Disclaimer: I do not own W.I.T.C.H. This is a work of fan fiction.
Season Three Episode Eighteen: "M.A.C.E., Part One" Chapter Three
Sheffield Institute. Matt, Nigel and Eric stood on one side of the stage, watching their competition prepare to play. "You know," Eric said, "We're really lucky there's even going to be a dance. I'm surprised Nickelbocker and the school board didn't cancel it after we had so many students go missing."
"I asked Will's mom about that since she's on the PTA." Matt said. "According to her, they almost did, then someone argued that with the stress of the disappearances we'd need things like this even more than ever."
"I'm still worried." Nigel said.
"Let's just give it our best guys. That's all we can do." Matt said. "And at least we've got some support." He waved to Will and Hay Lin in the back of the auditorium. He then walked out to Joel and Gideon and said "Good luck guys. May the best band win." Gideon said the same and they shook hands.
Zambala. Judas, Sandra, and Uriah returned to the temple, dragging a large generator with them. "It'll be nice to have power again." Bess said when they arrived. She then noticed that both boys' armor were covered in soot and burn marks. "What happened to you two?" she asked.
"Taranee happened." Uriah explained. "Turns out our little nerdling Guardian has been holding back on us. She's way stronger than she looks."
"Really? Sounds like a challenge to me." Bess said.
"It's a challenge, but one for all five of us." Sandra agreed.
"Bess, Court, you're up." Judas said, opening a new fold. "Get whatever supplies you can think of, and have fun with the Guardians if you want. But be careful, don't get yourselves caught. Once you're back, we'll plan out a better attack with all of us."
Once they were back on earth, Courtney said to her sister "So where should we start?"
"That's easy. We've both got a score to settle with Cornelia after that last fight." Bess answered. "I say we go look her up."
Will, Hay Lin, Elyon, and Cornelia sat at the back of the school auditorium as both bands played through sets of three songs each. "This is gonna be a hard call for the board to make." Elyon said. "They're both so good."
"Yeah." Hay Lin agreed.
Cornelia said "I'm glad I don't have a stake in this. Caleb'll be free to dance either way. I guess there's a downside to the big dream of a boyfriend in a band after all."
At the front, Matt's band completed their third song and looked to the school board for it's verdict. Nickelbocker said "Thank you boys. You all did well. Go ahead and rest or 'take five' or whatever you kids say these days. We'll make our decision and let you know in a few minutes."
Elsewhere, Alchemy and her parents were working together in their backyard garden. It had taken father and daughter considerable effort to coax Paula outside; ever since Garix had attacked them, she had become fearful and easily startled. Even now, she was nervous and spun her head to face every slight sound.
Alchemy watched this with concern. She feared her mother might never be her old self again. "Mom, please. There's nothing to be afraid of, we're in our own yard." she said. "Try to focus on the work."
"I am trying sweetie. I really am. It's just, the world seems so much more dangerous now. Do you know how much I worry every time you walk out the door, knowing there really are monsters in the world? That Susan woman said she was able to adjust to it, but she has an advantage I don't: At least her daughter has the power to defend herself in an attack."
"And I have my friends by my side mom. I'm hardly ever alone."
"I know Alchemy." Paula said. "In fact, if it weren't for that I probably wouldn't be able to let you go out the door at all." she sighed deeply and shook her head. "Anyway, you're right. Let's just try to focus on our work."
They worked in silence for the next several minutes. Then, they were interrupted by a thin, shrill screeching sound. Looking, they saw a tiny baby bird falling from it's nest in the top of a tall tree. It struck the ground with a snap. Mother, father, and daughter walked over to where it had landed and looked down. The unfortunate creature was clearly dead.
"I'm trying not to…" Paula said, "But given what we were just talking about, it's hard not to see a really bad omen in this."
"Try not to look at things that way." Arthur said.
"Well, I'd better go get gloves and a trash bag and clean this up." Paula said. She started to go, then noticed the odd look on Alchemy's face. "Al, dear, what's wrong?" she asked.
Alchemy knelt down in front of the dead bird. "I'm not sure." she said. "All of the sudden, I've got this strange feeling, like I should do something…"
"Do something like what?" her father asked. "It's dead Alchemy."
"Yeah. And somehow that's the point…" Not knowing why, Alchemy reached out. Before either parent could stop her, she touched the bird. There was a sudden flash of light, blindingly bright. When it passed, the bird sat looking at Alchemy, alive and uninjured. "Whoa.." Alchemy whispered.
"How did you do that?" Arthur asked.
"I'm sure I don't know." Alchemy said. She leaned her head back, looking up into the tree. "Hey, can you go get the ladder? We need to put this little guy back where he came from."
"Oh, right." Arthur left to retrieve his tallest ladder.
"I, uh… I think maybe we need to talk to your friends. This seems like the kind of thing that would be up their alley, don't you think?" Paula said.
Alchemy agreed, "Good idea. Hey, you know what else occurs to me? I think I just turned your bad omen into a good one." Paula smiled, and Alchemy was happy to see her mother do so for the first time in weeks…