(Continued from Part 1)	

        What was suppose to be his culinary masterpiece had suddenly become
his possible death warrant.  The princesses of Roshtaria were now dying
because of his food, poisoned.  Londs's eyes bore through him seeking the
truth.  The chef gave it.  "No your majesty!  I swear to you!  I am not the
one!  I love both the princesses with all my heart!  I could never do such a
horrible thing to them and I know my staff is innocent sire!  They are just
as loyal as I!" he groveled.
	"So the food became magically poisoned then?" Londs glared.
	The chef prostrated before Londs.  "It is my fault your highness.  I should
have kept better watch.  I beg your forgiveness."
	Londs's scowl faded and he sat back down with a sigh.  Chef Brice was not
the culprit nor was his staff.  Londs knew this in his heart and he now felt
ashamed at having lost control.
	"Rise Brice and forgive me for being so untrusting.  You have been the
palace chief chef for twenty years.  I am just frustrated."
	"I understand my lord.  Even I cringe to think what will happen without the
princesses to guide us."
	"Are you sure you did not see anything strange while you prepared the
feast?" Londs asked.
	Ifurita's mysterious appearance came to mind.
	"I did see the lady Ifurita within the kitchen sire.  When she saw me she
left rather quickly."
	"Ifurita did you say?"
	Brice nodded.

	Makoto had run into Londs while he walked in the hall thinking.  He was
followed by ten armed guards and looked to be in a hurry.
	"Any news?" Makoto asked.
	"We are on our way to Ifurita's room." Londs said without much emotion.
Makoto began walking beside him, matching his hurried pace.  "Why?"
	"She is suspect in the poisoning of the princesses."
	"What!?" Makoto was shocked.  "You can't possibly suspect her!"
	"She was seen in the kitchen before the banquet was served making her a
suspect.  I will question her."
	"Londs.  No.  She doesn't need this now.  I can vouch for her.  She has
been in her room all night.  I was with her before the banquet so she
couldn't have been in the kitchen."
	They arrived outside her door.  Londs knocked rather harshly.
	"Ifurita.  It is lord Londs.  Open the door.  I wish to speak with you."
	There was no response immediately so he knocked again, even louder.  When
there was no response this time Londs opened the door to discover Ifurita
was not in her room.  Laying on the bed though was her power key staff.
	"In her room all night?" Londs looked at Makoto.
	"She never leaves without her staff." Makoto said, obvious panic in his
voice.  He ran to the bed and picked up the staff.  He concentrated, focused
his thoughts into the staff and in his mind he called out to her.  There was
no response, only darkness.  He called again desperately but she would not
answer.  Something was terribly wrong.
	"She won't answer me." Makoto said.
	"Of course she won't.  She's a murderer!" one the guards spat.
	"She is not!  What proof do you have!?" Makoto yelled back, furious at the
statement.  Londs placed himself between the guard and the near rampaging
Makoto.
	"The millions she has already killed!  What more proof do you need!  She
was seen in the kitchen, now gone without a word.  There is guilt there but
of course you would side with your little puppet." The guard hissed.  Londs
or no Londs, Makoto tried his best to wrap his hands around the guard's neck
or at least slug him into unconsciousness but Londs was successful in
grabbing and holding Makoto back.
	"That is enough from you!" Londs shouted over his shoulder to the guard.
"Find her!  Now!"
	The guards broke up to do as ordered.  When Makoto was calm again Londs let
him go.  "I apologize for their behavior but you must understand-"
	"I understand!  Everyone is quick to point fingers at her but they  seem to
forget that without her they would all be dead or scattered across the
universe!  She sacrificed ten thousand years of her life to help save
El-Hazard.  But I guess even that is not enough.  Excuse me.  I have a very
special person to find."
	With the key staff in hand he went to find Ifurita.

	"Was it difficult?" the figure in the shadows said to the blue skinned boy
of twelve kneeled down before him.  The orange eyed child looked up with a
smirking smile.
	"No my lord.  The humans do not suspect a thing.  Soon their precious
princesses will be memories and we shall rise up to take control of El-Hazard."
	"You have done well Nahato, as always."
	Galus, ruler of the Phantom tribe stepped into the dim light of the cavern.
He wore his ankle length long sleeved black robe left open to show off his
muscular scared chest.  Black baggy pants tapered off around his ankles.  He
wore no footwear.  His long dull colored hair was tied back in a pony-tail
that dangled just above his rear.  A smile was etched across his handsome face.
	"And what of the other task?" Galus asked.
	Nahato rose to his feet, his smile widening.  "Follow me my lord."
	The boy led Galus down a flight of torch lit stairs into a large round
chamber.  In the center of it spun a series of three rings in mid-air, one
inside the other and within those rings floated Ifurita, her eyes closed as
if she were in a peaceful sleep.  Below the rotating rings was various other
computer equipment which were being attended to by several technicians.
Galus walked up to the machine and looked up at Ifurita.  He unconsciously
scratched the scar on his chest, a scar Ifurita had given him a little over
a year ago.  He had nearly died from the wound.
	"As you requested Lord Galus.  I give you Ifurita, Demon Goddess of
Destruction." Nahato said.
	"To think that she who was nearly our downfall will now be our victory."
Galus smiled.  He looked at Nahato.  "You are sure she can be reprogrammed
to do our bidding?"
	"Of course she can." Came a soft voice from the stairs Galus had descended.
He turned around to a see a very beautiful woman standing at the foot of the
stairs.  She was dressed in a scientist's uniform of his people except she
had left it zipped down a little ways to show off her impressive amount of
cleavage.  Her hair was wildly styled upwards in a spiraling braid which
ended in a pony tail protruding from the top of the styled mound.  Even
after all that, the pony tail dropped to her lower back.  Galus believed if
she let her hair down it would drag some distance behind her.  She
approached him with graceful motions that kept his attention.  Galus
admitted to himself that she surpassed even his dearly departed Carya's
beauty.  She stopped next to him and looked up at the suspended Ifurita.
	"I am Dr. Arisa." She said, looking to him.
	"I have heard great things about you." Galus smiled.  "You are our
kingdom's greatest mind.  I have the utmost confidence now that my plans
will be seen through."
	"You honor me Lord Galus." She smiled.  "You can rest assure I will never
fail you."
	"How long will it take to reprogram her?" Nahato asked.
	"A week, maybe less.  My assistants and I are still studying the
information we retrieved from the discovered archive.  It is going to be
more difficult since you were unable to acquire her key staff but I believe
she can be controlled without it's use but we will not be able to recharge
her after she runs out of power."
	"She only needs to last long enough to remove the heads of the Roshtarian
government and perhaps soften up their already damaged military.  After that
I do not care." Galus's smile formed again.
	"Yes my lord." Arisa nodded.  Galus placed a hand under her chin and tilted
her head up so he could look down into her almond shaped purple eyes.  They
were incredibly beautiful, dancing with life and wonderment.
	"You may proceed at your leisure Arisa.  I would like regular reports on
your progress."
	"I shall give you one later tonight sire." She said seductively.
This did not go unnoticed by Galus.  He cocked an eyebrow and said, "Indeed."

	Jinnai Katsuhiko let out his patented laugh which echoed in the large
chamber of the steamy bathhouse.  He could not believe his good fortune.
News had come to him of the dying princesses of Roshtaria and even more
pleasant and ironically amusing was that it was suspected to be Ifurita that
had done the deed.
	"My news pleases you Jinnai?" Queen Diva said as she slipped into the
bubbling waters of the hot natural spring next to Jinnai, her red/orange two
piece g-string bathing suit leaving very little to the imagination.  She had
let her hair grow out more over the last few months, the dark pink locks
framing her beautiful face, contrasting against the tanned skin of her bare
shoulders.
	"Does it ever!  Serves those bimbos right!  Whoever said good things come
to those who wait knew what they were talking about.  OH HO! OH HO! HA HA
AHA AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
	Diva slipped up next to the soaking Jinnai and cuddled.  He put an arm
around her shoulder.
	"Very soon we will be able to make our move.  You can't keep a good bug
down!  Just like the mighty cockroach we will strike out of the woodwork!
Not a pleasant analogy but nevertheless, this time El-Hazard will be mine
for sure!"
	"I do not doubt you but until then I would like you to conquer me instead."
She said as she slipped around to straddle his lap.  She smiled at him
seductively and his face flushed red.  He swallowed the nervous lump in his
throat.  She had become more and more touchy/feely over the last week and
had blatantly offered herself twice already.  She must have been in heat or
something Jinnai thought.  This time she just looked to damn good to pass up.
	"Groucho!"
	The round headed purple Bugrom took a step forward and growled a reply.
	"I think you can go find something to do for a few hours."
	Groucho growled his reply and nudged Jinnai knowingly.  If it could have
winked it would have.  As Groucho gathered up the guards and left, Jinnai's
laugh could be heard, a laugh that was suddenly silenced by a passionate kiss.

	Makoto sat quietly, defeated.  His attempt to find Ifurita had failed.  She
was no where in the palace.  He looked down at the key staff resting in his
lap.  He had been calling to her for the last hour but she was not answering
or she could not.  That second thought was what was troubling him the most.
She would not ignore his callings.  If she could not answer he wondered why,
letting his mind wander through various theories, the last one being a worst
case scenario that he quickly threw out of his mind.  She was in danger.  He
just knew it and he was helpless.  With each passing minute hostilities
toward her grew worse.  The unofficial word around the palace was that she
was the one that had poisoned the princesses.  He sighed and just continued
to stare at the staff.
	Nanami watched him from across the garden.  He looked really pathetic.  She
wished she could help him but there was nothing she could do.  All she could
do was give him her love which would not overpower his feelings for Ifurita.
She had waited to long to express her feelings for Makoto and regretted it.
Maybe Ifurita would not come back.  She felt guilty for such a thought.
Taking a breath she moved across the garden toward him.  She could not be
his girlfriend but she could be a friend.  She sat down next to him and put
an arm around his shoulders and leaned her head on his shoulder.
	"Hi Nanami." He said softly.
	"How are you doing?" she asked.
	"Angry, afraid, sad..."
	She squeezed him softly for comfort.  "I am sure she is okay.  She'll come
back soon.  You said yourself she did not feel welcomed at the moment.  When
the clan representatives leave she will come back."
	"I think she is in danger.  I keep calling and calling to her but she won't
answer and that is not like her.  She would answer if she could."
	"What do you think happened then?" she said as she rubbed his arm with one
hand, his shoulder with the other.
	"Something terrible.  I just know it.  Things really couldn't be any worse
at this moment." He sighed.
	Nanami put a hand on his cheek and turned his head so he was looking at her
face to face.  "I am here for you Makoto and I am sorry about the things I
said in the banquet hall."
	"Thank you Nanami." He whispered.  She moved close to his lips and started
a kiss but he turned his head away.  She sighed.
	"I am sorry." He said.
	"So am I." She said then kissed him on the cheek.  She stood up to leave
when Dr. Schtalubaugh ran in out of breath.  He looked very excited.  It
took him a moment before he could speak.
	"I know where to start!" 

	"Here." Schtalubaugh pointed to a spot on the detailed map of the
Roshtarian continent.  "This is the mountain range of which the text spoke of."
	"Cladastu mountains.  Looks pretty far away." Afura said, rubbing her chin
thoughtfully.
	"At least two days journey by airship." Shayla added.
	"Are we sure Fatora and Rune-Venus have that much time?  The journey there
and back will take at least four days." Miz said.
	"I can only hope.  The text spoke of a city that was nestled in the heart
of the mountains.  The city was called Gohwan.  The book says Gohwan was a
utopian city.  It is believed to be one of the first cities destroyed during
the Holy Wars." The aged doctor said.
	"Well we better get started then." Fujisawa said, adjusting his goggles.
He was already dressed for the occasion in his traveling outfit which
consisted of his brown pancho over roughed outdoors pants and shirt.  His
sandals that he normally wore were replaced by hiking boots.
	Makoto nodded then turned to go prepare for the journey when a wave of pain
shot through him.  He fell to the ground clutching at his head as his vision
dimmed out and was replaced by a rapid montage of scenes of a dark cold
place.  Underground.  Cold.  Tired.  Galus.  Machines.  Darkness.  Fear.
Confusion.
	"Help me..." a voice came to Makoto.  It was Ifurita.  So soft was the plea
he could barely tell it was her.
	"Ifurita!  Where are you?" he called out.
	Everything went black.
	"IFURITA!" Makoto cried out startling everyone around him.  Makoto's mind
came back to him and he found himself curled up on the floor clutching the
key staff so hard his knuckles had turned white.  Fujisawa helped him up.
	"You okay kid?" his teacher asked.
	"Has something happened to Ifurita?" Nanami supported Makoto from the other
side.
	"The Phantom tribe have her!  I saw Galus!  He's not dead!  Ifurita needs
our help!  She's hurt!"
	"If they have her there is not much we can do.  The entry way into their
domain is hidden.  No one here knows it's location I'm afraid.  We have sent
scouts out before to search for it but they never returned." Schtalubaugh said.
	"We have to find a way!" Makoto pleaded.
	"We have to help the princesses first.  They are dying.  At least you know
Ifurita is still alive." Shayla said.
	"So this is a plot set against us by the Phantom tribe.  We should have
known they would not just roll over and die." Afura sighed.
	"And Galus is still alive which will make matters worse.  Undoubtedly he
has revenge on his mind.  To bad Ifurita didn't kill him like we thought.
Things are going to get tougher." Shayla frowned.
	"This is an open act of war against Roshtaria.  I must go inform Londs of
this at once and prepare your transport for your journey." Schtalubaugh said
then hurried from the room.
	Makoto looked very afraid.  Fujisawa patted him on the shoulder and smiled.
"Don't worry Makoto.  We'll get her back.  You forget that rescuing damsels
in distress is my specialty.  Let's get you ready."

	The transport was waiting for them when Makoto, Fujisawa, Nanami and
Alielle had arrived.  The Mt. Muldoon priestesses were already aboard making
final preparations.  Makoto walked up the ramp, his white hooded cape
flapping in the brisk wind around him.  He held Ifurita's staff in his left
hand and  a loaded backpack strapped on his back.  He wore similar roughed
clothing like Fujisawa, minus the goggles.  Nanami and Alielle were both in
adventuring outfits as well, Alielle sporting a pair of baggy green pants
and a matching green vest while Nanami went for a look similar to Makoto's.
	"Let's get going." Miz said pressing a button on the control console.
	The boarding plank withdrew into the hull of the transport and the engines
wined to life.
	"God speed to you all." Dr. Schtalubaugh shouted up to them.
	Fujisawa waved as the transport lifted from the launch pad and took off
into the night sky on it's quest to save the stricken princesses.
	"If they fail..." Schtalubaugh said.
	"Then Roshtaria will be thrown into chaos.  Galus and his people will pay
dearly for this.  We will find this hidden way to the shadow nation and when
we do, we shall march upon them and eliminate them once and for all." Londs
spoke sharply, watching the transport fade into the distance.
	Makoto looked up into the star filled sky, uncertain of the future, fearing
for Ifurita's life and the princesses.  His second home was once again in
peril and he felt helpless to do anything about it.
=========================================================
END OF EPISODE ONE
=========================================================

Hope you enjoyed this first episode in my OVA series.  As always comments
are welcomed, good or bad.  Send E-mail to geosword@usa.net

=========================================================
PREVIEW OF EPISODE TWO; World of Lonely Hearts
=========================================================
	As Makoto and the rest journey into the mountain ranges of Cladastu to
search for the fabled city of Gohwan to find a cure for the poisoned Princes
Fatora and Rune-Venus, Londs prepares the army of Roshtaria to attack the
Phantom Tribe who are responsible for the attack on the princesses.  Doctor
Arisa, the most brilliant scientist of the Phantom tribe begins her task of
reprogramming the captured Ifurita to do Galus's bidding, a task she will
discover is impossible without the key staff which Makoto posses.  Jinnai
prepares his growing Bugrom army for a new battle for El-Hazard and Nanami
and Alielle get the lonely blues.  All this and more in the next episode of
El-Hazard; The Magnificent World, The Heroes' Quest!
-----------------------------------------------------------
WASHUU:  Lineage... Social status... why should these 
	 things matter?  That's how grown ups are...
-----------------------------------------------------------
 
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oo  President of the TEARS FOR TENCHI club, ;_;         oo
oo  Member of M.A.S., MEN AGAINST SHAMPOO!		oo
oo  Devoted worshipper of KAWAII anime girlies!		oo
oo  President of ANIME NATION!				oo
oo  Holder of the sacred P-chan plushie!		oo
oo  Keeper of the Carrot Basket!			oo
oo  Member of #AAS# - Achika Appreciation Society!      oo
oo  Grand Sardine of the Nuku-Nuku Fan Club             oo
------------------------------------------------------------

Advice for the day:  Don't make super bounce balls out of
nitroglyisern.