Chapter 22:

The next day, during Lunch, our young heroes met up outside and sat under a large tree the was in the corner of the schoolyard to talk about what problems they had with whoever they had a problem with.

"So... Who wants to go first?", Will asked.

"I'd like to go first.", Irma said as she pulled out her piece of paper while clearing her throat.

"This should be good.", Alchemy whispered to Taranee who giggled.

"The person I have a problem with is, Cornelia Hale.", Irma said to which Cornelia rolled her eyes knowing it was coming. "My problem is that I don't think she should be a Guardian due to what she did to Will. I think she's a spoiled, stuck-up, selfish little bratty princess that has a stick stuck uo her butt. I think she should be stripped of her powers and never be a Guardian again. Also, she shouldn't be allowed to go to other worlds no matter who she's friends with.", she said as she put her paper away.

"Wow!", Aneglo said. "That was just... Wow!"

"That was just plain mean, Irma!", Hay Lin said to her best friend.

"I'm just being honest.", Irma said in an innocent voice. "Those were the rules after all."

"Those were the rules.", Caleb said hiding a smirk.

"Still doesn't make it right.", Elyon said.

"It's okay.", Cornelia said. "Don't worry about it. I can take it."

"So who's next?", Angelo asked.

"Oh! Oh! I'll go next!", Hay Lin said as she pulled out her piece of paper. "I have a problem with how two of us are treating a certain Guardian.", she said causing Caleb and Irma to frown with a scowl. "I believe that they are letting their anger get the better of them and that they should get over it and try to get along with the Guardian they don't like.", she finished making Cornelia smile a little.

"Well said, Hay Lin.", Will said with a smile that the young Air Guardian returned with a beaming smile of her own.

"So who wants to go next?", Taranee asked.

"Actually, mine is a lot like Hay Lins.", Selece said.

"Same here.", Micheal said.

"Ditto.", Elyon said.

"Okay. Who's paper is the same as or close to Hay Lin's?", Drake asked as he raised his own hand followed by all but Caleb and Cornelia.

"Caleb, is your a lot like Irma's?", Will asked her boyfriend while giving him a look thay said don't push your luck to which he simply put his paper away. "Figures.", she said with a roll of her eyes. "You know what? You two need to grow up!", she said to Caleb and Irma.

"And you need to be more careful around the girl who almost killed you!", Caleb snapped. "How can you even think about wanting to be friends with her after what happened?"

"Maybe because I want to!", Will said.

"But Will..."

"But nothing!", Will said cutting Irma off. "I can choose who I want to be friends with. Me! Not you two!", she said to Caleb and Irma. "So but out!"

"Whoa!", Alchemy said surprised by Will's outburst.

"Remind me not to get Will mad.", Aldern whispered to Cassidy.

"Only if you'll do the same for me.", Cassidy said to Aldern.

Caleb was about to say something when Matt placed a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.

"Take my advice and keep quite, dude.", Matt said. "You don't want to say something that'll get you in trouble. Trust me on this."

Caleb said nothing as he closed his mouth not wantng to get Will madder than what she already was. As for Will, she took a deep breath and looked at Cornelia who didn't know what to think about what just happened.

"Cornelia, can you please read what you wrote down.", Will said to the Earth Guardian.

"S-S-Sure.", Cornelia said not wanting to make Will mad. "I have a problem with... myself.", she said surprising everyone. "After all that has happened, I'm still surprised that I'm a Guardian again."

"That makes two of us.", Irma said under her breath earning a look from Hay Lin and Selece who heard her.

"Part of me feels like it was a mistake, but most of you think it isn't.", Cornelia continued. "So until Kandrakar says so, I'll continue to fight the good fight even if I don't think I don't deserve to be a Guardian."

"If you didn't deserve to be a Guardian, then you wouldn't be one.", Angelo said. "That's what my grandmother tells me."

"Then explain Nerissa.", Caleb said. "She was deemed worthy and look how that turned out."

"Looks like the Oracle is capable of making a mistake or two.", Irma said.

"Nerissa let herself get corrupted by her thirst for power.", Cassidy explained. "It can happen to the best of us."

"Well I say that the Oracle should play it safe and not have a possible threat around us.", Caleb said while looking at Cornelia with a stern look.

"I couldn't agree more.", Irma said.

"I'm telling you, it's like they're a couple.", Selece whispered to Will who hid her laugh.

"Then why are you here?", Micheal said as he held Cornelia's hand.

"And what's that suppose to mean?", Caleb questioned as he glared at Micheal.

"Well, from what I've been told, you are Nerissa's son. Right?", Micheal said. "I mean if she was corrupted by her thirst for power, then wouldn't that make you a threat to the Guardians as well?"

"Ooooooooooooh!", all but Caleb and Irma said.

Will was about to say something when...

"Listen, pal! Caleb has proven himself time and time again!", Irma snapped as she got up from her seat. "He's fought by our side against some major evil. Which is more than I can say about you!"

"Nerissa fought well for good as well.", Cassidy replied. "And she still turned."

"I'm not my mother!", Caleb snapped.

"You sure have her attitude.", Cassidy said with a smirk.

"And you know what I find so interesting?", Selece asked. "That Irma was so quick to defend Caleb like he was her boyfriend. I mean Will was about to say something when Irma jumped up and ran off at the mouth.", she explained causing Irma to blush as she sat down.

"I find that interesting as well.", Matt said looking at Irma who's blush deepened even more as she sat slouched down in her seat.

"So what were you going to say, Will?", Aldern asked.

"I was going to say that even though Caleb has his faults, which are quite a few, he is still a good Guardian.", Will said. "But now, after hearing what Selece said, part of me is starting to wonder about a few things.", she said eyeing her boyfriend and Irma.

"Aw come on, Will!", Irma shouted. "You're going to listen to someone that you haven't seen in years when I've fought by your side against things that would make her turn tail and run!"

"First of all, I've kept in contact with Selece as well as Micheal and Angelo ever since I moved here.", Will said to Irma. "We talked on the phone when we could. We wrote to each other, sent each other e-mails, and even chatted through web cams.", she said giving the loud mouth Water Guardian a glare that made her want to duck down in her seat even more. "So don't you ever and I mean EVER question my friendship with the three people I grew up with!"

"And that, people, is why you don't piss that girl off.", Angelo said getting nods from all but Irma and Caleb.

"Okay. I think that some of us need to cool off a bit before we plan out who is going to be on which train for the transport mission.", Taranee said. "So I suggest that we plan it out tomorrow."

"I agree.", Alchemy said. "The last thing we need is for a fight to break out."

"I couldn't agree more.", Drake said just as the bell rang.

"Saved by the bell.", Elyon said with a sigh of relief as everyone got up and headed back inside the school.

As they did this, no one said a thing fearing something would get started. But that didn't stop some from glaring at others.

'I'm so going to get her!', Irma thought to herself as she glared at Selece who was walking with Will.

'A threat, huh? I'll show you a threat, pal!', Caleb thought to himself as he glared at Micheal who was walking with Cornelia.

Later that day, during Study Hall, the Newspaper Club along with the K-SHIP crew were having their daily meeting. And certian members were hoping a certain brunette wouldn't try and start something. But then again, this is Irma Lair we're talking about here.

"Okay gang. Mrs. Knickerbocker called me to her office and told me that she wanted us to plan this year's school carnival that's in November.", Angelo said to everyone.

"School carnival?", Selece questioned.

"It's something the school has every year.", Hay Lin begam to explain. "We pick a theme for the carnival and plan out what events to have."

"One year we went medivial.", Taranee replied. "And last year the ones planning it did a wild west theme."

"It was pretty fun.", Alchemy said.

"So now we just have to come up with a theme for this year's carnival.", Drake said.

"That's the plan.", Elyon said.

"So any ideas?", Angelo asked.

"How about comics?", Uriah suggested.

"Not everyone reads comics.", Irma said.

"Fantasy.", Bess suggested.

"Not everyone is into that stuff either.", Irma said.

"Anime.", Selece suggested.

"Oh please!", Irma said while rolling her eyes earning a glare from the Air Guardian.

"How about a video game theme.", Courtney suggested.

"La... what for it... me!", Irma said with a cocky smirk.

"Wow! You're a lot of help.", Cassidy said to Irma sarcasticlly.

"But I am helping.", Irma said with a smirk. "I'm letting you guys know how bad your ideas are."

"And I suppose that you have a better idea.", Aldern said.

"Maybe I do.", Irma said. "Why not put me in charge of the carnival.", she said to Angelo. "It'll make things a lot easier."

"And let you take all the credit? I think not.", Elyon said.

"It's a shame we all can't put our ideas in.", Martin said.

"Well, you can't.", Irma said. "Sorry guys, but thems the breaks."

"All our ideas.", Angelo said thinking about it. "That's it! Martin Tubbs, you're a genius!"

"I am?", Martin questioned.

"Yes, you are!", Angelo said. "I know what we can do for a theme. Something that everyone can that comes to the carnival can have fun with."

"And that is...?", Micheal questioned.

"Cosplay!", Angelo said.

"Awesome!", Martin said.

"Wicked idea!", Uriah said.

"Totally!", the Grumper Sisters said.

"I like it.", Elyon said.

"Me, too.", Selece said.

"Works for me!", Micheal said.

"Cosplay?", Aldern questioned. "What is that?"

"Oh! Oh! I know!", Hay Lin said excited by Angelo's idea. "Cosplay is when people go to special conventions dressed as their favorite character of their favorite TV show, movie, cartoon, anime, comic book, fantasy book, and video game."

"Plus, if they want they can do alternate versions of the character.", Martin said. "Like Cowboy Mario Brothers. Or steampunk stormtrooper."

"Not to mention that some do the opposite sex of a character.", Selece added. "Like a female version of Captian America."

"And don't forget the contest the conventions have.", Micheal replied.

"This sounds fun.", Cassidy said. "I say we go for it!"

"Well, if we agree to this, we'll have to set up some rule for this whole thing.", Angelo said.

"Such as?", Elyon asked.

"Well when it comes to the costumes, they can't be to revealing.", Angelo said. "I mean there will be little kids at the carnival after all."

"Hmmmmm... Good point.", Taranee said as she wrote down what Angelo said.

"And no real weapons.", Bess said. "Props only."

"Most definetly.", Angelo said. "And no fighting. We have to set an example for the kids.", he said getting a nod from the others except Irma who was just watching and listening.

"How about a entry fee for the contest.", Alchemy suggested.

"And we can take that money and use it as a cash prize for the costume contest on the last day of the carnival.", Martin added. "And we can have the contest in the aditorium seeing as it has a large stage."

"Sounds like a plan.", Angelo said.

"Won't we need some judges for the contest?", Cornelia asked.

"Yep.", Elyon said. "But who?"

"Well, how about the drama teachers.", Hay Lin suggested. "If anyone knows about good costumes, it's Mr. & Mrs. Derson."

"That's two judges.", Taranee said as she continued to write down what everyone was suggesting.

"You know who would be a cool judge?", Selece questioned. "LaLa Wong!"

"Ooooooooo! That would be so cool!", Hay Lin said getting even more excited. "She's been doing cosplay for years! She's been a major inspiration for me wanting to do costumes!"

"We just have to get her to come and be a judge.", Angelo said. "Thank goodness for Facebook. We can contact her through there and hope she says yes."

"And of she doesn't?", Irma questioned. "I mean we're just little old Heatherfield. If this LaLa is as famous as you make her out to be, then why would she want to come here?"

"Geez, Lair! When did you become a joykill?", Uriah asked while rolling his eyes.

"Bite me, Dunn!", Irma snapped.

"If we can't get LaLa to come, then we'll just have someone else be a judge.", Angelo said. "So no worries."

"What about food?", Bess asked. "People will get hungry during the carnival."

"And I don't think the lunch ladies will want to work during the carnival.", Courtney added.

"I know what we can do.", Uriah said.

"Oh this ought to be good.", Irma said while rolling her eyes.

"Sssshhhh!", everyone said shutting Irma up.

"Go ahead, Uriah.", Cassidy said.

"Well, as I was saying, we can ask those who run the food trucks at the boardwalk and flea markets to come and sell their food at the carnival.", Uriah explained. "There's plenty of them and each one sells something different."

"That can work.", Elyon said. "And with the variety, everyone will be happy."

"Well that takes care of the food.", Angelo said.

"Hey! How about we have a dance as well!", Cornelia sugested.

"We're listening.", Angelo said.

"The carnival is from Friday to Sunday. We can have a dance for the teenagers on Friday and another one for the adults on Saturday.", Cornelia explained. "And to make it even better, the dances can be held through out the school halls as well as the gym."

"That can actually work.", Martin said. "We can play the music through K-SHIP. That way those in the halls will be able to hear the music."

"And if we're going to do this like a convention, we might want to send out word to those who sell things for this type of thing.", Micheal said.

"Leave that to us!", Bess said. "Me and Courtney will spread the word on Facebook and Twitter."

"We'll bound to get some replies!", Courtney said.

"Do your thing, ladies.", Angelo said to the Grumper Sisters. "Now we just have to run all of this by Mrs. Knickerbocker and hope she gives it the okay."

"I doubt it.", Irma said.

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see.", Taranee said as she looked over what she wrote down. "Give me a night or two and we'll have something we can present to Mrs. Knickerbocker."

"You sure?", Martin questioned. "Cause I don't mind doing it."

"Well, I could use some help in mapping out the area for the carnival.", Taranee said.

"Leave that to me. I'll get it done in no time!", Martin said with a smile.

"Thanks!", Taranee said returning the smile.

"Now all that's left is to decided who I'll be going as for the three days.", Hay Lin said. "And seeing as the carnival is going to be for three days, that's at least three to four costumes!"

"Easy, Hay Lin.", Elyon said with a grin. "We have to get the okay for all of this first."

"Good luck with that.", Irma said under her breath as the others were talking about what they may go as.

Later that day, after school, everyone headed home to either do homework, go to after school jobs, or just hang with friends. But for some students, they stayed after school for either detention or after school sports practice. Which brings us to Alchemy and Selece, who had made the gymnastics team and were there for some practice. Both girls are with some other girls in a room where they are working out with the weight training gear.

"Can I ask you something, Alchemy?", Selece asked her fellow Guardians as they both were lifting some dumb bells.

"Sure.", Alchemy said.

"What's the deal with Caleb and Irma?", Selece asked. "I mean if Will is trying to be friends with Cornelia, after all that has happened, then shouldn't they be more supportive like real friends should be?"

"I feel the same way you do.", Alchemy said. "We all do. Well all but Caleb and Irma. When it comes to Caleb, I think he blames himself a bit for what happened between Will and Cornelia seeing as Cornelia had the hots for him at the time."

"So he must think that Cornelia still wants to be with him.", Selece figured. "Even though she likes my brother."

"Sounds weird, but that's the vibe I picked up from him when I accidently read his thoughts one time.", Alchemy said. "Now as for Irma, she's had a bit of jealousy of Cornelia since we were all kids."

"Get out!", Selece said not believing what Alchemy was telling her.

"It's true.", Alchemy said. "She used to call Cornelia things like Rich-girl and Little Princess before they became friends. But deep down, I think Irma still has a bit of jealousy towards Cornelia because of how popular she is."

"Wow.", Selece said. "That's just wrong."

"Tell me about it.", Alchemy said. "I mean, Cornelia may of had her faults back then, but she's come a long way. A VERY long way."

"Well, maybe Irma and Caleb will see that Cornelia is okay.", Selece said. "Hopefully."

"Well, here's hoping.", Alchemy said as she and Selece continued their working out.

After their workout Selece and Alchemy headed home with Micheal who came back to the school, after walking Cornelia home.

"You know you didn't have to come back for me.", Selece said to her brother as they were walking through the park.

"Maybe not, but you are my sister.", Micheal said. "Besides. I had nothing better to do.", he joked.

"Gee, you're all heart.", Selece joked getting a laugh out of Micheal and Alchemy.

"Now what's so funny?"

Micheal, Selece, and Alchemy looked forward to see Irma and Caleb standing in front of them. And they didn't look happy.

"Hey, guys.", Alchemy said. "What's up?"

"What's up is what happened at Lunch today.", Irma said glaring at Selece. "You were pretty cocky with what you said about me and Caleb, sister!"

"And you crossed a line with what you said.", Caleb said to Micheal with a glare.

"Was I now?", Micheal asked. "Well, I was just giving my opinion.", he said with a smirk.

"Same here.", Selece said with a smirk of her own as she looked at Irma. "You said what you had to say about Cornelia, so I decided to say what I thought after your little outburst."

"Well, maybe you and your brother should know your place.", Irma said.

"And what is that suppose to mean?", Alchemy questioned.

"That they and you should be lucky to even be apart of what we do!", Caleb snapped. "W.I.T.C.H. are the true Guardians in all of this! You two girls along with Cassidy, Angelo, and that no good traitor Cornelia shouldn't even be with us in all of this!", he said before he turned his attention to Micheal. "And you shouldn't even be a part of the queen's Honor Guard! I don't care how good you are with a sword! If I had my way it would just be W.I.T.C.H. with the powers, you wouldn't be a part of the Honor Guard. Will would be no where near any of you and Vanders, and Cornelia would be locked away for a long, LONG time!"

"So consider yourselves lucky that things aren't going our way!", Irma said as she and Caleb turned to walk away. "And learn your place among the team!"

"Wow!", Alchemy said with a scowl. "They're sure full of themselves."

"I would tell Will and the girls, but what would that accomplise?", Selece questioned.

"Forget about it.", Micheal said as they continued their way through the park. "Sooner or later, they'll be exposed for who they are in time."

"I guess you have a point there.", Selece said. "But man would I like to go a round or two with Irma!"

"Well we do have some training to do.", Alchemy said with a smirk. "You can have a sparring session or two with her."

"And if I were to give her a good run for her money, then maybe she'll back off of not only me but the rest of us 'unworthy' Guardians.", she said getting a giggle out of Alchemy.

"Looks like you two have a plan brewing.", Micheal said.

"Maybe.", the two girls said in a sing-song voice."

"Oh brother.", Micheal said causing the girls to giggle as they exited the park.

Later that evening, after walking Alchemy home, Selece and Micheal were home and eating dinner with their parents.

"So how has school been so far?", Donald asked his children.

"Things are going to great!", Selece said after eating some of her food. "We've made plenty of friends. Yet some of them aren't as friendly as I hoped they'd be."

"Give them time.", Donald said. "I'm sure they'll see that you're good friends."

"I doubt it.", Micheal said.

"Now son. One shouldn't be so quick to judge.", Donald said to his son.

"Yes, sir.", Micheal said.

"Sometimes people have trouble accepting others.", Hanna said. "It can't be helped sometimes. But if you give them time, like your father said, then you'll all make good friends."

"Here's hoping.", Selece said.

"Let's change the subject.", Hanna said before taking a drink from her glass. "Did you make the gymnastic's team?", she asked Selece.

"Yep!", Selece said with a smile. "Our first compitition is in two weeks."

"So I'm guessing that you'll be doing a lot of trainnig.", Hanna said.

"Yes and no.", Selece said. "Couch tells us train hard yet not to train to much. He says that over doing it will be bad for us."

"Good advice.", Donald said. "That's why your mother and I have decided to cut back on the work with John. We've done enough to ease up a bit and come home at a decent time."

"That's great!", Selece said. "You guys deserve more time at home to relax. Plus, we all can spend more time together."

"No argument there.", Hanna said. "Plus, now I can do some shopping with Jun Lin on my days off instead of working. Maybe I can get Susan to come with us."

"Somehow, I don't think that'll be a problem.", Donald said with a grin getting a laugh out of Hanna and his children before they went back to eating their dinner.

As they were eating their dinner and talking with their parents about other things, both Micheal and Selece were hoping and praying that things would work out for them as well as their other friends when it comes to the matter of Irma and Caleb. For if the threat the Oracle warned them about is as bad as they think it is, then they would have to work together as a team and fight it to save and protect all they cared for.

A/N: Well, it seems that Will has made her point about wanting to be friedns with Cornelia again. To bad Caleb and Irma don't feel the same way. And they made that perfectly clear in the park. But thanks to some helpful words from their parents, Selece and Micheal will carry on. Good thing, too. For things are just beginning for our young heroes. They have a rough road ahead of them. And they're going to need each other to get through it all.

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