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

Season Three Episode Fifteen: "Grave Miscalculations" Chapter Two

Earth. Watching Gideon exit the mall, Miranda felt a slight blush come to her cheeks. "He's really kind of cute." she thought to herself. She turned back to the table to find three pairs of eyes staring right at her. Said nothing, though she knew the blush had gotten deeper.

After several minutes, Cassidy couldn't stand it any longer. "So, you gonna go or what?"

"Yeah, seriously, let's have it." Elyon agreed.

"I'd like to." Miranda said with a sigh. "But I'm not sure it's such a good idea. I mean, what if I got to know him, and liked him, and then he found out, you know… What I am."

"You're looking too far ahead. This is just a concert invitation, not even a date. And besides, what if he did find out some day? Hay Lin and Taranee live with that fear with their boyfriends." Elyon said.

Cassidy added "And don't forget me. Someday Peter might find out that I was born before his grandmother was. Actually, if things work out between us long term, he will find out. I couldn't keep that big a secret from him forever. The point is, you can't let the fear of what might happen stop you from living your life."

"You really think I should go then?"

"I would." Cornelia answered. When everyone looked at her, she clarified "Oh, you know what I mean. I would if I didn't already have a boyfriend."

Elyon reached across the table, put a hand on one of Miranda's hands. "You want me to tag along?" she asked.

"Thanks. That'll help."

"Good." Cornelia said as she stood up, "Now that that's cleared up, there are two more shops calling out my name."

Elsewhere, the remaining Guardians had returned to earth. Tom and Irma walked the short distance to their home together. "Well, tomorrow's a big day." Tom said. "You know, the rehearsal is almost as important as the actual wedding."

Irma said "Yeah. I just hope nothing goes wrong. Will's mom deserves to have this come off without any hitches."

"From the tone of your voice, I'm going to assume you mean that you hope no ONE goes wrong. Like maybe Neera or those poor brainwashed Dominators."

"Yeah. We should be safe from a targeted attack. Everyone who's gonna be there is on the safe list now. It still worries me though." Irma answered.

"Me too. You know Irma, when you've been a cop long enough you start to get some pretty good instincts. Eventually you can just tell when something is off even when there's no real reason why you should suspect anything. I was hesitant to tell you this, but…"

"…But you feel something off, don't you?" Irma interrupted.

Tom said "Yeah. It's not so bad that I would recommend calling things off, but the rehearsal… I've got a bad feeling…"

"Thanks for the warning Pops. We'll be extra careful tomorrow."

"That's all I can ask."

Varthan. Judas held up the crystal Neera had entrusted to him. "Dominators Unite!" he shouted. Colored orbs of light encased each member of the team, strengthening their powers. "Alright," he said to the others, "Follow my lead."

Together, they flew through the twisting passageways of the palace. They passed a number of guards and minor servants going about their duties. None paid them any heed, though of course all would have attacked had they known what the teens were planning to do.

Finally, they arrived at the doors to Queen Neera's throne room. "Remember," Sandra said, "Act obedient at first." Everyone acknowledged the reminder.

They walked through the doors, into the large chamber where Neera waited, seated on her throne. All five bowed before her. "Greetings my servants," the Dark Queen intoned. "I see you are anxious to begin your training. You've already activated the crystal, even.

Sandra replied "Oh yes, we are indeed ready."

"Actually, I've been thinking." Judas said as he stood up, "And I've had a really great idea. You're gonna just love it…"

"Oh? Speak my servant."

Judas grinned, a terrible grin which quickly turned into a condescending smirk. "It's like this," he said, "When we're all powered up, we've got a lot of your power. Point in fact, unless I miss my mark we've got more of your power right now than you do, especially with what you're syphoning off to maintain that veil thing you told us about. Way I figures it, that means we're in charge around here now."

Roaring in anger, Neera stood from her throne, drawing up her full height. "You dare betray me? Me!" she exclaimed.

Having risen from her insincere bow, Bess stepped forward next to Judas. "Oh, we dare alright." she said. "Varthan is ours now."

"Don't let the door hit you in the… well, uh, whatever it is you've got back there, on the way out." Uriah gloated.

Enraged, Neera charged at her would-have-been champions, claw tipped hands open wide. But just as she reached them, Judas pulled out the crystal and held it up in her path. She scrambled to halt her advance, but the other four Dominators flew behind her and each fired a blast of power that threw her further forward and into contact with the crystal. The Dark Queen called for her royal guards, but it was too late. As Nerissia had once done to Elyon, so the Dominators now did to Neera. She was pulled in, and trapped within the Heart of Varthan crystal.

Judas turned to the others. "Told you it'd work." he said.

Bess and Courtney leaned in close, and stared at the crystal. They could just make out the form of Neera beating against the inside, trying to escape. "That is totally awesome." Bess said.

"Totally." Uriah agreed. "So what do we do now?"

"Whatever we want." Sandra answered.

Uriah replied, 'Well, yeah. But I was asking for something concrete…"

Laughing, Judas said "I've got your 'concrete' right here. We'll head back to Meridian and check out the little Queen's palace. I for one can't wait to see just how good those palace guards really are."

"Not to mention how much valuable stuff must be there to steal." Courtney said.

"And maybe we'll see our friends the Guardians again." Sandra added. "I bet we do better the second time around, now that we've seen them in battle."

"We'll do all of that and more. But first, we've got a little issue here." Judas said. He pointed at the doors of the throne room, which were being assaulted from outside. "Neera's little loyal soldiers come to save their Queen."

"Sounds like fun." Bess said, charging up an attack. "Let's rumble…"