Once upon a time, there lived a king. He was just and noble to his people who in return were loyal to him. Though the king was loved and his land prosperous he felt as if something in his heart was missing. Every night he would stay up in his chamber, pacing and pondering about what could be missing. "I don't understand it," he said to himself one rainy night as he lay on his bed. He sighed when there came a sudden knock on the door. The king glanced over and groaned. "Come in," he called as he sat up. The door opened and a man dressed as a knight walked in.

"King Kai," he said giving a slight bow and a wide smile. "What is it Sir Tyson," King Kai asked getting the feeling that Sir Tyson knows something he doesn't. "You have a very odd visitor," Sir Tyson told him, "He says his meeting with you is urgent." King Kai nodded and sent Sir Tyson away. Not really wanting to, he got dressed out of his night time attire and into his Kingly clothes. Then made his way to the throne room as the rain seemed to pound the walls of his grand castle.

A pair of servants opened the door to his throne room as he walked in. There he saw a small old man with cat like eyes that seemed all knowing. "Ah so the fire bird has left his roost to visit a lowly caterpillar like me," the old man said, "I'm honored like the cheese on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." King Kai sat on his throne in front of the old man, slightly confused what he said about cheese and caterpillars. "What is it that you have say that's so important that you have to disturbed my sleep?" he asked the old man as he crossed his legs and stared at him.

"We both know very well that you were not sleeping. Every night I know you stay up wondering about a specific thing," the old man said smiling. King Kai's eyes widened a bit but suddenly turned to a glare. "Who are you?" he demanded. "I am but a humble servant to my king but you may call me Tao," the old man answered. "Alright then Tao," He said with slight anger dripping from his words, "What is your message?"

The man named Tao stared at the king for a moment. "The thing you are missing," he started to speak, "If you do not find what it is, the Red Phoenix that protects you and your kingdom will turn black along with your heart. I give you fair warning. Don't be tempted by the darkness. Find your light and save your heart, for if you don't, all is lost." The King stared at him in disbelieve. He wasn't sure if he should believe this man at all or to actually heed his warning.

"Leave," he demanded, "someone escort this crazy man out of my castle!" He glared as sir Tyson walked the old man out. Though Tao said one final thing before the door shut, "Remember, find your light or be doomed to the darkness." Confused, angry and tired he stomped up to his room passing a glare at anyone he passed.

The old man Tao knew of something that the King did not. In the mountains near his kingdom lived man who had a personal vendetta against King Kai. This man knew exactly what was missing in the King's heart and decided to use it against him. He would send spies to keep an eye on the King, as he wasn't allowed to leave.

For you see this man was an evil warlock with powers stronger than any mortal, though with this power it makes one think why he doesn't just go and kill the king himself. Unfortunately for the man he was cursed by the Red Phoenix, doomed to live for eternity up in his dark castle in the mountains to the west, where the sun sets, and bringing darkness to the land. Like King Kai he would stay up and ponder, but for different reasons.

"Every single day that man lives and breathes," he said with malice dripping from every word, "while I sit here and rot like living corpse!" He paced back and forth in his library, coming up with ways to kill King Kai. "If I could just kill him I could be free!" He exclaimed, "Free to live, free tospread my darkness across the land, and free to rule." He laughed evilly as one of his minions walked into the room.

"Boris, My Lord," came the voice from the minion as he bowed low. "What is it Garland," he snapped, not wanted to be interrupted while he was ranting. "I just got word from our spy," The man known as Garland said, "Ming Ming said that an old man has visited the Kai and gave him a warning." Boris nodded, "and what was this warning?" Garland took a moment, trying to get every word right in his mind, and then he spoke. Telling Boris everything Tao had told King Kai.

Garland could tell that the wheels in Boris' mind began to turn. "That's very interesting," he chuckled as he began to pace again. "Tempted by darkness," He chuckled once more, "Then I have the perfect plan!" Boris walked over to a small black box that sat on a table in the corner of the room. "Garland. I want you to come here," he said as he picked up the box, "Do you know what's in this box?" Garland walked over and stared at the black box. He stared at the dark gold patters and the small lock, and then shook his head.

"This is Pandora's Box. Inside this box is a potion that releases a man's inner demons. I was saving It for a special occasion but now it's time for it to serve a true purpose," he explained as he opened the box and pulling out a small vile of black liquid, "Pour this into his drink and get him to commit even the smallest of crimes." Boris began to chuckle, "If I can't kill him I can at least turn his heart black." Garland took the vile and walked out of the library. He felt what he was doing wasn't right but he knew he had no choice. So he walked out of Boris' castle to King Kai's kingdom.

It has been a week since the King had his visit from the old man and he hasn't been able to sleep at all. "I suggest you sleep," came a soft, yet boyish voice. "Please Max. I know you're my adviser but please. Stop it. I can't sleep even if I wanted to," King Kai said as he sat on his throne. Today he was taking requests from the locals in his kingdom and quite frankly it was getting on his nerves. Every single complaint etched even more on his already weakened set of mind.

He watched as a hooded peasant walked up. "And what is your complaint?" he asked a bit harsher then needed. "Well my lord," the peasant said, "I have, not a complaint, but a gift for my king." King Kai raised an eye brow in slight confusion as the peasant pulled out a small a bottle of dark red liquid. "This is the finest wine my family has to offer," He said as he set it on the ground in front of the king, "With an added special ingredient it will help you sleep my lord."

King Kai watched as the peasant poured the wine into a goblet, and then watched as he pulled out a vile of black liquid. "Here you are my King," The peasant said as he handed King Kai the goblet. He took it and stared at it slightly, and then suddenly he heard Tao's warning. King Kai glanced around wondering where his voice was coming from. "My lord?" the peasant asked him, "Are you going to drink?"

The King took one more glance around and nodded. Slowly he brought the goblet to lips and drank the dark red liquid. The peasant watched, his face covered in worry. Once the drink was finish Kai gave the goblet back to the peasant.

"Well my king?" he asked him as a bead of sweat slowly went down his face. King Kai gave him a certain look, and then replied, "It was alright not the best…" His face suddenly went pale and a wicked twinkle appeared in his eyes. The peasant noticed this and he thought to himself that he had to get the King to do one evil deed.

He thought about it for a moment then the idea hit him. "My King," he said as he stood up straight and walked over towards King Kai. He watched the peasant got closer. "Do you remember a time long ago when your mother was killed?" he peasant asked. The Kings face suddenly looked pained. "Of course I do. I will never forget," he said looking down, "That man will pay."

The peasant was silent for moment then suddenly he removed his hood reveling that it was Garland, King Kai's eyes widened in a wicked hatred. "You!" he yelled as he got up from sitting down on his throne, "You're the one that killed my mother!" Garland's face flashed a sudden sadness. "Yes. It was me," he said giving a false evil chuckle, "And I would do it again! In cold blood like I did before!"

"How dare you show your face here!" King Kai yelled, "Guards arrest him!" "What? Are you too afraid to face me yourself?" Garland taunted. After hearing that King Kai got up and unsheathed his sword. Slowly he walked towards Garland, his eyes glaring in pure hatred. Garland watched carefully, drawing his own sword. For a swift moment they just stared at each other.

Then suddenly they ran towards each other. "No King Kai!" Max yelled as he and Sir Tyson ran towards them but it was too late. King Kai's sword was already deep inside Garland's stomach. "Y….you…." Garland managed to say before coughing up some blood, "Enjoy the darkness."

He chuckled sadly as he stumbled back, causing the sword to slip out of his stomach. King Kai just stared while the word slipped out of his hands, and clanged to the floor. He was appalled by his actions and by the blood that was on his hands.

King Kai's eyes were wide and he was shaking as he watched Garland fall to his knees before him. "I...I bow to you...oh dark king," Garland said before falling to the ground.

The room was silent as the people watched their King as he continued to stare at the lifeless body of the man that had killed his mother. "I...I killed him," he muttered as his voice shook. Suddenly, there was a surge of pain that rippled through his chest, "Ahh!" he exclaimed a he clutched his chest.

"King Kai!" Sir Tyson called out as he and Max ran towards him, when they reached him; he looked up, his eyes glowing a deep crimson. "Get away!" he said in a harsh tone that scared both Max and Sir Tyson.

King Kai walked a bit forward as a red aura began to surround him. He let out a cry of pain as the aura lifted him off the ground and slowly the aura took the form of a phoenix but as it formed the red turned black, which, emitted a sense of darkness. The black phoenix spread its wings allowing black feathers to fall, for a moment the people in the room were in awe and just watched as the black phoenix flew up and then at the King and disappeared.

King Kai then floated slowly to the ground and softly landed on his knees. "King Kai?" Max asked a bit timidly, "Are you alright?" The King slowly looked up at him, a vicious look in his eyes and a wicked grin planted on his face.

"Never been better," he said as he stood up. His now cruel eyes looked around the room, and then he gave a loud evil laugh. Every one stared in fear as they watched him. His laugh quieted down to a chuckled as he walked to his throne and sat down. "All of you listen carefully," he said, his crimson eyes glaring, "The old King is gone now. What is here before you is a much stronger and less pathetic King." He chuckled once more as people stared at him with fear and amazement.