Chapter 30: Fairies Unite
Standing together with the rest of her allies in the yard at Fablehaven, Kendra looked over at Warren. A mute albino once more, Warren appeared to be in some sort of trance, completely oblivious to the world around him.
"Warren..." said Kendra, thinking back to two summers ago, when Warren had previously been a catatonic albino, "this can't be happening. Not again..."
Warren did not respond. Instead, he was just gazing straight ahead, his mind presumably devoid of any free thought.
"The Sands of Sanctity!" said Kendra, reaching into Warren's bag and pulling out the diminutive cat-shaped teapot. However, something about the artifact felt wrong. It was lighter than usual. Of course! Bringing the artifact to the Demon Domain had drained the Sands of Sanctity of its power. But then, why hadn't Kendra's touch restored the artifact to working order?
"It's not working," said Kendra, wiggling the empty teapot in her hand. "My touch isn't restoring the Sands of Sanctity."
"All that exposure to the Demon Domain and Murdred must've weakened you," said Bracken faintly. "Just like it did to the rest of us. A touch from one of us would work no better."
"The dragons..." said Kendra, thinking of Raxtus and Geminus in her head. "We need to find the fairy dragons! They can restore our strength!"
"What about Warren?" asked Clover, "We're all too weak to carry him, and it's too hard to guide him."
"You stay here and watch him," said Bright. "The rest of us will go."
Kendra then walked off with Bracken and Bright. They went around the side of the house, opting not to go inside, and instead made their way over towards the small cave at the edge of the yard where Raxtus and Geminus resided. In their weakened state, the small walk had actually been fairly exhausting.
"I don't get it,' said Kendra, "why'd only Warren turn into an albino when Murdred gazed at us?"
"Warren is only fairystruck," said Bracken. "You being fairykind shielded you from that effect, even though it was still harmful to you in some regard, just as it was to us."
"What would that have done to a mortal with no connection to fairies?" asked Kendra.
"That's something I wouldn't want to think about," replied Bright.
At last they had reached the dragons' cave, where Raxtus, Geminus and Vanessa were all resting inside.
"What happened to you?" asked Geminus, as Kendra, Bracken and Bright all walked into the cave. "You all look... pale."
"Please," said Bracken, "we've been weakened by Murdred's darkness. "You must heal us."
"Okay," said Raxtus, looking over at Geminus. "Here goes."
Raxtus and Geminus both faced Kendra, Bracken and Bright. As they opened their mouths, a white mist and a pink one flowed out of Raxtus and Geminus' mouths respectively. The mists then covered Kendra, Bracken and Bright. A few seconds later, Kendra felt completely rejuvenated.
"All right!" said Bracken. "I'm better!"
"Thanks," said Bright.
"Hey," said Kendra, feeling as the Sands of Sanctity in her hands became heavier, "my power's back! My touch must've restored the Sands of Sanctity."
"Of course, it could've been our healing breath that did it," said Geminus.
"Come on," said Bright, "we've still got to help Clover and Warren."
The group ran out of the cave and back around to the front of the house, where they had left Warren and Clover. By this point, the rest of the family had already discovered and gathered around the couple.
"Thank goodness you're back," said Clover. "I've already given the rundown of what happened to everybody."
At that moment, Geminus was already expelling her pink breath upon Clover.
"Please," said Dale, "use the Sands of Sanctity on Warren already."
Kendra nodded, then raised her hand up so that it was level with Warren's head. She then tilted the teapot forward and proceeded to pour the magical sand within it all over Warren's face.
Kendra watched as the sand that she had poured onto Warren's face magically sunk through his milk-white skin. Warren's entire head instantly reverted back to it's proper Caucasian flesh tone, which then spread down through his neck and ultimately restored his entire body back to normal.
"Huh?" asked Warren, coming to his senses. "What happened? Why are we at Fablehaven?"
"It was Murdred's evil eye," said Clover, throwing her arms around Warren, "the Demon God used it to turn you into a mute albino."
"Again?" asked Warren, looking embarrassed. "How long was I for out this time? Did I top my previous record of two years or so?"
"Warren, this is serious!" exclaimed Grandpa. "Murdred has Seth, and he no doubt has already forced him into drinking that elixir!"
Warren looked startled. "Oh no," he said worriedly. "No... What happened?"
"Murdred's evil eye did this to you," said Bright. "We barely managed to escape, but we couldn't save Seth."
Warren shook his head. "This is all my fault. If my actions hadn't tipped off Murdred, he never would've found us out, nor would he have seized Seth and forced him to drink that elixir. That Murdred is pure evil. And to think I'm the one who gets to be regarded as being sinister."
"Fortunately, most of us know better now than to believe in such nonsense," said Grandpa.
"Well, Murdred still does," exclaimed Bracken. "And if we don't take action quick, he's going to enforce his views and beliefs onto this world and transform it into a demonic wasteland."
"What are we supposed to do?" asked Kendra.
"If Murdred plans on invading our world," said Bright, "then we need to find a way to stop him."
"Would the instruments of eternal power be of any use?" asked Mrs. Sorenson.
"It's hard to say," replied Bracken. "We know that they'd be powerless within the Demon Domain. But against Murdred in this world, who knows? Hopefully, we'd still be able to use their power on ourselves, even within Murdred's presence."
"But where will Murdred even end up once he enters this world?" asked Geminus.
"Who knows? Those portals the negafae use, if they're anything like ours, could transport them to anywhere in the mortal world."
"Do you supposed he'll come here,?" asked Grandma. "To Fablehaven?"
"If his power has increased significantly," replied Bright, "then it's possible that he might be too powerful for even the barrier to stop."
"And Murdred can't die," noted Warren. "You couple his immortality with an unknown degree of power, and you've got yourself some sort of... living... killing... machine?"
"This doesn't bode well," said Grandma, cupping her forehead in the palm of her hand.
"Well then," said Grandpa, "We must take action before it's too late. I suggest that you travel to the Fairy Kingdom and assemble the instruments of eternal power. Hopefully, they'll give us the edge against Murdred should he succeed in entering our world."
"Oh, I did get the Necromaster back!" said Kendra, holding up the triangular relic. "But, even Murdred was unable to figure it out."
Grandpa sighed. "Then it will be of no use to us either."
"There's no time to waste," said Bracken. "Bright, Kendra and Warren, I want you to come with me to the Fairy Kingdom. We leave now."
"We're counting on you," said Clover, as Warren pulled the Translocator out of his bag.
"I think this thing needs a recharge," said Warren, holding up the artifact.
"Let me give it a shot," said Kendra, placing her hand onto the Translocator. As she made contact with the artifact, Kendra could feel energy flowing through her hand and into the ancient device.
"Where are you guys going?" asked Mr. Sorenson.
"We need to see mother right away," replied Bracken, as he took the Translocator out of Kendra's hand and proceeded to twist it. "You three ready?"
Kendra, Warren and Bright all nodded in agreement.
"Good, then let's go."
"I don't understand what this is all about," said Ingrid, "but I hope that you guys succeed."
Kendra, Warren and Bright placed their hands upon the Translocator. A moment later, Kendra soon found herself being whisked away by the magic of the artifact.
A moment later, Kendra found herself and her allies in the throne room of the Fairy Queen. Looking around the room, Kendra had nearly forgotten just how elegant and gorgeous the crystal architecture of the Fairy Queen's palace truly was; a complete one-eighty of what was to be found in Murdred's castle.
However, there was little time to admire the scenery, as the Fairy Queen, who was sitting upon her throne at the end of the room, was intrigued by their arrival.
"My children," said the Fairy Queen. "What brings you here?"
"Mother," said Bright, as the group began to approach the Fairy Queen. "It's awful. Murdred and his followers have kidnapped Seth."
The Fairy Queen gasped.
"That elixir that I told you about," said Bracken. "Murdred intends to administer it to Seth, if he hasn't already. If all goes according to his plan, Murdred will invade the mortal world, and we don't know how to stop him."
"We need the instruments of eternal power," exclaimed Bright. "Please."
"I'd prefer if it had not come to this," said the Fairy Queen. "Very well, I will send for the keepers and request that they bring me their instruments."
Remaining on her throne, the Fairy Queen closed her eyes.
"What's she doing?" asked Warren. "Sleeping?"
"Not sleeping," said Bright. "She communicating with the other keepers telepathically, letting them know that she needs their assistance. Be patient."
About a minute later, the Fairy Queen opened her eyes. She then stood up and clapped her hands together, prompting all five of the keepers to appear before her. Each one of the keepers was holding in their hands their respective instrument.
"Do you five understand the severity of this situation?" asked the Fairy Queen.
"We do," said all five of the keepers, nodding their heads in unison.
"So, do we just take the instruments back with us now?" asked Kendra.
Brillia shook her head. "You are going back, but we're coming with you."
"These instruments are our responsibility," said Opal. "If they're being involved, we want to be involved as well."
"Great," said Warren with a smile. "Right now we can use all the help we can get."
"Okay then," said Bracken. "Everyone gather around me. "There's nine of us altogether, so we're going to have to crowd around to make sure everybody is touching the Translocator at the same time."
"Make that ten," said the Fairy Queen, as she clapped her hands, prompting a large, translucent bubble to appear around the group.
"You're coming too?" asked Kendra.
"I must," said the Fairy Queen. "I am by far the single most powerful being in the entire Fairy Kingdom. If anybody can stand up to an enhanced Demon God, it would be myself."
"What's with the giant bubble?"
"If the Translocator is used within the bubble, it will transport all who are within range, regardless of whether they are making contact with the Translocator or not."
"Got it," said Bracken. "Let's head back to Fablehaven.
Bracken twisted the Translocator within his hands. Even though she, nor anybody else besides Bracken was even touching the Translocator, Kendra could feel herself being pulled through space. A moment later, Kendra discovered that she was back at the front yard of Fablehaven, along with everyone else who had been in the throne room at the time.
"You're back!" exclaimed Mrs. Sorenson, who along with the rest of the adults and dragons, had been awaiting the group's return.
"Your majesty," said Grandpa, sounding rather surprised. Facing directly towards the Fairy Queen, Grandpa bowed in her presence.
"You've brought the instruments of eternal power," said Grandma. "Let's hope that they can help us."
"What exactly should we wish for?" asked Kendra.
"Hold on," said Ingrid. "You're saying you can really grant wishes? No way..."
"Yes way," said Warren, "and we need to act fast."
"You people have it made," said Ingrid. "Just wish for Murdred to leave you alone, and for Seth to come back. Problem solved."
"It doesn't work that way," said Bright. "We've had no success in getting the Omega Star to work on anything from or within the Demon Domain."
"You guys have everything," said Ingrid. "If I had that Omega Star, I'd be set for life. I wouldn't run around, getting myself involved with demons and monsters."
"There's more to it than that," said Kendra. "My own brother and possibly the entire world are in great danger! And we don't even know what they did to Sarah. But you? You don't seem to care about anyone other than yourself!"
"Shut up!" blared Ingrid, who was now hyperventilating.
"No, you shut up!" exclaimed Kendra, feeling as though she was about to cry. "You're an ungrateful bum who just wants to take advantage of our hospitality! I don't know how exactly the Necromaster wound up in the Demon Domain, but the reindeer saw you running around. You lied to us."
At this point, tears began to fall down Ingrid's eyes. "Stop saying that!" she sobbed. "You're just a stupid, spoiled fairy princess! All you're missing is the dress and crown!"
"You want to see what a stupid, spoiled princess can really do?" snapped Kendra. "Bright, I order you to..."
"Kendra," said the Fairy Queen, "don't say it..."
Kendra took in a deep breath. "Put Ingrid into a deep sleep."
Bright then held out her hands and released a small stream of rainbow sparkles which floated over towards Ingrid. As soon as they made contact with the startled girl, Ingrid suddenly appeared to be woozy, as she let out a loud yawn, then bent down and curled up on the ground, closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"Sweet dreams, Ingrid."
"Kendra," said Grandpa. "What was that for?"
"I just couldn't deal with her right now."
Warren chuckled. "I thought you were going to ask Bright to turn her into a wombat or something."
"The thought did cross my mind. But that didn't seem fair. Bright, please transport Ingrid to her bed in the the guest bedroom."
"Of course," said Bright, as she snapped her fingers, causing both Ingrid and herself to vanish. A few seconds later, Bright returned alone. "All done!"
"Now, there's still the pressing matter of actually using these instruments of eternal power," said Bravia. "Even if we combine them to form the Omega Star, who's to say that it will grant us the wishes that we actually desire?"
"This could be a very sophisticated process," said Fairy Queen. "I wish to discuss and test theories with my five children and the rest of the keepers only. We will do so at the fairy shrine over at the naiad's pond. The rest of you, please do not bother us in the interim. We'll try not to be gone too long."
The Fairy Queen then flew off into the air, followed by all five of her children, along with Tiara and Opal.
"What about us?" asked Kendra.
"The other fairies must be taking the whole situation very seriously," said Clover. "Surely they can think of some solution."
"What's been going on?" asked Goldenrod, as she flew up towards the Kendra and the others, along with Passion and Larissa.
"You look... worried," noted Larissa, noticing the dreary faces that everybody appeared to be sporting.
Kendra and her family took their time explaining the current situation to Passion, Larissa and Goldenrod, making sure that they got a thorough understanding as to what was going on.
"That's terrible!" lamented Passion. "What'll we do if we can't build up the power to stop Murdred?"
"And if the Omega Star can't even stop him?" stated Larissa. "What then?"
"We don't know," replied Clover.
"What if I went fairyprime?" asked Kendra.
Clover bent her head down and closed her eyes for several seconds. "It's hard to say. While it would make you incredibly powerful, we still don't know just how powerful Murdred is, or is going to become."
"Clover's got a point," said Warren. "By becoming fairyprime and standing up to Murdred, you'd be putting all your eggs into one basket. What would happen if you became fairyprime, confronted Murdred, but lacked the power to do anything to stop him?"
"I don't know," answered Kendra, not knowing what to think. "But still, if that's what everything comes down to, I'm willing to take that risk."
"I'd be happier to know if the fairies could just find a more practical solution to this entire conundrum," said Grandpa.
"All we can do now," said Clover, "is wait."
Several minutes later, the Fairy Queen returned, accompanied by her five children, along with Opal and Tiara. Kendra noticed that the five instruments were back with their respective keepers.
As the fairies all landed on the ground in front of the group, Kendra could sense from the looks on their faces that they were all rather disappointed.
"What happened?" asked Grandma, whom Kendra assumed did not actually want to hear the expected answer, along with the others.
"We formed the Omega Star," replied the Fairy Queen. "But our wishes to stop Murdred in any way possible, as well as any attempt at rescuing Seth, or even Sarah, were futile."
"So where do we go from here?" asked Mr. Sorenson.
"Well," said Bracken, "our theory is that Murdred is presently still back in the Demon Domain, a place which the power of the Omega Star cannot breach. Since he's allegedly heading into the mortal world at some point, our best bet would be to await his inevitable arrival, and strike at him then."
"But what if that plan still doesn't work?" asked Mrs. Sorenson.
"We still have the five instruments," stated Bravia, brandishing the Drakesoul that she was holding. "They still work."
"And I can always become fairyprime," said Kendra. "Although Clover feels that it could be risky."
"Clover's assumption has meaning," noted the Fairy Queen. "I would hate for you to put yourself in what could potentially be an unparalleled level of danger."
"Right now," said Kendra, "I would give anything to help Seth."