Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Three: "Elyon: Unite!" Chapter Five
The door blew in and Neera's palace guard swarmed into the small chamber. It was empty. Opposite their entry point the exterior door stood open. The guards gave chase again. Seated in her throne room, Neera observed this action impassively. All was going according to plan. Of course, it was looking more and more like the Guardians would manage to save all of their friends. No matter. A death would have made things even better, but it wasn't a required part of the plans. And they did still have one more wave of warriors to get past…
Outside, the adults slowed to a stunned halt as they saw the landscape of Varthan for the first time. The girls quickly grabbed them, two apiece, and began to fly away from the palace. They didn't get far before the ground below them rumbled, then erupted as a dozen warrior larvae emerged and attacked.
"Can we open a fold yet?" Taranee shouted.
"No! We need a little more distance." Will answered.
"We're not getting it with these guys in the way!"
Irma looked at Taranee, who was helping to carry her father. "Think girl! Put that big brain to work. These things are big, but they're still bugs. How can you distract bugs?"
Surprising everyone, it wasn't Taranee who answered, but Elyon. "Light!" she said. "Bugs are drawn to light! Matt, take over helping carry Collins! I've got a plan!"
Matt grew out his Shagon wings and flew up, relieving Elyon. Cornelia shouted, "What are you doing?"
"Bugs are attracted to bright lights! My power is light! Let's see what I can do!" Elyon flew high into the sky and began creating and releasing balls of pure bright light. These were too weak to actually hurt anything, they were just bright points of light. As the lights fell, they flew past the larvae, which were distracted by them and followed them away.
Elyon flew back down to the others. "Shine a little light in their lives." she said.
Cornelia stared at her friend for a moment. She finally said, "Girl, are you quipping!" They both laughed.
"All that leaves is the guards coming up from behind." Will said. "And we can outrun them." Together, they all flew until they were far enough away to be able to open a fold. "One express fold ticket back to earth, coming up!" she said.
"No wait!" Elyon said, stopping Will. "Not earth. Not directly. Take us to Meridian first, the processional bridge in front of the main palace gates! Trust me on this Will!"
"Meridian it is." Will said. "She opened a fold and everyone rushed through before the guards could catch up.
In the palace, Neera turned to Aljax. "What say you? How much did we get?"
"Thirty-five percent, my Queen." he answered. "Two or three more engagements should provide the last of what we need."
"Excellent. Phase four is complete. Now, who shall we target for phase five?"
"I have several options ready for your consideration my Queen." Aljax spread images before Neera. They included all of the closest friends and family members of the Guardians…
Meridian. As everyone emerged from the fold, they saw the reason Elyon had insisted upon coming here first. Her adopted parents stood waiting for them. And behind them stood the entire army of Meridian. Will closed the fold. Cornelia looked at Elyon. "You planned this out?"
"Yeah, before I caught up with you and Caleb. There's a chance they'll open their own fold and follow us. If they do they'll get a surprise." Elyon said. She turned to the massed army. "Get ready! If our enemy does follow, they'll be showing up any second."
Susan Tom and Dean stood by Aldarn and Miriabelle. The Guardians, Matt, and Caleb took point positions in front of the army. They waited. After several minutes, it became clear no chase was forthcoming. Elyon dismissed the army, though Caleb, Raythor, and her parents insisted on staying. Will used the Heart to return the Guardians to normal.
An hour later, Miriabelle served a meal for Susan, Tom and Dean. As they sat, they began to talk. "Susan, Tom," she said, "I know how hard this has to be on both of you. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Susan said. "This is a big adjustment. I don't know which way is up right now. But… I'm very proud of Will." she smiled.
"And I of Irma." Tom said. "I want to make her stop, but I wonder how I can. I wonder if I can. I wonder if I should."
Miriabelle said, "I suspect the girls will take you to Kandrakar before you return home. Perhaps the Oracle can help you find the answers you seek. He is very wise and kind."
"I hope so." Susan thought. "Dear God I hope so…"
Will stood staring over the edge of a high balcony when Irma came and stood next to her. "I wonder what happens next?" Irma said. "We need a cover story for what happened to dad."
"Yeah." Will answered. Irma noticed tears in her friend's eyes.
"Will, what's wrong?"
"Irma, how are you even speaking to me? It was my mom that put your father in danger! There's no indication Neera was even after him until Mom called him and bought him into this!" Will was about to break down in tears.
Irma grabbed Will and hugged her hard. "Now you listen to me missy. Your mom did what she thought she had to do for both of us! I'm not gonna hold that against her or you. Got it?"
Will smiled. "Got it."
"Okay, now let's go find the others. There's no time like the present for a trip to Kandrakar."