Chapter 18:

"So, what do you want to talk about?", Matt asked Joe as they along with Caleb stood somewhere in Heatherfield Forest.

"I'll answer that question with a question of my own.", Joe said as he leaned back against a tree. "Don't you two ever think for yourself?"

"And what does that mean?", Caleb questioned with a glare.

"I mean, you two are leaders.", Joe said. "You, Caleb, led the rebels and you're also one of the captians of Meridan's armies. And you Matt are leader of the Regents! So, why is it that you two don't get much of a say in the plans the Guardians make? Who is it that you're great Queen Elyon goes to for advice on ruling Meridian? You, Caleb? Or the girls?"

At first, Caleb was going to say something, but didn't. He began to think back to when the Guardians first showed up on Metamoor. Sure they were a major part of defeating Phobos. But most of the people acted like the Guardians did all the work. Most of the people forgot that the rebels fought hard before the Guardians came along.

"You're starting to see what I'm saying, aren't you, Caleb?", Joe asked Caleb as he saw the look on Caleb's face.

"Don't listen to him, man!", Matt said. "He's messing with your head!"

"But... But he's right.", Caleb said as he looked down at the ground. "Elyon doesn't talk to any of us in her Royal Court much about what to do about things of the kingdom. It's has always been the girls she's gone to. It's like she thinks that I'm only good for fighting. Pretty messed up, huh?"

"Caleb...", Matt began to say before his friend cut him off.

"Did you know that the people of the kingdom want to have a holiday for the Guardians?", Caleb asked Matt. "They act like the Rebels didn't do a thing to stop Phobos. Don't get me wrong. I'm not jealous or anything. I just want the rebels to get some respect as well."

Matt knew that Joe had gotten to Caleb. And he felt for his friend, for he too has see how the people of the Meridian Kingdom see the Guardians as heroes more than the rebels, who have fought for their freedom way before the girls showed up. But right now, he had to put an end to Joe's mind games. But little did Matt know, Joe wasn't done with them yet.

"And what about you, Matt?", Joe said. "You may of been able to stop us from escaping during our last fight. But Will stopped you. Looks like she thinks you're weak."

"First of all, I'm not weak!", Matt snapped. "Second, Will was only worried about me! That's what you do when you care for someone!"

"What if the one who cares about you flirts with another guy?", Joe questioned.

"What are you talking about?", Matt asked as he glared at Joe.

"I'm talking about the fact that your loving and caring Will has been flirting with another guy.", Joe replied.

"And how do you know this?", Matt asked.

"Well, Cassidy is on the same swim team as Will.", Joe said. "Will and the boy try to hide it, but Cassidy caught on to their flirting. I believe Cassidy said his name was Neil something or other."

"Roberts?", Matt questioned. "Neil Roberts? I knew something was up with that guy!"

"And now you know what it is.", Joe said. "I wouldn't be surprised if they went on a date or two."

"I can't believe she would do this to me.", Matt said as he looked to the ground.

"She's friends with Cornelia Hale, boy!", Joe said. "Don't you think some of her would rub off on Will?"

"What's that soppose to mean?", Caleb questioned.

"Listen up, Caleb.", Joe said as he looked at Caleb. "What I've got to tell you won't be pretty!"

Meanwhile, at Shell Beach, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, Hay Lin, and Elyon were in the cave with Cassidy, Halinor, Yan Lin, and Kadma.

"If you're going to talk, then talk!", Cornelia said to the Dark Guardians. "We don't have all day!"

"Look at you, Cornelia.", Cassidy said as she sat on a rock lazily. "Being all leader like. You make a great second in cammand."

"Corny? Second in command? Ha!", Irma said with a smirk.

Cornelia glared at Irma, who wasn't taking things seriously.

"Focus, Irma!", Cornelia said. "Now isn't the time for your jokes!"

"Now, now, Cornelia.", Yan Lin said. "Irma did make a point. "You're not the second in command. Taranee is."

Hay Lin, Irma, Cornelia, and Elyon looked at Taranee who looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Taranee...?", Hay Lin was about to asked her friend.

"What's the matter, Taranee?", Halinor asked. "Got nothing to say?"

Taranee said nothing as she glared at Halinor.

"Then allow me to tell how it happened.", Yan Lin said as she sat on another rock. "One day, back when I was an old lady that is, I had suggested to Will that she should pick a second in command, just in case if something were to happen to her. She didn't even have to think twice when she picked Taranee, who was there with her. When I asked why Taranee. She looked at me and said "Because I trust her to lead the team right."."

"So, how does it feel to know that Will doesn't trust you three the way she trust Taranee?", Kadma asked Irma, Hay Lin, and Cornelia. "Cause the way I see it, any of you could be the second in command."

"From what I've seen during my time in Kandrakar, through the Oracle's Viewing Pool, Cornelia has shown that she has what it takes to be a good second in command.", Halinor said. "But then again, Will would rather have the smarter one as her second in command."

"Maybe she likes Taranee more then the others.", Cassidy said.

Cornelia looked at Taranee out of the corner of her eye. At that moment, she didn't know what to think. Was it true? Did Will pick Taranee to be second in command because she liked her more than the others. Elyon sensed Cornelia feelings and decided to speak up.

"That's not true!", Elyon said glaring at Cassidy. "Whatever the reason, Will picked Taranee for a good reason!"

"That's right!", Hay Lin said. "Will wouldn't let her personal feelings get in the way of making important choices like that!"

"Is that so?", Yan Lin said with a smirk which made the girls worry. "I seem to remember when Will and Cornelia weren't the good friends they are now."

"That's in the past!", Cornelia said. "Bringing up stuff from back then, won't help you!"

"Yan Lin is only telling the truth.", Halinor said. "I mean there are things that I've seen from Kandrakar that some of you should know about."

"Like what?", Irma asked with a glare.

"Like the fact that when you all found out that Elyon was the true heir to the throne, Cornelia was the only one who wanted to tell her about it while the rest of you wanted to keep her in the dark.", Yan Lin said with a smirk. "And all because Will said so."

"And wasn't it you who said that we should respect Will's choice?", Irma questioned thinking she had the upperhand.

"I did say that.", Yan Lin said.

"Ha!", Irma said with a confident smile.

"So, why didn't you all respect Elyon's right to know the truth?", Yan Lin asked.

"Cornelia was the only one who wanted to tell Elyon that she was the queen of Meridian.", Kadma said. "But you all thought that Elyon wouldn't of believed you. Yet she ended up going with Cedric to Metamoor, after believing his lies, and almost lost her life during the final battle."

"Had you told Elyon about herself, she might of freaked out a bit.", Yan Lin said. "But seeing as Cornelia is her best friend, she would of come to terms with who she really was. And she would of made a major differance in the war against Phobos."

"Okay! We made a major mistake back then!", Irma said. "Telling Elyon would of been the better choice! But we were trying to keep her safe from her brother and those searchng for her!"

"Yeah! Good job with that!", Elyon said in a sarcastic tone as she looked around at Irma, Hay Lin, and Taranee. "Oh wait! Your plan failed! I almost died during the corination because you all, except Cornelia, didn't want to tell me the truth about myself? Some friends!"

"Please understand, Elyon.", Taranee said to her friend. "We thought we were protecting you."

"Well, you pretty much messed that up!", Elyon said. "Because of that night, I sometimes get nightmares about my brother getting my powers and ruling Metamoor like a tyrant! And I can't do anything to stop him! I can't believe you all couldn't trust me with the truth!"

Elyon then looked at Cornelia and smiled.

"Thank you, Cornelia.", Elyon said as tears were streaming down her face. "You are not only my best friend, but a true one."

"Elyon, listen!", Cornelia said as she grabbed Elyon's hands and held them gently. "I know you're mad. And you have reason to be. But right now, we need you here. Afterwards you can vent all you want. I'll be there to listen. Okay?"

Elyon only nodded her head before they heard Yan Lin laugh. Both of them, along with the other Guardians there, looked at Yan Lin and the Dark Guardians that were there.

"I must say that I'm impressed, Cornelia.", Yan Lin said. "You could of walked away, when we told you that Will didn't trust you enough to be the second in command. But instead you stay. Someone has learned to keep her temper in check."

"Oh, don't worry! I'm ticked!", Cornelia said. "But, I can deal with that later. There are more important things to deal with right now!"

"Smart move.", Cassidy said. "You're sounding like a true leader there."

"Unlike Taranee there.", Kadma said with a smirk as she looked at Taranee who was glaring at her."

"I may not be like Cornelia, but Will did pick me to be second in command!", Taranee snapped. "And right now, we're leaving!"

Taranee and the others headed out of the cave.

"But we still have to talk to Elyon about how she's been treating her loyal captians.", Yan Lin said.

"What are you talking about?", Elyon questioned as she turned to face the four Dark Guardians. "I treat them just fine!"

"Do, you now?", Halinor asked. "Back in Kandrakar, before all of this happened, I saw different from the Viewing Pool."

"What do you mean?", Elyon asked.

"I mean, when ever you needed advice on something, you always asked the Guardians for help.", Halinor explained.

"And what's so wrong with that?", Irma asked with her hands on her hips.

"Why ask you all when she should be asking those of her Royal Court, seeing as they have lived there all their lives?", Kadma questioned. "Do you have any idea how that makes Caleb and the other captians feel? They do have ideas about how to handle things, yet you don't even think about asking them. And then there's the fact that the people hardly show the former rebels any respect anymore. I mean they only fought for the freedom of the kingdom. Don't you think they deserve a little more respect than they have right now?"

"If that's the case, then why hasn't Caleb said anything about it?", Cornelia asked.

"Actually, the question should be, why hasn't Queen Elyon asked Caleb how he feels about it all.", Cassidy said. "But I have this feeling that Joe is talking to him about it right now."

"Where's Caleb?", Cornelia demanded as she stepped forward. "What have you done to him?"

"Nothing but show him a few truths.", Kadma said. "Well, Joe is anyway."

"We have to find Will and then look for Caleb!", Cornelia said as she headed out of the cave.

The others soon followed behind her, leaving the four Dark Guardians in the cave.

"Fine. Go ahead.", Yan Lin said without a care in the world. "We all said what we had to say."

The Guardians and Elyon turned around to see the Dark Guardians teletransport way. Once gone, the girls left the cave to see that they were in fact at Shell Beach.

"Okay. First thing we have to do is find Will.", Taranee said before she began to focus on Will. "I sense her! She's in Heatherfield Forest!"

"Then let's get going already!", Irma said.

They girls then teletransported to Heatherfield Forest, hoping that Will was okay.

Minutes earlier...

Back in the park, Eric, Peter, and Nigel were standing there facing Angelo, who was sitting on the park bench leaning back as if there was nothing to worry about.

"If you have something to say then say it!", Peter demanded.

"Very well.", Angelo said as he picked a piece of lint off of his pant leg and flicked it away. "But first, let me ask you guys this. How did you guys find out about the girls, Caleb, and Matt?"

"You know how!", Nigel said with a glare. "Cassidy told you about it!"

"Humor me.", Angelo said looking at Nigel.

"The three of us were tricked by that Cedric guy and his girlfriend Miranda, that escaped from Metamoor.", Nigel explianed. "He told us that the girls were in some kind of accident and at the hospital. He was wearing a police uniform and even have a squad car."

"He then told us that our girlfriends were asking for us.", Peter continued to explain. "He told us he'd drive us to the hospital, but Miranda hit us with some webbing, and ended up driving us to Heatherfield Forest. They planned on using us as bait to lure the girls into a trap."

"And of course, the girls along with Matt and Caleb saved you.", Angelo said finishing it up.

"Yeah. So?", Eric questioned.

"Now if you knew what Cedric and Miranda looked like, you would of just walked away and then called the girls and told them about Cedric and Miranda escaping.", Angelo said. "Right?"

"Right.", Eric said.

"Well, did you know that Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin wanted to tell you three and me about them, but Will said no?", Angelo asked the boys getting surprised looks out of them. "I guess not.", Angelo said seeing the looks on the boys faces. "Turns out that Will wanted to keep it the way it was fearing that one of us may blab about them, if any of us broke. You know, how she wanted keep me in the dark until the whole Crakas and Railia thing. Cornelia, Caleb, and Matt were pretty much neutral about the whole thing. And that was a week before Cedric and Miranda got you three. Had you knew about them and what they looked like, then all of that could of been avoided."

The boys just stood there not knowing what to do. The three of them felt hurt that one of the girls that they called friend didn't trust them and angry that because of those feelings they almost got seriously hurt. Or worse!

"Now, now, fellas.", Angelo said. "I'm not done yet."

"But I am!", Peter said as he began to walk away.

"But what I have to say concerns you, Pete.", Angelo said in a calm and cool voice. "Or should I say you and Cornelia."

"What are you...", Peter began to question as he turned to look at Angelo.

"Now I know that the girls told you about how they can make themselves look older. Right?", Angelo asked.

"Yeah. So what?", Peter questioned.

"So, I'm guessing Cornelia confessed to you about the whole thing about her posing as her "cousin Lillian".", Angelo said. "Right?"

"Yeah! She did!", Peter said, "In the end, she broke up with me because she had to leave town. Of course this was before I knew the truth. But when me and the guys found out about the girls, Cornelia told me the truth about what she did."

"But before all of that, when you thought Lillian was real, she came back into town every other weekend.", Angelo said. "Am I correct?"

"Yeah.", Peter said.

"Did you know that she was seeing you behind Caleb's back at the time?", Angelo questioned.

"What?", Peter questioned in shock.

"Think about it.", Angelo said. "When you were told everything, Cornelia asked you to keep the whole "Lillian" thing between you two."

"To keep it from Caleb.", Peter figured out. "She played the both of us!"

"Well, from what Hallie told me, Caleb went back to Metamoor every other weekend to take care of some things.", Angelo explained. "And while he was gone those times, she decided to get with you and have some fun. That is until you hooked up with Cassidy. After that, she had no choice but to end the whole "Lillian" thing."

"Now that's messed up!", Eric said.

"Totally.", Nigel agreed.

"Why tell me all of this?", Peter asked Angelo. "Is it because of what happened between you, Irma, Cassidy, and me?"

"Honestly, yes.", Angelo said. "Well, between me and Irma anyway. She could of broken up with me before she got with you. But she didn't. But instead, she did me the same way Corny did you and Caleb. As for what happened between you and Cassidy, that's between you and her."

Angelo looked at the looks on the boys faces and knew he had done his part and done it well.

"Well, guys. I'll just go and leave you to think about all that we've talk about.", Angelo said as he stood up from the park bench. "Have a nice day."

Angelo then walked out of the park, leaving the boys to think about what he told them, knowing that things would change between them and the girls. Back in Heatherfield Forest, Joe had just told Caleb the same thing Angelo told Peter about how Cornelia played the both of them.

"I never thought she'd do something like that.", Caleb said in disbelief.

"Well, she did, my boy.", Joe said as he looked at his watch. "Well, I've got to go. Until the next time, boys!"

Joe then teletransported way leaving the two boys much to think about.

"Let's head back to the park and call the others.", Caleb said. "There's a lot we need to talk about."

"I couldn't agree more.", Matt said as he walked up to Caleb and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and teletransported away to Haetherfield Park. Once there, they saw that Peter, Nigel, and Eric were still there. Caleb walked up to Peter who walked up to him as well.

"We need to talk.", they both said as they were face to face.

While they were talking, Matt pulled out his cell phone and sent a text message to Will, knowing she would get it if she wasn't fighting.

'Why, Will?', Matt thought sadly as he sent the text message to Will. 'Why?'

Minutes earlier...

In another part of Heatherfield Forest, Will and Nerissa were there alone. Will wanted to make a move but, decided to wait for the others to show up, hoping they could capture Nerissa. But what Will didn't know was that Nerissa had a few things to say.

"So, you're the new Keeper of the Heart of Kandrakar?", Nerissa questioned as she walked around Will with her hands intertwined behind her.

"Yeah! I am!", Will said as she kept her eye on Nerissa.

'I have to remember that she's not herself.', Will thought to herself. 'But maybe I can get some info out of her.'

"You were once a Guardian, Nerissa.", Will said getting her attention as Nerissa stood in front of her. "Why work for Nolan?"

"Hello!", Nerissa said. "He removed our goodness! Which, in turn, made us bad! You know this! He said all this before our first fight!"

"Nolan also said that he erased your memories back to that of a sixteen year old.", Will said trying to keep her cool. "So, why work for him still?"

"Because my friends need me as much as I need them.", Nerissa said. "We may be bad, but we're still friends."

"And what about your missing memories?", Will asked. "Do you really think Nolan will restore them once he gets what he wants?"

"No clue.", Nerissa said. "But Angelo said something that made some sense."

'Of course he did.', Will said while rolling her eyes.

"And what did he say?", asked Will as Nerissa sat on a tree stump.

"He said that I shouldn't worry to much about my memories.", Nerissa said while looking up at the sky. "He said that within time, they just may come back to me."

"Makes sense.", Will said.

"It does. Doesn't it?", Nerissa questioned. "I mean from the looks of things, I know I had to of grown old and stuff. I just don't know what happen along the way. But I'm sure that I'll remember"

'I hope not.', Will thought to herself.

"You said something about me and my friends have a few problems after all of this.", Will said. "What did you mean?"

"Oh that!", Nerissa said as she got to her feet. "Well, like I said before. Your fellow Guardians and allies might not like the way you're running things from now on."

"The way I'm running things?", Will questioned with a raised eyebrow. "What's that suppose to mean?"

"Well, from what I was told by my friends, you've made some pretty messed up decisions that have affected others in major ways.", Nerissa said.

"Such as?", Will asked.

"Well, for starters, there's when you didn't want to tell Elyon the truth about herself when you all were dealing with Phobos.", Nerissa said. "And if I'm right, you never told her about that yet have you?"

"I had my reason for that.", Will said.

"Well, good luck telling Elyon that reason.", Nerissa said. "Cause my friends are telling her about that as we speak. Not to mention that you picked Taranee to be your second in command, when it's obvious that Cornelia can do a better job."

"How do you know... Yan Lin and Halinor!", Will said figuring out how Nerissa knew about what she said.

"Hallie was a part of the Council of Kandrakar.", Nerissa said. "I wonder if I was. Anyway, there's also the fact that when it comes to making plans, you mainly talk to Taranee about that when you have all your other friends there as well. I mean from what Yannie has told me, you hardly asked the other Gardians if they have any ideas. And then there's your boyfriend and that Caleb guy. They're leaders. So, why not see if they have any ideas? I'm telling you, Will, your friends will end up arguing with you about this soon."

"We'll see about that!", Will said. "My friends will find me and we'll stop you and the other Dark Guardians!"

Suddenly, the other Guardians and Elyon appeared behind Will.

"Well, I better get going.", Nerissa said with a smirk. "See ya around!"

Nerissa then teletransported away. Will turned around, happy to see her friends to see her friends.

"Man I'm glad to see you guys!", Will said with a smile. "Now we just have to find Matt and Caleb."

"Yeah. Sure. Whatever.", Elyon said as she walked past Will, who was confused the way Elyon was acting.

"What with Elyon?", Will whispered to Taranee.

"Long story.", Taranee whispered back. "Tell you later."

Cornelia, Hay Lin, and Irma saw Will talking with Taranee and remembered what the Dark Guardians said earlier and were thinking one thing.

Will DOES trust Taarnee more than them!

Suddenly, Will's cell phone rang. She looked at it to see that it was Matt, who had left a text message.

"It's Matt!", Will said with a happy smile as she read the text message. "It says: Me and Caleb are safe. Come back to the park."

"Good. Then let's go!", Cornelia said as she teletransported to the park followed by Elyon and the others.

Once at the park, the girls saw the boys standing together. Cornelia ran up to Caleb to hug him, but slowed down and stopped once she saw the look on his face.

"Caleb? What's wrong?", Cornelia asked as she looked at him.

"Plenty.", Caleb said in a voice that told the girls that there was trouble ahead.

A/N: Well, looks like the Dark Guardians got what they wanted. There's some troubles amoung our heroes. Trouble that'll cause some problems between them all. And this will give the Dark Guardians the chance they need to get what they want. Who knows what's going to happen after this.

Please review.