"You any good at clarinet yet?" Krystal teased Luke as she, him, Maddie, Anna, and Emma walked down the streets of Unicron Way, questing as a group. Luke carried his clarinet with him in a case that hung across his shoulder like a sachel and Madeline carried an odd notebook in her hands. Emma learned that those were their 'wandstruments'- tools they used to perform their magic.

"I'm better at playing the clarinet than you are at singing, that's for sure," He shot back.

"Try me," She challenged.

"Don't do it, Krystal," Maddie warned. "I'd rather keep my boyfriend in one piece."

"Hey!" He objected. "Do you have any faith in me?"

"I have lots of faith in you," Maddie answered, squeezing his arm affectionately. "But I have a lot more faith in krystal." Emma chuckled.

"Aww, are you gonna be ok, Luke?" Anna joined in. "Are you gonna need some ice for that burn?"

"From a Thaumaturge maybe, but not from a crappy necromancer." He said.

"Hey, do you see that?" Krystal pointed ahead, her voice switching to a more serious tone. "Isn't that a fairy?" Emma followed the tall Theurgist's finger to the small figure in the distance. It hovered over the ground like it was flying and its hair and clothes were dark and foreboding.

"Yeah," Anna answered, voice shaky with apprehension. "That's a fairy alright."

"But why does it look like that?" Krystal questioned. "It's unatural."

"That's not a good sign, something must've happened," Luke added.

"I'm sure we'll be hearing about it soon," Maddie sighed.

"True," Krystal nodded. "Let's just fight some Skeletal Pirates. We can head back afterwards. The fairies aren't our problem right now." The tall Theurgist decided and they all followed her into battle. She went first, of course, sending her pirate flying mercilessly to his doom with a gnome attack. Emma almost felt sorry for the monster.

Then was Luke's turn. With his clarinet, he summoned a Storm Snake and charred his pirate until it was nothing but a pile of ash. Luke nodded in satisfaction of his victory.

When Maddie began, she waved her right hand in the air, drawing out strange symbols while her open notebook hovered over her other hand. A second later, a scorpion jumped into existence and with his giant stingers, squeezed the skeleton's skull until it cracked and shattered.

Anna moved, performing a little quick step before transforming into a skeletal pirate just like her opponent. She swung her sword at it and sent it's bones rattling into oblivion, completely destroying him.

Emma felt very weak, seeing all her friends so powerful and skilled. She stepped up anyways and defeated her opponent in one hit with her summoned imp. Why couldn't any of them have been chosen? She wondered as the battle ended. Krystal could definitely take Malistaire all on her own. Why wasn't she chosen?

She could see her friend's proud gazes staring at her from the corner of her eyes. But we make a good team. We work well together even if I am the weakest link. We still get the job done.

She returned to Libra in her sleep, finding herself at the same mysterious willow. The ominously menacing eagle rested on one of the branches just as he had the previous night and Emma could feel his stare burning holes in her skin. She couldn't tell if he was just serious or if he was being rude to her on purpose.

"Have you understood my words?" He finally spoke, gaze unwavering.

"Y-yes," Emma nodded, cautiously.

"Good," he grunted and turned his attention toward the back of the tree. "We're all depending on you when the time comes." Then he said no more.

Emma took that as a cue to go see the others and went behind the tree. She found Blossom outside of her tent writing on a piece of paper. She approached her. "Hey Emma!" She sang. "I'm so glad to see you again!"

"I am too," Emma smiled properly. Blossom had such a calm demeanor that Emma couldn't help, but feel relaxed.

"I hope that everything that's happening isn't scaring you," She said with sweet concern.

"No," Emma assured her honestly. "It's just a little crazy. I'm having a hard time believing some of it."

"It's all very real, Emma." Blossom said. "All of this is real just as the Spiral is real." She still wasn't sure. Bartleby walked up to the pair chatting.

"Greetings, Lady Feathersong," He smiled at Emma.

"Sir Bartleby," Blossom curtsied, respectfully.

"Blossom," He nodded to her. "Is there something wrong?"

"No, Emma and I were just conversing," she said.

"Well then, Emma, are you coming to terms with all of this?" He asked. "I know it's hard to believe."

"I'm workiing on it," Emma answered honestly.

"I really hope you come to accept this," he said. "And accept us. I believe in you, Emma. I know you'll keep the darkness at bay."

"You're more powerful than you may expect," Blossom said.

"All wizards are much more powerful than they realize, but that's because their power does not come from themselves, but from their parallels." Bartleby reasoned. "You've got Apollo's blessing. That blessing increases your power even more than your parallel can."

"What do you mean by parallel?"

"That'll be for another time," Bartleby said. "All you need to focus on now is getting stronger. We all believe in you. We know you'll save our worlds." He laid his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes met his and Emma almost believe what they said. Almost.

A/N: Thank you guys so much for all the support! I don't know how many times I've already said it, but I honestly can't say it enough! We're almost half-way through! :D