Act 2: The Spirits' Visit
Scene 1: A Visit to the Past
Narrator: Now, Zelgadiss slept in a dreamless state until, at the hour of one, and exactly 37 seconds after one, his bedchamber was filled with a bright light. His eyes blinked at it's brightness, as he went to draw back his bed's curtains. He could make out a figure sitting in his chair, their black hair draping over their right eye and a red bandana around their head. He was dressed as if he was from the meji era of Japan...then again, perhaps he was once from there. Pressed to his lips was a small leaf, and the sound of his flute-like melody filled the room as the light began to dim.
Zelgadiss: Who...who are you?
Capt. Sagara: I am the ghost of Christmas past.
Zelgadiss: Of Christmas past? Then you are one of the spirits that Rezo foretold?
Capt. Sagara: Yes, now come...we have much to see and little time.
Narrator: The spirit reached out his ghastly hand and touched Zelgadiss upon the shoulder, enveloping them both in light as the time regressed to the days of long ago. Finally, they stopped and Zelgadiss found himself standing outside a building he knew from many years ago.
Zelgadiss: This...this building is where I had my first job at! Good old Saryuun Supply and Warehouse.
Narrator: He looked about, scanning the faces of those that walked about.
Zelgadiss: And... look there, that's Phil, my employer. He was a nice guy...but...kind of scary in that overly friendly kind of way.
Capt. Sagara: What of that boy there?
Narrator: The spirit pointed to a young boy that looked just like Zelgadiss, except that he was human.
Zelgadiss: That's me...as a young boy.
Narrator: The scene from years before began to play itself out before them as if it were happening all over again.
Phil: Come on boys! Zelgadiss, Gourry, Zangulus! Stop your work for today! It's Christmas Eve boys, and a right time for a party, don't you think?
Young Gourry: Will there be food?
Phil: Why of course my boy!
Young Gourry: All right!
Phil: Now hurry and move things to the walls. We can clear a space in the middle of the warehouse and have our annual Christmas time dance.
Narrator: And as he said, it was done. In matter of seconds, the room was cleared and people came and filled it. Food was brought forth, a band played for all to dance, and everyone was having a great time.
Phil: Zelgadiss, come here lad!
Young Human Zelgadiss: Yes Sir?
Phil: I'd like you to meet my daughter.
Narrator: Phil moved back to reveal a young girl with short black hair and an elegant dress. The spirit noticed Zelgadiss's face and inquired as to his reaction.
Capt. Sagara: You remember this girl?
Zelgadiss: Yes...I remember her well.
Capt. Sagara: There was another Christmas you spent with her...wasn't there?
Zelgadiss: Please spirit, don't show me that Christmas...
Capt. Sagara: Bad memories sometimes help ones heart to heal and give them strength to fight, Zelgadiss.
Zelgadiss: What?
Capt. Sagara: Well...at least that worked for Sanosuke...
Narrator: In a flash of light, they found themselves standing in a park, looking over at two people sitting at a bench.
Capt. Sagara: Do you remember this?
Zelgadiss: Yes...
Narrator: There was a slightly younger version of Zelgadiss, his features distinctively chimeric, sitting with the girl from before.
Amelia: I know you want to find your cure, Zelgadiss, but what about me?
Young Zelgadiss: Amelia, my cure is very important to me, can't you understand that?
Amelia: I understand...but I can also see that it's even more important to you than I am...
Narrator: The girl stood, and handed back the ring upon her finger.
Amelia: I'm not the one you love anymore, marry your cure- if you ever find it!
Narrator: She ran off down the path, tears in her eyes....
Zelgadiss: Spirit stop...show me no more.. it's like one of those angsty Z/A fics!
Capt. Sagara: I am merely showing you things that have happened. I have no sway as to what your past has been.
Zelgadiss: Why spirit? Why do you show me such things?
Narrator: But it was then that Zelgadiss found himself back in his bedchamber, once again...alone.
Zelgadiss: It was...a dream... that's all. Damn you Rezo...you and your spirits....
Narrator: And after muttering his standard curse, he fell back in to a dreamless sleep.
Scene 2: A Glance of the Present
Narrator: Now when it came time for the clock to toll two, Zelgadiss knew that there should be yet another spirit come to visit, but at first glance around the room, there was no one to be seen.
Zelgadiss: Perhaps it was all just a dream...
Narrator: Then, the sound of someone singing and a crack of light from the next room caught Zelgadiss's attention. As he stood and neared the cracked door, he could smell flowers...lots and lots of flowers, and with that the door flew open with a swirl of red petals. There stood a beautiful woman, her long black hair falling back into place as the winds subsided. The song she sang was haunting yet pleasant at the same time, and Zelgadiss paused to hear her sing.
Rem: So, on the first evening a pebble, from somewhere out of nowhere falls upon the dreaming world... Oh, Mr. Zelgadiss, come in and know me better.
Zelgadiss: Are you the next spirit whose coming was foretold to me?
Rem: I am the Ghost of Christmas Present, come we have many things to see and my time here is short.
Narrator: A flourish of petals surrounded them and Zelgadiss found himself standing amidst the streets of the city.
Rem: Come, let us see the joy that the city has this Christmas morning
Narrator: The spirit walked along the streets.
Rem: See the joy in the children's faces? It's such a wonderful world, to be full of people such as these. The love that all these people share is what makes Christmas what it is. Perhaps we should look on those that you know, Zelgadiss.
Narrator: With another swirl of petals, they found themselves standing inside a home.
Zelgadiss: Why, this is the home of my niece Kagome. And there...that's her husband InuYasha.
Kagome: All right everyone, time for a game. What should we play?
InuYasha: No more of that Blind-man's bluff, Miroku will just keep bothering Sango if we continue that.
Narrator: The man in question just grimaced, as he quietly pulled his hand away from Sango's lower back half.
Sango: I know, let's play a guessing game.
Kagome: That sounds fun...okay I'll start. I'm thinking of something blue.
Miroku: Um...Sango's underwear?
Narrator: With that answer, Miroku found himself with a red hand mark upon his face.
Sango: How do you know that my underwear is blue you pervert!
InuYasha: Feh...stupid Miroku.
Kagome: Okay, and this thing is very grumpy.
InuYasha: Is it a person?
Kagome: Yes.
InuYasha: Well, then it has to be your Uncle.
Kagome: Yup! It's Uncle Zelgadiss.
Narrator: The room erupted into laughter at the answer, and Zelgadiss merely turned to the spirit.
Zelgadiss: Please... show me no more of this.
Rem: As you wish, we shall go to someone else you saw yesterday....
Narrator: The blur of red petals rushed past again, as they found themselves standing outside the gates to a factory.
Zelgadiss: The factory? Why are we here?
Rem: Come inside.
Narrator: In an instant, they found themselves in a small room at the back side of the factory.
Zelgadiss: It's that guy that was in my office today.
Rem: Yes...now watch.
Narrator: The man had just re-entered the room, carrying a small tray and a candle to light the dim room. He sat the tray at the bedside of a purple-haired man who was laying in the bed, his arm in a sling.
Xellos: Stale fruitcake for dinner again?
Naraku: It's all we have left now.
Xellos: I shouldn't have gone to a doctor, that used the rest of what little money we had left.
Naraku: Now Xellos, don't blame yourself for this. Even if you hadn't gotten hurt...with the machine broken we just don't have any income at all.
Xellos: Naraku, your eyes...the purple eyeshadow, it's fading. I thought that...
Naraku: I ran out, and used the last of our money for your pain medicine.
Narrator: He smiled gratefully.
Xellos: Thank you, Naraku. I've been such a trouble to you...I'm really sorry that we had to send your daughter away during the holidays like this. I know you miss her.
Narrator: Naraku lifted a small frame from the bedside, a rough portrait of him, Xellos and a young white-haired girl.
Naraku: Yes, but it was for the best. I just hope her presence in her new home isn't a burden. That family was poor as well, but it's no wonder considering he works for that Greywords guy.
Narrator: Zelgadiss turned to the spirit.
Zelgadiss: Who is it they speak of spirit?
Rem: Why don't we go see...
Narrator: The petals came and went, leaving them standing outside a small rundown household.
Rem: This...is the home of your employee, Tamahome.
Zelgadiss: He lives in a place as bad as this?
Rem: Look.
Narrator: She pointed through the window to the people hurrying about inside. A young boy with black hair was turning a small roasting hen over the fire, the other boy was helping his reddish-brown haired mother with chopping the vegetables. At the table, the white-haired girl from the portrait sat looking into her small hand mirror.
Zelgadiss: They took her in? But it looks as if they have plenty to worry about already...
Rem: When a family shares as much love as this one, not even their social status will keep them from helping those in need.
Narrator: Zelgadiss watched as the mother called out to the boy turning the hen.
Miaka: Yahiko! Be more careful, if you let it sit still like that, it'll burn.
Yahiko: Well, my arms are tired, can't she help out?
Narrator: The boy pointed to the white-haired girl, who was still sitting looking at her mirror
Miaka: Now Yahiko, Kanna is a guest in our home. She is probably upset enough as it is, having to celebrate Christmas away from her family, so we shouldn't be putting her to work.
Yahiko: Well, she doesn't look sad to me.
Narrator: Miaka walked over to where she sat.
Miaka: Kanna, are you sure you'll be okay? You do miss your father don't you?
Narrator: The girl nodded and in a eerie monotone voice replied
Kanna: Yes. I miss father.
Narrator: After giving her a small pat on the back, Miaka returned to her cooking, only to find that her other son was eating some of the roasted chestnuts.
Miaka: Shippou, I thought I said no one eats till father and Rin get home.
Shippou: But you already ate some.
Miaka: Well...um...I was just tasting them to make sure they came out okay.
Shippou: They are kinda burnt anyways....
Miaka: .... I tried... it's not my fault I got distracted when they were cooking.
Zelgadiss: So little food spirit, how can they make it feed so many?
Rem: It's all they can afford with the pay Tamahome receives...
Narrator: Zelgadiss looked saddened at that fact, knowing he was the one at fault there. Then a small little voice was heard singing over the snow covered hill, and finally, there appeared Tamahome carrying little Rin on his shoulders. She was just singing a simple little Christmas tune, until they reached the door.
Miaka: Tamahome! You're home!
Tamahome: Hello my love, how are you doing?
Miaka: Just fine, dinner's almost ready and I only burnt part of it.
Tamahome: That's wonderful. Go on Rin, take your seat.
Rin: Rin will!
Narrator: The child answered cheerfully as she used her small crutch to walk to her seat by the corner.
Miaka: How was church?
Tamahome: It was nice. Rin insisted on sitting towards the front. She said she wanted people to see her there, so they could see that she was happy despite her crutch.
Miaka: She's such a caring and loving child.
Tamahome: Just like her mother.
Yahiko: Mom, the hen's done.
Miaka: All right.
Narrator: All the family slowly gathered around their meager meal, and held hands as they prayed.
Tamahome: Let us pray for good health, happiness and love to be with us always. For Rin to get better, and for Kanna's family- so Mr. Xellos's arm will heal and that they will find the funds to repair their machine. And for Mr. Greywords...
Miaka: Now Tamahome! Why should we pray for him?
Tamahome: Dear, Mr. Greywords is the founder of this feast.
Yahiko: What feast? This is barely enough for two of us.
Tamahome: I know, but it is Christmas
Miaka: Fine...since it's Christmas, I will pray for Mr. Greywords. And I will pray that he stops being a grumpy, self-centered dork as well.
Tamahome: Miaka now that is...
Narrator: But before they could continue, Rin started coughing and the room fell silent. Miaka got up and rushed to her side.
Miaka: Rin, are you okay dear?
Rin: Yes...Rin is okay...just tired I guess...
Zelgadiss: Spirit...can you tell me... will Little Rin live?
Rem: I am but the spirit of the present, but if the shadows of the future do not change, I foresee an empty chair in this house and crutch without it's owner.
Zelgadiss: But I have changed, please spirit, tell me she'll live!
Rem: Come.
Narrator: Within another breeze of petals, the two were transported to a road leading up to an old graveyard. Rem was walking slower than before.
Zelgadiss: Spirit, tell me, is something wrong?
Rem: It is just the troubles that I bear.
Narrator: Then, it was visible to Zelgadiss two little blonde haired boys clinging to each of Rem's arms.
Rem: They are want and hate...they will consume those who aren't careful.
Little Vash: I want a donut, Rem! I want a donut!
Little Knives: Stupid humans...they should all just die! Kill them all! I hate them!
Zelgadiss: Spirit, please...I've changed, I really have...
Rem: You will meet the ghost of the future now...
Narrator: And in a blur of wind, the spirit and the two children disappeared, leaving only a small red geranium in their place.
Scene 3: The Burning Future.
Narrator: A dark cloud of smoke and fire appeared before him, leaving one figure standing it it's place. His form was clad in wrappings, and a small blue cloth wrapped about him.
Zelgadiss: Are you the ghost of Christmas yet to come?
Shishio: Yes. Now follow me.
Narrator: The spirit led him to a backstreet alleyway where three people conversed. He just pointed and spoke.
Shishio: See how these men have no regard for law and order. When the rich fall weak, it is these people that are strong and for that they will live, while the weak shall die.
Phibrizzo: All right, so the good-for-nothing is dead. What have you got to show for it?
Gaav: Well, I got his best clothes from his closet and his wallet.
Phibrizzo: Very nice, looks like that cheapskate will be giving us the money he's been hoarding all these years
Valgaav: And I got his bed curtains.
Phibrizzo: How did you get those? Wasn't the body still laying there?
Valgaav: Yes, but it's not like it mattered. He was just as cold as he's always been.
Narrator: The three cackled at the thought. Zelgadiss just turned to the spirit.
Zelgadiss: Tell me...who is it that these men speak of?
Shishio: Of a powerful man, that let his ambitions make him weak. And now, like a weakening government, the strong have won over him. Come, there is more to see.
Narrator: In a puff of smoke, they arrived at the gates to the old factory, but unlike before it wasn't closed. A quickly burning fire was spreading throughout the building as a figure emerged from the doorway, carrying another in his arms.
Zelgadiss: Why, it's the fruitcake factory.... but how...how did it catch on fire?
Narrator: The spirit just smirked.
Shishio: Don't the flames look lovely? Now you won't have to worry about them asking you for help anymore. There's no factory left for you to help.
Narrator: Zelgadiss looked to the two ash covered people that had made their way out.
Naraku: Xellos, Xellos are you okay?
Xellos: I think so.
Naraku: I just knew that machine would act up if I turned it on. If only we'd gotten a little more money I could have had that part replaced.
Xellos: I know, and you were hoping you'd have enough money for Kanna to come back home, weren't you?
Naraku: Yes...but now...there's nothing. Not even a building for us to live in. I hate to ask the family to take us in as well. They are already suffering hard times.
Xellos: Yes, it's hard to lose someone this time of the year.
Narrator: Zelgadiss turned quickly to the spirit.
Zelgadiss: Please, spirit, tell me that they don't mean what I think they do. Please tell me little Rin's okay.
Narrator: And with another puff of smoke, they arrived outside the house. Zelgadiss looked in the window to see what he feared most. There by the chimney was the crutch by itself. Miaka was over by the stove, holding in tears.
Shippou: Oh no, mother's crying again.
Miaka: No no, it's just the smoke from the stove, that's all. Now come on, help me out before father gets home.
Yahiko: He's been walking a little slower these last two days.
Narrator: The door opened as Tamahome tried his best to smile. Miaka wiped the tears from her face as she went to greet him.
Miaka: So how was it?
Tamahome: I picked out a nice place by the river. You know, where Rin loved to go and a feed the ducks.
Miaka: She would have loved that.
Zelgadiss: Spirit, please show me no more! I have changed, this doesn't have to be!
Shishio: Actually, it does have to be...
Zelgadiss: Well, damn you
Shishio: I'm already damned...come on, one more place....
Narrator: They appeared in the graveyard where he had began. And Shishio walked over to one grave.
Shishio: This might as well be the gateway to hell. I could make it so if I desired, but, I already spent my budget on that hell takeover project.
Narrator: Zelgadiss knelt before the gravestone and dusted the snow from the name. It read "Zelgadiss Greywords."
Zelgadiss: No...it can't be! Spirit, I've changed. I really have. I promise to honor and love Christmas in my heart for the past, the present, and the future. I promise to help those who I have wronged. Just tell me what to do to erase that name from that grave. I'll do anything...
Narrator: Zelgadiss looked up, and realized, he was once again back in his own bed. The spirits had shown him what they must and it had only taken one night.