The girls decided to take just one car, since they were all going to the same place: the Westfield Capital Shopping Center on Black Lake Boulevard. Jessica would hear of nothing else when it came to shopping.

“Oh, and we have to find you an outfit for Friday, as well,” Jessica said next to Andie, who was driving.

They had met up at Andie's car after school that Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't raining, but the sky was a pale gray above them as they made their way through the streets.

“Jess, I have plenty of perfectly acceptable outfits, thanks,” Andie said.

Friday was the day of the audition for the concert that winter. Andie had been working on several songs, not yet sure which one to chose. Ardente tried to help, but she had next to know musical knowledge.

“I know, I know.” Jessica said impatiently. “But you need to look perfect!”

Andie rolled her eyes without looking at Jessica, who had already jumped on to another subject. Andie had thought about asking Balon if he wanted to come along, but had thought he probably saw enough of them as it was. After all, he and Balon were the only men in the group. Eventually, they reached the parking lot, stopped and climbed out. Andie tightened her jacket around her and followed the others to the elevator.

“So, where do we start?”

“You called, father?”

“I did, Zarias,” Zorak said thoughtfully. “How long has it been since my powers vanished?”

“Almost twenty years, father.” Zarius replied.

“Yes, indeed. Even to us demons, twenty years sounds like quite a long time, doesn't it?”

Zarius merely shrugged, unconcerned.

“Now, my problem is that I do not wish to have to wait another twenty years to obtain what I want.” Zorak continued.

“No, I suppose you wouldn't,” Zarius agreed.

“I first intended to let the new masters of nature embrace and master their abilities before striking”, Zorak went on, standing up and pacing. “But I have grown weary of waiting. One could argue that I have waited twenty years already, a few more months wouldn't make much difference. Well, even as immortals, our patience has its limits. And I am beginning to feel that mine are on the brink of being reached.”

“What is it you want me to do?” Zarias asked.

“We will not attack them immediately.” Zorak decided after a moment. “That would be pointless. We shall test them, first. See how they fare. And we shall see from there.”

“Do you want me to carry out the tests personally?”

“No.” his father answered. “No, it is a little too early for that. We shall send them the Umbras. They will be enough to begin with.”

“Very well, father. I shall see that it is done.”

He bowed once more and marched out, the sound of his footsteps echoing ominously in the wide, empty throne room.

Andie managed to relax and put all the drama about Bane and her powers aside for a while. Although, that was probably also because she had to keep an eye on Jessica who was on a rampage. In just ten minutes, she'd found shoes for the four of them. Or, she'd chosen four for them, but they weren't quite as sure.

“Jess, have you seen the price of these things?” Andie pointed out when Jessica showed her a pair of Stilettos. “We can't afford these! Besides, I couldn't walk in them, either.”

Jessica didn't get discouraged, however, and eventually, the girls all had shoes they were happy with.

“Now... dresses!” Jessica said excitedly.

And that was equally fun. Sometimes, they tried ones they knew didn't suit them just for a laugh. The saleswomen said nothing, but Andie didn't miss their occasional glares. Eventually, Isabelle settled for a long pale blue one that was slit at the side, and reached just above her feet and had thin straps. It suited her perfectly. Jessica chose a purple dress with a sequin belt. It too looked very good on her. Emily's dress was a deep blue that brought out her long long hair and brown eyes. As for Andie, hers was a plain long backless white dress.

“Perfect!” Jessica said enthusiastically. “Now, Andie... you're mine!”

And for the next two hours, Jessica had Andie try on about twelve different outfits.

“... Jess, I don't see what's wrong with my regular clothes, why are you making me buy new ones?” Andie asked as she stood before her, a pair of tight black jeans and a red sequin top (which Jessica had insisted Andie try despite her protests).

“... Hmmm...” Jessica said. “No, that's too flashy for you.”

“Which is what I have been telling you for the past ten minutes,” Andie retorted. “And you didn't answer my question.”

“You can't audition in old clothes!”

“My clothes aren't old!” Andie protested.

“I mean something you've worn before,” Jessica said waving at her impatiently.

Andie sighed and rolled her eyes. At long last, after trying on yet another outfit, Andie saw Jessica's eyes widen, brighter than stars.

“There! That's it!”

Andie was now wearing a red jacket, with a white shirt and navy blue jeans. On her feet, she had black ankle-high boots with a small heel and silver buckle.

“Jess, you do know I could have found something almost identical in my wardrobe,” she said.

“Yeah, almost! Not identical! You have to buy that outfit! It's perfect!”

Andie mentally added the individual prices. That was her entire allowance that month! It was lucky her parents had given her an “exceptional extension” so she could by the dress... her mother hadn't been thrilled when she'd told her about the audition, but then, Andie wasn't sure she was thrilled about anything when her daughter was concerned...

“You're insane. You do know that, right?”

“Of course I do, but I love it!” Jessica grinned. “Come on!”

Andie was glad Isabelle and Jessica had bought themselves some clothes too, or she would have felt very silly with all her purchases while the others had nothing. At last, they were finished and left the store.

“You are going to be awesome in that!” Jessica said. “Come on, let's go find some accessories!”

“Whoa, slow down,” Andie said, catching Jessica's arm. “One, I'm not a billionaire. Two, I have plenty of jewelry that will do just fine.” Andie said. “And,” she added when Jessica tried to interrupt, “I think I'm already making a lot of efforts for this thing. This as far as I'm going."

“But-”

“Jess, I love you, but you're being a tyrant,” she insisted. “That's enough.”

Jessica seemed about to protest, but Emily intervened:

“Come on, we should go get a little training done or Balon will think we're slacking. He probably already does, but it couldn't hurt to try and prove him wrong.”

Andie was only half surprised to find Bane already hard at work with Balon, when they reached the clearing. A part of her couldn't help but feel angry at the former guardian for pushing him so hard. And for forcing him to go through it all alone. Another part had to admire the grace of Bane's moves. Scolding herself, she shook her head and walked on. She could just make out the circle that kept the demons out. She supposed it also hid them from view, because they hadn't seen anyone looking curiously at them.

“Hey, Bane,” she called as they slid through the protective barrier.

He and Balon paused to look up.

“Oh, hey, guys.” Bane said, greeting them with a smile. “I didn't think I'd see you today.”

“We thought you've been alone enough,” Andie answered, glancing at Balon.

So, for the next hour, they trained. By seven, The girls decided it was time to go home, because their parents would be getting worried. And they were all exhausted. But just as they were about to get ready to leave, Balon looked around sharply.

“What the...”

Bane was scanning the area too. Andie began looking too.

“What is it?” she asked in a low voice.

Bane didn't look at her.

“... Demons.”

“Demons... as in... evil demons?” Jessica whispered, trying – and failing – not to sound nervous.

 “Do you know any good demons?” Isabelle asked.

“Silence!” Balon ordered.

Just then, black shapes slid into view from behind the trees. Andie heard noises behind them and spun around. Sure enough, more black beasts were creeping towards them. They looked hairy, but were shapeless, the only distinguishable feature being their bright red eyes.

“Balon, they're not ready...” Ardente said anxiously.

“We'll have to be, Ardente,” Andie replied. “All the training in the world won't mean anything if we don't know how to handle the real situations.”

Ardente didn't seem too happy, but appeared to agree with her.

“I think I have an idea.” Andie said. “Balon, you once said these things can't stand fire, right?”

“Yes, but your power's not strong enough yet...”

“We have to try.”

She looked around, watching the demons creep steadily closer.

“We're safe inside the circle,” Jessica reminded. “Why do anything?”

“Because even if we are, those things might go after innocent people!” Emily retorted.

“Oh... right.”

“Everyone, stay close to me,” Andie said.

They did. Still and focused, Andie kept her breathing steady. The demons came closer. And still closer. Until they reached the light circle. One particularly rash stepped over it. And was unharmed.

“Impossible! It shouldn't be able to even touch it without being repelled!” Balon said.

Quick as a flash, Bane's bow rose, and his arrow flew, spearing the demon, which vanished. Angered and emboldened at the same time, the other creatures moved forwards.

“Blaze of fire!” Andie shouted.

The circle of light glowed golden red and flames erupted from it, hitting all the demons near it. After a few moments, the flames vanished.

“Andie?” Bane asked, looking around for more demons. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah...” she gasped breathlessly. “I'm alright.”

“There are more coming, look!” Isabelle said suddenly, pointed.

Sure enough, more black shapes appeared, angered at the demise of their friends.

“What do we do?” Emily asked.

“... We fight.”

To everyone's surprise, it was Jessica who had spoken.

“I have too much to look forward to to let some black hairballs stop me!”

She picked up a branch to use as a weapon. The former masters had also taught them how to handle someone with a weapon when you didn't have any. Just then, one tried to jump at her. She swung her makeshift bludgeon upwards, knocking the beast aside and turning around, waiting for another. Bane immediately picked up the other pieces of wood they had been using and quickly passed them around. The spirits, still in their tangible form, used them too.

“Blaze of fire!” Andie called again, setting her weapon alight.

Ardente had taught her how to summon fire without the heat. They all spun and leaped, hitting the demons and watching each others' backs.

“It's like there's no end to them!” Jessica growled, pummeling yet another demon. “What's the deal?”

“It's a test...” Balon said. “I'm sure of it. He's gotten tired of waiting so he's seeing what you can do and if you're a threat for him, yet.”

Andie felt like being under a microscope and looked up before she could stop herself as if expecting to see a huge lens above her.

“But it hasn't even been a month yet!” River exclaimed. “How in the world would he expect them to be ready?"

“He probably doesn't,” Ardente said. “But he did once admit we were the only people he considered worthy opponents. Maybe he wants to see how well we've trained you."

“Is it just me, or does this Zorak character sound like a complete psychopath?” Jessica asked.

“He's not a psychopath, he just has no sense of right or wrong,” Aera said.

“Like I said, a psychopath,” Jessica said.

In normal conditions, Andie would have rolled her eyes and told herself Jessica was as stubborn as ten mules, but she was just the tiniest bit preoccupied.

“This is getting nowhere!” River said, repelling three more. “We're going to attracked unwanted attention any moment!”

“I know what to do. Andie! Give me your hands!”

“What?” Andie exclaimed.

“Just trust me!”

Andie looked at him, then nodded. She turned to face him and slid her hands in his.

“We have to combine our powers... It's the only way.” Bane said. “Light and fire... Fire of Light? Burning Light...?”

“Blaze of Light,” Andie said suddenly.

Bane nodded.

“Together.”

Andie agreed mutely. They held hands tightly.

“Blaze of Light!”

******************************

Wow, combining powers? Cool, right? Let's hope it works, I hear it can be quite nasty when it doesn't...

What powers would you like to combine, if you could? Let us know in the comments!

Will Bane's plan work? Will the Fateful Five withstand this new attack? Find out in the next chapter!