CHAPTER FOUR

"Are you guys all set?" Cody asked as he scanned the carry-on-bags that were sitting on the floor.

It was still early at the airport, so there were only a few people about, much less than the usual crowd. Zack, Cody, Christian, Crystal, and Aaron were seeing the Jacksons off as they went back home to Australia to get some schoolwork done. Core, Tapeworm, and Bailey had already said their goodbyes back at the house.

"Yep" Sydney replied with a bright smile and a nod.

"How can they forget anything?" Crystal asked her arms crossed over her chest. "You made sure that they packed and repacked and repacked again to be sure that they had everything."

"Hey, better safe than sorry." Cody defended himself.

"Who cares about that?" Zack asked, jumping into the conversation. He turned to his friends. "Remember, souvenirs." He instructed.

"Like we could forget that either," Patrick rolled his eyes. "You want us to bring you something back every time we go back home." He couldn't help but let his excited smile slide onto his face. No matter how much time he spent with his family, or how many adventures that they had gone on, nothing could ever beat the feeling of being able to go home.

The sounds of pandemonium surrounded them: the indistinct chatter of thousands of the travelers, the loud, clear voices of airline personnel announcing gates and loadings, the frequent shaking resonance of airplanes landing and taking off.

They all looked up when the woman on the PA system announced, "Gate B-36 is now loading."

"That's us," Riley said and reached over to grab her carry-on-bag off of the floor.

Aaron pouted as he kicked a foot at the floor. "Are you sure you have to leave? Can't you stay here? You haven't been here that long and we still have a lot of research to do." His shoulders sagged.

"Trust me, if school was so freaking important than I wouldn't be leaving." Rhuben said her tone filled with sarcasm. She reached out and gave her younger cousin a light hug. "But you know we can't. Besides, Julius would kill is if he knew thought that we were going to drop out of school."

"I'd kill you all before he could," Christian reminded her and then gave each of his nieces and nephews a hug. "See you later, tell Julius and Maddie that we say 'hi'."

"And that we're waiting for them to come back and visit Boston again." Crystal added with a nod before taking her turn to hug her cousins. "We could use some help with some of our research and I'm sure they're getting tired of the surf and sand as it is."

"I don't think that's possible." Sydney said cheekily.

"I'm definitely going to miss your company in the lab, Syd." Crystal leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead before stepping back to her father's side. She, Zack, Cody, Christian, and Aaron waved as the boarding call to their flight was called once more.

"Bye," Noah smiled and waved as he grabbed his backpack and slung it up over his shoulder.

And with that, they moved into the never-ending chaos of the airport and disappeared from view, getting on their planet to go back home.

"Ah," Christian stretched his arms over his head before resting his right arm around his daughter's shoulders. "At least I can get a little bit of peace and quiet now." He said with a light laugh. Crystal rolled her eyes and pushed her father's arm off of her shoulders.

"Way to wait until the body turned cold." She replied, although she was shaking her head a little bit.

"Hey, you have to admit that I have a lot of patience having to deal with so many noisy teenagers at one time," Christian replied as he raised an eyebrow. He looked down at his watch. "To save on time, how about I go and get the car and pull it back over here." He suggested.

"Alright," Zack agreed with a nod. "We'll wait here for you." He crossed his arms over his chest and watched as Christian walked away. His eyes narrowed and he slowly started to look around the airport, as if he was watching someone. Cody noticed and peered at him, curiously, and Zack held up a hand, signaling him to wait a few moments before speaking. "Sorry," he apologized a moment later, I thought I just saw…" he trailed off for a moment, not sure if he should continue.

"Thought you saw Blazen?" Aaron guessed. Surprised, Zack looked down at the sightless boy, who was turned in his direction. "I could practically feel he wind that you were creating from whipping your head so fast."

"Wait a minute," Cody turned to face his brother. "You saw Blazen? Or at least thought you saw him?" He asked, Zack nodded slowly. Cody rubbed a hand over his mouth, confusion tugging at his facial features. "I thought I sensed Phantom around earlier today, when Bailey and I went to the park. Is that when you saw him?" Zack's jaw dropped a little as he nodded. The two usually weren't surprised when they did or experienced something similarly, but when it came to Elementals and Elements, nothing was easy about it.

"Let me make sure that I'm getting this straight," Crystal moved in between Zack and Cody. "You two both think…it's possible that you could have, but I'm not sure, that you've sensed your guardians around?" She asked.

"Why is it that no one believes me when I say this?" Zack asked, letting out a sigh of exasperation.

"Your track record doesn't really help you be believable," Crystal pointed out with a short shrug, causing Zack to make a 'humph' sound. 'But it seems to me,' she studied him. "That you're telling the truth here." She rubbed her chin for a moment as she thought. "Maybe it has to do with what Bailey was talking about, she kept that dream thing from us for about a month, and now some of our powers are manifesting themselves again."

She stayed silent for a moment as she looked around the airport. She turned and looked out the window, watching as a plane took off. Moving her hand from her chin, she let out a soft curse, running her hand through her hair. Twisting her mouth to the side, she turned back around to face Zack, Cody, and Aaron, the three of them looking at her intently.

"I think that whatever is going to happen is coming sooner than we think," She said slowly. "When we thought that we were through with the elements…" she shook her head slowly. "It was just the end of the beginning. There's more trouble headed our way."

Zack and Cody exchanged glances.

Great.

A/N: And after the first four really slow chapters, the adventure begins again! I hope you guys are all excited for it! Sorry it was a short chapter.

Cheers,

-Riles