Slayers: To The End
By the Rebel Against Normality!
Disclaimer: You probably know this by heart all ready.... ^^ Slayers aint mine. I know, it's sad. Don't cry, people, the world aint over yet. We can still dream and hope for that one day, far, far away.. ^^
Chapter 21 Ripples in the Water...
Now, Lina and Xellos weren't the only ones busy researching fairy tales. Far away, on Wolf Pack Island, someone got stuck with the job of reading fairy tales...
"So, how's everything going?" asked Madabar. She was making him work hard before turning him to Zelas.
"Shut up." said Xerxes. "This is the most boring piece of junk ever written. It's all happy and joyful and I'm gonna puke if I have to keep on reading this."
"Now, Zelas told me she wanted to see you." said Madabar with a grin. Xerxes froze.
"Who me?????" he asked weakly. "What for?"
"You can guess." said Madabar sweetly. "Wouldn't it be nice if you had succeeded something by the time you go to her?" He nodded. "Figure out the elves."
"They are dwarves." said Xerxes. "And why do I have to do this anyway?"
"My contacts have informed me that the Prophecy mentions the Seven Dwarfs. There are a few more books with dwarves but this one seems to fit the bill, seeing it has seven dwarves, a heroine called Fire Red, and written by the same guy after the prophecy was written." said Madabar, flaunting her knowledge.
"Did you contacts also tell you that this was written 3 years later, and by then, he had become loony as was in a mental hospital when he wrote this?" asked Xerxes. At Madabar's stunned look, he laughed. "I have contacts too. Don't underestimate me, Madabar. Besides, you want me to research something? Prepare to find out many interesting facts that you haven't known yet."
"Then... why?" she asked. "Why did you read it anyway?"
"To help you feel higher and that way, force you to fall a longer distance." said Xerxes. "Now, I have to go and see to some things. See you later, Madabar." And he vanished. Madabar screamed, cursed, shouted and let out her anger.
"So, you think you have bettered me?" she asked to no one in particular, after her verbal explosion. "We shall see about that." Then, she too vanished.
*****
"So, what have you found out, dear brother of mine?" asked Zelas. She looked at the Mazoku before her.
"A few interesting things." said Xerxes.
"Like?" asked Zelas.
"Things Madabar didn't know."
"Oh." said Zelas. "So, that was the reason that Madabar was screaming just a minute ago."
"Yeah." said Xerxes, smugly. "Anyway, here's my info. Zelgadis is one of the Seven Dwarves. I have looked up as many books on Seven Dwarves that I could find, and this one fits the bill pretty nicely."
Zelas picked up the book. It was worn out and had a falling spine and a scratched up cover. She barely made out the title.
"Red Fire and the Seven Dwarves." read Zelas. "... by Albuntra the Sage. Copyright..."
"Exactly." said Xerxes. "This is the first printing of the fairy tale, in its complete form, with no omissions, printed by his wife, Princess Lina."
"I must say I am impressed." said Zelas. "Where did you find it?"
"Now, that, is a secret." said Xerxes with a smile. Zelas hit him in the head. "OK, OK, I went to the past, and took the copy from the library."
"Good work." said Zelas. "Find the other Dwarves and finish them off before they awake." Xerxes turned to go. "Oh, and good job, brother dear. Your acting talents are wonderful. Not that it's too hard for you to act dumb."
"Haha." said Xerxes. And then, he vanished. Zelas smiled. It was so wonderful to double-cross everyone you worked with...
*****
"Look, this is getting annoying, Xellos." said Lina crossly as she sat beside Xellos. "Are you getting anywhere with this?" It was three hours later, and Lina had left to bring them a snack.
"Yes, Lina!" said Xellos. "This is what I have so far. There are Seven Dwarves." He took a sip of tea. "Thanks Lina chan!"
"No, really?" asked Lina sarcastically. "And, you're welcome."
"Yes, really." answered Xellos with a grin. "If you look at this, each Dwarf has a special characteristic. Take A, for example. In every reference to A, he is joyful and optimistic. He is very caring."
"And so??" asked Lina.
"Well, reading this other book I got from my own library of ancient writings." said Xellos. He took out an ancient book, but in excellent condition. "Called, Most Interesting Writings from the Sages through the Years, I have found quite a bit about Albuntra. For example, Albuntra loved symbolism."
"I knew that." said Lina with annoyance in her voice. "I worked with him."
"Yeah, but it's like an allusion, a reference to something, in this case a human characteristic. The exact word escapes my mind at the present moment. But it's like giving a character the name of Greed. From the name, you can tell the character is greedy, and probably stingy, etc. etc. etc. Or Love, or Peace, or War.... you catch my drift?" asked Xellos.
"Yeah, a little." said Lina.
"Well, my little book, says that he liked them a lot. Chances are, he used it quite a bit in his fairy tale, more so than in his prophecy. So, take A. Extrapolating the data collected on him, we could say that the names possible for A would be.... Love, or Happiness, or Optimism or something along those lines." said Xellos with a smile.
"Amazing!" said Lina. "But you're forgetting one thing. Maybe he didn't. Maybe he gave them common names like Drake or Maverick..."
"True, Lina chan." admitted Xellos. "But this is one option to see it."
"If only we had an example, or at least, one of the names of the Dwarves. Something to point us in the right direction." Lina sighed and ate her sandwich slowly. She chewed for a while and then leaned on Xellos. "But this is so hard. It's like trying to put together a puzzle, and we don't even know what the picture is, or what the color scheme is.... This is so depressing, Xellos. If we don't find them soon, then we won't be able to defeat whoever it is..." Lina trailed off and thought for a while. "You know what's so annoying?"
"What?" asked Xellos. He put his arm around her, her head leaning on his shoulder. It was, you could say, a favorite position for them.
"We don't even know who's the bad guy." said Lina.
"That's true." said Xellos thought fully.
"I mean, I heard what Amelia was saying. The Dragons and Mazokus are fighting. None are backing down. No one knows why the Mazoku are attacking, no one knows why the Dragons are attacking."
"Maybe they just woke up and realized how much they hate each other!" said Xellos with a grin.
"It's no laughing matter, Xellos!" said Lina.
"I know, I know. Gomen, Lina chan." said Xellos.
"Then, there is Filia's prophecy..." said Lina. "She was so sure that it was all your fault. And then, there's that weird Dragon Elder she talked about... I would like to see his prophecy. Just to see what it said and whether the interpretation was actually correct or not..."
"My, my, my, looks like Lina is doing some heavy thinking." said Xellos jokingly.
"I always do, you fruitcake!" said Lina, half angrily, but with a twinkle in her eyes. She knew it was a joke to try to get her to feel better.
"You know, we could just pop in on the Dragon Elder and take a peek at his prophecy..." said Xellos.
"I am afraid that is not possible, Knight of Chaos." said a familiar voice. Lina shuddered and slowly turned around. Xellos looked up curiously to see who could get Lina to feel so afraid...
At the doorway of the library, stood an imposing figure, dressed up as a maid.
"You!, you're..... the maid... that served me.... you're.... you're Luna-oneechan..." whispered Lina, her eyes frightened, her face pale, her lips dry... and all those wonderful signs to show that people are shocked and scared for their lives at the same time.
"You finally figured it out, Lina?" asked the maid. "Not feeling too perceptive today, are we?" Lina whimpered and got closer to Xellos.
*****
Xellos, being the perfect host he always tried to be, invited Luna into the library. Luna came in and nodded at Xellos, for they seemed to know each other.
"How do you do, Knight of Ceipheed?" asked Xellos as they sat around a desk.
"I am doing quite well, Knight of Chaos." said Luna. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Trickster Priest Xellos."
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine!" said Xellos. He got two more teacups out of nowhere and poured the three of them some tea. They drank some. "Now, I must say, and I am sure Lina chan agrees with me, that it is definitely a surprise to see you here."
"Ceipheed's orders." said Luna simply. "You're not going to talk to me, Lina?"
"Yes? um.. no, no,.. I mean.... hi, Luna oneechan. How is everything so far?" asked Lina, acting very politely, sitting all prim and proper and not looking at her sister in the eyes.
"Oh, everything is all fine in Zephyria." said Luna. They all took another sip.
"So, what could possibly get Ceipheed to ask you to come over here?" asked Xellos.
"You two." said Luna. They all took yet another sip. Lina looked uncomfortable, as she tried to steady her cup and not spill anything. Xellos and Luna were treating it quite the opposite of Lina. Instead of being a nervous wreck, like Lina was, Xellos was polite and chilvarous, as if he had been drilled on proper manners all his life. Luna too, was sipping her tea calmly.
It was stuffy in the library. The windows were all closed, and she had to drink hot, bitter, tea.... She wished she could open the window and get some fresh air. The air was too still... She so wished that Luna oneechan weren't here. And she majorly needed to get rid of some pent up nervousness. Her hand was still shaking. She couldn't take it anymore.... she was going to burst.... her hand shook again.
*****
Xerxes looked at his notes. It was always nice to have the answer key to everything. He took a few more notes on his paper.
'Hm..' he thought. 'Well, what do you know? Two dwarves together? Talk about killing two birds with one stone... And if they aren't... oh well, two less to bother us.' And he put away his book of fairy tales and got ready to attack. Now, to make sure Lina wouldn't be able to fulfill prophecy, and make sure Zelas wouldn't get in his way either. Silly Zelas, she always had had a sweet spot for her Trickster Priest. Too bad that was the weakness he would exploit.
*****
Lina dropped her teacup. Time seemed to slow down. Slowly, her fingers seemed to slip from her fingers, and the teacup fell down, down, down, down CRASH!, splash....
"Sorry!" said Lina hurriedly as she grabbed a napkin and tried to clean up the mess without getting any book wet or making a bigger mess. "I'm really sorry." The mess was cleaned up...
"You're still such a klutz, Lina." said Luna, her bangs hiding her eyes.
"Sorry, oneechan." said Lina, her face red. Gosh, she really hated to use the silly little cup. It always threatened to slip when she was nervous, silly cup, silly cup...
[You OK, Lina chan?] asked Xellos worriedly, although on the outside, he showed no response.
[I'll be fine, I'll be fine....] said Lina. She finished and sat down, taking deep breaths while trying to calm herself.
"OK," said Luna. "The time for visits is over. I have a few questions for you."
"As we for you." said Xellos.
"Of course." said Luna. "But that can wait."
"As can your questions, Miss Luna." said Xellos. Although his face was still friendly and his voice seemed easy going, Lina could detect an undercurrent of steel and ice.
"Too true, Trickster Priest. Shall I go, or would you like to go first?"
"It would be nice of you to go first, Miss Inverse." said Xellos.
"Well, where do I start?" she asked.
"Why are you here." said Xellos. Although it was phrased like a question, it was not meant as one.
"Ceipheed sent me." she said.
"What for?"
"To watch you two. Besides, I wanted to talk to you in private." said Luna.
"We can do that later." said Xellos. "What does Ceipheed want?"
"He hasn't told me." said Luna. "Something about the balances tipping."
"We know that already." said Lina quietly.
"My, you actually speak, dear sister." said Luna. Lina blushed and looked down. "Anyway, what is going on with L-sama?"
"With what?" asked Xellos.
"Why are you two intervening? Chaos usually does not take direct action in matters such as these." said Luna.
"Even when the matters include major balance tipping?" asked Lina. Then she remembered to who she was talking to and she hurriedly shut up.
"She has not ever actively interfered before." said Luna. "Not even during the Dragon and Mazoku war did she interfere."
"Maybe she did." said Xellos. "You weren't there."
"True." said Luna. "That still does not explain your roles in the going ons at the present moment. Which way are the balances tipping?"
"That is not for you to know," said Xellos. "For we are Chaos agents and go where we are needed. Whether we side on the Dragons or the Mazokus side, we will do what is necessary to even out the scales."
"That tells me nothing." said Luna. She wasn't smiling.
"Bingo." said Xellos. "Anything else?"
"So you won't tell me whether you are on the Dragons or the Mazoku's side?"
"Nope!" said Xellos. He grinned.
"Now, I have a private question for Xellos." said Luna.
"So you mean Lina can't be here?" asked Xellos.
"Exactly." said Luna.
"Then you answer is Sore wa himitsu desu." said Xellos. "End of question. If you want to say something to me, you can say it with both of us present. We are both the Knight of Chaos, L-sama's incarnate representation."
Luna looked them over. Lina smiled softly, while Xellos grinned stupidly while staring at Luna.
"Very well then." said Luna. "What are your intentions concerning my sister?" Xellos smiled.
"That, Knight of Ceipheed, is really none of your business. But if you really want to know the answer, Sore wa himitsu desu!" said Xellos. He grinned. Luna raised an eyebrow and vanished. Xellos put his arm around Lina and looked at her.
"Feeling better?" he asked her. She smiled, her cheeks starting to get red.
"Thank you, Xellos." she said, and hugged him back and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"That's all I get for standing up for you?" asked Xellos with a cute little pout. Lina laughed, and while still red, kissed him on the lips. He kissed her back.
"Thanks for being sticking with me," said Lina. Xellos smiled and rubbed the back of his head with one hand.
"Well, can't have my Lina chan moping around, can I?"
*****
Amelia was bored. Gourry was bored. That was very bad. Amelia wanted to do something. She had already prepared her speech notes and had chosen her clothes and everything. She had prepared how she would climb up to the stage, and start her notes. She had everything done and ready. They would arrive in about an hour or so. Maybe less. So, now... she was bored. Bored, bored, bored, bored stiff, bored, bored, bored to tears, bored, bored and bored. You get the point, right? Gourry was bored. Here he was, sitting in the coach with Amelia. He was very bored. He had tried to count all the cows he saw in the country side. After loosing count one too many times, he gave up and started to contemplate the shape of clouds. After finding many pieces of food in the sky, he came across one thought. He had to find something to do or eat, or he would.... I don't know... sleep.
Amelia stretched and yawned. Gourry yawned. She yawned. He yawned. Ever heard of a yawn being contagious? Well, it's specially contagious when you are bored.
"I'm bored, Gourry." said Amelia. "I want to do something."
"I'm hungry." said Gourry. His stomach seconded his statement. Amelia sighed and poked her head out of the carriage, calling for food. Food was immediately brought in. While Gourry devoured the snack before him, Amelia took a sip from her bottle of water. Normally, one sips tea out of a teacup, but on the road, where pavement or cobblestones had not been yet introduced, it was not quite wise. And come on, who drinks tea from a bottle? They were having a very calm and semi quiet snack when, all of a sudden, a huge blast took their attention. Amelia looked up at the sound and Gourry immediately put his hand to his sword hilt. He poked his head out of the window to see what was happening.
"Amelia!" he cried.
"What's going on?" asked Amelia.
"There is a Mazoku and a Dragon fighting out there!" said Gourry.
"What?" asked Amelia. She opened the door and ran out to see what was happening. Various guards dutifully tried to convince her to go back in, but she waved them aside. Suddenly, the Mazoku caught them in his eyesight, and his eyes narrowed.
"Look, I don't have time to play with you," said the Mazoku to the Dragon. "I have my own things to do. Stay out!" With a swoop, the Mazoku dove towards the earth, his eyes intent on Amelia.
"Coward, come back here!" shouted the Dragon as he gave chase to the Demon. Gourry took this in and ran out and stationed himself infront of Amelia, his hand on his sword. Although it wasn't the Sword of Light, it was still a magic sword that Amelia had chosen for him from Seyruun's treasures.
"Pathetic humans." said the Mazoku as he spiraled upwards suddenly. The sudden shift in directions confused the Dragons, and barely stopped himself from running into the humans on the road. He backed his wings, trying to stop and almost crashed into them. The wind generated by the wings knocked Gourry on top of Amelia.
"Stop interfering!" said the Dragon angrily. "Go find refuge and don't try to stop my fight!" With that, he reared up and flew after the Mazoku, who was flying in circles in the sky, planning its next move.
"Are you OK, Amelia?" asked Gourry as he got up and helped her up. Amelia dusted herself and fixed her air.
"Mr. Gourry!" said Amelia. "We must stop their fight. Our destination is close to here, and their fight could easily carry into the next city! Oh, and I'm fine, Mr. Gourry."
"That's good, Amelia. Now, how are you going to do that?" asked Gourry, not quite sure how little Amelia could stop huge Dragon and Mazoku up in the sky.
"I don't know." said Amelia. "But I, as the Princess of Seyruun, Champion of Peace and Justice, cannot sit here with my arms crossed!" And she levitated up.
Gourry looked puzzledly at her. She hadn't been sitting with her arms crossed, what was she talking about? Now, how was he supposed to protect Amelia if she was up there and he was stuck on the ground. He looked around and saw other white mages that traveled with them. He formed an idea. Lina did it for him, they could too.
*****
The Dragon and Mazoku clashed in battle, as they hurled balls and spears of fire at each other. Amelia's brow wrinkled as she tried to figure out some way to stop them from fighting. From up here, she could see the city. She had to find a way to get their attention.
"Hey!" she shouted. Since they weren't listening to her, she took out her huge megaphone and yelled into it. Startled, the two stopped. The Dragon took advantage of the opening and blasted the Demon, sending him crashing into a copse of trees nearer to the city.
"STOP FIGHTING!" she shouted.
"Do not interfere, Princess." said the Dragons as he flew past her. The wind generated, sent her flying, although she quickly steadied herself and flew after them. She was almost in tears. Why did they keep on fighting. She wanted so much to make them understand to not fight now. To fight somewhere else, to not hurt the civilians. Why couldn't they just talk it out and do it calmly and all that? She was so into her thoughts that she did not notice the golden aura surround her. But she did notice both the Dragon and Demon looking at her with surprise.
"Hey! Stop fighting here!" she shouted at them, although, if you looked carefully, there was a small smile on her face.
"Look, human. I told you..." started the Dragon, but froze when he saw her glowing. "What the...."
"It's all your fault!" said the Demon. His job was now million times harder... With a surprise leap, he pushed the Dragon aside. He was about to blast her smiling face, when a figure appeared before him. It was Gourry, floating in mid-air...
Well, he wasn't flying by his own power, for Gourry had the magic powers of a flea. And he had the brains of a jellyfish... BUT! Even jellyfishes think, right? So, seeing that Amelia was going to try and confront them, Gourry thought furiously... and came across the conclusion, that if he wanted to help Amelia, he would have to learn how to fly. So, her ran to one of the mages around there, and asked them to teach him how to fly. To say that the mages were taken back was the understandment of the year. They slowly explained to him, using short words, that he had to spend months practicing and concentrating to gain the finesse needed for the spell. He had looked so stumped and sad that they had offered to hold him up. He smiled and said that that would be OK. Presently, he was in the air because all the mages had put a Raywing bubble around him to keep him in the air. It was a big bubble with a level floor, so that Gourry would have space to maneuver.
"No! If you want to get to her, you'll have to get through me first, you...uh...." said Gourry. He turned to Amelia and asked her something in her ear. With a sigh, Amelia spoke.
"That one is a Mazoku. And the one with huge gold wings is a Dragon." she said. "Tell you what. You take care of the Dragon, and I'll do the Mazoku, OK?"
"Um... sure!" said Gourry. He looked confused at the Dragon and then at the Demon... "Um, Amelia... who was the Dragon again?"
"That one!" said Amelia, pointing at the Dragon happily. Gourry smiled.
"OK!" he said with a goofy grin. He turned to the Dragon. "I'm supposed to fight you, right?" The Dragon facefaulted and fell to the earth. Gourry 'flew' after him.
"Now, it's just between us two!!!" said Amelia. If it was possible, her aura glowed even brighter than what it already was. The Demon eyed her warily. A human having that much confidence was unnerving. She probably knew a really strong spell if she was that confident.
"Look, make my job easier and let me kill you." said the Demon, and he rushed Amelia. Amelia giggled and phased out of the way.
"You missed!!!!" she said happily. The Demon frowned. No way she could have gotten out of the way, unless she had vanished, and only................ shoot! He had forgotten. She had become the Dwarf. Now, which one was she?
"Look, I don't have too much time, OK?" asked Amelia. "So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to send you home... where's your home?"
"..." said the Demon, the question catching him out of balance.
"Oh well, does the Astral Plane sound good enough for you?" she asked. And with another one of her smiles. She began to chant.
"May the power of justice guide my path, may Love's own luck favor my mission. Let the evil doers who stand in my way begone and vanish, for nothing can stand the power of truth, love, and justice! Begone!" she shouted. For a minute, the Demon could have sworn seeing her dressed up in a pink super hero outfit. He would have thought about that, had it not been that just then, he felt himself pulled through planes and sealed in the Astral one.
*****
Gourry looked at the Dragon before him. They circled each other. They were on the ground, since well, the Dragon didn't think it was fair to fight a human in the air.
"So, human, you think you can take me alone?" asked the Dragon. He changed phase and looked like a human. He was dressed in priestly clothes and held a dangerous looking pike in his hands.
"Hey, you changed!" said Gourry, stating the obvious. The Dragon- turned-human raised an eyebrow.
"Yes..." said he.
"You know... just like ... that other Dragon dude from long time ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" said Gourry. "What was his name.... Mil... Mel... Melgy something." The dragon thought back. He knew that the human would not attack with out charging or giving a warning.
"Um... you don't mean, Milgazia, do you?" asked the Dragon.
"Something like that." said Gourry. He put down his sword and thought... "He wore white and had long blond hair."
"Um,... we all do." said the dragon helpfully.
"Oh... well, one of you!" said Gourry. "You know... I just thought about this, but Filia also transforms into a dragon!"
"You know Filia, the Dragon Priestess?" asked the dragon.
"Yeah! I think... blond hair, right?"
"We all have blond hair." said the Dragon.
"Oh, yeah... and she has a mace!" said Gourry. "Under her skirt!"
The dragon started to wonder who in the world he was fighting. So far, the human knew one of their leaders and a priestess. Next thing you know, he'd say that he knew the Knight of Ceipheed.
"Um... how would you know that Miss Filia has a mace under her skirt?" asked the dragon, not really sure he wanted to know.
"She got mad at Xellos and she took it out!" said Gourry. Now, the dragon was puzzled. He knew that traitorous, dirty, horrible, filthy Mazoku?
"And what is your name? You seem to know many people." said the Dragon. He really wasn't interested in fighting anymore. This conversation was getting quite interesting.
"Oh, my name is Gourry Gabriev." said Gourry. He stuck out his hand. "Pleased to meet you!"
"Veirwaz, a pleasure." said the dragon. They sat down. "Now, how do you know all these people?"
"Well, I met them through my friend, Lina." said Gourry.
"Lina? As in the legendary Lina Inverse?" asked Veirwaz.
"Yeah! Her! Though I didn't know she was legendary. Is she really old? I would never have thought that. Of course, I did see her one day with white hair. Maybe she is old and dyes her hair.... hm... interesting." said Gourry, sounding quite serious.
*****
By the time Amelia had come down, Gourry and Veirwaz were talking like good friends.
"Oh, I have to go." said Gourry. "It was fun talking to you!"
"Same here!" said Veirwaz with a smile. He saw Amelia and bowed. "Sorry to have been rude earlier, Princess Amelia. I had no idea who you were." He smiled. "Well, I must be going."
"Remember your promise." said Gourry.
"Of course. I will try to take my battles elsewhere where there is no civilization." said Veirwaz "Dragon Scout's Honor!" And bowing to them once more, he vanished.
"He was nice!" said Gourry.
"Yes. It was nice of him to not fight anymore." said Amelia. She was still smiling, although her glow had diminished. "Let's go on our way." And they did.
*****
"You know, Xellos. I just had a great idea." said Lina.
"Really?" asked Xellos, acting surprised.
"Fruitcake, this is serious." said Lina with a smile.
"Well, let's here it!" said Xellos.
"Let's ask L-sama to go to the past and ask Albuntra about it!"
"Sure!" said Xellos. "Sounds good. Let's go!"
And the two vanished from their spot on their desk in the library.
*****
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?" shouted Zelas. The Demon winced.
Madabar's eyes narrowed from the shadows. Another awake?
Xerxes eyed Zelas. All his work for nothing. Now, to locate the next ones....
Author's notes. Hi!!!!!!!!!!!! You know.... you are not reviewing!!!!!!! waaaaah.... I'm gonna cry, and cry, and cry and cry and inundate this whole place up and all the stories will be so soggy you won't be able to read them. ^^ OK, just kidding. Well, what do you think so far? You like it? (Say yes, pretty please?) So far, another dwarf has awoken and Lina and Xellos are doing some research. Guess who the next dwarf is! Well, I it would help if you knew the dwarves names, right? I've mentioned two names so far in the story. One was Zelgadis's. Remember his? I've named Amelia's also! *wink, wink* OK, and about this review thing... I'm gonna get serious. So quake in fear, all of you! ^^ OK, here goes. Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. Can I have five reviews please??????? Pleasies, pleasies, pleasies????
And to those of you who do review, I really want to thank you. Everytime I look over them, I get so happy, and I squeal in delight! So thank you, all of you! Thank you for your encouragements/threats/jokes/promises to bake me cake (yummy!!!!!!!!! Arigato!)....^^ Well, take care! I'm so glad you enjoy this and read it. You guys make my day!!!!!! Arigato! Les quiero a todos! Matane!
Hotaru
Disclaimer: You probably know this by heart all ready.... ^^ Slayers aint mine. I know, it's sad. Don't cry, people, the world aint over yet. We can still dream and hope for that one day, far, far away.. ^^
Chapter 21 Ripples in the Water...
Now, Lina and Xellos weren't the only ones busy researching fairy tales. Far away, on Wolf Pack Island, someone got stuck with the job of reading fairy tales...
"So, how's everything going?" asked Madabar. She was making him work hard before turning him to Zelas.
"Shut up." said Xerxes. "This is the most boring piece of junk ever written. It's all happy and joyful and I'm gonna puke if I have to keep on reading this."
"Now, Zelas told me she wanted to see you." said Madabar with a grin. Xerxes froze.
"Who me?????" he asked weakly. "What for?"
"You can guess." said Madabar sweetly. "Wouldn't it be nice if you had succeeded something by the time you go to her?" He nodded. "Figure out the elves."
"They are dwarves." said Xerxes. "And why do I have to do this anyway?"
"My contacts have informed me that the Prophecy mentions the Seven Dwarfs. There are a few more books with dwarves but this one seems to fit the bill, seeing it has seven dwarves, a heroine called Fire Red, and written by the same guy after the prophecy was written." said Madabar, flaunting her knowledge.
"Did you contacts also tell you that this was written 3 years later, and by then, he had become loony as was in a mental hospital when he wrote this?" asked Xerxes. At Madabar's stunned look, he laughed. "I have contacts too. Don't underestimate me, Madabar. Besides, you want me to research something? Prepare to find out many interesting facts that you haven't known yet."
"Then... why?" she asked. "Why did you read it anyway?"
"To help you feel higher and that way, force you to fall a longer distance." said Xerxes. "Now, I have to go and see to some things. See you later, Madabar." And he vanished. Madabar screamed, cursed, shouted and let out her anger.
"So, you think you have bettered me?" she asked to no one in particular, after her verbal explosion. "We shall see about that." Then, she too vanished.
*****
"So, what have you found out, dear brother of mine?" asked Zelas. She looked at the Mazoku before her.
"A few interesting things." said Xerxes.
"Like?" asked Zelas.
"Things Madabar didn't know."
"Oh." said Zelas. "So, that was the reason that Madabar was screaming just a minute ago."
"Yeah." said Xerxes, smugly. "Anyway, here's my info. Zelgadis is one of the Seven Dwarves. I have looked up as many books on Seven Dwarves that I could find, and this one fits the bill pretty nicely."
Zelas picked up the book. It was worn out and had a falling spine and a scratched up cover. She barely made out the title.
"Red Fire and the Seven Dwarves." read Zelas. "... by Albuntra the Sage. Copyright..."
"Exactly." said Xerxes. "This is the first printing of the fairy tale, in its complete form, with no omissions, printed by his wife, Princess Lina."
"I must say I am impressed." said Zelas. "Where did you find it?"
"Now, that, is a secret." said Xerxes with a smile. Zelas hit him in the head. "OK, OK, I went to the past, and took the copy from the library."
"Good work." said Zelas. "Find the other Dwarves and finish them off before they awake." Xerxes turned to go. "Oh, and good job, brother dear. Your acting talents are wonderful. Not that it's too hard for you to act dumb."
"Haha." said Xerxes. And then, he vanished. Zelas smiled. It was so wonderful to double-cross everyone you worked with...
*****
"Look, this is getting annoying, Xellos." said Lina crossly as she sat beside Xellos. "Are you getting anywhere with this?" It was three hours later, and Lina had left to bring them a snack.
"Yes, Lina!" said Xellos. "This is what I have so far. There are Seven Dwarves." He took a sip of tea. "Thanks Lina chan!"
"No, really?" asked Lina sarcastically. "And, you're welcome."
"Yes, really." answered Xellos with a grin. "If you look at this, each Dwarf has a special characteristic. Take A, for example. In every reference to A, he is joyful and optimistic. He is very caring."
"And so??" asked Lina.
"Well, reading this other book I got from my own library of ancient writings." said Xellos. He took out an ancient book, but in excellent condition. "Called, Most Interesting Writings from the Sages through the Years, I have found quite a bit about Albuntra. For example, Albuntra loved symbolism."
"I knew that." said Lina with annoyance in her voice. "I worked with him."
"Yeah, but it's like an allusion, a reference to something, in this case a human characteristic. The exact word escapes my mind at the present moment. But it's like giving a character the name of Greed. From the name, you can tell the character is greedy, and probably stingy, etc. etc. etc. Or Love, or Peace, or War.... you catch my drift?" asked Xellos.
"Yeah, a little." said Lina.
"Well, my little book, says that he liked them a lot. Chances are, he used it quite a bit in his fairy tale, more so than in his prophecy. So, take A. Extrapolating the data collected on him, we could say that the names possible for A would be.... Love, or Happiness, or Optimism or something along those lines." said Xellos with a smile.
"Amazing!" said Lina. "But you're forgetting one thing. Maybe he didn't. Maybe he gave them common names like Drake or Maverick..."
"True, Lina chan." admitted Xellos. "But this is one option to see it."
"If only we had an example, or at least, one of the names of the Dwarves. Something to point us in the right direction." Lina sighed and ate her sandwich slowly. She chewed for a while and then leaned on Xellos. "But this is so hard. It's like trying to put together a puzzle, and we don't even know what the picture is, or what the color scheme is.... This is so depressing, Xellos. If we don't find them soon, then we won't be able to defeat whoever it is..." Lina trailed off and thought for a while. "You know what's so annoying?"
"What?" asked Xellos. He put his arm around her, her head leaning on his shoulder. It was, you could say, a favorite position for them.
"We don't even know who's the bad guy." said Lina.
"That's true." said Xellos thought fully.
"I mean, I heard what Amelia was saying. The Dragons and Mazokus are fighting. None are backing down. No one knows why the Mazoku are attacking, no one knows why the Dragons are attacking."
"Maybe they just woke up and realized how much they hate each other!" said Xellos with a grin.
"It's no laughing matter, Xellos!" said Lina.
"I know, I know. Gomen, Lina chan." said Xellos.
"Then, there is Filia's prophecy..." said Lina. "She was so sure that it was all your fault. And then, there's that weird Dragon Elder she talked about... I would like to see his prophecy. Just to see what it said and whether the interpretation was actually correct or not..."
"My, my, my, looks like Lina is doing some heavy thinking." said Xellos jokingly.
"I always do, you fruitcake!" said Lina, half angrily, but with a twinkle in her eyes. She knew it was a joke to try to get her to feel better.
"You know, we could just pop in on the Dragon Elder and take a peek at his prophecy..." said Xellos.
"I am afraid that is not possible, Knight of Chaos." said a familiar voice. Lina shuddered and slowly turned around. Xellos looked up curiously to see who could get Lina to feel so afraid...
At the doorway of the library, stood an imposing figure, dressed up as a maid.
"You!, you're..... the maid... that served me.... you're.... you're Luna-oneechan..." whispered Lina, her eyes frightened, her face pale, her lips dry... and all those wonderful signs to show that people are shocked and scared for their lives at the same time.
"You finally figured it out, Lina?" asked the maid. "Not feeling too perceptive today, are we?" Lina whimpered and got closer to Xellos.
*****
Xellos, being the perfect host he always tried to be, invited Luna into the library. Luna came in and nodded at Xellos, for they seemed to know each other.
"How do you do, Knight of Ceipheed?" asked Xellos as they sat around a desk.
"I am doing quite well, Knight of Chaos." said Luna. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Trickster Priest Xellos."
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine!" said Xellos. He got two more teacups out of nowhere and poured the three of them some tea. They drank some. "Now, I must say, and I am sure Lina chan agrees with me, that it is definitely a surprise to see you here."
"Ceipheed's orders." said Luna simply. "You're not going to talk to me, Lina?"
"Yes? um.. no, no,.. I mean.... hi, Luna oneechan. How is everything so far?" asked Lina, acting very politely, sitting all prim and proper and not looking at her sister in the eyes.
"Oh, everything is all fine in Zephyria." said Luna. They all took another sip.
"So, what could possibly get Ceipheed to ask you to come over here?" asked Xellos.
"You two." said Luna. They all took yet another sip. Lina looked uncomfortable, as she tried to steady her cup and not spill anything. Xellos and Luna were treating it quite the opposite of Lina. Instead of being a nervous wreck, like Lina was, Xellos was polite and chilvarous, as if he had been drilled on proper manners all his life. Luna too, was sipping her tea calmly.
It was stuffy in the library. The windows were all closed, and she had to drink hot, bitter, tea.... She wished she could open the window and get some fresh air. The air was too still... She so wished that Luna oneechan weren't here. And she majorly needed to get rid of some pent up nervousness. Her hand was still shaking. She couldn't take it anymore.... she was going to burst.... her hand shook again.
*****
Xerxes looked at his notes. It was always nice to have the answer key to everything. He took a few more notes on his paper.
'Hm..' he thought. 'Well, what do you know? Two dwarves together? Talk about killing two birds with one stone... And if they aren't... oh well, two less to bother us.' And he put away his book of fairy tales and got ready to attack. Now, to make sure Lina wouldn't be able to fulfill prophecy, and make sure Zelas wouldn't get in his way either. Silly Zelas, she always had had a sweet spot for her Trickster Priest. Too bad that was the weakness he would exploit.
*****
Lina dropped her teacup. Time seemed to slow down. Slowly, her fingers seemed to slip from her fingers, and the teacup fell down, down, down, down CRASH!, splash....
"Sorry!" said Lina hurriedly as she grabbed a napkin and tried to clean up the mess without getting any book wet or making a bigger mess. "I'm really sorry." The mess was cleaned up...
"You're still such a klutz, Lina." said Luna, her bangs hiding her eyes.
"Sorry, oneechan." said Lina, her face red. Gosh, she really hated to use the silly little cup. It always threatened to slip when she was nervous, silly cup, silly cup...
[You OK, Lina chan?] asked Xellos worriedly, although on the outside, he showed no response.
[I'll be fine, I'll be fine....] said Lina. She finished and sat down, taking deep breaths while trying to calm herself.
"OK," said Luna. "The time for visits is over. I have a few questions for you."
"As we for you." said Xellos.
"Of course." said Luna. "But that can wait."
"As can your questions, Miss Luna." said Xellos. Although his face was still friendly and his voice seemed easy going, Lina could detect an undercurrent of steel and ice.
"Too true, Trickster Priest. Shall I go, or would you like to go first?"
"It would be nice of you to go first, Miss Inverse." said Xellos.
"Well, where do I start?" she asked.
"Why are you here." said Xellos. Although it was phrased like a question, it was not meant as one.
"Ceipheed sent me." she said.
"What for?"
"To watch you two. Besides, I wanted to talk to you in private." said Luna.
"We can do that later." said Xellos. "What does Ceipheed want?"
"He hasn't told me." said Luna. "Something about the balances tipping."
"We know that already." said Lina quietly.
"My, you actually speak, dear sister." said Luna. Lina blushed and looked down. "Anyway, what is going on with L-sama?"
"With what?" asked Xellos.
"Why are you two intervening? Chaos usually does not take direct action in matters such as these." said Luna.
"Even when the matters include major balance tipping?" asked Lina. Then she remembered to who she was talking to and she hurriedly shut up.
"She has not ever actively interfered before." said Luna. "Not even during the Dragon and Mazoku war did she interfere."
"Maybe she did." said Xellos. "You weren't there."
"True." said Luna. "That still does not explain your roles in the going ons at the present moment. Which way are the balances tipping?"
"That is not for you to know," said Xellos. "For we are Chaos agents and go where we are needed. Whether we side on the Dragons or the Mazokus side, we will do what is necessary to even out the scales."
"That tells me nothing." said Luna. She wasn't smiling.
"Bingo." said Xellos. "Anything else?"
"So you won't tell me whether you are on the Dragons or the Mazoku's side?"
"Nope!" said Xellos. He grinned.
"Now, I have a private question for Xellos." said Luna.
"So you mean Lina can't be here?" asked Xellos.
"Exactly." said Luna.
"Then you answer is Sore wa himitsu desu." said Xellos. "End of question. If you want to say something to me, you can say it with both of us present. We are both the Knight of Chaos, L-sama's incarnate representation."
Luna looked them over. Lina smiled softly, while Xellos grinned stupidly while staring at Luna.
"Very well then." said Luna. "What are your intentions concerning my sister?" Xellos smiled.
"That, Knight of Ceipheed, is really none of your business. But if you really want to know the answer, Sore wa himitsu desu!" said Xellos. He grinned. Luna raised an eyebrow and vanished. Xellos put his arm around Lina and looked at her.
"Feeling better?" he asked her. She smiled, her cheeks starting to get red.
"Thank you, Xellos." she said, and hugged him back and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"That's all I get for standing up for you?" asked Xellos with a cute little pout. Lina laughed, and while still red, kissed him on the lips. He kissed her back.
"Thanks for being sticking with me," said Lina. Xellos smiled and rubbed the back of his head with one hand.
"Well, can't have my Lina chan moping around, can I?"
*****
Amelia was bored. Gourry was bored. That was very bad. Amelia wanted to do something. She had already prepared her speech notes and had chosen her clothes and everything. She had prepared how she would climb up to the stage, and start her notes. She had everything done and ready. They would arrive in about an hour or so. Maybe less. So, now... she was bored. Bored, bored, bored, bored stiff, bored, bored, bored to tears, bored, bored and bored. You get the point, right? Gourry was bored. Here he was, sitting in the coach with Amelia. He was very bored. He had tried to count all the cows he saw in the country side. After loosing count one too many times, he gave up and started to contemplate the shape of clouds. After finding many pieces of food in the sky, he came across one thought. He had to find something to do or eat, or he would.... I don't know... sleep.
Amelia stretched and yawned. Gourry yawned. She yawned. He yawned. Ever heard of a yawn being contagious? Well, it's specially contagious when you are bored.
"I'm bored, Gourry." said Amelia. "I want to do something."
"I'm hungry." said Gourry. His stomach seconded his statement. Amelia sighed and poked her head out of the carriage, calling for food. Food was immediately brought in. While Gourry devoured the snack before him, Amelia took a sip from her bottle of water. Normally, one sips tea out of a teacup, but on the road, where pavement or cobblestones had not been yet introduced, it was not quite wise. And come on, who drinks tea from a bottle? They were having a very calm and semi quiet snack when, all of a sudden, a huge blast took their attention. Amelia looked up at the sound and Gourry immediately put his hand to his sword hilt. He poked his head out of the window to see what was happening.
"Amelia!" he cried.
"What's going on?" asked Amelia.
"There is a Mazoku and a Dragon fighting out there!" said Gourry.
"What?" asked Amelia. She opened the door and ran out to see what was happening. Various guards dutifully tried to convince her to go back in, but she waved them aside. Suddenly, the Mazoku caught them in his eyesight, and his eyes narrowed.
"Look, I don't have time to play with you," said the Mazoku to the Dragon. "I have my own things to do. Stay out!" With a swoop, the Mazoku dove towards the earth, his eyes intent on Amelia.
"Coward, come back here!" shouted the Dragon as he gave chase to the Demon. Gourry took this in and ran out and stationed himself infront of Amelia, his hand on his sword. Although it wasn't the Sword of Light, it was still a magic sword that Amelia had chosen for him from Seyruun's treasures.
"Pathetic humans." said the Mazoku as he spiraled upwards suddenly. The sudden shift in directions confused the Dragons, and barely stopped himself from running into the humans on the road. He backed his wings, trying to stop and almost crashed into them. The wind generated by the wings knocked Gourry on top of Amelia.
"Stop interfering!" said the Dragon angrily. "Go find refuge and don't try to stop my fight!" With that, he reared up and flew after the Mazoku, who was flying in circles in the sky, planning its next move.
"Are you OK, Amelia?" asked Gourry as he got up and helped her up. Amelia dusted herself and fixed her air.
"Mr. Gourry!" said Amelia. "We must stop their fight. Our destination is close to here, and their fight could easily carry into the next city! Oh, and I'm fine, Mr. Gourry."
"That's good, Amelia. Now, how are you going to do that?" asked Gourry, not quite sure how little Amelia could stop huge Dragon and Mazoku up in the sky.
"I don't know." said Amelia. "But I, as the Princess of Seyruun, Champion of Peace and Justice, cannot sit here with my arms crossed!" And she levitated up.
Gourry looked puzzledly at her. She hadn't been sitting with her arms crossed, what was she talking about? Now, how was he supposed to protect Amelia if she was up there and he was stuck on the ground. He looked around and saw other white mages that traveled with them. He formed an idea. Lina did it for him, they could too.
*****
The Dragon and Mazoku clashed in battle, as they hurled balls and spears of fire at each other. Amelia's brow wrinkled as she tried to figure out some way to stop them from fighting. From up here, she could see the city. She had to find a way to get their attention.
"Hey!" she shouted. Since they weren't listening to her, she took out her huge megaphone and yelled into it. Startled, the two stopped. The Dragon took advantage of the opening and blasted the Demon, sending him crashing into a copse of trees nearer to the city.
"STOP FIGHTING!" she shouted.
"Do not interfere, Princess." said the Dragons as he flew past her. The wind generated, sent her flying, although she quickly steadied herself and flew after them. She was almost in tears. Why did they keep on fighting. She wanted so much to make them understand to not fight now. To fight somewhere else, to not hurt the civilians. Why couldn't they just talk it out and do it calmly and all that? She was so into her thoughts that she did not notice the golden aura surround her. But she did notice both the Dragon and Demon looking at her with surprise.
"Hey! Stop fighting here!" she shouted at them, although, if you looked carefully, there was a small smile on her face.
"Look, human. I told you..." started the Dragon, but froze when he saw her glowing. "What the...."
"It's all your fault!" said the Demon. His job was now million times harder... With a surprise leap, he pushed the Dragon aside. He was about to blast her smiling face, when a figure appeared before him. It was Gourry, floating in mid-air...
Well, he wasn't flying by his own power, for Gourry had the magic powers of a flea. And he had the brains of a jellyfish... BUT! Even jellyfishes think, right? So, seeing that Amelia was going to try and confront them, Gourry thought furiously... and came across the conclusion, that if he wanted to help Amelia, he would have to learn how to fly. So, her ran to one of the mages around there, and asked them to teach him how to fly. To say that the mages were taken back was the understandment of the year. They slowly explained to him, using short words, that he had to spend months practicing and concentrating to gain the finesse needed for the spell. He had looked so stumped and sad that they had offered to hold him up. He smiled and said that that would be OK. Presently, he was in the air because all the mages had put a Raywing bubble around him to keep him in the air. It was a big bubble with a level floor, so that Gourry would have space to maneuver.
"No! If you want to get to her, you'll have to get through me first, you...uh...." said Gourry. He turned to Amelia and asked her something in her ear. With a sigh, Amelia spoke.
"That one is a Mazoku. And the one with huge gold wings is a Dragon." she said. "Tell you what. You take care of the Dragon, and I'll do the Mazoku, OK?"
"Um... sure!" said Gourry. He looked confused at the Dragon and then at the Demon... "Um, Amelia... who was the Dragon again?"
"That one!" said Amelia, pointing at the Dragon happily. Gourry smiled.
"OK!" he said with a goofy grin. He turned to the Dragon. "I'm supposed to fight you, right?" The Dragon facefaulted and fell to the earth. Gourry 'flew' after him.
"Now, it's just between us two!!!" said Amelia. If it was possible, her aura glowed even brighter than what it already was. The Demon eyed her warily. A human having that much confidence was unnerving. She probably knew a really strong spell if she was that confident.
"Look, make my job easier and let me kill you." said the Demon, and he rushed Amelia. Amelia giggled and phased out of the way.
"You missed!!!!" she said happily. The Demon frowned. No way she could have gotten out of the way, unless she had vanished, and only................ shoot! He had forgotten. She had become the Dwarf. Now, which one was she?
"Look, I don't have too much time, OK?" asked Amelia. "So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to send you home... where's your home?"
"..." said the Demon, the question catching him out of balance.
"Oh well, does the Astral Plane sound good enough for you?" she asked. And with another one of her smiles. She began to chant.
"May the power of justice guide my path, may Love's own luck favor my mission. Let the evil doers who stand in my way begone and vanish, for nothing can stand the power of truth, love, and justice! Begone!" she shouted. For a minute, the Demon could have sworn seeing her dressed up in a pink super hero outfit. He would have thought about that, had it not been that just then, he felt himself pulled through planes and sealed in the Astral one.
*****
Gourry looked at the Dragon before him. They circled each other. They were on the ground, since well, the Dragon didn't think it was fair to fight a human in the air.
"So, human, you think you can take me alone?" asked the Dragon. He changed phase and looked like a human. He was dressed in priestly clothes and held a dangerous looking pike in his hands.
"Hey, you changed!" said Gourry, stating the obvious. The Dragon- turned-human raised an eyebrow.
"Yes..." said he.
"You know... just like ... that other Dragon dude from long time ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" said Gourry. "What was his name.... Mil... Mel... Melgy something." The dragon thought back. He knew that the human would not attack with out charging or giving a warning.
"Um... you don't mean, Milgazia, do you?" asked the Dragon.
"Something like that." said Gourry. He put down his sword and thought... "He wore white and had long blond hair."
"Um,... we all do." said the dragon helpfully.
"Oh... well, one of you!" said Gourry. "You know... I just thought about this, but Filia also transforms into a dragon!"
"You know Filia, the Dragon Priestess?" asked the dragon.
"Yeah! I think... blond hair, right?"
"We all have blond hair." said the Dragon.
"Oh, yeah... and she has a mace!" said Gourry. "Under her skirt!"
The dragon started to wonder who in the world he was fighting. So far, the human knew one of their leaders and a priestess. Next thing you know, he'd say that he knew the Knight of Ceipheed.
"Um... how would you know that Miss Filia has a mace under her skirt?" asked the dragon, not really sure he wanted to know.
"She got mad at Xellos and she took it out!" said Gourry. Now, the dragon was puzzled. He knew that traitorous, dirty, horrible, filthy Mazoku?
"And what is your name? You seem to know many people." said the Dragon. He really wasn't interested in fighting anymore. This conversation was getting quite interesting.
"Oh, my name is Gourry Gabriev." said Gourry. He stuck out his hand. "Pleased to meet you!"
"Veirwaz, a pleasure." said the dragon. They sat down. "Now, how do you know all these people?"
"Well, I met them through my friend, Lina." said Gourry.
"Lina? As in the legendary Lina Inverse?" asked Veirwaz.
"Yeah! Her! Though I didn't know she was legendary. Is she really old? I would never have thought that. Of course, I did see her one day with white hair. Maybe she is old and dyes her hair.... hm... interesting." said Gourry, sounding quite serious.
*****
By the time Amelia had come down, Gourry and Veirwaz were talking like good friends.
"Oh, I have to go." said Gourry. "It was fun talking to you!"
"Same here!" said Veirwaz with a smile. He saw Amelia and bowed. "Sorry to have been rude earlier, Princess Amelia. I had no idea who you were." He smiled. "Well, I must be going."
"Remember your promise." said Gourry.
"Of course. I will try to take my battles elsewhere where there is no civilization." said Veirwaz "Dragon Scout's Honor!" And bowing to them once more, he vanished.
"He was nice!" said Gourry.
"Yes. It was nice of him to not fight anymore." said Amelia. She was still smiling, although her glow had diminished. "Let's go on our way." And they did.
*****
"You know, Xellos. I just had a great idea." said Lina.
"Really?" asked Xellos, acting surprised.
"Fruitcake, this is serious." said Lina with a smile.
"Well, let's here it!" said Xellos.
"Let's ask L-sama to go to the past and ask Albuntra about it!"
"Sure!" said Xellos. "Sounds good. Let's go!"
And the two vanished from their spot on their desk in the library.
*****
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?" shouted Zelas. The Demon winced.
Madabar's eyes narrowed from the shadows. Another awake?
Xerxes eyed Zelas. All his work for nothing. Now, to locate the next ones....
Author's notes. Hi!!!!!!!!!!!! You know.... you are not reviewing!!!!!!! waaaaah.... I'm gonna cry, and cry, and cry and cry and inundate this whole place up and all the stories will be so soggy you won't be able to read them. ^^ OK, just kidding. Well, what do you think so far? You like it? (Say yes, pretty please?) So far, another dwarf has awoken and Lina and Xellos are doing some research. Guess who the next dwarf is! Well, I it would help if you knew the dwarves names, right? I've mentioned two names so far in the story. One was Zelgadis's. Remember his? I've named Amelia's also! *wink, wink* OK, and about this review thing... I'm gonna get serious. So quake in fear, all of you! ^^ OK, here goes. Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. Can I have five reviews please??????? Pleasies, pleasies, pleasies????
And to those of you who do review, I really want to thank you. Everytime I look over them, I get so happy, and I squeal in delight! So thank you, all of you! Thank you for your encouragements/threats/jokes/promises to bake me cake (yummy!!!!!!!!! Arigato!)....^^ Well, take care! I'm so glad you enjoy this and read it. You guys make my day!!!!!! Arigato! Les quiero a todos! Matane!
Hotaru