The duo walked into the cave. The darkness was overwhelming. At first, the pair held fast to one another, each holding out a hand  to feel the walls. Then they stumbled as the hard stone gave way from under them into soft sand. 

The pair looked and found they stood at the edge of a sand garden. Standing in the center was a familiar-looking puppet: Andre Rogers with a sand rake. The path he raked went in one large circle.

“Oh, hello neighbors,” he said with a small wave to motion the duo to him. “I’m happy to see you.” An unseen crowd clapped as the duo sat on the low, flat rock. 

The anxiety was too much and Dan felt his chest tighten. He started to hyperventilate and hid his face. “I’m - sorry - ugh,” he panted. 

“No, no, Dan I sprung this on you two. Why don’t you take a moment. I’m sure the band has something chill they can play, right?”

The band off to the side with a frog puppet lead singer started a slow, electric jazz beat. 

Dan focused and started to relax. Ron relaxed as well, giving Dan a small thumb up motion. The band ended in a gentle piano trailing off. 

“Now, you two, I know this is unusual. Two puppets bonded by Glitter! Both Golem and Witch! How shall the Mountain Heart help you?”

“How do you normally help Witches?” Ron asked. 

“Well, usually, the Witch goes through a trial that allows them to understand themselves better. But I believe you won’t be needing that from me. Perhaps…” Andre thought a moment. “Mr. Ronnie, Mr. Dan, why don’t I allow you two a moment of closure?” Andre Rogers glanced over to stage left and said, “Gang, come on out!” 

With that, out came the whole group of their family and friends. Ron and Dan stood, grinning as the puppets approached. There were hugs and laughter. “Dan! Ron! What happened?” 

The two regaled the group, including the band and Andre, with how they arrived and how things have gone. “You four did fantastic with that daemon of decay,” Andre remarked. 

“We just gave some energy,” Dan dismissed. 

“Its wonderful you two are getting out there and expanding your horizons,” Ron’s mother said. “If only we could be there to cheer you on!” 

“We will!” Haley said. “In spirit!”

“Haley, thank you,” Ron said to her, “for being our friend and helping us through the hard times.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Casper,” Dan said to Ron’s mother. “You gave me strength and comfort after my own mother abandoned me.” 

“You’re welcome.” 

Everyone hugged and the pair sobbed, bathing their friends in their tears. They even hugged Andre Rogers. 

“Carry on the way of the Good Neighbor,” Rogers instructed. “And don’t lose hope.” 

“Thank you,” Dan said between hiccups.

The studio doors opened and a spotlight followed the pair as they walked towards it. They gave one last, seemingly final, wave to their friends and family. On to the future that awaited them. 

They stepped onto a plant garden with a giant crystal in the center. 

Sage waved to them from the other side and said, “Hey, told you!” 

“Yeah, look at us!” Ron said with a small clap. Then he paused. “Now what?”

“We press our hands to the crystal and the trial ends.” 

“Just like that?” 

Sage nodded. “Well, the crystal awakens your power or helps unblock some of your abilities.” They rubbed their exposed, purple and black arm. “Maybe heal my curse a bit?”

“Let’s hope for the best,” Dan said and stepped forward. “Like this?”

“Oh, uh, yeah. Let’s do it.” 

The three of them pressed their hands to the crystal. It pulsed in time with their heartbeats. The crystal’s light expanded and swallowed the four of them up. 

Dan and Ron floated close together, hands locked together. Between them, something clicked - their magic was like a dance! The two started to waltz together and the world faded back into view, the Words of Power glowing brightly.

Sage and Bevel hovered in the air together, Bevel cupped in their hands. “I don’t care if the Mountain heals my arm,” they whispered. “I’m just happy I was able to let Mom go.” 

“Me too, love.” 

Sage gave the tiny version of Bevel a kiss and the world came back into view.

The four of them stood outside the mountain, where it had dropped them off. Sage examined their arm hopefully and found the minor burn marks had healed. Some of the worst markings were a little smaller. “Whoa.” 

“Not fully healed, but maybe a little manageable?” 

Sage gave it a small magical charge and felt only a light discomfort - an improvement.

“Did it work?” Ron asked Sage next to him.

“A little. I think it helped make it … manageable. I’ll have to keep to basic magical arts instead of anything advanced.” They glanced about, squinting in the sun. They said with a dark tone, “Master Soren isn’t here.”