Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Three: "Elyon: Unite!" Chapter Three
Matt, Caleb, and the Guardians carefully followed a series of drainage ditches that led to the base of Neera's palace. Several times they stopped and waited as vast shadows, deeper and darker than the already blackened sky, passed overhead. Once, Hay Lin turned invisible and peeked over the top of the ditch to get a bearing. In the far distance she saw swarms of immense larvae, the same creatures that had attacked a village in Meridian.
"Well," Irma said after Hay Lin told them, "That explains where our mystery bugs came from. But why didn't Neera just send in tons of the things instead of just four?"
Caleb replied, "Good question. It reeks of some kind of strategy, but I can't get a handle on what it could be."
Taranee said, "Me either. A hundred of those thing would've wiped the floor with us. It's almost like Neera wants us alive, at least for now."
"But what purpose could she have for that?" asked Hay Lin
"A bad one."
After a short but slow hike, everyone safely reached the tower base. Matt noticed a wastewater exit pipe large enough to walk in stooped over, but it was covered with a grate. "Will, hand me the toolkit." he said.
Watching Matt and Will work on the grate, trying to dislodge it, Taranee said, "I wonder how far outside the building those sensors reach? Maybe we're still far enough outside I could just burn the grate off."
"Too risky." Elyon answered.
Will said, "And besides, we've found a socket size that's close enough to work. Everyone get over here and help us lower this thing quietly."
Seated in her throne room, Neera watched the Guardian and her boyfriend work at removing the grate. Of course they had come. Just as she expected. Just as she needed. She turned to her emissary. "Alert the palace guard. Phase Four has commenced."
He bowed. "As you command my Queen."
"Remember, we won't get enough information out of this single engagement. The Guardians themselves must be allowed to escape so we can test them again. The parents and the boyfriends, however, are a different story. In fact enraging a Guardian with a death before her very eyes will probably help matters along."
The emissary bowed again, and left to inform the soldiers.
Grate removed, everyone gathered a few feet into the drain and huddled together. "What's the plan?" Cornelia asked.
"We need to find out where we're going. Hay Lin, can you go invisible and scout ahead?" Will said.
"Sure thing." The girl disappeared from sight.
Taranee pulled out a notepad. "I'll stay in touch with Hay Lin and draw out as much of a map as I can based on what she sees. Hopefully we can just backtrack straight to this point."
Will said, "Good thinking."
Elsewhere in the palace, Hay Lin found an exit from the drains and entered a wide corridor. She relayed her observations back to Taranee. "There's no sign of any guards. This place is way too quiet." She continued on for several minutes until she came across a stairwell access. Next to the door were signs in a language she couldn't read. Luckily, the signs were attached to small pictographs. One of them depicted a prison cell, and had an arrow pointing down. "Bingo!" she thought.
Moving carefully and quietly as she could, Hay Lin descended the stairs, going down four levels until she found a door with the prison cage symbol and no down arrow. She eased the door open, expecting an alarm to sound. None did. Beyond was a narrow hallway lined with cells. No guards were in sight. In fact the only living things she saw anywhere were the three humans together in a single cell. Susan, Tom, and-
"Dean Collins!" Will exclaimed.
"That's what I said." Hay Lin thought back.
"Man oh man this just gets better and better." said Taranee.
"Okay guys hold it together." Elyon thought into the telepathic link. "We knew there was a third person, this doesn't really change much. Hay Lin, let them know you're there, make sure they're okay. We'll follow Taranee's map to find you."
Kandrakar. The Oracle, Halinoor, and Luba were walking together. "Neera. This certainly explains the visions we've all had." Luba said.
"Yes. The dark veil. Neera is the heart of a world. She would certainly have the power to do such a thing if she wished. Of course, it's hard to see why she would wish it. Her own armies would be as hampered in their movements as the Guardians. More so, in fact, given their larger numbers." Halinoor agreed.
The Oracle looked more concerned than either of his friends had ever seen him. "I am still not convinced of this. Neera's plans have always been subtle, and aimed more towards maintaining her control of those already under her heel than expanding her empire. This new aggression isn't consistent with her past behavior. She must have something significant to gain."
A worried look passed between the counsel members as they walked on.
"Pssst!" All three adults heard the sound at once. "Pssst!" it came again.
Tom saw nothing. Asked anyway, "Is someone there?"
"It's me Mr. Lair. Hay Lin."
Susan and Dean leapt up. "Hay Lin? Where are you?"
"Right in front of your cell. Invisible. Are you all okay? Is anyone hurt?"
"We're fine Hay Lin." Susan answered. "What about you? Is Will okay? Is she here?"
"We're all here Mrs. Vandom. I came ahead since no one could see me, but the others are on their way behind me. We're gonna get you out of here, but you need to know a few things first."
"The first thing I want to know," Dean said, "is where on earth are we?"
"'On earth' is the wrong way to phrase it Professor. This is Queen Neera's palace on a planet called Varthan. Now listen; When the others get here, Will can get rid of these bars. But it'll use enough power to set off alarms and let the bad guys know we're here. So when the bars are down, get ready to RUN."
A few minutes later, the others arrived. Will reached between the bars and took Susan's hand. Irma did the same with her father. "Are you okay mom? Did they hurt you?" Will asked.
"We're all okay honey." Susan answered.
"I guess we've got a lot to talk about." Will said.
"We do. But it'll keep 'til were safe." Susan smiled.
Will let go, stepped back. "Listen up. Get as far away from the bars as you can. I don't wanna accidentally shock any of you." The three adults moved to the back of the cell. Will closed her eyes for a moment. Opened them. Clenched her left fist and felt the power building. She held up her arm, pointed towards the cell. "Quintessence!" Electrical energy surged forth from Will's hand, striking the bars. Arcs of power crackled back and forth dancing over the front of the prison cell. After a few moments, the bars vanished.
Susan rushed out and grabbed Will, hugging her tightly. Tom embraced Irma. Before anyone could say anything, the alarms began to sound. "That's our cue folks." Taranee said. "Time to get outta here."
"Excellent." Neera purred. "The guards are free to attack now. But remember the directions on whom they may kill. If a Guardian dies yet, the killer shall face my wrath."