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 Two
Sheffield Institute. At seven in the evening on a Friday students began arriving for the big dance. Given the Dominator situation, there was security everywhere. Three plainclothes policemen stood guard inside the gymnasium, along with a dozen private security officers. Outside, another ten police were stationed at the doors, while army rangers under the command of General Stanrych patrolled the roof and perimeter. The General himself was also present.
Because their boyfriends were in the bands, Will, Taranee, Elyon, and Miranda had arrived early. They were soon joined by the rest of the Guardians who came when the doors were officially opened. "Did you guys see all the security out there?" Irma asked as she arrived with Martin.
"Yeah." Will answered. "I even noticed Stanrych came himself."
"No big surprise on that to me." Elyon said. "Something about the guy screams 'hands-on' leader."
"Yeah, the real surprise is over there at the refreshments table." Cornelia said. The girls all glanced towards the table, which was being manned by all of their parents. Unknown to any of the girls until that very evening, all of their parents had signed up to help. "I still can't believe they pulled this on us."
"Oh it's not that bad." Will said.
Irma replied 'Easy for you to say. Between a teacher and a PTA member, it was a given your folks'd be here."
"Yep. And now all of you get to join in the experience." Will said, laughing.
At the refreshment table, the parents were discussing things as they worked. "They are not happy with us right now." Lionel observed.
Theresa answered "Let them be upset. This is a dangerous situation and I wasn't staying out of it."
"Dean and I had to be here, given our positions…" Susan said, "But I wonder if maybe this wasn't a mistake for the rest of you. As you say, it's dangerous and this might make things worse."
"It's a calculated risk." Theresa agreed.
"And less of a risk than it would have been a few days ago. At least we don't have to worry about the real monster now with Garix in jail." Paula agreed. "Besides, these kids are wanted by the law. Probably they won't even show up."
"I hope not." Harold said. "The girls have earned having this night go right."
As the others agreed, Cassidy entered pushing a tub of ice. "Hear, hear." She said in response to Harold's comment. "As for me, I'm just happy to help out here tonight."
"Where did you get that much ice so quickly?" Theresa asked.
Grinning, Cassidy said "Irma and Hay Lin are in power channeling range. I made it myself. The hardest part was finding a tub big enough, but this one was hidden in the back of a kitchen storage room."
Moments later, the ice in the tub shuddered and a familiar green figure crawled his way out and plopped onto the floor behind the table, shivering. "Blunk! Where did you come from?" Cassidy said as she knelt down next to him.
"Blunk not know." He answered. "One second, Blunk relaxing in empty tub. Next second, drowning, third second freezing…"
"Oops." Cassidy said blushing. "My bad."
"Here." Tom Lair said wrapping his jacket around Blunk, "This'll warm you up. Just stay back here out of sight."
"Don't worry, Blunk not going anywhere…"
At precisely seven-thirty, Principal Knicklebocker climbed onto the stage and borrowed Gideon's microphone. "Hello everyone, thank you all for coming. As we are all aware, a lot of people, both students and parents, have worked very hard to make this night a reality. On behalf of our faculty and the school board I just wanted to say 'thank you' to those individuals. And now, I won't hold up the festivities any longer."
As soon as the Principal was off of the stage, Gideon began his first song. Elyon and Miranda stood near the front listening to the music while everyone else danced happily.
As Matt held her close, Will whispered "This is nice. I almost wish you hadn't tied so we could dance all night."
"Me too." He agreed. "And by the way, I like the new dress. It's what you needed Corny for yesterday right?"
"Yeah." Will admitted. "With everything else going on, I hadn't gotten a chance to find it any sooner."
"I can't help but notice your choice of fashion accessories." Matt said, indicating the Heart Will was wearing in plain view.
"It seemed wise to keep it close. Besides, if anyone notices the glow I can pass it off as a trick of the lights."
"Smart." Matt agreed.
About twenty feet from Will and Matt, Irma and Martin were also dancing slowly. "Martin, you've surprised me tonight." Irma said, "You're an excellent dancer."
"Well, the Tubbs family is a big clan. I've had lots of practice at wedding receptions and anniversary parties." Martin answered.
"It shows." Irma said.
"Thanks. So… Are you girls expecting some kind of trouble? I can't help but notice Will's got that Heart thing with her…"
"Better safe than sorry. Besides, she's almost always got it on her, it's just usually tucked under her shirt."
"Gotcha. By the way, I've been thinking maybe I should take Caleb up on that training offer. I'll never be great at that kind of thing, but a little fighting skill couldn't hurt, right?"
Irma looked Martin in the eyes. "Alright. But don't you dare go getting in over your head like Matt did at first."
Martin made a quick salute. "Scout's honor." They both laughed…
After an hour, the bands changed over. Matt took the stage and opened with "Will to Love" while Elyon and Miranda finally got their chance to dance. At the refreshment table Alborn and Miriabelle watched their adopted daughter dancing happily with Joel. "I was worried at first about her spending so much time back on earth." Alborn said, "But now I see it really was the right thing to do."
"Yes. She's happier having both sides of her life, both worlds." Miriabelle answered. "And look at Miranda as well. Who would've thought she had it in her to make such a turn around?"
Dancing slowly, held tightly in Gideon's arms, Miranda felt more at peace than she ever had before. "To think I owe all of this to people I used to think of as enemies." She thought to herself. "I was such a fool…"
"Is something wrong?" Gideon asked.
"No, why do you ask?"
"This." He answered, wiping a single tear from her cheek.
"Oh. No, actually I was just thinking how right everything is now." Miranda said. "My whole world has turned around for the better since I first came here. And now, tonight… It's just like everything is perfect. I didn't used to think happiness even really existed. And now I couldn't be happier."
"I'm glad. And I'm also glad I was able to be a part of that." Gideon paused, then added "I am a part of that, right?"
"Oh, you're a very big part of it." Miranda said with a laugh. They continued to dance in silence, just happy to be together…
Just as Matt was finishing the song, the trouble started. A loud commotion filled the room, pouring in from the hallway outside. The sounds of men shouting stopped the dance in its tracks as everyone looked towards the closed doors. Four security guards from inside the gymnasium slipped out to assist with whatever was happening.
The shouting grew louder. Sounds of a struggle were heard, followed by gunshots which trailed off quickly. There was a brief silence. Then the double doors flew open. Several students had to run out of the way as the doors didn't just open but were throw clean off of their hinges and into the room.
Enter: The Dominators, in human form and dressed for dancing. "We have arrived!" Judas exclaimed to the stunned students and adults, "Let the REAL party begin…"