Chapter 4: Planning

Seth groaned tiredly, as he opened up his weary eyes. A pulsating beep was emanating from somewhere near his head. He turned his head towards the continuous beeping, and gazed directly at his digital wristwatch. The alarm had gone off; its face currently read 4:30 AM, just as Seth had programmed it to do so prior to falling asleep.

Also lying in the tent with Seth, both Lance and David had apparently woken up to the sound of his watch's alarm.

"Aw, shut that thing off," said Lance. "It's loud!"

"Okay, okay," said Seth, as he picked up the watch and pressed the alarm button, deactivating it in the process.

"Are we ready to go now?" asked David.

"Almost," replied Seth. "First, we gotta go back in the house and pack a few things. Then, if my plan works, we'll be on our way."

Seth made his way out of the tent, with Lance and David following close behind. As Seth emerged into the yard, he could see that it was still dark outside, and that the entire area was relatively quiet.

Seth led the Smith boys through the backyard, and over towards the back door to the house. Entering through the back door, the boys made their way into the kitchen, where it was still fairly dark inside.

"Where's the light switch?" asked Lance, scanning one of the walls with his flashlight.

"No," whispered Seth. "If we don't wanna get caught, we've gotta keep as quiet, and as dark, as possible. Just use your flashlight to look around."

"What should we do now?" asked David.

"Well, you guys are already mostly packed, right? Everything's in your suitcases, correct? Well, I've gotta get my things together. You guys stay down here and look for prepared food we can bring along with us."

"Got it," said Lance, as Seth made his way through the kitchen and into the front hall.

Seth eventually turned off his flashlight by the time he had made his way to the bottom of the stairs. Although it was still dark in the house, Seth was more than used to sneaking his way around the place, even when he should've otherwise been in bed.

Seth ventured up to the second floor, and began walking down the hallway. Part of him was afraid that someone was just waiting to pop out of their room and catch him in the act, although if that were to actually happen, Seth reminded himself that his shade walking ability might just kick in, rendering him invisible to the observer.

Seth entered his room, closed the door behind himself as lightly as possible, then flicked on his flashlight. He pulled a large backpack out from his closet, then proceeded to fill it with several changes of clothes. Once that was done, he turned off his flashlight again and left the room. Seth then crept over to the bathroom, grabbed his toiletries, then softly made his way downstairs, carrying his loaded backpack with him.

As Seth returned to the kitchen, he walked in to see that Lance and David were in the midst of filling up a bag with what appeared to be cereal bars.

"Whoa," gasped Lance, as he shone his flashlight at Seth. "I didn't see you come in!"

David gasped as well. "What if it had been someone else?"

"How're you guys doing?" asked Seth.

"Great," whispered David. "We've got like three bags full of granola bars, fruit bars, jerky sticks and juice boxes. Some of that walrus butter, too."

"Nice. But don't worry, we can always pick up food elsewhere. I've been entrusted with a special credit card from the Knights of the Dawn."

"Is that a good idea?" asked Lance. "Using it, that is. I mean, if we're on the run, your family will either cut off the card, or track us down if you use it somewhere."

Seth groaned. "I don't have a lot of money. We'll only try the card if we're desperate, okay? But before we go, I'll leave behind a note, let the others at least know what's going on."

Seth then grabbed a pad of paper, along with a pen from atop the kitchen counter, and proceeded to scrawl down a note. He then tore the top sheet off the pad and placed it face up on the counter.

"Okay," said David. "Now, you think we can get going, already?"

"Almost," said Seth, as he made his way out through the back door, prompting for the other two boys to follow his lead. "There's still one more step, and if this doesn't work, it'll make our trip much, much, trickier."

Seth led Lance and David across the backyard and into the forest. Near the edge of the forest from where they entered was a small cave, probably no larger than Seth's own bedroom, where Raxtus, Geminus and even little Vanessa, were curled up into a small mound together, sleeping silently.

"What's your plan?" asked David, as he gazed into the miniature dragon's den.

"Well, we're going to need help from a dragon for our trip," stated Seth. "However, the only dragons around here that I'd trust with anything happen to be fairy dragons. And the last thing a fairy dragon would ever do would be to help a demon. Also, they'd get suspicious if you keep the truth from them."

"What are you saying?" asked Lance.

"We're going to have to trick Raxtus," said Seth, as he summoned Umbriel from his ring.

As the fairy appeared, she turned to face Seth, displaying a scowl on her face. "What time is it?" she snarled.

"Uh, four forty-seven," replied Seth, having just glanced at his watch.

"Four in the morning? What do you think I am? A machine?"

"I really need your help. You're the only one who can help me!"

"If you need my help," began Umbriel, "then of course I'm the only one who can help you! Hmmph! What'd I ever do to get stuck with this brat?"

"Please," said Seth, "I need you to mesmerize Raxtus so that he'll openly listen to me."

"Mesmerize Raxtus?" shrieked Umbriel. "Now that's low, even for you! Why would I ever do that?"

"It's... complicated," said Seth. "Now will you do it?"

"You know I'm not supposed to do stuff like that to trusted allies," exclaimed Umbriel. "Now, let me go back to sleep and don't bug me for a week!"

"If you refuse to help me," said Seth, "I'll have you returned. And you can kiss your shot of being a fairy angel goodbye."

"I'll tell them what you're trying to make me do."

"And I'll say that you're the worst... no, the second-worst fairy I've ever had to deal with! Maybe then they'll lighten up and assign me a nicer fairy to replace you with!"

"You really are a selfish punk," said Umbriel, as she fluttered into the cave. She then conjured up some navy blue magic in her hands and expelled them at Raxtus' head, which seemingly absorbed it all.

"There," said Umbriel sternly, as she retreated out of the cave. "I've mesmerized Raxtus so that he'll obey you for one whole day. That's it. Took almost everything out of me! This would never work on a non-fairy creature. You'd better be happy."

"I hope you're right," said Seth.

"Good. Now leave me alone."

Seth then recalled Umbriel into his ring.

"Man, what is her problem?" asked Lance. "I thought fairies, with the exception of Oblivion, were friendly."

"Well, Umbriel is one of those exceptions," said Seth. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say she practically is a dark fairy. Why else would they assign her to a shadow charmer like me? But hey, the more she helps me, the closer she gets to becoming a fairy angel. It's her decision. Come on, let's go check on Raxtus."

Seth crept into the cave, with Lance and David following close behind. They stopped in front of Raxtus' head, which was resting upon the dragon's own curled up arms.

"Raxtus," said Seth softly. Receiving no response, Seth knelt down and prepared to whisper into the side of Raxtus' head, were his ears would've been, provided dragons even had ears. Instead, they sported tiny slits that served as ear holes.

"Raxtus," whispered Seth, hoping that he wouldn't wake Geminus and Vanessa. "Please, wake up."

The fairy dragon grumbled, before yawning, stretching his neck upwards, and opening his eyes. Once they were opened, the boys were able to see that Raxtus' eyes appeared to be somewhat dilated.

"What is it?" groaned Raxtus wearily.

"Raxtus," said Seth, "I... need you to exit this cave."

"Okay," said Raxtus, as he proceeded to stand up on his hind legs and marched out of the cave.

"It worked," said Lance in astonishment, as he and the other boys followed Raxtus out of the cave. The three boys then looked up at Raxtus' head. He still held a blank look on his face, and appeared to be in a daze.

"Raxtus," said David. "Uh, you okay?"

The fairy dragon just stood there, opting to totally ignore David.

"Great," said Lance. "He isn't listening."

"Well, yeah." said Seth. "I guess the enchantment was for Raxtus to obey me. I had to keep it keep it simple. Umbriel's power only goes so far."

"Is Raxtus really under your control?" asked David. "What if he's just playing along or something?"

"You've got a point," said Seth, as he glanced up at the dragon. "He seems loyal enough, but let's try something else. Raxtus, stand on one foot."

Without hesitation, Raxtus lifted one of his talons off the the ground and held it up in the air. His body remained near-motionless, although he was clearly still alive and breathing.

"You can put it down now," said Seth. Raxtus responded only by lowering his raised talon back on the ground.

"Will he really do anything?" asked Lance.

"If he's anything like Hugo or Mendigo, I'll assume that yes, he can. So long as it's in his ability. But check this out. Raxtus, turn invisible."

At that moment, Raxtus used his power to render himself invisible. Although Seth was acting casual about the whole ordeal, Lance in David were in awe. Their jaws had lowered in amazement.

"Incredible," said Lance, as he and David placed their hands upon and felt the invisible dragon's body.

"How'd you... or maybe it's he, do that?" asked David.

Seth laughed. "It's okay. Raxtus has always been able to do that."

"That's rightl!" said Lance. "I guess it's been a while since I last saw Raxtus in action."

"Raxtus, become visible again."

As if on cue, Raxtus made his body reappear.

"So far, so good," said David. "I'm guessing that this enchantment really is legit. I just hope it lasts."

"Well, Umbriel said one full day," said Seth. In her terms, I hope that meant a full twenty-four hours."

"What'll we do once the enchantment wears off?" asked David. "I mean, this whole thing could easily take more than a day. And if Raxtus ditches us when it wears off, what'll we do then?"

"I don't know," replied Seth. "But we should at least be able to get an answer from the Singing Sisters within a day. They won't remedy the problem entirely, but at least we'll know more than we do now."

"Couldn't you just have Umbriel mesmerize Raxtus again right after the first enchantment wears off?" asked David.

"Umbriel's magic is only so powerful," said Seth. "If it wears off, it's because Raxtus' body will have built up an immunity to it. Re-enchanting him may not work."

"Hold on a moment," said Lance. "Once everyone here wakes up and notices that we're gone, they'll come after us, won't they?"

"It's not like they know where we're going," said Seth. "I didn't write that down on the note. I'm not that dense."

"But, your sister has connections to the Fairy Realm," said Lance. "If she tattles on us, they could use the Omega Star to bring us back here and deal with us."

"And I bet they'll do something awful to Zavarok," said David. "Or maybe even me."

"I guess this'll never work" said Seth. "No way Raxtus can get us all the way to the Singing Sisters before the others wake up. And then we have to actually solve the whole problem using their information. Yeah, they'll get the Omega Star assembled by then."

"Maybe we should just stay here," said Lance. "This whole plan is stupid and dangerous."

"A lot of my plans in the past seemed that way," said Seth, "but they worked out in the end. I know what I'm doing."

"Yeah, but there was no Omega Star for your family work with back then," said David. "Maybe, we should just try this whole thing tomorrow night instead."

"They'd only use the Omega Star as a last resort," said Seth. "It's not like the fairies will just give it to us any old time we ask for it. If we hurry, we might be able to accomplish our mission before things get out of hand."

"Anything else?" asked Lance, looking around.

"Can't think of anything," said Seth. "If you guys are ready. Raxtus, bend down so that we can climb onto your back."

As Raxtus bent down in front of Seth, David turned around and looked back into the cave at Geminus and Vanessa, who were still sleeping. Vanessa was curled up next to her mother's body.

"What about them, Seth?"

"I'm sorry," said Seth. "But they'd side with the rest of my family for sure. They'd never approve of Raxtus being brainwashed into doing our dirty work. I feel bad about it myself, but I really don't see any other choice here."

"Seth," said David, placing his hands upon the shadow charmer's shoulders. "I need to know. Why are you so willing to trust me?"

Seth shrugged. "I don't know. It just feels right."

"Anyone else would've gone crazy and probably would've done something hurtful. Yet you're much more understanding. Is it because you're a shadow charmer?"

"I don't know," said Seth. "I am immune to dark vibes that would affect most other people. But Lance seems okay knowing the truth."

"After all I've been through, this doesn't seem like a huge deal," said Lance. "The revelation didn't freak me out like you'd think it would."

"But Seth," continued David, "there's just this feeling I get from you. Like you're someone I can trust. Even though I've barely known you at all."

Seth scratched his head. "It may very well be because I am a shadow charmer. The thought of a demon, let alone one who happens to be the twin brother of Navarog, possessing you, would no doubt intimidate most people.

"But you've been so willing to help me," said David. "I know that my story seems crazy, and that you do have the choice of not helping me, or even turning me over. But instead, you're willing to side with me. Why is that?"

"I had to share a body with Navarog myself," said Seth. "And for the longest time, no one was able to help me, or was even aware of the situation. I can't stand to see anyone else suffer a similar fate, much less someone like you."

"But why do you trust me?" asked David.

"I... I guess it's because, you've been so honest," replied Seth. "When Navarog was in control of me, he had me telling lies left and right just to get whatever it was he wanted. And he never let me take any real control. He was so ruthless. And Lance here was controlled by the Society as well. I don't want anything like that to ever happen to you."

"There's one thing I don't get," said Lance. "If Zavarok is a demon, then why is he being so nice? From what Seth's been telling us, demons are essentially heartless."

"I don't know," replied David. "Zavarok's always been this way. I know he's a demon by blood, but he does in fact have a good heart. I know I can't prove it to you guys, but you've just gotta trust me."

"I'm willing to give you a fair chance," said Seth. "But I'm afraid that it still doesn't prove anything. I've trusted many people in the past. Some were good. Some weren't. But unlike humans, demons are pure evil. It's their nature. What makes Zavarok so special?"

"Again, I don't know," said David. "Maybe I should just tell everything to the others in the morning. Let them decide what to do with me."

"But they might punish Zavarok, along with you," said Lance. "Come on, David. We've gone to this much trouble already. Let's not back out now."

"I'm sorry," said Seth. "If Zavarok really is a part of you, he seems all right. For a demon. I guess we'll give you a chance."

Seth then climbed up onto Raxtus' back, and signaled for Lance and David to join him, which they eagerly did. With their belongings on them, the boys were all ready to take off.

"Okay, Raxtus," said Seth. "We're ready. We've got to travel to Missouri, which is southwest from here. Let's go!"

"You've got it," said Raxtus, as he flapped his wings and leaped into the air, initiating the start of the boys' long journey.