The next morning, Raven and Maddie were heading toward their lockers when they heard a commotion.

"What's going on," asked Raven.

"Is it a game of Huffle Shuffle," cried Maddie.

"It's Dexter," cried a girl.

"Dexter? You mean Daring," said Raven.

"No, Dexter," the girl repeated and ran off toward the crowd of girls. Raven and Maddie were a bit curious as to why Dexter had all the girls in a tizzy.

"Tizzy! Hehehe! I like that word."

Not now Maddie! Dexter was at the center of the crowd and with a different look. Instead of a blue blazer, it was black. His hair slicked back and a silver crown adorned his head. His t-shirt had a purple rose with black thorns on it and black jeans and black sneakers. What was really surprising was that he wasn't wearing his glasses.

"Dexter," inquired Raven.

When he heard his name, he turned toward Raven and gave her a smile and walked over to her.

"Something's not right", Raven wondered. "That's a Daring smile not a Dexter one."

"Really? Smiles have names?! I wonder what my smile's name is?"

"Focus Maddie," Raven said.

Dexter made his way over to Raven.

"Hey gorgeous."

"Uh, hey Dex?"

"I've been waiting for you." Dexter then got closer to Raven's ear. "Can we talk; privately?"

Chills went down Raven's spine and her face flushed bright red.

"Oooooh, I can't wait listen in on this!"

Maddie! You can't listen in!

"Aww, you're no fun."

Dexter led Raven to a small corner of the courtyard. He leaned against the wall and looked at Raven with a bit of a leer. It was making Raven uncomfortable.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about," asked Raven nervously.

"Raven, relax. I just want to ask you a question. Are you free this weekend? I'd like to take you out."

"Really?"

"Yeah, unless you want to skip a few steps and go right to the end."

Dexter moved closer to Raven and backed her against the wall.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Isn't this what you wanted? It's what I've been wanting for a long time."

"Why now? What changed?"

"Let's just say, I've been holding back for too long. And I'm ready to take action."

Dexter lifted Raven's chin to see her face. Her eyes wide from her shock at Dexter's new found boldness. She looked deep into his eyes. She swore they were blue before, but they look faded from the last time she saw him. His face started to get closer to hers. She snapped back into her senses and pushed Dexter away. Dexter wasn't sure why she did that.

"I'm sorry; it's just; you're not the Dexter I know."

"Of course I'm Dexter. I just got more confidence."

"No, you've changed completely. And I don't like it."

Dexter's face began to scowl.

"Oh, I see it now."

"What?"

"You think you're too good for me? That I'm not worth your time. Well guess what; I don't need you. I can get any girl I want now. And they'll come runnin'; just like they do with Daring."

"Why? What are you saying?"

"I'm done with you Raven. Since you hurt my feelings. I'm gonna hurt yours."

Dexter pulled out a photo of him and Raven in a photo booth.

"You kept that," Raven gasped.

"Yeah, I did. And now."

The picture burst into purple flames. Raven's eyes widened in horror.

"How did you do that?"

"Hmm, I have no idea. I just thought of it and it happened. Later Raven."

Dexter walked off leaving a shocked Raven behind. She looked at the pile of ashes on the ground. They soon became wet with tears. Later that day, Dexter's new attitude wasn't winning him any new friends. The chess club kicked him out after he got too aggressive with his opponent. Coach Gingerbread Man had to bench after unnecessary roughness in gym. Later that night, Daring was knocking on Hunter's door.

"Hey, Daring. What's up," asked Hunter after answering the door.

"You mind if I crashed here tonight? Dexter is doing some strange things and it's creeping me out."

"Like what?"

"You should see for yourself."

Daring led Hunter back to his room.

"Is it really that bad," Hunter asked.

"You tell me," said Daring opening the door.

The two boys saw Dexter standing in the middle of the room surrounded by purple flames, unaware of the their presence. Daring quickly shut the door.

"Yeah, that's bad," said Hunter.

Back in the room, the flames died down. He opened his eyes to reveal them going to a dark grey. Black jagged lines had begun to recede from his face.

"I don't know how I got this power but it feels amazing. I think I'll be using it more."

The next day, Dexter seemed to be getting worse. His fan club of girls were afraid of him now; the evil aura he gave off sent everyone running. Even the teachers who were supposed to be villains were nervous. Raven was getting worried; this new Dexter was a far cry from the old Dexter she knew. She went to Daring to voice her concerns.

"Something is seriously wrong with Dexter. This isn't like him."

"Yeah, I'm worried about him, too. You know last night, he was doing something strange."

"How?"

"Well, he stood in the middle of our room and all of a sudden; purple flames surrounded him. I felt enormous pressure coming from him. Like an evil force so powerful, I felt like I would suffocate. Thankfully, Hunter let me crash at his room. But I can't keep sleeping in other guys rooms. We have to stop this."

"We?"

"He's my brother. I owe it to him. And, he really likes you a lot. Maybe even deep down, he loves you. But he would be too shy to admit it. If I can't reach him, you can. Let's meet by the Enchanted Woods after school to discuss our strategy."

Daring walked away so he could get to his next class. Raven stood there silent; contemplating what Daring had said.

"Hey Narrator! This is getting too depressing! How about something funny to lighten the mood?!"

Maddie! You are ruining the moment! This is supposed to be a serious story!

"But can't you just..."

No!

"How about if I..."

Maddie!

"I just want to help."

Please let me finish the story. Ahem! Daring was in his Heroes Training class doing what he does best while Dexter was off to the side, like he always was.

"You know you are better than him. Now is the time to show it," said his inner voice. Dexter's eyes narrowed and then he grabbed a sword and began to approach Daring.

"Dexter? You gonna give it a try," Daring asked.

"How about something a little more challenging. Like a real opponent."

"Come on, Dex. You can't be serious."

"Do I look like I'm joking," said Dexter with malicious intent.

"Alright you two, that's enough," said the Professor.

"Today. After school. In the Enchanted Woods. Bring your sword," said Dexter as he walked by his brother.