Chapter 30:
The next day Caleb raced to school in hopes of finding Will and trying to make up with her so she'd take him back. It was probably the fastest he'd ran in a long time. Once he got to Sheffield, he was almost out of breath as he sat against one of the trees in the schoolyard waiting for Will to show up. It was a while, but finally Will showed up with Taranee, Hay Lin, Alchemy, and Cornelia. He was about to run up to them and say something, but stopped himself knowing that it would cause more trouble. So he just stood under the tree thinking of a way to talk to Will. But after thinking about it, he decided to just go and talk to her. So he just walked up to Will and the girls and...
"Hey, Will. Can we... Can we talk?", he said hoping she'd talk to him.
"I'm not in the mood to hear about how you don't want Cornelia around me, Caleb.", Will said as she walked passed him with the girls. "And besides. We're not together anymore, so we have nothing to talk about."
"I just want us to be together again, Will.", Caleb said as he ran in front of her.
"And then what?", Will asked. "You'll go back to bashing Cornelia. I can't be in that kind of relationship, Caleb."
"But I..."
"Look me in the eye and tell me that you can hang around Cornelia.", Will said.
"I... I... can't", Caleb said looking away from Will.
"That's what I thought.", Will said. "I'm sorry, Caleb, but there can't be nothing between us anymore unless you're willing to change.", she said as she and the girls walked off into school leaving Caleb standing there alone.
"I take it she turned you down."
Caleb turned to see Angelo, Selece, Micheal, Elyon, Drake, Aldern, and Cassidy walking up to him. Of course, Aldern and Cassidy were holding hands as they walked together.
"Yeah.", Caleb said to Elyon sadly. "She says that I have to be willing to change if there's even a chance of us getting together."
"Well, she's right you know.", Cassidy said. "Cornelia is not the enemy, Caleb. The more you mistrust her, the worst it'll get for you."
"And seeing as Will is single again, a few boys may start asking her out in a few weeks.", Selece said getting a look from Caleb. "Don't give me that look! I'm just telling you how it is."
"She's right.", Angelo said. "And you also need to start learning to work with us wannabe Guardians as you call us. Cause Will still plans on switching you for Cornelia."
"Which means that we'll be a team.", Cassidy said. "Better start getting use to it.", she said as they all started walking into school.
"Has anyone seen Matt and Irma?", Elyon asked.
"Nope.", Selece said. "But I know that they won't be coming to school together."
"Why not?", Caleb asked.
"We'll tell you on the way inside.", Elyon said as they headed inside the school.
Later that day, during Lunch, everyone gathered together under their usual spot under a tree. Only now, those that use to sit together weren't. Will wasn't sitting with Caleb and Matt wasn't sitting with Irma.
"So what's the plan for tonight?", Micheal asked as they all were having lunch.
"Well, we know where the place is.", Cassidy said. "We just need to know what we're dealing with."
"And that's where Hay Lin and Selece come in.", Angelo said.
"It is?", Hay Lin questioned.
"Yeah.", Angelo said. "You two can go invisible and sneak around the place to see what's going on in the place."
"And once we do that, the rest of you can come and do some damage.", Selece said.
"That's the plan.", Will said. "But be careful you two."
"Why?", Hay Lin questioned. "We'll be invisible."
"But that doesn't mean that you won't be detected.", Taranee said.
"They may have dogs that can sniff you out.", Micheal replied.
"Good point.", Selece said.
"So once inside, we find out how they're making the robots and put a stop to it.", Cornelia said. "But what's to stop them from starting over again?"
"Hello!? Mind-control!", Irma said. "Duh!"
"Not in this case.", Cassidy said. "We may be able to get the ones there, but what about their bosses?"
"Cassidy is right.", Alchemy said. "We have no idea how far up this goes."
"And even if we find out, what's to stop them from coming after us?", Micheal questioned.
"Scared?", Caleb questioned. "Cause if you are then we have no use for you tonight."
"Not helping, Caleb.", Will said in a warning tone.
"I'm just making sure we're all on the same page here.", Caleb said. "We don't need someone who's going to turn tail and run when the time to fight comes."
"Couldn't agree more.", Irma said. "So do you have the guts to man up, Mikey?", she asked Micheal with a smirk.
"You know what? The both of you can bite me!", Micheal said glaring at Caleb and Irma. "I'm not going to run off on you guys. That's not how I do things. But yes I am afraid. Not just for us. But our families. This is the government we're talking about. And they don't play. Right now, it could be some small group behind all of this. But if we go and shut them down..."
"The their bosses may send more to continue the work.", Elyon said. "So we have to do this right so they know that we're not bad, but we're not to be messed with."
"Exactly.", Micheal said.
"Then I say we make sure it can't be used after we're done with it.", Aldern suggested.
"I agree.", Drake said. "The more damage that's done the slimmer the chance of them coming back."
"Good idea.", Taranee said. "Thing is, they can just find another place to use."
"Then we'll take it one day at a time.", WIll said. "Right now, we shut this place down. And if they start another factory, then we'll find it and shut that one down as well."
"Unless we're lucky and find the one in charge and convince them to stop doing what they're doing.", Alchemy replied
"One can only hope.", Selece said as they continued eating their lunch.
Once Lunch ended everyone threw their trash away and headed for their next class. As they were doing this, Caleb caught up with Irma and...
"So you and Matt broke up too, huh?", Caleb asked as they were walking down the halls.
"Yeah.", Irma said sadly. "Kept yapping about how I really wanted to get with you.", she said getting a surprised look from Caleb. "I know. I know. You and me together? Sounds weird, huh?"
"Well... I wouldn't say weird.", Caleb said. "It's just that I like Will. While you like Matt."
"Exactly!", Irma said as they turned a corner. "But Matt and some of the others think different. Which is why I say we give them what they want."
"Say what!?", Caleb questioned surprised by what Irma just said.
"Just hear me out, Rebel-boy, before you freak out.", Irma said. "Homecoming is coming up in four weeks."
"Homecoming?", Caleb questioned. "What's that?"
"It's that time of year when we students vote for our homecoming court.", Irma began to explain. "And as Freshmen, we vote for the Lord and Lady of the Freshmen Class. Along with the Freshmen Mr. Nice Guy and Ms. Congeniality. But the most important thing is the Homecoming Dance. Which is where we'll do our thing."
"Meaning..."
"Meaning, that we'll go to the dance together.", Irma said. "But before hand, we'll make sure the others know about us going to the dance together to get things started. They'll think that we're just saying it to make Will and Matt jealous."
"But then we'll shock them all by going to the dance together.", Caleb said figuring things out. "Once they se us together having a good time, Matt will want to get back with you while Will will want to get back with me."
"And all will be well again.", Irma said as they got to their class. "And if by some chance they find dates, then we'll have to work extra hard at our plan."
"Unless they somehow go with each other.", Caleb said with a grin.
"That can actually work.", Irma said as the warning bell rang. "We somehow get them to go with each other to the Homecoming Dance. And when they see us looking our best..."
"They see how much they missed being with us and want to get back together with us.", Caleb finished.
"But we have to keep this to ourselves.", Irma said. "The others will have their own plans for Homecoming to deal with. So we'll be on our own here."
"Fine by me.", Caleb said. "The less that know the better. But, I'm still going to try and talk to Will, if I can."
"Fine by me.", Irma said. "But don't push your luck. If she says to give her some space, then back off and give her time to herself."
"I will.", Caleb said. "I'll do just about anything to get back with Will."
It was then that the bell to signal the beginning of class rang to which the teacher began class. Now soon school had ended and the Guardians headed for Kandrakar to do what Will wanted to do for a while now. So once in Kandraka, they met up with the Oracle and his personal council of Tibor, Alfor, Halinor, Luba, and Endarno to have Caleb and Cornelia switch spots.
"I see.", the Oracle said after Will explained what and why she wanted it done. "And all of you are in agreement with this?"
"No!", Irma and Caleb said.
"As you can see, Oracle, some of us think we shouldn't do this.", Taranee said while looking at Caleb and Irma out of the corner of her eye.
"Then may I suggest that we keep things the way they are.", Endarno said. "After all, if there are still trust issues among you all. Doing this may cause them to grow."
"Couldn't agree more!", Irma said.
"Well, I don't.", Will said. "We need to work on our trust. And what better way than to have W.I.T.C.H. back to the way it was. I miss that."
"I do, too.", Taranee said.
"Same here.", Hay Lin said. "And I know that deep down you do too, Irma."
"Fat chance.", Irma said under her breath.
"Perhaps, doing this will be for the better.", Alfor said. "Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin were the original Guardians of this generation. It is only right that they be reunited."
"Even if one or two of you don't agree with it.", Halinor said before turning to Caleb and Irma. "Do not travel down the same path of envy as Nerissa. It does not end well, as you all know.", she said surprising the two reluctant Guardians.
"So it's settled.", Luba said. "The one's known as Cornelia and Caleb shall switch powers putting Cornelia back with the original Guardians."
"Fine.", Caleb and Irma said in a dull tone.
"Then let us begin." the Oracle said as he made the two Earth Guardian Aurameres appear. "Will. Cassidy. Please hold up your Hearts."
Will and Cassidy held up their Hearts only for them to float in the air above the two Aurameres. The Aurameres then floated in front of their Guardian and began to glow along with the Hearts. Suddenly, the Earth Aurameres drained the power from Cornelia and Caleb leaving them powerless at the moment. Then the Aurameres switched Guardians and let the power flow into them. Once it was done, the Hearts returned back to their Keepers and the Oracle had the Aurameres vanish and return back to the Chamber of the Aurameres.
"It is done.", the Oracle said with a kind smile. "Cornelia is one of the original Guardians and Caleb is a part of the newest Guardians. But always remember that all of you are one team. One that must learn together to become stronger to defend the Known Worlds. I wish you all luck.", he said as he opened a fold to the basement of the Vanders' home. "Your friends are waiting for you to return so they can begin your mission. Be careful, Guardians. Your enemy is a cunning one. They will not be so easily beaten."
"We kind of figured that.", Will said. "Even if we shut them down now, they just may start over somewhere else."
"And when they do, we'll find them and shut them down again.", Cassidy said.
"But if we can talk to them and convince them to stop, them this will end quickly.", Taranee said.
"That would be nice.", Angelo said as they went through the fold.
"Things are going to be hard for them after this.", Halinor said. "Won't it?"
"I'm afraid so.", Tibor said. "This enemy won't stop until they get what they want or they stop getting funding from their leaders."
"Then let us hope their leaders see that it is futile to continue and stop their funding.", Endarno said.
"One can only hope, Endarno.", the Oracle said. "one can only hope."
Later that evening, the girls, Micheal, and Matt had asked their parents about spending the night over Angelo's place. And thanks to some convincing from John, they said yes. Which meant that the mission was a go. So after eating a light meal, so not to be slowed down, the Guardians along with Matt, Elyon, Drake, Aldern, and Micheal were ready to go. They then teleported to Heatherfield forest with their friends in tow ready to begin what was going to be a long night.
"Is everyone ready?", Cassidy asked getting nods from everyone as they stood in the forest. "Good.", she said as she pulled out her Heart while Will did the same and...
"Guardians, Unite!", they said as they began to transform themselves and their fellow Guardians.
"Water!", Cassidy and Irma said as they transformed into their Guardian forms.
"Fire!", Taranee and Alchemy said as they transformed into their Guardian forms.
"Earth!", Cornelia and Caleb said as they transformed into their Guardian forms.
"Air!", Hay Lin and Selece said as they transformed into their Guardian forms.
"Quintessence!", Will and Angelo said as they transformed into their Guardian forms.
Once they were transformed, Matt transformed into his Regent form and was ready to go as he took to the air with the Guardians followed by Elyon, Drake, Aldren and Micheal who were all in an energy bubble that Elyon had put them all in with her. Once high enough in the air, so no one could see them, they headed towards the possible factory in hopes of shutting it down. As they were flying, some of them were having a conversation or two.
"So you and Aldern finally got together, huh?", Alchemy asked Cassidy.
"Yeah.", Cassidy asked with a smile. "Of course I took his glamour ring off so our first kiss would be special."
"Aaaaaw! That's so sweet!", Hay Lin said happy for Cassidy and Aldern. "Hey! You wanna double date with me and Eric!?"
"Easy, Hay Lin.". Cassidy said with a grin. "We're taking things slowly. We're going on some simple dates first before the Homecoming Dance so Aldern can get used to being around people here."
"But he gets along so well in school.", Alchemy said.
"True. But we weren't together at the time.", Cassidy said. "He doesn't know how things work when it comes to relationships here."
"So it's like a whole new thing for him.", Hay Lin figured.
"Yeah. Same for me, too.", Cassidy said. "I mean, I never had a relationship with a guy from another world."
"Good point.", Alchemy said. "Looks like it's a whole new thing for the both of you."
"Yeah.", Cassidy said with a smile. "But I think it'll be worth it.", she said as they continued their way.
Meanwhile, in Elyon's energy bubble...
"You and Cassidy!", Micheal said to the green Galhot. "Congrats, man! I'm happy for you!", he said as he patted Aldern on the shoulder.
"Thanks.", Aldern said. "I just hope I don't do anything wrong to mess things up with Cassidy."
"You have nothing to worry about, my friend.", Drake said. "Cassidy knows that you're still learning about Earth and it's customs. Just take your time. It'll work out."
"Drake's right.", Elyon said as she piloted the energy bubble. "You two will be alright. She really likes you. And you like her. And in the end, that's what matters.", she said making Aldern smile knowing that his friends were there for him.
Now as for Will, she was flying with Selece and Cornelia when Caleb flew up to them.
"If you got something to say, Caleb, it can wait until tomorrow.", Will said.
"I just want to talk before we go into action.", Caleb said.
"I'm trying to stay focused here, Caleb.", Will said. "And you should, too. We don't know what we're about to face in that place. So whatever you have to say can wait until tomorrow.", she said as she flew away from Caleb with Cornelia and Selece.
"Maybe you should hear him out before we get there." Cornelia said. "It couldn't hurt."
"I'm really not in the mood to talk to him right now.", Will said.
"Maybe so.", Selece said. "But what's the harm in talking to him for a few minutes?"
"I guess you two are right.", Will said "I'll be right back.", she said as she slowed down enough so that she was flying next to Caleb. "Whatever you have to say, make it quick."
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for hurting you yesterday.", Caleb said. "When I saw Cornelia fighting you, I just snapped and reacted the way I did. I was only thinking about your safety and protecting you from Cornelia."
"We were sparring, Caleb.", Will said. "And you weren't suppose to be there in the first place. Even if you wanted to try and talk me out of switching you with Cornelia, you could have waited until today to do that. But instead, you come to where we are training and freak out when you see me and Cornelia sparring thinking that she's attacking me while the others watch. Do you really think they others would let that happen?"
"I'm sorry.", Caleb said.
"That's a start, but you still need to get over this mistrust of Cornelia.", Will said. "That's why I broke up with you. I can't be in a relationship where my boyfriend thinks the worse of one or more of my friends."
"But what if she..."
"Stop!", Will said cutting Caleb off. "Just stop! I, unlike you, trust Cornelia now. I should have a long time ago, but I let my fear get the better of me along with you and Irma feeding my fear of her. Well that ends now! If you can't get along with her and the others, then I don't see us getting back together again.", she said as she began to fly back to Selece and Cornelia when Caleb grabbed her arm stopping her.
"Things were going great until they were teamed up with us!", Caleb snapped referring to Cassidy, Alchemy, and Cornelia causing everyone to stop and hover in the air. "And then your old friends joining us and made things worse!"
"Let me go, Caleb!", Will demanded as she tried to break freak of his grip.
"Not until you hear what I have to say!", Caleb shouted. "We'd still be together if it weren't for them!"
"Bad move, Rebel-boy.", Irma said to herself as she shook her head. "Bad move."
"Don't blame our friends for us breaking up!", Will said while looking Caleb in the face. "You've got yourself to blame! And if you can't see that, then I feel sorry for you. Now let me go!"
"You heard her!", Angelo said as he flew up to them. "Let her go! Now!"
"Back off!", Caleb snapped at Angelo when Cornelia used her telekinesis to force him and Will flying away from each other.
Matt was able to catch Caleb while Angelo caught Will.
"Relax and cool off, man!", Matt said to Caleb as he let him go. "We have a job to do. Remember?"
"Chill out, Caleb!", Irma said to him. "I told you to give Will her space! Weren't you listening to me when I told you that!?"
Caleb said nothing as he looked to see Angelo holding Will after catching her. Something he didn't like to see yet couldn't do much about at the moment.
"You okay?", Angelo asked Will as she began to fly on her own.
"Y-Y-Yeah.", Will said as she hovered there in front of Angelo. "Just a bit shaken up."
"Sorry about that.", Cornelia said. "It was the only thing I could think of to get you away from Caleb."
"Don't worry about it.", Will said. "You did me a favor. Thanks.", she said with a smile that Cornelia returned.
"Do you still want to still keep going?", Taranee asked.
"Yeah.", Will said. "We have to do this or there will be more attacks on Metamoor."
"As long as you're good to go.", Selece said.
"I am.", Will said with a nod.
"Then let's get moving.", Cassidy said. "The sooner we get this done the better.", she said as everyone continued on their way.
"You have no idea how badly you messed up.", Matt said to Caleb. "Any chance of you and Will getting back together just got a whole lot smaller, dude."
"Great.", Caleb said not liking the sound of what Matt said.
"My advice to you is to give Will her space.", Matt said.
"That's what Irma said.", Caleb said.
"Well, you should have listened to her.", Matt said.
"Any chance of you two getting back together.", Caleb asked.
"Honestly, I have no idea.", Matt said. "Right now, I need some time to myself to think about things and focus on my school work. And let's be honest. Irma isn't one to focus on her school work much."
"True. But she does care for you.", Caleb said.
"Well, if we're meant to get back together, then it'll happen.", Matt said as they reached the outskirts of Heatherfield.
"There it is!", Taranee said as she spotted the place they were looking for.
"Let's move!", Will said as everyone dove down to the buildings.
As they got closer to the place, they all saw that it looked like an old factory that wasn't really used a lot. But in their line of work, nothing is what it seems. Once close enough, they landed behind a building that provided enough shadow for them all to hide behind in the night. It was then that Will spotted a thing of security cameras at both ends of the wall. She and Angelo then used their powers to hit them with a thing of electricity shutting them off.
"So how do we find our way inside?", Irma questioned.
"Selece and I can go invisible and fly through a window.", Hay Lin said.
"Good idea.", Cassidy said.
"Go for it.", Will said. "But be careful."
"They'll never know we're there.", Selece said with a wink before she and Hay Lin went invisible.
"Be right back.", Hay Lin said as she and Selece flew to one of the windows and opened it carefully before going inside.
"Be careful, sis.", Micheal said to himself being worried about his little sister when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He looked to see that it was Cornelia giving him a smile that he returned. As for Hay Lin and Selece, once inside, they began to carefully fly around to get a bird's-eye view of the place before contacting the others to let them know it was okay to come inside.
"This place is huge!", Hay Lin said low enough so only Selece could hear her.
"Yeah.", Selece said talking the same way. "It looks like the robots are made on an assembly line by other robots.", Selece said getting a good look at how the factory works.
"I wonder where the completed robots go.", Hay Lin wondered.
"Let's look around and find out.", Selece said as they flew around the place. "How cool is it that we can see each other when were invisible."
"Totally cool!", Hay Lin said smiling. "This way we don't bump into each other."
"I hear you there.", Selece said as they flew down one of the halls of the place in hope of finding the ones in charge.
But what they didn't know was that the ones in charge knew they were there. Hollens and Riddle were in an office when the silent alarm to the window Hay Lin and Selece went through, went off.
"So it seems that our guest have finally arrived.", Riddle said as he turned off the silent alarm.
"Not all of them.", Hollens said. "Only the two Air Guardians are inside scoping out the factory. Once they get a good look around the place, they contact their friends letting them know it's safe to come in and do what they plan on doing."
"I still say that we might have a chance at capturing them if we had all of our robots here.", Riddle said.
"They can teleport, my friend.", Hollens said. "This plan works out better. They'll destroy the few robots we left here along with the factory not knowing that we have another one set up and making robots as we speak."
"And once they get done wrecking this place, they go home thinking that they shut us down.", Riddle said. "But we'll just be bidding our time waiting for the right time to strike."
"Oh, they're not that dumb, Riddle.", Hollens said. "They be on the look out for us. But what they don't know is that when they least expect it, we'll strike and take the world of Metamoor by storm with our armada of robots."
"But for now, we lay low and wait.", Riddle said.
"Yes.", Hollens said. "But before we do, I have one more thing to do.", he said with a smirk. "Something that will give us an advantage in the future."
A/N: Well, it seems that the Guardians and their allies are ready to strike once Selece and Hay Lin give then the word. But Hollens has a plan of his own. And they're not good. Looks like this is going to be far from over.
Please review.