Chapter 27:
Later that day, Elyon had the Guardians come with her, Drake, Aldern, and Micheal back to Metamoor to show them the robot head they took as a trophy hoping that Will and Angelo would be able to get it running again show they could get some information.
"So this is it?", Will said looking at the robotic Lurden head that was sitting on a small table.
"Yeah.", Micheal said. "Vathek ripped it right off the body! It was awesome!"
"I did have help.", Vathek said as he patted Micheal on his back.
"Looks like the Honor Guard kicked some butt.", Cassidy said.
"Something has been on my mind.", Raythor said.
"What's that, Raythor?", Elyon asked.
"For the last few attcaks, these machines have been looking like creatures from our world.", Raythor said. "If the ones making them are from Earth, how do they know about the creatures from our world?"
"Perhaps they came here and observed the creatures of our world.", Aldern figured.
"Well, let's power this thing up and get some answers.", Irma said.
"Okay, tin can. Time to do some talking.", Will said as she formed a baseball sized thing of electricity and moved it closer to the robot head.
"Will wait!", Selece said as she grabbed Will's wrist.
"What is it?", Will asked.
"That may be to much power.", Selece said.
"She's right.", Taranee said. "To much power may overload the circuts."
"We have to give it just enough power to get it going.", Micheal said as Will called back the
"Let me give it a go.", Angelo said as he grabbed some lose wires of the robot's head and ran some electricity through them and into the robot's head.
Once he did this, the robot's eyes began to light up as the sound of it's CPU began to hum as it started up.
"System error. System error.", the robot head said surprising everyone there. "Unable to retreat to base. Systems analises indacates that lower body has been seperated from cranial unit. Sending out homing signal."
"Well it works.", Hay Lin said.
"Now we just need to get some info from it.", Alchemy said.
"Time for a bit of Q & A.", Will said. "Who created you?"
"Information invalid.", ther robot head said.
"Figures.", Elyon said.
"What is your directive?", Cornelia asked getting odd looks from the others. "What? I saw it in a movie."
"Like that's going to...", Irma began to say when...
"My directive is to set up a stronghold on the planet for creators to come and take over.", the robot head said.
"How do you know so much about the animals of this world to where your creator is able to make robots based off them?", Alborn asked.
"Unable to proccess information.", the robot head said. "Data not available."
"Why am I not surprised?", Micheal questioned.
"Where do you go when you are defeated?", Raythor asked.
"Projecting map.", the robot head said as it's eyes shot out a light the projected a map on the wall of the room.
"This is the outskirts of Heatherfield.", Cassidy said looking at the map. "But what is this?", she questioned while pointing at the spot that was colored blue. "Think it's the spot where the robots are made?"
"Could be.", Micheal said.
"Could be?", Caleb questioned. "Of course it is!"
"Maybe.", Taranee said. "But maybe we should check it out before we do anything serious."
"I agree.", Will said.
"Same here.", Angelo said.
"Looks like we got a invasion to plan.", Cassidy said.
"Yep.", Will said. "Hopefully, they won't be anymore attacks."
"But if there are, we'll be ready for them.", Raythor said getting nods from everyone as Angelo powered down the robot head.
"But for now, I say we take this time to rest and gain our strength.", Alborn said. "An attack can happen at anytime."
"Plus, you all still have school.", Miriadel said to the teenagers as she placed a hand on Elyon's shoulder gaining groans from them all.
"And with that, it's back home to do homework.", Will said as she opened a fold.
"Are you kidding me!?", Irma questioned. "What about the base of those robots?"
"We need a plan of attack first, Irma.", Alchemy said.
"Then I say we get to work on that.", Caleb said.
"And get in trouble for not doing our homework?", Cornelia questioned. "Yeah right!", she said as she and the others headed through the fold.
"But there's evil to fight!", Irma said. "And it is our duty as Guardians to fight said evil."
"And if we don't do our homework, we shall face something that will keep us from doing our job as Guardians.", Selece said. "Something known as detention. Enemy to all students!", she joked getting a laugh out of everyone but Caleb and Irma who mumbled to themselves as they went through the fold.
"So I guess we stand by and be ready for anymore attacks, Your Majesty?", Tynar asked Elyon.
"Yes, Tynar.", Elyon said. "I have a feeling that it may take a while before the Guardians make a plan of attack. We first need to know thw layout of the place before we do anything. And between that and school, that may take a while."
"We understand, Your Majesty.", Vathek said. "We shall be ready for any attacks that come our way.", he said while the other members of the Honor Guard nodded.
"Thank you all for what you are doing for the people.", Elyon said with a kind smile. "And when Julian returns from his peace treaty mission between those two cities, tell him to get some rest. I know how he can be sometimes."
"We'll make sure he takes some rest.", Alborn said with a grin. "You be careful on Earth."
"I will.", Elyon said as she hugged her parents. "I love you guys."
"And we love you, dear.", Miriadel said as she and Alborn returned the hug.
Elyon then headed through the fold leaving her parents and those you vowed to defend Elyon and the kingdom.
"I know it must be hard to let Elyon go to Earth while you two stay here.", Raythor said to Alborn and Miriadel. "But the people appriciate the you are here to help protect them."
"Thank you, Raythor.", Alborn said. "That means a lot."
The Honor Guard then went to go check on the soldiers to make sure they were also ready to move out at a moments notice. Back on Earth, our heroes said their goodbyes and headed for their homes to do their homework before dinner. Which brings us to Cornelia who is doing her homework as we speak when her father came home.
"Hi, dad.", Cornelia said as she was doing her homework in the Kitchen.
"Hello, Pumkin.", Harold Hale said as he kissed his daughter on the forehead. "Where's your sister?"
"Up in her room.", Cornelia said as her mother came into the Kitchen.
"Hello, Darling.", Harold said to his wife.
"Hello, Dear.", Elizabeth said to her husband before they shared a kiss. "How was work today?"
"Normal as usual.", Harold, who helped ran a bank, said. "But the funniest thing happened."
"Oh?", Elizabeth questioned.
"A man, named Hollens, came and took out a big withdraw.", Harold said. "Said it was for moving heavy equipment from somewhere outside of town this Friday."
'Heavy equipment outside of town?', Cornelia thought to herself. 'I wonder if Hollens is behind the attacks? I'll tell the guys tommorrow.', she thought to herself as she went back to doing her homework.
As for Hollens, he was in his penthouse apartment drinking some herbal tea while looking out his window.
"By now the father of the female Earth Guardian will tell his wife about me being there and the withdraw I made.", he said to himself. "The girl will overhear them and tell her fellow Guardians about it to which they will plan to attack soon thinking that they'll get the jump on us while we;re moving things. To bad we already moved what needed to be moved. And that is when I shall set my plan in motion.", he said as a smirk grew on his face while drinking his tea.
The next day, during Lunch, Cornelia had told the others about what she overheard her father talk about.
"And you think that this Hollens guy is behind the attacks on Meridian?", Cassidy questioned.
"It adds up to what we found out from that robot head.", Cornelia said. "And the guy is moving stuff from outside of town. "What if that stuff is equipment used to make the robots that have been attacking Meridian?"
"And if that's the case, then we better find that place and fast.", Selece said.
"But what if you're wrong?", Caleb asked Cornelia. "Then we would wasting our time stalking some innocent guy."
"But if Cornelia is right, and we don't check this guy out then we'd be letting him get away.", Micheal said. "I don't think we can take that chance."
"I agree.", Will said. "I say we find this Hollens guy and keep an eye on him."
"Great. More work.", Irma said in a bored tone. "Do we have any idea on how to find this guy?"
"No. But how about we go check out the place the robot showed us on it's map.", Hay Lin suggested.
"Sounds like a plan to me.", Cassidy said. "We just have to find the time to do it."
"How about a slumber party at your place?", Alchemy suggested. "We can tell our parents that we need to plan out the carnival some more. But we'll be going to the place on the map to check things out."
"That can work.", Cassidy said. "But what about Micheal?"
"He just won't be able to come with us.", Caleb said hiding a smug smirk.
"Aw, to bad.", Irma said hiding a smirk of her own.
"What if Angelo has him over to hang with him and the guys!", Will suggested.
"That can work.", Angelo said.
"Besides. We need all the help we can get.", Elyon said.
"So this Friday, we go and see if this place is either where the robots are being made or not.", Cassidy said.
"And if it is, we shut it down.", Will said as everyone nodded in agreement just as the bell rang.
"But until then I say that we do some training.", Taranee said. "Like today after school."
"Well, all but one of us.", Hay Lin said looking at Caleb.
"What!?", Caleb questioned. "But what about..."
"Sorry, Caleb.", Will said with a grin. "But this is your punishment. Maybe next time you'll think twice before leaving your post during a mission.", she said as they all were heading back into the school to go to their next classes.
"I can't believe this!", Caleb said as he and Irma were heading for their next class. "How can Will just let me sit out training when we have a mission coming?"
"Don't sweat it, Rebel-boy.", Irma said. "I'll talk to Will and talk her into letting you train with us this week and move your punishment to next week."
"Think she'll go for it?", Caleb questioned.
"Of course.", Irma said. "I'll just point out how it's important that we need all of us in tip top shape for the mission on Friday. I'm sure she'll agree with letting you train.", she said as they headed into their class.
"I hope that you're right.", Caleb said as they took their seats.
"Trust me, Caleb.", Irma said. "You be training with us by our next training session."
As for Cassidy, a part of her was worried about what Cornelia had told them about Hollens.
'Hollens.', she thought to herself. 'Are you behind this, Eddy?'
Hours later in Heatherfield Forest...
"No."
"Aw, come on Will!", Irma said as the Guardians, minus, Caleb were transformed and about to do some training in the forest. "You know that we all need to be in fighting form for Friday!"
"Caleb is a good fighter, Irma.", Will said. "A few days off from training won't kill him."
"All of this because me and him left our post during that mission.", Irma said getting annoyed. "If Angelo had put you and Caleb on the same team then none of that would of happened."
"Maybe you and Caleb need to learn to trust your fellow Guardians.", Taranee said.
"There's only one of us I don't truly trust.", Irma said eyeing Cornelia.
"And that's the reason we're not a real team.", Cassidy replied. "You and Caleb need to get past your mistrust of Cornelia if we're to be the team we're suppose to be."
"And I tell you something else, too.", Angelo said to Irma. "You're not going to be slacking off when it comes to planning and setting up for the carnival either. You're going to be pulling your weight or you'll be facing Knickerbocker."
"First off, I don't know squat about cosplay!", Irma said. "And second, you're not the boss of me!"
"You can read up on cosplay.", Hay Lin said.
"And you do have to help out for the carnival.", Selece said.
"Looks like you're not winning this one.", Will said with a smirk. "Now let's do some training!", she said as she took to the air.
"I wonder what Micheal and the others are doing.", Cornelia pondered as she and the other took to the air with Will.
"He along with Elyon, Drake, and Aldern are on Metamoor doing some training with the rest of the Honor Guard.", Selece replied. "Said something about them working on their teamwork."
"Which is what we need to do.", Alchemy said.
"Maybe we should let Caleb train with us this week.", Cassidy said.
"No.", Will said. "If we let him train with us this week, when he shouldn't be, then that's saying what he did during the mission was okay which it wasn't."
"But, Will..."
"Irma, stop it!", Will said. "Caleb isn't training with us this week and that's final.", she said giving Irma a stern look. "Now let's get some training done. Cause we need to get ready for Friday."
'Sorry, Caleb. I tried.', Irma thought to herself as she began to train with the others.
The next day, in Study Hall the Newspaper Club and the K-SHIP crew met up in the usual room to discuss plans for the Carnival as well as other things they needed to do for the radio show and newspaper.
"Okay. We got the paper out and a lot of students got a copy.", Taranee said as she went through some papers. "I guess they all wanted to know what's going to be at the carnival."
"That's a good thing.", Cassidy said. "Did anyone sign up for helping with carnival?"
"We got a few sing-ups.", Alchemy said. "Hopefully more will volonteer this week."
"Well, for now, we need to set up the time slot for everything that will be going on at the carnival.", Angelo said.
"Speaking of which, what will be going on at the carnival?", Elyon asked.
"Well, all we have to do is work on setting the two dances and the costume contests.", Selece explained.
"What about everything else?", Irma questioned.
"Don't you know anything about cosplay conventions, Irma?", Martin asked. "During comventions like the one we're planning, people walk around and buy things from the vendors who pay for space to sell their stuff."
"Speaking of which, Bess and I set up a Twitter account for the carnival where we got plenty of replies from some people and companies that want to come and market their products at our carnival.", Courtney said as she showed everyone her laptop. "As you can see, we got some good names that want to come here."
"Wow!", Hay Lin said as she saw some of the names of those that replied. "Those are some good names!"
"Yeah!", Micheal said looking at some of the names. "That's a lot of swag people can get."
"Not to mention some sweet manga and animes.", Martin said.
"So who do we accept?", Bess asked.
"Hmmmmmmm... Good question.", Angelo said looking at the list of replies. "How about we do this. Let them know how much it'll cost them to set up at the carnival. Once we find out who is willing to pay for the space provided, we'll go from there."
"Works for me.", Bess said.
"What about any extra space that we may have?", Alchemy asked.
"We could set up some games of our own.", Elyon suggested.
"Good idea.", Angelo said as he turned towards Irma. "And I'm putting you in charge of the games, Irma."
"Me?", Irma questioned pointing to herself.
"Yep.", Angelo said. "Seeing as you don't know much about cosplay conventios, I'm having you work on something easy."
"Ummmm... Okay.", Irma said surprised that Angelo put her in charge of something.
"Now, we just have to go and talk to the food truck people and see if they can come and serve food at the carnival.", Angelo said. "Think they'll do it, Uriah?"
"They'll be making money.", Uriah said. "They'll come. We just have to talk to them first."
"Good.", Angelo said. "We can do that this weekend."
"I just thought of something.", Aldern said. "What if it rains during the carnival?"
"Oh snap! Didn't think about that.", Micheal said.
"Hmmmm... How about a tent?", Courtney suggested.
"That can work.", Angelo said. "A circus sized tent over the school yard just in case."
"Where ae we going to find sometign like that?", Bess asked.
"I think we can help with that.", Drake said looking over at Aldern who nodded.
"Really?", Martin questioned. "How?"
"We know some people.", Aldern said.
"Works for me.", Angelo said. "That's just about it for now. If anything comes up, we'll handle it then."
"Good!", Hay Lin said. "Now let's discuss what kind of costumes we can wear."
So for the rest of the time, some talked about what kind of costume they would be making while others either read a book or did their homework. Later, after school had ended, Angelo was about to head home when Will caught up with him.
"Hey, Angelo!", she called out to Angelo.
"Hey, Will!", Angelo said as Will caught up with him. "What's up?"
"You mind walking me home?", she asked. "I'm trying to avoid Caleb and his bad attitude when it comes to Cornelia."
"Uh-huh. Yeah, sure.", Angelo said as they walked off together.
"Thanks.", Will said with a smile that he returned.
Seeing Will walk off with Angelo, Caleb was about to go after them when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see Drake with Aldern.
"Leave her be, my friend.", Drake said. "She wants some time away from you."
"But why?", Caleb asked.
"Because of how you are treating Cornelia, Caleb.", Aldern said.
"Again with Cornelia!", Caleb snapped. "I am so tired of her getting between me and Will!"
"Actually, Caleb. It's you and your attitude that getting between you and Will.", Drake said. "You really have to let this anger towards her go before you end up losing Will."
"Look! I'm trying! I really am.", Caleb said. "But I just don't thikn I can."
"Then I don't know what to tell you, my friend.", Aldern said. "I just hope you can find it in your heart to trust her before it's to late."
"But right now, let's go and hang out, as they say around here.", Drkae said with a smile as he wrapped an arm around Caleb's shoulder. "The three of us haven't done anything together in a long time."
"Indeed!", Aldern said. "I miss those days!"
"Same here!", Caleb said smiling. "Let's go back to Meridian and see some old friends!", he said as they left the school grounds.
Sometime later, Angelo and Will had arrived at the Vandoms apartment where Will checked the answering machine to find a message from her mother saying that she was going to be home around seven due to her having to work a bit late.
"Well, that gives me some time to myself.", Will said as she sat on the couch in the Living Room.
"True.", Angelo said as he sat in a chair that was facing Will. "So what's up, Will? I know that there's another reason for you asking me to walk you home."
"Well... It's about Caleb and how he's been acting lately.", Will said as she looked down at the floor. "I mean, I know he cares for me and all, but why can't he see that I want to be friends with Cornelia again?"
"I can't help you there.", Angelo said. "I heard of being a bit overprotective, but geezs! He takes it to a whole new level! He needs to chill."
"Tell me about it!", Will said with a scowl on her face. "He acts like I'm some weak little girl that only he can protect. And Irma is making it worse with her attitude as well!"
"I still can't believe they did what they did during the mission.", Angelo said. "I'm just glad that we got out of it all okay."
"Same here.", Will said. "But then you got Irma trying to talk us into letting Caleb train with us and move his punishment to next week. Unbelievable! Caleb will be fine. Ten to one he sneaks off somewhere and does some training anyway. But just to make sure that he doesn't do to much solo training, I asked Drake and Aldern to hang with him when they aren't doing any training with the Honor Guard.", she said with a smirk.
"You clever girl you.", Angelo said getting a smile out of Will.
"I have my moments.", Will said before her smile slowly turned into a frown. "But honestly, I just wish he'd respect my feelings in all of this when it comes to Cornelia. I mean yes, I had ill feeling towards her for a while. But after what happened with that prank, I helped Irma with, I saw that things had to change for the better. Not just for us as Guardians, but for us all together. I only wish Caleb and Irma could see that. You'd think that they were a couple by the way they agree on things when it comes to Cornelia."
"I have no idea why those two feel the way they do about Cornelia.", Angelo said. "Lord knows they need to stop treating her the way they do and grow up. Cause something tells me that if they don't, Irma is going to lose Matt."
"And Caleb?", Will questioned.
"Well... that'll be up to you.", Angelo said. "I mean, I don't want to say it, but yeah. He may end up losing you, too."
"Thus leaving me alone.", Will said sadly. "I mean what would be the chances of me finding another boyfriend?"
"You're selling yourself short, Will.", Angelo said. "Plus, Caleb isn't the only guy out there. Besides. I have a feeling that you're questioning your relationship with Caleb."
"Maybe.", Will said while moving her bangs out of her face. "I don't know. I look at him and I think... Wow! I got a great guy! But then, I see how he looks at Cornelia and think, what is his problem? I think that if he had his way, he really would lock Cornelia away just to keep her away from me even with the knowledge of knowing that she was under mind-control. What kind of person thinks that!?"
"So why are you still with the guy?", Angelo asked. "I mean, it's not like it'll be the end of the world if you two break-up."
"I guess... I'm afraid of breaking up with Caleb.", Will said as she brought her knees of to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "I don't want to be alone."
"But you're not alone, Will.", Angelo said. "You have family, and friends that will be there for you. There is life after a break-up. Besides. If you and Caleb break-up, maybe he'll see how wrong he's been treating Cornelia and come to his senses."
"Maybe.", Will said. "I must admit, that I'm at my wits end with Caleb."
"Then you have to ask yourself, are you willing to keep putting up with Caleb?", Angelo questioned. "Or are you willing to break-up with the guy so you can work on your friendship with Cornelia?"
"Some choice.", Will said.
"Well, know this.", Angelo said. "Whatever choice you make, I got your back. And I know the others will, too. Well, all but Irma.", he said getting a small laugh out of Will who laid down with her head resting in Angelo's lap.
"When did you become the advice guy?", Will asked.
"With Uncle John, Grandpa Joe, and Grandma K around, I have been getting all kinds of advice throughout my life.", Angelo said with a grin.
"Thanks for being here, Angelo.", Will said with a smile as she still had her head resting in his lap. "I'm glad you're here."
"Same here.", Angelo said. "Life has gotten more interesting since I moved here."
"Welcome to the club.", Will said with a giggle getting a laugh out of Angelo as they began to watch some TV.
But as they were watching TV, Will began to wonder if she could really break up with Caleb if the moment came. Part of her thinks she can, yet there's a part of her that's scared to do for fear of being alone. But then she remembers that she wouldn't really be alone like Angelo said.
'I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.', Will thought to herself with a small smile on her face.
Watching Will and Angelo, from his viewing pool in the Fortress of Infinity, on Kandrakar, was the Oracle who had a smile on his face.
"Worry not, Will.", the Oracle said as he made the image disappear from the viewing pool. "Things will work out in the end not only for you, but for some of your fellow Guardians and friends.", he said as he turned to go attend to other things.
A/N: Well, it looks like the Guardians plan on checking out the place where the robots are coming from, thanks to what Cornelia found out through her father. And Caleb is still banned from training with the others. Sucks to be him! And it seems that Caleb has been pushing his luck with Will. Can we say possible break-up!? It could happen. But like the Oracle said. Things will work out for them and others in the end. But the question is, how will they work out?
Please review.