Life in Briarwood before the Revolution:

Fall had started to show in the trees both at Rootcore and at school. Our favorite band of young heroes had the day off. They decided to head to a local coffee shop that was a block away from Rock Porium. It was named Le-ray's Café. There was a wide variety of coffees, smoothies, chilled coffees, etc. Besides Rootcore, school, Porium, and home, the café was another great spot for the Rangers to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The day was Saturday, October twentieth. Nick had finally gathered enough courage to ask Madison out on an 'official' date, as did Vida with Chip. Apparently since her recent trip down to Vampire status, Chip has been a great help and friend to Vida while everyone knew of the secret loves between Nick and Madison. Everything was going well until Xander came in without his 'study date.' He sat down, and looked at the floor. His eyes didn't move and his expression was one of a depressed person who had lost a loved one. He was wearing pin striped pants and a lime green polo. Nick was dressed in similar fashion but wore black jeans and the usual white undershirt for the first time without his jacket. Vida and Chip were matching in robot shirts that when put together, said "Robots are better lovers." Jeans completed the outfit. Since Madison volunteered to teach tennis to elementary school kids, she was still wearing her red tennis skirt and white tank top. Seeing how Xander was quiet, Vida took the initiative and asked what was going on.

"What happened? Where's Michelle?"

"I don't want to talk about it."'

"C'mon, it can't be that bad, can it?" Nick questioned.

"Yeah it can."

"Like…"

"She's a lesbian."

"She's a what?" Madison asked eyes wide.

"Lesbian. I saw her with this other girl from school. That new transfer student, Ary. They were doing what you guys do." He said pointing at them. Chip let out a low whistle as he sipped his iced cappuccino. A girl about Madison's age walked in the door. She was obviously new in town and carried an electric guitar that was slung on her back. Her purple hair glowed in the sunlight and her green eyes made her look more like royalty than a traveler. Her tanned skin showed that she was a constant beach fanatic. She was dressed in ripped flare jeans and wore a broken heart tank top. Rachel, the cashier and good friend of Chip's waved at her. She took off her apron as she walked around the counter to greet the stranger. They hugged and then stood at arms length apart.

"Hey Joan. I didn't know you'd be in town."

"Me either, but, you know me." The stranger replied pointing to herself. She had mix of a French accent with a British accent here and there.

"Haha. True. What are you doing here?"

"The life of a traveling musician. What else can I say? Besides, I'm going to play five shows this month here with my band. The singer lives here and everyone else is going to come in the following weekend. So," she said, putting down her guitar, "where can I set up?"

"Now? You're going to play now?" Rachel asked surprised. Joan nodded as she placed the guitar case on the floor. It was heavily decorated with punk bands from the 1970s and 1980s. Towards the middle of the café, Vida, Nick, Madison and Chip were trying to figure out ways to cheer their friend up. It wasn't long before Chip noticed that a ghost from his past had walked into the café.

"Hey guys," he started as he put his coffee on the short iron table in front of where Xander sat, "Wait right here." Within the next five minutes, four pairs of eyes followed him and stopped when they saw him talking to a girl they never saw before in their lives.

"Who's that?" Nick asked.

"Well, we're about to find out." Vida said as the girl who carried an amp and a guitar case walked with Chip back to where they were. Rachel went back to work and as promised, Joan would be staying at her house, but chose to stay at Chip's for the rest of the day.

"Guys," Chip said with a huge smile, "This is Joan Wars. A friend of mine from elementary school."

"We were in kindergarten. Apparently, he was the new kid and I shared my Crayolas with him." Joan said.

"So you met over a box of crayons?" Vida asked.

"Yup. Best friends ever since." Joan extended her pinky finger in which Chip took it with his own and they shook.

"We haven't done that in years." Chip said laughing.

"I'm surprised I even remember that."

"Have a seat Jo." Nick said, making room on the loveseat couch.

"Actually, I'm looking for an outlet." Joan said holding up her foot high amp.

"You play?" Madison asked.

"Yeah. I'm lead in a band and vocals. Well," Joan said, finding one under the table, "not lead singer, but it's a start. Besides, it's my job."

"Really?" It was the first word Xander said after Chip had brought her over. He quickly forgot about Michelle and about being depressed. His mood lightened a little since Joan came.

"Yup. We're playing five shows here then going to Reefside next month. After we play there, I think we're going to Angel Grove. Then, north to Toronto for spring and Europe for a few weeks."

"You're all over the place." Vida said.

"I know." Joan pulled out her black Fender that was covered in signatures of famous guitarists: Hendrix, Young, Ramones, the works. She began tuning it. When she was done, she looked at Xander and smiled. In her mind played little clips of his life since birth. Joan had a strange gift that made her unique: she was the incarnation of Merlin's apprentice, Morgana.

"So, any songs in mind?"

"Uh…" Nick said scratching his head, "Not one off the top of my head."

"Never mind," Joan said as she began to play a song she knew: 'Down and Out.' Her voice was raspy and blues like. More towards the style of Joplin, but less aggressive and smoother.

"Out of the box, out of the kitchen, out of the world she's grown so fearful of. So fearful of. I don't ever want to see you again. I don't ever want to see you again. Ny friend, this—is—the end." She paused to play the interlude while Xander felt a connection between the song and the incident, "Out of the house, she grabs the keys and heads for the hills. Doesn't leave a letter—that way the impact would be much better. Why oh why you wear sunglasses in the home when the sun went down about an hour ago. Why oh why you wear sunglasses in the home when the sun went down about an hour ago. Life shouldn't be that way. Always up or down—never down and out. Dream o' teens—" One by one, the rest of her band mates walked in the café and plugged in their instruments. They got here faster than I thought. The bass and drum pad were set up behind her. The music changed from slow to upbeat indie.

"Now that I'm grown I've seen marriages fall to pieces. Now that I'm grown, I've seen friendships fall to pieces. Weekend warrior and my best friends will live in our hearts. Why oh why you wear sunglasses in the home when the sun went down about an hour ago…Life shouldn't be that way."