Valkyrie walked up to China's apartment, the Hellhound Manual in hand. Scorch was beside her.

They got to China's apartment and knocked on her door.

China answered the door and, right beside China, was a jet black hellhound.

Valkyrie smiled. "Hey China, hello Omen."

The hellhound nodded. "Hello Valkyrie," he looked at Scorch. "Scorch."

"Hey Omen!" Scorch said excitedly and the two exchanged the normal argument that they always exchanged when seeing each other. It mostly consisted of Scorch making fun of an incident involving a groundhog, a puppy Omen, and a hole.

It had been on her first trip taking Scorch and Angel around with Tanith, getting them acquainted with everyone so that they don't rip their friends throats out, when Valkyrie first meet Omen.

Valkyrie, Tanith and the puppies had knocked on China's door and were greeted with China, wearing a light green shirt with a black skirt and her hair pulled off her face in an ordinary pony tail. And a small black hellhound puppy, the age as Scorch and Angel, his fur a deep black and he had the same symbol Scorch had on his own forehead. Angel and Scorch seemed shocked to see the puppy and the three had seemed to have a conversation with lots of barking.

The three girls had exchanged puzzled looks. Then Valkyrie asked, "So when did you get a dog?"

"Um, I actually had gotten him a few minutes after you left. He found my lipstick. I saw that as a good omen so I named him Omen. I was actually just about to take him out to see some acquaintances of mine so that he doesn't try to kill them when we are talking business." China replied, than she looked at Tanith. "And you got one too huh?"

"Yep. Angel."

"Ah." China looked at Scorch. "So what did you decide to name yours?" She asked Valkyrie.

"Scorch."

China nodded. "Suits him."

Meanwhile the hellhounds were having their own conversation.

Scorch, Angel and the other hellhound's eyes widened in shock. "Devil?" Scorch said.

"Scorch?" said Omen.

"Devil?" Angel cried.

"Angel?"

The three exchanged looks.

"Well," Scorch finally said. "I didn't think I'd see you again."

"Yeah." Angel blinked.

"Same here." Omen replied, his voice turning to a slight growl. The three had never exactly been on good terms. "And its Omen now."

"Oh. Well, how nice for you. I'm still Scorch thanks for asking."

"And I'm Angel still."

Omen snorted. Obviously not pleased with meeting with them again after so long.

Everything was quiet for a few moments.

"So, how ya been?" Scorch asked cheerfully.

"Fine."

"Did you fall into any good holes since I last saw you?" Scorch asked.

"You really aren't going to let me falling into that pit go will you?"

"Nope!"

Omen sighed.

Angel watched quietly. Omen had never been really nice to her but still, he was her brother. So she decided to do something.

"Hey Omen," she said.

"Yeah?"

"Your fly's down."

He looked down at himself then glared. "Not funny."

Scorch and Angel started to bark with laughter.

Valkyrie and Tanith looked down at their pets and frowned.

"Okay, are our pets having aneurisms or something?" Tanith asked as Scorch slowly sank to the ground, laughing silently. Angel was still yipping and barking while Omen glared daggers at them.

"Okay, we better take them home." Valkyrie said picking up Scorch. Tanith picked up Angel.

"Good idea," China said as Valkyrie and Tanith walked away.

Scorch and Angel peeked around their shoulders and each waved their paws at him as they left.

Back To Present…

Valkyrie looked back at China and smiled. "Just returning the book you lent me. Thanks for letting me borrow it."

China took the book and smiled back. "No problem."

"Are you still coming over to train?"

"Yep, Omen needs to work on balance. For some reason he keeps falling into every hole we come across it seems."

Valkyrie nodded. "No problem. I'm sure Skulduggery won't mind if we turn his yard into a pit field.

China grinned. "Oh, it'll definitely be interesting."

"I wonder if he's going to start squeaking or faint, either way it'll be funny."

"Yeah. Well we better start digging, come on Scorch."

Scorch trotted after Valkyrie then looked back and stuck out his tongue at his brother.