Chapter 9:
Sitting on the couch in the Living Room of the Lair home are Irma Lair and Will Vandom. After they had their meeting with Principal Knickerbocker in which she told them of their prank that sent Cornelia to the hospital, both Tom Lair and Susan Vandom were furious with their daughters. Knickerbocker had suspended both girls from school for the rest of the week. Now both girls are sitting and waiting for what their parents, who are in the Kitchen, are deciding to do with them. This scared both girls seeing as their parents didn't say a word to them on way to the Lair's home.
"I can't believe Knickerbocker had me kicked off the swim team!", Will said. "That was one of the few things I was good at!"
"What's taking them so long?", Irma questioned as she was tapping her knee. "Just punish us and get it over with!"
"Would you calm down!", Will said. "I'm nervous enough without you acting the way you're acting!"
"I just want to get this over with!", Irma said. "The longer we have to wait, the worse the punishment is going to be!", she said as her little brother, Chris came downstairs from his room. "Beat it, twerp! I'm not in the mood!"
"It's a free country!", Chris said as he sat in a chair with his Nintendo 3DS. "I can sit down here if I want to!"
"Why you little..."
"Irma! Leave your brother alone!", came the voice of Anna Lair from the Kitchen. "You're in enough trouble as it is!"
"Wow! What did you do?, Chris questioned.
"None of your business!", Irma snapped.
"IRMA!", Tom Lair yelled from the Kitchen.
"Sorry, Dad!", Irma said knowing that she may have made things worse for herself.
A few minutes later, Tom, Anna, and Susan came from out of the Kitchen. Irma and Will looked at their parents and saw that they were still upset. Seeing this, Chris headed upstairs before his parents could say anything.
"Cell phones. Now.", Tom said to the girls.
Looking at each other, Will gave her cell phone to her mother while Irma gave hers to her mother.
"First off, after talking about it, we've decided that you two are grounded for three months.", Tom said shocking both girls.
"Three months?", Irma questioned.
"But we didn't mean for Cornelia to..."
"Would you like to go for four months?", Susan questioned eyeing her daughter.
"No ma'am.", Will said.
"Good.", Susan said. "Now as for your cell phones, you only get them when you're going to school and work."
"As for you, young lady, seeing as you're no longer doing the radio show at school, you'll be working at the police station.", Anna said. "And when you're not working there, you'll be babysitting your brother when we need you to."
"Figures.", Irma said under her breath.
"Don't start!", Tom said giving his daughter a stern look.
"Yes, Sir.", Irma said not trying to press her luck.
"As for the rest of your punishment, there will be no internet, no video games, no friends coming over unless it's to do homework together.", Susan explained to them. "No going out on dates!"
"But...", both girls began to say.
"Hush!", Anna said to both girls.
"No shopping, and no allowance to go with your work wages.", Tom listed off.
"You'll be going straight to school and straight back home when it's over. Unless you have to go to work.", Susan said.
"Question. How do you know, I'll get the job at the police station?", Irma asked.
"Because I already called and talked to the Chief.", Tom explained. "You'll be doing things like sorting files, sweeping and mopping out cells, making sure there's coffee made, and doing a doughnut run or two. So I suggest you ride you bike to and from work. Seeing as it has a basket. You'll be starting the day after tomorrow."
"Oh! And as for TV time. No TV after 8:30.", Susan said.
"Is that all?", Will asked hoping for the best.
"There's just one more thing.", Tom said.
"Just one?", Irma questioned sarcastically.
"Oh you're going to love this.", Anna said with a smirk.
"This Friday night, John is having a house-warming party.", Susan explained. "And the Robertsons will be theirs this Saturday afternoon."
"During John's party, you both will be here babysitting Chris.", Tom replied.
"So what will we be doing during the Robertson's party?", Will questioned.
"You'll be going to a pool party that Angelo is having at his place.", Susan replied. "One where there will be plenty of students from school.", she said surprising both girls.
"Are you guys crazy?", Irma questioned. "Ten to one word has spread about what we did to Corny!"
"There's going to be students that probably don't like us right now!", Will added.
"That's the point.", Tom replied. "If we decided to not let you go to the party, we'd be going easy on you. But by making you go, you'd not only have to face Cornelia but your fellow students as well."
"And you will be going.", Susan said. "Right, Will?"
"Yes, Ma'am.", Will said knowing she wasn't going to win this one.
"Same goes for you, Irma.", Anna said to her daughter.
"Yes, Ma'am.", Irma said.
"Now let's go, Will.", Susan said to her daughter. "You're going to need all the rest you can get. For tomorrow you'll be doing a few chores seeing as you're suspended."
"Coming.", Will said as she got up and left with her mother. "See ya, Irma."
"Later.", Irma said as she watched Will leave with her mother.
"And as for you, young lady, go to your room and get started on whatever homework you have.", Tom ordered while pointing at the stairs. "We'll let you know when dinner is ready."
"Yes, Sir.", Irma said as she got up and headed upstairs to her bedroom.
Once Irma was upstairs, Tom and Anna sat on the couch and breathed a sigh of relief. They both looked at each other sadly not knowing what to think about their daughter. Her actions put someone in the hospital. It may of not been intentional but it still happened. They only hoped that Irma would learn from what she did. As for Will, her mother didn't say a word to her during the ride home. Will wanted to say something, but decided not to risk getting yelled at. Once home, in their apartment Susan put her coat on the coat hanger and took her shoes off. As for Will she headed for her room to do her homework. But before she went into her room she turned to her mother and...
"Mom. I'm sorry.", she said getting her mother's attention. "We didn't mean for Cornelia to end up in the hospital.
"I know you didn't, Will.", Susan said. "But it happened. And now the Lairs and myself have to worry about Cornelia's parents pressing charges on you and Irma."
Hearing that scared Will! She didn't think about that happening! Seeing the worried look on her mother's face, Will decided to go do her homework and give her mother some space. Once in her room, Will sat at her desk and began to do her homework while thinking about all that has happened. Not to mention hoping and praying that Cornelia's parents wouldn't press charges. As this was happening, Sylla and met up with Riddle and Hollens at Hollens' penthousse. He had told them what happened at Sheffield and told them of his idea.
"I like you idea, Sylla.", Riddle said. "This Cornelia may be of use to us."
"I agree.", Hollens said. "But we must act fast. Go to the hospital, but do not go to the girl's room until she's alone. We don't need any of our targets finding out about us."
"Yes, Sir.", Sylla said understanding Hollens' methods. "I'll head for the hospital now.", he said as he left the penthouse.
"What will we do if the girl decided to spy for us?", Riddle asked.
"We'll simply have her keep an eye on them at school.", Hollens replied. "No need in having her spy on them all the time. I just need to know which of our targets has the jewel we need."
"And once we find out who has it, we'll be one step closer to achieving out goal!, Riddle replied.
"Indeed, Riddle.", Hollens said. "Indeed."
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Cornelia was in a room for the night to make sure she was okay. Granted she'd rather be the doctor insisted that she stay over night for observation. And her parents agreed to it. So she was stuck there for the night. But she wasn't to upset about it seeing as Alchemy, Elyon, Cassidy, Taranee, and Hay Lin were there to keep her company until visiting hours were over. Micheal would be there, but Cornelia had him go to try out for Matt's band with his sister. As for Drake and Aldern, Elyon had them go find Caleb and bring him to the hospital to see Cornelia. But right now, Cornelia was trying to talk her parents out of pressing charges against Will and Irma.
"Are you sure about this, Cornelia?", Elizabeth asked. "No one will blame you for wanting to press charges for what they did."
"I'm sure, Mom.", Cornelia said with a smile. "It's not like they wanted to put me in the hospital with their prank."
"Even so, something must be done about what they did to you!", Harold replied.
"Well, Irma's dad is a cop.", Cornelia explained. "I'm sure she and Will are getting one heck of a punishment.", she said as her mother's cell phone rang.
"It's Anna.", Elizabeth said as she answered her phone. "Hello, Anna. Cornelia's doing fine. The doctor has her staying overnight.", she said as she walked out of the room.
"Are you really sure that you don't want to press charges, Cornelia?", Harold asked his daughter.
"Positive.", Cornelia said with a nod.
"If that's how you feel, then okay.", Harold said with a smile.
"Thanks, Dad.", Cornelia said returning the smile just as her mother came back into the room.
"Looks like you were right, Cornelia.", Elizabeth said as she put her cellphone away. "Irma and Will did get one heck of a punishment."
"How bad we talking?", Alchemy asked.
"Very.", Elizabeth said. "They've been grounded for three months."
"Ouch!", Elyon said.
"Mommy, I'm hungry!", Lillian said as her stomach growled.
"Then we better get ourselves something to eat.", Elizabeth said smiling at her youngest daughter.
"There's a restaurant across from the hospital.", Harold said. "We can eat there and come back for one last visit before heading home."
"We'll be right back, Dear.", Elizabeth said before hugging Cornelia and kissing her on the forehead.
"See ya.", Cornelia said before Lillian gave her a hug.
"Be sure to drink lots of water and juice.", Lillian said to her sister.
"Don't worry, I will.", Cornelia said as she ruffled her sister's hair.
"You better!", Lillian said giving her sister a stern yet loving look.
"See you soon, Pumpkin.", Harold said before kissing Cornelia on the forehead.
"Okay, Dad.", Cornelia said before her family left the room.
"You going to be okay?", Taranee asked Cornelia with a worried look.
"I'll be okay.", Cornelia said with a sad smile. "It was messed up, what they did, but let's be honest. After what I..."
"Don't!", Hay Lin said cutting Cornelia off. "That's in the past and you were under mind control."
"Hay Lin's right.", Alchemy said. "You need to stop beating yourself up about that! Unlike some people.", she said referring to Will, Irma, and Caleb.
"It's like Hay Lin said. It's all in the past. It's what you do now that matters.", Cassidy said just as Drake, Aldern, and Caleb came walking into the room.
"Look at what we have here.", Taranee said eyeing Caleb as Drake closed the door to the room.
"It took us a while, but we found him.", Drake said.
"And where was he?", Elyon asked eyeing Caleb who knew he was in trouble.
"Heading towards Will's home.", Aldern answered.
"That wasn't a wise move.", Cassidy said. "If anything, her mother isn't allowing Will any visitors for a very, VERY long time."
"Did you know about the prank Irma and Will pulled on Cornelia, Caleb?", Elyon asked the Earth Guardian.
"Yes.", Caleb said. "But in their defence, they didn't mean for this to happen."
"Oh! That makes everything better then.", Alchemy said sarcastically while rolling her eyes. "Do you know that if Angelo and those other students didn't have water with them, Cornelia could have ended up worse than what she is now?"
"Not really.", Cassidy said. "I would have just reached into my back pack and put some water in my empty water bottle and gave some to water to her."
"But what if you weren't there when Cornelia fainted?", Taranee questioned.
"Good point.", Cassidy said.
"It's alright, guys.", Cornelia said. "I'm still alive and I'll probably be out of here sometime tomorrow. So no worries. Okay?"
"Fine.", Elyon said as the others nodded in agreement. "But I want to know why Irma and Will did what they did. I mean, it just can't be because of what happened two years ago."
"Well, actually... It was because of what happened this morning.", Caleb said getting everyone's attention.
"This morning?", Elyon questioned. "The only thing that happened this morning was me telling you all about what the Oracle taught me."
"That and you planning on infusing the weapons of your Honor Guard.", Hay Lin added. "Even before Cornelia suggested that you do that for your Honor Guard. Which was before Irma suggested that you give us infused weapons."
"Wait a second! Is that why Irma and Will did what they did to me?", Cornelia questioned looking at Caleb.
"Well... Yes.", he said getting gasp from everyone there. "B-B-But it was Irma's idea! Will just went along with it!"
"That makes her just as guilty!", Hay Lin said.
"That's it!", Elyon said. "I may not be a Guardian, but I'm sick and tired of all this crap! This has to end before someone else gets hurt!", she said before turning her attention to Caleb. "So you, Will, and Irma need to end this and move forward instead of living in the past!"
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, but why is it always the three of us that get the short end of the stick on this matter?", Caleb questioned. "If you didn't have the three of them made Guardians in the first place, then none of this would have happened!"
"Is that so?", Elyon asked.
"I'm sorry, My Queen, but it's true!", Caleb said.
"Watch it, Caleb!", Drake said.
"This is our queen you're talking to!", Aldern replied.
"It's okay.", Elyon said to Drake and Aldern before looking Caleb in the eyes. "I may not like what you said, Caleb, but I still respect your opinion. Now think about this. You may have heard this before, but I'm going to say it anyway. If Cornelia and Cassidy weren't meant to be Guardians again, then wouldn't the Oracle of said no to my suggestion about making them Guardians? And if Alchemy wasn't good enough to be one, then wouldn't the Oracle of said no to her becoming a Guardian? Now go and think about that."
"Very well.", Caleb said as he began to leave the room.
"Caleb!", Cornelia called out to him making him turn to look at her.
But when he did turn to look at Cornelia, he saw that she wasn't looking at him. Instead, she was looking down while holding a tight grip on the blankets that was covering her legs.
"If you, Will, and Irma want me gone so badly then fine!", she said as she look towards him with watery eyes. "I'll quit!", she said surprising everyone there. "I'll go to the Oracle and tell him that I no longer wish to be a Guardian. But on one condition. Alchemy and Cassidy stay Guardians! They shouldn't have to quit because I am."
"Works for me.", Caleb said before turning to leave the room.
"Cornelia, no!", Alchemy said. "You don't have to do this!"
"Alchemy's right!", Taranee said. "Don't let them drive you away!"
"Thanks, guys, but it's better this way.", Cornelia said with a sad smile. "I'm sure the Oracle will be able to find another to become the Earth Guardian."
"If that's how you feel about it, then I'll stand with you when you do this, Cornelia.", Elyon said. "I don't like it, bit I'll stand by you.", she said earning nods from everyone.
"Thank you.", Cornelia said as she let her tears flow as she got hugs from Elyon and Alchemy as the others stood by to give her some comfort.
Outside the hospital, Sylla sat in his car waiting for any and all of Cornelia's visitors to leave. He saw her family go to the restaurant next door and figured that they'd pay her one more visit before they headed home. But right now, he was watching and waiting for her other visitors to leave.
"There goes one now.", Sylla said as he watched Caleb leave the hospital. "If I'm correct, there should be at least six or seven of them left. If they all leave at the right time, I may be able to see Hale before her family comes back.", he said as he took one last look at Caleb walking off. "Now the question remains, why would three of our five targets be seeing Hale in the first place? Last I checked, they all didn't like her much.", he said as he pondered it all.
As for Caleb, he couldn't help but smile after what just happened.
'Looks like something good did come out of all of this.', he thought to himself as he walked down the sidewalk. 'She's actually quitting! I knew she wasn't strong enough to be a Guardian! And now she just proved it! Looks like the Oracle is going to have to find another to take her place. Will's going to love hearing the good news!', he thought as he headed to his home in the Silver Dragon basement.
Watching what had just happened from the Viewing Pool in Kandrakar, was Halinor. And she wasn't to pleased with what happened.
"Laugh now, Caleb! But this is far from over!", she said as she walked away from the Viewing Pool. "We true Guardians don't give up on each other! And you along with Will and Irma are going to learn that soon!"
Back on Earth, Angelo, Micheal, Selece, and Wreck 55 had just finished moving Selece's drum set and Micheal's keyboard and speaker to one of the two-car garage of the Vander's home. Matt and Nigel had brought their speakers and were ready to play and see how good Micheal and Selece were. But Micheal was a bit distracted worrying about Cornelia.
"I know you're worried, man.", Nigel said. "We all are. But I did get a call from Taranee and she says that Cornelia is doing fine."
"That's good to hear.", Selece said. "I still can't believe that Will was a part of that prank! That isn't like here at all."
"Don't blame Will. Blame Irma.", Matt said. "Ten to one this was all her idea."
"You do realise that's your girlfriend you're talking about.", Micheal said.
"Trust me, dude. This is something Irma would do.", Matt said.
"I've only known her for about a year and I've seen her pull some interesting pranks on some people.", Eric replied as he was tuning his sax. "But this is a whole new level of messed up!"
"So who do you think Knickerbocker will put in charge of the radio show?", Nigel questioned.
"Who knows.", Matt said. "Maybe if Irma begs real nice, Mrs. K will give her job back."
"That or put Martin in charge.", Eric replied. "Now that would be something!"
"Okay. Enough talk about school!", Selece said. "Last I checked I was here to tryout for a band! So let's rock!"
"You heard the lady!", Matt said. "A one! A two! A one, two, three, FOUR!", he said before they began to play to the music he had given them all to play.
An hour as past and Sylla watched as the last of Cornelia's visitors left the hospital. He even waited for the girl's family to pay one last visit before going home for the day. Right now he was getting off the elevator and heading to Cornelia's room. Once there, he knocked on the opened door hoping the girl was still welcoming visitors.
"Come in.", came Cornelia's voice.
'Showtime.', Sylla thought to himself as he entered the room.
"Mr. Sylla?", Cornelia questioned surprised to see a teacher visit her.
"Hello, Ms. Hale.", Sylla said with a kind smile. "How are you feeling?"
A/N: And with that we come to the end of another chapter. And boy what a chapter! Will and Irma's parents worked together on their punishment! Cornelia's quitting the Guardians because of what happened! Sylla is going to try and use Cornelia as a spy! What else can go wrong? And what does Halinor have planned? Find out in upcoming chapters!
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