Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Seventeen: "Gross Prophet Margin" Chapter One
Author's Note: I sincerely apologize for the lame pun title. But, it was either this or 'Fold of Dreams', so count your blessings.
Zambala. Ironwood called out for the former queen. "Kadma, come quickly! I think I have it!"
Approaching at a measured, regal pace the planet's previous ruler walked into the presence of its current monarch. "What do you have Ironwood?" she asked. "What have you discovered? Has it to do with the Heart of Zambala?"
"Indeed it does." the living tree answered. "I think I have succeeding in discovering how to utilize the Heart's power to place a veil around Varthan, containing it's armies and protecting our worlds."
"Excellent. Would you like for me to inform the Guardians before you proceed?"
"Yes, please do." Ironwood replied. It used the Heart of Zambala to open a fold to earth. Kadma vanished from sight into the fold, which closed behind her.
Varthan. Prince Garix and Aljax stood before a division of fifty soldiers. Aljax said "Here they are my Prince, just as you asked for. The best of the best that Varthan has to offer. The elite of our Dark Queen's Praetorian Guard. They are assembled and ready to follow wherever you lead." Aljax bowed slightly and stepped back.
"Excellent." Garix murmured. "Hear me, soldiers of Varthan! The accursed Dominators have betrayed our Queen and kidnapped her. We will return her to her rightful place on the throne no matter what it takes!"
The soldiers shouted and cheered. They chanted the royal salute, "Hail Neera, Queen of Darkness" over and over until Garix motioned for them to be silent.
"We depart for earth in two hours." Garix said. "Use the remaining time to gather any additional weapons you may need, and see the palace provisioners for earth clothing."
As the soldiers departed to finish preparing, Aljax said to Garix "Shall I also accompany you my Prince? I do have experience with operations on earth, and have studied the customs and mores of the civilization well."
"Very well Aljax. You may come as well. Go, prepare yourself."
"I go to obey." Aljax bowed and hurried away.
Earth. The Cook family was gathered for dinner, Cassidy also present and seated across from Peter. "So," she said, "Tomorrow's the big day. Susan and Dean's wedding at long last."
"Yes. It was very nice of them to invite the rest of us now that we're all in on the girl's little secret." Theresa said. "Though, I'm still not sure what I think about going to another world. I'll never know how you girls got used to this kind of thing."
"That makes two of us." Lionel agreed.
"It's not that hard. Though, to be honest, I kind of think getting used to it is easier the younger you are. Probably a big part of why the Heart chooses new Guardians at such a young age in the first place." Cassidy said.
"What I want to know," Taranee asked, "Is how the two of you made up so quickly. I see you in the park, Peter's not talking to you, an hour later at the Dragon you're holding hands."
"No big mystery little sister." Peter said. "When we got attacked, all I could think about was how bad I'd feel if something happened to Cass." He smiled and they held hands across the table. Before anyone else could say anything, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." Said Peter.
A few moments later, Peter returned with Kadma. "It's for you Tara." He said.
"Heya Kaddie, whassup?" Cassidy asked.
"Same old flippant Cassidy." Kadma said with a smile. Theresa and Lionel invited her to join them, but she declined. "Taranee, I have news for you to pass on to the rest of the Guardians. I've just come from Zambala. Ironwood has discovered how to use the Heart of Zambala to create a veil around Varthan. We await only your confirmation that there's no one who would be trapped there to proceed."
"Give me a second, I'll let them know." Taranee said. She closed her eyes and passed on the info. "Okay, we'll head back to Zambala. But it looks like almost everyone else is having dinner right now too." She said afterwards.
"That's okay. I doubt an hour will matter." Kadma answered. Taranee repeated her parent's invitation. Eying the table, Kadma said "I must admit, that chicken does look good…"
Zambala. One hour later. The Guardians and Kadma exited through a fold in front of the temple. Ironwood stood waiting for them. "I am ready." It said. "I have however honored your request to wait until you confirmed that no innocents would be trapped."
"It's clear." Will said. "I mean, the Dominators might be there, but I doubt it."
"Yeah, I bet anything they're holed up somewhere in Heatherfield." Irma agreed.
Kadma said "Of course, with Neera now trapped in the Heart of Varthan crystal, there's less of a need to go through with this."
"Right, but there's still a huge standing army to consider, and of course Garix." Elyon said. "We've still got plenty of reason to go through with this."
"Then, I shall proceed." Ironwood said. Focusing on the Heart of Zambala, Ironwood created a mass of power that hovered in the sky, bright and shining with all the power of Zambala. When the energy mass was ready, Ironwood unleashed it into space, where it sought out Varthan…
Varthan. The Elite strike force Aljax had prepared was ready. Garix, in human guise, stood at their head, Aljax by his side. As he opened a fold to earth, Garix suddenly felt something off. Aljax noticed the sudden change in the Prince's mood. "Is something wrong my Prince?" he asked.
Garix motioned for Aljax to be silent. "One moment. I sense something…" Garix raised his eyes to the sky. Saw something that, most likely, no one else on the planet could see. "The audacity…" he thought. "I never thought they'd actually…" Turning, Garix shouted "Hurry! Hurry through the fold! There isn't much time!"
Soldiers rushed to follow Garix as he plunged through to earth. Most made it, but the last few were cut off as the veil fell and the fold closed before them.
On earth, Garix took stock of the situation. Himself, Aljax, and forty soldiers. "This will have to do." He thought.
"My Prince, I am confused. What has just occurred?" Aljax asked.
"A veil Aljax." Garix explained. "The Guardians actually had the courage and audacity to trap Varthan behind a veil. Now we are trapped, unable to return home, until Mother is freed. Therefore, let us get to work. We have much to do…"