Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Two: "Rules of Engagement" Chapter Five
Yan Lin was sitting in the basement of the Silver Dragon when a fold opened up and ten people came through; the Guardians, Matt, Caleb, Elyon, and her parents. "Granma!" Hay Lin said. "I didn't expect you to be down here."
"We have a problem." Yan Lin said. She indicated a television in the corner. "Irma, you need to watch this."
Everyone gathered around the screen while Yan Lin removed the volume mute. A reporter was standing in front of a house. "That's my place!" Irma exclaimed.
The reporter was saying, "Still no knowledge on the whereabouts of any member of the Lair family. Initial reports from witnesses say that Officer Lair was home alone when the unidentified assailants entered. Lair managed to shoot three of his attackers, killing two, before being knocked unconscious and carried from the home by the men on foot. Despite the fact that they were on foot, no sign of the men or Officer Lair has been found."
"Oh my God oh my God I have to get over there!" Irma screamed.
Yan Lin answered, "That may not be the best idea. You've not heard everything yet. They've stopped mentioning it in the reports, but there was something unusual about those men. The ones your father shot… the early reports said their blood wasn't red. It was black."
"You mean they weren't human?" Taranee asked.
"Exactly. I suspect this is Guardian business."
"Then let's get going!" Irma said. "They've got my dad!"
"Hang on Irma. First we need to check on the rest of our families. If they hit one they might go for the others too." Will replied.
Irma looked at Will. She knew her friend was right. "Okay okay go. Go! But hurry back here please!" Tears streamed down her face.
Blunk was busily looking for a waterproof roof for his new home when he saw something that terrified him. Two groups of men met up in the dump. The larger group carried a man and a woman. The smaller group another man. As Blunk watched, one of them held up a triangular crystal that began to glow. A fold opened, and they all went through it. Before the fold could close, Blunk crept up and peered through. On the other side was the most frightening place he had ever seen. The fold closed. "Blunk not believe this!" he said. "Blunk come to earth to escape monsters. Monsters follow. Blunk's life is tragedy. Better get girls." Blunk ran for the Silver Dragon.
Cornelia appeared in her bedroom, alone. Teletransporting wasn't something she liked to do, it was too unreliable. But speed was of the essence, so they were risking it. From down the hall came the sounds of conversation. She could hear both of her parents and Lillian. They were safe. She needed to transit back to the others, but first…
"Napoleon!" she hissed out in a whisper. Hopefully the cat's hearing would pick it up without alerting the family. Soon enough he strolled into her room. She led him onto the balcony.
"What's up doll?" he asked.
"I can't stay. But be extra vigilant until I get back. We might have someone targeting Guardian's families." she said.
"Oh really?" he asked. "Just let 'em try to bust in here. Don't worry doll, Old Napoleon's got it covered."
She hugged him. "Thanks. I'll fill you in when I get back."
Taranee appeared in the broom closet of her family home. She had been aiming for her bedroom. "I'll never get the knack of that." she thought. Creeping out, she saw her dad and brother in the den watching football. She quietly snuck past and crept to her mother's study. Theresa Cook was busily working at her computer, back to the door.
Satisfied her folks were safe for the moment, she transited back to the Silver Dragon. Theresa turned in her chair. "What was that?" she wondered. "Oh well."
The instant Will popped into her apartment, she knew. The door was gone, the couch and lamp overturned. There were surprisingly few signs of a struggle, which indicated her mother had been taken quickly. Will fell to her knees, fighting the tears that were beginning to flow.
"Stop this!" she thought. "You are a Guardian. You've fought monsters and overthrown evil tyrants! You can save her. Pull it together!" Will stood, wiped her eyes, and transited back to the Dragon.
Will was the last to return. In spite of wiping away her tears, the others knew as soon as they saw her. Irma hugged her. "Who else?" Will asked.
"Just your mother and Irma's father, it seems." said Hay Lin. "Everyone else is still okay."
"Alright. We need to go to Kandrakar. Maybe the Oracle will have some idea who is doing this."
At that moment, Blunk opened a back window and entered. "Girls! Strange men in city dump! Open fold to scary place!"
Everyone looked at Blunk. "Tell us more." Will said.
"Eight men. A group of five carrying two sleeping people, and a group of three carrying one! They met up and went through a fold opened with a crystal. Blunk looked through fold before it closed. Scariest place Blunk ever see! And trust Blunk, Blunk has seen scary!"
"Was one of the men injured?" Irma asked.
"Maybe. One from smaller group was holding his shoulder."
"It must've been my dad that group had." Irma said.
"And my mom was one of the people the other group had." Will said. "But who was the third person?" No one ventured an answer.
"Oh well. We'll get our answers in Kandrakar." Irma said. "Power us up and get us there Will."
Will held up the Heart of Kandrakar. She said "Guardians Unite!"
And then something happened that no one saw coming…