CHAPTER ONE: Deadly Reunion

Author’s note: Hi there. I assume that if you are reading a Slayers fanfic, you would know the characters, plots, etc. Well, I am asking that you leave your sense of humor at this note, because I do not intend for this to be slapstick. I’m sure I’ll manage to have a few funny moments, but as a whole, please do not expect the usual Slayers hilarity. Plus, as an added bonus, or whatever I’m going to throw in a different and probably wrong view of Amelia’s “lost sister’. I’m not gonna make her Naga as most people believe (heck, I think so too, but oh well ^_^) However, seeing as how I’m totally upsetting the normal Slayers style, I will not diverge from the “traditional” couples of Lina/Gourry and Amelia/Zelgadis. And for you Lina/Xellos fans…worry not! I have put in a touch of that as well! Thank you for your patience and good night (morning, afternoon, whatever ^_^)

On a bright summer day, Lina Inverse awoke to the sound of snores. Two beds away, her long-time friend and traveling companion, Gourry Gabriev slept soundly, unaware of his raucous snores. In the bed next to Lina’s, another of her closest friends, Princess Amelia of Seyruun began to stir in wakefulness. Lina climbed slowly out of her bed, feeling at once hungry and invigorated. She grabbed her spare tunic and leggings and padded down the hall to the Women’s baths.

Lina sank into the hot, steaming water and sighed. So far, she and her friends had been almost all over the world, including places that had not been accessible for over a thousand years. However, one thing troubled Lina today. While she, Gourry, and Amelia had been enjoying their stay at this hot springs town, their fourth companion, Zelgadis Greywers, was nowhere to be found. They’d left messages for him at every major locale they had passed through, and he has still not shown up. Amelia worried more than Gourry and Lina of course, but she had good reason. Since their initial meeting, Zelgadis and the others had not been apart for more than a few months. This time, however, no one had seen Zelgadis in a year.

“Good morning, Miss Lina!” said Amelia, pulling Lina out of her melancholy thoughts.

“Oh, hi there Amelia, did you sleep well?” Lina asked, scooting over on the ledge as her peppy best friend joined her in the bath. Amelia smiled cheerfully, covering up feelings that no one knew she had.

“Well, I was until I heard Gourry start snoring again…he always wakes me up with that, you know?” Amelia sighed as the hot water soothed her already smooth skin. She and Lina talked of many things in the bath that morning…everything from the weather to their past exploits as heroes. Eventually, they left the bath, not realizing that it might be the last bath they’d ever take.

Gourry stumbled down the stairs to breakfast after having been rudely awakend by a cheerfully angry Amelia. She has said something about his snores again, and, as usual, he ignrored her completely. Today was a special day, he knew, but he certainly couldn’t remember why. Maybe it was someone’s birthday. Oh yes, that was right, he remembered. It was HIS birthday! How old was he again? He supposed he must be in his early twenties by now…yes, it had been four years since he’d met Lina and he had been eighteen then. So that would make him 22, right? He smiled and ordered an extra large helping of pancakes to celebrate. As he was shoveling food into his face, he chanced a look up. Someone had joined him at the table. He forced himself to stop eating for a moment to see who it was.

“Zelgadis!” he exclaimed once he recognized his old friend. He did a double take, “Zelgaids? Is that you?” Gourry’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull. It looked like Zelgadis…only…

“Yes, Gourry, it’s me,” said the man who seemed to be Zelgadis. Sure enough, his deep voice matched perfectly with the ever-depressed Chimera Gourry knew so well. However, something was different about him…Gourry couldn’t quite place it.

Abobut that time, Lina and Amelia decided to join them. Amelia stopped dead in her tracks. Lina’s jaw dropped as she sat down next to Gourry at the table.

“Zel?” she said as she stared at the man with beautifully smooth HUMAN skin. Zelgadis smiled.

“Hello Lina. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Lina then said what Amelia would have said had she been able to talk.

“How did you braek the curse?” Lina demanded wonderingly, unable to tear her eyes from the princely man before her.

Zelgadis chuckled at the two ladies’ reactions, “Well, first of all, I have not been cured. This is another sorcery designed to give me the appearance to being human. Secondly, it does not last forever. I must renew it every three months or I will go back to being stone-skinned again. I cannot begin to tell you how surprised I was when I stumbled across this.” The Chimera pulled a small vial of blue liquid from somewhere in his belt. “It was just sitting there in a Magician’s shop, gathering dust. I asked the store’s owner what it did and he guaranteed me a human form as long as the blue liquid lasted. So I bought it.”

Lina pulled her eyes back into her head and smiled. “Well, it’s great to see you again, Zelgadis, right Amelia?” she said, turning to her still frozen companion. Amelia shook her head and moved to sit next to Lina. Zelgadis’ face fell slightly. Amelia, seeing this, hesitated for just a moment before taking the chair to his right. He smiled at her. It had, after all, been nearly a year since their last meeting. For once in her life, the ever-peppy Amelia had nothing to say. She just sat with her hands folded and blushed. Zelgadis and Lina engaged themselves with intelligent conversation as the sometimes were inclined to do, whilst Gourry ate his breakfast in silence. He also quietly celebrated the day that only he seemed to be aware was important. All in all, the morning was normal…well, as normal as a morning for these four travelers could ever be.

Two hours and about three hundred pancakes later, Lina and the others began their trek again, this time dragging Zelgadis along with them. Amidst the happy banter of the morning, no one even noticed that someone was missing.

Amelia sat at the table, caught up with her worries. Now that Zelgadis had regained at least a human exterior, his fears about his looks were gone. He seemed to have regained a lost confidence. Amelia was very happy for him, of course, especially since he was even more gorgeous than he had been before, but that also meant he had no need of her anymore. Her entire relationship with him had been spent trying to convince him that he was not a monster. Now that he truly WASN’T a monster, what did he need her for? He probably thought of her as a little girl, nothing more. Zelgadis had never seemed to show any particular interest in her before. All these thoughts depressed her. She looked up, thinking it rude to sit there in silence, only to see that she was alone. She waved to the inkeeper and he informed her kindly that her friends had departed a few minutes ago, headed to the east. She hurriedly gathered up her few belongings and hurried out of the inn. After she left, the “inkeeper” to whom she had been talking teleported away and reported to his boss that his mission had been accomplished. The pesky Princess was as good as dead…and her friends didn’t even realize she was gone!

Zelgadis watched Lina and Gourry banter and bicker about something or other; he was never really quite interested in their conversation. The two really should stop skirting the issue and confess their feelings. It had been nearly three years since the “incident” involving the Lord of Nightmares, and neither Gourry nor Lina could remember anything. Zelgadis’ thoughts turned inward and he began to wonder why his mood had not improved since he had found his pseudo-cure. He turned back to ask Amelia what was on her mind. “Amelia,“ he began. He found himself talking to air. “Amelia?” He looked around, growing worried. It was not like her at all to just disappear. That was what HE did. He tapped Lina on the Shoulder and politely informed her that Amelia was missing. He then abruptly turned and walked back east. Something in the back of his mind told him to go straight that way…and it practically screamed at him to hurry.

Amelia was beginning to worry. Just how far ahead could they be? Her fears escalated once she reached the edge of town. The mid-day sun was high in the sky, but Amelia suddenly began to feel the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Something was very wrong. “Hey,” Amelia wondered, a sudden realization dawning on her face, “that guy wasn’t the inkeeper!” As she finished saying that, a familiar figure appeared before her.

“Quite right, sister dear!” said the figure. Amelia’s eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.

“Sylvie! How…When…What…” Amelia’s sentences all died on her lips. She could hardly believe her eyes. This girl who had just appeared out of thin air was…was…her long lost sister…the second daughter of Prince Philionel…the girl who’d run away when she was needed most… Amelia’s sister!

“Oh shut up, Amelia. You always were too sentimental. So how is father doing? I assume no assassination plots have succeeded yet since you’re still out traveling about. Hmph, what a pity. Well, enough chatter, I’m here on behalf of my master, The Greater Beast Xellas Metallium. It seems all of you have out-lived your usefulness. Since you are – or were – my sister, my master has given me the express privilege to destroy you. I’m truly sorry it had to end like this for you Amelia…well, no I’m not, but just think of this: now you won’t have to deal with my partner Xellos anymore, right? I know how much you hate him. So prepare yourself for death…any last requests?”

Amelia’s comments all sputtered and died. Was this truly her sister? NO! No daughter of Seyruun was evil! But…but Sylvie was pure evil, she had become a Mazoku, like Xellos. Tears flowed freely as Amelia prepared to submit herself to her sister. Sylvie had always been more powerful than she, but never like this. “I just have one thing I want, Mazoku…I want you to say something to me. Just tell me that you loved me once…that before you turned into this you loved us. I mean you loved your family…you were happy.” Amelia’s sister scoffed at her.

“I don’t even remember much about my youth. It’s been too long. And I’ve changed too much. Sorry, sis, REQUEST DENIED!” the Mazoku yelled as she revealed her powerful form. Amelia’s sobs became screams as one of the monster’s claws descended on her tiny body.

Zelgadis was getting frantic. Where was Amelia? It had been too long…she should have turned up by now. None of the waiters at the inn knew where she’d gone and none of the other patrons had been there long enough to remember seeing her. All of a sudden, Zelgadis’ overly sensitive hearing began to pick up screams coming from the outskirts of town. All his reserve was gone and he chanted the Ray-Wing. He knew whose scream it was…

Amelia’s screams grew louder as the claws slashed at her body. She threw up feeble shields and hurled Ra-Tilts, but none of her efforts were working. Her small body was lined with cuts and gashes now, blood seeping through her torn clothing. Still she fought, knowing that she only prolonged the inevitable. Amelia’s foe laughed gleefully as new cuts appeared on her prey’s dying body. She moved in for the final blow, growing tired of her sport. She howled with glee as she swung into what should have been her grand finale. * chunk * Her claw sank into the ground, completely missing her target. The Mazoku howled with rage as she spotted the reason she’d missed. Speeding back in the other direction were two human blurs…someone had rescued Sylvie’s sister.

“Damnit…” she muttered as she retook her human form and teleported back to Xellas for her report.

Zelgadis practically flew along the ground, holding Amelia close while dodging the people in the street. His ultimate goal was to put as much distance between Amelia and that Mazoku as possible. Fortunately, the creature didn’t seem to be following. Zelgadis finally stopped when he ran nearly ran into Gourry. “Hey Gourry! Lina! I found her.” He panted, thoroughly out of breath. Amelia dropped unconscious from loss of blood and Zelgadis carried her immediately back to the inn.

“Well, Gourry, looks like we’ve got another night here before we can continue to look for a replacement sword. Sorry. Oh, by the way, before I forget to tell you, I got a little surprise planned for your birthday. Yeah, I know, you probably thought I’d forgotten, right? Well, I didn’t. Meet me out here after we’re sure Amelia’s okay.” Lina said. She turned away from Gourry and followed Zelgadis inside. All that she could think of, however, was Gourry’s surprise….

“Amelia?” Zelgadis sat by her side, unconsciously holding the girl’s pale hand. Her eyes fluttered open and she immediately started screaming. Zelgadis tried to calm her down, but all she did was break down into sobs. He moved up onto the bed with her and began to smooth her hair. He held her close while she cried and eventually, her sobs stopped. She looked around for something to dry her face on and smiled thankfully as Zelgadis proffered his shirttail. He held her at arm’s length for a moment and then gently pulled her into an embrace, whispering her name as though it were the most sacred word in the world. Amelia didn’t hear him; she still wasn’t even aware of her surroundings. She looked up at his face, bewildered and uttered a question.

“Did you—see my sister?” Zelgadis silenced her with a look. Amelia shrunk back.

“Amelia, that was not your sister. Granted, she may have been at one time…but that was not your sister. Next time you meet…and I am certain there will be a next time, make sure you do not hold back. Did you ever figure out what she was after?”

Amelia relaxed in his arms and nodded into his chest, thankful for his presence. “She works for Xellos’ master…and I think he’s now against us too. Sylvie said we’d all outlived our usefulness.” Zelgadis’ face became like stone.

“Xellos,” he growled. Somehow, the Trickster Priest’s involvement did not at all surprise the chimera. Everything bad that happened to him seemed somehow involved with that strange Mazoku. At any rate, his attention was at the moment focused on the wrong person.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Amelia? Did Lina heal you completely? If not I can…” Amelia put her hand across his mouth and cut him off.

“Please, Zelgadis, don’t talk to me right now. Just keep being soft and warm,” the princess murmured sleepily. Her body became heavier and Zelgadis realized that she had fallen asleep. He tried to lay her down, but each time he tried to let go, her hands tightened on his shirt, so, knowing nothing else to do, he put his arms around her in a protective embrace and fell asleep at her side.

“Lina? Is that you?” Gourry’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. Never before in his life had he seen such a beautiful woman. Lina was the center of his world at this moment in time. It suddenly became aware to him that Lina was perfect…she was perfect in every way. And suddenly, it occurred to him that her chest wasn’t too small at all. She was so perfectly proportioned that it didn’t matter. Gourry’s emotions spoke many words to him in that split second, but the most overwhelming thought that popped into his head was “Oh, wow.” And of course, those were the words he spoke.

Lina started to speak, but when Gourry spoke first, her resolve wavered. Somehow, she just wasn’t sure he’d understand what she was after. Sure, he was only a man, with the same emotional reaction any man would have had, but somehow, she just…she just didn’t want anything to go wrong. Lina opened her mouth again to tell Gourry why sh’d brought him out here, but again, he spoke.

“Lina? Is this my present. ‘Cause I just wanted you to know that just seeing you like this…I mean, you’re gorgeous! Oops…uhhh…I shouldn’t have said that, should I?” Gourry said, scratching his head nervously, as he was so prone to do around Lina. But she wasn’t mad. Her face took on a strange expression as she surveyed his nervous features. He ventured to continue, “Uh, uhm…well I guess what I meant to say was just that oh man you’re pretty, Lina. I can’t help it, don’t be mad. What did you expect me to say to you…with you wearing that dress…This…oh Lina, this is the greatest present ever.”

Again, it took Lina a moment to realize what was happening. Somehow, Gourry had completely turned this around. Things were not going at ALL as Lina had planned. She wanted to take him out to dinner and then go to a nice dance hall, but…her mind was wandering steadily in other directions. “Gourry, I…” she began, “Well, I…I was gonna take you out for dinner…on me of course, and then I was gonna make you go dancing. But…” Her eyes roamed over his face. She suddenly could not speak any more, her voice mysteriously gone. Gourry’s roaming eyes found hers and held them for a moment. Lina looked away, embarrassed and stared down at her feet.

Gourry’s resolve hardened and he bridged the gap between himself and Lina in one step, boldly taking her hand in his. He had been mulling over what he would say to her, but his tongue now felt like jelly. Lina looked up at him, startled and she smiled shyly, something he had never seen her do. Somehow, though, they communicated the idea of walking, and so they set off together down the street. In the growing twilight, something triggered their memories…and they remembered their first kiss…

Xellos Metallium vanished from his pocket dimension and re-appeared a few miles outside of Jethel, the small coastal town that Lina was staying in. The last two hours had been spent listening in on a conversation between his master and his partner, Sylvie. Sylvie had been a princess of Seyruun once and was a very powerful asset to his master’s force, but she was a little too evil even for his tastes. His master had charged Sylvie with the task of killing her former sister, Amelia. She had failed, due to some slight tampering by a certain chimera and was being berated by Xellas now. Xellos silently hoped his master did not know of his eavesdropping. It might spark her anger, something which Xellos did not want to experience. He thought back on his actions and still found no explanation for helping Amelia. He hated the brat, and cursed her very existence. She was almost as bad as that stupid Dragon Maiden, Filia(…which reminded him, he had a date with her tonight…) with her cheerful outlook on life and all. But, Xellos conceded, she was a friend of Lina’s, and everything he had done lately had been centered around Lina’s happiness. Unfortunately, she had no idea how he felt. Yes, a Mazoku is evil by definition, but that didn’t mean one couldn’t feel love…right?

Lina and Gourry reached a small cliff overlooking the ocean. Well, it stood to reason, since Jethel was a COASTAL city, after all. Gourry had long since discarded caution in his actions. Besides, he and Lina had remembered the events of that day so long ago when they’d destroyed Gaav and Phibrizzo…the Lord of Nightmares tried to take Lina away, but Gourry resisted. All he really remembered was going into a black void and re-appearing in a circle of light amidst a blue sea of chaos. He paused in mid-thought and congratulated himself for being so poetic. Suddenly, Lina had joined him, covered only in swirling light. He had reached for her outstretched hands and found himself holding her in his arms, kissing her lips as though it was their last moment together, for indeed it might have been. And why neither could remember until now…Gourry’s thoughts suddenly switched their focus.

“Lina…I think I should say something to you…I want to…I want to tell you that, well, I think you’re perfect. Everything about you is special. I think maybe it took something like this for me to realize how I really felt about you. Lina…” Gourry paused and turned her to face him, “Lina, I think I might, you know, uh…love you.” He closed his eyes and cringed, waiting once more for her to blow up at him and call him an idiot, but no harsh words or sharp blows ever came. He opened his eyes and found himself staring at the top of Lina’s head.

Gourry pulled his free hand up to caress Lina’s fiery hair, gently pulling his fingers through the soft red strands. He could feel Lina press herself closer and wondered what she was thinking. Another thought randomly occurred to him.

“Lina…when exactly did we meet? I mean, I know it’s hard to remember something like that, but what time of the year was it when we first ran into each other?”

Lina smiled brightly. She pulled back from Gourry’s strong embrace and looked at the blonde swordsman in a whole new light. “Gourry, how amazing. You actually thought about that. I think it was actually around this time four years ago. Yes, I remember now. Gee, it seems like such a long time ago!” Her tone became less light then as she buried her head in his powerful chest, “Do you think maybe we should…do something about this? I mean, what happens now that you told me how you feel? You probably want me to tell you the same thing… that I love you too, but I’m just no good at expressing myself with words like that. I think,” she trailed off suddenly, for Gourry was looking at her oddly again. “What? What is it, Gourry?”

Gourry pulled her closer in and flung her toward the ground. He left her body suspended in the crook of his arm just above the ground. He bent close to her ear. “What do you mean you’re no good at saying you love someone? You just did, silly. I’ve always wanted to do this to you, you know,” he whispered as she closed her eyes. She certainly knew what was coming. Gourry looked at her sweet face, wondering how it was that people as battle-hardened as they could find love and romance. He decided not to question it and kissed her impatient lips.

Amelia stirred, it was getting cold. Her feet quested for more blankets and when she found it, she reached down and pulled it up to her chin. She fought to keep her eyes closed, but somehow, the light just wanted to creep in anyway. Amelia grumbled and pulled this new cover over her eyes. Something breathed next to her and she jumped a little. Who…? Oh yes, she remembered now. She had fallen asleep in Zelgadis’ arms. He must have decided to stay with her. She chanced to open her eyes. The “blanket” she had chosen was not a blanket at all, but the cloak of her protector, tossed aside for a more comfortable rest. She sighed and burrowed into his chest once more. He responded unconsciously, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her tighter. Maybe Zelgadis cared after all, well, while he was asleep at any rate. At least the day had started out well…

Lina prepared to go to breakfast, deciding to forgo the bath today. She just wanted to see Gourry again. He had elected not to sleep in her room that night, for reasons only he could know. Lina had kissed him softly and said good night. Now, she couldn’t wait to say good morning. But as she came down to the restaurant, a scene of horror awaited her.

Gourry stood with his back to the wall, bleeding from several cuts. His sword had been shattered halfway down the blade. Four towering trolls ringed the legendary swordsman, outnumbering him 4 to 1. Had he still possessed the Sword of Light, Gourun Nova, the odds would have been different. Lina’s jaw hardened. “Gourry!” she yelled. One of the trolls turned to look at her. It was the last thing he ever saw. As the first and second ones fell, the third turned to look at her as well, bellowing in rage at the downfall of his fellows. Lina killed him, too. The last one, sensing defeat, tried to retreat. Lina picked a bit of his clothes off of her shoulder and sneered. Gourry fell to his hands and knees and coughed. He spat blood onto the floor. Lina rushed to his side. “Gourry!” she said again.

The injured swordsman looked up at his perfect woman and saw white light coming from her fingers. After that, his eyes began to swim, so he closed them.

About two hours passed and, while Amelia and Zelgadis were eating a hasty breakfast, Lina was finding out what had happened. The townspeople knew nothing about the trolls, and most had never even seen them come in. Lina’s anger steadily rose with each negative answer she got. Trolls don’t just come to towns and attack people. Someone had summoned them against Gourry. They had ignored the other frightened patrons of the bar completely. Suddenly, she got a clue.

“Lina!” Xellos hissed urgently from a back alley. Lina tried to keep walking. The order against Amelia and probably Gourry had, after all, come from Xellos’ master. But he persisted. “Lina, please! I am not here on orders from my master!” Lina turned slowly and walked back toward him. He looked around nervously and beckoned her to hurry. Once she got within arms reach, he grabbed her and took her into a pocket dimension.

“What are you DOING, Xellos?” Lina demanded. Xellos smiled nervously again and rubbed his hands together.

“Well, Lina, I suppose you know who was behind Amelia’s unfortunate…accident. My master has decided that you all are dangerous to her and must be killed. She has assigned my partner Sylvie with the task of killing Amelia. My master has also… assigned me with such a task. I,” Xellos paused and cleared his throat, “I am supposed to kill you, Lina.” Lina backed away and began to chant a summoning spell to break his barrier. Her eyes filled with terror, for she k new she stood no chance against one as strong as him. He reached out a pleading hand.

“Please, Lina. I told you before: I was not on orders from my master! She forbade me to kill you until your friends were dead and…to tell you the truth, I don’t think I could kill you anyway.” Lina stopped chanting and looked at the Mazoku. Ever since they’d met, she had never been quite sure whose side he was on, but now…he had just admitted that he was indeed on Lina’s side.

“Xellos, why are you helping me? I mean, surely your master will kill you for your disobedience, right? So why not just kill us and be done with it?” Lina’s voice wavered for a moment and Xellos smiled.

“Lina, it is not my job to see the others dead. That is someone else’s task. But I will not harm you…ever. Just think of it this way: If a cold-blooded monster like me could have true friends, you would be mine, Lina. I have tried to be your guardian angel of sorts, and rest assured that while I live, my master will not harm you. This I swear to you, Lina.” The Mazoku paused for effect, “I guess you should go now, before you’re missed.” Xellos gave no chance for Lina to reply. He was, indeed, afraid of what she’d say. He waved his staff and sent her back into her own world… back to the man he knew she loved. Still, it didn’t matter if she had given her heart to the swordsman. Xellos loved her in a different way and no matter what, he wanted was for her to live and be happy…by any means necessary.