A/N: Ah…I'm so anxious to get to the next story that I'm posting this chapter a bit earlier than I usually would have.  But don't let that stop you!  If you want to comment about a certain chapter, review /that/ chapter.  Well, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not in any way own anything that isn't mine to own.

Decision!  Until We Meet Again

            "Wait."  Mazolina held up her hand in front of her, signaling Lina not to give her answer yet.  Kollina then felt it too.  She sighed and looked at Zelas in a tired but amused expression.

            "Zelas-san.  I thought you said you had everything else taken care of."

            Zelas seemed surprised by this.  "Eh?  Ah.  Xellos was supposed to hold them off.  I guess they escaped somehow."

            Lina and Gourry could make no sense of this.  Wordlessly, Sallis made a beckoning hand gesture toward the now closed door.  The doors swung wide open, revealing a pair of eavesdroppers.  Lina's eyes widened slightly with amazement because there, having fallen from leaning on the door, was Zelgadis and Amelia, soaked from head-to-toe.  Apparently, they had been in a fierce fight because their clothes were ripped and dirty in many places.  Out of instinct, Lina and Gourry jumped off their cushions and ran to their friends.

            Gourry asked concerned, "Are you alright?"

            Lina asked with equal concern, "What happened?"

            Both Zelgadis and Amelia were heaving heavily.  In a raspy voice, Amelia briefly answered, "We'll be okay with a bit of rest.  We've just been through a lot"

            Zel added, "We almost drowned in an underground lake and then fell down a trap hole to a windowless room with a pack of blood-thirsty wolves – bigger than the ones in the island's forest."

            After taking another breather, Zel continued, "When we finally finished off them, we found that there was a trick wall in the shadows.  The wall turned around with us and we ended up in a long corridor.  With nowhere else to go, we started walking.  Then Xellos comes popping up out of nowhere and says that he can't let us pass."

            Lina was briefly amazed.  "Then how'd you get here?"

            Amelia smiled her Justice-and-Peace smile and answered somewhat perkily, "By singing the Life is Wonderful song!  I added a few more stanzas – do you want to hear it?"

            Everybody in the room excluding Sallis, Gourry, and Liona answered determinedly, "NO!"

            Clearing her throat, Kollina made a swift movement and blue sparkling dust appeared from her hand.  It traveled quickly to Zel and Amelia and put them into a fast sleep.  Kollina then conjured up two more beds and levitated their sleeping forms onto them.

            "Now then.  Have you decided yet?"

            Lina's eyes were downcast.  Her bangs covered her eyes, and her face was unreadable.  She slowly got up and started walking towards the three people.  In a sullen voice, Lina answered without looking at them, "Before I decide, can I ask a few questions first?"

            Sallis smiled in a rather motherly way as she replied, "But of course.  What is it you wish to know?"

            Finally, Lina looked up at Sallis and asked, "First, if your body has to be destroyed, then how can you three be here now, and still touchable?"

            Kollina chuckled slightly and scratched her cheek thoughtfully.  "That's a bit complicated."

            Sallis answered for her.  "If you don't want to explain this, I will.  Lina-san, as you must know, Mazoku don't exactly have a real human body.  Higher ups can of course create a physical humanoid body, but that isn't their true form.  That's basically how our bodies work; what you see now before you are fake bodies.  Our true forms are really spirits, or rather, ghosts of who we once were.  Almost every aspect of us is chaos-originated because every time our body is destroyed, it is renewed by pure Chaos energy from the Sea of Chaos.  Does that answer your question?"

            Lina slowly walked a few steps and jumped onto her cushion once more.  Gourry quickly followed suit.  Lina was currently mulling over everything that was just said.  Wait a minute.  If the body is renewed /every/ time, does that mean…?

            Lina looked up again and asked, "Wait, would that mean that you're immortal?"

            Mazolina said a short piece.  "We truly die when we join L-sama.  But after that, only L-sama can destroy our spirits so that it is comprised of pure chaos."

            Lina sweatdropped slightly.  "What would make L-sama do that?"

            Kollina smiled cheerfully and answered simply, "If you annoy her to an unbearable state of mind."

            Lina's sweatdrop grew.  "And how exactly would one avoid doing that?"

            Sallis held up a finger and counted off, "Since L-sama's mind is as vast as the Sea of Chaos, it'd be very hard to do that.  But if you're not already on her good side, there's only two things that would make her want to destroy you.  First, if someone disrespects her by insult or action on purpose.  For example, one of us freely uses our chaos powers for anything other than our mission or to produce more chaos.   Second, if someone finds the courage to summon her power without her consent first, she'll destroy that person along with his or her target.  If someone truly incompetent tries it, she'll return that plane to its original state of chaos.  If you stay within those guidelines, you'll be just fine.  Nothing to it."

            The more and more Lina listened to them, the more and more bizarre it sounded.  She gulped nervously and asked, "Last question; how long would it be until the next person is allowed to come back?"

            Kollina considered this thoughtfully.  "Well, it took me 500 years, but L-sama taught me the most.  Angelina, who came next, took only 200 years because she was only interested in the spells with positive effects.  Mazolina took 250 years because she wanted all the destructive spells but she's a fast learner.  Now it really depends on the person and what they want to learn.  Basic overall ability to use Nightmare magic, along with some extra creation and destructive spells might take 150 years at the most.  Then again, time flies much slower in the Sea of Chaos compared to the regular worlds. So 150 years there might only take 15 years here.  You see?"

            Lina absently nodded and was thinking furiously.  She already knew what her answer was, but she wanted to learn everything she could before voicing it.  Lina took a deep breath.

            "I've decided.  I'll go in Liona's place.  Liona should at least be able to grow up normally before she has to deal with any of this.  Besides, if I learn quickly, I can be the strongest in this world by her 16th birthday."

            Sallis asked, "Is that your final decision?"

            Lina nodded solemnly.

            Kollina wordlessly adjusted her legs to form a meditating position.  Her eyes snapped open and they couldn't help but watch as her deep, black pupils rolled slowly up out of view.  Before long, golden hues replaced them and Gourry automatically recognized it as L-sama's voice.

            "I have heard all that was said. I am saddened by the fact that Liona can't live here with me, but I understand how as a mother, you wouldn't want your daughter to die at such a young age.  Therefore, I shall await your arrival in a month's time. My three top followers shall aid you in the process.  Until next time, Lina Inverse."

            The golden hue disappeared and it was once more replaced with Kollina's black irises.

            Lina blinked at what was just said.  "Wait a minute.  A month?!"

            Kollina chuckled slightly.  "Didn't I tell you?  We can only teleport between the Sea of Chaos and here once per month.  My time is almost halfway up, but Angelina came here a week ago and Mazolina just arrived.  So, you're allowed to say your farewells before you fill in the registration form."

            "Registration form?!"

            Sallis sighed.  She nodded.  "At first, Kollina was the administrator since L-sama obviously wouldn't do it.  Now it was passed on to me, the youngest of the four.  L-sama has this strange fondness to the idea of registering to come live with her.  Anyway, it takes a long time to register, so you might want to say goodbye first, and then we'll go."

            "Why would I need a month to say goodbye?"

            "You usually shouldn't but you probably have a lot of people to say goodbye to.  Also, you might want to find a place for Liona to live, since I doubt Gourry can take care of her himself while traveling.  Your other friends will probably have places to go and be busy, too."

            Gourry abruptly spoke up.  "HEY! Don't I have a say in this?  I don't want Lina to go!"

            Lina sighed and turned to Gourry.  "Gourry, do you love me?"

            "With all my heart."

            "Do you love Liona?"

            "Of course I do."

            "Would you rather Liona leave?"

            "Eh? ….Well….I don't know…"

            "See? Don't worry.  I'll be back.  Just take good care of Liona until then."

            Gourry absently nodded.

            Lina smiled at Gourry before turning to Kollina.  "Well?  Are you going to break Liona's enchantment?"

            Kollina's cushion disappeared and Kollina stood.  She bowed and said, "I am a spirit of my word. (Doesn't sound as convincing, does it?)"

            The rest of the cushions disappeared when Kollina started to walk towards Liona.  They watched as Kollina closed her eyes and put her hands over Liona's body.  She started to mumble a spell.  Liona glowed with a gold aura briefly before it turned black and then disappeared altogether.  Kollina exhaled and turned to Lina with a smile. "She'll be okay now."

            Sallis looked carefully at Kollina and realized what she just did.  With a sigh, Sallis shook her head and turned to Lina.  "We can teleport you to the mainland, but you'll have to travel by yourselves for a while.  When you've said all your goodbyes call for Kollina and she'll come pick you up.  It appears that her actions angered quite a few people so we have to straighten things out before we go.  Is there any seaside port in particular you wish to go to first?"

            Lina glanced at her companions- all of whom were sleeping excluding Gourry.  "Not really.  Do you?"

            Gourry shook his head.  "I don't, but can we get something to eat?  I'm hungry!"

            Sallis thought carefully.  "I think Bermuda has rather exquisite seafood restaurants (^_^).  Why don't we go there?"

            Lina wholeheartedly agreed.  Gourry did too.  Sallis nodded.  "I think I should get the others first though.  One moment please."  Sallis snapped her fingers and two tents came into view.  Sallis clapped her hands twice and the tent disappeared, revealing the sleeping forms of Val, Jillias, and Gravos.  Suddenly, they all shivered and woke up.

            Jillias asked, "Where are we?"

            Zelas suddenly spoke up.  "You are in my throne room.  I don't usually have this many guests.  Greetings."

            Jillias and Gravos jumped with a start when they heard Zelas' voice, since they had never heard it before and it rather surprised them.  They, too, automatically bowed before her.

            Sallis ignored this and told everyone to gather around.  With a sigh, Kollina broke the sleeping spell on Amelia and Zel, but didn't do it for Liona.  Gourry carried her to where Sallis was.  Sallis summoned up the dais again, but instead of it levitating, everyone standing on it flickered and disappeared.  Mazolina stopped just before she teleported herself.

            She turned to Zelas and winked and she said, "Long time no see, Zelas-san.  I see you're still in good health.  After all, Mazoku Lords aren't as affected with cigars and wine as normal humans are, now are they?"

            Zelas smiled and shook her head.  "This has been quite an ordeal.  This Kollina would make a master manipulator as far as I can see."

            Mazolina smirked, "Her powers are mainly based on illusions, and she has had 5000 years to perfect a straight lying face.  If it weren't for my ability to read her thoughts, I would have been fooled as well.  Well, I suppose I must be going."

            Zelas nodded, "Come visit again sometime."

            Mazolina nodded back.  "Next time I visit, I will.  It's too bad, Gaav-sama had to die like that though.  Sibling rivalry is the worst, isn't it?"

            "Especially with Hellmaster."

            "Well, until we meet again.  Farewell."

            Zelas watched the place where Mazolina had been moments before.  She smirked and summoned Xellos to go into town and get her another crate of Zephilian wine and Sairaag cigars (^_^°)

            Meanwhile, Lina-tachi reappeared in an alley off of what seemed to be the main street of a city.  Before teleporting away again with Kollina, Sallis informed them, "This is where we leave you.  You are in the most Southwestern town in Lyzeille.  We'll see you when we see you."

            Before anyone had any time to react, they were gone.  With hunger in their minds and stomachs to fill, they left the alley in search of food.  Once found, ravenous eating took place.  They found that Sallis was true to her word – it was indeed exquisite, and quite delicious as well.  Even Zel had more than his usual coffee.  To their surprise, they found that the bill was fairly reasonable and perhaps on the verge of being cheap.  Well, with Lina's "negotiating" skills, it /was/ cheap.

            After eating Lina took out a map and a piece of parchment as she started to list where she would visit in the next month.

            She surmised that Gourry would either live with her family or his.  Since Lina wanted Liona to learn as much magic as possible, and Gourry wanted her to be able to protect herself when she was alone, they agreed that Liona and Gourry would live in Zephilia.  Since Seyruun was on the way to Zephilia, they'd visit Prince Phil second to last.  Lina supposed she should say goodbye to Sylphiel and her friends in Atlas City, so their route was pretty direct.  First North to Atlas City and Sairaag.  Then East to Seyruun and then Northeast to Zephilia.  With that decided, Lina-tachi decided to sleep and get an early start the next day (the sun had already set).

            While Lina-tachi were asleep, Kollina was casting a holographic communication spell, to contact L-sama.  Sallis and Mazolina were watching from a safe distance.  As soon as L-sama came into view, all three of them bowed but L-sama seemed angry at Kollina.  Kollina screamed out in pain as she felt a scorching hot blaze of light attack her back.  The pain lessened but was still sufferable as L-sama scolded her like a mother scolding a child after they had been caught doing something very bad.

            "I know illusions are your specialty, but you went too far when you /faked/ that I took over your body briefly to talk to Lina.  It wasn't even worth the trouble – you could have told her all that while still acting like yourself!"

            The pain increased and decreased with every emphasizing of single words.

            L-sama wasn't finished, "And what do you think you're planning – telling your life story in such a straightforward manner!  That was pointless as well.  I bet you don't even remember what I asked you to do in the first place.  All I said was to stir up trouble and stay near Liona.  I admit that you did the first job well, but the second wasn't as favorable.  I said stay near, not /kidnap/ for goodness sakes, I want her to be near me, but not as a mazoku!  I therefore ground you until Liona's curse is broken.  Do you understand me?"

            Quivering violently, Kollina struggled to get up and answered, "I-I-I'm very sorry, L-sama.  I am aware that I did not follow your direct orders.  I understand if you want me to stay here with Liona, but how long will Liona's curse last?"

            L-sama softened after venting her anger, and did not press any more pain on Kollina.  "Since you are the one who cast it, you should know how long it'll last.  But until it does, I'm stripping you of all your chaos magic and banish you from returning to the Sea of Chaos with Mazolina and Angelina."

            "Hai, Okaa-sama.  But, can I at least keep the Soul Exchange spell?  If I'm near Liona, I want you to feel her warmth as well."

            "Very well, but inform me before using such methods.  Angelina, you shall escort Lina through the registration form as /Kollina/ planned.  Mazolina, I leave you to take care of Lina's body, though she might not give up without a fight.  I await your return, whenever you're ready.  As for you, Kollina, go join Lina-tachi's group and make sure everything is smoothed over for her departure.  Farewell."

            With that, L-sama's image vanished and the three spirits were left to contemplate their mission.  Kollina suddenly turned SD and cried like a small child that was getting a spanking. "I don't want to stay here that long!! I want to be with L-sama!  I just know Luna will figure me out eventually, even if nobody tells her.  I want to watch Lina train too!"

            Angelina smiled and said as she healed Kollina's back, "Look at the bright side; you get to stay here with Liona and see the changes that have taken place in this world since your last visit."

            Kollina sighed.  "I suppose.  What are you two going to do in the next month?

            Angelina spoke up, "I have to /write/ the registration form again.  That'll probably take up all my time."

            Mazolina answered, "Maybe I'll go find some old friends and see first if /they're/ still alive and then watch their reaction when they think that /I'm/ still alive.  Unlike you, I know what my purpose is."

            Kollina shrugged, "Well, I guess it's to Bermuda with me.  I'll see you later, promise?"

            Mazolina said with a smirk, "If we don't hear you first."

            Mazolina teleported before Kollina could fight back.  Angelina said that she would stay here (Hellmaster's HQ in the Desert of Destruction) until Lina was brought there.  With a nod of understanding, Kollina teleported to Lina's room, where Liona was fitfully sleeping.  Kollina was well-aware that her spell would keep Liona asleep until Lina left this world, so she didn't have to worry about her waking up.  Kollina carefully picked Liona up and set her on her lap as she teleported to the empty room next door.  She conjured up a rocking chair (illusion not chaos magic) and rocked back and forth in it and watched as Liona slept.

            Kollina's curse was really quite simple in some respects.  Liona would remain in child form until someone confessed that they truly loved her, not in a friendly or parently way, but as someone's mate.  Of course, this had to be done before Liona turned 20 years of age.  If it wasn't, that bound the contract for Liona to join L-sama the next time she was almost killed.  Until then, she would be stuck in the form of the age that she was when she was in her first life-threatening accident.  The last part of the curse, was that the other person had to prove their love in some way or another.  Kollina wasn't sure exactly why she wanted to curse Liona, because she happened to be quite fond of her.  In the end, Kollina's inner conscience answered that she simply wanted to see what would happen.  Now that she was grounded, Kollina would want a front-row seat.

            Kollina caught sight of the medallion still hanging around Liona's neck.  She held it in her hand and looked at it in the moonlight.  It really was a beautiful piece of work, and whenever it opened, Liona could hear her mother's voice.  Kollina knew that Liona was a quick learner, so she decided to make the medallion a little more complicated.  When Kollina finished, if used correctly would enhance Liona's power, or automatically put up a shield around her.  Kollina hugged Liona before returning her quietly to her bed in Lina's room, and was sent into a fitful sleep on the inn bed.  Apparently, without her chaos powers, she became tired much more easily.

            The next morning, Lina was surprised to find that Liona seemed to still be in a deep sleep.  Normally, she would have woken up first, but Lina passed this off as being extremely exhausted.  During the night, her hair had slowly shrunk shorter, but not really enough to be noticed.  Lina, Gourry, Amelia, Zel, Jillias, Gravos, Val, and an unconscious Liona eventually gathered downstairs for breakfast.  It seemed that the recent events had not affected their diet, so they ate to their heart's content.  From the shadows, Kollina smirked as Lina, Gourry, and Amelia kept shoveling food into their mouths, by the 5th plate (each), Kollina stopped a waitress that was piled with food and asked if she wanted some assistance in keeping the inn in business.  Wondering what she meant, the waitress asked what she meant.  Kollina suggested that all of the next dishes be piled with an illusion replica of the real food, so that the real food could be used to feed other customers.  The waitress seemed greatly gratified at this gesture and promised to tell the other staff members.  From that time until Lina and company were "full" the waiters/waitresses would pass by Kollina with empty plates and after being told what food was supposed to be on it, cast the most realistic illusion of food ever seen.  It was so realistic that it even kept the taste and feel.  About an hour or 50 plates later, they all appeared full.  The first waitress that Kollina had talked to quietly gave them their bill.  As it should have been only 30 Gold pieces for 30 actual plates of food, it turned out to be 120 Gold Pieces because of the 20 extra "illusion" dishes.  Lina was outraged and wanted to see the manager.  Kollina shape shifted her form to copy the manager's and walked to Lina's table.

            "Is there a problem miss?"

            "YES!  Why should we pay 120 gold pieces for this food?!"

            Kollina winked at the waitress before taking the bill to look at it.  "My my my.  It seems to have been a typo. . . so sorry about that."

            Lina seemed righteously happy about that fact until Kollina continued.

            "It should really be 200 Gold pieces.  I really am sorry about the confusion."

            This, of course, made Lina extremely mad.  "Why did you /raise/ the price?!"

            Kollina kept her cool and said, "If my calculations are correct, you had a grand total of 50 dishes, am I correct in saying so?"

            Lina looked around and sweatdropped.  There were stacks of dishes around the whole table.  Kollina smiled and continued, "Each plate is 4 Gold pieces.  That equals up to 200."

            Lina growled.  "200 Silvers and that's it."

            Kollina put a hand behind her back and started to absorb the chaos emotions that Lina was emitting.  Kollina smiled and answered back, "201 Gold pieces for trying to bargain."

            This got Lina even angrier, so she started to cast a Mega Brand attack.  Kollina put the absorber on full blast so that all of Lina's angry fuel collected in her hand.  When she had absorbed every negative emotion that Lina was feeling, she made the ball shrink and disappear, sending a little bit of chaos back to L-sama.  Lina, meanwhile, suddenly felt light and happy, like there was nothing wrong with the world at that moment.  Upon realizing that she thought this, Lina immediately knew what was wrong. Only half-conscious of what she was doing, she pulled out of her purse 201 gold pieces, put it into a separate bag and handed it to the waitress.  The waitress quickly bowed and ran back into the kitchen before Lina could change her mind.  Kollina smiled and turned to walk around a wooden pillar.  When she came around the other end, she once more had her raven haired, black outfit appearance.

            She smiled at Lina and co. as if she had just woken up from a pleasant dream.  "Good morning everybody.  How are you today?"

            Amelia sweatdropped as she gave Lina a sidelong glance.  "I think Lina was just conned out of 201 Gold pieces."

            Kollina looked as if this was new to her.  "Is that so?  Well, I guess Lina can't always be on top of things.  Where are you going first?"

            Lina suddenly snapped out of her daze and answered, "Atlas City.  To see my friends at the Guild."

            Kollina nodded.  "Mind if I accompany you?"

            Lina looked questioningly at Kollina.  "Didn't you have something to do?"

            Kollina slightly blushed and turned her head as she replied, "I finished it already."

            Lina murmured, "I suppose so. Welcome to the group."

            Kollina smiled at this.  She considered telling them that Liona wouldn't wake up until Lina was gone, but she decided against it.  It was better not to reveal any more information lest she make L-sama lengthen her sentence.

            During the next month Lina-tachi traveled around all the places that they said they would, but Lina stayed the longest at Seyruun, as if to procrastinate her going back home again.  She may have gone two years ago for the wedding, but she had really only done that in hopes of trying to get /out/ of the wedding (she just didn't think she was ready, but she really was).  So before she knew it, a month had passed and she had yet to go back home.

            "Lina, are you sure you don't want to at least say goodbye to your family before you go?"

            Gourry was trying to convince Lina to come back home, but she always seemed to change the subject whenever he did.

            "I wonder why Liona still hasn't woken up.  Do you know Kollina?"

            Kollina blinked and smirked.  "Yes, I know who Kollina is.  I'm her."

            Lina blinked back and upon realizing the extent of Kollina's words, growled.  Kollina really was good at manipulating anything, including conversations, thoughts, and people.

            Kollina changed the subject again.  "Well, by tonight, it'll be a full 30 days and Mazolina can go back.  Do you want to call her now and get it over with? (It's mid-afternoon and they're in the garden)"

            Lina was silent.  "How exactly is she going to do that?"
            Kollina shrugged, "I can't tell you exactly.  It's really up to you two."

            Gourry asked, "What do you mean?"

            "Call her and see.  I'm really in no position to tell you."

            Lina sighed.  Her friends surrounded her in her moment of explicit death (that doesn't sound quite right…).

            "How do I call her?"

            "Simple.  Repeat after me.  I, Lina Inverse, summon my fellow Inverse, Mazolina, to my current location."

            Lina suddenly jumped up from her seat around the table.  "What?!  She's an Inverse?!"

            Kollina covered her mouth as if she had just let out something she wasn't supposed to.  She answered in a muffled tone.  "I'm not going to answer that – just summon her."

            But before she could even utter "I", Mazolina appeared before them.  She whacked Kollina in the back of her head and said reproachfully, "You can never keep that mouth of yours shut, can you?"

            Kollina chuckled slightly but didn't respond.

            Mazolina rolled her eyes at Kollina before looking around.  They were in Seyruun surrounded by snow. Around them was all of Lina's closest friends and acquaintances which included Gourry (duh), Zel, Amelia, Prince Phil, Filia, Val, Xellos, Jillias, Gravos, Sylphiel, Martina, Zangulus, the King of Xoana, and little Liona.  Mazolina sweatdropped slightly at the small audience.  She turned to Lina and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this with everyone watching?  I have a feeling that it might get a bit bloody at some point."

            Apprehension built up inside Lina as Mazolina said those words with such a casual air.  She gulped but nodded.  Mazolina shrugged.  "Kollina, would you mind giving us some space?"

            "Of course."  Kollina stood up, waved her hands and the table along with the people moved to a far distance as a invisible shield became apparent in front of them.  There was nothing inside the shield but the snow on the ground, Lina, Mazolina, and Kollina.  Kollina stepped back so that she was near the edge.

            Mazolina faced Lina.  With increasing anxiousness, Lina asked, "Now what?"

            As if it was the most obvious thing in the world, Mazolina answered, "We fight.  No chaos magic, but anything else goes.  This includes weapons.  First one down wins, but mind you, my goal is to separate your spirit from your body, and then destroy the body so that you can't get back to it.  Don't worry, you won't die just yet.  Kollina's barrier prevents that from happening."

            Apparently acting as referee, Kollina raised a hand and called out, "Both sides ready?  Begin!"

            Not knowing what to do, Lina was shell-shocked as Mazolina began.  She conjured up a fireball in her hand and released it.  Deciding upon dodging the fireball, Lina was resolute in her determination to not go down without a fight.

            She answered back with a Flare Lance.  Mazolina easily dodged it. With a smirk, Mazolina threw an Elmekia Lance at Lina.  The shot threw her backward, hitting the shield.  Slowly she got up and before she could ask, Mazolina started to walk forward and answered her unasked question.  "How can that affect you?  You have very little, but still apparent Mazoku blood in you.  It's not much, but it's still there.  Come on.  Show me some Inverse courage.  As Supreme General under L-sama, I'm not going to let a weakling inside the Sea of Chaos."

            While Mazolina had been talking, Lina had been thinking a spell.  As soon as Mazolina finished, she looked up and cast a Dragon Slave straight at her.  The spectators watched as the interior of the shield glowed bright with the power of a Dragon Slave.  After the smoke cleared, they looked to see a very charred Lina, Mazolina, and Kollina.  Mazolina wiped some black blood off of the side of her mouth and grimaced as she jumped back.

            "If I wasn't already dead, that might have killed me.  But because you were so close, it kind of backfired on you, didn't it?"

            Lina slowly got up.  She smirked as she cast an Elmekia Lance.  Mazolina smirked as well as she simply held up her hand in front of her and absorbed the spell before sending it back.  Not having this ability, Lina could only dodge.  Lina decided to try a Gaav Flare, but Mazolina only laughed as it bounce off of her, not affecting her whatsoever.  Mazolina cast the same spell and charred the area that Lina was before she rolled out of the way.  This went on for quite a while, leaving the audience speechless and spellbound.  It seemed to waver either way for a long time.  About an hour or so later, both were breathing hard, but both were still on their feet.

            Mazolina spoke, "The longer I stay here, the more my stamina goes down; that's the only reason why I'm in the same state as you.  Let's finish this.  I'll admit that you would be a worthy opponent before I went through my training, but that won't be a problem, I can promise you that.  Blast Bomb!"

            Lina yelped as she tried to cast a shield to defend from the attack, but Mazolina had used up the rest of her strength to make sure that she /couldn't/ block it.  The spell crashed through the barrier and hit Lina head on.  In another fiery inferno, the audience waited with captivated silence to see if Lina survived the hit.  Unfortunately for the onlookers, Lina was knocked out.  Mazolina looked to Kollina as she dropped down with a collapsed look.  Kollina nodded back and went to Lina.  Kollina checked her pulse; it was still beating, but Lina was in a deep unconsciousness.

            Slowly, Mazolina made her way over and took a deep breath as she sharply dove her hand straight in the middle of Lina's chest (_).  Lina's eyes suddenly opened wide with bodily shock and Mazolina moved her hand around a little before gripping something and pulling her hand back out.  There was no mark where her hand had been, but now, standing over Lina's body, was a ghostly version of the once proud sorceress extraordinaire.  Slowly the ghost of Lina opened her eyes and looked down at her physical body.  She yelled out with exclamation at the sight.  Kollina stood up and assured her that she was still alright, but she had to hurry before her spirit actually died from exposure (-_-° Go to the next world and all that).  With a similar summoning spell, Kollina summoned Angelina.  She was in a pure white robe and had twin wings protruding from her back.  She held out a gentle hand to Lina's ghost, and not sure of what else to do, she took it.  Immediately, Angelina teleported both of them out.  Kollina asked if Mazolina was all right as she disarmed the shield.  Mazolina assured her that she would as soon as she returned to the Sea of Chaos.  With that thought in mind, Mazolina bid Kollina farewell and reminded her not to spill any age old secrets during her grounding before following Angelina.

            Kollina was now left with the soulless body of Lina Inverse and a group of close friends.  Smiling wanly, Kollina turned to Gourry and asked, "Would you like to hold an empty coffin funeral for Lina?"

            Gourry absently nodded.  The others could only nod in agreement.  Kollina waved her hand and they were all teleported to Zephilia.  Kollina suggested that Zel and Amelia go with Gourry to set up things with Lina's family.  She still had some things to take care of.  For one thing, as the last order from L-sama, Kollina had to destroy the body.  With an interested thought, Kollina shape shifted to look like herself before she met L-sama, which happened to look very similar to Lina's appearance besides her black eyes and a shade darker red hair.  With this image, Kollina used a special spell to make the body disappear without a trace, and teleported back to Zephilia to watch Luna's reaction.

A/N: You don't mind if I stop here, do you?

Lina: You KILLED me!!! Of course I mind!

A/N: Oh, give me a break, it's better this way.

Lina: How exactly is this BETTER?!?!

A/N: (Thinking….) Sore wa himitsu desu.

Lina: ARGH!!! *"A" runs* Come back here!

Xellos: *Sigh* She used it /again/…

A/N: Ah….Long chapter… Oh, before I forget, if you have the time, look again at my author's profile as I added a few things.  As things stand of now: Lina's gone to get registered, Angelina and Mazolina will soon be back in the Sea of Chaos, Kollina's grounded for somewhere less than 20 years, and Luna is about to find that her little sister is dead and she has to take in her niece.  Ah…… Tell me what you think.  Obviously, there will be a lot of changes in the next story, but I believe this will be a closer account to what Liona might act like with Lina and Gourry as her parents.  Please Review!!