Title: From the Ashes
Author: Phoenixflame
Rating: R
Summary: Two hundred years after Black Rose, a new civilization has risen from the ashes. City-states fight for control and dominance. One city has risen above the others as a city where 'freaks', or so-called 'good' demon forces can walk freely. Controlled by the mysterious dictator called Black Phoenix, New Avalon is far from perfect. This is the future of the Phoenix universe, and the conclusion to a story that has taken two years to complete...




                                 ~Chapter One: World of Confusion~
			                  //Garbage: Stroke of Luck//


Lunatic Nation was an anachronism amidst the modern city-states. Instead of high magi-tek skytubes and spires rising into the air, it was an entirely new city, built of brick and stone, ruled by the Four Pillars.

Few people outside of Lunatic Nation knew exactly how the city ran. It appeared to be one of four people at any given time who sat on what passed for a throne and issued rules.

And unbenownst to the citizens, all four were vampires.

Inside of Asylum, the citadel of basalt and marble that rose out of the ground, in the deepest levels beneath the city, they sat in council.

Azrael, the cold and emotionless Angel of the Ice, pale and lovely, grey eyes watching everything. Gabriel, a curvy blonde, looking deceptively innocent. Uriel, a vampire built like a bull, solid muscle and dark black hair. 

Their fourth was the topic of discussion.

"Where is Michael?" Gabriel asked, fiddling with the elaborate arrangement of hair atop her head.

Uriel growled. "Meeting with the emissary from New Avalon, no doubt. I don't see why we should bother."

"The dignitary is better off as a snack anyway." Gabriel commented, wiggling one of the braids before she lowered her hands to the table. 

"Diplomacy is necessary." Azrael spoke, drawing attention from the other two vampires. "New Avalon is powerful. We can't afford to underestimate them, or discount the possibility of an alliance."

Gabriel frowned prettily. "We should just conquer them. We're vampires, Azrael, not sheep. By rights, we should already be in control of the world."

"Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel." Michael said, strolling through the doors, idly locking them behind himself. "Haven't you learned yet that subtlety is better than outright force for some things? Especially when dealing with an unknown like the new leader of New Avalon."

"Lord Michael." Azrael murmured in greeting, inclining her head towards him gracefully. He ignored the nicety, and walked around the table, taking his seat in the throne that sat there.

"Azrael is absolutely right, however." Michael said. "Angelis is hostile towards us, that much we know. And we still have no idea who leads it. At least with New Avalon, we have a name for their Leader."

"The Black Phoenix." Uriel nodded. "We've got that. And not much more." He leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming on the stone surface of the table.