Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Six: "Damascus Road, Part Two" Chapter Four
Meridian. Miranda entered the throne room flanked by a pair of guards. Elyon was already present, seated in her throne but still dressed in her earth clothing. To the Queen's right stood the Guardians in their human forms and a slightly older brunette Miranda didn't recognize. To the left were the kingdom regents, including Elyon's adoptive parents, and Vathic.
Elyon noticed the stasis-cuffs the guards had placed on Miranda when they escorted her out of her room. She seemed livid. "Take those off of her." she ordered.
The first guard replied, "Your majesty, we only thought-"
"Remove. Them. Now." Elyon ordered, her tone of voice making it clear to all present that this wasn't a suggestion. The guards removed the cuffs. Miranda rubbed the discomfort out of her wrists.
Elyon looked at her and said "Miranda, you said last night that you 'belong in jail.' And technically, you are correct. That is certainly the punishment appropriate for your past crimes. However, I cannot in good conscience send you back to your cell when it's clear to me that you've changed. The person you were is not the person you are, and the person you are needs a chance to grow and make penance, rather than rot in a prison cell."
Miranda was confused. Elyon had been confusing her a lot in this last day. "I like the sound of that, but surely you can't just let me go. So what other option is there?"
"I'm getting to that. But first, though I could simply make this an order, I want the regents onboard with my plan. What I want you to do, Miranda, is tell them just what happened to you yesterday in your own words. What did you experience, how did you feel, and why?"
"Your majesty… I can't really make it understandable without also explaining why I felt the way I did before. And I'm afraid that will sound like I'm trying to make excuses for my past behavior, which I don't want to do…"
Elyon smiled. "Don't worry. I hereby order everyone present to treat Miranda's story as an explanation, not an excuse." She looked back to Miranda. "Go ahead." Miranda took a long deep breath, and began…
Susan was at work, preparing files for an upcoming business deal, when her phone rang. "Susan Vandom," she answered, "How may I help you?"
"Hello, this is the mother of Will Vandom, correct?"
"Yes, that's me. Is something wrong?"
"I don't remember if we've been introduced Mrs. Vandom. This is Theresa Cook, Taranee's mother. Do you have a moment to talk?"
"You're right, we've not met, though Will pointed you out to me at a school function a few months ago. What can I do for you Mrs. Cook?"
"Have you noticed any unusual behavior in Will? I only ask because Taranee just hasn't acted like her old self in a long time, and I'm getting more and more concerned." Alarm bells began going off in Susan's head…
In Meridian, Miranda told her entire story to the assembled kingdom regents and the Guardians. The loss of her family. Being raised by Phobos and Cedric. The lessons they had drilled into her about survival of the strongest and the meanest. She told them about how she had hardened herself to survive. About how Elyon had spooked her when they first met. The argument with Cedric before her most recent escape.
She told them about fleeing to earth. Martin, Alchemy, and the Lighthouse Shelter. The epiphany as she walked through the crowd. The friendship Alchemy had shown. The robbery, and her reaction to it. How it all ended. Finally she fell silent.
The kingdom regents excused themselves and huddled together for several minutes. Frequently one or more of them glanced back at Miranda. Finally they returned. "Queen Elyon," Miriabelle said, "Our judgment is this: We will support your plan, so long as Miranda agrees to all of the conditions we mentioned to you last night. And, so long as Vathic is also in agreement."
Everyone looked at Vathic. Unspeaking, he walked to Miranda, leaned down, and stared into her eyes for two full minutes. He then returned to his place. "I am not convinced." he said. "However, I am sufficiently persuaded to agree to this plan. If the Queen is willing to give her a chance, that's good enough for me."
"Um, what chance?" Miranda asked. "Is anyone going to tell me just what's going on here?"
Elyon rose from her throne and approached. "I will, now." she said. "There's a concept in the legal systems on earth that I've been meaning to introduce here on Meridian. This is as good a test as any. It's called 'Probation.' The way it works is, you're given freedom, within certain limits. You have a certain place you'll have to live, a curfew, educational requirements and so forth. There's also a community service aspect of it, but I'm sure they can always use help at the shelter."
"The shelter? Then I'll be on earth? Where will I live?"
Elyon motioned, and the brunette Miranda didn't recognize stepped forward. "This is Cassidy. She used to be a Guardian, in the past generation, so she knows the ins and outs of our lives. She's agreed to take you in."
"Ten O Clock curfew young lady." Cassidy said, "Unless you're out with me or the Guardians. And no trying to pull anything over on me. I'm older than I look, and I've seen it all."
Elyon continued, "The other terms of the probation are as follows: You've got to attend school, and achieve at least passing grades. And… I'm sorry about this one, but the regents wouldn't back down on it. No shapeshifting, except in life or death emergencies."
Miranda stared at her Queen. "You're serious about this, aren't you? You're really giving me another chance?"
"What are friends for?"
"You can still say friend after I betrayed you to Phobos? Elyon, I…" Miranda turned away, trying to hide the tears in her eyes. "Thank you."
"So when do we start?" Cassidy asked.
Alborn answered, "It'll take about a week to get things squared away for her to start at Sheffield. I figure we'll move her into your place over the weekend, and she can start school on Monday."
"Then Monday it is." said Irma. "Now c'mon, somewhere in this place is a snack with my name on it." Everyone laughed, and Miranda found that it was a good feeling after so long in the darkness…