Author's Note: This is a random piece of fiction that suddenly appeared in my thoughts and I couldn't let it just drop. I'm aware that this is a rather depressing piece and it is not my intention to offend any reader. I highly doubt that this will go any further than this unless I decide to do other obituaries, but even that is unlikely. Please read and let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers or any of the characters therein.

Filia's Obituary

Filia Ul Copt is dead. No one's sure if they should say she committed suicide or that she died of a broken heart. What is known is that she was found early in the morning when Lina Inverse and company stopped by to get some free food. An autopsy later showed that Filia had been a cutter. This means that she would take a blade (or any sharp object) and cut herself until she would bleed. It is currently unknown if these self-inflicted wounds are what caused her untimely demise. Investigators of the scene also say that the house was in a state of disorder. The apparent dust settled throughout the entire place and piled up dishes showed that Filia had probably been in a depressed mindset for quite a while. Neighbors were questioned about Filia Ul Copt's daily habits, but most would either say that they had 'not seen her for a while' or that she 'liked to keep to herself' - but was a 'nice girl'. Later, when Lina and company were approached and told of the facts, they gave the following statements:

Lina Inverse; "You mean she would actually cut herself? How stupid can you be? If that's the case I'm not surprised that she's dead! Anyways, I'm hungry, I've got to run."

Gourry Gabriev; "Filia who? I don't remember anyone named Filia… Hey! Wait for me, Lina!"

Amelia Wil Tessla Sayrun; "That's so sad! We should find out what dark forces drove her to do something like… Miss Lina! How can you think about food in a time like this? I was talking! Miss Lina! Mister Gourry!"

Zelgadis Greywords; "Filia was a nice girl, if a bit temperamental. It's a shame that she had to go out the way she did, she had such potential."

Filia Ul Copt's funeral was a solemn occasion attended by many famous faces. The eulogy was given by a Priest who said he was 'an old friend' of Filia's named Xellos. Several of the gathered population were royalty including Prince Philionel, Princess Amelia Wil Tessla Sayrun, Queen Martina, and King Zangulous. Other well-known individuals included The Savior of All Who Live Lina Inverse, The Legendary Swordsman Gourry Gabriev, The Mystical Swordsman Zelgadis Greywords, The High Priestess Syphiel, and The Last Ancient Valgaav. After the ceremony everyone gathered together to morn the passing of the ex-Priestess in the Great Hall of the Sayrun Castle. Several of the guests contacted during this time had this to say about the deceased:

Prince Philionel; "It's always sad to loose a comrade in arms. The world will feel the great loss Miss Filas has left behind. Uh, are you sure? Miss Filia, then."

Princess Amelia Wil Tessla Sayrun; "We are still looking for the evil-doers who have perpetrated this horrendous crime! We will not rest until we have found them and served them their much deserved dose of Justice! We… Miss Lina! You have to save some of that food for the other mourners!"

Queen Martina; "Quite frankly, I don't know who this Filia person is and I don't really care. I'm here because Amelia and Lina are and that's that!"

King Zangulous; "Um, I didn't really know her either. I'm here because of Martina and Gourry."

Zelgadis Greywords; "I hate these things. I don't know why Filia killed herself and I don't think anyone ever will. I didn't think it's something she would have ever done, but I didn't really know her all that well. Mostly she was yelling at Xel… Xellos, what are you doing? AMELIA, DON'T DRINK THAT!"

Priestess Syphiel; "Hi! I'm here to support the friends of a fallen Priestess. Oh, it doesn't matter if she's an ex-Priestess. She's still a sister. I wish I could have known her, I bet she was interesting. Maybe she could have used another friend? I asked Gourry-dear about her, but he can't seem to remember. Oh-well."

Valgaav; "Well, I suppose I should have known her best of all. Especially since she was my adoptive mother. But, the truth is that she only raised me for about a year before I took off on my own. I meant to visit her, really I did. I was just always so very busy."

Priest Xellos; "My My, I guess I was the one who knew Miss Filia the most. She and I were best friends, in a way. I would visit her often, however over the last few years I haven't been able to. Priestly duties and all. But-Oh, I will miss her splendid tea. Miss Filia was not the kind of person you'd forget easily… well, at least I'll never forget her. I do wonder why she did it. I guess that's the greatest secret of them all."

Filia was a Golden Dragon, an ex-Priestess and last under the service of the Fire Dragon King. It is known that she helped Lina Inverse in the campaign against Dark Star, but her specific roll is still unknown. Filia ran a well-established shop that specialized in maces, tea, and pottery after the Dark Star battle. Filia Ul Copt died at 223 years of age, barely an adult by dragon standards.

AN: I will leave the reasons as to her death up to you. In fact, I CHALLENGE all of you to write a One-Shot that details the reasons why you think it happened. Anything and everything is welcome, there are no objections to any types of couplings. Please note that I have left the specific cause of death unknown. Rating is up to and including PG-13. Send me copies and I will post them with all rights to the story given freely to you. Email to: joycrux at yahoo dot com.

Post-AN: If you decide you want to take part in the CHALLENGE it has slightly changed... Post it under your own name and send me a link, apparantly doesn't like 'interactive' fiction and somehow this counts as 'interactive'...