Chapter One

"Have you talked to Mom and Dad lately?"

Despite his constant studying for the wizard competition, Justin made the effort to stop by his sister's new apartment. For some reason, he hadn't been able to relax since Seth moved in a few weeks ago. Sure, Justin stayed in the lair a lot, but he still had dinner and occasionally watched television in the loft. And the new household member never failed to creep him out when they happened to cross paths.

On top of that, the Russo parents seemed different when Seth was in the room. Justin couldn't describe the phenomenon if he tried. That's why he made the trip, to see if Alex had picked up on this as well.

Distracted by the cold cut sandwich she was making for lunch, Alex shrugged. "Not really. You know I haven't been home."

"Have you talked to them on the phone?"

"Not really," Alex repeated. "I've been busy. Mason and I are a couple again, remember?"

From across the room, Harper called, "I've talked to them." She walked over to the couch, a meaningful glare directed at her best friend. "They would like to hear from you too." When Alex shrugged, Harper turned to Justin. "Why did you ask?"

"Do they seem...weird to you?" Justin asked. "Especially if they mention Seth."

Harper shrugged. "They like him, if that's what you mean. Specifically your dad likes his rent money."

"Weird how?" Alex asked, growing concerned.

"They don't act like themselves around him. They're...meaner, I guess. Not to him, but their comments in general," Justin explained.

Contemplating what this could mean, Alex asked, "You think he's magically influencing them? Like Rosie, when she was an angel of darkness?"

"No...maybe..." Justin trailed off at that. Was Seth magical? He hadn't really thought of the possibility yet. It would make sense, after that robot stole a spell from the lair. The two could easily be connected. "Should I confront him?"

Harper frowned. "But what if he's innocent, and this is all a coincidence? Then you'll expose magic."

"That's true," Justin agreed. "I'll just have to keep an eye on him."

The teenager made Seth nervous.

For over a week, Seth had been pestered by Justin's questions, all about his past and what he was doing there. The parents claimed their eldest son was attending a local college, which explained his daily extended absences. Whatever, Seth didn't care, as long as the teen didn't interfere with his plans.

But all of a sudden, Justin got suspicious, never leaving his parents alone with Seth for long. And that was dangerous.

He knows, Gorog thought, having a pleasant conversation with the wizard, pretending he had no idea of the ulterior motives. He knows "Seth's" true identity.Or at least he doesn't believe that Seth is harmless, like his parents do.I need to make my move soon.

Gorog also worried about the thirteenth floor he'd created. Cramming so many wizards and other creatures in there was definitely a risk, when most had ties to the Wizard World. The Council, particularly Professor Crumbs, would learn of its existence somehow. There was a limited amount of time left to carry out his scheme.

"So how's college?" Seth asked, doing his best to seem like he cared. "Are you doing well this semester?" He then chuckled. "What am I saying? Of course you are. Your parents mentioned that you've always been an excellent student."

"Yeah, it's going well." There was a long, awkward silence. Then finally Justin stood up from the club chair. "In fact, uh, I have to meet my friend Zeke at the library." He glanced at his parents. "I'll be home for dinner tonight."

"Okay, bye sweetie, see you later," Theresa replied. She was folding some laundry on the dining room table, giving her tenant some space in the living area. When her son left, she gave Seth an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry about all the questions. We really don't know much about you, so I'm sure he's just being protective."

Rightfully so, Gorog thought, smirking. But he's too late.

Jerry entered from downstairs, looking tired from a full day of running the restaurant. "Theresa, can you take over for a while so I can get a late lunch? There aren't any customers right now."

"Sure, I'm almost done with this laundry."

Watching the exchange, Gorog realized this would be the perfect time to really introduce himself. The couple's judgment of good and evil should be damaged enough from being around him so much in the past month. While they would be shocked at first, they'd comply with his demands if presented correctly. "Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Russo? May I have a word with you?"

The Russo parents looked up...then stared in horror at the large, black wings that had appeared on their new tenant's back.

When Justin and Zeke left the library, they decided to part ways. Justin wanted to stop by the girls' apartment again and report what he'd learn in the few days since his last visit. But Zeke had to go home and do the school work that had been steadily piling up since the semester began. "You're lucky you got to put off college for a year, man," he whined. "It's tough."

"Hey, preparing for the wizard competition isn't any fun either," Justin reminded him. They reached the stop where Zeke would take the subway to his house, and Justin took out his wand.

Zeke squirmed, still a little unnerved by magic. "What's that for?"

"How I'm getting to the girls' apartment. You want me to send you home?" Justin offered, half-teasing.

"No!" Zeke exclaimed, then added, "N-no thanks. Tell Harper I'll call her later."

Justin nodded, and Zeke went down the stairs into the subway station. For a brief moment, Just wondered about Zeke and Harper's relationship. They just didn't seem to be in love when they'd been happy together for a long while. Shaking his head, Justin reasoned that some people just don't show their passion. His friends were allowed to handle their relationship however they chose.

Seconds later, he appeared in his sister's living room...to find the girls riveted to a magical screen that showed what was happening on the door's other side. The "Spying Eyes" spell. "What's going on?"

"Oh, gosh!" his sister exclaimed, startled by his sudden entrance.

Nervous Harper whispered, "Alex! He might hear us!"

"He? Will one of you..."

They indicated that he take a seat on the couch and joined him, keeping an eye on the door. "Gorog's back," Alex whispered. "He was Dexter the whole time."

"Gorog?" Justin exclaimed, momentarily forgetting to lower his voice. The girls immediately shushed him. "I don't understand, Alex..."

"Weakened him. Now he wants revenge," Alex interrupted, a trace of fear in her words.

Justin seemed overwhelmed, so Harper went into a detailed explanation. "Professor Crumbs arrived with Felix and told everyone this floor shouldn't exist, that it was a set up! Alex and I went back into our apartment to pack. Good thing we did! Dexter arrived and turned into Gorog so he he could recruit all the apartment renters for his new force of darkness!"

While her brother gasped at the news, Alex continued, "Yeah, he mentioned me, but so far he's been distracted luring everyone to the dark side."

"Okay, okay..." Justin glanced out at the hallway to see what was happening. Felix had herded everyone into the elevator, but Mason resisted and was uselessly attempting to wolf up. "Well, I don't think we'll accomplish anything by trying to save them now. Let's get to the lair and think of what to do."

"But Mason..." Alex protested, looking looking she might run for the door.

Her brother put a steadying hand on her shoulder. "We'll save him. Don't worry."

Though not happy about it, Alex flashed out when Justin did, taking Harper with her.

Alone in the loft, Theresa and Jerry sat on the couch with their arms around each other, fearfully thinking about what Gorog had told them.

Join me. Or I will destroy your children. If you become my servants, I will spare their lives when I take over the Wizard World. And yours.

"There has to be a way to stop him," Theresa said, tears in her eyes. "Someone who can help us."

Jerry sadly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Theresa. I tried to call Professor Crumbs but I can't reach him." Briefly he remembered they could escape through the portal and contact the Council, but their children would be left behind. "We'll have to do what Gorog says."

As if he'd been listening, Gorog appeared before them, a cheerful smile on his face. "Smart move you two. Now come on, the dark side is waiting."

A/N: I purposely skimmed over "Dexter" revealing that he is Gorog, and the thirteenth floor residents turning evil. The episode pretty much covers it.