Chapter One: A reunion of friends! Secrets revealed!
After the incident with Darkstar everyone went their seperate ways, Lina and Gourry continued to travel, Amelia went back to Seyruun, and Zelgadis left to search for his cure. Each one remembered the other in their own ways. It had now been three years since they last saw each other. The times were gone, but never forgotten.
In a small resturant in Atlas city Lina and Gourry consumed their fifth helping of everything on the menu for dinner. They sat and gorged as the waiter set the bill down and left. Lina peered down at it and nearly passed out.
"Ahhhhhhh! Gourry, stop, stop, we have to leave!!" she whispered in his ear.
"But why Lina? I'm not finished." he complained as she stuck the bill in his face and he nearly fell over.
"This is not good, This is not good!" Lina panicked.
"Lina, we don't have nearly enough to pay THAT!" Gourry said.
"I know, I know thats why we have to leave, come on Gourry."
"Right!" and with that they slowly crept out of the resturant, that is until Gourry stepped on a loose floorboard.
"Hey you! Come back here you theives! You didn't pay!" the owner yelled running after them, along with the rest of the staff.
"Gourry! Why didn't you watch where you were stepping! Now there's a whole fleet of angry resturant staff after us!" Lina yelled.
"Sorry, I didn't know it was loose!" he yelled back.
"Just forget about it now! Come on!" she said.
Zelgadis sat in a quiet little resturant and sipped his coffee, when he heard a very familiar female voice screaming.
"Oh no, oh please no." he said. He walked out into the street only to see a stampede of people running in his direction, which included a redhead and blonde haired man. He started to run as Lina and Gourry caught up to him.
"Zel? Is that you?" Lina asked.
"Lina? Oh well no time for that, we have to get out of here! Ray Wing!" he said as he lifted off the ground.
"Right! Ray Wing!" Lina said grabbing Gourry, "To the woods over there!" Lina pointed, Zelgadis nodded. They soon were in the woods safe from the mobs of the kitchen staff.
"Well, surprise, surprise." Zelgadis smirked.
"Zel, it's been a while! You look great!" Lina laughed.
"Thank you, as do you."
"So what have you been up to?"
"What else, searching for my cure."
"Have you seen Amelia? I mean since we split up?"
"No, you?"
"No, so, where you headed Zel?"
"I thought I might start on my way to Sairaag's sister city, I heard there were manuscripts there based on Rezo's research. And where are you two headed?" he asked.
"Mulivania, they're said to have the best roast beef this side of the Southern coast." she beamed.
"Well, then why don't we stop in Aragon and rest at an inn, it's on the way." he mused.
"Wait, your coming with us?" she asked.
"If it's not a problem, we haven't seen each other in three years."
"No way, that's just unexpected of you! Oh well, let's go!" she cheered grabbing Gourry, who fell asleep on a rock. As they walked Lina noticed something fall out of Zelgadis's pocket. She picked it up, examined it and smiled.
"Hey Zel, I thought you said you haven't seen Amelia?" she laughed holding up Amelia's bracelet. He turned around and blushed a bright red.
"I haven't th-thats from after the incident with Darkstar, she gave it to me as a keepsake, to remember her by." he studdered.
"Awww! Zel I didn't know you and Amelia were.....in love!" she laughed.
"What?! Don't be absurd, we're just friends thats all." he blushed.
"But Zel, you're blushing!" she giggled. He pulled his face mask and hood on and held out his hand.
"May I please have it back now?" he asked agitated.
"S-sorry Zel,I was only kidding."
"It's ok, just keep things like that to yourself, ok?"
"All right."
"Huh? What's happening?" Gourry said opening his eyes, "Hey Zel, good to see you, when did you get here?" he asked.
Lina lowered and shook her head laughing a little, "Silly, we're stopping at an inn, ok? Just try to stay awake until we get there." she giggled brushing a piece of hair out of his face. Zelgadis saw a shimmer out of the corner of his eye, he turned and smiled observing a small diamond ring placed over Lina's left gloved ring finger.
"Well, it would seem I've been away too long." he muttered.
"What? Did you say something Zel?" Lina asked.
"No, nevermind."
They came to the inn, got their rooms and went to bed for a well-needed night's rest. In the morning they headed out into town.
"Hey, you guys, you feel like stopping? I wanna look around." Lina exclaimed.
"Doesn't matter to me." they said in unison.
"Ok, it's settled then!"
Zelgadis browsed a rack of beautifully hand crafted daggers. He thought, just for a moment that he saw a familiar form out of the corner of his eye. "Amelia?" he thought to himself, but turned to see no one.
Lina looked at a layout of talismans and Gourry looked through a shop of swords. Lina looked and looked when someone bumped into her and she turned around.
"Sorry I- LINA!" a girl with black hair and blues eyes said.
"Do you know me? Cause...I don't know you." Lina said confused.
" Lina it's me, wow, I haven't seen you in a while. It's been what, three ye- "
"Hold it, hold it, who are you?"
The girl arched an eyebrow and folded her arms, "You really don't reconize me, do you? Have I changed that much?"
"Uh...excuse me?"
"It's me....Amelia." she said.
"A-Amelia? Is that really you?" Lina stared at her for a moment and noticed some things, her travelling outfit was different, it was a light blue tunic with matching pants and a cape, her sleeves were see through and her neckline was a turtleneck trimmed with yellow, her belt and boots were both light yellow topped of with silver hoop earrings. Her eyes and expression were calmer, she had grown taller and her hair was longer "But it's definately Amelia" Lina thought and arched an eyebrow, "What, it's not Miss Lina anymore?" she said sarcastically.
"No I kind of grew out of that, heh." she laughed scratching the back of her head.
"Man, are Gourry and Zel gonna be surprised to see you!"
"You think so?"
" Yeah, of course they will and wait til they've seen how much you've grown "
"I guess I've grown a little."
"A little?" Lina laughed as she realized Amelia was standing almost as tall as her.
"Ok, so I've grown alot." Amelia laughed in turn.
"So, what are you doing here anyways Amelia?" Lina asked.
"What else? My father had a peace meeting" She sighed.
"Oh, I see well, come on, you wanna see Zel don't you?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Oh, come on Amelia I'm not blind or stupid, I know about your feelings towards Zel"
"I don't know what your talking about, Lina." she said nervously blushing.
And it's not like I didn't here you invite him to Seyruun when we were up against Darkstar. " she smirked. At this comment Amelia froze as her face turned red, "Ha! Now your caught in a corner, now what?" Lina laughed.
"Ok, so I do have feelings towards him, is that a problem?" she said in a slightly irritated tone.
"No, I'm sorry Amelia, I should have been more sensative about that." she said.
"That's ok, besides it's not like you don't have feelings towards Gourry." she said.
"Which is exactly why we're getting married." Lina said.
"Oh, really? Since when?"
"Since a month ago, when Gourry purposed to me."
"Wow Lina, I can't believe you of all people are getting married."
"Yeah, well that's how things turned out, so let's go find Gourry and Zel."
"Allright, hold on." Amelia said then ran to one of the guards relaying a message to him and running back.
"What was that about?" Lina asked.
"I was just telling the guard to tell daddy that I met up with all of you and that I'm leaving with all of you for a little bit."
"Ok, now get behind me, I don't want them to see you, ok?"
"Allright, Lina, if you say so."
They walked further into town, Lina spotted Gourry and Zelgadis and waved to them, "Hey Gourry! Zel! Over here!" she yelled.
"Hey Lina!" Gourry yelled as cheerfully as always.
"Now stay behind me, or they'll see you, hold on I have an idea." Lina whispered. Lina grabbed the edges of her cape and flared them out to cover Amelia.
"Good idea, Lina." Amelia whispered in a giggle.
"Hey Lina, what are you doing?" Gourry asked confused.
"Oh, nothing, hey go get Zel will you?"
"Sure thing, Lina." he smiled. He walked up to Zelgadis and smiled, "Hey Zel, Lina wants us over there for a minute."
"Allright." Zelgadis said. The two men walked over to the scorceress, who was attracting attention to herself by flaring the edges of her cape, "What on earth is she doing?" Zelgadis asked confused.
"I really don't know, but whatever it is she's really attracting attention to herself." Gourry mused as they approached.
"Lina, what are you doing?" Zelgadis asked.
"Well, if you hold on a sec I'll show you." Lina laughed.
"Huh?" The two men asked confused.
"Ok, surprise!" Lina yelled shoving Amelia out in front of her.
"Uh, who is it?" Gourry asked.
Zelgadis stared for a moment, he knew in fact who she was but couldn't believe how much she had changed, "A-Amelia?"
"Heh, yeah, hello Zelgadis." she laughed.
"You aren't so formal with us anymore, that's certainly a surprise." he laughed.
"Well, you guys are my friends, and besides I've grown out of that." she said.
"Wow, you mean to tell me this is Amelia?" Gourry asked.
"Yes, yes Gourry this is Amelia." Lina said.
"Oh, I believe this belongs to you." Zelgadis said pulling out Amelia's bracelet.
" I can't believe...that you still have this. " Amelia blushed taking the bracelet.
"I couldn't exactly throw it out, it was important." he blushed.
"Um, thank you, Zelgadis." Amelia said.
Lina immediatly saw the discomforting silence between the two and cut in, "So, who's hungry?"
"Oh, food I am!" Gourry cheered.
"Ok, let's get some food!" Lina yelled, and they continued into town to the resturant.
"They're still the same, now that's something I don't find surprising." Zelgadis whispered to Amelia, who slightly giggled.
They walked into the town as Lina and Gourry dug into their pockets looking for all their money. Amelia sighed and looked at Zelgadis, "Let me guess they ran out on their last dinner bill?" she asked.
"You guessed right, and they nearly got me killed in the process." he said.
"Yes but that's Lina and Gourry for you, like you've said before, despite everything else they are a good team." she laughed.
"Yes, they are." he said.
"Hey, Zel, Amelia, come on we're going here!" Lina pointed to the sign above her.
"Right we're coming Lina." Zelgadis said.
They all sat down and looked over the menu, "Oh, look Zelgadis, they have Hot Pot" Amelia said pointing on the menu.
"Sounds good to me." he agreed.
"Hey Gourry, you wanna get Roast Beef?" Lina asked.
"Sure." he said.
"Ok! We'll have Roast Beef and everything from here to the bottom of the menu sir!" Lina said to the waiter.
"Allright, Miss." The waiter said a sweatdrop hanging from his brow. Soon after he left Lina started to cheer on how she hadn't had food in forever and was so excited to eat. In A few minutes the doors of the kitchen came open and waiters brought tray after tray of food to the table as everyone gawked.
"Allright!" Lina exclaimed,"Let's dig in!"
Amelia and Zelgadis quickly grabbed their Hot Pot before Lina and Gourry did. Amelia and Zelgadis ate slowly savoring the food's good taste while Lina and Gourry ate like their normal starving selves. In moments the whole dinner was gone and Lina and Gourry were sitting with full stomachs.
"I'm so stuffed, I can't eat another crumb." Lina sighed.
"Same here." Gourry said patting his stomach.
"Here you go." the waiter said walking by slapping the bill on the table.
Amelia looked at it wide-eyed and nearly spit out her tea, "Lina! Gourry! How much did you order?!" she asked.
"Enough to fill us, why?" Lina asked.
"Because look at the bill!" Amelia panicked holding it up.
"Ack! How in the nine hells are we gonna pay that!?" Lina yelled.
"Well, we certainly aren't going to run out on it!" Amelia said.
"Then what are we gonna do?"
"What else...work for it."
"W-Work? Oh no. There's no way in the world we're gonna work for it. It's not my style in the least" Lina explained.
"Whether it's your style or not, she has a point." Zelgadis reasoned.
"Oh, Zel not you too, do you believe this, Gourry?" Lina asked.
"Well I'm sorry, Lina but I really do agree with Amelia and Zel." he said as Lina face-faulted.
"WHAT!?" Lina yelled.
"Oh come on, Lina, stop whining and let's go to work." Amelia said.
The swordsman, the chimera, and the princess quietly stood in the washroom and washed dishes while Lina grumbled as she peeled potatoes.
Gourry walked over, placed a hand on Lina's shoulder, looked down and smiled, "Would you like me to take over from here?" he asked sweetly.
"No. it's allright." she smiled, "This isn't your fault. it's Zel and Amelia's." she said in a quiet, but agitated tone of voice.
Amelia clenched her teeth tight together but her patience went short, quickly, "Well, Lina, if you hadn't been-" she was cut off by Zelgadis's hand on her shoulder.
"Don't, it's not worth your life, Amelia, just ignore her and she'll be quiet." he whispered to her.
"Allright, but I-" she was again cut off by the entrance of the resturant manager.
"You, the black haired girl, I need a waitress! Come with me!" he demanded pulling her arm.
"O-Ok." she studdered as he pulled her into the kitchen.
"Put this on!" he said throwing a red dress in her face.
She unfolded it and looked at it, it looked like it came about mid-thigh with puffy sleeves and a white apron, "I-I, uh, I don't think I should..."
"Oh nonsense! Just put it on!" he demanded.
"Allright." she said turning and wallking to the ladies room. She emerged blushing furiously and pulling down on the hem of the skirt, "Um, sir, I think I should go back to the kitchen and help the others with-"
"I told you I need a waitress! It's not that hard, here is a list of your tables, now good luck!" the manager said then walked off.
She sighed, looked over her table list and walked through the door and into the eating area. She walked over to greet her first customer, "Hello, how can I help you toda- What! W-What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on Wolfpack Island?!" she gasped looking at her customer.
"Now, now Princess Amelia, is that anyway to greet an old friend?" he said smiling as usual.
"Old friend? As I recall it your the one who betrayed us so "old friend" is an all too nice way to put it, Xellos." she snapped at him.
"Your still mad about that? I told you I was only following orders. But, I did help you defeat Darkstar." he smiled.
She sighed at his usual way of handling things, "All right, Xellos, what can I get you?" she asked.
"Well, for now, I'll just have a glass of ice water, by the way, why are you working in here, Princess?"
"Lina couldn't afford to pay the bill, again, so I suggested we work it off."
"I thought as much."
"Well, I'll be back with that in a moment, ok?" she smiled sweetly.
"Allright then." he smiled.
Amelia walked into the kitchen and slipped the order to the cook and walked back into the washroom to see how the others were holding up, hoping her new ensemble wouldn't attract attention from her friends,"S-So how are you guys holding up?" she asked nervously.
Lina gave her a "What are you doing" look, Zelgadis blushed and Gourry just looked confused, "What are you doing Amelia? Why are you wearing that?" Lina asked suspiciously.
"Well....I....That is...I was told to put it on because of the f-fact that I'm waitressing..." she replied blushing.
"And you just agreed?" Lina asked.
"Of course not, Lina. He told me I needed to wear it." she said.
"Who?"
"The manager...Mr. Boveden..I think that's his name." Amelia said.
"Allright that's enough! We're out of here!" Lina yelled throwing the potato peeler down.
"Well, well, well, in another mess again are we?" a familiar voice came from the door.
Everyone turned around with shocked expression, "XELLOS!?" they yelled.
"You just couldn't resist could you? You had to stick your nose in didn't you?" Amelia snapped walking over to him, "Why couldn't you just stay where you were?"
"You mean you knew he was here, Amelia?" Lina asked.
"Yes, But I didn't want to say anything because I knew that- Whoa!" she cut off as she saw Zelgadis go for Xellos's throat, "Whoa, Zelgadis! Calm down!" she said grabbing his arm.
"You!" Zelgadis snapped grabbing Xellos's shirt collar.
"Oh, my, Zelgadis still upset because you haven't found a cure for that body of yours? Too bad." Xellos shot back with an opened eye and a smirk.
"Hey, back off, Xellos!" Gourry yelled.
"Hmm. Very well then. I'll leave him be." Xellos said.
"Zelgadis, please calm down. What good will it do to feed his ego?" The princess whispered.
Zelgadis huffed and calmed down, "Allright, but I still don't trust him." he said.
"Well, anyways, what are you doing here Xellos?" Lina asked.
"Just dropping in to say hello." he smirked.
"Well, we're leaving, let's go guys!" she said. They all nodded in agreement.
They sneaked out the back door of the kitchen without making a sound. As luck would have it they weren't caught. They quickly escaped to a nearby forest and rested up.
Lina rested her head on Gourry's chest and they both dozed off. Amelia layed down staring into the fire sleepily as Zelgadis sat up cleaning his sword out of boredom. Xellos sat in a nearby tree watching them all and then suddenly dissappeared.
Amelia looked up at Zelgadis and smiled, "It's really good to see everyone again, isn't it?" she whispered sitting herself up.
"Actually, yes, it is." he smiled back at her.
"Aren't you going to get some sleep Zelgadis?" She asked laying herself back down.
"Not right away." he replied.
"You should get some sleep, Zelgadis." she mused.
"I'm fine. You get your rest." he said.
"Allright, Zelgadis, Good night." she laughed lightly laying her head down.
"Good night, Amelia." he laughed.
Amelia closed her eyes and sleep slowly took her.
~~~~~~~~~
Amelia once again found herself chained to the rock as her kidnapper remained hidden in the shadows. She could see Lina, Gourry, Zelgadis, and her father running towards her, yelling her name. Then the figure stepped into view and stood in front of her to stop the others.
He was cloaked in green with black boots. He held out a hand and blew Lina and the others in the other direction. He pulled off his hood and turned to her smirking, which revealed his parted, short, brown hair and his cold topaz eyes.
Lina ran towards him brandishing her Ragna Blade, he quickly dissappeared and reappeared behind her. She turned to see him, her eyes grew narrow in shock as the sword that he carried with him pierced her stomach. Blood dripped from her as she turned to look at Amelia and fell to ground.
"LINA!!!" Amelia shouted struggling from her place hooked into the rocks by chains.
"LINA!!! NO!!!!!!" Gourry shouted running to her. He knelt down beside her and a tear rolled down his cheek, "You....are going to die for what you've done to Lina!!" his words cold and serious. He called for Zelgadis to heal her as best he could and stood up. He charged at the man with all his force. The man simply held up his index finger and penatrated the swordsmans armor, and through his heart. Gourry fell to his knees and layed down.
"NO!! GOURRY!!" the princess cried.
"GOURRY!! LINA!! NOO!!" Zelgadis yelled.
"Zelgadis, Daddy, get out of here!!" the princess cried to them.
"Not without you!!" her father shouted running to her. He knelt down to untie her when a hand grabbed him and picked him up by his throat. He tightened his hold on the prince's throat as Philionel struggled to breathe and escape. Then the struggling stopped and he threw the prince to the ground.
"OH NO DADDY!!!!!!!!" Amelia sobbed.
The man turned to Amelia and began laughing loudly. Zelgadis ran up behind the man with a Ra Tilt ready and threw the spell at the man. The stranger then turned around and hit the spell away as if it were nothing. He ran to Zelgadis and threw him against the side of a nearby cliff. He then pulled out his dagger, chanted a spell and stabbed the chimera. Zelgadis's eyes narrowed in shock, then he looked at Amelia and mouthed, "I'm sorry". The man then twisted the dagger inside the chimera's body as Zelgadis screamed in pain then closed his eyes.
The man dropped Zelgadis's limp body and began walking towards the princess laughing loudly. He pulled out his sword as she sobbed silently crying for her friends. He slashed at her as everything faded to black.
~~~~~~~~~
The princess woke up breathing heavily and sweaty emensely. She let a tear roll down her cheek and swept her bangs out of her face, "Not again, that dream...that's a whole week now. Why won't it go away...?" she said in a shaky whisper. She picked herself up from the ground and walked to the other side of the hill to a pond nearby. She kneeled down and scooped up a big handful of water and applied it to her face. She felt relieved as the cool water ran down her cheeks.
"Amelia? Are you ok?" she jumped up as a deep voice spoke from behind her.
She turned to see Zelgadis, "Zelgadis? W-What are you doing up?" she asked.
"Well, I wasn't really asleep, but that's besides the point, what's wrong?" he asked observing her enraged breathing and tear filled eyes, "Why are you crying?"
"Well, I....it's nothing, Zelgadis, I'm fine." she said.
"It can't possibly be nothing, if your crying, Amelia." he reasoned.
"Everything is fine, let's just go back to the campsite, ok?" she said walking passed him.
He grabbed her wrist before she got too far, "Amelia? I think we should talk about this, it seems serious." he said.
She thought about her dream and began to quietly cry, "Look, Zelgadis, I really don't want to talk about it...ok?" she cried turning to him.
He looked at her with concerned eyes and pulled her to face him, "I'm sorry...I just want you to tell me what's wrong. I'm really sorry, Amelia, are you ok?"
She thought for a moment about the events in her dreams, it made her sad to know how very real it all seemed, "I....I don't know..." she whispered as hot tears ran down her face. "What if it all means something....?" she thought aloud.
"It? What do you mean, Amelia?" he asked.
"Well, I....I'm scared Zelgadis....I really need to tell someone. So I guess I'm ready to talk about it now." she said.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.
"Y-Yes, I'm sure."
"Allright, let's sit down." he reasoned. He walked her to a nearby tree and they sat down, "Allright, now what is this all about?"
"Well, Zelgadis, I have been having a dream for about a week now. It's the most horrible dream, I have trouble even thinking about it. It starts out as I'm chained to a rock and this man is hidding in the shadows behind me. Well, You, Lina, Gourry and my father all come running up to help me. This man steps in the way as Lina starts to charge him and he stabs Lina. Then, Gourry runs up to her, signals for you to heal as best you can, get's up and charges the man, only he get's killed too. Then I yell for you and my father to get out of here, only my father won't go without me. So the man picks up my father by the throat, strangles him, and then turns to me laughing loudly. Well you try a sneak attack with the Ra Tilt but he grabs you, throws you against a cliff and stabs you. Then you looked at me and mouthed "I'm sorry" and the man twists the dagger inside of you and kills you. He then walks towards me and slashes at me and everything fades to black and I wake up..." she said and cupped her head in her hands and began to cry, "It's a very horrible dream, but at the same time, it's so real..." she sobbed.
"It's ok Amelia.." he said placing his hands on her shoulders and looking her straight in the face.
"Thank you, thank you so much, Zelgadis." she sobbed and hugged him.
He blushed at this but lightly embraced her, "Your welcome, Amelia."
He looked down at her only to find her eyes locked with his. He blushed a little and swallowed hard. He looked straight into her eyes and realized for the first time how beautiful they were, and how beautiful she was. His expression turned to one of warmth and loving and he brushed his hand across her cheek.
She swallowed as his beautiful turquoise eyes stared into her. She saw him change his expression and he looked loving and warm. She sighed when he brushed his hand across her cheek and lowered her eyes contently. She felt him he cup his hand around the back of her head and he leaned down when suddenly...
"Zelgadis!!! Amelia!!! Where are you guys!!!" Lina yelled from the other side of the hill.
They both jumped in startlization and got up. They traveled over the hill to see Lina and Gourry waiting for them.
"Where were you guys? It's the middle of the frieking night!! What were you doing? Making out?" she smirked.
They both blushed deeply at this.
"Lina! What is wrong with you?!" Amelia said blushing deeper.
"We were just talking, don't get so bent out of shape, Lina." Zelgadis added blushing as well.
"Ok, I'm sorry! Gez, it was just a little joke." Lina sighed.
"Well, I don't find it funny in least." Amelia said.
"Let's all stop arguing and get some sleep." Gourry added in.
"Ok come on!" Lina said signaling to the campsite.
They all walked back the campsite and went to sleep for the night.
After the incident with Darkstar everyone went their seperate ways, Lina and Gourry continued to travel, Amelia went back to Seyruun, and Zelgadis left to search for his cure. Each one remembered the other in their own ways. It had now been three years since they last saw each other. The times were gone, but never forgotten.
In a small resturant in Atlas city Lina and Gourry consumed their fifth helping of everything on the menu for dinner. They sat and gorged as the waiter set the bill down and left. Lina peered down at it and nearly passed out.
"Ahhhhhhh! Gourry, stop, stop, we have to leave!!" she whispered in his ear.
"But why Lina? I'm not finished." he complained as she stuck the bill in his face and he nearly fell over.
"This is not good, This is not good!" Lina panicked.
"Lina, we don't have nearly enough to pay THAT!" Gourry said.
"I know, I know thats why we have to leave, come on Gourry."
"Right!" and with that they slowly crept out of the resturant, that is until Gourry stepped on a loose floorboard.
"Hey you! Come back here you theives! You didn't pay!" the owner yelled running after them, along with the rest of the staff.
"Gourry! Why didn't you watch where you were stepping! Now there's a whole fleet of angry resturant staff after us!" Lina yelled.
"Sorry, I didn't know it was loose!" he yelled back.
"Just forget about it now! Come on!" she said.
Zelgadis sat in a quiet little resturant and sipped his coffee, when he heard a very familiar female voice screaming.
"Oh no, oh please no." he said. He walked out into the street only to see a stampede of people running in his direction, which included a redhead and blonde haired man. He started to run as Lina and Gourry caught up to him.
"Zel? Is that you?" Lina asked.
"Lina? Oh well no time for that, we have to get out of here! Ray Wing!" he said as he lifted off the ground.
"Right! Ray Wing!" Lina said grabbing Gourry, "To the woods over there!" Lina pointed, Zelgadis nodded. They soon were in the woods safe from the mobs of the kitchen staff.
"Well, surprise, surprise." Zelgadis smirked.
"Zel, it's been a while! You look great!" Lina laughed.
"Thank you, as do you."
"So what have you been up to?"
"What else, searching for my cure."
"Have you seen Amelia? I mean since we split up?"
"No, you?"
"No, so, where you headed Zel?"
"I thought I might start on my way to Sairaag's sister city, I heard there were manuscripts there based on Rezo's research. And where are you two headed?" he asked.
"Mulivania, they're said to have the best roast beef this side of the Southern coast." she beamed.
"Well, then why don't we stop in Aragon and rest at an inn, it's on the way." he mused.
"Wait, your coming with us?" she asked.
"If it's not a problem, we haven't seen each other in three years."
"No way, that's just unexpected of you! Oh well, let's go!" she cheered grabbing Gourry, who fell asleep on a rock. As they walked Lina noticed something fall out of Zelgadis's pocket. She picked it up, examined it and smiled.
"Hey Zel, I thought you said you haven't seen Amelia?" she laughed holding up Amelia's bracelet. He turned around and blushed a bright red.
"I haven't th-thats from after the incident with Darkstar, she gave it to me as a keepsake, to remember her by." he studdered.
"Awww! Zel I didn't know you and Amelia were.....in love!" she laughed.
"What?! Don't be absurd, we're just friends thats all." he blushed.
"But Zel, you're blushing!" she giggled. He pulled his face mask and hood on and held out his hand.
"May I please have it back now?" he asked agitated.
"S-sorry Zel,I was only kidding."
"It's ok, just keep things like that to yourself, ok?"
"All right."
"Huh? What's happening?" Gourry said opening his eyes, "Hey Zel, good to see you, when did you get here?" he asked.
Lina lowered and shook her head laughing a little, "Silly, we're stopping at an inn, ok? Just try to stay awake until we get there." she giggled brushing a piece of hair out of his face. Zelgadis saw a shimmer out of the corner of his eye, he turned and smiled observing a small diamond ring placed over Lina's left gloved ring finger.
"Well, it would seem I've been away too long." he muttered.
"What? Did you say something Zel?" Lina asked.
"No, nevermind."
They came to the inn, got their rooms and went to bed for a well-needed night's rest. In the morning they headed out into town.
"Hey, you guys, you feel like stopping? I wanna look around." Lina exclaimed.
"Doesn't matter to me." they said in unison.
"Ok, it's settled then!"
Zelgadis browsed a rack of beautifully hand crafted daggers. He thought, just for a moment that he saw a familiar form out of the corner of his eye. "Amelia?" he thought to himself, but turned to see no one.
Lina looked at a layout of talismans and Gourry looked through a shop of swords. Lina looked and looked when someone bumped into her and she turned around.
"Sorry I- LINA!" a girl with black hair and blues eyes said.
"Do you know me? Cause...I don't know you." Lina said confused.
" Lina it's me, wow, I haven't seen you in a while. It's been what, three ye- "
"Hold it, hold it, who are you?"
The girl arched an eyebrow and folded her arms, "You really don't reconize me, do you? Have I changed that much?"
"Uh...excuse me?"
"It's me....Amelia." she said.
"A-Amelia? Is that really you?" Lina stared at her for a moment and noticed some things, her travelling outfit was different, it was a light blue tunic with matching pants and a cape, her sleeves were see through and her neckline was a turtleneck trimmed with yellow, her belt and boots were both light yellow topped of with silver hoop earrings. Her eyes and expression were calmer, she had grown taller and her hair was longer "But it's definately Amelia" Lina thought and arched an eyebrow, "What, it's not Miss Lina anymore?" she said sarcastically.
"No I kind of grew out of that, heh." she laughed scratching the back of her head.
"Man, are Gourry and Zel gonna be surprised to see you!"
"You think so?"
" Yeah, of course they will and wait til they've seen how much you've grown "
"I guess I've grown a little."
"A little?" Lina laughed as she realized Amelia was standing almost as tall as her.
"Ok, so I've grown alot." Amelia laughed in turn.
"So, what are you doing here anyways Amelia?" Lina asked.
"What else? My father had a peace meeting" She sighed.
"Oh, I see well, come on, you wanna see Zel don't you?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Oh, come on Amelia I'm not blind or stupid, I know about your feelings towards Zel"
"I don't know what your talking about, Lina." she said nervously blushing.
And it's not like I didn't here you invite him to Seyruun when we were up against Darkstar. " she smirked. At this comment Amelia froze as her face turned red, "Ha! Now your caught in a corner, now what?" Lina laughed.
"Ok, so I do have feelings towards him, is that a problem?" she said in a slightly irritated tone.
"No, I'm sorry Amelia, I should have been more sensative about that." she said.
"That's ok, besides it's not like you don't have feelings towards Gourry." she said.
"Which is exactly why we're getting married." Lina said.
"Oh, really? Since when?"
"Since a month ago, when Gourry purposed to me."
"Wow Lina, I can't believe you of all people are getting married."
"Yeah, well that's how things turned out, so let's go find Gourry and Zel."
"Allright, hold on." Amelia said then ran to one of the guards relaying a message to him and running back.
"What was that about?" Lina asked.
"I was just telling the guard to tell daddy that I met up with all of you and that I'm leaving with all of you for a little bit."
"Ok, now get behind me, I don't want them to see you, ok?"
"Allright, Lina, if you say so."
They walked further into town, Lina spotted Gourry and Zelgadis and waved to them, "Hey Gourry! Zel! Over here!" she yelled.
"Hey Lina!" Gourry yelled as cheerfully as always.
"Now stay behind me, or they'll see you, hold on I have an idea." Lina whispered. Lina grabbed the edges of her cape and flared them out to cover Amelia.
"Good idea, Lina." Amelia whispered in a giggle.
"Hey Lina, what are you doing?" Gourry asked confused.
"Oh, nothing, hey go get Zel will you?"
"Sure thing, Lina." he smiled. He walked up to Zelgadis and smiled, "Hey Zel, Lina wants us over there for a minute."
"Allright." Zelgadis said. The two men walked over to the scorceress, who was attracting attention to herself by flaring the edges of her cape, "What on earth is she doing?" Zelgadis asked confused.
"I really don't know, but whatever it is she's really attracting attention to herself." Gourry mused as they approached.
"Lina, what are you doing?" Zelgadis asked.
"Well, if you hold on a sec I'll show you." Lina laughed.
"Huh?" The two men asked confused.
"Ok, surprise!" Lina yelled shoving Amelia out in front of her.
"Uh, who is it?" Gourry asked.
Zelgadis stared for a moment, he knew in fact who she was but couldn't believe how much she had changed, "A-Amelia?"
"Heh, yeah, hello Zelgadis." she laughed.
"You aren't so formal with us anymore, that's certainly a surprise." he laughed.
"Well, you guys are my friends, and besides I've grown out of that." she said.
"Wow, you mean to tell me this is Amelia?" Gourry asked.
"Yes, yes Gourry this is Amelia." Lina said.
"Oh, I believe this belongs to you." Zelgadis said pulling out Amelia's bracelet.
" I can't believe...that you still have this. " Amelia blushed taking the bracelet.
"I couldn't exactly throw it out, it was important." he blushed.
"Um, thank you, Zelgadis." Amelia said.
Lina immediatly saw the discomforting silence between the two and cut in, "So, who's hungry?"
"Oh, food I am!" Gourry cheered.
"Ok, let's get some food!" Lina yelled, and they continued into town to the resturant.
"They're still the same, now that's something I don't find surprising." Zelgadis whispered to Amelia, who slightly giggled.
They walked into the town as Lina and Gourry dug into their pockets looking for all their money. Amelia sighed and looked at Zelgadis, "Let me guess they ran out on their last dinner bill?" she asked.
"You guessed right, and they nearly got me killed in the process." he said.
"Yes but that's Lina and Gourry for you, like you've said before, despite everything else they are a good team." she laughed.
"Yes, they are." he said.
"Hey, Zel, Amelia, come on we're going here!" Lina pointed to the sign above her.
"Right we're coming Lina." Zelgadis said.
They all sat down and looked over the menu, "Oh, look Zelgadis, they have Hot Pot" Amelia said pointing on the menu.
"Sounds good to me." he agreed.
"Hey Gourry, you wanna get Roast Beef?" Lina asked.
"Sure." he said.
"Ok! We'll have Roast Beef and everything from here to the bottom of the menu sir!" Lina said to the waiter.
"Allright, Miss." The waiter said a sweatdrop hanging from his brow. Soon after he left Lina started to cheer on how she hadn't had food in forever and was so excited to eat. In A few minutes the doors of the kitchen came open and waiters brought tray after tray of food to the table as everyone gawked.
"Allright!" Lina exclaimed,"Let's dig in!"
Amelia and Zelgadis quickly grabbed their Hot Pot before Lina and Gourry did. Amelia and Zelgadis ate slowly savoring the food's good taste while Lina and Gourry ate like their normal starving selves. In moments the whole dinner was gone and Lina and Gourry were sitting with full stomachs.
"I'm so stuffed, I can't eat another crumb." Lina sighed.
"Same here." Gourry said patting his stomach.
"Here you go." the waiter said walking by slapping the bill on the table.
Amelia looked at it wide-eyed and nearly spit out her tea, "Lina! Gourry! How much did you order?!" she asked.
"Enough to fill us, why?" Lina asked.
"Because look at the bill!" Amelia panicked holding it up.
"Ack! How in the nine hells are we gonna pay that!?" Lina yelled.
"Well, we certainly aren't going to run out on it!" Amelia said.
"Then what are we gonna do?"
"What else...work for it."
"W-Work? Oh no. There's no way in the world we're gonna work for it. It's not my style in the least" Lina explained.
"Whether it's your style or not, she has a point." Zelgadis reasoned.
"Oh, Zel not you too, do you believe this, Gourry?" Lina asked.
"Well I'm sorry, Lina but I really do agree with Amelia and Zel." he said as Lina face-faulted.
"WHAT!?" Lina yelled.
"Oh come on, Lina, stop whining and let's go to work." Amelia said.
The swordsman, the chimera, and the princess quietly stood in the washroom and washed dishes while Lina grumbled as she peeled potatoes.
Gourry walked over, placed a hand on Lina's shoulder, looked down and smiled, "Would you like me to take over from here?" he asked sweetly.
"No. it's allright." she smiled, "This isn't your fault. it's Zel and Amelia's." she said in a quiet, but agitated tone of voice.
Amelia clenched her teeth tight together but her patience went short, quickly, "Well, Lina, if you hadn't been-" she was cut off by Zelgadis's hand on her shoulder.
"Don't, it's not worth your life, Amelia, just ignore her and she'll be quiet." he whispered to her.
"Allright, but I-" she was again cut off by the entrance of the resturant manager.
"You, the black haired girl, I need a waitress! Come with me!" he demanded pulling her arm.
"O-Ok." she studdered as he pulled her into the kitchen.
"Put this on!" he said throwing a red dress in her face.
She unfolded it and looked at it, it looked like it came about mid-thigh with puffy sleeves and a white apron, "I-I, uh, I don't think I should..."
"Oh nonsense! Just put it on!" he demanded.
"Allright." she said turning and wallking to the ladies room. She emerged blushing furiously and pulling down on the hem of the skirt, "Um, sir, I think I should go back to the kitchen and help the others with-"
"I told you I need a waitress! It's not that hard, here is a list of your tables, now good luck!" the manager said then walked off.
She sighed, looked over her table list and walked through the door and into the eating area. She walked over to greet her first customer, "Hello, how can I help you toda- What! W-What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on Wolfpack Island?!" she gasped looking at her customer.
"Now, now Princess Amelia, is that anyway to greet an old friend?" he said smiling as usual.
"Old friend? As I recall it your the one who betrayed us so "old friend" is an all too nice way to put it, Xellos." she snapped at him.
"Your still mad about that? I told you I was only following orders. But, I did help you defeat Darkstar." he smiled.
She sighed at his usual way of handling things, "All right, Xellos, what can I get you?" she asked.
"Well, for now, I'll just have a glass of ice water, by the way, why are you working in here, Princess?"
"Lina couldn't afford to pay the bill, again, so I suggested we work it off."
"I thought as much."
"Well, I'll be back with that in a moment, ok?" she smiled sweetly.
"Allright then." he smiled.
Amelia walked into the kitchen and slipped the order to the cook and walked back into the washroom to see how the others were holding up, hoping her new ensemble wouldn't attract attention from her friends,"S-So how are you guys holding up?" she asked nervously.
Lina gave her a "What are you doing" look, Zelgadis blushed and Gourry just looked confused, "What are you doing Amelia? Why are you wearing that?" Lina asked suspiciously.
"Well....I....That is...I was told to put it on because of the f-fact that I'm waitressing..." she replied blushing.
"And you just agreed?" Lina asked.
"Of course not, Lina. He told me I needed to wear it." she said.
"Who?"
"The manager...Mr. Boveden..I think that's his name." Amelia said.
"Allright that's enough! We're out of here!" Lina yelled throwing the potato peeler down.
"Well, well, well, in another mess again are we?" a familiar voice came from the door.
Everyone turned around with shocked expression, "XELLOS!?" they yelled.
"You just couldn't resist could you? You had to stick your nose in didn't you?" Amelia snapped walking over to him, "Why couldn't you just stay where you were?"
"You mean you knew he was here, Amelia?" Lina asked.
"Yes, But I didn't want to say anything because I knew that- Whoa!" she cut off as she saw Zelgadis go for Xellos's throat, "Whoa, Zelgadis! Calm down!" she said grabbing his arm.
"You!" Zelgadis snapped grabbing Xellos's shirt collar.
"Oh, my, Zelgadis still upset because you haven't found a cure for that body of yours? Too bad." Xellos shot back with an opened eye and a smirk.
"Hey, back off, Xellos!" Gourry yelled.
"Hmm. Very well then. I'll leave him be." Xellos said.
"Zelgadis, please calm down. What good will it do to feed his ego?" The princess whispered.
Zelgadis huffed and calmed down, "Allright, but I still don't trust him." he said.
"Well, anyways, what are you doing here Xellos?" Lina asked.
"Just dropping in to say hello." he smirked.
"Well, we're leaving, let's go guys!" she said. They all nodded in agreement.
They sneaked out the back door of the kitchen without making a sound. As luck would have it they weren't caught. They quickly escaped to a nearby forest and rested up.
Lina rested her head on Gourry's chest and they both dozed off. Amelia layed down staring into the fire sleepily as Zelgadis sat up cleaning his sword out of boredom. Xellos sat in a nearby tree watching them all and then suddenly dissappeared.
Amelia looked up at Zelgadis and smiled, "It's really good to see everyone again, isn't it?" she whispered sitting herself up.
"Actually, yes, it is." he smiled back at her.
"Aren't you going to get some sleep Zelgadis?" She asked laying herself back down.
"Not right away." he replied.
"You should get some sleep, Zelgadis." she mused.
"I'm fine. You get your rest." he said.
"Allright, Zelgadis, Good night." she laughed lightly laying her head down.
"Good night, Amelia." he laughed.
Amelia closed her eyes and sleep slowly took her.
~~~~~~~~~
Amelia once again found herself chained to the rock as her kidnapper remained hidden in the shadows. She could see Lina, Gourry, Zelgadis, and her father running towards her, yelling her name. Then the figure stepped into view and stood in front of her to stop the others.
He was cloaked in green with black boots. He held out a hand and blew Lina and the others in the other direction. He pulled off his hood and turned to her smirking, which revealed his parted, short, brown hair and his cold topaz eyes.
Lina ran towards him brandishing her Ragna Blade, he quickly dissappeared and reappeared behind her. She turned to see him, her eyes grew narrow in shock as the sword that he carried with him pierced her stomach. Blood dripped from her as she turned to look at Amelia and fell to ground.
"LINA!!!" Amelia shouted struggling from her place hooked into the rocks by chains.
"LINA!!! NO!!!!!!" Gourry shouted running to her. He knelt down beside her and a tear rolled down his cheek, "You....are going to die for what you've done to Lina!!" his words cold and serious. He called for Zelgadis to heal her as best he could and stood up. He charged at the man with all his force. The man simply held up his index finger and penatrated the swordsmans armor, and through his heart. Gourry fell to his knees and layed down.
"NO!! GOURRY!!" the princess cried.
"GOURRY!! LINA!! NOO!!" Zelgadis yelled.
"Zelgadis, Daddy, get out of here!!" the princess cried to them.
"Not without you!!" her father shouted running to her. He knelt down to untie her when a hand grabbed him and picked him up by his throat. He tightened his hold on the prince's throat as Philionel struggled to breathe and escape. Then the struggling stopped and he threw the prince to the ground.
"OH NO DADDY!!!!!!!!" Amelia sobbed.
The man turned to Amelia and began laughing loudly. Zelgadis ran up behind the man with a Ra Tilt ready and threw the spell at the man. The stranger then turned around and hit the spell away as if it were nothing. He ran to Zelgadis and threw him against the side of a nearby cliff. He then pulled out his dagger, chanted a spell and stabbed the chimera. Zelgadis's eyes narrowed in shock, then he looked at Amelia and mouthed, "I'm sorry". The man then twisted the dagger inside the chimera's body as Zelgadis screamed in pain then closed his eyes.
The man dropped Zelgadis's limp body and began walking towards the princess laughing loudly. He pulled out his sword as she sobbed silently crying for her friends. He slashed at her as everything faded to black.
~~~~~~~~~
The princess woke up breathing heavily and sweaty emensely. She let a tear roll down her cheek and swept her bangs out of her face, "Not again, that dream...that's a whole week now. Why won't it go away...?" she said in a shaky whisper. She picked herself up from the ground and walked to the other side of the hill to a pond nearby. She kneeled down and scooped up a big handful of water and applied it to her face. She felt relieved as the cool water ran down her cheeks.
"Amelia? Are you ok?" she jumped up as a deep voice spoke from behind her.
She turned to see Zelgadis, "Zelgadis? W-What are you doing up?" she asked.
"Well, I wasn't really asleep, but that's besides the point, what's wrong?" he asked observing her enraged breathing and tear filled eyes, "Why are you crying?"
"Well, I....it's nothing, Zelgadis, I'm fine." she said.
"It can't possibly be nothing, if your crying, Amelia." he reasoned.
"Everything is fine, let's just go back to the campsite, ok?" she said walking passed him.
He grabbed her wrist before she got too far, "Amelia? I think we should talk about this, it seems serious." he said.
She thought about her dream and began to quietly cry, "Look, Zelgadis, I really don't want to talk about it...ok?" she cried turning to him.
He looked at her with concerned eyes and pulled her to face him, "I'm sorry...I just want you to tell me what's wrong. I'm really sorry, Amelia, are you ok?"
She thought for a moment about the events in her dreams, it made her sad to know how very real it all seemed, "I....I don't know..." she whispered as hot tears ran down her face. "What if it all means something....?" she thought aloud.
"It? What do you mean, Amelia?" he asked.
"Well, I....I'm scared Zelgadis....I really need to tell someone. So I guess I'm ready to talk about it now." she said.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.
"Y-Yes, I'm sure."
"Allright, let's sit down." he reasoned. He walked her to a nearby tree and they sat down, "Allright, now what is this all about?"
"Well, Zelgadis, I have been having a dream for about a week now. It's the most horrible dream, I have trouble even thinking about it. It starts out as I'm chained to a rock and this man is hidding in the shadows behind me. Well, You, Lina, Gourry and my father all come running up to help me. This man steps in the way as Lina starts to charge him and he stabs Lina. Then, Gourry runs up to her, signals for you to heal as best you can, get's up and charges the man, only he get's killed too. Then I yell for you and my father to get out of here, only my father won't go without me. So the man picks up my father by the throat, strangles him, and then turns to me laughing loudly. Well you try a sneak attack with the Ra Tilt but he grabs you, throws you against a cliff and stabs you. Then you looked at me and mouthed "I'm sorry" and the man twists the dagger inside of you and kills you. He then walks towards me and slashes at me and everything fades to black and I wake up..." she said and cupped her head in her hands and began to cry, "It's a very horrible dream, but at the same time, it's so real..." she sobbed.
"It's ok Amelia.." he said placing his hands on her shoulders and looking her straight in the face.
"Thank you, thank you so much, Zelgadis." she sobbed and hugged him.
He blushed at this but lightly embraced her, "Your welcome, Amelia."
He looked down at her only to find her eyes locked with his. He blushed a little and swallowed hard. He looked straight into her eyes and realized for the first time how beautiful they were, and how beautiful she was. His expression turned to one of warmth and loving and he brushed his hand across her cheek.
She swallowed as his beautiful turquoise eyes stared into her. She saw him change his expression and he looked loving and warm. She sighed when he brushed his hand across her cheek and lowered her eyes contently. She felt him he cup his hand around the back of her head and he leaned down when suddenly...
"Zelgadis!!! Amelia!!! Where are you guys!!!" Lina yelled from the other side of the hill.
They both jumped in startlization and got up. They traveled over the hill to see Lina and Gourry waiting for them.
"Where were you guys? It's the middle of the frieking night!! What were you doing? Making out?" she smirked.
They both blushed deeply at this.
"Lina! What is wrong with you?!" Amelia said blushing deeper.
"We were just talking, don't get so bent out of shape, Lina." Zelgadis added blushing as well.
"Ok, I'm sorry! Gez, it was just a little joke." Lina sighed.
"Well, I don't find it funny in least." Amelia said.
"Let's all stop arguing and get some sleep." Gourry added in.
"Ok come on!" Lina said signaling to the campsite.
They all walked back the campsite and went to sleep for the night.
