AN: Chapter slightly early as I will be busy Easter Sunday. So, happy Easter~! Also, I hope I caught at least some of the usual Disgaea zaniness in this chapter. So, I hope you enjoy reading~

Chapter 11:

Samuel was not happy.

Waking up from an unwilling sleep, bound in chains, imprisoned with the use of No Entry Geo-panels, on Raging Rapids, and having none other than Ulric standing over him with a smirk was not something he wanted to wake up to.

No, to say he was downright pissed off was bit of an understatement.

Worse still, he was kidnapped right out of the Pocket Netherworld, and no one seemed to have seen a thing.

"What in Hades are you doing?" Samuel hissed.

"Come now, Samuel," Ulric all but crooned, a far too broad smile on his lips. "I just wanted to speak with you in private. But you didn't want to do it the easy way."

"I don't make it easy for those who are taking advantage of my amnesia."

"Semantics!"

Had he known that Ulric was going to resort to kidnapping him, he would have made their first meeting a lot more violent. In hindsight, they should have realised that he had let them leave far too easily.

Samuel tugged idly as his steel restraints as he eyed at his surroundings. Dark blue geo-panels acted as his prison, No Entry prevented him from leaving and preventing anyone from getting close, which was an unexpected benefit. Beneath him as he sat on the ground where light green geo-panels with lower defence, preventing him from breaking through his bindings.

Worse of all, he couldn't see where the geo-blocks were, so he couldn't use his elemental skills to destroy them to free himself.

It was pretty clear that Ulric had been planning for his 'visit' for a while.

It was infuriating.

"What do you want with me?" Samuel asked, reluctantly turning his attention back to his Overlord captor.

"I want you to become my queen."

Samuel blanched. That was on the answer he had anticipated. "Uh, I'll pass."

Ulric crouched down to one knee. "Will you become my Ocean Queen?"

"Didn't you just hear me?!" Samuel bristled, tugging at the chains that restrained him. But they bound his so tightly that the chain links wouldn't even rattle at his movements.

Ulric leaned his elbow on his knee, leaning forward just a fraction, and yet appeared that more menacing. "I'll ask again; Will you be my pirate queen?"

"Absolutely not!"

Pirate glowered at him, his expression suddenly cold and stoic, and his gaze piercing. "You don't seem to understand, Samuel. You don't have a choice in the matter."

Samuel flinched and subconsciously sunk back. Ulric's presence had grown intense, that worthy of an Overlord. He felt the need to look away, to lower his gaze away from Ulric's in a show of submission, as was expected of a demon of his class. It was customary to avert his gaze.

But he didn't want to be intimidated. He couldn't. Not to this Overlord.

"Why me?" he asked.

That unnerving broad, supposedly 'charming' smile returned to Ulric's lips. "I am simply enthralled by your beauty."

Samuel narrowed his eyes and frowned. Was that supposed to be a compliment?

"I don't have time for your sarcasm," he retorted with a hiss.

Ulric threw his head back on a laugh. A mocking laugh, no doubt. "You're a feisty one! You'll make a fine Ocean Queen."

The guy couldn't be serious, surely.

Ulric pushed himself to his feet and clicked his fingers in a truly arrogant fashion. A mere second after he did so, a Wrestler, the very same that had approached Samuel back at the Pocket Netherworld (and likely the one who had aided in his kidnapping) appeared and picked up a deo-block.

"Why don't you get some sleep while I get preparations ready?" Ulric said, casually.

Preparations?

Preparations for what?

Samuel watched the Wrestler carefully, hoping that he would lead him to where the geo-blocks were hidden in order to destroy them before they could knock him. But the man moved out of sight, the blocks and other geo-panels hidden in the next room, and that unfortunately familiar drowsy sensation soon washed over him.

He fell onto his side, his eyelids heavy and his vision growing blurry. He couldn't stay awake, but he couldn't fall asleep with Ulric standing over him, smirking that predatory, unnerving smile of his. He couldn't let himself be his victim.

He tried to fight.

But he couldn't.

Killia…

… … … … …

That ninja had to be the most insufferable demon Killia had ever met. And that was saying a lot.

Apparently, Cpt Chop Chop didn't know that Samuel had amnesia. Very few demons in the Rebel Army did. Which was for the best. But despite not knowing Samuel had amnesia, that didn't stop him and his little minions from running away with outlandish theories of who Samuel was and what his past could be.

Why? Because he was mysterious and 'unusual'. And it was fun.

Samuel should have drowned him in that fountain.

Still, considering Cpt Chop Chop didn't know of the amnesia, how did Ulric know? Did he just guess? That magazine must be how Ulric got to learn of Samuel's existence. Was Seraphina's 'helpful' comment that allowed him an excuse? She did reveal it pretty soon into their meeting.

Coincidence?

Perhaps he was just being overly protective.

Killia had grown quite protective of Samuel lately. He had noticed. Others had noticed. It was likely because Samuel reminded him of Lieze in some ways. Unwavering optimism. Steadfast loyalty. A homeliness that was comforting. A reassuring presence that could one at ease.

Yet, there were little things about him that have piqued Killia's interest. Of course, there was the amnesia. But there were the hidden vulnerabilities. His multiple skills. His fear of being left behind.

Those scars…

Killia shook his head. He needed to head to the kitchen. He and Samuel were to make curry for everyone. Usalia needed her curry. And he was getting hungry, too.

Entering the kitchen, however, Killia was surprised to find it empty. Killia turned to the yellow prinny that took care of the kitchenette whenever it was not in use, which was a rare event indeed.

"Have you seen Samuel?"

She turned to him and looked at him with wide, unblinking eyes. "He hasn't been here since this morning, plip."

Odd.

He may have gotten distracted with something else. To save time looking all over the Pocket Netherworld for him, Killia would just go to Christo and ask him instead. And ignore the uneasy feeling in his stomach.

He was just feeling protective because of what happened on Raging Rapids.

Christo was far easier to find as he usually stayed close to the main console, toward the front where the hologram maps could be found. He constantly scanned the charts and atlases, searching for where the other magical spears had landed.

He was clearly busy, but Killia just needed a few moments of his time.

"Christo," Killia called out to him, promptly gaining his attention. "Can you tell me where Samuel is?"

"Hm?" Christo fiddled with his glasses as he activated his Occhi Clairvoyance. "Well, let me see…"

A frown suddenly appeared on Christo's face.

"Christo?"

Christo folded an arm across his torso as he pushed up his glasses. "He's not located in the Pocket Netherworld."

Killia's eyes widen. "What? Where is he?"

"…Raging Rapids."

What? Samuel would never return to that Netherworld after what Ulric said and tried to do. He found that man predatory and nothing about him was remotely familiar. He would never go back.

Right. He would never go back. Willingly.

Killia should have punched Ulric when he had the chance.

He spun on his heel and stalked over to the location portal and ignored the scornful growl in his head from his other self. "Christo, I'm heading out. Follow me if you want."

And Killia was through the portal and on unsteady deck of a wrecked ship of Raging Rapids before Christo had the chance to respond. If he even bothered to try. He walked along the many broken boards and gangplanks until he reached a large ship that was mostly in one piece.

Where he was greeted by an unknown Professor and an army of Imps.

"You," she huffed in distain. "What do you want?"

"I'm here for Samuel," Killia replied simply.

The Professor gave another haughty huff. "What makes you think he's here?"

"I know he's here. And I'm not in the mood for your nonsense."

"Killia!"

Upon hearing his comrades' voices, Killia looked over his shoulder. Five figures soon came into view. Even Seraphina. Which was a surprise. Christo must have quickly informed the others of the situation.

"You shouldn't race off without us, Bro," Zeroken immediately scolded with a pout. "We've been through this."

"That's right," Red Magnus promptly agreed before he flexed his muscles. "I'm not letting you have all the fun by yourself, Killia."

"Is this really necessary?" Seraphina pouted from the back, the least enthused of the group.

Ah, she was still bitter about their earlier encounter.

"Is Samuel really here?" Usalia asked.

Christo readjusted his glasses once more. "Yes," he said firmly as he pointed to the ship behind the Professor and her Imp minions. "He's inside that ship right there."

Zeroken wrinkled his nose as he surveyed their surroundings. "Samuel wouldn't return on his own, right?" he mused aloud before he narrowed in on the Professor. "That means you kidnapped him?"

The still unnamed Professor suddenly threw her head back on a laugh. A laugh that was very similar to that of Seraphina's. "That's right! We stole him! Right from under your noses! Anything for our Overlord!"

…At least she was honest.

Usalia threw her hands up into the air in dismay. "But why, plip?"

"To become our Ocean Queen." The Professor framed her face with her hands suddenly and flushed a light pink. "He would make such an adorable Ocean Queen, don't you agree? Kya, he's just so adorable~!"

…It had to be that magazine's fault.

"Wait right there!"

A scowl immediately crept across Killia's face when he recognised the voice. He turned around just in time to witness a certain ninja appear on the scene, followed by a squadron of Prinnies.

"Surround the area!" Cpt Chop Chop ordered, his tone sharp and serious. "I want eyes on every corner. No angle unmanned. No stone unturned. Click those cameras like your lives depend on it, because it does! We cannot let such a perfect opportunity slip through our fingers! This is a chance of a lifetime. Get me that perfect photo of Samuel and Killia and I will triple your paycheque!"

"Aye aye, dood!" the prinnies promptly replied before they scattered at speeds Killia had never seen a prinny moved before. Not even for an extra sardine.

How much was that ninja paying those prinnies to get such loyalty and efficiency?

Killia's shoulders drooped forward in defeat as he sighed loudly. Cpt Chop Chop. He had hoped he could get Samuel and get back to the Pocket Netherworld before that insufferable ninja found out.

He had eyes and ears everywhere. Just like he said.

A movement just behind Cpt Chop Chop caught Killia's attention and made him straighten his posture. But it was the red flags carrying the symbol of the Lost Army that really made him sit up and take notice.

The Lost? That was the last thing he needed.

"Oh great! The Lost Army, too?!" Zeroken yelped in alarm.

"Oh, we're not here to fight," the Martial Artist at the forefront suddenly stated. "We're here to observe."

Christo looked at them questioningly. "Er, observe what?"

The Lost Soldier folded his arms across his chest tightly. "The epic battle of forbidden love, of course."

…What?

Zeroken broke out into a cold sweat. "W-wait…you guys are fans of that Nether Gossip Magazine, too?"

"Of course," the Lost Soldier replied firmly. And with a blush.

The entire squadron of Lost Soldiers then abruptly replaced their Lost memorabilia with that of the Nether Gossip Magazine logo; hand flags, hats, bandanas, headbands, even t-shirts.

Cpt Chop Chop looked over at the group and nodded his head in full acceptance. "Understandable. Next issue should indeed be a spectacular one at that. I'll be sure to send you all signed copies."

He then gave them the finger-guns and winked charmingly, receiving a chorus of cheers and swoons.

Christo grew alarmingly pale as he took a shaky step backwards. "Wh-what a formidable man this Cpt Chop Chop truly is. Reuniting the Netherverse with just a magazine."

Voyeurs, the lot of them.

"How far does this…Nether Gossip Magazine of yours-?"

Killia sighed. Christo, why did you have to ask that?

"Far and wide," Cpt Chop Chop readily answered. "To every corner of the Netherverse."

That was what Killia was afraid of.

"And here I thought it was confined to the Pocket Netherworld," Christo murmured.

Killia turned to their tactician. "…Let's not tell Samuel any of this."

Christo nodded. "That's probably for the best."

A low, fearsome growl was suddenly heard.

Instinctively, Killia tensed and immediately began inspecting their surroundings. After everything that had happened so far, it wouldn't surprise him one little bit of a horde of dragons or monsters decided to descend upon the netherworld just to invade for the sake of it.

But the sky was clear. Nothing was coming from the north, south, east, or west. Yet, the sound was close by. Growing louder. And more menacing.

Killia's gaze shifted back over to his companions and his eyes widen in alarm.

It was coming from…Seraphina?

She stood in the middle of the group, hunched forward at the waist, arms in front of her with her hands balled tightly into fists. Her hair shadowed her eyes, but her lips were pulled back into a fearsome snarl as she bristled violently.

"Why is everyone so focused on this…side character when I'm standing right here?!"

…Really?

Zeroken approached Seraphina cautiously. "Ah, Seraphina-Sis? You ok?"

"Jeez, Sera, you super need to chill," Red Magnus. Which, of course, only made things worse.

"I will not 'chill'. I will murder each and every single one of you!"

Killia pressed his knuckles against his forehead when Seraphina whipped out her guns, hostility in her aura, and murderous rage on her face.

"Ok, everything is starting to get ridiculous." He drew in a deep breath through his nose and righted his posture. He then turned to the only two sane ones left. "Christo, Usalia; while all this is going on, I'll get Samuel. Can you two make sure no one follows me?"

Christo looked uneasy. "Ah, sure."

Usalia, however, nodded enthusiastically. "Usalia will do her best, plip."

"Appreciate it."

Using the chaos to his advantage, Killia slipped behind the distracted Professor and her Imp underlings, and into the pirate ship. Christo had stated with certainty that Samuel was inside, and with how the Professor had been previously guarding it, he had be to inside somewhere. And it was safe to assume that Ulric was lurking about, too.

Good. He couldn't wait to see him again.

Killia paused mid-step and looked behind him. Explosions. Seraphina truly lost her temper. No matter. He just hoped Cpt Chop Chop was in the epicentre of one of those explosions.

Moving deeper into the ship, he soon entered what could only be described as the galleria. A large chamber with a throne situated at one end, with a series of glowing geo-panels in the middle of the floor. Where a certain white-haired warrior could be seen.

"Samuel!"

Killia raced over to him and immediately dropped down to one knee. Samuel laid on his side, silver chains tied tightly around his upper body, pinning his arms to his sides and behind his back. He hadn't responded when Killia had called out to him, but he appeared to be breathing.

He immediately reached out to touch him, but an invisible force stopped his hand from moving forward. No Entry geo-panels. That was how he was keeping Samuel confined. And the other had to be a sleep panel.

He needed to find those Geo-blocks.

"You again!" a somewhat familiar voice boomed. "You never give up, do you?"

Killia was immediately up on his feet, his body pulled into a fighting stance. "Of course not. Not when you're the one who kidnapped my ally."

"Ally, you say?" Ulric threw his head back on a mocking yet hearty laugh as he walked over to him with an arrogant confidence. "A tsundere rival, I see."

"I'm not tsundere…"

Idiot.

"Where are the geo-blocks?" Killia demanded.

Ulric wagged a finger at him. "I don't want to tell you. I have my Samuel right where I want him."

"I'll ask one more time; where's the geo-blocks?"

"You seem fond of that Warrior," Ulric suddenly commented. "He's your retainer?"

"No, he's-"

Ulric smiled a broad, yet predatory smile. "Then you shouldn't mind if I have my way with him, yes?"

Killia's body instantly became tense. Hot. Angry. He felt a growl grow in the back of his throat and he took a sharp, abrupt step forward. "…What have you done?"

"Nothing," Ulric replied, unthreatened or simply unaware of the immediate danger he was in. "Yet. But once he becomes my Ocean Queen. Oh-ho, the fun we shall have."

His fingers twitched as his Other-Self snarled in his mind, demanding to be freed. To unleash fury. "Don't you dare lay a finger on him."

"Ahah!" Ulric laughed as he reached for the gun holstered to his side. "An epic battle for Samuel's love-"

Killia was in front of him. And unleashed an uppercut to his chin, sending him straight up toward the ceiling of the ship. And straight through it.

Unsatisfying, but he was dealt with.

A glimmer of colour caught his attention. Behind a throne was a small room. And there were a couple of geo-panels, along with the geo-blocks. Good. He couldn't destroy the blocks as that would only hurt Samuel. Remove them first and then destroy them to prevent one of Ulric's minions sneaking in and using them against him.

With the blocks dealt with and the geo-panels rendered inoperable, Killia quickly returned to Samuel and knelt by his side once more.

He soon noted the light bruises on his arms that were likely from the chains. He obviously tried to fight back, to struggle in some way, but Ulric ensured that he couldn't do anything. Frustrating for him and infuriating to Killia.

The lock keeping the chains in place was quickly dealt with and he pushed away the chains. He slipped an arm around his shoulders and lifted him up to left him rest against his chest, but he wasn't waking up. It was possible that Ulric did something else to him to ensure his total compliance and submission.

A sleep spell better be the only thing Ulric did to him…

Keeping an arm around Samuel's shoulders, Killia slipped his other arm under his knees and effortlessly picked him up off the ground. Samuel didn't make a sound as Killia carefully readjusted his hold on him, simply allowing his head to rest upon Killia's shoulder, his forehead gently touching his chin.

It was concerning how he still didn't stir, even as he began to carry him through the ship and back outside.

"Killia!"

Killia looked up as Christo and Usalia approached him. "I heard explosions. What happened out there?"

"You're better off not knowing the details," Christo said, sounding surprisingly haggard. "That ninja is an Overlord. With the power of bribery and negotiation. Unbelievable. I'm both relieved and fearful that he's on our side."

Yeah. Killia had better keep an eye on him in the future.

Usalia leaned up onto her toes and gently stroked Samuel's arm, hoping to get a reaction out of him. "Is Samuel ok?"

"He's under a sleeping spell," Killia replied as he turned his focus back to Christo. "Can you use Espoir?"

"Ah, give me a moment," Christo dutifully replied before he lifted his hand and pressed it against Samuel's forehead, where a white light soon appeared.

Samuel's brow furrowed before his eyes snapped open and he tensed in Killia's arms, panicking ever so slightly. Which was an understandable reaction.

However, when his gaze locked with his, he immediately recognised him, and he relaxed in his arms. Even breathing a sigh of relief. He reached up with a hand to grasp Killia's shoulder as he rested his head on his other.

His reaction honestly surprised Killia a little. He was so…trusting of him.

"K-Killia?"

"Easy," Killia said gently. "Let the Espoir take effect."

"What happened?" Samuel asked as he clutched his forehead. "Where's Ulric?"

"Defeated," Killia said simply, mildly wondering where the deviant had landed and hoped it was in one of those whirlpools that dotted the Netherworld. "Did he do anything to you?"

Samuel, thankfully, shook his head. "Other than threaten to make me his Ocean Queen, nothing."

At least he has some morals. As small as they were.

"I'm all right," Samuel said after a moment. "I can stand."

Killia nodded. He bent down and eased Samuel's feet to the ground but kept an arm around his shoulders. And Samuel didn't immediately push away from him. He rested a hand on his arm to steady himself and kept it there even when it was clear that he was able to stand without aid. And for his part, Killia allowed him to hold onto to him.

His touch was comforting, for him. It quietened his other self, who would normally be tugging at his consciousness. It had been some time since he had eaten anything, after all.

But after Killia had freed Samuel, his Other-Self snarled "and keep him this time, idiot" before promptly shutting up.

It was…odd.

Killia supposed he shouldn't think too much about it. He had done what he had set out to do; Samuel was safe. Still, it was best that they return to the Pocket Netherworld as soon as possible.

But first, they had to make their way outside where the others were. And outside…well, outside held more carnage than Killia had been expecting.

"Wh-what happened here?" Samuel stuttered, an expression of utter shock and amazement on his face.

Christo turned to him and gave him an exasperated shrug. "Seraphina lost her temper."

That explained nothing, yet everything.

"This isn't over, dear Samuel!"

Killia tensed and whipped around, ready to unleash another Rising Domination on Ulric if and when necessary. But he didn't immediately see the pirate. It took him a few moments, but he soon located him, up above. On the roof of the ship. Where he had sent him previously.

And he wasn't in the best of shape.

Blood covering half of his face, hair matted, clothes torn and absolutely drenched with water, unsteady on his feet, his attention to the left of them so wasn't looking directly at them.

He obviously just dragged himself up from the ocean. He was persistent, Killia had to give him that much.

"After this war is over, my Beloved Ocean Pearl, I will be back to sweep you off of your feet so that we can sail throughout the Netherverse together forever!"

Samuel became pale as he turned toward Killia. "…Is it wrong for me to wish this war will never end?"

Killia sighed and pressed his knuckles against his forehead. "With a threat like that hanging over your head, I don't blame you."

… … … … …

Christo took a sip of his tea as he studied the atlases in search of the rest of the magical spears that had been sent out across the Netherverse. And had done so in relative peace.

Until a loud, monstrous shriek caused Christo to nearly spit out his tea all over the maps and charts. "Wh-what in the Netherverse was that?" he stuttered as he took to his feet, his heart thundering in his chest.

A monster invasion? The Lost?

He became silent and still when Usalia appeared, toddling over to him casually and calm. As if she hadn't heard that ungodly shriek. In her hand was…a magazine?

Usalia held the magazine up to him. "It looks like we weren't able to keep Cpt Chop Chop and his minions away from Killia and Samuel, plip."

Christo instantly knew what she meant, but for whatever reason, took the magazine from her and opened to the centre fold. Sure enough, in its two-page, shiny, high-definition glory was a photo of none other than Killia and Samuel.

Of Killia carrying Samuel. In his arms. In the dubbed 'Princess carry' position.

Christo sighed and closed the magazine. "How in the Netherverse did they manage to get that photo? No, never mind, I don't want to know. Well, that does explain that guttural scream of sheer rage I heard earlier."

Whoever showed Seraphina that photo was likely nothing more than a corpse now.

Usalia smiled, completely absentminded. "It is a cute picture, plip."

"Don't say that in front of Seraphina," Christo warned as he took a moment to skittishly inspect their surroundings. "Honestly, that ninja may be the most formidable force in this Netherverse."

"Even scarier than Void Dark, plip."

That was a joke. Obviously. Surely. Maybe?

"But not as scary as Seraphina will be when she gets her hands on Cpt Chop Chop," Usalia added.

Something tells Christo that neither Killia nor Samuel will be attempting to stop that murderous escapade.

Christo handed the magazine back to Usalia. "It would be best if we never speak of this ever again."