefully placed on the floor and those who carried it over quickly walked away. She stared at it, and then carefully reached in, taking the handle in her right hand and carefully taking the tip of the blade in her left and slowly raising it out of the box and holding onto it. "I accept the blade of the fallen fire Toa and will use it when the times arrives for its power to be used again." She spoke as she flipped it round to her back, upon touching her back its blade seemed to start reacting and it suddenly began to start shifting, the blade packing in until only a small outline was visible on her back with the handle sliding down into a panel of armour.

The door of the room opened up and another person in the brown robes walked up and knelt down before speaking to them all. "My queen, the time draws near and all forces are rallying up ready" This person was blue skinned and larger than them all and spoke in a female voice.

"Understood, you may return" Miriam spoke allowing the visitor to stand again who immediately walked back out the door. "Guardians, Janet and Undia you best make your move to join the others, that shadow you saw go past will be able to get you there quickly, it is one of the 3 oldest creatures in existence on this world and he will be a great help in what is to come."

"We will go immediately" Holly spoke as all 7 of them bowed to her and started to walk to the door.

"Mr Grelan you not coming, I just thought as leader of the Mechanax you would be with us" Rachel asked a little quietly as she looked back around.

"Sadly I cannot, for in times of war I must stay to protect the queen as is the duty of my position that our ancestors arranged when we arrived on this world" He spoke back to her with a re-assuring nod. "But fear not, for should any of Demal's forces make it here I will not let them pass while I can still breath." He stood watching then leave before turning back to talk to queen Miriam.

Undia lead the girls through several large white corridors filled with stained glass windows and paintings of the previous queens and their families over the years. Also in some of the corridors were suits of armour from over the years and around the place workers were wondering around getting on with their normal duties as well as some seemly moving stuff that appeared to be appeared to be fragile and other bits that appeared to be used for defence of a location, clearly they were preparing in case the castle was attacked. Eventually they were led outside, walking out of a giant pair of wooden doors and down some marble stairs into a courtyard with the sun shining high in the sky with only a few clouds on the horizon and the moon could be seen in the sky approaching the sun. The courtyard was surrounded by a 20 foot high wall, around the area were a verity of trees, bushes and flowers surrounded by the paths that lead from the main castle building to different outer buildings and towards a large metal gate that was the entrance to the castle grounds. Turning around to look the girls could see that a large dull white stone ring was built around the castle. Back before them stood a 30 foot long large dull red mechanical bird with black wings that were tucked back, tho the head seemed rather small compared to the body that standing was maybe 10 foot high.

"Undia, the eclipse is about to start so I hope you are ready" It spoke, a slightly squeaky voice came from its beaked mouth.

"I am aware Skykal and we are all ready to move out" She replied as she lead the girls round the back of the bird as it lowered its tail into what became a makeshift path up onto it's back that had some groves in that they all climbed into.

"Hold on everyone, flight to Frakill is moving out" It spoke out loud as the wings spread into almost 60 foot wide wingspan and flapped them as it took flight up it to the air, turning to face the direction they needed to go and started to fly off towards some mountains in the distance. The position of everyone on his back didn't let them see the ground below.

"So who exactly is this?" Emma called out to Undia.

"Skykal, he is one of the 3 constructs that were created on our original home world as a deadly weapon to use in a war that raged the world. Since settling here he and the other 2 constructs still function as weapons used in defending from any attacker to this world or stand alongside the guardians in fighting of darkness." Undia called back as she explained.

"So he is how old then?" Terri asked.

"Thousands of your earth years" Skykal called back. "Unlike the rest of my kind, I am a true artificially created life form that was created as a weapon along with 2 others, and as such we do not age, so we have seen many lives come and go over the years and watched the changes in dimensions, seen many people rise to power and fall from grace, you could say having a immortal life force is a gift, but it is also a curse and all you end up seeing is your friends die from age. That isn't to say we can't die for while we can't die of age, we can from battle, suicide for the purpose of just killing yourself has no honour, something all Mechanax view highly, taking your own life is only a last resort if it the only way to finish the battle."

"Wow, how are you able to cope with the seeing those you know die then?" Terri then added to her question.

"I don't really know, while I feel emotions it probably helps I was created in war and learned quickly to not make deep emotional attachments to people so I can function in my duty. Even now me and the others stand watch on this world to make sure that the peace that everyone lives in remains, and we do go off world when Kandrakar is in need of us, but we avoid making strong bonds with anyone, purely so we don't suffer because of a death." He told her as be began to dive down towards a high mountain peak. "Hold tight kids we are going in."

He circled down quickly as he then landed upon a large flat area on top of the mountain. On it stood a few other Mechanax members, each wearing the same sort of silver armour as Undia but the other colours varied of green, white, blue, yellow, brown and black. Also covered in dark silver armour and wearing brown capes were meridian troops. All 7 passengers quickly disembarked from Sky cal as then rising up from over the cliff was a large dark grey mechanical snake with retracted blades around the back of the head. And standing on the head was a 11 foot high dark blue humanoid creature with shark-like head.

"Everyone meet my fellow constructs, Drikal (snake) and Aqukal (humanoid)" Skykal spoke as he introduced them. "Guys, this is, umm, I didn't get who they were." He then added a little embarrassed by not knowing who he was carrying.

"We are the new guardians" Amy called to them then pointed to each of them as she introduced who they were. "Rachel, Emma, Holly, Terri and I am Amy. We also have my sister Janet coming along." The other girls gave a wave as they were mentioned, Janet was emptying her bag and starting to put on the armour she had brought.

"It is always a pleasure to be in the presence of the guardians" Drikal spoke back to them.

"And girls let me introduce my fellow Toa" Undia spoke as 6 of the other Mechanax present walked forwards, 1 of each colour and each had a different unusual marking on the shoulder armour. "Ralden (white) ice, Yenal (black) earth, Hiloa (yellow who was also female like Undia) lightning, Wiron (blue) water, Famox (green) air and Sauin (brown) stone." As she introduced them the other Toa all gave a little bow to which the girls also bowed back.

"So this is the location that was mentioned that we should see the path appear from then?" Terri asked as they all looked out around the area seeing the view.

"Yes, and in moments the time will come" Hiloa spoke to them as she and the other Toa they had just been introduced to spread out to help look around as well.

"Then it probably best if we are ready then" Emma nudged Holly who was just looking out on the horizon not paying too much attention again.

"Yea, we best be" She replied turning around to them and seeing them all just staring at her as if something was wrong.

"You certain you are all right?" Rachel asked her.

"Yes I am, just...it doesn't matter" She tried to push the distraction aside, but could tell the others weren't going to let her off it too easy, so she decided to just focus on what was needed for now. She just gave a little sigh and closed her eyes as she held her arms aside as the heart glowed a little brighter and floated up a bit away from her. "Guardians unite!" she then called out as the 5 orbs then left the heart flying around before each absorbing there partnered girl and the air around them blew hard against all those nearby. For the 3 constructs they unaffected by the air blast for having been around guardians plenty of times to be able to brace themselves perfectly as the transformations happen, while Janet decided to keep low to prevent being blown back before the orbs that now contained the girls shattered allowing them out in their guardians forms and landed on the ground.

"Is it always like that?" Undia quietly asked.

"I think so" Janet whispered back to her.

In the sky above them a shadow appeared as the moon started to eclipse the sun, on the ground it started to get darker as around the mountains storm clouds rolled around tighter, as things got darker. Everyone positioned themselves around the top of the mountain they were on as watched. A few moments passed of nothing happening then a few more, everyone started to get nervous as they waited to see something, then suddenly Amy called out to them all "Over here!" Immediately everyone ran over to where she was and she pointed to a valley not too far in the distance that was appearing between a couple of mountains that hadn't been there moments before.

"Good eye you got sis" Janet smiled as she gave her sister a soft little nudge.

"Right then, we know where we are going, so let's move down there" Holly spoke as she flew off the ground then over the edge. "Skykal, can you bring Janet down please, we can fly down ahead."

"Not a problem, as I will have to bring the Toa all down" He smiled to her as the other 4 guardians flew up and joined her and he lowered his tail to allow those who needed a ride to get on. "Drikal, take Aqukal and bring the rest." He looked to his fellow constructs who gave a nod and turned around and moved off in the other direction and he took flight and then followed the girls down towards the valley that now appeared before them.

"So the time is now, let those who seek to deny me my destiny come, for this time I will rule over everything" Demal called out as he teleported into the valley himself and a large army of Dolgag's, tho these ones were slightly smaller than the 4 he had already had, who also stood before him. His army was ready, over 500 Dolgag's were ready to fight without question or hesitation at his command. He then looked up in the sky seeing both Will and Jessica flying down. Will now had a black and dark grey version of the guardian appearance the original had when she used the heart a couple of weeks ago while Jessica's outfit now had what appeared to be padding panels on it and her tail seemed to now be made of a harder material now. He smiled as they landed next to him. "My love, you take the Dolgag army and little Jessica to keep anyone away, I will return with my new power ready to make you my queen."

"Understood my master" Jessica spoke as she bowed her head to him.

"We will be awaiting your return" Will replied to him, giving him one last kiss before he took the key out from under his cloak as behind him the valley stopped forming and a tunnel appeared, he smiled as he walked inside. Will turned around and saw in the sky coming down towards them the guardians and Skykal. "Dolgag's, destroy those who seek to stop your master!" She called out as they then immediately acted and started firing dark fireballs into the sky towards the girls and Skykal.

Next Time: The battle begins