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

Season Three Episode Twenty-two: "The Harder They Fall" Chapter Two

Hectate Canyon. General Stanrych stood on roof of an army Humvee, binoculars in hand. He had been in this position for four hours, periodically scanning the skies, hoping the Guardians had gotten his message and waiting for them to arrive. Anthony Ananias stood next to him, also holding a pair of binoculars.

Anthony glanced at the General. "Sir, I'm wondering how much longer it's worth waiting. After all, we don't even know if they got the message."

"True, Captain. But as important as this is, I think we should give it at least another hour. After all, we may not get another chance to meet with them apart from our new 'friends.'

Anthony grimaced. "Yes sir. General, I feel I owe you an apology for my outburst during this morning's meeting… I was out of line."

Stanrych replied "Yes, you were. But I dare say if it were my son I would have reacted in the same way. No apology is needed, just don't let it happen again."

Together, they continued to scan the skies. About half an hour later, Anthony noticed something approaching in the distance. Took a closer look with his binoculars and saw what he was hoping for. "Sir, they're here. Coming in from our five o clock position."

Moments later, the Guardians arrived. They hovered down until they were floating just above the ground, at eye level with Stanrych. "You wanted to see us?" Will asked.

"Yes. We need to discuss what's going to be done about Prince Garix."

"We're looking for him, the same as your people are." Elyon said. "If we can work around that nasty spell he's gotten access to, we could probably handle him now that he's alone."

"Though if you're game to throw in and help, we won't say no." Cassidy added.

Stanrych smiled. "Oh, I'm definitely game. In truth, we've got some plans that might let us deal with him as well, including one that will negate that spell he used last time. But, in truth, I'm speaking with you now because I have another concern…"

"We're listening." Will said.

"When the Prince is beaten, what are we going to do with him? I've got men under my command who will want to drag him back to Fort Wyvern, of course. But I'm no fool. We don't have anything that could contain something as powerful as this guy. You, on the other hand, deal with this sort of thing on a regular basis. I assume you've got some kind of containment options?"

Taranee sighed. "Ordinarily, we'd throw him in the Tower of Mist in Kandrakar. But that's off limits right now thanks to Queen Neera."

Alchemy looked at Elyon. "Couldn't you have him put in the Infinite City until Kandrakar is open again?"

"That's supposed to be reserved for Meridian criminals." Elyon said. "Still, it should be strong enough to hold him, and it would be temporary… I guess that'll work out."

"Excellent." Stanrych said. "Now, about those battle plans…" Everyone huddled close together to lay their plans…

Garix and Aljax sat at a table eating. Garix just wanted the experience over. The seat was uncomfortable and the food tasted terrible. He resolved that when this planet was conquered, he would personally destroy every Taco Queen location on the face of the earth. Still, the food was filling his stomaches, and that was something.

"Now then," Garix said to Aljax as he held up the magic gem Aljax had surrendered to him, "This particular gem is the key to my victory. It is called 'Manafont.' When used in conjunction with another magical gem, it causes the other gem to recover to full power instantly, no matter how many times it is used, for up to three minutes."

"And you can use it in conjunction with Ultima…" Aljax said in awe.

"Correct. And I ask you, if ONE Ultima nearly defeated both Guardians and Dominators, what will dozens of them do?"

"I see no way you can lose now my Prince."

Garix answered "Oh, caution is still called for. Were I to lose any one of these gems before beginning to cast the spells, we would suddenly be in a very bad position."

"Yes, I see." Aljax said. "May I ask what my part in this battle will be?"

"You are crucial in preventing the loss I spoke of. You will distract our opponents with the power of the gem you still hold. It is called 'Utsusemi." It is a mystical technique used by powerful ninja on many worlds."

"And what does it do my Prince?"

"Utsusemi," Garix explained, "means 'copy image.' Each time you use it, multiple shadow copies of yourself will be created, all under your control. These copies are, unfortunately, very weak and easily destroyed. But if you make enough of them, you will overwhelm our enemies long enough for me to do what I must do."

"Excellent…" Aljax whispered. "I shall myself BE the army of Varthan to annihilate our foes…"

While Garix and Aljax ate and discussed strategy, they were being observed by one that neither of them noticed: A Heatherfield policewoman. She stared intently at Garix, then looked down at the paper in her hand, a wanted poster with Hay-Lin's sketch of Garix' human form and a warning not to approach alone. She reached for her radio. "Dispatch? I think I've got Wyvern's most wanted in sight."

"Ten-four," came the reply, "Continue observation but do not approach. Fort Wyvern is being notified…"

At Hectate Canyon, General Stanrych and the Guardians were just finishing up their meeting when the word arrived that Garix had been located. "There it is." He said to them after speaking with his communications officer, "He's still in Heatherfield, at the South Parke Avenue Taco Queen, of all places."

"I guess even big giant monsters have to eat." Alchemy said.

"According to the report, he's not alone." Stanrych said. "Looks like we missed one of his soldiers after all."

"You're not actually planning on attacking him in the middle of town are you?" Taranee asked.

Stanrych answered "Yes, I am. I don't like it any more than you do, but we need to catch him off guard. Waiting until he's alone is playing into his hands by giving him more time to recover and prepare."

"He's right." Cassidy said to Taranee. "People will run, and property damage can be repaired. With a little luck, getting the drop on him will let us be done before he can even react."

"Yeah," Irma said, "That's not what worries me."

Anthony asked "Then what does worry you?"

"He's eating at Taco Queen." She answered. "Considering what that stuff does to normal people, I fear what it'll do to his system…" The girls all laughed, while Stanrych and Anthony stared at them.

Noticing the stares, Will said "She's just like that. Ignore her."

"We do." Cornelia added.

"Very funny." Irma deadpanned.

"If you ladies are done," Stanrych said, shaking his head, "We've got a bad guy to stop."

"Right you are." Will agreed. "Ladies, let's go…"