Author's Note: Here I'm going to respond to some of the reviews . . . because Ukchana is threatening me.
Alea Seikou: You probably aren't seeing much of plot because it hasn't really gotten off the ground yet. In fact, I dare say it might never get off the ground. Seriously, I'm taking a longer time to set things up because I want this story to last for a while. Plus all the characters have grown a little, so they're not as "we'll charge them all at once" as they used to be. But, thank you for telling me that you liked the not-so-competent-kind-of-evil demon who all the other demons wanted to get rid of. He's like Rudolph, but not capable.
Something that all of you might be interested in is this: I am basing the "evil demon" off of someone I used to know. In fact, besides cameo characters, he's the only real-life insert. And yes, he is that stupid, incompetent and stuck-up in real life. Among the things the "real" version has done was: 1: Claim that he is Christ. The real Christ. No joking. 2: Asked me to hit him with my car to prove that his willpower could defy reality. 3: Believed that he was a better swordsman than an 9 year veteran, but when he picked up a practice sword he dropped it and stubbed his toe on it.
Raven Summersong: Thanks for all your reviews, I'm glad that you liked the "evil demon" as well. I'm a little curious about something though. When you wrote "poor ame! More more!" did you mean that you wanted more fanfic, or more of Amelia being said and distraught? Anyways, it got me thinking, so look for the part in this chapter where Amelia gets upset! And I'm glad that you like Amelia as well. I've found that very few people like Amelia and it's nice to know that other people who like her have found this story.
tbiris: I want to thank you for placing detail about what you liked over excitement about the story in general. While the reviews that are happy and excited about the story help me to feel like writing, detailed ones let me know what my readers think and feel about the story. That way I can improve on what I know. And besides, if you guys don't like it, why should I?
Erica and AnimeJo: Oh you want Filia, do you?! Ha ha . . . ha ha ha ha . . . BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Okay, sure. Anyways, I like Filia too; I have to, look who my fiancée is. It's always "Xellos"-this and "Filia"-that. If I didn't like Xellos and Filia, Ukchana would never forgive me. And neither would our cat.
Chaos-Anita: I will have it said that I respond well to death threats involving fishy hammers of fishy death. So, this and the chapter after it (whenever I post it up) are because of you. So, everyone, give Chaos-Anita a thanks for threatening my life. Also, I know that you and Ukky are scheming together to get me to update, and it makes me feel appreciated because Ukchana is biased, so it's hard for me to tell if my writing is any good.
Akai Kiniro: As much I like to get Amelia fans, I like to get X/F fans as well. I knew from the beginning that Xellos would be a major character; and not just because Ukchana told me so. I'm curious though, I'd like to know what people think of the friendship between Amelia and Xellos. I'd expected a lot of people thinking that I would try to pair Amelia and Xellos together, but I didn't. Maybe my readers are just of a higher caliber.
Earth Star: Thanks for noticing the coffee joke I slipped in. I know it sounds silly, but "Seyruun Morning Justice Blend" will make more appearances and might possibly become a prominent character. Yes, character.
Akane Matsumoto: Thanks, I really did try to keep the feeling of the series in the fic. Of course, that means that soon things will get dramatic and dangerous, then about six to seven chapters of wacky hijinks, then more drama and angst. In fact, the only difference I'm going to make is that the character's can get together. And random cameo crossovers from series that have nothing to do with Slayers.
Clover the Sea-Beast: Thanks for the amount of, and detail in your reviews, it really helps. And yes Amelia involved in S&M was a frightening thought. Which, of course, is why I did it. And you've probably already figured this out, but the demon really isn't a fragment of Shabranigdo. He just thinks he is. Like how Martina thought that she could create an imaginary demon and it would actually exist. In fact, she's the closest character that Zel's demon can be related to. Martina, but stupid.
Luke Skywalker (Whining): Daaaddddyyyy, why did you cut off my haaaannnd?
Darth Vader: Because I'm tired of your insipid whining! I just happened to miss your head!
Luke (Even louder than before): B-But Daaaddddyyyy, I'm a Jediiiii! Just like youuuuu, Daaaddddyyyy!
Darth Vader: JE-ZUS CHRIST! If you were half the man your sister is, you'd be ten TIMES the man you ARE!
Luke (Huffy, crybaby tone): Well, at least I wasn't played by Leonardo DiCaprio!
Darth Vader: That's not who played me! I don't care what Lucas was smoking, I'd never allow that!
Lina: HEY! This is my show! Get the HELL OUT!
Luke (starting to cry): Why is everyone so mean to meeeeeeeeeeeeee?!
Lina: Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows . . .
Darth Vader: Thank GOD! It'll be worth dying just to know that a pansy like my son is taken out, too!
"Amelia! What the hell were you thinking?!" Huffing slightly, Xellos stared at the smiling princess. "Why, why, why didn't you at least wait until we were alone to bring it up?!"
"Well," the tiny girl giggled, "the only way you would've agreed was if I embarrassed you. Otherwise you would've just said 'no'."
"I would not have simply said 'no'!" Crossing his arms, the demon managed to look both superior and annoyed.
Rocking back and forth, her smile grew wider. "So what would you have said?"
Shoulders slumping, the priest muttered, "I would've said 'absolutely not'."
Another giggle escaped her lips. "I figured that you'd act this way. It's funny to see you like this. You've always been so calm about everything . . . I think it's a good thing that you're not so unflappable anymore."
"I don't even know why I'm so concerned about Filia being in the group anyways." Turning his nose up, Xellos crossed his arms and turned away from Amelia.
"Yeah," The princess winked at him, "I mean, it's not like you don't go and visit her every week."
Ignoring the innuendo the demon nodded, "That's my point exactly! I drop in to check up on little . . . Valteria," snickering, the priest turned back towards the tiny girl. "It's not as if there's anything to be embarrassed about."
Stifling yet another giggle, the shrine maiden tried, with marginal success, to bring her smile under control. "You just enjoy how upset Miss Filia gets when you're around, right?"
Looking up into the clear sky, Xellos sighed with relief. "That's it exactly." Nodding his purple head, he waved at the air unconcernedly. "I was just upset because she's nothing but trouble for me, no matter how much fun it is to watch her go berserk."
A distant voice called from behind the rich oak door, "Lina? Is that you?"
"Yeah, it's me!" The redhead called hotly from the hallway. "You gonna open the door, or not?" Slamming her fist into the door again, the young girl growled low in her throat.
A clicking noise followed by the rattle of a chain preceded the door swinging into a large sitting room. A blonde head appeared from around the edge of the door. "I'm sorry, I was just singing a song to little Valteria. How have you two-" Her eyes latched onto the tall figure whose face was covered. "Zelgadis?"
He nodded, uncertain eyes flicking from side to side.
"Oh thank Cepheid! Miss Lina, you found him! Does Amelia know?" Running out into the hallway, the dragon grinned at the chimera's nod. "Oh, she must be thrilled! Is she here?" She started peering up and down the length of the building.
"Not right now, Filia. She'll be along in a little bit." Putting her hands on the taller woman's shoulders, she gently pushed her back into the apartment. "We really need to talk inside." Eyes wide, the ex-priestess let Lina herd her back inside.
"But . . ." the dragon asked, sapphire eyes wide, "where's Gourry, Lina?"
"Oh," sighed the redhead as she closed the door. "He'll be along after he . . . recovers."
"So, that's what it is." The dragon kept her face blank as she poured another cup of tea for the still-pained Gourry. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Sighing, Filia raised her tea cup to her mouth, taking a drink before continuing. "Well . . . I guess Rezo's old properties would be the place to start."
Nodding, the sorceress leaned back further into the blue easy chair. "Yeah, now we just have one more thing to take care of before we can head out."
The blonde woman's eyes widened slightly. "Is that why you came here? Is there anyway I can help?"
A faint flicker of a smile rose on Lina's face, then faded back into stillness. "Actually, yeah. But it's not going to be an easy request; unfortunately we don't have anyone else to turn to."
Laughing slightly, Filia smiled at her one-time traveling companions. "Oh, you know that I'll help in anyway I can." She set down her cup and folded her hands, leaning forward. "So, what can I do?"
"We need you to come with." The petite redhead took another calm drink from her ornate cup. "This is really good tea, Filia, I-"
"Come WITH?!" Shooting to her feet, the blonde frantically paced back and forth. "Lina, have you gone completely insane?!" In a shrill voice the dragon began listing off reasons why the idea was a impossibility. "I'd have to leave the shop and cancel my other lectures, and there'd be no one to watch Valteria! I can't leave now! There's too much happening! And besides-"
"Oh, hello everyone!" Came a distinct nasal voice from the foyer. "Oh dear; Fila? Does this mean you won't be coming with?" All heads turned to see the demon priest with his hand behind his head.
"You!" shouted the blonde dragon. "Don't tell me; this whole thing was your idea, wasn't it?! I bet you twisted them all into this crazy idea of me coming with, didn't you!" The ex-priestess viciously stalked to the foul demon. "It's not enough that you invade my home every week, just to torture me and my baby." Reaching up to a wooden rack by the door, she pulled down her heavy iron mace. "You also spy on us constantly, you filthy VOYEUR!"
"Voyeur?" Chuckling softly, the priest backed up slightly. "Don't you think that just a little exaggerated, my dear dragon?"
A loud banging on the door interrupted Filia's reply. "Mr. Xellos!" Came the quiet voice of Amelia. "Don't you dare start a fight with Miss Filia!" For a handful of seconds everyone stared at the door. The princess' still distant voice sounded again, "Could someone please unlock the door?"
"Amelia . . ." whined the dangerous demon. "I didn't do anything. I just said 'hello'!"
"Ha! You got caught again, you perverse little maggot!" Turning her nose up, the dragon pushed her finger into his chest.
Eyes growing wide, the young chimera looked at the scene playing out before him. What the HELL is going on here? Everyone's gone insane! Why did I even bother to try this?
Leaning forward into the dragon's face, Xellos whispered loudly, "I'm glad you're getting some use out of that dictionary I bought for you. Though I must admit, I'm shocked that you've managed to retain anything you learned from it."
Sneering she pushed her finger deeper into his chest, "I'm not surprised you're shocked, after all, learning anything is beyond the capacity of any monster!"
A voice called from outside the apartment, "Ummm . . . can someone let me in now?"
"Oh ho!" cried the priest, voice raising, spreading his arms in a nonchalant manner "I should've known that a lowly dragon couldn't show any behavior as civilized as gratitude!" Sneering at her, he inched his face closer to hers.
"Well!" Baring her fangs, the blonde stabbed deeper with her finger. "I should've known that a rancid demon like you, could never do anything nice without ulterior motive!" Grabbing him by the collar of his turtle neck, she pulled him forward.
A wave of silence passed over the room.
Disinterestedly, the chimera glanced over at the now silent combatants. Dropping the tea cup, he shot to his feet, eyes bulging. "OH MY GOD, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"
Clenching the demon's robes, Filia snaked her arms around his back, deepening their kiss. Xellos responded by tightening his hold around her shoulders, pressing her to him.
"Oh, no . . . not again!" Worriedly, Lina stood and motioned for Gourry to join her behind the cover of the sofa.
"Again?" Stumbling backwards, Zelgadis shakily joined his two friends behind the couch and whispered fiercely, "Lina, what do you mean, AGAIN?!"
Laughing nervously, the sorceress replied. "Sorry, I thought they'd get outta this phase by now. Anyways," She said, eyes steeling, "get a defense spell ready."
"A WHAT?!" Jerkily, the chimera brought his hands together, eyes nearly popping out of his head. "You who cross-"
The blond swordsman piped up, "Lina, if you expected them to get past this phase, what phase would they be in now?" Peering over the top of their protective furniture, Gourry gazed unconcernedly at the deeply embraced enemies. "Wow, they're not coming up for air!"
"Ummm . . . " came the small voice from outside, "Why is it so quiet in there? Why is- OH MY GOD, THEY'RE KISSING AGAIN, aren't they!" Loud banging sounded on the door, "Miss Lina, break them up! There are innocent people in this building! They'll be killed!"
"HEY!" The tiny redhead shouted from her spot behind the sofa. "I'm not getting in between those two when they're fighting! I might be a little crazy, but I'm not stupid!"
A low moaning noise came from the foyer. Refusing to think about which one of them it was, Lina took a deep breath. "Well . . . I suppose I have no choice. You owe me for this Amelia!"
Throwing herself over the edge of the couch, the sorceress cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled at the top of her lungs, "Hey Filia! 'Valteria's a sissy's name!" Frantically, the powerful sorceress flung herself back behind cover, desperately trying to avoid a mother's wrath.
"It is not!" yelled the blonde dragon, breaking off the kiss. "Miss Lina, why do you . . . I . . . I just . . . kissed . . . XELLOS!" The sound of splintering wood caused the three adventurers to flinch. "XELLOS! YOU SCUM, YOU PERVERT!" Quietly, Zelgadis could hear the tell-tale sound of the demon's teleporting, followed soon after by a wordless howl from the ex-priestess. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" The huddled group winced as they heard porcelain shatter.
"Filia! You kissed ME! I didn't do ANYthing!" Again the whoosh of phasing, barely before the sound of crashing glass.
The blonde swordsman covered his head with his hands. "Lina, what's going on over there?"
Head tucked into her knees, the petite red head mumbled back, "How should I know? I'm not gonna look to find out, either!"
"AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!" screamed the enraged priestess. "How dare you say that! You slimy piece of filth, you seduced me!"
"Filia," the demon chuckled nervously. "I did not seduce you! You seduced me!"
"You-you liar!" Her loud shriek was punctuated by the sound of stone crumbling. "You used . . . used . . . SOMETHING on me!"
Taking a risk, Zelgadis peeked his head over the edge of the sofa. What is going on here?! He saw a heavily breathing Filia, lifting her mace for another deadly swing. The target, on the other hand, was grasping the back of his neck, a slight laugh escaping his lips.
Filia was kissing Xellos, The chimera thought as he ducked back down. Lina was openly showing how she feels, and Amelia manipulated both me and Xellos, and used logic to do it!
A loud sob broke his train of thought. "Ohhh . . . I kissed XELLOS! What kind of twisted person have I become?" The sobbing grew to a wail as the blonde dragon ran from the room. A moment of silence went by, and then the blue-skinned man heard, again, the pulsating sound of teleportation.
Cautiously, the three moved up and around the sofa exposing themselves to the empty room in front of them. "Lina," the chimera began as he gazed around the half-annihilated sitting room. "What, was that all about?"
"Well . . ." began the sorceress, "It's pretty complicated." Stepping over the shards of glass from a window, she began navigating to the front door. "Basically, when Filia and Xellos have really gotten into their fights, they, uh . . . get into each other, too."
Shocked, Zelgadis stood there as the blonde swordsman stepped forward to help Lina across the rubble. "So . . . they're . . . a couple?"
Barking a laugh, Lina hopped to a clear spot in the floor. "Eh . . . not really. Filia hates Xellos even more than before. And Xellos is even more annoyed with her for constantly accusing him of 'seducing' her."
Amelia's voice, sounding much closer now, inside the room, in fact, interrupted the sorceress. "I think it's because Miss Filia likes Mr. Xellos, but she hates the idea of it."
Waving his hand, Zelgadis snorted derisively. "That's silly, he's known as 'The Great Murderer' among the Golden Dragons. I'm more inclined to agree with what Filia believes." Narrowing his eyes, he fixed his gaze on the tiny princess. "How did you get inside? The door is still locked."
Smiling slightly, the princess pointed behind her at the mace-induced hole in the east wall.
With a shrug the chimera turned back towards Lina. "So, what do we do now?"
Reaching out a hand, the sorceress grabbed hold of the doorknob. "I dunno'. I don't think it's a good idea to talk to Filia right now."
"I know!" cried the tiny shrine maiden. "We can see if there are any documents or information that can help us over at the 'Seyruun Bureau of Unexplained Rare Phenomena'."
"The what?" Eyes narrowing, Zelgadis watched as Amelia dug a toe into the ground, shifting it in a circle.
"I, uh . . ." Blushing, the princess looked downward. "I started a agency for the Seyruun government."
Something is definitely going on here. "Why?" Folding his arms, he frowned when he heard Lina's stifled laughter.
"Well . . . I uh, thought that we needed one." The tiny girl tittered and held the back of her head.
"Why?"
The redhead's laughter grew to uproarious levels. "Oh come on, Amelia! Just tell him why, that's not so tough, is it?"
"I," the princess began. "I started a agency to find a cure for you, Mr. Zelgadis."
Stunned, he stood there, staring at the indigo-haired girl. "You started a new branch of the government to help me find my cure?"
"Um . . ." Amelia began to shake slightly, cheeks tinged red with embarrassment. "Y-yes?"
"Hey, Lina?" Gourry leaned down to the sorceress' ear. "Why are we going to see Amelia's 'ex's' again?"
Barely summoning the energy for growling, Lina pulled his hair more out of reflex than real anger. "You moron. It's not 'Amelia's ex's' it's the Seyruun Bureau of Unexplained Rare Phenomena, or the 'X-Bureau'. They decided that 'X-Bureau' sounded better than the actual acronym, 'S-BURP'."
"Oh," replied the swordsman. "Okay. So, why are we going to see them again?"
Sighing, the sorceress released Gourry's hair. "Well, supposedly these people are to investigate reports of unexplained occurrences and magical events." She snickered loudly as she saw Amelia's shoulder's slump from her words. "But it's really a way for Amelia to use the country's coffers to find a cure for Zel."
"Leave her alone, Lina." Zelgadis' voice was even more gruff and subdued than normal.
Shyly, the indigo-haired girl glanced up at the blue-skinned man. Seeing his stoic expression, she contented herself with a small smile. "Actually, they've done pretty well. They've managed to uncover many previously unknown magical texts."
Opening an unmarked door Amelia led them deeper into the palace's depths. "That's why I want to see them before we go." She stopped in front of a plain looking door. "Here we are!" Smiling nervously at her three friends she raised her hand slightly. "Now, uh . . . one of them is a . . . uh . . . a bit odd."
A tiny voice from inside could be heard shouting in a dead monotone. "HEY . . . SCULLY. I LOST MY GUN AND LANTERN AGAIN, CAN I BORROW YOURS."
Xellos sat on the rooftop of the Seyruun palace, starring out at the city below. That stupid dragon. Now I feel . . . what? Setting his head into his hand he tried to work through the feeling. Amelia said that it's always best to start with the base feeling and work your way up. I feel . . . bad.
The demon's face scrunched slightly as he realized how stupid that sounded. Sighing, he gave up procrastinating and kept trying. I feel . . . angry, but with . . . a frightened sensation as well. I feel . . . conspicuous, in some way. Like everyone's making fun of me. Leaning back onto the stone parapet he opened his eyes to look at the clouds. I'm never going to understand.
"Wow," said the exceptionally tall man. "This is the most exciting day of my life." The man's even monotone suggested otherwise, as did his nonchalant snacking on sunflower seeds. "Isn't this exciting, Scully."
"Mulder . . ." Sighing, the short red haired woman pulled out an overflowing folder from a desk drawer. "Your Highness, we've spent the last ten months compiling information on this particular case. Nearly everything we've found has been placed in this folder." With a loud thump, she dropped it onto her associate's desk.
"Hey, Princess." The dark-haired man walk over to the tiny monarch. "Can I have your autograph."
"Please, Mulder." Scully's heels clicked as she strode towards him, pulling him away from Amelia. "She's our employer, not a celebrity. Besides," she sighed again. "You already have her autograph."
The princess' eyes flicked over at the quietly stewing chimera. Whispering, she tried to reassure him. "Don't worry, Mr. Zelgadis. I'm sure there's something useful here."
The stone man let out a ragged breath and whispered back. "As long as I don't have to listen to him talk for too much longer."
"Hey! What's this?" All eyes turned to Lina as she picked up what appeared to be two plates glued together with some glitter sprinkled on it.
"Hey," shouted the lanky man, in his most excited tone yet. "Be careful with that. It's a three dimensional reconstruction of the alien craft that abducted my sister."
"Aliens?" The sorceress asked. "What, like foreigners?"
"No," yelled the unenthusiastic investigator. "Aliens from space. They traveled across the galaxy to perform experiments on human beings."
Walking over, Gourry looked at the model in the man's hands. "'Mamalian's' from across the 'Phallic Sea' kidnapped your sister? That's terrible!"
Ignoring the swordsman's mistakes, he clapped him half-heartedly on the shoulder. "Yeah. You know, it's nice to see someone else get so enthusiastic about this. No one believes me." For a moment, Mulder's hazel eyes misted up with tears, then, wiping them away, he showed the blonde man over to his desk and pulled some artwork from the top drawer. "These are eyewitness drawings of the aliens people have encountered. What's your opinion."
"Here, Your Highness, you might find this interesting." Scully brought out a couple pages, trying her best to ignore her partner. "You said that the young man involved was a family member of Rezo. I managed to dig up some records on the relative, if you ever find him."
"Uh," Amelia began, eyes widening. "That won't really-"
"The description you gave me is at the top, followed by as much background information as I could find."
"Hey," Lina said. "Lemme see that. I wanna know about Zel." Grabbing the description of Zelgadis from the woman's hands, she started skimming the page. "Ohhhh . . . my . . ." An evil cackle formed within her throat.
"Miss Lina! I really don't think it's necessary to go over that, it's not really-"
"A powerful musculature supports his perfectly proportioned frame." Cackling louder, Lina swept out her arm in a dramatic fashion.
"Miss Lina!" cried the princess.
"His handsome features are only accentuated by his cursed state. His deep eyes smolder with an internal fire. It is obvious to all that look upon him, that he is a strong man and that he should not be trifled with," With the last word she flicked her eyes over at the 'strong man' who was currently trying to hide his face even more than normal.
"Miss Lina," Amelia begged. "Please, please don't read anymore."
Seeing the forming tears in the shorter girl's eyes, the sorceress acquiesced. "Sure," she said handing the sheet of paper back to the auburn haired woman. "I guess I can read the good stuff later."
Wandering over to Gourry, Lina bumped the desk where the swordsman and Mulder were studying. "Huh, what's this?" she asked as she picked up some parchment that had just fallen on the floor. "Oh my God!" The tiny redhead's eyes doubled in size.
"Uh . . ." stuttered the dark haired man. "Whatever Fertility Dance etching rubs you found there, aren't mine."
Groaning, the sorceress gingerly picked up the provocative images. "That's okay, I'll just . . . put them in your desk . . . with all the other . . . pictures . . . that aren't yours."
The short-haired woman lowered her head into her hands. "Mulder . . ."
Filia looked at the shattered remains of her mirror. "Damn that stupid monster." Carefully she swept at the glass. "He's so cruel, why does he have to torture me? I never did anything to him." As she gathered the glistening shards into a dustpan, she sighed. "He's just trying to distract me so he can kidnap Valteria." Pattering over to the trash can, she dumped the debris.
Smiling a bit at getting some of the mess cleared, the dragon turned back towards the sitting room, only to have her smile drop completely as the remaining carnage greeted her. "Ohhhh!" She wailed as she realized how large the hole in the wall was. "I'm never going to get this clean!"
Woodenly, she started sweeping at the large pieces of wood and stone. "Why am I forced to deal with that piece of filth? Ooooo," she fumed. "Why can't that little jerk be as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside!"
Sadly she turned back to the growing pile of debris. If he wasn't such a good kisser none of this would have ever happened. Startled she dropped her broom.
"NO!" she cried, tears springing to her wide sapphire eyes. "I am being seduced!"