Current Situation:

Having returned to earth Molly and Logan are taken by surprise and betrayed. Now captured their bodies and identities are threatened by a villain who has unlocked the secrets of the Medallion.

Author Note:

1: This story is based on the Altered Fates Universe concept established by Jennifer Adams, however I’ve taken some artistic liberties so this story doesn’t strictly adhere to the rules Jennifer established.

2: This is also a fanfic of the J.R.R. Tolkien world of Middle Earth in an untold tale of the First Age. Please note; I didn’t stay completely true to the Middle Earth that Tolkien set up. This is my take on what Middle Earth in the First Age might have been like.

3: I want to send a big thank you to Eric and Shizuma for beta reading, proofreading, and offering plot ideas! I also need to thank Mr. 20” Biceps for thoroughly reading and proofreading each draft, for giving me sound advice, and telling me to get back to writing as I can sometimes become distracted with other things. This story is much better because of their efforts!

“Richard?” Logan asked.

For a second the busty woman just stared at Logan and then she nodded. When she did Logan realized she was very young, maybe sixteen or seventeen.

“Are y-you,” before she could finish Molly interrupted. “Yes, it’s us. You hired me to take care of Molly and I kept the promise I made to you on your back patio.”

For a second the girl looked confused and Logan reached up to tap her finger to her ear. Richard saw it and nodded.

“O-oh. Okay.”

“Can you tell us what happened to you during the attack?”

Richard looked down at the panties lying on the floor. With a sigh she picked them up and stepped into them. Then she moved over to the Kennel and reached inside to pull out the blanket the dog had been using. She quickly folded it and settled cross-legged onto it.

“He could have at least left me a bra or a t-shirt.” she muttered before looking at Molly and Logan. “I heard the alarm go off. It woke me out of a deep sleep. My first thought was to get to you two and head to the panic-room on the second floor. Only you were both already gone.”

“We went out for an early morning run.” Molly whispered.

“Oh, yeah, that sounds like you two. Well, I got to the panic-room and sealed myself in. Most of the power was cut and my cell had no reception once in the room. But I don’t think Owen or the terrorists knew about the emergency alarm set up with its own land line from the panic-room directly to the Firm. I activated it and waited. I watched the video monitors set up in the panic-room as the terrorists killed everyone.”

At this she shook her head and a tear leaked down her face. After a couple of seconds she glanced back at Logan and Molly and shook her head. “Then I saw the two of you. The way you were able to cut the terrorists down, it was amazing. I saw you two seal yourselves in the vault and then I saw that bastard Owen blow the wall. I thought you were both dead.” Richard looked down and wrapped her arms around her breasts holding herself tight. “God these things still feel so weird.”

“Weirder than being a dog?” Molly asked.

“No, but when I was a dog, there were a lot of things I didn’t understand. I think the magic of the medallion turned my brain into a dog’s brain.”

“That makes sense,” Logan said and then at a sharp look from Molly added. “At least based on what I saw it do to you.”

“Anyway Owen must have known about the panic-room because shortly after he blew the vault my video feeds died. It must have been a couple of hours later when the door opened up and I found myself looking at . . . myself.”

“What?” Molly exclaimed.

Richard nodded. “Yeah, I’d left the medallion in the wall safe in my bedroom. Owen got it and recognized it. He told me later that he saw a SWAT team arrive and knew they couldn’t win. So he used it to change into a clone of me. He caught me off guard and before I knew it I felt a tingle.” Richard looked at Molly and said, “He’d found one of your Easter dresses from when you were about three. I-it was only a matter of minutes before I found out what it’s like to be a little girl.” Richard shook her head. “I haven’t had a cock since that day.”

“Oh, d-Richard, I’m so sorry.” Molly said, and tried to reach out to her but the chain wasn’t long enough.

“Yeah, well, being a girl isn’t all bad.” Logan asserted.

Richard looked back and forth between Molly and Logan and sighed, “I guess I shouldn’t complain. Anyway he left me in the panic-room and I was too small to work the controls to get out. I don’t know how long I was there, most of the day I think. By the time he came and got me the police were gone and the Firm had sent over more guards. He locked me in here, but gave me a few blankets. Once enough time had passed he came in and ordered me to put the medallion on and then a top.” Looking at Molly Richard said, “It was your cheerleading uniform from high school.”

“Oh.”

“Then he r-raped me.”

“Oh, god. I’m so sorry.” Molly said. “That’s awful,” Logan added simultaneously.

Richard nodded, “I-I tried to fight. I told him it was wrong on so many levels but he didn’t care. He’d done something to his body, too. He must have found a set of my clothes from when I was in my twenties. He used that plus the hat I’d worn the day before at the same time. From the neck up he looks just like me, but from the neck down he’s a younger version of me.” Richard shook her head and in a numb voice continued. “He also figured out that he could use a brand new jock, with a much larger cup to increase his size. Because the next time he used me he must have had a nine inch dick.” She looked at Molly and Logan, “But you’ll see that for yourselves soon enough, unless you can show him how to use the Gate. I tried but without the key it was useless.”

“How did you end up a dog?” Logan asked.

Richard stared numbly into the floor and then started shaking. “I disobeyed.” Her voice was a whisper, “You can’t disobey. Oh, God, I can’t be a dog again.” She looked at Molly, “You’ve got the Key, right? Let’s just give it to him. He’ll leave and it will all be over.”

“We don’t have the Key.” Molly said. “We left it on the other side.”

For a second Richard sat still and then tears started leaking down her cheeks. Soon she was sobbing and gasping for air, “The master is going to be very angry. Good girls do what they’re told. Good girls keep the master happy.”

Logan and Molly exchanged looks. Horror turned to anger and anger turned to rage.

The door boomed open and a tall athletic looking Richard Falk strode in carrying a small sack. “So bitches, are you ready to talk?” The smile turned to a snarl when Owen saw Richard, “What makes you think you get to cover up?!”

Richard quickly took the blanket that Molly had tossed to her and dropped it from her shoulders exposing her naked breasts. “I-I’m sorry, master.”

Owen moved forward until he was in the middle of the room and glared down at Richard, “I thought you’d learned your lesson about obedience. Well, I’ve got a few new ideas that might get the point across.”

“Leave her alone!” Molly snarled standing up and moving toward Owen. Then the chain on his collar snapped taunt stopping him just short of his target.

“Ha! Do you think I’m a fool Logan?” Owen turned to look at Molly. “I’ve not forgotten the last time we sparred at the Firm gym. You were pretty proud of the beat down you gave me. Well, I’ve got something very special for you my old friend.”

With that he pulled out the medallion and tossed it to Molly. Molly reacted quickly twisting away so that the necklace didn’t touch him. Instead, it hit the wall and bounced to the floor at Molly’s feet.

“I’m not touching that thing!”

“Oh, I think you’ll put it on.” Owen pulled out a gun and pointed it at Molly.

“If you kill me, you won’t get what you want.”

“True, but I don’t have to kill you. I could just shoot you a bit and then after you pass out from blood loss put the medallion on you. When the magic changes you it’ll also heal you.” Then Owen chuckled, “In fact I’d almost rather do it that way. Last chance, this will either be easy or hard.”

For a second Molly just glared at Owen and then he reached down picked up the necklace and put it on.

“Now what?”

Owen reached into the cargo pocket of the khaki pants he was wearing and pulled out a pair of black panties. “Time for a change, touch these to the medallion.” With that he tossed the panties at Molly.

“And if I refuse?”

Owen shook his head, “Fuck it.”

“CRACK!”

The report of the 9mm was loud enough to make Logan and Richard jump.

“Aaghhhh . . .” Molly fell forward grabbing his left leg as blood poured from the wound.

“I can keep on shooting you or you can pick up those panties and tie them to the medallion!”

“You bastard!” Logan said, now on her feet.

Owen looked back over his shoulder at Logan, “I’ll deal with you later sweetheart,” and then turned away dismissing her. Molly glared up at Owen after a second Owen shrugged and lifted his gun again. “The other leg?”

“Bitch, I’m gonna kill you!” Molly snarled and then reached out and picked up the panties with blood covered fingers and wrapped them around the medallion.

"Excellent.” Owen said staring down at Molly as his hair started to change color. He was so focused on Molly’s transformation that he failed to hear the soft snapping sound as Logan broke the chain holding her at the grommet. With a snap of her wrist Logan sent four feet of chain spinning through the air. It snaked around Owen’s gun arm and Logan jerked hard.

The gun spun away and Owen was pulled around in time to see Logan bring the chain around her head for another strike. Logan swung the chain for Owen’s head but he ducked the swing and drove a right-cross into Logan’s gut folding her over.

“Bitch, I don’t know how you got free but you’re going to pay for that!”

Owen raised his left hand to bring a hammer strike down on the back of Logan’s head. But Logan lurched forward and used her momentum to turn it into a front shoulder roll putting some distance between her and Owen.

Owen closed on Logan quickly and tried to drive a front stomp kick into Logan’s chest. Logan twisted and side-stepped the attack and hit Owen with a left cross into his floating ribs.

“Ugh,” Owen staggered back, “that hurt. You’re stronger than you look.”

Logan didn’t bother to answer instead she reached for her power and felt the tattoo on her back burn. She snapped a round-house kick that Owen blocked but he staggered back under the power of the blow. Logan spun around allowing the chain to whip out and Owen ducked it but the chain smashed into the wall knocking chunks of pulverized brick to the floor.

“What the fuck!” Owen gasped out and then pulled a pair of knives from his waist band. “What are you?”

Logan felt her body trying to morph and forced the change back down. ‘I don’t want him to know the full extent of my power,’ she thought. “What haven’t you ever seen a girl kick ass before?”

Owen shook his head, “For a second I thought your eyes were glowing. You’ve got some artifact that your using don’t you?!”

Then he lunged forward with his left-handed knife, Logan slid back knowing that Owen liked to lead with a faint. Just as she thought he came in with an over-hand blow. Twisting the chain between both hands Logan caught the descending knife strike with the chain and spun around in a circle. As she did she got her hip under Owen and brought both of her arms down. The hip throw caught Owen off guard and he landed hard on his back.

Before Logan could take advantage of it Owen slashed at her with his remaining knife. Logan lurched backward feeling the burn of a cut on her arm and she reflexively dropped the chain. Then Owen was on his feet.

“Bitch, you fight just like Logan. He’s obviously been training you. But it won’t be enough.” As he said this he turned his body sideways the knife in his lead hand. “I’m going to hurt you and then I’m going to fuck you.” As he spoke he moved to Logan’s right trying to circle her.

Logan moved with him staying out of reach ready to react her every sense hyper alert as she pulled more power into her. It flowed from the tattoo on her back and Logan could feel her skin start to change her bones shifting and she knew in that instant if she drew any more power she’d trigger the full change and become a copy of Melchiresa.

Owen started to lunge, “CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!”

In slow motion Logan watched as three red spots appeared on Owen’s chest. Then he crumbled to the ground next to his forgotten bag as his knife tumbled from a now limp hand. Logan spun around and saw Richard standing with her legs spread apart holding Owen’s gun in a shaky hand.

“Richard?”

At the sound of Logan’s voice Richard blinked and looked at her, and then lowered the gun. “Molly?”

Logan shook her head, “No, I’m Logan, don’t you remember?” Logan moved toward Richard as she stared in horror at Logan.

“What have I done?”

“Richard, you did what you needed to do. It’s okay.”

The gun fell from her hand to clatter on the floor and then Richard collapsed into Logan’s arms as sobs wracked her small frame. For a second Logan held Richard awkwardly and then she released the power she’d been holding and started to stroke Richard’s hair.

“It’ll be okay. We’re back. He’s gone and we’ve got the medallion.” As she spoke Logan couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder at Molly. He was on the floor and writhing around as if in pain. He now had long blonde hair and a cute girl next door face. But the changes hadn’t stopped there. Her skin had turned a pale creamy color and breasts had started to blossom from her chest.

Then Logan spotted the tattoo on Molly’s arm. The trident was glowing brightly. “Ahhhh . . .” Molly’s moan wasn’t that loud but he rolled over and Logan saw the other two tattoos were glowing as well. Then Molly reached up and pulled the necklace off and let it fall to one side. His whole body rippled and convulsed.

“What’s wrong with him?” Richard whispered.

“I think the magic of the Maiar that we now carry is clashing with the magic of the medallion.”

Then before Logan could say anything else pain exploded in the back of her head and she was sent flying forward. For a second she was too stunned to move and this almost cost her life. Pain exploded in her ribs as a vicious kick lifted her and bounced her off the nearest wall and then the power of Melchiresa flooded into her and her body shifted. In less than a second she roared to her feet wings spreading wide behind her and she caught the massive gauntlet covered hand with both of hers as it descended. The weight of the blow was almost too much and then Logan lashed out with a front snap kick that took her opponent in the chin and caused him to stagger back.

Gasping for breath Logan got her first good look at her foe and saw that it was Richard or rather Owen still wearing Richards body, but it had been altered. He was now wearing a pair of gauntlets that glowed a fierce red. However, the glow didn’t stop with the gauntlets. It had flowed up covering Owen’s body and it had changed him. He’d grown taller and wider splitting his clothes and Logan noticed that the bullet holes were gone from his now naked chest.

“Do you like the new look, bitch?!”

Owen’s voice echoed with a weird quality and then before Logan could answer Owen lunged forward slamming an open hand palm strike into her chest. The world went red and Logan felt her back hit the wall and the wall gave in and she found herself sliding across the lawn behind the house. Above, Logan could just make out the rising moon and she blinked. Her whole body ached and she knew that she’d broken a few ribs.

Logan pushed herself into a sitting position in time to see Owen climb out the hole in the wall. He was too big for the hole and he used his gauntlet covered hands to enlarge it even as he came through. Logan climbed to her feet and felt her broken right wing hanging limply. Rage flooded Logan and she reached for the well of power that was Melchiresa et Maiar. There was less power in her core than Logan was used to yet she drew on all of it.

She felt it race through her body healing her in a ripple of magic and then she felt the hilt of her Kris in her right and the glowing sphere of power cover her left even as the corset, leather pants, and boots materialized around her. Owen had just finished climbing out of the house when Logan extended her left hand, a blast of fire lashed out. Somehow Owen got his gauntlet covered hands up in an x-block and the fire splashed against a barely visible dome of red energy.

“Who are you?”

Owen’s voice still held that weird quality and Logan noticed that she could now look directly into his eyes. They were both larger than a normal human but Logan knew that she wasn’t nearly as tall as she’d been the last time she’d assumed her full Maiar form.

“I’ve been called many things. Molly Falk, Ilcaúrna et Maiar, Melchiresa Daughter of the Morning Star, Mistress of Air, Fire, and Metal, but my true name is Logan Campbell!”

For a second Owen blinked and his face shifted into something more human and then a sneer replaced it as he laughed.

“Perhaps you were once Logan Campbell, but you have moved beyond your mortal existence. I don’t recognize your name, but I can feel another immortal. I must thank you. If not for your actions this mortal would never have dared to free me. So know this Melchiresa, I am Pallas, Scion of Battle.”

Then Owen straightened up and gestured to Logan with an outstretched hand.

“There is no reason for us to fight. Few of our kind are free to walk upon this world. Come with me and together we can rule these simple mortals.”

Logan shook her head. “I’ve no wish to rule anyone and the mortal whose body you’ve taken has caused me and those I care for grievous harm.”

A vicious grin split Pallas face and he slammed his gauntlet covered hands together and red power flowed over his body. Logan blinked and when her vision cleared Pallas was covered in armor and held a mighty two-handed long sword in his hands.

“Then let us fight! For I will not give up this mortal’s body now that I’m free!”

Logan lashed out with her will and a tight beam of fire blasted forward only to splash up against Pallas sword. Then he raced forward and Logan snapped her wings taking to the air to avoid a sweeping sword cut. Logan struck next with a fist of hardened air yet somehow Pallas sensed it and blocked it with his sword. Then he pointed his sword up at Logan and she felt some force grab her and when Pallas made a slashing motion with the blade the force threw Logan toward the ground. Somehow she was able to pull in enough air to catch herself before she was smashed flat.

In desperation Logan sent another blast of fire at Pallas and then threw her Kris. Pallas blocked the fire and the Kris hit his armored thigh sinking all the way to the hilt.

“Argh!”

Pallas’ cry echoed around the estate and several windows on this side of the house shattered. Then Logan held out her hand and the Kris flew back to her. As it flew through the air it changed, growing to the size of a short sword by the time it smacked into her palm.

“Give up now and I’ll see what I can do to send you to another realm.”

Rather than answer Pallas slammed his sword into the ground and it buckled and moved in an undulating wave that raced toward Logan. Logan snapped her wings down expecting to escape into the air except some force held her to the ground. Then the power hit and Logan’s whole body exploded in pain as she was tossed to one side. For a second nothing mattered except the pain roaring through her body and then Logan was looking up at Pallas.

He stood over her with his sword point extended so that it was touching her throat.

“You have fought valiantly. But I am a Lord of Battle. Yield, and I will let you live.”

Logan opened her mouth to respond when a crack of thunder shook the air and Pallas was hurled to one side as a trident made of lightning hit him.

“You aren’t the only Lord of Battle to walk the land, Pallas!”

Logan saw Molly moving forward in full Kratos guise. He must have been ten feet tall covered in glowing armor. Pallas snarled something and leapt forward and the sound of his sword striking Kratos shield sounded like thunder. Logan slowly climbed to her feet mesmerized by the fight. They were a contrast in styles. Where Pallas was all rage and power attacking in a frenzy of blows meant to overwhelm, Molly was utterly calm. Molly used his shield and trident putting on a dizzying display of skill that confused and defeated Pallas at every turn. Yet despite it all they looked evenly matched.

‘Well, there’s no such thing as a fair fight.’ Logan thought and reached out with Air tripping Pallas. His sudden lurch to one side as he stumbled was all the opening Molly needed and his trident slammed into Pallas throat. For a second the two warriors were frozen then Molly stepped back ripping his trident free in a fountain of blood and gore.

Pallas dropped his sword and sank to his knees and as he did the red glow flowed down into the gauntlets. As the glow faded he shrank in size and the armor that had covered his body disappeared.

“I will remember this Kratos. There will come a day when I will seek you out and you won’t have a woman to save you.”

The words were softer fading toward end and then all of the energy disappeared into the gauntlets. Then as if slamming a prison door closed the gauntlets fell from Owen’s lifeless hands.

Logan looked into the mirror studying her reflection. It had taken her two tries to get the makeup just right. But it was worth the effort since she had to admit the red-head staring back at her was stunning. For all the time she’d spent as Molly Logan hadn’t had access to a mirror very often so the image was still one she was getting used to. Logan stood up and smoothed out her dress before stepping into the heels and heading down stairs.

Then click-clack of her shoes on the floor was a reminder of how much had changed over the last few months. Well, days here, but months from Logan’s perspective. Then she stepped into the dining room and spotted Molly staring out a window. As soon as she entered the room Molly turned around and flashed Logan a bright smile.

“Ah, I always loved the way that dress looked.”

Logan felt her face flush but ignored it and spun around in a quick twirl. “So, how do I look?”

“Beautiful.”

As he said it Molly moved across the room and scooped up Logan’s hand kissing her fingers. For a second Logan had a flash back to the moment Molly had met him on the front steps of the estate. Then Molly was pulling out a chair and helping Logan to sit down. The table was small since this was the private dining room and the Falk’s had always like to keep things informal whenever they could. The table had been set for three and one spot was conspicuously missing.

“The staff did a great job with dinner. I don’t think you’ve had Stephanie’s roast beef before.”

Logan nodded as the wonderful smell of dinner wafted up from the dish that Molly uncovered.

“I can remember having this, but the memory is like the memory of a dream.”

Molly nodded, “Yeah, I know what you mean. I’ve discovered that experiencing it helps to connect to the memory.”

“Is that why you spent yesterday at my apartment?”

Molly nodded, “It helped me to connect to my new identity.”

At this Logan looked down. She felt like she ought to be upset, Molly seemed more than ready to just step into his old life.

“Did you try the medallion?”

The question caused Logan to look up and then she nodded. “I did.” Then she shook her head, “It didn’t work for me either. I felt it start to change me and then it clashed with my power and it was sort of like the magic from the medallion just faded away.”

“Kratos told me before I went through the gate that I’d been changed. I think this is what he meant. We are now both part Maiar.”

“Melchiresa said something similar. I didn’t understand it until now.”

Molly nodded and then they fell silent. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence more like the quiet of two close friends lost in thought. Then Logan broke the quiet.

“Will Richard be joining us?”

“You mean your father?” Molly gave Logan a very direct look.

With a sigh Logan said, “Yes, will Daddy be joining us?”

Molly shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I talked to him earlier he’s still having trouble . . . dealing with everything.”

“Did you suggest using the medallion?”

“Yeah, and I think he will. I gave him his jacket from the night we swapped and told him to put the medallion on and then hold it to the jacket for the full thirty minutes.”

Logan nodded, “I doubt that he’ll lose his memories of what happened with Owen. But maybe they’ll fade a bit.”

“I hope so, but I think he’s going to need counseling. There are times when I wish I hadn’t killed Owen so I could do it over again slower.”

With nothing else to say Logan reached out and started serving. For the next few minutes they both focused on eating. The food was delicious and for a while it was good enough to simply eat.

“Have you finished going through Daddy’s inventory?” Logan asked.

Molly shook his head. “Not yet. I’ve been able to account for about seventy five to eighty percent of the artifacts Richard collected. Unfortunately some of the terrorists managed to escape and they took a few pieces with them.”

“Any more like those damn gauntlets?”

“It’s hard to tell. There were items whose power Richard had cataloged and then other’s marked unknown.”

“These terrorists, they aren’t really terrorists are they?” Logan asked.

“No, they’re part of a cult. Something called Mysterium Custodis.”

“The Guardians of the Mysteries?” Logan asked.

Molly nodded, “They were responsible for killing your mother and the attack on you. Evidently they were able to buy Owen and once he was convinced that magic was real he saw it as an opportunity to get ahead.”

“I guess it makes sense. Especially since he’d been caught on video killing the members of the Firm here. He couldn’t just go back to his old identity.”

“But he didn’t want to just assume Richard’s identity. He wanted a fresh start I think that’s why he was so focused on using the gate. A new world to explore and the ability to take any identity was a temptation he couldn’t resist. Plus, he’d obviously found several of Richard’s remaining artifacts even if he didn’t know what they would do.”

Logan reached out for her glass of wine and noticed that her lipstick had left a mark on the crystal. She paused for a second before taking a drink and then looked over at Molly.

“What about us?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play stupid. We’ve both tried the medallion and it doesn’t work on us now.”

Molly reached out and grabbed Logan’s small hand in his large calloused one. “Molly, face it. We’re stuck. We’re going to have to assume each other’s identity.”

Logan stared into Molly’s face and realized that she no longer thought of it as her old face.

“Yeah, I know. But I feel bad. I mean you’re losing your family, your body, and all of your inheritance. I feel like a thief.”

At this Molly laughed, “Is that what’s been bothering you? Molly, I wouldn’t switch back with you if I could. I don’t see myself as female any more. My experiences in Nevrast and being bonded to Kratos . . . they changed me. I’m only now really starting to understand the full extent of the changes, but I’ve got NO interest in being a woman.”

“Well, LOGAN, Melchiresa changed me too. I tried to fight it, but the time I spent with Turgon taught me I’m no longer male.” Then the new Molly let out a giggle, “I mean, why on Earth would I want to go back to being some hairy, smelly, guy?!”

The new Logan chuckled and let go of Molly’s hand. “So what’s next for you?”

“I’ll take care of Daddy. Make sure the estate is repaired and then take over our financial concerns. Daddy isn’t in any condition to make important decisions. Oh, and I’ll finish school. What about you?”

“Well, with the money you deposited into my account I don’t need to work. So I’ll quit the Firm. I think I’m entitled to a vacation.” Then his face clouded up and he looked away.

“You’re still hurting over Tanna?”

“Yeah, maybe I can find a beach someplace with a large supply of beer and females.”

“I’m not sure that’s the best way to deal with her death.” The new Molly said and then continued. “There’s a room for you here, whenever you want it. You’re more like family now.”

“Thanks. I think I’m going to go for a drive. My car somehow managed to survive all of the chaos without a scratch.”

After Logan left Molly went out into the backyard and looked up at the moon. She knew there was no one else on the estate besides Richard and took advantage of it. She summoned her power and her clothes shifted to black leather as red-hair shifted to midnight tresses. With a snap of her wings Molly launched herself into the air glorying in the power of flight. There was a chance the Mysterium Custodis would return and make another attempt on the estate. If they did they’d be in for a rather large surprise.

Author Note:

If you enjoyed this story please take a moment to leave a comment. Reader feedback is very important to me.

Cheers

Zapper

PS – Is there any interest in seeing a continuation of this story?