Disclaimer: Chapter 1...getting the idea yet?

A/N: just something to give insight of how the enemies for this story (most of 'em anyway J) have built themselves hierarchically.

Chapter 5: The Zodiacs Assemble

Quecklain took the stone, but wasn't truly happy about his new assignment. He began his search as soon as he got the stone, and looked all over Japan for the Esper known as "Ramuh". Quecklain and Ifrit didn't have as many feuds anymore, but they still didn't like each other, or the prospect of sharing a body any longer than absolutely necessary.

Ramuh, as it would seem, didn't truly like making himself public, so finding him was a bitch for Quecklain, but at least the wounds that plagued Ifrit's body were healed now, and weren't going to reappear until it wasn't necessary to keep Ifrit alive anymore.

Quecklain walked down the streets of Tokyo and kept his eyes and ears open for any signs of an Esper. He caught on to one and trailed it as he found an alley to corner it in. The Esper walked into the trap, seemingly on accident, but it found itself in a corner, and Quecklain closed in for the kill.

Quecklain noted the appearance of the Esper. It took the shape of an old man. It had a long beard that flowed down his height to his ankles. It wore loose robes that flowed into shades of blue and silver, and cascaded loosely around its body, giving hardly any evidence of what its underlying body's size truly was. Quecklain couldn't see its face, but knew that this had to be Ramuh..since there were electric shocks going around the alleyway now.

Quecklain stifled a cry as one of those shocks hit him, and coursed through his body, sending pain through his spine, and making him loose control of his bladder.

He bit through the pain, and ran straight at Ramuh, who was chanting the spell "Judgement Bolt". Ramuh got to "Grant my enemies what they deserve" before he got the Zodiac Stone shoved halfway down his throat. Ramuh felt another presence enter his mind, and his body shifted and mutilated itself until he took the shape of a humanoid-lion creature. An explosion of greenish energy shot from his body and pulsated with every motion that was made.

Almost done, Quecklain thought, just a little more, then my TRUE master will be born.Quecklain watched in wonder as energy flowed THROUGH him, but didn't seem to touch him. It was quite an amazing site, but then the energy flowed through some passers-by and killed them instantly. The transformation finished just as quickly as it began, but when it was all over, the being known as Lionhardte, took the shape of the creature it just possessed. Slight differences could be noted, however. The eyes changed from a strange yellowish-gold to a greenish black, and the jaw line was more defined now. Hell looked back at Quecklain through those eyes, and he bowed before it.

"Welcome back, master of the Lucavi, Lionhardte." Quecklain said at nearly a whisper.Lionhardte smiled and rested a hand on Quecklain's shoulder. "Don't worry, Quecklain," he said, "your past failures are noted, but are forgiven. It's good to be back.now lets do what we almost succeeded in last time..who's the blood angel?"

Velius looked around the room at the smiling faces, and couldn't help but agree with them.

In it were several related beings. There was a dark knight, named "Diablos", who was one of the stronger Zodiacs. He took on the name of the counterpart who he possessed. There were 3 Holy swordsmen (4 including him). One of them was a female host. And 6 Divine knights, which had 2 female hosts.

His brothers and sisters were all gathered for the return of their eldest, and the strongest, of their kindred.

Quecklain better not have failed me this time. Velius thought with disgust, but knowing him, he probably got himself killed or something equally ridiculous.

Three knocks sounded at the entrance to the restaurant that was now the new home of the Zodiac Braves. They took over what was known as the "Cat Café" and killed the few humans who hadn't fled the town.

Velius pointed to Diablos and signaled for him to get the door. He complied and got down on one knee instantly, allowing everybody to see their eldest. They all paid their respects to lionhardte.

Lionhardte raised his hands, which meant everybody should rise, and everyone did. He and Quecklain walked into the Cat Café and sat down, everybody followed suit and relaxed.

"Let it be known," Lionhardte announced in a bellowing voice that resounded from his old man's form in an amazingly booming fashion. "Let it be known, that the descendents of Lucavi are now complete..let us begin building our armies, so we may capture the Blood angel..and end this failed experiment called life..once and for all."All bowed, and were relieved that the plan to gain back St. Ajora could continue unhinged.