Note: Thanks to TRDowden1 who gave me the suggestion for this chapter!

"We are the Crystal Gems" is written by Rebecca Sugar, Aivi & Surasshu.

Dear Dominic,

How are you doing? Is your foot still injured from what happened at the basketball court? I bet it sucks having to lay down when you want to go outside. Maybe you'll find a good book to read as you recover, you'll never know when a book can inspire real life events . . .

Ch. 3: Treasure Hunt

Todd smiled as he perused through the flea market on a small island off of Mexico along with Duke and Jennifer. It seemed livelier than the flea markets he went to before with his parents. This flea market also had musicians and other types of entertainers besides people selling their stuff.

A small hiss and a yip from a Chihuahua got his attention and he looked down to see Reinette looking very unamused at a Chihuahua yapping at her. Jennifer had purchased a dark blue cat harness with a leash attached so Reinette could join them when they were off The Cape Rouge. Reinette was against it at first until Todd finally persuaded her that wearing the harness was the only way she could explore, so she relented.

Todd picked up Reinette as she continued to glare at the Chihuahua and psychically made rude comments about the dog to Todd which made him smile. He then noticed he lost sight of Duke and Jennifer, and looked around. He soon found them across the way, and walked to them, still carrying Reinette. When he finally got to them, he saw Jennifer was trying on some sunglasses and a woven summer hat, and was modeling them for Duke, causing him to smile.

'Come down now,' Reinette told Todd and Todd placed her down. When he stood up, he noticed the stall next door was selling books. Not just regular books, some of these books looked like antiques.

As Jennifer was making her purchase, Duke saw Todd and went over to him. He noticed that Todd was looking over one particular book, and Duke couldn't help but smile when he saw the title.

"If you like pirate stories, they don't get much better than that one," Duke said as he inspected the leather-bound book, Treasure Island; it was old, but in pretty good shape, and Duke could tell it wasn't a first edition.

Todd looked up at Duke and smiled as Jennifer joined them. "I never had a chance to read it, did you?"

"It was the only required reading in school that I actually enjoyed," Duke grinned.

"Hey, did you know the writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, wrote The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?" Todd asked. Duke nodded but Jennifer shook her head.

"Wow," she commented. "I only thought he wrote about adventures on the sea; it's like hearing that Stephen King wrote a romance novel."

Duke and Todd laughed and Duke looked over the book.

"I can buy this if you want it," Duke said.

"No, I can buy it," Todd said and looked for his wallet.

"Todd, trust me, this book is way above your allowance," Duke said, and he and Todd smiled as Duke got the merchant's attention.


Later that night, after dinner, Todd began reading Treasure Island in bed. After a while, Reinette jumped onto his bed and walked to Todd; she then smelled the book.

'Odd smell,' Reinette commented as she sniffed the back cover. 'Why does it smell odd? I investigate.'

"Hmm? Reinette, don't! Stop!" Todd exclaimed when he realized Reinette was pawing at the back cover.

Todd moved Reinette away and checked the book to see if it was damaged. He then realized the lining page of the back cover felt lumpy, as if someone re-glued it and didn't do a very good job.

'See? Odd smell,' Reinette said, coming up to Todd and pawed at the lumpy area. 'It's under here. I get it.'

Todd then realized that there was something under the cover lining.

"Um, no, I'll do it," Todd said and moved Reinette aside, who watched him.

Todd carefully pried the lining apart and saw there was something inside. He slowly pulled it out to reveal an old folded-up large piece of paper. Todd gently opened the paper and his eyes grew wide when he saw a map drawn onto the paper, which looked like an old-fashioned treasure map.

Todd immediately got up and ran over to Duke's room. Upon finding the door closed, Todd rapidly knocked, not aware of the sounds coming from the other side.

He then heard Duke grumbling and Jennifer talking in a low voice, and soon Duke opened the door, with a blanket tied around his waist and an annoyed look on his face.

"Todd, we went over the rules about privacy," Duke stated. "If you look at the doorknob and see—"

"But look at this!" Todd said, showing Duke the map.

Duke's expression changed from annoyed to curious as the map was transferred into his hands and he studied it.

"Todd . . . where did you get this?" Duke asked, as Jennifer appeared with a blanket draped around her body.

"It was inside the back cover of the book," Todd explained as Jennifer looked over Duke's shoulder to see the map. "Reinette was the one that actually found it. I was reading—"

"You can tell me later, Todd, but for now I want you to get that book and meet me where I keep my charts," Duke said.

Todd nodded and found Duke, now wearing pants, and Jennifer, who had a bathrobe on, waiting for him. The map was on the table, along with different maps and charts.

Todd showed Duke where he found the map and Duke looked over the book, along with the map and the charts. Todd and Jennifer waited in anticipation. Finally, Jennifer spoke.

"What are you doing?"

"Seeing if this map is truly real," Duke said, not looking up from his research. "For all we know this map could have been drawn up by a kid and was just stuck there."

"But you don't think so," Jennifer said and Duke looked at her.

"I recognized some of the symbols and no kid would have that knowledge," Duke said.

"So, it's real? There's really a treasure out there?" Todd asked.

"And if I'm reading this right, it's close," Duke said, looking at him.

Todd's eyes widen in wonder. "Does that mean—"

"Yes, Todd I think we should see what's there," Duke said in a calm voice as Todd grinned. "But we have to be careful; I mean Haven level careful."

The smile on Todd's face instantly disappeared. "What do you mean?"

"I know from experience that the reason some valuables were hidden was that they were dangerous," Duke said. "For all we know this map could lead us to a prototype bomb."

"Then we should find it," Jennifer said, causing Duke and Todd to look at her. "We should find . . . the treasure . . . before someone stumbles across it."

Duke looked at the map one more time before he looked at Todd.

"You can join the treasure hunt if you listen to everything I say," Duke said. "I mean it, Todd; your parents will kill me if something happened to you."

Todd nodded, understanding. Duke smiled back. "Good; get some sleep, tomorrow we'll start our treasure hunt."

Todd smiled and thanked Duke before he went off to bed. Jennifer smiled as she watched Todd leave, then looked at Duke, but found him taking out a magnifying glass.

"What are you doing?" Jennifer asked.

"Seeing if there is anything that connects this map to Haven," Duke said as he studied the map and flipped it over and found a drawing of a sun and moon on the back in opposite corners.


Meanwhile

In a crowded alleyway, the man who sold the book to Duke was trying his luck on a craps game with some locals and some tourists. He noticed one of the tourists kept looking at his brown-haired friend as he played and chatted about the flea market. He also found it strange that the brown-haired man was on a winning streak when he decided to quit and just walked off with his winning and his friend. Those thoughts were put out of his head as new players entered the game, so he never heard the two men talking.

"I hope you got the information."

"Okay . . . he's talking to people . . . still talking . . . watching people pass his booth . . . wait, someone wants to buy a book . . . it's THE book! Someone already has it!"

"Not a problem; we'll get it. Who is it?"

"Nobody he knows . . . tourists . . . I see a kid, a woman . . . is that a cat on a leash?"

"Ezra, focus!"

"Right . . . okay . . . a man . . . he's—he's . . ." Ezra's eyes widen in fear. "Oh, no! I'm out! No more! I quit!"

"What are you talking about?"

"It's Duke Crocker, Tobias! Duke Crocker has the book!" Ezra said and began pacing. "We should stop right now, tell our employer that—"

"We are not leaving, Ezra," Tobias said. "We are going to find that book for our employee and for a bonus, Duke Crocker in a body bag."


The next morning, Duke made everyone a hardy breakfast and told them they should shop for hiking supplies and digging equipment for their treasure hunt. Reinette wanted to come along, but Duke and Todd told her that it was for the best that she stayed aboard The Cape Rouge.

'I shall pout,' Reinette said as she turned up her nose and strutted off, making Duke and Todd laugh.

Jennifer decided to give some entertainment for Reinette by tying ribbons and feathers on strings on an electric fan and turning it on, and Reinette was happy with her new entertainment.

As they shopped, Jennifer suggested they should bring extra food and water along as well and the guys agreed with her. Once they got everything they wanted, Duke drove them back to The Cape Rouge.

Suddenly, they heard a loud 'pop' and the rented truck felt unbalanced. Duke pulled over to the side and got out to check the truck.

"We got a flat tire," Duke said.

"Can we help?" Jennifer asked.

Before Duke could say anything, he felt something that he hoped he never had to experience again. What he felt was the feeling of a gun on the back of the neck.

"New look, huh?" the owner of the gun said and Duke recognized the voice, but Duke didn't want to believe who it was. "Turn around, hands up, let me take a good look at you."

Duke turned around and was face to face with Tobias Blaine, holding a gun at him.

"Not bad," Tobias commented and looked over Duke's shoulders. "Do you have the others?"

Ezra Colbert walked into view with his gun on Jennifer and Todd.

"And new friends as well," Tobias said, studying Jennifer and Todd. "Hopefully we won't have a repeat of last time, huh?"

'Duke, who is he?' Todd asked as he connected Duke's and Jennifer's mind with his as Tobias searched Duke.

'He's Tobias Blaine, he tried to rob me,' Duke said as Tobias removed Duke's gun and knife. Duke looked at Ezra. 'He's Ezra Colbert, he's Troubled, well, was Troubled.'

'What could he do?' Jennifer asked as Tobias took out zip ties and tied them up as Ezra searched the truck.

'He could read people's intentions before they act, he could anticipate what people say or do,' Duke said as Tobias ordered them on their knees. 'But since every Trouble was changed into a Favor, who knows what he could now. If we weren't so far away from the water, I'd use my Favor and end this.'

"Anything?" Tobias asked Ezra when he was done with his search, who shook his head. Tobias looked at Duke, then punched him in the face, forcing Duke down. Tobias then kicked Duke in the stomach.

"Okay, Duke, where's the book?" Tobias asked as Duke got himself up.

"Which one?" Duke answered which earned him to be cold-cocked by the butt of Tobias's gun.

"Here's a reminder: it's the one you got yesterday at the flea market," Tobias said as Duke got up again. Todd's and Jennifer's eyes widen in horror when they saw the blood on Duke's face. Duke just frowned at Tobias. "Same attitude, huh? Then we'll just go about this the same way."

Ezra stepped forward as Tobias aimed his gun at Todd and Jennifer. Ezra studied Duke's face.

"He doesn't know," Ezra finally said and saw Tobias's expression. "Really; he doesn't know because he doesn't have the book. He gave it to the kid."

Tobias wickedly grinned and pulled Duke closer to Jennifer and Todd as Ezra studied Todd.

'Todd! Don't think about the book or the map!' Duke radiated as strong as he could, hoping the kid would pick up the message.

It looked it worked because Ezra was frowning and looking annoyed.

"Anything?" Tobias asked, seeing Ezra's face.

"I don't know . . . I don't know why . . . it's difficult . . . wait . . . getting something . . . we . . . we . . . we-we-we . . . we are . . . We . . . are the Crystal Gems, We'll always save the day . . ." Ezra said, then looked horrified at Todd. "What are you?!"

Todd realized somehow his Favor interfered with Ezra's Favor. He then concentrated on Ezra's mind.

'We . . . are the Crystal Gems! We'll always save the day! And if you think we can't, We'll always find a way!' Todd thought to Ezra.

"Stop it!" Ezra wailed, getting overwhelmed by Todd's broadcast of a cartoon's opening song. Tobias didn't want a repeat of last time and readied his gun at Duke's head.

"Listen up, kid, you have two choices! Either tell us where the book is or you're going to see his brains blown out," Tobias said, pressing his gun at Duke's forehead.

Tobias's words and actions frighten Todd and that made him lose concentration.

"There; have it," Ezra said, finding the information. "It's in his bedroom onboard The Cape Rouge."

Tobias lowered his gun and looked at the flat tire before he spoke. "There, see how easy things are when you listen? Now, to make up for ruining your truck, we'll drive you back to The Cape Rouge; we'll even help you move your stuff."


Even though it was still spacious in Tobias's and Ezra's rented van, Jennifer, Duke, and Todd felt really uncomfortable. What was really frustrating was that they knew they couldn't plan for an escape because Ezra's Favor. Tobias soon pulled up in front of The Cape Rouge, and everyone exited the vehicle.

"How about you show me around, Duke?" Tobias said, pointing his gun at Duke, while Ezra had his on Jennifer and Todd.

This could be his chance. If he could—

"No, wait, he wants you to do that," Ezra said and Duke cursed under his breath. "On his boat, he'll have the advantage because . . ."

'Duke! Ezra's can't read my mind when I'm using my Favor!' Todd suddenly broadcasted.

'I already figured that out, so what are you doing?' Duke asked.

'I thought it could work on you,' Todd replied.

"Rarguh!" Ezra screamed in frustration. "The kid's doing it again!"

Tobias went over to Todd and grabbed his shirt collar and made a fist.

"Hey, calm down Tobias," Ezra said, seeing what Tobias was going to do. "H-he's just a kid."

Tobias growled and shoved Todd into Ezra.

"Fine! If you like kids so much! Escort him to his room and bring back the book!" Tobias said.

Ezra just nodded back and motioned Todd to board. Todd looked back at Jennifer and Duke and Tobias noticed this and aimed his gun at them.

"No tricks and they'll still be alive," Tobias said. Ezra removed the zip ties around Todd's wrists, and they both boarded The Cape Rouge.

Tobias paced as he waited and Duke questioned him, which earned him to be hit. When Ezra and Todd returned, Ezra had the book and Todd looked horrified when he saw Duke's injuries. Tobias examined the book as Todd was made to join Jennifer and Duke. Tobias then noticed the separated back cover.

"Something was here, wasn't it?" Tobias asked, looking around, then at Ezra, who nodded. "All right who has it?"

Ezra studied them, then walked closer to Duke. Todd was about to use his Favor when he felt metal against his forehead.

"No tricks," Tobias ordered as Ezra stared at Duke.

"Okay, I see . . . it looks like a map . . . is that what we're supposed to get? Talking . . . looking . . . more talking . . . more looking . . . okay, folding up the map . . . he's putting it somewhere . . . it's . . . furry?" Ezra said, then blinked at Duke. "It's on the cat?"

'You hid the map on Reinette?' Todd asked Duke.

Before Duke could answer, Tobias chuckled.

"Hiding it on a moving target; very creative, Duke," Tobias said, smirking, then looked at Ezra. "Take the kid back on board and find the cat."

Ezra looked nervous as his eyes widen. "Um, Tobias . . . I have this . . . thing . . . with animals . . ."

"Fine! Watch them and I'll take the kid," Tobias growled out, and pushed Todd back aboard The Cape Rouge.

A couple of minutes later, Tobias and Todd returned, however Todd looked ever more nervous while Tobias's face and arms were covered in scratches and he carried a squirming, screaming burlap sack.

"Um, Tobias—" Ezra began.

"Shut up," Tobias said under his breath, then pointed his gun at the sack. "Either you control your animal or I'm searching a dead cat."

'Bad men!' Reinette screamed out, and Tobias almost dropped the sack hearing her voice. 'Bad, bad, men!'

"Is that . . . from the cat?" Ezra asked. "Haven has Troubled animals now?"

"There's going to one less," Tobias responded and looked at Todd.

Todd sighed and offered his hand, and Tobias gave him the sack.

"Remember, no tricks," Tobias said, as he aimed his gun at Jennifer and Duke.

Todd carefully opened the bag and Reinette calmed down as he took her out. He then noticed an extra tag attached to her collar and reached for it.

'No!' Reinette pleaded. 'Duke said to guard it! Don't give it to bad men!'

"They'll hurt Duke and Jennifer if we don't give it to them," Todd said. Reinette looked at Tobias and Ezra and every hair on her tail stood on end as she hissed at the men.

'Mean men!' Reinette screamed, but allowed Todd to remove the tag and he handed it to Tobias.

Tobias broke open the tag and removed the map from inside. He unfolded the map and he and Ezra looked over it.

"Are we going to look for . . . whatever this leads?" Ezra asked.

"We are; plus we have some volunteers to help is with the hard work," Tobias said, looking at Duke, Jennifer, and Todd.

"So . . . what are we going to do with the cat?" Ezra asked. Tobias moved closer to Reinette and looked over her as she growled at him.

"She can be a souvenir for the boss," Tobias said.

'I will not!' Reinette defiantly snapped back as she hissed. 'I will make you regret that!'

Tobias rolled his eyes. "I would like to see you—why am I arguing with a cat? Everyone, in the van!"


Fifteen minutes later, Tobias was cursing to himself, seeing that he was outsmarted by a cat. Even though he transferred Reinette into a wooden box with holes, she spent the whole time yowling while broadcasting 'Out, now! Free, now! Out, now! Free, now!' as he drove; this was even more annoying than Duke talking. Finally, Tobias had enough and pulled over and pointed a gun at the box.

"Listen, you! We didn't bring a muzzle to gag you, so shut up or else I'm start shooting!" Tobias yelled. Reinette then became silent and Tobias started the van.

Half an hour later, Ezra undid the zip ties on Duke and Jennifer so they could carry the equipment, while Todd carried Reinette's box, and they began their trek through the forest. After some time, they reached their destination: the remains of some sort of stone building.

Tobias checked the map. "Okay, according to this, the treasure is located behind a stone wall. So, start searching, and remember, no tricks or the cat gets it."

Todd reluctantly gave the box to Ezra and he joined Duke and Jennifer examining each stone wall. After a while, Jennifer felt she pressed down on something and saw her hand on a fake stone panel. She reached inside and pulled out a small box.

"Hey! Hey! She's found something!" Ezra exclaimed when he picked up Jennifer's thoughts, getting everyone's attention. He then pointed his gun at her. "Bring it over here."

As Tobias motioned to Duke and Todd to join them, Jennifer handed the box to Ezra, and Duke couldn't help but noticed that this box was engraved the same as the little box Pappy and his crew uncovered.

'How many of those things are out there?' Duke thought as Tobias opened the box, and he and Ezra looked inside.

The two men then appeared surprised, then disappointed as Tobias pulled out a silver amulet and a key and examined them. The amulet was also carved the same way as the box.

Tobias then frowned and raised his gun at Duke and the others.

"Did they know about this?" Tobias asked Ezra, who shook his head. "Okay! There has to be more than this! So, start thinking!"

"Let me look at the amulet," Duke offered, causing everyone to look at him. "There might be a clue leading to the real treasure on it, and you don't know it."

Tobias was insulted, but tossed the amulet at Duke, who caught it.

"I don't have to repeat myself what will happen if you pull something," Tobias said, pointing is gun at Jennifer and Todd.

Duke's response was to give Tobias an annoyed look before he examined the amulet. There was a circle of animals etched on the front: a turtle, a bear, a fish, a wolf, an elephant, a rat, a bat, a lion, a horse, and an eagle. On the back, was an inscription: 'Invenient Me Dux.'

''Find Me Duke,' again,'" Duke thought, and hoped Ezra didn't noticed that thought. Duke then noticed the amulet was designed more like a locket and opened it. Inside, he found a poem carved inside:

To those who found the map
To you, I tip my cap
Only those clever and bold
Can claim the treasure hold

West of the Sun, and East of the Moon
The Shadow Horse dances on rocks
Shall point to the Turtle-Tree bloom
Only the compass of animals shall open the locks

"There is some—Ah-choo!" Ezra sneezed. Reinette had somehow stuck her tail out of one of the holes of the box and was lashing it in front of Ezra's face.

'Revenge!' Reinette declared. 'Will not stop until freed and fed!'

Tobias aimed his gun at the box and Ezra noticed.

"Don't shoot me!" Ezra shouted in-between his sneezes.

While this was happening, Duke gave Todd a look and Todd knew Duke wanted him to use his Favor.

'Isn't it risky doing this with Ezra around?' Todd asked as Tobias ordered Jennifer to take the box. 'You said Ezra can read people's intentions.'

'I think he has other problems right now,' Duke said as Ezra looked for tissues. 'I think I know how to escape, but you have to keep your mind linked me so Ezra won't find out.'

'For how long?'

'I don't know.'

Todd's eyes widen a little. 'I don't know how long I can use my Favor.'

'You don't have to use it constantly, besides Ezra might get suspicious if he can't read my mind,' Duke said, and looked at Jennifer, who was trying to ask Tobias and Ezra for a lunch break. 'I hate to do this to Jennifer, but don't tell her; there's a chance that Ezra will use his Favor on Jennifer and find out about our plan, and I don't want you to use your Favor on both of us for a long time.'

"You!" Tobias shouted, getting Duke's and Todd's attention. "There's something in the locket, isn't there? That's what Ezra was trying to say; what is it?"

Duke handled Tobias the amulet, still opened, and Tobias and Ezra looked over the poem. Ezra then looked at Duke.

"He knows what it means," Ezra said.

"Just stop," Duke said as Tobias reached for his gun. "Look, I can be reasonable; so how about a little exchange? Information for a lunch break; you don't want to carry a kid with low energy."

"Fine! But talk first," Tobias said.

"I need the map," Duke said, and Ezra carefully handed him them map. Duke then flipped the map over to show the drawing of the sun and moon on the back. "There's a reason why they're there. If we find the area on the map where it's east of the sun and west of the moon, it should lead you to the real treasure."

"What about the rest of the poem?" Tobias asked.

"They're probably landmarks and I won't know what it means until we get there," Duke explained.

Tobias looked at Ezra who nodded. "Okay, find where we're going, while we start our 'lunch break.'"


After they ate, they continued on their search, however, it became apparent that long use of his Favor was taking a toll on Todd, as he lost his balance from time to time.

Tobias grabbed Todd's arm just before he fell into a tree. "What's the matter with you, kid? Getting sick on me?"

"You did eat half his lunch," Duke shot back. "Anyway, we're close."

"How do we know we're close? What did the poem say?" Tobias said.

Ezra took out the amulet. "Something about a horse dancing on a rock."

"If you were paying attention it said 'shadow horse,'" Duke corrected between clench teeth as he stopped and looked around.

"Why are we stopping?" Tobias questioned.

Duke ignored Tobias and looked at the large rocks covering the area. He then found what he was looking for.

"There; see that rock?" Duke pointed out.

"The one with the weird-looking hole in it?" Tobias asked. "What about it?"

Jennifer soon saw. "The light from the hole! It looks like a horse when you look at the rock's shadow!"

Duke gave Jennifer a quick smile. "And we look at where the horse is facing . . ."

Everyone looked and saw a large tree in the not too far distance in shape of a turtle.

"Not bad, Duke; if you keep behaving, maybe you can meet our employer," Tobias said.

As they came closer to the tree, they saw stone ruins surrounding it. They stopped in front of a stone tablet and rock tiles. The same circle of animals was etched into the stone tablet. Before Tobias could talk, Todd groaned and began to sweat.

"What's with you, kid?" Tobias asked, and Duke knew Todd was wearing down from using his Favor for too long, but mentally told Todd to hold out for a bit longer.

"I've seen this before; he's showing symptoms of a disease transmitted by a biting fly," Duke said. Tobias looked at Ezra who gave no sign that Duke was lying. "Look, there's 'the compass of animals'; if you just follow that path of tiles, it will lead you to the treasure; just let me look after him."

Once again, Tobias looked at Ezra who nodded back.

"Say 'please,'" Tobias said, "and nicely."

Duke swallowed begrudgingly before he spoke. "Please."

Tobias and Ezra smirked at them. "This is how we're going to do it: Ezra and I are going to see if you're telling the truth. If the treasure's there, we're coming back for you; if you're lying, you know what happens."

"Where are we going to go? We don't know where we are," Jennifer grumbled and Reinette meowed through the box she was holding.

After checking on Duke, Jennifer, and Todd once more time, Tobias and Ezra walked on. However, after four feet, the tile underneath them crumbled and they fell.

Duke let out a breath of relief. "You can stop, Todd."

Todd gasped and panted, like he just ran track for two periods; Jennifer looked confused.

"I'll explain later," Duke said and doubled-checked the carving on the stone tablet. "Yes."

"Duke?" Jennifer asked as Todd freed Reinette from the box.

Duke took out the amulet and the key, which surprised Jennifer because she thought Ezra had them, but then she inwardly smiled remembering that this was Duke Crocker: he probably pickpocketed Ezra. Jennifer walked closer to Duke, and Todd followed her, carrying Reinette.

"How did you do it, Duke?" Todd asked, after he caught his breath.

"The poem said 'Only the compass of animals shall open the locks,'" Duke said. "Which means that the treasure was highly secured. Now if we look at the amulet . . ."

Todd and Jennifer looked at the amulet and examined the carving, and noticed what Duke saw: the animals on the amulet were in different positions from the ones in the carving.

"I think if we match the animals to the ones on the amulet, it should disarm the traps," Duke said and handed the amulet and the key to Jennifer. He then placed his hands on the circle and with some nudging, made the animals move. "Jennifer, tell me where the animals go."

"Let's see: bear opposite of the turtle, elephant opposite of the wolf, the rat to the fish, bat to rabbit, eagle to lion, and the dog opposite of the horse," Jennifer said.

Once Duke was done rearranging the animals, they heard a loud crack and saw that most of the tiles were now collapsed, leaving a solid path leading to a mouth of a cave, which made everyone smile.

"Reinette, you stay here," Todd said, placing her on the ground as Jennifer and Duke gathered the equipment. "We'll be back."

'I will wait . . . a lizard!' Reinette started to say, but then she focused on a passing lizard, ready to pounce on it.

"Um, maybe you can come with us," Todd said; he didn't really want her to wander off, and picked her up, but she began to struggle, wanting to hunt the lizard. He then saw the box Tobias placed her in and got an idea. "Here, you can ride in here, without the lid. I'll even put this towel in, so it will be soft inside; you'll look like that queen in the story I read to you."

After Todd put the towel inside, Reinette examined the box.

'Okay!' she happily agreed and jumped inside, and they entered the cave.

As they trekked through the cave, Duke explained his plan of how he avoided Ezra from reading his intentions to Jennifer. Duke was caught off guard when they reached the end of the cave, which turned out to be small opening in the middle of the land. They could see the roots of the tree hanging from the above, and the waves crashing against the rocks below them. In front of the opening was a flat mound and on top of it was a locked metal chest. Duke, Jennifer, and Todd surrounded the chest and for a moment, just stared at it.

"I wonder what's inside," Todd said.

'Fish?' Reinette guessed, which made the others laugh.

"There's only one way to find out," Duke said. "Whenever you're ready, Jennifer."

Jennifer nodded, let out a deep breath, and unlocked the chest.

Duke removed the lock and opened the chest. Inside there was a compass, along with an old copy of Captains Courageous, a small figurine of an island deity, a pocket watch, a curious medallion, and a replica of Big Ben. There was also a small wooden box there as well, and Duke pulled it out and opened it, finding four arm rings made of nacre inside, well, three, one of them was broken.

"What's this?" Todd asked lifting out a metallic sphere made of rings on a small stand.

"It's an armillary sphere; in the past, people used it to find the positions of the stars," Duke grinned.

"Wow," Todd said, then looked inside the chest again. "Is that it?"

"Looks like it," Jennifer said as began to carefully place the items in a bag.

'No fish?' Reinette asked, sounding disappointed, but then she saw the nacre arm rings. 'Shiny things!'

Duke chuckled and was about to inspect the chest further, when they all heard a gunshot, causing them to turn around and see Tobias and Ezra, both covered in dirt and dust. Ezra had his gun pointed at the cave's ceiling, while Tobias aimed his gun on them.

"Drop everything!" Tobias ordered, then looked at Duke. "You, over there!"

Reinette laid low in the box, while Tobias herded Duke to the edge.

"Think that was cleaver, leading us in a trap? Did you have a laugh with us attempting to climb out until you got bored? I don't know how you tricked Ezra, but I had enough of Duke Crocker in my life!"

Tobias shot Duke, causing him to fall over the edge. The last thing Duke heard before he hit the water were the horrified screams of Jennifer and Todd.


"Duke," he heard someone say.

Duke opened his eyes and found himself . . . falling? . . . floating?. . . through light and water. In front of him was an older woman with dark hair, and she smiled.

"You came at last," she said.

"And where is it that I've come to?" Duke asked. "And who are you?"

"I'm the one who left that message for you, Duke Crocker," she told him, her voice gentle. She reached out and touched his cheek, her hand soft and cool. "I waited a long time for you to receive it."

"And what is it you wanted to tell me?"

"There is great peril ahead for you, Duke. You must take care," she warned him, glancing behind her as though she expected someone to interrupt them. "We do not have long."

"I don't understand. The Troubles are over," Duke told her. He could feel his head beginning to pound, and she looked concerned.

"You cannot remain here long, you're not accustomed to astral travel," she urged, and gave him a gentle smile. "And even though some parts of you were changed, you are not fully human, Duke," she told him. "You never really were, you know. You are filled with magic, and yet you hide yourself among the humans."

"I'm not magic," Duke protested, but he had the feeling that she was telling him the truth.

"Stop arguing, and listen closely," she advised her tone stern but still gentle, almost affectionate. "What you found in the chest; some of them will help you and Todd. They will help you find what it is you and Todd will need. They are very important. "

"How will I know which things they are?" Duke cried. The headache was becoming nearly unbearable, and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut in pain. The woman pulled Duke close to her and hugged him, and for Duke, it felt like . . . like the time he was stuck inside Todd's body and Ida hugged him, like mother who truly loved her child.

"You will know them when you see them," the woman said and kissed Duke's forehead. "Your wounds are healed. Take care, Duke—you are not the only ones in search of the treasure," the woman said, her voice sounding as if it were coming from a vast distance. "Be careful."


Jennifer held Todd close as Tobias kept his gun on them, while Ezra collected what they found; Reinette still hid in the box.

"That better be everything," Tobias said, then glanced back. "Ezra?"

Ezra was reaching for the armillary sphere, when a geyser of water shot up from the ocean, and standing perfectly balanced on top, completely healed, was Duke Crocker. Jennifer and Todd were happy; however astonished when they saw his eyes were silver and glowing a little.

Tobias and Ezra were unnerved seeing Duke, but Tobias soon broke out of his reverie and fired a shot at Duke, while Ezra prepared to fire as well.

Somehow Duke sensed the incoming bullet and gestured, and a smaller geyser shot out from the ocean, that interceded the bullet and slammed Tobias into the wall with enough force that knocked him unconscious; Ezra's jaw dropped. Duke then stared at him and Ezra dropped his gun, and placed his hands in the air. Duke calmly dismounted the geyser and both geysers lowered back down into the ocean.

Duke blinked and his eyes returned to their original color. Todd and Jennifer immediately ran to Duke and embraced him, and he did the same. Ezra quietly backed up, trying to escape, but he kicked the armillary sphere, and surprising everyone, it began whirling and clicking, like an old-fashioned mechanical object. The rings began moving independently, and when they stopped, the smaller sphere in the center glowed and a beam of light shot out and hit the floor, creating something, and Duke and Jennifer recognized what it was.

"A thinny?" Jennifer found herself saying as she carefully came closer to it, and Duke and Todd followed her; Ezra stepped nervously away from the armillary sphere.

"That's a thinny?" Todd asked and Duke nodded back.

Before anyone could say anything, another gunshot was heard and they saw Ezra pointing his gun at them, but his hand was shaking.

"What is that?!" Ezra demanded, indicating the thinny, then aimed his gun at Duke. "What are you?!"

Ezra tried to shot at Duke, but he missed and the bullet landed next to Reinette's box, scaring her. Reinette bolted out her box and began to run around in a state of total fear.

"Reinette, stop!" Todd exclaimed, seeing she getting too close to the thinny. He reached out to grab her, but he tripped and fell into the thinny with Reinette in his arms. The thinny immediately closed up.

Duke screamed and rushed at Ezra and knocked him unconscious, while Jennifer went over to where the thinny was and dropped to her knees. Duke then went over to Jennifer and touched her shoulder, causing her to look at him with tear-filled eyes. All Duke could do was to kneel down next to her and weep as well.