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

Season Three Episode Twenty-Four: "Endgame, Part One" Chapter One

Heatherfield, the ruined Sheffield Institute gymnasium. Each of the Guardians was with her family, trying to reassure them before flying through the fold to Kandrakar and confronting Queen Neera. Though they did their best to hide it, they were actually saying goodbye, just in case. Neera was, after all, the Heart of her world. The full extent of her powers was unknown, but vast.

Will stood by her mother and stepfather. "Well, it looks like this is it." She said. "One last villain to stomp and we're in the clear for awhile."

Susan grabbed Will and held her tightly. "Just make sure you're the one who does the stomping, and not the one who gets stomped." She said.

"Don't worry mom. This should actually be easier than the Dominators would have been. After all, it's just one enemy instead of five." Will lied.

Still holding tight, Susan laughed. "Don't you lie to me Will. I know you're scared even if you don't want to show it."

"You mom's right Will." Dean said. "We know you have to do this, but you don't have to lie to us about anything anymore."

Will pulled back from her mother who let go reluctantly. "Thanks Dean. And, yeah, you're right, I am a little worried. But don't you worry. Neera's strong, but she's also all alone. That really does work in our favor."

Susan looked over Will's shoulder, to where Matt was standing, aloof, several feet away. "You get over here too Mathew Olson." She said. When he stepped close, Susan hugged him as well. "Take care of her." She said.

"Count on it." Matt answered.

Irma stood with Martin by her side, speaking with her parents. "We'll have lots of help thanks to Alborn." She was saying. "This should be a cakewalk."

Anna stared unconvinced at her daughter. "A three-ton magical spider should be a cakewalk?" she said with a touch of sarcasm, "I'd hate to see what you consider a problem."

Tom placed a hand on Anna's shoulder, intending to comfort her. "Remember, I have seen what she would call a problem. This really isn't all that bad in comparison…"

"Yeah," Martin agreed, "Garix had a whole army at his back. This time it's the other way around."

"Garix had a whole army and lost." Anna reminded them. "I know you Irma… Don't get cocky this time…"

"I won't." Irma assured her. She turned to Martin. "Guess I better go. Lots to do. Like finding a giant rolled-up newspaper to smush the big ugly spider with."

Martin laughed, then said "Be careful Irma."

"Always."

Taranee walked slowly towards where her parents were waiting. Nigel was also with them. "Great." She thought to herself, "It'll be hard enough talking to mom and dad. What am I gonna say to Nigel?"

"Mom, dad… I.." she started, still not knowing what to say.

Mercifully, Theresa saved her from the first half of the uncertainty by interrupting. "Tara, you don't need to say anything to us, if you're not sure how to say it. We know how you feel, and we understand this is something you've got to do, as much as we might hate it. Nigel's the one you should be explaining thing to."

"Yeah," Taranee agreed, "I guess so." She turned to face her boyfriend. "I've only got a couple minutes, but…"

"It'll be enough." Nigel answered, taking her hands in his as he did. "Tell me."

"The short version is, we've been doing this since just before you and I started dating. It's been quite a ride, too, but we've been able to do so much good for so many people…" She paused for a moment, then continued "I'm sorry I didn't tell you on my own. For what it's worth I'm not the only one though. Actually, none of us has purposely told anyone except our parents."

"Why didn't you tell us though? Tara… Did you think you couldn't trust me?"

"Whoa! Hold on, it's not like that at all! It's just… …I think we were afraid you guys would be more likely to get hurt somehow if you knew. And then the whole 'Neera' thing started and it was true; for awhile at first, anyone who didn't know was totally safe from her…"

"I guess I can understand that." Nigel answered. "I still wish you woulda told me though… You, and Matt."

"I'm sorry Nige. If I had it to do over, I think I would."

"That's good then." Nigel answered.

"Are we cool?" Taranee asked.

"Yeah, we're cool. So, I guess it's about time?"

"Yeah. See you when this is over." Taranee hugged Nigel tightly, then did the same with both parents.

"Take care of yourself… And your friends." Lionel said. "We want all of you back in one piece."

Cornelia sat on the edge of a table across from Harold and Elizabeth. "So this is it." Harold said. "You don't know how much I wish I knew enough about fighting to help…"

"Make that both of us." Elizabeth said.

"I'm glad you can't." Cornelia said. "It's bad enough I'll have to worry about Caleb being in the middle of this. I'm not sure I could take the two of you in it as well."

Elizabeth looked over at Caleb. "Oh god, it hadn't occurred to me that he'd be going with you. But, I suppose it only makes sense."

"Yeah. Rebel leader, Elyon's Honor Guard… Try to keep him out of the middle of things." Cornelia laughed.

"Eric?" Hay Lin stood just behind her boyfriend.

"Oh, hey Hay." He replied. 'So… I guess this explains all those times you had to run off with the girls in the middle of dates and such?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"It's cool. I was upset for a couple minutes, but Martin talked me down." Eric explained. "He talked about how we would've been in danger if we'd known, how you kept quiet for our safety. I still kinda wish I'd known sooner, but I get why you didn't."

They embraced briefly. As they stepped back apart, Hay's parents came up behind her, each put a hand on a shoulder. "Are you two good?" Joan asked.

"Yeah. And now I guess it's your turn." Hay Lin answered.

"You bet it is." Her father answered. "You know, the whole time you were growing up, all I ever wanted was to keep you safe. I… admit… I may have gone a little overboard at times…" (Here everyone in hearing range laughed.) "…But I hope you know it was only because I love you so much. And now this."

As father and daughter embraced, Joan said "What your father is trying to tell you is, we're scared out of our wits for you… But we're also so very proud of you. Do your duty: But be safe." Joan fell silent as Hay Lin reached out with one arm and pulled her in…