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

Season Three Episode Twenty: "Enemy of my Enemy" Chapter Four

Having put on the new disguises Cornelia purchased for them, the Guardians flew together over the city. They headed straight for the Silver Dragon, putting on a burst of speed as they approached, in the hopes of insuring no one would see them flying in and landing in the back alley. Once on the ground, they used the back entrance into the basement, where they found Yan Lin and Cassidy waiting for them.

The older woman was facing away, busily working on something, but Cassidy turned to look as they came in. She saw the disguise scarfs they were wearing and started laughing. "What are you wearing?" she tried to say, but could barely get a word of it out between her laughs. "Oh, Yanni, you gotta see this!" She managed to say.

Turning to look, Yan Lin also began laughing hysterically.

"Oh yeah." Irma said to Cornelia, "You're the one we go to for fashion advice alright."

"What's so funny?" Cornelia demanded. "I'll have you know these are hundred dollar Armani! I had to break into my college fund to buy them!"

While Yan Lin continued to laugh, Cassidy started to gain control of herself. "I'm sorry Corny." She said. "The scarfs are very nice. But they look ridiculous with the rest of the outfits, that's all."

Elyon said "I didn't want to say anything, but Cass is right."

"Yeah, totally." Alchemy agreed.

"Okay so maybe I misfired. For once. But, we need some kind of disguise on earth!"

Finally recovered, Yan Lin replied "Indeed you do. But there's a better way than absurd fashion accessories. Come, sit. I'll fill you in…"

Fort Wyvern. Anthony finished giving his report about how he and Detective Cole had met a mysterious group of young women who called themselves 'the Guardians', and what they had said about the strange events occurring in Heatherfield. He sat to await questions from his superiors. It was a short wait.

Captain, you say that you believe these individuals were being truthful." General Stanrych said. "Why?"

Anthony answered "Three reasons sir. The first is simply intuition. Something about them just seemed on the level. Secondly, a lot of what they said, about different worlds and forces beyond our understanding, fits in with what we've already learned from the ill-fated Mystery Train experiments. And finally… Sir, if they were lying they would've had an answer for every question. They didn't. Sometimes they didn't know the answers. And they admitted to that fact."

"Sound logic Captain." The General agreed.

A Sargent asked for permission to speak. Stanrych nodded to him. "Sir, shouldn't we be preparing to locate and capture these so called Guardians? Captain Ananias' convictions aside, we have no proof that they aren't also a danger."

"We will make preparations, yes." Stanrych answered. "But we won't proceed. I don't like it, but we can't handle the sorts of forces that are at work here on our own. If there's a shot at gaining allies who can deal with this, we need to take it. So long as these Guardians don't show any signs of treachery, we'll give them space and hope they can be trusted."

"Thank you sir." Anthony said.

"Now then, tell me again exactly what they told you about these power sources, these 'hearts.'" Anthony nodded and began to cover the material again…

At the Dragon, Yan Lin stood facing Will. "Now then," she said, "It's time to teach you something I suppose I should have done a long time ago. A way of disguising yourselves from the masses. Will, hold out the Heart and say the words 'Esiugsid ruo secaf.'"

Will did as she was told, and all of the girls briefly felt a slight tingle and a faint rush of air. Nothing more happened, and they didn't look or feel any different than before. "Okay, I give up." Irma said. 'What did that just do?"

Cassidy answered "The words Will just said were 'Disguise our faces' backwards. From now on, unless Will says the words again, anyone who doesn't already know us personally will be magically prevented from recognizing us or making the connection if they see us in both forms, or even in photographs."

"Yes indeed." Yan Lin added. "A much better disguise than overpriced scarves, eh?"

Cornelia exclaimed "Hello? Armani? A hundred bucks each was a bargain… Oh forget it. I'll never live this down will I?"

Alchemy put an arm around Cornelia's shoulder. 'Sure you will. It'll just take, oh, I dunno… three years?"

"Ha ha. Very funny."

"Remember girls," Yan Lin said, "This spell only effects people who don't already know you personally. Family, friends, boyfriends, perhaps even schoolmates and teachers, will still be able to potentially recognize you."

"But the police and army won't, right?" Will asked. "And they're what matters.

"Them and the news people." Elyon said.

"That's right." Cassidy said. "And now that we're safer, what say you power me up and we go find the Dominators?"

"We'll stop at my place and try the map again." Will said. She held up the Heart towards Cassidy. "Guardian Unite!"

Ivalice. Garix and his men had retreated here after the battle with the human's army. The Prince stood in the chill night air, staring towards the lights of a distant city he had tentatively identified as Rabinastre. "Aljax, attend to me!" he shouted.

Stepping forward, Aljax bowed low and said "I attend, my Prince. Speak and I obey."

"We shall go forth into the city and acquire supplies by whatever means necessary." Garix said. "When we retreated, I chose this world because its magic is potent. We will gather new weapons and armor, enchanted if possible, and then return to earth. And when we return Guardians, Dominators, and human armies alike will tremble…"

"I understand." Aljax replied. "If I may ask, O Prince, should we not consider attempting acquire the Heart of Ivalice as well? Surely it would aid us."

Garix sighed deeply. "A fine idea, save for the detail that it is impossible. The Heart of this world is too heavily guarded to acquire without already having another Heart. Not to mention that it is a person rather than an artifact. No, I will not squander our already depleted forces on a fool's errand. Now then, let us go…"