Dragon Ball: Untold IC

[Ranoria]

Collab between Brit, Saint, and Ran
Mysterious Planet 506 AU

Arashi was right on Spicer’s heels getting to the ship, “Yup. No arguments from me.” Once they were on board, the Tohran paused as Tabella handed him the baby before running back to the control panel. He looked at Spicer and biting the inside of his cheek, “Do you think we have anything to take care of a baby? Like, don’t they need milk and stuff?”

“Yeah well I’m no expert on Solarian babies, but I assume that’s a universal fact,” Tabella said bluntly. “Unfortunately we don’t have anything on board right now, maybe we can make a pitstop once we get off this godforsaken rock.”

The wind battered the outside of the ship as the trio exchanged words and the crewmen around them went to their stations.

“Alright here we--”

The ground rumbled one last time and the ground before the ship slowly rose twisting and shaping into a hand which stretched several hundred metres into the air. Hugo instantly became fussy crying in Arashi’s arms.

“Holy shit.”

Spicer peered at the window and bared his teeth, turning over to the captain on the bridge.

“Evasive maneuvers, now!”

Arashi braced himself, making sure to secure Hugo and gently bouncing the little fellow in a vain attempt to calm him down.

The ship launched into the air and jerked erratically, the only thing keeping Tabella from flying to the ground being her firm grasp on the control panel. The hand came down, narrowly missing the ship as it crushed the earth it once stood on. Now in the air the ship quickly propelled further into the atmosphere, but if anyone thought that would be the end they were surely mistaken as the hand shot upwards intending to snagged them right out of the air.

Shit, Tabella thought over and over as she helped to steer the ship out of the hands grasp with increasing difficulty. “Someone is gonna have to start shooting at that thing, I can’t increase speed with this much resistance.”

“I’m on it,” Spicer said, already making his way towards the top hatch of the ship. As he made his way through the bridge, Spicer grabbed a spare scouter and attached it to his face before flying upwards as the hatch opened. Turbulence and wind buffeted the Saiyan as he narrowed his eyes, spying the hands and remarking with some irony their similarities to Serena’s preferred mode of attacks.

“No time for sentimentality now,” he muttered before raining a volley of energy blasts at the constructs.

The hand lurched backwards once met with increased resistance from the Saiyan general who would gradually feel his powers return to him the higher they got up into the planet’s atmosphere. Tabella’s voice would leak through the Saiyan’s scouter.

“Yo, I’m about to go full speed, hit that thing one last time and get down!”

As she said this the hand lurched forward one last time, this time coming dangerously close as the ship no longer maneuvered in a zig zag in the atmosphere.

“I’m not going anywhere until I’m certain that thing won’t follow us,” Spicer replied, continuing to fire beams at the hands.

“Your funeral” Tabella could be heard grumbling. The ship began to rumble as it increased speed, widening the distance between itself and the hand, which continued to reach for them until they made it to the upper layers of the atmosphere. At that point the hand would begin to crumble and deteriorate before Spicer’s eyes.

“Last chance to get your ass inside the spaceship my dude.”
Spicer relaxed and pressed a button on his scouter to open the hatch, jumping down back into the bridge, content that they were safe for now.


The ship broke through the atmosphere and careened through the miniature solar system until the planet was nothing but a dot in the distance behind them. Tabella lets out a breath as the crew cheers, Hugo at some point had stopped crying, but she doubted that had anything to do with whatever Arashi had been trying to do to pacify him.

“All that commotion for a baby,” She walked over to Arashi. “You’re a special little guy huh Hugo?” She mumbled and ran her hand through his dark hair. “Do Solarians usually exhibit special abilities this young?”

“I’m no expert,” Spicer said as he shook his head, walking over to the infant himself. “From my own experience with Solarians, they are powerful, godlike to most, not unlike the Arcosians, so that alone might be reason to hold one.” The idea of holding a child in a cage like that was enough to boil Spicer’s blood, and the Saiyan shook his head to exorcise the thought.

“Empress Glacia might have more answers. She can ask Princess Mizuna.”

“Just make sure Mizuna knows she can’t have ‘im,” Arashi adjusted Hugo a bit, “I like this thing, and I think I’ll keep it.”

“You want to keep him?” Tabella looked taken back. “ Do you even know what it takes to care for a baby?”

Arashi raised an eyebrow, as if surprised she’d even ask, and responded with a nonchalant, “Of course not.”

“So why on Earth do you think you can take care of this one?”

“Easy, I’ll pester Spicer and Serena with questions until I figure out what the hell I’m doing,” Arashi shrugged, “I mean come on, if it was so hard, not so many people would do it. Right?”

“You sweet summer child” Tabella laughed then scratched her head. “I guess getting Spicer to show you the ropes is one way to go about it. Makes more sense for him to be taken care of by one of us, given the…. Circumstance we found him in…”

She turned to Spicer and looked at him expectantly. “What do you think, Command and Chief?”

Spicer sighed.

“We’ll still have to inform Glacia, of course, but there’s no harm in Arashi taking care of him. I’ll be sure to check up frequently...if your parenting skills are anything like your desk work, you’ll need a lot of monitoring.”

Arashi shot him a grin, “Much appreciated. Fair warning, you might have to pick up a bit more of my workload while I figure out how to keep the little dude happy.”

“I’m going to keep tabs on you too just in case.” Tabella said and folded her arms across her chest as the ship made its voyage back to the Solar System.

[Britanania]

Final Part of Tuffle Mini Saga

Planet Caelia, Tuffle Space

X-9 looked over the devastation. He had clearly underestimated the lengths the Sora girl would go hunting him down. Though he supposed, without Lorelei to provide a clear target, he would be the next best option. Plus if Saiyans were anything, as he was coming to learn, they were stubborn. Far too stubborn in his opinion but then again he didn’t create them. At least, not yet. But that was a bridge for another time, and he wasn’t likely to forget that Saiyan’s were too stubborn anytime soon.

Likan looked too calm, kneeling at the small site on the property that had once held his house. The makeshift marker he had constructed was all that demarcated where he had buried his wife. X-9 could sense from his vitals that he was clearly not as serene as he was letting on, though any reasonable person could assume that a man with a dead wife and missing daughter wouldn’t be so calm.

Movement at the edge of the woods distracted X-9 from that thought. As if on cue, Ora, clearly beaten up and haggard, limped out of the woods. Blood caked her face and clothes, though she didn’t seem to give it much mind as she approached Likan and X-9. Likan didn’t notice the return of his daughter until she had reached the pair. He quickly went to embrace his daughter, which she returned for a moment before asking X-9 “Are you still willing to mentor me?”

“Why wouldn’t I be.”

“Just making sure… I have a promise to keep, and you’re going to help me keep it.”

[Turkducken]

Purple City, Goro-Goro Islands

Higashi's grip loosened as Spicer stepped up to him. The Saiyan's familiar touch softened his determination for a moment. "Don't try it." he warned, "Next time we fight, it'll be to the end." Higashi turned his head to the side, looking down on Serena, "We've almost never spoke, but a word of advice." he spoke with a level of contempt, "Don't get in my way." he said in a low growl, "Also it's in the best interest of Earth that you disavow me to the PTO. They'll be looking for me soon enough."

For a moment he considered dropping Liz. Just leaving her here, and taking off in his stolen vessel. But as he thought about the situation of Earth, the person he was now, and the future. Higashi made up his mind.

Arashi and Ovan both approached him, both pleaded with him to stop this. Arashi readied his Ki blade, Higu could feel his gaze burn into the back of his head. "You don't understand." he quietly said, "I have to do this." his grip began to tighten on Liz's neck again, "For the Earth!" he shouted, "I have to do this!" his hands squeezed tight, "My last act!" he could feel skin and muscle begin to move, "For the Good of Earth! I---"

A powerful blow landed on his left cheek. He lost his grip over Liz. There was a pop and snap as his jaw dislocated from the impact. Helpless to resist the momentum. He could only fight to lean forward, as he slid roughly across the hard asphalt and dirt. Carving a path twenty feet back as he came to a stop. His mouth hung lopsided and agape. Steam erupting from the torn vessels and tendons on the inside. The blow dazed him. His eye's were unfocused as they brought in the image of who had decked him so thoroughly.

The golden aura of Nymphaea came into focus. Her power overwhelming. A look of anger and outrage staring back at him. A dark look flashed across Higashi's eyes. Grabbing his dislocated jaw, steam still pouring from the torn wounds, he shoved it back into place. Tendons whipping together and repairing the sudden damage. He rolled his new muscles, lolling his tongue around before attempting to form words. "Nicesh Hish." he slurred, words not quite coming out, "Bush I ssaidd," he paused, stretching his mouth as wide as it could, "I said I was ending this." He was determined. A dark serious aura had overtaken him. Both mechanical and organic eye were locked on Nymphaea.

But then his gaze slipped. His eye falling to Ovan, his orange hair standing defying gravity. For a moment he thought about their friendship, about the time he, Ovan, and Arashi had spent together. His eye wandered over to Arashi, his blade readied. That's when it struck him. When he really saw these people he had fought with and for. The mixture of emotion on their faces. Outrage, shock, annoyance, it really struck him by how hurt they seemed. His hand unconsciously traveled to the scar over his mechanical eye. Lightly brushing the smoothed tissue where a part of his face had been. His memories came heavy and involuntary, back to Raphael, back to the Android. A single tear burned in his eye as shame washed over him.

"I did this!" he shouted, "For Earth! For the People I love!" attempting to explain himself to no one in particular. "You all got in my way!" he continued to shout, pointing an indignant finger at the crowd of heroes. "I won't let it happen again!" he pointed at Ovan and Arashi, "I warned you!" he shouted at them accusatorily, "Next time we see each other..." he paused, tasting bile as he did, "Only one of us is walking away." he turned from the group. "Don't even try to follow me." he finished sternly, "If you're lucky you won't see me again."

With a massive leap, he was gone.

[Saint Morning]

Future: A Few Days Later: PTO Garrison, New Tohra City, Mars, 506 AU

“Are you sure you don’t want to raise him on Earth?” Tabella asked for the upteenth time as she hovered in the doorway of her spaceship. “ I have a pool at my place, I'm sure he’d enjoy that.”

“I appreciate the offer,” the general said, replacing Hugo’s pacifier, also for the umpteenth time, “But no, we’ll be alright here. I’ve been meaning to reconnect with the rest of the Tohrans, anyway. I think this is our best bet.”

Tabella sighed. “Well… make sure you take care of the little guy. I know how xenophobic some of you Tohrans can be…”

That got a laugh out of him, “Oh, no, trust me, you haveno idea. It gets bad. But I can handle them, we’ve got to learn to get along with everyone else here eventually, anyway.”

“Alright. Keep in touch.” She waved to both Arashi and Hugo before turning and letting the ship door close behind her. Minutes later her ship began to take off.

Hugo spat out his pacifier and watched as it descended to the group. Mumbling in incoherent gibberish he directed his gaze to Arashi and placed a chubby hand against his face.

Arashi shot the kid a glance, the slobber covering his hand perhaps ruining what was otherwise an affectionate gesture, “You’re lucky you’re cute, ya know that?”

Hugo squealed, as if understanding the words said to him, before he turned his head and peered off in the distance. Mumbling in more of his incoherent gibberish as his eyes began to glow a bright red…

[Turkducken]

The Outskirts of the City, Goro-Goro Islands

Higashi raged.

He swore, he screamed, he cried.

The hot wave of shame refused to be excised. Even as he tore at the interior of his stolen ship, it refused to be washed away.

The once gaudy and neat interior lay ruined. As he continued to yell and scream, his anger and frustration grew.

His mind lingered in the moment. Stuck on the disappointed faces. Stuck hearing those otherworldly screams. Stuck on the permanent reminder.

He grabbed at the mechanical eye. The sharp edges digging at his skin. The pain returning.

He pulled. Screaming louder as it refused to budge. The deep synthetic roots straining his sinuses as he attempted to remove it once again. It dug down into his skin, ripping his fingers that attempted to pry it out of it's hole. His whole skull felt like it was coming off. He relented, the pain subsiding. He could hear the eye clicking as it readjusted, feel those roots ingrain themselves a little more. Tears flowed freely from his right eye. He was quiet now.

"Ambassador-" chirped the onboard computer, sensing the moment of silence as a chance to speak, "Would you like to resume previously inputted coordinates for the PTO Outpost on Foosha?"

"Anywhere but here." Higashi softly spoke, his voice sounding very small in the hollow chamber. The computer beeped compliantly, and he felt the ship initiate a takeoff.

He stood from the floor. A small pool of tears and sweat leaving itself behind as he did. He watched the viewscreen of the ship as Earth came into focus. Seeing the fullness of the planet, watching it disappear as he traveled farther and farther away. As it slipped into the inky blackness of space, he gave a last thought to everyone he was leaving behind. His unfinished home, his sister, his friends, gone as the planet slipped away. He was leaving them behind, "Or," as he solemnly thought, "Are they leaving me behind?"

He entered into the private VIP quarters of the ship. His mind still stuck on the past. A simple double bed, with some basic amenities, were all that was in the room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, the wall in front of him turned reflective. Looking at himself in the mirror, he could hardly recognize his own image. Dirty from battle, blood soaked palms, wicked looking red lashes covering his body. "And more so than anything," he thought, simmering in his own returning anger, "this damn eye." Looking into the reflection of his own mechanical eye, he spoke aloud to the computer, "How long until this ship reaches Foosha?"

"Current estimates place arrival between one and three standard cycles." the robotic voice chirped, "So maybe three days at the longest." he murmured, "Don't know if I brought enough food for that..." his mind turning to the bags of pretzels and six pack of beer he had quickly emptied from his pathetic fridge. He again looked into the mirror, deep into his mechanical eye.

"Dead Man's Switch." he repeated to himself. The last mocking words of the Android ringing in his ears. His mind wandered, remembering what felt like years ago. He tried to show mercy to the Android. For however it could be, it was scared. Riker was defeated, his Android brethren destroyed. "Just give up!" he remembered yelling, "You can just leave! I don't want to fight you." The Android's face twisted into a look of arrogance, mocking him for even trying to suggest it was possible for him to be defeated. "Dead Man's Switch." he could hear the emotionless voice say, "What do you think happens when a plan goes South?" Higashi shook his head, "Just give it up. You can't win." The Android disappeared, catching him off guard as a blade stabbed into his lip.

The Android having produced this weapon from a secret compartment. A sadistic look flashed across its' face as Higashi screamed in pain. He remembers the fear, the pain, "Something is wrong." The Android snidely spoke over his screams, "Did you really think you could become an enemy of a man like Riker and not attract his attention?" No steam erupted from the stab wound, the Android gently navigated the blade upwards, pressing firmly against his left cheekbone. Blood poured from the cut, the pain burned white hot. "He had this developed." the Android spoke, just loud enough for Higashi to hear it over his own screams, "After our first encounter," it spoke, carving a chunk of flesh off, "where you and that orange-haired bastard, humiliated me! I asked Riker to have this installed." the Android smiled again, positioning the blade back at Higashi's cheekbone. "I'm going to savor this moment." a disturbing look in its' eyes, "Don't beg." words dripping with anticipation, "You'll ruin this."

With an effortless motion, the blade swiped up, slicing through his eye and forehead in one motion. Higu screamed, his vision gone, blood pouring from his face. The Android relished this, a deep look of satisfaction on its' face. "That was so worth waiting for. Exactly what I wanted to hear." it ran a blood soaked hand through its' hair, pushing it back into place. "Enough amusements." it took that same hand and touched just beneath its' own left eye. With a small click the eye detached. The Android contemplating it for a moment, before crushing the exterior. A small jagged disk was beneath the shell. "Enjoy this pain while you can..." the Android spoke, "You won't feel anything once this is done."

Jamming the disk into the split eye, it activated. Mulching whatever was left of the cavity and seeding itself in the empty cavity. The pain was unimaginable, Higashi couldn't even scream as it burrowed it's way into his skull. "A new Cyborg." the Android said flatly, "It'll be fun watching your friends kill you, or at least, watching you kill your friends." it smiled again, "Riker would approve. He wanted you. Did you know that?" it continued, "What a powerful propaganda tool you would've been. A neutered beast. That transformation of yours was a problem, but don't worry, they found whatever that freak occurrence was." Higashi could hardly think, the device was drilling through his sinuses, "It's gone now. Consider it an upgrade." the Android finished with a sickening smile.

Higashi bit his tongue in half. Steam and blood gushing as his teeth severed it, but he didn't transform. The heat scalded his mouth, and he opened it to release a jet of steam. "See? Told ya so." the Android gloated, "That little device is gonna make you perfect. No more pain, no more thinking, just accept it." Higashi's vision was blurring, the pain overwhelming him. He couldn't transform, he wasn't just going to die, he was gonna turn into a weapon. This was it. This was how he died. "Dead Man's Switch." the Android repeated, watching Higu's consciousness slip away. "Fade away little warrior, fade away."

"And then," Higashi thought to himself, "I got angry. So angry that I couldn't even see. The type of anger only the Gods can feel. I refused to die. This couldn't happen to me, I was strong, stronger than him. It was white hot, that rage, it burned through everything I had, everything I was. It couldn't end like this! How could it end like this?! That rage started a fire, it burned through me, the pain of the eye being replaced as my very being became an embodiment of that white hot rage." Higashi laid back on the bed, no longer caught in the past, "I changed in that moment. I'm not the same person that I was then. As my body transformed, as my bones grew, muscles shifted, I could feel this new power. My strength became overflowing. Righteous anger becoming my essence. In that all too familiar way to me now, these muscles erupted, coating my body in this anger. Without sight I clamped around the Android, his shock audible." he paused in his reminiscing, "And then it was over. He was so flimsy. In the end his body was like paper, I ripped it apart and scattered it on the winds. His head was on the ground. Shocked at first, but after taking in my new appearance, it just smiled that same arrogant smile. Dead Man's Switch. It said as I crushed what was left underfoot."

Higashi closed his eyes. Letting his exhaustion overcome him. "But do you know what the worst part is?"

"I didn't feel bad about it."


Three Cycles Later...

Planet Foosha, Remote PTO Outpost

Foosha was a very purple planet. Distant orbit around a blue star. The seas, the plants, and even some animals were a shade of purple. Only speculation could be given as to why, the PTO had better things to do than to survey every planet in the ass-end of nowhere. This was a remote station at the edge of former Heran space and the edge of the Milky Way proper. This was so removed from the action, and the meager regiment stationed here knew it. That was why, when a VIP vessel landed at their tiny landing pad, everyone was surprised. What could the brass want? Who was on this vessel? Why weren't they contacted? All these questions and more, they asked themselves as the Captain approached the door of the landed vessel. With a pop and hiss the shuttle opened. A tall humanoid stood inside the door. He gave the soldiers a blood chilling smile.

"You should run."

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Higashi took heavy steps through the Outpost. Swinging alien blood soaked hands, leaving a strange colorful mixture with every plodding step. He had poked through the commissary first, having run out of pretzels and beer two days ago. He had found somethings that he was vaguely sure could constitute rations, but decided not to test them until he was absolutely starving. He poked through the captain's office, the barracks, the garage, nothing interesting. Not even another ship to get off world with. "Looks like I might be here for a while then..." he sighed, stopping in front of a heavily locked automatic door. He attempted to read the letters above, but gave up. Instead he took a step back, tendons jumping around his right arm, and punched his way through the reinforced door.

"Holding Cells." he said aloud, as the dust and rubble from his blow cleared. He scanned over the room, nothing but empty cells. "Took you long enough." A voice spoke to him. He looked into the cell on his immediate right, past his initial line of sight of the room. "By the looks of it," the same voice continued as Higashi turned to see who was behind bars. "You don't like these bastards either." A strong feminine figure sat on the hard cot behind the wall of the cell. "Be a good sport and let me out?" she said with a sneering smile.

Higashi took a good look at her. A human-like alien, a lighter shade of blue, flowing waist long orange hair, and sharp green eyes. He gave her an annoyed look, "I'm not here to play rescue. Just looking for a way off this rock." she continued to smile and leaned forward, pressing her chin into a blue palm. "Look. Here's the situation." she explained, "The only way off this rock is still out on patrol. They're bored to death out here, so the ones that are lucky enough to get assigned to patrol on a seven cycle basis, take a long time to come back." she continued to calmly explain, looking into his being with those sharp eyes, "Not too long after they come back, a prison ship is coming for me." she gave him a knowing look, "You could wait and take that ship, I have no doubt that you could, and just leave me here all alone." her tone and gaze turned serious, voice dropping to be low and threatening, "And I'll escape my sentence by giving them all the nasty details of the monster who wiped out an outpost."

This elicited a low chuckle form Higashi, "And what makes you think I won't just kill you?" he said to her, "What happens if I just end your life here and take that ship without you?" the Woman stood up, raising herself to her full height, cowing Higashi a bit even as she stood several feet lower than him. "Please." she scoffed, "I know what a remorseless bastard looks like, and you're not it." she gave him a wounding stab of a look as she said, "Either free me or leave. I don't have time to play games."

Higashi, taken aback by the woman's confidence and genuine lack of fear, took a few hesitating steps backwards. The woman had turned away from him, her surprisingly neat hair hiding most of her body. He stepped up right to the shatterproof glass of the cell. Arms covering themselves in tendons as they plunged into the structure of the prison. With a quick motion, he peeled the cell open, glass hanging on like the lid to a can. His muscles retreated as the woman stepped through the opening. He wasn't able to properly see it earlier, but she was very muscular, and powerfully built. She stared up at him, green eyes defiant against his mass, "What's your name freak?"

Higashi, silenced by his own uncertainty, and the brazenness of the woman before him, said nothing. Thinking too long and too hard, as he saw the impatience grow on the woman's face. "Just call me..." he finally spoke, hesitating again, "Just call me Ravana." the woman gave a haughty laugh, "Well if we're using fake names and aliases. Just call me Avakia." she walked through the opening he had previously made to the rest of the facility. "Come on then Ravana." she gave a cold look over her shoulder, "We can talk over some booze."

[Naval Monte]

Collab between Brit and Naval

Purple City, Goro-Goro Islands

Nymphaea was snarling at Higu as he explained to everyone that he was doing this for everyone on Earth and how they were getting in his way to save the world. When he told everyone to not follow him he would jump away.

“OH NO YOU DON’T YOU BASTARD!” her aura flared up. “YOU’RE STAYING HERE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!” Nymphaea was ready to take off after Higu.

Spicer grabbed the Saiyaness’ wrist. He knew he was no match for Nymph, but it didn’t matter.

“Lottus, wait,” Spicer said. Higu’s words rang in the Saiyan’s ears, his desperate plea and his determination--a sense that what he was doing was what he felt was best for humanity. Spicer bit his lip as he tightened his grip on Nymph’s wrist.

Maybe this could have been prevented, if I did things different--if back on the steps to…

Nymphaea turned to Spicer and gave him a glare. “Wait! That bastard almost killed my sister in front of me and you want me to wait!” She pulled her wrist off Spicer’s hand. “He is either going to tell me everything I want to know or I’m killing him on live television myself!”

“Arashi and Ovan are right, enough people have been hurt today,” the Saiyan said commandingly, his voice remaining even. “Higashi isn’t a threat to you or Elizabeth, and killing him will only prove his point about us.” Spicer’s dark eyes peered into her emerald-blue ones.

“Let him be the hero he wants to be--the hero he should be.”

The witch wanted to say something, anything to refute Spicer’s words. She looked at the spot where Higu leapt away from and the Saiyaness closed her eyes and sighed, powering down from her golden form.

“Fine. He will live for now.”

She turns to face the others.

“But one of you guys better explain to me tomorrow what happened while I was passed out because if someone else comes after my sister so they can kill her.”

She raised her hand and charged a Ki blast. She launched the energy blast at a nearby building and the attack would destroy the upper levels of the building.

“That is what will happen to them.”

She turned her back from the group and walked over to pick up her sister.

“Also don’t lie to me either. I will be using charms that will tell me if you guys are lying to me.”

With those words Nymphaea walked into the portal and left the city.

[Britanania]

Silver Palace, Silver City, Luna, 506 AU

A few weeks after his return from space, the Saiyan general was finishing up some desk work, ready to have dinner with Serena and the twins when a call came in. The Prince Consort quickly grabbed the receiver.

“Yes, this is General Spicer.”

“Sir, the scouting team has come back,” the soldier on the other end replied. Spicer relaxed his shoulders, looking out of his window at the gardens of Luna. "We haven't found the ambassador's ship."

"All right," Spicer said with a sigh. "Keep looking, and if you do find it, I don't want there to be any arrests."

"Yes sir, very good sir," the soldier on the other end said. "Oh, and about the planet you wanted us to check up on..."

“What did you find?”

“It’s gone, sir.”

“The base? I knew those pirates work fast, but I didn’t expect them to pack everything up so quickly.”

“No, I meant the planet...it’s gone. Everything. The planet, even the star. There’s nothing left.”

“That’s...that’s not possible. Was it destroyed?”

“There’s no debris. If it weren’t for the earlier reports and your own mission, there would be no evidence it existed at all.”

The Saiyan held the phone to his ear for a few minutes of stunned silence as he processed what he just heard.

“All right, if there’s nothing more you can do, I understand. Thank you,” he said before hanging up. Spicer slowly put the phone down, looking now up at the first glimpses of the stars peeking from the heavens.

A whole star system just...vanished?

End

[Naval Monte]

Central Park, North City, January 506 AU

It had been several months since the incident in Purple City, with the people of Earth largely none the wiser to the true events that transpired, but with mysterious forces working behind the scenes, the tranquility of some people would soon shatter.
Liz was going for a run when several reporters practically jumped out of a bush.

“Minister Ashwood, are the allegations true?”

“Are you secretly breeding supersoldiers?”

“Did your department spy on your political opponents?”

Elizabeth sensed that someone was planning an ambush and was preparing for a fight but what she got instead was even more unexpected: a bunch of journalists.

“What?” was her only response to their questions as she stopped her jog, taking a moment to catch her breath and wipe her forehead.

“Are you denying the allegations?”

Elizabeth blinked several times, confused at what they were asking and annoyed they were bothering her of all times. “What allegations? I don’t know what on Earth you media vultures are blabbering about.”

“The allegations about AEGIS,” one of the reporters said. The others stopped, surprised that the mage had no idea what they were talking about.

“You mean you haven’t heard?”

Elizabeth shook her head. The last time anyone made allegations against AEGIS was Turnbull and she had to fight tooth and nail just to make it seem that he was spreading a conspiracy theory about her. She still finds message boards on the internet talking about what Turnbull revealed back then.

A journalist pulled a newspaper out of his bag and showed the headline to the mage. Elizabeth grabbed the newspaper and read the headline on it.

"SHADOW GOVERNMENT EXPOSED! LEAKS ABOUT AEGIS INJUSTICE!"

Elizabeth felt a creeping sense of dread as she continued to read on. She skipped a few passages to read the most damning quotes.

"It would seem that deceased Prime Minister Turnbull’s allegations against Ms Ashwood were correct. Not only was she engaged in espionage against her political enemies, but also on many people throughout the planet, including ordinary citizens! Moreover, the super soldier breeding programs, a subject that has largely been dismissed as the stuff of science fiction or crackpot conspiracy theories, are also true. From another whistleblower we have discovered the atrocious process that AEGIS researches forced people to undergo in these programs, and the conspiracy they have committed in covering up their crimes, including committing political and loyalty based purges."

Elizabeth skipped ahead as she read about how the Imperative was spying on people through a sophisticated spyware program made by Sora Industries and some computer companies they bought from the former Shinra Power and Electric Company. She also read on the super soldier program and how it got mixed up with the crimes of her former head of the Research Sector.

"You fucking idiots! You mention that but leave out how I killed that bastard for this stunt!"

But her eyes fell on one article and the color on her face began to drain.

"WEST CITY WAS AN INSIDE JOB! AEGIS ORDERED THE ATTACK!"

From below she read about how they contained the angels and ultimately used them to attack civilians in West City. The article would go on to mention how that and the incident on Genguro Island, sans any mentions of the dragon, were covered up by AEGIS and by government officials allegedly bribed or blackmailed by AEGIS.

The article would mention other crimes such as purges and war crimes AEGIS committed during the Earth Civil War but Elizabeth would have begun to tear apart the paper as she screamed out in pure rage. Each fragment of the newspaper would combust into flames, as the journalists began to run away in fear of the cambion.

Elizabeth turned to face the fleeing journalists and was going to chase after them when a portal opened up and popping out from it was Nymphaea’s head.

“There you are. I was looking all over for you,” she told her sister. Nymphaea saw the burning pieces of paper landing on the ground and winced.

“I guess you heard the news. I think maybe you should stay in the Heights until everything cools down.”

Elizabeth placed the palm of her hand on her face and sighed.

“Fine. I can use the break,” she removed her hand from her face. “I just need to get my stuff first.”

Nymphaea nodded. “I will get your room ready in the meantime.” the excited Saiyaness stated before she brought her head back into the portal and closed it.

Elizabeth let out another sigh as she created her own portal. “How the hell did this happen?”

[Britanania]

Prologue: An Infernal Inheritence

Maikai: The Demon Realm

Many mortals from above usually have the image of Maikai being a dark place where fire and brimstone are everywhere and the realm is cast in eternal darkness. While the skies are usually dark permanently the claims of it being fire and brimstone everywhere is misleading. While some parts of the dark realm are blasted wastelands with brimstone, ash fields, rivers of lava, boiling lakes, and fire pits, not all parts of Maikai are like that.

But such rebuttals will fall on deaf ears as the fields that surround a town were on fire, along with the town itself. From the streets, demons of every shape and size fought among each other using every weapon known, from bare fists to knives, and swords, to mace and clubs, and even crossbows and appropriated guns from the mortal realm. These guns mostly come from the Maykans and as a result, tend to range from slugthrowers to energy blasters.

The armour used was a variety of homemade armour and those once more bought from the Maykans. From the outskirts of the town, a Maykan tank can be spotted as the cannon of the tank open fired and the dark projectile it unleashed blew the head off an ogre that was carrying a large hand cannon that the demon planned to use to blow up the tank.

It’s among the carnage of the city where a Lamia wearing a suit of armour engraved with demonic runes would be spotted as she stabbed a charging goblin in the heart with her spear. The serpentine demon would quickly slither away as harpies began to rain down feathers coated with magical energy at the lamia. With each feather hitting the ground explosions would rock the burning town as the lamia would dematerialize the spear to summon an automatic crossbow with a bayonet knife attached to it.

The lamia would fire several cursed tip arrow bolts at the harpies with the bolts hitting the creatures. The harpies would scream as a dark force began to consume the avians from the inside out, causing their bodies to rapidly waste away. The lamia heard the roar of a demonic wyvern from the sky and she knew that she needed to leave the city before it arrived.

The lamia hated to think that she failed to save the town but that was the truth. The lamia would conjure a staff and use its power to create a portal just as she heard the flaps of the dragon's wings and it roaring as it blew out a stream of fire from its maw and began to burn what was left of the town.

The lamia would land within a spartan yet decorated chamber as three dog women rushed towards the lamia. “It’s no use. I couldn’t fight them off,” she told the women. “I can’t control the situation alone. I need help.” She would look up at a portrait; showing a painting of the lamia when she was a child sitting next to another demonic child similar to her age.

“I already know who I can call for help.” she would turn her attention to the canine trio. “I need you three to go to the mortal realm and in that world called… Eeaarth? I think that is what it’s called.” she shook her head. “Whatever its name is, you must go there and find my cousin. Tell her that the kingdom has been shattered and I need her help to rebuild it. More importantly, tell her that she can now regain her birthright. Battaru is gone.”

The demonic dog girls gave the lamia a salute as they gave her a steely and determined look. “Don’t worry Your Grace, we will not fail you. We will bring back the true queen over.” the trio said at the same time as they rushed out to find the chamber where the grimoire was that would allow them to create a portal to the mortal realm.

Now alone the lamia would look over to the painting. “I hope you’re much stronger now, Lizzy. It would suck if some other nobody can waltz up and steal the crown and throne from you again after we rebuild the kingdom,” she said as she looked at the painting of the smaller hybrid.

[Naval Monte]

Viceroy’s Palace, Nova Airceltria, February 506 AU


“I don’t know sis. I think that dress might be too… revealing.” Nymphaea said as she looked at a page on a magazine showing different dresses. It had been a few days since Liz moved in, hiding from the media frenzy that had done little to abate despite the Minister of Magic’s apparent disappearance from public life.

“Maybe for you out in public, but if your divine husband ever returns you can have it saved up as a special gift for him. I’m sure he would love seeing you in that.” the older witch teased as she saw her sister’s cheeks turn red.

“Blast you and your demented libedo. Why mom thought having a daughter who was half succubus was a good idea I will never know.” the grin on Elizabeth’s face only grew.

“Because she knows that between aliens and demons us horn folk are more fun than aliens.” Nymphaea gave her sister a deadpan look.

“That may be true. But gods are neither aliens or demons now.” she retorted. “And speaking from experience, gods can be fun to be around when they aren’t annoying you to high heavens or being sticklers for the rules.”

The grin on the older witch remained.

“You mean a god is fun in bed don’t you.” The blush on Nymphaea grew, making Elizabeth’s own grin grow.

Before Nymphaea could say a word the alarms in the facility began to blare out. Nymphaea looked around as Elizabeth got up and went to a nearby phone.

“What’s happening?” Nymphaea asked as Elizabeth was dialing a number on the phone while placing it next to her right ear. Elizabeth was silent as she heard what the speaker at the other line had to say.

“Right. I will go down as soon as possible,” she told the speaker as she put down the phone. Elizabeth looked over to her sister.

“They found a trio of demons that sound familiar to me. I want to see it for myself if the trio in our custody is who I think it is.”

Elizabeth would walk around the desk and create a portal. “You mind coming down with me? I could use your help in case trouble happens.” Nymphaea nodded as she floated up in the air and landed.

“I’ve been feeling bored lately so I can use some fun.” She would punch the palm of her hand. Elizabeth gave her sister a smirk as she stepped through the portal, Nymphaea stepping into the portal afterwards.

When the two witches step through the portal they would see the grand doors of the lobby open as they saw several blue and white colored AEGIS soldiers entering in with at the center of the soldiers being three very anxious demoneses wearing black and red suits and having dog ears on the top of their long silver hairs.

Elizabeth stared at the three demons while the three looked at everywhere but the half-demon.

“Ssssoooo…” Nymphaea drowned out as she looked at the Maikain beings. “You recognize those three sis?” she asked as one of the demonic triplets coughed and one nervously glanced at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth placed both her hands on her face and sighed. She wiped her face down from across her face. “Unfortunately yes.”

Elizabeth approached the trio. When she was close the trio shivered in fear. Elizabeth looked at the soldiers.

“You all can release them.” the soldiers all looked at her. “They are dumb but not malicious. They are harmless.” The soldiers didn’t look sure but one would press a button on their gauntlet and the cuffs on the demons would go down, removing the magic damper field the cuff produced as the cuffs opened up and fell on the floor.

The trio would bring up their hands and begin to rub their wrists as Elizabeth turned her attention to them.

“Now tell me. What did you three do?” She placed her hand on her forehead and the other on her hips.

The trio were nervous. Sensing that the demons won’t talk the sergeant next to them spoke.

“We caught them breaking into a store and breaking things in it while stealing several pounds of meat.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Yeah, I was expecting that.” she looked at the three. “You realize that it’s antaics like those that made my father ban you three from ever entering the human world right?”

The three demons finally had the will to speak and all three spoke at once.

“But the humans make really good food! Don’t pretend that you haven’t stolen some food from the humans, princess! You were there with us when your father gave us the ban.” Elizabeth twitched slightly when she recalled that she indeed joined the trio in causing chaos in the mortal realm with them.

“Besides you didn’t seem to be bothered by our antics when you were a kid?” the trio titled their heads at the same time. Nymphaea was both intrigued and slightly perturbed by the behavior. A few of the soldiers felt the same.

“Yes, those antics were fun when I was a kid, but I’m not that now. Now I’m in charge of this world’s safety and order and right now I can’t afford to have demons run around causing trouble after beating off an army of fallen angels and a civil war made up of robots and cyborgs, not to mention the media wanting my head.”

The trio tails were wagging in unison as they seemed impressed by what the former princess told them. Nymphaea would use this chance to speak.

“Who are these girls sis? You seem to know them quite well.”

Elizabeth was going to speak but the three sisters spoke before her.

“I'm Palla, I'm Catria, and I'm Est. We were the attendants of Lord Nergal and Lady Elizabeth, but now we serve the Lady Meroe.”

The three demons spoke, each one pointing at their chest to show who was who, even though when it came to saying their names they spoke individually before reverting back to the unison when they mentioned their roles.

The trio turned to Elizabeth. “Lady Meroe is why we are here, princess.” Elizabeth let out another sigh.

“I’m not a princess anymore. I lost that title when that usurper stole my kingdom.” She gave the sisters a small smile. “I’m just glad you three are still loyal to me though.”

The three put their fists close to their chests as they stood on the tips of their toes, their tails and ears pointed straight up, as their eyes sparkled like the stars.

“You will always be our princess and future queen Lady Elizabeth! Nothing will ever change that!”

The half demon couldn’t help but to be touched by the statement. She truly did like the fact the sisters feel that she should regain her rightful claim to the throne.

“Especially now that the pretender king is gone.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened when she heard them say that. “Wait, what did you three just say?!” she had to be sure that she heard them correctly on that.

The trio nodded. “The pretender king, Battaru the Usurper, has disappeared and without his presence the generals he assigned have turned on each other and fractured his empire. Our once glorious kingdom is in ruins because of him and Lady Meroe is trying to keep her piece of the kingdom together but she is overwhelmed. She needs you to return to Maikai and help her restore the kingdom and reclaim your birthright to bring order to Pandaemonium.”

Elizabeth was floored by what the demons have told her. The soldiers next to them all looked at each other as they never knew about their boss' royal background.

“They are speaking the truth. Lizzy here is a demon princess.” Nymphaea told them. She couldn’t see their expressions but she can tell they were surprised by the news.

Elizabeth was still reeling from the news as she took a step back, making the trio reach out to help her.

“When did this happen? How long has this chaos been going on?” she asked the three.

The demons held their chins as they looked up, tails wagging as their ears moved up and down.

“Battaru disappeared around the time of your 33rd birthday…” the trio’s eyes would light up.

Suddenly they would clap their hands together in a pleading motion.

“We’re sorry for missing your birthdays Lady Elizabeth! We will repay you for all of those lost birthdays later, we promise!” the trio would make whining sounds which made Nymphaea think of the whines of a dog. The sad looks they were giving Elizabeth also made her think of a sad dog which was making her heart melt.

Elizabeth gave the three a smile and waved her hand. “It’s fine you three. Just tell me what is happening now because that is more important.”

The sisters would let out a collective sigh of relief as they wiped their foreheads with the back of their forearms.

“Battaru’s disappearance at first did nothing as the generals and administrators he left behind assumed he would return but as days passed on everyone realized that he was gone seemingly for good. No one knows where he went and why but once it became clear that Battaru was gone all of his generals began to fight against each other to take each other’s lands for themselves. What’s worse is that the kingdoms and tribes that were spared from Battaru’s conquest are now invading our kingdom to take advantage of the chaos to steal whatever they can.”

The trio would make a prayer motion with their hands as the trio got close to Elizabeth.

“Please come back princess. Meroe can’t keep the numerous armies away forever. Everyone in the kingdom needs you.”

Elizabeth took a step back as the trio was close to violating her personal space. She would cover her mouth with her fist and make a fake cough as she straightened herself up.

“So Battaru couldn’t keep his empire intact without him being there? I’m not surprised. A conqueror who takes lands from others rarely has the skills to keep his gains for long nor do they surround themselves with those who have the skills to keep the empire they made intact.” she let out a snicker at how she was getting her revenge against the usurper.

She can see now that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to regain back what was wrongfully taken from her. She knew that there was still more work for the Earth reconstruction programs but right now she can’t afford to squander her chance while it was still open.

Besides, the PTO is pouring so much material and cash into rebuilding the Earth that I can allow AEGIS to be preoccupied for a few days. I will need to come up with a good excuse as to why our activity shrunk but it shouldn't be too hard thanks to the numerous terrorists cells, cults, and criminals still left over from the civil war.

She would place her hands behind her back and give the trio a cold and authoritative look.

“Since Meroe is requesting my assistance and it is my duty as princess to restore order to my kingdom it will be criminal for me to not do so. Give me time to prepare and I will return to Maikai at once. In the meantime you three will stay here as my guests.”

The three sisters all screamed in joy as they sprang up and wrapped her in a tight hug. Squeezing the life out of her.

“Wait.” one soldier asked. “Is she going to leave us while fighting to repair her kingdom?”

Elizabeth looked at the soldier. “No. You guys are going to join me on fighting off these raiders and traitors.”

The other soldiers all looked at each other. The one who spoke shook his head.

“All those years in King and Queen’s College and I’m gonna be drafted into an extradimensional war.”

[The Republic of Atria]

Collab between Atria and Brit

Ralla’s Lookout, Late 505 AU

Ovan crashed onto the lookout with a bit more force than was really necessary. “Ralla!” He called out. “You’re going to train me.” He said, almost as a command.

Jiri, the attendant to Earth’s Guardian, was sitting in a chair reading a book when the human warrior made his return. The Heran removed his glasses and placed his book down before he stood up to greet Ovan.

“Mr Fawkes,” he said with a slight nod. “Back so soon.”

“Yup. You can just call me Ovan.” He replied. “I’m here to hit your boss in the face, repeatedly if possible. Is Ralla around or sleeping or something? Or, let's be honest, nothing?”

“He’s in the main Pavilion,” Jiri said, pointing behind him towards the structure. “But what did Ralla do this time...or not do?”

“Thank you. And there was a giant dragon that attacked Purple City. It was handled. It’s less about that and more of something I need to work on, and he’s the only person that I know of that I can train my True Shape against without having to restrain myself to make sure whoever else I’m with doesn’t get too messed up. Plus, well, I fully intend to replace him the instant I can.” He explained.

The Heran shrugged.

“Go ahead inside and make your peace with him, then,” Jiri replied as he put his glasses back on, sat down in his chair, and started reading.

Ovan gave him a nod and headed into the pavilion. “Hey, Catman. Jiri said you’re in here.”

Earth’s Guardian came out of a corridor and sized the human up.

“Ah yes, Ovan. You are here about special training, yes?”

“I’m that transparent, huh? Yeah. Need to practice the good stuff, but you’re the only one who won’t die if I hit a bit too hard, probably. All you need to do is not die. I think I can at least expect that much from you.”

The feline Guardian nodded and unfolded his arms from behind his back.

“Well, you could have asked Nymphaea or Serena, I think they would put up a fair fight, but I can understand some of your motivations,” Ralla said with a wry smile on his face, before he gestured down the hall.

“We can use the open air patio.”

“I’m not looking for fair.” Ovan replied. “And if I were to use my full strength, it definitely wouldn’t be fair. The more I think about it the more I feel like that I need to be able to live and breathe in that state. Eventually make it permanent. And I’m the kind of guy who works best under pressure.” He said, following him outside. “And I feel the best way to figure it out is to stress it a bit by harassing you every day.”

Ralla nodded as he led Ovan into the open area. The quiet breeze of the wind ruffled his fur and clothes a bit as they walked.

“There are many mysteries with your new form,” the Guardian admitted. “Although there are mysteries with others on this planet as well.” Ralla stopped, in the centre of the tiled patio.

“Let us begin.”

“Yeah well, I came here to work on mine, if they wanna play politics instead of honing their skills for when the next shoe drops, that’s on them.” He said, letting his body take its True Shape and powering up to his full strength.

Ovan slammed his foot into the ground, using the force to launch himself at Ralla with a flying kick.

Ralla sidestepped, letting Ovan fly right by and almost over the edge. He placed his hands behind his back as Ovan redoubled his attack.

Ovan struck out with a quick right jab, followed by a series of strikes from his left arm that were so quick, it appeared as if he had three more hands all moving in conjunction.

Ralla pulled his hands out, blocking the attacks with minimal effort. Blocking the left strikes, and using Ovan’s own force to spin him clockwise.

However, Ovan used this extra speed to plan his right foot down and spin, swiping his left foot at Ralla who jumped in the air to dodge the blow. The blastwave from his kick cutting through the clouds and letting the sun shine through. “...You dodged that one.”

“Block what you can, dodge what you cannot.” Ralla replied.

“All that tells me is you’re not as invincible as I thought.” Ovan muttered. Energy sparked around his hands. The tiny dots appeared once more and he continued his assault. Ralla readied himself.

He watched as Ovan, instead of trying to punch him, instead was trying to jab him with his fingers. Ralla sensed the large amount of energy compressed into such small spheres and started to back away, looking to see Ovan smiling just a little as his confidence grew.

Ovan jumped forward, Ralla narrowly avoiding taking five fingers of energy to the chest. He knew Ovan was unhappy with his methods, but he didn’t believe it warranted trying to kill him.

Ralla grabbed his wrist, pulled Ovan off balance and cracked him in the head with his off hand, following it up with a roundhouse kick that dropped him to the ground, hard. The spheres dissipated almost immediately after.

Ovan immediately jumped to his feet, re-upping the spheres and continuing the assault. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re trying to actually kill me.”

“I am.” He spat, thrusting his arm at Ralla’s head which was infuriatingly not there.

“That’s just uncalled for.” Ralla replied, grabbing Ovan’s wrist and kicking him square in the gut with enough force that he slid across the entire lookout to the opposite edge where Ralla was. He could already feel Ovan’s strength starting to wane, his form requiring incredible amounts of ki to sustain, he was surprised Ovan had not already dropped out of it.

In between Ralla’s eye blinks, Ovan had crossed the entire lookout to point blank range, and in the fraction of a second Ralla had left, touched his fingers to his forehead and teleported behind Ovan, as his attack went off, the pressure setting the air on fire, causing the temperature of the air to warm for a minute and giving the appearance to those who were around to see a second sun in the sky for a few moments.

As quickly as it all happened, it ended. Ovan’s body returned to his human form and he hunched over for a minute. “See you tomorrow.” He said.

“Are you sure you want to do this again?”

“I’m going to keep coming back until I can live in that state, or kill you. Whichever comes first. Bye.” He said, jumping off the lookout and taking flight so he could go home.

[Britanania]

Infernal Inheritance: Chapter Two

Dis, Kingdom of Pandaemonium, Maikai

Elizabeth and the small task force she had assembled to scout ahead of the capital city of her former kingdom. While she can fly she chose to walk up the rocky steep hill to see the imposing city on the other side because she knew that flying right now would only spill certain doom for them.

“How long will it take to reach the summit sis?” Nymphaea asked as she pulled the straps of a backpack she had on her back close. Elizabeth would not look back at her sister nor the soldiers whose arm was black with red color markings and tertiary grey markings.

The armour the soldiers and Shepard wore were the first variants made for the phase II armour set AEGIS made. The armour was made to survive against the environment of Maikai and to increase the wearer’s survivability when it comes to most lesser demons. Elizabeth and the others had their doubts on the armor’s effectiveness against greater demons but most soldiers had no interest in testing their armour durability against demons; their plan was to take them out before they ever got close to grab them.

The black skies above would hang over them, undercurrents of red would break through the endless black occasionally before being swallowed. Eventually, the group would reach the summit of the hill whose height made it a miniature mountain and once on the top Elizabeth would turn around and bring her hand out forward.

“I welcome all of you to my other hometown, the city fortress of Dis, the capital of Pandemonium.

What greeted everyone was something they were not expecting. Sure everyone had heard stories of demons and Maikai, the fortress city was no exception. Of how within the iron walls of the city there are torture instruments and hot tombs containing people burning within them for all of eternity.

However much of the stories didn't describe much on what lies behind the iron walls, more importantly to the group of mortals, the one detail they wished the stories describe more of was how vast the city was.

Most of the buildings are built out of dark stone, climbing for many stories. The architecture is hooked to the corner as the monolithic deep reds, blacks, and greys, nothing belies an exterior that would seem to be welcoming to a travelling mortal that was unfortunate enough to find themselves in Maikai. Looking more inside at the city the others would see multi-story apartment buildings dotted throughout the city along with girded neighbourhoods. They would find vast palatial gardens and networks of aqueducts throughout the city that all lead to the palace centre.

A few noticed that some parts of the city seem to be different from others. Some buildings seem to be much fancier than others, resembling works of arts as much as dwellings for people to live in. Others look to be factories with their many interconnecting buildings and towering chimneys releasing plumes of smoke into the air. Some buildings appear to be temples and miniature palace grounds on their own. They even found one building that was a heavily fortified citadel already within a much larger fortress that was the city. Yet among those buildings were large marketplaces, amphitheatres, and massive gilded domes on top of towering structures.

But among these features one would expect to find from a normal story they found some that match with the stories told about Dis; towers, gates, walls, ramparts, bridges, and moats all over the city; showing that its title as the Fortress City was well truly earned. The most noticeable defence was the imposing and gargantuan tower of iron that was found at the palace grounds proper. The massive tower made following Non-Euclidean Geometric principles was an alien structure. By all rights, it shouldn't be able to stand due to its seemingly unstable looking design and the weight that it must be exerting on the ground below but standing in defiance against reality and physics the watchtower stood tall and mighty against the blasted landscape.

Its very heart and the top of the tower shine a baleful light as though it was an inferno sun that illuminated the smoke choke wasteland of ash and brimstone. Lava pools, streams and rivers also provided a source of light in the dark landscape but their light pales in comparison to the tower. However, on top of the tower was something that made the most concern of all; a flaming eye that look down upon the land like a vigilant and angry god.

"The Iron Watchtower. Or as most of us call it, Belial's Watchtower. That is the reason why I forbade you all from flying. If we did that Belial would have seen us all." Elizabeth explained to the group as the eye turned to look away from the group, something catching its attention.

"But wouldn't this Belial still be loyal to you?" Shepard asked as he was still trying to wrap his head around the idea that Elizabeth was a demonic princess. Elizabeth shook her head.

"I'm not sure. I mean in any other situation I would know for sure that he was but after my father was dethroned and I lost against Battaru I wouldn't be surprised if many generals in my father's army all swore their allegiance to Battaru since he showed them all that he had the strength to lead them all. With him gone I doubt many would easily join my side or my father since we never regain our right to rule by combat. More likely most are now taking whatever piece of the kingdom they want and Belial took the most important piece of the pie."

Elizabeth would gesture for everyone to start their descent down the hill. As they all carefully began to come down some found themselves sliding due to the ash and gravel that made the hill along with brimstone, charcoal, and rocks. They would stop themselves by pressing their bodies against boulders that were taller than most of the group.

Elizabeth would turn several times to look up at the tower to make sure the eye wasn’t on them. She would hear screeching coming from above and she didn’t have to look up to know that it was the Furies screaming as they did their patrol.

Elizabeth and Nymphaea both cast spells to keep the group invisible from the Furies watch but their magic will break if Belial was to cast his eye down on them, that was why Elizabeth kept them on the ground.

Speaking of the eyes she would see the eye was turning.

“Everyone hide!” Elizabeth, Nymphaea, and the soldiers all dash to the nearest boulders and hide behind them just as the eyes turn to face them and an intense crimson light falls upon their spot.

The group can feel the hateful eye staring at them even as they hide behind the boulders. The air was now incredibly hot as they felt as though the light was scorching everything it touched.

No one dared to breathe or even move as they feared that the tiniest of movement would cause the evil eye to notice them and alert the guards to their presence. Even Elizabeth held her breath as she wasn’t really sure of the weaknesses to the eye.

What felt like an eternity for everyone the eye finally moved away from them all as it began to search other parts of the environment. Everyone used this as their chance to let out deep sighs as they tried to catch their breaths and regain their bearings as many were relieved to have avoided being exposed.

“Let’s keep going.”

The rest would follow Elizabeth down the hill as she and other soldiers were on the lookout for the eyes so they could alert the group when it was time to hide.

[Naval Monte]

Infernal Inheritance: Chapter Three

Dis, Kingdom of Pandaemonium, Maikai


As soon as the group reached the river of water that separated them from the many ramparts of the city the witch looked at the river.

“So are we gonna make an earth bridge? Or you gonna make us hover over the river?”

Shepherd asked only to have Elizabeth create a violet colored rift and enter it

“Or that. That works too.”

He would step through the rift and enter inside an alleyway.

Before anyone can say a word Elizabeth would cast an illusion spell on all of them.

“My hope is that the ambient magic field in the city can hide the fact that we are all covered by my illusion spell. This spell doesn’t use that much energy unlike invisibility. If I used that than we will increase the chances of Belial noticing us.”

Elizabeth told the group as she began to lead them all out of the alleyway and into the city street. Like everything else this region of Maikai, the Infernal City contained thick smog and heavy air that pervaded the streets. Many of the buildings were close together, shabbily constructed shanties sandwiched between imposing and brutal looking granite and obsidian buildings. The denizens of Dis paid the group little attention as they went about their daily lives, a hardness to them that matched the oppressive atmosphere and the architecture.

“What a lovely place,” one of the soldiers grumbled.

Finally, they made it to the centre of the city, the Fortress City proper, heavily guarded with its thick walls and iron gates, nigh impenetrable.

“Normally I would love to blast through the gates but something tells me that will be a bad idea.”

Nymphaea looked over to her sister.

“What is your plan to get through?”

Elizabeth thought about it. “Follow me.” she told the group as she began to walk around the palace.

The palace stood on top of an elevated island surrounded by a large moat of molten rock and metal. The superheated fluids forming out bubbles that would pop, releasing noxious steam and lava splatters.

The group was protected by the lava and it’s insufferable heat and deadly toxins from the cliff that acted as yet another barrier to keep intruders from sieging the palace so easily.

Yet Elizabeth was not concerned about it as she would reach behind the palace, where the gardens would be if not obscured by the walls.

“Look down there.”

Elizabeth pointed down at an opening with iron bars as a stream of rancid looking water was coming out.

“The sewers all lead to the lava moat so we can use it to dispose of all trash that would accumulate in the palace. We can use the sewers to enter the palace.”

Everyone looked at Elizabeth, but only Nymph showed clear disgust of the idea.

“I trust your plans, but crawling around in a dark and cramp tunnel ankle deep in demon waste is not something I signed up for.”

A few soldiers agreed with the Saiyaness.

Elizabeth gave the group a glare.

“You’re all welcome to try and fight against the guards. But do be aware that Medusa is the lead guard and I’m sure stories about her have reached even the mortal realm.”

The soldiers all began to whisper among each other as Elizabeth uttered the name of the snake mistress. They all have heard stories of that particular demon. A demonese with snakes for hair who can turn men into stone should they ever look into her eyes.

Nymphaea gulped in fear at the idea of facing such an opponent. Even though she has super saiyan on her, the mage did not wish to test her power against the ancient magic of the serpent woman.

“Lead away sis. We’ll fall you to the ends of the world.” Nymphaea sheepishly said, accepting the proposal made by her half demonic sister.

Elizabeth would create yet another portal and the group would find themselves within the sewer, the blocked entrance behind the rift.

“Hmm, the wards that would prevent rift opening are off. Something isn’t right.” Elizabeth told the group as she began to lead them through the sewers.

The soldiers were all glad that their helmets came equipped with the necessary gear to block out the horrible odors that permeate throughout the sewers. Their boots and bodysuits protected their legs from the putrid waters.

The same was true for Elizabeth in her demonic armour as it wasn’t stained. However she wasn’t so lucky to not breath in the rancid stench. Instead she had no choice but to try and ignore the smell.

Nymphaea was neither lucky with not breathing in the horrible smell nor was her footwear and pants lucky when it came to the waters. She can feel her socks and feet being soaked by the waters. But like Elizabeth she was trying to soldier on through these developments… even though she made an obvious face of disgust over her current predicament.

But while they traveled deeper into the sewers none of them were aware that above multiple guards were using the rest rooms.

It would seem one of their own snuck off to bring in food that they stole from Earth and many of them devoured it for their lunch. However the demons were not aware of two things. They were not aware of the reputation the food from Burrito Chime had. Nor were they aware that the food chain was experimenting with magical spices.

Spices that only grew the reputation they already had before the magic revolution.

Hours after eating the food all of the guards felt the urge to go to the bathroom and just as the group in the sewer had begun to explore the sewers to find their way out the guards all occupied the bathrooms made for them.

With so many flushing on the toilets the accumulated waters all began to collect and soon what would have been mere trickles began to swell into a stream, and soon a mighty torrent.

Down in the sewers Elizabeth’s ears perked up as she heard something faintly echo throughout the sewers.

The group stopped as Elizabeth ordered them to stop. None were aware that the water below them was now flowing much more quickly or rising slowly.

“What’s wrong boss?”

One soldier asked as the half demonic witch closed her eyes to get a better reading of the sound she was hearing.

She would remain motionless for a few minutes but soon she would open her eyes in horror.

“WE NEED TO RUN NOW!”

She yelled as she ran down a random tunnel that branched off the one they were in.

No one questioned Elizabeth’s order as they ran after her.

As they ran through the sewer everyone began to hear the sound of rushing water from behind them.

The group was now trying to gain more speed as they realized what was behind them.

Elizabeth looked around for a way out and her eyes lit up when she found a ladder.

She would reach the ladder and use her powers to push the door up.

“Quick! Get up now!” She yelled at everyone.

Nymphaea was first to reach the ladder and she flew up. Shepard was next and he began to climb quickly. More and more soldiers would begin to climb up the ladder but as the sound grew closer Elizabeth felt as though that she and the others didn’t have enough time.

“This is taking too long!” Elizabeth would reach out with her hands and the soldiers still left in the sewers would feel their bodies being lifted off the ground as one by one they went through the manhole and on to the surface.

Elizabeth gave a smile as she was relieved to get everyone out. She looked down at the tunnel and her smile turned into a look of horror as she saw the raging tide coming straight towards her.

She summoned her wings but it was too late, the rushing water slammed itself onto the witch and dragged her away from the ladder.

“ELIZABETH!”

Both Nymphaea and several soldiers shouted as they watched with horror on what just happened.

Nymphaea fell on to her knees as she was in shock. The soldiers around her all talked on what to do now that their leader was gone but Nymphaea ignored them.

She was beating herself for not going back to get her sister out of the sewer when a violet rift suddenly opened up and putrid water rushed out, pulling Elizabeth out of the rift as well. As the rift closed everyone saw the half demon was lying on the ground, covered in the foul water, a slimy substance, and other unmentionable materials.

The half demon got to her hands and knees and was hacking.

“Fuck. Some of that shit went up my nose.” she began to dry heave. “Crap I swallowed some of it.” The witch looked to be on the verge of puking and after a few heaves she did.

Nymphaea looked excited over seeing her sister being alive. As she got up and rushed towards her however the overwhelming stench that came off Elizabeth caused her to stop in her track and begin to cough violently.

“By the Kais you stink!”

Nymphaea managed to say before going back to another coughing fit.

Elizabeth flipped her sister the bird.

“Love you too, Nymph.”

Once Elizabeth was back on her feet she would lead the group through the miniature garden they were in. Nymph and the others gave Elizabeth a wide breadth as no one wanted the smell stuck on to them.

Once in the palace halls Elizabeth knew her way around. Each time they encountered guards and staff Elizabeth was forced to knock them out as her stench made stealth impossible.

However eventually she would stop in front of a door where she senses a familiar presence. Without any hesitation Elizabeth would open the door and step inside.

Meroe was sitting in a chair when the door opened. The Lamia quickly got up and rushed over, tackingling Liz to the ground with a big hug.

“Lizzie, you made it!” the Lamia exclaimed. “But why do you smell of sewage?”

Elizabeth was knocked winded from the surprising hug but now that she saw the red-headed Lamia she couldn’t resist but to give her a smile.

She was going to give her a hug but stopped once she mentioned the smell. Elizabeth’s eyes twitched once she uttered those words.

“Lizzy got swept back by a tide wave of awfulness when we were down in the sewers to get in here.” Nymphaea explained as she peaked from behind the door frame.

“Also Hi. I’m Nymphaea, I’m Lizzy’s sister.” Shepherd would make himself known.

“You can call me Shepherd and she’s my boss.”

Meroe slithered away from Liz as she bowed to Nymph first.

“Ah, yes, you’re Lizzie’s little sister. We met once, when you were a little girl, I hear you’re a mother now,” the Lamia explained as she looked over at the contingent of humans, first at Shepard and the others with a wry smile.

“And I see Liz’s taste for men has remained consistent,” she said as she winked at Sheppard before his face turned grave.

“So what have Palla, Catria, and Est told you?”

Elizabeth would get up from the floor once Meroe was off her. “They told me that Battaru disappeared and that without him most of his generals have turned on each other. Each one trying to carve up pieces of his former empire. All while raiders and invaders from parts of the realm that Battaru didn’t conquer yet try to take advantage of the chaos to gain more land and resources.”


“Yeah, that’s mostly true,” Meroe said with a nod, crossing her arms across her chest. The Lamia’s tail flailed about nervously. “There’s no easy way to put this, Elizabeth, but Maikai, at least our corner of it, is in big trouble. Without a central leader people are going to get hurt, and the situation with the Makyans might mean any chaos here will spill into the mortal plane. You’re going to need to claim your rightful place as queen.”

As the lamia explained the situation on what was happening in this realm one of the soldiers would step up.

“This corner? How large is this realm?”

“Well,” Meroe placed a finger on her chin as she looked up in thought. “The Demon Realm is about as large as the Mortal Plane, much, much larger than your galaxy in total. I know you mostly grew up in the palace, but your father’s realm was large, maybe half of one of your galaxies.”

The mortals and even Elizabeth were shocked to hear the full extent of the Demon Realm’s total size. This realm was huge, there was no question about it. But to hear that one demon’s king manage to make a kingdom that was large enough to cover half of the known galaxy…

“Holy shit. We are in the heart of a demonic PTO empire!”

Shepherd uttered out in shock. Not really thinking too much about his words. Yet no one in the group disagreed with him as all of them thought the same.

Nymphaea and the soldiers all looked at Elizabeth as in this comparison that would mean that if Elizabeth chose to become queen she would be this world’s equivalent to Glacia.

In Nymphaea’s mind she tried to imagine her sister as an Arcosian and soon like Glacia. But as soon as she imposed her face on Glacia’s body the mental image soon changed to her looking more like Floe, only with breasts.

“Ara Ara, mortals.” the Arcosian Elizabeth said in a seductive manner in Nymphaea’s mindscape. Nymphaea shook her head as she tried to dispel the accursed thoughts from her mind.

But as the others tried to comprehend just what they had gotten themselves into Elizabeth was thinking more on what Meroe was telling her to do.

But more importantly. One thought occupied her mind.

“Where is my father Meroe? Why isn’t he rebuilding his kingdom?”

Meroe clasped her hands together and rubbed them nervously.

“No one has seen His Highness since Battaru the Usurper disappeared. There have been rumours, but my spies have found nothing concrete. I’ve done everything in my power to maintain some semblance, but everyday more of our vassals go rogue, and even some of our relatives, Elizabeth. Your claim is the only one that is legimtiate enough to convince the other Demon Lords of Pandaemonium.”

Elizabeth frowned at the news that her father was still missing. Where did Battaru put her father?

“Did you check the dungeons? He told me he put my father in the palace dungeons?”

“That was the first place we checked,” she replied.

Elizabeth cursed. “Of course he would move him after that.”

Elizabeth wondered if perhaps her father was locked within Belial’s Tower but she dismissed the thought as that too was too obvious.

“I want to reclaim my rightful place in the throne Meroe but you no doubt heard what happened when I faced against Battaru.”

She looked down at the ground.

“I lost. Not only was I too weak to free my father and regain our rightful place on the throne, but I sold myself to that bastard.”

Her hands tightened into fists as they began to shake.

“Who will obey a disgraced queen who made herself into the concubine of some usurper? How am I sure anyone will ever follow my commands?”

Nymphaea was surprised to see her sister looking so vulnerable. She heard what happened but just like back then she wasn’t sure how she could help her sister with that. The issue of the marriage solved itself but she didn’t think there would be other problems because of that incident.

“Are her subjects really going to cause trouble over that?”

Shepherd asked as he folded his arms in front of his chest. He wasn’t sure how demons operate and with one of them being willing to talk he figured that he can get as much useful information from the Lamia so AEGIS can properly aid Elizabeth in regaining her throne if she decides to go for it.

If not, they can use the information against future demonic incursions. The Maykans are still out there and their mages are notorious for creating vast demonic legions for their armies. There are also the dark mages on Earth who also bring demons on to the planet as well.

Meroe slithered over to Elizabeth and gave the cambion a hug.

“Liz, you’re the only one strong enough, with the best claim. If you cannot, everything King Nergal worked for will be lost.”

Elizabeth was silent as her cousin told her that she was the only one to make her father’s lifelong work didn’t crumble.

One of the soldiers was going to speak up but Shepherd stopped them, shaking his head.

He knew this choice was a personal one now. This one was one Elizabeth had to make and nothing. Not even her obligations to the Silver Imperium. Should impede her choice.

Elizabeth thought back to the fight she had to Battaru. How each attack she used did nothing, how even eating from the fruit from the Tree of Might failed to change the odds to her favor.

But that was back then. Now she was different. She got stronger. She learned new abilities that she lacked before.

The cambion looked up at the Lamia. The look of uncertainty and insecurity was gone, in their place was pure determination.

“I failed my father once and I swore that if I ever get the chance to avenge both him and myself I will do it. I almost forgot that promise because I thought it would never come. But thanks to you I now remembered that promise.”

Nymphaea spoke up.

“So you’re agreeing to become a demon queen?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“Yes. I’m taking back my throne and I’m not only going to bring order back to my kingdom, but bring order to the rest of Battaru’s crumbling empire.”

She turned back to face the Lamia.

“So Meroe. You know who in our family went rogue?” she moved her eyes to the direction of where the Iron Tower was.

“Can I trust Belial on being on our side or is my fear confirmed that he and probably Medusa have gone rogue as well?”

“They are loyal,” she confirmed. “Along with Uncle Goetia and Aunt Rachnera. The rest have gone rogue.”

Elizabeth was surprised. “Even grandpa Asmodeus?”

“His status is also unknown,” Meroe said with the sake of her head. “If grandpa were here, we wouldn’t be in this mess, obviously. Not even Battaru could defeat him.”

Elizabeth nodded. Even though her grandfather was old and his power has weakened he was still a formidable demon to face. It was he who started the build up of Pandaemonium before her father helped expand it further.

“What about Ishtar? I’m gonna guess grandma is also MIA? Who among our relatives right now would you say we should focus on first? Because I have a feeling that I can probably convince some of them to stand down but others I may have to force their compliance.”

The Lamia crossed her arms again.

“No one has seen the Queen Mother since Nergal disappeared,” she admitted. “But I think my brother Amon might have some answers. He’s declared for himself, but he can be convinced when he sees you’re back.”

Elizabeth was curious about what happened to Ishtar but hearing that Amon was making a bid to rule but would break once he found out she had returned made her smile. “Excellent. Where is Amon now?”

“He’s assembled an army just outside of Dis,” she explained. “He hasn’t made any aggressive moves because he knows he can’t take the capital alone.”

Elizabeth and the others shivered at the news. If her rift was open at the wrong spot she would have led them straight into an army of demons.

“Is he waiting for backup from anyone else?”

Shepherd would interject. “How large is his army and what sort of weapons do they have?”

“It’s unlikely he’s waiting for backup,” the Lamia replied to Liz first, before looking over at Shepard. “It’s a sizable force, at least several legions large. They have some Makyan technology, including tanks.”

Some of the soldiers were showing bodily signs of fear when she mentioned that they have not only tanks but access to alien technology.

Elizabeth didn’t look too concerned over the news.

“Just a few legions to take one city? No problem. We can handle this.”

The cambion said with surprising confidence.

“What do we have for defenses besides Belial and Medusa’s forces?”

“We have the remnants of my forces and the forces of the Royal Guard still loyal, and of course Goetia and Rachnera’s forces, should you see them. Still, before we go through with this, it might be prudent for you to bring in more allies. You and your sister won’t be enough.”

Elizabeth began to rub her chin. “I have my own forces on Earth and while they are puny mortals they have technologies that were made to deal with magical threats.”

Some soldiers felt insulted at the claim of being puny. Nymphaea wanted to be on their defense but she knows where her sister is coming from. Their technology is the only advantage they have against demons since demons have both superhuman and supernatural abilities.

“But I know of some mortals whose powers are so great that they can challenge angels themselves and defeat them.”

The queenly candidate gave her serpentine cousin a grin.

“If we can get them to join in our side we have this in the bag.”

Meroe, however, looked sceptical.

“Well, Maikai is a different place from Terra,” she remarked. “Their abilities will be hampered by the atmosphere and dark magic. They need to be pretty incredible to survive.” The Lamia looked over at Shepard and the AEGIS operatives.

“They should probably return home. A few days in here might kill them,” she said, looking then at Nymph. “You might last a few months.”

The news that Maikai will kill them scared them most. Even Nymphaea looked scared.

“Did you know this Liz?”

Nymphaea asked. Her sister looked surprised over the news and shook her head.

“No. This is news to me. I don’t know how mom survived for so long in Maikai to be able to raise me in my first years in this place.”

Elizabeth turned her attention back to Meroe. “I made the armor the mortals are wearing to help them endure with the environment of Maikai and some weaker spells. Can it help them last a bit longer than just a few days?”

Elizabeth would feel a hand place gently on her shoulder. She looked around to see Shepherd.

“We can test the armor out later Elizabeth. Right now I think it’s best if we listen to what Meroe said. This fight isn’t one we can win, we aren’t made for this war. But you still have a stronger chance of winning. We’ll just slow you down and right now you can’t afford to have that.”

Elizabeth looked dejected as Shepherd let go of her shoulder.

“We will keep an eye out on Earth to make sure neither the demons from here try to sneak off to Earth and to be on the lookout for anymore Dark Chaos readings. Besides, I think you would like us covering your tracks so Serena doesn’t know that you left Earth for a long time.”

Elizabeth gave him a small smile. She still felt reluctant to lose her own personal army after all the changes she did to improve them but she knew that Shepherd was right. In a war between rival demons it was best for her to lead an army of her own kind to prove that she was worthy of the crown and throne.

“Alright Shepherd. You and the others can return back. Make sure no one knows of my absence. If everything goes according to plans I will be a queen by the time me and Serena meet again.”

The cambion would extend her hand out to shake Shepherd’s hand with the commander grabbing on to the hand.

“Good luck Ashwood.”

The demonic royal snorted.

“There is no luck commander. But thank you.”

The two would let go of each other’s hands and Elizabeth would turn to Meroe.

“You have a helmet I can borrow? I have a feeling I may need it soon.” The Lamia smiled.

“Yes, I have a set of armour in your old room. King Nergal said it belonged to an Earthling ancestor of yours, a certain Queen Metallia.”

Elizabeth was surprised to hear that the armor of the witch queen was moved to there but Elizabeth chalked it up to her mother moving it in there.

“Good. I will go there to find the armor and put it on. It will do me no good walking around in a suit and skirt now.”

She looked over to Nymphaea.

“Also get my sister dressed appropriately for the war too. I don’t want some archer getting lucky with taking her out with a cursed arrow.”

“I’ll see what I can find as you get ready,” Meroe said as she took Nymph by the hand. “I’ll show you to the armoury.”

Nymphaea nodded as she followed the Lamia to the armoury. Elizabeth created a rift to allow the soldiers to leave the demon realm and return to Earth.

Elizabeth walked around in the castle hall. The halls were as large and as small to accommodate the various demons and other creatures in the hall. However for some demons that had to reach parts of the palace not made for their size they all easily shrunk in their stature to fit in.

However as some walked by they all looked surprised to see the crown princess now walking in the halls. That was before they turned around due to the smell coming off her.

Elizabeth puffed up her cheeks and looked down as a blush appeared on her cheeks, making her speed up on going to her room.

The witch would find the grand doors that lead to her old room. The wood of the door was as black as coal and carved on to it was demonic runes and a dragon similar to the one connected to the dragon balls but with demonic wings on it’s back.

On the mouth she saw what looked like a cigar as the dragon was smoking it. She never understood why that detail was added to the artwork but like always she shrugged.

Elizabeth placed both her hands on the door and pushed it open and as the light from the halls shine into the darkened room the enchanted candles within ignited on their own, creating blue and purple flames

Looking within a rush of nostiagle flooded her mind as she was now staring into her old room.

The gothic theme was still present even now and the pictures of past queens looked pristine as everything else in the room. Even her skull collection looked to be in good condition as well as her occult trinkets. The witch almost stepped on the floor but stopped.

She instead created a portal and stepped through it to enter the bathroom. Once inside she would remove her clothing and turn on the shower head, stepping into the tub to take a shower.

As she felt the muk being washed off Elizabeth let out a sigh as she closed her eyes. Letting the warm water wash over her body.

She would reach out with her power the shampoo brand that she wasn’t sure was taken from Earth or Makyo and lathered her hand with it before rubbing it on her hair to remove the sewage that was stuck on it.

But as Elizabeth washed herself off she couldn’t help but to think about her current predicament.

It was only a year ago when she was caught in a war and yet now she was sucked into yet another one. This war was just like the one she fought in, a war to determine who has the rightful claim to rule over the state that calls billions home.

Elizabeth would stop cleaning up her hair and move her head forward, allowing her hair to hang around her face.

No, she decided. Trillions. This war has some similarities to the Earth civil war but this war isn’t like it.

No, this war was more like the one Nymphaea was sent to that created Wraith Squadron. The same war she only joined in on the final day of it. The very same one that she and her mother trained Serena for before the Angel Wars came to their world.

“Four years. That is how long I have experienced peace.” the woman let out a chuckle. “Well four and a half. Those angelic bastards couldn’t just give up after their leader fell.”

The woman reached for the soap bar and began to rub it against her body. In her mind she wondered how Glacia managed to handle the fact that her main opponents were her own family? How did she find the strength to decide that she had no choice but to kill some of them to keep her throne?

“I wish she were here now. I could use some advice about now.” she said as she put away the bar of soap and began to wash it off.

But another thought came to her head. What would she do if she did regain the throne?

All this time she was assured that she would eventually get the throne and would either wait for her dad to step down or until she chose to take his place. But all this time she never once thought what she would do once she sat upon the throne?

What would she do once she has the power to decide on the kingdom’s fate? Can she handle the power and responsibility that comes with it? Would her subjects even be loyal to her and even want her as queen?

These thoughts lingered as she watched the last of the water go down the drain as she turned off the shower.

The witch would step off and begin to dry herself with a towel. She would walk over her dirty clothes and step back into her room, feeling the soft carpet floor brushing against her feet.

Elizabeth would walk to one of the doors and open it, revealing a set of armors behind it.

Elizabeth knew that the witch queen had two sets of armor. The one on the North Palace was just the one used as a sacrifice for the central kingdom to steal so they won't claim the true armor of the witch queen. The very same one that Elizabeth was now looking at.

The witch would begin to put on some clothing that would be worn underneath the new armor as she finally started to put on the more regal looking set.

Once it was on she would move her gloves around before checking herself on the mirror.

"You're starting to look like a queen Liz."

Elizabeth would be satisfied with what she was seeing. Grabbing a few things in the closet she would walk away from the armory and begin to leave her room to prepare for the war ahead and to find allies to aid her.

[Finland SSR]

Planet Tiberius 557-b

Part IV of Imperial Inheritance

---

A high speed chase was happening in the vast tunnel complex underneath the planet’s surface, two figures flying through the labyrinth, one desperately trying to lose the other off its tail. Tiberius 557-b was once a powerful Makyan forward outpost in the Galactic Frontier, but it ended up abandoned after the Hegemony was pushed out of the sector, and so its vast installations upon the planet became a haven for criminals - the alien fleeing was one of them. Calling himself “Vikan the Empire-Crusher”, he was the kingpin of a vast raider syndicate sprawling all across the Northern Quadrant.

Now, he was flying through corridor after corridor, desperately trying to escape after all of his underlings got taken down with ease. Unfortunately for Vikan, he took the wrong turn and ended up faced with a stone wall - so, with dread, the pirate turned around, awaiting his end.

The legend of the Galactic Patrol, the green-haired Saiyan who has put terror in the hearts of so many criminals across the Frontier already, stopped before him and showed his badge.

“As a Star Sheriff of the Rapid Interstellar Deployment, Emergency and Response Squadron, I declare that you are hereby arrested under Galactic Law,” he declared, stepping forward.

“You don’t have to do this, Sheriff,” the pirate called out, begging. “I could make you the richest man in the world, bring you a thousand criminals for my freedom, anything!”

“You told me the exact same thing ten minutes ago before you flashed me in the eyes and ran... I am not interested, Empire-Crusher. But before we go, I do want to know one thing...”

Suddenly, Ikki appeared before the reptilian pirate and smashed him face-first to the concrete ground with one elbow strike, stepped on his back to hold him down while putting a set of energy suppressor handcuffs on the man’s wrists. Immediately, his ki signature died down, forcefully suppressed by the device.

“What do you know about what happened to Gadon the Protector?”

“W-what..? What do you mean?! What happened?!”

“Don’t bother playing up that act,” Ikki called out. By now, the R.I.D.E.R.S. could not keep the secret of the disappearance of their Marshal. The undercover world ate up the news immediately, the lack of the Patrol’s most powerful asset being the best news they could hear all year. Vikan understood where Ikki went, as he immediately began to yell:

“I-I don’t know anything! I just heard from a guy running smuggling near Eden that he’s gone apparently!”

The Saiyan sighed. That was the third kingpin who heard about it from the same source. Before he could press any more information from the arrested criminal, however, his attention got taken away from something else. A portal suddenly opened before them in a bright flash of light.

From the portal stepped out a red haired woman wearing a suit. However the most noticeable thing about her was the four wings on her body; two large ones on her back and two miniature copies on the top of her head.

The woman looked at the two beings standing in front of the portal and it's maker. The woman's eyes fell upon Ikki.

"It looks like my mistress's gamble paid off. I presume you are the one called Ikki Kita?"

Before responding, Ikki looked down at the criminal underneath his foot in confusion - the lizardman, after turning his head towards the new arrival, muttered:

“She’s not with me.” After a slight breath of relief, the Saiyan glared at the woman and replied:

“That’s me, but you caught me at a really unfortunate moment. What do you want from me and is it quick?”

The demoness looked down at the lizard.

“Are you discipling your pet?”

She asked before she shrugged.

“My mistress, Elizabeth Ashwood, has recently returned to her home realm and wishes to regain the throne to her kingdom. However many within our kingdoms, a good deal being her own relatives, wish to usurp the position for themselves. She wishes to call upon a group of mortals who she claims have the powers to defeat our mortal enemies, the angels.”

The demoness was examining Ikki more closely once she mentioned him having the power to fight against and defeat angels. It was clear she had doubts on those claims.

“So it’s not quick at all, then,” the Saiyan replied, sighed and stepped off the arrested criminal - only to pick him up by the collar and toss him over his shoulder. “If Liz needs help, then sure, count me in.”

“Wait what, angels?” Vikan called out, him not getting thrown away by the new quest immediately getting him suspicious. “And where are you taking me?!”

“Relax, I won’t toss you down a flesh pit or something. It’s just, I’m guessing Liz won’t be able to wait for a week until I bring you to headquarters - so I’ll have to take you with me for now,” the Saiyan explained. That definitely did not dissuade the pirate’s concerns, but Ikki stopped listening to him and addressed the demoness instead:

“I’m ready to go.”

The demoness smiled at the news. She moved aside from the portal and gestured for Ikki to step foot.

“We have both your room and armor prepared for your arrival. Your pet however we have not. It will take us some time to have everything prepared for him. Does he require anything special that we should be aware of?”

“He’s not my--” Ikki protested at first, but his expression soon changed and the Saiyan smiled. “You don’t need anything special for him, just a room like everyone else - it’s not a very demanding species.”

As the Saiyan and the prisoner on his shoulder made their way across the portal, Vikan mumbled yet again. “I’m surprised you didn’t take the chance to throw me to a dog pen or something...”

“I always can, if you want. Or you don’t behave.”

The demoness, overhearing the small discussion between the two’s whispers, chose to pretend that she didn’t hear a thing. It wasn’t her business to pry into their affairs.

“Since he is not a demanding one we can have a room fetched quickly. Though we may not be able to have you two have rooms close to each other.” the woman explained as she watched the two enter the portal.

Once they were inside she would look around before she entered the portal and closed it.

[Britanania]

Post was written by Anarcho, am posting during his hiatus

Chapter Five of the Infernal Inheritence

Planet Caelia, Tuffle Space

Acrid smoke filled the air below where Danu stood. The hole in the tower revealed the devastation below her. It made sense that the damn Hator would try to burn away its tracks. Of course, the decision to rain orbital fire on the city hadn’t helped either, but blasting X-9 to pieces with a hyper laser may be their one way of actually killing him if the stories were to be believed. Still, that didn’t explain why neither the Hator nor Lorelei directly engaged with her.

Two Saiyan warriors rose out of the smoke, their armor denoting them as members of Ozaru’s Circle and part of Danu’s honor guard. Danu quite literally shined apart from her comrades. She had eschewed armor for a simple gi, and the constant golden glow from her hair provided a figurative crown compared to the dull black of her companions. The new arrivals, Suh and a rookie named Quat kneeled before her, saying calmly “We’ve gotten reports back from most squads. All signs indicate that neither target was hit by the bombardment.”

Danu raised an eyebrow “And we’re sure this is the case and not the extra mercenaries getting lazy?”

Suh shook his head “As you ordered, each squad had a Jinza overseer. They wouldn’t dare lie.”

A portal ripped through the air, the sounds of hundreds of anguished screams accompanying the fiery gateway as a young woman walked through. She briefly dusted herself off and looked at the Saiyan queen.

“Queen Chay, I presume?” the demon asked, albeit rhetorically. “I come as an emissary of Lady Elizabeth, Crown Princess of Pandaemonium. My Lady has urgently requested your presence in her war to regain her Kingdom in Maikai.”

Danu looked the demon up and down before sighing and saying “Why do these things always happen when I’m busy. Mother!”

Arsle looked up from the device she had been toying with out of boredom. Danu nodded and said “You’re in charge as usual. Have the force do another sweep, and if they don’t find either target, glass the city and then return to Mars. I’ll join you when I’m done in… wherever it is I’m going. Oh and Quat?”

The younger Saiyan looked up. Danu had taken a fondness for him in recent days and made sure the others didn’t pick on him too badly. “Don’t let Suh give you too much crap. Alright Demon, take me to hell.”

The demon lady gave a smirk and gestured to the portal.

“Maikai,” she corrected. “Hell is for the damned. Maikai is far, far worse.”

Danu smirked as she passed the Demon and walked through the portal. “I’m a Saiyan; damnation would be preferable.”

[Turkducken]

First day of Spring -

I keep thinking about

the end of Autumn

-Bashō

Somewhere In Former Heran Space...

Stolen Vessel, December 1st, 505 AU

It had been just over a month since he had left Earth.

Just over a month since he destroyed the outpost on Foosha.

The Patrol Ship returned, just as Avakia had said it would. The poor fools inside totally unaware and unprepared for an unexpected arrival.

"Not even worth mentioning." Higashi murmured to himself, deleting the few words he had made, "For some reason I got in in my head that I should be writing this down." he mentally spoke his thoughts as he recorded them in a digital log, "Don't know why, just feels appropriate. Isn't this what they used to do on boats? Long journeys away from Home?" he gritted his teeth as his thoughts turned to Earth for a moment. Angrily closing the digital log and exiting his private quarters in a huff.

The interior of the patrol ship was that same garish yellow and white the PTO seemed to love. He had always thought it was ugly, but it didn't really matter now. He took heavy steps into the common room, feeling a small bit of appreciation for the designers who had to accommodate multiple species, and so included ample headroom. Avakia was at the small table they had been using for dining. Looking over several datapads of commandeered information she had taken from the Outpost. She wore a soured expression on her face, that Higashi was getting used to seeing. He sat on the couch, which doubled as an extra large seat for large beings, arms stretching to either side.

"You're not much company you know that?" he prodded the blue woman. She looked up from what she was reading, "Look Mutie," her words dripping with venom, "I don't make friends. As of right now we're business partners." she spat at him, "I don't owe you anything more than not putting a knife in your back." Higashi, having gotten used to this abuse days ago, rolled his eye. "Look all I'm saying is that I liked you better before you drank all the beer." he sighed, Avakia made a displeased noise and returned to her work. Higashi groaned, throwing his head back in boredom. "Space travel sucks. You would've thought someone could've found a way to do warp speed." he whined.

"Literally go do anything else." Avakia dismissed him, "Don't bother me." Higashi loudly groaned as he got up. "Fine. Whatever. Only a few more days..." he muttered to himself, stomping away. He poked around a few rooms, having previously found some slightly interesting things in the past. "A bust." he sighed, closing the lid on a collection of digital magazines. Despite knowing he shouldn't, Higashi returned to his large seat. He looked over at the Blue Woman, still nose first in... "What is she even looking for?" he suddenly thought to himself. He sat up, trying to peak over her shoulder at whatever she was reading. Almost as if she could sense his wandering eye, she turned and gave him a displeased scowl. "I said don't bother me."

"I'm not bothering you!" he protested, "I'm literally just sitting here trying to figure out what you're reading!" she sighed, turning to the side to better face Higashi, "Alright." she started, looking slightly less annoyed then before, "What did you want to know?" Higashi lay back into the chair, pleased that he coaxed a conversation out of his companion, "So where we're going. Everything you said about why is true..." he paused, trying hard to remember what was said after what must have been liters of shots. "Right?" Avakia sighed, "Yes." was her one word answer. Higashi gave her an annoyed look of his own, "That's not much of an answer 'partner'." she rolled her eyes, "Yes everything I said was true." she gave him that sharp look he had seen weeks ago. "My old crew sold me out. We're going to Strazhdannya, I'm going to go settle things with them. You can do whatever. Plenty of ships to steal that won't have PTO tracking there."

Higashi considered the future, "This is my first time in space." he started to explain, before correcting himself, "Actually the second time, I don't really know where to go." he considered those last words a moment, "For the first time. I don't really know what to do." he said aloud, "No Tora-san, no Queen, no Generals," he said a little dumbfounded, "For the first time in my life...I'm just me." almost forgetting he was having a conversation, his attention snapped back to Avakia, who's look had changed from one of annoyance to a passive interest. "That sounds pathetic." she said with a haughty laugh, "Okay. My Turn." her eyes turning upwards slightly as she considered her question. "You said you were from that new planet, Earth, right? What's it like?" taking the opportunity to stab at what she knew was a sensitive topic, "I heard you Humans were real weak, but the Lizzies seem to like you." she offered her palm to the room, "Present company excluded of course."

Higashi rocked uncomfortably, "It's beautiful. PTO arrived within the last few years," he looked to the side, avoiding eye contact, "joined the local garrison for a time, retired when I got sick of the bullshit. It's not like that last planet," he insisted, "Earth has so many colors." he said a bit too earnestly. This eliciting a laugh from Avakia, a sound which he didn't think he'd ever hear, but he scowled at her laughter regardless. "For a wanted criminal, you're awfully naive." she quipped at his reaction. "Whatever." he grumbled, standing up and stomping back to his private room. Avakia lingered on his exit for a bit. Eventually clearing the genuine smile and going back to pouring over her data.

A Few More Days...

Strazhdannya, Deep in Former Heran Space

Port Rozhok

The city was one big industrial center. Natural light almost completely obscured by high rises, the rest covered by a thick smog from planetary smelters. Neon and florescent lights illuminated the streets. Thousands of people, mostly Herans, packed onto cramped narrow streets. Vendors in open air stalls hawked wares. Haggling prices and trading credits in the dirty air. The planetary smelters were visible from almost every angle. The angry black smoke they produced clotting the sky. Every few minutes colossal railguns shot tightly packed white hot metals into orbit. The atmosphere and vacuum of space serving as natural heat sinks.These were collected by ships and ferried elsewhere within the PTO. The boom of these guns could be deafening. Visitors were advised to wear hearing protectors.

Higashi felt very out of place. He attempted to correct his loosening ear plugs as he hurried to keep track of Avakia, herself pushing through the crowd. He towered above almost everyone in the sea of people. He pulled his thin protective gear down a bit. "The smog can be very toxic." Avakia had warned him, "The planet's been ruined for centuries." Higashi focused a little harder on following behind her, not wanting to be lost and alone on this alien planet. Continuing to push their way through the crowd of people, Avakia suddenly made a hard right, dipping into a shadowy alleyway. Higashi followed her down the much less well lit alley, the bright lights of the main street almost seeing eons away in the dim flickering lights.

The alleyway opened up to an alcove in between the structures. Dirty Herans lay amongst the trash. One was tending to a small electric stove. Some kind of simple meal was being made. "Keep strength companions!" he called to the broken people laying on the hard ground, "The Order of Santimon feeds the weary! The Acrosians may have taken our pride, but we can still win our dignity!" his impassioned speech seeming to reach only deaf ears, as the dirty people he was speaking to said nothing and remained motionless. Higashi turned his attention back to Avakia, who had turned to give him a look of annoyance for dawdling. "I'm going in." she said with a cruel far away look, "Wait Here." Higashi complied, not knowing what else to do in this unfamiliar place.

She disappeared into the entrance. Leaving Higashi alone in the alleyway. He laid back against the wall, keeping the entrance to his left. He watched the presumable monk deliver the meager portions to the broken people. This being the only time they moved, or showed any sign of life at all. Higashi blinked, looking away from the human suffering. "Come rest Brother," a voice spoke to him, "Eat and grow strong." He looked back towards the miserable sight. The monk having shuffled closer and offering him a bowl. Higashi raised a hand in rejection, "Don't need it. Save it for the needy." the monk smiled, retracting the offer, "The Order feeds everyone," the monk elaborated, withdrawing back to his stove, "Aliens included. We all suffer under the Acrosians." he gestured widely, seeming to refer not only to the planet, but everything. "They say millenia ago the Heran Empire died above this world." the monk started, seeming to slip into a sermon, "A terrible battle between the Acrosians and Herans raged in the skies above. The world itself serves as a permanent marker." the monk made a sweeping gesture to the sky, "As the battle raged our ancestors escaped their devastated ships. Most of the immiserated you see before you, are their survivors. They say this world was uninhabited before this battle!" the monk's voice growing louder as he grew more impassioned, gesticulating wildly at Higashi as he did so. "A whole world populated by Hubris! The planet was poisoned by the arrogance of mortals. Now we toil in a tomb of our own making!"

Higashi gathered that he was referring to the gargantuan smelters, but before he could ask, a loud commotion erupted from inside the building Avakia had entered. Higashi sprung into action. Effortlessly he blew through the entrance. Two bodies lay in the stairwell, he moved past them searching for Avakia. "What did I tell you?!" he heard Avakia's voice shout from deeper within, Higashi moving through rooms with more bodies. Finally belting into the room where Avakia had a blue-green Heran underneath her crushing boot. "What the fuck did you say?" she hissed, boot crushing the Heran's windpipe, "If you had just sold me out, I would've been angry," she spat, "in time I might've forgiven you, even after the prison stint." she crushed the Heran's neck even more, causing his eyes to roll back and mouth to foam, "But cooperating with the authorities?!" she shouted, "Selling me out because you got cold feet?" she continued, every syllable covered in venom, "That's unforgivable." and with a swift hard motion, she snapped the delicate vertebrae. She looked up from the dead man, staring coldly at Higashi, "I thought I said wait outside." her eyes shooting daggers into his being.

"Yeah well I heard shouting and-" Higashi started to explain, being interrupted by several shots in the back. Ten loud bangs rang out as Higashi felt ten stings in his back. He felt the hot steam and blood escape from his body as he turned around to find his assailant. A nervous looking Heran holding a primitive firearm was standing just behind him, both arms trembling to hold the handgun steady. A sickening smile formed on Higashi's face, "Oh you really shouldn't have done that." the bullets falling from their holes as the flesh regrew. Tendons erupted, coating his left arm in muscle. A giant hand clasped around the Heran's head. The pain apparently being unbearable, as he immediately dropped his weapon and began crying out in pain. Higashi turned back to face Avakia, bringing the poor Heran with him. "This anyone you need?" Avakia gave him an odd look, and shook her head. Higashi squeezed his head. It popped like a grape.

Throwing the body to one side, Avakia started to speak, but was interrupted by a silent gesture from Higashi. He gave her a serious look, pointing directly above them with his right hand. He looked up, sensing the ki of one more hostile Heran. The ceiling was low, low enough for him to hit. His still reinforced left arm reeled back. Slamming with enough force to cave in the ceiling and floor where the last presence was located. As foundational rubble fell from the impact, Higashi swiped at the humanoid that had fallen with it. Another Heran, wearing only a patchwork of various salvaged outfits, paralyzed by the shock and awe of the floor falling out from underneath him. "Now that's who I was looking for." Avakia started, audible satisfaction washing over her voice, "Duda, you cretinous slug-worm, you better have what's mine." Approaching Higashi who held the poor man by the torso. "Polsko was stupid enough to have a change of heart, but you're too much of a scheming little worm for that." She crossed both arms arrogantly, taking a moment to brush her orange hair back into place.

The poor Heran, who was apparently called Duda, shook as the shock of the fall wore off. "Y-Y-Y-You Ha-Ha-Ha-Have t-t-t-ta," Duda's terrified shaking voice began to beg Higashi, "S-S-Save M-M-M-M-Me!" Duda's terrified eyes moved from Higashi to Avakia, "Sh-Sh-She's Insane! Sh-Sh-She'll g-g-g-get us all k-killed!" Higashi gave the poor man a sadistic look, and shook him violently, "Stop begging. Nothing you say will change your fate." this callousness reduced Duda to tears, fat globs of water careening down his purple face. Avakia, her face full of a smug satisfaction, made a tut-tutting sound, "Be brave Duda. It'll be quick." she said in a faux admonishing tone, "Or Not." Higashi interjected, squeezing the man a little tighter, "Maybe I'll just crush your spine, leaving you just alive enough to suffer." This crushed the poor man in Higashi's hand, bawling and babbling like a baby. "Give me what's mine Duda." Avakia said firmly, "Give it to me and I'll make sure my accomplice here ends it quick." Duda nods several times in quick succession. Unable to form words he makes movements under the grasp of Higashi's monstrous hand, prompting Higashi to loosen his grip a bit.

Duda reached into his tattered apparel, pulling out the same sort of datapad Avakia had previously been pouring over for weeks, offering it through Higashi's misshapen grip. Avakia sighed, "Predictable Duda. Put him down Freak." Higashi reluctantly complied. Releasing his hold over the poor man as he dropped to the floor, tendons finally retreating from his left arm, crossing his arms and watching Duda for sudden movement. Avakia stepped forward, grabbing the datapad from the still trembling man's hand, "I only wish it had been less predictable." she said flatly. Duda stumbled over his words, but before he could get anything out, Avakia had whipped out a stolen PTO sidearm. Shooting a thin blue laser right between the poor man's eyes, it was over in an instant. Duda's corpse slumping over gracelessly.

Higashi looked at Avakia, a strange emotion on her face as she held the sidearm in place. "Well that was eventful." Higashi said, light smile betraying the utter numbness he felt. "You gonna do me next? Cause it's gonna take a lot more than one of those." Avakia's face cleared, lowering her sidearm and looking back at him. "No. You're proving to be a lot more useful than I initially thought." she holstered the gun, sighing roughly, "Unfortunately this is the part where I ask you to join," she looked at him with that same cutting look he was getting used to, "and where I admit I was wrong. You might not be a remorseless bastard," she started, "but you definitely can flip that switch, and I need someone like you." she gestured at the various corpses around them, "I'm sort of out of options. But," she crossed her arms again, giving the datapad a wag, "Despite everything I still have this."

Higashi leaned back against the wall, "Alright well, I'll admit this was fun." he made an amused face, "What's in it for me?" a bit of relief washed over Avakia, her face instead turning to one of deadly seriousness and determination. "What I have right here." she referred to the datapad, "Are the access codes to the sealed city on this planet." she started to explain, "It's the hub of administration on this pit of Maikai. Occasionally some of the softer Lizzies take 'extended leaves' there. It's the safest place on the planet. That safety is guaranteed by the PTO, but it also serves to pacify parts of my people." she balled a fist, and spoke with clear resentment, "Giving our own leaders a sense of security and detachment from the commoners serves only to strengthen their ties and values to that of the PTO." she relaxed her fist, speaking with that previous look, "But more importantly than that, the sealed city has credits. Raw hard credits that are impossible to track. Officer Pay, Administration Pay, Bribes, tariffs, all of that hard value is in that place." she locked eyes with Higashi, a shot of adrenaline seemed to course through the both of them as she spoke again, "And even more important than that, that city has a bunch of guns." an excited look forming on her face, "An entire armory full of weapons meant to secure a planet. Enough for a really large army...Or..." she paused, relishing the next words, "Enough heavy ordinance to light a fire the whole galaxy can see."

Higashi stood back up, full attention as the seriousness of what she was implying hit him all at once. "Fighting the PTO?" he questioned, thoughts briefly turning to Spicer and Arashi, "That's a suicide mission. I expect they'll eventually come for me. Doesn't mean I want to die any sooner." he turned away from her, making a move to leave, "Can't say I'm interested," he said flatly over his shoulder, "Sorry." he walked out of the room, back into the stairwell as he prepared to leave the building. "Please." Higashi stopped in the entryway, turning to look behind him. "Please help me." Avakia stood behind him, that same determined look as before, but mixed with a great deal of shame and humility. Higashi, paralyzed by this unanticipated turn, stared at Avakia. Mouth agape as he struggled to find words, "I'm this close." she spoke in a strained, pleading voice, "These codes refresh in a few months. They cost me everything." a dark look flashed across her face, "Everything." the sound of the word echoed off of the blood soaked floor and walls of the building, "There's no one else left. So I'm asking you," she choked down her pride, still managing to keep her composure, "I'm begging you, please."

Higashi, still awe struck at this sudden change of tone, could only stare at the face of this woman he barely knew. As he took her plea in, something clicked in his mind. He gritted his teeth, his mind calling forth memories of his younger sister. He could hear her voice in this moment. How she pleaded with him not to go, to not leave her alone with their monster of a father. He swore out loud, slamming a fist against a wall, cracking the cheap foundational material. "Fine." he grumbled, Avakia staring back, equally dumbfounded that her desperate desperate plea had worked. "Y-You..." she stumbled, her normally unflappable composure slipping just for a second, "You'll do it?" she asked, her sharp green eyes searching for any deception, "Not for you. Not for me." Higashi said flatly, "One Time. I help you with this, then we part. I don't want anything to do with this." Avakia still in disbelief, questioned him further, "Why then? You said yourself it was suicide." her words matter-of-fact and cutting, "What do you have to gain?"

Higashi looked down, sighed deeply, and locked his gaze with hers. "Call it my obituary. The last act of charity Higashi Urameshi will ever do."

[Naval Monte]

Infernal Inheritance: Chapter Six

Dis, Kingdom of Pandaemonium, Maikai

Ikki and Danu’s portals led to an appropriately macabre looking sitting room where they would notice, aside from the various guards, a Lamia and two other beings sitting down and enjoying some tea. Elizabeth and Nymphaea sat at another table. Upon seeing the pair arrive, the Lamia smiled and put down her cup.

“Ah, so you’ve finally. I’m Meroe, Grand Duchess of Holodrum. You must be Ikki and Danu. Please, sit, enjoy some tea.”

Danu turned to Ikki and nodded before saying “I hope you weren’t as busy as I was before we came here.” She then looked at the beings surrounding the tea party, before walking over to the table and sitting down. Ikki said nothing, merely making a brief apologetic shrug.

“I’m not sure if anyone will believe me, but this isn’t the weirdest tea party I’ve been to recently,” Danuja said. “In any case, I feel I should ask, I’m not going to owe my soul or become trapped here if I drink this tea that your friend has offered me Liz?”

The three demon lords laughed at Danu’s remarks.

“Only if you want to stay,” the avian demon said as he inspected the pair of Saiyans. “I’m Goetia, by the way, Grand Duke of Lemegeton, and Elizabeth and Meroe’s uncle. My sister,” he said, gesturing to the spider woman, “is Rachnera, Countess of Attercop.”

“I promise I won’t bite,” she said morosely. “Well, unless you want me to.”

The three demons started to laugh again.

Danu nodded slowly and said calmly “With all due respect, I’ve got more than my fair share of being screwed over by metaphysical beings. So we get this out of the way, I trust nothing unless it’s from her mouth.” The Saiyan queen pointed a finger at Liz, her hair glowing slightly brighter.

Elizabeth was finishing off a slice of red velvet cake when Danu turned her attention to the demonic crown princess. Elizabeth would wash down the sweet with some tea before she placed the cup down.

“First, I want to apologize for interrupting you guys on whatever it is you were doing. If I wasn’t so desperately in need of help I would have kept this as solely as familial affairs but with the stake of my family’s kingdom and subjects on the line I needed backup.”

Elizabeth leaned back on her chair as she raised one leg and placed it on top of another.

“My messengers were telling you the truth on why I called you two over. The demon who usurped my father and several other demon lords recently disappeared and without him his empire collapsed. Now we have his former generals and opportunistic lords carving up chunks of his empire for themselves and my kingdom is suffering the same fate. I need both you two and my sister’s help so the hard work of my ancestors isn’t undone in a few decades and I can reclaim what is rightfully mine.”

Elizabeth would grab the tea cup and begin to drink the tea once she was done explaining the situation to the two.

Nymphaea, wearing a suit of demonic armor, and enjoying a cream filled fruit pie while Elizabeth was talking to the two Saiyans would look up at them, cheeks having some tiny spots of purple filling on her cheeks as she smiled at them.

“It’s good to see you two again. I just wish it was at a better moment but hey we can see this as reliving our first adventure since Lizzy’s kingdom is basically the underworld’s equivalent to the PTO.”

She pulled at the white bodysuit. “I also got this cool demon armor for joining in. Meroe told me it would not only protect me from some of the magic used by the demons in here but I would survive in Maikai for much longer.”

“Yes,” Meroe said. “It appears our messengers forgot to mention. Mortals like yourselves really aren’t supposed to be in Maikai for long stretches. You might have already noticed however powerful you might have been where you’re from means little here. The air, the atmosphere, the magic will surely kill you if you spend too much time here.”

Nymphaea spoke up again. “She isn’t kidding either. I felt a bit funny at first when I got here but she is right, my power got noticeably weaker when I entered Maikai. She said that at best, if I wasn’t wearing this armor, I would have lasted for a month at most.”

The Saiyaness looked over at Elizabeth. “Lizzy doesn’t seem to be affected even though she is half human.” Nymphaea’s eyes squinted.

“Wait, hold on…” Nymph tried to sense her sister’s power level.

“Sis… did you get stronger suddenly?”

Elizabeth looked at her sister with confusion but as she felt her power her eyes widen in realization at what she was talking about.

“Oh that. I’ve noticed in the past that whenever I step foot in here I tend to get stronger. You know how some dark mages will try to use demon magic to get stronger Nymph? It’s pretty much like that for me but it’s far more passive and more natural for me. So I’m not going to go berserk anytime soon.”

“That’s because this is your real home,” Goetia casually said as he sipped some tea.

“Where you belong, darling,” his sister added.


“So what do you need us to do?” Ikki finally spoke up.

Elizabeth gave Ikki a cheeky grin.

“You two served as high ranking soldiers in a war before, yes? I’m looking for some powerful generals to deal with my competitors and you two fit the bill quite nicely.”


Hearing the demoness’ request, Ikki remained silent for a second, unsure what to make of it, before he finally folded his arms and sighed, then replied:

“Sorry, Liz, I know you were probably looking forward to us coming here, but I can’t do that. Yes, apparently Glacia saw it fit to grant me military ranks with everyone else, sure, but...” the Saiyan stopped for a second, glancing away, reminiscing about those times several years ago with a front on his face, before he continued. “I hated my time in the PTO. And if Nymph is right about this being exactly that, but in the Demon Realm, then I don’t want to relive it.”

Elizabeth frowned when she heard the news of Ikki refusing to help her.

“You said that we help each other out with all of our problems so we don’t have to deal with them alone? Right now I have a chance to not only take back what was taken from me but also find my father because when Battaru stole our kingdom he locked my father somewhere and no one has found him.”

Elizabeth explained as she was looking into Ikki’s eyes.

“More importantly we don’t have to fight all of the generals. Some of them would back down and join us once they see me. Meroe said that the one general that is outside of the city is most likely to do that. This war may end much more quickly than the PTO one and most likely without a second Fuar and Scall arriving.”

Elizabeth thought carefully on her next choice of words to use.

“Plus, with how things are like right now there are bound to be many weaker demons who are being terrorized by raiders and murders. Can you easily turn your back on people who you could have saved? If you two join us we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to Maikai.”

Ikki sighed once again.

“You misunderstand me. I’m not saying that I won’t help you. I sure can - not to the biggest extent of my ability, I guess, what with what has been established before, but still. I can save people, I can face off against villains and generally throw punches at things which can be punched. But...”

He briefly paused. “...but I won’t be any general. That part of my life is behind me and I don’t want to touch it anymore.”

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. She had misjudged the situation and was glad for it. She gave the saiyan a smile.

“If you don’t want to be a general then how about a knight in shiny black armor?”

“Heh, as long as the armor’s not too heavy, I guess,” Ikki blurbed back, smiling as well.

Nymphaea would raise her arms up and curl them up as though she was showing off her muscles.

“The one I’m wearing is very light. I don’t think weight would be an issue with these.”

Elizabeth would interject.

“The armors are enchanted so the weight of the armor on the person is at a comfortable level while also increasing their durability. But don’t think they are indestructible though. Maikai is filled with demons and other beings whose strength would be enough to shatter them.”

Ikki raised his finger, about to explain the joke, only to simply take a breath in defeat and continue in silence.

Danu looked at the armor and shook her head, saying calmly “I’ll fight your war Liz, cause I know you would do the same for me. But I’m going to do it my way. I’ll acclimatize to this place quicker without the gear.”

Meroe smirked at the Saiyaness.

“I like this pet of yours, Lizzie,” she said. “Her gumption impresses me.”


Elizabeth would make a fake cough to find an excuse to change the subject before it can go somewhere embarrassing.

“Yeah, I found some impressive allies in my time on the mortal plane.” she looked over at her new allies.

“Now that you two are willing to join us let’s go meet Amon. Poor guy has been waiting for us for who knows how long.”

Elizabeth would get up from her chair. “If we’re lucky we will get an ally out of him.” she gestured for the group to follow her out of the room and the palace to join her out on the battlefield.

[Britanania]

Infernal Inheritance, Chapter Seven

Dis, Kingdom of Pandaemonium, Maikai

Elizabeth stood in front of the gate leading out of the city. The massive demonic face carved upon the iron wall showed a dog-like creature peering down at her and the troops she managed to assume to meet Amon.

She managed to gather a few imps, ogres, beastmen, furies, fallen angels and other demons as well as war golems and chimaeras. She wasn’t keen on bringing everything she had behind the city but she didn’t want to appear unprepared for a potential fight.

“Lower the gates now!” Elizabeth shouted. The iron bars would rise up as the draw bridge began to lower. As the outside world was now visible and the bridge slamming on the ground Elizabeth was the first to fly through the gate, letting out a battle cry as she did so.

The other demons follow suit while those that were not able to fly used their created mounts and magical constructs to follow the fliers to battle.

As the legion flew Elizabeth looked back at the Saiyans. “So what should our battle plan be in case Amon decides he wants to fight after all?”

Nymphaea thought about it before she looked down at Meroe. “Hey, how far is Amon from our location?”

The Lamia thought for a moment.

“A few miles north of the city,” she calculated.

“Well, we fight him, I suppose,” Ikki eventually stated after a brief silence. The suit of pitch-black armor handed to him before they set off was quite a lot bulkier than initially anticipated, but nothing the Saiyan could not handle. If he could defeat a deadly ocean-parting world-shaking android with only one arm, then fighting demons with a few dozen centimetres of steel covering him was not going to be an issue.

“What do we know about him, and what he has? If he himself is taken out, then would whatever he has on the battlefield surrender or continue the fight?”

“Amon is a powerful demon,” Meroe explained as she looked over at Goetia. The avian sighed.

“He’s also my son,” he said with a headshake. “Powerful certainly, but also patient. It’s possible he can be reasoned with, but if not, the killing will indeed cause his forces to join our cause.”

Elizabeth and Nymphaea frowned at the idea of killing Geotia’s son. “I hope it doesn’t come to that uncle,” Elizabeth told him.

“Yeah. Maybe we won’t have to kill him. Maybe if we beat some sense into him he will join us!” Nymphaea added.

Elizabeth turned to look at Ikki. “From what I heard Amon has a sizable army composed of different legions under his command. He also has access to Makyan technology, which includes tanks. I would be careful with those. Makyan technology uses magic and unlike most people in the PTO they are willing to use weapons that most treaties would ban.”

“I’m well aware, you might be surprised at the variety of weapons criminals across the Galaxy have access to,” Ikki replied. Dealing with all of the firepower brought by Makyan technology wasn’t a huge issue when he was at his full strength, but he figured he’d have to be more careful when under the pressure of the Demon Realm.

“I vote on aiming to not kill him, too. Not only is that the right thing to do, but there’s more use in an allied army than in a routed army and a corpse.”

[Ranoria]

Arashi

"Dude, no." Arashi snatched up his obstinate new charge in the nick of time, Hugo having decided that an electrical outlet was the perfect thing to poke and prod at. He was rewarded for his efforts with a sniffle, a sharp inhale, and...

Plop

The Tohran skillfully grabbed the kid's pacifier and placed it in his mouth, silencing him for a moment at least. "That's better. Binky baby is happy baby." Except not. Hugo's face was still growing red, and Arashi made a decision, squinting down at this small, mysterious creature that he still hadn't quite figured out. "Yup, nap time. You are not a happy baby, you are a sleepy baby."

Now, the critter wasn't anywhere near actually using words yet, but he knew nap time meant a bottle. And that was worth not crying for the couple of minutes it took to plop him in his crib.

---

Perfect weather, plenty of space. Everything Arashi needed for a perfect training session.

Well, had that been what he needed. With a small part of his attention inadvertently attuned to the baby just a few hundred yards away, Arashi took a inhaled deeply, focusing his mind, hardening his features as his whole being shifted to allow him to enter the headspace he needed to transform.

He let the breath out, his eyes flashed red for a moment, and he had done it again.

Minuscule streaks of crimson static sparked across his body, excess energy that he refused to let overwhelm him. His breaths, despite attempts at control, were already coming faster, shoulders raising, tense.

"...use your rage, tap into it, but don’t let it control you.”

Spicer's proposed solution echoed in his mind, but he could already feel his power climbing. This power he'd tapped into, it was a transformation. But as far as he could tell, that transformation made his body a weapon, one he could only roughly direct. He forced himself to sit, pried open his fists, forcing slower, controlled breaths.

"One, two three," he counted under his breath, trying to enter the stasis needed for him to grow stronger, operating on the theory that, in a state where he was already bathed in the energies his gem could draw on, it would perhaps lead to a more drastic power increase. "Seven, eight, nine." He managed to stay still, at least, but his jaw set and his heartbeat sped even as he forced himself to be stationary.

The longer he maintained blood diamond, the more his body began to shake. His hands balled again, and suddenly, Arashi wasn't counting anymore.

Just as an aura began to burn around him, he sensed some power level approaching. His right arm crossed his body as a rather enthusiastic voice shattered his tranquility.

"Hey-"

A crimson blade was already forming around his flattened hand, gleaming with overflowing power, and it was aimed before his surprise visitor could get her next word out.

"-pebbles..."

Kyotu's hand, raised in greeting, came down hesitantly, her voice falling once his attack came into view.

The general stared for a second, his narrowed eyes and scowl lingering, shining promise of a vermillion death still wrapped around his hand. Kyotu's face fell, eyes locked on that promise.

Then the gears clicked into place. Arashi's scowl melted into a delighted grin, the red blaze that had coated his body dissipating in a harmless burst. "Kyotu!" In the blink of an eye, he had closed the distance and embraced his sister. She laughed at first, but once she felt strength far greater than she remembered, for some reason, she couldn't breathe.

He, meanwhile, squeezed his eyes shut while a stupid grin plastered itself on his face, "You're alive! How are you alive? What about To-"

And there she had to stop him, pushing just enough to let him know to give her room to breathe, and Arashi pulled back a bit. Kyotu raised a finger and took a breath, vowing silently to never take oxygen for granted again, eyes flicking to the side. "No, I was the only one who got out. Gramps insisted we should stay, and no one else had the sense, or the spine, to tell him no." She pressed her lips together and reestablished eye contact, "Sorry, Arashi."

He bit his lip and cursed under his breath, eyes downcast for just a second. With a sigh though, a smaller smile returned, and he pulled Kyotu back in, a little more gently this time, "I'm so happy you're alive."

---

"It wasn't too hard to find you," Kyotu mentioned later, sitting atop a stone while Arashi leaned against his dwelling, "You've been causing a bit of a stir, even with everything that's already going on."

Arashi only offered a shrug, "There've been a few Saiyans who are causing problems, but our people aren't exactly helping things. Hoping if I can calm our lot down, Danu can reel hers in once she gets back."

Kyotu raised an eyebrow, "Danu?"

"Golden hair, the queen?"

His sister laced her fingers together, leaning her chin forward to rest on them as her eyebrows furrowed in suspicion now, "That's a pretty informal way to address her. Seems we have some catching up to do."

Waving her skepticism off, he continued "Besides, I figured it's about time I graced the rest of the Tohrans with my presence again," he answered with a shrug, "I'd rather be here to make sure we don't have a repeat of Tohra, too."

Kyotu snorted, "Pebbles, you're definitely stronger, but don't think you're overselling it?"

He snorted, "Here." Reaching into his chest, he pulled out the scouter Liz had made him, "You know how to use one of these?" She nodded, and he pitched it up. Arashi waited a moment while Kyotu fixated the device, and she gave him a nod.

"This better be good or I'm kicking your ass."

Arashi inhaled with a smirk, and cobalt wisps of flame began to snake about his legs. Gradually, those wisps grew into tendrils, tendrils that merged with others until a soft azure aura coated his frame. He opened his eyes and nodded, "Go ahead."

Kyotu rolled her eyes and activated the instrument. Then those same eyes got a little wide. And wider. Her jaw had gone lame by the time the numbers stopped flashing at just over twenty million. "That can't be right, there's no w-"

He cut her off, laughing as he held a finger in the air to silence her. "That's ten percent, Kyotu."

And now she deadpanned him. "And why aren't you showing me that, then?"

"I only just got Hugo to sleep," he crossed his arms, "Little dude needs a nap, and I can't control myself as well if I go any farther than this."

"Why can't you control it?" Poor Kyotu's mind immediately jumped to the more pressing news, however. "Hugo?" Her voice trailed off mid word as cogs began to turn in her head, and she hopped down, "Holy shit, you had a kid? Who's the mother?" Before he could answer, she put two and two together, albeit incorrectly. "Wait, you called the queen 'Danu.' Don't tell m-"

"No no no," Arashi waved his hands in front of him, "Little Hugo's a long story. Little dude's a Solarian. Like, all of him." He gestured towards his back door, "Why don't we go inside. There's a lot of long stories, actually."

[Naval Monte]

Infernal Inheritance: Chapter Eight

Dis, Kingdom of Pandaemonium, Maikai

Meroe, Goetia, and Rachnera led the group out of the fortress using a series of secret tunnels as to not attract the attention of any agents loyal to the rival claimants.

“Best to do this stealthily,” the Lamia explained as she led them through the tunnels. “These were built millenia ago by our ancestors to escape the castle during frequent demonic riots,” she casually told the mortals.


“Riots? What sort of riots would you guys get that you would need to make secret tunnels?” Nymphaea asked.

“Probably the sorts that result in half the city burning to the ground.” Elizabeth replied back.

A few minutes later, Meroe led them down a seemingly blocked route.

“We’re here,” she said bluntly.

“It’s blocked, though, isn’t it?” Ikki called out. “Unless that’s not what you’re referring to.”

Meroe shot the GP officer a look before she pressed an innocuous stone brick. It lit up in a brilliant flash, and the group found itself in a small stone building, its window revealing the skies of Maikai. The Lamia looked at them.

“We should be right inside Amon’s camp,” she informed them.

Nymphaea would punch the palm of her hand. “Let’s do this!”

Nymphaea would dash through the group and past the wall to prepare herself for whatever demon will jump out to fight her. Except, no demons ever came. A deathly silence pervaded the camp, and a cold wind blew through.

“Can you sense anything?” Ikki called out, his eyes looking through the skies as he walked his way to catch up to Nymph. “This setup feels like a repeat of...”

The Saiyan paused of a second, before the memories of their travels a long time ago finally came about and he finished:

“...Rads.”

The Lamia and the other demons in their party didn’t know what the Saiyan referred to, but from the expression on their faces they got the general idea of what Ikki was trying to convey.

“Just a few days ago,” Meroe said in almost a whisper, “there was an army here. They defeated my forces. Thousands of demons... now they’re gone.”

Danu looked out across the empty camp. The air, like most of Maikai to be honest, smelled of Brimstone. The Saiyan Queen gave no reaction to the mention of the name Rads, her golden hair simply blowing in the slight breeze.

Nymphaea and Elizabeth both tried to sense for anything. When Ikki reached to where Nymph was the Saiyaness would turn back and shake her head no.

“I can’t detect any signs of a demon hiding. They either left or something happened to them.”

Hearing that made Elizabeth frown. She wasn’t caught in the ambush made by Rads but she and her mother saved everyone from it and the idea of being subjected to that didn’t sit well with her.

But just as she was looking around for any spots anyone can hide in the group would see a bolt of dark magic fly high into the sky and explode.

“If this was an ambush looks like someone botched it for them.” Elizabeth would fly out to the source of the magical flare.

As the group flew over the ground they would begin to see demonic bodies lying on the ground as well as burning, twisted, remains of tanks and other war machines that the army had prepared for their invasion.

"Oh no. I think Ikki was right. There was an ambush that happened." Elizabeth heard Nymphaea say but even with those concerns she didn't feel like retreating now. She needs to see who was responsible for this attack.

The group eventually reach the center of the camp where there they would see a demon who looked similar to Goetia but wearing armor and with a scar on one of his eyes was being held by his neck by an elderly demon. His left hand was raised up to the air and held by the old man, with smoke coming out of his palm it was clear who fired off the magical bolt from before.

“But...that’s impossible,” Meroe said when she made it over to the source alongside the others. “He’s…”

Rachnera and Goetia approached the pair, shocked looks on their faces.

“Father,” Goetia mouthed at the elderly demon, then looking at his son, Amon.

Nymphaea looked at the older demon. “That’s Asmodeus?” she asked.

Elizabeth nodded as she gulped. “Yes. Looks like we found out where grandpa is.”

Nymphaea looked back at the old man. She tried to sense his power but she would find that she sensed little from him. The reactions from the other demons and from her own sister told the Saiyaness not to underestimate the old man.

Especially since Meroe claims he alone could have defeated the demon that stole the throne from her sister alone.

The carange surrounding them just proves that the Lamia was most likely right about her assessment of the old demon.

“What should we do if this guy is crazy strong?” Nymphaea asked.

“If you’re planning on running away I suggest using those portals your kind is fond of. Any other means will not help you.” The old man began to turn his attention towards the group.

“Though those portals won’t help you for long.” His eyes went to Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth, it’s nice to see you again. Have you decided to stay with your kind once and for all?”

Elizabeth placed her hand on her hip. “I’m here to regain my birthright on the throne. Whether I stay in Maikai permanently I’m not sure. Only fate can decide on that.”

The older demon shook his head. “I see you still have fondness for the human world. I can’t understand why you would want to stay in a world where most people there would fear and reject you simply for being what you are or why you would protect them. Your talents and abilities are being wasted fighting for them.”

Elizabeth looked over at her grandfather. “So why did you come out now? You were content with hiding. What made you reconsider your plan?”

The old man chuckled. “Hiding? Is that what everyone thought I was doing? No my dear. I was doing something far more ambitious than hiding.” He looked down at the demon he had by the neck. “Far more ambitious than what this little chick was planning on doing by a large margin.”

Before either side could react any further, a narrow beam of energy suddenly shot from Liz’s followers, aimed directly at the hand about to crush Amon’s throat. It was Ikki, his finger still crackling with energy, who stepped out of the team and stopped in front of Liz to shield her.

“There's no point in trying to reason with this thing, I’ll say,” the Saiyan called out, his eyes glancing back towards the demoness before locking onto her grandfather. “He’s clearly here to kill all of us.”

The old demon looked more amused at Ikki than infuriated about him shooting off his hand. With Amon now free from his grandfather’s grip the demonic general began to crawl away before taking off into the air to flee from the old man.

“While I admire your spirit mortal I’m afraid I have to decline your challenge now. You see, despite what your kind believes about us, we’re not barbarians; no, we will do this like civilised demons and have a tournament.”

The sudden invitation got Ikki to freeze for a second, caught by surprise, before he narrowed his eyes.

That’s just begging to be some sort of trap, the officer thought.

“And what if we refuse, and take you down right now?” he called out, an aura of ki already flaming around the Saiyan.

Asmodeus grinned at the saiyan. “My granddaughter called you to help her regain the throne if I’m correct? If you strike me down now then she will be forfeited from attending the tournament and will be denied taking the throne from either me or her father. Can you deny that chance from her, boy?”

Hearing the demon turn the attention of the confrontation towards Liz, Ikki turned at her, asking:

“...are you really going to play by this bastard’s rules?”

“It’s our way,” Meroe said with a headshake. “Asmodeus is invoking an old law, but it’s still the law.”

Elizabeth looked between Ikki and Meroe. “She’s right. This tournament rule was how he and some of my ancestors grew Dis into the empire it was. That and royal marriages.” she turned her attention to Ikki, giving him a sickenly sweet smile.

“So maybe refrain from calling my grandfather a bastard… even if he deserves it for almost killing my cousin.”

The old demon merely shrugged.

“Those who draw out their swords expecting to fight should be prepared to die by the blade. That chick was ready to conquer Dis and knew the consequences of failure. But because I need powerful fighters for the Dark Tournament I couldn’t just kill him. So he will be spared to attend it. ”


“You said it, not me - he deserves it, so he is a bastard,” Ikki replied to Liz, before turning towards Asmodeus. “Fine, then - if none of you see another choice, then this tournament is fine. But I’ll say that I’m suspicious of this from the get go.”

Danuja cracked her neck and stepped forward, saying calmly “People get their thrones in weird ways Ikki. I’m not shocked that demons have their own methods. Besides, we have this in the bag. Who better to call to fight demon’s than a new generation of gods.”

Danu’s comment got strange looks from the surrounding demons, even Elizabeth and Nymphaea were giving her strange looks. Ikki folded his arms and glanced to the side, getting inadvertently folded into the so-called “new generation of gods” leaving him a bit embarrassed.

“Just because you have the body of a goddess doesn’t mean you're actually divine.” Elizabeth shot back.

Asmodeus just shook his head.

“We will have to see if that overconfidence is well placed.” he would summon a staff on his left hand. He would raise the staff high in the air and the crystal ball on top would glow. From the crystalline object a holographic projection would appear. It showed static at first which made the old demon glare at the staff before shaking it, giving it a few whacks to get it working correctly.

Danu turned to Elizabeth, her eyes glowing purple as a seeming chorus of voices echoed with her own “I make no jokes here Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth looked at Danu before looking around but the purple eye Saiyaness. “Okay.” she meekly stated before taking a step back.

Nymphaea leaned close to Ikki. “What is she going on about and how did she change her eye color and do that thing with her voice?”

“You know, I was about to ask if you know...” Ikki replied, his expression a mix of uneasiness and amusement.

Asmodeus would cough loudly to get everyone's attention. Just in time for the static on the projection to disappear and reveal a clear picture of something for the group.

The projection showed a massive tree that was jetting off a world that looked similar to the Earth. The projection would soon change to show a stadium made in the typical style one would expect from a demon.

"Our tournament will be held at the base of the Tree of Might. The tree shall feed on the blood and lifeforce of all the fighters so their combined might shall produce a fruit that will grant the winner the power to become the dark king or queen of the demon realm." Asmodeus explained as he showed the altered fruit in question.

The demon would look back to the group. "The rules of the tournament are rather simple."

The hologram would show five shadowy demons with each wearing different armors and clothing as well as holding different weapons. "You all will have to make a team consisting of five members. You all will have to decide on who will be your team leader and who among you believe should be the one to be crown king or queen." he grin grew larger. "Of course you all can fight it out later after you have won the tournament to decide who should eat the fruit."

Nymphaea looked at the drawings. "Why are they carrying swords and guns?" she pointed at the weapons.

"Ah, that is where our tournament differs from yours. We don't care too much if someone wishes to come in with weapons or armor. All particulates are allowed to come in with whatever they wish. We even allow for items to be used, including poisons. However we do not condone any attempts of eliminating fighters outside of a match. If you are found to have brutally maimed or killed a participant outside of a match you will be disqualified from the tournament.”

Danu grinned, her eyes returning to normal. Turning to Liz, she said calmly “Liz you should have invited me down here sooner, your family really knows how to run a tournament.”

Meroe sighed and looked over at her Earthling companions.

“They also didn’t tell you that if you’re out of the ring for ten minutes that’s a disqualification, but flight is allowed unless you leave the stadium, that’s a disqualification. Summons are allowed, of course.”

The Lamia blinked a few times as the others looked at her.

“What, I was an announcer for these things a few years back,” she pouted.

Asmodeus turned to the Lamia. “I should also mention because this is new. But demons from the other kingdoms can also join in this tournament. But rulers who lose in the tournament have their kingdoms incorporated into the winner’s empire.” The older demon looked to Elizabeth.

“That means if you, your father, or I lose this one we officially lose our right to the throne and this time we can’t cry foul over a unworthy usurper.”

Elizabeth gave Asmodeus a smirk. “So no pressure right? I say bring in everyone in the demon realm. I can have a massive empire without declaring war. How can I hate an easy way to make an empire?”

Nymphaea frowned at the others. “You guys realize he left out a major detail. If weapons and poisons are allowed then that means people can die in this event.”

Asmodeus gave the Saiyaness a wicked smile. “That’s precisely the point my dear.”

The projection showed the demons killing each other with their chosen weapons.

“All participants have the choice of either beating their opponents to unconsciousness and letting them be eliminated by the countdown or you can take their lives. If you are more powerful than your opponent you have the choice to decide if they will live or die.”

Danu looked over her companion’s faces. Looking a little puzzled she raised her eyebrow and asked “Is that… meant to be special in some kind of way. I know tournaments usually operate under different rules but that’s just what life has been for like what, the past five years now? Are we supposed to be scared?”

“Well, it’s certainly a change from the Tenkaichi Budokai at least... if any of you still remember when we were supposed to participate in that,” Ikki replied. The rules of the game laid out before him did not phase the Saiyan significantly - dealing with weapons and tricks was to be expected, and while the threat of death worried him, he figured this was exactly something the demon was planning to dispose of them with from the start. He turned away from Asmodeus and towards the rest of the team, speaking:

“If we’re going to take this deal, then we should take our leave. I’d rather plan our strategy for this... tournament when that thing is not watching us.”

Elizabeth was in deep thought on both Danu’s reaction to the news about people dying in the tournament and her general attitude as well as Ikki’s proposal on leaving.

“Are we sure that we can’t give you the throne without doing this?” Nymphaea asked. Elizabeth shook her head.

“No. It’s either we do this or we don’t. If news of the tournament has spread then everyone has either called it quits on their war and raids to not join or they stopped to join. I know you and Ikki hate this deal but grandpa did everyone in Maikai a favor by calling this tournament. Now the bloodshed will only be limited to people who willingly joined in the tournament instead of innocent people who are too weak to defend themselves.”

After a brief silence, Ikki finally sighed.

“No matter what, it’s still playing by his rules. And while you may just be following an old tradition, nothing guarantees that this is coming from both sides. Who knows what traps he could-”

Taking a sudden glance towards Asmodeus, Ikki stopped for a second and turned back at Liz, then finished:

“...we should really move this conversation somewhere else. And start planning our team.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Alright. We’ll do that. But first…”

Elizabeth would look up and turn to face Asmodeus.

“Are you going to join in the tournament grandpa?”

The demon lord nodded.

“Of course I will join. If you somehow fail to win the tournament someone from our bloodline has to be on it to ensure that Pandaemonium remains under our rule.”

He would give the group a grin.

“I do suggest you younglings return back to the palace now and plan on your teams and equipment. I already have my team arranged.”

A portal would suddenly appear close to where the group was and from the shadows a robed demon would emerge.

"This portal will take you back to the royal palace." The demon told the group. Asmodeus would stretch his arms wide.

"Ah, Satan. I'm glad you've come. I wanted you to meet my granddaughter and who I presume would make up most of her team. I don't see any reason why she would bring mortals around save for one being her adopted sister and the other two being her lovers perhaps?" he would bring the staff down on the ground and grip it with both his hands.

A loud buzzing would become audible in the air as the group would see a few flies surrounding them.

"A Saiyan is among them, how fascinating."

From the air the swarm of flies that was buzzing above the group would begin to descend downward and begin to converge together on a spot between them and Asmodeus. The flies would begin to take on a gargantuan shape as their bodies began to fuse and alter. Soon the swarms of flies have become an incredibly large demon.

"I haven't fought their kind for quite some time. Not after those Maykans begged us to fight against the Frost Demons legions." the demon began to laugh. "Those were the good old days. Now we waste most of our time bickering with each other like children."

Danu looked the fly like demon up and down. Shaking her head, she said calmly “I don’t see how you could have enjoyed them. A child could squash you between their fingers, much less a proper fighter. Don’t tell me that this is our competition in the tournament?”

“Come on, Danu, no need to be so rude - he had to bring someone to fight for him,” Ikki added after, his arms now shoved into his pockets. “Filling out the five slots with the first monsters he could find off the street...” While he could not share Danu’s contempt, biting verbally at Asmodeus’ goons was something he could enjoy as well - and, after all, seeing how vile they were, they clearly deserved it.

“Do you want to counter their bragging introduction with one of ours?” Ikki continued towards his fellow Saiyan.

Danu laughed crisply and replied “Sure, who do you want to go first, you or me?”

“You’re the one more fired up, so... the floor is yours.”

“I mean I’m not even really sure what I should say. We’ve fought angels, monsters and god killers and haven’t lost yet. But, for formality's sake, my name is Chay, but you can call me Danu. I’m the Queen of the Saiyans. I have loads of epithets, but my favorite is Jinza. I’m no ordinary Saiyaness. I’m the current form of a being who fought the Kais themselves. And just wait till you hear my friend Ikki’s resume. Take it away Space Cop!”

“Uh, yeah, that’s me...” Ikki’s voice was considerably less boastful. “Frankly, I didn’t come with any prepared speech either. I’m here from the Space Sheriffs, I arrest monsters like you every week - even brought one to this dimension on my shoulder because I didn’t have elsewhere to put them... I’m no king and I don’t have any epithets either, but I did destroy an Arcosian once - I’m guessing you were involved with the PTO from what the other guy just said, so maybe you’ve heard of him, name’s Fuar.”

With a smile, Ikki slammed his fists against one another. “And that’s two of us. We’ll have five in this tournament.”

During the Saiyans boast Elizabeth had her face covered.

“I should have stayed home if this was going to happen.” the witch muttered.

Nymphaea looked down as she shuffled her feet and held her hands from behind her back.

“I don’t have anything too special to add. I guess maybe facing against the son of Belenus and surviving. All while beating him up. But I did that with help from his niece who is my friend.”

The demons present were silent after the Saiyans’ boasting.

“No wonder why Asmodeus grandkid picked you two as lovers. You two can come up with some interesting stories after listening to all of that malarkey.” Beelzebub began to laugh.

“I will have to agree with the Lord of the Flies. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.” Satan chimed in.

“Perhaps if those monkeys fail to win the tournament we can keep them as bards? I found their antics amusing.”

A swarm of bats would fly down and like the flies they too would begin to fuse together and take on the form of a new demon; this one having a more humanoid appearance. Looking more refined compared to the other two demons that arrived at the scene.

“First Beelzebub, now Lucifer. I think my grandfather has met with every powerful demon king and queen he can find to make up his team.”

“Well, you are free to believe whatever you want. I guess we’ll prove ourselves right in the fighting ring.” Ikki commented.

A fiery portal will open and stepping out from it would be a green skeletal demon. Elizabeth was shocked to see this demon appearing.

"Belial!? What are you doing out of here? Has someone attacked the city?" The green demon shook his head in response to Liz’s questions.

"No princess. No attack has happened nor will they happen now that the tournament has been announced. I'm here to personally tell you that I have joined the tournament and I have joined with Lord Asmodeus' team."

The news shocked the hybrid.

"Why did you choose him, Watcher?"

The demon stood tall despite the glare he was getting from everyone.

"Do not mistake this for betrayal princess. My loyalty still lies with House Mephistopheles and that means you. But with Pandaemonium still in chaos and ruin after the dissolution of the Usurper King's empire we need a ruler who has the wisdom, power, and charisma that can reunite and rebuild the empire,” the Watcher explained. "I don't doubt that you possess those qualities but you are an unknown compared to both your father and grandfather and I fear that stories about your defeat and forced betrothment to the Usurper King may cause some to look down upon you." Belial looked away.

"I never had an issue with your parentage but there have been many who have called your inheritance to the throne illegitimate and wished for your father to remarry and have offspring from a more "purer stock"."

It was clear from his voice that he didn't like saying the words that came out from his mouth and even Elizabeth hated what she was hearing. But as she looked away she knew that what Belial had said was true. There have been many who often say that she should never get the throne due to her being a half breed.

"I still believe that you will one day get the throne your highness. But in these dire times we need a leader everyone knows can set things right and right now those leaders are either your grandfather or father. Right now this isn't your time to rule." The gatekeeper turned his back towards Liz as he walked over to Asmodeus' side.

Meroe took all of this in silently, as she measured up the team her and Elizabeth’s grandfather assembled.

“And how long until the tournament, Lord Asmodeus?”

“You all have a week to prepare for the tournament. How you will do so isn’t my concern, just have your team planned before the tournament begins.”

The Lamia nodded.

“Understood,” she replied, looking over at her companions. “I think we should make our leave now,” she whispered. “News of the tournament is sure to spread, and we better prepare.”

Elizabeth nodded. “You heard the cute snake folks. Let’s go back and think who should be our new team member. Maybe we can get some training squeezed in during the week.”

[Britanania]

Infernal Inheritance: Chapter Nine

Dis, Kingdom of Pandaemonium, Maikai

Back in the palace, the group sat around a table thinking about their next moves.

“If we still need a fifth team member, I brought one possible candidate with me,” Ikki spoke up. “He’s a pretty infamous criminal in our slice of the Universe. Pirate, blockade runner, slave trader... not on our level, of course, but he’s got some fight in him, he isn’t called “the Empire-Crusher” for no reason. And since he’s in an entirely different dimension he doesn’t know the way out of, he wouldn’t really have a choice but to help us.”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. “He won’t accept our offer that easily. As much as I love the irony of someone called the Empire-Crusher helping to make an empire, chances are he will want a deal that will favor him before he even joins this tournament.”

Nymphaea would chime in. “But he has trapped here, sis. I don’t think he has much of a choice.” Elizabeth nodded.

“That is true. But he can still try to screw us over in the tournament unless we give him incentives to not try to sabotage us.”

“Well, the idea just crossed my mind,” Ikki defended himself. “I could talk to him to see what he wants, but if he asks to be let free after the tournament, well... that can’t be. Feel free to offer someone else for the fifth slot, obviously.”

Elizabeth thought about the issue. “If you don’t want to let him go maybe we can give him a reward instead? A reduced sentence with whatever reward he would want from a future empress upon his release?”

“Perhaps given his freedom, but exiled to Maikai?” Meroe suggested. “It won’t be comfortable, and he’ll require occasional visits to the Mortal Plane, but it’s a compromise.”

“He’s a criminal, I can’t let him go free,” Ikki responded, frowning. “Best I can do is Liz’s suggestion, perhaps. Helping a member of the Galactic Patrol in need is one of the ways you can get on parole, after all... so I wouldn’t be breaching anything, technically.”

The Saiyan then leaned back. “Besides, just the promise of this “Demon Empress” rewarding him would make him think freedom is on the table, you know? All the benefits of getting his service, with none of the letting a villain terrorize people again drawback.”

Nymphaea thought about it. “If this Empire Crusher starts to become too much of a headache we can try to bring over someone else from Earth-like Ovan or Arashi?” the Saiyaness suggested.

Elizabeth shivered. “Let’s not bring those two. I have no issue with Arashi but I rather not see Ovan after what happened in Purple City.”

Nymphaea winced when she remembered what happened back there. “Yyyeeaaahhhh... Maybe it’s best to leave those two out of this.”

Elizabeth was in deep thought. “Why not invite Spicer or Serena over?”

Nymphaea thought about it. “I rather not have them bring their kids over. I’m afraid of what will happen to them if they are around demons.”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “You think the demons will harm the kids?”

Nymphaea shook her head. “No. I’m afraid Serena will destroy the arena and a good portion of the demon realm if anyone even thinks of touching her kids.” Nymphaea turned to Meroe. “You were an announcer in the last tournament, right? But can you fight in one?”

The snake-woman leaned back in her chair and folded her arms.

“There’s nothing in the rules against it,” she told the Saiyaness.

“That’s nice but I’m just wondering how powerful you are,” she said.

“If the Empire Crusher isn’t a good choice then knowing you can crush people with your tail will be nice to know.”

Meroe pouted. “I was doing fine enough, among the Royal Family I may not be as strong as Amon or grandfather, but I can hold my own.”

Danu broke her silence and said calmly “We could invite my mother.”

Elizabeth and Nymphaea looked at Danu.

“Are you sure?” Elizabeth asked. “I rather not risk you having your mother being killed by a demon. I don’t want to see you going insane if that happens.”

“I trust her more than a criminal called the Empire Crusher or a Demon, but hey, what do I know, I’m the only one here who has actual experience with this type of deal.”

“Well, I trust my demonic cousin not stabbing us in the back or wanting us to make a shady deal.” Elizabeth retorted. “You forget that Meroe here knows how demons think. Whatever experience your mother has is great but it won’t be foolproof against these guys.”

Danu shrugged and said calmly “It’s your call here. All I know is this. A whole galaxy of cultures we’ve interacted with over the years, a whole plethora of mythologies, there are a few constants. One of them is not to trust Demons, no matter who they are. Who’s to say that Meroe here doesn’t just kill us all the moment this tournament is over.”

The Lamia started to chuckle.

“Because there’s a caveat to winning,” she stated. “There’s a curse, you can say, and believe me, I don’t want to be Queen of the Demons anymore than you would want it.”

“Who’s to say I don’t want it?” Danu retorted, in a joking manner.

“I’m sure you all of all people know the importance of curses,” the Lamia bit back with a laugh.

Elizabeth gave Lamia a glare. “What is this curse, Meroe?” she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“I’m not in the mood of having another curse implanted on to me.” Elizabeth winced as she can feel the dragon reacting in rage over her calling it a curse.

Meroe unfolded her arms and leaned closer.

“Well,” she said in a low voice. “The winning team’s leader becomes the King of Pandaemonium, and that means eating the Fruit from the Tree of Might, but not just a regular fruit, the fruit grown from the blood of those slain in the tournament. The fruit greatly increases your power, but at a cost. You must remain in Maikai for 121 days every year.”

Nymphaea was silent after hearing the cost of the curse.

“Wait…” she was now starting to remember something from before.

“If at best, I can survive in Maikai in under a month or so, then eating from that fruit would mean…”

She didn’t finish her sentence but it was clear what she was going to say as she gulped in fear.

“I say we feed Liz the fruit.”

Danu nodded. She continued to glare at the demon, however. She didn’t like anyone else knowing about her people’s plight.

“That’s what we were here for in the first place, were we not?” Ikki joined the discussion. “Making Liz the ruler, I mean - so if anyone should eat that fruit, it should be her...”

The Saiyan briefly waved his hands in the air. “Personally, I don’t even need a curse to not want a crown, so I’m not protesting.”

Meroe clapped her hands together.

“Well, that settled, we still need to decide on who your fifth member is; the Empire Crusher, the Saiyan Queen Mother, or yours truly.”

Nymphaea would take a deep breath and sigh.

“Then we have no choice.”

She would raise her hand up in the air and suddenly bring it down. Her fingers were making the shape of scissor blades.

“We determine who will join our team with rock, paper, scissors!”

She told the group. While Nymphaea looked determined on the course of action she wished to partake Elizabeth looked at her sister with confusion. “Are you serious, Nymph? You want us to decide based on a game?”

Nymphaea nodded. “It’s much better choosing this than us fighting over it.”

“Rock, paper, scissors!” Ikki suddenly called out, stepping up. “I’m down. A fair game where everyone has a chance to win, there’s hardly a better way.”

Danu shrugged.

“Sure, I’m game.”

Elizabeth slapped her face with her hand as she let out a very audible sigh, slouching down on her chair.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this.” the half breed complained.

Nymphaea looked over at her sister. “You want me to represent the snake demon since it looks like you want to give up on life?” Her response was Elizabeth waving her hand back.

“Go ahead. I’m just gonna pretend the next few seconds of my life never happened.”

Nymphaea bounced off her chair and was now standing.

“ALL RIGHT! LET’S DO THIS!” Saiyaness was now pumped.

“Regardless of who wins we all get treated with a gourmet meal by my sister!”

The statement almost made Elizabeth fall off her seat.

“How the hell does that have anything to do with this game!?”

“You had my interest, now you have my attention,” Danuja replied with a smirk, extending her arm and looking at her fellow Saiyans. “We go on three.”

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three!”

“Rock!” Danuja screamed.

“Paper!” Ikki yelled.

“Scissors!” Nymph screamed.

“Wait, who won?” Meroe asked, peering over the shoulders of the three Saiyans. “How is this played?”

“Uh...” Ikki muttered as he retracted his hand from the circle. “Nobody wins, I think? Rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock... this game wasn’t really meant to be played in three.”

Danuja crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair.

“Well, that’s no good.”

Nymphaea puffed up her cheeks and glared at her fingers as she still held them in the shape of scissor blades.

Elizabeth shook her head.

“How about you three-beat each other up to decide who wins.”

The group would hear someone’s stomach growling. Yet with that sound, an idea came to Nymph.

“Wait! I have a better idea! We have a food contest! Whoever can eat the most wins!”

Elizabeth looked at her sister like she had gone insane over her suggestion.

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Danuja said with a wicked grin. “You two are going down.”

“Are we going to have to do this again when we inevitably drive Liz insane?” Ikki commented, grinning and folding his arms. “Of course I’m in - I’m sure we would have had to demand a meal before going to battle anyway.”

Meroe nodded.

“All right, I’ll have the chefs cook us a grand feast,” she said, before turning to Liz. “Think of it as your coming home party.”

[Naval Monte]

Infernal Inheritance Side Story: Trouble in Toddler Town

Collab between Naval and Saint

Viceroy’s Palace, Nova Airceltria, the Heights, Early 506 AU


Sybille’s Room

The lights of torches and spotlights illuminated the large stage as flags showing a cartoonish face of Sybille surrounded by a circle with candy surrounding it in a white stripe at the center of a pink flag was behind her. On top of the building were large statues of Squiggly and Pesu with the two holding a large symbol of the Order of Ancient Mysteries. In front of her was soldiers that look like demented stuffed animals but as tall as adults wearing soldier uniforms. Behind the podium on which Sybille stood was a large portrait showing a childish drawing of Nymphaea with her hands holding onto Sybille's and Magnus’.

Sybille wore a miniature military commander’s uniform. As the soldiers watched her she would stretch her arms as wide as she can as she spoke.

"Our beloved mother is gone! Why?" her question would soon cause her face to twist as she covered her eyes as she began to cry.

"It's because meany Lizzy took her away from us after she came back from beating up the evil old men." she said before she continue to cry. "Why did Lizzy take her away?" she said as she placed her arms on the podium and soon her head on her arms. "It's so sad. So, so, so sad!" the soldiers remained still even as their leader cried in front of them as she began to bang her fist on the podium.

Yet as suddenly as she began to cry she would stop as she look up quickly. "Indeed. With her ever present eyes now gone we can begin our long awaited revenge!" she told the soldiers as she tried to make her voice deeper.

"For too long the dorklord Magnus and his machines have crowded the playroom. Taking away our living space and forcing all of us to play in the corner. But no more!" she exclaimed.

She would sit up straight and have both her hands up as she closed her eyes.

"I, Sybille Ashwood, The Magical General Princess, blessed by the gods to be the cutest princess of them all, shall lead us to regaining what is rightfully ours and expel those filthy dweebs off our promise land." she looked up at the sky as she let out a low chuckle.

"Because if I have to share the same room with Magnus any longer I may go as insane as Icky's papa." She would slam both her hands on the podium as she averted her gaze from the stuffed soldiers.

"Soon he and every dork like him will learn what will happen when he cross an adorable princess and her dolls."

When she return her gaze back at her toys one can swear to see her eyes burning with both determination and rage.

"I, Sybille Ashwood, swear that we will not rest until we have brought despair and ruin upon Magnus's forces and we claim what is our! We will not let anyone stand in our way, not even Kami! In this day begging and talks is now dead! On this day the only way forward is through iron and blood!"

She screamed as she extended her left arm up diagonally with her fist raised. The soldiers gave her the same salute as they began to cheer her name.

“All Hail Sybille!”

---

Magnus’ Room

At the other side of a battle torn wasteland was an army of plastic and mechanical soldiers, dinosaurs, war machines, robots, and monsters. Standing upon another extravagant stage with a portrait of Nymphaea with her children, this time the flag being red, white, and black showing Magnus's face with dinosaur heads surrounding him. Much like his sister he to was dressed as a military leader.

Magnus would grab on to the edges of the podium as he looked at his army.

"All toys ... are NOT created equal! Some are born swifter afoot, some with greater cool, some are made broken and others born ugly and lame. Both in birth and upbringing, in sheer scope of ability every toy is inherently different; Yes that is why kids discriminate against one another and their toys, which is why there is struggle, competition and the unfaltering march of progress. Inequality is not wrong, EQUALITY IS!" Magnus proclaimed loudly on stage to his army.

"What of Selene, who plays with her toys equally? Rabble playing by a popularity context. What of Sybille, with her equal share of tea and cookies? A collection of fat and lazy toys. But not our beloved Empire, we fight, we compete, evolution is continuous. Our Empire alone moves forward, accelerating into the future. Even the departure of my dear mother demonstrates our awesome empire's unswerving commitment to progress. We will fight on, we shall struggle, compete, plunder and dominate, and in the end, the future shall be ours.”

Magnus raised his fist up into the air. “And in that future we will all see my sister and all of her wretched toys buried within the ashes of our glorious war as we build on top their corpses!”

The soldiers raised their fists into the air, all of them chanting “All Hail Magnus!”

---

Hours later after both dictators speeches their forces engaged in a great battle as dolls and stuffed animals fought against the army of beast and machines. Many lives were lost as more tried to kill one another. Among the carnage was Magnus and Sybille, both were fighting with swords made of light. Pink for Sybille and Red for Magnus.

As the two crossed their blades they glared at each other.

“It’s over Magnus! The playroom is all mine!” Sybille tried to push her brother forward but the warlock stood firm.

“I’ll never admit defeat! I will destroy the playroom before giving it to you!”

The two would break off and begin to make show-offy moves with their swords as they were preparing to strike.

The doors to the playroom suddenly flew open, and Serena walked through.

“Sybille, Magnus, are you in here?” the Queen of Earth called out to the two demigods. Soon, Serena’s eyes fell upon the two toddlers, her blue eyes growing wide as she saw the state of the playroom and what the children were doing.

“Oh, having fun, I see,” Serena said with a smile as she knelt down to be on their level, thinking the two really needed to tidy up their nursery.

At least Helios and Selene never let it get as messy as their playroom, she thought.

The two stopped swinging their sword as Serena suddenly appeared right next to them.

“Aunty Serena?!” the twins said at the same time as they forgot about their duel and war for that moment.

The burning, war torn, battlefield filed with ruins was of course in truth just a colorful playroom with blocks and fake houses and buildings. The toys that perished in the war were all still find as they lay in the ground. Their swords were just plastic beam sabers from a scifi movie series they like.

In the room was Squiggly who was munching on candy who was watching the war while Pesu was sleeping.

“Your mum called me,” she told the twins. “Her and your Aunt Elizabeth will be gone for a few days, so I’m taking you to the moon.” Serena smiled sweetly at the pair before standing back up. She clapped her hands.

“Right, so pack your bags and get a few toys,” Serena looked over at Pesu and Squiggly. “And of course we can’t forget about you two.”

The twins looked at each other. Both knew that this war was not over.

“Can we bring some movies with us?” Sybille asked.

Serena put a finger to her chin and thought about what the little witch told her. After a few minutes ruminating on it she smiled as Sybille and placed her hand on the little girl’s head.

“Okay, but just this once.”

The witch cheered while Magnus looked surprised.

“If she can bring her movies I want to do the same!” he asked. He didn’t want to hear his sister’s girly music for the days he will be staying with Serena.

“Of course you can as well, Magnus,” the queen told the warlock as she started making her way towards the door to the playroom.

The two were excited by what they heard. “Can we make fortresses in Helios and Selene’s playroom?” the two asked.

“We’ll have to hear what they have to say,” Serena replied as she turned around to look at the small mages. “But I’m sure they’ll be fine with it.”

The two cheered at the news. However their look of joy would be short live as they turn their attention back at each other, giving the other a glare.

The playroom returned back to the war torn battlefield as they wore their uniforms. A strong breeze making their capes flap against the wind.

“Hurry you two,” Serena called after them as she made her way down the hall. “Let’s get packed and ready to go.”

The twins didn’t break their gaze from each other as they nodded to Serena. They only broke eye contact as they followed her out of the room to get their bags.

Both twins had their mind set on what they will do once they leave the palace.

They will bring their war on to the Moon!

[Turkducken]

Collab between Turkducken, Naval Monte, and Britannia

Central Capital, February 506 AU

Cabinet Meeting Room, Prime Minister’s Residence


The Ministers and other assorted officials filtered into the meeting room of the newly refurbished Prime Minister’s Residence. The old building had been destroyed by Riker during his uprising and all meetings had since been held in the Queen’s palace on Luna until the official government buildings in the capital finished their repairs.

This was Prime Minister Hayaska’s first meeting in the revamped office, and she wished it could have been a more auspicious start.

“Right, thank you all for coming today, I understand this was on short notice, but you’ll notice Prince Spicer won’t be joining us today, he was called to perform a special mission for the PTO,” Hayaska explained as she sat down, gesturing towards Spicer’s empty seat.

“I think it’s obvious why I called this emergency meeting,” she continued with a sigh. “This AEGIS Scandal.” The Prime Minister looked over at Deputy Minister of Magic Seras Oozora.

“Some of the things that were released aren't true. We think that during the first leak other actors like Whiteguard are spreading misinformation mixed with what is true in hopes their propaganda will be believed.”

The Prime Minister sighed at Seras’ explanation.

“Still, that may be true but it has done little to alleviate public criticism of your department.”

Minister of the Media Mitsuba Tsukino pushed up her glasses on her nose.

“Suffice it to say, this has been a PR nightmare,” she informed the Cabinet. “However, I can use my contacts at the EBC to shut down further discussion of the scandal, and we can shift coverage on other matters. The Makyan War, for instance, or some other extraterrestrial affair to distract the public until this blows over.”

Seras sighed. “We can do that with traditional media. But the internet would be a different story. I believe trying to cover this scandal on the internet will be difficult.”

“We can’t account for that,” Feng Long interjected. “You can’t trust everything on the net anyway.”

“No. But with so many people believing in the false information along with truth we should at least try to seperate the truth or else everyone will think that everyone in AEGIS are irredeemable monsters and the queen allowed for us to commit sins far greater than the angels or Riker’s.”

“We’ll put out a statement denouncing the more outlandish theories, and keep quiet on the real ones,” Tsukino said.

“Ah-hem.” a weary voice interjected, “Mrs. Prime Minister, we have more important matters than this faux pas of a cover up.” Toranosuke Yoshida, still within the Cabinet, stood from his seat. “Prior to the Incident at Goro-Goro Island wrapping up almost neatly, I did motion this very cabinet for a vote of no confidence!” he shouted, slamming both palms forcefully on the table, “And frankly I’m tired of being ignored!” his eyes bulged from the rage he clearly felt to many members of the room, “Either we move to vote and remove the Prime Minister, or I no longer have any place at this table.”

“You can’t resign,” Tsukino replied in horror. “If...if you did that, the ruling coalition would collapse!”

“Secretary Yoshida is the most respected politician on the Cabinet,” Lord Pilau said with a head nod. “But a vote of no confidence...that would shatter any credibility the Government has.”

“Effectively holding the Cabinet hostage,” Tsukino added, pointing her pen at Pilau.

“My record stands for itself.” Tora-san spat at Tsukino, taking offence to the woman’s tone of voice, “I wield the bully pulpit, but I am no bully.” Tora-san makes a movement of acknowledgement towards the impish Lord, “My sympathies on the administrations of old are no secret. I am here at her Majesty’s invitation, but I cannot and will not abide by things returning to normal.” Tora-san brushed a few disheveled hairs back into place, “Either we make a stand and refuse to let power collesque, we forge a new path forward. Or we slip back into the complacency and corruption of the previous decades.” Tora-san finished dramatically.

“If any members of this Cabinet have great reservations about the credibility of Government going forward, and my moral plea cannot satisfy those concerns,” he took a second to remove several large photographs from his folder, “Mere legitimacy is the least of our problems.” Tora-san threw the blown up images onto the table, displaying aerial photographs of encampments in the South, “If we cannot resolve this. I fear the next generation will.” Tora-san grimly stated.

Pyotr Rachmaninov inspected photos and sighed.

“The situation in the South has been a problem for generations,” the Secretary of State for Dominion Relations noted. “And is high on the Government’s agenda, but is this really the time, Tora-san?”

“Se-Cre-Tary.” Tora-san slowly spoke, “Yo-Shi-Da.” he gritted his teeth, “Do not presume my cordial nature for friendship.” He reached for a dossier also within his folder, “And I do not presume to entertain the Cabinet with stories.” he responded, flipping through the dossier for the relevant page, “Without any unnecessary theatrics,” he threw the dossier on the table, “The man you see as Toranosuke Yoshida, represents a unique situation in the history of the Southern Islands.”

Tora-san jabbed the dossier on the highlighted segment it was turned to, “According to the most recent intelligence from our own garrisons. The militia and violent seperatist groups are holding.” he said with an air of gravity, “For those of you unaware of the delicate situation in my Home. This means that the terrorist groups are waiting. It seems that every single one large enough to take action against this infant administration is waiting.” He looked around the cabinet, a serious look on his face, “This has never happened.” he started with a flair of drama.

“Never in the history of the South have the militias just...stopped. They are always fighting.” Tora-san’s gaze traveling the silent room again, “Conflict is their life. They fight our security forces, our tribesmen, each other when they sense weakness. Every single group seems to be waiting, this includes the Xiong Guangkai and the PSLF. Which for the uninitiated, are the two largest groups, together they encompass the largest military forces across the ideological divide.” Tora-san explained calmly, “Would anyone care to guess as to why?” he raised an inquisitive eye at the room.

Minister of War Uncello shifted in her seat.

“Our military intelligence has suggested the terrorist groups in the South who sided with Riker melted back into the jungles,” she reported. “If they are waiting, it’s because they are rebuilding their strength.”

Tora-san nodded in slight agreement, “An astute martial reasoning.” he again looked at the other members of the Cabinet, “Any other guesses?”

“Performing reconnaissance,” Lord Pilau suggested.

“Or they’re giving up,” Tsukino interjected.

“Likely planning a large scale operation,” Minister Skye added.

“Not to moralize in this meeting.” Tora-san started, removing his reading glasses and taking the time to clean them, “But the thing I’ve never been able to stand from reporting on these attacks, on these groups, on these people. Is that no one ever asks them why? Why are they fighting?” he restores the glasses to their previous position, “Beyond ideological reasons. Beyond being a conquered people. Beyond the atrocities committed against them by this very system and state.” he spoke, voice filling the room, “They fight because they have no other way to be heard.”

“These groups are waiting. Because for the first time, there are people in the government that will listen to them. For the first time, they can start to imagine a world in peace, a world where they can have a say.” he slammed his hands against the wooden table again, louder than the last, “This doesn’t just apply to the Southern Islands! For the first time we’re in a position to be better than the previous administration! We can have Peace! A world of true Understanding and Brotherhood!” he finished impassionately, “They’re waiting to see what we do. Waiting to see if the system will bend. That is why we can’t go back to how we were. We cannot.”

“So we must move forward to remove these obstacles. We cannot afford to give quarter to a leader who was forgiven by the grace of a tired world.” He looked directly at the Prime Minister as he said this, “We gave you and the remnants of Turnbull's Party the benefit of doubt. I was more than happy to move on, but this is clearly an endemic problem.” he continued to shoot daggers at her, “We can’t afford a Prime Minister whose first allegiance is to themselves, and not this new world we’re building.” Tora-san sat. “I yield whatever amount of time that is. We must move on.”

Seras was silent during the speech that Tora gave as he explained the situation with the militias and how this could be the moment to finally put an end with them without spilling as much blood as the usual method would entail.

However it was clear that he wished to see Hayasaka removed.

The deputy minister can tell that this can go in any direction but she can see an opportunity to hopefully have everyone forget about the cause of this meeting if she made the right choice.

“I believe that Mr. Tora is right. The first few days of our administration was working admirably but cracks have sprung. No doubt many would suspect that this is due to us still keeping remnants of the old system.”

Seras looked at the Prime Minister. “I’m afraid you must step down Ms. Prime Minister. The people now have little faith and I believe we have a better chance restoring the people’s faith if we were to have a new Prime Minister.”

Seras looked over at Tora. “Which is why I elect Mr. Tora to be the new Prime Minister of Earth.”

Tora-san taken aback by this, leaned back into the discussion, “I’m surprised to have you make this motion Deputy Minister, perhaps you’ve forgotten why I started this vote in the first place?” he gave the woman a look of utter contempt, “Or perhaps your craven politics thinks you can earn a reprieve? I called for this vote about the unleashing of a monster that I’ve since been informed was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic. This AEGIS,” he pronounced with a distaste, “seemingly did something monumentally stupid or something so incredibly short sighted that I can’t even begin to form words to describe it.” he locked his gaze with the Deputy Minister, “I offer you no shelter. So I suggest you retract the offer.”

“That said,” Lord Pilau interjected with a cough. “I want to second Deputy Minister Oozora’s motion,” the diminutive nobleman said. “Secretary Yoshida is the only member of this body with the appeal to lead the coalition.” He turned to the Prime Minister, who had been silent this entire time.

“We’ve been friends a long time Kimiko,” Pilau said with some sadness. “Despite being on opposite sides of the bench. If you don’t step down as leader, either we have a vote of no confidence or Yoshida walks, either of which would collapse the Government. This is the only way to preserve some semblance of stability.”

“So this is how it ends,” the Prime Minister finally said with vitriol. “You throw me under the train to save yourselves.”

Tora-san, still dumbfounded by the continuing motion, sat with mouth agape. Taking the time to close it he addressed the room, “We must vote to remove the current Prime Minister. I vote Aye.” he looked around for an assistant, “You must record this. Make it official.” he looked around the room, “We must vote.”

The other members of the Cabinet murmured themselves, with Tsukino writing away to keep up with the conversation and to record the outcome of the vote.

“You don’t have to,” Hayasaka growled as she stood up. “I’m offering my resignation, and adjourning this meeting,” she said, pounding the table with her small gavel before looking over at Tora with narrowed eyes.

“And I offer you the best of luck, Toranosuke. You’ll need it.”

Tora-san shook his head, “No Mrs. Hayasaka, you’ll be the one needing it.” he looked at her grimly, “If my colleagues foolishly choose to grant me this power, I will be opening full investigations into you and other spared members of the previous government.” he turned to look around the room, “All of you have made a mistake.” he said with a tired sigh, “But I will accept the offer if and when it is made.”

“With that issue sorted we now have to return back to the main reason why we even had this meeting and had to remove our old prime minister.” Deidre Skye said as she took a glance at Seras.

“The incident with the monster on the Goro-Goro Islands was already a terrible enough incident to make us investigate the organization and punish them. But now with these leaks I believe that most members of the organization must be arrested and tired for both war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Lord Nolan tapped his cane on the ground, alerting everyone to his presence. The Minister of the Treasury has been utterly silent, as he usually was when matters didn’t concern finances, but now everyone turned to see what he had to say.

“Deidre,” he said calmly. “Kimiko ended the meeting, and I believe we are all very exhausted. I suggest we all take a moment to reflect at what we accomplished today, and to allow Mr Yoshida time to collect himself, when Her Majesty offers him the Premiership.”

Deidre looked at Nolan. It looked as though she wanted to say something but ultimately agreed with him as she stayed silent.

Seras let out a sigh of relief.

“Still. Deidre is right. Our next meeting should focus on what to do with AEGIS.” Mitsuba Tsukino said.

“Even if some of these claims are false I feel an investigation into this is needed because these claims are alarming. This Purge has me worried the most. For Ms. Ashwood’s sake I hope that one is a lie.”

And with that, the meeting was adjourned. Tora-san sat at the table as the other members of the Cabinet filed out of the room. He was dumbstruck at what had happened. “Good Luck. Humph.” he muttered under his breath. The last to leave was Lord Pilau, giving Tora-san a strange look, as he left him to be the last man in the room. The doors closed, and finally he was alone.

Tora-san took off his glasses, folding them neatly, and placed them on the table. “Hongo Yoshida.” he murmured, tears welling up in his eyes, “Would this have satisfied you?” he cried. Tears of mixed emotions fell from his face, some of elation, others of fear. “The Family Yoshida has come this far…” he whispered, “This far in the service of the Urameshi.” he wiped the big tears from his face. “Would this have satisfied our pledge Great-Grandfather? Have we come far enough?”

He sat motionless, the tears finally ceasing. “It might’ve,” he decided, whispering to himself, “but the Urameshi are no more.” he collected his things, keeping his thoughts to himself, “One woman that has no interest in continuing the line.” his throat tightened, “One broken ward. Never to be seen again.” he wept a single tear for Higashi, letting it roll all the way down and dry.

“So far and yet defeated.” Tora-san lamented, giving the desk a light rap of his knuckles before exiting the room.

[Naval Monte]

Infernal Inheritance: Chapter Ten

Dis, Kingdom of Pandaemonium, Maikai

The Palace Grand Hall was filled with an array of foods for the three Saiyans, whose feast lasted for the better part of the evening, running for several hours at this point.

Leaning back in her chair, Danuja sighed in defeat.

“Well, you got me,” she admitted. “I’m out.”

“Pathetic, but understandable. The weak should fear the strong!” Ikki commented, deepening his voice to make an impression of Fuar, then giggled and went back to his turkey leg. “Are you ready to give up too, Nymph?”

Nymphaea slurped up a large bundle of noodles. She tried to speak but her mouth was so stuffed that she sounded muffled.

“Swallow before you speak Nymph,” Elizabeth said with a sigh.

The Saiyaness would do as her sister told her and flashed a cocky grin.

“No way. I fought against a psychopathic alien, angels, androids and childbirth. I won’t lose against food.” she boldly stated before returning back to her ramen.

“The only one out of those I haven’t fought is childbirth!” Ikki yelled right back, crunching the turkey bone and then immediately grabbing another engorged leg. “And Dad said he designed me to be better than any other Saiyan - which includes a bigger stomach!”

“I dunno Ikki,” Danuja said after a groan. “Nymph has been pregnant, she can probably out eat any of us.”

“Gonna have to agree with Danu here,” Elizabeth said, “I’ve seen how much she packed into her gut when she carried the twins.”

Nymphaea was stuffing meat dumplings as she was letting everyone talk about her.

“That means it’s pregnancy against technology,” Ikki shot back as soon as he ripped off the meat off another turkey leg, then, as soon as he finished, he grabbed a handful of dumplings straight off the bowl as well. “And besides, everyone said I couldn’t defeat Fuar, either! I’m not going to let Nymph be worse than Fuar!”

Nymphaea raised both her hands up, both holding onto dumplings.

“Prepare to learn the true meaning of fear Ikki!” she told him as she stuffed both in her mouth.

The great food battle continued for much longer than any of the cooks might have expected it to last, now entering the early parts of the next morning. Before the two Saiyans could fully drain the coffers of Elizabeth’s future kingdom, however, one of the challengers finally put their hand down on the table - then laid his head down.

“F-fine...” Ikki muttered, interrupted by a hiccup. “You can send Meroe to the tournament, I guess...” The Saiyan closed his eyes, readying himself to suffer all of the bragging.

Meroe slithered over and raised Nymph's hand, even as the Saiyaness was still eating.

“Looks like we have a winner,” the Lamia said, as all the demons in the hall cheered, and she patted her bloated belly.

“You can really pack it away, you might be able to even out eat Beelezbub,” she remarked in awe. “If it came down to an eating contest, you would win for sure.”

Elizabeth looked at the spectacle with mixed reaction. One part amazement and another part something stuck between shock and another feeling she can’t quite part into words. All she can say is that Saiyan biology just confuses the living hell out of her.

“Do you guys have like black holes for stomachs or what? Because I’m pretty sure you almost ate everything the palace had.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “You space monkeys would cause a famine if all of you came down here.”

Elizabeth would look to Ikki. “Oh don’t think we’re gonna toss aside your new pet Ikki. I believe the rules didn’t say anything about us not having a backup fighter in case we lose a team member right?”

Elizabeth turned to Meroe for confirmation. The snake woman nodded in affirmation, letting go of Nymph’s hand, and trying to pull down the Saiyaness’ shirt over her stomach.

“Yes, well, it’s expected at least one of you will die, that’s how these things usually go,” she replied. “More like, half of use are expected to die, so teams are allowed reserve fighters for just the occasion.” The Lamia clapped her hands together.

“But don’t let that get you down. We still have a few days to prepare, after all, and you four are much stronger than most demons. I’m sure you don’t need to worry...too much.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence Meroe. A shame we can’t have you as our cheerleader.” Elizabeth replied back in a sarcastic manner.

“Wait.” Nymphaea called out as she raised her hand. “If we can get a backup fighter does that mean we had the eating contest for nothing?”


Meroe looked nervous for a moment.

“I suppose not,” she sheepishly admitted.

Nymphaea let out a loud groan as she slid down on her chair, bringing down her arm as she looked up at the ceiling.

Elizabeth chuckled at the scene as she shook her head.

“Someone take those two idiots to their bedroom. I have to prepare for the tournament.” she told everyone as she began to leave the room.

[The Republic of Atria]

For several months, Ovan returned to the lookout for more "training." He'd fly in, spar with Ralla for ten to fifteen minutes and then leave, increasing in length each time he came back. The True Shape was slowly becoming more and more familiar to him with each use and he was beginning to hone it's combat abilities more and more. However, one morning, as he was eating breakfast and getting ready to head out when his home shook from a thunderous crash outside. He could already sense who it was and put his food down and headed to his front door, only for an energy blast to obliterate it as well as most of his home. "Good morning Anchovy." He said. "You're lucky I've got really good insurance."

"GOOD!" She shouted and stomped over, shaking the ground with each step. Her stomach showing the telltale signs of a pregnancy. "You did this to me!" she yelled, pointing at her stomach. "And you've got another thing coming if you think I'm going to raise your crotch goblin by myself!"

Ovan forced his eyes shut, agitated that the one time he decided to explore his urge, it resulted in him knocking up a woman. "Alright!" He said. "Guess it's official now. No, I'm not having a wedding. And now I have to call the insurance company and have them take a look at this." He said, looking over Anchovy's shoulder at his front lawn which was now a crater. "And then we can start to talk about how we're going to do this. I think we've got slightly better health care than you do over on Mars, just don't kill any of the doctors." He finished and sat down on his front porch, all the information finally hitting him.

Anchovy relaxed a little and sat down next to him. "I missed. I was trying to have the pod drop on your house. You, preferably." She said.

"Nothing's a better start to a shotgun marriage than attempted murder." He said smiling a little. His own parents weren't too much better. At least maybe he'd have the opportunity to be better than they were. And Anchovy wasn't... The worst potential wife he could've gotten. "So... I guess we should talk names. And I suppose you can help me find a new house..."

That was the last time he'd ever attempt a one night stand.