Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Mario or its franchise; it belongs to

Nintendo and their affiliates. I just am really grateful to its creators for giving

me such a wonderful game and media series to write about!

I also don't own anything related to Harry Potter, all that belongs to J.K. Rowling,

but thanks go to her as well because, using her wonderful work, I can expand this

story to make it more interesting.

I also don't own anything related to Naruto if you see me throw a little of that, too.

Chapter Thirty

"How much further is it?"

"We're almost to the top now!"

Alicia huffed and stopped halfway up the stairs to take her wedge heels off. Without the added height she was a few inches shorter but was in much less pain as she bounded up the steps behind her best friend.

"D, there's only two reasons to have your room at the top of a thousand flights of stairs." She huffed, her curls flying in her face.

Daisy swung open the door and Alicia hurried over to the bed so that she could flop onto her back and catch her breath. As she did, Daisy flew to the closet and started bumping around in there.

"Only two reasons," Alicia panted, her hand over her heart. "You're either really private or really crazy."

Daisy called out to her friend from the closet but Alicia couldn't make out what the other girl said.

"What's that?" Alicia asked, sitting up. "You said you're both?"

She laughed when she heard Daisy shout something that was definitely in protest to that.

Alicia stood from the bed and hummed appreciatively at the way the carpet consoled her aching soles.

"I don't see why you're changing anyway," She stated. "That dress was flat gorgeous."

"Yes, but I couldn't move around and dance in it."

Daisy finally stepped out of the closet in a different outfit. This one was sleeveless silk green top to stay consistent with Luigi's and a pair of pinstriped black shorts with sheer lace stockings underneath. Her shoes were open-toed and had a small heel on them, which gave the princess no trouble as she went back downstairs with her friend.

"Are you sure you can wear that?" Alicia asked, slipping her shoes back on at the bottom of the steps.

Daisy fixed her long hair from where it'd been caught under her collar in her haste to change and glanced at her friend.

"What do you mean? I can wear whatever I want." Daisy said simply.

Alicia looked around and said, "Yeah, but everybody around this palace really look up to you and they're so…uptight and formal."

Daisy laughed and said, "That's them, not me. I guess I stand out here."

"You got that right." Alicia said, rising from where she'd strapped her heels on and taking the other's girl's arm.

"Thanks again for the stereo!" Daisy beamed.

"No problem, girl. It sure flipped this party upside down." Alicia noticed, seeing the way everyone was enjoying the odd but upbeat music.

Daisy was glad for the radio because it was a piece of Luigi's world and, since it was battery-operated, she could listen to it anytime. What she also appreciated was that her friend had thrown in a bunch of CD's as well, perfect songs to dance to.

"Do you see Luigi?" Daisy asked as they stepped back into the lounge.

Alicia shook her head and said, "He's probably with Dean."

"In that case, they're fine." Daisy shrugged. "Come on, let's dance!"

The two moved closer to the stereo and Daisy felt like it was just her and her best friend again at the club downtown in Brooklyn. She didn't see how everybody was watching and taking cues from them on how to move and vibe to the foreign music. She was in her own little world.

There were a lot of things I wanted to ask the General, especially now that I knew he was Portia's father, but I didn't feel like getting into all that tonight. So I accepted his 'congratulations' and told him that yes, I would meet and have that 'talk' with him as soon as I could make time and no I hadn't changed my mind about being Commander. After we parted ways, Dean and I went to sit at one of the many couches. From a tray I got another cup of shrimp and Dean got a one of those kabob things, except instead of meat there were pierced pieces of fruit stacked along the stick.

"Are you alright?" I asked the other guy as he sat next to me.

He shrugged and with one of his patented easygoing smiles said, "I'm good. How 'bout you?"

I said, "I don't want to walk or talk anymore. I'm starving."

Dean's smile widened and he said, "Then I feel bad for you because that…bizarre King Buoy is coming for you."

True to that I saw the infamous immortal headed towards me and tipped back my head and groaned. Then I heard Dean laugh for the first time when I started shoving half-dipped shrimp in my mouth as fast as I could.

I am not getting cheated out of these shrimp again, I thought determinedly. Not when I was the one who specifically asked for them in the first place!

"Manners, Luigi!" King Boo chided once he was nearer. He said pointedly, "You're going to be a prince, you know."

Swallowing gave me just enough time to roll my eyes before asking, "Is there something you need?"

I am not getting up. No matter what.

"I have news." King Boo said, his amusement fading as he added, "about the Dark King."

Okay, maybe that warrants getting off my ass, I amended, standing up.

I put my shrimp on the table—oh, that was hard to do—and glanced back at Dean. He smiled in understanding and it was odd but I could kinda' read him without him saying a word. That smile told me he'd be fine on his own.

Well he's better off than me, that's for sure, I noted as I followed the Lord of Illusions.

"Luigi," King Boo said once he'd led me to a vacant corner. "I wanted to speak to the both of you, but it would seem your lady is otherwise engaged."

He nodded over towards the front where Daisy was losing her mind on the dance floor. It was harder to look away than it was to put down that shrimp. But I faced the king and folded my arms.

"So what's the news?" I asked him.

King Boo said quietly, "There's been a string of attacks in a tiny village in the mountains. The town was plagued by a fire-breathing menace just a few weeks ago."

I frowned and said, "But Bowser doesn't have his powers. Daisy said they were with Ludwig."

King Boo murmured, "They may be gone, but I believe he has other ways of working around the Convergence Spell."

"The what?" I frowned. "You're saying he actually has them back now?"

"Absolutely not." King Boo stated but said, "However, with assistance he would most assuredly be capable of the type of devastation the villagers described."

"With assistance?" I echoed, then recalled something.

Maybe I shouldn't mention that to Boo, I mean Daisy's not here to give her consent on the matter. But, I know she'd want to track down Bowser no matter what.

I said carefully, "Would the type of 'assistance' you're thinking of be able to help him…reach out to people in a dream?"

King Boo's eyes sharpened and he stepped closer to me. I stepped back. Creepy.

With rapt interest King Boo asked, "Did he reach out to one of you? What did he say?"

"It was Daisy." I admitted. "And she wasn't real big on the details. The whole thing had her freaked out."

"I can imagine." King Boo hummed, gazing off to the side.

I asked, "Could you give me the name of the village Bowser supposedly attacked? I could get Daisy to send some scouts out there or…"

I trailed off when I realized that I would be the one scouting the area, me and my troops. That's what I was put in charge for, to handle anything that involved the Dark King.

Oh boy, I thought as I called to mind my troops. They were nowhere near ready to go up against the old reptile and it was up to me to fix that as soon as possible.

But then I had to ask, "If Bowser's on the warpath, does that mean he's ready to make his comeback, you think? I mean, the whole reason he went into hiding was because he got jacked by Ludwig and…where is Ludwig, anyway? Have you seen him? I know you two were close."

King Boo looked like he really didn't want to answer me and that rose my suspicions from zero to sixty in two point five.

"Ludwig is no longer a threat to anyone at this point." King Boo said curtly. "That's all you need know of him."

"Okay." I blinked, unprepared for the guarded reply. "Do you at least know if he's got Bowser's power? 'Cause if he does, he most certainly is a threat."

"The Dark King's powers remain out of his reach." Was all King Boo said, then spoke in a rush. "I'm sorry, old friend, I'm afraid I must be going. I need to speak with your lovely fiancée."

I forgot about Ludwig and said in a panic, "Don't mention any of what I told you, alright? I don't want you upsetting her."

King Boo winked and set a direct path towards Daisy.

"If you could forgive the intrusion, I'd like to have a word, Alicia."

Wait a minute, the curly-haired girl froze. I know that voice.

By the time she spun around, her skirt twirling with her, she'd placed the voice correctly as that of the charming Prince Peasley. She smiled at him and glanced back at Daisy.

She won't miss me, Alicia thought, glad that her friend was having a good time. She took the prince's proffered tan hand and walked with him towards an unoccupied couch. That wasn't hard to find since a lot of people were on the floor dancing like their trendsetter princess.

Peasley relished in the feel of the girl's warm hand in his and couldn't help but look back at her as he led her forward.

To cover for this he said lightly, "So the saying must be true then."

"What saying?" Alicia took the bait, her eyes sparkling.

"Like birds of a feather," Peasley recited, "Beautiful women do oft flock together."

Alicia laughed and said, "I don't remember it quite like that."

Peasley decided he liked that laugh a lot focused on getting them to their seats. Reaching a u-shaped black couch, he let her sit down first and sat with his knees towards her.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Alicia asked.

She sat with her back erect and her hands in her lap and her head tilted just a little to show she was paying attention. Her skin glowed in the flickering light of several candles arranged on the short table near them and, in the firelight, she was all the more mesmerizing with her dark eyes and slight smile. Peasley spoke as if in a trance.

"Did you put a spell on me?"

"What?" Alicia asked unsurely, her brows knitting in confusion. "Why would you say that?"

"Because I haven't been able to take my eyes off of you all night."

Alicia smiled in spite of herself and bowed her head. She said gently, "Um. Wow. Well, I don't know how to tell you this, but that's not my fault. If you've got the hots for me, that's…totally on you."

Peasley flashed her a disarming smile and said, "I only tease you, Alicia. But in all honesty, you are a very alluring young woman."

"And a very engaged one." Alicia reminded him cheekily, raising her bejeweled ring finger as proof.

Peasley said with dramatic regret, "Yes, I remember meeting the fortunate man."

Alicia quirked a brow, amused, and asked, "Did you only bring me over here to shower me with compliments?"

"Not only," Peasley smirked, leaning nearer to her. He murmured, "I couldn't help but notice you were suppressing your magic."

Alicia's blood ran cold and the smile dropped from her face. She gazed down at her lap and Peasley could feel the tension between them rise. When she looked over at him again, her eyes were guarded and her tone was defensive when she next spoke.

"How did you know that?"

"I could sense it." Peasley explained solemnly, "Being a carrier of it myself."

"Huh?" Alicia blinked, "Did you just say…you have magic inside you?"

Peasley said smoothly, "I did, though if I were to be honest it wasn't your magic that first drew my attention to you."

Alicia was staring at him as if unconvinced, so Peasley turned to the candles on the table. With a wave of his hand, they were nearly snuffed out, and with another wave the flames elongated simultaneously. Alicia's eyes widened and she rethought everything the prince had said with heightening panic.

"You can't tell anyone." Alicia abruptly pleaded, her eyes full of fear. "No one knows what I am and you can't tell them."

Peasley asked softly, "Not even your intended?"

Alicia shook her head. Peasley caught one of her flying curls and ran the silky lock between his thumb and index finger. He let it go and gave her a very serious look.

"You have my word that I'll not tell a soul." He vowed. "But I have to wonder; who are you hiding from?"

"I don't think that's any of your business." Alicia responded, affronted.

Peasley said, "No, it isn't. I'm flawed, you see; hopelessly curious. I do tend to pry and for that I apologize."

Alicia sighed and said, "That's alright. But you promise you won't tell anyone any of this?"

"I promise." Peasley repeated. His gaze grew enigmatic and his voice lowered intimately. "I should hope to never offend such an exquisitely extraordinary young woman such as yourself. And," Here he leaned over so that his eyes were level with the other girl's. "If you ever need help, let me know."

"What?" Alicia calmed but was taken aback by his last statement. "How do you…you don't even know me and you'll help me?"

"Of course." Peasley sat back and added, "If I am able. You're a friend of Luigi's and he's my best friend. I would do anything for him and that sentiment now extends to you."

Alicia's expression was hard to read but Peasley tried nonetheless. He studied her wavering chocolate eyes as her long lashes flapped over them rapidly; for what, he wondered? To hold tears at bay? To comprehend the prince's true motives?

She looked down and wiped her hands on her skirt and stood. She didn't even meet his eyes when she walked off, unsettled. Peasley watched her go and couldn't get the sight of her out of his head.

Engaged, he thought ironically, that would be my lot.

Oh no, I'm sweating like a pig, Daisy lamented, then grinned and thought, oh well. The price of having a good time, I guess.

She fanned herself and couldn't find Alicia anywhere.

Oh there she is, Daisy thought, spotting her friend near the wall, holding herself and a glass of champagne and looking troubled. Daisy frowned and made to go talk to the other girl when someone tapped her shoulder.

"Oh, hey Princess Peach." Daisy greeted with a distracted smile. She glanced at Alicia and then back at the blonde. "Is something up?"

"No, no." Peach shook her head, sliding her hands down the skirt of her frock. She said sweetly, "You're a very good dancer."

"Thanks," Daisy grinned, "It's easy when there's good music to move to."

"Yes, the music sure is. Interesting." Peach assessed kindly. She fiddled with the pearl bracelet round her wrist and Daisy picked up on her nervous cue.

Devoting her full attention to the other princess now Daisy asked, "Is there something the matter, Peach? You can tell me."

Peach blinked blue eyes and started walking away from the crowded dance floor. Daisy followed her and stood an inch above her in her heels.

Peach glanced up and asked cautiously, "Have you had any strange dreams, lately?"

Daisy was about to answer in the negative when she saw the anxious look on Peach's delicate face.

"You mean have I dreamed of him." She deadpanned.

Peach nodded and said hurriedly, "Don't answer if you don't want to. I know this is your special night and I don't want to upset you."

"No, it's fine." Daisy said with a tight smile. "He couldn't ruin this night even if he showed up here in the flesh."

Peach glanced over her shoulder as if that was really about to happen and Daisy couldn't help but chuckle a bit, losing some of her anger.

She told the blonde, "I did have a dream. A connection, more like it. It was like he'd trapped me in a place to communicate with me."

Pity he wasted that time with his usual bullshit, Daisy thought in remembrance.

Peach's eyes alighted and she nodded saying, "Exactly. I had a dream several weeks ago and I just dismissed it at the time but…it came to mind again tonight. I believe it was some kind of message to me and Mario."

"What was the message?" Daisy asked.

Peach said, "He just sent these awful images of the Mushroom Kingdom being taken over by force, and of the demise of people I cared about. It was as if they'd come straight from his mind to mine."

"Sick." Daisy remarked, not envying the other woman's experience.

"He also showed me…an image of you." Peach said uncomfortably.

Daisy scoffed and said, "Me? What, as his slave?"

"No, as his queen."

A cultured voice interrupted the pair when he said, "Excuse me, sweet Peach, but you wouldn't mind if I borrowed the woman of the hour for an hour?"

"Hopefully not for that long," Daisy joked, "I don't know if I'd survive."

She hid her unease for Peach's sake because the blonde was disconcerted enough for the two of them. Instead, she stifled those feelings of disgust and addressed the man who'd spoken.

"I'm all ears, King Boo."

Peach left with a nod in Daisy's direction and Daisy began to tap her foot impatiently. She was gazing up at the taller immortal expectantly and he didn't keep her waiting.

"So it's true then. He's contacted you?" King Boo asked.

Daisy said, "You heard that, huh? Yeah, he reached out to me in a dream." Her eyes narrowed diligently as she said, "I know he has to be working with a magician of some sort, but I can't think of who."

"Try a witch." King Boo suggested. "Tamaryn. She lives in the mountains near a tiny village."

"What tiny village?" Daisy frowned. "Wait, back up; you know the woman? Get her down here!"

"Daisy," King Boo warned with a bemused smile. "Easy. This is not the time to call to arms."

He gestured around them at the party and Daisy blinked, calming and rubbing her arms.

"Could you get me in contact with her?" Daisy asked more quietly.

King Boo said, "I could, but I doubt she'd talk to you. She's a possible ally of his, after all."

"Right," Daisy shook her head, then muttered. "Besides, there's no way I'd trust a witch."

King Boo quirked a brow but held his peace on that note.

Daisy glanced up and insisted, "You can still give me the name and location of the village. I could talk to the people and see if they've spotted the old tyrant."

"Oh you can bet they have." King Boo remarked. "He did a number on their town. And rumor has it he used his fire-breath to destroy the place."

"Impossi…well," Daisy retracted her first claim mid-sentence and gazed at the immortal. "Do you think the witch is responsible for that?"

"Hardly." King Boo frowned. "She's established a contract with the villagers, she wouldn't help harm come to them."

"Are you sure?" Daisy pressed, "If she's working with Bowser there's no telling. I've got to talk to some of those villagers. You think he's still there?"

"Perhaps," King Boo drawled, "But do you really think it wise to approach him while a possibly powerful ally is present?"

"I guess you're right." Daisy digressed, frustrated. "Coward. I just know he must be piggy-backing off someone else's power until he can get his own."

"He won't." King Boo stated firmly.

Daisy asked, "What makes you so sure? With his power resting with Ludwig, there's no guarantee he won't end up snatching it back."

King Boo grew silent.

"Unless the power isn't with Ludwig." Daisy spoke, gauging his reaction.

King Boo glanced away from the light-eyed girl and she dropped her hands to her hips. Daisy squared her shoulders and raised her chin, disregarding her smaller stature and gaining an authoritative air. She knew King Boo was hiding something and would get to the root of it fast.

"Where's Ludwig?" She asked, right to the point.

King Boo said, "Somewhere where he can do no more harm to anyone."

"Right." Daisy clipped, rolling her eyes. "I'll be the judge of that. Where is he?"

King Boo began to say in a placating fashion, "I understand you're upset with him—"

"Let me stop you right there." Daisy said, chuckling without humor. "When someone calls me a bad name, or when it rains on my birthday; that upsets me. What he did—" Daisy stopped and rubbed her hands over her face.

King Boo said something but she held up a hand.

Daisy continued in a lower, icy tone with her eyes cold and flinty. "Ludwig hurt a lot of innocent people. He was selfish. Arrogant. Greedy. And cruel. Even you have to acknowledge that. So if you still want to protect him for whatever reason, fine. That's your prerogative. But at least tell me if he's harboring the Dark King's power or not because if he is, he's just as dangerous as Bowser himself."

King Boo waited a beat before saying, "I've sealed the power somewhere in my estate. Neither Ludwig nor the Dark King has it."

Daisy nodded, her expression pensive as her mind calculated what to do about the situation. She was actually glad to hear that Ludwig had been taken out of the equation. It made things a whole lot simpler.

As simple as can be when that snake is involved, she thought.

"I appreciate you volunteering this information." She stated because she really felt she had to, their inability to see eye to eye regarding the ex-enforcer notwithstanding.

King Boo nodded and said, "We have a common enemy. The sooner he is eradicated, the sooner we can all get back to our own affairs."

Daisy dropped her arms and sighed, then started massaging her brow.

Some turn this night's taken, she thought with a grim frown.

At some point the king strode away and she was left with a whole lot less bubbliness than she had before. So as an attendant passed with tiers of champagne glasses, she snatched two and downed one.

I couldn't have picked better finger food. The diminutive burgers were juicy and just the right size to give me a little taste of back home, the shrimp was easily my favorite item with its savory seasoning and the zesty cocktail sauce. The fruit was a no-brainer because it was just fruit; not a lot of ways you could mess that up. The miniature cakes were Daisy's idea, tiny tarts that went great with champagne. There were chocolate one, rich and decadent, and lemon ones with a creamy filling. I couldn't find Dean but wherever he was, I hoped he was having as good a time as I was. I did run into my brother, though, and he wrangled me over to where he and General Zair were talking.

"Get over here, baby brother!" Mario grinned goofily.

Mario plucked at the gold piece in my hair and I swatted his hand away Zair quirked a brow but observed us two in silence.

"You following in my footsteps?" Mario quipped. "Getting all fancy and stuff. I see ya'."

"Ah, I'm still the same." I claimed, burying my hands in my pockets.

Mario shook his head and said, "Nah, you're not the same, Luigi. You're better. That girl brings out the best in you. I'm happy for you. C'mere!"

"No, Mario, come on, please." I protested. "No more hugging. When did you get so soft?"

Mario's smile wavered and he crossed his arms. "I actually went the other way, if you can believe it."

"I can't." I said, but I only half-meant it.

Mario tapped his bicep and shared a glance with Zair. They seemed to understand something and I knew it had to do with the fact that this kind of life, one intermingled with war and violence, it could really bring you places, dark places. I knew that even back during our adventuring days and when I heard about the things Mario supposedly did during the Great War…well, that didn't exactly line up with the jubilant older brother I grew up with.

"Did you get my letter?" Mario suddenly asked.

I think his mind was on a similar subject. I nodded and told him, "The guns haven't come yet."

General Zair finally spoke and said, "You're bringing guns to Chai? That's madness."

"I don't think so." I argued, looking at him. "I saw what they can do to Bowser; it'll make taking him down a lot easier."

"And what happens after he's gone?" General Zair asked coolly. "What new menace will arise with these weapons in their arsenal?"

I frowned and said, "We're not giving them to everybody. Just my troops."

"Actually, little brother." Mario interjected, scratching his head. "Peach and I were planning on sending them to our allies for their armies, too."

"And once they're in circulation, how can you hope to control where they go or who gets they're hands on them?" General Zair countered. "It's another war waiting to happen."

I had to ask, "How come you know so much about this?"

"I've lived through many wars." General Zair replied. "I know what starts them."

"No, no." I stated. "Guns. How do you know what they are?"

"My expertise is not limited to this world." The General answered cryptically.

He burrowed those black eyes through mine and just when I thought he was looking down on me or had contempt for my opinion, he flashed a quick smirk and looked away.

Mario said, "I think you're right, General. It'd be best to keep a small amount of firepower in play so we can control what happens to them." He faced me and said, "You'll get arms and ammunition directly from me so they don't get hijacked along the way. There is, uh, the matter of the guns I already shipped out."

"Where'd you ship them to?" I asked, wincing at what he'd say.

He said, "Just BeanBean Kingdom. No big deal. I'll have Peasley send them back, no problem."

"I hope you're right." I murmured.

Zair added, "Indeed. It'd be disastrous were they to fall into the wrong hands."

Thinking the worst, Alicia flinched when she felt a hand drop down on her shoulder. Some of her champagne she spilled as she jerked her body around to face the person behind her. She threw up a hand over her heart and laughed nervously.

"You scared the mess outta' me, D."

Daisy gave her a tired smile and that made Alicia frown. She wasn't feeling too hot and it looked like the princess was in a similar state.

"Something wrong?"

"What's the matter?"

Both girls spoke at the same time and then grinned. Alicia told Daisy to go first and the brunette sighed. She had two glasses in one hand and one of them were empty. As an attendant passed, she set used one on their tray and shook her head.

"I don't even know what to say," The girl spoke, sounding drained. "I just got some disturbing news."

"What happened?" Alicia asked, one of her arms around her waist.

"Politics." Daisy stated. "Nothing you should worry about."

"Oh," Alicia said. "I hope it didn't spoil the night for you."

Daisy just shrugged and tipped her glass in her friend's direction. "What's up with you? Did something happen?"

"No, not really." Alicia replied, glancing over towards the punch table. "I'm just."

A silence passed between them as Alicia took a sip of champagne and Daisy tapped her finger against her glass. Both of them got lost in their own thoughts. In the background, another song started up. The girls met each other's eyes and seemed to be of like mind.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Alicia suddenly asked, sitting her drink down on a nearby table.

Daisy did the same and reached for her friend's hand. "You know it. Come on."

He was only half-joking when he'd asked about the spell. Try as he might, he couldn't keep from looking at the curly-haired young woman. Not just her beauty but her secrets enticed him. He did love a good riddle and the young woman was like the best sort.

"In my earlier days, I was like you."

Prince Peasley glanced from Alicia to King Boo. He'd come over sometime during Peasley's trance-like staring session. Peasley tipped his head in the other royal's direction and the immortal stood near him. They were at the punch table, for that was where Alicia had been minutes ago. Peasley had actually come over to talk to her, for he feared he'd upset her. But she and Daisy had taken off towards the dance floor and he'd lost his opportunity. Now he turned to face the raven-haired king.

"What did you say?" He had to ask.

King Boo smiled faintly and said, "I send you my deepest sympathies. I, too, know what it's like to be seduced by that which will forever elude you."

"That's a poetic way of putting it." Peasley smirked. "I believe it's my just desserts, having broken so many hearts up until now."

King Boo chuckled and asked, "How goes your studies?"

Peasley replied, "They know my name in seven languages and come from countries near and far, seeking my aid."

"I assume you mean to say you're an accomplished physician," King Boo surmised, and when the blonde nodded he said, "In that case, I'm afraid I'll have to say that's not the topic I was referring to."

Peasley gave the immortal a once-over and glanced behind his shoulder before smirking broadly. In answer, for a second time making sure no one was watching, he caused the burgundy ascot tucked under King Boo's neck to unravel out of his coat and float in the air. King Boo's magenta eyes widened appreciatively and he grinned, plucking the thing from above his head.

"Very good," He praised the younger royal. "Your will is strong. A promising sign in a new sorcerer."

"I don't aim to be one."

"But you are." King Boo told him. "And a great one, at that. I've not seen such aptitude since..."

Prince Peasley frowned when he saw the pale immortal's expression grow dim as he tapered off. He wanted to ask the king what was the matter, but something strange happened.

Ludwig, King Boo thought, his blood freezing colder than usual. In the instant that his thoughts wandered to his ex-enforcer, a sharp bolt of emotion shot through his mind. Many emotions, in fact; fear, panic, betrayal, anger. None of them belonged to the immortal which only led him to believe there was something very, very wrong with his former protege. In a flash, he vanished, leaving no trace of his ever having been at the party in the first place.

A/N: That was it. That was the thing that was gonna' go down. It was gonna' be something else, but I changed my mind. Hope you enjoyed all the developments so far and, as usual, thanks for reading!

Please review; I need the pick-me-ups. I've had a crud-tastic week.

Until next time!

~DymondGold~