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

Season Three Episode Eleven: "Fullmetal Alchemy" Chapter Four

The Vandom residence. Hay Lin spread out a map on the coffee table. "Will, is this the map you told me about? The one you said you used to track portals with?" Susan asked.

"Yeah." Will answered. "The way it worked was, I focused my mind on the question "where can I find an open portal" then held the Heart over the map. If there were any open portals around, the location would show up on the map as a glowing red 'X'."

"What do you have in mind now Will?" Matt asked.

"Maybe the map doesn't just work for portals." she answered. "If I focus on wanting to know where Alchemy is…" Will closed her eyes and held the Heart over the map. After a few moments, a glowing green X appeared.

"Will it worked!" Irma said. "Where is that anyway?"

"Right on top of us." Susan said.

Miranda knocked at the door. "Will? You guys still here? It's Miranda."

Will's voice came from the other side of the door. "It's open, come on in."

As Miranda stepped through the door everyone looked towards her. "Look who I found." she said. Alchemy stepped in behind her.

Paula Ethel was working on her computer when a knock came at the door. She slid away from the desk and walked to the door. "Can I help you?" she asked the scrawny man on the porch.

"Yes. I am Mr. Garix. I have reason to speak with you about your daughter's conduct at school. May I come in?"

"Oh, yes of course. Arthur? We have company, someone from Alchemy's school!"

"I'll be right out dear!"

"Alchemy!" Elyon exclaimed. She ran to embrace her friend but stopped short, not knowing how the girl would react. To the Queen's surprise, Alchemy hugged her.

"I'm sorry I freaked out Elyon. I'm still freaked really, but you're my friend, I should have remembered that."

Tom stepped next to Miranda. "Good work kid. How much did you tell her?" Everyone's eyes turned to the girl, awaiting her answer.

Miranda said. "I gave her the condensed, get-you-to-safety-fast version. Meridian, Varthan, Elyon as Queen, herself in danger now that she knows. I didn't say a word about the Guardians, figured that was your story to tell."

"Guardians." Alchemy said, "The big monster guy called Elyon that too. What does it mean?"

"Have a seat Al," Cornelia said. "You're in for a long, long story."

An hour later, Alchemy had heard all that needed to be told. Cornelia had demonstrated her power by growing a houseplant to double it's original size. It was, of course, a lot to take in, but Alchemy seemed to be handling it fairly well. "So, what do we do now?" she asked. "I can't just spend the rest of my life waiting for a giant monster to grab me."

"No, you can't." Cornelia agreed. "Will, see if your new map trick will lock in on where Garix is at."

"Good idea." Will held the Heart over the map and focused. A black X appeared.

"Where is that?" Hay Lin asked.

Alchemy looked at the map and cried out. "I can tell you exactly where that is. That's my home! That creep is with my family!"

Garix sat in the Ethel's kitchen drinking the tea he had been offered. It was terrible, but he had to keep up appearances until the girl returned. "Mr. Garix, I don't understand why you insist on waiting for Alchemy to get home. Surely we can discuss whatever the trouble is between us adults first." Arthur Ethel said.

"In most cases yes. But there are special circumstances in this case which prevent that. It's no matter, I'm sure she will be home soon. It is a school night after all."

Paula Ethel looked out a front window. "I'm concerned about that myself. She should have been here by now…"

The Guardians and Regents were gathered outside the Ethel home, along with Miranda and Alchemy. "I don't like this." Elyon said.

"None of us do." Irma agreed. "But it's the best plan. We've got to let Garix make a grab at Al or she'll be under threat indefinitely, and her family too. I'm just glad Taranee realized that thing about Neera and Kandrakar from Phobos' story."

"I just wish you guys would let me do this myself." Alchemy said. "it's my family in there."

Cornelia put an arm around Alchemy's shoulders. "I know hon. But Miranda has more experience in fights, she'll be safer than you would." She turned to the shapeshifter. "You ready?"

Miranda looked at Elyon, who nodded her okay. She then changed forms making herself look just like Alchemy. "So? Good likeness don't you think?" she asked.

Alchemy walked all around her friend. "Totally. Why did you think this would scare me more than what Elyon can do?"

Miranda confessed, "I don't usually mimic other people. My old M.O. was big scary animals. And at any rate, you've not seen the cool part yet. It's everyone else's turn now."

Will pulled out the Heart. "Guardians Unite!" Alchemy watched the transformation in awe. "That is awesome!" she exclaimed, then jumped a little as Matt and the earth regents also changed.

"Okay Miranda," Elyon said, "You're up. Nothing heroic. Just try to lure him out away from the Ethels."

"Got it." Miranda said in Alchemy's voice. She turned and ran to the house…