This one brings a pretty solid mix of NPC and player characters, and it features a nice balance of action and characterization as well.

It does two important things, as you'll see in the roleplay itself. Plus, as you can see from the subtitle, it brings together four player characters- Aleena, Dash, Dios, and Ozzie- as well as the two princesses and an Elite 7 member.

 
Strong language in the second half

After Konall and Katherine Swift had departed for another adventure, Aleena, Dash and the two princesses, Jen and Goblin, stopped to camp a safe distance from the ninja village. “I’ll ready the camp if you collect something to eat,” Aleena volunteered, nodding to Dash. It had already grown dark and without the light of either moon, further travel was impossible for her human companions. Aleena had quickly raised a fire using wood they had collected before stopping for the night. Lady Goblin was sleeping comfortably.. well not so comfortably in a makeshift tent.

“Will you be alright on your own?” he asked.

“No worries; Jen and I can take care of ourselves,” Aleena smiled as Dash turned to leave. “Oh, I’m sure you will,” Dash replied. In response, Aleena hurled a husk of bread at Dash’s head, which he deftly dodged. The girls could hear him laughing as he stepped away from the firelight.

With the spectre of combat long past, Aleena summoned her princess dress. It wrapped around her as smoke before solidifying in a golden-coloured and very beautiful gown with a charming tiara. “This really is a remarkable... and beautiful dress!”

Jen nodded. "Where did you get it from, anyway?"

“To tell you the truth, I have no idea. It just... appeared upon me earlier today. I seem to have some measure of control over its presence. It is magical, and it feels so real.” Aleena smiled, running her hands across the silken folds of the golden fabric. The feel, indeed, reminded her a bit of touching smoke.

Jen frowned. "I'm sorry for dragging you and your friends into such a dangerous situation. It should be my burden to bear and mine alone."

“You should not be in the least. I am here to help,” Aleena replied, trying to reassure the princess.

"I've been in over my head before," confided Jen, looking around the settings of this strange kingdom. "But never anything this bad."

“The actions of those ninjas are not your fault. I don’t know why they went after you or Goblin, or who was behind it.” Aleena’s ears perked up momentarily as she turned her head, straining to hear the heavy footfalls of an approaching man. She continued, in whispered tones, climbing to her feet and readying her staff. “Someone is coming. Get ready.”

Jen glanced at Aleena, trying to read the more experienced woman’s reaction, and slowly reached for a knife she’d taken from the body of a dead ninja. She brought it up in a defensive stance - and then lowered it again as a rather clumsy figure stumbled into view. He moved worse than Sir Fumblies! No potential assassin could possibly be THAT loud, awkward and... well... stupid-looking.

“Er, excuse me,” said the figure as it came towards the light, “Might I trouble you ladies for some directions?” The figure stepped into full view, revealing a rather unassumingly built man in a loud shirt and cream slacks, which were torn and soaked in blood.

“Are you a friend or foe?” Jen asked.

The man blinked, and looked around in confusion. “I... er... I’m sorry my dear - have we met? I don’t remember the pleasure...” he trailed off, then very slowly, collapsed into a crosslegged sitting position.

Aleena moved to examine the man, quickly examining him for weapons and injury - although, surprisingly given his dazed and bloody state, he appeared to have neither. Odd, Aleena thought. She reached to help the man back to his feet. “Come to our campfire then, stranger. Tell us your story,” she offered.

He nodded, clearly appreciative of the help although making sure to keep his physical contact with Aleena to only the arms. With her help, he stumbled over to the campfire. “I was sent out - er, dispatched, you might say, to carry out some surveillance work... I found my targets, or rather, they found me... well, it was a little of both really. I correctly predicted the next place I would encounter them, and then-” - he paused for a moment - “-and then, oh dear. I don’t quite recall. I think there may have been a confrontation of some kind. I’m on my way back to Seaside Town now, but I have no idea if I’m on the right track or not.” He smiled at Jen and Aleena sheepishly. “I don’t really recall everything that happened over the last day or so. As embarrassing as this is to admit, I appear to be rather lost.”

“Far to the North, actually. I’m sure there’s a road that will take you there, but I am not familiar with this area. In any event, it is dark and you’re in no shape to travel. Why don’t you join us?”

Aleena smiled, offering a warm and dry place to sit. “When you’re rested, and fed, and more importantly washed up, we’ll see if you’re fit for travel. I can even mend your clothes, though I don’t have anything spare for you to wear. My name is Aleena, and this is Jen and Lady Goblin.”

"We've a fourth returning," suggested Jen. "I'm sure you'll find him adequate protection."

“Thank you Aleena, and yourselves, ladies. My name is Ozymandias Whelk. My friends call me Ozzie.” He looked down at his tattered clothes. “Oh dear. And they were my best casual trousers too. I... oh no, I must be getting back to Seaside Town soon... Mr. Clunt will be very unhappy with me if I’m late... honestly, I don’t know what he’d do without me sometimes,” he rambled, shooting Jen and Lady Goblin a shy little smile.

“You’re really in no shape to travel in the dark. We don’t have any equipment we can spare, so I insist you stay the night. It would be remiss of us to let you go off alone.” Aleena stated forcefully.

Ozzie’s eyes met Aleena’s for a second, and then he looked away. “If... if you insist, Miss Aleena. Thank you for you hospitality, ma’am.”

"Smart decision," a voice only a few feet from behind Ozzie said. Ozzie jumped and turned to see the 6'4, powerful frame of Sebastian Dash, who came carrying an assortment of freshly slain meat for the three.. well, four now. "I see you've been meeting the locals, Aleena."

Colour flushed back into Ozzie’s face as he realised that the newcomer and Aleena knew each other. He turned to her, waiting to see her reaction.

Aleena grinned nonchalantly at Dash. “Hey, welcome back.” She glanced at the two men in turn. “Ozymandias, meet Sebastian Dash.”

"A pleasure," said a smiling Dash. "I should probably chop up some more woods. Was a good hunt. Catrina would be.." Dash's voice trailed off as he lost the smile.. and a little color in his face. "Nevermind."

Ozzie didn’t seem to notice the tone in Dash’s voice as he stood up, offered a hand, and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dash.”

"Likewise," responded Dash, mind snapping back to the moment. "If Aleena trusts you, we can give you a chance. Hope you don't mind eating meat. That's about all I could get."

“I... um... thank you very much, Mr. Dash. I’m sorry to be a burden, but Miss Aleena insisted that I remain with your camp for the evening.” Aleena nodded.

“Would you care to cook, Dash?” Aleena asked.

"Yeah, in a bit," answered Dash. "I'd like to learn a bit more about our new friend here, if you don't mind. Ozymandias.. can I just call you Ozy for short?"

Ozzie shrugged. “My friends call me that... well, Ozzie. It sounds like you’re pronouncing an alternative diminutive form? I don’t really object to any name, though, Mr. Dash,” he said with a slight furrowing of his brow.

Dash raised an eyebrow. "Sorry? So, who got you, anyway? Looks like they did a.." Dash paused a second, reevaluating his opinion as he takes note of the clear lack of injuries. Not even a scratch that Dash could see, and the blood clearly wasn't his. "Correction: it looks like you did a number on them."

The man looked down at himself again. “I... I think I got into a fight. With the people I was tracking, yes. That’s right. There was an incident at the tavern... now which one was it? The Pheasant Plucker’s Scrotum, I believe... and... maybe there was a ‘barroom brawl’ as is, I understand, the term?” He looked into space for a moment, then shook his head. “I’m sorry. Mr. Dash, sir, my memory is a little hazy.”

"Did you get hit in the head?" Dash asked. "That'll sometimes mess with your short term memory."

Ozzie scratched his scalp uncertainly. “I... I may have done?”

Aleena gave Ozzie a quizzical look. “You might want to have that looked at, then.”

“I... I suppose so. I ought to get back to Seaside Town first thing tomorrow then, Miss Aleena, ma’am.”

Jen looked ready to nod off to sleep.

"We might be joining you," suggested Dash. "Seem like a smart plan, Aleena?"

“Aye, Seaside Town is where all these kidnappings started? That is where we should go.”

Dash nodded. "Correct. And it's where the Princesses will be safe."

Ozzie looked up at that point, suddenly paying more attention again. “Kidnappings... from Seaside Town? How long ago?”

"Right when the town reopened," Dash answered. "Just before, in fact. You've got a definite Forest Town accent; didn't news of the kidnappings reach your town yet?"

Ozzie looked down into the fire. “Actually these days, Mr. Dash sir, I live and work in Seaside Town. I, um, well, I don’t always keep up with local news. I work a long office job, and... and...” his voice started to shake, nervously, and he cleared his throat. “I was sent to investigate a group who seemed to be moving people across country. Kidnappees might make sense.”

"Alright," Dash said. "For the moment, the only ones we need to worry about are Lady Goblin and Princess Jen here.. where is Lady Goblin, anyway?" Ozzie looked around as Dash noticed (or rather, failed to notice) her, and replied with a simple shrug.

"Back in the tent, probably sound asleep already," answered Jen with a yawn. "They had some kind of a gas.. or maybe a smoke. It made staying awake hard. I'm still not over it yet."

“Now that you mention it, I’m feeling strangely fatigued as well,” Aleena commented.

"It has been a long day," Dash commented.

Yes it has!

ELSEWHERE, dangerous minds were coming together with a devious plan. Jester King of Beasts stood alone, just outside of Degrassi Knoll, on a dark and moonless night. He paced back and forth like a wild animal, then suddenly turned, his eyes glowing in the darkness of night. Within seconds, several creatures, ready to obey his every whim and command, rushed to the scene. Along with the Jester King, they formed a circle around a rather large path of grass and Degrassi rocks.

Dark thoughts filled the evil behind that seemingly permanent face paint on the Unjest Jester as he chants a series of words beyond the human mind's ability to digest. Mere seconds later, a smoldering fire slowly built in the middle of the circle. Growing to a blistering inferno. A creature slowly appeared through the flames. The demon stepped out as the flames stopped. "You summoned?" said the demon.

Jester nodded gravely. "I commanded your presence, yes. It's occurred to me that if Sir Bumbles is interested in Lady Goblin, what better way to prove my unquestioned superiority than by returning her to our Queen.. or maybe to the bumbling Council of Loathing.. or even the King himself.. myself?"

The demon just cocked his head to the side. "Something else I have to do for you with nothing in return. Great." Dios circled his hand letting a fire burn in the middle of the floor ready to teleport out.

"Stay your hand.. and your tongue!" commanded the Jester King. "You'll stay here until I allow your leave, understand?"

A load roar came from the mouth of the demon. "My name is Dios not bitch." He growled but he stayed put.

The Jester King smiled darkly and spoke with a distaste in his voice. "Only as long as it suits my grace that I not rename you, animal."

Dios face went light as he was in pure human form. "Understand me Jester. I may be doing your deal. I may be helping you and you may control me. But if I don't get what I want. I can just as easily work around you. And you're not going to be very successful with Dash. If you have to worry about Fireballs flying up your ass. From now on I want something in return." He said this before he went back into demon form.

Jester King nodded darkly. "Indeed. If you serve me, you can name your reward. If you fail me, there'll be no corner of Hey Daze you'll be able to hide from my control in."

Dios gave a smirk. "Fine, we'll do that. I will get you your blessed princesses, but the elf is mine and mine alone," he ordered.

"So glad I have your approval," the Jester King responded with the strong accent of sarcasm. "And because I value your happiness in life, I shall grant you this tiny request."

He paused, then snapped his fingers. The beasts around them receded, leaving only the most dangerous. “And to make sure no one break my new toys, I will accompany you personally. As shall my.. trainee," Jester King commanded with a look of twisted pride.

As if on command, a bubbly young lass appeared, decked out with a big red nose and white pasty paint over a mocha dark skin. Her slender body gave her the appearance of a demented gymnast, as before. And as before, she was clocked in head to toe of the Feline Empire's finest leather.

"Princess Precious and the Jester's Army atchya service, hot stuff!" she says, aiming her demented school girl glare at the demon. "Sounds like it's going to be a hot night in town!"

Right on cue, six oversized Knob Goblin experiments gone wrong stalk up to stand behind her.

"Prepare for teleport,” the evil one exclaimed with a sinister, disturbing laugh. “Grab both the princesses, and their little elf, too!”

At camp, Aleena poked the embers of the campfire with a stick, making it flare red. Sparks shot high into the black sky to disappear amongst the treetops. She smiled at Ozzie and Jen as they relaxed near the fire she tended. “I’ll take first watch, Dash. I don’t need much rest. Get some sleep, I’ll wake you in time.”

“Thanks, Aleena,” Dash replied wearily. At one point not that long ago, just a magically enhanced fire might have been enough to keep them safe without need for a watch at all. Those days seemed very distant to Dash now.

The elf was worried about dangers that might stalk the woods. Would the men from the village camp come for them in the night? Would beasts or monsters stalk them? There was so much about this world that she did not know. Aleena dispelled the magic dress and returned to her comfortable, flexible cysuit. Her helmet, now at her hip, bore six glowing red dots upon the front face. She pulled it over her head and activated the technology. With the helmet’s sensors, she would be able to see as well as if it were daylight and even be warned about motion she could not see.

As if on cue, the sensor screamed. Aleena turned to sight a magical effect in the first stages of formation and giving off strange patterns of radiation she did not recognize. “Incoming!” shouted Aleena, warning the camp.

Well trained to react quickly, Dash got to his feet before the others, longsword in hand. Jen wasn't far behind. Ozzie just seemed confused, trying to get his head around her strange comment.

The defenders braced themselves as a small explosion of flames and dark energy erupted in their camp. As the thick smoke cleared, nine evil figures came forth to attack without warning! Two of the altered Knob Goblins rushed to take down Ozzie, pounding on the confused stranger and rendering him unconscious in mere seconds.

"Jester King." Dash turned. "Should have known the big bucket of ugly was your new pet. What's a matter, nothing more terrifying taking your orders anymore? Like a fluffy bunny from the Dire Warren?"

“It’s you,” Aleena scowled, recognizing the demon. She charged, running low to bull-rush the villain off his feet. She did not know who these other foes were, but they would be dealt with in due time, she was certain. They were powerful foes indeed to be able to teleport into their camp. But everyone has a weakness and she quickly realized the Demon’s was his speed. Or lack thereof. She could easily use her gymnastics to keep out of his reach while pounding him with her martial arts. Punches thrown, hits connected, and as the demon roared in pain, Aleena withdrew her fists revealing spikes from her glove that could be seen to glisten with demonic blood.

The demon stood back. "Do you mind?" he said to Aleena who had his blood literally on her hands. “You shall be my queen,” he told her with a smirk knowing that wasn’t the comment she’d expect. The elf was taken aback for just a moment. She recovered quickly, crying out as she charged her opponent again.

Meanwhile, Dash's attention turned towards protecting the fallen stranger "Ozzie." As Dash engaged the brutes in battle, Jen Pi attempted to slice the Jester King in half.. only to have her weapon go through his suddenly translucent body. She backed up with a shock and tried again. He easily dodged, twisting behind her and twisting his body near in half as he kicked the Princess in the back of the head, sending her down to the ground hard.

"Please, at least make me have to expend a bit of effort here," the Jester King taunted her. Jen, showing surprising balance and fighting ability, swung her foot up high, aiming to kick the scrawny King's head off, but he ducked her with lightning like reflexes and went to strike her down, only to pause, holding his breath, as her fist connected with his midsection, forcing the air out of his body. Jen tried another kick, half expecting him to phase away; she connected with flesh, bone and little else, knocking the King down. This time, he was able to phase away to avoid further incident as a rather large, imposing shadow catches her attention; one of the strange large Knob Goblin altered brutes loomed over her.

Dash was finding the altered Knob Goblins more than an idle distraction; they were downright tough, incredibly strong, and faster than Dash would have thought for their size... though nowhere near as fast as Dash. Not far away, something jumped out of the darkness and tackled Aleena, teeth glistening with its hungry drool. Aleena's suit instinctively whipped out at the animal with razor sharp tentacles, defending her against the beast. Yet pinned under the stumpy, saggy skinned gray creature, Aleena could barely hold off rending claws and jaws that threatened to tear her helmet away and expose her delicate features. It attacked without regard to pain or its injuries, causing the trapped elf to cry out.

Dios swept the monster away with a backhanded slap, fire engulfing the monster and dealing the a fatal blow as the creature succumbed to its accumulated injuries. “Enough,” shouted the Jester King. “I grow bored of this combat.”

On the Jester King's command, several noodle spirits drifted up through the ground to use their magical noodles to quickly bind Aleena and the princesses, both of whom were trying to help Dash. The women screamed as they suddenly found themselves hopelessly bound, momentarily distracting Dash from the Jester King. Jester King suddenly launched his hollow boned body, twisting through the air several times, ending in a massive kick to Dash's jaw. Dash staggered back then dived to the side, barely able to avoid a massive fireball blast from Dios.

“Get us home,” ordered the Jester King.

Dash looked up and saw nothing but the defeated corpses of the enemies and the unconscious, injured stranger "Ozzie," before collapsing from the fight and near missed fireball blast.

I didn't mention Jester's sidekick and her little army- wanted to keep that a surprise.

 
Well, there it is! Dios and Jester King managed to get the drop on our heroes, and whisk away the princesses and Aleena! There's some cruel and unusual twists left in this story.

There's nine more pieces before the Finale, and without exception, they all deal with the fallout of this particular fight, so let's see how Dash and Ozzie recover...

But next, let's get back to Ozzie and Dash. After that, we'll take a look at the rather uncomfortable situation with Dios and Aleena.