Author's Note: I've had this fic stored away for a little while and recently decided to give it a shot as well. Here, Zelgadis' obsession for finding a cure to his chimerism requires him to face harsh realities. For the most part this is a serious tale, but rest assured that there will be a happy ending.
Let me know what you think! Please remember: all questions, comments, constructive criticism, and/or suggestions are welcome! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Slayers. I just like to write for fun. ^_^
All That You Wish For
By Kuroneko
So why care for these petty obsessions?
Your designer heart still beats with common blood
And what if you could have genetic perfection?
Would you change who you are if you could?
– GraveRobber, 21st Century Cure (from Repo! The Genetic Opera)
Chapter 1: On the Road Again
"Of all the times that idiot had to go and get sick, why did have to be now?" Lina Inverse wailed off to the side as another blast sent a trio of highway robbers flying into the outer edges of the nearby forest.
There was a grunt, followed by a loud, "Flare Arrow!" From her spot on the wagon that had previously belonged to the assailed, Lina watched with only minimal satisfaction as the rest of the unlawful group scrambled as fast as their legs could carry them away from the figure in ivory that continued to hurl spells in their direction.
Zelgadis nodded to himself before walking back towards where the fiery sorceress fumed, his lips set in a thin line. "In case you haven't noticed, Lina, I'm still here."
"Yeah, Zel, I know," she sighed miserably. "It's not like I don't appreciate you letting me tag along and all, it's just that…" She let out an angry growl and punched a fist into the seat. "I really need somebody to punch right now! Gourry just had to get E. coli poisoning at a time like this! Damn him!"
Zelgadis Greywers let out an exasperated sigh and put a hand up to his head. A new restaurant that had opened in Atlas had automatically been bombarded by the Bandit Killer and her ever-present blond companion, the end result being that Gourry Gabriev had fallen ill with Escherichia coli contamination, the effects not fully presenting themselves until they'd reached the Saillune Royal Palace. Zelgadis himself would never have heard about the incident until perhaps later, but at the time he'd been escorting his hopeless cure-hunting partner Aeron Guthrie back to the City of White Magic to pay Lina's cousin, Kyrie, a visit. No sooner had they reached the city, rumors of the palace sending a carriage to Taforashia to pick up the healer Sylphiel reached their keen hearing. Thinking something had happened to either Prince Phil or Amelia, they'd taken off like a shot in the direction of the palace, only to discover Lina threatening the staff with everything from a Fireball to the Dragon Slave after discovering Gourry's diagnosis from the court cleric.
Even with her healing abilities, Sylphiel was forced to admit that the disease would have to run its course; in the meantime, Gourry was confined to one of the guest rooms in the royal palace. This put Lina in the uncomfortable position of being stuck in Saillune for an indefinite period of time – a proposition that did not appeal in the least. And seeing as Saillune's Magic Guild was fond of administering battery after battery of exams, Aeron had made arrangements to help Ky study for the next week or two, leaving Zelgadis to his own devices.
At the time, it had seemed like a good idea, temporarily traveling on their own for a few weeks. He and Lina had come up with the plan the evening they'd all been brought back together: considering neither of them was much for staying in one place for an extended length of time, why not check out the newest lead he and Aeron had come across? The shrine in question wasn't so far away, and they would be away long enough for Gourry to feel better.
After running the idea by the others, it was agreed. Amelia was more than happy to let Lina loose from the confines of the palace if it meant keeping the servants safe, and Sylphiel agreed that as long as Zelgadis was traveling with the sorceress, "Dear Gourry" was be able to rest easier. Aeron had absolutely no problem with the idea if it meant more time spent with Ky (which was something Lina had teased him over incessantly until Ky herself put an end to it). A quick stop to let Lina say hello to her long-estranged younger relative, a few supplies, and the next evening they were well outside Saillune's walls and headed south.
That had been two-and-a-half weeks ago. It was only just the other day that Lina discovered she was going through the dreaded "time of the month", and things had abruptly taken a downturn when they came across the group of bandits Zel had just finished assaulting. He should have paid better attention when Gourry told him to keep an eye out on Lina – seldom did wisdom flow from the mouth of Gabriev, but this was one of those rare occasions.
Zelgadis truly had no problem with playing Lina's bodyguard. If anything, it was an interesting change of pace; the last time he'd "guarded" her had been back when he'd openly defied Rezo for the last time. This was just another cure hunt, but with the benefit of neither being alone nor being in the companionship of an inept demon chimera. It should've been nicer in his opinion. But when it came to Lina Inverse being unable to cast anything beyond a Lighting spell, woe betide the pitiful fools within her traveling entourage. Her wanting a punching bag was the least of his worries. The only reason she wasn't currently beating him up was because she'd long since discovered that flinging a spell in his direction was far more effective.
Hence her current disposition.
"Well, by the looks of things I'd say that these bozos had gotten a hold of this wagon and were just going to have fun plundering it," he observed, glancing at the wagon in distaste. "Want to see if there's a reward out on it?"
His fishing for a way to divert her attention turned out to be a failure: rather than taking the bait, Lina instead jumped from her spot and shook her head. "Don't bother. The only things this wagon was carrying were cases of sherry from one of the kingdoms in Coastal Alliance, and they've drained it all dry." She sighed and waved her hand dismissively. "Let's just leave everything here and get going. I'm more interested in this shrine we're headed to."
With a slightly raised stony eyebrow, Zelgadis followed after her. Lina was definitely not in the right mood. He wouldn't voice it, but he was of the opinion that she'd a lot more on her mind than she'd admit to. With her cousin trying to regain twelve years worth of lost academic opportunities and now Gourry being inexplicably laid up with something that felled even the best of men, Zel had to admit that Lina was doing better than most people. But Lina not acting like her usual sprightly self was a bit disheartening. It was too bad that nature wasn't in the mood to be complacent, because blasting those bandits would have been good therapy for her.
Alas, Fate was not to be on the chimera's side, per usual. He could only hope that Lady Luck would eventually smile at him at some point on this journey.
A/N: Unlike most of my in-universe stories, this one has no effect on other tales – in essence, an alternative timeline. The usual OCs will likely cameo appearances, definitely including the Controller of Destinies. Also planned to appear is Ascher Valazard, who so far has only been mentioned but has never actually shown himself. This is probably only the second story I have that involves him. Until the next chapter!