Chapter 2: News of the World

"New evil kings? How is that possible? You've regained all your powers back from them!"

"Tell me about it...you don't think I find this annoying? It's pissing me off! And because of all these new kings, ghosts have reappeared, and they're strong little buggers!"

Ari ducked as Stan swung his arms dramatically around as he ranted.

"But...if you have your powers back, then where did these new kings get theirs?"

Stan was quiet before he continued, "I've spent some time studying up on the legend about King Gohma, my previous incarnation, at the World Library. I had hoped there may have been a similar event like this before when he was living." A tired look crossed Stan's face. "It seems there's more to this role than meets the eye..."

"That's right...you're now picking up where Gohma left off, just like Rosalyn was picking up where the Hero Hopkins left off."

Stan stiffened at hearing the heroine's name, but continued anyway.

"Right...well, it seems Gohma wasn't alone in his later conquests near the end of his reign of terror. This new source of power for the new evil kings isn't mine...it's for some...partner..."

Ari stared. "Partner?"

As if on cue, a dark aura domed up from the ground. It swirled away, leaving James, Stan's ghostly butler, behind.

"Yes, servant Ari! And may I say, it is a pleasure to see you again!," James gave a little bow. "As it may seem, Gohma had a demonic partner, who also seemed to be a lover of sorts, at least that's what we were able to interpret from the text." James looked to Stan, who gave a nod. James continued on, "This partner had their own powers, and it helped spread terror throughout the land, at least until this person disappeared shortly before the defeat of Gohma. Truly evil indeed! The thing is, we didn't know of the existence of this partner until recently! They came much before my time, you understand."

"So...you're basically looking for a wife?," Ari asked.

"Husband, in my case."

"Hus...husband? I-I didn't know you were into...never mind. My guess is, you want me to join you on a quest to find this demonic partner?"

"If that were the case, the quest would be over now." Stan grinned.

Ari found himself staring again. "What do you mean?," he asked cautiously.

"Ari...," Stan began as he glanced the boy up and down. "We've known each other for how long?"

"Umm...roughly over two years now, I suppose?"

"Right...and I've been thinking...I think it's time we...deepened our friendship."

"I wouldn't call it a friendship..."

"Silence, slave. So, what will it be?"

"Depends on what you mean. What is 'it'?"

Stan was uncharacteristically silent for a moment. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Not...not really..."

"URGH! You humans must always have things spelled out for you! Fine, I'll do it your way!"

The Evil King's face reddened considerably as he kneeled down on one knee, pulling from his pocket a tiny ring box. Stan thrust the box outwards towards Ari and opened it, revealing a golden ring with a band of obsidian in its center.

"Ari, I'm giving you the great honor of marrying me, the Great Evil King Stanley Hihat Trinidad XIV."

Silence filled the room. The first sounds heard were the squeals of delight from Ari's mother and Annie. The boy stared at the ring, and then at Stan, his mouth agape. Somewhere in the back of his frozen mind, he registered his father saying something along the lines of "Now that's an all new type of adventure there."

"Speechless, boy? I know it must have left you in a joyous state, and the idea of marrying at the young age of eighteen must sound overwhelmingly exciting, but your acceptance would be most appreciated," Stan mused.

Ari continued to stare, that is until he began to tilt backwards into a dead faint. The last thing he heard before blacking out was the gasps of his family and a surprised "Ari!" from Stan.

A cold sensation on his forehead caused Ari to stir with a groan. Without opening his eyes, he lifted his hand to meet the cool object, discovering that it was a damp washcloth. Another groan forced its way out of Ari's throat as he finally cracked his heavy eyelids open, only to be met with golden orbs staring back.

"S-Stan?!," Ari gasped, sounding much louder than he meant to.

"Was it that much of a shock, slave?"

"Uh...well yes. M-Marriage usually means love and stuff like that. I didn't take you for that type...and to spring that on me after two years apart, too!"

"Peh...just because I'm the Shadow King, you instantly assume I'm incapable of such emotions?"

"Yes," Ari said bluntly.

A mild look of offense crossed Stan's features, but it was quickly replaced with his usual glare.

"Just because I am an 'evil' king does not mean I cannot feel positive emotions! I've been joyous in front of you, for crying out loud!"

"You laughed joyously at the thought of the world bowing at your feet..."

"Because it made me happy! Honestly, Ari!"

"Stan...that's a lot different than marital love...and it just doesn't sound very evil of you to love in the first place..."

The Evil King sighed heavily through his nose. Ari could visualize the man's small reserve of patience draining from him.

"Why me, anyway?," Ari began, hoping that if Stan would clarify more, things would make more sense and Stan's annoyance would be waived.

"Think about it, slave. Your shadow has been the one that's been the most compatible with me. I figured that you would be the perfect partner for me as well!"

"Wait...you don't even know if I'm the reincarnated partner? You just guessed?"

"Well yeah...but who else could it be but you?"

"Stan...it could be anyone...I'm not even a demon..."

The man was silent. Obviously this possibility had not crossed his mind. That was so like Stan. He had probably stressed and worried over the idea until he had gotten so excited that all rational thought about it had never surfaced.

Ari sighed, imagining he would later regret what he would say next.

"Look...if you want, I can travel around with you until you find this person."

Stan, for the first time Ari had ever seen, had a visibly disappointed, almost sad look. Had the Evil King really been that excited about the whole thing?

"...Or until we find a more definitive sign that I'm the one. And then I'll consider it."

A smirk spread over Stan's face. "Of course you're the one! And I'll prove it to you!," he said, slapping Ari on the back.

"So, will you wear this? Because I guarantee that you'll fall for me eventually." Stan held the ring box out to Ari.

The boy stared, his face heating up all over again.

"How about I wear it on a chain for now? Just until we're sure."

Satisfied with Ari's answer, Stan grinned widely.

"Perfect! Then get your things packed, slave! We leave immediately!"

"N-Now? Where are we going?"

"I wondered when you would ask that! Of course we'll be exploring what territories I've already conquered, but we must track down the new evil kings! That power will become yours! Er...or whoever my partner is..."

"Hang on, let me get this straight...if I am to become your partner, what would happen to me if I received these powers?"

"Why, you'd become like me! An all-powerful demon! An Evil K-...no, wait...a prince. An Evil Prince!"

Ari could have sworn he was about to faint again.

The wedding band hung heavily on the chain that Annie had given to Ari. He stared at it in the hallway mirror. He had been fighting off the urge to smile for a while now. He so badly wanted to feel that this whole situation was wrong, but that wasn't the case. Once the initial shock of having Stan propose to him had worn off, Ari began to think that maybe this wouldn't be so bad. But still, the whole thing with gaining powers left him feeling anxious. A little time to sort out his feelings and think about it wouldn't hurt. This was love he was talking about, and for a few months, he swore he loved Marlene, at least up until Stan chased her away during his first (and only) impromptu visit. After that, he had left for two years. A little bit of patience as revenge would be good for the Evil King.

"Slave, are you ready? There's no time to loiter about! We have evil kings to track down!," Stan poked his head around from the outside of the front door. So much for patience. The Evil King had been pacing on the front porch for the past half hour. Ari had to laugh to himself. His master's enthusiasm was all too obvious.

"I'm ready, calm down."

"I give the orders here, slave. You can't tell me what to do."

"Even if I do become your 'prince'?"

"...Yes, even then. You should always obey your King. With that said, let's get going!"

"Eager, aren't you?"

"Of course! I shall prove that you're mine!"

Ari joined the blond man on the porch, his family gathering in the hallway to say their farewells.

"Do you even have true feelings for me, Stan? You've never really made that obvious before..."

"That should be obvious to you, boy."

"Um...I just said that it never was."

"Then you'll just have to watch me more, won't you?"

Was that a bad attempt at flirting? Or just Stan's egotistical personality? Ari decided on his personality. Come to think of it, the whole thing was strange to Ari. Stan had never been so attracted to him before. Sure, the Shadow King had showed up at his door shortly after their first adventure, but the draw of world conquest had put an end to that fairly quickly. It couldn't have really meant anything special. Perhaps in the time they had been sending each other letters over those two years apart, Stan had time to figure things out more than he himself had?

Ari shook his head. Doubt was crawling uncomfortably up into his stomach. Was it really that easy? Could he develop feelings for Stan just like that, from sending letters? Sure, his heart may have raced a little bit when he saw his master for the first time after so long, and maybe he had been blushing ever since...but...

Dammit, there was something there, something starting to sprout and develop in the boy. Ari had to make sure, no way was he going to dive headfirst into this. Besides, what if it did turn out that he wasn't the partner Stan had been destined to? The thought made his heart sink.

"Ari? You ready?"

"Huh? O-Oh, yeah."

Ari's family waved as he and Stan started off down the dirt road leading away from the house.

"Have a good time, son!," his father called.

"Bring back something cool, okay?," Annie added.

"Annie dear, Ari may not return for good if he marries Stanley. But you better come visit, you hear, young man?!"

"Yes mom, I will."

"And make sure you use protection with Stan! Just in case!"

"MOM!"

And thus, the story of the overshadowed boy and his adventures with the Evil King continued.