Here's a summary: After many years, Lina, Gourry, and

Amelia reunite but where's Zel?

All characters belong to whoever owned Slayers. I

don't make money off of this.

Bracelet's Return

By Maria Cline

It had been over six years since she last saw him.

Amelia, Princess of Seirunn, entered the cafe and

looked for her dear friends Zelgadis, Lina, and Gourry

to come. They separated after their adventures in the

outside world. She went back to Seirunn and to her

duties. She left occasionally to commit acts of

justice but it wasn't the same with Lina, Gourry, and

especially Zelgadis. While they don't share her exact

opinion of justice, they were fun to be with. Even

when they accidentally destroy a village while

fighting a monster.

"HEY!!! CAN WE GET SOME SERVICE HERE?!" A familiar

voice screamed out.

Amelia looked over to see Lina and Gourry at a table.

Lina and Gourry haven't changed much over the years.

Lina did grew somewhat older and bigger in certain

areas while Gourry barely changed. "Ms. Lina! Mr.

Gourry!" Amelia cried out as she waved her hand.

"Amelia?!" Lina exclaimed as she stood up and went to

the princess. "You grew."

Amelia looked down at the sorceress surprised. She had

grown a great deal over the past six years. While

before she was several inches shorter than Lina, now

she is just slightly shorter than Gourry. "I know. It

runs in the family. You should've met my sister."

Lina sweatdropped as she gawked up at the woman.

"That's scary. Anyway, how's things in Seirunn?"

"Great. Dad's finally became King after such a long

time. I travel out to do justice in secrecy and hope

to bump into you guys. What about you?"

"Great! Gourry and I are tying the knot and I need a

Maid of Honor. What do you say?" Lina said as she

took off her glove to show a beautiful engagement

ring.

"OH!" Amelia exclaimed as she took out a magnifying

glass and examined it. "It's beautiful! I'm so happy

for you and Mr. Gourry! Is Mr. Zelgadis going to be

Mr. Gourry's Best Man?"

"I don't know." Lina replied looking down, "We haven't

seen Zel for four years." "The last time we saw him

was when we were off looking for some mystical sword."

Gourry said as he held up an ordinary looking sword.

"This is it." Amelia went over and touched the blade.

It hummed with it's own power.

"What is it?"

"It's called the Sonic Sword. It lashes out loud

sounds in battle." Gourry explained, "I can make this

great sonic waves with it."

"That thing is nice but it's so loud. I have to wear

mystical earmuffs around him when we fought for a few

battles until he learned how to focus that power. For

a while, bandits ran because the sword was just so

loud." Lina said as she took out a pair of black

earmuffs.

Amelia snickered at the thought of the powerful Lina

Inverse wearing earmuffs while doing a Dragon Slave.

"Did Mr. Zelgadis find his cure?"

"I don't know." Lina said, "We didn't see him again.

I'm sure he'll show up. Zel had this habit of popping

up. Anyway, if Zel doesn't show up, we're going to use

Zangalus." "Mr. Zangalus?"

"Yeah. We had to convince him not to wear the hat and

cape with the tux." Amelia looked down. "Did you look

for him?"

"Of course we did. We look at all the major temples,

places of possible Claire Bible manuscripts, I blasted

over fifty bandit gangs, and even went to Filia but

nothing. It's like he vanished. I'm sorry."

"Maybe, he went off to the outside world and didn't

come back. Did he still have the bracelet I gave him?"

"You gave him a bracelet?" Amelia reached into her bag

and got out a small bracelet. It was her old bracelet

that she used to wear. "Yeah. I gave it to him before

he left me. I made him promise to give it back to me

someday." "Awww... that's so sweet." Lina said with

her voice dripping in sweetness. "Don't worry. Zel

will show up sooner or later."

"I hope." Amelia said as she glanced at the door to

see a young boy standing close to them. He had soft

blue eyes with short black hair. He was wearing a blue

outfit that seemed to resembled a shamanism outfit and

a swordsman outfit mixed together with blue talismans

on his waist, wrists, and ankles. "Who are you?"

The boy turned red and looked down. "I'm looking for

Princess Amelia. I heard rumors that she was around

here in secrecy." Lina grinned at Amelia while Gourry

looked confused. "What do you mean? Amel-" Gourry got

interrupted by Lina and Amelia tackling.

"We might know where she is." Lina said as she got up.

"Nice talismans." She said as she pointed to the a

round blue talismans. "Do they amplify magic?"

"Oh. Yes. They're... very close to me." He kinda gave

Lina a hard look and added, "It's not for sale."

**Damn it!** Lina thought.

"I am Princess Amelia." Amelia said as she held up the

special family 'seal'. "I am the white mage of

justice!" She put one foot on the chair and posed.

He exclaimed with wide-eyes. "You're... you're

Amelia?!" He looked up and down the woman and then

sighed.

"Yes." Amelia replied. "Have we met before?" **What

is it about him that looks so familar?** Amelia

thought confused. There was a familiar presence

around him but she wasn't sure what it was.

The boy blushed brightly as he fiddled with a small

sack in his hands. "No. It's... just that I heard that

you're a powerful sorceress and I need some help

training. You see I wanted to be a powerful shaman

and I kinda..." The boy turned red again and said,

"sorry. Maybe I shouldn't be desturbing you." The boy

started to head out to the door when Amelia put her

hand on his shoulder.

"Wait!" Amelia ordered, "You seem like a good hearted

boy, I will train you."

The boy smiled greatfully as he turned around. "I-I

thank you."

"No problem. I remember when I was a young girl

training in magic." Amelia sighed.

"Hey! Yoo hoo! In case you haven't notice kid, but

I'm Lina Inverse. I can train you better than she

can."

"Lina Inverse?" The boy asked as he looked at him.

"The Bandit Killer? The Dragon Spooker?"

Lina nodded.

"Well... I wanted to train without destroying any

villages." The boy said as he crossed his arms and

smirked at the woman.

"I haven't destroyed any villages in a long time!"

Lina exclaimed as she pounded her fist in anger.

**This kid went to Amelia for training instead of

me?!**

"What about that one we went through last week?"

Gourry asked as he scratched his head.

"That was only an inn and that jerk deserved it." The

boy scowled and looked up at Amelia. "So, you'll help

me?"

Amelia smiled at the boy. He looked small but very

smart and very familiar. "Of course. Why don't we go

out of town and you can show me what you can do.

What's your name?"

"Oh! It's... Gadis."

"I'm Gourry." Gourry said as he smiled at the boy.

**That boy looks kinda familiar. I wonder why?**

The man came up with several platefuls of food. "Ah!

Finally! Food!" Lina said as she grabbed her

silverware.

"Food!" Gourry exclaimed as the two started to wolf

down their food.

Amelia sighed as Gadis shook his head. "Some things

never change." Amelia said as she sighed. "Sorry about

my friends' manners."

"I understand." Gadis said. "Are you hungry too?"

"Not really. Come-on, Gadis."

*****

Amelia and Gadis went to a nice little field just

outside of the village. The young princess couldn't

help but recall the times when Zelgadis had helped her

with her own spells. It wasn't hard at all. He had

shown her spells and she would copy them perfectly. It

was because of him she could do the Ra Tilt perfectly.

"Okay, Gadis, show me what you can do." Gadis nodded

as he gestured. "FLAIR ARROW!!!" A bright arrow of

light came out of his hands and crashed into a tree.

It cut in two and then Gadis' talismans glowed with

power. "FIREBALL!!!" He chanted as a ball of fire shot

out of his hands and burned the remains. Gadis fell

down to his knees and panted in exhaustion.

"That's pretty good." Amelia said as he got up. "You

just need to work on your strength."

"I know. I try so hard." Gadis said as he clenched his

fists in frustration. "I shouldn't need to rest after

just a couple of easy spells."

"You're a young boy. Most wizards can't do that sort

of magic at your age. Girls have an easier time

learning magic because they develop the potential at

an earlier age. You'll get stronger when you get

older." Gadis scowled at the comment and then nodded.

"I know."

"Hey you!" A man yelled. The two looked behind them

to see a band of thirty strong men standing there.

"Are you the one they called Amelia, The Princess of

Justice?"

"Maybe." Amelia replied.

"There's a reward out among the bandits for her head."

Another man whispered. "But she's a powerful

sorceress."

"May I fight them, Amelia?" Gadis asked as he got out

his sword.

Amelia gasped as she saw the blade. It seemed to

emenate a mystical aura of it's own. It felt

familiar. "Where did you get that sword?"

"I..." The boy sweatdropped as he glanced at the

sword, "I got it at uh... yard sale. Yeah. The guy

was an old warrior with a mystic blade. Got it at a

good price."

"Right." Amelia sighed, "Okay, you can destroy them

but only with me and I won't use my magic." **And it's

my time of the month. Oh well. I can still fight

anyone with my fists of justice.**

Gadis smiled as he rose his sword.

The men looked at the boy and started laughing. "This

runt is going to fight all of us?" The leader laughed,

"Ooh, I'm so scared."

"Shut up!" Gadis screamed as he tossed the sword in

the air and screamed, "Diem Wind!" The men was hit by

a strong gust of wind and was knocked to the ground.

The closest was flung into the air and landed with a

thud far over the hill while the rest was dazed.

Gadis caughed the sword by the handle and laughed,

"See what this kid can do?" He asked in a taunting

manner. He flew up and started to slash at the men.

"Pasifist crush!" Amelia boomed as she started to

knock a man out.

"My sword thirsts for your blood." Gadis said as he

ran at super speed and sliced through several men as

they watched in astonishment.

The bandits began to slash back. Gadis screamed as

swords cut into his skin. "Shit!"

"Flare arrow!" Amelia chanted as a ray of pure light

came out of her hands and hit Gadis' attackers.

"Gadis! Keep your guard up!"

The boy nodded and dodged the attackers more. It was

a comedic fight as Amelia shouted out her physical

attacks like the rock hard love attack (throwing a

huge rock at a bandit). At the end, the bandits who

can still stand ran off while the others lay in an

uncouncious heap.

"Don't ever mess with the Princess of Justice!" Amelia

laughed as Gadis just stood there. She looked at her

friend and asked, "You okay?"

Gadis' clothes were ripped and he was cut in a few

places. "I don't think so." Gadis said as he lay

down. "I hate getting cuts. They hurt so much."

"One of the woes of being a swordsman." Amelia stated,

"I don't get it. Why's your defense so lousy? You

just jumped in and didn't even use a proper guard.

Here, let me heal you." **Thank goodness I can light

heal.**

"I... I wasn't thinking." The boy confessed.

Amelia shook her head. "You better start thinking,

young man. Look, if you want to be a good fighter,

you have to have a good defense. You wouldn't last

five minutes against a horde of bandits if you just

jumped into battle like that. Maybe, you should get

some armor."

"Armor?"

"Armor." Amelia sat next to him and sighed.

"No thanks. I don't want special armor."

"Then, you better work on the defense." Amelia chided.

"You know, the only other warrior who would get into

battle like that was Zelgadis and he had a stone

skin."

"Zelgadis?"

"Yes." Amelia smiled as she got out a headband with a

gold jewel on it. She gazed at it fondly. She bought

it for him when they had to sneak into Femile with all

of the men dressed like women. She had to admit,

Zelgadis made one lovely lady. "He was a good friend

of mine. In fact, I... really cared for him." Her

eyes teared up as Gadis handed her a hankerchief.

"Thanks."

"You said that this Zelgadis guy has stone skin.

Why?"

"He was a chimera. Actually, he was a human turned

into a chimera by Rezo the Red Priest. For as long as

I knew him, he was always looking for a way to go back

to being human. He was a swordsman like you and yet

can cast powerful spells like the Ra Tilt. He... was

part human, part golem, and part blue demon."

"I could understand why he was looking for a cure. He

must've looked like a monster."

"Actually," Amelia said as she sighed. "He looked good

and I loved him." Gadis' jaw dropped to the ground.

"What?! A beautiful powerful princess like you is in

love with a monster?"

"He's not a monster! He's a good kind man. He was

kinda obsessed about finding a cure but sometimes he

would seem so vulnerable. He would protect me as much

as he can and he is very honest with me." She sighed.

"Under all that rock, beats the heart of a wonderful

human."

"I... didn't know." Gadis said as he clutched the bag

in his hand. "Oh, I'm so sorry." Tears came down his

face as he hid it. "I swear, I didn't mean to hurt you

that much."

"Gadis?" Amelia asked as she knelt down next to the

boy.

Gadis tossed the bag to Amelia and whispered, "Here it

is." Amelia opened the bag and out came a small

bracelet with the Seirunn symbol on it. Shock overcome

the woman as she took out the other bracelet and held

them in her hands. The bracelet was in very good

condition. It was obviously cared for despite all that

Zelgadis had been through. **How could a little boy

possibly have this?** Amelia thought as she looked at

the boy again. He had that sorrowful look of

humiliation and pain. The same look Zelgadis often

show when he was being stared at in public. She

suddenly remembered that while the boy did show

extrodinary swordsmanship, he showed a bad defense

like he wasn't expecting to get hurt. "Mr...

Zelgadis?"

He nodded. "I found my cure. I'm sorry."

"Mr. Zelgadis!" Amelia exclaimed as she fell over.

"How?! When?! Why?!"

"I... just did. I didn't mean to keep it a secret

from you for so long but... look at me. I just

wanted... I swear I would've told you."

Amelia sighed, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Zelgadis. I was

just lecturing you and treating you like a... like

a..."

"Kid?"

"Yeah! And you're older than I am! Well...

technically and now you're much younger than I am...

oh no! If we start dating, what will people think?!"

"Dating?" Zelgadis said as he turned bright red.

"Yes. At least, if we date."

"Right."

The two sat in silence as Zelgadis' wounds heal. "I

wonder how Lina and Gourry will react to my change?"

"Who knows." Amelia laughed, "You know, you are pretty

cute as a kid."

"Cute?"

"Yeah. Cute. Kinda like one of my father's old

potraits. Oh, you might grow up to look just like

him. But that might be scary."

Zelgadis fell over and ordered, "Don't scare me like

that!"

"Sorry, Mr. Zelgadis."

Zelgadis just rolled his eyes and said, "Why don't you

just call me 'Zelgadis'? I am younger than you.

Physically."

"Right."

"You know, maybe we better go back to the Inn and see

if Mr. Gourry and Ms. Lina are done. They're getting

married, you know."

"I know. I was there."

The two walked back to the Inn where Gourry and Lina

were still eating and fighting. "Ms. Lina, Mr.

Gourry, there's something you should know." Amelia

said calmly as she tapped Lina's shoulder. "It's about

Zelgadis."

The two stopped and looked at her. "What is it?" Lina

asked then saw a worn out Gadis, "Let me guess, the

kid told you about a cold hearted mystical swordsman

blowing up a temple in his village not too long ago."

"Not exactly." Amelia said as she glanced at Zelgadis

who smiled slightly at the comment, 'cold hearted

mystical swordsman'.

"I get it! That kid is really Zelgadis but turned

into a kid. Right."

Zelgadis and Amelia gasped in shock and disbelief.

"Huh? How did you figure it out?" Zelgadis asked as

he blinked.

"ZEL?!" Lina screamed as Gourry glanced at him.

"Zel? You shrunk."

"Of course he did! He's a kid!" Lina said as she

bapped him on the shoulder. "Okay, Zel, what's the

deal? Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

Zelgadis got up and replied, "I got scared. I was

going to tell you but when I saw how much all of you

grew, especially Amelia, I just feel so embarrassed."

"About what?" Gourry asked, "He looks normal to me."

Everyone fell over. Zelgadis shook his head. "Just a

few months ago, I found a spell that reverts anything

and anyone, even the caster. I finally found a cure.

Unfortunately, I didn't realize that they really

meant. I was this age when Rezo turned me into a

chimera."

"So, you accidentally turned yourself into a kid."

Lina said, "And those talismans?"

"Were the remains of my chimera form. I found it and

created these talismans. I can access more of my

previous powers. Without them, I could barely do a

light spell." "Oh, man, I know that this must hard on

you but why the secrecy?" Gourry asked.

"I am younger than all of you. Even Amelia." Zelgadis

said as he looked at his body. "I thought if I could

hide for a couple of years, maybe it wouldn't have

been so humiliating." "So, are you going to be my best

man?" Gourry asked.

"You... still want me to be your best man?"

"Why not?" Zelgadis smiled at Gourry. Gourry had

always been a simple-minded person. To him, he was

just asking one of his best friends to be his best

man. "Okay."

"Better tell everyone there that he's a little younger

and human." Lina said as she grabbed Zelgadis by the

cheek. "If we're not careful, someone might mistaken

him for the ring bearer, cause he's so cute!"

"Ow! Lina! Stop that!" Zelgadis cried as he tried to

get away. "Amelia!"

"Well, she's right, you are cute!" Amelia gushed as

the two started taking turns fussing over the boy.

"We better get him some new clothes!"

"New shoes!"

"Cut his hair!"

"Help!" Zelgadis yelled as Gourry sat to the side

knowing he could never fight his future bride.

*****

Well... that was it. Of course, we both took full

advantage of Zel's new look. What can I say? It's

funny seeing Zel as someone much younger than us but

well... that's the way things are. Here's my wedding!

*****

It was a happy wedding as Lina and Gourry stood by

each other. Everyone was there. Filia, King Phil,

Zangalus, Martina, Luna, Naga (or should I say Gracia)

showed up much to Phil and Amelia's shock and Zelgadis

could've sworn he saw a certain purple haired monster

on the roof smiling.

"Who would've thought that Naga and Amelia's related?"

Lina muttered as Naga spoke to Phil and Amelia.

"The resemblance is uncanny." Zelgadis muttered as he

sipped his tea. "What are you going to do now?"

"Well, Phil got Gourry and me that dragon meal I just

so wanted. He ordered it a couple of months ago so it

should be ready by the time we get there. What about

you?"

"I don't know. I know that in a couple of years, I'll

be stronger with my training. I don't have anything to

look for."

"What about me?" Amelia asked, "Since, Gracia is back,

I got more free time on my hands. I do need a partner

of justice."

"Might as well. Do you still climb on top of poles and

make long speeches of the power of justice?"

"Not really."

"Then, I'm coming with you." Zelgadis said smiling

slightly.

"Good luck." Lina said as she and Gourry got up. Lina

grab hold of Gourry and they started to fly off.

"GOOD LUCK ON YOUR MARRIAGE!!! TELL ME IF YOU HAVE

KIDS!" Filia screamed as she waved.

"DON'T DESTROY ANY VILLAGES!" Amelia joined.

"We better get going too." Amelia said as she went up

to Naga and Phil. "Bye, Dad. Goodbye, Grace."

"Goodbye, Amelia. Keep the hope for justice in

everyone's hearts." Phil said.

Naga waved as well. "If you see anyone that looked

just like me but is very... *ahem* docile. Don't talk

to her."

Amelia and Zelgadis ran off to the sunset.

Then, Amelia said, "Aren't we're going East?"

"Oh right." Zelgadis said as they turn around and ran

away from the sunset. "I guess the author was looking

for a suitable ending."

Fin?