Hay Lin and Fraost had brought everybody over to the Silver Dragon after school. The boys were a bit more livelier in their conversation than the girls were.
"Hey! Keep all that noise down!" Irma suddenly barked, causing everyone to stare at her. "I was being ironic..."
"So, Will, where did you go to school before Sheffield?" Taranee asked.
"Hello!? Who cares?" Cornelia spoke up. "Have you guys noticed a bunch of real strange stuff going around me lately?"
Karma gave a fake gasp. "Oh dear! The conversation has accidentally wandered away from Cornelia's life. Whatever were we thinking?"
This caused everyone else, minus Cornelia, to burst into chuckles as Nagare gave his brother a fistbump before Yan Lin came in, carrying a box.
"Enjoying your food?"
Everyone smiled and nodded before Irma smirked.
"But the important thing is how is Cornelia enjoying 'her' food."
Cornelia gave Irma a dirty look, which only made her giggle in amusement. As this was going on, Will took a fortune cookie and cracked it open to read the fortune inside.
"You will make a new best friend." She read before looking to Irma, who gave her a subtle wink in response.
"What's in the box, Grandma?" Hay Lin asked when she noticed Yan Lin putting down the box she was carrying on the table.
"Oh, excuse me." Yan Lin cleared her throat. "Let me tell all of you a story, that I believe may have a special meaning on each and every one of you."
Hay Lin looked a little embarrassed. "Grandma, they really don't want to hear a story."
"I would!" Karma said. "Snacks and a story? What more could a fella want?"
'Besides a pretty girl on my arm.' He added but kept to himself.
"I could go for a story." Fraost mentioned. "Get away from school work for a bit."
"Me too!" Edgar and Apollo beamed together.
Nagare smiled at that.
"usually they're at each other's throats, but offer to tell a story and these two are perfect angels." He explained to Will. "Besides, anything to keep Karma in line."
Will giggled at that.
Yan Lin shushed her granddaughter before tapping the air behind her, causing a sudden magical ripple that projected an astral image of what appeared to be the known universe. The ten teenagers' eyes all widened in alarm.
"Fraost, please tell me this place has special effect devices hidden around..." Edgar nervously said, the science side of his brain unable to process this.
"We don't..." Froast started. In spite of his usual calmness, this was scarying him: Yan Lin never did THIS when she told a story before!
"Long ago, the universe was once a single kingdom ruled by good. But evil began to take root." Yan Lin began her story. "A veil was created to isolate the evil kingdom of Meridian from all other worlds. Without the protection of this veil, every world, including Earth, is in terrible danger."
The magical projection showed a green planetoid that represented Meridian being covered by black roses and thrones, with a purple and vibrant aura surrounding the planet to represent the veil.
"Okay, I think I can see where this story is going..." Karma nervously said.
"Meridian has been overtaken by a powerful entity named Phobos. But he is not the legitimate ruler." As Yan Lin spoke, a projection of the aforementioned Phobos appeared, sitting on a throne with a cold, merciless glare. "They believe that the true heir to the throne is somewhere here on Earth."
"Um… I'd like to wake up now." Irma voiced.
Yan Lin wagged her finger to tell Irma to be silent before continuing her tale.
"But portals have begun to open in the Veil. Doorways from which evil can cross between worlds.
The magical projection showed a blue swirling portal for emphasis.
"There has to be a very logical explanation for this-" Edgar began before being smacked upside the head by Fraost. "Ow, why did you-?"
"Be quiet and let Grandma finish."
He may have kind of been scared, but Fraost would never be rude. He'd sit through this.
"There are people called Guardians whose job it is to close these holes using their magical powers." Yan Lin then snapped her fingers as the projection vanished. "I became the Guardian when I was your age. But now the duty is passing to your generation."
Cornelia immediately stood up. "Well, thanks for the snacks!":
"I just remembered! I left some material boiling at home!" Edgar started
"Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah!" Yan Lin reprimanded, holding up a finger as Cornelia and Edgar sat back down obediently. The old woman then opened the box and pulled out a glowing pink jewel by a string necklace.
"Whoa, sick jewelry!" Karma noted.
"This is the Heart of Kandrakar, which contains the elementary forces of nature." Yan Lin showed the crystal, as the teens looked in awe. Though it was small, they could tell there was something very special about it. "In the last few days, you five girls have all had unusual experiences, am I right?"
"Not counting this one?" Irma muttered to herself.
"Come to think of it, Taranee did somehow relight the candles when we celebrated her birthday a few days ago..." Edgar noted. "At first, I thought they were faulty trick candles..."
"And then there was Cornelia's plant at the Science Fair today as well as the water from the drinking fountain that hit Uriah in the face..." Nagare added.
Yan Lin nodded. "All five of you are starting to notice extraordinary abilities. Irma, as Nagare noticed, you will have noticed any water near you behaving strangely."
Irma looked at it almost skeptically as she took the straw and started to stir the water, but as she pulled the straw out, she pulled out some of the water which hovered over the glass for a bit. That caught everyone by surprise as they stared in fascination.
"Irma's a waterbender confirmed!" Karma gaped as the water fell back into the glass.
"Okay… alrighty…" Irma awkwardly muttered.
"Taranee, I believe you have always been afraid of fire." Yan Lin told the bespectacled girl. "But focus now on the candle."
Taranee nervously pointed her finger toward the candle near her, but as she twitched, she shot a small flame from her finger that missed the candle and hit a banana instead. Edgar immediately took his glass of water and poured it on the banana, dousing the flame instantly.
Yan Lin held a Chinese Lantern in her hand as she turned to her granddaughter next. "My little Hay Lin, this morning you noticed your power over Air."
Hay Lin instinctively exhaled and sent a small gust of wind to inflate the lantern. Fraost silently clapped his hands followed by Nagare, Karma, Edgar, and Apollo.
"To you Cornelia, is gifted the power of Earth." Yan Lin said as she handed the blonde girl a small potted plant. Cornelia shakily held her hand over the pot as the small plant quickly grew into a blooming flower, causing her to look in amazement until the plant broke out of the pot and spread some of its roots across the table.
"All five of you will get better with your powers." Yan Lin began before frowning. "I hope..."
"Um… did you say five?" Hay Lin asked as everyone looked at the only girl who didn't seem to display any kind of power.
"Um...hate to disappoint you but I can't even do that trick where it looks like your thumb comes apart." Will nervously said. "But if I ever have a party, you guys are definitely the entertainment."
"I like to think Karma is the whole goddamn circus," Apollo muttered but his friend simply took it in stride with a proud puff of his chest.
"Well, he IS the most recommended babysitter." Nagare noted, getting a nod of thanks from Karma.
Yan Lin put a hand on Will's shoulder. "One of the five binds the others, and with the Heart of Kandrakar, unites them, summoning and magnifying their powers."
The crystal in question lifted itself from Yan Lin's hand and hovered over the table as almost everyone looked at it in further amazement till it floated its way toward Will, almost as if the Heart was choosing her.
"Uh… recap…" Taranee stood up. "We gotta protect the world from evil by repairing holes in some kind of veil?"
"This doesn't involve sewing, does it?" Cornelia asked.
"This is so cool!" Irma said, her shock giving away to excitement. "When can we start?!"
"You already have." Yan Lin answered.
"Wait...if you're telling the girls this...why tell us as well, Grandma?" Fraost asked.
"Because...you boys are to be the Guardians' Knights." Yan Lin explained.
"Wait...so we're becoming Guardians TO the Guardians?" Nagare asked as Yan Lin nodded.
"Long ago, eight warriors were blessed by the Divine Moon Dragon to watch over the universe. These eight warriors each harnessed an elemental phase. However, there was a man who was jealous of the eight's gift and desired to take it for himself, becoming an almighty dark being of evil. The eight elemental warriors defeated and banished him before ascending to the next plane of existence."
"But what does this have to do with the Guardians?" Edgar questioned, getting a slight whack from Fraost, who then shushed him.
"I was getting to that, don't worry." Yan Lin wagged her finger before continuing. "The eight imbued an ancient amulet with their elemental energies and bestowed it to five warriors who displayed the necessary virtues to harness them. These elements are branched from the elements used by the Guardians."
Yan Lin then took out another object that was in the box, an amulet that had the Yin-Yang Symbol in the center and eight moons in different phases surrounding it.
"The five warriors aided the first Guardians to fight against evil and then passed it down to their chosen successors over many lifetimes."
The amulet glowed brightly, the Yin-Yang symbol and the eight moons surrounding it all shining brightly like the most precious crystal imaginable, the Heart of Kandrakar glowing in tune with it as if both relics were united together.
"Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, Hay Lin." Yan Lin said to the girls. "You have been chosen as the new Guardians of the Veil."
"And us?" Nagare asked.
"Nagare, Karma, Edgar, Apollo, Fraost...you are their Knights, the ones who will stand beside them through all the trials and darkness that they face."
Everyone was silent for what felt like forever before Edgar broke the ice.
"So lemme see if we understand this right... Magic is real."
Yan Lin nodded. "Mhm."
"The girls in our lives have been chosen to protect it." Fraost continued as he and Hay Lin looked at each other.
"That's right."
"But something or someone else has messed with the usual way this works and now WE'RE getting magic too?" Apollo continued.
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
"...Will this help us in school?" Karma asked.
Yan Lin shrugged. "...Eh, you'll probably learn life lessons and grow along the way, but...No, I don't think it will."
Silence and then...
"Hey, I'm game!" Karma grinned.
"No way I'm turning this down!" Apollo added.
"Well, someone's got to keep you two in check. Edgar?"
The intellectual boy had been quiet, racking huis brain over this.
"M-magic? No, no. That cant be it. The multiverse and other worlds, yes, that makes sense. But destiny is pure superstition and magic…MAGIC?! The very art of deceviement and science of cowards?! I, an ingenious mind of my generation…!"
"Hey, um…just a thought?" Will meekly cut in. "Maybe, just maybe, you could do all this to opbnserve?"
Edgar looked at the redhead as if she was speaking a foreging language.
"If that was your attempt at appealing to make this whole ridiculous charade an experiment….You succeded. Just promise me this wouldn't be as girly or simple as WINX, Barbie or Sailor Moon!"
"….What's a Winx?" Fraost asked.
"Don't ask." The girls and Apollo all responded; deadpan looks on their faces.
Unnoticed by the teens, but by the elderly lady, Will and Nagare seemed to be emitting some kind of…glow from their hands? Of the same myriad of colors?
"Interesting." Yan Lin mused, a cheeky and knowing smile on her face. "; a pair has been chosen so quickly."
"OOOOO!" Karma cooed teasingly.
"SHUT IT!" Nagare snapped, bonking his brother on the head. Again. "What're you? Three?"
"I'm telling!" Karma half playfully whined.
WITCH
In his throne room in Meridian, Phobos cast a spell that produced a white powdery substance that created a vision showing Will and Nagare together before narrowing his eyes.
"Interesting..."
"The New Guardians and Knights have been chosen, haven't they?" A dark, suave voice spoke up as Phobos closed his eyes.
"Indeed, Master. Your enemies' descendants have been chosen as the new Knights."
"After all these centuries, they continue to haunt me!" The mysterious voice of Phobos' Master snarled. "Left behind to rot despite everything I did for them!"
Phobos sighed. "Master, you will have your revenge in due time. You will not only regain your lost power, but you will finally achieve that which was unjustly taken from you as well."
"I hope so, 'Prince' Phobos." The voice sneered, saying 'Prince' in a mocking tone. "Don't forget it was I who helped you claim the throne when your parents died! Don't forget I was the one who helped clear your name when everyone accused you of being the killer!"
"And I am grateful for your aid," Phobos said. "Though in return for your generosity, you inscribed me as your apprentice in the dark arts."
"And you have taken to my teachings quite well, my boy. Still, something will need to be done about those Guardians and their little boyfriends."
"We will see how this plays out first, Master."
A pair of red glowing eyes narrowed in the shadows near Phobos, a wide grin stretched in the darkness, revealing razor-sharp jagged teeth that soon belted out a sadistic cackle of excitement...
WITCH
Meanwhile, on the outskirts, Caleb and Aldarn had managed to not only lose the small army previously chasing them but had even gained some significant distance as they dismounted their steeds.
"Thanks for the ride, how much do I owe you?" Caleb jokingly asked the ostrich-like creature before it and the one Aldarn was riding collapsed on the ground to get some sleep.
"Uh… the Infinite City is still an hour's walk, Caleb," Aldarn said as they looked toward their destination across a large and empty field.
"For you. I'm not going." Caleb said, much to Aldarn's surprise.
"What?"
"I heard something from my informant," Caleb explained. "Phobos has discovered the rightful heir to the throne is alive, on Earth."
"Earth?"
"I need to find a portal. If we don't locate the missing heir before Phobos does, Meridian and Earth are both doomed." He placed his hands firmly on his friends' shoulders who did the same. "Tell the men to stay strong, and the women not to worry. I hope to see you soon, Aldarn"
With that farewell, both friends went their separate ways as Aldarn ran toward the Infinite City while Caleb ran back in the direction they came.
Caleb climbed his way up a rocky hillside. However, once he reached the top, he looked in shock as he came face-to-face with Phobos' serpent right-hand man, Lord Cedric.
"How can something so small be so troublesome?" Cedric said with a hiss. Before Caleb could even react, Cedric slammed his massive tail at Caleb to send him rolling and tumbling down the hillside as the large serpent-man gave pursuit.
Knightmare Lord A/N:
And so, Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin have discovered they are to be the new Guardians of the Veil but this time, there's a twist; Nagare, Karma, Edgar, Apollo, and Fraost are to be Knights acting as protectors to the Guardians!
The boys' powers will be inspired by a piece of fanart I saw on DeviantArt called Elemental Calendar 3.1 by Bysthedragon. Check it out so you have an idea on what the boys can do.
However, despite having a more varied elemental powerset, the girls will be stronger than the boys because Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Aether/Quintessence/Energy are the five primary elements of the universe while the elements the boys have are technically extensions of those five in some way, shape, or form.
Anyway, I'll leave Marc to close this chapter off. What do you got, buddy?
Mrotra A/N:
KL did most of the work this time around, I just handled the boy's reactions.
No disrespect of bashing meant towards WINX, Sailor Moon or Barbie; that line was just Edgar hoping that his adventures would be 'smarter' and more 'universalnot gender exclusive' than what he's seen on cartoons focusing on magical girls.
Not much else from me; hope you liked it and see yta when we see ya!