Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.

Season Three Episode Nineteen: "M.A.C.E., Part Two" Chapter Four

Zambala. The Guardians arrived alongside Ironwood, some distance from the temple. Immediately before them loomed a large object that resembled an enormous stone pinecone. "What the heck is that?" Alchemy wondered.

Ironwood answered "It is a Zambalan cocoon. When my people are threatened by a force beyond their ability to handle, they instinctively cocoon themselves in order to survive."

Taranee continued "The problem is, the behavior is basically intended for surviving things like forest fires. When they cocoon themselves for other threats, they can be so drained of energy that it's not possible to turn back on their own."

"Indeed." Ironwood said. "Guardians of earth and water, you were able to revive my people before. Can you do it again?"

"I'm sure we could." Cornelia said. "But I think maybe there's a more straightforward answer this time. Al?"

Alchemy realized everyone was looking at her. "Oh! Right, yeah I'll give it a try." she said. She walked to the cocoon, and placed both hands on it. Began to send healing energy into it. Within moments, the cocoon crumbled, freeing the still sleepy Zambalan within.

Ironwood laughed out loud. "Splendid!" It exclaimed. "Can you free the others as well?" Alchemy asked what others Ironwood was referring to. It pointed behind her. Turning, she saw thousands of cocoons, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Oh wow. I'm… Not sure I can do this many…" she said.

"Yes you can," Miranda said, "With a little help. We'll do this together. Of course it'll still take awhile. I'm afraid this'll leave us out of the fight."

Taranee said "That's actually best for now. Cass, I think you should stay clear at first too. We'll let them know about the three of you when it's to our advantage to do so."

Cassidy wasn't happy about this, but she knew Taranee was right. Still… "Hay Lin, c'mere a second." she said. When the Air Guardian was next to her, Cassidy used her new ability to channel the powers of the other Guardians, and turned invisible. She then thought to the others "I'll stay hidden and fly over the battle, relaying what I see."

"Aerial reconnaissance. I like." Said Irma. "Okay, let's do this thing."

Judas and Uriah were trying to wire up their newly stolen generator when they heard the first explosion. Moments later, Courtney's voice spoke into their minds. "Get out here everyone. We've got company."

"Again?" Uriah asked. "How many of these tree things are there? I thought we had gotten them all."

"It's not the trees." Courtney said. "We've been found."

Arriving at the temple gate, they saw Ironwood and the Guardians waiting for them. "Well well. I always knew you were a loser Uriah, but picking on poor defenseless plants? That's low even for you." Irma said.

"We'll show you low!" Judas said. "Dominators, Attack!" With a sudden roar, Bess and Sandra leapt out into the sky, attacking from where they had circled around behind. They intended to isolate and concentrate on Will first. Little did they know about Cassidy's 'eye in the sky' position. Before they reached her, Will swung around and fired a blast of lightning that sent them both falling to the ground.

"How'd she see that coming?" Judas wondered. "Oh well, Uriah, we're up."

Uriah flew low to the ground, under the cover of foliage, 'til he was directly underneath the Guardians. He then jumped up and unleashed the power of fear straight upwards. Meanwhile, Judas attacked from above, attempting a vertical pincer maneuver. Once again, however, Cassidy's intel prepared the Guardians in advance. By the time the Dominators were in position and attacked, the girls had moved clear.

"Something's up here." Judas thought to his teammates. "They're way too prepared for us. Regroup at the temple."

Meanwhile, Alchemy and Miranda were hovering low over the field of cocoons. "There's so many of them…" Alchemy said.

"You can do it." Miranda said. She reached out a hand and Alchemy took it. Together they closed their eyes and let the powers within build up. Then, in an instant, they let go, creating a huge aura of power that extended down across the field. They managed to keep it up for nearly twenty seconds before falling to the ground, exhausted.

Eyes closed, Alchemy asked "Did it work?"

Miranda looked around. Everywhere, cocoons were shaking and falling apart. "Oh yeah." she said. "We did it…"

Back at the temple, the Dominators hovered side by side. "Think everyone." Judas said. "Somehow they're anticipating our every move. How?"

"If I wasn't looking right at Hay Lin, I'd think she had gone invisible and was directing them from above." Bess said.

"But you are looking at her, so that can't be it." Uriah said.

Judas' eyes narrowed. "Don't be so sure." he said. "Sandra, give me a despair cloud, straight up above the Guardians…"

"Love to…" Sandra answered.

Hovering invisibly over the jungle, Cassidy suddenly felt a sensation familiar to her from the Dominator's attack on Meridian. She knew what was happening, but the power was so thick, so overwhelming, that she couldn't fight it. Losing her grip on the invisibility power she had borrowed from Hay Lin, she fell and was caught by Will and Cornelia.

Uriah's mouth hung open. "Another Guardian!" he exclaimed. "What the heck is going on around here?"

"We've got ourselves an arms race Dunn-boy." Judas said. He stared straight at Ironwood. "And I've got a great idea for how to get back on top…"

Hay Lin hovered in front of Cassidy. "Are you okay?" she asked, worried.

Opening her eyes, Cassidy indicated to Will and Cornelia that she was okay to fly on her own again. "I'm fine Hay." she said. 'Wow, first time back out and I get sucker-punched… How embarrassing."

"Not at all." Elyon said. "I've taken that despair attack head on too, remember. It's no fun. But I guess our secret's out, so no sense hiding the others any longer…"

Alchemy and Miranda were already moving slowly back towards the temple, with the Zambalan army following, when they heard Will's voice. "How's it coming you two?" she asked them.

"Perfectly." Alchemy answered. "We're on the way back now."

"With an army in tow." Miranda added.

"Great. Listen, if the Zambalans are okay on their own, put on some speed. Our secret's out now that they've seen Cass. How quick can you be here?"

"Five minutes." Miranda said…