Recap of Chapter Sixteen

Misao looking up at her mother, asked her what happened next? "I'll have to tell you back at the cave, since my powers are growing weak and I can no longer keep us here." Misao nodded to this, and her mother cancelled the spell. A few moments later, Misao found herself back in the cave sitting in front of her mother.

As she removed her hand from her mother's shoulder Misao said. "Everything you told me, was true." Nerissa simply nodded. "I still find it hard to believe though, that the Oracle of all people would really do something like this."

"It goes back to what I said earlier, Misao. The Oracle has power, and he was afraid of loosing that power if anyone on the council was to ever find out about you."

"But I am still alive." said Misao. "If he really wanted me dead, then why save me? Why not leave me at the bottom of the cliff?"

"That was the Oracle's plan." said Nerissa. "Since with you, Cassidy and me gone, who would ever reveal what really happened?"

"Then, how come I am alive?" asked Misao.

"Another person found you at the bottom of the cliff, barely alive." said Nerissa. Misao asked her who it was? Nerissa simply said. "You was found and rescued by Tibor and Luba."

Chapter Seventeen

Misao scoffed at what her mother had just told her, then told her mother that she highly doubted that either on of those people would lift a finger to help her. Nerissa asked her daughter, why she thought that way. "It's a simple fact, Mom." said Misao. "Tibor is extremely devoted to the Oracle, and Luba has always hated me."

Nerissa was silent for a few moments, before reminding her daughter that no one on the council knew that she was the Oracle's daughter. "As for Luba hating you, I don't know why that could be unless you did something to annoy her and caused her to resent you for some reason." Nerissa then told Misao, that during the time frame of Luba and Tibor saving her, neither of them had met her.

Misao leaned back against the wall behind her, and raising her arm placed her hand up onto her forehead. Nerissa seeing this, became concerned and asked Misao if she was okay? "I'm okay, mom." said Misao lowering her arm. "It's just that all of this information has me so confused. I do want to believe everything that you showed me, but the only memory that matches what you showed and the one that I can clearly remember is the one were you blasted me and Aunt Cassidy over the cliff."

"Misao, you saw with your own eyes who was really responsible for that." said Nerissa. "Based on what you saw, can you still say that you trust the Oracle?"

Misao sighed and looked away from her mother, and at the wall of the cave next to her. "I don't know what to do Mom. Everything the Oracle has ever told me about you seems to be a lie, but then on the other hand everything that you showed me concerning him doesn't match up to the Oracle that I know and grew up around." Misao became silent after this.

Nerissa reached out her arm, and placed her hand on top of Misao's arm causing her to turn her attention back to her. "Misao, I can not tell you what to do concerning what I have showed you. You are going to have to make that decision yourself, on what you want to do concerning what you do with this information." Misao nodded to this, then asked her mother if she still wanted her to join her? Nerissa let out a deep sigh, before answering. "Misao, I would like to have you at my side as it should have been. However, I am not going to hold you to the promise you made to me concerning that you would join me if I gave you the information that you wanted. I will leave it up to you to decide on what you do."

"Maybe I should return to Kandrakar and confront the Oracle about this." said Misao.

"That is the stupidest thing that you could possible ever do, Misao!" shouted Nerissa. "You confront The Oracle about this, and he would most likely kill you."

"But Mom, due to you giving me the Heart of Meridian I am a lot stronger then I was before." said Misao.

Nerissa glared at her daughter, then suddenly whacked her over the head with her staff. "Use that head of yours! Have you forgotten that it was the Oracle who weakened you? How are you going to explain your sudden recovery?"

Misao rubbed the spot on her head where her mother had hit her, and said. "I'll simply tell him that I found the Heart of Meridian."

This earned Misao another whack to the head. "Foolish girl! If you tell him that, he would most likely kill you!"

"Then what do you suggest we do?!" Nerissa glared at her daughter again. Misao seeing this, covered her head with her hands and quickly apologized. "I'm sorry I shouted at you, Mom." Hearing a deep sigh come from her mother, Misao cautiously raised her head and looked towards her mother.

"Misao, I want to confront the Oracle as much as you do." said Nerissa. "He took you away from me, and used me to kill my best friend. For those two things alone, he needs to be stopped." "Misao asked her then why they didn't go and confront him together? "Because at our current power, we wouldn't be a match for him. Not to mention facing the council."

Misao was silent for a bit as she thought about what her mother had just said. "What if I returned the Heart of Meridian to you? Would that make you stronger?" Nerissa told her, that it would but only a little bit. Misao nodded to this, and began to reach for the chain around her neck. Before she could even touch it however, Nerissa stopped her. Looking at her mother with a look of confusion. "Mom, why did you stop me?"

"I am only guessing here, Misao, but since the heart made you stronger it is possible that by removing it, you will become weak again." Misao told her that if it would help defeat the Oracle, she was willing to risk it. "Misao, I am not about to take the risk of loosing you again. We will find another way." Misao sighed at this, but nodded her head and lowered her arms and placed her hands down in her lap. There was several long minutes of silence between the two, before Misao broke it asking her mother if she would be allowed to return to earth? "Why do you wish to return to earth, Misao?"

Misao told her mother about Jason. Before she could say more however, Nerissa asked her why she didn't say anything about having a son? "I didn't think it was all that important." This caused Nerissa to sigh, and ask Misao if the Oracle knew about her son? A sudden look of worry appeared on Misao's face at that question. "You don't think the Oracle would harm him, do you?" Nerissa could only tell her, that she didn't know. Misao getting to her feet, started to make her way towards the other end of the cave.

Nerissa however called out to her, to stop. Misao stopped and turned back to face her mother. "Mom, I have to make sure Jason is okay. I can't loose him."

"And you won't Misao." said Nerissa getting to her feet. "If you are going to return to earth, we need to do it a certain way so as to not raise suspicion." Misao asked her what she had in mind. Nerissa simply smiled, and began to tell Misao her plan.
-(1)

Misao didn't fully like the plan her mother had come up with, but since she didn't see any other means of returning to earth without the Oracle asking unneeded questions when she eventually saw him, Misao had no real choice but to agree to her mother's plan. Therefore she was currently sitting upon the ground of a grassy clearing with her arms and legs bound, and her mother's four follower's surrounding her while her mother stood off to the side. Standing across from them was four of the five guardians.

Misao silently sighed to herself, as her mother called out to Will telling her that if she wanted Misao back, all she had to do was hand over the Heart of Kandrakar. Misao heard one of the guardians ask Will what they was going to do? With another silent sigh to herself, Misao called out. "No matter what happens to me, Will, you can't give her the Heart of Kandrakar." Soon as those words had left her mouth, a intense pain shot through her back which forced her to cry out in pain, as the person who was standing behind her shouted for her to be quiet.

Misao felt something suddenly fly past her, and heard a small gasp of surprise come from behind her. Hoping that her mother hadn't just messed up her plan, Misao looked over towards her right side. However, she found her mother still in the same spot. As the rest of Nerissa's followers moved to attack, Misao managed to look behind herself and found Will fighting Shagon. A feeling of guilt went through Misao upon seeing this, since Will didn't know who she was really fighting.

Misao's thoughts then went back to the moment she had first met Shagon, and how it had caused her to shout at her Mother. Nerissa hated to have Misao angry at her, but told her daughter that having Matt as Shagon was necessary. "Will doesn't know who he really is does she?" asked Misao. Nerissa told Misao, that Will didn't know and that it would be best if she didn't know. Misao didn't like keeping this information from the young guardian, but knowing how much it would hurt her if she was to ever find out the truth, Misao gave her mother her word that she wouldn't reveal anything to Will concerning Shagon's real identity.

Misao thoughts were drawn back to the current time, as she felt a person touch her arm. Turning to face the person, Misao found her mother kneeling down next to her. "Mom, what are you doing?" As Misao looked around the area, Nerissa told her not to worry since they were currently alone. Confirming that to be true, Misao turned her attention back to her mother, who then asked her if she was okay? "I'm okay, Mom, but what was that fool thinking by kicking me that hard? I am probably going to have a serious bruise there."

"I don't know what he was thinking, but I assure you that I will be dealing with him once we are back at the cave." said Nerissa.

"Considering who he really is, Mom, do you promise not to hurt him to badly?" asked Misao. Nerissa sighed at this, but told her that she wouldn't kill him. This caused Misao to frown, but before she could say anything more a loud crashing sound came from behind her, and Nerissa quickly got to her feet before anyone saw her that close to Misao. Misao turning to face where the sound had come from, let out a gasp of fear when she saw Will laying on the ground with Shagon standing over her.

"Come now Will, is that the best that you can do?" asked Shagon. "For if it is, you will never be able to save your friend."

Nerissa who was still close to her daughter, heard a very low growl come from the young woman. With a sigh to herself, and since Will had yet to do anything about Shagon's taunting, Nerissa took the opportunity to kneel down and whisper into Misao's ear. {Misao, it is time for you to make your escape.} With this said, Nerissa returned to a upright position and headed towards Shagon and Will. "Shagon! Stop teasing her and finish her off!"

"As you wish, Mistress." said Shagon making his eyes lit up, so he could finish off Will. Before he could get the shot off though, he was hit by a very powerful attack that sent him flying off into the nearby trees.

Nerissa quickly turning around found Misao standing behind her, with the palm of her hand pointed towards her. "I would suggest that you leave now!" said Misao as her palm lit up with lightning.

Nerissa sent her daughter a smile, then nodded slightly. "Pretty brave words from such a little girl. Lets see if you can back them up!" Raising her staff, Nerissa sent a blast of lightning towards Misao, who had to leap to the side very quickly to avoid it. Landing on the ground a short distance away, Misao pointed her palm towards her mother for a counter attack. However, she was unable to bring herself to attack. Nerissa took advantage of Misao's delay, and attacked again aiming just slightly off to Misao's side. "Why are you hesitating?!"

Rolling to the side to avoid the attack, Misao got to her feet and ran off. Nerissa sighed at her daughter's lack of action, and took off after her daughter. Once she was far enough away, Misao came to a stop and waited since she knew her mother was coming after her. A few moments later Nerissa entered the area Misao had stopped in. "Misao what is wrong?" Misao simply shook her head, and told her mother that she couldn't bring herself to attack her. "That is going against the plan we made, Misao."

"I know that, mom, and I am sorry for disappointing you."

Nerissa made her way closer to Misao, and reaching out her arm placed her hand on top of Misao's arm. "Misao, I am not disappointed in you. And truthfully, I didn't expect for your part in the plan to go as I had planned." Misao nodded to this, and asked what they was going to do now? Nerissa told her that she should hurry back to Will before Shagon returned. "If anyone asks what happened, just tell them that you managed to loose me." Misao nodded to this, and headed off. As she neared her mother, she once again apologized for letting her down. Nerissa simply sighed at this, but didn't say anything as Misao continued on her way.

A short time later, Misao was back at Will's side, and helping the young red head to sit up. "Are you alright, Will?"

Will rubbed the back of her head, with a small groan of pain. "I think I am okay, Mrs. Mikachi." Will then looked around the area, and asked Misao where Shagon and Nerissa was?

"I haven't seen Shagon since I blasted him away from you, and the last time I saw Nerissa she had chased me. Looks like I was able to loose her." Will had a wide look of surprise in her eyes, at Misao's words concerning Shagon. Misao noticing this, asked her what was wrong?

"The Oracle told me about how he had unlocked your powers, Mrs. Mikachi, but he didn't tell me by how much. Normally it takes more then one of us to beat Shagon, but you seemed to beat him with only one attack." Misao started to tell Will the truth about Shagon, but quickly stopped herself. She then asked Will if she was able to stand? Will nodded, and made her way up onto her feet. She was soon joined by Misao. "Have you seen any of the others?"

Misao told her that she hadn't seen any of them, since they had split up. "I'm pretty sure they are fine though, Will." Just as Misao had finished speaking, there was a shout from behind them. Will turning to look behind her, found her three friends making their way towards her and Misao. Seeing Irma being supported by Cornelia and Hay Lin, Will ran off towards the three.

Once she was close enough, she also caught sight of the cut to Hay Lin's head. "Are you guys alright?" asked Will with concern. The girls told her that they were okay. Will pointed out the cut to Hay Lin's head as well as Irma being supported by the two. "What happened?" Hay Lin told Will that she had ended up fighting Kor, and he ended up getting a lucky hit in on the side of her head. "But you're okay, right?"

"It looks worse then it actually is, Will." said Hay Lin. Will nodded to this, then turning her attention to Irma asked her what had happened to her? Irma seemed really hesitant to say anything.

"Irma, if you worried that I am going to shout at you like you did to me that time, I promise you that I'm not going to do that." said Will.

Irma sighed, then told Will that she had gotten overconfident while fighting Tridart. "I thought I had him beat, but he managed to surprise me with a lucky shot that caught me on my ankle." Seeing the questioning look in Will's eyes, Irma quickly told her that her ankle wasn't broken. "So what happened with Shagon and Nerissa?"

Will told the three that Misao had blasted Shagon, so she wasn't sure where he had gone. This caused the three girls to look towards Misao, and ask how she had managed to do that, since it took almost all of them to take Shagon down? Will then began to tell them what had happened back on Kandrakar, with The Oracle unlocking Misao's powers. Misao overhearing this, mumbled under her breath. 'Yea right.' She then made her way closer to the girls. "Is everyone alright?" The girls told her that they was okay. Misao then noticed the blood on Hay Lin's head. "Miss Lin, are you sure that you are okay?"

"I'm okay, Mrs. Mikachi." said Hay Lin. "Like I told Will, this looks a lot worse then it really is." Misao nodded to this, then told the girls that she would go with them to make sure they got home okay. The girls nodded to this, and Will returned them to normal. As the girls headed off, Misao stayed where she was and looked around the area. When she didn't find what she was looking for, she sighed to herself and took off after the girls.

Moving out from behind a group of trees, Nerissa watched as her daughter took off after the four guardians. "Take care of yourself, Misao, and always watch your back." With this said, she created a portal so she could return to her hideout and deal with a certain dark angel.
-

After having seen the rest of the girls to their homes, Misao and Will were currently on their way to Will's house. Misao who was currently walking a short distance behind Will, lost in her own thoughts didn't immediately hear when Will called out to her. A few moments later, Misao felt something touch her arm, which caused her to look down and find Will standing next to her with a look of concern upon her face. "Mrs. Mikachi, are you alright?"

"I'm sorry Will. It's just I have a lot on my mind." Will nodded to this, then asked Misao if she mind if she asked her a question? "What would you like to ask me, Will?"

After looking around the area to confirm that no one was close to them, Will said. "What I would like to ask you about, Mrs. Mikachi, involves your powers. Since they are the same as the ones that I have, I am kinda wondering if my powers will become as strong as yours?"

"I'm sorry Will, but I can't really answer that. But I can say that it is possible that your powers will eventually grow stronger." Will nodded to this, and began walking once more. Catching up to the young girl, Misao asked Will why she wanted to know if her powers would get stronger?

Will was silent for several minutes, before saying. "I guess the main reason that I want to become stronger, is so that I can protect the others." Misao started to speak, but Will continued. "For most of the time that the others and I have been guardians, I didn't have any powers except for being the keeper to the Heart of Kandrakar, which meant that the others had to in a way protect me. But now that I have my own powers, I feel that I owe the others for all that time, that I couldn't do anything to help them."

"Will, I highly doubt that any of the other guardians, feel that you owe them anything." said Misao. "They are your friends, just as you are theirs. And friends help each other, no matter how bad things seem to be."

"Do you have any friends like that, Mrs. Mikachi?" asked Will. When Misao didn't say anything for several minutes, Will quickly apologized. "I'm sorry for asking you that, Mrs. Mikachi."

"Will, there is no need for you to apologize." said Misao. "Now as to answer your question, I can't really say that I took the time to make any friends like what you have with the ones that you do. You see, I spent ten years of my life on Kandrakar after my mother had tried to kill me. Since I didn't age there, and didn't have any interaction with people my own age I couldn't really relate to others very well."

"Mrs. Mikachi, if you don't mind me asking, why did your mother try and kill you?" Misao hated to lie to Will, but since she was told not to reveal anything that she knew concerning the Oracle, she simply told Will that she didn't know why her mother had tried to kill her. Will then raised her left arm, and placed her hand up to the bruise that was still coloring her left cheek. "I must admit Mrs. Mikachi, that even though I know the truth now and that it wasn't really my mom that did this to me, I can't deny that I felt a lot of anger mixed with sadness towards my mom when this was first done to me. I can't imagine how it must have been for you, since your mother did something a lot worse, by trying to kill you." By the time Will had finished speaking, they had reached her house. Coming to a stop, Will turned to face Misao and asked her if she would like to come inside?

"I'm sorry Will, but I really should be heading home." said Misao. "Jason is probably wondering where I am, since it has been sometime since school let out." Will nodded to this, and told her that she would see her on Monday. With this said, Will turned away from Misao and hurried off towards her house. As she reached the front door, Will turned back to Misao and waved. Misao returned the wave, then once Will had opened the door and made her way into the house, headed off on her way so she could return home. 'I really hope Jason isn't to angry with me, for being gone this long.'

Reaching her home close to an hour after dropping Will off, Misao let out a small sigh of relief when she saw that the living room light was on, which indicated that Jason was at home. Having made her way upto her front door, she tried to open it and smiled to herself when she found it locked. 'At least Jason remembered to lock the door, when I'm away.' Reaching into her pants pocket, she took out her keys and after finding the one she needed, unlocked the door and made her way inside. "Jason, I'm home!"

A few moments later, Jason made his way into the small hallway. "Where have you been, Mom?"

After removing her shoes, Misao made her way up to her sons side. "I'm really sorry that I am so late, Jason, but something came up and I had to go take care of it." Placing her arm across Jason's shoulders, Misao began to lead him back towards the living room. "So, besides worrying about me, what else have you been doing all this time?"

Jason told her that one of her friends had came over, and that they had spent the time getting to know one another. Misao started to ask him what friend that was, but before she could do so a male voice said. "It's so good to find you safe and sound, Misao." Coming to a very sudden stop since she knew that voice, Misao looked towards where the voice had came from and found the Oracle standing over near her couch.

End of Chapter Seventeen

Bold Number:

1. This probably didn't turn out like I hoped it did, but maybe it is okay.

(A/N: Also I want to give everyone a heads up, that this may be the last chapter posted for awhile since I will probably end up loosing my internet connection for a while. That doesn't mean I won't stop working on the next chapter though.) Anywho, please R&R and let me know if you like the story or not.