Trip to a Fae Realm: A collaborative Fairy Tale (by invitation only please)

*On the Earth side of the portal to Fae-rae, Collette stood silently gathering her thoughts for a couple of minutes after first answering Chaz's questions. "Where was I in the tumultous past year and months? Sending out my healing techniques from many different realms and versions of Earth to help heal those who were afflicted by zombie attacks. And yes I am not from Earth or this realm either. Where I am from only Krystal knows and even that is very dangerous information to know. I do sense you have a good heart but I also sense envy for those who have skills and abilities like magic or flight or, like me, knowledge of healing going back several centuries. Not everyone uses their Morphon powers to show how superior they are to those without them."  

Yes what AphraeltheFaeChildGoddessofInnocenceversion3 and Corrine had told her about these new heroes and heroines was what she had expected in this new dimension that had replaced the one she had formerly known KrystalLynn in, but some things never changed and she knew she would definitely have to watch out for Chaz just to make certain nothing too out of the ordinary took place around them.

"Things constantly change yet funnily enough sometimes we find ourselves once again repeating things we remember doing a long time ago. Some may call it deja-vu, others something else, and still others destiny, but I am extremely glad Aphrael has learned to stop talking mystically and talks normally like most of us. It really makes conversations easier."

"It is time I revealed my secondary reason I have accompanied you here Krystal. I hope you can understand that this is something that is very confidential, but Aphrael and the Academy trust your discretion highly still as personally you have never used any knowledge from us for monetary gain or to your personal advantage over us.

As you may have personally surmised, Aphrael is from a different Fae realm that sadly no longer exists except in the memories and lore of the Academy. Or so we had been taught for centuries. Now though some of us have had... dreams from what seem to be dark versions of ourselves. These 'shadow' dreams are something Aphrael and Sehanine can not decipher so I have been asked to speak with the loremasters here about dreams too."

She grinned a little foolishly almost like a young adult again. "Maybe we are all going a little crazy from the odd phenomenon known as Morphons but I am glad to go to a quiet location with little to no pollution or environmental destruction. It really makes concentration so much easier."

Visualizing in her mind, Collette's clothing very subtly turned into the following then she turned and walked into the portal



As she came through the other side she could easily tell some of her new companions were basking in the tranquility of this land of eternal beauty while certain others were just getting into the realization this was real and not something from a technological simulation.*

Krystal crossed through the portal, and as she stepped away from the ring of stones in the direction of her gathered companions, she spoke a single syllable in the language she had used earlier.

"Welcome to Fae-re, my friends...", said Krystal to her companions.

The glow from the ring quickly dissipated as Krystal exchanged greetings with Ernie and Alexis.

Her companions from the HR dimension noted a subtle change in Krystal's appearance. It was not so much a physical change as perhaps a change in her demeanor.  She appeared at once more relaxed, and perhaps, more regal.

Alexis gave a slight bow in her direction as he said, "Welcome home, Princess K'rysta'llyn... it is good to see you again..."

Chaz's jaw dropped open slightly, as Krystal replied, "Hello, Alexis... I trust you've been keeping my husband out of mischief..."

Alexis grinned and said, "One can but try, milady...".

Alexis gave a slight bow in Krystal’s direction as he said, "Welcome home, Princess K'rysta'llyn... it is good to see you again..."

Chaz's jaw dropped open slightly, as Krystal replied, "Hello, Alexis... I trust you've been keeping my husband out of mischief..."

Alexis grinned and said, "One can but try, milady...."

Krystal grinned back and replied, “Realistically, trying is all I could ask for, Alexis.  Alex has never been a man to delegate anything he thinks would be fun to do, regardless of the danger involved or how many others are more suited to the task than he.”

“True, milady, but to be fair, very few are actually more capable than he is,” Alexis responded loyally. “However, I do make sure he has sufficient back up and support when he decides to go out in the field, just in case.”

“And I do appreciate it, Alexis. You are the best person I know to look after him,” said Krystal. “Now, I see that you have met my dear friend, Allyson.” Krystal indicated an obviously awestruck Crossroads. “ Allyson, I present to you Alexis. Alexis is a very dear friend to me and my husband.  Alexis, this is....”

“Oh, I know who this is, milady,” Alexis admitted merrily. “We have actually met once before and I may have given her a little boost. I have been following her exploits quite closely since her run in with Morganna.”

Crossroads shyly stammered, “Umm...yeah...yes. Alexis spoke to me when we were dealing with the photonic beings.  He introduced himself and gave me a surge of energy that enabled me to break out of the pod they had my essence in and find Leslie and everyone else.”

“He didn’t tell me who he was,” Allyson continued excitedly. “But I know he is one of my dimensional counterparts.  And now I know what was so familiar about the energy he gave me – it was Fae magic and reminded me of you, Krys-!”

Allyson broke off suddenly, looking at Krystal with eyes wide. “I-I-I m-m-mean, m-m-Milady,” Allyson apologized and blushed furiously.

Krystal’s cheeks colored ever so slightly. ”Please, Ally, you can drop the ‘Milady,’ you are my friend and I don’t use my title very often, anyway,” Krystal said. “Please, that goes for all of you....Except for you, Chaz.  I think I would quite like to hear you address me so formally,” she said with a teasing laugh.

Chaz grumbled and said, “Yeah, not gonna happen.”

“Anyway, Ally, my husband Alex is the commander of the Fae Court’s security forces and Alexis is his deputy commander. He will be the one who will give you the briefing on what the Court has decided to do with Morganna and answer all your questions.  He might even teach you a few things.  You never know.  It seems he somehow teaches me something new every time I see him.”

Chaz continued to listen as introductions were made and when Alexis addressed Krystal by her Fae-realm title, he failed to fully contain his surprise. Once again, he began to suffer his feelings of inadequacy being around so many people with unusual abilities and powerful positions. What must it be like to have so much, so easily?

He thought of his own family. His father served in the military for a few years but never climbed to a high rank. When he retired, he opened up a small accounting firm with his sister, Chaz's aunt. His mother was an interior designer who dreamed of being an artist. Together, they saved up enough money for Chaz to attend a good college. They would never be in any history books or change the world, and in the end, neither would he.

But the people he was surrounded by could travel between dimensions, cast spells, and now, were royalty in the Fae Courts. They would all down in history as important, noteworthy beings. Probably even the new chick who claimed to be a healer and wouldn't even bother to answer Chaz's simple question.

Chaz brushed his doldrums away, not wanting Krystal to sense them. He had successes that were his and his alone, and whether he had powers or not, he was happy with who he was and what he did. As long as he had a story to report on and fun to be had, he didn't need any of the gifts these heroes had.

But that didn't mean he couldn't also press an issue or two to get a reaction. He moved up to Krystal as she listened to Alexis and Allyson speak.

"I asked you once where you found the time for it all, Krys," he said. "Scientist, hero, reporter, and I didn't even know about the Fae princess part then. Here you are straddling so many worlds, with you and your husband busy in different dimensions. What are you planning on doing when you have kids on top of it all? Will it ever be too much?"

Krystal drew Chaz a few feet away from the others, and gave him what amounted to the true story of her life.

"Chaz... ", said Krystal, "... 10 years ago, in dimension S-H-C, I had only just graduated from college and began studying for my first doctorate. To my knowledge at that time, I was a totally mundane ordinary human, albeit one with a gift for languages and some skill in fencing. Then a lab accident activated my fae abilities to save my life. I found out my dad had gone human to marry my mom, who had met her on a trip there to study mortals.

My fae heritage saved my life, gave me abilities that were both exhilarating, and at times, frightening. It took some time, but I tend to be stubbornly determined, as you have reason to know. I had adventures that developed my abilities further... further than I could have ever conceived... I became aware of all the intricacies of my heritage, made friends, made enemies, got married... I'm still just a little southern girl at heart, but I am determined to meet every challenge that rises to meet me.

I cannot, will not, ever back away from doing what I feel is right.

Yes, I can be overwhelmed, though not as easy as I once was... I just have better than average luck, and access to resources that others don't have... I have made sacrifices in areas that others probably wouldn't have considered.", she concluded.

"Fair enough," Chaz said to Krystal. "You've had quite a life so far. And I am sure you've made some huge sacrifices. Your marriage must be the ultimate long-distance relationship. Do you ever wish that you, your husband, and kids could settle down and have a normal life? Together?"

Krystal looked away from him as he asked the question, not wanting to make eye contact. "Chaz --"

Silver Paladin joined the two of them. "Is there a reason everything is so misty white here?" As he said that, he toppled to the grassy floor of the glade, his armor clattering noisily as he fell unconscious.

Krystal and Chaz rushed to kneel at his side, joined shortly after by the others. His form shimmered and faded through differing states of transparency.

"What's wrong with him?" Crossroads asked.

"I'm don't know," Krystal said as she prepared a spell. "Yet."

As suddenly as he started to become incorporeal, his body solidified once again. "Wha...What happened? Why am I on the ground? We're we attacked?"

    Gerri immediately set up a runic barrier around the group.  She knew it was important to keep everyone safe.  Krystal had to help Silver Paladin.  Ernie had grabbed a few cookies from his pouch in hopes they could assist.

    Futurina instinctively reached out to him with her vast psionic powers only to have them amplified and reflected back onto her.  The gold circlet performing quite well.  She let out a scream and a single tear of pain rolled down her cheek.

    "Theresoelae..." Ernie uttered before stopping.

As Krystal knelt beside the fallen knight, she sent a mental call so powerful that even Chaz winced from the sheer strength of it as it passed thru and traveled beyond to the forest.

"FARIYS, TO ME... HURRY!!!"

For seconds nothing happened, then a fairy burst into sight, then another, then another, then dozens from every direction.

The company of small magical beings zipped in towards Krystal, each pausing a mere moment at the runic barrier, then continuing.

The first reached Krystal's side.

"Milady?!", she inquired.

" 'DUST' this warrior...", Krystal commanded.

With a nod and a throwing gesture, pixie dust covered the fallen silver-clad man.

Krystal, muttering rapidly, cast a spell over him.

"That should stabilize him until we reach the Castle.", said Collette, "I'd have done that myself, but until Oberon authorizes my magic to work here... I'm powerless."

"I know, Collette... I should have gotten you authorized beforehand, but I didn't think it would be necessary.", said Krystal.

The unconscious form was lifted telekinetically.

The fairies were dismissed, but the majority followed anyway, as the group made haste in the direction of the Castle of Dreams.

    Gerri looked concerned for Futurina as well as Silver Paladin.  There was nothing she could do For Silver Paladin until she was cleared to use the old powers here.  Runes she could use as a guardian, but not the old powers.  She decided to ask Futurina about what happened.  "I thought magic didn't affect you?"

    "It doesn't," Futurina replied.  "It's just a gold circlet," She was running so she was keeping her answers short.

    "So why did it hurt you?" Gerri was curious.  Chaz was listening in.

    "Gold amplifies my powers," Futurina explained.  "It's why Lord Claus made Gerraxia's armor out of gold.  On someone else I can use it better.  On myself, gold reflects my amplified abilities back on me.  It's painful."

    "That's why King Eldran made her wear it," Ernie interjected.

    Chaz made some mental notes.

Before Silver Paladin lifted too far off the ground, Chaz moved to him and removed his helmet to make him more comfortable. It still struck Chaz as funny to see his own face behind the heroes face covering, but Silver Paladin had allowed his hair to grow longer and bore a trimmed beard.

"Are you all right? You passed out." Chaz asked. "I don't have to be worried, do I?"

Silver Paladin drifted back to sleep before he could answer. His skin had a strange, sickly yellow pallor to it.

Chaz moved along with the group and listened as his mind dwelled on Silver Paladin's condition. Their life-forces being intertwined since Silver Paladin's creation, neither of them knew what would happen if one or the other met an untimely end. If coming here hastened the discovery of ill omens to their shared fate, Chaz didn't know if he could forgive Silver Paladin for dragging them here.

As he overheard Gerraxia and Futurina speaking, he couldn't help but feel worse for her.  It sounded like she needed a really good attorney to get the archaic, barbaric tortures rescinded from her name. Or in her specific case, from her cranium.

*"If I did not know any better from my training, I would almost say that the natural magic here has acted as a catalyst upon Silver Paladin if he was at all created through forces involving chaotic magic to serve as a protective alter-ego of Chaz," Collette said while talking to Chaz while they quickly traveled to the Castle of Dreams.

"If true, this would be the second time I have been witness to this type of phenomenon. It is not a common one in my life's work as this only happens when one of a type of magical ability first enters a realm fully awake that is of the opposite whole nature of the ability in question. But this is only a theory of mine Chaz so you are free to have your own and not listen to any useful advice I might be able to offer."*

As if speaking to a medical specialist with technical opinions beyond what a layman would understand, Chaz could only look on with bafflement as he tried to comprehend what Collette meant.

"Protective alter-ego? Chaotic Magic? Phenomenon?" Chaz muttered. He never really considered the mechanics behind the formation of Silver Paladin. One day he didn't exist and the next he did. Those were the facts Chaz understood.

But he also understood shade when it was cast. "Have your own theory or listen to my useful advice."Collette's demeanor sent a clear message.

Apparently arrogance and uppity-ness transcended dimensional barriers with ease.

Allyson rushed through the beautiful forest after everyone else.  She wasn’t sure what happened.  One minute everyone was greeting everyone else, witty banter was being exchanged, conversations with references she didn’t understand were taking place...and the next minute, Silver Paladin just completely face-planted into the forest floor and those with magic or healing skills surrounded him as he started fade away.

But then he woke up a few seconds later like nothing happened. And then he passed out again.  Krystal and the others seemed worried. Even Chaz was worried. Apparently, from what Allyson gathered, Silver Paladin and Chaz Hamilton were somehow linked.  When Chaz removed Silver Paladin’s helmet, it was like looking at twins, although one had a beard.

At Krystal’s command, several fairies (God’s honest little fairies like Tinkerbell!) burst from the surrounding woods and sprinkled “pixie dust” (really!  Pixie dust!) on Silver Paladin and he floated into the air, carried along with Krystal and the others attending him.

Futurina stared at Silver Paladin and suddenly screamed, startling Allyson.  Allyson started towards her, but Alexis placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

“Please, leave her be,” he said. “She will be fine.  It is part of what she must endure while she is here.”

Allyson stared at Alexis in confusion. “But why?  She was obviously in pain, yet only Gerraxia helped her.  I don’t understand!”

“You are a compassionate soul, Allyson, and I honor you for that, but The Freak’s story is one I may not tell.  She can tell you if she wishes.”

“What?  What did you call her?” Allyson asked with disgust in her voice.

“Please,” Alexis said patiently, “I only call her what our law requires us to call her.  That is something that she can also tell you.  Regardless of our thoughts of her, our laws are absolute and we must obey them until they are changed or rescinded.  I am sure that is why she has returned to us.  To redress a wrong and to get Justice.  Finally.”

“There is so much I do not understand...,” Allyson bemoaned.

“That is a curse you mortals bear.  Fear not, though, it happens to everyone, mortal and immortal, alike.”

Shaking herself, Allyson decided to change the subject. “So why don’t we just portal to the castle instead of slogging through the woods? I mean, you are one of my alternates – or I’m one of yours – so don’t you use portals, too?”

Alexis laughed easily, even while running. “Why, yes I do use portals. Many of us Fae can use portals.  I am more adept at them than most.  My methods may be more magical than yours, but I can go pretty much where I desire.”

“Then why not straight to the castle?”

“My dear girl, the castle is the seat of our power, the home of our beloved King and Queen!  We do not let ANYONE pop in and out of the castle for ANY reason whatsoever.  Their safety is paramount.  Any method of travel into and out of the castle and its environs by any means – magical, dimensional, psychic, astral, clairvoyance, clairaudience, scrying...If there was a way to see, hear or get into the area, we warded against it.”

“Only the King and Queen can ignore the wards.  Not even I can break them and I set most of them. The only way for us to get there is to walk, I’m afraid.”

“Oh,” said Allyson, sheepishly.

Chaz hurried to catch up to Krystal.

"How is he doing?", he asked with an anxious expression.

"He's stable for now and should revive quickly once we are within the castle... I believe the extremely high mana field of this dimension threw his system out of balance. I have contacted the castle telepathically, and they are preparing for our arrival... Don't worry, it's not far now.", said Krystal.

Allyson, hearing Krystal mention telepathic contact with the castle, inquired, "I thought that any method of contact other than physically was rendered impossible by the wards that Alexis described to me."

"For most, that would be the case... I'm a bit of an exception... being a member of the Royal line, I can over-ride certain aspects of the wards... and my husband resides in the castle, also... no magic known to fae-kind can disrupt the mental bond of a pair who are both blood-bound and oath-bound."

"Oh...", said Allyson quietly.

    Gerri was excited but also concerned for her friends.  Whatever was happening to Silver Paladin was beyond her knowledge but if she were allowed to use the old powers here she might be able to help him.  The injustice that was done to Futurina made her angry.  She didn't know exactly how old Futurina actually was.  She didn't want to know.  She knew that she had been denied access to Alfheim for five hundred years.

    She thought of Chaz and what he must be feeling.  He had to trust a professional rival for the safety of what appeared to be a twin brother.  Gerri knew that wasn't the actual case.  She could sense the magic from Silver Paladin.  She wasn't exactly sure how Silver Paladin came into existence but knew he meant a lot to Chaz.

    Ernie had informed her that by law she now had to call Futurina "The Freak".  That was wrong on so many levels.  She didn't want to hurt her friend, she also noted neither did Ernie.  He had mentioned that she should seek out Kosuth.  Gerri recognized that name.  What happened to him?  It doesn't say in her book.  She wished she could just release Futurina from her bonds and that they could just walk into the castle as the elves they are.

    She looked over at Allyson and Alexis.  They looked so much alike though one was male.  It was interesting to see how they were the same and different at the same time.  

    Gerri then thought of Krystal.  It was odd to think of her friend and mentor as an actual princess of the Fae.  She was on her way to meet King Oberon.  This was amazing and somewhat scarey.  she didn't want to say the wrong thing to him.

Walking along with the rest of the group, Chaz pulled out his communicator and activated the recording app.

"Captain's Log. Stardate, I don't know. We've traveled through a strange portal into the land of the Fae, home of Krystal Fae. It seems strange to me that a society as ancient and civilized as these people are believed to be doesn't have a system of transit to their castles. What I wouldn't give for an Uber right now."

Gerri, who had been burdened by her thoughts, couldn't restrain a short giggle at Chaz's comment. Alexis and Allyson hung back from the rest and walked side by side, deep in their own conversation and didn't seem to hear Chaz. Futurina kept a stoic face as usual, while Krystal Fae rolled her eyes.

"Fortunately, Chaz, it seems you didn't wear a red shirt for this trip." Krystal said.

"Well, come on Krystal, you have to admit I'm right. I've got nothing against walking, but Ernie here seemed to know we were coming or else he wouldn't have been here waiting. Same for Crossroad's friend. Why didn't we have some mouse-drawn pumpkin carriages waiting for us to take us to this castle of yours."

"There are similarities, of course Chaz, between your fairy tales and the Fae realm, but don't expect every  example to be true," Futurina said. "The carriages are pulled by unicorns, not mice."

"Don't put ideas in his head, please," Krystal plead. "He's trouble enough as is."

"Hey, I'm not the one who teleported me along with them to Bursa. On Earth, you blip and boop everywhere you want. I for one am looking forward to meeting these people who manage to keep you and your powers in check to some degree."

"Be careful what you wish for, child of Earth," a quiet voice purred from behind Chaz's left ear. "If restraint is what you are looking for, I would be more than pleased to show you my collection..."

    Chaz turned to see Futurina with a mischievous smile on her face.  The first smile from her he had seen on this trip.  He glanced over at Ernie who gave a knowing smile.  That verified some of the things Wyld Fyre told him.

    "You really are a freak, aren't you," Chaz quipped then realized that wasn't a very good thing to say when he saw her smile fade as though she'd been slapped.

    "Please, don't call me that," Futurina said dejectedly.  "It's bad enough my own people have to call me that here.  I don't want the people of my home to call me that."

    "He didn't mean it in that way," Ernie corrected as he gave her a quick squeeze.  "You know that."

    "Yes, I do," Futurina stated.  "That doesn't make it hurt less.  I wish I'd brought my whip.  That wouldn't be proper or considerate for this trip."

    "I hope we can get many of the injustices reversed for you," Ernie commented.  "I hate those rulings by the Elven High Council almost as much as the ones by King Eldran."

The group was rapidly approaching the Castle of Dreams, the heart of the fae realm.

Krystal signaled to Alexis.  "Yes, milady?"

"Please take Collette ahead and ask Oberon to authorize her magic... have Alex ready to maneuver the guards to facilitate a quick entrance.

"At once, milady...", he said.

"And Alexis..."

"Yes, milady?"

"We've been friends for decades... once again, and for all time, except in highly formal settings, will you please drop the 'Milady' stuff."

"As you wish, Mi-, I mean, Krys."

Krystal grinned at the near slip...

As Alexis took hold of Collette's elbow, he said, "Just relax and allow me to move you..."

"I understand...", she said.

Krystal slid over to mutter to Chaz, "We've been holding back a bit, in deference to you and Allyson."

She nodded to Alexis, and He and Collette became a blur of motion in the direction they had been traveling with the group.

Chaz blinked twice, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

"Krystal, I can't speak for Allyson, but don't hold back on my account. I came here to see the Fae Realm and if you do it with kid's gloves, I won't really get the full picture, will I?" Chaz said. "Is there anything here you don't think I've witnessed during the Battle in Bursa or any of the other potential cataclysms?"

Krystal returned a wry smile and removed her glasses. She placed them in a small, stylish case and raised her naked eyebrow at Chaz, charging it to its maximum stun. "As you wish, but remember. Sometimes it is wise to be careful what you wish for."

Massive pressure built against Chaz's chest as he was moved forward at phenomenal speeds. His hair swept back like a dog with its head out the car window while his lungs begged for air. He suddenly became fully aware of how a bullet must feel while propelling from the chamber of a gun.

And he loved every minute of it. Cedar Point. Six Flags. Eat your hearts out! 

Krystal slid over to mutter to Chaz, "We've been holding back a bit, in deference to you and Allyson."

Allyson watched as Alexis took Collete’s arm and suddenly become a blur streaking in the direction of the Castle of Dreams. However, Chaz looked gobsmacked. Recovering his usual brash reporter attitude, Chaz essentially dared Krystal to do her worst.  With an arched eyebrow and a sardonic smile, Krystal Fae obliged him.

With a smile of genuine delight, Krystal looked at Allyson and asked, “Ready to see a fairy castle?”

Allyson smiled back, nodded, and said, ”I am so ready!”

Taking Allyson’s hand, Krystal placed her other hand in the middle of Chaz’s back. Suddenly they were the blur streaking into the distance.  Chaz whooped like a child on a roller coaster. Allyson had seen many heroes who were of the speedster variety, and she actually had speedster powers herself, but rarely used them since she could dimension skip instantly anywhere she wanted. Still, she has moved at high speeds before and had forgotten how exhilarating it felt.

This was different than simply running at super-speed. They weren’t actually running. It was as iflike they took one step and when the step ended they were miles from their last location. Then they took another step. It was like the fairy tales with the Seven League Boots, each step took you seven leagues.

Scenery rushed by in blurs of grey green and momentary flashes of bright light and color.  Allyson assumed the light and color were when they passed through flowered meadows bathed in sunlight and the greys and greens were from the shadow dappled trees and foliage of the deep forests.  Allyson hoped that she would have time for hikes through the pristine countryside of this dimension.  

They suddenly came to a stop.  Krystal chose her stopping place quite carefully for maximum impact on her companions.  There, in front of them in all its wonder, glory, and majesty was the Castle of Dreams, seat of power for the Fae and home of the legendary King Oberon and Queen Titania. It was everything that Allyson had dreamed of and more. So much more.  A tear of joy escaped the corner of Allyson’s eye.

Chaz, for once, was respectfully silent. Except for one word:

“Wow.”