SLAYERS: The War of Rebirth, Madness, and Exile Prologue It has been twenty years since we went to Namek, found the Dragonballs, and made our wishes. . . soon, Shabranigdo-sama and Ceifeed will be back, and then the fate of our world will be decided. All I know for sure is that I am ready for whatever Shabranigdo-sama wishes me to do. Gaav found a new Priest shortly after Viv was 'found'. She's an eccentric were-fox turned Mazoku named Hinomi. She has ears and a tail in her 'human' form, and she can still turn into a little fox from what Raya tells me. I've only met the girl once. I have no clue what her Mazoku form is. To make matters worse, she has a Flareon. Yes, the cute little Pokémon. The evolved form of an Evee. . . joy. Its name is Eikoudan, and if Hinomi doesn't like you, he doesn't like you. He has a tendency to fire blast everyone he doesn't like. . . Gaav finds himself often dodging fire. I'd kill the little beast if it tired to fry me. Apparently, if Eikoudan goes, Hinomi goes, and Gaav thinks Hinomi does her job well, so he puts up with the beast. We'll see how good a Priest she really is when this war starts. Deep Sea Dolphin has acquired a new Priest and General. She sent her old two, Siren and Daksha, on a mission, and they were killed. Three days later she had them replaced. I say she had them killed on purpose. Her new Priest is a man named Albatross, who can turn into an albatross and a seagull, or so Deep Sea brags. Her new General is man named Keet Shagoon. Keet is an excellent swordsman, and as soon a PJ got wind of this, he went and kicked Keet's ass in battle. Phibby says it was pretty even match until PJ got tired of playing around, tossed away his normal 'dueling sword' and pulled out Soul Destroyer. Keet can turn into a killer whale. Besides some new Priests and a new General, things have been quite for us. We've been building up our armies, and by Dynast's estimates, we out number the dragons almost three to one. Not that it matters. This war will decide everything. Both sides will be extremely low when it comes to population when this war is over. That leaves the humans and the Ancient Dragons. More and more Ancient Dragons have been popping up over the last twenty years. Valterria has rallied them together, and they have a small community up in the mountains. Valterria still stays at my palace with his parents most of the time, but the Ancients still consider him their 'leader'. Last I heard, there were almost fifty Ancient Dragons alive, not counting Valterria, Viv and Valgarv. That is the one thing about this world that scares me. . . the existence of the Ancient Dragons. They don't answer to Ceifeed and they don't answer to Shabranigdo. . . they answer to L-Sama herself. The worst part is, after this war, if L-Sama wills them to, the Ancient Dragons could very well take over this world. There will be no hope for the Dragons if the Ancients come into power. They're still bitter about the destruction of their race. Hell, I would be too. The only Golds they trust are Filia and Tallen, and only because Valterria trusts them. The Ancients let my kind walk among them. It's not exactly a peace, more of a 'I wont kill you if you wont kill me' agreement, which suits us fine. Unlike the Golds, we don't have to worry about a group of pissed off Ancient Dragons trying to exterminate us. Any day now, Shabranigdo and Ceifeed will appear, and as I said before, I am ready. There are only four things I care about in this world anymore. Destroying it, as is the mission of my people, my children, Raya, who still is, and always will be my Aneki, and Viv. . . the Ancient Dragon I have found myself caring for more each day. I actually think I may be in love with her. . . if I had only known when I turned her into a Mazoku that I would end up loving her-no, then I wouldn't have believed it. I wouldn't have believed I would have been killed. . . I wouldn't believe I had two children, I wouldn't believe that I considered Xellos's daughter my sister. Hell, I would have laughed, called whoever told me this an idiot, and slaughtered them. I was a bastard, by most people's standards I still am; I suppose I always will be. What else can you expect from a Mazoku Lord? But now I'm a bastard with feelings. . . and L-Sama help anyone who hurts or kills the ones I love, because there will be Hell to pay. . . and I know that for a fact! ~Hellmaster Phibrizio. It Begins. . . Phibrizio stared down at the paper he had been writing on. He had no clue why he had wrote it. " Probably to pass time," he muttered to himself. Still he couldn't believe he'd actually written down his feelings for Viv. " What cha doing?," Viv asked as she entered the library with a book under her arm. " Nothing," Phibrizio said, shoved the paper in a book, and shut it. " Generally one reads or looks for a book in a library," Viv giggled, " If you are looking for something to read, try this." " What is it?," Phibrizio asked as Viv handed him the book she had tucked under her arm. " It's about some evil dragons and. . . well, read it and find out!," Viv smiled, " I don't want to give the whole story away." " Evil dragons? That's an interesting concept," Phibrizio laughed and watched Viv look through the rest of the books. After a minute, she grinned triumphantly, grabbed a book off the shelf and sat down in a leather chair. " What did you find this time?," he asked. " An old favorite. . . but the ending of the first section always makes me sad," Viv said. " Hey Dad!," PJ said as he came in. He was now thirty-one, but he still ran around looking like a ten year old, just like his father and sister. " What?," Phibrizio asked. " Valterria and Tallen went to Ceifeed's Temple the other day, and they said the place was practically deserted," PJ said, " They were flying over on the way to the Ancient Dragon village. Oh, hey Viv." Viv nodded, but didn't look up from the book she was reading. " Why are you reading 'The Chronicles of the Five Mazoku Lords'?," PJ asked her. Phibrizio looked over at Viv, who blushed furiously. PJ gave her a funny look, " What? I see you reading that thing almost everyday. You figure you'd have it memorized by now. And you're almost always reading the first section, and it's the one about dad. It ends with him dying, right?" Viv turned even redder, got up, couldn't even look at Phibrizio, and ran from the library. The book still in her hands. " What?," PJ asked his father, " She is one strange Dragon." " Mazoku," Phibrizio said. " Whatever. She's half of each," PJ shrugged, " Plus she can still turn into a full dragon." " So Ceifeed's Temple is deserted?," Phibrizio asked, changing the subject. " Well, they said it looked deserted, they may have all been inside," PJ said, " Normally the Golds are outside tending to the gardens and such." " They must know that Ceifeed's coming back, and they're getting ready for it," Phibrizio sneered, " Oh well, our armies are far larger then theirs are, or have ever been." " Dynast could be wrong, Father," PJ said. " If it was any of the others, I wouldn't believe what they said," Phibrizio said, " but Dynast knows what he's doing when it come to statistics, and he is the smartest one out of all of us." PJ blinked at his father. Phibrizio usually didn't go around announcing that one of the other Lords out classed him in any area. . . much less brains. " Quit gawking," Phibrizio said, " Find your sister, Viv, Valgarv, Raya and Valterria. Meet me in the throne room." " Yes, Father," PJ said and left. " Gods, it's hard to get anything through that boy's head," Phibrizio chuckled as he headed down the hall. Soon. . . " You wanted to see us, Phibrizio-sama?," Valgarv asked. " PJ tells me that Valterria and Tallen were recently near Ceifeed's Temple, and that it looked deserted," Phibrizio said, then he looked over at Valterria and asked, " Is that right?" " Hai. No one was outside, and usually there are at least two or three outside doing something," Valterria said. " Valgarv, I want you and Raya to go check it out," Phibrizio said. " There will be no need for that, Phibrizio," a deep voice echoed throughout the throne room as a tall man with long white hair and ruby red eyes appeared by the balcony doors. " Shabranigdo-sama!," Phibrizio yelled, he was down on his knees with his head bowed in an instant. The others followed his lead. " First off, may I ask why you have an Ancient Dragon your throne room who is not being toured," Shabranigdo asked with an evil grin. " I do not serve Ceifeed or you, Shabranigdo-sama," Valterria said boldly, " I serve L-Sama herself, as do the rest of my race." " You're a bold one, aren't you?," Shabranigdo chuckled, " I'll let you get away with it this once. All of you may rise." " What do you wish me to do, Shabranigdo- sama?," Phibrizio asked. " I want you to get the other Lords, my Knight, the Generals and Priests, and anyone else who will serve me in the oncoming war, and bring them to Mazoku Domain. You will all receive further instructions there," Shabranigdo said, " This time, we will win. . . ," there was a flash of blood red light and Shabranigdo was gone. " How come I get a sinking feeling that all Hell is going to break lose in the next, say, two days?," PJ asked. " Always the smart-ass, huh PJ?," Valterria smirked. " I can't help it," PJ laughed. " This is serious," Phibrizio said, " All of you better be ready to kiss everything you knew good bye in about an hour. . . cause nothing is going to be the same when this war is over. Raya, Valgarv, go get Changer, Rezo, Lei Rezo and Lei Magnus. Valterria, you had better decide really quickly what you and your people are going to do, Phibby, PJ get your butts to Mazoku Domain. Viv? Are you with us, or are you going to try and stay neutral?" " I'm in. I can't stand by when my family and friends have to fight," Viv said. " Go with PJ and Phibby to Mazoku Domain then," Phibrizio said, " I have to go get the others. Let's prey they're ready." Phibrizio was gone in a flash. " I don't like this one bit," Valterria said. " Neither do I," Viv sighed. " Look, Phibrizio-sama was serious when he told us what we need to do," Valgarv said, " So let's do it," The others nodded and everyone disappeared simultaneously. At Gaav's castle. . . " Gaav!," Phibrizio shouted as he materialized in the throne room. " What do you want?," Gaav asked. Xelterria, Genie, Vallos, Hinomi and Eikoudan looked up at Phibrizio as well. " Shabranigdo-sama is back!," Phibrizio yelled, " Get your ass to Mazoku Domain five minutes ago!" Gaav stood up immediately, " Just me or the others too?" " Your General and Priest, and take your wife and Genie too," Phibrizio snapped and was gone. " Let's go," Gaav said. When the others slowly stood up, he roared, " NOW, DAMN IT! SHABRANIGDO-SAMA IS NOT ONE TO BE KEPT WAITING!!!!!!!!!!!" The others put their rears in gear. At Dynast's fortress. . . " Dynast," Phibrizio said, " Get your General and Priests and get to Mazoku Domain. Our 'Father' is back." Dynast nodded and snapped his fingers as Phibrizio vanished. Sherra, Grou, and Grau were on their knees before Dynast a millisecond later. " Ruby Eye has returned," Dynast said. Then he vanished. His servants followed. At Deep Sea Dolphin's palace. . . " Dolphin! Get your psychotic ass to Mazoku Domain," Phibrizio said as he appeared in her throne room, " and bring your General and Priest." Deep Sea ignored him and continued to hold a fishing line in a little bucket of water. " NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!," Phibrizio screamed, " Ruby Eye is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!" " Why didn't you say that in the first place, brother?," Deep Sea asked as the fishing rod and bucket vanished. " Just get moving," Phibrizio growled as he disappeared. Deep Sea giggled, gathered up Keet and Albatross, then the trio vanished. On Wolf Pack Island. . . " Zelas, I all ready have a headache from dealing with the others," Phibrizio sighed as he materialized in the Beastmaster's throne room, " Just get Kosha and that fruitcake Trickster Priest, and get to Mazoku Domain. Shabranigdo-sama is back." " Okie day!," Zelas giggled cheerfully as her oldest brother vanished, " He really needs to relax," she added to Xellos and Kosha. " Hai, I agree, my Mistress," Xellos nodded. " Can we come?," Pika-baby asked. " I don't see why not," Kosha giggled as she picked up Raichu. Pika-baby jumped up on Xellos's shoulder. " Off to kill dragons we go!," Zelas laughed as they vanished. At Changer and Rezo's house. . . " Ruby Eye's been reborn?," Lei Rezo shouted at Valgarv. Lei Magnus and Rezo both breathed sighs of relief, happy that the Demon King hadn't been resurrected in them. " Hai!," Raya smiled, " He said to get you, Grandma." Changer smiled, " I thought as much. Come on then, we wouldn't want to keep the others waiting." There was a flash, and they were gone. At Mazoku Domain. . . The Five Mazoku Lords and their Generals, Priest, and 'friends' were all standing in the main hall. " So, now what?," PJ asked. " Shabranigdo-sama will tell us when he needs to speak with us," Dynast said coldly. PJ sneered at him. Viv shivered as she looked out a window, " I'm scared," she said to no one in particular. Sherra snorted, " You weak, pathetic, insolent girl! It's an honor for you to be here, Dragon. Be thankful you're not being tortured by our kind right now, like all Dragon scum should be," she growled, then she glared at Valterria, " You're included in that too, you know." Phibrizio didn't even look at Sherra as he blasted her into a wall, knocking her through it, and though three more, till she busted through the castle's outer wall and flew another fifty feet before landing on the rocky beach of the island. " Teach her to hold her tongue, Dynast," Phibrizio said coolly, then he walked over to Viv, " You have nothing to worry about, the Golds can't get to us here. They need one of us Lords consent to even see the island, much less land on it." " It's not myself I'm scared for," Viv said, " It's the rest of you. And all my other friends. Uka, Nam, Luna. . . " " You don't need to worry about us!," Genie grinned, " We can kick Golden Dragon rear if we have to, Aunt Viv." " Yeah, after all, we have me on our side," PJ smirked, " How could we possibly lose?" Phibby hit him over the head with a mallet she had pulled out of thin air, " Baka," she mumbled. In response, PJ pulled all three of her hair ribbons out of her hair. Phibby proceeded to chase her younger brother around the hall, screaming at him. " They'll never grow up, will they?," Vallos laughed. " Never," Valterria sighed, " And I have to put up with it." " HEY!," PJ and Phibby both yelled, and most everyone laughed. Valgarv turned to his sister, and in a language the others, even the Lords, didn't know, he asked her something. " Yes," was all Viv said. " I thought as much," Valgarv smiled. " What language was that?," Hinomi asked. " Flare?," Eikoudan added. " Ancient Dragon," Valterria said, " I didn't understand all of what he said. I'm still learning the language." " So what did you understand?," PJ asked as he avoided another of his sister's swings with the mallet. " I caught the words 'are you', 'with' and 'master'. I have no clue about the rest," Valterria said. " I'm surrounded by weaklings and children!," Sherra screamed as she came back in, " We have a Dragon that's scared, and Hellmaster- sama's kids are fighting over hair ribbons! This is the most pathetic-" Sherra was cut off again as a Laguna Blast slammed her through a new series of walls, this time cast by Phibby and PJ. " Stupid wench," PJ sneered. " How dare she insult us! She's a mere General, and I'm the daughter of one of the Five Mazoku Lords! And the most powerful one at that!," Phibby said, " Not to mention the fact that her master is going to be my husband!" " Dynast doesn't like you!," PJ screamed. " Does to!" " Does not!" " Too!" " Phibby, you're in denial!" " Am not!" " Are too!" " SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!," Genie, Valterria and Pika-baby all yelled simultaneously. " Dang! All we need now are those insane Sorcerer Hunters and it's the quest for 'The Ancient Ones' all over again!," Valterria said. " Is that all you two do? Fight?," Pika-baby asked. " Ninety-nine percent of the time, yes," Valterria said, " The other one percent their ignoring each other or they aren't in each other's presence." " I pity you," Genie told him, " Having to live with it all day, everyday." " Me too," Pika-baby added. " We're not that bad, you guys!," PJ said. " Yeah!," Phibby agreed. " Oh my Gods! I think the world is going to end!," Valterria said with mock horror, " They actually agreed on something." " To bad Tallen wasn't here to see it," Genie smirked. " Ha ha ha," PJ said. " Real funny, Valterria," Phibby rolled her eyes, " If PJ wouldn't bug me so much, we wouldn't argue." " I don't bug you. I say something smart, and then you hit me for it. It's been that was since I was three!," PJ said. " Has not!" " Has too!" " Not!" " Too!" " Not!" " Too!" " Hellblast!" " Laguna Blast!" Everyone else sweat-dropped as Phibby and PJ got into a huge magic battle. " Wow, the brats can actually cast spells," Sherra rolled her eyes as she came back in. This time, she got blasted by Phibby, PJ and Phibrizio, and went through the roof. " It's going to take a lot of money to repair this place," Zelas sighed. " I just hope she didn't break though the thirteenth floor's floor. If she did, there's going to be a hole in my bedroom," Deep Sea Dolphin sighed. " How fun for you, Deep Sea-sama," Vallos shook his head. No one blinked when Sherra slammed back down onto the floor. The huge iron doors that lead to the War Room slowly creaked open. " Come on," Dynast said as he walked into the War Room. The other Lords followed him and the others trailed in behind them. " Who are these others?," Shabranigdo demanded. He was in his human for and was sitting on a black marble throne at the head of the War Room's table. " They are our allies, Shabranigdo-sama," Phibrizio grinned. " They will all fight for us, without question?," Shabranigdo said. " Hai," Dynast said. " Ancient Dragon, who do your people fight for?," Shabranigdo asked Valterria. " No one but the Lord of Nightmares Herself," Valterria said, " They will remain neutral in this war, as is Her will." " Where do you plan to hide them, servant of L-Sama?" " They may stay at my palace," Phibrizio offered, " The Golds will not find them there, and no battles will occur in my realm." " Send them to Hellmaster's palace," Shabranigdo told Valterria, " Unless they decided to fight, they are not to leave for the duration of the war." " Certainly Shabranigdo," Valterria grinned, " I will go move them now." " Who are the rest of you?," Shabranigdo said, then in a slightly amused voice he said, " Lei Magnus and Rezo. . . how intriguing that you should chose to fight for my causes when I was the cause of both of your downfalls." " My wife is you Knight," Rezo said, " I serve whom ever she does." " Rezo is family, and no one believes that I am actually Lei Magnus, so I accompany him on his travels. Evidently, this makes me your ally." " Now, I don't recognize several of you, and I would like to know why you're here," Shabranigdo said as he looked at each of the new comers. " I am Hellprincess Phibby, Daughter of Hellmaster Phibrizio," Phibby said, " I serve you as my Father serves you." " I am Hellprince PJ, Son of Hellmaster Phibrizio," PJ said, " I too serve you." " My name is Genie. I am the Daughter of the Chaos Dragon Gaav and Xelterria," Genie said, " I live to serve, Shabranigdo-sama." " I am Xelterria, wife of the Chaos Dragon," Xelterria said, " I will do all that I can to serve you, Ruby Eye-sama." " My name is Viv, sister to Valgarv," Viv said, " I will do whatever I can to crush the Golds, which is your will, my Lord." " The remaining new comers are Generals or Priests, Ruby Eye," Zelas said. " Fine. Everyone remaining is to state their name, position, and who they serve," Shabranigdo sighed, " Then you will explain to me why there are three animals in my War Room!" " Of course, Shabranigdo-sama," Phibrizio nodded and looked at Zelas and Gaav with an evil grin, since they would be explaining the 'animals'. Phibrizio turned to Valgarv, and nodded. " I am Valgarv, General of Hellmaster Phibrizio." " I am Raya, Priestess of Hellmaster Phibrizio." " I am Vallos, General of the Chaos Dragon Gaav." " I am Hinomi, Priestess of the Chaos Dragon Gaav." " I am Sherra, General of Dynast Grausherra." " I am Grau, Priest of Dynast Grausherra." " I am Grou, Priest of Dynast Grausherra." " I am Keet Shagoon, General of Deep Sea Dolphin." " I am Albatross, Priest of Deep Sea Dolphin." " I am Xellos, the Trickster Priest, Priest and General of Beastmaster Zelas Metallium." " I am Kosha, the Trickster Priestess, General and Priestess of Beastmaster Zelas Metallium." " Now, for the animals," Shabranigdo prompted. " They one that looks like a fox is Hinomi's," Gaav said, " They can 'bond' and it enhances her powers. When they're separated, it looks like this." " FLARE!," Eikoudan yelled and tried to Fire Blast Gaav; who side stepped it, he had gotten so used to it, that he didn't even notice it anymore. " Oh yeah, its name is Eikoudan," Gaav added. " And the other two?" " My name is Pika-baby and this is Raichu. We belong to Kosha, and have since she was seven years old. Now she's. . . uh. . . old," Pika-baby giggled. Kosha face-faulted. " I'm not old," she hissed. " Kosha made them immortal, and they have electrical abilities just as Eikoudan had fire," Zelas said, " When they combine their attacks, they can render an Ancient Dragon in Dragon form unconscious for almost three days. Single handedly, for about a day." " Interesting. . . ," Shabranigdo said, " I have some. . . business to attend to else where. You five are to gather up your armies, and bring them here, as usual. I will give you further orders when Ceifeed decides to show his scaly face." " Hai, Shabranigdo-sama," the Five Mazoku Lords said simultaneously as Shabranigdo vanished. " Well, now what?," Himoni asked. " You wait here until we give you orders," Gaav said. " We know what to do," Phibrizio said, as he smiled evilly, " This time, it really is war!" " And this time, we win!," Zelas added. Then all five Lords disappeared. " How come I get the feeling we are in really, really, big trouble?," PJ asked. " I think we're doomed sums it up rather nicely," Pika-baby said. " Flare. . . " " Rai. . . " " It can't be that bad!," Keet snickered. " The Lords are calling the last war a joke, and in the last war, over a hundred thousand Mazoku died!," Kosha said, " Believe me, if the Lords say it's going to be bad, it's going to be bad." Sherra scoffed and left the room, muttering about being surrounded by fools and weaklings, the others exchanged worried looks. . . or at least looks of concern. " This is going to be a long war. . . ," Phibby sighed. At Ceifeed's Temple. . . " Aren't you the least bit worried, Luna- san?," Uka asked. " Nope." " But it's Shabranigdo!" " I know that," Luna sighed. " He'll kill us all!," Uka yelled, " Or corrupt us as they did poor Viv!" " First off, Viv was not corrupted! Second off, Ceifeed should be back any day now!," Luna said, " Now go bug Nam or something! I've got to do important Knight of Ceifeed stuff!" Uka whimpered, but left Luna alone in the office. " 'Knight of Ceifeed stuff'. . . that's definitely a new term for the jobs I give you, Luna-chan," a kind, silky male voice laughed from behind her. " Ceifeed-sama!," Luna all but squealed as she turned around, " I'm glad you're back!" " I'm glad to be back, my dear. . . if it wasn't for this damn war that is," Ceifeed sighed. He was in his human form. He had blue eyes and silver hair. With a sad smile on his face, he looked at Luna. " Well, how are things on this side of the world?" " Not to good. The Golds are freaking out because they sensed Shabranigdo's return, and they're afraid the Ancients are going to join the Mazoku." " Ah yes, the Ancients," Ceifeed nodded, " I am greatly disappointed in what the Golds chose to do about 'punishing' the Ancients for not participating in the Koma Wars. . . " " I know. It makes me angry even thinking about it!," Luna said, " But we can't undo the past, so there is nothing we can do about it." " I know, little one, I know," Ceifeed nodded, " Now, I want you to gather up your little sister and all her friends. . . well, her friends from her 'first' life that is." " Hai, Ceifeed-sama," Luna nodded. " Bring them here of course, then bring them to the main shrine, where I will be waiting." " Of course," Luna said as Ceifeed vanished. Just then, the doors of the office burst open. " Luna! The Ancient Dragons are on the move! The whole population is headed towards the desert!," a guard yelled as he ran in, " They're all in dragon form and are going to pass over the Temple in a matter of minutes! Are we to attack?" " NO!," Luna screamed, " Let them be! You've put their race through enough suffering, don't you think!" The guard looked at her, flabbergasted, " But Luna-" " Don't 'but Luna' me!," Luna said as she stormed past him and headed towards the entrance to the Temple. . . she wasn't going to miss seeing the Ancients flying by for the world. Outside. . . " Here they come!," a priestess screamed and pointed. Luna looked up and saw over fifty Ancient Dragons, all of them in dragon form, flying overhead. They were headed for the desert. . . why would they want to go there? Suddenly Luna heard the thundering of several horses approaching. She looked and saw Valterria, the Hellprince and the Hellprincess riding horses just in front of the Ancients, as if leading them. " Hello Luna!," Valterria nodded. " Ceifeed Knight," PJ said without looking at her. " Send our regards to Lina," Phibby said as they passed. " L-Sama! They're headed for the desert so they can get to Hellmaster's realm!," Luna gasped. Could they be fighting for the Mazoku? Luna ran after the horses, " Valterria! Valterria!," she screamed. " Hai?," he asked. " You're people! They haven't joined the Mazoku, have they?," Luna asked. " No. But I have," Valterria said, then he urged his horse into a gallop. PJ grinned evilly at Luna as he rode by, and Phibby giggled mischievously. " Oh boy. . . ," Luna sighed as she headed back into the Temple. In the Temple. . . Luna walked down the halls, a great sadness in her heart. For some reason, she felt responsible for Valterria joining the Mazoku. And it didn't help that questions filled her mind, either. Why were the Ancients headed for Phibrizio's realm if they weren't going to fight in the war? Were they under Phibrizio's command alone, or were they a force of their own? Or perhaps they were using the desert as sanctuary for the duration of the war? If that was so, why was Phibrizio opening his realm to them? Did the Mazoku owe the Ancients? Did Viv know what was going on? Was Viv going to fight? Luna sighed again as she pulled open a heavy brass door and entered one of the Temples 'summoning rooms'. Luna could call anyone she wanted to into this room. All she had to do was locate them in a crystal ball and say the summoning spell, and voila, the person was there. " Well, I guess I better get Lina and Gourry first. . . ," Luna said as she found her sister's location and cast the spell. Twenty minutes later, the room held Lina and eight of her friends, raging from being almost sixty years old, to pushing one hundred. Luna sighed. " Alright guys, Ceifeed wants to have a word with you," Luna said. " Seafood?," Amelia asked. In her old age, the little princess's hearing was fading. " Ceifeed!," everyone else yelled. " Oh! The Dragon God. Why didn't you say so?," Amelia smiled. " We did," Martina snorted. Luna couldn't help but smile. Even in their old age, this group still managed to be spunky. Lina, Gourry, Amelia, Naga, Prince Phil, Silpheil, Martina, Zangulus, and Zelgadis. . . they had all done so much to help the world in both of their lives. . . their 'real' ones, and in the second chance they got when Zelas permanently resurrected them at Gaav and Xelterria's wedding. . . " Why does Ceifeed want to see us?," Zel asked. " I'm not sure," Luna shrugged, " Come on, he's waiting for us." With that, Luna began to lead the group down the hall. " What about seafood?," Amelia asked. " Ceifeed!," the others all yelled. Luna smiled and had to stifle a giggle. Soon. . . " We're here, Ceifeed-sama," Luna said as she came in the main shrine, Lina and her friends followed her. " Welcome, all of you," Ceifeed smiled. " It's an honor to meet you, Ceifeed-sama," Silpheil said and bowed. " I should say the same of all of you," Ceifeed smiled, " In your life time, well, your first one, all of you did all you could to help protect this world." " And we'd do it again, in this war that's coming up, if we weren't so old!," Prince Phil smiled. " That is what I wish to speak to you about," Ceifeed said, " The wars between my race and the Mazoku have been raging on since time began, and you humans have been stuck in the middle of it every time. I wish to rectify that. I have chosen you, who have helped out cause so much in the past, to represent the humans in this coming war. I will restore your youth, and amplify your powers a bit. You will be the human army. You will answer to Luna and myself only. The Dragon Kings and the Golds will have no control over your actions. If you refuse, you may go home, or stay at here, what ever you prefer." " Ohhohoho *cough* hoho *hack, cough, wheeze* I Naga, the White Serpent, accept your offer, Ceifeed-sama!," Naga tried to cackle. " Sister, you shouldn't laugh like that anymore, it only makes you choke," Amelia scolded her older sister, " Ceifeed-sama, I too accept your offer." " I think we all do, Ceifeed-sama," Lina said, and looked back at her friends. All of them nodded. Ceifeed nodded, and chanted a spell in the Dragon language, and Lina and her friends were surrounded in a golden glow. Slowly, all signs of age left them. In a final burst of light, Lina and her friends youth had been restored to them. " Ohhohohohohohoho!," Naga laughed, " I can laugh again!" " Fireball!," Lina yelled, " I can also Fireball you again!" " Gourry! I challenge you to a fight! Let's settle once and for all which of us is the better swords man!," Zangulus said. " For the sake of justice we shouldn't fight each other!," Prince Phil declared, his booming voice echoed off the walls of the shrine, making it that much louder. " That's right, Daddy!," Amelia said and found the highest spot in the shrine, and stood up on it, " We shall rise up and defeat the Mazoku namogomi!" " Isn't that what Filia always called Xellos?," Gourry asked. " Where is Filia, anyhow?," Zel asked. At the Temple's entrance. . . " Filia, I want to go see PJ and the gang once before things really get bad," Tallen whined as the Dragon maiden dragged him into the Temple. " You better keep quite about being friends with them, especially now, with this war going on," Filia cautioned him. " Filia, when can we tell them how we're related?," Tallen asked. " Don't. I'll get in trouble, and you'll be condemned for life," Filia cautioned. " How much trouble will you get in?," Tallen asked, " I don't care about being condemned. PJ's said more then once that I'm welcome at his place. I'm beginning to like his people better then ours." " NEVER say that!," Filia said as she whirled around, " Never. Do you hear me!" " Loud and clear," Tallen said, " PJ is my best friend, you know." " I know," Filia said, " Just don't get defensive or try to defend him if you happen to hear the others insulting him and such. They already don't like you too much, because they know you're friends with him, his sister, and Genie. It takes all my power to keep them from killing you, you know." " How much trouble, Mother?," Tallen asked. " Death. . . or exile. The chances are to great for death, or I'd risk it. . . you know I would!," Filia said. " It's because of who my father is, isn't it?," Tallen asked. " Hai. . . ," Filia said, " No more talk of this, someone is coming." " AMELIA!," a female voice yelled, " We don't have time to listen to you whine about fighting Kosha, Changer, and all our other friends that are Mazoku!" " Yeah," a cool male voice said, " Life's a bitch and then you die. . . and in our cases, get resurrected and new chances at life a few times, and the new lives are bitches too." " You're so mean, Zelgadis!," Amelia whined as the group rounded the corner. " Lina! Amelia! Zelgadis! Gourry! Naga! Prince Phil! Silpheil! Martina! Zangulus!," Filia yelled, " How?! Why!?" " Hello Filia! We we're just about to go get you! Wanna help us save the world from the Mazoku namogomi?," Lina asked. Filia fainted, and Tallen caught her. " Hi. I'm Tallen. I take it you guys are Filia's famous friends, ne?," Tallen smiled, " Have you seen Luna-chan? We need to talk to her." Later. . . " So let me get this straight, Valgarv has a little sister who had amnesia since the massacre, and Val finally found her twenty years ago?," Lina asked. " Hai," Filia nodded, " She used to live with two Golden Dragons." " That would be us," a tall male said as he entered the room with a smaller female, " I'm Nam and this is Uka." " The Mazoku came and took Viv!," Uka said, " They used their evil magic to corrupt her soul!" Tallen rolled his eyes and tried not to snicker. Filia gave him a stern look, and he sighed. " Look, Filia, Tallen, Uka, Nam. . . I need to know if you're going to fight in this war, or if you're going to stay here and not fight," Luna said as she stood up. " I'm fighting," Nam said. " So am I! I wont forgive those Mazoku for taking Viv!," Uka hissed. " I can't fight, Luna. . . my son is over there," Filia said. " I'm not fighting either! My friends are over there," Tallen said. " Friends?," Martina asked. " Hellprince PJ is my best friend, and I'm also friends with Hellprincess Phibby, Genie, and Valterria," Tallen said, " and I'm pretty good friends with Viv, who has *not* been corrupted by the Mazoku, thank you very much. She had been tainted with Mazoku blood since she began living with the Golds. She hasn't changed a bit since she left!" " That can't be true! If she hasn't changed, she wouldn't be fighting us!," Uka said. " And you're nuts! You went over the deep end a long time ago Uka!," Tallen yelled. " Tallen!," Filia yelled and grabbed his arm. " Sorry, Filia," Tallen sighed. " Uka is not insane, boy," Nam hissed. " No, she's not insane, she's past that," Tallen sneered. " Both of you stop it, now," Luna demanded. " Sorry, Luna," Tallen said as he glared at Nam. " I'll let it go, this time," Nam said as he glared right back at Tallen. " Good. Now, let's go see what the Dragon Kings are up too," Luna said as she marched out. At Mazoku Domain. . . " Changer," Shabranigdo said. " Hai, Shabranigdo-sama?," Changer asked as she kneeled before him. " I want you to assemble a small army of Mazoku, and take over the city of Sairune. It may be the white magic capitol of this world, but it is the only city of large enough size to hold our base in the human world. . . and it's near the Ceifeed's Temple. . . we'll be able to keep an eye on the Dragons." " Of course, Shabranigdo-sama. Do you wish for me to take the Lords as well?" " No. I have them attending to other duties. Tell them each to give you a hundred warriors. Five hundred Mazoku should be more then enough to take a simple human city." " I think it should be a easy task, my Lord," Changer nodded. " One more thing, Changer. If the Dragons get wind of this, and you can't take Sairune, destroy as much of it as you can before leaving. . . level the whole city if you can." " Hai, Shabranigdo-sama," Changer said as she left the room. Meanwhile. . . " Ceifeed-sama! We've spotted the Knight of Shabranigdo and around five hundred Mazoku heading towards Sairune!," Luna yelled as she ran in. " Damn! I didn't expect him to strike so soon," Ceifeed said, " Alright. . . Luna, you take the humans and as many of the warriors that are here at the Temple that can leave without making this place an easy target for the Lords. They may be trying to lower defenses here so they can come in and end this fast." " Right," Luna said as she turned to leave. " One more thing, Luna. Stop them at all costs." " I will, Ceifeed-sama. . . ," Luna sighed as she went to get her little sister and her friends. Near Sairune. . . " Knight of Ceifeed. . . long time no see," Changer grinned as Luna and her army came up. Then she spotted the others, " All of you are looking well. . . Ceifeed's new lap dogs, ne?" " No. But we're here to kick you're Mazoku loving butt," Lina grinned. " Lap dogs," Changer nodded, " You know, I was hoping we wouldn't have to fight. I had this sinking feeling that all of you were going to show up. Oh well, orders are orders, after all. . . my Master will be pissed if I don't take Sairune!" " Why do you want Sairune!," Amelia demanded. Even if she wasn't the actual Princess of Sairune anymore, she still cared about the city that had been her home. Changer grinned, " As Xellos and my dear daughter would say, sore wa himitsu desu!," Changer laughed as she winked at them and waved her index finger. " Kosha is still well?," Zelgadis asked. " Yes. I'll tell her you asked about her when I see her next," Changer nodded, " Now, enough talking. Dynast Brass!" " Fireball!" " Don't just stand there, get them you idiots!," Changer yelled at the Mazoku as she dodged Lina's Fireball. " Attack!," Luna yelled to the Dragons. Both armies surged forward. Lina and her friends joined the fray. " Looks like this is it, ne Luna?," Changer asked. " Yep. I really hate having to fight friends," Luna sighed as she began to call forth a blade of white magic. " I know. . . it sucks, doesn't it?," Changer asked as she cast a Ruby Eye Blade. The two women nodded at each other, and then they charged. Shabranigdo watched the battle and laughed. Ceifeed watched it, and shook his head sadly. The world was going to be a whole new place when this war was over. . . and this was only the beginning. . . To be continued. . .