Dragon Fist's Transformation

Surveying the chaos around her -- boxes and overflowing shopping bags litter the small South San Francisco house -- Cassie sighs. Tony had agreed to stay away while Cassie moved to Antoinette's house, and at least their last conversation had been more civil. Tony had even asked if she'd wanted to have dinner at his new apartment once he'd settled in. Though he'd sounded remorseful, it had been too little too late and neither one of them had apologized for anything.

 The doorbell rings a full hour before Cassie expected the Guardians who'd agreed to help her begin the trek to Antoinette's, and upon opening the door, she's startled to see Selena standing before her.

 "Ummm - Hi," Cassie says. "Come on in." 

The New York superheroine is dressed casually in jeans and a sweater, and the curly black hair is pulled back into a braid. "Sorry to just drop by like this, so underdressed," she says after Cassie invites her in. "But I thought I'd try to avoid the press as much as I could." She gestures helplessly to the news vans parked across the street. "You might want to know that your trip to U-Haul to buy moving boxes made the noon news shows."

Cassie's face goes red. "Suddenly I have a lot of sympathy for Diana and Charles. Having everyone watch your marital problems is not fun. You'd think they'd have something better to do."

"I wish I could have come last week, right after the change occurred," Selena continues. "But my sister had, ah, a run-in with the New York Police and I had to take care of that." She shakes her head slightly at a memory, then looks up. "Can I help pack anything?"

"I hope you're sister is OK," Cassie says, shutting the door behind Selena. "I appreciate you coming over. Things have been very hectic here. I admit I have a ton of questions."

"I can imagine," Selena says. "I really regret not getting here sooner."

Walking into the kitchen, Cassie pulls open the refrigerator. "Can I get you something to drink?"  

"Anything diet and with caffeine is good," Selena responds. "We had a headwind and the flight back here took forever -- and I can never sleep on the jet when the turbulence is so bad."

Pulling out a couple of glasses, Cassie continues, "Where do I begin? I've got so many questions. I guess the first one is why did I change and who is this goddess?"

"That is a big one," she says, smiling. "I'm not really sure where to start, either. There's a lot of ground to cover. To begin with, there were seven goddesses originally, and they arose with civilization. Only one is still worshipped -- Miret, the goddess I serve -- and she is the only one who still lives. I think there is a relationship between followers and life for them, but I'm not entirely sure. I only get crypic answers at best to my questions -- most of what I know comes from old scrolls and the training I received as a child in the temple school."

"Alive?" Cassie asks somewhat incredulously. "Are you suggesting that these goddesses walked around on Earth and did things? I kind of picture them as like the Greek gods, little more than myths. But you're saying that Miret is alive."

"Yes, quite alive," Selena says. "I can talk to her, when she feels like talking. I think that when they were still young, they walked the earth more, and as time past, some of the goddesses became more into being worshipped and having temples built to them. But from what I understand, in the beginning they were very much human -- in the same sense that you and I are human."

"That must be intersting, conversing with a goddess." Cassie smiles, "Tell me, after a couple of thousands years, has she figured out men?"

"She's, well, she's pretty forward, actually. Once I made the mistake of asking her for advice about Pro--, well, this guy that I like, and she went off for about ten minutes about how she was never such a prude, even at my age, and on and on. She even said I was acting like a 'meek Moslem maiden!'" Selena looks indignant. "What does she want? I was raised in a temple full of women!" She shakes her head. "It was probably the most un-cryptic any of her messages have been, and it was all personal criticism about my love life. Or lack thereof."

"Oh my," Cassie giggles. "I hope she didn't offer her viewpoints, ummm, during intimate moments. That might be too much."

Selena darkens in embarrassment and ducks her head. "Er, well, it, ah, hasn't gotten that far yet." She sighs in frustration. "But that is another story."

"Well, I'm here if you want to talk, but if my personal life's any example maybe, I'm not the best person to give advice," Cassie says. "'Course I could suggest that you do everything opposite of me. Now that just might work."

"He is just SO cute," Selena says. "Tall, incredibly handsome. And brilliant, dedicated...and he seems to like me. But he just won't make a move." She sighs. "What IS it about me? Normally when men see me in costume they just don't stop. But he's always mister platonic."

"Ummm, he's not gay is he," Cassie says. "Just checking because you never know. That would explain a lot."

"Well, maybe he is just shy or nervous around women. I know it's difficult to imagine in the 90's, but maybe he's inexperienced and he just doesn't know how to take the first step," Cassie adds, packing up another box. "Perhaps if you approached him and asked him if there was something the matter it might help to jog him forward."

Selena takes a sip of the Diet Coke Cassie offers. "Maybe -- are you sure I can't help you pack anything? I think you'll probably want to move like a commando raid -- in one big trip while they're distracted. I may be able to help with the distraction part when you're ready."

"Any help would be appreciated," Cassie says, moving toward a stack of boxes. "Tony left all the wedding gifts that related to cooking for me to pack. I don't know why. He knows I can't cook. They're just going to sit in my kitchen collecting dust."  

Grabbing some newspaper, she starts wrapping glasses. "The guys are coming by in about an hour to help load stuff up. The one time my teleport power would have come in handy, is the same time it decides to desert me. What did you have in mind for a distraction?"  

"Well.." Selena says, "Sometimes I can call on Miret for things, like, says, big illusions. I was really only thinking in terms of having her lead the reporters on a wild goose chase, as it were." Selena grins, and begins wrapping glasses with Cassie. "And I think that she'd do whatever she could to help you out. I think that your fate has touched her somewhat -- she has initiated several conversations with me in the past week."

Cassie reddens, very embarrassed. Actually, with her new complexion, the result is more a greenish color. "I can't imagine what a goddess would have to say about me. Well, I imagine that late-evening plunge into the Bay was pretty funny. Now that I think about it in retrospect, it must have seemed outlandish to everyone else that I just walked naked out San Francisco Bay. At least no one made a 'Splash' joke."

"She was just concerned that you would be confused by what was going on. I know I would be," Selena says. "I only grew a couple of inches and glowed a little in the right light when I took on her appearance."

"Well it was a shock," Cassie says, tossing hand towels and pot holders into a box. "Actually, I think I'm still in shock. But after having your soul thrust into another person's body, you start to put things in perspective." Cassie shudders. "That was the worst I think," she whispers. "Being inside that woman's mind. Trapped there knowing what she had done and not being able to do anything about it."

Shaking her head, Cassie snaps out of her reverie. "Well it's over for now. And I'm stuck with this body. So I'd better start learning to live with it."

"Where was I?" Selena asks, picking up her earlier conversation. "Oh, yes, the seven at the beginning of civilization. Each had their own sphere of influence -- Miret ruled healing through the vehicle of the moon, Adamah controlled the earth, Anael controlled the heavens, Umai controlled fire, Ashnan controlled agriculture, and Arinna the sun. Mara was the great sea goddess. It is Mara's form that you have taken," Selena explains.

"All of these goddesses have existed in many forms to many peoples," she says, "But as time has passed, so have they passed from the earth. Miret exists on a plane separate from our own, from which she cannot travel. She survived as long as she did because the Zoroastrians worshipped her, in their own way -- their power kept her alive. From what I have been told, their power is returning to the earth, but not in the ancient goddesses -- in you and me, and in several others that I belive exist today."

"So it's like their life energy has come to us and that's what why we've got these powers," Cassie says, while carefully sealing a box of kitchen supplies. "That sounds very New Age or Zen. Oh it just sounds plain mystical. By the way, who are the Zoroastrians? And you say they are others. Do they know who they are or are they wandering around like me without a clue?"

"Oh, the Zoroastrians are a minor Persian religion," Selena says. "Before Islam came, they were the biggest religion -- it's thought that the Zoroastrian faith had many influences on Judaism and then later Christianity. There are still Zoroastrians, today, which is why Miret is still alive." 

"I don't think any of the others know," Selena says. "I mean, you would never have known if Kharis and I hadn't been there -- not to mention Moira. That's another thing I want to explain to you in a minute. I do think I know of the air elemental -- I think that's the woman calling herself Vortex in Chicago."

"Isn't she the superheroine who re-emerged recently after disappearing for about 20 years?" Cassie asks.

"Well, I think it was closer to 10, but that's the one," Selena says. "I suppose we ought to get in contact with her, but I wonder how she'll take it? Maybe she has another explanation for what happened to her. Would you be willing to come with me when I go to Chicago to talk to her?"

"Yes, if I can get time off from work," Cassie says. "I suddenly find myself solely dependent upon my meager salary."

"Oh, well -- you know, I'm sure I could find some way to write it off as a business expense," Selena smiles. "Maybe I should put together a mutual relief fund for beginning goddesses? Maybe we could get tax exempt status."

Cassie laughs at that. "Maybe I should start listing goddess as my occupation on my tax forms. Then again, that might get me audited."

Selena goes on to explain, "I was raised in a temple -- the last surviving temple to Miret, hidden from the view of the Iranian government by the last of her earthly power. All the girls I was raised with were her descendants, and one of us was to be chosen as her successor by the goddess herself. I never imagined it would be me -- my sister is not the only irreverent member of our family -- and I was deeply angry with the priestesses for saving our lives when my parents and brothers were left to the Shah's soldiers.

"But it ended up to be me who was chosen, much to the chagrin of Shirin. The reason for the goddess' existence is to protect the earth and all humanity -- that is clear from the writings. But there are other powers which are also awakening, powers which Shirin tried to tap into. These are the forces which the seven protected humanity against, and which we unfortunately saw in action last week. The amulets" -- she gestures to her own silvery moon and to Cassie's amulet --"were worn by the head priestesses of the goddesses, and conferred upon them powers which varied slightly, and often had nothing to do with the goddesses themselves. That had a lot to do with goddess jealousy," Selena says. "But eventually you'll be able to read the scrolls for yourself and discover the stories."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don't know how well I'll do in reading scrolls. I can handle Latin and Greek, but Iranian and Persian are way out of my league."

"Farsi isn't as hard as you would think," Selena smiles at Cassie's linguistic confusion -- Iranian and Persian are the same language. "And not even the ancient texts are that bad. And at any rate, you will probably have millennia to learn."

The glass Cassie was wrapping suddenly goes crashing to the floor. "What do you mean a millennia!"

Selena jumps at the sound of breaking glass. "I mean that you will effectively be immortal now," she says. "Until the next era beings, or unless you're injured too badly to heal. But you will not age."

"Immortal. Immortal," Cassie sits down, stunned. "If the blue skin and white hair wasn't enough, now this. When will it all stop. Am I going to run around for the rest of my life having surprises like this. I wonder what Tony would think of that. He probably wouldn't be happy." 

"What about children?" Cassie frets. "I mean. How could I have children if I was going to outlive them? How could I watch them get old and die. That's not right."

"I think that your focus shifts," Selena says. "I would imagine that you would start thinking in terms of founding a dynasty, and looking after ALL of your descendants. I started thinking about this when I was Chosen. I think that maybe all that dreck about gods referring to everyone as 'their children' might have a basis somewhere." She shrugs. "I've been getting used to the idea for six years now, so it's lost its sting somewhat."

"I guess," Cassie says, wearily. "I'm just getting tired of all the surprises."

"It's all just so hard to accept. I mean I can believe the need for people to fight against the evil that is coming into this world. If Shirin and her ilk are any example of what's coming around the bend, then I'd say we are in for a serious fight. But why now? Why not a thousand years ago. And how do we fight it. Should all seven of us get together and hold meetings. Oh I can't believe I suggested that," Cassie sighs, putting down the tape. "The next thing you know I'll be yelling 'Goddesses assemble.'"

Selena picks up a vase and begins wrapping it in newspaper. "Well, that's the thing I was leading up to," she says. "Once we discover the other five, supposedly there is a ceremony that Miret will lead us through, and then....then she passes from the earth, and we will be the new guardians, and the new era will begin." The Persian woman looks deeply sad, and looks down at the floor.

Cassie looks at Selena and realizes that all this time she had been centering on her problems and failed to notice that what her new friend was saying, pretty much meant that Selena would loose contact with the goddess she had a close relationship with most of her life.  

"I'm sorry Selena," she says, putting her hand on Selena's shoulder. "I didn't think about how all this would affect you. I guess I've been obsessing on my own problems recently. Maybe we can convince Miret not to go. I mean, what do I know about helping guard the world. I could sure use her instruction. She's been doing it for a couple millennia."

"There isn't much of a choice here," Selena says. "That things are changing is obvious, and she has herself told me that she will join the others. I think it's what she wants. Just try to imagine what it would be like if you had a personal relationship with God -- and then he died. That's what it feels like."

Cassie doesn't know what to say. "I um," Cassie stumbles over her own tongue. "I. Well. I don't know what I can say. But if you want to talk about it. I'm here."  

After a few moments, she shakes her head. "I'm sorry, I have a tendency to get preachy now, Miriam - -my sister -- tells me. Don't let me blather on like that," she smiles.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Cassie?" Selena asks shyly. "You are leaving your husband, it seems?"

 "Yes," Cassie says, her voice catching on the word. "We've - we've been having problems, even before all of this. But this," she spreads her webbed hands. "This was the capstone. He said he had actually been happier with the Shirin Cassie. And then he left. It was the hardest night of my life I think. But then I realized that I had made it through all of it without him. Then I knew that I had to understand myself first before I could ever hope of understanding him. I don't know Selena. I don't know where I am going and I don't know if Tony will be with me there in the end."

Selena nods, supportingly. "I know -- this must be an incredible shock. It's like your life was stolen from you, and now that you've gotten it back, you're not sure you want it any more. It was different for me, but the feelings are the same. If it makes a difference, the selection isn't purely genetic -- you have a noble soul. Think of it as the cosmic vote of confidence -- there are very ancient, powerful beings who have measured you and found you worthy."

"So I kind of got stamped cosmic grade "A" huh," Cassie says. "That vote of confidence helps. Oh Selena, I don't mean to be such a wus. It's just I never really thought of myself as a superhero and now hearing that I've inherited a goddess' power - well - it's a lot to live up to. But, whining gets you nowhere," Cassie says, getting up from the kitchen table. "I don't suppose you know how I can practice these new powers without hurting anyone. I've already soaked the kitchen and bathroom. I know I need to know how to use these abilities if I'm going to help people, but I'm not sure what these abilities are. I don't suppose those scrolls have a guide to the goddesses' powers. I must have dropped the manual in the Bay," she adds winking at Selena.

"I don't know much of the specifics," Selena says. "I think you're supposed to be able to heal infertility and control the waters, maybe make rain? I would imagine that experimenting in the ocean would be best. I think you can communicate with sea animals as well."

"Sea World here I come," Cassie crows. "Finally a chance to use those tickets that the museum gave all their employees for Christmas. You'd think I'd get a Christmas bonus, but nooooo. I get tickets to Sea World."

 The Comet and Dragon Fist arrive at Cassie's house at eleven on Saturday straight up. Their teammate's request for help moving had been sudden, but given the nature of the news reports of her "change" and subsequent video footage of a now pale and white-haired heroine (dashing to and from the grocery store, usually), not entirely unexpected. Neither had any clue of what was going on with Odyssey other than the vague reports of a mystical battle at Alcatraz that she'd been involved in, and her call three days previously had been the first contact either had had with her since the incident. 

Dragon Fist's head throbs -- despite the lengths Mark had gone to, no cinematic martial arts mystic had materialized yet. The Dragon's voice had begun to reassert himself, despite stronger doses of Grandfather's tea, and occasional visions of Shuk-Wah -- standing in windows as he walked through the streets, or as a face in the crowd -- had also served to shake his sense of well-being.

The Comet landed on the driveway. There had been no news of Rubicon in the week that had elapsed since Stephanie had told Kathleen about what she'd discovered at her work, and Steph was still looking for a job. Chris had spent several days of the past week subbing, and so their immediate future wasn't too scary -- yet. Their "inexpensive" apartment ran $850 every month, and rent was going to be due soon.

"Good to see you again, Dragon Fist. Keeping busy?"

Dragon Fist pauses on the doorstep to wait for the other hero. "Hello, Comet," he says as the other lands, "How have things been with you?" 

"Well, it's been a quiet week so far; just the occasional mugger or cat in a tree. Other than that, I'm keeping pretty busy. Hey, did you know if the Silver Avenger is coming? She and Cassie are pretty good friends."

It isn't Cassie who opens the door, but a stunningly beautiful Persian woman wearing jeans and a sweater. "Come in," she gestures to the two heroes, tossing her braid over her shoulder. "I'm Selena -- Cassie is packing the china with Alex in the kitchen." The sounds of Tori Amos drift from the house as the two of them step forward.

Comet blinks at the woman's beauty, but quickly composes himself. "Um, hi. I'm the Comet, and this is Dragon Fist. Pleased to meet you."

Dragon Fist bows slightly from the waist. "An honor to meet you, Selena." He glances in the direction of the kitchen. "How is she doing? I haven't heard anything except for what was on the news - and I'd hate to rely only on that."

The young hero is dressed casually in jeans and an old sweatshirt that still bears a few splotches of housepaint. His eyes take in the chaos of a household readying for moving; boxes stacked in the entryway, packing material scattered about, and the general disorganization of things out of their proper place.

Strange, he thinks, I had no idea they were leaving this place. I'd bet it has something to do with recent events, but what would be the connection? If she's changed as much as I've heard, moving isn't going to solve anything. There's got to be more to this.

"She's doing OK," Selena says with a smile and a trace of a British/Farsi accent. "She's coping with the changes now, which is good, and not fighting them."

"I can't imagine what she's going through right now," says the Comet, shaking his head. "I mean, I was changed, but at least I still look...well, pink. I'm sure the tabloids are having a field day with this."

Dragon Fist nods thoughtfully as he walks towards the kitchen. "I hope the press hasn't been too bad. They seemed awfully... eager today."

"I guess I'm here to do the heavy lifting, right?" asked the Comet with a slight grin. "To be honest, I'm surprised they waited this long to move out of here; this has got to be the most famous address in all of San Francisco right now. How did they manage to find a place without everyone in the Bay Area knowing about it?"

 "By the way, where's Tony at, anyway?"

"Hello!" Dragon Fist pokes his head around the doorway to the kitchen. "Where do you want me to start?"

 Turning around at Dragon Fist's voice, Cassie spots him and Comet standing in the hallway. She's busy packing knicknacks and small framed items into a box in the living room. Cassie is dressed in jeans and an old Berkley University t-shirt. It is Cassie, her facial structure hasn't changed, but everything else is vastly different.

Long white - not blonde - white hair is pulled up into a haphazard ponytail. That serves to only emphasize that Cassie's skin is tinged a light shade of blue - everywhere. Here eyes are still green, but her overall appearance is startlingly different. A closer look at her hands will show that they are changed. Small pieces of webbed skin strech between the fingers.

"Oh good, you guys were able to make it," Cassie says, putting the last item in the box. "And you've meet Selena. She's just been wonderful helping me the last few days. I always wanted a sister who wouldn't beat me up or steal my clothes."

Dragon Fist blinks a few times upon the first sight of Cassie's new appearance. As shocking as the change is, the last two weeks' events have left the hero a bit jaded. That and the throbbing headache that pounds at the inside of his skull dims his reaction to a minimum.

Comet can't help but be shocked at Cassie' startling transformation; the news reports and footage were just too vague to match the reality that stood before him. Aware he is staring, he looks away guiltily.

"Sorry, Cassie; it's...quite a surprise. Um...is this change...permanent?"

"That's OK. I already freaked out about it. I'm coming to accept it now. From everything I've found out this isn't going away," Cassie says, closing the box. "This is how I'm going to look from now on. This is me. A lot more has changed," Cassie says, throwing stuff in a new box. "I'm not the same person I was a few days ago. Besides the makeover I've got new powers. I can't teleport anymore, but I can summon water. I'm also not sure I can heal people anymore. There's just so much that has changed."

"I wanted to call you guys. But the way things happened. I didn't have the chance. I've just been trying to cope," Cassie adds sitting down. "It's been interesting."

Dragon Fist manages a smile, he had been thinking similar thoughts of late. "There's a Chinese saying 'May you live in interesting times.' Its considered to be a curse."

"Well, welcome to my personal little hell," she says gesturing at the boxes around her. "Who would have thought I'd have acquired so much stuff in a few months of marriage. Thanks guys for coming to help on such a short notice. I've' got the U-Haul backed up to the garage to cut down on media interference. Though they know they can't come up to the house. But that doesn’t top them from yelling questions at everyone. For sanity's sake I'm going to try and make the move in one trip."

"Yes, they can definitely yell," Comet agrees. "I remember when I put out that warehouse fire; they beat the fire department there, and were shouting at me while I was pulling people out of the building."

 Looking around the living room, Dragon Fist and Comet will notice that things are already gone from the house.

 "But before you get started let me get you something to drink," Cassie says.

 "Water, please" answers Dragon Fist. "And could I trouble you for a couple of aspirin? Only if they're not already packed..."

 "Sure, I think I've got some in here," Cassie says rummaging around through boxes and drawers. She comes up with some Tylenol and then gets Dragon Fist a glass of water.

"What is wrong?" Selena asks, giving Dragon Fist a concerned glance. "Can I help?"

Dragon Fist recalls what he knows of the heroine then shakes his head in the negative. "I'm afraid this isn't anything that healing could solve," he answers. The hero recalls Mark's semi-serious suggestion and forces a smile. "Unless you happen to know any Chinese magicians...?"

Jeez, I don't want to dump all my problems out here, not while Cassandra's still dealing with everything that's hit her. But, Selena MIGHT know something... did they have Dragons in Persia? 

"Well, I know one ancient Egyptian magician," Selena offers. "I know he spent time in Asia in the past. And he was a big help to Cassie in the past weeks, too."

"Hmmm...." Dragon Fist deliberates for a bit then nods. "Yes, I'd appreciate the help. Thank you, Selena." He grimaces slightly as he swallows the pills, chasing them with a gulp of water.

 Selena nods, and pulls a cellular phone from where it was hooked on her belt. "I'll see what I can do," she says, dialing.

"Hello, Kharis?" Selena's clear voice asked. "I am sorry to bother you so soon, but this is Selena -- Maharet -- again. I am at Cassie's house right now, and I believe there is a situation that needs your attention and advice."

"Of course," he replies, eyeing the half-translated scroll in front of him with regrets. "Should I meet you there, or would another location be more desirable? I believe that the local news organizations have been besieging Cassandra's home these last several days." Tucking the phone into his shoulder awkwardly as he talks, he marks his place with a unused quill and begins to move the materials in his lap out and onto the large desk in front of him.

"Hm..." Kharis can hear the young woman chewing on the end of her braid. "How about you meet us here, but just disguise yourself like a mover or something? That might work."  

"Great!" Selena says. "I'll see you soon." She turns off the phone and turns to Cassie and Dragon Fist.

After two tries, Kharis manages to turn the phone off, glaring at it the whole time. "Simple to operate indeed," he comments to himself. "I should have known better than that when the instructions came in four languages, and made no sense in any of them." Shaking his head, he pocketed the phone and moved to the window, throwing it open as he summoned the sacred armor he had worn for so many years once more. "I shall have to look into replacing it with something more functional when I have the time..." he continued, rising into the air and out the window, "If I have nothing else, I have that." Mere feet outside the window, his form shimmered and became that of a bird which circled once, the began to fly off towards the East Bay area.

"Kharis is going to be here in a bit," Selena says. "If nothing else, he's another strong back to help carry that buffet," she gestures to the dining room. "Where did you pick that up at? It's huge!"  

"It was a wedding gift," Cassie says. "I've always hated it. It's a nice antique but you'd need a mansion to actually display it correctly. I'm tempted to donate it to the museum. But that would be a Miss Manners faux pas."

"You know, I have a very large dining room," Selena says speculatively. "Are you willing to sell it? You aren't going to bring it to the new apartment, are you?" 

"If you want it, It's yours," Cassie says. "You're doing me a favor by just taking it."

"Oh Comet, I'm sorry. Did you also want something to drink?" Cassie asks. 

"Nothing for me, thanks," says the Comet with a raised hand. "I'm fine."

"By the way, where's Tony?" 

Cassie winces at the question slightly. "Well, I guess I better get used to answering that question. Tony isn't here. We're separated. It's a long story. He had a hard time dealing with what happened, plus other stuff and well, he walked out that night. We both need some time to see if we can work things out. That's why I'm moving. I'm going to a separate apartment."

Dragon Fist's hands clench momentarily in anger. How could he do that to her? he asks, somewhat uncharitably. What ever happened to standing by one's vows? How sad.. for both of them.

Comet's jaw drops in shock; things are really happening quickly around here. He opens his mouth to speak, but Dragon Fist beats him to it.

"I know it sounds trite," Dragon Fist says, "But I really am sorry to hear that. I hope things will work out..." And I'll pray for you both, he silently adds.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, Dragon Fist," says the Comet. "How do you manage to get through it all, Cassie? You've been through more in a week than most people go through in a lifetime, and they don't have magic to worry about."

"Well, I suppose I should be understanding," Cassie says, picking up a few more items and throwing them in a box. "I mean after all, it must have come as a shock to Tony when I told him that woman he was sleeping with for a week wasn't me. I mean it was my body, but this soceress had pushed my soul out of my body and into someone else and she had taken over my body. She must have done a good job. No one suspected anything," Cassie calmy says, tapping up a box. 

Comet shudders at the thought of a person's body being used by someone so callously. Am I reacting too strongly to these things? he wonders. The others seem to be taking it more or less in stride. "What happened to her? And how did you become blue?"

"It's a long story," Cassie sighs. "Though it only took a short period of time. But before I tell you I've got to have a word you will never repeat what I say to anyone from PRIMUS. See I only gave them the abbreviated version. I don't think they'd be too charitable if they heard the rest."

Turning to Dragon Fist, Cassie adds, "Dragon Fist, I know this is asking a lot, but you wouldn't be able to repeat this story to Maria Chow. She's my friend, but I know she'd be obligated to report this if she heard it and well, that would be very bad for me. I'll understand if you don't want to listen to the story rather than have to tell her a selective truth. But it is your decision."

Dragon Fist nods slowly. "That would probably be best," he says. "Why don't I take some of these boxes to the truck?" Dragon Fist grabs some of the boxes of dishes and heads for the garage.

"Well everything was going fine until two weeks ago when I was driving to the airport to pick up Tony," Cassie explains. "The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital in someone else’s body. It was the body of a frail old woman. It wasn't until later that everything got pieced together. Apparently this old woman was an evil sorceress. She had been following me around at work, studying me I guess. Anyway, as I was driving to pick up Tony, cultists attacked the Bronco. They sacrificed a baby," Cassie chokes on the words. "They sacrificed a baby to teleport me out of the Bronco and then allegedly attacked me, but I was able to escape. Well I didn't escape. Apparently the evil sorceress had sacrificed a child and used the energy from that act to move my soul out of my body and into hers. She then took over my body. Before she left her body, she had taken a bunch of pills. She was trying to kill off the body I was now in. However, the paramedics got me to the hospital in time."

Cassie pauses a few moments to let everyone adjust to what she has said. "At this point PRIMUS believed the lie the other Cassie told about the attack. When they heard about me being found with the remains of a child, they figured the old woman had to be in on the attack. They had me under guard at the hospital, thinking that the old woman - now me - might try something. Friends helped me get out of there."

"It took a few days to figure out what this woman was planning. During that time, this woman apparently fooled everyone that she was me. She certainly had my body. Then a few nights later she tried another magical spell at Alcatraz. I don't know what she was trying to summon, but I imagine it wasn't anything nice. While she was doing the spell, a magician friend of Selena's was able to combat the evil sorceress and in the spell attempt to get my soul back into my body. He battled pretty hard to defeat the woman and I'll always be grateful for what he did. "

 "When the magical dust settled, both the bodies - mine and the old woman's - were gone. I walked out of the Bay a few minutes later in this new form. I can remember the spell acting and feeling torn from my body, a lot of pain and then just the comfort of the sea. The next thing I know I've got webbed feet, blue skin and white hair."

"When PRIMUS showed up I thought it best to just to tell them that the old woman had attacked me again and the forces she unleashed during the spell were the cause of my new look. I doubt the would believe my story about the body switch. She had everyone convinced that she was me."

"From talking with Selena and others," Cassie adds. "I've been able to piece together that I've taken on the form and powers of the ancient goddess whose amulet I was wearing. I don't quite understand how all this works, but apparently I've sort of inherited her powers."

 Comet shakes his head in bewilderment; that is an incredible story, Cassie. I can’t imagine what you've been going through lately. I can certainly understand why Tony was shaken up. But I don't think he should have left you, either; you need his support, not...this mess."

 A resonant voice with a hint of a British accent asks from the doorway, "How may I be of assistance?"

 "I think Dragon Fist just took some boxes out to the car," Selena states. "He'll be back in a minute. Cassie was just telling Comet about the last week." Selena grins at her.

"Yes, it's quite a story to relate," Cassie says, a slight smile playing across her mouth.

 "I can see that there were some side effects of the transfer," the voice from the doorway continues, the empty space there shimmering like a pool of water for a moment as a handsome, long-haired Arabic man dressed in slacks and a banded collar shirt walks out of nothingness. "Selena, Cassandra, it is good to see both of you again."

Selena smiles again before wrapping Cassie's delicate crystal. "Oh, I love your pattern," she murmurs. "I've never seen it before."

 "It was a wedding gift from Ralph," Cassie smiles. "I think he may have stolen it from some archduke."

"It's good to see you Kharis," Cassie turns toward the newly arrived guest. "I never got the chance to properly thank you for saving my life. How does one do that? I guess I'll just have to name my first kid Kharis. But since that's going to take a while, you'll have to settle for my most heartfelt words of gratitude. Thank you," she says and kisses him lightly on the cheek. "Now I'd better go get Dragon Fist."

"You are, of course, most welcome Cassandra," Kharis replies with a smile. "Although I believe current naming practices would label naming your first child after me somewhat cruel and unusual - particularly if it should be a girl."

After Cassie leaves to get Dragonfist, Kharis turns to the Comet," I do not believe we have been introduced - I am Kharis bin Hashid, at your service," he says, bowing slightly.

"Pleased to meet you," says the Comet, instinctively extending a hand. "I have to admit, I've never really been comfortable with the idea of magic, at least outside of literature; I'm more of a down-to-earth kind of guy. I'm called the Comet, and I'm the newest member of the team. I've only been here for a few months, and I haven't seen too much 'super-action'. I guess that's a good thing, although it makes me wonder if this isn't just the quiet before the storm."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well." Kharis replies, extending his own hand to meet Comet's proffered one. "For one so new to the mantle of guardianship, you do well to worry about the storms that may lie ahead. They are always forming, and only through vigilance will you know when the Winds of Fate choose to blow them your way."

Yikes! thinks Comet. This guy talks like something out of a bad comic book! 'Mantle of guardianship?!' Geez.

"So have you been at this a long time, then?" he asks aloud.

"A... considerable time, yes," Kharis replies, obviously choosing his words carefully. "Certainly longer than anyone else that I am aware of."

"Oh." Comet pauses, thinking about that. "You don't look all THAT old; is this another one of those magic things?"

"Yes, although not a spell of my devising." He pauses a moment, then continues, "I suppose that one of your big corporations might term it a "job-related perquisite."

Comet laughs out loud. "That's a good way to put it; I imagine every corporate executive in America would love to have a perk like that."

"I take it from your name that you are of Arabian descent? Or, if you're as old as you're claiming, maybe even Egyptian, right?"

Kharis looks at him for a moment, his eyes seemingly older than time, then replies slowly, "The name I bear now is not the same one that I was given at birth, but you are correct nevertheless - I am from Egypt."

[Outside] 

"I want... no I need to explain to you why I would not listen to your story," he begins. Dragon fist sighs, he's obviously not happy with the situation, but he continues resolutely. "My word is... sacred to me. Simply put, I will die before I see my word broken. I will not promise never to repeat what you tell me to anyone from PRIMUS because I can not honestly make that commitment."

 "Why not?" Cassie asks, bluntly.

 "I don't like selective truths or any type of deception, and I've been wrestling with those issues lately. Still, I could promise to keep your secret, even from Maria, for NOW. But, things may change - there are people with whom I will have no secrets. Maria and I are not to that point now, but what happens if I make the promise and then our relationship develops in that manner?" Dragon Fist grimaces, then shrugs.

"Not that I'd go running to tell a secret, but I wouldn't lie to a direct question. I also don't care for interpreting a promise so literally that the spirit of it is lost. Sure I might not volunteer a secret, but my silence or evasions could give away just as much, particularly to someone close to me. I'd count that as a violation of my word.

"This doesn't mean you can't trust me, or that I'm not your friend, no less than Maria may be. I will still support you in any way I can with a clear conscience. On that I will give you my word."

"I'm sorry Dragon Fist, but I just don't understand," Cassie says. "I don't mean to be rude, but all I'm asking is that you not tell PRIMUS. If PRIMUS asked you directly, I would expect that you would simply refuse to answer. That is not deception. That is saying that you value a vow and a friendship more than some agency's spurious questions. If they asked me to share information that you trusted me with, I would refuse to answer. If necessary, I would go to jail before sharing that information with them."

 "Now I know you could not predict every situation that might occur," Cassie adds. "Perhaps at sometime it would be necessary to share this information with someone to save my life or save other lives. I realize you can't forsee every situation. But by offering to tell you what happened, I'm saying I trust your judgment. But I am also trusting you to say, yes, I value our friendship enough to stand by you and make a promise that in most circumstances I will not repeat this story."

"As for Maria, if you relationship reached a point where it was serious. Well, I would hope that Maria would come to me as a friend to ask the questions and that she would not - because she loves you - put you in that situation of having to choose between your word and your love."

"Mark says I always make things more complicated than need be," Dragon Fist sighs. "I'm truly sorry if I've hurt you, I had no intention of doing that. Perhaps certain words carry a different meaning to me than to you." He shrugs. "Again, I am sorry. I promise to treat your secrets with the honor and discretion they deserve.

"I would say that I'm ready to listen if what we discussed was the whole of my problem. But, there is another and more compelling reason why you should not tell me those things," Dragon Fist continues, looking even more unhappy. "If you tell me, you tell the Dragon, and I do not trust him right now."

Cassie looks at Dragon Fist curiously. "Why would I not be able to trust him. I thought he was a good guy?"

"So did I," Dragon Fist replies, "But there has been much about him that I have misunderstood." He looks over to the kitchen where the others wait. "It might be best to explain this to all of you at once. You all should know."  

"Well Kharis is here, We should go inside and you can explain to him as well," Cassie says, walking toward the door. "He may be able to help." 

Heading back toward the living room, Cassie is caught in a rush of disturbed thoughts. She feels as if there is no one left she can trust anymore. Tony left. From what she has learned about PRIMUS the organization is suspect. Maria is bounded by her loyalty to PRIMUS. Comet is a new member of the team whom she just barely knows. And Dragon Fist - Dragon Fist has hesitations and concerns. I'm all alone, she thinks. Who can I trust?

Seeing Kharis, she turns and introduces Dragon Fist. "Kharis this is Dragon Fist. Dragon Fist, Kharis. Kharis is the magician who helped me. Actually, he, Selena and others saved my life. Perhaps he can help you."

"I am pleased to meet you," Kharis adds, bowing formally. "I will certainly try to assist you in your difficulty if it is within my powers." Kharis is perhaps in his late 30's, with long black hair gathered into a ponytail by a silver band, touches of silver lightening it at the temples. He stands a touch over six feet tall, and is dressed in dark slacks and a black banded-collar silk shirt.

Dragon Fist bows in return. He stands 5' 7" with short-cut black hair and brilliant green eyes. He looks to be in his early thirties. The hero is out of costume, dressed in jeans and old sweat shirt. "It is an honor to meet you," he replies. "I am very grateful for your offer to help. I think I will need it, and there may not be much time. 

"This is something you all should hear," Dragon Fist says, looking at each of the assembled heroes. He sits down and rubs his temple with his left hand. "Where to begin...?"

"The powers I possess have been in my family for over four thousand years. They have been passed along from generation to generation upon the bearer's death or entering old age. The exact powers have varied sometimes, but the ability to turn into a Dragon has been constant over the centuries.

"Out of all of my family who have had these abilities, I am different. My powers manifested far earlier and to a greater degree than the others. We never really questioned why this was so.

"When I was young, my parents were killed in an accident. This was about the same time that my powers first started to show themselves. Also at this time, the Dragon began speaking to me. It was my friend, and stayed for many months. Eventually, it faded, something my grandfather said was normal.

"Several weeks ago, the Dragon began speaking to me again. At first he simply made comments, however sometime after the attack on the De Young, the nature of these changed. He began being more confrontational, saying things that frankly disturbed me.

"Its escalated from there. The Dragon has been able to speak out loud, using my mouth. Some of you may have noticed me making odd comments." He shrugs. "Well, now you know why. However, it didn't stop there. The Dragon actually wrested control of my body from me during a spar and used my full strength against my opponent. She happened to be Maria Chow, so the Dragon's attack didn't do any permanent harm. Since then, I've been engaged in a constant battle for control, aided by a tea that my grandfather brews. I think, however, that I am losing." Dragon Fist pauses a moment to dig a small bag out of his pocket. He hands this to Kharis. "This is what my Grandfather uses. I have no idea what's in it, but it seems to help somewhat."

Kharis nods, taking the packet without interrupting Dragon Fist. Glancing at it intently for a moment, he carefully places it in his shirt pocket and continues to listen to the hero.

He continues with his story. "Last week, my grandfather saw a woman he hadn't seen for many years. Someone he thought had died in China before the Revolution. She was watching me when my grandfather saw her. I ended up meeting Shuk-Wah after an searching for her, although she found me, not the other way around.

"Shuk-Wah is also a Dragon... a female Dragon who claims to be my Dragon's mate. She told me that his soul has been bound to my family line for centuries, but now it is time for him to be released. You see, it’s their mating time."

"I have no idea what this would do to me, and Shuk-Wah professed not to care. I don't want to hold my Dragon against his will, but I have been unable to talk with him about this. Shuk-Wah has not been any help, she seems content to continue stalking me, waiting for natue to take its course. From what she said, there isn't much time left.

Dragon Fist's voice gets quieter as he adds, "The dreams I've been having lately seem to confirm all that she has said."

"As if that wasn't enough, Shuk-Wah herself presents a problem. You see, she's VIPER's Dragon Queen."

 Comet lets out a low whistle. "That's a problem all right. So the Dragon Queen really exists? I thought she was just a media fabrication. I guess that means VIPER is going to be getting involved with this pretty soon, aren't they?" He pounds a fist into his palm, a determined look on his face.  

"Hmmm, that complicates things," Cassie says. "I mean, I'm all for releasing the dragon. What happened is not your fault and I think the dragon would realize you didn't have a choice in this bonding. However, if he joins a - forces - with Shuk-Wah, that would be very bad for San Francisco. Plus, some people might think you're responsible for anything he does. You've got somewhat of a reputation for being the dragon. People don't realize that he's a separate being with his own mind. Does the dragon want to help Shuk-Wah? He didn't seem to like VIPER too much when they attacked the museum."

"I wish I knew for certain. The incident at the museum wounded his pride, and he directed a lot of negetive feeling towards VIPER. However, he won't talk to me now, he just vies for control. I think all he can think about is getting out and being with Shuk-Wah."

"Did this Shuk-Wah tell you the name of the dragon you bear within you?" Kharis asks thoughtfully.

"No, but I already know. His name is Yung Kong." Dragon Fist shoots a stern glance at Cassie and the Comet, who are known for wisecracking. "And he hates jokes about it."

Comet spreads his hands with an innocent expression. "What did I say?"

"Is he active now? Can he hear and see what goes on around you?" Kharis continues quietly, moving around to Dragon Fist's side and out of his line of vision.

"He is silent, though I can feel him straining against the tea's effect. I am uncertain how much the tea inhibits him, but he is probably aware of what I experience to at least some degree. Without the tea, he would have free access to my senses." 

Dragon Fist's head starts to turn to follow Kharis, but he forces it back with a determined look. Careful to keep his eyes off the magician, Dragon Fist stares straight forward. The throbbing in his head grows more intense. 

Comet watches Dragon Fist's struggle briefly. "Dragon Fist, watch me," says the Comet seriously, stepping directly in front of the hero. "Try to stare me down if you can." He fixes his gaze on Dragon Fist's eyes, trying to hold them.

Dragon Fist looks towards the Comet, locking gazes with an unblinking stare. The throbbing in his head decreases slightly, whether from the aspirin finally taking effect, or from the Dragon being distracted by the Comet he can not say.  

If this keeps up much longer, he thinks, trying to keep his thoughts off of whatever Kharis might be doing, my head is going to split wide open. Ow! 

Behind Dragon Fist, Kharis nods to Comet in silent approval, then steps back another pace and takes a deep breath. Raising his hand in a gesture that Cassie and Selena have seen before, he begins to draw a line of golden fire in the air behind Dragon Fist. The line becomes a circle, and then a circle with a five-pointed star within it, finally ending with a stylized almond-shaped eye within the center of the star. Stepping back, he reaches out with a forefinger and presses the center of the eye, causing it to bulge outward towards Dragon Fist. A moment later, he withdraws his finger and pauses, as if waiting for something.

Seconds pass, and then the eye at the center of the pentagram opens, revealing the cat-slitted pupil of a physical, emerald green eye. It moves from side to side as it looks about the room, then focuses on Dragon Fist and projects a soft beam of golden light that envelops him. Kharis, who had remained motionless as the eye opened, slowly steps to one side and begins to walk around Dragon Fist, turning his head as if to examine him first through one eye, and then the other - never quite crossing into Dragon Fist's line of vision.

Selena sighs quietly and whispers to Cassie, "I think I've had more than my share of rituals this week. How about we get a beer after we move you in?"

"That sounds good," Cassie says, looking away from the tableu of Comet, Dragon Fist and Kharis. "Two magical rituals in a week are enough for me. Going out would give me the chance to confront head-on people's reactions to my new appearance. Hey, if we go to a punk club I'll fit in perfect now."

"Only if you give me a chance to change into costume," Selena grins, twisting her braid around her finger. "Otherwise I'll NEVER fit in."

"Clothing, don't remind me," Cassie grimaces. "My change in appearances has pretty much invalidated my wardrobe."

Turning back towards the guys, Cassie asks "So what's the verdict? Kharis, do you think you can help Dragon Fist?"

Finally, Kharis nods to himself silently, and steps between the eye and Dragon Fist. Reaching out, he traces unsupported line of fire that outlines the eye gently, almost tenderly, and says, "I am sorry for disturbing your slumber again so soon Tamert-Neter... Return to your Sleep of Ages my friend..."

The eye looks up at Kharis for a moment worshipfully, blinks once, and then closes slowly, it's gaze never wavering from his face. With a sweeping gesture, Kharis swirls the pentagram up like a hanging of string and casts it into nothingness over Dragon Fist's head, then takes another breath and sighs almost sadly "You may release his gaze now friend Comet - and thank you.".

Comet blinks, shaking his head. "No problem. Quite the hypnotic gaze, Dragon Fist. I wondered if I was going to remember how to blink."

"So what's the Surgeon General's prognosis?" he asks, turning to Kharis 

Dragon Fist also turns to listen to the magician's conclusions. Concern and curiosity war for dominance within his mind, but he manages to merely look tired.

"I believe that the separation will pose no difficulty in and of itself," Kharis replies, moving back around to Dragon Fist's front. "It is a different sort of problem than the one I assisted Cassandra with," he nod in Cassie's direction by way of punctuation, then continues, "in that here there are two entities occupying one body - not a pair of displaced souls in different bodies. I am, however, hesitant to do so without assurances that hostilities off some sort will not commence as soon as the separation is complete. My experiences with the Celestial Serpents of the East have not always been on the best of terms."

He looks thoughtful for a second, the turns to Dragon Fist, "Is Yung Kong willing to swear a binding oath that no such incident will take place?"

"I can try asking him," Dragon Fist says doubtfully.

Yung Kong, he asks silently, we have the means of freeing you without further struggle. The magician will do so, providing you swear to refrain from any violent acts immediately following. It is a simple thing, my friend, and we will both get what we want: your freedom. What say you?

Kharis steps forward, placing his left hand on the seated Dragon Fist's right shoulder, "I must warn you - there will of a certainty be some measure of discomfort involved in the separation process."

That's an understatement, Cassie thinks, remembering her own painful experience. "Don't worry Dragon Fist. It'll all turn out OK."

Kharis raises his right hand above and to the rear of his head, his fingers pressed together as if to form a spear point. Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath and holds it for a long moment, then lets it out in an explosive rush. At the same time, he brings his hand down in a powerful thrust towards Dragon Fist's chest - his fingertips penetrating hero's sweatshirt, and seemingly his chest as well, bloodlessly, drawing a sudden convulsion from his subject, as they continued onward until, impossibly, Kharis' entire arm up to the shoulder is seemingly lodged within Dragon Fist's body.

Cassie shudders. "Did my transformation look that bad?" she whispers to Selena.

Kharis' shoulder then begins to move, as if he were, eyes still closed, fishing around behind a cabinet for some fallen object he could only find by touch. A moment passes, then another, and then he abruptly makes a small cry of satisfaction, "Ah, there he is! 

Without warning, his shoulder jerks once, then begins to move around erratically in a series of random stops and starts, much like a fisherman's line with a desperate catch on the hook. "Tell.. Yung Kong... that he is not... making this... any easier..." Kharis grates out between clenched teeth. "If he will... simply be still... it will be over in a moment... Otherwise... " he winces, as if bitten, "I will cast him... into the Hell... of the Eternal Moment... there to hang... between release and imprisonment... until the Yama Kings see fit to release him in another... four thousand years."

The frantic motion ceases, and Kharis breathes an audible sigh of relief, "Much better. Please ask him if he would now be so kind as to shift form to something smaller, so you are not torn asunder by the separation please - his human form will do quite adequately."

Shifting his stance slightly, as if gaining a better grip, he nods to Dragon Fist, "Are you both ready?"

"We... are..." says Dragon Fist gritting his teeth. The words are a curious mixture of his normal voice and a deeper one.

"Very well then," the magician replies, taking another deep breath and holding it for a moment, "Now!"

With a tremendous heave, the sorcerer rears back, Dragon Fist convulsing in pain as Kharis' arm emerged from his chest as bloodlessly as it had entered. As Kharis' wrist and hand came into view, a pair of golden-skinned hands could be seen grasping it, the arms attached to them clothed in sleeves of crimson silk. They emerged slowly from Dragon Fist's pain-arched chest as Kharis continued to pull, the dragon's shoulders coming into view soon after. A moment later, the head and entire upper torso of a handsome Chinese man garbed in traditional robes emerged, his face contorted in an expression caught between agony and relief.

With a final heave, Kharis pulled the dragon's human form completely forth, the two of them stumbling backwards a step or two, as Dragon Fist's chair overbalanced and fell over backwards from the sudden release of tension.

Yung Kong surveys the scene with a large grin, then begins to laugh deliriously. Though not a large man, his laughter is impossibly deep. He leans forward, and pulls Matthew's chair up again, and pulls the young man to his feet. "Free, I'm free," he whispers at last in an ancient dialect. "Finally."

Matthew rubs his eyes with one hand, then shakes his head to clear it. When he opens his now-brown eyes, the glazed look of pain is gone. Moving hesitantly, he bows deeply to the other man. "Welcome, Yung Kong," he says in Chinese. "I am honored to have seen you regain your freedom, and I thank you for your long patience."

I can't believe it, its actually him! I can't feel him any more, just an empty hole. He's gone from me. Gone. No, not gone... free. I should be happy for him, but why do I feel like a part of me has just died?

Stepping forward, Cassie takes a close look at Dragon Fist, checking for any discernable injury. "Are you OK? Kharis' spells tend to have rather shocking endings," she adds with a slight smile.

"I'll be fine," he assures her. "I'm a bit unsettled though." This is going to take a lot of adjusting to.

"Yes, I understand," Cassie says sympathetically. "While my experience was not the same, I nonetheless went home and cried quite a bit. It can be quite an adjustment, but you'll be allright. You just need time to think about it and adjust, maybe talk with friends. "

Looking around at Kharis and Yung Kong, she adds, "Is everyone OK?"

Comet pipes up. "I'm not; my stomach may never recover. Give me something simple to deal with, like Firewing or a squad of VIPER agents with heavy blasters. But this magic stuff..." He shakes his head. "Normal people just aren't equipped to deal with people being pulled out of other people like that. How do you stand it?"

Kharis, bent forward with his hands on his knees and head down, looks up, "I believe so Cassandra.." he begins, then pauses, and raises his bleeding right hand to examine the series of deep, ragged punctures marching across his palm where the dragon has obviously bitten him. "No... let me reconsider that."

Instinctively, Cassie reaches for Kharis' hand while at the same time tries to summon up the healing power from within her. Her efforts are greeted by no golden shimmer, not even a flicker. Her brow furrows on concentration. Still nothing. For a second she looks perplexed. "I guess it doesn't work anymore," she says staring at Kharis hand, at little unsure what to do now.

Kharis's face tenses, and he gasps softly as Cassie takes his damaged hand, "That is... all right Cassandra," he says softly through gritted teeth. "It is to be expected that there would be some changes in your powers given the transformation you have endured."

Selena kneels and takes the sorcerer's hand. "Here, let me see that," she says, as silverly light shines from her hands where she touches Kharis.

Kharis winces involuntarily at the first touch of her fingers, then relaxes as the healing light washes over his injuries and they begin to close. "Ahhhh..." he sighs in relief. "Thank you."

The Dragon is looking around the house, touching unpacked knick-knacks, the couch, the window. He eyes Lobo with a sinister look, then laughs. "Free!" he exclaims again, flipping up into the air and landing, cat-like, on the window sill.

Cassie takes a firm grip on Lobo's collar as she notices the dog growing agitation. "Lobo sit," she says firmly, putting herself between the dog and the Dragon. A low growl is eminating from Lobo.

"Are you OK Yung Kong?" she says peering at the strange man crouched on her window sill. How come he doesn't fall off, she wonders. Please don't let him break anything, she adds a second thought 

Glancing over at the exultant dragon, Kharis watches him intently for a moment, then glances back down at his hand, and Selena, as her powers finish their work. "It appears that I am still further in your debt Chosen, " he says quietly. "Thank you again."

"You are welcome," she says, standing. "Your past service to the cause of my cult makes talk of debts preposterous, Kharis."

"One must have something to do to fill in the time between battles against the Dark, Chosen. Keeping track of such trivia helps to while away the years," he replies with a small smile. "Fortunately," he continues, turning to regard the capering form of Yung Kong, "we have something more interesting to occupy our time - What are we to do about the young man's 'other half'?"

"I am my own to watch, human," Yung Kong sneers slightly at Kharis. "Do not bother yourself with me." To Matthew, he turns and says, "This will help guard you -- I must leave you here, and attend to my own matters."

Faster than lightening, Yung Kong's hand snakes out and grasps Matthew's own, placing something into the young man's palm. The dragon arches his back, and flips over the assembled group, then moves out the door. Once outside, Yung Kong changes into the iridescent green dragon, and flies away; two of the news vans quickly move to follow him.

Kharis moves to the window and watches the dragon as it soars away in the sinuous aerial dance of its kind. "I do not think that Yung Kong has learned much humility in his imprisonment," he sighs regretfully as he turns back to the group. "Although I suppose one can forgive a touch of arrogance in an immortal spirit of his power - but then many immortals fall prey to that sin," he finishes, a touch sardonically.

"And I thought Chinese dragons were supposed to be the soul of propriety," Cassie snorts at the rapidly retreating figure in the sky. "No thank you for freeing me from a thousand-year curse. It was probably that attitude that got him cursed in the first place. Oh well, at least he got rid of two of those news vans. 

Matthew follows Yung Kong with his eyes until the dragon vanishes from sight.

"Farewell," he whispers, then he looks down to what he holds in his hands.

The small object -- really a large jade ring in a gold setting -- seems to glow slightly as Matthew regards it. A Chinese character that he is unfamiliar with is etched onto the side of the setting.

"May I?" Kharis asks gently, indicating the ring, "It may be that I can discern its specific functions for you, and thus save you wasted time in experimentation designed to do the same. "

The ring's glow ceases when Kharis holds it; instead, it has a rather flat sheen. Despite the ring's lack of enthusiasm for the Egyptian, there is something familiar to him about it, something he'd come across recently in his reading and research for Selena. The ring was the type to have belonged to a temple guardian, and, much like the amulets of the seven priestesses, conferred upon its recipient some small powers. Judging from the stone, Kharis estimates it is not a powerful item, but one belonging to he worship of Yung Kong from millennia ago.

About an hour later, Matthew's radio squawks as they're loading the last box into the U-Haul.

"This is Silver Avenger Chow," Maria says tersely. "Just thought you'd like to know that we've caught the Dragon Queen on our own -- with a little help from the Sentinels. Kestler will probably get a decoration for her work on this one," she adds. In the background, Dragon Fist can hear Terry's protestations. "We'll be shipping her to Stronghold within the hour," she finishes. "I thought you'd want to know."

Kharis listens to the radio until Maria finishes speaking, then urgently says, "Contact this 'Silver Avenger' Dragon Fist - Yung Kong will know the location of his mate, and after four thousand years I do not think he will brook any resistance from mortals attempting to separate them again."

Comet smacks a fist into his palm. "I should have followed him; if he goes to meet the Dragon Queen, PRIMUS is definitely going to try to interfere. And they're going to think it's Dragon Fist. We'd better get out there as fast as we can before it all hits the fan." He turns toward the door and starts outside.

PBEM Turns