New Power is a power enhancement unleashed upon the Guardians in Arc 7. This power enhancement involves a new outfit, new powers, and strengthening their old abilities. Some of the W.I.T.C.H. girls found that their old Guardian and elemental powers had vanished, seemingly without a trace,^[1] but when they received the core of Kandrakar's powers, the elements in their purest forms, they were able to transform into their magical forms again - except this time, they each have slight alterations to their winged teal-and-purple costumes.^[2]

The girls discovered that they cannot use these new, considerably greater powers properly as of yet. Matt revealed himself to have received orders from the Oracle and said he would train them. In order for the girls to fully control their "New Power" Guardian magic, they had to find the root of their powers, to complete their transformation. To symbolize this, when each girl found the root of her powers, Matt gave her a gold bangle which was a symbol of their element.^[2]

Altered Costumes

All of the new ensembles are more conservative and modest. Cornelia's attire is the least changed, with the top now covering her shoulders and hands and connecting to her skirt. Will's top now has shorter sleeves and links to shorts instead of a skirt; she also wears fingerless elbow gloves. Taranee replaces her crop top and wristbands with a skintight midriff-bearing T-shirt and biker gloves. Irma's new wardrobe includes a tank top, a longer skirt, fingerless opera gloves, and knee-high boots. Hay Lin's attire is now reminiscent of a two-piece cheongsam, with the skirt longer, the addition of fingerless wrist gloves, longer socks, and ribbons replacing her beaded belt, the purple ones wrapping around her abdomen and the teal ones adorning her arms. The guardians have their elemental symbols on their tops.

The guardians also get new hairstyles. Cornelia's hairstyle essentially remains the same, albeit longer by a few inches. Will's hair is also basically the same, with the exception of two longer strands at the front. Taranee's hair has lengthened and styled into dreadlocks. Irma's hair also grows longer and wavier. Hay Lin switches her pigtails for two topknot buns, while the rest of her hair is noticeably longer, flowing loosely down her back.

Their wings could grow larger than before^[2] and can spread out up to 18 feet long^{[citation needed]} . These wings allow all the Guardians to fly, but Irma, Taranee, Will and Cornelia were initially uncomfortable with flying, especially at high altitudes. Hay Lin is noticably more comfortable with them since she already had the ability to fly as the Air Guardian.^[3]

Finding Their Roots

Each girl found the root of and therefore gained control of a stronger version of their elemental and Guardian powers in their own unique way:

• Cornelia found the root of her power by remembering a dream of her losing her way in a forest as a toddler, and finding out it was true.^[2]
• Taranee found the root of her power by discovering she was adopted and finding out that fire entered her life early to protect her from Dark Mother, leaving her parents with no choice but to give Taranee away.^[4]
• Irma found the root of her power by choosing love over magic when she found lost rings (via pipes) in the sewer while on a mission to defeat Dark Mother.^[5] (Irma's root achievement doesn't exactly represent water, so some fans questioned the writer on how she achieved her roots. However, the sewer pipes have a small connection to her element.)
• Hay Lin found the root of her power by entering two hurricanes of her own volition and sacrificing herself for the city of Heatherfield.^[3]
• Will found the root of her power when she was in a dream world Dark Mother made for her, and she discovered her bonds with her friends and new family.^[6]

Trivia

• In some official artworks, each of the guardians are wearing the golden bangles given to them by Matt, representing them finding their respective roots to their powers.

References