Disclaimer: I do not own Human Target. At All. I do, however, own any new characters that pop up in this story. I own any mentioned unknown establishments and anything in them. Therefore, please ASK ME before trying to use. It's the respectful and honest thing to do. Thankies!

Authoress Note: So someone here (twiddles my thumbs) has been reading to many fantasy and sci-fi books along with reading to many awesome fics of the like here on FF and I figured I'd kick my brain into gear and try to write something with the ideas that started swimming in my lil brain heehee.

Extra Note: I totally blame music for this as well. I've been on a weird kick with music lately and it got this outta me lol. So if you wanna get a feel for what spurred this, try listening to "Magic" by The Cars, "Weird Science" by Oingo Boingo, "A Kind of Magic" by Queen, and "The Scientist" by Coldplay to name a few heehee.

Of Magic & Formulas IV

When he realized he would be meeting an all knowing being with mind blowing powers and knowledge, Chance had suspected to step into a room full of jarred heads and black cats on cobweb covered shelves. He'd seen a lot of the magical world – more than he wished – and he knew he should expect the unexpected and nothing is as it seems. But that didn't stop his jaw from almost dropping when as soon as he stepped through the large, ominous, oak door he'd be standing in a cabin with a warm fire, a cozy décor, and a two black cats lazing on a large over-stuffed chair.

The cats raised their heads and followed them with their yellow eyes as Chance stepped into the center of the room. He turned around in time to witness the door disappear into thin air. His sense of awareness was on red alert now. Anything could happen. He looked around, his eyes taking in as much as he could.

"Keeper," Clover whispered and Chance turned around, coming face to face – well face to chest – with a tall man in an old and elegant robe and a beard down to his stomach. He was balding at the top, but his hair was long and touched past his shoulders. What struck Chance was the mans eyes. They were a silverfish violet. He was blind.

The man stepped through a doorway that Chance figured led to a kitchen, for he was carrying a kettle of tea on a tray with three black china cups to match the kettle. He did not say anything as he walked past them to the tray down before he took a seat in the chair with the cats, petting their heads as they climbed onto his lap. "It has been a long time since I have had guests," he rasped, his voice deep and raspy sounding.

He gave a resemblance of a smile before holding his hand out. Two overstuffed chairs appeared across from him, melting up from the ground and taking form before he lowered his hand. Clover nodded and motioned Chance to take a seat. He cautiously complied. The Keepers seemingly lifeless eyes landed on him as he took a seat. "You are wary, mortal," he stated as he handed Chance a cup of tea, to which he politely accepted with a frown, "you live a life of danger. You have never truly known of any real peace or normalcy. I make you wary, yes." It was not a question. Nor did he seem offended, but actually amused. Chance gave a weak smile. "Kinda hard to relax when you're in unfamiliar territory," he answered and the man gave a low chuckle.

"Of course," lifts his tea to his mouth and drinks it slowly. Clover ribs him and motions for him to do the same as she follows The Keepers example. Warily, Chance lifts the tea – which he just realize had simply materialized into his cup – and takes a drink. Instantly a calming sensation overwhelms him. He feels warm and comfortable. "My special recipe. It is made to help with what ails the mind," The Keeper explained as Chance made to ask him about the odd comfort he now felt.

Clover let out a deep, calming, puff of air as she sat her now empty cup down. "Keeper… We seek information," Clover began, her voice sounding dreamlike to Chance's ears. The Keeper nodded and sat up as straight as his old form would allow. "Yes, I know… But please, child, call me Nicodemus. I know your names. Seems fair you know mine, yes?" he gave a weak smile as he pushed himself to his feet.

The cats meowed softly before standing and jumping from his lap as he got up. Suddenly, before Chance's eyes, the cats began to morph together and grow tall. In their place was a walking cane! Nicodemus took the cane and used it to help make his way towards the large fire place. He poked at the flames with the cane and Chance was surprised it didn't protest or even burn.

The flames began to change colors – a simple orange and yellow to a green and yellow to blue and purple – dancing in the fireplace, the room glowing and flickering with the changing colors. "Tell me, child of Avalon," Nicodemus began, "what is it you and the mortal seek to know?" Clover sat up straight in her chair, pushing her red hair out of her face. "My sister is being hunted. Hunters seek her and I wish to know how to defend against them, sir."

It was strange for Chance to hear Clover sound so professional and calm. She was usually snappish. Nicodemus poked at the flames a once, twice, before suddenly Chance was almost blast from his chair as the flames took shape and animals burst from the changing colors. They ran around the room. Chance jumped from his seat and looked around in wonder and with caution. He jumped as a flame of wolves charged and ran around him before they disappeared and became embers.

"What you seek, child, is not available," Nicodemus gasped as flame fairies swam around him. Chance and Clover turned to regard each other before Chance spoke up. "So what? You're saying Fiona isn't in danger?" he asked, skeptically. Nicodemus turned to look at him and Chance felt himself being pulled in by the mans lifeless like eyes. Images flashed in his mind – his past, possible images of his future, his friends, the present – as hegripped his gun unconsciously.

Nicodemus turned to face them as the flames continued to burst and dance around the room. "I am saying that what you seek is not what you seek. The Hunters are not after you. You have been mislead, child," Nicodemus looked to Clover who shook her head, her face becoming red with anger. "No! I saw what I saw, Nicodemus! Look upon my memories! They do not lie!"

Nicodemus shook his head and Chance furrowed his brow in thought. "That doesn't mean it wasn't a lie," Chance said slowly, looking to Nicodemus who had a slow knowing smile spread across his weathered face as Chance's phone suddenly went off. What? He didn't even have any bars.

Chance reached for his phone and saw that a video had been attached to a message from Guerrero. Chance motioned Clover over as the clip began to play. Clovers eyes widened slowly and her expression paled as she shook her head. "No…" she whispered in disbelief. "No! No!"

Nicodemus turned to the flame and let them slowly die down to their usual color. "I have told you what you seek," he said softly as Chance put the phone away. Clover grabbed at her wrist and muttered to herself before Starchaser was suddenly held in her hand after a brilliant patch of light. "We have to hurry back! They're all in danger if that image is true," Clover exclaimed, grabbing Chance's wrist.

The two ran towards a window as it appeared against the wall. "Thank-you Keeper," Clover said as she mounted Starchaser. Nicodemus nodded glancing at Chance. More images flashed in his head before Clover yanked him onto Starchaser. With one final nod goodbye, Chance was gripping Clovers waist tightly as she shot from the tower at breakneck speed!

Chance glanced back at the tower until he could no longer see it.

R & R

Sorry for the shortness of this chapter. I did so for a reason, I swear :] Also, again, sorry it took so long. Job hunting, house work, farm work, and catching up with friends and family will do that to ya lol