Carolyn's Comments:

Mood: Apprehensive

Rant: My birthday is coming up. On May 7, 1989, I came into this world, looked around and thought 'Put me back! This place is f*cked up!' Katie's birthday is coming up too. On May 5. Two days older than me.

I'm going to the Acen convention this year. I'm really excited, 'cause I'll be able to see Fred Gallheger! (Think that's how it's spelled) For those of you who don't know, he's the genius behind Megatokyo. I'm cosplaying (meaning dressing up) as Kikyo from Inu-yasha. Now I'm sitting around, waiting for my tickets to come in the mail. Also, my favorite author, Darren Shan, is coming to my local bookstore on May 12! It's like a dream come true! The universe's birthday gift to ME! YAY!

Cedric's head was spinning. It felt like someone had viciously beaten him with a bag of bricks, and then flung his body in front of a moving truck. His whole body ached so badly, he couldn't even open his eyes.

He felt something cold being pressed against his forehead and his body jerked with shock. His golden-catlike eyes snapped open. He was looking up into the face of a teenage girl. She looked about his age, and had short, dark, brown hair and deep blue eyes. She was wearing a white shirt with billowing sleeves, and a long blue skirt. She had been wiping his forehead with a damp cloth.

"Sorry," She said pulling her hand back. Her voice was soft and sweet, "Did I wake you up?"

"I was already up," Cedric grumbled sitting up, "I just couldn't open my eyes."

"Ah." She said nodding. "Well I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Cedric."

"Who said I was feeling better?" Cedric said rolling his eyes. "I'm just awake, and… And you just called me Cedric, didn't you?"

"That is your name, isn't it?"

"Yes, but I don't remember telling it to you."

She smiled slightly. "I know a lot about you, Cedric. I probably know more about you than you do."

"It's my life," Cedric said frowning, "No one knows more about it than me. Now who are you, and what's going on?"

"Everything will be explained to you soon enough." The girl said calmly. She stood up. "Now come. Your friends have already awoken, and we can't explain what's going on until you are there. So, needless to say, they've been very impatient."

She turned and walked out of the room. Cedric used this small amount of time to survey his surroundings. He was in a small stone room with no windows. The only light came from torches on the walls. There was a single wooden door that the girl had exited through. He had been sleeping on a cot for God only knows how long. But other than that, there was nothing interesting about his surroundings.

"Are you coming?" The girl's voice called. Cedric rolled his eyes. He didn't even know her name and she was already getting on his nerves. He got up and followed her into the hallway.

The hallway wasn't too different than the room. The walls were made of stone and lit by torches. Various wooden doors were visible, but the girl walked right past them and to the end of the hall. A large double door awaited them. She pushed it open and entered the room, Cedric followed.

He found himself in a large square room. Torches also lighted this room. There was a blood-red carpet going from the door to the base of a wooden throne.

Sitting in the throne was a boy that looked a few years older than him. He had deep blue eyes and brown hair, identical to the girl's. His hair was extremely long and tied back so it hung down in a thin ponytail. He had pale skin and was very handsome. He was wearing a long black cloak, held shut by Chinese-style buttons on the chest. He had a kind smile, and Cedric could sense, just by looking at him, that he was VERY powerful.

"Good, you finally woke up, ya bum!" Katie's voice rang out. Cedric turned around. To his left, he saw all his friends, standing there looking impatient.

"Well it's about damn time!" Cronos grumbled. "We've been here for over an hour! They wouldn't let us leave for anything, not even to use the john!"

"Speaking of which," Katie added, "When we're done talking, I REALLY have to go."

"I apologize for making you wait so long," The boy said calmly, "But I needed to speak to all of you." He stood up. The girl that had led Cedric to the room walked forward and stood next to him. "First," He continued, "I think introductions are in order. We already know who all of YOU are, but we haven't told you our names." He pointed at himself, "My name is Raphael," He gestured towards the girl, "And this is my twin sister, Tira."

He looked at all of them. His eyes were serious. "I suppose you want to know where you are. You are in a place called White Apocalypse Temple."

"And that helps us…HOW?!" Carolyn asked looking extremely annoyed.

Raphael sighed. "You may want to sit down, what I have to tell you is of life-changing importance…to all of you."