Ok I'm gonna do this one right!

Fleirbanyu – my made up Mazoku language for Wolfpack (part of Zellas's domain)

Please try and forgive me for the spelling of Dynast's last name, I'm not sure if he even has an official last name, but the one I'm using was the one I've most seen... if not the correct spelling of it.

The Status Quo

Chapter Five: The Most Unlikely of Suspects

The dark cavern loomed on all sides, the sound of dripping water reached the ears of a small pup. She was padding briskly up and down the maze of caves and chambers that was the interior of Flierbanyu Island. The white wolf pup whined feebly as it wandered into another chamber. Two ferocious looking black wolves stared at the new arrival to their home.

"Hey Niffe, isn't that a white wolf pup over there?"

"Heh?" Niffe looked up from a bone he was busy gnawing on to see the little wolf where it sat in their doorway, his face lit up instantly

"Why I do believe it is, Neffe" he answered licking his lips, "and it looks delicious"

"Your right Neffe, we haven't had much good to eat in a long time now" his brother commented as they both began their slow advance toward the pup.

The white wolf ran from the room as fast as it could, sensing danger it barked as loud as it could, only emitting a pathetic whining sound that was heard by no one excepting her pursuers.

Niffe changed seamlessly from a running wolf to a running wolf in human male form and instantly disappeared in a cloud of darkness. The wolf ran and ran turning the corner..

"Umph" the wolf smacked directly into Niffe who picked her up from the ground, she struggled feebly against him but it was useless.

Neffe rounded the corner slowly, "No fair Nisan, you have your human form already!"

Niffe shook his long black hair, staring at the pup with expressionless black eyes, "All is fair when it comes to food, Nichan"

"I caught her so she's all mine" Niffe licked his lips as he reverted to his wolf form, holding the pup down with a clawed paw

"yare yare, how unbecoming of the prestigious Bibos family" a voice rang from the shadows

Niffe looked up from his 'meal', "Who's there? Show yourself!" his call rang through the caverns

A pool of darkness formed on the rocky ground, a figure slowly emerged from it. His short purple hair and yellow eyes were evident even in the dim light of the chamber.

"Xellos, how dare you interrupt us! Go back to tending someone else's pups, this one's ours" Neffe snarled at the Mazoku that stood before them, "right Niffe.. Niffe?"

The black wolf turned to see his older brother shaking with fear, his eyes were bulging. Xellos took a step forward, Niffe reflexively released his grip on the white wolf pup before him and backed away several paces, "What's wrong Niffe, he's just a pupwatcher, we can take him"

Niffe bowed low with his tale between his legs, his gaze shifted back on his brother, "I'm sorry, General Xellos, we didn't mean anything by it we were just playing with the pup honest"

Neffe was confused, "When did he...?"

Xellos unsheathed a sword that hung around his waist the shimmering blade and large glowing red inset stone seemed to jog the memory of the younger brother. He immediately bowed as low to the ground as he could, "I'm sorry Xellos-sama we didn't mean anything by it!" he sat their whimpering pathetically.

Xellos stuck the broad sword into the ground as he crouched. He held out his hand gesturing for the white wolf to come over to him, "Here Snowy, come to Xellos" followed by a few whistling sounds the young pup finally got the idea and sauntered over to the Mazoku before her. Xellos picked her up in his arms, wrapping one arm around her he picked up the blade with his right hand. His yellow eyes focused on the two sniffling black wolves before him.

"The darkest part of darkness is reserved for those who would kill the children of their own race" he brought the sword to the fore as he spoke it glowed fiercely as if it were anticipating the kill.

"Please don't Xellos-Sama we'll do anything you want, anything!" Niffe pleaded while his younger brother cowered in the shadows next to him

Xellos smile deepened as he lowered his sword, "anything?"

Niffe raised his head slightly, "yes, yes! Anything you want!"

"What do you think should be their punishment?" Xellos looked down at Snowy whom he held securely with his left arm, she turned her head to the two and growled fiercely.

Xellos returned his gaze to the brothers' cowering forms, "I ask that you be a good test of my power then"

He stuck the sword into the ground beside him, raising his hand to those two wolves who barely had time to react, "Vier'An!" he raised his hand into the air

The ground beneath Niffe and Neffe surged upward and with a sickening crash made contact with the rock ceiling. Bits of ceiling and floor then came crashing back to the ground along with the remains of the black wolves.

Xellos placed his sword back into its sheath before turning his attention to the pup in his arms. "Where have you been all this time? You mother is worried sick about you wandering off like that" he sighed staring into the puppy dog face she was giving him, "Oh, I can't stay mad at you, though you must now be punished, and punished severely..." Xellos's features took on a menacing tone, Snowy lay in the crook of his left arm cowering in fear.

Xellos Ultimate Puppy Punishment Implementation Tactic: Tickle Attack!

"Rowrrr woof whine woof Rowrr!" Snowy struggled valiantly against Xellos's relentless tickling, she wriggled and struggled until he eventually collapsed from laughter, "puppies are just too cute" Xellos commented as he picked himself and her from the ground, "now let this be a lesson to you, never wander away from family or friends again" he lectured as she just snuggled into his arms not paying much attention. Xellos sighed, "or you can just go to sleep and forget all about it" Puppies could be cruel in their own way...

Xellos walked for a short distance before they disappeared into the darkness...

Snowy walked down some of those same dark corridors, she was wandering aimlessly not certain of what she would do, or where her feet were taking her. "Why couldn't things be like they were before..." she whispered softly as she traversed another corridor of the massive complex that was Flierbanyu Island. That memory was the first one she had had with Xellos, he had been her pupwatcher. He may have not been her only pupwatcher and she certainly not the only pup he ever watched, but he was her watcher damnit!

That particular memory was amusing to her as well because it brought back memories of the Bibos brothers. They were some of the most inept creatures under Lord Beastmaster's command, Xellos had been Lord Beastmaster's general for a little more than a thousand years. And then her priest a short time afterward making him her most trusted and valued servant. Able to do anything and everything asked of him by his master. Snowy glowed as she rounded another corner, memories of her not long ago childhood burgeoning to the surface. It was a few moments before she realized she was approaching Zellas's chamber, for some unknown reason she ducked behind the frame of the entrance. She heard voices from within...

"Do you understand the assignment that I have given you, Kusetsu?" the voice of Zellas floated out of her chamber accentuating her authoritarian tone

"yes, Lord Beastmaster, however I have to ask..."

Zellas stood from her throne swiftly, she thrust her long cloak to the side casting a demanding figure, "Do you understand my order, or shall I persuade you to understand it?" her voice dripped with intent

Snowy peaked from her 'hiding place' to see Ku, or now she assumed Kusetsu, paling before his master, "hai, my master" he bowed swiftly before disappearing into the dark. Snowy changed swiftly back to her wolf form before slowly walking into the room. Zellas had just finished placing her cloak into the ebb and flow of the astral plane as the white wolf came through her door. "Snowy? What do you want?"

Snowy walked close to her master sitting down in front of her, "I was wondering what was going to happen to Xellos?" As long as he's a traitor to you I can at least gleam some information from it...

Zellas stood for a moment before a devious smile came to her, "Don't worry Snowy, I have just sent a control for the situation" her gaze wandered to the three weapons that glowed in the corner of her room, "what does that mean, master?"

Zellas's gaze returned to the white wolf, "Don't worry about it, all will be taken care of shortly" she responded sweetly

Snowy understood immediately, "I see, that's good then...to have things resolved" she struggled to keep a straight face as her insides raged, she wanted to cry, but prevented it. "Is that all you wished to know then?" Zellas was at the entrance to her room, a door to the far left corner next to a large mirror.

"hai, my master" she responded automatically

"good..."

Snowy ran quickly from Zellas's room, I have to do something...

Xellos sat against one of the many rocks that ringed their little campsite, the sun hadn't risen yet, but the moon had nearly completed its march across the sky. The Mazoku's eyes scanned the horizon once again, all his senses stretched to their maximum. He had been so tired hours ago, he had just flopped onto the ground after what had happened between him and Filia. He put a finger to his lips remembering the incident...

"That did feel nice" he spoke to the air as he watched the young dragon sleep before him across from the smoldering embers of the fire. "It might surprise you that it was my first, Filia, or should I say my first real kiss...though it wasn't really real..." Xellos's mind struggled with this quandary until its solution dawned on him, "it felt nice..."

He stared at her as she slumbered, a contented smile was plastered on her face. "heh, I wonder what your dreaming about?" Probably about Val and a meadow somewhere, yeah that sounds cliché enough...

The night was peaceful, its quiet, serene transfer into day was equally as such. Xellos watched as he had done most of the night as Filia quietly rose from the ground. She yawned deeply before turning to see him. "ohayo, Fi-chan"

"Don't Fi-chan me" she grumbled as she tried to rub the sleep from her eyes, "ohayo, Xellos" she finally responded after a few moments of morning routine.

Umika is a large kingdom that stretches in an arch from the western coast to the eastern coast. It was a large stretch of land with most of its cities in on the coast, with a few on the main rivers. Luckily its capital named for the kingdom itself was the northern most city on the western coast. This meant it could be reached within a day or two of steady traveling from the Roziere village from which they had come.

Filia walked alongside Xellos in the early afternoon sun. They had been making good time through the paths and main rodes that stretched along the coastline and far into the interior of almost every kingdom on the continent.

"The view is so pretty from here" Filia remarked as she stared into the beautiful coastline that could be seen atop the ridge they were traveling.

"hai, very pretty..."

When Filia heard the serious tone of his voice she turned her head about to ask him what was wrong when he interrupted her, "Filia"

"hai?" they had stopped now for a moment,

He was looking at her seriously, his eyes open and not a trace of a smile, "If we find that Deep Sea Dolphin is not responsible, then..."

"we try Dynast Grauchera, and if not him then we track down every other living creature in this world until we find the culprit and bring swift and painful retribution upon him or her!" Filia finished with a flourish as she began to walk once more,

Xellos smiled, "that's the Filia I like"

The sun had nearly begun to set as our heroes crested a large hill.

"Kieeee" From their vantage point they could see a magnificent city, rivaling even the brilliance of Seillune. Even at this late hour it still bustled with lively activity, merchants haggling fiercely with locals and travelers alike in the marketplace, children playing in the streets... yes, it seemed to good to be true.

"This is definitely not the picture I had imagined" Filia couldn't help but comment as they passed through its cobbled streets, "well, if you think about it fish Mazoku are some of the most docile creatures in existence once they find a place they like" Xellos commented as they passed the marketplace as it was winding down another fine day of profit making.

"Is that so..."

"hai, very much so, I'm surprised a high level golden dragon priestess didn't know this" Xellos couldn't help but comment jovially,

"ha ha ha ha" Filia feigned chuckling along her voice strained, If only I had my mace...

The object of their quest was naturally a large castle or fortress of some kind, right?

This turned out to be so... Out into the sea atop a precipice stood a grand castle whose stone gleamed in the waning light of the sun, the same color as the sand and rock that comprised the beaches below. Below this, as if supporting it atop its position, was a large cylindrical base that stretched all the way down to the sand which stretched from the coastline to meet it. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold.

Xellos knocked on the great wooden doors as they reached them. The doors swung open, revealing what appeared to be a young maid. She didn't look much older than fifteen or sixteen and was adorned in a long red cloak with the hood down, even with her diminutive size she spoke with a booming, kind voice

"May I help you, sir and madam?"

Xellos and Filia looked at each other briefly, "ah yes, we would like to see Lady Deep Sea Dolphin"

The maid smiled brightly, "That can be arranged, she should just be coming back from a swim now... by the way my name is Eclair, Eclair Wertrite, Hajimemashite" she bowed deeply before moving aside.

"uhm, Nice to meet you too" Filia responded brightly as she and Xellos walked through the gate, This feels slightly bizarre...

Eclair closed the door behind them before beckoning them further into the castle, past a row of surly guards who tapped their spears and bardiches to the ground in salute of the new arrivals.

Filia looked around in bewilderment at her surroundings, the walls were all calming shades of blue, the floor in some places was marble and others sandstone, usually a white or brown color. She turned to Xellos who took in the surroundings as if he had seen them before, and when she thought about it, in all likelihood he had many times before. They were finally led to a set of double doors, the maid stopped before them and motioned for them to go through, "just go in and have a seat, ummm"

"Filia, and this is Xellos"

Her eyes brightened, "Filia and Xellos, well then she should be with you shortly..." she curtsied briefly before exiting the small entranceway.

Xellos looked at Filia, "well then..."

"un" she responded nodding as they pushed open the double doors.

Revealed to view was a plain room that held within it a large chair lined with blue cushioning at its center, a table of to the right from where they were and near it a smaller chair that faced one of the many windows that overlooked the sea. The soft breeze and crashing of the waves could be heard from this place, it was very relaxing.

Far from being relaxed Filia and to some extent Xellos were highly agitated. Filia was fidgeting from one foot to the other around the circular room,

"What's taking her so long?!" she shouted mentally as she continued to pace, "I want to see this person that took my Val!" she clenched her fist as agitation flooded her brain. Xellos stood near the entrance watching her... feeling a little uneasy himself, he could understand her feelings. Though in his mind... She couldn't possibly have done it...

Footsteps were heard slowly creeping up from somewhere below. Filia joined Xellos near the entrance, they were both staring at a granite stairway. The footsteps became louder and seemed to be made by two people who became closer and closer as the seconds, minutes, hours, or eternity seemed to slip by...

As the figures approached Filia could swear she heard a kind of warm laughter coming from them. Shadows appeared on the last few steps as Lady Deep Sea Dolphin rounded the last corner of the stairway. She was wearing a revealing bikini as evident by the spaghetti like straps that were uncovered by her fluffy white towel tied around her.

"That water was really nice today..." she commented cheerfully

"yes, but then again you say its nice everyday" a male companion who followed behind her commented, "yes, I suppose I do" they both chuckled for a brief moment sweetly.

Filia was understandably shocked, "uhm... excuse me" she uttered weekly as she stood next to Xellos.

The man looked up from the woman next to him, "oh, we have visitors..."

Deep Sea Dolphin looked in their general direction, "oh how nice!" she glowed,

"Xellos its been awhile" the man looked over to Xellos, the water dripping from his sopping brown hair, Xellos nodded smiling brightly, "Nice to see you again, Mortieri, Lucile"

Mortieri and Lucile moved across the room toward the throne, Filia noticed that the man held onto her hand the whole time even as he helped her into her throne. And that even though she stared at them, or at least in the general direction of them, her eyes never opened even a little. Her eyes widened... She must be blind!

Mortieri stood beside Lady Deep Sea Dolphin as she folded her hands in her lap, her beautiful blond curls dampened around her shoulders and down her back, "what would bring you all this way? And with a lady friend no less..." she asked her voice very sweet and full of warmth

Filia was first to answer, "We came because my baby was stolen from me" her voice was solidly determined

Lady Deep Sea Dolphin's features filled with concern, "oh you poor thing"

Filia felt a stirring of guilt for practically accusing her of the heinous crime, "Don't worry" she lifted her head up to gaze at Lucile as she sat in her chair, she was smiling, "it was logical to assume that I was responsible" Filia was about to object to say that she had never thought of it, but she knew she couldn't

"Mortieri, I would like you to go wake as many people as possible and ask if anyone has seen the child, an ancient dragon is not something one would forget"

"are you sure you will be alright for the time being, Lady?"

"yes, I'll be fine!" she commented laughingly her dull blue pupils just peaking from her closed lids, "and you don't need to be formal, we're among freinds, call me anata..."

Mortieri smiled although the slightest look of unease was apparent on him, "very well, anata" he pecked her lightly on the cheek before departing swiftly changing from swim trunks into a formal looking travel cloak. Filia watched the blushing Lucile her mind reeling, What just happened? What just happened!? What just happened?! The phrase rung around her head as she stared blankly, Lady Deep Sea Dolphin's voice brought her back to some level of consciousness, "The inquiry may should take a day or two, until then you are welcome to stay here in one of our rooms..."

When Filia glanced again at Lucile she found that she was smiling slightly, "Would you like one room or two?"

"one" a voice came from her side, Filia saw Xellos smiling,

Lucile's smile widened further, "one bed or two?"

"Two!!!" Filia screamed out, I'm not getting that close to him! She screamed at herself mentally,

"alright then, there's a nice room down the left hall, the last one on your right"

"Thank you very much" Xellos bowed a jovial smile on his face, Filia made a sheepish kindof bow as she muttered the same thing, "Have a nice night..." Lucile's voice rang sweetly from the throne room behind them. Filia fell in line with Xellos as they turned down the left hallway. She was going to yell at him... for some reason now... what was she angry about? What was I angry about?

"well, those two really seem to make a good couple" she commented tentatively looking at Xellos as they continued to walk down the hallway, approaching the last door.

"yes, they do, they would have to considering they have been married for nearly a thousand years"

"Naaaaani!?!"

They arrived at the door, the last one to the right. For some reason unknown to her, Filia felt uneasy as she turned the handle...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Chapter Five: The Most Unlikely of Suspects end

Nani – what, the extra a's are for added affect

Kie – pretty, beautiful

hajimemashite – nice to meet you for the first time

Well, this one was a fun one to right I must say, I have been eager to meet Deep Sea Dolphin for a long time now and in case many may think this to be way out of character for a fierce Mazoku, things should be very well explained...

Next Up! Chapter Six: Mazoku Can't Love... Can They?