Elsewhere during the confrontation, Ian had come across his favorite thing: himself.
He was currently admiring his reflection in a nearby stream. "Hmmm... let's see," he said to himself, running a long-nailed finger across his neck and thinking of cute combinations for himself.
"Maybe a nice string of pearls?" Ian immediately scoffed, "Ack! No! Ugh, much too yesterday. Now... diamonds... Now we're talking. Throw in some rubies... It's just so... fire and ice!" He giggled shrilly at the idea of the gemstones.
What he didn't know is that he was being spied on.
"Unbelievable," Brooklyn muttered from above in her tree.
"You said it," Kayla remarked.
"Does anyone see what I see?" Camille asked.
"A brat doing what he does best?" Johnny questioned.
"No... an opportunity!" the skunk fairy said as devious grins appeared on all her friends faces.
"Ah yes!" Brandon triumphantly said, "This one requires a special treatment. Don't you think?"
"Definitely," Camille said, "Let me get some of my little friends..."
"... And now I have to find a way to break Jeremy's spell! Somehow..." Seth finished his explanation.
Stefan took in all the information, still grasping onto the fact that the boy before him is capable of turning into a swan. "So, an evil sorcerer intends on taking over the forest and you, along with 'fairies' are trying to take him down?" he recapped.
"Yes," Seth replied.
Stefan ran his hands through his hair once more, "That's a lot to take in."
"Tell me about," Seth muttered.
"Hey, would this sorcerer happen to be say... some sort of bird?" Stefan quizzically asked.
"Yes, in a sense..." Seth answered, "How would you know that?"
A chuckle was heard as Jeremy fell down and reverted back to his human form. "Because his game was playing with him."
"Jeremy..." Seth step back in fear as Stefan drew his sword.
"Humans are such fools. You find something new and chase after it like a cat chasing a mouse," the sorcerer mocked before snarling, "I see you've gained your human form, Seth. Seems the Forest Guardian still has some powers left."
The villain's gaze soon turned to prince, "One arrow. One arrow. That's all I wanted from you."
Stefan snapped, "You wanted me to kill him?!"
Jeremy shot back, "You're a hunter, are you not? Why else would I lure you here? Surely not for future negotiations, prince. Now, you're a thorn in my side. A small, unnoticeable thorn but still one nonetheless. Much like your 'boyfriend' here. But there is a difference between you and him."
"And what's that?" Stefan questioned, his weapon held defensively.
Jeremy merely smirked, magic radiating in his hands, "You are as harmless as a fish." The sorcerer unleashed his dark magic but Seth jumped in front, creating a barrier that stopped the spell from striking both humans.
"No!" Seth defiantly said, holding the barrier to the best of his ability with the Magic Crystal. His concentration was all directed into defending himself and Stefan.
Jeremy continued to apply pressure but the Chosen One's concentration provided to be too strong for him, much to Jeremy's shock.
Stefan looked in shock and amazement at Seth's attempt. He would thank him later when the barrier dispelled and this 'Jeremy' left.
Jeremy eventually let up and drawled, "You can't keep him safe forever, my dear. Everyone one you care about will become a target. Dozens turned into what I see fit. Maybe animals, maybe plants, or maybe mere statues. But if you give me the crown..." he extended his hand, "I will spare you and the prince. Free of your... spell."
Seth looked at the 'inviting' hand. He could have a normal life again. Human all the time, never a swan...
But that would leave the forest in ruins. The fairies outmatched and Harrison nothing more than whatever Jeremy would do to him.
"Do you think you are destined for greatness?" Jeremy continued to monologue, "You are nothing more than an understudy. A wallflower. A nobody."
"So what if I am?" Seth retorted, "Sure. I'm invisible to everyone. But I have people who are counting on me. Care about me. So you can take your magic and stuff it elsewhere!"
Jeremy just scoffed, "You obviously have no idea whom you are dealing with."
"I think I know by now," the Chosen One responded.
"So be it..." the villain responded, "I doubt your barrier could withstand another blast. And I never turned a human into an animal twice. I wonder what would happen?" Jeremy prepared to fire his magic...
"Daddy!"
Until a shriek interrupted his attack. Jeremy did his best to ignore, planning to strike again...
"DAAAAAADDDDDDDYYYYYYYYYYY!"
But the shriek grew louder and Jeremy had to abandon the two nuisances for now. "Oh, what now?"
"Family trouble, Jeremy?" Seth taunted.
"This is far from over!" the sorcerer vowed as he morphed into his bird form and flew away.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ian screamed as a plume of green smoke gassed him. These clouds came from none other than three skunks, who were shuffling around the brat in a synchronized dance, spraying him every three seconds and fanning their 'gift' onto him.
The gathered fairies were rolling on the floor, laughing their heads off at the sight of the humiliation. "That's it, boys! Let it rip!" Camille cheered as the skunks released their stench.
"Love the perfume, Ian!" Johnny hollered.
"It suits you!" Holden chortled.
"No! No! No! My hair! My suit! You... you... rats!" Ian whined, covering his face and pointed angrily at the fairies. "You are all roadkill! DAAADDDDDYYYYY!"
The terrifying form of Jeremy appeared and landed, scaring the skunks and fairies. They bolted, fearful of the warlock's wrath.
Jeremy began to gag from the smell, which proved the stench was beyond putrid.
"Look what they did, Daddy!" Ian cried, "Look at me, I'm disgusting! This is the worst day of my life!"
Jeremy just coughed and said quickly, "Don't worry my... pungent parakeet. You just need a bath." He fanned the fumes away with his hand as he took a wheezing breath, "With... vinegar... and... tomato juice," he coughed out before flapping his wings and hovered above his son.
"What am I? A salad?!" Ian commented, since he found the ingredients needed to be rid of the smell absurd. Jeremy snagged his son with a talon before flying away in a fast pace.
"A long bath." The warlock just cursed the swan boy and his meddlesome friends for interfering with his progress.
With the disappearance of the warlock, Stefan let his guard down. "Thank you... you saved me," the prince thanked the swan boy.
"Oh.. uh... you're welcome," Seth replied with a bashful blush on his face, "As long as I wear the crystal I'm protected. I... I wasn't really in danger."
"Not from where I was standing," Stefan offered as they began to walk.
"I'm glad you're alright," Seth said, "I'm still learning to use the Magic Crystal."
"Well, if you ask me, you look like you have control over it," the prince complimented before asking, "So what is this place?"
"It's a long story," Seth admitted before thinking of a better way to explain it, "I haven't seen very much... but I could show you Swan Lake." The two boys walked off and found the glistening lake underneath the stars.
"Wow, so beautiful," Stefan said and his eyes trailed to Seth. The prince couldn't help but find the boy attractive. Albeit he did almost shot him with an arrow but Seth seemed so different than all the other suitors.
"So... are you going to explain," the prince asked.
"Well," Seth sheepishly said, "It all started with a unicorn and deer running through my neighborhood." As Seth began his explanation, the fairies all watched closely at the interaction.
After the end of the story, and leaving a few details out like the fate of the forest and Book of Forest Lore, Seth's story came to a close, "... and that's pretty much it."
"So every day since, you have been a swan," Stefan clarified.
"Pretty much."
Stefan couldn't help but eye the boy in pity, "That must be awful. Every day living as a bird. Your parents must be worried sick."
Seth couldn't help but cringe at that. He hadn't really informed his dad about his situation. And it pained him that he couldn't describe his story as he feared his dad won't believe him.
"And the crown is the only thing that can defeat this Jeremy?" Stefan remembered.
Seth nodded, "Yes. I don't know how or why... but somehow I'm connected to the Magic Crystal. Which means I'm the only one who can use its power and break the spell. Which is why Jeremy wants me dead."
Stefan looked down at his bow and clutched it angrily, "No wonder why he had me chase him. He was leading me to you."
"Since I'm now a creature of the Enchanted Forest, I can be easily killed by a human," the swan boy recited.
Stefan stood up, "I won't let him get away with this. He's a creature of the forest too, isn't he? So I could just kill him."
"No!" Seth shouted before lowering his voice, "He's a warlock. And a skilled one too. He would have turned you into a fish."
Stefan was about to retort but failed to do so. He admits, he would have been flopping around as a fish in this forest for who knows how long. Had Seth not intervened, he would have been possibly been killed without water.
Seth tapped the crystal again, "This is the only thing that can stop Jeremy, which means anyone else who tries will only end up getting hurt." He stopped for a moment before continuing, "If he used you to get to me..."
"It won't come to that," Stefan promised.
"I can't take that risk," Seth said, turning away from the prince.
Stefan approached from behind and placed a comforting hand on Seth's shoulder, "I promise you it won't."
"... Why?"
Stefan was confused at the question, "Why what?"
"Why are you risking your life for me?" Seth said, turning around and facing the prince, "You don't even know me."
"... I just can't sit idly by as an innocent person is harmed. It wasn't how I was raised," Stefan revealed.
Seth's cheeks reddened as the prince was close. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of fear and comfort from the prince. Fear at the risk to lose the prince and comfort in his presence.
"And that's why I won't leave you to face that monster alone," Stefan reaffirmed, "There must be something I can do to help you."
Seth pondered something for a while, "Maybe... the least you could do is tell my dad that I'm fine. It would mean a lot."
Stefan's eyebrows shifted, "What? How would that-"
Seth cut him off, "Please, Stefan. For me... Give some reassurance to my dad, letting him know I'm safe."
The prince just sighed before nodding, "Alright," he obliged, "I'll go and find your dad. I promise."
Seth smiled at the prince agreement and gave him a hug. Seth realized what he was doing before letting go. "S-s-sorry about that..."
Stefan chuckled, "It's alright, although I'll tell him... in the morning."
Seth's expression dropped, "Stefan..."
"Hey, hey," Stefan held up his hands in defense, "I'm a hunter. I know better than to wander the woods late at night. I mean, there might be more harpies out there looking to snatch up a handsome prince such as myself?"
Seth tried to hold back a grin but failed as it escaped. He knew the brunette was trying to make him feel better and it was... working to say the least. "More like handsome, defiant prince. I suppose you might as well stay for the night."
Having watched the display, all the fairies snickered to themselves as they decided to have some fun with the two humans. They scattered and made arrangements.
In a short matter of seconds, a makeshift table was formed from a mushroom and some delicates of the forest.
Seth and Stefan were wandering around the lake still before the former noticed the table. He saw a series of lights that guided them and a faint thumbs up -from Holden no doubt- and almost glared before Stefan noticed the table.
"Why not have a midnight snack while I'm here?" Stefan offered.
"Ah..." Seth stopped his actions before agreeing, "Sure."
The two humans took their seats from each other before having some cookies, again no doubt Holden's doing. A few minutes later, Stefan was sharing a story that made Seth giggle. Another series of lights approached Seth which made his outfit turn to something more formal: a light blue dress shirt, blue slacks, white socks and blue shoes. Stefan was in awe of the magic and blushed as he thought the swan boy looked even more handsome.
Even later, some music begins to play.
'I swear Holden,' Seth thought before Stefan offers his hand. The swan boy graciously accepts it before they start to waltz by the lake.
"Wow," Stefan complimented, "You are amazing on your feet."
Now Seth's blush was obvious. Someone other than his dad thought he was talented at dancing. Something he had feared since he never danced in public before. "Thank you..." The two continued their dance as long as the music played.
The girls of the fairies were awing at the sight while Holden refrained from doing anything cutesy. Though the unicorn fairy thought it was a cute display. Matthew, Johnny, and Brandon were more indifferent.
Soon afterward, the two humans were done dancing and Stefan felt a question burning in his chest. He finally worked up the courage to ask it, "Seth... my mother is having my coronation in three days... it will be like a ball... and I was wondering... would you like to come with me?"
Seth's heart fluttered at the question. Him, of all people, being invited by the prince to a coronation. "You... you want me to come?"
"Why not?" Stefan continued, "You are amazing on your feet. I bet you make even the princesses jealous."
Seth was about to response before he saw a hint of sunlight. He mentally cursed as the nighttime had flown away. Stefan took notice to it too and before he was given an answer the same magic consumed Seth and he reverted back to his swan form.
"No..." Stefan couldn't believe that the boy had reverted back to his animal form, "No!"
"You must go," Seth responded, his head dipping in sadness.
"But-"
"You promised!" Seth nearly squawked, "You promised me."
Stefan was torn between leaving the boy in the Enchanted Forest and keeping his promise or foolishly heading into Jeremy's domain. He grunted before composing himself, "I promise. But... only if you promise to come to my coronation."
Now it was Seth's turn to be torn, "But-"
"Then I'm staying," Stefan confirmed, crossing his arms and not moving an inch.
Seth sighed at the stubborn prince, "Alright. Alright. I'll... come to your coronation. In three days right?"
Stefan nodded and he left to keep his promise by visiting Seth's dad.
Both boys had a feeling of wanting to be with each other that was unspoken but obvious and neither didn't want to wait for the fight against Jeremy was over.
Seth's dad pranced back and forth, nervous for his son's safety. He had gotten no new notifications about his son's whereabouts. It began to make him anxious as the dad was about to consider calling the police to do some investigations.
A knock on his door made him hopeful that it was an update or Seth's return. But when opened the door, he was not expecting the person before him.
"Oh! Prince Stefan!" Seth's dad said in shocked before recomposing himself, "I wasn't expecting you. To what do I own the pleasure?"
"It would be long," the prince said but on the inside he was nervous, not sure how to tell the man in front of him that everything is alright with his son and leave out some very important details. "I came to deliver a message... from Seth."
Seth's dad froze up at the mention of Seth and began repeatedly asking questions,"What about Seth? Is he okay?! Where is he?!"
Stefan held up a hand, trying to placate the man before answering, "Don't worry, sir. Your son is fine. He... he wanted to tell you that."
"Tell me where he is!" The baker pleaded, almost on the verge of breaking, "Please, your Highness, he's my only son."
Stefan shook his head, knowing how much in the dark the dad was truly in, "I'm afraid that's not for me to say, sir."
"He's not in danger, is he?"
That question almost made Stefan come clean about everything but he managed to repress the truth, "Not if I can help it. But I can promise you this: your son will be home soon. I'll make sure of that."
With that final claim, Stefan left. It was an eternal battle with himself as he fought the urge to come clean and battle for Seth's sake but he promised the swan boy to keep it a secret.
As he left, he vowed to himself to bring Seth home.
