Hello my friends. Welcome back to my sick and twisted mind. I appreciate all the reviews, and all the comments. Keep them coming, please. :)

Now, before we get to the next chapter, we have to take care of a little business:

********WARNNG********

The following chapter could be graphic and disturbing for some. Seriously, this might be the most disturbing chapter ever. Please read with caution.

Now that we have that out of the way, may I present:

Chapter 5

Taranee was dreaming. In her mind she had visions of Nerissa dancing around a large bonfire. The huge conflagration licked all around the evil sorceress, but did not consume her, nor did the flames singe her flesh. Nerissa laughed maniacally and raised her gnarled hands to the sky. Only then did Taranee see why the hag's joy so so filled the evil being's breast.

The bonfire was swiftly consuming some bodies.

No, not bodies, but living beings. The personages in the fire were still alive!

Taranee wanted to run to them, to stop the atrocity, but found herself powerless to move. The beings crawled pitifully toward the edge of the fire in a vain attempt to save their already doomed lives. They made no sound, which would have puzzled Taranee had she not been so horrified.

One of the beings managed to extend a hand out of the deadly flames. A hand followed by a head...with red hair.

"Taranee, stop," the head pleaded.

The dark-skinned girl gasped as she recognized the voice. Looking closer at the writhing figures in the midst of the flames, she counted a total of four personages. She knew instinctively who they must be; why else would Nerissa's joy be overflowing?

Taranee fought against the unseen power that held her bound and powerless to act. She could stop this with a wave of her hand. Fire was her servant, after all, and it was bound to obey her.

But she could not move.

"Burn them all, witch," a voice shouted mirthfully. "Destroy the Guardians!"

Taranee glanced at Nerissa as she continued to dance around the bonfire. Her voice, so familiar and chilling, had ordered someone to murder her friends. A growing dread began to creep into Taranee's heart as her head slowly turned from Nerissa's glowing face.

In her nightmare, Taranee screamed noiselessly as she observed her own form raise ember-colored hands and point them at the bonfire. As more flames struck the growing conflagration, only then did Taranee's friends scream.

–

Raythor and Frost carried the unconscious forms of Irma and Hay Lin over their powerful shoulders. A spot had been selected, and at their current pace, they were would arrive in only minutes. Frost practically salivated with the promise of what was to come. His pace increased as he thought of the helpless Guardians writhing beneath him.

Raythor knew what Frost had to be thinking. The brute was as depraved as they came...perfect for easy manipulation. The former castle guard increased his speed to keep up with his bigger lackey.

Miranda, the swiftest of the three Knights, was fast-becoming impatient with her allies' slowness. Though quick compared to humans, Raythor and Frost still couldn't hold a candle to the speed of the pseudo-spider. She found herself relishing in her own imagination; for she, too, could hardly wait for vengeance.

After only a few minutes, the trio finally arrived at their destination. A sign over an iron archway read "Titan Park." Miranda had selected this location herself, believing it would soon hold an awful association for the unfortunate Guardians. As long as they lived in Heatherfield, the two whelps would forever see this amusement park as a symbol of horror.

"Over here," Miranda indicated as she rushed ahead towards the funhouse. The hall of mirrors would be a perfect setting for revenge.

The trio entered the building and quickly navigated to the specified room. True to Miranda's word, they found a round room containing dozens of mirrors. Some made people look bigger, or fatter, while still others elongated or shrunk their forms. Frost laughed in spite of himself as he observed his overgrown personage become wider in the reflection of a glass.

Drop them here," Raythor ordered. "Miranda, bind the Air brat."

"With pleasure," the spider cooed.

Immediately, Miranda set to work cocooning the unconscious Hay Lin. She made the bonds extra tight to ensure maximum discomfort.

Although soon the discomfort would be much, much worse.

Frost dropped his load unceremoniously to the hard floor. Irma did not feel the impact through her induced slumber.

"Finished, Raythor. The whelp will not be able to move a muscle," Miranda said excitedly.

"Good," Raythor grinned. "Tine to wake up the Water brat."

Frost sneered with barely-contained joy. Lowering his weight onto the teenager, he delivered an open-handed slap to Irma's face, his huge hand covering her jaw and cheek. He then back-handed her across the mouth.

Irma groaned and began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open and Frost slowly swam into her vision. She opened her mouth to scream, but the brute quickly clamped a meaty hand over her lips. Irma bit down as hard as she could and tasted the beast's blood.

But Frost only sneered and pressed his hand against her mouth all the harder. Irma squirmed beneath his incredible weight, but realized her strength was far inferior to his. Fighting would get her nowhere.

"Welcome to the funhouse, Guardian," Frost growled. "We're about to have a lot of fun, you and me."

With that, his other hand closed swiftly around Irma's slender throat. He began to squeeze.

Irma choked and coughed, powerless to scream. She beat Frost's massive chest with her fists, but the brute only laughed and continued to squeeze. It wasn't long before Irma began to feel light-headed. Everything seemed to happen in slow-motion as she descended towards unconsciousness. Then, just when she knew she was about to pass out, the pressure on her throat eased. The girl took a massive breath, and began to cough violently.

"Wake up the other Guardian," Raythor ordered. "I want her to see this."

Immediately, Miranda slapped Hay Lin's face, once, twice, thrice. The young Guardian stirred and opened her eyes. Miranda leaped onto her chest and brandished a silver knife, it's long blade pointing at her throat.

"One scream and your sister gets her eyes cut out!"

Hay Lin caught the scream in her throat, a choked sob taking its place. He swallowed hard and squirmed helplessly.

"Sit her up, Miranda," Raythor ordered.

The spider leaped from Hay Lin's chest, landing smoothly at her head. Roughly, she dragged the Asian girl into a sitting position. It did not take Hay Lin long to notice Irma's peril.

"What, how..." Hay Lin stammered.

"Pleased to see us, Guardian?" Raythor sneered. "Because we're thrilled to see you."

"How are you here? We banished you!"

"Well you did a lousy job of it," Raythor answered. "Guess you should have let your precious Oracle do the honors instead of some idiot Guardian. Now your mistake is going to cost you both dearly."

Turning his back on Hay Lin, Raythor nodded calmly to Frost. Frost laughed with mirth and slapped Irma across the face.

"Feel free to scream, Guardian," Frost growled. "No one can hear you in here. And I love it when you scream."

Irma would have screamed, then, had her vocal cords been willing to cooperate. Instead she responded with another violent cough.

"Leave her alone!" Hay Lin shouted.

"Like she left Nerissa alone?" Raythor shouted, turning on the Air Guardian. "She showed no mercy then, and we're not about to show any mercy now, so save your breath. After all...you're next."

Hay Lin heard an awful sound, then. She screamed along with Irma as the latter's left ankle broke under Frost's meaty hands. He then moved up, and smashed her kneecap with his huge fists. Irma screamed in pain and fought against her attacker.

Frost laughed and took her right leg in his hands.

"Ready for more Guardian?" he sneered as he began to squeeze and twist the limb.

The leg snapped like a toothpick.

Irma's screams grew softer as she began to descend into darkness. Still, she fought with her fists as best she could.

Frost caught on of those fists and quickly pulverized Irma's wrist. Mercifully, the young Guardian passed out.

"Stop it," Hay Lin sobbed. "Stop it, please."

She squirmed with all her might, but was powerless against Miranda's cocoon.

The spider had had just about enough of the brat's crying. Quickly, she raked her claws across Hay Lin's beautiful face. Blood ran into the girl's eyes as her porcelain flesh burst open from her left temple to her right jawline.

Miranda then delivered a vicious uppercut to Hay Lin's jaw, causing her to bite through her tongue. Blood began to seep steadily from her lips.

Taranee, Hay Lin called silently.

Taranee we need help.

–

The four Guardians screamed as Dream-Taranee cooked them alive. The real Taranee sank tot he floor and covered her eyes and ears.

"Taranee," she heard Hay Lin call. "We need help."

But she couldn't help; she couldn't even move from her vantage point.

"Taranee, we need help," Nerissa cackled, mocking the young Guardian. "Let's show them what kind of help we have for them."

Dream-Taranee laughed and added to the fire.

"Taranee, please wake up. We need you."

Taranee fought to drown out Hay Lin's desperate voice. She didn't want to hear her friends dying.

–

Taranee, please wake up! We need you!

Hay Lin knew her only chance to save them both lay with Taranee. If she could just get her friend to wake up, then Taranee could help them.

But she heard only deafening silence.

Frost was slapping Irma again. Hay Lin could see blood running down the corners of her friend's mouth. She knew Irma was in bad trouble.

She new the Knights intended to kill her tonight...and Hay Lin would likely join her sister in death.

Finally, Frost succeeded in bringing Irma around. The broken Guardian moaned deeply and opened her eyes. Frost smiled toothily and ran a clawed finger down the side of Irma's cheek. Her flesh pimpled in reaction to his feather-light touch, and she shivered involuntarily.

"For Nerissa, Guardian. For Nerissa," Frost intoned.

With that, his hands moved down to Irma's chest. His fingers grabbed handfuls of her nightshirt and pulled. The material practically disintegrated in his hands, leaving Irma's breasts exposed to the brute's ogling eyes.

Hay Lin screamed as Frost's intentions suddenly became horrifically clear. She thrashed and bucked, but could not free herself.

Irma's own screams joined her sister's and she knew this would be the worst night of her life. She shuddered and thrashed as Frost's hands grabbed at her fragile tissues.

"Beg for me, Guardian," Frost sneered, his thumbs absently stroking Irma's tender nipples. "Beg!"

Irma's voice shook, as Frost's hands violated her. "Please, don't do this. I will do anything, just don't rape me."

"Would you bring Nerissa back if you could?" Frost asked softly, his face hovering inches above Irma's right breast."

"Yes," Irma said without hesitation.

"Would you swear to let yourself be her prisoner forever?" Frost continued as he lowered his mouth, his lips latching onto her hyper-sensitive nipple.

Tears ran silently down Irma's cheeks. "Yes," she sobbed.

Moving to her left nipple, Frost suckled deeply, his teeth leaving marks on Irma's breast. The girl choked on her sobs.

"Please stop. I'm begging you to stop."

"Would you promise to scream whenever I asked you to?" Frost said roughly, as he removed his lips from Irma's breast.

Irma's tears got the better of her voice, and she responded with an emphatic nod.

Frost nodded and continued to leer at Irma's bare chest.

"One last question, then." His hands moved down her stomach to clutch at her shorts. Slowly, he pulled them off to reveal white panties. He ran his hands slowly up her legs, pausing at her thighs.

"Would you let your friend take this punishment in your place?"

Irma turned her head to the right to gaze into Hay Lin's moistened brown eyes. The pools revealed shock, fear, anger, helplessness...and innocence.

Frost's hand grabbed Irma's chin and jerked her eyes back to his.

"Well?" he asked sharply.

Irma closed her eyes and swallowed hard. "No," she whispered.

Frost nodded. "Then accept this vengeance, Guardian; because nothing you do will ever bring Nerissa back."

"No...no, please. Please I'm begging you."

"And I love it when you beg!"

As Frost began to lower Irma's panties, accompanied by the girl's pleas and screams, Hay Lin tried again to mentally cry for help.

Taranee, please, wake up. Frost is raping Irma. You have to wake up!

–

"Taranee, please, wake up. Frost is raping Irma. You have to wake up!"

What? Frost? Where? What did Frost have to do with this? And Irma wasn't being raped, she was being burned alive.

Taranee racked her brain to make sense of this new information. Then it struck her...Hay Lin wasn't screaming in the dream; she was screaming for real!

With great effort, Taranee forced herself to take control of her mind. She wrenched herself away from the dream and forced her mind to awaken.

She was in a dark room, the likes of which she did not immediately recognize. But that didn't matter, now.

Hay Lin, I hear you. Where are you?

Taranee! Thank goodness. You have to hurry. Frost is raping Irma at Titan Park. We're in the funhouse, the hall of mirrors.

Immediately, Taranee cut the mental link and contacted the only person who could possibly make a difference in time.

Will, wake up!

A few seconds passed...impossibly long to Taranee.

Taranee, you're awake. Who are you feeling?

Nevermind that; you have to teletransport to Titan Park right now. Irma and Hay Lin are in trouble in the funhouse, at the hall of mirrors..

What's going on?

No time. Just go!

With that, Taranee cut the mental link and sat up gingerly. Now she remembered. She has passed out after waking Irma from her coma. She had to be in the Lair's guest room. As quickly as she could, she threw her legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

And sat right back down.

Her head swam and she couldn't make her eyes focus. She would have to wait a few minutes to acclimate. She only hoped Will would make it in time.

–

Frost laughed at Irma's vain attempts to save herself. Her broken body couldn't fight back, and her pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears. She lay completely naked beneath his heavy body, her legs spread impossibly far apart.

Knowing there was nothing she could do to stop the impending violation, Irma drove her mind away from the awful horror. She tried to think of herself in the ocean, floating and bobbing gently on the waves.

Frost removed his own shorts and climbed between Irma's legs. He pulled his hips back and prepared to thrust.

Right at that moment, a flash of light appeared and Will Vandom, Guardian of the Heart, stepped into the funhouse. Her young eyes surveyed the scene for a split-second, then her hands flashed into action.

She blew Frost off of her friend with a heavy bolt of lightning. The huge brute flew into a mirror, shattering the glass on impact.

Without hesitation, Will turned her attention to Miranda, and gave her the same treatment. Another bolt, another shattered mirror.

Raythor drew his sword and charged the Guardian leader. Just in time, Will swung her hands toward the Knight and blasted him away, shattering his blade in the process.

The scene of carnage, and Irma's naked, bleeding form, told Will all she needed to know. With a cry of rage, she played bolt after deadly bolt into Frost's flesh. The big man screamed in agony...until he couldn't scream anymore. As unconsciousness took him, Miranda recovered enough to charge the Keeper, her long knife outstretched.

But Will was ready for that...and just waiting for an excuse. She dodged the pseudo-spider easily and turned to fire another bolt at the creature. She maintained a steady stream of bolts, and not even the smell of singed hair could stop her.

Only when Raythor grabbed her from behind did the deadly attack cease. Without missing a beat, Will slammed her elbow into the former guard's gut. His grip loosened enough for her to turn about and blast Raythor with a heavy bolt.

She pinned his writhing body to the wall as she advanced on him menacingly. She would likely have killed the Knight had not Hay Lin's voice interrupted.

"Behind you!"

Will instinctively moved to the right as Miranda flew past her left shoulder. Though the shapeshifter landed easily on her feet, it was not enough to save her from the angry Keeper.

Only after unconsciousness took Miranda, did the lightning assault cease. Breathing heavily, her anger not assuaged in the least, Will turned to her friends. Irma was curled into a ball as best she could manage, while Hay Lin was struggling with her cocoon.

Will stalked to Miranda's still form and confiscated her long silver knife. Quickly, she used that knife to free Hay Lin from her bonds, then rushed to Irma's side, Hay Lin right behind her.

"Irma, it's okay now," Hay Lin intoned. Her sister lay sobbing uncontrollably on the floor, her entire body shaking.

Will reached out a hesitant hand and laid it gently on Irma's shoulder. The reaction was so violent, Will wished she had never done it. Irma screamed in terror, and tried to roll away, but her injuries prevented her from moving. Nevertheless, she used her good hand to slap at Will's hand.

Will immediately removed the contact and looked at Hay Lin in horror.

"How far did it go?" the redhead asked tentatively.

"No penetration, if that's what you're asking," Hay Lin responded through her own impending sobs. "But he...he put his hands on...all over her..."

Being unable to control it any longer, Hay Lin buried her still-bleeding face in Will's shoulder.

"It was so awful. How could anyone do that?"

Will closed her eyes and just held her friend. She let Hay Lin cry and tried not to allow her own emotions to surface. She wanted the Knights dead, but knew it was not her place to enact justice...or revenge.

Suddenly, another figure came bursting into the room. Will reacted immediately by throwing Hay Lin behind her and raising her hands.

"Whoa, Will, settle down. It's just me."

Will recognized Cornelia's voice immediately and lowered her hands. Seeing this, the Earth Guardian strode into the room, a bulky bundle in her arms. Without hesitation, she stalked to Irma's sobbing form and threw a blanket over her nude and broken body.

"Taranee contacted me," Cornelia said quietly. "She said to come to the funhouse with a blanket. She filled me in on the way."

Will nodded. "She called me, too, but didn't tell me what was going on. Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out, though."

"Did he...?"

Will shook her head. "No penetration, but I gather there were...other things."

Cornelia closed her eyes briefly in relief. Seeing the Knights unconscious around the room, she stood up and moved quickly to Frost. Gathering all her might, she punched him in the jaw...and broke her hand.

"Ow!"

"Cornelia! What are you thinking?" Will rose and moved to her friend's side.

"You're not in Guardian form; you can't hurt that guy as a 14 year-old girl."

"Maybe not, but I had to do something."

"You did do something. You helped Irma preserve a little dignity with your blanket."

"Yeah, that will put these scumbags in their place."

"It's not about that, Cornelia. It's about helping Irma."

"Yeah I guess you're right. Still, I wish I could have had a piece of them."

Will examined Cornelia's wrist and her already-swelling hand.

"I think you broke it," she said grimly.

"Probably. Mind turning me all Guardian so it doesn't hurt so much?"

Will sighed. "Guardians, unite!"

In a flash of bright lights, Cornelia and Hay Lin became their Guardian selves. Irma, of course, remained Irma.

Cornelia flexed her wrist experimentally. "Hmm, hardly hurts at all, now. Thanks, Will."

The redhead nodded and turned her attention back to Hay Lin and Irma. The Air girl was leaning over her friend and speaking softly. Will couldn't make out the words, but somehow she felt she wasn't meant to.

"What are we going to do with all the trash in the funhouse?" Cornelia asked, bringing Will back around to the problem of the Knights. In reality, the Keeper was more concerned about Irma than about her enemies, but she figured Hay Lin had Irma well in-hand. After all, Irma wasn't letting anyone near her at the moment, and Cornelia had a point. They couldn't let three otherworldly beings be found at Titan Park.

Unfortunately, Will found it impossible to be objective at the moment. She wanted to kill the Knights, morality and virtue be damned. They had tried to commit the most heinous act a person could commit against a woman, and for that they deserved death. No, they had tried to commit this heinous act against a mere child, not a woman.

For that, they deserved a slow, painful death.

Will growled audibly and raised her hand to point at Frost, still unconscious amidst the broken glass of several mirrors. With loathing in her heart, she fired a stream of lightning bolts at the brute. She knew the bolts would eventually kill him...and she didn't care.

This was for Irma and Hay Lin. For Cornelia and Taranee. This was for everyone Frost had ever hurt in his life. Justice...this was justice.

"Will what are you doing?"

The Keeper barely heard Hay Lin's cry. Subconsciously, she was aware that what she was doing was not exactly right, but, consciously, she just didn't care. She wanted the Knights to suffer as much as they had made her friends suffer tonight. Her only regret was that Frost was not awake to feel the pain of his flesh searing away.

A blast of air sent Will tumbling to the floor. Shocked, the redhead rose quickly and looked around for the new threat. It didn't take long for her to realize what had happened, however, and she lowered her hands.

"What do you think you're doing, Will?" Hay Lin demanded, shock and fear in her voice.

"What should have been done long ago," Will answered. "The Knights of Vengeance are a menace. They need to be taken out...permanently."

"By you? Who made you judge, jury, and executioner?"

Cornelia watched the argument with some amusement. Her head swiveled back and forth as if watching a tennis match. She couldn't wait to hear Will's answer.

"Nobody has to make me executioner, Hay Lin. They tried to rape a child; they tried to rape Irma, your best friend. Why are you fighting me on this? I know we both want to see some justice, here."

"But at what price? You would lose your powers, maybe worse. You know the Oracle and the Council would be mad; they wouldn't, couldn't, let this go. I'm not willing to give up my friend for some bassackwards form of justice. This isn't the way."

"Great, so we banish them again so they can find their way back and complete the job this time?" Will yelled. "Are you willing to play with Irma's life like that?"

"I'm not willing to let you screw yourself, Will. There has to be another way. We just need to find it."

"I'm not going to banish them to another world. They're evil through and through. They'll just take their anger out on another poor victim."

Hay Lin was thoughtful. "Okay, you're right about that, but it's still not our place to kill them."

"Will threw up her hands and let them drop violently. "Then who should we ask? Should we put a notice on the board at the store? Looking for hired killer to whack some aliens?"

"Don't patronize me, Will," Hay Lin said quietly, her lower lip starting to quiver.

"Then don't be stupid. If not us, then who?"

"Kandrakar."

The answer came so suddenly and unexpectedly, that both Will and Hay Lin snapped their heads to Cornelia.

"Excuse me?" they said together.

"Kandrakar," Cornelia repeated. "We should take them to Kandrakar and see what they will do."

"Kandrakar," Will said menacingly. "They're part of the reason we're in this mess. If they had banished the Knights right the first time, this wouldn't have happened."

"But they didn't banish the Knights," Cornelia said. "Irma did. Remember?

"She banished the Knights back to Earth? Come on, Corny."

"Will, don't call me Corny, and try to think back to that day. Really think. Who created the fold?"

Will screwed up her concentration as she tried to recall the events of that fateful day. It seemed so long ago. Finally, her mind's eye began to cooperate.

"Irma did," Will said finally. "Irma created the fold."

Cornelia nodded. "Yeah, she did. Her inexperience in folding sent them here."

Will shook her head in amazement. "Okay, I'll give you that, but that still doesn't mean the Council will do anything useful about these thugs."

Shouldn't it be up to Irma?" Hay Lin said softly.

"Look at her, Hay Lin," Will said, her hand indicating the still-sobbing girl under Cornelia's blanket. "Do you really think she's in any position to make any decisions right now?"

"Why are you being like this? Why are you attacking us?"

"I'm not attacking you, Hay Lin. I just want you to see what you're asking. Yes, it should be up to Irma more than any of us. But why should we force her to make this kind of decision? In her current state, I seriously doubt she can make an unbiased choice."

"And you can?" Hay Lin asked icily, folding her arms across her chest.

Will glared at Hay Lin and for a second, she wanted to fry the smugness right off the smaller girl's face. Unfortunately, Cornelia stepped between the two Guardians.

"Okay, you two, I think we both need to go to our own corners, now. Let's all agree that punishment is up to Irma, but that she's in no state to deliver judgment. So that still leaves us with the question of what to do with them until she is."

"Wow, what did I miss?"

"Hey, Taranee," Cornelia greeted her friend. "Not much. Just Will and Hay Lin about to go all Thunderdome."

Both Guardians glared at the blonde.

Taranee's eyes flicked from Will, to Hay Lin, to Cornelia, and back. "Wow," she said again.

The Fire girl staggered into the hall of mirrors and sat down on the floor next to Irma.

Will and Hay Lin forgot their tiff and moved to stand near Taranee.

"How is she?" Taranee asked quietly.

"She's terrified, she's hurt. She's been violated," Hay Lin answered.

Taranee closed her eyes. "Then I was too late. I didn't hear you in time."

"You heard me in time to stop him from...you know. But not before he...I'm sorry, I can't talk about it."

Hay Lin wandered to the corner of the room and stood near Frost. She looked upon his unconscious form with extreme loathing. Maybe, just maybe, Will was right.

With a shout of anger, she kicked the big Knight in the head. Then she knelt down and grabbed him by his ears. She began slamming his head into the floor.

"Why did you do this? Demon-spawn, why were you ever born?"

Cornelia moved quickly and grabbed her friend around her waist. With great effort, she pulled the angry Guardian away from her victim. Hay Lin fought like a lion.

"Let me go! I'll kill him! I'll kill him!"

"No, Hay Lin, no," Cornelia shouted. "Take your own advice...don't screw yourself."

But Hay Lin wasn't listening. She fought and fought until she got free. Racing over for Miranda's knife, she scooped it up and turned her fierce anger back to Frost. With a barbaric cry, she raised the blade over her head and charged.

She would have made it, too, had not linebacker Will interfered. Hay Lin found herself sprawled on the floor, the knife knocked from her grip. Yet even with her wind knocked out, she continued to fight.

"Hay Lin, stop it!" Will shouted.

Still Hay Lin fought, but she was getting tired. Her face hurt from Miranda's claws, and she had bruising around her mouth from where Raythor had knocked her out. Still, she was too much for Will to handle alone.

Fortunately, Cornelia saw this and joined in the fray. The combined weight of Cornelia and Will was too much for the smallest Guardian, and she went limp, her tears finally breaking their borders.

All the frustrations, the helplessness, the sorrow, of the past hour came gushing out. Will and Cornelia looked at each other and blinked. Then both girls grabbed their sobbing friend in a bear hug. They let Hay Lin cry, her tears mixing with blood. Cornelia used her shirt to wash the blood and tears from her friend's face.

"It'll be okay, Hay Lin," she said. "It'll be okay."

Hay Lin clung to her friends and cried until she couldn't anymore.

"I'm sorry," she said eventually. "I shouldn't be doing this. I need to be strong for Irma."

"Irma has all of us to be strong for her," Will said. "And we're here to be strong for you, too."

Hay Lin grinned. "Thanks, guys."

"Can we let you up, now?" Cornelia asked.

"Yeah. I'm okay now. Sorry. I just let this madness take over."

"So now you know how I feel," Will grinned.

"You know, I think I do," Hay Lin answered. "And I can see where you have a point, too."

"Maybe, but so do you," Will said. "We should let Irma decide; it's her they should have to answer to."

The three girls rose awkwardly from the ground and turned back to Taranee and Irma.

Taranee was staring intently into Irma's face, her eyes half-closed.

"What is she doing?" Cornelia asked.

Will shrugged. "Let's go ask her."

The trio trooped to Taranee and stood quietly for a time. Some minutes passed, then Cornelia couldn't stand it anymore.

"Taranee, what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to calm her mind," Taranee answered slowly, without looking up.

"And how's that going for you?"

"If you could stop making so much noise, I think I'm reaching her."

Cornelia closed her mouth instantly.

After several minutes, Taranee sighed. "It's no use; I can't reach her. Maybe if-"

"Way ahead of you, T. Guardians, unite!"

Taranee immediately became Guardian of Fire, and resumed staring at Irma.

After another half-hour, she looked up. "I think I have her calmed a little. At least she knows she's safe now."

"Can we touch her?" Hay Lin asked.

Taranee nodded. "I think so, yes."

Tentatively, Hay Lin reached out a hand to rest it on Irma's shoulder.

"Irma?"

Irma choked on a sob. "H-Hay Lin."

Hay Lin nodded, even though Irma's back was to her. "It's okay, now. You're safe."

Irma shook her head. "No one is s-safe as long as the-they're around."

Hay Lin had to agree, but she didn't think it wise to do so out loud.

"I hurt, Hay -Hay. I hurt everywhere."

"I know. We'll get you some help."

"N-not yet. K-K-Kandrakar. I n-need water."

"You're thirsty?" Hay Lin asked.

"No, Hay Lin," Taranee answered. "She wants to be in the water."

"Oh. Of course she does. How could I be so stupid?"

"Hey, you've been traumatized, too," Cornelia said. "Stop beating yourself up."

"Will the Council let Irma use her Chamber?" Hay Lin asked.

"If they don't, we'll just start ripping guts out until they do," Cornelia answered firmly.

"Irma, I think you need to go to a hospital," Will said. "You need tending to, and your parents will be worried. We can take the Knights to Kandrakar and have the Council hold them until you're better."

"She's right, Irma," Taranee said. "We need to think of you and your parents, now."

"They can help you," Cornelia agreed. "You're all busted up. You need medical attention."

Irma couldn't think. She knew she was hurt, but she just anted to feel safe.

And water made her feel safe.

Nonetheless, she knew her friends wouldn't give up...and that they were right. So she nodded and fell silent.

"I'll go call an ambulance from the pay phones," Cornelia said.

"And I'll go talk to Irma's parents," Will sighed. "But first..."

She whipped out the Heart and transformed everyone back to human form.

"Can't have everyone seeing us as Guardians," she said.

"Good point," Cornelia said as she rose and left the funhouse.

"You two, stay with Irma," Will said. "It might be a good idea if one of you could ride in the ambulance with her...if her parents don't beat it here."

Taranee indicated Hay Lin for the job. The smallest Guardian nodded.

"Wish me luck," Will said as she left the funhouse.

"Good luck," Taranee and Hay Lin murmured together.

–

And there we have it. I know it may have been difficult for some people to read, and I hope I haven't just turned a lot of stomachs. Anyway, thanks for putting up with it. Please let me know what you think. Thanks for reading. Now to business. As always, I wish to personally acknowledge all my reviewers.

XV-Dragon: Once again, the first reviewer out of the box. Seems I hit a button with you somewhat. Getting tired of Irma getting picked on? Just wait...things have a way of working out, right?

Lexvan: Hey there. I think you may be a new face. Welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts. You were right; the Guardians saved the day..sort of. Wonder what they'll do next...

Nightroad: Hello again, my friend. Thanks for always being a fan. I don't feel sympathy for the Knights, either. Especially now. They deserve everything they get.

Cartoonloverfan101: Butt slapping is permitted, but I warn you...it's a big butt. Thanks for your compliments.

Wolfgurl211: Hello my friend. A chainsaw? Why didn't I think of that?

Starwin: Hello again, and thank you for another excellent review. I like your imagery. So tell me, were you right?

Shocklance: I agree...people need to try to face their fears and their demons whenever possible. Easy for me to say, though...I haven't been through anywhere near this kind of crap.

Quiet Wyatt: Well, well...he lives! I know, I know, pot calling kettle black. Still, I had to say it. wink How was Scotland?

Darkyse: Hello again, friend. Thank you for taking time to put down a few thoughts. What college do you want to attend, if you don't mind me asking?

Fireflare14: Thank you for sticking with us, my friend. I appreciate all comments and I especially appreciate compliments. You have given both, so I especially appreciate you.

DayDreamer9: I seem to have pushed some buttons. grin Thanks for dropping hints...you have some really creative ideas. Hope you liked the way Taranee and Will saved the day. As for your comment in regards to the Oracle forbidding the Knights to touch the Guardians: He actually didn't do that. He simply agreed with Irma's choice to banish them.

Philip Gipson: My dear Philip: thanks for reading and for always leaving a review. I also appreciate the emails and such you send. Thanks for being a friend.

Darev: It would be cool to send someone into Irma's head. Maybe I'll play with that...Anyway, thanks for leaving your thoughts and for saying "Loyalty" is a good story. I'm glad you liked it.