Birds were chirping overhead... the sound of wind in leaves... Rasmus took a slow breath, feeling David stir and finally open his eyes. He was laying on his side, still wearing his grimy clothes from the fight, head pillowed under his rolled up cloak. Turning over, he squinted up at the green haze above them with spots of light glinting through breaks in the leaves. "where...?" he murmured.

"Good morning sleepy," Sylphiel leaned over him from his other side, her tangled hair falling in a curtain on either side of her face. She was still wearing the outfit she'd been in the night before, though her makeup was washed off. He still thought she looked gorgeous in the morning.

A smile curved David's lips, "Morning," he replied and wiggled his toes, just to make sure they were still there. Yep, and so were his legs, and arms. Taking a breath, he levered himself up onto his elbows and stared around. He was under Flagoon, and truly felt as if he'd slept on the ground, and very badly at that. "God... I'm getting old," he complained, trying to pop his neck by giving it a twist.

Sylphiel laughed and moved behind him, applying her hands to his neck, "Not so," she disagreed and he melted in her grip. Leaning forward, she kissed his cheek. "My heroes," she added.

Opening his eyes partially, Rasmus pulled his wits together and asked, "So... we killed it?"

She gave a laugh, "It's rotting in the sun right as we speak. Not a very pleasant smell, but thankfully the city is upwind of it."

Rasmus gave a sigh of relief and melted back into her massage. "What about the others," David asked.

Now, she slid her hands down his shoulders and across his chest and tucked herself against his back, "Lina and Gourry are having breakfast, courtesy of a bakery in town, Amelia and the two Zelgadis's are trying to get some, and you were the last to wake."

"I had to replenish more energy than they did," David answered and locked his hands on hers. "Where's your other self?"

Putting her face to his hair, Sylphiel replied, "She's gone to Flagoon's central trunk. To think about things, I guess."

Taking a breath, David stretched, "I think I'll go try my luck at the table too. Coming?"

Letting go of him, Sylphiel got to her feet and assisted him to his, then looped her arm with his as they walked a short distance away to where an immense feast was being decimated. The Zelgadis'es were peacefully sharing a pot of coffee off to the side, Amelia sitting beside them with a platter of various pastries she'd stolen from Lina and Gourry. Eyeing Lina and Gourry, David decided to join the other three.

Zel lifted a hand and found up a fourth coffee cup, which he handed to David after he'd taken a seat with Sylphiel still beside him. "Ah, you're a saint," he breathed and sipped the coffee blissfully for a moment.

The Chimera version snorted and reached over to refill his other self's cup without even bothering to ask. Rolling his neck, Zel shrugged a bit, "No, I just know you too well," he stated, eyes half lidded in his 'I'm a superstar' look, then smiled slightly and sipped his coffee. "Sleep well?"

"Like a rock," David winced, "Or maybe on a rock." He rubbed his back even as he glanced towards the Chimera, who pretended not to notice what David had said. "I'm way too old for camping." Zel snorted disbelief. "So. You guys going to head home soon?"

Amelia sighed, "Xelloss told us we'd have to find our own way back and disappeared. So I guess we're stuck."

Sylphiel shook her head, "Not so," she smiled, "I crossed over and back to get the Bless Blade."

Looking interested, the Chimera lowered his cup and asked, "How did you do that?"

Blushing, she explained, "There's a lake around Flagoon's central trunk. It reflected your world and I fell through the mirror."

"It was creepy," Zel muttered, "She walked on water and fell flat and stood up on the other side." He shook his head, "I think I've had enough of paranormal stuff for one lifetime."

"As for me," Lina stated, having finished her breakfast while they were talking, "I've had enough of this place. Sylphiel, think you could get Flagoon to open the way again? I don't mean to be rude or anything, but we've got Dragon Cuisine waiting back home and I've had to wait two years for it to be ready!"

Rolling his eyes, the Chimera sighed, "You just ate, Lina, and you're already thinking about dinner?"

"I'VE BEEN WAITING TWO YEARS FOR DRAGON CUISINE!"

David rubbed his ears, "ouch..."

The Chimera fixed his hair, which had been blown back by the sorceress's shout, the other Zel stuck a finger in his ear. "She always this loud?" he asked.

"Afraid so," the Chimera replied coolly and sipped his coffee.

Heaving a sigh, Rasmus reached over and picked up a doughnut, "I think we'd better escort them back to their world," he told Sylphiel, "I don't think this place could handle two Lina's and we'll be able to have breakfast in peace when she's gone."

Glowering, Lina raised her fist, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Getting to his feet with coffee in one hand and pastry in the other, Rasmus replied evenly, "You're giving me a headache."

"Hey! I beat up your demonbeast! The least you could do is show a little courtesy, Rasmus!" Lina shouted as the copy of Rezo casually sipped his coffee.

After swallowing, he closed his eyes and sniffed haughtily, "I could've gotten rid of it eventually on my own," he stated haughtily, eyes closing in a very Rezo-like fashion. "Besides, it wasn't mine. It came from your world."

Zel shivered, the Chimera shivered, "Don't do that," the said in unison and looked at each other. "Wow. Stereo," Zel added, "That'd be an awesome effect for concerts."

Opening his eyes, Rasmus regarded Lina for a long moment, "Speaking of which, why DID it come here?"

Giving a nervous laugh, the redheaded sorceress scratched the back of her neck, "Well, see, there's this university in Sairaag that teaches magic, as well as studies chimera and copy making. Their Dean was a little nuts and kept using this thing called the Mirror Breaker to scry, when it's supposed to suck the energy out of spells it's applied to, and ... eh. He ...sorta messed up the barrier between this world and ours."

"HA!" Rasmus levered a finger at her, "NOT my fault this time!" He pumped a fist in victory.

Clearing her throat, Lina thumped her hands on her hips, "ANYWAY," she continued, "We found some statue amidst the junk that was in Rezo's lab, which YOU blew up, and scattered everything around the ruins of Sairaag."

"Oh god, that was Garadaar?" Rasmus asked, "Damn! We just defeated a demonbeast stronger than Zanafaar when HE was alive."

Frowning, Amelia looked up at him and stated, "You know what all that stuff in Rezo's lab did, don't you?" Rasmus nodded, swallowing the sip of coffee he'd taken. She sighed, "You'd be pretty useful over at the university. They sort of need a new Dean..."

Lina gave a slight shrug when Rasmus looked at her, "He killed himself, by stupidity," she explained, "He thought he could control Garadaar. Somehow, I don't think he had any sort of plan on how to do that, but he used the Mirror Breaker to break the seals on the statue, and it's only luck that the thing didn't completely blow up the school, though it did get a shot off through South Sairaag." Lina winced at that.

Sipping his coffee, Rasmus swallowed and smirked at her silently. Lina continued, "It was real weird, though. Garadaar started moving across the city, like it was sliding down a steep slope, then that pillar of light opened, and Garadaar fell through. Xelloss teleported us here, then left."

"To come harass me," Rasmus huffed.

Laughing lightly, Lina shrugged again, "It's Xelloss, he's a Mazoku, what do you expect? He's got some agenda of his own all the time, and we're just tools. Anyway, that's our story." Her eyes traveled to Sylphiel, where she was standing beside David, where she had tucked against his side, under his arm once he'd stopped victory dancing. "Hey uh, Syl...?" the sorceress shifted and glanced down at Amelia meaningfully. The princess's eyes lit up with understanding. "Could we talk to David for a second...privately. I've got a few things I want to ask him."

Blinking towards the redhead, Sylphiel smiled and patted David's arm, "Of course. My other self wanted to ask me something too, I'll go talk to her." Turning, Sylphiel headed off into the forest, David's eyes following her, and leering a bit when she glanced back at him. Giggling behind her hand, she sped up to a cute trot and was out of sight.

Amelia stood, latching onto David's arm as Lina grabbed the other. "Yrk!" And he was dragged backwards making him almost spill his coffee. Away from the two Zelgadis'es they went, and consequently, away from the coffee pot, the latter of which he mourned the most, but at least he had one cup and a doughnut. Once they were on the other side of the clearing, Amelia and Lina shoved David down onto a root that was just high enough to sit on, but he was still below eye-level with them.

Lina planted her fists on her hips, Amelia folded her arms under her breasts, and both were looking at him as if he were some horse they were going to buy. "I'm not sure I approve of this," Lina stated.

"Yeah," Amelia agreed, "You dating Sylphiel! What makes you think you're good enough for her?"

Rasmus stared at them, then David's left eye abruptly turned blue as the Kopii ran screaming into the back of his host's mind. David blinked and glanced around in confusion, only to have Lina's finger pointing just between his eyes. "Oh no! Tell him to come back! The question applies to him too!"

Leaning back, David sipped his coffee, "I don't think he will. He's gibbering in terror of you."

"As he should," Lina smirked, "But I want an answer!"

David had certainly never expected for anyone to confront him on this subject, it was shocking, but somewhat pleasantly so. He smiled slightly and balanced his coffee mug on his knee, lifting his chin defiantly, "I might not be good enough for her," he answered, "But she's decided to keep us, and that's what matters. She's certainly done wonders for me, and if our company is the reward she wants for helping me to live, and giving Rasmus a reason to live, then we're more than glad to give it to her."

His eyes flicked down, then Rasmus peeked up, "I really am sorry... for what I did. I was wrong, but I was also partially insane, and Eris suppressed what sanity I had left. I didn't have much choice in fighting you, and Eris... just pissed me off. I was hoping to catch her in the blast, but she ran away too quickly." He looked away from Amelia and Lina's twin stares. "I looked into it, too... most of the people I killed were already dead on this side. There was some water treatment issue here that got a lot of people sick before they fixed it."

Amelia drew a breath and glanced at Lina, who looked back after a second, "So you're saying that what you did only balanced things out between here and our world?" she asked.

"Sounds like you're trying to skip out of the blame," Lina added, looking back down at the Kopii.

Grinding his teeth, Rasmus snapped his head up to stare at Lina, fear no longer in his expression, "Never," he hissed. "What happened there IS my fault in that I did it, but you killed me once already, I haven't fucked up here, and I'm not going to. I don't have to answer to you, Lina Inverse, so leave me the hell alone."

Abruptly, David was back in charge and took a breath or two and a swig of coffee that was starting to get cold. "Really, Lina, you don't have to worry about him doing anything. I'm far more mentally stable, and experienced. I'll keep him straight. And so will Sylphiel, he really loves her, as much as I do, and both of us will do anything in our power to make sure she's happy. ...which is why we went out to kill that demonbeast on our own, not that there was anyone who could really help us, but still, Rasmus wanted to protect the city because it's Sylphiel's home, and that's all that really mattered to him- not redeeming himself for his past actions."

Lina leered forward, "Alright," she said, apparently satisfied with their answers thus far. "What about your house? Your job? How well off are you?"

Blinking, David stared at her, and quirked a brow. "I've got a place of my own," he said, "It's small, but I can afford better, should she want to move in with me. I'm paid rather well, head of a department that's working on an important part of a project for Seyruun. I'd go into specifics, but you wouldn't understand them, except Rasmus has equated what I do to be something like the mechanics of really complicated spells you have to use inscriptions for, like making golems that last longer than the caster's concentration and energy."

"So you write the spell work for that?" Amelia asked, curious. "What sort of golem is it for?"

Smiling slightly, David replied, "It's a healer's lab, that will float above the planet where there's no gravity. They can make better medicine up there than they can down here, because the gravity interferes, as well as the possibility for contamination being higher. My 'spells' will make sure that the lab doesn't crash, and can have ships dock with it without needing someone to be there working the controls, as well as maintain an atmosphere that people can survive in, controlling temperature and air pressure. You know, it's really difficult to tell you about it in terms you'd get," he sighed.

Straightening, Lina shifted her weight to one hip and folded her arms, "Well, what you can explains sounds like it will help a lot of people."

David nodded. "That was the general idea behind it."

Amelia nodded slightly and looked towards Lina, who jerked her chin to the side. "You stay right there," the princess told David, levering a finger at his face again, then the two women stepped away to huddle, whispering too softly for David to hear more than a general mumble.

"So what do you think?" Amelia asked.

Lina pursed her lips, "I think... Rasmus has changed, and David's certainly level-headed, and financially stable."

Amelia nodded in agreement, "Yeah, David seems like a really nice guy, he's certainly intelligent."

"And has a nice smile," Lina added, grinning.

Heaving a sigh, Amelia shook her head, then peeked back at David, "he's certainly handsome- I didn't notice before, what with being too busy dodging his spells the first time we met."

Lina sniggered, "Same," she replied. "So that's a check on intelligence, handsome, and nice smile."

Once again, Amelia peeked back at him to see that he was just sitting there, drinking his coffee with a distant look, which probably David and Rasmus were having a private conversation of some sort, "And charming and selfless. But they're in one body," she pointed out. "That really doesn't give much hope for –our- Sylphiel..."

Folding her arms, Lina tapped her foot, "I know. Damn! At least she's going to get Flagoon back. I don't think the Other Sylphiel will refuse to give her a seed."

Amelia clasped her hands together and frowned down at the ground, "It's still not fair... he's already in love with her, so it would just be a matter of getting her to forgive him."

"I think she might," Lina admitted, "I've seen her staring at him that way she used to look at Gourry, but I don't think she's realized it."

Giving a soft laugh, Amelia nodded, "I saw too. I think it's probably because her Other Self likes him... no. She loves him, truly. It's so nice to see love like that!"

Snorting, Lina broke the conference and both young women stepped back over to David to deliver their verdict. "Okay," the redhead stated, "I guess you're good enough for her..."

"Both of you," Amelia added when Lina couldn't quite admit to it.

Rasmus looked back at them, snorted, and disappeared again. David shook his head. "Gee, thanks," he said, having finished his coffee and doughnut in the meantime. "I'd hoped you'd approve," he added to soften his sarcasm and stood, giving a long hard stretch. "So is the interview over?"

Amelia nodded and Lina simply turned and walked off. Sighing, David lowered his arms, "You know... I really hadn't expected to get grilled like that," he admitted to Amelia with a slight smile, "but it's kinda cool, having a woman who's got friends willing to grill me for her. I promise, I'll do right by her."

David's eye turned yellow, and solemnly, Rasmus stated, "May she take the Bless Blade to me if I do hurt her." With that, he walked off to get a refill of coffee.

Blinking, Amelia caught her breath and dashed over to Lina to report this further development. "You're SURE Rasmus said that?" Lina whispered sharply, and Amelia nodded. "I'll be... I guess he really is serious."

"It's True LOVE!" Amelia pumped her fist.

Sylphiel chose that moment to return and went straight for David to collect a sticky kiss from him after he'd just finished consuming his second doughnut. Afterwards, he licked his fingers and stood, new cup of coffee in hand. "Shall we go?" he asked, and she nodded and linked arms with him as the two Zelgadis'es stood. Together, they turned and started off into the trees. Slowly, Lina shook her head and lengthened her stride to catch up with the Chimera and Rockstar, "No matter...how many times I see that..." she muttered.

Zel, who was taking his own coffee as well, replied, "You won't have to get used to it, cause he's staying here." He sped his pace to catch up with his cousin, leaving the other three to follow behind at whatever speed they liked.

Amelia picked up a few more pastries before following, catching the tail end of that conversation, "That sounded rather ...possessive," she observed, and bit into one of her pastries.

Giving a snort, Zelgadis shook his head and drained his mug, then set it down, "I was that way about Rezo," he admitted, "I almost wish I'd had a David to grow up with... he would have kept me out of a lot of trouble." Together, they headed after their guides.

Through the forest they went, lit by eerie green light that filtered through the leaves above, and finally emerged out onto the shore of a large circular lake from the center of which grew a huge tree. The Sylphiel from Lina's world already stood on the shore, hands together in front of her, her eyes closed. David released his Syl and slurped some coffee. Syl stepped up beside her other self and smiled slightly. "It was nice meeting you."

Drawing a breath, the shrine maiden opened her eyes and lowered her hands, a small bag was clasped between them, "And you... Thank you for the seed." She glanced back, her eyes focusing on each of her friends, and finally landing on David, who shifted into Rasmus. She blushed and looked away. The Rockstar moved to stand beside Rasmus, folding his arms and shifting his weight to one hip, his empty mug dangling from his fingers.

Holding her hands out, Syl breathed, shoulders relaxing as the lake lit up with white light, then flashed, becoming a view of the ruined Sairaag sky in summer colors. Gourry grinned and dashed forward without even asking how they were supposed to cross and leapt into the water with a whoop. He didn't splash. At least not on their side...

Emerging into the other Sairaag, he swam for the surface and clamored out of the water, wringing his hair out. Taking a breath, Zelgadis shook his head and dove in- and sank for a moment on the other side before levitating out of the water. Amelia followed, and last Lina gave a broad grin and wink and dove in, leaving Sylphiel.

Rasmus drained his coffee and handed the cup to Zel, then paced forward. "I ...just wanted to ...apologize again," he said slowly, fingers playing with the edge of his sleeve. "I do regret it, now that I know how serious what I did... really was."

"You're not coming?" Sylphiel asked.

Shaking his head, Rasmus spread his hands, "Only have the one body, and it belongs here." He blushed slightly, "but thanks for the offer."

Her hands came together again around the small bag that she held in her palm. "At least," she said softly, looking down, "You're trying to do better."

Something moved on the Astral plane and Rasmus turned his head, but not in time to dodge Xelloss as he appeared behind him. With a cheerful smirk, the Mazoku planted his hands between Rasmus's shoulders and shoved. Losing balance, Ras flailed, hit Sylphiel, and they both toppled into the water, both David and Rasmus shouting "No!" mentally, if not physically.

Landing in the water on the other side, Rasmus flailed and finally caught hold of something solid. Sputtering, he dragged himself from the water, eyes wide with shock. "That- bloody MAZOKU! I'm going to skin and eat him!" Spinning around, Rasmus looked down at the lake, only to find that it ...was a lake and nothing more. The second thing he noticed was that there was no Flagoon above him, only the seemingly endless expanse of rubble.

"Hey! What're you two doing here?" Lina asked and Ras turned to look up at her. Sylphiel pulled herself up out of the water beside him and stood, wringing out her hair and cloak.

He felt the blood drain from his face, hands went cold, his mouth opened, but no sound came out. "David? ...DAVID! David answer me!"

There was no answer. There was only echoing silence and the distinct feeling of being utterly alone in that body.

"He's gone!" Rasmus gasped at last. "David's gone!"

"What do you mean 'David's gone'?" Zelgadis asked, wringing out his cape, but looking over at Rasmus with concern.

Rasmus shoved his fingers into his hair and curled them, pulling, "He's gone! He's not there! I-... I'm alone!" he started going shrill, panic setting in. He wasn't ready for this. He didn't WANT to be by himself! David was... David was his older brother. David had called him brother!

Scowling, Lina raised her fist, and the blow knocked Rasmus onto his face. "Calm down," she ordered, "and tell us what happened?"

Taking a breath, and then another one, Rasmus collected his thoughts, forced himself to put things into a coherent form- fearing another smack from Lina that might actually do damage. "Xelloss pushed us in, and now David's gone."

Laughing softly, Xelloss teleported in and landed atop a block of rubble nearby, "Why, of course I did, Rasmus. You were upsetting the balance between the mirrored worlds. Don't worry. I didn't leave them completely defenseless. They have David still, and he has your memories."

Shoving himself to his hands and knees, Rasmus fumed, "But I didn't WANT to come back here! My family is there! The woman I love is there!" he slammed his fist into the ground, "You stinking bastard!" Surging to his feet, Rasmus launched himself at the Mazoku, but missed by a second as the Mysterious Priest disappeared. He sailed over the block and landed with a splash back in the lake. For a moment, he flailed, and finally got his feet under him, "Send me BACK!" Rasmus howled, standing up in the knee-deep water. "I want to go back!"

"Now, can't always have what we want," Xelloss's disembodied voice taunted and faded out.

Knees going week, Rasmus sank down to the ground, splashing into the water, feeling hot tears burning in his eyes.

Lina stepped atop the block and looked down at him, "Well, why don't you come with us, then?"

Rasmus shook his head. "There's no point in going anywhere," he stated desolately.

"There's also no point in staying here," Zelgadis returned, moving up to stand beside Lina and folding his arms. Amelia came to stand beside him. Sylphiel took a breath and stepped to Lina's other side.

Shaking his head, Rasmus didn't look up at them, though he could see their reflections in the lake. "Where would I go? No one wants me here, I've no home, no family, nothing."

Amelia huffed, "That's not true," she clenched a fist, "You've got friends. Doesn't that count for something?"

A tear hit the water, and Rasmus's shoulders shook. Desperately, he tried not to sob out loud as he leaned forward on his hands on a rock he sat on beneath the water. Amelia had... said they were his friends? But what did friends count for when he had to start over... AGAIN? Biting his lip, Rasmus closed his eyes, wallowing in misery.

David flailed in the water briefly, then was hauled out by Zelgadis's strong arms. Sputtering, he lay on the bank, "God- that damn demon!" he spat and sat up, and fell silent, eyes staring as he searched through his mind.

Rasmus's memories were there still, Rezo's too.

But Rasmus himself was gone. "David?" Sylphiel asked and put her arms around his shoulders, "What's wrong? Ras? Say something, please!"

"Ras is gone!" He couldn't exactly tell why the statement hurt so much, but David suddenly felt very alone.

Zelgadis shook his head, "What do you mean?"

Shaking his head, David sat up, "Rasmus is gone- I still have all his memories, but he's not there!" Lifting his eyes, he looked up at Sylphiel, who looked about to cry. "I just lost my little brother," he mourned and Sylphiel tightened her hold around his shoulders, pressing her face against his wet hair.

"Hey!" Zelgadis snapped, "Maybe he just fell through to the other side?" he suggested.

Sniffling, Sylphiel stood, "Maybe, I'll check." Turning to face the lake, she held her hands out over the water as David and Zelgadis watched closely. The water flashed and cleared, becoming a vision of the destroyed version of Sairaag. Lina, the Chimera, princess, and Sylphiel stood on a stone, overlooking the water and in it...

"Rasmus..." Sylphiel whispered. Sitting in the water was a very distraught looking clone of Rezo, soaking wet and tears running down his face.

Zelgadis grinned, "Ha, no need to worry about him then, he's alive again." David's lips pulled downwards slightly. Zel was right, but... that didn't mean he had to like it!

In the reflection, Sylphiel knelt, mouth moving as she said something, and slowly, Rasmus lifted his face, staring up at Sylphiel as she held out her hand to him. Though she didn't smile, her expression wasn't negative either, simply neutral.

Nudging David, Zelgadis looked over and tried desperately to cheer his cousin up by pointing out, "Hey, Sylphiel's watching out for him now too, so he'll be fine." That statement was a bit premature, for Rasmus hadn't taken her hand at that point, but they didn't have long to wait before he did.

Lina pumped her fist and spun around, heading off out of sight, followed by the Chimera. Sylphiel pulled Rasmus to his feet, and didn't let go of his hand after she'd helped him out of the water.

David sighed as the image disappeared. Sylphiel beat him to his lament, "I'll still miss him."

The end