Alan couldn’t move, he almost dared not to breathe, he knew she’d gone home, he knew she’d been homesick for centuries. What the hell was she doing back here? His mouth must have been hanging open cause Hopix started to laugh, “What have you missed me that much Alan?” Hopix giggled.

“I thought you were gone for good! When I took you home I felt the longing in you to stay there.” Hanging his head Alan whispered, “I thought you’d be happier there than here with me. Alright! Yes damn it! I missed you that bad ok?”

Hopix couldn’t believe what she’d just heard, Alan had missed her? Why? She was just a simple Fairixie, trying to do her job for the council, to save as many as she could before Alan was either tired of the job or was killed. Just the fact that he’d freed her planet, plus saved what was left of her family, she would devote the rest of her life to him.

“Alan,” she breathed out trying to control her shaky breath, “I am here to help you, many things that are wrong were my fault, such as the one that had taken my planet.” Here she hung her head, she couldn’t tell him not yet, if he wasn’t ready she’d loose him forever, she’d waited far too long to allow that to happen. “I am hoping that we can set right so many wrongs that were done by the recruits that I tried to train.” Again she hung her head.

“Hopix,” Alan started. “I am more than willing to help you and accept your help, we’re a team and a damn good team at that.”

Hopix had been hoping he would say something like that but it was still too soon for her to say anything, if she lost him right as they were getting started, she’d never recover. She’d been researching this at home the whole time after her grandfather had said what he had, or she’d have been back a hell of a lot sooner.

“I hope so Alan, as I said there is so much to do yet, we have barely scratched the surface.” Hopix almost whispered.

Alan was still slightly in shock, not only had Hopix come back but she still wanted to work with him. Hell he still felt he was the worse mage that any of them had ever seen.

“Alan you really have to stop thinking like that! You are truly a rare find of a mage, you are accomplishing things that haven’t been seen in thousands of years.”

Again Alan was a little shocked, he didn’t think that his thoughts were that strong. Was Hopix actually a mind reader or was she more sensitive than most?

Hopix had to bite her lip damn it! Her and her big mouth! She wasn’t used to being this excited. As a matter of fact she wasn’t this used to being as confident in her abilities as she was now. She looked at Alan a feeling of pride growing in her chest, something else she wasn’t used to. What Alan had said was true, at first she had wanted to stay home with her mother and sister, god she had missed them for so long. Now thanks to Alan she had a family again another thing that she could never truly repay him for.

“I went over a report of your last job, you did extremely well Alan,” Hpoix said.

“I don’t know how you think I did well, it took Queen Glimmer and your people to convince them to let me help them, not exactly a glowing review,” Alan replied.

“No but, you have to think of it this way,” started Hopix, “you wasted no time and found a solution within minutes of thinking of it. To me and I’m sure to them you are definitely a hero, your quick thinking saved them even more suffering.”

Ok, Alan thought, when you thought of it that way he … might have helped a bit. Hopix sighed what was she going to do with this man? It seemed he had no confidence at all, had his female partner drained it that much from him? Suddenly anger swelled in her chest, she wanted to do violent and terrible things to Alan’s mate.

Shocked Hopix shook her head then she felt the icy cold tendril of the dark council pull away. Hmmm trying to hurt Alan through her, crafty but wasn’t going to work, sticking her tongue out at them she felt them bristle then they were gone. She had to do something to bring Alan’s confidence up but nothing she thought of would really work, she’d have to work on this she sighed.

“The council has given you a few days off Alan, they think you need rest and a chance to relax. The only problem is I have no idea what people of this time enjoy, the previous selections liked different things.” Hopix could feel one of the things Alan desired above all the others, blushing she knew she couldn’t supply him with THAT! Well, not yet anyway but someday she hoped to, it all depended on Alan and his feelings if any that he had for her.

“It’s alright, I’m just glad I’ve given your people, the Slimtori, and the Tribocs a new lease on life.” Alan said with a sad smile.

Hopix hated to see Alan so sad, she vowed that no matter what she would cheer him up. Again she blushed, true she hadn’t in well over a thousand years, and Alan more than peeked her interest still she had to make sure of her and Alan’s feelings. It wouldn’t do to confess to Alan just to have him reject her crushing her feelings forever.

Alan rested the rest of the day ’bout damn time he thought, Hopix was just glad she had him back though it killed her not to reveal her true feelings she stayed by Alan’s side through the night. The next day Alan went to eat, Hopix actually went with him though no one else could see her, she was still a little afraid. Half way to the diner a shadowy figure stepped from an alley way, her eyes wide when they saw the Fairixie that was hovering close to her target. Hmm, she thought, at least the council was using their head this time, she’d kill his ass where all the others had failed! Alan ate watching everything that was going on, no point in going to sleep there were too many of those bastards on earth to ignore. He and Hopix had just left when he felt rather than saw the evil presence that was following him. Never subtle are they. Walking into the same alley Alan waited telling Hopix to stay back and what he’d felt.

Moments later a gorgeous woman walked around the corner, immediately Alan sealed the alley way.

“I don’t know why you idiots keep trying to get me to switch sides, it ain’t gonna happen!” Alan shouted, his anger rising.

The woman in front of him, her mouth dropped open, he was on earth! There was no way he had control of his power! “We no longer wish to get you to switch! You are now targeted for DEATH!” She screamed as she shot (go figure) a fire ball at him.

Extremely pissed off they were now trying to kill him, Hopix noticed that he was glowing brighter than ever before, but how? This planet always dampened all magic, it had for centuries! Yelling no, the fireball bounced back at the woman, screaming she tried to stop it, then hold it. Finally she cursed Alan telling him he was a dead man he was only one man they would kill him soon. “You can try but right now I have a count of twenty-three to nothing you make twenty-four, bye bitch!” Alan said as the fireball engulfed the woman then was gone as soon as her screams stopped.

Taking a deep breath Alan tried to calm down still not noticing his skin was glowing an intense reddish blue color. Hopix was startled she had to contact the council as soon as she could, in all the thousands of years she’d been doing this she’d never seen a human express his power visually while on earth. Smiling she thought it had to be Alan he was the most unusual human she’d ever met or … shaking her head no! He couldn’t be! There was no way! Sighing she could see she would have to take another trip home too, things were starting to get stranger by the moment.

They’d both just gotten in to his room when the light council contacted them. “Alan please forgive us but we have a case that we need you on, it appears that this planet is about to die. It has been drained to the point that the core has started to destabilize. It also appears to be the same one you met on the last planet, Do you think you are rested enough to face him?”

Alan thought for a moment feeling the strength he had, “I believe I am, though not as strong as his brother he is still powerful enough to harm a great many.” Alan replied.

“Good, please leave at once,” the council ordered. Alan laid down, Hopix flying to his side, “be careful Alan, this one is far smarter than his brother, plus I feel that he will have many escape plans.”

Alan nodded, lying down he closed his eyes and reached out for a planet like the council had described. Within moments he was there, the sky was dark, the air foul. Reaching out Alan found the source of all the planet’s distress.

Again Alan felt the same entity that he had on the Tribocs planet. Reaching deep Alan powered up as much as he could, his anger also building. Releasing it he sent as big a fist shape charge at the entity as he could. He felt the other crumple from the onslaught almost all the energy fleeing back into the planet.

Appearing next to the again lizard shaped magic user, Alan reached in crushing his shape shifting ability. The lizard creature screamed looking at Alan, again Alan crushed two, then three, and then a fourth ability before the lizard’s eyes got huge and he flashed out. Damn it! Hopix had warned me but I was so anxious to stop him I let him escape, at least he can never do this again, nor feed off others but the other two abilities Alan was unsure of. Alan reached out, feeling all the beings on the planet close to death, freezing all of it, Alan tried to accelerate the energy feeding back into the planet, finally the planet started to feel more like it should.

Releasing all the life was harder than he thought, within moments a massive amount of green fuzzy life forms were crowded around him. Alan, though tired, had to make this planet safe, extending, he first protected the core, then the beings.

They all stared at Alan with wide eyes then they all bowed, “We thank you Tranzarie no other has ever shown the caring and compassion that you have. If you ever have need of us, you forever have an ally and friend in all of us.” the leader said.

“May I ask what you call yourselves? Alan asked feeling a little stupid asking but had been taught if you didn’t know ask there was always power in knowledge.

“Yes Tranzarie, we are called Trembly,” the leader replied. “We will raise an effigy to you so that all will know that we are not alone that at least one being cares for us.”

“I do not like to be praised as a god that I am not, at present I am trying to stop many with power like me who think they are.” Alan explained.

“Yes, we have sensed this, take this,” the leader handed a box to Alan… which fell through his hand. Again there were a great many gasps. Many withdrew in awe, “you … aren’t really here are you?”

“No, I am still on my planet, though I do wish to help as many as I can I am not always truly there.” Alan said.

The leader bowed, “we respect your wishes Tranzarie when you can we would greatly love a chance to actually meet you. When you depart this will follow you and be near you, it has a great many more benefits than just travel. Please be well Tranzarie.”

Alan just blinked, ok where was the fight? The suffering he had to ease? This was an unusual case there was nothing that he’s gone through in the first three cases he’d been on. Still unable to move Alan just stood there waiting there had to be something that he’d missed. The cases were never that easy, and to win the love of a people for really doing nothing but showing that he cared? Alright he thought what was the trick! Nothing was ever that easy especially for me! Suddenly Alan felt a tug and was opening his eyes on the bed in his room.

“How was it?” Hopix asked as soon as he appeared.

“Something is going on.” Alan said, “I’ve never had a case go that easily!”

A moment later he summoned the council, “Alright what the hell is going on?” They all looked at Alan with questioning looks, I’ve never had an easy case.” He then proceeded to tell the council everything that had happened.

“Wait,” the elder spoke up, “you actually entered his mind and crushed his abilities?”

“Yes. I thought that’s what I said, he can’t change form anymore he’s a lizard ’til I let him change, he can’t absorb power anymore. The other two I’m unsure of I made sure they wouldn’t come back I sealed them after I broke them.

All of the council members were sitting there with open mouths, they’d thought it a fluke when Alan had done it to the man on Hopix’s world but for him to actually do it in a battle was far more impressive.

“Also I set the core of the Trembly world so that it could not be hurt again.” Alan said.

Again the council members were amazed not only had he defeated the lizard man, taken some of his power but the Trembly had actually spoken to Alan an unheard of thing! A moment later the multicolored box appeared next to Alan.

“Oh yeah, they also gave me this and wish to actually meet me some time, I told them I would when I can.”

Hopix’s heart swelled with pride, she knew when she’d found him that he was special, but it wasn’t ’til now that she realized just how special he truly was. The council all stared in dumbstruck appreciation of the control block that Alan had, a block that could let Alan go anywhere he desired, even the few thousands of blocked worlds. It had been no wonder the dark council had attack the Trembly world.

Alan held the cube in his hands feeling all the love and compassion that had been poured into it. He was about to set it down when he heard a weak call for help, huh? looking around he thought he heard it again.

“I’ve heard a call for help,” Alan said, “I don’t know how to use this yet nor….” Alan felt a short shock then he could see where the call was coming from. “I can see it, I can see the people, they look so much like Hopix and her people; though they are very pale in color, paler than even Hopix was.”

Hopix’s eyes grew large, but how? No one had heard anything from that planet in over 5000 years she should know she’d sent her younger brother to investigate. If it were true perhaps her family could be whole again. Tears began to fall from her face she hoped it was true she had missed her brother fiercely.

Alan stood transfixed staring at the cube seeing scenes that only he could see playing before his eyes. Moving closer Hopix touched Alan’s shoulder suddenly she was immersed in the same images standing next to Alan.

“My god!” Whispered Hopix, “it’s our sister planet, so far away.”

Alan turned to stare at Hopix he could see her staring in sadness at the ruin and decay. Suddenly they both heard a small cry for help, rapidly they were drawn to where the voice had come from. The council was all opened mouth again Alan was seeing a blocked word? Was it possible that they had given him the power to go there?

Rushing forward they came upon a younger looking version of Hopix. Hopix gasp, “that’s my brother he’s hurt.”

The council looked at Alan, “you can obviously go there but you are on your own Alan, we lost any chance of helping the people there centuries ago. If you free enough of them we will then be able to intervene, but not ’til then. We wish you well and success, you go in blind as we have no information about this place.”

Alan just nodded then turned, “I realize this but this was a genuine cry for help that I cannot ignore, if I can free the world, I will, if not, then I will leave it with those, that wish to leave. Please be ready either way, we both know that the dark council is upset over losing those four worlds I feel Hopix’s world would have given them an advantage that might not have been overcome. They know I have the cube and I feel they are preparing for my arrival.”

The entire council nodded each impressed with Alan’s desire to free all that he could on the sister world. Looking at Hopix he nodded, “I’ll bring him home if I can, know this,” Hopix nodded and threw her arms around Alan’s neck, tears falling freely and unashamedly then Alan touched his other hand to the cube and was gone.

Oh my god! Hopix thought he actually went there! Hopix knew that the Trembly were powerful but she didn’t think they were that powerful! I have to do something she thought, thinking of the last place he’d gone Hopix concentrated ’til she was standing on the surface of the planet. Her mouth opened in amazement it was beautiful! She sat not sure what to do or who to talk to. Looking at many of the flowers she smiled using her magic to bring them fully into bloom. They were so lovely! The beings here must love them, no longer concentrating she started to bring as many of the flowers to bloom as she could, the aroma was so good she just couldn’t stop. It was about this time that she noticed quite a few of the green fuzzy beings watching her. Suddenly afraid, she went to the elder, “Elder sir, I wish to apologize to you and your people for bringing your flowers out early. They were so lovely and I thought I’d try to make it more beautiful for you and them. I meant no harm, I am not thinking clearly.”

“Little one,” the elder started, “never in our history have we had a powerful magical being help us, and in the same day another powerful magical being apologize to us. Tell me little one, are you acquainted with the Tranzarie Alan?”

Hopix mouth dropped open, she was just trying to help a habit she’d gotten from Alan, how did they know?

Bowing Hopix nodded and said, “yes elder, I am his magic watchdog for the council.”

“Ah! I see! You had a chance to go home yet you came back to Tranzarie Alan, how long have you had a room in your heart for him?”

Again Hopix could only stare opened mouthed, no one knew! “I don’t…”

The elder chuckled, “be still little one, to us emotions are nothing to feel and read, it is how we truly know when a being means us harm or not. Now then, why are you here, and don’t worry you actually helped, Alan forgot the flowers when he saved us all, a minor point compared to all the other life here.”

“I am worried elder, Alan has gone to the sister world of my planet, my brother is there. The council has no knowledge of it, as it has been blocked by the dark council for a long time.” Hopix said still worried about Alan.

“I feel Alan is more ready than you think, the cube helps him to focus and think clearer he will be fine but he needs you little one, don’t think he doesn’t and don’t wait too long before you tell him or the secret of your people.”

Again Hopix could only stare at the elder.

Alan appeared on an open field, there seemed to be nothing alive at all. Even as he stood there a small squad of Fairixies moved in to attack him, it was almost the same as before.

Reaching out he caught the leader wrapping her tight he saw she was just as the one’s on Hopix’s world had been, clearing her mind then blocking outside control she looked up at Alan, “Where am I?” then her eyes grew large, “Please protect me,” she begged.

Damn here we go again, Alan thought.

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