Hilda and I were sitting on her couch, watching T.V. and simply relaxing after a long week of school. I managed to get used to it rather quickly, but I still don't find it exciting. At least the weekend is finally here. I looked back at the T.V. and saw reports of incidents around town that didn't really interest me. That changed seconds later when they mentioned that there haven't been sightings of a big black hound recently. I noticed Hilda moved nervously before sighing. Looks like it's about the barghest she encountered.

"Jeffery how was your week at school?" Hilda asked me.

"It was fine. I guess," I answered.

Before Hilda could respond our attention was once again on the T.V as Victoria Van Gale's face appeared. I noticed Hilda froze in shock and anger. What's up with her? Before I could ask there was an announcement.

"The famous meteorologist Victoria Van Gale is holding a special event showing off her latest breakthrough in meteorology!"

Hilda shook nervously in fright. What could be scary about a scientist discovering something new about the weather? It could only improve our lives if we use it wisely. Of course that is assuming it will be.

"It will be open to the public next week!"

Hilda formed two fists and gritted her teeth in determination.

"Hilda are you alright?"

Hilda took a deep breath, "No, I just have a rotten history with her."

"What happened? You aren't a fan?" I asked.

Hilda shook her head, "No, I was a huge fan."

I simply nodded.

"So huge I blindly worshiped her and thought she could do no wrong."

"What happened?"

Hilda told me the whole story about the huge storm and everything that happened, which led to another story about her and the woodman entering a magical house that didn't want them to leave.

"It just let you go just like that?" I asked.

Hilda nodded, "Yeah, I still don't know why, but after my rant it just sent us all back. It also cause the items it conjured up for us to disappear too."

"Dang."

Hilda nodded, "Now I am worried about what she is up to!" Hilda had a determined look, "Whatever it is I will stop it."

"We."

Hilda gave me a confused look, "Huh?"

"We. As in You, me, and the others will stop it."

"Right." Hilda smiled.

I sighed, "If you are going to run into danger at least do it with your friends."

I left Hilda's house and started walking home, when I heard the sound of wings flapping. I stopped and looked around the sky, but couldn't find anything.

"Down here kid."

I looked down and saw a gray bird looking at me with a curious look.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"You aren't shocked to see a talking bird?" He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Not really. We live in a world filled with magic and all kinds of creatures. Anything could be possible."

The bird nodded, "I saw you leaving Hilda's house. Are you a new friend of hers?"

I nodded, "I moved in weeks ago."

"I see so you don't know about me and the annual parade."

I gasped as I realized that this must be the legendary Raven Hilda told me about.

"Actually Hilda filled me in," I answered, "So, you are him?"

"Yeah, is there a problem?"

"No offense, but I expected a more magnificent bird."

Instead of getting offended the Raven smirked before growing bigger and creating an aura of electricity around him. He then shrank back into the size of a regular bird.

"Ok I stand corrected," I admitted.

"Sorry. I don't like to maintain that form for long and risk getting spotted outside of the parade."

I nodded, "So, you have the power to control electricity?"

"I do, but it's very limited. I managed to find some uses for it though."

"Are you visiting Hilda?"

"Yeah, it has been a while and I am checking up on her."

"Well, I will let you get right to it." I said before starting to walk away.

"Ok. I will see you around," I heard before getting too far.

I took off my shoes and gently tossed them across my room before lying down on my bed. Suddenly, I heard the sound of thunder and looked out the window and saw it was raining. Thank goodness I made it inside before the storm. After a few minutes it stopped raining. I didn't pay mind to it, as I have seen quick storms before and decided to continue relaxing.

Sometime later I entered the living room and turned on the radio and tuned it to the Victoria's station.

"For the next few weeks there will be a few quick storms. Be sure to wear jackets just in case. I will notify you exactly when each storm will start and stop."

I blinked in confusion. Strange, how after the announcement of there being an event where she will show a breakthrough she made in her field, there are seemly random storms. Now that I think about it, Hilda might actually be on to something. Whatever is going on we will get to the bottom of it.

The next day I was leaving my house only to find Hilda and the gang outside, waiting for me. I was a little nervous about them doing such a thing, but I shrugged it off.

"What's up guys?" I asked.

"Jeffery have you noticed the quick storms from yesterday?" Hilda asked me

Before I could say anything David spoke up, "She thinks the storms are connected to Victoria's upcoming event."

"It must be," Hilda defended, "The timing is perfect."

"What is she planning?" David asked.

"Uh..."

"I have to agree with David Hilda," Frida spoke up, "Instead of jumping to a conspiracy theory, why don't we try to figure out what is really going on."

"David and Frida you have to admit this is strange."

"We do, but how do we know it's all connected?" Frida asked.

"David you were there!" Hilda exclaimed, "You know what she did. She is up to something I know she is."

"Hilda, while I wasn't there, I understand why you are acting like this, but we have no reason to think she is behind the storms," Frida countered.

"Look the event is in a week. We can find out then," David said trying to calm things down.

Hilda sighed, "Fine, but I swear she is up to something. I won't let anything like that happen again."

"We know and we will help you, but you can't let this cloud your judgement," Frida told the other girl.

"What do you think Jeffery?" Hilda asked me.

I took a deep breath, "To be honest I put two together and came to the same idea, but I feel we need more information to link the two."

"Close enough for me." Hilda told me.

"Now then why don't we go to the library and worry about this later," Frida suggested.

Hilda nodded and we went on our way.

"By the way Jeffery, Raven told me you met him," Hilda told me.

I simply nodded.

"I tried to tell him about our worries," Hilda said before sighing.

"He didn't take it well?" I asked.

Hilda shook her head, "He understood, but was hesitant to tell them the truth. He didn't want a scared tradition that has been done for a long time now."

I nodded, "Oh well."

"Aren't you upset?" Hilda asked me.

"I am, but it's his decision. if he would rather take the risk then to stop the annual bird parade, that's his choice."

Hilda spluttered, "But.. he...

I chuckled, "It's adorable that you look out for others, but you have to understand that we all must make our own decisions and mistakes. If he decides to take the risk let him."

Hilda blushed, "What will happen when it goes wrong?"

"He will have friends to help him thorough it," I answered.

"I think we should still talk him out of it."

Before I could respond Frida and David were chuckling.

"What with you two?" Hilda asked.

"Are you sure you two aren't a couple?" David teased.

Hilda and I blushed and shook our heads. We gave each other a look and blushed harder.

"Knock it off guys!" Hilda snapped annoyed.

The rest of the journey to the library was done in complete silence. I have plenty of thinking to do about Victoria Van Gale. I have no idea what is going on here, but I know we will get to the bottom of it. I have the crazy idea it will be a wild ride. Hopefully, things work out well.

Sorry for the long wait. I have been having writer's block and decided to work on other stories to get ideas flowing. It didn't really work that well. This is a start to an arc I had in my mind for a bit and I wanted to do other things before starting it, but couldn't come up with any. Updates should be quicker now, but we all know how that works. Hope you enjoyed.