Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Monster High, Ever After High, Disney Descendants, DC Super Hero Girls, and Project MC2 worlds which are trademarked by Mattel, Guru Studio, Disney, Dreamworks Animation's AwesomenessTV and MGA respectively. All characters are created and owned by Mattel, Disney and MGA and I do not claim any ownership over them or their story and it is not purported or believed to be part of the original story canon. This story is for entertainment only.

Episode 22:

Dance in the Dark

-Twyla-

Around midnight on Saturday, September 9, Twyla awoke in the infirmary both arms wrapped in cloth. She was still completely isolated from her friends and no closer to revealing Mal's wicked deed. Not that she knew how.

Twyla sighed, there was so much she didn't know. Like the fact that Billy had been dating her and Darling simultaneously.

LT Montoya walked by her bed, "Oh. Sombrita, you're awake already. Looks like my instincts were correct."

Twyla slid out of the shadows, holding her hands out in front of her, "Yes ma'am, couldn't sleep."

Montoya put her lantern on the bedside table and gently touched Twyla's arms, "Any pain?"

Twyla shook her head, "No ma'am. None."

Montoya smiled and unwrapped the cloth bandages, "I am so glad. I should thank Addy later. She saved me some heart ache. Move your wrist around make sure you have mobility."

Twyla flicked her wrist back and forth, "Wow, how did you do that? My leg is still healing from before."

Montoya bent down and with glowing hands touched Twyla's leg, "Is it? Oh, yes I see now, give me just a second. There."

Montoya stood up and smiled, "Better?"

Twyla looked down at her leg and moved it around, "I don't understand…"

Montoya placed a hand on Twyla's back and started pushing her towards the door, "What I understand is that you are still awake past bedtime, go on, up you go."

Twyla stumbled out into the hall as Montoya rushed her out of the infirmary. She turned just as the infirmary door closed and raised an eyebrow. That was beyond weird.

She walked upstairs to the dorm and walked through the shadows to her bed. She didn't want to disturb Billy and Lagoona, the entry controllers on shift instead opting to change her clothes in the dark. She snuggled under the covers and went to sleep.

Twyla awoke later that morning when the dorm door slammed shut.

Cleo flipped her hair and rolled her eyes, "Well it's only fair, I mean she is a swimmer."

Farrah wrung her hands together, "But, it seems a little dangerous."

Cleo waved dismissively, "She has help and any ways, have you had any luck finding all the tiles?"

Farrah shook her head, "No, not yet but I'll keep looking."

Cleo nodded, "I know you will. Now hurry up and get dressed. We just got a shipment of almond flour in and I intend to enjoy a plate of hot crepes with a nice Chantilly creme."

Farrah flitted around throwing her clothes everywhere, "Ohhhhhh, where did I put my bra? Ohhhhh, I can't find anything today."

Cleo threw her head back and sighed loudly, "Farrahhhhh. Calm down. You need to be more confident in yourself. And what bra are you looking for, just put one on and let's go."

Farrah tapped her temples with her knuckles, "Ummm, I keep forgetting to put my clothes in the wash. I don't have any bras or panties. I don't know what I'm going to do."

Cleo rolled her eyes, "You have magic for such an occasion. Now don't delay any further, everyone else already went to chow and I want my crepes."

Farrah changed clothes, grabbed her wand and pointed it at herself as she cast a spell, "It may only last until twelve but it is something."

Cleo rolled her eyes and walked to the door, "Finally, now let's go."

Farrah followed, "Coming."

When they left, Twyla exited the shadows, closed her trunk and dressed mumbling to herself, "I'm glad I didn't want to sleep in today."

Twyla headed to the chow hall while hiding in shadow with questions bouncing around her head. What was the dangerous task Lagoona was going to do? What were the tiles Farrah was looking for and how did Cleo know what shipped to the school?

Twyla entered the chow hall and got in line. The sound of a tray hitting the ground caused everyone to turn their head, someone yelled out, "Don't touch it."

Faybelle stood next to the fallen tray with her hands on her hips, "Billy, you should like, stay visible in the chow hall. This is how accidents happen."

Billy became visible, "My bad Faybelle, I'll get you a new tray of food."

Faybelle threw her braid over her shoulder and huffed, "Uhhh, whatever after, I'm over it."

Billy shrugged, "Whatever."

Faybelle smirked, "Actually, Evie if you could be a dear-"

Evie screamed in Faybelle's face as she threw her tray across the chow hall and stomped out.

Faybelle leaned back, "Well, I guess I will be taking that tray of food Billy. Leave it on the table, I'll be right back."

She flew out of the chow hall and Twyla hopped into shadow to give chase. It was hard work catching up to a flying Faybelle but Twyla did by leaping between each shadow and spider crawling once inside of Faybelle's.

Faybelle glanced behind herself as she rounded a corner and entered the latrine. Evie stood in the mirror trying to catch her breath.

Faybelle ran over to her, "Okay, I get it. You're upset. No big deal just calm down. I won't tell anyone about your big secret. Alright?" Evie fanned herself and gasped for air.

Faybelle grabbed a paper towel and wet it in the sink as she began dabbing Evie's face with it, "Don't worry, I will find some other way to expose Cleo for the murderer that she is. I promise. She won't hurt anyone else ever again."

Evie pushed Faybelle away and tried to slow her own breathing.

Faybelle put her hands up, "Don't worry, Cleo won't know you were the one that saw her. I won't let anything happen to you. All you have to do is dry those little eyes, walk back into that chow hall and sit next to me. I'll be waiting best friend."

She glided out of the latrine. Twyla remained in shadow and stared at Evie. Evie looked at herself in the mirror, shook her head and cried harder. Then she put her head on the sink and bawled. Twyla wanted to comfort her but she also wanted to know if it was true. Was Cleo the real killer and Evie the witness too afraid to speak? But why and when was Evie in the hallway?

Something about it just didn't sit right with Twyla and she wasn't sure what it was. She left the latrine and went back to the chow hall. She decided that she would shadow Cleo and her inner circle to see what she was doing.

Twyla finished her breakfast and followed Farrah out of the chow hall. She would have followed Lagoona but Lagoona had already left.

Farrah walked with a piece of paper in one hand and her wand in the other while looking at the ground. Every few steps or so Farrah would bend down and run her wand over a tile, sigh when what she was looking for was not present and move on. Twyla raised an eyebrow as she followed Farrah down the hall. Was Farrah going to do this all day? No wonder she was so frustrated. The school was huge and if she was searching every tile looking for a specific one, she would be an old woman before the task was completed.

When Farrah bent over in front of the main door the clock above the door chimed for twelve and the spell that Farrah had cast that morning dissipated. Farrah squealed as she straightened up, covered herself and looked around the hallway. Twyla could honestly not see a difference in Farrah's appearance but being braless apparently made Farrah extra jittery. Farrah pressed her legs together while covering herself and tried to casually walk towards the dorm but when the door to the outdoor drill pad burst open she squealed and sank down to the floor.

Robecca carried a burnt and chewed upon Lagoona, "Oh, Farrah come quick. Lagoona was attacked."

Farrah trotted over, "Attacked? But I thought the sharks would be gone by now?"

Robecca laid Lagoona down and shook her head, "Lagoona's prediction about the sharks was true. Magically summoned when someone is in the water I'm afraid, and they don't speak is what Lagoona was telling me."

Farrah began healing, "Was? Lagoona is still alive."

Robecca blinked, "Oh, I'm sorry I meant past tense as in when Lagoona was talking. She lost a lot of blood I'm afraid. These old gears can't go in and out of wet places like they used to."

Farrah tilted her head, "How old are you anyways. I mean you're a robot so…"

Robecca laughed, "I was built about one hundred and nineteen years ago. My father was a brilliant scientist, ahead of his time, really. Unfortunately, he was so far ahead of his time that most mechanics nowadays don't know how to conduct repairs. And Ghoulia, bless her heart, she has done her best but there is only so much she can do."

Farrah nodded, "Hmmm."

"How is she doing?"

Farrah furrowed her brow, her lips retreated into her mouth as she concentrated, "Almost finished."

Lagoona stirred and blinked, "Uhhh. Me leg, wazzat? Have I gone blind? Well bugger me."

Robecca tilted her head, "Err, no not blind, Farrah is healing you."

Lagoona covered her face with her hand, "Oh is that it? Well good, thought I'd off and gone to a weird place for a sec."

Farrah put her wand down, "There you go, all better. Just don't go swimming with the sharks anytime soon."

Lagoona rolled over, "Not those sharks anyways. They don't speak a lick of sea. Unnatural they are."

Farrah sighed, "Did you find the…"

Lagoona shook her head and stood up, "Couldn't even get close. I'm calling that a lost cause, mate. Only ones who could reach that are the ghost and with Porter more interested in getting revenge on Billy... Well, there's no way we can use it."

Farrah stood up and dusted off her dress, "Well, want to help me-"

Lagoona waved her hand dismissively, "Yeah nah, I think I'll sit this one out mate. Done enough for one day."

Farrah squeezed her wand and hung her head, "I…I understand. You get some rest."

Robecca stood up and placed a hand on Farrah's shoulder, "No worries. You will find them soon. See you later tonight in the classroom."

Farrah nodded, "Of course, see you there."

Robecca and Lagoona headed towards the dorms. Farrah sighed and turned towards her paper. When she stepped forward, she blushed and covered herself again.

Twyla stepped out of shadow and picked up the paper.

Farrah gasped, "Twyla! Uhhh, can you give that to me please?"

Twyla looked paper, on it was a mini map of the school with an X marked in front of the infirmary, Ching's office and classroom 5. She shook her head, "What's it to you?"

Farrah coughed nervously into her hand, "Ah well, ummm. It's part of….my assignment for class and I need it."

Twyla raised an eyebrow, "Fall classes start tomorrow, Farrah."

Farrah pressed her legs together and scooted closer to Twyla, "Oh well umm, it was summer homework then."

Twyla shook her head, "No it's not."

Farrah paused, "It…it's not."

Twyla leaned forward and put her hand on her hip, "No. It's not and you know it. Why are you lying to me? What is it that you don't want me to know?"

Farrah trembled and bit her lip, "I…I'm not…lying."

Twyla held the paper up and shook it, "Oh really? Well then you won't mind if I borrow your homework assignment. Clearly, I haven't done it and you seem to have completed yours. What class is this for, what page is it from?"

Farrah lunged forward and Twyla ducked out of the way. Farrah smashed her face on the floor and sat up crying, "Owwwww. Why are you being so mean to me?"

Twyla rolled her eyes, "I am not being mean. I just want the truth."

Farrah gasped as she was lifted into the air. Billy became visible and threw Farrah over his shoulder as he held out his other hand, "Twyla, give Farrah back her homework."

Twyla's eyes widened and she held the paper close, "Billy…"

Farrah held her skirt down with her hands and whispered to Billy, "Umm if you could put me down…"

Billy inched closer to Twyla with his hand out, "Give me the homework."

Twyla shook her head, "No. Tell me what's going on. What's so important?"

Billy became invisible. Twyla backed against the wall, "Billy, this isn't fair. You know it isn't. Show yourself."

She felt a tug on the paper and she slid into shadow.

Billy huffed, "Come out of the shadows Twyla. You can't hide forever."

Twyla scoffed, "Actually, I can. Just like you can hide forever, remember club president."

Billy sighed, "This isn't a meeting of the disappearing club Twyla, this is life or death and it's pretty obvious what you chose."

Twyla growled, "I didn't choose anything. It was decided for me; I was just in the wrong place at the right time. I can understand everyone else blaming me Billy. But not you, I didn't even know you and Darling were dating. How could I be jealous of something I didn't know existed?"

Farrah chimed in, "How could you not know?"

Twyla sighed, "I guess I was caught up in my own little fantasy but I wasn't the only one, right Invisi bear."

Billy growled, "Don't call me that. You're not allowed to call me that anymore."

Twyla turned down the hall and walked away, "How convenient, I guess you really did only want one thing from me."

Billy shouted, "You only wanted me for one thing!"

Twyla balled her hands into fists and sprinted through the shadows into the treasury. Stomping down the stairs she sat down on the landing and hugged her knees shaking with rage, tears spilling from her eyes.

How can Billy even think that! Sure, we've never gone on an actual date but I've had been there for him through thick and thin. I supported him when Spectra broke up with him back at Monster High, the first time. I encouraged him when Operetta left him. I was there when he built up the courage to ask out Scarrah Screams. I have been there for everything, always by his side and yet he had never noticed me and now he hates me because he thinks I killed his girlfriend. He's the two-timing jerk!

Twyla shook her head and wiped her eyes, shaking the paper in her hand. She had almost forgotten about it. Blinking away her tears, she examined the map. Farrah had been looking for tiles, obviously, the tiles were special but the use was unknown. Twyla didn't even know what the tile was supposed to look like. Sighing she set the paper down on the step next to her. Then she tilted her head as something on the ground caught her eye. She ran her hand over the floor just before the first step. There on the ground barely visible was a clock face with five hands carved into the stone. Twyla picked up the paper and looked at the spots marked then ran up the stairs.

She dashed down the hallway and examined the spots marked. The same motif was carved into the tiles in front of the door to Ching's office and Bonny's office, the stairs to the second floor, the classroom five door, and the infirmary. Twyla marked the ones that weren't marked on the paper with a pen. She continued down the hallway towards the main door, there were two more in the main hall way. One in front of the door to the docks, the second in front of the door to the outdoor drill pad. She marked it and tapped her chin with the pen. What does it all mean though? Twyla glanced at the map and noticed the treasury wasn't on it.

The paper was snatched from her hand and disappeared. Twyla waved her arms in front of her trying to find Billy, "Hey, you're welcome rude ass. I found more of those tiles you were looking for, jerk."

She heard the paper rustle behind her, turned around and pouted, "You don't even have the treasury on there by the way. There's a tile down there too. Not that you would believe me."

Billy became visible annoyance etched onto his face, "What reason would I have to believe you?"

Twyla folded her arms and looked at the ground, "It doesn't really matter anymore, does it?"

Billy folded the paper and put it in his pocket, "At this point Twyla…no. No, it doesn't."

Twyla bit her tongue and nodded as she eased into his shadow and walked away.