SailorStar9: Anyway, Chapter 3 goes up. This is Chapter 4. To all my non-reviewing readers, I love you all! Will love you more if you review! *hugs all round!*

Disclaimers: Nothing here is mine, well, except the plot and the pairing.

Chapter 4: GIVE UP! But, Just Before We Do, the Sure Kill Sword Appears!

"Gourry, next time, leave the drawing to me, okay?" Aria sweatdropped, the pair having met a dead-end to finding Lina.

Later that night, Zelgadis was dreaming.

"Is it really worth it?" the younger Aria sighed, tending the then sill human Zelgadis who had been wounded during a raid

"Shut up." Zelgadis muttered. "I have to get stronger." He pulled off the cold towel on his forehead and stumbled out of the infirmary.

"I really hope you don't regret that." Aria mumbled.

Zelgadis was training in the forest; Luce and Aria had vanished some time back and the teen was regretting brushing Aria off, when the echo of Rezo's staff rings snapped him out of his thoughts. Manifesting before him, Rezo's cloak reached out to hold the youngster in place, the Red Priest's magic turning the swordsman into a chimera.

"Aria!" Zelgadis awoke from his dream. "You knew this would happen, didn't you? That's why… you tried to warn me… damn you, Rezo! And damn me for not listening to you … Aria, forgive me."

"Well, that didn't work." Gourry yawned, he and Aria having camped out for the night. "And after we spent the night here, too. If I knew this would happen, we'd have stayed in an inn."

"It's getting light already." Aria reminded. "But where did Lina get to?"

"Are you sure you're fine, Aria?" Gourry asked.

"I'm okay." Aria assured.

"I don't think you got any sleep last night." Gourry pointed out.

"It's just…" Aria sighed. "Seeing Zelgadis… sparked an old memory, I suppose. But whenever I try to recall, something just blocks me and I get a headache. I think Aunt Zuni used an 'Obliviate' spell on me."

"Exploding Wave!" Aria's wave of water washed over Dilgear's troops after Zelgadis collapsed a building on them

"Water?" Zelgadis wondered. "Aria?" he turned to the chimney beside him.

"Just don't take this the wrong way." Aria looked at the chimera. "It was either this, or I bust Lina and Gourry's asses out of whatever they get themsevles into, and then that'll lower my intelligence even more. Besides, I think I'll need your help to figure out what happened to me."

"You don't remember anything?" Zelgadis asked.

"Nope," Aria shook her head. "My memories only go back for the past four years or so. Anything beyond that, nadda."

"Sounds like a 'Memory Charm' to me." Zelgadis reasoned. "Hold on." He grabbed the water mage and took off.

"After them!" Dilgear ordered.

"It just had to be in an enclosed space, didn't it?" Aria muttered, the pair having fled to an abandoned house, Zelgadis having blasted two skeleton warriors with a 'Raza Clover'. "Water Lock!" she trapped an incoming troll within a water bubble, Zelgadis then setting it on fire with a 'Fireball'.

"I'd say this puts us on equal footing now." The chimera remarked.

"Damn, what kind of monster are you?" Dilgear demanded.

"You're the last one who should call me a monster." Zelgadis retorted.

"Rodimus, Zolf." Dilgear turned to find the two behind him. "You finally came. I'm saved. Seems the odds aren't even anymore." He taunted. "I'd say we have the advantage now. Let's see you live thought this one."

"We've finally found you." Rodimus knelt before Zelgadis. "My loyalty lies with Master Zelgadis. Whatever nonsense the Red Priest goes on about, my duty does not lie with him."

"Why you!" Dilgear hissed and charged, Rodimus thrusting his axe into the hybrid. "Rodimus, damn you!" he cursed.

"Don't forget about me." Zolf picked up the dropped dagger and sliced across Dilgear's chest, before releasing a 'Fire Rondo' into the werewolf.

"God damn you!" Dilgear snapped. "Just wait till I come back to life." And fainted.

"Lady Aria." Rodimus greeted.

"Do I… know you?" Aria frowned when a flash of pain shot past her head and she rested a hand on her forehead.

"Aria!" Zelgadis caught her before she fell over. "What is this…" he spotted the glowing violet diamond insignias on both the back of her palms. "An 'Obliviate' seal, and of the highest level." He recognized. "But why? Guess I have no choice." He sighed. "Mono Volt!" he knocked the whimpering female out. "Lina better explain this."

"Seems you made it through okay." Zelgadis remarked, meeting up with Lina and Gourry with Aria in his arms.

"Zelgadis!" Gourry went for his sword.

"Gourry, wait." Lina cut in. "Zelgadis is on our side now."

"That aside," Zelgadis stated. "Lina, can I ask you something?"

"Huh?" Lina blinked.

"Why does Aria have the most powerful 'Obliviate' seal on her?" Zelgadis demanded.

"Well…" Lina trailed. "I'll explain later."

"We've been through a lot, but we're on the same side now." Zolf added, pulling off his bandages.

SailorStar9: Okay, this chapter is finally down. Read and review folks.