Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Thirteen: "The Dark Veil" Chapter Five
Varthan. Neera sat upon her throne, looking down at her new servants to be. They were lined up on the ground, unconscious, as the mindquavers worked on their thoughts. Each was receiving implanted feelings and ideas based on the power chosen for them to wield. "It won't be long now Aljax." she said to her servant.
"No my Queen. And once the mindquavers have finished their work?"
"Then they will pledge loyalty to Varthan. Following this, we will grant them the promised power. Are the Dark Aura Mirrors online?"
Aljax answered "Yes my Queen. Online and functioning at one hundred percent. There were some difficulties tuning them to the changes you wished made from the standard Guardians model. But all is now ready. We are confident in a positive result."
"Excellent." Neera said. "Now, look. They awaken…"
Earth. Sheffield Institute. Nickelbocker's office. Irma sat in a chair while the two police detectives stood over her. "Just tell us what you know kid. It'll go easier that way."
"I don't know anything!" Irma exclaimed. "Why do you think I do? I mean sure I knew all five missing kids, we go to school here together. But by that logic shouldn't you be interrogating everyone at Sheffield?"
The female detective leaned in. "This is about more than Sheffield and you know it. Those kidnappers match the description of the guys who nabbed your father a while back."
"What'dya think guys?" Irma thought. The consensus came back: play dumb. "They do? Oh wow, you're right. I hadn't even noticed." she said.
The detectives looked at each other, then back to Irma. "Something's rotten in Denmark." one said. "I'm not buying this for a minute Lair. Still, we can't prove anything either. You're free to go for now, but I'm watching you." He made the 'I'm watching you' hand motion as he said it.
Free, Irma realized she had been with the detectives longer than she thought. It was already lunchtime. She rushed to find her friends.
At lunch, Irma related the story for the benefit of those who were not a part of the Guardian's telepathic link. "Yeesh Irma, you're gonna have to be extra careful now." Martin said. "It sounds like he was serious about keeping a close watch on you."
"Yeah. It's nothing we can't handle though." Irma replied.
Elyon said "Will, you're being awfully quiet. What's on your mind?"
"Have you guys thought through the implications of this?" Will asked. "No matter what we do, five people with no reason to keep their mouths shut are gonna find out the truth about us now."
"Not necessarily." Cornelia said. "We really do look a lot different as Guardians. Maybe there's some way to disguise ourselves a little further when we go after them, so they won't recognize us at all."
"That's not a bad idea Corny." Irma said.
Taranee said, "Of course it's moot if Neera just tells them. Which she might. Who knows what she's really after here?"
"Way to bring the mood down Tara." Matt said.
"Omigosh, what if they do find out though? What if they tell everyone?" Hay Lin asked.
"Exactly my point." Will agreed.
Miranda asked, "Would it really be all that bad? I mean, everyone in Meridian knows who you are, it hasn't hurt you there any."
Cornelia said "That's different. It wouldn't hurt our work as Guardians, maybe… But we want our normal lives here. There's no way to have that if people know."
Varthan. After they had all woken up, Neera spoke to her new charges. "Uriah, you feel trapped in fear. Yet you need not be trapped. Learn to use your fear and it will become a great weapon. You will cause fear instead of feeling it."
Uriah grinned. "I like the sound of that."
"I knew you would. Bess Grumper, you are filled with rage. Turn it upon my enemies, and let them burn in torment. Courtney, you want everything for yourself. Your greed and avarice are noble qualities in my eyes. Use them. All that you want can be yours, except of course for that which belongs to me." The sisters exchanged a glance, then agreed to serve.
"Judas Ananias. You do not know of love, preferring the path of hatred. Yoke this strength to bring down death and destruction among my foes. Yours is the greatest power I offer. Wield it well."
Judas made a fist with one hand and punched it into his other hand. "Just tell me who I get to hurt first."
"Soon child, soon." Neera said. "Sandra. You may not have been my first choice for your position, but you will excel nonetheless. Your heart is filled to the brim with despair. You do not know the power of hope. Therefore, you will serve me as she would not."
"As you wish Dark Queen."
Neera smiled. "Excellent. Do you, then, swear allegiance to me as your Queen?" All five teens swore the oath to serve Neera. "Good. Very good. Now follow me, I will take you to the source of the powers I will grant unto you…"
On Meridian, Susan and Dean were going over the final plans for their wedding. The rehearsal was set for one week hence, and Hay Lin swore she would have all the girl's dresses ready in time despite the latest problems. Meanwhile Tom had joined the Guardians and Raythor in trying to plan strategies for a rescue mission to Varthan.
"The plan last time was good your Highness," Raythor was saying to Elyon, "We just need to build on it."
Elyon agreed, "For the rescue yes. But that's not enough, we've got to deal with Neera herself on a permanent basis. We can't allow this to continue."
"No we can't." Taranee agreed. "You know it's too bad you don't still have your full power El. You could turn the tables and put a veil around Varthan if you did."
"That would be appropriate." Will said.
Tom asked, "Question: Every world has one of these hearts, right?"
"Yeah, that's right." Irma said. "What are you thinking Pops?"
"Just this. If Elyon can't contain Neera with a veil, couldn't another Heart be used to do it instead?"
Matt said "The counsel could probably do it with the Heart of Kandrakar, but we'd need to break them free first."
There was silence as everyone was busy thinking for the next few moments. Then, all at once, all six Guardians exclaimed "Zambala!"
"Zam… what?" Alchemy asked.
Cornelia explained, "Zambala. It's another planet we've been to. We know who is holding the Heart there, and he kind of owes us a favor for saving his world from Nerissia, not to mention that Neera is as big a threat to Zambala as she is to earth."
"With any luck, we can talk the Zambalans into using their world's heart to contain Varthan for us." Will said. "If they agree, we just go free our classmates, and then seal Neera off for good."
Varthan. Neera and the five teens stood in a large chamber, before a set of five floating orbs. "Observe children." Neera said. "These are the Dark Aura Mirrors. There is one for each of you. They borrow power from me, power from the Heart of Varthan, and transfer it to you. Or will. You need only touch them to complete the process."
"And what powers will each of us get?" Judas asked.
"You will see. For now, all that matters is that you are now my servants… my Champions of Varthan… My Dominators…."
Author's Note: Wow. Here we are at the halfway point of the story. What's going to happen next? How does this plan help Neera when her armies are already so powerful? And has Neera succeeded, or made a grave error in judgment? The answers are coming soon, so stay tuned! (Any and all reviews are welcomed, as they help me make future chapters even better. So please continue to let me know what you think.)