Hello everyone. Major hints to future stories right here! Enjoy!

The Winter Child with the Sight

As soon as we entered the Cloud Palace, more tremors were happening.

"To the main balcony, hurry!" Lumi exclaimed as we break into a run.

When we reached the Balcony, there was Renee looking completely evil and powerful. Lumina's body was moved so she was resting in a different bed, further from the battle to the left, yet within this room.

"I see you've come, now I can wipe you two from the face of the earth!" she threatens us.

Using the now corrupted Winter Scepter, she aimed it at us, but Lumi used the Summer Scepter to counter the attack. The two were at a standstill as the magic is being pushed back and forth. However, Renee is slowly winning as the magic of the Winter Scepter is pushing its counterpart. Lumi is trying hard to fight back, but I can see that her efforts are failing. The doll is slowly being destroyed as cracks started to appear in her hard skin. Whenever it's from the Summer Scepter or from what I think is happening, I don't know.

"Detective, I still... Need your... Help!" she struggled to fight back.

"Ha! Try and stop me!" the Evil Stepmother boasted.

"Activate the four seasonal pillars! Each one must be in balance, they're in the basement!" Lumi exclaimed.

"Alright!" I agreed as I immediately left for the basement that the girl opened for me.

When I went downstairs, I saw double doors with swan engravings on the side with silver edges. I tried opening it, but the doors won't budge. So I couldn't enter. Looking down to the floor, there was a large circle with four symbols, each are missing something. The magic circle looked like a Venn diagram with four circles inside. Going through the drawers, I collected one goddess figurine. Another through sparkles in a pile of gemstones, the third on a table, and the last one through a puzzle.

Now it's time for the main big puzzle. Once I put the four figurines, the multi puzzle started. The first was to place the correct figurines in the proper places, on the outer part within the four circles. It was easy. Flora is in Spring, Moon Goddess is in Winter, Sun Goddess is in Summer, and Fauna is in Fall.

Once in the correct spot, the figurine glowed their respective colors as the second puzzle begins. I have to match the same number of symbols on the four seasons. In the second near the outer circle is where I have to put the number. The correct answer is seven. Seven flowers, snowflakes, leaves, and sun rays.

Lastly, was the third puzzle on what's looked like a four petal flower. Based on the description of the candidates, I have to put them in the right slot and correctly guess who are the next candidates are.

I picked up a figurine that looked like Lumina. Her description reads:

The time of sleep and the end is near. Life is gone, everything lost in a dream. When all that's warm, it's all forgotten. Beauty shall cloak this terrible darkness,
for I've yet made my decision.

I put the Winter successor in the lower left of the flower petal. The figurine glowed in a white light. The second figurine I picked is of a girl with faded blonde hair with flowers. Her description reads:

The time when life come as everything awakes. It's beauty will leave you in a daze. I'm the eldest sister for everything always began, but never ends with me.
Yet, I have the youngest mind, that shall be. Life is full of hardships and I can see. Find the swans, if you ever want to find me.

I put the second figurine whom I assumed to be the Spring successor in the upper left of the flower. The third figurine is of a young woman with red hair, but with some silvery streaks. The description reads:

I'm the light that everyone has, though big or small it all depends. This fragile light that flickers in the deadly storm as Death approached, loomed over. Strike
the match once, strike the match twice, then thrice, and you'll understand that life has its own dark price.

"This one seemed more dark than the others..." I remarked as I put the third successor in the upper right.

It glowed a yellow color, which means it is the Summer successor. This must be the Lady of Summer's granddaughter, someone I'll meet in my future mission. I picked up the last figurine that is cloaked. The description reads:

The time of joy and meant for fun. When colors changed to show what I've become. Like the long Summer and the short Winter, it is I who's in between.
However, I've yet to be born, that's what it seemed. But you shall know at the end of dawn, my family is a Queen and a beautiful fawn.

This one can only be in that last spot. So I place the Fall successor in the lower right. It glowed red as the middle of the circle glowed. A secret compartment opened. It was a crystal orb. Something was happening outside because I can feel the room shaking. Grabbing the crystal orb, I ran outside and head for the Balcony.

When I got to the hallways, my book glowed so I took it out. The page was flipped to the last tale of the Forgotten Cinderella.

The Forgotten Cinderella, 3/3

Diamonds and Toads, 3/3

The Girl and Father Frost, 3/3

Aurore and Aimee, 3/3

The Three Fairies, 3/3

Immediately, I touched the last story as the past showed itself.

The Three Fairies

Once, there was an envious widow named Caradonia. She had two girls living with her in an abandoned cottage. Her daughter, Grannizia, and her stepdaughter, Cicella.

What a weird name, Grannizia. It has the word Granny in it.

One day, while working, Cicella dropped her basket down a cliff accidentally. Having special connection with the forest and its inhabitants, she can see one's true form without the Faerie Sight. She met an ogre who told her to climb down to the bottom of the cliff. There, she met three beautiful fairies. She was very polite, combing their hair, getting rid of the lice, and finding rubies and pearls for them.

In gratitude, they took her to Mother Holle's palace where they showed her to the treasury. The girl admire them, but wasn't completely bedazzled. Lastly, they showed her many dresses. Amongst any that she could have taken, Cicella took the lesser out of any of them. It was plain, but still beautiful.

"Which path will you take to go back home?"

"The stable doors will be fine."

"Oh, but you deserve more. You can't return home like that."

They gave her a splendid gown, dressed her light brown hair in jewels, and allow her to pass through the golden doors. As she pass, the brightest star fell on her forehead, becoming a tiara.

When returning home, Caradonia sent Grannizia through the same test. However, when encountering the fairies, all she does was complain about the lice and was nothing, but rude to them. In return, they showed her the dresses as they did with Cicella. The stepsister took the fanciest, but the fairies won't let her. Out of patience soon enough, the fairies sent the girl through the stable doors, where disgusting things you can imagine fell on her forehead.

The mother was enrage of the fairies, taking Cicella's dress and giving it to her daughter. While traveling, a nobleman who goes by the name of Cuosemo caught sight of Cicella's beauty as she tends to the pigs. He asked for Caradonia's permission to wed her. The woman agreed, but it proves to be a lie. She trapped Cicella in a barrel and gave him Grannizia as the bride instead. While sleeping in the cottage, the man learned from a tabby cat, one of the fairies in disguise, that his true bride is sealed in the barrel.

He freed his bride and replace the false one in the barrel. They fled before the mother realized what had happened. Later that day, Caradonia took the barrel and boiled hot water. She planned to scald her stepdaughter to death as she poured the water in. When finding out that it was her daughter inside, the woman was driven by madness and wander the forest until she died.

Well... That was quite dark. Closing the book, I resumed back to my mission

Once I got to the Balcony, there were four pillars that has risen from the ground. The crystal orb immediately reacted with the pillars. Maybe I have to charged it? Going to the pillar with a flower emblem, the puzzle was to interactive with objects and scenery to get the two lovers together. Oddly enough, there were many swans involved in this puzzle. Nonetheless, it charged the crystallized orb. Going to the Summer pillar, the puzzle was to swap the fire tiles and water tiles to their proper places. Fall was to fill the basket below with the right colored apples. Red in the middle, yellow in the left, and green in the right. The last pillar was to save the entrapped fairies by interacting with other objects, very similar to the first one.

With the crystal orb charged with all four of the seasons, I returned to the battle between Lumi and Renee. Aiming it at the Evil Stepmother, I threw the orb at her. She was left completely stunned, giving Lumi the chance to finished her off. With the Summer Scepter, she defeated Renee. The woman staggered as Lumina's soul escaped from her body. At the same time, Lumi fell to her knees, looking extremely tired. Both scepters disappeared, returning to where they belong in the Halls of the Seasons.

Without the soul of the future Ruler of Winter, Renee suddenly felt weak. Clutching to her heart, she yelled, "No, no, this can't be!"

All of a sudden, a dark figure appeared beside the Evil Stepmother.

"It seemed that you've failed me..." he took notice.

"No, Master! Give me another chance!" Renee begged.

"It's too late, you failed to bring me Winter, therefore... Your daughter shall not be avenged, neither will you. Your time is up." he declared calmly.

The dark figure grabbed the Evil Stepmother and absorbed her spirit. She screamed until all she could manage was, "NO!"

After absorbing Renee, the dark figure turned to faced me. I couldn't see his face because a cloak was covering it.

"And you, Detective... This time, you're lucky. I'll make sure that my other servants doesn't underestimate you again, like Renee did." he warned before disappearing.

I watched as Lumina's soul returned back to her own body. She woke up from her comatose sleep, but as she rise from her bed, Lumi started to fall.

"Lumi!" I called out, rushing over to catch her just in time before she hit the ground.

The Princess follows as she got up and rush to my side, "Lumi."

"You'll be fine now, Lumina." the girl slowly replied. "Because of the love between you and Paul, I was given life."

Her body started to shatter into pieces as more cracks appear in her hard human skin.

"This is..." I trailed off.

"Oh, the truth is... My body is turning back, because I learned to love back. I have learned to love long time ago... I just managed to suppress my timely end. Prolonging, delaying... Anything to keep me alive until now." Lumi quietly explained.

"Is there a way to save you?" I questioned.

She shook her head, "Mm-mm," looking at her shattering body, she spoke, "My body is severely damaged, way beyond repair." turning to her owner, she added, "Oh, but before I go... Lumina, can I asked you a favor?"

"What is it?" the young girl asked.

"The truth is I want to continue living, but I'm afraid that's not possible in the state I'm in. So can you... Let me stay with you? Before I lose my body, I would like it if you can keep a part of me with you." she requested.

"Of course." the Princess agreed.

She hold the hands of her doll, no, her friend. Lumi's body was glowing white and her light was being transferred to Lumina.

"Thank you," the dying girl expressed her gratitude by kissing the young girl's forehead. "I've learned to appreciate the life that the two of you gave me. Though it was sad and there were time when I questioned my life... In the end, I was happy to live in your world, even if it was brief."

Feeling that the Princess wanted to speak more with Lumi, I let her as I stood up.

"You can continue living, I'm sure I can prevent this from happening." Lumina insisted.

"You can't, not yet anyway. It's strange, right? For me to feel this way... Despite in actuality, I am you." Lumi cried.

One thing I notice was that the girl was actually shedding tears. They're not turning into diamonds.

"Lumi..." the Princess was also crying.

"Don't be sad, Princess." Lumi wipe away the tears from Lumina's face. "I was told that you looked better with a smile on your face."

Lumina gave her best smile, though it was faltering, "I'm sorry, but I can't."

"In time, you can and will." she turned her attention towards me, "And Detective, it was great working with you." cracks started to spread in her skin as her body is shattering into more pieces. She gave me the little orb that I threw in the well earlier. "But now, it's time for my end to come. I have to return what you gave to me, Lumina."

I turned around so I wouldn't see more.

"No, these memories and love is from your own." the Princess insisted.

"Is that so? Then... All these memories of mine, I'll never forget them... And neither shall you, Lumina." she closed her eyes in a peaceful state.

A single teardrop fell to the floor. Her body glowed until she became lifeless. However, Lumi didn't completely changed back to her original form. Her doll self still retains her human-like features, looking more realistic. She doesn't look like the soft toy she was before becoming human.

Turning around, I helped Lumina up as someone appeared before us. It was the Moon Goddess! The girl gave a small smile at the presence of the lovely woman in front of her, despite her eyes looked glassy from crying.

The Moon Goddess gave a rather sad smile, "I see that both Holle and Lumi are gone..."

"Can you bring them back?" Lumina hoped.

"Sadly, Princess, I cannot. Holle was one of my closet fairy friends, but I cannot bring her back. Lumi, however, she might have a chance for she has already gained a soul of her own." the Moon Goddess softly answered.

"Really?!" the girl's eyes gleamed with even more hope.

"Yes, but it will take a while for her to return, seeing that her human body has reverted back to it's true form, a fay doll."

"Oh." that hope was slightly faltering, but slightly.

"Don't be sad, Lumina. She isn't gone for good. That is why you'll return, sooner or later. Holle chose you as her successor. You'll come back here to become the new Ruler of Winter, protecting the season. And soon, you'll find a way to restore her." the Moon Goddess looked at the Princess in a motherly way. "I can see why she chose you, for the same reasons like I did when I gave you your powers."

"Am I really that special?" she questioned.

"Yes, you have Lumi's soul deep down in you as well as Holle's powers. They're both with you from within, even if you can't see them." the Moon Goddess pet the Princess' head. "Because of your ability to see the world of our precious little friends, you'll be able to save them and keep them safe."

"Thank you." the little girl gave the lovely woman a hug.

After breaking the hug, the Moon Goddess turned to faced me, "As for you, Detective, I believe this is our second encounter. I thank you for all you've done in helping the people down on Earth and the fairies in this world. Please, take this as a token of my gratitude, I'm sure that it'll help you find more about your past. I hope we meet again." she started to fade away. "Goodbye, Detective, Lumina."

By then, she had faded away completely. I looked at the ornate box the Moon Goddess gave me. It looked familiar, but I don't remember where I've seen this before. I looked away from the box as Lumina approached me.

"Thank you, Detective, for waking me from my coma. However, I sense that the other successors for the seasons are in trouble. I'm afraid you won't be able to find them because they're hidden by the Faerie Glamor."

"I thought it only hid this world." I replied.

"Yes, but all chosen successors are shielded to prevent any evil beings from finding us. However, the glamor is weakening since that creature was able to find me. You'll need my help for your investigate in the near future."

"Are you sure you want to come? It can be very dangerous." I warned.

She nods in understanding, "I'm still not ready to become the new ruler yet, so traveling with you will help me learn. I wished to join you. Plus, I want to meet the other candidates who will become rulers one day."

"How are you sure that you'll meet them?"

"We may not be related to one another, but we can still be family. After all, I no longer have one..."

I realized that she was right, in a way. I'm with an orphaned little girl. Her birth family disowned her, her adopted father died, her cruel adopted mother and sister are now gone, even Mother Holle is no longer here to take care of her. I can't imagine just leaving her on her own.

"How about you come to my place? Or well, the place I'm staying?" I corrected myself. "You can stay there for the holiday and then at my place until you have a home." I gently offered.

"Yes." she agreed. Looking back, she picked up Lumi as a ghostly figure appeared before her. Addressing to Lumi first, she replied, "Thank you, for looking after everything for me." looking at Paul, she added, "And I'll always think about you, Paul."

The fay boy smiled and gave her a blue book, "A story my mother used to read to me. Take care of yourself, Lumina."

"You too, Paul." she said her farewell as Paul's spirit left. Looking at her doll, she addressed to her, "And Lumi, I would take you with me, but... Perhaps it's better if you stayed here. Home, where you truly belong. The place that will one day be where I belong as well. I can't take you with me, but I'll come back. And when I do, I'll find a way to restore you."

She placed Lumi on the throne before turning to me.

"Is it okay to leave this place by itself?" I asked.

She turned around and used her magic to seal the palace so one no can enter unless if it's herself, the other successors, or anyone with a pure heart.

When she and I returned back to the our world, Lumina shield her eyes from the bright morning sun. It was now Christmas Eve.

Returning back to Scarlett's house, I introduce the girl to everyone I know. She was at first shy and quiet, but quickly warmed up to all the friendly faces. I have to admit, I find it surprisingly shocking to see her dress less formally and she in turn, find it hard to see me dress more causally like any other normal everyday person.

Although, that didn't last long because we were having fun, getting ready for the big day tomorrow. Making sure that the girl sleeps well at night, I went to the room that Scarlett gave me to write a letter to Snow White.

To Snow White,

I'm happy to tell you that I've met with your friend, Holle.

Unfortunately, she died during my recent mission by a pawn of

an evil being. His goal is unknown, but I am sure that he is

seeking the Rulers of the Seasons and their successors for their

powers. The orb you gave me was meant for you to keep. Holle

told me so, herself. I'm sure you'll see her again for she is within

the very girl she chose to inherit her powers. I wished you and

your family a wonderful holiday.

Merry Xmas,

Detective Sophia

Taking out the small orb and putting it in a small box. I mailed the package and the letter to the new Snowfall Kingdom. And the next morning? Let's just say we had a very special Christmas.

That was very fun, but now onto the bonus chapter! Please leave a review on what you think!