Authors Note: This story takes place about three years after Evolution-R. Zelgadis is human and he has a pretty good life. I don't own anything of Slayers, this is written for fun.
Becoming Stronger
Chapter 1: New Body
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Pokota asks Zelgadis.
The machine that surrounds the stuffed toy prince is quite elaborate and intimidating, but it isn't nearly as frightening as the human version of himself standing in a glass chamber next to him. The dead looking clone is in every way a duplicate of a human Pokota, its only flaw is that it doesn't have a soul, which makes the body unsettling. Scratching his head with one of his large ears, Pokota glances at anything other than his copi.
It has been a little over three years since Taforashia's resurrection and Shabranigdo's ghost's destruction, but Pokota is just as nervous right now as he was then. Back then he was fighting for his country's existence, now it's like he's fighting for his own.
"Don't worry Pokota," Zelgadis says as he triple checks the machine once more. "I already did it on myself and it worked, so you have nothing to worry about."
Zelgadis is now human, for the most part at least. The cloned body has a few modifications in order to retain some of the strength from the original chimera body. When it is all said and done, Zelgadis still cannot live without the strength the mutated body Rezo provided for him. "Are you ready?" Zelgadis asks.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Pokota says calming his beating heart. Trying to keep his breathing at a steady pace is difficult given his current situation.
"Alright, the next time we see each other it will be through your new eyes." Zelgadis says with a thrill in his voice. The new Zelgadis doesn't realize that he looks like a mad scientist to Pokota, but Zelgadis cannot help it. He is excited about doing the experiment again and he gets a thrill out of it. His old obsessions still come out every now and again, even with obtaining his cure.
As the world turns into a blaring sheet of light Pokota feels his senses numb. The sensation doesn't leave him but lingers on up until his soul fully transfers into his new body. It was impossible to transfer a soul into a copi, or at least it was until Zelgadis found a way to do it.
Stumbling out of the machine Pokota gazes at his hand and touches his ears, only briefly glancing up at Zelgadis. He stares at his hands and after a quivering breath Pokota begins to laugh.
"I can't believe it! I mean, I do believe it but, Awe man this is amazing. Thank you so much Zelgadis, this is awesome," Pokota says as he laughs and begins to skips around the room. Skipping isn't such a good idea though, as Pokota's new body weakly gives out beneath his joyful step. Zelgadis is at his side in a moment helping the prince steady his balance.
"Idiot" Zelgadis says with a grin.
The two young men look roughly the same age, but Pokota is slightly shorter. When they made the new body they were approximating his age, so while Pokota should technically be older than Zelgadis, his body is a year or two younger.
"You can come in your majesty," Zelgadis calls towards the door behind him as he leads Pokota to a waiting chair. Like an apple falling on Newton's head Pokota's father races towards his son, colliding with a heavy but heartfelt embrace.
Zelgadis leaves the room and lets the small family have their moment together. As far as they are concerned, a miracle has happened today. Zelgadis likes the feeling that comes with helping in this miraculous accomplishment.
"Was it a success Mister Zelgadis?" Amelia asks as Zelgadis nearly runs into her, abruptly waking him from his thoughts.
The princess of Seyruun is accompanying Zelgadis on some of his travels and has come with him to Taforashia, mostly just to keep him company, but also to get out of the palace. Whenever she has the opportunity, Amelia loves to escape the mounds of paperwork constantly present on her desk. Moreover, traveling with Zelgadis on one of his quests is always a pleasure for her. But she is also here for diplomatic reasons; Prince Phil wants to check up on the newly developing country and its progress. Now that Pokota's experiment is over Amelia can discuss these matters with more ease. Amelia secretly hopes that Zelgadis will stay for a little while, before heading out again on another excursion.
Even after finding his cure a little over a year ago Zelgadis is constantly traveling in search of ancient spells and lost artifacts. The former chimera is having trouble staying in one place for long periods of time, and now that he has his cure, Zelgadis is thoroughly enjoying searching for the sake of simply searching. He always has a set goal of course, but its purpose is not nearly as stressful as before.
"Pokota is now a human being," Zelgadis tells her with a slight smile stretching across his pale skin. Of all the Slayers group, his skin is the lightest, he gets it from his great grandfather probably. "Pokota is a little weak, but that is normal. It should only take a few days for him to attain a steadier step."
"I see! That is wonderful news Mister Zelgadis. Today is a wonderful day for justice. Mister Pokota's good deeds for his country and friends are finally being rewarded." Amelia says as she begins to ramble off a cute justice speech. Her arms begin to wave to and fro as she points to the sky (or the ceiling in this case) which goes in unison with whatever it is she is saying. Zelgadis doesn't pay attention until she mentions him. "And you Mister Zelgadis! I'm sure your selfless endeavor has not gone unnoticed, good things are sure to come your way."
He smiles at her, but sighs. "The world doesn't work that way Amelia. You have to work for some miracles to happen."
Amelia surprises her companion as she calmly drops her hands to her side and faces him. "I know that," Amelia says. "And it is up to people like us to work hard and make sure that the world remains wonderful."
Zelgadis nods his head as his thoughts wander into deeper contemplation over what she has just said. It reminds him of Rezo. It reminds him of what the man was supposed to represent, but failed to truly accomplish in life. Rezo ended up redeeming himself in the end and Zelgadis no longer holds a grudge, but he still finds himself reflecting on the great sage and his life. Zelgadis is now searching for Rezo's true face with a new reason; the great grandson of Rezo doesn't want to make the same mistakes. After helping Pokota, Zelgadis has a sinking reminder of Rezo. The Red priest helped and healed many people; Zelgadis is nearly convinced that his reasons for helping others are entirely different than Rezo's; nearly positive.
Amelia begins to worry when Zelgadis fails to respond, but she waits patiently.
"Am I like Rezo?" Zelgadis asks.
Blinking her eyes in confusion, the little princess tries to figure out where this question is coming from. Realizing her companion's strained relationship with the red priest, Amelia chooses her words carefully. "You are nothing like the Red Priest Rezo, Mister Zelgadis, you are not helping people to gain anything, and you are helping people because it is the right thing to do. Like a man of righteous justice ought to."
"Am I really?" Zelgadis frowns and Amelia wonders if her answer has offended Zelgadis. Maybe Amelia isn't aware of this, but whenever Zelgadis 'helps' someone they still need to pay him for his services.
"Of course you are, I can think of no greater man other than my father, Mister Gourry and Mister Pokota." Amelia says honestly.
Zelgadis hides a blush and slightly looks away from the princess. He doesn't admit it, but Amelia's words sting, because they aren't true, he doesn't see himself as a great man. Maybe a part of him has an honorable desire to help the weak, but there is another part of him that loves tearing people down. Watching people humiliate themselves. The monster is still there, even with a new body, because it isn't something that was made in his chimera body. It was something that he was born with.
"That's very nice of you to say Amelia," Zelgadis says simply. "Thank you."
"You are quite welcome Mister Zelgadis," Amelia says cheerfully. Relief washes over her and a sense of accomplishment, it seems to her words of encouragement hit their mark. But they didn't.
"Well, I'll see you later," Zelgadis continues, walking away from her and down the elegant hall. "Pokota and your personal guard can escort you home when the diplomatic civilities are over."
"But-but where are you going," Amelia says as she turns towards him in flurry. She is clearly caught off guard.
Zelgadis doesn't stop but does turn his head towards her as he continues walking. "There is an old temple nearby that I stopped by during one of my cure searches a while back. Since I only had a one track mind back then, I'd like to explore any other information the temple might be holding. Just because it didn't have the answer for my cure doesn't mean it doesn't hold something else of value."
Amelia bites her tongue and tries not to pout as her companion walks away. After Zelgadis found his cure she assumed his need to travel and search would cease. It appears not.
Unbeknownst to her, Zelgadis is actually quite aware of her feelings towards him as he leaves her behind, but he doesn't stop. He doesn't want to deal with it right now, which makes him just as heartless as ever.
AN: Well, here is another story starring Zelgadis. The beginning is going to be fairly easy going, a nice break for the usually tormented Zel. On another note, poor Amelia, but I'm glad Pokota gets to be human. The chapters will get longer as the story continues.