A/N: Thank you Heart of the Demons, DJ Scales and W.I.T.C.H.aholic for both the review and the good luck cheers. I'm glad y'all like my story. I would definitely like a reboot of W.I.T.C.H. however that doesn't look very likely at the moment. As for Caleb I wanted him to go a little too far. In my version, Caleb was present at the Battle of Gray Woods and saw Cedric kill his father in front of him. It makes sence for him to go a little too far. Also follow me on instagram on @jrgmf3 for more W.I.T.C.H. Rewritten content
Chapter III: The Mudslugs
As Elyon stepped into the vibrant garden, her breath caught in her throat. The air was filled with the intoxicating fragrance of blooming flowers, their petals displaying a kaleidoscope of colors. She marveled at the meticulously manicured hedges, winding pathways, and bubbling fountains that adorned the enchanting landscape.
The sun bathed the garden in a warm golden glow, casting gentle shadows as Elyon and Prince Phobos strolled along the stone pathway. The sound of birds chirping and the distant rustle of leaves added a soothing symphony to the serene atmosphere.
"This place takes your breath away," Elyon whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Prince Phobos smiled, his eyes sparkling with pride. "I knew you'd love it, Elyon. This garden has always held a special place in our hearts."
Elyon's gaze swept across the picturesque scenery, her eyes drinking in the beauty that surrounded her. "The castle. These gardens. I feel like I'm in a fairytale."
Prince Phobos chuckled softly. "Sometimes fairytales come true, dear sister. And this is just the beginning."
"I still can't understand why my so-called best friend wouldn't want to tell me about this amazing place," Elyon said. "Or the fact that all these years I had a brother."
Prince Phobos placed a comforting hand on Elyon's shoulder. "It doesn't sound like your best friend wants the best for you."
Phobos took Elyon inside the castle. He guided her through the grand corridors of the castle, their footsteps resonating with a solemn echo. They arrived at a majestic room adorned with intricate tapestries and shimmering crystal chandeliers. In the center of the room stood a magnificent stone pedestal.
Elyon's eyes widened with curiosity and anticipation as she approached it. Phobos' voice reverberated with a touch of pride as he explained its significance. "This is the viewing stone," he said, his tone filled with a mix of excitement and caution. "With it, we can observe any event, past or present, unfolding in the world beyond. What do you wish to see?"
Elyon thought for a moment. "I want to see my friends. I mean... what did you call them?"
"The Guardians," Phobos replied.
"Yes. I've been thinking about them all morning."
As Phobos activated the stone, a hazy image materialized, revealing a familiar scene. It was Cornelia and Will, engrossed in a biology experiment, delicately dissecting a worm. Their laughter filled the air, a testament to the genuine bond they shared. Elyon's heart sank as she witnessed their camaraderie, feeling a pang of hurt and betrayal.
"I can't believe Cornelia has forgotten me so quickly," Elyon whispered, her voice laced with heartbreak. "I've been her lab partner since fourth grade. Oh, we've made DNA out of licorice and pipe cleaners."
The viewing stone's image shifted, now showcasing Cornelia, Will, Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin in joyous harmony. They laughed, shared inside jokes, and embarked on adventures without her. Elyon's disappointment deepened, her eyes welling up with tears. She couldn't comprehend how her once inseparable circle of friends had seemingly moved on, leaving her behind.
"Of course, there's Taranee, Hay Lin, and Irma," Elyon uttered, her voice tinged with disappointment. "When I think they all gave me this friendship locket for my birthday. Look at this! They each put a lock of hair inside. What a joke!!" With a mix of anguish and frustration, she flung the locket onto the ground, its delicate chains clinking against the stone floor.
Overwhelmed by emotions, Elyon turned away from the viewing stone, her tears flowing freely. She fled from the room, her footsteps echoing through the corridors as a symphony of sorrow. The weight of betrayal and abandonment burdened her spirit, leaving her feeling adrift and alone.
Will and Cornelia entered the bustling Biology lab, the scent of formaldehyde lingering in the air. The room was abuzz with students preparing for their practical experiment—a worm dissection. Their lab coats swished as they made their way to the assigned lab station, where a tray containing a plump, wiggling worm awaited them.
"Great, just great," Cornelia muttered under her breath, her tone heavy with resentment. "I can't believe I'm stuck with you for this disgusting task, Will."
Will tried to maintain a calm demeanor, knowing that Cornelia's anger was directed at her. She adjusted her safety goggles and picked up the scalpel, preparing to begin the dissection. "Cornelia, let's try to work together. We have to complete this experiment, and it's important to follow the instructions carefully," she suggested, attempting to diffuse the tension.
Cornelia scoffed and rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested in any form of cooperation. "Oh, I'm well aware of the importance, Will," she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But we both know how you tend to mess things up. I bet you'll slice the poor worm in half before we even start."
Will's cheeks flushed with a mixture of frustration and hurt, but she refused to let Cornelia's negativity derail her. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and focused on the task at hand. "I'm going to do my best, Cornelia. Let's just get this done, alright?"
As the dissection progressed, Will meticulously followed the instructions, making precise incisions and carefully examining each segment of the worm. Despite her efforts, Cornelia seemed determined to find fault in everything Will did.
"Watch it, Will! You almost ruined the entire specimen!" Cornelia exclaimed, her voice sharp with accusation. "Honestly, I don't know why they paired us up. I should've been assigned someone competent."
Will gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to retort. She knew that engaging in an argument would only escalate the situation. Instead, she focused on maintaining her composure, silently continuing the dissection.
With each delicate incision and precise maneuver Will made during the worm dissection, Cornelia's critical eye grew sharper. Every small misstep, no matter how inconsequential, became an opportunity for Cornelia to pounce and unleash her dissatisfaction.
"You call that a cut, Will?" Cornelia sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "I've seen preschoolers handle scissors better than you."
Will's brow furrowed, her hands momentarily freezing in place. She knew her every move was under scrutiny. Ignoring Cornelia's barb, she resumed the dissection, her focus sharpening with determination.
Cornelia's comments became more biting with each passing moment, her words leaving lingering wounds on Will's confidence. "Honestly, Will, it's like you're trying to sabotage us," she said, her tone laced with disdain. "Do you even know what you're doing? Maybe you should stick to something more suited to your skill level, like finger painting."
Will's grip tightened around the scalpel, her jaw clenching in a mix of frustration and hurt. She knew Cornelia's words were fueled by anger and disappointment, but they cut deeper than she cared to admit. Refusing to let the negativity consume her, she steadied her hand and pressed on, determined to prove herself.
"You call that precision, Will?" Cornelia scoffed, her voice laden with mockery. "It's a wonder you even made it into this class. Maybe you should consider taking up a hobby that doesn't involve anything remotely important."
Will's patience waned, but she refused to let Cornelia's words derail her. Taking a steadying breath, she steadied her trembling hand, determined to complete the dissection flawlessly. She knew that succumbing to anger and confrontation would only further fracture their already fragile relationship.
As the dissection neared its end, Cornelia's frustration reached its peak. "I can't believe how careless you are, Will! Look at what you've done to this poor worm!" Cornelia exclaimed, pointing at a slightly mangled section. "It's a wonder you haven't failed this class yet."
Will's heart sank at Cornelia's harsh words, feeling the sting of her relentless blame. She clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her composure. "I've done my best, Cornelia," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and determination.
"Your best isn't enough," Cornelia retorted. "Especially if you mess up. Like you did with Elyon."
"Cornelia," Will began.
"What?" Cornelia rhetorically asked. "You're the one who wouldn't let me warn her."
"That's not fair," Will retorted.
"I said this will happen," Cornelia said. "Who knows what lies Phobos has already told her?"
"We'll get her back. I promise," Will said.
"Yeah, right," Cornelia retorted. And with that she left.
After the disheartening biology class, Will couldn't help but feel like she constantly got the short end of the stick in her daily life. It seemed as though every situation conspired against her, leaving her feeling frustrated and overlooked.
As she gathered her belongings and made her way through the crowded school hallway, she couldn't shake off the lingering sense of disappointment from the failed experiment. Students bustled around her, chatting and laughing with their friends, their seemingly effortless happiness serving as a stark contrast to her own state of mind.
Just as Will was about to turn a corner, she accidentally bumped into a group of classmates, causing her to drop her books and papers. Papers scattered across the floor like autumn leaves, and she scrambled to collect them, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Watch where you're going, clumsy," one of the students snickered, while others joined in with mocking laughter. Will's heart sank further, feeling like a magnet for mishaps and ridicule.
With a heavy sigh, Will managed to gather her belongings, albeit in a haphazard manner. She adjusted the strap of her backpack and hurriedly continued on her way, hoping to find solace in the familiarity of her friends.
Entering the cafeteria, Will scanned the bustling room, her gaze searching for the familiar faces of Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin. However, as she approached their usual table, she realized they were engrossed in a lively conversation, their laughter resonating throughout the space.
Will hesitated for a moment, feeling like an outsider looking in on a world where she no longer belonged. She watched as her friends exchanged stories, their camaraderie intact, while she stood on the periphery, yearning to be a part of their joyous banter.
Taking a deep breath, Will mustered the courage to approach the table, hoping to be welcomed into the fold. But just as she was about to join the conversation, a student accidentally bumped into her, causing her tray to topple over and spill its contents onto her clothes.
"Oh, great," Will muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with exasperation. She glanced at her stained attire, feeling a surge of frustration rise within her. It seemed that even in the simplest of moments, she couldn't catch a break.
Her friends turned their attention towards her, their expressions shifting from amusement to concern. "Will, are you alright?" Hay Lin asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.
"I'm fine," Will replied with a forced smile, trying to brush off the incident. "Just another stroke of bad luck, I guess. We need to have a group meeting to discuss what we do next. Any ideas where we could do that?"
"You all can come over to my place," Irma offered.
"Your place it is then," Will replied. "Make sure to tell Cornelia."
As the day wore on, the dark cloud of misfortune continued to cast its shadow over Will's every step. It seemed as though the universe had conspired against her, determined to test her resilience at every turn. Even the simplest tasks became arduous trials, leaving her feeling worn and discouraged.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of another grueling school day, Will found herself yearning for a respite from the relentless challenges that plagued her. With a heavy heart, she made her way to Irma's house for their scheduled W.I.T.C.H. meeting. The whole Elyon situation had taken a toll on her.
Entering Irma's home, Will was greeted by the warm and inviting atmosphere that had always made her feel welcomed and at ease. "Hey, Will," Irma's mother greeted. "The others are upstairs in Irma's room."
As Will ascended the stairs, the weight of the day's trials clung to her like an unwelcome burden, threatening to drag her down further. The familiar faces of Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, Hay Lin, Caleb, and Blunk awaited her in Irma's room. She hoped that the gathering would provide solace and guidance, a glimmer of light in the midst of her relentless misfortune.
However, as she stepped into the room, an icy atmosphere greeted her. Cornelia's scowl spoke volumes, an unspoken accusation hanging heavily in the air. Will couldn't help but feel the sting of her friend's disapproval, a reminder of every mistake and misstep she had endured throughout the day.
"Oh, it's you," Cornelia's voice dripped with disdain, her tone laced with a bitterness that threatened to suffocate any hope of reconciliation.
Unfazed by the hostility, Will took a deep breath, summoning her resolve. She knew she had to steer the conversation toward the pressing matter at hand, despite the undercurrent of tension that threatened to consume them.
"Okay," Will began, her voice steadier than she felt inside. "Let's discuss the situation at hand."
Cornelia's voice dripped with sarcasm as she retorted, "Discuss what? How you messed up?"
Will's brows furrowed, her patience waning. She knew she needed to rise above Cornelia's provocation and focus on the task ahead. With determination, she replied, "No, Cornelia. We need to focus on what to do next."
A frustrated sigh escaped Cornelia's lips, her eyes brimming with anger. "We've already discussed that," she said. "We're going to do what we should have done a long time ago. We're going to confront Phobos and defeat him."
"Cornelia, that's insane," Will retorted, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and concern. "We don't have a chance against him."
Taranee's voice broke through the tension, her tone firm but measured. "It is the only option we have," she stated. "The more time Elyon spends with Phobos, the more he'll sway her to his side. We need to act now."
"But we don't stand a chance against him," Will protested, her voice tinged with desperation. "He's so dangerous that the only way to protect the universe from him was to lock him inside his own world. Do you really think we can take him?"
Cornelia's frustration erupted once again. "And, of course, you choose doing nothing," she said. "Typical. I don't know why you even bothered coming here. We don't need you. All you do is throw an occasional lightning bolt and act like you're so great when, in fact, it is we who do all the dirty work. I deserve to have the Heart. Not you."
Each word that Cornelia hurled felt like a dagger piercing through Will's fragile resolve. The room seemed to close in around her, suffocating her spirit. Her heart ached with the weight of Cornelia's accusations, an overwhelming sense of inadequacy washing over her.
Finally, unable to bear the weight of it all, Will reached a breaking point. Her voice trembled as she uttered, "I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be a leader, but I tried doing my best. However, you were right—my best isn't enough. If it weren't for me, Elyon would be safe." A tremor ran through her as she retrieved the Heart of Kandrakar from her pocket. "Here," she said, her voice filled with a mix of defeat and resignation. "You deserve this, not me. I quit."
Irma's voice filled with disbelief as she exclaimed, "You're bailing on us?!"
Hay Lin's eyes widened with shock and desperation. "But we need you," she pleaded.
Will shook her head, her voice laced with sadness and self-doubt. "You don't need me," she replied, her words weighted with the burdens of her own perceived failures. "All I do is tag along, in the best-case scenario. All this time, I've been nothing but a burden." Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. "Maybe taking on Phobos isn't impossible. But I know for certain that if I'm going to be there, I'll find some way to mess it up."
The weight of her emotions became too much to bear. Will turned and fled from the room, her footsteps echoing in her ears as she ran, tears streaming down her cheeks. The door closed behind her, leaving her alone in her anguish and uncertainty.
"I hope you're proud of yourself," Irma said to Cornelia. "Look at what you've done to Will!"
"What about what she has done to me?" Cornelia retorted. "To Elyon."
"Cornelia, she had the best intentions," Irma retorted. "Everyone makes mistakes."
"Yeah, well her mistakes are endangering everybody," Cornelia replied. "Trust me, we're better off without her."
"It's my fault," Caleb finally spoke. "I saw Cedric every day but I never once made the connection. I almost had him reveal himself. It was either that or die. But Elyon did something to me and the next thing I know their both gone."
"So... what's your history with Cedric?" asked Irma.
"A year ago," Caleb began. "there was an enormous battle between Phobos' armies and the Rebellion. It happened at Grey Woods. It was the first battle I ever fought in. Until that point my father only let me participate in stealth missions, where the emphasis was put on brains rather than brawls.
At first we were winning. But then things went south when Lord Cedric himself arrived. I saw him single-handedly took down half of our men, including my father. At that moment I swore to take my father's place as Rebel Leader, and that I will bring Lord Cedric to justice."
Just then, Irma's little brother Chris came into the room, his shoes full of mud. In his hands he had a jar which contained a worm. "Hey, Irma!" he called. "Check this!"
"Chris," Irma responded, "little brother rule number 1—knock." She took a better look at him. "Second thought, don't touch my door or anything else of mine... What've you got?"
"I was on my way home from T-ball and there was this huge mud puddle," Chris explained. Just then he saw Blunk licking the mud from his shoes. "Hi, smelly clown babysitter. I found these cool worms. I picked one up and... Hey! It wasn't this big before." The worm was now almost the size of the jar itself. It had no eyes and its mouth was on its belly. Blunk took a few more licks of the mud and exclaimed, "Meridian mud!"
"Did you say Meridian?" asked Caleb, alarmed. He looked outside the window and saw a dozen more of those worms coming from the ground towards the house. "Meridian mudslugs!" Caleb exclaimed.
"What?" asked Cornelia.
"We have to leave, now!" Caleb said.
The group hurriedly made their way out of Irma's house, cautiously avoiding the advancing horde of Meridian mudslugs. With each step, the ground seemed to tremble beneath their feet, and the slithering creatures grew more numerous, their wriggling forms casting eerie shadows in the fading light.
"Keep moving!" Caleb shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "We need to find a way out of here!"
Blunk, their loyal and slightly smelly guide, darted ahead, his body navigating effortlessly through the chaos. He led the group through narrow alleyways and across abandoned streets, his keen sense of direction guiding them towards an unknown destination.
As they followed Blunk's trail, the air grew heavy with a sense of foreboding. The once-familiar cityscape transformed into a desolate landscape, littered with unfinished buildings and towering cranes frozen in time. Dust and debris swirled in the air, carried by the gusts of wind that whispered secrets of forgotten dreams.
Finally, Blunk came to a halt in front of an entrance to an abandoned construction site. A portal could be seen in the distance, glowing with otherworldly light. Suddenly, more worms began to come out of the ground. The girls instinctively backed up as the worms kept going. "Are they coming towards us?!" Cornelia exclaimed. "They don't even have eyes!"
"They don't need eyes," Caleb explained. "Did Elyon have anything of yours when she crossed the Veil?"
"She had one of my CD's," Irma said. "But I don't think they're going to eat Boyzilla."
Hay Lin gasped. "The locket!"
"That's right," Cornelia said. "The hair in the friendship locket."
"Speedy little devils," Irma commented.
"They can smell you," Caleb said. "You need to go Guardian right now and get them back through that portal!"
"If Will was here she could one-shot them with lightning," Taranee said.
"We can handle this," Cornelia said. "We just have to be creative." She took out the Heart of Kandrakar. "Here goes nothing. Guardians Unite!" And with that the girls transformed into their guardian forms.
Cornelia was curious to see if having the Heart meant having Will's powers. She tried with all her might to summon a lightning bolt but nothing happened. Well then, at least she had earth.
She slammed her hands on the ground. On a 3 ft radius it began consuming the worms. Cornelia was taken aback. "That was supposed to happen to all of them!" she exclaimed. She tried again but her powers didn't seem to reach past the 3 ft limit. What really surprised her was that she felt tired—as if she had just ran from one side of Heatherfield to another.
Hay Lin noticing this decided to try her hand at the mudslugs. She made a gust of wind which was supposed to knock the mudslugs off the ground. But no matter how hard she tried the mudslugs remained fixated to the ground.
Taranee took to the air and blasted the entire region with fire. When the flames dimmed she notice that the mudslugs retreated into their holes. Taranee landed beside one of those holes and prepared herself for the slugs to return. A minute ticked by. Then two, then three, but the mudslugs didn't return.
"Why aren't they coming back?" asked Cornelia.
"These are baby slugs," Caleb explained. "The mother sends her spawn to hunt for food. When they find it, the mama follows. And word has it she's undefeated."
"What do mother slugs eat?" asked Taranee, a little scared.
"Fresh fruit?" Irma suggested.
"Uh, she's more of a people person," Caleb said.
"Cornelia!" Hay Lin exclaimed. "We need Will!"
"No we don't," Cornelia retorted. "We got taken by surprise, so what? Next time we'll be prepared."
The girls plus Caleb and Blunk went to the Silver Dragon. There they explained the situation to Yan Lin.
"I see," Yan Lin said. "I say give the girl some time. She'll come around."
"We don't need her," Cornelia retorted. "We manage just fine without her."
"Right," Yan Lin said. "And that's why you're here, seeking my advice, instead of kicking the mudslugs' butts. You Guardians share a great burden. Divided, your powers will be diminished."
"We don't have time to wait for her, we will confront Phobos with or without her," said Cornelia.
"No!" Yan Lin said, firmly. "That's pure foolishness. Phobos is not to be underestimated. He may not have the power to break through the Veil but he's very dangerous. He's cunning, he's resourceful, he's always three steps ahead. Everyone who tried to put their minds against him lost."
"But the Rebellion—" Cornelia began.
"The Rebellion only exists because of the Mage, the wisest Keeper of the Heart in history," Yan Lin continued. "She gave the Rebellion access to The Infinite City, a place which is widely considered to be nonexistent. The Rebels had help from someone who was smarter than Phobos."
"Great," Cornelia said. "Another one who's incompetent." It took Cornelia a few seconds to realize that she had just called Hay Lin's grandma incompetent.
"Cornelia," Yan Lin began. The gentleness in her tone took Cornelia by surprise. "It is normal to not always agree with someone. However, you must not disrespect anyone with a different viewpoint. To grow as a person, it is important to draw wisdom from many places."
"No offence," Cornelia began, "but none of this would have happened if all of you would have listened to me. I have proven myself capable, so maybe it would be a good idea if you started listening to me. I deserve to be leader, not Will."
"And the way you're reacting now proves why you're not," Yan Lin said. Cornelia was surprised that Yan Lin was calm even after everything she said to her. "You are letting your emotions control you. Your arrogance is now fulled by anger. Being a leader means being willing to sacrifice your own desires for the greater good. Let me ask you a question. If you girls couldn't take care of a bunch of slugs, how are you going to defeat the Prince of Evil?"
Cornelia didn't know how to answer. "I... we'll figure something out."
Yan Lin sighed. "Well, Will did appoint you as the new Keeper of the Heart so the big decisions are up to you. But know that with great power comes great responsibility. If things go wrong, you will be the one who will be blamed, just like Will is now."
Will sat on a bench in the park, her heart heavy with the weight of her perceived failures. Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled the events that led to Elyon being captured by Phobos and her own sense of inadequacy as the leader of the Guardians.
Feeling utterly defeated, she buried her face in her hands, letting the tears flow freely. It seemed as if all her efforts were in vain, and the responsibility she carried as the leader weighed heavily on her shoulders.
Unbeknownst to Will, Matt happened to pass by the bench. He noticed her distress and couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. With a gentle smile, he approached her and sat down beside her.
"Hey, Will," he said softly, his voice filled with empathy. "Are you okay? What's going on?"
Will tried to compose herself, wiping away her tears as she attempted to hide her anguish. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Oh, hey Matt. It's nothing, really. Just... a project at school. I messed up as the leader, and now everything's falling apart."
Matt looked at her intently, his eyes filled with genuine care. "I'm not gonna pretend I understand the project, but I do know one thing: everyone makes mistakes. It's a part of life. The important thing is how we learn from them and grow stronger."
Will nodded, grateful for his comforting words. "I know, but it feels like I let everyone down, especially Elyon."
Matt placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Will, you're an incredible person with a strong spirit. I know for a fact that you can't ski, but you raced Sondra anyway. It was pointless and stupid but you never backed down. It's okay to feel down, but don't let it consume you. Remember, you have the power to make a difference."
A glimmer of hope flickered in Will's eyes as she listened to Matt's encouraging words. His belief in her stirred something deep within her soul, reigniting the determination she had temporarily lost.
"No matter how many times you get hit, you must always find a way to come back up," Matt added, getting up from the bench.
His words resonated with Will, reminding her of the resilience she possessed. She wiped away her remaining tears and mustered a smile, a newfound determination lighting up her features. Will stood up from the bench, turned to Matt and hugged him tightly, grateful for his unwavering support.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Anytime," Matt said, a little flustered.
As they parted ways, Will's heart felt lighter, her steps more determined. However, as she continued her solitary walk, the weight of her doubts still lingered in the back of her mind, threatening to dampen her newfound determination. The streets were deserted, and an eerie silence hung in the air, amplifying her internal struggle.
As she turned a corner, her eyes widened in shock at the sight that unfolded before her. There, standing tall and menacing, was the side view of a colossal creature resembling a grotesque worm. It had the rest of the W.I.T.C.H. girls cornered.
The creature's back was a deep shade of brown, resembling the rough texture of tree bark, while its underbelly appeared a lighter tan color. A horrifying sight greeted Will as she saw its mouth, positioned on the underside of its body. The mouth was a horrifying spectacle of spiraling layers of teeth, ready to rend and tear anything in its path. From the creature's face, two slimy tentacles protruded, writhing with an unsettling energy. No eyes adorned its monstrous form, as if it relied solely on its primal instincts to strike fear into the hearts of its victims.
Fear gripped Will's heart, but this time it was different. The presence of danger, the peril threatening her friends, ignited a fierce determination within her. No matter how many times you get hit, you must always find a way to come back up, Matt's voice echoed in her mind.
With a surge of power, Will summoned the elemental forces at her command. Electricity crackled and surged through her veins as she extended her hand towards the creature. A blinding bolt of lightning shot forth, lancing through the air with incredible speed and precision, striking the creature's massive body.
The sheer force of the lightning temporarily incapacitated the creature, causing it to convulse in pain and confusion. As its body twitched and writhed, Will's friends took the opportunity to scramble away, seeking safety from the creature's grasp.
In that moment, all of Will's self-doubt dissolved, replaced by a steadfast resolve. The power she possessed, the strength that lay within her, surged forward with renewed vigor. She knew that she couldn't falter now, not when her friends' lives were at stake.
As the creature recovered from the initial shock, its attention now fully fixed on Will, she felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The giant worm-like creature buried itself within the earth.
Will saw the earth moving in a straight line directly towards her. She prepared herself to run when suddenly... "Guardians Unite!" Cornelia's voice echoed. In a split second, Will found herself in her guardian form.
She quickly flew out of the creature's way as it partially emerged from the ground. "You came back!" Hay Lin exclaimed.
"I couldn't let my friends down," Will said. "What's that?!"
"The mama mudslug," Cornelia explained. "The portal is 20 yards that way. Will, you're gonna have to take it out with your lightning." Will was amazed by Cornelia's sudden shift in demeanor.
"I don't think that will work," Will said. "It recovered too quickly from the last blast I gave it. It seems to have a natural lightning resistance."
"But that's not possib—" Cornelia began.
"Trust me," Will replied. "I know lightning better than anyone."
Cornelia paused. "Too bad we can't move the portal," she finally said.
"No," Will agreed. "But we can move the mudslug. And by we I mean you. We'll keep it busy."
With determined expressions on their faces, Will, Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin took to the air, soaring above the ground to face the colossal mama slug head-on. The monstrous creature writhed with fury and aggression, its massive form intimidating in its sheer size and strength.
"Hey, slugo!" Taranee's voice rang out with a fiery determination. "This is for how your kids treated me!" Conjuring her elemental abilities, Taranee unleashed a blazing fireball, sending it hurtling towards the mama slug. The ball of flames crackled with intensity, growing larger and hotter with every passing moment.
At the same time, Will tapped into her own power, summoning the raw energy of lightning that surged through her veins. She extended her arm, focusing her concentration on the target before her. Bolts of electricity danced along her fingertips before shooting forth, a brilliant cascade of crackling energy. The lightning bolt collided with the creature's slimy hide, causing it to recoil momentarily in pain and surprise.
The combined efforts of Irma and Hay Lin added an extra layer of strength to the assault. Irma gathered the nearby water molecules, shaping them into a powerful jet that surged forth with tremendous force. Hay Lin, using her mastery of air, guided and amplified the water jet with gentle gusts, transforming it into a torrent that threatened to engulf the creature in its watery embrace.
The mighty blast of water crashed against the mama slug's massive body, drenching it in a deluge of aquatic fury. The force of the impact pushed the creature back.
Suddenly the ground began to shake. Cracks started forming around the hole that the mama slug was emerging from. Slowly it began to rise, leaving a massive crater in the pavement. The girls watched in awe as Cornelia began to rise, her long blonde hair standing up from the magic she was channeling.
With a powerful yell Cornelia threw the patch of ground in the portal's direction. As it flew through the air Cornelia began to feel dizzy, but she fought against it, determined to not let her guard down until the threat was completely eliminated.
Finally, the mama slug went through the portal. Relieved, she completely let go of herself as she began plumbing to the ground at an incredible speed. Fortunately, Will caught her before she became one with the ground. "Don't you fall on me," she said.
The W.I.T.C.H. girls plus Caleb—who was given a lift by Taranee and Hay Lin—flew to the location of the portal. Cornelia took out the Heart of Kandrakar. "Here," she said to Will. "You close it."
"But you're the leader," Will responded.
"Not if I give you the Heart back," Cornelia said.
"But I though you wanted to be the leader," Will said. "That you deserved it."
"I still think that," Cornelia said. "But being a leader means sacrificing your own desires for the greater good. The reality is... is that... we're... we're lost without you. There, I said it! Satisfied?!"
"Cornelia, this isn't supposed to be a competition," Will began. "It... it was wrong of me to create this kind of barrier between me and the rest of the team. A good leader is someone who cares for the people. I got so lost in trying to fulfill our mission that I forgot what that was, fighting evil. I treated Elyon as a potential evil rather than as someone who needed protection. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," Cornelia said. "When Elyon was captured it was like a piece of me went with her. I was so mad and I took it out on you... I'm not saying that you didn't deserve some of it but I overdone it to the point where I started attacking anyone who disagreed with me... When you said that you couldn't let your friends down, did you also mean me?"
"Of course," Will said. And with that the two girls hugged.
"Um, hate to interrupt," Irma began, "but that slug could come out any second."
"Right," Will said. As she raised the Heart the portal immediately began to close. "We'll save Elyon, I promise."
Cornelia gave a smile. "Together."
Another chapter done. So, in the original episode Cornelia quit. I had several problems with her decision:
1. She quit because being a guardian was no longer fun. I'm sorry, what? Elyon's in trouble and all you can think of is how unfun it is?
2. She blocked Hay Lin on (the 2004) social media. Why?
3. Both Will and Cornelia are at fault. Why is only Will apologizing? Cornelia had no right to abandon her best friend just because she was sad.
4. All of this could have worked if the show pushed a different narrative. If Cornelia quitting was because she didn't believe there was anything left to do about Elyon. I could have gone with this narrative but it isn't a perfect solution. Cornelia is the stubborn type, she doesn't easily give up. Especially since there are so many different approaches that they could have taken to save Elyon (which they take later on in the season.) So, there really isn't any reason for Cornelia to believe that the situation is hopeless.
Next is Chapter IV: Ghosts of Elyon