Chapter 16:
A few minutes later, Elyon was in the Living Room of the Vanders' home, sitting in a circle with Angelo, Selece, and Micheal. All three were sitting in a lotus position with their eyes closed. After taking a deep breath, Elyon began to show Selece, Angelo, and Micheal what she saw in Cornelia's mind when she attacked Will due to a form of mind control. Needless to say that the three of them were shocked by what they were seeing. When Elyon showed them everything, she cut the link and opened her eyes to see Micheal, Selece, and Angelo's surprised faces.
"You guys okay?", Elyon asked.
"Y-Y-Yeah. I'm okay.", Micheal said "I can't believe that happened."
"You and me both.", Angelo said as the four of them got to their feet. "That was just... wrong. To think all went down."
"So, what do we do now?", questioned Selece. "I mean, yeah, there were victims on both sides. But I can see why Will feels the way she feels."
"Gee! Thanks a lot, Sis!", Micheal said to his sister. "Way to take sides!"
"I'm not taking anyone's side!", Selece said. "All I'm saying is that it's going to be a while before Will can trust Cornelia."
"She's right.", Cornelia said. "Everyone says that me and Will both were victims of Nerissa.", she said before letting out a sigh. "But no matter how you cut it, Will suffered more than I did."
"Actually, the way I see it, W.I.T.C.H. were all victims.", Angelo replied. "I mean if Caleb wasn't around, back then, there would have been one less Earth Guardian to fight the good fight."
"Which would have allowed my brother to get all that he wanted.", Elyon added.
"Thankfully, things turned out the way they did.", Cassidy said.
"So what about Will and Cornelia?", Alchemy questioned.
"Give it time.", Elyon said. "Things are bound to work out."
"Here's hoping.", Cornelia said before checking her watch. "I think I better get home to ask my parents if I can spend the night at you house, Al."
"Then may I suggest that you move it!", Alchemy said with a grin.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah.", Cornelia said before heading for the door.
"Mind if I walk you home?", Micheal asked as he offered his arm to Cornelia.
"I'd be honored.", Cornelia said as she held on to his arm as they left the Vanders' home.
"Shall I walk you home, Ms. Robertson?", Angelo asked Selece as he offered his arm to his friend.
"Yes you shall, Mr. Vanders.", Selece said as she took his arm before they headed out. "Oh wait! I don't know where you live, Alchemy."
"Just come back here.", Elyon said. "We can go to Alchemy's house together."
"Thanks.", Selece said before she left with Angelo.
"And now I have to get home.", Alchemy said as she headed for the front door.
"May I walk you home, Alchemy?", Aldern asked the Fire Guardian. "With this threat lurking around, I don't think you should be going anywhere alone if it can be helped."
"Ummmmm... Thanks.", Alchemy said accepting his offer before they left.
"Now that is a gentleman.", Cassidy said.
"You so like him.", Elyon said.
"Well... maybe.", Cassidy said with a slight blush.
"So tell him.", Elyon said ti her friend. "I wouldn't be surprised that he likes you as well."
"You think so?", Cassidy questioned.
'You two have no idea.', Drake thought to himself as he went into the Kitchen to get something to drink.
"You never know unless you go for it.", Elyon replied.
"I guess you're right.", Cassidy said. "What about you and Drake?", she whispered to Elyon.
"Wait! What?", Elyon questioned.
"Don't play dumb!", Cassidy said with as smirk. "I've seen how you look at him. Do you like him or not?"
"Well... He has been making me feel more comfortable on Metamoor when he's around.", Elyon said with a blush as she began to press her index fingers together. "But I don't think he sees me as nothing more than his queen."
"Then you ask him out.", Cassidy suggested.
"But... I'd like for him to ask me out.", Elyon replied. "I know it sounds old fashion, but I like that kind of stuff."
"Can't blame you there.", Cassidy said in agreement. "How about you drop him a few hints and see what happens."
"Couldn't hurt.", Elyon replied. "Hey! You want to come over Alchemy's for a sleepover we're having? Cornelia and Selece will be coming if their parents let them."
"And pass up a chance for us girls to get along?", Cassidy questioned with a smile. "Try and stop me!"
Elsewhere, Angelo was walking Selece home and the both of them were still getting over being Guardians.
"Can you believe this?", Selece asked Angelo. "To think that all those stories Grandma Gale told us were the real deal! And now I'm one of these Guardians!"
"Blows your mind, huh?", Angelo questioned.
"I still can't believe that you knew about all of this stuff for so long.", Selece replied.
"I only knew so much from what my grandparents and their friends told me.", Angelo replied. "I'm still learning stuff just like you."
"Just promise me something.", Selece said. "Promise me that I can count on you to be there for me when I'm in trouble and need help."
"I can't promise you that I'll always be there for you, Selece.", Angelo said causing Selece to frown a bit. "But...", he said as he grabbed her hands and held them gently. "I can promise that I'll do my best to be there for you when you need help.", he said making her smile before giving him a hug.
"Thanks.", Selece said.
"You're welcome, Selece.", Angelo said returning the hug before they continued their way to her home.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Aldern was walking Alchemy home. As he was doing this, the young Galhot had something on his mind.
"Can I ask you something, Alchemy?", Aldern asked getting the Fire Guardian's attention.
"Sure. Go ahead.", Alchemy said.
"It's about Cassidy.", he said. "Can you..."
"Tell you something about her that you can use to get closer to her.", Alchemy finished for him.
"How did you...?"
"I can't read your mind, but I've seen how you look at her.", Alchemy replied with a small smirk. "And if you haven't noticed, she has a thing for you too."
"So what do I do?", Aldern asked. "I'm still getting used to some of your world's customs. I've seen how some teenage boys talk to girls. But I just don't know how to talk to Cassidy without sounding stupid or upsetting her."
"Hmmmmm...", Alchemy said while thinking. "How about we ask the guys to help you out. I'm sure they'll help you out."
"But I figured that you'd have some advice seeing as you are a female.", Aldern replied.
"The best advice I can give you is to be honest and tell Cassidy how you feel.", Alchemy said. "But don't rush into it all. Take your time and ask her out on a few dates first. And for the first date, you'll need more than my help. Trust me. That's where the guys come in."
"Very well then.", Aldern said. "First, I ask Cassidy out on a date, and then I ask the others for help with that."
"Pretty much.", Alchemy said as they arrived at her home. "Well, we're at my place. Thanks for walking me home, Aldern."
"No problem.", Aldern said with a kind smile that Alchemy returned. "See you tomorrow."
"See ya!", Alchemy said as she headed for her house.
Once he saw that she was inside, Aldren headed back to the Vanders home. In another part of Heatherfield, Micheal was walking Cornelia home. This involved them taking the bus halfway there. It didn't take them long to get to her apartment building. Once there, they took the elevator to the floor where Cornelia lived. Along the way, they were talking about what they wanted to do together among other things.
"So, what movie do you want to see these week?", Micheal asked.
"Well, there is that romantic comedy I saw a trailer for.", Cornelia said thinking about the movie she wanted to see.
"Okay.", Micheal said. "How about we go this Friday? You can pick the place we can eat before the movie."
"Sure.", Cornelia said as the elevator stopped. "I know just the place."
"Cool.", Micheal said as the elevator doors opened.
Once at Cornelia's apartment, she and Micheal smiled at each other happy to have this moment together. But as much as they wanted to kiss each other, both wanted to take things a bit slow. So, Cornelia simply kissed Micheal on the cheek causing him to smile at her before he kissed he hand.
"See you tomorrow.", Micheal said with a kind smile.
"See ya.", Cornelia said returning the smile before unlocking the door and going inside after taking one last look at Micheal.
Once the door closed, Micheal let out a happy sigh and headed for the elevator and had it take him to the main floor. He then headed home knowing that things were going to be okay between him and Cornelia. Later that evening, Cornelia, Selece, Cassidy, and Elyon were all over Alchemy's house for their sleepover. After eatting the pizzas and sodas, Alchemy's parents got for them, the girls were in their sleeping clothes and doing their nails as they were talking about things.
"So what do you think will happen tomorrow?", Alchemy asked as she was doing her toenails.
"You mean when Will and Irma walk onto the school grounds?", Elyon questioned.
"I see it being a bit quiet at first.", Selece replied. "But some people will be whispering to each other while looking at them."
"Followed by a few giggles and snickers.", Cornelia added.
"And then somebody is going to say something that'll get them all laughing.", Cassidy laughed getting the other girls laughing.
"But seriously, girls. I feel sorry for Will and Irma, but we need to think of some ideas for the paper.", Elyon replied.
"I already have a story for the gossip section.", Cornelia replied. "And boy is it good!"
"I'm still working on something.", Elyon replied. "I just need to get the fact straight before I do anything else."
"Me, Micheal, and Uriah have some stuff for sports.", Cassidy added.
"How is it working with Uriah?", Cornelia questioned while doing her fingernails
"Actually, he's not that bad.", Cassidy replied. "You just have to peak his interest."
"Looks like sports was it for him.", Elyon replied. "What about you, Al?", she asked one of her best friends. "You and Martin got anything?"
"You have no idea.", Alchemy said while working on her toenails. "We decided to try and do a small review of something once a day. We thought about rating what we review, but we're not sure yet."
"Well, I have something. Well, it was something me and Hay Lin thought up.", Selece replied while doing her toenails. "But we may have to run it by Angelo and Knickerbocker."
"What your idea?", Alchemy asked.
"Weeeeell..."
Moments later...
"That's a great idea, Selece!", Elyon said.
"Thanks,", Selece said with a smile. "Like I said. It was me and Hay Lin who thought it up. We figured we could make some cash for the school."
"I don't see why it wouldn't work.", Cornelia said. "I say that you and Hay Lin should go to Angelo and Knickerbocker with you idea."
"Thanks!", Selece said with a bright smile that the girls returned as the door to Alchemy's room opened revealing her mother.
"Time for bed girls.", Mrs. Ethel said.
"Okay, Mom.", Alchemy said before her mom closed the bedroom door. "And with that, we go to bed.", she said as she got up and turned off the lights and turned on a nightlight
"You use a nightlight?", Cassidy questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"So I don't bump into anything when I wake up in the middle of the night to use the Bathroom.", Alchemy explained as she got into her sleeping bag.
"It's true.", Cornelia said. "I've seen her do it whenever we had a sleepover."
"No matter which of our places we had sleepover.", Elyon said with a giggle.
"Wow!", Cassidy and Selece said in amazement.
"Well, ladies, I bid you goodnight and I'll see you all in the morning.", Alchemy said as she rested her head on her pillow.
"Goodnight.", everyone said to each other as they did the same.
The next morning, the girls got up and got ready for school and had their breakfast. After breakfast, Alchemy said farewell to her parents while the other girls thanked her parents for letting them spend the night before heading off for school. Once at school, they met up with the others that were there standing under a tree. Well... not all of them were there. A certain red-head and brunette hadn't showed up yet. And a lot of students were out in the schoolyard waiting for them while some music was playing from the radio station thanks to Martin, Uriah, and the Grumper working at the station.
"Is everyone here waiting for Will and Irma to show up?", Selece asked looking around at all the students that were out there.
"Yep.", Matt said knowing that it was going to be a long day.
"Think they'll try and pull their Astral Drop stunt?", Drake whispered to Elyon.
"If they do, I'll personally go to Metamoor and drag them back here.", Elyon whispered back.
"What Astral Drop stunt?", Angelo asked.
"Well, a few days before the pool party, I discovered that Will, Irma, and Caleb were using Astral Drops to take their place here in school.", Elyon explained.
"No way!", Taranee said. "I knew something wasn't right with them!"
"Well, we caught them in Meridian one day after school.", Drake said referring to himself and Elyon. "They promised not to do it again. But after what happened at the party..."
"You think they may do it again.", Angelo figured.
"Well, we're about to find out.", Micheal said looking towards the school gates. "Cause here they come."
Everyone turned to see Will and Irma walking onto the school grounds. As the two of them were heading towards their friends, they could overhear some of their fellow students whispering to each other while taking a few glances at them. Some girls were giggling while some boys were snickering. What would have been a short walk to their friends any other day was now like a mile walk for Will and Irma. But soon they were standing under their normal meeting stop where Caleb and Matt welcomed their girlfriends with a kind hug and a quick kiss.
"That had to have been one of the longest walk of your lives.", Matt said to Irma and Will.
"You have no idea.", Irma said in a dull tone. "It's like I can feel everyone's eyes on me.", she said with a shiver.
"It's down right creepy!", Will said as they made their way into the school.
"Hey, girls! At least we know the carpet matches the drapes!", a male student yelled getting a laugh out of the other students making Will and Irma blush a blush almost as red as Will's hair as they went inside of the school.
"Well, that went well.", Cassidy said.
"It could be worse.", Elyon said.
"And how could that be worse?", Irma questioned.
"There could be pictures posted of you and Irma all over the school.", Elyon replied.
"Good point.", Will said as they went to their lockers.
Once at their lockers, Will and Irma opened them only to have a few pictures of them either standing together in the wading pool in the buff or of them running towards the backdoor of Vanders home or of them wrapped in towel in the Vanders home. Both girls let out a sad sigh as they began to hit their heads against their locker doors.
"It's going to be a long week, isn't it?", Will asked.
"Yep.", Irma said as they took the pictures and threw them away before getting their books and heading to their homerooms.
As for Angelo, he went to K-SHIP to do the morning announcements.
"What's up, guys?", Angelo asked as he entered the room.
"Nothing much.", Martin replied. "Well, there was what happened outside."
"Yeah. I was out there.", Angelo said as he took a seat in front of one of the microphones. "By the way, great job running things this morning."
"Thanks!", Bess said.
"Yeah. Irma never lets us try to run things without her around much.", Courtney replied.
"She always says that this station is her baby and she'll trust it with none of us.", Uriah added.
"Well, how does this sound? There may be times that some of us may not make it here in time. But those of us who do, get the station going with some music for everyone to hear.", Angelo explained. "Is that cool with you all?", he asked getting nods from everyone. "Cool.", he said before the room's phone rang.
"Hello?", Martin said answering the phone. "Hi, Mrs. Knickerbocker! Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Yes, Ma'am.", he said as he hug up the phone. "That was Mrs. Knickerbocker. She wants to speak with you, Angelo."
"I'll be right back.", Angelo said while leaving the room. "You guys take turns doing the announcements."
"Gotcha.", Martin said before the door closed behind Angelo.
Once in Knickerbocker's office, Angelo saw that Selece and Hay Lin were there as well.
"Did I miss something?", Angelo asked. "Am I in trouble?"
"Nothing of the sort, Mr. Vanders.", Mrs. Knickerbocker said with a smile. "Ms. Lin and Ms. Robertson have come to me with an interesting idea. One I think should be done by the Newspaper Club."
"Ummm... sure.", Angelo said. "What's the idea?", he asked.
"Well, it's something me and Selece were working on last week,", Hay Lin said as she pulled out a folder and handed it to Angelo. "It may need a bit of work.", she said as Angelo began top look through what was in the folder.
As he read what was in it, Angelo began to smile a bit liking what Hay Lin and Selece had come up with.
"It has promise.", Angelo said. "But we'll have to start soon if we're going to do this."
"So, we can do this?", Selece asked.
"If it's okay with Mrs. Knickerbocker.", Angelo said.
"As long as you keep it clean and decent, then you have my okay.", Knickerbocker said with a kind smile making Selece and Hay Lin smile as they hugged each other. "Now I suggest that you get to your Homerooms.", she said as she gave the three students hall passes.
"Yes, Ma'am!", the three of them said before leaving the office.
"So you really think we can pull this off?", Hay Lin asked as they walked down the hall.
"If we all work together, then yes we can do this.", Selece said.
"She's right.", Angelo said. "We'll need a few things to do this, but we can do it."
"To bad Irma isn't a part of this.", Hay Lin said feeling sorry for her best friend.
"Well, see this as a chance to do something without her.", Selece said. "This is your moment to shine in the spotlight.", she said making Hay Lin smile.
"Not just mine!", Hay Lin said as she wrapped an arm around Selece's shoulder. "Ours.", she said making Selece smile.
"You know what? You're right, Hay Lin.", Angelo said. "Which is why you two will be in charge of this with me."
"Really?", Hay Lin questioned as her eyes lit up a bit.
"Yep.", Angelo said. "I've seen you draw in Art class. You got skills. And Selece is as organized as they come. With you two working together, I can see you idea doing real well."
"We just have to run it past the others first.", Selece replied.
"I'm sure they'll be willing to work with us.", Angelo said. "But right now, we better get to where we have to be. Later.", he said as he turned the corner to get back to K-SHIP.
"See ya!", the two girls said as they headed to their Homeroom.
Now in the outskirts of Heatherfield, two elderly men were in a facility that was abandoned many years ago. But it was put back into action a few years ago. Running this facility were Hollens and Riddle who right now were walking down one of the halls of the facility.
"So have you come up with another form of attack, Hollens?", Riddle asked his partner.
"Indeed I have, my friend.", Hollens said as they came up to a set of double doors with a small blue light above it.
Suddenly, a thin beam of light shined on Hollens and Riddle moving up and down on them for a few seconds. When it was done, the light went off and...
"Scan complete.", a voice said from the light. "I.D. of Hollens confirmed. I.D. of Riddle confirmed. Welcome, gentlemen.", the voice said as the doors opened for them.
As they walked past the doors, Riddle looked to see the next robots, Hollens was going to send to Metamoor to cause some trouble in Meridian.
"What is it, Hollens?", Riddle asked as he looked at the size of the latest machine. "It's huge!"
"I know.", Hollens said while walking around his robot. "It was one of the animals my robo-bird scanned on Metamoor. The beast itself is strong and fast when it wants to be. So, I figure that a robot version of it should give the Guardians a good fight.", he said with a smirk.
"So how many did you have made?", Riddle questioned.
"More than enough.", Hollens said pointing to six more of the same machines. "Let's see how well the Guardians fight these machines when they have to separate to fight them!", he said as he and Riddle did any last minute checks on the machines before sending them out to Metamoor.
'It seems that Hollens has things in order.', Riddle thought. 'But when we can get our hands on some of those chips, then we'll be able to improve future machines.' he thought with a smirk. 'Yes. the future looks bright for us. Very bright indeed.'
Back at Sheffield, classes had begun and most students were doing their best to pay attention in said classes. Soon, the second period had ended as students emptied out of their rooms. Which brings us to Cassidy, who was at her locker exchanging books for her next class. Watching her from a distance was Aldern and Alchemy.
"Okay, Aldern. This is it.", Alchemy said to her friend. "Just walk up to her and ask her out on a date."
"Right.", Aldern said as he nervously walked up to Cassidy hoping that he wouldn't mess things up.
"Good luck.", Alchemy said hoping for the best.
Once he was to her, Aldern cleared his throat and...
"Hello, Cassidy.", he said to her getting her attention.
"Hey, Aldern.", Cassidy said with a smile that Aldern returned. "What's up?"
"Well... I was wondering if... you'd like to... go on a...", he did his best to say before the warning bell for the next class rang.
"Aw, man!", Cassidy said. "I'm sorry, Aldern but I have to hurry to my next class. See ya!", she said before running off to her next class.
"Yeah. See ya.", Aldern said sadly as he watched the girl he secretly cared for run off.
He then felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked to see Alchemy standing next to him giving him a smile that told him to get her the next time he saw her. Aldern then smiled back before the two friends headed for their classes.
A/N: Well, looks like Will and Irma are in for a long week after what happened during the weekend. And Hay Lin and Selece's idea was given the okay by Knickerbocker. Whatever it is. And Hollens is ready to pull off another attack. And it seems that Aldern is having trouble asking Cassidy out. Will he be able to ask her out or will his nervousness get to him? Read on to find out.
Please review.
Also, the first five of you that can guess what Metamoor animal Hollens made his latest robot after, I'll let you pick the order in which the following pairings happen.
Cassidy/Aldern, Elyon/Drake, Alchemy/Martin, and Selece/Angelo.
The pairings that get the highest pick will happen first followed by the others. I'll give you a hint. The animal has been on the show in Season 1.