Seong-un walked into the Fourside Adoption Agency, rehearsing what he would say as he went. A peppy blonde-haired girl of about twenty-eight, only a few years his elder, moved towards him.

"Good day! I'm Electra del Apeis. What are you here for?"

"I was adopted when I was just a baby ... I don't remember much about anything other than my adoptive parents. My birth is obscured in a nebula of confusion. My parents tell me I was adopted here, and so I chose to come here once I could afford to, and once everything was normal again. I hope you can help me."

"Of course I can. What's your adoptive family name?"

"My first name is Seong-un. My family name is Kong." He was careful to spell out the names, including the hyphen in Seong-un.

Electra led Seong-un over to a computer at the adoption agency counter. She typed in the names Seong-un had given her.

"...that's strange."

"What's strange?" Seong-un asked, leaning over the counter.

"Maybe your parents gave you the name of the wrong adoption agency." Electra turned the monitor around so Seong-un could see it. He paled.

no results found, stated the monitor in lower-case Courier.

"...I can't see this being the case. My parents told me this was the name of the agency. And I continually pestered them just so I could have been sure I had the right name," he murmured, dumbstruck.

"Perhaps you would like the other agencies here in Fourside?" Electra wondered, scribbling the names onto a sheet of paper from a notepad. She handed it to Seong-un, who thanked her for her time.

Rubbing the jewels encrusted in the ring, he thought, once more, Be lucky.

----

"Any bright ideas on just where we're supposed to be going?", Riley asked the snow blowing in the wind.

You remember what dad said, "Anytime in life you don't know where you're going, just wait till you find the right friends and things will happen." So go find other people!

"Gee, thanks for the advice," Riley answered dryly. He looked around, but there was still little but snow around him as he approached the south end of greater Onett.

You never know, you could find someone sooner than you think...

The voice said this just as Riley walked past a tree, and promptly fell on his face. "What the...?" Looking behind him he realized he had tripped over someone lying in the snow near the tree. "You know, I really hate it when you do this to me.

Do what? asked the voice as Riley brushed off the snow that had blown over her.

"Explore the world around me with your perception so you can appear psychic." He added That's odd... in his mind, but the voice ignored him.

You know it's fun doing that. Besides, you've appreciated it a few times. The voice snickered.

"And we're not discussing that with anyone else, got that?" The voice laughed as Riley spoke. "Blast it ... she's half frozen. Why would she be here ... and what's with the ears and tail? Seen weirder, though."

Weird is only a relative measure, remember?

"Of course I remember, I'm pretty high on that scale myself." Riley picked the girl up. She was actually fairly light, considering she looked like she was a good year or two older than he was. She was also shorter then him.

Why am I even doing this? Riley asked himself. I don't even know if I'll be able to get her anywhere without freezing myself, too...

But Riley didn't freeze. He was fortunately much closer to somewhere that wasn't nowhere than he thought. Looking around he spied a cafe, which seemed as good a place as any to go with someone half-frozen.

He was already starting to stumble a bit when he got to the cafe. He put the girl down as gently as he could before collapsing into a sitting position against the wall. The others in the cafe stared. as yet another person found the semi-closed cafe.

"What?" asked Riley.

I think they're a bit surprised to see someone carrying an unconscious girl stumble into the cafe.

"Why would they be staring at something as simple as that?" Riley asked no one in particular. The others stared more as the boy conversed with himself.

----

The bus made it to the Twoson bus station, and a strange urgency came over Eric as he watched the weather report on a TV inside the station's lobby. Apparently, the weather was going to get worse before becoming better. He decided that running to Onett would be the only way he'd make it without really freaking out the other late night travelers stranded in the station as an announcement stating that the weather forced bus service to be cancelled for the night.

Eric started to leave, but a driver, also stranded, stopped him. "Hey kid, where are you going? It's freezing out there. You'd die if you're going more than a few feet."

"I'm going to Onett. And I won't freeze to death. I've got a few tricks to stay warm and fast. Anyway, you're not my father, and I'm 17, so don't call me kid." Eric was bitter at the last part, but the driver shook his head and let him pass.

Outside, Eric drew upon his training to produce a red aura around him. He was kept warm by PSI energy and sped up immensely by it. He made it to Onett in a few minutes, and saw the building in his dreams. He walked up to the door, saw a group of people inside, and went in.

"Is this place even open at this time of night?" He asked as he looked around.

"I don't think so. Why you here?" a blonde haired young man replied.

"It was in a bunch of dreams I've been having. I came to find out why I've been having them. What's up with those two?"

The same blonde haired kid shook his head. "Don't know, they just came in. The girl looks half-frozen though."

Eric put a hand on the girl's face, and felt it cold. He closed his eyes and checked her pulse and temp with PSI energy. "She's got hypothermia, and bad. But I'll get her back to at least good health in a few minutes."

He sat down, rested her body in front him, and put his hands on her face. He closed his eyes and focused. His hands started glowing a soft red, and the girls body soon was engulfed in the aura.

"I guess I should introduce myself while I have a chance. I'm Eric. Some blizzard out there, huh? I've seen the weather a few minutes ago. This blizzard's covering all the way to Fourside. Strange, huh?" Suddenly, he noticed his talkativeness wasn't really appreciated, so he shut up and focused entirely on treating the strange girl's hypothermia.

----

Luna pushed the thermostat's temperature up as she entered her apartment. Sure, it was going to cost a bit more this month, but she'd deal with the cost. Her side job had been earning her a bit of extra cash these days- but, she thought with a little sadness, it wasn't like she needed it. With the hefty sum in the bank that her parents had left her, ages ago, after they'd died, she really was set, for at least the next 10 years or so, even with college costs. But she figured she should save up for a time when she wouldn't have her parent's memory to depend on- only her own.

Turning her mind away from her thoughts, she turned to Venus, and gestured to what could have passed as a living room. "Take a seat! I'll get some pasta on... you like Italian? I hope so, I haven’t gone shopping recently."

Venus nodded, and gave a weak smile. Luna's good nature had somehow managed to drag her into her apartment for some decent dinner. She took the opportunity to look around the abode. It was simply furnished- a table and a set of chairs, a couch and a loveseat, a TV, a flickering computer with a scrolling marquee screensaver, and two doors in the back, which looked like one led to a bathroom, and the other to a bedroom. And an ornamental fireplace. It looked out of place, but nevertheless, Luna had placed some kindling in it, with ribbons around them. And above it, on the mantle, were pictures of people she knew, and some she didn't. And above that...

"Venus! You're not vegetarian, are you? 'Cause I'm making meatballs, so if you don't like meat, you'll have to pick them out yourself!"

She chuckled, and responded that no, meat was fine. If she was that picky, she would never have gotten by these days. As an afterthought, she added a question: "Hey, Luna... do you ever use it anymore?"

There was a pause before she replied. "Use WHAT?"

"The sword. The one above the mantelpiece. Do you ever use it these days?" Venus kept her eyes on it, surveying its dimensions. It really was huge. Luna just didn't look like the kind who would use it. A sheath leaned precariously against the mantle.

"Only if I think burglars are breaking in. I grab it, and stand in the hall until I calm down. I should actually keep it under my bed..." Luna answered, chuckling lightly.

Later, after dinner, Venus and Luna were still sitting at the table, talking. Leaning back, Luna sighed slightly, and shrugged. "It's funny you should bring up the sword. I was just thinking about it the other day. It's been five years, you know. Just a couple months over five years."

"You must be feeling bored."

"No, no, not really. I think I'm starting to enjoy this slow-paced, actually-get-stuff-done lifestyle. I mean, I even got around to finishing high school! Diploma and everything... Yeah..." She tilted her head back in her chair, letting her long, lavender hair flow to the floor. "It doesn't feel like I'm really 21. I haven’t even gotten totally drunk yet."

"It's not worth it." Venus said levelly, "Trust me." Luna's face split into a grin, as she stared at Venus appraisingly.

"You're probably right..." she said, grinning still, "but hey, we only live once, right? Oh, do you want to take care of the leftovers for me?" Venus opened her mouth to object, but Luna was quicker on the uptake. "No, I'm sorry, you can't refuse, I've already got them in some Tupperware and in a bag for you. You gotta take 'em. It's just my gesture of goodwill, okay? If the mayor of Fourside ate dinner here, I'd force him to take the leftovers, too."

Venus looked down, and smiled. "Thank you... Luna..."

"But you have to come and visit me more, okay? I get lonely to see old friend's faces, you know?"

She nodded again, and took the bag Luna proffered to her. "I'll definitely come back." She started towards the door, when Luna called out.

"And if you ever need a shoulder to lean on, I'm here for ya! I cook a mean pork fried rice, too!"

Venus laughed a little, thanked her again, and was gone. As she left, Luna's smile faded to a sad, ironic little grin.

"5 years and a coupla months... who's shoulder am I supposed to lean on?"

Switching off the lights in the room, she stared outside, at the glowing buildings of Fourside, covered in a thick blanket of velvety snow, which was still falling, and covering up the meltwater from earlier that evening. The cars had melted any snow on the warm asphalt road, but in the silence of the night, it looked frosted, and beautiful. She turned around, and stared silently at the sword above her mantle. She shook her head. Mixed emotions rolled around and welled up as her gaze remained fixed on the ancient weapon. She sighed bitterly, and ran her hand through her hair, before heading in the direction of her bedroom.

"I hate memories."

----

By now, Paithan was in a state of such high excitement that he didn't need coffee at all. He did his best to suppress his excitement, though, as he bounded off of his chair and greeted the newcomers, asked them to have a seat while he went to get them coffee. Riley and Eric, confused but not wanting to refuse Paithan's hospitality, helped each other carry the girl to a seat and, when she was securely in place and showing signs of regaining consciousness, sat down themselves.

Paithan was about to walk back behind the counter to fix them drinks, but Chase stood in his way.

"Oh, hullo," said Paithan. "Nice to see you again. If you don't mind, can I pass and get these people some coffee. I mean, why should you get it if you're closed?"

"No, I'll get it. And I'm not closed, obviously." Chase didn't move.

"Ohhhh, I get it now! Reverse psychology. You make them think you're closed so you get more business. I gotcha." Paithan nudged Chase with his elbow and winked a few times.

Finally Chase turned away as Paithan went back to his seat, occasionally turning back to wink at Chase to remind him he understood the scam.

"Is there something wrong with your eye?" asked Chase as Paithan sat back down. Paithan ignored Him as he went to join Riley's conversation. Why should a person have to talk to himself?

Chase absent-mindedly fixed some drinks for the new people, as he got a good look at them. Obviously, he thought, I won't have to wait for the strange stuff to start happening. Siris was right, They are all coming. But none of them seemed to be looking for Siris yet...

With that thought, three more people came into the Cafe, a girl, a man, and a dog. The man looked at Chase then turned to the girl.

"Are you sure this is Siris O'Brien's cafe?"

----

"I mean, it's the right place, but..." Dan frowned. "Well, I just haven't been here in quite a while. And I don't see him anywhere."

"Maybe we should ask the guy behind the counter, then."

"Good idea." Dan, Amber and King approached the counter.

"Hi..." Chase said. "I uh... don't know if we have a 'no pets' rule or anything, but I guess it's okay..."

"Yeah, thank you," said Amber on behalf of King.

Dan got right to the point. "Does this place still belong to Siris O'Brien?"

"Uh... yeah," Chase replied hesitantly. "But he's not here right now."

"Do you know if he'll be back?"

"He uh... he's on vacation."

"In the middle of winter?"

Chase shrugged. He suddenly seemed to notice something very intriguing about Dan. "Hey... is your name Dan?"

Dan looked surprised. "Yeah..."

Chase grinned. "You used to play keyboard here!"

"How'd you know that...?"

"Uh... I've read about it."

"Oh."

Chase turned his eyes toward Amber and King. "So, uh... can I get you anything?"

"We're fine, I think," Amber replied. "We just came in to warm up."

"Well... I think you must have had another reason."

<It would have been good if Mr. O'Brien had been here,> King said to Amber. <He may have been able to help us.>

Amber relayed this to Chase. "I suppose we were looking for Mr. O'Brien..."

Chase scanned the area to make sure none of his customers were looking. "Perhaps you should join me in the back room. I think we ought to discuss this." With this, he motioned for Amber, King and Dan to follow as he opened the door to the kitchen and warehouse. The four stepped through discreetly, and Chase locked the door as soon as they all were behind it.

"I should tell you, in all honesty, that Siris O'Brien left here not long before all these people started arriving," Chase began. "I guess he knew they'd come. Something about Winds of Change. Apparently something's going on."

"We came here from Ness Lee's house," Dan said.

Amber motioned toward King. "King informed me about some stuff that has been going on there lately. Says that Tracy freaks him out."

"Tracy is Ness's younger sister," Chase mused. "I've read about her, too..."

"He says that Tracy's got these weird powers and that's she's not very nice lately," Amber continued.

"It doesn't sound like too much of a big deal, I guess," said Dan. "But still..."

"Yeah... you came here looking for Siris O'Brien, didn't you?" Chase asked.

"We were expecting him to be here, so I guess you could say that," Dan replied.

"Well, like I said, he left shortly before these people started showing up. He said something about not wanting to get involved in any more adventures and that I should take his place if something like this happened."

"How do you know Siris, anyway?" Dan inquired.

Chase hesitated for a long moment. "I've... uh... read about him."

----

*ring*ring*

A phone was ringing in a booth on a dingy Fourside street. A man in a red shirt and tight black vinyl pants walked up and answered it.

*click* "It's Teddy."

"Listen up, hot shot. Pull this off and you're out of hock. Head down to the Department Building and grab the Chevy." There was a loud slamming noise as the party on the other side hung up.

Teddy wasted no time in getting to the department store. The Chevy was there, as promised. As soon as he revved the engine, a cell phone in the armrest compartment rang. He pulled it out and answered it.

"Jimmy Smitt is gonna be waitin' outside the First Fourside Bank. Go pick him up and bring him to the garage. Mess it up and we mess you up." Click.

Teddy backed out of the parking lot, then turned down the street to head for the bank.

---

Venus continued walking down the street, planning to try to get a room at the hotel. She looked pointedly in the opposite direction as she walked past the Topolla Theatre, even though she was on the far side of the street, next to the First Fourside Bank.

Just then, an ear-splitting alarm broke the silence of the night. A man wearing a ski mask came running out of the bank, carrying a large briefcase. Before Venus knew what was happening, the man was pointing a knife at her face. "Stay right there, sweetcheeks, or I'll gut ya like a squid!"

An old Chevy came tearing around the corner, stopping in front of the bank. The man opened the back door and pushed Venus in, then jumped over the trunk and got in on the other side, still threatening Venus with the knife. "Drive, man, drive!"

"What's the chick doing here?" Teddy hollered at Jimmy.

"Hostage!" Jimmy yelled back.

"You crazy @%#!" Teddy swore loudly as he spun the wheel to avoid an oncoming cop car. "You're not supposed to take hostages!"

"I thought maybe it'd keep the cops from hitting us!"

"You think they know she's a hostage?" Teddy fishtailed into the front bumper of another car, then accelerated into a police officer, sending him flying over the roof. "They probably just figure she's another piece of trash!"

Venus opened her mouth to protest, but closed it again as a large black SUV crashed into the back of the car. Jimmy leaned out the window, firing a sub-machinegun at another officer.

"Get back in the car, idiot! I'm gonna run this roadblock!" Teddy urged the car on, plowing through a blockade of hazard signs, then deftly spinning the wheel and turning down a back alley. When he got back onto the street, he pulled into a hairpin curve, spinning 180 degrees and ending up in a garage, the door closing behind them.

Teddy put the car in park and shut off the engine. Jimmy got out and handed the suitcase to what Venus thought was probably a mafia boss.

Teddy approached the boss. "You got everything you need there?"

"Indeed," said the boss. "We'll make a few phone calls and bribe the cops. Find someplace to stay tonight, and in the morning, get out of Fourside."

"What about her?" Teddy jerked a thumb at Venus, who was still sitting in the car. The mafia boss turned to look at her, then smiled. He walked over to the car and opened the passenger door.

"Miss Venus, isn't it?" Venus nodded. The boss clicked his tongue. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you, unless..."

Venus inhaled sharply, full of trepidation.

"...you give me an autograph."

Exhaling thankfully, Venus took the boss's pen and paper and signed her name. The boss looked on his new acquisition with satisfaction. "Take her with you, and see that she does not return to Fourside either," he told Teddy. He then stepped into a limo; his business was complete.

Teddy opened the door for Venus. "Name's Teddy, pleased to meet ya."

"...Venus."

"You got anyplace to stay?"

"I.. can probably get us a place with a friend, if you don't mind sleeping on the couch?"

"A couch?" Teddy nodded. "That'll be a nice change from the backseat of cars. C'mon, let's go get a nice set of wheels."

He left the garage. Venus followed him. "He didn't really mean that, did he?"

Teddy was busy fiddling with the door to a red BMW. "Mean what?"

"About me not coming back to Fourside."

"Course he meant that. You don't mess with the boss. I screwed up a big deal for him, and he made me work the debt off. Now I'm a wanted man. Luckily, the cops are so corrupt and the mayor's so greedy that you can get away with anything in Fourside." He gave a few tugs on the door, pulling it open on the third try. "Besides, you don't really wanna stay in Fourside, do ya? A nice lady like you should be on the road, singin' and stuff."

"What would you know about the music scene?" Venus inquired, walking around to the passenger seat.

"Ahh, I used to play guitar down at the Live Show in Ellay. Thought I could make it big if I expanded my horizons. C'mon, let's get to your friend's place. I've been up since five this morning."

Venus wasn't sure that Teddy was altogether trustworthy, but he struck her as more of a man caught in the wrong place at the wrong time than as a really bad person. She shivered at the memory of the boss, leering at her like a doll. At least Teddy wasn't so... lecherous.

----

Rasheed and Dio faced each other, staring intensely into one another's eyes. A murky silence once again pervaded the room as the two engaged in a silent battle of the mind. Finally, Dio rose, unable to compete with the burning coals which possessed her spirit the instant she gazed upon them.

"The time has come, Rasheed. The hour of reckoning is here. Let us make haste." She said, turning around to face the wall. Rasheed followed suit, raising himself effortlessly from his own chair. Brushing a casual hand against his leg, he swept aside the insects and spiders that had already begun to collect. For hell's most seasoned veterans, the smaller sufferings of hell became less and less. This, of course, was when the true sufferings began.

Coughing slightly into his hand, Rasheed glanced in Dio's direction. When she turned to face him, he spoke with but one simple question.

"Have you devised a plan to sneak past the doorman?"

Hell had many entrances, as many as there were sins, but there was only one exit. A large, flaming pathway led to a circular gate, inscribed with the ancient prophecies of the underworld around its border. Glowing flames of all colors lined the door in torches, casting eerie shadows on the monolithic walls. Yet for all this show of terror, Hell had but one lonely doorman to guard the demon gate of the underworld. The latest porter was a recent addition, a dreadlord by the name of Tichondrius. His overworldly life devoted to the abuse of the power of demon gates, he now spent an eternity in hell guarding the one true door, complete in a doorman's uniform. Although his comical appearance cost him the respect he had gained on earth, his strength and chaos power had not been stripped from him. The only problem with this was that the power could only be used on those attempting to escape, but Tichondrius' fears were assuaged when he realized that he would be using his powers quite a lot.

Dio closed her eyes, deep in thought. "I have not. Rasheed, do you have any thoughts?"

Rasheed stroked his chin delicately with a single finger, his thumb rested on the bone's underside. His black coals died briefly as he shut his eyes, considering the circumstances. When they opened, the fire had returned to them, brighter than before.

"I have not," He said coolly, staring at Dio. "Perhaps if there were some way to disable the dreadlord with a power familiar to him, something he would not expect..."

Rasheed's gaze overpowered Dio, and she found herself in a dreamlike trance. Her own eyes clouded over as she stared at her partner, his will slowly becoming her own.

"A power familiar to him..." She repeated, dazed. Although deep in her subconscious she knew she was losing control to Rasheed's gaze, her body had completely become his slave. When Rasheed shut his eyes abruptly, Dio snapped her fingers.

"We could use the music box!" She grinned malevolently, glancing toward a chest in the back of the room.

"Clever idea; I would not have thought of it myself," He replied, nodding in deference. Dio noticed none of this, as she was already kneeling next to the aging trunk.

The trunk, carved from a beautiful mahogany wood, was covered with dust and bugs like all of their other worldly possessions. No more did it shine with its original luster, and no more did the ancient carvings seem to come to life. For in hell, all forms of beauty were hidden beneath a layer of suffering.

Dio gave the trunk only a quick glance before she grabbed the lid and pushed against it. The creaking joints gave off a groan that would frighten a banshee as they turned slowly, allowing their owner access to the contents. The instant the lid was open, Dio dove her hands into the trunk, tossing out a variety of items. A tanookie suit flew through the air, shortly followed by a fireflower and a wing with a P painted onto it. Her head was submerged completely into the trunk before she found the item in question. Grasping it in her hand, she raised her fist triumphantly.

"Aha!" Dio shouted, holding the music box into the air. Rasheed nodded appraisingly, slowly removing the music box from her partner's grip.

"Do you still remember your cloaking spell, from the old days?" Rasheed asked, glancing down at his partner. Dio nodded, not sure where he was leading.

"Good. Here's the plan," He replied, leaning into her ear. He whispered something slowly, Dio's expression changing from confusion to malice all the while.

-----

Tichondrius leaned against the cold, stone walls next to the demon gate, resting with one eye open. He surveyed the terrain with a vague disinterest, his thoughts occupied moreso by his own demise. Thoughts of the giant, chaotic force that destroyed him plagued his every moment, filling his thoughts with bitterness and rage.

Those foolish Night Elves with soon pay for their crimes, He thought angrily, his one eye still open. I shall see to that!

"Yoo Hoo!"

"What was that?" Tichondrius snarled, his closed eye snapping open. His eyes combed the cave until they met with a young woman, standing about two yards away from him. The blue walls cast an eerie light on her skin, making it seem almost purple. Tichondrius' lip curled menacingly. The purple-skinned woman bore an uncanny resemblance to his adversaries, with her flowing green hair and purple skin, but he did not fully understand this before she spoke again.

"Hey bellhop, come and get me!"

Tichondrius stood up, a murderous rage overcoming him. He raised his hand angrily, powering up the orb of fire.

"Foolish human, I am no bellhop! I am the mightiest doorman in the history of Hades!" So saying, he brought the orb of fire to its full power. The moment he was to release it, the purple and green disappeared into the shadows.

"A shadowmeld...NIGHT ELF! CURSE YOU, NIGHTELF!" Tichondrius lumbered forward, waving his arms madly about. It was then that the first notes of a familiar song floated through the cave, tinkling against the walls. Tichondrius' ear pricked up as he strained to hear the tune, craning his head forward. Sure enough, the tinkling sound became louder and louder, as though it were approaching from afar.

Tichondrius felt his eyes getting heavy just as his visage contorted into a lazy half smile.

"My mother used to sing this song to me when I was but a wee ghoul," He mused, lowering his bottom to the ground. As the song played on, he slowly rested his head against the rocky floor.

"Yes, this song...mother, I want a cookie!" He mumbled before drifting into a deep sleep, his thumb lodged securely in his mouth.

Dio removed her cloaking spell and stepped forward. This great beast of a man was recumbent on the stone path, as comfortable as a baby in a crib. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Rasheed, our path is clear! Tichondrius is no longer a threat to us!"

Rasheed stepped out of the shadows, music box in tow. He smiled viciously as he eyed the slumbering dreadlord. Stepping over the giant mass, he reached the edge of the door. A heavenly light shone from the other side, beckoning the wayward souls forward. Turning around, he nodded to Dio.

"Shall we?"

Dio grinned, bounding over the sleeping guard. Joining Rasheed's side, they prepared to step through the gate.

"We shall."