Narrator: Threatened by a ruthless demon, humanity was on the brink of destruction. All seemed lost until a lone mage stepped up and took up the fight. After his triumph, he was hailed as the Wizard King as his story became legend.

Previously on Killer Ice:

Yami: A new dungeon has popped up and it's in a dicey location... between our kingdom and an enemy country. The Diamond Kingdom.

Noelle: So a new dungeon opens up, and Captain Yami is summoned by the Wizard King. I assume this means that the Black Bulls are being sent to investigate it?

Tyrus: Yeah but the Diamond Kingdom? I thought they usually kept to themselves.

Asta: WHAAATTTTTT? THE WIZARD KING PERSONALLY REQUESTED FOR ME?!

Yami: Alright get it done you four... I'll see you when you all get back.

Noelle looks at Tyrus as outside of Asta and the bird Nero, she realizes this is the closest she'll more than likely be to being alone with the ice mage.

Noelle: It's just the two of us.... I know Asta and Silv- no Nero are here but I can't help but tune them out all of a sudden...

Tyrus: Everything okay, Noelle?

Noelle: Y-Yes! Move, Insect!

She brushes past him as he looks on wistfully.

Tyrus: That's the Noelle I know and love... WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!

Yami: Oh yeah, forgot to mention... Wizard King's sending a couple of Golden Dawn Knights to investigate as well. Think the kiddies will get along?

Yuno: And with that.... consider my debt to you both repaid. Asta and Tyrus.

Asta: Hey there, long time no see you.

Tyrus: Was just starting when we'd see your ugly mug, you handsome jerk.

Asta and Tyrus: Yuno!

(Golden Dawn Headquarters...)

William Vangeance takes a meaningful and purposeful walk around the Golden Dawn's base of operations as grassy green-haired individual approaches the masked leader of the highly acclaimed Magic Knight Squad. This is Alecdora Sandler, who like many of Yuno's peers, have been highly critical of the commoner from Hage Village and he was hoping to have his worries alleviated by his captain's thoughts.

Alecdora: Captain Vangeance, Sir!

William: Yes Alecdora, how may I help you?

Alecdora: Sir, you know I would never question your decisions or judgements but I had some concerns regarding the mission brief with the dungeon that most recently popped up. Forgive me for my brash and impertinent nature but Captain, is it wise to send not one but two rookies on this important and highly delicate development? Especially one that is an untrained and unproven commoner.

William: Do I have your trust, Alecdora? As a leader, comrade and friend?

Alecdora: Y-Yes of course sir! You need not even ask a question like that! I would follow you anywhere, sir. Even lay my life down for you, if you meant you won the day.

William: Yes, that's good to hear. I'm glad to have such a great and loyal knight like you Alecdora. Let me relieve your unwarranted stress and answer your questions. I trust the untried and unproven commoner as you'd called him, I hope you try to extend as much trust his way as well. After all, like you, he is an full-fledged member of the Golden Dawn. And for the sake of our squad, I know he will go above and beyond to prove himself to his comrades, not just his captain.

Alecdora: Sir.

Vangeance leaves Alecdora to think on the newly departed wisdom he lay on him as he continues his peaceful stride around the compound as he thinks about Yuno.

William: Yes, our new members must grow strong. Mimosa and especially you, Yuno. I know you'll exceed my expectations for you both.

Dungeon.

Yuno walks towards his two brothers as this is the first time they've seen each other since they departed for the respective new squads. Asta smiles while Tyrus, arms crossed smirks, happy to see Yuno holding up his end of the trio's rivalry. Noelle for the first time gets a good look at the person Yuno is and what he means to both Asta and Tyrus.

Noelle: So this is the highly acclaimed Yuno Asta and Tyrus have been talking about.... he's a little too chilly. But no doubt he's a really powerful mage. And that's- oh no.

She cranks her head to the right and that's when her worst nightmare comes to fruition. Her cousin, Mimosa Vermillion in the flesh is flanking Yuno on his left side. Nothing against her, she actually didn't hate her cousin and in fact when she had her darkest moments thanks to the relentless bullying of her oldest siblings, namely Nebra and Solid with a sprinkle of harsh words leveled by Nozel, outside of maids to comfort her as a child, Mimosa was the lone ray of sunshine to help her. She just could do without Mimosa's blunt nature.

Klaus: Yuno...

Yuno: Sir?

Klaus: Why did you help these three? Why go out of your way to waste meaningless mana you could've saved for deeper into the mission. We've been charged with investigating this dungeon and securing whatever valuable contents may lay there. Our primary objective is to reach the treasure hall with as much possible haste without dealing with rabble like these.

Asta: Rabble! Who the hell are you calling rabble?!

Tyrus: More importantly, we are Yuno's brothers and rivals, not rabble. Sir Spectacles.

Yuno: He's my superior-

Klaus snatches up Tyrus shaking him to all hell.

Klaus: SIR SPECTACLES?! AND YOU THINK I'M RUDE? SAY THAT AGAIN YOU LITTLE PUNK, WHY I NEVER! I AM A NOBLE AND YOU WILL TREAT ME WITH THE PROPER RESPECT!

Tyrus promptly screams in Klaus's ears, rattling him and putting him on the brink of deafness.

Tyrus: WHO THE HELL YOU CALLING LITTLE PUNK, FOUR EYES?! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO CALLED MY TEAMMATES AND I RABBLE IN THE FIRST DAMN PLACE! AND LAST I CHECKED, I'M ABOUT AS TALL AS YUNO!

Yuno: So much for not involving ourselves....

Mimosa: Noelle! Is that you? I haven't seen you since the Royal Banquet last year, isn't that correct?

Noelle simply chuckles quietly out of awkwardness as Tyrus and Asta peer the girls' way.

Asta: You two know each other?

Noelle: Unfortunately.... Asta, Tyrus. This is Mimosa Vermillion, member of the royal Vermillion House, as well as my cousin.

Tyrus having finally separated from Klaus's gorilla grip, rejoins his two fellow rookies.

Tyrus: Cousins? You never told us about any family you had in the Magic Knights outside of the Silver Eagles.

Noelle: It IS quite the surprise, isn't it.... IT JUST HAD TO BE HER. Suddenly 20 Solids and 5 Nebras don't sound as bad.

Mimosa: I've wanted to make sure you were alright, I've heard the Black Bulls can be such a boorish and violent cast of characters at times. Are you sure you're doing okay Noelle?

Noelle: I think I should be asking you that, Mimosa.

Mimosa: Hm?

Noelle: Can you actually compete and keep up with the elite members of the Golden Dawn? Dim old bitch as you are.

Mimosa: Oh yes, everyone has been so kind and helpful to me since I've started. I can wield my magic with no qualms at all, knowing I have all their support.

Tyrus: Are they.... trying to do outdo each other? Good to see royals aren't as different from commoners when it comes to families?

Mimosa: Oh! How selfish of me to say, Noelle. I truly wasn't thinking when I said that, I'm so sorry. I forgot you've always struggled to control your seemingly endless magic power. Has it gotten any better?

Noelle: Um.... Clearly this girl still doesn't have a filter on her. Just fantastic, Mimosa. Who does that remind me of? Oh right.... Tyrus. Yes it's coming along very nicely.

Tyrus: Hell, she even gained a new spell! She's getting more powerful each and every day, proud of her as a teammate!

She blushed at Tyrus's sudden outburst and coming to her defense.

Mimosa: Oh that's lovely to hear, I'm glad to see Noelle's got a great support system! It's so wonderful that we're both finding our footing as Magic Knights. The Wizard King even awarded us a gold star for our efforts during the last mission we finished!

Klaus flips his glasses up smirking while Tyrus, Asta and Noelle smirk just as boldly.

Tyrus: That's real nice to hear from ya, Lady Vermillion... but you see.

Noelle: We also got ourselves a gold star for our last mission.

Asta: Mhm, saved an entire village in the Forsaken Realm, so how about those apples.

Klaus: THE LIES AND SLANDER YOU SPREAD ON THE WIZARD KING'S NAME! Brand new Magic Knights of the worst Magic Knights Squad earning a star? Blasphemous!

Tyrus feigns his heart being stabbed by a sword.

Tyrus: Ahh, you wound us with your accusations, Sir Shades!

Noelle: No we're not lying? Are you calling royalty, let alone the Wizard King or our captain, liars?

Asta: And we did, so what? And our total is at negative thirty, so nehhhh!

Klaus: Hmph. While it's absurd enough you Black Bulls were sent on this mission to explore this dungeon, you gaining a gold star is a terrible lie in of itself.

Tyrus looked at both Noelle and Asta.

Tyrus: Okay, I'm done playing. Please hold me back before I hurt this man. BECAUSE THE WIZARD KING DOESN'T LIE, YOU GLASSES WEARING SUMBITCH! PLUS HE PERSONALLY REQUESTED FOR ASTA, NOELLE AND I!

Klaus: Another bold-faced lie from you, boy....

Tyrus: Oh nah! NOW I GOTTA GET YA!

Asta uses all of his human stregnth to stop Tyrus from fighting Klaus for his snide remarks as Yuno takes it all in.

Yuno: Yeah, we are involved all right.

Klaus: Now that I think about it, the reports explicity stated there'd be four Black Bulls here. So where is your other member?

Noelle: Oh, um well...

Asta: Funny story that.

Klaus taunts the rookies even the further.

Klaus: What, did he run away? Devoured by one of the traps, or did he simply leave you all behind since he felt you'd all be-

Their faces all narrowed but Tyrus stepped up, a look that both Asta and Yuno were quite familiar with. Ice cold rage when something rubbed him the wrong way and continued to nag at him. His face twisted into a dark, twisted yet calm rage as he looked Klaus dead in his face.

Tyrus: Finish that sentence and I promise you, your glasses won't be the only things that get broken here. For your information, our squadmate is a battle obssessed maniac and left us, not because we're dead weight but because he actually trusts we can hold our end of the bargain. Now take that as you will.... boy. Slander me all you want, you won't get to slander them and live to tell about you hear me?

Klaus: At the end of the day, he's a coward who left three of his colleagues unattended, disgusting... and typical of the Black Bulls. Your entire squad is a disgrace to the entirety of the- OOOOFFF!

Everyone's eyes bugged out of their sockets as Tyrus leveled Klaus with an uppercut with enough not to kill or knock him out, but to send a message.

Asta: TYRUS!

Noelle: BAKARUS?!

Tyrus: I REALLY hated doing that but sometimes people just like to not listen. I told you not to slander my teammates, and yet you just had to keep running your pretentious ass mouth about my brother, my royal teammate and battle-obsessed teammate. Be glad I didn't hit you somewhere below the belt since I have a sense of honor. If that were our captain you said that to? Your brains would be all over this dungeon.

Klaus registers the hit, as he gets staring at the ice cold induced rage Tyrus was giving. It was clear, he wasn't a guy prone to violence unless he was called to action to defend the innocent but something had snapped in him. This particular rookie of the Black Bulls like the loudmouthed short one valued his teammates to the highest degree and held an inordinate amount of loyalty towards them and wouldn't stand for any slander or dirt thrown on their reputations no matter how already negative. He flips his glasses, accepting Mimosa and Yuno's help much to his chagrin.

Asta: Before my brother just wayleighed you! I was gonna say, just watch us. The Black Bulls are going to conquer this dungeon way long before you even know what hit ya! Golden Dim, Golden Dumb, Golden-

Klaus: I have heard enough! First you lie on the Wizard King, then you insult my nobility and intelligence, then I get suckerpunched for speaking the truth and now you insult the prestigious squad that is the Golden Dawn led our esteemed and benevolent Captain Vangeance! HOW DARE YOU?! YOU WILL PAY DEARLY?!

Tyrus: OH PLEASE MAKE ME ATONE FOR MY SINS, I'M SHAKING IN MY BOOTS QUITE LITERALLY RIGHT NOW!

Asta: YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING SIR SPECTACLES!

Klaus: I AM NOBILITY, SHOW ME MY RESPECT! YOU DAMN FILTH!

Asta: OH BEGGING FOR FORGIVENESS RIGHT NOW!

Klaus: DAMMMMMMN YOU!

The rest looked on shell shocked as Yuno inquistively states what he and the royal ladies are thinking.

Yuno: Involved doesn't begin to describe what I'm witnessing right now.

The shouting between Golden Dawn and Black Bull members end as Klaus calls for Mimosa to summon one of her spells.

Klaus: Enough of this ongoing idiocy. I feel my intelligence dropping by the second the more time I spend with you Black Bulls. I'll show you the vastness in our superiority. Between the most dominant Magic Knight Squad and the one that doesn't deserve the name! Mimosa, it's your turn.

Mimosa: Sure! Alright, Plant Creation Magic: Magic Flower Guidepost!

Just as the bubbly redhead calls for the spell, a flower blooms out a layout of the dungeons' structure awe-striking the three Black Bulls present as Mimosa looks over details through and through.

Mimosa: Let's see, yes, yes. Got it everyone! The dungeon's layout is pretty straightforward from here on out. It shouldn't be all that difficult getting to the treasure hall.

Klaus: Thank you. Yuno?

Yuno: On it sir.

A cyclone develops under his feet taking he, his fellow rookie and superior officer up high above his brother and Mimosa's cousin as they follow her directions.

Noelle: They all make it look so easy!

Tyrus: No kidding, and having our respective family members makes them even tougher!

Klaus: Do you best, as poor as it may be.

Tyrus: You must be trying to get punched again. But in any event, it's on Golden Dawn!

Asta: Heh. Good work Yuno! But I'm still not letting you or Ty beat me out for the Wizard King! LET'S GO NOELLE AND TYRUS!

Tyrus: Again, right here Asta. You don't have to yell.

Noelle: He's right Stupidsta. I'm convinced you're going to put us deaf one day.

They run off as Asta, Tyrus and Yuno all get flashbacks to the day they reinforced their promise.

Asta, Tyrus and Yuno: We'll fight to see who reaches the treasure hall first! Whatever it takes!

(Some time later...)

Asta is leading the charge as Noelle and Tyrus follow closely behind him as she tugs on him.

Tyrus: Yeah, something up Noelle?

Noelle: I just wanted to see if you're alright... N-Not that I care or anything! I just don't want you making untimely errors unbecoming someone of your skillset.

Tyrus: If this is about me leveling Yuno's superior and cleaning his clock? Then yeah, I'm all good. The guy was getting a little too big for his britches and needed to be brought back to Earth. But I don't regret it and I meant every word I said. Asta, Yuno and I? We're used to people slandering us because we're commoners and we come from the Forsaken Realm. Essentially the worst type of people, y'know? So, in a way I don't care if people like Sir Spectacles talk down on me. But when they come for my brothers or the people I cherish the most like my other siblings or Sister Lily and Father Orsi back home? Especially my squadmates, I do not play about them.

Noelle: You really are a loyal one aren't you?

Tyrus: Just as much as you're a royal. And no that's a dig, just trying to rhyme and ease the tension after all that happened. So, think you can still be friends with an intense insect like me?

Noelle: I think we're past the whole insect and royal pain labels. We're on a first name basis now. I'll still call you Bakarus in times of great distress or... when you're just a careless moron.

Tyrus: Glad to know it.

Noelle: I just hope I can call you my careless moron at some point. GAAAHHHHHHH SHUT UP INNER THOUGHTS! HE'S A COMMONER AND I'M ROYALTY!

More time passes on as the trio stumble on more traps.

Noelle: Great, now what?! It's not like any of us are equipped with exploration magic!

Asta: We just explore every single tunnel until we get to the treasure hall!

Tyrus: In the meantime.... let's have some fun, ya dig you two fools?

Asta and Tyrus use their weapons to slash through the slime traps.

Noelle: You two are just like that other battle crazed maniac! It can't be helped can it, boys will be boys!

Nero gets off of Asta's head and signals a path forward.

Noelle: Nero's up to something...

Tyrus: No.... I think he's showing us a path?

Asta: Yeah, this is where Luck went! I'd know it anywhere!

With the Golden Dawn members.

Mimosa: Alright next... we take a right Yuno.

Yuno: Got it.

Klaus: Those brats' names were Tyrus and Asta were they? Little fools, do they honestly they can get the better of us Golden Dawn?

Yuno stays silent as he continues to navigate the dungeon with Mimosa directions.

Klaus: I will say that Asta character is a strange and unique. Unlike Tyrus, I sensed not a bit of magic coming from him.

Mimosa: Now that you mention it, Tyrus had a lot of magic power pouring off of him yet Asta didn't even have a drop to consider.

Klaus: To think Captain Vangeance raised his hand for him and what was the Black Bulls captain thinking of taking a charity case in like Asta-

Yuno: Klaus sir. Asta and Tyrus are plenty strong. Underestimating them would be fatal.

Klaus: As far as I'm concerned, it'll be a miracle if all three of those Bulls even make it to the chamber let alone out of here alive. All we need concentration on is getting to the treasure hall, for the good of our kingdom.

Royal Capital.

Security: Wizard King, Sir! Teams from the Golden Dawn and Black Bulls have been dispatched as you've requested. Explorations by both teams are fully underway. Also we can confirm, that several high ranking Diamond King mages have also been dispatched.

Murmurs of discontent explode in the chambers from officials stating the displeasure of the Diamond Kingdom's harboring expansion, to being in the dungeon with their Magic Knight Squads.

Julius: Interesting, what more can you tell me about who the Diamond Kingdom dispatched?

Security: Sir, we believe their forces are being led by Lotus of The Abyss.

Julius: Ahh yes! I remember Lotus, one of the toughest if not craftiest mages I've ever had the pleasure of fighting. One of the most interesting magics I have ever witnessed as well.

Marx: Sir-

Julius: Need not worry anymore Marx. Yami sent someone interesting to the battlefield as well. Lotus may be an extremely tough mage but our young mages.... they are too.

Luck is seen having essentially bodied every one of the Wizard King's aforementioned opponent's inventory as lightning crackles all over his boots and hands, now sad he has no one left to play with.

Luck: Awww, and I here was hoping one of you guys would give me a decent fight. But weaklings can't help but be weaklings.

He tosses his latest unconscious but not deceased victim away as he looks at Lotus with new vigor in his eyes.

Luck: But you.... You're much stronger! Right?

Lotus: Well... I don't know all about that kiddo. I hate to raise expectations, they only lead to disappointment. But so much young, raw and untapped power radiating off of you, I'm actually quite shaking. You destroyed my underlings with so little effort, it's truly impressive.

Luck laughs as he begins to crack his knuckles

Luck: Like you said, they were underlings! But I'm glad to know I've said the best for last. So long as they're weak and their leader is powerful... I'll have no complaints.

Lotus: I see... You fight while surrounding yourself with lightning magic. Very resourceful indeed, kid. Those attacks must pack quite the serious punch and aftertaste. All while being fed by your youthful vigor.

Luck: And what about you?! Please tell me you got some killer magic in that grimoire and body of yours!

Lotus: Eager one you are.... But why fight unneccesarily when we can have a good old fashioned footrace and drink afterwards? Hell I just want a friend in all of this!

Luck: NO WAYYYY!

Lotus: Quick you are indeed!

He disappears behind a smoke wall as his new fight was underway with Lotus stating how he could see why the Clover Kingdom was upset with the Diamond Kingdom invading and encroaching on their territory. Lightning and smoke continued to collide as words were no longer traded but really it was a battle of the good hands commencing.

Asta: AHHHHH HAHHHHHH!

Noelle: WAHHHHHHH!

Tyrus: YIPE! Nero, WHERE IN THE WORLD DID YOU LEAD US TO?!

Noelle: What's with this place?! It's like the gravity has gone haywire!

Tyrus: No doubt! I feel like were floating endlessly but I'm kinda feeling trippy any way you slice this!

Asta: Hey Bird Brain, are you sure this is the right way?!

Tyrus: Why are you asking Nero?! You said this is where Luck went, Noelle and I are following you both!

They stop when the see a treasure chest with legs running past them.

Asta: Look at that it's treasure!

Noelle: No it's not!

Tyrus: Yeah no, I don't trust treasure that moves, least of all that walks like us!

Asta: YEAHHHH HAHAHAH COME BACK HERE!

Noelle: Don't go after it Stupidsta!

Tyrus: Eh, let him have it. It's not often you get to experience the childlike wonderment of Asta like I do, Noelle!

Noelle: You just know I'm right!

Tyrus: Yeah, that's about eighty percent of it too.

Asta: My sweet treasure chest! I can't wait to open you.

Tyrus: This won't be a total disaster.

Noelle: Will you please let it go, Asta?! Nothing good comes out of a treasure chest with legs, only a complete idiot would want this!

Asta: And open!

And boy were the two crushing Black Bulls right about it being a trap.... it was treasure alright. A treasure trove full of human organs.

Tyrus: AHHHH SICK! DAMN YOU ASTA!

Noelle: What did you make me just look at, you idiot?!

Noelle and Tyrus slap and beat the ever loving hell out of him for subjecting them to such cruel and unusual punishment as they all then threw up at the paltry sight. As Luck and Lotus continued to scrap, the lightning bolt of the Black Bulls realized something was severely wrong was as his inhibitions and motions were being slowed down by Lotus's Smoke Magic. Meanwhile another mage was walking on a diamond and crystal surface just as the Golden Dawn members are quickly closing on the treasure hall.

Klaus: Hmmm.. some dungeon this was. It wasn't that difficult at all and the wretched Black Bulls are no where to be seen.

Yuno: So what's your plan on getting through this sir?

Mimosa: And Klaus is right.... there's no sign of the Bulls anywhere. I do hope they're alright. She might not act like it, but Noelle is still someone very near and dear to me.... but I trust she's in good hands.

Klaus: Where they are or what may have happened to them is none of our concern, Mimosa. Family or not. They were all bluster and nothing more.

Mimosa: Maybe you're right-

A gasp rings the ears of Klaus and Yuno as they hear a hearty scream from Mimosa who they then see, badly wounded after a sneak attack. She has been impaled with several large crystals throughout her body though all are hollow with none seeming fatal. She falls to the ground grimacing in all kinds of uncomfort and pain as Yuno screams out to her, his signature coolness now rattled to the core seeing his teammate severely hurt and in rough shape.

Yuno: MIMOSA!

Klaus: Mimosa! WHO'S THERE?! AND HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ONE OF MY SUBORDINATES! SHOW YOURSELF NOW, FIEND! Not good! It pierced straight through her magical cloak of defense! She's one of the most keen mana senses I've known but she was completely caught off guard! She's still alive but she's badly wounded. This was no trap magic.... so what the hell was this?!

Clicking of feet can be heard as Yuno and Klaus look up with visible fury emanating from the steel mage as he demands answers for the one responsible for the catstrophic injuries dealt to Mimosa.

Klaus: WHO GOES THERE?! ANSWER SO I CAN MAKE YOU ATONE FOR YOUR STUPIDITY AND BRAZEN ASSAULT OF A GOLDEN DAWN MAGIC KNIGHT!

Mars: You're in my way.... if you're smart, you'll take the girl and that boy, get out of my sight and leave with your lives. If you're stupid and wish to fight me. You will die. Now, your choice.

Lotus: What you really need kid, are friends that will have your back in situations like these.... You've been quite the entertainment, Luck was it? But I have more pressing matters to attend to.

He turned his back on the battle-happy Cheery Berserker as voices began playing in his head.

Woman: Keep winning, Luck! Make me proud to call you your mother!

Luck's lightning crackles violently as the voice subsides.

Luck: Hang on! It's been too long since I've been in a fight like this. Where it's so interesting! Stay a little longer why don't you?

Lotus activates his magic just as Luck sloppily slashes through it his boots and by extension arms becoming full on weapons of electricity with birds of prey like talons.

Luck: OH YEAH! LET'S DO THIS TIME TO FIGHT, TO THE DEATH!

Lotus: So much potential... I almost regret that I'm going to have to extinguish it.

Final Word Count: 4,492 Words

End of Chapter Ten, Part Two of the Dungeon Arc. Read, Comment, Vote!!