Here's the second Chapter.
Episode Two - Back to Work
Takeda Industries was a highly regarded technology manufacturer. They had become a worldwide household brand, over the course of five years, after seemingly appearing from no-where.
Heatherfield was the home to their latest office. Many rumours that the President and Founder of the Company now lived in the city. This however wasn't a rumour.
Takeda stood overlooking the city from his office on the top floor of Takeda Tower. The door opened behind him and he turned to see Robinson. "What is it Robinson?"
"I'm afraid, the machine was badly damaged. It will need to be heavily repaired." Robinson said ounding remorseful.
Takeda nodded sullenly. "Get our engineers to find out what went wrong, and make sure it doesn't happen again."
"It's already being taken care of." Robinson said before leaving the room. "We should be able to have it operational again by tonight."
"Good. Can the machine be moved?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I want it taken to the werehouse. It'll be much safer out there. In case anything else happens it won't damage the building, or compromise us."
"Excellent idea. I'll inform the team immidiately." Robinson said as he left the office.
Will sat in the car with her mother. They were sitting in absolute silence. Susan glancing towards her daughter.
"Ok Mom, what did I do?" Will said noticing her mother's frequent glances.
"You haven't done anything." Susan said earnestly.
"Then why are you looking over at me so often?" Will asked.
"It's just unusual for you to not be yawning at this point in the morning."
"Well I got a good night sleep. No bad dreams." Will said.
"Well that's good to know. Anything to do with a certain boy?" Susan teased her daughter, knowing Matt was always a pretty touchy subject.
"MOM!" Will whined.
"I saw that frog he got you for your anniversary the other day." Susan laughed "The one that croaks the song Matt wrote for you."
"MOM! That's private!"
"I'm your mother Will. Nothing is private."Susan grinned in victory. She pulled up outside the school gates. "Enjoy the rest of your day sweetie."
Will grumbled an annoyed goodbye before exiting the car and rushing into the schoolyard. Irma, Cornelia and Hay Lin were waiting for her. "Hey guys." she was met with various responses, all of which meant hello.
"So Will what did your mom say now?" Irma joked.
"I don't know what you mean." Will lied.
"Oh come on Will. We're the guardians. We're connected. We can feel your emotions." Hay Lin said in her typical hyperactive and poetic fashion.
"Plus your blushing so deep your face matches your hair, which only happens when your mom says something, or if Matt does, anything." Cornelia said pulling out a make up mirror, showing Will her reflection.
Will hid her face in her hands upon seeing Cornelia was right about how deeply she was blushing. "Don't look at me." The other girls laughed at their 'fearless' leader.
The sound of rushing footsteps caught their attention. They turned to see Taranee running towards them.
"Slow down Taranee. There's a speed limit you know. And my dad is a cop." Irma laughed
"I didn't want to be late." Taranee panted. "I had to walk today." I missed the bus and both my parents had left already."
"Your dedication to school amazes me." Cornelia said, "And what's so special about today?"
"A guest speaker is coming to school today today from Takeda Industries. I didn't want to miss it."
"Wow. A guest speaker from a company that sells refridgerators has you really excited." Hay Lin said.
"Actually Takeda Industries is more than just a kitchen appliance company. They're the leading company in the field of cryogenics in Japan and have made several breakthoughs in cryosurgical sciences." Irma said. Everyone stared at her for a moment. "What? Stephen's parent's work for them."
"Oh right is Stephen something then Irma listens." Cornelia quipped.
"Hey I listen to a lot of people." Irma snapped.
"What did Mrs Anderson say in Math class yesterday." Taranee asked teasingly.
"Whuh?"
The bell rang and the girls made their way to the auditorium. The girls found seats near the middle of the crowd. The noise of students talking filled the room. Principal Knickerbocker approached the microphone. "Good Morning students." She said as loud as she could. The Students reluctantly stopped talking to listen. "This Morning we have a very important guest speaker. Please Welcome Mr Jeremy Robinson from Takeda industries."
Robinson walked onto the stage met with a fairly unenthusiastic applause. "Thank you, for that kind Welcome. My Name is Jeremy Robinson. I'm here today to talk to you about, cryoscience."
Most of the students were not listening very intently. Will eyed the man on the microphone, something wasn't quite right about him.
"In the last few years, Takeda Industries has made many breakthoughs in this field. We are also a proud household today we offer the chance of an internship, at our office, right here in Heatherfield." As Robinson spoke his eyes scanned the room. He saw Sylla sitting in the front row, and near the middle of the crowd, he spotted the girls. For the briefest mment. He made eye contact with Will.
After the assembly the students were dismissed. Taranee was very enthusiastic about what Robinson had been saying. "Can you guys believe it. An Internship. I could Intern at Takeda."
"That's great Taranee. You'll definately win it considering you're the only one who cares." Irma said yawning.
"You think so? Wow, this gonna be great." Taranee had failed to notice Irma's total lack of any enthusiasm.
"I don't know Taranee." Will said "He doesn't seem like the corporate type. And I've been around them my whole life." As they made their way through the halls Will felt the Heart reacting, from inside her bag. "Uh girls? I think we're being summoned."
the rest of the group turned to see the Heart glowing. "Oh dear. I'm going to miss algebra." Irma said sounding a little too happy for Taranee's liking. The girls made their way into the bathroom. after making sure noone else was there Will whipped the Heart across the air, creating a fold.
"Will Hurry up. Knickerbocker is coming." Hay Lin whispered looking throught the door.
"Will, we can't just not show up for class. We'll get detention. I've never had detention. And I don't want one." Taranee moaned.
"I'm on it. Spord Lartsa!" A flash of light consumed the room. When it faded each girl was faced with her identical Astral Drop. "Don't talk to anyone. Just go to class, and be quiet." Will ordered them. "We'll be back soon." The five girls then vanished into the fold before it closed.
The bathroom door opened and Principal Knickerbocker stood in the doorway. "So girls. Skipping class are we?" The Astral drops stood in silence. Having been ordered to not speak to anyone. "Oh, it's like that is it? After school detention today. Now get to class!"
The five Astral Drops went passed the principal. Each one trying to find their respective class.
The Guardians emerged fromt the fold, arriving in the great the City of Kandrakar had been destroyed in the last battle against Phobos. Though it now stood majestically as though no harm had ever been done to it. "Wow. The Oracle must have a great contracter."Irma joked.
"Ah, girls. So nice to see you again." a voice came from behind them. They turned to see the Oracle surrounded by the council. Luba, Tibor and Halinoor. "I trust you are well."
"Uh Oracle. I don't mean to be rude but is this going to take long? I really don't want to miss. class."
"I assure as soon as the others arrive you will be able to return. It will only take a few minutes."
"What others?" Hay Lin asked. No sooner than she finished her scentence, two folds opened. From one emerged Elyon, Caleb and Blunk. From the other. Emerged, Yan Lin, Mira Lin (Who was wearing the same dress ad Yan Ln only blue in order to distinguish her from her "Sister.), Cassidy and Kadma. "Oh, those others."
"Great so we can begin." Taranee said entusiastically.
"Not quite. Please be patient." The Oracle asked. Taranee was visibly upset. She hated to be removed from class, even if it was guardian related.
A third fold opened Matt emerged, with Mr Huggles on his shoulder. He walked over to Will whom he greated, causing her to blush. Mister Huggles jumped over to Will's shoulder.
A final smaller fold appeared, Napoleon made his way through quickly.
"Hey it's the entire cast of heroes." Irma joked
"Thank's mack. Lilian's finally back at school and you interrupt my morning nap. This better be good." Napoleon yawned at the Oracle.
"Yeah what the cat said." Taranee said nodding.
"I'm sorry for any inconvienience I may have caused you. But I want to thank you all for coming. This is very important. Particularly for the Guardians and the Regents."
The room fell into silence.
"What's the problem mack?" Napoleon said walking to the centre of the room.
"As you know, with Phobos and Cedric once again defeated. And with Nerissa trapped within the crystal, we have less to worry about."
"Well we do what we can." Hay Lin said.
"However you're work is not yet done." The oracle informed them grimly "There is a new threat."
"Well we'll just beat this one down like we do all the rest." Cornelia told him.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple. You must understand that I do not know who this new threat is."
"How can you not know? You're the Oracle." Cassidy yelled.
"Please understand. Whoever this is, is very powerful. They aren't like your ther foes. They have even managed to block my abilities to see them."
"That it is not good." Yan Lin said stepping forward. "That gives the enemy the upperhand."
"What can you tell us about them." Will said. "We need something to go on."
"I'm afraid I will need more time. Until then you need to remain as close contact with eachother as possible. Halinor, I must ask you to return to Earth."
"But Oracle..."
"Please, Halinor. You'll be my official representative on Earth. You need to be there to help the Guardians when they need you. And I need you there to report everything out of the ordinary to me." Halinor nodded in silent agreement. "Yan Lin, and Mira. I need you both to remain as instructors to the Guardians. There is still much they do not know that you can teach them. When the time comes that is."
"Of Course Oracle." They said in perfect harmony.
"Cassidy, I wish for you to work as messenger."
"WHAT!" Cassidy moaned.
"Please. You will surely be returning to school, therefore you will be close to the girls. And you are still in Harmony with the others of your group."
"Okay fine. But it's gonna take some getting used to. I'm mean the world has changed a lot. They phones that don't need to be plugged in that they can carry around in their pockets. And the stuff they try to pass off as 'music'." Cassidy had a hard time adjusting to being in the twenty-first century.
"Sister I got your back." Irma said wrapping an arm around Cassidy's shoulder. "I'll teach you everything important about this century."
"Irma and Cassidy in the same place. That's going to be nothing but trouble." Yan Lin laughed.
"I don't know who we need to have pity on." Mira joked.
The Oracle let a small laugh escape his lips. "I get the feeling you two are going, hoe they say 'get on like a house on fire.' Rather ironic." The room once again flooded with laughter. "Now, Matt, as leader of the Regents you have a large amont of responsibility. I don't believe Lilian is in danger but, continue to protect her as you do."
"Count on it. The earth is in my hands. Hey that's a good title for a song." Matt reached into his pocket and pulled out a notepad and pencil and jotted down the new title."
"Excellent. Kadma, I also wish for you to keep in close contact with the girls." The Oracle said. "I'm sure you'll find a way."
"I will do what I can." Kadma replied.
"Excellent. Guaridans, I want you to try and keep a low profile. But remember, You are the Guardian's of the Infinite Dimensions. You have responsibility to help those in need." The Guardians all nodded. You must all head back now, I have kept you too long. I will try to make the next time I call you a little less inconvinient. Elyon I wish to speak to you alone."
As Everybody said there goodbyes. Folds were opened and everyone headed back. Elyon remained where she was, with Caleb and Blunk. "Yes Oracle?"
"Elyon, how are you since you got out of the crystal?" The Oracle asked her sounding quite concerned.
"Fine. I guess." Elyon replied. She wasn't entirley sure what The Oracle was implying.
"I understand you have had a difficult time. What, with your brother, being tricked by Nerissa and being trapped in the Crystal. I know it must be hard for you."
"Relly, I'm fine." Elyon half lied.
"Elyon, you cannot lie to me. I am the Oracle afer all." He joked.
"You're right. It's been tough. I just want to be normal again. I know I have a responsibility, but I haven't even had a chance to grow up yet." Elyon was at the verge of tears. Several slipped from her eyes.
"Oacle, with all due respect. You're upsetting her." Caleb said. He hated it when anyone caused his Queen pain.
"Caleb please understand. I am not trying to upset her. She merely needs to express her feelings, I understand what it is like to have a great burden placed upon yor shoulders. I have been the Oracle since I was a child." The Oracle looked around the room. "I've never known any other life."
"I'm sorry." Caleb said "I didn't know."
"It's quite alright. Your just doing what any good friend would do." The Oracle said. "Elyon I think you should take a brake from being queen."
"WHAT!" Everyone in the room shouted.
"You see Meridian's Queen usually doesn't ascend to the throne until her eighteenth birthday. You should leave a regent in charge, until you feel you are ready yo assume control again." The Oracle told her.
"Oracle, you..." Caleb began.
"Caleb!" Eylon cut him off. "He's right. I've missed a lot because of the whole Queen thing. I want a chance to just be me again."
Caleb nodded. "I understand."
Elyon created a fold and headed though it bidding the council farewell. walked towards the Oracle. "Why did you tell her to leave her kingdom."
"Because Luba, The only thing I know for sure is that whoever we are dealing with wants to cross into other worlds. Elyon will be safer with the Guardians."
Back in Heatherfield. The Guardians tried to make their way back to classes. The Bell rang again, the period ended. And if they didn't hurry they would be have a lot of explaining to do.
"Well girls, we better find our Astral Drops." Will said. "You all know the drill."
"Great reamain unseen." Irma said sarcastically. "Hide and seek yourself. My favourite game."
The girls all went differrent directions. As the girls left Robinson emerged around the corner. "Astral Drops, eh?"
The Bell to indicate school was over, caused the rush of Students to flood out. The guardians. All headed out across the field. "So where were 'you' Irma?" Hay Lin asked.
"I found 'me' stuck in a closet of all places." Irma said, sounding as though she was disappointed. "What about you."
"Ugh, With Eric. It took a lot of explaining about the silence." Hay Lin moaned.
"Tough break." Will said.
"GIRLS WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING!" Principal Knickerbocker yelled. They turned to see knickerbocker standing twenty feet from where they were. "You all have Detention. Remember?"
It suddenly dawned upon the girls that the Astral Drops had caused them all to get into trouble. They all walked back into the school building.
In Meridian Elyon was meeting with her adoptive parents. "So the Oracle said maybe I should just let one of the regents take the throne for a while."
The Browns looked at each other. "The Oracle does have a point." Elanor said.
Thomas nodded in a greement with his wife. "Elyon you've been through more in the last few years than most go through in their entire life. It was all thrown on you much too fast."
"I'll say." Elyon scoffed.
"So what we do from here. Is your call." Elanor said patting her daughter's shoulder.
Eyon hugged her in response. "Thanks mom."
The guardians walked out of school an hour later. "So Taranee how was your first detention?" Cornelia asked teasingly.
"Actually it wasn't that bad. Apart from Kurt and Clubber, I got a lot of homework done."
"Wow, Taranee enjoyed detention." Hay Lin said totally shocked.
"I didn't enjoy it. It's just not as bad as I thought it would be." Taranee said.
"My heart bleeds for you guys." a voice said.
The Guardians all turned to see Cassidy, leaning against a wall. "Cassidy?" What are you doing here. Will asked.
"Checking out the old digs, new digs, I start here tomorrow." She said pushing herself off the wall.
"Word of warning, Principal Knickerbocker is a pain." Cornelia told her.
"Yeah, I know. We grew up in the same neighbourhood." Cassidy stated.
"What if she recognises you?" Hay Lin asked.
"My cover story is that I'm my own daughter, and I died in an accident twelve years ago. Now I'm living with my dear old Granny. Kinda confusing I know. Because I did die but, Here I am.
"Really! Can you tell us any embarrassing stories?" Irma pleaded.
"All in good time ladies. You know you guys totally could have got out of detention by using Astral Drops."
"It was our Astral Drops that got us in here in the first place." Will told her.
"Bummer. Anybody hungry?" Cassidy asked. The guardians all replied positively to the question. "To the Dragon."
Elyon was in her room packing her earth clothes. A knock on the door caught her attention. "Come on in." The door opened and Caleb entered the room, dressed in white, long sleeved t-shirt, with the seeves rolled up. and a pair of black jeans. "Hi Caleb."
"Elyon, We're ready to leave as soon as you are." He sounded almost morbid.
"Caleb are you all right?"
"I'm fine." He lied.
"Caleb, please don't lie to me. Not after everything." Elyon said. "What's up."
"Well to be honest. I guess...I'm jealous." Caleb admitted.
"Why are you jealous?" Elyon asked.
"Well you're getting to go back to school, to just hang out. I never had that. I thought My father died when I was a kid, and my mother turned out to be Queen Evil. i just wish I had a chance to have a childhood of my own."
"Caleb...I'm sorry. I didn't even consider, what you might be going through. But Hey you're going to Earth with me. You can have that chance." Elyon said trying to lift his spirits.
"I'm going as your guard. Remember." Caleb replied glumly.
"Not if I fire you." Elyon said.
"What?" Caleb yelped.
"Well okay not 'fire'. I'll arrange for the same thing to happen for you. You can have a break while someone else fills in your postion as my guard. You can get some of your lost time back."
"You'd do that for me?" Caleb asked.
"You bet." Elyon smiled.
Caleb was at a loss for words. "But who are you going to get to replace me?"
"Leave that, to me." Elyon said pausing to make herself sound dramatic."
The strange Machine had been moved just as Takeda had ordered. It now stood in the centre of the company's werehouse at the docks. The scientists, calibrated the machine. "Are we ready to begin?" One of the scientists asked.
"We have to call. Robinson before we begin."
"Forget him. He shows up two months ago and he suddenly thinks he's incharge. Start the test."
The other scientist nodded. The room darkenened as the machine powered up. It whirred as electricity surged, throught the machine sending sparks everywhere. The power levels maxed.
A tear formed in the centre of the machine. For the briefest second, they caught a glimpse of a large creature. They had never seen anything like it. However the machine quicky became unstable. The fold closed and the machine exploded, engulfing the building in flame.
At the silver dragon the Guardians and Cassidy were sitting in the back table that was always reserved for friends of the Family. Mainly Hay Lin's.
"I haven't eaten Yannie's food in several years." Cassidy said as she picked up a forkful of the Lin's special chicken. She popped the chicken in her mouth and looked as though she had just tasted heaven. She gave a small moan. The girls all laughed at her.
Yan Lin and Mira both rushed into the room. "Girls bad news. She flicked on the TV that Hay Lin had reccently urged her parnets to have put in. The News flicked on showing a werehouse at the docks, the building was on fire.
"We gotta do something." Hay Lin cried.
"Girls. The Oracle said keep a low proflie." Taranee told them.
"He also said we have to help people." Will said taking the Heart of Kandrakar out of her pocket. "GUARDIANS UNITE!" The farmilliar light of the auramere's engulfed the girls as they changed into their Guardians. Ladies hang on. I still don't quite have the hang of this." Will said as she teletranspotrted out of the building leaving. Cassidy with Yan and Mira Lin.
The Girls arrived near the docks on the roof of a building. "Okay what do we do?" Hay Lin asked.
"First we need to make sure that everyone is out of the building." Will stated.
"Already taken care of." Shagon's Metallic voice came from behind them. Matt landed in front of them.
"Matt what if they see us?" Will questioned.
"Got it covered. As far as they can see your just a couple of pigeons. Now go do your thing."
Will gave Matt a quick hug before they flew off.
"Alright Will what now." Taranee asked.
"Well, My guess is that this is an electrical fire. So I'm gonna go in there and shut the power off. Irma, douse the flames. Taranee, Draw the heat from the fire to make it easier to cope with. Hay Lin, suck all the Oxygen out of the area, that'll choke the fire. Cornelia, keep the building standing up until I get out."
"Wow, Will. You paid attention in class." Taranee said. "I'm impressed."
"NOW'S NOT THE TIME. NOW MOVE OUT." Will said flying in thedirection of the building.
The remaining guardians. Did as they were told. Cornelia, concentrated on the foundations of the building. They were about to give way, but she needed to give Will enough time. She held the building up, with no indication of strain.
Taranee flew above the building. Hovering in place she concentrated. The fire was intense but it was no match for Taranee. She drew the heat into her own body, reducing the the temperature to a much more manageable level.
Irma, flew towards the water. With a quick pulling motion. She rose the water lifting massive balls, and throwing them at the flames.
Hay Lin flew high above. She inhaled deeply taking every bit of air in the area into her lungs.
Inside Will twisted and darted between the wreckage. She felt electricity in the area. She found the fuse box in the corner. She rushed over. She pulled the door off and exposed the innards of the box. She flicked the switch. It didn't seem to help. She sent a spark of electricty, into the box. Which let out an aggitated groan.
"OW. What the...?" It said in a deep male voice.
"Sorry." Will apologised to the switch. "Do you have a name?"
"I'm Ben. Why?"
"Ben. I'm Will . I need you to shut off the power to the area."
"No can do. I just control the lights."
"What?" Will yelled. A piece of the ceiling fell several inches too close for Will's liking.
"The power for this place is coming from someplace else. Sorry."
Will had to find another solution. "Wait." Will snapped her fingers in realisation. She put her hand on the switch. And sent everything she could into the circuits. "If the power isn't here, I'll have to shut the whole city down." Electricity surged from her body, and travelled along every wire in Heatherfield.
Her plan worked. The combined effort of the Guardians had put the fire out. Will looked around. A box caught her eye. She walked over to it. It was a heavy crate, across it in large blue lettering was the word 'Takeda'.
Will eyed the writing for a moment. Will suddenly felt herselff being drenched, as a final water ball, landed in the building. Will was in its epicentre.
"WILL? YOU OKAY?" Irma called out to her friend.
Will attempted to blow her bangs out of her eyes. But they remained in place Stuck to her forehead. "Just peachy."
At Sheffield the next, morning the girls were all sitting on benches in the courtyard.
"So you really think Takeda, had something to do with the fire?" Hay Lin asked.
"I don't think so. That was definately their werehouse." Will answered.
"I hope nobody was badly hurt." Taranee said.
"Me too. Matt called the Paramedics as soon as he rescued them." Will said. "I just wish I knew how all this was connected."
"Or if it's connected." Cornelia said."
"Wow you guys worry too much." Elyon's voice came from a few feet away. They turneed to see her standing dressed in warm winter clothing.
"ELYON!" They all rushed over.
"What are you doing here?" Cornelia asked wrapping her friend in a warm hug.
"The Oracle said, that with eerything that's been going on I should leave Meridian for a while. and Just be a kid."
"I guess Caleb's here on guard duty." Cornelia said.
"Actually, Caleb's temporarily off duty."
"So who's guaridng you."
Elyon opened her mouth to answer, however another voice answered before she could get the words out."Elyon. You forgot your bag." The voice had a heavy Australian accent. The girls looked up to see, a man dressed in a suit and trenchcoat.
"You guy, remeber Ray...mond. He's my uncle. From Australia." Elyon winked.
"Oh yeah. Irma yelled out loud. "We all love Raymond right guys." everybody laughed.
Cornelia made her way over to Caleb. "So your not here on guard duty?"
Caleb answered by taking both of her hands. "I'm here for you Cornelia. Meridian aside for now. I just want more time with you."
"Oh, Caleb." Cornelia wrapped her arms around him in a deep hug.
Robinson walked into Takeda's office. Takeda turned to face him. "Well?"
"Nothing's left Takeda. The Machine will need to be completely rebuilt." Robinson answered.
Takeda's fist clencehed in rage. "I want it fixed. I want that fold opened." He roared smashing his fist on the table with every word her spoke.
"I'll see to it immidiately." Robinson said. Leaving the room he seemed almost afraid.
Takeda, flipped the table over in a fit on blind rage. He noticed a picture. He had cracked the glass. He looked at it. He sat on a cabinet. and looked deep into the frame.
More Next Week.