Chapter 21:
"What has happened to you, my boy?", King Terren asked as he and his wife, Queen Kalla walked down from their thrones.
"Well, simply put, I'm a Guardian now.", Angelo said.
"I see.", Terren said a he noticed the other Guardians. "Our representative in the Council Of the Known Worlds said that there were now ten Guardians due to the acts of a rogue Guardian of the past. A wise move on the Oracle's part."
"And to find that you are one of these Guardians puts me at ease.", Kalla said. "And I'm sure that Xolley will be more than pleased to see you again.", she said with a kind smile.
"Oh please.", Caleb said under his breath while rolling his eyes earning him an elbow to the gut from Will.
"How is the princess?", Angelo asked.
"Not to happy about having to leave for a school so far from home.", Kalla said with a tiring sigh. "I can not say I don't blame her. I was the same way when I had to do the same thing when I was a child."
"But if you didn't go, then we wouldn't have met.", Terren said with a smile as he wrapped an arm around his wife's slender waist. "My beloved.", he said with a smirk.
"Oh, Terren!", Kalla said with a giggle before they shared a loving kiss.
"Ummmm... Not to interrupt, Your Majesties, but do you have any idea as to who would want to take your daughter?", Taranee asked as the loving husband and wife ended their kiss..
"Unfortunately, no.", Terren said sadly. "That is why we sent a request for help from Kandrakar. We will be having our best soldiers on the transport for our daughter, but we just want to make sure she is safe."
"And seeing as she is the Heart of our world, her protection is of most importance.", Kalla said. "But more importantly, she's our daughter and we want her to be safe."
"Of course.", Will said understanding Queen Kalla. "We will do our best to keep your daughter safe, Your Majesty."
"We thank you for this, Guardians.", King Terren said as he and Queen Kalla bowed to the Guardians.
"So how will the princess be traveling to this school?", Cornelia asked.
"By one of the fastest ways we have.", King Terren said. "By train."
"The school is on an island, far from here. There are plenty of tracks that lead to the school.", Queen Kalla explained. "We will be using our fastest train to get Xolley there."
"Good plan.", Selece said. "The faster the better."
"Indeed.", Terren said.
"But whoever is after the princess will be expecting that.", Cassidy said.
"Which is why we'll have more than one train going to the school.", Angelo said. "That way, whoever is after Princess Xolley, will have to split up any men he or she has with them."
"Which will make protecting her a whole lot easy.", Hay Lin figured.
"A good plan.", Terren said. "One that I can make happen. How many more trains will you need?"
"Two should be enough.", Angelo said.
"So it'll be three trains total.", Terren said. "I can swing that."
"And we can have some Guardians on each of the trains.", Cassidy added.
"And we can match them up in ways that our powers help each other out.", Will said.
"And we don't have Xolley on the fastest train.", Angelo said. "That's what they'll be expecting. Nor will there be a Royal compartment on any of the trains. That will throw them off even more."
"Very well.", Kalla said. "If it means our daughter's safety, then so be it."
"When will this all be going down?", Caleb asked.
"In four days time.", Terren said. "That will give us plenty of time to set things up."
"As well as time for us to decided who will be going on which train.", Alchemy said.
"So in four days time, we will return to help with the escort of Princess Xolley.", Cassidy said.
"Speaking of which, where is she?", Angelo asked.
"Let's see.", Queen Kalla said thinking about where her daughter might be. "If I'm correct, she may be on the Training Grounds doing a bit of training."
"Do you mind if I take my friends to go meet her?", Angelo asked.
"Of course not!", Terren said. "Perhaps seeing you may cheer her up a bit."
"Here's hoping.", Angelo said as he and the other Guardians left the Throne Room giving King Terren and Queen Kalla their privacy.
"I do not know about you, My Love, but I feel that Sir Angelo being here when we need help the most is fate.", Kalla said to her husband.
"I could not agree more, My Darling.", Terren said as the two of them smiled at each other before they shared a loving kiss.
Meanwhile, Angelo was leading him fellow Guardians to the Training Grounds.
"So what is this Xolley like?", Selece asked.
"Probably some royal brat who thinks she can get whatever she wants.", Irma replied s she walked with her hands behind her head.
"You mean like you would be if you were a princess?", Alchemy questioned getting a laugh out of everyone but Irma and Caleb who rolled his eyes.
"Oh lighten up you two.", Cassidy said. "You can dish it out but you can't take it.", she said to Irma who kept walking with a huff as she held her head up high.
"Oh brother.", Will said while shaking her head.
"Here we are.", Angelo as they walked out of a set of opened double doors to see a young ten-year-old girl of slender build with practicing with a bo staff.
She had blue eyes and blonde hair that had most of her hair let out that went down to her waist while she had some of it in three ponytails. She was dressed in a pair of brown pants and black boots and a pink blouse with brown fur bracers on her wrist.
"That, gang, is Princess Xolley.", Angelo said.
"She looks tough.", Will said. "Yet has a bit of grace in her movements."
"Her mother is the same way.", Angelo replied.
"Like mother, like daughter.", Selece said as Angelo took to the air.
"Wait here for a minute.", Angelo said as he flew towards Xolley.
As for Princess Xolley, ashe was just finishing up her training as she spun her staff for a bit and ended with a bow as Angelo landed behind her.
"Looks like someone has been training hard.", Angelo said startling Xolley.
"HAAA!", Xolley shouted as she spun around while swinging her staff at Angelo's right only for him to catch it with his right hand.
"Whoa! You have gotten stronger!", Angelo said with a grin. "But is that any way to welcome a friend?"
"Huh!?", Xolley questioned as she looked up at Angelo with a raised eyebrow who smiled down at her.
It was then that Princess Xolley saw that it was Angelo Vanders. A beaming smile grew on her face as she jumped up at him.
"Sir Angelo!", Xolley cheered as she hugged Angelo while knocking him down in a sitting position. "I missed you so much!"
"Hey, Kid.", Angelo said as he returned the hug while stroking the young princess' hair. "How it going?"
Suddenly, Xolley pushed away from Angelo and turned her back to him while sitting with her legs crossed and armed folded across he chest.
"You didn't send me any letters for the last two weeks!", she said with her nose in the air.
"Sorry about that.", Angelo said as he was still sitting behind her. "But with me moving to a new town, getting adjusted to a new school, and becoming a Guardian, I've been a bit busy."
"You're a Guardian?", Xolley questioned as she used her powers to float in the air a bit and turn herself around.
"Yep.", Angelo said.
"That would explain why you are taller. And the wings!", Xolley said as she moved closer to Angelo and touched his right wing. "They're so soft.", she said as she leaned into the wing. "I could take a nap on this.", she said with a smile followed by a happy sigh as she closed her eyes.
"Don't even think about it, princess.", Angelo said with a smirk a he gently poked Xolley's nose getting a giggle out of her before she stood up. "Would you like to meet the other Guardians?", he asked as he stood up as well while dusting himself off.
"Sure!", Xolley said with a smile as Angelo waved the other Guardians over.
Xolley looked over to the entrance to the Training Grounds to see nine other people fly over to them. Eight were female and one was a male with wings like Angelo except they were brown.
"Princess Xolley, I'd like to introduce you to meet Will Vandom, Selece Roberts, Hay Lin, Cassidy Chacon, Taranee Cook, Alchemy Ethel, Cornelia Hale, Irma Lair, and Caleb Hart. The Guardians of the Infinite Dimensions.", Angelo said introducing Xolley to his fellow Guardians. "Guys, this is Princess Xolley of the Yollen Kingdom and Heart of Florana."
"Pleased to meet you.", Xolley said with a respectful bow that the Guardians returned.
"So are you excited about going to school?", Hay Lin asked in which Xolley frowned.
"No!", Xolley said. "I don't want to go to some school far away from home! I'll have to live there and only be able to come home during holidays and during vacations!"
"But school can be fun if you let it.", Taranee said.
"Yeah right!", Irma said getting an elbow jab from Hay Lin. "Ow!"
"So why don't you want to go, princess?", Will asked.
"Because I won't know anybody there!", Xolley began to explain. "I mean sure, I'll have my own private quarters and everything. But I like being here in the palace with my mother and father."
"But you'll be able to make some good friends if you go to this school.", Cornelia said.
"And how will I know that they'll be true friends?", Xolley asked. "What if they're only my friends because of who I am?"
"That's something that you'll have to find out for yourself, Xolley.", Angelo said as he knelt down to her so they were at eye level. "And if they're your true friends, they won't try and take advantage of you."
"Besides. You may meet that special somebody there like your parents did when they met each other at the school.", Cassidy replied.
"But I know who I will marry.", Xolley said with a proud smile.
"And who will that be?", Will asked.
"Please don't ask that question.", Angelo said as he stood up.
"Sir Angelo of course!", Xolley said as she hugged him while still smiling. "I shall marry the knight that saved me from certain doom when I was younger."
"Never giving up on that, huh?", Angelo questioned as Xolley end her hug.
"Nope!", Xolley said as she floated up do that she was at eye level with Angelo. "I will slowly but surely work my way into your heart until you fall in love with me.", she said with a sly smile getting some giggles and snickers from the others.
"Oh! She's good.", Alchemy said with a smirk.
"Looks like you've been spoken for, Sir Angelo.", Selece said with a grin.
"Xolley. We've been through this.", Angelo said. "I'm at least five years older than you. And for all you know, you may meet that special someone at the school."
"I doubt it.", Xolley said as she turned her back from him while still in the air.
"You say that now.", Angelo said. "But you never know what may- WHOA!", he said as he was cut off by something big and white tackling him to the ground.
The other Guardians were shocked to see what looked like a white loin licking Angelo in the face.
"Stop that, Blizzy!", Xolley said to the beast as it continued to lick Angelo.
"Blizzy?", Irma questioned.
"I'm glad to see you too, you giant furball!", Angelo said as he tried to push the mighty beast off of him.
"Friend of yours?", Will asked as the lion finally got off of him.
"You can say that.", Angelo said as he stood up while wiping his face off as best he could. "I little help, Cass."
"Sure.", Cassidy said as she sprayed some water in Angelo's face cleaning him off.
"And now to dry you off.", Hay Lin said as she made a warm breeze hit Angelo drying him off.
"Thank you.", Angelo said before looking down at the white lion. "As for you! We've been through this! You don't just go jumping on people and licking them silly!", he said to the white lion who was in a sitting position doing his best to look innocent. "Don't go giving me that innocent look, Blizzy!"
"Aw! He's just happy to see you.", Xolley said as she landed next her pet white lion. "Aren't you, boy? Yes you are! Oh yes you are!"
"Why is the lion white?", Selece asked.
"Well, from what Grandma told me a few years ago, portals to other worlds used to open a lot all over the world.", Angelo explained.
"And I'm guessing that some animals ventured through said portals.", Taranee figured getting a nod from Angelo.
"One of which were lions that breeded with another type of feline animal on this world giving birth to Blizzy's kind of animal.", Angelo concluded. "King Terren had a female that mated with Queen Kalla's male which gave birth to a litter. One of which that Xolley has here."
"And I named him Blizzy for his white coat.", Xolley said as she hugged her white lion.
"He may not look it, but he's tough and will protect Xolley with his life.", Angelo said as he petted the white lion who welcomed the gesture. "So will you be taking him with you to the school you're going to?"
"Uh-huh!", Xolley said. "All of the students are allowed to have a guardian animal with them. And I choose Blizzy!"
"Good choice.", Cornelia said.
"So how long can you stay?", Xolley asked Angelo.
"Not to long.", Angelo said. "I have school, back on Earth, tomorrow."
"Aw, nuts!", Xolley said with a pout.
"Speaking of Earth, I have to get back home before my Astral Drop does something that throws my mom off or something.", Will said.
"Looks like we heading back early.", Cassidy said as Will opened a fold for Earth.
Angelo was about to head through the fold when he saw the sad look on Xolley's face and knew that she was really lonely. It was then he...
"Hey, guys. I'm going to stay a while longer.", Angelo said. "It's been a while since I've been here. Plus, I owe Xolley for the not writing her for the last two weeks.", he said as Xolley's face lit up with a smile. "Besides. I have a fold crystal to return to Earth with. So no worries."
"Well okay.", Will said. "We'll see you tomorrow."
"Later.", Angelo said as the others went through the fold. "So what do you want to do, princess?", he asked Xolley as the fold closed.
"Ummmm... We can go for a flight around the kingdom before dinner.", Xolley said as she used her powers to float in the air. "I've gotten stronger with my powers thanks to the training my parents have been putting me through. I can now fly around the whole kingdom.", she said proudly as she flew up higher and did some loops.
"Then let's go for a flight.", Angelo said as he spreaded his wings and took to the air.
"We'll be back soon, Blizzy!", Xolley said with a wave as she flew off as Angelo.
Blizzy simply look up at the sky and watched Xolley and Angelo fly off before heading back into the palace.
Back on Earth, the Guardians found themselves in the Vanders' basement.
"Where are we?", Irma questioned.
"The basement of the Vanders' home.", Will said. "It's one of the few places I could think of that wasn't being watched so much."
"Lucky us.", Caleb said sarcastically to which the others ignored him as they all headed upstairs.
"Watch yourself, Rebel-boy.", Irma said to Caleb. "You don't want Will any madder at you than she already is."
Once upstairs, the Guardians saw that Kadma was having some tea with Yan Lin and Halinor.
"So how was Florana?", Halinor asked.
"It was nice.", Taranee said. "We worked out a plan for Xolley's transport to the school she's going to and we'll be doing the transport this Saturday."
"And we learned Angelo is a knight there!", Hay Lin said as Caleb rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Is there something wrong, Caleb?", Kadma asked as she noticed Caleb rolling his eyes. "Do you have a problem with my grandson?"
"Oh brother!", Will said while slapping her forehead. "This is getting old, Caleb!"
"What?", Claeb questioned.
"You know what!", Will said. "You feel that Cassidy and her team aren't real Guardians and want them gone."
"Yeah, but..."
"No buts!", Will said. "We're all a team! And we need to start acting like it! So you need to get over all of this before you end of being gone!", she said as she turned to Selece. "Can we go to you place now, Selece?", she asked wanting to get away from Caleb for a whle.
"Ummmmm... Yeah. Sure.", Selece said knowing what Will wanted. "My mom and dad will be glad to see you.", she said making Will smile as they headed for the door.
"Now hold on a minute!", Caleb said as he grabbed Will's arm.
Will simply looked down at where Caleb had grabbed her arm and then up at Caleb with a look that said 'let go or else'. Not wanting to push his luck, Caleb let go of Will. Will said nothing as she left with Selece. Once she had left, Caleb just went up to the room he now had at the Vanders' home not saying a word to anybody. No one said anything to him knowing that he had some thinking to do. A LOT of thinking. As for Angelo and Xolley, they flew out of the city and around the kingdom. Angelo had the young princess stay close just in case if whoever was after her were to try and pull a surprise sneak attack. As they flew around the Yollen Kingdom, Angelo got to see many of the cities, villages, and towns of the kingdom. He also got to see many of the natural sites of the kingdom as well thanks to Xolley's tour of the area. Soon it was sunset and Angelo and Xolley were watching it from under a large tree that was on a cliff that over looked Ollen City.
"I like watching the sunset from up here.", Xolley said with a smile as she sat next to Angelo. "It makes the city look so peaceful. I'm going to miss this place.", she said sadly.
"I know change can be a bit hard, Xolley.", Angelo said. "But sometimes, change can be good. This school you're going to, will help you gain better control of your powers. Not to mention make you stronger. And with that strength, you can help the people of not just the Yollen Kingdom, but of all Florana."
"I know.", Xolley said. "Mother and father said the same thing. I just don't see why I can't stay here and do my schooling."
"I think your parents want you to make some friends while growing up.", Angelo replied. "Believe me when I say that having friends can make life a whole lot better.", he said with a smile.
"You think so?", Xolley asked.
"I know so.", Angelo said. "Having good friends and family will give you a power you never thought you had."
"Really!?", Xolley questioned.
"Yes.", Angelo said.
"What kind of power?", Xolley asked.
"A power that you will have to discover on your own.", Angelo said. "But trust me when I say that you'll be surprised by it when it happens."
"You're just saying that so I'll go to that school.", Xolley said turning away from Angelo.
"Not at all.", Angelo said. "You see, it's deep inside all of us. This inner-strength I'm talking about. When we need it most, it comes out giving us the strength and power we need to do what we need to do to protect those we care for. But you must discover this power on your own."
"And going to this school will help me do that?", Xolley questioned.
"Well... It'll help put you on the right path.", Angelo said as he ruffled Xolley's hair a bit.
"Hey!", Xolley said getting a laugh out of Angelo. "Watch the hair!"
"My apologies, Your Highness.", Angelo said with a grin before they went back to looking out at the sunset. "You know, Xolley, I'm sure you'll be fine in this school that you're going to."
"Mmm-Hmm.", Xolley said with a small yawn.
"Sure, it'll be rough at first. But in time you'll get the hang of it."
"Mmm-Hmm."
"And I know that you'll make some good true friends."
"Mmm-Hmm."
"You just have to be yourself and everything will be alright. Okay? Okay, Xolley? Xolley?"
Angelo looked down to see Xolley leaning against his inner right wing fast asleep.
"Looks like she had quite a day.", Angelo said with a smile as he gently scooped the little princess up in his arms and flew back to the palace where she could get some sleep.
"You'll be okay, Xolley. I just know it.", he said as he continued his flight to the palace.
Back on Earth, in the Vanders home, Caleb was in his room sitting in a chair looking out the window thinking of a few things.
'How could things of gone so wrong?', he thought to himself. 'Things were great when it was just the five of us working together. But then the Oracle goes and not only has us working with Cassidy, Alchmey, and Cornelia, he then makes Selece and Angelo Guardians!', he thought as he clenched his fist. 'How can he have all of us working together after what Cornelia did!? What is he thinking!? And now Cornelia is trying to make nice!? Well I don't buy it! So help me, I'm going to expose her for the fake she is and those other wannabe Guardians are striped of their powers for good!', he thought as a knock came at his door.
"Come in.", Caleb said as he turned to look at the door to see it open and Aldern walk in the room. "Hey, Aldern."
"Hello, Caleb.", Aldern said to his friend. "Can we talk?"
"Of course.", Caleb said as Aldern sat in another chair. "What's on your mind?"
"Well... You are.", Aldern said. "What do you have against Cassidy and her team of Guardians?"
"My problem is that I don't think they should be Guardians.", Caleb said. "Especially Cornelia."
"Do you truly hate her that much, my friend?", Aldern asked. "I know what happened to Will was bad, but from what I was told from the queen, Cornelia was under some sort of mind-control."
"I still don't trust her!", Caleb said. "Part of me thinks that she's up to something. And so help me, if I find out that she is, I'll expose her and make sure that she and the rest of those so-called Guardians are striped of their powers!"
"You do know that Cassidy was a Guardian in the past.", Aldern said. "Right?"
"Yes. But her time is over.", Caleb said. "Five Guardians is all we need."
"Caleb. You are one of my best friends. We have been through a lot growing up and in the rebellion.", Aldern said. "But I'm afraid that you're letting this whole distrust of Cornelia consume you. If you don't get over this, and soon, you may end up losing Will and some of your friends. Is that what you want? Please think about this, my friend.", he said before getting up and leaving the room.
Caleb said nothing as Aldern left the room. He heard what his friend had said, but there was still a part of him that didn't trust Cornelia. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't. Every time he saw her, his mind went back to what happened to Will and how much he wanted to do the same to Cornelia. But he knew that if he were to try, the others would stop him. So he decided to just keep an eye on Cornelia and protect Will from her.
"I will protect you from her, Will.", Caleb said with determination in his voice. "This I promise you."
A/N: Well, looks like Caleb has his mind set even after his best friend talked to him. Will he do something that'll cost him Will? Or will he come to his senses and see how foolish he's been? Only time will tell. Now they have to prepare for Xolley's transport to th school. Can the Guardians pull it together and keep the young princess safe, or will things fall apart at the wrong time? Read on to find out.
Please review.