Athena sat with her back pressed against the wall and her eyes squeezed closed as she listened to the clock clicking by.

"You really look dead." Caleb jokingly spoke as he poofed into the room, causing the girl to slowly open her eyes as she stared at the man. "Wow, tough crowd."

"Please just let me go."

"If I did that, then you'd miss the guest of honor." Caleb smirked. "Also, you might want to change before they get here."

"What does that mean? Guest of honor?" Athena asked, but he didn't respond. All he did was snap his fingers, causing him to disappear.

"Wait, come back! What does that mean?" Athena shouted, standing up from the floor only to drop back down as she was hit with a jolt, causing her to cry out in pain.

...

After what felt like days of sitting in the chair nervously shaking her leg, Athena felt herself being pulled forward as she appeared in a different room.

"Ah, there she is." Caleb said, causing the girl to glance up to not only find Caleb but also the guys.

"Thena!" The three boys breathed out.

"Guys." Athena held back her tears as she rushed over to them, causing them to pull her into a quick group hug before she let go, gripping onto Reggie's arm, not wanting to let it go.

"Well, isn't that just sweet?" Caleb mocked them, causing them to send the man a glare. "I know you four aren't my biggest fans, and an eternity at my club might seem overwhelming. But... I just put you in sweet threads, so humor me this one last pitch. Now, for starters, isn't it nice that you're all here together?" That caused the four of them to glance at each other. "And believe me, everything you want, including Willie, is here."

Caleb walked toward the teens as he continued, "And on my stage, you don't vanish when the music stops. You soak up the applause for as long as you want. The connection that you will feel with that audience will be like no other. I promise."

"Guys don't listen to him. He's lying." Athena said, causing Caleb's head to snap in her direction.

"Am I?" Caleb smirked. "Shh. just listen.    Do you hear that? They're waiting for you."

The four teens were jolted, causing them to double over in pain.

"That one looked like it hurt." Caleb smirked. "Now, let me remind you: you don't know if playing the Orpheum is your unfinished business. Do you really have time to make that mistake? Do you think little Miss Athena has that kind of time?"

Athena felt Reggie squeeze her hand as she let out a gulp.

"I suggest you accept my offer, because the clock is ticking." Caleb took a sip from his wine glass as he watched them being jolted again. "Ouch! You know where to find me."

With that, Caleb turned and made his way onto the stage as music began playing.

"We gotta get you guys to the orpheum." Athena declared, causing the trio to turn and look at her.

"But what about you, Thena? You are in much worse shape than us, and we have yet to find your UFB." Alex pointed out, causing the girl to shrug.

"I'll be fine. I've lasted this long; what's one more night?"

"And how do you suggest we get out of here?" Luke asked.

"Still working on that." Athena said as the four teens locked eyes with Caleb as he looked back at them.

You know you wanna take a chance and be a little bit bad
Ain't nothing quite like living on the edge, so get ready to go
I'm chasing down a thrill, and lookin'
fit to kill
So listen to the words a wise man said
He said, "Covington, I got an offer that you can't refuse"

You got nothing to lose, boys
Lose, lose, lose

"Reg." Athena said, glancing down at the boy's leg as she watched it move along with the song.

"Guys, I can't move my legs. It's like I'm being controlled." Alex cried, causing them to look over at him as all of their legs began moving before Alex lifted his drumstick, twirling it between his fingers.

You got nothing to lose, boys
Lose, lose, lose

"Alex." Athena called in a concerned tone, causing him to glance over at her before he was forced forward, making him disappear and reappear on stage.

You got nothing to lose

Alex, show me what you've got

Reggie, swing it, baby

"Reggie." Athena mumbled as she watched the boy appear on stage before her attention snapped to Luke. "Luke, you gotta fight this!"

"I'm trying!" Luke exclaimed, trying to fight the pull but it was no use, Caleb was stronger than them.

Now Luke, yeah

You and me

How do you like my new band?
You got nothing to lose

So come over here, baby
I got what you need
Let yourself go crazy
All bets on me, it's electrifying
From your hat to your shoes
I feel it in the air
We got nothing to lose, nothing to lose, yeah

As the music stopped, the boys looked around at each other in panic before glancing over at Athena, causing her to nod over toward her, making them rush off stage.

"You guys gotta leave now, while Caleb is distracted." Athena declared, glancing over at the man as he soaked up the applause.

"What about you?" Reggie asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I-I can't leave." Athena admitted. "I tried, but I'm too weak."

"Well, we're not just gonna leave you here, Thena." Luke said, shaking his head. "We all leave, together."

"Together." Alex repeated, holding his hand out to the Michaels girl, causing her to hesitantly grab onto it before she grabbed onto Reggie's head.

"Together." Athena nodded.

As the four poofed from the club, Athena found herself standing in an alleyway alone.

"Guys!" Athena called out, looking around frantically. "Reggie! Alex! Luke!"

"Athena."

The girl quickly turned around to find the Molina girl standing there in a purple dress.

"Julie." Athena breathed out as she quickly made her way over to the girl.

"Where have you been? We've been so worried, and where are the guys?"

"Caleb happened. As for the guys, we escaped together, but I don't know where they ended up."

"Well, are you okay?" Julie asked.

"Uh... no." Athena shook her head. "I don't know how much time I have after tonight, and I really don't want to go without telling you how proud I am of you. You've come such a long way, and I applaud you for that. You were my biggest inspiration in life and in death. Your friendship means the absolute world to me. You're my best friend, Julie, and I'm glad we met."

"I'm glad too." Julie cried out.

"Now go show everyone how talented you are, okay?" Athena said, causing Julie to smile as she nodded, wiping away her tears.

Julie made her way over to the door, stopping as she gave Athena one last look before she rushed inside.

Athena let out a deep breath before she quickly whipped away her tears, following the way Julie went.

"Now give it up for Julie and the Phantoms."

Athena stepped up to the curtain as she watched the Molina girl with a smile on her face.

"Hi. I'm Julie. Um... tonight, I'd like to dedicate this song to my mom and best friend, Athena, who've been there with me every time I've played. Thank you for not giving up on me." Julie glanced over at the Michaels girl, causing her to send her smile. "I'd also like to dedicate tonight's performance to... three special friends... who have changed my life completely, who have music back to me. It was their dream to play here, and... this is for them. This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall. Thank you."

Julie carefully placed the microphone back into the stand, glancing up and letting out a breath she was holding before she began singing.

Don't blink
No, I don't want to miss it
One thing, and it's back to the beginning
'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep going on never look back

And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one more night
Light a fire in my eyes
I'm going out of my mind

Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall

Athena let out a gasp as the sound of drums filled the room as Alex appeared on the stage, causing a smile to grow on her face and making her clap her hand excitedly as she jumped up and down.

Next, Reggie appeared with his bass beside Julie, causing Athena's smile to grow more as the boy's eyes locked with hers, causing him to send her a wink.

Right now
I'm loving every minute
Hands down
Can't let myself forget it, no
'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep holding on, nevеr look back

Panic filled Athena's body as she watched the Patterson boy flickering in and out on stage, causing her to share a worried look with Reggie and Alex.

And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one morе night
Light a fire in my eyes
I'm going out of my mind

The girl let out a sigh of relief when the boy finally appeared on stage, causing her smile to return to her face.

Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall

Like I'm glowing in the dark
I keep on going when it's all falling apart
Yeah I know it with all my heart
Ooh, ooh
Never look back

Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Stand tall
Stand tall

Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall

As the music faded, the room erupted into cheers, causing Athena to watch the band with a proud look on her face as four of them stood on the end of the stage together, soaking up the applause.

She knew the Molina girl would be fine without her, so without a second look, Athena left.

...

After what felt like an eternity, Athena poofed into the studio as she fell to her knees, gasping for air.

"Thena!" Alex exclaimed as the three ghosts rushed to her aid.

"W-what's wrong?" Luke stuttered out, looking at the girl worried.

"I think it's time." Athena breathed out.

"What no. I can't lose you yet." Reggie said, pulling the girl into his arms and allowing the boys to see her face. She was very pale. "Please try and hold on a little longer."

"Reg, I don't think I can." Athena spoke barely above a whisper.

"It's just like you told me; you gotta fight this." Luke exclaimed, but the girl felt tired.

Athena slowly lifted her hand up to the Peters boy's face as she wipped away the tears rolling down his face before whispering, "I love you guys. I'm glad we met."

"We love you too, Thena." Alex sniffled, causing the girl to smile lightly before it slowly started fading as her eyes fluttered shut.

...