Last chapter...

"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.

Chapter 35:

"Say what now?", Cassidy questioned. "Oracle and the Council? But how?"

"And why?", Nerissa questioned.

"It was because of how powerful you all were becoming as Guardians.", Luba answered getting confused looks from C.H.Y.K.N.

"What do you mean?", Kadma questioned. "We were strong, but not that strong!"

"Actually you were.", Luba said. "During your first year as Guardians, you five were able to unlock powers and abilities faster than no group of Guardians has done before. Past or present."

"Hey!", W.I.T.C.H. complained.

"I'm sorry, but it's true.", Luba said. "Nerissa and her fellow Guardians were able to unlock abilities and powers that would have taken those before them at least two to three years to bring out."

"Which powers?", Yan Lin questioned.

"Well, take Cassidy for instance.", Luba said. "She was able to make ice with in her first year as a Guardian. Not to mention her mind control powers. And then there was her scrying powers she unlocked a year and a half after being a Guardian."

"Wow! Really?", Cassidy questioned. "I just worked on my abilities and they just came to me."

"Then there's Halinor with her green flames.", Luba replied.

"You mean this?", Halinor questioned as she formed a green flame in her hand. "At first, I thought it was something I could do with fire. But after reading some books in the Kandrakar library, I discovered that it is a flame that calls upon my life force, making it stronger."

"Yes.", Luba said. "One that you have used well. Then there's Yan Lin with her invisibility and force fields, Kadma with her telekinesis and healing, and Nerissa with her strength and energy powers. Each of you were able to unlock these skills within a year and a half of being Guardians. And as time past you five became stronger through your unity as Guardians. Strength that the Oracle as well as the Council of the Known Worlds feared for some reason. So they decided to do something about it."

"Something like make Nerissa look like she was being corrupted by the Heart of Kandrakar.", Will figured.

"Correct.", Luba said. "I along with Tibor and Alfor were against it, but what could we do? Once the Oracle made it look like Nerissa was being corrupted by the Heart of Kandrakar, he made Cassidy the Keeper."

"But that didn't change anything between us.", Yan Lin said getting everyone's attention. "We were still close."

"Apparently not close enough.", Matt said earning glares from C.H.Y.K.N.

"Actually, young Regent, they were.", Luba said.

"Let me guess. The Oracle changed all that.", Taranee said with a roll of her eyes.

"I do not like the way you said that, young Guardian, but yes.", Luba said. "It was the Oracle who used his powers to slowly turn Nerissa to the darkness. But it worked to well as he lost control of how much dark energy he let flow inside Nerissa."

"Which led to all the event that have happened.", Joe figured.

"Sadly, yes.", Luba said. "And now the Oracle along with the Council of the Known Worlds wants to replace the current Guardians for they feel that you haven't performed up to their expectations. But the real reason is when the Oracle told you to bring back the Heart at all cost you were more worried about saving Will instead."

"So, we're being replaced because we were more worried about saving Will than the Heart of Kandrakr?", Cornelia questioned. "Unbelievable!"

"That's Kandrakar for you.", Yan Lin said. "They love you when you follow orders. But are ready to get rid of you when they feel you may be a problem."

"If it wasn't for Halinor, we wouldn't have known any of this.", Angelo said. "We may have been the Dark Guardians at the time, but she was able to show us what she knew."

"So what happens now?", Hay Lin asked.

"Now... we put a stop to this.", Halinor said. "Once and for all."

"What's that suppose to mean?", Irma questioned.

"She means we take down Kandrakr.", Nerissa said getting gasp from I.T.C.H., Peter, Caleb, Nigel, Eric, and Matt.

"I knew it!", Matt snapped as she balled his fist up. "I knew you were up to your old tricks!"

"Should of known!", Taranee said lighting her fist on fire as Irma formed balls of water.

"STOP IT!", Will yelled at them. "All of you!"

"But, Will...!", Taranee began to say.

"But nothing!", Will said. "Weren't any of you listening to what Luba said? Kandrakar doesn't care about us! We are expendable to them! We could die and they wouldn't care! Look at what they did to Nerissa! Because of that act, we all suffered because of it! Well, I say we take it to them! And hard!"

"Don't have to ask us twice.", Angelo said as C.H.Y.K.N. and Joe nodded.

"The cycle must end.", Luba said. "Many have suffered because of it. And many more will if they are not stopped."

"What about you guys?", Will asked. "You with us or not?"

"Well... We've gone this far.", Cornelia said. "I say let's ride it on out and see what happens!"

"What about you, Hay Lin?", Yan Lin asked her grand-daughter.

"I'm not going to lose you again.", Hay Lin said to her grandmother before hugging her. "I'm with you all the way!"

"What about you two?", Will asked Taranee and Irma. "You with us or not?", she asked them which got them looking at her in shock.

And boy were they shocked by all of this! Taranee looked at Will in surprise while Irma was doing the same with Hay Lin. Could they along with Cornelia and the others actually be believing all of this? I mean after all they've been through, are Will, Hay Lin, and Cornelia really going to take the side of those they've fought for the last few weeks? For all they know this could all be a trick to get them to turn against Kandrakar. And they were going to have their voices be heard before a major mistake was made.

"Are we with you or not?", Taranee questioned. "I have a better questioned. Are you all insane? How do we know that this is all true? For all we know this could be a trick set up by that Nolan guy!"

"How can it be a trick by Nolan when Luba is the one who told us about it?", Cornelia questioned.

"Well, for all we know, SHE could be working for him!", Irma said while pointing an accusing finger at the Guardian of the Aurameres.

"How dare you even propose such a thing about Master Luba?", Orube snapped while glaring at Irma and Taranee making them jump back. "She is taking a great risk in doing what she's doing! And here you are throwing her help back in her face!"

"Calm yourself, Orube.", Luba calmly said as she placed a hand on the young Balsilidian's shoulder. "They are allowed to have their doubts."

"Funny. They didn't have their doubts when Taranee burnt Halinor's wings.", Kadma replied to which Taranee scowled at her.

"Or when Irma destroyed Cassidy's wings.", Angelo said earning a scowl from Irma.

"And let's not forget Irma's little ice shard that went through your shoulder.", Cassidy said to Angelo.

"When did that happen?", Will questioned.

"We did what we had to do to get the job done!", Irma snapped.

"And if it killed them in the process?", Will questioned. "What would you of done then?"

"What does it matter?", Irma questioned. "They're still alive!"

"You don't get it, do you?", Peter asked them. "When they were the Dark Guardians, they did what they did because they were bad. And even then they didn't cross any lines. Yet you two aren't evil and for all we know could have killed Cassidy and Halinor when you did what you did. Taranee. Irma. I'm sorry, but what you two did was pretty messed up."

"Gee. Thanks, big brother.", Taranee said with a roll of her eyes. "I feel sooooo much better!"

"Yeah. You're one heck of a boyfriend.", Irma said sarcastically.

"Can we focus on the task at hand?", Luba questioned getting everyone's attention. "It it is proof you want, then I can give it to you."

"This ought to be good.", Irma said with a roll of her eyes earning a glare from Will.

"What kind of proof.", Hay Lin asked.

"We will have to call upon one that can travel in between different universes.", Luba said.

"Wait!", Halinor said knowing who Luba was talking about. "You don't mean..."

"Yes, Halinor.", Luba said. "Draganos. The silver dragon of the multi-verse."

"Draganos? multiverse?", Matt questioned. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"I kid you not, Regent of Earth.", Luba said. "Draganos is quite real. To call on him, we must go to a world that is in harmony with the elements. And a world where the Oracle can't see us through his Viewing Pool."

"And I know just the place.", Kadma said. "The same place where we got our power boost. Erutan."

"You mean the world you stole it's Heart from.", Matt muttered under his breath.

"I heard that!", Yan Lin said.

"Me too!", Hay Lin said narrowing her eyes at Matt.

"Like I care!", Matt snapped. "I can't believe that most of you are willing to work with that woman!", he snapped while pointing at Nerissa. "How can you be so willing to trust her, Will?"

"You want to know why?", Will questioned. "Because, I could have ended up like she did, if the Oracle wanted to do that to me! He did all what he did just because C.H.Y.K.N. was getting stronger! Who does that? It's sick! So I saw we put an end to this! And if this Draganos backs up what Luba says, then I say we go for it!"

"Then let us make leave.", Luba said. "Nerissa. If you please."

"Sure.", Nerissa said as she opened a fold to Erutan. "Let's go people!", she said before heading through the fold.

Slowly but surely, everyone went through the fold. Once through the, everyone saw that they were in a vast field of blue grass with some trees and mountains in the distance.

"Wow!", Cornelia said. "Blue grass. Now that's something you don't see every day."

"So, where is this Draganos, guy?", Eric asked.

"You must call to him in a certain way.", Luba said as she formed a ball of energy that flashed different colors. "Like so!", she said as she shot the orb of light into the sky.

Once it was high enough, the orb exploded into different colors and then slowly faded off.

"What now?", Hay Lin questioned.

"Wait for it.", Luba said knowing what was about to happen.

Suddenly a multi-colored fold opened in the sky. And out of that fold flew out a long, silver Chinese dragon with large bird like wings and violet eyes. It had two front claws and two rear claws.

"May I introduce to you all, Draganos.", Luba said to all of them. "The silver dragon of the multi-verse!"

Draganos landed in the front of them letting a powerful wind blow from his landing. Everyone was in awe at the sight of the mighty dragon as he looked down at them.

'Hello, young ones.', Draganos said to all of them telepathiclly. 'Hello, Luba. It has been a while. Has it not?'

"Indeed it has, Draganos.", Luba said. "We are in need of your help."

'I can see that.', Draganos said looking at all the Guardians. 'And I see that we have ten... No! Twelve Guardians! It has been a while since I've seen any male Guardians in any of the multi-verse. This is a rare sight indeed. So what is the problem? Wait I can find out myself.'

It was then that Draganos began to read the minds of everyone there. Through them he saw all that has happened in the last few weeks and understood why Luba called him there.

'I see.', Draganos said. 'I understand.'

"You do?", Caleb questioned. "How?"

'I simply read your minds.', Draganos said. 'You are in quite the plight. But I will help you help yourselves.'

"What do you mean?", Nerissa questioned.

'I shall give you twelve Guardians a power boost, that will make you strong enough to find and take Kandrakar.', Draganos said. 'But you twelve and you twelve only must fight and defeat the Oracle and his forces. For when all is said and done, all must see that it was the Guardians and the Guardians alone that have taken Kandrakar.'

'What?", Matt questioned. "No way I'm going to leave Will's side with HER around!", Matt snapped glaring at Nerissa.

"Matt! Knock it off!", Will said. "Nerissa isn't our enemy anymore!"

"But, Will..."

'Silence, boy!', Draganos said to Matt. 'Your mind is clouded by anger towards Nerissa when you should focus it at the Oracle and what he's done. More importantly, you should be glad to be free of the one known as Shagon and his darkness! You may take his form when you transform, but you are the one in control. The sooner you see this the better off you'll be!', he said before turning his attention towards the Guardians. 'Now let us begin your change.'

"Change?", Cassidy questioned.

'Yes, child.', Draganos said as his eye glowed. 'A change that shall make you stronger than you've ever been. A change that shall help you make things right in Kandrakar!'

Suddenly, Draganos shot a beam of white light at the twelve Guardians. Once the beam was close enough to them, it split off into twelve separate beams enveloping them in twelve orbs of light. The orbs of light then began to float in the air as the twelve of them began to change. Watching this, the others could only hope they'd be okay.

"If this is a trick..."

"Dude relax.", Peter said cutting Matt off. "I know that you don't like Nerissa, but..."

"But nothing!", Matt said. "You don't know what she's capable of! For all we know she could have planned all of this!"

"But I thought that her memories were erased.", Eric said.

"And for all we know, she could be faking it.", Matt said.

"That's it!", Caleb said. "I know she did some bad things in the past, but she's still my mother! So watch what you say about her!"

"You're actually defending her?", Matt questioned as he turned to face Caleb.

"Yes! I am!", Caleb snapped. "What proof do you need of her being good now? If you can't see it now, then I feel sorry for you, Matt!"

Suddenly the orbs of light containing the Guardians landed on the ground in front of them. Once on the ground, the orbs disappeared showing the Guardians with a new look.

"Ummmmm... That's new.", Nigel said.

"Indeed it is.", Luba said surprised by the new look the Guardians had.

When it came to C.H.Y.K.N., first we have Cassidy, whose top, skirt, and shoes were now navy blue while her stockings and forearm bands were white. Then there was Halinor, whose top that left her left arm and shoulder bare, was red along with her shoes and stockings, while her pants were white. Next was Yan Lin, whose top, stockings, and shoes were a sliverish white, while her pants were violet. After that we have Kadma, whose top, skirt, and boots were hunter green, while the band that held her ponytail, the shash across her chest, and stockings were yellow. And finally we have Nerissa, whose gown and boots were a golden-yellow while her stockings were silverish white. Out of all the changes, their wings were larger than they normally were.

As for W.I.T.C.H., we first have Will, whose top and stockings were a golden-yellow while her skirt and boots were a silverish white. Then there's Irma whose top and stockings were navy blue while her skirt and shoes were white. Then we have Taranee, whose top and stockings was now red while her shorts, shoes, and forearm bands were orange. Next we have Cornelia, whose top and stockings were hunter green while her skirt and boots are yellow. And finally we have Hay Lin, whose top and stockings were violet while her skirt and shoes were silverish white. And like C.H.Y.K.N., their wings were larger as well.

As for Angelo and Joe, they both still had their black pants. Only now they had white boots and white short-sleeved shirts. As for their forearm bands and a shashes for belts that hung off their right sides, Joe's is now orange, while Angelo's is now yellow. In addition to all of this, Angelo had a yellow headband tied around his forehead while Joe had an orange one around his forehead. They both also had leather battle harness over their shirts.

"This is new!", Cornelia said as she looked down at herself. "Green and yellow. Not bad."

"I like my new look!", Hay Lin said as she spun around a little.

"I can work with this.", Cassidy said as she formed a ball of ice and spun it on her right index finger.

"You and me both.", Halinor said liking her new look.

"I definitely feel stronger.", Joe said.

"Same here.", Angelo said as he punched the left palm of his hand with his right fist.

'As you all should.', Draganos said to them. 'All twelve of you are stronger than you were before. And to make things better for you, you also have the knowledge to control your increased power. And with this new power, you all can transform on your own, without the Hearts you have.'

"That may come in handy if we're ever in situations where Nerissa and Will aren't around.", Kadma said.

"She makes a good point.", Nerissa said to Will who nodded in agreement.

'This also makes you one group of Guardians.', Draganos said to all of them. 'Not new Guardians or old Guardians. Just the Guardians. True heroes of Kandrakar.'

"Works for me.", Cassidy said.

'Now I can also sense that some of you might have some anger towards at least two among your group.', Draganos said as C.H.Y.K.N., Joe, and Angelo gave Taranee and Irma a look. 'And I know that it may be a while before things are well among you. But you will have to find a common ground before you go face the Oracle and his forces.', he said as he took to the air. 'And with that, I must take my leave. Farwell, warriors of Kandrakar! I hope that when I come back here again, Kandrakar is in good hands!'

Draganos then opened a multi-colored fold and flew through it. Everyone looked up to see the fold close behind Draganos. Once it closed, everyone looked at each other not knowing what to say to each other. That is all but one.

"So, what do we do know?", Orube asked.

A/N: Well, I bet you all didn't see this happening! Luba calling on Draganos for help. And then Draganos giving the Guardians a power boost along with a new look! Now all that's left is for them to take the Oracle down and restoring Kandrakar back to the way it was. But they first have to settle things among themselves. Or at least find some common ground. Think they can do it?

Please review.