Family

By: Lexvan

Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. I watch the show cause, male or female, heroes that use the elements are pretty cool.

Warning: Before you read this story, I suggest that you read "Nice", "Miranda's First Christmas", and "Life's Test" before you read this story.

Last time, in "Life's Test"...

Miranda then felt an arm wrap around her. She then felt Angelo pull her closer towards him.

"Your past is your past.", Angelo said. "How you choose to live your life now is what's important. Think of it as one of life's little test."

"Maybe I can ask Will or Elyon to take me to Metamoor sometime soon.", Miranda replied as she set her legs back down. "I think it time I saw my family again."

"I believe you're right.", Angelo said with a smile.

And now, "Family"!

Chapter 1:

On planet Earth, in the city of Heatherfield it was a nice Summer day. School was out for the next few months, and there were some families were in the park having picnics, while others were at their home having Bar-B-Q's. Elsewhere, there were couples both young and old walking around holding hands walking through the park or along the beach, while other couples were going to the movies or going to the mall. Some were even having picnic in the park. But our story doesn't start on Earth. It starts on the world of Metamoor, where the Shape-shifter known as Miranda is doing something that she's afraid to do. But she's not alone. With her is her boyfriend, Angelo Vanders. How they got together is an interesting story. But right now, let's focus on what they're doing right now. First, we have Miranda, who is dressed in a pair of black shorts with a white t-shirt and brown hiking boots. Next, we have Angelo who is also dressed in a pair of black shorts with a brown t-shirt and brown hiking boots. Both of them have back packs that have things they'll need for their trip.

"You guys sure you want to do this alone?", Will asked the couple as she stood at the fold she opened to bring them to Metamoor. "That forest looks kind of creepy."

"It looks creepy, but beyond it is a wonderful place.", Miranda said with a smile that slowly turned into a frown. "I just hope that I'm still welcomed there."

"You won't know until we get there.", Angelo said as he placed a hand on her shoulder goving her some comfort.

Feeling his hand on her shoulder, Miranda smiled at Angelo who returned the smile. Seeing this, Will figured that they were as ready as they were going to be.

"Well, I guess you two are serious about this.", she said. "So, I'll leave you two and head back to Earth. You have the fold crystal, Grandpa Joe gave you?"

"Right here in my pocket.", Angelo said as he patted his right pocket.

"Okay.", Will said. "See ya later."

"See ya.", Miranda and Angelo said before Will stepped through the fold.

"Well, it's just you and me now.", Angelo said as the fold closed.

"Looks like.", Miranda said as they headed towards the forest. "You know, you didn't have to come with me."

"I know.", Angelo said as he held her hand as they walked. "But I wanted to. So no trying to talk me into going back."

"I know. I know.", Miranda said with a smile. "And I'm glad you're with me for this."

"Good.", Angelo said as they continued walking through the forest. "So, what's your village like?"

"Well, notice how the trees are getting bigger as we go further into the forest?", Miranda asked.

"Now that you mention it... yeah.", Angelo said as he looked around as they walked.

Sure enough, most of the trees were way bigger than some. And as he looked forward, Angelo saw that some of the trees were as wide as huts and houses.

"Well, my people have carved out some trees and made them into homes.", Miranda explained. "They start at the bottom and go on up, depending on how many family members they have. Some familiies even have more than one tree. And some of the trees are connected by wooden bridges or by branches that have intertwined with each other."

"Cool!", Angelo said. "I'm really looking forward to seeing your home village."

"I just hope I'm welcome there again.", Miranda said hoping for the best.

"No matter what happens, you're not alone.", Angelo said. "I'm here for you."

"Thanks.", Miranda said before they shared a kiss and continued on their way.

A couple of hours and a lunch break later, Miranda and Angelo came to what looked like a dirt path. Seeing this brought a smile to Miranda's face for she knew that she was getting close to her home.

"I take it that we're getting closer to your village.", Angelo said as he noticed the smile on Miranda's face.

"It's just at the end of this path.", Miranda said as she headed down the path.

'I'm glad she's happy to be going home.', Angelo said with a smile as he followed behind her.

Soon they were at the end of the path and what Angelo saw amazed him. He and Miranda walked in what looked like a village of homes carved out of huge trees, like Miranda told him. At the base of the tree homes were doors for anyone to enter through. Also along the homes were windows that were carved out as well. At the higher levels were balconies that were built onto the homes. And like Miranda told him, Angelo saw bridges that connected some of the tree homes at higher levels as well as some intertwining branches.

"Angelo. Welcome to my village.", Miranda said with a smile.

"Whoa!", Angelo said looking around at all the homes of the village that he could see. "This is just... Whoa! So, where's your place?"

"Actually, it's right there.", Miranda said pointing to a very large tree home that was connected to another tree home by a bridge. "That's my home."

Just then a male, that looked as if he was in his early 40's came walking out the front door. He had black hair and green eyes, like Miranda. He was of average built and dressed in what looked like regal clothing. Once she saw this man, Miranda's eyes began to water as she slowly walked towards him.

"Father.", she said softly as she got closer to him.

Seeing this, Angelo decided to stay back and let Miranda have her moment. As she got loser to the one Miranda called father, the man looked to see her walking towards him. At first, he didn't recognize her. But once she was close enough to him, his eyes went wide in shock!

"It can't be!", he said not believig his eyes. "M-Miranda?"

"Father!", Miranda cried happily as she ran towards her father.

Seeing this, made Angelo happy for Miranda. But then he saw something that changed all of that. He saw Miranda's father's look of shock turn to one of rage and anger.

"Miranda, stop!", Angelo yelled as he ran towards her.

Hearing Angelo call out to her, Miranda stopped and turned towards him to see him running at her. Angelo then saw Miranda's father's hands turn into claws and used his shape-shifting powers to extend his arms towards Miranda. Thankfully, Angelo got to her in time as he jumped at her and knocked her out of the way of the attack.

"You okay?", Angelo asked as they got to their feet.

"Yeah! But why did you do that?", Miranda asked.

"That's why!", Angelo said pointing towards Miranda's father, who was looking at Miranda with anger and hate in his eyes. "I don't think you father is happy to see you."

"Father?", Miranda questioned surprised at her father.

"Never call me that! You are to call me Callen!", Callen snapped. "For you are no longer my daughter! You and that other, Cedric, went and worked for Phobos! You've brought shame to my family! And you have the nerve to return?"

"Father please!", Miranda pleaded. "I didn't want to work for Phobos! But he gave me no choice! It was either that or die at his hand!"

"At least you would of died with honor!", Callen yelled.

"Father!", Miranda said as tears began to run down her face.

"I told you not to call me father!", Callen snapped as he ran at her and Angelo.

"Father, no!", Miranda cried as she backed away.

Just then, a man jumped inbetween them and held Callen back. Then another man came and placed a collar around Miranda's neck while another held her at bay. The collar was metal with a glowing orange gem.

"Miranda, daughter of Callen and Varla. You are under arrest for crimes against Dargen Village!", the man who collared her said. "Take her and her human friend away, officers!", he ordered as two more men came up to them.

"Hey!", Angelo said as he and Miranda were being taken away. "What gives? And what's with the collar on Miranda?"

"Quite, you!", one of the officers snapped. "That collar keeps her from shape-shifting! She's going to pay for her crimes! One way, or another! She'll pay!"

Angelo looked over at Miranda and saw the look on her face. He knew that she was heartbroken by not only her father attacking her, but by what her father said to her. And now, she was going to be punished for her crimes.

'This couldn't get any worse.', Angelo thought to himself. 'There has to be some way to get a message to others. But how?'

Callen watched as his daughter and her friend were being taken away. Of all the things to happen today, this happened.

"It seems that your daughter has returned, Callen.", came a voice that got Callen's attention.

Callen turned to see an elderly man with a white beard and hair, with blue eyes. He was dressed in regal-like clothing as well.

"Elder Unin!", Callen said with a bow. "What brings you here today?"

"I heard the noise and saw that your daughter has returned.", Unin said.

"She is no daughter of mine.", Callen said. "She has brought dishonor to my family. Whatever punishment she gets, she deserves."

"Remember, Callen. Miranda was only a child when she was taken by Cedric.", Unin said as they walked through the village. "Some would say that she did what she had to do to survive."

"Tell that to those she's harmed.", Callen said. "And then there's a few years ago. When we heard that Phobos was defeated and his sister had taken the throne, we thought that we'd never see Miranda again. So, we went to plead with Queen Elyon for her freedom. But then we heard from the people of the Meridian Kingdom that she escaped the prison and had joined up with a group calling themselves the Knights of Vengance! She choose revenge over being with her family! That hurt me and my family more than anything! It was then that she was no longer apart of my family!"

"I can understand how you feel, Callen.", Unin said. "But sometimes it's hard to come home after all the things young Miranda has been through."

"I'm sorry, Unin.", Callen said. "But the damage has been done. Whatever you and the council does with her is not of my consern."

"If that is what you wish.", Unin said.

"It is.", Callen said. "And now I must tell my family about all of this."

"Very well.", Unin said as Callen walked off. "Poor man. I feel for them all.", he said as he headed for the Hall of Elders.

As for Mirnada and Angelo, they were now in a cell that was carved out of a tree, just like everything else. The bars were metal and there were two soldiers guarding the place. Angelo was sitting on one of the beds of the cell, while Miranda, who still had that collar around her neck, was sitting in a corner, wanting to keep to herself.

"Please talk to me, Miranda.", Angelo said. "I know you're hurting right now. But we have to think of something for when we meet this council tomorrow."

"It doesn't matter.", Miranda said sadly. "Nothing matters anymore. My own father hates me! And if he hates me, then rest of my family must hates me, too.!", she said as tears flowed down her face.

Angelo walked over to Miranda and sat next to her on the floor of the cell, and held her close as she cried. Miranda cried on his shoulder replaying what her father had said to her. She had returned home hoping that her family would welcome her back with open arms. But instead, she was welcomed with hatered by her father. But deep down, she was hoping that the rest of her family didn't feel the same. As for Angelo, he felt sorry for Miranda, but he knew that they had to think of something when they had to meet the council he heard one of the guards talking about.

'If we can't think of something, we may be in major trouble.', Angelo thought to himself.

A/N: Well, things are going from bad to worse for Miranda. First, her father turns his back to her, and now she along with Angelo are in a cell and awaiting a meeting with the council of her village. Will they be able to find a way out of this jam, or will Miranda pay a heavy price for her past sins?

Please review.