brightly in the dim light from the moon.

Zellion watched the wound close up by itself. He turned to Neschume and smirked "I want to make a deal with you, of course...But first, I'll explain what just happened to tall, dark, and stupid over here; Dragon made a deal with the Dark One, and the Dark One decided that it was the time to collect his due....."

"So, Dragon is dead? What's the deal?" she snorted. Her bristling, already knowing it, but she was prepared for it. She glanced at the sword at her side. She watched Zellion with intentness, watching his every move.

"You're not entirely right" Zellion said "Dragon isn't dead. His body is, but his soul is in a bit of a limbo..." Zellion continued "The deal I have in mind is this; meet me at the castle tomorrow morning. Give me Excaliber...And I'll restore Dragon's worthless soul.....Oh! It's also a ONE-TIME offer....Sound interesting for you?"

Neschume remembered that if she gives him Excaliber, he will combine it with his other sword. She sighed and touched the sword at her side, which is Excalibur. She looked back up at him. "How do I know that you'll keep your promise, you are a demon." she growled. Her tail flicked.

"Yes." she said. She still looked at Zellion. "So, are you going to keep your promise or not?" she asked. She tapped her claw on the ground.

"I will. I'll bring the sword." she said and looked down at her paws. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She closed her eyes and wished Dragon was here. Then, suddenly she remembered something her father said to her. "If a Niwa Angel has bonded with another, they are able to share souls." She hoped it was true. She looked at Dragon's limp form, then abck at Zellion.

"Good...." Zellion said. He went to Dragon's body and picked him up on his shoulder and back. "see you soon..." Zellion then faded into mist; taking Dragon with him....

Nes sighed. She decided to head to the castle. She picked up Excalibur and headed off into woods, the sword clanking against her side. She stopped once to take it out and check it, being bathed it light, and she sheathed it once again and headed toward the castle, taking her time.

Zellion materialized in the courtyard of the castle. He saw that Viper took his precious time destroying the village. Imps were everywhere, terrorizing the villagers; much to his delight. Zellion called out "Viper!!!! I'm home!!!! And take a good look at the bacon I brought!"

Viper appeared from a smoke cloud. He had blood on his lips and claws and chest. "What did you bring?" he asked and sat down and looked at the form he was carrying. His head tilted to the side. The moon was already high in the sky and was lowering for the new dawn.


Neschume shifted Excalibur again. She really hoped Zellion kept his promise. She saw the river she had crossed while going to the castle, she was getting close.

Zellion remarked "The one thing you can't ever seem to catch" and dropped Dragon to the ground. He cracked his neck and shoulder; as he was sore for lifting the big lug of a Niwan Wolf. "Nescume will be here soon with Excaliber" Zellion explained "I need you on your best behavior, should she try anything foolish..." Zellion turned around and summoned several of his strongest imps. He rounded them up and whispered something to them for a minute or so. They giggled, lifted up Dragon, and ran off somewhere. Zellion turned to Viper and said "I want you to bring every survivior here; especially the king....For we're going to have a show" Zellion smirked and walked off, ready for Neschume's arrival....

Viper nodded and flew off.

A few minutes after Viper flew off, Neschume walked out of the bushes. She stood in front of them and glared at Zellion. She glanced at the sword at her side, she sighed. She prayed that Zellion kept his promise. Her tail flicked and she waited.

Zellion looked around the courtyard for a few seconds. He slowly waved his paw around; mist began to form anywhere and everywhere in the entire courtyard. The mist grew higher and higher; and a few minutes later, the courtyard had been transformed into a miniature theatre; complete with a curtained stage and seats. An imp rushed to whisper something in Zellion's ear. "Perfect...." he grinned at the imp "Soon we can set everyone in their seats, wait for our guest of honor, and then we can begin....."

Nes shivered. She shifted the weight of the sword and headed toward the courtyard. Her stomach twisted and tied itself in knots as fogs began to surround her. She shook her head and soon arrived in the courtyard "theatre". She stood there and narrowed her eyes, looking around. The ridges of her back were standing straight at the air, she had a bad feeling.

"Ahh...Neschume!" Zellion said from nowhere "I must say your here eariler then I expected.." He began to slowly her like a shark. He then smirked "Now we just have to wait for the others if we are to have a nice, peaceful transistion....Do you agree?"

Nes pinned her ears, "I just wanted to get this over with." she said, her tail flicked and she turned seeing Viper land. "Okay, everyone is ready." he whispered and glanced at Neschume, who bristled, her teeth showing, but her mouth was closed.

"Then arange them some seats..." Zellion said "Make sure Neschume and the king go to the front row...." He walked away to the back of the stage..

Neschume watched him leave with narrowed eyes.

Viper lead Nes to her seat and he walked away, bringing the prisoners. He sat the king next to Neschume.

Several minutes later, everyone was put in a seat. Mist formed around the stage and Zellion appeared, saying "Ladies and gentlemen and gentle...imps? My name is Zellion and I'm about to put on a show..But, before we do, let's put our hands together for our special guests; the king...and Ms.Neschume!"

Neschume narrowed her eyes, What is up to? she thought and watched him. Her ears flattened a bit. She sighed.

The King looked around. "What is this all about?!" he snarled.

"I'm getting there, your Majesty..so please....SHUT UP!" Zellion snarled. He cleared his throat as he said "I want to tell you all a little story...."

"Many, many. MANY years ago" Zellion started "There was a warrior by the name of Helix....He was a mercenary that was trying to find total enlightenment....When we met, I offered him power...Power that had the potential to tear apart the fabrics of time and space! He accepted...under the condition that he gather souls on the Dark One's behalf....And so, the 'Deal' was made..." Zellion winked at Neschume...

Neschume snorted. She watched him and waited,

The King looked at Neschume, then back at Zellion. The King noticed Excaliber on her back. His eyes widen.

Zellion continued "In time, who was once a proud warrior...Slowly dwindled down to a whiney, smelly, MORON! A dolt! A flea-bitten simpleton!" Zellion smirked "We can all thank Ms.Neschume for that!" Zellion then said "Ladies and gentlemen! I....Give you.....DRAGON!" The curtains went up; to reveal Dragon's body had been strung up like a large, furry puppet...

Neschume growled and bristled. Her fur stood on end. Her heart lurched when she saw Dragon. She snarled and looked at Zellion. Her ear twisted when she heard the King.

"Don't give him, Excaliber. Dragon would have wanted it this way." he whispered.

Nes glared at the King. "For all the smart things you have said to me, that was a pretty stupid to say. I have to do this.." she whispered abck to the King. The King sighed and looked abck at Zellion.

Zellion nearly bursted out laughing at the look on Nescume's face....But he continued "So, Dragon....How are you feeling this loving morning? Do you feel like you have...no strings?" all of the imps started laughing at this, Zellion said "Do you feel like dancing?" a string made Dragon's head bobble up and down, "So you do?" Zellion smirked "Then what are you waiting for? Dance! Dance! DANCE!" all of the strings holding Dragon began moving him around and up and down in such a stupid fashion; Zellion and his imps bursted into an infectious laughter.....

Neschume growled. "Stop it! Just STOP!" she yelled. She hated to see this. She was doing this for Dragon, why couldn't Zellion just get to the point. She growled angerily.

The King looked over at Nes and looked at all the imps laughing.

Zellion grinned devilishly. His plan was working. "You're just a grand dancer, Dragon! Look! It's your friend and crush, Ms. Neschume! Want to say hi to her?" Dragon's head bobbled up and down as his arm was waving back and forth at Neschume; sending the Imps into yet another laughing uproar...

Nes was about to leap at Zellion, but the King caught her arm. "Don't, he's just trying to get you mad." he whispered. Nes sighed and watched Zellion. She pulled out her sword, showering the theatre in it's light. "You want this or not?" she said, holding it up.

The king looked up at Nes and, then looked down.

Zellion faintly grinned at Neschume "Yes. As a matter of fact----" He pricked his ear up and turned around to Dragon. "Oh, what was that?" he growled "You don't like me playing mind games with your sweetheart? Oh, you want to CHALLENGE me?" Dragon's paws went up like he was in a boxing match. "Accepted.." Zellion said as he then flicked Dragon in the head. Seconds later, Dragon flopped on the ground. Zellion looked at Neschume, awaiting her reactions..

Nes bristled, but she closed her eyes. She stared at Zellion, but didn't react much. She looked back at the King, who's head was still lowered. "You'll have to forgive me." she whispered to him. She looked back at Zellion and sheathed the sword.

Zellion propped up Dragon and smiled as he held out his paw "The sword, please...I haven't got all day, you know....."

Nes flew to the stage, but stood there. "Return his soul and I'll give it