Tora reappears in a strange looking castle with a huge labyrinth-like garden.

Tora: now... where the heck am I?!

In a research laboratory in the middle of a frozen wasteland, a group of scientists is on the verge of creating the perfect bionic weapon capable of enhanced regeneration, speed and strength. They also created a suit that would fit their creation as well as improve its overall performance. They created something that could exist even in the harshest of environments. However in a sudden twist, during its training, they observed a trait that they did not include in the initial plans. It could create ice in its surroundings and keep its body temperature below zero degrees celsius. It was also capable of morphing its bone structure which means it could create weapons from his bones that are as tough as steel.

Unfortunately, it possessed an uncontrollable trait. A thirst for blood. As a weapon he was created as virtually unstoppable and excessively intelligent. At some point he became too intelligent and began to question the scientists who created him. He then escaped from his containment cell that was supposedly designed to hold him. In his escape he left a trail of blood and ice leaving the research facility completely deprived of life. He was ruthless in his exit and spared no one, not even the other experiments were spared even though they were basically clones. He then began to wander the world searching for something "entertaining".

Aexiel: Well that was entertaining... Now, what else should I do...

Lucrecia: Look here Masquerade, the only reason you are allowed me is because I want you too.
Masquerade: You need me.
Lucrecia: I do not.
Masquerade: Look Mistress of Water you really need me if you meet the other Water rep one of you will die.

The fierce chill that once overcame her senses is now replaced by a much warmer sensation, though that does little to keep her body from trembling. Eyes slowly opening, she peers around with a fearful gaze, her body slowly unraveling to bring her to her knees as she takes in her surroundings.

Kara: "...Oh god. ...Where am I now?"

Moving slowly, she emerges from behind a large tree to find herself in an ornate garden filled with a variety of flowers and flora.

Kara: "...This can't be St. Dumas... ...This place feels...more peaceful than that..."

The wind picked up suddenly, it's gusts whipped around blindly thrashing across Gotham's roof tops. People in the streets took cover from the freak windstorm and now falling snow but a man stood on an apartment blocks roof, seemingly unaffected by the elements ferocity.

Kaji: <This isn't any normal weather. What could be causing it?>

After a few minutes the wind subsided and soon the only trace of it's existance was the falling snow. Kaji brushed a snowflake from his nose and turned to look down upon a gathering of ruffians outside the apartments on the street.

Kaji: <Just great. Maybe if I just lay low...>

At a shout rocks began to pelt up towards him as one of the ruffians noticed him. Kaji cursed under his breath at being seen so easily. Although he was usually staring off into nothing he was considerably distracted.

Kaji: <It must have something to do with that wind. It almost felt, familiar... Vallis...>

He blinked, where on earth had that come from? The name sounded familiar as well. In seconds he was kneeling on the roofs edge clutching his head, it felt as if it would explode. Images flickered through his minds eye. A man with wings, wearing green shouted wordlessly to a number of other strangely dressed people. All of which seemed as familiar as the winged man. Fu Vallis, the name was the only sound, breaking the endless silence of the memories. They were always like this. painful and silent. He was holding back raging winds in what seemed like a tunnel as they all fought towards a glowing object in the raging core of the tunnel. Kaji gasped as the memory releashed him, the pain lingering although weaker.

Kaji: "Again. What was that. Who is Fu Vallis? Was it whoever caused the wind and snow?"
Ruffian 1: "Hey whitey. I don't know how badly that last rock affected your head by will you get your freaky a** down here so we can beat the rest of you."

The crowd of ruffians laughed raucously and shouted abuse. Kaji's face twitched in irritation, more brought out by the endless ringing in his skull. His knuckles cracked and he looked down at his hands, knuckles white.

Kaji: <I can't let these idiots get to me. But, grr, I wish I could teach them a lesson>

A soft voice cut through the ringing and his anger, both seeping away as the voice spoke. So familiar yet unknown at the same time.

Jasmine: All of you, if you could hear me, I summon you to the Darkness Dimension.

Something surrounded Kaji and drew him in, a warm feeling, like someone gently welcoming home an old friend. He smiled, something that he hadn't done in a long time another name appeared in his thoughts, one he could match with the voice that had beckoned him.

Kaji: "Jasmine..."

He vanished from the rooftop in Gotham and was transported to the Darkness Dimension.

*Reality*

Time has passed since the mysterious snow flurry that showered the streets of Gotham. The citizens continue on with their daily lives, and the necessity for survival which fuels their lives. Amidst the towering structures of the city, a lone ambulance speeds away north, through the winding hills and cliffsides to a lone building. A lonely house on a lonely hill, surrounded by towering rails depicting an ornate iron fence. The large elaborate house appears well maintained, flowing gardens all around, yet projects an ominous presence over all that it shadows, in particular the ambulance as it stops in front of the manor's entrance.

=============================

*Saint Dumas, Northwest Corridor*

Two guards in nondescript surgical garbs wheel a large block of ice through the halls of the manor, the youth trapped within grabbing the attention of the rest of the manor's inhabitants as the block wheels past the various rooms. In one room, a little girl no younger than 9 watches with an apathetic expression, clutching a wooden doll in her arms.

Girl: "...He came home."
Doll: "Guess ol' Frosty there couldn't live up to the task. What a loser!"
Girl: "...The Director won't be happy..."
Doll: *harshly* "Don't you think I know that, ya mug? Sheesh, good thing I got the 'g'rains* out of the two of us!"

(*brains)

The block continues onwards, rolling past two opposite rooms, one filled with an insane amount of plantlife and biology, the other consumed by machinery and technology; both occupants watching with keen interest.

Woman: "So, he failed after all..."
Tech: "Against this particular target, the odds of his success were only 49.999992%. It could have gone either way.
Woman: "Well, I still say that they should have sent me. I could have held down that witch with no trouble at all."
Tech: "The odds of your success against her, according to the Order's data was only 20.32%. You wouldn't have lasted."
Woman: *scoffs* "You're no fun..."

At long last, the block reaches its destination: a massive metallic door leading into a refrigerated chamber. After dumping the block into the chamber, the youth manages to free himself as the door seals shut.

Youth: "Damn that woman. She won't get away with this!"
Voice: "...A vexing situation, Velgauder."

His head quickly turns towards the intercom speaker in the upper corner of the room, his mind trembling with fear in recognition of the voice.

Velgauder: "...Director!"
Director: "You were given the job of pursuing the target knowing full well that, with the training you have received under the order, you would have had no trouble capturing such an emotionally unstable youth as her. Can you explain your reason for failure?"
Velgauder: *tinge of fear in his voice* "I had her in my sights! She was nearly mine!"
Director: "...And yet you still failed to apprehend our young escapee? Perhaps you weren't as properly trained as we had originally anticipated. ...Very well. The problem is clear to me; the appropriate measures will be taken...."

His body begins to tremble in feverish intensity as he waits in silence, the tension and fear eating away at his psyche. From outside the manor, a bright light shines forth from within one of the rooms, accompanied by blood-curdling screams of agony.

===============================

*Dimension of Darkness*

Her courage quickly restoring to normal levels, Kara wanders about the maze-like garden, enamored by the beauty of her surroundings.

In the far distance, beyond the walls of the garden, a solitary figure watches. Silhouetted by some unknown light, the figure gazes through slits in a mask of porcelain metal while shrouded by a cloak of jade.

===
Recap: so far, it's just Tora, Kara and Kaji who received Jasmine's telepathic message and transported in the darkness dimension. as expected, the oldtimers were the first ones to receive the message.

Lance is still in the dimension of fire working as a bounty hunter.

back on earth, Aexiel just killed all the people in the facility in the midst of the icy environment. Lucrecia doesn't seem to need Masquerade's service.
===

Tora just saw someone in the maze-like garden. he approached Kara from behind, tapping her shoulder.

Tora: hey miss! are you from here? I was looking for my way around here see. I was on my way home until I suddenly appeared here.

A voice from behind causes her to stagger from a moment, turning around to face this person in spite of a nervous sweat pouring from her skin.

Kara: "Oh! Um... Who are you? I'm not from around here either... I don't even know where here is... ...I feel so lost."

Tora noticed Kara's nervousness. It somehow gave him some sort of self confidence.

Tora: me neither. I'm Tora. I really have no idea where this place is. I just wanted to go home...

Kaji opened his eyes, he turned slowly, taking in every inch of his new surroundings. Plant life overflowed in the courtyard garden in a way that could only be described as amazing. Flowers bloomed, trees, lush and many also flowering towered towards a pale sky, slightly purple in colour. To the north end of the courtyard was a large ornate gate made of steel, onyx and traces of orhicalcum. The recognition of each metal passed briefly in his thoughts as he spied a bench beneath a maple tree. An image flickered in his eyes, for a moment it was real. A man in a strange black coat looked out over the courtyard towards the gate, his hair as white as snow but styled differently. A large leopard or was it wolf, like animal lay on the pavement at his feet. The surroundings in the image were so different to what they were now. The sky black and swirling, the trees white with gray leaves and the garden bleak and bare. The image vanished as the man looked right at Kaji, confusion tinging his crimson eyes. He blinked and shook his head.

Kaji: <He looked so much like me. Older, different appearance, but, the same...>

He roused himself from his thoughts and stepped forward resting a hand on the bench and his eyes opened is shock.

Kaji: <It's warm, but how? He wasn't really there...>

He looked down at the grass and his eyes widened a fraction more. The grass was pressed down as if that metal animal had really been lying there.

Kaji: "How can... this be real."
Male Voice: <How can it not be...>

Kaji jumped at the echoing voice and stepped back quickly. A presence was in his mind now, faint enough that he didn't even realise was there. It meant him no harm but no help either for he would need to find things out for himself.

The birds in the trees looked at him curiously and Kaji walked slowly around the courtyard. He wore an unusual smile as he examined the gate, admiring the craftmanship and pattern. He ran a hand along the smooth flowing metal and to a lock which clicked open at his touch and swung inwards.

Kaji: <It looks like whoever lives here would like me to come in. What other choice do I have than to go through or wander back the other way through the rest of the gardens>

As she sensed the arrival of some elemental representatives, Jasmine walked down the garden and gathered all of them.

Jasmine: so, you managed to receive my message.

Tora: what message? oh, so you're the one talking in my head, aren't ya?

Jasmine: that's correct.

Tora: then, what the hell are we doing here? what do you want from us?

Jasmine: simply, earth needs your aid... again...

Tora: again?

Jasmine: oh, I forgot, you have lost all of your memories prior to your former life. before all of you became what you know right now, you were once, and still, representatives of your respective elements. all of us are in charge of restoring peace to the world..

Tora: I still don't get your point...

Kara listens into the conversation as Tora and the one named Jasmine proceed to converse, mentioning topics that sound so alien to her like 'telepathic' and 'elemental representatives'. Feeling uneasy, she lingers behind, hiding near a large floral wall as Jasmine continues her explanation.

Kara: *thinking* '...I don't understand a single thing that's going on... ...I mean, I'm just a kid. ....no, I'm not even a normal kid. I'm a freak...'
Voice: *telepathy* "....only a freak if you let others convince you of that illusion, child..."

A voice enters her mind, speaking in a soft whisper. Although initially terrified, Kara listens with a more open mind as the voice speaks in a warm, comforting tone.

Voice: *telepathy* '...Do not fear them. This one in particular means no harm. She needs your help."
Kara: *thinking* '...Who are you?'
Voice: *telepathy* "...All you need to know is that I too am a friend..."
Kara: *suspicious* '...Really?'
Voice: *telepathy* "...well, more of a guardian or a guide."

Kaji walked through the gate and up some stone steps to a large, polished wooden door, which also opened to admit him. He he stepped inside and looked around cautiously, it was an entry hall with a spiraling staircase off to one side and two other, smaller doors. He turned to face the door closest to the staircase as it began to open, a man with silvery white hair and a step that was almost careful. The man was thin and only slightly shorter than himself and wore robes of deep purple trimmed with white. Although Kaji knew his appearance was of someone considerably aged there was a strength to his stature and wisdom in his blue eyes. Kaji's strange memories supplied him with the aged man's name, Merlin.

Merlin: "Ah it's good to see you again Kaji. Come, lets talk."
Kaji: "It'll be good to find out why I'm here."

Merlin chuckled at Kaji's dry tone and ushered him to the stair case.

Merlin: "Similar in many ways yet different."
Kaji: "Hmm? What do you mean Merlin?"

Merlin glanced at him with searching eyes wondering just how much of the old Kaji had returned and whether he knew more than names.

Merlin: "Never mind that, you want to know the reason for being brought here."
Kaji: "Of course."
Merlin: "First let me tell you a few things about the past..."

They continued to walk up the spiraling staircase.

As the conversation continues onward, Kara begins to hang further and further back, her shyness quickly taking over. Kneeling behind a grassy stone column, she clutches her head slightly, bracing herself for the pain that she has become familiar with over the course of her life. A drop of sweat dripping down her side, she sticks to the shadows in the hopes that the coolness of the dark could help grant her a reprieve from the pain.

Kara: *to herself, softly* "...Why am I here? What makes me so special?"

Giving in to the pain, she falls onto the grass, a stray tear falling from her eye as she lies motionless upon the ground. A slight breeze brushes across her skin as she watches the grass dance about from the blowing wind. Mesmerized by the swaying of the blades, her mind begins to drift away, taking her away to a better place...

...the ruins of a grand castle, long since abandoned... A young woman in an ornate dress floating through the air like a leaf caught in a breeze. The woman smiles happily as she dances about, skipping from column to wall as she ascends the ruins. Upon reaching the peak of the runs, she comes to a sudden stop; the horizon all around changing from a bright blue to a sinister red as shapes begin to form in the distance. On one side, a figure with a demented grin commanding a multitude of smaller figures surrounded by the elements. On the opposite side, a spiraling vortex, obscuring the outline of a devil-like figure clad in robes of emerald and jade, waiting with hand outstretched...

She wakes up with a start, still lying upon the soft grass. Not much time has passed since falling asleep, so her body has yet to recover from the pain. With no other choice, Kara rises to her feet to make sense of the situation, unaware of the presence of a ring upon her right finger: an ornate ring of jade depicting several lines swirling into a vortex.

Suddenly, a woman in a royal dress appears behind Reinhardt and talks to him

Hikari: Reinhardt!
Reinhardt: Damn... it's that princess again... What do you want now?
Hikari: You killed another one? This is... Reinhardt, I want you to capture them, not kill them!
Reinhardt: Damn... If only you knew the problem... ((suddenly the souls appear again and start spinning without control around Reinhardt again))
Hikari: Huh? What are those?
Reinhardt: DAMN! Not again! Look... these things are dangerous... they always pop out from thin air when I'm fighting and kill my opponents... please, run now! You'll be killed as well! Run! RUN!
Hikari: Huh?
Reinhardt: Don't make any questions, just go! Run now! Run fast!
Hikari: Umm... right! ((Hikari runs as fast as she can while she channels her energy in order to fly))
Reinhardt: What the hell are these things? ((As he starts thinking and looses concentration, the souls move towards Hikari with massive speed, in some seconds they surround her and seem to be preparing an attack))
Hikari: What?
Reinhardt: Damn! I got distracted...
Hikari: Reinhardt... what are you going to do?
Reinhardt: I don't have control over them!

Jasmine told Kara and Tora everything about what happened in their past life... more like a summary.

Tora: so... I was this Patch Grahadoll, a guy with a very very harsh attitude and likes smashing things up badly. and has some sort of a beast inside him.. and he fought this "Lance" who were one of you.. and all of the crap. so how do you expect me to believe all these?

Jasmine: for starters, you have that lightning element in you when you rescued the child.

Tora: oh great.. I wish I was dreaming..

Jasmine: no you're not.. this is reality. I summoned all of you here to convene all of you again.. but I think there's one more that I should summon...

*jasmine summons Reinhardt and sends a portal to pick him up, then she leads Kara and Tora to where Kaji and Merlin are.*

((looks like i won't be joining the RP...but can I offer a suggestion as to how you use my character? First off...Jasmine used bully patch...A LOT!...so could you make her comments towards Tora more sarcastic?...I'll be keeping an eye on you guys...no one ruins my RP got it?))

Hikari: Reinhardt! Behind you!
Reinhardt: What? ((Reinhardt turns back and sees a portal of unknown origins)) What the hell is this thing?

((The voice of a woman orders Reinhardt to enter the portal, the voice also tells him to avoid bringing "Athena" with him... Reinhardt's eyes become red, and they resemble a dragon's eyes, a very strong energy can be felt in the whole empire, and Reinhardt can feel someone's taking over, still, he is able to act on his own))

Hikari: What's... happening? Reinhardt?
?: Heh... but if it isn't Jasmine of the darkness... sorry girl, but I'm taking her with me again
Hikari: Huh?
?: Let's go, Athena... ((Reinhardt holds Hikari's hand, once he does, her eyes become blue and her beauty becomes bigger))
?: Yes... Lance

((Both of them cross the portal while holding the other's hand, once they cross it, their energies become normal))

Kara follows her host and accidental companion through the grounds, her head still in knots from the information overwhelming her psyche.

Kara: *to herself* "...Wha? I was a guy before I was born? Not only that, but I had wings and claws?! Does that mean...?!"

In her mind, she imagines a crude, elementary drawing of herself with butterfly wings and the claws of a lizard, crawling on all fours with her mouth spitting fire.

Kara: "...mmmm... ...not as bad as it sounds." XP

She giggles slightly at her overactive imagination, then becomes serious upon remembering the situation that she's in.

Kara: *thinking* '...That would explain those freak storms that keep popping up around me. But does that mean... ...the others at the order... ...No. They can't be involved in this. I'm so confused... I can't even control this; how could I be of any use?'

((@jas: why don't you just join the RP? you can always join your own RP you know... you do best with your own character.))

*jasmine leads them towards Kaji and Merlin.*

Jasmine: well, that's your job Kara, to not let them get involve in this. well, you need to protect all of them by gathering all the Sacred Treasures.

Tora: so, how do we find these "treasures"?

Jasmine: you... will feel them...

Tora: great... feel them... thanks for the advice...

Jasmine: got a problem?

Tora: nahh.. I was talking to myself.. *picks nose*

As Kaji and Merlin reached the top of the stairs the door opened to admit them into a corridor. They continued walking, heads close together in conversation, Kaji letting Merlin's steps lead his own. He had heard alot of interesting and somewhat troubling things about his past and a few things about his old companions, four of which were now somewhere within the castle's grounds. That this castle was in the darkness dimension, that there were 10 dimensions in total and that he wasn't human at all but Valentian and a riencarnation of a dimensional guardian. In fact the scale of what Merlin was telling him was enough to daze him.

Kaji: "Ok, just give me a moment. The key thing is that I'm a dimensional guardian and you've summoned the previous dimensional guardians and new ones to recover the sacred treasures."
Merlin: "Correct."
Kaji: "Everything else you've told me, is just... why are you telling me all of this. It's a little overwhelming"
Merlin: "I don't think it would be the right thing to do by you if I held anything back. Besides what you've heard now is only what I know about you and only the begining. If what I suspect is true then you can regain your past memories and power. The restoration of your soul I had thought went the worst out of all of the representatives but it seems there was something that kept your soul safe."
Kaji: "I've always thought there was something missing. Now it looks like i've got answers to those questions but a hundred more to take their place."

Merlin chuckled and patted him on the back.

Merlin: "There's no need to look so down. If you can recover everything you lost then everything will be alright. I know you're going to say how, but only you will know that when the time comes."
Kaji: *grimaces* "Philosophical as always. So what do you think about the flashes of memories that i've had."
Merlin: "Hmm, perhaps they are brought on by people, places and things that were important to you in your past life. Ah, we're here."

Merlin turned and walked into a sitting room, gesturing to the high backed chairs as he chose one near the fireside. They sat for a few minutes, Kaji leaning forward, staring into the fireplace, deep in thought. The sound of the door handle turning roused him from his thoughts, he turned his head slightly to look at the door as it swung inwards.

((because I'd be asking for recaps everyday seeing the amount of words in every post...sorry guys...but I am planning to restart the RP at shadowdawn's site...if anyone is interested...))

((I can see your point... But anyways, I'll probably be there... I've been practicing her style of RPing in another site, but I cannot promise anything either...))

Reinhardt: Huh? What the hell...?
Hikari: Where are we? ((Hikari turns to Reinhardt and sees he's holding her hand)) Hey! What are you doing?
Reinhardt: Heh... As if I wanted to hold your hand!
Hikari: What do you mean?
Reinhardt: You're not as perfect as the legendary Goddess Athena, you know?
Hikari: You'll pay for that!

((Understood...))

Kara steps back slightly, forgetting that she is in the presence of a telepath, so her thoughts are no longer hers to keep.

At a loss for words, she continues to try to make sense of the information about her past overwhelming her senses.