--No Doubt, "Tragic Kingdom"

The most powerful demon king was dead. He has been dead for quite some time yet some individuals would not accept this as a fact. Their all-mighty leader, their GOD, hadn't been slain by mere humans. Humans were nothing compared to them! They were creatures of the night, creatures from your nightmares, creatures with the power to kill in an instant! Oh what shame had been brought upon the Youjakai in their eyes. The Samurai Troopers murdered the powerful Arago, by children playing dress up in mystical armor.

The Masho, once known throughout the Youjakai as some of the strongest fighters in history, were reduced to lowly humans seeking to rebuild their lives and this world. There once were four: Oni Masho Shutendouji, Yami Masho Anubisu, Doku Masho Naaza, and Gen Masho Rajura. They discovered four of the armors that once belonged to Arago in the human world. Through these armors, Arago himself recruited them. What lucky people! Arago simply hated the humans and there he was, bringing humans into his evil empire! Can we say hypocrite? Nah... Once those four ill-fated boys received a taste of the armor, they were no longer human. Their eyes were full of bloodlust and they craved destruction and carnage... But in the end, through a twist of fate, one fell down and never got up. Now only three Masho remain.

Kayura, Kayura, Kayura... She had promise, even if she did come from the human's world. She was the one person to become the next Kaosu. She had that "power" the warrior-monk sought, yet before he could do anything, the village was attacked and everyone was slaughtered. The girl was taken back to Arago where through powerful, dark magic, she was brainwashed into working for him. Oddly enough, for someone so small and weak looking, she became the most powerful warrior in the Youjakai. Of course this was much to the dismay of the three Masho remaining. They really didn't like having a female show them up, much more a little child of 12--years old (human years). But now that the device that kept her under Arago's control has been long destroyed, she is now Kaosu and she is now in the Youjakai helping the Masho rebuild this world into something much more beautiful.

But wasn't this place much nicer during Arago's reign? The citizens living here were under his control and watchful eye. He protected us when needed as long as we did what he told of us. He promised us that the Youjakai would take over the Ningenkai, that we would become the most powerful beings on this planet. Yet he underestimated his human enemies. Those human children, those Samurai Troopers, had so much power even if they didn't seem to realize it. Sad, isn't it? After more than centuries worth of trying and fighting, Arago loses in the end.

Oh, he did try his best, really he did. He just went with the wrong approach. Maybe if he had used Kayura instead of the Masho in the beginning, the Troopers would've been killed the very first time they got together. Or if he had used that girl who knew all about the armors, taken her in and brainwashed her into working against the Troopers... Or maybe... Or maybe he should've just destroyed Kaosu a thousand years ago.

All right, maybe he was a bit cocky and underestimated the monk. You'd think he'd learn from his mistakes? Well... He _did_ defeat the monk during their second confrontation but did he in fact kill him? Who knows... Who cares anymore.

"If wishes were fishes" as one human said to me... Before I killed him so many years ago. We could've done this, or we should've done that--there are just too many things we could have done but didn't. It's time to move on. That was then, this is now.

I'm not complaining too much. I like to dwell upon the past even if I say otherwise. I help the Masho and Kayura rebuild what was once Arago's castle and plant seeds in the soft, delicate earth. At times I help keep away the rebels who continue to believe that their god hadn't died. They couldn't accept the fact that he had sealed his fate once he confronted Kaosu over a thousand years ago.

What? Oh yes! There were others who went after the Samurai Troopers besides Arago. They came from the Youjakai as well. Though after Arago's first defeat, some of them came for their own selfish reasons. Like Saranbo--he wanted the Shiroi Kikoutei for himself didn't he? Ha! Despite his brute power and abilities, he didn't last too long against them.

Kenboukyou was one of the most powerful, most noble swordsman I have ever seen. He was such a mysterious individual--nobody knows of where he originally came from but it was said that he and Arago were long time enemies. Kenboukyou had possession of the Korestsu Ken and when he didn't use them in battle, his animal companion (or spirit--we don't know what it really was) Byakuenoh guarded them--he was in fact the guardian of those swords and probably still is, considering Rekka no Ryo has them now.

Kokuyoen was actually someone who worked for Arago at the time. He was to inform Arago of the status of the Shiroi Kikoutei. HA! Like that lasted long... No matter how much power one had, there was just no way anybody could defeat that boy and his armor. You know the rest--he was finished but he did put up a good fight with his ice powers, never the less...

Ahh, just too many people whom fell before the warriors of hope. The few others who came after Kokuyoen met the same fate. It was no use--I suppose it is true, that good always prevails. I've learned from my mistakes and I'm sorry for the pain I've caused. I used to be a human myself but when my body was destroyed, my soul became entrapped in a suit of green armor. It wasn't living but it was better than being dead... Or so I thought.

It hurts to think about the past. The Masho should know this better than anyone. They were apart of the Tragic Kingdom, a monarchy that was doomed to failure once Arago opened the gates to the Ningenkai. They seem to have struggled the most out of all of the players in this game of life. They were four souls whose lives were already not worth living. Arago manipulated them when they discovered their dark armors and without knowing too much, they entered the nightmare.

Actually, now that I look at it, it _is_ partially their fault. They had a choice whether to join or not. Unlike myself, Kayura, and hundreds of thousands of others, we were forced into the madness. The Masho didn't deserve to complain about their problems because they chose this lifestyle... But they proved themselves in the end. They proved it by defying Arago and all that he stood for. They sided with the children who represented hope and prosperity. For that... That was Arago's downfall. His lack of awareness and his impudence is what killed him.

Who am I? I am nobody. I was once a youja soldier who the Samurai Troopers didn't kill... Yet sometimes I wish one of them could've taken their weapon and sliced open my armor, freeing my soul... Never the less, the Masho and Kayura are kind enough to help myself and many others who grieve. We are given a second chance just like them.

Maybe this isn't so bad after all.

Welcome to the Tragic Kingdom.