A/N: Disgaea: Gothic Lolita takes place after the bad ending in Disgaea: Afternoon/Hour of Darkness (or the ending of the anime; your choice). Since I didn't clarify on the ages of the characters in-chapter, I'll go ahead and do so now: Laharl is 2513, Flonne is 2712, and Etna is 2670. So, they're all about 1200 years older. Now, as for an explanation on how I use the ages of the people in Disgaea; as far as I'm concerned, when Laharl first appeared in Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, he was 1313, right? And his physical appearance was that of a thirteen-year-old boy. So, if he's 2513, then he's gonna look like a guy in his mid-twenties (forgive me if that doesn't make sense, PM me and we can discuss it). Okay, now that that's cleared up, roll the story!

By the way, a beta reader would be greatly appreciated. You just have to have a grasp on what mildly good grammar and word usage is and what happens during the bad ending of Disgaea (or the anime). If anyone's interested, PM me so I can send you this chapter, because I'm sure it has errors out the earballs.

Disclaimer: Disgaea and all of its characters, settings and affiliates do not belong to me. Also, any song lyrics I use in the duration of this story don't belong to me, either. I simply borrow it all so that I can flex my creative muscle.

Episode 1: Almighty Overlord Etna

"Prinny Squad! Get your lazy butts over here!!"

"Yes, Master Etna, dood!" a cacophony of high-pitched voices responded. I watched, surprised, as the penguin-like creatures gathered before the throne with little to no complaint. I found the ease with which they responded to her intriguing. I inched closer in my hiding spot, eager to see how they reacted to her when she spoke again.

"I am making the journey to the Lunar Snowfields tomorrow in search of a new dessert, a delicacy that can only be found in the coldest parts of the Netherworld. Those of you who have saved up enough cash or have repaid your debt to society are also going. Am I correct?" Her voice was powerful, confidant. I felt my chest swell with pride. She became a great Overlord, better than I had ever expected from her. My smile matched hers as she listened to her servants respond. A few whoops and yells of approval could be heard among the thronging crowd of vassals.

"Yes, Master Etna!"

"Quiet down! Now, as you know the trip to the red moon is risky. It would be a shame if you were to die on the last leg of your quest for redemption. So, I am offering my services to you. If you want to go to the Lunar Snowfields tomorrow, I'll protect you along the way. You got that?"

More whoops and cheers. In the front row, a few prinnies were crying. "Thank you, Master Etna!!"

She grinned wider to more cheers from the prinnies. "Eh, don't mention it. Now get to work! I want this place spotless before you leave tomorrow!!"

"Yes, Master Etna!!" The group instantly dissipated. The prinnies were eager to please their kind master, who was perched on her throne looking quite pleased with herself. She took the crown off of her head and stared at it thoughtfully, and after a moment of contemplation I realized with a jolt that she was wearing my crown. I wondered why she chose a simple circlet of gold instead of the multitudes of magnificent and downright gaudy crowns that I'm sure my old vassals offered her. They would have definitely been better testaments to her many wonderful achievements than the one made in my tarnished image. I twitched when I heard my alias ring out in a soft tone.

"Vyers… What are you doing here?"

Standing, I stepped out from behind the pillar I hid behind, concluding that my choice of hiding spots was poor, at best. "You sound displeased, my lady. Is there something wrong?"

She looked up, and I am doused in the brightest of crimson stares, the intensity in those orbs unfazed by the slight smile on her lips. "Not really. I was just wondering why you were hiding behind that pillar. Isn't the Dark Adonis supposed to be more refined?"

I stammered, "Uh-uh- I-I do acknowledge that my actions were foolish, my lovely Madame. I was simply going to introduce myself to the Overlord when I was stunned into a corner by your elegance. Your grace is insurmountable, my lady, even when dealing with the lowest of demons. I was stunned, and I admit a bit frightened by your sophistication. Please accept my apology, dear Madame." I bowed low for effect, turning my charm up to its highest degree. Even the most powerful of demonesses were defeated by my adoring words. I expected lady Etna to be no different.

To my surprise, I heard her scoff. "Why do you insist on talking this way to me? I know who you are. I've known since Laharl's mother was reborn. Do you consider me that naïve, Lord Krichevskoy?"

I was dumbfounded. Never had anyone, especially a woman talked to me in such a blunt manner. No one, I decided, except my dearly departed wife, and with that thought I looked up at the Overlord. Etna was still sitting on the throne, but her posture was rigid and her face was turned away from me in disgust. I chided myself on my actions as I stood upright. In my foolishness I had treated her like a child, when she deserved to be respected for the adult I knew she had become. I walked to the throne and kneeled before her, my head bowed in shame. "Forgive me, my lady. I forgot who I was addressing. You have become… A magnificent Overlord. One that even I must concede to. Your prowess and your beauty befuddled my mind, and our history forced me to treat you as I used to. However, that was unfair of me. I didn't consider that you have been through much without me, and have changed. For that, I apologize."

"… It's okay." I stole a glance at her from my kneeling position. To my surprise, she was smiling at me, one fine eyebrow arched higher than the other. Her face was in shadow, blanketed by her thick ruby bangs. Even in this condition she glowed, her happiness mirroring the joy on her face when I took her in such a very long time ago. "You can stand up now. I get kind of uncomfortable when people bow to me for too long."

"Oh, pardon me, my lady," I replied, gracefully setting myself on my feet. A question popped into my head, and for the first time I felt uncomfortable in her presence as I shuffled my feet. "How is Laharl?"

"He's fine. He and Flonne are in Celestia, meeting her parents. They're having difficulty deciding on a place to have the ceremony."

"Ceremony? You mean—"

"Laharl finally popped the question," Etna finished for me, a sad smile on her features. "It took him practically forever, because he wanted everything to be just right. He ended up spilling tea on her dress and burning the cuffs of his suit, but he finally spit the words out. She said yes, and ever since then he and her parents have been arguing where the wedding's going to take place. So far, Laharl and Ozonne, Flonne's younger sister, have been at each other's necks, but nothing seems to be working out. Poor Flonne is so stressed out. I sent her to a spa to relax, but even that didn't help much."

I perched on the arm of the throne, looking down at her. "If you wanted, you could use your title as Overlord to demand that the wedding be held here. After all, they're both your vassals, right?"

She sighed, putting her head in her hands. "Yes, but I wouldn't want to abuse my power like that. I'm trying to be a good Overlord, not Laharl."

I chuckled. As much as I loved my only son, I had always known he would never be a very good Overlord. He was just too much like his mother, so stubborn. As much as I had tried to coach him in the ways of ruling a kingdom, it always seemed like the little girl assigned as his first vassal listened to my ramblings more than he did. As I looked down at the little girl-turned-mature woman, I realized that I had in fact left behind a rightful heir. "You are such a good ruler, Lady Etna," I murmured, smiling down at her as I stood from the throne. "I knew I made the right choice when I took you under my wing."

She looked up at me then, and I read her whole being in her eyes. Her strengths, her weaknesses, her reverence for me—and something more that I refused to acknowledge. It was too painful to see the longing in her gaze, to watch as her body leaned almost unconsciously toward me as I stood, as if she feared I would leave her side. I also rejected my own feelings—feelings of loss, regret and betrayal towards my late wife, as well as my feelings of pride, desire and affection for this demon girl who was so much younger than I. I wanted nothing more than to lean down, to watch her react as I pressed my lips to hers, to feel her respond to me. I closed my mind against the torrent of ideas that thought brought forward, chiding myself for being a filthy old man. You should be dispelling these feelings she has instead of responding to them! My mind ranted, stomping about in my head like Laharl when I wouldn't let him play his videogame all day. You have no right to take her life away from her!

I know, I wailed, staring at the girl beside me, who'd risen to her feet as well.

"So, I guess you're leaving again?" She asked, feigning happiness as she stood about a foot shorter than I, staring up at me with carefully guarded eyes. "I'm very glad you came for a visit. It's been awhile. I wish Laharl and Flonne could have been here."

"Yes, it would have been grand to see them again," I replied, unable to tear my eyes away from hers even though my mind railed against me. "I'll be back soon." My voice sounded as empty as my promise, and I struggled to pull myself together.

"I only wish you could stay longer," she murmured, looking away from me to the red carpet before her. "It gets very lonely here, and with my best friends planning their wedding and everything, I always feel like a third wheel." She scoffed again, and I fought the instant urge to smile; "And every guy Flonne sets me up with ends up being nothing but a power-seeking jerk. All they want is the throne. I almost feel like just giving up being Overlord. No one wants me for me, you know? It's always the prospect of becoming the ruler of the Netherworld that turns them on." She sighed heavily, her shoulders sinking.

In retrospect, I'm not quite sure what propelled me to act that night. Maybe it was what she said as I readied myself to walk out of her life once again. Maybe it was the way the torchlight hit her face, forming a sort of halo around her smooth cheeks. Maybe it was the fact that, as she spoke those last few sentences, she sounded and looked as empty as I felt. Whatever the cause, I acted lightning quick, my hand touching her chin and turning it upwards. I was already there, my lips crashing onto hers in the sloppiest kiss I've ever had. My hands seized her forearms, holding them to her sides. I remember not wanting her to touch me, such a filthy, dirty impulsive old man. She still managed to grab the sides of my coat and pull herself closer to me, hands like claws. I tried to push her away, but my plan backfired; she was stronger than I guessed, and she fought against my hands, pushing her soft body even closer to mine. I was quickly losing control of the situation.

And just like that, it was over. I managed to push the shaking girl off of me, a whimpery sound uttering low in her throat as I pulled away. I released her shoulders, shocked to find that I was trembling, as well. I remember thinking I've got to get out of here, and finding that my mind had all but ceased its incessant raving. Maybe it had been stunned by the kiss as well. With one last look into her ruby eyes and one quick peck on the forehead, I spread my wings and bolted like the coward that I am.

For no true ruler of the mighty Netherworld would have kissed a woman and left her standing all alone beside her throne. No real man would have railed against his feelings for so long, and in one instant shatter a girl's heart by giving her hope and stealing it away again. I am only grateful for the fact that Laharl inherited more of his mother's genes.

Etna…

Shut up and put your money where your mouth is

That's what you get for waking up in Vegas

Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now

That's what you get for waking up in Vegas

~ Katy Perry, Waking Up In Vegas

One thousand, nine hundred-ninety-nine words. I hate myself.

~Loli.