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 Five
Raythor, Stanrych, and Anthony slipped into Kandrakar via Blunk's second fold. With them were Blunk, and a group of Meridian soldiers that included Sandpit. "Okay…" Raythor said, "Blunk, you've been here more than I have. Lead the way."
Blunk saluted. "Blunk not have way memorized either. But that okay. Blunk smell the right path. This way!" He turned and ran, followed by the others.
Soon, Blunk had led the way to the correct balcony. Looking out, they could see the Dominators laid out, barely conscious, and back in their human forms. "Sandpit, give us some exit cover." Raythor said.
As instructed, Sandpit dissolved from his humanoid form and created a cloud hanging just over head level, covering the entire balcony from sight. "Excellent." Raythor said. "Neera may know something's happening, but she won't know what or where. Let's go."
They ran together to the Dominators and knelt down by them. "Son? Can you hear me?" Anthony asked.
Judas rolled his eyes. "Dad? Can't believe you came here…"
"I'm your father Judas. I'll always come when you need me."
Coughing, Judas held up the Heart of Zambala. "Don't… Don't let Neera get ahold of this." He said.
"Neera's busy with the Guardians right now mate." Raythor said. "And we're here to get all of you, and that thing, back to earth. C'mon now."
Each of the Dominators was carefully picked up by two men, and carried back towards the fold…
As Neera tried to pursue the escaping counsel, Irma and Hay Lin iced over her path. She landed from a long jump right in the middle of a new ice sheet, slipping and sliding into a wall. "Oof!" Irma said, "That had to hurt… Or at least I hope so."
"So where exactly am I opening this fold to?" Will asked.
"The rub in the plan." Cassidy answered.
"Maybe Stanrych can have that laser he doesn't really have blast her like Garix if we send her back to earth." Irma suggested. "But then, she'd be on earth with our families and the counsel and the Heart of Zambala…"
"Oh wow." Cornelia thought, "Irma just thought things through."
"I guess I deserved that." Irma said. "But really, what else can we do?"
"Nothing." Elyon answered. "Plan's shot, forget about it Will."
Hay Lin said "If Neera's not going anywhere, maybe Irma and I should just go ahead and ice everything over, not leave her anyplace she can stand easily."
"Good idea." Will answered. "Do it. Meanwhile, any ideas on what to do next?"
Sheffield. Caleb's group returned with the counsel first, followed moments later by Raythor's group with the rescued Dominators. The injured teens were laid down on the gym floor. Blunk closed the fold they had used, but per instructions left the first one open.
The counsel members stood, looking up through the fold. Susan and Dean led the parents that hadn't been to Kandrakar over to them. "This is the counsel, and the Oracle." Dean said.
"I am pleased to finally meet the remaining Guardian's families." Himerish said, "Though I wish it were under better circumstances."
"That goes for all of us." Harold Hale said. He looked up again. "How bad is it over there?"
"Neera is potent. The Guardians have their work cut out for them, but I remain confident in them and their abilities."
"So do I." Raythor said. "But I'm still going back." He moved towards the fold Blunk left open. Caleb and the remaining Meridianites followed.
The Guardians and Matt hovered over Neera, who had just barely managed to regain a precarious footing on the slick ice coating the floors. "C'mon Neera." Will said. "You can barely stand now, let alone fight. Why don't you just give up and call it a day?"
"Queen to queen," Elyon said, "We'll open a gap in the veil around Varthan, long enough to slip you back in. You'll still be in charge of your own world at least. And that's all we're gonna let you have, so you might as well take it."
Neera glared angrily at Elyon. "I am the Dark Queen. I am the Heart of Varthan. And you actually expect me to surrender? To negotiate?" She laughed. "You are bigger fools than I thought. And by the by, I am not immobilized…" She shot a strand of what looked like thick rope, which passed between Will and Taranee and struck to the side wall of the fortress high above. With a tug, she pulled herself up, off of the slick floors, and dropped a blast of energy that began melting the ice.
"What in the world?" Hay Lin wondered as she looked at the rope.
"Spider silk." Taranee answered. "Man, I really shoulda seen this coming." She slapped her forehead against her hand. "Stupid, stupid stupid…"
Aware through the link of what was happening outside, Miranda thought "Don't beat yourself up Tara. I've been a spider and it didn't occur to me either."
Ice melted away, Neera dropped back to the ground. "Now, here's my negotiation offer: You bring me back the counsel so I can make them remove the veil. Then, I'll kill you a little quicker and less painfully than what you have coming otherwise."
"Idea." Irma thought. 'She thinks the counsel put up the veil. Now that the Heart of Zambala and the Dominators are safe on earth, let's tell her the truth. Knowing she had it in her grasp and unknowingly let it go will make her really mad, like maybe mad enough to screw up."
"It's worth a shot." Elyon agreed.
"The counsel?" Will shouted at Neera. "You think they made the veil? How could they have, when they were trapped here behind your veil?"
A look of shock briefly crossed Neera's face. "That's right." She thought. "How did I miss that? But if the counsel didn't do it, then who…? This veil was your doing? That can't be. You don't know enough about the Heart!"
"A friend of ours used another Heart." Cornelia explained. "And then Judas stole that Heart."
"JUDAS!" Neera exclaimed. She looked to where the Dominators had fallen, but they were gone.
"Sorry Queenie." Irma said. "Dominators and Heart are safely back on Earth. You blew it this time."
The plan half-worked. Queen Neera was indeed enraged to learn that she had let the Heart maintaining the veil slip through her fingers. However, the hope that this rage would lead to a mistake was itself mistaken. Angrier than she had ever been in all her eons of existence, Neera cut loose with a blast of rage and hatred that swept out from her in all directions. When it passed, Matt and six Guardians lay battered on the ground, unable to move.
The Dark Queen stood over them. "How the mighty have fallen…" she cackled softly, "And now for the Heart…"