Slayers: To The End
by: Hotaru
Disclaimer:
I know you guys know the disclaimer by heart, but you know... life and people who might think I'm doing this for profit. You know... so, here goes. Slayers aint mine. Simple as that.
Chapter 25
Secret Spy! and other novels...
Zelas cursed as she felt the activation of L-sama's magic as the Dwarves were found. Shoot!She was so close. Of course, it had to be Xellos who found them. After all, Xellos was smart, she had created him to be like that. She should have made him an idiot. That way, he would have never left her service, and L-sama would never have been interested in him. She crushed the wine goblet in her hand. She was presently in Jinnia, back in her home. It was time to mobilize the troops. If the dwarfs were awake once more, then the real prophecy was occuring. She grumbled to herself. So many years of hard work, all ruined because her dear pet had switched masters. But not everything was lost. There was still a chance to kill both of the Knights of L-sama. She still had her hoarde of Mazoku at beck and call.
"Xerxes! Get here right now! We have business to do!"
*****
Lina looked nervously about her. How in the world was she supposed to do this? She had been the Knight for such a small time... She looked once more at her copy of the papers. It had Madabar's picture and her status as present leader of the Tarzokus. And it had her jobs, and that was it! There wasn't even a description of her powers or anything like it!
"This is majorly... stupid." she said finally. She looked about the woods. They were half burnt, but evidence of growth was already starting to appear. There were some small twigs growing, and some green sprouting from the ground. She wondered what had happened here. She'd have to ask Xellos about it. He should know.
Thinking about Xellos made her stop as she couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of her lips. He was so sweet, and he was so kind. And he was such a fruitcake. Albeit, her fruitcake. She took off her glove and looked at the engagement ring on her left hand. It glinted back at her, just like Xellos's eyes would glint at her mischiviously. She shook her head. She had to concentrate on the problem at hand. After puttin on her golve again, she began her trek through the ruins of Wolf Pack Island. Of course, if she showed her power now, she was sure she'd see some of those so called Tarzokus, and then they'd fight her and that wouldn't be fun.
With a start she realized that she was thinking in a very Xellos-ish way. She was sneaking around and thinking slyly. She was thinking about having fun and accomplishing the mission at the same time.
"I can't believe his mannerisms are rubbing on me." she grumbled to herself. But it was so fun! She looked around, and seeing no one, she closed her eyes and smiled, using her magic sight so as to not bump into trees or trip over rocks. Then she opened her eyes, giggled and got serious.
'OK, act serious, Lina Inverse!' she told herself. Then, out of curiosity she tried to connect to Xellos. She wanted to know how far her telepathic link with Xellos was.
[Good evening, this is Xellos Metallium, fiancee of the most talented sorceress in the world, speaking.] said a voice into her mind. [With who do I have the pleasure of speaking to at the present moment?] Oh yeah, even though the sun was beginning to rise here, it was still evening over at Seyruun.
[Xellos?] asked Lina, as she turned slightly red. [Is that you?]
[Oh, good evening Lina chan! How are things doing at Wolf Pack Island?] he asked.
[Nothing interesting yet.] said Lina. [I just wanted to know if I could still contact you.]
[Well, I guess you can, Lina chan!] said Xellos perkily.
[So how are things over at Seyruun?] asked Lina.
[Very amusing!] said Xellos. [Oh, you just missed the funniest transformation ever!]
[Huh?] asked Lina. Then she spotted something. [Hey, Xellos. I got to go... take care. I'll talk to ya later.]
[Ok, love.] said Xellos. Lina smiled to herself as she felt his love travel through their link. She knew her blush had probably travelled to where he was.
[Take care.] she said. [Oh, and stop making me blush!] His laughter reached her before they cut the communication. She looked nervously at the cave before her. She was there.
*****
Xellos had gone to sleep after talking with Lina. Too bad it was cut short, but oh well. He had been slightly on the tired side. Watching people transform and holding back your laughter at the same time was so tiring. It really taxed on ones energy. Hoping that Lina chan was OK, he took a small nap, a smile gracing his sharp features. His Lina chan... she was so sweet, and he could still feel her embarrasment and her reciprocated love. Sure, things were moving a bit fast at the beginning, but they had to take it slow for now. There were so many things to do, and he had wanted to claim her as soon as he could. She was so beautiful, so thriving with life. Perhaps, he would be able to have some fun with Lina after this was over. Something like properly courting her, and teasing her. It would be fun. He was sure she would enjoy it. After all, he would. With that train of thought, he fell asleep.
*****
While Xellos was nice and warm inside the covers of a nice and soft bed in the palace of Seyruun, Lina was pressed against the wall, hiding her aura from the surroundings. A squad of Mazoku came by and then left, turning left at the corner.
'Looks like Madabar has this place well guarded,' thought Lina to herself. Now, all she had to do was figure out where Madabar was and then... that's where she was stuck. What was she supposed to do then? L-sama had said to confront Madabar and find out her reasons. Well, how was she supposed to do that? What was the point of such a mission. Why her? Xellos was better at improvising orders. She needed a goal. Like, capture Madabar. Or, blow up Wolf Pack Island into little bitty pieces. Or, something like that. But no,... all she was to do was to confront Madabar and have a little chat. Confront her with what???? She should have asked Xellos what to do. He would probably have been able to tell her something helpful. Then she remembered that he was a fruitcake. Well, he might have helped her. Oh well, too late. With another glance about her surroundings, Lina sneaked about the passageway, trying to figure out where Madabar might be.
After several minutes of fruitless search, she decided to take a risk. She concentrated on the auras around the place, trying to feel around for a strong one. When located, Lina sighed.
'Why do all badguys have to have their headquarters in the center of the cave, where the most protection is found?' she asked herself as she silently grumbled. She was tired, she was grumpy, and she didn't want to do this. So, throwing caution to the winds, she concentrated and vanished, only to appear in the room where Madabar was.
Seeing that her presence hadn't been noted, Lina hurriedly hid in the shadows, having learned from Xellos that shadows were a good place to hide in.
Lina watched carefully, her eyes narrowing slightly. Whatever Madabar was doing, it was taking a lot of her attention. She was sitting at her desk, and held a book in her lap, with a cover made of leather with gold embossing. There was also a far away look in Madabar's eyes. Lina suddenly got an idea. If she could spy on Madabar, and see what she did and all that, she would soon figure out the whole plan! Yeah! After all, reading those magical girl novels and detective stories in her childhood had paid off! And Luna-oneechan always said it was a waste of time. Hmph! What did she know?
*****
After a few hours of playing secret spy, Lina thought that spies were stupid people with no life. Madabar had done absolutely nothing in these hours, except for staring at her book and turning the pages every once in a while. How boring. She was keeping a mental tab of all the times her tail flicked over to the right, and how many times she sighed and how many times she turned the pages and how often she turned the pages. One time, Madabar had moved. But she had gone to her dresser and had grabbed another book while putting away the one she had just read and was presently looking through it. Lina could already imagine her report to the Lord of Nightmares.
'Sorry L-sama, all I know is that Madabar thinks she has all the time in the world because she does absolutely nothing at all during her free time except make ga-ga faces at her book.' Somehow, that didn't fit very well. Then a brilliant idea hit her. Of course! She would look at the book and see what Madabar was making faces at! At last, she would do something interesting. Now, all she had to do was wait for Madabar to leave the room or something.
But the opportunity did not come. Madabar didn't leave the room... Lina sighed metally. If she wanted to get a look at the book, she'd have to make a disturbance herself to get Madabar out of the room... Just like Xellos! Well... it was time to do something. She concentrated and difused her aura around the whole cave, so that no one would be able to figure out that she was in a certain spot. After that, she appeared in various places, and for lack of anything better to do, she threw small fireball spells at the guards here and there. When she was certain that Madabar had left her room, Lina teleported in and hurriedly took the book that had been put away. Then, she hurriedly teleported out of the cave to a safer place.
*****
Lina looked around her. She was on a tree, and was sitting on one of the thicker branches. Making sure that there was no one around and that she had dampened her aura here, she opened the book. Then she lit up a small light spell to allow her to see. Her eyes widened as she looked through page after page. She found herself smiling softly as the pages rustled in the night air. So, was this the reason that L-sama had told her to find?
The album was full of pencil sketches. It seemed as if Madabar was really quite artistic. She had done many drawings. Drawings from many years ago. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as her eyes saw the smooth curves and sharp angles of her drawings. Madabar was very good. She had been able to capture his essence completely. She smiled even more as a plan began to flitter about the edges of her brain. Come dawn, she would fulfil her duty and confront Madabar.
*****
So, dawn had come. Lina had spent one hour on the tree, sleeping lightly. When she woke up, she realized why people didn't sleep in trees more often. She stood up and stretched thoroughly, working out the chinks and knots in her muscles from sleeping against tree bark. After she felt comfortable, she reached within her cloak and took out a bag. She promptly took out her mirror and a brush and promptly set to fixing her hair. After that was over, she flashed a smile at her reflection and then vanished. She appeared in Madabar's room.
"Rise and Shine, Ms. Madabar." she said, her eyes flashing warmth and friendship.
Madabar looked up from her desk and her teal eyes narrowed.
"Fancy meeting you here, Ms. Inverse." she said.
"Well, I was around and decided to drop by." she said with a smile. She was adopting Xellos's "happy go lucky", and "all's right in the world" attitude. No wonder Xellos did this so often. It was so fun to be deceptive! "Would you like to join me for breakfast?"
"And why would I want to?" asked Madabar. Inwardly, she was slightly scared. After all, she knew about Lina's new power. That's why she had never outright attacked her. She had done... other things.
"Well, I have come to negotiate a truce. So call off your people." she said with a smile. Her flaming red eyes bored into Madabar's teal ones.
"I take it you have a certain place in mind?" asked Madabar.
"Here, would be nice." said Lina. "I just wanted to talk with you."
"I take it you're not here to kill me, then." said Madabar.
"Now, that's a secret." said Lina with a smile. And Madabar found herself tied up and pushed down into a chair that appeared. Lina grinned. "Don't worry. I just want to make sure you're not going anywhere." A table appeared, as did another chair on which she sat down. "Let's talk business." Her eyes staid on Madabar's face as she slowly brought out the book.
'Bingo!' thought Lina as Madabar's eyes widened.
*****
Amelia smiled as she woke up early in the morning. She had the most wonderful dream. She had imagined that she was a warrior princess who had been granted the power to help preserve justice in the world. Then, she looked over at her nightstand and saw the token. With a squeal of delight, she bounded from her bed and ran to her full length mirror. She held her token up and while posing in front of the mirror and decided to give it a go.
"For, all the evil that you have been up to, I, Princess Amelia Wil Tesla de Seyruun, will punish you for your wrong doings! Let this be a lesson to young and old alike! Turn your paths from the one of wickedness to the one of light and hope! Happy Dwarf Power Activate!" shouted Amelia. She imagined herself as she transformed like one of those girls in the novels she had read when she was younger. They all had really cool costumes. She imagined those skirst and clothes. Now that she thought of it, they reminded her of the clothes she and Ms. Lina had to wear when they sang that love song or whatever it was. She had like it a lot. When she opened her eyes after the transformation, she gasped. She had actually transformed. She was wearing a blue skirt and a white blouse and her amulets were on her wrist again. Her hair was immaculate and she was wearing blue boots that reached to her knees. On her ears, she was wearing dazzling diamond shaped earrings.
"Oh, this is so cool!" she gushed. She posed at her mirror, and then decided that she had to let Mr. Zelgadis see this. She quickly de transformed and ran out of the room, after brushing her hair and fixing herself slightly.
*****
"So, what do you want." asked Madabar as she glared at Lina. How had that Knight gotten her art book?
"Like I said, I want to talk. Besides, I'm hungry." said Lina with a smile. "Can you like,.. call someone up to make you breakfast?"
"I'm a Mazoku, if you forgot that." said Madabar.
"True... but since you're in your Tarzoku form, I thought perhaps you liked to eat real food at times?" asked Lina, her eyes narrowing slyly.
"I don't eat human food." said Madabar.
"Ok." said Lina. "I just assumed you might like something... I mean... even Xellos likes soft served icecream."
"Cut the chase, Knight of Chaos." said Madabar, her eyes flashing. "What do you want."
"I just want to know the real reason you are trying to fight and kill me." said Lina with a smile.
"I thought that would be obvious." said Madabar.
"I have a few suspicions." said Lina. "You truly are a wonderful artist."
"Thank you." said Madabar darkly. "What must I do to get my book back?"
"Other than killing me?" asked Lina. "Well... you could call of your people. The humans don't appreciate you trying to kill them and destroying their homes."
"That's it?" asked Madabar, sarcastically. "You are calling a pretty high price, Ms. Inverse."
"I know... Zelas will get angry and she's your boss." said Lina as if she had memorized that. Which she had. "I understand you. Xellos told me that the whole time. And now that I work for L-sama, I must admit that I understand. How about this... you don't actively try to kill humans and dragons. Send your people for the Dwarfes in the most unlikely of places. Don't actively interfere unless Zelas gives you explicit orders to do so." Madabar thought about it for a while
"Could you let me go?" she asked, finally. Lina blushed and snapped her fingers. Immedieately, the bonds that had held Madabar to her chair broke. "Thanks."
"Think about it, Ms. Madabar." said Lina. "It would benefit both of the parties, yours and mine. And you're secret is safe. And Xellos won't know a thing. I won't tell him. You have my word. But I ask only that you do not interfere directly. Oh, and a few of your drawings would be nice. You certainly are very talented."
"And what's to stop me from destroying the evidence right now?" asked Madabar. Lina smiled.
"I, myself, am an artist." said Lina. "I know how it is to make sketches and to make paintings. I also know how hard it is to get rid of something you have worked a lot on.... are you truly willing to set your pictures in flames?" Madabar cursed silently.
"And how are you know that I won't double cross you." said Madabar.
"That is what the extra pictures are for." said Lina. "Surely, you don't think this is the original?" She formed a fireball in her hands and threw it at the book. The color drained from Madabar's face as she watched her work get turned into ashes.
"What did you do that for..." she started to say, her voice feeling hoarse.
"Here's another one. Don't worry." said Lina. She took another copy of the book from her jacket and gave it to her.
"I take it your answer is yes." said Lina, as Madabar held her book. "Look, I didn't enjoy this talk. I don't mean to be hard. But I have orders, and so do you. Had our places been switched, you'd probably have done something similar."
"You'd be dead." said Madabar simply. "But point taken." She put the book away. "I take it you have the original."
"No, the one you have is the original one." said Lina with a smile. As she got ready to leave, she turned back and spoke one. "You know... I understand you. I used to think it was impossible also. But, L-sama interefered. Who knows... something may come up."
"Not with Xellos, though." said Madabar wryly.
"You better hope not." said Lina. "He's mine."
"I understand." said Madabar. Lina left with a smile on her face. She had accomplished her mission. Now she could go home and then... do something. Hang out with Xellos. She missed him a small bit.
End Chapter 25.
OK, so this chapter was a bit... I don't know... weird. I must confess it's not the most interesting of chapters that I have written. I'm sorry. But it's a necessary part. I added a few extra parts here to liven it up and all. Hopefully, you guys enjoyed it. And if you didn't... I'm sorry. Action is on it's way, don't worry.
Also, I'm very sorry for the loooooooooooooooooooong delay. I had this on my computer at work for a long time and I forgot about it, and then I concentrated on my other fic, and then school ended, and then our TV broke down so my brother uses our computer to watch TV, which meanst I connect even less than I usually do which means...*catches her breath* that it takes time to upload. *grin* But I'm back. There are some parts here and there I'm working on that I just don't like too well. There will be revisions. To all of you who dared critisize and flame, thank you. Thanks for all your help in forcing me to see errors here and there. You've been most helpful.
Thanks to all you for reviewing! I'm so glad to see your small notes of encouragement. I'd probably have given up on this story some time ago had you guys not written to me. Thank you so much! As it is, instead of giving up, it just takes time....*grin*
Take care!
Hotaru
Quote:
"Against one perfect moment, the centuries beat in vain." -Terry Pratchett
by: Hotaru
Disclaimer:
I know you guys know the disclaimer by heart, but you know... life and people who might think I'm doing this for profit. You know... so, here goes. Slayers aint mine. Simple as that.
Chapter 25
Secret Spy! and other novels...
Zelas cursed as she felt the activation of L-sama's magic as the Dwarves were found. Shoot!She was so close. Of course, it had to be Xellos who found them. After all, Xellos was smart, she had created him to be like that. She should have made him an idiot. That way, he would have never left her service, and L-sama would never have been interested in him. She crushed the wine goblet in her hand. She was presently in Jinnia, back in her home. It was time to mobilize the troops. If the dwarfs were awake once more, then the real prophecy was occuring. She grumbled to herself. So many years of hard work, all ruined because her dear pet had switched masters. But not everything was lost. There was still a chance to kill both of the Knights of L-sama. She still had her hoarde of Mazoku at beck and call.
"Xerxes! Get here right now! We have business to do!"
*****
Lina looked nervously about her. How in the world was she supposed to do this? She had been the Knight for such a small time... She looked once more at her copy of the papers. It had Madabar's picture and her status as present leader of the Tarzokus. And it had her jobs, and that was it! There wasn't even a description of her powers or anything like it!
"This is majorly... stupid." she said finally. She looked about the woods. They were half burnt, but evidence of growth was already starting to appear. There were some small twigs growing, and some green sprouting from the ground. She wondered what had happened here. She'd have to ask Xellos about it. He should know.
Thinking about Xellos made her stop as she couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of her lips. He was so sweet, and he was so kind. And he was such a fruitcake. Albeit, her fruitcake. She took off her glove and looked at the engagement ring on her left hand. It glinted back at her, just like Xellos's eyes would glint at her mischiviously. She shook her head. She had to concentrate on the problem at hand. After puttin on her golve again, she began her trek through the ruins of Wolf Pack Island. Of course, if she showed her power now, she was sure she'd see some of those so called Tarzokus, and then they'd fight her and that wouldn't be fun.
With a start she realized that she was thinking in a very Xellos-ish way. She was sneaking around and thinking slyly. She was thinking about having fun and accomplishing the mission at the same time.
"I can't believe his mannerisms are rubbing on me." she grumbled to herself. But it was so fun! She looked around, and seeing no one, she closed her eyes and smiled, using her magic sight so as to not bump into trees or trip over rocks. Then she opened her eyes, giggled and got serious.
'OK, act serious, Lina Inverse!' she told herself. Then, out of curiosity she tried to connect to Xellos. She wanted to know how far her telepathic link with Xellos was.
[Good evening, this is Xellos Metallium, fiancee of the most talented sorceress in the world, speaking.] said a voice into her mind. [With who do I have the pleasure of speaking to at the present moment?] Oh yeah, even though the sun was beginning to rise here, it was still evening over at Seyruun.
[Xellos?] asked Lina, as she turned slightly red. [Is that you?]
[Oh, good evening Lina chan! How are things doing at Wolf Pack Island?] he asked.
[Nothing interesting yet.] said Lina. [I just wanted to know if I could still contact you.]
[Well, I guess you can, Lina chan!] said Xellos perkily.
[So how are things over at Seyruun?] asked Lina.
[Very amusing!] said Xellos. [Oh, you just missed the funniest transformation ever!]
[Huh?] asked Lina. Then she spotted something. [Hey, Xellos. I got to go... take care. I'll talk to ya later.]
[Ok, love.] said Xellos. Lina smiled to herself as she felt his love travel through their link. She knew her blush had probably travelled to where he was.
[Take care.] she said. [Oh, and stop making me blush!] His laughter reached her before they cut the communication. She looked nervously at the cave before her. She was there.
*****
Xellos had gone to sleep after talking with Lina. Too bad it was cut short, but oh well. He had been slightly on the tired side. Watching people transform and holding back your laughter at the same time was so tiring. It really taxed on ones energy. Hoping that Lina chan was OK, he took a small nap, a smile gracing his sharp features. His Lina chan... she was so sweet, and he could still feel her embarrasment and her reciprocated love. Sure, things were moving a bit fast at the beginning, but they had to take it slow for now. There were so many things to do, and he had wanted to claim her as soon as he could. She was so beautiful, so thriving with life. Perhaps, he would be able to have some fun with Lina after this was over. Something like properly courting her, and teasing her. It would be fun. He was sure she would enjoy it. After all, he would. With that train of thought, he fell asleep.
*****
While Xellos was nice and warm inside the covers of a nice and soft bed in the palace of Seyruun, Lina was pressed against the wall, hiding her aura from the surroundings. A squad of Mazoku came by and then left, turning left at the corner.
'Looks like Madabar has this place well guarded,' thought Lina to herself. Now, all she had to do was figure out where Madabar was and then... that's where she was stuck. What was she supposed to do then? L-sama had said to confront Madabar and find out her reasons. Well, how was she supposed to do that? What was the point of such a mission. Why her? Xellos was better at improvising orders. She needed a goal. Like, capture Madabar. Or, blow up Wolf Pack Island into little bitty pieces. Or, something like that. But no,... all she was to do was to confront Madabar and have a little chat. Confront her with what???? She should have asked Xellos what to do. He would probably have been able to tell her something helpful. Then she remembered that he was a fruitcake. Well, he might have helped her. Oh well, too late. With another glance about her surroundings, Lina sneaked about the passageway, trying to figure out where Madabar might be.
After several minutes of fruitless search, she decided to take a risk. She concentrated on the auras around the place, trying to feel around for a strong one. When located, Lina sighed.
'Why do all badguys have to have their headquarters in the center of the cave, where the most protection is found?' she asked herself as she silently grumbled. She was tired, she was grumpy, and she didn't want to do this. So, throwing caution to the winds, she concentrated and vanished, only to appear in the room where Madabar was.
Seeing that her presence hadn't been noted, Lina hurriedly hid in the shadows, having learned from Xellos that shadows were a good place to hide in.
Lina watched carefully, her eyes narrowing slightly. Whatever Madabar was doing, it was taking a lot of her attention. She was sitting at her desk, and held a book in her lap, with a cover made of leather with gold embossing. There was also a far away look in Madabar's eyes. Lina suddenly got an idea. If she could spy on Madabar, and see what she did and all that, she would soon figure out the whole plan! Yeah! After all, reading those magical girl novels and detective stories in her childhood had paid off! And Luna-oneechan always said it was a waste of time. Hmph! What did she know?
*****
After a few hours of playing secret spy, Lina thought that spies were stupid people with no life. Madabar had done absolutely nothing in these hours, except for staring at her book and turning the pages every once in a while. How boring. She was keeping a mental tab of all the times her tail flicked over to the right, and how many times she sighed and how many times she turned the pages and how often she turned the pages. One time, Madabar had moved. But she had gone to her dresser and had grabbed another book while putting away the one she had just read and was presently looking through it. Lina could already imagine her report to the Lord of Nightmares.
'Sorry L-sama, all I know is that Madabar thinks she has all the time in the world because she does absolutely nothing at all during her free time except make ga-ga faces at her book.' Somehow, that didn't fit very well. Then a brilliant idea hit her. Of course! She would look at the book and see what Madabar was making faces at! At last, she would do something interesting. Now, all she had to do was wait for Madabar to leave the room or something.
But the opportunity did not come. Madabar didn't leave the room... Lina sighed metally. If she wanted to get a look at the book, she'd have to make a disturbance herself to get Madabar out of the room... Just like Xellos! Well... it was time to do something. She concentrated and difused her aura around the whole cave, so that no one would be able to figure out that she was in a certain spot. After that, she appeared in various places, and for lack of anything better to do, she threw small fireball spells at the guards here and there. When she was certain that Madabar had left her room, Lina teleported in and hurriedly took the book that had been put away. Then, she hurriedly teleported out of the cave to a safer place.
*****
Lina looked around her. She was on a tree, and was sitting on one of the thicker branches. Making sure that there was no one around and that she had dampened her aura here, she opened the book. Then she lit up a small light spell to allow her to see. Her eyes widened as she looked through page after page. She found herself smiling softly as the pages rustled in the night air. So, was this the reason that L-sama had told her to find?
The album was full of pencil sketches. It seemed as if Madabar was really quite artistic. She had done many drawings. Drawings from many years ago. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as her eyes saw the smooth curves and sharp angles of her drawings. Madabar was very good. She had been able to capture his essence completely. She smiled even more as a plan began to flitter about the edges of her brain. Come dawn, she would fulfil her duty and confront Madabar.
*****
So, dawn had come. Lina had spent one hour on the tree, sleeping lightly. When she woke up, she realized why people didn't sleep in trees more often. She stood up and stretched thoroughly, working out the chinks and knots in her muscles from sleeping against tree bark. After she felt comfortable, she reached within her cloak and took out a bag. She promptly took out her mirror and a brush and promptly set to fixing her hair. After that was over, she flashed a smile at her reflection and then vanished. She appeared in Madabar's room.
"Rise and Shine, Ms. Madabar." she said, her eyes flashing warmth and friendship.
Madabar looked up from her desk and her teal eyes narrowed.
"Fancy meeting you here, Ms. Inverse." she said.
"Well, I was around and decided to drop by." she said with a smile. She was adopting Xellos's "happy go lucky", and "all's right in the world" attitude. No wonder Xellos did this so often. It was so fun to be deceptive! "Would you like to join me for breakfast?"
"And why would I want to?" asked Madabar. Inwardly, she was slightly scared. After all, she knew about Lina's new power. That's why she had never outright attacked her. She had done... other things.
"Well, I have come to negotiate a truce. So call off your people." she said with a smile. Her flaming red eyes bored into Madabar's teal ones.
"I take it you have a certain place in mind?" asked Madabar.
"Here, would be nice." said Lina. "I just wanted to talk with you."
"I take it you're not here to kill me, then." said Madabar.
"Now, that's a secret." said Lina with a smile. And Madabar found herself tied up and pushed down into a chair that appeared. Lina grinned. "Don't worry. I just want to make sure you're not going anywhere." A table appeared, as did another chair on which she sat down. "Let's talk business." Her eyes staid on Madabar's face as she slowly brought out the book.
'Bingo!' thought Lina as Madabar's eyes widened.
*****
Amelia smiled as she woke up early in the morning. She had the most wonderful dream. She had imagined that she was a warrior princess who had been granted the power to help preserve justice in the world. Then, she looked over at her nightstand and saw the token. With a squeal of delight, she bounded from her bed and ran to her full length mirror. She held her token up and while posing in front of the mirror and decided to give it a go.
"For, all the evil that you have been up to, I, Princess Amelia Wil Tesla de Seyruun, will punish you for your wrong doings! Let this be a lesson to young and old alike! Turn your paths from the one of wickedness to the one of light and hope! Happy Dwarf Power Activate!" shouted Amelia. She imagined herself as she transformed like one of those girls in the novels she had read when she was younger. They all had really cool costumes. She imagined those skirst and clothes. Now that she thought of it, they reminded her of the clothes she and Ms. Lina had to wear when they sang that love song or whatever it was. She had like it a lot. When she opened her eyes after the transformation, she gasped. She had actually transformed. She was wearing a blue skirt and a white blouse and her amulets were on her wrist again. Her hair was immaculate and she was wearing blue boots that reached to her knees. On her ears, she was wearing dazzling diamond shaped earrings.
"Oh, this is so cool!" she gushed. She posed at her mirror, and then decided that she had to let Mr. Zelgadis see this. She quickly de transformed and ran out of the room, after brushing her hair and fixing herself slightly.
*****
"So, what do you want." asked Madabar as she glared at Lina. How had that Knight gotten her art book?
"Like I said, I want to talk. Besides, I'm hungry." said Lina with a smile. "Can you like,.. call someone up to make you breakfast?"
"I'm a Mazoku, if you forgot that." said Madabar.
"True... but since you're in your Tarzoku form, I thought perhaps you liked to eat real food at times?" asked Lina, her eyes narrowing slyly.
"I don't eat human food." said Madabar.
"Ok." said Lina. "I just assumed you might like something... I mean... even Xellos likes soft served icecream."
"Cut the chase, Knight of Chaos." said Madabar, her eyes flashing. "What do you want."
"I just want to know the real reason you are trying to fight and kill me." said Lina with a smile.
"I thought that would be obvious." said Madabar.
"I have a few suspicions." said Lina. "You truly are a wonderful artist."
"Thank you." said Madabar darkly. "What must I do to get my book back?"
"Other than killing me?" asked Lina. "Well... you could call of your people. The humans don't appreciate you trying to kill them and destroying their homes."
"That's it?" asked Madabar, sarcastically. "You are calling a pretty high price, Ms. Inverse."
"I know... Zelas will get angry and she's your boss." said Lina as if she had memorized that. Which she had. "I understand you. Xellos told me that the whole time. And now that I work for L-sama, I must admit that I understand. How about this... you don't actively try to kill humans and dragons. Send your people for the Dwarfes in the most unlikely of places. Don't actively interfere unless Zelas gives you explicit orders to do so." Madabar thought about it for a while
"Could you let me go?" she asked, finally. Lina blushed and snapped her fingers. Immedieately, the bonds that had held Madabar to her chair broke. "Thanks."
"Think about it, Ms. Madabar." said Lina. "It would benefit both of the parties, yours and mine. And you're secret is safe. And Xellos won't know a thing. I won't tell him. You have my word. But I ask only that you do not interfere directly. Oh, and a few of your drawings would be nice. You certainly are very talented."
"And what's to stop me from destroying the evidence right now?" asked Madabar. Lina smiled.
"I, myself, am an artist." said Lina. "I know how it is to make sketches and to make paintings. I also know how hard it is to get rid of something you have worked a lot on.... are you truly willing to set your pictures in flames?" Madabar cursed silently.
"And how are you know that I won't double cross you." said Madabar.
"That is what the extra pictures are for." said Lina. "Surely, you don't think this is the original?" She formed a fireball in her hands and threw it at the book. The color drained from Madabar's face as she watched her work get turned into ashes.
"What did you do that for..." she started to say, her voice feeling hoarse.
"Here's another one. Don't worry." said Lina. She took another copy of the book from her jacket and gave it to her.
"I take it your answer is yes." said Lina, as Madabar held her book. "Look, I didn't enjoy this talk. I don't mean to be hard. But I have orders, and so do you. Had our places been switched, you'd probably have done something similar."
"You'd be dead." said Madabar simply. "But point taken." She put the book away. "I take it you have the original."
"No, the one you have is the original one." said Lina with a smile. As she got ready to leave, she turned back and spoke one. "You know... I understand you. I used to think it was impossible also. But, L-sama interefered. Who knows... something may come up."
"Not with Xellos, though." said Madabar wryly.
"You better hope not." said Lina. "He's mine."
"I understand." said Madabar. Lina left with a smile on her face. She had accomplished her mission. Now she could go home and then... do something. Hang out with Xellos. She missed him a small bit.
End Chapter 25.
OK, so this chapter was a bit... I don't know... weird. I must confess it's not the most interesting of chapters that I have written. I'm sorry. But it's a necessary part. I added a few extra parts here to liven it up and all. Hopefully, you guys enjoyed it. And if you didn't... I'm sorry. Action is on it's way, don't worry.
Also, I'm very sorry for the loooooooooooooooooooong delay. I had this on my computer at work for a long time and I forgot about it, and then I concentrated on my other fic, and then school ended, and then our TV broke down so my brother uses our computer to watch TV, which meanst I connect even less than I usually do which means...*catches her breath* that it takes time to upload. *grin* But I'm back. There are some parts here and there I'm working on that I just don't like too well. There will be revisions. To all of you who dared critisize and flame, thank you. Thanks for all your help in forcing me to see errors here and there. You've been most helpful.
Thanks to all you for reviewing! I'm so glad to see your small notes of encouragement. I'd probably have given up on this story some time ago had you guys not written to me. Thank you so much! As it is, instead of giving up, it just takes time....*grin*
Take care!
Hotaru
Quote:
"Against one perfect moment, the centuries beat in vain." -Terry Pratchett