Lina woke the next morning to gray skies. Not exactly a nice way to wake up, but preferred to waking up wet. "Gourry, you up?" She called out, not seeing her protector.

"Yeah, I'm up." Gourry called from further out in the trees. He continued to kneel over the tracks he had found. They were long since fresh, but obviously were no older than when he and Lina had bedded down last night.

"What are you doing out there?"

Gourry gave the footprints one last look then stood up, walking back into the clearing he had left Lina in. "Just getting my bearings."

Lina yawned, then hopped up from her makeshift bed. "Are you set to go?"

Gourry nodded as he gathered up his things. "Yeah, come on. I know where to find the cave."

"Good." Lina smirked. "I just hope it doesn't take another day to find it."

Gourry scratched the back of his head as he smiled sheepishly. "It won't. Come on."

The two continued to talk back and forth quietly as Gourry led them through the forest. They finally came to a larger clearing, and just as Gourry had said, a cave. Lina's eyes lit up at the sight.

"All right! This ought to give us some answers." Lina made sure the coast was clear, then walked up to the cave opening. Just as she was about to set foot inside, a loud roar shook the area.

"Lina!" Gourry shouted, and when she turned she saw he was gazing up into the sky.

Lina grinned. "Looks like they finally came to us."

"But Lina, we can't get them if they're up in the air!" Gourry had his sword ready for action, nonetheless.

Lina got an evil grin. "You can't, but I can. Let's say we invite them down here to play!" Lina chanted a spell, then hurled a Fire Ball up into the sky.

The flying monsters evaded easily, but continued to circle overhead. Lina continued to chuck more Fire Balls at them, and they continued to avoid them.

Lina was not deterred. She grinned, then shot off a fast Fire Ball, nearly singing the flying cat monster. She continued to grin as the two broke from circling and started to fly away. "Oh no you don't." She again aimed at the cat monster, and sent another Fire Ball spell flying through the air.

Amelia looked back in time to see the Fire Ball, but knew she'd not be able to avoid it. She braced herself for impact, but it didn't come from the spell. Zelgadis dove straight at her, shoving her out of the way. She screamed in horror as he took the brunt of the spell to his side, and fell out of the air.

"Got one!" Lina leapt up and cheered as the dragon monster fell from the sky, crashing into the trees below. She grinned, feeling a sense of triumph. Now, if things were to go as she had planned, the other would come at her in a rage. Lina watched the cat monster, and even prepared another spell, but she was taken back when it dove after the other.

"Darn it! Come on, Gourry! We can't let them get away!"

Lina and Gourry raced through the forest.

(No, Zelgadis! Why?)

"Mister Zelgadis! Mister Zelgadis!" Amelia scanned the forest below as she tried to find her fallen friend. She heard a crash, and cries of pain just below. She dove to the ground as fast as she could. When she saw Zelgadis lying in a heap, her heart sank.

"Mister Zelgadis!" Amelia fought back tears as she approached. One of his wings was badly injured. Possibly useless for good... She also saw that a front leg was broken, as it was bent back in a horribly wrong angle.

Zelgadis cried out in pain again, then set his pained eyes on Amelia. "You've got to get out of here, before..." He shuddered in severe pain, "before they find me."

"No!" Amelia choked back the tears. "If I leave you, they'll kill you!"

Zelgadis let out another cry of agony. "I'm as good as dead already. Please Amelia, flee! I won't have you die because of me." He grew silent, fighting back his own tears.

Amelia shook her head. "I could never leave you. I...I could never forgive myself if I did." Amelia glanced up at the sound of incoming footsteps.

"Amelia, please." Zelgadis practically whimpered. He could only watch as Lina and Gourry got closer.

Amelia again shook her head, then stood resolute between Zelgadis and their incoming foes. "Never. Not again. I'll not lose another..."

Zelgadis closed his eyes to fight the pain. That was one war he could win, knowing full well he'd not be able to convince Amelia to leave him. He opened his eyes when he felt water hit his face. Great, rain was coming. If things could get any worse...

Lina and Gourry stopped when they came upon the scene. Gourry pulled his sword out again, while Lina assessed the situation.

"Careful, Gourry. We've taken one down, it might have been enough to put some fight in this other." Lina glared at the standing monster, daring it to make a move.

No one moved, each watching the other. The rain, slow at first, was starting to fall harder. Zelgadis moaned with pain, which only unsettled Amelia more. She felt ready to break down and cry at the impossibility of the situation.

Lina scowled as the rain started to penetrate her clothing. "Go get it, Gourry."

Gourry nodded, and stepped toward his foe. He kept his sword at the ready, in case it suddenly charged him, but it didn't. Instead it cowered, but did not charge or flee. Gourry studied it a moment, then lowered his sword.

Lina watched in surprise. "Gourry, what are you doing? Get it!"

"I can't, Lina." Gourry shook his head.

"What d'ya mean? It's just standing there!" Lina jumped up and down in frustration.

Gourry sheathed his sword, still watching his opponent. "That's exactly why I can't. What did they ever do to us?"

"Plenty!" Lina huffed. "You heard Mister Esgrey, didn't you?"

Gourry nodded his head. "Yeah, but I don't think he was telling the truth."

Lina huffed in anger, but didn't say anything.

"I didn't see any maimed people, and that little girl...if she had been attacked by these guys, she wouldn't be alive." Gourry never took his gaze from the cat monster, which continued to watch him in silence.

"But..." Lina tried to think of a counter, "But what about all those people that came here to fight? What about them?"

Gourry shook his head. "I don't know, but I didn't see anything to indicate they died up here."

Lina placed her hands on her hips. "So what are you saying, Gourry?"

Gourry turned to look at Lina. "I don't think they mean harm. Never once when we attacked them, did they attack us. They could have had me the other day, and they didn't."

"Yeah, but they dropped me into a prickle bush! You call that harmless?" Lina shook her fist.

"Considering those claws and teeth..." Gourry nodded. "Remember this morning? I found their tracks outside our campsite."

Lina didn't say anything.

"They knew where we were. They could have attacked us and we would have been caught by surprise." Gourry sagged his shoulders a bit.

"...but they didn't." Lina realized what Gourry was getting at, turning to look at the cat monster. "But why?"

The cat monster just looked at her and made a small noise.

Gourry backed up until he was standing next to Lina. "So what'll we do now?"

Lina sighed in frustration. "After that moving speech of yours, I don't think I'll be able to off these guys. I don't care to stand around in the rain all day, either." Lina moved closer to a tree, hoping to get some shelter from the rain.

Gourry watched after her. "Are you...giving up?"

Lina looked at Gourry in disbelief. "Lina Inverse never gives up! She's just taking compassion this time." Lina looked at the two monsters, then to Gourry. "Either way, I'm not getting any drier. C'mon."

The two started to leave the clearing, but were stopped by a pitiful cry. They turned to see the cat monster had started off toward them, and was looking at them sadly as it continued to make an odd crying sound.

"What? What do you want? We're letting you and your friend live, isn't that enough?" Lina attempted another glare, but it was hard looking at such a sad face.

The cat monster nudged its fallen friend, then looked back at them.

"You've got to be kidding me. Don't you know who I am? Lina Inverse does not go around healing random monsters! My reputation is bad enough as is..." Lina grumbled.

The cat monster continued to cry, nudging its friend before again looking at Lina.

Lina sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Lina?" Gourry looked at her as she approached the monsters.

Lina shook her head and looked down at the cat monster. "You are so lucky I'm in a good mood today."

The cat monster started to purr loudly, then stepped aside to let Lina tend to the other.

"You really are pretty smart, aren't you?" Lina asked the cat monster. "Let's just hope your friend feels the same." She then channeled a healing spell to repair the damage done.

Zelgadis opened his eyes when he felt the pain die away, but nearly fell backward when he saw Lina looming over him.

"It's okay, Mister Zelgadis." Amelia purred from nearby.

Zelgadis could only look on in wonder as Lina continued to heal his wounds. Gourry was nearby, keeping watch. Zelgadis looked back to Lina. "Why are you doing this?"

Lina met his gaze. "Hello to you, Fangs."

Zelgadis blinked. "Fangs?"

"She can't understand you." Amelia piped in.

Zelgadis sat in silence until his leg was no longer in pain. He looked at his wing, disgusted to see it was still ruined, but no longer aching. When Lina got up and moved away, Zelgadis got to his feet and studied the pair.

"Happy now?" Lina asked.

Zelgadis nodded, not sure what else to do.

"Good." Lina turned to leave.

"We can't let her leave, Mister Zelgadis." Amelia got to her feet and started after Lina and Gourry. She called out to them.

Zelgadis understood. If the two left now, they might as well kiss any chance of reversing their predicament goodbye. He followed after Amelia, also calling out to the retreating duo.

"Hey, Lina. I think you made some friends." Gourry pointed a thumb back to Amelia and Zelgadis.

"Just what I always wanted." Lina sighed again, but turned around. "What now?" She watched as the two danced about eagerly, trying to urge her to follow. Lina shrugged her shoulders. "The day's been weird enough already, might as well see what happens next. C'mon, Gourry."

Amelia couldn't help but smile as she and Zelgadis led the two toward the cave. When they got to the entrance, Amelia stopped, looking to Lina.

"What?" Lina asked. "You expect me to trust you enough to follow you inside?"

Amelia nodded eagerly, Zelgadis doing the same.

"Okay...but if you try anything, you're dead." Lina cast a Lighting spell, and Gourry drew his sword. They then proceeded in after Amelia and Zelgadis, and into the cave.

When they came into the cavern, Amelia walked over to a pile of clothing, then sat and stared back at Lina. Lina eyed her furry companion, then leaned in closer to get a better look. "These look familiar..." Lina dug through the pile, finally coming across a small blue amulet. She let out a small gasp as she picked it up. "Amelia..."

"Lina! Over here!" Gourry called out.

Lina glanced over to see Gourry holding up a sword. "Is that..?"

Gourry nodded. "It's Zelgadis'."

Lina fought back a wave of sadness, turning her gaze back to her furry companion. "Why did you show me this? Did you...kill my friends?"

Amelia's eyes grew large. No! She shook her head very quickly, then scampered over to the area Gourry was in. She dug out Zelgadis' long forgotten bag, and dragged it back over to Lina.

Lina for her part watched warily. So far they'd not done anything... When the cat monster dropped a bag at her feet, she picked it up and looked through it, coming across a book. Lina looked through it, easily recognizing the handwriting within. She read the last entry, a look of confusion on her face.

"Lina?" Gourry asked. He came over to see what she was looking at. "What is it?"

"They were here." Lina's brain didn't want to admit what she was dreading. "Amelia...and Zelgadis...were...are here." She slowly looked about the room. Surely this was not the den of two killer monsters, but...

Lina sank to her knees, gazing at the cat monster. "Amelia, what did they do to you two?"

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes: Let it be known that while Gourry isn't my favorite character, he is very endearing. He does seem to have the ability to judge character pretty well. And Lina's an okay person too, when she's not trying to be all impressive. (Aw heck, Lina's more than okay, but don't tell the whole world she's secretly a softy!)

The chapter originally was going to go on for longer after Lina made her realization, but whenever I tried to write anything else, it sounded incredibly stupid! So I finally scrapped it, and moved on to the next plot point instead (which you will see later). So yay, the story sounds better to me now!

Next time: "Mister Esgrey!" Lina waved. "We need to talk to you!"

And now, as if this chapter wasn't long enough, Ichiban Victory presents...

The Slayers if it was in the World of Warcraft

Lina: Okay guys, you understand what we're doing, right?

Gourry: Yeah, kill off so many monsters. Same thing as usual.

Amelia: Yes, but it's for the good of the people! Justice must be served!

Lina: Okay, at ease, Amelia. Same plan as usual: I'll jump in there, toss a few spells around, Gourry here will pick off the stragglers, and you get to play healer.

Amelia: But I can help too, Miss Lina!

Lina: Yes, you will by keeping us alive. Now, let's go!

Amelia: Aw...

The small group travels deep into the forest where said monsters are reported to be living. Lina's group sneaks in as close as possible before launching their attack.

Gourry: Are you sure this is a good idea, Lina? There's a lot more monsters than we were told!

Amelia: Not to mention we don't even have a full group.

Lina: No problem, guys. My spells will make quick work of them. Fire Ball!

With that, Lina tosses a Fire Ball right in the midst of the monster's camp, alerting the entire group. The monsters respond by attacking the spell caster.

Lead Monster: (Get the spell caster! She does the most damage!)

Lina: Ack! Ow! Hey! Gourry, help me! Amelia, heal me!"

Gourry jumps in and attempts to draw aggro, but the monsters ignore him as they continue to pound on Lina. Amelia in turn starts to cast a healing spell.

Lead Monster: (Oh no you don't! Take out the healer before she completes her spell!)

Monsters: Rar!

Amelia: Eep!

Suddenly finding herself the new target, Amelia loses focus on her spell as she instead attempts to fend off the mob.

Zelgadis: Figures they left without me. Oh, and got themselves into trouble! Now I can make a dramatic entrance!

Zelgadis leaps into the fray, only to watch both Lina and Amelia fall in battle. The monsters, completely ignoring him, instead turn on Gourry next, who doesn't stand a chance against all those monsters. He too, falls. The monsters then turn and glare back at the intruder.

Lead Monster: (There's another!)

Monsters: Rar!

Zelgadis: Uh oh...

Zelgadis goes tearing through the forest as fast as he can, hoping that he can outlast the monsters as they continue to give chase.

Gourry: Great idea, Lina. Now we'll have to resurrect in the middle of their camp and then run for our lives. Again.

Lina: Don't blame me! In our world this would have never happened! Stupid monsters, attacking the person who deals the most damage...

Amelia: Ow, that was really painful. I sure hope Mister Zelgadis can get away.

All three sigh, then release their spirits, preparing to follow Zelgadis' example. Just as soon as they find their corpses...

The End

This fun little extra was inspired by my actual gaming experience, and is dedicated to DQBunny. She too now understands the power of WoW over a person's free will... (Here's hoping next time we make it out alive!)