Last chapter...
As for C.H.Y.K.N., W.I.T.C.H., and everybody else, they found themselves in a field with a few trees around them.
"Where are we?", Eric questioned.
"Welcome to Balsilide.", Halinor said. "Home of the Oracle."
Chapter 34:
"Balsilide?", Cornelia questioned. "Why are we here?"
"To prove something to all of you.", Kadma said.
"First off, can somebody tell me why we are normal selves?", Irma questioned as she looked down at herself and then at Hay Lin, Taranee, and Cornelia.
"My guess is that was to happen when you went through a fold.", Halinor said. "Only you were suppose to return to Kandrakar."
"So, why don't we go back there?", Caleb questioned.
"Yeah!", Matt said as he grabbed Nerissa by her arms to keep her from escaping. "Cause I know they have a nice cell to lock you up in!"
"Hey!", Nerissa said trying to get free of Matt's grip. "Let me go, you big ape with wings!"
"You're the reason I'm this big ape with wings!", Matt snapped surprising Nerissa.
"What are you talking about?", Nerissa questioned.
"Let her go, Matt.", Will said.
"What?", Matt questioned. "But, Will! She..."
"Let her go now!", Will said as she pulled Nerissa free of Matt's grip. "She doesn't remember what she did! And change back to normal! We don't want to scare the locals."
"But, Will!", Taranee said as Matt and Huggles changed back to normal. "She's..."
"A friend.", Will said cutting Taranee off. "Besides, we need to find somebody. Right, Halinor?", she said while turning her attention to Halinor who nodded.
"Follow me.", Halinor said as she walked towards the city.
Will then turned back to Matt and gave him a look that told him to let Nerissa go. Not wanting to make her mad, he let Nerissa go.
"Thanks.", Nerissa said to Will with a smile.
"Don't sweat it.", Will said returning the smile as they went to catch up with Halinor and the rest of C.H.Y.K.N., as well as Angelo and Joe.
"What did he mean by I 'm the reason his the way he is?", Nerissa asked Will.
"It's a long story.", Will said. "One I think your friends should tell you later."
"Well... we're friends now.", Nerissa said. "Right?"
"I guess so.", Will said with a smile. "But, I think it's best if your other friends tell you what you need to know.", she said.
"If you say so.", Nerissa said as they caught up with C.H.Y.K., Angelo, and Joe.
As for I.T.C.H. and the guys, they were a bit confused.
"Somebody tell me what's going on here.", Irma said.
"You'll find out when we get to the city!", Will said. "And one more thing!", she said as she held up the Heart of Kandrakar. "Guardians Unite!", she said transforming the girls back into their Guardian forms. "Now let's go!"
"Ahh! To be able to flap my wings again!", Irma said as she took to the air and spun around a bit before landing next to Hay Lin.
"So, do we follow?", Peter questioned.
"Might as well.", Caleb said as he ran to catch up with the others.
Everyone else ran to catch up with them as well, not wanting to be left behind. It was a long walk, but in time they made it to the city. As they entered the city, they saw a sing that was in a strange language.
"Can anyone tell what that says?", Taranee asked.
"It says Welcome to the city of Krallo.", Halinor said getting stares from all but Kadma, Joe, and Yan Lin. "You live in Kandrakar long enough, you learn some things."
"And this is where she lives?", Will asked.
"Yes.", Halinor said.
"Where who lives?", Cornelia asked.
"Yeah!", Hay Lin said. "What's this all about?"
"You'll have to see for yourselves.", Yan Lin said.
"How about you tell us now before take another step!", Matt demanded as Huggles sat on his shoulder. "Cause for all I know, you could still be evil!"
"Matt, stop!", Will said. "There not evil anymore!"
"Says you!", Irma said. "For all we know Nolan could of turned you!"
"Okay! That's it!", Angelo said. "You want proof of us being good? Fine! Show them Nerissa!"
"Is it safe to do so?", Nerissa asked Halinor.
"It should be.", Halinor said.
"Okay.", Nerissa said as she held up her Heart. "Check this out!"
Suddenly, a light flashed from the Heart! And out of the Heart came the seven Aurameres that belonged to C.H.Y.K.N., Joe, and Angelo. Everyone also saw that the white core they had, was gone.
"As you can see, the white core is gone.", Joe said.
"Which means that we have what makes us good back.", Cassidy said. "Any questions?"
"No. I'm good.", Cornelia said glad that everything was okay.
Suddenly, Yan Lin felt a slim pair of familiar arms wrap around her.
"I'm glad you back, Grandma!", Hay Lin said to Yan Lin as a few tears ran down her face.
"Same here, Kiddo!", Yan Lin said returning the hug as a few tears ran down her face as well.
"How do we know that this isn't some kind of glamour, with their Aurameres?", Taranee questioned.
"Taranee, stop.", Peter said.
"But..."
"If they wanted to, they could of gotten the jump on us when we first came here, Sis.", Peter said.
"He has a point.", Nigel said. "I say we keep going and see what they have to how us."
"Same here.", Eric said.
Everyone but Taranee, Irma, and Matt nodded in agreement. Seeing this, they decided to give in and go along with things. For the moment.
"Fine.", Taranee said to which Will breathed a sigh of relief.
"But we'll be watching you!", Irma said.
"And I'll be watching you big time.", Matt said to Nerissa creeping her out.
But then Will placed an arm around Nerissa's shoulders and walked away with her. As they walked away, Will looked back at Matt and gave him a look that told him that he was in trouble with her.
"I'd watch it around Will, if I were you.", Caleb said.
"How can you be so calm with her walking around like this?", Matt asked Caleb as they walked behind the others.
"Simple.", Caleb said. "By giving her the benefit of the doubt. But if this is some kind of trick, I'll be ready."
"Let's hope Will's right.", Matt said as they walked through the city.
As they walked through the city, they did get a few stares from the people there. But some were at ease when they saw C.H.Y.K.N. & W.I.T.C.H. due to the fact that they knew of the Guardians. As for C.H.Y.K.N., W.I.T.C.H., and the others, they were quick to notice something about some of the people of the city.
"Is it me or do some of these folks have the same features like Luba?", Irma questioned.
"That's because this is also the home world of Luba.", Kadma said.
"That makes sense.", Taranee said,
"We're here.", Halinor said as she stopped in front of a nice looking house.
"And where is here?", Caleb asked being curious.
"You'll see.", Yan Lin said as Halnior knocked on the door hoping that the one she came to see was home.
But when they door opened, everyone was surprised to see Luba standing there.
"Luba?", Halinor questioned.
"Halinor?", Luba questioned back.
"What are you doing here", they asked each other at the same time.
Luba then looked behind Halinor to see the everyone else there as well. She then looked at Halinor and saw the goodness in her eyes and smiled.
"I see that you are back to normal, my old friend.", Luba said. "Well, you're not so old anymore."
"I guess not.", Halinor said with a smile. "So, I take it you're here for Orube."
"Yes.", Luba said sadly. "I came here to take Orube to Kandraka, by the Oracle's orders.", she said getting as gasped from C.H.Y.K.N., Joe, Angelo, and Will.
"So it is true.", Will said. "Orube is my replacement."
"You told her?", Luba asked Halinor.
"Yes.", Halinor said.
"What are you talking about?", Cornelia questioned.
"Come inside and I will explain everything.", Luba said as she gestured for them all to enter the house.
Once in the house, they saw a female Balsilian with yellow eyes and black hair that was short like Will's. She was dressed in a white martial arts gi with a blue design at the ends of the pant legs and sleeves of the top. She had a pink belt tied around her waist. By the looks of her she may of been in her early twenties. And with her built, some of them could tell she was a fighter.
"Are these friends of yours, Mistress Luba?", the woman asked.
"Yes, Orube.", Luba said with a kind smile.
"This is Orube?", Will questioned. "I can see why she was picked to be my replacement. She looks like she can fight.", she said getting a raised eyebrow from Orube.
"Orube. This is Will.", Luba said introducing Will. "The current Keeper of the Heart of Kandrakar."
"But, you told me that she was captured by..."
"That was then. This is now.", Luba said as she took a seat in a chair. "Come sit with us. For this involves you as well."
Once everyone took a seat either in a chair or on the floor, Luba took a breath before telling what was needed to be told.
"Now, as most of you know, there have always been five Guardians of Kandrakar.", Luba said getting nods from everyone. "But have some of you thought about what would happen if something were to happen to one of you?"
"I always figured that there would be someone to take my place if I were to quit or... well... you know.", Hay Lin said.
"And you'd be correct.", Luba said. "Long ago, the Oracle and the Council of the Known Worlds agreed that if one of the four elemental Guardians were to quit or wasn't able to carry out their duties, the present Keeper would take their place and a new Keeper would come into play."
"And that would be Orube.", Eric said.
"Correct.", Luba said.
"But Will is alive.", Matt said. "So, why come here for Orube?"
"Because the Oracle and the Council of the Known Worlds want to replace not only Will, but al five of the current Guardians of Kandrakar.", Luba said shocking everyone there.
"WHAT?!", W.I.T.C.H. questioned.
"What did we do wrong?", Taranee questioned.
"You mean besides try to burn my wings off?", Halinor said sarcastically earning a glare from Taranee.
"The Oracle and the Council of the Known Worlds feels that you haven't been performing well as Guardians.", Luba explained. "So, they decided to replace you all."
"Hence why you're here for Orube.", Yan Lin said.
"They want Guardians that'll force the ways of Kandrakar onto the Known Worlds.", Halinor replied.
"Kandrakar has become twisted with powerful and corrupt people.", Kadma said. "Most of the members of the Council of the Known Worlds are political figures on their home worlds."
"That explains a lot.", Angelo said.
"I, along with Tibor and Alfor, don't like how things are in Kandrakar.", Luba said. "But it's only the three of us. Not much we can do."
"But we can.", Nerissa said getting looks from Matt, Taranee, and Irma. "What?"
"Do you really think we'll trust you of all people?", Irma snapped.
"Okay! What's your deal?", Nerissa said as she stood up.
"I'll tell you what me deal is!", Irma yelled as she stood up to face Nerissa. "You...!"
"Enough!", Luba shouted. "If anyone has the right to tell Nerissa what she needs to know, it should be her friends."
"I agree.", Will said.
"Tell me what?", Nerissa asked. "What's going on, guys?", she asked her friends as she turned to face them. "Does this have something to do with my lost memories?", as asked them as everyone got to their feet.
"Afraid so, Rissa.", Joe said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Orube? Can we use one of your rooms to talk to Nerissa in?", Halinor asked the Balsilian.
"Yes.", Orube said. "I'll take you there."
"You coming, Angelo?", Cassidy asked.
"Nah.", Angelo said. "I think this is something that you all should do. Besides, there's something on Earth I need to take care of."
"Okay.", Cassidy said as she walked up to Angelo. "Be careful."
"I will.", Angelo said before they shared a kiss.
Cassidy then went with Joe and the rest of C.H.Y.K.N. to another room to tell Nerissa what she needed to know.
"And how do you plan on getting to Earth?", Eric questioned.
"A fold crystal.", Angelo said as he pulled one out from his pocket and opened a fold. "I'll be back as soon as a can.", he said before he went through the fold.
Once through the fold, it closed behind him leaving W.I.T.C.H., Matt, Huggles, Peter, Eric, and Nigel alone with Luba.
"So, are we really going to do this?", Cornelia questioned. "Take on Kandrakar, I mean."
"Not sure yet.", Will said. "To do this, we're going to need all the help we can get."
"I know of a way to get some help.", Luba said getting their attention.
"How?", Caleb asked as Orube came back into the room.
"We need to call upon someone blessed with great power.", Luba said. "To do it we need to wait for Halinor and the others to return after they tell Nerissa what she needs to know."
"And how long will that take?", Irma questioned.
"Well, if Halinor shows her through telepathy, it shouldn't take long.", Taranee said. "And it won't be pretty for Nerissa."
Suddenly, they heard the sound of someone crying from the other room. And from the sound of it, they all knew it was Nerissa.
"See what I mean?", asked Taranee as Luba stood up.
"If you all will excuse me.", Luba said as she headed to the room Nerissa and the others were in.
'The truth must be told.', Luba said. 'To much pain has been caused by him!'
Moments earlier...
"Orube? Can we use one of your rooms to talk to Nerissa in?", Halinor asked the Balsilian.
"Yes.", Orube said. "I'll take you there."
"You coming, Angelo?", Cassidy asked.
"Nah.", Angelo said. "I think this is something that you all should do. Besides, there's something on Earth I need to take care of."
"Okay.", Cassidy said as she walked up to Angelo. "Be careful."
"I will.", Angelo said before they shared a kiss.
Cassidy then went with Joe and the rest of C.H.Y.K.N. to another room to tell Nerissa what she needed to know. Orube guided them into a room where they could have the privacy they needed to do they had to do.
"I hope this room is to your liking.", Orube said.
"This room is fine, Orube.", Yan Lin said with a kind smile. "Thank you."
"You are most welcome.", Orube said returning the smile. "I shall take my leave now.", she said with a bow before her left the room.
"So... how are we going to do this?", Nerissa asked her friends. "And why didn't Angelo have to come?"
"Well, Angelo wasn't around went all of this happened.", Kadma explained. "He was told about it all. Maybe after this, we'll show him."
"Telepathy?", Nerissa questioned.
"Is there any other way?", questioned Cassidy with a playful smirk.
"Then let's do this.", Nerissa said ready to see her past even though it would be through her friends eyes.
Halinor then used her telekinesis to connected Yan Lin, Cassidy, Kadma, and Joe with her. She then opened a link with Nerissa.
'You ready, Nerissa?', Halinor asked through their link.
'Ready as I'll ever be.', Nerissa answered as she closed her eyes.
'Here we go.', Halinor said as she and the others showed Nerissa what she needed to see.
It was then that Nerissa saw everything! From her becoming corrupted to Cassidy getting the Heart. She then saw something that scared her. Her going after Cassidy for the Heart followed by her attacking her friend sending her falling off a cliff. Nerissa continued to see the things she did throughout the years. Soon it came to when she was released from the jewel up to before Nolan took her memories. That was the last thing she saw before Halinor cut the link between them all. After seeing what she saw, tears began to pour down her face as she burst into tears while dropping to her knees. Seeing this, Joe walked up to her and knelt down in front of her and took her in a comforting embrace.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!", Nerissa said in between sobs as she held onto Joe who simply stroked his friends hair giving her the best comfort that he could. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"We know, Nerissa.", Joe said while stroking Nerissa's hair. "We know."
Seeing the pain Nerissa was in, Kadma, Cassidy, Yan Lin and Halimr joined in on the hug making it a group hug.
"Cassidy? I'm...",
"Sssshhh.", Cassidy said as they kept the group hug going. "It okay, Rissa.", she said. "The important thing is that you're back with us now."
"But... I..."
"No but's Nerissa.", Yan Lin said. "You're not that person anymore. And even then we hoped you'd return to the person you are now.", she said as they all pulled way from each other.
"Thanks.", Nerissa said. "So, I guess I have some apologizing to do, huh?"
"More or less.", Kadma said with a grin making Nerissa smile a little.
"Perhaps not."
Everyone turned to see Luba standing at the doorway of the room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but there is something you and the others must know. Something important before you decided to do anything else.", Luba said.
"This should be fun.", Joe said.
"Yeah. A barrel of laughs.", Cassidy said while rolling her eyes as they left the room and entered the room th others were in.
Once she entered the room, Nerissa saw Caleb and her eyes welled up a bit remembering that he was her son. It's not every day you find out that you have a son. And to make matters even weirder, he was older than she was in body even though she was older than he was in age. If that doesn't define weird, that I don't know what does! She then took a deep breath and walked up to her son and...
"So... Your my... s-s-son?", she asked nervously as she looked down at the floor while pressing her index fingers together.
"Ummm... yeah.", Caleb said as he scratched the back of his head.
"So... How's your father?", she asked trying not to sound to nervous.
"He doing okay.", Caleb said doing the same thing.
"Is this as awkward for you as it is for me?", Nerissa asked getting a small laugh out of Caleb.
"A little.", Caleb said. "How about we do this some other time. In private. And with my father."
"Okay.", Nerissa said before she saw Matt out of the corner of her eye.
"Hmph.", Matt grunted under his breath as he stood near a window.
Hearing Matt's grunting, Nerissa walked up to him hoping he'd hear her out. When they were face to face, Nerissa looked at Matt and...
"Listen. I know that this may not make up for what happened to you because of what I did to you, but... I'm sorry for any and all the pain I caused you.", Nerissa said. "And I hope that one day we can be friends.", she said with a small smile.
"You're right.", Matt said getting Nerissa's attention. "It doesn't make up for what you did to me.", he said glaring at her.
Hearing that caused Nerissa's to water up a bit, but she knew that this would happen.
"I... I understand.", Nerissa said before turning to walk away from him.
As he watched her walk away, Matt noticed Will looking at him. He then saw her shake her head sadly at him before turning to hear what Luba had to say.
'How can she simply be so nice to her after all she did?', he thought to himself when a fold suddenly opened surprising the others.
Out of the fold came Angelo who looked rather pleased with himself.
"You look happy.", Cassidy said as Angelo closed the fold and walked up to her.
"Well, I am.", Angelo said as he sat in between Cassidy and Nerissa as they made room for him to sit with them. "I was able to finish what I wanted to do in good time."
"Good.", Cassidy said. "Cause you're just in time to hear what Luba has to tell us."
"Which is what?", Angelo asked getting curious.
"That the corruption of Nerissa, which has caused all this pain and suffering was all the fault of the Oracle and the Council of the Known Worlds.", Luba said earning gasp from everyone there.
A/N: Once again another hard truth about Kandrakar! How will the girls handle what Luba is about to tell them? And will Matt get over his anger towards Nerissa? And will Nerissa be able to forgive herself for what she did? Well, at least she has her friends there to help her get through it all. Friendship can be a powerful thing. Yes indeed.
Please review.
