Song: "Time and Tide" - Dirk Leupolz

        Makenna Delling had been teleported right back to her bedroom back home! She suddenly appeared over her bed, and she yelled as she fell and landed on it. The box containing her dress slipped from her grip and crashed into the floor, tipping over. Suddenly, from the box, Makenna heard a scream! "What the?" she asked, "What's that?" She dropped her wings behind her back and crawled to the edge of her bed, peering down on the box. Her entire face turned blue. From the box, knocking down the lid and crawling out was Raeven! Raeven! The bat rolled onto his back and examined the ceiling of Makenna's room.

Pulling his wings close to him, he said amazed,
"Whoa!"
"AHHH!!" screamed Makenna, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Her entire room shook from her scream. Makenna grabbed her pillow and hugged it to her chest. Nobody was home right now.
It was just Raeven and Makenna. "I wanted to come along." Raeven admitted to the Metamorphic Fairy. He flapped his wings which helped him stand and added, "I was curious about where you lived. Whoo wee, this is quite an unusual cave. I've never seen a cave like this before. You humans have some interesting home styles."
"GET OUT OF HERE!!" Makenna shouted at him. She fell out of bed and landed with a thump on the ground. Raeven slowly started to approach her, with his wings still held close to his chest. "EEE!!" Makenna screeched when she saw he was approaching her. Quickly, she backed away from him and crawled under her bed, "Nice bat. Nice bat."
"I am super nice, Makenna!" Raeven told her, and he sauntered under the bed and crawled onto her forearm, "Though I am sometimes considered annoying, loud, and crazy, I am still the nicest bat a girl could ask for. I believe you need somebody you can rely on while you wait for your friend to recover. I'm sure you feel absolutely disillusioned. That's why I'm here."
"I don't want you!" Makenna shouted, and she tried to get up, but her head hit the bottom of her bed, "Ow!" and she reached for it.
"Ooh, that hurt," said Raeven, and he cuddled up to Makenna's arm, "I always find girls a fascinating species. What do you think?" He held his wings behind his head and peered into Makenna's eyes. "Get off of me!" she shouted, and she tossed Raeven off her arm. Quickly, she grabbed a jar she had under her bed that she used for putting pennies in when she collected pennies at a younger age, and with it, she quickly scooped up Raeven and put the lid on the jar, twisting it shut. "Ha, ha!" she laughed, and she smiled wickedly at the bat in the jar, "Gotcha! Time to show you no mercy! Time to teach you a lesson!" Makenna crawled out of bed and hurried to her window. Inhaling and exhaling, she flapped her wings and soared out the window. Raeven nervously peered up at her, but Makenna merely glared. Then, hugging the jar to her chest, she soared forward and headed in the direction of the Gator Pond.

Makenna flew to the crab dock. Since everybody was either at school or work right now, it was empty. It had been a while since Makenna came to the crab dock. The last time she came was three weeks ago when she and Caleb went crabbing. The Metamorphic Fairy landed on the dock and peered forward to the estuary. Her eyes landed on Raeven, and looking a bit saddened, she approached the end of the higher dock.
Raeven saw where she was taking him, and he gasped terrified. "You're crazy, woman!" he shouted in the jar. Makenna, who was contemplating about throwing him into the estuary, stopped at the end of the higher dock, and clenching her teeth, she extended her arms and held the jar over the estuary. Raeven pressed his wings up against the jar's wall and peered pleadingly into Makenna's eyes. He was giving her the puppy face. Makenna stared into his eyes. Raeven continued to stare pleadingly at her. He shook up and down with fear. Makenna clenched her teeth. She couldn't do it!
She couldn't just murder a bat! "I can't!" she groaned, and she plopped the jar down on the dock's railing, "I can't do it when you're looking at me like that! Ugh!"

Makenna plopped down on the dock, pulled her knees up close, and buried her face in them. Inside the jar, in relief, Raeven sunk to the ground and took deep breaths.
He shook out his head and smiled secretly. "Ah," he said, and he waved his wing, "Puppy face never fails. Humans sure are an interesting crowd."
"What am I supposed to do?" Makenna groaned from where she sat. She unburied her face from her knees and kept her head lowered, "Tracey's hurt, the dance is tomorrow, and now I'm talking to a bat. Can things get any worse? I might as well just throw myself off the dock."
"I personally think that is a terrible idea, you big bug." Raeven told her through telepathy. Not only could he talk, but he also had the power of telepathy!
Makenna sighed and muttered, "Of course I'm a big bug. I'm a total jerk, and it's all because of my craziness about Peter Nelson. What should I do, Raeven?"
In the jar, Raeven started jumping up and down, and he quickly said, "Punch him! Kick him! Tell him that you will make a sacrifice and become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy! Give some credit to me though, okay?"
Makenna shook her head and reached for her temples. "Ah!" she yelled, "I've gone crazy! I have to stop talking to a bat! It's a bat! Why don't I just accept that I will never become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy? It's already too late!" She stood up and rested her arms on the dock's railing, next to Raeven's jar. Staring out at the marsh, she continued with, "I need help," in a low voice, "I'm such a smart aleck."
"Are all humans this dramatic?" Raeven inquired.
"Oh, gosh!" Makenna suddenly shouted. She reached for her head, "He really does talk! He understands me! Maybe, just maybe..." She turned to Raeven again, "Do you know about the whole Crystal Metamorphic Fairy thing?"
"I do." Raeven told her through telepathy.
"Then," stuttered Makenna, "do you think you can assist me in earning that transformation?"
She pointed at Raeven. "I don't see why not," he said back. He wanted to help her.
However, he didn't know that she was only trying to get him to tell her the answer to the Metamorphic Fairy test. "This could work." Makenna muttered to herself. She brought her index finger to her chin, "Yeah. He's a bat. He's supposedly stupid. This could fix everything. So, you think you can help me with this next transformation?"

Raeven thought for a moment, and then he nodded,
"Sure."
"Only," Makenna snapped, and she looked at him, "if we make a deal! You can assist me in getting the next transformation, but after I do, you've got to promise me that you will go away and leave me alone." Raeven's face drooped. "Do we have a deal?" asked Makenna.
Raeven sighed, "Yeah," and he scratched his ear, "Deal, Miss Delling."
"All right." Makenna said, "I'm going to let you out now, but remember the deal. After I become a Level 3 Metamorphic Fairy, you will leave me." Raeven slowly nodded, but he said not a word. "Very well then," finished Makenna. She grabbed hold of the jar and held it in front of her. Lifting her hand, she placed it on the lid and slowly turned it. Soon, the lid came off, and young Makenna set it gently down on the dock. Raeven emerged from the opening, with his claws holding onto the rim, and he peered into Makenna's eyes. She gulped.

Raeven soon opened his mouth and started to speak in English, "My name, Makenna is obviously Raeven, and in case you didn't know...I'm a bat!"
"Yeah, I know." Makenna gulped, "And I'm Makenna Delling."
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Delling, and thank you for inviting me to help you on your journey to become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy." Raeven held his left claw out to her, and gulping, Makenna reached for it, but she couldn't bring herself to shaking it. She was still a little freaked out at the fact that Raeven could talk. She pulled away and groaned.

Knowing that she was nervous, Raeven gently dropped onto the dock.
"All right, Raeven." Makenna finally said, "First thing's first, what's the first thing I need to do to earn my next transformation?"
Raeven chuckled and answered, "You must go to the dance, Makenna. The dance is crucial."
"Dance?" Makenna question, "You mean the Spirit Week Dance?" Raeven nodded. "But what if I don't want to go?" Makenna added with, "You don't understand, Raeven, I don't deserve to go to that dance. Not after what I did to Tracey, and besides, I'm a freak. Is there something else I can do?"
"No, Makenna." Raeven answered. He shook his head, "You must go to that dance, and you must go with Peter Nelson."
"Peter Nelson?"
"Yeah. After all, he's your boyfriend, right? Don't you always feel really good around him?"
Makenna sighed, "I do, Raeven. Are you saying that I must be at the dance in order to get the next transformation?"
"Not exactly, but that's the best place to be. I guess we have to spend today getting you ready. You already have your dress. What about your hair, makeup, and other stuff girls do?"
"You have a wild imagination." Makenna told him, "You're right. I do need to do my hair and nails. What about Tracey though? Is he going to be all right?"
"As long as he is at Merlin's Island, yes." Certainty was in Raeven's voice, "Don't worry, Merlin's going to make sure he doesn't leave until he recovers, so he'll be fine. Right now, let's not focus on him. Let's focus on getting you ready for the dance."
"I don't know, Raeven, I still don't believe I deserve to go to it. All these terrible things happened because of me, and things are only going to get worse if I go. Thank you, but no." Makenna stood up, looking deeply saddened, and dropping her wings behind her back, she made her way toward the crab dock's ramp and started climbing. Raeven, who was left behind, sighed and followed her.

Fourteen-year-old Makenna Delling made her way toward the bridge that led to the crab dock, with her hand at her bare neck, and she appeared to be very depressed. She was certain she would never become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy. Her faith was shaken. She had totally lost her confidence. Warm air poured down on Makenna Delling, and the bright sunshine caused her fading wings to shine a little bit but not much. Raeven followed close behind, and he admired the scenery. Makenna soon stepped onto the crab dock's bridge, and she peered gloomily down to the estuary. Warm, salty tears rolled down her cheeks and collided with the water and the bridge's wood. She was having an internal conflict with herself. The teen soon turned her head away from the estuary and rubbed her eyes, peering down on the bridge's wood. She reached for her head and pulled off her crystal circlet. Makenna held it in front of her and examined it. A circlet meant sovereignty. It was meant to be worn by somebody reliable. Makenna didn't believe she was reliable. She believed she was nothing but just one giant bully.

With her eyes still glued on the bridge's wood, she tossed the tiara over her shoulder, and it landed on the end of it. Makenna stepped forward and finished crossing the bridge. Once she stepped onto the path, she turned on her heel and headed toward the cluster of trees that were on her right.
Behind, Raeven landed behind her tiara, and he gently picked it up. "Makenna," he whimpered, and he flapped his wings, heading after her. Totally ignoring him, Makenna carried on with her walk through Seabrook Island, and she was quiet the entire time. She was now walking on a road known as Marsh Haven Dr., and condos were to her left. Bright, warm sunshine crept through the tops of the clustered trees and scanned the area, giving it a beautiful, magical appearance. However, even though she knew the scenery was beautiful because duh, it was Seabrook Island, Makenna was too depressed to admire it. She glanced at the condos and sighed sadly. This entire time, she was thinking about Tracey and the situation she got him into, because of her foolishness. Raeven was behind her, and he was still carrying her tiara.
He stopped next to her and offered it to her, but Makenna simply said, "No, Raeven," and she gently pushed him behind her back.

Soon, she left the condos, and now, she walked on the road in open area, and beautiful marshland was on either side of her. To her left, she could see the Seabrook Island water tower and fire station as well as the marsh. Wading in the marsh was a gorgeous Snowy Egret, and it had just caught a fish. After swallowing it and getting it down its gizzard, it opened its wings and lifted into the air. The egret soared by Makenna Delling, and she glanced at it. At the sight of the egret, she feebly smiled. Egrets. Makenna loved egrets. She always considered them to be "peaceful, confident" birds. She felt good seeing one. The sight of an egret made her feel like there was at least some hope.

Makenna stopped halfway over the bridge, and she stared at the Seabrook Island water tower. As if it knew what she was going through, the egret actually stayed near her. It screeched and started to dance on the air currents. Folding its wings, it twirled its body down toward Makenna and soared by her face. Raeven, who was still following her, stopped and started to hover, and he watched the egret.
Makenna did too, and gradually, her smile grew bigger and bigger. "Okay, Raeven," she softly spoke, and she turned to him, nodding, "I'll go. I'll go to the dance." Seeming to smile, Raeven approached her and again offered her the circlet, but Makenna simply shook her head and said, "No. You keep it, Raeven. I don't deserve to wear that circlet." Sighing, she skimmed the marsh, and her eyes landed on the dancing Snowy Egret. Smiling feebly, she continued with, "Thank you, dear," and the egret screeched for her to follow it. Makenna did.

The egret led the way toward Seabrook Island Rd. As she followed it, the young Metamorphic Fairy was smiling and twirling along with it. Her confidence. Her confidence was coming back. However, Makenna still didn't believe she deserved to go to the Sprit Week Dance. At the thought of it, she immediately lost her smile again. Makenna stopped and sunk to her knees. She peered into the sky, and there was the egret. It was hovering in front of her, and its eyes met her own eyes. Then, it twirled again, and for the second time it soared by Makenna Delling's head. She followed every movement of it, as did Raeven. After a bit, her eyes left the egret, and she peered into the sky again. Makenna closed her eyes. She didn't want to go to the dance, but if it would help her become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy and save Merlin, then she had no choice. The Metamorphic Fairy placed her hands on her thighs and lowered her head. Raeven landed next to her, and he rubbed up against her, seeming to purr. They spent a good while there, with the egret continuing to dance, and the entire time, Makenna mentally beat herself up. She could not stop thinking about Tracey and her foolish mistakes. Ugh, at times, she regretted being a teenager. In her opinion, they had really hard lives. She had a feeling that the next day was going to probably be the worst day of her life, but she still had to go to the dance. She just had to.

After a while, Makenna suddenly felt something very unpleasant in her body. She had a bad feeling.
She gasped, and in a choked voice, yelled, "Tracey!"

Returning to Merlin's Island, Merlin was taking a nap in the heart of his cave, but he was forced to wake up when he suddenly felt that something was "just not right" in Tracey's room. He didn't waste any time. He climbed out of bed and hurried into the corridor that led to his apprentice's room.
He soon entered it, and in a low, panicked vice, he asked, "Tracey?" and peered over to his bed.
Gina had woken up, and she was standing on his nightstand, looking worried. "Merlin!" she gasped when she saw him.
"Hi, Gina." Merlin nervously spoke. He came within reach of her, "I woke up from my nap when I suddenly had a very unpleasant feeling. How's Tracey? Is he still refusing to take the medications?"
"He hasn't even touched them." Gina whimpered, "Oh, Merlin, I'm scared." Merlin next glanced at Tracey, and he gasped. Tracey was very, very white. He was down to the palest a fairy got before he/she died. He had slipped into a coma-like state. If not, he was in another coma, but this time a medical coma, not a magic coma. A cool towel was resting across his forehead, and he wore another fairy oxygen mask.

At the sight of him, Merlin yelled,
"Tracey!" and he hurried to his side.
"Is it his magic?" worriedly asked Gina.
Merlin shook his head, "No, Gina. His magic level is pretty much back at base level. It's his wings. The broken wings are killing him." He felt a lump in his throat. Tracey was not moving. Nothing came from him, and his body felt like ice.

Merlin finally couldn't help himself. His eyes swelled with tears, and he shouted,
"Tracey, you can't die!" Tears ran down his cheeks. Merlin began to sob, and his tears splashed onto Tracey's shirt. He basically just lost his only son.
Gina whimpered, and her face drooped. "I'm so sorry, Merlin," she said, "I'm so sorry, Tracey."
Merlin pulled Tracey into a hug, and Gina cuddled up to him. "This cannot be happening!" Merlin sobbed, "I'm not going to let him go!" He shook his head, "Wake up, Tracey! Please! Your way too young to die! Please, Tracey." Tracey did not wake up. There was no sign of life coming from his body. Merlin hugged him tighter and waited for the wind to blow in and turn him to ash.

However, he and Gina didn't know this, but in his unconscious brain, Tracey was being visited by Selene! Yes, Selene!
Her glowing form hovered in front of him, his figure in the dream, and in her wise voice, she told the young fairy, "Everybody has to overcome great challenges in their life, but it doesn't mean your life is over. Tell yourself, Tracey that great things are going to emerge from this. You will always be Merlin's son and Gina's and Makenna's friend. You will make it. You will not die. Trust me, you have just started a brand-new chapter of your story."
"Thank you, Selene," said Tracey in his mind. Selene was starting to give him his own confidence, his recipe for life, back to him.

Outside the dream world, gradually, his color started to return! His body warmed up, and he started to get his tan skin back!
Gina, who had her head lowered, noticed this and gasped. "Merlin," she said. She nudged Merlin.
He pulled his arms away from Tracey; he was holding him by the arms, and he gasped when he saw Tracey's color coming back. "His color," he mumbled, "It's coming back! How though?!" He and Gina thought about this for a minute.
Then, at the same time, they gasped and glanced at one another, together saying, "Selene!"
"Oh, I love that fairy," sniffed Merlin, "Excuse me, Gina." He gently set Tracey, who was still asleep, back down on the bed, and Gina moved out of his way. Merlin reached over to Tracey's nightstand and picked up the medicine and cup of water, saying, "Let's try this one more time." Merlin took a deep breath, as did Gina. Then, he attempted to give Tracey the meds again. He took them! He actually took them this time! He didn't refuse! Here, Merlin weakly smiled and really started to cry, but this time, it was tears of joy. "He took them!" he announced, and Gina seemed to grin.
"What did I tell you, Merlin?" she asked, "I told you he was going to be okay. He's just tired. Let's let him sleep for the rest of the day, and we can check on him again later."
"Oh, Tracey." Merlin sobbed, and he pulled his apprentice into another hug, "I really thought I lost you for a minute there. Thank you, Selene, for bringing him back to me. He's going to be okay, and it's all thanks to you." Tracey's color continued to return, and for a brief second, still asleep, he actually cracked a small smile! He was dreaming, and he was dreaming a good dream. Gina flopped down on his pillow, and when Merlin lied him down again, she sauntered over to his side and licked him. Her tail began to wag. She and Merlin loved Tracey. There were people and animals in the world that loved him. As people say, you're never alone in life. You always have someone there for you. In this case, it was Merlin and Gina, and eventually it would be Makenna Delling too.