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

Season Three Episode Eleven: "Fullmetal Alchemy" Chapter Three

Earth. Heatherfield. For nearly two hours the Guardians and all of their allies, everyone young and old who knew of their secret, combed the park and it's surrounding area, searching for Alchemy. They all knew of the grave danger the young girl was in, which gave the search a sad and sober quality.

Not quite two hours later, Susan Vandom said to her daughter, "Will, we'd better get home if we're going to make that regrouping meeting you scheduled."

"Yeah, let's go… Wait." Will stood for a moment, thinking. "I've got an idea." she opened her cell phone and called Hay Lin. "Do you still have that map we used to use to track portals?"

"Sure, it's safe in my room. Why?"

"Get it on your way to my place. I've got a plan." Will answered.

Hay Lin said, "Okay, see you in a few minutes."

A few short minutes later, everyone was gathered at the Vandom's apartment. In their concern for Alchemy no one, not even Cassidy, noticed one missing member.

Varthan. Garix returned to the armory and removed the destroyed scanner from his person. He walked to the data retrieval system and checked on the progress. It now read ninety-nine point six percent. He would need to make another foray after all, and attack the Alchemy girl. Garix replaced the scanner with a new unit and returned to earth.

Elsewhere in the palace, Neera and Aljax were observing Garix' movements. "Shall I assemble a team to try to stop him my Queen?" Aljax asked.

"Assemble the team for immediate deployment, just in case. Garix will indeed have to be stopped if he goes after the Hales or the Lins. But do not go yet. For now, my son's target is most likely to be Alchemy Ethel or Elyon's parents. There is little risk in those targets."

"Understood, Dark Queen. I go to obey." Aljax bowed, turned, and left on his errand.

Through the park, across busy streets, three full city blocks, Miranda followed Alchemy's scent. It was one of the benefits of being a shapeshifter to possess a sense of smell equal to that of a passling. She had hoped this might come in handy to help her new friends someday, and now the chance was here. After a long run she finally found Alchemy, sitting on a bus stop bench. No one else on foot was in sight.

Alchemy sat alone on the bench. She still didn't know what she should do. She just wanted to know she could trust her friend. As she sat, head bowed, she became aware that someone had sat next to her. "So. You want to talk about it?" Miranda asked.

"Miranda! What are you doing here-" Alchemy realized the implications of Miranda asking that question. Jumped up and took a step back. "You know about this? How?"

"Alchemy, do you trust me? Do you trust Elyon?"

"I thought I did." Alchemy answered. "But now I don't know."

Miranda said, "Fair enough answer. I know you're scared. I really do understand. But you can't keep running. Nothing good will come of it. I figured that out when I turned myself in. Will you at least sit back down? You've got to talk to someone. It might as well be me."

Alchemy sat. "Okay. But I want answers. Miranda, what is going on? What was that big monster, and how did Elyon do that thing with her hands glowing and shooting off energy?"

"I'm gonna give you the condensed version for now. I know you want the whole story, but you're in danger here. So here goes: The country I told you I'm from? It's called Meridian, and it's not a country it's another planet. Elyon and Caleb are also from Meridian."

Alchemy's jaw dropped. "You guys are aliens? Why did the thing call Elyon 'your majesty' then?"

Miranda said, "Aliens may not be exactly the right term, but it's close enough. And Garix called Elyon 'your majesty' because it's true. Queen Elyon is the rightful monarch. She's actually the Queen who saw I was sincere and gave me this probation chance."

"Do you… have the ability to do what Elyon did? And what was this 'Garix' thing anyway?" Alchemy asked.

Miranda said, "I can't do what Elyon did, no. I have my own talents, though I can't show you. For one thing it'd scare you worse than Elyon did and I don't want to see that kind of fear on a friend's face. And besides, the probation rules kind of prohibit it, except in life or death emergencies."

"Okay. I can live with that."

"As for Garix, he's actually Prince Garix, from a planet called Varthan. He's an enemy. And this is why you're in danger: He has rules to follow, but now that you know the truth you're a valid target for him. He'll try to get at Elyon through you."

Alchemy gasped and held a hand to her mouth. "What can we do?"

"Garix only gets one shot. If he tries and fails, you're safe. But for now, we need to get you to some protection." Miranda held out her hand. "Will you come with me?"

"I know I should. But I'm still scared. Dang it, Miranda, I know I can trust you and Elyon. I know I can. But I'm still scared anyway. I…" After a brief pause, Alchemy held out her hand. "Where are we going?"

"Will Vandom's place."

"Why there?"

"You'll see."

Garix searched high and low but could find no sign of the girl. He considered going after Alborn and Miriabelle Brown, but his earlier threat to Queen Elyon had been empty. He knew full well that the latest intelligence placed them back on Meridian carrying out Regent duties. He could attack them there, but it would accomplish nothing without the Guardians present.

Garix sat for several minutes, thinking. In time, a plan came to him. He would be skirting the razor's edge of going beyond what the rules allowed, but he was confident he could stay in the clear with caution. He stood, and reverted back to his human disguise.

Walking to his new objective, Garix made a mental note to thank the project planners for their insistence that everyone memorize the fine details about the families of not just the Guardians themselves, but also their friends. Garix began to whistle to himself as he turned onto the street Alchemy's family called home…