As Alex, Star, and Tasuki strolled through the streets of Konan Alex took the horns off of his forehead and put them into his pocket, since he was sure it didn’t reflect well on him. Star strolled along next to his charge, his form still that of the large panther. The two stared in amazement at how these people could live in harmony without all the technological advancements they took for granted every day.
     “So, who is this Lady Miaka we’re going to meet?” Star asked Tasuki.
     “She’s the priestess of Suzaku, the god of the South,” Tasuki said.
     “If I remember correctly he’s a firebird,” Alex said, “then there’s Seiryu, a dragon, Genbu, a turtle, and Bakyuu, a wolf.”
     Tasuki turned around, his eyes bugging out of his head. “How do you know all that?! Are you some sort of spy?!”
     A large sweat drop formed on Alex’s head a moment before Tasuki was Dill Branded into orbit. When the celestial warrior landed a moment later he sighed and said, “O.K., O.K., you have a temper that rivals mine.”
     “And don’t you forget it!” Alex said, grinning in satisfaction.
     A couple of minutes later the three entered the palace grounds and a throng of guards immediately surrounded Alex. Tasuki tried to get them to back off, but not before Alex Burst Rhondoed them halfway across the court yard. This disturbance brought forth the other celestial warriors of Suzaku, who were to protect Lady Miaka at all costs.
     “Stop, no da!” Chichiri said, phasing in between Alex and the others, “This is the mystic warrior I told you about, na no da.”
     “You must be Chichiri,” Alex said. A moment later a smiling face turned to him. Two seconds following that Chichiri was punted into orbit. Chichiri reappeared a moment later, the smile gone.
     “Now why did you do that, no da?” Chichiri asked.
     “Sorry, you remind me of a friend of mine who smiles too much for his own good,” Alex said, his right eyebrow twitching, “nothing personal.”
     “Tasuki, Chichiri, where is our visitor?” a very female sounding voice called. A moment later a female type form sped from the main hall, picked up Alex, and pinned him to a wall. A sweat drop formed on his head when he saw it was Nuriko, a very effeminate male and the third of the celestial warriors. “I see he is very handsome,” Nuriko said, turning to Tasuki, “you have chosen well.”
     “He’s not going to be part of your harem,” Tasuki said, “he’s here to help us rescue Chiriko and Mitsukaki from the Seiryu Seven.”
     Alex took the minute of distraction to slide out of Nuriko’s grasp and get far away from the male who resembled a woman. When Nuriko finally realized his catch had escaped he immediately began looking. Fortunate for Alex he had enough power left to cast a Levitation spell around himself and Star. The pair floated over everything below them and landed at the entrance to the main chamber where King Hotohori and Lady Miaka sat awaiting him. Alex’s unusual entrance was met by a hearty, “Welcome young warrior,” from the king himself.
     Alex floated down to the ground and dropped to a kneel before king. Lady Miaka giggled for a moment before greeting Alex as well.
     “So, you’re the young warrior whom Chichiri said would be able to help us,” Miaka said.
     “Probably,” Alex said, “though I’m just trying to get to an anime convention and have all ready wound up in two places which weren’t my destination.”
     “And this makes the third wrong turn, right?” Miaka asked.
     “You could say that,” Star asked from Alex’s side.
     “Well, we really need your help,” Hotohori said, “the Seiryu seven and Lady Yui have managed to capture Chiriko and Mitsukaki and are holding them prisoner.”
     “I heard that much from Tasuki,” Alex said, “the question is why.”
     “Originally they wanted Tamahome,” Miaka said, “but now you’re a more tempting object due to your powers.”
     “They want me because of my ability to use magic,” Alex sighed, “it never changes.”
     “So will you help us?” Hotohori asked.
     “I suppose I could,” Alex said, “but I’ll get to it first thing tomorrow. Right now my magic is exhausted and I’m in need of rest.”
     “You’ll be our guest tonight,” Miaka said, “I’ll show you to your room in a moment. Tamahome!”
     A man with blue hair in a style similar to Alex’s stepped from the shadows. His blue eyes were warm and affectionate towards Miaka and Hotohori, but when they fell on Alex they were filled with mistrust. The young man who Alex presumed was Tamahome was dressed in a long, dark blue robe, black pants, and black shoes. He talked to Miaka for a moment before he left. Miaka stepped down from her seat a moment later and said, “I’ll give you a tour of the grounds while Tamahome instructs the housekeeping staff to prepare your room.”
     As Miaka showed Alex and Star around, Star shrank back to his convenient house cat size and leapt onto Alex’s shoulder so they could converse discreetly.
     “That Tamahome seemed like a friendly fellow,” Star said in Alex’s ear.
     “About as friendly as a premenstrual rhino with a tooth ache,” Alex whispered back, “did you notice how he looked at me?”
     “Not really, but judging by how you’re acting it wasn’t very good.”
     As the pair reached the main garden a bunch of Koutan soldiers, led by a blonde haired young man, leapt from the bushes and surrounded the trio.
     “This is not good,” Miaka said, “that’s Nakago, the general of Koutan’s army, the first of the Seiryu seven, and a pain in the butt. He can cancel out people’s abilities with his barriers.”
     “Maybe those of the celestial warriors, but not my other worldly powers,” Alex said, warming up for a spell.
     “We’re full of ourselves, aren’t we?” Star said before he leapt from Alex’s shoulder and transformed into the panther. Star bounded through the air, taking down soldier after soldier with just his weight and momentum. At last he left Nakago standing alone in the center, all the soldiers either cowering off to the side or unconscious on the ground. The panther inched closer to the somewhat demented general, a growl issuing from his throat. Nakago raised his hand above his head in preparation of forming a barrier, but was cut off by Alex’s spell.
     “Dynast Bras!”
     A pentagram formed beneath Nakago, the outline of the symbol glowing a brilliant gold red. A moment later bolts of lightning tore through the ground inside of the symbol, blasting Nakago with a butt load of electricity. When the spell subsided Nakago fell forward, smoke issuing from his body, his blonde hair curled into a nasty afro.
     “Woah,” Miaka gasped, “he’s extra crispy!”
     “Doubtful you killed him,” Star said, “but you sure as hell put him out of action.”
     “How dare you hurt my Nakago!” a woman’s voice shouted from the shadows. A moment later the woman they encountered on their appearance stepped forth and hurled several thunderbolts at Alex and Star, who took the brunt of the attack to protect Miaka.
     “Soi, you shall pay for injuring him,” Miaka shouted, hurling several rocks at Soi, who dodged the futile attempts.
     “He now belongs to Lady Yui,” Soi said, advancing towards Alex, who was in the process of regaining his feet.
     “I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere with you,” Alex said, a large sphere of energy forming in his hand, “Dragon of darkness that sleeps in the inferno, lend me your roar to burn my enemy to ashes. Gaav Flare!”
     The sphere exploded into a beam of dark fire which Soi was barely able to evade without being charred to a cinder. Nakago began to regain consciousness, only to get caught in the beam and blasted through a wall.
     “You hurt him again!” Soi shouted, hurling several more thunderbolts at Alex, who captured the bolts in his left hand, amplified them in his body, and returned them out of the palm of his right hand. The amplified bolts struck Soi in the chest and threw her into a tree, which splintered from the impact.
     “You little brat,” Nakago moaned from under a pile of rubble, “I’ll kill you dead, then resurrect you and kill you again.”
     “Oh, shaddup all ready!” Alex said, placing one foot on Nakago’s head and pressing it to the ground, “Just tell me where Chiriko and Mitsukaki are being held or I’ll blow you up again.”
     A strange symbol glowed on Nakago’s forehead, the color an odd shade of pale blue. A moment later a shock wave of some sort picked Alex up and hurled him through the air and into some bushes, from which emerged Chichiri, who grabbed Alex before he could hurt himself.
     “Tough fighting him, no da,” Chichiri said.
     “No duh is more like it,” Alex grumbled, “who knew he could shrug off one of my Gaav Flares like that?”
     “Well, well, well, looks like Nakago is back for more punishment,” Nuriko said as he appeared from the bushes, “I think I’m going to enjoy this.”
     A large sweat drop formed on Nakago’s head as he visualized what Nuriko had planned for him. “Get the fruit away from me!”
     “Stay away from them,” a young male voice said as something whistled through the air. A moment later small cuts formed on Nuriko’s clothes.
     “Suboshi,” Miaka gasped.
     “You’ll pay for killing my brother!” the young man said as he whipped his bolero weapon around.
     “Will you get over it all ready?!” Tasuki said, leaping from the bushes with his tessen (big fan) in hand, “Rekka... Shien!”
     A massive blast of flames was hurled from the tessen, only to meet with one of Nakago’s barriers. A moment later Tasuki’s, Chichiri’s, and Nuriko’s powers were nullified by the barrier.
     “We’re in trouble now, aren’t we?” Star asked, his hair standing on end as he prepared to defend Miaka.
     “Not necessarily,” Alex said, taking note of the gargoyle statues which were situated on the wall behind the three Seiryuu Seishi, “Vu... Vraimer!”
     Alex formed a sphere of white energy between his palms. He quickly knelt down and pressed the energy into the ground. Three energy beams raced from where he pressed, each beam finding a gargoyle statue.
     “Go get `em boys,” Alex said, performing some complicated motions with his arms. A moment later the statues came to life and began attacking the three long enough for Alex to chant a second spell.
     “Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the stream of time is where your power grows. I pledge myself to conquer all the foes who stand against the mighty gift bestowed to my unworthy hands. Let the fools who stand before me be destroyed by the power you and I possess. Dragon SLAVE!”
     The energy beam vaporized the gargoyles and sent Suboshi, Soi, and Nakago hurtling through the sky towards home. Nuriko, Tasuki, and Miaka stared in open mouthed awe when they saw the power of Alex’s spell. Chichiri, on the other hand, just grinned in smug satisfaction at knowing they had a powerful wizard on their side.
     “Damn,” Tasuki said, breaking the silence, “we don’t know where they’re holding Mitsukaki or Chiriko.”
     “Not a problem,” Alex said as a map conveniently floated to his hand. Around the edges were notes that said Nakago & Soi 4 Ever and Queen Soi & King Nakago with a picture of the pair sitting on Yui and the Suzaku Seven.
     “Soi’s?” Nuriko asked.
     “Nakago’s,” Alex said, “this guy is cracked like a nut.”
     “Actually it’s Nakago’s with Soi’s writing all over it, no da,” Chichiri said. A sweat drop formed on Alex’s head.
     “They’re being held in the town of Quist,” Miaka said as she looked at the map, “but that’s three days of hard riding to the South.”
     “If I hadn’t used all my power for attack spells I could heal Nuriko’s minor wounds and teleport us there in a snap,” Alex sighed, “unfortunately I’m in need of a recharge and some rest.”
     “We’ll set you for Quist tomorrow morning,” Hotohori said as he entered the half demolished garden. Trailing behind him was a rather cheesed (and half burned) Tamahome.
     “Um... Tamahome, what happened?” Nuriko asked. Miaka hadn’t noticed until now and when she saw Tamahome’s condition she changed into SD (super deformed) Nurse Miaka and went to work treating the burns.
     “That clown’s spell caught me while I was bathing,” Tamahome said, his eyebrows twitching, “he should be glad I don’t tear him apart for that one!”
     “Well, I got rid of Soi, Suboshi, and Nakago,” Alex said, “and I’m sorry you got burned. When I’m refreshed I’ll cast a recovery spell on you, ok?”
     “Oooooh, all right,” Tamahome said as he crossed his arms and turned his gaze to the sky.
     “Good. I’ll see all of you in the morning,” Alex said as he and Star followed Miaka back to their room. The others decided they should turn in as well since the following day promised to be a busy and eventful one.

     “So, you messed up again,” a cold female voice said. Before the person knelt Nakago, Soi, and Suboshi, “how could you, the more powerful members of the Seiryu seven, lose to one young man?”
     “His spells caught us off guard,” Suboshi said.
     “Lady Yui, I take full responsibility for this incident,” Nakago said moments before a boot sailed past his head.
     “Silence!” Yui demanded, her body still shrouded by shadows, “No more excuses!”
     Hearty laughter filled the air behind Yui. She turned, hate blazing in her eyes as she looked at Mitsukaki, who was chained to the wall. “Did you think you could capture or defeat somebody that Chichiri said was incredibly powerful?” Mitsukaki said, laughing some more, “Just give up.”
     “Silence!” Soi said, blasting the defenseless Mitsukaki with a thunderbolt. He screamed in pain before lapsing into unconsciousness.
     "Thank you Soi,” Yui said sarcastically, “oh well, at least I won’t have to listen to him any more.”
     “What is our next move to be?” Suboshi asked, his voice shaky since he wasn’t about to call down the wrath of Lady Yui, especially when he valued her friendship.
     “Well, since going to them proved to be fruitless, I suggest we let them come to us, especially when we hold two of them captive here.” Yui then laughed diabolically, a laugh that echoed throughout the temple they were using for a hideout.
     Outside, in the night air, a long old woman knelt before a small shrine, praying over and over, “Please make it stop, please make it stop, please, please, please make it stop!” as Yui’s laugh echoed through the air.

     The following morning Alex awoke and pulled his laptop out of sub space. Once he booted up the system, a small animated mailbox appeared on his screen, a sound file of Zelgadis imitating one of Xellos’ more famous lines playing.
     “Wow, I have mail,” he said, a little startled that e-mail could reach him here. When he opened his mailbox he was startled to find three messages.
     message #1
     from: Izumi34@jol.com
     to: Wsaturn@judas.priest.net
     subj.: HEY!
     Reading the subject line Alex figured Tai was using Izzy’s computer to send e-mail, since only Tai would use bold face capital letters to say ‘hey’.
 message text:
     ‘Hey Alex, wassup? We’re finally out of the Digiworld and back in Japan. Izzy suggested we send you an e-mail and I was at his place so we used his e-mail addy. Oh, Mimi and Sora say hi, Matt wants to know what’s up. Joe wonders how you’re doing and if you’re safe. TK wishes he could learn cool magic like you so he can fight Myotismon. The digimon also want to know what’s been going on and if Star is protection you still.
                       -Tai’
     Alex sighed and clicked ‘reply’.
     to: Izumi34@jol.com
     from: Wsaturn@judas.priest.net
     subj.: re: HEY!
     text:
     ‘Hey all. I’m doing fine. Didn’t expect to get an e-mail from you guys so soon. Tell Mimi she would flip if she saw the fashion of the place where I am - she’d love some of the outfits. Tell Joe I’m safe and I can take care of myself just fine, but thanks for caring. TK, you have the power inside of you - you just need to unlock it.
     Matt - hey there mister man of few words, take are of everyone.
     Sora - rock on girlfriend!
     To the Digimon - Star and I look out for one another, but since he’s my guardian I let him take some responsibility. Make sure you take care of the digidestined.
     Anyway, take care guys and I’ll be sure to visit you.
                               -Alex”
     He then clicked ‘send’ before he opened the second message.
     from: goatboy19@XGB.net
     to: Wsaturn@judas.priest.net
     subj.: hola.
     text: “Hey chico, que pasa? Kylie’s been bugging me to e-mail you for several days now. Thanks for the save when you were here... your magic kicks! Oh, Kylie wants to say something....
     <Kylie> Hey Alex, have you learned any new spells? Did you reach your convention yet? Where are you now? Right now I’m fighting off Garret and Eduardo, who can hardly wait to play Tribes of Death or Starmaker on the PC. Roland says hi and Janine sends her love. Oh yeah, Slimer hopes you send some food. I don’t know about Egon, though... none of us have seen him for a couple of days.
     stay cool.
                   -Kylie, Eduardo, & the XGB
     Alex clicked on ‘reply’ and entered his message.
     from:WSaturn@judas.priest.net
     to: goatboy19@XGB.net
     subj.: re: hola
     text: “hey guys, I’m still working on getting to the con. Kylie, you can learn some of my spells in the online spell book on my web page. Haven’t learned any new spells yet, but they are having new effects. I’m inside The Mysterious Play right now with the Suzaku seven. Look for Egon in his lab - knowing him he’s drooling over the online computer catalogs. Tell Slimer that the food here in Konan is really good. Send my love to Janine, tell Roland to keep up the good work, and for crying out loud Neotopia and Diablo Rojo are the best PC games ever.
         peace out.
                            -Alex.”
     He clicked ‘send’ before he opened the third message.
     from: fireflirt@doa.com
     to:WSaturn@judas.priest.net
     subj.: Sailor Business
     text: “Where on the planet are you?! The Negaverse is plotting their next move and we’re minus some of our better fighters after their last attack. The dark angel’s army has built up considerable power in the past few days. I don’t know why you insisted on going to that convention, but get your butt back here NOW!
                            -Rei Hino”
     Alex sighed before clicking on ‘reply’.
     from: Wsaturn@judas.priest.net
     to: fireflirt@doa.com
     subj.: re: Sailor Business
     text: “I’m not on the planet.... I’m in some parallel universe now.... or I traveled back in time. Call in the Warriors who have Eva armor, call in the Slayers, and also the RPGVA. As for the dark angel’s army I’ll help when (and if) I get back. If I ever get to the fragging convention I’ll be over joyed since my teleport is on the blink.
                 keep strong
                                    -Alex.”
     He clicked ‘send’ before stretching some kinks out of his back. He then opened a mapping program and scanned the map they found into the system. Star awoke while he was doing this and padded over to his charge.
     “What are you doing Alex?” Star asked.
     “Plotting our course to Quist,” Alex said. A moment later he sighed and said, “O.K., I’m done.” He then printed out the plotted course before he put his laptop back into sub space. Miaka and Nuriko took that moment to enter.
     “Good morning,” Nuriko said. A moment later a blush crept over his face since Alex was only wearing a pair of baggy cargo pants and a black tank top.
     “Morning,” Alex said as he stretched again, the tank top riding down and revealing more of his chest. Nuriko flushed bright red before turning his gaze to a painting on the wall.
     “Are you ready for the trip to Quist?” Miaka asked.
     “Yup, I even plotted a better course to get there,” Alex said as he pulled on his tunic, “When’s breakfast?”
     “Right here,” Tasuki said as three servants brought in assorted trays of food, “figured you were hungry and you need your strength.”
     “Thanks,” Star said as he pounced onto a tray of fish. The servant holding the tray set it down rather quickly, otherwise she would have dropped it.
     “We’ll be ready to set out shortly,” Miaka said before she elbowed Nuriko in the ribs. Nuriko coughed before he noticed Alex was wearing more clothing and therefore wouldn’t get him turned on.
     “You like him, don’t you?” Tasuki whispered in Nuriko’s ear. Nuriko backhanded Tasuki a moment later, sending him flying out the door. A large sweat drop formed on Alex’s head. He regained his composure a moment later and began pigging out on the assorted fruits and pastries and food. Miaka face faulted when she saw how much Alex ate.
     “We’ll be waiting for you at the main gate,” Nuriko said as Alex ate, “so be ready soon, ok?”
     “M’kay,” Alex said through a mouthful of food as Miaka, Nuriko, and Tasuki left the room. Alex finished eating a moment later, picked up his pack, strapped on his cape, and left the room with a house cat sized Star at his feet.
     “Good morning,” Tamahome said, waving to Alex, who face faulted and whispered to Star, “he seems to have strange mood swings, doesn’t he?”
     “Just roll with it,” Star whispered back.
     “Are you ready for our trip?” Nuriko asked, his pack noticeably larger than the others.
     “I believe so,” Alex said as he mounted a nearby black mare. Star leapt up and clamored for a perch on Alex’s shoulder. Tamahome, Tasuki, Nuriko, Miaka, and Chichiri mounted horses as well, Miaka doubling up with Tamahome.
     “I bid you good journey,” Hotohori said, bowing to everyone.
     “Thanks,” Alex said, “fare thee well your highness.”
     “We must travel fast, no da,” Chichiri said.
     “Yes, we must,” Nuriko said as they started off. The horses started at a trot, moved to a canter, then a gallop, and finally a full out run.
     “Do you have the map?” Tamahome asked, coming up along side Alex.
     "I have the map and a carefully plotted course,” Alex said, pulling the slips of paper from beneath his cape. He handed them to Tamahome, who opened them and looked them over.
     “Wow, you know your stuff,” Tasuki said as he came up along side Tamahome, “these routes your mapped are A 1 stuff kid.”
     “Trouble up ahead,” Nuriko said, turning his head to say it. The others looked up to see Soi standing next to a beast man. The pair were blocking the path, a platoon of soldiers behind them.
     “Crud!” Tasuki grumbled, “This is going to delay us, isn’t it?”
     “Not necessarily,” Alex said as he stood up on the saddle. He slipped his pack off and tied it to the saddle before turning back to the road block. He began to go through the motions of a spell, Star wrapping his tail around Alex’s neck in a desperate attempt to hold on.
     “Supreme king of the frozen soul, grant me the power of your icy rage. Dynast Breath!”
     A wave of ice exploded from the ground in front of them, moving at an incredible speed towards the two of the Seiryuu seven and the platoon of soldiers. The soldiers fled for their lives where as Soi hurled several thunderbolts at the ice, shattering it. The beast man leapt over the ice and proceeded to attack Alex.
     “I’m Ashitare,” the beast man growled, “and your young flesh will taste delicious.”
     “Get lost hairball!” Nuriko shouted as he grabbed Ashitare’s tail and whipped him through the air. Ashitare rebounded off of a tree and dove for Nuriko, one clawed hand outstretched. A moment later a wave of flames engulfed him and the charred beast man dropped to the ground. Nuriko turned to see Tasuki with his tessen drawn, smoke rising from the edges of the fan.
     “You couldn’t have cut it closer, could you?” Nuriko asked sarcastically as he looked at Ashitare’s twitching form.
     “I’m not a fragging super hero, all right?!” Tasuki growled back.
     “Little help,” Miaka said. Tasuki and Nuriko turned to see the others surrounded by the soldiers, spears pointed towards the people.
     “Frag,” Alex said as several spears came close to slicing off body parts, “one false move and I’m going to be in pain.”
     “Surrender you fools,” Soi cackled, “let us have the young warrior.”
     “You gotta be kidding,” Star said, growing to panther size in a matter of seconds. The guards instantly trained their weapons on Star, giving Alex a chance to leap skyward and transform.
     “Star Crystal Power!”
     Alex curled into a ball before flinging his body straight, his clothes disintegrating as he became energy. His gauntlets and amulet formed, ribbons unfurling and wrapping around his body to form his warrior outfit, his no-dachi and daggers forming on his body as he landed.
     “Well, looks like you’re more powerful in this form,” Ashitare growled as he regained his feet, “tearing you limb from limb will be fun.”
     “I don’t think so,” Alex said as he unclipped his no-dachi, “let’s rumble!”
     Ashitare charged at Alex at break neck speed, his claws flashing, his teeth glistening in the light. Alex struck a defensive stance, his no-dachi held before his body. The blade hummed as an AT Field was erected, which Ashitare ran head first into at high speed. Ashitare backed up, held his head, then fell over unconscious. Soi looked on in horror moments before Star decided to sit on her head, the blow knocking her out. The soldiers looked on in horror as Alex blew away some of their ranks with his trusty Fireball. The remaining soldiers ran away, screaming in terror and leaving Soi and Ashitare behind.
     “So, what do we do with these sleeping bums?” Tamahome asked, indicating Soi and Ashitare.
     “We tie them up and tie them to a tree,” Alex said as he began to bind Ashitare’s hands with some magic rope from his belt. He tossed some rope to Tasuki and Nuriko so they could begin binding Soi. Once the two were wrapped up the group tied them to a large tree before they mounted up and continued to ride for Quist.

     Hours later the group of travelers rode into Quist and were immediately surrounded by Koutan troops led by Suboshi and Nakago. Nakago’s barrier instantly went into effect, knocking out everyone’s powers. Suboshi used his bolero and instantly wrapped up Tamahome, dragging him from his horse and to the ground. Soldiers surrounded the group once more.
     “Ever notice how often these guys surround us?” Alex whispered to Miaka.
     “Yeah, it’s pathetic. They never learn,” Miaka whispered back.
     “Hey wizard, why don’t you do something?” Tasuki growled.
     “Don’t do it, no da,” Chichiri said, “it’s too dangerous, na no da.”
     “Too late,” Star said as Alex began a chant, “hold on.”
     “Mega Brando!”
     The ground beneath the soldiers buckled and exploded, hurling them through the air and scattering them to the winds. Nakago looked on in shock as a rather peterbed Alex punted one remaining soldier through the air like a football.
     “Release the two members of the Suzaku seven you hold captive or I’ll bring this place down around our ears!”
     “Scary threat,” Nakago said sarcastically, “we also hold Tamahome now, so we have three of them.”
     “Oooooh, frag off!” Alex grumbled, a sphere of energy forming in his hand, “Fireball!”
     He hurled the fireball off to the side, striking the building Suboshi stood on and destroying a couple of the walls. Suboshi lost his footing, his weapon releasing Tamahome as he fell through the roof and a hole in the floor. Tamahome rejoined the others as Alex began to charge up for another attack.
     “Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the stream of time is where your power grows. I pledge myself to conquer all the foes who stand against the mighty gift bestowed in my unworthy hands. Let the fools who stand before me be destroyed by the power you and I possess.”
     Nakago paled as he heard Alex chanting the spell. He grew even paler when he saw the mass of dark energy which was being accumulated for the spell.
     “Dragon... SLAVE!”
     A massive beam of energy fired from Alex’s hands, destroying the building Nakago was standing on and catching the general and throwing him several miles away. The beam struck in a field and detonated, an energy dome expanding from the impact site. Once the dust cleared the group entered the temple in the center of the city, only to be attacked by more Koutan soldiers. A couple of fireballs and the soldiers ran from them. When they entered the main chamber Yui stood up when she saw Alex, but grumbled when she saw the other people behind him.
     “Release Chiriko and Mitsukaki,” Alex said as Star began to step towards Yui.
     “O.K., O.K., they’re free to go,” she said as guards unlocked the manacles around Mitsukaki’s arms and legs and brought Chiriko from an adjoining room. Once the Suzaku seven were reunited they turned to leave, but not before Alex and Star bowed Yui in traditional Japanese style. She bowed in return and wished them good journey, since for once somebody whipped some sense into Nakago. Once she was alone she sighed, took a romance novel from her jacket, and began reading.

     Just outside of Quist Alex took out his mini - computer and scanned the space before him, eventually locating a weakness in the tear of time and space. Once he located the weakness he turned to the Suzaku group and said, “Fare thee well my friends. It’s been real.”
     “Do you think we’ll ever meet again?” Miaka asked.
     “Yeah, you came in handy for kicking some Seiryu butt,” Tasuki said, grinning. Nuriko, who was standing next to him, sighed very audibly.
     “What’s wrong Nuriko?” Tamahome asked.
     “I’m going to miss him,” Nuriko sobbed, burying his face in Tasuki’s coat.
     “Does this happen often?” Star asked.
     “Unfortunately,” Mitsukaki said. Chichiri and Tamahome nodded in agreement.
     “You could be my twin, no da,” Chichiri said, looking Alex over.
     “Don’t get any ideas,” Miaka said, “we can’t afford to lose you.”
     “And I don’t know if I’ll be coming back here,” Alex said, “but it would be interesting.”
     “I hope you get to your convention soon,” Miaka said, her mood suddenly changing to insane happiness and joy, “send me something, O.K.?”
     “Errr... I’ll try,” Alex said as he opened a portal, “Star, let’s go!”
     The two entered the portal and were whisked off to another destination. It slammed shut a moment later, leaving the Priestess of Suzaku and the Suzaku seven standing in the middle of a field.
     “Shall we return to the kingdom?” Chiriko asked.
     “Let’s,” Miaka said, “I’m hungry.”
     As they walked off Nuriko said, “But you’re always hungry Miaka.”
     Miaka snarled something which Tamahome heard, causing him to face fault. Nuriko leaned down and asked, “What did you say?” to which Miaka responded by running off with everyone running behind her.

     Somewhere in the middle of a temple the universe yawned and belched a young, armor clad male and a panther onto a floor. A moment later light filled the room as several scantily clad women surrounded them. From the mass came a woman with purple hair, shorter on top with a long pony tail in back, and another with short, strawberry red hair. Both were clad in very tiny female armor that showed off their assets.
     “Is he a demon?” the redhead asked the one with purple hair.
     “I don’t know Parfait,” the purple haired one said, “but he has a panther with him, which must be his familiar.”
     “So he’s a wizard then?”
     “Most likely.”
     Alex blinked a few times as his brain adjusted to the time distortion. Once his vision came into focus he blushed a very deep crimson and averted his gaze. “I am a sorcerer, but this isn’t my familiar. He’s my guardian.”
     “A guardian,” Parfait said, “that means...”
     “I’m a Warrior,” Alex said, “my name’s Alex, and this is Star.”
     “Pleased to meet you,” the violet haired one said, “I’m Cacao, and this is Parfait. We’re holy virgins.”
     “Are you related to Ramunes?” Parfait asked. Cacao fell over, her left leg twitching in the air. Alex got a view of her panties before his nose began bleeding. Parfait gave him a tissue before Alex averted his gaze again.
     “When can we leave?” Star asked as several holy virgins began to pet him.
     “Not until my power regenerates,” Alex said, “and it takes longer each time I use the portal.”
     “Well, you can hang out here until then,” Cacao said, turning to one of the sisters and instructing her to prepare a room for their guest. A moment later she turned back and said, “I’ll lead you to your room, Knight of Saturn.”