Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Nine: "Xanatos" Chapter Two
Morning. Sheffield Institute. The Guardians and most of their allies were gathered together in the front courtyard under a large oak tree. "So what's this about again Irma?" Hay Lin asked.
"I really don't know. Martin called me really early, said to get everyone together. He said he 'had it figured out.' whatever that means."
Matt said, "Wasn't he trying to remember something that made Neera's scheme seem familiar to him? Maybe he finally put two and two together on it."
"I hope so." Will said, "We need all the help we can get on this one."
Elsewhere on campus, Martin was rushing to meet his friends. He hadn't counted on Judas and Uriah. As he rounded a corner, Judas stuck out a leg and tripped him. Martin flew through the air, and landed sprawled out in the hallway floor. His books and papers scattered everywhere.
"Not bad dude." Uriah said. "Now for the fun part."
"No, I got this. You need to go get on air. That's your part."
"Oh, yeah that's right." Uriah replied. "I'm on my way."
Watching Uriah run for the studio, Judas thought to himself "Idiot." He then began to manhandle the woozy Martin towards an open and empty locker. While Judas shoved Martin into the locker, Sandra and the Grumper sisters gathered up all of his belongings and shoved them into the nearby trashcan.
Irma looked at her watch. "Where could Martin be? We'll have to get to classes pretty soon now."
"It's not like him to be late." Cornelia agreed. "Especially where you're concerned."
"I don't like this. I've got a bad feeling something's happened to him on the way here." Miranda said.
"What could happen in the school?" Will asked. "Another locker incident? What are the odds of that two days in a row?"
At that moment, the speakers crackled, and Uriah's voice came on the air. "Good morning Sheffield! Uriah Dunn here, with some big, big news about everyone's favorite 'Lair on the Air'! It seems our own little Irma is getting all lovey-dovey with class reject Martin Tubbs! Who'da thunk it? And best of all, anyone who wants to see just how lame Tubbs-boy is, I encourage you to head on down to the English studies hall, locker 2814!"
The Guardians ran for the location, Irma in a considerable lead…
A considerable crowd had formed by the time Irma reached the English hall. She found the locker and knocked on it. "Martin? You in there?"
"Where else would I be?" He asked. "Seems like this is the kind of place I spend all my time hanging out now."
Miranda arrived next. "Can you get him out?"
Irma shook her head. She whispered, "No. I don't have the combination to this one. Corny can probably open it, but she'll need a diversion so no one is looking."
"One diversion coming up. Hey Sandra!"
Sandra looked over. "I'm sorry, were you talking to moi?"
"That's right. I'm just wondering where you got that awful hair color from. I hope the beautician paid you back after messing things up that badly. You look like a carrot." A rush of 'ooo's passed through the growing crowd.
"This color is natural you little sow."
"She's not very good at this." Miranda thought. "She just handed me the perfect opening." She then said, "It grows that way? I am so sorry for you."
With a shriek, Sandra jumped at Miranda who simply dodged out of the way. As this was happening, the remaining Guardians arrived. "Irma! What's going on!" Elyon asked.
Irma thought the answer to them. "She's creating a distraction so no one is looking at the locker. Cornelia, think you can spring the lock?"
"Easily." Cornelia looked around, confirmed everyone was indeed watching Sandra's attempts to attack Miranda. Placed a hand over the lock and whispered "Earth." From the ground beneath the building, a root began to grow a slim vine that passed through cracks in the foundation and into the locker. There, it jammed into the lock mechanism and sprung it.
The door opened quietly and Martin stepped out. "Thanks Cornelia." he whispered.
With half the student body watching, Miranda continued to dodge Sandra's clumsy attempts to assault her. She was determined to not strike back. Fortunately, her attacker was so inexperienced that avoiding her strikes was simplicity itself. After a short time, the 'battle' was interrupted by a pair of teachers and Principal Nickelbocker.
"What on earth is going on here?" the principal demanded. "Two new students already getting into fights?"
Caleb and Matt stepped forward out of the crowd. "It's not like that ma'am. Judas stuffed Martin into that locker. Then, when Miranda tried to get him out Judas' girlfriend Sandra jumped her! Everyone here can tell you that Miranda just defended herself. She never even threw a single punch."
Nickelbocker looked towards the crowd. "Is this true?" A resounding yes came from the whole group. "Well, alright then. Judas and Sandra come with me. Everyone else get to your classes. You've just enough time to make it if you all hurry. Now, which locker is poor Martin stuck in? I can have the janitor let him out."
Judas pointed to a locker, then exclaimed "Hey! It's open already!"
Martin walked over. "Yeah. You chose badly. There's something wrong with the lock on that one. It sprung open for me real easy."
"But… But I had Uri- That moron! I told him to double check that it was working since no one was using it! I'll pound him later!"
"You'll 'pound' no one" Nickelbocker said, "Because you'll be in detention until you graduate. Now come along."
As the student body dispersed, Miranda stood watching Sandra led away by the principal. Elyon and Hay Lin approached her. "That was good work." Hay Lin said. "Effective, and you didn't even have to hit her."
Elyon agreed, "You did good."
"Thanks." Miranda said. "I did it for a friend, and I'd do it again if I had to. But I kinda feel bad for Sandra."
"Bad for her?" both Guardians asked, shocked.
"Maybe I'm wrong about this, but there's something about her… I think she acts the way she does because she feels the same way I used to. Something in her life… she acts happy and secure, but it's just that: an act. She's almost as deep in despair as I was."