Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (read aloud .txt) 📕

know it is, you’d be able to travel to the System using the bracelet’s magic. You just have to call it.”
He didn’t understand. “Call it?”
“Close your own eyes and think of the Magic she used to make it appear. Once you have a clear picture of it, concentrate on it.” Mr. Woods replied, sitting across from Aaron on the settee. “The light you see is the glow of the Magic. As soon as you can feel it in your heart, call out the Chant.”
“Wouldn’t that take me to the Dream Realm?” Aaron asked him.
“Not the chant I’m going to give you.” Mr. Woods shook his head. “It’s a famous Travel Spell.”

“Knowing of the Sisterhood,
“My heart, mind and soul are good.
“Take me now to Sister Shannon,
“Where she’ll be waiting, open-handed.”

The spell sounded familiar somehow.
“That’s it?” Aaron asked, incredulous. “That’s the Travel Spell?”
Mr. Woods nodded.
“It’ll take me to the System?” Aaron asked.
“Not really. It will take you about a few blocks away from it.” He explained.
Aaron couldn’t wait. Thanking Mr. Woods, he went home and told Aimee what he’d learned.
Aimee stopped washing the dishes to glance at her own bracelet. “I always knew there was some kind of Magic in these things.”
“How could you know?”
Aimee shrugged. “I just do, that’s all.” She shook her head and continued washing the dishes. Aaron grabbed a towel to help dry them.
“Where’s Bradley?”
“Playing with Josh Stevenson at his house.” After a few minutes, Aimee asked softly. “Are you going to use the Travel Spell?”
“I have to find out, Aimee.” Aaron told her. “You know that.”
Aimee looked at him sadly. “I know. I’ll just miss you.”
Aaron felt bad, never knowing his twin felt this way.
“Since you found Ariana Moon, you’ve been at her side, worrying over her.” Aimee said. “When you were with her, I could literally feel you in danger at times. I began to worry about you.”
Aaron made her look into his eyes. There was something different about them. He could have sworn he saw a green glow in them, as her eyes bore into his. The bracelet around his wrist was gently buzzing, just enough for him to feel it. He looked at her wrist, seeing the same thing was happening to hers. Both twins’ scars were glowing green. That was starting to mean one thing: the Unicorn Magic in their bloods was warning them, and wanting them to use it.
He had to tell her something, so she wouldn’t worry needlessly.
“There was nothing to worry about.” Aaron told her, hugging her. “I was with friends. We were bound together to help Ariana in the Dream Realm.”
Aaron didn’t say anything as she cried in his embrace, not knowing what to say. It was her sisterly duty to be worried for him, but how could he tell her he’d be fine without her?
As soon as she calmed down, she sniffed. “Go to her, Aaron. As a Crusader, as her friend.”
“What about you, and Bradley?”
She smiled at her brother. “We’ll be okay without you. Something tells me you’ll be fine without me anyway.”
Aaron kissed her forehead. “If it’s any consolidation, Aim, I’ll miss you, too.”
The twins met eyes and smiled.  
Part 3:
Test of Endurance

Thirty-Eight:
Sabrina’s Comeback

Meanwhile, in the Dream Realm’s Dominion near Lava Lake, Sabrina and Grand Psycho were frustrated with Young Guardian and her gang of “crappy” Crusaders.
Grand Psycho placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her. “I wish you would calm yourself, dearest Sabrina.” He said. No response. “Whatever could be making you this angry?”
“What do you think, you idiot!” Sabrina screamed in his face. “Young Guardian and her pals, that’s what!”
She continued. “Every time I try to get my powers back from her, that little brat uses them against me!” Sabrina screamed, pacing. Her voice calmed as her thoughts raced.
Grand Psycho decided to speak up. “I do believe it has come the time for my part of our glorious plan.” He rubbed his hands together, and a very malicious grin spread across his face. His black eyes glowed bright red. Grand Psycho, also named Lord Maximaniac, knew of a special Dominionite Crystal. He and Orthos had invented it for traveling to the Outer Realm together, but since Maximaniac’s disappearance, Orthos couldn’t use it.
He and Sabrina left for Dark Tower, where they found the Dominionite Master himself in his study, mixing experimental potions.
“Daddy, I need your consent for the second phase of our plan.” Sabrina whined, nearly begging.
Orthos stopped what he was doing to listen to his daughter’s plea. He thought for a moment before nodding his head. “I must give the two of you something, though.” Orthos gestured for them to follow him to a locked door. “Sabrina and Grand Psycho, I trust no one but you with these. Not even my own faulting son.”
He handed them each a necklace. Maximaniac took his, noting the dark crystal pendant that hung on a silver string was only one-fifth of the actual Dominionite Crystal itself.
Sabrina fingered hers with disgust and curiosity. “What are these for, Daddy?”
“For you to use. I made them special for you to, well, you know.” Orthos began to laugh.
Sabrina and Grand Psycho smiled at each other.
I will show you, Orthos. Maximaniac is not to be trifled with. Grand Psycho kept the thought to himself. Aloud, he said, “Thank you, My Lord Orthos. You will not regret this.” He placed Sabrina’s over her head, silently chanting a curse over it. He took her hand.
“I must warn you,” Orthos replied. “There are limits to the Dominionite Crystal’s power.”
Sabrina was fuming. “What limits?” She demanded.
Maximaniac hid a knowing grin and thought to himself. Ah yes, I remember the limits to the Dominionite Crystal, and its secrets. Question is, Orthos, do you?
To his surprise, Orthos did.
“You must return home, to Lava Lake, to recharge. They are not as powerful as they once were.” Orthos told his daughter. “Also, you will not be able to shift, or use any other special ability there as you do here, without certain consequences.”
Sabrina’s face reddened in anger. “What is the fun of being Earthbound if I cannot use power?”
“Do not worry, my pet.” Grand Psycho replied, touching his hand to her lips gently. A secret plan was forming in his head. “We will go and see Caroline Parker.”
Sabrina lightened. “Lady Caroline? Well, if you say so.” She scoffed.
Grand Psycho smiled at her. “Shall we?”
Sabrina took his outstretched arm. “We shall. Ta-tah, Daddy.” She called over her shoulder as they left for the Outer Realm.
“I wish you a good conquest.” Orthos cried after them.
Meanwhile, Damian, Orthos’ own faulting son, had been listening to the whole thing.
So, Father thinks of me as faulting, and my sister as a devilish and special thing, does he? Damian asked in his head. I will show you all. Three can play at this game. I have my own plan to expose the Crusaders for who they really are . . . Father will have no choice but to stand up and pay attention to me!
Damian’s jealous anger subsided as he quietly made his way to his chamber.

II

It took Aaron three days to figure out the bracelet’s magic. At first, he was scared to find out. He was afraid it would hurt him as some of Ariana’s own magic had hurt her in her youth. Her Magic was so untamed. He thought about the Blood-Pact and the scar and magic it left behind. The green of Unicorn Magic, as Lord Guardian told him years ago when the Musketeers made the Pact, was pulsating through his veins. Would he get the chance to show the other Crusaders and Ariana exactly what magic he himself knew?
With a knapsack over his shoulder and money in his pocket, he said goodbye to Aimee and Bradley. He walked down the street until he found a safe secluded spot to call the Travel Spell.
Aaron sat on a tree stump, taking a deep breath. He grasped the bracelet on his right wrist, closing his eyes. Just as Mr. Woods had said, Aaron saw a green glow coming from it. It felt so warm to his body, and he smiled. The magic traveled through Aaron’s body, his soul, and he felt powerful. All he had to do now was call it.
He was ready and willing.
“Here goes nothing,” He whispered to himself.

“Knowing of the Sisterhood,
“My heart, mind and soul are good.
“Take me now to Sister Shannon
“Where she’ll be waiting, open-handed.”

There was a white light in his mind, and Aaron found himself whisked away from that spot. He didn’t know how, but the Travel Spell worked. As soon as he was sure he was safe, Aaron opened his eyes.
He looked around; amazed it actually worked. He recognized his surroundings, turning to see the old Shore Point Home for Children, boarded up and deserted.
The emotions raced to his heart, reminding him of his mission. If his memories were right, Aaron headed in the opposite direction and took himself to the bus station.

Chapter Thirty-Nine:
Confessions and Dreams

Ariana Woods lay sleeping. In her Dream Realm, she heard a male voice calling her name. It sounded like Derrick, Aaron, and Mark run together, but she couldn’t sense anything.
“Hello?” She cried into the darkness. “Who’s there?”
Out from the shadows came none other than Damian. “It’s only I, my darling.”
He reached to kiss her, but she stepped back, scared but angry. “I’m not your darling! I never will be, either, so go away!”
“Do not be so quick to jump to conclusions, Young Guardian.” Damian replied. “I merely have come to warn you of prominent danger.”
Ariana thought for a moment. She looked him over with her Empathy, but came clean. “What danger, Damian?”
“From Sabrina, of course.” He said, moving closer. “Do not be fooled by her so-called charms. She has not given up the fight for her lost power. I suggest you be aware of all that happens to you and around you.”
Ariana folded her arms, suspicious. “Why are you telling me this?”
“No reason.” Damian shrugged. “Simply to keep you informed of my sister and her friend’s actions.”
“I thought you were on their side?” Ariana asked. “I mean, wasn’t it her idea to have you kidnap me? Or was that all you?”
“I admit, Sabrina did order me to kidnap you, but I assure it were under false pretenses.” Damian confessed.
“What do you mean?” Ariana was still suspicious, but remained interested.
“She claimed you fancied me, the way I fancy you.” Damian took her hand and kissed it, to show his point. “She lied to me, as she usually does. Sabrina also told me it was she who pled with Father to Banish our own cousins.”
“Very interesting.” Ariana whispered. As long as he was confessing his sister’s sins, she may as well bleed the bone dry. “Tell me, Damian. Where is she now?”
He stared at her. “You really wish to know?”
Ariana nodded.
“Sabrina and Grand Psycho are in the Outer Realm, gathering your enemies together.” Damian told her. “Find the weakness, and you will be able to defeat her, once and for all.”
Ariana smiled. “Thank you, Damian.” She pecked him on the cheek. “That’s just what I wanted to know.”
She left then, returning to the Outer Realm.
It was a good thing Aaron was visiting in two days. She’d need all the help she could get to defeat Sabrina and her