Reincarnating On Netherworld

Chapter 1-An Hour Of Darkness

In an Alternate Netherworld, centuries ago....

"All right! That's one more down!" a girl smirked, cheerfully! "Those demons are no match for us!"

She then blinked and giggled as a little boy yelled "Coup De Grace!" before he kicked a demon far into the distance! "Way to go, Rigo'! You are really learning my moves, aren't you?!" she praised with a small wink!

"Yep, Master! I watched you use this move lots of times and mimicked you!" he said, as he really admired her!

As the girl patted his head and pampered her fan and "apprentice", a sunglasses wearing man smirked. "Way to go, you two. How many Demons does this make?"

Another boy sweatdropped. "Who knows? No one can predict the freakish power of those two! Just hope they won't get hurt...Rodrigo, Priere, ya listening to me?"

"Hey! Master Priere and I ain't getting hurt by those small fries!" the first young boy protested.

"You tell em', 'Rigo. We're not planning on losing here!" Priere said, smirking!

"Knock it off, Sister Priere, Seminarian Rodrigo! We're here to investigate the Dark World, not to test how strong you are." a long haired blonde lectured the two.

"We are investigating! It's not like we're doing this for fun, Sister Alouette!" Priere protested.

"Yep! We're checking out how strong the demons here are!" Rodrigo noted!

Before another scolding could come, MANY demons appeared out of nowhere.....

"W-we're surrounded?!" the boy that warned the two before gasped!

______________________________________________

Overlord's Castle, Present

"Ugh..."Etna, make me some new vassals...." Sheesh, Prince, I know you finnaly rewakened yesterday, but you can use your own Mana instead of making me go through this work, ya know?" Etna, a crimson red haired Demon Lord huffed, annoyed, as she walked to the Dark Assembly.

Then she smirked, "Though, having an apprentice might not be so bad...he or she can help me with my plans better than those useless Prinnies...heh heh." she mused, then began looking at the units she could make.

"Swordsman...too basic. Mage, paper defenses. Sheesh, compared to a Demon Lord like me, all those generic classes seem so...hm?" Etna mused, as she saw something that picked her interest!

The option was named "???????", and the Mana cost....made Etna's eyes widen!

"Are you interested in that soul? Hmm...I'm sorry, but I doubt you'd have enough Mana to summon him." a female voice said behind Etna.

"Yeah, I see what you mean, but that Mana cost is just half of what I got through all those years. And who are you?" Etna asked, sizing the girl up.

She looked like an Archer, however her body was fully dark as a shadow, and she is a bit transparent. Most unlike any Archer...and very much stronger, as well! Demons respect power....and Etna can feel that this girl is even stronger than her right now!

"My name is Friday MK-II." the Shadow Archer explained, "I am the guide and guardian of the Dark World."

This made Etna's eyes widen! "D-Dark World? Isn't that the Alternate Netherworld that has been around even before this one? It is said it's Overlord Baal's original Netherworld before he left it, and ruled nowadays by..." she gasped.

"That is correct." Friday nodded.

"If you have THIS job, you must be as strong as I feel you are...no, much more than that! Would you like to become Demon Lord Etna's Vassal? That's me, by the way." Etna smirked. This girl would be a perfect vassal!

But Friday shook her head! "You flatter me, Demon Lord, but I have much training to do yet. I am a mere LV 100 at this moment..." she said, with a soft smirk.

"A "mere" LV 100? There isn't anything "mere" about this, specially if you came from the Dark World, where might makes right! Heck, you might be made of tougher stuff than LV 100 people from around here." Etna remarked, smirking.

Friday smiled, but then turned serious. "I also have my duties on the Dark World....and...don't feel offended, but at your current state, I could not accept your invitation." she said, sighing.

Then she turned to the soul Etna was looking earlier and said, "You and Prince Laharl are like this Soul that intrigued you so much, Lady Etna. You have an immense potential, but it's largely untapped. One day, you'll doubtlessly surpass me, but not today.

If one day you reach LV 100 as I have, and is able to thread the Dark World to search for a substitute for my duties, I'll be more than glad to allow you to fight me for my loyalty. Show me your power, and I shall obey." she explained.

Etna sighed. She'd like to explode in anger, but knew Friday was right on the money! Demons respect power, after all....and Prince Laharl's levels fell from centuries of sleep, and Etna's own levels took a nosedive when a "certain thing" was taken from her!

"Guess you're right, but I'm not giving up on making you my vassal. I always get what I want!" smirked Etna, "As soon as I get to LV 100, I'll get you to serve me even if I have to drag you away from Dark World by your ear!"

"....Challenge accepted." smirked Friday!

Etna then turned to the original Soul she was originally looking interested on, "On the meantime, this soul might make for a good vassal. Why it has no name?" she asked.

"Because ever since he was brought from the Dark World to the Dark Assembly, no demon has had enough Mana Power to make it a body and take him as an Vassal. Thus, no one knows him...besides the one who brought him in, that is."

"This soul also came from the Dark World?!" Etna asked, smirking. "Is it Overlord Baal, captured before he switched bodies?!"

"....." Friday gave Etna a deadpan look. If it WAS Baal, surely it would take 50 times the Mana Etna has on her instead of half of it!

This made Etna look embarassed! "Ehh...guess I got too excited there. Wait, how do you know this soul is a "he" then? I mean, we can't even see a spectral body, which makes me think he isn't a generic unit..."

"Because I am the one who brought him here. I AM the Dark World guardian, after all." smirked Friday! "Have you ever heard about the current ruler of Dark World, Legendary Overlord Priere?"

"Legendary Overlord Priere...! I heard there was once a human who fell prey to the lust for power, and began wandering the Netherworld. Though human, her power let her become a Demon Overlord. Thought she was just a stupid rumor, but...are you saying she REALLY is for real?"

"Indeed. This boy supposedely fell from the sky into the city she lived, when she was a human. Aside from his name, he had no memories of his past....as Priere began looking after him, he began to see her as his Master." Friday said.

"Amazing....he might not even be a mere human, for all I know he fell from one of the many Netherworlds among the cosmos...." Etna said, then smirked, "Then it's settled. I want this soul as my vassal!"

And so, a little boy blinked and opened his eyes, looking at Etna....

"Man, when Friday said a boy, I didn't think she LITTERALLY meant a little boy..." sweatdropped Etna, but she smirked. "Hey there. What's your name?"

"I'm Rodrigo!" Rodrigo said. "I'm from...hmm, don't really remember....I was looking for someone, I think...I was told I came from...somewhere."

"So basically, all I learned is your name." the red haired Demon Lord said, sighing, but smiled, "Well, I guess I can fill some of the gaps."

Rodrigo was amazed when Etna told him what Friday told her! "So...I trained under this...Priere....comin' to think about it, this name feels so familiar..."

"Yes, but you need WAY more levels for us to think on a trip to Dark World. As for me, I am Demon Lord Etna. From now on, you're my Vassal, so you'll do everything I say, when I say! In other words, I tell you "Jump", and you ask me "How high" on the way up! Got it?" Etna said.

"So you're my Master, kinda like this Priere?" Rodrigo asked, then smiled! "Kay, then, Master Etna! Please teach me all that you know!"

"I'm not your Master on THIS way and...oh, forget it. First order of business, we need to find out what you're good at." Etna decided, but soon...

"ETNA!!!! DO YOU HAVE THE NEW VASSAL YET?!!!!!!!!!!" Echoed an annoying voice through the castle!

"Ugh.....that brat just won't grow up!" Etna huffed, then at her vassal's confused face explained, "That's Prince Laharl. Trust me, you DON'T wanna get on his bad side just as you don't want to be on my bad side!"

At first poor Etna had trouble finding ANYTHING Rodrigo was particulary good at! He didn't seem to use any weapon properly, either! Soon she noted he seemed good with kicking moves, though he didn't remember where he picked those.

Even so, she treated him almost as "good" as she did her Prinnies....lots of yellings and scoldings! She expected someone super powerful, but this boy was so....average. Did she REALLY spend half her Mana on THIS?!

Her opinion of the boy was soon to change, however, and not just because he seemed to try to be fully loyal to the point of calling her "Master Etna" without the fear the Prinnies show, but also, one time, when Laharl's group was fighting many enemies at the same time....

"Master Etna, LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!"

Etna was shocked as Rodrigo did what no Prinny....heck no Demon ever did for her before....save one! He jumped in front of her, with his arms stretched, and took an Fire spell meant for Etna head on, using his body as a shield!

Etna's eyes widened! She never expected anyone to protect her like this...specially Rodrigo, who she has been so hard on lately!

And she was even more surprised, as was Laharl himself, as an purple aura, flashing with dark and light purple shades and shockwaves surrounded the boy, his level suddently shooting up to the high 1000!

"....Attacking Master Etna when she was distracted....how dare you! You'll pay, I'll make sure you pay!" the boy yelled, rushing the magician that sent the spell! "...Coup de Grace!!!"

After sending the poor magician flying high up, he sent eye beams at him, completly vaporizing the enemy! "Hahahaha! I won! Did you see me, Pe...Master Etna? I....protected...y..."

And at this point, the boy's level dropped sharply, back to the low LV 50 range and far weaker than Etna and Laharl that it was supposed to be, as he suddently fainted!

"What kinda monster of a vassal you summoned, Etna?!" Laharl said, shocked!

"...." Etna didn't anwser, lost in her thoughts. Level 1000 is Overlord level. No, more than just a normal Overlord...at this level, one can consider hanging out with the strongest Overlords in the whole freakin' COSMOS! But if all this power was locked when he lost his memories....that would explain his Mana cost!

"E...na...Lady Etna, dood?" A Prinny's voice was heard suddently!

"WHAT, PRINNY?!!" Etna asked, annoyed at her thoughts being interrupted!

"I-I'm sorry, dood! B-but I just thought you'd like to know the enemies decided to focus on attacking Rodrigo while he's fainted, dood!" The Prinny whined in fear at her anger!

"WHAT?!" Etna roared, then suddently grabbed the Prinny and launched it at the monsters going at the unconscious boy!

"WHY ME, DOOOOOOOOD?!!!" the poor Prinny whined! BOOOOOOOM!!!!

This made Laharl look at Etna in surprise! "I know that new vassal is interesting, but I never saw you so mad over people targetting a vassal, Etna." he noted.

"W-well, you saw Rodrigo's power, Prince. If I let him die, then we wouldn't have him to help us put all the pretenders to the throne on their place!" Etna quickly made up, embarassed at her own outburst!

Luckly, Laharl crossed his arms and nodded. "Yeah, you have a point. If you can make him get to LV 1000 at will, then no one will dare THINK on rebeling! Hahahahaha!!!!"

Etna smirked. Laharl was SO easy to manipulate! Either way, the group returned to the Overlord's Castle, with Etna surprisingly carrying the still out-cold boy herself, claiming the Prinny Squad is so clumsy that they'd blow themselves and the kid up if they tried to carry him!

Eventually, when Rodrigo opened his eyes, he was on a dark room. This was a room no one but Etna knew even exists on the Overlord's Castle, which she lied to Laharl by saying it's just "the bathroom". "M-Master Etna...? W-what happened?" Rodrigo asked, as he saw her.

"You finnaly woke up, huh, kiddo?" Etna asked, sighing. She has been thinking of why she got so angry when he was attacked. Was she worried? Why would...but then the reason clicked into place!

But before getting to that, she knew a scolding was in order! "Tell me, what was with that stunt you pulled back there?! You could have gotten SERIOUSLY hurt by taking that spell for me! Worse, you fainted, and almost was killed when vulnerable, if I wasn't there to rescue your reckless butt!"

"I...I'm sorry, Master Etna. He was gonna hit you from behind, and I think a Prinny had said once you are weak to Fire, so I had to protect you..." Rodrigo mumbled, rubbing his arm as he looked at the ground!

Etna sighed. "Rodrigo, I'm glad to hear you worried about me. You're more loyal than any of my Prinny Squad, but I am a Demon Lord, I can take way more than you can." she said, so he wouldn't be so reckless. Then, she patted her lap. "C'mon, kiddo, over my lap, bottom up."

"W...why, Master Etna?" Rodrigo nervously asked, but obeyed her like a good vassal would. He got a bit nervous as she bared his bottom...

"Cause it's punishment time for you! And trust me, I'm not gonna go easy!" Etna scolded, slapping his bared bottom HARD!

"OWWWW! Master Etna, that hurt..." whined the young boy.

"Well of course it does, how else are you gonna learn?!" Etna asked, as she kept spanking!

The poor boy yelped very hard, somehow even the fire spell didn't sting as much as those spanks!

"Owwwie....sniff...b-but Master Etna...." sniffled Rodrigo.

"Well, guess what? YOUR butt will be as red as my HAIR! You're supposed to be helping me instead of me helping you, Rodrigo. Just be glad you're not a Prinny, or your punishment would be FAR worse than just a bottom warming!" Etna huffed, alternating cheeks!

"Sob....please don't be mad....I just...I just...!" sobbed Rodrigo.

The Demon Lord sighed, "I understood your explanation before, but it doesn't excuse throwing yourself into a spell without thinking. Sides, I might not even be able to summon you again anytime soon if you got yourself killed!" Etna said, spanking all over the butt!

This made Rodrigo bawl! His master got so worried, he deserved this punishment! "I-I'm sorry, Master Etna....I-I'll think before acting, I promise!"

"Good, cause what's gonna happen if you don't?!" Etna demanded, slapping the sitspots.

"WAAAAAAAH! I'll get a spankingggg!!!!" bawled the little boy.

"Got that right." Etna said, finnaly stopping. "Now, get up, and sit on my lap."

"M-must I sit, M-Master Etna? M-my bum bum hurts so much...." cried Rodrigo.

"Yes, you must. Consider it part of your punishment." Etna said.

And as the crying boy obeyed....he was surprised, as Etna actually hugged him! "M-Master Etna?" he asked, looking at her with tearful eyes.

"Shh...there, there, kiddo. Just stop crying now, kay? I forgive ya, already." Etna said, sighing. She wasn't the best in conforting someone, but she tried!

And after he calmed down and apologised again..."S-sorry for worrying ya..."

Etna glared, "I was not...!" before she sighed, "All right, Rodrigo, I admit, I was worried. You know why?"

"W...why, Master Etna?" Rodrigo asked.

"Because you used your body to shield me from an attack. Demons usually won't do that, not even my vassals would unless I forced them, and you did on your own will. You reminded me of the former King of this Netherworld. He saved me too when I was a kid your age, you know, and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't BE here talking with you." she gently told him.

Rodrigo was amazed! Did he act like the former King? But..... "At the time, I didn't think on this, all I thought was my Master was in danger, so I had to help ya!"

Etna smirked, "Good kid. Ya know, you might have the potential I was told you had, after all." she said, patting the boy's head, before deciding, "I might as well teach you a few tricks so you can defend yourself better. Yes, I'll take you in as my apprentice from now on."

And she oofed in surprise as the boy hugged her tightly! "Thanks, Master Etna! I'm gonna learn all you teach me, I promise!"

"Well, at least you have enthusiasm AND guts." the Demon Lord laughed.

But then she got serious. "Now, like this room we are on right now, your apprenticeship under me is a secret. On Laharl's eyes, you're just another Vassal, a promising one, yes, but a vassal nonetheless, and that's how it'll be for now. It means I'll still yell and treat you badly when in front of the others, okay?"

"Got it. Ya must have your reasons for it to be a secret." Rodrigo nodded, obediently.

Etna nodded, "Another thing, what happened here will be your official punishment. If you mess up, you can expect more trips over my lap from now on! I mean, I may ground you too, but mainly trips over the knee, got it?"

Rodrigo gulped loudly! "I'll...I won't mess up!" he promised!

"That's what I like to hear, kiddo. If I wanted incompetence, my Prinny Squad is more than enough." laughed Etna! "Well, you learned your lesson, and I got myself an apprentice. I think we should commemorate this with some desserts, and I have a very tasty pudding saved for special occasions!"

"Yaaaay!" Rodrigo cheered, smiling, but then looked curious. "Master Etna? Can you tell me more about the King?"

"Hmm...maybe another time, if you can't sleep, I'll tell you some stories, kiddo." Etna said, deciding also to take it slow and try to train her apprentice to control his hidden power at another time. "As for now, we have some business with a special pudding!"

Rodrigo smiled cheerfully as his master went to get them some candy, as did Etna, as she finnaly realized why she took a liking to the boy...besides his trying to save her (even if a single fire spell wasn't particulary enough to put her in danger), he reminded her a bit of herself at his age...and so, to honor the King that she is so loyal to, she decided to take care of this child as the king took care of her in her own time of need!