Sorry this is up late tonight I just spent the day at Disneyland with my 'Life Long BFF Fraternal Twin Sister From Another Mother.' Better late than never! I put a picture of Me (brunette), Madeleine (blond), and Branden (guy). Oh and I'm in a wheelchair...that's why I'm short...In reality I'm two inches taller than Madeleine.

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Chapter 24: What Now?

*Conrad*

Everyone stared at the Guardian before us. She was floating above where Kat had been a moment before. When the light first shined I thought that Princess Ulei would appear. I was wrong.

“Kate-Kaitlynn?” I heard Arnold say.

“Fear should settle in your heart young Shifter Prince.” The woman said in her multiple voices. “Your battle has created enemies. Waldor has escaped their punishment. They come, they come! They come for my daughter. Fulfill the prophecy and become victorious, or die a slow and painful death, after which not even The Guardians can survive.”

The woman had the same deathly expression that Ulei had when talking with Cropen. I could see the death of all the worlds if we failed. I looked around the room at the paled faces and could tell they saw the same. Poor little Donna was the worst, she was on the verge of tears and was crawling under Kat’s blankets. No one noticed Kat coming back until she spoke to us.

*Kat*

“What? What happened?”

“You turned into your mom, I believe.”

“My mom’s dead and not my Guardian.”

“Your Guardian didn’t show, and Arnold knew her name.”

“Dad? Is there something you want to tell me?”

“My wife wasn’t your mom, and I’ve been married twice. Your mom is a Guardian. Our relationship didn’t last long though, she had to return to her planet and resume her duties.”

“Who is she?”

“Queen Kaitlynn Carnes. Leader of The Guardians. When a new Guardian is born, they are always twins. One is The Guardian, who stays on the planet. The other is the mortal binder, who grows up on earth, with a foster parent, and can move to the different planets allowing the Guardian to project onto that planet.”

“Confusing, very confusing, basically all I got out of it was that Mom wasn’t my mom.”

“She considered you her child though. We talked and decided that since you two both looked a little bit alike, we wouldn’t tell you unless it was absolutely necessary.”

“So I’m half alien?”

“Yeah. Donna is still your sister, just a half sister.”

“Okay, wait, you guys distracted me…why were you all so pale when I came back?”

“Because Waldor escaped.” Conrad supplied

“That means they will come after us right?”

“Yes, your mother told us about it. If we don’t get together it will be the end of the worlds.”

“Lucky for the worlds then. I’m not letting you go without a fight.” I cupped his face and pulled him into a kiss

“Very lucky.”

“Um I think you guys need to stop that in front of me.”

“Sorry Dad.”

“Sorry Arnold.”

“So what are we going to do C?”

“You are going to continue going to school here for now.”

“You said ‘you.’ What are you going to be doing?”

“I am going to Shif to get recruits.”

“What do you need recruits for?”

“We are going to hide them in the school so that they can protect us or help us if need be.”

“What about you two?” I said now directing my question towards Anne and Rassy.

“We are going to stay here while Conradio is gone.” Anne replied.

“And then we will go back to learn as much as we can about our new enemies when he returns.” Rassy followed up.

“How long will you be gone?” I asked Conrad, hoping that he wouldn’t be gone long.

“Three Earth weeks at most.” He replied solemnly, pain obvious on his face. At those words I could feel the emptiness from when he was unconscious returning, the tears welling up inside my eyes. I blinked them back but the strain was obvious in my voice when I spoke again.

“That long? I’ll miss you.”

“I will miss you too. You are my Princess.” Oh god, tears at their breaking point.

“And you’re my Prince.”

“That is the first time you haven’t reprimanded me for calling you ‘Princess.”

“Be careful I just might later, the only reason I’m not now is because you’re leaving.” I said putting my hands on my hips.

Conrad put his hands up in surrender, but he still had a huge smirk on his face. “Fine, fine, just know that I am going to get you used to the idea of being called ‘Princess’ and then I am going to use it daily.”

“Warning, using ‘Princess’ can result in minor bumps and cuts from my sword, and massive bruising.”

“Ouch.” He said, putting a hand over his heart as if I seriously hurt him. “Don’t you think you are being a little dramatic?”

“Don’t you think you’re pushing your limits on how good your good bye kiss will be?”

“Touche. Okay you win.” He said a grin promising mischief evident on his face.

“What are you plan-” I didn’t get to finish my sentence because a pair of warm lips pressed themselves against mine. Conrad’s deep hazel eyes laughing with glee looked into mine before I closed my eyes getting into the kiss. He smiled against my lips a deep chuckle vibrating through his chest, his tongue licking my lips.

I laughed myself and shook my head to tell him no. He snaked his arms around me and pinched my side, effectively making me gasp involuntarily giving him access to expertly explore my mouth and stealing my breath. Before I could get too lightheaded he released me from his kiss and smirked at me.

“I hate you, you know that right?”

“I think that kiss says differently.” I gave him my ‘six-feet-under’ glare, and a sharp elbow to the chest. Conrad gave me a hurt look and I said. “You deserved that C.”

“Okay I’m taking Donna down the hall before this gets to PG13.”

“Sorry dad…blame Conrad.”

“Hey I don’t think your tongue was exactly innocent in this either.”

“But who initiated it?”

“I don’t want to go Daddy! Kat is going to fight Conrad!” Donna’s interruption brought me back to the matter at hand.

“Do you think we can house Anne and Rassy at our house Dad?”

“I think thats very possible Kat. They will have to share the guest bedroom though.”

“Oh I don’t think they’ll mind, will you guys?”

“Hey I’m still trying to convince her that this is a good thing!”

“Er, I think you are pushing your luck.”

“One rule you two.”

“Yes Arnold?” Anne answered for the two of them.

“I don’t want anyone doing anything inappropriate while anyone is gone or in the house. That means no parking the car in the garage Erasmus.”

“Dad!” I screamed in outrage. I can’t believe he just said that! Erasmus and Conrad exchanged glance and fell on the floor laughing while Anne and I were having a battle on who’s face could turn redder.

“Daddy? Why would they take the car just to put it in the garage?” Donna said. Conrad and Erasmus had a renewed fit of laughter and Anne and I went even redder than we could think was possible.

“Dad just take Donna home and no one will take out the car.” I said getting my message across clear enough. As soon as the door closed Conrad and Erasmus got over their fits of laughter. Conrad was clutching his stomach and Erasmus was wiping his face of the tears that had made an appearance.

“Grow up.” Said a very small voice coming from a still very red faced Anne. This time not only did the boys laugh but I joined in too. A minute later Anne punched Rassy’s shoulder but started to laugh as well. It took us a good five minutes to calm down and we were all wiping our faces of the tears.