Guardians +Chapter 4+

Sparkie staggered a bit as the painful sensations of a few days prior set back in. She clenched her fists and felt an odd tingle run down her arms.

"Ow, Sparkie, did you rub against a shaggy carpet or something?"  Ella muttered under her breath as she scooted away, just a little. "You just shocked me!"

The voice laughed, "I see you can already access your powers. However, you lack the ability to control them. I can help with that."

The center of the temple was glowing vibrantly. And very slowly, the light began to dissipate, revealing one paw, then another. A woman that was…well, the only word Sparkie could think to describe her as was 'dragon' creature from the waist down walked from the dais that raised the mysterious statues.

She was extraordinarily beautiful, once you got past her golden eyes and terrifying dragon body. Her hair was white-blond, her skin was alabaster pale.  Her smile was so gentle and calming that Sparkie felt her guard slipping down. Wisdom emanated from her.

"Hello, Sydney, Ella." The sound of scales sliding against the floors made the girls shiver. "I am Chira, and I will be your teacher." She circled around the two. "You came just in time, too. I was wondering where on earth Ture's spirit had gone off to earlier today, but now I see he was speaking with you." Chira looked at Sparkie and smiled. "I have a feeling you will be wonderful students."


Ella demanded, "What did you mean earlier about having powers of some Al-whoever?"  She was obviously angry and frustrated, her dark purple eyes glinting dangerously and her cheeks flushed.

The woman's smile didn't falter, "It appears as though the Guardians of centuries prior have decided to pass down their elemental gifts to a new generation." She walked slowly back up to the dais, and reclined upon the steps. She was wearing a strangely designed white shirt, Sparkie suddenly noticed, her hyperactive nature catching some minor details at inopportune moments. Chira relaxed and looked at the two girls, analyzing them. "An unusual method. It means they cannot awaken from their stone slumber. However, their spirits will guide you. All you must do is listen…" The dragon woman's tail tapped her heart. "Here."

"Well damn, that's a little cheesy, isn't it?" Ella snorted and folded her arms under her chest.

Sparkie looked at Ella sharply, her eyes giving off SHUT UP NOW signals. The blonde then turned to Chira and asked, "Um, Chira? If you don't mind me asking, can you explain exactly why we were chosen and…what are you?"
"I am what is known as a Centaurion. I can use magic far beyond the grasp of even the Ancient Ones' warriors. We are their sister race, but unlike the benevolent Ancient Ones, Centaurions are bloodthirsty and often fight amongst themselves--they are rowdy and drunken, and could care less about the mortals in this world. I am one of the few exceptions to that rule." Chira's golden eyes glittered dangerously. "I was given the gift of immortal life to teach heroes of the mortals. I thought my work was done with your predecessors, but I now that I have been awakened, I have a feeling you are my final pupils." She sighed. "But if Ture and Althea gave their powers to you, then where have the others gone?  This is most curious."

Chira seemed lost in her own thought. She snapped suddenly back into reality.  "I cannot tell you why you were chosen. Even if I know the Guardians well, they were always unpredictable. All I can say is something truly evil is plotting to destroy the world as we know it--and you must take the job of the Guardians past and prevent that from happening, as cliché as it sounds." She looked at Sparkie and Ella. "I can teach you how to use your powers. But  I will only do so if you are truly set on the path for good, and will stop at nothing to save the world--you must promise me that you are only willing to use your powers for aiding the light."

This was a lot to take in, but Sparkie's lips immediately moved, "I promise. Teach me." She was inspired by the strange woman. Maybe she wasn't cut out to be a hero, but she wouldn't know unless she tried. She had to figure out why she of all people had been given the powers of some ancient Guardian.

Ella wasn't so fast to agree. "Who are these 'Guardians'? I'm confused and…"

"I don't expect you to agree right away. You may think about it. Sydney, please return to the temple tomorrow at sunset. We will begin your training then. Ella, sleep on it. I think you'll find the answer sooner than you want." Chira walked back up to the dais.  "I need to rest. Even if I have slept for centuries, I find myself very weak and tired. I don't know how long I have. We'll begin searching for the other Guardians very soon." She whispered to herself. Turning her head back around, the Centaurion smiled, "Now, my students, go home, before you get into trouble."


Sparkie and Ella didn't need to be told twice.

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Ella woke up the next morning, bleary eyed and grumpy. She punched her pillow and cursed under her breath. "I knew I'd have to agree. Dammit! That woman--that monster--she knew that Althea would come to me and talk me into it."

"Oh, good morning sleepy-head!" A young man smiled. "I see you're awake, sis. How ya feeling?" He had a scruffy beard and short hair. "Your boyfriend dropped by. I beat him up for you and told him that you were asleep. But whenever you get ready we're playing some Call of Duty, so just take your sweet time, kay?"

"Whatever." Ella had unconsciously started running her hands through her hair. She jumped out of bed and slammed the door on her brother's face. She started stripping off her pajamas and pulled on some casual clothes--a comfortable day-dress would do. She probably wouldn't leave the house until Sparkie drug her to the temple--she knew she couldn't avoid it (she also didn't want to have another dream with Althea visiting--the woman was as terrifying as she was beautiful!)

After spending about thirty minutes in the bathroom, Ella walked out and smiled as she saw a spikey blue-black haired head sticking out from over the couch. "Duude that's a great shot!" He had a surprisingly deep voice for a sixteen year old. He was also tall and well muscled, with tan skin. Ella walked over and plopped down on the couch beside him, scooting close to the teen.

"Hey Chaz. How'd the tournament go? My phone died and I haven't checked it since yesterday afternoon." She asked as her eyes adjusted to the video game in front of them.

Chaz rapidly pressed buttons on the controller, "Gr….uuuf….It went great. We won, kind of a smack-down. I talked to a college coach while we were there, so I'm thinking about going there for some summer camp they're having. How's your first weekend of summer been?"

"Oh, Sparkie drug me out into the wilderness, she got attacked by a bear or something, and then I've been pretty bored otherwise. Glad to have you back though." She smiled and put her head on his shoulder.

Her brother spoke up suddenly, "Ahem, Ella, no lovey-dovey on my couch. OH COME ON, THAT'S OH COME OOON!" He stopped his scolding as Chaz's character took down Ella's brother's.

"Okay, Matt, just chill out. It's just a game. I'm hungry, so I'll go make something. I assume you haven't eaten?" She looked at Matt. Her brother may be her guardian, but without the small brunette cooking for him or doing the laundry this house would have been a wreck. Besides, she was not going to live off of ramen noodles--even though her brother would be content doing so.

"Well, ya know what they say about assuming things." Matt smiled up at his sister, "Of course I haven't eaten. Can you make those really good nachos? Plleeeeaaasseee?" He had the same doe-eyes as Ella, and the big pleading look they took on made the teenager sigh.

"Of course. Be back in a bit."

Ella walked into the kitchen. The sudden darkness made her bite back a scream, but the words, "OH SHIT!" Did manage to escape from her lips.



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"MOOOOOOMM!! The microwave… isn't…working!" Sparkie smashed the buttons on her microwave. She punctuated her sentence with a slap on the start timer. "WOOORRRK CURSE YOU!"

Her mother walked in, "Honey, look, you didn't plug it in." Samantha Walter took the plug and stuck it in the socket. The microwave started humming along as it cooked whatever Sparkie happened to be craving. "See? All better." The woman had her blond hair pulled up in a bun and a pencil was tucked behind her ear, "Okay, doll, I've got to finish up this chapter and get it sent in tonight, so I need you to lay low just for a bit."

"Okay Mom!" Sparkie smiled and her mother couldn't help but grin right back. Even though her daughter was a little hard to handle and understand at times, Sparkie was always happy, and her attitude was absolutely infectious. Samantha rubbed Sparkie's hair and walked back down the hallway.

Sparkie focused her attention on the microwave. "Okay you pathetic t.v. dinner, HEAT UP!"

"Sparkie!" A face was at the door that led out into her backyard. It was dreary and a little cloudy today, she noticed.

"Oh, hey Chaz!" She opened the door, "Come on IIIINNNN!" She yelped as Chaz grabbed her shoulders and lifted her off the ground.

His eyes were full of fear and confusion, "Ella's been kidnapped! She went into the kitchen to fix nachos for her and Matt and the next thing we know we hear her scream and I've got this really bad headache and then I'm seeing these visions of this old building and I didn't know where to go and then I thought well maybe Sparkie would know--" He stopped mid-explosion to catch his breath.

"Chaz. Chaz! CHAZ!" She grabbed his ears, "CALM DOWN!!" She was afraid they were talking too loud so she said, "Let's go outside." She coaxed the panicking teen to walk outside. After getting him to place her on the ground, Sparkie tried to keep her nerves in order. "Okay, what happened? Explain slowly." Her head had a throbbing pain in the back of it, something was nagging her.

Chaz sighed gustily, "We don't have time to talk slowly,  I know where she is!"

"Then why didn't you go get her??" Sparkie shook her head, "Call the police or something?"

"We wouldn't be able to find her then!" He looked around, a crazy look in his eye, Sparkie, I'm scared--my head hurts, I don't feel well!" He was feverish.

The blonde's own head wasn't holding up well to Chaz's raving sentences, "Chaz, how do you know where Ella is? You're talking like a lunatic."

Chaz licked his lips, "She screamed a rather Ella-like phrase and then she was gone! Matt started panicking and then the next thing I know I'm on the ground and my head's hurting like hell and these visions are flashing in my brain. We can still get to her if we hurry!"

Sparkie decided that was good enough for her, "Fine, she's my best friend and I'm not gonna let any weirdo get her." She ran in the house, "I'll go tell my mom I'm leaving to go run or something." Sparkie dashed to her mother's room and opened the door.

The woman was sitting cross-legged on her bed, typing furiously at a laptop. Four notebooks were opened around her, and the room was a general mess.

"Hey Mom, I'm gonna go for a run. That okay?"

"Sure hon, whatever. Be back in time for dinner."

"'Kay!" Sparkie ran back out the door. She slid to a stop as she saw the clock hanging on the wall. She still had a little time before Chira had requested she return to the temple to train.  Although she didn't know quite what was going on, she had a feeling it had to do with this whole Guardian business.


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The ground was wet and the tennis shoes that Sparkie and Chaz were wearing made sloshing noises as they sprinted across the park grass. "That creepy old church in the park? Are you serious?" Sparkie gasped as they finally slid to a stop in front of the crumbling building.

Chaz picked himself up from where he had slid on the ground. His entire shirt was covered in mud, his usually spiky hair was plastered to his face with mud and water. Sparkie was in no better shape, her hair was a rat's nest and her clothes were completely soaked.


"I promise you this is the place. Let's go in!" He rushed up the stairs, stumbling a bit as he reached the loosely hinged doors. Sparkie followed and together they jumped into the decrepit building.

"Well….bravo, Cutie! I see my plan to flush you out worked like a charm. And look, you even brought a friend! Now I can take out three of you at once!" The voice was mocking, boyish….Sparkie's eyes widened as she recognized Knil de Umbra standing in front of a bound and gagged Ella Lee. The brunette was struggling, and obviously trying to scream angrily at her captor. Sparkie realized that while Ella was in fact one of the chosen of the Guardians, she had not used her powers beyond some innate healing skill--otherwise she could have escaped.

Chaz growled, "You let her go, pipsqueak or I'll show you why I'm captain of the soccer team my sophomore year." He flexed his muscles.

Knil made a curious face, "Soccer? Never heard of it!" He laughed, "As if a human like you can stop me, anyway!"

"But you know very well that I'm not a human--not completely." Sparkie folded her arms under her chest and tried to look intimidating. "I can take you!" She gulped. She could really use a little burst of her powers now…she started glancing at her arms and hands, hoping to see sparks running through her clothes.

"Oh-ho-ho!" Knil giggled, "You can take me? I'll go willingly for you, Cutie!" He leapt at Sparkie, shadows flying from him as he attacked.

"WOAH!" Sparkie screamed as he tackled her, sending them flying into ancient church pews. The wood cracked and splintered around her, she felt wood stab and stick into her clothes and skin.

Chaz started to run to Ella, but he suddenly dropped to his knees in front of her. The brunette started to panic as her boyfriend remained on all fours, gasping for air. Heat waves rippled around him and almost as soon as his clothing dried it was drenched in sweat. His eyes burned with an inner fire, and his breathing was speeding up. Ella winced as the heat scorched her face and any exposed skin.

"See, Cutie~ You can't beat me!" Knil had pinned Sparkie to the ground. He smiled maliciously, "I'm much stronger than yo--OOOOOOWWWWW!" The strange boy rolled off of Sparkie as she brought both knees into his groin.

She shuddered, "EYYYAAAAAH YOU NASTY NASTY PERVERT!" Sparkie got up. Her powers were still dormant, not wanting to respond like they had done the previous night.

Knil stood  up slowly, and snapped his hand. The black blade he preferred to fight with materialized. "What's the matter, Cutie? Your powers not wanting to respond?" He brought his sword up, spinning the blade with a twist of his wrist.

Sparkie started to back away, but she failed to look behind her and she tripped over a pew, flipping and landing on her back. She had knocked the wind out of herself, and struggled to catch her breath.

"Well, this is so long, Cutie."  Knil smiled dangerously and brought his sword down.

WHAM! Chaz was standing where Knil had been seconds before. Fire was running down his left arm, swirling around his hand. His body was soaked in sweat, and he was gulping for air.

Ella ran over to Sparkie, "Omigod, are you okay?" She helped her friend to sit up, but yelped and stepped back. "OOOOW! Why do you always shock me?"

Sparkie felt her powers activate and took a deep breath as she stood up slowly. "That was weird. Did you kill him, Chaz?"

The strange boy named Knil was sliding down the wall of the church. "Ooooh. That'll leave a mark…." He started to melt into the shadows. "Catch you later, Cutie!"

"DON'T. CALL. ME. THAT!" Sparkie pointed her finger at the swirling shadows and a bolt of lightning shot from it. It had a bit of a backfire, but she staggered back up and hoped it actually had done something.

Chaz finally responded, he seemed to have stopped generating heat and was bent over, trying to catch his breath. "What…was….that?" He looked up at Sparkie. "I just…had….FIRE….EVERYWHERE!" He was close to panicking

Licking her lips, Sparkie replied, "Well…I can use….lightning? We went exploring…the other day….me and Ella, and well, we went into this temple to get out of the rain because exploring meant we were actually going shopping across town and we needed a shortcut and we figured that instead of taking the bus it'd be easier to go through that old deserted road and we did and Ella didn't wanna get wet so we found this temple to go in and then well, the next thing I know Ella's standing over me and I don't feel so great and then….well, it looks like we have to save the world." She smiled and gave Chaz a thumbs up.