Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.

Season Three Episode One: "Suspicions" Chapter Three

After their meeting with the Oracle, Elyon and the Guardians remained in Kandrakar for about an hour. Elyon had expected to need their company for longer, but after the Oracle's encouraging words of something to counterbalance her loss, she wasn't so upset anymore.

Will opened a fold back to earth, opening in the basement of the Silver Dragon. "I promise we'll come see you again soon," she said to Elyon. "Maybe this weekend."

"Sounds good." Elyon answered. She winked at Cornelia. "Should I tell Caleb you're coming?"

"Nah, I wanna surprise him."

Cornelia stepped through the fold. As it closed, Elyon thought she heard an echo of Cornelia complaining about losing an inch of hair, followed by laughter. Giggling, the young queen started to open a fold to Meridian, then had a thought. She really had better find Blunk and take him back with her. Otherwise there was no telling what priceless treasures he might make off with…

It was just past four a.m. when Susan heard Will creeping back into her room. She really was tempted to take the matter up with her daughter right then and there, but knew better. She had someone else to speak with first. Distressed, but relieved that at least Will was home, Susan turned off the light and drifted off to sleep.

Three hours later, Susan awoke in a start from the tenth repetition of her nightmare. "Twice in one night. That's new. It must be the diary." She thought to herself. After showering and dressing, Susan went to the kitchen, where she found Will already dressed and eating a slice of jellied toast. "Honey, you really need a better breakfast than that." She said.

"It's cool Mom," Will replied, "Hay Lin is bringing some kind of traditional Chinese breakfast for us all. The toast is just a tide-me-over."

"Her voice seems so clear." Susan thought. Then she had an idea. "Will, what's that smear on your cheek?"

"Huh? Did I get something on my face?"

"Let me see." Susan pulled Will to where she could look full in her face in clear light. Pretending to wipe a mark off Will's cheek, she looked closely at her daughter's eyes. They were perfectly clear, with no sign of bloodshot or any indication of anything unusual. "Guess it was nothing." She said.

Will sensed something was up, but she couldn't tell what. She decided to let it go for now. Picking up her backpack, throwing it over her shoulder, she slipped out the door. "See you tonight Mom." And then she was gone.

Susan waited long enough to feel certain Will hadn't forgotten something she might come back for. She opened her cell phone and called Dean. "it's Susan."

"Hey sweetie, what's up? You don't usually call this early."

"I know. Listen, can you meet me after school lets out today? I've got something important to discuss with you." Susan said.

"I think I'm wide open Susan. What time and where?"

"The where is my office, we'll have better privacy there. As for the when, I'll get back to you before lunch. I've got someone else to bring in on this."

"Okay, just let me know. Susan… is this about Will?"

"Yeah." She answered. "I'll call you back later. Love you." Susan terminated the call, then pulled up her phone's directory list and quickly found the number she wanted. She placed the call and only had to wait through two rings for an answer.

"Hello," the answerer said, "This is Tom Lair."

In Kandrakar, Elyon had found Blunk exactly where she expected, his arms full of gold and silver relics. "You buy? Pretty shinys for palace!"

"No thanks little guy." She said. A fold opened at her gesture. "Drop the booty and get back to Meridian." Blunk did as he was told. Elyon started to follow him, but heard voices from the next room. She closed the fold and crept up to the door. In the aura mirror chamber beyond were Halinoor, Luba, and the Oracle.

"Oracle, please forgive me, as I know you are wiser than myself, but are you certain this is the right thing to do?" Halinoor was saying.

Luba said, "I agree. Surely what you intend is unseemly for royalty."

"Unseemly perhaps, by the standards most royalty judges itself with." said the Oracle, "but necessary at this juncture. Elyon is a wonderful girl. Her heart is in the right place, and in time she will grow to become the wisest, most compassionate, most revered and beloved and successful monarch in Meridian's history."

Elyon's heart warmed to hear such words from the wise man. But he wasn't finished talking. "However, she is not quite ready. She needs to learn. And she needs the comforts of friends and family and the normal life she knew, or at least as much of it as is possible now. And… she needs a little excitement. The plan I have set in motion will provide her with these things."

Luba replied first. "Very well Oracle. I defer to your judgment."

"As do I." said Halinoor. "You know, young Caleb is not going to like this at all."

Suddenly Elyon realized that the last few comments had gotten louder. They were coming towards the door she was hiding behind! The queen quickly folded back to her palace. Therefore, she did not hear the rest of the conversation. "No he won't. But we've all seen what is coming. The Guardians will need help on earth, and if the dark veil cannot be stopped, Elyon is better off with them anyway."

Another school day lunch break. Will sat with her friends and asked "Have you guys noticed anything off about Professor Collins today?"

"Off like how?" asked Taranee.

Before Will could answer, Cornelia spoke up. "I saw what you're talking about Will. He's been keeping a closer eye on you than normal."

"Exactly!" Will exclaimed. "He's trying to be subtle about it but when you show up half a dozen times halfway across the building from your own classroom, it shows!"

"Not to mention," Cornelia added, "He never once even glanced away from you in class."

Taranee said, "Are you sure you're not just imagining things again? This is the guy we mistook for a disguised monster."

Matt started to say, "Yeah, it's probably nothing." But before he could finish Dean Collins walked by the table, eyeing Will. "Then again…" Matt amended.

Taranee had rethought too. "Okay, I admit that's creepy."

"Ooh!" Hay Lin suddenly said, "Maybe he's gonna ask Will's mom to marry him! Maybe he wants Will's blessing but he's too nervous to ask!"

"Ewww!" came four replies…