Unbeknownst to Hallie, the two boys moved to stand behind her, and were looking up at the man with the same look of impatience that Hallie imagined her face to be like. The woman muttered something and waved her hand, watching as all the damage done was slowly repaired.

"You, Hallie, James, and Dean are part of the legendary Star of Light. They possess powers that are beyond comprehension. One is an elemental, two are mages, two are warriors, and two are transformers. They will join together, train, and defeat the dark." said Summise warily. "Though I believe that you are too young to carry such troubles, that is how it was meant to be. You will follow us to the headquarters and begin your training."

"So let me get this straight. We are some sort of weird special heroes, and we are supposed to help you defeat something?" Hallie's temper was getting the better of her yet again.

"Yes, that's about right. There's more to it of course, but that is all you need to know. The rest will be taken care of." Summise's voice was still as calm as ever.

"But do you really expect me to just go and do whatever floats your boat, just because you're so powerful?" said Hallie

"I wouldn't say that I was that powerful, but yes, you will go along with our plan." said Summise.

"You can't just tell us what to do! We can think for ourselves in case you haven't noticed."

"I understand that, but you are too young to be involved in this in the first place, so you will do what is asked, and then you will be free to go."

"You're not planning on telling us much are you?" That was not a question, but a statement.

"I will tell as much as you need to know."

"I am not a weak, brainless tool, to be used to fight how you or anyone else sees fit. I am not going to be controlled by you or anyone else. Others have manipulated me my whole life, I'm not planning on letting people do that ever again." With that Hallie stormed off, leaving six people to stare at her retreating back.

Barely a block away, Hallie heard cautious footsteps behind. She did not need to look around to know that it was that other boy…James was it?

"What are you doing?" said Hallie sharply.

"Following you."

Hallie raised her eyebrow. She had not expected for him to just go ahead and admit it.

"Well that's obvious."

"I think that you're right." James blurted.

"What?"

"I think that you are right," he repeated regaining an air of one explaining something extremely simple to a toddler. "Professor or not, he has no right to tell us what we are to do."

"What about Dean?"

"He is one of those who respect Summise for his power, and therefore does whatever he tells them to. I was like that. You don't trust Him do you?"

"I really don't know. I feel like I should. I mean, he didn't do anything wrong or suspicious, but the others were...more…truthful." she finished lamely. "Well it seemed like that anyway."

"Professor Estav and Rachee are all right. In fact, they were against just taking you like that, but they don't have enough power or courage to question Professor Summise."

"Then why did they come?"

"Don't know really. I'm not allowed in the actual meetings of the Midnight Order, seeing as I am not an adult. Most think that 'children' are easily forced into revealing secrets, so I only know the overall idea for the plans."

"What's the Order? What does it do to make it such an honor to be invited to join?"

"I am really not supposed to talk about it. But then again I was never supposed to run off either. In any case, I can give you the general picture."

*I guess this is why they don't let him in the meetings. He is so easy. * Hallie's spirit fell lower when she realized that Dean probably couldn't hear her.

"Go on then. I'm in the mood for a long story."

"There is a demon. He calls himself Master Utazenla, which, in some language or other means Master of Death. Original isn't it? Anyway, two years ago, he started to gather followers. Mostly dark creatures like him. Werewolves, vampires, hydrids, banshees, demons, zombies, giants, manticores and shadow leracors all serve him. It's his goal to eliminate the Midnight Order, destroy the Star of Light, and transform all others to a creature of his choice. He uses blackmail, empty promises and pure power to convince humans to join him. To the creatures he promises freedom. The Order is working to befriend all who refrained from joining Utazenla, therefore buying mote time for the Star of Light to form. A potion was started when he first made a public appearance, but Professor Reeono has just perfected it. That is why we have not made much physical effort to seek out the Chosen Ones; the potion was supposed to show us who they were and save time it would have taken to search the whole world for the seven. You, Dean and myself are the only ones known so far."

"So basically there's a freak with an army of followers who plans to dominate the world by turning everyone into dark creatures?"

"More or less."

"And he plans to turn people into animals how exactly?"

"Creatures. He will use an ancient ritual along with a potion that will enable him to perform the transformations at will."

"But then how can you be so calm? He could be adding on to his already-much-too-big-in-my-opinion army as we speak."

"One of the ingredients needed is within our possession, and it is the only known left in this dimension. There are a few that are scattered around the world, but their location is unpalatable, and they are most likely guarded by a great force."

"What's the ingredient?"

"No idea, top secret."

"I saw the elements while I was rising up. At least I think that it's them. The wind element was the one that stopped me from getting injured when I fell."

"Of course! That's what the…"

At that moment an all-too-familiar wail filled Hallie's ears. Amy. Hallie knew that sound well. That was the same wail that Amy used countless time to get Hallie into undeserved trouble. Only now it was real. Casting a sideways glance at James in order to warn him to stay quiet and follow, Hallie ran all out toward the ally where she though the sound originated.

"Where are we going?"

"Quiet."

"But…"

"James!"

Somewhere not too far off came another resounding shriek. Then, as the two nervous teenagers neared the alley off Jackson, a small terrified whisper penetrated the brisk dawn air.

"Who are you?"

"Why, my dear Amy I am nothing but a friend who you were so keen to meet just yesterday."

"You're…you're LenzaDeamon12?"

"Yeas. I know, not too threatening is it? All the good evil names were taken by children like yourself."

"That voice!" Hallie couldn't contain herself. Her mind was willing her body to get out of there, but she stood firm. She wouldn't leave. Not until she knew who it was that was standing right in front of her, scaring her sister half to death. Only vaguely aware that James was still with her, Hallie stepped into the first rays of sunlight, hoping she was not signing her death sentence by doing so.

A…a thing was standing by the cowering figure of Amy Letrit. Jet black fog was clouding the creature from view, but Hallie could quite clearly make out the leathery wings that were gently folded against the matching black cloak on the back of a considerably high person; the gleaming blue eyes, so unlike Hallie's, were cold and distant; and the air around was deathly cold. Hallie could hear it's steady breathing, all other sounds seemed cut off. The coldness became more pronounced as the creature walked four of the seven feet dividing them.

"Well well, Miss Rector. How kind of you to join us."

"Rector?"

"Oh, pardon me. Of course, Miss Letrit isn't it?"

"Yes I was having a nice little chat with your so called relation. She seems not to want to cooperate. Though I should say that she was all for it when we talked on the computer." Here Amy let out a terrified whimper that was lost in a gust of rushing wind.

"My, didn't anyone ever tell you not to talk to strangers?" said he.

"Who are you and what do you want from her?" James's voice seemed to return.

"Ah, you're James, are you not?"

"You didn't answer my question. I'm perfectly capable of remembering my own name."

"Yes well. Some people know me as master. Others know me as Lord. Yet others refuse to believe that I exist. But to you, I am simply Utazenla."

"So this is our horrible foe?" retorted Hallie.

"Depends on whether or not you follow Summise?" a knowing look came on his face.

"You…you know? How? Can you read minds?" Hallie was bemused.

"Of course not, you silly child! The mind is too complex to simply 'read' as you say. No, I merely sense emotions, and break in enough to acquire glimpses of strong memories." James looked horrified.

"But that's impossible!" his voice was almost whiny.

"Oh how gullible you all are. Just because you've never known anyone who can, doesn't mean someone you don't know can't. But enough. Look at this as a test. A challenge to see what I'm up against if you will. No rules, but try not to die before we get a chance at a war would you?" With that he was gone.

"Now what?" said Hallie.

"I knew it! You're a freak! You're strange beyond belief! I can't blame mummy and daddy for wanting to get rid of you!"

"You seem to be much braver now that Utazenla's gone." said James coldly.

"What do you know? If you're with my sister, then you're a freak as well." Amy stood up to walk away.

She only managed to get two steps away from the alley. A circle of purple and orange flames surrounded the threesome. Amy was almost hysterical. She tried running, but a swarm of olive green crows, and several hags stationed themselves around the ring of fire. Countless crashed were soon followed by a pack of trolls.

"What's happening?" asked an alarmed James?

"The challenge he was talking about. It has to be."

"Are those what I think they are?" questioned James.

"Look like the trolls from my books to me." replied Hallie.

"No Hal. There are demon's trolls. At least I think they are. They were said to be extinct, but apparently Utazenla has been working of this world domination thing for decades."

"I don't care what they're called! Just tell me how to get rid of them!"

"Demon's trolls have an unusual ability of some sort. No one knows exactly what it is, since they are so rare. Those who ever met one never lived to tell the tale."

"Well unless you want to join that list and find out, I suggest that you speed search your brains and figure out how to get rid of them."

Hallie observed the scene before her. Amy, had passed seconds after the hags came; the crows were creating an enormous racket overhead; most of the trolls and hags did not seem to be bothered by it; the few werewolves and vampires that came as Hallie talked to James made themselves heard; ten feet away a crowd started to gather, all seeming to think that the three teenagers in front of them were quite insane.

"James, do you get the feeling that the other people can't see any of this?"

"Does that really matter now? We're about to die here! Watch out for the circle!"

Slowly the fire circle was closing in. With every inch that it dominated, the heat became more and more unbearable. Hallie felt herself become steadily dizzier, and was ready to do something drastic to get out. James, thinking along the same lines, concentrated of the crows: they made it so much more difficult to think straight.

"Hallie? We have to do something," said James.

"No, you think?" Hallie snapped.

"Well didn't Summise say that we're supposed t have weird powers right?"

"Mage, warrior, transformer, and elemental. Yeah."

"Well try to use them. You're obviously are the elemental. Fire. Make the flames stop."

Hallie tried to find that place in her mind that was devoid of all worries: the place where she could see, and feel the elements around her. She willed the fire one to come forth. Slowly, she formed a picture in her mind's eye of the element coming between the purple flames and her. To her utter amazement, it obeyed. A bit tired, she turned to James.

His eyes were closed, and the crows around him were slowly turning into green feathers; falling one by one on the ground. He was a transformer. The vampires and werewolves were gone, obviously afraid of what was happening. The hags were frantic, not knowing what to do without anyone to order them around. The trolls simply looked at the mess with dazed expressions.

Hallie was pleased with their confusion. This time is was a lot easier to slip back into her mind. None of the elements showed their forms, but she could feel their presence all the same. The ring of fire died down to a mere strip of ashes, which was carried almost instantly away by the wind. Hags. Hallie closed her eyes saw a huge wave of water wash over them, and then watched as they fled. She opened her eyes and saw that that never happened, but was more of a helpful vision. She thought of the water element as she did with fire, and watched a tsunami materialize out of thin air. As in the vision, the hags fled, leaving only the trolls to stand looking stupidly around. With a smirk, James stared at the trolls, and watched as their form shifted, and shaped into a random plant or item.

The crowd around them seemed to double in size as the items appeared out of what was supposed to be thin air. Some kids took that to be a street magic show, and started to clap, soon joined my their parents and friends.

"James, what happened?" asked Hallie timidly.

"Well we did just what Professor Summise said we would didn't we? I think hat we should go back. Your sister should be alright."

"You're sure we should? After storming away like that I mean?"

"Yeah. I think that Summise is more or less the only person who knows what to do with this. We really didn't give him much of a chance."

"How do we get there?" said Hallie.

"A portal should be open at about six am 'til about six fifteen. It's to the headquarters. I think that that's the one we were supposed to use in the first place."

"Then lead the way."

Ignoring the many kids who came to get their autographs, the two sped back toward the statue of Vaith Bellder as Hallie did several hours ago. An electric blue haze was half hidden under a bush, and resembled the dome that Hallie created whilst truly calling the elements for the first time. James ran forward and was gone; finally trusting him entirely, Hallie followed.