Makenna, Ash, and Silvey left Aluna and were on the search for Tracey and Merlin's Beach. They went to Evelyn's, but found out she wasn't home, which meant Makenna was getting nowhere closer to passing Ash's trial, so they had to pass the time. Makenna didn't realize Tracey went missing until she, Ash, and Silvey learned that Evelyn wasn't home. She finally decided to turn back into a human and now wore a navy-blue, polka-dot ruffled tank, jean shorts, sandals, and a tan trilby hat.
While Makenna, Ash, and Silvey marched through Coutarine Island's jungle, Makenna tried her best to convince Ash that they should search for Tracey first, but he said, "No," and slammed the door in her face. That made Makenna mad, but she tried to stay calm like Tracey, though she failed miserably.
She asked Ash, "Why are we walking through the jungle?" and Ash answered:
"This is the fastest route to get to Merlin." He held Merlin's "extremely important parcel" under his arm and carefully stepped over a log.
"How do you know?" Makenna asked.
"Trust me."
"But what about Tracey?" Makenna ran into a spider web. Yelling, she quickly pulled it away.
Ash glanced over his shoulder at the Metamorphic Fairy and joyfully announced, "Come on, Makenna! Don't be a stick in the sand! Enjoy the adventure! Punch the air and shout, 'Yahoo, this is what I'm calling an adventure on a tropical island!"
"I'm not so sure about that," Makenna admitted. "How can I enjoy the adventure, Ash, when we're walking in a disgusting, tropical jungle during sunset and the boy of my dreams is nowhere to be found?" Suddenly, she realized what she had just said and smacked her hands over her mouth.
"Ah ha!" Ash laughed, whirling around to face her. "So ya do like Tracey! I knew it!"
Makenna blushed. "No, I don't! We're just good friends, Ash! Nothing more! For once, can't you take this journey seriously?"
Silvey peered up at her and nodded with agreement.
Makenna angrily puffed out her cheeks. She stormed past Ash and shoved him aside.
Silvey walked beside her, her feeler wrapped around her again.
While Makenna marched, she mumbled to herself. She ignored where she was going, though, and crashed into a tree. Makenna groaned and shook her head.
Silvey untied her feeler and studied the tree Makenna had crashed into.
From the tree came a hiss.
Makenna gasped when she saw a snake slithering down the trunk of it. "Ahhh! Snake! Snake!" She took off sprinting, and Silvey and Ash stared.
Makenna hurried through the jungle, not bothering to admire it. Before long, she dove out of a cluster of ferns and landed flat on her face on the sand. She had finally reached the beach Merlin claimed—or at least the other side of it. "Yes!" she shouted, reaching for the heavens. "No more!" Makenna leaned back down and kissed the sand.
Ash and Silvey soon appeared from the ferns after her and stepped onto the beach.
Silvey's jaw dropped when she saw how beautiful it was, especially during sunset.
Ash soon passed Makenna and lifted her chin with his index finger. "Well done, Miss Delling." He patted her cheek and pulled away.
Makenna blushed and reached for the cheek Ash touched. "Well done?" she asked. "What do you mean, Ash?"
Ash laughed again and explained, "Thanks to your fear of that snake, you got us to Merlin's Beach."
"I did?" Confusion flashed across Makenna's face.
Ash nodded.
At first, Makenna crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "If I did so, Ash," she asked, "then where are Merlin and Tracey? Huh?" The sun had set now, so everything around the two fairies and Silvey darkened. Makenna added, "I can wait for Merlin, but not for Tracey. Where is Tracey?" After she asked that, she noticed that Ash peered over her shoulder behind her. "What are you looking at?" Makenna inquired.
Ash pointed behind her, and Makenna turned. Her blue eyes widened at what she saw. Further behind her, Ash, and Silvey was Ronda's raft, resting in the sand and water. Even more, Tracey was aboard it!
At the sight of him, Makenna grinned. She glanced back at Ash, and he gestured her forward. Makenna sprinted ahead, heading toward the raft and Merlin's apprentice.
Tracey had just pulled down the main sail and was tying the rope around it. Gina rested on his shoulder, and she worriedly peered into his face.
Tracey stopped pulling the rope and gripped his injured arm again. The rag he wrapped around it was soaked with blood.
Gina's eyes landed on the stained rag. In a frightened voice, she told her friend through telepathy, "Tracey, you need to let somebody look at that."
"No," Tracey refused. "You see, Gina, if Merlin ever found out I went beyond the reef, he'd kill me."
"Tracey, please."
"No. I'm fine, Gina. Honest." Tracey finished tying the rope and rubbed sweat from his forehead.
Suddenly, he heard, "Tracey!" down the beach.
"Huh?" Tracey questioned. He and Gina glanced down the beach, and their eyes landed on Makenna.
"Tracey!" she yelled again, waving.
"Makenna!" he yelled back. "Makenna, it's you!" He hopped off the raft, but tripped on the sand and fell. Quickly getting up, he ran to Makenna, and they fell into a hug.
"Tracey!" Makenna repeated. "You're all right!" When they let go, she asked, "Where were you? I was so worried! Why did you disappear like that?"
Tracey shrugged and answered, "Sorry, Makenn, but I really wanted to see Merlin again, so I took Ronda's raft and sailed here."
Makenna glanced at the raft. "But how? The wave destroyed that raft! How is it suddenly put back together?"
"Well..." Tracey jiggled his hands, and green and purple sparkles escaped them. "Magic. Speaking of which..." He scanned Makenna up and down. "It looks like you performed the Sunset Delay spell, Makenn. That's a good look for you, too."
"Really?" Makenna asked. "Well, thank you." She pulled her hair behind her ear. "I thought it would be better if I didn't have my wings around you. You know, just because—well." She gestured at Tracey's bare back.
He nodded. "Thank you, Makenna, but you didn't have to do that for me."
Makenna shrugged. "Well, the other reason is that the wings were kind of getting in my way."
Ash smiled when he saw them. "Look at ya two." He tittered. "You're so cute together."
Still smiling, Makenna stomped on his foot, and Ash puffed out his cheeks.
Tracey soon became serious again and grasped Makenna's hand. "Makenna, come with me. There's something you need to see. We have a problem here on Coutarine Island."
"What?" Makenna's smile instantly vanished.
Also curious, Silvey stepped in front of her.
Tracey peered down at her and added, "Oh, who do we have here?"
Makenna rested her hand on Silvey's head. "This is Silvey. She's a fairy dog. I found her cowering behind some ferns on the beach near Aluna."
Tracey kneeled and came eye level with Silvey. "Wow, you're a pretty little dog." He rubbed Silvey's face, and she closed her eyes. It looked like she enjoyed being rubbed there.
"So, what's wrong, Tracey?" Makenna asked after a bit. She let Silvey wrap her feeler around her again.
Tracey stood back up and answered, "Just follow me." He turned on his heel and started down the darkening beach.
Makenna and Silvey met eyes, and then they chased after him.
Ash stayed behind, even though he really wanted to follow them.
Tracey turned to him. "Ash, you can see this, too. Makenna mustn't be the only one who knows about this."
Ash immediately whooped and hurried after the two fairies. "All right! Now, this is what I'm calling an adventure! Makenna, Ash, and Tracey are on a huge journey across the island! The Three Musketeers!"
***
Tracey led his friends to the rocks he had hopped across earlier and said, "Look, guys." He lifted his hand and pointed across the bay to a yellow light beyond the point where he had sailed out earlier. "See that light out there?"
Makenna and Silvey hopped across the rocks to get a better look at the light.
Makenna and Ash nodded, replying, "Yeah."
"That's a boat," Tracey frightfully explained. He dropped his hand and clutched his arm again.
"A boat?" asked Ash.
Makenna, too, said, "A boat?" She and Silvey returned to the two boys. "Wait a minute, Tracey, I don't understand," Makenna continued. "Isn't Coutarine Island supposed to be protected by a magic barrier like Merlin's Island?"
Ash bobbed his head. "It is. Do ya know if they can see us, Tracey?"
"They can," Tracey answered. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and tightened his grip on his arm.
"How do ya know?" Ash wanted to know.
"I just do! There's something wrong with the barrier! Coutarine Island is being invaded!"
Makenna's eyes landed on Tracey's hand, clutching his arm. She stopped Ash from speaking again by asking, "Is there something wrong with your arm, Trace? You look distressed."
"I'm fine!" Tracey quickly spat out. Makenna jumped when she saw him losing his calmness.
Releasing his arm, Tracey marched by his friends and headed inland. "But we can't let those beachcombers invade! This is the sprites' island, and the sprites' island alone! It's not theirs!" Suddenly, he crashed into somebody and tumbled back a few feet. It was Merlin.
"What's not theirs?" he asked his young apprentice.
"Sensei!" Tracey gasped.
Makenna and Ash did, too. "Merlin the Great!" they announced simultaneously.
Ash immediately tossed the wizard's parcel into Makenna's arms and crossed his own.
She gave him a funny look, but then smiled at Merlin.
Tracey turned and motioned at the boat again. "The beachcombers! There's something wrong with the barrier! They can see us!"
Merlin placed his hands on his hips. "And how do you know this?" he bickered.
"I-I just do, okay?" Tracey yelled. "We have to do something!" He closed his eyes and started to make his way back toward camp, where Raeven and Harmony waited.
Merlin let him pass, but he had a suspicious look on his face. Finally, he turned to Tracey and held out his elderly hand. "Let me see your arm."
Tracey stopped and removed his hand from his arm. Uh oh, Merlin was suspicious!
When he asked to see Tracey's arm, Makenna, Silvey, and Ash approached him together. All of them looked a little worried.
Tracey gulped and faced Merlin. Maybe he could get away with this?
He leaned the right side of his body, the one with Gina on his shoulder, toward his master.
He slightly glared at him.
Tracey didn't want everybody to discover his injury, though; he would be in so much trouble.
He pulled his side away from Merlin and stood up straight. "I'm fine, Sensei. I just have a little dirt on me. I have been training nonstop for the past month now."
Merlin didn't fall for that. Within seconds, he flung his hand forward and grabbed Tracey's arm.
Immediately, he flinched and yelled, "Ow! Let go!" in a painful voice. "I'm fine!" He tried to pull away, but Merlin held him tightly. Tracey was finally given no other choice.
Merlin pulled his sleeve up and undid the rag around his arm.
Makenna, Silvey, and Ash watched anxiously.
Merlin soon pulled the rag away from Tracey's arm, and he gently gripped it while he examined his bloodied and bruised wound.
Makenna gasped and brought her hand to her lips. "Tracey, you're hurt! Oh, my gosh! How did that happen?"
Tracey feebly chuckled. "You see, funny story. Um, I... Well, I mean... It's like this."
Merlin didn't let him finish. "Save it," he said in a stern voice. "You went sailing out in the ocean again, didn't you? That's how you know the beachcombers are coming, right?"
Tracey shut up. A wave of guilt washed over his entire soul and body. He tried to pull away again, but Merlin didn't let him.
Ash crossed his arms and looked away. He focused back on the boat's light.
Merlin shook his head and looked his apprentice in the eyes. "I am very disappointed in you, my young apprentice."
Yep, Tracey was definitely in trouble.
"Master," he softly spoke, "it's just, when I saw the boat out there, I had to check it out. I only went as far as the point, though."
"No," Merlin argued, "I am not disappointed because you sailed out to sea without permission. I am disappointed because you lied not only to me, but also to your friends. This proves to me that you are not ready to become a Wizard Fairy."
Tracey's guilt grew. He tried his best never to lie. "I'm sorry," he said.
"No," said Merlin. "Sorry won't cut it. I want you to explain to your friends here and me why you lied."
Makenna peered up at Merlin's face, and Ash continued to study the light.
"Bu-But," Tracey protested.
"Tracey," Merlin sternly spoke.
Finally, Tracey sighed and explained in a slightly choked voice, "It's just, after what happened last year, I didn't think you would be pleased and want to help me if I said I got hurt again."
"Is that all?" Merlin said.
Tracey slowly nodded.
Merlin relaxed his face. "Tracey, why would you think that? Of course, I'll help you. You're my son, and I hate to see my son in pain. Indeed, I'm not pleased by your actions, but it doesn't mean I won't help you. Why don't we treat this wound of yours and get settled down for the night? And, Makenna Delling"—he glanced at her—"I trust you have the extremely important parcel safe?"
"Yes, sir." Makenna held the parcel out to the wizard. "Here you go."
Merlin smiled at the sight of it. "Terrific. Hold onto it, though, until tomorrow. Make sure you're very, very careful. Don't ever let it get tipped over, okay?"
"Yes, sir." Makenna hugged the parcel to her chest, looking a little bewildered.
"And also, Makenna?" Merlin asked.
"Huh?" she wondered.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure. What do you want?"
"Can you," spoke Merlin, "fly out and check out the boat?"
"Check it out?"
"Yes. You know humans much better than Tracey, Ash, and me. If the beachcombers plan to come ashore tomorrow, report to me. This is your chance to pass Ash's trial and move a step closer to your Merfairy transformation."
"My Merfairy transformation?" Makenna looked very confused now. "Trial?" She looked at Ash. "What trial, Ash?"
Ash smiled and explained, "You'll discover that a little later, Makenn. Don't worry about Tracey. Merlin and I will take care of him. For now, I think it's wise for ya to follow Merlin's instructions."
"Sure," Makenna said, "but I have a slight problem." She looked herself up and down. "I don't have my wings anymore. How am I supposed to fly out there?"
"That is something ya have to figure out yourself," Ash continued. "Good luck, Makenna, and ensure ya report to us about what ya saw." He patted Makenna's shoulder and joined Merlin and Tracey.
Silvey stayed with Makenna, but she couldn't for long.
Ash gestured her over and said, "Come on, Silvey. This is something Makenna must do alone."
Silvey lowered her head.
Makenna patted her and said, "Go on, Silvey. Don't worry. I'll be all right."
Head still lowered, Silvey approached Ash and sat before him.
He again wished Makenna luck.
Merlin gently pulled Tracey forward, and the Wizard Fairy helped him.
Tracey peered over his shoulder at Makenna.
She watched as he disappeared into the shadows. Now she was officially alone on that section of the beach.