Notes: Holy whoa. Sorry for the immense lack of writing. I've completely fallen out of the habit of writing. Time to get back in tha groooove. Oh yeah. Err.. no. Thanks to Twinkle Star for reminding me that I DO have this story to finish someday, and that I still do love Okage, underneath all the Roman history I've been stuffing into my head recently! =)

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Rosalyn left from Ari's house, and quickly set out toward Madril. If she couldn't stop Stan, and Ari from going to Stan, she could at least watch and try to decipher the Evil King's (if any) plans.

She ran on the grassy hills near the lake in Tenel Field, and she spied a very big structure on the other side of a nearby bride, almost near the Big Tree Hole as it were. She scowled with the memory of traspsing around in that annoying dungeon, looking for the Big Bull Evil King.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an incredibly large amphitheater.

How someone could fit something that big into the average-sized field was a mystery, and Rosalyn knew the one person, the only person, who would have need for such a thing; Linda, the former Teen Idol Evil King.

Approaching the stage on a grassy gnoll, Rosalyn could even then hear the singing. It appeared that the concert was almost over, as Linda was yammering on about how good a time everyone had, to come next time, blah, blah, blah. She stood still for a moment. Spying a segment of scaffolding leading into what was now revealed as only a half-finished stage, and would certainly allow her easy access to speak to Linda about Stan.

Running quickly around the mass of spectators and groupies, Rosalyn reached the side of the amphitheater, jumped on to the scaffloding, and made her way up.

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Linda waved to her audience, and a great many cheers echoed back to her. She smiled, and disppeared behind a falling curtain. As she walked back into the house portion of theather (she also lived here), looked up at the darkened ceiling high overhead.

"Epros!!" she cried out.

In an instant the man was hovering above. He floated down, until he was suspended just above the floor. Epros stayed with Linda; He had since the parting after the fall of "Classification." He ran a hand absently through his hair.

"Aww, Epros, can't get ya get Linda a nice glass of bubbly?" she queried, grinning playfully. It had become customary for Linda to have a glass of 'bubbly' after her concerts in the company of Epros.

With a little gesture, a bottle appeared in the air. Two delicate, intricately designed glasses also materialized. Without opening the bottle the alcohol was poured, and the two each took their glasses. As Linda sipped hers, Epros gazed vacantly down into the bubbling drink in his hand, deep in thought.

'After all this time, I still know naught,
Of why I remain with Linda,
The one the groundlings call 'hot'…'

Linda looked up, wondering at Epros. "Hey, what's up? You okay?" she asked as Epros's red eyes widened into large, fiery bulbs.

Epros looked up at her, straight into her eyes. He put down his glass and took her hands in his. Softly, he spoke.

"After all this time,

I cannot believe I did not see

That the mystery of the world,

At least for me,

Is solv'd with love,

The experience of being with thee."

Linda smiled and blushed. "Aww… that's so…sweet, Epros." She leaned forward and let herself be held by him. Just as they were both getting lost in the moment, a shrill voice screamed from close by.

"LINDA!!"

It was Rosalyn. She stood a few feet away, panting heavily. Her eyes were just a tad wild as she advanced towards the two and caused them to break away and stare with wonder at her. She ran a hand through her and flicked away some beads of sweat.

"Linda, and Epros. I need you to help me. Stan has taken over Madril and he's going to go after the rest of the world soon! We have to stop him! Please…" She swooned slightly, suddenly realizing how tired she was. She regained her composure, however, and stood, determined as ever, before the two.

Linda got to her feet, leaving her champagne glass. "Ohh… Sorry, Rosalyn, but Epros and I are just fine here. See, I know that even if Stan-darling takes over the world, people will still flock to us, 'cause, you know, they'd need some music to lift their spirits. Actually," she murmured, "that'd be pretty good for me!" She smiled and put her arm around Epros.

Rosalyn was stunned. "But…but…" Hope was fleeing from her. Would no one aid her? Would she have to stand before Stan alone?

Suddenly, anger flooded her veins and she stepped towards Linda. "How can you do this? You'd see Stan destroy the world, just so you can have more business?! I won't let you do that!" She drew her rapier and held it pointed at Linda's neck. "You will help me."

Linda's eyes widened and she didn't budge an inch. Epros' face darkened and his red eyes seemed ablaze. He twitched his hand, and Linda flew backwards into his arms, and Rosalyn fell over from an invisible blast. Epros gently helped Linda stand on her own, then he moved towards Rosalyn, fire exploding at his feet with every step.

"For the sake of our past alliance, I have spared thee.

You have threatened Linda, the love of mine.

From this point on, I expect our friendship will decline,

So now, I command, be off with ye."

Rosalyn stared, desperation in her eyes and cold sweat on her face. Everything was falling apart already. She pounded the floor with her fist once, then got up and wordlessly left, an overwhelming hopelessness in her gait.

After the hero had left, Linda embraced Epros and laid her head on his shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered. "I think…that Rosalyn might be losing something."

Epros frowned and looked at the exit that Rosalyn had used. "Ay," he murmured.