"Deal With The Devil"
by Tamy

One

The past..Castle Doom..

Candles were lit everywhere in his new throne room. Zarkon Deghalra, new king 
of Doom and representative of the great Druule empire smiled. He was 
satisfied with everything. He had a world, and he had a newborn son who would 
help him rule one day. He had climbed up from obscurity to become king of 
this dark world. 

But he wanted more. He wanted an Empire. An Empire that would eclipse even 
the mighty Druule empire. Yes. This was what he wanted,  and even though he 
had his beautiful witch Hagar to aid him, he needed more help to secure what 
he wanted. 

Hagar came into the lit room, her hips swaying slightly in the abbreviated 
costume she wore for him. Her greenish skin glowed eerily from the 
candlelight and her ebony hair shone like dark fire. She held the ancient 
staff she had acquired when she started her training in the Dark Arts, it's 
green orb winking in the candlelight. Zarkon could sense her fear even as she 
entered. She had agreed to this but she was afraid. She was beautiful even in 
her fear. 

Good. He enjoyed to see fear in others.

"My liege.." Hagar bowed. 

"Hagar, my devoted one.." Zarkon purred. "You ARE ready?" 

"Yes." She bowed her head, wondering for the thousandth time how far would 
she go to secure his love.

"Summon it, my dearest." Zarkon's eyes narrowed with anticipation.

"Yes, my lord." Hagar took her ancient staff and started to intone the spell..

Almost immediately the swirls of ancient mists filled the castle..


Present day....


.....Zarkon...Zaaaarkon...

Zarkon was asleep in his quarters.

That voice....he knew it from long ago..

...Awaken, my old - friend..we made a deal, you and I..very long ago..

"No.." Zarkon mumbled, tossing and turning in his nightmare.

The being appeared in Zarkon's mind. Zarkon shuddered with remembrance.

"My old friend..resist one who aided you, yes?" the being smiled - or rather 
it was an attempt at a smile. All Zarkon could see were sharp jagged teeth.

Zarkon sat up and stared back at the hooded figure.. "Yes! You promised me 
the galaxy! Do I have it? No! Our deal is null and void."

"No guarantee made I.." the creature chuckled. "Even I cannot make up for the 
incompetence of a race so resembling - " it paused. "Inferior hu - mans.."

This made Zarkon angry. "Incompetence! As if you should talk. Go! Leave me in 
peace!" 

The being suddenly lashed out with a hidden claw and slashed Zarkon's face. 
Zarkon was suddenly face to face with the being as it grabbed his collar. His 
eyes grew wide. He had forgotten just how hideous it's face was.

"Order you NOT Lord K'iale of Ancient ones!." the creature hissed. "Descended 
from Zylon, am I. Remember was YOU who summoned me! YOU who begged for MY 
assistance for your sorceress! Die you now or live you still?" 

Zarkon swallowed hard but his hard composure remained.

"I live..foul creature!" Zarkon spat. "Your help was poor as was the deal 
that we struck. No wonder your race has all but died out! I will not hold to 
our bargain."

K'iale hissed in anger. "Regret this you will...." 

Zarkon was getting his own back and he grinned wickedly. "Empty promises from 
a race long dead!" 

"Superior you are not, Zaaarkon.." K'lale hissed. "I shall take what I wish - 
all of it. Everything you desired or wish to possess shall now be forfeit."

"Try it.." Zarkon sneered. "You have no way of gaining forces, K'iale. You 
are helpless stuck in the Void!" 

K'lale smiled again and said, "Ah, but time..Time have I...and a witch have I 
soon.." 

He let go of Zarkon suddenly and Zarkon fell back on the bed, his eyes wide.

"Oh yessss..." K'lale hissed. "All the time I wish..Farewell, Lord 
Deghalra..when again I see you..on your knees you shall be!" 

A scream suddenly pierced the air and Zarkon woke up with a start. He was on 
the Revenge. Sweat broke out on his body and he felt a portent of doom..

Suddenly there was a loud rapping at his door. He barked, "This better be 
important! Enter!" 

It was one of Lotor's lackeys.

"Lord Zarkon! Hagar is gone!" 

"What do you mean, she's gone?" Zarkon was not in a very good mood. With the 
way things were going lately...

"Something TOOK her, sire!" 

"Bah! I doubt anyone would want her! And why bother me about it? Go to 
Lotor!" 

"I can't, sire!" 

The feeling of disaster came over Zarkon again.

"Why?" 

"He's gone too!" 

And then Zarkon knew - 

K'iale had somehow took them both..

[CONTINUED]