Melody stretched her limbs as she pulled in behind the retirement home. She had spent so much time behind a desk, she forgot how strenuous transporting product was; she was just glad this was the last one. She loaded up the dolly with the last of the medication shipment and wheeled it through the loading docks. Inside, she met up with one of the nurses.

"Where's George? He's usually the one that brings in the shipments. Don't get me wrong, it's always nice to see you around here."

"His wife went into labor earlier this morning, so I decided to take over since we're short staffed and had no other drivers. Besides, it gets me back to my roots from when I started. I wasn't always the top dog." Melody was escorted to the storage room and she started stocking the shelves. As she went to leave, she stood in shock in the doorway. As if in slow motion, she watched as Aria Blaze exited one of the patient's room. Melody watched as Aria walked down the hall and exited through the front door. Melody grabbed a nurse that was walking by and pulled him over, "Who was that that left this room?"

The nurse looked over at the room Melody was pointing at, "Don't know the name, but she comes in every so often to visit her grandfather. It's always nice to see kids still interested in their elders."

"Grandfather?" Melody continued to stare at the exit door, still imagining the image of Aria standing there. "I see. Thank you." The nurse nodded and walked off to continue his work. Melody walked over to the room and read the name on the side, "S. Tone." Melody grabbed the handle, but hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure what she would say, only that this was the closest she has ever been to locating her mother. Part of her didn't want to bother another innocent of her family, but she knew she couldn't get back to the truck in time to follow her aunt. Melody took a deep breath and walked inside. She saw an older gentleman sitting up on his bed staring out the widow and viewing the sunset. He turned to Melody and gave her a puzzled look.

"Who might you be?"

"Um, I'm a volunteer nurse from a nearby hospital. I'm just here to check some numbers and bring them to the head doctor."

"But the nurse did that about a half hour ago."

Melody panicked trying to think of a good excuse, "Yes, she did. However, the numbers didn't seem right for your medication intake, so we're just double checking them." Melody went over to one of the monitors and pretended to check the system. "I happened to see your granddaughter leave before I came in. It's nice to see family still coming in to visit. It's unfortunate when I see the opposite."

The man chuckled, "Yes, my granddaughter. She doesn't come as much as I would like, but it's always nice to see her when she does."

"Speaking of which, we noticed there were some discrepancies in your personal file. Someone had put some invalid addresses for you next of kin, so I was wondering if I can get that from you?"

"Sure, I can just write it on the back of the page you're writing my numbers down on."

Melody flinched at that request. In her attempt to make it look like she belonged, she forgot to actually make it look like she was writing something down. "I actually have quite the memory, so you can just tell me and I'll remember."

"Okay. Their address is 123 cut the crap street, in who are you reallyville." Melody saw a look of annoyance on Mr. Tone's face. "I suggest you take a seat and explain to me who you really are before I press the call button and have you escorted out." Melody complied and sat stiff in the chair next to his bed. "Something is telling me you know a lot more about my situation than any normal person should. So now I want the truth, and the complete truth with nothing left out. First off, do you belong to a group called the Immortal Hunters?"

Melody cocked her head with a confused look, "They're still a thing?" Mr. Tone raised his call button switch, "I mean, no."

"Why are you interested in knowing where my mother lives?"

"Actually, it's not your mother I'm interested in." Melody closed her eyes and let out a sigh, "It's mine." Mr. Tone rolled his eyes and went to push the button. Melody jumped out of her seat, "Wait!" They both paused in their place, Mr. Tone's finger hovering millimeters from the button. "From your first question, that lets me know you know quite a lot about Aria Blaze, and of course her sisters. So it might not come to much of a shock to you to say I'm actually a cousin of yours."

Mr. Tone lowered the switch but kept his interrogative stare on her, "You now have my attention. Start explaining."

Melody nodded and sat back in her chair. "I'm not just any cousin of yours; I'm actually one of your oldest. I just celebrated my 1000th birthday almost a decade ago."

"That's absurd, my mother and two aunts are the only ones on the planet that can do this, and none of their children could do it. Immortality is not hereditary."

"You're right, I'm not a siren, and I'm well aware it is not hereditary. It took watching a child of mine die to know that for certain."

"I'm sorry for your loss, but I still don't believe you. I believe our time here is done." Mr. Tone went to press the button before Melody chimed in.

"March 14th, 1963; Coconut Grove Club in Hawaii." Mr. Tone turned and stared at Melody. "It took me a while to figure out who you are, but I can still hear it in your voice. You are the famous Smooth Tone. I was there the day you preformed when the club burned down."

"Big deal, everyone knows about that. It made national news because it was part of an insurance fraud scam from the owner. You could just use that information to make up some story about you living during those times when you can't be old enough to even be a chld back then."

"Yes, but what they don't know is you would have died in that fire if some random woman didn't pull you out of there and drag your limp body across the street." Melody rolled up her right sleeve to reveal a discolored mark on her forearm. "Still have the scar from when my blouse caught fire."

Smooth's jaw dropped, "No one could ever tell me how I got out. The last thing I remember is seeing what looked to be an angel pull me out when I lost consciousness. No one would own up to being the person to save me. But if you're immortal, why the scars?"

"One of the many prices of my curse." Melody unbuttoned her shirt to reveal a massive scar on her stomach, "This is what you get for pissing off your husband; well, that is if your husband is Vlad the Impaler. This," Melody lifted her bangs, "Is when a 45 caliber rips through your skull. I probably have a bigger mark on the other side. And this," she pulled the collar away from her neck, "Is the reason why I no longer can stand even the sight of cake."

"So if you're my cousin, is your mom Adagio or Sonata?"

"Unfortunately, I'm Sonata's first daughter. I have this immortality because I was given it by a goddess after my death in exchange of getting revenge. Revenge I can no longer have because I don't have the only weapon that can kill her. However, I'm not completely against beating her to a bloody pulp."

Smooth frowned, "She's changed you know. I don't know what she was like beyond what mom has told me, but Sonata isn't as stuck up and selfless as she once was."

Melody laughed out loud, "Sorry, I think we might be talking about a different person. The Sonata I know would have let me starve if it wasn't for the help of Adagio or Aria."

"I mean it, she's different. Which is why I've decided to give you the address," Melody smiled with anticipation, "Under one condition. You need to actually talk to her. Give her a chance to realize her mistake."

Melody rested her chin on her fist, "Do I have to?" Smooth nodded his head. "Fine I'll…try. But what happens is on her."

"Fair enough." Melody handed him a pen and pad of paper for him to write it down on. As she went to take it, Smooth continued to hold it, "I mean it. Give her a chance; you won't be disappointed."

"I will." Melody stood up and went to the door. Before leaving, she turned to Smooth, "See you around, cuz."

Melody went to the address the next day and sat in the driveway looking intently at the front door. She was still trying to wrap her head around the idea that she was finally going to meet the family she lost all those years ago. Will they recognize her? What will she say? Will they even be there? In the midst of her thought process, her unwelcomed visitor chimed in.

"So, what now?"

"I don't know. I never thought in all my years I'd make it this far. I pretty much abandoned the idea when I left England."

"Then there is the whole thing about not having the dagger. If she doesn't die, you won't either."

Melody pounded her head on the steering wheel, "I know. Maybe I'll just set something up when I break her nose once a year just to satisfy me."

The specter motioned to the house, "Well, destiny awaits."

Melody took a deep breath and exited her car. She walked up the door and rang the doorbell. She immediately got the feeling of cold feet and went to leave when the door opened up.

"Who is it? What do you want?" Aria stood irritated at the door, holding her head with a drink in her hand. Melody stood there with a grin on her face, waiting to be recognized. This irritated Aria further, "What's with the stupid grin?"

Melody's shoulders slumped, "I was wondering if Sonata Dusk is home."

Aria groaned, "No she's not, and if this has something to do with her stealing your boyfriend or husband, maybe you shouldn't have had such an unfaithful dog."

"No, not exactly. Do you know when she'll be back?"

"Do I look like her personal assistant?"

"No, sorry to have bothered you." Melody lowered her head and turned to leave.

Aria let out a sigh, "Look, I'm sorry. I've had a rough week and it's just getting to me. She should be coming back soon, so why don't you wait for her in here." Melody nodded and walked in with Aria closing the door behind her. "Now what was it that Adagio told me to act around guests. That's right; would you like something to drink?"

"I'll take a glass of water." Aria nodded and told Melody to wait for her in the living room. Melody walked in and was amazed at the sight she saw. It was adorned from top to bottom with items from the past. Everything from paintings to pottery, even a suit of armor; a lot of which Melody had as well split between her home and office. Aria returned and handed her the glass of water. "Thank you. I was just admiring your collection. I have quite the collection myself. I've kind of been a history aficionado."

"It's not my collection. Adagio is the one that can't let the past go…I mean, she likes history too." Aria buried her worried face in her drink.

Melody gave another cursory look and stopped at a painting in the corner. She slowly approached it with extreme interest. The painting showed a woman in Grecian robes standing in a foggy field with the spires of a castle sticking out of the rolling fog. "Where did you get this?"

Aria looked at it and shrugged her shoulder. "I don't know. That's something you'll have to ask my sister. Why, do you know something about it?"

"A little. It was painted by a not so well known painter in the late 1100's in England. Some of his stuff would have dedications on the back. May I?" Aria was hesitant at first, but allowed her to look. Melody lifted the bottom and looked at the back corner and saw "Happy Birthday" written there. Melody closed her eyes and whispered to herself, "I hope you found peace with your wife, John." Aria cleared her throat and Melody came back to reality. "Yes, it is one of his. I don't remember his full name, just that his first name was John. Not worth anything except sentimental value to the one that it was painted for." Melody set the painting back down and froze when she turned around. Sitting on the shelf above the fireplace was a glass case. Within it held a simple double edged dagger with a simple wooden handle on it. "How did you get that?"

"Why are you so interested in our stuff?"

"Like I said, I like history. Now back to the knife."

Aria rolled her eyes, "This one I kind of do know about because Adagio said not to touch it. We picked it up somewhere in Romania. It's supposed to have some kind of mystical powers associated with it. I believe it's just a bunch of hocus pocus BS, but Adagio is serious about it, so I don't fight her."

The sound of the front door could be heard opening and someone yelling out from it. "I swear, Aria; if you went on a spending bender in your depression and bought another supercar, I'm going to make you regret every cent you spent. The idea of lying low is to not bring attention to ourselves." Aria spit out her drink and ran over to the front door. There was a bit of muffled arguing before Melody could hear Adagio again. "Alright, I'll handle it. I'm sorry for my rudeness miss, my name is-," Adagio stopped in her tracks and dropped her wine glass in shock. Aria stood by with a look of concern, switching her gaze from Melody and Adagio. Adagio slowly approached Melody with shaking hands extended out. When she was close enough, she held Melody's face in her hands. "It can't be. It just can't be. Melody?"

Melody smiled from ear to ear, "I could never get anything past you, could I Aunty?" Adagio leaped forward and wrapped Melody in a hug. Melody leaned in and returned the hug. She looked over at Aria who had gone wide eyed and placed a hand over her mouth. The mood changed when Adagio reared back and pushed off of Melody.

"No, this can't be real. This has got to be a hallucination caused by stress. That's it; I'm still stressed out over Dolly's reaction and want acceptance. You can't be Melody, because she died years ago."

"Aunty Dagi, it's really me. It's true, I did die; but through some weird intervention with a goddess, I was brought back and have been living since just before the start of the middle ages." Melody walked over to the painting. "Aunty Ari, I know about this painting because this is me in the picture. It was the day I returned to life. And you're right about that dagger. It was given to me so I…so I could come back and kill my mother." As if being called on cue, the front door opened again and Sonata walked in.

"Being with that kid is exhausting. I don't know how normal people can go about being normal and how you all can be a mother." Sonata looked over at Melody, "Who's the chick? New fling of Aria's while she gets over this funk of hers?"

"No, you twit; don't you recognize your own daughter?"

A look of fear flashed across Sonata's face and she looked over at Adagio," I swear to you, Dolly is the only one I've had since Silent. I don't know who she is and she's a liar if she's telling you she's my daughter."

Adagio walked over to Sonata and laid her hands on Sonata's shoulders, causing her to flinch. "No, Sonata. She is your daughter…your FIRST daughter."

Sonata looked over at Melody, "Wait, you're telling me that's Melody?" Sonata looked her up and down. "What's up, brat?"

Rage filled Melody as she gritted her teeth at Sonata. "Aunty Ari, tell Smooth I'm sorry I wasn't able to keep my promise." Melody reached for the case and smashed the glass to grab the blade. She ran full tilt at Sonata with the dagger high above her head. Sonata put her arms in front of her face to brace herself. Before Melody could plunge the dagger, Aria and Adagio grabbed Melody and pinned her to the ground. "Let me go! I've waited a millennia for this, and I'm not going to let you ruin this for me!"

Adagio ripped the dagger from Melody's grip and stood above her, "There will be no matricide in my house young lady!"

"Then let's take this outside."

Aria crossed her arms and chuckled, "Actually, I kind of want to see this play out. If she's been alive as long as she says, she must have learned some fighting skills. Remember, this is the girl that always had Golden Knight fight her battles."

Melody stood up and huffed with frustration, "That's right, I learned a thing or two, and I have the blood on my hands to prove it."

"So it looks like I have two killers in my family," Sonata piped up. "I thought turning Silent into a killer was a treasure, but now I have an immortal killer."

"Silent, who would rather go by the name of Jackie, wouldn't hurt a fly. I am Jack the Ripper, and letting her take the fall for it has haunted me ever since." Melody's face rocked to the side as Adagio slapped her across the face.

"How dare you do something so low. I was already pissed at Sonata raising a serial killer, but I find it far worse for not taking responsibilities for your own actions and not looking out for family; especially for how much this family has looked out for you."

"Believe me, the other option was far worse. The guilt has killed me ever since and I have been doing everything I could to fix up my destroyed karma. If it makes you feel any better, I was soon rewarded by watching one of my children wither away and die in front of me." Melody's eyes were filled with tears.

Adagio's body went limp as she sighed, "I'm sorry to hear that, it's just very disturbing to hear this, especially coming from you. However, you're not getting this dagger back, and you're not killing Sonata."

"Then I guess we're done here." Melody stormed out of the house and slammed the door behind her. She opened her car door and stood there before slamming the door closed and pounding the roof of the car. "It was there. I almost had it. This all could have been over with, but she just had to go ahead and ruin it." The front door opened and Sonata walked out. Melody rolled her eyes and stepped into her car. Before she could start the car, Sonata rushed over and stepped into the passenger side of the car.

"We need to talk."

Melody turned towards her and glared at her, "Remember, your sisters aren't here to protect you this time."

"You also don't have the knife." Melody clicked her tongue and looked forward with her arms crossed. "Listen, both of us know I don't like children, and not the best when it came to the whole parental thing. Adagio and Aria have done well in reminding me of that. But a lot of things have changed. I have another kid, and while I'm not mother of the year, I am giving a little more effort."

"Two children too late."

"Actually three. There was one between you and Silent, and I'm not proud of the way I treated her. Now that you're still around, maybe we can hang out and try again?"

"Adagio put you up to this didn't she?"

"She may have mentioned a thing or two before I came out here. Look, I'm sorry I called you a brat; but to be fare, you were the last time I saw you."

"I was a little kid! You gave me hell and neglected me ever since birth! How else should I have acted towards you?"

"Like a doting daughter maybe." Melody glared at her. "Fine, but look at it this way. You're not a little kid anymore. You're a grown woman, so now we can hang out and do things as adults. What do you say?"

Melody gripped the steering wheel hard enough for her knuckles to turn white. "Ever since my rebirth, I have wanted nothing more to slit your throat. I dreamed about it morning, noon, and night. Now, it was within my grasps…and I don't want it anymore. It's not even worth it. Throughout my life I have dealt with hardships, trials, and tribulations. Each one of them ended the same way; seeking forgiveness." Melody looked at a worried Sonata. "I can't say we'll ever be buddies, or even close enough to be family; but for the sake of forgiveness, and the fact Aunty Dagi is already super pissed at me, I will try. Since we both have all the time in the world, we have plenty of time to try." Sonata nodded and leaned in with Melody stopping her, "We are nowhere near there yet. Now leave." Sonata shrugged her shoulders and went back inside the house. Melody turned the car on, but sat in the driveway as it idled. Melody rested her head on the headrest as she stared at the ceiling until she caught her specter appearing in the driver seat.

"So that's it, huh? You've made it this far, just to give up?"

"Looks that way, but that's the thing. I have spent all my life with one goal in mind. Every time I get close, the goal is moved even further back. Now, the goal is within arm's reach just for it to be moved to an unobtainable location. I'm just tired."

"I guess my work here is done there." Melody gave her a puzzled look. "As long as you wanted to kill your mother, I was always there to push you in that direction. Even when you said you were done, there was always something in your mind that hoped for the chance. Now, you've accepted that you're done for good. You let go of your hate and anger, so in a sense, you let go of me. It's been fun while it lasted." The specter gave Melody a salute before fading out of existence.