Special thanks go to the Seishi, Dan Green, and Daniel for their enthusiastic participation and support  in the creation of this work and also to that certain  young man from the SASS ML, who served as an inspiration to me. ^_~ But I am most grateful to Kay, without whose joking plea for Seishi this story would never have come about. Minna, arigatou de gozaru. ^_^

"Is everyone ready?"

Recalling the trials and tribulations she had overcome as Battousai no Miko during the gathering of the Seishi, Kay realized that her duties as miko had only been partially fulfilled.  As she and her seven Seishi looked at Ryuuen no Miko and nodded, Kay realized that the most difficult part lay before them, but the determination and zeal that emanated from the group could not be denied.

 They were finally going to do it. After months of agony and torture, they were finally getting the chance for revenge.

"Remember. You have to act quickly. The writers and animation crew are on lunch break right now, and they've left their posts unguarded. You must go in and destroy their current storyboards. Make the message clear. No more fillers!"

Everyone nodded once more and moved restlessly, eager for the coming battle.

"Remember your assignments. Giullia and SaitouSano, your job is to hold off all attacks while the rest of us strike the targets."

Giullia laid her hand on her sword hilt, and SaitouSano clenched his hands into fists, prepared to fight.

"Danielle and Hikaru, your job is to get to the computer system and erase all existing files on the fillers."

They both nodded, matching looks of determination on their faces.

"Okita Soushi no Miko and Ketsukei, find all the cels you can, and hide them."

"Right."

"You got it."

"And Kaoru-chan. Leave those sticky notes in every possible location. Make sure to put them where they will be found. Do you have them ready?"

Kaoru-chan held up the pad of sticky notes, all carrying the same message in bold letters. NO MORE FILLERS!

"Then everything is set. Kay, are you ready?"

"I'm a little nervous, but yeah, I'm ready," she replied.

"Good. Then let's get go-"

"Um, excuse me, Ryuuen no Miko," piped up Kaoru-chan. "Why are we doing all of this? I mean, why can't we just summon Battousai here and now and have him do all the work?"

As Ryuuen no Miko was thinking about her answer, SaitouSano spoke up. "Well, it's because we all want a part of the action."

"Oro?" Kaoru-chan gave him a puzzled look.

"Yeah," added Danielle, seconding SaitouSano's claim. "I mean, you've got to admit. We're all sick of the fillers, and what better way to show our dissatisfaction as fans than to let them know once and for all that we want to see the Revenge series animated already!"

Ryuuen no Miko nodded, satisfied with their replies. "Yeah, all of that. Plus, there's not enough dramatic tension right now."

"Okay. Well, I was just wondering." Kaoru-chan beamed happily, pleased to know the answers.

"Well, it was a good question," stated Hikaru.

"I had been wondering the same thing myself," chimed in Ketsukei.

"Me, too," added Okita Soushi no Miko.

"And me as well. I wanted to know," said Giullia, not wanting to be left out.

"Okay, then," said Ryuuen no Miko. "Let's go. The fillers are waiting for us at Entertainment X."

"Wait a minute!" burst out Kaoru-chan. Kay and the rest of the Seishi stifled groans and impatient sighs, but Ryuuen no Miko looked at Kaoru-chan and waited patiently. "You said 'Entertainment X'. I thought we were going to So-"

She was abruptly cut off as Kay clapped a hand over her mouth. She laughed nervously as she explained, "Um, yeah. We are going there, but if we use that name, we could get into trouble, hence the name Entertainment X. Okay?"

Kaoru-chan smiled happily once more and nodded. A muffled "Mm-hm" sounding from behind Kay's hand.

"Alright then," said Ryuuen no Miko. "Let's go."

In a flash, the group was transported to the darkest region of Entertainment X, the dungeon. Carefully scanning their surroundings and alert to any danger, the group traversed through the bowels of the studio, seeking the hidden room where all fillers were made.

"Oh, man! I hope there are no spiders down here!" Ryuuen no Miko worried aloud.

"Spiders!" exclaimed Giullia. She immediately drew her katana and searched anxiously for signs of the small animals.

"Oro. This place is really creepy," said Kaoru-chan.

"Everyone, stay on guard," warned Kay. "You never know what'll pop out."

"Hey, I see something!" yelled out SaitouSano. He pointed to the large set of iron double doors that were ahead. Instantly, everyone dropped into position, ready to complete their mission. SaitouSano slowly approached the doors. Giullia waited nearby, her katana ready.
He reached out to open one, his hand touching the handle.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Everyone froze at the sound of the new voice.

The stranger chuckled in amusement as he explained, "You see, I know what you Seishi are up to, and I'm afraid that I can't allow you to proceed."
 

TO BE CONTINUED