Thanks everybody for your reviews on all my stories, (even if not this one...those whom i'm thanking may never read this but what the hay.) laurexine flight I thank you for you wonderful review. I have someone in store for Stan in just another chapter or two. I have so many ideas and no time to post them. I hope to finish the Quest and the Bella Switch so that i can write more of these and add my six (mostly Okage) new ideas as well as continue my SOHMA CURSE story for fruits basket...But i'm sure you're all just here for the story so here goes. And a heads up, ARI IS NOT GAY! NEITHER IS STAN!

Disclaimer: I do not, repeat, do not own Okage. It's that simple. Not mine.

***

THE NIGHTMARE EVIL KING (Part 1)

It's been almost three days scince the defeat of the Dentist Evil King....

"JUST SHUT UP STAN! NO APROPRIATE WORD CAN DESCRIBE YOU!" shouted Rosalyn. The bickering seemed to have worsen between her and Stan; Ari was sick of it.

"Quit screamin' thunder thighs," Stan demanded calmly, "Madril will hear us coming...Oh wait your step alone warns places as far as Rashello that we're near."

"YOU____IDIOT! I HATE YOU!!!" Rosalyn screamed in rage, and yet careful not to cuss. (it prooves her hero status)

"I hate you too." said Stan with a smile. This ticked Rosalyn off big time...

"IF I DIDN'T LOVE ARI SO MUCH I'D HAVE KILLED HIM AND LEFT YOU IN YOUR BOTTLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE!!" then she stormed off.

"ROSALYN! WAIT! COME BACK!" yelled Kisling, Linda, and Big Bull as they chased after her. Marlene let out an exasperated sigh and Ari stood there helpless.

"Why so mean?" Epros Implored, "We are a team. And she does fight. Try it you might." he added laughing.

"Shut up you phony X-evil king. I fight and my slave fights which is the same as me fighting. And quit with the rhyming."

"Sorry Stan...It's habbit...I'm trying."

"That's more like it."

Epros just smiled and went along with it. Soon Stan would realize what he had just pulled and would try to hide his embarrasment; which was always entertaining.

"Besides, She'll be back..." Stan added looking towards where Rosalyn dissapeared. And although Ari wasn't quite sure it almost sounded like the evil king was feeling bad for what he had just done. "I'm still the only one who can fix her Shadow problem...if i choose."

"What do you Mean Stan?" asked Ari looking up at his master, "Are you able to turn it back now if you want?"

"No Fool Slave. I need to regain my true form first but i don't know if i want to fix her puny pink shadow."

"But..."

"No objections slave. I need not keep my promise. I'm an evil king." Stan then decided to change the subject. "Epros, If you don't rhyme will you explode or die or something cool like that."

"What would make you speak such silly words. Thats as dumb as a pile of ter..."

"LOOK EPROS WHAT'S THAT?" Stan yelled urgently pointing behind Epros.

"What?" he said spinning around to look behind him.

"Darn."

"Please Explain for i'm confused. Why are you all but mused?"

"I was just testing my theory. Apperently you don't explode."

"Very funny evil king. Why don't you too take wing."

"Leave...No way."

"Awwww. Is master Stanly dissapointed." asked Ari sarcastically.

"Shut up slave."

"Come on Ari lets find Rosalyn." said Marlene grabbing Ari's arm and leading him on. But Ari still wondered about Stan's statement. i don't know if i want to fix her puny pink shadow, if Stan fixed it Rosalyn would leave (or kill him) could it be Stan feared Rosalyn or even didn't want her to leave......Nah. More likly selfish reason like reputation and crap like that, but...

***

Eventually the group found Rosalyn and calmed her down; the tree she was hacking at with her sword couldn't take much more. (that poor destroyed tree.)

And then it was dinner and time to make camp...

"That was really good food Marlene." complimented Ari.

"Yeah, Your cooking skills are improving big time." agreed Linda.

"Well, Rosalyn did give me some tips, and of course I've learned a bit from Ari's mother." she said blushing.

"It's very good. Tastes like food should." Linda said with a smile, shoving the last of her meal in her mouth.

"Look here Stan, Linda's rhyming just like me. If Ari starts can you stand three?"

"Your just doing this to piss me off." Stan accused of the smiling magician who was actually standing for once and not floating.

"Coach, it was an accident really. Epi-chan wouldn't want to make you made, Would you Epi-chan." Linda argued sweetly. Epros gave a sly smile.

"Oh yes he would." Stan muttered under his breath turning to talk to his slave. "Why do you even want to hang around these fools?"

"They're my friends Stan...And they help your plans."

"Ok now i'm really ticked off, and that sucked." Stanly siad hitting his slave.

"Ow. I was only kidding sheesh."

"It's time to sleep. We'll need it." said Rosalyn retiring to her tent.

"I'll be in the tree, hopefully none will need me." Epros said retreating to his sleeping spot of choice. Lord knows why it was a tree.

"Good night everybody." Linda said sweetly following Marlene into their shared tent. Kisling and bigbul left to theirs, and Ari was left alone with Stan in their own tent.

"You know slave...we really need some more tents."

"But Stan, that means set up and packing would take so much longer. We're lucky to have tents at all. It's a good thing my father gave these to us."

"It's rather nice when we can stay in the inn's."

"And expensive...But it is a shame that the cities are so far apart."

"Well, i guess you have to sleep...Puny humans and sleep. As an evil king..."

"I know, I know, you dont have to sleep." Ari finished attempting to mimic Stans voice.

"Ha ha ha Slave," Stanly mocked, exasperated. "Just shut up and go to sleep."

"Right-o master Stan." and it was moments before Ari was fast asleep. Stan looked at his unconcious slave. And a feeling Stan didn't understand surface, and though he didn't know it, that emotion was friendship. Ari had become his friend and Stan cared what happened to him. Imagine that, Stan caring, but it was true. Stan had learned to feel for others in a way he had never imagined. Ari...His friend...perhaps...perhaps...