Attack of the Magic of Care-a-lot

Disclaimer: I do not own: Slayers, Care Bears, Little House on the Prairie, Yugioh, Dragon Quest VIII, Rayearth, FF8, Castle in the Sky etc… on goes the "Where's Waldo?" game of crossovers I always play with my stories! Seriously…no harm intended.

Warning: Because of the excessive amount of "cheese" in this story those with any severe lactose intolerance or fear of severe brain damage and permanent mental scars please read no further! Otherwise, if your up for some cheap laughs and don't mind the mental scars by all means please continue! And don't forget to review! Just remember: you have been warned!

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Episode 3: The Princess' choice…

Amelia was so happy that had any one asked her she would've said she'd never had a better party than this one. Zelgadis had come charging in (sort of!) all dressed up like a prince from her very own fairy tale and saved the day! Justice conquers all! She almost forgot about all the stupid losers at her ball taking advantage of some ancient law and her goodwill.

She cast a quick glance to see what he was doing every now and then but he seemed to be enjoying himself talking to Mr. Zangulus and Mr. Gourry. The losers continued to make their bids for her attentions but she no longer paid them any real attention. She did make a fair show of being polite though. As happy as she was however the thought entered her mind that she really ought to do something about sending these guys away. Most of them had definitely worn out their welcome!

The maestro finally announced the last number and with its end would be the end of the ball. Amelia almost sighed with relief she was glad this ball would be over. This would mark the first day of her birthday celebrations and she was sad that on such an important year those vultures had nearly ruined her party. She was grateful Zelgadis had gone to such lengths to save it! Of course not all of them had been horrendous…

Some had merely used the law as an excuse to get away from their duties and travel on their own as had been the case with Lord Dincht from the Islands of Balamb. He had a serious crush on Sylphiel and had spent the past couple of days asking her when Sylphiel would be arriving. Sylphiel was due to arrive tomorrow with Filia and little Val. He was a fun sort of guy and he assured her that her kingdom and his would continue to have good relations no matter what. He just came for the party and to see Sylphiel.

The suitors had lined up expectantly waiting for her to decide which one of them would have the last dance of the evening. Her first instinct was to choose Zelgadis she hadn't been able to talk to him all evening. She really wanted to spend some time with him since he'd been gone for nearly six months this time. She cast a glance towards him but he wasn't looking her way anymore. He was talking with Capt. Kaiba now because Zangalus and Gourry were on the dance floor with their wives. She shook the thought off! To use Zelgadis as a shield to fend off the unwanted suitors was completely unjust!

Her father came to her rescue however and declared the last dance to be his. She smiled gratefully up at him and danced the last waltz with him. Finally the music ended and everyone was ushered out. Amelia and her father were ushered away first by her guards so she wouldn't have to deal with saying goodbye to the parade of losers. She cast a regretful glance at the Care Family as they cheerfully waved goodbye. Zelgadis wasn't looking again he was on one knee talking quietly with Noble Heart.

"Perhaps he's arranging to take them home…I won't get to say goodbye…" she whispered sadly to herself. Her father put a comforting arm around his daughter. He opened his mouth to say something but her captain beat him to it.

"Lord Greywords is looking out for you your highness make no mistake about that!" Capt. Kaiba intoned seriously. She watched him as his usually stoic continence was changed by a slightly triumphant smirk. Amelia and her father exchanged confused glances and just shrugged. Once she returned to her quarters she understood what the captain meant. Gathered in her sitting room was the entire Care Family!

'They must've taken the service routes!' she thought happily as she squealed in delight at seeing her friends there too. The service routes were the ones she usually preferred for getting around the palace because they were shorter and required less protocol when moving through them. There weren't any politicians or the usual assortment of brown-nosers trying to ambush you at every corner.

"Oh I'm so glad you haven't left yet!" Amelia enthused as she took in the sight of the Care Family and all her friends spread about in her private sitting room. With a tiny triumphant smirk and nod to Zel Capt Kaiba turned to his royal charges and finally excused him self for the evening. Amelia sat on the floor with Baby Hugs and Baby Tugs as they played with Martina and her little toddlers and some wooden blocks not caring at all that she was wrinkling her beautiful ball gown.

Lina chatted with Noble Heart, Tender Heart and True Heart and Gourry was surrounded by most of the little care family as he played a strange version of arm wrestling with Lots-a-Heart Elephant and Zangalus just laughed as he watched Gourry struggle. Zel watched everything calmly from a distance in his usual little dark corner. Grumpy Bear sat at the sill on the window near Zelgadis and sighed heavily. Zel just smiled and didn't say anything watching as Phil joined Amelia on the ground with the little ones.

"You know the longer you wait to tell her… the harder it will be," Grumpy Bear grumbled in his usual annoyed tone. Zel turned to him with a confused look on his face. He opened his mouth to respond but Grumpy Bear just sighed and continued.

"I mean sharing your feelings for her! The longer you wait the less likely that she will believe you!" he continued starting to sound exasperated.

Zel smirked 'perceptive little bugger isn't he!' Brau commented as Golem rumbled his agreement.

"How so?" Zel baited wanting to hear how much about his feelings the Care Family was aware of. Grumpy rolled his eyes.

"Amelia was surrounded by some very dishonest people tonight Zelgadis if you continue to hide how you feel you'll be just like them too," he grumbled softly. Zel blinked hard surprised by how aware Grumpy was. The Care Family always seemed so naïve that he constantly underestimated their ability for insightful observation.

He had thought of talking to Amelia after the celebrations once they were on the road but with all these vultures circling he had to admit he'd already thought of moving his plans up somewhat. He'd stopped by his room to scribble a very short note and pick up a small package before she got here that now lay hidden in his pocket. The problem would be how to get these items to her without the others noticing.

"I think you're right Grumpy Bear but under these circumstances getting to talk to her in private might be a little difficult…" he replied with a frown then noticed the little smirk that appeared on Grumpy's usually unhappy face.

"Do you have any ideas Grumpy Bear?" he asked slyly wondering what the little Care Family had in mind. He cast a quick glance at Noble Heart and True Heart. They smiled and winked at him and Lina give him a subtle "thumbs up". He tensed…

'Oh no! Lina's getting into the matchmaking business I think we're in trouble!' Brau commented nervously.

'Zel stop her!' Golem added urgently. Zel cast a quick glance at Amelia and Phil but they were unaware of the little exchange as they played with the little ones.

"Don't worry Zelgadis…Helping people share their feelings is what we do best!" Grumpy Bear replied proudly. Zel relaxed just a little.

'Well he's right…that is their specialty after all…' Brau admitted reluctantly though it didn't stop Zelgadis from worrying that Lina would do something "rash". Zel was about to reply when True Heart got up and announced that it was time for them to go back to Carealot. Seeing the frown on Amelia's face Zel stepped up to the rescue again.

"Would you be able to return for the street festival? If so I can pick you up then," Zel suggested. The street festival was the party the people of Saillune threw for Amelia's birthday one week before her actual birthday. It was her favorite celebration! Entertainers and merchants from all over would gather in the capital and they would hold a week long fair culminating with a big bash on Amelia's birthday. It was sure to be extra big this year due to Amelia's impending coronation! Amelia's face immediately lit up again with joy.

"That sounds like fun Zelgadis!" True Heart agreed and all the Care family enthusiastically accepted the invite! Amelia cheered and said her goodbyes with much more enthusiasm now that she knew the Care family would return soon. They all gathered out in the large balcony outside Amelia's room. Amelia stood facing Zelgadis and the Care Family arrayed behind him. Not wanting Zelgadis to leave without expressing some form of gratitude to him Amelia stepped forward and again threw her arms around him. He wrapped his arms around her mindful to keep his arms at the level with her shoulders and his hands visible. Phil was watching after all.

"Thank you so much for all your help Mr. Zelgadis!" she whispered in a slightly dreamy tone that sent a thrill up Zel's spine. He smiled.

"Sure Amelia! Any time!" he replied casually as he released her he slid his hand down her arm and he pressed the little note discreetly into her palm as he squeezed her hand lightly. He almost smirked as he saw a tiny little blush working its way onto Amelia's cheeks as he stepped back and took hold of True Heart and Noble Heart's hands. Holding on to each other as they had when Zelgadis first brought them there they all disappeared in a swirl of silver magic.

There was something about passing hidden notes that was simply thrilling! She pondered this as she gripped the tiny piece of parchment for dear life. She desperately wanted to run off into her bedroom lock the door and read it but that would give her away. That tiny secret piece of paper in her hand was almost enough to make up for her disappointment in not being able to talk to him once more.

"Ok party's over!" Lina called out. Gourry wrapped an arm around her shoulders and lead her towards the door.

"Why don't you guys come and have breakfast with me here in the morning?" Amelia invited amicably. The thought of having one more meal with those loser prince-lings was enough to ruin her appetite. Now that Zelgadis was here she had no desire to continue with that farce. Martina and Zangalus collected their little ones and agreed to come over for breakfast. Lina and Gourry of course enthusiastically promised they would be here.

They'd all been disappointed that they hadn't been able to sit down and have a friendly informal private meal with Amelia. She'd been stuck having to play hostess this past week. Amelia sighed as her friends filed out the door and the room was quiet. She walked back out into the balcony with her father right behind her. She stared at the folded piece of parchment in her hand.

"You know when a boy passes you a little note you're supposed to read it," Phil pointed out unable to hide the amusement in his voice. Amelia blushed a bright red and fisted the note back into her hand.

"I suppose you should wait until I'm gone though!" he added and laughed in that loud boisterous way that Phil was famous for! Amelia giggled but her mirth ended quickly a frown replaced her usual good cheer.

"Daddy…I thought it was a good idea…" she suddenly commented softly. Amelia as the crown princess could've easily challenged the law and over turned Charmles' request but she had allowed it because she felt sorry for his father who was an old friend of Daddy's. The old man was understanding and just requested that she let him down easy. The benefit of having Argonia as a continued ally and goodwill neighbor would be in Saillune's best interest in the end so what he asked for was small in comparison.

When the other countries put in similar requests she thought it a good idea to play along for a while and make friends with countries Saillune had not had a chance to interact with before. She had not counted on the fact that they were all a bunch of greedy idiots out only to see what they could take from her they didn't even seem to care about their own countries!

No matter how honest she'd been with her intentions or how hard she had tried to steer conversations into the arena of international politics they always ignored her and went straight to talking about themselves and what they wanted for themselves! They didn't care about making advantageous political ties; they didn't care about her and they certainly did not care about her kingdom. Phil put a comforting arm around his petit daughter.

"It is a good idea you just have the wrong people here. Don't give up on it!" Phil advised however it did not restore his daughter's smile. So he tried a different approach.

"Take for example Prince Pavan from Ascantha! He was very excited about your idea of a League of Nations! He has been actively lobbying the idea among any who would listen and he's made some progress as I hear it," he intoned proudly. Now this did restore Amelia's cheer somewhat. Pavan was notoriously shy and he'd ventured out of his kingdom only because everyone else was doing the same. That he'd come out of his shell in the interest of his somewhat politically isolated country was heartening.

Still, for that one success there were so many more failures. Many had completely dismissed Amelia's political aspirations and had even proclaimed themselves to be in top contention for Amelia's hand. They couldn't be more wrong. Despite her continued efforts to diplomatically end their pitiful attempts at "wooing" her they continued to come. If it hadn't been for the constant presence of Capt. Kaiba and his men several of them – especially Prince Gaston – would've certainly tried something inappropriate by know.

"What will I do now? How do I get rid of them?" she sighed heavily. She leaned against his chest. It wasn't that she wasn't ready for the whole commitment thing. She definitely felt like it was time. She wanted to step into her role as Queen. She wanted to do something that would have a long term impact on the continued prosperity of her people. She also wanted to settle down and start her own family. She knew what she wanted and she was ready for it. But this "failure" had put a halt on her well laid plans and diminished her confidence.

"Here's some fatherly advice," he began and she looked up expectantly.

"Trust your instincts Amelia. Choose with your heart…Someone who is good to you will be good to everything that you care about and will support you in everything that you do," he lectured patiently.

"This is just one minor setback don't lose hope!" he added wistfully. She smiled at him grateful for the pep talk and hugged him tight.

"With that said you should know that as a father I must tell you that I approve of Zelgadis!" he laughed as she blushed deeply again.

"But Daddy I don't know if he…" she began with uncharacteristic shyness.

"Now is a good time for you to read your note!" he declared cutting her off not without a hint of amusement in his voice. She blushed but did as she was told. She carefully read and re-read the note:

Amelia:

I'm sorry I was away for so long but I had a good reason. My mission took longer then I expected and if you would please meet me out in your balcony before midnight tonight I will explain. I will try my best to make it up to you I promise. I'm sorry…I wish I'd gotten back sooner… Zelgadis.

Amelia blushed again and Phil just laughed. Since there wasn't anything compromising in the note she showed it to her father. He smiled gave her a kiss in the forehead and wished her good night. He said he would send her handmaidens up to keep her company until Zel showed up. Amelia giggled she knew that this was just Daddy's attempt at keeping an eye on her. It's very likely that Anzu, Mai and Yuffie her handmaidens/bodyguards would be instructed to report to him everything they heard and saw first thing in the morning.

'It doesn't matter…' she thought dreamily. She sat on a couch out in the balcony. It wouldn't be long now until midnight. Her handmaidens arrived and brought her schedule with them. They gathered around Amelia and discussed ways to rid themselves of the worst of Amelia's so-called suitors and how to fit the most "creative" of those ideas into her schedule. Amelia diverted all her attention to the conversation trying hard not to think to much about her last "date" of the evening.

Zelgadis nearly collapsed from exhaustion as soon as they arrived at Carealot. He'd been traveling for three days straight not willing to stop and rest because he knew he'd be late for Amelia's first birthday ball. It was an event he'd never missed before and couldn't start now. He'd missed the New Year's celebration because he was stuck in a deep trance in the Creation Temple in Galbadia creating Amelia's magical gifts.

In his haste to return to Saillune he'd barely eaten and not slept much either. He had thought the brief break he took admiring the scenery on his way towards Orange Grove where the Ingalls live had been enough to restore him. He'd also thought that catching a ride on Cid's wagon and his lunch on the go with the old man had been enough to replenish him but he had been wrong on all counts.

"Zelgadis! Are you ok?" Tender Heart asked obviously very concerned. Zelgadis just nodded. The breakneck pace of his journey, all the magical energy he expended in the teleportation spells coupled with the fact that he didn't give himself the full amount of time required to recuperate from the creation trance was finally catching up to him. He berated himself for not eating anything at the ball. In retrospect it was stupid to allow his anger to cloud his judgment now he was paying the price.

"Here eat this!" said Bright Heart Raccoon as he handed Zel a bright red apple with pink frosting. Zel looked at it dubiously. True Heart laughed.

"It will restore your strength Zelgadis!" she explained.

'Why must it pink?' grumbled Golem Brau just chuckled slightly. Zel took the offered fruit and bit into it. No sooner had he bitten into it that he immediately felt a surge of power. It took two more of the sweet frosted apples though to make him feel like himself again and as soon as he felt better he expressed his gratitude and said his goodbye to the Care Family and teleported back home. True Heart in mother hen fashion however insisted he take two more with him just in case!

"Goodbye Zelgadis! Don't forget to open your heart!" Noble Heart advised as he disappeared in a swirl of silver light. They all turned to look up at the Caring meter and gave a big cheer as they realized it was back to its highest position…

In a swirl of silver light Zelgadis appeared at Amelia's balcony well before midnight. Amelia was seated with her handmaidens on the other side of her balcony. They were giggling and talking softly like normal girls and even stopped and exchanged conspiratorial glances like regular girls would but Zelgadis knew better than to think of any of them as "normal". To not take these females seriously was a mistake you made at your own peril!

Mai was an expert swordswoman and while she couldn't beat Gourry or Zangalus yet he knew it was only matter of time. Yuffie reminded him of Aoshi's wife Misao. She was very quick and just as deadly. Give her a few shadows and she would disappear! Then there was Anzu though the most graceful and poised of all the handmaidens and seemingly the most harmless she was an expert at black magic. Not quite at Lina's level yet but she could cast a Dragon Slave just as well as Lina or Sylphiel! It was her ace in the hole which Zelgadis suspected she had somehow conned Sylphiel into teaching it to her. The girl had been a rare find.

"Good Evening Lord Greywords!" the three girls said as one. He nodded politely and replied in his usual stoic demeanor. They got up from their chairs around the princess' couch and moved them away.

"We'll be inside if you need us milady!" Anzu curtsied towards Amelia as they excused themselves and went back inside Amelia's sitting room to spy on them. They had orders after all to report to Prince Phil everything that happened tonight! Amelia got up and again she greeted him with a hug.

'Is it just me…or does it seem like our princess is a little more touchy feely than usual?' inquired Brau. Zel didn't bother to answer that! He knew where the Brau was headed with that comment! Golem quieted Brau for him.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here for New Year's…" he began softly.

"Oh it's ok! I got your letter and one from Rinoa and Squall in Galbadia saying you were in the creation temple," she reassured him cheerfully.

"I thought only women could make anything in Galbadia's Temple though?" she asked truly mystified as to how he had managed that.

"Well, the temple's magic makes exception to non-humans as long as they're not creating weapons since I'm a chimera and I wasn't making weapons I sort of qualified…" he began. He explained that after he left at the end of Saillune's harvest festival he followed some leads to a place where he could find a rare ore called Escudo. That coupled with the Eternium he'd found in Rezo's treasure vault he'd gone to Galbadia to create Amelia's birthday gifts.

The Galbadian Temple was an ancient building whose true purpose had been forgotten until about three years ago when Amelia's old friend Princess Rinoa stumbled upon it's secrets and created an awesome sword for her beau Squall out of adamantine ore and pulse ammo. However the creation of artifacts in the temple was dangerous as it borrowed your life force in order to create anything.

In addition the combining of a powerful and rare magical ore like Escudo with a supercharged crystal like Eternium was potentially devastating. One small Eternium crystal could deliver a blow akin to a Dragon Slave in the wrong hands! That he had ventured to combine both into one artifact was recklessly dangerous to say the least. Amelia was horrified by the thought that Zelgadis had put himself in such peril just to make her birthday present extra special. Her eyes went wide when he explained that he hadn't made just one artifact…he made three!

He produced a small bundle wrapped in a silver handkerchief and presented the first of said gifts. She took it completely at a loss for words and un-wrapped it. She sucked in her breath. Inside the package were two delicate silver bangles with small crystal charms hanging on them. Immediately she put them on completely speechless at the extravagance of Zelgadis' gift. He uttered a spell so the bangles would adjust to the size of her wrist and explained they would work as magic enhancers but to be careful as the combo intensified her magic by at least 200 and he hadn't been able to test it. She just nodded and stared at the little bracelets. Finally she smiled and again she found she could do nothing else but hug him.

"You didn't have to do this!" she sighed dreamily unwilling to let go. Zel was well aware that her handmaidens were still watching from somewhere in her room so he shifted slightly to not block their view. He didn't want them to report unfavorably to her father after all!

"Your father said your 21st birthday would be a major milestone. I wanted to be sure my gift would reflect that," he replied casually. She mumbled a soft "thank you" but did not release him. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax. He explained that he really hadn't been reckless about it at all. He had been doing research on the temple and it's magic since they first found out about it three years ago. She listened intently as he related how he'd found Rezo's treasure vault and what he'd found in it and promised to take her there soon. She instantly agreed…

"I wanted to make sure I went through everything and took my share before I let Lina any where near it!" he added with a rueful smirk.

"Yea! I don't think she would've left you much!" she laughed. She pulled back a little and her expression turned serious.

"Still…It was dangerous. I want you to know that what really makes this gift special is how much of your heart you put into it! Thank you! I'll cherish it always!" she smiled again and reached up to put a light kiss on his cheek. He smiled at her… That was something she'd never done before. He waited for the inevitable teasing that was sure to come from Brau. It never came…

'Zel…I think you have to tell her about us…' Brau said seriously. He agreed before he went any further he had to explain the new development of his chimera condition. He had to know how Amelia would take it. He'd already decided that he couldn't stop being who he was. He was Zelgadis the chimera for better or worse and to give up all that he'd gained just to please someone else would make him unhappy in the long run. He needed her to understand and he – they – fervently hoped she would. If anyone in the world could understand it had to be her!

"Amelia, there is something I have to tell you…" he began in the deeply serious tone that was Zelgadis' trade mark. She looked up at him and frowned in concern. So he began by going back to the day he got zapped by Dark Heart…

Recap time people!

Four years ago in a battle against a disembodied being called Dark Heart Zelgadis was hit by a blast of evil energy and his mind was sent to a dark realm. In it Zelgadis experienced his worst nightmare: to be completely bereft of his powers and watch his friends die because he had no powers to help them! No, he couldn't even hold his sword anymore. For more details see: "Magic of Carealot"…

He realized then that his quest to rid himself of his chimera form was somewhat hypocritical since he gets all kinds of jollies out of having the upper hand in just about every magic and sword battle he's thrust into. He decides rather than leave the other two parts of himself trapped in Dark Heart's shadow realm he would rather keep his chimera being and remain the kick butt bad ass dude he has been since Rezo gave him this "gift".

However, with his final psychological acceptance of his chimera self came the ability to communicate with the spiritual remnants of the other two beings used to create his body as well as a whole host of new power enhancing abilities that had as yet been untapped due to his initial resistance to Rezo's spell.

And that people is why Zel can hear voices in his head!

Just in case you were wondering…

Ok! Recap end!

"Amelia, I can't stop being who or what I am… I couldn't live with myself if I gave up the power to protect the few people in my life that have become important to me! I hope you'll understand…" he concluded passionately watching her calm expression intently. For once he could not read her. She listened quietly and intently and after a moment that seemed eternal she smiled and again she wrapped her arms around him.

"Zelgadis, you should know by now that I accept you – all of you! – just as you are! I don't want you to change… Ever!" she replied sincerely her arms tightened around him in reassurance. He finally allowed himself to relax as Brau and Golem chanted happily inside his head.

"You didn't call me "Mr."…finally!" he replied in a light teasing tone. She giggled and agreed not to use the formality anymore. Her faced turned serious again.

"Zelgadis, every year you go out of your way to do something special for my birthday. Like what you did tonight at the ball… I appreciate what you do but you do know that you don't have to do it right! You know that I'm just happy that you're here right!" Amelia fired out her concerns at lighting speed her pretty face marred by it. Zel just smirked…

"I know…" he replied simply with a casual shrug. He noted his "companions" were suddenly very quiet again.

"So then why do you do it Zelgadis? Making these bracelets and whatever else you made…It was dangerous and you know it! You don't have to risk your life just to make my birthday special! I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you! Especially not on my account!" she lectured though to Zel she managed to look cute even though she was angry.

"Don't be mad Amelia! I made them because I just want to know you are safe no matter where you are! Especially when I'm not around! That's all!" Zel reassured her. She pulled back from him and regarded him with an unusually calm expression.

"You wouldn't have done it for Lina or Gourry or any of our friends… so…why for me?" she asked her face became unreadable again. She felt annoyed suddenly that he would go to such lengths to protect her. Had he no confidence in her ability to take care of herself? However to accuse him without any proof or the chance to explain himself would be unjust!

'Point of no return Zel' Golem commented seriously.

'Don't lie to her Zel and don't tell her something lame like 'because you're my friend' either' Brau warned sternly. He sighed he knew that left him very few choices. He took a deep breath and looking her straight in the eyesand pulling onevery ounce of sincerity in his heart he made the final leap…

"Because I love you Amelia…"

CRASH!

All coherent thought processes came to a screeching halt inside Amelia's head…

Tan, tan, taaaannnn!

Oh yeah! Much cheese and nonsense! You gotta love fairy tales! You can put whatever the heck you want in them and its ok…

Why?

...because it's a fairytale that's why! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Vensert: The fact that the title includes the word "Carealot" should've been your first warning that the "what the f-k?" quotient would be quite high! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Anyway I hope ya'll are enjoying! Thanks for reading and reviewing.