Author's Note: This is probably the first serious RW/KZ/GW crossover. The Knights and the pilots will come into this in time. As forthe story, the title still needs help. This first chapter was originally going to be a prequel, but that didn't work out. You may notice I consolidated "Just a Little Halloween Party" into this one, as I will do with the sequels, and another prequel I had intended to scrap. This made it easier on me, and it should be easier for you. I hope you like it. And don't be too mad at me, Kitsune Rose, I only deleted it for a little over a week! No harm, right!

Disclaimer: In a perfect world, these boys would be mine all mine. Could one of you kindly point me in the direction of this perfect world? I'd really appreciate it!

Target: Shadowland

The black sun in it's yellow sky was just beginning to rise. A tall, emerald haired figure walked beside the green river. The Dynasty summer, even late summer, wasn't much different from any other season, really. He smiled at the bird singing, enjoying the feeling of life that was returning to his world. It felt strange being alone. The armies were disbanded. Dais was off investigating something or other, no doubt a presumed threat to Kayura, or the mortal world, or whatever it was he decided he was now the guardian of to ease his conscience. The Illusion Warlord had been overly zealous about repentance since the final battle with Tulpa. Cale had been rooting out remnants of Tulpa's followers and pockets of evil throughout the land.

Kayura had reluctantly declared herself Empress. She had intended it to be in title only, however, the only kind of rule the inhabitants of the Dynasty were familiar with was swift, cruel, and merciless. Additionally, found that her rule gave the warlords someone to follow -- a definite plus for their virtues -- and provided a certain amount of security for the Dynasty, and therefore the mortal world. Also, it wasn't like there was anyone else overly qualified for the position, so she resigned herself to her career "choice." She had been keeping herself busy reordering, and remodeling, the castle. Actually, all of the castles, strongholds, and, well, buildings in the Dynasty. He smiled at his own lack of employment, but there wasn't much left, so he had turned his hand to healing. All manners of afflicted creature and even earth could find solace in his touch. Poisons are antitoxins, too, after all.

Just then, a strange chill came upon him. He heard an unfamiliar sound, it was like a child's laugh, but more sinister.

"What are you?" He called to the air, trying desperately to sense the other Warlords and determine what was wrong. When that didn't work he decided it was time to pop back into the castle and see what was going on there.

"Lady Kayura! Empress! Where are you?" He had no sooner called the words upon materializing in the castle than he heard a high pitched whistle, and suddenly the stone wall in front of him was turned to rubble and Sekhmet was now nowhere to be seen!

"Never mind, I can guess." He hissed as he shook off the heavy layer of dust and debris that had covered him when he'd ducked out of the way. A tall, black haired wraith brandished a pair of lovely narrow gold swords.

"Sekhmet, could you please do something constructive for once and help me with this?!" It was clear his Empress was in a foul mood, so he moved to combat the strange mist he saw curling around her.

"Lady, what is this?" He asked, incredulous, as the pale vapor wrapped around him, pulling on him as if it were a living thing.

"I have no idea. I just know it likes me way too much!" She replied, slicing at it once more. "This is what I get for putting down my staff for two seconds!"

"Yet you kept your swords?"

"A girl's gotta have some defenses!"

"Right. You have so much to worry about in that department. I forgot."

"Watch it! I beat you once, I can do it again."

"I have no doubt of. . . Empress!" He shouted as he pushed her down. A particularly large and powerful tendril was about to impale her, but instead threw him through a particularly hard stone wall.

"Sekhmet!" Cale exclaimed as he entered, taking over where his colleague left off with a perfectly silent entrance, his cape flaring behind him as he executed some lovely maneuvers with his dachi.

"Show off!" Kayura murmured for her downed friend with a smirk.

"Thank you." Sekhmet smiled as he regained his feet.

"Don't mention it." Cale growled as he regained Kayura's side.

"I was talking to her." Sekhmet countered.

"Cute. Remind me to care next time you need a hand. I might need some persuading if that's the thanks I get." Cale replied good naturedly as he continued to combat the mist.

"Considering the last time before today I needed you're help was over a century ago, I'm shaking." Sekhmet scoffed as the poison shield he'd been spreading around the three of them finally began dissipating the mist, weakening the tentacles. Kayura lunged for her staff, which was beside the throne.

"Now, let's clear the air!" Kayura called as she brought her staff to bear, but stopped short.

"Dais? What are you. . ." And indeed, the white haired man had appeared in the midst of the mist.

"I'm here because she's not." He said cryptically, pointing to the trace vestiges of their unnatural opponent. He looked about ready to collapse.

"Are you all right?" Cale asked concernedly as the new arrival swayed a little on his feet.

"Fine. But you're really wondering about your assailant, right? There's a lot I don't know, either, but I made sure what she didn't know worked against her. Her powers are great but she can't control them yet. The spell she used to get here was incomplete. Of course, that could have something to do with my removing and replacing a fourth of a page of it." Dais continued, making it over to a nearby seat and plopping down heavily.

"Gee, I wonder how a little thing like that could have any effect." Kayura grinned.

"She calls herself Ereshkigal. If she is who she says she is, she'll be tough. Real tough. So I threw her off. She'll think it was another, much more promising prospect that intercepted her power." Dais continued, massaging his eye and eye patch delicately, ignoring his Empress' comment.

"What happens to this "promising prospect", then? And what does she want with Kayura?" Sekhmet queried gently.

"Our enemy is interested in power, and in gaining it from others. The prospect should be able to take care of herself, considering she has plenty of protectors, and no one should have to worry about Ereshkigal for some time, as she'll be rather spent. In the meantime, I intend to test both her guardians, and ours." Dais stated, regaining his feet wearily.

"What?!" Cale and Sekhmet exclaimed in unison, genuinely confused.

"Perhaps she can even be used to our advantage." The Warlord of Illusion continued, as if he hadn't heard them. After a moment he stopped and painfully explained, as if talking to children.

"The Ronins were stronger than us. I'd say our repeated, humiliating defeats proved this. However, if they haven't stayed sharp, it's time for us to bring out the whetstone. But for tonight, I'm going to bed." Dais finished huffily, regaining his usual sneering tone and stiffly exiting the room.

"Do you have any idea what he means by that?" Kayura asked the other two.

"Are you sure we want to know what he means by that?" Sekhmet replied before following Dais out, ignoring his own advice, intent on gaining further answers. Cale, too, seemed to be stalking his prey as he exited on the Warlord of Venom's heels. But there was a hint of concern in the hard eyes of the Corruption Warlord as well, Kayura couldn't help but note with satisfaction.

"Probably not." The young Empress sighed to the now empty room as she collapsed into her small, comfortable pink throne. "Probably not."

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So, there you go. Chapters two through seven will be "Just Another Halloween Party", with some revisions. Okay, many revisions. Hope you enjoy!