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

Season Three Episode Twenty-Three: "Xanatos, Redux" Chapter One

Heatherfield. Standing in the center of the mall, Will pleaded telepathically for help. "Come on Cornelia, the dance is like, tomorrow night, and with everything else that's been going on I've not had a chance to find a dress yet and besides that you're so much better at this than I am and will you please get down here and help me out already!"

"And what makes you think I've had a chance to get my own dress yet?"

"Hello? You're Cornelia Hale. You probably had the dress for this picked out when you were still in the womb." Will answered. The telepathic link filled with laughter.

"Okay, okay, you're right, I've got the dress already. Look, I'd be there but I'm stuck babysitting Lillian. Mom and dad are still leery of leaving her with just the cat. Tell you what, get Matt over here and I'll be right there." Cornelia thought.

"Done." Will answered. She dialed her boyfriend's number. "Matt? Need a favor sweetie…"

Hay Lin and Eric were sharing a root beer float when she started giggling at Will's comment to Cornelia. "What's so funny?" Eric asked.

"Oh, um, I was just laughing about something Will said to Corny, um, the other day."

"Really? It sorta came out of nowhere." Eric said. "I woulda thought it was something I did."

"Nah. So, what did you wanna do later? I should have the evening free."

"We could go to the observatory. Did you know there's a meteor shower tonight? It's not something you can really watch through the big scope, but the sky's nice and dark out there. Good sights."

"And tons of shooting stars to wish on?" Hay Lin giggled. "I'd like that."

Taranee and Nigel sat on the railing of her bedroom's balcony. "So, big dance tomorrow." He said.

"Yeah. Are you still upset with Matt over having to share the gig with Gideon's band?"

"I'm trying not to be, since it means I'll actually get to dance with you." Nigel answered. "But there's a part of me that's still upset with the principle of the thing."

Taranee leaned over and kissed him. "For once I'm glad you lost out. Angry or not I'll get to dance, and so will Elyon and Miranda. That's what matters."

"I suppose so." Nigel answered back. "Listen, I hate to go, but we're practicing after Gideon finishes up. I better head for the school."

"Alright. Call me later?"

Nigel grinned. "Count on it."

Matt entered Cornelia's apartment in a rush. "Make this fast." He said to Cornelia. "We've got final band practice in ninety minutes."

"We'll be as quick as possible." Cornelia promised him, then teleported away.

Moments later, Lillian walked into the room. "Matt!" she exclaimed. "I thought it was you!" She then looked around, puzzled. "Hey! Where'd Cornelia go so fast?"

"She had to rush." Matt said. "Will needed her, but I've only got a little while I can stay, so she's in a big hurry."

"Oh. Okay." Lillian turned and left the room, unconvinced.

Elyon, stood in the school auditorium watching while Gideon's band practiced. During a short break, Joel joined her. "So what'dya think?" He asked.

"You guys are getting better all the time." She answered. "I'm glad you're gonna get to be here tomorrow night."

"Me too. And I've got even better news. My dad's decided tradition isn't worth the cost of added transportation… Next year, I'll be back at Sheffield." He smiled.

Elyon's jaw nearly dropped off at the news. "So, we'll see each other at school every day again? That's great!" She threw both arms around him.

"I'm glad you're back El." Joel said.

Smiling, Elyon answered "So am I."

While music from an Ipod dock filled the air, Miranda and Alchemy danced around an empty room. "I think you've got it down." Alchemy said as the song ended.

"Thanks to you and the other girls." Miranda answered. "So, are there any special ceremonies or anything I need to know about for this kind of thing?"

"Not really. It's more for just having fun than anything else."

"Good. So what about you? I know someone must've asked you to go by now."

Smiling, Alchemy answered "As a matter of fact yes. And it came as a surprise. That new guy that started last month asked me a few days ago, though I didn't say yes until today."

"New? That tall guy with red hair?"

"Yeah. I don't really know him, but it's just a dance right here at school."

"Well, I'm glad you found a date." Miranda said.

"You and me both…"

Martin and Irma sat arm in arm watching a new movie on DVD in the Lair's living room. "Wow. This is totally lame." Irma commented about half an hour into the film.

"It's direct-to-DVD, that's to be expected." Martin answered. "Actually, the best thing to do with films like this is MST them."

"MST?" Irma asked.

Shocked, Martin said "You've never seen Mystery Science Theater? You poor deprived soul, we'll have to fix that soon. It's an old television show where they watched bad movies and cracked all sorts of jokes about them. It's way better than that description makes it sound though. I'll bring one over sometime soon."

"Sounds like fun." Irma said. "So, when you say we should 'MST' this movie…"

"Like this…" Martin answered. On the screen, a character was running from the monster. He slipped and the dog-like creature leapt onto his back. Martin started making sounds like a guy playing with a dog as the creature mauled it's victim, causing Irma to break out laughing.

"And that's the kind of jokes they do on this show?"

"Yep." Martin answered.

"Oh, I have GOT to check that out…"

Cassidy and Peter were enjoying a candlelit dinner in a fancy restaurant. "So what made you spring for this?" Cassidy asked. "This place has got to be setting you back quite a bit of money."

"Well, I figured that since you can't go to the dance like the others that maybe I should do something equivalent for you. I would've waited until tomorrow night, but you know, I've gotta work late shift then." Peter answered.

"I'd say you shot right past 'equivalent' and broke right on through to 'way better.' Are you sure you can afford this Peter?"

"Yeah, no trouble."

Sitting across the table from Peter, Cassidy relaxed a little. When she had seen the kind of place they were going to eat, she had been afraid Peter was going to propose. Which, she hoped he would, just not quite yet. She decided to confide her thoughts to him. When she finished, Peter said "It's funny you say that. 'Cause, see, I did consider it. Even found a nice ring I coulda swung the payments on. But in the end, I agree with you. I want to, but not quite yet."

Cassidy smiled. "We're both young. Kind of. There's plenty of time."

As music began to play and couples moved towards the dance floor, Peter said "Care to dance?"

"Love to." Cassidy replied…

While Lillian played with Napoleon and Huggles, Matt glanced at his watch. Time was running short and he didn't want Nigel upset with him again. "C'mon girls, how long does it take?" He thought. With only five minutes to spare, he was about to call when a popping sound and blast of displaced air from the front room announced their return.

Cornelia entered the room carrying several large clothing bags. "Sorry I'm late." She said, then leaned in close to Matt and whispered "Will's in the foyer, she'll tele you to school."

As Matt rushed out the door, Lillian said "Where'd that wind come from?"

"In the front door." Cornelia answered. "It's windy outside."

"You mean… Outside… in the hallway?" Lillian thought. "Something's fishy here…"