There will be a few demons featured in the upcoming chapters. The 1st is Shezac, the fire serpent. Heads up. There are spelling mistakes during Shezac's dialogue. This was done intentionally so that it seemed more snake like.

~~~~Previously~~~~

Rachel was sealed within a gem inside Zane's eye by the witch Rangda. After revealing Zane's true form, Rangda sent him to Magix to cause destruction and chaos. During the battle, Rangda revealed Shadow's true identity. A newcomer appeared and revealed himself to be Rafe, Felicity's older brother. Thanks to Daniel, Zane's rampage was stopped and he was returned to normal. After returning to Alfea, Neva attacked Daniel and caused him to earn his Charmix. It was later revealed that Rangda was the true leader of the Collectors, having Asher as one of her pets. What could this witch possibly have in store for the Scoutix? Find out now. ~~~~

Shadow Lair

Rangda sat upon the throne, petting Shadow's head. "It's almost time my pet. We'll break Zane's spirit into so many pieces. Once that's done, he will no longer disobey me again. He will have no choice but to follow my every order. Just to make sure, I will take away that little flicker of humanity."

Krista watched from the shadows, making sure to be seen or sensed. 'Who is that?'

Alfea

Daniel had finished unpacking, happy to be at Alfea. "It's a really nice day out." He looked down a little as he thought about his brother. 'I still can't believe that Asher is the one hurting people.' "Mother. I wish you were here. I could really use your advice."

"Are you alright Daniel?" Abigail asked, carrying Milo in her arms.

"Abigail." Daniel said. "What are you doing here?"

Abigail smiled and walked over to him. "I wanted to see how you were doing. And I thought that you might like to have Milo back."

Daniel sighed and gently grabbed the turtle. "Hey there buddy. Did you miss me? This is our new home now." Milo smiled and snuggled into his chest. "I was just thinking Abby."

"Is it about your brother?" Abigail asked.

Daniel looked down and sat Milo down in his tank. "I just don't understand why he would do all of this. It's not like him at all. At least, that's not how I remember him. Why didn't I see it before? Maybe I could have prevented all of this."

"You had no way of knowing that he would fall like this." Abigail said. "It must be hard for you. Do you really think that you can fight against him?"

Daniel sat down on his bed and stared out the window. "I'm not sure. I have to confront him and find out why he's attacking people."

"You'll figure out what to do." Abigail said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And now you have friends to help you out. We'll be there for you no matter what."

Daniel nodded and smiled a little. "Thank you."

"Let's put that aside for now." Abigail said. "What do you think about being here?"

Daniel looked over to her and smiled. "It's great to actually be here. I can't believe that I was afraid to come here before. This is where I belong."

"That's good to hear." Abigail said.

Felicity made her way to Daniel's room and stood in the doorway. "You seem to be settled in."

"Felicity." Daniel said. "It's good to see you."

"Is something wrong?" Abigail asked.

"Catarina and Rafe might have found a way to free Rachel." Felicity said. "Everyone is waiting in the library."

Abigail and Daniel nodded, following Felicity to the library. Upon walking in, they took notice to the other fairies and specialists. Even Ulrik and Draegan were there to lend a hand.

"Do you really think this will work?" Zane asked.

"We can't be for certain, but it will allow someone to talk to Rachel." Catarina said.

Zane gripped his arm and looked down. "So there's a chance that it won't break the seal."

"This spell is complicated." Rafe said. "The items needed are quite difficult to find. We have pinpointed what realms they are located in, but it could take a while to gather them."

"What do we need?" Daniel asked.

"There are eight items total." Rafe said. "They include a sugar lotus from Natora, basilisk spores from Tempesta, Revian rune stones, Aquatica's moon flower, ice crystals from Aurora, Mystean vruenara feather, Zevian fire stone, and ocean creep vines from Andros."

Catarina leaned up against a pillar and thought a little. "That is a lot to get. And most of these things are rare to come by. We should be able to find them without a problem. The rune stones worry me though. With Revia destroyed, we can't get them there. There has to be another place to get them. I just wish I knew where. Or perhaps we can find someone that can tell us."

"If we split up into teams of two, we can gather everything pretty quickly." Rosella said. "The rune stones are the only problem. It could take forever to track down what happened to them or anyone that has any for that matter."

Rafe nodded and leaned up against a shelf, closing his eyes a little. "Let's focus on finding everything else. We can save the runes for last."

"If we can get through to Rachel and wake her up, we might be able to guide her out." Catarina said. "One wrong move and we could destroy ourselves."

Zane nodded and stood up. "We have to try. Actually, we need to figure out the source of Rangda's magic. There's nothing stopping her from sealing away someone else."

"Let's move quickly and gather the supplies." Alex said. "You're right Zane. That witch could easily seal someone else away. We can't allow her to do that."

Gale nodded and crossed his arms. "We've seen how strong we are without Rachel and things didn't go too well. Losing someone else could really weaken us. And we will still have three other Collectors to worry about."

"Not to mention my brother." Alex said.

Ulrik nodded and moved closer to the group. "Asher is the biggest threat. I wouldn't suggest letting your guard down around him. Neva and Krista are no pushovers either. Out of those two, Neva is the most dangerous."

"I'm going after that fire stone." Draegan said. "Fire is my specialty."

Carmen jumped up and spun around a little. "And I know Zevia inside and out."

"You're not going without me." Rexx said, standing beside Carmen.

Zane gripped his arm and looked down a little. "I hope this works."

"Zane can come with me to Andros." Daniel said. "If that's alright with you buddy."

Zane looked to Daniel and nodded. "Yeah. Going there should do me some good."

"I'll go with Colton to Natora." Abigail said.

Colton nodded and joined Abigail. "Sounds like a plan."

"Catarina and I can take care of the feather." Gale said.

Catarina smiled and held on to Gale's arm. "I have no problem with that."

"You're with me Ulrik." Alex said. "We'll take care of the ice crystals."

Rafe stepped away from the shelf, standing next to Felicity. "We'll find the moon flower."

"Right." Felicity said, looking up at her brother. "That leaves the spores."

Lyon smirked and glanced at Rosella. "I guess that means it's you and me pony girl."

"Don't call me that." Rosella said.

"Are you sure you'll be alright with him?" Alex asked.

Rosella glanced at Lyon before turning her attention to Alex. "I'll be fine. He can't be any worse than Splendora."

"Let me know if he acts up." Felicity said. "I'll put him in his place."

Lyon scoffed a little and crossed his arms. "I'll take good care of her pretty boy."

Felicity rolled her eyes and stomped on Lyon's foot. "You had better behave."

"We have our teams." Rafe said. "Be careful everyone."

With that, they headed out towards their destinations.

Zevia

"I never thought that I would be back here." Carmen said. "Let's just get this over with and get out of here. The sooner the better." She looked around at the area and tried to smile a little. It was full of bright colors and a large volcano could be seen in the distance.

Rexx pulled Carmen close and kissed her forehead. "It's alright Carmen. You're not alone here. Just stay close to me."

Carmen nodded and took off towards the volcano. "This volcano is so much smaller than I remember. Well, it would seem massive to a little kid."

"What's up with Carmen?" Draegan asked.

Rexx sighed and started making his way up the volcano. "A lot of bad memories. Let's just say that her love sports was looked down upon. If it wasn't for me, I'm not sure what she would have done."

"The fire stone would most likely be at the bottom." Carmen said, transforming and flying into it.

"Did she just fly straight into a volcano?" Draegan asked.

Rexx laughed and started heading down a path into it. "That's Carmen for you. Besides, she is a volcano fairy. It doesn't really affect her."

Carmen looked around and sighed. "I don't see anything that would indicate where this fire stone would be."

Shadow Lair

"So they are trying to get through to their little friend." Rangda said, smirking a little.

"What will you do?" Asher asked.

Rangda smiled and kissed his cheek. "Simple. Let my pets deal with it. It's time to put the fire out. I happen to have a fire demon that will set fire to that volcano fairy."

Zevia

"There's nothing on the walls either." Draegan said.

Rexx sighed and leaned up against the wall. "It has to be here somewhere."

"I've got an idea." Carmen said, staring down at the lava. "The best place for it to be is right below us. It's in the lava."

Draegan sulked a little and sat down. "We won't be getting it then. It was put there so no one could take it."

"You're right about that." Rexx said. "Without it, we can't do the spell."

Carmen smiled before diving straight into the lava. "Found it."

"Carmen?!" Rexx called out, looking at the lava. "Where is she?"

Draegan jumped up and smiled. "She's crazy. No one in their right mind would dive into lava."

Carmen burst out of the lava and shook herself off. "That was awesome. I haven't done that in forever."

"This isn't the first time you've dived into water." Rexx said, relieved that she was alright.

Carmen laughed and held up the fire stone. "I found it. I actually used to do this a lot. The lava doesn't bother me. As long as I'm transformed that is." She then smiled and landed in front of Rexx.

"Don't scare me like that." Rexx said hugging her.

Draegan smirked and looked up at the sky. "Our work here is done. Ready to go?"

Before Carmen could answer, a stream of lava wrapped around her neck and pulled her down. "Let...go...of...me..."

"Hold on Carmen." Rexx said as his chakram appeared. "Fire Chakram!" He then threw it and freed Carmen.

Carmen rubbed her neck and coughed a little. "Thanks."

"Come play little fairy." A voice said.

Carmen turned around took notice to a tentacle made of lava. "Not a chance pal."

"Be careful Carmen." Rexx said. "That thing is a demon."

Draegan chuckled as fire danced around his hand. "This should be fun. Rangda must have sent it."

"This is an offer you can't refussssse." The demon said. "I am Sssshezac, ssssserpent of the flame. Return what you have ssssstolen from me."

Carmen got some distance from the serpent and glared at it. "Not a chance. It doesn't belong to you."

"Have it your way." Shezac said, lunging at Carmen.

Carmen quickly moved back out of range. "Lava Shield! You shouldn't have messed with me."

"Phoenix Fire!" Draegan called it.

Shezac hissed and dodged the attack. "Mind your own busssinesss. You'll make a nice sssnack."

"You might want to pay attention." Carmen said as orbs of energy shot out at Shezac.

Shezac winced and turned her attention back to Carmen. "I will burn you to a crissssp." She then hissed and struck the shield, cracking it. "Your magic can not sssstand up to me. Prepare to die."

"Blazing Heat!" Rexx called out, throwing his chakram at Shezac. "You're outnumbered serpent."

Shezac laughed and bit the chakram, shattering it. "Fool. You're weaponsss will not work on me." She then rose up into the air and hissed at Rexx. "Feel my power." Within an instant, she fired off lava bullets at Rexx and Draegan.

Rexx cried out in pain and fell to the ground. "I have to get up."

Draegan winced and dropped to his knees. "This thing is powerful. Of course our magic wouldn't work against it."

"Leave them alone." Carmen said. "Magma Vortex!"

Shezac hissed and lunged at Carmen, knocking her down a little bit. "Pathetic fairy. No one likesss you. No one ever liked you. They only pretend to be your friendsss. Become one with me and we'll ssshow them all the true power of a volcano. Or you can die alone."

"I will never join you." Carmen said.

Shezac chuckled and curled around Carmen. "It'sss what you want. What you truly want."

"Don't listen to her Carmen." Rexx said, wincing a little.

Shezac hissed and shot Rexx in the face with lava. "Be quiet!"

Rexx cried out in pain and held his face. 'It can't end like this. We've come too far.'

"Rexx?!" Carmen called out, flying over towards him. Before she could reach him, Shezac's tail wrapped around her and started to constrict.

"Look into my eyesss fairy." Shezac said, forcing Carmen to look at her. "You have no friendsss. They all want you dead. You act happy, but in all reality you are just a lonely little girl. You're nothing but weak and defenssslesss. Everyone knowsss that. Ssssink down into the black abyssss. Give in to my power."

Carmen winced as her eyes started to glaze over. "Into...the...abyss..."

"You have to fight it Carmen." Draegan said. "I don't know what you've been through, but I do know that you have friends that care about you. You're not weak."

Carmen quickly snapped out of it and broke free from Shezac's grip. "I will never give into you. You're right. I am a lonely girl. Even being around my friends and the person I love doesn't seem to help. The abyss continues to eat away at me. Either way, my friends are always by my side. We stand together and nothing will change that. And I hope that one day, I will be free from this loneliness." At that moment, a brooch and bag appeared.

"Insssolent girl." Shezac said, knocking Carmen into the wall. "If you will not join me, you will die."

Carmen winced and looked up at Shezac. "I will show you the power of a volcano. I am Carmen! Fairy of Volcanoes! And this is the end of you." She suddenly broke free and flew up a little higher. "Go back to hell demon! Magma Orb!"

Shezac cried out in pain and started to disappear. "Thissss can't be happening. I am the volcano. How can thisss be?!" Within a few seconds, she completely disappeared.

Carmen landed beside Rexx and dropped to her knees, returning to normal. "Rexx." She held him close and wiped the lava from his face. "Please be alright."

Rexx smiled, wincing from the burns. "I'm...glad...that...you're...alright..."

"You're hurt." Carmen said through tears. "And there's nothing I can do to help you."

Draegan winced and moved over beside them. "We need to get him back to Alfea. It's the only way to help him." He then opened up a portal and lifted Rexx up. "Hold on buddy."

Carmen nodded and walked through the portal with Draegan. 'We got the fire stone. And Rexx got hurt in the process. He even lost his weapon. Is all this really worth everyone getting hurt?'

Shadow Lair

Rangda growled and fired a blast of energy at a pillar. "Damn that fairy! How could Shezac be defeated like that?"

"It's simple." Asher said. "You underestimated their abilities. And that was just one girl. What do you think will happen when they combine their powers?"

Krista stepped out of the shadows and smirked. "They're getting stronger. Now two of them have gained more power. It's only a matter of time before the others do as well."

"Which is why you're going to make sure they don't." Rangda said. "Kill them."

Rave chuckled and leaned up against a pillar. "You obviously have no idea who you're messing with. Krista would only screw everything up. They've already proven that they can beat her."

"As if you're any better Rave." Neva said.

Rangda smirked and sat back down on the throne. "Then all three of you go. Surely together you can do something." She then created an image of Rafe and crossed her legs. "Start with him."

Rave smirked, disappearing with Krista and Neva. 'This will be easy. I just have to separate them. Everything will be fine as long as these two idiots stay out of my way.'