It took a long time for Makenna to find Merlin’s Cave again. When finally, she did, it was almost five o’clock in the afternoon. She had to be quick about this. She wanted to go home. Makenna flew Tracey and Caleb into the heart of Merlin’s Cave, and there, they found Merlin.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hkTnq12pR
Makenna called to him, “Merlin sir, please, we’ve returned, and we need your help!” Merlin, who had been staring blankly at the cave’s wall, turned to her. Makenna let Caleb’s hand go, and he landed on the cave’s rocky floor, on his feet.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNvt1Lj0zz
Merlin hurried to Makenna and Tracey and asked, “What’s wrong, Makenna?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhJSlQdNQR
Makenna had Tracey’s arm over her shoulders, and she said, “Something’s wrong with Tracey. He’s been acting really weird since we’ve been on the beach.” Merlin peered up to Tracey who was staring at the passageway that led to Merlin’s Cave’s exit. He seemed to be in a trance. Merlin reached up and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from Makenna.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSVelQkIgg
As he was dragging his apprentice toward a chair, Tracey stopped him and peered into his eyes, saying, “Hm, is it just me, sir, or do you seem to have a mild case of heterochromia? Don’t worry, sir.” He patted Merlin’s cheek, “I’d be glad to help you.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRMtUj80r0
“See?” Makenna asked Merlin, “He’s gone cuckoo! He thinks he’s a doctor!” She tried to land, but her foot hit the ground and she fell flat on her face.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MhqJ1X6IF
Caleb gasped. “Makenna!” he said.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBdPLyuv99
“Ooww.” Makenna said from the ground.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FEihVvRXV
Caleb hurried to her, and he grabbed her arm, helping her stand. “Are you all right?” he asked his sister.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Yt1K60uq
Makenna nodded. “I’m fine,” she said. Together, she and Caleb hurried after Merlin and Tracey.
Merlin soon reached the chair he dragged his apprentice toward, and he sat him down. Makenna and Caleb approached the back of the chair, and Makenna took Tracey’s shoulders. Merlin got straight to work. He examined his apprentice up and down, took his chin, and peered into his glassy eyes and dilated pupils.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡforFOLJWIw
Then, he asked Makenna, “Makenna, what exactly happened on the beach?” Makenna gulped. She didn’t want to tell him. She didn’t want to tell him that she had failed to protect Tracey from the Octopus Man.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPiHSLAcJJ
Quickly, she thought of a lie and said, “Um, there was a sudden, huge storm. Big I mean, and a huge wave crashed on Tracey and me. He may have just swallowed too much seawater.” Merlin wasn’t convinced. How dare Makenna lie to him!252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1tdQCVVZp
However, he kept his cool and asked, “Really? Because it seems to me that my young apprentice may be spelled.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DVaFkploa
“Spelled?!” Makenna asked shocked, “What does that mean?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmQawVlRLn
“It means, smart one,” Caleb said with a glare, “that somebody has cast a spell on Tracey!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESdFEfBHRR
“Makenna,” Merlin said, “be honest. Did you and Tracey have an encounter with the Octopus Man on the beach?” Makenna hesitated.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM4umvMeFg
Then, weakly laughing, she said, “No! No! Of course not! That’s crazy!” Merlin glared at her. Makenna shivered. Then, she shook her head and said, “Fine! We did okay? Just tell me that you can lift the spell, Merlin!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hDTijgD2x
“I’ll try, Makenna,” Merlin explained, “but keep in mind that my powers are dying. I may not be able to do it.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizluY9RluM
“Well,” Caleb said, “you have to try!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ57aQhgRNW
“Right.” Merlin said with a weak nod and smile. He kneeled to Tracey and took him by the wristbands, saying, “All right, Tracey, just relax. Think happy thoughts. Think about Selene, ninjustu, and singing. That’s it.” Tracey’s eyes drooped. Merlin was putting him to sleep.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c1F4XtO0p
“Oh, Tracey.” Makenna said. Caleb watched intrigued.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsadX28HTm
He whispered, “Wow.”
Merlin tightened his grip on Tracey’s wristbands and continued,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET3fXLKE3o
“That’s it, Tracey. Think about singing.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoLGUL9eOf
“Singing?” asked Makenna, “Why singing?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zNvNAfuOi
“Because,” Merlin said, “believe it or not, Makenna, but Tracey loves to sing.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWs0GnDqNZ
“He does?” asked Makenna, “Huh, I never knew that.” She patted Tracey’s shoulders, and he closed his eyes. He had fallen fast asleep. As he slept, he breathed gently.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6O1vscQuz
Merlin peered into Makenna’s face and said, “Makenna, he may have also had an overload of power. Sometimes, when fairies use a lot of magic, they go through a magic overload. During a magic overload, a fairy acts like they may be drained of power, but really, the power is too much for their body to handle. A magic overload sickens a fairy, and it is normal for them to act a little strange.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VZ6dYFVhu
“Sickens?” Makenna asked, “Will he get better?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22xblEHdwf
Merlin chuckled, and peering into Makenna’s eyes, he asked her, “You like him, don’t you?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf4Pn4Gr48
Makenna blushed. “No, I don’t!” she said in a heated voice, “I just want to make sure nothing is seriously wrong with him!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcOPujQPmg
Caleb smirked. “Which means you like him,” he said.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4hM48IGY9
“Aw, shush!” Makenna yelled.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1LnPiPbxZ
She slapped Caleb on the back of his head, and he said, “Ooow,” reaching for it.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvipiC7KqsL
Merlin again chuckled. “Ah,” he said, “young love.” Then, clearing his throat, he added with, “Don’t worry, Makenna, Tracey will be fine. He should be back to normal soon. I don’t think a really powerful spell was cast on him. To me, it appears it’s probably mostly a magic overload.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaSSDCmDFJ
“Well, that’s good.” Makenna said.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHfSyXXJav
“Let’s just get him to his room,” said Merlin, “and there, I’ll need to give you the lecture on why you’re a fairy so you and Caleb can return home. I’ll try to make it as brief as possible.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53UCJ9JXcc
“Thank you, Merlin,” said Makenna, “Hm?” Stepping out from behind the chair, she turned her head and peered into Tracey’s face, “Whoo-hoo.” She waved her hand in front of it, “Hey, Tracey. This is so weird. It’s like he’s in a coma.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8rPRYfZ2z
Merlin nodded. “He is, Makenna,” he said, “He’s in what fairies call a ‘magic coma.’ A magic coma is a time when a fairy is not using his/her powers so they can recover from either a magic overload, loss of magic, or a spell. A magic coma helps the fairy’s magic level return to base level. For the most part, it’s a positive thing. However, there are times when negative things, such as poison, put a fairy in a magic coma. There are also times when magic comas are performed incorrectly, and fairies never recover from them. They basically die. On the positive side though, depending on how much the fairy is being affected by a spell, loss of magic, or magic overload, they wake up usually between 10-12 hours after they were first put under.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD6cJc3zdS
“You’re not killing him though, right?!” Makenna asked with widened eyes.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt3KejomOA
“Oh no, no, no!” Merlin said. He waved his hands, “I would never kill my apprentice, Makenna! Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I’ve performed plenty of magic comas before! Although,” He lifted his hand and started to chew on his nails, “there was that one time when I accidentally killed Jennifer. And Bill. And…,”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObSOd2ceHK
“Wait!” Makenna shouted, “You’ve actually killed people before?! How many?!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW94GfzIz1z
Merlin dropped his hand and shrugged. “Only six,” he said, “Why, is that bad?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MudmkOiUH
“Merlin!” Makenna yelled, “He’s only seventeen!” She reached for her cheeks.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklYCicRdLO
Merlin waved his hands again. “And I’m only 1,003!” he said, “Don’t worry, Makenna, I was inexperienced at the time! This time, it’s not going to happen! Come on, you really think I would kill a teenage fairy? Uh, no! Hey, Gina.” He turned to Gina who was resting on Tracey’s shoulder. She focused her attention on him. “Can you lead us to Tracey’s room please?” asked Merlin. Gina nodded. Flapping her wings, she lifted off of Tracey’s shoulder and flew forward. Merlin turned his back to the ninja and bent his knees, reaching back. Makenna helped put Tracey on his back, and once ready, Merlin stood up and followed Gina.
Makenna and Caleb peered at one another, and Makenna said, “Oh, Caleb, I’m scared. What if Tracey doesn’t make it?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcqYCKFrLJ
“He will, Makenna,” said Caleb. He patted her shoulder, “Come on, Merlin’s Merlin the Great.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ3jXMOU41
Makenna nodded. “True,” she said, “but still.” She shivered as an image of Tracey’s funeral entered her head.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfM4Ahab9e
Caleb took her hand and said, “Hey, don’t worry. Tracey’s Tracey. Knowing him, he will make it through this magic coma, and in 10 hours when he wakes up, he’s going to be back to normal. The spell will be lifted, and his magic level will be back at base level. He’ll be fun-loving Tracey again.” Makenna slowly nodded. Then, taking a deep breath, she peered into Caleb’s eyes, and at the same time, they nodded. Then, with hooked hands, they chased after Merlin.
It didn’t take long for Makenna, Merlin, and Caleb to reach Tracey’s room.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlpsN2CZrP
When they did reach it, Merlin told Gina, “Thank you, Gina,” and Gina blushed. She, Makenna, and Caleb followed Merlin to Tracey’s bed, and with the help of the two kids, he put him gently down on it. Gina did the honors of grabbing his sheets with her beak and pulling them over him. When they were sure that Tracey was comfortable, Merlin said, “All right, Makenna,” and he rubbed his hands together, “he should be fine now. Come with me. I’ll try to very briefly explain to you how and why you’re a fairy. Tracey would be able to help, but he’s kind of out of sorts right now.” He glanced at Tracey and then at Caleb, “So therefore, it looks like Caleb will have to help explain it.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYygUy4qGs4
Caleb grinned. “Really?” he asked. Merlin nodded. For a bit, there was silence. Then, Caleb closed his eyes, put his hands together, and grinned, saying, “Thank you, Merlin the Great! Thank you!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKe0ivRpGH
“Ah!” Merlin said.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotw5nKH7ss
Makenna gasped. “Caleb!” she yelled, “Don’t mention ‘great’!” Too late.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA6uxRPxhA
Merlin was back on the floor, curled in a ball, and a black rain cloud was hovering over his head. “Don’t mention that word,” he said.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnaLkettbB
Makenna narrowed her eyebrows to an angry position and said, “Merlin, pull yourself together! Caleb and I want to return to Seabrook Island so get on with it!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGnMg1SiK5
“Sis.” Caleb said. He took her shoulder, “Calm down.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfcuQRqjPk
From the floor, Merlin said, “Geez,” and he stood back up, turning toward the Metamorphic Fairy, “There’s no need for you to get snappy, Makenna. I’m just slightly depressed. Ahem!” Caleb let Makenna’s shoulder go, and Merlin placed his palm on her back, leading her forward. Caleb followed. Gina stayed with Tracey. He was not moving. He was definitely in a coma. Although, he was breathing gently, so that was good.
Merlin soon stopped Makenna, and he and Caleb looked her in the eyes. Merlin soon started the explanation.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhwvtM54FM
He took a deep breath and said, “To start things off, Makenna, you should probably know that in this vast world of ours, spread out, are hundreds of fairies. In this world of fairies, there are five distinct types. They include the Earth Fairies, the fairy sprites, the Metamorphic Fairies, the Apprentice Fairies, and the Wizard Fairies. Tracey is an Apprentice Fairy; in case you didn’t know that. You see, um…,” He lost his words and glanced at Caleb for help. Makenna impatiently crossed her arms. Ugh, elders.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaXULMhmQg
When Caleb saw that Merlin was glancing at him, he nodded and continued the explanation, “Metamorphic Fairies, Makenna, are the rarest fairies in the entire world. They are only born from someone who has a heart of pure gold, and also, in order for a Metamorphic Fairy to be born, there had to have been one person in the family tree who was a fairy. Only one person.” Makenna rolled her eyes. Caleb was repeating himself from before. He ignored her rude eye roll.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIYXMR8ov7
Merlin was the next one to speak. “Makenna,” he said, “whenever a Metamorphic Fairy is born, they are tested to see if they really do deserve their wings. The only way to pass the test is to give an act of true metamorphosis that will help you become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy. I’m sure Caleb’s told you about the five different stages a Metamorphic Fairy can go through.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrqw59D16l
“He has,” Makenna said with a nod, “but how would I give an act of true metamorphosis?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gsnI79svy
“We can’t tell you that,” explained Caleb who, like Makenna, had his arms crossed, “It’s a test. You should also already understand that Merlin is losing control of his powers, and only a Metamorphic Fairy can help him and help bring balance back to this world of fairies.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a5gY2VTk6
“That is correct.” Merlin said, “I’m not just asking you to help me get in control of my powers again, Makenna, although that is one of the reasons, but the main reason is so that we can protect this world of fairies and your own world from the evil clutches of the Octopus Man. With my magic unstable, our world and your world are vulnerable, and unless we can do something about it, we’re an open target for the Octopus Man.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiQLoc9JqU
“The Octopus Man.” Makenna whispered under her breath. She clenched her fists, “That jerk,” and turned her head back in the direction of Tracey, “Oh, Tracey, I’m so sorry.” Caleb and Merlin noticed her peering at him, and together, they turned and also peered at the young apprentice and his friend tern.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0fhNnuAwn
Gina was resting next to his head, and at the sight of the three people staring her and Tracey down, she seemed to chuckle nervously and waved her wing at them. Then, through squawks, she said, “Hey, everybody.”
After a moment of silence, Makenna forced Merlin and Caleb to look at her again instead of Tracey by saying,252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfW6rHjsOv
“I’m confused though. I’ve never heard of somebody in mine and Caleb’s family tree who was a fairy.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDQkSQKFsm
“Well,” Caleb said, “there was one. You wouldn’t be a Metamorphic Fairy, Makenna if there wasn’t one.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDK6jPOmZR
Merlin nodded. “Caleb is correct, Miss Delling,” he said, “There was a member in your family tree who was a fairy. She was a very strong-willed fairy. However, she died when she was thirteen years old.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l4JNUzgE8
Makenna gasped. “You knew her?!” she asked, “Who was she, Merlin?! What was her name?!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pe2MXVzYa
“You will find your long-lost family member and answers about her one of these days,” Merlin explained, “but for now, we have more pressing priorities. I must get you and Caleb back to Seabrook Island so Selene will know where to go when she comes for you, Makenna.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgFHPAQHKl
“Selene?” Makenna asked.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogA1E7qga0
“Yes,” said Caleb, “Selene. She is the wisest, oldest fairy in the world, and when a Metamorphic Fairy is being tested, she visits them to explain how they’re doing with the test and if they’re going to get their Crystal Wings soon.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiTtUC9VyW
“She will eventually find you, Makenna.” Merlin said with a slight glare, “And it’s going to happen soon. You can’t hide from Selene, Makenna, and also, you can never lie to her! Do you understand?”
“Hm.” Makenna said. She tapped her chin, “Define ‘understand’, Merlin. You see,” She chuckled, “it just occurred to me that I may still be dreaming, and this so-called Selene is…,”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRH9LDtbkK
Merlin glared harder. “A simple yes or no is all I need, Makenna!” he snapped.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBKSMjCjJL
“Fine.” Makenna said with a shrug of her shoulders, “Yes. I understand, Merlin.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Pi5oBRiL
“Very well,” Merlin said, although he was certain she was lying again, “then I shall use my last bit of energy to help teleport you and Caleb back to Seabrook Island.”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG1QSYZoax
“Whoa, what?” asked Makenna, “Teleport?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UzZFM1hbC
“Duh,” said Merlin, “Don’t you think, Makenna, it’d be easier to just get teleported back home vs. flying over the ocean with the Octopus Man on the loose?” Makenna thought about this for a moment.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb0ClkJEnw
Then, she nodded and said, “Yes, sir, that makes sense.” She peered at Tracey again and sighed upsettingly.
Merlin looked with her.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq1ACeMRtz
Then, nudging her shoulder, he asked, “Do you want to say goodbye to him before you leave?” Makenna blushed.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3clkxaCUZ
Then, closing her eyes, she turned her back to Merlin, placed her hands on her hips, and said, “No thank you, Merlin! Ninja Boy doesn’t need any goodbyes! He can face the magic coma himself, and if he dies, well, whatever. I have Peter Nelson back home! Come on, Caleb.” She marched forward, and Caleb gulped when he saw that she had made Merlin mad. Steam was coming out of his nostrils, and his fists were clenched.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMKtt1WyDj
He snapped after Makenna, “His name is Tracey, and he is not going to die!” Makenna rudely waved her hand back to him.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7zCwXuxta
Then, turning, she crossed her arms and said, “Well what are you waiting for? Teleport Caleb and I back home before I lose my temper!”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0rbb3LYDZ
“Makenna.” Caleb nervously said, “Cool your head.” He approached her and again placed his hand on her shoulder.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIgdCnmeEW
“It’s all right, Caleb.” Merlin said, “I love being insulted by Metamorphic Fairies. She’s homesick. That’s all. She thinks this is all just a dream. Well, she’ll learn the truth sooner or later. All right, you two, grab hands.” Makenna and Caleb did, and Makenna peered at Tracey one last time. Merlin, who was now standing in front of her and Caleb, asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to say goodbye to him?”252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC0MsevUdX
“Humph.” Makenna said, blushing again. She closed her eyes and snootily pointed her chin at the ceiling.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lecCHBeJR
Merlin sighed. “Yeah,” he said, “that’s the answer I’m looking for, Makenna. Now, listen to me.” Makenna opened her eyes and smiled at him in a very arrogant way. Merlin said, “This is the last thing I’m going ask you to do for me. After Selene visits you, which she will, I want you to fly back here and report to me what she told you.” Arrogantly, Makenna placed her free hand to her lips and acted out a fake yawn. Caleb nudged her.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDQZ3pZhKi
In a conceited voice, Makenna said, “Yeah, whatever, Mister Merlin.” She was really getting on Merlin’s nerves now. In a way, he couldn’t wait to send her back to Seabrook Island so he wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore. Besides, he needed her and Caleb out of his hay, not that Caleb acted the same way as Makenna, but it was so he could take care of Tracey until he woke up. He hoped that when Makenna came back, to report to him about Selene, she would be a Soon to Be a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy, or in other words, a Level 2 Metamorphic Fairy. However, he wasn’t sure. If Makenna didn’t change her attitude, she would never become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy.
Trying to not let this thought worry him, he cleared his throat and smiled feebly.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u56UfdP3N
Then, lifting his hands, orange magic appeared in them, and he pointed them at Makenna and Caleb, announcing, “Whammy, zammy, kazami!” The magic escaped his hands, and it circled Makenna and Caleb Delling.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsGlBWnA6P
Gasping, Makenna said, “Wait a minute!” and she held her hand out to Tracey, “Tracey!” Merlin had his eyes closed, and he was performing a second spell on top of the first one.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTiB8WJKWX
He announced, “Hidden in the shadow! Across the vast meadow! Blending in the ghetto! Hiding the wings shadow!” A great blast of light escaped his hands, and it flung itself on top of Makenna.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCGE8Dlp0z
“Huh?” she asked. She gasped again and tightened her grip on Caleb’s hand. Together, the two siblings squeezed their eyes shut. Then, in a blast of orange smoke, Makenna and Caleb...disappeared! They were no longer in Merlin’s Cave! They were on their way home!252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzquXv3C7Ry
Behind, Merlin gasped and asked, “Whoa, I did it?” He waited for a few moments. Then he cheered and started to tap dance. However, he was totally unaware that from his bed, Tracey was beginning to shiver uncontrollably, and again, the mark of the Octopus Man flashed on his arm.
