Dylan and Jessie Taylor get caught arguing over pictures of things they want in a catalog, and Mr. Taylor reprimands them and urges them to seek things that really matter, not material possessions. Sent outside to cool off, Dylan interrupts Fred Faustus and his henchmen, who are stealing the Imagination Station. Dylan is unable to stop them, but is able to save a stray dog named Sherman, which Dylan returns to its owner, John Avery Whittaker ("Whit") at Whit's End.

Whit, Eugene Meltsner, and Dylan decide to fly to Faustus' hideout in the Strata-Flyer to retrieve the Imagination Station, which Faustus has turned into the Manipulation Station, which tricks people into thinking they are getting their fondest wish, but which really makes them his slaves. Whit and Dylan are trapped in the Manipulation Station, which sends them to the Dark Ages, where they are challenged to a joust by the evil Knight Faustus. Whit accepts the challenge as a way to get Faustus' helmet, which controls the Manipulation Station, but is accidentally knocked unconscious by Dylan, who picks up the sword to battle Faustus himself.

Faustus tries to convince Dylan to leave Whit and return to Odyssey with him, but Dylan refuses, out of friendship and loyalty to Whit. During the joust, Whit regains consciousness and gets the helmet from Faustus. They return to Odyssey, but Faustus disappears. Whit gives Sherman to Dylan and flies off in the strata-flyer. Later, at home, Dylan tells his Dad that he knows that all of God's treasures are right there at home.