"You coming to the training ground today?" Isabelle asked Andie.

They were standing outside school the next afternoon. It was the usual end of school rush around them. The wind had dropped, and the sun was slowly setting, casting its golden glow on the trees and buildings around them.

"Yeah, I am." Andie replied. "Why?"

"Can I ride with you? Jess and Em are riding together."

Bane who'd finished a little earlier, would be there already.

"Sure. But I can't make it tomorrow," Andie warned as she unlocked her car. "I need to get home early. My parents are going to diner with some clients, so I need to watch Hannah. They still won't leave her alone even for a second since I told them everything..."

The girls climbed in and Andie brought the engine to life. She waited until she was out of the parking lot, then glanced briefly at Isabelle and said:

"Go on. Ask me."

"What?" Isabelle inquired, frowning.

"The question you're dying to ask me," Andie said with a smile. "I can tell you have one."

Isabelle was too smart to try and deny it, and Andie knew it, so she didn't. After a brief hesitation, Isabelle finally asked:

"... Do you think you made the right choice? Telling your parents everything?"

Andie didn't answer at once. She'd been asking herself that ever since she'd done it.

"... Honestly, I want to think so. But the truth is I don't know for certain. Sometimes, when I see the looks they give me, how worried they get when I come home a little late... I wonder if I shouldn't have continued to keep it a secret."

She paused, trying to put her feelings into words.

"But at other times, when I can tell them "I was out training" rather than make up another lie, or tell them if I learned a new trick with my powers... and just being aware that they know and understand... I think I did make the right choice. And you were right about one thing; If we go to the Demon Realm again, and get stuck there, it would be helpful to have adults on our side. They could be key to appeasing the others and avoiding having the FBI looking all over the country for us."

"Fair point," Isabelle conceded. "So, moving on... how are things with Bane?"

"Much better. He finally opened up on what was bothering him lately, so now we're fine."

"Oh, good. Glad to hear it."

That was another reason Andie liked Isabelle. She didn't pry or ask what Bane had told her. Jessica, on the other hand, wouldn't have left her in peace until she'd heard every detail.

"Yes, I must admit I'm relieved. I couldn't stand seeing him like that without knowing how to help him."

Isabelle smiled.

"You guys are cute. It makes me a little jealous."

"You'll find your Bane, Izzie, I know it," Andie said confidently. "And in fact, you'll probably find out it happens when you least expect it."

Soon after, they arrived at the training ground. It was an old abandoned factory they used to train in, as the park was too risky and crowded. Bane, Emily and Jessica were already there, warming up. Balon, Terra and Aera were also there.

"About time," Bane said jokingly, stepping towards them.

Andie smiled. He really did look more relaxed since he'd told her about his mother. She supposed that getting it off his chest really had been beneficiary.

"Well, we're here, aren't we?" she grinned as she kissed him.

"Now you're all here, we can get started," Balon said.

Andie and Bane exchanged amused glances and followed Isabelle to join the others. Once they were all warmed up and ready, Balon stood before them, the other former guardians alongside him. He looked from one to the other, then said:

"Before we begin, I want to let you know how proud we are of the incredible progress you've all made. I suppose you know I expressed certain... reservations initially. But you are all growing stronger every day and proving me wrong. In more ways than one."

He glanced at Andie and Bane on these last words. They had been one of the main reasons for arguing among the group. Balon didn't believe she was good for Bane, partly because they reminded him of his own relationship with Adena, which had its own complications.

"Now, I would be lying if I said you are ready to fight Zorak. I don't think any human, as powerful as they are, can be ready to fight a Demon Lord. But I do believe you can beat him. Together. However, it will not be an easy fight."

They nodded. They had always known that. Every encounter they'd had with either Zorak or Zarias had been a narrow escape. Even the last time, the only reason they'd not been all killed was because they'd used all their energy to shove Zorak through a portal back to the Demon Realm. In fact, Andie had several times wondered why he hadn't charged back right after that. Probably because he'd known they'd expect him. And he didn't seem the type to do the same thing twice.

"So, for today, we will be focusing on things you wouldn't normally do. Be creative, don't let your opponent predict your next move. You are in fact the perfect adversaries for one another because you know each other's moves."

Rather than teach them all the same thing, he had worked with each of them, perfecting their strengths and compensating their weaknesses. He was about to signal for them to start sparring, when he turned around sharply.

"What's wrong?" Adena asked.

"Someone's coming..." he said, frowning.

They all stood very still, waiting, their fists instinctively clenching, ready to fight. A bright light shone in front of them. Andie shielded her eyes.

"Is that... a portal?!" Isabelle asked, aghast.

"It would seem so," Adena told them. "Get ready."

A figure stepped out of the portal. The light was still too strong too tell who it was, only that they were walking awkwardly. Andie frowned.

"What the hell..." Bane's voice said behind Andie.

As the light faded, Zarias appeared, bloodstained and walking with difficulty. Bane immediately called on his bow, but Andie caught his arm.

"Wait!"

Looking back at Zarias, she saw he didn't look threatening at all. He was pale, sweaty and barely able to stand.

"Please... help me..."

And he fell to the floor.