Chapter 19:
There the Guardians along with their boyfriends and Elyon were. Standing in the park, all being silent. All of them had questions that they wanted answered. So, Elyon decided to ask what she felt she deserved an answer to.
"Why didn't you want to tell me about who I was when you found out I was queen of Meridian?", she asked Will.
Hearing that question brought back some memories. But Will knew Elyon deserved an answer.
"I didn't know if I would be doing the right thing if we told you the truth about yourself. If we told you, it would be easier to keep you safe. If we didn't, you'd stay a little longer ignorant about it all. You'd live a happier life a bit longer.", Will began to explain. "A life without monsters and a evil brother that wanted to drain you of your lifeforce. Cornelia had a really good point, when she said that we should of told you about it all. But I wasn't sure if it was worth the risk. I thought it was better for your own happiness to remain ignorant about it all until we beat Phobos."
"And look how that turned out!", Elyon said getting Will's attention. "By you not telling me about who I really was, I ended up believing Cedric and his lies because he was honest to me about who I really was! I can understand why my parents didn't tell me. But, after Phobos was defeated, they told me that if they knew who the urrent Guardains were, they would of told me and you all about everything. But when you found out about who I was, you, Taranee, Irma, and Hay Lin decided to not tell me, when Cornelia believed you all should of told me!"
"We made a mistake, Elyon.", Taranee said. "We just didn't want to expose you to the war that was going on at the time."
"But, as queen of Meridian, there may be future wars that will come to her kingdom.", Caleb said.
"Caleb's right!", Elyon said. "If I had known about who I really was, I could of asked Yan Lin for help in training with my powers. And when the time was right, we would of been able to take down my brother a long time ago! Heck! Nerissa might not of been able to trick me into giving her my powers the way she did, if I had the proper training Yan Lin was going to give me at the time. And if that happened, we wouldn't be here talking about all of this! Sure, there still might be Dark Guardians, but if I was strong enough, and knew how to use my powers better, we might of caught them and freed them by now! At least that's what I think."
"I'm sorry! Okay!", Will said. "I was wrong in the choice I made! There! You happy now?"
Elyon then let out a deep sigh as she looked at Will.
"Look, Will. I know you meant well and all, but think about this.", Elyon said. "When you and the girls first became Guardians, how did you react? I'm going to guess and say you all were pretty freaked out about it all. Right?"
"Yeah.", Will said. "But we accepted it and did what we had to do."
"Don't you think that the same would of happened with me?", Elyon asked calmly.
Will was about to say something when she realised that Elyon was right. She might of freaked out, like they did when they started out being Guardians, but they got used to it pretty quick. And two to one, Elyon would of too. And because of her decidsion, Elyon almost died! Heck! If it handn't been for Cornelia, and her dream, Elyon wouldn't be here right now! And it was Cornelia who save Elyon from getting her powers and lifeforce sucked out of her, during the final battle with Phobos.
"You're right, Elyon.", Will said. "I should of trusted you enough to tell you about who you really were back them. And I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted.", Elyon said with a small smile which made Will smile as well.
"Okay. That's all nice and everything, but we've got something else to talk about.", Irma said not trying to sound rude. "What I want to know is why didn't you talk to all of us about picking a second in comand, when you pick Taranee without a second thought?"
Will's eyes went wide as she looked at Irma, who wasn't looking to happy.
"Dark Guardians?", Will asked Taranee.
"Dark Guardians.", Taranee said.
Will then loked at Hay Lin who looked torn between siding with Irma or siding with Will. Will then looked at Cornelia and saw that she didn't look to happy either. Will then decided to tell Cornelia, Irma, and Hay Lin why she picked Taranee instead of one of them. Not matter how much it hurt!
"You three want to truth! Then I'll give you the truth!", Will said in a way that got everyone's attention. "I almost considered you, Cornelia, but I knew Irma would say something against it even if I said so. And if I chose you, Irma, Cornelia would most certainly say something against it. So, that was that. And you, Hay Lin, are too easy and a bit fragile when it comes to leading. That's why I chose Taranee. She's the smartest and has helped with all of our battle plans, in the past! So, that's why she's second in command. If you don't like it, I'm sorry, but to bad. That's the way it is."
At first, no one said anything. They knew Will meant what she said. But the way she said it was kind of messed up. And if anyone was going to say anything about it first, it was going to be one Irma Lair.
"Well, I guess that's that.", Irma said as she turned to walk away. "But I'll say this before I go. I may not be the brightest amoung us, but if you did pick Corny to be second in command, I may not of been to happy about it at first, but I would of gotten over it. Cause there have been times where her quick thinking has saved our butts! But then again, what do I know? I'm not as smart as Taranee. Am I?"
"Irma, wait!", Will called out to Irma before she went and teletransported away.
"She sounded hurt.", Taranee said.
"You think?", Hay Lin questioned sarcasticlly surprising everyone there. "You just told her that one of the reasons you didn't even consider her second in command was because you didn't think she was smart enough to do it. Well, newsflash, Will! You aren't all that smart either! And what she said about Cornelia being second in command is true as well! She may not of liked it at first, but she would of gotten over it."
"Clam down, Hay Lin!", Will said.
"No, I will not calm down! For once, I'm going to be heard!", Hay Lin snapped gaining everyone's attention. "I may not be the toughest of the group! And my feelings may easily be hurt sometimes! But I'm still a Guardian! I was picked to wield the power of air! So, I must be a part of this for a reason! But for now, like Irma, I just want to be alone for a while! Goodbye!"
"Hay Lin! Wait!", Will called out before she went and teletransported away.
Will then looked at Cornelia, knowing that she had something to say as well.
"Well, if you're going to say something then say it!", Will said.
"When were you going to tell us that you picked Taranee as the second in command?", Cornelia asked in a calm voice.
"When the time was right.", Will said.
"And when was that, Will? Tomorrow? Next week?", Cornelia said. "I get it. You trust Taranee more than the rest of us. But you could of told us about this a long time ago. I kind of hurts to know that you made an important choice like that without talking with the rest of us about it. Last I checked, we were a team!"
"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you all about it.", Will said. "But let's be honest, Cornelia. Now that you know about it, how do you feel about me picking Taranee, instead of you as the second in command?"
"Would my opinion of mattered? Would the opinions of Irma and Hay Lin mattered either?", Cornelia asked surprising Will. "It's obvious that your mind was set on Taranee. Seeing as when you were asked about it, you picked Taranee without question. I know the five of us are good friends, as well as Guardians. But it would of been nice if we talked about this before you came up with a final choice. That's what teams do. You, yourself, said that."
Will, as well as those there, were surprised at what Cornelia had to say. I mean, normally, she'd yell and complain about things. But then Will and Taranee remembered that there were times in which, Cornelia's calm mind and quick thinking have saved their butts. And after hearing what Cornelia, as well as Irma and Hay Lin, had to say, Will realised that she has hurt her friends more than the Dark Guardians or any other enemy could ever do.
"I'm sorry.", Will said getting Cornelia's attention. "You, Irma, and Hay Lin were right. I should of talked to you all about picking a second in command before I made my choice."
"Yeah. You should have.", Cornelia said before she turned and walked off.
"Way to go, Will.", Will said as she looked down at the ground. "What else could go wrong?"
"It'll be okay, Will.", Taranee said as she placed her hand on her shoulder. "Just give them some space. After a day or two, things will cool off."
"I guess so.", Will said with a sad smile.
"Well, see it like this.", Taranee said. "Things couldn't get any worse."
Suddenly, Matt walked up to Will. Will looked up at Matt hoping to see his kind smile. But instead she saw a look of hurt and anger.
"Matt? What's...?", Will began to ask as Matt grabbed her hand.
"We need to talk. Now.", Matt said as he teletransported away with Will.
"What the...? Will!", Taranee shouted as they vanished in front of her. "Where did they go?"
Taranee looked around to see only Nigel and Eric standing there.
"Where's Peter, Caleb, and Elyon?", Taranee asked Nigel as he and Eric walked up to her.
"Easy, Taranee.", Nigel said gently as he held her hands. "Me and Eric can explain everything."
"Explain what?", Taranee asked.
"Well, before you and the girls came back here, Matt and Caleb came back from their encounter with Joe first.", Eric said. "And they were told a few things."
"What kind of things?", Taranee asked.
"Things that may change things.", Nigel said as he began to explain what they were told. "You see, it's like this."
Elsewhere, Cornelia was near the exit of the park when Caleb and Peter caught up with her, with Elyon right behind them.
"Cornelia! We need to talk!", Caleb said to her.
"Not now, Caleb.", Cornelia said.
"No! Now!", Caleb said as he grabbed her arm causing her to turn around.
"I said, not now!", Cornelia snapped as she looked at Caleb.
"You owe me and Caleb this, Cornelia!", Peter said getting her attention.
"What are you...?", Cornelia was abut to ask.
"We know.", Peter said.
"Know? Know what?", she asked.
"That even after we got back together, you were still seeing Peter as 'Lillian'!", Caleb replied.
Hearing that made Cornelia's eyes go wide as she looked at Caleb and Peter.
"How did you...", Cornelia began to question.
"Joe told me!", Caleb said.
"While Angelo told me!", Peter said.
"And they both found out from Halinor, seeing as she could see it all from Kandrakar's Viewing Pool.", Caleb added. "Why did you do it, Cornelia?"
"I got tired of you going always going to Metamoor every other weekend!", Cornelia said. "I understand that you have your duties, not to mention that during that time the people of Meridian were rebuilding their homes. But there were a few weekends that I would of loved to spend with my boyfriend! I could of came to Meridian with you, but you always said that you'd of been to busy to spend time with me!"
"So, instead, you go and take up the role of 'Lillian' again and get with Peter?", Caleb questioned. "Do you even know what I was doing during the weekends that I was on Metamoor?"
"No! But I would like to know!", Cornelia yelled. "But you never tell me anything about what you do!"
"I was building a place for us near the beaches of Meridian!", Caleb snapped surprising Cornelia.
"What?", Cornelia questioned softly.
"I was building a place near the beaches of Meridian.", Caleb said. "I remember you saying that it would be nice to have a beach house near the beaches there, the last time you, me, and the others were there. So, during those every other weekends I went to Metamoor, I asked my father, Aldern, and Drake to help me build the house. When it's done, it will be big enough for all of us to stay in when we go to the beach. It was to be a surprise for you on your birthday. That's what I was doing, while you were having your fun with Peter. No offence, man."
"None taken.", Peter said. "All I have to say is that what you did was messed up, Cornelia! Granted, I did Cassidy the same way, while I was seeing Irma behind her back. So, I'm no better. But Caleb is another story. So, I'll leave you two alone to talk."
And with that Peter walked off to where Taranee, Nigel, and Eric were leaving Caleb, Cornelia, and Elyon where they were.
'This isn't going to end well.', Elyon thought to herself as she looked at Caleb and Cornelia hoping that things wouldn't get to ugly.
"Caleb, I'm..."
"You're what?", Caleb snapped making her and Elyon jump a little. "Sorry for doing what you did? Hurting me? Breaking my heart? Making me think you loved me?"
"I do love you!", Cornelia yelled a her eyes began to water. "I made a mistake! And I'm sorry for what I did! I didn't tell you because it's in the past, where I want to keep it!"
"Well, now I know!", Caleb said with hurt in his voice as he looked at Cornelia. "And right now, I don't want to be around you right now!"
Caleb then turned torwards Elyon and...
"I wish to return to Metamoor, Your Majesty.", Caleb said.
"Um... Yeah. Sure.", Elyon said knowing Caleb needed some time to himself.
They then walked away to find a spot for Elyon to open a fold. Cornelia was about to run up to Caleb, when Elyon stood in her way.
"Cornelia, wait!", Elyon said calmly. "Give Caleb his space."
"But..."
"Please, Cornelia.", Elyon said. "I know you're sorry about what you did, but now isn't the time to talk to Caleb. He needed time to cool down and get past this somehow. So for now, he needed his space. Trust me on this. Okay?"
Cornelia nodded sadly, knowing her best friend was right about Caleb. Seeing the sadness in her eyes, Elyon gave her friend a hug.
"It'll be okay, Cornelia.", Elyon said as she hugged her best friend. "Just be strong. And be sure to talk to Peter, when the time is right."
"I will.", Cornelia said as they pulled apart.
"I'll see you tomorrow.", Elyon said before she ran off to catch up with Caleb.
Once Elyon was far enough away, Cornelia walked off under a tree and sat under it. She then held her knees up to her chest and held her head down and cried. She cried for fear of possibly losing Caleb because of a stupid mistake she made.
"I'm sorry, Caleb.", Cornelia cried. "I'm so sorry."
Elsewhere, on Shell Beach, Matt had teletransported there with Will in tow.
"What's going on here, Matt?", Will asked as she looked at Matt.
"Neil Roberts! That's what!", Matt yelled surprising Will as her eyes went wide as she gasped. "That's right! I know about the flirting you two do!"
"How did you know?", Will asked.
"Angelo's grandfather, that's how!", Matt said. "And he found out from Cassidy! I knew something was up with that guy! How he always looked at you whenever he past by us in the halls! And now I know that you two have been flirting with each other!"
"Matt, I'm sorry!", Will said. "I love you! I really do! It's just that, knowing that there's another guy that finds a girl like me attractive, made me feel good. So, I flirted back with him."
"If I were to do something like that, with another girl, you'd be all over me about it! Big time!", Matt said. "Yet you do this and expect me to just let it go?"
"I'm sorry.", Will said sadly as she looked down at the ground.
"Is there anything else?", Matt asked as he looked at Will who was still looking down at the ground. "Well, is there?"
Will kept her gaze on the sand, she was standing on, as her eyes began to water, knowing that she had to be honest with her boyfriend. Even if it meant that she may lose him after this.
"I... I... I went to the movies with him once.", Will said as she looked up at Matt. "As well as got some ice cream with him afterwards."
"What?", Matt questioned in surprise softly as he turned to look at Will.
"Nothing happened, Matt!", Will cried. "I told him that there wasn't any chance of anything happening between us. I told him that I loved you and didn't want to hurt you!"
"Too late.", Matt said as he turned away from her. "You flirted with another guy! Go to a movie with him and have ice cream afterwards. And now you think that everything will go back to normal?"
"I know things won't be the same.", Will said. "But I need you right now, Matt! Irma, Hay Lin, and Cornelia aren't talking to me! And who knows what the other guys were told, to make them turn on me! I just have you and Taranee! So, please don't leave me."
"I'm sorry, Will.", Matt said. "But right now I don't know what to think. And to be honest, I can't be around you right now."
"Matt?", Will questioned as she noticed that his hands were balled up in fist that were shaking.
Matt said nothing as he teletransported away. Seeing this, Will dropped to her knees and cried as she hugged herself fearing that she had just lost Matt to her mistake.
"I'm sorry.", Will said between sobs. "I'm so sorry."
On the world of Metamoor, in the kingdom of Meridian, Caleb was walking through the halls of the palace heading for the Dining Hall for dinner. He was still upset about what Cornelia did to him. And who wouldn't be.
'I go and try and build her somethng nice and she was seeing Peter behind my back!', Caleb thought to himself. 'The nerve of her! If I had done something like that, she'd go nuts! Unbelievable!'
Soon Caleb was in the Dining Hall and ready to eat as he sat down at the table. Also sitting there, were her adoptive parents, Alborn and Miriadel, as well as Raythor, Julian, Aldern, Drake, and Vathek. Elyon looked around at those sitting at the table and knew what she had to do.
"Before we eat, I have something important to say.", Elyon said getting everyone's attention.
"What is it, Your Majesty?", Vathek asked.
"That I'm sorry.", Elyon said.
"Sorry about what, Your Majesty?", Drake asked.
"Sorry that I haven't been treating you all with the respect you deserve.", Elyon said. "When it came to getting advice on matters of our kingdom, I went to the Guardians when I should of came to you. The ones who lived here all their lives and knew more about the land than the Guardians. I ask for your forgiveness and I promise you that I will work more with you all in any upcoming affairs that will come up."
Everyone looked at each other and smiled, knowing that their queen was a good queen.
"It's okay, Your Majesty.", Aldern said with a smile. "The Guardians are your friends. Of course you would ask them for advice on things."
"We understood that a long time ago.", Raythor said with a smile.
"But hearing what you said, shows us that you care about how we feel.", Vathek said witha smile. "And for that we thank you."
"Here! Here!", Caleb said with a smile, happy that something good happen today.
"Here! Here!", everyone cheered as they raised their glasses or mugs.
"Thank you.", Elyon said with a smile. "Thank you all. And now, let's eat!"
"I'm proud of you, Elyon.", Alborn said to his daughter with a smile.
"We both are.", Miriadel said as she smiled at her daughter.
"Thanks.", Elyon said with a smile before they went back to eating their meal.
'Who'd of thought that the Dark Guardians would end up helping me out today.', Elyon thought to herself with a smile as she ate her meal.
Elsewhere, on the distant world of Erutan, the Dark Guardians had just gotten what they needed. In Nerissa's hands was the Heart of Erutan.
"Looks like we got what we need.", Nerissa said as she held the small orb of power. "Now we have enough power to give the Guardians a real fight!"
"But let's not merge it with our Heart.", Halinor said.
"Why not?", Angelo asked. "There's nothing but wildlife on this world. No humanoid life at all. No one can take it from us."
"True.", Kadma said. "But, with Kandrakar, they'll find a way to take Erutan's Heart from us."
"And if our Heart is merged with it, we'll lose everything.", Yan Lin finished.
"So, we keep the Hearts seperate.", Angelo said.
"Sort of.", Cassidy said. "We take the power of Erutan's Heart and split it seven ways."
"And put it within us.", Joe said.
"Exactly.", Nerissa said.
"Then let's do it!", Angelo said. "The sooner we get use to the power boost the better!"
"One power boost, coming up!", Nerissa said as he held the Heart of Erutan up.
Nerissa then focused her mind and split the energy of the Heart of Erutan into seven orbs of enegry. Each orb went into one of the Dark Guardians. A smirk grew on their faces as they felt the boost of power flow through their bodies.
"Now that's a power boost!", Cassidy said as she was able to form ice shards faster. "The Guardians are in for it now!"
"Are they now?"
The seven Dark Guardians quickly turned to see Nolan walking towards them. And he wasn't looking to happy.
"Nolan?", Halinor questioned in surprise.
"Hello, my Dark Guardians.", Nolan said. "Tell me. Why are you here instead of going after the Heart of Kandrakar, after you've done so well in causing strife within their ranks?"
"They have three Hearts to fight us with, while we have only one.", Kadma explained.
"And each of us being Guardian Descendants is like having an extra Heart to our power.", Joe added. "But we're still out gunned during our last battle."
"So, we came here to get the Heart of this world to add to our power.", Nerissa said.
"And now you have enough power to match the power of the Guardians and their allies?", Nolan asked.
"Sure do.", Cassidy said proudly.
"Good.", Nolan said as he pointed his staff at Angelo.
He then fired a beam of energy at Angelo sending him flying back against a tree hard.
A/N: Well, it looks like Angelo did take the blumt of what every punishment Nolan had for the Dark Guardians. But now, thanks to the mind games they played on our heroes, they now have the Heart of a world to add to their power. And there's strife between the girls, as well as trouble between Cornelia and Caleb as well as Will and Matt. All because of some secrets and lies they hid from each other. Will they be able to move past this and save the Dark Guardians from doing anymore damage or will the Dark Guardians be able to get the Heart of Kandrakar for Nolan?
Please review.
