Lina charged magical energy in her hands, to throw at Nuku Nuku. "FIRE-BALL!"
Nuku Nuku whirled to see the incoming projectile too late to dodge.
Lina was still surprised when the Fireball split a short distance before its target. When the flames and smoke cleared, Lina was further surprised by the sight of… "Gourry?!"
Gourry stood in a combat stance between Lina and Atsuko, Soul Blade in hand. His eyes positively radiated fury. "Lina, why in the hell are you attacking Atsuko?"
"I…I-"
"I'm sick and tired of you attacking anyone who looks at you the wrong way! You've been doing this for years!" Gourry was on a roll. "Atsuko has done NOTHING to deserve being Fireballed, and I'm not going to stand for this!"
Lina stomach began to sink. "What the hell, Gourry?! I thought you were supposed to be MY protector! What gives?"
Nuku Nuku stepped forward and placed a hand on Gourry's shoulder. "It's okay, Gourry-sama, I'm sure she didn't-"
"Please stay out of this, Atsuko," Gourry interrupted without looking back at her. "Lina's been like this for years, and it's about time someone called her on it."
Nuku Nuku, wide-eyed, stepped back and made her way over to a nearby tree and hid behind it.
Gourry returned his full attention to Lina. "Okay, I've been your protector. What kind of protector have I been, allowing you to mistreat anyone who looks at you cross-eyed, including your friends? All I've done is kept you from facing the consequences of your actions!"
Lina kept her hands in a spellcasting position. "Consequences?"
"I have stood by and watched as you've destroyed entire towns, and then run away. I have stood by and watched you abuse and mistreat people simply for not knowing what you needed them to know." Gourry put his non-sword hand behind his back, and Lina figured that he was about to use a boost, most likely Haste.
Coming in Slayers: Prime!