(Ok guys, this is it. The one thing I have wanted to do since I got Disgaea DS. I'm addicted. So, here it is. A sequel to Servanus, AND a fanfic for Disgaea. The setting is seven years after the Servanus tale, and several years after Disgaea 1. Enjoy!)

Laharl: HOLD IT INTRO GUY! I get to introduce this story!

(I just did!)

Laharl: No you did NOT! This tale is about violence and a bloodthirsty plot on MY world, so I get to intro the tale!

(He did this in the game too. Alright, go ahead your evilness.)

Laharl: Thank you. Now, listen up you pitiful human readers and whoever else might read this piece of crap: This story will give you some info as to how that pathetic human Darek actually did something RIGHT for a change, and how I fought a cruel and evil human trying to muzzle in on MY territory. So, Read and enjoy, or I will send you TO HELLLL!!!!!!!!

(You done insulting my readers?)

Laharl: Yeah I guess so.

(Then let's get this story going!)

DISGAEA S: FURHUNTER INVASION!
By Misterebony
Initial commentary by Laharl and the author. Unfortunately.

PROLOUGE: 7 Years

Fairton. The single largest city in the Alchemists world. For a long time it was empty, the Alchemists having fled their old lives to try and find pace away from war. Then, seven years ago, it was refilled with the first people above the sea ever seen, as 144,000 survivors of the Furhunter betrayal arrived here. They quickly began to rebuild their lives, as humans and fursons began to live side by side, and see that they were not so different after all. They began to learn how to use a lot of modern tools we take for granted, and began to learn a bit more about vore. Only after a few years, a third race began to appear as humans and furs made kids: Half-breeds. These mixes of humans with animal parts, such as feline paws and tail, or a wolf’s fur covering him like a suit of clothes, made for some new experiences for the kids.

Those seven years would be a time of bliss for many, but for two, it was the start of a new mission. Far from the large city, at the edge of a wood on a cliff overlooking the sea, was a massive house built into a large tree. It looked plain enough, done in a ranch style, and having a large door for the entrance.

But if one entered this home, he would see it was unlike any ever seen before. It had a large living room with large, comfy sofas and a big television, as well as a simply enormous kitchen with a door to a pantry. On the other end of the living room, away from the kitchen, was a massive hall lined with doors like it was a hotel, with a huge double door at the end of the hallway. This was the residence of the resident potion maker of Fairton, one Edward Catman Ebony, a feline furson with jet black fur and greenish eyes. He wore naught but a red vest which he kept open these days, since he had developed a slight belly, and since his fur covered any extremities he might have. He also was not alone in his house.

See, he was not only a potion maker, but a traveler of dimensions. Using a Dimension key which he had created, he wandered various areas, locating people and fursons who needed a home. Most wound up in his pantry as reformable foodstuffs, thanks to a potion which he had created. But there were a few residents, including a young fox boy, and a pair of newlywed humans. So, Ebony was never alone.

And that was how he liked it.

The other individual had just exited a dimensional portal at the time of the start of our tale. This individual carried a pair of short swords in his belt, and wore a suit of chainmail under a green cloak. His brown hair was messed up, but the human 23 year old wore a smile as well. He saw the home he had arrived at and started forward, walking on blackish boots, his gold medallion clinking against his chainmail coat. On it was a symbol of him holding the two blades over his head, and the words "Avenger, Destroyer" on it. His name was Darek. Darek Servanus.

And he had just come to Fairton to see an old friend with good news.

"Ebony!" He called, knocking on the door of the house. The feline within answered, grinning wide as he embraced his friend.

"Darek! Long time no see!" He looked into his brown eyes. "You scarcely have aged my friend, yet you look tired. Come in, and I will make some tea for us."

"Sure, but first, I got good news." He said. "Ebony, I found her. I found Lillibell!"

"That skunk girl you met at the camp? Is she all you thought she was?"

"Yes actually. See, she does not have the scent you would think with small animal skunks, but instead has a flower scent. Plus, she is soft and caring, and her heart is pure. We have been seeing each other now for three months. Ebony... I'm in love."

Ebony smiled some. "The elder knew you would be, may he rest in peace." He sighed some. "You realize how long I have lived here by the sea? Exploring and cataloging dimensions, making potions, and filling my pantry?"

"Has to be at least four years." Darek said.

"Seven, to be exact. And I tell you, having a diet of kids, not to mention a bunch of guests that come and go... it's a great life."

Darek sighed. "Well, that life may be coming to an end. I don't think the Furhunters stayed where they were. That is why I am so tired. I just came from a world of technology using my key, and I fought two of them who were causing mischief."

Ebony sighed and nodded. "Well, I had expected this. I have been keeping my eyes out for them too, but so far I have not seen too many. I think the slayer died and the ones we are seeing are just leftovers of a sort.

"In any event, I doubt there are many of them left."

Darek nodded. "You are probably..." As he was about to finish, he saw a portal open outside. He stood up, drawing his blade, as he saw who came out.

It was a form similar to his own, but wearing a black cloak and bloodstained armor, a crossbow in hand. The form was a she, her face partially covered by a scarf, masking her face. Darek came out, drawing his blades at the sight of her, and her two companions.

"Darek Servanus." She said, smiling evilly. "I remember you from the machine world. That scar you gave me ruined my perfect face."

"Zalena." Darek said, watching as she drew a rapier. "Still working for the hunters, despite a fur saving you?"

"He would have been better off killing me, then I would have been dead, and he would not be a fur coat in my closet." She laughed, looking to Ebony. "And speaking of which, I always wanted something in black."

Ebony said nothing, but withdrew a little red vial and smiled. The two hunters with her raised their crossbows, but could not fire before Ebony through the potion. Slowly, the two aids to Zalena began to shrink down to the size of mice, eeeping some as they did, trying to run for it.

"What the hell?" Zalena said, wide eyed. Ebony laughed.

"Shrinking potion. Made it myself with candy root, Tech flower, and corberon."

Zalena tilted her head. "Wha...?"

"Never mind, just leave or I will do the same to you."

Zalena stepped back, Darek pointing his blades at her. She growled and opened a gate, leaping in. Ebony was about to follow, but Darek stopped him.

"We don't want to go where SHE is going." He said.

"Why?" Ebony asked.

"Because we need to prepare first. Where she is heading is a dark and foreboding place. Demons live there en masse, as do the souls of the dead. I know because I can see where it leads, and I have been there. It is the Netherworld, ruled by a tyrant.

"His name is Laharl."

(PREVIEW CHAPTER 1 by Etna)

(The heroes have learned that the evil Overlord Laharl rules the land Zalena has come to. What they do not know is that she is his new sex slave!)

(Laharl: WHAT?! No chance!)

(Specializing in S&M, Etna has to teach this girl how to be a good slave!)

(Laharl: You couldn't teach a fly.)

(Next chapter of Beauty Brothel Queen Etna: Zalena, the New Leather Lady!)

(Laharl: This doesn't sound as good outside of the games...)

CHAPTER 1: Laharl the Overlord

The Netherworld. A land of evil and darkness, a land were demons rule. A place where sinners have to dwell, and where darkness reigns. It is here that a massive castle, surrounded by a lake of lava, looks over all the land. Many call it the sign of their leader, and some call it the place of total evil.

But Laharl just calls it home.

The young Overlord of the Netherworld, only 1313 years old, sat on a throne of stone, columns of fire rising from beside him. His massive red cape waved about on the will of Laharl, the only other clothes the demon wearing were gold bracers, a pair of red shorts, and red demon hide boots. His spiky blue hair had two sets of long hairs, which bent like horns on the demon king. But his face was true malevolence.... sort of. His red eyes glared angrily from the throne, and his pointed ears seemed to hear the words of even the quietest dissenter. In his hand, he had a large silver sword that glowed red, a sign of his infernal power.

He sat there, angry at the penguin like creatures, known as prinnies, which bowed before him.

"I ask you two again, WHERE IS MY LUNCH?!"

"It's coming, dood!" One said. "Flonne is putting the final..."

"FLONNE?! You idiots! The last time I ate some of that love freaks cooking I almost choked to death! Now I want some REAL food, not food prepared by that freak of nature."

"But dood..." The other said, Laharl standing up and walking to them. He picked one up and threw it down the hall. Now, when you throw a prinny, it is like throwing a grenade. So naturally, the thrown prinny blew up in a massive column of fire!

"HAAAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!" Laharl; said, laughing and grinning wide. "Oh I love being Overlord!" He smiled, walking down the hall towards the kitchens. "Now to go and save my lunch."

******************

In the kitchen, a pretty little form, with bat wings and a long red tail tipped with a heart, as singing. She was a good foot taller than Laharl, and yet she was far nicer. That was because she was a fallen angel from Celestia, her blue ribbon replaced with a red one that was done in the form of horns and her eyes a deep red. Vampire fangs could be seen as she sang her siren-like song, the other monsters in the kitchen swaying in time with it. Her garb was a white, long sleeved shirt, opened to reveal the corset and necklace she wore underneath, and a pair of short white shorts. She was flat chested, but she made up for that with her personality. Her name was Flonne.

Flonne, however good a singer she may be, was also the absolute worst cook in the universe. On the tray for the overlord were peanut butter and ham sandwiches, flat soda, and moldy chips. In the oven she pulled out a burnt cake.

"Heh... I must have kept it in too long again." She said, laughing embarrassedly. A zombie in chef's garb smiled.

"I'll take it. I love burnt food." He took a bite, chuckling. "Heh, not bad."

"Well, at least you like my cooking. Master Lammington never taught me a lot about cooking, except how to make drinks. And I don't have a lot of stuff for making drinks."

"Relax Flonne," another chef said, this one a gargoyle, "Leave the meal to us. You go and see how many challengers the Overlord has."

"Right o!" Flonne said. "Thanks guys." She skipped off, happy as a lark, leaving the two chefs to work.

"I love having her around." The zombie said. "Makes tolerating Laharl that much easier."

"Yeah, and to think he would have died for her. I know he won't admit, but I think he LOVES her."

The zombie laughed, but then saw they were being watched.

By an angry face.

That was their Overlord.

"You have something to say Zomboy?" He said, dark blue energy burning in his arm. The zombie chef shook his head feverishly. "GOOD! Now hurry up with my lunch, I'm starving here, and YOU do not eat if I do not, GET IT?!" He walked away, grumbling, the two chefs chuckling some. 

Good thing the overlord liked THEIR cooking!

*****************

At the gates the castle, Flonne looked about for the third member of their friendly group. "Etna? Etna? Where are you?"

"Up here Hells' Angel." A voice said from above. Flonne looked up on top of a statue, to see a form wearing a leather bra and shorts combo, with skull-faced boots and skull earrings, not to mention her alluring leather collar, looking at her with a fanged smile. Her bat wings flittered some as she ate at a Putrid Pear, and her tail swayed left and right. Her ruby hair was dine up with two pigtails that went all over, like a blown fireworks, and her ruby eyes showed kindness mixed with bloodlust. She smiled at Flonne and waved. 

"Etna! Hi there. How did you get up there?" Flonne said, looking up. Etna sighed some.

"Duh, I flew. You want a Pear?" Etna said, munching on hers. "They are extra spicy this year."

"No thanks Etna." Flonne said. "I was trying to see if Laharl has any challengers."

Etna smiled. "Well, there is that hero who came over from the Chrono Trigger series, not to mention those two demons on the south side.... oh! And some kind of human overlord."

"OOO! That's the one Laharl would like. He already has beaten three, with Baal defeated in that extra quest we took, and those two from other dimensions."

"Well, this one is from another dimension too, definitely not from the human world that is for sure." Etna said, checking a clipboard. "Yeah, says here he is killing at will, sparing only humanlike demons that join with him. Sounds like Laharl's style of fight to take."

"Oh, Laharl will love that!" Flonne giggled some, Etna sighing as she saw how innocently she was taking this all.

"You know, you being a demon has not changed you one bit, unfortunately." She sighed. Flying down and landing by her. "Come on, let's go tell the Prince he has a new challenger." She said, making her favorite spear, Longinus, appear in her hands. "And get your gun out this time. You are a demon now, you need a gun more than that silly angel bow."

"Oh? You think so?" Flonne said, confused. Etna sighed as she drew it and looked it over. "I dunno... I don't look much like a cupid with it..."

"One, cupid is an idiot, two you are you, and three... GET OUT THE GODDAMN GUN!!!!" Etna said the last by banging her spear down. Sadly, that threw off Flonne's concentration, and she accidently fired her pistol off up the steps. She eeped as she saw what she hit.

Laharl was walking down the steps, about to finish his lunch, when the bullet knocked his favorite candy bar out of his hand. He growled, looking at the two women.

"Uh..." Etna said, wide eyed.

"Oh..." Flonne said also wide eyed.

(PREVIEW CHAPTER 2 by Etna)

(A Mysterious challenger from another world appears. He seems human, but he is actually Vulcanus, back for more pain!)

(Laharl: That Angel Nose hair?)

(Determine to bring pain to the netherworld, Vulcanus turns Flonne into a cupid, making her shoot Laharl with a love arrow!)

(Laharl: You are a sicko, you know that!)

(Now, Laharl is kissing every demon in sight, male, female, or whatever!)

(Laharl: I would never kiss YOU, that is for sure!)

(Next on Beauty Queen Warrior Etna: The Wrath of the False Cupid!)

(Laharl: Can we stop doing these yet?)

CHAPTER 2: Xerathos, the Slayer

In a small camp, far from the Overlord's castle, the Furhunters were setting up shop. The local demons who tried to resist them were killed, and those who joined them were made into slaves for the humans. At the center of the walled camp was a truly evil man. He wore a suit of armor stained with blood, bound by a belt which was lined with the skulls of young fursons and humans. His cape was made from the fur of a non-speaking bear, and on the shoulders of it were two feline skulls. His face, however grizzly his attire, was handsome, with a slightly grayed beard and deep blue eyes. His name was Xerathos.

But most just called him the Slayer.

He watched as a single being began to appear in the distance, his scouts on the wall raising their bows, but he raised his hand to stop them. The gates opened, reveling a female Furhunter: Zalena.

"Report." The hunter said, his voice deep and dark.

"This land is ruled by a child named Laharl. Word of your presence has reached him, and he is due anytime."

"Excellent." The Slayer said. "And your scouting mission? Did you find Fairton?"

"No." Zalena said. "I lost my men to that feline, Ebony, and Darek. AGAIN."

The Slayer sighed. "Those two are becoming a thorn in my side, but not for much longer. Here in this world are items which can give our Hunters the power they need to destroy the Fursons and all Imperfects once and for all."

Zalena nodded. "But first we must deal with this Laharl."

"Leave him to me." The Slayer said. "Perhaps this demon will join me."

"And if he does not?" Zalena said. 

"Death."

********************

Laharl walked along the road, along with Etna, Flonne, and a few prinnies. Also among them was a group of humans that Laharl made his vassals. The first of them wore a flashy space suit and carried a laser gun, as well as wore a big rocket pack. He huffed and puffed to keep up, while, beside him, was a beautiful human woman, with HUGE breasts and rear, wearing a silk bikini and carrying a pair of netherworld rapid fire pistols. Behind them, moving on a small variant of tank tracks, was a large egg-shaped robot with legs and arms like cylinders. It's done rotated some as the group walked along.

"LOTATION OF CHALLENGER CONFIRMED. 3279.12345353..."

"Shut that thing up already, I KNOW where this human overlord is!" Laharl shouted, still grumpy after losing his favorite candy. Flonne and Etna had to deal with almost getting singed when he attacked them, but at least he cooled down towards them some. "And for you Gordon, remember whose side you fight on, GOT IT?!"

"I am a Defender of Earth, and therefore always keep my word!" Gordon said, striking a pose. To all, he looked like a real life Flash Gordon, wearing a space suit and jetpack, and carrying a laser pistol, his brown hair combed tight to his head. "For I am Captain Gordon, Vassal to Laharl, Lord of All Demons!"

Laharl laughed some. "Well, I'll say one thing for you Gordon, you know how to praise me." He laughed some. "As for your assistant... just keep her out of my sight, you know how I am."

Jennifer, Gordon’s partner, sighed some. She knew it was her large, curvy breasts she barely covered with her favorite bathing suit and long blonde hair that bothered him, always making him freak out. "Why do by breasts bother him?" She wondered, her robot, Tuesday, answering.

"SEX HORMONE LEVEL RAISES TO..."

"Robot, you say one thing more, and I will trash you AGAIN." Laharl said, pointing his sword right at the robot, a near perfect copy of the robot from Lost in Space.

"MESSAGE RETRACTED>"

"Good." Laharl said. Everyone watched as they followed him, wondering when the human would show himself.

They did not have to wonder much longer, as a form made himself known on the path. The shadow stepped into the light of the moon, Xerathos himself standing there with a cruel blade made from ivory.

"Welcome Laharl." The Slayer said. "I am called Xerathos. Your world here is truly a wonder for one such as me."

"Can it human." Laharl said. "Just get ready to meet an untimely death!"

"Oh, I don't think so." Xerathos said, suddenly drawing a crossbow. He fired the bolt into the air, clearly missing Laharl.

"HAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!" Laharl said. "You have the aiming ability of a blind ghost! I will crush you!"

"I think not." Xerathos said, smiling as the arrow exploded, shining a black light on Laharl and his group. Cries of pain came up from them, the Slayer laughing.

"I see you enjoy my negexperience arrows." He said, chuckling. "My greatest creation. They drain the power from any that come in contact with the black light it emits. This is how I am able to destroy so many. But I offer you a choice Laharl. Join me, or die."

Laharl, panting as he felt his godlike strength leave him, stood on his feet. What the human did not know was that he may have drained his power... but he still wore his father's pendent, the Exodus. The power it gave him would even the odds. He hoped.

"Up yours." He said, flicking up his middle finger to the human. Then, he charged Xerathos. Had this been like the humans he was used to, the ones who relied on solely their technology and personal strength, this would still have been an easy battle.

But this was no ordinary human. The race of Hunters were hardened killers who were themselves as strong as demons. Even with the Exodus, the odds were tipped in the favor of the Slayer. So, naturally, the charge that Laharl made at him was blocked, and the fight was on. Laharl held his own, making the Slayer wonder briefly if his weapon had worked on him. But then, he cut wide, slashing into Laharl's arm.

He let out a howl of rage and pain, Flonne, Etna, and the others wide eyed in disbelief. This human had hurt their overlord. Not just a scrape, but a large gash in the arm. Black blood poured from it, the slayer laughing.

"Long live the overlord." Xerathos said, lifting his blade. But then, another arrow landed by him, making him step back. Looking up, everyone saw two new people enter the fight.

One was a human, clothed in chainmail and a green hood, holding two black blades in his hands. The other was a biped feline, a crossbow in his hands. They glared at the hunter, who was wide eyed as he saw them.

He smiled and took out a smoke bomb, smashing it to the ground. "Feel lucky Laharl." The Slayer's voice said. "Ones more powerful than you have come to your aid... but your doom will come." When the smoke cleared, the Slayer was gone. 

"Damnit." Laharl said, slowly getting to his feet, looking at the cut to his arm. Flonne ran over, worried.

"Let me use my power of love on that Laharl." She said, smiling as she began to chant, energy starting to cover the wound and flow over it like stardust. Oddly, when she was done, she fell to her knees, exhausted.

"Flonne?" Laharl said, worried. Then he heard a new voice speak. 

"Perhaps we can help."

(CHAPTER 3 PREVIEW by Etna)

(Two new forms on the battlefield, but their intent is a dark one...)

(Ebony: Does she always do this?)

(Using their powers, they begin to turn Laharl and Flonne into mindless monsters!)

(Ebony: Uhhhhh....)

(The purpose... to devour everyone in the netherworld!)

(Ebony: Oh God.)

(Next time on Monster Slayer Etna: The Coming of the World Eaters!)

(Ebony: You been going to Eka's Portal?)

CHAPTER 4: Recovery and Alliances

Back at the overlord’s castle, the nurses and doctors in the medical facility tried to restore the lost strength of Laharl and the others, but to no success.

"Afraid it is beyond our power your Darkness." The main doctor said. Laharl stood up, looking to Flonne, who was fast asleep by now. "It is as if the time you spent leveling up was gone."

"Damnit." Laharl said, looking to the two newcomers. "And why were you two unaffected, or are you with that freak!?"

"Relax Laharl." The feline said. "The Slayer is our mortal enemy. He killed my parents and many of his friends. I am Edward Catman Ebony, but everyone calls me Ebony."

Etna hmmed some, petting his fur. "Heh... you are kinda fat."

Ebony chuckled. "Blame my diet. Anyways, this is Darek Servanus."

"Great, more human pis ants." Laharl said. "Look, what happened to me back there? One second I am stronger than ever, and now I can barely get enough strength built up for my Blazing Knuckle maneuver."

Darek sighed. "It's a weapon the Slayer came up with through his research. He found ways of draining essence from people, and destroying it, making them weaker. Thankfully, I gave the doctor here a potion, which Ebony and I have been handing out throughout the netherworld. It nullifies the effects of the light. Unfortunately, we did not find you at the castle, so..."

"We missed out on the free sample." Etna said. "Damnit. But at least we have the Exodus talisman, among other things. That will help turn the tables. All we need is time in the Item World, maybe a few days, and we are back to our old selves."

"YOU IDIOT!" Laharl screamed, sitting up. "We don't HAVE a few days! That damn human with the neat taste in outfits is threatening MY domain! I must snuff him out and fast, or I will lose my position AND my vassals AND my guest star appearances in Disgaea games!"

"Relax Prince." Etna said. "Tuesday ran a scan on us, says we still are at level 50 or so. So, at least we have some power."

Ebony thought. "I'm afraid the Overlord is right." He said after a bit. "He no doubt has seen that using that weapon in this world, on you guys, was not totally effective. You still have some of your power left, while most are reduced to weaklings. He will try to find out why, and if he does..."

"Have no fear my friends!" Gordon said, walking in. "For I, Captain Gordon, the 37th Defender of Earth and Vassal to the great Laharl, will see to it that NO ONE finds the talismans!"

Etna sighs. "Alright Gordon, we got it, just go and build the defenses."

****************

A short while later, everyone was up and walking about, Ebony and Darek touring the castle thanks to Flonne. But in the throne room, Laharl and Etna talked. 

"This is great. First, I lose my favorite candy. Then, I lose my powers. Now I have to put up with some human and his pet in order to get my revenge and my powers back! Things like this are bad for my reputation you know!"

Etna smiled. "Relax. I for one like that cat, he has a charm to him, not to mention nice long claws." Etna smiled and moaned, Laharl groaning.

"I think Flonne messed with your brain. NOW CAN WE FOCUS?!"

"Just a sec prince, I'm daydreaming."

"ETNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Laharl shouted, making the whole castle shake.

Elsewhere, Flonne led the two visitors to the Rosen Queen Co. Store. "And this is where we stock up on our items and weapons for battle. We also by items, souvenirs, and the occasional DS game."

Darek nodded. "Forgive me for asking, but are you some kind of succumbus?" 

Flonne giggled. "No, I committed a crime, so I was banished from my home to here in the netherworld. I’m a fallen angel of Celestia."

"Ah, I have been there." Ebony said. "Nice place, but they do not smile on voraphiles too much."

"Who?" Flonne asked. Darek chuckled.

"Ebony is a voraphile, like my girl."

Flonne was silent for a second. "What is that?"

Darek and Ebony chuckled. "Should we tell her?"

Ebony nodded. "This won't hurt."

***********************

"LAAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAARRRRLLLLLLL!!!!!" Flonne screamed a few minutes later. Laharl stood up, heading for the source of the scream, Etna not too far behind. But when they came to the kitchen, they saw something that made both of them stop and stare.

Flonne was here alright, giggling some, but she was up to her neck in a GIANT CAKE! Ebony was busy frosting it, giving her head a frosting cap as he worked. Darek watched some, shaking his head.

"Laharl, look at me! I'm an angel cake!" She said. Laharl's eyebrow twitched, but Etna snuck a taste.

"Hmmmm... not bad." She looked to Ebony. "Hey, if I knew you would have done this I would have..."

"ETNA!" Laharl said, furious. He stormed up to Ebony. "GET. HER. OUT. NOW!"

Ebony sighed some, Darek trying not to laugh. "Relax, I already ate her once before you got here."

Laharl was wide eyed, but Flonne nodded.

"It's true Laharl. Oh it felt nice being food. And nice to find a way I can help in the kitchen! Best part, thanks to a potion Ebony gave me, I can reappear as good as new! I even feel a little stronger than before, to be honest."

Etna snuck another bite. "Well, At least this way she isn't poisoning us." She moaned, nomming on the cake, Laharl growling.

"Etna, you are NOT helping." HE looked to Flonne. "And as for you, if you think I am just going to jump into the soup pot and say 'Eat Me!', you are mistaking."

Darek nodded. "Understood. She just wondered what vore was. We tried to explain it, but she told us to show her. So, Ebony did."

Ebony smiled. "This is nothing really. In my pantry at home I have tons of kids and preyfurs. I told you my weight is partially due to my diet."

Etna chuckled some, still eating. But Laharl was NOT amused. "Just get her out of the cake."

"Laharl, they baked it, so no sense it going to waste, try some." Etna encouraged, Flonne nodding.

"OUT!!!!!!"

************************

A little later, after Flonne had climbed out of the cake and dressed herself, Etna still sneaking nibbles, the group all met in the throne room.

"Look, you two are nothing but trouble. One, I never asked for your help, and two, you had NO RIGHT to eat my vassals!" 

Ebony chuckled some. "I apologize. How can we make it up? And don't forget, we DO share a common enemy, one we could both beat by facing him together."

Laharl hmmed some, thinking. Perhaps he could USE this vorish feline and the human who owned him. Moreover, it would save on food expenses if he fed his vassals to the feline. Also, the feline was right: They did have a common enemy in that stupid human overlord.

"By becoming my vassals. And YOU," He pointed at Ebony, "You better not expect me to feed you, since you seem to go out of your way to eat my other vassals!" He looked to Darek. "You better keep that pet of yours in check."

Darek was wide eyed for a second, and then his face turned to anger. "What did you call Ebony?!"

Laharl smiled evilly. "Do I offend?"

Darek drew one of his swords, Flonne and Etna wide eyed at the power they could sense from him. "It was Xerathos who said things like that, to justify the killings he did!" 

Laharl stood up. "Well, if you are expecting me to be all sunshine and save the day, you got another thing coming. I am a DEMON, remember?"

Darek glared. "You are no demon. The demons I have met other than you have at least some honor. You are more Furhunter than demon." He glared at him, Ebony, Etna, Flonne, and all others present wide eyed at what was just said. Laharl rose to his feet.

"Fine! If you become my vassal, I will vow never to insult you or... Ebony... EVER."

Etna was wide eyed. Apparently, Darek had struck a nerve. But Laharl's reply was good enough for Ebony and Darek, as they bowed low to the overlord.

He gave a sly grin. After all, when he had his powers back, these two would no longer be needed.

He could bide his time.

(CHAPTER 4 PREVIEW by Etna)

(Flonne's need to feed others causes massive turmoil in the castle!)

(Darek: That one I can believe.)

(It comes to a head as she creates an Iron Chef competition, with her as the ingredient to use!)

(Flonne: OOO! I love Iron Chef!)

(Etna challenges Ebony, making her famous BBQed angel wings with Flonne Fries!)

(Flonne: Any coleslaw?)

(Next time on Battling Baker Etna: Flonne, the Other White Meat!)

(Darek: That was just too corny for words.)

CHAPTER 4: Plans

The Hunter's camp was bustling with activity, as the Slayer received the news. His arrows, which had weakened Laharl and his comrades, were now ineffective.

"Seems someone found a way to beat the arrows." One of the troops said. Xerathos sighed and nodded. 

"Darek and Ebony no doubt. No matter, they were used on the right person. But how he maintained so much of his strength I do not know." He paced some, trying to figure it out.

"Sir," one of the Elite black armored troops said. "Is it possible that this Overlord has some kind of talisman? After all, you said yourself there are items here that can increase powers."

"Makes sense." Xerathos said, stroking his beard. "He was wearing an old medallion when I fought him. Perhaps there are other items like that around."

As he thought this, he saw another of his servants step forward. Zalena bowed before him, showing her allegiance.

"Rise and report." He said.

"The two survivors of Seraphim, Darek and Ebony, are now in league with that overlord. But it is an uneasy alliance from what I have heard. After all, Darek and Ebony want justice, and Laharl are after revenge. We may be able to use this to destroy the two chosen ones once and for all."

Xerathos smiled and nodded. "Excellent work. Now, we can begin to make plans."

*****************

In the castle, Laharl was absolutely dumbfounded. Here he was, sitting on his throne, while some stupid human ravaged HIS kingdom.

If anyone was going to ravage it, it should be him! Moreover, he had two new vassals he did not know if he could even trust. Their arrival was too coincidental with the arrival of that stupid human overlord, and they know a little TOO much about him. 

Simply put, he did not trust them. 

"Laharl?" A voice said. Laharl looked about, seeing Flonne walk around from behind the throne, giving him a kiss. Laharl hmphed some.

"Are you sure we are alone?" Laharl said. Flonne nodded. 

"Yup. Ebony is introducing Etna to vore too." She sat on his lap, hugging him. "Laharl, you don't like them do you?"

"No, I don't. Things just seem a little too coincidental. If it was up to me I'd kill them both, but my power is nowhere near what it was."

"But then... they could have killed you." Flonne said. "I think they are messengers of love and vore, here to spread their..."

"Flonne, shut up." Laharl said, kissing her. He liked to kiss her for two reasons. One, Flonne was a good kisser.

Two, it shut her up.

But the third reason was one he would never share with anyone but her, since he was the Overlord and had a reputation to uphold: because he DID love her.

********************

Etna sat on the table, roasted like a turkey, as some of the monsters began to nibble and carve large chunks from her. But she still talked as she was eaten up, looking to Ebony.

"One thing puzzles me." Etna said. "You arrived pretty close to the time the slayer came. You two connected?"

"The arrival was luck." Ebony said. "One if his underlings, a bitch named Zalena, led us here after losing to us in Fairton. We prepared to fight demons, but were wonderfully surprised when we saw you are not so bad. But when we saw what he was doing, we began to use a potion on the demons, which had worked before to block his negexperience arrows on the people. Then we heard he was after Laharl, and we went to try and warn him, and give him a potion. But you had just left."

Etna sighed, moaning as she lost both her legs. "Are you sure I will reform? Flonne was just eaten by you, but I am a buffet!"

"Relax." Darek said, drinking some Siren Cola. "Lillibell once had me at a picnic. She likes to eat me up, and I like to be in her." He smiled. "God I miss her right now. But we are so close to finishing the Slayer, if we can just find his base of operations, or what he is after here."

Etna was about to answer when they cut of her head, a gargoyle stuffing it into his mouth. After a mere few minutes, she reappeared, good as new, moaning some. "OOooooohhh... that was better than throwing tons of at Maderas a few years ago. Ahhh, the good days." She smiled, sitting down. “You know, I know these humans are tough and all, but I don’t think they are after the throne, or they would have attacked more.”

A demon nodded. “You have a point Etna. Even Vulcanus made more attempts than this against the castle. These guys only made one, with some attacks on the locals.”

Ebony hmmed. “That is their way. They prey on the imperfects, or rather what they see as imperfect. Furs were the first target, and then the Slayer expanded to killing all that were not pure.” He sighed. “When he is dead, I will be happy.”

Darek nodded in agreement. And then he remembered something. "Ebony... remember what was said in the hospital area? About the talismans? What if that was what the slayer was after?"

Ebony hmmed. "It's possible. That one Laharl wears IS impressive. Tell me, is that a one of a kind item?"

Etna shook her head, revealing her unholy rosary. "These are not as strong as the Exodus, but there are a lot of variations of them, with various amounts of power. What makes this so special is I powered it up in the item world."

"The what?" Darek asked.

"The item world. Inside all items is a massive world of monsters, even item gods. Even otherworldly items like laser guns and, say, your potion... can... be..." She suddenly got a thought, but before she could voice it, Laharl came in.

"We just got word, some hunters are making for one of the Rosen Queen Co. stores. Seems they found one that sells Imperial Seals."

Ebony hmmed. "Well, count me in."

Darek nodded. "Me too. These blades will cut apart hunters again like they did at Seraphim."

Laharl looked to Etna. "And you?"

"Not this time Prince. Take Gordon and Co. this time. Human on human."

Laharl hmmed and nodded, an evil grin on his face. "Yes, more bloodshed that way. Nice thinking."

He went off to find the others, Etna staying behind. She had a bold idea stewing in her mind...

(CHAPTER 5 PREVIEW by Etna)

(Just as the battle rages at the Rosen Queen Co. Store, a camera crew appears to make a movie!)

(Ebony: Movies? Etna, Shut up!)

(Seeking characters for a new Sci-Fi movie, Gordon and Laharl are cast as the heroes!)

(Laharl: Me a hero?! NOOOOO!!!!)

(But when the movie is released, will the Dark Senate approve it as a hit?)

(Ebony: Oh you are so going to die.)

(Next time on Magical Movie Maker Etna: Demons in Space 13! Will it be a hit?!)

(Laharl: Now I'm GLKAD she was roasted in the last chapter.)

(Me too! It felt nice!)

CHAPTER 5: Untrustworthy?

Laharl walked through the ruined town, by now deserted save for the Rosen Queen Co. store. Tuesday's beeping was the only sound that was made as the ragtag group walked along.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Jennifer said, pointing her ray gun towards the rooftops in case of a trap. But Gordon just kept his blaster out.

"Relax Jennifer, for I will..."

"Quiet." Darek said, listening. "They're here all right." 

Laharl hmphed. "And how would you know, may I ask?"

Darek looked to him. "I faced the Hunters. I know how they work."

"Yeah, and I notice you look a lot like one too. Or am I mistaken?"

Darek stopped all of a sudden as that was said. Ebony looked to him, as did the others. After some silence, He turned to Laharl.

"I was. A long time ago. When I thought fursons were my enemy. But it was my own parents that were. They made a trap for my friends at Seraphim, my original hometown, and they killed everyone I knew, except Ebony.

"You, being a demon, may not understand losing all you hold dear."

At that one it was Laharl's turn to get angry, and Gordon and his trio knew why.

"WARNING! WARNING!" Tuesday began to blare. "ANGER LEVEL RISING! VIOLENCE IMMENANT!"

"I'll have you know, Mr. high-and-mighty-steal-my-role-as-main-character-hero that I DO understand." He said nothing more walking on, Gordon looking to Darek. 

"He almost lost Flonne forever." He told him, following Laharl. Darek was about to move, when gunfire began to sound all around."

"We got him Laharl!" A voice shouted. "Get out of there!"

Darek was wide eyed. It was a trap! But then Laharl came running at Darek.

"You ASS! Your hunters just fired on me!"

"What?! Your demons just shot at ME!" Darek replied, Ebony looking about, silent.

"You traitor! You are my vassal and you will remain loyal or die!"

"What, so I can let you stab me in the back?!"

"HOLD IT, BOTH OF YOU!" Ebony said, taking out his crossbow. "This isn't right. Gordon, Tuesday, take to the air!"

"Right!" Gordon said, Tuesday and he taking rockets. The moment he did, bullets and arrows flew at him from two locations.

"Hunters!" Ebony said. "And something else... something that uses guns."

Laharl sighed some, remembering where they were. "Oh, IDIOT! Of course! Death Gulch, home of the Looters. Their gun skills are legendary! They must have been bought off to help with the ambush!"

Darek sighed. "My apologies your Highness." he drew his blades. 

"And mine, you dumbass human." Laharl said, drawing his blade and smiling evilly. "Truce?"

"Let's kick some ass." Darek said, the two rushing into the hiding place for the thieves. Gordon meanwhile, directed Jennifer to where the hunters were.

"Hello boys." She said, seeing them. There were four in all, and they did not look happy. They turn their bows on her, but never got to fire before a huge blast of energy fell on them, sending them flying.

"ROBO BAZOOKA BLAST HIT. I SUNK YOUR BATTLESHIP. HA. HA. HA." Tuesday said, still in cannon form, positioned on a nearby building. Gordon smiled.

"Now it is MY turn!" He aimed his laser gun. "Feel the power of the 37th defender! Gordon Barrage!" The hero let loose with all of his fury, his gun firing hundreds of times into the hunters.

Meanwhile, Darek, Ebony, and Laharl worked on the Thieves. There were about 6 of them, two for each of them. But Laharl decided to bring that number down, flying into the air. 

"Ok, Here I Come!" He said, focusing the power he had into his fists. "Blazing Knuckle!" He said, diving at the Thieves. When he hit the ground, a column of fire erupted all around him, burning the thieves to a crisp. But two managed to avoid the blast, running for the hills...

... And right into Ebony.

"Snack time." He said, tossing a greenish potion at the two thieves. In a moment, they were frozen in place, slowly turning into gingerbread people. He smiled as he picked them up once the transformation was completed. "I'll save these for later." He said, giggling. Darek, meanwhile, took care of a few hunters no one had seen, slashing them up with his blades. He grinned as they fell before him, defeated.

In a mere few minutes, it was over.

"What a workout!" Laharl said, stretching some. "And I think I am getting my power back."

Darek nodded. "Slowly but surely." Ebony came over, offering a gingerbread person to the demon.

"Ah, thank you." Laharl said, biting on it, and then stopping. "Uhhhh... where did you get these?"

"Oh, those two thieves that tried to run away. I turned them into gingerbread."

Laharl just about choked to death right then and there.

**********************

Back at the castle, the tale was related to Etna and Flonne, mostly while Laharl was upchucking in the bathroom.

"So, we think now the Slayer knows we have an alliance, and tried to break it up. It almost worked too, had it not been for Ebony." Darek smiled and patted his friend on the back.

"Old tactic hunters used on Seraphim, remember? Divide the lambs, and the wolf has a party."

Etna giggled some, looking to the bathroom. "GINGERBREAD!" She screamed, laughing out loud as she heard Laharl throw up again.

"That was just mean Etna!" Flonne said, hmphing. But Etna laughed.

"Yeah, mean, but fun! Besides, if he is supposed to be overlord, eating a transformed opponent should be no problem. Was no problem for his father that was for sure."

They all laughed at that, Laharl coming out, positively green, but still happy to be getting is strength...

"GINGERBREAD!"

Never mind.

(CHAPTER 6 PREVIEW By Etna)

(Ebony's feline wiles have made Etna swoon, making her be overcome with love.)

(Flonne: AT last!)

(Unable to resist him, Etna tries to marry Ebony, but the Dark Senate votes the idea down.)

(Flonne: WHAT!? KILL THEM!)

(Exactly what Etna tries to do! No one will stand between her and her true love!)

(Flonne: GO for it!)

(Next time on Romantic Story of Lovely Etna: Ebony and Etnary, love forever!)

(Ebony: Should I tell her she is not my type?)

CHAPTER 6: Item World.

Over the next few days, Laharl, Derek, and the rest exchanged blows with the hunters on various locations, from a heated battle on the Inferno Road, to a frozen cold stand-off at the Frozen River. Tuesday was monitoring the growth of the warriors, but it was slow going.

“GROWTH LEVEL INSIGNIFICANT. CHANCE OF BEATING XERATHOS: 9%”

“I told you, and told you, just SHUT UP!!!” Laharl said, getting healed up after a fight in the ruined groves. Jennifer nodded in agreement.

“Sorry Tuesday, but I have to agree with him. Never tell the odds for a major battle.”

“UNDERSTOOD. PLACING PROTOCOL IN DATABASE.”

Etna sighed some, by now a vore herself, snacking on a Flonne cake she and Ebony made for Laharl. Naturally, he turned it down. “You know, maybe we could boost the power of that potion you gave us.”

Laharl hmmed some. “It is a possibility Etna, if we could boost that potions power, maybe it could restore our levels.”

Darek hmmed and nodded. “They may be right Ebony. What do you think?”

Ebony pondered this. “Well, we have thwarted every attempt that the hunters have made to get the talismans, though they DID get some new weapons and armor. Plus, the potion, if boosted, may have an energizing effect. Maybe we should try it.”

Etna nodded, as did Flonne, giggling some as Etna ate her. “Wait a minute Etna. Are you suggesting the item world?”

“Yup!” Etna said, pulling off a piece with a bit of Flonne’s wing on it. She giggled and munched. “If we could get the specialists in that potions item world to side with us, who knows?”

Laharl hmphed. “Yeah, the problem is navigating Item World. It changes every time you go in, and the Geo Symbols and the Geo Panels they rest on make combat very difficult and unpredictable. Moreover, this is not some Rosen Queen Co. item, this is a homegrown potion, which, by the way, I don’t know why you gave my vassals them. Now they seem more absorbed with being food than being on the front lines.”

“Awww, please Laharl, just try a bite.” Flonne said, motioning him over with her remaining hand. Laharl grumbled and tore a piece off, chewing on it. His face lit up, and he devoured it greedily.

“Laharl?” Etna said, giggling.

“Oh shut up and eat.”

******************

Later, once Flonne had reformed, the group showed Polly the potion that had made Laharl and the others impervious to the effects of the negexperience arrows. Polly was the gatekeeper to the Item World, and what she saw amazed her.

“Well I’ll be.” She said to Laharl. “This world is HUGE! Easily 120 levels deep, with a few item deities.”

Laharl shrugged. “Ok ok, but would it recover our levels if we went into the item world with it?”

Polly chuckled. “My Overlord, this would recover it and double it! But it is a hard world, enemies inside are quite strong. You sure you want to do this?”

“We have to.” Darek said. “Besides, I am curious about this item world.”

“Any specialists inside Polly?” Etna asked. Polly looked and nodded.

“Yes, but it is unlike any I have seen before. Not sure what it does.” Polly placed the item into a little slot, the world gate opening. “Remember, one hour in there is only a few minutes out here. But I will keep an eye on things.”

Laharl smiled. “See that you do.” He smiled and entered the portal, the others following behind. The item world was a shifting vortex, clouds of mysterious elements swirling around them, items thrust into them at certain places.

“My God.” Ebony said, walking about. But he felt a twinge of pain as he stepped on a bluish tile. Laharl quickly pulled him off.

“Watch it! That is a damage tile. Must be linked to a Geo Symbol around here. Oh, and be careful if you destroy them. They change all the tiles the same color as the one they are on to the color of the Geo Symbol.”

Etna nodded. “If we can clear them all away with a null Symbol, we can blast the guys around here.

As she talked, a form came up over a large platform. He wore the garb of a bare fisted fighter, but was carrying a sword in his hand. 

“Laharl, they have seen us!” Gordon said, drawing his laser gun and firing. Laharl nodded.

“Kinda noticed that!” Laharl said, drawing his blade. Etna hmmed and lifted Darek up, tossing him over the brawlers head. The brawler turned to face him… only to be impaled by Darek's twin blades. As he fell off the platform into the swirl of clouds, Darek looked to Etna. 

“Warn me next time, ALRIGHT?!” He said, having to defend himself from a pumpkin headed demon. The group walked on to meet up with him, but the Geo Panels made going difficult.

But then, Ebony watched as he saw a form that was his exact shape and size close in, claws drawn.

“A clone tile!” Etna said, brandishing her axe. “Ebony, Move it or get chopped!”

Ebony moved as Etna began to slash the doppelganger. “Try this on for size! Boulder Crush!” She smashed hard, the feline clone knocked back, but looked unhurt.

Tuesday did a scan.

“ALERT! ALERT! CLONE HEALTH LEVEL AT 300,000!”

Etna was wide eyed. “What?!”

Laharl stared. How could this be, this clone from still this strong?! Laharl knew the clone would be hard to beat, but he gave it his all as he charged the clone.

“Try this on for size!” He said, pushing the feline clone over. “Overlord’s Fury!”

Balls of energy phased in, Laharl launching them at the clone. He was knocked back, finally defeated. Ebony looked at it, then at the demons. 

“Well Laharl.” Gordon said. “Kid has got potential!”

The Overlord nodded, grinning evilly. “Yeah… LOTS of potential.”

He smiled and moved on, looking at a nearby Geo Panel, which looked to be the one causing damage. Laharl smiled and took his sword to it, starting the chain reaction. Slowly, panels all began to turn blue... then red…. Then green… and then they all disappeared.

“HAAAAAHAHAHAH! Got them all!” Laharl said, and then he went wide eyed as he saw his comrades, damaged by the color panel blasts.

“Heheh… oops.” He said. It did not help more monsters were coming either, seeing an opportunity to attack the intruders…

*****************

Polly waited for some time, about a half hour. She was getting worried that the warriors that had gone in had not returned. But that changed the next instant as they reappeared.

Polly sighed as she saw them, looking ragged and tattered and bruised, Tuesday himself broken.

“Surprise attack.” Laharl said, heading for the hospital. Ebony sighed some as he looked at the potion. True their efforts had boosted its power…

But only a little.

“Damn. Only a few areas cleared. We may need some help on this one.” Etna said, limping on her spear.

“I think I prefer being baked in cakes.” Flonne said, sighing some.

“At least we made some progress.” Darek said. “We can continue after healing up.”

Laharl sighed some. “Maybe. We will see what happens.”

*******************

Elsewhere in the netherworld, a form popped into existence, her furry form sniffing the air, her long tail flowing. A nearby Pumpkinhead whistled.

“Hey baby!” He said. “Why not give Jack some loving?”

The furry form turned and licked her lips. “Mmmmm… Pumpkin Pie.”

“Oh oh.” The form said, the last thing he said before he was eaten up…

(CHAPTER 7 PREVIEW by Etna)

(The item world was a bust, and a new form has come to the netherworld.)

(Pleinair: …)

(This new form is a furry killing machine, and begins to skin the skinners!)

(Pleinair: …)

(Only Etna can stop this unstoppable force, but will she want to?)

(Pleinair: …)

(Next on Big Game Hunter Etna: The Furry Menace)

(Pleinair: … Where is Usagi? I’m hungry.)

(…)

CHAPTER 7: New Arrival

Laharl hmmed some as the brought in the report. 

“Eaten huh? Well, a lot of monsters seem to think those walking veggieheads are nutritious, so…”

“No way dood!” The prinny said. “This one was swallowed whole, not chewed, dood!”

Laharl chuckled. “So what? One less ingrate to worry about.”

The prinny shook his head again. “Not one dood…. About twenty.”

At that, Laharl was wide eyed. “Now that got my attention. A monster eating machine huh? Tell me more about him.”

The prinny chuckled and sighed. “Not a he dood. A she. A BIG she.” The prinny used his flippers to show big breasts. Laharl was wide eyed at that. Of all things to have to deal with! 

********************

“Are you sure the Prinny got the description right?” Darek said, wide eyed at what Laharl was telling him. It sounded VERY familiar. He had just finished telling him, Ebony, Etna, and the rest of his key vassals what had transpired.

“I cannot be sure. But from what the Prinny Patrol saw, the fur was a large skunk, both in height and in… other ways.” Laharl said, wincing some. But Darek laughed some. Ebony was also all smiles. “What’s so funny? This skunk is eating my subjects!”

“Relax Laharl. I bet if you checked again they have reformed. There is only one skunk that looks like that, and had that much beauty to her. It has to be her.”

Ebony nods. “Yes. Definitely Lillibell.”

Etna went wide eyed. “You mean… the girl you are missing… is a furry?”

Darek glared. “You got a problem with that?” Etna quickly shook her head, Flonne smiling at what she heard.

“Oh, the wonders of love, unbroken by any boundaries that could be seen. Oh Lord, what a wondrous…”

“Yeah yeah, shut up Flonne.” Laharl said, shaking his head some, trying not to laugh. “This skunk girl… is she dangerous?”

Darek laughed. “Only to her enemies. She eats them whole. But her friends she eats whole and heals. She has two tummies, one for digestion, and the other… well, the other is able to treat wounds.” 

Laharl sighed and smacked his forehead. “Great. More of these damn voraphiles.”

Etna giggled some. “Don’t knock it till you try it Prince.”

Laharl sighed. “The point is this girl was last seen near the Reaper Woods. It’s a virtual maze. If we go to try and find this new arrival, we might get lost ourselves. The question is, is it worth it?”

As he finished, he noticed he was standing in the room by himself. He sighed and groaned.

“Why can’t I get any damn respect from my own vassals?!”

**********************

The Reaper Woods, in our world, might have looked scary or frightening. In the Netherworld, they were flat out freaky. Man-eating flora and fauna mixed with the black oak and doom pine trees that made up this place of darkness, and it did not help that a musty red fog hung indefinitely over the area. Yet it was into this area that Darek, Laharl, Flonne, and Gordon found themselves, as well as three members of the Prinny Patrol. They had been here for several hours now, and while they had fought some of the locals, including members from the hidden Beast Village who tried to rob them… they had not seen the skunk girl.

“Ok, this is a waste of time.” Laharl said. “We are here, looking for some friggin fur, while that damn human does who knows what. That’s it, I’m outta here.” He turned around, but Darek stopped him.

“Humor me your Evilness.” Darek said. “Lillibell is my love, and I have to make sure she gets to her before the hunters do.” He hmms some, chuckling. “Besides, your work is going to be rewarded. She is close.”

Flonne hmmed. “You can feel her love in your heart?”

Darek laughed, and shook his head. “Nope. I can smell her scent.”

Laharl sniffed the air and winced. “UGH! That smells like roses! I was expecting the true stink of a skunk!

Darek smiled. “Sorry to disappoint, but the only smell this one has is perfume.” He smiled, following the scent. But he was so caught up in it he was not paying attention, as some of the trees began to move.

“Darek, look out!” Gordon warned, but it was too late, as one of the trees snatched up Darek in its vines. Flonne screamed, drawing her gun and firing as fast as her fingers allowed. Gordon followed in suit, but the firing seemed to have no effect on the tree. Worse, more trees were approaching. Laharl drew his blade and chopped one in half, but it looked pretty hopeless.

“Oh yeah, real worth it…” He mumbled, warming up for his Blazing Knuckle, when Darek’s eyes began to glow. His talisman shone some, the tree releasing him. The trees began to look in fear, Laharl going wide eyed, suddenly smiling.

“Yes, I can feel his power!” He smiles. “Not quite as strong as mine… but he is ready for action!”

Darek landed on the ground, his eyes still blazing with light, drawing his blades. Slowly they started to glow. “I’ve had enough!” he said. “You will not keep me from my love! POWER OF THE AVENGER!!!!” 

He raised his blades, the trees turning to get away, but the blades crossed by them in a large X, blazing with power.

“X CROSS SLASH!!!” He said, slicing his blades, waves of energy began to flow from them, turning many of the trees into splinters. Laharl laughed out loud, taking to the air.

“Now the odds are even!” he shouted. He charged up his energy, letting balls of fire and destruction flow from his form, hovering like a star storm. “Time to bite the dust! OVERLORD’S FURY!!!” The balls began to explode over the man eaters, sending them flying. Laharl let out a cry of victory as the area was cleared. But then he turned to Darek.

His swords slowly lost their glow, but he was smiling. “Well… I never expected that to happen.” He said, holding his blades. Laharl smiled some.

“That is called unleashing your power. I sensed in your friend a large power, you might have that amount as well.” He smiled. “Not nearly enough to take me, but still a fair amount.” 

Darek sighed. “But… how did I do that?!” He looked at his blades. Laharl shrugged. 

“No idea there bud. Your level must just be high enough.” He said, walking by. He heard something in the bushes at that moment, and went to investigate…

…only to have a furry leap out at him! The skunk girl pinned him quickly, licking her lips.

“Gotcha!” She said, licking his face. “Oh he is a tasty one too! Like a prime ham!”

Laharl went wide eyed, both at the furry’s hunger and at what ELSE he was seeing: big furry breasts. She was a sexy skunk that smelled of roses, and she was about to eat him! “GET OFF ME!!!”

Lillibell got off with a laugh, helping Laharl up, who winced at seeing her. “Sorry about that kiddo. You looked so tasty I could not help my….” She then saw Darek. He smiled at her, and she gave a grin. “DAREK!!!” She said, running to him and embracing him. Flonne smiled and awwwwed.

“The lovers are reunited!” she said. Lillibell (For that, of course, was who the skunk girl was), looked to the angel with a smile.

“You guessed right dear.” Darek smiled, looking at her.

“I see you have been busy.” He said, looking at her round tummy. Lillibell nodded, patting her tummy.

“Some Hunters were in the forest here. I guess they saw me arrive, and tried to make me a fur coat. Bu now I make them into fur FAT!” She laughed some. Gordon scratched his head.

“I don’t get it.” He said simply, looking to Laharl, who shook his head.

“And I thought Flonne was dense, but you keep proving yourself the king of the dunce cap.”

“Well thank you Laharl!” Gordon said proudly, not quite getting the jab that Laharl had made. Darek hmmed some.

“If the hunters were waiting here though… what were they after?” He pondered, looking to Laharl.

“No idea. Nothing but crap in these woods as far as I know.” He said. “Etna sometimes left travelers along here to rot, but that’s it.”

Darek hmms. It made no sense for the Hunters to follow Lillibell into an area where they could be taken. Something was not right…

**************************

Elsewhere, Xerathos smiled as Zalena returned from her mission, a box in her hands.

“Well?” He asked.

“I raided the castle like you asked my lord. You were right, that Laharl’s presence makes those penguin things obey, but when he is gone they and that flat chested slave of his slack off. In the basement, where that stupid spaceman was, I found this. I think you will like what is inside.

The Slayer opened the box, smiling as he found it full of treasures, including a seal similar to Laharl’s. He smiled as he held it up, feeling the power that was in it. “Yes… yes you have done well! This IS a source of power for the demon king! I can feel the power of it course through me!” He smiled as he looked at the name on the back of it, telling what it was.

“Exodus…. I like it’s name. But IU will give it a new one… Apollyon!”

Sounds of his laughter could be heard through the complex, and the ground trembled. His plan had worked all so perfectly, leading that fool skunk to the Netherworld to find her mate, leading her into the maze by planning a fake trap… all to get an Exodus of his own.

All was going according to plan.

(CHAPTER 8 PREVIEW by Etna)

(It is a new season of Hellball, and the Prinny Privates are down by a touchdown.)

(Laharl: Oh no… here we go again…”)

(With the main Quarter back eaten by the opposing Hungry Horde, a new QB comes in… The Amazing Etna!)

(Laharl: Girls don’t play Hellball!)

(With her appearance alone, the Hungry Horde begin to cower, and hope returns for the Privates!)

(Laharl: Yeah, hope she shuts up.)

(Next on Hellball Athlete Etna: 4th and Goal! Can we win?)

(Laharl: I’m betting no.)

CHAPTER 8: Battle of the Talismans

Laharl was furious when he got the news. Etna was hiding for her life, and the prinnies were doing all they could to just avoid the Overlord. News of not only a second Exodus but its theft was not easy for the overlord to take.

“YOU LAZY DAMN VASSALS! I’LL KILL YOU ALL!” Laharl screamed, his body glowing with dark fire. Everyone started to run…

When he finally collapsed.

“Damnit… still too weak…” Laharl said. Flonne ran over to him to help him up, but he pushed her away.

“What’s the point?! That Slayer has an Exodus now. Not to mention a whole box of my father’s strength talismans. His damn army will be stronger than anything now.”

Darek sighed some, knowing he was right. The Slayer was strong on his own, and with Laharl’s strength still bound to the Exodus, it would truly be a slaughter if they fought. It looked pretty hopeless now, since the Exodus was one of the most powerful talismans in the Netherworld.

But then Ebony got to thinking.

“Wait a sec. Two things. One, isn’t the one you are wearing leveled up in the Item World?”

Laharl nodded. “Yeah, but what difference does that make?” He pouted some in his throne, but then he thought about it. “Wait… mine would be stronger, wouldn’t it?”

Etna groaned. “And you say Flonne is dense.”

Ebony continued. “Also, unless I miss my guess, there is more than one talisman type right?”

Etna nodded. “Yeah, but the others are… wait a sec, even if they are weaker, we still have them to combine with the Exodus!”

Laharl nodded. “I think I see what you are getting at here. Combine three talismans, the max a body can stand, and use their combined strength to counter the Slayer’s Exodus!”

Ebony nodded. “Right! The layer has the strength talismans, but the Exodus does more than boost strength. You would still have the advantage.”

Laharl smiled evilly. “Heh heh heh…..HAAAAAHAHAHAH! Brilliant!” He stood up. “Etna! My dad’s Signet Ring! Flonne, bring me my Unholy Rosary!”

Flonne and Etna saluted, and went off. Ebony looked to Darek. “Now we have to make a plan. We have to lure the Slayer and his hunters out, so we can take back the talismans.”

Darek nodded. “Leave that to me and Lillibell. Xerathos has been after us for awhile. If his scouts spot us, he’ll try and use the Exodus to get us.”

Ebony looked worried. “That could be dangerous guys.”

Laharl laughed. “Dangerous, but brilliant! Make it so my vassals! We will be waiting nearby to spring our trap.

Darek nodded, heading out. Ebony, however, was worried. Even though his friend had gotten stronger, how could he be sure it would be enough to save him if things went south?

**************************

“Well, The Netherworld may not be a place for a summer home… but it has its beauty.” Darek said, sitting in the green grass. The red sun shone overhead in an area the portal woman had called the Demon’s Nirvana, a wide plain filled with green grass and like earth in many ways. Despite the fact that he was only bait, he used the time to reconnect with his love, something Lillibell liked.

“I must say Darek, the time you have been away has been hard for me. When I am near you, I just feel so warm inside.” She said, snuggling close. “Of course, that is for more reasons than one.”

Darek smiled, stroking her side, loving the feel of her soft fur. He held her as close as he could and gave her a kiss, liking the reunion. “Lillibell…” He whispered. Meanwhile, in the nearby bushes, Laharl was anything but liking this.

“ICK! It’s bad enough we have to just sit here and wait for a stupid attack so we can get my items back, but do we have to watch the romance channel to?!” He said, sitting on the ground and crossing his legs, while Etna looked through a spyglass.

“It’s called a stakeout Prince.” She said, Ebony standing nearby with a pair of thieves they had recruited. “We wait and watch for the attack to start, and then we go in and kill them, taking back what is ours.”

Flonne sighed some, sitting on a loaf of bread, Ebony spreading mayo across her. “Do we HAVE to kill them? Surely the ways of love could make them change.”

Ebon sighed some. “I wish that could be so. Sadly, the Hunters are now so far gone in their belief that changing them is near impossible. Everyone that Darek and I have tried to convert has either tried to stab us in the back… or killed themselves.”

Etna shrugged. “Huh, that makes it easy to decide what to do with them.” She chuckled some. “I didn’t think skunks were that limber! My goodness!”

“ETNA.” Laharl said coldly. “Stop with the play by play. They are having sex okay, but we knew that. It was a part of this stupid plan.”

Flonne looked to Laharl, even as lettuce was laid on her. “Stupid? It was your idea I thought…”

Etna chuckled. “He’s right then.”

“SHUT UP!” Laharl said, standing up. “And for your information, never once did I say ‘Fuck in a field to draw hunters’ at any time. GOT IT?!” 

Etna was about to comment when Ebony raised his paw. “Hold it… I can hear someone.” He sighed, looking at his Flonne sub. “Guess this will have to wait.” He stood up, drawing his claws, watching as a form could be seen come out into the field. But it was not who he had hoped.

Instead of Xerathos himself, he had sent Zalena to investigate the mysterious tip about a fur and a human making love. She was wearing the Exodus, and had a whip in her hand. How fitting, since it was her favorite weapon to kill with. Beside her stood two Swordslayers, new troops used by the Slayer on the battlefield, when victory was assured. Zalena laughed at Darek and Lillibell.

“Well well well…” She said, cracking her whip, her minions drawing swords and putting on strength totems. “Looks like I caught the legendary Servanus with more than his guard down. And the much debated Lillibell! We had heard of you and your appetite. I like fat skunks… their fur is so soft and warm.” She laughed, but then Darek stood up, showing he was not naked at all, but in full battle garb! Lillibell smiled, pulling a staff out from under the blanket they laid on.

“Not quite who we expected Zalena, but you will do.” Darek said, Lillibell licking her lips. “Seems I have a few new tricks too, and I am eager to use them.”

“Ha!” Zalena said, showing the emblem she wore. “See this? This little jewel sees to it that I am far stronger than you or any legendary hero. So I suggest you just come quietly so I do not ruin my Servanus skin coat, with skunk fur lined boots.” 

Darek chuckled some. “You have one emblem yes.” He said, watching as Laharl walked out, sword drawn, Etna by him with Longinus in hand, and Flonne holding the Crucifix, a new gun given to her by Lammington himself. “But I think if you count all the emblems that I have, and my allies, we outnumber them about 20 to 1.” He smiled, showing off his devil rings, given by Laharl. Zalena was wide eyed.

“WHAT?! No, it is impossible! There is only ONE EMBLEM!” She said, Laharl laughing at that.

“One? Come on. Even the Exodus has a copy I found out, and most are produced en masse by Rosen Queen. Besides, you honestly think I would not allow the theft of my emblem without some kind of backup plan?”

Flonne hmmed some. “But Laharl… you didn’t have a backup plan.”

“Flonne, you are ruining my moment.” Laharl said, Ebony standing by with the thieves. Zalena hmphed. 

“Doesn’t matter. I will still take you all out!” She cracked her whip on the ground, the grass parting, a foul odor rising as corpses began to walk out, the zombies moaning in anger. “GO my new servants! Go and destroy them all!” 

The zombies charged Laharl and his allies, but the only thing they had going for them was numbers, the zombies’ strength pitiful. Meanwhile, Zalena looked to Darek. “As for you, Servanus, you are STILL going to die.” She put her whip away and drew a blood red saber. “And your furry sextoy too! Attack or Perish!”

Darek charged the Hunter, the black blades he wielded clanging against Zalena’s red one, Lillibell starting to charge but Darek waving her back.

“Help the others!” He said quickly, just dodging a blow at his head. Lillibell was reluctant too, but she obeyed, watching as Laharl and company charged the zombies and the two Swordslayers. Flonne drew her gun right next to one, and fired at point blank range, causing a large explosion which knocked her back.

Said Swordslayer was turned to ashes.

“Whoops!” She said. “I guess I overdid it.” 

Etna leapt over her, her spear going clean through two zombies. “Flonne just shut up and keep firing!!!”

Meanwhile, Ebony and the thieves began their run, moving fast. The other swordslayer was the first target, his strength emblems ripped from him easily, while Ebony charged at Zalena. She was too distracted by Darek’s onslaught that she did not notice the Exodus stole from her. All at once, Ebony was filled with power. Good thing too, since the swordslayer leapt at him, sword drawn.

“Oh no you don’t!” Ebony said, turning to face him. “Time to try a new attack I perfected! FELINE FURY!” He leapt at the hunter, knocking him back, and then began to hit him with a flurry of punches and kicks, so fast that a windstorm began to develop. The swordsalayer had no chance, knocked backward, right into Laharl.

“I’ll finish this one!” He called, leaping into the air, the zombies by the swordslayer looking in fear. They knew who they were facing now, and they trembled with fright. “HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! METERO IMPACT!!!!!” As he said that, a large red meteor started to fall, Laharl leaping on, as if riding the rocket to its destination. It was then that the zombies knew, too late, that they had been summoned to fight a battle that could not be won.

It was their last thought as the meteor turned them into dust, the explosion sending the others flying, Darek and Zalena landing near one another. 

“No! My summoned army! This cannot be happening!” She stood up, looking at Darek. “Well, I still have the… where is the Apollyon?!”

“You mean this?” Ebony said, getting up nearby, showing her the emblem. She was wide eyed as she saw that they had reclaimed ALL of the stolen emblems! She turned and saw Darek standing there, a blade to her face.

“Last chance Zalena. Surrender.” He said. Zalena hmphed and stepped back.

“Fuck you all.” She said mockingly. “Your kind will never succeed, for we alone are perfect! All others will die at the hands of Xerathos!!! Long may the Slayer reign!” She leapt into the air, drawing her blade. “DIE NOW!!!! HUNTER’S STRIKE!!!” She said, a blast of blood energy coming up from under Darek, engulfing the area in fire. She laughed at first… and then she saw him riding the blast!

“Enough.” He said, leaping at Zalena. She knew she would not survive if she stayed, so she exploded a smoke ball. Darek slashed into it, but only found air. Zalena had vanished.

“Damnit!” he said as he landed. “She got away!” 

Laharl hmphed some. “Yeah, tough luck. But we won this day. Now those Hunters know the Overlord is back! I got my powers back! HAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” He laughed. 

Darek did manage a smile. Laharl was right. Zalena may have escaped, but the emblems were back in their hands, and Laharl and the others were regaining their powers. Today was a great victory indeed, no matter the fact that the Hunter Commander had escaped. Her time would come.

(CHAPTER 9 PREVIEW by Etna)

(For sale now! Don’t delay! You two can own your own Exodus Emblem!)

(Jennifer: That’s right! For only 100000000 Hell, you can own the preferred totem of Overlords!)

(Plus, as an added bonus, we will throw in this GInzu Knife set, for those cannibal parties!)

(Jennifer: Buy now, supplies are limited!)

(Thursday: ERROR. ERROR. CHAPTER NOT PREVIEWED…)

CHAPTER 9: The Prism Rangers

Xerathos was infuriated and angered over the next few days. His plan to steal the emblems had resulted in failure, his learning of even MORE of them out there owned by the Overlord Laharl making his life difficult. Worse, Zalena had not returned from her assignment, fearing for her life, which she would have lost according to Xerathos’ law, leaving him without a second in command. His other subordinates had secured the area very well, but whenever the Overlord or Servanus was involved, they had lost. For two weeks this losing streak continued.

“Damn that Servanus.” Xerathos said. “The emblems are gone, my arrows countered, and my assaults failed. And that imperfect Zalena has abandoned the Hunters like a coward, instead of taking her punishment.”

A Hunter by him stepped forward. “Perhaps we should abandon this location for now? We can always return later.”

The Slayer shook his head. “No. Servanus is HERE. The Devil is HERE. We stay.” He sighs. “But we need more power than we have. There must be a way to get it. And in the meantime, we need new troops. Mercenaries, who will follow orders and buy some time while we regroup. Someone expendable.”

The hunter hmmed some. "Perhaps I know of someone that could be provided..."

******************

Meanwhile, in the overlord's castle, Laharl downed the last of Ebony's now improved potion. Despite it not being at full strength, it was strong enough to restore the rest of their levels. Gordon started to flex as his took effect.

"HA! Not even the darkest weapon can keep the great Captain Gordon down!" He smiles some, while the others just groan. Jennifer turned to Thursday.

"Analysis Thursday." She said. Red beams began to scan the affected heroes.

"ANALYSIS COMPLETE. LEVELS RESTORIED."

Laharl smiled. "Good thing too. Even though we only got to level 50 of that Item world, it was enough to restore us."

Etna chuckled, sipping some blood moon tea. "And with the Slayer suffering those defeats, all we need to do now is find their base and wipe him out!"

Laharl stood up. "Ah, who cares about him now? He's no threat anymore. Let him fester for awhile, I got to get back to my hunting down of heroes and such. Speaking of which, where are those two offworlders?"

Flonne, eating a sugar cake, hmms some. "I think they are up in the tower. That reminds me though, I promised I would be a meal for Lillibell. She won a bet." She stood up. "Bye!"

As Flonne left, Laharl sighed some. "Why are all my vassals crazy?"

Etna giggled some. "Just lucky Prince." She gives him a kiss, whispering a word in his ear. All at once, he goers wide eyed and heads for the bathroom.

"Jeesh! Didn't we resolve the gingerbread thing like three episodes ago?"

*************************

Meanwhile, in the tower, Darek looked out over the landscape. Despite the massive victories there had been lately, he felt uneasy. It was too easy. The Slayer was not following his standard pattern here. Why? What was he really doing with these pitiful attacks? It did not make sense to him.

"Darek?" Ebony said, climbing up to see him. "The potion worked. Everyone is back to normal now." 

"That is what worries me." Darek said. "The Slayer is failing too quickly here."

Ebony smiled. "Maybe he has too few troops to support him."

Darek shook his head. "No, that doesn't make sense for him. He has the manpower... but maybe not the levels. He may be stalling for time."

Ebony laughed. "Darek, we may finally have him! He's weakened because he can no longer use the arrows, Zalena is missing, and we have won every engagement we had with him lately. It may finally be ending. All we have to do is find Xerathos, kill him, and it's over."

Darek was silent for a moment. "I wish I could believe that. But the Slayer planned the deaths at Seraphim so carefully. I cannot believe just yet he would be so foolhardy here. No... He is after something. Maybe something only he knows about that is here."

Ebony sighed some. More than he wanted to admit, he knew Darek was right. This had been going to easy. What was the slayer up to?

*****************************

Xerathos was wide eyed with surprise. "THESE are the mercenaries you found for me?" he said, looking at the forms before him.

They were all clothed in full body suits, even masks, each a different color. On the masks were large black areas for seeing through but not to see the face behind, and over it was a multicolored rainbow like it was passing through a prism. There were three of these oddities in all, one red, one blue, and one yellow.

"Word is you need a team of heroes!" The red one said.

"Well, we are the right ones for the job!" The blue said, making a pose.

"For we are..." The yellow said, striking one as well. Behind them an explosion went off, and then they all spoke.

"THE PRISM RANGERS!"

Xerathos was silent for a moment, and then began to laugh. He looked them over with a rather diabolical look.

"Oh they are perfect! But I have a question. Why only three?"

Red spoke up. "We have no friends, so we cannot from the team of five."

Xerathos smiled. "If I can arrange two more to join you, will you perform my task?" He snaps his fingers, two of his black-armored elites stepping forward.

"Red!" Blue said happily. "At last! We can make the full team! Quick, give them the changers!"

Red nodded, handing the two elites watch sized emblems embedded in a belt buckle. They looked at the emblems, each a different color. Xerathos smiled as this was done, and he spoke.

"Now then... I need you to locate for me something of great power. Something I can use to destroy the evil of this world."

Prism Red spoke up. "Not a problem! We know right where to look too: The Stellar Graveyard!"

Blue then spoke. "Yup! Someone said there is a massive ship there... perhaps you can use it!"

Xerathos smiled. "Make it so." he looked to his elites. "GO with them, and do as they say." The two nodded, taking the devices, Prism Red explaining what the team did. Meanwhile, Xerathos went to the main chambers. "Now, we need to find some way to boost our strength. We have the numbers. The talismans proved to not be as powerful as I had hoped, the arrows are now useless... There must be a way."

He pondered some, and then smiled. "Perhaps it is not so hard to find a way as I think. I will follow these rangers, and see how Laharl fights. So far I have not seen his true power. Now perhaps I can figure out how strong he really is, and where he gets it from."

***************************

"What? The Prism Rangers?" Darek said, crossing his arms. "Who the heck are they?!"

Laharl chuckled. "A trio of losers who tried to get my throne awhile back. Honestly I thought they were finished, but now it seems that they are back for more pain. We got word via Hellmail that they were there causing trouble.”

Flonne giggled. "I thought they were kinda cool myself. I wouldn't mind being able to wear suits like that."

Etna groaned some. "Fine, you go get the suits, Laharl and I will kick their butts." She looked to Darek, Ebony, and Lillibell. "As for you guys, stay here this time. These rangers are our problem, so..."

"Etna, you forget who is the overlord here?!" Laharl said, glaring at her. "But you do have a point. No sense wasting manpower. But DON'T BREAK ANYTHING." Laharl looked to Flonne and Etna. "Come on, grab a few and let's find those creeps."

Etna nodded. "Right. Based on the report we got, they were heading for the Stellar Graveyard, though why they were going there I have NO idea."

Flonne's eyes perked at that. "Hmmm... didn't we leave something there?"

Laharl looked to her. "Such as...?"

Flonne shrugged. "I dunno... Just wondering." 

********************

Confident of his renewed abilities, Laharl went with only Etna, Flonne, and a quartet of prinnies into battle. He chuckled as he looked about, seeing all the various wonders the graveyard had, not to mention the remains of some of his temper tantrums.

“OOO!” Flonne said, looking up. “A shooting star! Let’s make a wish!”

Laharl groaned. “Fine. I wish those stupid Prism Rangers would just appear so we could whip their asses.”

As he said that, he was hit with a rainbow colored laser blast, sending him to the ground. Flonne looked up to see the red clad Prism Ranger, the gun in his hand.

“Wow Laharl, you got your wish!” She said with a giggle as she helped him up.

“Flonne… shut up.”

Prism Red leapt to a few feet from where Laharl and company was. “Overlord Laharl! Your time of tyranny over this land is at an end!”

Behind him, in a flurry of blue magic, appeared Prism Blue. “Our power has increased since our last meeting!”

Then, in a lightning bolt, came Yellow. “Prepare for your destruction at the hands of…”

The three leapt together, making their stance. “THE PRISM RANGERS!”

Laharl laughed some. “Yeah, whatever. I beat you three before, and I will beat all three of you again.”

Prism Red chuckled. “Three? Did I say we were merely…. Oh yeah, we did formation without our new teammates. Green! Purple! Come on buddies!”

From a void in the ground rose a green clad ranger, and leaping to the ground and forming a crater was one clothed in purple. Laharl was wide eyed as he saw their appearance, but was not deterred.

“Three, five, a hundred… makes no difference, you guys are still pathetic wimps to be crushed under the might of the overlord! Let’s do it!”

Flonne suddenly grabbed his arm. “No Laharl! The villain ALWAYS has to send generic minions to fight the heroes first!”

Etna slapped her face. “Not this again. Besides, we only have four with us.”

Flonne shrugged. “Be that as it may, rules are rules.”

Laharl sighed. “Alright fine. I’ll humor you.” He looked to the prinnies. “Alright prinnies… get them!”

The prinnies stammered at first, then went forward, firing beams from their flippers, or pringer beams as they called them. The rangers may have been full of showy moves and fancy talk, but they were also now capable fighters. While the main threesome dodged and weaved, the two new guys drew guns and fired at the prinnies from a distance. They drew twin blades and went into close combat with them, but they were getting clobbered!

“Etna!” Laharl said, grinning.

“Alright.” She said, starting to chant. “Prinny parade…. Prinny plague… PRINNY RAID!!!”

The four suddenly started to stiffen up, going into the air. The five quickly dodged as the four came down on them, exploding around them. But when the dust settled, the fivesome were in their formation.

“Ha! You honestly think cheap tricks will stop us?” Red said, smiling. “Prism Rangers, Diamond formation!” The five rangers surrounded the threesome, Etna reading Longinus, while Flonne drew Diviner. 

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Laharl said, reading his blade.

“Where have I heard that before?” Flonne suddenly wondered, when the rangers began their attack. 

The three main ones again went in close, each one taking on one of the three demonic figures. Flonne had to fire her gun at close range at Yellow, who was reflecting her bullets with a prism shield. Etna was engaged in spear combat with blue, while Red and Laharl clashed blades. As they fought, Laharl sensed something was different then last time. They HAD gotten stronger it seemed. But something wasn’t right. What about the other two? Why were they holding back?

He got his answer as bolts of prism energy that they fired from their weapons, a gun and a bow, knocked the three of them off of their feet. 

“Ha HA!” Red said, leaping back into formation. “Your time has come at last Overlord! Now that we have a full team, we are unstoppable!”

Green stepped forward, wielding a pair of pistols. “Now you will taste our power. Prismatic Cannons!” Instantly, the two guns fired large balls of energy, sending Laharl and the others flying. Even as they were getting up, they knew the five of them were just toying with Laharl and the others. 

“Ok, Now I am pissed.” Laharl said, calling up his power. Slowly, balls of energy formed around him. Beside him, Flonne charged up for her Holy Arrow assault, and Etna prepared her Sexy Beam.

“Ok guys… LET THEM HAVE IT!” Laharl said, his Overlord’s Fury attack smashing into the rangers, the arrows firing into the barrage, a heart shaped beam rounding out the onslaught. Laharl laughed as the explosions occurred, but then was wide eyed at what he saw.

The rangers were damaged, but nowhere NEAR as badly injured as they would have been last time. Laharl could not believe it! Was having two more rangers making this much of a difference? Apparently, the answer to that was yes. And that made Laharl very angry.

“Damnit!” He said, struggling to stand after his last assault. "How can we be losing to these freaks?!"

Etna wobbled as she stood, leaning on her spear. "Something is not right here... “She said, looking to the two new rangers. They did not stand like the others, and seemed the source of the ranger's strength. "Prince... I don't think those two are ordinary rangers!"

Red laughed. "That’s right demon!" He said, Green and Purple stepping forward. "The one who hired us gave us these two rangers, his best warriors!"

Purple spoke. "Maybe you heard of him? His name is XERATHOS!"

Laharl was wide eyed! The Slayer! "You sons of a..."

Purple shushed him, spinning his twin blasters. As he did, bolts of prism light slammed into Laharl, knocking him off of his feet. No wonder they had gotten tough... these two new ones were doing all the work!

Worse... unlike the hunters they had faced previously, these ones were a lot stronger. But how? And then… he realized. Last time they had faced one another, Prism Red had not changed to his stronger form until after the battle had already started. This time, he must have done it in advance!

“You have had it Overlord!” Prism red said, drawing is blade. “Now, we finish…. OOF!”

Suddenly, he was knocked back by a blast of light. Laharl turned to look, and was wide eyed. There, a flipper upward and smoking, was a green prinny with angular eyes and a smile on his beak. He leapt into the air and fired several beams from his pringers, the Prism Rangers all having to dodge, though Green and Purple tried to fire back. The attempts failed however, the green prinny dodging easily.

“Laharl! I could sense you need some help!” The prinny said.

“Damn you Kurtis, I don’t need any help!”Laharl said, getting to his feet. “I was just letting them lose their edge so I could take them out.”

Etna sighed. “Don’t mind him Kurtis, he is a stubborn Overlord who doesn’t know how to say thank you… kinda like me.”

Kurtis posed some. “A true Defender of Earth heeds not the call of the voice of those in danger… but the cries of their spirit. A Defender of Earth will do whatever it takes to save a friend… even if he IS the overlord.”

Laharl chuckled at that. “Fine. Do what you wanna do. There is plenty to go around.” He raised his sword, Flonne getting up enough energy for a healing spell, restoring her friends again. “ATTACK!”

The rangers slowly stood up, regrouping. “Rangers…” Prism Red said, posing. “Delta Strike!”

Laharl charged at the rangers head on, but this time his target was NOT red. He was aiming for green this time, which had kept shooting him before with that damn bow. But up close the ranger was a pushover, despite taking a lot of punishment to dent that suit of his. Meanwhile, Etna charged at purple with her spear, leaving Kurtis and Flonne to deal with the other three.

“Thanks for helping us Kurtis!” She told him, leaping into the air. “I won’t hold back anymore. Lord, give me strength!” A large white beam formed in her hands, and her devil wings became six wings like an archangel. “HOLY RAY!!!” She fired the beam at the other three rangers, creating a huge crater as she did. But they weren’t down yet, even after all that. Red stood up, his form bruised.

“No! We will not lose! We are heroes! Green! Purple!” He called, but went wide eyed as he looked over. 

For Laharl and Etna had knocked both of them out, putting them out of the fight. Red was wide eyed.

“You know,” Laharl said. “I am sick and tired of pathetic losers like you guys getting the drop on me. You are all B level heroes and don’t deserve this… but I am in a rush.” He leapt into the air, laughing. “HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! METEOR IMPACT!!!”

Red looked up, seeing the massive meteor heading his way, Laharl riding it all the way to him and the other rangers. “Oh shit.” Is all he got out as he was engulfed in the explosion. 

*******************

Not too far from the battle, Xerathos and a pair of hunters were watching. 

“Well, no wonder my plans failed. Laharl is more powerful than I thought.” Xerathos said. “But not unbeatable. He CAN be hurt.”

The hunter smiled. “And better still, those armor giving things the rangers had can be duplicated. We have ways to easily. And they will look far more frightening.”

The slayer smiled. “Yes… but I wonder if their claims about a large ship around here is true? Perhaps we should investigate. Send word to the camp to begin work on our new armor suits, while I search the area.”

“We live to serve sir.” They said, departing. Xerathos smiled and watched as Laharl and his comrades left, not knowing they had just fallen for a trap…

 (CHAPTER 10 PREVIEW By Etna)

(As our heroes face the Prism Rangers, Kurtis joins the fight!)

(Kurtis: I already did.)

(But as the battle unfolds, The Rangers unveil their mighty Prism Megazord, in order to crush them!)

(Laharl: Oh not again…)

(To counter, Laharl summons up the Gargantua, changing it into the Overlord Megazord, with Etna at the helm!)

(Laharl: You couldn’t drive a stick shift.)

(Next time on Power Ranger Etna: Megazord Melee!)

(Flonne: You got to admit, this one is cool! I want a big bot!)

(No chance!)

(Kurtis: I thought we already beat them…)

CHAPTER 10: Zalena’s Return

Four days passed after the battle with the Prism Rangers, and little had occurred. While the group did find out that Prism Green and Prism Purple were indeed Hunters, not much else could be found out about the attack, since Red seemed to have disappeared yet again. Darek found the peaceful days anything but settling, as the sudden quiet seemed to be too quick.

But Ebony and the others were relieved. They used the time to power up in the Item World. Ebony learning to master his feline technique thanks to some of the local kitkat monsters, who found him very attractive. Lillibell spent most of her time with Darek, talking with him about plans for the future. Laharl and Etna spent most of the time training new recruits and finding heroes to fight, and Flonne... well, Flonne spent most of her time either in desserts or in the bellies of Laharl's vassals. It was Gordon and Jennifer who had the scouting job with the, since they had Thursday with them to aid in the process. 

On that fourth day, they had a breakthrough. Gordon and the others rushed into the throne room, panting some as they entered.

"Laharl!" Gordon said, out of breath. "Hunters... outpost.... found..."

Laharl sighed as he sat on the throne. "Speak up and speak clearly human!"

Etna, who walked in, chuckled. "I think that rocks for brains here found the Hunter's lair."

Gordon nodded, Jennifer stepping forward. "Yes. It is in the Zelos Flats, but something is not right there. When we went... there was no activity whatsoever."

Etna hmmed. "Nothing? Not even a peep?"

"Not even a dood, dood!" A Prinny said. "The fortress was like deserted dood!"

Laharl chuckled, then snickered, then laughed out loud! "HAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Then we did it! They are gone! Those stupid humans must have used the Prism Rangers to cover their tracks!" he looked to Etna. "Bring those offworldes to me. We have some unfinished..."

"But that is not all overlord!" Gordon said. "Thursday?"

The robot rolled forward. "SENSORS ACTIVATED NEAR THE ZELOS FLATS DETECTED ONE LIFEFORM. LIFESIGN MATCHES MEMORY BANK ENTRY ZALENA. DISTANCE FROM FORTRESS: 12.7364 KILOMETERS."

Laharl chuckled some. "So, that creep who tried to get the jump on us with the Exodus is still around huh? No matter. I will wipe her out too."

Etna smiled. "Beg your pardon Prince... but why not have our offworld vassals do the job for us? They are the ones who have the score to settle, not us."

Laharl hmmed at that. "Yes.... if they win against her it is one less problem to worry about, and if they lose... well, saves me the trouble."

Etna nodded. "Yeah! My point exactly!"

Laharl laughed. "OH Etna, you are truly a wicked and evil vassal! Make it so!"

Etna smiled and ran off, laughing and singing, while Laharl chuckled. He looked to Gordon and the others. "You are still here? Get back to work! And locate Flonne for me!"

Jennifer chuckled. "I think I know where she is... again."

Laharl was wide eyed. "Still? Oh come on!" He got up, heading for the kitchens.

*************************

Sure enough, in the kitchen was Flonne, a couple of Majin class demons dining on her form wrapped in a delicious éclair. The Majin generally were eaters of raw flesh rather than fine food. But Flonne was too tasty to resist.

"Flonne, what the hell are you doing?!" Laharl said, sitting down. "Are all my vassals into this now?"

One of the Majin chuckled. "Relax my Overlord." he said. "Relax and dine with us. Today we celebrate our victory over the human scum who tried to defeat us."

Laharl sighed some. "Oh whatever." he sat down and got a knife, much to Flonne’s delight. She giggled some as he sliced into her, taking a large portion.

"That tickled Laharl!" She said. "But why did you take that part?"

Laharl chuckled and but into it "Well, you’re flat chested, but you have a big..."

"Watch it Laharl." Etna said, walking in. "I have a similar anatomy, and I am in a position to stab you good and proper for what you would say." She stepped aside, allowing Darek, Ebony, and Lillibell to enter. They sat at one of the tables as Laharl looked to them.

"Well, our scout group found the Hunter camp at last, only to have it be deserted." 

Darek was wide eyed. "Deserted? Are you sure?"

Etna chuckled. "Well, the source was not the most reliable, but it is somewhat reliable." She finally said. "But that was not all they said.”

Laharl smiled. “Yes. It seems that Zalena, Malena, or whatever her name is still alive, and was seen in the area.”

Ebony hmmed some. “So, seems she DID get away. I wondered when we would see her again if ever. She must have fled the Slayer, he tends to kill those who fail.” 

Lillibell hmmed some. “Maybe if she DID run, she wants to repent of her ways and join us. I hope so.”

Darek hmmed and shook his head. “Doubtful. If anything she has gone rouge and will kill anything that gets in her way.” He then looked to Laharl. “Why do you tell us this information incidentally? After all, it does not benefit you.”

Laharl paused some, then chuckled. “You know me too well human. Not bad for so short a time.”

Darek chuckled. “I have seen your style of evil before.”

Laharl smiled. “Well, to answer that question you asked. The reason is because she is your concern not mine. Consider it a last job before we settle OUR score.”

Ebony nods, knowing what he means. “So you mean to challenge us to huh?”

Laharl nods. “Yes, I intend to fight and slay you three, making you my vassals FOREVER.”

Lillibell hmmed some. “Well, forever with Darek would be wonderful. I may just surrender to you.”

Etna laughed some as Laharl started to fume up. “So much for inspiring fear huh Prince?”

Flonne giggled, slowly reforming as the Majin finished her off. “I love doing that, it feels like I am wrapped in love…”

Everyone looked to her. “SHUT UP FLONNE.”

*******************

A short time later, Darek, Ebony, and Lillibell were on their way to the Zelos Plains. They knew they were in the right area when they saw the bodies of various demons all about. Darek drew his swords as they walked, but everything was so eerily quiet.

“Look familiar Ebony?” Darek said sadly. “I see the Slayer’s methods have not changed. He is still a killer of children and innocents.”

Ebony nodded. “And of his own men and woman. Several of these bodies are his own Hunters. Xerathos is still as evil as ever.”

Lillibell nodded and hugged close to Darek. “I hate this place. More than any in the Netherworld…”

Darek nodded and held his love close. “I know my darling… but we will not be here long if the info was… look!”

Darek pointed towards a large fortress, made from wooden pillars, adorned with the skulls and body parts of slain imperfects. Darek knew full well what this was as he saw the bloody standard of the Hunters. They had found the lair. And just as they were told… it was silent.”

“Maybe they all killed each other?” Ebony said. But Darek shook his head.

“No, Xerathos would never allow that. He may be evil, but he also has a commanding presence.” He walked up to the gate, slowly pushing it open, blades drawn. Inside the place looked fully abandoned, with few bodies and no equipment of the hunters to be found. “They pulled out. They’re gone.”

Ebony smiled. “So, we beat them here.” Lillibell started to perk up, but Darek was silent. Something was not right about this.

“It makes no sense. Those Prism Rangers he sent against Laharl and the others in the Stellar Grave…. Wait a sec… how DID Laharl find out they were there anyway? No were in the area I thought.”

Lillibell hmmed. “He said they got the news via Hellmail. From what I learned, it is the Netherworld version of E-Mail.”

Ebony hmmed some. “I think I see where you are heading. Every other time we got word of the Hunter activity told us. It was the only time we were not informed. But why?”

“You will never know!” A voice rang out. The three looked up, to see a familiar form cloaked in dark armor. Her scarf was gone, showing her beautiful face, despite tracks of tears on it. “I will redeem myself by killing you now, so you will never know of the Slayer’s intent!”

Darek started to step forward, but Ebony stilled him. “Stay back. This time she is mine.” He steps forward. “Zalena, it’s over. The Slayer has abandoned you to die. We don’t have to do this!”

“SHUT UP!” Zalena said, leaping down to the floor of the complex. “I refuse to believe he would abandon me! No human would, only Fursons!”

Ebony sighed some. “Look around you! They are gone! Your forces have…”

“ENOUGH!” She said, screaming in what Darek could sense was a mix of pain and hate. “No more! Just die!!!”

Ebony sighed as she charged him, taking a fighting position. In one swift motion, he disarmed her, the sword she had drawn tossed into the air and away. She turned and took a fighting stance, the two stared for a brief time, the look in her eyes one of pain. Darek and Lilli saw it.

“Darek...” Lilli said… when she charged Ebony. The two entered a fight of fisticuffs, neither landing a punch as they moved so fast. But Lilli saw her tears fall as she fought. “Darek, she is in pain…”

Darek nodded. “I know… but this has to be done.”

Lilli watched as Zalena fought, not landing a punch on the feline. But then she noticed something… he wasn’t fighting back. He was not even trying to land a punch on her. Did he know? Did he see her pain? Both she and Darek knew that he could see her pain.

“Fight back damnit!” Zalena screamed. “Fight back like you furs are supposed to! Like he told me you would!!!”

Ebony just sighed as he dodged the blows, leaping away from her. “Like HE did?”

Zalena was wide eyed. “He was supposed to! I was supposed to kill him! They are the enemy!”

Ebony chuckled some. “Yet he cared for you enough to save you from the very ones you now serve.”

Darek was wide eyed. “WHAT?! You told me she was…”

Ebony nodded. “Attacked, yes. But I never said by who.”

“LIAR!” Zalena said, leaping at Ebony. “They saved me! They… they saved me from the murders!”

Darek looked to her. “The ones that took his family?” Zalena looked at Darek and cried, kneeling before Ebony.

“Kill me! Kill me like you did them! DAMNIT FINISH IT!!!!” She screamed. Darek was surprised. This was not the girl she had fought before. Without the hunters, she was cared and alone. She was no more evil than he was, in spite of what she did. 

“No.” Ebony said, walking away from her. “You deserve a better fate. You deserve to learn the truth.” He looked to Darek. “Now you see why I had to take her.”

Lilli nodded, as did Darek. “Yes… You knew her pain. I did not, all I saw was a hunter.”

Ebony nodded. “Not all are evil whop bear its emblem.” He looked to Zalena, her face in her hands, tears pouring out. “Some just were looking for acceptance, and went there to find it. They were brainwashed and led astray. Not everyone who was in Seraphim and stayed in the Hunter’s world was a hunter. Some were lost kids who were taken in by Xerathos for his purposes.

Zalena stood up. “You… can’t be… telling the truth… he loved me…” She whimpered, walking on. “And I failed him… I should have let him kill me and I didn’t.”

Lilli looked to her. “Then come with us. Let us show you the truth about Fursons. Let us show you what we really are like.”

Zalena looked at her and shook her head. “No… I do not deserve to be welcomed anywhere anymore. I betrayed my parents, betrayed my leader… and… and I…. betrayed my friend.” She looked about. “I am a traitor… and an imperfect.” 

Darek was about to say something but held his tongue as she walked off. Ebony looked to her. “Damn you Xerathos... you kill her parents and make her a killer like you.”

Darek nodded. “Ebony… we cannot let this go on. We have to learn where those Hunters went… and stop Xerathos once and for all.”

Lilli nodded. “Count me in.”

Ebony smiled and nodded. “Right.” He started off, eager to find the Slayer and finish him.

But where to find him was another matter.

**************************

“Everything looks like it will run sir!” A hunter said, the panels on the bridge lighting up. The Slayer, now clothed in armor that crackled with energy, laughed.

“That Item World is a wonder. Who would have thought there was a gate to it in this vessel: A world where time slows and days equal months!” He looked to his hunters, all of them now elites. “And this ship… this flying fortress… with it I will destroy every imperfect across the dimensions, and annihilate Fairton!”

“Yes sir!” The Hunters on the bridge said. Slowly, the vessel they were on rose from the dirt it rested in. It was a massive ship, larger than a continent and armed to the teeth with laser and missile batteries. It bore a name on the side of it, a familiar name to all in the netherworld.

The name of the ship was the Gargantua.

“SET COURSE FOR THE OVERLORD’S CASTLE! BURN EVERYTHING EN ROUTE!” Xerathos said, the batteries opening fire on the land below. “Now Laharl, Overlord of the Netherworld, your end has COME! HAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

(CHAPTER 11 PREVIEW by Servanus)

(The Slayer has resurrected the Gargantua, and has mounted an assault on the overlord.)

(Etna: “Hey! I’m supposed to do these!”)
(With untold power at his hand, the Netherworld faces peril.)

(Laharl: Etna… I think he is serious.)

(The final hours of the Netherworld seem to have come, unless Laharl, Servanus, and the others can stop the Slayer.)

(Etna: He IS serious!)

(Flonne: Heaven help us!

(Laharl: I won’t let him win!)

(Next time on Disgaea S: Assault on the Overlord.)

(Laharl: XERATHOS I WILL KILL YOU!!!!!!!)

CHAPTER 11: Assault on the Overlord

Laharl waited by the portal for Darek and Ebony and Lilli to come back, but they did not seem to be returning as fast as he would like. What was holding them up? 

“Dood, he portal is not working like it should I think.” A nearby prinny said. Etna nodded.

“I agree Laharl. Something is up out there in the Netherworld.”

Laharl laughed. “Rubbish! Those three must have gotten defeated. No matter, I will just…” But before he said anymore, Thursday rolled in, arms waving about.

“ALERT! ALERT! MASSIVE OBJECT APPROACHING! 3000 DEAD IN WAKE! OBJECT IDENTIFIED AS THE GARTANTUA!”

Flonne, running behind Thursday, called out. “Laharl! The Gargantua has risen! It’s like a monster movie out there, everyone is dying!”

Laharl’s eyes went wide. “What?! I thought we…. Flonne, you were supposed to destroy that thing!”

Flonne blushed. “Come on Laharl! It was so cool! We could use it!”

Etna groaned. “Yeah, well someone beat us to it. And they are wiping the netherworld out!”

“General Carter?” Gordon said, hearing the news. But Laharl shook his head.

“No way. He would not destroy wrecklessly. It has to be someone who kills for… wait a sec… that human who removed our levels for awhile! He must have…”

As if confirming his suspicions, a large blast hit nearby, smashing the portal gate and injuring several servants. Debris flew everywhere. Laharl flew upward to see who was piloting the ship, only to stare wide eyed at the gruesome display he saw.

As the Gargantua flew above, leveling things left and right, a group of hunters in crackling black armor were killing any who survived on the ground below. Laharl watch as a young demon’s head was cut clean off, the murderer laughing. His rage began to grow.

“Impossible…. Too cruel even for the Netherworld…. THIS IS UNFORGIVEABLE!!!!!!!!!” Laharl flew towards the hunters, but was in for a little surprise, as one of them landed a blow on his face that sent him flying. But how was that possible?!

"LAHARL!" Flonne shouted, opening fire with her pistol. But her shots were having barely any effect. Etna threw a couple extra into the crowd of hunters, but the hunters emerged unsigned. What was going on?!

"Fall back Prince, they are too strong!" Etna shouted, opening the castle gate. Laharl, angry he was taken so off guard, ran for the gate, running into it as it shut behind him. Around him, his servants and vassals began to prepare for a siege, but it looked pretty hopeless.

"Damnit..." Laharl managed to say. "How did they get so strong?!"

Flonne shifted in her steps. "Ummmmm... well..."

"Flonne, what is it?"

Etna sighed some, also nervous. "Well... She liked the ship so much, and I wanted something to do on it... so I had an Item World portal installed."

Laharl was wide eyed. "So that's what they were... Fucking SHIT!" He said. "If they have been in there for all four days, then it must be like years went by! No wonder they got so strong! And that armor... it must make them like demon gods!"

Flonne looked out at the army that was fast charging on them. "What are we going to do Laharl?! There are a lot of them, and all of them are..."

"Shut up, I know..." Laharl said. "Flonne, we will need some help for once. And a lot of it. Sound the alarms! Alert every demon able to fight to take up arms! If this Xerathos wants a war, he has it!" Laharl flew into the air, charging his Overlord's Fury. "I WILL GIVE THEM ALL HELL!" He launched the energy orbs, but this time he aimed at the lava from around his castle. Immediately, large waves of lava began to come up from the depths, directed at the hunters. They were strong, but they were not strong enough to block the lava flow. Laharl went down to the bridge, a makeshift army of demons and monsters lining up behind him. He grinned wide, not because he knew he would win, like he usually did.

He was grinning because he knew his time to die had come.

****************************

On the bridge, Xerathos was laughing maniacally as his stolen battleship laid waste to the surrounding area, and the locals were killed left and right. "Yes! Soon this pitiful land will be wasted, and we can move to purifying ALL dimensions, starting with the mirror to this one."

A hunter nodded, his scanner showing the images of Celestia and its angels. "Course is laid in to be activated once we are done here sir."

Xerathos smiled further as he saw the Overlord's army charging his own. "Fool! He rushes to die. No matter, saves me the trouble." He turned to his gunners. "Aim all guns at the Overlord! Kill him!"

All at once, a barrage of flame and missiles were sent against the overlord, batteries firing on him until a crater as large as the castle appeared under him. Xerathos laughed loud and long as this happened.

And then...

"Is that the best you got?!" He heard from below. He stared wide eyed as the Overlord was standing, an energy shield having blocked the attack. He chuckled some, seeing how the enemy army stood there, dumbfounded. He knew he had stopped the attack, but he knew he was dead. There were too many. No matter. He would take down as many of them as he could before they got him.

"FOR THE NETHERWORLD!" Laharl shouted, the charge going. From the castle rained bullets, arrows, and magic spells, while the ground fighters drew in close. Laharl, more ready now for the hunters, dodged their blows and began to counter them deftly. At his sides his subjects were taking hits, but Laharl kept moving forward, heading for the Gargantua. He did not see the hunters behind him, one with an axe to slice him in half.

But Etna saw it. Laharl turned around to see the hunter with a spear through his middle. Etna shot him a sarcastic smile.

"Always leaping in before thinking huh Prince?" She said.

"I could say the same for you!" He replied, taking down another hunter. "I hope you know we are doomed."

Etna chuckled. "Eh, everyone goes sometime." She jabbed Longinus at another hunter, taking another down. But then something happened. From above came a rain of arrows made from angel feathers, along with beams of pure energy. The duo looked up and was shocked at what they saw.

It was the hunter who had taken the emblems! But this time, she was fighting on Laharl's side! And she was not alone either. With her was Flonne using her Divine ray, an entire company of Celestia archers, and even... VULCANUS?!

"Well, talk about divine intervention!" Etna said. Vulcanus and Flonne landed before the duo, the angels opening fire onto the surrounding hunters. It was Vulcanus who spoke.

"Before you get the wrong idea Laharl, I am only doing this because the Seraph told me to. Besides, those freaks want to take Celestia next, and I will be DAMNED if I will let that happen."

Flonne smiled some. "Whatever your reason Master Vulcanus... thank you."

Vulcanus raised his hand. "Thank that woman. I ran into her while I was around here, trying to find those hunters and join them, when she told me about things that happened. Seems there are things out there worse than you Laharl."

Laharl growled. "What?! I am the biggest baddass in the whole Netherworld!"

"Uh, hello, war raging around us?" Etna said, blocking a blow. "And what about that hunter woman?!"

Vulcanus blasted a few of the hunters with his energy bolts. "No idea. She told me once she led us here she had something to take care of on the ship."

Laharl looked up at it, and noticed something different. For one, it had stopped, and for another, it was no longer firing. He did not have much time to contemplate this as he was sent flying by a hunter's fist. Returning to the matter at hand, he charged the hunter's again.

******************

On board the ship, Zalena was working on shutting down the ship weapons in one of the main chambers below. She had already taken out the hunters on guard here, so shutting them down was quickly done. But her efforts had not gone unnoticed, as she saw more of the hunters coming.

But she did not care. She was hoping to be killed by them, to die in battle here, since everything she had to live for, one way or another, was gone. She drew her blade and charged at them, destroying panels as she went, further sabotaging the weapons. One by one she slashed into each of the charging fighters, though more wee coming, and she knew even more were fighting below that would be back soon.

After all, the Overlord might have a large army, but the hunters were in the hundreds of thousands. Sheer numbers alone were in the hunter's favor, and she could sense how much stronger they had gotten. As she felled more of the hunters, she knew more would be on her soon.

Good. She would die well. She chuckled as they rushed her, and she slashed away at them. "Shame I never thanked Ebony... I think I could have liked him..."

*********************

"Damnit!" Laharl said, glancing about. Even the reinforcements from the celestial host had not turned the tide of battle, as it seemed twice as many hunters joined in right at that moment. He was glad only for a brief moment that the firing from the ship had ceased finally before, but now he would have preferred it to being backed up to the gates of his castle, the hunters fast gaining.

Vulcanus stood by him, badly hurt, but still fighting. He looked to Laharl with a grimace. "Well... this is it. Never thought I would die by a demon."

"Shove it angel." Laharl said, black blood trickling from a gash in his chest. "We aren't dead yet, and when we do go, I plan to take them all with me." His energy drained, he was down to using his fists and his sword to send the hunters flying. But there was just too many. 

And then, in the distance.... a horn sounded. Up in the castle, Gordon, Jennifer, Flonne, and Thursday were among the first to see who blew it. There, on the far ledge, stood a former hunter and a feline. It had to be Ebony and Darek.

And with them stood over one hundred thousand fursons! They were all wielding swords, guns, spears, and whatever other weapons imaginable.

"LAHARL!" Gordon called. "I think the reinforcements just showed up!"

Even as he said that, the hunters turned, and seemed frozen with fear. The ones they had sought out, the ones who had escaped. Now they were back, and they were ready to fight.

"FURSONS!" Ebony yelled. "Your allies in arms lay below, in danger from our true enemies. We have been idle in Fairton for too long, the time has come for us to avenge those we have lost!"

Shouts of agreement came from the group.

"The time has come! Let us end the war they began!" He raised a large sword. "CHARGE!!!!!!"

And on that, the fursons joined the fight, and the tide seemed to turn. Laharl laughed as he saw the hunters unable to fight back, even as more hunters entered the fight from the Gargantua, his own forces finally advancing. Beside him, Flonne, Etna, and Vulcanus stared in disbelief.

"Wow!" Flonne said, little hearts in her eyes. "The heroes make the great entrance just as their friends near defeat!"

Everyone looked at her and groaned. But this time they just smiled. "Then we need to help them!" Laharl said. "Can't have that feline and the dumb human steal the glory.  FOR THE NETHERWORLD!!!!" He shouted, his own forces, even those still in the castle, joining the fight. slowly but surely the hunters began to retreat to the ship, but even there was no longer safe as the fursons began to make portals that led to the ship deck. On the bridge of the Gargantua, the Slayer was furious.

"What the hell?!" He shouted. "Fursons?! Here? HOW?!"

"Sir, I cannot get the guns back online, they have been disabled sir!" A hunter shouted.

"Sir! Thrusters are gone too! We are adrift!" Another stated.

Xerathos knew the reason was the mysterious stowaway below. He picked up his blade and went to investigate, furious that his great plans were falling through so close to completion. As he wandered the ship, he saw several slain hunters left and right, and he knew he was getting close.

And then he saw who it was.

There, by the thruster engines, was Zalena, bloodied and out of breath, but a horde of dead hunters around her. She saw Xerathos and stood tall, knowing her time had come at last.

"Traitor." Xerathos said, raising his sword. Zalena laughed some.

"I was. I am not anymore. You made me one." She smiled. "I will die a repented one."

Xerathos charged at her, blade ready to cut her in half. As the blades met, the fight was on.

**********************

On the deck of the Gargantua, fursons, prinnies, demons, and angels began to show up, having forced the hunters back to the ship. Slowly, they began to surrender, dropping their weapons.

Laharl stepped forward, watching with a grin as the hunters dropped their weapons. "Ha! Now you are ALL my vassals, and will serve me here in the Netherworld!"

Vulcanus chuckled some. "That would seem a fitting punishment to me." Laharl glared at him, but Vulcanus hmphed. "As for me and the host, we shall return to Celestia. Our job here is done."

Flonne smiled at Vulcanus. "Thank you Master Vulcanus!" She said, giving him a kiss. Everyone went wide eyed at that, especially the archangel.

"Um... well....er.... I better.... um... go..." He said, blushing as he and the angels ascended to heaven. Etna started to laugh at the sight.

"If I did not know better, I would say that Vulcanus is a pedophile." she said with a laugh. But Ebony and Darek were silent. Lillibell, standing nearby, was devouring a hunter when she looked at them.

"Hon?" She said, gulping the hunter down. Darek drew his swords. 

"He's here. The time has come." He said, looking to Lillibell. "Take the prisoners back to the castle, and tend to the wounded. I have to face the Slayer."

Ebony looked to him, nodding. "I will go with you. You might need some back up." Darek turned to him, and shook his head.

"No, this one I got to do alone." He looked to Laharl. "Thank you for everything Laharl."

"Thank you for... You are my vassal remember?!" Laharl said angrily. "How do I know you won't betray us?!"

Darek did not answer, running for the bridge. Everyone watched him go, Ebony nodding.

"He won't betray you Laharl. He has a destiny to fulfill." He looked to the others. "And we still have to make sure this ship never flies again." 

Etna nodded. "Right. Hence the." She smiled and got out a megaphone. "COME ON PRINNIES! GOT WORK TO DO!"

Laharl sighed some. "Why do I have the weird vassals?!"

********************

As the group headed through the ship, fighting stragglers while the army took care of the prisoners, they noticed a slew of slain hunters all about, and former acts of sabotage. Flonne looked about, somewhat sick, but Etna was impressed.

"Well, looks like we have an insider working with us!" she said, looking to Laharl. "But who?"

"Don't know, and don't care." Laharl said. "Let’s just find the main engines and... hey, what's that?" He said, pointing up ahead. It was a hunter alright, but she was in bad shape.

It was Zalena, her form covered in blood, her skin pale. Ebony ran up to her, the others watching from a distance as he caught her.

"Heh... knew you would come..." Zalena said. "Glad you... got my message."

"I got that the castle was under attack en masse." Ebony told her. "Your warning allowed us to gather the forces at Fairton."

Zalena coughed some. "Then... I did well... in my final hours." She held up a hand weakly to him. "It's sad... just when I think... I could... love.... I am at deaths door."

Ebony looked to her. "Rest Zalena. You did well for us." He held her tight, trying to comfort her. Even Etna was starting to cry until Laharl spoke up.

"This is no time to cry Etna... what she did was worthy of an overlord. Crying for her just ruin that in my opinion."

Zalena choked out a laugh on that one. She looked to Ebony. "I wish.... I wish.... we...." She started to say, when her breath stilled. Her body fell still. Ebony shed a tear as he laid her on the deck, closing her eyes with his paw. He then stood up.

"Our work here is not done. We have to find that engine room."

****************************

Elsewhere, Xerathos was making his way back to the bridge, his giant sword covered in blood. It was now blazing with fire, its power awakened. He chuckled some, knowing he had dispatched another imperfect. But as he reached the bridge, what he saw made his eyes go wide.

As the doors to the bridge parted, there stood a familiar form, holding two ebony blades in his hands. A look of hate was in his eyes, and his medallion was shining. Xerathos knew too well who this was.

"Servanus." He said, readying himself for battle.

"Xerathos." Darek said, reading his own swords. "Your crew has fled, your hunters captured."

The Slayer chuckled. "There will be more where they came from. There always is. Always those who want a perfect race."

Servanus kept his pose. "That does not matter at the moment. You are all I am after now. I intend to make sure my prophecy is fulfilled. I avenged those who died at Seraphim.  Now I will destroy you." He raised his blades. "En Garde!"

The two met in combat, the flaming blade of the Slayer creating sparks as it clashed against the shining blades of the Chosen One.  Into the bridge area they fought, each blow they made not even coming close to impacting the other. For while Servanus had smaller, faster swords and was that much quicker, Xerathos' blade as powerful as it was large, and it was hard getting past the giant blade.

With a sudden slash, the glass of the bridge was shattered, and everyone outside watched as the two came out, their duel continuing. Darek knew that he and the Slayer were even in this fight, and who would win seemed to be anyone's guess.

But Darek knew the decision for this battle had been predicted long ago. And the favor was with Darek.

So he fought on, determined to finish what the Slayer began, and end this war.

********************

In the engine room, a smaller war was waging, as Laharl, Ebony, Flonne, and Etna worked with the prinnies against the last resisting Elites. But these were the strongest ones, and they were having a hard go of it against them. Lillibell helped as best as she could, shrinking them down and devouring them, but they were starting to give her a stomach ache. Finally, Laharl had enough.

"That's it! I'm tired of fighting my way to the reactor!" He charged forward, picking up a prinny. "Bomb's away!"

With a smile, he threw the prinny into the group of them. The resulting explosion rocked the ship, knocking the hunters off of their feet. But the more obvious effect was the desired one, as the reactor broke apart, the goo inside spilling out. As it did, small explosions began to rock the ship. 

"Oh oh..." Flonne said. "This is the part where we have a limited time before the ship blows up!"

Etna sighed some. "Always the complications."

Ebony looked to the others. "What about Darek?!"

Laharl looked to him and Lillibell. "You want to find him go ahead, we got to get out of here!"

*****************

On the deck, the battle between Servanus and Xerathos raged on, even as the ship began to list forward toward the lava flow below. Darek knew he might not come out of this alive, but it had to play out the way it was supposed to. The way fate had intended it.

"You.... you will not win!" Xerathos said, coming down hard on him with his sword. But Darek dodged out of the way, and stabbed forward. This time, for the first time, the blades sung true against their former owner. Darek drove them in so deep, that they stuck out the other side of the Slayer. He stared in disbelief, dropping his sword. 

"H.....h......h......how?!" He managed to say as he collapsed on the deck. But Servanus, showed him the talisman.

And nothing needed said. He took one of the blades with him, but left the other in the slayer, to help him to die, slowly and painfully, like he had killed those before.

Like he wanted to again.

But now he never would.

Darek left, walking from the falling ship, leaping from it as it passed the bridge to the castle, watching as it slipped slowly into the lava and exploded.

"So... the prophecy is fulfilled." He managed to say, watching as the others started to run toward the castle, shouts of victory coming from them all.

It was over.

EPILOUGE: Leaving the Netherworld.

"So that's it huh?" Laharl said a few days later, sitting in his throne. "You fight something around here that you probably led here, and then you decide to up and leave when he is gone?"

Darek and Ebony nodded, Lillibell nearby munching on a Flonne cookie. "Our time here is done. Xerathos may be dead, but we know other hunters are still out there. Still, I highly doubt they will come here again. They suffered a massive defeat."

Etna stood nearby and nodded. "Got a point there. Now we go back to the humdrum of facing heroes and passing laws, hey Prince?"

Ebony sighed. "Why does she always call you Prince?" He asked.

Laharl growled. "Because she is a damn smartass. And about this vore stuff... I think I might just ban it. It is interfering with the routines of my vassals."

Etna giggled some. "It is because it turns you on Laharl, admit it."

Laharl growled. "Shut up!"

Ebony and Darek laughed and stood up. "Well, we will head home then. I doubt we will meet again Overlord Laharl, but our meeting will be remembered."

Lilli spoke up. "You COULD come to the wedding you know." She told the overlord, but he shook his head.

"NO THANKS. Bad enough to have one love freak around here, I don't need to go out of my way to see more." He smiled. "Besides, I have to rebuild my kingdom and dig that Gargantua out of the lava."

Flonne slowly reformed nearby, giggling. "Wow.... I love doing that... Laharl, you hungry next?"

Laharl let out a scream of anger at that one.

*****************************

Outside a little later, Ebony looked to the castle one last time. "Well, this has to be one of the strangest places I have ever been to."

Darek nodded. "But I am glad we came, since it meant the end of the Slayer." He looked to Lillibell and held her paw. "And now, we can concentrate on starting our own family."

"Oh Darek..." She said, kissing him lovingly. Slowly, they started n their way into the future, leaving the past behind them.

And so it was, and so it is. The prophecy is fulfilled, and others wait to be made. Laharl could continue his reign, even when his subjects would leave to find and destroy Overlord Zenon. Flonne would remain loyal though, and as loving as ever, though the secret consumptions continued.

Darek and Lilli would be married shortly after returning to their home, and began to raise two kids. But Darek would continue to fight the hunters, as they lived on in their own little groups.

Ebony would also fight on in his own way, making new potions and leading those without homes to his to live. One of these would be a lovely white feline anthro he would fall in love with.

But that anthro was Zalena, reincarnated. The High Seraph saw her actions, and gave her a punishment: Reincarnation as the very thing she hunted. She was not unhappy about it though, though she did leave behind all she was as a hunter, even her name. Zalena was dead, now she had a new name.

Belle, aka The Bandit, or Bandit for short.

In the end, however, life simply just went on as it always...

(Laharl: Will you shut up already, I think they get the point! The story is over, we won, they lost, and I rule!)

(Etna: Laharl, you know you are not supposed to interrupt the narrator!)

(Flonne: Yeah Laharl, Didn't you learn that from the Disgaea games?!)

Ummm.... well, in any case, life went on, as it always would.

THE END.