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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt3uzf9Mvu
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppPLTwVVg5
Merlin hurried to Makenna and Tracey and asked, “What’s wrong, Makenna?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3bg1g4Faj
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5hOc4GfdJ
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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0PJO9xfNY
“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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGEhIzL9OP
Caleb gasped. “Makenna!” he said.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KHEC8yeFV
“Ooww.” Makenna said from the ground.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUKZ0rJUZC
Caleb hurried to her, and he grabbed her arm, helping her stand. “Are you all right?” he asked his sister.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSPiOHs0dL
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfYQcgu3aD
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxcMsRrLV5
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!256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBnvrfDNov
However, he kept his cool and asked, “Really? Because it seems to me that my young apprentice may be spelled.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMRV8MQdAq
“Spelled?!” Makenna asked shocked, “What does that mean?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh1SeihpX5
“It means, smart one,” Caleb said with a glare, “that somebody has cast a spell on Tracey!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25VdGJR4jf
“Makenna,” Merlin said, “be honest. Did you and Tracey have an encounter with the Octopus Man on the beach?” Makenna hesitated.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqZ2fFbtjc
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!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyEcaxBOx3
“I’ll try, Makenna,” Merlin explained, “but keep in mind that my powers are dying. I may not be able to do it.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0eySiiuIK
“Well,” Caleb said, “you have to try!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdZIg9TIc2
“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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1WcJGhBEz
“Oh, Tracey.” Makenna said. Caleb watched intrigued.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31JtrSOoBS
He whispered, “Wow.”
Merlin tightened his grip on Tracey’s wristbands and continued,256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkAIBLGt4o
“That’s it, Tracey. Think about singing.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvpKzqnSq5
“Singing?” asked Makenna, “Why singing?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5MpQOt0uS
“Because,” Merlin said, “believe it or not, Makenna, but Tracey loves to sing.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz7mXTY2ww
“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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtNCCppN1E
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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rQJMsRGWb
“Sickens?” Makenna asked, “Will he get better?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mM8tg4Olj
Merlin chuckled, and peering into Makenna’s eyes, he asked her, “You like him, don’t you?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkLsnxMmLq
Makenna blushed. “No, I don’t!” she said in a heated voice, “I just want to make sure nothing is seriously wrong with him!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CMxACVckh
Caleb smirked. “Which means you like him,” he said.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp1U5FEmvz
“Aw, shush!” Makenna yelled.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM21GtXDZQD
She slapped Caleb on the back of his head, and he said, “Ooow,” reaching for it.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsCiiFJQY4
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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3B8JSisLX
“Well, that’s good.” Makenna said.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N9ct26SPG
“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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu3PqvLJXL
“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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDSFihFQLQ
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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x22McirE4
“You’re not killing him though, right?!” Makenna asked with widened eyes.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLf53m3b1v
“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…,”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYFwJEzaAc
“Wait!” Makenna shouted, “You’ve actually killed people before?! How many?!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW9TuPIegX
Merlin dropped his hand and shrugged. “Only six,” he said, “Why, is that bad?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5j2QSR8UW
“Merlin!” Makenna yelled, “He’s only seventeen!” She reached for her cheeks.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx52oEm7GNO
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?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3HUiXhvZX
“He will, Makenna,” said Caleb. He patted her shoulder, “Come on, Merlin’s Merlin the Great.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wEcHFwLh9
Makenna nodded. “True,” she said, “but still.” She shivered as an image of Tracey’s funeral entered her head.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg2mXjj1My
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUwCPogGNE
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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhALWjTKz4
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!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE4u0JaJRU
“Ah!” Merlin said.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaEqz6fPOS
Makenna gasped. “Caleb!” she yelled, “Don’t mention ‘great’!” Too late.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75gXJTjlHY
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT00a2viOX
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!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxX9qi008i
“Sis.” Caleb said. He took her shoulder, “Calm down.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxCIyrZmBW
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtF64fuPue
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj4b5jbvSz
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXAUDmnY6j
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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX1OvRF53H
“He has,” Makenna said with a nod, “but how would I give an act of true metamorphosis?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgna1GS3ncW
“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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms7sKmz6V1
“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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz15fHX2S4
“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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO4eYW730H
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,256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pKtbK4bNr
“I’m confused though. I’ve never heard of somebody in mine and Caleb’s family tree who was a fairy.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuBokgKqaU
“Well,” Caleb said, “there was one. You wouldn’t be a Metamorphic Fairy, Makenna if there wasn’t one.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr19QSdNjI
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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AzrMGtipR
Makenna gasped. “You knew her?!” she asked, “Who was she, Merlin?! What was her name?!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3gwe3Dqgi
“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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYIAliMIf8
“Selene?” Makenna asked.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdFSFOvMrI
“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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q2MWGI1O5
“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…,”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIEfCQMGN4
Merlin glared harder. “A simple yes or no is all I need, Makenna!” he snapped.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62NzzQwnnP
“Fine.” Makenna said with a shrug of her shoulders, “Yes. I understand, Merlin.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmNQs9Gv13
“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.”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuRFdC0Hti
“Whoa, what?” asked Makenna, “Teleport?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RRbzP2Yj5
“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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3C1VR1A2R
Then, she nodded and said, “Yes, sir, that makes sense.” She peered at Tracey again and sighed upsettingly.
Merlin looked with her.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQrL5CvyHK
Then, nudging her shoulder, he asked, “Do you want to say goodbye to him before you leave?” Makenna blushed.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QfNA4Un3G
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv4BrXUcEC
He snapped after Makenna, “His name is Tracey, and he is not going to die!” Makenna rudely waved her hand back to him.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecgQ7fPSnP
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!”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmRtYjI3Iv
“Makenna.” Caleb nervously said, “Cool your head.” He approached her and again placed his hand on her shoulder.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU7D2iEriC
“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?”256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcUXEVje52
“Humph.” Makenna said, blushing again. She closed her eyes and snootily pointed her chin at the ceiling.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOTNwVCoWn
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4boK3ACN5
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrOtG4YqJ7
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxY7J24T5M
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmoeSl8Pdw
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH6t6gAvEN
“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!256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mYefElI50
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.
