Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Four: "Status Quo" Chapter One
Meridian. Elyon hovered above the proving grounds in Guardian form. She eyed the wooden targets set up before her. Glanced back at the other Guardians and their friends and families. She began to focus.
"So what exactly is the point of this exercise?" Dean Collins asked.
Raythor replied, "Before her powers as the Heart of Meridian were stolen by Nerissia, her majesty could've cleared every target on this field and not even felt winded. Since then, she's been doing good to wipe out ten of them. I think she wants to see just how well she can do with these new Guardian powers."
"It may seem like a waste of time," Caleb added, "But it's important for someone who may need to fight to know their limits. It can make the difference between life and death."
"I thought you felt like the Queen should stay out of battle." Hay Lin said.
Caleb, Aldarn, and Miriabelle answered simultaneously, "We do." Caleb finished the thought with, "But I'm resigned to it."
Focused and ready, Elyon unleashed her attack, a double surge of coherent light energy pulses. Each followed a slightly different path through the field of targets, obliterating as they went. When the haze cleared, she could see that each pulse had eliminated at least thirty targets, plowing twin paths all the way through the field front to back. And she hadn't even pushed herself. "Now this I can work with!" she happily exclaimed.
Earth. Aljax crept through the empty human dwelling and found the room he was looking for. He slipped in and looked around. "A bedchamber." he thought. "But I had better be certain it's the right one." He searched for clues that this was indeed the room he wanted. Found it in a photograph of the Water Guardian perched atop a desk. Turning to the bed, he slipped a small package under the pillow.
He sighed. For the first time since this project had begun, he had doubts as to the Dark Queen's choice of strategy. For one thing, he wasn't sure it was right to antagonize the same Guardian twice in a row. There were three others, after all. Four, if you counted the new change to Queen Elyon. But worse, he wasn't even sure the Guardian would be upset in the least. She didn't even seem to like this individual.
The sound of a door opening bought Aljax out of his reverie. He opened a fold and returned to Varthan. Moments later, Martin Tubbs walked into his bedroom…
Kandrakar. A fold opened in the counsel chamber, admitting six Guardians and three adults. The counsel awaited them, as did Yan Lin, Kadma, and Cassidy. "Welcome Guardians." the Oracle said, "Welcome honored guests."
Susan looked about the chamber in awe. She turned to Will. "This is where your powers come from?"
Will grinned. "Pretty cool huh? I'll show you the Aura Mirror chamber before we go. But first, Mom, Mr. Lair, Professor Collins, this is the Oracle."
The tall bald man bowed deeply. "I am most pleased that you are all safe. I know you have come seeking answers to questions, and guidance in how to proceed in your lives from here."
"Can you help us?" Tom asked.
"Most assuredly." The Oracle motioned towards the three adult women. "You know Yan Lin already. These others are Kadma and Cassidy. They are three of the former Guardians, and my associate Halinoor is the fourth. They are the ones best suited to answer most of your questions. First, though, we have a pair of major concerns to deal with."
"Yeah." Will said, "How can we go back to our old lives when Neera's wide open to attack our parents again?"
"Not to mention that my house is swarming with cops wanting to know who kidnapped my dad, and why their blood wasn't red." Irma said.
The Oracle answered, "The first concern is resolved easily. Remember Neera must obey her Rules of Engagement. You have freed your parents and Mr. Collins. Therefore, these three cannot be intentionally targeted again, ever."
"You mean they're totally safe now?" asked a relieved Will.
"Not totally. Neera cannot purposely target them because of who they are. They would still be vulnerable to, for example, a random shot in the heat of battle from a soldier who didn't know who they were. It is intent that they are now safe from."
"Okay." Tom said, "Susan and Dean are in the clear. I still need some kind of explanation for why guys with black blood broke into my house and kidnapped me, and of how I got away from them."
"At the risk of oversimplifying, sometimes the most basic tactics work the best. You could feign ignorance in the entire matter. You don't know who they were or why they attacked you. You woke up abandoned in the city dump with no memory of how you got there."
"They won't buy it for a second." Tom said. "But they won't be able to argue it either. They'll keep a close eye on me for awhile, but I should come out of it okay if I can play dumb convincingly enough."
"Actually, Irma might be able to help you with that." said Hay Lin. "She's got those hypnosis powers. Maybe she could put a suggestion in your head that this story is true."
Irma said, "It's a good idea. It would wear off after a few hours, but it'd give you the edge even if they put a lie detector on you. But dad, I won't do it unless you're okay with it."
"It's the best choice. Just be careful with the real memories in here." Tom said, tapping his head.
Irma laughed. "Don't worry Pops. I'll be careful. Though… maybe I should embellish the amnesia with a false memory. Would you like something with little grey aliens?"
"Very funny."