Mio & Ritsu arrived at the man's old hut, as Mio sensed Azusa, inside. Mio said that she's in here, as Ritsu followed. Ritsu suddenly smelled something. She whispered, "I smell sulfur… or burnt ashes…"

Mio opened the door and cried out, "AZUSA! WHERE ARE YOU? Did you get injured?"

Ritsu said, "Mio, no! It's dangerous in here… I fear it could be a trap…"

"You're right. Wait… You're never this serious!"

"I am, when one of our friends is kidnapped. But Azusa's the worst possible outcome! If we lose her, what will happen to us and the band?"

"Uh… A little late for that?"

"Sorry."

BONK!
Mio bonked Ritsu in the head and barked, "Now, focus! Where did you smell the ashes?"

"Over there…" Ritsu pointed at the door.

Mio busted the door down and was covered in dust and soot. She coughed, from inside the cloud of dust, as Ritsu stepped in, "Azusa? You okay, man?"

Mio sensed her, and then said, "I sense her…"

She gasped, as she saw her blouse, skirt, and panties on the floor, where Azusa's pile of ashes are. The rest of her clothes were burned away by the sunlight. Mio shrieked, "AZUSA!"

She dropped to her knees and sobbed, "No… What happened to you?"

Ritsu said, "Azusa's dead?! No… How in the world… did…?"

Mio hugged Ritsu and cried on her chest. Ritsu calmed her down and said, "It's alright… Sena has to know… That wicked witch will pay for this… I bet that was how Nodoka and Ui died, as well."

Mio wept, but could not utter a word. She was heartbroken by Azusa's death. Ritsu said, "Calm down, Mio. Don't let Azusa's death affect you. For now, let's take Azusa's weapon back to Sena, and deliver the bad news."

"Okay…" Mio said, wiping her tears.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, at the citadel, the evil woman was in her throne, as Tohka and Shiina were standing beside her. The man suddenly appeared, as the woman boomed, "You again? I thought I removed you from my presence, you uncaring weasel!"

The man introduced himself, "Perhaps you haven't forgotten our little deal, my dear queen. Permit me to introduce myself, but with your new entourage."

Tohka and Shiina bowed to him, as he said, "Ah, yes, charming ladies, trained in the dark arts… Are they your slaves?"

"Yes. I managed to own them, from Sena, their sister… And I made them join us, so we can kill her… and plunge this world into darkness."

"Ah! Darkness… I like it." The man said, as he turned to the evil lady's slaves, "Ladies, I am Reggie Hadigan the 3rd… Rook, for short. I'm such a nice guy, with an evil sort. I live in a hut, which is more of a sty. But a sty so sterile, I cannot lie. I am associated with your master, delighted as can be, but I refuse to join her, without a decree. So, ladies, if you mind, I must talk to your queen. But I'll meet with you later… if you know what I mean."

He winked, as Rook approached the evil lady. The evil woman barked, "What the hell do you want? And if it's what you want, it's STILL NO!"

"I'm not asking for that, milady. I come bearing gifts." He kneeled to her.

He tipped his hat and showed him the shadows of Nodoka, Ui, & Azusa, all slewed and stolen by Rook, himself. The evil queen smirked, "Impressive… You killed three innocent girls… and they are associated with Sena, I see."

"From the looks of it, the kitty girl was a wielder of Thor. Her hammer was just a mallet, and nothing more."

"Ah, I knew it! Sena is after me. Well, don't play too long, you temptress. We're ending you, right away…"

She beseeched to him, "Mr. Hadigan, thank you for the offer. I accept your gift… for they will be useful."

She took the shadows, lifting her hand up and absorbed them into her body. She said that she has a proper use for them. But it's not the right time, yet. He said, "Very good. Happy to oblige, without you lifting a solitary finger."

"Oh, I tend to kill, when the time's right. Once I have my prisoner ousted, the world will be in darkness, permanently. Ginti thinks he can marry this commoner… well, their red string of fate… SNIP!"

She cackled, as Tohka and Shiina remained in place, standing behind Rook, who then asked, "I see. Now, since we're done, I wish to join you on your escapades… provided if you show me your panties."

The queen stopped laughing, as she let out a cold glare at him. He then put his top hat on and said, "I guess it's still NO. Fine! I have to go. But hey, if you decide to be giving and not prude, give me a call, if you're not so rude."

"Before you go, may I show you the prisoner?" The evil lady said.

He said, "I suppose I have time. Sounds delightful! Show me!"

"Tohka! Shiina! Escort Mr. Hadigan to the dungeons, and show him the grand tour…" She boomed.

Tohka and Shiina bowed and said, "Yes, master."

They walked off to the dungeon, as the evil lady sat back down, in disgust, "Every time he offers his assistance, there's always a perverted catch. I wish to oblige, but I refuse to show him my unmentionables!"

XXXXX

At the dungeon, Rook was humming his song, as he and the slaves walked to Mugi's cell, as she was chained in an iron ball on her ankle. He approached the bars and saw her. He then asked, "Is that her?"

Tohka replied, "Yes."

Shiina replied, "She is our prisoner."

Mugi suddenly wake up, as she heard a noise. She saw Rook, as she moaned, "Uh… Who are you?"

She approached the cell, as he smiled, "My, what a cute girl…

Mugi asked, "Where am I?"

Rook said, "The dungeon. Apparently, I can't say which floor. Just deep underground, and nothing more."

Shiina huffed, "Would you be quiet, Dr. Seuss?"

Mugi asked, "How did I get here? I was supposed to have tea with my Ginti! And suddenly, everything went black, and I-!"

Rook held her chin and said, "Ah, yes… You were blessed for a future with a husband… whilst I have a girl at home, waiting for me to return. You know, I'd make out with you, if your eyebrows weren't bushy."

"Oh? Well, people say that they are sliced pic-."

"Never mind." He let go, and responded, "The sooner I leave this morbid rat trap, the better. Because I am going home, in this dark brisk weather."

Mugi pleaded, "Sir! Please! Let me go! Save me, my friend… I want to go home, and be free."

"Sorry, kid." He said, "But I refused to let you go, ever. The evil queen wants you, and freedom is never. Child, permit that I wanted to free you, but I must confess. I am a very evil man, but good at heart, to progress."

He tapped his cane on the bars and concluded, "But… I'll free you, if you show me your panties…"

Mugi blushed, as she stepped back. She whispered, "You are evil. I can't. No… I won't give you my panties… Even towards demonic forces, like you."

Rook sobbed, as he was in disdain, "AW, COME ON! Why does everyone say NO to me?"

Tohka said, "Time to go, Mr. Hadigan. Master thanks you for the contributions of the shadows."

Shiina replied, "If she decides, she will recruit you, to join our rule."

Rook said, "Unless she shows me her panties, NO DEAL! Let's face it! I want fabric to touch and feel! If anyone wants to know women's clothes, you start in the inside!"

Tohka and Shiina added, "Would you risk being beheaded, while you died?"

Rook shivered, as he said, "Good one. I shall depart. And as for you, dear eyebrow girl… Enjoy life without love."

He laughed, as he walked away, with Tohka and Shiina following him. Mugi sobbed, as she said, "That's what I get for trying to ask for help, from a pervert like him… But I'm glad that he's not helping me. He's absolutely nuts."

"You're so right." A male voice called, "If you did give him your underpants, he wouldn't have freed you, anyway… not while these two girls are robotic slaves to the queen."

"Huh? Those two women?"

"And I say that, because I read them, like a computer. The evil lady used some of her evil magic, and made them into her minions. It was effort to leave, but you just can't…"

"Who are you?"

A figure appeared, as he was in a light brown shirt and shorts, wrapped in rope, with the fabric rough and stained. He has white hair, and has a glare in his face. He even said, "I've been a prisoner for months, now… and even I know what's going on here…"

Mugi sobbed, "Sir…"

Dufort said, "Tsumugi Kotobuki, am I right? My name's Dufort."

"How did you-?"

"I know everything… including your life… and your boyfriend…"

"But-."

"Be quiet! I want to help you."

"You will?"

He stated, "You will. However, if we are to be free, you can listen to me. But that doesn't mean we're dating. You're not my type."

"That's alright. I'm engaged, anyway… If you set me free, and you, too, I'll give you anything you desire."

He said, as he replied, "I will. But when the time's right, I'll let you know. If you cooperate with me, you can be free."

"Thank you…"

She held his hand and blushed, "I am sorry… but I don't know what came over me. I did wanted to help escape, by asking that sinister gentleman in purple, but it was of no use. But I want to know… How did you know my name?"

Dufort said, "I have psychic powers. I was kidnapped by the evil queen, because she knew I have a secret within her. I know exactly who she is… and she's a very vile woman, who wants to marry a man. Of course, she found me as hot and all-white like a soft cloud of snow. Unfortunately, I rejected her, but she sent her demons at me and attacked me. She never wanted rejection, like this. And I ended up here."

"Oh… Do you know of her name?"

"Yes… I do…"

Dufort said the evil queen's name, which was inaudible, as Mugi was suddenly shocked. And he even told her the secret that the evil woman has. Mugi was shivering, and then said, "Oh, my… What an evil woman… Now I know everything…"

She grabbed her wrists and blushed, "Thank you, for everything, Dumont. I love you… Dumont…"

"Sorry, but I don't date girls with big eyebrows… And my name's Dufort! NOT Dumont!"

Mugi giggled, "Oops. My apologies. But I Dumont very well…"

Miz-K Note: Now, this is getting racy.

She returned to her spot, as Dufort nodded, "It's alright, Tsumugi. We'll find a way. If not, someone will save you… and I hope so, because I have a good feeling… as I predict in the future…"

He used his psychic powers and smiled a bit, knowing his outcome and Mugi's outcome. He then said, "We will escape… I promise."

Mugi reached for the bars and whimpered, "Ginti… Where are you?"

XXXXX

Tohka and Shiina showed Rook out of the citadel, as he walked away, humming "Bink's Brew". Tohka then said, "Master should not be waiting. We must strike, right now."

Shiina replied, "Yes, we shall. We must train, and prepare for the battle. Sena's army is outnumbered by all of us. Our ex-sister will be happy to see us."

Their eyes glowed red in their pupils, as they went back in the citadel.

That night, a black crow flew over to where Sena is. Her body was shrouded in a shadowy silhouette, with her hair flowing, wearing only a black nightgown. She received the note and read it. It was from the evil queen.

"This is…" She gasped.